Mother's Day 2013 (my first)

My first official Mother's Day was a fabulous one.

We had a killer weekend, and I have several posts to get through it all, but for today I'm only highlighting today, Mother's Day.

My parents came in for the weekend and we started our day at early, 8:30am, church.

Brad bought me a new camera, Nikon D3100, for Mother's Day, so we took the opportunity after church to get some family pictures.

3-generations.

So happy to be able to spend the day with my Mom, on my first Mother's Day.

I think Shelby was pretty over it by this picture! 

We enjoyed breakfast out then headed home to open gifts and exchange cards.

I made personalized cards for both of our Moms this year using Treat.

Gosh, I'm obsessed with that site.

I bought my Mom an A. Liz original, nautical necklace.

She loves!

Then it was my turn.

As I said, my big gift from Brad was a fabulous new camera.

And, my parents went all out too.

(I love this picture of Shelby looking at Buddy. She's mesmorized)

They bought me a picture frame that said Mom and a Pandora bracelet!!

It included a Mom charm and a cross.

LOVE!!!

After gifts my parents headed home and we headed up to the lake to see Brad's mom!

Giving the nice weather we decided to take a boat ride.

Shelby's first boat ride!!

She loved it!

She didn't even cry in the life jacket!

We were so excited!!

This Summer will be great!

Mr. Buddy was glad to be out in the sunshine and on the water too.

We even left him up there for the week.

He is going to have a GREAT time!

Even though we are going to miss his 8th birthday on Wednesday.

Then my FIL grilled us up a late lunch.

And, we dined out on the deck.

Perfect way to end Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day once again to both of our Moms!

And, to all of you Moms out there too!!

Not Necessarily True..........

It's so interesting.

When you tell people you're pregnant they all have opinions, comments and advice of how you're going to feel and react after the baby is born.

I soaked up every.last.word.and.more at the time.

I even made myself sick with worry and anxiety thinking about a lot of it.

So, today's post is to let you into my world and what I found it NOT necessarily TRUE.

I know everyone is different, but I wanted to get this out there so other women can understand that it's not the same for everyone.
Everyone has their own experience.

I'm going to add explanations on maybe why I'm different than the average mom who gave me 'said' advice or opinions.

#1. The 'overwhelmed' feeling.

I never felt this way. I was expecting it but it never came. From day one we were able to put Shelby to bed and enjoy a nice dinner and even a couple of glasses of wine. We were able to enjoy our time together and tag team feedings allowing each other to sleep. I'm chalking it up to several things including: not breastfeeding, Brad being off work, my Mom and family being here for a couple of weeks during the holidays, and Shelby being a great eater and sleeper.

#2. That feeling of 'Wow, what a huge lifestyle change'.

This is a big one that NUMEROUS people felt the need to tell me over and over again that I would feel. They said that because Brad and I are so active and 'on the go' that we were going to be in culture shock when having a baby.

I'm here to tell you......I haven't felt that way once.  I'm not sure what it is but I'm going to say that it's because we tried and waited for so long to have a baby. We did everything and anything we wanted before having a baby that we were ready for this life change. We WANTED this life change. 

We still go and do things..we just take turns and Shelby comes with us other times. I'm DETERMINED not to let the baby rule our household. I think that's the mistake many people make.

Babies know what they are taught.

#3. Being sad to see baby sleep in their own room and crib.

Call me a bad mom, but I was ready to have Shelby sleep in her own room. Brad and I neither one were resting well with her bedside.

I think she's more comfortable being in a real bed anyhoo. I wasn't sad one bit about this milestone. I was proud of her!

#4. Not wanting to let anyone else help out with baby.

I never felt this way either. I was happy to have her sleep in the nursery at the hospital(even though I wasn't happy about her being in the NICU). I also haven't had a problem with having our parents help out and of course, Brad! I have never thought for once that they weren't capable of doing a good job.

#5. Not wanting to leave the baby and get out.

A lot of people told me that I would feel guilty about leaving Shelby and getting out to even go to the store.

Well, again... maybe I'm a bad mom, but I haven't felt bad for one minute about meeting a friend for lunch or dinner and leaving Brad home with Shelby.

