Tess Devine

I can’t believe this little nugget is already two months old! It’s been awesome to see Gabriel grow and develop his little personality. He’s been growing so much and is starting to smile more. Motherhood certainly isn’t easy, but it’s pretty dang cool. 1st photo: Gabe, taken a few days ago, looking so serious and slightly crossed eyed 2nd photo: Gabe at 1 month 3rd photo: Gabe at 1 week old while in the NICU #newbornmom #gabrielisaac #twomonthsold #boymom💙 #sweetboy❤️

Got this Fresh Start Voxbox courtesy of Influenster. Thank you so much!! #freshstartvoxbox #ITRxInfluenster #ThatGreekGlow #snackwithONE #complimentary @intheraw @korres @one1brands @influenster

Big thanks to Influenster and Exuviance for their skincare Voxbox! These products are so nice and have been great for pampering my skin. As a new mom, I’m still trying to find time for me while balancing motherhood. These products have given me a little chance for self-care and relaxation. I can’t recommend them enough! Thanks again! #dontwaitprejuvenate #renewwithexuviance #complimentary @Influenster @Exuviance

First makeup look of the year! I’ve been keeping my hair up in a constant bun while I’m home with the baby. It was good to take a break and do a simple look. For the first time in a while, I decided to not have a list of resolutions this year. I just have two things on my list: 1) I want to do my best with all that I have going on in my life 2) Listen to my body when I need rest It doesn’t seem like much, but as someone who’s always tired and tries to be productive during the day, it’s a big deal to me. What goals/resolutions/life changes are you making in 2022? #selflovesunday #2022goals #lifestyleblogger #firstmakeuplookoftheyear #feelingmyselfie #doingmybest

Hello all, I hope your holiday was a good one. With the holidays and adjusting to motherhood, I’ve been pretty silent on my account. But look at this stinkin’ cute face, can you blame me for being distracted? TessTriesNewThings initially started as a beauty account for me. Now, it’s blossomed into something else and I plan on changing the direction of my content at the start of the new year. I’ll still include beauty content, but I’m expanding my page to include more lifestyle content (mainly on my home, fashion, motherhood and having candid discussions on mental health). I’m hoping to start blogging more because, honestly, I haven’t written in a while and I miss it so much! I’m also hoping to start up daily vlogs on my Insta stories as well. I want to thank the awesome people I’ve met in the past year. I wish everyone a wonderful and safe new year and a beautiful 2022! #newyear #lifestyleblogger #newbornmom #firsttimemom #boymomlife #momlifeisthebestlife #contentcreation #homelifestyle #plussizecontentcreator

Big thanks to Influenster and Rice-a-Roni for their Heat & Eat Voxbox! #RiceaRoniHeatandEat #complimentary @ricearoniofficial @Influenster #gifted #influenstervoxbox #heatandeat

It’s doggo/baby nap time right now. So much cuteness! #newborn #doggosbeingdoggos #gabrielisaac #newparents #furbabylove #preemiemom

Happy one week of life, my son! I can’t wait for when Gabriel is cleared to go home. He’s been making great progress at the NICU. Every day he seems to be making great strides. He still has a way to go but I’m so happy and grateful he’s getting great care from his NICU nurses. As for me, I finally got discharged from the hospital yesterday. My stay was extended due to my having dangerously high blood pressure. At one point, I wasn’t allowed to visit the NICU for potential risk of seizures. That was the hardest day in the hospital for me. I cried so much that day. I felt like my body was betraying me. I didn’t realize that as someone with diagnosed hypertension prior to my pregnancy, the stress of labor, c-section and childbirth put my body into another stage of hypertension. The whole ordeal really put things into perspective about how I approach both my mental and physical health. I made a promise to take better care of myself when I got out. For my son, for my husband and, most importantly, for me. My life isn’t perfect, but it’s pretty wonderful right now. Photos: 1) Gabriel’s cute toes 2) a banner of Gabriel’s name that hangs outside his room 3) a footprint of Gabriel’s feet #babytoes #preemiemom #preemiestrong #GabrielIsaac #mentalhealthmatters #candidconversations #mentalhealth

Last night, I was finally able to see and hold Gabriel in person since he was born. After my c-section, I ended up having a heart palpitation that lasted throughout the night and into the next day. Not normal. But since I just had major surgery and had spent the last few days without my usual medication per my nurse’s orders, I shouldn’t have been surprised. I ended up having to move to the ICU to finish up my magnesium sulfate drip and to have a medication administered that restarted my heart to its normal rhythm. It didn’t last last because I went back into tachycardia shortly after and stayed into for most of the night. Apparently during last night, not too long after I got to see my son, my heart finally dropped back to its normal rate while I slept. It’s relieving because it now means a step in the right direction and being able to spend more time in the NICU with Gabriel. Neal has been able to go there and be with him when I couldn’t. The NICU nurses at Mercy have been amazing in caring for Gabriel. He’s been breathing as normal (which was a concern after the magnesium) and feeding well too. His skin couldn’t feel more soft. He had a little snotty nose that made him do these cute little snorts and noises. It was so lovely getting to finally hold this little beautiful boy. My heart is so full right now. ❤️#GabrielIsaac #newborn #preemiestrong #preemiemom

