mama diary: enjoying the little things

I have noticed so many changes in my son in the past six weeks.  His face has changed so much and he is really starting to look like himself, if that makes any sense at all. His eyes are bigger and wider.  He is moving his arms and legs so much, almost standing with help.  He is "talking" all the time and smiling.  He also has new creases in his arms and legs from gaining weight... hallelujah!  

I have noticed how quickly time goes by.  My advice to new mamas is to soak up every bit of your beautiful little one and look for those small changes that make life so exciting!

chubby cheeks and leg creases,

lulewbelle

new mama diary: one month old

This month has flown by.  I cannot believe it has been a whole month since  our little man made us a family.  We have already reached so many milestones exciting moments.  

outgrew outfits..check!  smiled..check! lifted and turned head..check! 

moving in circles on tummy..check! took a bottle..check!  quiet bath..check!

I am looking forward to everything to come, but I realized how much has changed already.  Soon enough he will be scooting, crawling, standing, walking, talking...

All I know is my son can take as long as he wants to grow up right now and no one is allowed to rush him.

one happy mommy

lulewbelle

new mama diary: the first 10 days

*I obviously wrote this post a few weeks ago...*

It has been just ten days since our little one was born.  During the first few days in the hospital, I was under a sort of shock or disbelief that we finally had our son with us after 41 long weeks of waiting.  I could not believe that I was finally a mom! We were given this blessing, this amazing new life that would change our lives forever!  I imagine I will be under this shock for a while.  I am definitely a different and better kind of happy than ever before.

Being a new mom, though incredible, can be very challenging.  Even though I've only had 10 days of it, I thought I'd jot down my thoughts as I start this new adventure with my little mister.

Breastfeeding:

One word...OUCH!  Don't get me wrong.  Nursing my son is the coolest thing ever.  It's kinda like our bonding time. When he looks up at me, as if to make sure I'm really his mommy, I melt.  I love this time with my kid, but I cannot wait for my breast pump to get here so I can take a break every once in a while.  Plus daddy really wants a chance to feed our little man.  Nursing every 1-3 hours can only result in sore, cracked and sensitive nipples tmi?, absolutely no fun.  But I am so happy to know my son is getting everything he needs just from my milk.

Sleep:

I'm not getting much of it, but I am getting used to the hours.  I'm probably awake as much at night as I am during the day.  "Sleep when the baby sleeps" is a true statement.  I am hoping that by the end of this week I will be able to sleep a little less during the day and be more productive.

Pictures:

I have taken so many pictures that my phone is working slower than normal.  Ooops!!!  I need to start printing pictures or saving them somewhere beside my phone in case it breaks.  Everything we do is a first, so pictures are a must!

Beauty:

Completely on the back burner.  It is a special day if my hair stays down for more than 5 minutes or I remember to put deodorant on.  I'd like to start waking up earlier and actually getting ready with clothes and a little bit of makeup.  I shaved my legs last night and I already feel so much better. :)

We will see what new things will happen in the next week or so.

completely content mommy

lulewbelle

so SO busy

I have been so busy, getting a job, prepping for school and now starting school.  All I want to do when I get home is unwind and sleep.

Here are a couple favorite "unwinding youtube videos" I have been loving lately.

Lennon and Maisy

These young ladies are great! They remind me of me and my sisters when we were young.  Always singing and harmonizing.  This cover also made me love this song ALOT!

I love it so much that I wanted to hear the original...

which was not my style...

but then i found this video...

 SNL

I was cracking up watching this video.   So hilarious!

Hope these videos help you unwind like they help me!

tired feet and busy mind,

lulewbelle

st. louis - grand rapids - chicago

It has been a long while since my last post.  It's been a busy month: moving from arizona to missouri, settling into my in-laws home, job searching in a new city, family visit in michigan, family reunion in chicago, job interviews and my quarter of a century birthday!

I have shown pictures from our move and now it's time for the many pictures from my last few weeks. Some of the pictures are out of the order that the challenge requires, but oh well!

day 17: technology
my oma's (grandma) sweet setup at my aunty's house. she loves her netflix (dvd's and computer)
day 18: your shoes
locals. can't do any better - thank you mom!
day 19: something orange
my headband i made for a 70's party and the toy story sheets i slept on during my visit in michigan
day 20: bokeh
(say what? i had to look this one up)
focused on my beautiful cousin playing guitar and singing 
everything else blurred out.
sorry aunty!

