Things I Wish I'd Known Before Having a Baby

1.  That you can't go up or down stairs for 6 weeks postpartum.
2. That you will be chained to your couch (or bed) breastfeeding nonstop for the first 3 weeks (but it does get better!).
3. Don't plan on cooking a meal for at least 3 months.
4. Your husband will forever take a backseat to your child.
5. Same with your dogs.
6. You will become very attached to the doctor (and nurses, and CNA's, and food service people) that are there when you deliver your baby.
7. When the doctor tells you that your baby doesn't have to come back for another 2 months you will have a full-blown panic attack.
8. Suddenly co-sleeping (which you have been adamantly against pre-baby) doesn't seem like such a bad idea, in fact you secretly prefer it.
9. You will actually begin to love nursing once all the pain subsides.
10. You will become obsessed with any and all information you can get your hands on relating to babies and their eating, sleeping, and pooping habits. I get every parenting magazine on the market and I've read every parenting book at my local library.
11. Suddenly shopping for clothes loses its luster unless it's for your baby.
12. It will be hard to relate to your friends who are still childless.
13. Don't plan on your labor and delivery going as planned.
14. Your bed will become your dining room table, office, and couch.

Play Room Ideas

My summer project is to convert my craft room into a play room for Jackson. Here are some of the ideas I've pulled together so far:

Love the Ikea furniture and bright colors!

I definitely want to do something like this chalkboard paint- super cute and very child-friendly!

Lazy Saturdays

Since my return to work I have become VERY greedy with my time and it is now only reserved for Jackson. We tend to spend a lot of time snuggling in bed, exploring the neighborhood, or playing with his favorie toys (currently anything soft and plush and able to be stuffed in his mouth). He has become a very content baby who loves to go on walks with mommy or daddy carrying him and feel the wind blowing in his face. He's very curious and loves to take in all the activity around him while he's safe in someone's arms. I live for the weekends and spending time with him.

What Jackson Wore

When: April 24, 2010

Where: Lounging around the house on a lazy Saturday afternoon.

What: Quicksilver yellow tee and City Hall sweatpant shorts.

Laughing Jackson

What I Look Forward To

1. Jackson's grins
2. Getting US magazine in the mail on Fridays.
3. Fridays in general.
4. Checking for updates on my favorite blogs (Enjoying the Small Things, Georgie Girl, Baby Dickie, etc.).
5. 3:05pm on Mondays-Fridays
6. Cuddling Jackson while he sleeps.
7. Eating semi-cooked cookie dough.
8. Jackson's happiness in the mornings.
9. A glass of wine when I get home from work.
10. Watching "Sixteen and Pregnant" (ridiculous, I know)
11. Clean sheet Sundays.
12. Laying in bed all day and hanging out with my baby.
13. Nursing Jackson to sleep.
14. Reading a good book (currently "Let the Baby Drive")
15. Getting a pedicure (which I'm doing today to reward myself for making it through this week)

Jackson Eating His Bumbo Chair

Wordless Wednesday

Third Day Back

Third day back at work and I'm surviving. Totally exhausted, but alive. Oh and I'm getting ready to go back downstairs for my second glass of wine. Whatever works, right?

First Week Back

Can't say I'm happy to be back at work. The only thing I missed was my wonderful team, who are the most supportive, caring group of women you could ever ask for. I owe a lot to them! It's been a huge adjustment going from pseudo stay-at-home mommy to working mother. Lack of sleep, rushing through the morning, the stresses of work, and rushing to get home. Cook dinner. Bathe baby. Shower self. Go to sleep. Repeat. My first day was awful. I cried all day and had to really fight to hold it together in front of the kids. I was exhausted emotionally and physically and aching to be with Jackson. Today was much better. I went in with the attitude that I was just going to do my best and forget the rest, which made it much easier to get through the day. The only problem is that Jackson gets so worn out at the sitter that he falls asleep around 6pm! I'm hoping he'll stay up later once he adjusts to our hectic schedule. I just try and get as much cuddling in before he falls asleep as possible. As I write this he's snoozing in my arms while I type one-handed. Six and a half weeks left until summer and it can't come soon enough!

Vote for Jackson!

Vote for Jackson for the 2010 Parents Magazine Cover Contest! All you have to do is click the link below and click the "like" button next to his photo! (and feel free to click every day!) Thank you!

http://www.parents.com/photos/photo-contests-1/2010-parents-cover-contest/1757400026/

My new Crafty Mamma book arrived in the mail today!

This book has the cutest crafts to make for baby! I am so super excited to make some cute stuff for Jackson, namely the "schleppy" and "you-tencils." The schleppy is an adorable kid-sized fleece blanket with fringe that Jackson can drag all over the place. A "you-tencil" is a baby spoon personalized with adorable alphabet beads to spell out your child's name. I want to make a few of these as gifts! Super cute book and the crafts look pretty simple to make!

Give Me Hope

Please give me some hope that this will all work out. That Jackson won't forget me. That I'll make it through the day and still have something leftover for him. I desperately want to be one of those people who looks on the "bright" side, but sadly I'm not. Right now I'm sad and angry that I have to leave my child and sorry, no amount of positive thinking is going to make this any easier. I am so envious of other moms who get to stay home and enjoy all of the firsts. They actually get to raise their kids instead of dumping them off on other people to do it for them. I am not looking forward to leaving Jackson and I am definitely not looking forward to returning to a job full of stress, pressure, and criticism. I need some hope to get me through this but so far there's nothing on the horizon.

