Since having our twins seven months ago, I've accepted that my body will never be the same. I sat on the couch contemplating this while sipping coffee one morning in a rare moment of quiet content play from my three kids. I also noted to self that my husband hasn't once complained about my new body, but complements me and looks at me more lovingly...and dare I say it, hungrier. He is amazed at what I have done for our family by giving him three beautiful babies, and what I continue to do in raising them. He feels honored to have me at home with the kids and feels like he is blessed more by the fact that I am making sacrifices to stay home with them and continue to nurse our twins. It is such a blessing to have such a supportive husband. I talk about the sacrifices he makes and how hard he works so that I can stay home. I worry about our finances, and all the while, he is thanking me for what I do for our family. I may not be the toned petite woman I was when we met, but I feel more loved and admired now than I ever have before. :) So, on to the reason for this post...
Advantages to my new mom body:
I will never have to hear, "I could bounce a quarter off of your ass!" again when I go to a bar because the jiggly mom butt has nothing on the soccer butt of my youth.
It's not only accepted but expected that I will need to do a three squat minimum exercise when squeezing into my skinny jeans. Laying in bed with coat hanger? A-okay for moms...don't worry, I had practice with this in my late teens and early twenties as I forced myself into Rocky Mountain jeans to go out dancing. I've got this!
The C-Section scar is a constant reminder of what my body has done. I may not be able to rock a bikini ever again, but I feel more powerful now than ever before.
Due to the fact that I'm breast feeding, every few hours my boobs are the envy of my teenage self. I no longer have the desire to wear a padded push up bra that digs into my sides; and the cleavage looks more natural.
If I just jiggle my rump a bit in the club (should the opportunity arise to actually go to a club again), I look like a twerking professional! Miley has nothing on me! Who doesn't love a good "I like big butts" rendition when out on the town?
My arms are stronger than they look thanks to carrying the twins around all of the time. Who needs a gym when you can curl babies in car seats?
When I originally thought about this, I had more...I've slept a little since then. I'll have to come back and add to my list as my memory comes back to me.
Thanks for reading!
~Hugs!
Monday, October 27, 2014
Monday, October 6, 2014
Breastfeeding Mom Problems...and a few pros to nursing twins!
1. Taking a shower (on the rare occasion that you can get one) must happen after nursing or pumping if you don't want to waste any of the precious liquid gold. Talk about "crying over spilled milk!" The real challenge is trying to get dressed quickly after a warm shower so that you don't douse the bathroom with every turn!
2. Your entire day is centered around your nursing schedule. Which means (remember, I have twins), that I only have about a two hour window to get things done, like run errands...or breathe. I don't mind the interruption from house work though.
3. Sleeping on your stomach is no longer an option. Ouch! Especially when you become engorged on the rare occasion the babes choose to sleep more than four consecutive hours. Then comes the great debate: Do I get up and pump? Or do I wait it out? (With my luck, while I'm pumping, one of the twins will wake up ready to nurse...)
4. Bras NEVER fit properly. As if they do any way right ladies? I have yet to find "the perfect" nursing bra. I've bought the high end models, the less expensive ones, and everything in between with no luck. Plus, nursing bras are fugly. Yes, that's a word.
5. Leakage is a sure thing. Hopefully it is while at home, and not in a public setting. Nursing pads can only help so much. They also have to be replaced frequently so as to not promote infection. Though I've never experienced mastitis, I've heard it is no walk in the park.
6. Your couch/chair will become splattered with mama milk. A lot of it. Babies like to pull away for various reasons and the squirting will ensue. My daughter gets daily facials this way.
7. It is difficult to find cute tops to wear that are also nursing friendly. Hiking up your shirt is a hassle when trying to juggle a baby (or two) and a cover up when nursing outside of the house or when company is over. I'm not shy, but when necessary and out of respect for others I do make it a private meal. Although when my son is nursing, he does not like to be covered up and tends to pull the cover off and expose me anyway.
8. When a baby cries (even if it is not yours!), your boobs go crazy! The throbbing is agonizing!
9. Unintentionally augmenting one side. When one baby is hungry or the twins are on opposite schedules, I am ALWAYS lopsided. It is not cute. My husband doesn't mind when I'm grossly engorged though... Ha!
10. The big debate about nursing in public: Seriously, have you seen adds for women's underwear and/or lingerie? These images are EVERYWHERE. Young women walk around in skimpy clothing everyday. However, a mom nursing her infant that exposes LESS than most billboards is not okay with most people? Really? This cartoon I found says it all:
2. Your entire day is centered around your nursing schedule. Which means (remember, I have twins), that I only have about a two hour window to get things done, like run errands...or breathe. I don't mind the interruption from house work though.
3. Sleeping on your stomach is no longer an option. Ouch! Especially when you become engorged on the rare occasion the babes choose to sleep more than four consecutive hours. Then comes the great debate: Do I get up and pump? Or do I wait it out? (With my luck, while I'm pumping, one of the twins will wake up ready to nurse...)
4. Bras NEVER fit properly. As if they do any way right ladies? I have yet to find "the perfect" nursing bra. I've bought the high end models, the less expensive ones, and everything in between with no luck. Plus, nursing bras are fugly. Yes, that's a word.
5. Leakage is a sure thing. Hopefully it is while at home, and not in a public setting. Nursing pads can only help so much. They also have to be replaced frequently so as to not promote infection. Though I've never experienced mastitis, I've heard it is no walk in the park.
6. Your couch/chair will become splattered with mama milk. A lot of it. Babies like to pull away for various reasons and the squirting will ensue. My daughter gets daily facials this way.
7. It is difficult to find cute tops to wear that are also nursing friendly. Hiking up your shirt is a hassle when trying to juggle a baby (or two) and a cover up when nursing outside of the house or when company is over. I'm not shy, but when necessary and out of respect for others I do make it a private meal. Although when my son is nursing, he does not like to be covered up and tends to pull the cover off and expose me anyway.
8. When a baby cries (even if it is not yours!), your boobs go crazy! The throbbing is agonizing!
9. Unintentionally augmenting one side. When one baby is hungry or the twins are on opposite schedules, I am ALWAYS lopsided. It is not cute. My husband doesn't mind when I'm grossly engorged though... Ha!
10. The big debate about nursing in public: Seriously, have you seen adds for women's underwear and/or lingerie? These images are EVERYWHERE. Young women walk around in skimpy clothing everyday. However, a mom nursing her infant that exposes LESS than most billboards is not okay with most people? Really? This cartoon I found says it all:
On the plus side:
1. I produce "liquid gold" for my babies.
2. Breastfeeding is said to reduce the risk of breast cancer
3. I'm saving money! Formula is expensive!
4. Breast milk is an all natural way to fight infections in a baby's eyes, ears, and nose! Antibodies. Check!
5. All the sweets I eat are going to someone else's thighs! I'm burning a lot of calories by nursing twins. I think I'll go eat 500 calories worth of cupcakes when I'm done with this blog entry.
6. I have cleavage. Real cleavage not brought on by an expensive push up bra.
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