With everything that’s been going on this year, I for one don’t mind bringing in some holiday spirit a little early! Browsing Target’s holiday selection has always been one of my favorite ways to decompress, so I’m thrilled to be partnering with them to share my affordable, festive finds!
This holiday season will certainly be different, but I’m grateful we’ll still get to spend some time with our parents. We wanted to make our small space a warm and welcoming respite, and started by swapping out some of our fall decor for softer pieces. Most of these items qualify for free shipping or buy online, pick up via store drive-up (no need to go inside)!
We like to mix & match stockings and have accumulated several styles from Target over the years. They have a very good selection including affordable monogram ones!
Gold monogram stocking – These new arrivals are a textural delight in person! I love the scripted monogram, cable knit, faux fur top and fluffy, full tassel.
Tassel chunky cable stocking – pictured above, this is a thicker knit compared to their regular cable stocking with thin gold threads throughout and a full lining.
Stocking holder hooks – these are a little more kid proof than what we used to have and are semi bendable, so work pretty well on a variety of mantle types and sizes. They have little grip pads inside to help not scuff up your mantle.
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2. Softest Throw Blankets & Pillows
Trust me in that these are some of the most delightfully soft and cozy throws you’ll find at these price points. These would be great as gifts or part of a guest room welcome basket.
Buffalo plaid sherpa reverse throw blanket (3 colors) – bargain of the season at just $15! This exceeded my expectations – both sides are comfy (one is like sherpa, other is very plush with a soft brushed finish), and having the choice of which side to cuddle up under just makes this twice as nice!
Faux rabbit fur throw blanket (7 colors) – the reviews are spot on for this one! This is so incredibly soft and luxurious feeling, I can’t stop petting away.
Faux rabbit fur throw pillow (3 sizes; 9 colors) – same material as the throw. I got this in the coordinating “neutral” color which is a taupe for our rocking chair
Holiday safari animal family PJs – I got this set for us this year since Nori loves identifying her favorite animals! Fit of womens is TTS – I’m wearing the XS women’s above which is a comfortable fit on me postpartum. The baby onesie is also TTS, but I agree with the online reviews that the toddler set runs small including at the waistband so I went 1 size up for Nori.
Cutest bear slippers for kids – I always get questions on these on IG! Nori wears sz 7 toddler and we have size Medium. They’re soo warm, adorable and actually stay on their feet!
Stars Above thermal pajama set – another comfortable PJ set with a slight waffly texture for just $25! I got the “white” plaid. Note the length of the top is closer to tunic length on someone petite, and the model has it tucked in in the first photo.
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4. Other Festive Touches
So many good finds here, including updated versions of several popular items from years past!
$5 ceramic houses – Perfect for an individual accent piece or a small ceramic village.
Gold taper candle holders (also in a black version) – I thought these were nice looking for the price in an antiqued gold finish. It was hard to decide between these and the black for a more modern look!
If you’re looking to restock on some favorite products or gift shopping for a beauty lover, there’s a few good promotions going on right now! In addition to Sephora’s big holiday event (details below), for those who aren’t VIB or Rouge level members, I was able to find some deals that match or beat their discount!
I’ve become a big fan of this brand in recent years, so reached out to see if they could give me a code to match Sephora’s sale pricing. They were awesome and gave me something even better! Use code EXTRAPETITE for 25% off at Farmacy.com, even on their value sets! You can also find more customer reviews for Farmacy products on Sephora‘s site.
Top Pick:House of Gold Value Set (also at Sephora) – Includes 3 very solid products from their lineup, so this is an already good value made even better with extra 25% off. It includes a full size Honeymoon Glow which I use about 2x a week for brightening and smoothing, plus mini sized versions of their Honey Potion mask and Honey Halo moisturizer (a thicker moisturizer good for dry skin).
Honey Potion mask by itself – a delightful way to rehydrate your skin in the winter while bingeing on your favorite show. This makes my face feel so soft afterwards.
Greenhouse Value Set (also at Sephora) – a full sized Green Clean cleansing balm (one of their best sellers), plus travel sized version of the Daily Greens gel moisturizer (a lightweight moisturizer that I like for mornings or humid days) and Cheer Up vitamin C eye cream.
