4.5 Weeks Postpartum Confession

I just got out of a shower at 3:30 am where I had a good cry. I am 4.5 weeks postpartum with my son and I can’t sleep.

Why was I crying? Lots of reasons.

I was crying because I am still carrying baby weight.
I was crying because I can’t get back to sleep.
I was crying because somebody said something mean-ish to me on an online mommy forum.
I was crying because my baby still fights latching on and I can’t figure out why.
I was crying because I feel like I am failing my little girl.
I was crying because I feel like I am failing myself.

Some are silly reasons. Some are not so silly.

I’m writing and publishing this post because I need to remember what it can feel like at 4.5 weeks postpartum. And I need you to know what 4.5 weeks postpartum can feel like.

I cognitively know that I will make it through these trying first few weeks and first few months, and I will get fit again, and I will sleep again, and it doesn’t matter what someone I don’t know said in a forum, and my baby is going to love nursing and chill out eventually, and I haven’t actually failed my little girl, and she still loves me, and I have lots to be proud of and lots more still to accomplish.

I cognitively know these things.

But at 3:30 am, when your baby fights to latch, and you’re exhausted, and you know it’s going to be hours before you sleep again, and because of that you’ll be a lazy mama to your beautiful toddler the next day instead of a engaged, involved mama like you envisioned yourself to be, it’s hard to stay positive. And so you look for a good place to cry. And because you stink (since you haven’t showered in a day and a half), the shower seems like a good a place as any. And I didn’t wake anyone up.

I’m not publishing this for pity (although I will take a bit of grace), and I want you to know, people have brought food and checked in on me. I have support.

I’m publishing this because the postpartum experience needs to be shared, not private.

This shit is hard.

My mother always remembers how with each new baby, her mother had a girl from their small farming community who came in to help. I had my mother here for three weeks, and then my mother-in-law and father-in-law for another week after that. And on the day after they left, meals from our friends began. Some via delivery, some brought with a welcome visit. Both are awesome.

So, there it is.

I am usually a confident, outspoken, organized leader. Accomplished. But when I am in the depths of the postpartum season, I feel like a slob. Like a blob of lazy. Like it was a mistake that I have these two children and what was He thinking giving them to me.

It can happen to anyone. It doesn’t matter what her prenatal self was like. The postpartum season can be confidence-shattering. And it takes time to rebuild.

And sometimes rebuilding involves a good cry in the shower.

56 Weeks PP

Today’s WOD:

• Warm Up: 3 Rounds of 30 sec each of Burpees / Jumping Ball Slams
• Power Snatch – 10 minutes to a heavy single + 3 EMOM for 7 minutes
• Nancy = 5 RFT of 400m Run/ 15 OHS (95/65)

…

So, this is essentially a post about WODing with a baby. Olivia is nearly 13 months old and SMACK in the MIDDLE of separation anxiety. She likes to smile but she’s TOTALLY shy and won’t get down out of my arms without crying until she’s been in a place for at least 20 minutes. Once we were halfway through the class, she was having fun, even if she was still a little fussy. But it took some time to get there.

Here’s a description of how I accommodated Olivia’s needs while still getting a workout in…

I did “Baby Thrusters” for the warm-up – literally, thrusts with my 22# girl. She loved it. I did it for the whole three minutes. I didn’t count.

Snatch 1RM – I got up to 75# and attempted #80. I think I could have done 80# if I hadn’t been worried about dropping the barbell on Olivia. This was at her peak of comfortableness. She played with some lacrosse balls and a few hand weights.

For the EMOMs, I did 5 Olivia Thrusters every minute on the minute.

For Nancy, I did a 100m Olivia run (yes, ran with Olivia in my arms), then 15 Olivia Thrusters. Then my husband showed up and took her home…! So round two was 400m run, then 45# thrusters, then the run, then 15# thrusters, then the run then 25# thrusters. And I finished with the 25# thrusters in 23:10.

Ugh.

It’s good to be able to run again. It’s still a little tweaky, but WAY better than it was…

Also, I’ve got weight to lose. Some is baby weight and some is weight I put on after Olivia was born. Regardless, Olivia and I are still nursing occasionally, 2-3 times a day, so I am reluctant to attempt any significant weight loss because I am convinced that fat soluble toxins will make it into my breast milk. So I am waiting until she weans to do a Whole30, or 60, or whatever it takes.

That said, I actually feel good about my body.

Motherhood is busy-making.

Here’s a photo.

Pink, pink, pink. And flowers.

FINGER FOODS!

My little Olivia is nearly nine months old. O.M.G.

