7 Months Postparum: Thankfulness, Joy, & Loving Yourself!

7 Months Postpartum: Thankfulness, Joy, & Loving Yourself!

Weight lifting/Strength training 1-2 times a week. My favorite class 

 Walks with my little guy & my man are the best kind of work out though.

He gives me the greatest joy... i would have 1,000,000 kids if it were possible. Being his mama has made living so rewarding, so fulfilling, and so joy-filled!

Hikes w/ these two

Not sure if my uterus will ever be back to how it use to be, I definitely have to tighten my tummy to hold it in. I think thats just what might happen after babies though. My moms had 5 kids and she always talks about how it never went back. Its so worth wakling around looking 4 months prego though! (;

I thought it would be interesting to see a side by side of 4 weeks pregnant (basically prebaby) and of me 7 months postpartum. You can definitely tell im still exclusively breast feeding lol! My ribs are wider (i think) and I have a little more skin below my belly button. My belly button has changed its shape a tiny bit too! 

Heres what I had to say this month:

Hey ladies, I reached that 7 month postpartum mark last month and have been meaning to post but wasn't sure about what I wanted to write this month. I try to use these posts as a platform to talk about something important, not just share about fitness, or exercise, but to be really honest, to reach other woman who are right here on this journey with me.

This month I recieved a lot of emails from some of you. Most of the emails were about you guys struggling either currently or in the past with body image and your self worth.  My heart broke as I read every word you shared. I want to thank you again for your courage and for sharing a part of your story and your lives with me. You are so inspiring.  I hope its okay that i share just a piece of what one of you ladies sent me, i'll be sure to keep it annonymous..

One reader shared with me how my blog has reminded her of another blogger she use to read years ago..she shared with me how this blogger was simply thankful for life and how that helped her break free from the bondage of the shame she felt for her body. Heres what she said,

" to be thankful for all those small things that her life was filled with... Those pictures and articles made me want to be thankful, made me want to heal.

When I found your blog, it made me remember that girl. How without knowing it, she saved my life. Following your blog is like reminding me how far I came and most importantly how happy I am. 

......




Our live's are filled with miracle babies, wonderful life partners and precious moments. And the thing I realize is that you've got to love yourself if you want to be able to see all that!"







Her words inspired me so much. She pointed out the importance of how loving yourself can free you in so many ways. It helps open your eyes up to see the beauty in the world around us. If we have shame, hatred, or disgust for our bodies, we stop loving ourselves. We start bashing ourselves. We begin to look in the mirror and make agreements with all sorts of lies the enemy whispers to us.."you're ugly, you're fat, you aren't good enough, you'll always be like this, who will ever want you or love you, you have to be thin to be loved". The list goes on.  When that is your focus, when that becomes the way you see yourself how can you see clearly when you are believing lies about yourself?




If we develop an attitude of gratitude, if we  begin to "TRY" to just accept and love ourselve on the inside and outside.. our hearts change. We become thankful. And then we can fully appreciate all that God has given us. We can begin to really live this life abundantly as He calls us to. 




Choose Joy today. Choose to be thankful.






The Winner of the iphone Case giveaway with the Psalm 139 verse is "K-Photography", comment on here leaving your email so I can make sure to get your address for shipping. Congratulations love, and thanks to all who entered! 




What would you guys like to see offered for a giveway in the future? What do you think about this post?

Quick Healthy Soups: Chicken Tortilla Soup, Jalapeno Turkey Chili, and Tomato Vegetable Soup

Quick Healthy Soups: Chicken Tortilla Soup, Jalapeno Turkey Chili, and Tomato Vegetable Soup

Here in California we barely had a real Winter this past year so when it rained for 3 or 4 days straight last week I took full advantage (knowing Spring and Summer weather is here to stay for months on end).  So I decided to soak up the gray stormy weather and make some delicious warm hearty soups. I made Tortilla soup, a SPICY chili, and a Tomato Vegetable soup.  

Tortilla Soup: The base of this soup is Chicken broth and canned diced organic tomatoes.  Its really simple! My husaband rarely cooks but he actually threw this together for me while I went to a gym class.  I just left him a simple recipe to follow and he did a great job, I love having a warm meal ready for me after a tough late night work out (no one ever wants to pump one out but i have to take those rare opportunities during the week that i get).  

