Today was my first solo day as a mother of two. Shane went back to work this morning and I have to say I think it went pretty well. The main struggle was that Eli was totally awake all last night so Shane and I were pretty much zombies by the time morning arrived. I tried to keep him quiet and did his feedings in the living room but still, he wasn’t exactly easy to sleep through. I felt bad sending Shane off to work so tired:( I wasn’t in optimum shape either and definitely put on the trash truck video on for Avery while I tried to wake up.
But after some coffee I managed to get myself going, wash and fold all the laundry, nurse for hours and then we all got out to take a walk in the very warm, sunny weather! I’m only nine days postpartum so I have to be careful how much I do.
Since it was over 80 degrees and the sun was shining bright I decided to carry Eli in a front carrier rather than the wrap to keep us both as cool as possible, especially since I had to stuff a blanket in there with him so I could cover his head from the blaring sun. I needed all the sun I could get, I feel like I’ve gotten none since getting back from the hospital!
I started out thinking I might only end up going around the block but I felt good and just kept going. In fact, I felt so good I walked all the way to Shane’s office and we showed the baby off to his coworkers. He only works barely over two miles away but I was glad to feel good enough to go that far. A week after Avery was born I made the mistake of thinking my body had recovered enough (hormones can do that) and took a four mile walk that REALLY hurt me afterwards. I didn’t want to do that again and fortunately two miles was really a breeze, even while wearing a baby and pushing a stroller.
I made dinner with leftovers from meals people brought and sauteed up a big skillet of green beans from my garden but completely forgot to photograph! So I have a few photos from the food I ate yesterday instead. It’s the definitely of ‘balance’ haha.
A waffle for breakfast…..you may think I ate a small portion, but I ate some of Avery’s while trying to convince him that food is a good thing. Lately he’s not been eating much. I stopped trying to convince him after reading a quote from some French dude that said ‘hunger is the best seasoning’ or something like that. It’s true.
Roasted root veggies on a big salad.
Banana soft serve with raspberry sauce. I love banana soft serve but I over estimated and couldn’t nearly finish this massive bowl. I tend to put the bananas in the food processor and then put one more piece in for good measure. I should skip the good measure.
Anyway, other things were consumed like tons of grapes, and other fruit as well as a couple cookies.
Today I forgot to eat breakfast and lunch…just snacked on fruit but dinner really was good! Sorry I couldn’t share.
Avery had a great nap and great bedtime today and aside from last night (bad bedtime) he’s gone back to his normal schedule since the weekend. I know having a baby brother has tried on his emotions and he has been acting out for sure, but having his sleep schedule back has only helped.
At least he’s taking it out on us, and not Eli:) They are SO sweet together. During one snuggle session this morning Eli tried to nurse Avery’s cheek and actually got a pretty good latch before Avery freaked out..there was a minor hickie involved.
So now I’m off to nurse my little one and then bed. Hopefully it’ll be a restful night for us all!
Question: For the mamas, how many days postpartum did you attempt low impact exercise? For the non-mamas, do you like walking? I kind of feel like it’s an underrated form of exercise that should be a lot more common.
I was pretty frustrated after giving birth, because I wanted SO BAD to be able to go for walks in the park, but every time I did I was exhausted afterward. I always felt fine before I went, but then I desperately needed to take a nap when I got home. I don’t think I went that far or too hard, I think my body just couldn’t figure out what it wanted.
I’m also a runner, and I knew that wouldn’t be happening for awhile after giving birth, so I didn’t even try that until T was 2 months-old. And then I’d go really slow, and not very far, and not more than twice a week at most. Good luck being home alone with the two boys all day! I only have one so far and he’s a challenge some days
i. love. walking. it’s the most pratical form of exercise i can get at this point (35 wks preg with a 20-month old) and it makes me feel good. it took me years to realize that it is GOOD ENOUGH exercise. not everything needs to make you feel like you’re about to vomit in order to be effective or beneficial.
i think we got out for our first walk about five days after i had my daughter. i remember feeling sooo sore and so completely blissed out at the same time. it was cool october weather, the sun was shining and i was a new MAMA with a FAMILY. what a feeling.
sorry to hear Avery is in an anti-food stage. i must admit i’ve always been jealous when you log the amounts of food that little dude would eat. impressive! but, those toddlers ebb and flow just like the rest of us. my girl eats like a bird. literally. there are days i can count the bites of food she had over the course of an entire day on fewer than ten fingers. it stresses me out but she is growing and thriving so i’ve tried to let it go. hopefully Avery’s pickiness is just due to the change-up in his life. i’m sure as everything else settles into a groove so will his old ways of eating.
hope you’re resting well and recovering quickly. i can not believe you’re doing laps with the kids, gettin’ laundry done and baking banana bread! you really are wonder woman. remember to take care of mama too! xo
Yes! It IS such a practical form of exercise! No equipment, no cost, only time. I walked every day during Avery’s pregnancy since it was mostly spring/summer time and loved it so much. My mom always had us take walks when I was growing up but I never appreciated them until I became an adult!