Zoo baby shower

 

This weekend (which went entirely too quickly), two of my wonderful roommates from college (Mary and Erin) hosted the first ever baby shower for Baby Harvey.

I feel to grateful to have such amazing, thoughtful, and generous people in my life like these friends. It's hard to believe that just a few years ago we were overwhelmed at the thought of having bridal showers for one another. How quickly we transition to adulthood.

So the shower was a love theme, so we were surrounded in hearts, reds, and pinks (which just happens to be my favorite color)

We started with a delicious brunch of egg bakes, fruit, veggies, delicious treats, and some frost your own cookies for desert!

We played a couple super cute games: a celebrity name matching game, and what I would call a baby quiz. Some of the answers on the baby quiz really, REALLY surprised me. 

* Did you know that 1 diaper takes over 500 years to decompose?

* Did you know that the woman who holds the record for the most children, had 42 kids?

* Did you know that during pregnancy, the uterus stretches to 500 times its original size?

Those were just a few of the quiz questions. Although I didn't do too hot on either of the quizzes, I had a ton of fun. 

After the games came the gifts, and I just have to say- this baby in my belly has so many people that love her already. It really warms my heart. The baby got many wonderful things that are going to be helpful throughout her little baby journey, and some things that will help her to be stylish (like her mom- hehe j/k). 

Probably my favorite part of the shower, and thing to take home, was what they called a "wish jar." 

                                                     

Everyone was told to decorate a stone with a wish that they had for the baby and we got to take it home. I honestly can't wait to read these to her every day and will be sure to reference all of them frequently. I love, love, LOVED this!

All-in-all it was a wonderful shower, and I am so thankful for not only, the beautifully organized hosts, but also, all of my lovely Zoo girls for attending. Love you guys so, so much!

Hospital bag checklist

I decided I should probably compile a list of things to pack in my hospital bag. Does anyone have any other must-haves or any things that can be done without. After all, we're not going to Disneyland, and our hospital is only 2 miles from our house. 

Here's what we have so far:

• Insurance card, ID
• Birth plan
• My comfy robe
• Slippers 
• Laptop loaded with relaxing music and perhaps a DVD or two
• Hard candies/gum
• Junky magazines (like US Weekly)
• Camera
• Video Camera
• Cell phone & charger
• Snacks for partner
• Toiletries (toothbrush, paste, hairbrush, shampoo, conditioner, body soap, body and face lotion, deodorant, mini loofah)
• Shower sandals
• Nice comfy towel
• Nursing pillow
• Nursing-appropriate bra or tank
• Breast pads
• Nursing-appropriate PJ
• Make up
• Glasses/contacts/solution
• Comfy clothes & toiletries for partner
• Snacks
• Comfy outfit to go home in (NOT pre-pregnancy size)
• Coming home outfit for baby + swaddle blanket + car seat + pediatrician’s number
• Tennis Ball
• Cash
• Baby hygiene kit (nail clippers, file, etc)

My birth plan

Whitney Harvey’s Birth Plan

Name: Whitney Harvey
                                               Attendant: Luke (Husband)

Amenities


I’d like: to bring music, dim the lights, take pictures and video during labor.

Hospital Admission and Procedures


I’d like: the option of returning home if I’m not in active labor.

Once admitted, I’d like: my partner to be allowed to stay with me at all times; I will allow any residents in training to be present during my labor; to eat if I wish to; to stay hydrated by drinking clear fluids instead of having an IV; to walk and move around as I choose.

Other Interventions


As long as the baby and I are fine, I’d like: to have intermittent rather than continuous electronic fetal monitoring; have as few vaginal exams as possible; have as few interruptions as possible; be allowed to progress free of time limits and have my labor augmented only if necessary.

Labor Props


If available, I’d like to try: a squatting bar, the whirlpool tub, an exercise ball

Labor Augmentation


I’d like labor augmentation: performed only if baby is in distress; first attempted by natural methods, such as nipple stimulation; membrane stripping performed before pitocin is administered.

Pain Relief


I’d like to try the following pain-management techniques: bath/shower; self-hypnosis; massage.

Please don’t offer me pain medication. I’ll request it if I need it.

If I decide I want pain medicine, I’d prefer: trying systemic medication before an epidural.

I would like the option of sterile water injections if back labor is present

Pushing

When it’s time to push, I’d like to: do so instinctively; be allowed to progress free of time limits as long as baby and I are fine; avoid forceps or vacuum extraction if possible.

I’d like to try the following positions for pushing and birth: semi-reclining; squatting; hands and knees; whatever feels right at the time.

Vaginal Birth


During delivery, I’d like: the room to be as calm quiet as possible; avoid an episiotomy if at all possible.

After birth, I’d like: to hold my baby right away, putting off any procedures that aren’t urgent; to breastfeed as soon as possible; my partner to be given the option to cut the umbilical cord.

C-Section


If I have a c-section, I’d like: my partner present at all times during the operation; to stay conscious; my hands left free if possible; the baby to be put on my chest as soon as she’s dried, if possible; the baby to be given to my partner as soon as she’s dried, if I can’t hold her and if it’s possible; my partner to accompany the baby at all times if possible; to breastfeed my baby in the recovery room.

Cord Blood Banking


I’d like to: donate cord blood to a public bank, if possible.

Postpartum


After delivery, I’d like: all newborn procedures to take place in my presence if possible; if not possible to take place in my presence, all newborn procedures to take place in my partner’s presence, if possible; my partner to stay with the baby at all times if I can’t be there; to be able to have my partner room-in at all times.

I’d like: 24-hour rooming-in with my baby.

If baby is not well, I’d like: my partner or I to accompany the baby to the NICU or other facility; to breastfeed or provide pumped breastmilk; to hold her whenever possible.

