The other day, I tried to wrap my hands around Henry’s torso and discovered that my fingertips no longer touched. He is getting so big and packin’ on the ounces like it’s his job!
As of yesterday, Henry is eight weeks old. It’s crazy that eight weeks have already passed… but at the same time, it’s nuts that ONLY eight weeks have passed. So many changes!
You can check out my first post-pregnancy update here – Mind and Body After Baby – Week 1 and my last updated here – Mind and Body After Baby – Month 1.
Mind After Baby – Month 2
The biggest emotional change is that parenting now seems to be part of my normal life… and I really, really like it. A few family members have asked me what I think of being a mommy, and my response is always that is way better than I thought it would be. As I’ve written numerous times, I wasn’t really too much of a ‘kid person’ prior to coaching Girls on the Run, and I was even less of a ‘baby person.’ Honestly, I secretly thought babies were pretty boring. But I guess that only applies to other people’s babies because my baby seems like so much fun! Henry and I spend hours just hangin’ out and playing, and it is always the best part of my day.
I have noticed that my mood is intensely influenced by how much sleep I get. You really cannot underestimate the power of sleep deprivation. The nights that Henry has more than two feedings are hellish, and I am so crabby and irritable the next day. If he only feeds twice, I usually feel pretty normal in the morning. More often than not, I don’t feel tired at all, which is something that I never expected I would say! Moms (and dads) really do have superpowers when it comes to functioning on less-than-ideal sleep.
Another surprisingly realization: I am way less uptight about Henry than anticipated. I don’t worry about him to excess (although I do still wake up in the middle of the night and make sure he is breathing); I trust other people besides the Husband to hold and care for him; and I generally feel very relaxed about parenting. Given my personality type, I didn’t think it would go down like this at all. I’m not sure why I feel so laidback, but it is very nice, and I hope the feeling lasts. Maybe it’s because Henry is such an easy baby.
Body After Baby – Month 2
Last month, I wrote about how my body isn’t bouncing back quite as fast as I hoped it would, and that general sentiment still stands. Now, I want to clear something up because a few people have remarked that they think I’m being hard on myself about the baby weight. I’m not being hard on myself at all; I’m sorry if my writing came off like that.
I’ve noticed that the ‘healthy living’ blog community seems to shy away from talking about weight loss. I sometimes struggle to write about weight loss, too, because I do believe in focusing on health over weight and that how you feel about yourself is vastly more important than how you look. And in this blog genre, it’s almost as if writing about wanting to lose weight means you hate your body, have low self-esteem, or are going to use gimmicky diet tricks to achieve your goal. But, quite frankly, this correlation isn’t true. There’s really nothing wrong with wanting to lose weight that you’ve gained in a healthy way. It doesn’t mean you hate your current shape or are skipping meals. It doesn’t mean you think you’re currently unhealthy or undesirable or that there is something wrong with you.
I’m not going to sit here and say that I don’t want to lose this baby weight. I would love to lose this baby weight! But at the same time, that doesn’t mean that I’m unhappy with my body. Actually, in many ways, I’m thrilled with my current body. It’s been eight weeks since the birth of Henry and I’ve already been back to running, swimming, and cycling for a month (with the blessing of my doctor). I plan to do a triathlon at the end of August. I feel great while exercising and working out energizes me. And I feel like exercising is in balance with all areas of my life. In terms of post-partum fitness, that’s everything that I hoped for while I was pregnant!
This month, I began to really clean up my diet. I don’t believe in ‘dieting’ and would never cut calories while breastfeeding (major no-no if you want to maintain supply), but I’ve been more mindful of what I put in my mouth and why. I was struggling with eating far too much sugar, especially when I was sleepy, but I’ve pretty much put a stop to that. Basically, I trying to eat a balanced diet while packing in as many nutrients as I can. It’s been very helpful to keep easy-to-eat healthy convenience foods in the fridge, like boiled eggs and Anne P’s Peanut Butter Bars. And I’ve stopped buying foods that I tend to overdo it on – no more chips and pints of ice cream in my grocery cart. If I want a treat, I can take the time to bake something or have dessert when we dine out.
