Fourth Trimester Needs, what do I need now?

 So you had your baby and you're home from the hospital..... now what?

This is the question all new parents have. You're incredibly tired, you're not sure why the baby is crying and you're not even completely sure what is going on with your body. Your boobs are filled with milk now, you're so sore down below, and to top it off.. you're going to have your "period" for around 4 weeks! How fun, right? Don't get stressed out about all of this stuff. You've got a sweet babe in your arms, and I promise they will make it all worth it!

Here's my list of things you should have on hand once you're home!

PHOTO FROM EARTHMAMAANGELBABY.COM

C-Mama Healing Salve / Mommy Bottom Spray/ balm:

I love Earth Mama Angel Baby products, (obviously) but if you happen to have your own brand preference, great! As an example though, I am using these. If I have a VBAC I will use the Mommy Bottom Spray, (and/or possibly this balm) and for my scheduled C-section my handsome and wonderful husband ordered this salve for me. You can buy the spray in stores at Target and Babies R Us, the C-section salve you have to order online.

To see their full collection of postpartum care products, go here.

Pads:

Let's face it. Nobody really wants to talk about the bleeding (lochia) that happens after birth. But it is going to happen regardless, to every mother. You can't wear tampons during this time frame (4-6 weeks) so what do ya do? In the hospital you'll be wearing these huge diaper-like pads that they provide. Last time, I bought my "favorite" pads, which were thin and what not. I hated it.This go around I bought maxi pads, because let's face it, thin just ain't gonna work. I made sure to buy nighttime ones too, because worrying about leaking all over my sheets is at the top of my worries. Blood just grosses me the heck out, and coming from there is even worse. For the first week to 10 days it'll be at it's heaviest. I will switch to a smaller, thinner pad once the bleeding goes down to a regular flow.. until then, maxi pads!

Belly Band:

I mentioned this in my hospital bag post, but I think it is fitting here too. Your belly is gonna be swollen and most likely your skin will be loose/ saggy feeling. These belly bands help hold everything up and in. It helps after a cesarean too, because you can protect your stitches/ scar from your clothes rubbing against it.

Lactation Cookies/ Teas:

I may pack a couple cookies for the hospital and have some on hand for my arrival home. Good to help your milk supply. I've heard from a lot of women that these types of products helped them. I have used the teas before, but never the cookies. I may give them a shot!

Postnatal Vitamins:

I will finish the bottle of prenatal gummy vitamins that I have and then I will switch to some postnatal vitamins and possibly add some specifically for nursing. I will talk to my OB about this, you should too.

Water Bottle:

The thirstiest you've ever been in your life will be the second your baby latches on to your breast. I promise. And if you are unable to get up to get something, you'll be a crazy woman demanding anyone in your house (possibly even your dog or cat) to get you a beautiful tall glass of ice water. So to avoid this scenario from happening, make sure to top off your water bottle before nursing.


Hope this helps you remember and plan for yourself AFTER birth.

xoxo, Chelsea.

Hospital Bag Pt. 2: What to pack for Mommy.

 

 Hey! So last month I made a general must haves post about packing my hospital bag! You can read that here. But I want to go into detail about what specifically to pack for mommy, baby, and the family over this next week. To begin, lets start with Mommy!

(Obviously you'll need your wallet and things like medications you're taking- if any. All of those obvious items, I am not going to mention here.)

Here is a little recap from the last post:

A pretty robe and nightgown.

I don't care what anyone says! That hospital gown makes you feel so gross and it isn't flattering at all. It doesn't look pretty in the photos, and I don't care if I stain this. I bought it to boost my confidence for the hospital and it really will do just that. Purple is one of my happy colors. I recommend taking something in a color that makes you feel amazing and ignore the "you'll stain it somehow" remarks. Who cares! I want to feel and look pretty while in that bland hospital.

Comfortable sleep nursing bras.

I have some old ones that I had from nursing Opal, but I bought this new set for the same reason as above. New stuff makes me feel special and pretty. I didn't have this style of sleep bras yet, so that is exciting to. It is going to do the job of making my uncomfortable engorged boobies feel as awesome as possible.

