Nathaniel was 12 weeks old yesterday--which means it's been 12 weeks since I gave birth. If I were working, that would mean my maternity leave would be up. I can't imagine leaving him every day to work. I don't think I could do it. I am the only person I could trust to bring him up with all the love and support he needs.
My recovery has been all right. I have learned not to judge the fashion of brand new moms as much as I used to. Going shopping has been extremely, extremely depressing. Nothing I used to wear fits like it did before, and a lot of stuff I can't even fit into. I'm almost back to my pre-pregnancy weight but my body is shaped differently than it was a year ago.
One of the worst things has been my post-pregnancy stomach. No one told me that after the baby comes out and the excess water and goo comes out, you're stuck with stretched out skin. It's SO hard to find pants that fit, because of that stretchy skin. I'm back into my normal 4/6's, but they fit strangely. I really don't know what to do about it.
Twelve weeks after birth, I'm back into working out: some friends have been doing the Insanity workout with us every night. So I (and all of them!) are extremely sore. It's sad because the workout is supposed to be done centered around your core, but my core just got stretched out for 9 months and is still getting back to where it used to be, so I am basically a workout wimp. For good reasons. But I hope to get normal abs back soon.
We've slipped into kind of a routine: every day Nathaniel and I get up to drive Carl to the Metro, and then we come home and I clean things or work on projects or read until the baby falls asleep, and then usually I try to fall asleep too, since I don't get tons of sleep at night. Even if he doesn't wake up hungry I wake up wanting to feed him. Then at 2:30 we go over to my mom's house to get my older brother off the bus, and we take care of him until my mom or dad gets home. Then we're off to pick up Carl again, make dinner, and finish cleaning or projects before bed.
Life with my silly baby is way better than it was before. I thought being married was the best thing--and it partially is--but being married with a kid is even better. My opinion twelve weeks in.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
best bottom diaper giveaway!
As some of you know, my baby LOVES his Best Bottom diapers from Nicki's Diapers. This week they're giving away a free diaper in a cute owl print. What I haven't blogged about on here is my adoration of owls and all things owly. I've still been unpacking all my owl paraphernalia, but once it's all out, my house will be owlicious indeed.
So, even though I've blogged a million times today, here's one more time. Nicki's Diapers is having a giveaway and I want that owl print! :o)
So, even though I've blogged a million times today, here's one more time. Nicki's Diapers is having a giveaway and I want that owl print! :o)
the worth of souls
The other night, I visited a friend and her mom. They asked how many kids I wanted. I said four or five (even though I wouldn't mind more. Or fewer). The mom looked shocked and asked why, if I felt like a particularly maternal person or something.
I told her that no, not really. I don't FEEL particularly maternal. Even though I've had roommates in college that would call me "Mom." She asked if I really like kids or something. The fact is, I don't like kids anymore than I like anyone else. I gave this really bizarre answer that even confused me, but this is what I MEANT to say:
I want a bunch of kids, biological or otherwise, because the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. That idea has colored everything about the way I view the world. It's not that I love kids: it's that I love people. And the best way to influence people is to influence children. A person's youth can define them for the rest of his or her life. And every person deserves a childhood that is full of love and security and peace. If I can provide that, I want to. And I want to do that for as many people as I can.
That's what I meant to say.
I told her that no, not really. I don't FEEL particularly maternal. Even though I've had roommates in college that would call me "Mom." She asked if I really like kids or something. The fact is, I don't like kids anymore than I like anyone else. I gave this really bizarre answer that even confused me, but this is what I MEANT to say:
I want a bunch of kids, biological or otherwise, because the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. That idea has colored everything about the way I view the world. It's not that I love kids: it's that I love people. And the best way to influence people is to influence children. A person's youth can define them for the rest of his or her life. And every person deserves a childhood that is full of love and security and peace. If I can provide that, I want to. And I want to do that for as many people as I can.
That's what I meant to say.
general conference thought: trials
I had a lot of thoughts from General Conference, but we might have to wait for most of them until the November Ensign comes out (with all the talks printed in it).
Baby D was sick all through Conference weekend. On Saturday night I had to suction out his nose like 5 times just so he could keep breathing, and then I did it all of Sunday, too. He hates getting his nose suctioned, a lot, but while he would wiggle until I got the piece in his nose, he would hold still for me to use it. At least, he would most of the time.
This year, one of the themes that stood out to me from Conference was the idea that trials are sent to make us better and stronger. They are for our good. This scripture in particular stood out to me over and over again (my emphasis in bold):
As I listened to one of the talks on this subject, I felt very clearly that sometimes, Heavenly Father just needs to suction out our proverbial noses. It's uncomfortable and gross to get out all the figurative goo from our lives, but it's worth it in the end. It makes everything easier.
That imagery is helping me understand my trials more clearly. I would never suction out Baby D's nose just for kicks; I only do it when he needs it, because I know he hates it. And even when he wiggles, I hold him still so I can get it done, because I know he will be happier once the discomfort is over with. He might cough and cry as I do it, even if he holds still, but once it's over, he can breathe freely and he's much happier.
It's the same with us. Heavenly Father doesn't send us trials that we don't need. And He would never send us any trial that were not ultimately for our greatest good. We might wiggle and cry and be uncomfortable or hurt, but in the end, once it's over with, it's made us better.
Baby D was sick all through Conference weekend. On Saturday night I had to suction out his nose like 5 times just so he could keep breathing, and then I did it all of Sunday, too. He hates getting his nose suctioned, a lot, but while he would wiggle until I got the piece in his nose, he would hold still for me to use it. At least, he would most of the time.
This year, one of the themes that stood out to me from Conference was the idea that trials are sent to make us better and stronger. They are for our good. This scripture in particular stood out to me over and over again (my emphasis in bold):
19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
As I listened to one of the talks on this subject, I felt very clearly that sometimes, Heavenly Father just needs to suction out our proverbial noses. It's uncomfortable and gross to get out all the figurative goo from our lives, but it's worth it in the end. It makes everything easier.
That imagery is helping me understand my trials more clearly. I would never suction out Baby D's nose just for kicks; I only do it when he needs it, because I know he hates it. And even when he wiggles, I hold him still so I can get it done, because I know he will be happier once the discomfort is over with. He might cough and cry as I do it, even if he holds still, but once it's over, he can breathe freely and he's much happier.
It's the same with us. Heavenly Father doesn't send us trials that we don't need. And He would never send us any trial that were not ultimately for our greatest good. We might wiggle and cry and be uncomfortable or hurt, but in the end, once it's over with, it's made us better.
answer to breastfeeding question
Over the weekend I discovered the answer to my question: it's eggs.
I've still been eating the leftover pasta carbonara, but I drink a lot of water with it to dilute it, and I give him some simethacone drops before nursing. He hasn't freaked out since I figured that out.
I've still been eating the leftover pasta carbonara, but I drink a lot of water with it to dilute it, and I give him some simethacone drops before nursing. He hasn't freaked out since I figured that out.
pictures of Nathaniel!
Turtle face:
Daddy and Baby:
Me and Baby:
Baby boy and Baby Cat with Grandma:
You might not be able to tell, but he's doing a full superman here:
Tummy time!
Daddy and Baby:
Me and Baby:
Baby boy and Baby Cat with Grandma:
You might not be able to tell, but he's doing a full superman here:
Tummy time!
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