Nordstrom is price matching Macy’s Beauty Sale with 15% off a good chunk of their beauty department, plus free shipping and returns on every order! Lots of luxury beauty brands are included such as Dior, Nars, Lancome, Shiseido, Clinique and Jo Malone just to name a few!
A few months ago I shared my 10 minute everyday makeup and nearly all of my go-to products are on sale. Here’s a few that I absolutely can’t go without:
Mac lipstick in Velvet Teddy – my perfect everyday shade that’s pretty universally flattering.
Sephora’s holiday sale has tiered start dates based on your status level with code HOLIDAYFUN. If you don’t currently have an account with Sephora it’s free to sign-up and become an Insider!
Rouge Members: 20% off starting 10/30 + free shipping
VIB: 15% off starting 11/3 + free shipping on orders over $35
Insiders: 10% off starting 11/5 + free shipping on orders over $50
A few recommendations that I haven’t found on sale elsewhere:
Tatcha Pure & Glowing Trio (retail $72; $104 value) – includes a full size of my beloved Dewy Skin Cream (so velvety – it glides on like a dream), and mini sizes of two other products for just a few dollars more. Sephora is the only place I’ve found this gift set with a full size Dewy skin cream!
Shu Uemura Wata Wave – I first shared about this texturizer sprays years ago in my voluminous hair curling tutorial. It used to be hard to find online so I had to get it at my local salon. It just became available at Sephora, so those who are a fan of Oribe texture spray should give this one a try! Both work very well on my hair for adding a little grit & volume to loose waves, and really help prolong the hairstyle so I only need to curl my hair once to twice a week.
Lastly, a few new things I’m trying based on strong recommendations from friends. Let me know any products you’ve picked up lately that you really love and would recommend!
Hello friends, I hope you guys had a wonderful weekend! We’re still figuring out our groove as a family of four, so even getting out the door with both babies in a good mood feels like a small accomplishment : ) I wanted to share some casual, cool weather outfits from recent weeks for both me and Nori!
Updated Waffle Cashmere Sweater
Everlane’s waffle cashmere sweater is one of my all time favorites from last year (read my review) that I reached for weekly, so I was stoked to see it back in an updated cut. They even brought back the same taupe color from my prior year posts which is a super versatile neutral. This year’s version is a more oversized, slouchy silhouette (good fit on me in xxs) and is 100% cashmere instead of a cashmere / poly blend in past years.
Current Camel Coat Options
My coat is old J.Crew, but below are a few camel & tan colored coats currently available!
J.Crew city coat (6 colors) starting in 00 petite & regular sizes
Our two baby carriers from when Nori was little have been more than handy this time around! I find myself using them much more than before to get things done around the house, and also since big sister is now asking for a little more attention and this is the only way I can have my hands free.
See my review on both our structured, petite-friendly BabyBjorn mini carrier (pictured aboce) as well as my soft Solly wrap (pictured below). If I had to choose just one I would go with the structured Babybjorn Mini carrier that dads can also use, plus it’s easier and quicker to put on and get baby in & out of.
I started drafting this post before giving birth (hence the baby bump here) and got a little sidetracked with newborn life! I often get requests for affordable, petite friendly finds from Uniqlo, and wanted to share a few simple but slightly elevated basics that I like from there. I’m usually consistently size XS in Uniqlo, but for pieces that look more oversized or long in design it would be worth trying XXS instead (an online-only size).
The fabric on these are wonderfully soft and lighter in weight, perfect for both lounging and exercising. The high rise hits at a flattering point on me, and the 25″ inseam of a size XS works nicely on petite ladies without hemming needed! See all colors in their Airism soft leggings.
Sizing wise I have XS from pre-pregnancy (fits a 24-25″ waist, comparable to an xxs in some other brands), and squeezed into them here just to show the length.
