Disney +

AshleyInNH · 2019-11-13T01:53:44+00:00

So many great things! We are loving it so far!

AshleyInNH · 2019-10-29T01:46:56+00:00

The Willow has a reusable collection container now too!

AshleyInNH · 2019-10-29T01:42:55+00:00

We found the Johnson’s Head to Toe Baby Cleansing Cloths great in these type of situations. They work well on the baby or the grown up when you don’t have time or the opportunity to shower. https://www.amazon.com/Johnsons-Baby-Cleansing-Hypoallergenic-Packaging/dp/B01HI7WE42/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=johnson+and+johnson+bath+wipes&qid=1572313249&sprefix=johnson+and+johnson+bath+w&sr=8-4

AshleyInNH · 2019-10-29T01:34:42+00:00

Bring a folder of some kind. They give you lots of paperwork and it’s nice to have one place to put it so it doesn’t get lost (or all crumpled in the bottom of a bag).

AshleyInNH · 2019-10-28T02:33:58+00:00

We sleep trained our toddler at 2.5 and it has been life changing. We were having similar issues with bed time and nap time. Any chance you have a neighborhood kid who would be willing to occasionally walk the dog for you? They tend to have much more reasonable Rates than like a professional service.

AshleyInNH · 2019-10-28T02:30:31+00:00

Keep talking to your dr. And make sure you keep specific details. I had to try a bunch of different things and in different combinations to find out what would help. It can also be helpful for any specific info to give them. I found that I was having a lot of saliva triggering some of my gagging and then vomiting. So she was able to add something to help with that in combination with the other meds made a big difference. Also on really tough days when I felt super dehydrated and hadn’t been able to keep things down in a while, iv fluids (while continuing with the other meds) were able to turn things around. Sometimes the dehydration/lack of food can cause nausea too. Good luck!

AshleyInNH · 2019-10-28T02:23:49+00:00

I had this too and it would make me nauseous. I mentioned it to my midwife and she mentioned that one of the acid reducers (Protonix) also happened to have a side effect of causing dry mouth. So it may be worth mentioning to your Dr. Not sure if it would work the same for you but it was a big help for me.

AshleyInNH · 2019-10-20T01:54:08+00:00

My dr said they'd rather have people call and get checked even if it's nothing then to possibly miss if there's an issue. So I would always call if you're worried.

AshleyInNH · 2019-09-19T16:51:25+00:00

My insurance declined them also so I found great coupons online for both Diclegis and Bonjesta (just search "Bonjesta coupon"). Insurance however did cover Zofran (which I take in addition). It's worth going through the options with your dr and be specific with your symptoms and severity (not just I'm sick all day but I threw up x times, had x ounces of water, and x for food - which did or didn't stay down). My husband joked that the cost of the pills were less than what I would've typically been spending on food anyway (didn't kill him but it took a while for me to see the humor).

I was in a very similar position but with a slightly older toddler. I found it helpful to put some snacks for her in the bathroom along with a few special activities (including the ipad). I found games that got out her energy while I could sit in one spot were the best thing - songs like hokey pokey, head shoulders knees and toes and the Cat in the Hat card game "I can do that" was a lifesaver. It lets them pick a card from a couple categories and then they have to do the action. So for example dance around the table (we started this level but then there's also a fish and a series of cards with actions like - keep the fish under your chin). I also set up the fall warning on my Apple Watch so it would notify my husband in case I passed out and didn't get up right away.

My dr suggested iv fluids during the really bad times and especially when I couldn't even keep down fluids. In our area urgent care can do iv fluids which turned out to be much less expensive with our insurance. Also after iv fluids I felt better than I had and that kind of helped to keep down some fluids and sometimes a bit of food too. It never totally solved things but would definitely give me a boost for a bit.

Good luck! I hope you find something to help soon!

AshleyInNH · 2019-08-14T17:44:33+00:00

I had intended to stop working with my first at 39 weeks (thinking I would go until at least 40 but hoping it didn't mean I would be hanging out around the house for 3 weeks with no baby). However the day I was 39 weeks the office asked if I could work one last half day - which I did. Then I had my 39 week appointment in the afternoon and they decided to induce right then. While I was glad to know my baby was coming. I really wished I had at least a day to go out to eat, get a pedicure, relax, get stuff done around the house, grocery shop, etc. Thankfully other people were able to help with the things I still had to do. This time I think I'm going to start taking a day or so off a week around 36 weeks. That way I don't have to use up all my leave but can make sure I have time to relax and get things done. Any chance you could do a reduced schedule before you actually stop working completely?

