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Set some goals!

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I’ve been at home with my little love for three weeks now. I’ve made it through the healing process (invest in some pads, ice packs, and Tucks, girl!) and now the big task is to get on schedule with baby Charlee.

The first couple of weeks wasn’t a huge deal because I was just happy to be able to take care of my baby and heal all at the same time. Then, I started getting a little stir crazy, Adam had gone back to work, and things around the house needed to be done.

I had in my mind that I needed to get everything done in one day. Well, when you have a newborn that’s not likely to happen- and shouldn’t.

After my fail attempt at being superwoman (or supermom), I realized I needed to set some goals for myself. So, I made a list. Whatever I felt like needed to absolutely be accomplished that day would go on my list. Now this may have consisted of two tasks or six. I usually tried not to give myself more than five items because I didn’t want to feel disappointed if I didn’t accomplish all of my goals for the day.

My tasks change from day to day, but it usually consists of at least doing a load of laundry and getting the dishes clean. My favorite goal (but not always achievable) is taking a shower. Mother’s know this is probably the most difficult task when little humans rule the house.

Adam helps in many ways, but when our little peanut is hungry he can’t help in that category because I haven’t started pumping breast milk just yet. Until I can give him a bottle for Charlee it means world record showers for me. So, when Charlee falls asleep it’s a two minute shower for this momma!

Back to the list- mine usually looks like this:

    1. Shower (if possible!)
    2. Eat Yummy Cantaloupe
    3. Load of Laundry
    4. Wash Dishes
    5. Sweep
    6. Call to Schedule Newborn Pictures

And that’s it!

Honestly though, sometimes I only get two things checked off the list- but there are days I can add in another task because I flew through the ones of my list so quickly! It just depends on how you or your little one is feeling that day.

For some mommies, having coffee is a viable part of the day and should be included on the list. It would be for me too, but while breastfeeding it’s made me a little iffy. We don’t want that baby up at all hours of the day and night! Whether it’s coffee, reading a chapter in your favorite book, or just brushing your hair that day- make sure you accomplish something for you. It will keep you sane, and it’s just good to do something for you. My “me” item on the list was to eat the yummy cantaloupe I had been eyeing in my refrigerator for the last two days!

So, my message for you today is to set yourself some goals but to also take it easy on yourself. You’re a new mom- taking care of you baby is the most important. Don’t forget that spending time with him or her should be on your list throughout most of your day. Feeding, playing, talking, hugging, kissing, loving, tummy time, and singing all happen in one day for Charlee. This way she knows I love her and taking care of her will always be more important than making sure the clothes are washed.

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Kalyn

 

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Labor of Love

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It has been two weeks since we had our precious little baby!

We’re ecstatic to announce the arrival of…

Charlee Madelyn!

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Charlee weighed 6lbs 120z and measured 19.5 inches long when she was born.

She arrived at 1:49 pm after 7 hours of labor
-and she is absolutely perfect!

But, let’s start from the beginning with all the little, dirty details…

6:20 am

My water broke! You know how in movies the women’s water randomly breaks, but then women in real life swear that’s not how it happens? Well, that’s how it happened for me. I was dead asleep when all of the sudden my “water” was rushing out. So, I ran to the bathroom- I had a pretty good idea what was happening- just to make sure I wasn’t peeing on myself (that happens A LOT when you’re pregnant FYI). Sure enough, there was a little blood and I was suddenly aware that my baby was on the way!

I peeked my head around the corner to yell at Adam, “Babe! My water just broke!”

I’ve never seen someone jump out of bed so fast! So, for the next hour and a half we labored at home. I really started to feel my contractions about fifteen minutes after my water had broken, so I rested in bed and ate some peanut butter for energy (and just because I was hungry) while Adam washed some clothes and packed up any last minute items we wanted for the hospital.

I started to get a little uncomfortable around 7:30am and told Adam I wanted to head to the hospital just so I would be in my room and all ready to go by the time I was really feeling uncomfortable from the contractions.

By the time we got to the hospital and all checked into our room I was dilated 3 centimeters. The contractions were really starting to hit me by this point. I had called my family who live 6 hours away in Florida, so they were on the way. Adam and his mom were in the room with me, and the rest of Adam’s family were coming in and out of the room to check on us.

Honestly, I was so out of it and feeling drunk from the adrenaline (AKA contraction pain) that I barely remember talking to anyone.

I do remember being so focused on breathing through the contractions that I couldn’t even make eye contact with Adam. I would try during a contraction to focus on his face, but the overwhelming drunk feeling in my head made it to where I could only focus on breathing through the pain.

When women say it is hard to describe the pain of a contraction- it’s true. Now, it’s no lie that they hurt, but obviously they are bearable. You can make it through them. Adam’s (wonderful) mom kept fanning me because it was so hot in that room after each contraction! I just kept thinking to myself it wasn’t something I had to “just get through,” it was more of the idea that each contraction was getting me closer and closer to seeing our sweet little baby.

At this point, the nurses came in and told me since I didn’t want any medications, such as Pitocin or an epidural, that I should try to get up and walk around. I was at 4 centimeters and my contractions were not as close together or as strong as the doctor was wanting, but I was determined not to use any medication during this birth. So, I got up and with some struggle walked two laps around the nurses station.

