Reunited, and it feels so.....different?

Hi all, well, today I went in to my lapband doctor for the first time since December 3rd!! 

There was a new Dr there b/c apparently my normal doc is about a week away from having a baby herself!  I really liked the new doctor and am glad to see they have additional help there b/c normally it takes forever once you get into the office.

Once she reviewed my history and we discussed my current situation, she decided to check my fill level to make sure nothing had disappeard in the 9 months since I was last adjusted.  All 4cc were there so we decided to add a cc and then I'll go back in a few weeks for another fill and we'll just keep adjusting until I get up to where I was pre-Mac..  I'm excited. She's pretty aggressive and since I've never had any issues with being overfilled or anything, she's willing to give me good size fills until I get to the green zone.  I thought for sure she'd have an issue finding my port since things have gotten a little jumbled up in that area, but she was up for the challenge and found it in no time. So, me and Antonio (Band-eras) are officially reunited!!

Meanwhile, not a whole heck of a lot else going on here!!  It's hotter than balls here and it's pretty much making everyone miserable.. I was finally given the all clear from my OB to be able to start working out and get in the pool and I've taken advantage of both clearances!! I started my 1/2 marathon training last week again.. my body is clearly going to take some time to get back to where it was pre-baby.. my hips were killing me the entire 5+ miles we walked on Sunday am..  add to the fact it was 100 degrees at 6:00 am when we started, it was pretty pathetic.. OH, and add to that that I had gone out for "mom's night out" with some girlfriends the night before and drank about a bottle of wine, ooooof, I was a mess!!!  Surprisingly, I can walk today and have a little pain in my hips and back..  I'll get there, it'll just hurt while getting there!!

My sister in Law, Beth came for a short weekend last week and it was wonderful to have her!!  She helped us out soo much, made like 10 meals for us to freeze and have at a later date and just held Mac and let me come and go as I pleased (like going out to get a pedi!) I've always loved and appreciated Beth and knew how lucky I was that she came into our family, but I realized so much more how important she is when she was here!  We really had never gotten a chance to spend any one on one time together... LOVE HER!!

Mac is great!  He's going through a little 6-7 week fussy phase.. but it's truly not that bad. HE just seems a little overly grumpy.  I keep chalking it up to the heat as well, b/c that sure has made me grumps!! He is still keeping a pretty busy social schedule still.. lots of lunches and visitors! We are headed up to Northern Michigan next Friday for a little over a week! HOpefully, the change in weather and some quality time with his Nana and Chief will work wonders for both of our moods!!

I head back to work on October 6th and I can honestly say, I"m not looking forward to it. At week 2, when I was so overwhelmed with being a new mom and just tired, I couldn't wait to get back to work.. but now that it's looming closer and closer and I've been having such a nice time connecting with Mac and my girlfriends, I'm going to be sad to see all this freedom go away!  I will be glad to get back to the people I work with b/c I do miss them, even though I see a few of them quite frequently!

Ok, I've rambled on too much!!!  Here are some new pics of Macadoo! Hope you are all well!

checking out his SMILE!!!

Getting ready for his 1st swim in the pool!

xo,js

Getting Back in the Game..

hey all! 

well, here I am 5 weeks PM (post Mac) and I'm ready, I'm ready to commit myself to getting back in the band game.. every time I look at myself, I reminded of where I came from a year ago... I'm not loving the way I look right now. I know that I just had a child 5 weeks ago, but it's tough seeing yourself having gained almost 1/2 of the weight you had previously lost back..  so, I'm ready to be that Jen again and keep moving down the scale!!  I started last night with a really really slow 2.5 mile walk and today I feel like I ran a 1/2 marathon!!!  My whole body just aches!!  Going back out again this evening when Timmy gets home and have a plan to keep on walking until next week when hopefully my dr. gives me the all clear to start really working out again.  I'm re-joining Lifetime next week and I have a plan to do a couple of classes each week with Michelle and then start some training sessions again with Kathi.. 

Speaking of 1/2 marathons..  I'm doing the Women's 1/2 again this year.  This is one that I walked with the Jens last year.  We're supposed to have started our training this past weekend, but since I was dealing with the infection and all, we are a week behind..  that's part of my motivation to get moving again!!  Can't let my girls down!!