What I did in Michigan:

-I went blueberry picking with my aunty and had some delicious berries for the rest of my time in Michigan.  Yummy!!!  

-I also noticed a rite aid that had a closing sale! 50% off EVERYTHING! 

I was so ridiculously excited!  

-Found my mom's banana bread recipe from the old church cook book.

-Did I mention I took the bus for the first time EVER to get to these cities?...what an adventure!

-I also tried a chewing gum that my cousin brought back from his trip to Thailand. It was tasty!

day 21: faceless portrait

thanks to my phone and a foggy mirror

Our trip to Grand Haven, MI

day 23: sunflare

hmmm...forgot this one. but this tank top was so awesome i had to take a picture of it.

we also stopped for some ice cream on our way out!

day 24: animal

Grand Haven was a cute waterfront town.  on almost every corner, there were these dogs, each decorated differently than the last.  

we had a lot of fun driving and walking around looking at all of them.

Family Reunion in Chicago

day 22: hands

me and husband - we missed each other while i was in michigan

day 25: something pink

my sister (in-law) and her man in their pink metallic 70's costumes for the theme party

day 26: close-up

the bottom of a sting ray at the Shedd Aquarium

we had tickets to get in free! - thank you family!!!!

it was a beautiful aquarium.

day 27: from a distance

the chicago skyline from our bus tour with the big 'ol family

I have had a wonderful couple of weeks, but now it's back to the real world.  Looking forward to landing a job in the near future.  

praying for the knowledge to pick the right path,

lulewbelle

transitioning takes forever

We moved in recently with my husband's parents until we can get our own place.  It has been hard to get back in the groove of putting up blogs,
not to mention getting used to living in a tiny house with four grown adults.
But, I have been keeping up with my photo challenge.
So here is the challenge and the past days in pictures.  Plus some extras of my life!

Day 9: someone you love

well, a few someones i love...ichat is bomb

mama, lovey niece and lil sis

Day 10: childhood memory

i have been craving goldfish out of nowhere.

i remember eating goldfish in my mom's classroom while waiting impatiently 

for her to finish her work so we could go home.  i love my mom!

Day 11: something blue

this was the first thing my husband wanted when we moved back to his hometown.

he went to the store and brought back 8 bottles of this juice...yummy!

Day 12: sunset

i was way too lazy to go and find a good spot to see it, 

but this was the view from our front yard through the beautiful trees. :)

Day 13: yourself with 13 things

it's kinda like a "what's in my bag" tag

i used my id for "me" and 13 things from my bag

yes, that is mace along with my favorite lip products!

Day 14: eyes

i realize it is a plural word, but i only did one of mine...oops!

Day 15: silhouette

...of my shaka...in our basement while doing laundry.

Day 16: long exposure

ummm....

i know nothing about long or short exposure so i used a photo 

from the 4th. my husband and i went to the river to watch the fireworks

 in the back of our truck. i love him!

I hope to post a DIY or other funzie soon!

I have enjoyed this challenge, but I need to get back to some other fun stuff to share.

poor photography skills and a big smile

lulewbelle

moving takes WAY too long

The past week or so has been cray-cray!!!

I didn't post a thing and I apologize, but I did keep up with the photography challenge.

Day 4: something green

the movers contract...best decision ever!

Day 5 : from a high angle

looking back from the top of a hill in the ridiculous bumper-to-bumper new mexico traffic

a long hour of bumpin' music and sunflower seeds with the SIL.

Day 6 : from a low angle

my cup of coffee after a long nap/night's sleep in the car

watered down and powdered creamer

Day 7 : fruit

yummy greek yogurt and blueberries for breakfast

Day 8 : a bad habit

i always pick/bite at my nail polish. i don't even know why i still paint them.

Here is my checklist of important things to bring 

when making a long road trip like our 24hr drive:

-loads of water to stay hydrated. bathroom breaks needed

-one-handed snacks to eat and drive

-handy/disinfectant wipes for dirty hands and toilets when needed

-tons of music (we have xm radio which was great, but i still needed my playlist)

-comfy sitting clothes (something stretchy and breathable - comfy bra for sure!)

-sunglasses...i love the big ones

-comfy shoes/shoes you can take off

-gum and toothbrush

-pillows and blankets no matter the season

-coffee!!!

-ibuprofen or tylenol

-chocolate

-fruit to keep you energized, awake and regular :)

-a fun driving mate for conversations 

happy to be done with this long, long trip

lulewbelle