She is such a joy. And a hand-full. That’s why you haven’t heard much from me since her birth. It really is true: once they start crawling, your world will never be the same again.

But this is a post about Finger Foods. I don’t have much to say other than, it is possible. She’s nearly nine months old and she’s feeding herself egg and sauerkraut.

Here are a few pics.

Lunch for mama and baby! Pastured eggs and sauerkraut! Mama also has liverwurst.

Olivia uses her Pincer Grasp!

Yummm!

Yummm!

BABY’S FIRST COLD!

Olivia got her first cold this week. She just turned 8 months. I think that’s pretty good!

Update: it was pretty mundane. A few sniffles. A mild cough. Nothing to write home about.

MY FAVOURITES

[THIS LIST IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. KEEP CHECKING BACK!]

This is my list of favourites – my favourite preggie supplies, my favourite books, my favourite diapers, even my favourite baby socks!! I will keep adding to it over the next few weeks and months; so keep checking back! Maybe it will grow big enough some day to warrant being separated into several different posts!

DIAPERS

Diaper Covers

My favourite diaper covers are Bum Genius Flips. They have fit Olivia FROM DAY ONE, which makes sense, since they are One-Size! They wash well. They don’t have white edges that get STAINED (like the Thirsties Duo Wrap Snaps – my second favourites)! They look amazing on Olivia and she’s comfy in them!

Check them out!

🙂

Diaper Pail Liners

My favourite Diaper Pail Liner is Diaper Pail Liner by Mommy’s Touch. I haven’t tried several of these. Just the one; but I love it so much I want to share. I have two colors – Mango and Celery. I just switch them out at the end of each day – yes, I do diaper laundry daily.

PACIFIERS

My favourite paci’s are the Natursutten BPA-Free Natural Rubber Pacifiers. Olivia tried (and hated) every other pacifier (even the BPA-free ones, which incidentally were the only ones we tried) until we tried these. Perhaps she has a thing for natural materials?

TOYS

I have a HUGE chip on my shoulder about toys. I’m a bit of a snob about it. I hate what I call “button toys” where you press a button and music plays. I don’t think those toys are good for much. I prefer toys that also teach tacit knowledge – like stuff about noise and physics – but that are still fun and bright and entertaining.

Clutch Toys

I knew I wanted natural materials and safe paints. Not all her toys fit this description but some do! One of my favourite brands is Haba! And here is one of my favrourites from their offerings – the Triangle Rattle. Olivia loves it! It was one of the first toys she actually CLUTCHED! And today, she’s still mouthing it and banging it on things. It’s been a versatile and long-suffering toy and it’s so well-made.

BOOKS

These are a list of books about pregnancy, birth, and parenting. Just a few of my favourites!

Bringing Up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting

Real Food for Mother and Baby: The Fertility Diet, Eating for Two, and Baby’s First Foods

BATH SUPPLIES

Bath Tub – Prince Lionheart Flexibath Foldable Bathtub, White

Bath Sling – Summer Infant Fold N’ Store Tub Time Bath Sling

 

MORE TO COME! KEEP CHECKING BACK! 🙂

26 WEEKS PP / 6 MONTHS!

ME & THE BABE

We’re all a little congested right now. Perhaps it’s the weather?

My diet hasn’t been perfectly paleo, but more like 75%/25%. I know that many hate looking at percentages. I’ve been eating lots of animal sources of saturated fat, animal proteins from good sources (grass-fed, pastured, humanely raised), lots of veggies of different colours, lots of organ means, and lacto-fermented veggies (sauerkraut); but I’ve also included corn and rice, some processed foods, and full-fat dairy (some raw!). Honestly, it’s difficult to make a meal quickly that you don’t have to cook or babysit. I need to meal plan better.

We haven’t started Olivia on solid foods yet, but I’ll try to remember to document the experience and post it here when we have.

MY WORKOUTS

I went to CrossFit on Saturday, as per normal.

Here’s the WOD:

• 3 Rounds each of: 30 Seconds on;15 Seconds rest- Hand Stand Shoulder Tap/Jump Squat
• Push Press- 5/5/5/5/5 @ 70% 1RM (15 Minute Cap)
• 4 RFT of: 10 K.B. Goblet Squat(HAP)/9 Ring Push Up/8 T2B

Here’s what I did:

• 3 Rounds each of: 30 Seconds on;15 Seconds rest – Hand Stand with Alternating Hand Release
• Push Press – 5/5/5/5/5 at 50# (which was Rx)
• 4 RFT of : 10 KB Goblet Squat (26#)/9 Mod Push Ups / 8 Leg Raises (from floor)

I’m planning to continue doing one CrossFit class a week until I feel like my sleep is under control enough to do two classes. I haven’t been doing the kettle bells at home in the last few weeks (since I went to Canada!) but I plan to incorporate those again.