My mom (pictured below) and I have both been wearing this layering basic on regular rotation! It’s an oversized, boxier fit that works for petite ladies to wear with leggings. I’m a fan of the thicker waffle texture, curve hem bottom, and mid-length sleeves with banded arm openings so that you can push them up on your elbows for a slouchier look. It’s been machine washed & dried many times now and seems to hold up well.
Great basic in a fluid material that feels light as air. The draped cut helps elevate it from a simple tee shirt, and it also knots easily over leggings or maternity dresses / bottoms.
Very lightweight knit top in an easy silhouette, similar in cut to the drape crew neck tee above. I wouldn’t exactly call it a sweater since it’s so light. Looks great half tucked in the front with jeans, or knotted as shown in the first photo in this blog post! Since the material is perforated, it’s semi sheer so I’d recommend wearing a cami like their bra top camis underneath.
3D knit cotton sweater in boat neck vs crewneck – didn’t get a chance to try this on, but saw this in store and the material felt nice quality (tighter weave that seemed less snag-prone, medium weight thickness). The cut is very similar to the slouchy chic sweatshirt in my second photo above!
Shape wear shorts (also comes in a Heattech thermal version): A longtime staple of mine. Comfortable, lightweight and not too restricting. Check out my IGTV for a tip on how I wear this to help tuck in tops smoothly!
Hooded puffer coat – Size xxs is online only. I’ve tried on the prior year versions of this coat and it’s good for mild winters.
Seamless down short coat – keeping an eye on this to go on sale to try on! Shorter more petite-friendly length than many of their oversized outerwear styles, and functional features such as water resistant outer.
I’ve been at home soaking in the newborn snuggles (and going just slightly overboard with ordering fall decor…my current hobby during late night nursing sessions) but wanted to pop on here to share a few affordable finds that can go from everyday casual to night out. Outside of pajamas and leggings, the only clothes you’ll find me in these days are oversized knits and stretchy elastic waistbands, so you can be sure these pieces are comfortable, too!
I picked this up when it was full price and noticed it JUST went on sale today for 50% off! This is a slouchy, oversized fit sweater with petite-friendly proportions. The torso length is a little shorter than most oversized knits (easy to half tuck in; hits right above my hips when untucked) and the sleeves are not too long on me. I love the mock neckline and balloon sleeves, which are not too full and still fit under coat sleeves. The material is a slightly looser-weave, 100% cotton material and is machine washable. Sizing wise, I’d stick to your usual size unless you want a more oversized fit – I got an xs while pregnant/postpartum but an xxs would work too.
This is a great little “leather” A-line skirt with a stretchy, wide elastic waistband and a semi-matte finish material. My favorite amongst the 3 colors is the more unique “Birch,” which is a lovely cream in person. My second choice would be “Peat” (a dark grey) which I wanted to just quickly show here for comparison.
The interior of the skirt is a soft and comfortable fleeced material, and the faux leather has a good weight and flexibility to it. While postpartum, the forgiving thick elastic waistband works on me with a loose sweater over the top, but I’m also excited to wear this down the road with a more fitted bodysuit or jersey turtleneck tucked into the waistline!
Measurements of XS: 13″ across waist when lying flat (stretches easily to ~ 16″ across), 18″ long.
I tried this on recently and wanted to mention it for buffalo plaid lovers, as it also just went on markdown today! This is a medium-thicker weight, fluffier knit and size xxs hits right above the knees on me. A cozy at-home piece for layering over leggings and a simple cami or tee.
This popular 100% cotton cardigan from last month just got marked down today with a few smaller sizes back in stock! See the cream color on me here in Look # 3.
Another piece I tried on – this is a straightforward, simple but very soft sweater dress. It’s not too fitted but also not oversized or slouchy fit (size XS hits right above my knees). Note that with the exception of the light grey color, most of the colors have a “heathered” fuzzier look and texture to them.
Thank you to Nordstrom for partnering on this post.
Hello friends ~ so excited to introduce you to the littlest member of our family! He showed up a few days ago at 7lbs 13oz, a little over a pound more than his big sister.
