No place like home

and no hound like Bell 🙂

bell and baby

Everyone is slowly getting into the swing of things as a new little family. More deets on the Family page, but I wanted to thank you all again for being so encouraging and wonderful this weekend. It was a life-changer, for sure, and we couldn’t be happier <3

bringing in baby

Since we spent the weekend at the hospital, we were surrounded by family and friends

who thankfully brought us food and saved us from the likes of this:

chicken

Chicken Florentine (?) with brown spinach…

My uncle said it was surprisingly good, though 😉

Our first meal back was turkey wraps and sandwiches (banana peppers, romaine, lettuce, mayo, Dijon and turkey) with dark chocolate almond milk.

wrap

So simple, and tasted like the best thing ever.

I just wanted to say a quick hello since my “In Labor” post has been up since Saturday, but I’ll be back tomorrow with some fast fitness fixes.

Don’t forget, Winter Shape Up starts next Monday! It’s going to be a good one.

Have a great night <3

xoxo

Gina

“It is always the simple things that change our lives. And these things never happen when you are looking for them to happen. Life will reveal answers at the pace life wishes to do so. You feel like running, but life is on a stroll.”

Donald Miller

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67 Comments

  1. Haley on January 9, 2012 at 9:29 pm

    Congrats…can’t wait for all of details! Enjoy snuggling the little one

  2. Jayme on January 9, 2012 at 9:30 pm

    I love the way Bella is looking at the bassinet! Precious! Congratulations, she is beautiful!!!

  3. Julie (A Case of the Runs) on January 9, 2012 at 9:31 pm

    Wow, you don’t need to post any shape-ups or anything!! We’ll keep reading… best to you!

    • Jill on January 9, 2012 at 9:49 pm

      I was just gonna say! Baby updates are more than welcome 🙂

      • Brittany on January 10, 2012 at 10:28 am

        Olivia updates would be greatly appreciated!

    • Suzanne C. on January 10, 2012 at 6:28 am

      Right there in agreement, ladies!! I think my boyfriend officially thinks I am nuts a I checked the blog on Saturday and saw you in labor, Gina! I was so excited!

      • Fitnessista on January 10, 2012 at 2:04 pm

        thank you friends! and yes, there will be lots of updates on the family page 🙂

  4. Caroline Walberg on January 9, 2012 at 9:31 pm

    So excited to see more pics–enjoy being a family of three in the casa 🙂 (or 4, can’t forget Bella)!!!

  5. Nicole on January 9, 2012 at 9:31 pm

    So glad you are home and getting into your own routine. That picture of Bella made me smile. So sweet!

  6. Angie on January 9, 2012 at 9:31 pm

    Congratulations again!!!! LOVE love love that first pic of Bella perched up “looking” in on her new sister. 😀
    Soo happy for you..as i am sure you are. Cherish cherish cherish these days! There is nothing more special to share between a husband and wife than a beautiful life you together created.

    How sweet of your family to all come over and bring you food. Thats what happened for us. My MIL came up and took care of us. It makes the time even more special! Enjoy!
    Cant wait to read about your future shenanigans with Lil Miss Olivia!!!
    WELCOME to the world OLIVIA!!!!

  7. Ali @ Peaches and Football on January 9, 2012 at 9:34 pm

    Wow can’t believe you’re home already with your little one! How exciting. Now the REAL fun begins!!

    Major congratulations to you and Tom!!!!!

  8. Amber at Love, Laugh, Live Well on January 9, 2012 at 9:35 pm

    Congrats Momma! Can’t wait to hear/see more! Must feel so great to be home again and with your little baby girl.

  9. Jackie @ That Deep Breath on January 9, 2012 at 9:35 pm

    So happy for you both!! Congratulations!

  10. Jenna on January 9, 2012 at 9:35 pm

    Congrats! Can’t believe you are posting already! Already a rockstar mama! Excited to read along the journey

  11. Kris on January 9, 2012 at 9:37 pm

    aw, that first photo is SO sweet!

    how IS Bella adapting?? 😀

    • Fitnessista on January 9, 2012 at 9:41 pm

      she is being perfect… you can tell she loves her 🙂

  12. kristi on January 9, 2012 at 9:37 pm

    I thought I’d share this quote. I remember reading it shortly after I had my first child and I think it is incredible true. I remember feeling in my chest like someone was carrying my heart with them if they carried him out of the room:

    “Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”

    Elizabeth Stone

    Congrats, Gina & Pilot!

