How To Help Siblings Adjust To New Baby

One of my biggest fears about having a new baby was being outnumbered by my kids. Knowing that I was going to be pulled in 3 different directions and that each sibling was going to outdo each other. I'm a red head, and I don't have the longest fuse and can often feel overwhelmed easily and just the idea of being outnumbered FREAKED ME OUT! So what is a new mom to do with the demands of 3 kids?

Not going to lie, it was a bit rocky in the beginning with the 3 of them. I would hideout in my room with Elyse so I wouldn't get overwhelmed and we had people here to help meet the boys needs. But when it was up to me and I was all on my own, I didn't do too bad. We made it work. We all survived, and the house didn't burn down! It might of been a mess but we still survived. So here are my 5 tips to help with the transition for older siblings.

1) Talk about the new baby with your older children before the baby arrives. Let them know that a new baby is coming and things are going to change and be different. We actually watched the Daniel Tiger Episode about new baby Margaret joining the Tiger family. Those 3 episodes helped teach the changes that happen and even how Daniel had to be patient when wanting to talk to his parents but baby Margaret needed their attention.

2) Try to spend alone time with the kids after baby arrives. Your older child/children will want attention from you too. They might act out against you just to get your attention. That is what #2 did for us. Collin, we nicknamed him Gremlin after Elyse arrive, because he was always causing problems, on purpose! It was so frustrating but all he wanted to my attention again. And when I would snuggle with him, without sister he just loved it.

3) Have the older sibling be a mommy's helper. Give your older kids a job to do to help you around the house. Most siblings feel really awesome when they are a big brother or big sister because THEY ARE THE BIG ONE around the house. Giving them a job or duty to help with makes them feel extra special. And they will more than likely be excited to help out, most of the time at least!

4) Teach them boundaries and limits to the baby. If your kids are like mine, they want to be around the new baby ALL THE TIME! Which might not be the safest. If they are sick or if they don't know how to act gently around the baby they will need to be talked to for sure for the safety of the baby. Mason gets it. To be gentle and soft. He is 5. Collin is only 2, and I have to constantly remind him he has to be gentle and soft. He has almost fallen on her twice though just because he doesn't get it. So be diligent about safety and teaching safety to the older kids. Tell them that it is their big brother/sister duty to make sure that their new baby brother or sister is safe at all times!

5) Always show them love. All of them, no matter what. It is easy to yell and scream and get upset when the older kids don't listen. When they don't clean up their dinosaurs on the ground and you step on the T-Rex for the 5th time that day. Or when thy fight with each other. They are going through a big change too, and if you show them love they will respond so much better and there "should" be more peace in your house. I have to separate the boys sometimes when they are just picking on each other and being brothers. But always try to approach them with love and less screaming and yelling. It is a work in progress for me, but I am trying.

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Elyse's Perfect Newborn Session

A few weeks ago our family went to our favorite local photographer, Aaron Watson Photography, for our yearly family pictures and for Elyse's Newborn Session! It was so amazing. We had the family pictures for the first 30-40 minutes trying to bust out as many pictures with them as possible before they lost it.  With young kids, you only have a short amount of time to get really good pictures. And Collin proved it with that. He reached a point and then he was DONE with getting his picture taken. Over all our family pictures time went great!

The trick with finding a photographer is to really find one you click with. We have used a few in our area and love them all, but we have just loved the photos by Aaron and he has taken a majority of our family pictures and has literally watched our kids grow and will continue to watch our kids grow because he has become part of so many of our families memories! You can visit his FACEBOOK PAGE HERE or his WEBSITE PAGE HERE. Seriously go check out his website and see his magical photos! They are so breathtaking!

Looking for some inspiration? You can search online for some poses you really like and want to use for your newborn session. I found these great newborn photo ideas to help inspire the perfect pose for my birth announcements and pictures. And this photo by In The Little Photography is exactly like the pose our photographer used for our boys!

In The Little Photography

Before the session I was advised to nurse her about an hour before so that she was satisfied during the session would be more cooperative and hopefully fall asleep. We were also told that the studio would be more on the warm side and gentle music would be playing to help create a soothing session. And it was. It was really a special day for us.