FINAL NOTES

Here’s a photo!

Ryan & Olivia at 6 months!

25 WEEKS PP

ME

I think my body might be going through a hormone shift! Here are the reasons why I think so:
I think I’ve felt a hormonal shift in the last week or so. Olivia’s had a tiny bit of baby acne, my hair’s been shedding more (more than recently, but not an alarming amount), and suddenly people have told me that I look awesome. And of course, we’re almost six months – which is when another hormone shift commonly happens, I’m told.

I asked my midwife and she said that perhaps it’s that for the last two weeks, Olivia hasn’t been nursing at night at all (until this weekend) so perhaps my body is shifting from ammenorea back to fertility…?

 

THE BABE

As I mentioned above, she’s got another little bout of baby acne but nowhere near as bad as before. She’s practicing being on her hands and knees. She recognizes her name. She giggles at the strangest things, but I love it. And…

She has a noise that sounds like a baby Wookiee!! I have a little girl-geek-in-training. 🙂

MY WORKOUTS

I went to CrossFit on Saturday, as per normal.

Here’s the WOD:

• 200m Run @ 50%
• For Time: 1 Mile Run
• Axle DeadLift- 8 Minutes to a Heavy Single (neutral grip only)/8 Minutes to a Heavy Single (mixed grip)
• OTM for 12 Minutes- 9 Weighted Squats(45/25)/1 Rope Climb (3 Towel Pull Ups)

Here’s what I did:

• 250 m row
• 2000 m row
• Axel Deadlift – got up to 145# (ran out of time)
• OTM for 12 minutes – 9 weighted squats w/ 25# and 3 towel pull ups

I don’t remember my times for the rows. I do remember that I kept to a pretty fair pace of 28 spm and 2:15 / 500 m. Over 2000 meters that’s pretty fair for me.

FINAL NOTES

Next week will be my last “weekly” post as I’m planning on starting a “favourites” post and just updating that occasionally! It’ll be a HUGE favourites post. It’ll start out very slim, but I’ll add to it over time. It’ll be a huge list of my favourite baby things and why – from diaper covers to toys, from wipes to blankets. You’ll love it.

24 WEEKS PP

ME

It just occurred to me that because “postpartum” is one word, the title “24 WEEKS PP” is terribly inaccurate. It should be “24 WEEKS P!” Oh well.

I’ve been really tired. I’ve all but stopped napping during her morning nap, but I’m really starting to think I should try to again. I’m surprised at how much “making milk” and nursing is taxing on my body. It really is an energy drain. That said, I do love it. Nursing your own little babe is such a joyful experience. I highly recommend for the relational building aspect of it, not to mention the nutritional benefits!

 

THE BABE

She is amazing. She’s starting to push up onto her hands and knees, instinctually!

Also, has anyone noticed that she hasn’t been sick? At all!?  w00t!

 

MY WORKOUTS

I went to CrossFit on Saturday, as per the usual.

Here’s the WOD:

• 200M Run
• 7 Rounds of: Sprint 40 Yards
• Front Squat- 5/5/5/5/5 (HAP/20 Minute Cap)
• Power Clean- 10 Minutes to Establish a Heavy Double (Touch & Go)
• 12 Minute AMRAP of: 5 P.Cl(135/95)/5 each Bar Racked Lunge(135/95)/15 HRPU

Here’s what I did:

• 200 m run…

I think it took me 1 minute? I’m pretty happy with that, considering that my ligaments are still not all the way fixed yet.

• 3 rounds of: run, sprint 40 yards

I was averaging about 8.5 seconds. I only did three rounds because my ligaments were hurting.

• 3 rounds of: row, spring 100 meters

I don’t remember my times, but I remember that my pace was under 2:00/500m for each sprint. Like, 1:57 or so.

• Front Squats => 5×65, 5×75, 5×75, 4×85

Didn’t go as deep on the last set.

• Power Cleans => 2×45, 2×65, 2×75, 2×80

I’m so disgusted because I found Power Cleans so easy before I got pregnant and even during my pregnancy! My 1RM was only 110#, but even the heavy weight felt like something reasonable to attempt. But after having delivered the baby, Power Cleans seem like the strangest movement ever. Grrr… I wonder if it’s related to the ligament issues?

