March 3, 2015
Giveaways

Celebrating Firsts with Pampers: Thanking my Husband AND #GIVEAWAY #PampersFirsts

I’ll never forget when my oldest son William was placed on my chest. He was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen in my whole life. I couldn’t believe that this perfect little bundle was mine. He was everything I ever imagined. As much as I was in pure and head-over-heels love with my little baby boy, I was also terrified those first few weeks. I was afraid to give him a bath (what would I do if he cried?). I was afraid to put clothes on him (what if I hurt him while trying to put his little arm through the onesie?). I was afraid to make him a bottle (what if the water was too hot?). All these fears raced through my mind… and then some.

Who got me through all those special firsts?

My husband.

My husband’s mother owns a daycare, so throughout his entire life, he’s been around babies and toddlers and children. Nothing phases him, nothing. I’ll never forget standing in our hallway with my baby William back in September of 2004… I was trying to build up the courage to give him a bath, but I just couldn’t. My husband swooped in like Superman. He showed me how to do it all – change a diaper, give a bath, make a bottle, swaddle a baby, soothe a crying baby, burp a baby, everything… he was my lifesaver throughout it all.

Screen Shot 2015-03-03 at 3.12.46 PM

It’s funny to think how scared I was for first baths and diaper changes and late nights, but I was… little did I know I would go on to have 4 more babies!

Through it all, my husband has been there. He’s kind of been like that unsung hero for me. I’ve never understood women who have partners who don’t help out. I couldn’t imagine doing this without my husband’s help. I’ve never been able to properly thank him, truly from the bottom of my heart. I’ve always known how much my husband has helped me and it’s something that I cherish.

I never knew just how much I needed him the summer of 2013, the summer our Victoria was born.

My c-section with Victoria wasn’t easy for me this time around, not to mention… with 4 additional kids running around, there’s never really a “down minute” in our house. I had a very difficult timing healing from my c-section after I had Victoria. I couldn’t walk for 5 weeks without severe pain in my left side. It was a very tough time for me. I couldn’t do anything other than sit. I couldn’t hold Victoria while standing. I couldn’t even get a glass of water without shooting pain. We were back and forth to the hospital a number of times throughout the summer trying to figure out what was wrong. We finally were able to find out that I had a nerve that had been stitched and that it was going to take up to 8 weeks for the pain to stop. I was glad I found out what was wrong, but it really made for a difficult time for me.

Throughout this time, I was trying to enjoy having my beautiful baby girl and all of her firsts… and keep it together for my sons. Not to mention, my daughter was born with a hemangioma on her head and we were taking her to Boston Children’s Hospital to make sure it wasn’t anything too serious. And… well, I was still a nervous wreck about my husband and his recovery from the cancerous tumor he had removed.

To say I was in a bad spot mentally, emotionally and physically is an understatement.

Dad holding baby

Through it all… it was husband who kept everything going. He got up EVERY SINGLE NIGHT with our daughter for the first 6 weeks of her being home. He did first baths with her. He did first bows in her hair. He got first smiles from her. He did first diaper changes. He was there for it all for her.  I know after awhile he was exhausted, running on little fumes… but kept the house going, the kids happy and got everyone to where they needed to be. I don’t know how he did it, but he did. He did with a smile and without complaining. It truly meant the world to me. Even as I sit here now thinking back, I have tears streaming down my cheeks. He was my rock. He was our family rock.

He took the reigns for all those special first moments for me with our William when I was scared so long ago… and he took the reigns for me with our Victoria for her firsts when I was healing… he’s just always been there, without question, without asks, without hesitation – and I love him to the moon and back for that.

Oh, yes.. all those magical firsts. They mean so much and are precious moments to remember.

There’s nothing more joyful or rewarding than your baby’s first moments. Hearing that first cry, welcoming that first tiny grasp, feeling their first embrace as they snuggle up against you; you know that you are experiencing something extraordinary, and the start of a beautiful journey together with many more “firsts” to come.

Pampers is honored to be a part of the journey of amazing firsts for millions of families around the world. Pampers created a beautiful and heartwarming video to celebrate of those “firsts” moments with babies.

In honor of this sentimental look back, I’d like to thank my husband who made a difference in our baby’s (all of them!) special “firsts” moments.

To celebrate the “firsts” moments, I’m excited to have an AMAZING “Celebrating Firsts” prize pack to giveaway to one of my readers.

The prize pack includes items that will help you commemorate these special moments such as a digital camera, memory/scrap book, $50 gift card to Shutterfly.com.

 

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About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

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63 Comments

  1. 3.4.15
    Jessica Beard said:

    I would love this prize, how do I enter?

  2. 3.4.15
    Julie Wood said:

    I loved my son’s first smile and laugh! It was so precious!

  3. 3.4.15
    Betsy said:

    love the first smile!!!

  4. 3.4.15
    jessica N said:

    My favorite milestone was my baby girls first step!

  5. 3.4.15
    vickie couturier said:

    I think they their belly button cord fell off,was the first biggie

  6. 3.4.15
    Cynthia R said:

    My favorite first milestone is when they start talking, I love hearing that sweet voice!

  7. 3.5.15
    David Holder said:

    First smiles!