Went to the dr again today to check on the status of my incision infection and looks like it's almost all cleared up!!  Unfortunatly, the anitbiotics have caused a yeast infection which is somewhat unpleasant but hopefully that will all be cleared up by next week's visit!  (sorry for the TMI!)  So, I go back next week for my 6 week post-partum visit.  Crazy to think that I've been going to the dr. every week for the past almost 3 months.. I don't know what I'll (or they'll) do without seeing me every week!!!

I'm planning on making an appointment with my band dr. as soon as I see my OB/Gyn next week.  I do have some restriction lately so that's a good thing, but honestly, it comes and goes and it needs to be here to stay!!!

I'll leave you with some new pics of Mac!   Hope you are all doing well!!!  xo,js

Mac at his ped appointment! He's up to 10 lbs 13 oz and has grown 2 inches since birth!!!

Love those chubby cheeks!!!

Too cool for school!

Mac pointing out the flamingoes on his first trip the zoo, which BTW was a horrible idea since it was 300 degrees!! Maybe we'll go back during the zoo lights at Christmas!! maybe.. 

A Couple Steps Forward and One Step Back... and the survey everyone else is doing!

Hi All!! 
Trying to keep up to date on Blogger with a 3 week old is exhausting!!  I find myself reading blogs late at night or during Mac's meals.. usually on my phone with one hand!! So, I try to comment, but it's hard!!!

We are doing well.. Mac is growing like a weed!  He's 3 weeks today and I already can't imagine what my life was like 3 weeks ago!!  I am introducing him to a very busy social schedule!! We have lots of lunches and visits from friends.  Thank god for my friend Michelle who has been soo helpful in keeping us busy and entertained and just there when I need some mom advice! 

I, unfortunately, have an infection in my c-section incision, which completely blows...  it's so gross. I'm on heavy antibiotics and am keeping everything crossed that when I go in for a follow-up on Friday, I don't get sent directly to the hospital to get things taken care of..  that would not be good b/c there would be a chance I would have stay overnight.  So, please think good thoughts!! 

I just booked a ticket for Mac and me to Michigan in September and can't wait!! It'll be nice to get away from this ridiculous heat we are experiencing here!!! Today it was 115 and boiling!!!  What I wouldn't give to get in the pool right now!! 

So, since everyone else is doing it, I thought I would do the fun little survey going around...



1. What is your occupation right now ?


I am currently staying at home as a mom for the next 9 weeks, but on October 6th, I go back to my regular job as a Senior Assistant to the VP of Marketing of a Pharmaceutical Company.. not what I went to school for but I LOVE my job.. I get paid very well as an assistant and my boss completely rocks.
2.What color are your socks right now?

I live in Az..  no socks required!!


3. What are you listening to right now?

SYTYCD on TV.. husband rambling about something behind me..

4. What was the last thing that you ate?

bacon and eggs.. Breakfast was for dinner!

5. Can you drive a stick shift?

yep, I learned to drive on a stick.. and had several in my life..


6. Last person you spoke to on the phone?

my mom.. we talk everyday now!!

7. Do you like the person you stole this blog from?

yes! 

8. How old are you today?

39...  40 is quickly approaching in about 2 months!!! YIKES!!!

9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?

College Football and BBall


10. What is your favorite drink?

water, diet coke, Iced Tea and BEER!

11. Have you ever dyed your hair?

um yeah.. the jury is out on what my natural color is these days!!!


12. Favorite food?

Buffalo Chicken wings.. or just put buffalo sauce on anything and I'll eat it!!

13. What is the last movie you watched?

We saw "Friends with Benefits" this weekend... totally LAME!!!


14. Favorite day of the year?

I used to love, love, love my birthday but now I just spend the entire month celebrating!! So, i would say my favorite day has always been Thanksgiving!!  It's such a low-key, chill holiday and you don't have to have crazy expectations!

15. How do you vent anger?

Oh, I'm a yeller..

16. What was your favorite toy as a child?

Barbies for sure

17. What is your favorite season?

I love Fall, but since we live in AZ and don't really get a fall, I'd say Winter in AZ b/c it's more fall-like than winter-like!!!

18. Cherries or Blueberries?
I love Cherries when I'm in Michigan.
When I was preggers, I ate blueberry everything and LOVED them!!

19. Do you want your friends to blog this survey?

I think pretty much everyone has already!

20. Where is you favorite place to escape?

I like me some pedis or the movies!!

21. Favorite Tv Show?

now is not a good time to ask me b/c I'm currently watching a LOT of TV!!!  I love Reality and my current fave is Big Brother.. I do love Flipping Out and the Housewives shows too!


