Oh, it’s such a beautiful day here in Charlotte. Not too hot but just warm enough.
Henry and I sat outside for a little bit in the shade. It’s weird to think things like, ‘This is pretty much his first time outside EVER!’
The other excitement of the morning was….
My placenta lady came by to encapsulate my placenta. If you’re thinking, “Whaaaaat?! Caitlin, you’re crazypants,” here’s the original post in which I talk about my decision. I know it’s pretty far out there for most people, but it’s in line with Traditional Chinese Medicine practices (which, of course, the Husband is trained in). My philosophy is that there’s no harm in trying it out – lots of women say it helps with milk supply, mood, recovery, and preventing post-partum depression. Plus, I take it in pill form; no big deal.
Anyway, of course I will spare you the actual placenta pictures, but it was really cool to watch and learn about. It felt like science class. You can look at a placenta and know all sorts of things about the pregnancy – a few spots on mine were turning white (calcifications), a sign the placenta was ‘dying’ and that Henry was really ready to be born. Also, my pregnancy was very oddly shaped and had an extra ‘tail’ section – both the delivery midwife and the placenta specialist commented on it and said Henry could’ve had a twin really early on in pregnancy. No idea if that is true or not, but very interesting indeed.
The human body really is pretty cool, isn’t it?
Would it be awkward to transition to lunch photos now? Hmmmm….
Eggs and toast.
And hummus sammie, sweet potato, and a salad.
For Your Reading Pleasure
In case you’re sick of baby talk (oh God, and now I’ve subjected you to placenta talk, too!), here’s your weekly For Your Reading Pleasure round-up of interesting articles that I found on the Internet this week…. Except I was out of it for most the week, so I only have one article to link to! However, it’s a really good one.
Special K Wants Plus-Sized Women to Feel Empowered By Cereal
In summary, Special K (who, of course, promotes the Special K diet, a huge money-maker for the cereal giant) has announced that they will be using women with BMIs up to 29 as models for their new campaign. A BMI of 25 – 29.9 is considered overweight. Special K says it’s because they want to encourage a ‘responsible attitude about body image’ and show that the important part of losing weight is ‘how it makes you feel.’ The author of the article says the concept is cheesy but a step in the right direction, as it portrays a more realistic image of women.
I guess I’m jaded and cynical and see it as a marketing ploy (yay, publicity!), but I do think that images of women of all shapes and sizes in the media is important and admirable. But – at the end of the day – we’re talking about the freakin’ Special K diet, which I don’t think is necessarily the healthiest concept in the entire world (focus on fake food over ‘real food,’ gimmicky concept, etc.). What do you think about Special K’s move?
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{ 86 comments… read them below or add one }
You look like such a natural as a mom. Congratulations again. You look so happy.
Hearing all that info from the placenta lady is so interesting. The body really is amazing. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us!
That’s really interesting that Henry could’ve been a twin! Oh, and I love the picture of you two outside
The picture of you holding Henry is so cute! Babies are so little!
Your post was great as usual. I feel a slight bit of regret that I was eating Super Fruit Greek yogurt with raspberries mixed into it while reading it, however.
Boy, that Henry is just precious!
That is really neat to know that you can tell so many things by looking at the placenta. I think if I had another baby, I’d be willing to try out the placenta (in pills!). I love how Henry just drops in the blog like, “No biggie, been here all along.” Motherhood seems like it’s going to be a very natural adventure for you, Caitlin.
I gotta say, I am torn on “gimmicks” like using plus-sized women in ads. Right now it seems like women either need to be very thin, or very plus to get jobs acting or modeling. I wish a woman could just show up to a casting and get the job because she rocked it. Not because she fit some size requirement. And yeah, Special K is better than some cereals out there, but it’s not really an ideal breakfast or even an ideal way to lose weight over the long term.
I TOTALLY agree with this comment!
“I love how Henry just drops in the blog like, “No biggie, been here all along.” Motherhood seems like it’s going to be a very natural adventure for you, Caitlin.”
I totally agree too! I was thinking the exact same thing while reading- motherhood seems so natural to you.
Thinking that it’s someone’s first time for little life events is really amazing and special! You look amazing! I’m so glad the weather was nice for you to get outside and enjoy it with Henry!
I was completely fascinated by my placenta. I asked the doctor to show it to me and she talked to me about so many aspects of it. I think it’s so amazing that the human body forms a new organ specifically to help make another human being.
Enjoy the rest of your day!
