A nursery must have during the winter season
The Dreamegg Cool Mist Humidifier is only $46.99 on Amazon right now. They also have a $10 off coupon you can apply to your order. I just love that it now replaces my diffuser for Calvin's nursery. I don't have to have so many different things to fill up!
Stroller beads |
I knew something was wrong but I didn't want to believe it. My husband would try to do anything to cheer me up or give me a break but I would just shut down. My postpartum rage was at it's highest peak at this point. I missed talking to people... to real adults. I kept wondering if staying home for the year was a good idea and if I was the best fit to care for my own baby. My body started shutting down after several nights of no sleep. I started getting sick and this just made things worse. |
My husband started praying over me and our family
He continued to do what he can around the house and help with our son. He picked up my slack and never complained. He would prep a bottle and feed Calvin to give me a break from feeding him. He wiped away my tears and affirmed that I was doing a great job despite the fact of a crying baby.
A friend of mine started checking in on me and keeping me company through voice text messages throughout the day. She would send me words of affirmation. She probably had no idea how much her words helped get me through some darkest days. When she worked from home, she came to visit or help get me out of the house more often. She still does this today!
I also never thought I would find some great friends online. I connected with some amazing mamas through Instagram who supported each other.
I also never thought I would find some great friends online. I connected with some amazing mamas through Instagram who supported each other.
Is my postpartum depression/anxiety completely gone? Nope. I still deal with it on a daily basis. But I now have some resources to help cope with it. I am still in the process of finding a professional to talk to.
If you're struggling with this as well, here's what I have to say.
If you're struggling with this as well, here's what I have to say.
You are enough
Your feelings and thoughts are valid. You are everything your baby needs and more. You're doing more than you think.
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At only 2.5 months, Calvin is already becoming very grabby hands! He's already reaching down and grabbing his... you know. He's also been kicking and cooing a lot more which is making diaper changes somewhat challenging. Thankfully we found this SnoofyBee Clean Hands Changing Pad. It's hilarious how much he loves it. You can definitely tell this was created by actual parents solving this very issue! As you can see in the above picture, it Velcro's around your baby and distracts them. There's 2 loops that you can attach a little toy and it creates a barrier so those curious hands aren't reaching where they're unwanted! It easily folds up and becomes a little clutch. You can attach it to your stroller or bag for easy on the go access! It's also water resistant and easy to clean!
Everyone tells you that your feet will swell but nobody told me that my fingers would too! I started getting really swollen in my hands and fingers towards the end of my pregnancy. They would get so swollen that my fingers would hurt when I tried to bend them when I woke up. It was like I was double jointed! I hated thinking about getting my ring resized bigger because I didn't want to have to get it sized down again later. My husband and I already had such a challenging time finding a company who would resize a ring down to a size 3! Now with the swelling, I went up to a size 3.5. So I just went most of my pregnancy without wearing a wedding set but then it always felt so naked since I was used to wearing one.
Well fast forward 2.5 months postpartum and my fingers still get swollen! I got really tired of trying to shove my wedding set on every few days for it to be uncomfortable. I just needed an alternative for a while. Now where in the world can you find a size 3.5 that isn't a kids ring? Let me tell you! I came across Modern Gents Trading Co. where they had my size! I started reading through and talking to their customer service team and was so impressed! They're a complete conflict free company that offers affordable engagement and wedding rings for men and women. They also have a lifetime warranty on all of their products!
I am wearing their best selling set- The Evermore ring and The Duet earrings. It has a sterling silver band that is rhodium plated with simulated diamonds. It's such a great alternative!
Well fast forward 2.5 months postpartum and my fingers still get swollen! I got really tired of trying to shove my wedding set on every few days for it to be uncomfortable. I just needed an alternative for a while. Now where in the world can you find a size 3.5 that isn't a kids ring? Let me tell you! I came across Modern Gents Trading Co. where they had my size! I started reading through and talking to their customer service team and was so impressed! They're a complete conflict free company that offers affordable engagement and wedding rings for men and women. They also have a lifetime warranty on all of their products!
I am wearing their best selling set- The Evermore ring and The Duet earrings. It has a sterling silver band that is rhodium plated with simulated diamonds. It's such a great alternative!
Use my code for 18% off your order:
jenni18
It's not about my right to breastfeed, it's about my child's right to eat
- Annonymous
The thought of going out in public with a newborn baby was so terrifying because I had to feed him so often. I just wanted to stay home with him but I was starting to go crazy being cooped up in the house with nothing to do. As a new mama, I was scared and intimidated to nurse him in public. It's so sad that society shames nursing mamas! Up until I discovered this nursing poncho by Milky Chic, I wouldn't go out for long stretches of time because I had to feed my baby so often. When I would go out for more than just an hour or two, I would prep a bottle and keep it in a thermos so it would stay warm. The hassle of carrying an insulated thermos, baby bottle and other baby essentials got really heavy! Sometimes my fussy baby was hungry but just wanted to be breastfed and I didn't know how to!
