Hair Update: Postpartum shedding after JAE

Help!!! I'm going bald!

My shed hair after lightly detangling last week.

My shed hair after lightly detangling this week.

And so it begins...I thought perhaps this time I would escape the evil clutches of postpartum shedding or at least enjoy my full luscious hair a little longer but that was not to be.
I co-washed my hair a couple of Fridays ago and to my dismay,  I lost quite a bit of hair.  I hoped it was a fluke since I'd had my hair in braids for a week.  But then,  every time I've run my fingers through it in the last few days,  I've come away with shed hair :-(. *sniff*sniff*.

I decided to start taking the manetabolism vitamins now.  I purchased a 2 month supply during their last sale in hopes of using it to decrease my postpartum shedding.
To see my progress, I took a series of before pictures as well as a comparison of where I was after my big chop and where I am today.

I plan on doing a length check update after the first month. Thankfully,  I haven't lost too much of my edges like I did last time and I am hoping manetabolism helps me retain them this go around.

From this picture, I'm almost at armpit length.

This is my right side by my ear.

My left side by my ear.

The front of my hair.

The back left side of my hair. 

The back right side of my hair.

And so my hair journey continues. I'll be sure to post an update after the first month and another after the second month. In the meantime, since I have limited free time, I'll be doing as much protective styles as I can. For the most part, it'll be 2 or 4 single braids, 2 cornrows or 2 french braids. I try to keep it very simple.

Question of the day:
What are some ways you were able to manage or maintain your hair after having a baby?

Photo Dump Wednesday: Father's day 2015

We celebrated father's day a little early since JOE, JAE, J and I all headed to Boston to celebrate with my dad.

J's gifts were all things that I knew he'd appreciate.  

Our childcare provider worked with JOE and JAE to create the perfect craft. They were the cutest.  J loves them so much. 

A few weeks ago,  we had professional family pictures taken.  While there,  the photog had some chocolate covered cookies which J shamelessly indulged in.  I decided to pick up a bear for him. By the way,  these things are delicious and inexpensive from Target.

J's current Samsung galaxy S3 is on its last leg.  So I decided to surprised J with cash for the new S6 (in the envelope on the bear) since his phone carrier is having a sale on them. J can't wait to pick up his new phone this weekend. 

And then I decided to bake a giant cookie for JOE to decorate. I made a peanut butter cookie and got the writing icing for JOE to decorate with.  

She had a blast with it. I helped her with the writing and the yellow border but the rest of it was all her. 

Of course she had to eat some of the sprinkles too while decorating :-).

And here's the final master piece!

I think she did a pretty good job and I think J also really liked his father's day presents.

This is what greeted J when he got home. 

Like I said earlier, we went to Boston for the weekend. Here's a picture (from last Christmas) of my awesome dad. He is THE BEST!!! If you know me, you'll know I got a lot of my traits from him. I am very thankful to God for making me his daughter.

JOE and her cousin are 4-months apart and they are going to be BFFs. I am claiming it for them :-). They played together so much it was cute. "Huggies" was abundant this weekend.

My younger brother came home to celebrate father's day with us and he quickly proceeded to grill up some burgers. This was DELICIOUS!!! YUM!

I took this picture because it reminded me of one taken in 2012 when we visited my parents in Boston after JOE was born. Not much has changed. J really loves his girls! 

On Sunday at Church, my nephew offered to assist me with JAE. Check him out holding his cousin. He is the oldest grandson from my parents and he takes that responsibility seriously. I just love him so much!!! Can't believe how much he is growing up. This is the oldest grandson and youngest grand daughter. Perfect!

I hope you all had an awesome father's day! Can't believe it is Wednesday already!!! The weekend is almost here. YAY!

Photo Dump Wednesday: Weekend activities

I planned on posting this on Monday but got really busy so instead, I'll be posting it as part of photo dump Wednesday. 