I can’t wait to hear about your experience once you actually take the pills! Of course you won’t have a true comparison as you haven’t had a baby and not taken them but I still think it’ll be interesting.
I think it’s a nice gesture that Special K is reaching out to “average sized” women but I hate the Special K diet! What kind of image are they really portraying by saying that eating a bowl of cereal for 2 of your meals each day is healthy? Don’t get me wrong, I understand why they do it as it’s simply to promote the cereal and brand but ugh, people would be so much better off if they simply ate only fruits and veggies for 2 of their meals each day!
What an adorable teeny little munchkin! You look so comfortable and at ease. Glad you’re both doing well!
haha i like your transition to lunch..very smooth. he’s such a cutie! i forget how tiny they are when they’re newborns..amazing
I am a mom to a now 10.5 month old son. The fact that you’re outside, wearing a shirt, writing posts and eating real meals (on a plate!) speaks volumes to how amazing a mom you are/will be. I am super impressed. I had a c-section and my experience was SO different. You’re superwoman, and should be very proud. Your son’s name is my ABSOLUTE fave next to my own son’s name (Elliot). Congrats again, and enjoy!
I was going to post a similar comment! I had a c-section and had such a different experience, too. I could barely do anything at first because of the surgery.
So, I’m baby crazy (always have been!), and I love all the little Henry pictures you’re sharing. That’s all. Just keep ‘em coming
Sorry what?… special K debate… mh, yes… I am kind of distracted by HOW TINY AND UNBELIEVABLY ADORABLE Henry is…man. So cute.
I love the pics of you and Henry. I love how content and natural you look! The placenta information is so intruiging. I need to do a bit more research but I’m actually considering this time around. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Henry is SO adorable! And he looks like you
My name suggestion was going to be Oliver but you named him before I had the chance to share. Henry is a great name for him! I get excited every time a baby is given a REAL name. In OB world, I’d say about 50-75% of names people pick make me feel bad for the future 7 year old version of the kid.
And as far as your placenta goes, I’m pretty certain I’d never go so far as to take it home and eat it, but it really is an AMAZING organ…
You look absolutely stunning and are glowing as a new mom
Congrats!!!
Until reading about your pregnancy, I was completely ignorant on the whole placenta thing! That is very cool!
About Special K… hmmm…. like some of the other commenters, I’m not sure I can say I’m fully supportive of this because it’s a bit of a contradictory marketing approach. Firstly, we all know that Special K isn’t really considered one of the cleanest and most nutritious cereals out there, despite past marketing attempts. Then there’s the recommended Special K diet, which promotes eating special K in various forms (cereal, bars, etc) all day, which isn’t exactly balanced. But now, there’s plus-sized women in their campaigns which I’m guessing is supposed to help make overweight (according to BMI #s) women identify with the brand more…. but then again, they’re really promoting a diet? Just not sure I can jump on board with this!
You look like a natural mom!!! I love how he just curls up on you! And that is very cool about the placenta. I’ll have to ask my sisters if their midwives looked at theirs.
I have to say that I am just soaking up allll these baby posts – keep them coming! I’m planning my wedding now and probably won’t think about having babies for a few years, but you’re giving me the itch!!
I love the concept of individuality and confidence (like Dove does), but when it’s paired with Special K, it really seems out of place and misleading. I think a lot of people would think they are doing the healthy thing by eating Special K instead of meals simply because they do not have the knowledge. A bit aggravating!
I want to snuggle the Henry! So cute!
As to Special K – I kind of have a Meh attitude as well. Mostly because women with BMI’s in that range probably are already in diet ads. That’s the one place we already find overweight women. I looked at those pictures and less than half those women look like they might be overweight enough to endanger their health. Most simply look healthy and happy. Maybe they aren’t healthy, or happy, but is Special K really the way to get them there? And if they are, why do they need a diet anyway?
I never knew you could tell so many things by looking at the placenta, the human body can do amazing things! I’m really interested in hearing how the pills work for you.
I’ve been reading your blog for awhile but haven’t commented much yet. By the way, congratulations on your new little one! He is adorable.
Anyway, I had to comment about this article because I’m a therapist who works with university students, and I specialize in eating disorders and body image, so I’m very interested in the many factors that influence how women feel about their bodies. While the article points out that Special K using a variety of models in different sizes may be “a step in the right direction”, I feel a vague sense of deja vu about the whole thing. Remember how DOVE had their “Real Beauty” campaign and then used it to market cream for cellulite? I appreciate efforts to create more inclusive marketing campaigns, but the truth is, it’s a marketing campaign to sell a product intended to “fix” a problem. As long as the focus is on our bodies and what parts of our bodies we should be dissatisfied with and need some product to fix, we all lose sight of where our true value lies- in our minds, hearts and souls.
