The audio of this was great! I cannot lift anything and I know I should start going to the gym but the idea of injuring myself accidentally by doing it wrong puts me off! Really interesting to read how your relationship to your body has changed with motherhood. P.s. Sid's curls are very cute!
This is so wonderful and so true, although I don’t have kids yet, my brother (who is also called Sid!) and sister in law have 2 year old identical twins. And no one prepares you for the impact there ever growing weight can have on your body!
Rudy is a wonderful name! ☺️
Congratulations to you and Stacy 🎉🫶🏼
This is such a lovely post, thank you so much for sharing it with us. 💛😊
It’s so great to hear that you’re taking care of your body, Sara 🥰 My body always aches just from watching parents carrying their babies so idk how y’all do it 😮💨 hope all is well with your family!
Also, fun merch idea: out of context quotes by Sid [because kids say the darndest things (also I can’t believe how fast Sid is growing up…🥹)]
Good on you for staying fit. And yes, the long carry of a toddler is a huge feat, and you did it! You’re a good mama. Hang in there - to Stacy too! ❤️
She was nursing Sid at the 9:30 club in DC before you went on (Oct 2022, I think)- the set where Tegan had laryngitis. She was a straight rockstar mama bear, and I want to tell her.
Glad I listened to the audio instead of reading. I laughed and almost cried but had to get it together real quick bc I was driving.
I have an 8, almost 9 year old who has always been a little thicker. I held her and carried her until I just couldn’t anymore. Listening to your essay I tried to remember when I last carried her around and I cannot remember 😩😥. Devastating to think about. She is now nearly 100lbs of pure muscle. She’s a competitive soccer player and plays goal keeper. We bring chairs to the games. We don’t have to stand. There are great chairs from gti that rock so just know if soccer is in your future you don’t have to stand haha.
All that to say she still tries to get my to pick her up sometimes. Not to hold her but to help her get something etc. she still likes to ride in the buggy at the stores and she fell out recently bc I physically could not pic her up to get her out. Maybe I need to take on weight training. I’m 44 and nowhere near 11 push ups.
Thanks for sharing and congrats on your health journey and progress. It feels good to feel good.
Oh Sara, I wasn’t prepared to cry over my lunch. I was gifted that book as a new parent nearly 11 years ago, and honestly I would avoid it because of how heartbreakingly accurate it is. And with losing my mom in 2023, it is even more touching 🧡
Thanks for sharing this essay, ad libs and all. Highly relatable! Congrats on your strength training progress! Daily stretches and kettlebell exercises are becoming part of my routine, and with regular massages and use of ice packs, I can still give Rosie piggyback rides LOL Though I still feel a bit lopsided from carrying her on my hip all those years ago.
Ha Rudy said “you’ll finish this recording on MY terms”. I always appreciate the extra side notes with your audio recordings. My mom always says I was an easy baby, no crying, slept well, etc. It makes me feel happy to know I didn’t cause her much trouble, especially since I’ve heard that my twin sister was the opposite. Now that she’s older, taking care of my mom feels only natural.
Weight training was my therapy in high school, the extra muscle providing insulation between the outside world and a body I grew increasingly uncomfortable in. It certainly is strange to feel yourself become familiar again. Deadlifts are a no go for sure, tweaked my back too many times!
Congrats on the new baby! Just popping in to say that, even as "just" an aunt, that book hits me in the gut every time I remember it exists. I don't know of a person who has read it that doesnt react the same. Truly a perfect book. 💜💜
I think it's interesting that Sid thinks you're a boy, it means that he doesn't think body and gender are the same thing, he just need to understand that he should respect your identity. But he will get there, he's a cool kid with great moms.
Oh my gosh, the back pain I can completely relate Sara! I remember walking around with my son, Nova Quin (His middle name is an homage to you two 💚) when he was not even one years old yet, and I could hardly walk around the block without being an intense pain with my back! He’s almost 6 now and he still wants to be carried sometimes. Even though he’s like 45 pounds and… I’ll still do it even though it kills my back lol. But I just think how there’s gonna be one day where he doesn’t ever want to be carried again or he’s gonna be way too big for me to do it so I try to relish in the moments now.
And that was so interesting to hear you talk about your chest because with me? Oh my gosh, I wish I could take my breasts off sometimes because I feel like they get so in the way with my child, mostly when I’m cuddling him, and then he turns and takes his elbow and smashes my chest in between his elbow and the bed. So much fun! Lol.
