1 Month Later

Who knew that changing filthy diapers, feeding around the clock, losing HOURS of sleep and being patient through wailing cries could feel so rewarding??  Yesterday, marked JSL's 4th week here in our life and it feels like she's always been here!  At this point, I see why SAHMs (stay at home moms) say they DO work, they work in the home.  Trust me...yes, it IS work!

For our 1 month "pat ourselves on the back", DL and I toasted to a lifetime of parenthood at Bonefish Grill, with JSL in tow!  It was an amazingly funny adventure having our first date night as parents.

Things I NEVER had to think about before JSL

1. I had to figure out, should I get dressed first or dress her first?
2. What time should I feed and change her to ensure she sleeps through our dinner?
3. If I bundle her, will she be too hot in the restaurant?
4. So, what all should I really pack in her diaper bag?  What's truly necessary?  (All I had were wipes, 2 diapers, and a 2.5 oz bottle I pumped for her).  She's really simple at this age!
5. Lastly, luckily DL was with me, because I wondered...can I carry her carseat in 4-inch boots?  

Even with all those first time parental thoughts, the night was PERFECT!  DL and I kept looking at each other like, "you know we're winging this whole thing"!  Luckily, she slept through our entire dinner and didn't wake until we walked in the door back at home!

The Announcement

I finally got the pics I wanted to finish JSL's official announcement.  It was important to me to get her announcement out before she turned a month old.  Perhaps a self-imposed pressure, but I met my goal!

I'm HERE!!!

I knew that I would be playing Ms. Paparrazzi, so check out some of the funny outtakes before I got my perfect shots!

She kept separating her big toes!  Not the look I wanted for her announcment!  :-)

I like the knit hat...I'm not sure she did!

She really wanted the hat off!

She was getting bored with the whole photo shoot thing!  LOL!

A Mother's Love

Absolutely, positively, ONLY a mother would find amusement in this pic!  I LOVE it and plan to keep this for her wedding slideshow one day and let her husband know that he MUST take care of her for the rest of her life just like we have!  Yes, with all her boogies and all!

JSL's 1st boogie!  LOL!

Thank God for Moms

Yesterday marked JSL's 2 week birthday and it seems like she's been in our life forever!  It's amazing to realize the resilience we have as human beings and especially as parents.  Bringing life into this world and taking the responsibility to nurture that life is a priority that you just do!  This week my mom came in for a week to stay with us and meet her newest grandbaby.  This is grandbaby number 14 for her and our family.  The wonderful thing though, even though she's not the first or the only, is that she is loved just the same!  The energy and excitement my family had around the arrival of JSL was just as special as waiting on my nephew, Big A, who was the first!

Mom has been a HUGE help just doing things that I normally took for granted when JSLs was not around.  Like Friday, she's keeping JSL while DL and I go to get our taxes done.  So simple, yet so complicated now with a child.  She cleaned my hardwood floors to a shiny finish, vaccuumed the carpet and never leaves a dish in the sink unwashed!  Gotta love the help!  I also took advantage of the fact that my mom's being here by going to a Superbowl party last Sunday and a girl's night out dinner at Talara Tuesday with two of my girlfriends!

Lastly, I thank my mom for passing on good genes!

2 Weeks before JSL

2 weeks After JSL

Me and the other love of my life!

Now two weeks post JSL, of course it's too soon to exercise, but nursing has been helping to burn the calories I can't get rid of on a treadmill!  I still have to get it right, get it tight, but the good news is that I don't have to lose much.  My focus will be to tighten my stomach muscles as much as possible, especially as LL #2 is already in discussion!  YES...I said it!

One Week Ago Today!

Boy, it really doesn't seem like one week ago I was a vessel bringing life into this world!  Now I'm being mommy to my precious baby girl!  Now, I sometimes have to remind myself that I'm not pregnant anymore!   Like having a glass of wine or beer with absolutely NO guilt...now, it's just coordinating my timing since I'm nursing!  Like when the dogs jump over me, as I'm used to overreacting thinking they're going to land on my belly!  Like not needing to drinch my belly in cocoa and shea butters!

After being cautious for about 10 months, I'd come accustomed to the "pregnant way of life"!  So now, I can officially say that I've turned my thoughts towards motherhood!

1st week of life update:

• Weight - 6lbs 9oz
• Head Circumference - 33cm
• Length - 20in
• Getting one shade darker by the day!  LOL!

I never thought to use formula for the first 3 months of her life, so I'm happy that I haven't had any issues getting latched on for me to nurse.  The first 3 - 4 days were brutal for my sore nipples, but it's SO much better now.  I must say that I enjoy nursing.  I enjoy knowing that I can provide the sustinence & calming comfort she needs to be a happy and healthy baby!  And the bond I feel when she nurses is indescribable.  

It's been hard work and it's certainly 24 hours a day, but take a look at what gives me my motivation and inspiration to give her my best!

With a sweet face like this....how could I not fall so in love!

Jiselle's Sanctuary

Well I guess I can't really call this post Jiselle's sanctuary because truth be told, she sleeps with us!  I know...BAD PARENTS! Really, it's bad parent, because I'm the violator!  For some reason, she whines in the bassinett, but is quiet as a mouse in our bed.  I'm already slacking on my disciplinary skills. 

But nonetheless, let me show you her "transition" room!

2 Home Goods finds - Decorative vase and lamp
Both of these purchases pulled through the birds/flowers theme in the room.

We FINALLY put her name on the wall!

There she goes...already hiding her face from the flash!  We hoped that the flowers and birds on the wall would take her mind off the wipes and air hitting her warm baby bottom!  Hasn't worked yet though!

I'm a sucka for baby books!  Never too early to read or learn!  She's gonna hear LOTS of stories!

Embroidered baby blanket

Rocker, ottoman & toy chest/bench 

LOVE this Max Daniel blanket gifted by her loving cousins!  It's SO soft!

Another gift from her Aunt Ka-Ka ~ Her first sterling silver monogrammed bracelet to place in her jewely box until it fits her. 

The two paintings I painted hang over her chest of drawers

Changing table and tree decal

Please sleep her someday JSL!

Here's the main wall view. I just picked up her embroidered blanket that you see hanging over the crib.  It is embroidered in charcoal gray stitching.  I took it to get embroidered the day before I went into labor!
 The bedding and lamp shapes are from Carousel Designs.  I love the fact that you can customize a personal look and style for your bedding on their site.

So, here's JSL's place created with lots of love!