Second labor of love... my pregnancy journal/scrapbook

"Whether your pregnancy was meticulously planned, medically coaxed, or happened by surprise, one thing is certain – your life will never be the same."
-Catherine Jones

In the last year, I've not only been growing a baby, but also a second labor of love. Starting in the early morning hours of a Saturday in May 2014, I curled beneath the sheets in the light of my phone to record my excitement of seeing two lines on a pregnancy test. For the next nine months I jotted down my notes, memories, and feelings about my journey to motherhood in an Evernote document. And, for the last couple of weeks I have brought those words to life in a most treasured scrapbook album, "Expecting Baby B..."

I had a bold and graphic 3-ring binder from Target and a variety of Bo Bunny page protectors waiting in the wings for the perfect project. Using that as my framework, I first designed the album in Adobe InDesign... the words from my journal illustrated by photos and ephemera from along the way.

Last year's One Little Word was "authentic," and I gave myself permission to feel all of the feelings. The entries in my journal include it all: the excitement, the joy, the fear, the surreal. While it is ultimately the story of me and my journey, someday when Silas reads it, I hope he feels the love that we had for him since the very beginning.

A pack of three coordinating file folders became section dividers for the three trimesters.

I used a combination of full-size (8.5"x11") page protectors and smaller (8"x9") page protectors, depending on the length of the stories. The 3"x4" pockets were perfect for iPhone photos, including screenshots of text messages as shown above.

I included swatches of the fabrics along with the receipt from our trip to Mary Jo's to tell the the story of how the nursery came together.

I slipped the ultrasound photos into the pockets and even saved the "It's a Boy" flag that we stuck in our doughnut to celebrate.

The album is told chronologically for the most part. I included reports from each doctor's visit and interspersed letters written to Baby B throughout.

I also saved brochures and important paperwork from doctor's visits.

We were so grateful for all of the thoughtful gifts from friends and family, and the slips of paper in the pockets above can be removed and unfolded to see the entire gift list.

I concluded the journal with my three-page birth story and a few of Silas' first photos.

But, of course the journey has just begun... I hope to continue Silas' story in a similar baby book/book about his first year.

Mama Says: Hospital Packing List

Many times throughout the last ten months, I wondered how mothers managed to get through pregnancy before the internet. Every new sensation or curiosity sent me scurrying to ask the advice of the all-knowing Google.

Usually I was met with search results galore, from WebMD to the BabyCenter forums, from individual blog posts to checklists pinned to Pinterest. However, in some instances my searches didn't locate the exact resource that I needed... especially from the perspective that I was looking for.

Over the next couple of weeks in a series that I'm calling "Mama Says...," I hope to write a few of the posts that I wish I had been able to find during my own pregnancy journey... in hopes that someone like me runs across them in their own web searches and finds them to be exactly what they need.

See other "Mama Says" posts here.

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Giving birth was my first time to stay in the hospital (besides a quick stay when I was a baby), and I was almost as nervous about that experience as I was about the birth itself.

For some reason, I was really intimidated by packing a bag for the hospital... how could I possibly know what I would want/need?? I searched online for packing lists written by experienced and wiser mothers, but I struggled to find a perspective that felt similar my own. Luckily my sister who gave birth six months earlier also shared her list with me, which gave me a good starting place.

So while another hospital packing list may be the last thing the internet needs, I'm going to add my voice to the mix, so you can see what I packed, as well as what we used, didn't use, and what we wished we had brought (some surprised me!).

Unfortunately I don't have a fancy, styled photo of all the things we packed, or even a photo of our bags waiting by the door. I considered it a success just to have them ready to go before we needed them. [As a consolation prize though, enjoy a few photos from our hospital stay.] 

THE MASTER HOSPITAL PACKING LIST

In the list below, a strike-through means we didn't use it. Things we wished we'd brought are typed in green. Tips and personal notes are noted with asterisks (*). 

In car

• Infant carseat installed*
• Garbage sack and old towels**

*Should have installed it in the middle seat for safety reasons, but also so that I could lean the passenger seat back all the way on the way to the hospital!

**My water had not yet broken when we left home, so we didn't even think to put these down in the car. And, luckily it held off until we made it into Labor & Delivery. However, we probably should have laid these on the car seat just in case!


