#designed onesies for shower gift

[grannyandgrandpascreations]

Sometimes I Puke When I Drink Too Much Just Like My Aunt Onesies®

This fun one-piece gender neutral baby bodysuit Onesies® has a playful message that Aunts can appreciate "Sometimes I Puke When I Drink Too Much Just Like My Aunt", it’s sure to get a few laughs! Nothing matters more than a baby's comfort, and this one-piece gender-neutral bodysuit is the right choice for all active babies. The envelope neckline and three snap leg closure ensure comfort throughout the day.

These gender neutral Gerber brand Onesies® are incredibly comfy! Both the bodysuits and t-shirts are printed on 100% cotton for a super soft feel. These unisex baby bodysuits are great to use as a take home outfit, baby shower gift or everyday attire!

All items are created or designed by Granny & Grandpa's Custom Creations. We also print and heat press our items using our professional, commercial grade heat press! Each design is made with High Quality, Heat Transfer Vinyl. All of our bodysuits and t-shirts are made to order in a smoke free and pet free home. We only print on genuine Gerber Onesies® and Children’s Place. Gerber Children’s Wear holds the trademark for the word “Onesie®”. The term “Onesie®” is to reference the Gerber label and to describe the genuine Gerber Children’s wear products we use at Granny & Grandpa's Custom Creations.

Care instructions: Turn item inside out, machine wash cold, no bleach, no softener. Do not dry clean. Do not iron. Tumble dry low.

Please also know that although every effort is made to photograph my items accurately, color may differ slightly from photos due to different monitor settings. Please contact me with any questions about the color or size of any item before purchasing. Have something in mind that you’re looking for? I love custom orders! I can make custom changes to all existing designs that are currently available in my shop. Please send me a message, and I’ll be happy to help!

After a package leaves my hands with the post office, Granny & Grandpa's Custom Creations is not held responsible. Current Turnaround Time due to upcoming Holidays - 1-5 Business Days. While we always use priority shipping options, once shipped we cannot guarantee delivery due to the backlog current being experienced USPS/UPS/FedEx. If you have a strict deadline, please message me when ordering so that I can note any rush requests. Ownership of packages turned over to USPS transfers to the Buyer. We are not responsible for lost, held, damaged packages or delayed packages, once your package(s) leaves our Shop it is completely out of our control. Thank you for understanding!

Thank you so much for supporting our "small Granny & Grandpa's Shop", we truly appreciate YOU! Please visit www.grannygrandpascustomcreations.com/shop to view more of our creations!

Due to different picture lighting settings the actual color might vary a bit from the pictures.

Please visit www.grannygrandpascustomcreations.com to view more products.

LET’S GET SOCIAL & BE FRIENDS! Like, Tag & Follow us for Our new Creations, Inspiration & Giveaways!

website/ www.grannygrandpascustomcreations.com/shop

facebook.com/ https://www.facebook.com/GrandpaHandmadecreations/

instagram.com/ https://www.instagram.com/grannyandgrandpacustomcreation/

pinterest.com/https://www.pinterest.com/grannyscustomcreations

#grannygrandpascustomcreations

A humorous Onesies® features the phrase "Sometimes I Puke When I Drink Too Much Just Like My Aunt". Nothing matters more than a baby's comfort, and this one piece is the right choice for all active babies. The envelope neckline and three snap leg closure ensure comfort throughout the day.

These gender neutral Gerber brand Onesies® are incredibly comfy! Both the bodysuits and t-shirts are printed on 100% cotton for a super soft feel. These unisex baby bodysuits are great to use as a take home outfit, baby shower gift or everyday attire!

All items are created or designed by Granny & Grandpa's Custom Creations. We also print and heat press our items using our professional, commercial grade heat press! Each design is made with High Quality, Heat Transfer Vinyl. All of our bodysuits and t-shirts are made to order in a smoke free and pet free home. We only print on genuine Gerber Onesies® and Children’s Place. Gerber Children’s Wear holds the trademark for the word “Onesie®”. The term “Onesie®” is to reference the Gerber label and to describe the genuine Gerber Children’s wear products we use at Granny & Grandpa's Custom Creations.

Care instructions: Turn item inside out, machine wash cold, no bleach, no softener. Do not dry clean. Do not iron. Tumble dry low.

Please also know that although every effort is made to photograph my items accurately, color may differ slightly from photos due to different monitor settings. Please contact me with any questions about the color or size of any item before purchasing. Have something in mind that you’re looking for? I love custom orders! I can make custom changes to all existing designs that are currently available in my shop. Please send me a message, and I’ll be happy to help!

After a package leaves my hands with the post office, Granny & Grandpa's Custom Creations is not held responsible. Current Turnaround Time due to upcoming Holidays - 1-5 Business Days. While we always use priority shipping options, once shipped we cannot guarantee delivery due to the backlog current being experienced USPS/UPS/FedEx. If you have a strict deadline, please message me when ordering so that I can note any rush requests. Ownership of packages turned over to USPS transfers to the Buyer. We are not responsible for lost, held, damaged packages or delayed packages, once your package(s) leaves our Shop it is completely out of our control. Thank you for understanding!

Thank you so much for supporting our "small Granny & Grandpa's Shop", we truly appreciate YOU! Please visit www.grannygrandpascustomcreations.com/shop to view more of our creations!

Due to different picture lighting settings the actual color might vary a bit from the pictures.

Please visit www.grannygrandpascustomcreations.com to view more products.

LET’S GET SOCIAL & BE FRIENDS! Like, Tag & Follow us for Our new Creations, Inspiration & Giveaways!

website/ www.grannygrandpascustomcreations.com/shop

facebook.com/ https://www.facebook.com/GrandpaHandmadecreations/

instagram.com/ https://www.instagram.com/grannyandgrandpacustomcreation/

goimagine.com/ https://goimagine.com/granny-and-grandpas-custom-creations/

pinterest.com/https://www.pinterest.com/grannyscustomcreations

#grannygrandpascustomcreations

[slushycoookie]

My Husband Has a Symbiote! Pt.5

Pt.1 ~ Pt.2 ~ Pt.3 ~ Pt.4 ~ Pt.5

Relationship: Miguel O'Hara x AFAB! Reader

Word Count: 3.2k

Content: Lactation kink, pregnancy sex, childbirth, MINORS DNI!!!

Summary: In the final stage of your pregnancy, you find out a new thing your husband likes.

A/N: This will be the "last" part of this mini-series. I'm leaving it open-ended just in case I have another one in me. But count this as complete! I appreciate anyone who's been reading! (And I totally forgot to make a tag list. I will do that next time I do a series.)

“Aww, you shouldn’t have!” You hold up the hundredth spider suit onesie designed for an infant.

Miles' small smile was something you couldn’t be upset at, “It's no problem. But there's more.” He points to the tissue paper, causing you to look deeper inside. You gasp at the hand-drawn baby book. It's colorful and bright with a story about how a young spider made her way to find her family.

“Miles! This is adorable.” You squeal with excitement, holding it up for Miguel who was watching from afar with a smile. You motion Miles over to proceed to kiss his face with gratitude. Miles accepts your appreciation before politely pulling away.

“You're welcome.”

“My turn!” Another spider jumped in with another present.

For some reason, you've never pictured yourself having a baby shower. At HQ, out of all places. Plenty at Spider Society wanted to give you gifts to celebrate the baby. Which mainly consisted of their spider merch for babies.

Others were thoughtful. Hobie gave you a few CDs of punk music for the baby. He said it was supposed to help with developmental growth. Pavitr and Gwen collaborated on buying some baby toys. It was mainly stuffed animals. Somehow you also noticed the stuffed version of their spider personas in there. And Margo gave a few video games that also helped the development of the baby. Although these weren't going to be used until your child was big enough to hold a controller.

You were ecstatic to have a large circle who loved and cared for you genuinely.

“Oh, you're…leaking.” A spider pointed out. You looked down and your blouse was getting stained by milk droplets from your breasts.

Miguel was immediately by your side with a few wipes, “We can stop if you want-”

“I'm ok.” You said, “It's just a little milk.” In fact, it's been happening occasionally throughout your third trimester. Milk staining your shirts, preparing for your baby. Your husband lingered by your side for a moment and you caught him glancing at your breasts. Probably out of concern.

After getting home from the baby shower, Miguel insisted you relax on the couch. Making you watch him carry endless boxes from the party through the portal, setting them inside the house.

“I guess we don't have to worry about getting baby clothes for a while, huh?” You joked, losing count on how many baby spider onesies you all received.

“I'm not having our daughter just wear clothes that look like spider suits.” Miguel sighed, looking amongst all the boxes. Trying to figure out where to put them. You stood, ready to come to his aid. “I got this, baby. Go sit and relax.”

“I've been sitting all day.” You reminded him. “I need something to do.” You picked up a marker and started to go through what was in each box and label it. The two of you agreed to keep a few boxes in the house and put the rest in the garage. ‘It's what they're for’ as your husband would say.

It was a comfortable silence while you two dove in the boxes. After spending all day surrounded by people who constantly congratulated you, giving you stuff you needed, it was nice to enjoy the quiet. You two were pretty much ready for the due date in a couple of weeks. Miguel was not going to stand being underprepared if he couldn’t help it.

The boxes were almost done, your husband paused and honed on your breasts. “It's happening again.”

“God.” You huffed, going to the nearest bathroom. Quickly grabbing some paper towels. You understood that you had to produce milk for your baby, but it was getting a little annoying.

“Shut up.” You heard your husband say. It caused you to peek out from the doorframe in question.

“What was that?”

“Nothing!” Miguel quickly said, “It's just Ravage.”

You blinked, decided to not indulge and went back to cleaning yourself up. You were actually surprised by Ravage's willing cooperation throughout your pregnancy. The alien was still insatiable though and you were hesitant at first. Once the doctor reported that you should expect to have a healthy pregnancy, the symbiote was on to have sex a lot. Not letting a baby bump stop them from getting what they want..

It was actually nice though since your hormones have been off the charts. If you even looked at Miguel, you'd get horny. Not caring where you were at all. As long as he fucked you.

“Need some help?”

Miguel asked, standing by the door with a washcloth in his hand. He closes the door to the bathroom to create some more privacy like you two didn’t have.

“It's ok.” You try to decline but he takes away the paper towels, tossing them in the trash.

“It's not. Let me.” He dabs the warm, damp cloth on your breast. A much better feeling than the coarse texture the paper towel gave. You didn’t protest, knowing he was going to care for you in any way he can. But you watched his eyes.

They were honed in on your breasts. As if he was under a spell. Enraptured by the rag soaking up the milk droplets from your nipples. You held your breath, worried that if a small gust escaped you, it would break him from his trance.

“I think you're good.” Miguel snaps himself out of it, shooting you a small smile.

“Are you okay?”

“I'm ok. Why?”

You weren't sure whether to bring up what you just saw. Maybe it was your hormones acting up again. “Nothing. Nevermind.” You reassure him with a kiss.

While getting ready for your due date, you wanted to get ahead on things. You spoke to Jess on some breastfeeding tips. You figured it would be a good idea to ask since you've been leaking every five minutes.

The spider woman helps you on how to hold the baby, demonstrating by holding the air. You were listening to what she was saying, but you wondered if it would be better to have a visual aid.

“I would show you with Gerry, but he's a bit old to be breastfeeding now.” Jess laughs, “But I think there's something that could help.”

She shows you the breastfeeding dolls. Designed to do exactly what the name says. A baby with its mouth partially opened, giving you ample amount of practice to hold your baby correctly while they're feeding. And you could customize the baby too.