When the nurses came back in as soon as I finished walking my two laps, they checked me and I was at 9 centimeters. Go time!

The nurses told me that if I got the urge to push, not to. WHAT!? That was harder than when they told me I had to push, but the doctor wasn’t in the building yet, so I would have to hold on as long as possible.

He made it there within 3 minutes or so. Adam’s family in the hallway said the doctor was running down the hall changing out of his normal clothes and into his scrubs as he was running to our room. Good thing because this baby was on the way!

Now, this part is where it all gets a little blurry and chaotic.

I remember the doctor telling me I had to pull my knees up to my chest- Adam holding one knee and my nurse holding the other. I would have to push on 3 whenever he counted “1-2-3!” It got to the point where I wasn’t sure if I was going to get my little baby out. Pushing was very difficult for me, and I didn’t feel like I was making any progress. But wait! I finally felt some relief and I heard Adam yell, “Baby, there’s the head!”

Now, I will tell you that I thought I had gotten the entire baby out- but there was still more pushing to do. I was so exhausted at this point that I was saying, “I don’t think I can do it.” I remember Adam, his mom, the doctor, and all the nurses telling me I could, but I still didn’t have the confidence.

The doctor said to me, “Give me your hand.” I reached my hand down to him, and he placed my hand on my sweet little baby’s head- I felt the hair and features of the tiny face, and I knew I was so close to seeing that baby I already loved so much. I said, “Okay, I can do it!”

The shoulders came out. Then the legs and everything else were out in this new world for the baby to see. I know the doctor and nurses were all saying, “You did it!” but all I heard was Adam say, “It’s a girl!” This was my happiest moment of the entire experience.

I was so honestly surprised (and exhausted) that I just laid my head back and started smiling. The nurses brought Charlee straight to me and we did skin-to-skin for an hour. Adam and I touched, kissed, and just stared at her while we starting breastfeeding immediately (yay!).

The rest of the story involves many friends and family members coming in to see us and Charlee. She got all her checkups done and passed with flying colors. We got to leave the hospital the next day, and we took our baby Charlee home.

Our birth couldn’t have gone any better- it was more than we could have hoped for. There’s no way I could have done any of it without Adam. He gave me so much support and kept confidence in me that I could do it. He was, and is, the best partner I could have ever asked for during our experience.

Two weeks have passed. we have changed diapers, burped her, breastfed at all hours of the night and day, shared her attention with so many friends and family, slept off and on for two weeks, and have fallen completely in love with our hiccuping, snorting, smiling, and perfect little baby just in the few days we’ve spent with her.

I can’t wait to see what else she brings into our lives, but I am also soaking up every minute because I know these moments pass by in the blink of an eye.

We love you, Charlee

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I’m going to be a mom?!

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This post was written on January 2nd. Due to blogging mishaps (oops!) it will appear to be posted on January 18th for the first time. In other words, ignore the date on this post. Thanks!

My first blog post? One week from the due date of my first child.

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I am by no means a professional blogger- or parent for that matter. This is my first child, so I’m basically learning everything as I go. The best help I’ve had so far is definitely my partner, Adam. He’s absolutely amazing and hides his impatience very well. I seriously don’t know how I would have done any of this without him by my side. I cannot wait to see him as a daddy!

My family and simply asking for advice from already mommies has gotten me through this pregnancy like a breeze! Since I’ve had such wonderful advice given to me, I would really enjoy returning some of that advice back to any moms (or soon to be moms) who are seeking help.

 

Now, like I mentioned before, I am NO expert. I haven’t even given birth yet…

 

So, let that sink in before I get any crazy judgements on how I decided to make it through this pregnancy- which was simply enjoying it as much as possible. I can only hope that enjoyment will carry on through being an actual parent! (Excitement overload to meet our little pipsqueak).

 

So, let’s just dive on in.

 

My name is Kalyn and I’m from Florida, but I followed my dream guy to Georgia and if you skip a few steps here and there, we end up right here at this blog post. We’re expecting our first baby and seriously couldn’t be more excited about it.

 

We’re one week from the due date and whenever we think we’re all set and ready for this baby to get here- BOOM! Something else pops up that we forgot or someone suggested something we absolutely needed to be prepared- and I’m all about listening to advice. I feel like when people say, “you can never really be ready for a baby,” they’re 100% correct. We could have planned this baby from the beginning, but lucky us, we were surprised with the best present you can ever ask for.

 

So, from day one of this pregnancy we have been going with the motions and finding our footing along the way, but it has already been one of the most magical experiences of my life.

 

Some questions you may already have and want some answers:

 

No, we don’t know if we’re having a boy, girl, or tyrannosaurus rex. We wanted to be surprised, and since we’re only a week away from the due date- I think we can manage holding on a little longer.

 

We do have names picked out.
Boy: Charlie
Girl: Charlee

 

 See what we did there? No drastic changes, just one letter difference. We didn’t have any reason for picking these names other than Charlie has always been my favorite name and somehow I lucked up and Adam liked it too! Oh, and now you see where the blog name comes in- Sorry, Charlee for all the mishaps I may have along the way of learning how to be your mommy 🙂

 

 

If you are interested in learning from this blog or are just amused to see how it all turns out, then follow along with me and Adam as we attempt this thing called parenthood. I’m thrilled (and of course nervous) to see it all myself.

 

-K