Week 7: Groovin’

I know I should be knocking on wood as I write this because as soon as I notice that maybe just maybe things are going (dare I say?) smoothly? It’s all going to change. Regardless, the seventh week of Austin’s life has started to bring about a little more regularity.

 

Remember how a few weeks ago I wrote about the swing situation? And said that he was napping better in the swing? That all changed the day after I pushed “Publish” on that post and we went back to him napping in his little rock and play sleeper. Then this weekend we adjusted the angle on his swing and he started sleeping pretty well in that again. So we’re basically playing a little game called “guess where Austin will nap well today?” all the time…but the point is he’s actually napping well. For now. YAY!

 

We’ve also reached a point where nursing is going really well. I wouldn’t say we had issues per se, but Austin had a harder time latching than Wes ever did, and for as beautiful and natural as breastfeeding is, it doesn’t always feel natural until you get used to it. I’m happy to say that I am starting to get used to it, Austin’s latching and sucking like a pro, and we’re starting to have a plump little baby on our hands. #winning #fornow

 

The other night he slept for 6 hours straight and the heavens opened up and angels rejoiced. It was that glorious. And then as he laid on the Boppy to nurse he ignored the fact that he was hungry and just gave me gummy smiles and baby coos for 10 straight minutes. It was heaven.

 

As far as milestones are concerned he’s smiling, giggling, making eye contact, tracking objects, cooing at me, and just yesterday started grabbing and holding things. He hasn’t started batting at objects on his playmat yet, but I think we’re just around the corner from that. The very fact that he’s starting to realize that the playmat and tummy time aren’t solely there to torture him is a miracle 🙂

 

Our little man is growing like a weed and is the apple of our eyes. His brother loves laying next to him on our bed, loves getting to hold him (Austin, I hold you!), and loves helping with anything that involves Austin. Flush the toilet? He can take it or leave it…but if we ask him to do anything in the world for Austin he’ll do it in a heartbeat. Flushed toilets can always take a backseat to brotherly love!

 

In postpartum world for me? Well, I’ll be honest, this past week was really hard. The hormones are still camping out and I cried a lot (sometimes for reasons, sometimes not). I miss life without responsibilities sometimes. Sometimes I wish we could just pick up and move or go on crazy vacations or that I could drink a margarita whenever I want. Life is infinitely sweeter now, and that perspective will never ever change, but I think any time there’s a shift in life stage there’s a death of an old way of doing things that it’s OK to mourn. Would I go back? Heck no. These boys are too amazing to wish for anything that was a lesser (although sometimes freer) way of life.

 

Our garden is starting to grow more! We’re going to have 12 tomato plants, 3 eggplant plants and 3 jalapeño plants when everything is said and done, and I am just crazy excited to see the fruits of our labor! My basil is going nuts, thanks to some great tips from Christina, and I’ve already been using some of all of my herbs. I can’t wait to partake even more as the spring and summer progress! I’m also getting excited about being able to go to farmer’s markets as our normalcy progresses. Austin is pretty good in the baby carriers these days, but I’m definitely not at the point where I could do anything more than a trip to the park with both boys.

 

OK so workouts. I was really hoping to be super dedicated right off the bat, but I’ve been surprised at how sore and tired I got after one workout. The nice thing is that I have more grace for myself this time around. Chasing kids is no joke, nursing is no joke, and finding 10 minutes at a time to do a little bit is OK by me. All I’d really like to change at the moment is finding more time to take walks. We’ll get there though; I’d rather make sure I’m enjoying the time with my boys and giving them the best than be preoccupied with the weight loss. And realistically? The less I think about food and the more I focus on my family the more weight seems to come off. Let’s continue with that trend!

 

All in all life is going really well and I’m dead tired but joyful at the end of the day. Laying down in bed is a supreme pleasure, and waking up to my husband and our children even more so. Next up? 8 weeks old! CRAZY!