20Dec 2013

What’s in Your Hospital Bag?

by Nicole ⋅ 2 Comments

My bag is packed and I’m ready to go! We are going to have a baby … very, very soon!! {Could scream with excitement and fear too!} All the books, apps, my doctor and our friends are telling me it’s time to get ready for the big day, which includes getting the hospital bag packed. There are those who have been packed for a couple weeks now and others who won’t pack until they literally go into labor, so I think that means I’m in the middle of the pack. At 1 day shy of 38 weeks I figured it was time the husband and I spent a little time getting our bag together. I’ve reviewed a number of blogs as well as consulted some close friends to help determine what we should pack. Some people used a lot of “stuff” at the hospitals while others found the hospital had 90% of what they needed.

Below is what ended up getting thrown into the bag the other weekend. I will be sure to update you after our hospital stay with what was useful and well, what wasn’t.

For Me:

Slippers – To keep my toesies warm as well as to walk around in as needed.
Toiletries
Nursing bra – I have yet to invest in nursing bras, however I did purchase a two pack of sleeping nursing bras from Motherhood Maternity a few weeks ago. I figure the night nursing bras will get me through the hospital stay and assuming I am able to nurse I will order some real nursing bras once I get home with Jellybean.
Going Home Outfit – I am thinking comfort is key when it comes to going home. Leggings, t-shirt and a sweatshirt … no fashion statement from this girl (I hope that’s the right call!).
Hair Elastics
Chapstick

For the Hubby:

Change of Clothes – Boxers / Extra Shirt / Sweatpants / Half Zip Sweater / Baseball Cap
Granola bars for him to snack on
Toiletries

Other:

Boppy Pillow
Sucking Candy & Gum
Camera – DUHH! We decided to bring the point and shoot camera instead of my SLR to ensure capturing Jellybean’s arrival is as easy as possible.
Phone Chargers
Ipad
Cash

For Jellybean:

Going home outfit x2 (newborn and 0-3 month sizes)
Bear hat
Headband
Stroller Blanket
Car seat and bases

What am I missing? Is there anything on this list I won’t need?

18Dec 2013

Meal Planning for Jelly’s Arrival

by Nicole ⋅ Leave a Comment

I might be 9 months pregnant and extremely tired, however I can’t seem to turn off the planner in me. I’m pretty much “done” planning for the baby. There are a few things left to do at this point, but if they don’t get done before she arrives it will be okay. For example I still haven’t booked a newborn photographer, there are picture frames in the nursery that don’t have anything in them and I haven’t had my car cleaned {yet}. These are not big ticket items so I’m not worrying about them too much. I also haven’t washed any of the baby’s clothes, towels or sheets. Lucky for me, my mom is going to take care of the laundry once Jellybean arrives so for all intensive purposes I consider that “to do” done.

I have tried to prepare myself and the husband for the baby’s arrival. We have the hospital bag mostly packed, I’ve gotten a hair cut and have plans to get my nails done on Saturday (super important details … I swear!). One of the last things on my list is meal prepping. A lot of new parents laugh at how they are living off PB&Js and/or takeout. I’m certainly not one to turn my nose up at takeout, however it does get old pretty fast … not to mention expensive.

I have been brainstorming meals that freeze well for about a month. It was harder than I thought it would be to plan. My first problem is our freezer really isn’t too big and my second is/was finding the energy to precook these meals. I did my best to clean out the freezer on Sunday and then I got to cooking. I made some pretty good progress, but didn’t get through all the recipes I had planned.

Completed:

Turkey Chili (=6 servings)
Chicken Tortilla Soup (=4 servings – we ate one serving each for dinner the night I made the soup)
Pesto (x2 – we will need to cook the pasta and add tomatoes/chicken, but that’s easy enough)

Left to Cook/Freeze:

Meatballs
Lasagna

I am hoping to at least motivate to make the meatballs before JB makes her debut. But even if I can’t/don’t, it feels good to know we have a few home cooked meals in the freezer to fall back on when we don’t want takeout and we are too tired to cook.

Did you make any meals ahead of your baby’s arrival? Any recommendations on recipes that are good for freezing?

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13Dec 2013

Photo Friday – Speed Hump Ahead

by Nicole ⋅ 1 Comment

As we were wrapping up the maternity photo shoot Sara snapped the picture below. I saw the “speed hump ahead” sign and thought it was very fitting given the impending arrival of our little one. I think I read it speed bump instead of hump, but I’m guessing you get the belly analogy. I can’t believe the big day is so close … only 10 days until Jellybean’s due date!!

Happy Friday!

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09Dec 2013

{Pregnancy Tidbits} Weeks 36 and 37

by Nicole ⋅ 11 Comments

I have really only been blogging about my pregnancy by month, but I figured since a lot could happen in these last 4-6 weeks I would blog about the 9th month in 1 or 2 week stints. It’s funny looking back at my belly photos. At 5, 6 and 7 months I thought wow that belly is big. Clearly I didn’t know what was in store for me … 37 weeks is even bigger! I kind of miss the cute little 5/6 month belly … I looked pregnant but not like I ate too much. It was my favorite pregnant belly size.