Then it was Elyse's time to shine. Because we started with family photos I had to feed her for a bit before we got started with her individual pictures, where she lost her belly button stub because it got caught on my sweater, and then she was out cold for the rest of the session. She was just 6 days old when these pictures were taken. They just turned out amazing! Here are a few of my favorites!

Elyse's tutu was purchased at: Cutie Pie Goodies on Etsy

One of my favorite outfits: Worth the wait by: Mama Bijou on Etsy

Thank you to Aaron Watson Photography for capturing these amazing and sweet moments with my baby girl! Those looking for an amazing photographer in and around central Virginia for family, senior, newborns and weddings, please consider Aaron as he has always delighted us with amazing photos when we just prayed for at least 1 good one! You will not regret the choice to use him, and be sure to let him know that I sent ya over to say hi!

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! Don't forget to follow me on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK!

Elyse Cheyenne: 1 Month

Elyse turned 1 month old this past weekend. What a crazy month it has been. Surprisingly the month didn't go too fast or too slow. It was just right. I had plenty of help for the month which was a huge blessing. My family and Matt's family both came out at different times to help us and I was so glad that things worked out as well as they did so that we had someone here to help for the first 2 weeks. Then Matt had 2 weeks of half days after that.

Elyse has been such a good baby for us. The first couple of nights were rough in the hospital. All she wanted to do was cry, but once my milk came in she fell right into a schedule of eat for an hour, pass out for 3. She is a very regular baby in that regards still. Though she isn't feeding for an hour straight now, more like 30-40 minutes, but then she is good for at least 3 hours. She does give me generally 4-5 hour stints at night.

She sure has grown too! She currently weighs 9 pounds .3 ounces and is 21 inches long. Way to go baby girl!

Recovery has actually been really good. I didn't tear so I didn't hurt as badly as I had after having both boys. The only annoyance I have had has been the postpartum bleeding. It has been surprisingly light compared to the boys but it is just never ending as usual!


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Happy Halloween 2016

I hope everyone had a fabulous Halloween yesterday! Just wanted to send you all some love from my family to yours! We all had fun dressing up this year!

Matt: Captain America (logo hidden by Elyse) Me:Wonder Woman, Mason: The Flash, Collin: Batman and Elyse: Super Girl (outfit by TeacupsandMudpies1 on Etsy)

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Fad Diets Terms That SUCK!

LOW FAT/ NO FAT, SUGAR-FREE, LOW CARB----UGH! These are bad words in my mind. Why? Because they bring on the same thinking that the word SALAD does. It makes me think of DIETING! Which is the last thing I want to be doing, ever again. Diets don't work. Because you have to cut something from what you are eating. Cutting carbs, cutting fat, cutting calories. And those are impossible things to do long term. What does work is making true life changes to how you eat, learning to eat the right amounts of foods and the right kinds of food!

Why do I hate these words, because although the thought behind them might be right...the context that we think about them is incorrect.

LOW FAT/NO FAT- UGH! We need fat in our diet! WE NEED it for our bodies to work right. The key is eating the right kinds of fats that your body actually needs and the correct amount. Honestly, I drink whole milk, and I eat real butter. I can't stand skim or fat free milk. Reason....it has been overly processed to get the fat out of it for skim milk. But again we need the fat. Good sources of fat: Small amount of olive oil, thin slices of avocado, full fat greek yogurt, even a limited number of nuts. The key to fats, what we need is a LOW AMOUNTS OF FATS IN OUR DIET!

SUGAR FREE- If you see something listed as "sugar-free" stay far far away from it. Because yes, there might not be actual cane sugar or sugar in it, but instead there is going to be some kind of a sweetener in it that is man made. A chemical based sweetener or an artificial sweetener that your body won't know how to process as easily as just regular old plain sugar. Think High Fructose Corn Syrup. I'm not saying to go and start eating massive amounts of cane sugar. But if you make oatmeal and add a teaspoon of brown sugar to it, it's not going to ruin anything. The key is to reduce the amount of sugar that you eat. If you ditch sweets and treats and just eating processed foods you actually will cut a lot of sugars from your diet.

