She knows me?

After staying away from Teavana for quite a while –it’s an expensive habit, and I like my teas from Sunflower Market just as much- we made a little caffeine stop today.

tea5

Bzzzzz

After a night of high hopes with the swaddling, she busted out of her swaddle every hour or so, screaming like an angry elf, and I couldn’t wake up the Swaddle King because he had to fly this morning. So we partied all night: me re-swaddling her, bouncing and singing back to sleep on the stability ball, lather, rinse, repeat, with the necessary eating/burping/diaper change sessions in there.

After her all-nighter, she spent a lot of the morning crashed out in the Moby, and then we did tummy time, read books, the usual shenanigans, and went to the mall. We’ve turned into a couple of mall rats lately. It’s not even with the purpose of buying anything, but because I have all of the good breastfeeding spots figured out (the lounge at Dillard’s, fitting rooms), it gives us a chance to get out of the house and walk around if we don’t have plans that day with friends, and I appreciate the mall options here so much. In Valdosta, the anchor stores were Belk and JC Penney, and they didn’t have a Banana, Gap, or Express. The Victoria’s Secret was the 1980s floor plan with pink and gold heart wallpaper.

So, since I have no idea where we’ll be stationed next, in the meantime I’m going to breathe in all of the goodness that is Tucson, including the mall 😉

Today,

I’ve heard a lot of overtired cries, remedied by lots of food and snuggles (food and snuggles would make anything feel better though, right?)

been spit-up on

peed on (I had to laugh at that one)

and it felt like one of the most challenging days in a while, which I think is only because of the crazy night last night.

And then this morning, while I was changing her diaper and singing the good morning song

she looked up at me, cooed, and gave me the biggest, toothless smile.

I melted into a puddle of mush in front of her crib.

She can pee and spit up on me whenever she likes.. at least (I think) she knows who she’s doing it to 😉

smiley girl

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79 Comments

  1. chelsey @ clean eating chelsey on February 15, 2012 at 9:46 pm

    What an adorable face!!! Babies’ first smiles are absolutely incredible!

  2. Rebecca on February 15, 2012 at 9:49 pm

    That big grin just made ME melt into a big pile of mush!

  3. Christie Lombardo on February 15, 2012 at 9:50 pm

    Look at that smile!!!! So cute!!!!!

  4. Amy on February 15, 2012 at 9:50 pm

    Precious baby photo! I was a mall rat with my kids as well…lol! We have Nordies to use as feeding and changing pit stop as well as two awesome play areas when they start toddling around. Expensive little outings as I always found something to buy but I’ll have to say my kids were both well dressesd because of our weekly mall time;) I even got to know the markdown days…here in CA Baby Gap marked down on Wednesdays..lol.

  5. Stephanie @ Legally Blinde on February 15, 2012 at 9:51 pm

    She is so pretty 🙂 That must have been such a great feeling for you! You’re doing an amazing job!!

  6. Leslie Wingate on February 15, 2012 at 9:51 pm

    Oh, girl. I know it’ll probably be a while, but you guys make some seriously cute babies! You must make more. lol

  7. Emmie on February 15, 2012 at 9:51 pm

    Oh my she is precious!

  8. britt on February 15, 2012 at 9:51 pm

    moments like that make it all worth it 🙂

  9. Sana on February 15, 2012 at 9:53 pm

    Hahahaha you better remember this when she is 16!

  10. Mandy on February 15, 2012 at 9:54 pm

    Aww, the first smiles are the best! Congrats, you didn’t have to wait long. 😀 Smiles were totally the turning point in bubba’s and my relationship.

  11. Heather on February 15, 2012 at 9:54 pm

    One of our malls just did a whole remodel and they put in a mothers area with seperate bathroom and feeding lounge. It’s really nice and family friendly now. What a gorgeous smile your daughter has!

  12. Beth on February 15, 2012 at 9:54 pm

    Such a cutie!

    What size stability ball do you have? I want to get one for labor & postpartum.

  13. Alyssa @ Life of bLyss on February 15, 2012 at 9:55 pm

    that just made me so happy. the smile.. AND Judy in one post. 😉

    seriously.. there is nothing like the smile of a newborn. and you’ve got a real winner there.