Won’t go into many details like with Nori’s birth story, but I was a few days overdue, trying to get comfy in bed (an impossible task), when what I thought were Braxton hicks / practice contractions started to feel increasingly more painful. Not long after, I was hollering loudly from contractions every 30 minutes, while a groggy Nick uttered his famous last words “just try to relax and get some sleep…”
You’re advised not to go to the hospital until contractions are at a 5-1-1 frequency (5 minutes apart, 1 minute long, for 1 hour), and with Nori it took half a day at home to get that point. Nevertheless I barked that we needed to get going ASAP, and sure enough, by the time we checked into the hospital at 2AM, my contractions were ~ every 3 minutes and I welcomed that epidural with open arms!
My first time giving birth at this hospital with Nori, I was much too nervous to look at the big mirror they offered to roll into the delivery room. Curiosity got the best of me this time, and WOW…all I can say is our bodies are amazing and I can see why my husband looked so ashen!
Everyone kept telling me that pushing would be quicker the 2nd time around and that baby would “slide right out,” but Nori was definitely the easier delivery ; ) I learned at the hospital that baby boy was “sunny side up” or head down, but facing my belly instead of my back (which apparently can result in a more painful and prolonged birthing experience). The doctors tried manually turning him as I pushed, and I also recall a lot of olive oil packets being drizzled down there to facilitate the process.
All in all I’m grateful for a fairly straightforward labor & delivery – especially considering the additional precautions during COVID. For my hospital that meant you or your support person can’t leave your delivery room once you’re in, less hands-on interaction with postpartum nurses, and while I did have a mask on the entire time during labor and pushing I barely noticed it to be honest. Every hospital is different, so if you’re birthing this year definitely check with your hospital beforehand.
Week 1 postpartum. Taking it slow and really appreciating my body, though I could do without the puffy legs!
As far as recovery goes, even though I roughly knew what to expect it hasn’t made it any easier (especially since each birth can be quite different!), but I do know to lend myself much more grace this time around.
With my due date just 2 days away (eep!!), I realized I haven’t talked much about this pregnancy and wanted to answer some questions from the past few months! I’ve broken up the topics into a few sections, and will be talking about some more personal topics you guys have asked about on IG stories tomorrow.
Prenatals, skincare & maternity style
Marriage & postpartum lessons learned
Body image, pregnancy aches & staying fit
Everything else, including your guys’ top 2 nursery chair recommendations!
Q: Did you naturally conceive or do IVF again? If naturally, what did you do differently?
As shared in this post, this little one was naturally conceived! Similar to our first year of trying before Nori, I was tracking my ovulation cycles by using ovulation test strips (these are beginner friendly, while these are a much better value) and inspecting my cervical mucus (see 1st book recommendation below). Aside from much lower stress surrounding the TTC process, there isn’t anything tangible I can share that was different. While I’ve heard from many others since who also conceived naturally after IVF, everyone’s personal case and medical situation is so, so different.
Q: What pregnancy books did you read?
Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. An informative read if you want to better understand your body and fertility cycle, whether or not you’re trying to get pregnant.
Expecting Better by Emily Oster. While I do not agree with everything in this book, I thought it was an interesting perspective nonetheless. Especially compared to those who caution against and limit SO much during pregnancy (i.e. many foods, drinks, activities and exercise), oftentimes based on outdated or non factual information.
Since this is a short list, I’d love to hear other interesting or useful reads covering TTC (trying to conceive), pregnancy, what to expect with first time parenting or newborn life! It Starts with the Egg by Rebecca Fett was a frequent recommendation for those who are TTC.
Q: What prenatal vitamins do you take?
I started a prenatal vitamin before trying to conceive and will be taking one through postpartum and nursing. I found this article helpful for understanding what to look for in a good prenatal. Since many options don’t have all of the recommended levels of vitamins in one package, I’ve also been taking an iron and omega-3 supplement.
Recently purchased Ritual’s Essential Prenatal which has come highly recommended by friends and specialists, and plan on taking these through my postpartum & nursing periods.
If gummies are easier for you to stomach, I had been taking Smarty Pants gummies which taste pretty good. Note: I’ve bought these from both Target & Amazon and the ones at Target seemed better quality and fresh. These also don’t have calcium so make sure to get it elsewhere, and most gummy prenatals do not contain iron FYI.
