FIRST MOTHER'S DAY & FATHER'S DAY

Happy (belated) Mother’s Day and (present) Father’s Day to all you moms, dad and mother/father-like figures! Jose and I talk all the time about how lucky we are to have an incredibly smart, healthy, brave, strong and handsome young man. He is five and a half months now and growing every day!

My first Mother’s Day was everything I could have imagined. Slow, full of snuggles and with a memory I can cherish forever. Jose made a delicious breakfast, we read books and crafted a hand print keepsake. My flowers bloomed all week and I dressed him in as many “Mommy’s little …” onesies that he could fit into. It was perfect.

For Father’s Day it was much the same. Staying in, making memories in the pool, delicious food, fun presents and plenty of Atlas laughs. My favorite part was recreating this photo of Jose and his father when he was nearly 6 month’s old. Do you see the resemblance?

We also finally released a new episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast Vlog! We share some amazing Atlas firsts and its a chance to see more the behind the scenes of us living our lives as a family of three now. Make sure you subscribe so you can catch all the new episodes.

Atlas, you’re such a sweet little man and there’s nothing better than getting to spend all day with you. You give my life so much meaning and I am so lucky you chose me to be your mom!

XoXo
Mama Britt

WORKING MOM BLOG

Last week I had a hard day. I cried leaving for work. I transitioned back to work after 8 weeks of maternity leave. Because Jose is able to work from home I am blessed to have a sense of security when I leave for work everyday. I make it most days no tears, but the end of the week it gets harder. Last Friday and Saturday I was too hard on myself- thinking because I couldn’t calm him, he had forgotten all about me. But, last Thursday was different.

I usually stay pretty busy at work and keep my mind occupied. I am grateful Jose is working from home and caring for Atlas and his development. He FaceTimes me at lunch and I try and wrap up at reasonable time to be home to feed the animals and the baby. But, last Thursday was different. At 4pm I learned I had to run an errand across town. I called Jose and the disappointment on his voice broke my heart. He understood I had to take care of a work situation, but I had never felt so torn. I was being pulled to be a great employee and a great mom and great wife at the same time.

Two hours later and less than a mile from my house I get a call from my boss. He shares positive feedback and encourages me to keep heading in the right direction and I will continue to do great things.

I showered that night realizing I can’t be everything all the time- a working mom is finding that balance, knowing I can’t always be there next now, but I’ll be there forever.

To any moms and dads out there working, caring and loving for your tiny humans- great job! We are doing amazing and we can do it! Cheers to doing it all again tomorrow.

XoXo Britt

AM I ENOUGH

I am constantly asking myself this question especially now, as a mother, raising my baby boy. Being my first child I want to do everything perfectly and give him the world for being my world. This especially holds true when it comes to breastfeeding him.

While being pregnant I was constantly questioned if I would be breastfeeding and I replied, “Yes.” Once he was born he had no issues latching and even after a visit from the lactation specialist, we were assured everything would go smoothly.

But then the opposite happened. The pain I felt every time he latched made me dread feeding time and I was always curious in the back of my mind if he was getting enough. It’s hard to measure coming straight from the nipple and his obsessive crying was new to us to figure out.

I tried pumping for the first time at 3 weeks and only got 2 oz from both breasts. I started taking more lactation supplements from vitamin drinks to oat pancakes. My favorite were the no bake energy bars and the waffles. You can enjoy even if you’re not looking to increase your milk supply. I’m not sure it helped, but it sure was delicious. I was also thankful for local company Majka to make the best smoothies and still get all my nutrients.

He took to a bottle so quickly. Our favorite is Nuk for pacifiers and bottles- such a smooth transition from the nipple! I was pumping every 2-3 hours to keep up with the growing boy, but was getting frustrated. Am I enough?

I started supplementing after 6 weeks of just breast milk. I needed to take care of myself in order to take care of my little guy. Now, I am pumping every 4-6 hours now and producing 4 oz which is great for his age and to have with formula feedings daily too.

I will keep this system as I transition back to work and face the next dilemma of being enough presently in the parent category as I return to the office. I need to remember I am enough and will teach Atlas that he is always enough as well. Grow strong my love. 

XoXo 

Britt 

P.S. These AMAZING newborn photos were taken by Sally Whetten Photography! Check her out here!

MY NEW VALENTINE

My valentine this year was 4 week old Atlas J Acevedo. Born on January 13 at 11:31 am at 6 pounds 1 ounce and 21 inches long this little man quickly stole my heart. He came into our world 10 days before his due date and when we announced his name in the delivery room I said, “Atlas: because you’re my world.”

His arrival started Tuesday at work. Around 2 pm I started feeling cramps / contractions and didn’t know if this was the “false labor” I had learned about. He felt very low and I started timing the contractions around 4pm. I could still walk, talk and breathe so I pushed through the rest of my work day. At home, a shower felt great even though the pain was intensifying. We recorded our scheduled podcast that night, had dinner and went to bed. My goal was to make it through the pain till the morning, when I had my 38 week appointment with my midwife. But a little after midnight I saw some spotting and quickly woke Jose to tell him it’s time. We through together an overnight bag and some snacks then drove to the hospital.

At 1:30 am I was in observation getting my vitals checked with a nurse. We thought I would be told it’s not time and be sent on our way, but instead I was 6 centimeters dilated and was being admitted to a delivery room.

The pain was real and by this time I was more than ready for my epidural. One of my fears of labor was receiving this because I am not a fan of needles and although I couldn’t see it the pain was felt and I screamed. Minutes later I could feel the coolness rushing through my spine and numbness to my legs. The next frightening thing for me was the urinary catheter. Mentally I was dreading this pain too, but I didn’t feel a thing. Suddenly the baby’s heart rate was dropping and we had to stop the contractions for his safety. A shot later we were back in a safe zone and ready to get the contractions started again. Now we play the waiting game.

My water never broke on it’s own and my midwife waited till I was 9 centimeters before breaking it. I never saw my mucus plug, but I was told there was quite a “bloody show” while I was dilating. At 10:30 am my midwife said she just finished a 3 hour delivery and it would soon be time for our birthday party.

I was determined to not make this a 3 hour push session. At 11:06 am I began my first one. Jose was right there counting and patting my head with a cool rag. I grabbed the back of my legs and with each contraction I pushed with all my might. Between the nurse, midwife, Jose and classical music I had the best support for delivery. Twenty five minutes later I gave my last push and out came our precious baby boy.

I was in tears- the baby wasn’t even crying. I was in love and when they placed him skin to skin and I looked into his big eyes I was flushed with a wave of new emotions. Jose cut his cord and after they weighed him he was back in my arms where I never wanted to let go.

We checked off all the boxes in the hospital to be able to go home and after another night stay we were on our way back home as a family of three - not 2.

The first month has been a challenge. You read all the books, watch all the videos and take all the advice to prepare for baby, but nothing but real world experience will teach us. We’re balancing breast feeding and bottle feeding and making sure little guy is getting enough to grow strong. We’re practicing sleeping in the crib alone, or in the bassinet in our room, or if it comes down to it, in mom or dads arms. We’re developing skills from tummy time, reading out loud and constant interaction. Every second we’re in love and can stare at him forever.

Our journey has just begun as parents and we are excited for every minute of it. Everyday is Valentine’s Day with Atlas.

XoXo

Britt.