• 4 c. chicken broth
• 3-4. whole chicken breasts
• 1 large can of diced tomatos (i used 1 and a half of trader joe's organic diced tomatos 14.5 ounce cans)
• 1 large onion, chopped 
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. chili powder
• 2 Celery Stalks chopped (optional for added veggies and crunch.)
• 1 Jalapeno' , finely diced (optional for flavor)
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1 lime
• ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper (more to taste)
• avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips ( I used trader joe's Veggie Flaxseed Tortilla chips, cilantro (didnt have any but it would be a great topping.
• 
  
• 1)Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add garlic,onions, jalapeno and celery and cook, stirring, until onions begin to become translucent. 
• 2) Grill up some chicken breast in Olive oil, when fully cooked then slice or shred (whichever you prefer).
• 3)Add chicken to pot of onion/garlic. Add in crushed tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, and juice of 1/2 lime. Bring to a boil, stir constantly so it doesnt burn. 
• 4)Then add in your chicken broth, reduce the heat to low, simmer soup for 15 minutes.
• 5) Top with toppings (avocado, cheese, sour cream, cilantro, chips).
• 
  

*You can add black beans and corn to this recipe if you'd like!

• 
  

Spicy Chili: My girlfriend Tori gave me this recipe, and it is soooo yummy! I made it for our couples bible study we host at our home and everyone loved it! The recipe calls for Pumpkin puree' but Tori said because its not in season to sub it out for Trader Joe's Organic Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup. Thats the only way i've made this soup so far and I think its perfect! 

Serves 6-8

Organic Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup

1/2 Cup Water

2 Jalepenos

1 Can of Red Kidney Beans (15 oz) rinse first

1 Can of diced tomatoes w/ liquid (again I used TJ's organic diced tomatoes 14.5 oz can)

1 lb of ground turkey

1 yellow onion chopped

1 green bell, seeded and cored, then chopped

2 garlic cloves diced

1 tbspn EVOO

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tspn salt

1 tbspn chili powder

pepper to taste

1)Heat oil in a large pan. Add bell pepper, onion, garlic, and jalapenos. Stir frequently, cook until tender.  

2)Add turkey, cook until browned.

3) Add tomatoes, the red pepper soup mix (i used about 1/2 of the box), water, chili powder, cumin and salt and pepper and bring to boil.

4) Reduce heat to medium and add beans. Cover and simmer for 30 mins stirring occasionally.

Serve!

Its even better the next day!!

Tomato Vegetable Soup: My girlfriend Chelsea had tried Tori's chili recipe and made a quick version but instead of doing chili she just made it into a simple soup. Its healthy, hearty and really yummy! We ate ours with a side of cheese bread (you gotta balance the healthy out with some gooey cheesey bread, right?!? lol). 

1 yellow onion, chopped

1 tsp minced garlic

1 yellow bell pepper seeded, cored, chopped

3 celery stalks chopped

salt & pepper to taste

1 tbspn EVOO

I also added oregeno, cumin, basil to taste (probably 1/2 tspn for each)

1 lb ground turkey (i used TJ's kosher turkey, it has so much additional flavor!)

1 box of Tj's Organic Tomato And Roasted Red Pepper Soup (see bove)

1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 ounce organic traders can, see below)

1)Throw all of your veggies in a pan with EVOO and garlic, cook until tender.

2) Cook turkey in pan until browned.

3) Mix in all spices and add in tomatos and soup mix.

4) Heat until boiling, then simmer for 10 minutes or longer , stirring occasionally.

Serve.

Enjoy!! 

Tell me in the comments what you would like to see more of? What would you like me to cook? Or what are your favorite topics that I write about, ill try to encorporate more. I just want to hear from you! 



All submissions for the Iphone Case GIVEAWAY end tonight at 5pm Pacific time. Winner will be announced this weekend! Thanks all for your participation.  (Instructions to enter HERE if you havent already)

XO

An Imperfect Mother Doubts Herself: Finding A Way To Trust

An Imperfect Mother Doubts Herself: Finding A Way To Trust

The last 40 minutes my husband and I sat in the bathroom, him in the bathtub, me perched on the side of the tub leaning over, both helping our son try to go to the bathroom. Cash has been eating solids for a month and a half now, hes up to two meals a day of pureed veggies/fruits and has mutligrain or brown rice cereal mixed with water and breast milk.  He recently began having some issues with constipation, we noticed he is straining to go to the bathroom but nothing was coming out. This went on for 3-4 days with no relief. I tried giving him the P's (prunes, pears, peaches, and plums) and water. I felt so terrible for him this morning and could see his tummy was bothering him, so I went online to one of my favorite baby websites for medical information (Ask Dr Sears- hes really conservative & offers great information for infants/toddlers/children) there I read about all the different natural methods of constipation relief. I decided to try his method of a warm bath (chest height) and massaging the babies tummy.  So in to the bath we went! 

My wonderful husband threw on some shorts (he said "to protect himself", HA!) and held our little guy while I messaged his tummy. Next thing I know I'm using baby wipes under water to help stimulate a bowel movement. I will spare you any further detail that may upset your stomach but it worked and needless to say, hes sound asleep right now, happy that his tummy feels normal again. We'll be sticking to just breast milk for today (: .  I was just thinking to myself, "the things we do for our children.. i could never do what I just did for anyone else, i just wouldnt have the stomach for it".  I began thinking about how selfless being a mother makes you.. 

