Hanabella Maternity/Newborn Photos

   So I've been waiting to post maternity pics and newborn photos that we've had taken until I got birth announcements out... So now that my mom has called and told me she received her announcement she demands I unveil the rest :)

 

And Theo 6 days old :)

Week for the three of us...

   So this blog was never intended to be a "mommy-blog," but it may be baby-centered for awhile :) The majority of my life now is taking care of Theo (which I'm told is normal for the 1st few months with a new-born). 
  This last week has been incredible- not because of any big accomplishment, trip, or activity- just because it has been our first week as a family-just the 3 of us. We've had company for the first 5 weeks of Theo's baby life and Paul leaves tomorrow for a 9 day missions trip to Tijuana, Mexico. Even though Pablo's job is high-stress, it is perfect for this season of life mainly because of the flexibility. Going to ministry school, working 30 hours a week, and having a new baby with company in town has made for a bussssy month for my hubster- he handled better than I ever could! So we cherished this week... went on a date, took Theo out and about, watched many episodes of "Arrested Development" on Hulu, and spent time talking about 'us.' I love 'us' even more now after having a baby... It is so fun being parents together. 
  So why am I even blogging about this? It's for my own sake. I know there are times when life can feel completely thrown off with the demands of having a newborn that is solely dependent on me. There are days when I wonder if I will live in yoga pants forever. I have this sense that next month will be a whole different ball game. We will most likely decide where to live in the coming season and then my mind will be preoccupied with preparations to move. But right now, right now I am in this place of feeling very present. I am cherishing each moment the three of us sit on the couch together while I nurse Theo. I cherish our little apartment with the amazing view. I cherish our 2nd-hand furniture that we slowly acquired since we didn't feel like buying nice possessions we'd have to move later... I cherish the simplicity of singing to my baby, reading him Bible stories he doesn't yet understand, and talking to him about the things I know the Lord will do in his life... I cherish the memories and miracles of this year- the amazing breakthroughs, the miraculous provision, and the glorious adventure. These are precious days to me.

Getting some baby exercise.

Morning times together.

Swinging!

And a less than happy moment...

  

I can't believe I'm posting about a breast pump...

   So you know that moment when you are at Target and start tearing up because they won't honor the online price for the $300 breast pump you are trying to buy? Yes, I had that moment today when after 2 days of trying to buy a pump on both Target and Babies R Us's websites (to no avail... our PayPal account was malfunctioning) I said "screw this" and marched off to Target to buy the said pump because it was advertised on sale for $255 online. So you can see why I was a little peeped that they were making me pay the $300 for an item that I don't want but desperately need for my sanity. As the tears reveal, I've been a tad emotional the last month and just need to have the option of packing a bottle so I can leave the house with my baby for more than 2 hours without trying to find a place to privately feed him... you moms know where I'm coming from. I called my mom at Target (Paul wasn't answering his phone) and she said to just buy it and I could always return it if Paul wanted us to save the $50. So I did. I bought it and then got home and started crying- yes, full-blown crying because of my breast pump ordeal... Paul wisely said I should forget ordering online and use the sucker el pronto!
   The emotions are a mixture of many things: I think I miss my mom. I feel sad my sister is leaving and wonder how Theo and I will do home alone together all day (with no help). Having a full month of company has made my little sweetie awfully used to being held non-stop.. I only get anything done (shower included) when he is sleeping. The next few weeks could be a major adjustment and I am a sucker... crying it out? yea right... I've done that once and it lasted all of 5 minutes. Being a stay-at-home mom is such a gift, but not living close to our families is just hard :(. Also difficult is not knowing where we will be in May after school is finished. We are praying we have direction soon. Until then I will continue to forge through the new ground of motherhood. This little sweetie sure makes it worth it! 

Why I need an iphone: Instagram

   
   All of these were taken by friends, but prove that I need an iphone so I can instagram my adorable baby....

Coffee Date/1st Babysitter

   Let the record show that approx 3.5 weeks after having a baby Paul and I went on our first coffee date post-Theo... It was much needed and we had a wonderful time. Paul told me last night he felt like going to coffee together was like Disneyland (wow a baby changes things!). 

heading out without baby...

   Aunt Nini was Theo's first official babysitter and since Uncle Turner came over she even made the most delish banana crumble muffins (I had 3). That's my kinda babysitter! 

handing with Nini

   Love Aunt Nini! I will be sooooo sad when she leaves. We have watched lots of movies and she has done an amazing amount of baking (and I've supported her by watching and eating).

