6 Blessed Weeks

I knew I had to go back to work.

That was always the plan. 

In fact, the plan was to go back after four weeks.

 But by some unexpected miracles and a few pulled strings,

I was able to get two extra weeks.

And those extra 14 days made all the difference.

My mom didn't join the party until Will was almost two weeks old.

But it was like my MIL handed her the "angel" baton and kept running with it.
My mom was there for anything I needed.
She came up almost every day and helped me with everything:
Laundry.
Baby.

Cooking.
Baby.
Sleeping.

Nursing.
Baby.

What I learned most is that everything was harder than I expected,
but at the same time it was easier.
I know that probably makes absolutely no sense.
So let me explain.

Sending Brian off to work in the mornings became difficult for me.

I just wanted him to stay and play and enjoy our baby with me.

And I know (at times) he wanted that too.

But he had to go to work.

Getting good sleep was harder because I was worried that if I wasn't staring at will at all times,
then he would stop breathing.
Can anyone say, "First time mom?"

Doing any house keeping seemed like a stretch.
My body was recovering still,
but it was a remarkably easy delivery and I bounced back quickly.
Still, I found it absolutely exhausting to stand for long periods of time.
And doing work around the house meant I had to put the little one down.
And that simply was not going to happen.

Not everything was difficult.
I latched on to mothering like I was born to be a mom.

Oh, wait...
I was.
But it was completely shocking to me how easily everything came.
I quickly learned my child's different cries.
I figured out what soothed him - AND what didn't.

I felt a love stronger and unlike any love I'd ever experienced before.
It was simply indescribable.

I found myself wasting hours just staring at this beautiful creature in my arms.

And I had to constantly remind myself that that was OK.

We did get a few things done while I was on maternity leave.
We managed to get family pictures taken by the very talented Carrie Plastow.


We got ready for Christmas,

explored the newest mall in Utah County,
took a lot more pictures,

visited friends and family,
and even popped in to introduce him to my morning crew.
Of course, Lori couldn't keep her hands off him long enough to do the show,
so he did it with her.

Oh and did I say we took lots of pictures and video?

 Let me tell you, those pictures got me through the first couple of weeks back at work.
And even though I'm used to it now - I still sneak a peek at those purdy baby blues.

 Looking back on those 6 blessed weeks, I realize they were really hard and a huge adjustment.
But they were possibly the best 6 weeks of my life.

Love much,
Mama Beth

The First Few

Any new parents can sympathize, I'm sure.

But the past three months seem to have flown by.
I'm cuddling with my little nugget now and
wouldn't give up any of these many precious snuggle sessions we've had the past 12 weeks.
But those sessions have dominated my time
and I've neglected this blog.
I want to remember these first few months
and one way I can to that is by writing about them.
I only hope that with all the time that has passed,
I can remember all of the most important moments.

The first few days:
William and I recovered quickly from labor.
Let's be honest here:
Labor is traumatic - for both parties.
Just the mere thought of what I did still baffles me.
But two days in the hospital were enough for all of us.
Poor Brian has to sleep next to the window and nearly froze the first night we were there.
And I just wanted to be in my own bed - sans uncomfortable donut ring.

Sidebar - I love my amazing morning show crew.
They were all so excited for us and even gave Will his first TV shoutout.

Since my own mother was out enjoying herself on some exotic island,
Brian's mom flew into spend the first 10 days with us.
I'm so grateful she was there.
Without her, we wouldn't have know that our heater was broken
and it got into 40s in our apartment overnight.
(Don't worry - Brian was able to call maintenance to fix it before Will and I came home) 
We also wouldn't have had any meals to eat,
let alone dishes to eat them off of.
She kept my house running while I was able to figure out this new little person.
And for that I am forever grateful.

Brian got a few days with us before he had to go back to work.

It was totally surreal.
We had this brand new little baby.

We were parents.

We had to keep this thing alive.

We had no idea what we were doing.

But life kept on and we figured it out.

 (Correction: We're still figuring it out.)

Love much,
Mama Beth

Birth Day

It's not every day that you get to witness a miracle.

I guess that's one of the reasons why I will always remember the events of November 10, 2012.

Brian and I had spent the previous day running errands, cleaning the house, and getting ready for the pending arrival of a certain little baby boy.

We got all of our chores done and decided to reward ourselves with a celebratory dinner and little get-away.

We talked over pizza about how this little guy was going to change our lives when he came.

I even told Brian that I thought I would be pregnant for another week or two.

(BOY! Was I wrong?!)

After dinner, we packed our overnight bags and headed to the exotic city of American Fork to "Hotel Walker" where a King-size bed and jetted tub awaited us.

My very pregnant body was in heaven.
Then the morning came... and I woke up in a rush.
A rush of water.
Yup.
Water broken.

As soon as we realized what was happening,
Daddy Brian kicked into gear.
I've never seen my husband like that before.
He hopped out of bed, packed our bags and ushered me out to the car.

Overnight, a huge snowstorm blew in and we saw the most snow we had seen all season.
We drove the 30 minutes back to our house because I had everything packed up and ready to go.
OCD.
I know
Plus, the hospital was only 10 minutes from our house so I knew we'd have enough time.
In all honestly - I mostly wanted to make sure we had the camera before we got to the hospital.
OCD.
I know.

We checked into the hospital and it seemed like everything went so fast.