Iron supplements – I tested low for iron, which is essential later in pregnancy and can also correlate with chronic fatigue, which I was really feeling. After researching the types of iron and what is more easily absorbed by our bodies, I started a grass fed beef liver iron supplement – I know this will sound gross and unusual to some, but I do think it has helped!
Q: What’s your skincare routine during pregnancy?
Moisturizers, serums, oils: I switch between a few depending on the climate and how my skin is feeling, but here’s some favorites that I’m comfortable with being pregnancy-safe after my own research:
For those interested in clean skincare in general, you can check out Follain’s restricted ingredients list for what they avoid in their products and why – it’s much more stringent than what I follow personally, but interesting to read.
Vitamin C: As there’s a general consensus that retinol/retinoids are something to avoid while pregnant, I’ve been trying out Vitamin C serums, which are pregnancy-safe, have antioxidant and brightening properties, plus are supposed to help stimulate collagen production. Maelove Glow Maker is a reasonably priced option that came highly recommended by my skincare loving friends!
Sunscreen: I’ve personally continued to use my Elta MD UV clear which is both a chemical and physical sunscreen mix, but I know some prefer to switch to a purely physical sunscreen. These tend to be thicker in consistency and leave more of a white cast – I’ve been using Babo Organics on Nori including their Clear Zinc Sunscreen, and in this sunscreen post I reviewed their lighter weight Daily Sheer sunscreen for facial use.
Q: Tips for preventing stretch marks?
Most dermatologists and docs will tell you that stretch marks are primarily genetic based on your skin type, and partly situational to each pregnancy depending on how rapidly weight is gained in a certain area. So while creams and lotions can help keep your skin moisturized and less itchy as it stretches, I wouldn’t believe in “miracle” products.
See more of my thoughts below under body image, but with both pregnancies I’ve made sure to:
Stay hydrated from the inside out with lots of water, which will be key during nursing as well! I keep this CamelBak water bottle on my desk and a second one in my bedroom, which has helped a lot with hydration reminders.
Moisturize once or twice a day on the belly, chest, and thigh areas starting in the first trimester. I like just simple organic shea butter (which is thick, so you do have to warm it up in your hands before patting it on) or an easier to spread cream like Earth Mama Organics belly butter.
Q: Tips for morning sickness / nausea?
I was lucky to not experience much with either pregnancy, but below are some top tips shared by readers!
Ginger hard candies or chews – your favorite brands were Chimes, Prince of Peace & Trader Joe’s!
Eating smaller, more frequent meals starting right when you wake up and having a snack like crackers or nuts in your bag at all times (since many of you said your nausea often correlated with low blood sugar or an empty stomach)
Lemon water + smelling fresh lemons, fresh grated ginger “tea”
Prescriptions like Zofran or Diclegis – of course, talk to your doc about the benefits vs. side effects
Q: What are some good stores for affordable maternity clothes?
For pregnancy outfit ideas utilizing both regular + maternity clothes, see all of my maternity outfits here!
H&M Mama for affordable maternity basics and nursing pieces
ASOS maternity for basics as well as more unique maternity pieces and dresses. I got a few more special occasion and maternity photoshoot dresses from here!
Amazon Maternity for easy free shipping and returns on lots of affordable bump-friendly dresses, maternity & undergarments and pajamas.
2. Marriage & Postpartum lessons learned
Q: Advice for first time moms on how to keep your marriage strong?
In advance of when baby arrives:
Discuss expectations with your partner and how you’ll share in the responsibilities. For example, how will you two be sharing in the middle of the night responsibilities? If you end up mainly breastfeeding and not doing bottles or formula, will your partner still wake up to help with diaper changes, burping, soothing a crying baby back to sleep? Who will take the early morning shift?
I’m not recommending making any concrete plans or schedules ahead of time, because newborn life will constantly be changing as you figure out your rhythm and adapt! But it’s good to at least start talking about this early on versus heated arguments while sleep deprived and emotional (which will likely still happen – and that’s totally normal)..
