I do realize that some of you interact with the TOPS blogs and our website because you’re on a journey to a healthier version of yourself — and that is so, so commendable. I don’t want to take away from that! So, here’s your fair warning: Today’s blog entry coming from yours truly? It has NOTHING to do with weight loss, healthy living or wellness.
I’ll be back with my usual mix of “What’s new at TOPS Headquarters” and “How a better diet and/or something fitness related is fitting into my own life these days,” fairly soon! 🙂
For now, I just wanted to pop onto the blog briefly, and tell you, TOPS readers and friends, that my maternity leave has arrived. We now have a TOPS baby on our hands!
My husband and I welcomed our third child, a baby girl, on Nov. 11. We named her Bridget Louise — Bridget, simply because we’ve always liked the name, and Louise is a tribute to my late grandmother. Bridget was born in downtown Milwaukee at 6:02 a.m., after a fast and furious labor! She clocked in at 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and 20 inches long. We are so, so, lucky to have her! Our whole family is over the moon in love with this little girl.
I’ve written a little bit on the blog about my pregnancy in the past — mostly, the gestational diabetes! — so I’m VERY happy the GD is now a thing of the past (although I am going to try to keep up with low carb and low sugar, most days), and I’m glad Bridget was born a reasonable size. They warn you, that sometimes with GD, babies can grow so large that it makes delivery really hard … and obviously, no one wants that. And my older daughter was nearly 9 pounds, so I was hoping we could keep this baby in a better range! That we did. 🙂 Anyway, I tell you all this just because I feel like I opened the pregnancy conversation in the first place. Now, I might as well give you the update: She’s here!
And she’s very happy/healthy/perfect (says her very biased mom).
Bridget will be 3 weeks old as of tomorrow, 12/2, we’re all settling in as a family of five; just getting over some coughs-colds-flus-ear infections-etc., (although baby is healthy so far, knock on wood!).
And I haven’t gone completely MIA from my TOPS responsibilities, either!
I do plan on bringing you occasional blog entries (some I’ve prepared well in advance), our usual email newsletter, Community Corner, and more. I won’t be far from my laptop at any given time!
So as always, email me if you have any questions that I’m equipped to answer — or ask your Field Staff if it’s something better suited for that crowd — and know that I’m always around, within reason, of course. My response times might be delayed, but you can still count on a reply.
And this is just my two cents, but a little space can be a good thing, if you ask me. I’ve already had ample time to take a step back and think critically about work things, and some plans I’d like to implement when I’m fully back and in the office again. All good stuff!
Plus, we have a new hire starting next week. So you might see another name swirling around here, from the Communications Department. You’ll love her; whether it’s a story you might read in the next TOPS News authored by her, or maybe she’ll be making a guest appearance in the membership-wide email newsletter … stay tuned!
As you can see, I’m jumping all over the place, topic-wise, but it’s nothing but positivity over here.
I feel like I’ve gotten to know so many of you in my short stint so far as Communications Director: Field Staff, TOPS members, members of the Board, and more — so if you want to hear a little bit more about baby, here’s the scoop!
Bridget is the sweetest little thing — very calm, relatively easy, and extremely alert. She sleeps a lot, including some good stretches at night, which is great, but my older kids (ages 6 and 4) wish she were awake a little bit more often … but I’ve advised that it’ll all happen in good time. 😉 Ana is like, “When can I show her my room and she’ll actually listen?” lol. Patience, little one!
Bridget arrived one day before her due date, she looks exactly like her older sister did at this age, and her favorite thing in the world is napping on my chest. She’s already getting used to having stuffed animals shoved in her face (with love, of course), living in a bit of a loud household, and the only thing she DOESN’T love is diaper changes. Bridget is great at tummy time already, and she makes super cute little baby animal sounds — lots of squeaks and squawks before she goes into a full-blown cry. She didn’t even cry when she was born, by the way, which freaked me out at first, like, “Is she OK?” She sure was! Just a calm, precious little girl.
If there’s anything I love more than writing, getting to meet new people, and my day-to-day work life, it’s my kids. Being a mom is so, so special to me. Even though the early days can be a challenge, not knowing what to expect schedule-wise and running on fumes, I’m just so happy to have Bridget “earthside!”
I hope everyone is doing well in your household!
Expect more blog posts soon (non-baby related), and please forgive my short hiatus.
By Jean Willcock December 1, 2022
congratulations..beautiful addion
By Barbara Richards December 1, 2022
Congratulations.
By CAROL HARPER December 1, 2022
Welcome, Bridget Louise!
By Gordon white December 1, 2022
Congratulations it’s great to have little ones around. I appreciate your blog today.
