Day 39 - It took 39 days, but finally...

We're nearing the end of the first 40 days... and while I feel like so much has changed (progressed) in terms of adjusting, I also feel like 40 days is not enough. Not that it needs to be, because we will be taking our time to transition well passed these 40 days.

These 40 days were primarily for rest, recovery, and connection. Nurture and nutrition will continue.

Anyways it took 39 days, but...

Marshall is finally happy to sleep next to me

For so long he wanted to sleep on me and elevated. Very understandable for babies to want to sleep on their mothers. The elevated was probably because he had a cold. But little by little he has been okay to sleep next to me and not on me.

This is much better for safe bedsharing because we can sleep in the c-curl which means better sleep for me, but also we can side lie nurse which a lot more rest for me.

A reminder that I am big on safe sleeping - please see the book Safe Infant Sleep by James McKenna. While I believe cosleeping is best for mom and baby, it isn't best for all families and it cannot be done safely in all cases. Please always check and ensure safe sleeping practices.

Another side note - I had this idea that I would be able to write side blog pieces along with these 40 day ones. Like a safe bedsharing one and others... Even with my intense focus on honouring this time, I still have a tendency to have very ambitious ideas of things I want to get done. I will get the side pieces done in coming months.

Update on transition

On that note... Since this time has been for rest and recovery, and a little bit of transitioning - I have decided to continue to share. But not daily after these 40 days. I will share periodically as we transition to a family of 4. With Ian returning to work soon. With me staying home full time with both kids and us still doing all our home stuff (healthy meals from scratch, my DIY projects, and other things), plus I do technically work. I just need to adjust it constantly. I will be sharing about that if you'd like to stay on.

Planning March

I didn't do our calendar for February, because my plan was to stay home and rest (M was born 22 Jan). But for March we go back into social activities, family activities and things to remember.

This useful calendar is on our fridge, but I think it might be time for our family to figure out more productive ways to communicate plans, have lists, and see what we need to remember... I will share what we end up doing. We've tried a few things in the past that didn't last.

Back to March - we will be attending birthday parties and other events. I am feeling a little nervous about the ones that are just me. I definitely don't feel anywhere near ready to venture out with the two kids on my own. I will want to do a few outings with Ian before we do that.

On that note - I moved our 6 week midwife appointment, because it clashed with a work lunch Ian had. I was not feeling up to going by myself just yet.

March is also a big birthday month and I love gifts. It is my love language. So I will be planning and doing gifts this month. Mostly DIY.

Sewing Projects

I have quite a few projects on the go... and lined up. I am still doing the sleeper feet because M upped a size.

I will write up how I do these if you're interested. The middle one I am trying it out where I only removed the toes and overlocked it to prevent it from fraying.

Now Little M has enough sleepers to wear. When I have time and energy I will be sorting out his dresser with what we actually use and donate what we do not. And pack away all the smaller sizes - still not sure how I feel about more kids, but for now I am storing things until we decide. Ian is team more kids...

More projects...

Now that I am no longer pregnant and immediate PP - some of the bra's I made don't fit as well and I need to make the bands smaller. I will altering them to have smaller bands as I find time to unpick.

But also - I want more wool items for my kids.

I have been thrifting wool and felting it, and sewing it into things. I also had a friend give me a bunch of wool items. So I am excited to get back to making wool items. I love wool. Natural, self cleaning, great with moisture and temperature regulation.

I made my mom some sleep socks from a cashmere sweater that are so soft! I still have the arms and I am going to make some pants for Elba.

And I made some mittens for Marshall. When I feel adventurous I will make Marshall a full suit, because I mostly wear him in the carrier and I don't know how best to take him out in the cold when he needs to nurse. I think a wool suit will be great because it won't be too hot in the carrier and will keep him warm for nursing (weather dependent...).

Food & Beverages

We've still been having broth twice a day. Still the same oats and broth for breakfast.

And Ian is back to making me milky cacao with all the good things added. He has been putting it next to the bed so I have something as soon as I wake up. We are testing out some routine things to see if they work - like Ian going to gym in the morning and before he goes he drops off a milky drink for me. And then he attempts to get back before we're all up.

He gives it in the morning, but I only took this after 3pm as you can see

It is important for us to trial and figure things out things like Ian going to gym, because movement is very important to him and if he goes in the morning it sets his day up better, he feels better and then it is better for all of us.

We try to reflect on the healthy things that fill up our cups and find a way to make it work with our lives.

If you've been with me on this journey for many years you may recall that my IG used to predominantly be me in the gym, or me and Ian in the gym, or me in some gym outfit... I feel that on a health and wellness journey many of us start out doing A LOT of exercise. In my case it was also a lot of yoga. I am hoping to prioritize quality movement and strength in the coming months. I like being strong - I am hyper mobile so when I am not strong it is quite uncomfortable for me (relative).

Last food thing - Ian is still making all the food for us. Mostly warm rich stew type meals. We will continue with this for the remainder of winter. In summer we will shift to other summary gelatinous things.

And also we will see who is going to make which meals when Ian goes back to work. Ian used to do our food for years. Then he became ill and I took over food and did it until baby M was born. Now Ian's taken back food... and we will see who will do what in the next weeks.

oh wait - one more food thing. I bought breastfeeding snacks instead of making them. It is a one time thing, but I wanted convenience.

But even my convenience purchased snacks are good. Over time we've become more and more strict with our eating. After Elba I did have some conventional snacks, but we just don't want that. It isn't a restrictive thing for us... It just feels better when we eat in line with our health choices and don't spend money on things we can make ourselves and usually make with better ingredients for cheaper.

Healthy Habits

On the note of health - we're also looking at the habits and general things we do as a family. How we spend our time and how we want to spend it.

I am happy to share that reading fiction books on the kindle is working for less social media for me when nursing and sitting with M.

We are also going for more and more walks.

Just because it feels good, but also in the coming weeks we will return to doing the 5km Parkrun weekly, as well as our nature walks (hikes).

And that is Day 39 - tomorrow is the last day.

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