PJ Party

It's a pj party and you're invited! Hi my name is Hilary and I'm a pajamaholic. Really. It's a sickness. I  polled my Instagram followers on whether or not it was crazy to spend $50 on a super cute pj set and the majority vote was yes. Naturally I ordered them anyway. Sometimes ya just gotta treat yo' self. Okay normally I would not spend so much on myself, total splurge purchase for me. But I justify them along with the rest of my pajama collection with the fact that I spend so much time wearing them. I'm a SAHM with a wild toddler and a new baby so there are many days when pjs are my OOTD. Like today. And probably tomorrow. So having cute ones makes me feel better about rocking them all day. Alright, who am I kidding, I loved pjs long before I was a mom. But I'm going to keep blaming it on the children. Just let me have this one okay? Here are my tops picks if you want to join the party. All the cool kids are dong it.

It's A Boy: Axton's Birth Story

The end of my pregnancy was like some kind of science experiment. Everything pointed to the arrival of my baby before my due date, most likely well before. But I continued to defy the odds. All the way up until 40 weeks + 3 days.

Let's go back a few weeks. Prodromal labor, just like I had with Fallon, reared it's annoying head at 37 weeks. Every night from 11PM - 4/5AM the contractions came every 5 minutes, lasting for 1+ minute . Different than Braxton Hicks but they never increased in intensity or duration. Running on very little sleep, super pregnant and caring for a wild toddler didn't agree with me. By 38 weeks I was just praying for the contractions to get stronger or the patience to wait. My very last appointment was at 39 weeks + 6 days. I was dilated to almost 4cm, effaced and baby's head was engaged. My membranes were stripped to help things along and I dilated to 5cm on the table. I was told I had a bulging bag of water between the baby's head and the uterine wall and it was likely to pop at any time. YAY!!! I walked out of the office relieved and excited and thinking baby might share a birthday with daddy. But 1 day over my due date and I. WAS. DONE.  Scheduled eviction, ahem, induction here we come. Except there was a scheduling error and I was bumped 3 days forward. Cue the explosion of frustration.

Friday, April 6th, I got dressed, put makeup on, fixed my hair and went with Chris to his eye doctor appointment just to get out of the house and walk around. Nothing out of the ordinary happened. We put Fallon to bed that evening and started catching up on our missed TV shows. Chris fell asleep on the couch and I lay there next to him with searing rib pain just waiting for the worthless contractions. 11:30PM the first one came. Except this one wasn't like the others I'd been having. This one felt different. Different enough for me to notice. The second one came and I started to to wonder if maybe this really is different and not wishful thinking. And then suddenly they were coming in a pattern. I woke Chris up, we called my doctor and my mom to come stay with Fallon. The contractions increased in intensity and became closer together so quickly I could feel my husband starting to panic. We were in the car ready to fly to the hospital when my mom arrived.

That car ride was the longest of my life. Chris tried to carry me through the hospital but I was in too much pain. I waddled down the hallway into the elevator and fell to my knees at the Labor & Delivery check in desk. It was 1:20AM. No one was in a hurry to get me in a room and check me but when that finally happened the nurse declared me 8cm and rushed me down to a delivery room. There was a flurry of questions that Chris was mostly answering for me, the room being set up and me claiming I felt the need to push. I was not prepared for a natural birth. The pain was so overwhelming it scared me. I feared I would throw up, pass out or possibly both. They told me to just breathe, my doctor was on the way. But the third time I said it like I meant business and they got a resident ready as my doctor still hadn't arrived. Anesthesia showed up at the door for my epidural right as my water broke all over the bed. I flipped to my back from side and started pushing of my own accord. I couldn't hear anyone, just saw their mouths moving. I pushed once and felt the "ring of fire". The crowing of the head feels EXACTLY like a circle of fire. A wildfire. I pushed again and finally heard someone say Just one more push and your baby will be here! And that's exactly what happened. I came out of my trance as my baby boy was held up for me to see.

Axton James arrived at 1:47AM April 7th, 2018. 27 minutes after we arrived at the hospital. He weighed 8lbs 14oz and was 21.5 inches long. He was placed on my chest to snuggle inside my gown, just like I had dreamed would happen. But it certainly didn't go exactly the way I had hoped. There wasn't time for sarcasm or pictures or to attempt to prepare myself for a natural delivery at all. But my baby came out pink and breathing. No one came to save him, to take him away from me. I held him against me and comforted him in his first moments on the outside. No complications, no flurry of people shouting things out that I did not understand. The room was calm and quiet. Just a mama and her fresh new baby with daddy watching over. 

