After finding out I was pregnant I realized that life was going to be getting a lot harder, a lot faster. 3 under 3 is already so life consuming, now doing it pregnant? That’s going to be tough. So, my thought process was to figure out how can I make life as light as possible, so the days are easier, and I am not overextending myself.
Here’s is what is helping right now.
Repeating meals without guilt
If something works and no one complains, it’s staying in rotation. I’m not trying to go all Gordon Ramsey right now. Some days guilt will creep in, but I know it’s not forever.
One anchor routine
We keep one part of the day consistent no matter what. When that stays intact, everything else feels less chaotic. For us, it’s been getting the kids in bed (or at least in their room) by 8:00 then Wesley and I watching a show.
Lower expectations, better moods
Not every day needs to be productive to be good. Some days just need to be survived, and surviving is how it feels right now. Every morning, I have been waking up with the absolute WORST nausea, worse than any of my other 2 pregnancies. (Some say that means it’s a BOY 😊😊😊😊😊😊)
Letting the house look lived in
Not even going to explain this one, LOL. Some nights you just have to go to sleep and worry about it the next day. It’s so easy to be miserable about it, not this time.
Meals on repeat
Like I said, I am not Mrs. Ramsey, and don’t have the bandwidth to be right now.
Here’s what’s on repeat right now:
– Breakfast
Simple eggs, bacon, yogurt or fruit. Sometimes both. Sometimes neither and we call it a win anyway. It’s not Instagram post worthy, but it gets the job done.
– Lunch
Lunch right now is a mix between PB&J, and Dinosaur nuggets/fries combos. The occasional kraft mac & chesse.
– Dinner
A few go-to meals we already know everyone will eat. No new recipes. No stress. Spaghetti and meat sauce, tacos, air fried chicken, etc.
– Snacks
My nausea keeps from eating and literally the ONLY thing that I can hold down right now are popsicles. So that’s the family go - to snack this week.
An honest moment
Pregnancy right now has been super tough. I don’t know if it’s my hormones, or just my mind getting to me, but I have been super anxious, stressed, and just overthinking every little thing.
Most days right now I just am exhausted mentally before the day even starts and then it’s even more frustrating because I can’t do everything I was doing a few weeks ago because I am stuck in my bed or kneeling by a toilet.
It’s a weird tension. Loving this baby already so deeply while also grieving the version of myself that had a little more patience, energy, and control.
My husband, and mom, are helping to remind myself to extend grace to myself. I can rest without guilt. It’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay if my 3 kids aren’t going outside as much (it also is freezing so this one isn’t as hard).
If you are pregnant and feeling this too, you’re not alone and you are not weak. You’re not ungrateful. you’re carrying a lot, in every sense of the word.
I'm here for you.
If you’re reading this while pregnant, or remembering what this season felt like, hit reply and tell me what week you’re in or what’s been hardest lately. I read every response.
This little space means more to me than you know. Thanks for being here with me in it.
Love,
Candace