One Month

last minute pictures by me & I bought the stickers for her onesie here Today Olivia is one month! Time has flown by and she's been doing great :) Now weighing 8lbs and she's 21inches long. She eats, and I mean EATS! A head full of beautiful straight jet black hair. Just waiting for it to curl up...if it ever does. Sleeps well through the night(thank G-O-D!). She got the day time = play time and night time = sleep thing down really good. Olivia loves baths and her hair combed...just like mama ;) She's got good neck action going on when she gets her tummy time. She grips anything that goes in her hand and doesn't know what to do with her face when her feet are rubbed. LOL Miss Olivia enjoys long car rides and naps on Mom or Dad's stomach. She's frequently visited by angels and we know this because of how many times we catch her smiling/laughing in her sleep. Her dad made up "the fussy pants" song whenever she gets fussy and it surprisingly makes her stop when he sings it haha All in all it's been a good month of growth for Olivia :) we're really blessed!

Jammin Like Jelly

Lame title I know. I couldn't think of anything witty to say......next post. Promise. But here I am on this glorious Monday to bring you my "Getting Ready" playlist. Well, not my entire playlist but my latest additions. Not all of the songs are new releases but they're pretty current. Without further adieu, my playlist:

10. The Matrimony -Wale ft. Usher

9. Guaya Guaya -Don Omar

8. Read All About it -Emili Sandé

7. Again -Fetty Wap

6. Do It Again -Pia Mia ft. Chris Brown & Tyga

5. Dance With Me Girl -RJ

4. Off The Rip -French Montana ft. Chinx & N.O.R.E 

3. The Hills -The Weeknd

2. Shut Up And Dance -Walk The Moon

1. Good For You -Selena Gomez ft. A$AP Rocky

I tried not to put them in any order but my number 1 song is really my NUMBER ONE. I've been playing that song on repeat ever since I heard it. By far my favorite Selena Gomez song ever! Good job girl. If you have any other songs I should add let me know. I usually am behind when it comes to songs unless my husband tells me about them or I see someone talking about it on social media. Take a listen and let me know what you think! Happy Monday :) 

OITNB

If you didn't understand my post title or get the joke from my picture allow me to explain: ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK. Still dont know? Well, its a series on Netflix that's already into season 3 and sooo good! Between feedings when my new baby sleeps I've been watching the newest episodes(season 3 just got released last week). This show is so funny and has so many funny main characters you wont be disappointed. I only recommended things that are truly worth watching or listening to and this is one of them. Watch it and you'll thank me later :) push all your activities aside and have a binge watching session. Believe me, "you'veeeeeeeeeeeeee gottttttttttt tiiiiiiiiiime" #OITNBinsider ;)

Welcome To The Moms Club

Olivia is practically two weeks old and Im obsessed with her! My gaze is constantly fixed on those beautiful eyes. My fingers love to be gripped by her tiny hands. My nose is constantly pressed against her skin so I can soak up all that new baby smell. Crazy- I know! But with all the beauty that surrounds a newborn and all the well wishes you get there's a side of this whole new mom thing people dont tell you.

Everybody says "sleep when the baby sleeps". Nobody tells you that as much as you want to you cant. You constantly stare at your baby making sure they're still breathing or while you stare at them a million thoughts run through your brain 'I cant believe I carried a human...So this is who kicked at my insides....I wonder what babies dream of...who'll she look like when she's older...' So there goes that. I do sleep but its always in the process of ME trying to put HER to sleep! Waking up on the couch with a baby cradled in your arms staring back at you is kinda creepy despite popular belief.

I've been told "Once you have the baby you are gonna be so relieved that you can go out again". The thought of going out is more appealing than the truth of having to find time to do your hair and makeup & taking care of your motherly duties. In my case, yes I have a husband who can help but it's not the same. My way is the right way hunny haha I honestly have over 30 unread messages and close to 15 voicemails and missed calls....I just cant open the messages. You develop a social anxiety and wanna stay in your little apartment of freedom. I dont go anywhere outside of this apartment with the baby unless I have to or someone is with me. Scary world out there! Buuuuut I am relieved that sushi and ceviche is back in my diet. I can see my lady goods again and I can bend over to the front and touch my toes ;)

"Breastfeed Breastfeed Breastfeed!" Was anybody going to mention that it's not that easy?? The first couple days were the worst, little to no milk at all. Im pretty blessed in that area but that means nothing when the girls aren't producing fast enough for a newborn. One day I woke up with massive sore porn star size boobs leaking milk. Its called engorgement when that happens and NOBODY told me! Here I am thinking any sudden movement would cause these puppies to explode. I pumped and eventually got relief but still, woulda been nice to know! And when the baby has a hard time latching you feel like giving up but keep on trying because they'll get the hang of it. Oh and your boobs always leak milk. Try being at the market with a fitted shirt and hearing someones baby cry but have milk leak out of YOUR boobs showing through the shirt. AWKWARD...

Crying. Nobody tells you it's still a thing even after pregnancy. OF course you hear about postpartum depression and to seek help if you experience symptoms but this isn't a depression cry. It's more of a 'OMG I think I over fed my baby/ look at my fat stomach/ she's so beautiful/ I love her so much/damn look at this mess' kinda cry. Coming home from the hospital to a spotless apartment was one less thing I had to worry about but now this place is a disaster. Thinking about the effort required to clean and even cook makes me cry. Crying because someone ate all your frozen taquitos. Crying when you look at your baby sleep and repeating how much she means to you. Crying is still a thing even after pregnancy.

