My First Week Solo and Lately

I guess you could call this my random post for the week.

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I see so many bloggers post these beautiful pictures of their daughter's closet, but I'm keeping it real today.

I'm not a closet person.

As much as I try I can't seem to keep it together and organized.

All the hangers don't match and it's not color coordinated.

The best I can do is to keep them organized by age.

So, here you have it.

Judge me if you will.

Things have been going pretty good.

Brad went back to work last week and my Mom came back to help.

I got back into the groove of cooking again after a 3-month hiatus.

It felt good but weird at the same time.

We are really in the 'lose weight mode' around here now so it's healthy low-carb meals now even though we enjoy our wine as well.

Buddy is adjusting well overall.

He's had his moments including one where we went nutzo wanting Shelby.

He even jumped on my SIL's lap the other day while she was holding the baby.

No BUENO!

As I said, my Mom was here for week as Brad transitioned back into work life.

It was nice.

It's the first time I really took Shelby out and about.

We spent our days shopping and lunching.

It helped me get over the hump of staying at home and keeping her inside.

  My Mom even stayed with Shelby as we had our first night out alone.

The day after my Mom left our SIL stopped by with our niece Paige.

They brought a boatload of books for Shelby and Paige got to feed her cousin Shelby and even help change her diaper.

She was so excited!

That evening our neighbors had us over for dinner and Miss Lulu got a little Shelby time!

Other things happening around here??

Earlier this week sweet blog friend Sara sent Shelby this absolutely gorgeous dress!!

I was completely taken back!!

Thanks again Sara!! I can't wait to see Shelby in this!

I'm hard core on my walking this week.

My goal is to walk 3-miles everyday until I go back to work.

Thank goodness Shelby likes the BOB so this is actually realistic.

Isn't she cute??

Brad aka Daddy is adjusting to life back at work away from Miss Shelby.

He's doing a great job.

Other pictures of the week include us going to meet a friend for lunch.

And, sitting in the doctor's office for my 6-week checkup.

We had to wait over an hour!

THANK GOD she was good.

I wish I had more exciting posts these days but I don't.

You all have a fab weekend!!

Friendships - Isn't it interesting?

Today's post was inspired by a trip to the gym last night.

After finishing my time on the treadmill I headed over to do some ab work when I saw this guy walking towards me.

We both looked at each other and smiled then kept going opposite directions.

Then immediately afterwards I thought.

'WAIT! That was Chris!'

Then I went about my workout and didn't bother to hunt him down to talk to him or say hi at all.

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See, this guy Chris used to date a friend of mine, and me and my ex-boyfriend and a whole group of us, used to run around together all the time back in my 20's.

The incident had me thinking about a topic I actually think about quite a bit.

..That is..

Isn't it interesting how you have friends at a certain point in your life that you're really close with and do almost everything with, then a few years down the road you don't even talk to them at all?

It's sorta sad.

Granted, as I sit here and write this post I'll be the first to admit there are several friends that I've had in recent years that I have parted ways with it and it was intentional.

I chose to end those friendships because I was over the drama that came with them.

In this case, I'm talking about friendships where you just grew apart.

I guess it goes back to that old saying: friends for a reason, friends for a season and friends for life.

Even so, I find it amazing that there are people in this town, or in other towns for that matter, that I use to talk to on a daily basis and now I don't even recognize in the mall or at the gym.

Have any of you had this experience too?

How does it make you feel?

Random post, I know..

Bows..Bows..BOWS!!

It's no secret with my family and friends, I'm CRAZY about bows!

When I first started this blog nearly 4-years ago I even wrote this post about my love of them while growing up.

So, when I found out we were having a girl I knew she would be born a BOWHEAD!

Good for me is that my Mom is talented and can make beautiful bows that you pay big money for in the stores.

She made all of mine growing up and now she's back in business.

While she was visiting this past week, I put her to work!!

We went out in search of grosgrain ribbon and I was shocked at how picked over most of the stores here in town were/are!

And, most of the headbands to put them on?

Sold out.

Seriously, I went to 4 or 5 stores.

The only thing I can figure is that everyone is making bows?