You quickly bought one, excited when it arrived a few days later. You undressed your fake baby from the plastic, eager to try it out.

With the help of Jess’ advice and a few diagrams from the pamphlet that was with your baby, you practiced. Holding the child close to your chest, making sure the mouth was positioned correctly so your not real kid was fed. How convenient that while you were practicing, milk started to leak from your nipple again. Into your fake baby's mouth.

“What are you doing?”

You turn from your position on the couch to see your husband, back from work. His face twisted in question. “Practicing. Wanna see?”

“Practicing what?” Miguel hesitantly walks over, answering his question as he sees you and the fake baby. “You need to practice breastfeeding?”

You nod, still cradling the child in your arms. “I want to make sure I get it right. I don't want to mess it up.”

“You won't mess it up.” He sits beside you, “I know you won’t.”

“Thanks. But I just wanna make sure.” You go back to pretend feeding your baby. Miguel is still next to you, watching you practice. It wasn't weird, you figured he wants to see how it works.

“And you need a fake baby to practice?”

“Yes, Miguel.” You give him a quick kiss to make him hush and you think that works but…

“This baby doesn't have fangs. Our baby might.”

You purse your lips, “I know. We already talked about the genetic make-up of our kid.” It was concluded that there was a strong chance your daughter would have fangs and red eyes. Since the percentage of spider genes in your spouse was 50/50. But you didn’t care. You'd love your daughter if she had eight eyes.

“Then maybe you should practice with something that has fangs.”

Your brows furrowed in confusion, “The baby design options were not that detailed. And we don't know any babies with fangs. Not that I'm saying to steal a baby, I'm just-”

Miguel takes the fake baby from you, placing it behind himself. Your eyes follow his movements when he turns you to face him.

“I have fangs.”

You blink, “They retract.”

“So?”

“So, I'm not going to breastfeed you.”

“Why not?” He looks at your chest again, still exposed from your practice. Milk leaking out once more.

You force out a chuckle, “Mig, you don't want to drink from my boob.”

“I didn't say that. Why are you implying that I don't want to taste?” His thumb presses against your nipple, drops of milk pouring down his digit. “It's food that helps feed our baby. It's not dangerous or anything.

You bite your lip as he flicks your nipple to watch the milk pour out. You didn’t want to admit out loud that seeing him like this was sexy.

“Is this you or Ravage being like this?”

Miguel leans forward, his body right above yours, “This is me and Ravage.”

“Oh.” Your face starts to get hot, “How long have you two been like this?”

“Since you started leaking. I'm not proud of the unnecessary thoughts I've had.” He ducks his head in embarrassment. But you couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that your husband wants to suck on your tiddy.

“I don't mind.”

Miguel groaned, his hands gripping the couch. “Sure you don't. I feel like a…pervert.”

“You're not a pervert.” You reassure him by resting a hand on his cheek. “You're just…discovering something new.”

“That's putting it lightly.” Miguel starts to push away, shutting himself down from what he craved deep down. But you didn’t want him to make him feel ashamed. You wanted him to do it.

By taking his arm, you make him stay. Removing your shirt, ignoring the milk dripping down to the underside of your breast. You keep calm as Miguel’s eyes darken at the sight of you. Licking his lips at the sight of the liquid. “Do it. It's ok.”

He bends down after your permission, capturing a breast between his lips. Miguel sucks, his body rumbling at the taste of your milk. Because of your hormones, everything was dialed up to 11. The sensation of his lips on you was enough for your wetness to stir down below. An embarrassing whimper escapes you, while you clutch at him in need.

Miguel makes sure both of your breasts are tended to by licking a strip of excess milk up from your other breast. His groans fill the open space and your ears.

“You taste delicious.” He compliments after getting the remaining droplets from your skin. “Our baby will love it.”

You notice his bulge amongst his pants, “You're loving it too.”

Miguel’s hand dips inside past your sweatpants and underwear. The lightest touch amongst your folds makes you croon as he feels your wetness. “So are you.”

Miguel became relentless once he started tasting your breast milk. The two of you played it under the guise that you were practicing when this was nowhere near that. Whenever you two were alone and you started leaking, instead of using a tissue, he used his mouth. Collecting every ounce of milk that came from your nipple.

It was addicting.

Your husband taking turns with the symbiote, tongues lapping at your nipples, tasting every single drop. Satisfied for the day. Especially when it came during sex.

You wondered if your belly would be in the way but Miguel took care of that. Using his strength to make sure he did all of the work, not you.

He would secure you by gripping your thighs. Spreading your legs just right before lifting you up and sinking you down on his gigantic cock. You refrain him from taking his symbiote form while having sex during the last trimester, unsure if his larger length would affect the baby. But his normal body was more than enough.

You'd whine while taking him as he lazy thrusts up into you. His face buried in your chest as he did so. Sucking on any drop of milk, groaning with his movements. Your arousal coated his cock, easy for him to slip and slide right in. And then a sense of satisfaction waved over your body once you were finished.

You had to enjoy these moments while you still can.

Your due date was coming in a few days. In a perfect world, Miguel would stay by your side. Watching over you and ready to go once the big day arrived. Instead, there was an influx of anomalies popping up in different dimensions. Leaving your husband to take care of it.

Plans had to change. He connected his watch to yours so he'd be informed when you call him for the big moment. He promised to pick up right away. You noticed his annoyance of the change of plans, knowing he didn't like not being nearby while you were like this. But you took it in stride. Soon, your baby girl will be here in your world.

Miguel had to go once more, kissing you goodbye along with the usual spiel of what to do when your water breaks. You decided to do a once over the baby’s room for the fifth time this week. A wide range of emotions consumed you, from excitement to fear. You want to be a good caretaker for your daughter. But you didn’t want to mess it up. All the self-help parenting books in the world wouldn't help you with the real thing.

A strange rush of fluids went through your lower body, staining your pants and the floor in the baby's room. Did your water just break?

Sharp pains riddle your stomach as you lean on the crib for support. The baby was coming. You tried to call Miguel through your watch, taking slow, deep breaths. You weren't going to panic. You two had planned for this.

He wasn’t picking up.

You could hardly move. Any attempt committed shockwaves across your entire body. You can't have the baby here, by yourself in the baby room. So you called Lyla.

“Heyo! What can I do for ya-oh that's not good.” Lyla says while watching your hunched state.

“Where's my husband?”

The AI shows you a bunch of screens you couldn't understand at the moment. “Tech issue while on a mission. Margo and I are working on it but communication is currently difficult.”

“H-How long will it take?” You were hoping for a good answer, anything to soothe your worries.

“ETA is ten minutes for all communications to be back online.”

That was definitely something you were not looking for. “In ten minutes, I'll be having this baby-” You groan, a contraction hitting you. “I-Is it possible…to tell Miguel that our baby is coming?”

“I can but it'll be delayed. He won't get the message right away due to his location.”

“Would anyone get it at HQ?”

“Oh yeah, there’s no issues there.”

“Who's at Spider Society?”

Lyla did a scan. It was quick but in your current state, she took forever. “Ben is.”

“Will the message be delayed if you reach out to him?”

“No, he should get it instantly.”

You told Lyla to send messages to Miguel and his left-hand man. You knew your spouse was going to be upset that he missed the start of what would change both of your lives. But you don’t think you could wait for him any longer. With all the strength you could muster, you grab the baby bag and place it on your shoulder. It takes everything you can to maneuver to the living room so Ben could pick you up quickly.

To your relief he was there in a flash, blue eyes darting around to get a clear look at the situation.

“Hi, Benny.” You gave him a weary smile, “Can you get me to the hospital?”

He quickly nodded, putting the baby bag across his shoulders. “I can't wait to tell Miguel I came to the rescue. You think he'd give me a metal?”

“Maybe.” You pat his shoulder as he gently picks you up, positioning you tight as he goes through the portal.

Your husband made sure there was a maternity ward and a birthing center in the building. Making sure you get top-notch level care throughout your pregnancy. Right when Ben takes you in, Miguel picks right up.

“Are you okay? Lyla told me the baby's on the way.” Before you could answer, you whined, a contraction stopping your words completely. That was enough to answer his question. “I'm coming. Just breathe like in those exercises we saw, okay? Like this.”

He starts breathing through the watch in a certain rhythm and you follow it as your doctors put you in a room. You lean against the hospital bed, the nurses helping change you into a gown.

“I really need you here, Miggy.”

You didn’t want to admit that you were scared. You had nine months to overcome your fear but now that you’re facing it, you wanted him there.

“I'm coming. Don't worry.”

True to his word, Miguel is in the delivery room not long after. Still in his suit but instantly by your side. You felt much better by his presence, gripping his hand as the birth of your baby began.

The entire labor was eight hours. You were doped up with medication so you couldn’t tell. The trials and tribulations of pushing, Miguel holding your hand to help you through it all. Thank goodness for his spider strength. It was hell, you weren’t sure if you wanted to get pregnant again after this. But it was all worth it for your baby girl.

Gabriella was beautiful with her brown skin, gentle red eyes and curly brown hair. Almost a spitting image of her father. A person you two made together after going through constant efforts of conception.

Miguel wipes his eyes, unsuccessful at holding back tears of joy. “She's beautiful.” He kisses your daughter's head and then yours.

Ravage comes out, the symbiote getting a good look at the sleeping baby in awe. “She smells. Like baby powder.”

“She does.” You press your nose to your daughter’s head, taking in that new baby smell. “Thanks, Rav. For helping us have this baby.”

The alien gets taken back. You wanted to express your gratitude, knowing your baby wouldn’t be here without them. “You are welcome.”

“We’re not letting you babysit though.” Miguel says, making it clear.

“At least until Gabi's older.” You clarified.

Ravage hums, “Fine. As long as we can have intercourse again.”

Miguel fights the urge to pinch his nose while you giggle. “Of course. Don't worry about that.”

[illdowhatiwantthanks]

The Butternut Squash (The Surprise, Part 19)

Emily Prentiss x fem!reader Warnings: pregnancy times, mentions of female anatomy/breastfeeding, explicit language (let me know if I missed anything!) Word count: 2.2k

Summary: You and Emily don't really need a baby shower, but you do need help getting the nursery ready, so the whole BAU comes over one Saturday to help out.

Week 29: The Butternut Squash

You had insisted on no gifts. You and Emily had plenty of money. You didn’t need a registry, and you didn’t need a baby shower. What you did need was help getting the nursery decorated and set up. So Emily–fresh off a 4-day case–had invited the entire BAU over to help prep the nursery on a rare, free Saturday.

“Emily,” you complained that Friday morning when she came home. “I won’t even have time to make food!”

“You don’t need time to make food,” she chastised, wrapping her arms around you from behind and resting her chin on your shoulder. “Because we’re just gonna have it delivered.”

You scoffed. “I always cook, Em. It’s my whole thing!”

She turned you around and grasped your face in her hands, kissing the tip of your nose, then moving to your lips. You huffed impatiently, even as your stomach erupted in butterflies (and maybe a few kicks from the baby) when Emily kissed you. “Okay, well, right now your whole thing is being seven months pregnant, so…”

“I could at least make cookies…” you grumbled. “If you get me chocolate chips from the store?”

Emily raised her eyebrows at you, but smiled lightly. “Will it make you happy?”

“Mmhm,” you confirmed, turning on the charm and your very best puppy dog eyes.

She sighed and rolled her eyes, kissing you one more time for good measure and grabbing her keys from the counter. “I can’t say no to you when you look at me like that.”

“Thank you, my love!” you called after her, a little too giddy with your grocery store victory.