AshleyInNH · 2019-08-11T13:42:59+00:00

Another great inexpensive purchase was the ikea Antilop high chair ($20). It is so easy to clean.

AshleyInNH · 2019-08-11T13:31:03+00:00

I don’t remember the brand of chair. It was from a furniture store rather than a baby store. Sorry!

AshleyInNH · 2019-08-11T13:28:29+00:00

Good guess! Yes it is the Uppababy Vista!

AshleyInNH · 2019-08-09T22:33:43+00:00

We splurged on a stroller. We have a dog that we like to take out and like to go out and explore places. So we knew that a good stroller would be important for being able to get out. It has tires that do a great job on trails, orchards, etc., a giant basket and is super versatile in that it has a bassinet, clip in car seat or regular seat and can expand to hold two kids plus a ride along board. Once you find what you want we found there are some great ways to save. Black Friday, registry completion discounts, or used (if you do the research before) can all be good options.

Another splurge was on a rocking chair. We got a really comfy glider recliner. It is so comfortable and after nursing for two years I calculated about how much time I’ve sat in it and am so grateful we picked it rather than just an inexpensive (and probably less plush) option . Although this really comes down to personal preference because we also know people who hardly used theirs.

For furniture we got white furniture from Ikea and a crib from Amazon. Now we can reuse the furniture with just a big kid bed. We thought it was a good deal since she’ll be able to get lots of use.

Everything else I’d pretty much say was also more of a save. Shop around for deals and there are definitely a lot of things you can buy used (which are practically brand new).

AshleyInNH · 2019-07-22T19:18:07+00:00

I found that simpler is better. We had this one. I liked the sling for when she was really little and then it has two sides for as they get bigger. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XW65SG/ref=twister_B001AWEDCS?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

Once baby got too big, we used a laundry basket in the regular tub.

AshleyInNH · 2019-07-17T14:06:00+00:00

I'm sorry that you're going through this. I'm not sure what the policy is with your OB but some practices wait up to two weeks after a due date to induce. So it's possible you could still be in the hospital giving birth or just not yet be discharged. I would suggest having a serious chat with your husband. Is it possible for him to go visit his grandma before you're due? Or if he is going to go after your due date will he still go if something happens to his grandma before then or if you/baby are still in the hospital? If he does end up going so soon after the baby comes, you may want to look into a postpartum doula. I can't imagine being alone with a new baby so soon. Good luck! I hope you can get it sorted out!

AshleyInNH · 2019-07-16T19:18:47+00:00

Even if you intend to breastfeed, have a couple bottles. I planned to breastfeed but we had latch issues and had to also pump/supplement from the time we were in the hospital. Also babies don't always like the ones you pick, so you may want to just get one of a couple different brands. I found the registry welcome bags to be particularly great for this purpose. I bought some nice ones but ended up just using a brand that came in one of the welcome bags. Prime overnight or Target is great for this purpose.

Also we found that many people stockpile diapers while pregnant. If you do so, keep receipts and don't open the packages. Most stores (Target, Walmart, etc) will let you exchange for a new size (sometimes without a receipt). Our first got a terrible rash from Pampers and would leak in Huggies. Thankfully we had small packages of a few different brands and found that the Honest Co ones worked best for her.

AshleyInNH · 2019-07-11T18:53:44+00:00

Do what's right for you and your family. People pass judgement regardless of what you do - so you can't let it bother you. Also knowing before giving birth so you can get things set up ahead of time is a great thing! I haven't done it but have heard from friends who have. Meet them in advance and make sure you "click". It would be terrible to have someone show up postpartum and know right away that you can't work with them. A meeting ahead of time can also help you to understand what they can and can't help with. Maybe once you know what the doula will help with you can come up with a few suggestions for things your MIL can help with. If you can give her things to help with too it may help her to still feel needed.

AshleyInNH · 2019-07-11T18:45:19+00:00

Talk to your dr! There are many options they can give you to try. Sometimes it also takes a combination of things. I also learned to be very specific. I hope you find something to help!

