Birth Shaming

No matter where you go, everyone who sees you are pregnant has their story to tell you about how amazing or horrifying their birthing experience was. The first time around this was super odd to me but didn't really bother me that much. Now after I have had my first son via C-Section, I find that more often than not when people tell me their birthing stories, about how "beautiful and natural" their experience was and then ask me about mine with my son, and they find out it was a CS they start "birth shaming" me.

Seriously, what the heck. I am all for going it the natural way, and if you want to do it with no epidural or anything else then- damn props to you with a high five, and a party dance. I didn't do it that way, but my experience was pretty dang awesome, and my child was happy and very healthy.... so can someone tell me what I should be shamed for?

While it was not really a choice for me to have a CS the first time, he was breech, this time it is - and I agreed to schedule it the same way - and I am sooo okay with that. I am baffled to why people think they can try to shame me because of how I am having my child. You did not carry this child for 9 months, you are not planning on raising it sooo go fly a kite. Again, I am super proud of my friends who have had their children naturally, you are amazing and I can't speak enough about how awesome I think you are, but that is not how I had my son, or how I plan on having this one... soooo why do people think their rant to me in the line at the post office about how I am less of a good parent for having a CS is going to change my decision...

Hospital Bag List

Since this is my second go around on the Mommy Merry Go 'Round - I am going to put up my hospital back list on what I plan on bringing this time around. I know the internet is saturated with these lists, fully equipped with photos... that is not going to be this list.

My C-Section Hospital Bag List

• Toiletries
• Sensitive Body Wash
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Lotion
• Toothbrush and paste
• Face Cleanser wipes
• BlowDryer
• Hair Brush
• Hair Ties - Multiple bands cause you know they get lost while you are sleeping.
• aside from the hair ties I also plan on brining a hairband - headband to keep my hair pulled back for when I am feeding
• My Makeup bag -
• the essentials of my makeup bag are pretty small - face lotion, tinted moisturizer, Blush, mascara and concealer.  - I keep it simple, especially in the hospital no need to bring the whole nine yards.
• Cell Charger
• Last time I think I brought the iPad but this will change to the Laptop.
• Cell phone - for the quick pic and to start the recording of feedings and diapers.
• Last time I brought some of our own diapers and wipes as well - although I know the hospital provides these while you are there for the lil guy.
• I also came prepared with Pads. 
• The ones the hospital provides are Awesome but bulky so just incase I brought my own - I will do this again - I happen to like the Kotex Extra Long super absorbent. 
• Since I am having a scheduled C-Section I advise others to bring a nursing nightgown, not the shorts/pant top combo. 
• The reason for this is simple, after the section they have pressure cuffs on your legs and long story short its just a whole mess... go with the night gown.
• Nursing Bras
• My going home clothes
• the baby's going home clothes.
• Lanolin Cream

I may have forgotten some things. but this is really the gist of it - I won't be bringing my own pump -Plan on renting one from the hospital....

So thats it really - I know that other lists tell you to bring change for the hospital vending machines, and what not but really.... In between the hospital food, and my family and friends stopping by with snacks just to see the new edition - hospital vending machine food was the last thing on the list of stuff I had to worry about.

I hope this helps someone else - but this is definitely what will be in my bag for the hospital. 

Mom Game

I acknowledge that I openly say how those moms that have it "all together" and make all the crafty stuff at home.... drive me crazy..... but during this time of the year I have an urge to try to step up my mom game.... Its the holidays....

So I would like to share with you what I did to make myself feel like I was a "crafty mom".

Two things ...

1. I made "frosted Cranberries"  or sugar berries.... essentially they are just cranberries covered in sugar but they look like they are covered in snow... sweet and tart... plus they are super easy to make....  If anyone actually reads this... just comment below and let me know if you want the recipe  and I will post it

2. Since it is christmas season it is also Tamale Season... not as easy to do as the cranberries, but its a family project...... this is more of a family recipe so sorry can't share...

So ... just two things that make me feel like i have it more together than i probably do.