22. Living arrangements?

Live in N. Scottsdale with my hubs, the beags and my kiddo!


23. When was the last time you cried?

when haven't I cried?? I cry a lot thanks to these crazy hormones!!!


24. What is on the floor of your closet?

carpet and some laundry baskets


25. Who is the friend you have had the longest?

my friend Sandra and I met in 2nd grade and still talk sometimes!!! 


26. What did you do last night?

hmmm, I have  3 week old..  I slept, fed, slept, fed...

27. What are you most afraid of?

snakes

28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?

cheeseburger

29. Favorite dog breed?

I have two beagles so I guess I'd say Beags.

30. Favorite day of the week?

Friday

31. How many states have you lived in?

Michigan, California, Mississippi, Illinois, Minnesota, Arizona and then one country - Germany
32. Diamonds or pearls?

Diamonds

33. What is your favorite flower?

Peonies!

So Far Soooooo Good!

Hi all, well Mac has made it to almost 2 weeks old and is perfectly fine, so we must be doing something right!!

To say the last 2 weeks have been a complete rollercoaster would be an understatement. I will admit that the baby blues are no joke.. my hormone levels are beyond through the roof!!!!   But, all in all, this new mom gig is sooo worth it!!!

couple of thoughts before I bombard you with pics again!!

• My parents left on Saturday - it was so nice to have them here and so sad to see them go.  They were a tremendous help and we are trying to manage without them!! We miss them terribly.
• Mac had his first photoshoot on Saturday.  It's unbelievable how much more my heart swelled with love watching him be photographed by the amazing photographer we hired..  hopefully I'll have some good proofs to share soon. I did sneak a shot in while she wasn't looking and I've posted below!!
• My healing is moving right along.. I still have a lot of pain at night and my stomach is all sorts of jacked up from the c-section.  Everyday gets a little better.
• I'm down around 20 of the almost 50 I gained.  Hopefully this continues to move downward as well until I can get the all clear to work out. 
• I called to see about getting a fill yesterday. I'm ready and motivated to get back on the "band"wagon!  I just need to get the all clear from my OB when I go in on Thursday. I'm not breastfeeding (it just didn't work out for me OR Mac) so I'm hoping to get in to the Band Dr. in the next few weeks.

I think that's about all I have to update.  My life lately is pretty standard - wake up, feed Mac, entertain Mac, get stuff done while Mac sleeps, feed Mac, entertain Mac, and keep repeating..... 

Enjoy the pics!!  Hope everyone is well!!
xo,js

Family Shot

Just Mac!

snuck a shot in during his shoot!!

Mac with his Nana and Chief

Mac and his Daddy





Worth the Wait - Meet Mac!!!!

Hi All!! 

So sorry for the absence!! Had a really good reason though!! Baby Mac arrived last Wednesday, July 13th at 9:29 in the evening!!!   He was exactly 6 days past due!!! His stats were:  8 lbs 3 oz, 21 inches long.  But he was soooo worth the wait!! Here's my story!!!

For the last three weeks or so, I went to the dr. each week and when she would check my cervix, I was not appearing to be dilating at all.   Finally at 39 weeks, we talked about some things we could do to "ripen" my cervix to see if we could get me going.  So, 2 weeks ago, I went to the hospital to have some gels inserted to ripen my cervix (yes, it's just as fun and comfortable as it sounds!!!)  Went back to Dr. on Friday and still nothing..   we made a plan to have me go in on Wednesday, 7/13, evening, have Cervidil (another ripening albeit more strong gel) inserted and then the following morning, we'd check me and if I had made progress, we'd induce and if not, we'd go for a c-section.  Honestly, was totally fine with that option.  I went again on Tuesday morning to check things out and still nothing at all.  So, I asked, "why would we even do cervidil if nothing else has worked, why wouldn't we just go ahead with a c-section"..  she said it was my choice so I opted for a c-section, scheduled for Thursday, the 14th at 1:30...WELL, things did not go as planned b/c the next day, after we dropped my dad off for his dialysis (yes, my parents arrived almost a week early and just had to hang out and wait with me!! ) we headed to Target. In the car, I felt as if I might be peeing on myself and was like "you have got to be kidding me!!". So we got to Target, and I went to the bathroom, realized that I was not peeing, but my water had broken and came out to tell my mom.  I called Tim to come get me while my mom finished up what she needed to do and then go get my dad.  WE arrived at the hospital and determined that since I had just eaten (In N Out burger!!), I had to wait for 8 hours until we could go into surgery... so, that's what we did.  Just wait and wait and wait!!!  I was surprisingly calm until they came in to prep me and tell me what was going to go down.. then the nerves kicked in.  I was wheeled into the operating room around 9ish and at 9:29, Mac came right out!!!  Tim was very emotional, and I was just relieved!! Everyone kept saying how cute he was so I was anxious to see him!! When Tim brought him over to me, I just melted. It really is a miracle that he's here!  If you know my story, we never thought this would ever happen for us and everything just went text book and perfect and now we have the most beautiful addition to our family.  

