Reflecting...

Reflecting back on there last 4 weeks I am still shocked at what has happened in our lives. Don't get me wrong we prepared the best we could for 9 months but no matter how much you prepare I don't you could ever be ready for bringing home baby and all that it comes with. I remember thinking to myself on our release day from the hospital "Are they just going to let us leave with him?" I cried when we left the hospital having no idea what was next. Plus, I had found myself feeling so connected with our nurses. They basically saw me at my worst, nearly delivered my son, helped me in the bathroom, served my husband coffee and all around cared so well for our family of 3. I would have never thought I could feel so connected with people I only knew for 3 days. There are a lot of things I had never thought I'd feel but emotions and hormones are a crazy thing. So many things have surprised me since Jack had entered our lives. These are just a few of the unexpected things I've felt in the last 4 weeks.

First off, the love for my little nugget is so immense. It has taken over my body, mind and soul. I love him so much I cry about it almost daily. When his eyes well up with tears because he has gas or he's hungry I feel his pain. The joy I feel makes my heart so happy. I am so overjoyed and overcome with love, hope, dreams and even lots of fears too.

I didn't have a clue I would have such an emotional connection to labor and delivery. If you read Jack's birth story you know that I was not as prepared as I should have been. I just thought I'd go in, get an epidural and POOF BABY! That did not happen. Every time I think of my labor, my coaches, and how it all happened I get so emotional. I always felt as if labor was means to an end. I was so wrong. Labor and delivery were truly so much more amazing than originally thought.

I was very surprised that I felt so great after delivery. I was up and moving not long after Jack was born. The next day I was doing laps around the labor and delivery wing. I was showering and even put on some make up.  About an hour after Jack was born I was even asking if my husband would get me a bagel.

I'm amazed at how well I function on such little sleep. I must say Jack is a great baby. He sleeps well and at night and usually wakes up only 2 times a night around 3:30 and 5:30. When I was pregnant I would always wake up between 3-4am too. I tend to get about 5 hours of sleep each night. Which is what I would get towards the end of my pregnancy too. I've decided not to pump religiously every 2 hours at night. I do during the day but I've made the choice that the extra sleep is much more important for me. I take the nights during the week and Brian takes the weekend nights when he is off so I am left with most of the overnight duty.  

Breastfeeding...Ugh, I never really knew how hard it would be. So much harder and more stressful than expected.

Most of all I am surprised that I miss wing pregnant so much. I love having my little man so close to me and holding him in my arms but I really miss being pregnant. Even in those final months and weeks of heartburn and discomfort I really miss being pregnant. I enjoy being Jack's mommy so very much but I'm not ashamed to admit I'd love to continue to build our little family some time soon!

This Weekend I...

This weekend we were LAZY! I'm still feeling sicky and now my husband is under the weather too. He is such a whiner when he isn't feeling well. I kinda wanted to send him off to his parent's house. 

We both worked the majority of Saturday which didn't leave much time for anything fun but I did take a little time to celebrate the weekend with a trip to Target. I love walking around that store by myself. I treated myself to a new bag (on sale), scarf, top and a little something for the house. I did a little gardening and took a nap. 

Our work schedules don't always allow for Brian and I to spend a lot of quality time together. When we both work on Saturdays its hard to do anything together on the weekends too. We try and make Saturdays our date night. YUM, sushi! 

On Sunday we had a family day. Sadly, my cousin's husband has filed for divorce. She is having a tough time with things so my mom planned a big family dinner so all of us could spend time together and take her mind off of things for a little while. I feel so terrible for her and her daughter. It's times like this when family really matters. 

I finally set my blog up with Bloglovin last week. 

Won't you consider following me and some of the gals here! 

April...