Undies.

Personal preference. But the day I go home I am most definitely not wearing those mesh undies. I am going to feel like a normal woman in some normal undies.

Nursing pads.

Washables will stay home, I am only packing the disposable ones.

Slippers.

Walking the halls is a necessity. Pack some slippers! I bought these to match my robe, and I haven't wore them once. I am saving them to add to the "new makes me feel awesome" feeling.

Socks.

The hospital's compression socks aren't all too flattering either- so I'm taking these. Hopefully I wont be as swollen this go-around, and they'll fit.

Glasses.

Don't forget to pack these if you need them!

Lip balm.

You'll need this for sure. Hospitals are dry and if you're like me and lick/ bite your lips while nervous or anxious- you'll definitely need it! Ha-ha!

Water bottle.

Your hospital will have large foam cups that the nurses and your partner or family will continuously bring you full of yummy ice water. 

So what else does Mommy need? Toiletries and Nursing items!

Nursing Pillow.

  I have used a Boppy, My Brest Friend, and those free ones that you get emails about.

My personal preference has been the My Brest Friend- I love the back support, strap, pockets, how wide it is for baby, and how the baby is actually supported and not rolling into or away from you like they can with the Boppy. I have this specific pillow in "Blue Bells".

Nipple Butter and Pads.

I chose Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter. It is all natural and safe for you and baby. You don't have to stress about wiping it all off before each nursing sesh. I'll probably use it as my lip balm too. Babies R Us carries it in stores AND you can now finally buy this in stores at Target, too!

Check out all of their products for:

Breastfeeding care here.

Postpartum care here.

I like these NUK pads because of how thin they are. You can't see them through your tops. They work great, and they don't come apart like some others that I've tried. The price point on them is really great too.

Skin care.

I have a really serious thing about taking care of my skin. I break out and am allergic to a lot of products/ makeup. So I will be taking my face wash routine, some makeup remover wipes, and a facial cleansing wipes to keep my face from breaking out while I am in the hospital.

I am also taking a body wash and small moisturizer for my face and hands.

Deodorant- because duh.

*not pictured- shampoo and conditioner. Take these with you if you plan on washing your hair during your stay. I am taking a shower cap because I will wash my hair the day of my surgery and wont need to wash again during my stay.

I ALSO RECOMMEND SHOWER SHOES. TAKE SOME FLIP FLOPS TO WEAR WHILE YOU SHOWER IN THE HOSPITAL!!!!!!  

Hopefully your hospital is clean, but you just never know with public showers. I don't do germs.

Eye care.

I mentioned above to take your glasses, but don't forget to pack your contacts, their case, and a small solution for them. I love my contacts, so these are definitely going.

Oral care.

 Take your toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste. I am taking Listerine in the travel size also, because you just never know if you'll be stuck to a bed for a long period of time unable to brush your teeth properly.

Make up.

Some women will want to wear makeup, others wont.  There are usually professional photographers who will come by and offer to take photos that you can later purchase. Having these items on hand is good if you plan to do this.

 Hair Care.

If you plan on showering (and washing your hair) you'll likely want to pack shampoo and conditioner. I am having a scheduled C-section so I will be washing my hair the day of and styling it. I am taking a shower cap because I only wash my hair every 3 days. :-) If I need these products my house is close enough to the hospital that my hubby will bring them to me.

I am going to try to do my hair and makeup every single day of this journey because that is what I feel will make me happy. I want to feel and look my best. I am going have the professional photos be taken this time around also.

Nursing tops.

 If you're going to be nursing, take a couple tank tops even if you're planning on a short stay. You never know when your milk is going to come in, and you may leak. I hate being in a top that has a bunch of dried milk all over it. It just feels nasty.

Dress from Target.
Jacket is from Gap.
Necklace from Charlotte Russe.

Handbag: gift.
Sandals are from Payless.


Going home outfit and shoes.

 I am having a C-section, so I am packing a light and very loose dress. I don't want to wear anything tight or touchy on my scar. I'm taking sandals the day I go in, and will wear them returning home too.

