Tag Archives: Post pregnancy

Another baby?

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Do y’all want another baby? 👶🏻

I’ve gotten that question so many times it actually makes me laugh. I mean, I literally just popped one out! Give me some time people! 😂

Before I was married and had kids I was constantly questioned “when are you getting married?” As if I knew exactly when it would happen. I understand people mean it in a harmless way. But there’s different ways to say or ask things. And in all honestly, that’s not exactly an appropriate question to ask. It’s not the best feeling to be asked when you’re getting married if you don’t have a boyfriend, haven’t had that conversation or aren’t in that place yet. There isn’t, and shouldn’t be a schedule for that type of thing. Everyone should just do things on their own time.

There’s definitely a time and a place to ask certain questions. I don’t mind people asking if I want to have another baby. I just think days/weeks after I JUST popped one out isn’t exactly the appropriate time. I’m focused on my two current ones. Taking care of a newborn and a 2 year old is a lot of work. I need time to find my footing before I even think about a third one.

Right now my only future thought is when will my next shower be? That’s about as far into the future as I can plan right now. 🤷🏼‍♀️

3 weeks post delivery

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Almost 3 weeks post delivery. My body isn’t ready for regular workouts yet but I had been itching to just get out and move. Camden and I have started coming up to our golf club and just walking the track. It’s nothing major but gets me out of the house and moving! 🏃‍♀️

I’m not in a huge rush to lose the baby weight this time. With Ryder I was so panicked about the extra weight and wanted to get in the gym the day after I had him to start working it off. (I didn’t but I wanted to)💪🏻

This time around I’m taking it slow. I know I can get the weight off. So rather than pushing myself like a crazy person, I’m just taking my time and easing into everything. The weight will come off in due time. I’m more focused on making sure I get in enough calories daily and am eating good foods to fuel Camden! 🍎

Mom Guilt

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I had no idea what I was in for when I brought Cam home from the hospital. I knew it would be different but I didn’t realize HOW different.

The first week we brought Cam home, I cried multiple times. Not from depression or anything like that. Mainly due to feeling overwhelmed and as if I was letting Ryder down.

Ryder had been so used to having 100% of my attention all the time. When Cam came home that changed and he got maybe 30% of my attention. The rest was spent feeding Cam, changing him, etc. It was really hard on Ryder, which made it hard on me. I felt so guilty I couldn’t give either boy 100% of my attention. And it’s not easy to get a toddler to understand WHY they are no longer getting all of your attention. I had a significant amount of mom guilt.

I’ve been working hard to find ways to make more time for Ryder. While Cam naps I give Ryder my full attention. My house is completely neglected and doesn’t look like it’s clean self, but I don’t care. Ryder needs me as much as he can get during this new change.

I’ve also made Ryder my little “helper.” I ask him to help me do things for Cam. Like hand me a diaper, close the wipe warmer, put away a toy, sit with us, etc. He’s proud of himself when he’s able to help out. I can see a significant change in him from day 1 to now. He doesn’t side eye his brother anymore. Lol He actually goes over to him and looks at him. Sometimes he points at things like his foot or hand and says “what’s this?” It’s progress!

I knew it would be hard, but I guess I wasn’t prepared for how hard it would be mentally and on my heart. I was just prepared for the physical aspect. This has been an eye opening experience. However, I don’t regret a minute of it. No matter how difficult, these boys are my world. 🌎

Hospital vs Home

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After delivering a baby, most people actually enjoy staying at the hospital a few days because they feel safe. There are always nurses and doctors coming in and out checking on them and their little one. There’s someone to help with anything and everything. You literally don’t have to lift a finger. It’s nice having someone (besides google) available to answer your every question.

While I enjoyed staying in the hospital, I was also completely paranoid at night. I was constantly checking Camden to make sure he was still breathing. The first night I got one hour of sleep. I literally stared at him for hours. Night two I was so exhausted I managed to peel myself away from him for two hours to sleep…….I actually didn’t sleep by choice. I was sitting up watching him, I remember looking at the clock, then the next thing I know I was waking up two hours later in a weird hunched over position. 😴

The minute we got home and Cam wanted to nap, I put his Owlet on him and laid him down. I was able to nap too without any worry. The Owlet gives me peace of mind. It’s like a second set of eyes on him except with detailed monitoring of his heart rate and oxygen levels.❤️

I would literally be a wreck without our Owlet. Thank you to whoever created it! My sanity and need to sleep thank you!! 🙏🏻

I’ve got PUPPP…..

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Guess who got PUPPP again! 😩 With Ryder it didn’t kick in till 2 weeks after I gave birth. With Camden it hit me the second day after birth. I’ve forgotten how miserable PUPPP is. Sooooo itchy and hot!

If you’re unfamiliar with PUPPP (Pruritic Urticated Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy), don’t worry you aren’t missing anything exciting. PUPPP only occurs in about 1% of pregnant or post pregnancy women. It is an extremely itchy, non contagious, red, bumpy rash that shows up on the belly and sometimes down the legs, butt and on arms.

PUPPP is most common in women in their 3rd trimester. But if you’re one of those rare special people like me, it’s possible to get it after delivery. They are still unsure what causes PUPPP. There are a few theories that it’s maybe genetic.

I’ve tried everything to get rid of mine or at least just relieve the itching. Oatmeal and baking soda compresses didn’t work (can’t take a bath just yet since I just gave birth). Hydrocortisone helped for a second but it felt like it moisturized more than relieving the itch. The only thing that gave me actual relief was pine tar soap. It doesn’t have the best smell so beware if you try it. It’s got a strong outdoorsy smell. But it helped with the itching and eventually got rid of the rash the first time after about a little over a week of use.

