Pregnancy Update:
Well, here we are with only less than 5 weeks to go until we meet this baby boy! I'm excited, to say the least, but I still don't feel completely ready. Just yesterday I started thinking about what I should pack for the hospital. I grabbed a cute robe at Target, but I'm thinking I need some new slippers and we definitely need to shop yet for a newborn outfit to take him home! I have outfits and hand me downs from Judah, but I want to pick out something special just for him coming home. Suggestions??
And, really, what else should I pack for the hospital? I can't remember what I brought with me when I had Judah. I know it was more than enough, though, and I could've packed a little lighter. 🙂
I've also been spooked by the idea lately that we have another child to take care of this time during our hospital stay. With no family nearby and being fairly new to the area, we need to make arrangements soon on who will watch Judah for us. I'm really praying I don't go into labor right smack in the middle of the night so we can avoid waking anyone up. Don't get me wrong, we do have wonderful friends here already that I know will be more than happy and willing to help us, but really, who wants to be woken up in the wee hours for anything?? ha!
We are also going to follow your advice on going to Build-a-Bear to make a teddy bear gift for the baby from Judah. Hopefully this week! He still shows signs of being very excited for his baby brother's arrival. I hope he still feels like this when we actually bring the baby home!
Funny story: Last week, a couple came over to our house to buy our coffee table off Craigslist. They arrived carrying their baby in an infant carrier. Judah ran to the door and yelled "Mommy! Baby Wally came! Baby Wally came!!" (He named our baby Wally, after Wall-E the movie. That is not his real name, though!) It was so sweet to see him so excited, but at the same time it broke my heart to have to tell him, "No, Judah. That's not your baby brother. He's not here yet." Sweet boy!!
In my last pregnancy update, I listed a few things that we needed to get done yet. Out of that list, we have accomplished a few things. Judah's room is just about done. We built his bookshelves and now I am waiting on his bedding that I recently decided to splurge on a little. It arrives this week and will complete his room. Yay!
The nursery still needs decorations hung and shelving of sorts. Still trying to figure that one out. I did order my stroller that I'm also hoping arrives this week! More on that later, but let me tell you I'm thrilled with my choice without even testing it out yet. And, you all helped me with my decisions, so thank you!!
And, since you all are so great with your suggestions, here's what I'd love to hear from you next:
- I'm in desperate need of a glider/rocker for the nursery. As much as I love the Pottery Barn ones, they are not in our budget. So, tell me, what do you recommend? I want padding, comfort, and to be able to rest my head back (so it can't be too short).
- Baby swing - recommend one? Not needed? We have the room in our house, so that's not an issue as it was for when Judah was a baby. But, again, our budget is not huge.
- Needing a new bouncer. To be honest, I haven't even researched these yet at all. So, load me up with your recs!
I'm really depending on you, friends! I know I have a lot of readers here who are experienced moms with great taste. 🙂
This Week On Seeded at the Table:
This section highlights the recipes posted recently on Seeded at the Table and other updates to the blog, if any.
Here's what we made since the last Saturday Seeds post:
Strawberry Pretzel Dessert - Great for company or potlucks, this dessert is a strawberry delight worth sharing!
Thai Chicken Pizza - A sweet yet spicy Asian sauce, combined with fresh vegetables and herbs, makes this a favorite in our pizza rotation!
Cadbury Creme Egg Scones - Cadbury Creme Eggs, for breakfast.
Loving Lately:
Here I will share with you my favorite things of late, along with other snippets that have caught my eye from some of my favorite blogs and websites.
Method Bathroom Cleaner - In a previous post, I mentioned that I love Method's all-purpose spray cleaner in French Lavender Scent. The same day I picked that up for the first time, I also picked up Method's bathroom cleaner. After using it for a few months now, I can genuinely say that I love it. It's non-toxic, but actually cleans and SMELLS fresh. There are so many non-toxic or "greener" products that leave no pleasant smell or even an unpleasant fragrance. This tub and tile cleaner wins all categories for me.
Snoogle Total Body Pillow - If you are pregnant and having trouble finding a comfortable sleeping position, get this pillow now! 🙂 I got this early on in my pregnancy and have used it every night. My sleep is so much better since I got it. There were a few trips where I forgot to bring this with me which resulted in horrible rest. It is my life saver. You might think it's pretty expensive, but in my very humble opinion, it's worth every penny. (Although, I bought mine with a gift card.) 😉 It doesn't take up as much room as it appears. We do have a king size bed, but I even used it on a full size while traveling and it was great.
