It was a rough three weeks getting used to our new roles, especially for me and my crazy after birth hormones. I am feeling good now (hormonally speaking), the postpartum bleeding has just about stopped and my stitches (from what I can see) are practically healed up.

As you can see from the photo, I am getting good at holding Everly in one hand while doing the internet thing with the other. I am still struggling with the self care while caring for a newborn thing though…

You see I’ve lost about 40lbs in 25 days which brings me very close to having my pre-pregnancy body back. I am attributing that to genetics and the fact that I am breastfeeding. I wont be comfortable loosing much more weight though.

Also, I am having a very hard time finding time and freeing both my hands so I can prepare food to eat. That probably has something to do with my quick weight loss too. We are working on that, it’s just hard to walk away from Everly while she’s fussing.

Yep, she’s still fussing here and there. She’s a great sleeper and a very good baby when she’s not uncomfortable. The problem is she’s still got an immature digestive system (like all newborns) and she doesn’t like pooping or passing gas for whatever reasion.

She’ll fuss and struggle and wont sleep when her tummy hurts, she startles in apparent pain whenever she starts to doze off. I’ve tried eliminating common allergens from my diet (which leaves me starving), we’ve tried digestive enzymes, gas drops, exercises, tummy time, burping and massage. Nothing helps her poop and pass gas without the fussing and struggling. She’s fussing a ton today actually.

The nighttime nursing and exhaustion aren’t even bothering me all that much, it is the fussing that is the worst. Other than the fussing things are going really well.

She’s smiling more and playing mimicking games with us these days. Her red hair is getting pretty long in some areas and she’s getting so big! Almost 11lbs it seems according to our bathroom scale.

In just a few weeks we’ll be heading back to The Farm for Everly’s 6 week checkup and we’ll have an exact weight for her then. I am pretty excited to go back. Pamela, our midwife, is so calming and supportive so we can’t wait to visit with her. We’ll probably stay there a day or two if N can get the time off work. The quiet time together will be a nice bonus too.

In other news we got Gabby, our newest kitty, fixed today (finally) and am so darn glad! Now Boner just needs to be fixed and we’ll have all the pets spayed or neutered. It’s good too, we don’t need anymore madness going on around here. Everly’s fussing is enough.

The post I am back! Almost back to normal that is… appeared first on Updates from Ryder Family Farm.

Remember how I was working with a few different colorguard/ winterguard units back in Flagstaff, AZ that we had to leave behind when we moved all the way to Indiana? Well I always knew something else would come along for me at the right time. We just weren’t really sure when that right time would be.

I had a few local contacts in Indiana and some possibilities to consider before making the big move but ultimately decided to wait on making any commitments until we were in our new city and settled. Offers came and went, possibilities were still out there but after becoming pregnant I just stopped pushing so hard to find a new school to work with.

Gotta take life as it comes and prioritize things right? We tried so hard and waited so long to get pregnant. Holding off on getting another teaching gig wasn’t a big deal to me now that I was expecting. Besides I can’t imagine having to choreograph and teach while pregnant. Talk about exhausting!

So, I’ve rested and Tater has grown. Very soon we’ll be new parents and we can’t wait. We aren’t sure how we’ll adjust or how difficult it will be but we are ready to make the best of it. We welcome the life change with open arms!

Just this last month I’ve been starting to miss teaching and being active though. I thought I should put the feelers out there again since one school year is coming to an end and another is just about to start. Sure I am pregnant and ready to pop but what is the harm in putting the feelers out?

Well I got 2 bites and just committed to a group for the 2009-2010 school year. It all worked out perfectly and sort of seems like it was always meant to be. I am very excited and super pleased.

Obviously I have caring for Tater as my first priority but I am also going to squeeze in a few 3 hour rehersals per week with my new group for the sake of my own sanity and happiness. Yay, I’ll be teaching and being active again.

And with my extra income I’ll build up my cloth diaper stash for Tater. Love it!

The post Getting back to teaching, once Tater is born. appeared first on Updates from Ryder Family Farm.