This nursing poncho is a much needed! Any nursing mama who uses any coverups NEED this poncho and here's why!
KEY FEATURES:
If you'd like to try it out, it won't disappoint! I'm so glad I have this so I don't have to prep bottles or hide out in a dressing room, car or corner.
This nursing poncho is a much needed! Any nursing mama who uses any coverups NEED this poncho and here's why!
KEY FEATURES:
- Lightweight and easy to carry with a carrying bag
- Wired neck creates a peek-a-boo window and airflow
- Fits any body shape or size
- Full body privacy from the front and back
- Two snaps on either side of your shoulders to thread through your shirt to hold it up
- You no longer have to wear expensive or unfashionable nursing shirts
- You no longer have to wear button down or zippered shirts or blouses
- Converts to be used as a carseat cover
If you'd like to try it out, it won't disappoint! I'm so glad I have this so I don't have to prep bottles or hide out in a dressing room, car or corner.
Use my code for 10% off coupon:
JENNI10
Calvin was breeched and born via c-section about two weeks early. He was pretty lodged in my ribcage prior to the surgery and had his shoulder pushed up into the side of his neck. This created some flat spots around his head that concerned us. He's had to continue physical therapy where our PT monitors his neck strength and head shape.
Since the day we brought him home, he had a hard time sleeping straight and staying at midline. We do tummy time multiple times a day to strengthen his neck and he enjoys lifting his head to look around and play with some toys! We also used a head shaping pillow by BabeBayLife from Amazon to help him lay flat. Head shaping pillows have a concave hole that helps relieve pressure on the head and neck. It helps full out and shape their heads. The one we used above is made of soft memory foam and comes with an extra pillowcase which makes it super easy to take off and throw in the wash! This head shaping pillow keeps him in place and helps him sleep!
Since the day we brought him home, he had a hard time sleeping straight and staying at midline. We do tummy time multiple times a day to strengthen his neck and he enjoys lifting his head to look around and play with some toys! We also used a head shaping pillow by BabeBayLife from Amazon to help him lay flat. Head shaping pillows have a concave hole that helps relieve pressure on the head and neck. It helps full out and shape their heads. The one we used above is made of soft memory foam and comes with an extra pillowcase which makes it super easy to take off and throw in the wash! This head shaping pillow keeps him in place and helps him sleep!
Just hold on... we're going home!
We were getting really tired of being at the hospital and were ready to leave as soon as they would discharge us. Since I was up and moving just a few hours after surgery, I was going stir-crazy being in the room the whole time. We were there for a total of 2.5 days. Prior to getting discharged, our nurse bathed him and helped get him ready to go home. We put actual clothes on him for the first time and loaded his itty bitty body into the carseat! I had a surge of emotions run through my body! I was excited to be going home and in our own bed but I was so scared that we didn't have a nurse to help us. Prior to this point, the nurses or my husband did all of the work. All I had done was feed our baby! All I did was look in the rearview mirror the whole way home. I couldn't believe we finally got to bring him home with us!
We got home and introduced the dogs to him. I'm so bummed I didn't get a good picture of Pepper with him! My husband had gone home the night before with a swaddle that Calvin was in and had the dogs smell it to familiarize his scent. When we got home, they were both so gentle and curious. It didn't take long for them to follow us around with him.
Calvin now has two big fur-sisters to watch after him!
We got home and introduced the dogs to him. I'm so bummed I didn't get a good picture of Pepper with him! My husband had gone home the night before with a swaddle that Calvin was in and had the dogs smell it to familiarize his scent. When we got home, they were both so gentle and curious. It didn't take long for them to follow us around with him.
Calvin now has two big fur-sisters to watch after him!
Everything was a breeze throughout my pregnancy. I didn't have any morning sickness or crazy spurts of pain. It was pretty mellow up until the end. Around 30-ish weeks was when I started getting pretty uncomfortable. My feel would swell up just by standing for a few minutes and I was running out of breath just walking a short distance. I started getting weird sharp pain and discomfort periodically.
I left work on Friday, August 30th to my regular 38 week check-in where my OB did an ultrasound and found out he was breeched. She sent me over a few doors down to get a full ultrasound and measurements done. They found out that I had low amounts of amniotic fluid and scheduled to head to triage the next day to do a Cephalic Version to try and flip him. The doctor did another AFI (amniotic fluid index) and said it was too dangerous to try and flip him because my fluid level was too low and the chances of him flipping was too slim since he was pretty big. If they attempted to flip him then I could've went into labor that day and if he didn't flip then I would've had an emergency c-section. So we basically had to keep coming back to do another ultrasound, fetal monitoring and measurements of baby boy.
