Wednesday, November 3, 2010

oh man

Ruby hit the 6 week mark yesterday. That means I am officially out of the "postpartum" period, I'm pretty sure.  To mark the occasion, I wore a pair of my pre-pregnancy jeans.  I hadn't tried them on yet (too scared) but they fit, so I'm relieved.  Actually, I weigh less now than I did when I got pregnant, so I guess most or all of my old clothes should fit--I should get them out of hibernation.  BUT my wedding ring still does not fit!  What the heck? My fingers don't even look bigger...did my ring shrink??

I feel like now that it's been 6 weeks, I have to be completely healed, feel like my old self, and get back to real life and responsibilities.  But see, the trouble is, I'm not ready to not be postpartum.  My abdomen still hurts from surgery. I don't sleep enough or eat normally.  And taking care of this baby takes up all of my day, it feels like!  Before, I had the postpartum excuse.  It's overwhelming to all of the sudden have to also clean and cook and work out and be normal.  I don't know why or when I got the idea into my head that 6 weeks was the time when I had to get back to life, but I wish I hadn't.  Now, if I don't do the things I think I should, I'll feel guilty. DANG IT.

I have this girl to make me smile though:


So I know I'll be fine.

10 comments:

Kyle said...

You need to ease into normal life. Start by dusting all the baseboards today, maybe tomorrow you can clean the oven, and just work your way up to shampooing the carpets.

Stevenson and Marissa's Blog said...

Why did you choose 6 weeks?? I always go more the 3 months route. Less guilt that way. I also think that number should double with each additional child. So technically I am still in the postpartum stage with Nellie as she is my second child and she is only 5 months old. Whew! No guilt!

Chris, Chelsea and Lilly Edgren said...

It goes by so fast, doesn't it?! I am SO impressed that you not only fit into your pre-pregnancy jeans but that you weigh even less than when you got pregnant. Way to go!! By the way, Ruby is absolutely adorable!

Karen said...

My thought is that it took 9 months to get you where you are and it should take 9 months to recover. Worked for me. well, except for the losing weight part of it! :)

Caitlin Carroll said...

I remember reading that with c-sections it's more like 9-12 weeks for recovery. Everyone is different though. If you don't feel recovered, you're not. I understand the guilty feeling though - I went back to work less than a week after giving birth even though no one expected me to.

Jaclyn said...

I think you're great Becca - life will get back to a new normal. Ruby is beautiful.

Carrie said...

Yes, c-sections definitely take longer to recover from. I think it was at 3 months I started to not feel as fragile. But my scar still hurt until 6 months and even now and then it hurts a little. So don't feel guilty.
Haha, I'm below pre-pregnancy weight too and I'm pretty sure it has something to do with that we are sick for most of the pregnancy. It don't know if that makes the morning sickness worth it though. I still hate that part.

Meg said...

Oh my goodness, I totally relate! I had this huge meltdown at the six week date. Like suddenly I should turn into a super-mom, but the thing was I was actually the MOST exhausted that I had ever been in my life at that point! Whoever made us think that 6 weeks was all we needed was a super weirdo. Especially for you with a C-section! Maybe we should have therapy sessions together and just tell each other that it's ok to not do anything all day long. I like the sound of that. :)

Celia said...

You are awesome, Becca! I feel like you have always been a mother. If anyone can handle motherhood and all of it's challenges, it's you. I love you! Thanks for being there for me during my postpartum days. I dont know what I would have done without you!

Celia said...

And I also agree with your mom. She is so wise.