Nursing Friendly

The Down Low on Diaper Need

When I was pregnant with Fallon I received so many boxes of diapers that I had a stash for nearly the first 9 months of her life. I was very grateful for the generosity shown by my family and friends then but I have an even stronger appreciation now. I recently learned that one-in-three families struggle to provide diapers for their baby. Insert the emoji with the eyes popping out over this alarming statistic. As a mama of (almost) 2 this is absolutely heartbreaking and I am compelled to help educate people about this issue. 

We have been using Huggies® diapers for Fallon for quite awhile and I am proud to support a brand that is using such a huge platform to spread awareness to the topic of diaper need. Can you imagine not having access to or means to provide diapers for your baby? Parents across the U.S. are faced with choosing between food and diapers and this startling information has driven me to share how we can all help to make a change. If you buy diapers and wipes, you can easily join the Huggies® No Baby Unhugged program in partnership with Walgreens and make a positive impact. From now through April 29, any purchase of Huggies® diapers at Walgreens or Walgreens.com triggers a donation of a day’s worth of diapers to a family in need. A WHOLE DAY! Together these companies have created a power couple and will donate 1.5 million diapers and 250,000 wipes nationwide to the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN). A wonderful idea you can get behind, right?

I grew up as the big sister and then babysat countless neighborhood kids through my tweens and teens.I already had a lot of experience changing diapers by the time I had a baby, but my husband, not so much. Chris had never changed a diaper in his life and I will never forget the first time he did. It was about 3AM on our first night home with Fallon and I decided that was as good as any to show him the ropes. He fumbled through it by the flashlight on his phone, so careful with her as if she would break when he held her legs. I showed him how to tell the front from the back of the diaper and how to use the tabs to secure it around our baby's tiny waist. 20 months later he could do it in total darkness with his eyes closed but we still chuckle about that first time. Probably many of you have sweet, funny stories like this. But what if you didn't? What if every time you thought about diapers you wondered if you'd be able to afford the next pack or if you'd have access to them at all? I think so often we find ourselves thinking that our small contribution does not make an impact. But if every one of us who had that thought went ahead and joined in anyway, that would be a massive push in the right direction.

You can purchase your favorite Huggies® diapers here to support the Huggies® No Baby Unhugged program or simply make a donation to the National Diaper Bank Network. 

Girl vs. Boy

It's driven a lot of people crazy that we've chosen not to find out the sex of our babies before birth. I'm all about a good surprise and Chris is just kind of old school when it comes to this. We agreed from the very beginning with Fallon and then did contemplate finding out at the anatomy scan with this baby. But it was short lived and I think we really knew all along we would go for the surprise again. So while I do tend to gravitate towards gender neutral things naturally like grey, white, black, green, tan, I am all for fun prints that are more boy/girl specific. I've picked out some items that I would probably have purchased already if I knew that I was carrying a he or a she. And most likely when this little he or she arrives a few of these gifts will be on the way, because #howflippingcute. Last chance to make your guess!

GIRL 

Floral Sleeper / Solly Wrap / Book / Booties / Hat / Hooded Towel / Rattle / Burp Cloths

BOY 

Gray Sleeper / Solly Wrap / Book / Booties / Hat / Hooded Towel / Rattle / Burp Cloths

10 Things to do in Your Third Trimester

Whether it's your first time, your fifth time or any time you're having a baby, there are a few things you might want to put on then check off the ol' to-do list. Pregnancy brain is real and if you're already a mom then doubled up with mom brain it's so easy to forget these things. No, it's not the end of the world if everything or even nothing is checked off before baby arrives BUT it probably would make the crazy readjustment period easier for everyone. So with the help of friends, because #mombrain + #pregnancybrain right here, I've compiled a list that hopefully will be helpful for those of you in the home stretch of your pregnancy. All you have to remember is to use it!

Order A Breast Pump

If you plan to breastfeed you will need to contact your insurance company to find out how to go about ordering yours for free! While you're on the phone with someone there, make sure to ask if there is anything else you need to do before baby's arrival if he or she will be covered under your plan. 

Install Car Seat

If this is your first rodeo you want to make sure that the car seat and/or base is installed correctly. YouTube videos can be really helpful or your local fire department can show you! Even if this isn't your first baby I'd still advise having the car seat installed and ready to go because it's one last thing you have to worry about in the whirlwind of going to the hospital and having a new baby.

Contact Your Pediatrician + Pre-Register

First time mamas,  you need to pick a pediatrician and make sure the practice is accepting new patients. If you already have another child and will continue to see your current doctor it's still nice to let the office know you are nearing your due date. Also, most hospitals allow you to pre-register either online or by phone. One less thing to worry about when you're in labor!

Gather Supplies + Pack Bags

Make a hospital bag packing list and have everything you need for you and baby. Depending on your situation, you may want to pack those bags around 36 weeks. But if you at least have everything then someone should be able to go back home and grab anything you forgot in a rush to get out the door. 

