1/27: Thoughts from the week
-I used to think I knew what worry was- I had no idea. As much as I enjoyed and loved my pregnancy, I definitely worried and wondered if she’d be ok. All I wanted was the three of us safely home from the hospital. I thought I wouldn’t worry quite as much after she was born and we knew she was alive and healthy- apparently that was all just the beginning. Between jaundice –she had to get 3 heel pricks to test her billirubin levels- the feeding debacle and trying to make sure she’s fed, burped, fresh diaper, loved, comforted and happy… it’s a different type of worry, and I think about her all the time.
-Remember when I had a no-bellybutton? Well, it’s officially an innie again, but looks like a sad face.
-I used to make and finish my lunch quickly because I was in a hurry to get somewhere. Now I stuff my face as quickly as possible so I can take napping Liv out of the bouncy seat and snuggle her.
-Today is our first official non-jammies day from morning on. I’m wearing lulu, and Liv is rocking H&M, courtesy of her fashionable Auntie Meg.
-The crying spells are pretty much gone. It had been a couple of days, and then Tom posted this picture on my Facebook wall last night
Have you ever seen a baby dolphin?! I cried a little, just because it was so cute.
-Even though she still sleeps a ton, I’m finding fun ways to play with Livi during her awake times. We read books, I shake a rattle and she follows it with her eyes, and sing Spanish and English songs. I also talk to her as much as possible while she’s awake, describe different objects in the room or outside, and she loves to sit in her bouncy seat and watch the mobile. I’m excited for when she’s awake for more hours during the day and we can play more, but for now, lots of eating, snoozing and growing.
-I’m also excited to work out again. Even though I still don’t feel ready and like I’m still healing, I miss it. Working out is something I enjoy so much, and I could have definitely used a sun salutation or Zumba reggaeton for sanity during these very challenging weeks. As a fitness professional, fitness is a huge part of my life, and getting a daily sweat has given me many mental and health benefits- the physical results of exercise are a bonus. While my body isn’t on top of the priority totem pole –my baby is- it will be interesting to see how it changes as I get back my cardio and strength endurance as time goes on. I’m not sure I know of anyone who has said “I just had a baby and I want to look like I’m still pregnant”- of course I’d like to get back in fighting shape eventually.
As much as fitness is a part of my life and occupation, it’s now an obviously small piece of the pie. When I was teaching all day and had no fitness limitations, something was missing from my life. Now that I can’t be active like I used to, for a while at least, my heart and life have never felt so full.
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Isn’t it amazing how they can fill a space in your heart that you never knew was missing? Oh and lol at the belly button comment. I was surprised when mine looked different after birth, say hello to your new belly button! 🙂
We had a jaundice scare too in Logan’s first few days… so many trips to pedi and clinic on so little sleep were nerve-wracking! I have no idea how parents of NICU babies do it.. my heart goes out to them.
Life sure is never the same again with a little one.
Oh man. I used to say the same thing, and then we unexpectedly became those NICU parents! 99 days, 2 surgeries and one infection later, we brought our daughter home and now we just get to worry about normal parent stuff. Has she pooped today? What is this patch of dry skin? Why won’t she eat green veggies??
The worry never goes away. But the memories and experiences only get better.
I freaking LOVE the pics you post…especially of the little one, snoozing her face off!
LOVE that pic of you two. She’s precious!!!
It’s touching to hear how things have changed now that you have your little one. Keep it coming 🙂
I am LOVING these posts—and not just because I adore the pictures of Olivia snoozing on top of you (too freaking cute!)
Emmie had jaundice issues too … we had to do at home phototherapy. Multiple heel pricks. Fun times haha.
Just know that all moms have felt a lot of what you’re feeling so you have a huge support network to reach out to when you need it. I have gotten so many good responses from my mom “friends” on twitter … especially using the #zombiemoms hashtag 😉 It’s also comforting knowing other moms are up at 3AM also haha.
You’re doing an awesome job and Livi is just too cute 🙂
The baby is sooo cute…I love that picture of her sleeping with her mouth wide open! I fall asleep like that sometimes, although I’m sure it isn’t so cute when I do it.
She is absolutely beautiful! I can imagine that priorities shift a lot (in a good way!) once you have kids. I’m 21 and have not a clue about all of that, but it looks like you are doing things well 🙂
Mummy-hood definitely suits you. In your pics, you look more relaxed (or maybe that is just sleepiness..?).
I was listening to the news the other day, and they were talking about a barn fire. The reporter said, “We want to let everyone know that no animals or people were harmed in the fire” and I nearly cried because how often do they report that no *animals* were hurt in an event? It made me so happy.
Gina, I have been reading your blog for sometime now and I am so happy that you are posts are real! You’re not covering things up. I am due in about 7 weeks, and I have enjoyed following your pregnancy journey. You have helped me prepare more for what life will be like AFTER baby in your recent posts. I am nervous, scared, excited and honored to be bringing our little girl into this world. But I know I have a tough couple of months ahead of me. You look wonderful and even though I’m not there yet, I must say you are doing a great job!!
Great post, I love reading about your experiences and thoughts of being a new mom. What a wonderful time in your life!
Yes, there’s really no way to describe a mother’s worry, care, concern, and just all-consuming thoughts about the welfare of her baby…until you have that little bundle of life in your arms, you just can’t imagine. But now you know, and you’re dealing with all the changes beautifully in your life.
Have a wonderful weekend and I love that 1st pic in this post. So pretty. And the dolphin and the pic of You/Baby, too, of course!
