Outside? What's That?

8.28.2015

I'm linking up with Jenna for a coffee date.

And by coffee date, obviously I mean you come to my house and bring drinks for both of us. I'm not so much intentionally boycotting the outside right now as I am forgetting it exists. My mother-in-law is concerned by my impending depression and Vitamin D deficiency and felt the need to leave the above note on my kitchen counter.

It seems like in the blog world, when a blogger announces a pregnancy (specifically a first pregnancy), everyone is happy but also kind of like, "Well shoot. Now they're going to stop being interesting and only blog about baby stuff."

So when you came over for coffee, I'd explain to you why that is. 
It's simple, really.

When you have a newborn, nothing else exists. 

Your life is now organized in two-hour chucks of time between feedings. After a feeding, your baby needs a diaper change. They also fuss and need to be calmed down. They fall asleep just in time for the cycle to start all over again. I hear magical stories of a time when I can sleep more than three hours at a time, but so far I've only experienced such wonder a few times, and I think they were accidental.
If you came over for coffee, I would be mostly likely wearing a pair of Jordan's flannel pj bottoms over a pair of Jordan's athletic shorts and an XL t-shirt my dad loaned me. But HOLY COW ONE TIME I PUT ON REAL PANTS.

R and I were headed to the pediatrician for a weight check last week, and I decided to go crazy and try on my green Gap jeans. Those jeans and I, you guys. We understand each other. I wore them up until I gave birth, using the rubber band trick, and so naturally they were the first pants I tried on post-baby. They buttoned and everything! The sky broke open and angels sang.

(Full disclosure: I am muffin-topping the crap out of the them, but they buttoned so, winning.)
If you came over for coffee, we'd spend approximately 97% of the time staring at R. Because that face, you guys. It slays me.

Speaking of R, she rolled over probably a dozen before she was two weeks old. Front to back, which I'm sure is easier, but still! My child is going to be famous! I'm the first mother ever to say that.
Speaking of poop explosions...

Oh we weren't? 
Well let's talk about it.

This child is a poop and pee machine, people. And did you know that girls can spray pee on the wall? Because they can. I've seen it. It scared me, and I screamed. 

This is my life, and I don't hate it.

If you came over for coffee, I'd end my flashing you my boob because girlfriend would need to eat, and I'm not good enough at breastfeeding yet to be cool and nonchalantly whip out a nursing cover. Breastfeeding is actually going okay, by the way. Thanks for asking. I've heard horror stories of bleeding and cracking, and I can't tell you how thankful I am that after the first few days, the pain has been minimal. However, I'm finding the process itself extremely stressful. Is she eating too much? Not enough? Too often? Not often enough? It's not like I can ask her!

It really is hard to remember what life was like just a few weeks ago, before R. She's adorable even when she's screaming her little lungs out. And that, my friends, is why it's hard to blog about or think about anything but baby stuff.

Sorry not sorry and all that jazz.

But if you came over for coffee, after we talked extensively about me, I'd definitely want to know what it's like in the real world of sleep and outside. So tell me, what's new with you?

Kaity B. said...

You're so right about newborns being all-consuming. And I still feel that way about breastfeeding! It's so frustrating that you never actually know how much they're eating and with Charlie being so little, I'm constantly stressing about this.

Michelle said...

Yup. That all is so accurate. Those first few weeks were so hard, at least for me. The lactation consultants and nurses in the hospital had me so stressed out about how often G needed to eat, but I just fed her when she seemed hungry and I broke the rules and didn't worry very much about timing. And she gained weight and everything was fine. It's so hard to figure out, though. And all my friends and family have seen my boobs at this point. I don't even care anymore. Random people in public have seem them too and I've just learned to check my shame at the door. SO happy to hear the nursing pain has been minimal.

Unknown said...

She is so precious! My baby is 11 weeks, and I still can't button my jeans. That probably has to do with all the delicious casseroles and desserts people brought for weeks, so I am really not complaining. Anyway, you look great, and I am glad to hear everything is going so well!

jaime said...

She is adorable, and your readers will still love your posts even if they are all baby-related. (Trust me on this.) I don't remember anything from the first two weeks of my son's life. I think we started to come out of our baby-induced fog at 6 weeks. I don't think I ever caught up on sleep, but that's ok. That is why babies are so cute.

Unknown said...