Labor outfit (Ready to change into before leaving for the hospital)

• Gray knit maternity skirt*
• Cute, warm socks*
• Granny panties
• Hot pink maternity tank top**
• Black zip-up maternity athletic jacket**
• Gray polka dot nursing sports bra***
• Gray Bondi headband***
• Slip-on tennis shoes

*This surprised me the most... once in labor at the house, I didn't want anything tight around my belly, including the stretchy band of a knit maternity skirt. My ankles were also pretty swollen, so there was no way my cute socks were going to fit comfortably. Instead I ended up looking "super cute" in a pair of Rob's drawstring pajama pants and a pair of his thick ankle socks.

**During hard labor at the house, I alternated regularly between hot and cold. I wrapped up in a blanket when I was shivering and threw it off when I was sweating. I wore the jacket as planned while we drove to the hospital.

***Once I arrived in the L&D triage area, I changed into a hospital gown, but kept on my bra, headband, and socks. I gave birth just over an hour later, so there was no need for a super versatile labor outfit.


For labor (We carried this bag in as we arrived. Although because I didn't labor long at the hospital, some of the things were not used until after delivery.)

• Purse (driver's license, insurance card, and most importantly, directions from our hospital tour reminding us on what floor to check in!)
• Plastic envelope (copies of birth plan, blank cards for extra baby footprints, place to store hospital paperwork)
• Birth Boot Camp workbook
• Bamboo socks
• iPhone playlist*
• iPhone charger (didn't use until after delivery)
• Tennis balls for massage*
• Rice and lavender hot pack*
• Bathing suit for dad*
• dSLR camera/charger
• Chapstick
• Headband/hairties/barrettes (I was already wearing a headband, so I didn't use these until after delivery)
• Snack bag**
• Cookies for nurses/staff***

*I had a "push playlist" created and ready to go. But, in the moment I didn't even think to turn it on. Same with the other comfort measures I had ready, like the massager and hot pack. And, although I definitely used the shower while laboring at home, I didn't need Rob in the water with me, so we never needed his swimsuit.

**I packed a snack bag full of junky treats that I had denied myself during pregnancy, including Pringles, candied pecans, goldfish crackers, and Coca-Cola. These were, of course, saved for afterwards. However, Rob dug into the stash (beef jerky, LifeSaver mints, and bottles of SmartWater) right after delivery as we were waiting for our room assignment.

***Funny story... per my sister's recommendation, a few weeks before my due date, I mixed up and froze some cookie dough (using this recipe for blue and white swirled sugar cookies), so that I could bake cookies to pass the time during early labor. However, once in real labor, Rob asked me if it was time to bake the cookies; I looked at him like he was crazy, responding, "Hell no. I couldn't care less about the cookies!" We did, however, bake the cookies after we came home from the hospital and delivered them to the hospital a few days later.


Suitcase (Carried up after we were settled on the mother/baby ward. Included both mom and dad's stuff.)

• Dad's toiletries
• Dad's change of clothes
• Dad's change of shoes... he had forgotten a pair of sneakers

• Toiletries (toothbrush/toothpaste, shower supplies, deodorant, lotion)
• Hairbrushes
• Makeup
• Shower shoes
• Hair towel
• Nursing bras
• Nipple cream
• Nursing pads
• Granny panties*
• Always incontinence pads* 
• Witch hazel pads/hemorrhoid treatment
• Robe
• Several pairs of socks
• Maternity tank top**
• T-shirt 
• Yoga pants***
• Long-sleeve henley shirt***
• Going home outfit: maxi skirt, long-sleeve shirt, leggings, and infinity scarf***

*I wore the glorified mesh panties for the first day/night, but they were really too big for me and seemed to shift a lot, so by Morning #2, I was ready for my own underwear. The hospital also provided a large stash of giant pads, which I used exclusively in the hospital and even brought home. But once those ran out, I used the incontinence pads from Always that seemed to be more absorbent than regular pads.

**This maternity tank top was the single-most important item that I brought with me to the hospital!! In the middle of the second night, I stuffed Silas inside this stretchy shirt for some skin-to-skin time (his head sticking out of the collar). Not only was it the most memorable bonding moment we had in the hospital, but because he was contained in the shirt, I didn't worry about dozing while holding him.

***Again, to hell with the cute clothes that I thought would be comfortable. I spent the first day and night in the hospital gown, mesh panties, and nursing bra. In the morning of the second day, I was ready to feel somewhat like a normal person again, so I opted for cropped yoga pants and the long-sleeve shirt. When we were discharged later that afternoon, I was anxious to get home and decided not to waste time changing into my planned "going home outfit."

****I opted not to bring the Boppy nursing pillow (or maybe we just left it in the car?) as well as a pillow for myself. Less things to carry. Didn't really miss them.

