*sniffle*

He’s been following me into the bathroom for months. I read “Potty” by Leslie Patricelli to him regularly. Today, he started to show enough interest that I think it’s time to wash the underwear and bring the training potty out of storage.

I think toddler underwear are the cutest underthings ever.

C wanted to read the book repeatedly, and then started repeating many of the pages to me as if he was reading it to me. He’s never done that before! When he needed to be changed, I said, “Let’s go change your poo poo!” Instead of running away, like usual, he ran into the bathroom and tried to unlock the toilet safety lock. Later he pointed, said “diaper,” and pulled me to the changing table. He handed me a clean diaper and climbed up for me to change him.

I think he’s ready, y’all.

*sniffle*

He was so excited when I brought out the underwear that he put multiple pairs on over his pants!

I don’t think that’s how they work, buddy.

Which potty training method did you use? What tips would you recommend? Things to stay away from? Any advice is much appreciated!

It seems like these days, as a mom, I never have time to go shopping for myself. When I actually get a few minutes to find something in a style I like, it's the worst feeling to dig through and find that there aren't any left in my size! I was excited to hear that at Sears, they carry a bunch of sizes and colors online that may not be available in the store. If you need an item quickly, you can even buy it online and schedule an in-store pickup. Sears guarantees that your item will be ready in 5 minutes or less, or you'll get a $5 in-store coupon! Sweet!

You'll find products from some amazing designers at Sears.com, including Michael Kors, DeWalt Tools, Tory Burch, Steve Madden and Nike. Along with the great Sears brands you know and love, you can now treat yourself to luxury designer items without opening a new tab on your browser (because, let's face it, we always have too many tabs open, am I right?)! I like that the women's fashion page lets you search by the latest trends, brands and by item type. Sometimes I know the look that I want to go for, but like to see suggestions on how to achieve it. 

They have a great array of baby products, too. I've been in search of a double jogging stroller, and Sears.com has a nice, reasonably priced selection to choose from:

You can browse featured marketplace offers and the newest arrivals to find the right item for you! Every day, Sears is adding hundreds more designers, colors and styles to its site, ensuring every customer finds exactly what they're looking for. Check out Sears.com to see the new lineup for yourself and when you do, be sure to tweet about it with your friends and family! Use the #MoreatSears hashtag to join the conversation. 

I’m lusting after the BOB Revolution Duallie, but it’s so darn expensive! We need a jogger with heavy-duty rubber wheels because I run on trails. I’d prefer one that has a front wheel that has swivel capability.

If you own a double jogging stroller, which model is it? What are the pros and cons? Would you recommend it? Thank you!

When I officially joined Mamavation last year as a member of the Sistahood, I heard all kinds of buzz about Fitcation. I was really intrigued. It sounded like so much fun! I’m really excited to say that I’m going to Fitcation ’13 in October, and I geek out every time I think about it because I’m so incredibly excited!

Want to learn more about Fitcation? Join us for a Twitter party on Wednesday, June 19 from 10-11pm EST. We’ll be using the #Fitcation13 hashtag. RSVP to the party and have a chance to win some sweet prizes!

Ken Cravillion Photography

Who would have thought that four years after this day, we would have two children?! I’m so happy with the family that we’ve created.

Ken Cravillion Photography

Our wedding was the most fun day. Not only was I committing to share my life with my best friend, but we were surrounded by the most wonderful family and friends a person could ask for.

Ken Cravillion Photography

Happiness. Marriage isn’t always easy, and having small children is certainly not easy, but I couldn’t dream of sharing my life with someone more wonderful than you.

Happy 4th Anniversary, Hubster. xo

On one of our weekend walks, C decided he wanted to go to the university library. By himself, naturally.

I had to take a picture of Baby Jo in this dress. It’ll be the last time she can wear it. It’s a newborn size, and she’s getting too big for her newborn clothes! *sniffle* Those chunky thighs kill me! C never had thigh rolls (or any rolls, for that matter). Love. It.

What am I most excited to start doing again? Running on the trails around campus, trying Zumba and getting back into P90X!

The family and I participated in this weekend’s Mamavation Virtual 5k. I hadn’t walked that fast since having Baby Jo, so I worked up quite a sweat but it felt wonderful.

We enjoyed several walks this weekend. After an entire week of rainy weather, it was great to get outside!

C was more interested in buckling the seatbelt than sitting on the back of this stroller.

