This week Paisley will turn ONE month old! We are very excited because she weighed in yesterday at 6 lbs. 9 oz. and we're hoping in the next couple of days she reaches 7 lbs. (She's gained 2 lbs since leaving the hospital.) It's amazing the things that "preemie moms" get excited about. I have so many other friends who's babies were even smaller than Paisley, so I'm sure they loved hitting weight milestones just like us!! Every baby is different and right now we are dealing with our little peanut being constipated, and having a hard time going to the bathroom. Poor thing, breaks my heart hearing her cry because I know it must be painful, it's what happened to me while I was in the hospital! Anyway, this post is really geared towards random facts that I myself have come up with when thinking about being a new mom. Maybe some of you can relate to them!
1. Mom's worry. They worry about everything. Eating, sleeping, pooping, crying, spitting up, swaddling correctly, the list just goes on and on.
2. Dad's response to Mom's worrying: "It's gonna be fine." - Drives me crazy, but then again I'm pretty sure that's how God made us. Mom worries, Dad is calm. That's why we balance each other out.
3. 9 months of no "period cramping" makes you really forget how BAD the cramps really are! Hence, woke up at 3 a.m. this morning in horrible pain, having to take Midol and use a heating pad for them to subside. I have NOT missed this cramping...and now have to look forward to it on a monthly basis. UGH!
4. Naps are probably the best thing everrr!! Even if the naps are 30 minutes long, preferably I would like them to be 2 hours, but I'll take what I can get.
5. After waking up from a nap as a Mom, I'm a lot more exhausted and cranky. I feel like I'm a kid being woken up on the wrong side of the bed!
6. Mom's are the planners, the organizers, and "lay everything out" people! I tend to be the one that prepares the bottles and formula containers, have the diaper bag restocked daily, lay out diapers and wipes when we need them, do Paisley's laundry, and organize our days and plan things on the calendar.
7. The best thing my husband does for me...Lets me sleep!! I will plan, organize, and lay stuff out as long as he continues to let me get my sleep. We really do make a good team!! My husband calls me "super-mom" so that makes me feel like I'm doing something right!
8. Parenting should really come with a manual! Some days I have no idea if I'm doing it "right!" I ask all my friends with babies/children questions and I'm sure they get sick of me, but thankfully they help me out a lot!
9. Every baby is different and reading Google won't help much since that information is "general statements." Some parents on the baby centers come across as their child is just the best thing ever and sleeps through the night at 3 weeks and does this and that and gains all this weight, etc. etc. Again, I can't compare Paisley to those kids...because again, every baby is different!
10. Being a new parent can take a small toll on the husband and wife relationship. As much as Jaris and I try and continue having a strong marriage (which I think we still do), being a new parent is exhausting. If anyone says it's not...there lying! And the exhaustion and tiredness and worry take it's toll on the two of us. We continue to try and stay strong together and our open communication is what is key to what keeps us strong.
11. If anyone offers you help...take it!! In the beginning I felt bad for asking or taking for that matter, but now I know people want to help, and they do enjoy it...so take it!
12. It's amazing that before I had Paisley, I totally envisioned having 2 kids. Now...I'm ok with just her! Lol!! Everyone says your feelings will change when the time comes in about 2 years, so we will see...but for now, I am happy with just having her and only her! I can't imagine those Mom's out there with 4, 5, even 8 kids!! More power to you ladies!!
13. I'm in for a RUDE awakening when school starts. I need to get myself on a schedule of going to bed early and preparing myself to "back to school mode." It's going to be difficult to say the least.
14. I miss working out. Thinking about all the work that goes into being a Mom, I can see how "working out" takes a back seat. I haven't gotten the ok from doctor yet to really start getting back to working out, but when I do I hope I find the motivation I need to get back in the swing of things.
