Where does the time go??

I'm pretty sure in one of my last posts I said I would give an update about Lyla and life with a newborn. Well that was back in December and I have no idea where the time has gone, but I am finally getting around to this update just a few weeks later. It's been a little bit like Groundhog Day around here so it's easy to lose track of days and time. We are learning so much about being parents and navigating our way through each exciting milestone. The feeling is very surreal and sometimes I think I am in a dream. 

Ashley Wills Photography

Lyla is such a great baby. She cries when she is hungry, wet, tired or needs a burp. It's been interesting to watch her and figure out her signals to us. Trying to decipher cries and sounds is an art but most days I feel like I can figure out what she needs. We've only had a couple of nights with inconsolable cries, but I think it was just some gas. Poor thing!! Her personality is starting to show and I melt when she smiles at me. There really isn't anything better and it makes any frustration I have disappear instantly. She likes to give me a big smile when I am desperately trying to get her to nap. While it feels like she is giving me the middle finger and saying that naps aren't necessary, I just laugh because it's so adorable. 

I am a type A, very organized, scheduled person and this has consumed me when it comes to sleep training with Lyla. The internet is a blessing and a curse at the same time because I find myself obsessed with reading every sleep training website and article imaginable. In my mind, I was going to get her on a schedule and that was just how it was going to be. Well I didn't take into consideration that I'm dealing with a newborn and this was going to take some time. Lyla spoiled us because she was a champ at sleeping long stretches at night from the start. We would have to wake her up at night to feed her because she just loved to sleep. That all changed recently so we are trying the schedule again and I am learning to be more patient with the process. She still gives us her longest stretch at night so I really can't complain because I have friends who are up every couple of hours all night long. My struggle is more with the day and getting her to nap. I tried to tell her that she will feel much better if she naps longer than 30 minutes, but she's just not into it yet. 

Right now she is still sleeping in her bassinet in our room. I worked so hard to make her nursery a room that she will love, but for now we just play in the floor and attempt to nap in the crib. I find myself organizing her closet every chance I get. The Container Store really went above and beyond with her closet and I am so grateful. We chose the elfa shelving and drawer system because of the flexibility in configuration. My parents used the drawers in my closet at home and I had the free standing drawers in my closet prior to meeting Chris, so I was familiar with elfa and loved how durable the product was. My favorite part is the organization on the doors. This is space that could have been wasted, but we made the most of every inch! I hope that Lyla is organized like me and I look forward to watching her grow into this space. 

Ashley Wills Photography

The Container Store was so nice to help us out with this project and I want to help them by letting you guys know about the massive sale they are having on elfa products until February 28. The Annual elfa Sale features 30% off elfa products and elfa installation. You can either design your own space using their online design tools, or have one of their experts design your dream space for FREE in store, online or over the phone. I worked with the designers to create Lyla's closet and they were fabulous. They know the system so well and can quickly come up with a design that will fit your needs and maximize your space. If you want to see more of Lyla's adorable nursery and to learn more about the details of the closet, head to The Container Store's lifestyle blog, Container Stories. 

Ashley Wills Photography

10 weeks have flown by and I am just soaking in this newborn phase as long as I can. Staring at our beautiful girl all day is definitely making this winter much more enjoyable and I have almost forgotten about how much I hate the cold! I will keep you all posted on our sleep training and hopefully we can find a schedule that works for everyone. Fingers crossed!! Let me know if you have tips!!

The waiting game

Photo by Channing Johnson

I remember when we found out we were pregnant and November seemed so far away. Well it's here, almost halfway over, and we are still waiting. I was given two due dates for this baby, which I know sounds crazy, but it isn't uncommon. Since we did IVF, we know when this all went down. I have been measuring about a week ahead of schedule so that's how we received two different dates. The first one has now passed and we are approaching the original date that was based on my last menstrual cycle. So it could be any day now! 

