Postpartum Life

Although I planned for a natural childbirth, I had a C-section (separate post about the birth story coming).
The first few days were hard because it was painful to move. I always slept in an upright position, I had to have help getting in and out of bed, and I walked really slow. Walking returned to normal quickly, but too much walking hurts my tummy. A few days ago I was finally able to sleep on my back or side, get in and out of bed by myself, and bend over. Usually my stomach is nothing more than sore, but sometimes I get sharp pains. The incision is healing nicely and is barely visible. My recovery overall has been a lot easier and quicker than I expected.

My tummy size is slowly going down, but I still look pregnant. In fact, the other day a cashier asked me how far along I was. Lucky for her I just had a baby and I wasn't just fat! The reality is I have less than 10 lbs. to lose to get back to my normal weight. My highest pregnancy weight was 143, though my last weigh-in was at 142 (less swelling). My belly button looks like a crater now, a lot deeper than it used to be. I went all nine months without a single stretch mark on my stomach! The only ones I have are small, light ones on the sides of my thighs. I still have that long, dark line running down my tummy, though.

The swelling in my feet and ankles is gone; however, I still cannot wear my wedding and CTR rings. The acne has disappeared too, thank goodness! I've gained cleavage and a cup and band size. Breastfeeding has taken over my life. We're still struggling, but each day there's progress. I started using a nipple shield in the hospital and am now trying to wean Caden off of it. I love watching him nurse: he either looks all around suspiciously, as if someone were going to steal his milk; has a grouchy face; or closes his eyes. He sucks really hard and loud--causing him to take frequent breaks to catch his breath--and sometimes chomps, though not nearly as much as he did his first few days of life. He burps a lot and loudly and likes to poop while eating. I love when he puts his little hands on my chest and falls asleep on me.

I definitely have baby blues. My hormones are crazy. I wake up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat, but get cold when the air conditioning kicks in. I cry easily and I am overwhelmed with the constant nursing and interrupted sleep. Despite the frustrations, I love being a mom and I love my baby with all my heart. Who wouldn't love a cuddly cutie like Caden?

All about Baby

My name is Caden Arthur. I thought I would introduce myself to the world. I was born Saturday, August 28, at 5:40 a.m. I weighed 6 lbs. 8.8 oz. and measured 19 in. long. Most important, I am the most beautiful baby ever! At least that's what Mommy's always telling me. I have Mommy's chin, ears, and mouth, and Daddy's cheeks, bow legs, and nose. My toes, eyes, and eyebrows are hybrids. My cheeks are round and soft, and Mama is always kissing them. I have no bum, but boy, does it rumble loud and big like my daddy's! And I burp loud and big like my mama. I also sneeze violently and multiple times like she does and I get the hiccups often.

I am so alert and curious; the world is an interesting place. I hate having my diaper changed and being sponge bathed and swaddled. I like my hair being washed and being sung or whistled to. My daddy's chest is super cuddly and I fall asleep there. My mama's chest I like to chomp on, and Mama gets mad at me, but not for long because I'm too cute. I like to nurse on my left side no matter which side of Mama I'm on. She calls me her little football. Sometimes she tries to give me a pacifier, but I prefer her pinky.

I may be skinny but I am very strong. I can already hold my head up on my own for a few seconds. I like to play with my face. I smile and laugh in my sleep. No, it's not gas! I'm not always rumbly (ok, I am). I am very peaceful when I sleep. I like to sleep with my arms up, behind my head, or beside my face. Although lately I have been fussy (maybe something Mommy ate or gas?), I'm usually not that way. On my good days and nights, I sleep for three or four hours between feedings, which makes Mama happy.

I can't believe I've been on this earth for over a week already! Check out more cute photos of me on Facebook.

Last Bit before Baby

August 14 was my baby shower in AZ, hosted by my friend Cherise. We decorated with a cute Noah's ark theme because we got all the stuff on clearance at my work (Party City). It was a small party with ladies from church. We had a diaper-changing race with different types of cloth diapers, a trivia quiz (which I won thanks to some questions being used for Jeopardy at my shower in CA), gifts (a lot of monkey stuff), and a quiz Justin filled out whose answers I had to guess. Photos are on Facebook. After the shower, Justin and I went to the temple for the last time before Caden got here and did sealings.

