Day 19 - Being better parents & probiotics

I feel so much more energetic and mobile than my first PP. More on that in a moment.

Supplements & Strep B

I have been taking the same supplements everyday, except I added in pearl powder to my coffee (in addition to the oyster powder & collagen), but now I am going to stop my probiotic.

1. Desiccated thyroid - From the Life Giving Store

2. Vit D drops (it is winter in Canada)

3. Organ Blend

4. K2 - Lifebud (I have the capsules & the drops)

5. B Vitamins - Lifebud

6. Probiotic

7. Lactoferrin

I have taken this probiotic for several weeks. In a future pregnancy I will take it from the start, but in this one I started a few weeks before birth because I tested positive for Group B Strep. There is evidence that the specific strains container in this probiotic can "push out" Group B Strep, but it is more likely to work if taken for a long period of time.

That information is not in the book (I read that in a meta-analysis study) but being the information gatherer, intentional decision maker that I am - I did read a whole book about Strep B to better understand. I typically decline quite a few routine things in pregnancy, but I did this one for interest's sake.

The book I linked is good - helpful information about whether to test or not, why some countries do and others don't, what additional risk factors, what actual risk of it, etc. Good to understand to make an informed decision. In my case realistically I don't think anyone thought there would be time for antibiotics even if we wanted to use them. Also, my water broke as Little M was coming out - see my birth details for more.

Anyways - I was happy to bring in this probiotic after chatting to my wise friend Jacqui (women's health coach and intentional parent).

We co-created a course for women that contains a lot of valuable information in an easy to digest (and multiple module for ease of picking and choosing what you want) format.

Okay - back to my point. I am now done with the probiotics. Mostly because I finished the container of them, and because I don't typically take so many supplements. Only in pregnancy, and after, and depending on my food and how I am feeling or other symptoms.

More mobile & trying out a new carrier

If you missed it - I have a Youtube video featuring all the carriers I have. Or see a list here.

Today I am trying out the Ergo Embrace I specifically got for the newborn days, but didn't think I would be using so soon.

I thought I would use the stretch wrap longer (and maybe I will go back to it), but I think with Little M being heavier than Elba was I am already feeling like the stretchy wrap isn't the best. I think something soft, but not as tight might be nice - hence trying out the ergo embrace.

So far, I am really liking it! Easy to use (after watching a video on how to do the newborn fold). Although it is semi structured it is very soft on his body.

And now to try it out at the park.

We are still having the warm (relative) weather so we need to take advantage of it before the cold comes again. I don't quite feel up for walking to the park just yet (the further one that is our usual one, not the one I walked to the other day) - so we drove there.

While it feels very weird to drive to a park that is walking distance - it also feels good to do so. Firstly because I don't think I should walk that far just yet in the name of allowing more healing time. But secondly it helps us practice going places with two, and helps me practice putting Little M in the carrier from the car. While Elba I could use the back seat - now the back seats are taken up by car seats.

P.S. I know I said I was done with underwear, but I did put on for the outing outside, because walking typically results in bleeding. But also - this is very long bleeding for me. Urg.

Don't mind my weird facial expression - it's hard taking selfies trying to capture little M in the carrier but warm and not exposed to the cold and wind (but his face is not covered although it does look it).

General Body update

Still bleeding like I said above, but pretty much only when I walk around or move more than usual. It is fine not wearing underwear (except if plan to walk a lot).

Breast is still sore, but I can feel it is improving and not getting worse. It isn't red, just a painful engorged lump that is going down and becoming less painful.

Today I needed a nap. Only recently I said that the night stuff doesn't exhaust me, but with Little M still having a cold/cough last night I was up a bit more and I am tired today. So napping while Ian naps with Elba and little M naps.

I napped almost daily with Elba when she was little, but I don't feel like I need it as much this time, but also, I do have more things I want to do this time so sometimes a nap doesn't get priority.

AND if I do nap - it can be short (like today) based on how long Little M sleeps. It crossed my mind that I don't know how I will nap when Ian goes back to work... hmmm. cross that bridge later I guess.

Laundry - I did a tiny part of the laundry today! I put some stuff from the washer to the dryer. First time since the day before M was born. How awesome that I went 19 days of not doing laundry (and we cloth diaper so it is a lot).

Digestion - It is okay. Not back to usual regular, but not as bad as my first PP time.

Two kids - some realness

I want to just share how wonderful life is having two kids - because it is. We feel so happy and so grateful... and I need to acknowledge the real.

1 to 2 is quite a challenge.

Some days we are more in the flow and more patient, but most days we have parts of things in the day that one or all of us struggle with. Usually at the end of the day (you know because everyone is a bit tired and we have a lot to do).

What I like to do when it feels like we are struggling a bit is I take time to read one of my parenting books. Not in a way to run to resources, but it feels very calming for me. It reminds me information I may have forgotten in the moment that gives context to how my kid/ kids might be experiencing something, and it gives me ideas of strategies or just reminders of my values. Plus, some wording to share with Ian as we discuss how we want to show up, why we didn't/haven't and what we can do about that.

Today my choice of book was: Cooperative and Connected: Helping children flourish without punishments or rewards by Aletha Solter.

It really helped! Just to bring me back to my values, but also some information I could share and unpack with Ian on our constant journey to being the parents we want to be.

And that is day 19 - thanks for being here as we figure things out.

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Tuna & rice for dinner (made by my mom and frozen from her visit in Dec).