Carter Finley is most precious. The mere sight of him made me cry. He is really an angel!
Seeing him and his small, newborn, helpless-self really got to me. It made me realize just how fast they grow up. Only three months ago, Andrew was that tiny!!
It's hard to believe that my little baby boy has doubled his birth weight and then some. He can smile and is developing distinct likes and dislikes. He stops and listens to unfamiliar sounds. He can find me if I call his name and wave my hands. Most of the time the recognition is met with a smile and a squeal.
It took me 26 years to appreciate how awesome humans are when they're first born. Even when they look at you with those "Who are you?" and "What do you want?" scrunched, so-serious eyebrows.
So now I cry at the sight of a newborn. Well, at newborns that I've waited 10 months to meet. I don't really cry at weddings, but show me a friend's newborn and it's nothing but waterworks.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
When did I start loving babies?
Welcome to the world, baby boy Armendariz!
Nick and Amanda are proud parents- but that's not my news to share.
Now back to me:
Prior to March 14th, 2008 I was scared of babies- particularly newborns. Okay, correction and confession, maybe I was terrified up until the 15th or 16th.
They are so small, helpless, and needy. They're a huge responsibility, and they rely solely on YOU to keep them alive. Do you know how many plants have perished under my care? Yeah... so I was a little nervous. I'm pretty much over that, since Andrew is a perfectly fat and seemingly happy 12 week old.
Now whenever I hear a pregnancy announcement, I get super excited. Genuinely super excited, and sometimes I even cry. You know who you are.
I get even more excited when I get text messages that read: "I'm in labor. More later." It's like I can't concentrate on anything else for that day. I wonder if the baby has hair. If the little baby is a he or she. How's Mom doing? What's his name? How much does she weigh? How long was the proud Momma in labor? (Jesus, I just started crying! What's WRONG with me?) I want to know everything. Every somewhat-nasty detail. Most importantly, when can I come over and hold him? I'll wash my hands first, I promise.
When did this person take over my body? This person who wants to talk about episiotomies and breast feeding. This person enjoys hearing birth stories and seeing scrunched up freshly-born faces. Who is this woman? This woman who cries when she types the words "proud Momma."
Q: When did I fall in love with newborns?
A: March 14th, 2008.
Nick and Amanda are proud parents- but that's not my news to share.
Now back to me:
Prior to March 14th, 2008 I was scared of babies- particularly newborns. Okay, correction and confession, maybe I was terrified up until the 15th or 16th.
They are so small, helpless, and needy. They're a huge responsibility, and they rely solely on YOU to keep them alive. Do you know how many plants have perished under my care? Yeah... so I was a little nervous. I'm pretty much over that, since Andrew is a perfectly fat and seemingly happy 12 week old.
Now whenever I hear a pregnancy announcement, I get super excited. Genuinely super excited, and sometimes I even cry. You know who you are.
I get even more excited when I get text messages that read: "I'm in labor. More later." It's like I can't concentrate on anything else for that day. I wonder if the baby has hair. If the little baby is a he or she. How's Mom doing? What's his name? How much does she weigh? How long was the proud Momma in labor? (Jesus, I just started crying! What's WRONG with me?) I want to know everything. Every somewhat-nasty detail. Most importantly, when can I come over and hold him? I'll wash my hands first, I promise.
When did this person take over my body? This person who wants to talk about episiotomies and breast feeding. This person enjoys hearing birth stories and seeing scrunched up freshly-born faces. Who is this woman? This woman who cries when she types the words "proud Momma."
Q: When did I fall in love with newborns?
A: March 14th, 2008.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Comments
Hey, just a quick note for all 3 readers...
If you wanna leave comments- PLEASE DO! -but be sure to write your name. You don't have to create an account or anything! Just click on the Name/URL option, you can leave your name, the URL is optional... so you don't need one!
Happy Commenting!
If you wanna leave comments- PLEASE DO! -but be sure to write your name. You don't have to create an account or anything! Just click on the Name/URL option, you can leave your name, the URL is optional... so you don't need one!
Happy Commenting!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Sir Laughs-a-Lot
Yesterday, while James was cooking dinner, Andrew and I were playing in the living room. I don't remember what was said or done that was so hilarious, but Andrew was laughing his sweet little head off.
I was egging him on, but trying to be quiet once Andrew got going with his laughing fit so James could hear. There was a really good, loud, hearty "Huh-huh-huh huuuh" that James heard and he said:
"That's officially the best sound in the world."
I agree.
I was egging him on, but trying to be quiet once Andrew got going with his laughing fit so James could hear. There was a really good, loud, hearty "Huh-huh-huh huuuh" that James heard and he said:
"That's officially the best sound in the world."
I agree.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Why didn't anyone tell me?
This post is specifically for my first time pregnant friends. Most of the time, I feel as though I can't give out advice or suggestions because I haven't really been in the baby game for long enough. And I've only had one, so what do I know?
I'm telling you this because no one told me. Or maybe somewhere along the way, someone mentioned it, but I had no idea. Here it is:
The first weeks are going to be rough. I mean, hardest thing you've ever done, rough. I don't care if you've ran a marathon- or even ran to the marathon then ran home after it- this is gonna be harder.
Many times I heard "Oh you're gonna love being a Mommy!" I guess they just forgot about those first couple of weeks. And they were right, I love being a Mommy. Now. Now that Andrew's close to being 3 months old. Now that Andrew can sleep 6 hours a night. Now that Andrew smiles and giggles.