• 9 MIN AMRAP => 2 rounds + P.Cl + Lunges + 8 h.r.p.u.

I had 45# on the bar. The Cleans were easy. The Lunges were challenging. I’m still doing modified push ups.

I’m feeling stronger after my pregnancy but I’m still not 100%. I’m  annoyed that it’s taking so long to “bounce” back. But confident that I will be able to return to my previous strength and conditioning numbers eventually.

 

FINAL NOTES

I think I will continue the weekly posts until Olivia is six months old. Then I will switch up my format.

Here’s a picture!

Ryan with Olivia at 24 Weeks!

 

23 WEEKS PP

ME

Not getting enough sleep. Eating too much chocolate.

THE BABE

Her sleep schedule is solidifying! She’s been “sleeping through the night” for weeks now, but her day time naps hadn’t organized really. She’s done a good morning naps for a few weeks but her afternoon naps were scattered and sparse. But NOW!! It might have been a Norwegian friend’s mention of how in Norway all the children take their naps outside prompting me to set up Olivia for her nap in the swing facing the open window or she just might have been ready, but she has taken two solid naps each day for the last 10 days. They’re averaging 2 hours. The morning nap is usually longer and the afternoon nap usually shorter. The other thing that might have helped is that it occurred to me to nurse her before her afternoon nap. Because she was ready for her midday awake time to stretch out to 3 hours. Whatever it was, I’m so enjoying the routine!

• Awake ~ 7:30 – 8:15 am
• 1st Nap ~ 10:00 am
• Awake ~ 12:30 – 1:00 pm
• 2nd Nap ~ 4:00 pm
• Awake ~ 5:30 pm
• Bedtime ~ 7:30 pm (asleep by 8:00 or 8:15 pm)

Isn’t that awesome!?

MY WORKOUTS

I went to CrossFit on Saturday. It was my first workout in five weeks (except for one kettlebell workout in Canada). Boy was it rough.

Here’s the WOD:

• 400M Farmers Walk (20×2/16x2kg)
• Pause Front Squat- 2/2/2/2/2/2/2 (70-85%) 3 Second Hold at The Bottom; 2 Min Rest Between Sets
• For Time: 25 each side Sand Bag Get Up (40/20)
• 3 Rounds of: 45 Seconds each Max Reps HandStand Shoulder Taps; 1 Minute Rest Between Rounds

Here’s what I did…

• 400m Farmers Walk => 12kg/26lbs x 2 unbroken / 5:11
• Pause Front Squat => (WU 2×35, 2×45) 2×50, 2×55, 2×65, 2×70, 2×75, 80F, 80F, 1×75
• Med Ball Get Ups 15# => 20 each side; 15 min
• Handstand Hold

This was my first time *ever* getting through a set of any kind of Get Ups, turkish or otherwise. I’d never done them before I got pregnant, and couldn’t do them while I was pregnant, and I’ve had difficulty doing them since giving birth because of … well, birth. But TODAY! Today, I could do them. YAY! Victory!

And then I did a handstand hold. I have no idea how long it was for…

FINAL NOTES

Haven’t changed the organization of my posts yet. I’m kinda stuck on posting my “weekly” WOD. I’ll get around to doing that, I promise. Chao!

22 WEEKS PP

ME

Still dealing with ligament issues. Still have the dark line although it’s going away. Still breastfeeding. Still loving being a mommy!

THE BABE

She is changing so fast. She’s started reaching. She’s almost able to sit up on her own. She’s trying out things that resemble crawling. Her “play” is so much more focused than before and shows intent. It’s awesome to watch.

MY WORKOUTS

Because I went to Canada for a few weeks (nearly a month!), I didn’t get any workouts in except one kettlebell workout once. I’m a little squishier than when I left. But I still feel confident that I can lose it when the time comes.

FINAL NOTES

I think I’m going to change the organization of my posts. I think I may begin to post about topics, such as: diapering, pacifiers, clothing, sleeping (paleo style?) etc. One topic per week? I also still plan to post about my postpartum experience; because I think that it’s important for new mommies to be prepared for it.

Anyway, here’s a photo of Olivia!

Olivia Grace in the BIG PLASTIC TOY! (22 weeks)

P.S. I didn’t want BIG PLASTIC TOYS in my home. But ya know what?! They generate smiles like this and the ability to get the laundry done. So, um, there.

BABY MEETS GRASS

Narration courtesy of Daddy:

Hmmm…. Green shag carpet…

Very itchy carpet…. wait, is that a bug?

I do not like the bugs! And this carpet is also very dirty!