We have that book, it’s so sweet, definitely a must have for anyone with a child.
Thank you so much for sharing about your experience being a parent, I really appreciate it, especially as a parent myself. 💜
Incredible, Sara. This definitely was the most loose or vulnerable, if you will, you’ve been in audio on here and you did great (❤️). I felt kinda stupid last year during a book club when I was describing one of my favorite scenes from the book we read and how it reminded me of my nephews when they were tiny humans. I started crying on the zoom in front of people I barely knew. Oh well, kids have that effect. Glad you all are seemingly doing well. — oh yeah, glad you’re working out. Our bodies are not the same anymore that’s for sure. Do you all call them “Kettleballs” in Canada?
I never skip the audio! And what a blessing that is.
Obviously that are many sentimental things to say here, and as someone who effed up her shoulder at 33 and now have chronic shoulder pain this very much resonates, but I want to focus on something else -
You are absolutely right that 11 push ups are bonkers. Frankly, in my opinion, at any age, unless you're Chris Hemsworth.
I am not an athletic person by any means, never have been, never will. Becoming a mom, I knew I wanted to be healthy to keep up with my son and I changed my lifestyle to accommodate but the pressures of becoming “fit” didn’t hit until I got my sons diagnosis and realized I may be lifting him for the long run. I still don’t consider myself athletic or in shape but if I find myself easily carrying my now 60lb 9 year old without strain, I consider that a win. I challenge myself more now. I’ll be 34 in 2 months and this is probably the healthiest I’ve been. My son is mobile but limited and I know I will have to keep up. He was 3 when my daughter was born and I was grateful for how my son prepared me for that chapter of parenting. Like you said I was more relaxed and more patient. I never imagined myself to be a parent, I held a lot of mixed emotions at the prospect of becoming a parent but looking back I’m appreciative of the things I’ve learned along this journey and the challenges it’s brought with it.
I’d like to note that my son really loves your music. It’s a staple in our home and oddly enough a go to for my kids. My son is nonverbal, his favorite song is “where does the good go”.
Nice, casual way to drop that you got another kiddo! haha Congratulations :)
Love the stories about how strength training becomes about being able to do shit at our age, rather than the looks and whatnot. Also, how are the cats adapting to their new siblings? I miss the photos of them you used to post :)
I’m very tired so apologies if my response is less than my usual.
Sounds like I need to read ‘I’ll love you forever’.
I think that’s really cool that you decided you needed to be able to carry your kids and started working out. I started working out over covid, I was 13 and at that age where you start to notice your body but scared to go outside, so I do a routine of pushups (both with knees & without), sit ups, and a plank. I do many push ups, which made me feel a bit better when you were talking about all the stuff you do and me thinking ‘shit, I don’t do that’ but then I do a lot, a lot, of pushups. As an autistic person, going places in order to exercise (like gyms) seems counterproductive, I need to be able to motivate myself to do the exercise, which I find a lot easier to do if I can do it in the comfort and safety of my own house. I’m still getting back into my exercise routine, which I had to holt completely in Oct for top surgery, and I’m still building it back up to where I was. For me a big reason I started exercising, as an AFAB, was gender dysphoria, I could look more ‘masculine’ with muscles, I know gender stereotypes are crap but tell that to my gender dysphoria!
Speaking of gender stereotypes that’s very funny that Sid thinks you’re a boy! I remember hearing a similar thing from another queer couple of women with their first kid. I wonder if they grow out of this? I plan to be open about my Nonbinary-ness with my kids from a young age, though I’ll have to try really hard not to get frustrated with them if they disagree with me on that (gender dysphoria). Lucky I’m still far away from these questions but I often wonder what my kids’ll call me, I’ve played around with names (as I don’t wan mum or dad) but I also wonder if I’ll need to tell my kid to refer to me as their dad at school. I used to do this with my grandparents on my mum’s side, who are European and I call them Oma and Opa, but kids would give me weird looks so I learned to just say grandma or grandpa if I was around other kids or people who don’t know me that well. I think for me this came naturally due to autistic masking, but I hope I won’t feel the need to tell my kids to do something similar because of how other kids can be. I guess we’ll see in about 10-15 years or so.
Thanks for sharing Sara! I didn’t mind the background noise, and this is someone with sensory issues including but not limited to noise issues.
The audio of this was great! I cannot lift anything and I know I should start going to the gym but the idea of injuring myself accidentally by doing it wrong puts me off! Really interesting to read how your relationship to your body has changed with motherhood. P.s. Sid's curls are very cute!
