| 34 | No Rain, No Rainbows

This photo was posted previously, but needed to post it again with the great quote I discovered.  This photo is of my big belly the second night of my hospital stay. Still here after 15 days, but Baby Josie is expected to be here via c-section at the end of this week. I am in my 37th week, which is great!!

| 33 | Hospital Bed Rest Mommy-To-Be Blogs

photo: beckyxo via ETSY

Here I want to share with you some more bed rest mommy blogs.  These mommies are on hospital bed rest and sure do have their unique set of challenges, as we all do.  Be sure to check out their blogs.  While I truly wish that none of us had to go through what we are going through, reading other bed rest mommy blogs provide a sense of support to ourselves, knowing you are not alone, but this also provides you with the opportunity to provide support to other bed rest mommies.  Stay strong, ladies!





http://msrachdiddy.blogspot.com/
http://exclusivelyevans.blogspot.com/

Don't forget to check out my other blog entries for 

Bed Rest Mommy-To-Be Resources & Tips!

"It may not be easy, but it is possible."

| 32 | Advice from the Pros; Fellow (Hospital) Bed Rest Mommies

So today marks me at 35 weeks and 2 days; also, 1 week and 1 day in the hospital. I am holding up, as is my little favorite, Baby Josie. Really, it is just another waiting game. Soon this will all be a distant memory and goodness, I can not wait!


I asked some other hospital bed rest mommies some advice for getting through hospital bed rest. Below, I have some of that information for you. Also, do not forget to visit previous posts because a lot of the resources that pertain to at home bed rest mommies, overlap with hospital bed rest mommies.  


All of these hospital bed rest mommies are from the Bed Rest Club via BabyCenter.com:


#1 | "Take your own pillows and pjs.  Most doctors will let you wear your own pjs instead of hospital gowns.  Makes you feel half way normal!!"


#2 | "Also, bring a bathmat and towels from home.  I only got to shower twice a week for 5 minutes sitting down, but it was so nice to step out onto a bathmat and not a flimsy hospital towel.  Also, I lived in yoga pants, sports bras and maternity tshirts.  I had so many visitors for my 26 day stay and it was nice to get out of my pajamas daily and feel human.  Also, my sister brought me some photos in frames from home and a nice cheerful quilt/bedspread to brighten up the room.  I also kept lots of snacks in my room.  I am not sure what the rules are at each hospital, but at mine I got to pick my meal choices for all 3 meals daily.  There were forms for each meal and someone would pick them up daily.  Ask the person if there are any specials and write them in if interested.  I also learned you can write in special orders- if I checked off omelette, I could write in (add cheese and bacon), if I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich I could write in add grilled onions and provolone, etc...  I could pretty much write down anything they had in cafeteria even if it was not on my menu.  One last word of advice was bring a universal remote.  My hospital room just had a remote with up and down buttons and it would take forever to get to channels I wanted.  Brother in law bought me universal remote so I could punch in numbers."


#3 | "laptop or ipad for surfing the net! Bring your own clothes I agree with that. especially comfy bras."


#4| "Bring your own blankets and pillows. They're much more comforting than what the hospital provides you with. Get a big calendar so you can mark off every day your in the hospital, it helps you feel a sense of accomplishment!"


#5 | "It sounds kinda childish but I made a paper chain of the number of days I had till I was due and put an inspirational quote on each one and hung it up in my hospital room. It was nice to watch it get smaller and smaller and it was good to go back and read all the quotes and saying when I was down!"

Don't forget to check out my other blog entries for 

Bed Rest Mommy-To-Be Resources & Tips!

"It may not be easy, but it is possible."

| 32 | The Positive of Chaos ; )

| 31 | A New Chapter - Hospital Bed Rest

My belly and rainbow in hospital room!

So as of this past Sunday, I have become a new kind of bed rest mommy; a hospital bed rest mommy. I will be here till baby arrives and today marks 34 weeks, 4 days. The reality is that Baby Josie could be here in the next 10 days. I am confident all will be okay, but aware that some NICU time could be needed.  


I am still getting adjusted to this new routine and environment of the hospital, for it is my very first hospital stay ever.  I just gained access of my computer today and will be sure to research some hospital bed rest mommy resources and perhaps some premie resources as well to share with you all.  In the meantime, hold on and stay strong ladies.  


To be continued...

| 30 | It's Complicated

http://workisnotajob.com/en/work

Another week down, ladies! 

Today marks 34 weeks down for me and I can hardly believe it.  

Anyway, today I have for you a recent article from Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine called "It's Complicated". 

Take a peek at this article and share with other bed rest mommies as well.

Don't forget to check out my other blog entries for 

Bed Rest Mommy-To-Be Resources & Tips!

"It may not be easy, 

but it is possible."

| 29 | Positive & Fun - The Welcome Home Outfit

photo: egallis vis ETSY

Two of my fellow bed rest mommies have delivered their babies in the past two weeks.  I am so happy for them and with their pride and joys being welcomed into this world, I realize that our day will be here sooner then we know it.  


Now I have lots of outfits for our princess and a few that I thought could be cute as her welcome home outfit, BUT I just really want something special and handmade.  So where do I turn?!  Well, www.etsy.com, of course ;  )


I have spent the past hour or so looking for this special outfit (time passer, ladies) and I have a few that I like and need to narrow down to one.


Want to look at some welcome home outfits via ETSY?  Click Here! There is anything from cute diaper covers, onesies, sweaters, etc. All handmade and most can be personalized.

