Happy Memorial Day, Mama’s! Feeling grateful and proud to be an American!

Thankful for my weekend with family and friends!
Happy Memorial Day!

Fun at the Marina!

My little Patriot

Date Night Selfie ;)

Daddy and Hunter selfie

Hi Mama’s,

It’s finally Springtime here in New England. The snow has melted, the birds are chirping and the flowers are starting to bloom. We can all begin to thaw out from our insanely long winter.

With Spring upon us, I have this new found sense of determination to get my pre-baby body back. I am the first to admit that it has not been easy. I struggled this winter with working out and staying active. It was just too cold outside. I also strayed from my typical diet and put on some pounds which I did not need nor did I want.

So I decided to take control of my body. I want to be back in my skinny jeans and feel like myself again. I am never going to be a size 2, nor do I want to be. My body is not built that way and I love having curves, but not extra curves!

Two weeks ago I decided to join Weight Watchers and I have already lost 5 lbs. It may be just a little but when you look at what 5 lbs on on a scale, it’s pretty significant. I joined with a friend and fellow new mama and she has lost 6 lbs. That’s a total combined weight loss of 11 lbs in just two weeks. At this rate, we will be bikini ready in no time – or maybe a few months. I am realistic. My body is not like it used to be but is also not where it needs to be. I want to be healthy for myself, my baby and my family.

Here are my tips and tricks on how I plan to get my body back, one step at a time:

1. TRACK WHAT YOU EAT! Make sure you hold yourself accountable for everything you are eating. As a new mom, I am beyond busy. I would eat things on the go and then completely forgot that I ate them. These were USELESS calories. Eat healthy and eat when you’re hungry. Listen to your body and learn what works and what doesn’t. Everyone is different. But do not forget to track. I thought I was eating much less then I actually was. It was an awakening to say the least.

2. Find a Support Buddy. Luckily I am not alone in my weight loss journey. I have two friends who are helping me through. One is my friend Michelle, she is a new mommy and joined Weight Watcher’s with me. We attends meetings together every Saturday and check in with one another on our progress. It’s nice to know I am not in this alone. I also have a friend, whom I work with, that is my walking buddy. We try to walk on our lunch break a few times a week. It gets me up from my desk and moving. Plus, she pushes me. (she’s a fast walker, Thanks Christina – lol)

3. Throw Out the Junk Food! Brian and I had way too much junk in the house. Chips, cookies, ice cream – all stuff we don’t need. I threw it all away. I’d rather be healthy then have a bite of a cookie. This takes away any temptation. If I want a sweet, I make sugar free jello or a cup of sugar free cocoa. They have amazing flavors. If you need salt, add Mrs. Dash to your veggies. I am having fun learning healthy alternatives.

4. Set a goal and stick to it! I have two goals in my weight loss journey. The first goal is to fit back in to my size 8 shorts, which I wore on a cruise right before I had Hunter. Sadly, they are extremely uncomfortable and tight right now. So my short term goal is to wear them by mid-May, for our trip to Florida. My long term goal is to achieve a certain weight and maintain it. Once I reach my goal weight, I will post my before and after photos with you.

Brian and I in the Bahamas, right before I got pregnant.

Happy Spring, Mamas! I will post updates and photos each step of the way.

Xoxo,

Ali

Nothing can prepare you for a C-Section birth, nothing!

My intention is not to scare you but to educate you. This is from my own personal experience.

A C-Section is a MAJOR surgery. It is not the simple procedure that shows like, “A Baby Story” will portray it to be. It is not glamorous like Hollywood stars would make you believe. And the recovery is long, painful and tiresome.

1. Be prepared to feel groggy – VERY groggy. I had an emergency C-Section. We had but a mere few minutes to get Hunter out of my belly. Therefore, I was put out for my surgery and Brian was not allowed in the room. This was traumatic for us but completely necessary. When I finally awoke from surgery about 45-minutes after Hunter was born, I was delirious and exhausted. (Mostly from the medication) I couldn’t wait to hold my son, but I was so groggy that I barely remember those first moments. This is precious time I will never get back.
   

   FINALLY, holding my boy.

2. The post-op pain is severe. One thing they will tell you in the hospital is to stay ahead of your medication. In other words, do not skip any of your scheduled pill times. I made this mistake. I told the nurse I was feeling great and did not need anything. Boy, was I wrong. I paid for that decision the rest of the day. The throbbing lower abdominal pain was unbearable and they had to give me something through an IV. Keep in mind, this is a major surgery. Your muscles and organs need to be removed to get the baby out, that is no simple task and you will feel the after affect.
   

   Two hours before I gave birth.