Discuss signs of postpartum depression or anxiety with your partner before giving birth so they can be informed and help support you postpartum. After having Nori, I talked a little about my experience with things that helped me cope. Like many mamas, I could not recognize the signs in myself (or was dismissive of them) while deep in the fog, and it was my husband who suggested that I may be going through PPD.
Discuss the possibility of your partner taking extended paternity (or unpaid family) leave and how to financially plan for it. I know in many US workplaces, paternity leave is pretty much non-existent. I’m grateful Nick was able to take unpaid leave when I really needed the support, and in retrospect it should’ve been something we researched in advance and started financially planning for if needed.
Q: What did you learn your 1st pregnancy that you’ll do differently?
Prioritize postpartum care for the mother as much as care for the baby.
Line up your postpartum support circle in advance. Accept help when it’s offered, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
This could include:
Talking to a parent or relative about coming to help for a bit postpartum, even if it’s not something you’re usually comfortable with asking.
Joining a local new moms support group (or virtual one), or ask your doc about local lactation support groups
Looking into a hiring a night nurse a few days a week if it’s in your budget, as they are often “reserved” by expectant families a few months in advance.
With Nori, my mom kindly offered to come help for a month (btw, traditional Chinese postpartum care is focused on nurturing and replenishing the mother that first month), and I declined, wanting to figure things out ourselves and thinking our small condo would be too cramped. Boy did I change my mind the second time around!
Don’t be afraid to turn down visitors until you feel up for them.
Things are different now due to Covid (making it easier to politely decline visitors), but hosting well-intentioned family and friends can sometimes be the last thing you want to deal with postpartum. This “etiquette for visiting parents of a newborn” made the rounds on Facebook, but I know for others, having visitors and seeing friends are a mood booster so do what’s right for you! After Nori was born, all our family came into town shortly afterwards, and this time it’ll just be my mom here for a month.
Instead of physically visiting, easy ways friends can support new mamas are by texting or calling to check in, dropping off food or baked goods, or sending an electronic food delivery gift card.
3. Body image, working out, pregnancy pains
Q: How do you deal with insecurities about your body changing?
With Nori I didn’t get any stretch marks, but this pregnancy has brought on MANY stretch marks and dark pigmentation. These changes can be surprising and sad to see and definitely take time to get used to. If you’re currently struggling to accept your pregnant or postpartum body, please allow yourself some grace, and hopefully with time we can normalize many of these natural changes that come with growing a life inside your body!
With social media, unfollow accounts that are taking away from your happiness and well being in any way. In particular with TTC, pregnancy and postpartum, certain things can be hard to see during certain seasons in your own life, and there’s just no need to subject yourself to it.
Some mamas will have smooth baby bumps with minimal weight gain and not a stretch mark just due to their natural body type. Some will get back into their jeans and bikinis a lot quicker, and some will appear to juggle everything seamlessly after birth while you feel like you’re under water. Please remember that social media is just one small snapshot of someone’s life, but if you ever find yourself comparing and feeling “less than,” unfollow and find others that bring you more inspiration and relatability.
Q: What workouts are you doing?
If your doc clears you for working out, I highly recommend setting aside a few times a week to work out through the end of your pregnancy. Even if it’s just 30 minutes to do squats and lunges on repeat at home, which are great for beginners during pregnancy (see below, under back pain). As a free option, I’ve done a bunch of prenatal workout videos on YouTube from BodyFit by Amy (easy to modify for beginners), this 6 minute workout which I usually do on repeat, and this 30 minute pregnancy workout.
My first pregnancy, with the help of a personal trainer I stayed active leading up to giving birth and I honestly felt so good physically, mentally, and energy level-wise. After delivering Nori, my labor & delivery nurse and doc asked whether I had been working out, and commented on how it may have contributed to a smooth and short labor. This time around, my workouts fell to the wayside and I am for sure feeling the difference!
Q: What helped with your sciatica or pregnancy back pain?
Regular stretches throughout the day geared toward sciatica. I looked up a bunch on Youtube and ended up doing the simple cat / cow stretch multiple times a day, including when I got out of bed. If the pain is very intense or chronic though, definitely talk to your OB about seeing a chiropractor or specialist.
