My Week in Instagram

Morning cuddles are my favorite! I cherish these moments with my girl!

I just love her!

Her chubby little legs!

First nap in her crib...it was harder on me than it was on her!

Sleeping beauty :)

Exhausted after a long day of running errands.

Feel free to follow me on Instagram @awood009

Losing the Baby Weight

I gave myself six weeks to chill before getting serious about losing this baby weight. So today marks the day where I start actually trying to lose the baby weight.

It shouldn't be hard...I mean, I only have 4.5 lbs to go before I hit pre-pregnancy weight, but I was trying to lose 15 lbs before I got pregnant. So the total weight loss goal is 20 lbs. I'm gonna need all the support I can get. Eating well is really hard for me, and I always find an excuse to not work out and I imagine with a newborn those excuses will come even easier. 

I'm wanting to be able to wear a bikini confidently this summer when we go to the beach (and we better be going to the beach for at least one weekend!).

So anybody got any hints on how I should start? What should I do? I've already fallen in love with green smoothies and will definitely be keeping those in the diet, but what else? I'm such a bad dieter and it's hard with a picky husband (not to mention my gluten-free diet). 

source

Now let me add that I'm not doing this because I think I'm ugly. I love my post-pregnancy body because it's a symbol of what I've been through, but I believe I would feel better and be a better me if I was healthier and lost a little bit of weight...

Blessed

I've only got a few minutes before Baby Girl gets up from her nap to eat. It's in this silence, while my little love bug is sleeping peacefully that I realize just how blessed I am. It's in these moments that I just sit and look at her and am just consumed with love.

 

Well, she's starting to wake up. Now for cuddles while she eats and then bedtime routines. I just love this time with my love bug!

Favorite Things: 1 Month Edition

It's hard to believe my baby is already a month old! You can check out her one month update here.

1. Fisher Price My Little Snugabunny Cradle 'n Swing - This has been a lifesaver. It sits in between our living room and kitchen, so that when I'm working I can just put Baby Girl in there to swing and I can see her no matter what room I'm in. She absolutely loves her swing. The speed is adjustable, it plays music, and has a bird mobile that she just loves to look at. And the best part is that it is not battery operated! It has a plug in! I just love this swing!

2. Moby Wrap - No matter what, I recommend getting a wrap or sling to carry your baby! I just love being able to carry my baby hands free. Plus, she still likes to be close to me.

3. Fisher Price My Little Snugabunny Rock 'n Play - My all-time favorite gift (thanks guys!). This has been a lifesaver. It's what she sleeps in and the best part is that it's light weight and compact so we can take it with us wherever we go! I love how it cradles her. It's kind of like a hammock, so it makes her feel more secure as she's sleeping. I like that we can take it with us right now. It's a lot less bulky than a pack 'n play so it's easier to transport. Eventually we'll have to upgrade, but for now we're sticking with the Rock 'n Play.

4. Baby Jogger City Mini Stroller - I love this stroller!! We've only taken her out in this once, but I love it! It's such a smooth ride and really easy to operate. I love how easy it is to fold and store. And I think Baby Girl liked it. At least, she fell to sleep immediately.

5. Aden + Anais Swaddle Blankets - These have been great. Though Baby Girl isn't a fan of being swaddled, these blankets have been great to cover her when she's in her swing or her car seat. They also make a great cover-up for breast feeding in public. I love them because they're not too hot so they don't smother her.

6. Safety 1st Infant Car Seat - I love our car seat. It's easy to install and to put her in it. The one thing I read about them when we were buying car seats was that it was heavy, but I haven't had a problem with the weight at all (I see it as a way to build muscles).

I'm excited to see what toys will make their way onto the list next month as Baby Girl grows. It's fun watching her develop and grow and discover new things!

1 Month!

Dear Baby Girl,

It's hard to believe you're already a month old! I'm loving every minute of this stage of your life! You're such a precious gift and I fall more in love with you every day (if that's even possible). You love to cuddle and be held. In fact, one night this past week you woke up screaming, but the instant I had you in my arms you went straight back to sleep. So you joined us in bed for a few hours. It was so sweet to have you cuddled up next to me. I just love it! 

You went through your first growth spurt and through us all for a loop. We had you on such a great schedule, and then you up and decided to change it on us. Oh well. You're definitely keeping us on our toes. I love discovering life with you. Your coos and "talking" are just precious! You're really developing those lungs. 

We started you off on tummy time, and I don't think you know what to do with yourself. You'll stay there for a minute just as happy as can be talking up a storm, and then the next minute you're done. It's precious.

Things you love:

Mommy

Daddy

Eating

Your swing

Your Rock n Play

Your mat

Eating

Daddy

Mommy

Daddy and I just love you, Baby Girl and we're so excited about watching you grow up and learn new things! Just don't grow up too fast okay?

Love, Mommy

My Week in Instagram

Baby Girl sleeping on Monday was a rare thing.

Sock Monkey Tuesday

Beautiful Girl, Beautiful World by Tyrone Wells was the only thing that would calm Baby Girl down.

Happy Valentine's Day and Baby Girl is 4 weeks old! Baby Girl was not a fan of that tutu. 

She loved her gift from her Bibi and Papi!

We went for her first walk in the stroller and she loved it! It was such a beautiful day, I just couldn't resist getting her outside!

Feel free to follow me on instagram @awood009

You mean I get to keep her?!

This whole being a mom thing is surreal. You start preparing for mommyhood when you start talking about getting pregnant. Then the instant you get pregnant, preparation kicks in hardcore. You have nine months to really get it in your head that you are going to be a mom! It should sink in then...that in nine months (give or take a few days/weeks) you are going to be responsible for a little person.

At least that's supposed to be how it is...right? You're given nine months to prepare for the change...

But how do you prepare for the change? 

I knew it was coming. I had nine months to prepare. So why does it all still seem so surreal. Ever since we brought Baby Girl home, I feel like it's only temporary. I feel like I'm babysitting someone else's child and that eventually I'm going to have to give her back. This feeling seems to be the strongest at night. Whenever we both wake up for a feeding, I feel like I'm in some sort of dream. That the little girl in my arms that I love so much isn't mine. 

Of course, I know this isn't true. There's no denying this little one. She's definitely mine, and I'll always claim her. I guess I'm still adjusting to this little person being here. And you know what, I think this feeling is okay. I think it's normal. At least that's what I'm telling myself to make me feel better...

Do any of you other first time mommies feel the same way? Or those that remember being a first time mommy, did you ever feel like this?

 

See, there's no denying this sweet face...she has my eyes and the hubs's everything else. I mean, she is our child! And I'm happy to keep her ever day ending in "y"!

(the first picture is of me as a newborn and the second is of the hubs)