 It has taken Brad a while to get use to the 'bow' thing.

Of course, it's taking him a while to get use to all things girly because he grew up with a brother and it was all about sports.

Of course we're not opposed to Miss Shelby playing sports.

As I tell Brad, she can do anything she wants to do whether it's take ballet, play soccer, volleyball, or play piano.

But, for right now there's one thing that is for sure.

She's a bowhead.

Just like her Mommy was!!

(this was the day I got my braces off hence why I'm in front of the orthodontist sign)

How about you?

Bowhead or not?

Of course, I know it's not every one's thing.

My New Look

I've got a new look going on here at Dee's Adventures.

What do you think?

Simplified and clean.

I likey.

Thank you to Lauren over at Choosing Joy for doing it for me! 

If you're looking for someone to do design for you contact her!

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Speaking of looks, I just can't get enough of Shelby in her faux fur coat.

She wasn't as thrilled with it as I was at first.

But, then owned up to being a diva and got over it.

LOL!!

It's turned off cold here in Charlotte so a little extra clothing is needed!

My Mom has been here this week as Brad went back to work.

It's been fun.

Next week I'll be on my own..............

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Now that she's 6-weeks old I feel more comfortable getting out and about with her.

She's had 2 shopping trips to the mall this week!

That's a good start!

She also had a trip to the doctor.

It was suppose to be her month check but it was more like her 6-week check.

Girlfriend has gained a couple of pounds then some!

She weighed in at 10.13 and is 22 and 1/2 inches long.

She was born 8.3 and 20 inches!

Isn't she a cutie?

My Mom is going to watch Shelby tomorrow night and Brad and I are going to enjoy our first night out together sans child.

I'm excited!

They're calling for a 'wintry mix' here tomorrow so we'll see what happens.

Happy Weekend to everyone!

What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag

After my post last week I've had a few people asking what I packed in my hospital bag so I thought I would do a short list.

When preparing for Shelby I asked a lot of friends what they packed, along with reading blogs and books.

In the end there were things we packed that we didn't need and things we should have packed.

I thought I would do a short list on what you don't need and what you do need.

Again...

As I've said before, everyone has a different experience so what I needed might be different for others.

Again..

I had a baby in the NICU, which not everyone experiences.

My advice to every soon to be mom is to pack as if you did, because you never know your circumstances.

* Clothes - pack clothes for your baby to go home in. I chose a prissy outfit because that's just who I am. Others choose to have their baby travel home in sleepers or a onesie. I think it depends on your personality and the time of year your baby is born. 

As for other clothes for your baby while in the hospital. You could bring a sleep sack if you prefer, but mainly they stay in the clothes the hospital provides, especially if you're having them sleep in the nursery at night.

When it comes to clothes for Mom pack a couple of comfy outfits and at least one set of pajamas.

As for pants, you're going to still be in maternity clothes so pack some of your pants from at least your second trimester. As for pajamas, I would suggest a gown over something with pants. Your tummy will be sore and you're not going to want anything cutting into it.

Again, I didn't do this and regretted it. 

I would also pack some sort of shoes other than slippers or the ones you're going home in. This again, is in case you're in the position to where you have to visit your baby in the nursery or NICU. It doesn't hurt when you have visitors too.

What NOT to pack is a robe. I just KNEW I was going to wear my newly monogrammed robe and slippers while in the hospital. Well, I'm here to tell you. I'm glad I didn't.

It might be TMI, but you have a lot of blood and other fluids making their way out of you and anything you are wearing could be ruined.

For that first day stick with the items the hospital provides. Yes, that includes underwear. They might be weird but wear them until after you get home.

* Electronics - I had been told all sorts of things to bring. I had this vision of Brad and I sitting in the delivery room listening to music, watching TV and surfing the net.

We packed an IPOD docking station, laptop, video camera, camera and God knows what else.

All we used was our IPhones, video camera, camera and Kindle.  Again, everyone has a different experience.

* Other items - several people told me that they waited to shower until they got home. I did not. I felt gross and had to shower so I suggest a pair of shower shoes and whatever toiletries you use at home. I knew I wasn't going to wash and blow dry my hair so I brought dry shampoo and yes, even makeup(which I didn't use).

