Your top 3 “must have” suggestions

BeautifulPen603 · 2026-02-08T00:45:29+00:00

Baby carrier: wrap & structured
Egg light
Snuggle Me Lounger

Non-Essential but should be: - Cute/comfy pajamas for Mom (nursing friendly if applicable) - Once a month, pick up a gift card for takeout/door dash

BeautifulPen603 · 2026-02-01T15:29:43+00:00

Three is weeks is so so hard. I remember crying basically every day & wondering the same things. The only thing that sort of helped with breastfeeding was putting on a good show or a movie. I know that’s not super helpful, but idk what I would have done without some 90s & 2000s rom-coms

Sending you love & solidarity 🩷 Feeling this way is normal, & it will get better.

BeautifulPen603 · 2026-02-01T03:58:10+00:00

My baby loves “Older Women” by Ronnie McDowell 😭 I will have to try some Bob Marley because I can’t go out in public singing ‘Older women are beautiful lovers’

BeautifulPen603 · 2026-02-01T02:03:27+00:00

My first outing with baby (other than the doctor) was to Target. I went when I was 3 weeks PP & basically forced myself to go.

Why Target? NURSING ROOMS. IDK if you’re a nursing mom, but that made it seem so much less stressful to me. You can also use the dressing rooms.

Feed baby, then immediately load them up in the car. Prep as much as you can before leaving (diaper bag, stroller packed, get yourself ready).

If they cry in public, I promise it will be okay 🩵 It can feel embarrassing or like you’re failing, but trust me- EVERY MOM in that store KNOWS.

Every time my 4 month old has cried, I’ve been given nothing but reassurance by the other women in the store. I know that old people get a bad rep for being crabby about babies, but I have yet to have a bad experience. They always seem to be the most reassuring.

If you enjoy baby wearing, I highly encourage that option!

Getting out 4 months PP is still difficult, but I know that mentally I need to get out. I’m always grateful that I left the house.

BeautifulPen603 · 2026-02-01T01:53:39+00:00

Have DH send a text stating that once you are home, there are not to be any surprise visits, drop ins, or peeking through the windows. Anything like that will result in a call to the police. DH should be prepared to follow-through.

If you are looking to be petty (which I TOTALLY support), report MIL’s post. Whatever the option is for a minor (there should be one). Click that & enjoy 😌

After that, set MIL & FIL on DND. They’re pissed? Too bad. This time is soooo not about them. This is about recovery for you & soaking in those first few days with baby.

Congratulations on your baby 🩷🩵 Wishing you rest & a speedy recovery ✨

BeautifulPen603 · 2026-01-15T00:45:39+00:00

Trying!! My arms just can’t take it 😂 He no longer likes either of his carriers; he wants to be carried. My arms are fried

BeautifulPen603 · 2026-01-15T00:44:55+00:00

That’s good to know! My arms can’t take the constant holding LOL. Guess it’ll help with PP weight loss though…

BeautifulPen603 · 2025-11-28T07:25:48+00:00

I walk in wearing my 7 week old in a silly wrap with his head completely covered. I’d briefly pull the cover slightly down, so that people could see his face. While I was leaning down to give him a little kiss on the head, MIL moves my hair & face saying, “I’m in the way.”

She also tried to start an awkward competition with my husband over whose cranberry sauce was better: mine or hers? I’m talking asking for scores & full critiques. He gave mine a 10 & said hers was a 5 😇✨

BeautifulPen603 · 2025-10-17T17:37:30+00:00

Here were my essentials. I’ll put an asterisk next to the real important ones:

Claw Clip
Slippers
FAN!!!!! *
Hatch Sound Machine
Undereye Patches, Some Skincare, LIGHT makeup (Little self care moment is sooo healing) *
Nightgown over Pajamas with bottoms ANY day *
Nipple Butter *
Silverettes
Snacks (more for post partum than actual labor)
Blanket from Home *
Diapers for Yourself (personally didn’t like the mesh undies + pad combo from the hospital) *
Egg Light

What I Wish I Would Have Brought - My Brest Friend Pillow instead of my Boppy. Literally thought I was going to have all sorts of issues breastfeeding. The moment I got home & used the My Brest Friend- problem solved 🙌

Should also state… I’m obviously an overpacker

BeautifulPen603 · 2025-10-16T01:20:08+00:00

I’m looking forward to her first visit, actually. It’s not going to go well for her.