This is so wonderful and so true, although I don’t have kids yet, my brother (who is also called Sid!) and sister in law have 2 year old identical twins. And no one prepares you for the impact there ever growing weight can have on your body!
Rudy is a wonderful name! ☺️
Congratulations to you and Stacy 🎉🫶🏼
This is such a lovely post, thank you so much for sharing it with us. 💛😊
It’s so great to hear that you’re taking care of your body, Sara 🥰 My body always aches just from watching parents carrying their babies so idk how y’all do it 😮💨 hope all is well with your family!
Also, fun merch idea: out of context quotes by Sid [because kids say the darndest things (also I can’t believe how fast Sid is growing up…🥹)]
Good on you for staying fit. And yes, the long carry of a toddler is a huge feat, and you did it! You’re a good mama. Hang in there - to Stacy too! ❤️
She was nursing Sid at the 9:30 club in DC before you went on (Oct 2022, I think)- the set where Tegan had laryngitis. She was a straight rockstar mama bear, and I want to tell her.
Glad I listened to the audio instead of reading. I laughed and almost cried but had to get it together real quick bc I was driving.
I have an 8, almost 9 year old who has always been a little thicker. I held her and carried her until I just couldn’t anymore. Listening to your essay I tried to remember when I last carried her around and I cannot remember 😩😥. Devastating to think about. She is now nearly 100lbs of pure muscle. She’s a competitive soccer player and plays goal keeper. We bring chairs to the games. We don’t have to stand. There are great chairs from gti that rock so just know if soccer is in your future you don’t have to stand haha.
All that to say she still tries to get my to pick her up sometimes. Not to hold her but to help her get something etc. she still likes to ride in the buggy at the stores and she fell out recently bc I physically could not pic her up to get her out. Maybe I need to take on weight training. I’m 44 and nowhere near 11 push ups.
Thanks for sharing and congrats on your health journey and progress. It feels good to feel good.
Oh Sara, I wasn’t prepared to cry over my lunch. I was gifted that book as a new parent nearly 11 years ago, and honestly I would avoid it because of how heartbreakingly accurate it is. And with losing my mom in 2023, it is even more touching 🧡
Thanks for sharing this essay, ad libs and all. Highly relatable! Congrats on your strength training progress! Daily stretches and kettlebell exercises are becoming part of my routine, and with regular massages and use of ice packs, I can still give Rosie piggyback rides LOL Though I still feel a bit lopsided from carrying her on my hip all those years ago.
Ha Rudy said “you’ll finish this recording on MY terms”. I always appreciate the extra side notes with your audio recordings. My mom always says I was an easy baby, no crying, slept well, etc. It makes me feel happy to know I didn’t cause her much trouble, especially since I’ve heard that my twin sister was the opposite. Now that she’s older, taking care of my mom feels only natural.
Weight training was my therapy in high school, the extra muscle providing insulation between the outside world and a body I grew increasingly uncomfortable in. It certainly is strange to feel yourself become familiar again. Deadlifts are a no go for sure, tweaked my back too many times!
Congrats on the new baby! Just popping in to say that, even as "just" an aunt, that book hits me in the gut every time I remember it exists. I don't know of a person who has read it that doesnt react the same. Truly a perfect book. 💜💜
I think it's interesting that Sid thinks you're a boy, it means that he doesn't think body and gender are the same thing, he just need to understand that he should respect your identity. But he will get there, he's a cool kid with great moms.
Oh my gosh, the back pain I can completely relate Sara! I remember walking around with my son, Nova Quin (His middle name is an homage to you two 💚) when he was not even one years old yet, and I could hardly walk around the block without being an intense pain with my back! He’s almost 6 now and he still wants to be carried sometimes. Even though he’s like 45 pounds and… I’ll still do it even though it kills my back lol. But I just think how there’s gonna be one day where he doesn’t ever want to be carried again or he’s gonna be way too big for me to do it so I try to relish in the moments now.
And that was so interesting to hear you talk about your chest because with me? Oh my gosh, I wish I could take my breasts off sometimes because I feel like they get so in the way with my child, mostly when I’m cuddling him, and then he turns and takes his elbow and smashes my chest in between his elbow and the bed. So much fun! Lol.
We have that book, it’s so sweet, definitely a must have for anyone with a child.