“Yeah, yeah…” she muttered, shutting the door, but you knew she was smiling behind it.

But, now, here you were. Saturday, mid-morning. A plate of fresh-baked, homemade brown butter chocolate chip cookies on a plate on the coffee table… along with gifts from every single member of the BAU. Despite insisting they not bring any.

Hotch sat in the living room with you, playing Mario Kart on the Switch with Dave and Jack. Penelope gossiped with you on the couch. Meanwhile, Emily was running operations in the nursery, and every so often you could hear her ordering Derek and Spencer around. It made you giggle. JJ squeezed your shoulder, hovering back and forth between rooms.

“You need anything, Y/N?” she asked.

“I’m okay,” you assured her. “Thanks, JJ. Just… make sure Emily doesn’t get too bossy.”

JJ laughed. “Oh, I’m not sure anyone can do that.”

“Can we do gifts now? I think we should do gifts! Open mine, Y/N!” Penelope insisted, patting the spot next to her on the couch for JJ and handing you a glittery gift bag. You should’ve known they wouldn’t listen when you’d said not to bring gifts. You would’ve done the same thing. They were your family, after all.

You pulled out the tissue paper to reveal several tiny baby onesies in bright colors with adorable designs and sayings. Happy Camper. Silly Little Bear. Even one with tiny dinosaurs all over that said Babysaurus. Your heart felt like it might burst thinking about how cute your little one was going to look in these.

“Penelope, these are so cute!” You wrapped her in a hug. “I’m gonna send you so many pictures of her in these!”

“I know you guys are waiting to find out the gender, so I tried to pick ones that were gender neutral. Although, I mean I guess technically every outfit is gender neutral or… should be, or–”

You stopped her before she spiraled. “They’re perfect."

Before you knew it, Jack was pressed up against you, shoving another gift bag into your hands.

“Open ours, Aunt Y/N!”

You wrapped an arm around him and gave him a squeeze. “Thanks, buddy. I can’t wait to see what it is!”

You pulled out the most adorable stuffed gray wolf, soft as velvet, complete with two little pointy felt teeth sticking out.

“Oh, Jack, it’s perfect!”

“His name is Wolfie,” Jack told you, snatching the toy back.

“Jack,” Hotch scolded. “Remember, that’s for Aunt Emily and Aunt Y/N’s baby. It’s not yours.”

Hotch looked at you apologetically, and you shook your head to let him know it wasn’t a big deal.

“I made you this picture, too,” Jack said, handing you a crumpled piece of paper. You smoothed it out to find stick figures of you and Emily. He’d drawn your belly as a big circle, with a tiny swaddled baby inside of it. You grinned.

“Now, this is art, Jack. This is going right on the fridge.”

“This is you,” he said, pointing. “And this is Aunt Emily. And this is the baby inside your tummy.”

Speaking of the baby, she was incredibly active right now. Almost as if she, too, was happy to be with her BAU family.

“You want to feel her kick?” you asked Jack, and he nodded. You grasped his hand in yours and pressed it over your baby bump, estimating at the last place she’d kicked. Jack screeched when he felt her kick his hand, jumping on his tiptoes.

“Oh my gosh!” he squealed. “Oh my gosh! Daddy, there’s an alive baby in there!”

Hotch smiled at you. He was such a good dad. A good team leader. A good friend to you and Emily.

“After she’s born, Jack, you’ll have to come over and hold her,” you told him, but he was already gone, distracted the Switch.

“Aw, crap,” Dave exclaimed as Hotch hit him with a red shell. Hotch chuckled. “Y/N, go ahead and open up mine,” Dave said. “I’ve already lost this race. It’s the one with the silver paper.”

Penelope grabbed the gift for you, since your arms wouldn’t quite reach all the way to the coffee table. You ripped off the paper to reveal a box set that read, “Ciao Pasta Bistro.” It included a tiny little metal stock pot and colander, little ladles, and soft felt pasta shapes–bowties and raviolis and elbow noodles and shells.

“Oh my god,” you breathed, looking it over. Penelope and JJ leaned next to you to get a closer look. “This is freaking adorable.”

“The little meatball’s gonna know her pasta shapes if Uncle Dave has anything to say about it!” Dave called, cheering as he zoomed past Hotch with Star Power.

“Thank you so much, Dave,” you said, and you really meant it. They were such thoughtful gifts, so particular to each of them. You couldn't wait to show the baby, to let her get to know her BAU family, too.

JJ waited until everyone was distracted and Penelope had been dragged into Mario Kart (“Okay, but I’ll win! They don’t call me a tech goddess for nothing!”) to give you her gift. She sat next to you and pulled a bag from underneath the coffee table.

“These are more for you than for the baby,” JJ explained. “But if your pregnancy is anything like mine, you’ll get plenty of baby gifts, but not a whole lot of mom gifts.”

“That’s really thoughtful of you, JJ.” You squeezed her hand.

She pulled things out one by one, displaying them discreetly and explaining their purpose. “Listen, your nipples will hurt so bad. So bad. Just telling it like it is. So…” She held up a plastic tube. “Nipple cream. This one was my favorite. Also, silver nursing cups. I can’t explain why the silver makes them less sore, but it does.”

You nodded, feeling both overwhelmed and extremely grateful. “It’s basic, but there’s also a food delivery gift card in here. I know you love to cook, but I promise you’re not gonna feel like it for a while after giving birth.”

“JJ, I don’t know what to say. This is so nice.”

She held up a finger to stop you. “Last gift.” She pointed to herself. “Me and Will. We’re happy to babysit. Often, if you like.” When she saw you start to protest, she said, “Look, Henry’s getting older, and I really miss baby snuggles. So it’s really no trouble at all.”

You felt like you might cry. It wasn’t that nobody paid attention to you or took care of you during your pregnancy. Emily took excellent care of you. It was just that JJ was right. Most people looked at the end of your pregnancy and the birth of the baby as the end of the hard part for the birthing parent. But you knew that wasn’t going to be the case. And JJ knew, too. You were so grateful for her friendship, for her support.

“Thank you so much, JJ,” you said quietly, pulling her in for a hug.

“Oh, are you opening gifts?” Spencer asked, entering the room and hovering quietly behind you.

“Yep!” you said, watching him retrieve a tidy package wrapped in newspapers and hand it to you. You looked at him, eyebrows furrowed. “Are you guys done with the nursery already!?”

Spencer chuckled. “Oh, no. Not even close. I just snuck out while Emily was yelling at Morgan.”

You shrugged and started tearing the paper. “That tracks.”

Inside Spencer’s package was a set of colorful board books with titles like Quantum Physics for Babies, General Relativity for Babies, and Rocket Science for Babies.

“Spencer, these are awesome!” you exclaimed, reaching out to squeeze his hand. “Baby Prentiss is gonna be a genius.”

“You know, that’s probably true,” Spencer observed, taking Penelope's place in front of the TV next to Jack. “Scientifically speaking, children inherit their intelligence from their mother, not their father. So no matter how intelligent or unintelligent the donor was, the baby will inherit your intellect. And you’re really smart, so it’s likely the baby will be, too.”

“Trust Reid to come with a prepped science lesson,” Emily said, poking her head around the corner.

You threw a balled-up piece of wrapping paper in Emily’s general direction. “Zip it, Em! I like hearing about what Spencer knows.”

“Nerd,” she muttered under her breath, coming up behind you to place her hands on your shoulders and kiss the top of your head. “You alright? You need anything?”

You squeezed her hand. “I need you... to stop being so mean to Derek.”

“Thank you!” Derek exclaimed, emerging from the hallway to shove Emily out of the way and plant a kiss on your cheek. “It’s nice to know someone around here cares about Uncle Derek.”

Emily shoved him back. “Yeah, well, I don’t want to have to tell the little butternut squash that you wussed out of painting his nursery one wall in.”

Derek grabbed one of the cookies from the coffee table and took a bite, momentarily closing his eyes in enjoyment. You smiled. This is why you loved cooking and baking.

“Listen, Prentiss,” he teased. “I’m taking a well-deserved break. You’re lucky I love your girl or I wouldn’t put up with this shit.”

“Ooh!” Jack squealed. “He said a bad word!”

Derek looked at Hotch apologetically, then reached down to grab the last unopened gift bag. 

“Here, mama,” he said, handing it to you. “Saved the best for last.”

You grinned at him, handing Emily the loose tissue paper as you opened the gift. Inside was a collection of soft toys that included a football, a whistle, and a little number one finger.

“Oh, man, are we gonna have a little football fan, Uncle Derek?” you asked, grinning cheekily.

“Not just any football fan,” he insisted. “There’s one more thing in there.”

You pulled out a tiny Chicago Bears onesie, complete with a number 34 on the back for Walter Payton.

“A Bears fan, huh?” you said, smiling from ear to ear.

“I figured since the little guy or gal’s gonna be born right as football season’s kicking off, he’ll spend a lot of time on the couch watching the games with Uncle Derek. And we gotta be decked out in our matching gear.”

“If you let us sleep, Morgan,” Emily said, squeezing his shoulder playfully. “You can indoctrinate my son into being a sports fan all you want.”

“Or daughter!” you protested, and the whole team laughed. By now, your faux-feud over the baby’s gender was well-known. They were even placing bets. It was about a 50/50 split.

“Alright, guys,” Emily said, clapping her hands together and rallying the troops. “One wall down, two walls to go. And one wall of wallpaper, but I don’t think that’ll take as long.”

JJ, Penelope, Hotch, and Dave stood to follow Emily to the nursery while Derek took a seat next to you. Spencer sat cross-legged on the floor with Jack, fully immersed in Mario Kart.

“Be there in a second, Emily,” he called. “We’re about to start Rainbow Road.”

You grinned, so glad to be surrounded by Emily’s family–her real family. Happy that you had people who were excited for you, people who took care of you, people who gave up their Saturday to help you get ready to welcome a new family member.

“Hey, Jack, add me and Derek in for the next round,” you said, lowering yourself gently onto the floor, Derek’s hand instinctively grasping yours to support you. “I play a mean Moo Moo Meadows.”

[sinful-lanterns]

Garofano makes clothes right? She’d DEFINITELY make baby clothes for her babies (yes babies, I will give this old lady an army of sue asked)

She makes new ones for each of her babies, they deserve their own clothes and she just loves to make them. She always gets in the mood every time you get pregnant

The sapphic dream is living in a cozy house with your milf wife and watching as she sews little baby clothes by the fireplace for the baby growing inside your belly 🥺 (at least this is mine)

Oh how motherly Garofano looks as she sews up a cute bunny onesie for your child. She’s obsessed with making all her baby’s clothes from scratch and personalizing them to their own style once they grow a bit older and start having preferences. At the baby shower, your friends would gift you baby clothes like usual, but Garofano always insists they don’t have to since she is the one always making the baby’s wardrobe. She thinks she is way better at designing baby clothes than brands like Walmart and she is right.

Also, your baby will be the drippiest baby in town, I’m not even kidding. Thanks to mommy Garofano, they are so cute and snazzy, Garofano would get in the mood to make more babies with you, usually nudging you in a subtle way and smirking lazily to imply she wants to breed you again 💕

[tameodesza]

Househusband AU Headcanon 4: Baby Fever

masterlist

a/n: back with our fav duo! I know I headcanoned before that they didn’t have kids, but I started to wonder what if. this got long, but hopefully it makes up for the househusband hiatus. AO3

How it all began 

💍Bret’s the first to throw around the idea: “maybe it wouldn't be so bad having a little Hart running around here.”  

