Tag: new mom life

Week Five Postpartum: The Good, The Bad, and the Milk-Stained

MiriamLeave a comment

Still exhausted, still learning, and somehow still standing (barely).

Five weeks in, and let me tell you—it’s a wild ride. Some days feel like I’m winning at motherhood. Others, like I’m barely holding on by a thread of spit-up and pure willpower.

This week has been a rollercoaster of emotions, surprises, and discoveries about myself and this tiny human who rules my world with an iron grip and an even stronger cry.

1. The Baby Is Growing, and So Is My Patience (Mostly)

My little dictator is definitely growing. He’s a bit stronger, a bit louder, and now he has a few extra expressions that basically say, “Mom, what the heck?”

I’ve noticed he’s developing preferences: certain songs that soothe him, specific ways he likes to be held, and a borderline obsession with my right boob.

And yes, he’s still not a fan of sleep unless it’s on me, preferably with some dramatic sound effects happening nearby to keep things interesting.

2. My Body Is a Constant Surprise Party

Physically, I’m feeling stronger but also aware of all the new “souvenirs” motherhood has gifted me. Stretch marks, a belly that jiggles in mysterious ways, and boobs that could be mistaken for water balloons on a timer.

Some days, my body feels like it’s on my side. Other days, like an unreliable accomplice in the ongoing chaos.

But slowly, I’m learning to appreciate the power of this body — the way it created life and continues to nurture it. Even if it’s covered in milk stains and feels like it belongs to a different person.

3. The Emotional Landscape: More Valleys Than Peaks, But That’s Okay

This week, my emotions felt like a game of “Will She Cry or Laugh Next?” Spoiler: It’s often both within five minutes.

I’ve had moments of pure joy — watching my baby discover his hands, hearing his coos, feeling that tiny heartbeat against mine. And moments of crushing exhaustion and doubt — questioning if I’m doing enough or if I’m even capable.

The postpartum hormones are still raging, and grief for my old life occasionally crashes in. But amidst it all, there’s a growing confidence — a fierce love that outweighs the fear.

4. The Relationship Tango: Still Learning the Steps

My partner and I are figuring out this new dance. Communication has improved, and we’ve developed a kind of shorthand that mostly involves sleep-deprived grunts and hand gestures.

We still haven’t had a proper date night, but we’re finding small ways to connect — a shared cup of coffee, a quick laugh at the ridiculousness of it all, a silent exchange of “you got this” looks during the middle-of-the-night feeds.

It’s not perfect, but it’s real. And it’s ours.

5. Sleep: The Elusive Unicorn

Sleep is still a rare commodity. I’m learning to treasure those stolen 20-minute naps, the moments when the baby sleeps longer than an hour, and the few times I’ve managed to fall asleep while holding him.

There’s a kind of magical exhaustion that comes with motherhood — one that dulls the edges of fatigue just enough to keep you going. But man, I can’t wait for the day when sleep becomes a regular visitor again.

6. Finding Joy in the Tiny Moments

Between the chaos, there are still tiny moments of pure magic. A smile from my baby, a peaceful cuddle, the way he snuggles into my chest like I’m his safe place.

These moments remind me why I’m doing this — why the sleepless nights and emotional rollercoasters are worth it.

Final Thoughts: Week Five — Growing Stronger Every Day

Five weeks postpartum, and I’m still learning what it means to be a mom. There’s no handbook, no map, just a lot of trial, error, and love.

My body is healing, my heart is growing, and my patience is expanding (sometimes).

To all the mamas in Week Five: Keep going. You’re stronger than you think, more capable than you know, and loved more than you can imagine. And if you find yourself covered in milk stains and tears? Welcome to the club. 💪🍼❤️

Week Two Postpartum: The Milk Has Settled, But I Have Not

MiriamLeave a comment

The bleeding continues. So do the tears. And the baby’s side-eye is getting stronger.

I’m officially two weeks postpartum. That’s 14 days of feeding a baby, bleeding profusely, questioning my life choices, and Googling things like “can a newborn smell fear?”

People say the second week is when you start finding your rhythm. And while I wouldn’t say I’ve found a rhythm, I have definitely found the ability to change a diaper with one hand and cry while doing it.

Let’s break down this beautifully messy week, shall we?

1. The Boobs Have Entered Their Diva Era

The milk supply has “regulated,” which I assume is code for: still leaking constantly, but now in a more emotionally manipulative way.

One breast always fills faster. The other is the lazy coworker doing the bare minimum. I’ve developed a personal vendetta against my own chest.

I still haven’t figured out how to nurse in public without exposing 90% of my torso and one stretch-marked side roll. So I mostly stay home. Shirtless. Weeping. Like a hormonal hermit crab.

2. Emotionally Speaking, I’m a Tornado in a Bathrobe

I cried this week because:

  • The baby smiled (gas? love? who knows?)
  • I dropped a cracker and was too tired to pick it up
  • I watched a TikTok where a cat hugged a baby
  • I missed my old self, then felt guilty for missing her

Some moments I feel like the strongest woman alive. Other moments I feel like a damp sock. Postpartum is truly just a game of emotional roulette, where every spin lands on “surprise crying.”

3. My Relationship Is Now 90% Logistics

My partner and I have exchanged 7,000 words this week. 6,942 of those words were “Did you grab the burp cloth?”

We high-five after good burps. We nod solemnly during poop blowouts. We haven’t made eye contact since the baby was born, but we pass each other snacks like loving coworkers in a very dysfunctional startup.

Intimacy? Not even on the horizon. But he did bring me water in the middle of a cluster feed, and honestly, that’s hotter than flowers right now.

4. My Baby Is a Tiny Dictator

This child now rules my household with an iron fist wrapped in a muslin swaddle.

He hates being put down. He demands 24/7 boob access. He naps only when the dishwasher is running, a siren is wailing, and I’m sitting perfectly still with no snacks within reach.

He also smells like heaven, clutches my finger like I’m his whole world, and once sneezed so dramatically I almost called 911. So… I forgive him.

5. What Even Is Time Anymore?

It’s either 3am or 3pm. I don’t know. The days are long and the nights are a Netflix mini-series of me Googling “is this normal?” while the baby breastfeeds for the 40th time.

Showers are scheduled like international travel. My phone is filled with blurry baby photos and half-written text replies that start with “sorry just seeing this!”

Some days I feel like I’m drowning. Other days, I float. Every day, I survive. And that counts.

Final Thoughts: Week Two in the Trenches

Week two postpartum is when the dust starts to settle — just enough for you to realize you’re still standing in the middle of a storm.

Your body is still healing. Your baby is still learning how to be alive. And you? You’re doing the impossible: showing up, every minute, every hour, with cracked nipples, swollen emotions, and a love so fierce it could knock you off your feet.

You’re not failing. You’re just becoming. Becoming a mother. Becoming yourself again, only different. Stronger. Wilder. Softer. More real than ever.

To all the mamas in Week Two: You’ve got this. You’re doing better than you think. And if no one’s told you today — your hair looks kind of amazing in that messy bun, and yes, that spit-up stain does make you look edgy.

See you next week. Probably in pajamas. Definitely holding coffee. ☕🍼💛