0-6 month baby favorites

Let's ignore the fact that I haven't posted since April and talk about the best baby gear for 0-6 month babies (and beyond)! I've been looking forward to posting about my favorite baby items since before we were pregnant. Is that weird? Seeing other peoples' favorites lists helped us to figure out what we needed/wanted, so I'm hoping this might do the same for some of you! I feel like we tried our best to not overdo it on the gear. I researched and found items (as best I could) that would grow with Lennon throughout the years. This causes you to sometimes spend a bit more, but it's typically very worth it. With the holidays coming, I thought it would be a great time to finally post these lists. (This post does not contain affiliate links.)

1. Dock-a-tot Deluxe // Oh man, did we utilize this a LOT in the first 3 months. It was nice to have a safe spot to put Lennon in that was also super cozy. We didn't use this as a co-sleeper, but still got a ton of use out of it. The quality is top notch and it's so easy to move around the house. Lennon loved napping and playing in this in those early months. Now she loves crawling in and out of it. (disclosure: Doct-a-tot sent me this product to try out for free and review.) I was really happy having this product and would recommend! 
2. BabyBjorn Bouncer // This was one of those "grow with baby" items that we are still using today! This seat was awesome for the more upright and non-crunched position when Lennon was having some reflux issues. It's also very breathable and the material molds itself to your baby's head to help prevent flat spots. I still use this with her multiple times per week so I can take a shower. It folds down easily, is easy on the eyes, can later be used as a seat, has 3 different positions, and is also super easy to move around the house. Only con is no auto-bounce. :) A friend sent us the toy bar which Lennon loves!
3. Skip Hop Multi-level Bouncer // This may seem redundant with the seat above but that was not the case at all for us. The height adjusts from floor to table height (and anywhere in between), depending on where you want baby. We've used this non-stop from about 1 month and still use it today. We had to support Lennon's head the first 1-2 months with a rolled burp cloth (the actual seat angle doesn't adjust) but this seat saved us. The vibrations were incredibly soothing to her and we actually called this "the magic poop chair." It seriously helped her with pooping and all of the crazy infant gas. She didn't sleep in it at all, but would sit in it happily for 10-25 minutes at a time. Those minutes are so precious in the beginning. I could plop her in it and actually have time to make breakfast. She still loves hanging out in this seat and eating ice with product #3 listed below. HUGE fan of this seat! It's also not overwhelming in size at all.
4. Lotus Bassinet + Crib Bundle // I cannot express my LOVE for this product enough. We used the bassinet for our bedside bassinet and it was perfect. It was easy to rock with my foot hanging off the bed in the middle of the night, has a gentle rock, is big enough to use for at least 6-12mo, has mesh sides for breathability and so you can see baby, is incredibly lightweight, and easy to set up. The best part is the frame is also used with the larger crib. If you check out the link and video it will make a lot more sense. The larger crib packs down easily and is very lightweight, especially in comparison to most portable cribs. 
5. Skip Hop Foam Playmat // A playmat that is easy on the eyes. We have this in our main living space on the wood floor and love it. I use the dustbuster on it for crumbs and dog hair.
6. Boon Flair High Chair // I went back and forth on high chairs for way too long. I didn't even register for one, because I couldn't decide. After seeing our friend use this chair with her baby, I fell in love. Major pros: You can easily roll it around the kitchen if you have wood or tile floors, crazy easy to clean (no where for crumbs to hide), height adjustable from table to counter height, pop off tray liner for easy tray cleaning. I also like that it doesn't have a wide-leg footprint like a lot of high chairs. We actually found this on Craigslist for $50!! Such a steal of a deal and very happy with it. It's not exactly my style, but I couldn't pass up the CL deal and how easy it is to clean. Even for the full price, I'd say it's worth it.
7. Nuna Mixx // My goal was to find a stroller that would be durable for city sidewalks and lots of adventures away from home. I love the look of this stroller, high quality build, small footprint, adjustable seat (goes fully flat and faces out or in), large rubber tires, large canopy, opens and collapses very easily, and the push bar height adjusts easily. I would say the downside is that it's on the heavy side (25lbs) and when collapsed, you can't stand it on its end for easy storage (like the Uppababy strollers). Nordstrom typically runs a package deal on Nuna stroller/carseats during their half-yearly sales!
8. Skip Hop Activity Center // Another big hit item that grows with baby to many stages. It changes from a 360-turning seat, to an activity center for pulling up/cruising to, and eventually to a table. Lennon has been using the seat component since 4 months old and still loves it! It's also adorable and the "keyboard" music isn't too loud/obnoxious.
9. Boon Collapsible Bathtub // If you can't tell, I have a major love for Boon and SkipHop products. They're just so well made and well designed. This tub did not disappoint! It was absolutely perfect from birth to about 7 months, when we started putting Lennon in the big tub. It collapses and doesn't take up much space, can adjust to an angle before your baby is sitting up, and is a cinch to keep clean. For the first month or so we used this inexpensive body sponge to keep Lennon from sliding around. It was perfect! I had the hardest time deciding on a tub but was beyond happy with this one.