LOW CARB- Again, when I hear low carb I think no carbs at all. Because the first thing I used to think about as carbs was bread, pasta, pastries. And for the most part, yes this is true. We need carbs. And compared to the regular American diet, we actually need to LOWER THE AMOUNT OF CARBS EATEN! When our body processes a carbohydrate it turns it into a fast burning energy. It is the body's sugar in a way (protein is the slow burning energy). What you want to cut from your diet is the simple carbohydrates, sugar cereals, white flour breads, regular pasta. EAT THE COMPLEX CARBS! Complex carbs are: Oatmeal, quinoa, brown rice, brown pasta.

In the end, learning the context for these terms, not just the fad diet terms is what is going to help you in the long run. This is why I love the 21 Day Fix program so much because it encourages you to eat all the food groups, including sugar. (chocolate is allowed on 21 Day Fix!) Because we need our bodies to work correctly, and we still need treats, at least I do, otherwise a huge binge of the wrong kinds of food will happen and that is the last thing anyone wants to do while trying to change their eating habits!

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! Don't forget to follow me on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK!

10 Tips For A Healthy Halloween

Halloween was one of my favorite holidays as a kid. Not only did I get free candy but to me it was the start of the Holiday Season. Meaning I get to spends lot of time with extended family and EAT AMAZING FOOD! It was my excuse to eat whatever I wanted because it was the holidays. Don't let yourself get caught up in the craze of holidays that you forget about your health. Start today, on HALLOWEEN with making smarter choices. To not let yourself go crazy over the next 2 months. Make your health and wellness your priority and worth it. Here are 10 tips to help you and your children have a healthier Halloween, because, your kids are going to come away with TONS of candy, and it is not only a temptation for you having in the house but think about how many empty calories your kids are going to be eating over the next week or so or however long it takes to go through their candy. 

If you are ready to work on you have have NO EXCUSES for your health and really want to end the year strong, confident and actually losing weight, I want you to join my No Excuses NO-vember private Facebook group. CLICK HERE for more info and how to sign up! 

10 TIPS AND TRICKS TO A HEALTHY HALLOWEEN: 

1) Talk to your kids first and foremost about how much candy is enough. Kids like the idea of candy but do they really need all that candy? Talk to them first and say, we are only going to this one neighborhood this year. Also tell them that they can not empty their bag and start over. It is one bag only and explain how much they will get.

2) Find a smaller neighborhood and just go there. Or just go trick or treating at a local church. When you get home have them help pass out some candy or only go and see their friends house in the neighborhood.

3) Line their trick or treating bag with batting or decorations. (Trick I do with our pass out candy!) (Pictured at top)

4) Fill the bottom of their bag with fruit, or make arrangements with a neighbor to give them fruit (you provide the fruit) Make that your first stop so that their bag is weighted down and so the fruit (apples and oranges) take up more room.

5) Make a "fill to this line only" line on their bag or bucket. Once the candy reaches that line, they are done.

6) Buy a smaller trick or treating bag. Invest in a customized one that just doesn't hold as much candy as the buckets do.

7) Talk about what you are going to do with all the candy. Make a pre-planned schedule as to when they will get their candy. Reward for doing chores? Or a sticker system?

8) Make a game with the costume characters you see.

9) Hand out non candy items like temporary tattoos, pencils, stickers or Halloween rings

10) Limit the amount of time going trick or treating to get less candy for the kids

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Making Health And Fitness Imporant

I talk with women everyday who want to make changes but they aren't sure how to fit exercise and planning healthy meals into their daily life. The one question I ask them is "how important is it to you to reach your goals?" When you want something bad enough you will do everything in your power to do it. Start by planning your exercise in your calendar, daily, and with an alarm. Think of it as a doctor appointment that you can't miss. Your health really is that important and before you know it, it will become a priority in your life and you won't want to miss how you feel after. The energy you get. The relaxed feeling. The accomplishment you will feel at the end of your workout. It is worth it to put you first! Exercise is the one way I can control my hormone imbalance that I suffer with PCOS! 

To make your health and fitness important you have to make sure you sit down and set some goals. What do you want to accomplish? How much weight do you want to lose? What dress size do you want to be? What body fat % do you want?  Decide what you want to accomplish and think of your goals each and every morning to remind yourself what you are really working towards! You are worth it to fight for what you want! 

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! Don't forget to follow me on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK!

