It’s taken me a while to get any updates written and I think that’s mainly because I don’t want her to grow up too fast. The time is absolutely flying by and she is 3 months old already.. it’s funny, it feels like it was only yesterday that I gave birth to her & was so excited to meet my second daughter but it also feels like she’s been here forever. The way she slots in, is as if she’s always been apart of us. Family life now that we are a four is amazing, I feel complete and can’t imagine my life any other way.
Birth Recovery
We were off to a bit of a slow start, despite absolutely bossing my 38 minute labour stood up with no pain relief (it still shocks me now) I did struggle with recovery. I struggled to walk properly for the first 2 weeks and because my stomach muscles had completely collapsed, I found myself having to hold them up to walk (weirdest thing ever). I couldnt lift anything heavy so found it difficult to carry the carseat. But I did all the right excersises and at 3 months postpartum finally feel like my stomach muscles have become friends again. Yay!
The past 3 months have flown by, it’s as if I blinked and bam here we are. The newborn stage has been a whole rollercoaster of emotions. Being a second time mum I knew what I was doing but it’s not always as easy as that, Isabelle was very chilled out at first in comparison to her big sister and that did shock me but she soon stepped up to the mark. I did struggle with sleep deprivation at first (normal I know) but it was much better than waking up with SPD which I suffered with when pregnant. It still amazes me how my body carried her because if you saw me it really did look like I was going to topple over.
Feeding
We smashed 1 whole month of breastfeeding, then 2 months, and then 3 months but have recently stopped and gone onto formula. I will write a more in depth blog post on this but basically we struggled with breastfeeding at first so turned to using shields, this worked perfectly for us and we were getting on really well but I have spent the first nearly 3 months of Isabelles life glued to the sofa with my boobs out because she wanted feeding all-the-time. It was such hardwork, physically and emotionally so I decided to introduce one bottle of formula per night. As soon as I did this, my supply started to drop and no matter what I did to try and kick start it, it just wasn’t working and we were both getting stressed and tearful. She is now 3 and a half months old and I have made the decision to stop breastfeeding for the sake of my own mental health & for her own wellbeing. It amazes me how much happier we both are now that she is on the formula but I am SO proud of myself for managing to breastfeed her for 3 months whilst also trying my best to be mum to my 2 year old.
Getting out & about
Getting out of the house has been a struggle. We’ve done a few trips out as a family of four, mainly to the shop to get food but it’s still better than nothing and we’ve been to the park and the farm a handful of times. When Rob went back to work I was worried I wouldn’t be able to cope with 2 kids on my own as well as manage a house and a job from home but I’ve done my best at juggling it all and it seems to be (dare I say it) .. finally getting easier. Going out on my own with both girls is still very much a challenge but that’s mainly because I doubt myself alot. I’ve taken the girls out on my own a few times now and it’s getting easier with practice but I do get anxious that they will kick off or that something bad will happen. Its quite difficult to hold the reins of my 2 year old and also push the pram at the same time and even harder when you’re in a shop because my toddler loves to do a runner. We’ve tried a buggy board and it doesn’t work for us, I can’t possibly walk with the pushchair and Alyssia in front of me without falling over. We’ve also tried a double buggy, it’s a side by side and it is really difficult to push, it’s an Obaby Apollo and I don’t rate it at all if I’m being completely honest. I bought it second hand on a wim but unfortunately it doesn’t work as well as I’d like it to. I’m hoping to get a tandem soon as even though Alyssia is nearly 3, she is still only little and struggles to walk long distances so I think it would be handy for the days that I am on my own with the girls so that I can pop to a shop or just go for a walk with them. Alyssia will be starting nursery in January so I will be doing the drop offs with both of them on my own.
Development
Isabelle is growing and developing more and more every day. She is 15 weeks old and was weighed last week at 12lb 5oz bless her. She is very strong with her head and loves tummy time. She’s already trying to pull herself up and sit up which is amazing for someone of her age. She is currently teething, she’s got rosy cheeks and is super dribbly. I can feel her teeth coming through which is completely different to her big sister as Alyssia didn’t get teeth until she was very nearly 1 years old. Isabelle LOVES sensory toys, she has a crinkly octopus and she absolutely loves it. She also really enjoys watching ‘baby sensory’ on YouTube now and again when I need 5 minutes. She is babbling and talking so much now, I love it. She also started to giggle this month which is the cutest thing ever. She’s starting to get the hang of holding things and has very much found her hands – constantly sucking on them. She is also so alert for her age and just loves looking around and getting involved. Her personality is starting to shine through and we all love her and feel so grateful to have her in our lives. She has completed me as a mother and I never thought I would feel that way. 2 girls is more than enough and we are so happy.
Sleeping
Isabelle is still waking a few times a night. I am trying to get her into a routine of going to bed at around 8.30, which means that she wakes up at 2.30 and 5.30 however if she goes to bed at 11 with me (she cat naps in the living room) then she will have a bottle at 11 and then sleep through until 7 which is much better for me. I don’t function well on broken sleep, I’d rather have less haha! I’m hoping she will get into a routine soon but she is still only little so I’ll forgive her haha! She sleeps in a snuzpod crib attached to my bed, and naps in the living room in her shnuggle Moses basket. Both in which are brilliant products and I would definitely reccomend them. She sleeps so much better after a bath which is also another routine that I am trying to get into, we use the shnuggle bath and it is amazing – better than any baby bath or seat we have used before.
Sisterhood
Having two daughters is absolutely incredible and seeing them both together just melts my heart. Their bond is getting stronger and stronger as the days go on and they adore each other. I am so grateful and so thankful that I have 2 girls and that they get to grow up as sisters. They will always have eachother which is lovely.
Isabelle Loves..
Cuddles, warm milk, myhummy whitenoise bear, muslin cloths, holding mamas hand, her sister, her daddy, people in general, the camera, her octopus toy, anything sensory & she loves the outdoors.
We love you SO much Isabelle Eden! ❤🌟
Brilliant post, love you all loads xx