💍Raising their dog, Belle, brought out a nurturing side of Bret that he wasn’t even sure he had. And seeing how well Shawn cared for Belle made him curious about how they would be as parents. 

💍Shawn didn't take him seriously at first. They'd sworn off children for the longest. They had Belle and many nieces and nephews to fill that void. But when Bret kept mentioning it in passing, Shawn began entertaining the idea. 

💍They had a long and honest conversation about any concerns they had. Bret’s job was a big one. Being a top guy in the WWF meant he was gone more often than he liked. However, living in Calgary meant Shawn would have a lot of help from Bret’s family. 

💍Shawn’s main concern had been with himself. He wasn’t confident he’d be a good dad. "But you're great with kids," Bret reminded. "Yeah, when I can return them."

💍Admittedly, Shawn's a little selfish. He’s used to only worrying about himself, aside from his husband and Belle. But a baby? An innocent, tiny human depending on him for at least the next 18 years? That’s scary.

💍The night was spent googling important questions:

What are the options for a gay couple to have kids? 

What resources are available for new parents? 

How do you child-proof a home? 

Is it safe to have a dog around a newborn? 

At what age do babies stop being cute? (yes, Shawn thought that was important) 

💍They opt to go with a surrogate, using Bret’s sperm for the insemination process. Neither Shawn nor Bret had a preference on whose sperm was used. That decision came down to a semen analysis that determined Bret had the best quality sperm of the two. 

💍Once it’s confirmed that their surrogate’s pregnant, the frantic baby planning activities begin. Bret’s office was converted into a nursery. Weekends were spent putting together baby furniture that wouldn’t be used in months. Shawn threw out anything deemed unsafe for babies in the house. He also signed Bret and himself up for tons of parenting classes. 

💍Both of their families were excited at the announcement. Bret’s family put together the baby shower. Bret and Shawn received an overflow of gifts, the best one being a onesie designed as Bret’s ring gear. The shower was gender-neutral. Shawn and Bret elected to not know the gender until the child’s birth because it wasn’t something that mattered to them. They’d love their child regardless. 

💍The night came sooner than expected when they got the call to come down to the hospital. After hours of labor, they were handed a beautiful baby girl.  

💍Shawn‘s the first to hold her, his heart warming the instant he felt her smooth skin on his. He never thought he’d see the day he and Bret were parents, but the connection he felt with their daughter was undeniable.  

💍When Bret was handed their child, he couldn’t stop the tears welling in his eyes. She looked so innocent, so small in his large arms. He made a promise to always be her protector and never let anything or anyone harm her. 

💍“What should we name her,” Shawn asked. When their daughter looked up at them with those curious, pretty little eyes, Bret knew the answer. “Hazel.” 

First night as parents 

💍The first night Hazel’s brought home is rough. No matter how much they prepared, they vastly underestimated how challenging a newborn would be. They worked around the clock, waking up every two hours to either feed or soothe her back to sleep.  

💍Shawn’s a nervous wreck the entire time, thinking anything he did was wrong. Bret was tasked with calming both Shawn and Hazel while still fighting the jet lag he had after returning from the road a few days prior. The cards weren't in their favor, but they're a perfect tag team, taking alternating shifts throughout the night so the other could rest. 

💍It’s a bit better later in the day once everyone’s well-rested. Bret and Shawn spent most of their time in the nursery, swaying in the rocking chair as they doted over how cute Hazel was. They noted everything about her – how her brown hair curled slightly at the ends, how her nose crinkled when she yawned, how her eyes widened when she heard them speak, how she whimpered and cooed as she dozed off. Their night of unrest was well-worth that moment of peace. 

Parenting styles

💍Bret’s more of a hands-on dad, or as Shawn likes to call him, a micromanager. When Hazel’s an infant, Bret keeps a close eye on her and stays on top of the feeding schedule. Even when Shawn’s feeding her, Bret’s looking over Shawn’s shoulder to make sure he’s doing it right. Not that he didn't trust Shawn, but it eased his nerves to check. 

💍Shawn used to be like Bret in the beginning. But as Hazel reached her toddler years, Shawn became more laid back, developing a go-with-the-flow parenting style. Being raised in such a strict household himself as a child, Shawn didn't want that for their daughter. 

💍Their parenting styles sometimes clashed. There were times where Shawn thought Bret was too strict, like when he refused to let Hazel stay up for five more minutes past bedtime. And there were times where Bret thought Shawn was too carefree, like when they ran out of toilet paper because Hazel used the last roll to wrap herself like a mummy. 

💍For the most part, they were always able to come to a compromise. Something they were both adamant about early on was how to punish their child. Spankings were a no-go. Both men had been on the receiving end of the belt from their own parents, and they didn’t want Hazel to rely on physical punishment to realize when she did something wrong.  

💍Despite how rigid Bret could be, he was the softest of the two when it came to Hazel. He couldn't imagine being the cause of pain for his little girl. A few rounds of time-out and stern talkings seem to work just fine for her. 

Domestic life

💍The days of sleeping in don’t exist anymore for at least the first six months. It’s the norm to wake up throughout the night to either feed Hazel or change her diaper before soothing her back to sleep.  

💍When she’s a toddler, their mornings start with either Bret or Shawn waking her up, helping her brush her teeth, and throwing on a cartoon while the other parent prepares breakfast. 

💍Shawn still does most of the cooking, but once Hazel’s able to eat solid foods, Bret puts in more effort to learn. Shawn thinks it’s cute. He buys himself and Bret matching #1 Dad aprons. 

💍No matter how much they try to keep the house clean, it’s in a constant state of disarray. Though Hazel has a designated playroom, the whole house eventually becomes her playroom with toys, children's books, and crayons EVERYWHERE. 

💍It’s partly Shawn's fault. Bret tried getting Hazel into the habit of putting her things away when not using them. But that pretty much went out of the window as soon as Bret was back on the road because Shawn didn’t have the energy to keep reminding her. When Hazel grows out of this phase, she becomes Shawn’s little helper when cleaning the house. 

💍Educational programs are on a constant loop in their household. Shawn proudly gloats when Hazel can count to ten before the other kids at daycare. 

💍Lastly, laundry. There’s. So. Much. Damn. Laundry. It’s a never-ending cycle. Shawn seriously contemplated getting a maid at one point. 

First words 

💍Shawn and Bret’s rivalry began as soon as Hazel started babbling. They tried to get her first word to be either daddy (Bret) or papa (Shawn). Imagine their surprise when it was ‘unckie,’ for Uncle Owen. 

💍Owen made a whole show of it, sprinting around the living room triumphantly raising his arms in the air as he shouted, “Ha! I told you uncles are the best!” 

Hazel’s relationship with Belle 

💍When Hazel’s an infant, Belle immediately took the role of protector. She sat next to Hazel’s crib in the nursery, watching intently as she slept. She barked when Hazel woke up in the middle of the night crying to alert her parents. She followed around either Shawn or Bret depending on who was holding the baby. 

💍When Hazel gets older, Belle becomes her favorite playmate. They’d run around the backyard, burning up any pent-up energy they had. No matter how much Hazel tugged on Belle’s ears or tackled her to the ground, Belle never got rough with her, not wanting to hurt the tiny human. 

💍Shawn and Bret think it’s adorable. Belle had technically been their first baby. Still was despite her massive size. They loved seeing the bond form between them. 

Hazel’s personality traits  

💍For some odd reason, Hazel loves growling like a dinosaur when she greets her dads. Bret usually laughs and pulls her into a hug. Shawn goes all out, giving a loud roar back and chasing her with his arms stretched out like a t-rex until Bret shouts, “No running in the house!” 

💍She’s super smart for her age and very intuitive. Shawn often jokes that she’s an old lady in a child's body. She’s very creative and has a wild imagination. Bret’s confident she’ll be involved in the arts of some kind when she’s older. 

💍She also loves getting hands dirty, her favorite activity being digging holes in the backyard with Belle. When Shawn notices this. He gets her to help him with gardening. She likes playing with the worms in the dirt, which Shawn thinks is gross.  

💍Shawn gets the bright idea to take her fishing since Hazel’s so great at finding bait. This turns into a big Hart family outing where all of the Hart siblings and spouses bring their kids to the lake to fish and barbecue. It becomes a yearly tradition, and some of Hazel’s favorite memories. 

💍Hazel’s a really sweet child, but the furthest thing from a pushover. She’s headstrong, like Bret and very opinionated like Shawn. Her parents love hearing her innocent thoughts, but they also make it a point to teach her that not everything has to be said aloud. That there are ways to be honest without being rude. 

💍She loves the various nicknames she's accumulated over the years, including but not limited to:

- Haze  - Hazie  - Hazelbee (when she becomes obsessed with bumble bees)  - Zel  - Zellie   - Hazelnut Cheerio  - Double H (Shawn and Hunter’s personal fav) 

Terrible Twos

💍It had been exactly that – terrible.  

💍They had to up the child-proofness of their home, especially once Hazel found out how to unlock doors. But that was nothing compared to the monstrous temper tantrums they had to put up with.  

💍Any time Hazel heard the word ‘no’, a whirlwind of tears and ear-piercing screams filled their home. Even worse was when it happened in public, Hazel not caring who was around to hear her cries. Bret and Shawn tried to be understanding. It’s a normal part of a child’s development. It would take some time for her to understand her emotions. But it was a lot.  

💍To make matters worse, work for Bret began to pick up around this time, and it put a strain on their marriage. Shawn felt abandoned, like he was doing most of the work of raising their child while Bret was off with the WWF living carefree.  

💍Yet, Bret wasn't carefree. Not a day went by that he didn’t think of his family. But he had to work to provide for them, something he reminded Shawn time and time again. It was a stressful time for them both which led to a lot of arguments: 

“The tour got extended another two weeks.”  There was a long, troubling pause. “Are you fucking kidding me? Bret, you’re supposed to be flying home tomorrow. You know, to see your family?”  Bret sighed into the phone, exhaustion evident in his voice. “Shawn, please. Not tonight.”  “Then when,” Shawn’s voice cracked, unable to hide his emotions. “I’m tired, Bret. I’ve been working my ass off to look after our daughter. To keep this house in order. BY MYSELF! I may as well be a single parent at this p-”  “Single parent? You’re really gonna throw that shit at me when I’ve been busting my ass to provide for our family? God, you’re so fucking selfish! You’re not in your 20’s anymore, Shawn. You have responsibilities now. Stop making everything about yourself and grow the fuck up!”  

💍It had been one of their worst fights since becoming parents, and Shawn never felt more isolated than he did in that moment. They made up soon after that, but they both felt the sting of each other’s words for a while.  

💍Bret finally felt Shawn's pain a few months later. Shawn had to fly to Texas for a family emergency, leaving Bret to look after their fussy two-year-old for a week. Though he had help from his family, the nights were so damn hard without Shawn.  

💍It was nearly impossible to put Hazel to bed as she threw a tantrum, refusing to lay down. She’d cry out for her papa, screaming so loudly Bret thought he burst an eardrum. Any attempt to calm her down ended with her screaming ‘no’ or throwing one of her toys in anger. Bret had always been the more patient parent, but this was a lot even for him. 

💍Hazel would eventually either cry herself to sleep or calm down after hearing Shawn’s voice over the phone telling her to ‘listen to daddy’ and ‘be a good girl.’ That week without Shawn had been the longest week of Bret’s life.  

💍Shawn returned home to a bouquet of flowers, assorted desserts, and an appreciative husband that felt the weight of his absence. And with Hazel off at her grandparents, Bret intended to show Shawn how much he truly loved him all night long. 

