Mom Advice: Homemade Hospital Gown

Something I wanted to do before Eli was born but didn't get around to (and sort of put off since I'm a very novice seamstress) was make a homemade hospital gown for my stay at the hospital when I gave birth.  I found the idea on Pinterest from this blog post:

Since I didn't have a cute homemade hospital gown I just wore the standard ugly ones.  I felt not beautiful and constantly worried about being exposed if I were to get up.  This worry was even a main factor in my decision to not go see my new baby through the window of the nursery, something I had looked forward to for so long!  I should really be more assertive and not worry so much, but alas, that is what happened.  It helps to know that when Adam did go see Eli in the nursery he was being held or tended to or something by one of the nurses.  But still.  Even more reason so make and wear my own cute hospital gown next time!  And I will be able to practice putting it on so I know how it works and not be left to wonder about those annoying gowns provided by the hospital!

Mom Advice: Hospital Tour

When I was pregnant I knew taking a hospital tour was on my long to-do list to get ready for the big birth-day.  However, our little boy was due right after the holidays, and so spare time leading up to the due date was pretty small.  And the hospital we would deliver at was across town, about 45 minutes away.  And what did I need a tour for, all we needed to know was where it was and which entrance to go to and what our rooms would look like, right?  So the hospital tour was cut from the list.  And unfortunately, I wish I had taken it.

Not only would it have been nice to get the view and know where things were (for others' sake as well, like where the cafeteria was from our room), but I would have learned that the room had a shower in it, and most importantly that there would be a photographer who would come to our room and take FREE pictures of our little newborn, and we could view and purchase the pictures at a later time.  I WISH I had known that, so I could have packed my bag a little better so I could have looked and felt better and that I had taken those pictures.  I should have done it anyway, even though I hadn't showered the whole time I was there.

Well, these are things you learn along the way I guess!  It's safe to say I'll know better for next time.  I'll be touring hospitals from now on, even if I've delivered there before.

Mom Advice: Muslin Blankets

Eli was born in the winter, so naturally for gifts we were given wintery type blankets.  Well in southern AZ it gets hot fast, and is hot most of the year.  So when temperatures started rising I started worrying about my little bundle of joy, because he needed to be wrapped up for bed but his little infant wrap didn't fit him anymore and the blankets we had would make him too hot.  I saw a friend who had these Aden + Anais brand muslin swaddle wrap blankets.  They were BIG (which was another problem I was having... finding blankets that were big enough) and breathable -- perfect even for our hot summers!  I fell in love.  I love these blankets.  And as Eli has gotten older and doesn't need to be swaddled anymore, we still use these blankets during nap and bed times as a sort of signal that it's time to sleep.  They are functional and cute.  We love them!  A+ for these great blankets.