Confirm Maternity Leave & Childcare

If you are a working mama you've already talked to HR about your maternity leave plan. But it's a good idea to do a final check-in to ensure everyone is on the same page and you are aware of how the payment schedule and insurance coverage will work while you're gone. You will also want to have your childcare situation taken care of whether it's choosing and setting up daycare or just confirming with whoever is going to be caring for your baby. 

Spend One On One Time

Go on some final dates before it's no longer just you and your hubby or your family dynamic totally changes again. If you already have kids make it a point to do something fun with them individually. 

Baby Registry or Wish List
I highly recommend completing or at least starting your baby registry in your second trimester. It can be so daunting as a first time mom and the more time you have to consider the massive variety of items the better. If you aren't having a shower this go round someone may still be throwing you a little sprinkle or you at least need a few new items for baby. Go through what you have and make a list of what you want/need so you can share the list with family + friends or use it yourself to shop. If you plan to nurse make sure you do have everything you think you'll need including some nursing friendly clothing items. Possibly you didn't like something you used or wore the first time around and want to go a different route so do that now! It's also a good idea to have a few different types of bottles to see which your baby prefers but also not a big deal if someone needs to run out and pick a few up after baby arrives.

Wash Clothes + Bottles

Mamas using hand me downs or a few new things for babe, break those out and throw in a load. First timers, don't rip the tags off of everything just yet! Your baby may never even wear newborn sleepers and you actually don't need 25 receiving blankets. Go ahead and wash 0-3 and up and pick your favorite blankets, nursing pillow cover and accessories (socks, bottles, hats, mittens). If you get one round done and ready to go you're ahead of the game. The rest can wait. Same goes for bottles. Get enough bottles and pump parts if you're nursing clean and shiny then you can see how things go with certain bottles and/or breastfeeding is working out. 

Set Up Baby Gear

Put together whatever baby will be sleeping and/or lounging in, learn how to use any carriers you plan to and make sure the baby monitor is working properly. Not only is this helpful because these are things you won't be trying to do under the pressure of a screaming infant, but having them out can also help prepare older siblings and/or pets for baby's arrival.

Birth Plan

If you feel strongly about anything you are able to control during labor and delivery, write up your plan and share it with your doctor. It's also necessary to have a plan in place for siblings while mom and dad are at the hospital. Then there's the conversations you never want to have put probably should. Talk to your partner about the what ifs and how you think you'd want things handled should those unfortunate situations occur. If baby has to go to the NICU will dad go with him or her? 

Extras

If you have time and are of a mind to care, make some freezer meals to have on hand for those early crazy weeks. Have someone come to deep clean the house or do it yourself because #nesting. Organize baby's supplies so you aren't fumbling around looking for things when you get home from the hospital. If baby has siblings maybe consider big bro/sis gifts "from baby". 

Hopefully this list is helpful but not overwhelming. Having a baby is a big deal. Don't stress if you don't check everything (or anything) off the list because I promise someone will step in to help. But definitely don't feel bad for making it a priority to cross off everything either. Wishing all you mamas to be a safe and easy delivery + healthy babes!

Bumpdate: 37 Weeks

I think this may be my final bumpdate of this pregnancy. Not because I think I'm about to go into labor but because I am 37+3 weeks and I just don't need another thing on my now almost finished to-do list! At my last doctor's appointment almost a week ago I was 3cm dilated and effacing and my weight gain had nearly reached a standstill (less than .5 a pound in 2 weeks). I was 36+5 and my doctor just told me to please wait until the 37 week mark. We've not surpassed that and while I've been having a lot of contractions this week, they haven't turned into anything. 

I'm at the point that I'm just ready. I'm extremely uncomfortable all the time, battling heartburn, back + hip pain, lots of pressure and bathroom trips and full on exhaustion every day all day. We've been working on home projects and just things we wanted to get accomplished before baby's arrival if possible. And of course spending time doing fun things with Fallon while she's still our only child. People keep telling me to relax and slow down to enjoy this time. But the truth is, the fast past we've been rolling at has been very fulfilling and oddly just what we needed before the massive slowdown that's about to happen. The adjustment period is going to be a doozy and there just won't be the time or energy or motivation to do a lot of the things we have been. And that's totally fine. I think we will be much more able to enjoy the big change when we don't have all these other things that we couldn't accomplish looming on the horizon. Of course this isn't the case for everyone but it's been good for us. 

I'm not sure if I have even given numbers on my weight gain this time but I'm up 24lbs. I gained more with Fallon but I was super swollen with her so I think that was part of it. And just for the record, I 100% do not have any feelings about this baby being a boy or a girl. I'd share if I did but I just don't feel a pull either way. And I'd like to think it's because I truly do want to be surprised. Bags are packed, plans are made, and now we just wait for baby!