Bump Update: 4 Weeks Postpartum

4 Weeks ago today, I gave birth to this little miracle of mine. Sadly, these 4 weeks have FLOWN BY! And she is getting so much bigger. They sure don't stay small for long. I am sure enjoying having a beautiful little girl to dote on all day long. We really are blessed with this little miracle rainbow baby of ours. Matt is going back to work full time on Monday. I am nervous but we have to make the leap eventually. And I survived 2 days this week with Matt out of town and just me. So this 3 kid can be done. House is a wreck but the kids survived and know they are loved! 

This is the last of my weekly updates. I will be going to monthly from here on out, even though these are pretty popular, I think it will be good to see the monthly transformation! 

Exercise: Limited to walking for now. Still haven't been cleared by my doc yet. But he did say before I was discharged that walking is ok when I feel up to it. So...family walks in the evening it is! 

Recovery: Recovery has been pretty easy compared to my other 2. I didn't tear so I don't have any stitches to deal with so that has been nice. I want to be done with the postpartum bleeding though. It is a pain. It has really picked up in the last few days. I go through stages of, "I'm done!" then a few days later..."NOPE!"

Weight: Pre-pregnancy weight:237.7. Weight morning of birth: 264.8. Current weight this morning: 249.9. I am hovering between 248 and 252 right now. It really depends on what we eat the day prior. So I know once I start back on the 21 DAY FIX NUTRITION, starting NOVEMBER 1 in my NO EXCUSES NO-vember group that I will lose weight and I will soar past my goals! (interested in joining the group? send me an email or comment below! 

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! Don't forget to follow me on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK!

NO Excuses November

NOVEMBER! AH! It is almost November already! I made a promise to myself that I would give myself 4 weeks of leeway to my eating but beginning November 1 it was on like Donkey Kong! Time to get back into my 21 Day Fix Nutrition plan so that I can eat what my body needs to be healthy, feed Elyse the right kinds of food and also to help me lose weight safely. I have learned with past pregnancy recoveries that I have to eat right to lose weight while breastfeeding. I'm not in a hurry to be a specific weight, I just want to feel the best that I can. So to help me stay accountable and on track...My November group is NO EXCUSES NO-vember! 

If you are ready to get your eating on track before the holidays and have a GUILT FREE THANKSGIVING (yes, I am going to be enjoying my Thanksgiving 80/20!) JOIN MY GROUP!

WHAT'S INCLUDED! 

-30 day supply of superfoods dense nutrition, more than just a protein shake!
-Workout program that fits your lifestyle
-30 day free trial to Beachbody On Demand online streaming with 100's of workouts included to check out!
-Daily motivation
-Support from those in the group
-One on One support and accountability from me
-Access to my exclusive private Facebook group
-Tools and tips from me that I used to help me lose weight
-30 day Connect The Dots To Your Life Guide
-Surviving the Holidays Guide

Send me an EMAIL so we can chat and get you hooked up with the program that fits your lifestyle and goals! (must not be working with a coach already)

But want to check out the newest workout program being released? A MMA style workout that works your core? Core De Force is being released NOVEMBER 1!

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! Don't forget to follow me on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK!

Bump Update: 3 Weeks Postpartum

 Look at this little sweet blessing I get to enjoy! She is even sweeter when she is napping, but this isn't happening very much thanks to the 3 week growth spurt! She is feeding every hour to hour and a half right now but I still love her! It just makes me sad because she isn't going to stay small for long and I love it when they are small. You forget how small they really are. (small in a relative meaning because they are pretty big when they come out of you and all but then just so small compared to the older siblings!) 

Exercise: Limited to walking for now. Still haven't been cleared by my doc yet. But he did say before I was discharged that walking is ok when I feel up to it. So...family walks in the evening it is! 

Recovery: Recovery has been pretty easy compared to my other 2. I didn't tear so I don't have any stitches to deal with so that has been nice. I want to be done with the postpartum bleeding though. It is a pain. She just started her 3 week growth spurt so I am feeding her all the time and the bleeding has picked back up again. UGH! 

Weight: Pre-pregnancy weight:237.7. Weight morning of birth: 264.8. Current weight this morning: 250.2. I am hovering between 248 and 252 right now. It really depends on what we eat the day prior. So I know once I start back on the 21 DAY FIX NUTRITION that I will lose weight and I will soar past my goals! 

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! Don't forget to follow me on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK!