blog – Page 16 – The Blonde Giraffe

baby, blogging, fashion, fitness fashion, life

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I had a doctor’s appointment on Tuesday. Overall, I would say I am excited because I got the ok to start working out again. It’s been a long three plus months not being able to be active. I am still not 100% healed with some remaining granulation tissue. She gave me a treatment of silver nitrate to address the issue and let’s just say it hurt really really bad! I will be a little sore the next few days. I am still glad I had the surgery to remove most of the tissue around Thanksgiving. Right after that procedure, I was finally able to sit without being in terrible pain. My doctor has also let me know that what I have encountered in my recovery is not common and she is hopeful that this won’t happen to me in later deliveries. It’s crazy that I didn’t start to develop this granulation tissue until after my six week checkup. When I googled granulation tissue and postpartem, I found some information and message boards so I know I wasn’t alone. However, it doesn’t seem to be something that is a common postpartum setback.

My workout brand obsession is still Splits59. I starting wearing their Ashby tanks while I was pregnant and now I am hooked on this brand! This outfit I got during their Black Friday sale and love it! I needed a new workout outfit to hold me over till I got the chance to actually workout in them.

blogging, life

A New Year in Review: 2015

theblondegiraffe

January 2, 2016

As I look back over the last year, there is so much to be thankful for. I spent most of 2015 pregnant but there was no shortage of adventures, challenges and excitement during the year. Here is look back at 2015:

The year started off with a work trip to New York. It turned into a weekend of fun with friends in the city. I was a few weeks pregnant but did not know at the time.

We found out in January about our new addition arriving in September.

I ventured out to my first hot springs in the Pacific Northwest.

We spent a weekend in exploring Vancouver.

I left a toxic job environment. It was a tough and emotional time for me. Part of the reason we moved to Seattle was for me to take this job. I thought it was the best career move I would make. Instead, it ended up being a terrible decision. It did bring us to the Pacific Northwest. We love it here and have no plans to leave.

I started this blog and working towards my Peak Pilates certification.

I drank a lot of smoothies and green juices.

We spent Memorial Day whale watching.

Some of our best friends got married and had an excuse to go back to Tucson for a weekend.

At six months pregnant, I went on my first backpacking trip.

Spent some time in North Carolina with the family.

I completed my Pilates certification and my belly got really big a few weeks before Logan’s arrival.

Logan Thomas Johnson decided to join us on September 22nd, 2015.

We spent the next few months enjoying our little man on limited sleep.

My hope was to share my quick postpartem recovery on this blog. Instead, I have shared my recovery struggles. Three months later and I still can not workout. I am hopeful the end is near!

We spent Thanksgiving in Seattle with friends and said goodbye to our first Seattle apartment in December. I will forever miss the amazing view we had.

2015 was an amazing year for us and I am thankful to have Ryan by my side for the ride. We are excited about our new home and life we continue to create in Seattle. Bring it on 2016!

blogging, life

Christmas in Kentucky

theblondegiraffe

December 27, 2015

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We finally made it to Louisville late Tuesday night. I have slept more the past few days than I have since Logan arrived in September. It has been nice to have relatives around that want to hold and entertain Logan. The break was needed and I feel rested as we plan to head back to Seattle tomorrow.

We have enjoyed Logan’s first Christmas in Louisville. He is starting to outgrow his three month outfits and it makes me sad. He is growing too fast!

Johnson Christmas

Four generations of Johnsons

blogging, fashion, life

North Carolina Raise Up

theblondegiraffe

December 26, 2015

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There is nothing better than being in North Carolina with my family! We spent two days at my parents’ lake house in Denver, North Carolina. My mom’s side of the family came up to visit on Sunday. It was quite the zoo with kids of all ages screaming and running around all day. Dad cooked up his pulled pork and we ate like kings the whole time we were there.

The best Robertson cousin picture we captured. I am so excited Logan got to meet most of his Robertson cousins.

