Dear mothers, your belly is beautiful.

"Family is the center of life, it is the key to eternal happiness"

- L. Tom Perry

As far as I can remember, I have always wanted to become a Mother. Never once did I think about the fact about my body changing. Growing up, I watched a whole bunch of women including my mother and sisters give birth. Never once did I look at them and think about their postpartum bodies. Maybe I was too little to understand, maybe I didn't get it because I wasn't a mother, maybe I didn't notice or maybe I was too busy snuggling babies. Either way, it was never about their bodies. 

Fast forward to when I had Noah. One of the first comments I got, mind you I just birthed a baby, was "wow fatty, let me see your belly". At the time I didn't think much about it, but looking back that bothered me so much. All of a sudden I started stressing, I needed to be back to my fit self instantly! All of a sudden my thoughts shifted and for a time I wasn't myself. My thoughts were consumed with "how can I get my pre-baby belly back??". I remember poking my belly and I am pretty sure my finger touched my back. After a good meltdown, or several... I thought, "Forget about that comment Fatty, you just had a baby...that is freaking amazing."

We live in a world were we are being told to be perfect. To look flawless during and after delivery, to have a videographer and capture every moment of that day, to have Pinterest worthy photos. Because if we don't, we "missed" the point or we aren't keeping up with the Jones'. 

Why why why?

Instead of women being hopeful of one day being able to carry a child, some are too scared to give up their bodies. Scared because they have heard horror stories. 

"You will never be able to hold your pee again. You will never have abs again. Your boobs will hit the floor, etc."

Let me tell you something, forget about all the horror stories you've heard! There's nothing more incredible than holding your baby in your arms. The moment you have longed for, for 9 months, enjoy it to the fullest. There's nothing more special than watching your spouse become a parent. Let that be your focus, not what your body looks like the day after.

Your body may not look the exact same, it will be even better! You carried one/multiple children, that is freaking amazing. You discovered strengths you had no idea even existed. You can now carry a carseat, grocery bags and talk on the phone at the same time. Skills! You can change a diaper in record time with no skid marks down your finger. You can sleep with one eye open, literally. You can prepare a bottle in the dark. You can read a bedtime story by heart. You get countless of kisses and hugs every day. Each day you keep your kids fed, happy and safe.

I can go on and on... because you my dear, YOU ARE AMAZING! 

                                                                  Matching outfits from Flexi Lexi

Your belly is beautiful because it created life. That is hard work.

If you are worrying about getting "back" or you're currently in that phase, my advice to you is- enjoy the journey, and know that your fit self will be back. Be patient with yourself, a lot happens with our bodies during pregnancy, so let your's take the time it needs to adjust back. 

Learn to love yourself in every stage, and you will learn to appreciate what you've done so much more.

xo

My Gugu Guru Baby Registry- FitMom

I cannot believe how fast this pregnancy has flown by! It just hit me that if this little guy decides to be like his sister, he could be here in 4 weeks!! SAY WHAT?? People keep asking me, are you ready to have three kids? No, not at all. I know it is going to be a jungle but I also know that he is going to be the perfect addition to our family. I am seriously so giddy to meet him and kiss his little face :)

There are so many baby items out there, and more keep popping up! Honestly, I had no idea what I really wanted or needed and that is when GUGU GURU came and saved me. It is an online baby registry that customize products based on your lifestyle and personal taste! How awesome is that? It literally does all the work for you and brings all kinds of different recommendations. It was so smooth and so easy to do. Since I won't need big items like car seats, stroller, swings, etc, I really wanted to make sure I would register for items that fit my fitness lifestyle. 

Here are some of my must-haves from my registry!

Dockatot

This right here is a lifesaver. EVERY new mom should own one, and yes it is worth every penny. With Olivia, she had the grand version and slept like a champ in it. For our little boy he will be sleeping in the deluxe from day one. I love how cozy it is and it is absolutely safe, depending on how you use it! More details about why I love it so much will come soon!

