the daily julie

Loving this nail color for spring! Nora slept an extra 30...

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:09:27 -0400

Loving this nail color for spring!

Nora slept an extra 30 minutes two days ago so I had time to paint my nails. It was very cathartic.

Current Obsessions

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:30:16 -0400

This is a really beautiful shoe:

This is a really beautiful t shirt:

This is a really beautiful idea to put in your rose/chardonnay/pinot grigio to make it cold without diluting it:

On feeding a baby

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:42:28 -0400

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Breastfeeding is hard, y’all.

And it’s with a huge pang of guilt that I’m telling you people of internet that I’ve given my baby formula. I don’t know why I feel SO guilty. Maybe because there is just a lot of pressure on women with children to breast feed ONLY, cloth diaper all the dang time, provide only wooden toys that stimulate THIS VERY SPECIFIC SKILL, use organic cleaners in your home, whip up a home cooked meal every night, oh and look super hot while doing it all, too. Whew. Or maybe that’s just pressure I put on myself… who knows.

Anyways, let me backtrack here and start by saying I am proud to say that I fed Nora EXCLUSIVELY with breast milk until she was 6 weeks old. That in an of itself is a huge feat in my eyes. There were (and still are) major struggles when it comes to breastfeeding. But, the fact is that Nora has always had a bottle since she was two days old (when her IV was removed). And she likes it.

I’m actually really thankful that she goes easily from boob to bottle because I have heard of babies that just will not take a bottle. at all.

When Nora was in the NICU, our schedule looked like this:

8 am: Arrive at hospital to feed her (which took about an hour and a half at the time because 1) she was so small and 2) would often fall asleep)
9:30 am: Pump for 20-30 minutes using the hospital provided pump.
10:00 am take self to bathroom, which… um… post partum takes at least 10 minutes to go #1 and get yourself back together again.
10:15 am: Inhale a snack
10:20 am go back to NICU to stare at baby/check email on ipad/meet with the nurses or doctors (this part varied on any given day)
11:00 am: Feed Nora again.
Repeat this schedule every 3 hours until 8 pm when it was time for me to go home and sleep.

At night, Nora would be bottle fed all the milk that I had pumped during the day and the night before (I was still pumping every three hours at night so I could take it to the hospital the next day). If I had not pumped enough of my own milk, she was supplemented with donor breast milk.

When we got Nora home, she was slow to gain weight so I would pump and bottle feed her during the night (again, every three hours around the clock) so that I would know exactly how many ounces she had consumed and that she was eating enough. She was a little jaundiced and jaundiced babies tend to be sleepy and not necessarily alert enough to eat as much or as often as they should.

All this to say that homegirl has always had and likes a bottle.

About 2 weeks ago, Nora and I both had a breakdown. She was screaming her head off. She’d latch on to me, suck for like 5-7 seconds and then pull off and scream some more. Put this scene on repeat for 2 hours straight and you have our morning. This was a new thing for her and incredibly frustrating for both of us. Anyways, I gave up. I mixed up two ounces of formula that we had received as part of a free sample. She guzzled it down and went to sleep. Bless!

Since then, I’ve been giving her 2 ounces of formula 3-4 times a week. Not every day, but just days that I can tell she is really frustrated because my milk is not coming out fast enough for her. It’s usually in the evenings when my supply is lower anyways. Every time I feed her the formula, I’m repeating in my head: Formula is not poison. Formula is not poison. Formula is not poison.

Because it’s not.

Do I wish that I was exclusively breastfeeding my baby? Yes. But am I glad that formula provides us both an option to be happier versions of ourselves? Yes.

I guess I just wanted to put this out there to let other moms who give their babies formula with a heavy heart that it doesn’t mean you’re a bad mom.

It’s ok.

Your baby is ok.

You are ok.

The eyes are open but the mouth is not, so I’m just gonna...

Wed, 15 May 2013 08:41:49 -0400

The eyes are open but the mouth is not, so I’m just gonna go ahead and finish this ginormous cup of coffee you can’t see. #pleasedontscream

Forever 21

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:16:04 -0400

How old is too old to shop at Forever 21? Just curious.