For the lovely ladies having a natural birth- leggings and a top are optional for you. Definitely pack clothes for a size 5 or 6 month belly. You're still going to have a pretty swollen tummy while your uterus is in the process of shrinking.

I do recommend packing a dress just in case. You never know how your birth will end. 

I had no idea I was going to have a c-section the first time around and had to wear leggings and a tight top home. I was in so much pain and was uncomfortable. I truly wish I packed a dress to go home in just in case.

DRESS: FOREVER 21  SHOES: TARGET

TUMMY BAND: MOTHERHOOD

Tummy Sleeve/ Band. 

I am taking mine with me to hold my belly up. I wasn't a fan of the Abdominal Binder that the hospital gave me last time. It hurt and was too large for me. I am going to use this and if I end up wanting something more supportive I will buy the smaller binder from Babies R Us. Last time though, this did the trick and I could still breathe.

Ipad/tablet with favorite movie(s).

Your hospital should have the option to pay for cable during your stay. I am going to do this again, but I am also taking my Ipad with my current favorite movies. It will help to pass time and take my mind off of things if needed. Especially during the times my hubby may be at home napping or spending time with Opal and I am alone at the hospital. 

Pillows.

I don't think I am going to take pillows from home with me, but I am going to keep two in my car. Why? Because I am totally taking others' advice about hugging one pillow, and sitting on another on the ride home. Having that C-section wound is going to have me all sorts of sore. I remember every bump on the drive home was so painful, so I hope this tip really does help.

I also want to share a link to my Pinterest board that I have been pinning some advice from other bloggers.  

 

        

I'll continue to add to this as much as possible.

37 weeks pregnant!

Hey Everyone! We are another week closer to my sweet boy coming Earth side! 

   

Oliver should be around 6.5 lbs so far, and gaining 1/2 a pound each week! He also is pretty much at his birth length around 19-21 inches long. His lungs should be matured, but that doesn't mean he is necessarily ready to breathe on his own outside of the uterus.

He is now considered "Early term." I know a lot of people consider this week as full term, but that has actually been changed! "The nation’s ob-gyns have redefined ‘term pregnancy’ to improve newborn outcomes and expand efforts to prevent nonmedically indicated deliveries before 39 weeks of gestation," according to www.acog.org. You can read more about that here.

I am having Braxton Hicks contractions (false labor- practice contractions) here and there. They don't feel like period cramps this time around, they're more intense and feel comparable to shorter active labor contractions. I continue to have pubic bone pain. My OB's have said that it is because the ligaments in my pelvic bones are now too soft and separated too much. It is called Symphysis pubic dysfunction, or SPD. (You can read more about that here.) I experienced this with my first pregnancy, and have had the pain this time around since 20 weeks. It is not pleasant at all! 

With my last pregnancy I was devastated to see my tummy gradually be covered in stretch marks. It was painful to see my body tear itself the way it did. By the end of my whole birthing experience and being over packed with fluids in the hospital, I had stretch marks cover my hips, inner thighs, lower torso and everywhere under my undies. I was stretched to the max and my skin paid for it. So, this time around I was very scared that it would only get worse. 

I have been using Palmer's cocoa butter stretch mark tummy butter on it every day, and thankfully they have not gotten darker in color. Until this past week I actually hadn't been itchy or in pain. My C-section scar is starting to feel overstretched, sore and is now dark in color. the stretch marks that run through it are welted and swollen. They hurt to touch at this point. I hope this changes after my delivery.

Lastly, I am starting to really experience forgetfullness. I have been starting sentences and then I guess I just stop talking. My husband has been constantly asking me what I was going to say... and I don't even remember. I forget everything I need to take places with me, time and dates, etc. It is really getting annoying. I know this wont end soon... Exhausted mommy brain is going to be hitting me even harder in 2 weeks.

 I have been trying to make myself feel better every day by doing something for myself. I paint my nails a new color every other day. I try to have my hair done at all times. I try to sneak in long showers during nap time at the expense of cleaning my house. I do my makeup every Saturday and Sunday. I wear perfume nearly every day to smell and feel pretty too. 