I also suggest bringing a BOPPY. I didn't do that either. I was told the hospital would provide one. They didn't.

* Breast feeding paraphernalia  - I had planned to breast feed and had all sorts of items with me including nipple cream, a nursing tank and nursing bra. Of course, I chose not to nurse. All I can say is save your receipts on those items. I'm sure glad I did.

The only other thing I would suggest you bring with you is your baby book and some sort of file for paperwork.

The reason for the baby book is so they can do footprints in there(even though they provide another document), and the file will give you something to put all of the paperwork that they give you during your stay. You'll refer back to a lot of that in the weeks afterward.

Not the most exciting post but hopefully helpful!

If you have any other questions shoot me an email!

As of Late...

A random post this MLK Monday.

What's been going on around here.

Late night feedings.

Shelby is a great sleeper sleeping around 5 hour stretches at night but we haven't moved past the middle of the night feedings yet.

She'll be 6-weeks this Wednesday and we're heading back to the doctor so I'll be interested to see how much she weighs and talk to the pediatrician about all kinds of things.

 We've been getting out and about with Shelby quite a bit these days.

We take lots of walks.

 I'm having a blast dressing Miss S in all her little outfits.

She's starting to grow out of some of her newborn outfits already.

 We've all been taking a lot of naps.

I'm not ashamed to sleep when she sleeps. 

 On Friday we took Shelby to a restaurant for the first time.

This was a HUGE milestone for us and I'm glad we crossed it off our list before Brad goes back to work tomorrow.

 We picked up her birth certificate.

A lot of you who follow me on Instagram know that I shared advice that a friend gave us.

Get 3 or 4 copies of your child's birth certificate for future use such as getting passports, etc.

 This weekend we were lucky to be invited to dinner at our friend's house.

They moved here from California this Fall.

We have mutual friends back in Cali so I was excited when they moved to Charlotte(actually Weddington).

Their 3 daughters are totally adorable.

Ages 10, 8 and 5.

 The girls LOVED Shelby.

The oldest daughter helped me change her diaper and told me it was like having a real life American Girl doll.

So cute! 

 The two oldest daughters even performed their talent show routine for us.

It was adorable and reminded me so much of myself at that age!!

 On Saturday we laid low and ran errands while Shelby slept.

 And, I did manage to get out for another walk.

This time sans stroller and opting for the Bjorn.

I think she'll be fitting better in this in the coming weeks.

 Speaking of walking......

I caved and started exercising again yesterday.

I did an hour long power walk yesterday on my own and it felt GREAT!!!

I'm getting ready to head out again to meet a friend to walk the 'Booty Loop' here in Charlotte.

I can't believe how much I missed exercising!!

 After my big walk yesterday we headed out to our BIL and SIL's house to watch a little football.

Shelby got dressed for the occasion.

I'm loving going through her closet and drawers and finding hats and other items I forgot she received as shower gifts from friends and family.

This hat is one of them. 

The cousins were so excited to see baby Shelby!

 So much fun!

We are so lucky to have family that live nearby!

That's about it.

My Mom comes back here today to spend the week with me while Brad goes back to work tomorrow.

Should be fun.

More to come friends!!

Things People Don't Tell You

Since my last post was about all the things that people do tell you that aren't always true I thought I would follow up with a post about all the things people DON'T tell you.

Again, this is OUR experience so take it or leave it as you will.

#1. Take an extra change of clothes for yourself at the hospital.

I had numerous people tell me that they over packed for their hospital stay and that I shouldn't even worry about bringing pajamas because I would stay in my hospital robe the entire time.

Well, that wasn't the case for me.

As you know Shelby was in the NICU right after birth.

Mom has to visit baby in the NICU.

I was glad I had packed a set of pajamas and slippers because that's what I wore down there.

I really wish I had packed an extra set of clothes because I felt stupid walking through the hospital in silky PJ's and slippers.

As for what type of clothes - bring pants that you wore in your 2nd trimester.

Your tummy is sensitive and you won't want any sort of band cutting in.