I’m not planning on having kids anytime soon, but I really enjoy reading your family posts and filing them away for future reference. So inspiring. =)
So happy that things are calming down a bit! Can’t wait to see Liv in some cute outfit pics! 🙂
You’ve got such a great attitude towards getting back in shape! Just know that in the grand scheme of things, a few weeks NOT working out will be soon forgotten! Keep doing what you’re doing, and just enjoy your baby!
Welcome back! And yes, welcome to parenthood (new levels of eternal worry).
Do you speak Spanish to Livi? ¿Habla español?
Random comment alert! From reading your blog for so many years, I know how much you love wearing eyeliner and used to never post pics without it. It’s so refreshing to watch you post pics totally without makeup (I think?). You are still as beautiful as ever 🙂
I was thinking the same thing!
thank you, friend! definitely don’t have time to mess around with makeup right now 😉
All babies are so cute, animal and human 😀
Long time reader, never commented…Just wanted to say I truly look forward to your posts. You are so genuine, insightful, and just real!! I’m so happy for you and your family, you are absolutely glowing 🙂
LOVE hearing how comfortable you are with this new role!! Such a blessing!
I am so sorry you and Olivia had to go through the heel pricks. OMG, we had to do that with my son for the same reason (after 3 failed attempts at getting blood from a vein in his arm— why they though they could find a vein in the squishy arm of a 2 week old I will never know) and it was pure torture for my hub and me. Glad you made it through and I hope her jaundice is all cleared up!
That first picture looks fake, it is so gorgeous. And Olivia’s eyes…my goodness. They are gorgeous!
She has got the most adorable little sleeping face ever G! I am happy you are starting to feel better and like you have a little bit of a groove going. There will be lots and lots of time for fitness, but this stage of her life is SO short, you are wise to enjoy and soak it all up. <3
I saw that same pic of the baby dolphin on FB last night…too cute. We have Sea World passes (living in Orlando), and I love to see the animals..way better than Disney!
Isn’t it wild how your body goes back to the way it was?
xoxo
So happy for you! There’s nothing else like it! Soak it all in! It’s a blast!
So funny you touched on this, because I literally was just saying to my mom that I’m pretty sure the worrying never stops once you become a mom. We are now 4 months into parenthood and while a lot of the major beginning worries have past, I am now onto the next milestones and googling the newest horror story I have come up with in my head.
I love your attitude! Now that she is here, isn’t it hard to imagine how you ever lived without her and her sweet self??!
Awww…you can tell how much Livi LOVES her mama!!!
You look stunning in that picture – Livi is such a mini you. So happy to hear things are on the upswing for you guys – those first few weeks home with your first baby are so, so incredibly hard, it’s like nothing else I’ve ever experienced. You and Tom are wonderful parents, she’s a lucky little girl. 🙂 You’ve got such a great outlook – I’m always so inspired reading your blog. Love the family posts – I had such a similar experience with my oldest (thank goodness number 2 is a little bit easier!), it brings back a lot of memories.
Your SIL-to-be’s blog is so cute! She reminds me of Zooey Deschanel.
Also cute – that gorgeous baby.
haha, i just got off an ER shift, so i’m a little tired, but “the crying spells were gone” and at first i was like, oh, good, livi is happy. i reread it a second time, and was like, oh, wait- gina is crying less, her hormones must be settling a little bit. i think about it again, and realize it could be both, or either, and i’m slightly confused, but hooray for whomever is less teary. LOL, and that i should go to bed.
Wow!! This is the sweetest post ever!! I can’t wait to experience this. Well, I can wait but you know what I mean 🙂
Sounds like you’re a fantastic, involved mama!
I love getting this insight into being a new mom. While I am excited for the adventure, there are obviously a lot of unknowns that scare me. Thanks for sharing how your life is changing! I can’t wait to come back to these later when I have kids.
She looks so cute!!!! Looks like your are really enjoying being a mommy!!! 🙂
Olivia is just beautiful. She actually makes me feel broody 🙂
The worry never goes away. I used to think that as she got older i’d have less to worry about but now my ‘baby’ is fourteen I just have a different set of worries. Wait till you have to start thinking about boys and mean friends!
Honestly though watching your daughter grow and slowly become the person who she was meant to be is worth every worry, big or small.
Ditto!! My daughter turns 15 tomorrow (learners license,boys,prom). New set of worries.
Gina, Livi & you are doing perfect. So sweet. Keep the pics coming
thank you! i’ll text you some too 🙂 xoxo
Being a mom is the best. I know I don’t speak for the masses, but motherhood has fulfilled me SO much. Before kids, I had the education, the job, the LIFE, but NOTHING has made me feel the way motherhood has. My kids have definitely enriched my life, as I see Livi is doing for your’s. <3 I love that you are enjoying this time…it definitely goes by too quickly.
The worrying never ends…there is something new to worry about at every age. Sometimes I feel like if I don’t worry enough that something bad will happen. If it is not worry it is guilt! Welcome to motherhood! No on ever really tells you how vulnerable you are going to feel once that baby enters the world. But I wouldn’t change a thing!
that baby dolphin is so precious
I hate to tell you but the older they get the worry does not go away. Just changes into different worries. Now I worry about her climbing and falling as Peanut has turned into a monkey lol.
And you just wait…when they are older and not under your control….Every time you hear about an accident you are looking for pictures to make sure it isn’t the kind of car your kids drive! Or their friends…who you are also like a mom to! The worry never stops!
And I think one of my nephews said it best when his daughter was born…he didn’t know you could love someone so much, that you just met!
A prayer for you and Livi today… This is the song/prayer my prenatal yoga teacher has been playing during final meditation and this one gets me every time. I hope you love it as much as I do…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5tJvY_P9vg&feature=related