Things Loved In January

1. Of course our gorgeous daughter Kate tops the list! Consider her topping the list every single month for the rest of our lives. She is absolutely a dream come true and I am so proud to be her mom. I still have my labor and delivery story to post as well as lots of Kate pictures from over the past few weeks (both are coming!) but for now let me share one of my favorite mother/daughter shots which G snapped on our last day at the hospital. She is such a joy!


2. The Miracle Blanket.


It takes a hell of an ego to call yourself the "miracle" anything, but this is one product that definitely lives up to it's name! We realized right from the start that Kate sleeps so much better when she's swaddled. She is obsessed with her hands and loves having them up by her face, but unfortunately she hasn't quite figured out how to work them yet so she scratches herself, or will catch her eyelids with a finger, or do any number of things that get her all worked up. Even when her fingers are mitted, she'll put them up by her mouth and trigger her rooting reflex (the reflex to eat) and get all upset when she can't find something to suck on. And like all babies, she also has a startle reflex which causes her to occasionally shoot her arms straight out from her body--another thing that disrupts her sleep. We tried swaddling her in blankets and sleep sacks with velcro closures, but hands down (literally!) the best swaddle we've found for her is the Miracle Blanket. It has separate flaps inside the blanket which anchor each arm down before you wrap your baby up in the rest of the swaddle. (See a quick video of how it works HERE.) Kate is so strong--especially when it comes to her determination to get those arms up by her face--and this is the only swaddle we've used that she can't bust out of. When I read the instructions it it said, "It is normal for her to fuss when she is first wrapped--especially the first few times. But don't worry, after a week or so, most babies begin to relax at the mere sight of the blanket." G and I had a good laugh over that one considering that at the time swaddling Kate for bedtime was one of the few times our good little girl would get fussy. But sure enough--after just a few nights she got to the point where she wouldn't fuss when I started the process, and now she will relax her arms without any prompting from me so I can wrap them up and secure them down! Without a doubt she gets her best sleep when she's wrapped up in this thing. In my opinion this blanket is a must-have. G and I have two and we make sure both are clean at all times so we always have a back-up ready in case Kate spits up or pees on one in the middle of the night. If you're looking for a good baby shower gift for a parent-to-be I highly recommend the Miracle Blanket--they'll thank you for it. (Thanks again Beth and Robyn!)

3. Sleepers that zip from top to bottom (versus ones that button).


One zipper is so much easier and quicker to work with than a bunch of tiny little buttons--especially for Daddy's big hands. Trust me on this--buy these kinds of sleepers whenever you get a chance and you'll all be much happier at changing time!

4. The Medela Freestyle Breast Pump


By now you all know I don't shy away from vagina talk. Well let's add boobs to that list, because we're going there. Before Kate arrived I lost a lot of sleep worrying over which breast pump to buy. These damn things are expensive! I knew I'd be going back to work full-time and wanted to pump throughout my day while I was away from Kate, so I was definitely in the market for a double electric breast pump. While researching my options I came across the Medela Freestyle. It's a double electric pump that's hands-free. HANDS-FREE! The parts just clip on to your nursing bra or tank and the pump clips to a belt you strap around your waist, and you're free to do pretty much whatever you need to do while pumping. It's remarkable! I started pumping in the hospital to help my milk come in, using their double electric non-hands free pump, and let me tell you--after just a couple of 20 minute sessions stuck holding those damn parts to my breasts and not being able to do anything else--drink a glass of water, scratch my face, touch Kate--I was pretty frustrated. This was by far our biggest baby-related splurge (it retails for almost $400, but luckily I had some coupons which brought our price down to about $275) but it was totally worth it. Now when I pump I can wash dishes, fix something to eat, do laundry--heck, I've even driven while pumping! If you're in the market for a double-electric pump I don't think you'll be sorry if you decide to splurge on this one.

5. Muffins


We've been so blessed with friends and family bringing us all sorts of delicious food these past few weeks. It's been such an amazing help not having to worry about fixing meals and being able to spend more time focused on Kate. I think my favorite thing we've received has also been one of the simplest--muffins from my friend Saz. They are the perfect thing to grab during that very brief window where you have a second to stop and realize you're hungry, but when popping something in the microwave for even 1 minute seems like it would take too long. I've decided muffins will be on my list of things I plan to bring new moms and dads from now on. They're perfect!

You Know You're a New Mom...

