There should be a video right up here in this post, but if it isn’t appearing for any reason, you can click here to watch it on YouTube.
I can’t even believe it. The finish line is in sight! Early March is right around the corner, and BG (a.k.a Baby Girl) and I, as usual, have been up to no good. 🙂
Totally kidding, LOL! Here’s what we’ve been up to over the past few weeks: lots of baby classes, and she’s been getting bigger and BIGGER by the minute. And we’re both just enjoying each other’s company as long as we can.
Oh! I mentioned my friend Arianne from Glitter Geek in the video. She’s been a big help with pregnancy information, and I love her cute pics of her daughter (and my cat niece Scherbie) on Instagram.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Hi Karen, just wanted to give you a little advice .. I myself purchased a few nursing bras and I hardly ever use them. I am almost 5 months postpartum and I seriously live in my nursing tank tops. They’re so much easier. Target sells great ones and I’ve seen a few on Amazon as well .. They do have good support too and I have big boobies .. DD ? .. Anyway good luck. I know you’ve probably had so many people give you advice and its so overwhelming but at the end of the day becoming a mom has been the best time of my life ?
Lip balm! Pack it, trust me! And yay for the baby coming in just a few more weeks!
Hi Karen, lovely update! I’ve been following your blog from faraway Scandinavia for a while now, and truly enjoy it! keep coming back for updates and always before indulging in any new beaty product (like now, Hourglass Ambient finishing powder in Dim), I check what you have said about it.
I feel I have to share you my love with Glamourmom camisoles, check them out! I lived in them during the 4th semester! They were just perfect, day and night. Also, check out http://www.bodyice.com for products designed by amazing Aussie olympic athlete Lydia Lassila specifically to ladies to use after birth! Wishing you and BG all the best, you’ll make it!! It is just amazing!
congrat Karen tell us more I am 12 weeks right now 🙂
I used the pads provided by the hospital for the first two days (when I was actually in the hospital), but the bleeding went down pretty quickly and it was more comfortable to switch to the Always range. What worked great for me with hematoma and swelling throughout the first days was freezing a pad in my freezer and wear it wrapped up in cloth, the swelling really went down from that.
Your excitement is palpable, even through video! I’m wishing you tons of luck on the rest of your pregnancy journey. <3
You are almost there!! YAY!!
Karen you look fabulous! I’m loving how excited you are to become a Mother.
I have an unsolicited suggestion, just in case this happens to you, buy your bras in places where you can get a full refund because when I gave birth my breast went up 3-4 sizes (they looked glorious!), to leave the hospital my mother had to bring me one of hers.
Good point!! My boobs were so huge that my M bras I brought were a joke, my sister in law had to run to target and I ended up squeezing into a xl!
Good to hear the pregnancy is still fun, hehe 🙂 Yes to staying calm and positive, now and during the actual birth!
That stunt baby was terrifying. Just remember with your little ones mad kicking skills, swaddling might be a little harder!
The hospital pads they gave in 80’s and 90’s when my mom was having my sibs were as thick as pillows. I certainly hope they have improved.
As a quick side note, have you considered trying the Thinx panties in concert with your pads? They would certainly help prevent leaks. Then when things are getting better you can wear them alone for added protection!
What a great update! I’m so excited for you!
YAAAAAY! I’m so excited for you!!
Love the updates! You’ll do great when the time comes.
So excited for you! One thing I noticed the first time I went into labor was that it wasn’t like I expected…I guess I thought it would be a painful contraction followed by no pain, and it wasn’t like that at all. So…I guess just go into it knowing that your labor may feel different from how you expect it or how it has been described to you. And that no matter what, you can manage it! Moms are tough cookies!
My favorite thing at the hospital was the maxi pads that were also ice packs. I wanted to marry them, they were so wonderfully soothing. Good times! 😀
I had 3 c sections and those ice pads were MY LIFE! I laid them on my inscission and it was heaven. I think I took home like 50 in my bag!!