Sexy times 

💍Shawn never thought he’d see the day where he’d have to schedule sex with his husband, but it became vital when Hazel began unlocking doors. She was a curious girl, and an unlocked door meant new adventures to her. 

💍She’d almost got caught them in the act once and that was enough for them to make some changes. They also had to lighten up on how rough they got with each other when Hazel got concerned seeing scratches on Bret’s arms and bruises on Shawn’s neck. 

💍The only time they felt comfortable letting their freak flags fly was when she was gone for extended periods of time. 

WWF 

💍Surprisingly Vince gave Bret a considerable amount of time off when Hazel was born.  Having Bret at home for months at a time was a welcome change, especially with a newborn. Shawn nearly had a breakdown when it was time for him to return to work. 

💍Bret tries to call as much as he can when he’s on the road. He’s grateful his family is there to help Shawn, but he could still hear the stress in Shawn's voice over the phone. He knew Shawn would rather have him there. 

💍Hazel grows up around the business. Once she’s old enough to travel, Shawn begins bringing her to a few shows to see her dad in action. She started off backstage, watching Bret wrestling on the monitor in his locker room. It took some time for her to understand that Bret wasn’t really getting hurt:  

“What’s wrong, Haze?”  She pointed an accusatory finger at the monitor, fat tears streaming down her cheeks as she wailed, “Scary man is hurting daddy!” 

💍The scary man in particular had been Undertaker. Shawn wiped her tears, promising that Bret was ok, but she didn’t believe him until she saw him herself. She clung to Bret’s legs as soon as he walked into the locker room, refusing to let go. 

💍When she finally understands the business, they start letting her sit at ringside. She sometimes participated in angles when the heels would taunt her and Shawn. She may be small but has a lot of bite and becomes really good at shooting off snarky comments. “You stinky doo doo head!” had been her crowning achievement. 

💍Shawn doesn't hold her back, letting her get off whatever was on her little chest. But he does have to step in when she starts flipping off the heels. Hazel got an earful from Bret on that one, though Shawn thought it was hilarious. 

💍On the rare occasion that both Shawn and Bret are busy, Hazel spends time with her honorary uncle, Hunter. He usually offers to watch her without even being asked. He hates that he lives so far from her, missing out on so many important moments of her life. So he cherishes any time he gets to spend with her. She’s the funniest kid he knows, and it warms his heart every time she greets him with that wide smile of hers. 

💍Bret does the Wrestling with Shadows documentary, and it centers on his decision to either stay or leave the WWF for WCW to spend more time with his family. It’s the first time in Bret's career that he lets the fans into his private life. They learn more about Hazel, Bret’s marriage, and how Bret struggles to manage life on the road with his life at home. 

💍Fans are most entertained by the fact that Bret is the ultimate girl dad. He’s not afraid to film moments of Hazel painting his fingernails pink, or throwing tea parties for her and his nieces, or letting her play in his hair with uncomfortably tight butterfly hair bows. He wanted all of it captured so he could look back on it someday. 

💍Everyone close to Bret participates in the documentary: his parents, siblings, friends, Shawn, and even Hazel. She’s camera shy at first, but warms up when one of the camera men tries to make her laugh.  

💍Bret's allowed to see raw cut of the film and gets emotional during Hazel’s interview: 

“What do you love the most about your dad?”  “Mmm,” she thinks. “He makes me happy.”   “How so?”  “Mmm... My daddy is big and strong. And he chases away scary monsters under my bed. And he paints pretty pictures with me. Oh! And loves me and papa a lot. He’s the best daddy in the whole wide world!” 

💍Bret ultimately decides his family is more important than his loyalty to Vince, so he leaves the WWF for WCW which sours his relationship with his former boss.  

The Harts 

💍Hazel loves visiting her grandparents, partly because Stu and Helen spoil her rotten. But also because the home is usually full of cousins to play with. 

💍Out of all of the Hart brothers, Owen is her favorite of course. He makes sure that fact is highlighted in the documentary as well, lol. 

💍Unfortunately, there are a few Hart siblings that neither Bret nor Shawn get along with. Because of this, Bret is weary to leave his daughter around them without him present. Especially after the incident where Hazel came home one day asking if Shawn was her ‘real papa.’ He and Shawn hadn’t felt the need to discuss that with her yet, but had no choice after she overheard Elizabeth spew those words in a heated argument with Shawn. 

💍Hazel had been over Jim and Elizabeth’s house playing with her cousin, Natalya, when she accidentally tripped and scraped her knee. An honest mishap that’s bound to happen with young kids. But the tension between Shawn and Elizabeth had been building for years and this sent him over the edge: 

“I intend to pick up my child the same way I left her. Not with blood dripping down her damn leg! Hazel’s not coming back if you don’t know how to look after her.”  “It was an accident, Shawn! She fell. Stop being so dramatic.” 

💍But of course, Elizabeth couldn’t leave it at that. As Shawn retreated to his car, she shouted, “All this fuss for a child that’s not even yours!”  

💍Jim was quick to jump in to deescalate the situation, but it was too late. Hazel had been in the car but heard it clear as day. She was silent on the ride home, confused and not knowing how to feel.  

💍Her parents had a long conversation with her explaining that yes, technically, biologically, Shawn’s not her father. But he was still her papa. Nothing was changing that. Science be damned.  

💍Hazel never brings it up again. But it does cause the riff between Bret and his siblings to worsen. Shawn's self-worth took the worst hit. He’d gone all this time blissfully ignoring the fact that he and Hazel weren’t blood related. But Elizabeth's comment struck a nerve, hitting on an insecurity that lurked beneath the surface.  

💍Hazel’s a spitting image of Bret – loose curly brown hair, hazel-brown eyes, soft dimples, and she also has Bret’s cute nose. There was nothing that linked her to Shawn, though Bret begged to differ. Hazel has every bit of Shawn’s personality as she did Bret’s, if not more. He reminds Shawn that he’s loved. He loves him, Belle loves him, and more importantly, Hazel loves him. It takes more than genetics to be a great dad. 

💍After this incident, Shawn makes more of an effort for Hazel to spend time in Texas. Bret supports him. As much as Bret loves his own family, they had a few bad apples. Hazel deserved to be around her other half of the family that was a bit more normal than the Harts.  

💍Texas becomes one of Hazel's favorite places to visit. It becomes routine for her to stay with her grandparents at least three times per year (spring break, summer break, and thanksgiving)  

[car1y-quinn]

Wenclair headcanons💞🖤

🖤 Wednesday has a hard time grasping emotions and affection. So when Enid pushes a tad to far or accidentally makes Wednesday mad or uncomfortable, she gives her the space she needs to figure her emotions out instead of getting in an argument with her

🖤Wednesday beats around the bush with her words a lot, mostly when they pertain to her affections. But her and Enid have their own love language and understand each other. Until one day Wednesday just flat out tells Enid that she loves her while writing

🖤Wednesday writes cello music and poems about Enid

💗Enid loves to play with Wednesdays hair(when she lets her of course)

🖤Wednesday loves to be little spoon

🖤Wednesday loves snuggling her fluffy wolf so she always keeps the girl company when she changes; because the first few times are painful

💗Enid’s ears and tail pop out when she’s excited and Wednesday thinks it’s the cutest thing

💗Enid likes to make clothes and she loves to design things for Wednesday. Wednesday is her muse

💗Enid falls in love with Wednesday first but Wednesday falls harder

🖤Wednesday proposes

🖤Wednesday can get territorial around Enid when she notices people flirting with her (“I get it. She’s beautiful, amazing, funny, charming, smells good and is cute, and much more. But she’s mine! Now get lost before I add you to my corpse collection!”)

🖤Wednesday writes letters to Enid and Enid thinks it’s the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for her, until Wednesday shows up on their date and gives her flowers and kisses her hand like a princess and opens doors and pulls out chairs for her.

🖤Wednesday loves to get Enid anything she wants. She showers her in gifts.

💗Enid loves it at first, but feels bad because she isn’t rich like her girlfriend and can’t give the same sentiment, so she makes her things and she even gets a job eventually so she can by the material to make her so many things

🖤Wednesday doesn’t understand why because she can buy her the things she needs and wants, and says “why get a job you don’t love? Let me take care of you. Let me provide so you can get the job you dream of.”

💗Enid bakes sweets for Wednesday

🖤Wednesday is a gentleman and showers Enid in praises and sweet nothings like her father and mother do for each other

🖤She also kisses up Enid’s arms and worships her like she’s a goddess

💗Enid likes to play fetch and Wednesday thinks it’s amusing cause Enid catches frisbees, balls and sticks with her mouth and jumps up really high

🖤Wednesday gets a toothless onesie and Enid thinks it’s the cutest thing and can’t stop snuggling her in it

[queenoffishingandcookies]

Funniest thought:

- Noctis’ wardrobe must look wild, at least if someone were to look in on his apartment.

- One one hand, you have the Crown Prince of Lucis’ clothing. Tailored suits and shirts and trousers, all of high quality cottons and linens and wools and silks and every other fabric under the sun (and/or skirts and dresses)

- Probably fancy dressing gowns and robes for baths/showers, more traditional robes and ‘older’ clothing choices, too.

- Most would still be at the citadel, but in case he has to dress and run for sudden meetings/emergencies, I can see Ignis (and his father. And the council, they would have to debate because it was a matter of security for the Crown Prince / Crown Princess) insisting he takes a wardrobe befitting of his status with him before trying to blend in (as much as is possible) with the citizenry of Insomnia.

- and then you have Noctis’ personal clothing.

- Fishing jackets, baseball caps, carbuncle onesies, and various pajama sets with cartoon-like wild animals or game related imagery printed on them (courtesy of Prompto).

- sweatpants, all of the sweatpants. Or dresses. Simple ones, not fancy or costly ones, kind of flowy like old clothing. Both are nice to just slide on when you’re having a rough day.

Kind of Sad Headcanon:

- This is more for Nocturne (Fem! Noct) but literally works the exact same for Noctis. There’s a reason her wardrobe is segregated between Crown Princess/Citadel and Nocturne.

- For all that her bedroom, study, are called the Princess’ private rooms at the citadel - they aren’t really that private.

- Whenever she’s at the citadel, maids attend to cleaning her room, rather than Ignis - Ignis, who she trusts implicitly not to spread rumors vs Maids that would, unintentionally or intentionally.

- depending exactly on how Lucian upper society works, she might even have ladies-in-waiting outside of the retinue (unless of course, that was originally the function of a Lucian Princess’s retinue…)

- Clothing she chose to wear, how clean and neat her room was, it would be scrutinized and spoken about at least once among the staff, and then somehow that would trickle on up to the nobles and the councils, and then that could lead to rumors of how the Crown Prince or Princess was slovenly, was lazy-

- Which in turn could spiral into worse rumors and gossip, lessening support and respect, for the future Queen (or King) among the noble class, and if it was sold to the press-

- When you’re royalty, everything about you is at risk of being tied to politics. A dirty room for a normal teenager would probably merit a scolding. A dirty room for the Crown Princess? Scandal.

- So at the Citadel, Nocturne’s clothing isn’t…it isn’t just hers. She still likes some of the dresses, the blouses and skirts and occasional set of pants - she was given the option of selecting the cut and style of them, after all.

- But there’s pressure on her that comes from picking out the right clothes to wear, the design, the cost - all because of the effect. There’s pressure on her to keep her room neat and clean, so much so that it’s hard to imagine she lives there - though sometimes she does slip (not to the extent she would at her apartment, at her home away from home that felt safer to just- )

- As a young child, it wasn’t so bad. People would often send her cute cartoon print pajamas as gifts, shirts with funny mottos, wildly patterned things that other kids her age seemed to like. There wasn’t much pressure, though she was still expected to be dressed ‘according to her station’.

