It's just a phase

Hey Blog... it's been a really long time. I've been pretty busy with little Miss Isabel. Somehow, I'm surprised that she is kind of demanding, stubborn, and very vocal. (I should have seen this coming.) I don't really know what to say. She is amazing and makes us work really hard. I'm really enjoying my time at home with her and don't want to think about returning to work just yet. Luckily, I don't go back until the 2nd week in January. I'm not really in a place where I can write very well so I'm going to give you some lists.

Things Isabel has taught us:
- The hairdryer calms her down. It's her favorite white nose followed by running water.
- She's a fan of big bounces and bath time.
- A ride in her ergo calms her down and puts her to sleep.
- She hates being burped.
- She also strongly dislikes car rides.
- Once we get her down for the night, we're good. We just have to get her down first.
- Ceiling fans and lights are magical to her.
- She likes listening to her dad play the guitar.
- Don't swaddle her. She loves to suck on her hands. (I'm not going to fight this battle yet)

Getting ride from Dad in her Ergo.

Highlights of being a mom:
- I love nursing her. It's one of the few times she snuggles me. I strongly encourage everyone to try breast feeding. It's so good for baby and you.

Post nursing snuggles with Izzy - 1 week old - so tiny

- Her smile in the morning is AMAZING!
- When I can sooth her, it feels better good.
- Did I mention her smile? I think she pretty darn cute too.

I love her huge smile! It just makes me laugh.

- She can have little conversations now by cooing. I can't wait for her to laugh... she's trying.
- Holding a sleeping baby is one of the best feelings in the world.

Sleeping pumpkin

- It's really exciting to see how quickly she is growing and learning new things.
- You learn to get by with little sleep.
- Some days I feel like I know what I'm doing.
- The demanding baby diet is amazing! Lost all the baby weight within 6 weeks. Now I'm losing pre-baby weight. (Don't worry I eat all the time. I also don't sit down and bounce most of the day.  Oh and the breast feeding helps too and rarely drinking helps as well.)

Less glamorous side of motherhood:
- What's makeup? Paint my nails...HA!
- My getting ready to go some place routine is less than 5 minutes.
- I'm usually covered in breast milk, vomit, or other bodily fluids.
- I've already stopped wearing a necklaces because she grabs them.
- I'm exhausted.
- Some days I feel like I suck at being a mom. It's not easy.

This is the post blow out photo at Barnes and Nobles. She was hungry and I had just used the last diaper. UGH! Bad one Mom... so she had to wait 10 minutes to get home to eat. Don't worry she eats ALL THE TIME! She was upset but ok.

Proof she was ok waiting 10 minutes for a feeding. (Nap after eating) I still felt horribly guilty. 

- I never know how much sleep I will get so I have to go to bed early.
- Leaking :( can be a little embarrassing.

Life has definitely changed for the better and will continue to get more exciting/fun. Everything is just a phase and it will pass. I'm trying to enjoy each phase or parts of a phase. I'm so thankful to have Isabel - our healthy little lady. She's teaching us a lot of things everyday. Sure things could be easier if she was a little more mellow or didn't fight sleep, but she wouldn't be our Izzy. One thing is for sure, our little lady has a strong personality. That makes me really happy. I think she will be a leader and not a follower.

She makes so many faces.

I also want to give a huge thank you to my sister and all my friends who are moms.  Especially my mommy friends that also have demanding kiddos - you know who you are. Your tips and our conversations have meant so much to me. If you have a easy baby, it's hard to get it. I'm so thankful for all the support and encouragement we have received.

A little advise to my friends who will have kids someday. Join a moms group or a breastfeeding support group!(ours is free through the hospital) I have made some amazing friends that have babies just a few weeks older than Izzy. We go to class with the kids once a week and get together for lunch or mall walking. We also exchange messages regularly. They are the best cheerleaders! We can pick each other up when we are feeling frustrated.  I'm so thankful to have their support.

Isabel's friends from our mom's/breast feeding support group.

All the ladies...oldest to youngest (right to left) All within 3 or 4 weeks of each other