1. Reusable Baby Wipes // Before we started using our cloth diapers (we use these diaper flats) we eased in with cloth wipes. We both love cloth wipes! They are so much easier to use than traditional wipes. If you don't mind the laundry, cloth wipes are a game changer. We make a simple solution using filtered water and lavender witch hazel (about 1/4c mixed with 4 cups water with 40ish wipes), but even water-only works. We have about 60 wipes total, which turned out to be the perfect amount for doing diaper laundry every other day.
2. Thirsties Snap Duo Diaper Covers // Using diaper flats (or prefolds) with waterproof covers is about the cheapest option (and most slim-fitting!) for cloth diapers out there. I have nothing bad to say about these waterproof covers at all! They've been perfect. We have less blowouts in these than when we use disposable (for outings and in the early months) and they clean easily. We only had 5 covers in the first size and are now moving up to the next size. Having 6/7 covers wouldn't be unreasonable, especially if you're starting to use them in the early days with a million poops. I only change to a new cover if it is noticeably soiled with #2 or if she pees onto it while changing. I never experimented with cloth diapers overnight. Diaper changes with this system take maybe 15 seconds longer than with a disposable diaper. There is definitely more work with laundry, but we're happy with our system and flexibility in sometimes using disposables.
3. Boon Pulp Silicone Feeder // These are the best! Lennon loves sucking/chomping on ice in these and they're also great for introducing new foods. She started using them around 6 months and still loves them! They're a cinch to clean (unlike the mesh feeders) and have a simple design. Highly recommend! If you invite me to your baby shower you'll definitely be getting one of these.
4. Lifefactory Glass Baby Bottles // These bottles have been great! They're simple to clean, extremely durable (no breaks!), and Lennon took to them fairly easily. It took her a handful of attempts, but we stuck with the same bottle instead of trying multiple brands. Once she got the hang of it, there have been no issues since! Because I work at home, having 4 small bottles and 2 large bottles has been the perfect amount for us. Chris started giving her a nighttime bottle around 4 months and sometimes daytime bottles if I'm out of the house. She started taking more than 4oz at night around 5 months, so we switched to the big bottles and she now takes 8oz with the size 2 nipple. She was collapsing the nipple and taking forever to eat so we switched around 8 months, even though you always read not to for breastfed babies. It's much easier to feed her now and hasn't affected BF'ing. When I pump, I use the plastic medela bottles then pour into one of the Lifefactory bottles for the next day's night feed (or into a milk freezer bag).
5. Milkbarn Burp Cloths // We got these for a gift and they're one of Lennon's favorite things! We used them more as a toy/lovey than a burp cloth, but they are great for drool, too. These were the first thing Lennon really played with. She loved grasping them and waving around. We also utilized them for months on our daily walks draped over the stroller seat bar to cover L's legs feet from the sun. They're soft and adorable and make a great gift! 
6. Zutano Fleece Booties // These are an absolute must!!! They stay on and are super cozy. They do run small, so size up. (We started with the 6mo size as a newborn and just got the 12mo pair with grippy bottoms for this winter.) Also love their cotton booties!
7. Halo Fleece Sleepsack // The hospital actually gifted us one of these to us and it was amazing. I probably wouldn't have purchased otherwise but am so glad we ended up with one! Lennon was born in January, so fleece was the perfect option. We used this at night but cotton swaddles for naps during the day. I also feel like it's a bit stiffer (in a good way) than the cotton varieties and kept her a bit more snug at bedtime.
8. Muslin Swaddles // While I was determined to use these as our only swaddles, that did not actually pan out. They're such a pain to mess with after night feedings and diaper changes. Once I succumbed to the sleepsack above, I was much happier. However, these are awesome for a bunch of other uses. I definitely recommend having at least 2! I have a few different brands and don't notice a difference them.
9. Love to Dream Transition Swaddles // I'm so glad I stumbled on these in my swaddle searching! We started using these around 4 months when we moved Lennon to her crib for naps and nighttime sleep. They hug the body snuggly (not too tight) and let babies keep their arms in the "up" position. It gives them a little more freedom to move their hands/arms around, while still being zipped in. Lennon had a major startle reflex for months, but this swaddle really helped transition her from the SwaddleMe velcro-wrap type, as she started to get a little more alert/mobile and wanted her arms up. I went back and forth deciding between different swaddle brands, the merlin sleep suit, etc. but was extremely happy with these. Once she started rolling and we unzipped her arms, it was a seamless transition! (Some don't have the zip-off arms, but I highly recommend getting that style for their versatility.) We used these from 4-9 months (bought 2) and then bought these sleep suits and LOVE them as well. They're super cozy.
10. Osprey Poco AG Plus // If you're into more serious hiking and will be hiking in hot weather, a hiking backpack is crucial. The airflow between your body and baby is amazing, baby sits high up for easy looking around, and the weight distribution is much better than traditional baby carriers. It also holds everything you need for your babe and some of your gear as well. We loved that the Osprey includes the sun-shade in the pack itself. Lennon seems to love this, too!
11. Solly Baby Wrap // While it took me a few weeks to muster up the courage to learn how to use it (everything is overwhelming in the early weeks!), this wrap was absolutely amazing and necessary. I started taking Lennon on walks in this wrap and then from 6 weeks - 4 months, it was the only place I could get her to nap for long periods of time (we tried a million different things). She took a short morning nap in the swing and then would sleep in the Solly Baby for 2, 2-hour naps every single day. It allowed me a little more freedom than being stuck on the couch for those naps. The lightweight material was cozy and perfect. After 4 months, we moved her to her crib for naps and night sleep and sleep trained.
12. Lillebaby 6-in-1 Complete All Seasons // This carrier has been amazing, especially after watching some youtube videos on how to get the perfect fit for you and baby. Chris has no problem using this carrier, either. Lennon loves it and will still take a nap in it if we're on the go. 