- as she got older though, she was expected to grow out of it. Clothes she outgrew were often donated, put into the storage, etc. they were replaced with more ‘mature’ dressing gowns, and so on.

- When she moved out of the citadel for high school (fifteen to sixteen), a lot of that pressure was lifted off of her shoulders. Though, it took a few months for her to really just…relax in her own home-away-from-home.

- She didn’t have a lot of clothes, courtesy of every thing stated above. There were her uniforms for school, clearly upper class but trendy “common” clothing - but nothing silly, nothing ‘immature’ as the upper class would put it.

- Until Prompto got her a gift on her birthday, a cat onesies (because you’re always Noct out, having a cat nap). It was silly, and it was soft and warm - and Nocturne could wear it around her apartment without being scrutinized.

- It was nice. Overtime, on top of her more fancy clothes, she picks up…normal ones. As gifts, or going out shopping herself (or as much by herself as could be, she was probably being tailed by the crownsguard anyway).

- Nocturne always defaults to her ‘Princess’ clothes, though. Even in her apartment, before remembering ‘oh, I can wear this. No one will freak out over it’.

[celestemona]

Faranak, aka Kaveh's mother, returned to Sumeru with her new family to attend Zahra's baby shower.

I think even if Kaveh and Faranak’ relationship is in a good terms, he’d be very emotional to have his mother & his step relatives coming to join him a moment so important and special for him 🥺

I can tell without doubts he’d be all emotional and teary, not holding what he is feeling because everything is too overwhelming — not in a bad way, just emotional yk.

Reader is the only one who can handle & calm her husband but if his mom gift them with a onesie she designed and knitted herself he wouldn’t hesitate to cry once again (making reader cry too) holding the small piece of fabric close to his chest!

[endlessbittersweetdreams]

"Labor of Love" (Part 2)

SUMMARY: Jake and Lilah count down the days to the birth of their daughter. Continuation of "Broken & Beautiful."

Part 1

WARNINGS: Mentions of labor, childbirth and breastfeeding.

NOTES: Comments are greatly desired. I am a needy writer. 🙂

     Well, I’ve made it to my ninth month of pregnancy. It’s June now, and we’re counting down the days until baby Maya’s estimated due date: the 21st. I’m on maternity leave, and I’m under the watchful gaze of a neighbor while Jake is at the restaurant. My adoptive mother moved to New York a few months ago, and she stops by when she can to help out as well. My neighbor, Jennifer, is one of the first people Jake and I befriended when we moved in. She and her husband, Michael, have a son who’s in the second grade. Jennifer, who works from home, has offered to babysit Maya when I go back to work. I hate the idea of not spending all day with Maya. In fact, I feel guilty. But I can’t afford to quit my job, either. It pays well, and the benefits aren’t too shabby.

     It’s been wonderful, having Jennifer and Maggie in my life. They keep me company while Jake is at work, making sure that I don’t stay cooped up in the apartment all day. Jennifer has experience with pregnancy and childbirth, and so she’s here to advise me as much as possible. Maggie, meanwhile, tries to ease my fears about impending motherhood.

     My doctor told me to stay active, and I do what I can as far as housekeeping tasks are concerned. On laundry day, my designated helper is in charge of taking the items down to the laundry room and bringing them back up when they’re ready. I insist on folding items, slipping clothes onto hangers, and putting everything away. As far as meal prep is concerned, my helper usually takes care of the cooking while I sit at the table and do what I can from there. Even Jake has stepped up in the meal prep department, as his cooking skills have improved. All he needed was a little time, some practice, and a lot of patience.

     Jake hasn’t said much since our last encounter with Simone. He still has nightmares every now and then, but they’re much less frequent. Progress has been made, in that he now feels comfortable with telling me about some of them. They involve water, mostly. Cold, dark, turbulent waves sweep over him and engulf him. No matter how much he struggles, he finds himself swept away and pulled under. He is then dragged down further and further by an unseen figure that refuses to release him until, finally, he wakes up gasping for air and covered in sweat. If I happen to wake up during his tossing and turning, I’m ready to hold him and talk him through it until he falls asleep. It seems that even though he’s confronted Simone and removed her from his life, she still has a grip on him that manifests in these nightmares. It is my hope that one day, he will receive the closure he needs and that the torment she’s put him through will become a thing of the past.

     In March, just a week after our run-in with Simone, Jake and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary. Because we’ve been preparing for the arrival of our daughter, we decided to keep the celebration simple. We enjoyed a romantic candlelit dinner at home, opting to recreate the picnic we had on the night we first said “I love you,” to each other. After dinner, we exchanged gifts. Jake presented me with a beautiful gold locket and a bouquet of roses, while I gave him a set of “love coupons.” And then, as I was putting our dishes in the sink, Jake slinked up behind me and declared that the dishes could wait; he wanted to put one of his coupons to use. We spent the rest of the night locked away in our bedroom, and any doubts about my desirability were finally cast aside.

     In April, my cousin Allison threw me a baby shower. Thanks to my friends and family members, Maya won’t be lacking in pacifiers, booties, blankets, onesies, cute little outfits, etc. And, thanks to Ari and Heather, there are a few post-maternity items to add to my closet.

     Since we still live in a one-bedroom apartment, Jake and I have set up a nursery area in our bedroom. We know that there will come a day when we will have to move on to a bigger place. But for now, this will have to do. Maggie gave us a dresser that houses Maya’s clothing items, blankets, burping towels, supplies and accessories. On top of the dresser sits a changing basket, complete with liner. There’s just enough space left for a diaper caddy that has enough room for not just diaper changing supplies, but extra onesies and socks. The clothing that Maya will eventually grow into, meanwhile, is kept in a vacuum-sealed storage bag in our closet.

     The wall to the left of our bedroom door houses a nook that is big enough for Maya’s crib, which Will helped Jake set up. While they were assembling the crib, I focused on decorating the nook. Since Maya is going to be a summer baby, it’s been decided that her nook will have a summertime theme. I found some adorable, colorful decals featuring bumblebees and flowers. Sometime after Maya’s birth, a picture of all three of us will be hung up in the middle of the nook.

     Attached to the crib is a beautiful, multi-colored butterfly mobile that plays music that will hopefully lull Maya into a peaceful slumber. Near my side of the bed is a rocking chair, where Maya will be fed and rocked to sleep. There’s also enough room for a bassinet, which will also be on my side of the bed since there isn’t room for it anywhere else.

     Why have both a bassinet and a crib? Well, for starters, I’m a first-time mom. I want a bassinet because I can keep Maya close to me, and it can be moved around the apartment when needed. I’m probably going to be one of those “Check on the baby every five minutes," moms. Finally, according to Jennifer and my OB, there’s a chance that Maya will sleep better in the bassinet as opposed to the larger, open space of the crib. But just in case it turns out that she’ll sleep better in the crib, it’s assembled and ready for her. And even if she does sleep well in the bassinet, at least the crib is set up for when she graduates into it.

     At the end of May, I put together a bag to take to the hospital. With each day that passes by, I become more and more anxious. Because of this, I admit that I may be mildly obsessed with checking my hospital bag to make sure I’ve packed everything on my list. Jake has given up on assuring me that I haven’t forgotten something, knowing better than to argue with a nervous mom-to-be. If it helps to check the hospital bag once or twice a week, so be it. Besides, I just can’t seem to make up my mind when it comes to the onesie our little girl will come home in. It’s not my fault that there are so many cute options to choose from!

     I zip up the bag and return it to its place by the door, walking (Or, in my state, more like waddling!) over to the sofa. Ever so carefully, I sit down next to Jake. Once my back support pillow is in place, I lean back against it with a sigh. My legs and feet are swollen now, which means that I have to put my feet up whenever possible. Thankfully, the coffee table is close enough for me to rest them on.

     “What did you settle on this time?” Jake asks, his tone light and teasing.

     “The one with the hearts,” I answer.

     He reaches for my hand, entwining his fingers together with mine. “I know you’re nervous, babe. But you’re the strongest woman I know. You got this.”

     “I hope so,” I answer tiredly. “I’m so ready to meet her. It’s just the labor and delivery thing that freaks me out. Ugh. Why did Hannah have to show us that video?” I cringe when I remember, in vivid detail, the images and sounds that I was confronted with during our last Lamaze class. I’m surprised I didn’t have nightmares after that experience. EESH!!

     “Need anything?”

     I shake my head. “I have my water. I have my pillow. I have you. I’m good. Just uncomfortable.”

     I’m in what my doctor calls the lightening stage, which means that Maya has dropped lower. Not only does this mean that I’m approaching labor, but this also means that more pressure has been added to my pelvis, hips and bladder. At the moment, I don’t have to make yet another trip to the bathroom. That’s a relief. But the pressure on my pelvis and hips isn’t fun, in spite of the fact that I am now able to breathe a little easier.

     It’s Jake’s day off, which means that we’ve been able to spend all day together. I’ve told him that if he wants to get out of the apartment and do something relaxing, I won’t stop him. But he insists on being here, just in case. Though he won’t admit it, I can see that he’s just as nervous as I am. I know him well enough to recognize the signs.

     I’m bored, and I’m not in the mood to watch TV or read a book. And so, I ask Jake to hand me the photo book and box of pictures resting on his side of the coffee table. I remove the lid from the box, which is set down between us, and then I open up the photo book. I’ve been meaning to put this together for a while. The boredom that comes with maternity leave seems to have motivated me.

     “I thought you were finished with that,” Jake comments.

     I shake my head. “Nope. Just a few more pages to go,” I answer, reaching the page I’m searching for.

     Jake picks up the box and begins to go through the pictures, most of which were taken by him. He pauses for a moment and then chuckles. “You took a picture of the pregnancy tests?”

     “Yup!” I confirm, giving him a lopsided smile. “What? It was a big day. We found out that we’re going to be parents.” He shakes his head in amusement, and I lift my brow at him. “It’s not like I saved the tests. I’m not weird. Our hard work paid off, and I just want to memorialize the occasion.” I take the picture from him and put it back in its proper place.

     “Hard work? I don’t remember you complaining.” He stretches out his arms a bit and puts his hands behind his head, using them as a pillow as he leans back. “In fact, I just remember a lot of ‘Yes, Jake! Yes! That’s the spot! Yes, yes! Don’t stop! I‘m almost there! I‘m almost there! I‘m there! I‘m there! I’m ... Aaahhh!’”

     He gives me a smug look, and I swat him on the arm. “I’m not the one who says ‘Mmm ... Yeah, baby. You like that? Does that make you feel good? Come on. Come on, beautiful. Come for m --’”

     Jake clamps a hand over my mouth. “Okay. I get your point.” He falls silent and, just when I think he’s backed down, he adds “At least I’m not the loud one. Remember the look the neighbors gave us that one morning? We still haven’t lived it down.”

     I narrow my eyes at him. “Jake, if you ever want to have sex with me again ... you’ll drop it.”

     He holds up his hands in surrender. “Yes, ma’am.”

     I pull out a few pictures and begin to arrange them, trying to figure out a layout that pleases me. I linger on the photo that Jake took of yours truly with my band mates. It was taken on the last night I performed with them, shortly after I announced that I’m expecting. Once my doctor confirmed my pregnancy, I had some decisions to make. As much as I love singing with the band, I don’t feel safe performing in the bar right now. Customers get pretty rowdy, and I can’t risk my safety or the safety of my child. Not to mention the fact that the bar smells get to me. It’s hard to perform while dealing with “pops up whenever it damn well pleases,” sickness.