Im not thrilled I have to go through the process of dealing with PUPPP again. But at least I know what to expect this time around! 🙏🏻

Baby Update

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Baby update: The boys and I are slowly adjusting to life together. It’s definitely been an uphill battle. Routines have changed and the vibe in the house is very different. Even the dog is thrown off. 😂 But it’s a good different. Literally each day has a new challenge to work around and learn from. 👍🏻

Trying to get Cam and Ryder up and taken care of each morning definitely isn’t without its battles. They are both in a demanding stage and need so much of my attention. Also, a clean house isn’t the easiest task now. So I do my best just to make sure things don’t pile up. Showering is done if I’m lucky. I have to beg someone to watch the boys just to be able to rinse off. God only knows when I’ll be able to find the time to wash my hair again. Dreadlocks may be in my future! 😂

By no means am I complaining. I love the new changes in our life. And despite Ryder’s annoyed faces he gives Cam, I think he will settle in soon and realize Cam isn’t a threat. If my over possessive dog can be ok with Cam I know Ryder will be too (eventually). 🐶

When people ask what I need, my only request is positivity. I just need everyone to be positive and happy around me. If others around me are happy and positive, it helps keep my energy levels and positivity up. I focus more on the good and less on the things upsetting me or stressing me out. And trust me, with 2 little ones under two, the feeling of stress and being overwhelmed comes quick!

Traveling On Hold

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Well, my traveling days are over…..for a few months. I’m far enough along that it’s recommended I not travel anywhere far unless I’m prepared to possibly deliver somewhere unplanned! ❌

I’m a planner and I like comfort so I fully expect to deliver at my hospital of choice. I haven’t gone more than 30 minutes from my house just to be safe! Im probably being a little dramatic but better safe than sorry! 😂

We have a weekend vacation planned in October that I’m looking forward to. And yes, we will be taking little Camden with us! Ryder however will stay home with Gramma. There’s not enough things for a toddler to do there so he’d have more fun with his Gramma! Plus I literally fear taking a 2+ hour plane ride with a 3 month old and a 2 year old at the same time! Props to those moms that have done it! I have zero faith in myself and my kids to make it through the plane ride without multiple breakdowns and everyone on the plane hating us!🤷🏼‍♀️

Organizing for baby #2

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Getting organized for baby #2 has been pretty easy. The fact that our kids will be so close in age helps because most of the baby clothes, toys, etc that we got for Ryder we still have and are in good condition. There are a few additional items we needed or things that needed replacing from wear and tear.

In order to keep an organized list of what we needed for the new baby, I actually created a private baby registry. Every month I buy things off my registry. Sort of like checking things off a list. For Christmas or my birthday when my mother asked what I wanted, I would send her a link to items on the registry! Funny how things have changed. I used to ask for items for myself for my birthday or Christmas. Now I ask for things for my kids, that make my life easier! 😂

I’ve had people ask if I’m going to have a baby shower for this second baby. My answer is no. I’m a traditional person. So I think it’s only proper to have a baby shower for your first child. I find it weird when people have baby showers for their other children. A “sprinkle” I totally get. Those are small and typically you are just given diapers. Not to mention it’s an excuse for a party! But a full on baby shower…..no. ❌

I definitely feel more prepared for this second baby. Having kept all of Ryder’s baby things and making my lists keeps me organized and free of stress. The fact that we aren’t moving houses at the same time we are bringing the new baby home is definitely making it easier this time around. Lesson learned. 😂

Gift idea for a new mom

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Have a friend who is having a baby, just had a baby or is adopting a baby and you need to get a gift for them? Here is a list of gifts that are must haves and greatly appreciated by new moms! 🙌🏻

🔹Electric nail filer (instead of clippers)

🔹Wipe warmer (Nothing is worse than the scream of a child from a cold wipe)

🔹Cute bibs (Some baby’s drool a lot)

🔹 Simple onesies (With diaper blowouts, you can sometimes go through 3+ onesies a day)

🔹Bottle Warmer (Safer than the microwave and stove)

🔹Diapers (You can never have too many)

🔹Baby books (My son loves to look at the pictures)

🔹 Sound machine (Drowns out surrounding noises to help baby sleep)

These were all my must haves after I had Ryder. I literally couldn’t have done without any of them! All are practical and not ridiculously expensive! 👶🏻

Getting your body back

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I think it’s funny when I hear someone say “You’re going to have to work harder to get your body back after this second baby.” It makes me laugh every time I hear it. Is my body going somewhere? Did it get lost? 😂

Having a baby doesn’t mean you LOSE your body. Yes your body changes but it’s still there! People keep telling me it’s harder to get back to your old shape after baby number two. Is it really? Or is that just an excuse we use?

I actually liked my body better after I had Ryder. It took me some time to lose the extra baby weight but I like to think I bounced back pretty well. I wasn’t one of those IG moms who got back to pre baby size in 5 months. It took me a full year. But I did it and I was beyond proud of myself and loved how I looked. No I don’t have my 20 year old body. I probably never will and I’m ok with that. But this 33 year old body is pretty resilient and it’s been good to me.

I think this time around I’m going to enjoy myself (and food). I was so paranoid while pregnant with ryder, that I wouldn’t get back to my original size. I put so much stress on myself mentally, that I don’t think it was very healthy. Now I know I can get back to a good size with a bit of hard work. So I’m not going to stress this time. I don’t plan to go overboard and eat everything in sight and skip workouts! But I will treat myself if I want! And if my body is too drained to workout, rather than force myself to go to the gym, I’ll rest. I can try again the next day. Everything in moderation and at my own pace.💙