Hattie Eleanor Nielsen

Our Birth Story

Everything about this delivery was much like the other two but with a little twist at the end of this one just to spice things up. I was scheduled to be induced at 39 weeks. July 11th (7/11!!) was the date and we were pleased about the fact that I would have her a week early and also that our darling girl would get free slurpees from 7eleven on her birthday every year for life. win win. I was set to go in at 7:00am so the night before, Emmy and Hudson stayed at Greg's parents house while Husband and I went on a date. Thai food of course. The next morning we were off the the hospital bright and early. We got all checked in and settled in our room and then my nurse brought in her nurse-in-training who has clearly never done an IV before and thought it would be a good day to practice. Had I have been fully aware of the situation, I'm not sure that I would have given nurse-in-training my blessing to poke my wrist with an oversized needle for the first time. Live and learn...and ask questions when needles are involved. They started Pitocin and the contractions began. I like to tell myself that I'm super tough, but in reality I'm a bit of a pansy which is always a bit of a disappointment to rediscover every time I birth a small human and have the epidural option at my fingertips. Gimme all the drugs! Once I had that epidural it was smooth sailing! I really love being able to nap while in labor. Based on my previous experiences, I banked on having a baby by dinner time or at LEAST by the time the bachelorette came on. Nope. This girl took her sweet time...but so did my doctor. He didn't show up to break my water until 6:30ish and that got things moving along at a slightly more reasonable pace. As 11:00pm was creeping up on us and we were wondering if we would even have a free slurpee baby, the entire left side of my body started showing signs of discomfort, which quickly turned into intense pain. My WORST nightmare...the epidural was wearing off at a terrible awful time. Im pretty sure I panicked a little and demanded that the anesthesiologist return really quickly with his magical potions. He did. And then he told me it would take 15-20 minutes to kick in. Little did he realize that until this very moment I had never felt real labor pain and I didn't ever plan to. This "15-20 minute" talk was ruining my life. The real cherry on top was that crazy pressure I felt just seconds after he left. I didn't tell anyone at first because I knew exactly what that meant. I knew I was at a 10 and I sure as hell was NOT about to push this small human out without being numb. I started shaking, the pain kept getting worse and i suddenly wanted the child out of me so I let everyone in on the situation. My sweet nurse checked and sure enough it was baby time. She ran to call my doctor, but this baby wasn't about to hang tight. Sweet nurse returned and I informed her that this baby was coming despite my honest attempt to wait it out. She grabbed a doc from the hall and they returned just in time to catch her. At 11:04pm our sweet Hattie Eleanor arrived. 8lbs 1oz 20 inches and oh so sweet. Our hearts were full and our family finally felt complete. We all have so much love for this sweet girl. God is good.

Floral Robe: Pink Blush Maternity 
Floral hat + blanket: KB cute designs 
Personalized Milk+cookies sack: The Lavish Leo

what's in my hospital bag?

Does anyone else L O V E going to the hospital to have a baby? I thoroughly enjoy my time there. you get to relax...assuming you say YES to all the drugs...take naps, be waited on and then eventually snuggle a newborn for hours without interruption while being served food that in normal circumstances would taste terrible, but given the "you've only had ice chips for the last who knows how many hours" situation, the food seems gourmet. Its like a mini vacation. I've been trying to get my hospital bag put together over the last week. JUST in case miracles happen and I get to have this baby slightly early. I'm definitely not holding my breath, but one can dream. I wanted to highlight a bunch of goodies that I'm excited about including this time around. The cute tiny things make me so giddy these days.

My duffle bag from Kipling USA + my diaper bag from Seaport Stitches

Realistically, a newborn doesn't get clothed immediately and those hospital blankets aren't the cutest ever, so I'm bringing along this Modern Burlap organic cotton swaddle blanket + a matching blanket/beanie set from KB Cute Designs because hello? pictures.

Both Emmerson + Hudson had cozy little blankets to snuggle right away, So I was excited when  sweet friends gifted us with this darling one from Nordstrom for our precious girl.

As cute as those Hospital gowns are, It's nice to have something a little more human to change into. I'm really happy about this Pink Blush Maternity robe, a great alternative to the gown while still completely skin to skin contact + nursing friendly. 

Real clothing will eventually be required, and I made it a point to pack something with extreme stretch quality, as well as support while still keeping nursing in mind. Blanqi items changed my life while pregnant and I will continue to wear them as my bod (hopefully) morphs back to normal. 

Extra teeny tiny hats from our favorites over at Beau Hudson

Apparently everyone has to get dressed eventually and so we will need a cute and very tiny sleeper most likely. This one is from Carter's.

Going home is a big event and I've always had fun picking out an outfit. I keep soft and comfy in mind. Well, this is one of 4 options...perhaps I'll decide before i leave, otherwise we will experience a severe case of over packing, which is typical for me. Onesie: Hugo Loves Tiki Bloomers: Bobo Choses from Baby Go Green Bow/headband: The Petite Harper Moccs: Freshly Picked

I am all about safe organic products for delicate new skin and I can't say it enough, the Sweet Pea scent from Wash with Water is beyond. I use it on my bigger kids and I cannot wait to smell it on a fresh newborn. 

Last but not least, I've had two paci loving babies before this, so I'm coming prepared. Dying over these Loved by Sophia Claire braided leather paci clips to avoid being dropped on those good ol' hospital floors + NaturSutten Pacifiers.

   Of course I'm also including Mama essentials, charger, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, shampoo/conditioner (all travel sized), hairbrush, makeup...and probably even a blow dryer, straightener and curling iron because I'm the queen of overpacking like that.

   My husband also has a list. His camera. And I doubt he will bring much more than that. its clear who has the easier job during this whole process. :)

Nursery Tour

Only T H R E E weeks left to go with this third + final pregnancy and I've just put the finishing touches on our sweet girl's nursery. Of course I've had two dreams in the last few weeks that I've birthed a wee baby boy. I can't even tell you how stressful that would be after all the pink we've added to our home. I decided to go with a bright, cheery, summer vibe for our little july babe and I can't wait to see our girl in the space we've created for her.

Emmerson + Hudson take Hollywood

When my sweet friend Marci from Little Edge Threads asked if the kids would be apart of a segment she was putting together for Hollywood Today Live, our answer was a no brainer. Em LOVES any opportunity she has to be on tv and I was sure my Hudson boy would thoroughly enjoy it as well. It took place the day after Greg's birthday, so we decided to make a little overnight trip out of it. We got a hotel, ate pizza and then woke up super early for a 7am call time at the studio. After a couple of rehearsals and green room shenanigans, the little ones took the runway with some of our other favorite Instagram kids. CLICK HERE to watch the video!