On the one hand it’s hard to believe we’ve had a new baby for 2.5 weeks, and on the other hand it feels like it’s been a month! Little B isn’t even 3 weeks old yet – he is still so young! Yet being pregnant feels like a very distant memory. I have a post in the works about becoming a mom of two, but until then I wanted to share some of the meals we’ve been eating and my progress on the activity front!
Yummy Meals
We’ve had some dear friends bring us meals, which has been so nice. Not only are we fed for dinner, but I’ve been living off the leftovers for lunches as well.
Turkey enchiladas + chopped salad
Broccoli + cheese + bacon soup
Butternut squash soup + crusty bread
Pie Chest pot pie + salad
Sticks kebobs buffet!
Homemade burgers made from our most recent Butcher Box order with a simple pear spinach salad
Chocolate chip whiskey pie from The Pie Chest
Breakfasts have been the usual rotation of eggs, oatmeal, and smoothies. Plus Great Harvest pancakes for everyone on a Sunday morning!
Baked goods from Albemarle Baking Co!
Sub-Zero Superfoods (a smoothie delivery company) sent me some of their blend-at-home smoothies, and I have been loving them. It’s great to be able to make breakfast with one hand on the days when I’m solo.
This flavor has been my favorite (and that’s an extra large jar!!)
Thomas and I ventured out last week and went to Three Notch’d on a whim for lunch. I was prepared for Birch to wake up at any minute (he was asleep in his car seat) and he slept through the whole lunch!
Pretzel bites
Tiny beer (SO yum!)
Fall pumpkin salad
Activity
I have been slowly easing back into activity. The weather has been really cold and rainy so I haven’t been able to take as many walks as I’d like. But one day we went to ACAC where I walked around the track for 45 minutes! It was weird to be back – I miss that place! I also can’t wait to do sweaty exercise again, but I know I’m not there yet. I also don’t know if I’m going to be putting Birch into KidsZone until after cold + flu season is over, so it might be a while before we get to the gym regularly. I’m trying to figure out a way that I can go without him, like if I can squeeze in a noon workout on Thomas’s lunch break, maybe just once or twice a week for a class and do the rest of my workouts at home or outside on nicer days. I don’t think I’m going to have the energy to go at 5 am or 5 pm. I would also love to have a treadmill at my house for this winter, but I’m not going to buy one for such a short season of life. But that would be so convenient. I should ask around if anyone has one I could borrow (or just rent??) for the winter.
I did go on a long outdoor walk one day when I was getting cabin fever. It was my longest walk yet and it felt great. I am halfway to my 6 week appointment, and I think it’s going to take that long to want to do high intensity exercise again. It’s actually not my energy that is lagging – it’s my pelvic floor (I think!) I can tell I just need to ease in. This is the car seat cover. It’s great for winter! It fits over the seat like a shower cap and does not impact the straps so it’s safe for automobiles too.
My Bod
I’m not putting any pressure on myself to workout right now. In fact, I’m not putting pressure on anything for the first six weeks. These days are the hardest (and sweetest!) and I just do what feels right in the moment, whether that’s a nap or a walk. I’m also just eating intuitively whenever hunger or a craving strikes and letting things settle where they may for now. I’m feeling really good and very much like my old self already and that is what matters most. I feel no rush or desire to fit into old jeans or wear a bikini anytime soon (or ever?!) I don’t even know where my jeans are! I think they’re in a bin in the back of the guest room closet with a sticker that says “do not open until 2019.” I am happy to live in my Align leggings for now : )
We accidentally wore our matching jammies the other night! Thomas dressed B in his and I was simultaneously putting on mine. The fabric is so soft! I like them more now that my body has shrunk a bit more : )
Hope you guys have a great weekend!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
I can’t believe it’s already been two and a half weeks! Seems like you’re enjoying the time 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Amber says
You can totally buy a used treadmill on any of the exchange sites (Facebook/Craigslist) for less than $200 and then sell it in a few months to someone starting their New Years resolutions 😉
That’s what I did last winter and it worked like a charm. Paid and sold for the same price, so I got to use it for free for 6 months!
KathEats says
That’s awesome! I’m going to look into it.
KathEats says
Annndddd I may have just bought one!!! 🙂
Amber says
Nice! Totally worth it when you can’t take baby out in the rain! I’m due 12/17 and totally plan on doing the same thing again this winter. Enjoy!
Amy W says
We did that too!! Well worth it if you can’t get out with baby!!
Lisa says
For your winter workout treadmill plan, I suggest you find one on Craigslist or another similar used item website. Since Thomas has a truck and is so handy, it shouldn’t be a problem to grab it and install it for the winter. Then, you can re- sell the treadmill once you know it’s no longer needed!
KathEats says
I think I just bought one on CL!! Going to see it/pick it up tomorrow. $130 and looks pretty nice. This will make my winter workouts so much easier with a little baby!
Kori says
Kudos to you for focusing on what matters most – your sweet family, bonding with Birch, and living life! You are gorgeous and look healthy. All of your food sounds phenomenal, and as I see from your comments, congrats on snagging a treadmill!
Louise RD says
Good going! Treadmill at the house is a must- (as long as you have a decent spot for it) Nothing worse than being trapped at home when you have an urge to exercise!
Sara says
Hi Kath! Just wanted to say you look absolutely fabulous after 2 weeks! Loving you’re adventures with Baby Birch and excited to watch him grow. You’ve actually have given me some crazy baby fever, that’s for sure! ?
KathEats says
Thank you!!
Chelsea says
I highly recommend pilates for your pelvic floor. It’s great, low intensity exercise and it REALLY helps in that area.
Tracy says
You look so much like your sister in the smoothie pic!
Jeanie says
Baby B is so cute! Those little feet!!
Amelia says
I’m wearing (aka living in!) the Align leggings right now during my third pregnancy. I’ve never worn them during pregnancy before. I’m so curious to hear if they go back to their normal size after being stretched by a pregnant belly.
Good for you for doing exactly what you want to do right now. The 4th trimester is such a special, sacred, hormonal, healing, exhausting, amazing, challenging time! Our bodies have gone through so much and deserve our love and respect.
KathEats says
Mine bounced right back!
Lauren Brennan says
Birch is adorable! And you look fabulous! Happy for you. 🙂
Jamie says
Glad you are doing so well! He is so cute!
Ttrockwood says
When you’re ready for more intense workouts definitely try the Peloton app- there’s a two week free trial and they have tons of great classes for walking, yoga, strength, etc with really awesome instructors.
I’m surprised you’ve already been out to a restaurant with baby birch! Glad it went well but i do worry about public places during cold and flu season, it seems everyone is getting sick! Yay for mini beers :))
Kelly says
Congrats on your new sweet baby! I love those arrow earrings. Where are they from?
KathEats says
Stella and Dot!
Barbara says
What a beautiful child! What a beautiful momma! Congratulations!
Amy W. says
Thanks for just being you! You are so cute and your personality shines through your sweet posts. These days will fly by so soak it up. You guys and Birch are adorable!!