This Gal is Now a Southern Mama in the Making

It has been so long since I have posted anything. I don't know where all the time went but it sure went fast, and somehow it brought us to Nashville, TN. For those of you who didn't hear, we moved to Nashville just a couple of weeks ago. Jason applied for and took an amazing promotion within his company, which brought us here. It was about 3 months in the making and boy did we struggle with all that moving entails. From joy to tears to desperation to more tears, it was a lot of work, but here we are. June was here and there and everywhere, with me, as we moved out of our house in Ventura, stayed with my parents for 2 weeks, stayed with Jason's family for 4 days and then flew to Nashville to our new home; all while Jason was already in Nashville. It was really tough being away from him and we definitely learned the lesson that 2 weeks is just too long for our little family to be apart.

We are actually living in Franklin, TN, about 20 minutes south of downtown Nashville. We are in an apartment while we look for a more permanent home to hopefully, purchase. Its actually bigger than our house was and honestly, I am really enjoying it. I think June is enjoying not having to crawl on hardwood floors, so that's a plus too. If you have not been here before, you should. There is SOOOO much to do! And there is so much amazing U.S. History here, from civil war battles, to famous plantations and homes, to the Grand Ole Opry, to museums, to amazing southern food, to great antiquing, to the best music on Earth (duh), this city has it all. Fortunately, so much of all these amazing things are just miles from where we live. I am so glad we chose to live in Franklin in particular. There is so much new and so much old, its a perfect balance, but I have to say that downtown Franklin is my favorite. Even though its hotter than sin (imagine me saying that with a southern accent), I still love walking around and window shopping and exploring. Most of my time has been spent unpacking, so we haven't had much time to make friends and such yet, but I know all that will happen in due time.

June is now 11 months old and well on her way to walking, talking, eating big girl foods and having a personality of her own. And let me tell you: she has a mind of her own and she doesn't mind telling you what she wants. This little lady has somehow figured out what a tantrum is at the ripe ole age of 11 months. She will kick and scream and yell when she doesn't get what she wants, which usually is one of our iPhones. She loves looking at pictures of herself on there and even knows how to zoom and scroll through them. I know it sounds crazy, but its true. Have we created a monster? I don't think so. I like to think that she is just independent, smart and now a sassy southern girl. June's favorite game is peekaboo. Jason and I crack up when she hides behind one of our couches and then pops up, she actually jumps. We yell peekaboo and she falls on the floor laughing. I have to admit, she's not the only one who loves this game...

Jason and I have struggled with the ups and downs of all that comes with being parents, adults, married, etc. These past few months have been tough as we have struggled with our choices and whether or not we are doing the right thing. I just love that we are able to embark on this adventure together and really feel so blessed that we were given such great opportunities and that God has really watched over us through all this. I look back to a year ago- I was just a few short weeks from giving birth to Junebug and we had no clue what a baby was going to bring to our lives. We were so anxious and nervous. Just look at us now. Living in a city and state so foreign to us, away from our families and friends, facing huge decisions and embarking on new journeys. I have to say that I am really proud of us and I am so so proud of my husband. I hope that doesn't sound too... ya know. I'm really liking this new change and thank goodness both of our families are coming within the next few weeks.

I think about June, obviously, with all that I do. I don't know if we would have moved if we hadn't had her. She has made us stronger and more independent. And I just couldn't imagine being in Nashville without her. She just makes all this so worthwhile and fun! I think she is born to be a country star, maybe not a singer but something just as beautiful as a star here in the Nashville sky. Ok, but isn't it just so perfect that June has an old-fashioned, country name? Something big is written in the stars for that little cowgirl and this southern mama is so excited to be part of it.

Don't worry, just because we live in the south (kinda), doesn't mean June is doing pageants. Absolutely not.

Teething, Solids, the Flu... Oh My!

I wrote this on February 9th but got so busy and couldn't finish it, so here it is anyway. Just don't want it to go to waste... What a week its been! My poor June has been going through some tough times. She got her first official tooth on Sunday, yup Super Bowl Sunday. We could see it was coming just about anyday but as we were driving to a friend's to watch the game, I checked her gums and WHOA! that bite hurt! Her tooth had finally come in! Its tough to keep her mouth open and take a picture so I'll have to add one in one of my later posts, but anyhow it was such a big moment: I mean, her first tooth?! What's next, potty training? We started June on solids, rice cereal, on January 20th but we have been taking it one day at a time. We actually took a break and started back up last week, because she just wasn't ready. She couldn't manage to get anything in her mouth without spitting it out and pushing her tongue forward. Last week, round 2 of solids began. I tried the rice cereal again and surprisingly, she managed to swallow some. I have to say, my theatrical background has really helped in this department. I was practically leaping and dancing sround in the kitchen in order to amuse her enough to "open wide." It was really fun! She loves when the train goes "CHOO CHOO" into her mouth. We are still taking it one day at a time though as her tongue thrusting is still pretty strong. Just when I thought we were on track to some normalcy with all this, the flu hits!