We stayed in the hospital until Saturday morning ( had the option to stay until Sunday but I was moving around much more than expected so they gave us the OK to leave early)   The stay in the hospital was a little rough..  my emotions and stress level were through the roof and we had a LOT of visitors which was at times a little overwhelming for me.  Being home has been great, he's a great eater, sleeper and just all around an easily appeasable baby.  I hope this continues!!  My recovery has been a little slower than I'd like.  I had forgotten about little things like gas pains and it's been a bitch to sit down and stand up... I'm sooooo bruised as well.  Again, all worth it when I look at Mac!!! 

For those whom I'm friends with on Facebook, the below pictures you've already seen!!! Sorry for the photo bomb but I can't stop taking pictures of this little man!!!

Hope you are all well!! Trying to catch up on blogs!

xoxo
js

Mac - around 15 minutes old!

this is what he does ALOT!!!

Heading Home:

Chilling with his Chief (his grandpa)

Loves his giraffe!

Chill Baby

went for our first walk today!!!

Anniversary Post (aka: a picture history of the shrinking Stulls...)

Hi!

Last week was Timmy and my 9th anniversary. It's shocking to think that we've been together that long (not really that shocking, I just like to say that for dramatic purposes) ACTUALLY, we've been together 11 years next week but I guess you don't count that!!

Anyone who knows us knows that we have been through A LOT in the past 9 years and have perservered with the best of them!!!  It's exciting that we are starting our 9th year with something that we've been working on since our 2nd or 3rd year.. 

I was looking through pictures on FB the other day and was laughing at how much we've both changed. How is it that I'm the one who had the surgery to lose weight and yet my hubs just loses it naturally? I'd like to think I've been some sort of inspiration/motivation to him but nah, that's not it.. the man has mad motivation.. he goes to the gym EVERY.SINGLE.DAY (not 5 days a week, but 7 days) I had thought by now it would have rubbed off on me but it hasn't :) !  maybe someday!!

Here is a photo history of our time together over the past 9 years..  look how much we've changed!! LOVE IT!!!

xo,js

This was in 2001.. before we were engaged.. look at all that hair on Timmy's head!!! And for some reason, I thought that style on me was cute.. NOT!!

Youngins' in Jamaica

June 22, 2002 (sorry the pic isn't a good one, I think I took a picture of a pictue)

Early 2004

Apparently, though 2004 - 2007, I didn't take a lot of pictures of myself!!!

UGH, this might be the worst of the worst!!!  2007

2009 - couple months pre-surgery

2 weeks pre-Surgery

2009 - 1 1/2 month post-surgery

December 2009

May, 2010



July, 2010

August, 2010

October 2010 (had just found out I was preggers!!)

Christmas, 2010

June 25, 2011!!!!

(it's safe to say that Tim has lost the 40+ lbs that I have gained!!! )

Sorry for the photo bomb, but wanted to document this!!!

 

Still Cooking.. and things I wish I would have known..

Hey all, well, I'm still here and baby boy is still cooking and appears to have no intention of going anywhere in the outside world fast!!!  I am officially 38 weeks today and will see my dr. again tomorrow morning. I thought I had some contractions on Sunday but haven't felt anything since. I was actually in the pool and was somewhat bored so I started doing some squats and once I got out started having some cramping but once I laid down, they left me..  sooo...  here I sit.. just waiting.

I had a dream last night that involved a beach and a tidal wave, which woke me up in a panic thinking my water had broken, but it didn't.

I woke up this morning and forgot I was pregnant for a minute, which was wierd too. did that happen to anyone else ever??

I'm off tomorrow to get some things taken care of. Important things like Pedicure, Eye-brow Wax, and Hair cut/color.. can't be having this baby looking like a hot mess.. 