Most importantly, eating well has kept my energy up and allowed me to be a better momma. And sloooowly but surely, I’m starting to see improvement on the scale. I am only weighing myself once a month, and I was so proud to step on the scale at the gym on Sunday and discover that I’ve lost another three pounds compared to Month 1. This means I’ve only got eleven or so pounds to go to my pre-baby weight, although I don’t really expect to reach my pre-baby weight while nursing. For a new momma, I feel pretty hot. 
I’m very excited to write the Month 3 body update because the next few weeks will be focused on triathlon training! I am doing a sprint triathlon in three weeks and cannot wait to ‘race’ again. I’m focused more on finishing than my time and am really looking forward to the experience.
To conclude this post, here is a cute but short video of Henry. He really likes it when I ask him if he’s a crazy baby.
My little cutie is growing up so fast! I’m so glad he’s in my life.
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{ 91 comments… read them below or add one }
he is perfect! did you dye your hair? it looks darker
Yes! I think it’s too dark though but it inevitably lightens with time in the pool
. Thanks for the H comment!
I loved your pictures of you with straight bangs! You pulled it off so well!!
I like it dark!
Your hair does look great! And thanks for the video – cheered up my day!
Henry is too cute for words! Those eyes — what a sweetie!
You look great — happy & healthy!
I love what you said about wanting to lose the weight and I applaud you for running a race at the end of your 3rd month post partum! That is amazing to me! At the end of my 3rd month I was still struggling to fit into non-maternity clothes and dreading going back to work and wearing suits every day. But thanks to your blog I’ve been inspired to be healthier before, and now during, my 2nd pregnancy. I feel great and I plan on carrying it over to my post-partum experience this time around. Your simple phrase at the top of your blog, “when everyday decisions add up to something amazing” has really resonated with me and reading your posts gives me motivation to be healthier!
You look great and could Henry BE any cuter?!?!? I’m glad you are enjoying mommyhood it really is something special.
Thank you!!! Congrats on your babies
He is so adorable! He looks so much like his daddy!!!! Loved the video btw!
I love the update on Henry’s baby body too! Gain that weight, Henry!
P.S. You are looking great Caitlin. I love these posts!
Good for you for having such a positive attitude about everything! Way to go on the hard work for the upcoming triathlon, too! I haven’t had a baby (nor do I have any kids) and I’m not putting that kind of time & hard work into exercise – I definitely need to work on that
I love the first pic of Henry! He looks like a little old man with a receding hairline
Haha I agree
Three pounds is a great accomplishment.
Losing weight is hard. Keep it up.
What a cutie pie! This might be one of my favorite posts of yours. You’re REAL, Caitlin! And the fact that you have lost so much of the baby weight (go you!) and still have a little bit to go makes you that much cooler in my eyes. I read a lot of new mom blogs and I love that you and Sabrina (rhodeygirltests) have blogged so candidly about the difficulty of post-partum weight loss — ESP when nursing! I nursed too (and pumped and supplemented) and it took me 4 months to lose the baby weight and I don’t think there is ANYTHING wrong with saying you would like to lose it. It doesn’t make me (or hopefully any of your readers) think you are caving in to societal pressures or anything silly like that or that it’s hypocritical–not at all! You gained the baby weight FOR Henry, and now he’s here so you’re losing it. I wish other women didn’t put so much pressure on post-partum weight loss and love your approach — slow and steady wins the race. Congrats on those 3 lbs!! And I admire you so much for being so honest.
PS–I thought I’d be a neurotic/anxious mom, too … and I’ve shocked myself with how laid back I am. I do check on her each night (still, at 19 mths!) to make sure she’s ok before I go to sleep … but otherwise, I’m much calmer about parenting then I ever assumed I’d be! Funny how that works out, huh?!
Thank you!! I really appreciate it.
I still check on my kids every night too. And they’re 9,7,4 & 2! Something about their sweet, peaceful (quiet) faces.
I just love everything about this post. I absolutely agree with everything you’re saying about weight loss, and I admire your attitude on it all so much. Also, the video of Henry is absolutely adorable! Made my morning!
Oh, Henry is just so precious.
Henry is adorable; little baby clothes just kill me!
You look like a happy, healthy new mom and I think it’s awesome you’ll be doing a triathlon at the end of the month. Love this post!
