One Month In

Well, we're officially one month in last weekend, and I can say that this has probably been the most challenging month of my life. I think Charlotte's expression in the picture below sums it up pretty well- we're all learning. She's learning how to be a human outside of the womb, and we're learning how to be parents.

Here are some of my key learnings:
- Everyone has an opinion, and the more you read, the more confused you will be. I actually ordered two books from Amazon last week on sleep, and they are literally polar opposite and contradictory in terms of their advice!
- Everyday is different...every baby is also different, so feel free to nod and smile when someone tells you their child was on a schedule at 4 weeks, and then disregard.
-Pack an extra shirt for yourself in the diaper bag when you go out
-Get out- for me, getting out helps me to maintain some sense of normal
-Things will never go back to what they were, so embrace the change and create a new normal, and then get ready for it to change again just when you're getting comfortable.

And just when you think you can't take it anymore- they do something like this, and it brightens your entire day!

Charlotte at 1 Month Old
- She is very strong, can hold her head up and move it from side to side
- Likes her play-gym, although doesn't really play at this point
- Likes eating on one side per feeding
- Likes fighting sleep in case she's going to miss something
- Likes open air time and her bath
- Dislikes being put down
- Dislikes every apparatus we have bought with the exception of the Mammaroo (thank you Kijiji)!

Nursery Update

The nursery had a bit of a do-over once the crib arrived as it didn't quite fit where I thought it would. We moved the change table to the other wall, and it seems to be working quite well.

Funny story about the crib- it's not the one I thought we were getting, but I am so happy it turned out this way. I was expecting a white crib , and when it arrived it was grey. I love how it fits in the room and pulls grey from the polka dots and stars. I still have to add the yellow chevron crib skirt I made.

Chris gifted me the balloon print that says The Best Is Yet To Come for our first anniversary . The nursery chair was a Kijiji find.

The reading nook got a brand new pink colourful clock and a repurposed red side table.

All in all I am pretty happy with how this space turned out for our little girl .

Life Lately

Lately sweet Baby C has been having a hard time sleeping during the day unless she's in someone's arms. I know it's a slippery slope, but I've also heard you can't spoil a newborn, so I've decided for now it's ok.  

PS- Look at those sweet curls, I hope they stay forever!

Small Victories

I mentioned in my last post, that certain everyday tasks become accomplishments when parenting a newborn. While I have found getting out of the house to be the best remedy for feeling human again, today I stayed in and had two small victories- I made a soup from scratch (granted I roasted the vegetables yesterday) and baked homemade cookies. We have been blessed by great friends bringing food by and a freezer full of meals we prepared ahead of time, but sometimes it's nice to have fresh food you cooked yourself!

The soup is super easy- just roast a squash, an onion, two cloves of garlic and an apple together for an hour. I like to add a couple tablespoons of brown sugar or maple syrup to the squash hollows.  Then add a quart of chicken stock, the roasted vegetables and salt and pepper to taste in a pot to simmer before pureeing. It's one of our fall favourites!

The recipe for these Best Ever Oatmeal Raisin cookies can be found in this post

Baby C Week 2

Baby C turned 2 weeks old on Thursday. I took two photos because I couldn't decide which I liked better.

I do plan to document her birth story in a few weeks when I can dedicate some time to it.

In the meantime- here's what I've noted about parenting a two week old:

- It is by far the hardest thing I have ever done

- I read that you're going to be tired, and you have a choice to either be tired and angry or just tired. I have decided to just be tired.

- Having your own child is nothing like babysitting, no matter how much of a "natural" you're told you are 

- I think babies absorb your energy, so I feel it's very important to stay as positive as possible no matter how frustrated you might be on the inside

- Probiotics are a good thing- for everyone

- You will always want your own mom when you have your own child

- Having a shower, brushing and flossing your teeth are definitely accomplishments

- It's true what they say- the love for your child is overwhelming and unlike anything you've ever felt before- even when she gets her white socks in her poopy diaper or throws up on you!