other favorites: 

• Naturepedic Lightweight Ultra crib mattress // The lightweight aspect of this is absolutely amazing. So easy to change the sheet and mattress cover. Love the 2 firmness options and that it's made with mostly organic, non-toxic materials and made in the USA. I lamented over this purchase for months but am so happy with our choice. Many mattresses on amazon claim to be non-toxic, or "organic," but are very misleading. Naturepedic is actually based 30min away from where I grew up. Their customer service is great if you have questions or problems!
• PUREgrace mattress cover // We have two and they're perfect.
• Babyletto Hudson crib // We love the style and quality of the Babyletto cribs and that they use all non-toxic paints and finishes and sustainably sourced wood. We also bought the matching dresser and my parents bought the full-size foldable Babyletto crib for when Lennon visits.
• Burt's Bees organic fitted sheets // These are my favorite sheets. They're super soft jersey knit cotton, durable, and have cute prints/colors.
• Burt's Bees burp cloths // soft, durable, perfect size, perfect thickness
• Graham Glider from West Elm // We got a great deal on this during one of WE's big sales and are very happy with the purchase. It's slim and modern, but perfect for both Chris and myself. I love how the sides stick out the whole way up and use them to lean my head on all.the.time. The "performance velvet" is very easy to clean. We bought a "pouf" footrest on Etsy and didn't mind not having a foot rest that glides.
• Honest overnight diapers // I couldn't wait until Lennon could fit into these! They start at size 3, so before she hit that weight we used the Bambo diapers (which held up really well overnight!). We stopped changing Lennon overnight around 6ish weeks, unless we knew she had a poopy diaper. This helped her fall back asleep after feeds much more easily. 
• Goumikids products // Do not even waste your time with other baby mittens. The velcro addition to these is the best. Seriously. We used the velcro booties non-stop as well, instead of socks. Baby socks are the worst!! The adorable sleep gowns are insanely soft and make diaper changes easy. I also like that they contain their feet, instead of being open on the bottom. They run a little long/slender. The quality of this brand is top notch!
• Baby Gap clothing + pj's // We've had great luck with the quality and sizing of Gap clothing. (Lennon is 80th % for height and about 45th % for weight.) Also, their sales are amazing! Never buy anything full price.
• Carter's zip, footed pj's // Cute, soft, durable!
• Chicco orthodontic pacifiers // We switched Lennon from the standard soothie pacifier around 3 1/2 months to the chicco. They're awesome, and she was able to hold it much more easily in her mouth.
• Fridababy products // I can't say enough good things about this brand! - nail clippers (seriously the best!), nose frida (definitely use with saline!), windi (used a lot in early gassy  months) -- Now I'm seeing the medi-frida and definitely need to order it. Lennon hates taking medicine straight from the syringe. 
• Bandana bibs // Too cute. A must for teething, drooling babies.