These serape shorts just scream summer fun to me. I see them with a loose, lacy ivory top and some braided leather sandals.

(I’m not telling if this picture was taken at 8 am or...

Sun, 12 May 2013 12:17:04 -0400

(I’m not telling if this picture was taken at 8 am or 3 pm)

Happy Mother’s Day!

Until I had Nora, I didn’t fully grasp or appreciate what it meant to be a mother. I don’t think most women do. It is quite literally the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life. Nora is just shy of being 8 weeks old and she is dependent 100% on me for her entire survival. No pressure.

She’s also the best thing I have ever done. She just started holding her head up on her own a couple weeks ago and I thought my heart was going to burst with pride. She recognizes me and her dad. She smiles! OMG, the smiles. Those might be the best thing she has ever done (so far). She is awesome and the light of our lives, even though our lives now revolve around a schedule of feedings and diaper changes.

Now that I’m a mom, I look differently at almost every person I see. It is mind boggling to think that we were all once babies and there was a person that knew every wrinkle and fold in our skin… someone who knew exactly what to do to make us laugh… someone that wiped our butts at 2 am… someone who went days without showering because we wanted to be in their arms all the freaking time… someone whose entire world revolved around making sure we were happy and content.

Anyway, I don’t really have a point to this post except to wish a happy Mother’s Day to all the moms everywhere. You rock! You are awesome! You got this!

My baby

Wed, 08 May 2013 11:23:45 -0400

At night: Nurse, sleep, nurse, sleep, nurse, sleep

During the day: Nurse, SCREAM, sleep, nurse, SCREAM, sleep, nurse, SCREAM, sleep

Seriously, what gives?

(beauty) Elegant Updo

Wed, 08 May 2013 10:00:18 -0400

I am seriously challenged when it comes to putting my hair in an up do. If it’s up, it’s usually because it’s too dirty to wear down. With summer fetes right around the corner, I am eager to try this elegant up do. It looks unstructured enough to suit my style but way more polished that a loop de loop pulled through a rubber band.

I’ve got about a million things on my self imposed to do list,...

Mon, 06 May 2013 17:09:58 -0400

I’ve got about a million things on my self imposed to do list, but I go back to work in 4 weeks so I’m trying to push the to-do’s aside and soak in all the sweet baby moments I can. As a chronic list maker that’s a little easier said than done. But I know that the laundry, workouts, dishes, and emails can wait. And that’s okay. #RepeatToSelf

Stuff I'm Loving Part 2

Mon, 06 May 2013 14:49:46 -0400

I’m hoping to do these stuff-I’m-loving posts once a week, but I gotta keep in short and sweet since I try to squeeze blog posting in between Nora’s erratic nap schedule. I mean, one day homegirl is a total champ and snoozes through a thunderstorm and the next, a floor board creaks and she starts wailing. Anywho, here we go:

Dior Nail Glow

I picked up this kool-aid colored polish up on a bit of whim. I don’t have much time for manicures (professional or DIY) these days, so I wanted something that makes it look like I take care of my nails and requires minimal effort. This stuff does the trick. In two coats, I’ve got a nice pink sheen that just gives a little extra oomph. And it’s so sheer that when it starts to chip, no one can tell. It appears to sell out online pretty fast. I found mine in-store at my local Sephora.

PINK Cotton Lace Trim Bralette

I’m still loving the target sleep nursing bras I posted a while ago, but these are a nice alternative when I feel like looking cute. They aren’t designed with the convenience of a true nursing bra, but they are easy enough to adjust up or down for night time feedings without stretching out. And the price is really great, too.

Kenneth Jay Lane for JC Penney

I’ve long been a fan of Kenneth Jay Lane’s bold costume jewelry but recently discovered he did a whole line for JC Penney at a lower price point that his regular stuff. My favorite piece is the octopus ring pictured above, but there are also some great earrings.