Theo: 3 Weeks Old!

Hanging with mom!

Looking so much like mom as a baby here that it's scary!

Hello world! I'm 3 weeks old today!

Squishy face

confused.

   So Theo is 3 weeks old today! Happy 3 week bday my little Puffin! Aunt Annie arrived at 3 am (pictures with her will make an appearance on this blog very soon.). I'm realizing how hard it is not to post every milestone and picture to FB of my baby! I am so in love with him and obviously think he is the greatest thing to ever grace God's green earth. I keep telling Annie to tell me if I become one of "those moms" who drives people to drink with their constant updates on their children. She told me I had to consult someone else because she is too biased  and obsessed with Theo.... 
  Theo is a WONDERFUL baby... he sleeps 4 and 3 hour stretches at night and doesn't cry unless he is hungry, tired, or needs a diaper change. He has a very sweet spirit and focuses intently on our faces when we talk to him. He is responsive to singing and high-pitched baby talk :) 
  Love being a momma!

New Mommy

   Nothing makes you feel like life is speeding by quite like giving birth to new life. I feel like it was just yesterday I was standing at the top of the stairs in my childhood home hearing my dad tell my 9 year-old self that my time living at home was half over. I cried because my childhood seemed to slipping away. Now here I am 24 years old, married, and with a beautiful, perfect son. My childhood has ended, but his has only just begun!
   The first three weeks of Theo's life has been a mixture of laughter, tears, joys, and firsts. Week one was just trying to get used to having a newborn and making sure I kept him alive! Being at his beck and call seemed to be all I did (and it still does at times). I can't even begin to tell describe how grateful I am for my mom. She truly helped me make the transition to motherhood with my sanity in-tact. She cleaned, cooked, did laundry, held Theo while I napped, bought us groceries, went to Dr.'s appointments with me and assured me that I wouldn't feel like a baby feeding machine for the rest of my life. Becoming a mother has made me need my mom more than I have in years. I so respect my mom and so many people tell me she is the best mother and wife they know. She is who I get to learn from! She is #3 on my speed dial. It goes #1- voice mail box #2- Paul #3-MOM! 
   Having my dad come out the 2nd week was so special! I video taped him meeting Theo and as you might have suspected there were lots of tears!!!

my amazing dad with Theo!

Nonnie!! the best woman EVER!

  Saying good-bye to my parents was honestly the worst... Since we don't know where we will be living after ministry school in May we aren't sure when we will see them next. Luckily, Paul's parents arrived the same day that my parents left... I know what you are thinking, "could you possibly be excited to have your in-laws come?" to which I respond a resounding YES!! They are seriously the dream team. Like my parents, they bought us groceries, took us to eat, and held Theo so I could nap and take showers. Paul's mom even left money on the counter this morning so that I could get a pedicure this week (spoiled, aren't I??) They are the most low-maintanence guests ever and I loved having them around. I cried last night with Jean, my mother-in-law knowing they were going home today...

Meeting Nanna and Poppa

Talking with Nanna

Cuddles with Poppa

  As wonderful as having a baby is, I feel like my hormones are more crazy than when I was pregnant. I am ultra sensitive and cry very easily. Since quality time is my love language I have been feeling the effects of not having as much one-on-one time with Paul as I'm used to. We are taking Theo out this afternoon just the three of us for the first time and going to eat and spend some time as a family. We are both so in love with this little guy, but I'm definatly feeling the adjustment. My mom and mother-in-law have both assured me that the first few months are the hardest when you are breastfeeding and caring for a newborn. As you can imagine, I've cried because I'm sad he has already outgrown some of his newborn clothes and also cried because I get cabin fever if I don't leave the house for a day or two (I'm complicated I guess!) But one look at that little face below and it's all worth it! He already looks so big! :( / :)

that face!!!!!

burping baby Theo

where we spend most of our evening- the couch! he wants to eat all night!

   Theo seems to have blonde hair and blue eyes at this point... Say what?!?! Totally thought my Italian/Lebanese heritage would trump Paul's genes.... I wonder if people will even think he is my kid in the future.... hmmm. Well, Aunt Annie comes this week to meet her first/only nephew! We can't wait! Uncle Tyler comes later in the week too!