I'm sure this list looks completely overwhelming, but I tried to hit the hot items we absolutely love, use non-stop, and would buy again in a heartbeat. My hope is that this helps some of you make registry decisions or choose baby gifts. I'm happy to answer questions about our experiences in the comments! If you have favorite products, feel free to leave in the comments as well.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Ashley

This post does not contain affiliate links. Dock-a-tot did send me their product for free to try out and review. 

Lennon's Birth Story [Part 2]

Thank you so much for your sweet comments from Part 1 of Lennon’s birth story. This is the second and final post about her birth. I realize this is a food blog, but if you’ve been a longtime follower, you know I enjoy sharing personal stories as well. If you don’t enjoy reading birth stories that might have some TMI parts, please feel free to skip over these posts. I’m going to discuss certain labor induction methods we tried, but please talk with your doctors/midwives before trying any of these out on your own.

41 weeks + 6 days. Friday.

We arrived at the hospital at 8:30pm and checked into labor and delivery. We met with our nurse and midwife that would take the first shift until 7am the following morning and talked about a plan. They were both wonderful and so reassuring. The midwives at our birth center were fully confident about the care we’d receive at the hospital and have a great relationship with the midwives on staff there. They wanted to start me on oral induction meds overnight to see if things would get started. I changed into a hospital gown, had my IV line in place, and monitors were set. This was a bit startling, as I didn’t think I’d need to be so tied down during labor. I tossed and turned all night long, wrestling with the hospital gown and monitors that kept sliding out of place. I could not for the life of me get comfortable. I remember waking up in a panic, constantly checking to make sure Lennon’s heart still looked good on the monitor. I tried to keep telling myself if there was a problem the nurse would come in and let me know. However, trying to reason with myself in the middle of the night was not working.

42 weeks. Saturday.

Wow! Here we were at 42 weeks. Unreal! The oral meds did get contractions to start throughout the night and they were coming every minute or so but weren’t too intense feeling. Because of the rapid contractions they decided to stop the oral meds and move to pitocin. Since you can’t stop the oral meds from working until they wear off (about 4hrs), they wanted to avoid putting the baby in any sort of distress. Pitocin was now a safer option since you can unplug and stop the meds much more easily. Before starting pitocin I was able to take a break from the monitors and cords to shower and eat breakfast. It felt so good! I also asked and was able to wear my own clothes, which helped me stay much more comfortable.

They started the pitocin, slowly increasing and monitoring the baby. Contractions came nearly every minute for almost 12 hours, but they still weren’t intensifying. I felt them but wasn’t in much discomfort. Throughout the day I stayed as active as possible, bouncing on an exercise ball, squatting through contractions, and pacing the room. Luckily, the babe looked great on the monitor all day, but I had zero progress when they checked me that evening. During the evening hours they tried to place a cook catheter, similar to the foley balloon I had placed a few days prior. The difference with the cook catheter is that 2 balloons are involved. I’m going to skip a lot of the TMI details of that, but they unfortunately weren’t able to place it. Also, ouch.

42 weeks + 1 day. Sunday.

At this point I had basically been experiencing contractions for 36 hours (still on pitocin). I wasn’t in horrible pain this whole time but it was taxing nonetheless. I was able to sleep much better in my own clothes and with a dose of benadryl. It felt great to get some sleep! I was also lucky that I got a couple breaks each day from the monitors to eat and clean up. I know this isn’t always the case, but I think since real labor wasn’t starting they were okay with it. Baby girl still looked great on the monitors, and they were starting to suspect that she wasn’t descending because of how much amniotic fluid was around her head. This wasn’t a bad thing but might be holding her up.

