Maternity Leave Is No Joke

I've been on maternity leave for almost three weeks now and I have to say, it is no picnic.  Having E around really changes things.  Here are just a few of the lessons I've learned while on maternity leave:

1. My oldest child is crazy.  I'm talking straight up C.R.A.Z.Y.but in a good way.  I remember with E, spending more time "recovering".  With a toddler, there is no real downtime with the exception of the little time after they both are in bed. 

E wants nothing more than to be outside all day every day.  I made the mistake at Easter of getting him a tricycle which he has since logged about 50 miles which means we're outside all the time.  He's a good kid just busy which I guess I can't complain about. 

Early Morning Bird Watching | Biking on the trail | Random Fredbird Sighting | Exploring new bathroom | First Allie Kiss

2. Routine is KEY to keeping kids on level ground

As a working mom, I have to admit, I didn't pay as much attention to keeping E on a schedule because we really only had 2-3 hours with him once we got home from work but when maternity leave started, I realized real quick why it's so important.  I have both kids at home 2 days a week and we're finally starting to get into a rhythm which goes a little something like this:

6:30 E wakes up (Mommy prays quietly that he'll go back to sleep to no avail) and gets his breakfast and watches PBSKids.
7:00 Allie has eaten and gone back to sleep (till around 9)
7:30 E gets squirmy and plays with trains or if the weather is nice, goes out on the back patio and rides his tricycle.
9:30 Feed Allie
10:00 Park time!
10:30 Lunch
11:00 Nap Time
12:00 Allie eats and sleeps
1:00 E wakes and goes right back outside to play
1:30 Mommy, Allie and E go on a walk
2:00 Allie sleeps, Mommy and E stay outside and play more
5:00 Daddy comes home.  Daddy's turn to take E on a bike ride/walk.  Mommy cuddles Allie.
6:30 Mommy makes dinner; Allie naps
7:30 E gets a bath
8:30 E goes to bed
9:00 Allie gets bath and bed
9:30 Mommy goes to bed.

Notice right now, there are no work outs in there?  Yeah, I know, we have to fix that.  Right now, I'm hoping to get more workouts done on the off days that E isn't at home.  We REALLY need to get a treadmill.  I guess I just need to breakdown and buy one.  I just gasp every time I look at the price of a decent one and Craigslist isn't producing anything worth looking at.

3. Being a Stay At Home Mom is HARD

 

I always knew it was but doing it for an extended period of time really makes me appreciate it.  I totally understand how some days you never get out of your workout clothes let alone put makeup on or real clothes.  I have to hand it to all of you who do it everyday.  You're amazing and I TOTALLY appreciate everything you do!

4. Breastfeeding is a game of trial and error
Turns out Allie has a sensitive stomach like E did so we've been experimenting this week with what foods bother her.  Turns out it's one thing that I can tell...thus far are you ready for this?  CAFFEINE!

Isn't it just my luck that the one thing that helped me get through these busy days I can't have and I wasn't having a ton of it but even the smallest amount bothers her.  Oh yeah..and broccoli.  Seriously!? 


But watching her squirm with a gassy stomach is enough to make me put the coffee down.

We're getting there.  Slowly we're starting to find our rhythm, I'm starting to feel a little more comfortable with two and I'm slowly starting to feel like myself.  After 2 and a half weeks, I'm down to having to lose 15 lbs (I gained somewhere around 45lbs) which I can feel is sitting square on my hips, butt and stomach but I feel like it will come off and oddly enough, I look at my body right now and am proud of the way it looks.  I'm proud because I know it has helped me produce 2 wonderfully healthy children and the changes I see in the mirror are just a reminder of how good it's been to me. 

I'll keep working on losing the weight but I'll do it in a way that benefits both my mind and body.

What lessons have you learned as a mom or dad?

Have a great weekend!