...when unexplained stains have suddenly taken over all your clothes.

And your furniture.

Kate's First Photo Shoot

Our daughter Kate had her first photo shoot at exactly one week old with Andrea Elberg, a photographer in Madison, WI. Andrea does on location shooting so she came to our house for the session which was so nice! She hauled in all her props, backdrops, and equipment and most of these shots were taken in our kitchen. Being a new mom and still not quite sure what to expect with a newborn, it was such a relief to be in the comfort of our own home where I already have everything I need for Kate. Andrea was so amazing with Kate that I couldn't believe she's not a mom herself! She was incredibly patient and didn't mind taking as many breaks as Kate needed. And of course her end result speaks for itself! Maybe it's in poor taste to gush about your own child, but I don't care--I'm absolutely in love with these photos!


I got this adorable hand-crocheted hat from Etsy seller Irish Hooks & Yarn. It's the perfect little accessory for a winter baby!







This beautiful hand-knit blanket was a gift from my friend Allison and was made by her mom:

High Heels 'til the End

Remember that gorgeous pair of boots I was telling you about? The ones I spotted at 39 weeks pregnant and didn't buy because I thought it might be a little bit crazy for someone 39 weeks pregnant to buy a pair of knee-high, nearly 4" heeled boots? But then I went back and bought them anyway--only by then I was 40 weeks pregnant. You remember, right?

When I checked out the sales lady said, "I hope you enjoy your new boots--even though I'm sure it will be awhile before you're able to wear them!"

I wore them to work the very next day.

Top: New York & Company
Cardigan: New York & Company
Camisole Tank: Old Navy Maternity
Jeans: Old Navy Maternity
Boots: Nine West
Pregnancy: 40 weeks

Maternity Improvising

Sweater: Gap Maternity
Jeans: Old Navy Maternity
Shirt: Old Navy
Boots: Steve Madden
Pregnancy: 38 weeks

Notice anything different since the last time I wore this striped & ruffled shirt?



At risk of stating the obvious, I'll just come right out and say it:

My hair is longer.

Oh yeah, and there may or may not be an extra 26 pounds that has taken up residence where my waistline used to be. So how I was able to wear this non-maternity shirt at 38 weeks pregnant?

Well that's where the improvising comes in.

I could only get the first few buttons of this shirt buttoned, but luckily that's all that shows. I kept the rest of the buttons unbuttoned to accommodate the baby bump, but you'd never know it because they're hidden by the sweater. And last but not least, I layered a spaghetti strapped camisole top over the shirt--which also stays hidden underneath the sweater--to keep the unbuttoned part of the shirt in place and laying nice and flat:


This little camisole trick worked so well I may continue to use it for layering even when I'm not pregnant!

My Pregnancy Rules

The following are just a few of the things I learned throughout my pregnancy:

1. It is perfectly acceptable to blame all unflattering pictures--especially those in which you have a double chin--on bad camera angles, and that alone.
   
2. Never pass up the opportunity to use the bathroom--even if you don't think you have to go. You never know when the next bathroom will come along, and skipping these opportunities may lead to you seriously contemplating pulling over to the side of the road to relieve yourself in a cornfield.
   
3. It is perfectly acceptable to groan, moan, grunt, or let out a heavy sigh every time you sit down, stand up, roll over, or get in and out of a vehicle. In fact it's more than acceptable--I'm pretty sure it's mandatory.
   
4. There is no such thing as too much sleep. Or too much butter.
   
5. If you're at the store and wondering if you need to pick up toilet paper, the answer is yes. Always yes. A pregnant woman can never have enough toilet paper, so stock up. It's the one pregnancy-related expense no one ever tells you about.
   
6. Write EVERYTHING down because you will forget it. That includes your grocery list, errands, your scheduled appointments, your address, and your last name.
   
7. Choose the handicapped stall in public restrooms whenever possible. No, pregnancy does not make you handicapped--but it does make you differently-abled. And when you're twice your normal size and trying to squeeze your ass into a germ-filled space without touching as much as possible, trust me on this--you'll appreciate the extra room.
   
8. Spending 5 minutes to contemplate if it's worth it to bend over and pick something up is a VERY good use of your time.
   
