What's In My Hospital Bag? | Personal

Have you packed your hospital bag? Not to worry. With my first, I was way more prepared than this time around! I packed a few things here and there this time. Set things aside, but guess what I am pretty sure I packed the day before! Thankfully I already had my list put together to help me!

Mama for L&D:

For Labor & Delivery, mama’s you just need a few key things. Depending on what you want during delivery an essential oils blend, portable radio to play music if this is something that is important to you, your phone with an extra long phone charger, a camera if you want to take your own pictures on something other than your phone. And a few key things I always put in a small bag: lip gloss or chapstick, hair tie, hand lotion, a book or journal. I keep this bag next to the bed for easy access along with my phone and a camera.

Mama in Postpartum:

This is where you will have your husband bring up all the things. Your bag is most important for postpartum, unless you are being induced and have to arrive the night before. You can find a link below to a free checklist I have made with all the things for Mama and baby. Some of my key essentials would be comfy pajamas, a robe, house shoes or grippy socks, makeup, going home outfit, things to shower…you get the point! I mean there is nothing like your first shower post baby! I loved to have a fresh smelling body wash or soap.

Baby:

I have always utilized the shirt and swaddles our hospital provided for babies. I felt these were easiest for quick changes plus the hospital will clean them or dispose of them, and give you fresh ones if something were to occur. I make sure to have a going home outfit and hat, potentially a blanket to cover them with in the carseat going home. I have taken mittens in the past, but never used them while in the hospital.

Extras:

A few things I found nice to have for both myself and baby during postpartum at the hospital were a portable sound machine, small night light, and extra snacks to have on hand. Most hospitals provide snacks, but it’s always nice to have a few extras just in case. Those middle of the night feedings are a must to have water and something to eat!

Want a quick guide to packing for your delivery? Snag my free packing list here.

Heirloom Portrait Products | Heirloom

It is not lost upon me how important it is to print your images. Heirloom portraits are to be displayed on the walls of your home or in gorgeous albums on a coffee table. They are to be past down over generations. Many people have inherited portraits of themselves, their parents or grandparents that have been on the walls of the homes they grew up in. It is my hope with the products that I have selected, that you will be able to display and enjoy these precious portraits of your children for many years.

Fine Art Prints

I offer a variety of fine art prints and prints with a deckled edge. These fine art prints are printed on Archival Papers that will last over 200 years and are 100% cotton, acid, and lignin-free to display your images on the walls of your home.

If you wish to matte and frame your images, I have chosen several gorgeous frames to help you design the perfect piece to hang on your walls.

Albums

If you want to combine a variety of your images, a fine art album is a perfect option. You can choose from several types of covers including leather, linen or various fabrics. An album can include both black and white and color images from your child’s gallery. You can also combine multiple children’s portraits into one album which would make the perfect gift for grandparents.

Bi-fold or Tri-fold Portfolio

Lastly, this gorgeous bi-fold portfolio or tri-fold option for 3 children. This is the perfect piece for grandparents and great-grandparents. It can display multiple children or you can do one of two different portraits of the same child. You can easily display it on the top of a piano or bookcase.

There are so many options for you to display these precious portraits of your children. I am always here to help and guide you as you determine what you wish to display in your home. My Heirloom Portraits now include a $100 print credit to utilize on any fine art products I offer.

Interested in booking an Heirloom Portrait session, you can find more details here.

5 Ways to Prep for Your Newborn Session | Newborn

As a mama, you can do all the things to prep for your newborn session, and still be thrown a curve ball. We recently had our newborn pictures taken for Baby Boy #3, and even I had a few bumps in the road. I even wore baby boy while I did my hair and makeup so I could be ready beforehand. Yes, you read that right! My favorite wrap saved the day! I thought I had a plan for swapping out our bedding, but nope it didn’t go as I had hoped.

But guess what it’s okay! I tried to stay calm and not stress about it. I knew it wasn’t something I could change, so I made do. I changed my vision, and it all worked out!

Mama, the more you stress, the more stressed your baby and family are too!

Here are 5 tips to prep for your newborn session:

1. PICK YOUR OUTFITS OUT BEFOREHAND

Plan ahead. Go shopping and pick out your outfits beforehand. Make sure you try them on and lay them out to see how it all looks together. YOU are the most important one that day. Make sure you feel comfortable in whatever you choose to wear!

2. ASK FOR HELP

It is okay to ask for help. Have a friend or family member come over to hold your new little one or help with the big kids so you have time to get ready without feeling rushed. Take some pressure off yourself.

3. MAKE SURE YOU PULL OUT THE IRON FOR BEDDING AND OUTFITS

Iron all the things. Does your bedding need to have a wrinkle or two ironed out? This is really if you decide to put something new on. You see I was going to put a new duvet cover on and opened it up the day of. It had an orange string through the trim, and I realized if I was going to use it, it would need to be ironed. All that to say, you do NOT need to purchase new bedding for your newborn session we will be using it in our bedroom once I get a new one.

4. FEED YOUR BABY 30 MINUTES BEFORE

Make sure your baby is well fed. It is a good idea to feed your little one about 30 minutes before your session then allow mama to put her clothes on and finish any last minute touch ups.

5. TAKE A DEEP BREATH, AND RELAX

Lastly, take a deep breath and relax. Yes, easier said than done. Your energy feeds to your baby and family. If you are relaxed, everyone else will be too.

I also shared 3 must haves for your newborn session. If you missed it, you can find the blog here.

If are interested in booking a newborn session, I am currently booking through early Fall, and I would love to chat with you! You can reach out to me here for booking information.