Trees on the other hand…

…Seriously, somebody get a vacuum cleaner out here.

 

Don’t worry, kid. I’ll teach you to love grass, trees, dirt, mountains, hiking trails, etc. You won’t be able to avoid it.

20 WEEKS PP

ME

I’m trying my best to eat according to Paleo/Primal/Real Food tenants. I’ve found that I do feel best when I go #Whole30. Seriously. Get “It Starts with Food!” You won’t regret it.

I tried running for a bit a few days ago. I could go slowly, but when I tried to speed until I discovered that my ligaments are still a little sore. I still have some of the dark line so I’m not real concerned. I know it’ll all be fine eventually.

I’m planning a post about my post-partum experience – a more emotionally detailed post. Look for that soon.

Breastfeeding is going well. 🙂

THE BABE

She. Is. Awesome.

I left her with ‘not family’ for the first time yesterday. And she was a huge hit. She was bubbly and friendly and happy. And she was also evidently the bounciest baby they’d ever seen – and this was a family that knows babies! Most importantly, she was still happy to see me when I returned. Of course. But it’s still nice to have your babe curve into you when you pick her up.

She has almost grown out of some of her 6-12 month outfits. She is tall, tall, tall.

We’ve got a bit of redness in her diaper-regions. But the doc says it’s just irritation, not rash. Gotta change those cloth diapers more often!

MY WORKOUTS

Not happening. I’m at home in Canada with my family for a short while. I’m a little busy with the current circumstances. I brought my 15# kettlebell and there is a CrossFit gym here, but the kettlebell sits forlornly in the corner and the CrossFit gym isn’t gonna see me this time.

It’s okay. I’ll get back at it. Muscle memory, right?

To make us all feel better, here’s a photo of the first time we took her swimming. It was one week ago. She loved it!

Olivia’s first swim! 19 weeks!

19 WEEKS PP

This is a bit of a crazy week. You won’t get much of an update today. More next week!

I didn’t exercise at all last week except for one night of 100 kb swings at 15 lbs.

Olivia is doing well. She swam in a pool for the first time yesterday!

Who me? Wearing a size 9-month sleeper? Couldn’t be.

18 WEEKS PP

ME

We’ve just passed the 4-month mark. I’m still feeling mildly squishy but I feeling more like a complete return to pre-preggie is possible. It will take time, but it feels attainable. I’ve been reading “It Starts with Food” from Whole9 and I’m LOVING it! I want to buy many copies and give them away to people. It presents such a great version of the whole paleo/primal protocol. I feel my best and look better when I’ve been following the Whole30 protocol for even just a few days! I highly recommend!

It Starts With Food, from Whole9

THE BABE

She had her four-month doctor’s “well-visit” this week. She grew an inch and a pound in the last four weeks! Whoo-hoo! She’s now 26.3 inches (98%) and 14 lbs 10 oz (59%). She’s reaching all the developmental milestones on time (some a little early!).

And did I mention that she’s sleeping through the night? Love. Her.

MY WORKOUTS

It was difficult to get my workouts in this week. My in-laws are in town.

P.S. My head is fine from last week. 🙂

Monday, August 6 – 100 KB Swings 15#

Saturday, August 11

Here’s the WOD:

• For Time: 100 Double Unders (5 Minute Cap)
• Stone Shouldering- 1/1/1/1/1/1/1 (Max Effort/15 Minute Cap)
• For time: Half Tabata- Stone 2 Shoulder / 800M Run / Half Tabata- Stone 2 Shoulder / 800M Run
• EMOM (every min on the min) For 10 Minutes: 10 SuperMan/10 Hollow Rock

I got about 30 double unders. I would have gotten more if I weren’t dealing with plantar fasciitis.  Perhaps I shouldn’t have even attempted them today, because of the foot. But the Versa Climber tuckered me out last week and I didn’t want to face it again today.

I got the 75# stone shouldered a few times. Tried the 95# but no go.

I sub’d 1000m rowing for the running because of the pf and other ligament issues. 13:48 was my time…? I think. I got 16 total stone shoulders in the tabata. And my time on the rower was about 4 minutes each time. A little more than 4 the second time.

Finally, today I did super-mans for the first time since delivering the babe. I couldn’t do the hollow-rocks because of something going on with my hips. Possibly inflammation? Possibly persistent pelvic tilt? Or perhaps just simple physics. 😉

My shoulders are bruised.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Here’s a photo of Ryan with Olivia!

Ryan with Olivia (18 weeks!).

