The First Weeks of Motherhood - the "uncut" edition.

My little "Puffin"

Beginning in our earliest of days, life has a way of easing us into things.

We use training wheels before we can ride a bike on our own.

We have the option of riding on the bunny hill before we tackle the black diamond trail.

We have class time to learn the material before it will be put on the big test.

We even get to practice driving a car before we become a lawful driver.

As we grow up, a lot of things change - but we are still allowed those chances to ease into things.

College allows us to take countless courses to ease our way into our chosen careers.

We are engaged, or live with someone before embarking on the journey of marriage.

Even when buying a home, we are allowed to tour it, and take time with our decision.

Although women are pregnant for 9 months {or close to} I am a firm believer that motherhood {or parenting in general} is one thing that can not be eased into.

During my pregnancy, I {as well as my husband} received countless words of advice from mothers, fathers, grandparents, anyone really. I have always been one that likes to be prepared, organized, and ready for upcoming events {something that drives my husband, and others crazy!} I listened intently to all {most} of the advice I was given, and tried to take everything in.I read book after book, studied blogs and websites, trying to get this whole motherhood idea in check before the "big day".

I knew how to swaddle a baby, what not to feed them, and how to develop a positive sleep pattern because I was told those were things I "needed to know". I thought I was set. Noah was born at 8:42am on 1.7.11 - and it only took me until 8:43am to realize that I was NOT prepared for how my life had changed in what seemed like a blink of an eye.

The only stories of motherhood that I were told might as well have been lined in rainbow sprinkles and covered in pixie dust. You might imagine my surprise that within the first weeks of bringing our little bundle home, I was not feeling any of those fairytale-esque feelings. In fact, I was overwhelmed, sleep deprived, and bordering on the line of miserable. Every parent I talked to must have forgotten to enlighten us that most new babies only have  

2 modes: sleeping or screaming/crying for the first couple of weeks. 

Mode#2 - the crying/screaming

{in his defense, I was upset that the Ducks lost the BCS Championship too}

 

 

The first week{s} of motherhood was hard. Plain and simple. I've lived 23 years of my life for ME, and now we have brought this tiny little wide eyed baby into our home who is strictly reliant on us. It was a hard transition to make, and the fact that I felt it was hard to give my everything to our child made me feel like a horrible mother. 

*Please, if any soon to be moms are reading this, DO NOT feel like a horrible person, or that you're not cut out to be a mother. It's ok to feel overwhelmed, being somebody's mother is a huge life change, and it's normal!*

The feelings faded for me on their own and the moments afterwards are definitely worth it.

I say this, because I kind of wish someone would have been real with me. I know that it sounds horrible when I say there were nights that I cried and just handed Noah to Mike saying "I don't know what the {enter vulgarity of choice} to do! Take him...", or that I questioned if I was even cut out to be a mom...but it was a reality. When both Noah and I got used to our new lives {his as a new life, and mine as a mother} we got the hang of it - and it's been amazing ever since. Each day he finds a new way to make me fall in love with him all over again. Whether it's him smiling, holding his head up, or the look he gets right before he ...well you get the idea.

And even though motherhood does not come with a set of training wheels, I think those first hard weeks are important. I learned a lot about myself, and who I want to be in the future through those sleep deprived, spit up covered, hectic weeks. 

I wouldn't change them for the world.

Day 1: the First time holding him

 

My Dream Machine

With all of this new-found creative energy

I have so many ideas of what to do running through my head.

I've come across the perfect machine to help me create so many cool things!

The Silhouette has to be one of the coolest little things around.

You can even win one by visiting The DIY Show Off here!

The blog is awesome - as is the chance to win one of these awesome things!

Check out some of the projects you can do with yours (or hopefully mine!) someday 

(and this is just the beginning...)

Dress your baby in style!

Start making signs!

 

Make cupcakes even CUTER!

 

Label...EVERYTHING!

 

 

 

 

Makes Me Smile Monday

*In my defense, I DID write this on Monday - just must have forgotten to publish!*

During the hustle and bustle we call "life" 

It's no uncommon for me to lose sight of the things that once made me so happy.

