It takes a village...

Getting through the first few weeks (or months) with a newborn can be tough.

I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the kind gestures by my family and friends when Charlotte was born. I’d like to share the most impactful ones, in case you have friends or family who are about to become new parents.

The gift of photos is always so special. Cody and I were gifted a maternity photoshoot and a newborn photoshoot by Hannah, whom I'm sure many of you remember.  I treasure those pictures so much.

If you're invited to visit a new baby while they're still in the hospital, offer to take a few special photos of the newborn and parents. Even if Mama doesn't feel photo-ready, they'll be pictures she may want to look back on later. Plus, it's fun to have a few good pictures to send around to family!

Okay, so this one might be a little extreme, but if you know my family,  you won't be surprised. While Cody and I were still in the hospital with Charlotte, my mom and sister Becka went to our house and decorated with a welcome sign, balloons, flowers, newborn pictures, and a few special gifts. It was one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me, and I will never forget it!

Not sure what to gift a new mom? Consider a soft and stretchy new pair of PJs.

I had spent a good part of my pregnancy, telling anyone who would listen, that I was craving an Aperol Spritz (complete with a blue striped straw) and an Italian Sub. When we got home from the hospital, this was waiting on the counter. My family brought over Italian subs for lunch the next day! So sweet and thoughtful.

In addition to these fun and creative surprises that we received, getting help with the practical and necessary things kept the first few days as low-stress as possible. As soon as we left for the hospital, Cody's dad came over and picked up our dog, Hazel, to stay with him for the time we were gone. And just a few hours after we got home, he came back over with a fully cooked meal for that night.

Bonus points for Cody's dad who visited at the hospital and brought one of Charlotte's hospital swaddles back to Hazel, so she could get used to Charlotte's scent before officially meeting her.

Lastly, if the new mama is a flower lover like me, hospital flowers are such a nice gift. It might mean one extra trip to the car when it's time to leave, but I loved having this giant floral arrangement in the hospital room during our stay.