Mom and Baby Favorites :: 1 Month

Posts like this were so helpful while I was pregnant, so I thought I'd throw together

  a list of my favorite things from the first months. Enjoy!

1. Nursing pads. 
2. Water bottle.  So. Thirsty.
3. Nursing tank.  I have 3 of these and could easily use 2 more. 
4. Energy Bites. I made a ton of these before I was pregnant and put them in the freezer.  They are GREAT for a quick bite when I'm starving-- which is always.
5. Diaper bag.  Cute, good size and has so many great features: changing pad, clutch, bottle holder, wet bag, stroller straps, crossbody strap and easy-clean fabric.  I also appreciate the soft fabric as I can stuff it into any space!
6. (not pictured) Nursing cover. DIY (tutorial here)  This was really easy.  I literally sewed ONE line.  

1. Pottery Barn Hayden Stroller Blanket (no longer available).  This is the perfect size and weight; we use it ALL. THE. TIME.
2. Board Books.  On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman is a great one.
3. Pampers Swaddlers Diapers.  I recommend buying only a few.  We ended up having exactly enough newborn sized diapers-- they didn't last long!
4. Life Factory Bottle. We haven't had too many bottles yet, but I'm so happy with these.  I should also have listed my pump-- it's the insurance-provided Medela Double Pump (similar to Pump-in-Style).
5. Fisher Price Rock 'n Play.  This is great because it is so light we can easily move it from room to room-- even with a sleeping baby in it! I move it from my bedroom to bathroom every morning.
6. Footed Sleepers. This from Gap feels so comfy!
7. Summer Infant Bath.
8. Swaddle blanket. This by Jennifer Ann is my favorite.  I bought it because it is adorable (and it was his first something with his name!), but it has turned out to be my favorite swaddle because its so light and stretchy! 
9. Changing pad (boppy).  Babies are dirty, and I love not having to wash my one and only changing pad cover all the time.  These are so convenient.
10. (not pictured) Burp cloths.  I made about 12 burp cloths over the summer and thought I was going overboard.  I could use 12 more!  They are all over-- house, car, diaper bag, etc.

2014 Resolutions.

Writing your New Year's resolutions in January is not considered late, right?  (Still have a Christmas post to get up here, too... with time...)

2013 was quite the year! My resolutions last year were quite vague, and therefore difficult to measure. I started to think about making a resolution for 2014 (after January 1, mind you), and couldn't quite decide how I wanted them to look.  One benefit of getting this post up so late is that I've been able to take inspiration from other bloggers and their lists, and have stolen some of their ideas.

The Lettered Cottage chose a "word of 2014".  I spent some time thinking about what my "word" would be and BALANCE seems to sum up my goals for this stage of life.  As I begin my life as a mother, I want to be sure that I don't ignore other aspects of my life.  Not only am I a mother, but I am a wife, sister, daughter, friend, teacher, runner (well, I hope I still can run!), and more.  In one word, 2014, I hope to find BALANCE.

Randi wrote this post, which provided a fairly easy prompt for some good goals.

A bad habit I'm going to break:
Checking my phone constantly.  When I'm working, my phone is turned off.  That's 7am until about 4pm.  Now that I am home for a few weeks, I find myself constantly checking... the time, my email, facebook, instagram, texting.  It's gotta stop! I'll need to put it in the other room and only look at it when it DINGS to tell me I have a message.  

A new skill I'd like to learn:
Hm... I feel like I have a LOT to learn about being a mom, and a lot to re-learn about how to be me and a mom.  See above :)

A person I hope to be more like:
I'm copying Randi here, but my husband.  He's great about making everyone feel comfortable and is always up for a good laugh.  He takes life one step at a time and is incredibly loving.

A good deed I'm going to do:
People have been so thoughtful and kind to me and my family throughout my pregnancy (so many wonderful showers!) and since Lucas has been born (dinners and visits and gifts galore!).  I hope to reciprocate that same kindness in some way another to each of those individuals and families this year.  