Thanks for today’s post. I have struggled with finding a place in my life where needing to lose weight does not equate with me being a loser. Growing in healthy living for me has meant learning to look at myself and my body in a more loving and respectful way, (which is sometimes something that gets lost when I only look at the number on the scale as an indicator of how I am doing). But for me, part of respecting my body and life means losing weight too, since I weigh more than is healthy for me. Thanks for helping reinforce the balance. I always appreciate the way you share.
Good luck with your efforts
you’re worth it!
Gah. Responses like this are HARD for me. I think mostly bc “healthy” is so misconstrued with “thin” among women that I never know if someone really means healthy or if that’s a codeword for thin. I fully admit that this is part of the reason I’ve stopped reading all but a few “healthy living” blogs. I just feel like there is a wide variance of probably 20-30 lbs for most women that would be considered healthy yet most women have a window of self acceptability that is very small, usually only a few lbs. And I apologize to Valerie if she really truly want to be a healthier person, bc that is something I applaud for both thin and heavier people, I just cringe when so many women are needlessly dissatisfied with themselves… /sorry.for.the.rant
I love your honesty and attitude about your body after baby. You have such great perspective on this topic, and I love reading these posts! Keep up all the hard work, you and Henry look fabulous
Cute baby
I held on to baby weight up until 7 months and then the weight flew off. I now put ice cream in my cart to eat at night to keep up with my breast feeding one year old. I got too thin for a few weeks. I know that this won’t last, but I sure am enjoying it while I can!
i love his frog pants with a POCKET. how cute is that? babies with pockets. love it.
I am so my mother’s daughter because I feel compelled to tell you I got them for a dollar from goodwill
and your mom loves that !!
I get what you mean about discussing weight loss. It’s tricky, because I don’t think weight loss = unhealthy psyche, but it is sort of treated that way as a response to the whole “Be skinny!” message the media sends. And even though I feel this way, I still can get a little concerned when someone talks about wanting to lose weight, because I’m not sure if it’s coming from a healthy place or not. I think you make a very good point, and I appreciate you explaining. Also, you look totally hot! And Henry is adorbs, as always
I bet you’ll find that some months you feel like you made a ton of progress and some, none at all. Most women do and just like when you’re pregnant and gain a lot some weeks/months and hardly any other months, it doesn’t always make sense. It takes awhile for your body to adjust to a new normal.
That is the cutest video!! He’s adorable. I can’t say I’ve ever had to go through post-pregnancy weight loss but I’m sure that just cleaning up your diet as you’ve described and getting back into whatever exercise regime you can will make a huge difference. I’m sure Henry will be giving you quite the workout soon when he learns to crawl! I love how your body image has remained so positive over the course of your pregnancy. You’re such a great role model Caitlin!
I appreciate your honesty on the subject of post-baby (or in general) weight loss. I think it’s so important to remember that it took roughly 9 months to grow a baby-so it will definitely take time to lose some of the weight too!
I spent the last year with a bad hip injury, which eventually led to major hip surgery. I gained some weight from not being able to work out at all (and let’s face it-all the ice cream I ate while trying to cope!) and now that I’m cleared to work out again post-op, I have to remind myself to be gentle to myself-it took a year to gain some weight and I’ve been through a lot. It will take time to lose the weight. I just try to relax and enjoy being healthy enough to run again. I am very grateful!
i love these posts! i must say that i think it’s really awesome that you’ve been able to pack in so much exercise in the weeks since baby came. i’m sure that has helped you in so many different ways! henry is just adorable!
Still blown away by you! A tri 3 months post partum?! You rock. Keep up the good work and I’m sure you’ll get where you want to be. And in the meantime, I think you look fabulous
Awww he’s so cute! And I don’t think it’s bad to talk about losing weight on your blog, especially when it’s baby weight and when you’re doing it in a very healthy way! I love these updates!
I told my mom that I was surprised after meeting Henry that you & Kristien were so relaxed about me holding him for awhile & actually encouraged it. When my stepbrother’s wife had their first baby, she would barely let the grandparents hold him so obviously no one else was ever allowed to hold him until he was older. It left a big impression on me that that was how first moms were with their baby. I definitely want to take your approach when Baby J is born!
I think it makes Henry more easy going because so many people have held him since birth. Just make sure they wash their hands and are healthy, of course!
Yay baby J!!!