Don't get me wrong. I loved my Baby Boy from day one. But I remember my Mom asking me when he was about a month old/4 weeks: "Is it fun or does it still feel like work?" At that point, I was on the fence- Andrew was getting into a pattern for eating and sleeping. He had a fleeting smile. Had she asked in Week 2, the answer would have been "WORK." And I only would have been able to say "work." There wouldn't have been an accompanying sentence.
And I had it pretty good. I have a husband who took an active role right from the start. He was pretty good about catching me before a meltdown. I had meals that were delivered by friends. I had my Mother-in-Law who cooked and cleaned, and stayed for more than a week, 4 days after he was born. The day she left, my Mom came and stayed for a week. I had ample help. I had friends that came over and offered to help. I was, and still am, blessed with a plentiful support system.
So here's my advice:
1. Stay in the hospital as long as they let you. A good hospital will provide you with supplies (diapers, wipes, etc.) and food. I got lucky and the food was good. You'll come home and have a million questions. The hospital is staffed 24/7.
2. When people offer their services- take them up on it. Don't feel like you're being a burden or asking too much... within reason. They offered to help you, they meant it! Especially if I offer to help you. (Be sure to say Thank You, or atleast mutter something that sounds like it before you go back to bed.)
3. Seriously, sleep when your baby sleeps. Find someone you trust to watch your sleeping baby. There's no use in handing him/her over to find yourself worrying about him/her in the care of someone you don't trust.
4. If you're breastfeeding and a problem arises (or something comes up that you think is a problem)- GET HELP. It's not supposed to hurt.
Here are my words of encouragement:
1. You can do it. You will survive this. Remember all those scraggly women at WalMart with their children? Yeah... you can do it too.
2. It will get easier. You'll figure things out for you, your baby, and your family. You'll realize what works, and even quicker- what doesn't. You'll ease into a manageable routine. Eventually, you will be able to take a full shower AND shave your legs.
3. If you're feeling too overwhelmed- talk to someone. If it doesn't get better, talk to a professional. The best thing for your baby is a healthy momma.
4. It will become fun. Your baby will smile, and in that second you'll feel like a champion. Remember that marathon analogy I made earlier? It'll feel like you won it. First place, no doubt. It's all worth it.
So Amanda, Lindsay, Margarita, and those that are still keeping it a secret:
Call me. Anytime. Day or night. Even if it's 3 or 4 AM. I'm here to listen, and if I can, help. Because it's gonna be tough and you're gonna want help.
I'm telling you this because no one told me. Or maybe somewhere along the way, someone mentioned it, but I had no idea. Here it is:
The first weeks are going to be rough. I mean, hardest thing you've ever done, rough. I don't care if you've ran a marathon- or even ran to the marathon then ran home after it- this is gonna be harder.
Many times I heard "Oh you're gonna love being a Mommy!" I guess they just forgot about those first couple of weeks. And they were right, I love being a Mommy. Now. Now that Andrew's close to being 3 months old. Now that Andrew can sleep 6 hours a night. Now that Andrew smiles and giggles.
Don't get me wrong. I loved my Baby Boy from day one. But I remember my Mom asking me when he was about a month old/4 weeks: "Is it fun or does it still feel like work?" At that point, I was on the fence- Andrew was getting into a pattern for eating and sleeping. He had a fleeting smile. Had she asked in Week 2, the answer would have been "WORK." And I only would have been able to say "work." There wouldn't have been an accompanying sentence.
And I had it pretty good. I have a husband who took an active role right from the start. He was pretty good about catching me before a meltdown. I had meals that were delivered by friends. I had my Mother-in-Law who cooked and cleaned, and stayed for more than a week, 4 days after he was born. The day she left, my Mom came and stayed for a week. I had ample help. I had friends that came over and offered to help. I was, and still am, blessed with a plentiful support system.
So here's my advice:
1. Stay in the hospital as long as they let you. A good hospital will provide you with supplies (diapers, wipes, etc.) and food. I got lucky and the food was good. You'll come home and have a million questions. The hospital is staffed 24/7.
2. When people offer their services- take them up on it. Don't feel like you're being a burden or asking too much... within reason. They offered to help you, they meant it! Especially if I offer to help you. (Be sure to say Thank You, or atleast mutter something that sounds like it before you go back to bed.)
3. Seriously, sleep when your baby sleeps. Find someone you trust to watch your sleeping baby. There's no use in handing him/her over to find yourself worrying about him/her in the care of someone you don't trust.
4. If you're breastfeeding and a problem arises (or something comes up that you think is a problem)- GET HELP. It's not supposed to hurt.
Here are my words of encouragement:
1. You can do it. You will survive this. Remember all those scraggly women at WalMart with their children? Yeah... you can do it too.
2. It will get easier. You'll figure things out for you, your baby, and your family. You'll realize what works, and even quicker- what doesn't. You'll ease into a manageable routine. Eventually, you will be able to take a full shower AND shave your legs.
3. If you're feeling too overwhelmed- talk to someone. If it doesn't get better, talk to a professional. The best thing for your baby is a healthy momma.
4. It will become fun. Your baby will smile, and in that second you'll feel like a champion. Remember that marathon analogy I made earlier? It'll feel like you won it. First place, no doubt. It's all worth it.
So Amanda, Lindsay, Margarita, and those that are still keeping it a secret:
Call me. Anytime. Day or night. Even if it's 3 or 4 AM. I'm here to listen, and if I can, help. Because it's gonna be tough and you're gonna want help.
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