Diaper bag (supplies for baby)

• Notebook for recording birth and breastfeeding notes*
• Pen
• Going home outfits: gown, hat, leggings, bunting, socks
• Receiving blanket**
• Baby no-scratch mittens
• Baby nail clippers***
• Hand sanitizer
• Baggu reusable shopping bags for dirty clothes

*In the middle of the night at Silas' first feeding I opted to download an iPhone app (Baby Tracker) to document feedings/diapers, rather than the pen/paper version.

**Should have brought several blankets with us. Because of a rash on Silas' face, the pediatrician recommended that we use our own blankets to wrap him in. A close call with spit-up meant it would have been nice to have another blanket on hand.

***Silas arrived with claws. We tried to used the no-scratch mittens, but they were really too big for his newborn hands. Clipping his nails was the first thing on our agenda once we arrived home.

****The hospital provided diapers, wipes, and first bath supplies... enough to take home with us. I was glad that I didn't waste space in the diaper bag with these.

Disclaimer: This is what worked for us (and a few things that didn't). It is not guaranteed to be the end-all, be-all packing list. Although I hope that it inspires you as you write your own list.

Nursery paint colors

"I love you beyond paint, beyond melodies, beyond words. And I hope you will always feel that, even when I'm not around to tell you so.”
-Kiera Cass

Most of the rooms in our house are still painted the oh-so-love shade of "builder khaki"... including the nursery. But as we fix up Baby B's room, a fresh coat of paint is top of the to-do list.

I'm leaning towards a gray, hoping that the teal, coral and citron will really pop! I mocked up a few of my favorite colors... to see how dark we can go!

What do you think?

Wall color is Olympic Secret Passage

Wall color is Valspar Gray Plank

Wall color is Valspar Pewter

Knowing that Rob is training for his annual bicycle ride to the beach (this Friday!!), I didn't expect that we would start any of this big project until after that. However, he got a wild hair this weekend. We were able to clear out the room and put some sample paint up on the walls to consider.

Now we just have to decide...

Nursery progress... part 1

"Every baby needs a lap."
-Henry Robin

When we left off in the nursery, I was debating what fabric choices and color scheme to move forward with. Would it be the modern woodland theme or the graphic feather theme?

After exploring and brainstorming about each option, I just went with my gut and the choice that seemed to best match the decorating style that I had in mind. A quick look at my pins on Pinterest, and I knew that bold and graphic was the way to go.

So... feathers it is!!

Click here to see fabric sources

Ever since we moved into this house, we knew that the small bedroom in the corner of the second floor would be the nursery, if and when we needed it. In fact, while babies were still far on the horizon, Rob and I compromised on calling this room, "The B.R." ... which stood for both "bonus room" and "baby room."

I've also joked that this is the room where furniture goes to die. As we phased out furniture from our college and apartment days, we moved it in here, hoping we would find someone who could revive it. Futons, chairs, entertainment centers, side tables, rugs... it was all stacked up in here. We knew we had a bit of decluttering to do before we could fit a baby in here as well.

When Mama came to visit at Labor Day, I knew this would might be only chance to have her sewing expertise on location before Baby B was born. We made the most of our four days together, making multiple trips to multiple fabric stores, squeezing in a dash around IKEA, and sewing up a storm. She also posted about our adventures over at Mommy's Treasures.

 

During our time together, we were able to make amazing progress on the window-side of the nursery (the other half is still piled high with furniture!) Here's what we accomplished:

• Sewed and hung a window valance
• Assembled three Kallax cube shelves
• Rearranged furniture and moved my grandmother's rocking chair from the guest room
• Upcycled a cushion that we had made a couple of years ago into a window seat cushion
• Made throw pillows galore
• Sewed several fitted crib sheets in coordinating fabrics
• Planned to make fitted covers for the changing table pad (once I can measure it)
• Failed at making a Boppy pillow cover... decided it's worth it just to buy that!
• Made and stuffed (with a lot of effort) an ottoman

I'm so excited by the progress we made! This is now my favorite room in the house! Now if I can just motivate Rob to help me clean up the rest of the room, order a crib, and paint the walls, then we'll be in business. I'll keep you posted...

It's a ...

"Snips and snails, And puppy-dogs' tails, That's what little boys are made of."

I left you hanging the other day, waiting for the big news... which will it be?

Well... Rob and I are excited to announce that we are expecting a baby boy, due at the very end of January 2015! Everything looked wonderful at our 20-week appointment yesterday! [The news is just too good not to shout from the rooftops (aka, every social media platform)!]

After every doctor's visit, we've celebrated with a doughnut (or two!). Yesterday was no exception...