  14. Steffany on February 15, 2012 at 9:55 pm

    As usual, another gorgeous pic of Livi !!!!!

  15. Liz @ Tip Top Shape on February 15, 2012 at 9:57 pm

    That is the most adorable picture of her!!! You guys made one cute kid! lol

  16. Lena @Fit on the Rocks on February 15, 2012 at 9:58 pm

    Baby smiles and giggles are the best <3

  17. mseafolk on February 15, 2012 at 9:58 pm

    I had a little vampire that never slept too. At about mont 2-3 when I was thinking I was going mental, I too, got the big gummy smile. It does turn you into mush.

  18. amelia on February 15, 2012 at 10:06 pm

    Aww…how sweet! Her smile is absolutely adorable. My favorite are when the belly laughs come. 🙂

  19. Lyndsay on February 15, 2012 at 10:06 pm

    Have you tried a woombie? Because you should. http://www.thewoombie.com

  20. Heather Eats Almond Butter on February 15, 2012 at 10:10 pm

    Yay – first smile. Soon she’ll be laughing and giggling out loud. It just gets better and better. 🙂

  21. jodie on February 15, 2012 at 10:10 pm

    Absolutely precious.

  22. kara on February 15, 2012 at 10:11 pm

    million dollar smile! she’s gorgeous… i’d melt into mush too!

  23. Kim on February 15, 2012 at 10:11 pm

    Awwww, CUTE!!!! <3

  24. Angel on February 15, 2012 at 10:14 pm

    I have been following your blog for a few weeks now…I found you on my friend Madeline’s blog at food fitness and family…and i love it! I have gained so much from reading your blog! Both my husband and I are Army Officers and we are stationed at Fort Drum, NY. I have been in a work out rut since arriving here in OCT (the tons of snow might have something to do with that) and after trying to gain motivation to do more than basic PT. Your blog has inspired me improve my health and fitness all around! I have been doing your winter shape up and LOVE it. Also, my husband and I graduated from the University of Arizona…I miss AZ so much and love reading about familiar places on your blog. And I couldn’t resist posting a comment today after you posted the good morning song you sing to your daughter (who is adorable btw) – my mom would sing that same song to my sisters and I almost every morning growing up! Sorry for the lengthy comment, but I mostly just wanted to say thanks for writing such an awesome blog!

  25. Jannifer on February 15, 2012 at 10:20 pm

    She absolutely knows! What a beautiful little girl, and a beautiful family. You are doing an amazing job as a mother. I love the Good Morning song. So perfect to sing to your little one after a sleepless night.

  26. Valerie @ FreshMutz on February 15, 2012 at 10:24 pm

    Ahhh happy happy baby!!! that picture turns ME to mush in front of my computer. Too cute.

    The samurai chai from Teavana with the german rock sugar is crazy delicious. Loved then sample so much I got suckered into buying $75.00 worth. Sigh.

  27. Shaina on February 15, 2012 at 10:26 pm

    can you pretty please do a post on your experience so far with cloth diapers? all-in-ones? flips? pockets? HELP haha.

  28. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie on February 15, 2012 at 10:26 pm

    Oh my goodness that last picture is too precious for words! I love seeing babies smile.

  29. Rachel on February 15, 2012 at 10:29 pm

    I’ve never been peed on in the last three years of babysitting a 3.5 and 2.2 year old! What, I’m not good enough to pee on? Geez. Love Liv’s sweet smile, dawwwwwwwwwww!

  30. Lauren on February 15, 2012 at 10:39 pm

    Love love love that toothless grin! She is precious 🙂

  31. kyla on February 15, 2012 at 10:46 pm

    Look at that grin! How happy is she????!

  32. Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga on February 15, 2012 at 11:10 pm

    Oh those all night sessions are…..brutal. But every one you have, you’re one closer to never having one again as she gets older 🙂 That’s how I tried to look at them but they are tough.

    And I used to have all the nursing friendly spots staked out, too. Victoria’s Secret is very supportive, which is a nice irony. They’ll let you lock yourself in one of their fitting rooms for as long as you and the little peanut need 🙂

  33. Laura on February 15, 2012 at 11:13 pm

    She is so precious!!!!!

