So, you said you’d like to hear more about our week and updates on little Creed and this, that and another thing, so here you go!
Creed is 3 weeks old now. Where does the time go?
As you can tell, he has a full head of hair and it pretty much does its own thing.
Creed is awake a lot more these days and he prefers being held over any of the “baby containers” I own. He’d much rather nurse, but that’s nothing new for my babies. I’m not a baby scheduler and so when doctors ask how many feeds he has a day, I seriously have no idea. Eventually, around 2 months, my babies naturally find a rhythm to their day and I start to see a pattern in their eating and sleeping. But at 3 weeks, we are a long way off from that.
Speaking of a long way off…
I’m 8 pounds from pre-pregnancy weight, which frankly, is not an ideal weight for me. But, pre-pregnancy weight is my first goal. All too often, I set ginormous goals for myself that end up eating me alive. This time I wrote out baby step goals. Pre-pregnancy weight is always the place I hope to be at my 6 week check up (which will actually be an 8 week this time, so I stand an even better chance of making it!). But, I must admit, those first few months postpartum are typically a time of my body holding on to the weight. Often, by 4 months postpartum, my body is more willing to let go of the extra pounds. So, we shall see.
As far as my diastasis recti, well…I have a couple of things up my sleeve that I’m not ready to share as yet, but I’ll start working on it as soon as I’m about 6 weeks postpartum. I just started walking around the perimeter of our property with my husband. He’s sweet enough to slow his pace so he can “keep up” with me.
Here in a couple of weeks, I’m going to give T-Tapp a go.
My children LOVE to do T-Tapp with me, so I figure we’ll do it and call it Homeschool P.E. And don’t worry, if I feel like it’s too much, I’ll stop and wait a bit longer before diving back in.
Oh, and if you need to find me this weekend, I’m probably sitting in my rocking chair nursing my brown-haired baby boy and staring out my back picture window, relishing him and remembering the sister he so markedly resembles. And perhaps, as I sing my little Creed to sleep, our resident owl will land on the fencepost and I will smile through my tears, grateful for the beautiful blessings the Lord gives us here on this earth and the ones we will see again in Heaven.
Remembering Emily Sofia
7/4/07 – 2/10/08
Josi says
Wow, Creed is quite the alert one. He looks like he’s ready to go! I’m loving all that hair. I’m so thankful he’ll be in your arms this Sunday as you think about your little Emily. May the Lord bless your family this weekend.
Salo says
Hi Amy,
I had not read the end of the post but already thought that Creed looks like Emily.
His hair ist so cute! My first had such hair too, but darker.
Greetings from Germany
Salo
Amy says
This made me smile, Salo. 🙂
Nikki says
He’s so beautiful and so BIG! sweet to you and your family!
Anne says
I love this name you picked out btw….& he is gorgeous!! And the owl….is wonderful, thanks for sharing…as for the weight…bah 100 yrs from now who will care~~ even 20???? I have spent way too much time in worry about that & realized how stupid it is. It is the beauty of the heart that matters & this we must work on constantly! 🙂
Amy says
We love the name too. :). And as for the weight…if The Lord should bless us again, I feel like I should do my very best to be as healthy as I can be. I’m not going for skinny, just healthy. 😉
Stephanie says
Jealous that you can get back to prepregnancy weight at 6 weeks postpartum. I keep an extra 10 pounds until I am done nursing– for 4 babies so far- and as soon as they are weaned, I drop the extra weight quickly. I’ve finally learned to buy clothes that fit so that year of extra weight is easier for me.
And I’m excited to see what your plans are for your diastasis recti- I have the same problem and PT is being recommended after the baby but I’m not sure how to make that work with 5 little ones at home.
Amy says
Well, I don’t always make it back down, but it is still my “goal.” 😉
Elizabeth Ours says
Thanks for sharing these precious days with us! Creed is adorable! Makes me miss havving a precious new baby in my arms! Emily was Beautiful, and they do resemble quite a bit! I’m sure that is bittersweet for you! Relax when you can and Enjoy your precious little one!