3. Bonding time is limited. The first six weeks of recovery are tough. Your Dr. will likely advise you not to climb stairs, drive a car or lift anything over ten pounds. This makes it tough when you have your new bundle of joy. Much of the time you would spend connecting with your little one, is spent taking care of your incision, lying in bed and just taking time to recuperate. It’s exhausting.
   

   Finally holding my baby almost an hour after birth.

4. You will need help, lots of help. And don’t be afraid to ask. I am the type of woman who is go, go, go! I am used to juggling multiple tasks at a time, effortlessly. However, when you have a C-Section, you are down for the count. There is no driving, there is no cooking, there is no laundry or dishes. You are ordered to rest, preferably in bed, but rest as you seem fit. This is nearly impossible with a newborn, but possible if you have some help the first week or two you are home. Luckily, I had a very hands-on boyfriend. He would take care of Hunter in the morning and at night so I could get some much needed rest. But my advice, ask your family and friends for help. Whether it’s to help cook a meal or throw in a load of laundry, every little bit helps.
   

   I went grocery shopping the day before Hunter was born. And yes, I carried it all in. I was ready for him to come out!

5. Brace yourself for your new found mommy curves. I had a relatively healthy pregnancy. I gained somewhere around 30 pounds in total and I was all belly. I assumed I would have no problem losing the baby weight. Hunter alone weighed almost 9 lbs, so I only had 22 lbs to go. Boy, was I mistaken. I am 4 1/2 months post op and still have need to lose around 30 lbs. Another shock, my stomach. Goodbye flat tummy, hello dreaded MOTHER’s APRON. Yes, it’s called a Mother’s Apron. This is the muscle and fat that hang over your C-Section incision and in most cases it never fully goes away. I have talked to many mom’s, tall, short, skinny, plus-size and average and mostly all have it – it is just part of the C-Section package! Luckily, my co-worker informed me  about the Bellefit Waist Girdle. (Thanks, Polly) It is supposed to help your stomach go back to it’s normal shape. The reviews on Amazon are mostly 4 and 5 stars. Stay tuned for a full review of that product.

http://www.amazon.com/Bellefit-Postpartum-Post-Pregnancy-Medical-Grade-Compression/dp/B004PBJ1RS

Bellefit Girdle

 I hope this blog on my C-Section helps! I will say this, the pain and body changes were all worth it. Hunter is the greatest gift I could have ever asked for.

If you have any questions, please feel free to message me. I am happy to answer.

xo,

Alison

Happy Friday, Mama’s!

It’s Valentine’s Day weekend, one of my favorite holidays. Why? Because this is our opportunity to celebrate LOVE and all of the people we LOVE!

Unfortunately, here in New England we are getting yet another snow storm which will put a damper on many people’s Valentine’s Day plans. But you can still have a lot of fun staying in-doors!

Here is a list of my top 5 ways to make your Valentine’s Day Red Hot!

1. Make breakfast in bed. There is no better way to start off the morning, then with a little coffee, R&R and a delicious breakfast in bed. There are so many cute and simple ways to make it extra special and sweet. Here are a couple of cute ideas below:

Eggs-in-a-Basket

Heart Shaped Pancakes with Fruit

2. Snuggle up and watch a movie. Yes, a gushy love movie. It’s the only day of the year you can get away with this and your husband won’t want to pull his hair out.

 My personal favorite, The Holiday. It stars Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jack Black and Jude Law. It follows two heartbroken women who swap houses for two weeks. What happens during that time is magical. And shows you that love can come into your life when you least expect it.  It’s funny, charming, witty and has a HAPPY ENDING. I never get sick of watching it.

3. Start the night off with a fabulous cocktail and horderves. I prefer a martini on a special occasion. And with the bitter cold here up north, it will surely help keep you warm.

I found a great recipe on www.marthastewart.com. It’s called a Raspberry Chocolate Kiss Cocktail. It’s a great date night drink. (And RED)

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Mint-Infused Simple Syrup, plus more for rim
• 3 chocolate cookies, finely crushed, such as Nabisco Famous Wafers
• 10 raspberries
• 1/4 cup vodka
• 2 tablespoons cranberry juice
• Ice cubes

Directions

1. Fill a shallow dish with enough simple syrup to just cover the bottom. Place crushed cookies into another shallow dish. Invert a martini glass into simple syrup and then immediately into crushed cookies to coat the rim of the glass.
2. Place raspberries in a cocktail shaker; crush with a muddler. Add simple syrup and muddle again. Add vodka and cranberry juice; fill shaker with ice. Shake well until chilled. Strain into prepared martini glass. Serve immediately. (www.marthastewart.com)

 4. Give a personal gift. Now that we have a 4-month old, I really enjoy giving gifts, “From Hunter.” You can either have a craft day and make one from home or take advantage of the photo center at Walgreens.com. They have great personalized gifts that can be made the day you order, which is just perfect for a working mama like me.