Last weekend, J & I decided to tackle another task we've been meaning to do. Last year, we created a rose bed and used stones to frame it. We intended to do the same for the rest of the flower beds in front of our house but we never got a chance to until last Saturday. 
So while JAE slept, we set up the baby monitor and had JOE help us around the yard. 
As they say, "team work makes the dream work." I dug the well for the stones and J filled it in with pavers' sand and the stones while JOE acted as the "back seat driver" by telling us "you missed a spot!" or "can I help?" or "don't spray me with the water" or "momma, can I have a frog?" By the way, my response to the last statement was "ewwwww...momma pick up frogs!"

Anyways, here are pictures of the yard.

The before...

The after. We really like how it turned out.

Also, turns out peepholes don't come standard on doors! Who would have thunk it? I've always had peepholes in the doors of places where I live so it was a surprise to me when we built our home and didn't have a peephole in the door. We frosted the side panes for privacy and for the longest time, I've been wanting a peephole so I can see who is on the other side of the door before opening. 
I ordered this peephole from Amazon.com. J and I were both able to install it in our front door. The entire thing took less than 20-minutes to install. Score one for quick and easy DIY projects.

Now on to our weekly mommy/daughter selfie. I just love the different expressions on JAE's face. JOE is already a pro at selfies.

This is JAE's "here we go again...I'm not sure about this" look.

This is JAE's "enough is enough" look.

This is JAE's "fine. You win but I refuse to smile" look.

And her "you're still at it mom?" look.

But as they say, practice makes perfect. The next day, JAE was in a better mood. Here's her "OK. I won't fight it" look.

And her "oh, this is not so bad. I'll even attempt a half smile" look. 

And her "OK OK. I indulged you. Now, let's move on" look. I already know that JAE will be the one making faces in pictures. I love it!

Be still  my heart! I took this picture while pumping last Friday and J was getting the girls ready for the day. Love them, love them!

I hope you're having a great week so far! I was recently tagged by Call me Mummy to blog 7-random things about me. I am in the process of putting together that list and hope to post that blog next week. 

JAE's 2-month update

And just like that...maternity leave has come to an end!

I started back working (teleworking full time for the month of June) on Monday. While I do welcome the break I get during the day from caring for a baby, I really miss spending time with JAE. Yes, I get to see her randomly during the day when I go to get breakfast or lunch but its not nearly enough. 
It would be nice if the US decides to start doing what other countries are doing and provide new moms with paid maternity leave. That way, new moms can spend more time with their babies before going back to work. However, I am not complaining. I feel very lucky to have the option to telework as part of my transition back to work. Not everyone has that.

Yesterday, JAE turned 2-months. Time is going by so fast! I feel like it was just last week I pushed her out! Its true what they say about time waiting for no one. 

JAE smiles a lot now. She'll hit you with the biggest smile if you get close to her. She LOVES her sister JOE who is also the benefactor of a ton of smiles and giggles. Its just so cute to watch.

JAE is also a lot more alert. She still a very good sleeper and typically only cries for the basics...food, needs to be burped or is too hot.

Her  facial expressions when trying to take a selfie often crack me up.  

Here is big sister JOE reading to her. At first she was attentive.

Then she started asking for her food by looking up at me and putting her hand in her mouth.

Speaking of food, I had to take a picture of this. My first 6-oz output with this baby. I know it doesn't look like much but this is 2 meals for JAE and since I hate pumping, I am hoping my output continues to increase so I can store more milk for her when I go back to work and start cutting back on pumping.

Coincidentally, yesterday also marked another milestone. I packed up all my maternity clothes yesterday since they (thankfully) no longer fit my post baby body. 

While packing these items, part of me got sad. I wondered if I'd get to wear them again for another pregnancy. I sure hope so but like I posted earlier this week, it is all in God's hands.

I am almost done with my first work week post maternity. It was a hectic week and I am very much looking forward to the weekend.