Elizabeth Ours says
About the DR — those exercises are tough and the splint practically unbearable to wear, especially in the south Georgia heat! I gave up on that rehab, I’m sorry to say. However, I’m also doing T-Tapp, which is also helpful in rehabing a DR.
Dana K says
I just want to say great job on losing so much of your baby weight so far! My goal has been to try to be back to pre-pregnancy weight in 9-12 months – not 6-8 weeks, so I’m really impressed! With my first, I gained 60 pounds and was back to “normal” in about a year. With my second, I gained 50 pounds, and it came off in 6 months. This time, I’m trying to gain less to begin with. 🙂 I’m proud of your goal and your progress! Oh, and when a dietitian asked my how often my baby was nursing, and I couldn’t answer, she said that was the ideal answer! Enjoy!
Amy says
Did you just say “this time?”!!!
Stephanie says
So glad to hear you’re up and about! I went for my first post-baby long walk with the kids yesterday and my lungs were burning as if I’d sprinted the whole way! I’m waiting until after the 6-week check up to pull out the T-Tapp, but it is a hard wait! I can’t wait to start getting back in shape. Maybe you’ll start sharing workout updates on Fridays and we can compare notes! 🙂
Amy says
Definitely planning to share some workout updates! My hips were what hurt the first time I took a walk. They are still all loosely-goosey!
Christa says
He is a beautiful baby! Our babies always have lots of hair too and I love that wild hair look! Blessings to you and your family as you enjoy and love on him. We are expecting number six this summer and looking forward to cuddling a tiny one again!
Shannon says
I gained 70 lbs with my twins. I lost the first 60 within 6 weeks — they are now 22 months old and I still haven’t lost the last 10. Hang in there!
Elizabeth says
what a sweet baby boy! makes me anxious to hold my little one in a couple months. will be praying for you and your family this weekend on the anniversary of Emily’s homegoing.
Stacie @ No Idle Bread says
Oh, Amy! This was so precious and sweet. Creed and Emily look A LOT alike. I have 2 of those as well, my 2nd daughter and my 2nd son look very much like each other. May God comfort your heart through the tears.
Take care!
Ashley says
Awww he is adorable!!! How are the other children handling having a new little one? Your family is precious! Such a blessing for you!
Jenn says
When I saw the first pic on this post today, my immediately thought was WOW he sure does look like his big sister Emily! 🙂 What a precious treasure! <3
Alicia says
Hi Amy, big hugs. He’s just beautiful. Really. And he does so look like your precious Emily — just the thought of her seems to sacred to even whisper type her name. I would really, really love to bring you and your family a lovely meal so you could all spend the weekend loving on one another… But don’t think that’s going to happen, since we’re not in the neighborhood…maybe just the thought of it will be a virtual hug?!?! (;
Heather says
So big already! He looks like a happy baby! Good luck with the TTapp, it is my favorite workout…and my kids favorite also 😉
Jillian says
I can’t believe he’s 3 weeks already! You shared a picture after he was home where I could really see the strong resemblance to Emily. It’s amazing! congrats on you weight loss too!!!
Wendy Hoff says
Beautiful baby! I liked the Tupler Technique which I think I first heard about on your site, but I’ve also found that I like the exercises and information in Helene Byrne’s book “Exercise After Pregnancy.” (specifically for those tummy muscles)
Hannah A. says
<3
Jenny says
Fantastic job on your weight. I just had my fourth two days after you had your beautiful baby, and I still have 20 pounds to go! Beautiful pictures!
Andrea Gillen says
Just enjoyed your latest update on this beautiful boy! Scrolling down and seeing your daughter’s picture I saw how right you were on the resemblance!
I know it is not quite the same, but as a neonatal nurse, for nearly a year, I grew attached to a little newborn at work. I ended up taking him as a regular patient each shift at work and watched him grow into a big healthy 11 month old boy (with an issue that we were waiting on his age for surgery- so he could finally go home). I loved him like my own, his family lived far and hardly were able to come visit- but when he finally was released, he contracted pneumonia and died unexpectedly at his home. I have never felt such grief, and I can only imagine how much more it would be for your own child. Two years later, I gave birth to my son (our 7th child). It wasn’t long until I begin to see a resemblance to my patient. I thought it was just me, but others I worked with saw it too, and my then 3 yr old daughter pointed to a picture of my patient and said, “That’s Nathaniel! (our son)”.