Cake Maternity

I have said this before, and I will say it again. There's nothing more comfortable than a great maternity/nursing bra. It seriously took me FOREVER to find "the one". I always just got a cheaper one and left feeling disappointed. If you are looking for a good maternity/nursing bra, get this one h e r e.

Baby Bjorn Carrier

The BabyBjörn company has a special place in my heart, because it is founded in Sweden. Of course I had to register for one. I hear that having 3 kids is a butt kicker, so I figured baby carrying is going to be my best friend. I love that it can be used from newborn stage up until they're 3 and that there are 4 front/back carrying options. Crossing my fingers this little guy will love it.




Active wear

If you are an active person, you need to visit Bao Bei Maternity. They carry all sorts of products from first trimester to post-partum. This particular top is a support tank (find here). It is genius, you can just layer it with any bra and it is nursing friendly. It will be my go-to top postpartum.
'-=

These are just a couple items from my registry!!

Have a great weekend friends.

xo

The struggle is real!

We are PREGNANT!!!!

PC: Cecilia Harvard

We are so excited and let's be real a little terrified haha! I've always said, I want all our kids to be fairly close in age. Ready or not, here we come!! This pregnancy has gone by so fast, can you believe I'm 18 weeks already?? How did that even happen!?
I have been feeling great, at the end of the day I'm always exhausted and staying passed 9PM is a struggle, but other than that this pregnancy has been kind to me so far. That first trimester was brutal, I didn't even know I could be that type of exhausted. My poor husband had to drag me out of bed every morning because I was in denial it was already morning. Chasing after 2 kiddos is hard work, I don't even know how I'm gonna be able to chase after 3 one day.
I have been exercising just like I used to, this baby is a lot lower than my first two were so there are a lot more visits to the bathroom.
Before I got pregnant with Noah, I had just finished my collegiate track and field career and I was in my best shape yet. A month after he was born, I was back on the track trying to get back in shape. I thought to myself "people do this all the time, so I can do it too". It was hard work. The first 2 months, I wanted to quit every single day. Only 10 months after having Noah, there I was on the starting line, representing my swedish club. I was in the best shape I had ever been, better than pre-baby. I ran personal bests in all my events, all of that after having a baby.
Why do people tell you "once you have a baby, your body can't do such and such"? That's false, YOU can do whatever the heck you want, but you have to put the work in.

Success doesn't happen because you never fail. 
Success happens because you never quit.

17 weeks pregnant here

I get comments like "I wish I had your genes". I want people to know how hard I've worked to get back and stay in shape. I made a promise to myself to stay active through my pregnancies, because I knew my postpartum body would thank me later. Not only my postpartum body, but my state of mind as well. Hard things are never easy to do at first, but they get easier with time. It takes a lot of discipline and dedication, and if I can do it so can YOU.

I wish society didn't make women feel guilty because of us wanting to take care of ourselves. That once you have kids, it is all about them. Don't get me wrong, it is pretty much all about them but don't forget about you. It is hard to see your body go through changes and not having any control over them.I've had to once again, prepare myself for these changes. Being mentally healthy is just as important as physical health.
Exercising is a part of my lifestyle, and it doesn't look the same for everyone. If you love to walk, then walk and if you love zumba then do zumba. Find something that you love and stick with it. The truth is, if you compare yourself with others or other peoples physique you will never learn to appreciate your own. You won't be able to appreciate your progress. Whether you are pregnant or not, healthy doesn't mean a salad. Healthy isn't a measure of weight. Being healthy involves your mind, spirit and heart just as much as it involves your body. Each persons version of healthy iix different. Sweets don't make you unhealthy but sadness will. One day at a time my friends!

xo

Track Mom!

PC: Becca Alder

This time of year is pretty hard for me. Not because it is cold and gloomy outside, but because January means indoor track season!! In the past, during this time, I'd be getting ready for my first race of the year. The first track meet that we can't wait for since bootcamp started. This is what every track athlete looks forward to the most; to compete. I loved competing. I loved the feeling of being so nervous that I almost wanted to throw up. I loved getting pep-talks from coaches, Ben, family and friends. I loved when my dad would call me on the phone and say "pretend that I'm there and that I'm screaming GO GO GO". I loved that feeling of relief after the first race, and then feeling so excited for the rest of the season. I loved the feeling after my best race ever! I loved team unity, and cheering/screaming for my teammates so much I almost lost my voice. I loved going to new places, eating a HUGE meal after our meets and always ending up with some ice cream. 