#2. They don't show you how to breastfeed right after birth.

I figured that they had some sort of lactation consultant on hand right after to show you what to do and how to do it.

NOT!

I was clueless, and as much as the nurses want to help they're really not equipped.

I truly think that was part of the reason Shelby turned blue and quit breathing right after she was born.

I was breastfeeding her and I'm not sure I was doing it right.

I still believe she choked.

That is the reason I chose NOT to continue breastfeeding.

I knew I was going to have anxiety every time I would have went to feed her.

I wanted to enjoy my baby not be so stressed out.

So she's a formula baby.

I was a formula baby.

Brad was a formula baby.

We're both fine.

#3. You swell up after giving birth.

No one told me this and I know that everyone has a different experience but I was shocked at how much I blew up.

I didn't deal with a lot of swelling during pregnancy so I had no idea what was going on when I started to swell.

I looked like the marshmallow man.

The doctors told me that it was all the fluid going to Shelby that had nowhere to go after birth.

It took a week or so for all of it to go down.

(look at my hands in this picture)

#4. Take the sitz bathtub home with you.

I got cocky and thought I wouldn't need it.

Well, I'm here to tell you.

Take it and everything else(and then some) they give you at the hospital home.

I'm still sore where I was stitched up and it's been 5-weeks.

I have to soak in a bathtub once or 2x's a day for relief.

This is normal according to my doctor.

It would have been easier to have the sitz tub instead of having to get my entire body in the bathtub each night.

Another word of advice which I had read about and did is to take stool softeners from the day you give birth.

You're going to need them!!

#5. Hospital visitors aren't ideal.

This is one that I had actually been told by a couple of people but I thought I would throw it out there again.

Other than immediate family, visitors at the hospital don't make sense.

In fact, for us, it didn't even make sense to have our parents there because we didn't have our baby at all.

After Shelby was born she was in the NICU and the parent is only allowed to take 1-person in there at a time.

Also, the rooms are small and you are tired as is Dad.

Have visitors stop by after you get home.

That's all I can think of right now but I'm sure there are other things.

I'll have to jot things down about life here at home and what we were prepared for what we weren't.

Happy Thursday!

It's a rainy one here and they're calling for snow tonight!!! 

YAY!!!

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?

Shelby's Sip and See

Shelby was 1-month old this past Saturday and it was perfect timing to celebrate since my parents already had a 'Sip and See' planned so their friends and neighbors could meet her.

You might be asking..

What in the heck is a Sip and See?

Well, it's a party/open house where people can swing by and sip a cocktail and see the new baby.

It's a Southern thing and many people do it for a second baby in place of a shower.

Earlier in the day I made sure to get the obligatory 1-month picture complete with the sticker on the onesie.

Then, she did a wardrobe change into her party dress.

The party was held from 4pm until 7pm so we filled her full of milk in hopes she would be in a good mood when everyone arrived.

It worked.

(I'm getting a haircut this week - long overdue!)

My Mom had the place decked out in celebration of Miss Shelby.

In front of the mantle are two of my dolls from when I was a little girl.

They are 'Mandy and Jenny' from Fisher Price's My Friends collection.

No one else seems to remember these dolls when I mention them.

Just read they made their debut in 1977.

Gosh, I feel old.

Pink punch...

A cake for a princess..

And, some pink bubbly to toast our bundle of joy!!

My parents are so proud to be grandparents once again!

It's been 18-years since the last grandchild was born!

Shelby slept most of the party, which was just fine with us.

The belle of the ball!

The highlight of the afternoon/evening was when the minister who married us showed up with his wife.

We were THRILLED!

They use to live in Charlotte but in the last year or so moved to a town near my parents.

Can you see the excitement on my face?
So excited my parents invited them!

A very special moment for us.
So happy for him to meet our little girl.

All in all, there were about 20 people at her little party.

The kids really got a kick out of her.

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Towards the end of the night Shelby had an accident and had another wardrobe change.

From there we swaddled her up and got her ready for bed while the kiddos checked her out.

It was a wonderful celebration for a fabulous little girl.

A big thank you to my parents for hosting it and everyone for coming!!