This post might be more of a rambling of my life lately coupled with a photo dump. It has been two weeks since going into labor, and nothing has felt the same since. Funny enough however, once you have a child, you can no longer imagine what life was like without him or her.
For the most part, each day feels the same. Breastfeeding is a full-time job! Not only is Ella eating every hour and a half to two hours, but I am hungry. There is an extra layer of keeping myself fueled as well. Additionally, I am getting three to five hours of sleep per night, and with poor sleep comes increased hunger. I am trying my best to prioritize protein and fiber, while balancing my blood sugar to keep my energy levels and satiety as stable as possible. I do best with smaller meals throughout the day – big meals just make me more tired. I also don’t have a lot of brain power to think about what to eat, so breakfast, my mid-morning snack, and lunch look the same almost every day: an overnight oats protein yogurt bowl, smoothie, and avocado sourdough toast with a protein and side of fruits and veggies (respectively).
Meals are messy, and often eaten with one hand, but the view from where I am sitting is amazing and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Dinners of late have been a smorgasbord. I don’t really follow recipes anymore, although I am tempted to hold myself to a personal cookbook challenge (stay tuned for more information on that). Here are some of my favorites since returning home from the hospital:
- Two foods I missed during pregnancy were raw oysters and sushi. I have had both in the past week. So happy to have them back in my life!
- Bowls have been making a regular appearance during dinner. This is a great opportunity to use leftovers or foods that are prepped in the fridge. Sometimes a protein and veggies is all you need. One night, I was determined to use a couple of cans that I had in my pantry (artichoke hearts and hearts of palm). I sautéed them on the stovetop with kale and already-cooked chicken breast in some Primal Kitchen buffalo sauce (so random, but it is what I had on hand); I roasted some grape tomatoes, and threw everything over some rice. It was one of those meals where I had no recipe or roadmap, but it ended up so delicious. I will have to make this again!
On another note, I recently learned that coconut water supposedly supports milk supply. I have been adding some in my daily smoothies.
Other foods I am eating to specifically increase my milk supply are oats, spinach, nuts and seeds, garlic. Otherwise, my meals consist of items that are known to support postpartum nutrition: lean protein, eggs, dairy, fruit, and a lot of water for hydration.
On the opposite side of that spectrum is alcohol. I am not going to lie – I missed my occasional cocktail. I had my first beer the other day while watching a football game and it tasted like fall happiness.
My self-care routine has been stripped down to the essentials. After Mason was born, I was somewhat in shock when I had to put most of my self-care on the back-burner. For so many years, not only were my self-care rituals something I could prioritize, but also practice freely without issue or interruption. This is just not the case after becoming a mom. I told myself this time around, I would try to maintain some semblance of self-care. For the past two weeks, that has looked like consistent nutrition, walks/coffee walks, a lot of rest, and reading for pleasure. I have been doing my facial cold therapy first thing in the morning (ice roller + gua sha + ice mask). I also started the Moves app postpartum program, which consists of core reconnection and diaphragmatic breathing. I didn’t do anything to assist my pelvic flour during my first postpartum experience, and I have paid the price ever since. Lesson learned!
Taking time to nourish my creativity and work on my website – even if it happens in fits and starts – is also a way I take care of myself.
And sometimes self-care simply looks like getting dressed for the day, even when I am not going to leave the house or see anyone. I have done that a couple of times, and it makes a difference!
For the days when I am running on three hours of sleep, thank goodness for eye patches (I use Tula brand).
During a recent trip to the farmer’s market, it hit me that I now have children…as in multiple kids. I still can’t believe it. I know it will go by fast, so even amidst the challenges, I am trying to cherish every moment, big and small. I could easily feel as if I am “losing myself,” but that perception is a choice. In fact, even saying that out loud immediately rings untrue. I have never felt more myself. For that, I am grateful.