Maybelline ExpertWear Eye Shadow - I am one of those people that wishes I was good with make up and colors. When I want to wear multiple shades of eye shadow, I need help. In college, my best friend (who also took the pregnancy photos above) was pretty much my make-up artist, stylist, image consultant, etc. 🙂 She lives 6-7 hours away now, so that doesn't help me! That's why I was ecstatic to find this affordable Maybelline eye shadow that I've been using for probably half a year now. It is labeled to tell me where I should apply each shade of color, leaving me no guess work.
My Life as a Professor's Wife, Mom, Christian and Food Blogger:
Want more insight into my life as a Professor’s wife, mom, Christian, friend, relative and food blogger? Then, read on! If not, ignore this section. 🙂 This is a place for me to write what is on my mind and journal some of the crowning moments of my week.
Let's see, what did we do this week? A whole lot of nothin'! All three of us have been taking our turns being sick. Yuck. Judah started us off with a great 3 year check up appointment, then the two days later developed a fever and cough that lasted for a few days. (I swear he picked it up at the doctor's office.) Ben had either a stomach bug or food poisoning. And, now we both have colds and coughs.
But, before the sickness settled in, we did get to take Judah to a local Easter Egg Hunt last Saturday. (And, in fact, while I'm typing this he's on his way to another one with his visiting Nana and Papa!) I seriously get a kick out of these Easter egg hunts where they basically have hundreds of eggs just thrown around the park lawn, not hidden at all. The kids love it!
We also managed to finish Judah's book shelves as I mentioned above. I'd like to share a DIY step-by-step of it. Is that something you'd be interested in? I would probably have Ben write the post since he's the one who built them. I just painted them (FIVE coats!)
What are your Easter plans? This year will be different for us as we now meet for church service on Saturday nights for our new church plant. Since we have only been meeting for a couple of months and our church is still small, we do not have a normal Easter service planned. Actually, it will be a normal weekly service while we still focus on Christ's resurrection. But, really, we should talk about the Resurrection more than once a year anyway, right? That's why I love this church so much. We actually do focus on it every week.
Ben's parents are in town, so we got to have a little date night last night while Judah stayed home and dyed Easter eggs with Nana. I plan to use those eggs for Italian Easter Bread this Sunday. Have you made it yet? SO yummy!
Crystal says
I recommend consignment/second-hand stores for both swing and bouncy (unless borrowing is an option). Since all babies are different, you won't know whether your little one will like either or not. (And they can change their minds day-by-day too.) If you go out and splurge on new, he might not even like them. I often times find NEW (barely-used anyway) baby gear at consignment/second-hand, as some people use these items for one baby and then get rid of them.
As for the hospital...This might sound cumbersome, but I did this with my last 2 babies (#5 & #6), and I LOVED it ~~ brought my own stereo and favorite CD from home to listen to during my "stay." Find out if your hospital has a way for you to play music--if they do, just bring your music. An added bonus to this is that now when I hear that CD it brings back those awesome loving memories of my child's first moments with us. I wish I'd thought of this years ago!
Your own lounge-wear is a must, as well, and don't forget the camera! 🙂 Good luck to you!
Nikki says
Thanks, Crystal! Great advice on all levels. 🙂 I actually found a bouncer for just $5 on Monday at a consignment sale. Yay! It was like brand new! 🙂
Keeley @ My Life on a Plate says
We had two swings and we used them all the time when our son was under 6 months old. He still occasionally uses the larger swing (he's 8 months now). We also have 2 of the Fisher Price Rainforest Jumperoos and he LOVES them. We have one for our home and one for grandmom's house.
We purchase all of our baby toys through a local consignment group on Facebook. Maybe there's one in your area?
Kelsey says
Nikki, I love seeing these amazing photos. You and your family are just the cutest! I can't wait to see pics of "Baby Wally" in the mix. The story of Judah thinking he arrived is priceless. If only it was that easy, right?
Nikki says
Thanks, Kelsey! I can't wait to see what "Baby Wally" looks like either! 🙂
Sharon says
I second the Dutailier Glider. We have one that we used for all 5 of our babies and it is still in great condition. We weren't able to bring it to Russia, so it is in Mamaw's house now. I bought a cream colour (it was also on clearance) and so it fits in with any decor. As far as something for the little one to wear, I would say, a gown. I have 4 boys and a girl, and they all wore gowns the first 9 months of their lives while we were at home. They look huge on a newborn, but they also look so comfy (it can be quite tricky to put said infant in an infant car seat, but still worth it). I used to love to grab chubby little baby legs under their gowns. Oh, I miss it so! I know you can't wait!
By the way, you'll do beautifully! Going from 1 to 2 was the hardest for me, but it was also so sweet to see siblings! I'll be praying for you and Ben.
Nikki says
Thanks, Sharon!
