There is something magical about reaching 6 weeks postpartum. So many mamas told me that once we hit 6 weeks I would feel significantly better about so many aspects of parenthood and that has definitely been true for us. I noticed a big improvement even from weeks 5 to 6. We feel like we’re getting into a groove as parents. Not that I expect things will always be smooth sailing, but it’s reassuring to know that this isn’t as hard as it was in the early days. We’re getting our feet under us and our confidence as parents is growing on a weekly basis. It feels good!
To think last year we were still on the fence about parenthood, mostly because of our fears of the unknown. Growing up, I never really had that strong urge to have children and most of my life I said I probably wouldn’t have kids. Oh how things can change. Now I can’t imagine my life without Adriana and I know we are both eager to have more kids if we are lucky enough to. I would love to have two or three kids, close in age. But that thinking could change once this little monkey is mobile! hah. It’s a bit scary to think about being in the pregnancy/breastfeeding/newborn/toddler stage for the next several years…
So what’s new since the last update? Well, Adriana has certainly discovered the world around her. And boy does she think it’s exciting! From the black chandelier in our bedroom to the shadows on the wall, she does not stop looking around and fights sleep like crazy. Sometimes when I try to nurse her, she will get distracted by the room and look everywhere except my nipple. Then she looks up at me with a huge smile and let’s out this excited “coo” or squeak. It makes me laugh so much. It’s fun seeing the world through her eyes. Lately, she loves to go in the Ergo carrier with me and walk around the house as I tell her about each room and all the things she’s looking at. The kitchen seems to be the favourite room right now. She especially loves looking in the fridge…I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!
Morning is still my favourite time of day. It’s definitely Adriana’s happiest time of the day and she loves to smile, coo, squeak, and kick her legs and arms around like crazy while desperately trying to make noises come out of her mouth. It’s quite a performance. She will often start by thrashing her legs, panting, and then she opens her mouth in excitement and after a few seconds a big squeak or coo comes out. I don’t know who is more amused by it all.
Some days she naps for a long stretch in the morning so that is usually my chance to work. I wasn’t sure how much interest I’d have for my work with a newborn, but doing bits throughout the day keeps me sane and happy. I am so grateful that I enjoy my work as much as I do. In a strange way, I think I have been more creative since having her. I don’t know why, but it’s motivated me and some days the ideas are just flowing like crazy! Maybe my preggo brain is finally gone? Or my love of food has returned? Other mornings she doesn’t nap at all, so it really just depends on her mood. Overall, she seems to be a very high energy baby. Everyone who comes to visit always comments on this. I think we might be in for it!
We do tummy time a few times per day and she’s a lot less frustrated with it now than she used to be (she used to just cry and chew her hand after a minute or so). After she mastered turning her head from side to side, she can now hold her head up on her own for 5-10 seconds or so. She has much more head control these days. It’s been so fun to witness these developmental milestones!
More than ever, I’m all about the quick meals lately. I thought I’d share my 5 minute go-to lunch that I’ve been enjoying for weeks now:
1 avocado, mashed and spread on buckwheat flatbread crackers with marinara sauce and Herbamare
Sliced Honeycrisp apple with raw almond butter
Black Currant Rooibos loose leaf tea or a decaf black tea with almond milk or my healing ginger/turmeric tea from the cookbook
This is lunch #1…I am always hungry for another lunch later in the afternoon (it’s usually leftovers). For snacks, I’m loving soaked almonds! They are high in protein and calcium, good for lactation, and satiating. What are your go-to quick meals?
