@b_1029@pocketrose I'm so tempted too but I know people are going to gift us a ton of clothes. I have some basics on the registry though. Benefit of team green, my choices are a lot more limited! Haha. @b_1029 those are so cute!!
One thing I can't really wrap my mind around us the baby's size and timing out changing needs for weather. Like obviously with a July baby all the early stuff needs to be for warm weather, but how big will s/he be when pants, jackets, and other warmer clothes become necessary? I guess it's something you just can't plan for until they arrive...
Also there's very little chance this baby will clock in below 9 lbs so I don't even know how much 0-3 stuff to even aim for (no newborn!!) and how soon we'll be jumping to 3-6 anyway 🤯
@rachelredhead you'll find that most daycares will teach sign... so if you're gong the daycare route, ask if they do that and then you can just help reinforce at home. What I found most helpful was googling and using youtube to teach me the signs that would be most helpful for her (more, eat, water, milk, please, help, etc) and whenever I said those words, I signed them. Eventually, she would also sign them and it make life sooooo much better because you're not dealing with a frustrated toddler who just wants something you can't figure out.
There are tons of books out there to read to babies to teach sign, and we own a few... but I found googling and working on a sign I needed at the time much more beneficial. She just didn't care about the books.
@kc0711 that is suuuuch a fun stage, right?! And seeing the huge reduction in frustration on their end is so nice.
@mehugg the only NB thing I have on the registry is these side snap t shirts that EVERYWHERE tells me I need because of the umbilical cord. Will I actually? who knows. I would safely assume 0-3m stuff would be fine at least for a couple months..I assume pants would be more 3-6 size? I don't know how it works with AC though haha, I'm so clueless with this stuff. Baby will probably always be overheating or freezing. It's over 100 here in the summer with the heat index so I don't even know how much we'll be outside (I am so terrible in the heat) other than sitting outside at night if the mosquitoes aren't horrible.
ETA just reread your post and realized it said there was little chance they'd be BELOW 9#...in that case, I'd just go straight to 0-3m but I have no idea when he/she would be in 3-6m clothes. it doesn't help that it varies by company
@b_1029 DD lived in those teeshirts for her first 8 weeks of life. If we were home, she was in one with a diaper. So much easier to change a blow out in a teeshirt than a onesie and my kid was queen of the blow outs. It is also 120 degrees here in the summer, so she was practically naked until November when it starts to cool off.
So I've been putting off booking our newborn photographer because I'm cheap and just didn't want to pay the retainer yet. (A dumb plan really, because other people are having babies too and getting their spots reserved.) Anyway, she posted on Facebook this morning that the next 3 people to book a newborn session with her will also get a complimentary Fresh 48 session at the hospital! That was just the kick in the pants I needed. I was able to get one of the three spots, so this is me right now. Sometimes procrastination pays off!
I agree with you @b_1029 the sizing and amount of clothing right now seems nerve wracking (though I know it'll come with time and common sense) I keep getting ads for these super cute baby ribbed rompers that I can't look away. I'm trying to not look into clothes/toys/decor until we know the gender, because I also have nieces and nephews, so I probably realistically wont need most of that.. But its all so cute.
@stlbuckeye132 omg... I'm so jealous! What an awesome add on! I don't know about yours, but our hospital has the woooorst lighting so I got exactly zero good pics on my own with DD. Like, no one really looked that great in any of them. A professional photog would be so awesome to have!
@blaf322 I think she's just starting to add Fresh 48 sessions to her gallery. There isn't any info on them on her website, so we'll basically be a practice run, but I'm cool with that. We have hardly any from DD's first day and the ones we do have are not great. lol Then with everything that happened with her going to the NICU and ultimately a different hospital, photos were not on our radar at all. Our first family picture was on day 4 of her life. Whoops. I'm realizing now that I need to bring something I'll look halfway decent wearing though... with DD it was all yoga pants and a giant t-shirt.