Feeding Issues


I plan to: breastfeed exclusively.

Please do not offer my baby: formula, sugar water, a pacifier unless there is a medical reason.

Discharge


I’d like to: be discharged from the hospital with my baby as soon as possible.

Preparing for Labor & My birth plan

Well, I'm officially 30 weeks pregnant! 10 weeks to go!

Note the intense increase in the size of my belly since my last belly update:

The baby now measures almost 16 inches long, and should weigh around 3 pounds (which is why my back has been so strained and painful). This is hard work!

Luke and I also had our most intense and most important prenatal class last weekend: Preparing for Labor and Delivery at the Amma Maternity headquarters in Edina.

The class was 8 hours and was packed full of information including what to expect your body to go through, the anatomy of child birth, options for birthing, birth plans, and coping techniques for both Luke and I. We played some games, had group discussions, contributed in demonstrations, and practiced some of the different techniques we learned. Luke learned how to "coach" me through a contraction, what to do if back labor occurs, and what coping techniques I like and will like, as well as, how to encourage and support me throughout the labor. I will admit, it is kind of scary; seeing the skeleton pelvis that she kept holding up and the fake baby that she kept cramming in there kind of brought me to the realization, "this has got to come out somehow." We talked about our birth plans, and what we want and don't want. For the most part, Luke and I have communicated everything and are on the same page with things. We are definitely going for a drug-free labor. Call me crazy if you want, but my mom did it twice and had very good healthy labors, and I have no doubt that its not completely do-able. Also, it is so much better for the baby; the baby is more alert when they are born, and can immediately begin bonding with mom :) Not to mention, there are a number of side-effects associated with the different drugs, the risk of decreased heart rate and breathing in the baby, which can require additional drugs to be administered after birth. Its definitely a pain that no one can describe in words, but that is my goal so far- DON'T try to talk me out of it (all you mom's who've had drugs)!

Also I have to share this cartoon that I got off of Baby Center

 

Getting organized

This morning was filled with a fun-filled trip to one of my favorite stores: Home Depot! Luke and I knew we wanted to do some work in the nursery (since for once we had nothing planned) so we went and picked up some shelving for the baby's room. We decided to take the doors off the closet, because I plan on whipping out some mad sewing skills and creating a cute, printed, curtain-like cover for the closet. 

Here's some pics of our progress:

This is what the closet looked like prior to all of our hard work

Then came the measuring, marking, and drilling

. . . annnd hammering

Then came the actually hanging of the shelves, and the filling with all of baby Harvey's clothes. 

We absolutely love how it turned out and it is ONE more thing that we can cross off our list of things to do. We still have some work to do: obviously the curtains, I have some home-made art work that I want to complete, shelving that I want to hang to hold books, and the READ letters that I have already painted white and got the ribbon to hang. And of course, photos on the wall of both Luke and I as babies. We are having so much fun decorating, and organizing things and I am lucky that my mother gave me her mild OCD and need for everything to have its own special place. It has really been contributing to my nesting. 

Also- I just wanted to post this video of belly movement because its a little crazy how you can see her moving around in there so much already. 

Welcome 3rd Trimester

I am officially in my 3rd trimester and I'm feeling good! I can't believe how quickly time is flying by. It seems like we have so much left to do! I found a pregnancy work out that I absolutely love so I have been doing it about 5 days a week. Pregnancy pilates! I look forward to working out every day, strengthening my body, and preparing for labor. Luke and I had our first baby class through Amma Maternity: Baby Care basics. It was 2 1/2 hours of intense information about diaper changing, feeding, swaddling, soothing a crying baby, preventing/treating illness, and everything in between. We started off the class writing our names and due date.

We then introduced ourselves to the 8 other couples and then the info started getting hurled at us. We watched videos, saw some demonstrations, tried things, and got to work in groups with some of the other couples. The most interesting thing we learned was probably the 5 S's for soothing a crying baby, which is a technique in "The Happiest Baby" book by Harvey Karp. The 5 S's are: Swaddle, Side (or Stomach-your baby's feel-good position), Shhhh (baby's favorite soothing sound), Swinging (or Swaying), and Sucking. The instructor did a demonstration and I definitely think its a technique we will use. I was so impressed with my husband. Honestly, he was contributing to the discussion and learned things that he thought would be extremely valuable. Our friends just had a baby last week, (Congrats again Sara & Charlie!) and Luke and I had the pleasure of visiting her. Oh-My-Gosh she is absolutely beautiful and precious. I walked in an immediately cried. Because, yes-I'm hormonal, but I also couldn't get passed the fact that she was in my friends belly one day, and out in the world the next day. She was so tiny, made the most beautiful little noises, and when she opened her big blue eyes, my heart melted. I just HAVE to post some of the pictures on here.

Luke and I both came home after visiting them ready and excited for the arrival of our baby. Luke even said, and this is a direct quote, "I'm ready to meet the baby growing in your stomach." I melted and realized how excited I am. It all seemed so real to have a little baby in my arms and see a little baby in Luke's arms. So my belly is growing, the baby is about 14.8 inches and 2.25 lbs. Kicks are constant throughout the day, and I'm used to feeling a tumbling session in my belly. Its something I look forward to; knowing that eventually I will get to see those wiggles. I'm looking forward to working on the nursery this weekend. I hope to get the shelving in the closet, taking down the closet doors, and trying to sew (what will eventually be curtains).

Growing belly

Its official! My belly is growing, growing, growing. Thought I would share some pics documenting the growth. When I first found out I was pregnant (About 5-6 weeks)

12 Weeks

14 Weeks

18 Weeks

20 Weeks

23 Weeks

27 Weeks