UncategorizedRosie Mills – One Month February 27, 2015 I can’t believe it, but our little Rosie Mills is officially one month old. When I think back to one month ago, bringing her into the world and meeting her for the first time (read her birth story here), it already feels so foreign. Of course, I’ll always remember the details of that experience, but it’s so hard to remember life before her. She’s changed so much already in her little life. I’ve gotten questions about how she’s doing and I want to remember it, so I’m going to document her progress with her photos each month. Here she is at about one week old. And here’s our little babe today. She already has so much more hair. It’s really blonde in the light. Her eyes seem bigger, but maybe that’s just because those baby blues are open a lot more these days. Her eyes are such a pretty dark blue, but I know that may change. Chris has lighter blue eyes and I have green, so I’m sure she’ll land somewhere in there. She’s like her mama and daddy: her favorite past-time is eating. She’s filled out so much and her round cheeks and baby rolls melt my heart. She’s gained almost three full pounds since birth, weighing in now at 9 lbs. 1 oz. Last night, I discovered that newborn clothes no longer fit her and it’s time to pack most of them up. I definitely shed a tear over that one, though I’m grateful she’s a healthy growing girl! I was more worried about breast-feeding than labor before having her. I know that may seem crazy to some, but I’ve had friends have so much trouble with breast-feeding. I knew that it really depends on the baby and how they latch, so you have no control over how it goes other than being determined to persevere. I’ve had friends tell me that feeding was incredibly difficult for a month to six weeks. That terrified me! Labor was one day. I felt like I could do anything for one day, but six weeks is a different story. Thankfully, she came out open-mouthed and searching for some food! She latched on and ate for an hour and hasn’t looked back. Other than three days of soreness, feeding her has been a joy and such wonderful bonding time. I couldn’t be more grateful. I know future babies may be opposite, so I’m enjoying this ease into one of motherhood’s biggest tasks while I can 🙂 We haven’t used bottles yet at all. I’m not opposed to them and plan to begin pumping a little at some point so we could go out to dinner, etc. and leave a few bottles for her. But my current plan is to mainly breastfeed and only use bottles on occasion. Since I work from home and won’t be away from her, I can and I’m so glad because it’s been my favorite part of being her mommy! She’s sleeping great and letting me get a solid 3-4 hours at a time. In the beginning, that lack of sleep actually didn’t feel bad at all! Sleeping for three solid hours, feeding her for thirty minutes or so, and then sleeping for another three hours, etc. wasn’t as bad as I thought life with a newborn would be. I will admit that it’s catching up with me more now. Once I get up and have my coffee (I definitely need two cups a day now), I feel fine until the next night, but during the night isn’t as fun. I’m grateful, though. Other than a few difficult nights where she cried all night and just wanted to be held, we’ve had a fairly easy sleeper and it’s not so bad. After breastfeeding, my biggest concern was how Gracie would do with her. Gracie hasn’t given us any reason to think she would be aggressive with her, but with her 110 pound size, I was more worried she’d accidentally hurt her or be too rough. That cold not have gone better, though! Gracie loves her and the only thing I can accuse her of is licking her too much. I don’t love when she licks her in the face and we definitely scold her for that, but I must admit, that seeing Gracie love her melts my heart. She likes to be right up by her just like in this picture above. One big question I’ve gotten is how I’m doing emotionally. I know baby blues are real issues that many, many women face. I was very prepared for that because I’m usually a more emotional person, but surprisingly, I’ve had little issues with that. I’ve definitely had my fair share of breakdowns, but not the overwhelming sadness or emotion I’ve heard about. Overall, this first month has been incredibly joyful and the best of my life. Seriously. If I had to attribute that to something, it would have nothing to do with me. I’m not superwoman and really thought this would be an issue for me. What it really boils down to is expectations. So many people told me how difficult this season would be and to go in with low expectations, which I did. I really think that was huge because we’ve had difficult days, but in comparison to what I imagined, it hasn’t been that bad. Also, I think knowing people who’ve struggled with baby blues, when I’ve started to get really upset over something or get really down, I remind myself that it’s hormonal. That doesn’t help it totally go away, but it gives me a good perspective and I don’t get as upset as I think I would normally. I will say the biggest challenge is being productive and easing back into work. The tough part about this kind of job is I felt pressure to start posting again pretty quickly. I’m trying to remind myself that I wouldn’t be near back to work in a traditional job and give myself grace now. When you have this little one to cuddle with, it definitely changes things. As much as I love this job, though, I have to say (as many people warned me) that nothing compares to my new job of being Rosie’s mommy. I hate hearing her cry, but knowing that the minute I pick her up, she’s quieted and comforted melts my heart. And she just recently started smiling back at me when I smile at her. The feeling that her little smile gives me is unlike anything I experienced pre-mommyhood. Every day, I look at her and can’t believe that the little Rosie we anticipated for so long is here. I feel so honored that God entrusted her to us. I sure do love this little dumpling.
Emily @ 11gables.blogspot.com says February 27, 2015 at 5:19 pm Awe… so sweet, Lindsay! Work can wait! Babies cannot. You just love on her and nurse her and smooch her. We will be here when you get back!!! All my love, Emily Reply
Terri Hughes says February 28, 2015 at 6:34 pm Little Rosie is adorable. Enjoy every minute of it, because they grow up too fast. She is a cutie pie! Reply
Summer says February 28, 2015 at 7:02 pm She is precious and I’m so happy y’all all are doing well and about to enjoy this time! You done good 🙂 Reply
heather says March 1, 2015 at 3:53 pm Enjoy your time with her! It is a joyous time! We will be here, when you are ready! 🙂 Reply
Julia@Cuckoo4Design says March 2, 2015 at 9:01 am So so adorable and it melts my heart that Gracie loves her too Reply
Beth of designPOST interiors says March 2, 2015 at 3:30 pm And she is a dumpling!! So cute- enjoy bc in a blink they are a toddler 🙁 Reply
brittanyMakes says March 5, 2015 at 6:56 pm she is so sweet!!!! i love posts like these, it makes me feel like i’m not alone! haha Reply