Postpartum Vlog: Prairie Moon, Week 11

WHAT WEEK?
11

HOW BIG IS BABY?
11.2lbs

WHAT’S SOMETHING NEW THIS WEEK?
Prairie laughed for the first time today, just a small cackle when I said “oh my goodness” in a high pitched excited voice! Bodhi heard it too. It took me by surprise but it was so distinct and I’ve never heard her so that before. She has also been mimicking us. We will speak to her and she coos back, we copy her and she copies us back. Also when I sing she tries to sing and hold notes too. I actually can’t handle the sweetness. We call her tongue girl because she always smiles with her tongue poking out and is very intrigued by her tongue, which has been the case since her first few minutes on this earth.

MOST CHALLENGING MOMENT?
I feel so time poor! Between Halloween prep, homeschooling, starting my exercise regiment up, Isaacs Bar Mitzvah prep, home redesign responsibilities, content creation for Lovewell and YZM Vlogs I’m a bit spread thin BUT this week we had Forest and Poet start up at their new little RIE private school here in LA. It’s been so sweet and it means we will have some more time to get work done. I feel too guilty spending time on my phone working when the kids are here so at least they’ll be learning and playing in an environment that is so encouraging and supportive. Isaac used to go to this same preschool as did Bodhi so it’s lovely that they’re spending time there too. Bodhi and Prairie are still home with us but two out of five home is much more doable especially since Prairie still sleeps so much and Bodhi is doing online school.

SOMETHING YOU LOVED THIS WEEK?
Halloweeeeen!!! It was so much fun hanging with our friends, getting the kids ready in their costumes and taking them to trick or treat. Our neighbourhood goes all out each year for Halloween and it was particularly special being back in the states again for Halloween, the past two years especially last year during Covid have been a little lacklustre, nothing compares to the American trick or treating experience!

MAMA TIME?
YESSSS!! I’ve been hiking for 70 minutes every day. It’s been wonderful. I take Prairie with me and I listen to one of my favourite podcasts- This is Actually Happening. The view is beautiful up there and whilst it’s quite challenging at periods I have been loving the solo time and feel very productive.

WHAT AM I EATING?
I’ve been trying out intermittent fasting, essentially starting breakfast later in the day around 10:30/11am and finishing dinner by 6:30/7. I’ve been having a cacao, Chai, Reishi, Ayurvedic warming drink health drink each day, 16oz green juice, avocado toasts, butternut squash dips, vegan sushi and vegan pizza. I also have been continuing to down kombuchas!

WHAT’S WORKING?
We got out our little green Forest creatures bouncers from storage which we have used with all the babes. Prairie loves it and the kids enjoy bouncing her in there, talking to her and making her smile. Mark, mum and I have a good system going with the kids and house- I handle bath, teeth, bedtime, general tidying, sorting, schoolwork and schedule. Mark does all the food prep, groceries, dog responsibilities and Isaac school pick ups, drop offs (there are a lot of them!) Mum tackles the washing, the dishes and babysits when we need her to. It’s starting to resemble something like a well oiled machine.

MY BODY?
Feels the best it’s felt since birth! I’ve been working out the past 4 days, every day. I’ve done 3 hikes and did 30 minutes of running the stairs in my house on another day. Between more movement and intermittent fasting (late breakfasts, early dinners) to give my digestive system a break I’m feeling great. I’ve also been starting the day with warm water and lemon.

CHECKING IN?
I feel so happy right now. Prairie is just everything. Mark and I look at her with such disbelief sometimes. She chose us and came in when we least expected it but it’s like she just knew this would be the perfect timing and it really has been. I get to be very present with her because while I’m working every day I am getting so many moments of connection with her.