 

17 WEEKS PP

ME

So I’ve got plantar fasciitis. I think it’s because of impact and weight during pregnancy and limited walking during early pregnancy recovery and continued pregnancy hormones making my ligaments wonky. My groin area ligaments are almost better so I’ll be able to start running again soon, once the plantar fasciitis dies down.

I still have the dark line.

The placenta is still in my freezer.

Regarding my emotions… It’s amazing the difference regular sleep makes. I feel so much more like myself than I did in the first two months. I feel like I’ve crawled out of the hole and I’m reacquainting myself with myself again. Except now, I’m a mother. And that’s no small thing.

I’m also beginning to feel more confident about mothering. Part of it is that Olivia is just a delight as a baby, but I’m getting to know her better too. I’m learning how she needs to be comforted and what makes her happy and what makes her feel safe. I’ll feel more confident the second time around. Yes, I’m already thinking about baby #2!

THE BABE

She is nearing the 4-month mark. So crazy! She’s started falling asleep on her own more often now. She’ll nurse to almost asleep and I’ll put her in her crib and she’ll fall asleep on her own! Yay! Usually she falls asleep between 8:30 and 9:00 pm at night. We tried moving that back to 7:30, but she wasn’t having it. She would just wake up. So, 8:30 it is for now. We’ll keep an eye on her dozeyness and see if it changes or gets earlier over the next couple of weeks. I think she’s growth spurting now too (nursing way more often!), so that will affect her sleep.

I’ve discovered that I don’t need to stress. She will sleep. She will eat. I will sleep and I will eat. Otherwise I just have to keep us both clean (and the apartment) and we’ll both be happy!

MY WORKOUTS

Monday, August 6 – 100 KB Swings 15#

Tuesday, August 7 – 21/15/9 of KB Swings + Good Mornings w/ 15#

Wednesday, August 8 – 100 KB High Pulls 25#

Thursday, August 9 – rest

Friday, August 10 – rest (I wasn’t supposed to, but I ended up “resting.”)

Saturday, August 11

Here’s the WOD:

• Warm Up- For Time- 50 Jumping Jacks/200M Run/30 Steps OH Lunge(45/25)/25 Ab Mat Sit Ups
• Snatch- 3@60/70/80/90% 1RM (20 Minute Cap)
• 15 Minute AMRAP of: 3 Snatch @60% 1RM/200M S.B. Run (45/20)/6 Box Jumps (30/24″)/9 Air Squat

Here’s what I did…

• Warm Up: 50 Jumping Jacks/60 sec on the Versa Climber/20 Steps OH Lunge (10#)/25 Abmat Sit Ups => 4:10
• Snatch => 5×15, 3×40, 3×50, 3×55, 3×60
• 15 Minute AMRAP of: 3 Snatch @ 45#/60 sec Versa Climber/6 Box Jumps (12″)/9 Air Squat => 5 rounds + 3 Snatch

I did the versa climber instead of the run in the warm up and amrap due to persistent ligament issues.

I was intent in getting deep in the squat for the snatches today. Not going too heavy on the weight. I felt successful there.

I did 5 rounds of the AMRAP and three squat snatches with the bar before I accidentally dropped the bar on my head! There was 2:42 left on the clock. Ouch.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Here’s a photo!

Olivia at 16.5 weeks!

 

16 WEEKS PP

ME

Ligaments still achy. Still have the dark line.

But emotionally, feeling more like myself!

THE BABE

She is sleeping better and sleeping more! Hurrah! She is picking up and releasing toys on her own! She is talk, talk, talking to anything and everything. She talks to the wall, to the lights, to the toys, to me, to her crib, to everything. She loves to practices her noises. It’s delightful.

Cradle cap is 90% contained.

MY WORKOUTS

Monday, July 30 – 50 Russian KB Swings 25# / 50 American KB Swings 15#

Tuesday, July 31 – Walked about 2 miles, baby wearing.

Wednesday, August 1 – Rest

Thursday, August 2 – 80 American KB Swings 15#

Friday, August 3 – 60 KB High Pull 25#

Saturday, August 4

Here’s the WOD:

• Warm Up: 3 Rounds of: 30 seconds each: Squat Jumps/Mountain Climbers/Flutter Kicks
• Power Snatch- 5@50 SN 1RM + 3@60/70% + 1/1/1 Max Effort (15 Minute Cap)
• Isabel= For Time: 30 Power Snatches(135/95) (18 Minute Cap)

Here’s what I did…

• Warm-up => modified.
• Power Snatch => 5×15, 3×35, 5×40, 3×50, 3×55, 1×65, F@70, 1×70
• Isabel @ 55# => 5:07
• Cash-out => 10 push-up / 10 abmat s.u. / 10 DUs / 10 p.u. / 10 s.u. in 5:00 min

Due to persisting ligament issues (from labour) jumps and flutter kicks are out. So I did plain air squats and some sort of crunch instead of flutter kicks.

