Two Week Post Partum Random Thoughts

I have a million different posts in my head right now, but I need to focus on writing my birth story, so until then you will have to be happy with a bulleted update. :)

-Monkey #2 regained her birth weight of 7lbs 13 oz by day four, and is now 8lbs 8oz at 14 days.

-I love my pediatrician. She not only remembered that I'm in school and on break for a semester, but is all about tandem nursing, co-sleeping, homebirth (but not hbac, unfortunately), and not vaxing. Denise, you two should get together. Contact me offline if you want her info. :)

-Breastfeeding is going GREAT, no signs of thrush, decent latch that only sometimes needs help, and no major gas issues.

-I am more in love with my husband than ever. As in, I wish I could jump on him right now! He was beyond amazing while I was in labor, and has been even more amazing since the Monkey arrived. He has Monkey #1 constantly occupied, takes her on all kinds of errands (real, made up, and otherwise), and has been wonderful about nights.

-Speaking of Monkey #1...she LOVES her "big sister". I think we confused her with the Dr. Sears book we got called "What Baby Needs". We changed the name of it to "Monkey's Big Sister Book" and totally personalized it as we read it. So now she thinks her baby sister is her BIG sister. It really is adorable.

-I am totally blown away with the outpouring of support that I've received since Monkey #2 came. Truly. Between my Mom's group, ICAN, and my family and friends, I never realized that the early weeks of parenthood could be this way. I have at least a weeks worth of meals in my freezer and more on the way, lots of phone calls and emails from everyone, and offers to help in any way possible. ALL mothers should have this kind of support when having kids.

-I weigh 10lbs less than when I got pregnant--whoooohooo for breastfeeding! Now, granted, I only gained 10lbs when I was pregnant and had an almost 8lb baby. But still, woooohoooo!

-I went to visit my friend who also had a cbac the other day. She transferred to the same hospital as me and had all of the same nurses I had. When I got there to see her, before I even got to her door, I felt like a rock star! They all remembered me, remembered BOTH of the Monkeys names, who my midwife is, etc. I was so pleased with how they cared for my friend who had a harder transfer than I did, they were so understanding, comforting, and reassuring. I could not have been happier with the post partum care at this hospital through the eyes of a (somewhat difficult due to being not your "normal" patient) patient and as an observer.

-Not being in school is truly strange. I know I'm swamped in the kid-department, but it feels really weird to not have any coursework to stay on top of, reading to do, clinic to attend, etc.

-I'm still swishing around my birth story. I can't believe how fuzzy it has become in only two weeks. I'm seriously thinking about sending it to my doula and midwife first to make sure I'm not forgetting anything!

-Monkey #2 slept last night from midnight to 5am....Hubby and I woke up this morning, looked at each other grinning from ear to ear. It took the older Monkey FIVE MONTHS to do that. I think this one knows what she is doing. She fed hourly from 7 to midnight. Then slept the five hours. Then fed hourly at 5, 6, 7, and 8. Then slept some more. This kid is too cool. :)

-I got my cloth pads in the mail the day I came home from the hospital. I *cannot* believe I waited so long to make the switch. They are like heaven for my underwear. I can honestly say that as a ardent Always Thins user, they have lost a customer for life. Now, all I have to do is convince all of my friends to make the switch. :)

-I'm exercising serious self control cleaning my house. I keep reminding myself that my kids won't remember a sink full of dishes and laundry needing to be put away or floors that are in desperate need of cleaning. It feels like a bottomless pit of despair when I look around, but I know it could be much worse. Oh, and the dog needs a bath.

-I'm kind of freaked at the prospect of having to deal with birth control in one form or another in the very near future. We'll absolutely be charting again, but we need a back up plan to be on the safe side. If we decide that a third monkey is in our future we need to wait at least until Monkey #2 is 15 months old to get pregnant to reduce the statistical probability of a uterine rupture (which can happen BEFORE the onset of labor or a repeat cesarean, in case you didn't know).

-I don't know if it's just a side effect of having a cbac, but for the past few weeks I have been feeling like my family is certainly NOT yet complete...I guess only time will tell.

-I am taking a zillion supplements it seems like. I *know* I've never taken this many pills in my entire life. I am taking: Floradix, 2 probiotic pills, superfood once a day (twice if I remember to), 2 dehydrated placenta capsules, fish oil, and prenatals every day per my midwife's advice. I WILL HEAL WELL is my mantra when I take them. I will. I will. I have to.

So that's the update for now. I'm still working on my birth story, so stay tuned!