It is ALL about self confidence this pregnancy. 

I am loving myself just as much as my children and husband love me.

This is the very end of my pregnancy, and this is what we plan to be my last pregnancy. We still plan on expanding our family- just not biologically. The plan for a couple years down the road once we are done with school will be to open our home to foster kids and hopefully adopt 2 more children. Ideally we would be bringing in a set of siblings to keep them together. That is my dream and something I really hope happens. We have so much love to give, I know we will be great foster and adoptive parents.

I actually opted out of my weekly visit for this week and just scheduled my next visit for my 38th week.  I will be scheduling my C-section at that appointment, so I will have more info on that next
Wednesday. :-)

On another note- the pregnancy cravings have shifted from breakfast foods (donuts) to milkshakes and french fries. Did you know that Five Guys is testing AMAZING milk shakes at certain locations? Well, you're welcome! They're delicious!!

xoxo, Chelsea.

17 months of Opal.

I can't believe my growing girl is nearly a year and a half old! We are so proud of the sweet girl she is growing into. She is so smart, kind, and loving. She amazes me every day with things she says and does! It surprises me when I ask her to please do something and she does it. I point at things and she understand what they are.

The funniest thing she did over the weekend was run around this park near our apartment that is really close to an airport.. so there are planes taking off literally every 5 minutes. So shes running around with her head looking up at the sky, her little arm out pointing her finger at the planes, and screaming "bird!" at the top of her lungs, extremely excited. No matter how many times we tell her that they are called "planes" she shakes her head and says, "bird!" It is so funny and one of the cutest things I've ever seen.

Another thing that has really blown me away lately is how amazing reliving seeing things for the first time is. I forget how magical and beautiful the world is sometimes, but then when I'm down on the ground with her and realizing she is seeing something for the first time ever it amazes me! She is literally seeing things for the first time. Up until that moment, that thing never existed to her. Isn't that the strangest thought? It really is.

Lately our life is all about bubbles, baby dolls, Minnie Mouse, and watching princess movies. But not just any princess movies... Tangled and Frozen are the ones on repeat that she gets so excited about. It is darling. I don't really mind watching them over and over, mostly because I am getting other things accomplished while she plays quietly.

Her favorite color and song haven't changed in months. She's keeping these consistent. But fruits have changed! She was crazy about cuties, but lately purple grapes are her go-to. She will try to get away with picking all of the cucumbers out of our salad at dinner and eat nothing else if we let her. They're her absolute FAVORITE.

Her favorite toy has been a large stuffed Minnie Mouse that goes everywhere with us. I'm serious... EVERYWHERE. The park, grocery store, target, the bed.. everywhere. Also, bubbles. She has bottles that are good for inside play and another for outside. She is loving these. Thankfully it is a nice way to spend time outside of the house on the weekend. Her favorite book is still "Room on the Broom". It stays in the car to keep her happy while we are out and about.

She has been a talkative little gal lately. She has learned to say "no" but doesn't really say it in an annoying way (thank goodness!) She uses it to answer our questions, to tell us if she doesn't want to do something, and to make fun of me. That one is pretty funny. We have "no, you!" wars and go back and forth.

She also likes to say "baby", take care of baby dolls, and hug/kiss my belly. I'm so glad we only have 3 weeks left. I'm ready for my two babes to be together. She can say and properly use "please". It comes out more like "plee", we're still working on the "s" sound. And finally, "doing". She loves to say, "mom, doing?" to ask me what I am up to. If I ask her what she is doing she will look at me and say, "doing?" and point to herself. In which I have to reply, "Yes, what are you doing?" It is adorable and I just love it.

I can't wait to see how much she will grow from this point on... These next couple months are going to be so busy and hectic. I hope I can balance life and being her mommy well. I just try to remember to write these things down somewhere, anywhere. That is why I really love instagram. It is like a mini scrapbook and journal to capture these little things.

xoxo, Chelsea.

Week 36 of pregnancy. Decision time.

I can't even believe we are finally SO close to meeting our little man.

We have about 4 weeks left, (3 if I elect a C-section!) THREE WEEKS!