She is the cutest. If only babies could talk though, right? It would probably make some things easier! :)

I don't know if you know Ruth Crilly from the blog A Model Recommends (UK), but she's had her first baby recently (a bit earlier than you) and she's blogging about all things baby/mother life on her other blog,The Uphill: www.theuphill.com Everytime I read one of her posts I think about you because, well, she's funny, and I'm thinking you might enjoy her writing and the content, given you're going through the same things at the same time.

Sending you lots of love! xxx

Caroline @ In Due Time said...

I just love this so much. The poop definitely made me laugh! I am so glad you are continuing to blog - we are here to read whether it's all baby related or not! Whether the posting is once a week or once a month - I look forward to each one!

Unknown said...

Your baby girl is adorable!! My best girlfriend just had a baby boys a couple weeks ago. When I went over to visit a few days ago that exactly how our day went with feeding and diapers and all of that jazz.

Anonymous said...

What a sweet little girl! I know babies are super demanding when they're newborns but luckily it's not forever. And like you said in your post, people can always come over to your house for a coffee date!

shelleystirs said...

Not much new around here...getting ready for school to start. Clothes, school supplies, shoe shopping, etc.

You have a gorgeous baby--I love her little nose! The first few weeks are hard and not exactly enjoyable, but hang in there!

Lindsay {Typically Late} said...

That note is fantastic :) Get some fresh air!

I'm sure you are killing it in the mama department - keep it up!

Anonymous said...

Spot on. I'm prepping myself for the all consuming. One of my friends who recently gave birth posted on social media the other day that she finally ate a banana mid-afternoon, her only meal of the day at that point. Her baby feeds all day (partly because of tongue-tie issues, but still!), and feeding is a two-handed endeavor if you're breastfeeding, I've learned. Apparently I'll need my husband around to fan me with a palm leaf and pop bonbons in my mouth. If he starts brushing my teeth for me, I'll know I have a problem. :)

Rebecca Jo said...

you screamed... at the pee... that made me laugh.
The HUGE things little bodies can do :)
I'd sit & stare at her with you... what a magical time.

Amy @ A Desert Girl said...

Ahhh, what an exciting time! I love that the Gap jeans didn't let you down. The magic pants. She is so adorable. I'll bring you coffee and we can stare at her for hours.

Maria said...

This post makes me tired and terrified of having a baby one day.

But then the photos of her sweet sleeping face make that all go away.

Hang in there. Keep on laughing at the craziness. Real pants are for the birds.

Anonymous said...

Yes! Love all of this. As far as breast-feeding, babies take what they need. If she is peeing and pooping, she is getting enough. When in doubt, nurse her. Lactation consultant can also do Wade feedings, which help calm the crazy for a bit. She is absolutely gorgeous, it looks like you have this mom thing down pat.

Anonymous said...

Can you tell that I used voice recognition for this comment? I'm actually feeding Ellie right now. Hahaha also, there is something super freeing about taking your baby out to target and just walking the aisles. I remember when Ellie was exactly 2 weeks old, I went to target and bought bananas and nail polish or something super stupid.

Emily said...

She is PRECIOUS! I also meant to tell you that I appreciated the crap (no pun intended) outta your birth story posts and how honest you were about it's the worst pain of your life ;) Honesty is the best policy. I've never believed the posts that go from, "I was having contractions.." to, "And then she/he was born!."

Dana said...

Motherhood is not for the weak, that's for sure! So glad breastfeeding is going well for you!! Part of the beauty of it is not having to worry about how much they are eating! She will take what she wants and your amazing body will compensate to make sure there is enough. As long as she is having plenty of dirty and wet diapers don't stress! :) Lots of water and FOOD and keep up those vitamins! Mine never would tolerate a nursing cover as he thinks it's a game to grab and throw anything that is placed over his face or head. Super fun. However, the whole tank top / loose shirt (shirt up/tank down = no tummy exposure) combo works wonders for us in public. The Old Navy Tami tanks are perfect for this - long and stretchy...I think I have like 10. It is also amazing how much time and effort goes to containing and cleaning up poop. That part only gets worse, at least in my experience so far. Carry on, mama, you are doing great! You WILL sleep again, promise! (It took us about 4 months to get there, but now it's amazing).

Jenny said...

You could already button them? I don't think my favorite pants even went over my hips that soon after having a baby.

Kristen @ See You In A Porridge said...

glad to hear everything is going well with the pants buttoning and the pee on the walls and the breastfeeding. seriously though, its awesome. what else needs to exist but a newborn, really?