Now the thought of having a c-section was pretty daunting but it was a sure relief that it would be a scheduled surgery and the risks for complications were low. Baby boy continued to grow and I was getting really uncomfortable. We were ready to meet him! I went to see my OB on Wednesday, September 4th and we found out that I basically had no amniotic fluid left so she sent me to the hospital to do a c-section since he was still breeched and practically lodged into my ribcage. We got to the hospital and they hooked me up so we could monitor his heart rate for a few hours. It was nice to just listen to his heartbeat the whole time! When my OB was done at the clinic, she met us at the hospital and we were ready for surgery. They rolled me into the surgery room around 5pm and got everything prepped.
I'm a HUGE baby when it comes to surgeries, blood or needles. They made my husband wait outside of the room until they had everything prepped and I was on the table. I started panicking and hyperventilating when I sat on the surgery table getting ready for my epidural but my nurse was the best. She sat down in front of me, propped my legs in her lap, held my hand and calmed me down. When the anesthesiologist got ready to poke my spine, she pinched my hand super hard so I would focus on that pain instead. The epidural was the weirdest feeling because it kicked in so fast! I was numb before I he finished talking and they quickly laid me down. Once I was on the table, they let my husband into the room. I was amazed that I couldn't feel anything except some pressure. At one point they were tugging and pulling things around where my body was moving around but I didn't feel a thing. It only took about 10 minutes for baby boy to come out. They lowered the curtain and he was a chunky baby! They cleaned him and swaddled him up. I cried when my husband laid him next to me. They took another hour to stitch and clean everything back up and I was ready to go to my room.
Once we were in our room, the nurses helped unwrap him and get some skin-to-skin time and feed him. He didn't have any issues latching- thank goodness! I will say it did hurt and take some time to get used to. Nurse after nurse came to check in on us and monitored us. It only took 6 hours before I was up and walking around!
The whole scheduled c-section was very organized and stress free! It was the best decision for the situation and I was so relieved to have had such a great experience at the hospital. My nurses were all amazing and helpful and baby boy arrived healthy!
I left work on Friday, August 30th to my regular 38 week check-in where my OB did an ultrasound and found out he was breeched. She sent me over a few doors down to get a full ultrasound and measurements done. They found out that I had low amounts of amniotic fluid and scheduled to head to triage the next day to do a Cephalic Version to try and flip him. The doctor did another AFI (amniotic fluid index) and said it was too dangerous to try and flip him because my fluid level was too low and the chances of him flipping was too slim since he was pretty big. If they attempted to flip him then I could've went into labor that day and if he didn't flip then I would've had an emergency c-section. So we basically had to keep coming back to do another ultrasound, fetal monitoring and measurements of baby boy.
Now the thought of having a c-section was pretty daunting but it was a sure relief that it would be a scheduled surgery and the risks for complications were low. Baby boy continued to grow and I was getting really uncomfortable. We were ready to meet him! I went to see my OB on Wednesday, September 4th and we found out that I basically had no amniotic fluid left so she sent me to the hospital to do a c-section since he was still breeched and practically lodged into my ribcage. We got to the hospital and they hooked me up so we could monitor his heart rate for a few hours. It was nice to just listen to his heartbeat the whole time! When my OB was done at the clinic, she met us at the hospital and we were ready for surgery. They rolled me into the surgery room around 5pm and got everything prepped.
I'm a HUGE baby when it comes to surgeries, blood or needles. They made my husband wait outside of the room until they had everything prepped and I was on the table. I started panicking and hyperventilating when I sat on the surgery table getting ready for my epidural but my nurse was the best. She sat down in front of me, propped my legs in her lap, held my hand and calmed me down. When the anesthesiologist got ready to poke my spine, she pinched my hand super hard so I would focus on that pain instead. The epidural was the weirdest feeling because it kicked in so fast! I was numb before I he finished talking and they quickly laid me down. Once I was on the table, they let my husband into the room. I was amazed that I couldn't feel anything except some pressure. At one point they were tugging and pulling things around where my body was moving around but I didn't feel a thing. It only took about 10 minutes for baby boy to come out. They lowered the curtain and he was a chunky baby! They cleaned him and swaddled him up. I cried when my husband laid him next to me. They took another hour to stitch and clean everything back up and I was ready to go to my room.
Once we were in our room, the nurses helped unwrap him and get some skin-to-skin time and feed him. He didn't have any issues latching- thank goodness! I will say it did hurt and take some time to get used to. Nurse after nurse came to check in on us and monitored us. It only took 6 hours before I was up and walking around!
The whole scheduled c-section was very organized and stress free! It was the best decision for the situation and I was so relieved to have had such a great experience at the hospital. My nurses were all amazing and helpful and baby boy arrived healthy!
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