Newborn session with the Sanchez family.

GUYS! I just shot my first newborn session, (that wasn't mine or any family's babies!!!) I'm so thankful that my friend Crystal allowed me to come over and take some photos of her BEAUTIFUL daughter. 

Now, for privacy reasons, I am choosing not to share a ton of these photos, just because I don't want to exploit her, but here are a few! 

xoxo, Chelsea.

To see the rest, click "read more".... thanks!

Hospital Bag Pt. 4: What to pack for Daddy and older Siblings.

 Hey! I am continuing my Hospital Bag Must Haves. You can read my original post here.

I also shared my Mommy needs & Baby needs earlier this week.

Today I want to share what Daddy and older Siblings might need.

Daddy and Opal December 2013

Let's start with Daddy.

Toiletries: 

• Toothbrush. He can use the toothpaste packed in your bag. 
• Glasses and contacts.

Clothes: 

•  Pajamas- something comfy.
•  Spare outfit.

Pillow and Blanket:

• I am not sure if it was just the hospital we were at, but they didn't give my husband a blanket or pillow. His first night was miserable. I am making sure if Dillon stays the night with me that he has these things.

 Snacks: 

• Energy drinks: Men usually are not good at staying up. Thankfully my husband is now a veteran dad and knows how to hang with me when nights are rough. But I am still packing a Red Bull or two for him. It has been a while since we had a newborn on our hands.
• Energy bars: Specialty, granola, whatever he prefers, pack them. It'll help.
• Jerky: Because, men.
• Gum: Useful to help with the long hours of labor, and putting a baby to sleep can take.
• Coffee cup/ Thermus: I am having my husband brew himself some coffee and put it in his huge Thermus the day of our C-section so that he has coffee on hand.
• Chips/ cookies: Cheaper to buy your favs at the grocery store than in a vending machine.

 Gift:

•  Some people like to give gifts to new daddies. I say, if you wanna give the daddy in your life a little something to hold on to from the day his baby was born, do it! I am thinking of doing something for him this time around. I didn't do anything with our first. I think even something little like a card or letter to express your love and gratitude for his support and telling him how great of a dad he is going to be is great. 

Electronics:

• Camera: memory card, charger, batteries if needed.
• Camcorder if you use one.
• Cell phones and chargers.

Now, what do my older children need?

So, I know *most* people usually have a babysitter for their children on call for the big day. But for others, like me, if I go into labor before my mother in law flies in, Opal is going to the hospital with us. I already talked to the DR.'s about it and they've said as long as I don't go into a C-section in that event, she can stay with me the whole time. So, in that scenario- these are the things that will be packed for her.

Movies and books:

• I would be packing Frozen and Tangled, along with our Disney Junior DVD's.
• Portable DVD player if you have one.
• Her favorite books would definitely be going.

2-3 small toys:

•   I would pack several small toys that aren't too obnoxious. So, things like a toy car, teapot and cup, and babydoll.

Coloring book & crayons:

• This is a good quiet way to pass time for just about anyone. This is a must.

Snacks & Drinks:

•   Cheaper and healthier to have these with you than in a vending machine. Just don't forget to pack an empty sippy cup if needed.

Blanket, stuffed animal, pillow, security item:

•  Just like with daddy, they may not provide these things for your child if they're tagging along. so bring the blanket and pillow in the car for daddy to run out and grab when needed.
• My daughter has a big stuffed minnie mouse that she takes everywhere. This would be a must have for the situation. The hospital can be a scary place for a toddler. A security toy/ blanket/ whatever would definitely help their stress level.

Comfy clothes/ extra clothes.

• Comfy is best. Bring pajamas if they nap. Socks and slippers are good so that they don't want to be barefoot. (gross)

Diapers and wipes, (if needed).

•  My daughter is still in diapers, so I would hate to have to send my hubby to go buy these last minute because we forgot them.

Gift. 

•  We are buying our daughter a gift, that we're giving her the day she meets her brother. We decided on some bubbles, play jewelry, Princess Rapunzal dress, and a card. We are getting her these items because ultimately they'll help us at home once we are busy doing other things. I will be nursing a lot, so I can watch Tangled with her in her princess dress. I'm excited for her to open her gift from her brother. It'll be so exciting for her.

I hope all of this helps some of you who just don't know where to start with packing. I will try to add to this, and maybe even add some photos once I pack these items :-) 

 

 xoxo- Chels.

Hospital Bag Pt. 3: What to pack for baby.

So this week I am continuing and going into more detail about my hospital bag must haves. Last month I wrote an overview of it, you can read that here.

Here we go!

Diaper bag.

I chose this backpack from Target to use as my diaper bag.

Linens.

I also shared 3 different linens that I will pack one of each.

I am taking these items.

1. the red fox blanket is a handmade item gifted from my mom.
2. the white fox receiving blanket is from Carters. (link below)
3. the green fox is a burp cloth, also handmade and gifted from my mom.
4. the white muslin swaddler with red polka dots is from PLUM. (link below)

PLUM swaddlers.

Carter's Receiving Blankets.

 Onsies.

I am taking 2-3 of these. Hospital will give you a little tee shirt, but I ditched that and dressed Opal myself last time. I like my own things. Ha-ha! You don't know how long your stay will be ultimately, so better to have an extra one than not enough.

Bottoms.

I am also taking 2-3 of these.

Pajamas.

 I usually use onsies and sweats or leggings as pajamas for those first couple weeks. Pajamas seem like extra laundry to me. They grow so fast that it is also a waste of money. I only bought 2 pajama/ layette outfits for him, and only because Carter's had them incredibly cheap.

Socks, hats, mittens.

 Yup, you'll need all of these. You'll likely be given some of this by the hospital, but if you want your babe to coordinate for photo purposes.. take your own.

 

Going home outfit.

I am taking a romper because it is going to be sooooo hot. I'll cover him with a receiving blanket for the car ride home so that he's not too cold from the A/C. If we get to leave at a time of the day that is still nice outside he will go home in a pajama type onsie.

Pacifier.

 My daughter didn't take to a pacifier for very long. For the random times that she did take it, she loved her Wubbanub. I will have one of these for Oliver.

Carseat.

 I would've used Opal's old bucket car seat, but it is unfortunately in California. So we bought Oliver a Britax car seat. Don't forget to take this. The hospital will help you install it and teach you proper seat belt safety for your baby.

 Diapers.

I am not taking diapers with me. The hospital will give them to you. You're already paying for them, so don't waste your own. Another reason that I will not even open my diapers, is that your babe could always come out and not need NB size diapers. They may just need size 1 and you've got a bag of diapers that you cant exchange or use. So I wont open my cute Honest Diapers until size is confirmed.