Biting the Bullet

With the beginning of a new year comes many resolutions, but honestly, I am not someone who makes them because I know that I won't keep them. I am just not that disciplined, which is really one of my negative traits. I have always struggled with discipline in my life... when it comes to exercising, eating right, spending money, lifestyle choices, etc. For some reason, I just always take the path of "I deserve it, so..." Well this year I decided that if I can't discipline myself, how am I ever going to discipline my children? I want to be a positive role model to June on how to live healthy and at peace with yourself and the decisions you make. So this year, I didn't make a resolution to start working out and losing weight. Instead, I just did it.

Two weeks ago, Jason and I started eating better and last Monday, I walked myself into a gym, asked for their pricing, got a tour and made the decision that it was now or never. It was time to get rid of the baby weight and start truly being healthy for the first time in my life. My sister, Jenni is getting married in July and my other sister, Jacqui and I are the Maids of Honor. With this role comes the responsibility of planning an over-the-top Bachelorette Party. We are off to Palm Springs for 4 days in June, which means its will be scorching. I honestly can not imagine walking around in a bathing suit right now, so I decided that I would get my butt in gear finally and make the jump.

Growing up, I was always very slender, could eat anything I wanted without it showing up on my figure, etc. I grew up in a family of "athletes" but I was the drama queen of the bunch, literally. My mom is an avid runner and hiker. My sister, Jenni, grew up playing soccer and tennis, and running cross country, and she continues to be dedicated to working out and running. My brother, Jimmy, played pretty much every sport you can imagine, including wrestling, football and track, and now he is into jiu jitso and surfing. My sister, Jacqui, is an extremely talented dancer, who loves yoga, even Bikram! And my Dad played football, baseball and basketball, and he now golfs religiously. But I sang my heart out, danced a little and acted my way through life. Working out is completely foreign to me. Honestly, I didn't even know how to turn on a treadmill until this week and today, as I was driving home from the gym, I told Jason that I thought I worked out on the eliptical but that I wasn't sure what the machine was actually called.

I walked into a step class on Monday, felt like I was totally uncoordinated but got through it; went to spin on Tuesday with my friend Jaimie, and thank God she was there. First off, I would have never known how to adjust the bike and also because I wouldn't have had anyone to complain to that my crotch was killing me! I mean, honestly, what the heck?! I am still in pain but I went again to spin last night (with a gel cushion) and I have yet to fall off the bike as I have feared, and I ran/walked on the treadmill on Wednesday and today. Oh and I even experimented with what I think was the eliptical. So I have made it through a whole week and I am still standing, well barely and walking down stairs really hurts, so I guess I should say instead, that I made it through a whole week and I am still alive.

The other aspect of my life that has made my healthy changes challenging is the fact that I love to cook- Paula Deen style cook, "just add some more butta, " and I LOVE LOVE LOVE to eat. Eating healthy is really just not fun to me. And I know, I know, you can still make great meals in a healthy way, but honestly, I am not into the whole "substitute the sugar with splenda" and "use greek yogurt instead of sour cream" recipes. Come on people, it definitely tastes differently! So eating has been an adjustment and really a sacrifice these past 2 weeks as well.

During the spin classes, I have been staring at the clock, hoping the hour would go by faster, but I have also been trying to focus on something to get me through it, to push me to add a little more resistance to the bike, to stay in 3rd position a little longer doing the "jumps". At first, I tried thinking of myself in a cute black bikini that I saw and wanted, but that didn't hold my focus, so then I tried thinking about how Jason would eventually think I was his sexy trophy wife, and that didn't hold it either, so then I thought about June. Since she was in the next room over (in the nursery), it wasn't hard, but I thought about how she would be proud of me, how she would grow up in a healthy home and how just this little bit of working out could really affect her life and her lifestyle choices. And that did it. So what's an hour on a bike with my crotch on fire, thighs burning, sweat dripping down my bright red face when I know that it is going to make a lifetime of a difference in my life and in my daughter's? Its a painful hour but I am really starting to understand that it is well worth it.

I was talking to my mom before I made that first big step into the gym on Sunday, and she said, "the hardest part is walking through those doors." It was really hard and actually its been hard all week and its going to continue to be hard, but I am determined to keep it up. I'm doing it for me and I'm doing it for June. What better reasons are there to keep me going?