A place I'd like to visit:
We've briefly talked about taking a vacation to the east coast this summer with friends.  I would love that! We're also toying with the idea of hitting the slopes next fall. 

A book I'd like to read:
Sad to admit, I don't read very often.  Suggestions please?!
 A letter I'm going to write:
Not really a letter, but I am hoping to complete 12 months of updates on Lucas, with weekly pictures!
  
A new food I'd like to try:
Going off track a little here, too, but I'd like to eat "clean" at least breakfast and lunch 5 days each week.  I feel so much better when I stick to good, healthy food!

I'm going to do better at:

Not procrastinating.  If I think of something I need to do, and I have time to do it, I should just do it! Right then.  I know there are times when I can sit around and wait, but I think it would ease my mind in the end if I did more rather than worrying about doing more :)

The following is a somewhat random list (shock!) of other things I'd like to accomplish throughout the next 12 months:

1. Organize and store all photos
2. Unsubscribe from spam emails, blogs I don't read
3. Donate unused clothes and housewares to Goodwill
4. Run 5k (Mother's Day), 8k (Memorial Day) 10k (Fourth of July), 1/2 marathon (Fall)
5. Incorporate strength training weekly
6. Complete a summer bucket list
7. Call far away friends at least 1/week
8. Host a dinner party

Meeting Lucas Neal.

December 10th came and went. As did December 11th, 12th and 13th.  December 14th, 2013 is now the most special day of my entire life.  Everyone says it, but it is so true: I have never loved anything as much as I love my son!  We met Lucas Neal at 9:50am on Saturday, December 14th.  He weighed in at a whopping 9 pounds 2 ounces and was 21 inches long.  We are completely smitten with this new addition to our family.

For those of you interested in his birth story, (birds chirping, yes?)  keep reading (and maybe grab some coffee).  The rest of you, just look at the pictures :)

During the last week of my pregnancy, I was reading any birth story I came across thinking to myself, will mine be like that?  What if ____ happens? How will I know if it's really time?  So for the other anxious pregnant ladies out there, here is one more to make you go crazy.  You're welcome.

40 weeks 2 days

I feel very lucky to have had a healthy, full term pregnancy.  Each week brought with it new feelings of excitement and worry, along with many new aches, pains, kicks and jabs. It goes without saying that the last week was particularly exciting as I knew it could be any moment that we would get to meet our son.  It was also extremely scary as I had NO IDEA what labor would be like.

If you know me, you know I'm a bit of a hypochondriac.  I'd prefer to refer to it as "in tune with my body". :) If I feel a tinge of pain, I'm convinced it's going to be bad.  I sneeze- I have the flu.  A student comes to my desk asking for a pass to the nurse- I write it, and then douse myself in hand sanitizer.  (if they say its their stomach-- forget the pass, RUN!)  That being said, I had many nights and mornings with an ache in my back, or an "off" feeling where I thought "this is it!", only to feel perfectly normal during the day.

Each day I would arrive at school, it seemed like every which way I looked someone was looking at my huge belly saying, "You're STILL here?!".  I left school each day with specific sub plans laid out, hoping to not be back the next morning.  On Friday morning, I woke up at 2am, which I had done MANY nights.  I got up, had a snack, but could not get back to sleep.  My back was so achy.  I finally fell back asleep for about an hour before I went ahead and got ready for school.  Before I left, I told J to keep his phone close.  I wasn't sure I was going to stay the whole day- just feeling "off".

It was freezing rain outside, and Friday the 13th.  It was bound to be a weird day! I walked into school at 6:55am to about 5 students waiting for help.  I was giving a test that day. Luckily, I don't have students until 3rd hour. I knew before school even started that I would be headed home.  I could barely walk normally! Every time I tried to walk "fast", I had to stop for a break.  I wasn't in pain... just uncomfortable.  I quickly did some last minute errands around the school (well "quickly" being relative) before heading to the office to have them call my sub. I was so glad I was able to see her in person and talk her through the plans before I left. All the staff were SO nice as I left.  It was a strange feeling leaving, knowing I wouldn't be back for 3 months! I miss the students and staff already.

