Julius is now three months and a week old, which means I have about 1,363 more days before I can expect to get a full nights sleep. The weeks feel like long days broken up by short naps. Some days by the time Aaron comes home from work and asks how our day was the highlight is either the things I did while Julius napped or on one of those extra special days.. we both had a nice long nap.
The best advice I get from other moms or other parents is "enjoy every stage , they go by so fast". Now I understand how time can be pulled from right under my nose. (Or should I say my pillow) Three months ago I was anticipating all the things I'd be able to do when I was "finished being pregnant" as I'd say. The clothes I'd fit back into, the comfy positions I'd sleep in , the ease of getting in and out of my car. HAHAHA.
Finished being pregnant aka now carrying babe on the outside. Clothing options were still maternity wear for awhile because they were also breastfeeding accessible. Comfy sleeping positions? My new fav is what I call The Relaxed Farm Animal. It's when my baby is feeding from me and I curl around him with a half awake but peaceful facial expression. And of course if I thought getting in and out of a vehicle being 20lbs heavier was tough.. at least that was hands free. This chunky monkey weighs 18 lbs now. When I pick him up in the carseat I practically need to chalk my hands and refuel my electrolytes.
I could write a book on The Things I Thought Would Be Easier, After a Certain Point in Life. (hay I'm not the only one with that novel title on stand by right?!) Until then here are my Top Three Tips to Living the Breast Life aka three things most new Mommies (and even Daddies) should do while adjusting to life at home with a new baby.
#1. Get up and get ready every day. NO MATTER HOW TIRED. Or how much forecasted vomit will ruin the outfit . Do it and thank me later. This is something I just started doing and it has changed my life. Usually I'd use that last part of that sentence to express exaggeration but I am being more accurate than the last meme you saw. It clicked for me one day when I was looking in the mirror with Julius (he loves to do this) and I resembled a starving racoon. There was some stain on my shirt that couldn't be identified as mine or Julius'. My armpits were an interesting fragrance of au de cheveux and Julius was wearing a brand new onesie looking like poster child for My Mom Needs an Extreme Make Over. I could almost hear our reflection whisper "MOVE THAT BUSS". We now have a casual morning routine. Wake up, stretch /play, change diaper , make bed , and then I get ready in an outfit that makes me feel comfy and cute. That includes a house coat or grey track pants with a xxl gym shirt BUT I will choose a matching set of unders to add the cute element.
OK NEXT.
#2. At least one daytime nap a day. I have been exceeding the limit this week which has had a bit of a reverse affect. I'm usually a busy busy busy body, getting the dishes done, dinner prep, laundry, groceries, just out and about or crafting. It may just be day light savings that messed me up a bit this week but anyways. Usually while baby is napping it is the perfect time to get something done. And like I said before on those extra special days I nap too. Now he is napping less or shorter and I realized I am going to miss those 2 hour windows of "freedom". So to day light save on naps I found out what things I'd do while he's sleeping that I can still do while he's awake if I wear him in a sling. That is a win win, because stuff can get done and he's staying interested during his awake time. Without the day nap I noticed myself feeling very irritable and emotional, I know it was from a lack of sleep so the daytime nap tip was my first remedy choice and it helped a lot.
THANK YOU, NEXT
#3. I'm so f***king great full for being able to multitask BUT my last (definitely not least) tip is ONLY MULTI TASK IF IT MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE A SUPER WOMAN (in a giggly way) aka don't be afraid to ask for help. I've had to breastfeed and use the little mommies room at the same time. I couldn't help but laugh cause both Julius and I just needed to do what we needed to do. I found the right holding position for him, slowly assumed my position and then in the wise words of Missy Elliott flipped it and reversed it. On the contrary there are times when Julius has released a monstrosity of a bowel movement just as the oven timer is going off, the kids are fighting downstairs, Aaron is outside working on our cars and I just want to cry. I know help isn't always there exactly when you need it but when it is , appreciate even the littlest tiny bit of it and use it to calm down or get ahead of laundry or go get a coffee and a donut.
*que lights and game show winner music*
A BONUS TIP. Because 5-10 times a day baby needs you to do one of the most important mum duties ...
#3.5 Make diaper changes fun. I get some of the most memorable smiles from Julius when I lay him down to change a big dirty diaper. When it's all clean I like to give him a minute of un diapered freedom. (*warning* this can be dangerous , expect anything) I blow on his belly to make an obnoxious fart sound and I'll sing a song to his toes about piggies going to markets. It makes the experience stink a lot less for both of us.
I hope everyone who has one is enjoying march break and babies!!
peace , love, and baby cries
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