Extracurricular Activities: Maternity Photoshoot, Virtual Family Baby Shower, Registry, Hospital Bag

Maternity Photoshoot:
End of March, my husband and I hired a friend of a friend to take some photos of us, our pup and the bump at Central Park. It turned out to be a beautiful day, and the photos look amazing. We did more of a casual shoot, walking through the grass, “posing” near the iconic landmarks.. Nothing too fancy. I did not want my hair and dress blowing in the wind, while my flawless face stairs up into the heavens. That is a fantastic option for some people, and it does look beautiful, but I am more of a nice dress, running shoes, skipping down the path, kind of girl.
Nevertheless, our photographer was amazing, our pup was on her best behaviour, and we now have some great photos for Instagram. 

Virtual Baby Shower:
Covid, covid, covid. With my family in Canada, it did not make sense to have an in-person baby shower. The original plan was for me to fly back, and we host in my parent’s backyard. Plans changed quickly with all my doctor visits, and more provincial lockdowns, so zoom was the best option.
My sister set it up, sent out the invites, made sure everyone knew how to log in beforehand, sent out thank yous, navigated the registry and included games (baby item price is right was the most fun). My bff here came over to help write names on the boxes -- we had mostly everything sent via Amazon, put the boxes in a separate room, and the morning of she opened them to find who sent what.. I just re-opened the boxes when it was time for gifts.
The twins are so incredibly lucky to have such a loving and supportive family. We received more than I could ever imagine. All of the larger/ more expensive items and all the necessities needed for day one in the world, were purchased.
It was a great day, fun to see everyone “together” laughing and playing along. I miss them all.

Registry:
*Please remember, I am a first time mom, not knowing anything at all, gathering knowledge from books, Manhattan mommy forms/blogs, and friends my age who recently had children. Hopefully, we made some decent decisions with these items. More details to come.*
1. Stroller/ car seat: Doona x2
- Yes, two single strollers. Living in Manhattan is tough enough for me to get around, down to subways, grocery shopping, simply walking down a street full of people. An overwhelming number of people suggest strapping one baby on your body, and have one in the stroller, if you cannot find a friend to help go to doctor visits.
2. Bed: Twin by the bed bassinet
- We have a two story apartment, easier to have the babies sleep in our bedroom with us for nighttime feeding, at first.
3. Electronics: White noise machine, humidifier, night light
- I am excited to have these on in my bedroom for better sleep.
4. Bottles and pacifiers: Tommee, Comotomo, Boon, Nanobebe, MAM, Mombella, Chicco
- Trying out different brands, since I will have two separate little humans to make happy. Also, a dry rack, dishwasher basket, and sanitizing bags.
5. Pump: Medela Freestyle Flex Pump, along with breast shields, milk storage bags and nursing pads
- Ideally, after the first few days or so of breastfeeding for the colostrum, I will pump and give bottles.
6. Baby monitor: Wyze Cam Pam, Owlet Socks
- Using the wyze cam for visual and audible, while the socks will be monitoring their heart rate, breathing and movements. All connected to our phone.
7. Nursery: Twins nursery center
- No crib for us. We have a nursery centre in our living room/ movie room. There is a full double closet dedicated to only the twins’ stuff.
8. Toys: Black and white high contrast
-  Babies are not the best at seeing color until around five months, until then, a better way to improve memory, encourage development and lengthen attention span is with black and white toys.
9. Random: Bedding, pillow, sleeping bags, swaddles, bib bandanas, burp clothes, portable diaper changing pad, diaper backpack, nail kit, pack and play, onesies, socks and pajamas.
10. Signed up for every registry promotion and gift bag giveaway I could find. The good ones I used were 15% off of Target and Buybuy Baby, as well as great samples for diapers, bottles, pacifiers, creams, wipes and shampoo.

Hospital Bag:
*Again, not an expert.*
I will be in the hospital for a few days due to a c-section. From my previous overnight stay, my hospital provides great toiletries, and other daily things I may need. 
1. For me: nursing bra, Depends, underwear, clothes for living in the hospital, pajamas, candy, cream, glasses, pillow and the belly band. Definitely going to put that on as soon as possible.
2. For babies: clothes and a swaddle blanket to come home in. The hospital will provide diapers, bottles, pacifiers, daily clothes and anything else they may need.
- Bringing the baby formula I want them to use. Yes, the best of the best imported from Germany.
3. Breast pump: the lactation consultant will help me figure it out.

Other items: Camera, chargers, and a bottle of champaign :)

My husband and I live across the park from the hospital. I am not too worried about forgetting something, and no need to bring the strollers on day one. Further, with the twins being most likely premature, they will live in the hospital for a few more days than me (at least), giving us more time to prepare, if needed. 

Side note -- What do I miss most:
1. Being able to do literally anything without needing to sit down and catch my breath.. using the bathroom, showering, putting my shoes on, typing in my password on my laptop. And my asthma is not impressed with babies taking up room in my rib cage, sometimes it turns into shortness of breath and I need my inhaler.. to use the bathroom!
2. Laying on my tummy, favorite sleeping position.
3. Walking between tight spaces and not banging into things that, to me, look like they are on the other side of the room.
4. Run, run, run.
5. However, I will miss having these two little babes in my belly, feeling them move around.

cbxo