I prayed many times while holding my son for God to help me understand why in the world would I have a baby that reminded me so much of my little patient? I seemed to go between grieving all over again, to experiencing the joy of seeing his face so clearly in my arms once more. Once my little man grew past the age that I lost my patient, the painful aspect of it faded and now I see it was a time of needed healing for me. I hang onto each moment and I do have such peace knowing I will see that little boy again. My heart goes out to you, you have such strength and your words have helped comfort so many. May your healing continue through watching Creed grow. Thank you so much for sharing.
Amy says
Andrea,
Your story reminded me of our nurse, Carrie. She made sure she was Emmy’s nurse every time she was on duty. When Emily passed away, Carrie came to the funeral. I’ve often thought about her and the comfort she brought to us during those long weeks in the hospital. We were so blessed that Emily had touched her life too.
Sara says
Amy,
I am a 23-year-old mother of two (so far), a Christian home school graduate, and the oldest of twelve children. I’ve been following your blog for a little over a year now; your Pinterest and Facebook pages a little more recently. I hope that you will consider me a fan and not a stalker! =P
I love your blog work and am inspired weekly by your regular Facebook and Pinterest posts as well, your life (as revealed on the internet… I know there’s probably plenty that is left out which is less inspiring and more realistic. After all, I came from a large homeschooling family, myself and should know!) is a model of what I am striving for!
I am writing to thank you for what you’ve contributed to the world wide community of the internet in your amazing witness to life, love, and God’s abundant grace, and to offer my sympathies as you approach the anniversary of your daughter’s death. I cannot imagine what it’s like to lose a child and want you to know that ever since I ready Emily’s story several months ago, you and your family have been in my prayers, and will be so all the more this week.
God bless you, the family, and all you do. Creed is so handsome!
Amy says
Thank you so much for your kind words, Sara. 🙂
Stephanie says
Ok first…wow you get back to your pre-pregnancy weight at 6 -8 weeks???!!!!! I am almost 3 months out and nowhere near my pre-pregs weight. This is our 7th baby and I always, always have to do weight watchers and work so hard to loose the weight. You ROCK for doing that good already!!! You look beautiful too.
I do have questions about diastasis recti. I am wondering how to tell if I have it. My abdomen seems to be unusually round and swollen after this baby. It has been almost 3 months and it won’t go down even though I have been loosing weight. If you could offer any tips on how to know if I have it that would be great.
Lastly your beautiful little Creed does look a lot like little Emily, both such beautiful babes. I will pray for you to experience deep abiding joy while loving on Creed and holding Emily in your heart. You as always are an inspiration. Just love you!
Amy says
Stephanie,
I don’t always manage to get all the way down, but it’s still my “goal.” 😉 You can watch this video to learn how to check for a diastasis recti. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvybTZiLqRE
Many blessings,
Amy
Megan says
He is so precious! Enjoy those moments, Mama. He does look a lot like little Emily!
Jamie at Prepared to Eat says
He is already so big and so alert! What a beautiful boy. 🙂 I’m happy you have him to hold when you are thinking of your sweet Emily.
Deanna says
Hey Amy, our little guy just turned three weeks as well. I’m still trying to figure out how to balance time with my two year old. I wonder that as you add kids to your family does that mean that sometimes the newborn has to cry for a bit while you care for older siblings? As a full time mom and a navy wife I’m usually the sole care taker for our kids. I do have a few baby carriers that I’m sure I’ll be using a lot, but I just wonder how to do this balancing act?? I’m also trying to be gracious to our daughter while she is adjusting to her new life as a non only child, she’s pushing boundaries and making our days even more tiring! : ( Any advice would be such an encouragement, thanks!
Amy says
Motherhood is a constant balancing act! And yes, if someone needs me more, I do have to let the baby cry for just a bit while I take care of the more urgent need. Of course, now that I have older children, one of them can grab the baby and hold him while I take care of the older child.
Nikki R says
oh so happy for you. He is beautiful.