Thank you so much for sharing about your experience being a parent, I really appreciate it, especially as a parent myself. 💜
Incredible, Sara. This definitely was the most loose or vulnerable, if you will, you’ve been in audio on here and you did great (❤️). I felt kinda stupid last year during a book club when I was describing one of my favorite scenes from the book we read and how it reminded me of my nephews when they were tiny humans. I started crying on the zoom in front of people I barely knew. Oh well, kids have that effect. Glad you all are seemingly doing well. — oh yeah, glad you’re working out. Our bodies are not the same anymore that’s for sure. Do you all call them “Kettleballs” in Canada?
Hello from New Jersey!! I read that book as an adult and as someone who is not normally a crier, I definitely balled my eyes out on that one.
I never skip the audio! And what a blessing that is.
Obviously that are many sentimental things to say here, and as someone who effed up her shoulder at 33 and now have chronic shoulder pain this very much resonates, but I want to focus on something else -
You are absolutely right that 11 push ups are bonkers. Frankly, in my opinion, at any age, unless you're Chris Hemsworth.
I am not an athletic person by any means, never have been, never will. Becoming a mom, I knew I wanted to be healthy to keep up with my son and I changed my lifestyle to accommodate but the pressures of becoming “fit” didn’t hit until I got my sons diagnosis and realized I may be lifting him for the long run. I still don’t consider myself athletic or in shape but if I find myself easily carrying my now 60lb 9 year old without strain, I consider that a win. I challenge myself more now. I’ll be 34 in 2 months and this is probably the healthiest I’ve been. My son is mobile but limited and I know I will have to keep up. He was 3 when my daughter was born and I was grateful for how my son prepared me for that chapter of parenting. Like you said I was more relaxed and more patient. I never imagined myself to be a parent, I held a lot of mixed emotions at the prospect of becoming a parent but looking back I’m appreciative of the things I’ve learned along this journey and the challenges it’s brought with it.
I’d like to note that my son really loves your music. It’s a staple in our home and oddly enough a go to for my kids. My son is nonverbal, his favorite song is “where does the good go”.
Nice, casual way to drop that you got another kiddo! haha Congratulations :)
Love the stories about how strength training becomes about being able to do shit at our age, rather than the looks and whatnot. Also, how are the cats adapting to their new siblings? I miss the photos of them you used to post :)
Oh, she actually mentioned having another kid two blogs ago!
Oooh what! How did I miss that! Thanks! :D
Oh whoops, I just realized that was a paid one, where she first announced it. I literally forget that some posts are subscribers only.
Hey Sara,
Thank you for posting!
I’m very tired so apologies if my response is less than my usual.
Sounds like I need to read ‘I’ll love you forever’.
I think that’s really cool that you decided you needed to be able to carry your kids and started working out. I started working out over covid, I was 13 and at that age where you start to notice your body but scared to go outside, so I do a routine of pushups (both with knees & without), sit ups, and a plank. I do many push ups, which made me feel a bit better when you were talking about all the stuff you do and me thinking ‘shit, I don’t do that’ but then I do a lot, a lot, of pushups. As an autistic person, going places in order to exercise (like gyms) seems counterproductive, I need to be able to motivate myself to do the exercise, which I find a lot easier to do if I can do it in the comfort and safety of my own house. I’m still getting back into my exercise routine, which I had to holt completely in Oct for top surgery, and I’m still building it back up to where I was. For me a big reason I started exercising, as an AFAB, was gender dysphoria, I could look more ‘masculine’ with muscles, I know gender stereotypes are crap but tell that to my gender dysphoria!
Speaking of gender stereotypes that’s very funny that Sid thinks you’re a boy! I remember hearing a similar thing from another queer couple of women with their first kid. I wonder if they grow out of this? I plan to be open about my Nonbinary-ness with my kids from a young age, though I’ll have to try really hard not to get frustrated with them if they disagree with me on that (gender dysphoria). Lucky I’m still far away from these questions but I often wonder what my kids’ll call me, I’ve played around with names (as I don’t wan mum or dad) but I also wonder if I’ll need to tell my kid to refer to me as their dad at school. I used to do this with my grandparents on my mum’s side, who are European and I call them Oma and Opa, but kids would give me weird looks so I learned to just say grandma or grandpa if I was around other kids or people who don’t know me that well. I think for me this came naturally due to autistic masking, but I hope I won’t feel the need to tell my kids to do something similar because of how other kids can be. I guess we’ll see in about 10-15 years or so.
Thanks for sharing Sara! I didn’t mind the background noise, and this is someone with sensory issues including but not limited to noise issues.
Phoenix, he/they, 19, Australia