  13. Amber L on January 9, 2012 at 9:39 pm

    That first pic of Bella is too cute! I can’t wait to continue to read about your adventures in mommyhood! I’m getting more and more excited each day for May when our little girl is due. Enjoy your little bundle!!

  14. Emily on January 9, 2012 at 9:43 pm

    Welcome home 🙂 so good to have family bring you food! My mom cooked for me the entire time the twins were in the hospital and it was soooo nice not having to worry about food! p.s. dark chocolate almond milk is my new obsession. I have to hide it in the back of the fridge so I won’t drink multiple cups a day haha

  15. Krystina (Organically Me) on January 9, 2012 at 9:47 pm

    Welcome back home! Can’t wait to hear more details. 🙂

  16. chelsea on January 9, 2012 at 9:48 pm

    I can not wait to read about how your labor process went <3

  17. Stefanie @TheNewHealthy on January 9, 2012 at 9:59 pm

    So happy for your adorable little family! Can’t wait to see more. 🙂

  18. Kaila @healthyhelperblog! on January 9, 2012 at 10:01 pm

    Glad to hear everyone is adjusting well! And hun, don’t worry about posting….take some time off to rest and enjoy your little one! We’ll all still be here!

  19. Army Amy* on January 9, 2012 at 10:10 pm

    I can’t believe you’ve had the time to write a post! Impressive! I can’t wait to get more of the deets!*

  20. Brittany on January 9, 2012 at 10:25 pm

    Welcome home! I bet it feels wonderful to be at your own casa. 🙂

  21. Katherine @ Left Coast Contessa on January 9, 2012 at 10:35 pm

    Gina, congrats to you and pilot! I wanted to say that I love your blog and I love the way that you have posted about your pregnancy and your new family. Over time, I actually have unsubscribed from almost all of the other HLB’s I read except for your blog. Your pregnancy posts were very thoughtful and professional. I really appreciate how the core content of your blog has grown in the past year beyond your family posts too. I love the focus on posts (I read the zumba one over the summer and now I zumba twice a week and I love it!) and the shape ups. I feel like I get value from your blog rather than it just being just a place to see whatever your eating on any given day. Can’t wait to see how your blog, and your family, grows! Keep up the awesome blogging.

    • Fitnessista on January 10, 2012 at 2:05 pm

      that’s a wonderful compliment- thank you <3
      so glad you're a zumba fan now, too!
      xoxo

  22. Toronto Girl West on January 9, 2012 at 10:36 pm

    Is Bella protective of Olivia? I have a little shihtzu bichon cross named Daisy, and I have often wondered how she would fare with a little one in the house!

  23. Shannon @ Her Dog Blog on January 9, 2012 at 10:41 pm

    Congratulations! This is the first time I’ve posted a comment but I’ve been following your blog for a while now. I can’t wait to see how Bella does with Olivia. I hope you’ll keep up posted on what it’s like to bring home a (human) baby when you’ve already got one (furry) baby that is clearly the queen! 😀

  24. deva at deva by definition on January 9, 2012 at 11:07 pm

    Congratulations. I hope your first days at home as new parents are absolutely precious, and that things just keep getting more and more precious as the days and weeks go on.

  25. Rachel on January 9, 2012 at 11:36 pm

    It’s pretty amazing you’ve made the time to post anything, thank you for the updates! Can’t wait for the birth story but please make sure to take care of and take time for Yourself and enjoy that beautiful baby and brand-new family time. It only happens once!

  26. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie on January 9, 2012 at 11:48 pm

    LOVE that picture of Bella staring at Olivia! So stinkin cute. I’m so happy for you and Tom and all the excitement and love in your life! So so glad you had a healthy happy labor! I can’t wait to read your birth story!

  27. Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga on January 10, 2012 at 12:32 am

    Welcome home and there is nothing like being back home…especially when you were in the hospital. Home, your own bed, and shower, never felt so good! And now you have Olivia at home…the best thing ever. 🙂

  28. Laura @ She Eats Well on January 10, 2012 at 12:37 am

    I cannot wait to read about your experience and your first few days as a new Mom. Enjoy your precious family time.