He is around 19-22 inches long and 5.5 lbs. 

I definitely think he is on the long side, because he is making me super uncomfortable!

I think this upcoming weekend I am going to go out and pick up the last of the things that I need for my hospital bag.. and I should pick out a little cute outfit for him to come home in. 

I am hoping it wont be too hot the day we bring him home. You just never know here in the DMV, it can be 90 degrees but raining out of no where! :-)

I am getting really nervous for my next appointment. For some reason my doctors like to pretend that the only thing that matters is that your baby is head down. But for some women, their positioning is JUST as important. I am not sure if there is something about my body (like the shape of my pelvis, or that my pelvis is misaligned) but my daughter was posterior (meaning that she was facing my belly button rather than my spine; also referred to as "sunnyside up".) This is a problem because the diameter of her head was too large to fit through my pelvic bones, and she got stuck pretty bad.

Because of the baby being in that position I had extreme back pain, long drawn out labor (weeks of prodromal labor [false labor], and days of actual labor). I was told by my doctors weeks ahead of time that she was sunnyside up. I was told the chances of it leading to a c-section but told that it probably wouldn't happen. But that was by ONE of my many doctors. She was really upfront about it all and honest. It gave me a lot of time to try to turn her with recommended exercises. (Check out Spinning Babies for more information.) 

But for some reason, a lot of the doctors at my clinic like to pretend that I am naive and don't know anything about the situation. They say that the baby will turn and that I have nothing to worry about. They said that everything I've read about and all the research is false. They said that the exercises on spinning babies is not going to do anything, (yet with my last pregnancy I was encouraged to do them....?) I hate that I don't have one set provider. I hate seeing strangers that don't know me. I hate that they all contradict eachother. Something inside of me tells me that if I listen to them and I attempt my VBAC everything is going to end up the same exact way it did last time. 

I don't think I am doubting myself; I think I am just coming to terms with the fact that a c-section is the smartest way to go if I know he is posterior. I just vaguely remember the surgeons saying that my pelvis was shaped a certain way while they were tugging away trying to get Opal's head out of my body. I have more peace in my heart knowing what will happen if I do elect a repeat c-section than if I let the doctors fill my head with my dream birth and then it be robbed from me again.

I honestly cannot let what happened last time happen again. I was there for 6 days with an infection. I was told I lost too much blood and was going to need blood transfusions.. I was swollen from head to toe because the nurses neglected to take my IV out causing my body to be over packed with fluid.. I didn't even get to use the restroom or walk until day 5. It was torture. I was neglected and not taken care of, honestly. I just want to go in, have my baby, and leave like a normal person. I don't want to be away from Opal for a week. I don't want to be in worse shape than the average woman who goes in and has a c-section, all because I was pressured into a VBAC knowing that my babies don't like to turn.

So, all in all, I am skipping my checkup for the 2 wk mark and just chose to go to the last appointment (38 weeks). I'll be scheduling my c-section and going to have Oliver the next week. I have been stewing over this decision for weeks now, and I am starting to feel happy and confident about it. I feel in my heart that this is what is best for my baby, and best for my body. I don't want to put myself through the painful labor that a posterior positioned baby causes. I want to be at peace with this birth, since I am still traumatized from the last. 

I don't think I will be choosing an "easy way out" that most people perceive about c-sections. I honestly think I am choosing the harder route. I am trying to mentally prepare myself for a potentially horrible looking scar (I am really happy with the one I have now, and don't want it to be worse), the fact that I will have weight lifting restrictions, not be able to hold my oldest for months, etc. I really will have a rough road ahead of me, especially with a move across country happening just 3 weeks later. I hope that it all works out. 

I am just so thankful that I have my husband and my daughter by my side. It is the most reassuring feeling. I hope that my sister and my in laws will be here for the birth or soon afterwards. It will help so much to have people here to show Opal that she is not forgotten or unloved. That is the last thing I want for my precious girl.