15. Now that I'm not pregnant, I really need to stop eating like I am! LOL! It's really easy to just eat crappy fast food because there isn't much time from being so tired or taking care of babes...so to help myself, I need to get to eating better! Watermelon not ice cream. Carrots not chips. :)
Again, these are just a few random facts/thoughts that I've come up with from being a mom for the last 4 weeks. I can't believe 4 weeks has passed, but I really look forward to Paisley getting on a routine and gaining weight and getting big!! I love her to pieces, and when she lays on my chest and falls asleep it just reassures the love and care I have for her. Jaris and I couldn't be happier, and we will continue to love on our little peanut as she grows!! Xoxo
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Day by day
It's been over a week since I last blogged, main reason being now I'm not having to be "cooped" up in the house and can actually get out of the house and be mobile.
Whats happened in the last week you ask...well several things. First we celebrated my brother's birthday at Benihanna on the 3rd and we took Miss P with us and she did amazing. That was the night of the first haboob and thankfully we were inside and not out driving in it. I'm sure I would have been a hot mess if we were driving in it and we had Pais inside the car. I keep telling myself, baby steps...I will get over these things little by little. The next day we celebrated 4th of July over at my other brother's house. It was a lot of fun, and Pais did great. I dressed her up in a cute Fourth of July outfit and she looked adorable. She was sound asleep the whole time the fireworks were going off, and that made the night so much easier!
Two days later I celebrated my 30th birthday!! Can you believe...30 years old?! So many people asked how I felt about it, and to be honest a part of me was a little sad and depressed! Lol. I mean I can't say that I'm in my 20's anymore, and now I'm 30! Everyone says that 30's really are great and I shouldn't look at it as it being a bad time in my life, but as a new chapter! The night of my birthday we went to Shula's Steakhouse and it was delicious. We took P with us there as well and she did great. I have to admit, taking her out places and to dinners right now is so easy! All she does is sleep and eat! Some people think we are crazy to take her out, or that we are taking her out when she's too little, but honestly, she does great and it doesn't bother her in the slightest, so I say we keep doing what we're doing. :) As for celebrating my birthday, we did just that last night. My parents came over and watched P so that Jaris and I could go out with some family and friends. It was nice to get out and act like an adult again and have a good time.
Jaris and I really vowed to do a good job in not allowing "baby talk" to take over our conversations. We have an amazing guest pastor that comes to our church - Ted Cunningham - who talks about the importance of not having a "kid centered home." Jaris and I take his messages very seriously, and have decided we must put God first, then spouse, then kids. We love our little peanut so much but know that our relationship as a married couple is very important to continue to stay strong. Working together as a team as parents is so important (as many of you probably already know this) but I can see the communication with one another is so vital to a healthy marriage. Then again, I've only had a child for 3+ weeks and have only been married less than 2 years...but this is what I've come to terms with so far. I'm sure we'll have many ups and downs along the way, but I truly believe if you keep God first, then your spouse, and then your children, it makes for a great combination of Love!
As for our little peanut, she is growing by the days!! It's so comforting to hear when people come to visit that she has gotten bigger and is starting to get some meat on her bones! :) We go next week for another weight check and I really think she'll be close to 6 lbs! I know for some of you that is still so tiny to think about, but to us, it will be such a huge milestone! It's hard for me to see babies being born at 7, 8, even 9 lbs. when I know that Paisley still has another few weeks before she even gets there. We are still so thankful that she came out a healthy baby girl! It's hard for me though because things happen and I get concerned like "Is this normal?" For example...she spits up! I know babies spit up, but when it's your own, you get worried. Another one, she has a red rash on her head, sometimes it's there, sometimes it's not. Again, I get worried. She has a widow's peak! Everyone says once her hair grows in she'll be fine, but I'm worried because I don't want anyone making fun of my little girl. All these things are just more reasons to make me realize that I'm a Mom now and that it's normal to worry. Everyone says I will worry for the next 30+ years of her life. Probably true. She just barely started fitting into newborn clothes, and those are still a little baggy on her. She was wearing preemie outfits this entire time, so again, big milestones for her to move up to newborn onesies!