I agree that talking about weight loss is a touchy subject. From my experience, people often think that if you are trying to lose weight, you are doing it unhealthfully or you are saying that there is something wrong with yourself (or with them if they are the same size or larger). I have lost 100+ pounds and would like to lose 20-25 more to be at a weight that is healthy and comfortable for me. Most people around me keep saying that I don’t need to lose this weight, but I get the feeling that it’s more that I almost make them uncomfortable since most family and friends in my age-range are around the same size as myself (10-12) – almost like I am saying that they are too big (which I am absolutely NOT). I think they look GREAT and should never be concerned with their weight or change in any way if they don’t want to. There is nothing wrong with myself or them, we should all be happy and confident with the body we are in – it does amazing things for us! It’s a personal choice to lose weight and if someone is being healthy (not aiming for model-thin or going on crash diets), then there’s no room for concern! Thank you for tackling this subject!
You look great and Henry is adorable!
For what it’s worth, I think you look great! And you got an adorable baby out of it!
Thanks for being so candid with your post-baby body. It’s not always easy to put things like that out there, but it is quite an inspiration!
You look incredible! And, I agree, that what matters most is being able to do the things you want to do–swimming, biking, running. It’s not about having a perfect model-esque body–it’s about living life! Good for you!
You look great! And Henry is adorable! Thanks for sharing the video.
Thank you for saying there is nothing wrong with wanting to lose weight! I think as long as you do it the correct way without starvation and obsessing, then do it!
I think you look great! It will happen with time, especially because you’re so active. Henry is so adorableeee! I don’t think theres anything wrong with “dieting” or trying to lose weight. I just graduated college and the last few months with grad parties, senior week, etc I put on a few extra pounds that I wouldn’t mind losing. But there is kind of a stigma associated with losing weight..I’m still happy and confident, I just wouldn’t mind looking the way I used to look! Haha.
Henry is such a cutie and getting SO big. You also look wonderful as well!:) Good luck on the sprint triathalon.
I am usually hard on healthy living bloggers, but this was such a great post. There really is a weird dynamic out there, and you have a great response. Bravo!
P.S. You look fab.
P.P.S. More Henry videos!
I’m not sure why weight loss is so taboo in the HLB community, but thanks for being honest!
I think it’s great that you are touching this subject! Especially because you are the one who invented operation beautiful … and I think it really is important to stress that no one is crazy who wants to lose excess weight! If the journey is healthy and the goal is healthy and the mindset is healthy – perfectly fine and even good!
I think it’s sad that in the blog world it is more about upsetting people who might be eating-disordered (I think reading any food-related blog can be triggering if the mindset is unhealthy) or seriously ill. I actually think it is part of a learning process that there CAN be a healthy way to lose weight that your body does not need (any more).
And if anyone is offended by my comment, don’t be.
You look gorgeous and healthy. Congratulations! Henry is so expressive and ridiculously cute. Seriously, cutest baby.
You look so great for having an 8 week old baby! Seriously! And Henry is the cutest baby in the world.
I think it’s awesome that YOU feel good–no matter where you’re at. And that is confidence and a great example to all! Great work on getting back to exercise too–that is seriously awesome.
Can’t wait to hear about your tri training!
Haha, that video cracked me up! I noticed right away how laxed you were with other people holding Henry when you thrust him at me when I walked through the door that day I came over!
Glad to see things are still going so well!
Did you finish taking the placenta pills? I’m curious how long you’re supposed to take them and how many a day?
Yup! I took six a day for the first two weeks and then my dosage slowly decreased over the next month until it was all gone! And I think it really helped.
I am still holding onto weight (5-10lbs) from baby #2 at 10 months and think it will be there until I stop breastfeeding. Like you said, there is only so much you can do when you want to keep up your supply. I have been trying to be ok with my current body until a couple months from now when I quit breastfeeding but it is hard. I have been working out, feeling strong, and eating healthy, which I understand is the most important thing, but I would also love to fit into more of my pre-pregnancy clothes. Having 2 babies 16 months adds up to a lot months out of my regular wardrobe and I also don’t want to accept my current weight as my “new normal.” I appreciate your honest about how you feel and it resonates with me – yes you know you are healthy, but it is still ok to want to get rid of the extra weight.
What a gorgeous baby. Such big eyes
Henry is sooooo cute! Even cuter in the video!