  34. Candice on February 15, 2012 at 11:14 pm

    Sooooooo cute!

  35. Allie J on February 15, 2012 at 11:19 pm

    ADORABLE!! You have quite the cutie on your hands 🙂

  36. Kelsey on February 16, 2012 at 12:07 am

    SO CUTE!!! Remember those days all to well:) PLEASE go get a Miracle Blanket! You won’t regret it…. and our fussiest time was weeks 7-10. Bad days- she fought sleep like crazy. It gets better!!!

  37. Ali on February 16, 2012 at 12:13 am

    So precious. So so so precious. You will always remember these moments, and the sleep deprivation will subside! <3

  38. Lauren on February 16, 2012 at 12:32 am

    That’s SUCH a cute, heart-mushing smile! She’s a beauty! And you’re doing an amazing job, well done!

  39. Stephanie on February 16, 2012 at 12:52 am

    OMG that picture is so adorable. She is BEAUTIFUL!

  40. J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) on February 16, 2012 at 1:04 am

    That face! That smile! Priceless! 🙂 She would make anyone melt.

  41. Sara on February 16, 2012 at 1:14 am

    I’ve got my one year old nephew staying at the moment and it is totally like that. When he got off the plane (with his mum, obviously), saw me and gave a big shout and whole face smile, I’m pretty sure I did melt into a puddle of love. I wasn’t sure he would remember me in person, it’s been 6 months, even though he waves at me on Skype, but he DID. Yeah!

  42. aWickedRose on February 16, 2012 at 1:20 am

    Of course she knows you silly you’re MAMA! That’s so exciting you got her first smile! Congrats!

  43. Julie on February 16, 2012 at 1:21 am

    Oh I love this picture of Olivia. It’s the best one yet!

  44. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com on February 16, 2012 at 1:58 am

    Aaahhh.. precious Livi, melts my heart 😀

  45. jen on February 16, 2012 at 2:47 am

    i am sure someone suggested this but it’s almost 2am and i’m too tired from being up with my own little night owl to read all the comments but have you tried a swaddle me blanket? or the woombie? i am a pitiful swaddler and both of our kids could wiggle out of my swaddles but the swaddle me blanket makes it easier to pull time and has velcro to keep it in place and the woombie is even more secure. hope tonight is better!

  46. Kim @ girlevolving on February 16, 2012 at 5:31 am

    She does know who you are! And isn’t it the best?!?

    The first week Leo pooped all down my husband… and he said, “I thought that would really gross me out but because it’s him, I really don’t care.”

    Have you tried the Summer Infant swaddles with velcro? We have the fleece version (we live in Indiana), but they have a cotton version, too. The velcro helps you get it really tight – even Leo had a hard time breaking out of it (he was a little Houdini, too). I know you’re probably getting lots of advice, but I thought I’d offer it in case it helped. Hope you get more sleep tonight!!! You’re a great mom, Gina, and even on those long nights when you think “I’m never going to sleep again!” – YOU WILL.

  47. Tina on February 16, 2012 at 6:28 am

    um, only parents probably appreciate the body fluids comments.

    • Fitnessista on February 16, 2012 at 9:40 am

      Um, this is the family page.

  48. Kristen on February 16, 2012 at 7:09 am

    We are expecting a baby in a couple of weeks and I was JUST telling my husband yesterday that its going to be tough but to just wait until he starts smiling at us. Your little doll baby just made me even more excited about it!

    Oh and yay for caffeine! I know its not the greatest thing for our bodies but, whatever. Although eating right and exercising does give me energy, sometimes its just not enough. I personally enjoy caffeine the most in the form of chocolate. Its my drug of choice 🙂

  49. Amber L on February 16, 2012 at 7:09 am

    omg that picture of her smiling is priceless! so sweet!!!

    Have you tried a swaddleme or Halo swaddle yet? I think someone recommended a woombie too. Maybe she won’t be able to get out of those as easily!

  50. Hillary on February 16, 2012 at 7:20 am

    Adorable—and totally worth it, I’m sure!

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