As for Jaris and I...we are starting to get the hang of this parenting thing. I'm sure we have SOOOO much more to learn, but we're trying. We love having our little girl (I couldn't imagine having a boy now, even though that's what I wanted first) and she makes us smile each and every day! It breaks our heart when she cries, but we are trying to stay strong and know that sometimes it's good for her to get a good cry out. All she does really is sleep, eat, and potty. Jaris and I have a good schedule with her sleeping and feedings throughout the night, and it really works for us! Again, I love having him for a husband and father because he really wants what's best for P and for me. He wants me to get as much sleep as possible, because he can function better on shorter hours of sleep, where it's a little more difficult for me! But again, we're a good team, and I'm thankful for that!!
We will continue going through the summer until I go back to work August 1st. I'm scared to go back, but know it may be good for me to get back in the swing of things. I could never be a stay at home Mom, I think I would go bananas! I love being home and getting things done around the house and spending time with P, but I need routine and I need to be social with others...it's just my personality. World Cup is also coming to an end, and I thank the Lord that it was on this entire summer, because it truly was my saving grace!! I watched it all the time in the hospital, and at home, so it was so nice to have it playing constantly. I have no idea what I'll watch once this is over, besides the Bachelorette of course. :) We will continue loving on our little Peanut, and we can't believe that next week she will be ONE MONTH old!! Where in the world has time gone, I can't believe a month has already passed. There are some days that I think the days are dragging on, and then there are other days that fly by. I just can't wait to see her get bigger, and older, and see her hit all the different milestones of a newborn! Thank you again to everyone that continues to love on our family and show their support. We are truly blessed with such amazing family and friends! Xoxo.
Whats happened in the last week you ask...well several things. First we celebrated my brother's birthday at Benihanna on the 3rd and we took Miss P with us and she did amazing. That was the night of the first haboob and thankfully we were inside and not out driving in it. I'm sure I would have been a hot mess if we were driving in it and we had Pais inside the car. I keep telling myself, baby steps...I will get over these things little by little. The next day we celebrated 4th of July over at my other brother's house. It was a lot of fun, and Pais did great. I dressed her up in a cute Fourth of July outfit and she looked adorable. She was sound asleep the whole time the fireworks were going off, and that made the night so much easier!
Two days later I celebrated my 30th birthday!! Can you believe...30 years old?! So many people asked how I felt about it, and to be honest a part of me was a little sad and depressed! Lol. I mean I can't say that I'm in my 20's anymore, and now I'm 30! Everyone says that 30's really are great and I shouldn't look at it as it being a bad time in my life, but as a new chapter! The night of my birthday we went to Shula's Steakhouse and it was delicious. We took P with us there as well and she did great. I have to admit, taking her out places and to dinners right now is so easy! All she does is sleep and eat! Some people think we are crazy to take her out, or that we are taking her out when she's too little, but honestly, she does great and it doesn't bother her in the slightest, so I say we keep doing what we're doing. :) As for celebrating my birthday, we did just that last night. My parents came over and watched P so that Jaris and I could go out with some family and friends. It was nice to get out and act like an adult again and have a good time.
Jaris and I really vowed to do a good job in not allowing "baby talk" to take over our conversations. We have an amazing guest pastor that comes to our church - Ted Cunningham - who talks about the importance of not having a "kid centered home." Jaris and I take his messages very seriously, and have decided we must put God first, then spouse, then kids. We love our little peanut so much but know that our relationship as a married couple is very important to continue to stay strong. Working together as a team as parents is so important (as many of you probably already know this) but I can see the communication with one another is so vital to a healthy marriage. Then again, I've only had a child for 3+ weeks and have only been married less than 2 years...but this is what I've come to terms with so far. I'm sure we'll have many ups and downs along the way, but I truly believe if you keep God first, then your spouse, and then your children, it makes for a great combination of Love!
As for our little peanut, she is growing by the days!! It's so comforting to hear when people come to visit that she has gotten bigger and is starting to get some meat on her bones! :) We go next week for another weight check and I really think she'll be close to 6 lbs! I know for some of you that is still so tiny to think about, but to us, it will be such a huge milestone! It's hard for me to see babies being born at 7, 8, even 9 lbs. when I know that Paisley still has another few weeks before she even gets there. We are still so thankful that she came out a healthy baby girl! It's hard for me though because things happen and I get concerned like "Is this normal?" For example...she spits up! I know babies spit up, but when it's your own, you get worried. Another one, she has a red rash on her head, sometimes it's there, sometimes it's not. Again, I get worried. She has a widow's peak! Everyone says once her hair grows in she'll be fine, but I'm worried because I don't want anyone making fun of my little girl. All these things are just more reasons to make me realize that I'm a Mom now and that it's normal to worry. Everyone says I will worry for the next 30+ years of her life. Probably true. She just barely started fitting into newborn clothes, and those are still a little baggy on her. She was wearing preemie outfits this entire time, so again, big milestones for her to move up to newborn onesies!
