Newborn Lifesavers

First glimpse of a smile... pretty sure its just gas but I'll take it!

Today is day 9 of the craziest experience of my life... I knew it was going to be rough but I could never have imagined the intensity of trying to learn to breastfeed, healing from labor, lack of sleep and mastering the art of calming a baby. Here are a few of my newborn lifesavers:

- My Breast Friend pillow:
I'm currently breastfeeding every 2-3 hours during the day and every 3-4 hours at night and I've become fast friends with this breastfeeding pillow. So much in fact I had to look up the woman who invented it to give her a mental hug and I was shocked to find out it was invented by a 39 year old bachelor!

- Sound machine:
My Aunt Ellen bought this Dozy Dolphin for us and Jake LOVES it. This is one of our secret weapons we bring out when we can't quite get the little man to fall asleep. Thanks again Aunt Ellen!
UPDATE: The dolphin sound machine worked wonders for us the first 4 months but unfortunately broke since we used it every night. We now have this sound machine we use it just as much. Great sounds, not expensive and plays all night.

- iPhone apps for insomniacs: 
I can't turn off my mind at night so iPhone apps like Instatgram, Popsugar and Pinterest have been a good distraction.

- Eat, sleep, poop iPhone app: 
Baby Connect is a super easy to use log of all activities. Great for timing breastfeeding, number of wet and poopy diapers, and sleep patterns. Best $5 app I've ever bought.

- Support from family & friends:
John & I have never felt so loved. My parents were in town for the birth & first couple of days to help out, my in-laws helped me through my first Saturday night on my own and one of my best girlfriends, Laura, started a meal train for friends to bring us a food a couple times a week... talk about lucky!

- 6th member of One Direction:
I find myself randomly singing - What Makes You Beautiful to Jake all the time and I think he likes it! Hopefully it isn't a bad influence, I don't think I can handle having a son who wears that horrible side swept, Justin Beiber-esque hair style!