5. Set up a Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt. If you have the time, put sticky note’s all over the house with clues, which will lead your lover on a scavenger hunt throughout the house. It’s fun to leave V-Day inspired gifts at each note, ie: Hershey Kisses, a lip stick kiss, a flower. It is up to you what the Scavenger Hunt will lead to. Maybe a nicely set table with dinner or champagne and chocolates. Be creative and have fun!

Also, I haven’t forgotten my single mama’s. You don’t have to be in a relationship to celebrate Valentine’s Day! It is also the perfect night to have the girls over and relax. Or, if you are feeling frisky, get a sitter and go out and spend a night on the town. You would be shocked at how many single people go out and celebrate. I’ve always had a great time.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Mama’s! I hope you all have a fun filled weekend with your friends and family. Don’t forget to tell the people you LOVE how special they are to you!

Dress – Victoria’s Secret – $19.00

XOXO,

Alison

Happy Monday, Mama’s,

I love being a mom. It is the most  fulfilling aspect in my life. However, every mama needs a night out with the girls. A time to reconnect, laugh, dance, chit-chat and have a good time. Leave the guilt at home, you DESERVE  a night out. So, put on some red lipstick, your favorite heels and go out and enjoy a night with the girls.

After having Hunter, I also learned who my true friends are. These are the people who didn’t head for the hills once my baby arrived. I am so lucky to be surrounded by smart, beautiful and fabulous women! It makes these nights out even more special.

So, in the midst of your busy week, plan a Ladies Night Out with your girlfriends. I promise, it is well worth it.

Grapefruit Martini – ONLY 10 calories!

Below, find pictures of our Ladies Night Out at Rooftop 120 in Glastonbury.

And to my fellow New Englanders, stay WARM in Storm Ellie.

xo,

Alison

The Girls :)

Good morning, Mama’s,

It’s Monday! Sigh…the weekend is officially over. It’s time for us to get back to work and our daily responsibilities. I know for a lot of us this day is a DOWNER. I used to dread Monday’s, but now I embrace them.

Start off your Monday with a fresh outlook and a BIG cup of coffee. You have the whole week ahead of you to accomplish all of your goals and plan your upcoming weekend. Monday’s don’t have to be so dreadful.

Coffee – my FAVORITE Monday pick-me-up!

I set positive goals every Monday so I have something to look forward to all week. This week, I signed up for 4 classes at the  gym; yoga, spin, Zumba and Pilates. This is my personal time where I can de-stress and focus on getting back in to shape.  I also planned a Ladies Night Out on Saturday night. That’s right, daddy will be babysitting Hunter while I venture out with the girls. I can’t wait. It’s a much needed break. I’ll be sure to post some pics of our fun.

SMILE – you have the whole week ahead of you!!!

So EMBRACE each Monday and every day for that matter. Each day we are given is a gift!

Enjoy this beautiful day!

xo,

Alison

The birds enjoying all the food we put out for them.

Greetings from a VERY Snowy New England,

Whether you are a lover of snow or not, sometimes we all need a snow day. Today, we all have an excuse to lounge around in our pajamas, cook some comfort food and maybe squeeze in a little reading time. ( I have been reading Gone Girl for about 2 months, simply unacceptable. Maybe today I will finish… fingers crossed. )

The birds enjoying our feeder.

Hunter is only 4 months old, so no winter activities for my little guy. But I love seeing photos of kids playing in the snow. It reminds me of my childhood here in Connecticut. I cannot wait until we can take Hunter sledding, skiing and snowmobiling – nothing better then New England in the winter, simply beautiful!

Relaxing w mommy – no heels here today!

Enjoying a winter’s nap.

Here is my top 5 list of FUN things to do on a snow day!