Jessica @ Sunny Side Up says
You are just glowing and your family is gorgeous!! Sorry I can't help you with the hospital bag, but I'm going to be asking the same questions before long! Also, I really need to invest in the snoogle pillow, though if I get one I might have to fight Jesse for it. Haha 🙂
Lisa @ The Cooking Bride says
Love the picture of you and Judah! He looks so excited to be a big brother. And yes, the Snoogle is AWESOME! I still sleep with mine - HA! Just wish it was easier to get pillow case on and off.
Nikki says
haha! I hear you on the pillow case! 🙂 I mean, it's not too too too bad, but still...
jayme @ No Regrets LIving says
Baby swing - borrow one if you can! I borrowed mine from my sister and it's already been loaned out to someone else with an infant. For us, it was used for such a small period of time - just a few months that borrowing was much better than buying!
Glider/rocker - I only have the 1 kiddo and we just have a normal recliner bought at a Furniture Store having a good sale. $110 and my husband has already claimed it for his man cave "when we're done having babies" (hopefully a good number of years away!)
For the hospital, I loved having my own pajama pants/shorts that I wore under my gown after I gave birth. So nice!
brie says
my daughter LOVED her fisher price snugabunny swing. it was amazing. she loved the music and the twirling birdies (and the mirror to look at herself!). i loved the muted colors and the fact that it plugs in, so no dealing with batteries. it is super easy to put together, and it collapses if you need it out of the way for awhile. we also had the snugabunny bouncer, but she didn't spend much time in it.
Jaren says
You definitely have that pregnancy glow! Beautiful pics! My co-workers bought me this for my third child. I loved it!
https://www.target.com/p/fisher-price-rock-n-play-sleeper/-/A-14287618?reco=Rec|pdp|14287618|ClickCP|item_page.vertical_1&lnk=Rec|pdp|ClickCP|item_page.vertical_1
Other friends of mine talked about a "Nap Nanny" I didn't get one, but they said it was great.
Angela says
This rocker is super comfortable and lasted for five years through two children. (It was still in good shape and could have continued to be used, but we no longer had a need for it and live in a very small apartment.)
https://www.target.com/p/stork-craft-hoop-glider-and-ottoman/-/A-14493338#?lnk=sc_qi_detailbutton
Nikki says
Ooh! Affordable, too! Thanks!
Amy @Very Culinary says
We used to have a Dutailier rocker/glider. It was the only one we could find/afford that was actually wide enough and tall enough for both me and my husband to sit comfortably in. You should Google for it and see if any stores in your area carry that brand.
Home stretch!
Nikki says
Thanks, Amy!
peggy e says
We bought a leather rocking recliner from Costco...it was so much more comfortable than the gliders...and it cleaned up easily if there were spitups...and now eight years later is a wonderful comfy recliner in our living room...and doesnt look like a baby room chair! Double duty, so was cost effective!
kristy says
So close!!! Gorgeous pics, too! 🙂 Don't forget to pack your own pillow for the hospital. Even though the beds aren't comfortable, at least your head/neck will be. 🙂
Another fun way to track his growth is by using a simple white 12-month onesie. I took a pic of each of my boys in one at every month to see how much they grew. 🙂 Here's the collage of my oldest: https://seeleyfamilyblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-big-boy-will-be-three.html and my youngest: https://seeleyfamilyblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/noah-is-one-year-old.html This was a super fun project, though it gets difficult once they can get up and walk away! Haha! I only wish I had taken pics in it as a newborn - I waited until 1 month to start.
For a bouncer, get one that vibrates, too. My boys loved this! Neither of mine really used a big swing, but we also have a travel swing that was really handy. You can easily move it around the house where you need it, and it was great for mealtimes!
Love the shelves! I want to do something similar for my boys when we finish our playroom remodel.
Nikki says
The collages are really cute, Kristy! Thanks for sharing that idea. Cute blog, too! 🙂
kristy says
Thank you!! Aww, thanks!! I love your new design. It is very homey and inviting. 🙂
meg says
Check out the Fischer price rock and play sleeper it was SO amazing when I had my third child and the reviews on amazon rock.
Arryn says
My first suggestion is buy the coming home outfit in every size then take a picture of baby in on every "monthday" birthday. I've been doing this with my son and it is fun to look at the pictures and see him grow. I also put him in a basket so between the outfit and the basket the changes are obvious.
Bouncer seat we loved our Fisherprice infant/toddler rocker so much with our first we bought a second for our son. My daughter still uses hers at 2 1/2.
For the hospital bag if you are planning on nursing pack nursing pj's or shirt. I was worried about not having family around also and it turned out to not be a problem. We had plenty of time to take her to the sitter and then make it to the hospital. I had it set so my neighbors were on call in I needed them in the middle of the night.