{Diastasis Recti & Hernia}

Let's start this post off with a positive before I start talking a lot of negative! My mom {Grandma MeMe} came down today to play with the boys. I was able to run out and get a new ID, run to TJ Maxx & get a lot of work done in the office, so it was SO appreciated! Sometimes as a stay-at-home mom, I forget just how nice it is to be alone ... I can actually run errands in less than an hour :)

On a serious note, I told you I would explain this whole hernia thing in lamen terms today, pretty much spelling out everything I am dealing with and will be going though. Right now, I have diasatis recti, which means the muscles in my abdomen are not connected at all. They have completely torn, and from what the doctor says, they are about 5 1/2 inches apart ... which is a great amount. It doesn't cause any pain, but it does not help any situations. Basically right now I look like I am 5 to 6 months preggers, because when your muscles are not attached, you can not do sit ups ... those muscles don't work together anymore. So without being able to work your abs, you start to gain fat in that area over the top. Not to mention, when you do try to do sit ups ... it creates a bulge. A very unfaltering bulge that looks like my uterus never went down after birth. It's humiliating, uncomfortable, and of course, gives you ZERO confidence. But again, there is no physical pain.

However, you will begin to have pain if a hernia develops. Well guess what? I have a hernia. I have started to have a lot of pain, especially in the middle of the day when I have just been pulled in every direction. You start to feel really bloated right after you eat ... even if you eat just a little bit. The hernia actually starts pushing right through the torn abdominal muscles.

So what does this mean? Well, since insurance will not pay for to fix my muscles, and since I have a hernia, I have started seeing a plastic surgeon. I want to feel confident and be more comfortable at the same time. It's a scary process, and means I will literally be out for a couple of weeks. I am really scared and nervous, but I have decided to get this fixed. I will let everyone know if a few weeks exactly when this will take place, but as of right now, know it will be soon.

Thanks for every one's support and for letting me explain why I haven't been around so much lately.

{Some Explaining To Do ...}

I guess I have some explaining to do ... since I have been on and off of here for the past couple of weeks. A LOT has been on my plate, and with additional stresses ... blogging has not been high on my priority list. No one said that motherhood & owning your business was easy, in fact, for a while I really did have a great balance. Once again we're entering wedding season, and my life is getting turned in every direction.

So what's really going on besides work? Well I'll just give you a hint about my past week. Monday ... my car was broken into at my son's DAYCARE and everything was taken, money, etc. Tuesday the docs found a hernia. Wednesday ... whiplash. UGH ...

So what's my game plan? Right now I am focusing on saving my identity. A lot has been compromised, and I am trying to salvage anything I can. Next Month I'll tackle the hernia ... more on that tomorrow. And yes ...I am seeing a great chiropractor for my neck.

Tomorrow cant come soon enough, my mom is coming down to play with the kids so I can get some MUCH needed work done! Thanks Mom!!

{March Girls Night Out}

Last night was a MUCH needed Girls Night Out ... so much fun ... so much wine :) Thanks girls for getting me out of the house!!!

{New Headshot}

I wanted to share with you my new head shot for my business. I am really happy with the whole "at home" feel. I think it really encompasses who I am! A big thank you to Catherine Rhodes Photographer for taking this picture for me ... she did a fantastic job!

{Lisa's Closet}

i know the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is over, but I just can't get Lisa Vanderpump's Closet out of my head. I REALLY love her mirrored island, which she holds her jewelry. I love this idea so much, I am thinking of DIYing a VERY small replica. I have a white table which center goes down ... if I can find the righ size mirror tiles, I am going to attemp it :) I'll keep you posted!

{Saint Patrick's Day Card}

Here is the Saint Patrick's Day card I am sending out today. The picture was taken by a local photographer named Catherine Marie Rhodes Photographer. I created the card for friends and family of course. Just something simple, but I love how it turned out. It's even better in person!




Hope everyone's having a great Monday ... we woke up this morning with 4 inches of snow and counting ... so it's a little crazy here. I welcome crazy though :)

Happy Monday!

{DIY Cupcake Bar}

I'm drooling over this DIY Cupcake Bar that was featured on Green Wedding Shoes a while back. Here's a little taste ...



Photograph by Jennifer Young Photography

Head over to The Bridal Solution to see more pictures of this mouth watering DIY Bar!

{New Haircut}

Although I cut my hair a week ago, I am just now getting around to blogging about it. It's been a crazy/slow/hard-to-see-the-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel kind of week. Ryan and I have been down and out with the flu ... it lasted 7 days straight and was awful. We didn't know if it was morning or night, or what day of the week it was. Thank GOD that is over. Not to mention this week was my birthday and our VIP Event for The Bridal Solution ... not cool!

At least I had a few "pamper me" days in before I got sick. I finally chopped all my hair off, 8 inches to be exact. I love the simplicity of my shorter hair, and the fact it doesn't take me 10 minutes to blow dry anymore!

Here are some before and after pictures ...

{BEFORE}

Photo taken by Catherine Rhodes Photographer
{AFTER}