Honestly, where does the time go?!?

Relaxing after work. 

So it has been a while. I cannot say I have been successful in keeping up with this blog. However, I have good reason for it because my life went from calm, peaceful, organized and lovely to well.... not. Of course maternity leave ended and I am back to the grind. Although I have stopped being angst-ridden about going back to work because a) I feel grateful to have a job in the current state of affairs b) I actually LIKE my job which makes it a lot easier to go back and c) I have wonderful family members who take care of my darling boy and will be until at least June when glorious summer vacation will arrive. Being a teacher is probably the closest you can get to being a stay at home mom while still getting paid a full-time salary with benefits and all those practical things. So that being said, things are not as bad or scary as I thought they would be, just really really hectic.

Little Jack is just wonderful. He made my transition easier than ever, being that he loves to sleep and he seems very adaptable to change. He is so interactive and smiley. It is seriously ridiculous how much they change and grow in such a short amount of time. People say that all the time but it really is true. I enjoy the time I spend with him at night more than anything in the world.

This week being April vacation has been fantastic. We got lots of things done around the house that we had been meaning to do for a long time and got to see friends and family which is even more important. Only 8 more weeks until summer, when I will probably pick up writing this blog again more frequently.

the guessing game

What do you need bebe?

Jack is going through a MAJOR growth spurt. This is obvious from the way he looks, but more so by his seemingly insatiable appetite. Last night was the most difficult. After downing four ounces, less than an hour later he was screaming his head off.  I was thinking that this baby could not possibly be hungry already. I absolutely do not want to overfeed him. I have done this, and ended up with a projectile vomit situation, not okay. For a brief moment I thought he could be sick because nothing seemed to make him happy, and finally I resorted to feeding him, and he quickly drank two more ounces. I knew this would be coming, after reading my books and message boards. I'd heard about the "six week growth spurt". It got me thinking about how much parenting is definitely a trial and error thing. You literally have to try so many things in order to figure out what to do or what the problem is. Same thing with baby "gear" (as the baby stores call it). I am so glad I didn't end up getting the $200 Mamroo. Yeah, it looked awesome to me in the store. So awesome in fact, I wished it was big enough for me to try. But Jack doesn't really like his swing that we got him. He will sit in it for a while, but he doesn't really love it. Lately, after about 15 minutes he tends to get fussy and want to be out. Our saving grace has been the Boppy. We feed him with it, he sits in it, falls asleep in it, gives you big smiles when you sit next to him in it, overall it has been our favorite thing. I guess you just don't know what the babe will like or hate. Aside from the "gear", something that I didn't really think would make a big difference but most definitely has, is diaper rash cream. I have tried three different brands, and finally found the absolute best. The first few either smelled weird, had a funny consistency, or didn't seem to work that great. Honestly, when you are changing a baby as many times as you have to, this type of thing makes a big difference. My mom actually found Weleda, and it is amazing. It smells like chamomile and Jack's bum looks perfect! It is all- natural (she bought it at whole foods) and, of course, more expensive. In my mind, anything that makes changing a diaper more enjoyable is worth it to me.

No more elvis baby..

If there was one thing I was convinced that Jack would definitely have once I met him, it was hair. No word of a lie, I had a dream that he was born with thick, curly, dark hair all over his head. Part of my reasoning for this was that 1) I had a ridiculous amount of heartburn every single day of my pregnancy and 2) Paul and I both have (well, mostly me) a lot of hair on our heads. Who knows what color hair or eyes he will actually end up having, but one thing I will always remember and tell Jack when he is older, is that he was born with some serious sideburns. (I was born with a mohawk, and looking a little bit like E.T. when I was born, something my parents always liked to tell me). His little hairline along both sides of his face is one of the cutest things I have ever seen on a baby. Seeing that I have spent most of my waking hours with him since he was born, I didn't notice that these little sideburns have faded. Paul mentioned it to me last night and I couldn't believe that I hadn't seen it. But looking back in pictures, this is definitely the truth. I guess most babies lose their "baby hair" and some end up bald for a while until their "real" hair grows in. I was just sort of sad to see them go..... and I started to get emotional about the fact that he is already close to a month and a half old and that means work is right around the corner..... ugh don't want to go down that road.

Thank you, thank you very much

Where did my hair go?

Anyway, Jack and I have had so much fun over the last week. We went shopping a couple of times, saw friends, family, and had an overnight at my Aunt and Uncle's house over the weekend. They watched him while Paul and I attended a beautiful wedding in Boston. It is amazing how much you appreciate spending alone time with your significant other when the opportunity does not come along as often. It is even more amazing that somewhat "normal" or "mundane" things have become so much more fun. Going out to dinner is now a much bigger treat than ever before. Even though things are dramatically different from life b.c. (before child), they are different in a wonderful way. I feel like a real adult, my concerns have changed and my priorities have changed. Life is different, but somehow, it just seems better.

