Post Pregnancy Update

It’s time for my one month postpartum update! I wrote one for L.J., so wanted to do the same for Hannah.

How far along?

We made it to 39 weeks on the dot.

Size of baby?

7 pounds, 5 ounces. She was much smaller than anyone was anticipating, weighing nearly a full pound less than L.J.

Maternity clothes?

I have a couple of “maternity” shirts that fit more like regular shirts, so those are still being worn. My true maternity tops are much too large now.

I’ve been wearing two pairs of maternity pants because they are literally the only two pair of pants I own that somewhat fit. My mom has loaned me some jeans that are two sizes bigger than what I normally wear. So thankful for that!! I can finally retire my litmus test for leaving the house, which was whether or not it required wearing real pants.

Lounge pants and a t-shirt are my typically daily attire right now, complete with requisite spit-up/drool on my right shoulder. It’s the new “it” accessory – Hannah is more than obliging if you want to try it.

Funny story – last week for our park outing, I put on an outfit, makeup and styled my hair. Mike came in the room and said, “Look L.J.! Mommy looks like an adult today!” He quickly retracted that statement, clarifying that he meant I was wearing makeup and had my hair done. No worries, I get it…I made an effort.

Weight Loss?

I gained a total of 36 pounds while pregnant and am currently 8 pounds away from my pre-baby weight. (Which is a bit more than I ultimately hope to weigh, since I’d gained some weight before getting pregnant.) I gained 10 more pounds this pregnancy than I did with L.J.’s pregnancy.

My belly is still showing a bit, but I’m pretty pleased with the progress so far. The biggest adjustment is that I am wider than I was before. Your body changes after one kid and whoa does it change after two kids!

I’m not really sure what my “end result” will be, but my goal is to be a healthy weight and in better physical shape within a few months. And to have my flat belly back!

Breastfeeding

Nope, we chose formula this time. Seeing as I didn’t have a lot of pain/leakage/etc. from not nursing, I’m guessing it probably would have been a failure this time, too. It’s something I wish I could do, but at the same time I don’t regret not doing it, if that makes sense.

Sleep

I’m tired and the fractured sleep is definitely starting to catch up to me. It’s manageable enough, though – not the overwhelming exhaustion I had after L.J. was born.

Most mornings it’s just me and Hannah, so I can rest and/or go back to sleep if I’m particularly tired. Mornings with L.J. and Hannah are a very different story! L.J. gets up very early, often less than an hour after Hannah’s second feeding. You can imagine the state I’m in when that happens…

Food Cravings

Back to normal! The only thing that is still quite unappealing to me is salmon.

Just like my first pregnancy, my number one craving was a Publix sub and it was the first non-hospital meal I ate. As always, it was delicious.

What I Miss

Same exact thing as with L.J.: I miss feeling her moving around and the wonderment that came with it – what is she doing? what will her personality be like? who will she look like?

As for the rest of pregnancy, it’s kind of like middle school. Been there, done that, no desire to repeat the experience. Even though this pregnancy was vastly easier than the first time around, it was still tough. My body and pregnancy just don’t get along very well. 

Symptoms

I feel like Maria (Julie Andrews) dancing in the hills in The Sound of Music. I can’t even compare my two recoveries. My c-section recovery was pretty much a non-event. It was so, so, so much better than my recovery after L.J.’s birth!

I feel almost normal and am able to function like a person instead of a shell of one. I don’t feel like I got run over by a truck…twice over. I don’t have any pain. I can walk with ease. I don’t feel lightheaded or dizzy.

(I don’t think I ever really blogged about how bad or how long my recovery was after L.J. was born. Maybe I will. But suffice it to say, it’s one reason our kids are three years apart.)

Surprises

Definitely how much you forget between kids! I had to look up the formula feeding charts again and have definitely been re-reading parts of my baby care books.

I’ve also had to reset my expectations that, just like with L.J., getting anything done around the house with a newborn on board is quite challenging. Mike does not really get this – which is understandable since he’s gone all day – so I’ve also had to gently remind him that despite being home all day, I can’t currently channel my inner June Cleaver.

Even though I was anticipating having different newborn experiences, it has still surprised me a bit. L.J. was the most piece-of-cake baby I have ever been around (and I’ve been around my fair share of infants). Hannah is a bit more typical…a bit more “normal maintenance” for a newborn. I’ve found myself looking things up or calling the pediatrician because, “I have no clue! We didn’t have […] with L.J.!”

Favorite thing?

Newborn snuggles! Hannah is much smaller and squishier than L.J. was, so I’ve got to experience a lot of tiny snuggles. Truly one of life’s greatest pleasures.