9. No one is allowed the eat the last piece of ANYTHING when there is a pregnant woman around. EVER. Even if you ask said pregnant woman if she would like the last piece/slice/bite and she says "no" you are still not allowed to eat it. She is lying. She wants to eat it. And watching you eat it instead will have her visually ripping your head off, stuffing it down your throat, and stomping on it for good measure--all before the time you dab your poisonous mouth with your damn napkin, YOU FOOD STEALER!!
   
   And last, but not least:
   
10. Pregnancy IS NOT an all-inclusive free pass for bitchiness--but going without wine for 9 months is.
    

Accessorizing the Bump

I'm a mom.

Wow.

That's still so weird to say. And think. I'm a mom and I'm loving every minute with my gorgeous daughter. Our little family of three is doing great, and once I can pry my eyes off my precious child long enough to do more than eat, first I'll shower, and then I'll write about the labor and delivery and tell you all about Kate. But for now I have some previously written posts scheduled to publish over the next couple of weeks to finish out my maternity fashion and thoughts on pregnancy. Enjoy and I'll be back soon!

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Accessorizing the Bump

I love accessorizing my baby bump. On this day I used this oversized flower pin that I made to hold a non-maternity cardigan sweater closed. It was a look I had a lot of fun with!


Cardigan: New York & Company
Shirt: Gap
Jeans: Gap Maternity
Boots: Nine West
Flower Pin: DIY
Pregnancy: 37 weeks

This post sponsored by Belly Dance Maternity. Check out www.bellydancematernity.com for a variety of maternity accessories, including Belly Bands!

Giveaway Winner!

Thanks to everyone who entered the Craft Therapea giveaway earlier this week. The winner of the personalized monogram towel set is Laina!


Congratulations Laina--check your email for information on how to claim your prize!

Didn't win, but still itching for a little something of your own? Well you're in luck! All Things G&D readers can enjoy free first-class shipping on any Craft Therapea product for the rest of this month--just enter the code iheartdustyandherblog in the comments to seller section when you checkout!

Meet Kate

Katherine Pamela
Born January 9, 2010
7lbs 2oz
19 inches long
Greg and I are thrilled to announce that our daughter Kate has finally arrived! I will of course share all the details once we get settled in at home, so for now I'll just share that she is absolutely amazing and we already can't imagine our lives without her. We feel like the most blessed parents in the entire world!

Craft Therapea Giveaway!

If you're a sucker for personalized and monogrammed gifts like I am, you're going to love Craft Therapea --my good friend Kelly's Etsy shop!


And today Kelly and I are teaming up to give away a personalized towel set to one lucky reader!

Your prize includes two kitchen towels--one with a personalized monogram or shape, and one with a stripe of matching fabric. The winner can select from a number of Kelly's fonts and fabric choices to create a look that's perfectly you! See entry rules below for your chance at winning this item, or you can CLICK HERE to purchase your very own!


Check out Kelly's Craft Therapea Etsy shop for more of her wonderful creations--from beautiful fine art prints, to colorful camera strap covers, and personalized aprons and pillowcases--this girl does it all!

And get your shop on now, because from now until the end of January, Kelly is offering free first-class shipping to All Things G&D readers--just enter the code iheartdustyandherblog in the comments to seller section when you checkout!

ENTRY RULES:
To enter this giveaway, comment on this post by tomorrow (Wednesday, January 13th) at 11:59pm CDT with the words CRAFT THERAPEA. Your comment must include an email address to be eligible to win (either through your blogging ID or typed into your comment entry). This giveaway is open to US residents only, and only one entry per person allowed. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced on Thursday, January 14th.

Good luck everyone!

Pregnancy: Week 40

Monday, January 4th
Today is our due date and we are so excited and hopeful that Baby G&D will arrive today! I've been spending these last few days doing a lot of belly rubbing, trying to soak it all in and cherish these final moments. I've loved being pregnant so much and I know I'm going to miss feeling our little girl moving around inside. But we are now more than ready to have her on the outside--we can't wait to meet her!

I had a prenatal appointment this morning and unfortunately there are still no signs of any progress--no dilation, no effacement, nothing. But with my family's history of fast labors, I'm trying to keep in mind that that doesn't necessarily mean anything. My mom also had zero signs of progress prior to her labor kicking in pretty fast and furious, so we're still holding out hope that Baby G&D will be here soon!

