It has been a roller coaster the last 10 weeks.
Emotionally, I do and have felt great. Thank goodness for that. No baby blues and honestly I've just really enjoyed this time with my baby boy. I was kind of scared of those first 6 weeks, remembering how hard they were with my, now 7 year old, daughter. But maybe it just gets easier the 2nd time around? I knew more of what to expect, was much more laid back, or maybe more then anything, we just have an easier baby this time around.
Physically, that's where the roller coaster has been. I went to my 6 week check up and was still very sore. I was so upset that it was taking me so long to heal, especially after only needing 1 stitch after delivery. The doctor said I had more "road rash" then tears (he did have a 14" head!!). Despite being the mom to a newborn and 7 year old I still managed to shower every single day. I used my medicines and sprays till they were gone, it wasn't that I didn't take care of myself. The doctor said to use Dove soap, which I was, no personal grooming, and try olive oil to keep things "moisturized."
I tried the olive oil, I put it in my peri bottle and kept it with cotton balls in the bathroom cabinet. After a few days of that, I had a better idea. Witch Hazel. I had been using the Tucks pads in with my pads. I had stopped using pads when my bleeding had stopped (which was around 4 wks. PP). I had a bottle of just witch hazel, not on pads, so I started dabbing that on with a cotton ball instead of the olive oil when I used the restroom. Less then a week later, all was pretty well healed!!
I guess after that I'm still afraid of intercourse. I'm probably fine to go ahead with that, but I'm just not ready. The thought of RE-injuring that area, after it is just now finally feeling normal again, scares me. Hubby is fine with it and there is no pressure there.
And last but not lease, constipation... oh how I hate you.
I have been drinking as much water as I can. I am breastfeeding and that is reason enough to stay hydrated, but it's also summer, and it's hot. I still take a stool softener, which helps. I have to take an iron pill because my hemoglobin has been extra low since I had Carter, so that's not helping the situation. I hope to get this issue balanced out sooner rather then later.
I guess I should talk about breastfeeding too.
To some it up, I love it 90% of the time. I'm producing just enough for him, it doesn't hurt, I love the bonding, and he's great at it. Not to mention I feel like super mom when all he's ever had in his whole little life is my milk and he's already a huge baby :) I'm a small 120 lbs. - had a 8lb 6oz baby who is now probably 13 lbs at 10 wks old. So YAY for my breast milk!!!
Then on to talk about the 10% that I don't like - restrictions when we are out and about. Having to drop everything, find a chair, and nurse him while we are in the middle of whatever. I don't mind being the only one that can feed him when it's time to eat - even if it's dinner time and I'm at the table eating left handed because he feels the need to have dinner with us - but I do wish that at some points, like when we are at a store buying groceries, that I could just pop a bottle in his mouth and go on about our shopping. But I guess that's a small complaint in a big vast world of wonderfulness.
Sleep- I get some of that.
Usually 3-4 hours at the start of the night, then every 2-3 hours he wakes up after that. He's usually "in bed" for 10-12 hours (plus those intermittent feedings in there). I really can't wait till I can have a full nights sleep though. As lucky as I am that he DOES SLEEP and for a newborn, sleeps pretty good, I would like a good 10 hour stretch of sleep without being scared out of a deep sleep by baby cries.
All in all, right now, I am feeling pretty good!
We joined the YMCA when Carter was 6 weeks old and I've been going to the gym there 3 days a week ever since. I usually do 15-20 min of cardio on the elliptical or upright bike, then I do another 30ish min of weight training. Currently I'm 122 lbs, I'd like to stay about where I'm at, but I really want to get toned up. My arms, thighs, and especially my mama belly. I still have a "mother's line," which I hate looking at in the mirror (you couldn't even see it when I was preggo, just AFTER?!?), but it is fading. I hope to start seeing some of the belly fat start to disappear too.
I feel like I'm on the upswing. Time really does go by way too quickly.
I'll do a separate update on Carter in a different post. He has his 2 month appointment in 2 days.
Backyard Fun
We roasted hot dogs and marshmellos and Alyssa played in the sprinkler
Father's Day
This is my dad and Steve with his babies
At my mom's family reunion
