Events – Page 24 – Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic

Baby May 29, 2014

The Countdown: 39 Weeks

Yesterday marked my 39th week of pregnancy. Part of me feels like it was just yesterday that I announced our good news – the other part feels like I’ve been pregnant for the last 3 years. I started my maternity leave today, and instead of laying back and putting my feet up, I’ve planned a day filled with visiting my parents and friends (this sweet girl!), doing a few returns, going to the post office (finally changing my name on my social security card!), buying a birthday gift for my mother-in-law, writing a few last ‘thank you’s,’ and meeting a potential nanny (so excited!). I am so anxious to meet Isla, but definitely feel like I need a few days to catch-up on life before she arrives. Given my mom’s history (two babies that were 14 days late and one that was 18 days late), I don’t have my hopes up that she will arrive on June 4, but we’ll see! The longer she waits, the more time I have to address all 100 baby announcement envelopes.

Highlights:

Agreeing on her name and announcing it!
My three baby showers (mom’s friends, my friends, and work friends)
Finishing Isla’s nursery
Listening to her heart beat at our first ultrasound
Designing and doing a few samples of Isla’s birth announcement
Buying her first piece of clothing while on our honeymoon in Bali
Feeling a kick for the first time
When the cashier at Home Depot asked me how far along (first public acknowledgement!)
Adding Isla to our “family song” (yes, Sasha and I have one that we sing every day)
Listening to Sasha talk to her at night

One of the most difficult adjustments in pregnancy is the growing belly. It’s funny to look back at, say… week 29, because at this point, I feel like I was still really small, but at the time, you’re like WHOA baby is really growing. People claim you miss your belly post-delivery, but I’m not sure I believe that. I have serious pains in my stomach right now from what feels like my ab muscles being torn apart. As mentioned here, I have bought the Belly Bandit and Wink Compression Girdle to get back in shape afterwards.

We decided not to do maternity pictures for a number of reasons, but I did snap a photo every Wednesday to mark each week off (Note: If I looked like Cara Loren or Amber Fillerup Clark, I definitely would have!). Most are taken in our closet mirror in my workout clothes before the gym, so they’re not cute selfies, but I’m still glad I did this to see the progression over time.

Baby bump pictures by week:

39 weeks and one day down… please, please, Isla – don’t make us wait too much longer!

featured image via

Invitations May 28, 2014

Betsywhite Stationery

Every year, I look forward to Oh So Beautiful Paper‘s roundup posts of the National Stationery Show. I spend plenty of time looking through each post, staring at each picture and choosing my favorite designs of the year. In this post, I fell in love with Betsywhite Stationery – then I made my way over to their website, and it was over. Check out their lookbook and pictures from the show below, and you’ll totally understand why. I love finding new paper loves!

Baby May 22, 2014

In My Hospital Bag

I have read no less than 20 lists of what to bring in one’s hospital bag – some are extensive, others are more minimal. I tend to overpack, so I’m probably in the former category (especially with all of Isla’s outfits – whoops). Whenever I travel, I pack outfits into gallon size Ziploc bags – helps keep me organized! So naturally, Isla has 12 outfits organized in baggies.

Ready to go!

It’s hard as a first-time mom to know what to pack, so it’s helpful to read others’ suggestions on what to pack when heading into delivery!

Some of my favorite lists:

Hook Thread and Tinker, Simply Sadie Jane, and Workman Family

So, what’s in my bag? And Isla’s? And Sasha’s? Well, some things are still ‘to-be-packed-when-contractions-start,’ but the lists are as follows:

My Hospital Bag

1 old throw-away robe

2 pairs of pajamas (one Target nightie and one cute pair from Anthro, which I will likely regret?)

6 pairs of Hanes full-coverage underwear

2 Bravado nursing bras

1 pair of Lululemon Still Pants (per Mara’s suggestion!)

1 Motherhood nursing tank

1 pair of Old Navy yoga shorts

1 pair of Gap maternity leggings

1 Pickwick and Weller t-shirt (so comfy)

1 Loft maternity t-shirt

3 pairs of old socks

Slippers

Rainbow flip flops (from college! Still love them)

Belly Bandit (judge me if you wish!) – will be wearing this Wink one after a few weeks!

