Tuesday, August 2, 2016

postpartum favorites

well... I was VERY certain that the post following my last about pregnancy would be a 40 week update... and how VERY wrong I was! 
baby boy decided to make his arrival before allowing us to get to that point with coming two days before due date. which I know isn't really that early, but when your previous baby came e i g h t days late, it's hard to fathom baby's arrival happening before the due date. 
I would've bet money on the fact that I was going to be late. 
and that is exactly why I'm not the betting type ;) 
but let me tell ya, I'm not complaining one bit because it has meant that we've been blessed with more days spent with our little love bug. 

so now, I thought I'd share what my favorite postpartum things have been.
it's certainly not always the most glamorous part of having a baby.
BUT no doubt it is allll worth it. every single part of it. for these babies that we mamas love with every ounce of our hearts.

not the prettiest of things here, but these items have helped with making the last two weeks more comfortable. and comfort after pushing an 8lb 2oz baby is exactly what I've been looking for :)
comfy sweat pants // with a wide waist band! I love these Make + Model ones. they are so soft and comfy and also light enough in these summer months. the waist band isn't too tight either, so I don't have to feel uncomfortable with anything cutting in on my sides and postpartum tummy.

comfy t-shirt // again with the 'comf'. a simple, comfy, loose fitting tee. that's really what I've been living in. and bonus- these that I love are on sale right now for Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale!

granola bars // they have truly been a life saving go-to for me. easy to eat with one hand. especially important in the middle of the night when I'm up nursing and my stomach starts rumbling. because honestly, I am so much more hungry breastfeeding postpartum than I ever was when pregnant. and I KNOW I have to be sure to eat enough nutritious food to keep my milk supply up. a good friend made me some lactation cookies and they were a delicious, easy snack in the middle of the night. I just need to make some more to have on hand!

tumbler // this one is my absolute favorite. I had it in my third trimester favorites, and I won't ever be done with it. it is sooo convenient to drink from without having to unscrew a lid. and with that, I then find that I'm better about getting my daily water in. AND when nursing- I always keep this by my side because thirst hits so quickly. it makes it possible to quench my thirst and I can easily grab it with my one available hand.

nursing pads // on the topic of nursing... these are MUST HAVES!

ibuprofen // (recommended by my midwife) I took 800mg every 6 hours in the first days after delivery. it really helped my comfort level from all the swelling you know where ;)

depends // I know, I know... but while we're talking about what's going on 'down there' I swear by depends after having a baby! just trust me. and they're quite comfortable if I must say.

maxi pads // it's essential to go for a maxi pad rather than just a little panty liner. this is to follow the use of the depends. you'll know when you reach the point of switching ;) but they're 100% a necessity. I also threw these ones in on one of our honest bundles and have really been happy with them. also, the fact that they're organic cotton can be great in ensuring healing if any 'damage' happened 'down there'. again, you know what I mean ;) it also can be a good idea to get a variety of absorbencies for the different phases of postpartum bleeding.

well that's that!
some of the not-so-glamorous things from having a baby. but doing what it takes to make yourself as comfortable as can be (and resting, resting, resting!) makes such a difference in recovery. 
I've found I have to remind myself to be patient with my body and give myself grace (because I JUST had a baby!). it certainly takes time to get back to 'normal'. if ever ;)

stay tuned for our birth story to come! :)

Xoxo
-Brittney

follow along on instagram @brittneyhjelseth

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Welcome to this world Baby Tanner

he is here. he is so here!
we are over the moon happy and have a new, sweet baby boy who fits into our family just as perfect as can be.
so many emotions resurface as I think back to the day when we welcomed him into this world.
it was perfect. in every way.
Brandon, Harper, and I couldn't be more in love.

we are blessed with SUCH a good baby. I mean crying/fussing is rare.
we hear some fussing out of him only when he feels those wipes on his warm bum during a diaper change, or if I don't get to him quick enough when he's ready to nurse. and boy does he love to nurse!
but really, so far these first two weeks, that has been the extent of his crying.
we are completely in love with his calm spirit and just how content he is.
he is the perfect addition to our family and we feel so blessed to now be a family of four!
it's been filled with lots of baby Tanner loves, kisses galore, smelling his little head to soak up that newborn smell, and big sister has fallen quite in love with him :) talk about making a mama's heart just burst.

over the last couple of weeks clearly the blog has been on the back burner. my time has been spent soaking up these initial moments and focusing everything on resting, nursing, and loving on my sweet family.
so without any more delay (and because even though he is now a whole 13 days old (!!) this post still has to happen) :)

...welcome to this world...

Tanner Ross Hjelseth
July 13, 2016
3:19 pm
8 pounds 2 ounces
21 inches long
I'm working on our birth story, but soon enough I will share our experience of what it was like as we worked to get our sweet little man here.

we all love you so, so much baby Tanner and know that you are the perfect fit to our now family of four :)

here are some weight stats since birth:
birth - 8lbs 2oz
day 2 - 7lbs 11oz
day 12 - 9lbs 1oz

photography by Linenko Photography


Xoxo
-Brittney

follow along on instagram @brittneyhjelseth

Monday, July 11, 2016

Harper's 2nd | pink lemonade party

and she's two!! (well almost!) ;)
in leu of her little brother- who is due on the 15th, we decided to have Harper's birthday party the weekend before her actual birthday. 
this sweet, spunky, sassy, little one still has a couple more days of being one. 
come Wednesday she will officially be a two year old and my heart will be completely broken! 
ok- not true. 
she is at such a fun age right now and I just love love love, how she is growing and learning. 
though it certainly does get me all sorts of emotional (thanks a lot pregnancy hormones) ;) seeing my baby no longer have an once of baby in her. she's about to graduate to her big sis role and how perfect it is to be able to celebrate her, and only her, just before that change comes.
this was such a fun party to plan. fairly simple with a pink lemonade theme. 
pink + yellow + lots of lemons!
it was perfect for our girl, because she LOVES herself some lemons!
no joke.
she will eat a lemon wedge like it's nothing. 
so what better summer birthday party for her than one full of lemons!
T W O birthday candles in the cake this year!
and how shy she got when we all began to sing to her. she knew allll the attention was on her and wasn't sure what to do with it. 
it was the cutest thing :)
in just two short days this girl will officially be TWO!! 
we love her with all that we have and are so looking forward to celebrating her again on Wednesday.
it's birthday week for her!

Xoxo
-Brittney

follow along on instagram @brittneyhjelseth