Our midwife came in to try and place the cook catheter again. She told me, “We’re getting this thing in today!” And finally, they got it. Hooray! But also, ouch, again. I kept it in for 12 hours and contractions really picked up. There was only one position I figured out that was “comfortable” to be in. I had to kneel on the bed backwards, draped over an exercise ball and breathe through the frequent contractions for hours. Pitocin was also going at this time. The 12 hours couldn’t have felt any longer, but we were hopeful things were really getting started! It was finally time to have the balloons removed that evening. We met with the midwife who would be on for the next 24 hours and who we had the first night at the hospital. We absolutely loved her and were so happy to have her for a full day. Around 11pm she checked me, and I was 3cm dialated! Tears of joy. FINALLY. Progress! I immediately emailed friends and family with the update.

42 weeks + 2 days. Monday.

I somehow slept most of the night with pitocin going and another dose of benadryl. I remember fuzzily waking a few times for the nurse to adjust my monitors but that’s it. I felt calm and rested once I was up and able to shower and eat breakfast. I took a few morning hours off from pitocin, because they said sometimes doing that can help to kick things into gear once you restart it. The midwife also said she was going to break my water early afternoon and surely that would get things going. She was convinced that all of the water around the baby’s head was really holding her in there.

Sidenote: I can’t tell you how times people said to me, “She must really be cozy in there!” By day 3 at the hospital, this was my least favorite phrase to hear.

They hooked the pitocin back up and it was go time. They were increasing the dosage faster today and contractions were picking up. I was finally feeling them a bit more and still squatting, bouncing, and walking the halls to try and help things progress. The contractions were more spaced out than in previous days, though, and less regular. With how much pitocin I was on, they really should have been picking up more at this point. The midwife came back in around 1pm to break my water. And, wow, there was a LOT of water in there. I kept looking off the side of the bed because it felt like a waterfall. There was also meconium in my water, which they weren’t at all surprised about with how late I was. I continued with the pacing while hooked up to pitocin.

All this time, Chris and my mom were right by my side keeping me company, watching too much HGTV, playing yahtzee, and trying to get through this marathon birth.

Around 4pm our nurse came in to check on me and mentioned the next step would have to be a c-section and most likely pretty soon. WHAT? This caught us so off guard. I mean, in the back of my head I knew if I wasn’t in active labor after 24hrs of having my water broken that it would have to happen, but I still had so much time! We hadn’t really discussed this with the midwife yet, so it felt like a gut punch. I think the nurse could sense our frustration and said she’d send in our midwife. I decided to take a long bath to try and stay calm. (They were still able to monitor me in the tub.) I had really been holding it together well up until this point. Our midwife came in and we had a major heart to heart while I sat, tears streaming down my face--barely able to speak, in the bathtub. We trusted her completely and her words were so kind and gentle. She told us while we technically have more time, they didn’t want the baby to end up in distress.  They were starting to get concerned as to why she still hadn’t dropped, thinking maybe the cord was wrapped or too short, etc. We agreed I would be checked one final time and if there was no progress we’d start getting things in order for the c-section.

I sat in the tub, Chris by my side, and continued to cry. I knew what needed to be done, and I knew it was the safest option, but it was the mental shift that I was trying to work through. It was similar (but more intense) to when we left the birth center, knowing we weren’t going to have our baby there. The nerves were also setting in about the actual c-section. The pain. The sterile feeling of the OR. The recovery time. The longer hospital stay. It was all becoming a reality.

I got out and dried off and the midwife checked me. There was zero progress in 24 hours, after a heck of a lot of pitocin and breaking my water. We were still at 3cm, not fully effaced, and the baby was in -2 station. At this point the decision was clear to me. It was obvious a c-section was the only way we were going to get this sweet girl into the world. After we agreed, there was flurry of people in and out of our room. Our midwife explained everything that would happen during the procedure and how recovery would go. We met with the amazing OBGYN who would be delivering the baby and then the anesthesiologist. Everyone was so kind and reassuring, though it still felt like an out of body experience. Everything was happening so fast. Before I knew it, I was in a hospital gown and cap, Chris was in scrubs, and I was hugging my mom before walking to the OR.

I sat on the cold operating table and the midwife let me drape over on her as they put the block in my back. They got everything ready and then Chris came in and sat by my side. The nurse put music on and I remember feeling more at ease. We asked to have a clear screen behind the typical blue screen, so that when they pull the baby out they could lower the blue screen and we could see her being born. I also wanted to do skin to skin as soon as possible, but I knew with the meconium in my water they’d need to give baby girl a full check before handing her to me.