We had something extra special to celebrate this time!

Krispy Kreme even had the light on for us. Nothing beats a hot, fresh glazed doughnut...

 

Can't wait to meet you, Baby Boy!!

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Want to print some "It's a boy" or "It's a girl" cupcake flags for your own celebration? Just right-click the image below and choose Save As...

Which will it be?

"Before you were born I carried you under my heart. From the moment you arrived in this world until the moment I leave it, I will always carry you in my heart."
-Mandy Harrison

In the spirit of this post by Elizabeth Ivie and in honor of finding out Baby B's gender this week (fingers crossed that baby cooperates!), here's our own little guessing game:

• Carrying high or carrying low? High means GIRL
• Baby's heart rate under or over 140 beats per minute? Over means GIRL
• Not much nausea or lots of nausea? Lots of nausea means GIRL (although I never actually got sick, so does that count?)
• Craving meat or fruit? Meat means BOY 
• Pregnant abdomen all front or out side to side? Belly all front means BOY
• Feet colder or warmer than before pregnancy? Warmed means GIRL
• The Chinese gender prediction test says GIRL when you use the dates based on the Chinese lunar year
• During the "ring test," the ring swings in a circle or the ring swings side to side? Around and around means BOY

Rob is convinced that Baby B is a girl. He sends me sweet texts like, "How are my girls doing today?" and even calls "her" by the girl's name we have picked out. I think that he will be completely shocked if we see anything between the legs!

I, on the other hand, am less sure. I find the pronoun "he" coming out of my mouth as often as "she." At this point I think I would be more comfortable with a girl (I grew up in a house of girls!), but since I was a kid, I wanted to raise rough and tumble boys.

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Given all of the "evidence," do you think Baby B is a girl or a boy?

What is the shape of your pregnant abdomen?

It's all front

It's more on my hips, buttocks, and thighs

It's neither front or lower

According to many myths, belly all front could come from this baby being a boy.

- See more at: http://www.babymed.com/boy-or-girl-gender-prediction-quiz-and-test?question=8&response=1#sthash.8RabR7vU.dpuf

How pointy is your bump?

I am carrying low

I am carrying high

Not one or the other

According to myths, it's more likely a girl if you carry high.

- See more at: http://www.babymed.com/boy-or-girl-gender-prediction-quiz-and-test?question=1&response=1#sthash.5tVO76bu.dpuf

Nursery Fabrics

"To be pregnant is to be vitally alive, thoroughly woman, and undoubtedly inhabited."
-Anne Buchanan

My mom planned to visit for Labor Day weekend. And, knowing that this might be the only time she's at my house before Baby B is here, I really wanted to take advantage of her sewing expertise and get started on the nursery.

A new sewing project means one thing... a trip to Mary Jo's Cloth Store. I headed up to Gastonia (only an hour and a half from my house) one Saturday afternoon with the goal of gathering fabric swatches in a couple of color schemes.

Mary Jo's Cloth Store... the fabric mecca of the Southeast

We wouldn't know Baby B's gender for a few more weeks, so I wanted to start with a gender-neutral base. (Even if we did know, I don't think we'd go over-the-top girly or boyish anyway!)

Two and a half hours later, I had collected three sets of fabrics. However, before I even got home, I had already narrowed it down to the top two contenders. Take a look!

Would it be Option A? The modern woodland theme?

[clockwise: Riley Blake Boy Stripes Orange | Riley Blake Scenic Critters Blue | Riley Blake Boy Swirls Aqua | Michael Miller Tile Pile Dirt | Michael Miller Garden Pindot Clem]

Or would it be Option B? The graphic feather theme?

[clockwise: Michael Miller Birds of a Feather Quill | Micheal Miller Clown Stripe Limeade | Michael Miller Garden Pindot Clem | Michael Miller Dino Roars Stitch | Michael Miller Diddly Dot Sky]

I gave myself two weeks to decide before my mom came to town and we could go back to purchase the full yardage. Although I (and everyone else that I asked) was originally leaning towards Color Scheme A, halfway through I started to second-guess myself.

Any guesses as to which direction I chose?

Nursery Dreams

"Everything grows rounder and wider and weirder, and I sit here in the middle of it all and wonder who in the world you will turn out to be."
-Carrie Fisher

Baby = A nursery to decorate... surely I'm not the only one to do this math immediately after finding out they're pregnant?!?