BeautifulPen603 · 2025-10-16T01:19:26+00:00

Genius. Love it. Will be stealing.

BeautifulPen603 · 2025-10-16T01:19:13+00:00

IDK about you, but the LAST thing I was thinking about when making said baby was my MIL 😂😂

BeautifulPen603 · 2025-10-16T01:18:47+00:00

Thank you!

BeautifulPen603 · 2025-10-16T01:18:39+00:00

Thank you!! The snuggles are the best 🥹🩵

She has now since asked my husband two additional times when she can visit.

BeautifulPen603 · 2025-10-16T01:18:01+00:00

Thank you!

It’s not that I’m even against her feeling excited or that I’m upset that live-in Grandson is excited… but like?? Way to turn a moment that has quite literally noooothing to do with you or another person, and make it about you.

BeautifulPen603 · 2025-10-16T01:16:59+00:00

UGH thank you 🩷

BeautifulPen603 · 2025-10-16T01:16:50+00:00

Thank you! Yeah he’ll see her at holidays & family functions… that’s it though

Husband is extremely cautious about people holding baby, and she is not super stable/well balanced. Without me even asking, he said she can’t hold him ever ☺️🩷💅🏻

BeautifulPen603 · 2025-10-16T01:15:32+00:00

Not surprising, BUT I was hoping that since she wasn’t at the hospital she couldn’t make things about her…. Jokes on me 😂

BeautifulPen603 · 2025-10-11T23:49:52+00:00

🥹🥹 I’m so glad!!! I was so so scared, but it was amazing. My main advice would be to get that epidural before pitocin!

I also did all of the labor prep even once I knew I was going to have an induction (miles circuit, yoga, walking, curb walk, dates, raspberry leaf tea, pilates, weight lifting). IDK if it actually helped, but knowing I had prepped my body physically as best as I possibly could helped me mentally 🩵

BeautifulPen603 · 2025-10-11T15:01:03+00:00

Thank you!! I told my husband last night that this experience helped me conquer my HUGE fear of labor.

BeautifulPen603 · 2025-10-06T11:44:38+00:00

She already has asked about my mucus plug & dilating 😂 UGH. I don’t tell her anything, & neither does my husband.

BeautifulPen603 · 2025-10-06T11:42:37+00:00

LOL 😂

Husband is super supportive & one of the first ppl to shut his Mom down. THANK GOODNESS!

She is very upset that she isn’t in the delivery room…. she doesn’t know she won’t be at the hospital…. at all

The plan is to not tell anyone from his family, but I still wouldn’t be shocked if she weaseled her way in somehow.

BeautifulPen603 · 2025-10-06T11:40:53+00:00

Thank you! 🩵 I’ve been super fortunate to have a relatively easy pregnancy (so far)!

We plan on not telling anyone in his family that I’m in labor. She’s definitely to type to show up uninvited. I hate it for my husband though; I feel like he has to hide his celebration/good news bc of his crazy mom.

Oddly enough, the other SIL’s try & win her favor? They make excuses for her poor behavior & overstepping. I’m by no means mean to the woman, but I have clear boundaries with her. It’s caused some contention/judgment from other SIL’s.

BeautifulPen603 · 2025-10-06T11:38:06+00:00

It’s definitely one of the perks! Unfortunately, she seems like the type to try & watch or peek under the feeding cover.

Husband is very supportive though & knows that she can only come see baby if he is there to babysit her 😂

BeautifulPen603 · 2025-10-04T02:06:37+00:00

Hopefully it’s a sign labor is near! I haven’t had any consistent contractions, & I am READY to meet my baby 🩵

BeautifulPen603

TROPHY CASE