When I had my first son, born via C-section over two years ago, my husband and I were so shell-shocked by the sleep deprivation and his unbearable colic that we basically sleepwalked through four and a half months, barely hanging on. Recovery was extremely difficult, but I’m not sure how aware of it I was. I was too strung out to notice the roller coaster I was precariously strapped into.

Our second son, born just 13 days ago, presented us with a new perspective. When you have a toddler to care for, you have no choice but to function like a semi-normal human being. Because now you have two lives to look after, in addition to your own. Sleeping while the baby sleeps (as seldom as that happens with the first kid…) is laughable. Self-care goes right out the window. And ordering Thai or Indian food day in and day out isn’t really an option, unless you want your serial picky eater to starve for a few months.

So whether I like it or not, my life postpartum this second time around is in full-swing and I am keenly aware of everything that is occurring – thanks in large part to bottomless cups of coffee and tea.

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