Oh, hi there. I've neglected writing for a few weeks because our gal has joined the party and we've been busy celebrating. Our Scarlett Josephine is three weeks old today and we just adore her. In honor of her third week of being out of the womb, I thought I'd take the opportunity to record a few of the surprises I've encountered in my new mothering role.
Three Harder Surprises:
1.) Worry Is The New Pink
I'm pretty good at worrying. I've been doing it for awhile. But, oh man, having a baby really encourages some new fears. After months of pregnancy worries, hours of labor worries, you're then given this tiny seven pound creature to take home and deal with on your own... to worry about. I spend way too much time being terrified that I'll "break" her by accident and scared that something is wrong. For example, here are crazy things I've worried about/had to Google search: Is my baby sleeping too much? Why isn't my baby sleeping right now? Does my baby like me? Is my baby pooping too much? Is my baby pooping enough? Is my baby's poop color normal? You get the idea.
2.) Ouch. Oh, And, Ow.
So labor was the hardest and most painful thing I've ever experienced. If you know someone who has gone through it, you should give them a hug. And some chocolate. Because they deserve it. But unfortunately, you take some of the pain home with you as your body is still healing from the experience. You're not allowed to exercise for at least six weeks and honestly, it's hard to imagine wanting to push your body to do much considering what it's gone through. Plus, you're mending yourself while adjusting to breastfeeding. Ow. There's a learning curve there and it's not exactly a gentle one.
3.) A Third Body
I got pregnant at a rare time in my life where I was starting to feel more comfortable with my body. Since my wedding was just days before my pregnancy began, I had spent months eating well and working out in preparation. Getting used to a growing body though was tricky. By the end, I was swollen and uncomfortable but I had grown used to it as well. Plus, I was finally at a place where strangers were giving me their seats on the bus and sharing kind smiles my way. But then, you have the baby and you no longer have either body. You're left with a third new body. One that still looks a little pregnant but without any of the charm. Plus, your boobs start doing their own thing and everything just feels foreign and sore.
Three Happy Surprises:
1.) My Body Is A Wonderland
All self-conscious issues aside though, I have a new appreciation for my body. Whenever I start to complain about looking frumpy or feeling uncomfortable with my belly, I stop myself from continuing the negativity to mentally high-five myself. Fuck yeah, woman! You delivered a beautiful human! That's incredible! Your body did that! So however long it takes to fit back into my skinny jeans, it doesn't really matter, I'm beyond grateful to my bod for taking care of my baby and bringing her into the world as a happy healthy little lady.
2.) To Sleep, Perchance To Dream
Maybe I shouldn't say this too loud because I don't want to jinx it but I sleep better now than I did a few weeks ago. Now, before you light me on fire, please note that I'm not saying I'm sleeping "well" now, I'm just saying I'm sleeping more than I did in pregnancy when I was up every hour having to pee and then unable to fall back asleep. Now, I can sleep 2-3 hours at a time and it's been appreciated. Granted, I still dream about one day sleeping more than 3 hours at one time but until then, I'm keeping my complaints to a minimum!
3.) Love Grows
When I was in Tony n' Tina's Wedding, Tina had a poem she would read that started with "Love grows like flowers in the spring; love grows and it makes me want to sing..." and while it's so corny, it's true. I worried that once our baby came, my relationship with my husband Will would change. That suddenly, our love would just be redirected to our baby and we would be unable to keep our relationship in the same place. Well, things are different now but it's because they've never been better. I didn't know I could love my husband more but I absolutely do. And when Scarlett is taking a nap, we've taken to making out like teenagers again. Plus, he still thinks I'm attractive even as my body continues to transition and makes a point to tell me.
Three Harder Surprises:
1.) Worry Is The New Pink
I'm pretty good at worrying. I've been doing it for awhile. But, oh man, having a baby really encourages some new fears. After months of pregnancy worries, hours of labor worries, you're then given this tiny seven pound creature to take home and deal with on your own... to worry about. I spend way too much time being terrified that I'll "break" her by accident and scared that something is wrong. For example, here are crazy things I've worried about/had to Google search: Is my baby sleeping too much? Why isn't my baby sleeping right now? Does my baby like me? Is my baby pooping too much? Is my baby pooping enough? Is my baby's poop color normal? You get the idea.
2.) Ouch. Oh, And, Ow.
So labor was the hardest and most painful thing I've ever experienced. If you know someone who has gone through it, you should give them a hug. And some chocolate. Because they deserve it. But unfortunately, you take some of the pain home with you as your body is still healing from the experience. You're not allowed to exercise for at least six weeks and honestly, it's hard to imagine wanting to push your body to do much considering what it's gone through. Plus, you're mending yourself while adjusting to breastfeeding. Ow. There's a learning curve there and it's not exactly a gentle one.
3.) A Third Body
I got pregnant at a rare time in my life where I was starting to feel more comfortable with my body. Since my wedding was just days before my pregnancy began, I had spent months eating well and working out in preparation. Getting used to a growing body though was tricky. By the end, I was swollen and uncomfortable but I had grown used to it as well. Plus, I was finally at a place where strangers were giving me their seats on the bus and sharing kind smiles my way. But then, you have the baby and you no longer have either body. You're left with a third new body. One that still looks a little pregnant but without any of the charm. Plus, your boobs start doing their own thing and everything just feels foreign and sore.
Three Happy Surprises:
1.) My Body Is A Wonderland
All self-conscious issues aside though, I have a new appreciation for my body. Whenever I start to complain about looking frumpy or feeling uncomfortable with my belly, I stop myself from continuing the negativity to mentally high-five myself. Fuck yeah, woman! You delivered a beautiful human! That's incredible! Your body did that! So however long it takes to fit back into my skinny jeans, it doesn't really matter, I'm beyond grateful to my bod for taking care of my baby and bringing her into the world as a happy healthy little lady.
2.) To Sleep, Perchance To Dream
Maybe I shouldn't say this too loud because I don't want to jinx it but I sleep better now than I did a few weeks ago. Now, before you light me on fire, please note that I'm not saying I'm sleeping "well" now, I'm just saying I'm sleeping more than I did in pregnancy when I was up every hour having to pee and then unable to fall back asleep. Now, I can sleep 2-3 hours at a time and it's been appreciated. Granted, I still dream about one day sleeping more than 3 hours at one time but until then, I'm keeping my complaints to a minimum!
3.) Love Grows
When I was in Tony n' Tina's Wedding, Tina had a poem she would read that started with "Love grows like flowers in the spring; love grows and it makes me want to sing..." and while it's so corny, it's true. I worried that once our baby came, my relationship with my husband Will would change. That suddenly, our love would just be redirected to our baby and we would be unable to keep our relationship in the same place. Well, things are different now but it's because they've never been better. I didn't know I could love my husband more but I absolutely do. And when Scarlett is taking a nap, we've taken to making out like teenagers again. Plus, he still thinks I'm attractive even as my body continues to transition and makes a point to tell me.
