Toward the end of my pregnancy, I fully expected to still be pregnant on my due date. At my baby shower, I predicted Chase would arrive on August 12, but he had other plans! Our little boy is 12 days old today and I can hardly believe I’ve been holding him and snuggling him for 12 days already. We had his two-week checkup appointment at the pediatrician this morning and everything looks good! Chase has gained exactly one pound since he was born and we should have a seven-pound baby on our hands very soon.
For as incredibly overwhelming and exhausting as life is with a newborn, I already cannot imagine life without Chase and could truly stare at his face for hours every day. I have been telling everyone that he has the ability to make 2,000 different facial expressions in 2.5 seconds and each one is cuter or more ridiculous than the last. He can go from looking like the sweetest little newborn to an old man to a curious little baby in a flash and I have a feeling I will never tire of watching him yawn, purse his little lips and raise his eyebrows… all seemingly mundane things that somehow feel like a shot straight to my heart as I stare at his face and try my best to force myself to commit all of his adorable expressions to memory.
So how have things been going over the past week and a half? GREAT. You guys, I am honestly shocked at how much I love being Chase’s mom.
I want to be completely honest here and say that I was really, really nervous about how I would adjust to life with a baby. I just couldn’t picture it and that both worried me and made me feel a little anxious about how I’d handle everything. Would I feel the undying love I hear moms talk about?
The first day in the hospital, I think the feeling of disbelief took over more than anything. I spent every waking moment holding our baby and feeding him and trying my best to wrap my head around the fact that this tiny person was my son. By day two, I felt the most extreme attachment I have ever felt in my life. I felt incredibly protective and absolutely enamored with this tiny baby. And right now? I feel happier than I ever could have imagined and so incredibly in love with this little dude.
I feel very fortunate that breastfeeding has been going well so far and Chase seems to be a good eater. I feel a bit like an always-topless milk machine at the moment! My nipples are sore (bless you, nipple cream), my boobs are hard and engorged and I’ve ruined at least two tops already due to leaky breast milk stains. Chase seems to think daytime is snack time and nighttime is meal time, but hearing that he is gaining weight and looking healthy at his first two pediatric visits was the best news. Grow baby, grow!
(Sadie is getting braver and braver around Chase every day! So proud of her!)
On Wednesday last week, I took Chase to the Nursing Mother’s Place for an appointment with a lactation consultant. It was fantastic. Chase was eating regularly and latching well, but the minute I sat down and started to feed him during our appointment, the lactation consultant chimed in with lots of different tips and tricks to help make breastfeeding more efficient and comfortable for both of us. It was very informative and incredibly helpful!
During my appointment, I used the My Brest Friend nursing pillow and knew I had to buy one the minute I left. I had been using the Boppy up until then and while I still like it, the My Brest Friend pillow offers more support and closes up the hole between me and Chase to make it easier to support him as he feeds.
I am hoping to type up a blog post all about the things that surprised me most about the first few days after birth and life with a newborn – what I didn’t expect, what no one told me about, favorite baby/nursing/new mom care products and more – because I feel like I am learning new things every day as I get to know our new baby. Stay tuned for that one when my brain is working a little better and I have the ability to write about something other than loving on Chase.
Also, I want to say a quick thank you to all of you. I really appreciate your understanding right now as I try to navigate life with a newborn and blog when the time is right while still doing my best to prioritize caring for and cuddling with Chase. Watching him grow so much right before my eyes is the perfect reminder to slow down and cherish these precious days with our sweet baby.
I hope all is well with all of you and that you all had a wonderful weekend!
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One word: AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
First of all, HUGE congratulations on everything!! It is the best, isn’t it? As the mom of a 4 month old, I have thought I lost SO many shirts to breastmilk. However, even though I try to be very natural in my product choices, Dawn dish soap gets out breastmilk like none other. Even when I washed a shirt and I thought the stain was permanent, a drop of Dawn got it out in a flash. Hope this helps your wardrobe, if not the hard leaky boobs and sore nipples – those go with just time and good practice. Warmest wishes from Portland!
I love the picture of Sadie on the couch with you and Chase! Random question, at what point did your water break? I don’t remember seeing that in your birth story.
