a raad story – Page 32

4 Ways to Fit into Your Pre-Pregnancy Jeans

November 29, 2016 By Joceline Raad

At 4 months postpartum c-section, I FINALLY fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans! No one tells you how your body will look after birth, especially after a c-section. Being a first time mom, everything was completely new to me. I remember failing to fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans and staring at myself in the mirror, feeling wide and flabby all over. I had never seen my body like that before (obviously!) and I had to remind myself that I carried a 7.5 lb. baby for 9 months which in turn made me feel like a superwoman because pregnancy is one of the most beautiful experiences I ever lived. There will always be imprudent people that will ask how much weight you’ve lost after birth but quite frankly, I paid them no mind. My loving mother told me, “Before you know it, everything will go back to its place and you will fit into your clothes again!” And just like that, I was determined to not step foot on a scale nor obsess with losing the postpartum weight. Here we are 4 months post-baby and I did it! Without trying, I managed to fit into those jeans, all by living a regular lifestyle. Here’s how:

1. Breastfeeding

They say breastfeeding is nature’s natural liposuction! If you are currently breastfeeding, you are ahead of the game and will quickly drop to your pre-baby size. If you do not breastfeed, don’t worry, below are other ways to drop weight in no time!

2. Healthy Eating Habits

Here’s a little secret about me: I ALWAYS eat anything I want as long as it’s a small portion. There are currently only 2 “Don’ts” in my nutrition:

1. No dieting nor starving. I do not believe in diets. I have seen people “diet” for weeks and drop weight but then a few months after, they regain the weight or even gain more than before. This is because there is no change in their lifestyle. If you want to see permanent results, experience a lifestyle change in your eating habits. On the other end are those who starve to lose weight. This is worse than dieting because you are not nourishing your body and this can have long-term effects. Especially, if you are breastfeeding, you need to nourish your body with proper nutrients in order to have enough milk supply for your little one.

2. Don’t eat after 8PM. I lived by this rule before I got married. Then after marriage, I discovered that men love to eat and like to do it more frequently than (most) women. I noticed I gained 3-4 pounds after our wedding, which is not that bad but I can primarily blame it on eating after 8PM (since I never used to before). Now that I am no longer pregnant, I have reapplied this rule. Yes, there are exceptions, for example, Thanksgiving day – I pigged out like a true American!

3. Water

I may truly be water’s number 1 fan! I drink more than 8 cups a day because I simply love water. I am not one to drink my calories, which is why at restaurants, my drink order is water with no ice. Drink lots water!

4. Powerwalking

I love nature and I love trees. I prayed for a house close enough to a park filled with trees and voila! I take our baby boy for a stroll almost daily and as we stroll, I power-walk (since I am unable to run with our stroller). If you live close to a park, take your baby on a daily stroll. It’s not only a great enjoyable activity, it’s a form of light exercise.

Here are a couple of photos we took celebrating!

DISCLAIMER: Please keep in mind that this is what worked for me. I am not a doctor nor a nutritionist. Consult your physician if you are thinking about making any changes to your eating habits and exercise.

Caleb Turns 4 Months

November 22, 2016 By Joceline Raad

Today my little mancub turns 4 months! We have enjoyed these past few months of parenting. There has been loads of learning and all the while it has been sheer bliss. It truly is unbelievable how this little fellow can turn any frown upside down. He has us head over heels! There is no wonder why I keep telling my girlfriends that motherhood is ecstasy and if they are afraid of having a baby, there is nothing to fear! Yes, having a little human is a responsibility of a lifetime, but it is something that comes with great reward, because at the end of the day, all that matters is putting a smile on your baby’s face. And when you see that smile, it will fill your life with an indescribable joy!

