1 month postpartum

well, unless i get abs of steel in the next few months that i'll definitely want to show off, these will be my last belly pictures for this pregnancy. i still have a nice layer of flubby skin on my low belly, but the bump is pretty much gone. i haven't weighed myself but i know i'm not even close to pre-pregnancy. i have a lot to lose on my arms, hips and thighs and somehow i've got to get rid of the stretchmarks that are everywhere. no lie, i found more after pregnancy and i have no idea how i'll ever wear a bathing suit without scaring people from the beach. with that, here's my 2 week and 1 month postpartum belly shots:

as far as being 1 month past labor, i'm feeling good (aside from exhaustion due to certain newborn's schedule). the first few weeks were difficult to move around, but i've healed quite well. thank goodness for mesh underwear, ice packs, pads, and witch hazel (plus a constant dose of motrin). i've been off those things for the past two weeks and i feel almost back to normal. though for standard tmi purposes, my stitches are still in place. i'll be happy when those melt or absorb or whatever they do...i could go without the direct reminder of how i got them ;)

i'm lucky to have not gotten the baby blues. at least, not yet. i was of course sad about no longer being pregnant, but my baby makes me so happy that i can't possibly get sad over him. yes, i get frustrated when he cries at 4 am and i am tired. i have some self esteem problems over this body i'm left with, but it got me a healthy baby and i am thankful for the work it did. overall, i'd say i'm doing well and feeling pretty good!

after a month of breastfeeding, i finally feel comfortable with it. it wasn't easy. it was painful for the first few days, but i pumped on top of his feedings and have a freezer stash with 100 oz ready when i need it. he can now latch easily and it's no longer painful. i wanted and still want to give up, but i won't. i know the benefits and i do think as he becomes more alert, the bonding will continue. right now i feel like an animal, which, i guess i am. mammals lactate and feed their young - humans aren't special in that regard. i also hate how much i leak. breast pads are annoying and mine are constantly "full". i wash nursing bras and tops almost daily. if i even think of finn my boobs fill up and consequently leak...

so, that's that. i've been a mom for one month and i couldn't be happier with my little family. mr. h3b is an amazing father and watching him (he's wearing the moby and vacuuming as i write this!) with his son makes me so proud and happy. we are a team and i am so lucky.