Hi Karen, I am so excited for you and BG!!!! (One of my biggest unanswered questions is, which makeup brand is going to be her favorite to steal off your vanity!)
Ok, this may be TMI but I am going to share it anyway, because I wish someone had told me this. If you give birth naturally (i.e. not a c-section) and you get any stitches, please, for the love of all that is pain-free, take the water bottle they give you to rinse your stitches the first time you have to pee. Make sure you have your bottle full of water, and the first time you have to pee, make sure you are rinsing AT THE SAME TIME you pee. If not, the urine will burn the ever-loving-shizz out of you. That is really the absolute best advice I can give. With any luck, you won’t need any stitches. (My son just came out so fast there was no way not to need them.)
As a secondary bit of advice, if you are craving the hades out of a certain type of food, have El Hub bring it to the hospital so you can eat (if you feel like it) after your delivery. I was having the most bizarre craving for yeast rolls and by the time I delivered the restaurant was closed.
Hey Karen! You got this! I did a newborn class and Labor/delivery class before my daughter was born, and one thing that struck me from my labor class was that knowledge (about the process, steps, options, etc) helps relieve fear, which reduces stress. And I agree!
For the hospital bag I’ll give you my 2 cents (unsolicited, haha!). Yes, snacks/food especially for hubby. My DH and mom had to go out and get dinner–they ended up getting Subway. seems pretty harmless, but I was SO sensitive to smells I ended up making them go out to the lobby to eat because the smell of their COLD SANDWHICHES was overpowering to me. You might not need the breast pads right away since it will take a few days for your milk to come in. I didn’t leak until several weeks later. Then, oh yeah, you will love those pads. I also had some reuseable/washable ones I liked. they are called Bamboobies I think. As another posted mentioned you might wait to get a ton of nursing bras until your milk comes in since you don’t know how um, full, you are going to be. 😉 I honestly didnt use most of the stuff I packed at the hospital and the one thing I forgot to pack I wanted to most–a hairbrush! and the first shower AFTER it is all done is so amazing. I took my own shower gel as a luxury and was so happy I did that. Also check out 15 min beauty fanatic blog-she is a mom and Doctor (peditrican) so she has some old archived posts on pregnancy, labor and post pregnancy that are good.
I love your excitement! I felt it! One of the biggest fears of pregnant women is pain, so you’re not alone. Focus on your breathing and remaining calm!!
Maybe pack some very comfy pj’s and/or a robe, unless you prefer the hospital gown.
Oh my gosh, 32 weeks already??
So exciting! I know it’s scary but it will be so wonderful, your going to do GREAT!!
Xoo – KK
And since you mentioned it the microwaveable heating pad idea is great! But the best one is – get a long tube sock and fill it with rice, then tie a knot on the end. It will stay hot for HOURS. And it’s the perfect size to lay on top of your breast to encourage your milk to come down. I’m so excited for y’all! ❤️
Hello Karen,
I don’t know if your planning on breast feeding but, breastfeeding for new moms can at times be very challenging. I would stress and worry with my first child that I almost gave up. Thankfully someone recommended me more milk plus by motherlove. I’m currently expecting my third child and am placing my order on Amazon today. You can also find these at natural whole food stores. They help with milk supply
So wonderful! I check these updates before the makeup posts! If you plan to breastfeed, then the Bravado Nursing Tanks are great and comfortable…especially to cover your stomach as opposed to a bra. Zip up hoodie with maternity yoga pants/leggings and you are set for baby boot camp… Also Lansinoh hpa lanolin cream, drink lots of water, feed BG on demand and massage near your underarms. Enjoy this amazing time!
Wow, kudos to all ladies here for the suggestions!
Not longnow, Karen! Breathe, babe. You will do fine!
Btw, what’s the nailpolish, it looks awesome.
You’re at the home stretch! I am sooo excited for you Karen! You are going to do great 🙂