@stlbuckeye132 girl, the outfit selection is the ONLY reason I haven't considered a fresh 48. I think I've mentioned here (prob on more than one occasion) that picking out outfits for photos is the actual worst because I'm the actual worst at it. I cannot have that kind of stress in my life. I already have to pick stuff for maternity and NB shoots. That's more than enough
@stlbuckeye132 Our hospital has an in hospital photographer that takes pictures before people go home then you just have to purchase them online at home. It's super nice for those that know about it, not as nice for people who didn't have time to prepare with cute blankets/outfits (and moms just wearing baggy sweats/hospital gowns).
@stlbuckeye132 I had thought all the months I didn't pregnant it was vitamins in the super cute bags I'd see people leave with. It was a book and the photo session. I know it helps them get good photographs for their wall of success stories but I thought it was great.
Also maybe realizing I have an UO that I don't like most newborn photos. When they're all curled up in tight blankets/baskets, just their heads poking out.. things like that (I know I'll want some newborn photos, but most make me cringe)
@nursejenn5 I feel like baby is most important, and they're cute even in just the hospital blankets and caps! My hospital I delivered DD at has the same service, but they pissed me off last time. lol I was pumping (DD was in NICU at this point), some woman comes in the room saying she's the hospital photographer, I told her DD was not here, "that's ok, I just need to talk to mom about pricing!" "No... she's not here because she's in the NICU." "Ohhh. So sorry, I'll leave." Yeah thanks, lady. Seems like the nurses or someone should tell her which rooms *not* to go into?!
@bluguitarhannah how sweet! I love that they do that, even if they have some selfish motives, I think it's an amazing offer for their families!
@nursejenn5 while I have to disagree with you, you aren't the first person I've heard say that. I bet you'd prefer a lifestyle session more than a studio session with all the wrapped up or naked baby on a blanket shots.
@stlbuckeye132 I'm really critical when it comes to photos, but I also wouldn't do the hospital photogs for the fresh 48 because their pics just aren't as good. It's like the difference between paying a good photographer for your family shoot or just going to a Lifetouch studio, ya know? ETA- I've seen some really cute hospital photo shoot results... but I think you end up with mediocre photos more often than not.
@nursejenn5 some are cute, but I generally agree with you about those pics. I think we'd do a lifestyle session at our house even though that would require cleaning lol. MOOOOOooooOOOM!
Also I didn't realize this was something we'd probably need to think about/book this early in advance, so thank you all for bringing this up! Bugging DH now..
We didn't do a newborn session with DS and i'm sort of regretting it. I did end up doing a one year cake smash session, so i'm happy to have at least that!
I would like to get some sibling/lifestyle photos done this time since this will be our last baby and would make some nice memories, except DH is most likely going to turn my idea down. His family does some photography as a hobby, and he'll want us to wait until Ouma gets to town and do the photos....no no no. I want something nice and professional. Maybe if i can convince him, it was a gift from my coworkers or family, then he might be more willing to do a mini session (i just need a few!)
@nursejenn5 there are definitely some cringe-worthy newborn photos out there. I also tend to prefer lifestyle photos most of the time, but there's something about your snuggly little brand new baby all swaddled up or naked on a blanket. I'm lucky in that our photographer does mostly the traditional swaddled shots of just baby, but then will also do photos of the family too. One of my favorite lifestyle pics from DD's session in spoiler b/c my dog kills me and I’m apparently an AW. (Remaining faceless until we move to fb.)
I guess I'm also different in just wanting something small. I have a coworker that does really good professional quality photography that does a lot of sessions for my coworkers(so I might talk to her). but I also have a sister(who did our engagement photos) and a friend that does photography as a hobby. If they feel comfortable enough with it, i'll probably go one of those routes to just get a few maternity and then newborn photos. I did my sisters baby announcement, maternity session, then 1 year nephew photos myself (photography as a hobby) and she enjoyed it, then she did more professional photos after that when i got busier with life. But it doesn't fit our lifestyle to do big and expensive photo sessions. We may choose to later, but I think low-key is what we'll go for!