My brother has decided he wants to be like his little sister by growing out his hair. I guess there are worse things than long surfer hair.

The cutest blonde hair blue eyed nephew.

Celebrating the Panther victory with a little family dab. It was fun to watch the Panthers game with other Panther fans.

blogging, fashion, life

Rain, Rain Go Away

theblondegiraffe

December 13, 2015

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If only it would stop raining. I know, I know, I live in Seattle. I was spoiled my first year of Seattle weather. It has not rained this many consecutive days since we moved here. I am ready for some sunshine and to enjoy this backyard we now have!

Yesterday was a day of appointments. My doctor’s appointment went ok. My doctor said I was still not completely healed which made me feel better since I was still having some pain. She said to give it a few more weeks and I should be completely healed. She also assured me my procedure was not common and my next childbirth recovery should not be this difficult.

Not working out and being really active is hard. At least the rain helps with not feeling like I should be out and about. I did teach a Pilates class this morning which got me excited to be back in the fitness world!

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baby, blogging, life, seattle

I’m Back!

theblondegiraffe

December 11, 2015

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The past two weeks have my head spinning! We packed up our tiny apartment, moved across town, enjoyed Thanksgiving and now we are getting ready for our trip back east for Christmas. I had my procedure two weeks ago and go back for my follow-up appointment tomorrow. Fingers crossed everything is healing well. I did start to feel some pain the past few days and can only hope I will be fully recovered soon. Once again, I did not do well “resting” post procedure. There was a lot to pack up and get together for our move. How can you really rest with a baby too?! We didn’t get to go home for Thanksgiving but spent the holiday with our good friends Scott and Courtney. They have become our family out here in Seattle. We ate good food and enjoyed another Panthers victory at their apartment in South Lake Union.

F21 Faux Fur Vest (similar) // F21 White Blouse (similar) // Sanctuary leggings // Charles David boots

My life has also been taken over by breastfeeding. I had struggles at the beginning but thank the lactation consultants at the Lytle Center for all their help and support. I thought everything was good until our two month appointment and his weight was not in line with where it should be. I felt a little defeated. He is long and lean like his parents right?! I will save all the details for another post but I will leave it at breastfeeding seems like a full-time job right now. Logan had a frenotomy on Tuesday so we are hopeful this will help out with our current issues.

We are loving the new home. Now off to unpack a few boxes, attempt to install some blinds and of course breastfeed.

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baby, blogging, life, pregnancy

Slowly Recovering

theblondegiraffe

November 23, 2015

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I hoped to be blogging about my postpartum active lifestyle and workouts by now. Logan is two months and I haven’t healed enough to work out.

As I have shared, one of my biggest fears going into childbirth was the possibility of needing a c-section for a few different reasons. One reason was the recovery time. Looking back now, a c-section recovery doesn’t seem too bad.

The first week after Logan’s arrival was by far the hardest for many reasons including pain, breastfeeding and lack of sleep. However, I was already out taking walks and excited about getting back into my active lifestyle. Fast forward to my six week check-up. I felt ok but wasn’t cleared to workout and didn’t feel 100%. Two weeks and I would be healed I thought. This did not happen. For me, it got worse. Two months postpartum and I feel worse than I did one week after. I went back to the doctor last week and it didn’t go too well. The good news is that there is an end in sight. I am scheduled for a outpatient procedure tomorrow morning to remove granulation tissue. I am nervous but ready to be back to feeling 100%. I did have a mini breakdown in the doctors office when she told me about the procedure. The first thought that came to my mind was “I want my mom.” Then my next thought was “how I am going to get here for the procedure and who will take care of Logan?” Living far from family is especially hard in times like this. My friend Amy is taking me tomorrow and going to take care of Logan. I couldn’t be more thankful. I am also thankful for an amazing doctor and her staff. Her nurse held my hand during my office meltdown and I really needed that. I went and picked up my medication today and I’m ready for tomorrow to be behind me.

