about 5 minutes after annie and i found out we were going to be pregnant together, she sent me a link about placenta encapsulation. for those of you that have no idea what this is, your reaction right now is pretty much the same as mine was i'm sure... wtf is that? this isn't the exact post, but it was something like this... i read it, and my mind opened.

my post partum experience with wyatt wasn't horrible, but when i look back, it wasn't cray-cray free either. remember this post? i had my crazy moments, and when i thought about having another baby, with another baby, i knew i needed to do whatever i could to set myself up for success. i knew i wouldn't have time for any extra roller coaster rides, and if "eating" my placenta would help with that, then why the hell not? there's a reason your body and mind might take a severe crash/dip around that 4-7 day mark after you give birth. you just released one of the most nutrient rich organs from your body. an organ that has been living inside you and providing nutrition and goodness to your little person and to you. without it, your body is forced to rebalance really quickly. this is hard work - and will obviously cause you to not feel like yourself. i didn't want an extreme case of that this time. reducing the risk was really important to me.

annie and i kept it on our radar and as we got closer to the end of our pregnancies we continued to research it. as i got even closer to my due date, i learned that one of our midwife assistants at eastside did it. knowing that i had someone at the birth center that would just take my placenta away immediately after the birth, and magically turn them into little vitamins for me and return them to me within 24-48 hours sounded like a gift from God. sign me up!

less than 48 hours after summer was born, marja personally delivered my pills to me. my placenta made about 145 pills and she told me to take two, three times a day for the first two weeks and then as needed from there. as needed? what did that mean? well, i will tell you - when you feel like you are going crazy, you pop a couple of these suckers and within 30-45 minutes you instantly feel like you took an upper. i can tell that my milk supply boosts during this time, and so does my mood. they've been insanely good for me. i have felt so much better this go round. less crazy, happier, more balanced, and more energy for my little guy.

worth. every. penny. ($150 for me because i am a client at the birth center - i got a little hook up!)

my milk supply has regulated on it's own relatively easy. it also came in without me really even knowing it. i never had any engorgement issues. this might be because of pills, might be because i only went about 9-10 months not breastfeeding. (i literally got pregnant and quit nursing the same weekend i think.) i feel like i also healed "down there" a lot faster this time than last time. also a bonus when you have a toddler. you want to spend as little time "toddling" after them! i also went to my post partum check up and my uterus was already completely back to it's normal home and it's normal size. (my belly fat - not so much -- in due time!)

some argue that the verdict is still out about this whole thing, but honestly even if it's mental, taking these pills have helped me. even if it has been due to the placebo effect. i'll take it.

so, the short of it is this -- i know it sounds "gross" and "weird" but if my mental state and overall disposition is kinder, more balanced, happier, and better to be around, then i'll encapsulate "gross" and "weird" any day of the week.

dear summer >> 10 days in

dear summer girl,

where do i even start? you are a dream come true. the sweetest girl. the most beautiful daughter. we are beyond lucky, blessed, and all the words synonymous with those. ten days in, my heart has quadrupled in size - for your daddy, your sweet brother, and of course for you.

you've been such a trooper these first few days out of the womb. it's noisy here, i know. you don't have the layers between you and this crazy house anymore, so i am sure it's been a tad overwhelming. we've got the obvious - wyatt, but then the pups, the clangs of thrown cars, uh-oh yells, frustrated toddler screams, dropped sippy cups, etc. you flinch at times, but mostly do your best to roll with the punches - sometimes literally. wyatt loves you already, he just has a tough time showing it. i know you two are going to be the best of friends someday, but right now, i am starting to wish you were born with a helmet.

you are quite the little nurser. wow, how did i get so lucky. i keep telling myself that 1. your brother was a challenge when it came to nursing and 2. my pregnancy with you was not a walk in the park so i must have earned some points there and have redeemed them in the nursing department this go round. you were a natural right from the get go. it's almost as if it was a natural instinct or something. :)

the same can be said for the sleep department. on day three you gave me my first 4 hour stretch. i've had at least a 4-5 hour stretch each night, until last night. i will take it. you are such a great sleeper. i owe you kid. thank you, thank you, thank you!

you look great in green. like, really great. it's your color, girl! of course you look fantastic in pink too, but you were born with this amazingly sweet olive skin. i could eat you. perfect skin, awesome lashes, blue eyes, you name it. perfection. i am of course your mama, and a lot bias.

we swaddle you a lot because you seem to like being burritoed up. you also seem to really like your wrap. another win! this helps a lot being the second kiddo, let me tell you. being arms free with a toddler is pretty much a must.

you seem to really love your crib, which i love because you look so dang cute and small in it. your room is so happy. i love spending time in there each day. i'm glad we went with the pink/white/gold theme. it works for you and your already developing personality!

we had your first ped appointment this week, and you're growing so much. at birth, you were albs 8.5 oz and 21 inches long. at your appointment yesterday, you were 8lbs 10oz and 21.25in long. growing girl! we also had our first family photo shoot this week and you did so awesome. we were so proud of you! 5 hours of picture taking!

it's been the most amazing 10 days. definitely challenging at times, but every day gets easier (mostly) and our love for you just gets bigger and bigger. you are the sweetest little lady. everything about you is yummy. even those mustard poops! :)

its time for you and i to get ready for bed. this consists of a diaper change, a good feeding, and a tight swaddle. here's hoping for at least three hours my love.

sleep tight angel,

your mama loves you.