I love other people’s newborn photos, except for when there are too many props and things. The Fresh 48 and at-home/lifestyle shoots are definitely the best. I never did newborn photos with DS and I regretted it a tiny bit but it’s been fine. I haven’t even gotten around to doing anything with his 1-year photos yet. Or the 2 family photo sessions we’ve had done since he was born. So I think newborn photos would be a bit of a waste of money for us. They are so sweet though!
We are doing a hospital mini-session. It's 20-30 minutes while we are still in the hospital, and only $170 for the session and 20/30 fully edited digital images. Here is a sample of what they have shared for their mini-sessions. (Not done by the hospital staff, I've had hospital staff do pictures previously and they were so, so bad. 😂)
@modoodles $170 for 20-30 images is a great price! Their photos are really cute too! But the girl ones reminded me of my UO: I'm sick of letter boards and think they're so overused. I'm ready for that trend to die.
@modoodles how cute! also I just googled what a Fresh 48 shoot is hahaha guess is not a thing here in Mexico, at least it is the first time I heard of it but of course now I want it...
@stlbuckeye132 agreed on the letter boards and also the great pricing. Our regular photographer charges $150 for the sitting fee, and I pay about $100 per digital image, or $20-$30 per print. I feel bad not going to her, bit this is such a good deal! I've been going to the same person for 11 years now, she gave me a $500 discount for our wedding photography, and I even watched her dog while she went to Canada on a week-long fishing trip 2 years ago. So, feeling super guilty, but also excited at good quality and low prices 😂
@stlbuckeye132 Our hospital has an in hospital photographer that takes pictures before people go home then you just have to purchase them online at home. It's super nice for those that know about it, not as nice for people who didn't have time to prepare with cute blankets/outfits (and moms just wearing baggy sweats/hospital gowns).
You probably would know this, but since I work in the unit, I get a big discount on the hospital pictures. I just called to order and let them know where I worked.
We did a lifestyle shoot with DD because a newborn session was just ridiculously expensive. I couldn't wrap my mind around it. The photographer did a couple of the cheesy squishy baby pics which was just the perfect amount for me. The only thing is some of the pics are "artsy" and I'm like "why are half our faces cut off?!". The photog had a buy one get one deal on gift certificates so I bought myself a couple for when this babe arrives. I might mention I want a few more "traditional" family pictures this time around lol.
@stlbuckeye132 yup. We always do a summer or fall family session and I buy whatever prints I want, and add on ONE digital image to use to create our Christmas cards. Then I opt out of all school pictures and whatever because I'd rather have the good quality family session than cheesy school pics any day!
@modoodles definitely! I'm always floored by the prices of DD's DAYCARE school pictures. I'm with you, I'd definitely prefer a family session over school pics haha
FFC : I have never had a professional picture taken of my child. I think others are cute though!
Big thing is.. DH is an amateur (very amateur...he basically has a nice camera) photographer and says he will just do them himself. They don't turn out that great all the time and I just don't feel like hurting his feelings AND forking out cash for a photographer, so it is what it is.
Re: the dislike for the posed shoots... y'all. are. crazy. I looove those little squishy baby photos! I also still like the letter boards for birth stat photos hahaha.... clearly I'm the one with the UO here! But, I mean, come on! Look at this sweet little squish!
@modoodles whoa! That is an INSANE cost for a mini shoot with images. Our family photog is about the same for sitting fee, give or take and then you get 10 edited images. You can add additional image files for $10 each or max out at an additional $100.
Oh, and we never purchase school photos. They're always soooooo terrible. Like, comically bad b/c DD is not the most outgoing with new people. They're getting better as the years go on, but in the beginning.... soooo bad
@blaf322 That is so cute! I'm an equal opportunity baby photo appreciator, as long as it's cute I'm in. Having said that, I doubt we'll do professional hospital/Fresh 48 photos because I'm generally uncomfortable in medical facilities and cannot imagine looking cute/baby will look just as cute a couple of days later at home.