It broke naturally but after I had the epidural so I didn’t even know it happened until the nurse lifted up the bed sheets to check how far along I was and told me it was all wet!
The picture of Chase and Ryan is precious!
I love it, too! It’s currently the background on my phone. <3 <3
Oh sheesh, I’m not much of a baby person but that little guy is downright adorable. The picture of Chase and Ryan melted my heart a little, and that picture with you+Chase+Sadie is too funny. Happy that things are going well for you!
So SO cute! Love the picture of Sadie snuggled under the blanket with you two- I wouldn’t expect anything else from a v! 🙂 Enjoy every second!
Oh, I can’t wait to get my hands on that little guy! So much baby sweetness. <3
Sadie is being such a good big sister … give her extra love from us … Will the Captain Adorable onesie fit Chase this summer????
I used to live in Charlotte and I went to the Nursing Mother’s Place with my first daughter, Corrine and had to same experience. I was using the Boppy and didn’t really like it. I knew when I used the My Brest Nursing pillow there I had to buy one. They are great! And I use it now with my second little one.
Chase is simply adorable! I’m so happy for you and your little family. That pic of you with him and Sadie cracks me up!
All those pictures are just the sweetest!
Love your posts!
I’m 30 weeks today, and I definitely worry about being able to hold it all together once our baby girl is born. I know that I’ll be okay, but the idea of juggling an infant (and a needy doggy!) seems a bit daunting.
You look so happy – thank you for sharing your story.
Oh he is so precious! I always said that when you have a child you realize that there really is someone who you would literally give your life for! Many blessings to you and your family! Your mom and dad must be over the moon, too!
Love all the photos of you and Ryan with Chase…so sweet!
I’m glad you hear you liked the My Brest Friend more than the boppy. That’s what we registered for after SO many friends told me they ended up not liking the Boppy! Chase is such a cutie, and you look great and incredibly happy 🙂 Go mama go!
Julie! You have an ADORABLE newborn! I am not just saying that! He is SO CUTE for being SO YOUNG!!! And you look fantastic, but I expected nothing less 😉
Claire
He is so cute! congratulations to you both, and thanks for sharing your experiences 🙂
These are the sweetest pictures. Love the swaddled up yawn! He is adorable. Enjoy every minute!
I love the my breast friend pillow! It was a lifesaver the first couple weeks. Also, my son is almost 3 months old. And I got to say, breastfeeding was so hard for us for weeks since he wanted to eat constantly. It’s totally exhausting. But now it is so second nature and since we are starting to get on a schedule I no longer feel like the dairy queen! 😉
SO cute. He reminds me of my little blond haired, blue eyed boy 🙂 I get a brestfriend pillow for all my expecting friends. It is a MUST HAVE for 0-3 months. I used it everyday for the first 6 months of my son’s life. Now at 9 months, we use the boppy or a regular pillow, but so worth having both!
Ahhh you are making my ovaries hurt! It’s getting to be about that time!!!
Ryan and Chase— oh my goodness! So sweet 🙂 Congrats again to you and your whole beautiful family! He is beautiful.
Congrats! No one could have prepared me for how great nursing your baby is either. I was shocked by how much I/my baby liked it. You may want to check out the bamboobies nursing pads. They are re-usable and so soft and comfortable. The night-time ones were especially nice. I also highly recommend this amazing nursing bra: http://www.amazon.com/Anita-Womens-Summer-Nursing-Black/dp/B006SF2HSY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1439233901&sr=8-3&keywords=anita+nursing+bra
How cute is Sadie helping out during feeding time?? 🙂 So glad things are going well for you new Momma!
Again, congrats. Chase is thriving and so very loved.
So so so so precious!!!! Its killing me. I’m 35 weeks and 2 days today. Im so close to getting to hold and love on my baby girl. I’m just daydreaming of what she will look like. Chase is adorable by the way and I’m so haply you guys are doing so well
So excited for you!
That picture of Ryan & Chase is so precious! I’m so glad to hear how well everything is going. You sound so happy!!
I am due this week too (how fun that you already have yours on the outside!!), but I will most likely go late, like I did my first. I can’t wait to cuddle a newborn–they’re the best!