Life is like "CONGRATS ON BRINGING A NEW LIFE INTO THE WORLD!" Family and friends are like "CONGRATS ON YOUR BEAUTIFUL BUNDLE OF JOY!" & being so excited you fail to read the fine print:

for the first few months may cause prolonged tears for obvious or no reason, social awkwardness/isolation, sleepless nights, paranoia...If you are experiencing any of these symptoms

WELCOME TO THE MOMS CLUB

Olivia's Birth Story

I cant believe we made such a beautiful baby :) Actually, I can haha 10 toes, 10 fingers, a full set of hair, all of her body parts exactly where they belong...so blessed. But this is Olivia's Birth Story so lets get into that...

On Thursday the 28th I went into work like any other day. I hadn't been feeling contractions or had any sign my labor would start later that evening. I ate normally and had felt her kicks like usual. Once I got off work I went into my usual routine of lazy haha tv, pinterest, the works ;) My husband sometimes plays in a local men's basketball league so after his workout he left for that in the afternoon. Around 7pm I got off the couch to get a snack and when I did I felt a little leakage. Me thinking I probably just peed on myself a little (hey, it happens often when you're preggo) I went to the bathroom. I did pee but "water" kept coming. I hovered over the toilet some more and was like uhhh..this isn't normal. I didn't wanna believe my water broke because my husband wasn't home. Like, how am I getting to the hospital?? How am I even gonna get a hold of him?? What if I have the baby here?!! I pulled up my sweats and 5 min later they were soaked. Yea...my water definitely broke. I called and left multiple messages on Bryan's phone but still no answer. I didn't even know what gym the game was being played at so my stress level went way up! I made a round of calls and texts to my family letting them know what happened. Then I called a local friend to see if she could take me but she was just getting off work so again, no luck. Not long after Bryan called me back saying he was on his way and would be here in 10min. Relief.

Close to 8pm we got to the hospital, they checked the fluid to confirm my water actually broke, then I was in bed wearing a hospital gown with an iv connected and baby heart rate monitor attached to my stomach. I was around 5cm dilated when we checked in but wasn't having major contractions. We sat and waited for my body to do it's thing and make progress. The next time I was checked I was close to 7cm dilated and my contractions were pretty strong...and PAINFUL. Explaining pain on a scale of 1-10 was unreal! I held out as long as I could because I did try to go natural. By 4am the pain became unbearable and I caved in...I asked for an epidural. Right after I got it, like RIGHT AFTER, the nurse checks me and says "Hey you're 10cm ready to push! You didn't even need the epidural!!" Nice to know lady. So if you're like me and ready to cave in have them check you FIRST.

An hour of numb pushing later our daughter was born crying at 0542am :) I was so happy and relieved that I didn't realize the tears of joy running down my face. They placed her right on my chest for skin to skin contact once she came out. She laid there and I stared at her for an unknown amount of time. One doctor was down there stitching me up, a nurse was imputing information on the computer and two trainees were standing by to help the doctor as needed. Then one trainee asked for the baby to clean her up etc and as soon as he picked her up the nurse on the computer looked over and said "That baby looks limp!" She ran out and called for a team and 2 seconds later 10 people ran in the room surrounding the warmer where our daughter was. More and more people ran into the room and I couldn't help but hysterically cry. I didn't know what happened all I could hear was them counting out chest compressions like they were doing CPR and them talking about 'no pulse! low pulse!'. Still laying in bed I scanned the room for my husband and couldn't make eye contact with him because I saw he had been backed into a corner with all the people in the room. Nurses saw me crying uncontrollably and looking on in confusion at what was happening so a couple came by to calm me down and block my view. What was happening? Why is this happening? Nothing came to mind.

Eventually I heard her cry and the nurses moved away so the team can show me Olivia crying on her own and moving fine. They told us they were taking her to the NICU for observations and tests. Bryan came to my side once they left to reassure me that everything was gonna be ok and that God was watching over us so dont worry. He went to see her after and I was left alone in the room. I cried more but prayed and thanked God for everything. Bryan came back with pictures and updates saying she was doing just fine. I started to feel a lot better. Still numb from the epidural I couldn't see her yet or even try to breast feed her. That bummed me out but then family showed up and wheeled me into the NICU so I can see my baby.

We got word from the team of what happened and basically, nobody cleaned out her throat fully. Assuming since she came out crying that everything was fine they put her on my chest without suctioning her mouth. If you want skin to skin bonding MAKE SURE they clean your baby out FIRST. She stayed in the NICU for tests and observations until 2am but even then every 4hrs a doctor would come check her vitals and temp and they'd do more tests. The plus side was that she was with me in the room so I couldn't complain. Once all her tests came back normal we got discharged Sunday afternoon and I felt so good! Not physically but just to be out of the hospital with our healthy baby girl felt like I won the lotto. Since Bryan and I are first time parents there is tons of learning in store for us! For example, we searched YouTube to find a video on how to firmly install a carseat haha Cant wait for more learning experiences! Now Olivia is at home eating and sleeping fine :) Im still letting my body heal and my husband is as excited as I am that our girl is home. If you've made it this far congrats! I tend to be a chatty cathy sometimes...sorry bout it.

So thankful and blessed with all the love surrounding our daughter. Friends and family you are appreciated!