Check out a few snaps from his 4 months below:

5 Must-Haves for Nighttime Breastfeeding

November 11, 2016 By Joceline Raad

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When it comes to nighttime breastfeeding, there are quite a few things that will make your life and the 3am feeding easier, if you have them a few feet or inches away! Since newborns need to feed about every 3 hours, your baby will wake up right when you fall deep asleep, so brace yourself! However, waking up in the middle of the night is not the tough part; making sure you stay awake while nursing your little one IS! Here are 5 must-haves my husband and I kept within arm’s reach to avoid falling asleep while breastfeeding at night. Without them, it would have been difficult, if not impossible, to stay awake while feeding Caleb.

Water. Breastfeeding tends to do a number on your body. While it helps you recover your pre-baby body quicker, it can dehydrate you. You will find yourself extremely thirsty. My husband made sure I had 1 or 2 water bottles on my nightstand to avoid me having to walk all the way to the kitchen in the middle of the night.
Boppy pillow. I absolutely LOVE my Boppy pillow and do not know what I would have done without it! When Caleb woke up at night, I would pick him up, wrap my Boppy pillow around my waist, and place him comfortably on top. Comfort is key when you are trying to make your baby latch on properly and this pillow did the trick, especially at night! (Alternative: No Boppy pillow? Use a bed pillow for support.)
Night light. Confession – I was in charge of the nighttime feeding. Although some parents share this responsibility, I decided to takeover and let my husband sleep through the night for 2 reasons: 1. He had to wake up in the morning to work and 2. I wanted to increase my milk supply and the best way is to breastfeed frequently. Therefore, I always tried not to wake my husband and I used a night-light. It also kept the room dim which helps your newborn know that it is night-time not play time. (Alternative: If you do not have a nightlight, turn on your closet or bathroom light.)
TV. Because you are sleeping about 2.5 hours straight 2 to 3 times a night, you will find yourself somewhat exhausted. While nursing your baby, your eyes may get heavy and you will want to close them for a few seconds. This is a big no-no! A few seconds of resting your eyes will turn into minutes if not hours of sleeping while nursing, which can potentially be dangerous for your newborn. To avoid this, I turned on the TV in our room and lowered the volume. Try putting a show or TV program that you like to keep you awake. I watched Shark Tank or FRIENDS. (Alternative: No bedroom TV? Tune into your favorite podcast, Pandora, or radio station. Or use your cellphone to stay awake.)
Hair tie. They say breastfeeding makes you burn calories; technically it is a workout. There is no wonder why I would sweat sometimes at night while I nursed. If you sleep with your hair down, make sure you have a hair tie on your nightstand. Before picking up your hungry newborn, tie your hair in a bun to avoid it getting in your way while breastfeeding and also to help cool you off. Trust me, you will need it! (Alternative: Braid your hair prior to bedtime.)

Pumpkin Patch 2016

October 31, 2016 By Joceline Raad

Pumpkin patch season is here! As a couple, our annual tradition has always been to go to Flamingo Road Nursery in Davie, FL for the fresh juices and to take lovely photos. This year, we were so excited to take our new addition, Caleb Beau, to introduce him to pumpkins for the first time. Check out our snaps below. Enjoy!

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BABY’S FIRST Night in His Own Room

October 27, 2016 By Joceline Raad

Caleb's last night in his bassinet. — *Caleb’s last night in his bassinet*

Tonight was Caleb’s first night sleeping in his own room! By far, this was the hardest thing we’ve done as new parents. I cried and still feel like crying. I find myself feeling anxious and constantly staring at his monitor to make sure he’s OK. Suddenly, I perceive that this is the beginning of loads of bittersweet milestones with our firstborn.

Tonight was a glimpse of what’s to come. It finally hit me – our lives will never be the same again! First, he’s off to sleep in his own room, then, it’s his first day of Pre-K, then, he’s off to get married! Alright, I may have gone too far, but time does indeed fly. As new parents we are realizing that this little person means the world to us and will forever be a part of us. We are not able to control time, however, we are able to enjoy the time we spend with our little one and make the most of it. For now, let’s just hope I’m able to overcome my anxiety of missing him even though he’s right next door.