Stephanie Huston

This is for those people who didn’t realize just how much of a type A personality I have   Obviously as Emily gets older, she will eat more, but given the quantities that she currently consumes, here is a menu using up all the jars that I have on hand.

• Orange = new food being introduced
• Green =  homemade baby food
• Black = a food that she has had before

This is draft one.  I wonder how long before her eating habits change, & I have to increase the amount of food at a meal & therefore revise the menu?

I have recently stocked up on baby food, so I decided to inventory it all so I know what I have on hand.   Not nearly as daunting a task as one would think.  After about 15 min, I have a nice check sheet outlining the 121 jars that are on hand.  I then spent about an hour planning out Emily’s menu for the next month making sure each new food is introduced over at least 2 days.  Those jars should last me until the end of January unless she starts eating a lot more at each meal.  Currently, we go through about 12 T of cereal a day, 1 1/2 jars of fruit, and 1 1/2 – 2 jars of veg.

Once we get through these jars, and move on to foods with texture, I will begin making my own baby food.  Emily starts proteins at the end of the month, so eggs, cheeses & yogurt will soon be added to the menu.  I already have a lot of dried beans on hand, so I will prepare those at the end of the month too.  Then its on too meats.  We are well stocked with organic grass-fed beef, but I need to start scoping out the sales for organic/hormone-free pork & poultry.  I only have large packages in my freezer currently, so a butcher counter where I can get just a few ounces of something would be ideal.

God willing, in the not to distant future, Emily will have teeth (still nothing at 7 1/2 mos) and then we can introduce so finger foods to the mix.  She is already showing interest in David’s Cheerios & cereal bars, so she is well on her way.

With only 11 days to go until my scheduled c-section, I need to get ready to pack for the hospital.  When we had David there were things that I had wanted & forgot to pack, so this time I made a rather extensive list of what to bring with me.  I’ll be checking in on Thursday morning at 6am and won’t be discharged until Sunday at some point.  Steve will be spenging the nights at the hospital & we plan on breastfeeding so I have a lot of items for both of that outlined on here as well.  The other kicker is that food service is only from 7am-7pm, and nursing mom’s should try to eat every few hours, so snacks are a must.

Here’s what I have on my list…

For Me:

• 2 Nursing Nightgowns - I hate the hospital gowns & want to change as soon as I can into something comfortable
• Robe
• Slippers
• 4 Cotton Underwear
• 2-3 Nursing Bras
• Nursing Pads - some hospitals supply these
• 4 Socks
• Pillows - make sure they have a color or pattern so they don’t accidentally get confused with hospital pillows
  
• Comfy outfit for me to wear home

For Steve:

• Pillows - make sure they have a color or pattern so they don’t accidentally get confused with hospital pillows
• Flannel Sheet
• 3 changes of clothes
• Clothes for sleeping (sweat pants/shorts)
• slippers

Toiletries:

• 2 bath sheets - make sure they have a color or pattern so they don’t accidentally get confused with hospital towels
• poof or wash cloth
• body wash
• shampoo & conditioner
• toothbrush, toothpaste, & mouthwash
• deodorant
• q-tips
• comb & hairbrush
• pony tail holders/headband
• lip balm - hospital air is very dry
• moisturizer - hospital air is very dry

For Baby:

• Coming Home Outfit - NB and 0-3 mos since you won’t know how big the baby is
• Spare outfit/Sleep Sack - in case there is a blow out diaper
• Undershirts - for coming home 2 in each size just in case
• Hat & booties - you won’t need booties if the outfit has feet, and the hospital will give you a hat
• Receiving blanket - for the car ride home or hospital photos
• Infant Car Seat
• Breast Pump & accessories  – All hospitals can provide you with a breast pump for during your stay if you need to pump.  With a first child your milk could take 3-6 days to come in, but with a second child could come in within 2 days.
• Boppy

Miscellaneous:

• Folder of paperwork – Pediatrician contact info, My medical info, Birth Plan & Postpartum/Newborn Care
• Cash for food (Steve)
• Calling Card - you may not have a cell signal in your room, and this way you can call out of the building easier
• Phone List/Email List
• Baby Book & Pen
• Camera/Video Camera & extra batteries/tapes
• Cell Phone Charger
• Laptop - some hospitals have wireless access, at the very least you can use it to watch movies or listen to music
• Magazine or book

Snacks: This one is up to you.  The food at RWJ was pretty good, but the portions were small & I was always hungry.  I recommend some snacks that can be served room temp like crackers, granola bars, etc; as well as things that are a little more meal like such as cereal and cup of soup.  Find out if your hospital has a pantry in the postpartum ward & what is included.  Ours has a microwave, and you can bring stuff from home to reheat & eat once you are allowed to eat real food again.