All in all, I know it will all work out. I know that it is the most stressful situation right now just because we still don't know whats going on with the Marine Corps or child care for Opal.. But I know in my heart that the Man above is watching over us and going to make sure we are taken care of and that all is well. I have faith. <3

xoxo, Chelsea.

Mother's Day!

Hello ladies! I want to wish you all a wonderful and amazing Mother's day! I also want to give you a gift for being here! I have had this idea for a while now and I finally made it come to life. I wanted to make an adult coloring page... and the first one is here! You can print it off onto any kind of paper and go at it. 

I was originally going to color mine with pencils, but then decided to do it with watercolor. I printed this onto a cardstock from Michaels. I left it pretty simple and the lines fairly thin so that you can trace and make it all your own with your own style. It is a mom themed print for this weekend, but honestly, you or your kids can color it! Imagine your little ones making one for you, and framing it! And don't forget grandmas! You can have the kids do one for their grandmas, or you can do one for them yourself! So just get creative and have fun. This is such a great way to relieve stress and relax in your spare time. (Like moms even have a lot of spare time- ha ha!) Anyways, I'll stop rambling. 

Enjoy!

Dropbox Download:

 click me! click me! click me!

 Instructions:

• Download the print from dropbox.
• Print on desirable paper in "full page" size.
• Get creative!
• Post and tag me on instagram! My handle is: @chelseagonblog

 THIS PRINT IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. 

FOR YOUR HOME OR TO GIVE AS A GIFT. DO NOT SELL THIS PRINT. 

DO NOT CLAIM AS YOUR OWN. 

DO NOT REMOVE MY NAME OR SIGNATURE FROM THIS PRINT.

Here is an example of how I painted my printed off version of this print!

I started layering different yellow tones to give the jar a glowing look.

I also added the black X's and stars to give the background a little texture. I didn't want it to look blah. I think it worked out because it made the jar stand out a bit against the gray.

Then I added the blue around the rim in different tones.

And then I began to trace the original lines to make them pop again.

I purposely left these lines thin and light so that you could make this print your own style.

half way there.

My pregnancy is going by amazingly easy. With Opal, I had a miserable time from day one. It was really honestly the hardest time.  I am loving this pregnancy, mostly because it is SO easy that I forget that I am even pregnant.

I recently started to feel him pushing up against me. I can feel his feet against my tummy and then release them away. My belly is nice a round up in the front. I don't look pregnant anywhere else, and in my last pregnancy you could tell from every angle that I was expecting.

I can't believe that we are already half way to this baby being in our arms. I don't know exactly how I am going to handle an 18 month old, newborn, packing my house, and moving two weeks postpartum to somewhere we still don't know of. I am the epitome of stressed and excited all rolled into one big pregnant messy haired lady.

I have a lot of excitement for the next 2 weeks though, because Opal and I will be driving to Washington, DC with Dillon to finish out the rest of his contract with the Marine Corps. We are still unsure of the next step for his career... we find out by the middle of March...
and we're nervous. So to get my mind off of that I have been getting myself super excited for the decorating of my new apartment!

This will be my fourth move.. and our third home. I am very excited. Our first apartment (400M) was on Capitol Hill and was basically a studio. I can't believe we lasted a whole year there. Our second home (on base) was a beautiful town home, but it was just too darn big. We loved it but it was hard to keep up with. I'm not sure how it will be going from three stories (and three bedrooms) to a smaller 2 bedroom apartment. I certainly hope it will be easy to maintain and to not get too cluttered.

Dillon went out and faithfully ordered our table and sofa set (without seeing them! The store didn't carry the specific ones I wanted in his location!) I just love them so darn much. I can't wait to get them in our new place. I feel  like they will look perfect and just so amazing. I have been day dreaming of cream colored curtains and a beautiful area rug... and cuddling my hubby with a soft throw on our sofa.

I can't wait for my life to be perfect and whole again in just 2 weeks!! And I can't wait to show you guys the transformation of our Virginia apartment.

We're expecting!

So I just realized that I never shared on my blog one of the biggest events going on in my life!

My husband and I found out that we are expecting a little baby in June!

I wont type out a big thing about it all, I'll let the photos from the past couple weeks share our excitement.