I can’t believe I’m writing this post. Time seems to go faster as you get older-throw a baby into the mix and it just flies. Already, the first month of her life seems like such a blur and I’m so thankful that I have this blog to reference back and remember. A co-worker of mine has a 5 week old and while we were at lunch a few days ago, it was relieving to hear that I wasn’t the only one who thought the first month was the hardest. Right now she feels like there’s just no end in sight, but I reassured her that it DOES get better and so much more fun. I hate to hear about people having a tough time but that the same time it’s nice to know that you’re not alone.
Sleep. So today I got a pleasant surprise-Madelyn slept for 12 hours!!! And I finally got 8 hours of peaceful sleep. I don’t remember the last time I slept for more than 6 hours (which I really shouldn’t complain about with a newborn). Since going back to work, I’ve been averaging about 5 hours of sleep. After I get her to bed, I get things ready for daycare the next day. I really hope that she keeps up the longer stretches of sleep during the weekends. I woke up feeling refreshed today and only needed to stop at Sbux because of their 2 for 1 holiday drinks 🙂
Eat. I can’t wait to start giving her solids and introducing her to new foods. She’s getting to the point now where she doesn’t want to be in her chair during dinner time-she wants to be up at the table with us. Her eyes get so huge when she watches us eat our “grown up” food. Breastfeeding is still going really well. I get to pump at least twice a day at work and I’ve avoided formula the past 3 months. I’m not opposed to it, but I’m really proud that I’ve been able to keep her on straight breast milk. My goal is to breastfeed for at least 6 months-we’ll see what happens after that.
Play. Every morning, when I wake Madelyn up for daycare, I am greeted with a big smile. It’s the best possible way to start out my day. When I take her over to the changing table, she sits and tells me all about her dreams and even sings me a song from time to time. It’s the best sound in the world. Occasionally, she’ll even blow bubbles with her mouth. Today, during tummy time, she lifted herself up and turned onto her back.
What she loves. Her hands. I cannot keep them out of her mouth. Her mama 🙂 A few weeks ago, my mom was holding her and I came up along side her and Madelyn flung her body reach toward me. She definitely knows who I am & that’s a good feeling. She also loves hearing herself talk…definitely her father’s daughter! 😉
Me-3 Months postpartum. So today I had my first postpartum body breakdown. I was at Kohls’ with my family doing some shopping, trying to find something to wear for Madelyn’s baptism. Nothing I liked fit me and it was pretty depressing a big reality check that my body is not what it used to be. I came home and just started balling. Larry asked me what was wrong and I through my sobs I said, “Nothing fits me anymore!!!” Waaah! While this may be true to some point, things just fit me differently. I have a pair of jeans that are actually too big for me now (they fit prior to getting pregnant) and I have jeans that fit me before the baby that I can’t fit into right now. It’s weird and I’m still getting used to it. I still have about 5 pounds left to go before I get down to my pre-pregnancy weight and about 20 pounds until my goal weight. I have an awesome husband who I could tell wanted to laugh at my overreaction, but instead took me in his arms and reminded me that my body just did something pretty awesome and it’s not going to bounce back overnight.
She is pretty awesome and one of my greatest accomplishments. She has taught me so much about myself in the past three months and I thank God for her every single day.
Real Foodie Runner 