Since I am not going to go through labor, I don’t have a reason to bring a labor bag this time.  When I had my son I needed a few other items to get through labor.  I had included: gatorade, popsicles, hard candy, cards, and other items to keep me busy if I was going to be there for a while.  If you have a little back massager or aromatherapy stuff you may want to bring that too to help you through the contractions.

I tried to pack everything in 1 suitcase & the diaper bag, plus a bag for snacks.  Last time it worked.   If you are having a vaginal delivery, you will be sent home from the hospital within 48 hours of delivery (in most cases), so you may not need as much clothing with you.  You can also make do without nightgowns, and you can wear the same clothes home as you wore in (as long as your water didn’t break while wearing them).  If your partner isn’t staying the whole time, then there is even less to pack.  Or you can always pack the necessities, and take them with you and have everything else at home for someone else to bring you if you decide that you need it at some point during your hospital stay.

You will also be coming home with a bit more than you came with (besides the baby).  Since you are paying for the diapers, wipes, and all that stuff already, you might as well take it all home with you.  Every time they take the baby to the nursery they will refill the bassinet cart.  When the baby returns, unload it to bring the stuff home.  We walked out with over a weeks worth of diapers this way, as well as wipes, pads, baby bath, and 2 basins!

In my opinion, every pregnant woman should create a birth plan outlining her & her partner’s desires for labor, delivery, postpartum, and newborn care. This includes women having their first child or any subsequent pregnancy, vaginal delivery or planned c-section.

While it is true that the medical staff where you are delivering your baby know what to do, and you will be asked your opinion on non-medically necessary procedures, it is best to have a simple one page document in place that outlines your desires. It is best to create a birth plan some time in your third trimester so that you have time to discuss various options or concerns with your partner and with your midwife/doctor.

One thing you need to take into consideration when writing a birth plan is that the document is not a script for what will happen, but rather a general statement of your desires. If you are planning for a drug & intervention free delivery that’s great, but what if you need an emergency c-section? What if you want the epidural the minute you arrive at the hospital, but you have already passed the window and aren’t able to get one? There are a lot of what ifs to consider and discuss.

The best birth plans are very general, and broken into categories. Here are some things to consider when writing your birth plan:

General Information

• Name & Spouses Name
• Other support people who you want with you in labor & delivery
• What OB practice you go to
• Any & all allergies
• Which hand/arm would you prefer they use for the IV?

Labor

• Do you want to allow students or interns to witness labor?
• How do you want to be monitored?
• What types of pain relief do you want?
• Do you want the nurses to offer, or would you prefer to ask when you think you need it?
• Do you want to eat & drink during labor?

Interventions

• Episiotomy or allow to tear?
• Vacuum Extraction or Forcepts?
• Pitocin or position changes?

Delivery & Immediately Following

• Do you want to be told when to push or wait for the urge to strike?
• Do you want to see the delivery by using a mirror?
• Does your partner want to cut the cord?
• Are you planning on banking the cord blood?
• Do you want to hold the baby immediately after delivery while you deliver the placenta?
• If the baby has to be taken from you for medical treatment, who will accompany the child?
• Who will stay with you?

In case of an emergency/unplanned c-section

• Do you want your partner with you?
• What type of anesthesia do you prefer (if you do not already have an epidural in place)?
• Do you want the baby & your partner to stay with you in recovery?
• Do you prefer staples or sutures to close external incisions?

Postpartum Care

• Room in or in the nursery?
• Do you want the number of guests limited?
• Do you want the number of non-medical hospital personnel limited?

Newborn Care

• Do you want the baby circumcised in the hospital (if it’s a boy)?
• Do you plan on breast or bottle feeding?
• Do you want to meet with the lactation consultant?
• What is your opinion on supplemental feedings, artificial nipples, or the use of glucose water?
• Are there any vaccinations you do or do not want your baby to receive?

