KristieRebuilds

Tag: pregnancy

  • Here Is What I’ve Decided About My Post Baby Body

    Here Is What I’ve Decided About My Post Baby Body

    A few weeks back, I shared with you that I have begun my journey to get back to my pre-baby weight. I originally started slowly in December by exercising 3 times per week. Without making any changes to my diet.

    After doing that for about a month, I decided it was time to increase my workouts to 4 times per week. Then, I cut out my worst enemy…potato chips. I mean, I’ve always eaten chips but I was obsessed with them during my pregnancy and never let them go.

    Working out with baby

    After a few more weeks of exercising on my cycling bike for 4 days per week. I didn’t notice much of a weight difference. So, I went back to a tried and true workout…HIIT! Which stands for High Intensity Interval Training. I used to do it all of the time before getting pregnant. I know that it works. Especially when combined cardio on my non-HIIT days.

    So, that’s where I am right now. Eating right and exercising for 5 days per week. Am I seeing a difference now? Yes…I certainly am. But I’ve realized something. I need to calm down!

    Healthy living and being active has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember. So, gaining 35 pounds during pregnancy was a big deal for me! Looking in the mirror was horrific.

    Then something changed…

    Changing workout

    It was on a day that I was doing a HIIT workout in my living room while my baby watched from his playpen. He started crying and wanted me to pick him up. I kept stopping to soothe him and to breastfeed. For a millisecond, I got frustrated. All I wanted to do was get this workout done so I could be one step closer to my weight loss goal. But it suddenly dawned on me to live in the moment. He would only be this small for a small amount of time. All he knows is that he wants his Mama. And I’ll I’ve ever want was to be his Mama.

    This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. History has shown that the weight will come off with consistency. I’ve done it before. I know this, for sure. Who cares if it took me 1 hour to do a 30 minute workout. I should be proud of the fact that my body was able to produce this beautiful baby boy. Relish in the kisses and hugs I get from my baby. That’s what really matters.

    Baby in stroller

    My son adores me. My husband does too. And I’ve decided to love my post pregnancy body just as much as I loved my pre-pregnancy body. I reach my goal, when I reach my goal. And I’m perfectly satisfied with that.

    If you can related, let me know how you got through it in the comments…

    Stay Fearless 💋

  • Back Like I Never Left, Meet My Son

    Back Like I Never Left, Meet My Son

    If you haven’t noticed, Ive been on a hiatus for a lil’ bit over a month now.  I’ve missed keeping you all posted so much.  I hope that you have missed reading Fashion Not Fear as much as I’ve missed writing it.

    Now, that Ive gotten that out of the way.  Let’s get to the reason why I’ve been missing in action.  Well, because I had my baby boy!!!!  He was born about one month ago.  And it has been the best time of my life!!  

    Although…it started out as the scariest time of my life.

    You see, I had a c-section scheduled because he was breech.  So, I felt comfort in knowing the day and approximate time that he’s supposed to be born.  Per my doctors request, I went to the hospital about 1 week before the scheduled date to take a COVID-19 test.  Then left, with a long list in my head off all of the things I had to do before he was born.  

    Unfortunately, that list didn’t last long.

    Two days after taking the test, I’m laying in the bed with my fiancé and my water broke.  It literally woke me out of my sleep.  “My water broke!”   I tell him.  He jumps out of bed, completely disregards the hospital bag we already packed, and starts running around the room.  While I’m standing in the hallway, leaking, he’s looking of clothes, shoes, calling my Mom…this is the first time I’ve seen him shook.  But it won’t be the last time.  

    We finally make it to the hospital sans pants.  Yep, I rode all the way to the hospital wearing only a t-shirt while sitting on a towel.  So I found myself trying to put on a pair of my fiancé sweatpants quickly before the nurse that was bringing out a wheelchair made it to the car.  Not to mention that my mom, nephew, brother, and sister-in-law beat us to the hospital.  So,  they were there with their cameras out as we pulled up.  They were not allowed inside due to COVID-19 so that was the most they could be involved.    

    After that, things happened so fast or so it seemed.

    I was so anxious about the pain to come.  Thankfully, I didn’t feel any contractions.  The nurses told me that I was having some but I didn’t feel a thing.  A couple of hours after we arrived, my doctor came in the room, gave me an exam and said, “Okay, we are going to get you ready for a c-section.”

    Heading to get a c-section

    They walk me into the operating room for an epidural.  The last thing I remember before the baby arrived was holding my fiance hand asking, “Am I holding onto your hand too tight?”  The next thing I know,  I wake up with the baby laying in a bassinet beside me while my fiancé was sleeping on the couch.  Once he woke up he gave me all of the ghory details about my surgery and what he saw.  He was shook.  Yet again.  

    Im not gonna lie, healing through a c-section has been hard.  Simple things like getting up from a chair and picking up the baby has been difficult because Im so independent.  But my fiancé has been amazing and very patient.  My mother has been a great help, too.

