1 Month: Life With a Newborn

Spent my first Mother's Day weekend with my mom! Very special weekend :)

Scarlett Kennedy is 1 month!

Sweet Sisters ;)

I can't believe it has been over a month since we welcomed our sweet Scarlett into our lives. Life has been so incredible and I can't imagine our lives without her. 

Scarlett is growing so fast! Here are some things that have happened within the past month:

• Scarlett was discharged from the hospital the same day as us, but we were told she had a slight case of jaundice. She ended up having to go to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and have her blood work taken. Thankfully we only had to stay a few hours and her blood work came back very good. Let's just say I was a total mess the whole time because there is nothing worse than hearing that your baby needs to go to the ER. My mom and Alex were amazing and helped calm me down. I am just so happy that her jaundice went away and we didn't have to stay in the hospital overnight.
• Breastfeeding was a nightmare! Every part of getting pregnant, being pregnant, and then delivering were easy, but breastfeeding was so hard for me. The first day was very good, but because of her jaundice, Scarlett was very sleepy and she stopped nursing like she should. Because she wasn't nursing, my supply dried up. She is now getting fat and happy on formula. This devastated me at first, but I have a great support system and knowing that she is healthy and growing on schedule is all that matters. Also, there are some serious perks to formula! Anyone can feed her, I can indulge in a drink now and then, I no longer feel like a dairy cow, and feeding her in public is so much easier! (Still wish I could breastfeed, but I choose to look on the bright side).
• Alex changed his first poop diaper and I literally started crying I was laughing so hard. All I could hear was him screaming, "Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! It won't stop! Emily!!!!!!" Haha! It was way too funny!
• Scarlett has outgrown her newborn clothes...sniff. sniff.
• She is now sleeping in her crib and I get up with her about 2 times a night.
• She is a tummy time champ! She can hold her head up so well. She actually rolled over by herself from tummy to back all by herself!
• She is reaching for things and recognizing faces much better. Sweetest thing is when Alex is holding her and she touches his face and reaches for his glasses.
• Last but certainly not least: I am back in my pre-pregnancy skinny jeans!!! And it feels sooo good!

I have also learned not to always believe everything you hear. Throughout my entire pregnancy, all I ever heard was that I will always be exhausted, will never go out, I won't be myself because EVERYTHING will change, my house will be messy, and it will take a very long time before I feel like myself. Well, I want to set the record straight. I feel GREAT! I shower everyday, put on makeup, exercise, clean my house, and cook dinner. I may feel a little tired at times, but taking good care of myself makes me a better mom. Yes, my life has changed, but I'm still me. I still go out with friends (Scarlett needs good Daddy time) and I am enjoying life more than I ever have. If you are thinking that your life will be over once you have a baby, think again. As far as I'm concerned, my life just started and I can't imagine it any other way!

Love and hugs,

Emily and Miss Scarlett