  8. 3.5.15
    shelly peterson said:

    My favorites is their first steps.

  9. 3.5.15
    Dawn Monroe said:

    I love that first smile and when the start to crawl. There are so many milestones its hard to pick.

  10. 3.5.15
    beth said:

    The first time she smiled.

  11. 3.5.15
    Sarah Hall said:

    When she took her first steps was the best milestone for me. She was so proud.

  12. 3.5.15
    Jessica Beard said:

    My favorite first is when they first smile.

  13. 3.5.15
    Cheryl said:

    My favorite FIRST milestone is talking.

  14. 3.6.15
    Trisha Burgess said:

    I love the gummy little smile!!

  15. 3.6.15
    denise said:

    The first steps!

  16. 3.6.15
    Tari Lawson said:

    The first smile is my favorite.

  17. 3.6.15
    nickie said:

    My son’s first word.

  18. 3.6.15
    nicki said:

    So sweet- what an awesome dad!
    My favorite milestone is the first laugh

  19. 3.7.15
    Susan said:

    For me it is the first word

  20. 3.7.15
    Amanda Sakovitz said:

    the first smile

  21. 3.7.15
    Mary Happymommy said:

    I love their first steps.

  22. 3.7.15
    Elle P. said:

    My favorite is the first word.

  23. 3.7.15
    Rebecca Parsons said:

    The first smile is my favorite milestone.

  24. 3.7.15
    Darlene Carbajal said:

    My nephew’s first smile. 🙂

  25. 3.7.15
    Lori Cook said:

    The funny little faces when sleeping.

  26. 3.7.15
    Wehaf said:

    I think BIRTH is the best first!

  27. 3.8.15
    latanya said:

    the first word

  28. 3.8.15
    Rochel S said:

    Love the first smile!

  29. 3.8.15
    shirley said:

    I loved that first word.

  30. 3.8.15
    Julie said:

    My favorite first milestone was her smile. My heart just melted the first time she REALLY looked at me and smiled at ME. My little love bug 🙂 Her first word was also Mama. Gotta love it 🙂 Julie [email protected]

  31. 3.8.15
    Heather Hayes Panjon said:

    First Smile Is My Favorite!

  32. 3.8.15
    Nipa said:

    My little one just started crawling and I love how she tries to come behind me all the time and give that cute smile when she reaches my leg

  33. 3.8.15
    Lynne said:

    First word for me – it is so wonderful to think that now you can have a conversation (albeit rather limited at first!) with your little one.

  34. 3.8.15
    Deb R said:

    The first smile!

  35. 3.8.15
    Luna S said:

    I loved my son’s first smile

  36. 3.8.15
    Laura H said:

    My favorite milestone so far was when my baby girl first went into a full on hysterical giggle. Her giggles are so contagious, I love it!

  37. 3.9.15
    Lauren Becker said:

    First real laugh!!

  38. 3.9.15
    Cassandra Eastman said:

    I love hearing the first laugh!

  39. 3.9.15
    Sarah Oswald said:

    I loved when my sons said Mama

  40. 3.9.15
    Terry Maigi said:

    I love baby first giggles!

  41. 3.9.15
    Crystal Sell said:

    I would pick first words.

  42. 3.9.15
    Jen said:

    The first “mama”!

  43. 3.10.15
    kelynnma said:

    The first smile 🙂

  44. 3.10.15
    liz l said:

    first steps

  45. 3.10.15
    Kenny Hall said:

    The first time they walk!

  46. 3.10.15
    Sarah Cool said:

    The first smile is most memorable

  47. 3.10.15
    laurie murley said:

    my favorite milestone was the first giggle

  48. 3.10.15
    Em Mahr said:

    My favorite first milestone is probably my little ones first word – Mama!

  49. 3.10.15
    Heather D. said:

    It would be the first stumbling step.

  50. 3.10.15
    Bridgett Wilbur said:

    My favorite was the first time she said momma

  51. 3.11.15
    Lesley F said:

    The first laugh

  52. 3.11.15
    Breanne said:

    I like first giggle.

  53. 3.11.15
    brittany said:

    When my son first said momma. 🙂

  54. 3.11.15
    Katherine Riley said:

    When my son used his first big word – he told me I was impossible!!!! LOL

  55. 3.11.15
    Jennifer Cervantes said:

    First smile is my favorite milestone.

  56. 3.11.15
    Shannon said:

    The first smile

  57. 3.11.15
    Wendi said:

    there are so many!!! i do love when they find their toes and

  58. 3.11.15
    Shannon Williams said:

    First true laugh/giggle

  59. 3.11.15
    Jennifer Herman said:

    When my daughter first smiled!

  60. 3.11.15
    John Herman said:

    First laugh!

  61. 3.12.15
    Jennifer Shelton said:

    My babies first smile 🙂 It was so heart warming!

  62. 3.12.15
    Rene Chartier said:

    The first laugh was very special of course.

  63. 3.12.15
    Tara L said:

    My first milestone is their first word it’s so precious although there is a lot of milestones I love.

    I followed twitter as @LiveLaughhLovee I exactly put in a different letter wanted to clarify that it didn’t let me edit. Thanks

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