You can subject us to as much baby (and placenta) talk as you want!
You look so happy and Henry is just adorable.
I appreciate the sparing of the placenta pictures. I saw one posted on instagram the other night and pretty much almost threw up in my mouth. There should be a warning on that kind of picture in an instagram feed! haha
Love the tiny baby photos!! You guys look so relaxed already – I bet it’s good to be home.
And yippee for placentas!! I’m sure it was really cool to watch – and very interesting about the tail!
MORE baby talk please! I will never get sick of it
To be honest I’m more shocked that people actually eat Special K cereal. I’d happily pop placenta pills before eating another bowl of that stuff!
Henry is such a little cutie. Congrats to you all!
You look GREAT…and totally natural! Very cool to learn all of that about a placenta and glad Henry is doing well
I love that Henry is doing well, and you’re eating such fresh delicious foods. YAY for a smooth-ish transition
Motherhood looks good on you
I’m still trying to figure out how to tell hubs I’m considering the placenta eating when we have kids… he’s very “clean” for lack of a better term, and really doesn’t understand alternatives to the Western medicine traditions.
For the Special K diet- I’m glad they’re trying to incorporate a more diverse size of women, but it’s still not the healthiest way to lose weight.
First of, Mazel Tov again! Henry is so precious. I love his name, too. I am so impressed with your approach to motherhood, and I know you are going to do amazing.
You Look absolutely beautiful and little baby Henry is just precious!!! Keep those baby pictures coming!
You look like you are doing great- I hope you are! Those first few days (heck, first few weeks) can be tough, but you are finding time to blog and take care of a new baby. I am impressed. Make sure you are taking care of you too : ) Henry is a cutie!
I’ve always loved reading your blog, but now that you have Henry I’m even more excited to read it! I hope you continue to post with the same candor you always have about tough topics with parenting. Congrats on your bouncing baby boy, he’s adorable!
Been a reader since the ‘seebriderun’ days. So happy for you and your family! I can not wait to hear the birth story! Henry is precious. I think he looks like both of you.
You + Henry = beautiful!
Henry is so little in your arms. What a beauty.
Henry is adorable!!!
Like I said to you on Twitter, I am surprised at the Special K move. Last year I went to sign up for their “diet” plan here in the UK, and I was declined due to my BMI being too high. (I just tried again, and was told that my BMI is too high for their plan.) I suppose that is a good tactic for people who have very high BMI’s and who should see their doctor/GP before starting out. However, if they are going to have models who have a higher BMI, it would be nice if there was a way for their plan to be accessible to anyone who wanted to try it out, especially w/ a GP’s consent. Of course that’s just my 2 cents on it, and I do agree with you that it is most likely a marketing ploy, but even in including women with a BMI of 29, it’s not just choosing women of all shapes and sizes.
I think it’s complete malarkey for Special K. First of all they aren’t teaching anybody how to eat healthy. They are telling woman they can lose weight if they buy their product. What happens when they stop using their “diet plan”? Boom, on goes the weight because there was no learning process. Furthermore it’s not a diet it should be a lifestyle change, a person can’t diet it off & then go back to how they were living before the diet. It just doesn’t work. And that whole bmi things just burns me up, look at some highly toned beautiful healthy strong female athletes whose bmi is elevated based on their height & weight. It should never be about numbers it should always be about a persons health.
Looking forward to hearing more placenta talk
Fascinating and informative. And that little boy of yours so just so darn cute.
I am so impressed with your blogging frequency right now, and I’m loving all the updates! Gorgeous photos, too. You are still glowing! Congrats!
Sick of baby talk? No way, woman!
I’m actually surprised you are posting regularly so quickly…but not displeased!
How’s breastfeeding going? That was my biggest struggle in the first month–luckily we had a happy ending.
Its really hard! I have a consult with a lactation lady at my house tomorrow.
Love the picture of you with Henry looking at your placenta-encapsulator, because you can really see just how tiny he is! Oh, I miss those little newborn baby snuggles!
Yes, the placenta shares are really interesting. I’m sure eating the placenta has been around as long as time, but don’t you love modern technology that let’s us take it in pill form! I think taking your placenta is an excellent idea. With the added bonus of seeing Henry’s face go “ewwww” when he finds out.
