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2.24.2014

Currently...

Watching...  My little guy sleep contently on his daddy's chest. This scene makes my heart burst every time.

Admiring... My husband. He has taken such good care of me these last couple days. Bringing me food, keeping the house clean, and holding Jack so I can take a shower or relax in the tub. He's the best. Not sure if I'll be able to manage when he goes back to work next Monday!

Grateful for... Friends and family who have brought over meals for us. It has been such a blessing not having to cook every meal so I can spend more time bonding with my boy.

Struggling with... Breastfeeding. I knew it was going to be a challenge, but there is nothing anyone could have told me to really prepare for it. It's tough, but me and Jack are powering through and everyday things get a little easier.

Thankful for... My little guy's health. At his one week checkup he had already surpassed his birth weight! Most babies don't until they are around 2 weeks old. So even though feedings have been rough, I am glad to know he's gaining weight and getting the nutrition he needs to grow big and strong.

Feeling... A crazy range of emotions! One second I'm overjoyed and cooing over my sweet babe and the next second I'm crying because I feel like a failure as a mother when there is more milk on my outfit than in my baby's tummy. When will these crazy hormones begin to balance out in me?! I'm afraid my husband might suggest I be committed if the tears don't stop soon ;)
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And because I've been such a flake about blogging lately (and probably will be for quite some time now that Jack has arrived), I wanted to direct you to an amazing blog to peruse in my absence.   
Kali is the face behind the blog, Kaliwood. This smart and bubbly blonde definitely has a way with words that comes across beautifully on her blog. She is a deep thinker who also has a sense of humor that I absolutely love. This is clearly seen in her post "Embrace the Mutt in All of Us." (Go read it!) And for a good laugh, check out her letter to her 16 year old self, too. Kali also has a passion for fitness and I found her post about why she loves to run incredibly motivating.  To top it off, she has some travel experience under her belt due to spending a semester abroad in France! (Jealous.) There is definitely a little something for everyone on this sweet lady's blog, so be sure to check it out!


13 comments:

Melissa Smith said...

I'm sorry to tell you but so far the tears haven't stopped yet. I cry over the silliest things still and sometimes because I look at him and my heart is just going to burst I love him so much. The first four weeks were really tough but after that it starts to calm down and come in more of waves. But enjoy every moment!!! It goes so fast and you can't go back :( Good luck with breastfeeding! It is so tough so try and stick with it, but if it doesn't work out know that you're not a worse mama than if you could. I struggled with it four eight weeks and lost my milk when we both got stomach flu and baby was in the hospital for two days. It is what it is. Congrats, he's gorgeous and so precious!!! Nothing like a sweet newborn and their delicious smell.

jessica said...

I was a WRECK for about 3 weeks after having my baby. Baby blues and lack of sleep- it was awful. Plus I also really struggled with bfing abd wanted to constantly throw in the towel. I can only say it gets better! Now he's 3 months and breastfeeding is one of my favorite parts of the day. It will get so easy you can literslly do ot in your sleep. Have you seen a lactation consultant? That could help. My guy was tongue tied. The hardest is the first month and then things will just get easier and easier. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself- you are doing great!!!

Micael said...

Congrats Danielle! I've taken a sort of leave from blogging and decided to look at my bloglovin and noticed your latest post. My wife and I are enjoying our second son who is currently 3 months old now and it is totally amazing. I would say, as far as advice coming from a man goes, is keep on trucking. The emotions and everything are normal and are only a concern if they persist over a long time. Breast feeding should get easier if you stick with it so don't give up. Our first son needed a little time and we even saw a lactation consultant but boy number two was latching within the hour during his mom/baby bonding time. Your son will pick it up soon and you'll eventually laugh when it gets to the point where if the latch breaks for a moment or your switching sides, the baby throws his little arms out and moves his face around like "what happened?!"

Congrats again Danielle, I'm so happy for you and yours. Children are such a gift and my only other advice that I believe you'll be doing anyways is snap away those photos. He will change rapidly week to week to where once he is walking or fast crawling just a year from now and you look back at the past months photos, your mind will be blown at the stages you already forgot. It's pretty cool.

Allie Tymoczko said...

All my friends who are new mamas have told me that they don't tell you this... but you go legit crazy in the first couple of months. One even told me her husband walked into the room and asked, "ARE YOU OKAY?!" and she was like "Ya, why?"... "Because you're crying!" "...I am? ... Oh."

Oh hormones! Haha.

Your little guy is just THE CUTEST.

The Girl who Loved to Write said...

That picture is so precious!

Natalie | Mrs. Janney | said...

The hormones are tough, but they will get better! I promise!! And your husband doesn't mind, trust me. You just got done pushing his son out of your body. He is so in awe, you can't really do wrong right now. :)

I had a hard time starting breastfeeding as well. I think it is because I lost A LOT of blood during delivery (and it sounds like you did too). Keep at it! You are doing a great job! If Jack is gaining weight, it's because you are doing so well feeding him. It really does get easier.

Keep up the great work! He is such a cutie. :)

Mrs. V said...

That is just the SWEETEST and most ADORABLE little face!!!

Beth W said...

Hey, don't sweat it- hormones control all of us, all the time.
And maybe it's the full head of hair, but his facial features look really mature for his age! He's a beautiful baby, truly...and gonna be a heartbreaker by age 13, I'm sure!

Unknown said...

Such a wonderful post my dear. Love it. Look after yourself my dear. xxxx

cynthia said...

He's a doll! When you have a moment, look to see if there is a breastfeeding support group in your area. My son was born 2 months early and spent 6 weeks in the hospital before coming home, and 5 eating through a tube before we got to even try breastfeeding. The LC at the hospital was AWESOME and she runs a BF group weekly at the hospital. We did fine with BF once we got going, but I went to the group weekly until I had to go back to work. Not only helpful but just nice to be around other new moms! Good luck, I'm sure you'll figure it out. :)

Katie said...

I really love when people are honest about the first few weeks and months with baby...it helps me have realistic expectations for when our guy gets here this summer. Praying feedings get a bit easier for you both!!! :)

Christina McGuire said...

Hi Danielle! Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself as your newest follower. Congrats on your son - he is PRECIOUS. I read that you're having struggling with breastfeeding. All I can say is that I WISHHHHH I would have hung in there and powered through. It is the one regret I have and I wish so badly I could rewind 16 months and start again. We did organic formula because I cried and felt like I had no clue as to what I was doing ( I wish I would have known that ALL women and babies need practice at it but no one told me that and I didn't know I had to prepare for something so "natural" haha)
Anyways, I will be cheering for you down here in south FL.
Hope you'll stop on over to my blog and follow along with us.
XO
Christina

The McGuire Family

MarkChristinaMcGuire.blogspot.com

Christina McGuire said...

Hi Danielle! Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself as your newest follower. Congrats on your son - he is PRECIOUS. I read that you're having struggling with breastfeeding. All I can say is that I WISHHHHH I would have hung in there and powered through. It is the one regret I have and I wish so badly I could rewind 16 months and start again. We did organic formula because I cried and felt like I had no clue as to what I was doing ( I wish I would have known that ALL women and babies need practice at it but no one told me that and I didn't know I had to prepare for something so "natural" haha)
Anyways, I will be cheering for you down here in south FL.
Hope you'll stop on over to my blog and follow along with us.
XO
Christina

The McGuire Family

MarkChristinaMcGuire.blogspot.com