Obsession du Jour

Fri, 03 May 2013 15:00:22 -0400

I can’t get this Cap Cana dress by Troubadour Clothing (out of Charleston, SC) out of my mind. I think it’s just THE most perfect frock for any possible spring/summer social engagement.

What a difference a year makes

Fri, 03 May 2013 11:11:17 -0400

May 3, 2012: at Jazzfest in New Orleans with my favorites

May 3, 2013: Cuddled up with my newest favorite

“Having a child is surely the most beautifully irrational act that two people in love can commit.” - Bill Cosby

Going on day 3 of must-be-held-all-the-time. I have a theory...

Wed, 01 May 2013 11:10:20 -0400

Going on day 3 of must-be-held-all-the-time. I have a theory that babies are made to be so dang cute as a survival mechanism for parents in order to make the sleepless nights and days you cant even go the bathroom by yourself a little more bearable.

Stuff I'm Loving These Days and a Question

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:17:00 -0400

This is a quick post. Nora is in the middle of her 6 week growth spurt and demands to be fed almost every hour. Send sleep and hope and prayers and happy baby fairy dust!

These Victoria’s Secret Essential V-Neck tees are the bees knees. They are nice and long and come in an array of fantastic colors. I wear them pretty much 24/7.

I’m kind of obsessed with these bibs by Kissy Kissy. They are so sweet and since baby spit up is a little unpredictable, I think they are a cute option if she’s going to be wearing a bib anyways. Kissy Kissy also makes some really nice baby clothes and receiving blankets, but if you’re going to get one thing from them, I’d definitely go with the bibs. These are also a great idea for a baby gift since they are a little on the pricier end when it comes to bibs.

See how cute:

(pic from my instagram. Follow me @thedailyjulie)

And finally, I have a question for all you mamas out there: How long did it take you to get back to your pre-baby body. I’m heading back to work in 4.5 weeks and with 12 pounds still to lose, I am living in fear that I’m going to have to get all new work clothes so I don’t look like a stuffed sausage in a pencil skirt. I’d love some perspective/advice on the matter.

Jason got me the new iPhone for my birthday in March. So far,...

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 11:20:30 -0400

Jason got me the new iPhone for my birthday in March. So far, I’ve taken 192 photos and 99.9% of them are of my baby in various sleeping positions. #obsessed

Last night was a rough one for the Cook family. I think I slept...

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:34:30 -0400

Last night was a rough one for the Cook family. I think I slept for maaaaaaybe one hour total between Nora’s crying fits and my own.

But yeah, if Britney can make it through 2007 and not one but two babies, surely I can do this.

Right??????????!!

My Post Partum Essentials

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:39:00 -0400

Nora turned one month old the past Saturday. ONE MONTH!!!! I have to live each day and sleepless night hour by hour or I think I might go crazy, so it’s nuts to think that a whole month has already passed. Granted, it’s been the longest month of my life, but time marches on. We go in for her one month check up later today, andI can definitely tell that homegirl is much bigger than she was when we brought her home from the NICU. Exciting!

Anywho, there have been a few items I’ve reached for again and again to help me survive this past month. And trust me, the first month is all about survival - baby’s and yours.

My Brest Friend

Dumb/kind of funny name, awesome product. I started using this on day 3 three of Nora’s stint in the NICU. It’s when they took her off her IV and let me start breastfeeding her. It was essential for saving my back on those long days at the hospital and I continue to use it at home. I like the support it offer during the day, but it really shines during the night time feedings when all I want to do is pass out in the glider. My brest friend saves the ~~day~~ night by supporting the baby and my elbows.

Baby Connect App

It’s $5, which is $5 more than I normally pay for apps, but it is SO helpful tracking her feedings and diapers (and a million other things, but I just use it for those two), so I don’t look like a doofus who doesn’t know anything about her baby at the pediatrician’s office. Also, this app is crucial in letting me know which boob was the last one used. I can’t keep track.