J met me at home and I camped out on the couch all day. Contractions were there, but were not painful.  Probably about 15-20 minutes apart. I got ready for my doctor's appointment at 4:00, fully prepared to be admitted to the hospital right then! I was having contractions, and was starting to feel them! She checked me, 1 cm dilated (bummer!). We scheduled an induction for December 18th.

As we headed home, all I could think was, "How am I going to function like this for the next FOUR days?!". By 5:00, the contractions were painful.  By 7:00, they were 8-9 minutes apart.  I lost track of time, but before 8:00 I was begging J to take me to the hospital! My parents came to the house and got our dog. We waited (myself, impatiently!) until about 10pm before heading to the hospital.  I was SO glad I had the car packed.  There was no way I would have been able to function well enough to pack it at that point!

It was not a fun ride, but we made it.  We were checked into triage where they monitored me for an hour and a half before admitting me to labor and delivery.  Time was going SO. SLOWLY. When the nurse walked out and said she'd be back in an hour, I couldn't believe it.  She just strapped me up to monitors and left me in there screaming through contractions every 3-4 minutes! Labor hurts :)  After another, even more painful hour and a half in the new room, I opted for the epidural.  At that point I was 5cm dilated.  After the epidural (about 30 minutes), I was at 9cm.  That was about 2:30am.  The pain was almost immediately gone, and I could THINK! and BREATHE! even SLEEP! It was glorious.  I slept on and off for the next 3 hours as I was not progressing past 9cm.  At one point during that time, there was a brief scare with Lucas's heart rate.  It dropped rapidly and the nurse and doctor rushed in asking me to turn from side to side. His heart rate increased and the doctor told me then that I was about 2 minutes from an emergency C-section! Scary.  They inserted a more precise monitor on Lucas at that time. About 6am I was given Pitocin to speed things along.  At 7:30 I was 10cm, and now had a new doctor and new nurse (LOVED her!).

Around 9:30, the nurse called the doctor to the room for delivery.  Her phone conversation sounded like this: "We're ready for you!... Okay...What should I do?... How long?... What are the options?..." Yeah, I'm a little worried at that point.Turns out the doctor had been called to a C-section.  I was to wait for the on-call mid-wife to arrive in about 15 minutes.  Little drama never hurts? She showed up and moments later I met my son.

Healthy and strong, beautiful. He is perfect and so loved! I'm one lucky mama.

My husband was absolutely incredible throughout this entire experience. He was more patient, loving, comforting, confident and compassionate that I've ever known anyone could be.  He counseled me through each contraction, held my hand, fed me ice, and didn't flinch when I would scream.  His love for me and our family was BEAMING this day.  I know 100% I married the right guy, and 100% that he is the BEST father for our son.  I am beyond proud. How did I get so lucky?

We were blessed to have many visitors throughout our 2-night stay at the hospital.  Family and friends have given my family so much love, and I am forever grateful for that.  

Congrats if you're still reading! :) We have been home about 3 weeks now and are settling into our new life as a family of 3.  Thank you to all of you for your love and support throughout my pregnancy, and as I've ventured into motherhood!
-m

Newborn Photos.

Photos by Allison Corrin Photography.

Nursery:
Rug- IKEA
Curtains- World Market
Crib- Young America Tribute
Glider- Best Chairs Inc., Storytime Collection
Changing Table- Local Consignment
Giraffe- Melissa & Doug
Letters- Hobby Lobby

Hello 2014!

Happy New Year!