My love affairs

As I sit here this morning, I am grateful for so many things. The sun is shining. It is March, which means Spring is that much closer. It also means I go back to work this month, but I am (trying) not to think about that now. I am drinking the most perfect and delicious cup of coffee. Paul stayed up with the baby last night and I slept for a glorious amount of time. Apparently, so did Jack. I don't want to jinx it, because anything can change, but for the time being, he is sleeping wonderfully!

YUM. 

Getting back to this coffee.... I know it is off topic but it something that I enjoy very much. I just feel the need to write about it. For many years Paul and I spent so much money getting coffee out. We have gone through at least three drip coffee makers between the two of us, we could never make good coffee at home. We have bought and tried every single brand. It always came out bitter, weak, or just nasty. In college, we used to drive to Middletown to go to our favorite Dunkin' because the one in Newport was not up to par. It also gave us more time to talk and listen to music in the car, so that was the other reason. (I'm getting nostalgic here, watch out!). When I moved to Fall River, where I have to say the Dunkin' workers made the absolute BEST iced coffee, they learned my order because I was a regular (sad, but true) and would give me free coffees from time to time. Although, spending all this money getting coffee to-go is absolutely not practical, and now with our new addition, we need to be more conscious of that. When I was pregnant, the first question I asked the doctor was in regards to the quantity of coffee I was allowed to have. I knew I would cut it down, but I could not cut it out. I tried. Just couldn't do it. Aside from the necessary caffeine boost at 6 am, I truly enjoy it. She said it was absolutely fine to have a cup every day, just not to over-do it. And that is what I did, I cut way down and drank decaf when I could. So, part of the reason I am so happy this AM, is that I made the most delicious pot of french press (how we have gotten away from coffee out) using starbucks house blend. Aside from the drip makers and the keurig (which is good in a pinch, just expensive!) this has been our way of kicking the Dunkin' habit. I still get a yummy iced coffee here and there, I am just going to try and not do it as regularly. And it isn't as good as it used be anyway.

Look at how fast I dropped the baby weight!!  Ha!

My other love affair, which is a new one, is the ultra comfy and convenient Baby Bjorn. Although this post is beginning to sound yuppy, I have to say that we had the best day yesterday toting around Jack in this amazing contraption. First of all, your hands are free, which is awesome. The baby is so close to you that you can feel and hear them breathing. Jack fell immediately to sleep, and seemed so happy, being the little snuggle bug he is.

first milestone!

I have to admit, this past week has been the best since coming home from the hospital: Jack slept wonderfully, there was (hardly) any snow, we had visits from friends, and we went on lots of outings. Things are definitely becoming less scary for Paul and I and we are getting more in the groove of being parents. It also helps that we have an easy-going baby. On top of that, I am feeling much stronger and more confident about bringing him places on my own. It's pretty wild when just a coffee run and trip to the post office feels like a big trip! And the best part of the week, Jack's first social smile! Of course he smiled plenty before this week but it was only when he had gas. So there I sat, in the recliner with my iphone ready to catch the smiles. 

There's a smile...

Can I get one more?

Is that a half smile?

 

There it is!

God I love this kid...

Internet: bad for parenting advice?

Mom, I see you! Get off the computer!

So I am truly part of that generation that looks to the internet every time I have a question. This has never been more true at any time in my life than now. Why? It's easy. You get your answer quickly. The baby has dry skin on his face, I'm googling "what is the best type of baby lotion for baby's face?", the baby's first bottles caused his entire mouth/chin, bib, and neck to be soaked with formula, I'm googling "what is the slowest type of nipple?" (We switched to Dr. Brown, they are the best) You get the picture. This can be a good thing and a VERY bad thing. I think it is very typical of a FTM (first time mom, there is this whole world of acronym lingo in the parenting world: SAHM = stay at home mom, EBF = exclusively breast feeding, LO = Little One, FF = Formula Fed, it is kind of out of control! Just another thing I had to google when I started reading message boards) When I was pregnant I had to stop myself because any little symptom had me running to the computer, when I should have just been listening to the doctors and midwives. Not that my pregnancy was that difficult, but I had a few little bumps along the way and googling my symptoms caused me way more anxiety than if I had not had such infinite access to the internet (iphone didn't help in this situation). I don't want to do the same thing when it comes to Jack because I don't want to get myself overly nervous for no reason. Yes it is easy, and for some questions I will definitely turn to google, but you have to take everything you read on-line with a grain of salt. I have learned to take the time and look it up in one of my many baby books first, and then if it is major concern, call the pediatrician. Being a mother is challenging enough without unnecessary stress! 