In fact, Brad and I are considering a weekend trip alone in a couple of months and having my parents take care of Shelby. Call us bad parents, but I think you have to take care of your marriage too after a baby!!

#6. That I would want to get a divorce.
I had several people tell me this. Not just one. Several people. Everyone admitted it's temporary but that I would most definitely feel that way.
Well, I haven't in the least felt that way.
In fact, it's opposite. I've been totally amazed and feel totally lucky to have such a great husband that wants to be involved and part of every little moment.
In fact, Brad goes back to work next week and I'm going to cry. He's been such a big help and we've navigated this whole parenthood thing together. I credit this due to Brad's personality but also  all of our infertility struggles.

I know there's something else I'm forgetting but this was top of mind today and I wanted to share.

The whole point of this post is to point out the fact that not everything people tell you is true. Take all advice and opinions with a grain of salt.

Anyone, have anything to add?

Motherhood and Shelby's First Play Date

Shelby will be a month old this week and now that we have a few weeks of parenthood under our belt here are a few of things running through my head.

* I'm really glad that I decided not to breastfeed. 

This was a personal decision that was a result of what happened right after Shelby was born. I'm owning my decision and feel really good about it. Shelby likes to eat A LOT and it would have been a lot of added stress.

(again, this is my personal decision)

* I'm ready for a routine.

I'm probably jumping the gun a little bit but I'm ready to get Shelby and our family into a routine. Brad is going back to work in 2-weeks and I'm REALLY nervous about that.

We're working on transitioning her to sleep in her crib and starting a little bit of sleep training but next week will be the real 'go time'.

I feel like the sooner the better before I go back to work in a couple of months.

Plus, it will give us more freedom to plan around her feedings, etc. 

Right now it's a free for all.

~~~~~~~

In other news, Shelby had her first play date!

Our friends Robin and Chris had their baby boy, Austin, a month before Shelby and they were kind enough to have us over for dinner last week.

How cute is this?

 It totally looks like Austin is telling her a story.

The two Dads.

 So nice to get out, especially with other new parents.

We all traded stories and tips!

On Friday, I ventured out by myself with Shelby.

My friend Lynn invited us over for lunch so I jumped at the chance to get 'practice'.

 Other than that, we've pretty much been laying low and at home most of the time.

I've been eating WAY too many cupcakes.

I'm glad we only have one more left.

It's time to get serious about getting some weight off.

I'm hoping I can start back exercising very soon.

In the meantime, I'll continue to learn my way as a new Mom and hope that I'm doing it all right.

Now it's time for me to sign off and get to our nightly routine of story time, which Buddy likes too!

 Happy Sunday!

Prepping for Mommyhood

I feel like I'm in the middle of college finals right now.

Now that we're less than 2-weeks(at least) out from having a baby I'm starting to freak out and read every last thing I can get my hands on that will help me know how to feed Shelby, help her sleep and everything else in between.

I know books aren't going to tell me everything but there are tidbits here and there that I am getting and it's making my anxiety a little bit better!!!

One is the ever-popular BabyWise book - which I literally have been been CRAMMING with. Skipping some sections and reading others.

Any advice you gals have on that book are greatly appreciated!!

It's OVERWHELMING!!!

The other book is Secrets of the Mommyhood.

This book is a little less, okay A LOT, less intimidating approach to preparing for 'mommyhood'.

It's written by a 30-something mother, who happens to be IRL friends with my blog bestie, I Do Declare.

Heather Alexander's approach to all things pregnancy and baby are downright awesome!!

Not being a HUGE reader this book is more of an outline and high level look at what you need to know.

In short -- it's simple and easy to read for people with short attention spans like me!!

Since reading I've already repacked parts of my hospital bag, put Ultimate Crib Sheets on my 'to buy' list along with scented trash bags for poopy diapers while on road trips, and much more.

Not going to lie, I was dreading reading another mommy/baby book but this one is actually refreshing and makes me feel like I'm going to be A-OKAY!!!!

So, if you're just starting the pregnancy journey or nearing the end, pick up up this book which is low in cost and easy to read!

Click here to order!!

And, let's hope my next post is about having a baby and not about preparing for one!!

5-days and counting until Shelby's due date!!!