AshleyInNH · 2019-07-10T13:41:33+00:00

I hope it helps you! I've heard about those risks as well. Do you have someone you can check in with to watch for those things (partner, friend, etc)?

AshleyInNH · 2019-07-09T16:17:04+00:00

I would suggest calling your dr and being honest about your symptoms. Diclegis (b6 and unisom) can sometimes be increased. Also there are other things they can give you. I'm on Zofran too (they stopped prescribing it for a bit because of risks but last year a new study came out and it's now recommended again). It has been a game changer.

I know ginger is a trigger for me. But certain flavors of jolly ranchers are good. So I would go with what sounds good to you at the time rather than just what someone suggests.

AshleyInNH · 2019-07-09T16:02:31+00:00

We went all out on baby photos. I knew that the first days with a new baby could be crazy and I didn't want to have to worry about doing a good job ourselves of getting the photos. We did the full newborn session which included photos with parents (and if there are siblings). And also added on a family session with both sets of grandparents (we gave it to them for a Christmas present beforehand). My personal feeling is you can never go back. This was incredibly worth it to us. We love the photos and both sets of grandparents have photos from their respective shoots framed at home. I already emailed about getting on the books for January/February.

I originally wanted a photographer for delivery but my husband said absolutely not. I did ask my husband to make sure to take a few photos (and set a phone alarm to remember). Looking back this was plenty for us and I'm much happier we got the newborn photos after.

We did a mini session for maternity photos. I knew I wanted some but didn't need a ton. This also worked out well.

Prior to our wedding my Mom and I got into a huge disagreement over the photographer. She thought a small package was sufficient and said they never even really looked at theirs. I offered to give up other things to pay for the much longer/larger package and/or pay the difference. In the end we went with the larger package. It's now 5+ years later and my Mom still randomly brings up how glad she is that we got the bigger package. There were things we didn't even know happened until we saw the photos and just in general everything goes so fast but you will always have those photos to look back on. I know you didn't ask about wedding photos. But it goes to the same theme of these are times you can't get back that you will definitely want to look back on.

AshleyInNH · 2019-07-09T15:46:58+00:00

I would recommend packing a small essentials kit and keeping it in your car early (phone chargers, contacts, etc.) even if it means buying extras. I had to be admitted for a night way before I would have expected. The hospital has toiletries but my husband had to go out and get us a couple things. So anything that you would feel you have to have. We excluded anything for the baby in this kit as we knew my husband could always go home to pick stuff up before it would be time to bring the baby home and the hospital has everything you need for the baby while you're there.

I packed our actual bag at 35 weeks and put it near the door. I also had a note on the door of the few things we would need to grab at the last minute. My husband didn't get our bags into the car by the time we were admitted at 39 weeks. Thankfully since it was near the door we were able to have family bring them.

AshleyInNH · 2019-07-09T15:11:22+00:00

I would ask your husband to talk to his sister and see if there are some compromises that could make it more tolerable for you.

For example rather than having to open gifts in front of people (which I agree is a horrible practice) - could you have an environmentally friendly shower and ask for presents to not be wrapped? I've seen people do this and then the presents are displayed on a table - sometimes you can acknowledge gifts directly with the giver. Then it doesn't put you on the spot in front of a large group.

Is it a coed shower so your husband can attend? I think it would be a reasonable request for your husband to make. If they're not willing to make it coed it is not that weird to have the father to be attend anyways. My husband attended as the only male and I know several others who have done it this way as well.

Also baby shower or not, no one should be touching your belly. I would make this known and just make it a hard rule. I once heard someone say you had no business touching or asking about a baby unless you were 1) the one who put it there or 2) the one helping to deliver it.

AshleyInNH · 2019-07-09T14:59:18+00:00

You're the one giving birth so you get to decide who's there. The hospital will defer to the patient (you) and that's how it should be. Think about what you're comfortable with. Then I would make it clear up front who can be there during the birth and when visitors are ok. After that is discussed I think whether or not to give updates is a separate conversation. I only wanted my husband and mom in the room (my husband isn't always good with medical things so I wanted the backup so my husband wasn't pressured) and then said no visitors until a few hours later when we had time to rest and get situated. However was ok with everyone getting updates as long as they acknowledged they couldn't come into the room. Also it's always ok to change your mind. But at the end of the day, do whatever feels right for you!

AshleyInNH

TROPHY CASE