And you look great. Your post baby body plan seems realistic and healthy.
I’m really glad you said you can’t get enough of Henry. I love babies, but after awhile they just seem really boring. Nothing wrong with them, but I run out of my snuggles and cute things to say and then I have no clue what to do! So hopefully it’ll feel more natural if I have my own!
cute baby!! is that red hair? i was hoping one of kids would get my husband’s red hair but it didn’t happen.
love your perspective on the baby weight issue!
I think it’s reddish!
You know people are going to criticize you either way about the weight issue. If you weren’t working out and eating pints of ice cream, then people would be saying that you’re not living up to your healthy living blog name. And, when you do work out and want to get back into pre-baby shape, they’re going to say that you’re not happy with your body and blah blah. If you want to lose weight and are healthy doing it, then I don’t see the problem. I’d want to lose weight after having a baby, too, and feel like myself pre-baby. There are so many adjustments you have to make with a new baby and life changes forever that you want to feel somewhat normal in some way. And, if exercise is that for you, then go for it.
That video is just precious. What a happy little guy you have!
Oh goodness that video is adorable!!
Makes perfect sense to me! You look incredible!
Henry is just adorable! They grow so fast, don’t they?
You should be super proud of your body, especially since the vast majority of women aren’t even cleared medically to start any exercise until at least 6 weeks postpartum! And you look great as well – no one would ever look at you and think you had a baby 8 weeks ago.
And can I say that I am SO jealous that you have such a great sleeper and an easy baby? I can’t imagine only having two wake-ups a night at 8 weeks out. When my little girl was that age, she was still nursing every hour or two all night long. Maybe that’s why your physical recovery’s been so easy, because you’re getting HUGE amounts of sleep as a new mom! (Again, maybe that’s just my jealousy speaking – I’m still up 3-4 times a night with my 7 month old, which is SO rough with a regular 8-5 job, yuck.)
Don’t worry, you’ll feel fit and comfortable in your body again, even if it isn’t the same body you had before Henry.
You are soooo right about sleep and recovery. It makes a huge difference. I hope you get more sleep verrrrry soon!
Oh Claire you make me feel better! My 6 months old is up 1-2x a night still, and I feel like the only person in the world with this age baby who isn’t sleeping all night!
I was very reassured when I recently read a statistic that less than half of all one year olds sleep through the night – you’re far from alone! Anthropological studies show the even the idea that babies should “sleep through the night” is really just a recent, Western phenomenon. It’s nice to remind myself that when I’m up at 4 am nursing.
You seem so awesome Caitlyn. So down to earth and honest and real. Wish we were friends in real life!
Great post. Thanks for sharing your experiences with such honesty! It’s nice to read how it “really” is.
He’s getting so cute! No more newborn strangeness. Haha.
As always, great honesty. Something I would probably write in your place. Awesome.
It’s crazy how Henry answered back–too funny! Thanks for sharing. Also, cute top
This has been interesting for me to see. My second son, Mark, was born one day before Henry. Now I was nowhere near the shape you were in prior to pregnancy (much less now) and am struggling to find the time to work out. I really want to lose all baby weight before more kids come along. I’m also a little discouraged about it, so your posts are helping a lot. There is a lot of reality in what you are saying in many posts, not just this one. I thank you for that!
I have a 14 month old and I was a size 4/6 when I got pregnant. I didn’t gain over what I was supposed to while pregnant and I thought that I would lose it fast. The first 6 months post pregnancy were discouraging – I worked out and ate well and probably worried about it too much. At months 7/8 I got busy with work and stopped thinking about it and gradually time and consistency paid off. However, it honestly took a good 9 months for everything to get back to ‘normal’. Today I am in all of my pre-pregnancy clothes and feel like myself again. It just takes time. And one thing I noticed was that everything got ‘wider’ when I was pregnant and it took a long time for my hips to shrink back down.
That video is friggin awesome!!!
I am also WAY more laid back as a new mom and parent than I expected. Crazy because since I’m more type A in general. It’s somewhat freeing to not feel all uptight about every parenting decision and my daughter in general. GO us! I really enjoy these posts!
