So, I'm about 1.5 weeks postpartum right now. It's been.. interesting. This leg thing has thrown me for a loop, but I'm adapting pretty quickly. I don't use the walker right now, though I imagine I will here and there for longer trips out. My leg brace is saving my life right now. Well, my sanity. Thank goodness for that, even though it's a pain in the butt (quite literally at times).
The good news is, I was sitting at the dining room table yesterday, eating my lunch. I had the brace half undone, as I need to bend my knee a bit when sitting at our table. I thought to myself, "I'm going to lift my leg up." So I look at my leg and lift it.. and I got my foot up about a foot or so from the floor. I held it there for 5 seconds easily. I put it down and looked over at my husband and half-shouted at him that I just lifted my leg up! He got up to come over and see and this time I took the brace off completely and did it again. Amazing. It didn't drop down like dead weight either, though I had to lower it quickly as the pain from holding it up wasn't feeling too good. I haven't been able to raise it again like that since, but I am pretty sure this is just a reminder that this process is going to be slow. I'll take slow as long as I regain my ability to walk again (without the brace, without hurting my lower back from said brace!).
I still can't talk much about my leg without crying. So, if you know me in real life and try to talk to me about it, well - don't. It's a pretty emotional topic for me. I can talk with hubby, but most anyone else and I just want to cry. I'd be taking it easy either way, yes, but this has limited me quite a bit and that's been very emotional for me. I've been sleeping on the couch since I was discharged from the hospital. Just the idea of strapping the brace on to get up and pump during the night sounds like a royal pain, plus I'd wake my husband (the velcro on the straps is LOUD!). So, I sleep on the couch, then when it's time to pump, I wake and sit up and pump. I don't have to worry about waking anyone and I don't have to strap the brace on a few times a night either. But hubby is starting to ask when I'm going to start sleeping in our bed again, so I think him sleeping alone is bothering him now. I need to figure this out, what is easiest and best, but it's not easy..
As for pumping, I am so so proud of my body! My supply is increasing a bit each and every day so far. At first it was growing by 5 ounces a day, but it's slowed a bit, though I am NOT complaining. Yesterday I pumped 36.85 ounces! I think it's safe to say that that number is above what Sprout is taking in at this point! I'm elated. I'd still like my supply to increase a bit more, as I'd like to get ahead of him by a bit more. I am pumping 9 - 11 times a day. I typically pump for 20 - 35 minutes each time, so geesh - I'm spending just over 4 hours a day pumping?! It doesn't feel like it at least. And I'm finding pumping to be pretty relaxing, so that's nice.
I need to get my first shipment out to Sprout today, though. I am nervous about shipping milk across the country. It can be done, it is done often, and I'm sure things will be fine. I know the ins and outs of how to do this, but handing off my precious milk, which I've been working SO hard for, is slightly stress inducing! :O I'll be sure and take photos later today. I am proud of what I've done. Part of this is due to my supply or lack thereof when I was pumping for my twins. I remember how upset I was then at how poorly my body was doing or that's how I saw it. So, to have a good supply now? Yes, I am excited.
According to my Milk Maid app, I have 5.64 liters or approximately 190 ounces of milk. That's not including what I pumped and gave to the daddies before they left last week, it only includes what's for sure in my freezer right now.
So, all in all things could be worse with the leg, but they aren't and for that I am thankful. When I think about the surgery and everything I was up against, I think what I'm dealing with now is pretty minimal, even though I'd love to have the use of my leg back soon, haha. And the pumping is going great, plus it's been educational for my kiddos. They find it fascinating that I can make this, and it's made for some interesting conversations in our house lately. I like that they are so interested and are comfortable asking questions. The boys seem more interested than my daughter. :)
And for some photos.. because it's my blog and I can put these here and not feel like I'm boasting! :P
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| Some of the freezer stash |
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| One days worth of milk ready to be bagged |
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| One days worth of milk ready to freeze |
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| Love this app! |
AMAZING! :)
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