Jessica said...

Stopping by for the Coffee Date Link Up... Congratulations!!!! She is such a doll! Even though there are tough parts about the newborn stage, it has such beautiful moments too! We have 3, and our youngest is 5 months. Every stage is like that. But the love is so worth it all! -Jess, Sweet Little Ones
P.S. I laughed about you screaming at the pee...because, well, I've had that moment too! Didn't know a baby girl could do that! lol

Beka @ Sunshine to the Square Inch said...

You don't look at all like you are muffin topping! You look great. I'm sure you are doing a great job and I hope you keep transitioning well. Have you taken R for a walk in the stroller yet?

Angela said...

So much truth in this post... and who cares if blogs turn into baby/mom blogs?? It's your life and that's what makes your blog authentic! I love a good mom blog. ;)

Katie @ Live Half Full said...

Keep writing about baby stuff- it's so refreshing to hear how things are going!

Kate said...

She is just presh. For reals.

Full disclosure here. I want to be completely honest with you. I'm not a baby person. Never have been, probably never will be. I think I speak for at least SOME other non-baby people when I say this.. I fully, 100% read your baby posts, but my commenting may decrease. It's not because I don't enjoy the posts, and it's not because I don't think your baby is perfect. (Because she's OBVIOUSLY perfect. Duh. Look at her parents!) But as a non-baby person (as in, I don't have one and don't currently want one. If ever.), I don't always RELATE to the posts, and that's ok!
I guess, I just don't want you (or any other people who blog about their babies) to think I don't CARE or don't LIKE these posts. Because I do! I just don't always have a RESPONSE to them. I'd just rather not comment with "What a cute baby!" or "Yep. Your baby is still alive AND still cute. Way to go, mom!" every few posts because I don't feel like that's authentic to who I am, ya know?

I'm hoping this didn't come across as being negative because I don't mean it that way! I think you'll get where I'm coming from, butttt.. I just want to make sure this isn't misinterpreted by anyone, ya know? It's more of a "Just because I don't always comment doesn't mean I'm boycotting your baby posts. It just means I know nothing about babies." ;)

Laura Darling said...

What a cutie. And I think you have a future gymnast on your hands with all that rolling! You should probably book your tickets to the Olympics now! :)

The Lady Okie said...

That makes sense! And I appreciate your desire to not want to just add a fluff comment for the heck of it. I definitely wasn't as interested in baby posts as I am now, just stages of life and such. And it's totally okay! I don't think it's negative at all. For the record, I don't know anything about babies either ;)

Rach said...

I was just talking to a girl yesterday about how newborns need all your time always. She's pregnant and nervous about having a kiddo saying that she was so amazed at how well I did with the two kids I nanny (who were playing contentedly together in the yard as we chatted). I told her, "oh girl, you have no idea." And proceeded to explain that yes, now that they are 3 and 6, life is easy with them (and it really is. So so easy). But when he was 3 and she was a newborn, I just made it from hour to hour. Because the newborn always needed me always. Always. And the 3 year old deserved attention too. I hardly remember specifics of that first year. Until this summer when a friend of mine asked if I could keep her boys for her one day (an infant and a 2 year old) because her regular sitter was out of town. I had time and was happy to help out. Because, I mean, I've totally done the infant thing before. No biggie. The boys were great all day, but OH MY GOODNESS, they needed so much attention and time. All the time. Ha! I had forgotten just how much work itty bitties are. And this is coming from the girl who still gets to go home and get 8 hours of sleep at night. I have no idea how I'll manage one day when I'm doing the whole mom thing all day long... AND all night long. Aaanyway, I totally get the whole babies-take-up-your-whole-life thing. At least to a degree. :) You are doing great! :)

Jenna Griffin | Gold & Bloom said...

I'm so proud of you, Amanda! I wish I could hold her! The pee story is hilarious, and definitely a little scary. Haha. She really is SO very cute!

Torrie said...

If your baby is a pooping and peeing machine, she's getting enough to eat.

'Nuff said.

Kerry @ Till Then Smile Often said...

Quite the adjustment of around the clock care but totally worth it.

Julie @ Just the Joy's said...

Haha! I love this! I've been barely blogging since having a baby because... well.. you know. You said it exactly on point! Awesome for you to fit right back into those jeans! Daaaang girl!

・ DESIGNED BY ECLAIR DESIGNS