What a cutie!!! I’ve said this before, but it’s so cool to see how much you genuinely like being a mom. I hope I surprise myself when I have a baby and am not super-uptight. I’m a worrier by nature! And I’m glad that you are honest about wanting to shake the baby pounds. Who wouldn’t want to get back to their pre-baby bod and feel great in their clothes and skin again? There’s nothing wrong with admitting that and it sounds like you have hit a nice, healthy balance. And I’m with you—no ice cream in the house! I always make sure dessert is a special treat when I really want it and not just something I can easily mindlessly eat…just because it’s there. It has taken me FOREVER to get to this point, but keeping certain snacks and treats out of my kitchen makes it so much easier to avoid impulsive eating. When you set yourself up for success like that, you don’t have to depend on “willpower” or other gimmicky tricks. Ok…end rant.
You look fab Caitlin!
The video of Henry just made me laugh out loud in my fairly quiet office – whoops! So sweet!
I really hope I am a relaxed Mum when the time comes (unlikely anytime too soon) as I have the tendancy to be bossy and like things super organised (which my boyfriend refers to as over engineering – rude!)
He’s soooo cute! Love watching him grow!
For a new momma, you ARE hot! You guys look amazing and healthy! I can’t believe he’s eight weeks old already
Full disclosure I am SUPER struggling with our culture’s relationship/reaction to weight loss right now, so I appreciate you honesty about your choice to lose weight. And I appreciate your emphasis on how you feel and not what weight you are at. The problem I have is that how I feel so often seems like a product of our culture and its hard for me to separate my desire to be thinner from a societal pressure to be thinner. Pragmatically I have a bunch of clothes that don’t fit and if I lost 10 lbs I wouldn’t have to purchase a new wardrobe, while emotionally I would love to lose 20 lbs and prance around in a bikini again and have just that cultural acceptance of being/looking like a babe. In a word I feel CONFLICTED. So thanks for this.
Henry is SO CUTE I can’t get over it. I love how he looks directly into the camera in pics…what a natural! Also, thank you so much Caitlin for being so honest. I love how you never shy away from pointing out certain elephants in the room (like how “losing weight” is sometimes looked down upon unless you’re clinically obese). I can understand where you would want to lose baby weight, but at the same time you feel comfortable how you are. At the same time, after reading your blog for awhile, I also am confident that you will go about it in an appropriate manner and that being “skinny” is not your ultimate goal. It’s a touchy subject to dance around, but you do it…and I know as a reader I really appreciate it. Your honesty is what keeps me coming back to read!
You write the BEST posts, I LOVE them all! Thanks so much
omg i die at how cute you and Henry are. i just had a baby too, and i adore your ‘mind and body after baby’ posts, they’re so lovely and refreshing. you look fabulous! i too am totally amazed at how functional i am with so little sleep! also, my new favorite thing ever in life: spanx. they make my pre-baby pants fit so i don’t have to buy new ones. they’re like MAGIC!
you’re looking great, and it sounds like you have a wonderful mindset.
and i think it’s totally healthy and normal to say, “i’m ok with where i am, but i’m looking forward to getting back to where i used to be.”
…if that makes sense
i’m back to my pre-pregnancy weight, and it happened through WORK. people say breastfeeding makes it just fall off, but i think healthy eating (ahem. i ate kettle corn for lunch when my son was first born.) exercise and breastfeeding are the trifecta.
also, it’s awesome that you don’t feel tired, BUT get excited because you’re going to feel like superwoman when henry starts sleeping through the night!
I think your insihts on the topic of weight are wonderful! Ironically, I feel like weight sometimes has a negative connotation in the blog community. But I truly don’t think there’s anything wrong with losing weight, if it’s done for the right reasons and in the right mindset.
he has changed so much! adorable. although I’m no where close to having a baby of my own, I have really enjoyed reading your journey, and highly appreciate your honesty. no one is the same in body, mind, parenting, etc etc. stay true to you…it’s always the right way.
he is soooo cute and the perfect blend of you and your hubbie!!!!!!!!!!! and for the record, i think you’re a hot mama too!
I had my daughter just a few days before you had Henry, and had really been struggling with my post-baby body until a few days ago when my friend sent me a quote that really hit me. “There is an absurd amount of pressure on new moms to immediately erase any evidence that our body just created, hosted, and delivered human life.” This quote made me feel amazing & strong!
Henry is so adorable! And your body looks great – body of an athlete