The back of Lithe's Flashdance Top (Coming Soon!), The Middle Eastern spice, Harissa (adds major flavor to my latest low-fat meals), Mars at 6 months, Ella's Kitchen baby food is good for him and perfect for when I don't have time to cook (Mars goes nuts for baby brekki!), Mamma Chia (I'm addicted) and Lithe's Waspie.
Images via brand websites and Lauren Boggi and Lithe Instructor, Bari Rosenthal via Dominic Episcopo
My Mars is six months old today. He's eating food, sitting up, rolling over, laughing hysterically, I'm back in my jeans, juggling more than ever, he's 20 lbs up and I'm 20 lbs down, he's changing everyday, I'm forever changed, he's discovering the world and my world is now complete. Happy half-year birthday! I love you.
Image of Mars Goldenberg via Lauren's iPhone.
Everyone always asks me how I do it all with a baby. The woman above has a lot to do with it. Meet Carol Dougherty. One of the coolest, most incredible women I know. Carol's my night nanny (post-partum doula). She has been helping me three nights a week since Mars was three weeks old so that Jordan and I can sleep like a babies. She's CAPPA Trained, CPR Certified, Fully Insured, a head teacher in a parent-tot program for over 10 years, has great references and has 5 daughters of her own (one set of twins and one special needs (MR) child). Oh, and she nursed them all (even the twins).
She's smart, fun, funny, dedicated and has really turned into a great friend. She has taught me a ton, has sleep trained Mars, coached me through five months of nursing and she LOVES working overnight (I still can't believe that people like her exist). She's passionate about her job and loves taking care of babies and Moms.
So why am I blogging about her? Becuase really good people are hard to find and I love her. Now, I definitely don't want to lose her, but I adore her and she's starting her own company (The Night Nannies!). I plan on working with Carol a few nights a week for as long as I can and I know that she'll be such a helpful resource when I'm trekking back and forth to NYC.
What's a typical night with Carol? She arrives at 10PM, sends Jordan and I to bed, takes care of Mars (feeds, changes and soothes him back to sleep), helps us out by doing our laundry and dishes, etc. and then leaves at 6AM. She's amazing and I'm spreading the word. Because sometimes we mom's can't do it all and trust me...eight hours of uninterruped sleep makes you a better human! Interested? Give Carol (the baby whisperer) a call: 267-228-2989
Image of Carol and Mars from November 2011 via Lauren
Dear Lithe,
It has been two years for me living Lithe but this was my first fall challenge. It was so much fun and gave me a lot of strength for my daily life. I didn't lose a lot of weight but I definitely gained a lot of muscles. My eight year old son Lucas tells me all the time, "Mommy, you're ripped!" Now, when I go grocery shopping with my 28 pound two year old son Gio I can hold him with one arm and two grocery bags with the other without help.
The other thing I found out during fall challenge is that I can run. At this challenge I probably ran the most in my life. I don't think I've ever even noticed the fall air smells so good until our outdoor runs during this challenge. The best thing was, after the challenge runs, I was inspired to go running with my son Lucas together for the first time. We both loved it so much and plan to keep up our mom and son runs.
Finally, and to me most importantly, I am a pretty shy person but I always felt supported by everyone at Lithe, staff and students alike. Lithe has always been such a warm and welcoming place for me. Thanks so much! Love you, Lithe!!!
Love,
Nari Kim
So many of you who are expecting and have asked me about my birth doula. Meet Paige Chapman. Doula, Yoga/Pre-natal Yoga teacher, Lither and just simply one of my favorite people. Paige was my birth doula. She helped me get through some serious moments during labor, helped me move through my contractions with yoga (and some Lithe), eased my pain and kept me calm with her signature stress management essential oil blends (which I still use) when the doctors uttered the 'C' word.
She had such a calming effect on me that I'm heading down to one of my favorite places in the world to go on retreat with her. I'm lucky to be privy to some 'in the know' information and all I can say is that Paige has some amazing things in store for all of us Philadelphia moms and mom-to-be! Get ready Philly!
Images of Paige Chapman with Lauren Boggi Goldenberg & Mars, Paige doing Yoga and Paige at WMF's One Night Only
Ladies, this is slow progress but as you can see from the pictures, Lithe has taken a nice layer of fat off my midsection (and my entire body) and has toned my skin. Even my belly button is pulling back in.
As I near my 12th week post-natal, I'm a true believer in the "fourth trimester." I'm really beginning to feel like myself again and I'm finally starting to see a glimpse of my former self. Luckily, I have no incisional pain but I still have a bit of swelling below my belly button and along the left side of my abdomen. Lithe has yielded quick results and after one month of teaching, I feel like I have most of my strength back. Push ups are still somewhat difficult but I'm feeling stronger, healthier and more toned each day. Stay tuned!
Welcome to the world Ruby! Long time Lither Joy Cho just had her baby! Check out the above picture of Joy and I on Lithe Escape Bahamas. I was 30 weeks (If I only knew then that I had 12 more weeks to go!) and Joy was 16 weeks pregnant with Ruby. Congrats Joy and Bob, she is perfect! I can't wait to meet her.
Images of Ruby, Lauren & Joy via Joy
Check out Lithe Instructor Nicole Sewall at 35 weeks! She has about 5 weeks to go until she meets her bundle of joy. I had her stand next to her picture at Old City and besides the hair color, she doesn't look much different! Nic, I'm guessing it's a girl. You look fantastic!
Image of Nic via Lauren
Here's an update of my little guy.
Ok, so here's week two. My belly is starting to flatten out more and I'm officially 3 lbs lighter thanks to Camp Lithe but not much change that you can see compared to my starting point. What you can see is that I'm still in my maternity jeans : ) Patience has never been my strong suit.
Recent Comments