     Jake watches as I add the photo to the picture book. “You miss performing. Don’t you?”

     I nod. “I do. I talked to Chuck the other day. I wanted to thank him and his wife for the present for Maya. He says that the band wants me to come back when I’m ready.”

     “Are you going to take them up on their offer?”

     “I’m thinking about it. I mean, it would only be one or two Saturday’s a month. You know, if you don’t count practice.”

     “If it’s something you want to do, I’ll support you.”

     I set the photo book aside and lean over to kiss Jake. “Thank you.”

     “You’re welcome. You hungry?”

     “Yeah. Jennifer brought over a casserole.”

     “One casserole, coming up.”

     Thanks to my belly and my need to sleep on my side, Jake and I have had to adjust to different sleeping arrangements. At my baby shower, Jennifer gifted me with a body pillow that gives me the support and comfort I need to get a decent night’s sleep. Our mutual love language is touch, which means that Jake and I are very much into cuddling. I crave the warmth and safety of Jake’s arms, while he finds comfort in having my body so close to his own. I may be bigger right now, but that’s doesn’t mean that we’ve changed our routine. It just means that we have to make some adjustments. Because of my belly and my need for the body pillow, there are nights when I am the middle of a human/pillow sandwich. It took some time to get used to, but I’ve found that I sleep better with Jake spooning me while I snuggle up against the body pillow. Just as long as we don’t get too warm, this arrangement seems to work for the both of us.

     Jake and I are in bed when I begin to feel that there is definitely something going on. Thinking that this is another “Braxton Hicks moment,” I switch positions to see if the contractions will stop. I’m about ready to go back to sleep when I feel the sensation again, and I maneuver myself to my previous position. A few minutes later, I realize that these are definitely not Braxton Hicks contractions. For one thing, they’re not stopping. In fact, they seem to be coming at regular intervals. And while the Braxton Hicks are usually felt in the front of my belly, these contractions start in the back and move to the front.

     Yeah! This is definitely not false labor.

     I’m not exactly sure what I should do. Jake is still sound asleep, and I don’t know if I should let him be or if I should wake him. I mean, the contractions aren’t so close together that I know it’s time to go to the hospital. But I know that I’m in labor now, and I’m going to need him.

     I look over at the clock on my nightstand, seeing that it’s 8:00 am. Okay. Well, I suppose it’s not too early to wake him up. My decision made, I push my body pillow aside and turn to face my husband. I know from experience that touching him gently on the bicep or stomach usually does the trick. I made this discovery shortly after we became intimate, and it’s become my signal to let him know that I’m in the mood. I don’t even have to apply that much pressure. Just the slightest touch, and he’s awake. And so, nibbling on my bottom lip, I reach out and lay a hand on his bicep. I gently stroke his skin with my thumb and quietly speak his name, watching as he begins to stir.

     He opens his eyes and turns his head to look at me, blinking sleepily. “You’re awake,” he says, his voice rough from sleep.

     “I am,” I confirm with a smile.

     He turns onto his side and props himself up on his elbow. “What time is it?”

     “A little after 8:00.”

     He furrows his brows. “Everything okay?”

     “Yeah. It’s just that ... it’s time.”

     In his groggy state, he isn’t catching on to what I mean. “You’re in the mood?” He pauses, giving me a grin. “Not that I’m complaining. Just, umm ... give me a minute and --”

     I laugh gently. “No. Jake, I’m having contractions. Real, actual contractions.”

     He stares at me for a few seconds, and then his ocean blue eyes widen. Now he gets it. He springs into action, tugging on his jeans as he sits on the edge of the bed. “How far apart are they?” he asks, reaching for the shirt he discarded last night.

     “Jake, calm down. They’re not close enough for us to go anywhere.”

     Jake slips into his shirt and then pauses, turning to look at me. His lips are in that pout that I love, and he’s looking me up and down. I’m not sure, but he’s either annoyed or confused. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell with him.

     Now I feel guilty. “I’m sorry I woke you. I just ... thought you should know,” I explain with a shrug.

     He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “It’s all right." He takes a few moments to yawn and then run a hand over his face, and then he scoots closer to me. “Are you all right?”

     “I’m okay. I mean, they’re pretty mild right now. But ... this is definitely it, Jake.” We share a brief kiss, and I’m beaming. “She’s on her way.”

     During the early stage of labor, Jake and I try to relax as much as we can. My OB, Dr. Powell, said that early labor tends to last a while. So unless something goes wrong, Jake and I do not have to rush to the hospital just yet. We keep ourselves occupied by not only tracking my contractions, but by doing some simple routines around the apartment. When my level of discomfort increases, Jake is here to rub my shoulders and remind me to take calming breaths.

     Finally, it reaches the point when it’s time for us to make our way to the hospital. Jake has just opened the apartment door when the contractions hit again. We come to a stop for a few moments as I focus on taking calming breaths, taking hold of Jake’s hand as the wave passes over me. I let out one last calming breath and then slowly straighten up, nodding when Jake asks if I’m ready to go. He bends down to grab the car seat and then slings the hospital bag over his shoulder. Then he guides me into the hallway, locking the door behind us. We encounter Michael in the hallway, and he’s kind enough to carry the car seat as he follows us down the stairs.

     It doesn’t take us long to hail a cab, and the driver sets the car seat and hospital bag up front. Meanwhile, Jake helps me into the cab and slides in next to me. He wraps an arm around my shoulders as he hands the cabbie a wad of cash to “Get us to the fucking hospital as fast as fucking possible.” His words. Not mine.

     I lean against Jake, his scent and warmth keeping me calm as the driver navigates NYC traffic. I don’t know how long it takes. Far as I’m concerned, it feels like hours. We finally arrive at the hospital, where I’m helped into a wheelchair by a nurse whose name I’ll never remember. While I’m wheeled inside, Jake retrieves the car seat and the hospital bag. A few seconds later, he meets me at the nurses’ station and hands over the folder containing my pre-registration forms.

     I’m so glad I heeded Dr. Powell’s advice and filled out these forms. I can’t imagine trying to complete them at the last-minute while in the throes of another set of contractions. This pain not only distracts me, but it makes me highly agitated. So it’s a good thing I don’t have a clipboard in hand, because it would probably end up chucked in the direction of one of the nurses.

     Eventually, we’re taken to a private room on the third floor. Most of my dignity is taken away when I have to change into a hospital gown. It’s one with ties in the back, which means my ass is exposed. I understand the practicality of the gown, of course. I’m just glad my lower half will be hidden under blankets. And if I have to get up and walk around, I packed a robe for the occasion. Once I’m helped onto the hospital bed, an IV is inserted into my vein. Not fun, but necessary. I’m also hooked up to monitors that keep track of my vitals, as well as Maya’s.

     Once the poking and prodding session is over, Jake and I are left alone in the room. He hasn’t stopped holding my left hand since the IV was placed, and he brings it up to his lips for a kiss. Now that things have settled down for a while, and I’m not in the middle of a contraction, I can appreciate the gesture. Courtesy of the fetal monitor, we can hear Maya’s heartbeat. As far as we can tell, she’s doing fine. I’m soothed by the sound of my daughter’s heartbeat, combined with the warmth of Jake’s hand.

     “We should let everyone know what’s going on,” I comment.

     Jake nods and then releases my hand, reaching into his pocket for his cell phone. I watch as he types out a mass text message, sending it out to our friends and family. He stuffs the phone back into his pocket and then takes my hand in his again. It doesn’t take long before I hear the quiet pinging sound that indicates that he’s receiving responses, and he reads each one to me. Shortly after he reads the message from Allison, my progress is checked and I’m asked the big question: Do I want an epidural, or would I prefer to experience natural childbirth? Up until today, I had been undecided. After some careful consideration, I’ve chosen to go without an epidural.

     We’re left alone again, and I exchange a look with Jake. He rubs the back of my hand in a small circular pattern, picking up on my nervousness. “Jake, what did I just agree to?”

     “You want me to call her back in?”

     I think about it for a moment, shaking my head. “No. I don’t want the meds to affect Maya.” I take in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. Not because I’m experiencing a contraction, but because I’m freaking out. “I’ll be okay. Just promise me something.”

     “Don’t worry. I’ll be with you every step of the way. I’ve got your back.”

     I smile at him. “I know. That’s not what I was going to say.” He gestures for me to go on. “When the big moment comes, and I’m pushing her out ... don’t blame me if I hurt your hand. And whatever I say, don’t hold it against me. No matter how many nasty things I say to you. I won’t mean any of them.”

     He laughs a little. How sweet! He thinks I’m kidding.

     I reach for his hand, running my thumb over his wedding band. “But seriously ... no matter how much I yell and scream at you, I want you to know I love you ... and that I’m glad we’re doing this. This pregnancy hasn’t been easy for either one of us. You’ve been my rock, and I’m so glad you’re here.”

     He gives me another smile. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

     In the early hours of June 18th, our baby girl is close to making her grand entrance into the world. Jake is holding my hand throughout the experience, even when I squeeze a little too hard. I knew giving birth would be difficult and painful, but I had no idea how much work it would take to push a tiny human being out of me. The pain isn’t like anything I’d imagined, and I’ve been told that I’ll forget all about it when I’m holding Maya in my arms.

     “I can’t do this ANYMORE!!”

     “Yes, you can. Baby, you have to,” Jake says from his place beside me.

     “Don’t you DARE tell me what to do! You’re not the boss of me! Get the fuck away from me!”

     I narrow my eyes into a nasty, venom-filled glare when I hear the nurse say to Jake “Don’t worry. She doesn’t mean a word of it. It’s just the pain.” Oh! So now a total stranger thinks she can speak for me? You’ve got to be kidding.

     I have no idea how long I have been pushing, but it seems like an eternity. And I have to tell you this: I have grown tired of being reminded to breathe, being ordered to “keep that chin down,” and being told that I need to “push just a little bit harder.” I’m giving it all I have, people! I’m using all the “umph," I have! What more do you want from me? The only thing that is preventing me from kicking the doctor is the fact that I need her to deliver my child. That, and I’m too focused on trying to push a human being out of me. Otherwise, my foot would meet her face.

     Yeah! Turns out, extreme pain unleashes my violent streak. Who knew?

     “Jake!! If you tell me to breathe one more time, I’m going to break your wrist!!!” I snarl through gritted teeth, just before I squeeze his hand again and push with everything I’ve got.

     A few more pushes later, and her head is finally out. While I’m trying to recover from that experience, I’m told to hold off on pushing until the doctor says otherwise. I have no idea what the doctor and nurse are doing, as my eyes are closed and I’m breathing my way through contractions. I also mutter a few colorful words, followed by a quick apology to Jake. He tells me that I don’t have to apologize, and I can hear excitement in his voice as he tells me that Maya has “a lot of hair.” And then, the doctor tells me to get ready to push again.

     After an insane amount of pain and hard work, Maya Elizabeth Jade Holt enters the world. I let myself fall back onto the bed, exhausted and relieved. I’m drenched with sweat and panting, but deliriously happy. While the doctors tend to our newborn daughter, Jake wipes my brow with a cool cloth and presses a few kisses to my lips. All he can talk about is how strong I am, how proud he is of me, and how beautiful our little girl is.

     A few moments later, my exhaustion and pain are forgotten when our precious daughter is placed on my chest. Holding her gently, tears streaming down my face, I notice the dark hair on her head. I don’t know what color her eyes will be, but so far she takes after her father in the looks department. She begins to cry a bit, and I gently stroke her cheek and talk softly to her.