Being a mother has changed me in ways I am yet to be even aware of.  However, some of the changes I do see have made me into a better woman. I think of my family first, I put their needs above my own, I make decisions based on the whole of our family, we are a unit, there is no longer just me, Tessa.  I am one flesh with my husband, and our son is an extension of that that we cannot separate.  The love that has filled my life and my heart is unexplainable. The joy and peace I feel when im with my son, even just looking at him, or smelling him in the dark on those warm 2 am nursing moments when im barely awake & then I feel him in my arms & Im more present than I've ever been.  A mother's heart for her child is only understood by another mother's heart. Its a deep almost painful love, because there is this tragic awareness that "I really have no control".  It requires constant faith to put your child in Gods hands. 

I often think of the mother I am, I wonder how royally I am messing it up daily. I am SO aware that my hindrances, my weaknesses, the flaws that seep out unnoticably in my daily behaviors, are being watched and observed by this little human. It pains me to think about how imperfect I am and how that could damage this perfect person.  That is the greatest challenge I've faced as a mother. I've struggled so terribly, wrestling since day one with the idea that what I do really matters, who I am every single day matters to this child of mine. I see numerous clients walk into my office for counseling who have behaviors, cognitions, belief systems, and heart struggles because of their childhood, the way they were raised, how they were cared for and nurtured. A good portion of these families were great families. But the children still took away negative messages, or felt their needs weren't met, or percieved they weren't good enough at times or believed they were unloveable or unwanted, even in great families with parents who had every good intention that I have for my son. And to have that information stored in my brain, no, branded in my brain..well, sometimes it gets to me.  How could it not?

I've learned now that God chose me. The Lord picked me. He created me to be Cash's mother. God knows every hair on my head, every strength and every weakness I live with, and He knew I would be the perfect woman to be the mother of this special boy. He knew his father would be the perfect daddy to raise up this Godly little boy into a Godly man.  That is what makes me feel calm and at peace in those moments when I wonder if Im doing it right, if im being the mother that Cash needs. If i'm allowing him independence and yet giving him enough of me all at the same time. If being me is enough for him. It is.  I know it is because Jesus chose me, knowing me and every bit of who I am.  
And that is reassuriing. That is what builds me up as a mother and empowers me to just be me and know that I am who Cash needs.  I am the only mother this baby will ever know.. and God ordained that, He planned that. And that is what I hold on to when I have my moments of imperfection or doubt..  When I have those moments when Im unsure about a decision I need to make as a mother..  I cling to my faith and trust Him.

I also just want to say thank you for those of you that have been emailing me! You guys literally have me in tears. I am so grateful for your courage to reach out and share your stories. You inspire me more than you know. I love getting to know you. I am thankful for each of you. If I havent written you back yet, I will today, the last couple weeks have been busy busy! You matter to me and I appreciate you taking the time to email me. <3

xo

And some new goodness: Follow my blog with Bloglovin

My Baby Boy is 7 Months Old

My Baby Boy is 7 Months Old

Wow, time sure does fly by with these littles. Or maybe they just make you realize how quickly the days pass because you don't want them to change so its something we are more aware of. Who knows, but it is zipping by!  This little boy is just such a doll! We are seeing more of his personality come out now that hes a bit older and able to be really interactive with us and others.  He knows what he wants and he is strong willed and I love that about him. He is such a calm angel baby, so when hes upset or fussy I know somethings wrong (i.e. tired, hungry, teething.. its usually one of those).  He can play by himself and be perfectly content. He is the ultimate curious little person, observing anything and everything around him. He wants to move but thinks in order to move he should just roll..which isnt quite working for him. Lol.  He will figure it out eventually.  He sometimes will try to scoot forward using his legs but ends up rolling over again.  He loves to stand and has the proudest look on his face when he does, he sits perfectly, he sleeps on his tummy and then wakes up upset about it (and loves sleeping on his side), he is currently sleeping from 6pm to 7:45am (waking up once to eat..some nights twice).  He takes 3 naps a day usually (lately he has been taking 2 & fighting the third), he tries to snack feed (every 2-2.5 hours) when im with him but when my hubby is watching him and im not there he can go 3-3.5 hours, he is eating solids twice a day (pureed) morning and night, being naked is his favorite because he loves to grab and suck his feet, he is so happy and anyone who meets this little guy adores his sweet smile and his flirty eyes. I constantly get comments on how calm and mellow he is in public, hes so talkative and entertaining at home so hes a completely different baby when hes in his element. I think he just likes to take everything in when its a new environment. I love seeing life through this angels eyes.  He has defnitely changed us for the better and we would love to have 20 kids if they were all like him. Hes so easy and makes being parents such a blessing. We adore him more than words could ever convey. Happy 7 months old my sweet baby boy!! These posts will go into his baby book, im thankful i will have an entire online journal of our journey with our first!

Enjoy these pictures from his month 6-7. 

xo