Between the piles of laundry, dishes stacking up in the sink, and the seemingly endless list of things I "should be doing", I often times let my stress overpower the joy that is my life.

I'm going to try really hard to shine a spotlight on a few "little things" that have happened in the past week that have made me smile - in hopes that it will help me focus more on the positive, than that never-ending list of "shoulda's". 

Sushi night at the Quillens

I'm blessed to have a husband who both enjoys cooking, and is very good at it. That comes in handy, considering the last time I tried to make chicken, we ended up ordering take-out

  {true story: I attempted to cook frozen chicken on HIGH - resulting in the burnt outside, frozen inside of our dinner!}

Give me a recipe to bake, and I'm good to go - but cooking actual meals and I don't exactly go hand in hand {although I can make a mean salad!}

I am making a vow to try this whole cooking business, but for now it's so nice to have a lovely husband to help out and do the cooking.

During pregnancy, I really missed sushi, and I haven't been able to really feed the craving ever since.

I came home from a Dr. appointment to find a full spread of my favorite rolls - labored over by Mike! 

It was the perfect end to a Monday - cuddled up on the couch with our sushi, watching the newest episode of "How I Met Your Mother" {an obsession of sorts}

My M.A.C Makeup Splurge

"Once you go M.A.C you never go back" - I'm going to have to agree with that one! 

I never let myself spend any great amount of money on just makeup. 

...But a lot changed in just one day.

Give a girl in a post-pregnancy funk a Macy's gift card and a couple of free hours and she's bound to find a way to make her feel pretty. 

I'm gradually getting out of this "funk" starting with a new hair do - courtesy of Heather at Just.Lovely.Things {yes, this multi-talented lady does hair too!} and embarking on my newfound makeup obsession. 

Although I only started out with a small collection, I'm sure this will be a fixture in plenty of my "Make me Smile Monday" blogs to come!

Noah - My Little Ducky

Noah got this duck bathrobe from his grandparents.

He's still a little too...little for it, but how can you resist this cute little face?! 

Bath time is always such a fun time - I'm thankful he enjoys it! 

Everything this little Puff does makes me smile, but these pictures and that robe take the cake this week.

Our New Habit

My husband and I made a resolution of sorts to start a new, healthier lifestyle. 

That's not to say that we don't break down and eat an entire pizza and some cookie dough when we're having "one of those days", but all in all The Quillens are on a health kick. 

This picture is right before a night trip to the gym - don't let the smiles fool you, it's hard to pick myself up to go almost every time, but they say hard work pays off right?

Last week proved to be full of things worth smiling about.

We won't mention that I'm behind on laundry, that my bathroom is a mess, or that my car is a small disaster area. Those things will always be there - and I could drive myself nearly crazy trying to keep up. 

Instead, we'll just say...The Quillen household had a pretty good week!

March of Dimes - taking BIG steps for little feet

Every day, thousands of babies are born too soon, too small and often very sick.

I'm walking in March for Babies because I want to do something about this.

And I need your help.

On April 30, 2011 I, along with several other local supporters will be walking 6 miles to help raise funds for premature babies. 

The money we raise supports programs in our local community as well as our nation that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. 

All proceeds will help raise funds to research to find answers to the problems that threaten  babies daily.

Click  HERE to see some of the ways March of Dimes is helping develop solutions for the struggles that premature babies endure.

You can also click HERE to visit my personal March of Dimes homepage. 

Here you can view information about our team, the cause, and ways in which you can help.

If any of you live in the Grants Pass area, feel free to sign up - the more walkers we have, the more money we can raise.

If you are unable to participate, you are also able to help by making a donation. 

My personal goal is to raise $100.00 by the time of the walk. 

*All donations are secure, as well as tax deductible.*

{I will also be holding an online raffle in the weeks coming. I have sent out donation letters to local vendors and will be raffling off some "goods" to help raise money as well.  

