A Girl Named PJ

what should i pack in my hospital bag?

June 17, 2011

A perpetual over-thinker, my latest preoccupation is with what I should bring to the hospital with me. Granted, the brand new building is more like a 5-star hotel than a hospital…minus the toiletries in the bathroom. (Although they do provide hairdryers!) Plus, it’s only 15 minutes away from my house, so if I forget something crucial, JB or a family member can run home to pick it up.

Still, my goal is to pack my hospital bag as thoroughly as I can this weekend, as I will officially be 37 weeks on Saturday, but I’m honestly not sure what I need to bring! I’ve heard of some women who live in their hospital gowns for the full two days of their stay and others who change into stylish lounge pants and nursing tank tops. Should I bring a robe, socks and slippers? Will the baby need any clothing other than his going home outfit…and what should I dress him in for that? Are hospital receiving blankets sufficient or should I bring a special swaddling blanket? Do I need My Brestfriend while I’m there?

At 29 weeks (way to be ahead of the game!), Claudia drafted an extensive list of possible items to bring with her to the hospital, including multiple changes of clothing for her and her baby, pillows, massage oil and a laundry bag.

Marichelle had fewer items on her list when she packed her bag at 36 weeks (that’s more like it!), which included comfy pajamas to lounge in, nursing bras, a baby book (I still need to find one!) and a Boppy.

So tell me, friends: What do I really need to pack in my hospital bag? What clothing should I have on hand for me and for the baby? What essentials should I be sure not to forget, and what extras might I want to bring just in case?

Please share your thoughts below!

{checklist via Lay Baby Lay}

why i’m happy we took professional maternity photos

June 16, 2011

I knew from the beginning I was not going to be one of those pregnant women who wrapped her boobs up in a bandeau and exposed the silhouette of her bare belly in front of a light-filled window for the camera. I didn’t want any photographs with my hands or JB’s forming a heart over my belly button, and there certainly would NOT be ANY pictures of ANYONE kissing my stomach. (I just barfed a little in my mouth while writing that sentence.)

Still, the photographer and sentimentalist in me wanted to document this milestone somehow. True, I’ve been taken weekly belly shots and posting (most of) them here on the blog, but I can only get so many different types of images from that perspective. So JB and I decided to hire a professional photographer to take engagement-style pictures of the two of us. We took these types of playful pictures before our wedding three years ago and figured it was time for some updated ones. Unrelated to my pregnancy, I was especially interested in having some professional shots taken of myself because, as the designated photographer among my friends, I’m never in any of the pictures!

At first I was disappointed that we weren’t able to schedule our “maternity” session when I was 7 or 8 months pregnant (when many women have theirs) because JB was deployed. Instead, we had our session last night, and now I’m happy we waited until I was 36.5 weeks pregnant (although I couldn’t stop yawning by the end!) to have them taken. Chances are I’m not going to get that much bigger before the baby comes, and I think it’s kind of neat to have photographic proof of just how big my belly actually got. (Tastefully concealed under clothing, of course.)

When we knew wanted maternity photos, we contacted Kameron Bayne Images, the only studio I know of in Omaha that shoots in same sophisticated and non-cheesy editorial style as our beloved wedding photographer, Heather Waraksa. Corrie Suhr took our maternity photos, and we’ll be working with her over the course of the year to capture the development of our little guy. She met us in downtown Omaha and led us through alleys to capture JB and I against visually intriguing backgrounds full of texture, color and dimension. We even got to change our outfits a couple of times to best complement each scene!

Thank you, Corrie, for such a fun session. We can’t wait to see your finished work!

{that’s a wrap! photo taken by corrie suhr at the end of our session.}

what are your favorite children’s books?

June 15, 2011

I just realized that I don’t have books on my baby registry! Despite a stint working in publishing, I’m so out of the loop when it comes to the hottest trends in children’s books. Besides Dr. Seuss’s greatest hits, which titles do you think are must-haves for my little guy’s personal library?

{shawn soh bookcase tree via coochicoos)

35 weeks: a review

June 14, 2011

This past week I had the first of my weekly OB/GYN appointments. Unfortunately, my doctor was on vacation, so I had the, umm, pleasure of meeting another doctor during a very, umm, intimate visit. She told me I was 2cm dilated and 75% effaced but assured me that I can stay at those measurements for weeks and should not worry about delivering early.

You hear that, opinionated strangers? You can stop asking me if I think I’m going to give birth at your feet.

Moving on.

This emotional roller coaster that has been my pregnancy hit a peak this week, as I found myself being almost able to cry on cue. If I stopped whatever it was I had been doing for even a split second, fear and anxiety about going into labor, giving birth and taking care of a newborn seeped into my mind and overwhelmed me. I began to feel as though I was now walking on eggshells and couldn’t stop wondering, “Is this the day my whole life is going to change?”

I know that the baby train left the station 35 weeks ago, but I’d really like it to slow down. I don’t think I’m ready for any of it yet…

{self-portrait actually taken at 36 weeks — oops!}

what a family really needs after the birth

June 9, 2011

My mother-in-law flew into Omaha last night to spend a couple of days with us. My friends are throwing me a small baby shower on Sunday, and I’m happy she will be able to attend!

Over dinner, the three of us chatted about what needs to get done before/after the baby arrives. JB and I expressed our concerned over having a houseful of family members expecting to be entertained during our first couple of days as parents. I’m sure there will be several times during the day when my husband and I will want to retreat into our bedroom for some peace and quiet. So what will they all do then? They can only coo over the newborn for so long!

I love this post about the different ways family and friends can support new parents after the birth, especially if mom and dad are too shy to ask for specific help. It includes everything from running errands to cooking dinner to emptying the garbage.

1. Buy us toilet paper, milk and beautiful whole grain bread.

2. Buy us a new garbage can with a swing top lid and 6 pairs of black cotton underpants (women’s size____).

3. Make us a big supper salad with feta cheese, black Kalamata olives, toasted almonds, organic green crispy things and a nice homemade dressing on the side. Drop it off and leave right away. Or, buy us frozen lasagna, garlic bread, a bag of salad, a big jug of juice, and maybe some cookies to have for dessert. Drop it off and leave right away.

4. Come over about 2 in the afternoon, hold the baby while I have a hot shower, put me to bed with the baby and then fold all the piles of laundry that have been dumped on the couch, beds or in the room corners. If there’s no laundry to fold yet, do some.

5. Come over at l0 a.m., make me eggs, toast and a 1/2 grapefruit. Clean my fridge and throw out everything you are in doubt about. Don’t ask me about anything; just use your best judgment.

6. Put a sign on my door saying “Dear Friends and Family, Mom and baby need extra rest right now. Please come back in 7 days but phone first. All donations of casserole dinners would be most welcome. Thank you for caring about this family.”

7. Come over in your work clothes and vacuum and dust my house and then leave quietly. It’s tiring for me to chat and have tea with visitors but it will renew my soul to get some rest knowing I will wake up to clean, organized space.

8. Take my older kids for a really fun-filled afternoon to a park, zoo or Science World and feed them healthy food.

9. Come over and give my husband a two hour break so he can go to a coffee shop, pub, hockey rink or some other r & r that will delight him. Fold more laundry.

10. Make me a giant pot of vegetable soup and clean the kitchen completely afterwards. Take a big garbage bag and empty every trash basket in the house and reline with fresh bags.

What did you find most helpful after having a baby? If you’re expecting your first, what kind of support would you like to receive from friends and family member?

{via Shelterrific}