Let’s talk about our {uh-mazing} MOMBODS. .
. ⬅️Photo on the left: 4 weeks postpartum with Big Sister in 2015. I had insanely unrealistic expectations of what my body would look & FEEL like after childbirth. I’m not even talking lady bits, just talking straight core & tummy where that sweet babe was housed for 9 months. I didn’t realize my trunk would feel like scrambled eggs. That my balance would be non-existent, and that I’d have to place a hand on the wall to steady myself as I walked down the hallway. Gravity is a funny thing- gone is that cute, firm pregnant bump and present is a squishy tummy that moves when I do. I thought I evicted that baby & placenta & all those fluids- where did this belly come from? 💥THE WORST PART: for some reason I was embarrassed by this. When I first saw this photo, I instantly wished I’d tucked myself behind Robert a little or pulled my cardigan forward. I was definitely wearing a be-band (more for support, than anything) and probably full panel maternity jeans and STILL felt ashamed of my stomach here. As if I just didn’t have a baby. I kinda want to give that girl a hug. .
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➡️photo on the right: taken a few hours ago just after Little Sister’s 2 week old check up on Monday. Here’s the REAL REEL! I don’t carry anything heavier than my 8.5lb baby, I can’t sit up yet (still gotta barrel role to the side), and my belly is even sensitive to the shower water hitting it. All of the stuff from the first pregnancy is still there, but I don’t look down at my body and get upset about it like I did 3 years ago. 💥THE BEST PART: I’m legit in AWE this time around. Maybe that comes with experience; I’m not sure. But I am beyond impressed that my body GREW a human, BIRTHED a human, and now is FEEDING a human. It’s a pretty brilliant design, and I’m choosing to be proud of that. .
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{So, yeah. I’m talking about it, because I think we need to. I think I would have been in a lot better place in my brand new role as a mama the first time around, had I understood all this a little better. 🤞Crossing my fingers a new mama that needs to read this message...sees it} #newmommy #postpartum #2weeksold #4weeksold #postpartumbody #homebirth
That “Paternity Leave Beard” is gone and daddy is back to work this week. The real test will come tomorrow when my toddler doesn’t have school and is home with us , too💕 .
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As a military family, we miss out on quite a few moments together...so that 14 day paternity leave was beyond appreciated. I was so grateful he was around & so involved these first two weeks. I like parenting with you, Mr. Schroeder💕
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PS: Navy friends having babies: as of June 21, paternity leave jumped from 10 days to 14 days. Make sure your hubby’s “boss” knows! (We only found out by stumbling across an article, not anything that came from the command👌) #paternityleave #babydaddy #newbornlife #coffeefortwo #toddlerandnewborn #navywife #homebirth
Three years ago, we were 20 minutes late AND showed up at the wrong location for Nora’s first pediatric appointment🙈😆 Whoops! Today, we were 15 minutes early for Olivia’s👌 .
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We both have so much more confidence in basically everything this time around, and it really shows in the vibe around the house these first few days compared to last time. .
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You’re doing a good job, too, Mama. Believe that! ...and keep growing that confidence muscle. It’s a strong one💪
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#newborn #3daysold #homebirth #bornathome #sahmlife #wfhm #postpartumhealth