As for Jaris and I...we are starting to get the hang of this parenting thing. I'm sure we have SOOOO much more to learn, but we're trying. We love having our little girl (I couldn't imagine having a boy now, even though that's what I wanted first) and she makes us smile each and every day! It breaks our heart when she cries, but we are trying to stay strong and know that sometimes it's good for her to get a good cry out. All she does really is sleep, eat, and potty. Jaris and I have a good schedule with her sleeping and feedings throughout the night, and it really works for us! Again, I love having him for a husband and father because he really wants what's best for P and for me. He wants me to get as much sleep as possible, because he can function better on shorter hours of sleep, where it's a little more difficult for me! But again, we're a good team, and I'm thankful for that!!
We will continue going through the summer until I go back to work August 1st. I'm scared to go back, but know it may be good for me to get back in the swing of things. I could never be a stay at home Mom, I think I would go bananas! I love being home and getting things done around the house and spending time with P, but I need routine and I need to be social with others...it's just my personality. World Cup is also coming to an end, and I thank the Lord that it was on this entire summer, because it truly was my saving grace!! I watched it all the time in the hospital, and at home, so it was so nice to have it playing constantly. I have no idea what I'll watch once this is over, besides the Bachelorette of course. :) We will continue loving on our little Peanut, and we can't believe that next week she will be ONE MONTH old!! Where in the world has time gone, I can't believe a month has already passed. There are some days that I think the days are dragging on, and then there are other days that fly by. I just can't wait to see her get bigger, and older, and see her hit all the different milestones of a newborn! Thank you again to everyone that continues to love on our family and show their support. We are truly blessed with such amazing family and friends! Xoxo.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Sleep? What's that...
Today marks 2 weeks since Baby P has been born. I can't believe 2 weeks have passed. I mean I can, but I can't. There are some days that seem to last forever, and there are other days that seem to go by so fast. Jaris went back to work last week, so therefore that has left me home to take care of Pais. (I could never be a stay at home Mom, just not my cup of tea!) My parents have been quite amazing through it all. They have come over several times to just hang out with me, bring me dinner, take me to Costco, and help with P. It has been a lifesaver. I never realized how much I should be appreciating my parents until they have helped me out with being a new Mom.
As for the title...pretty much sums up the last 2 weeks. Sleep!? What's that? It's so hard because everyone tells us, NAP when she naps! Easier said than done! I try to nap when she naps, but it is very minimal. There are so many things to get done around the house and then of course World Cup is on so I decide to stay up and watch that. (So bummed about the USA Team losing today, such a heart-breaker) As for how the nights are going, we have to feed P every 3 hours, which means sometimes we have to wake her up, while other times she is up ready to eat. She definitely has her days and nights mixed up I think because she is a fussy pants from about 2 am-5 am in which Jaris and I take turns getting up, feeding her, swaddling her again, or just rubbing her back. After Jaris feeds her at about 7 am, that's when we tend to get the most sleep! :) We try to sleep until 9 or 10 which seems crazy but never feels better. The positive about all this waking up and feeding though...we took her to the doctor today and in one week she gained 9 ounces! Mommy and Daddy were thrilled to say the least! Out of the hospital she weighed 4 lbs 9 oz, and now two weeks later she is 5 lbs. 5 oz. I prayed that when she was born she would be over 5 lbs, and unfortunately she was ONE ounce shy of it. But now, I just see her growing day by day and that truly makes me happy knowing we're doing what's best for her.