Polyhydramnios

we needed these two gorgeous days

What a relief! I think everyone in New England enjoyed the gift mother nature gave us in way of 60 degree  weather. It felt amazing. As I write this, the meteorologist just came on to report that thunder storms are headed our way. In February?! Who cares, at least no snow. We are supposed to get some on Monday. Only a few inches. That's nothing. 

We took Jack for his first walk around the neighborhood yesterday. It was wonderful! He was fast asleep, which also carried over into our trip to whole foods (where I bought fillet of sole for $6 a lb. amazing!) If he is anything like me, any motion, car, train, rocking chair etc. will put him fast asleep. I still pass out on long car rides and wake up feeling so refreshed. If he keeps this up we will be very blessed. I know cars often put babies to sleep, but one of my fears during my pregnancy was that my child would hate the car/car seat and we wouldn't be able to take him places with us. Glad this isn't the case (so far....)

Muah!! xoxo

Aside from this I am just truly trying to enjoy every second that I am still on leave and spending time with my husband and beautiful baby. I love them both so so much. I don't want to waste time complaining about anything because I know the days are so fleeting. 

Home with a newborn in the dead of winter.

My polar bears are very appropriate!!

Okay so perhaps I shouldn't call this the "dead" of winter. Spring training has begun for the Sox so I suppose things are looking up. However, today has not gotten warmer than 30 degrees so it sure feels like spring is far away. Being home with a newborn, especially in those first two weeks where the baby really shouldn't be exposed to the elements, can feel restricting. Having two+ feet of snow on the ground with a major storm during the first week home from the hospital, cabin fever anyone? On top of that I could not drive because of my healing incision. The one time during the first week that Paul and I left the house was to bring the baby to the pediatrician. I could not wait to get home. The roads were icy and treacherous. With a brand new baby in the car, I was an absolute wreck. Lets just say week number three has already been much better. I have ventured out on my own with baby in tow, only to CVS, but its good practice for the both of us! We have had lots of wonderful visitors which made me feel more connected to the outside world. It is amazing that you can have every fun gadget/entertainment device, but nothing makes you feel better than just getting out.  This weather will make us truly appreciate the spring and summer. I cannot wait to bring Jack to all of our favorite outdoor spots. The next three days are looking much better, maybe we can even attempt a walk around the neighborhood.

First Post Since Livejournal!

I have definitely wanted to get into blogging for a while now. I personally enjoy blogs that are centered around one topic/theme, and seeing that I just became a parent, seems the perfect time to document my new life as a momma. And I know there will be plenty to write about. 

So where to begin?! Well, the last three weeks (lets be honest, the last 9 months) have been some of the most exciting, emotional, nerve-wracking, unexpected and wonderful times of my entire life. So lets start with the pregnant months. Back in May when I found out I was expecting I was literally walking on air. My entire pregnancy was truly fantastic. I know people say that all the time, but I am not joking. When you read about the horror stories from other mommas, I kept counting my blessings time and time again: thank you pregnancy gods for not giving me 24/7 nausea, swollen ankles, acne, ridiculous weight gain, insatiable appetite etc. etc. The uncomfortable extent for me was heartburn, which I definitely complained about, but was completely tolerable. There were a few little blips towards the end. I sprained my ankle which was more annoying than actually painful. Pregnancy makes you completely unbalanced to begin with, try using crutches!

39 Weeks Prego

I needed to be induced, which my body completely rejected and I ended up having a c-section. This was something I was very opposed to (part of my "birth plan" which, I have learned, is a really pointless thing to have), but after two days of induction drugs I had just about given up the idea of a regular delivery and actually asked my midwife if I could have a c-section. It was a decision I absolutely do not regret. For one, Jack was 9 pounds and 21 inches long, pretty good size baby! And two, the recovery has not been nearly as painful as I expected it would be. The way I look at it now, I would have been in pain anyway, just in a different place! Going into the operating room may have been one of the scariest moments of my life, but the reward was worth it a million times over. 

Minutes after Jack was born, notice him grabbing on to the stethoscope!

So here we are, tomorrow Jack will be three weeks old. I can't believe it has been three weeks. Parenting is definitely not easy, but I have to say that we have been blessed with a baby that loves to sleep, eat and poop, a lot. In other words, a very healthy newborn.