June is officially 4 months and 1 week old. Time is flying but but we are having so much fun. Last Thursday at her doctor's visit she weighed 13lbs, 12 oz and was 24.5 in long.
Its so crazy to see who she is really becoming. She is a major rollie pollie, gives HUGE smiles when you walk into a room and she sees you, and she and Daphne (our golden retriever) have finally figured out that one another exist and June just smiles when she sees her.

Well, until next time... have a wonderful weekend and don't make a resolution, just bite the bullet and do it! We can encourage eachother, I will, if you will...

Oh and if any of you are members at Mavericks-Ventura and want a gym buddy, let me know.

My Little Fighter

This will be a quick one.

As I was doing the dishes earlier and hurrying to clean as much as I could before June woke up from her nap, I started thinking about how just a year ago we found out that God was going to bless us with a baby. Actually it was January 3rd that we found out, but I can't believe that little over a year ago, I had no idea that our lives were going to change so drastically and wonderfully. For a week, Jason and I were so thrilled, nervous, anxious and excited for an amazing journey that we were embarking on. It seemed as if nothing could get us down. I went to my doctor's appointment, had some bloodwork done and was sent home with the happy news. A year ago today though, things started to get a little shaky. Many people don't know this, but just as soon as Jason and I found out that I was pregnant, we also found out that something might be wrong. I was at work and I started bleeding. I called the doctor and the nurse told me that I needed to have an ultrasound immediately. I was so scared. I had the ultrasound, terrified, and as we waited (a whole day!) to get the results, our home became less and less excited and more and more sad. We decided to tell our family members about what was happening, although, origially we were going to tell everyone about the pregnancy in a fun and creative way. The doctor called and said that they couldn't find a heartbeat. Jason was so awesome, as I cried, so worried, and then he cried too. It was a moment I will never forget. Both of us talked about how we hadn't known this baby or held it but somehow we loved it more than anything we could ever imagine. And how could God give us such an amazing gift and take it away so quickly? It was the worst week and a half of our lives. My mom told us to have faith and so we did. Faith was the only thing we could cling to at that point. We were told that we would have to have another ultrasound later that week and at that point decisions would be made. Our 1st anniversary was that weekend and we planned on going on vacation. It was going to be an interesting trip, and it was, as my morning sickness kicked in full force. We were both so anxious to hear the results of the tests and that held us back from enjoying our time together. Not to mention, Jason had been in a car accident in the middle of all this, so our lives were completely turned upside down.

Jason and I vowed to do whatever it took to give this baby a fighting chance. June, being as strong as she is, didn't give up her fight either. During the ultrasound, our technician (who was so awesome!), turned up the volume and said, "I don't know what that guy was talking about. There's the heartbeat!" We were soooo happy and relieved. The rest is history...

So today, as I think about just a year ago, I thank God for June, for her love, for the cuddles, for her cries, even for her spit-up. I just couldn't imagine life without her. But I also think about those babies that may not make it. The ones that God decides to take because he has a different purpose for them. Say a little prayer for them today and for their parents. I know I am.

My Favorite Things 2010

Well, tomorrow is NYE and with a 14+ week old we aren't planning on celebrating in a huge way. Its weird, but I would much rather ring in the new year with June and Jason than at some huge party. This year has been so incredible and I am so excited to see what 2011 has in store for us.

So much has happened in the past week alone, besides all the craziness that Christmas brings. Santa spoiled June and she doesn't even realize it. Our house is filled with toys, bouncers, walkers and even an infant keyboard chair. We have officially grown out of our house and June isn't even 4 months old yet. We now have a rollie pollie on our hands! Woo hoo! June has learned to roll over from belly to back and vice versa. We actually have to closely watch her on her play mat because somehow she knows how to scooch herself in circles off the mat, off the rug and onto the hardwood floors; and when she is on her belly, she seems like she actually wants to start moving. June also had her real first giggle from the gut, as I now call it. Its so awesome! She has really learned that she has a voice and man she likes to hear herself! Jason and I are just loving that she "talks". Its fun to have conversations and hear her respond in some form. June also found her feet this week and can't stop playing with them. I told you a lot has happened in the past week...

I wanted to write my last post of the year about the baby products that I swear by and couldn't live without. When I found out I was having June, I asked my friends with kids what products they couldn't live without and for the most part, I agree with their suggestions. Jason laughs at me because he says that I buy every "widget" out there. Thank God he laughs at me and sees this as endearing. Its terrible, but its true. So I have tried a lot of what's out there, some have made my life easier and others have been a waste of time and money, but oh well, now I know. So in case you are pregnant, have an infant or need to buy a gift for someone expecting, here is my list of top 10 Favorite Things. And sorry, unlike Oprah's show, you will not all be receiving these awesome items.