Today also marks two weeks since I had my c-section which means that I was able to start driving today! Still very nervous to drive, especially with her in the backseat. I am looking for a mirror to place in the back so that I can feel a little more at ease with having her back there by herself. My incision is healing very nicely, except when I do too much it seems to be a little more swollen, but nothing too bad. I'm trying to stay busy at home by doing stuff for school and preparing posters and letters for Meet the Teacher. It really does help pass the time while she sleeps and I think it will make me feel more at ease transitioning back to school. Jaris is back at work like I said but he struggles every day to go to work because he just wants to be with his cute little family. :) I know it will be easier for him when I go back to work, but for now he'll just have to work through it.
We again are sooo thankful for all the meals that were brought to us from our small group and friends. The Hughes provided us a delicious casserole, the Vigils sent over pizza which totally hit the spot, and tonight the Mercado's brought over BBQ Chicken and some yummy cinnamon rolls. We feel so blessed to have such amazing people in our life and all this help and support has made becoming a new Mom and Dad a much easier transition then one could imagine. Of course, it's still a difficult roller coaster of ups and downs. I wish at times that parenting came with a manual! Wouldn't that be so much easier?! But no, no manual! We are learning as we go, and we are asking lots of questions and people for their advice and suggestions. We will continue praying daily for the fear and anxiety to subside and know that God has us as a family under his wing. Here's to another week of less sleep, more feedings/changings, and learning how to fight through exhaustion as new parents. We love little P with all our heart and couldn't imagine life without her! :)
As for the title...pretty much sums up the last 2 weeks. Sleep!? What's that? It's so hard because everyone tells us, NAP when she naps! Easier said than done! I try to nap when she naps, but it is very minimal. There are so many things to get done around the house and then of course World Cup is on so I decide to stay up and watch that. (So bummed about the USA Team losing today, such a heart-breaker) As for how the nights are going, we have to feed P every 3 hours, which means sometimes we have to wake her up, while other times she is up ready to eat. She definitely has her days and nights mixed up I think because she is a fussy pants from about 2 am-5 am in which Jaris and I take turns getting up, feeding her, swaddling her again, or just rubbing her back. After Jaris feeds her at about 7 am, that's when we tend to get the most sleep! :) We try to sleep until 9 or 10 which seems crazy but never feels better. The positive about all this waking up and feeding though...we took her to the doctor today and in one week she gained 9 ounces! Mommy and Daddy were thrilled to say the least! Out of the hospital she weighed 4 lbs 9 oz, and now two weeks later she is 5 lbs. 5 oz. I prayed that when she was born she would be over 5 lbs, and unfortunately she was ONE ounce shy of it. But now, I just see her growing day by day and that truly makes me happy knowing we're doing what's best for her.
Today also marks two weeks since I had my c-section which means that I was able to start driving today! Still very nervous to drive, especially with her in the backseat. I am looking for a mirror to place in the back so that I can feel a little more at ease with having her back there by herself. My incision is healing very nicely, except when I do too much it seems to be a little more swollen, but nothing too bad. I'm trying to stay busy at home by doing stuff for school and preparing posters and letters for Meet the Teacher. It really does help pass the time while she sleeps and I think it will make me feel more at ease transitioning back to school. Jaris is back at work like I said but he struggles every day to go to work because he just wants to be with his cute little family. :) I know it will be easier for him when I go back to work, but for now he'll just have to work through it.
We again are sooo thankful for all the meals that were brought to us from our small group and friends. The Hughes provided us a delicious casserole, the Vigils sent over pizza which totally hit the spot, and tonight the Mercado's brought over BBQ Chicken and some yummy cinnamon rolls. We feel so blessed to have such amazing people in our life and all this help and support has made becoming a new Mom and Dad a much easier transition then one could imagine. Of course, it's still a difficult roller coaster of ups and downs. I wish at times that parenting came with a manual! Wouldn't that be so much easier?! But no, no manual! We are learning as we go, and we are asking lots of questions and people for their advice and suggestions. We will continue praying daily for the fear and anxiety to subside and know that God has us as a family under his wing. Here's to another week of less sleep, more feedings/changings, and learning how to fight through exhaustion as new parents. We love little P with all our heart and couldn't imagine life without her! :)
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