Gabriel Isaac Adamson came into this world at December 2nd at 5:20pm. On Monday night, I had a couple of heart palpitations back-to-back, which pushed me to check my blood pressure. Despite my blood pressure being great this pregnancy, there was always a concern it could change and trigger preeclampsia. That Monday night, I checked my blood pressure and it was really high, so I decided to sleep on it and check in the morning. Then I checked it again when I woke and then and again about an hour after that. After getting a hold of my doctor, it was recommended I go to Labor & Delivery Triage to get evaluated. Honestly, I was in complete denial. I thought we still had time to get everything done. I thought this little blood pressure spike would just be a fluke. And let me tell you…I was wrong! It’s been a swirl of emotions. Because Baby Gabe was born exactly a month before his due date, he’s a preemie and has to spend his first hours of life in the NICU. Because I had preeclampsia, I had to go on a magnesium sulfate. Until I’m off that, I won’t be able to see him yet because I’m a fall risk. We’re hoping to get me off the medicine later on today. Fingers crossed I can! Welcome to the world, Gabriel Isaac! I love you so, so much and I can’t wait to hold you in my arms. For those interested: Gabriel = God is my strength Isaac = one who laughs or rejoices #firsttimemom #newborn #GabrielIsaac #preemiemom #preemiebaby

As I’m getting closer to the end of my pregnancy, I wanted to share with any newly expecting parents my top 5 pregnancy must haves. I got these off of Amazon. All these items really helped me get through my pregnancy as comfortably as I could. Parents, what did you or your significant other use to stay comfortable during pregnancy? Links for products will be in my stories! #plussizelifestyleblogger #plussizepregnancy #foundonamazon #pregnancymusthaves #firsttimemama #founditonamazon

We’re getting so close to meeting you, Gabriel. I can’t wait to see your face. Last week, I started weekly fetal surveillance at the doctor’s to check on Gabriel’s heart rate. Because I’m a first time mom with diagnosed hypertension, preeclampsia is a big concern for the remainder of this pregnancy. Fortunately, everything has been good so far. But with preeclampsia in the third trimester, that could suddenly change. I had my most recent appointment yesterday and I got to hear him have hiccups. 🥺 The nurse estimated he’s currently 5 pounds and 12 ounces, which at 33 weeks, runs him about 1.5 pounds larger than average. He’s gonna be a big boy! But it’s worth it if everything goes well and he’s healthy. ❤️ Other moms, did you also have a preeclampsia concern? What steps did you take to have a safe pregnancy? Also, did any of you have a big baby? I’d love to hear some stories! ❤️👶🍼 #firsttimemom #plussizelifestyleblogger #plussizepregnancy #firsttimemama #meettheadamsons #futureboymom #33weekspregnant

@drmartensofficial I love these boots. I got them two years ago and they are still great. But at 8 months pregnant and can’t bend over easily to tie my shoes, I’ve determined the next pair of boots I get have to have side zippers on them. Laces are @derbylaces Spark Purple and Teal (got them from Amazon) #plussizelifestyleblogger #plussizepregnancy #docmartenstyle #docmartens #shoeshot

Today is the 2nd anniversary of my mother’s passing from stage 4 colon and peritoneal cancer. While getting my son’s nursery ready, I was sifting through some of my mom’s stuff and I found this drawing she made. My mom was an amazingly talented creative. She was an artist, singer-songwriter, photographer, graphic designer, and writer (to name a few). One of the things my mother mourned when she learned her terminal diagnosis was not getting to know my future children. Finding this drawing gave me the bittersweet reassurance that while my mom may never get to meet Gabriel in person, Gabriel will get to know my mom through my stories, memories and now, her art. I love you, Mom. I miss you every day. #restinpeace #fuckcancer #maternityart #pencildrawing

I’ve been feeling a little off lately due to pregnancy, anxiety/depression, and the second anniversary of my mother’s passing. As a result, I’ve been more sensitive to loneliness and rejection lately. I wanted to take the time to share some tidbits of wisdom I’ve learned with anyone else who might be struggling too. Just to be clear, my sad feelings of rejection come from loss of friendships over the years. But I want you all to know that the sadness felt in rejection is completely normal and valid, no matter the scale. I hope y’all are having a lovely weekend! ❤️ #letstalkabout #anxiety #depression #rejectionsensitivity #yourfeelingsarevalid #youareworthyoflove