Sarah  posted a really great blog yesterday about her thoughts on being banded and pregnant.  I remarked to her that I thought it was ironic that she did that post b/c I had been thinking a lot about things I wished I would have known and also how I think being banded has affected this pregnancy. So, I'm kind of stealing her idea with some thoughts of my own!

THINGS I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN

• first let me say that my girlfriends/moms rock, however, they were blatant in their non-disclosure or  lack of information on all things pregnancy!  I mean, we have beaten the subject of pooping on the table during birth and "down-there" pain after birth to death, however, how could they have left out some of the following?? 
• The peeing situation. I knew what I signed up for when I got pregnant that I would be peeing A LOT, what I didn't know was how much money we would be spending on toilet paper due to said peeing situation..  I also thought that it was supposed to taper off a bit during the 2nd trimester.. um.. not so much!! And then to take it to a whole 'nother level..  I thought that your bladder got loose AFTER you had the baby.. notsomuch with me..  I can't tell you the number of times I've had multiple undies changes during a day due to laughing,coughing,sneezing, moving and subsequently wetting my pants..  ridiculous!
• While we are talking about things "down-there" - DISCHARGE..  WTF?? 
• The pain I've experienced in the past month or so as baby got bigger and started pushing down on my lower regions is enough to kill a horse.. pregnancy is definitely not for the weak. 
• Baby kicks are not all cute and "awwwwww" inducing.. they can be violent, like "get me the eff out of here" violent..  I am continuously amazed that babies haven't figured out an alternative way out of the belly. 
• The looks, the smiles, the "how are you feeling"s, the "when are you due"s...  are enough to make you crazy. I want to wear a sign that says, "I feel pregnant", "I'm due 7/7/11" and "No, I don't have any idea if he's coming early" so that people leave me alone.. I can barely get to the bathroom in time before my next undie change without getting 20 questions on the way there!! 
• I'm increasingly surprised that the divorce rate isn't higher during pregnancy..  my poor husband has been a trooper. There are days when my mood swings are so beyond that if he even looks at me funny, he's in for a doozy of a fight.  I'm not making any excuses, I've been a crazy bitch these last few months..

BEING BANDED

• I have to say that being banded is the number one reason why I believe I was even able to get pregnant. As many of you know, we've been strugging to get pregnant for a long, long time and I truly believe that the weight was keeping me from it (that and a a little bit of miracle going on!)
• With that said, I wish I would have lost more prior to getting pregnant. I had lost 80 lbs when I found out I was pregnant.  I have gained about 40 lbs back and it's been rough on my body. Thankfully, I worked out up until about a month ago and really only gained in my belly area, but that extra 40 lbs is no joke. Sometimes, I'm really shocked that I carried an additional 40 lbs on top of that less than 2 years ago. 
• I was definitely naive in thinking that I wouldn't gain too much weight or that I'd be able to follow the band rules during my pregnancy.  When I was about 10 weeks, I had 1/2 the fluid taken out of my band.  I was at 9 cc in an 11 cc band and now have 4.5 cc.  For a long time, you would think I had NO cc's in my band. Releasing the fluid in my band eliminated any morning/afternoon sickness I had and when I discovered I could eat the things that I couldn't with a higher fill level, I went to town.  So, my only advice to any bandsters who are trying to get pregnant and using the band as a tool for weight-loss, LOSE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN prior b/c you will gain weight.  The three bandsters I know on here who have been pregnant, have all gained around the same amount. It's unrealistic for anyone to tell you that you won't.  Maybe it happens, but I haven't seen it yet! 
• I find I have more restriction in the past couple of weeks. I think it's due to baby boy getting larger and pushing up against my band and there just being a lack of room in there these days.  I'm not able to eat as much as I was 2 months ago.
• One good thing is that I know from where I came. I know how it feels to be 40lbs lighter and I have some mad motivation to get back there and then keep losing the additional 70 or so lbs I wanted to lose to get to where I think I'd be happy with my weight.  I find myself already looking up gym class schedules and planning my plan to get back on track with weight loss in a couple of months! 

So, with all the (really not so major) annoyances, I know how lucky I am that this is happening to me. I'll take a million sleepless nights and repetitive questions to be able to go through this experience, especially one that I honestly never thought was possible.  I'm surrounded by people who are generally sooo excited for me and for my family and who can't wait to meet him.  We've had a rough 1st part of our year and I can only hope that this little one brings the joy that we all so desperately need! 
I'll keep ya'll posted!!!