My parents arrived two weeks ago in the event that I went into labor early. Chris was traveling and it made us both feel better to have someone here just in case. I feel bad that we are all just sitting around, but things will get crazy soon enough and we won't even remember what it was like to just sit around. I have developed a tiny routine of cleaning the house and making sure everything is in order. It's about the only thing I can control at this point so it gives me a sense of purpose. 

Sleeping hasn't been so easy, but I have gotten more shut eye than I expected. If I didn't have to get up to go to the bathroom every couple of hours it would be much easier. The giant body pillow has helped a little with the pain in my hips. Poor Chris probably feels like there are 2 people in the bed with him because the pillow is so large, but whatever works at this point is what we will go with! I was having some pain and pressure in my pelvis so the doctor recommended a maternity belt. After looking them up online I wasn't quite sure how this was going to help but I ordered one anyway. Surprisingly it really did provide some relief. I have also found if I just keep moving and don't sit for too long then it keeps everything loose. This is probably why the pressure is so much more intense at night after I have been laying for a while. It actually feels like a bowling ball is going to fall out of me sometimes when I get up in the night. So weird!

Photo by Channing Johnson

Now we just continue to wait. It's crazy that this huge life event is happening and we have no idea when it will actually go down. The anticipation is crazy, but I am just trying to remain calm and rest as much as possible. I am reading every book I can to try and prepare for this event. I want to attempt a natural birth, but I have no idea what my pain threshold will be. There isn't a medal at the end so I will do whatever will keep the baby and myself healthy. I also want to breastfeed, but it's another unknown. I can read every book and article about how to do all of these things, but we really won't know until baby Lambton arrives. Then we will take it one day at a time and figure it out like all first time parents have done for hundreds of years. 

Everything is ready. The nursery is finished. The laundry remains clean and mostly put away. We have gas in the car. The bags are packed. Now we just need our little miracle to make a move!

Photo by Channing Johnson

Showers and Stuff

I have to start by bragging about my amazing friends. They were so kind and generous to throw me three of the most amazing showers that I could ever imagine! The first was in my hometown of Kingsport, TN at the home of my childhood best friend. Women who I have grown up with and have known forever came to spend a beautiful afternoon showering baby Lambton and myself with some of the most thoughtful gifts I could ever imagine. This was followed by a weekend in Dallas with a group that is so special to me. They planned a morning at the spa that was just what this momma to be needed. They are all moms and I received some incredible advice along with more presents for this little babe.  One friend even flew in to surprise me from Chicago and I was blown away!! My final shower was thrown by my sisters in law on Cape Cod. Again, I was completely overwhelmed by the support and love that friends and family have shown for us. I came home with more goodies than I could ever imagine and my heart is full with all of the love shown by everyone. We are truly blessed to have such incredible people in our lives!!

Kingsport, TN Shower

I remember when these special friends began planning the showers the first question they asked was about my registry. So I got online and started reading lists and reviews about all the latest and greatest gear. I was shocked at just how many items are out there for this tiny human. Then of course there are a billion reviews and everyone has a different opinion about what is the best. How do you even decide??? First there is the nursery where you need a crib, rocker, changing table, dresser, closet organization, cute décor, sound machine, bedding, blankets, and clothes. Then for the car you have to have a car seat, stroller, mirror, baby bag filled with diapers, wipes, pacifier, toys, books, extra clothes, boogie wipes, hats, mittens and anything else you can think of just in case something happens while you are out of the house. Finally, there are the things that stay at the house like the bassinet, high chair, bumbo seat, boppy pillow, swing, vibrating chair, sleep lounger, swaddles, bottles, breast feeding supplies, pumping supplies, burp cloths, swaddles, diaper cream, baby powder, bath tub, bath supplies, lotion, books, toys and I’m sure plenty of other things that I am going to figure out along the way. Can you believe all the stuff?? Now, I know all of this isn’t completely necessary, but for a first time mom I am trying to be prepared for every possible scenario. We don’t know what kind of sleeper and eater this baby will be. So I guess you try it all until you find what is right for your baby. Below are some of the items that I am really excited to give a try!

