Does Strivectin Really Work?

Earlier I commented on using Strivectin to address some late-in-the-game stretch marks that popped up after my darling daughter decided to extend her leg through my abdomen. I'm writing now to report on how that turned out.

Well, let me tell you, those red marks are now practically invisible! The skin texture is also looking pretty good, too. (If you're looking for pictures, I'm sorry. You'll have to take my word for it.) I'm going to explain what I did to get this outcome. Keep in mind, everyone's skin is different and I think it was a combination of things that helped.

As soon as I saw those red lines, I went to Costco and picked me up a tube of that Strivectin. I read that it had 'proven results at eight weeks,' but to be honest I didn't do the research. I would have liked to compare it to Mederma, which is tons cheaper, but this was the only brand I had heard personal testimonies about so I went for it. (I told myself that a tube of lotion is way less expensive than a corrective procedure down the line. --Am I that vain? Possibly.) I proceeded to do exactly as the directions instruct and apply this stuff twice a day EVERY day, week after week, making sure to really rub it in.

Around this time, I was reviewing rehabilitation techniques for skin burns. It struck me that a component of the early skin recovery process includes breaking up adhesions and getting rid of slough. While I can't recommend this, I personally decided to go over my stretch marks with a loofah sponge in the shower each day before applying any lotions. (Note: This is not a pleasant sensation.)

During the day, between the Strivectin applications, I wanted to keep the skin moisturized and flexible (to avoid even more stretch marks) so I continued to use my favorite thing ever: Crabtree and Evelyn's La Source hand lotion. It smells so good and really leaves the skin feeling smooth and supple.

I did all these things diligently for eight weeks. I also remembered to lotion-up while I was in labor, because that is when a lot of skin damage tends to occur, especially during pushing.

Like I said above, I am really pleased with how things turned out and I feel that my neurotic efforts paid off. I'm sharing this in case it can help anyone else who doesn't care for this potential memento from pregnancy.

Feeds and Toileting, No Big Whoop

Since life is not hectic enough, I've decided to add on toilet training Leepo.

He is a very lovable child, but once he sets his mind to something (or I should say against something) it takes a tough-as-steel parental decree to get him to do otherwise. I was avoiding doing that because everyone kept telling me that boys need more time to make the transition out of diapers, and he still has a few months until he's at the average age for toileting among boys. Yesterday, however, after changing his diaper of what can only be described as 'man poop,' I'd had enough. I figured he's going to spazz out a few months from now or he's going to spazz out now, so why don't I just get all this over with while I'm on maternity leave and have some control over the situation?

There is this factor of having a newborn who likes to feed every 1-2 hours, which complicates things just a little. What can I say? I'm a glutton for punishment, like most doctors, frankly.

Lo, the decree has been made!

Last night I turned to Leepo and said "This diaper change is your last one during the daytime. You can wear diapers at night, but tomorrow you're going to wear big boy underwear." He didn't like that one bit. He knelt by the sofa, placing his face in his hands (he has a touch for the dramatic, what can I say?) and every time Tim and I tried to comfort him he'd say: "Don't! I don't want you to talk like THAT."

I should explain right now that toilet training was not sprung upon him for the first time just then. We did have build-up to this moment. There was a lot of talk about making this transition, even some earnest attempts to train him in the past, but the moment I've just described is the official 'there's no going back' starting point.

And we're not so cruel as to deny him a reward. Or two.

We told him he'd get cookies. His eyes lit up. Shrewd business man that he is, Leepo said "I'm getting cookies and a big working truck from Goodwill!" -Like how he slipped that last part in? We couldn't help but agree to the terms.

So this is day #1. I know people are divided over their love/disdain for the Itzbeen, but I dragged this out to handle both Beanie's needs and Leepo's toileting.

My system:

Diaper = Time since toileting Leepo

Bottle = Time since pumping milk (lets me know when to put it in the fridge)

Zzz = Time spent sleeping, also indicative of when Beanie needs a diaper change

* = Time since breastfeeding 

The rest of my gear includes the following:

• Child toilet seat with handles
• Training underwear
• Construction-themed PJs and book. This is a combination of negative and positive reinforcement (thank you, psychiatry rotation!). Leepo does not want to soil his PJs because they are so cool. He is also starting to look forward to toilet time because that's when I read to him all of his ridiculously long books about building things.
• Chux pads. After years of treating incontinence in the elderly, traumatic brain/spinal cord injured populations, I've come to trust these. I ask Leepo to sit on a Chux when he's playing on the rug or sitting at the sofa to avoid a clean-up disaster.

I've also been reading up on this process all over the place, more recently looking at these tips (located through Pinterest, of course). **Nerd alert!** I admit to using some of my education on 'central' incontinence, as well. -Namely making use of the 'gastrocolic reflex' that assists bowel movement within an hour of eating (helps to time things) and making diet adjustments for more predictable patterns of voiding. 

Thing is, as wacky as this appears, adding toilet-training to the postpartum period has provided a nice opportunity to create "just us" time with my firstborn. Leepo gets my undivided attention when we're in the bathroom, which may end up being his favorite spot in the house afterall. 

Post-partum

I totally had a (second) baby. It kind of blew me away, actually. I had in my mind that I would deliver on my due date, after everything was in perfect harmony at home.

