Welcome baby Shay & post pregnancy update

Wow, how is it July already? How can my sweet baby Shay be 7 weeks old, and summer is flying by? Oh yes, I know, I have two babies under two, I run a small business, and a household! I would say life is amazing but, chaotic! These are a few of the reasons it's been almost 2 months since I have last blogged. I have been wanting to write this post for weeks now, but there are just not enough hours in the day to get all the things done on my "to-do" list. But with that being said, we truly feel so blessed to have Shay in our family and it has been fun transitioning to a family of four, and for me to have a daughter to play dress up with. My son loves kissing his baby sister, and check on where she is, all the time. It has been so sweet to see him loving her! 

My Birth Story

Shay decided to come a week early, to our surprise. My son was over a week late and I had to be induced. So, I figured that would be the same for our daughters birth. The morning she was born I had no idea I was even in labor. I didn't really have contractions, just lots of pressure and Braxton Hicks contractions. Then within a half an hour I started having very painful, consistent contractions every few minutes. I asked my husband if we should call our Doula and friends to watch our son for us, not wanting to jump to conclusions. I figured I had a few hours to let my labor progress before we had to get to the hospital. My very wise husband told me to call them, and it's a good thing I did! Things started to progress VERY quickly after that. Within an hour I was having contractions every 1 to 2 minutes and could barely talk through the pain. So we rushed to the hospital, and 45 minutes later Shay was born. 

Everything went very smoothly with my labor. My Dr., nurses, and Doula were all so amazing, helping me achieve the natural birth I was hoping to have! My husband even said afterwards " wow I didn't even break a sweat this time". My first labor was about 7 hours long and my husband was pressing on my back the whole time, trying to help allievate the pain due to severe back labor! But this time was just so fast, and a whirlwind, I didn't have much time to think about the pain I was in. He did an amazing job though, staying calm, getting us to the hospital safely and quickly, and holding my hand through each contraction. I must say the second time around I felt so much more confidant because I somewhat knew what to expect! 

One of our first sweet moments together! 

Recovery

My recovery this time was much quicker then the last time, which was awesome! I think because my labor was so fast, and I stayed in better shape during this pregnancy, I was able to bounce back quicker! 

This is 1 day post-pardom. I am so amazed at how God created our bodies to heal and what we are able to endure as women!

1 week post-pardom 

I was pretty much able to be up and walking around immediately after labor. I was tired and sore of course, but was able to do pretty much everything I could do before labor, within a few days. It's very hard for me to sit still for long and rest. Especially when I have an 18 month old to take care of. But we had amazing help from family, so I was able to get plenty of rest that first week and focus on taking care of and breastfeeding Shay. It was a really sweet time for her and I to bond! I loved looking down at her, kissing her little head and smelling her. Newborns smell so wonderful!( I know I'm not the only one who feels this way). 

We managed to make it to church when she was 5 days old

(It took a lot of time to get everyone ready and to be on time!)

A few pics from her newborn photoshoot at 8 days old

Fitness

I wanted to start off slow with getting back into my fitness routine. I started walking and pushing the double stroller 2 weeks post-pardom and then was able to go on my first jog a week later. I ran a few days a week until I was 36 weeks pregnant, so it was easier for me this time around to get back to running, since it hadn't been too long since I last ran. But, again I took it slowly. Jogging 3 days a week, only 1 mile or 2 at a time. Always listening to my body and making sure I wasn't hindering my recovery.I love to run. It is what helps me get my day going, my quite time with myself and with God.  Time to think and pray and reflect.  I am a better mom and wife when I make that time a priority a few days a week! I plan on running and training for a half marathon in October. 

We are a double BOB family now! 

Blume Boutique

The online boutique my sister-in-law and I started in April, has been picking up and we are having fun owning a family business. It is a great outlet for me to be a mom, yet still be in the fashion world. I love doing the buying and outfitting for our business and the partnership and friendship I have with my sister-in-law is such a blessing to me. Despite living 1,000 miles apart! We do a lot of talking and texting each day! Check out our website: www.shopblume.com. I look forward to what God wants to do with our business and how he will lead us into the future. 

Owning a small business definitely has its challenges. We do everything ourselves...designed a website, social media marketing, modeling our clothes, buying, shipping, invoicing...the list goes on. I'm exhausted just thinking about the amount of time we have spent over the past several months getting the business up and running. But, this is what we both felt God called us to do. To use our gifts and skills to encourage and support other women, and moms, just like us, and for Meilssa and I to grow closer in the process! This business is truly a labor of love. 

I love the season we are in! I'm calling it beautiful chaos! Raising children, learning/growing closer to my husband in our marriage, running a small business, and living for the Lord, I'd say I have my hands full but, I wouldn't want it any other way! We are very blessed!! 

Thanks for following me through this awesome and challenging journey of motherhood. 

I hope and pray this blog is an encouragement, and will continue keeping me humble by being transparent with all of you!!

Blessings,

Sarah