Travel Size Toiletries (Toothbrush, Soap, Deodorant, Toothpaste, Shampoo, Conditioner, etc.)

Hair Brush, Hair Dryer, Curling Iron, Headbands

Makeup (including Eos Lip Balm)

Aveeno Lotion

Lansinoh Soothies Gel Pads, Lanolin and Nursing Pads

Kotex Maxi Pads

Boppy Pillow and this cover

Non-white pillow cover and comfy pillow

Isla’s Hospital Bag*

Honest Co. Diaper Wipes

Honest Co. Newborn and Size 1 Diapers

Mittens (these J. Crew ones in different sizes and colors and plain white ones)

Heart J.Crew onesie and Stripe J. Crew onesie (Newborn and 0-3 Months)

Assortment of Gap Baby onesies

2 pink caps

Infant nail file

Newborn Aspirator

2 Aiden + Anais swaddle blankets

1 Summer Infant SwaddleMe

*Packed in my Kate Spade Stevie Diaper Bag

Sasha’s Hospital Bag

Blanket (in case hospital is cold!)

Pajamas

Toothbrush

2 iPads

iPad, iPhone, Camera chargers

Camera

Snacks (Sugarfree candy, gum, crackers, water, etc.) and change for vending machines

Any experienced mothers out there with suggestions on things to remove or add? I have two weeks left (convinced it’ll be more like three), so plenty of time to order additional items or repack! It is helpful to bring your own pump to the hospital with you? Any and all advice is welcome.

Stationery May 16, 2014

Sasha’s MBA Graduation Announcements

Today, my husband graduates from The University of Texas at Austin – McCombs School of Business with a Master of Business Administration. It feels like yesterday that I posted this acceptance post (June 28, 2012 – “my boyfriend”!). He has spent so much time and effort after work studying, doing homework, having late night study groups calls, etc. and then spending every second weekend (sometimes back-to-back) in class. Needless to say, it has not been a fun process for him, but he has learned a lot and says it’s definitely worth it.

The plan since day 1 has been that I would attend his graduation, but this week has been rather tough – my back hurts, legs hurt, etc. and my doctor advised me not go to Austin with only 2.5 weeks until our due date. It took lots of convincing from Sasha, my mom, and friends, but we decided the best thing for me to do is stay put and cheer from afar (and FaceTime!). I am obviously very upset to miss this milestone occasion, but understand the reason. I did faint in the car two weeks ago on the drive back from Austin!

For Sasha’s graduation, I designed letterpress announcements that I had printed by Czar Press. They were so great to work with. I did the calligraphy on all 50 envelopes (which took much longer than expected!) using Crane envelopes from Paperworks. We included a small square picture of Sasha and Belle, and I secretly snuck in a ‘Congratulate Sasha’ card with a pre-stamped return envelope (addressed to my parents – bought at Paper Source). I gave him all of his presents last night, including the notes we got back. He was very surprised, and we had a great time reading them – laughs and tears.

Congratulations, Sasha, I am so proud of you! I wish more than anything I could be there with a foghorn! Hook ’em!

Baby May 15, 2014

The Golden Nursery: Ready for Isla

Less than three weeks away from our due date now, and I am so anxious to meet little miss Isla. We had an ultrasound on Monday, and she is measuring 6 pounds 7 ounces – right on track (44th percentile). As we get nearer to June 4, we’re finalizing all baby details – making sure we have enough diapers, swaddle blankets, bottles, etc. for her arrival. The hospital bags (hers, mine) are packed and in the car – just in case! I’ll do a post on what’s inside soon. I have definitely overpacked her clothing – she has about 10 outfit choices… because I’m indecisive. This J. Crew onesie may be the winner, but we’ll see. The room is 99% complete. The only thing I’m still on the fence about is wall color/paper… Rifle Paper Co. will launch their wallpaper collection with Hygge and West next Monday. If something fits the room, I’ll be sold.