Never sick of it! So curious to hear the HONEST report on how breastfeeding is going….
It’s so hard!!! It really is. I’m laying in bed with him now trying to figure it out. I am really working on not getting upset by it but it’s hard when you wonder if he’s eating enough etc.
Please, dont stop the baby talk. I love it.
Wow, I’m so impressed that you’re back to blogging already! Love seeing the photos of Henry- he’s amazing
The whole placenta thing sounds fascinating. I hope you update us on if you feel or notice any differences during/after taking it!
I find it hysterical that I’m catching up on reading your blog when you’re the one who just gave birth and is writing all this….. Go Mama!
Henry is so lovely, congratulations!! I hope that any time you’re nervous about how you’re caring for him, whether it’s the first diaper change or around Maggie and James, just remember that you already watched over and nurtured Henry for the past 9 months and look how healthy and happy he is! You obviously are and will be a wonderful mother
Love the baby updates!!! I love thinking about all the “firsts” we get to expose our babies/children to.
While I have been a fan of Special K in the past (because I actually like the taste), I think the new marketing campaign is bad, because it leads people to think that eating a tiny bowl of cereal with nonfat milk twice a day is living a healthy lifestyle. I laugh when I read the diet plan on the back of the box, thinking how little food that is, and how bored and hungry I would be eating cereal or cereal products twice a day for any amount of time. I think campaigns like this only confuse people. Promoting with women of all sizes is great-and so it may lead people to buy into a diet plan that isn’t nutritious.
I recently started running (as a direct result of reading all your current & past blog posts), and my diet is pretty “natural” in that I mostly eat veggies, fruit, grains, some meat, etc rather than processed foods. My weight for the past 1.5 months has not gone down a pound, although my body shape is noticeably changing for the better.
When I read the headline, I initially thought how awesome it would be to see larger women portrayed in the media and in advertising. I do consider myself healthy, but I have a hard time identifying with any of the typical healthy (ie: thin) women portrayed in the public domain. But, when I thought about it more, I started to feel that they are not portraying these larger women as positive role models, really. They are portraying these women as still needing improvement, and encouraging them to improve themselves via an extreme and un-natural diet plan. I can hold up a sign that says “strong”, and feel good about being identified with that word… but then Special K tells me that yeah, missy, you’re strong and all… but how much better would you feel if you were strong and THIN?
Maybe it’s paranoia on my part? I’ve really struggled with this, because it seems like advertisers with a product to sell have found this insidious way of telling us we are good enough, but can still be better… and the result is the same as if they just came right out and said to me that I am not good enough without fitting into a specific pant size. Am I the only one who is tired of being told that I am “ok, but how much better could I be if I just lose some weight!” by some company or brand that has no idea who I am, how much I work out, how healthy I eat, etc… and then expect me to find that message empowering?
If they featured a couple of overweight guys on their website, that would help. And maybe a couple of underweight individuals as well, who are adding some bowls of carbs to their every meal to GAIN weight… maybe I would feel less picked on by some advertiser finding a new way to empower me to feel like strong, happy, or “sassy” is only good enough if it is applied to a thinner me.
Sorry for the rant. Tough day… baby pictures totally helped put a smile on my face though, so thank you so much for that. He is beautiful, Caitlin!!
I get what they’re doing but I’m not a fan of their diet. I’ve looked at it online and it’s 1) starving yourself and 2) basically eating only special K products, which doesn’t sound natural and healthy to me.
I can’t believe you have time to blog! Or choose to blog with the free time you have. You and I had our babies exactly 13 weeks apart. I had Logan on a Tuesday and went home on Wednesday night. I didn’t know up from down or when I ate meals for a little bit. Also didn’t pay attention to current events. You do seem very natural!
The placenta thing is so facinating to me I had never heard about it until I read it on your blog. I would love to know if you have any side affects from taking it good or bad.
Having a newborn is hard, but amazing. Everything you do almost feels new again because you’re doing it with your little one in tow. Today was our first day taking our newborn out on errands and we actually had to use google to figure out what kind of stuff should go in the diaper bag haha! We felt so amateur, but EVERYONE is a parenting rookie at some point.
Henry is sooo handsome. And tiny! My daughter was 8 lbs 9 oz and I delivered a week early! She’s my little sumo baby
I think the Special K diet is RIDICULOUS!! It is so unhealthy. I don’t care what size models they are using. Anything that promotes that diet is just wrong.