I've been saving ideas for Baby B's room since before Baby B was even a realistic idea. They were once stored on my Someday Pinterest board, but I've since moved them to a secret Baby B's Room board. I'll probably make them public again in a few months, but until then, here are a few of the ideas that have sparked my creativity.

1. My Bella Bug |  2. Playtype Concept Store by leuchtend grau | 3. The Alison Show | 4. The Little Umbrella

5. Going Home to Roost | 6. enJOY it by Elise Cripe | 7. A Beautiful Mess | 8. Minted: Julep | 9. Children Inspire Design

10. Elements of Style | 11. Poppytalk | 12. Life in Bridgetown | 13. 100 Layer Cakelet | 14. Little Lovely

15. 100 Layer Cakelet | 16. Project Nursery | 17. Statshem via My Ideal Home | 18. Little Green Notebook

I'm inspired by a color scheme here and a piece of furniture there, a graphic print here and a room layout there.

Can't wait to show you the direction we choose!!

Sharing the baby news...

"Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life!"
-Albert Einstein

[In the spirit of the following post and upon reflection of this post from Young House Love this week, I offer my thoughts about blogging... The beauty of authentic blogging is that it is organic, ever-changing, and able to keep up with what's fresh and current in the individual blogger's world. I hate when bloggers apologize for "off-topic" blog posts. A blog is a chronicle of the writer's life, and life doesn't always follow script (or mission statements and business plans). My feelings aren't hurt when a favorite blogger "strays" from their usual topics, even when I choose to stop following so fervently. I'm evolving, they're evolving... I wish them the best of luck on this crazy journey. END RANT!]


Baby fever is certainly where my head and heart are these days, and therefore that is the direction my blog is headed, at least for this season....

I've heard people say that they knew they were pregnant at the moment of conception, and several months ago, I wondered how you could possibly be sure. But, then, I myself had a feeling. By the end of May, I finally had the proof I needed in the double-pink lines on two home pregnancy tests.

Inspired by this pregnancy announcement idea from They Call Me Smudge, I whipped up a special card to share the news with Rob. When I handed the envelope over to him at lunch, he was a little confused, thinking it might be an early birthday gift. But, as soon as he opened it up, a huge grin spread across his face.

We waited a few more weeks to tell our families, choosing to send each of our moms a surprise package. Keeping with the tri-fold layout and inspired by this "Priceless" announcement on Dating Divas, I created a card with a photo from our summer vacation and the ultrasound photo. I wrapped it all up with a note that read, "There's a story behind this gift, so call me before you open."

And, then I stalked the USPS package tracker website waiting for the gifts to arrive at their destinations. We were able to FaceTime with both of our moms, as we shared the news. Isn't technology grand?!?! My mom was totally surprised, while Rob's mom swears she knew (she says I had a baby bump on vacation... at 7.5 weeks... I think not!)... but both were thrilled!

Neither was expecting a "close-up," but these expressions couldn't get any better!

We then called our sisters... well, actually we texted them the ultrasound photo while talking to them on the phone. (I repeat, I love technology!) Callie had figured it out... apparently my "call me when you're out of church" text was not as sneaky as I thought... she called me in between church gatherings to hear the news, and then had to call back later in the afternoon to get the full scoop! Stephanie, on the other hand, was completely caught off guard while shopping with the boys, but was so excited that she bought baby clothes as soon as she hung up with us.

We waited until reaching the second trimester to spread the news to the rest of our friends. Rob sent a few texts to faraway friends, and I made a few announcements to local ones, but mostly we just waited for the news to spread. At this point, my growing belly and ever-increasing maternity clothes wardrobe seem to be speaking for themselves.

Announcing the upcoming arrival of Baby B...

"A grand adventure is about to begin." 
-attributed to Winnie the Pooh

Yup! Rob and I are expecting a baby early in 2015. Although the road to baby has been a bit bumpy at times, this summer we have been blessed with a growing belly and a growing family.

I'm currently 18 weeks along, and the thought of how different our life will be in five short months fills me equally with joy and panic. Bowing to my Type A tendencies, I've started lists upon lists... nursery ideas, registry essentials, childcare options, fabric possibilities, childbirth resources... but I'm also trying to embrace the uncertainties and imperfections of pregnancy and motherhood.

After our loss in November, we have been cautiously excited since seeing the double pink lines on the pregnancy test back in May. However, it gets more real each day. I'm quickly outgrowing my regular clothes, I've started touring daycares and exploring childcare options, we've scheduled the appointment to learn Baby B's gender (just two more weeks!), and this weekend while my mom was in town, we got a headstart decorating the nursery.

I'm sure that there will be more updates to come as we continue this adventure...