Oh Motherhood!

We are 6 weeks in, "how is motherhood you ask?" Well it's taken me nearly 5 weeks to find the time to write this if that says anything HAHAHA. I started writing this on Monday, finished on Tuesday, and forgot to publish it until today! Time doesn't flow quite as freely as it use to :)

However, every time I look at this face, all the stress, frustration, and exhaustion just disappears.

Here is what I have learned so far:

1. They aren't kidding when they say all a newborn does is eat, sleep, and poop. It is a constant cycle that only changes as the hours between each action grow slightly longer.

2. Breastfeeding is NOT easy. Thus far Jordan has not had any formula, but it's been a struggle. I feel like a walking vending machine and I leak at the sound of her cry, my breasts pulsate just from thinking about her, and if I dare go more than 3 hours without feeding or pumping I am in for 24-48 hours of painful engorgement. The kind that makes you want to cry when you lift your arms.

There is the constant worry that she's not getting enough milk, the fear that I didn't wait long enough after drinking that DELICIOUS glass of wine to feed her. And the feeling of being secluded because I don't have enough pumped milk stored to have a night out.

But then I look at this cute little belly that she's growing and I let out a deep sigh. She's a perfectly healthy, happy, growing baby and I am just your average worry wart of a mom.

So for all of you moms out there that want to give up, DON'T. It's not easy, but you're not alone. Find a support team and keep up the good work! You're giving  your child an amazing gift.


3. Ask for help! Josh as been a HUGE help but he's at work all day and has started traveling again. I've tried to be a superhero and run on the broken 5 or so hours of sleep a night while breastfeeding, doing laundry, cooking, grocery shopping,etc. Well, as everyone eventually warned me of, I hit my breaking point. I walked into my parents house this past weekend with Jordan, and while she slept, I cried. Not for any reason in particular, just hormones and sleep deprivation working their way out.

Jordan was fed, changed, and sleeping peacefully so I took the opportunity to immerse myself in an hour long yoga session. She started crying half way through but I continued my yoga knowing she had two perfectly capable grandparents taking care of her.

Find that time for yourself. Even if it's only 20 minutes. Lock yourself away, take a deep breath, cry if you need to, and ask for help.

4. Don't plan a vacation with a 5 week old, there will be nothing fun or relaxing about it.

Josh and I went to Asheville last weekend for our 2 year wedding anniversary. Jordan pooped through one outfit on the way down there, and another while we were at the Biltmore. It took 2 hours to get her fed and asleep so we could go out to dinner, and by 9 pm, after dinner and 2 beers, we were so exhausted we basically slept walked back to the hotel.

We returned from Asheville on Sunday and left for Nashville early Tuesday morning. Josh had to go for work and I thought it would be great for Jordan and I to tag along. I had this perfect vision in my head of me laying by pool for an hour or so each day, spending an hour in the hotel gym, and strolling her through the city.Well the hotel pool wasn't open, the gym had nothing but a treadmill, it rained half the time we were there, and Jordan picked that week to stop napping. Instead we spent the ENTIRE week in the hotel venturing out only for dinner; and even then she spent most of the time on the boob to keep her from screaming in the restaurant while she fought sleep.

5. Bath time fixes the worst of moods. Once her belly button scab finally fell off, at about 3 weeks, we discovered that JoJo LOVES bath time. The warm water instantly calms her and has been a life saver this past week.

6. I have become a pro at completing tasks with one hand. When you have a fussy or hungry baby in one arm (or on the boob) and things you have to do, you simply make it work with the one hand you have left. Feeding the dog, making breakfast, getting dressed. You name it, I've mastered it!

7. Number 7 is the most important. I have never loved something so much in my entire life. Who knew that something so little, could make you feel something so big. I find myself thinking about her when I'm not with her, and looking at pictures of her on my phone when she is napping in the next room. She's my reason for getting up each and every day.

So here we are 6 weeks postpartum and I've lost all but 2 pounds of my pregnancy weight. The owners and trainer of my gym refused to let me in the gym without a doctors note from my postpartum check up so I had been doing yoga and walking/running outside. I am happy to say I had my postpartum check up yesterday and marched directly into gym with a smile on face, and note in hand! To say it felt AMAZING to get back in there is an understatement!

Here are a few of the healthy foods I've turned to postpartum.

Overnight Oats
These are GREAT for new mommy's who don't have time to make breakfast. I found that there were too many days when I would look at the clock that read 11 am and realize I had yet to eat. This recipe is super easy and makes for a healthy, hearty breakfast.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup of milk ( I use light vanilla soy, but you can use whatever kind of milk you want)
toppings of your choice( suggestions: pecans, honey, raisins, cinnamon, berries- I suggest waiting until morning to add berries and nuts)

Simply mix your oats, milk, and added ingredients of your choice and let sit the refrigerator over night. Take out the next morning and enjoy

My favorite combo is honey, cinnamon, pecans, and slice banana

Protein packed breakfasts are key to starting your day off right, especially if a certain little one leaves very little time for snacks and lunch.

One of my favorite go to breakfast combos in an english muffin topped with an egg white, turkey sausage, and avacado. It's the perfect combination of healthy fat, protein and carbs. Add some fruit on the side and you've go an nutritious breakfast that will satisfy you for hours.

I've had a pretty heavy sweet tooth for the last few months, but I've been trying to keep it in check with a piece of dark chocolate here and there, a serving of sugar free Jello topped with low-fat Cool Whip, or this new little gem that my sister found. Non-dairy ice, made from bananas!

Non-dairy ice-cream

Ingredients

2-3 frozen bananas, sliced
flavors of your choice (vanilla extract, cocoa powder, peanut butter, honey, etc)

Method:

Slice you bananas and place in the freezer for at least 1 hour. Remove bananas from the freezer and puree in a food processor until the smooth, ice cream like texture is reached. It will take awhile for the bananas to reach the desired texture. It will start as a grainy, beady texture, but as you push it down and continue to blend it you will reach the texture you desire. Then simply add whatever flavors you like!

I added a tablespoon of peanut butter and a few teaspoons of cocoa powder. Topped with a few dark chocolate chips and PRESTO. A healthy, dairy free, alternative to your favorite dessert!

The recipe makes 2-3 servings. You can freeze the left overs but you will need to let it thaw for a few minutes before eating.

HOPE YOU'VE BEEN GETTING YOUR REST ! BABY J SURE DID!




STAY STRONG, STAY FOCUSED, STAY POSITIVE! GET OUT THERE AND GET MOVING!