I am a competitive person, and you can never take that out of me. Don't get me wrong, I love being a Mother more than anything. But I miss that feisty, competitive, and slightly crazy girl inside me (that crazy girl is actually always there, who am I kidding). That girl only comes out when Ben and I are having our "who can do this best" moments haha! I just need to figure out more ways for that girl to come out! I don't know what Heavenly Father has planned for me 5 years from now, but what I do know is my love for track will never end. Maybe I will be that one girl that brings her army of kids to the track meet, and hear them say proudly, "that's my mom" as I run through that finish line.

Maybe, maybe not. But for now, I will live through my friends who are starting their indoor season. I will think about the good times I had while I was running. I will show my kids my videos, and tell them all about my meets and my memories.

Track and field, I miss you. 

xo

Summer break!

Its been awhile since I blogged! I officially feel like I'm in the groove now. I've got a good routine down and I have some new friends, YAAY!! We have been so fortunate to be in an awesome ward. There are lots of families like us with kids the same age as Noah! Playdates have been my saving grace :)

While most people are now getting ready for fall to peek in, we are still embracing this 100 plus degrees. I can't even believe I thought Utah was hot during the summer! Now, that seems like nothing.   Ben finally has a break, so we can have him and will enjoy every minute with him around. Major props to all you single parents out there, seriously this job is HARD!!! Anyways, we are really starting to like Arizona and feeling more "at home".

This outfit is all forever21, Ben actually picked out the items...he did pretty good right!?

My diaper bag is from fawn design, it also comes in black! I got picked to be an enthusiast and I absolutely LOVE my bag. I get compliments on it everywhere I go :)

 It is super roomy, I can fit everything I need in it! It is so fashionable, works with any outfit and the leather is so nice. I love that you can choose to wear it as a backpack or strapped. I'm probably going to do a "what's in my diaper bag post" soon. If you're looking for a diaper bag, I would highly recommend it.

Also, I changed my blogname...how do y'all like it?

xoxo

Life lately!

I recently realized that I hadn't blogged in a week or so and that I haven't filled you guys in on our lives in Arizona!

First of all, we lucked out big time with our neighborhood. We love it so much, even if we are inside most of the time ;) The thought of us not living in Utah is still weird! Moving was hard, harder than I thought it would be. I was lucky to have my mom here for 3 weeks, which made the transition a whole lot easier. Being a mother of two, has been crazy but also crazy fun! With all the major changes, this was going to be our lives for the next 2 years. I'm so grateful for my Mother and all her help but once she left, I felt lost.

I didn't quite understand how hard it was going to be. How much I was going to miss  Ben and having him around. I knew without doubt that he was going to do well in school, even though the workload was nothing he was used to. All of a sudden our time became really precious to me. Don't get me wrong, it was precious before as well, but now it was different. 

I'm sure that these feelings are similar to those with spouses that are gone a lot and you can relate. I'm beyond proud and grateful for how he has handled it all. We were told that the first 8 weeks were going to be the hardest, and I'm so glad that no matter what he has put us first. 

I get asked if being a mother of two is hard? I honestly think that having one was harder, what's hard for me is living in this heat. Not being able to go out whenever we want because my toddler has some crazy energy has been hard. This is the transition that has been the hardest for me, I've had to truly dig deep, say lots and lots of prayers and be oh so patient. Luckily, I've made some really good friends that have kids Noah's age. He gets to interact and play with other kids while I get some adult interaction, and it makes the time fly by. As bad as it sound, I've had days were we've just watched shows/movies all day until daddy comes home. I'm not perfect, and still trying to figure out this parenthood! Movies are like a drug, keeps Noah nice and calm and I get to relax a little haha.

