Yesterday, 11 days postpartum and one day past Linnea's actual due date, I went for a run. Well. I put on my running shoes and I left the house. I traveled 2.6 miles but according to the time it took me to do so, I don't think I can really call it a "run." The first two blocks had me feeling like Rocky and then reality hit a little. A pregnancy, extra weight, 5 weeks of bedrest. Neither my legs nor my lungs were really up for a full-out run so it was a walk/run affair.
I knew it wasn't going to be pretty before I even started out so unlike a normal run gone bad, it was ok. At least I was prepared. And at least I've started because I've got a long way to go.
That stomach, it is soft. It does not resemble much the stomach I had between pregnancies.
The bellybutton looks familiar, though.
Pregnancy really does take some time
Matilda and I were hanging out in her playroom/storage closet yesterday, throwing a plastic scoop of ice cream around and jumping on a giant ant. I glanced up at the photo strips on the wall and noticed this photo:
It was taken at the end of May. I was not feeling great that weekend. I was sure I'd caught a bug. My friends and Niclas had both been bugging me to take a pregnancy test "You are PREGNANT, fool," for a few days. I think mentioning that my child's garlic breath was making me gag was a pretty big tip-off to them if not to me.
For bodily reasons, it just didn't seem possible even though we had actually started trying again that very month. The day following this picture, I finally broke down and wasted money on a box of sticks to pee on. I bought a "buy two get one free" box because who ever, ever needs to pee on just one stick when trying to get pregnant? No one, that's who. No one except, it turns out, me. Turns out, I didn't have a stomach bug. I had a pregnancy, about 7 weeks along. Who knew?
The pregnancy took forever and flew by but looking at this picture it's obvious that pregnancy takes some time. Nearly a year. Because at week 7, Matilda looked like a baby. Now, 2 weeks after the pregnancy is over, she's a kid. There is no baby left in her, not a glimmer.
Comments (3)
I think you look incredible for just having had your second...but those are someone else's words and I know that you won't necessarily believe them. You'll be out there running again in no time. In the meantime you're definitely an inspiration to me, who is still a bit of a chicken 9 months after my first. I guess I'll just have to start and before long that familiar high will take over. Can't wait!!
On a totally separate note, I just wanted to say that although I don't know you from Adam's house cat, from what I've read over the past two years I can gather that you're an incredible mom. You seem so very involved and have been a source of inspiration as I go through the first year with my daughter, in a new town (incredibly small town) where I don't know a soul. Your archives have really kept me going some days. That seems very weird to say to a complete stranger but since it's true, I thought that I'd pass it along.
Posted by Ange Paton | February 19, 2007 9:36 AM
Posted on February 19, 2007 09:36
ange, thanks. you are sweet. you should leave your email address some time.
Posted by atomic | February 19, 2007 10:02 AM
Posted on February 19, 2007 10:02
No problem!
That's weird, I always leave my email address...perhaps I need to check the little box?? I am so not computer savy yet.
I'd love to hear from you. It would be great to chat with another mom. I'm so very close to snatching young moms off the street and making them be my friend!
Posted by Ange Paton | February 23, 2007 1:59 PM
Posted on February 23, 2007 13:59