Yesterday I began washing every item that we have received to make sure it’s all fresh and clean should this baby decide to arrive early. I quickly realized that the whole idea of nesting is real and I may have become slightly obsessed with cleanliness lately. I finished my last work obligation a couple of weeks ago and since then I have been non-stop cleaning and washing everything that will fit in the washing machine. We are still technically 5ish weeks away from the big day, but I know plenty of women who went early so I just want to feel that I am in control and prepared while it’s still just adults and dogs in this house. I guess it’s half nesting and organizing and half keeping myself busy so I don’t turn into a couch potato.

Dallas, TX Spa Shower

I feel like we have everything we need. The nursery is almost finished and I’m excited for it to finally come together. Just a few items left and we will be all set!  Until then I will just keep cleaning, folding and organizing everything in my path. 

Cape Cod Shower

Doctors, Specialists, Midwives-I've Seen Them All

I'm not sure I anticipated just how many different doctors I would see throughout this process of making a baby. I guess in a perfect world you have one doctor that you see once that plus sign shows itself on the stick and you finish with that same doctor catching the baby. Well, I have had an entire team in multiple offices and various cities across the state. Now we are weeks away from meeting our little turkey and we wouldn't be here without every single one of them. 

We started with a recommendation to go to an IVF specialist. I had several friends who had been to the same doctor so we made an appointment and we were all in. She was fabulous and always full of positivity, which was refreshing and kept me in a good place that this would work. When we actually got to the testing phase, egg retrieval and implantation, our designated doctor was never working those days. Normally it would make me nervous to see unfamiliar faces, but this practice was beyond incredible and every person instantly became my BFF. The experience couldn't have been more positive and I would recommend every single one of them!

Once we received our positive blood test, we remained with the IVF clinic for a few more weeks just until we saw a heartbeat and they were ready to release us to an OB/GYN. Around week 8-10 we finally went to see my midwife, who is a part of the OB office. That's when we began testing the baby and looking for any abnormalities through blood work and ultrasound. This part is terrifying because the last thing you want to hear is that something is wrong with your very tiny baby that you have worked so hard to create. Our genetic testing came back normal, but on the ultrasound they found a tiny cyst. My heart sank to my stomach and we were off to see a fetal specialist a couple of days later. This doctor performed another ultrasound to see if they could determine what this oh so tiny cyst was. Well, the baby was so tiny that they really couldn't tell what it was, but this doctor proceeded to give me the worst case scenario telling me we may have to terminate. Why in the world would you tell an expectant mother those words when you have no idea what this is because it's way too early to tell??? I was heartbroken and furious all at the same time. Basically we just had to wait and see as the baby grew. We ended up switching to a different fetal specialist after this visit because I needed someone who was a bit more sugar coated in their delivery. Thank goodness I did because our new specialist was honest, but didn't jump to any unnecessary conclusions. We went every 2 weeks for an ultrasound for the first 6-7 months then we were able to go every 4 weeks because it was becoming less of a concern. Finally this week we were cleared because the cyst is gone!!! So much worrying all for nothing, but I am happy that we had the right people in place to make sure everything was okay. 

Now, we are focusing on our classes with our midwife and just preparing for labor. Many people have asked if I am delivering at home because we are with a midwife. No, midwives also deliver in hospitals and that's where we will be. I decided to choose a midwife because I like the care that she provides. She will be by my side from the time we enter the hospital until little turkey arrives. She will also give us all the options when it comes to pain management and birth positions, instead of choosing for us. I want to feel in control of this process as much as I can and I believe my midwife will do her best to allow that to happen. There are doctors there in the event that something happens or if I end up needing a C-section. I am going into this with an open mind because you never know what will happen. This is an unknown for me so I am just going to take it one step at a time and choose the best option based on what's happening with my body. It's terrifying because of all the unknowns, but I am sure that I will be surrounded by the best who will only have the best interest for me and baby in mind. 

I would love to hear about your experiences so please feel free to share below!!