Don't forget to check out my other blog entries for 

Bed Rest Mommy-To-Be Resources & Tips!

"It may not be easy, but it is possible."

| 28 | But is it Impossible?

| 27 | A Few Bed Rest Mommy Blogs

photo: jenniferramos via ETSY

To feel like you are not the only one, following bed rest mommy blogs, in addition to the super resources that I have provided you throughout my blog, there really are some great resources out there for us. And do not forget to click on the links to the right hand side of this page, under "Lovely Links" for support groups, resources and other time passers.  


Below are two bed rest mommy blogs, which are current, and that I read often. And it's nice to be able to comment on their blog entries to provide them with some positive encouragement. We all know that we need that!


http://whatwhywhereandwhen.blogspot.com/

http://awaitingmybabyboy.blogspot.com/


Happy Fourth of July Weekend!  And it is July... a new month, a month down, a month closer!  You got this Mama's!

Don't forget to check out my other blog entries for 

Bed Rest Mommy-To-Be Resources & Tips!

"It may not be easy, but it is possible."

| 26 | Be Proactive - Clear Communication

http://pinterest.com/pin/47795809/

Clear communication between you and your healthcare provider(s) is so important.  I have not had a good experience/communication with my healthcare providers throughout my bed rest and think that things could be a little bit easier if that were not true.  

The day I was "prescribed" bed rest, I was told "well we want you on bed rest, hope you have short term disability, if not looks like your husband will need to get a second job, see you next week, if anything happens you can not blame yourself".  No joke. If I knew then, what I know now...

You must discuss with your doctor, in detail, what activities she/he will allow you to do. Sidelines has a bedrest checklist that is designed to help you know what questions to ask. These questions can help make communication clearer for you, your family, and your doctor. It helps to be clear on what activities are and are not allowed! Use the checklist or a journal to write down questions and take notes. This requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. To download the free reader click here.

Don't forget to check out my other blog entries for 

Bed Rest Mommy-To-Be Resources & Tips!

"It may not be easy, but it is possible."

| 25 | Being On Bed Rest: Boredom, Guilt And Lots Of Online Shopping

photo: thedreamygiraffe via ETSY

Here is an article/blog entry via NPR (National Public Radio).  You know that we bed rest mommies enjoy reading other bed rest stories to see the similarities in our challenges, feelings, doings, etc. Check it out.






Click Here > Being On Bed Rest: Boredom, Guilt And Lots Of Online Shopping

Don't forget to check out my other blog entries for 

Bed Rest Mommy-To-Be Resources & Tips!

"It may not be easy, but it is possible."

| 24 | Some Normalcy - The Nursery!

While I am about 85% done with Baby Josie's nursery, I sure still love looking at ideas online.  


My three favorite places for nursery inspiration are:

1. Lay Baby Lay (Mommy Blog)
2. Pinterest (just type "nursery" in the search box)
3. Project Nursery

This is a distracting and fun time passer which I have spent hours looking at.  


Enjoy Mama's!

Don't forget to check out my other blog entries for 

Bed Rest Mommy-To-Be Resources & Tips!

"It may not be easy, but it is possible."

| 23 | The Belly Diaries

So, the Belly Diaries.  Approaching my third month of bed rest (now able to be up for about an hour or two a day), I find myself taking lots of pictures of my belly.  I take pictures out of boredom, excitement, to share with others and for memories. So come on ladies, if you are not already going crazy taking belly shots, start to now... you will not regret it!  Hint: Another Time Passer ;  )

Don't forget to check out my other blog entries for 

Bed Rest Mommy-To-Be Resources & Tips!

"It may not be easy, but it is possible."

| 22 | Thinking Consumes the Bed Rest Mama

photos: 1scrappinmom via ETSY

| 21 | Your Birth Plan

photo: adriamoynihan via ETSY

I know, with being on bed rest, you feel like "THE DAY" is never going to get here. I sure feel that way! But the day baby comes will be here and soon. 


Have you ever thought of doing a birth plan? Well, whether you have or you have not, I have come across a great template via www.thebump.com which is simple and to the point. A big part of me feels that why do a birth plan?  So much in my pregnancy has been out of my control and surprises seem to pop up often. Just let what ever happens, happen. But then I feel that there should be stuff in writing with what I prefer.  So my plan is to complete this birth plan via www.thebump.com and have it with me a the hospital as a form of communication to the medical staff. And be sure to include your partner in completing your birth plan as well.  


And remember, this is something else to pass your time away!


Birth Plan via www.thebump.com


Another week down and it is almost JULY!

Don't forget to check out my other blog entries for 

Bed Rest Mommy-To-Be Resources & Tips!

"It may not be easy, but it is possible."

| 20 | Bed Rest & Groceries

photo: ieatstars via ETSY

Did you know that there are many online grocery websites that deliver groceries right to your home?! I came across a list of about 50 online grocery websites, and while I am fortunate to have family who has time to do my grocery shopping (my husband and my Mom), I am sure that this can be a challenge in many lives of bed rest mommies. Also, in regards to cost, it seems to me that the price for delivery is very minimal on some of these websites.  I have not checked them all out, however.  So, if you have found that getting groceries in a timely manner is difficult, you want to check this out.  Remember, you are eating for more then one nowadays and adequate nutrition is very, very important.

List of 50+ Online Grocery Delivery Services

I hope that you find this helpful ;  )

Don't forget to check out my other blog entries for 

Bed Rest Mommy-To-Be Resources & Tips!

"It may not be easy, but it is possible."