Part of that is because it did.
4 hours after checking into the hospital,
William Walker Grimmett entered the world at 7 lbs. 12 oz.

Here is an audio vignette that my amazing husband put together.
Listen in now to hear how the labor and delivery went.
(I can't listen to this without crying.
The end is a tear jerker!)

As soon as they put that little blue baby in my arms and he let out the first cry,
I knew all was well with the world.

I will never forget this moment.
Again, a tear jerker.

The rest of the day was filled with a lot of firsts.
First feeding.
First bath.
First bowel movement followed by first diaper change - one that included William peeing all over his daddy.
That was a tear jerker as well simply because I was laughing so hard.

While the number of "firsts" we are encountering now is wearing thin,
the excitement and joy that this boy brings into our lives is ever-increasing.
William made me a mom.
William made Brian a dad.
And he definitely makes both of us completely and utterly happy.

I think I like this motherhood thing.

Love much,
Mama Beth

The Process

Where do I even start?

The past couple of months

(Yes, I do realize it's been more than two months since I last wrote)

have FLOWN by. 

I know that it's just silly pressure that I put on myself, 

but I really wanted to document this pregnancy better that I did.

I guess it's the journalist in me.

Or maybe it's all the ideas I found on Pinterest while we were trying to get pregnant.

Or maybe it's my need to compete with everyone and everything and be the best at anything I try to do.

Including being the best at preparing for, having and taking care of a baby.

Ya, I know.

Obsessive.

But what's actually happened is somewhat miraculous.

I've just let myself enjoy this process,

enjoy my new job,

and enjoy preparing for this new little life.

Oh, we've snapped a few pictures along the way so I'll post a few of them here

but I'm so glad that we've just tried to take in everything that is new and exciting and changing.

Which is a lot of stuff.

At the beginning of September we went on our last "couple" trip.

My sister has generously donated half of her child-rearing tools to us 

because she recently moved across the country.

So we drove down to San Diego to pick up a few things

and we were able to be there for my nephew's birthday.

It was a blast and seeing the energy and excitement he has for life made me really excited to have my little boy.

Later that month my sisters and mom threw an AMAZING shower for me and Baby G.

I'm seriously so blessed to have them in my life!

They are all such great examples of mothers - in so many different ways.

So now that I've totally overwhelmed you with pictures I'll wrap it up now.

Brian and I have had so much fun getting ready for this little man.

I can't even imagine how this baby is going to change our lives.

I'm actually trying to not think about it.

But for the meantime, little guy, we sure love you.

And we can't wait to meet you.

(But daddy says if you come before election day, he won't be there.

So hold out a few more days - at least)

Love much,

Mama Beth

Good Morning

A few month ago I started working at KSL as a part-time, on-call Associate Producer.

The hours were crazy.

I was working whenever I could, doing whatever they needed.

It was hard because I was sick the entire time,
but it was a job in TV News and I was just excited to not be waiting tables anymore.

Soon they started talking about making me a full-time AP.
This was a huge relief for our little family because that meant
we could get insurance for our little one.
I hear that's kind of an important thing.

So in June we started talking full-time.
 July they started having me fill-in as a producer.
I would cover shifts for co-workers who were out of town or home sick.
It was great because I got some good training
and the opportunity to prove myself.
Then they assigned me to several Olympic shows that I was completely in charge of.

Needless to say,
I was definitely working full-time.
Just not getting the benefits.
So at the beginning of August I started asking more questions about
a permanent job with the company.
Apparently, there were already plans in the works.

And here I am - 3 weeks later - training to take over my own show.
You're looking at reading the words of the newest 5am producer in Salt Lake City.
My own show.
A 42 minute news hole.
Full-time.
All mine.

It's been an adjustment shifting to the morning crew.
I work 10:30pm to 7:30 am.
Then I come home and sleep.
Baby G is getting adjusted, too.
He doesn't know what to think about the new schedule,
but I try not to let him make all the rules.

Physically: I can feel my body adjusting.
Mentally: My brain is learning to function at 2am.
Emotionally: I know this is the right thing for our little family.

Amazing how everything is falling into place.
As much as these overnight hours suck,
(and are probably the worst thing for a pregnant asthmatic)
working this show means we won't have to find a nanny for Baby G.
He will always be with one of his parents
and that gives me so much comfort.
We truly are being blessed.

So,
long-story-short,
if you suffer from insomnia: Facebook me.
I'll be up.

And if you want to reach me during the day,
beware of the sleeping beauty you may be waking.

Love much,
Beth

Weekly

I've been awful at updating on this whole baby bump thing.

I've managed to take some pictures along the way though - 

Usually I end up taking them after receiving "angry" texts from my sister.

She's great and I owe her big time for keeping me on top of things.

So I thought I'd post some of the pictures I've snapped along the way.

The progression is kinda fun to see.

(I had more pictures than this, but SOMEHOW they got deleted)

23 Weeks

26 weeks
Sorry this one isn't as great of a view.

27 Weeks

It's nice to have people acknowledge me as being pregnant now.
Before I was still in that awkward phase where I just looked fat.
Oh - and I had the first person (not family) touch my belly.
Kinda weird.

I am really trying to take more pictures.
Don't know why it seems to be so hard to stay on top of.

I can't believe I'm almost in my third trimester.
This baby is coming way too fast!

Love much,
Beth