On another note, I've got some exciting news that I have been working on concerning fitness. I'm super excited about it, and hoping that things will work out. I will announce it in a little bit! In the meantime here's my "dirty 50" I did this morning :)

50 crunches

45 Jumping jacks (fast)

40 forward lunges

200m run

35 leg tuck- abs

30 squats

25 walk with stroller

100m run

20 bench push ups

15 deep squats (ace down)

10 single leg squat

5 push ups with clap

100m sprint!

xo

Styled two ways- Striped Tunic

Our third item is this cute grey striped tunic. My obsession with stripes is real, and this tunic is the perfect swimsuit cover. The material is just so light and perfect in this Arizona heat! I love the little pop of color in the front pockets. Don't need to say much, but y'all should check out how Cecilia styled hers here . 

Pregnancy #2

This picture is embarrassing, but oh well! Huge difference between Noah and Olivia, same week!

First off, I must say this pregnancy was so much nicer than my first. Not to mention how FAST it went until that last month hit. I've been lucky with my pregnancies so far, no morning sickness nor complications.  Huge blessing! I really admire women who still continue to have kids through a sometimes very difficult labor. Being able to carry a child for 9 months is such an amazing, beautiful and miraculous experience. I love being pregnant, I love seeing other pregnant women, and I love that "glow" that people talk about. Amongst the love, there are of course some hard parts. I try to focus on the positive rather than the negative. Having a supportive husband is such a blessing. Ben, without fail, would put baby O and my needs first, rub my achy back, and feed me whatever I wanted... I mean whatever Olivia wanted haha. 

When I was pregnant with Noah, I didn't know what to expect. I stayed somewhat active, I gained 26 lbs and my recovery wasn't too bad. I definitely had to take a couple of weeks before I even went out walking. 

This time around, I was way more active! I knew what to expect, so I was a lot more calm. Because of the way Olivia was positioned, my belly felt so much bigger than with Noah. I gained 22 lbs and generally felt great throughout the entire pregnancy. Fitness has been a HUGE part of my life, and will always be. I cannot say this enough but girls staying healthy and active while pregnant is so important and you will be so glad afterwards.
Make fitness a part of your life, you will feel so much better! Whether you are pregnant or not, being healthy is important.

Today, I'm 10 days post partum. I was blessed with a great delivery (story will come later), and my recovery has been amazing. I have been shocked at how good I actually feel. I even went coaching yesterday! Thank you all for your sweet compliments, and encouraging words, it means a lot to me.

I can't believe I have two kids, time to go snuggle! Have a great weekend.

xoxo

Happy humpday- Albion Fit giveaway

Happy humpday, whatever that means!

I promised you all a giveaway, so head on over to my instagram @lesdedrickson to find out the details on how to enter. Meanwhile, use code Fatima15 and you will get 15% off your purchase!

Here's a little quick workout for all my pregnant ladies :)

15 lunges/leg

10 pushups-belly to ground

15 dips

10 burpees if possible

15 v-ups 

Do this 3x, no rest between sets!

xoxo

Albion Fit- I'm in LOVE!!!

Baby girl has a name, and we have officially hit 30w!

The track will forever be my favorit workout place.

Pictures taken by my girl Cecilia (www.dearestlou.com)

I don't even know where to begin. The minute I put on my clothing from Albion Fit, I didn't want to take it off. This top is so soft and the fabric is amazing! These tights are not only so CUTE, the waist is heavenly. They don't cut my circulation off, which is really hard to find while pregnant. I absolutely love the bright colors, unique patterns and great designs. I'm so excited that I can not only wear their clothing while pregnant but also not pregnant. I have been following them on Instagram for awhile now, so I felt honored and thrilled to be working with them. Stay tuned for a giveaway coming soon, and also a promo-code for you guys!

Meanwhile, you need to check out all their clothing! I promise it will be worth every penny :)

Top: Go long crew Here

Bottom: Antigua Exted, Cobalt Here

Shoes: Nike