    We are just so grateful that he’s here.  The pain from surgery, sleepless nights, trying to decode his crying spells, constantly wondering if he’s okay, figuring out breastfeeding…its all worth it!  None of it matters when I look at him.  I just want to love on him all day.   He really is the best thing I’ve ever made!

    So, today starts my first day back from maternity leave.  Im back to creating content, sewing, building up Blue Labels Boutique and my fashion brand.  All of that while being a top notch mother to my son.  I know it won’t be easy but nothing ever is and I love a challenge.

    Now, without further ado…meet my son, Aayan.

    Aayan baby pic
    4 Days Old!

    Any tips on balancing it all?  Let me know in the comments…

    Stay Fearless 💋  

  • What’s It Like To Be Pregnant During A Pandemic?

    What’s It Like To Be Pregnant During A Pandemic?

    This pandemic has been interesting, to say the least. I’ve always been a bit of a germiphobe but this has sent my paranoia to a whole new level! All while being pregnant?? 🤦🏾‍♀️

    These days, I wash my hands so much that I forget if I washed them, so I wash them again. My hands look like that of a 80 year old woman. The constant washing has changed the texture. And not in a good way.

    Then there’s the hand sanitizer. We are blessed to not have any problems finding some in my area but let me tell you. We keep a bottle in the car. One is each room and one in my purse. Sooo, in addition to washing, I sanitize my hands like crazy. 🤷🏽‍♀️

    This pandemic has changed my pregnancy mood from joy to worry. I don’t want it to fly by without enjoying the moment. But I certainly didn’t have as many fears in my 1st and 2nd trimesters as I do now. I try to just keep in mind that I’m doing my part in keeping the world safe.

    The information I’ve read about COVID-19 while pregnant is conflicting. Some say you are no more vulnerable than anyone else. Others scream, “Protect you and your baby! You are more vulnerable due to your immune system.” Who knows what the truth is. So, I just do my best to follow the guidelines.

    This is my first baby so I’m already stressed about everything from making sure we have enough diapers to dealing with anxiety over what labor & delivery will be like. Adding a global infection hasn’t made it easier. This pandemic has kept me up at night. Seriously.. Having a stomach the size of a watermelon and running to the bathroom every 30 minutes has already killed my good night sleeping. I knew that I cant continue to live like that.

    So to help me get through it, I’ve sworn off all news reports and any online stories about COVID-19. I mean, some of those stories were so sad, I just couldn’t wrap my head around it. I decided to just focus on positive things to keep me in a good frame of mind.

    Let me just tell you other ways this pandemic has affected my pregnancy.

    Firstly, I don’t go into any stores. My fiancé does that part. We make a list of the things we need. He goes in to get everything and I sit in the car and wait for him to come out. There are certain things I’m so particular about. (Like organic body wash). But when he comes out with something other than that. I try not to make too much of a big deal about it. He does it all…post office drop offs, grocery shopping, runs into the convenient store when I NEED a Kit Kat. With no complaints. So how can I complain??

    Browsing through the stores to get last minute baby items like bottles, pampers, pacifiers or bibs is no longer a thing. I’ve had to order everything online and wait for it. And things that come in the mail are super slow these days so needless to say that I spend a lot of time checking shipping carriers websites for the latest tracking information.

    When it comes to going to the doctor, things are SO different! A mask must be worn the entire time. My temperature is checked upon entry along with a series of questions about how I’m feeling. Every two chairs are taped up to make sure that we are able to social distance. In addition to the fact that no one can go in with me. So, my fiancé has to wait in the car the entire time. He hasn’t missed any appointments. I know it’s hard for him because he misses out on hearing the heartbeat and seeing the baby on the sonogram. Plus, he doesn’t think I ask the doc the right questions. It’s gotten to a point where I take notes of questions to ask so I can make sure he’s well informed before I make it back to the car.

    Now, that I’m only 4 weeks from my due date I have a doctors visit once a week. It includes testing, a sonogram, and some type of belt that is used to monitor the baby’s heart beat. This requires me to sit in a big leather chair. As soon I get out of it, I’m damn near drowning my arms in sanitizer since they touched the chair. 🤷🏽‍♀️

    I’ve been told by my doctor that only one person can come with me to the hospital when I go into labor. And that person will not be able to leave for any reason. They can leave when me and the baby leave. Which is fine with me cause I didn’t want to be alone in the hospital, anyway. Although, my mom and brother aren’t too happy about it. I do regret that they won’t be there to share the experience with me. But we will all be able to enjoy the baby when he gets here. So I have a feeling that they will quickly get over it.

    I told my Mom that I can’t wait until I have the baby so I can stop worrying so much. She laughed and said, ” You’re gonna worry even more when he gets here!”

    She’s probably right. I’ve decided to stop worrying so much about the things I can’t change. Follow the guidelines while trying to enjoy the days until the baby arrives. Also, to stay positive and prayed up until this thing is behind us. Or for whatever our new normal is to come.

    How has this pandemic changed you? Let me know in the comments…

    Stay Fearless 💋