Check out Sophi in the lower left corner of the picture watching me photograph the belly. What a cutie! My little fur ball baby … love her!!

Pregnancy Tidbits from Weeks 36 and 37

Random Tidbits

Cravings – I’m not really craving anything at this point. I went from knowing exactly what I wanted for each meal to having nothing really sound good. It’s such a switch from the rest of the pregnancy.

Maternity Clothes – Obviously this is a yes =)

Symptoms Numbness in my hands as well as continued swelling in my hands/feet, congestion and trouble sleeping. The symptoms seem to be pilling on top of each other instead of replacing one another as they did before. While I won’t lie, I am uncomfortable at this point in the pregnancy, I do feel as as the baby is healthy/happy so I am okay with the aches and pains required to carry her. :)

Movement The baby moves quite a bit at this point. Her movements feel stronger by the day. You can literally see her moving in my stomach now. It’s fun, but also a bit distracting during meetings at work. A few of my colleagues have mentioned they can see her kicks across the table.

Missing Anything? Red wine. For the first time during my pregnancy I really missed being able to have a glass (or two) of wine. I blame the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Highlights Buying and hanging decorations in the nursery. The room is really coming together, which is very exciting. We also did a big shopping trip to Buy Buy Baby for “necessities” with my parents over the Thanksgiving holiday. I feel very prepared and ready (from a “stuff”) perspective for JB to arrive.

Looking Forward To… The next doctor’s appointment. I’m hoping to get some good news, such as I’m dilated or delivery should happen soon. Wishful thinking I know, but a girl can dream.

Fears/Concerns… The baby is going to be breach. At this point she’s sort of more sideways than anything else.

Labor Signs That would be a big fat NO. I haven’t had any contractions and according to the doctor the baby hasn’t dropped yet. In fact she’s still pretty far up in my rib cage at the moment.

Any pregnancy tidbits you care to share? I would love to hear them!

02Dec 2013

{Pregnancy Tidbits} The 8th Month

by Nicole ⋅ 7 Comments

I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving! Mine was great. It was filled with family, lots of yummy food and a very cute Pomeranian. I’m a couple weeks late with this post, but the 8th month is over and I’m in the home stretch of pregnancy. It’s absolutely crazy to think there’s only one month left until we get to meet our little girl.

My friend Sara, from Photos from the Harty, took some maternity photos of me and the hubby, a few of which I plan to share in another post. This shot of the belly did include my face, but I cropped it out so it would be kind of consistent with the other belly photos I’ve taken. Here is the belly (ie present) at 35 weeks …

Pregnancy Tidbits from Weeks 32 to 35

Random Tidbits

Toes – My toes are no longer visible when I look down; thank you belly. I can, however, still touch my toes, which I am super proud of!

Cravings – Cinnamon buns/rolls … yummalicious! I am not even usually a cinnamon lover, but apparently Jelly is.

Symptoms

Swelling and Congestion – Continue!

Trouble Sleeping – I’m at the point where sleeping is difficult. I’m super tired, but getting comfortable is well, a challenge. It’s apparently nature’s way of getting me ready for motherhood. =)

Movement

Jellybean is on the move. It’s so much fun to feel her move and kick. Sometimes it’s like getting a massage from the inside and other times she just gives me a quick kick to the rib cage. I appreciate every movement … even the ones that hurt a little!

Maternity Clothes

Oh yes maternity clothes are a must. My belly is far too big for any of my “normal” clothes. Only a little while longer and I will need some “in between” clothes.

Missing Anything?

Sleeping! I know I will be getting up for feedings once Jellybean is here, but what I wouldn’t give right now for a just a couple solid and comfortable hours of good quality sleep.

Highlights

My Baby Shower – My friend, Rebecca, threw me the cutest baby shower at the beginning of November. It was so much fun to celebrate Jellybean’s impending arrival with so many of the amazing women in my life. Let me just say my friends have fabulous taste in fashion … my little girl already has a large wardrobe and an outfit for almost any occasion!! I would be remiss not to say a HUGE thank you to Rebecca for putting together and hosting such a perfect shower.

Looking Forward To…

D-day!! Both the husband and I are very much looking forward to Jellybean’s D-Day (delivery day).

Fears/Concerns

Going into Labor at Work – All the books say having your water break isn’t really like it’s portrayed in the movies. There is no huge puddle on the floor, however let’s be real … Who wants to have their water break at work?! Even if you take the whole water breaking experience off the table the idea of getting from work to my house or to the hospital while having contractions makes me anxious. Logically I know my chances of going into labor at work are probably pretty low I get a little very nervous just thinking about it!

Only one more month to go. I can’t believe we are going to meet our baby before the end of the year (hopefully!).