1. Unleash the crockpot. You know, the one your Aunt bought you for your bridal shower? It has been collecting dust for too long. There are so many fabulous things you can make with basic ingredients in your kitchen. My Crockpot experiment? A rotisserie chicken, no fuss, no mess and ready in 5 hours. I have all day long to wait. We are not going anywhere.
2. Curl up on the couch and read a book. We all have a book we have been dying to read. I have a Kindle, but there is nothing like a REAL book. Reading is relaxing and gives us mom’s an opportunity to escape. And it pairs FABULOUSLY with a cup of hot chocolate. So hand the baby over to dad, and find a little hiding spot. Go…now!
3. Bake cookies! Need I say anymore? Your kids will thank you, your hubby will thank you and then you can take the rest to work tomorrow, so you don’t feel tempted to eat them all week. Plus, who doesn’t love baking with mom and licking the spoon? ( Do kids still do that? I sure do)
4. Spa Treatment. Winter can be harsh on our hair and skin. A snow day is a great opportunity to give your body a little extra oomph. For my lips, I create a little sugar scrub with coconut oil and granulated sugar. Rub the mixture on your lips then rub your lips together. Any dead skin cells come right off and will leave your lips silky smooth. Coconut oil is also great for your hair. Rub some oil on your split ends, let it sit for a few hours and shower. You will be amazed at how silky and shiny your hair will become.
5. Write a letter. Yes, a letter. It seems unheard of these days with emails and texts. But it is something I actually enjoy doing. It can be something as simple as a card to a loved one or a note to an old friend. You will feel good when you send it and the recipient will be even happier when they receive it. (Love letters are fun too – slip it under your sweetie’s pillow) xo

Most importantly, enjoy this day with your family! These are the type of days you never forget. So kick back, relax and enjoy, once you’re done shoveling yourself out! hah!

Here are some pics from our snow day.

Having fun in the snow.

Daddy getting ready to plow.

Ciao,

Alison

Every day we live is a gift. Tomorrow is never promised. Each moment, precious time.

There are things in life that are truly eye opening. Last night, I almost lost the man I love most in this world, in just a matter of seconds. We were out to dinner and Brian started choking. He was absolutely helpless. Although I tried to give him the heimlich, I was too small to get my arms completely around him.It was then a nurse, who was dining in the same restaurant, jumped to his feet and saved Brian’s life. There are angels who live above us and among us. Just when you think things couldn’t get worse,  on our way home, our car started to lose control on black ice. There was nothing we could do. It was then, another miracle occurred, we swerved all over the road, spun left and right, and ended up completely straight on the road and unharmed. There are angels, there are miracles and I am forever grateful. #godisgood #blessed

Ladies,

Oy vey…the dreaded post baby body…I don’t even know where to begin. Let’s face it, we can’t all look like Heidi Klum right after we give birth. I mean, is she even human? She looked unbelievable just a month after delivery.

Why didn’t I look like this post-op? LOL

I admit, it has been hard on this mama, battling the pregnancy bulge. I imagined the extra weight would just fall off, but I soon realized I was not going to get my body back without a fight! Weight Watchers meals and water with lemon doesn’t cut it, hard work and dedication does.

To be fair to my body, I enjoyed 4 wonderful months of maternity leave and although it was amazing, my health and wellness were the last things on my mind. I spent many days at home taking care of Hunter, watching mindless T.V. taking very little time for myself. When I decided to go back to work, I knew that I had to make fitness a part of my weekly lifestyle. And so I did!

I know, it’s hard to find time for yourself. But I promise, somehow you can scrape it from your schedule. The timing may not be ideal, but it is important to set aside time for just yourself, no baby, no interruptions! Whether it’s going for a walk with weights or hitting the gym, you need to reserve the time.

Motivation is also key. It is easy to get distracted from your goals and brush off your time for working out and eating healthy. Luckily, I have a co-worker who keeps me in check. She will email me and ask what I have done this week as far as work outs and what I am eating, etc. And I do the same for her. We also remind each other why we started. Personally, I just want to feel and look like myself again.

Keep Smiling!

Here are some tips to get back on track:

1. Pack your lunch. It may take a few minutes each night, but it will save you money and help you lose weight. We tend to make bad decisions when we buy prepared food from a cafeteria, because we really don’t know what is in it. So ditch the fast food and bring a brown bag.

2. Find a fellow workout mama and push each other. You can motivate one another to reach your goals. Whether you hit the gym together or send inspiring texts, working with a partner is always better then doing it alone.

3. Count calories. I am addicted to My Fitness Pal. You can track everything, and I mean everything you eat. It’s a free app you can download right to your smart phone. It helps keep you honest about your eating habits – even when snacking!

4. Keep a snack in you purse. Some of my WORST food decisions are made when I am starving or stressed. We find instant gratification with a cookie or a brownie, but remember ladies, a moment on the lips is forever on the hips. So I like to keep protein bars or rice cakes in my purse. Find out what your go to healthy snack is and keep it on hand. I also like to eat a snack before I go out to dinner. This way I eat less and have plenty of leftovers to take home.

DROP the cookie!

5. Don’t beat yourself up! Take it day by day. Sometimes I look at pre-prego pictures and get so discouraged. But I just remind myself of how lucky I am to have a healthy, beautiful baby and I’m on cloud nine. I know I will get back to where I once was, but I need to take it a day at a time. Don’t sweat the small stuff!

Happy Thursday, Mama’s! Have a great weekend.

XO,

Alison