Online Grocery Shopping

I use the service at Harris Teeter, but Lowes Foods also has one. It has been a total game changer. I just add all the items on my grocery list to my virtual cart, select my pick up time, they call me when it’s ready and I drive over to the grocery store. They have a special lane for online orders and bring all my groceries out to the car and have a portable credit card machine so I don’t actually have to ever get out of the car. I was little worried that my produce items would not be the ones I would have necessarily selected but I am pleased to report that my bananas have been satisfactory and they haven’t given me a single rock hard avocado. Extra bonus: My orders are saved so I can see what I bought last week and any week before, which makes reordering a breeze!

Motorola Wireless Baby Monitor

This monitor is the jam. It’s wireless with a video monitor and sound, so I can tote it around the house during the day and know what Nora is doing at any moment. It also has a feature so I can talk to her through the monitor which is especially handy if say I’m on the toilet and she starts crying so I can sing her a little song and let her know I’m coming ASAP. She naps in her pack and play and it’s nice to have a little freedom to get ish done (when I’m not napping myself) with two free hands while being able to keep an eye on her without actually having to be right by her side at all times. It’s also great at night because Nora sleeps in her own room, so if i hear her start moving around, I can check on the video monitor to see if she’s legit awake and hungry and just doing her newborn squirms and cooing.

Target Nursing Sleep Bras

Speaking of sleep. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! When I take my more appropriately named evening naps, these Target nursing sleep bras have been so great. I wear these and some boy shorts and am comfy, the girls are contained, and it’s pretty easy to get myself arranged to feed Nora with minimal effort.

New Mama Bottom Spray

It was just last week that I stopped wearing maxi pads every singe day. Did I mention my daughter is a month old? Anyway without getting TMI, I received this as a baby shower gift and I much preferred it to the spray stuff they give you at the hospital.

Swaddle Me Wraps

I have about six of these and I would say that’s a good number to have. Nora gets swaddled up all night which helps her sleep a little better. I mean, she still wants to eat every three hours, but I think swaddling her nice and securely helps her stay asleep the full three hours (most of the time). You can swaddle with regular blankets but newborns are like mini Houdinis and the velcro closures on these swaddle me wraps are nonnegotiable to make sure the little bugger stays put. Oh, and six might sound like a lot but when you factor in spit up that will get on it and diaper blowouts, you want to have plenty of backup!

Aden and Anais muslin blankets

These are just all around great blankets. You can use them as receiving blankets, swaddle wraps (I swaddle Nora in these during the day using a loose swaddle that she will inevitably break free from. I like to think that the different swaddling helps her distinguish between night and day a little better), baby blankets, burp cloths, or anything else you might need a piece of fabric for your newborn. These will be your go to blankets. And I’ve washed mine a bunch and am pleased to say the prints on them are just as vibrant as they were the day we got them.

The other essentials (Netflix, the internet…) and some are things that you can’t buy - drinking TONS of water, COFFEE, a fantastic support netwrok (I would not have survived the week of Nora in the NICU had it not been for my family, friends and neighbors that brought over lots of food, warm meals, and warm words), and making a little time for yourself, even if it means just getting to brush your teeth while the baby cries for a teensy bit.

What was essential for you to survive the first month+ with a new baby?

jaclynday: Need a good gift for Mother’s Day? One of my...

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 12:37:08 -0400

jaclynday:

Need a good gift for Mother’s Day? One of my all-time favorite gifts was the Jacquie Aiche alphabet ring ($77, above left) that Brandon got me last year. If rings aren’t your thing (or you don’t know the size you need to get), the Jacquie Aiche alphabet stud earrings ($55 for one) are a pretty alternative.

Hint, hint (the ring)

Big smiles for dad coming home. That makes two of us!

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:03:42 -0400

Big smiles for dad coming home. That makes two of us!

Blog Powers Activate!

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:19:00 -0400

I need some help y’all.

95% of my wardrobe these days revolves around “lounge clothes” (i.e. workout/yoga clothes that I don’t actually work out in) and I need shoes to wear on the rare occasion that life calls me out of the house (so far, that would just be to my newfound breastfeeding support group). My flip flops seem weird and tennis shoes are too much.

I need something that I can slip off and on that looks normal with cropped leggings and vneck tees. Whatchu got?