What are you excited about this week?

This post is sponsored by Lifesize Portions and Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway.

Once upon a time (or, not long ago at all), I was diagnosed with a postpartum mood disorder. I was scared, suffering and lost. I thought I would never find myself again. I didn’t know anyone who had been through what I was experiencing, and that was terrifying because no one understood.

Then I found Postpartum Progress.

It’s amazing how the dedicated work of Katherine Stone has turned into this organization of people helping so many others. But without support, Postpartum Progress wouldn’t be able to provide information, articles, social support, awareness and so much more.

Please join me in supporting Postpartum Progress by donating to the Climb Out of the Darkness walk. On June 21, I will be hiking on a local trail to represent my rise out of the darkness of anxiety and depression.

If you’re interested in joining the Climb, you may click here to see if there is a hike going on near you. You may also walk on your own that day (or that weekend)! For the latest information about the Climb, check out Postpartum Progress’ Facebook page.

Taking Antidepressants as a Precaution
This time around, I was under the care of a psychiatrist. I wanted to seek out the advice of someone whose sole focus was psychotropic medication. After the horrific experience I had coming off of the last antidepressant, which was prescribed by the nurse practitioner in my former OBGYN clinic, I wasn’t going to take any chances.

I’m so pleased with this psychiatrist. He helped me wean off of the last medication right before I got pregnant. We discussed a second pregnancy and how he recommended I approach caring for my mental health. He recommended I go back on an antidepressant at about 34 weeks to prevent the sudden postpartum hormonal drop. I heeded his advice and started Zoloft in the beginning of April. I was getting to the point that I really needed it, as the intrusive thoughts were returning.

The Zoloft has not only diminished the intrusive thoughts, but it has also kept me on an even level after having Baby Jo. I have not noticed any drops in my mood. I’m handling things really well, even with as stressful as it can be right now while C adjusts to having a sibling.

Repeat Cesarean or Attempt a VBAC?
Being a c-section mama, there are some moments that I will never experience. I’ll never know the joy of having my baby given to me immediately and looking at its sweet face. I’ll never feel the empowerment that some women say they feel after they’ve delivered a baby vaginally.

My emergency cesarean with C was ordered because of a failure to progress. I had pushed for 2.5 hours and he was not making progress. Later, I was told that my pelvis was too small for him to fit through. I decided not to take that risk with Baby Jo and opted for a repeat cesarean. I can’t tell you how many times I was asked why I wasn’t going to attempt a VBAC. For me, it wasn’t worth the risk of another traumatic birth experience.

I opted for the repeat cesarean and I’m so happy that I did. When I went into labor early, I was whisked into surgery just two hours after arriving at the hospital. My surgery went very well this time, and my recovery has been excellent. I credit both the amazing surgery team and medical care I received at this hospital as well as the fact that I didn’t experience the exhaustion of days of labor and hours of pushing.

To Breastfeed or Not To Breastfeed?
This was a rather controversial decision to make. In the culture of the mom-blogosphere, breastfeeding is pretty much the only choice you should be making. Well, I’ll tell you what. There are some cases when breastfeeding may not be the best decision and there are also some instances when breastfeeding doesn’t work out – AND THAT’S OKAY!

Breastfeeding was a source of stress for me when I tried it with C. It was so difficult to be the only one that could feed him in the beginning. Then, when I decided to exclusively pump, it was exhausting to get up every couple of hours not only to bottle-feed C breastmilk but also to pump. After trying what felt like everything to figure out C’s gas issues and stomachaches, we tried formula. C was so much happier, like a different baby. I felt like a failure because breastfeeding didn’t work out. That all contributed to my PPD.

I wasn’t going to let that happen this time. Formula feeding Baby Jo has allowed Hubster and me to switch off the nighttime feedings. I’m getting more rest. I’m not stressed about being the only one able to feed Baby Jo, pumping, figuring out anything in my diet that isn’t agreeing with her. Formula feeding is stress-free for me; and when it came down to it, I was making all of these decisions to do my best in preventing a recurrence of PPD.

It’s been five weeks since Baby Jo was born. I’m tired, but I’m getting enough sleep. I’m stressed, but no more than normal for a mother of a newborn and a toddler. I’m not experiencing intrusive thoughts, anxiety or depression. I’m happy to say that I’ve made all of the right decisions for myself when it came to protecting my mental health.