Finally, an OOTD!

Yes, I'm (kind of, sometimes) wearing real clothes again.  I went shopping for the first time in months on Friday and ended up finding a shirt that I love.  Shopping is so different now.  Instead of just grabbing things I like, I have to consider how nursing-friendly it is and if it will flatter my postpartum figure.  I think this shirt is a new arrival at anthropologie.  I'm so out of the anthro loop that I'm not sure.  I don't see it on the website, but maybe it just hasn't made it there yet.  This top came in a few other prints, one of which is a bright yellow that I might pick up on sale.  I had to have this bird print though.  Love the colors!  

Jeans:  Loft maternity (yep, still wearing comfy maternity stuff!)

Tank:  Target nursing tank

Top:  Anthropologie

Shoes:  Chaco

We met some friends at the Japanese Garden yesterday and spent the afternoon there.  Hugo loves being out and about experiencing new sights, sounds, and smells:)  It was a gorgeous spring day.

my top 10 newborn/postpartum list

I wanted to put together a quick list of some of my favorite and most-used baby items as well a few must-have things for new moms.  While pregnant, I spent so much time researching, building our registry, and trying to figure out which items we needed.  Lists like this were so helpful.  Now that Hugo is almost 2 month old, I can share our favorites thus far.

Aden and Anais Classic Muslin Swaddle Blankets

Yes, these are pricey.  Yes, they are worth every penny.  I'm so glad I bought these.  We use them every single day for multiple purposes.  They are great swaddlers, car seat covers, actual blankets, burp cloths, stroller blankets, etc.  I'm glad I got 4 of them so we always have one ready while the others are being washed.  Of course I had to get the pack that contained the bee print.  Love these!

Miracle Blanket

We received so many different swaddle blankets/wraps/etc. and this is hands-down the best one.  We use this one at night when Hugo sleeps for longer stretches.  It is easy to use, impossible for Hugo to break out of (as far as I can tell), and keeps him warm and cozy. 

 Piyo Piyo Baby Nail Scissors

From what I've heard, nail clippers are very hard to use on babies.  I've heard terrible stories about moms accidentally clipping baby's skin. I bought these because of all the great reviews and I have been very happy with them.  It has been easy to keep Hugo's nails trimmed so he doesn't scratch his face too much.

Newborn Simplex Cloth Diapers

We use cloth diapers and wipes and have since day 1.  If you decide to go that route, I highly recommend these diapers.  They fit great, are easy to wash/use, and do their job well.  Plus, how cute are little cloth-diapered bums?  These are all-in-one so they are very similar to disposable diapers - just snap it on and you are good to go.  Hugo is still wearing the newborn size, so I'm glad we invested in these.  I'm looking forward to trying the bigger "one size fits all" size.  We use prefolds and fitteds from Green Mountain Diapers as well, which are great, but these are our favorites.

Phil and Teds Promenade Stroller

We were lucky enough to be gifted this wonderful stroller.  I really like how it converts to a bassinet.  There is a "cocoon" inside that bassinet that you can easily lift out (see here),  which comes in handy if baby falls asleep in the stroller, or if it's cold out and you want to bundle baby up first before heading outside.  We have even taken the entire bassinet off of the stroller and used it as an actual bassinet inside the house.  The 3 of us are very happy with this stroller.

Moby Wrap

As much as I love our stroller, sometimes I prefer the moby wrap.  Hugo loves to be close to mama (or daddy), it's convenient, and it keeps people from trying to touch baby.  It took a few youtube videos to figure out how to put it on, but now that we have it down, it's quite easy.  Hugo almost always goes to sleep in the moby, so I think it get's his seal of approval too:)

Weleda Diaper Rash Cream

Hugo has only had 1 diaper rash so far (yeast) and this cream took care of it within 1 day.  Our midwife recommended it and it has been great.  Any time his bum starts to get a little red, I put a dab of this on it and it resolves right away.  

Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter

If you are pregnant and planning on breastfeeding or currently breastfeeding, do yourself a favor and pick up some of this nipple butter.  Just do it.  You will thank yourself later.   This brand is wonderful (we also use the baby lotion and shampoo), and their products get a great score on the skin deep website.

