They say that the first three months after giving birth are the 4th trimester and this couldn’t be truer. Although, I would say that the 4th trimester extends far past this.
For all the mamas out there, you get it.
It takes 9 months to grow a tiny human so why on earth do we think it should take a short amount of time to “bounce back?” Which by the way, isn’t possible. There’s no going back after becoming a mother; only moving forward. There’s no such thing as “bouncing back” because our world has been completely irreversibly changed forever.
I want to take a moment to pause and reflect over the last 5 months. I’ll be sharing my postpartum journey plus all the teething essentials we are beginning to use for our little monkey. (Jedidiah’s two front teeth are coming in - just in time for Christmas) 😉
Let me start off by saying that I feel like the postpartum journey is often marked by the physical, first. And maybe rightly so. A woman’s body has changed so much in such a small amount of time and then...just like that...a new life comes into the world; into a mother’s arms. A baby is born but also a warrior woman. Ask any mother and yes, she cares a lot about her physical postpartum journey. And all of us have insecurities in one way or another. However, the postpartum journey is less physical, I dare say, and a whole lot more emotional, mental and spiritual.
Every day of motherhood I am shocked by how much I have to fight my flesh = all the selfishness we as humans contain apart from Christ. It’s true. Motherhood / Parenthood is overwhelmingly joyful and outrageously difficult. I didn’t know that becoming a mother would bring out the best of me and the worst of me. Every day I face the choice of life or death. Life meaning walking in ALL the fruits of the Spirit. Death meaning anger that leads to sin. I just didn’t know...I didn’t know that I would be so exhausted some days that changing another diaper feels like a mountain to climb. I didn’t know that my heart would swell with joy seeing my baby smile over and over again. I didn’t know that some days I just don’t want to breastfeed. I didn’t know that I coveted my sleep so much. I didn’t know my son could make me laugh so much and could ease every worry. I didn’t know...
“I can do this with Christ.”
For me, I feel like this sums up the past 5 months. My postpartum journey has involves a lot of prayer, a lot of dependence on my husband and a lot of seeking advice from other Moms. Oh and...a lot of letting go of control.
Can I control how long my baby sleeps?
No.
Can I control how many to do’s are completed?
No.
Can I control the fussiness of my baby?
No.
Can I control my postpartum body?
No.
Can I control the stack of dishes in the sink?
No.
Can I control my mindset each day?
Yes.
The most valuable thing I am learning is that I will drive myself and my family crazy if I stand on the edge all day every day. What’s the edge? Maybe you relate. It’s the edge of obsessing over neat and tidy (including my emotions) versus letting myself be okay in the mess. And yes, the mess is okay. It doesn’t mean we have failed. It means that we are embracing life and all that it naturally brings our way. Physical Postpartum.
I wish that I could say that I am back to pre-pregnancy weight but I still have about 15 more pounds to go. However, I feel strong. I know I am strong. I know I am on the right path of overall health and that’s what is most important to me. I still feel awkward in clothes sometimes and I wonder what I feels like to have small boobs again 🤣 but all of this is so trivial in comparison to the extravagant gift we have in our son, Jedidiah.
His name means “Beloved of the Lord.”
And he is daily beacon of joy to our lives as God consistently reminds us through him that we are His. And nothing can separate us from His love. Nothing. Jedidiah is our rainbow baby after the storm and our promise fulfilled.
* I will say that the best decision I made was purchasing a postpartum workout program with Ashley Keller (Glow Body). This program CHANGED everything for me the past 3 months and I can’t wait to continue forward with my fitness goals!
TEETHING ESSENTIALS
Jedidiah is 5 months old and teething!! Bring it on 💪🏻 I thought I’d share a few of the items we are using to help our son as best we can!
All items👇🏻can be found on Amazon!
Just for kicks, I put in the carrot for teething 😉
