Just Call Me Mama

Welcome to my blog and the inner-workings of my brain. This is my method of coping with my life: the losses, the joys and my struggle back to being a writer. You'll find my most private thoughts as well as my most recent attempts at writing again. Enjoy and feel free to share your thoughts with me.

Friday, August 18, 2006

I hate that I feel down!

Here I am, living such a blessed life and I can't shake this funk.

Maybe it's AF and hormones, maybe it's fear of the change in career... there are so many excuses, but in the end I should be happy. Yet, I sit here on the verge of tears, as I have been for most of the day.

So, I thought I was pg again, but that was clearly not the case as AF showed up as heavy as I can remember. Did I want to be pg? Yes and no. Am I glad I'm not? Yes and no. I'm sad that I'm not though. I looked at my nephew who's almost 2 1/2 and realized that I probably couldn't experience and enjoy everything like R and L have with him if I had a baby so close to having baby J. I want them to be close in age so they can play together and enjoy each other and maybe even like each other, unlike my siblings did with me (and questionably still do with me). However, would I be cheating Jana out of our focus and enjoyment of her milestones and development if we have another one close in age? I just don't know.

The comments about baby J and her "chubbiness" are getting to me. I'm so scared of becoming my mother. I know I have a weight issues that is far from just weight; it's a head issue to me too. I'm so scared of projecting that onto Jana. I know there are worse things in life than being fat, but I sooooo don't wish that for Jana. Everyone comments on how chubby she is and how cute her chubby cheeks are and I'm starting to get sensitive about it. WHY?!?!?!?! I know babies are supposed to be chubby. I know it's a sign of being healthy, but is she too chubby? Unless my mom is correct and I'm making her fat, I don't know why she'd be chubbier than she's supposed to be. I'm breastfeeding. She nurses 4 times a day and eats rice cereal once a day. I never make her finish a bottle or force her to eat if she doesn't want to. However, it's driving me crazy. The worst thing is that I KNOW that if I don't get over this soon, she's going to pick up on my food and weight issues and I'll hate myself for passing that on to her.

I saw a pic of me and have been struggling to deal with it. I'm fat; I've spent most of my life being fat. The only times I wasn't fat was when I was on a diet or anorexic, or a child but being teased by my siblings for being fat. I don't know how J can look at me, let alone touch me. When I look in the mirror, all I see is fat. I'd be happy if I lost 30 lbs (although I think it's now like 35 since I'm sure I've gained weight back lately). I can't do it on my own and right now I feel like I can't do it at all. They gym is back by our old house which is 20 min away (instead of across the street anymore). Jana's schedule conflicts with running, but I think we're starting to get it worked out a bit better now. However, I can't seem to be able to stop myself from eating junk. It's like I buy it or eat it and then think "why did I do that?". I feel like doing something like LA weightloss is going to be the only way I'll lose it. I need that one on one. However, we're never going to be able to afford it. Plus, doing it before #2 is just dumb, however I don't want to go though my whole pregnancy again just looking fat. It's bordering on obsession again and I don't know how to kick this. I have got to get a handle on this before baby J ever can absorb these unhealthy thoughts and habits.

I'm scared shitless about money. I'm quitting my job and starting a new one that will make just over half of what I made before. I'll need to do a bunch of small other side jobs to make up the difference. We sold the house and were supposed to be able to use that money to pay off as much debt as possible, however I let my wonderful husband talk me into buying this monstrocity of a tv for our livingroom. We can't afford that. What the hell were we thinking? We could have made a huge dent into the debt we're not ending up paying off with that money. This is what we do though. We're never going to be able to get out of debt unless we get this under control.

I'm so scared about my job for next year. What if I don't make enough money? What if we get ourselves into a really bad place and can't get out because I left teaching? What if we can't provide for and take care of baby J because we don't have enough money or I have to take on so many extra jobs that she suffers?

Why do I feel like things are so incredibly out of control right now?

I feel like I barely have my feet under me, but am not going anywhere.

I've fought off tears all day. I held baby J until she fell asleep in my arms after waking screaming and stuffy (teething is my only guess). I know I should have put her down and let her fall asleep in her crib, but I couldn't. I couldn't get enough of holding her. I couldn't get enough of smelling her sweetness, feeling the softness of her skin on my cheek, knowing that I was making her feel good and safe by holding her and talking to her - telling her how much I love her and how wonderful she has made my life.

Yet I sit here with tears streaming down my face. I can't shake this feeling.

I sure hope this is just something related to stress, tiredness, and AF. I really don't want to go through all that I did when I was dealing with depression last time.

And here I am with an incredible husband who loves me (and sometimes I question why), a daughter I adore - that I was able to carry and deliver, that is beautiful and sweet and perfect, family that loves me (in their somewhat misguided way), in-laws who I adore, an education, a career that means something, a house, food, etc.

What is wrong with me?!?!?!?!

3 Comments:

Blogger Jess said...

Lindsay, I think the most important thing is that you are aware that you have unhealthy attitudes towards food and weight (as all anorexics have) and that your unhealthy attitudes can affect Jana.

If anything, Jana is on the low end for feedings per day for her age. If she is a chubby, healthy baby that means she is an efficient nurser and she knows just what she needs. Breastfeds babies do not over nurse! It makes me sad to hear that your mom is giving you grief about Jana's weight. That can't be easy but you are her mother and you know what is best. Anytime my mother or MIL give me unwanted opinions or advice about Ella I just smile and tell them that my doctor supports my parenting choices 100% and that a lot must have changes since they raised their own babies. Be confident that you are making good choices and push her negative comments aside!

I am going to repeat here what I put on Sheri's blog. I have struggled for most of my teen and adult life worrying about my physical body and weight. We should all be in awe of the miracle that our bodies produced and be joyous in our maternal lines, sags and padding because the very bottom line is that our bodies give us life, and have gifted us with the most precious gift we will ever receive in our lives. You are a beautiful woman and your body is strong, healthy and lovely.

Please don't be so hard on yourself Linday. :-)

6:35 PM  
Blogger S said...

You know I had a day like this just the other day. Seeing our bodies change so much is hard but Jess is right (as always) Our bodies helped create a life! HOLY SHIT! that is freaking amazing! We should be proud of everything!

As far as Jana and her feedings, she is just fine, in fact, she is gorgeous and beautiful and perfect! Don't listen to other advice (or ass-vice as Shawn calls it) we know what's best for our child.

I hope you have a better day soon!

xoxo

9:29 PM  
Blogger Rhonda said...

Lindsey- We are so in the same place. Would an online weight loss buddy help? I would be willing. It might help us both to not sink deeper into our depressing feelings.

I think it is great that you are able to identify your issues with food and weight. J sounds like she is a heathy, growing, baby. Zach ate much more at that age. Her pictures are adorable. She does not look overweight. She looks like a normal child who will loose her chubbiness once she starts moving.

Again, please email me if you want to try being accountable to each other for weight loss.

6:36 PM  

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