I have a couple funny stories to share with you this week…
In the middle of the night the other week, I was feeding Adriana in bed. It was probably around 3am or so. I was so groggy (obvi). All of a sudden, I saw something out of the corner of my eye. It looked like a black spot on the ceiling. Curious. When my eyes focused a bit better in the darkness I realized it was a HUGE SPIDER dangling about 12 inches from my face! Of course being the freak that I am I jumped in fear, yelling SPIDER!, while Adriana almost bit my nipple off. Eric flew out of bed in a panic not knowing what the heck was going on (poor guy) and like a magician he caught the spider just before it landed on my face. It was pretty hilarious (think: spider scene from the movie Just Married). Now we know why they say people eat several spiders a year while sleeping…
Around week 3 or 4 when I was dealing with a ton of breastfeeding pain, I bought some Booby Tubes. For those who don’t know, these are circular flaxseed-based heating pads for your boobs. You can heat them in the micro or oven, or pop them in the freezer to chill. Then you just place them on your breasts. Since we don’t have a microwave, I popped them into the oven to heat up and then I went to shower with Eric agreeing to take them out when the timer went off. Well, I guess I had the temperature up too high because the Booby Tubes burned to hell in the oven. Eric didn’t know what to do so he threw the smoking Booby Tubes onto the deck (LOL) so they wouldn’t stink up the house. Guess who found them quite tasty? Yup, the squirrels decided they would make a great snack! Flax seed for all…
We still haven’t found where the squirrel dragged one of them off to. Note to self: lower oven temperature next time. I wrote to the store explaining this story and they are sending me a new set! Bless their souls.
Pacifier or thumb? Neither – Adriana has yet to discover sucking her thumb and she has rejected the pacifiers we gave her. Strange, no?
Nicknames: Monkey, Milk Monster, Werewolf (don’t ask, lol)
Recent personal discovery: I never knew how much patience I had until I became a mom
This week’s highlight: I hosted a lunch with my girlfriends this week which was so nice because it was the first time I had hung out with any of them since the birth. Adriana met her first two buddies – twin girls born 6 weeks before her! Two more of our friends are due in December, so there will be a total of 5 newborn girls by the end of the year. Crazy!!
We enjoyed: Our first walk in the carrier on the trails I used to walk during my pregnancy
Currently reading: Healthy Sleep Habits, Healthy Child, The Wonder Weeks App
p.s. – This article cracked me up!! Um, all of the above? She’s definitely in the Suck a Little, Look a Little and the Nipper Napper phase…
Favourite toy: That would be her activity mat right now!
Quote of the week: Here’s to strong women. May we know them, may we be them, may we raise them. ~ unknown
What’s new in your life these past couple weeks?
My babies love the Ergo too!! The only bad thing, was my first was born in May, and she would get SO sweaty with the newborn insert. On the other hand, it kept my January baby nice and cozy.
Ooh, I didn’t know there’s a wonder weeks app! My wife devoured that book and it really helped with our first daughter.
We also used the Healthy Sleep book. It’s a rather cold, clinical book, but sometimes that’s what you need. Another very useful book at this young age is Baby Whisperer. We cherry-picked advice from many different sources instead of subscribing to one “ideal”.
We had our 2nd daughter just before you (early Sept).
I can totally relate to your comment that you never knew how much patience you had until you became a mom. With me it’s the same. It’s unbelievable how much patience I have had and still now that my daughter is getting a bit older. Isn’t it amazing how much you get to learn about yourself as soon as you become a parent?!
And love the quote about strong women ! Makes me think of my daughter and how strong she already is. Although that’s not always easy on me hah, it reminds me that that’s a good thing. Something to be encouraged.
I have just read all your baby posts. Just been so busy cooking your recipes. I have taken it upon myself to make every single recipe from your cookbook! Let me just say I admire the fact that you can write so openly about your experiences and feelings. And so many things are familiar to me. The birth story and the troubles with breastfeeding. But let me just say that it’s sounds like you are doing great!
Now I am off to make your soul soothing peanut stew!
So glad everything is going well baby wise :) my 9 week old is getting smilier (is that a word?) and more fun every day but has recently decided that sleeping at night is for losers so I am completely exhausted! Question – are any of your teas good for breastmilk production? I was going to order “Mother’s Milk” tea on Amazon but then I thought I’d see if you had a lactation tea – I didnt see any mention of one in the tea shoppe but thought I’d ask. I’d make lactation cookies but I can barely muster up the energy to shower, so…
As a blog reader for many many years it is so exciting to be able to share in this life transition with you. Love seeing all the pictures and hearing the stories! The spider one sounds exactly like how it would go in this household! haha. Look forward to hearing more about your journey into motherhood. Makes me excited, and less nervous to venture there myself!:)
I’m expecting my first in March, so I especially love your new baby posts. Was wondering if you have a favorite “lactation cookie” recipe?