Well, life had other plans. I delivered 5 days early. Labor pains didn't feel anything like they did the first time. Oh, and my house was a disaster inside and out because we were struck by a terrible storm that took down trees and our electrical service with it. Thank goodness several people helped by stepping in while we were at the hospital to clear up debris and even launder my girl's layette. Tears of joy and gratitude!

Once we got power back, it was time to restock the fridge and I included a few treats for this post-partum mom:

Mmmmmmm. . . ice cream

I was having a borderline 'baby blues' kind of day when my husband told me to go on ahead and do my favorite.thing.EVER. Yes folks, I went to Target without the kids! And even better, I was shopping there with a gift card from all the returns we made after receiving more pink/leopard print/cupcake covered onesies than we knew what to do with!

I present to you, my booty (heh heh):

In the first photo you're looking at the following:

1. Makeup brushes. These make me feel like a big girl. Because, you know, having two kids wasn't enough to get me there. . . The Target brand sell for $2. 
2. Pads. OK, not a luxury item, but very much needed in the postpartum period. 
3. Index card holders. I'm an index card freak and I just love organization and color, so this really tickles my fancy. < $1.
4. If West Elm made a headband, this would be it. This was my 'splurge' at $11. 
5. Scissors, glorious scissors. I'm putting these in every room of the house, it seems like I always have a need for them. $0.75 for two.
6. Tom's-esque shoes for $11 on clearance. Holla'!
7. I got this necklace at Kohls, actually. I was in need of a simple silver piece to go with everything. $6.
8. Fedora. Now that I'm breastfeeding again I don't wear as much sunscreen because my baby likes to suck on my face. This is perfect for avoiding too much sun exposure. Trendy, too.
9. For the postpartum muffin top. I only plan to wear this as needed to get back into my old clothes. I can't remember the price, but this is actually a Spanx knock-off and was pretty cheap.  
10. Pencil container. See #3 to explain why this had to come home with me. It's actually storing #1 right now.  < $1.
11. The ice cream will be short-lived. I have to start exercising now so I got me some light weights.
12. Close-up picture is below. These were some pretty earrings at Kohls. They remind me of stuff I've seen at Anthropologie, but for a fraction of the price ($8).
13. Yoga mat, for some postpartum Pilates. It's so on. 

#12

Not shown are a few other items, like a canvas tote for the weekend that was on sale.

I really had a great time livin' it up with my gift card, so if someone were to stumble upon this entry and worry that I returned their gift, I hope they keep this in mind. (You didn't get to plaster my daughter's butt with ladybugs and ruffles, but you helped sweep away the blues. Thank you.)

Final Countdown Before (2nd) Baby!

This song is of supreme significance in my life. My husband has played it for me leading up to almost every major exam and towards the end of particularly difficult rotations in residency. It's back in the last month of pregnancy. Plus, it sets the mood for tackling my final to-do list.

(This list is dynamic, I'll be coming back to update it as I think of more items or cross things off!)

Hospital bag:

• Toiletries
• Massage oil and iPod
• Cell phone and charger
• StriVectin X
• Camera
• Comfy postpartum clothes & flip-flops X
• My Brestfriend X
• Nipple cream X
• Coming home outfit! What to wear?!
• Gift for big brother
• Receiving blanket X
• Nursing bras and pads

Home-front:

• Deep clean & Organize!
• Make room in freezer for breastmilk
• Sort through gifts and make returns as needed

Baby gear:

• Purchase stroller bar for carseat attachment and twin sunshade
• New bottles and pump accessories
• Get this bottle drying rack
• Diapers & burp cloths X
• Wash layette
• Have the baby carrier ready

Nursery-specific:

• Hang curtains (I think I'll get the rods from WorldMarket)
• Pick up our crazy chair from the reupholster dude
• Print large maternity  photo and dry mount above the crib
• Hang ledges for books

Family prep:

• Spend quality alone time with Leepo
• Celebrate his 3rd birthday with family! X

Just for mommy:

• Purchase cute pants X
• Cut hair (it's all going to fall out, anyway)
• Wax eyebrows and get nails done
• Take a nice long bath/shower (uninterrupted!)

Other:

• Pre-admit paperwork X
• Review insurance policy X
• Notify pediatrician X
• Install car seat and sun visor
• Have date night!

Vanilla (Crotch) Ice

(I couldn't help myself when it came to the title of this post.)

Let me start by saying that I love my husband. He is the only man I know who keeps the OB office number on speed dial and calls them up from time to time with his questions and concerns. The other day, he set up his own Labor and Delivery Unit tour (we're delivering at a different hospital this time) and reported that he asked the most questions. I wanted to know what sorts of things were on his mind and he said that first and foremost he wanted to know what their "crotch ice" options were for post-partum mothers. Now there's a man dedicated to my perineal health!

On this subject, I plan on making "padsicles" this time around. I can't remember how I heard about them but they're genius.

The instructions say to cover with aloe vera followed by witch hazel, and sprinkle with lavender (you know, to make it like a spa experience. . .) before freezing. As one who took WEEKS to recover down there, I can tell you that this will be much appreciated the next time around. 

This picture from here. 

Oh the joys of post-partum. (How come few people warn you about this?)