I heart DVF

I have a slight obsession with Diane von Furstenberg. It has been an ongoing fetish since I worked at Bloomingdales in college. I used to be able to buy her dresses on ridiculous discounts and was able to acquire quite the collection. The problem was I was so hooked by the time I left Bloomingdales and I haven't been able to resist her clothing since. The obsession of dresses turned into a strong love for all things she makes, blouses, sweaters, skirts, gorg jackets the list goes on and on.

The DVF stores in Singapore will send me a text whenever there are new arrivals or sales, and they're always bombarding our mailbox with enticing catalogs. I think Justin cringes every time I hear from them. DVF recently started making shoes, and they are everything I expected and more. I have been eyeing a few pairs but haven't found the reason, or cash, to purchase them...until yesterday!

I may have guilt tripped Justin into buying them for me since he is leaving me and Charlie for 5 days next week. I was half joking when I said you should buy me these for leaving me all on my own next week, and when he said OK I didn't ask twice and pressed the purchase button on my all time fave website shopbop.com (my online shopping problem on said shopbop.com is a whole other blog entry). So how I persuaded my husband into letting me buy these shoes is neither here nor there, the point is they are all mine and will be arriving in 1-3 days. Now I just need somewhere fabulous to wear them.

Introducing the newest addition to my DVF collection, check out these bad boys. OBSESSED.

Fuss pot

Charlie's new nickname is Mr. Fuss Pot! He has been fussy at night once it hits about 5pm, he just only is happy being held. You can't even think about putting him down. Now I don't mind cuddling my sweet boy, but when you have laundry to fold and dinner to cook it can be a bit annoying. So the solution you ask? Baby Bjorn! One of my clients who I have become friends with gave me a bunch of baby things when I told her I was pregnant. She has three kids and is quite the expert at parenting as well as having tons of stuff to pass down to me. One of the invaluable things she gave me was my Baby Bjorn. This has been a lifesaver with Charlie. He stays so calm in it, I was able to cook dinner with no issues last night.

I made a fish salad recipe that is delicious and super healthy. It is one of Giada's recipes, I love her but Justin says you can't trust a skinny chef so he is not normally a big fan of hers. But we both love this salad and it has been a no fail meal with guests as well. You can get the recipe here - I follow it exactly except I sometimes use snapper or cod fish and I add avocado. The dressing is delish!

Charlie's 1st bottle!

So last night was the first night that Charlie used a bottle! For the last almost 5 weeks I have been purely feeding him myself. I have not been expressing milk, except for the one day we used a syringe when we were having issues feeding. Even though I am looking forward to the freedom that will come with someone else being able to feed Charlie, I was kind of jealous when Justin fed him last night. I would not have expected to feel that way a few weeks ago when all I wanted to do was give Charlie a bottle. It has been a bonding thing that Charlie and I have been doing 8-10 times a day, that I have really come to enjoy once we were doing it properly. It was funny not being the one to feed him last night, but I am sure I will get over that. Justin really liked being involved with feeding Charlie, this will be their new evening routine together.

Happy 1 month My Charlie

This past month has flown by. I feel like we have done so much, and so much has happened, but it does not feel like 4 weeks ago that I was in that hospital having Charlie. Life sure is different now, but in the best way possible. Now that feeding is under control, I am enjoying every second with our little man. He really is so precious and I know he is going to grow so fast. I will miss him being this small and am going to savor every moment with him. I love you Charlie!
These photos were taken when Charlie was 3 weeks old.

My everything

Working out post baby

This week was my first week back at working out since having Charlie. I started doing walks right after he was born, but I started running and doing weights this week. I actually bought Jillian Michaels, from the biggest loser, workout dvd's to use at home when I couldn't get out to workout while with Charlie. They are only 20 min workouts but they are actually pretty good. They have 3 levels that gradually get harder, level one was very doable for me and I even thought it was a little easy but I was sweaty and could tell I was working all the muscle groups. I look forward to trying the harder levels. My first run yesterday was on the treadmill, and I was able to run 3 miles like normal. I didn't know what to expect since I haven't run since maybe my 4th month of pregnancy, but besides having to wear 3 sports bras and some extra protection for any leakage (any mom's out there know what I am talking about) it was as if I never stopped running. And let me tell you how good it felt to be active again. For me, these first few weeks with Charlie have been challenging and that 30 mins of running really allowed me to relax and get out some built up tension. Working out is definitely going to be my release in the weeks and months to come. Well working out and wine, let's be honest.

I think I had a pretty easy pregnancy because of the healthy and active lifestyle I try to maintain. I know everyone is different, and I am sure genes and my age played in my favor, but continuing to workout until the very end of pregnancy I think really allowed me to have little pain or discomfort as my body changed and aided in my quick recovery post birth. It is pretty amazing how the human body can change, grow and adapt during pregnancy. This was my last pregnant photo I have of myself. It was taken on Feb. 14th and Charlie was born on the 18th, I had just been to the gym and did the elliptical for 30 mins. This is a terrible picture, but this was me in the hospital the day after Charlie arrived.And this was me 2 weeks after Charlie was born, I was able to wear my pre pregnancy clothes basically from the time I was back from the hospital. A lot of people ask how I stayed so fit during my pregnancy, the only advice I would give would be to eat like normal, not for 2, and stay active. I was by no means in the gym 5 days a week, but I made sure I did long walks or pilates at least 3-4 days a week. I am running my 2nd half marathon in a little over 2 months and I already know it will be an emotional run for me to cross that finish line after the changes my body has gone through this past year. I hope in the years to come I am able to continue to run and inspire my family to be healthy by living by example.

Sleeping baby

The last few days Charlie has been up and a bit fussy most the day, but sleeping at night so I guess we can't complain too much. After rocking him in his rocking chair this afternoon he had a nap in his crib. I just love how sweet he looks when he is sleeping.