Surgery started and I remember feeling a lot of pushing and pressure. It’s pretty hard to describe the feeling. Time was creeping by for me, and it did seem to be taking longer than expected. Chris and I were talking throughout the whole procedure, which helped get me through it. I think maybe a nurse mentioned they were having a hard time getting the baby out but that she still looked good on the monitor. Geez! She was really in there! They even had to attempt using the vacuum on her head (which I didn't even know was a thing in c-sections), but it popped right off and they didn’t try again. I could feel the midwife and doctor pushing down on me with all of their weight. The anesthesiologist finally told us they were about to pull her out and they would lower the blue screen. I felt so much relief hearing she was FINALLY going to be here. And with one more big push and pull we saw little Lennon Eyre McLaughlin come into the world. She cried immediately, and I’m pretty sure we were both crying at that point as well. It felt so unbelievable that she was REAL.

They quickly moved and checked her to make sure her lungs and breathing were okay because of the meconium. She continued to cry and they told us everything looked great. She weighed in at 7lbs 9oz, 20.5 inches long, and had a big head! Chris was by her this whole time and it was directly to my right, so I could see everything that was going on while they were still working on me. Chris cut the cord and put on her first diaper (and his first diaper, haha). The nurse brought her over and put her right on my chest. It was a little awkward being flat on my back, but I remember bursting into tears thinking this was the absolute most amazing moment ever. I remember saying, “Where did she get those lips from??” as we checked out every little detail on her. She was perfect. And hungry! This little babe was trying to bob her head for food immediately. It was too adorable. The nurse tried to help me, becuase it was hard to bend my arms with all of the cords and monitors. She kept rolling into my neck, as there wasn’t too much room for her on me.

As soon as they were finished with me, the doctor came to my side and told me that this was trickier than she thought it was going to be. The size of Lennon’s head (thanks to her dad), made it hard to get her out, and she had to cut a larger incision because of it. She also told me there was no problem with the umbilical cord but she did find that my sacrum bone is tilted pretty far up and it was actually keeping Lennon from descending into the birth canal. She could only figure this out while they had me opened up and after Lennon was out. I was stunned, as was the doctor. So Lennon wasn’t super cozy, she was super stuck! The doctor also told me that during the past 3 days I was never actually in labor. My uterine muscles were still fully intact (they thin out during labor). She was shocked, as was I, since I was experiencing contractions for so long. Thank goodness for modern medicine. It’s a complete fluke that my bone is shaped this way, and I’ve never had any other issues because of it.

Finally, we were ready to move to recovery. I remember my body shaking for hours after the surgery. They said it was from the meds and would wear off soon. I even remember it being hard to talk because my teeth were intensely chattering. I’m sure it was a combination of the meds, adrenaline, emotions, etc. Chris went to tell my mom and his brother and sister-in-law that Lennon arrived and everyone was healthy. He met me in recovery, they placed Lennon in my arms, and all was right in the world. My mom came in the room, and the tears continued. It was such a special moment for my mom, meeting her first grandchild. Then, with the nurses help, I finally got to feed this hungry little girl. It’s all a bit of a blur but she latched and started eating right away. We moved out of recovery and into our room and started to settle in. Lennon got to meet her uncle and aunt, we face-timed with grandpa in Ohio, and then we all tried to get some rest. By this time it was already midnight.

Lennon was born at 7:59pm, almost exactly 72 hours after arriving at the hospital, and 17 days late. What a journey. We are so thankful to everyone who played a part in keeping us safe and bringing a healthy baby into the world. A few of the midwives from our birth center (Baby & Co.) visited after Lennon was born and wanted to hear the full story. This meant so much to us.

While our story was such a complete 180 from what we expected, it worked out so perfectly in the end. I had prepared for a vaginal delivery and was truly ready to for the experience (pain and all), but things had a different way of playing out. However, I was lucky to feel immediately at peace with our journey. It was still so special and memorable and it was unique to us. The only thing that bugged me for a few weeks after her birth was not knowing when Lennon would have tried to come on her own. For some reason it left me feeling a bit unsettled, but I eventually let it go. She was here and healthy and that’s all that mattered.

Thank you so much for reading and letting me share our experience.

xo

Ashley (and family)

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Lennon (We love gender neutral names for girls and the Gaelic version of the name means “lover.” It felt too perfect. It also included part of my grandma’s (mom’s side) name, Lenore.)

Eyre (This is last name from my dad’s side of the family that I’ve always loved. It’s pronounced “eye-er,” not “air.”)