August 6, 2020
I have officially been back to work and off of maternity leave for almost two whole months now. That is beyond crazy to me to think or even say. My sweet babe has grown so much in the last few months and I have too. I am learning (and I don’t think I will ever stop) on trying to balance being a wife, business owner, mama, and friend. AND balancing all of those things on top of Covid-19, but let’s face it that is our current reality.
I will say this…having a become a first-time mom during a worldwide pandemic was not what I had in mind. BUT (and I love this but) God knew. He completely knew this would be happening at the same time and I would say that He used it to teach me a lot. It was such a humbling experience to truly rely on Him for all of the unknown. And for this type A kind-of-gal, it was hard but truly soul-changing. He taught me so much about my marriage with Jake – how we should and can rely on each other fully – how to communicate – and how to work together as a team even better.
So I thought I would take this blog post (along with a few others) to share how I am feeling, what life is like now with sweet Teddy, and how that all flows together into being an entrepreneur.
OUR LIFE CURRENTLY
Theodore is now 18 weeks old (HOW?!) and just passed his four-month birthday. Life with him now feels normal, I would say, and it truly is so fun to see his personality come to light! I am now considered outside of the postpartum, fourth trimester, circle. And it is odd because I still have so many feelings, emotions, and I know I am still healing. BUT in saying that, I can see how much I am progressing and improving from that first day of being postpartum. My goal is to work out at least three days a week and I do that right in the morning while Jake watches Theo. It just helps me get it done, I feel stronger, and I know I feel so much better doing it. Plus Theo is 18lbs so this mama needs to lift weights to help me be strong to hold him – ha!
POSTPARTUM LIFE/MY FEELINGS
I think the hardest thing about postpartum life was how isolated we felt from so many loved ones. Giving birth where I couldn’t have my mom photograph it (even at four in the morning) or any of the grandparents come and meet him, it was hard. Not seeing a lot of our church family (even not going to church for so long after) felt isolating. And the worst part was that I felt like I had nothing else outside of the house to do. You’re already so out of your comfort zone with a newborn (and sleep-deprived) that you just want something normal.
While cooking and baking were nice, the only thing I could find was a local garden market close to my house that I would basically live at constantly. It was also so helpful for friends and family to bring us food and pray for us. I think I never felt prayed for like I did during that season and it was so life-giving to me and J.
I know if J and I have another little one that his/her birth will be totally opposite from Theodore’s birth.
A LITTLE TEDDY UPDATE
Theodore now sleeps roughly 11-12 hours a night with two solid naps and a third not-so-great nap. He is starting to eat “solids” now which is such fun! And he is amazing at his head control and sitting up! Because he sleeps so well I have been working on getting back into my morning routine, which I loved before having a baby boy. I haven’t mastered getting up with lots of time before him, but just enough to wake up and smell the coffee brewing.
My goal in the next few months is to wake up at least thirty minutes ahead of him to devote to drinking coffee and reading my bible. (Mamas, any tips??). I currently have been using the time after he goes to bed to refuel, but I am such a morning person that I need that time in the morning. But no matter what I am just thankful he is such a great sleeper!
BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR
As I said, Teddy’s first two naps are great so that is when this mama hustles with work. I try to, the night before, set the three goals that I can accomplish for the next day. And that has been extremely helpful to do every day! I even include some of my house tasks on there because (one) I need to check it off and (two) it helps me remember what is important to do. #mamabrain And I do those household choirs while he is awake because it gives me a break, I normally chat with Michelle if not going to the M&SHQ, and I can do all of those things so when he sleeps I work!
There is one thing that motherhood has taught me and that is being strong in my faith, communication with my husband, and that I will pretty much weep happy tears at everything. I wouldn’t change this for anything.
On our Instagram, I did a post asking you if you would be interested in me sharing my favorite things so far for a baby, and you said yes, so I will be doing that soon!! I just figure that it was probably too much to post in ONE blog post so keep your eyes out for that! 🙂 Comment below with other motherhood topics you would want me to cover in a future article on the blog!
We currently are still booking for 2020 & now booking weddings for 2021! Contact us here today to have us all chat about your wedding photography dreams!
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