1. Sleep Sheep We couldn't live without this! We even have the Sleep Sheep on the Go attached to June's car seat. Its essentially a white noise machine but its a sheep and super soft and ultra soothing to babies, especially a newborn. It has 4 sound options: ocean, heartbeat, whale and rain. We use the ocean sound everytime June gets strapped into her car seat and when she goes down for a nap or sleep for the night. They also make a giraffe one. LOVE this!

2. ERGObaby Carrier with Newborn Insert If it wasn't for this carrier we would never have food in our house because I put June in this everytime we go to the grocery store, Target and even when I just want to hold her close but have things to do. At first glance, it looks kinda bulky, like a hiking pack. But its all those straps that keep it from hurting your back, waist and shoulders. Its a backpack, but also a carrier for the front. You have to spend the extra money and get the newborn insert until the baby is 12lbs., but its so worth it. June loves being in it. I carry her in the front chest to chest, and it is soooo comfy. She doesn't like slings (although I have 5 different kinds), so this is a must-have product for us.

3. Puj Tub This tub fits perfectly in sinks of all sizes and is super comfy for your baby. June loves bath time and I really think its because she is so comfortable in this. You can't overfill this with water because of the holes in the middle, its easy to put together and you only need 1 hand to do so (just 2 sets of magnets that stick together), and you can store it anywhere since its just thin foam. Its worth the money, trust me!

4. WubbaNub Infant Pacifier Before we put June on formula, this was the only thing that soothed her and stopped her crying. They are so cute. June has the long horn steer, giraffe, dolly and caterpillar. They are great pacifiers (the ones given to preemies in the hospitals) and easy to hold because of the mini animals attached to them. They are sold in children's boutiques but Babies 'R Us just started selling them as well.

5. Fisher Price My Little Lamb Cradle N Swing CAN'T live without this! June sleeps in it, plays in it and just chills out. Its super soft and swings forever, I mean forever but be prepared to have lots of batteries. The best swing out there!

6. Baby Einstein Neptune Ocean Adventure Mat June loves playing on this mat. The octopus is her favorite and she loves the music. We named him Ozzie and her Mima got her a bigger one for Christmas that can hang on this as well. Super fun!

7. Baby's Bliss Gripe Water Saved our lives before formula. Its great for babies who have tummy and gas issues associated with colic and teething. Its an herbal supplement, but you should ask your doctor if its okay to give to your little one. You can find it at Rite Aid, but it is much cheaper to order online. We were buying it by the case...

8. Nosefrida Snot Sucker Great recommedation from my friends Kari and Colette. Its much easier to get the snot out than an infant nasal aspirator bulb and doesn't hurt as much. Don't worry, the snot never actually reaches your mouth because of the soft filter inside the tube. Some recommendations for this: its super hard to find in stores. So don't make the mistake and try to find it when your baby is actually sick like I did. Buy it online at Target and make sure and buy 1-2 extra packs of filters.

9. Prince Lionheart Wipes Warmer Okay, not a necessity but June sure does love the warm wipes. I mean, think about it: would you want a freezing cold wipe on your tush in the middle of the night? Probably not. Make sure to buy the replacement pillows for this as well.

10. Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Vanilla Teether I'm sure you have seen the regular Sophie the giraffe teether. With all the rants and raves about it, I was disappointed that June wasn't quite into it yet. But I found this smaller, more teether-friendly version and its awesome. She is starting to suck on toys, her hands and her sleeves, and this is the best of the toys. Its soft and has small bumps that feel good on her gums, AND its super easy for her little hands to hold. I'm sure she will like the bigger one in a few months but this one does the job for now.

So there you have it. My fave things since being blessed with June. They are in no particluar order. There are a TON of products out there for babies and you obviously can get by with the bare minimum but its always fun to have some specialty items too. I hope I've become more laid back since having June. I've learned so much about babies, life and love, and I hope I am passing some of what I have learned on to you. I hope, at the very least, that you are enjoying what I am sharing. Just in case you were wondering, I use Tommee Tippee Bottles, love my Petunia Picklebottom diaperbag and her clutches, get lots of compliments on my Fancee Pants Designs wipes case (check her out on Etsy), swore by my Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump, push a Peg Perego Primo Viaggio travel system, can't resist baby clothes at Target and love the ever-so-popular and mass produced Carter's brand of infant clothes, use good ole' Johnson & Johnson all over soap to bathe June and their unscented lotion for her baby massages, clean June's face with Mustela facial wipes (for some reason the scent really calms her down), couldn't live without Pampers Swaddlers disposable diapers or Pampers Sensitive Wipes, don't swaddle June but if I did I would use Under the Nile's swaddle blankets (their clothes are to die for comfy too), loves Baby Gap and Little MissMatched sales, splurge on Right Bank Babies clothes, and I listen to Kristen Chenoweth's music in the nursery and sing the songs from Wicked to June.