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I'm kicking off 2014 in my new role as mom and am just settling into a new routine.  I've been thinking about what I want this little space on the internet to look like as I move forward, and honestly, I still haven't quite figured it out.  Finding time to update the blog is my biggest struggle, but I hope to make documenting my family's life a priority this year.  I'm getting worse with keeping track of papers and photos, so this blog seems to be a great solution to jot down these memories that are fleeting by so fast! "Savoring the Sweet Stuff" will not be short on baby pictures, that is for certain!  Here's a list (yeah, I can't help it) of some ideas I hope to write about this year.

1. Monthly Baby Updates. Wipe the shocked look off of your face.... ;)  I've committed to taking a weekly photo of the new man (thank goodness he was born on a Saturday, I don't think I could manage a week day photo!), and I think a monthly update for the first year should be feasible.

2. Family Events, Travels and Holidays.  Hopefully I'll actually take pictures of this kind of thing this year!

3. Exercise/Fitness Goals.  I'm planning a separate post for my 2014 resolutions, but basically, I want to RUN!

4. Monthly "What I'm Loving Lately" Posts.  For all the material things that I feel the need to blab about.

5. New Closet Additions. I think it'd be fun to see what all I add to my wardrobe over the year... could be scary, but maybe I'll be more aware of what I already have and what I really need if I'm documenting it publicly!  

Here's to a happy, healthy and FUN 2014! Wishing all of you the happiest of New Year's!

-m

40 weeks.

Written December 10th
how far along: 40 weeks.

size of baby: a pumpkin.

maternity clothes: yes... YES.

symptoms: I'm starting to have contractions here and there. Nothing consistent, and nothing too painful. 

exercise: it's about 0 degrees outside this week-- no outdoor activity whatsoever!

cravings/aversions: This is probably not related to pregnancy, but all holiday food sounds good. Peppermint flavored kisses, creme-de-mints, cookies, homeade bread....

movement: He's definitely out off room, but still squirmy.

Sleep: Nope! But it hasn't really bothered me. I figure I'd better get used to this anyway!

gender: oh boy :)

looking forward to: BIRTH!

worries: Still worried about my water breaking while teaching, although I think my students might be even more worried than I am.

milestones:  Due date today! Full term baby- woot woot! If he doesn't come naturally, I'll be induced next Wednesday. 

best moment this week:  This week was generally uneventful. I visited the doctor on Friday afternoon and the routinely took my blood pressure. It wasn't abnormally high, but high for me. I was admitted to triage in the hospital right then for about 3 hours and was sent home after a few lower readings. That was a bit of excitement! We took it easy the rest of the weekend. We even joined the modern world and now have Netflix!

39 weeks

Please excuse the hair and the back-to-work-after-a-break exhaustion look :)

Written December 3rd
how far along: 39 weeks.

size of baby: a watermelon.

maternity clothes: yes... And mostly leggings and boots because, well, they fit.

symptoms: Mostly more of the same with a bigger belly!

exercise: decorating the Christmas tree and cleaning my house about did me in. It's sad.

cravings/aversions: Nothing really, although I'm looking forward to a Jimmy john's sandwich soon after this babe is born.

movement: Yes, although I feel like he's been slowing down a little in the past few days.

Sleep: Eh. Having 5 days off work was wonderful last week! Even though I don't sleep longer than 3 hours, I'm still managing to get plenty on sleep.

gender: oh boy :)

looking forward to: Pretty much everything about meeting our son! Outside of pregnancy, I'm looking forward to dinner with friends this week and general nesting and Xmas prep.

worries: Hm... I'm trying my hardest to not be an anxious freak in this last week and to just enjoy the days and take it one day at a time. I can't say that I'm doing so well, but I am trying!

milestones:  We made it to December 4th (J's last final!) and to my cross-over day with my substitute.

best moment this week:  I loved everything about this holiday week. I had two fabulous Thankgiving gatherings with family, we did all of our Christmas shopping (which might be my favorite chore) ;), picked, chopped down and decorated our Christmas tree and found time for a date night to see Catching Fire. This is and always has been my favorite time of the year!b