Any donations of product are also welcomed. I will be sure to advertise where the products have come from, and can ensure you they are going towards a good cause.}

{I will also be producing some metal stamped jewelry that can be personalized. These pendants will also be able to be made into a key-chain, or charm for a bracelet. I will be sending out prices and actual photos in the upcoming days. As of now, I just wanted to get the idea out there =) }

*NOT actual pendant - but this will be the style they will be designed. Number of pendants, color of beads will differ*

Thank you for helping me give all babies a healthy start!

1 Month - from crying to cooing

I can't count how many times other mothers have told me "they grow up before you know it!".

I think that phrase is something no one fully understands until they have a little one of their own.

Even with the sleepless nights, long bouts with crying, spit up ruined outfits

it still feels like just yesterday we got to bring our little Puffin home.

In the 6 weeks that I've been a mother, so much has already changed.

I thought it would be fun to document those changes monthly with photos and a short little write-up about motherhood and Noah in that month. 

(DISCLAIMER: I'm a pretty proud mom, and doubt I will only write monthly about baby Noah!)

Date of Birth: Friday, January 7, 2011

I was scared beyond belief. I was never a "baby person". In fact, I always thought that infants either resembled old men, or a sort of alien.

But not Noah, I think I had "mommy goggles" on, because he was perfection. 

I was hooked from that moment - even if I didn't know how to change a diaper, or burp a baby.

1 Month Old: Monday ,February 7, 2011

My how things have changed in one short month.

When we brought Noah home, he had 2 modes - crying/screaming, or sleeping. 

Now, he is holding up his own head, taking in the world around him. He has learned the art of throwing his pacifier, rolling over, and grasping things that dangle in front of him.

I don't care what "they" say, he smiles. He may not know why he is smiling - 

but I'm a firm believer that it's not "just gas". 

His coos and grunts {mostly grunts} are ever entertaining,

and when we have our cuddle time each morning, and we lock eyes, I fall in love all over again.

{Did I mention, motherhood has made my cheesiness shoot through the roof?!}

"The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother ,never. A mother is something absolutely new" - Rajneesh

One for the books

I'm usually not much for the elicit "Hallmark Holiday" we call Valentines Day.

...That all changed the first time I spent Valentines Day with Mike.

He is the kind of guy that makes sure that I feel special the other 364 days of the year too, but adds a little touch of extra cheesy-ness {just the way I like it} on this day.

My Valentines Day started on Sunday Night.

In the midst of my chick flick marathon  

{P.S. I Love You, The Holiday, Because I Said So - Lifetime Channel anyone?!} 

Mike surprised me with a beautiful black diamond heart necklace and champagne.

...the surprises were not over.

This morning, after Mike got home from work, I was woke up by the talented serenading of perhaps one of my most favorite love songs  

{"I Love You 'Til the End" - The Pogues - straight from the P.S. I Love You soundtrack} 

in bed, a homemade card  

{complete with the top 20 reasons why he was in love with me - 

my favorite being #6 "You are a buttload of fun"} 

and breakfast {mimosas included!}.

It's ok to be jealous - I do have one of the world's best {if not THE best} husbands.

I'm not quite sure what i did to deserve him, 

but I sure am glad I get to spend forever and a day with this one!

an oldie but a goodie of Mike and I

From Appletinis to Aprons

 

Hi, I'm Jeni.

In the past year, I have also earned the title of wife and mother.

I am happily married to my guitar playing, breakfast in bed cooking, amazing husband Mike. Together we created our very own little (9lb 2oz) miracle, Noah Michael.

Noah {or commonly called "Puffin" by his momma}is a little spitfire who at 5 weeks old already has me wrapped around his itty bitty finger.

Together, we make up the Quillen household {without forgetting our little fur-child Dixon}.

3/4 of the Quillen Household - Noah, Mike, and Dixon

I am a self proclaimed Oregonian {I moved here when I was 9, I think that counts!}, who loves long drives, cherry pepsi, and would rather take my chances against a rabid dog 

than kill, or come close to a spider. 

I am blogging because I believe in sharing what I love. I also hope that this new hobby will also motivate me to channel my inner "crafty girl" once again.

Thank you for sharing any and all of your comments, thoughts, and advice!