As usual the weekend went too fast. We did lot of relaxing, hung out at Cafe Solstice, shopped for Thanksgiving essentials and spent time with friends. Logan’s smiles continue to melt my heart and he is starting to smile more and more. I might not be able to workout yet but this just means more snuggles and time with my baby.

baby, blogging, fashion, life

Winter is Coming

theblondegiraffe

November 18, 2015

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Piko Tunic // Hinge Scarf (similar) // Lululemon Leggings // Vince Camuto Booties (similar) // Tory Burch Diaper Bag

Winter weather in Seattle has officially arrived. Means it is time to start breaking out all my blanket scarves, coats, drinking coffee and embracing the grey Seattle winter. As I have mentioned before, everyone keeps telling us last winter was rare. It didn’t rain much and the sterotypical Seattle gloomy and rainy weather never really happened. The last month I got my first taste of what is to come if this winter is typical. I see a lot of Vanilla Lattes and hot tea in the future.

My parents were in town for a long weekend. It was nice to have them here since I spend most of my days talking to a newborn. It seems all I do is feed him and feed him some more. Mom burped him after my feedings and spent lots of time holding him giving me a nice break. There is so much about breastfeeding no one warns you about. It’s exhausting! It wasn’t easy for me at first but I am glad I decided to stick with it and work through my issues. I plan to share my post-partem experience in the hospital and first few days home in a post soon. Stay tuned!

Most of the time my parents were here we let Logan entertain us. Logan is eight weeks now and starting to smile. Talk about melting my heart! Saturday night my parents watched Logan while we went out with friends. We started off with wine & beer at Cafe Solstice then headed to Herb & Bitter to end the night. It was nice to actually get dressed up and head out for drinks for a night. We also spent time looking at houses this weekend. Looks like we will be moving soon. I am excited to be moving to another part of Seattle but I will miss Capitol Hill and our building.

blogging, life

Weekend Recap: Walking, Football & Relaxation

theblondegiraffe

November 10, 2015

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As usual, the weekend flew by. Friday afternoon, I met a group of new mom’s at Greenlake Park. I am supposed to be taking it easy for the next two weeks per my doctor but I didn’t want to miss out on the stroller walk fun. After our walk, we all went to Laura’s for chili and to relax with all the babies.

Friday night we stayed in and relaxed. Logan decided he wanted to be a party animal during his nighttime feedings so I stayed in bed much longer than usual Saturday morning. That evening we took Logan to Ryan’s tennis match at Seattle Tennis Club. After their match, we went out for food and drinks at Cactus in Madison Park. If we could live anywhere in Seattle, I would pick Madison Park.

Sunday was a typical football Sunday. We slept in, watched the Panthers move on to 8-0, meet some friends in the neighborhood for afternoon drinks and then finished the weekend watching Walking Dead.

We have lived in Seattle for a year and I finally understand why there is so much coffee consumed here. Before I moved here, I didn’t drink coffee. Now I do. The weather took a turn a few weeks ago and it’s been rainy and gloomy since. I have lived through one winter here but everyone says it wasn’t a typical winter. It didn’t rain much last winter and by comparison to North Carolina, I would say Seattle has better overall weather. Three weeks into my second fall and winter here, I am experiencing the Seattle weather everyone associated Seattle with. I drink hot tea and coffee everyday now.

blogging, fashion

Cocktail Hour

theblondegiraffe

November 5, 2015

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F21 poncho (similar) // Piko Tunic // American Apparel Leggings // West Blvd boots (similar) // Dogeared North Carolina necklace // Dogeared bar necklace

I had my six week postpartum appointment yesterday. I sadly didn’t get the clearance to start working out again. I have a few more weeks until I am fully recovered and trying to wait patiently. Last night our building was celebrating three years by giving out free champagne and cupcakes. Our big night out consisted of the walk to the lobby for a free drink and a sweet treat.

I am still spending most of my time in leggings and planning most of my outfits around them. One day I’ll be ready to start wearing jeans everyday again.

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