Category

Motherhood

Category

Son,

Before I had you I wondered often why people said “13 months” or “18 months” instead of “just over a year” or “a year and a half.” Then you came along. And, each and every day something new happens. You learn something new. Or, you do something new. Or, you say something new. 
If I could say, “He is 412 days old,” and not look like a weirdo then I totally would. 
You amaze me. And, saying that you are a year old doesn’t quite express all of the amazing things you have accomplished in this year. 
Take today for instance:
This morning you cuddled with me on bed and then you said, “nana, nana.” “Nana,” is your word for banana and really, any food in general. That let me know that you were hungry. So, I put you down on the ground, handed you your bottle and said, “bring this into the living room and we will get breakfast.” You took the bottle and walked into the living room. You were so in control and you understood me!

After handing your bottle to dad you looked at me and followed me into the kitchen. When I grabbed a banana you looked at me and clapped your hands. “Nana!” you said excitedly. You are associating objects with names which makes me thrilled beyond reason. 

In the afternoon you danced in circles to the sounds of the music playing in the background. You did a few new moves that I’d never seen before. You clapped because you knew you were doing something awesome.

After you had “done your business” you walked up to me with a package of wipes that you had gotten out of your diaper bag. You handed them to me expectantly and then followed me into your room when I suggested we change your diaper. 

Sure, we had to do a time out today. You like to test me when I tell you that you can’t go into the kitchen. But, it sure is hard not to smile when I see that you know what you need to do and keep looking to see if I am watching you. The way you barely put your foot over the line that separates the kitchen from the living room makes me laugh all over on the inside (even if I say no sternly on the outside). 
And then, this evening you melted my heart when you greeted your father with a huge hug. You didn’t want to let him out of your sight. You followed him everywhere as soon as he got home. You then went outside with him and walked around the house, picking up the apples that had fallen from the trees. 
Part of me wishes you could remember today. The other part is thankful that years from now you won’t have to remember what it was like to have your mom clean your backside or how it feels for those four teeth cutting through your gums. But, today you were happy and you learned so much. Today, number 412, was a day I will never ever let myself forget. 
I love you,
Mom
So, in case you were wondering where I was this past week… my little guy is here!
I went into early labor at 3 AM four full days before my little guy was born… I was in early labor for a LONG time and didn’t hit active labor until about 2 days before the kiddo was born…it was a LONG and hard labor.
Becoming a Mom for the first time
Nothing went “too plan” but everything ended up working out great because our son is beautiful and healthy.
We had wonderful doctors and nurses who took great care of us and took my wishes into consideration every step of the way. I’m so very happy with my experience.
 Our first days together in the hospital

I’m so in love with him.

 Our first days together in the hospital
I’m just getting used to being a parent… so, please bare with me and the blog in the following weeks.
I do have several awesome guest posts, real parties and a couple of fun tutorials in preparation for this time. But, I still need to load them all in and get them ready for publication!

If you like birth stories…

Well, it is here… I’m 36 weeks. He can come any day now and my doc won’t stop him from coming. (Although, we all hope he makes it another couple of weeks to grow a bit stronger.) But, since I am here at the possible last month of pregnancy it is now time to pack our hospital bags and get them in the car. I’ve read the checklists and tried to figure out what I would need in packing for a hospital birth. I assembled my own sort of list (which I am sharing today) but, would love your advice!
Packing Bags for Baby's Birth at the Hospital - A Well Crafted Party
We have 3 bags (my bag, my hubby’s bag and the baby’s bag) that are going to the hospital with us along with my Boppy, laptop and purse. I still have a few things to clean and pack away and then we’ll also have the last minute items of chargers and other such electronics. But, overall it is almost done!
Hospital Bag Items to Pack for Mommy to Be - A Well Crafted Party

What I Packed for the Mommy-to-be Hospital Bag: 

*For During Labor*
—Birthing Gown (Didn’t want to wear the hospital one)
— Robe
—Slippers
— Chapstick
—Hair Ties
—Ipod stocked with music
—Mints and Hard Candies
 *For After Birth*
—PJs
— Nursing Tops
—Nursing Bra
—Nursing Pads
—Industrial Sized Pads
—Underwear
—Toiletries
—Makeup (I just bought a whole new basic set to keep in the bag)
—Contacts/Contact Solution (Will Grab Glasses Last Minute)
—Hair Dryer
—Going Home Outfit (that will fit my big bloated self)

What I packed for the Daddy-to-be’s Hospital Bag:

—Snacks
—Comfortable Clothing for two nights/days
—Toiletries
—Laptop & Phone filled with games/entertainment/books
—Camera!
—Binder with Must Call list, birth plan (with extra copies), insurance information, directions to hospital from several different areas, list of area restaurants near hospital
—Gifts for Nurses (see below for more info)
—Banner from baby shower to put in room that says, “Welcome Small Human”
 Babys Hospital Bag Packing List - A Well Crafted Party

What I packed for my baby’s hospital bag: 

 —One Swaddling Cloth
—1 Baby Blanket
—A couple pairs of socks (one for his little hands)
— Diapers (we are doing gDiapers so we wanted to have some with us)
— Small Stuffed Animal
— Button on shirts
—Going home outfit
—Also will have car seat in car—
Nurse Thank You Gift Printable - A Well Crafted Party
In my last Mommy Monday post I wrote about how we are bringing Thank You gifts for our nurses and those people that help us during our labor and delivery. We packed 5 of them and made them look super cute with a printable. I thought I’d upload the printable for anyone who wanted to use them! They say, “Thank you for taking care of us on this special day!”
Nurse Thank You Printable - A Well Crafted Party

What did you find that you needed or didn’t need when you were packing for a hospital birth?