If our little girl doesn't arrive by this Friday (January 8th), we go back to the doctor for another check to see if there's been any progress, and if she’s not here by Monday (January 10th) they want to discuss induction. Our doctor informed us that they do not want my pregnancy getting to 42 weeks. Apparently they don't want ANY of their pregnancies getting to 42 weeks, so there's nothing specific to mine. He told us the risks of various complications increase after 41 weeks, so they really strive to have all their babies delivered by the 42 week mark. I'm hopeful that I won't need to be induced and that she will come on her own, but at the very least we now know that one way or another she'll be here by the end of next week!

Tuesday, January 5th
One day overdue.

G has gone from asking me, "Does today feel like the day?" "Do you feel any contractions?" "Do you feel any different?" "Is your uterus thinking about contracting? And if not, do you think you could talk it into it?" every morning, to now asking every 5 minutes. SOMEBODY GIVE THAT MAN A BABY!

I was at the mall last weekend and spotted these gorgeous butterscotch leather knee-high boots in the Nine West store window. I resisted going in and trying them on, thinking, "Who buys high-heeled boots at 39 weeks pregnant??"

Well I haven't been able to get those boots out of my head. They need me. And if I can't have my new baby today, at least I can have new boots! I called the store on my lunch break, and discovered they only had one pair left, and they just so happened to be in my size. WOOHOO! I put them on hold to pick up after work. (At this point I decided that even if I went into labor between now and then, a quick stop at Nine West before heading to the hospital would be absolutely necessary. These boots weren't getting away from me!)

When I arrived at the store to try on and buy my beautiful new boots (luckily I haven't had any swelling in my feet so they fit perfectly!) the sales lady asked, "When are you due."

"Yesterday," I replied.

Seeing her reaction to my reply almost made being overdue worth it! She instantly stepped away from me in shock. I think she was worried my water was going to break all over her shoes!

Wednesday, January 6th
Two days overdue. Wore my brand new, knee-high, 3 3/4" heeled, no baby yet consolation prized boots to work.

I think the one good thing about being overdue is that you actually start LOOKING FORWARD to labor. Isn't it crazy that I'm actually really excited for contractions to start? I think I'm going to start cheering once they do!

Thursday, January 7th
Three days overdue.

Number of times that someone actually LOOKED at my belly and then asked, "No baby yet?": 7

Number of times that I felt a twinge homicidal: 7

I used the last of my decaf coffee this morning, so that HAS to be a sign that today's the last day of my pregnancy!

Just in case the "coffee sign" doesn't hold up, I also asked my friend Jill (who gave birth to her son Brady 7 weeks ago) if there were any way she could go into labor again. The sympathy contractions I had on the day SHE was in labor was the most action my uterus has seen this entire pregnancy.

Friday, January 8th
Four days overdue. Let's hope this little girl is this patient OUTSIDE of the womb, too!

Additional Pregnancy Week 40 Posts:
Due Date
Thoughts on My Pregnancy-Induced Sobriety
High Heels 'til the End
My Unfavorable Cervix
Labor & Delivery
Meet Kate

Back: Pregnancy: Week 39

Next: Pregnancy Overview

Weekend Wear

This was a particularly cold and snowy winter weekend, so I had to bundle up in a nice warm cardigan and my winter boots and hat. And once again I'm makeup-less--only this time I decided to give my vanity a run for her money and looked right at the camera--hello!

That's real life, people.

Cardigan: Old Navy
Long-sleeved top: Gap Maternity
Tank top: Express
Jeans: Old Navy Maternity
Boots: BearPaw
Hat: Target
Pregnancy: 36 weeks

Snow Day

A couple of weeks ago we were hit hard with about 14" of snow in 24 hours, followed by temperatures dropping so low that our windchills were in the negative 20s. "Windchill" means that even though it might be, say, 7° Fahrenheit outside, when you factor in the wind it feels like it's -20°F. And for those of you lucky enough to not have to worry about this, 32°F above zero is the temperature at which water freezes. The weather was so bad--even for Wisconsin--that the entire state pretty much shut down.

Luckily I was able to work from home, and here are a couple of pictures I took on day one. This first one is our neighbor snow-blowing out his driveway--the first round, anyway. When it snows this much you pretty much need to shovel or snow-blow every couple of hours otherwise you'll never see your way out!


The snow beginning to pile up outside on our deck:


On day three I finally ventured out of the house and went in to work. Here are a couple of photos from my commute:


Believe it or not, there's a car under there somewhere:



Gotta love those Wisconsin winters!