PRANAMAT

"I'm excited to start adding the @pranamat into my yoga routine for extra relaxation and muscle relief.  All of my muscles are adjusting to the new life of having a baby, so I'm up for any way of bringing relief.  Not only are these mats beautiful with their lotus designs, they are eco-friendly + FDA certified as a medical device!  Now that I am at the 6 week postpartum mark, I'm ready to start focusing on my self care alot more.  Thank you @pranamat for giving me one more option in my #selfcare routine."

My excerpt from an instagram post a few weeks ago.  It summed it up pretty well, so I just copied it here instead of retyping it.  I will admit my self care routine postpartum has been pretty hit & miss.  One day I'm doing yoga, drinking tons of water, eating healthy, going for walks, then the next day... or week, I'm hardly doing any of these things.  Life with a baby has definitely allowed me space to go with the flow of life, and if something doesn't get done that I had wished, then so be it.  It just is what it is for right now.  But that being said, I really do want to make my self care routine more of a priority right now.  It's been almost 10 weeks since Ive had Ava and I'm ready to start feeling more like myself again. 

Most days look like this below... Not finding the time to do a whole yoga routine, so I plop on the floor where Ava is and stretch for even 5 minutes, or lay on the Pranamat for 5 minutes.  I figure anything is better than nothing. 

I just adore the beautiful lotus design of Pranamats.  Functional and Beautiful, my favorite combination!  There are so many different ways to use this mat, and several different reasons why!  Check out more info on their site, it's pretty amazing.

What are some of your favorite tools for self care, working out, or relaxation? I'd love to hear!

AVA PEARL, LITTLE MOON

via rootsandfeathers.com

I have been trying to get this post up for over a week now, ha ha!  We welcomed out sweet baby girl into the world on July 3rd at 9:13 am.  Her arrival took quite a while to complete and was full of hard, crazy labor.  I will share our story a little more later, but we ended up being transported to the hospital, but I was still able to deliver her naturally without the help of drugs or medical assistance.  She was 7 pounds, 14 ounces.  She took to nursing almost immediately after being placed on me and has been a pro at it since.  We have been in extreme baby bliss fever since.  She is the sweetest little thing.  Calm natured and a total mama's girl.  She has the cutest round cheeks and the most beautiful eyes.  She loves to have her hands up by her head and is constantly moving her fingers in the funniest of ways.  She loves to look at a feather mobile, twinkle lights and her moon pillow, and really loves music. 

via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com

These were from her first day in the hospital.  I'm so glad James thought to grab my camera as we were all of a sudden throwing things in bags for the hospital.  We didn't take alot of photos b/c we were absolutely exhausted after not sleeping for 2+ days, but I adore these few I took the morning we woke up after it all. 

via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com

Two days after she was born, when we were back at home, our midwife came for a check up for me and babe.  I had to get several stitches, so the first week + was pretty rough getting around, but I'm happy to report that they are healing very well and I'm feeling so much better.  We just had our 10 check up with the midwife on Thursday and Ava is already back up and beyond her birth weight at 8 pounds 4 ounces. 

via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com

The first week at home we had family come and go.  James parents, my Nanna and Aunt Lisa, Aunt Sheri, my brother and nephew.  It was so sweet to watch them all fall in love with her. 

via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com

I'm so in love with this photo of her tiny feet in her daddies arms.  Nothing sexier.

via rootsandfeathers.com

I'll be back with a million more photos, until then, follow me on instagram, that is where the baby party is at. @lauramazurek