Strengthen your lower body. I actually started personal training sessions my first pregnancy due to bad sciatica pains. My trainer geared a lot of our sessions toward lower body / hip / pelvic area strengthening and mobility, which beginners can do simply at home with daily squats and lunges!
Wear supportive bottoms. I rotate between these maternity support shorts and Zella maternity leggings almost daily and feel an instant lift and relief when I put them on. If you need something even more supportive, I had a support belt from Amazon my first pregnancy but its more bulky under clothing.
Support while sleeping. I love my Boppy pillow (also at Target) from my maternity must haves post – note this is a fluffier, less firm and less filled pillow which I personally liked for knee and belly support to help keep my back better aligned while side sleeping.
4. Everything else!
Q: Petite friendly nursery / glider chair recommendations?
This was a frequent question I got across both pregnancies, but living in a smaller city condo we never got one. I polled you guys on Instagram, and these were BY FAR the top two styles of nursery chairs that readers suggested, many of you saying that they’re comfortable for both a petite frame as well as your partner who is taller.
Davinci Olive recliner + ottoman sold at Amazon, Target, Buy Buy Baby. Also the Davinci Owen & Adrian with storage ottoman, but Olive was the most recommended.
Q: How do you cope with anxiety between each OB visit?
With Nori, I got a baby heartbeat doppler to listen to at home which we still enjoy using, BUT I’m not exactly recommending this because you might end up causing yourself even more anxiety. When you’re not a doctor or expert, it can be hard to locate the heartbeat and then freak out even though baby is totally fine. Nick became an expert at finding the heartbeat but I almost never could!
Q: What are you packing in your hospital bag?
After having Nori I shared all the details on My Hospital Bag and Postpartum Must Haves, and for baby #2 I’ve literally packed almost the exact same stuff. Remember, most birthing hospitals will provide your postpartum care & healing necessities, although they will be generic versions and some of the FridaMom brand ones may be worth the upgrade.
To wear home, this time I now know to bring something nursing-friendly, comfortable and loose (and dark colored, if you’re concerned about getting blood on your clothes) as you might still look or feel 7 months pregnant right after giving birth, so I’d leave your pre-pregnancy jeans at home!
Q: Have you worked with a doula?
I researched local doulas my first pregnancy, but my OB’s advice was that they may be more helpful if you’re planning to have an unmedicated birth, and less so with an epidural. I know everyones opinion on this will be different, but having had an epidural with Nori, I would definitely agree that I would personally not have benefitted from another person in the room. However, this could also be due to my birthing hospital experience, where my labor & delivery nurse was wonderful from start to finish in making me feel comfortable, coaching me, letting me know what to expect and when to push.
Q: Biggest differences between each pregnancy?
The fatigue is real while pregnant with a toddler! To get me through the day my 1st trimester, I would do a quick at home workout during Nori’s naptime. I dreaded it, but it always helped boost my energy for the afternoon. As mentioned above, one of my biggest regrets is letting those workouts slip.
Body-wise, much of what they say was true for me…second time around, my belly popped much earlier (since your uterus has been stretched out before) and got a lot bigger more quickly. I’ve had lots of Braxton Hicks “practice contractions” starting earlier in my second trimester, and a more low hanging belly.
With Covid protocols, this time Nick was unable to attend the ultrasounds. I’m grateful he got to experience them with Nori, and can’t imagine how this might feel for first time mamas who are pregnant this year!
Q: How many kids do you want?
Two! Feeling very grateful for where we’re at, and also bittersweet that this is most likely my last pregnancy. Each pregnancy around this time, despite discomforts, I become very emotional as this very intimate bond of growing a little one inside comes to an end.
Q: How are you preparing Nori for the transition?
Been working on a blog post with some wonderful tips we’ve received and will be trying to do – stay tuned!
If you’re looking to restock on some favorite products or gift shopping for a beauty lover, there’s a few good promotions going on right now! In addition to Sephora’s big holiday event (details below), for those who aren’t VIB or Rouge level members, I was able to find some deals that match or beat their discount!