I want to snuggle with Henry, is that weird? Also I think it is awesome that you are eating the placenta. I never would have done that but it actually makes sense, I will def. look into it next time around. Enjoy these days! They’re unforgetable
SO adorable and SOOOO tiny!
All the babies in my family have been a minimum of 10 pounds, heh, so I’m not used to seeing them so little!
I’m loving the baby talk! You seem like you’re taking to everything so well, and Henry is gorgeous (fab name too). As for the Special K diet I’m not sure any diet is worth promoting, let alone one that promotes eating cereal for 2 meals a day. Lifestyle change is the only sustainable way to lose weight, and the only thing worth promoting.
Mama, you and baby Henry and looking great! Vibrant and healthy! I am also crazy impressed that you have found time to blog so quickly after delivery – rock on!
Whoops, I meant “are” looking great.
You look so gorgeous in both pics, Caitlin! You just look so content and at peace…beautiful! And I’m totes impressed that you’re still keeping up with the blog while adjusting to life with Henry. I feel like my whole schedule gets disrupted when it’s time to change the bedding, nevermind bringing a whole new life home, lol. You’re doing great!
Henry is absolutely beautiful!!! And I don’t totally know how I feel about the whole placenta thing, but I guess taking it in pill form makes it not as gross. I mean — how is it really that different from a multi-vitamin or vitamin C?
Argh, ever since I saw you tweet about that Special K campaign earlier, it’s been bothering me. I’m all for promoting body acceptance, but I just feel like it’s SO hypocritical of Special K to be the ones doing it. This is the same company that has run commercials sending the message that losing weight automatically leads to happiness. As for the Special K diet, I remember reading about it on the side of one of their cereal boxes a few years ago when I had disordered eating—following their suggested diet would mean eating about 1200 calories (which is NOT healthy). Plus it pretty much just suggested eating variations of their products for the majority of the day. Maybe they’re turning over a new leaf with this campaign, but it still bugs me.
I agree, it’s so terrible! Not only is it not enough calories, you’re not getting enough protein so you’d be constiently hungry! And it wouldn’t last because it doesn’t ACTUALLY change your eating habits!
Cynical marketing ploy – nothing more, nothing less. Grrrrr.
you are looking fantastic a mere two (or is it three now?)days post birth and Henry is so cute. I would love to hear more about how you feel the placenta pills are benefiting you. I plan on doing the same (getting my placenta encapsulated)….unlike you, my husband thinks I’m crazy!! but I feel like it will be helpful.
looking forward to hearing more about your journey of motherhood as you move along the path, thank you for sharing!
He’s so teeny!!!! *squeal*
If popping placenta pills helps with all that, then it’s definitely worth a try.
Henry is absolutely adorable, and you look aaaamazing, especially for just giving birth! Wow!
What a beautiful child…he looks so mellow!
You look amazing! And that baby of yours is precious.
After listening to some girls whine and complain and spending thousands of unnecessary dollars on fancy do dads, it is nice to see you two settling in and adjusting. Just sitting outside, just the two of you, well maybe there was one or two on the ground, with no expensive do dads…You two look like you are just linked together. Beautiful. Congrats to you all
I have hated the Special K campaigns for years – a processed food with zero nutrition and zero taste -why would I eat that? Same for Corn Flakes.
He is absolutely adorable. I can’t believe how little they are!!
love it.
oh my goodness, congratulations Caitlin!!! I can’t believe your babay is here!
Must feel wonderful…and the human body is such a miracle in itself. I am constantly amazed by it. And I’m super intrigued about this placenta thing! Because I always think about how it will be when I get pregnant in the future, and post-partum is one thing that kind of makes me nervous!
fascinating! look at henry all curled up on your chest in his yellow onesie!! TOO CUTE!! can’t handle it. lunch looks super colourful & nutritious, top marks.
Heidi xo
You have a good story to tell. I was inspired by it. By the way, your photos look very delicious.
I find the whole placenta thing way more fascinating than I should probably admit, lol. But I’m totally intrigued that he might have had a twin!
When my best friend first found out she was having twins a few years ago she totally thought the doctor was joking when he said there were two. She wanted to tell him that it wasn’t funny until she realized he was serious!
Lovin’ the awkward transition to lunch photos! And I had to do a double take so as to not get “placenta” and “polenta” mixed up. Hahahah!
Love all your baby posts! I’m not quite ready but giving birth scares the crap out of me lol but the body is sure amazing! I’m totally encapsulating my placenta