3 Months Old

I cannot believe I have a 3 month old! It seems like just yesterday that he was a tiny, unpredictable newborn and now he's a tiny human who's full of curiousity has personality to spare! Here are some other tidbits:

• in size 2 diapers for a few weeks now
• has outgrown all of his 0-3 month clothes
• sleeping 12 hours at night with only one wake-up to eat (around 2:30am)
• weighs almost 14 pounds
• grabbing everything and stuffing it in his mouth
• sitting with support (in his Bumbo chair or the boppy)
• "walking" by holding onto our hands (he bends his knees and everything!)

I go back to work next week so please pray that we are able to make this transition smoothly. I am very worried about getting it all done and how it will affect Jackson. We're hoping it won't be as difficult as I'm imagining it!

Three Month Portraits

Six Days Left

Six days left until I go back to work. It's funny how returning to work is even scarier than having a baby. How will I get it all done? There's so much unknown and guilt with leaving Jackson an it's just tearing me apart. I am so resentful of everything that takes me away from him. Facing 22 needy first graders every day isn't going to leave me much left over for Jackson when I get home. I just can't believe it's already been 12 weeks since he was born. The days have been such a blur and I accomplished so little on my leave. Somehow I thought 3 months would seem like forever, but instead it passed in the blink of an eye. Those first hazy days of sleep deprivation and anxiety have slowly faded away. Jackson is now on a schedule, sleeping at night, and fully interactive. Just as he starts smiling and laughing I have to leave him. I know life isn't supposed to be easy, but leaving him is going to be the hardest thing I ever do.

Baby Carrier Dilemma

So I think I finally decided on a baby carrier. After finding out that my Baby Bjorn is considered a "crotch dangler" and can cause spinal damage I knew I had to find something new. I've narrowed it down to the following:

1. Ergo Baby

Pros- A great carrier that can be used from newborn to toddlerhood and allows the child to face in or out. It consistently gets rave reviews and is the #1 bestseller in the US baby carrier market.

Cons- Needs a newborn insert until 4 months, babies can only face out when on your back, difficult to strap on by yourself, and hard to sit down in (I need this feature for when I start working for my dad).

2.  Babyhawk Mei Tai

Pros- stylish fabrics, the fit can be customized, the baby can be carried in front or on your back, no infant insert needed

Cons- you have to use long ties to fasten it, which can be tricky

3. Beco Butterfly 2

Pros- newborn to toddler, removable headrest, front and back carry

Cons- internal harness system is difficult to manuever, requires infant insert

So after much consideration, drumroll please, I've decided on the Babyhawk Mei Tai ! It has all of the features I'm looking for and is very stylish. I am currently bidding on this one on eBay- http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180487912218&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT. Wish me luck!

11 Weeks Old

Jackson is almost three months! He's suddenly hit a spurt in motor development and is doing all sorts of new things! Here's what he's been up to:

• rolling from his tummy to his back both ways!
• lifting his head off the bed when laying on his back
• rolling from his back to his left side
• putting both legs straight up in the air
• sitting without support for a few seconds

On Tuesday he weighed 12 pounds 15 ounces (60th percentile) and measured 24 1/2 inches (85th percentile)!

10 Weeks Old

For some reason I never got around to posting Jackson's 10 week update! He is growing and changing quickly and I am just trying to absorb every last second with him before I go back to work. Here is what he's been up to:

• wanting to sleep in mommy's arms for any and all naps
• sleeping 5-6 hours in a stretch at night
• chewing on his hands constantly
• laughing more and more
• smiling constantly
• loves going on walks and feeling the wind on his face
• letting mommy cook dinner while he watches from his bouncer!

Blogs I Love!

I am addicted to reading other people's baby/mommy blogs! It's nice to hear that other people are going through the same things as you and get a glimpse into their lives. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Georgie Girl (http://www.georgiegirlnyc.com/)- Living in NYC with a cute boyfriend, adorable dog, and fabulous, amazing life AND she's expecting a baby girl any day now! I love reading her posts about books she's read, places she's gone, adorable maternity outfits she puts together, and ways they are preparing for baby. I only wish my life could be as perfect as hers!

2. Enjoying the Small Things (http://www.kellehampton.com/)- Kelle Hampton is truly an amazing person. She blogs about the unexpected miracle of having a child with Downs Syndrome with such honesty. Accompanying each post are the most gorgeous photos you've ever seen- all taken by her!

3. Never Pay Retail Again (http://neverpayretailagain.blogspot.com/)- She posts the most fantastic deals and coupon codes on this site. I've gotten so much free stuff because of her!

4. Twice Blessed (http://mandyandnathan.blogspot.com/)- An adorable blog about life with twins! I love reading about their daily life and how they make it work.

5. Baby Bumble B (http://www.babybumbleb.com/)- She has the cutest baby boy who's only a little older than Jackson! I love reading her updates and seeing what I have to look forward to!