If you are having a planned c-section, there are still a lot of things to consider. While you do not have to address concerns regarding labor, you do have a lot of options about your pre-op & post-op care. Take the time to consider:

• What type of anesthesia would you like?
• Who do you want to witness the birth?
• What type of incision will you have?
• How do you want your incisions closed?
• What forms of pain medication do you want?
• How soon after delivery can you hold your baby?
• What is the hospital’s policy on rooming in after a c-section?
• How soon after delivery will you have the catheter & IVs removed?
• When can you resume a normal diet?

I know that a lot of this seems overwhelming, and if you search online or in books the lists of things to consider will get even longer. Take your time going through this & discuss the various topics with your partner, midwife or doctor. Its better to address the what ifs when you are calm & rational, instead of when you have to make a sudden decision.

Here are two sample birth plans:

1. Birth Plan – This birth plan was written when I was pregnant with my son and was planning a drug & intervention free delivery.  I had not planned for the possibility of a c-section in this birth plan, and did end up having an emergency c-section.  Don’t make the same mistake I did, and consider all possibilities.
2. Birth Plan for a Scheduled C-Section – This birth plan was written as a result of requiring a repeat c-section.  There is a separate page of information regarding postpartum & newborn care to keep things as simplistic as possible.

Carter’s Outlets & Stores are having a great sale this week.  In addition to their winter stuff being on clearance (up to 70% off), everything else in the store is also on sale!  For example:

• 2pc & 3pc pajamas – 50% off
• footie pajamas – 60% off
• 5pk body suits – 50% off
• sun suits & rompers – $5-7
• Terry Sleepers – $5
• Sleep N Play – $7

There is also a Carter’s Coupon available that you can use in conjunction with the sale items.

I was able to get 2-3pc pajama sets, 1-2pc pajama set, 2 Terry Sleepers, & 2 Sleep N Plays for $43.20 (retail $124)!

I came across a great site – It is run by a mother of triplets! During her pregnancy she gathered tons of contacts and phone numbers for free samples, free diapers, free formula. She has pictures of so many items she has received for free.

She put all this into a 35 page ebook.  I just ordered my copy of her ebook and am getting ready to print the request letter & labels so I can start getting free stuff (and you all know how much I like free stuff).  There are checklists and a page full of phone numbers that you can call to get free baby stuff.

Here is a quote from the triplets mom:

“If you are having a baby and you DON’T get this information you are throwing your money away. We spent literally hours upon hours gathering all of this information. You can now take this consolidated information (much of which is in a simple checklist) and get hundreds of dollars worth of FREE baby items and baby information.”

Find out more here (if this doesn’t show up as a hyperlink, highlight the entire web address, and copy & paste it into your browser):

http://tripletsmommy.com/free-baby-samples-ebook/?utm_source=Aff&utm_medium=TripletsMommy&utm_campaign=email hidden; JavaScript is required

Here are some bonus codes for Pampers Gifts to Grow.  I got all but the last one to work for me.  Feel free to try them out!

GIVE09UNICEFGTG
HAPPYHOLIDAY089
THRIFTYMOMMYGTG
WELCOMEBONUS089
DONTFORGETGTG08
OHAMANDAAWGTG08
WELCOME2GTG0809

David William Huston II was born by emergency c-section on Saturday, November 17 at 12:14 pm. He is 20 inches long and weighed 7 lbs 3 oz at birth. The new family is doing well, and is taking time to get to know one another.

If you have never been pregnant and gone beyond your due date, then you have no idea as to the craziness that comes with being 41 weeks along.  You lucky souls who deliver any where between 37-40 weeks have no place telling us who have procrastinating babies how we should feel or that we should just relax and enjoy it.  We’ve been relaxing & enjoying it for 41 weeks already!  We are happy that are babies are safe & healthy, but frustrated that they are not in our arms.  We want this child to be born more than any of you, no matter the countless phone calls, emails, and text messages.  We did not forget that you exist.  We want to share our happy news with you, it just hasn’t happened yet!  We will call or email once the little one is born, but in the mean time we are trying to live our lives in the most normal way we can when we are not at countless midwife/OB appointments, getting yet another non-stress test, or another ultra sound.   We look forward to celebrating with everyone soon, but not quite yet because we are running late!