  29. Lauren @ Sassy Molassy on January 10, 2012 at 12:41 am

    Aw, Bella… I’m so impressed that you are up and blogging with all the excitement and the little one. No pressure if you feel like you have to get something up. The readers will be here when you’re ready and able to post. 🙂

  30. Jaclyn on January 10, 2012 at 12:46 am

    Gina! I’m sorry I haven’t commented yet, but CONGRATS! Olivia is beautiful, of course, and you look great. I hope you and Pilot and baby O are happy and snug at home. Take care and take it easy on yourself these next few weeks !! 🙂

    Thinking about you guys and so excited to follo along and get my daily baby picture fix ha ! :]

  31. Liana on January 10, 2012 at 1:03 am

    welcome home!!! 🙂

  32. Ali on January 10, 2012 at 1:13 am

    Welcome Home Girl! I hope you are getting tonnes and tonnes of rest! Why did you not have smoked salmon for your first meal again!?

  33. Emily on January 10, 2012 at 2:28 am

    I love that quote! & so happy you’re being taken care of with good food. I look forward to hearing your stories from motherhood as well as doing the winter shape up.

  34. Kelly @ Vegolosophy on January 10, 2012 at 3:12 am

    Congrats again to you and your little family 🙂 Hope your transition home is a smooth one. Looking forward to winter shape up as well!

  35. Jessica Ann on January 10, 2012 at 3:21 am

    Congratulations to your new little family! That picture of Bella is so cute!

  36. Tiffany on January 10, 2012 at 3:22 am

    Gina, you are so inspiring with your winter shape up just a week after delivering baby. Rock on, baby mama! 😉

  37. Sara on January 10, 2012 at 4:57 am

    Mmm… hospital food…. looks like it is the same world over…

    Bella looks like she is thinking really hard in her little doggy brain. She is figuring it all out as best she can. I’d love to know what they can understand. Dogs have really good noses, so can she smell that Olivia is part you, part Pilot? Who knows?

    • Fitnessista on January 10, 2012 at 2:03 pm

      i think so! my mom took a beanie home to bella while we were in the hospital so she could smell it- i think she already feels like she’s the protector

  38. Suzanne on January 10, 2012 at 7:08 am

    Welcome home! Enjoy this special time.
    I love that pic of Bella and the bassinet. So precious.
    Made me smile. 🙂

  39. Emily on January 10, 2012 at 7:22 am

    Welcome home. I am sure Miss Bella missed you guys like crazy! Have a wonderful time getting adjusted to being a new family, and I cannot wait to have all the details.

  40. Megan Infantino on January 10, 2012 at 8:22 am

    Yay! Glad you’re back and doing well.

  41. maria o on January 10, 2012 at 8:25 am

    Congratulations!! Sending my warm wishes and love. Enjoy every second of your new bundle of joy!

  42. Emilie @ Emilie's Enjoyables on January 10, 2012 at 8:33 am

    Aww bella 🙂 Enjoy this time with your new baby!

  43. Alison on January 10, 2012 at 9:23 am

    Bella reminds me of Lady and the Tramp! Not quiiiite sure. 🙂
    Congratulations!

  44. Trainer Kjirsten @ Balanced Healthy Life on January 10, 2012 at 9:44 am

    Congrats again on baby Olivia! I’m due in less than a month, but on bed rest right now trying to keep the baby in and we are using Olivia as her middle name! I think it is so sweet sounding and timeless! Good choice!

    Also, I love your bassinett! What brand is it?

  45. Amy on January 10, 2012 at 9:54 am

    Yay! Hope the Pilot got to watch at least a little of the football game last night (Roll Tide!). 🙂 With the adorable girls at home, I bet he doesn’t know which pretty face to look at first. So happy for your family!

    • Fitnessista on January 10, 2012 at 2:02 pm

      yes, we definitely watched the game 🙂 baby is already a bama fan

  46. Chelsa on January 10, 2012 at 10:15 am

    I can’t wait for the Winter Shape Up! I love those brown rice tortillas, they’re my favorite.

  47. brooke on January 10, 2012 at 10:21 am

    Awww, Bella. She’s so cute. I want to hug her! Can’t wait to see more pictures of Bella and the baby!

  48. Brittany on January 10, 2012 at 10:34 am

    Welcome home Olivia. I hope the first night home went well. She is so beautiful. Hope your transition from being Gina and Tom to Mama and Daddy goes smoothly. Congratulations!!!!

  49. Shannon from Healthiful Balance on January 10, 2012 at 10:41 am

    So glad your doing great! 🙂 I am so happy for you and your family! 🙂
    The first picture with Belle is SO cute! <3

  50. Cat @Breakfast to Bed on January 10, 2012 at 11:07 am

    enjoy every minute.

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