My pre-preggie 1RM for the Power Snatch was 80. I think I could have gotten 75 today, at least if we hadn’t run out of time.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Here’s a photo!

Olivia at 15.5 weeks!

 

15 WEEKS PP

ME

The pubic symphysis achy-ness is getting better but still not quite better. Also, I briefly tried sprinting this week, but I could tell my ligaments still need a bit more time. However, the GOOD news is that while they are still sore, they ARE much better than before. Yay!

I’m still a little squishy and just barely fitting into my pre-pregnancy jeans. But I’m reluctant to cut carbs because I’m still breastfeeding. Cognitively, I know it shouldn’t make much of a difference to my milk supply, but I’m still a little nervous about it. That said, I know I can lose the extra weight. I’ve done it before. I know how I did it. And I feel confident that once my little babe weans I will be able to do it again. So for now, I’m enjoying being a new mommy. I’ll pull out the pride card later and go for the postpartum weight loss gold after I’m done nourishing a child.

THE BABE

She. Is. Amazing. It seems like she’s learning and growing Every. Single. Day.

She practices her sit-ups and her leg-raises on her own. Just like as if it were her natural instinct or something (which it is!). She’s getting more familiar and “okay with” tummy time. Her neck strength is even better than two weeks ago when the doc was impressed with it! Her hand-eye coordination seems like it improves daily. It’s so interesting to watch. How she plays with her “toys” changes based on her ability to control them. And yes, they each make their way to her mouth as she explores everything in that way.

And her sleep is getting better and better. Earlier in her life, she was flying way below average. Now she’s right about average. It makes her happier and it makes me happier – both because I’m getting more sleep and because she is!

MY WORKOUTS

This plan (one WOD per week plus a few short KB workouts) is working out better for me (schedule-wise and recovery-wise) than the previous plan of two WODs per week.

Tuesday, June 17 – 100 KB Swings 15#

Wednesday, June 18 – 60 KB 1-arm high pulls each arm 15#

Thursday, June 19 – rest

Friday, June 20 – rest (this was supposed to be a KB day, but oh well!)

Saturday, June 21 

Here’s what the WOD was…

• 3 Rounds of: 200M Sprint; 1 minute rest between efforts
• Push Press- 1/1/1/1/1 (Max Effort/15 Minute Cap)
• 3 RFT of: 500M Row/21 Push Press (115/75)/20 Jump Lunges each leg/500MRow/15 Push Press/20 Jump Lunges each leg/500M Row/9Push Press/20 Jump Lunges each leg

And here’s what I did…

• 3 rounds of 1 min rope undulation; 1 min rest between efforts

Because of pubic symphysis pain (which as I mentioned is getting better but is still nagging), I can’t run. So instead of the sprints (to which I had been looking forward!), I did rope undulation – 3 x 1 min (with 1 min rest between sets).

• Push Press => 5×15, 1×35, 1×45, 1×55, 1×65

My 1RM for this is 75#. I was hoping to attempt that but ran out of time.

Met Con… I did 35# and regular lunges instead of jumping lunges because of the previously mentioned pain. Yes, it makes a difference. I finished *at* the time cap, 25:00.

P.S. Olivia finally christened the gym. She spit-up on the med balls!

…

FINAL THOUGHTS

Here’s a photo!

Olivia at 15 weeks! Happy baby.

14 WEEKS PP

ME

Still have the dark line which means I still have some relaxin hormone which means my ligaments ‘n’ stuff are still loosy-goosey. Consequently, I’ve actually had a little bit of a problem with plantar fasciitis. I’d developed it when hubby and I first moved to NYC. And it got better after rest. But it flared up again during pregnancy. Understandably.

Otherwise, I’m doing fine. I love being a mommy, despite the chronic sleep deprivation. I do look forward to more settled sleep for all of us. But her smiles and giggles and daily advancements more than make up for a little sleepiness!

THE BABE

Olivia is still trying to roll over from her back to her front. She favours the right side. It’s so cute. She also uses her feet to bring the toys that are hanging above her head to her hands. And she does sit-ups. I say to her, “Olivia and Mommy are working on their abs at the same time!” And she smiles and rocks out another one. She does more sit-ups each day than I do!

