Lessons from a New Mom

Now that I've been a mom for almost three months, I feel as though I'm finally getting the hang of it. The first few weeks were a huge transition, but I have loved everything about this new adventure called parenthood.

A few things I've learned:

1. A daily shower is a luxury, not a necessity.

2. Make sure you're fully clothed before leaving the house. (Since I'm nursing, I often have one or both of my tank top straps down past my bra and sometimes I forget to pull it back up. A few weeks ago, I took Genevieve on a walk and realized that one of my tank top straps was still down, thus exposing half of my bra to the whole neighborhood. Luckily they were both white that day, so I don't think it was too noticeable. On the other hand, my neighbors probably think I'm a crazy person for laughing hysterically at myself in the middle of the street.)

3. Gone are the days of wrinkle-free laundry for a while. Good thing Jonathan doesn't mind. He's lucky if he has clean clothes right now, let alone fresh-out-of-the-dryer clothes.

4. Baby poop makes me happy. Not that I like it, but if it means that Genevieve is getting plenty to eat and is not constipated, bring it on!

5. It's possible to fall more in love with your baby every time you look at her.

Happy Girl in the Morning

This is what we get to wake up to each morning. It doesn't get much better than this! If you listen closely, you'll hear a cough-toot, one of Genevieve's many talents. :)

Our Sweet Baby Girl

Sweet baby Genevieve's newborn photos are below for those of you who haven't seen them yet. I love all the different expressions she made...she was really working the camera! These pictures were taken at 17 days old. It's crazy to think that she's already 9 weeks old! Each day with her is truly a gift from God.



Jonathan and Genevieve

Genevieve is a spitting image of her daddy. Check out these pictures! Crazy!

Baby Jonathan

 

Baby Genevieve

G's Shabby Chic Butterfly Bedroom

Due to popular demand, I give you pictures of Genevieve's nursery.

My favorite parts of the room are the butterfly mobile and the super cool wooden Genevieve letters from Uncle James and Aunt Carolyn.

Still searching for a pretty white crib skirt. Then the room will be complete.



Many hours have already been spent in this glider. So glad it's comfy (thanks again, Carrie!!!).



What a Difference a Month Makes

I'm sitting here with my baby GIRL on my chest as she sleeps away the evening (there's nothing better than a newborn baby sleeping peacefully on your chest). I've been meaning to update my blog but my days (and nights) have been filled with feeding Genevieve, feeding Genevieve, and feeding Genevieve. Seriously, this girl can eat! G will be 4 weeks old tomorrow - hard to believe, I know. Here's a look back at how little Miss G came to be...

Tuesday, June 7
7:30 am - start noticing contractions as I'm getting ready for work
8:30 am - arrive at work, contractions varying from 5 minutes apart to 15 minutes apart
Contractions continue throughout the morning
1:30 pm - go to my weekly checkup. The doctor says I'm most likely experiencing early labor...yahoo!
Contractions continue to get stronger forcing me to leave work an hour early. I would not recommend driving home in rush-hour traffic in Phoenix while in labor...probably not the smartest decision.
9:30 pm - contractions are strong enough to where they HURT now. Oh Lordy, here we go!
11:30 pm - Jonathan and I take the dogs for one last pre-baby walk around the neighborhood to help speed things along with my contractions.

Wednesday, June 8 - my due date
Midnight - contractions are consistently 5 minutes apart. Time to call the doctor! So excited - this is it!!!
1:00 am - arrive at the hospital after the longest 20 minute car ride of my life. Contractions are really close together and painful now.
7:30 am - we move to the labor and delivery room and I finally get my epidural after laboring for 6 1/2 hours in the triage room.
THANK GOD FOR EPIDURALS.
12:20 pm - time to push!
12:51 pm - it's a girl!?!?! We were surprised but overjoyed to meet our beautiful, healthy baby girl, Genevieve Leona Rouse. Giving birth to her was the most incredible experience of our lives, and we are beyond blessed to be parents to this sweet, sweet baby girl.  

[Turns out the deli man was wrong.]

About G's name: Genevieve was chosen by Jonathan and eventually grew on me until I too loved it. Leona is my great grandmother's name. We usually call her Genevieve or G for short. We'll be traveling to Nebraska for Genevieve's baptism the weekend of July 16-17 and hope to see as many of our family and friends as possible.



Genevieve Leona, a few minutes old

 


Our new family




Daddy loving on his new baby girl




Sweet Baby G, a few hours old



All Quiet on the Baby Front

Sugar Weenie is taking his or her sweet time, showing no signs of greeting us anytime soon. Daddy-to-be is pretty disappointed given that he's been on break for the past two weeks and has to return to school tomorrow with a daunting 6-week schedule ahead of him. He tried his best to get me to go into labor...cooking me lots of spicy foods and urging me to go on more walks, all to no avail. Trying to pass the time yesterday, we reorganized the entire kitchen and almost strangled each other in the process. I think he was purposely trying to get under my skin in hopes that it would make me start having contractions. But no such luck. Apparently this baby isn't done cookin' just yet.

As promised, I shall now provide an update on my pathetic attempt to complete my "Pre-Baby Bucket List." I had given myself a deadline of May 31. Let's see how I did...

• Have read at least 5 new novels (I'm starting the first one tonight...the new Nicholas Sparks book, of course!)   I'm slightly embarrassed to say that Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks was the only novel I completed. I attempted to read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but even after 100 pages I still couldn't get into it.  I decided it would be a better use of my time to read up on things like pregnancy, labor and delivery, breastfeeding, caring for a newborn, etc. So that's what I did.
• Have eaten my first, and probably last, KFC Double Down Sandwich (you only live once, right?) I did indeed complete this task about two months ago. It was absolutely delicious, but I felt like crap afterwards and won't be eating one again. Jonathan took a picture of me eating it, but it might be THE most unattractive picture ever taken, so I won't be sharing it.
• Have sewn, with my own sewing machine that I've owned for over a year and still barely know how to use, at least one thing for the baby and one thing for myself. MAJOR FAIL. I'm hoping my mom can help me with this project while she's here next week.
• Have gone to Vegas for a weekend with my hubby (I've never been there and think it would be classic to go as a pregnant lady). Yeah...didn't happen. Bummer.
• Have taken a beginner's photography class to learn how to use our new camera. Didn't do this either. However, my friend Nikki said she'd give me a mini class if I want. Hopefully I'll have some time this summer to take her up on her offer.
• Have gained a sister-in-law (this one should be easy). Success! Last weekend, my brother James got married in Charleston, SC. I "attended" as many of the festivities as I could via Skype. This is how crazy-cool technology is: Here's a picture that I took with my phone of the computer screen while virtually attending the wedding. Congrats, James and Carolyn!