Chase is so tiny and cute! I’m glad everything is going well! 🙂
These posts are my favorite! Thank you for sharing your life and love for your little one. I truly wish all the best for you, Ryan, Chase and Sadie as you navigate through this incredible change in your lives. It looks like you’re all doing great!
I’m so glad to see/hear that things are going well for you! You make one beautiful mommy to that sweet boy! (He is very handsome too!) If you run out of nipple cream, I highly recommend coconut oil! It smells lovely & works AMAZING!
As soon as I woke up this morning my first thought wast “Chase was supposed to be born today!” Being a mommy suits you so well. You all look beautiful. xox
Omg the cuteness!! I’m so glad life is going so well for your new little family! <3 <3 <3
he is just the sweetest!
Thank you for sharing! Love seeing the photos, especially the one with Ryan and Chase together. You look beautiful and so happy. You’re a natural at it!
oh my gosh you have the most precious little baby boy!! I am having baby fever
This is so sweet! I remember when I first became a mom. I don’t think I believed I could feel such intense love for such a small person..it’s crazy what being a mom does! It’s the most special thing. Congratulations!
http://www.sweetlytattered.com
Oh my goodness – he is so adorable! #babyfever
And the brest friend is the best! That is what I used too and it is amazing!
So precious! I totally understand your feelings about becoming a Mom. I want children someday but I’m very concerned about becoming a mother. I have many nieces and nephews and when I hold them I sometimes feel awkward like a missing the mom-gene. Hearing your story about becoming so close to your son reassures me that someday I will be able to bridge that gap too. Continue to enjoy every moment of his life and I wish you the very best! We will be hearing anxiously awaiting a new post from you as you get your bearings 🙂
Ps. I’ve heard LilyPadz are a godsend for nursing moms who wants to be more comfortable and not worry about leaks…maybe worth a try or at least a little research. https://lilypadz.com/
great to see and hear everything is going well. He’s such a cutie
My son is 4.5 months and I always say I wish I could record his entire life so that I can remember every single moment. Motherhood is amazing and heart breaking at the same time. I completely relate to your shot straight to the heart comment. This article sums it up for me: http://www.tickld.com/x/mom-gives-best-explanation-ever-how-life-changes-after-pregnancy
Congrats on your precious baby boy!! The picture of Chase and Ryan is soon cute! I’m happy everything is going well for your family!
Don’t worry about it! Spending time with Chase should definitely be your #1 priority right now. 😀
These pictures are awesome! You will cherish them forever and ever! 🙂
Ooh that is so good to know about the nursing pillows!! I just went in and adjusted my registry 🙂
Chase is so precious!! I love the picture of you, him, and Sadie on the couch together. Sadie looks like she’s trying to find a new place to sit with you, since she can’t really sit on you anymore. Dogs are the best 😛
OH MY GOODNESS – he is so cute! I am so glad to see that everything is going well with you both. Don’t worry about us we will be here always when you are ready and able to write 🙂
Thank you for being so honest, I’m due on the 30th and my biggest worry is that I won’t bond with or love my daughter right away, just thinking it makes me feel like a bad mom. I hope I feel the same way you experienced with Chase. I’m looking forward to more posts about life with a baby but I hope you take time to yourself to heal and to spend time with Chase.
He’s SO cute!! We share a birthday! lol
It’s so nice to follow stories from personal bloggers like you! I am due in November, and you make caring for a newborn so effortless and beautiful. Thank you! Chase is so precious, and YOU are a beautiful mama!
Love,
Rachel
À LA MODEST – Replacing insecurities with inspiration! ❤️️
Ohhh my, all of these photos are just precious. And you look absolutely beautiful in that first photo holding Chase! I’m just so happy to hear everything is going so well for you guys! I knew you would be an incredible mama. xoxo
These pictures are just priceless, Julie. I am a few weeks away from meeting my little guy and this makes me even more excited. Can I ask, what has been the hardest part so far and what had surprised you the most – maybe something you weren’t expecting…? Thank you for sharing such a beautiful part of your life with us. 🙂
Definitely recommend Bamboobies for the leaky situations! They’re reusable and really soft. They worked great!