@blaf322 I love some posed photos too, for sure! The ones I hate are when the baby girl is in a big ass bow and huge tutu and has necklaces wrapped around her... keep it simple, please. We have bought a couple daycare photos of DD b/c they're so bad they're funny. One she's sitting in a bucket (??) with a sweet little dress on that I sent only for the pic, and I told her teacher to please just have her barefoot for the photo (b/c I failed at momming and she didn't have anything other than sneakers that fit her). Did they take her shoes off? Nope. So she's in this cute little somewhat frilly dress and has her play tennis shoes on. Her expression also reads, "wtf am I doing sitting in a bucket?" Had to get that one!
@blaf322 Oh I'm with you! I love the squishy newborn pics. They are sometimes cheesy but I love me some cheese lol. But I'm also cheap and not shelling out 400$ for newborn pics, I think it was $200 for the lifestyle session and we got a bunch of digital images.
@blaf322 I like the posed photos for babies especially. We have a photographer we've used for 10 years on family shots and at some point we'll do a shoot with her later on. I'd vainly like to lose some baby weight before there's many images of me recorded. She does holiday mini sessions so I will likely try to get my Mom and maybe brother to come do a family shoot sometime near next Christmas.
I don't know if my sense of smell is extra hyper sensitive today or if all my kids are extra smelly.. but phew. My one kid must've had salami for lunch right before her intervention and every time she spoke (which is often in a speech and language session) it was all I could smell .
Re: Weekly Randoms w/o 2/24
One thing I can't really wrap my mind around us the baby's size and timing out changing needs for weather. Like obviously with a July baby all the early stuff needs to be for warm weather, but how big will s/he be when pants, jackets, and other warmer clothes become necessary? I guess it's something you just can't plan for until they arrive...
Also there's very little chance this baby will clock in below 9 lbs so I don't even know how much 0-3 stuff to even aim for (no newborn!!) and how soon we'll be jumping to 3-6 anyway 🤯
There are tons of books out there to read to babies to teach sign, and we own a few... but I found googling and working on a sign I needed at the time much more beneficial. She just didn't care about the books.
@kc0711 that is suuuuch a fun stage, right?! And seeing the huge reduction in frustration on their end is so nice.
ETA just reread your post and realized it said there was little chance they'd be BELOW 9#...in that case, I'd just go straight to 0-3m but I have no idea when he/she would be in 3-6m clothes. it doesn't help that it varies by company
@bluguitarhannah omg I love that they offer that!
@nursejenn5 while I have to disagree with you, you aren't the first person I've heard say that. I bet you'd prefer a lifestyle session more than a studio session with all the wrapped up or naked baby on a blanket shots.
@stlbuckeye132 I'm really critical when it comes to photos, but I also wouldn't do the hospital photogs for the fresh 48 because their pics just aren't as good. It's like the difference between paying a good photographer for your family shoot or just going to a Lifetouch studio, ya know?
ETA- I've seen some really cute hospital photo shoot results... but I think you end up with mediocre photos more often than not.
Also I didn't realize this was something we'd probably need to think about/book this early in advance, so thank you all for bringing this up! Bugging DH now..
I did my sisters baby announcement, maternity session, then 1 year nephew photos myself (photography as a hobby) and she enjoyed it, then she did more professional photos after that when i got busier with life.
But it doesn't fit our lifestyle to do big and expensive photo sessions. We may choose to later, but I think low-key is what we'll go for!
jk his face is like "Oh my... she's so cute I can't compete against that "
Now I want a photo shoot including my furbabies...
I think others are cute though!
Big thing is.. DH is an amateur (very amateur...he basically has a nice camera) photographer and says he will just do them himself. They don't turn out that great all the time and I just don't feel like hurting his feelings AND forking out cash for a photographer, so it is what it is.
@modoodles whoa! That is an INSANE cost for a mini shoot with images. Our family photog is about the same for sitting fee, give or take and then you get 10 edited images. You can add additional image files for $10 each or max out at an additional $100.