In case you aren't members on these sites, join them for AMAZING deals on fabulous brands of children's clothing:
Zulily, Hautelook, Totsy, and GiltGroup

Have a safe New Year's Eve and here's to a wonderfully awesome 2011! Cheers!

Which High Chair?

We are starting to research high chairs since June will be 3 months old on Monday. Any recommendations would be so appreciated! Or let me know if there are some to stay away from. So far I am liking the Peg Perego Prima Pappa, the Graco Blossom and the Inglesina Zuma. Thanks mommies!

Things I have learned from 2010

Seeing as we are only 2 weeks away from 2011 and so many changes have/are occurring, I thought that my next post might be about the things I have learned this past year. When Jason and I kissed to 2010 on New Year's, we had no clue what was in store for us. I found out I was pregnant on January 3rd, my Dad's birthday. Many know the story but just in case you don't, this is the basic version:

I had been eating a lot of pickles, and as Jason and I were getting ready to drive to my parents' to celebrate my Dad's birthday, I was walking around the house eating a pickle. Jason said, "you've been eating a lot of pickles lately." I jokingly responed, "maybe I'm pregnant." Then I went into the bathroom took a test without Jason knowing, and then I started yelling his name, with the door shut. He came to the door, asking if I was ok. I just kept saying, "hold on," as the positive symbol got darker and darker. I opened the door and said, "I think I'm pregnant." I was so excited but didn't want to get my hopes up, in case the test was wrong (you can't get a false positive I later learned), but honestly, I was terrified. Jason just remained calm and collected, as always, smiling and hugging me. We both weren't expecting our lives to change in that way less than a year after we were married, but God had other plans. That plan is now the most precious thing and biggest blessing of our lives.

With June being born, so much of mine and Jason's life has changed drastically: we don't hit up the bars on the weekends, its tough to see our college friends who don't live close, I haven't bought clothes for myself in ages yet I can't seem to stop buying them for June (sorry Jason), date night is hard to come by, no more cussing, going to Starbucks takes 30 minutes of prep time, and so much more. But none of these things seem to matter anymore. We both would give it all up, and honestly, I would have given everything up sooner had I known how much joy and love June would bring to my life.

So here is my list of things I have learned from the wonderful year of 2010:

1. I don't have control of anything anymore. June is in control of everything. She is Queen Bee.

2. I am emotional. Everything makes me cry now, even the joyful things. I cried feeding June in the backseat of my car in the Trader Joes parking lot last week because of a song that came on.

3. A baby's smile can make all confusion, sadness and frustration fly right out the window.

4. Not taking a shower for 3 days, having perfectly manicured hands and feet, and having roots will not kill me, I just might not want to venture out of the house until I clean myself up.

5. A baby spitting up/pooping on an expensive shirt is not the end of the world.

6. Not losing all the baby weight yet means that I obviously focus all my attention on my baby and in a way makes me selfless.

7. That uncontrollable sobbing can only be soothed by my/your mom's voice, even if its on the phone (whether you're a baby or a 27 year old woman).

8. Babies bring families together.

9. Being a stay-at-home mom is actually a profession.

10. Getting 10 minutes alone is progress.

11. A baby can both laugh and cry at the same time.

12. Snuggling with June is now my favorite past time. I even wake her up sometimes just because I want to hold her so bad.

13. God has a plan and truly is the one in control.

14. My husband is the most amazing man and father, and I am so lucky that he chose me. And that through the lows and the highs that he is truly the only person who understands me.

15. Siblings are one of those gifts that God gives, because He knows the positive impact that they will have not only on your life, but on your childrens' lives as well.

16. Grandparents/our parents are a blessing who take over when you can't seem to move forward.

17. The word sacrifice shouldn't have a negative connotation to it. Its actually such a positive aspect of our lives now.

18. Mother's intuition actually exists and trumps any medical journal or profession.

19. I actually am very maternal and have patience (I know many people doubted this).

20. That I couldn't love anything or anyone more that I love June, unconditionally, forever and forever.

On that note, I will stop. June just woke-up and I get to snuggle with her and feed her. 2010 has been the best year of my life. Can't wait to see what 2011 has in store... oh yeah! I'm getting a brother-in-law!