Epibi Nursing Pads

When I first saw the lactation consultant when Hugo was about a week old, she recommended these nursing pads.  I was using the disposable kind which were very uncomfortable and abrasive against my damaged nipples.  I felt such relief when I switched those out for these cool, silky pads.  They are washable and are antimicrobial.  I suggest just going with these from day 1 and forget about the disposable pads.

Nursing bras/tanks

I didn't plan ahead very well for nursing gear when I was pregnant.  I only bought 1 tank and 1 sleeping bra.  I ended up having to send Ben out about a week after Hugo was born to pick up more tanks.  I have a few products from Motherhood Maternity and a few from Target and I have to say, the Target products are so much better.  I love their tanks and sleeping bras.  I don't recommend getting actual nursing bras from target, but their tanks and sleeping bras are great!  If you are pregnant, go ahead and get a handful of tanks and at least 2 sleeping bras.  You will need them.  

Hugo update: 6 weeks

Likes:

 * Nursing!  I think he would nurse 24/7 if he could:)  I am currently breast feeding him every hour while he's awake to try to increase my supply.  He is quite happy with this arrangement.  Breast feeding has been very challenging for us. I'm so glad we have been able to work through the challenges thus far and it makes me so happy to be able to breast feed him.  

 * Swinging.  He just starting liking his swing in the past week or so.  We tried it early on and he was not  a fan.  We put it away for a while and just brought it back out last week.  He loves it!  Sometimes he goes right to sleep and other times he just likes to sit in it and look around.

 * Going new places.  He loves new places and being around lots of people/sounds.  He's very curious and I think he will be adventurous when he's older.

* Baths.  He takes baths with his dad.  As soon as he dips down into the warm water, he gets so relaxed.  We always joke that he is at the baby spa because he seems to enjoy it so much and it makes him so calm and happy.

* Dance parties.  He LOVES music and dancing.  When he is acting a bit fussy, all we have to do is crank up the music and dance with him!

Dislikes:

Not much to say here.  He is such a calm, happy baby.  He definitely dislikes being hungry!  As soon as he wakes up at night to eat, he wants it RIGHT THEN.  He also doesn't like tummy time too much, but I think that's common.  

Sleeping:  

He is a great sleeper (knock on wood).  He goes down for the night sometime between 10:00 and 12:00 and sleeps for 4 to 6 hour chunks (usually 4.5 to 5 hours).  He wakes up to eat and get a quick diaper change, then he's right back down.  He doesn't sleep much during the day.  He takes a few little cat naps here and there and maybe one 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon.

Eating:

As I mentioned, Hugo eats every hour while he's awake right now.  This is to help increase my milk supply.  Our breastfeeding journey has been rocky, but it's getting better every day.  The first week was so hard.  I ended up with bloody/sore/cracked nipples.  I started seeing a lactation consultant which has been a huge help.  I am currently taking lots of herbs plus a prescription medication, feeding him every hour, pumping after some feeds, drinking mother's milk tea, etc. to increase my supply.  Everything I'm doing is working, thank goodness.  He gained a whole pound in the past 2 weeks and I've even been able to start freezing a stash for my return to work!  Even with all of our troubles, I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

Playing:

Hugo loves sitting in the bouncer on the kitchen table.  He hangs out there while I make my breakfast in the morning.  He likes to look around and stare out the window.  He also likes laying on his playmat and looking up at the toys.  We have story time every day - he  enjoys hearing our voices:)

Firsts:

First car ride (to see the midwife and lactation consultant) 1/31/14 (6 days old)

First bath (LOVED it) - 2/2/14 (8 days old)

First smile - 2/11/14 (2.5 weeks old)

First real tear - 2/19/14

First sounds (quiet little coos when smiling)- 2/20/14

First time I  left him (he stayed home with dad while I went to an acupuncture appt.) - 2/22/14 (4 weeks old)

First bottle (of pumped breast milk).  He was not interested at first, but once he tasted the breast milk, he gulped it right down - 2/22/14

First time trying a paci (not a fan) - 2/24/14

It is such a pleasure to be Hugo's mom.  I love getting to know him, watching him learn and grown, and navigating all of the changes and challenges that motherhood brings.  He melts my heart every time he smiles.  I have seriously started bawling a few times when he looks up at me and smiles so big and bright.  The love in this house is overwhelming and beautiful.  I grow more in love with him everyday as bits of his personality shine through.  He is laid-back, curious, adventurous, happy, and just perfect!