By Laurene Pasztor December 1, 2022
Beautifully sweet! Congratulations to the whole family!
By Nancy December 1, 2022
Glad to meet the “new” addition! Cute picture and such pretty big eyes. 🤩
By Sandy Frieday, NY Coordinator December 1, 2022
Bridget is a precious sweetheart! So adorable!! Congratulations to your entire family! And thank you for the fantastic job you’ve been doing as the Director of Communications.
By Betty Barnes December 2, 2022
Congratulations, beautiful baby girl congratulations to your family.
By Gina Brueske December 2, 2022
Excited to see meet Bridget. She is beautiful. Enjoyed your blog. Looks like you have lots of help with the siblings. Congratulations. ENJOY your leave.
By Maggie December 2, 2022
Congratulations!! Love the name..
By Heidi Berryhill December 2, 2022
Congratulation! Welcome baby Bridget!
By Dale Haaf December 3, 2022
Congratulations!! What a lovely addition to your family.
By Linda Johnson December 5, 2022
Congratulations! Precious kiddos!
By anita anderson December 6, 2022
Such a joy to read about how much you love your children and enjoy being a mom. Wishing you and you family every blessing.
By D. Bower December 7, 2022
Congratulations to you on the newest arrival! She’s so cute. I’m sure the siblings will be over the moon when she can join in their “fun”.
Thanks so much for sharing! I love all things ‘baby’, so I immediately clicked over from the original newsletter. I am going to sign up for the blog because I’m very impressed with this. I realize there won’t be a lot about baby Bridget; but I so enjoy the other ‘comment’ newsletter..Happy holidays and all the best in future!
By Josephine Duthie December 7, 2022
You have three lovely children.Congratulation on the newest arrival.
By Ron Wenberg December 7, 2022
Congratulations on your “TOPS” baby. She is absolutely beautiful! I enjoy your blogs!
By Carol Webb December 7, 2022
Congrats on your new addition! She’s adorable. Those big eyes just make you melt. A real Christmas angel. Season’s best to you and yours.
By Valerie December 8, 2022
Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful baby girl! Beautiful picture of her with her loving siblings. May God continue to bless you and your family. Happy Holidays!😊
By Kathleen Mallach December 8, 2022
Congrats, treasure these early days that are so full of love. My youngest was 6 yrs younger than my youngest daughter and she could not wait to take Anne to show and tell. I remember how proud I was when she carried her sister around to every member
May your Christmas be full of joy!
By L Jean Dores December 8, 2022
Congratulations on the newest addition to your family. Your daughter is beautiful as is your family. So glad you are part of our TOPS family.
By Debbie Stock. NY 0773 Johnstown December 8, 2022
Merry Christmas, to you and your beautiful family!! I love your messages for TOPS, they are really helPful to me. Thank you, thank you!!
By Ashley December 16, 2022
She is the sweetest! Enjoy your beautiful new family member!!
By Ashley December 16, 2022
She is so sweet! Enjoy your blessing! Hopefully it won’t post twice, it is acting up lol
By Lorrie Geeraert December 17, 2022
What a beautiful little girl! Congratulations!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
First time checking this out and thoroughly enjoyed your news so far,
will check in 2023!
By Julie Mokris December 17, 2022
Congratulations! You have a very precious family….cute kids!!!
By Sarah Thomas December 19, 2022
Congratulations. She’s beautiful ❤️❤️❤️Such an adorable picture of the three of them.
By Lisa H December 20, 2022
Congratulations! Beautiful baby and family!
By Sains Data January 20, 2023
Congratulations on the birth of your child. During your pregnancy, did you also maintain good food for your body’s fitness too?
By Thelma M. Johnson February 2, 2023
If Bridget was born on November 11, that makes her birthday 11-11-22. What a neat birthday. Mine is 4-4-44. I have always enjoyed the expressions on peoples faces when they ask for my birth date. As Bridget grows up, I hope she will enjoy the uniqueness of her birth date too. MI #0095 Clio.
By Michelle Ganley February 2, 2023
Hi Thelma! Small world – my husband used to work in Clio (back with NBC25/FOX66 was located there). What a neat birthday! And yes, 11/11/22 is a cool one, too. My son is actually 1/1, and he was born at 1:11 p.m. 🙂
By Thelma Johnson February 10, 2023
Wow, small world. Just to let you know. I lost 111 pounds with TOPS and am an 8 years KOPS. Love seeing the pictures of your children. They are beautiful. I had 3 and we adopted 2 of our foster children so I raised 5. LOVE TOPS !
By Michelle Ganley February 10, 2023
You raised 5? That’s incredible. And you lost 111 pounds with TOPS … Thelma, you’re over there doing it all! Awesome accomplishments.