My last day of work was the 6th. My managers gave me gifts and a little Tinkerbell cake and tried in vain to convince me to stay. I admit I was sad to leave right when Halloween season was starting, but I do not regret my decision to quit for good. I did consider staying one more week, and I am so glad I did not because I would not have lasted another day!

We have been blessed so much these last few months. Justin was laid off for the summer, and I only worked part-time, so we survived doing more research studies. Justin's parents found us a second car in WI for a great deal (we looked in AZ as well) and drove it down here. It's a white 2003 Pontiac Grand Am. The air conditioning works and the windows are tinted. So happy! The only thing I don't like about it is the small trunk since it is the car we will be using for outings with Baby and road trips.

Other blessings: getting the crib and dresser on sale at IKEA, finding a baby bathtub on freecycle, finally buying an affordable futon frame from craigslist, getting a free car seat (jungle themed, no less) from the hospital and a free bookcase from a neighbor, inheriting free carpet from a friend who moved, and finding a jungle-themed crib bumper at the thrift store for $2.50. The Lord (and my Grandma) is watching over us.

In other news, my family is finally leaving San Marcos and moving to Lake Elsinore. Justin was called to be the Scoutmaster and 2nd counselor in the YM presidency. His brother is getting married in October. Wasn't expecting that! Typical Mormon story: met in the singles ward, dated less than two months before proposing, getting married two months later. I am a little apprehensive about traveling--both on a plane and on the road--with an infant. Any advice?

Third Anniversary

July 20 was our third anniversary. I can't believe it's only been three years! So much has happened in those three years that it feels longer. I admit the first two years were very difficult, and we both made many mistakes. But this last year has been wonderful, and our love has definitely grown stronger.

Like our birthdays, our anniversary was pretty low key because we are so excited about and preoccupied with the baby. To celebrate we first went to the Mesa Temple Visitors' Center and watched Legacy. Totally cheesy but cute. Afterward we went bowling. Usually we play two games and each win one. We played three (they gave us a coupon for a free game), and I lost all of them! Justin got a million strikes. So not fair.

Next was dinner at the Macaroni Grill, where Justin proposed to me, and dessert at The Cheesecake Factory. I had really yummy lemon and raspberry cheesecake. We then wanted to watch a movie, but all the times were really late so we just went home and watched half a movie, I think. It was a good day. It was our last year of just the two of us. I am excited for this next year with the baby!

Almost There!

I am now in the final countdown for Baby. Less than 3 weeks to go (though really it could be 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5). Here's what's been happening:

• For the past couple months I've had terrible acne on my face and chest. 
• I've already leaked colostrum (pre-milk) a couple times, much to Justin's amusement and my embarrassment, though thankfully we were at home both times it happened. 
• My belly button is sticking out more. It looks like a volcano, not a true outie.
• My feet and ankles have been incredibly swollen ever since Sunday, July 25. None of my shoes fit anymore, so I have to wear flip flops everywhere, which doesn't help the swelling. 
• I'm mostly all baby, but my thighs have chubbed up a lot. 
• Baby dropped Sunday, August 1.
• For the past month I took yoga classes and did a couple step aerobics classes and gym and swim workouts. 
• The past week or so has been terrible for sleeping. I toss and turn all night.  
• I was handling the heat well until July hit, and it was a record-high month of crazy temperatures, as reflected in our latest electric bill.

I never thought I'd be the type to feel like I was done being pregnant, but I feel that way now! In fact, yesterday I had three meltdowns. For the most part, during my pregnancy my emotions weren't any crazier than normal until the last month. Then yesterday it hit hard: I didn't like the lunch I ordered and cried; I felt negatively about my body and cried; I was hungry and didn't know what I wanted and cried. All of this within four hours. Poor Justin was a complete sweetheart.

Baby moves around a ton. It almost feels like he's trying to kick and stretch his way out. Poor thing is probably cramped in there. One night I threatened to spank him if he didn't move away from his favorite spot by my bruised ribs, and he promptly responded with a hard kick! It made me and Justin laugh.

Our childbirth classes have been going great. We only have two left--one lecture day and one party day. As for my birthing method, I've been doing Hypnobabies, a type of hypnobirthing (self-hypnosis). It's about positive thinking, visualization, relaxation, and deep, slow breathing. No negativity, fear, or pain allowed. I really love it and recommend it to all mothers who fear giving birth, whether because it's their first time or they've had previous traumatic births. It's all about empowerment!