Holy cow! March is really over?!?! It just seems like it flew by. I think it is because most nights I was out cold by 8:30! I guess boot camp will do that to you. I'm a sucker for pain or a glutton for punishment because I'm doing boot camp again this month. In case you missed it in Friday's post I felt pretty successful after the last class in March. I didn't lose any weight which was a bit of a bummer BUT I did lose 3.5 inches. I'm hoping for the same thing if not better this month. My first April class started this morning and I'm feeling great. Especially after eating all the goodies yesterday during Easter brunch.

We had such a beautiful Easter. We skipped the fancy Easter dinner and pretty clothes for a simple Easter brunch at my in-laws and a long family hike. It was perfect. Food was delicious. We indulged on some quiche (I made it), ham, chicken, mac and cheese, vegetables, pulled pork, cole slaw and a ton of other goodies. We got to enjoy a beautiful day out in nature with our family and all our dogs. For me it was the best kind of way to celebrate family and the beginning of Spring. 

Bogart interacting for the first time with our nephew Ryan. 

Seconds after this he pulled a clump of hair out of poor Bogart's ear. 

Poor doggie.

Chubby baby cheeks! 

Paul and Bogart are best buddies. 

Paul wanted to hold my hand to protect his "Aunt Asqueena"from wild animals on our hike.

He protected me from all the bears, tigers and kangaroos out there.

I love the imagination of 3 year olds. 

Hope everyone enjoyed their Easter as much as we did. 

Happy April Fools day! 

Happy Baseball Opening Day. 

GO YANKEES!!!! 

MERRY and BRIGHT

Merry Christmas everyone!!!


I'm about a week late but it has been so crazy around these parts I haven't had a second to even look at my Christmas pictures or even look at our gifts. It was a lovely Christmas with our family.  With a special surprise from my uncle on Christmas Eve. He flew up on December 24th and showed up at our Christmas party. It was so special to have him there. Reminded us how much we miss my Aunt Susan. We were all so worried about him in the days leading up to Christmas it was so very nice knowing he was ok. He even got snowed in with us because we had a white Christmas in NY! We have actually had a lot of snow this week and its snowing as I type. Another 3-5 inches on top of the 6 inches we got Wednesday. I guess winter is really here. I'm currently planted on my couch for the next 2 days. Strep throat has reared its ugly head. Perfect time to catch up on blogging!

I'd love to share all of our holidays moments with you.

Feast of the 7 fish. 

AMAZING

Mom in her element. Cooking for 20 people! 

Grandma and her grandkids! 

Uncle Tom is here!!! 

Best friend! 

Dad's expression when he opened his snow blower was priceless. 

He has already used it and it works perfect.

Mom's reaction was equally as awesome when she opened up her Matchbox 20 concert tickets.

My gift to Brian. 

 Just hope he doesn't lose a finger using his new power tool. 

He tortures my mom. 

My favorite boys playing with their toys. 

I can't believe its all over! I'm excited for the new year and all the great things I hope it brings for our family and yours. 

Happy Holidays! 

Hoppy Easter..

Hope everyone had a great weekend. Mine started off pretty fantastic with a surprise bridal shower from all of my work staff followed up with a crazy Saturday workday and searching near and far Challah bread and tulips. Easter Sunday was awesome. We spent the holiday with B's family. We celebrated the days with a Sunday brunch; ham, quiche, fruit, salads, and fruit. I made french toast casserole which was pretty ridiculous. I did not take a pic but the recipe was so easy so I'll def post it this week.

We followed up our Sunday gorging with a 2 hour hike! I felt so good I treated myself to another slice of quiche. We used my brand new Nikon Coolpix L120. It's by far the best camera I've ever owned.

Bogart and Bailey trying to avoid the hike. 

Military Propaganda??? Found this interesting artifact on top of an old fashioned ice box in the middle of the woods.

Can you tell he was exhausted? He curled up and didn't move. 

Bed hog!

What did you do to celebrate Easter?
Hope you had a wonderful time.
I have a massive work week coming up, followed by my bachelorette party and the last full week before wedding events begin!