This week, her Nana and Poppy were here visiting! They had so much fun with her and she with them! Because they do *new* things and say new things and have different games!!

MY WORKOUTS

Tuesday, June 17 – 1.5 mile walk

Wednesday, June 18 – 80 KB high pulls 25#, 2 x 0.5 mile walks – babywearing

Thursday, June 19 – rest

Friday, June 20 – 100 KB swings 15#

Saturday, June 21 

Here’s what the WOD was…

• For Time: 100 Double Unders (3 Minute Cap)/50 Air Squats/40 Sit Ups/30 Ball Slams (20/15)/20 Knees To Elbows/10 Hand Stand Push Ups (10 Minute Cap)
• Low Bar Squat- 1/1/1/1/1/1/1 (Max Effort/20 Minute Cap)
• 21/15/9 RFT of: Pistols each leg/K.B. Snatches each hand

And here’s what I did…

• In 10 mins => 25 DUs / 50 Air Sq / 40 Abmat Situps / 30 Ball Slams / 20 Hanging Knee Raises
• Low Bar Squats => 5×15, 5×35, 2×45, 2×55, 2×65, 2×75
• 21-15-9 RFT of 18″ Box Pistols / KB Snatches 15# = 10:50
• 3:00 min Cat-Cows

I was so excited to be able to do Abmat Situps today! It’s my first sit-ups since giving birth! YAY!

…

FINAL THOUGHTS

Here’s a photo with Nana and Poppy!

Olivia at 14 weeks with her Nana and Poppy!

Olivia at 14 weeks with her Poppy G!

 

13 WEEKS PP / 3 MONTHS

ME

So here we are! Three months!

Several mommy-friends said that at about 3 months I’d start to feel like myself again. A few said it would be sudden. Others said, it’s gradual. For me, I’ve had a few minor realizations that all add up to a gradual “feeling like myself.” I feel like I’m digging myself out of a hole. A hole made up of a mix of culture shock and sleep deprivation.

But BOY do I have the best hole-partner!

Olivia is an absolutely JOY! She’s is fun, spunky, giggly, and cute-as-all-get-out! She snatches my heart everyday. Even on the worse days when she’s overtired and crying and I’m at my wits end. She’ll surprise me with a smile or a giggle and my day is made.

I’m still dealing with my abs not being back to normal. I’ve still got my dark line; so my understanding is that I’ve still got the pregnancy hormone relaxin floating around in my body. And I’m blaming that for the mild aches and pains I’m still having in my pubis  symphysis. I haven’t tried running in a while so I’m not sure if those ligaments are still loose. We’ll see…

I found my placenta still frozen in my freezer. I’m thinking about having it encapsulated…

THE BABE

This week Olivia did so many new things! She grasped a rattle for the first time. She kicked both legs at the same time – coordination! She reached for a toy! She’s been batting at the toys for a while, but this time she REACHED for one of them! She’s been bringing her hands together to play with them and look at them and suck on them. It’s amazing how these seemingly little things are just so awesome to me!

Olivia is talking up a storm! It’s so fun. She loves to practice all her new sounds and it seems like daily she’s discovered a new sound.

Also, we had our 3 month doctor’s appointment today! We got lots of feedback and answers for our questions about sleep. Our paediatricians (Tribeca Pediatrics) recommend the “extinction method” of sleep training. We haven’t been bold enough yet to try it, and Olivia is sleeping pretty well from about 9 pm until 5 or 6 am. Sometimes in the morning, she goes back to sleep right away (after nursing); sometimes she stays awake and takes her morning nap (usually 1-2 hours) about 90 minutes after waking. Mommy naps then too. Whew!

Her three month stats: 25.3 inches (>97%) and 13 lb 11 oz (82%).

My looong baby is already wearing 6 mo clothes. The doc actually referred to her today as a 4-month-old when we were talking about sleep. She’s tall!

MY WORKOUTS

Monday, June 9 – 100 KB Swings 15#

Tuesday, June 10 – 1.5 mile walk

Wednesday, June 11 – 100 each arm KB high pull 15#

Thursday, June 12 – rest

Friday, June 13 – 50 KB high pulls 25#, 0.75 mile walk

Saturday, June 14 – 2000m row in 9:19 (8 seconds off my PR!), Grace @ 55# in 7:05

My previous Grace attempt was at 18 weeks preggie and I used the same weight; but I finished in 4:21. For this attempt, I think I was too gassed from the 2K row. That and lack of sleep. 😉

FINAL THOUGHTS

Here’s a photo!

Olivia at 12.5 weeks and Guard Kitty.