I don’t have a lactation cookie per say, but I do LOVE these cookies (the oats and flax are supposed to help for lactation and I love that they are free of added sugar!)
http://ohsheglows.com/2014/10/24/flourless-thumbprint-breakfast-cookies-vegan-gf/
Sounds like you are really taking to being a mommy. My son is almost 10mo old (can’t believe it!) and those first few weeks I told my husband that maybe we’ll be a one child family but I’m here to say it just gets better and better and will have more if we are blessed enough. We plan on 2.5 years apart. This way it will hopefully be more manageable! I praise those people who have kids 1.5yrs apart. I’d love that but do not think I could handle that. I can’t wait to read more and see more photos of her!!!
my family have a baby, it is so cute, so lovely, With me it’s the same. It’s unbelievable how much patience I have had and still now that my daughter is getting a bit older.
I am a sister, i am happy when i have a baby, it is 3 year old
I laughed out loud at both the spider and the Booby tubes stories. Too funny!
Pacifiers…meh. I had three kids who spit pacifiers out within seconds. I’m not even going to try with number four. They find their thumbs/fingers if they need it and then you don’t have to worry about constantly hunting for lost, dirty pacifiers.
This is a great post – I feel like I’m reliving life with my boy (now six) all over again. I think it’s great that you have a go-to lunch that works. My son had the most sensitive stomach and in order to breastfeed I had to cut so much out of my diet (anything cruciferous, some nuts, etc). It was so hard as a vegan to get enough to eat and enough to eat of anything that wouldn’t make him have tummy troubles. And yet… I miss it :)
More baby pics!!! We need a fix lol!
Hi! Just wanted to send you a quick note to say my little guy never ever took a soother or sucked his thumb – he was a breastfeed baby too and would accept no substitutes! Smart boy, I guess! Glad to hear you are doing so well – those first months can be really tough. :) Take care!
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy reading your blog, especially the baby section! I do not have children and I am currently a student but it is encouraging to know that perhaps one day I can remain vegan and have a healthy happy baby if/when the time becomes right. Praying for continued blessings for you and your family and friends!
Thank you Lindsay!
So awesome to see you babywearing and even more so that you’re wearing an ergonomic carrier! I have a 14-month-old and am totally addicted to babywearing. We use woven wraps and my husband wears a Tula (it’s like an Ergobaby). And the Wonder Weeks app is so amazing and incredibly accurate. Anytime my son seems to be off his game, I check the app and sure enough, he’s in “stormy period”.
I love the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child! I learned so much from it and my kids have definitely benefited as well! I hope you enjoy it as well.
Its surprising to me that so many people love this book. I was about to comment that I found it so in need of a good editor that I couldn’t even finish it. I also found that in the parts I did read there were too many unsubstantiated scare tactics (e.g. relationship between insufficient sleep and US incarceration rates), and that his guidance bordered on cruel. It came highly recommended, so maybe its just me!
I just want to say I love reading these posts! I’ve loved reading your blog for years now and your voice here with your posts about your daughter is so honest and it’s great! I laughed at your story about burning the boob donuts :) I’m reading this while nursing my own sweet baby
I’m a new mom myself and I am so happy for you. I would love to know what you plan on feeding your babe when you are ready to introduce solids. Thanks!!
This was a lovely update to read. 6 weeks and 6 months are milestones – like something kind of clicks. I actually haven’t read a single baby book. So if you have tips you found useful from them, I wouldn’t mind hearing. I am about 2 weeks away from due date for baby #3, and I’m just now getting around to thinking through what the first few weeks will be like.
You mentioned having more children – I will have 3, ages 3 and under come December. And I’ve kept working, traveling, etc. with all of them. There are many crazy moments, but the joy for us has been amazing.
Hi Angela! I’ve been following your blog for years not only for your great recipes, but also for your lovely personality as you talk about the everyday stuff. Lately I’m really enjoying your baby posts as I’m expecting my first this Spring—thank you for always being so open and honest! :-)
I’m a long time reader and have become an impressive vegan chef thanks to your website :) this is my first time commenting, but couldn’t help myself. The way you talk about Adriana made me a little emotional. Your vulnerability and authenticity make all of us, your readers, feel like your friends. Thank you for sharing your life with us!
That is exactly what I was going to write! Angela is so honest and her tone makes you feel like catching up with an old friend. I would read the blog if it was just about her personal life. The recipes just take it over the top!
Thank you both for your kind words! :)