I am told that most women recover from labor within six weeks of delivery. Lucky ducks! I just had my six week check-up on Friday, and I had the joy of explaining to my dear doctor that I am actually less mobile now than I was the first week after Lydia’s birth. I had been in the habit of taking Lydia for walks around Evanston, and ever since I learned to read while nursing, those walks had become especially delightful. Lydia and I strolled through the stacks of Evanston Public Library while various titles caught our attention. Then I would consult her on what titles to check out before we crossed the street to get groceries and return home. That was our routine, and it provided us with both structure and vitamin D. However, this walk has become increasingly painful. On our last stroll, I practically had to crawl home because the pain was so bad. So now, even if the weather is great and Lydia and I are both dying to get out and about, we do nothing but lie in bed cuddling, napping, and breast feeding in turns. The only breaks in this routine occur when Lydia needs a diaper change. I have not cooked for a long time, and so my meals consist of microwaved cheese on bread with the occasional yogurt cup (that is, if I have time to eat before Lydia realizes she’s alone in bed and starts wailing). Abe has had to fend for himself. I realized that the situation had become dire yesterday during church when Abe whispered that he was hungry and that he needed to run to the car to get a nutrition shake. Within five minutes he was back, smiling and sated. After church I decided to take a look at the shakes that have been powering him through this food-free period, and to my horror, I discovered a giant pack of CVS branded bottles of “Liquid Nutrition” in the trunk of the car. “Liquid Nutrition?” I asked in disbelief. “You’ve been drinking this stuff?” I think nutrition shakes in general sound gross, but at least some of them are better titled! Abe nodded sheepishly. Before I could examine the label, he confessed, “I know it says it’s a nutrition shake, but corn syrup and corn syrup solids are high on the ingredient list…” his voice trailed off. “I used to drink these a lot when I was single,” he added weakly. I sighed. To these new lows my dear husband has sunk. His diet has returned to pre-marital status.