     “Hello, Maya. It’s me. I’m your momma.” I sniffle a bit. “It’s so good to see you, beautiful girl. I love you so much. Happy birthday.” Maya squirms a bit and quiets down, seeming to recognize my voice. I look up at Jake, who’s absolutely beaming. I don’t think I’ve seen him smile like this since our wedding day, when he saw me walk down the aisle. “Jake, you’re a dad.”

     He seems to be at a loss for words. Instead, he lets out a little laugh and reaches out to softly stroke her head. It’s like he needs to touch her, just to prove that she’s really here.

     “It’s time to cut the cord, Jake,” the doctor announces.

     Jake gives her a nod and, after two snips, the cord is severed. My snuggling session with Maya is interrupted when she’s gently whisked away for a brief health exam. She’s not too happy about being temporarily separated from me, as evidenced by her loud cries. She’s certainly not shy about making her voice heard. I’ll give her that! I can’t see what’s going on, but every now and then I can hear Jake talking to her softly. I hear him make the comment that “She has a good grip,” and so I assume that she’s grabbed onto his finger.

     After being weighed and measured, she is finally handed over to Jake. He seems to be a little nervous, having never held someone so tiny and fragile. But he soon adjusts, looking very much like the proud father he is. He steps closer to me and chuckles when Maya takes hold of his pinky again. “The nurse says she seems to be perfectly healthy. Seven pounds, two ounces. Nineteen and a half inches long." Maya squirms a little bit, making those adorable sounds I’ve already fallen in love with. “She just opened her eyes,” Jake proudly announces.

     “What color are they?”

     “Kind of a grayish blue.”

     I’ve been told that Maya’s eye color will change over time, and so it’s too early to determine what the final result will be. But if she takes after her father, I won’t mind at all. He has beautiful eyes.

     “I think she has your mouth,” he comments.

     “And your hair.” Jake hands her back to me and, after some assistance from the nurse, Maya has her first feeding. I begin to tear up again, my voice wavering a bit. “Look at who we made, Jake. She’s perfect.”

     I feel him lay a hand on my head, lightly stroking my hair. He leans down to press a kiss to my temple. “She’s beautiful, Lilah. Just like you.”

     A few hours later, after getting some rest and seeing to it that Maya is fed again, I’m feeling up for visitors. I’m still tired, and my body is definitely feeling the after-effects of childbirth. Still, I look forward to introducing Maya to her extended family. Allison, Will and Maggie are the first to meet her. Will laughs as his goddaughter grabs hold of his finger, grinning down at her. Seems she’s won another person over.

     “Hey, kiddo. I’m Will. Yes, I am. Yes, I am.”

     “Oh, no. He’s doing the baby talk thing,” Jake comments, grinning at Will when he looks up at him.

     Shaking his head, Will returns his gaze to Maya. “Well, I can’t help it. No, I can’t. You know why? ‘Cause you’re the cutest widdle baby. Yes, you are. And guess what? When your mom and dad bring you to the restaurant, your meal is on the house. Know why? ’Cause your godfather is the manager. Yes, he is.”

     “Hey! Why is her meal free?” I give Will a mock-glare. “I’m the one who did all the hard work to get her here.”

     Will shrugs, grinning at me. “Sorry. She’s just ... She’s so cute.”

     “Cute? She’s adorable. So tiny!” Allison interjects. “I could put her in my purse!”

     “What do you think of your granddaughter, Maggie?” I ask.

     Maggie gives me a surprised look. She hasn’t said anything about it. But up until now, I assume she didn’t know exactly how she’d fit into Maya’s life. Maya is carefully transferred over to Maggie’s arms, and I can tell that she’s fallen in love as well. “She’s perfect.”

     Will is the last of the three to hold Maya, but the moment is cut short when he looks up at the clock. “Guess it’s time for me to go. The restaurant won’t manage itself,” he laments, looking down at Maya again. “I’ll see you later, kiddo.” Reluctantly, he returns her to my arms and leans down to give me a kiss on the forehead. He reaches out to give Maya a little tickle under the chin. “Congratulations, guys. She’s beautiful.” On the way out, he pats Jake on the shoulder a few times. “Good luck. You’re gonna need it.”

     Jake furrows his brows at Will. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

     Once the door is closed, I look down at Maya. “So what do you think of Will?” She looks up me with her blue-grey eyes, cooing a little. “Yeah. I like him, too.”

     A few minutes later, we hear a soft knock on the door. Heather is the first to enter the room, followed by Ari, Sasha and Tess. I give them a tired smile when I see that they’ve brought flowers and some stuffed animals, and Jake directs them to put them by the windowsill with the other gifts. Heather leans down to give me a hug and asks how I’m doing, and I give her the same response I gave to my previous visitors.

     “Tired and sore, but deliriously happy. Thanks for coming, you guys.”

     Sasha walks over to me, shaking his head. “You look horrible, Angel.”

     I roll my eyes at him. “You would, too, if you went through what I did. Turns out that childbirth isn’t easy.”

     “That’s no excuse for looking shabby. And that hospital gown does nothing for you.”

     “For your sake, I’ll forget you said that." I gently adjust Maya in my arms so my friends can take a good look at her.

     Jake sits down next to me on the other side of the bed, smiling proudly as he announces “Guys, we’d like you to meet Maya Elizabeth Jade Holt.”

     “Who wants to be the first to hold her?” I ask.

     Ari and Sasha opt out, preferring to give Maya their attention while she’s in the arms of someone else. I’ve known for a while that they’re not necessarily “baby people," which means their response isn’t surprising. Now, it’s between Tess and Heather. After using some hand sanitizer, Tess steps forward. Maya lets out what I call a “squeakel” (squeak + squeal) as she’s transferred to Tess’s arms, and I give my former co-worker a smile when she looks nervous.

     “Don’t worry. She’s fine. She’s just saying ‘hi’. Just remember to support her head.”

     Tess gives me a nod, staring down at my daughter. “She’s so tiny.” Ever the curious one, she looks up at me. “What was it like?”

     “Do you really want to know?” Tess just stares back at me, and I think about it for a moment. How, exactly, do you put that kind of pain into words? Then it hits me. “You ever see Look Who’s Talking, Tess?” She nods. “You remember what Kirstie Alley said about the watermelon and the lemon?” Again, she nods. “It really is like that.”

     My female friends stare at me in horror, while Sasha cringes. “Eesh! No need to be so graphic.”

     Tess passes Maya over to Heather, who sways a bit as Maya begins to fuss. Sasha does the chin tickle thing and immediately dubs Maya “Baby Angel.” Then he looks me up and down in mock disappointment. “So I guess this means we have to stop calling you Waddles now.”

     I laugh a little. “I told you to stop calling me that a long time ago.”

     He waves me off. “Since when have I ever listened to you?” I open my mouth to retort, but shut it again when Sasha’s focus is clearly on Maya. I can’t quite make out everything he’s saying to her. Only that it sounds like more baby talk with a few Russian words thrown into the mix.

     “I still can’t believe you two have one of these,” Heather comments as Maya coos away. “She looks like you, Jake.”

     Jake grins proudly. “You think so?”

     “You’ll never get your figure back, Angel.” Sasha lets out one of his over-dramatic cries when Ari punches him in the arm. “Ow! Stop hitting me!”

     “Shut the fuck up, Sasha!” Ari gives me a flirtatious smile. “Ignore the idiot. You’ll go back to looking hot in no time.”

     I frown. “Gee! Thanks.”

     “I have to go," Tess announces, leaning down to give me a brief hug. “She’s beautiful, guys.” Jake and I give her our thanks, and she waves goodbye to the both of us as she follows Ari and Sasha out of the room.

     “She really is,” Heather agrees, handing Maya over to Jake. “Great job, you two.” She then turns her attention to Maya. “And you, little girl ...” I wait for her to say something profound, like she usually does. Instead, she says “One day, when you’re old enough, I’ve got some crazy stuff to tell you about your mom and dad.”

     Jake and I exchange a look, and he says “After you run those stories by us. Right?”

     Heather doesn’t say anything. She just gives us a wink and a smirk. And then she’s gone, closing the door behind herself.

     I look down at Maya. “Well, sweetheart, that’s your family. I know they seem a little ... odd. But they love you.” I give her a kiss on the head and then hand her over to Jake.

     He leans down and gives me a kiss on the lips. “I love you. Thanks for making me a dad.”

     I give him a sleepy smile, touched by his words. “I love you, too. Thanks for making me a mom.”

     He grins back, and I watch as he carefully sits down in the chair. The last thing I see, just before my eyes slide shut and sleep takes over, is Jake smiling down at our daughter.

     Jake’s POV

     By the time I return to our apartment in Williamsburg, it’s a little after 11:00. The apartment is dark, save for the light in the hallway. Figuring that Lilah is asleep, I try to be as quiet as possible. I leave my shoes by the door and hang up my hoodie, and then make my way to the bedroom door. I push it open slowly and step inside, smiling at what I see.

     Lilah is sitting in the chair, gently rocking back and forth with Maya in her arms. I’m sure she’s exhausted, but she looks content as she sings a song to our daughter. I know it sounds corny, but I think I love her even more than I did before. Maya, as usual, is awake and squirming away. When Lilah was pregnant, Maya was more active at night. Her night owl streak usually kicked in after 10:00 and lasted until 11:30 or midnight. Seems she’s sticking to her routine.

     I approach them, and Lilah gives me a tired smile. “Hi, babe. How was work?”

     We share a brief kiss, and I sit down on the bed. Giving her a shrug, I answer “Same as always. That kinky couple, Gabe and Giselle, showed up.”

     “Uh-oh. Who’d they go after this time?”

     “Alex,” I answer, referring to the bartender who’s filling in for Lilah. “They said he ‘has the body of a Greek god’. I guess they offered to pay him $5,000.”

     “Nice to know they’re staying consistent. Did he accept?”

     I shrug. “I don’t know. He took their card.” I reach out to touch my daughter’s head, gently brushing my fingers over her hair. “How were things with the night owl?”

     Maya is two weeks old, as of today. We came home with her two days after she was born, and it’s been an adjustment for both of us. I took a week off of work so I could help Lilah and bond with our daughter, and I dreaded the day when I had to go back to work.

     “Fine. Jennifer came over for a visit. She can’t believe how quiet Maya is. She only cried a few times, and then she conked out for a bit. I gave her a bath and then put her to bed at 8:00, and she woke up at 10:00 and had a late-night snack. Fell asleep right after I changed her. She just woke up. Maybe she knew her dad was coming home. Wanna take her?”

     I nod and move off of the bed, and Lilah carefully transfers Maya into my arms. Lilah gets up and moves over to the bed, making herself comfortable under the covers. I look down at Maya, who’s staring up at me. “Will you look at what you did to your poor mother? You wore her out.” Lilah’s eyes are already starting to become heavy, and I figure now would be a good time to step out. “Let’s take this party to the living room,” I say to Maya.

     After saying goodnight to Lilah, I leave the room with Maya. Closing the door behind myself, I creep down the hallway and step into the kitchen. Then I grab something to drink and sit down on the sofa with my daughter. She begins to fuss a little, and I’m pretty sure I know what the problem is.

     “Okay, Maya. I know what you want. Don’t have to tell me twice.” I rearrange her so that she’s now held out in front of me, just below my chest. My hands keep her safe and secure, and she eventually quiets down. “All good?” She quiets down after a while, looking up at me again. “Just wanted to see me better. Didn’t you? Yeah. I thought so. You know, everyone at work has been asking about you. Maybe one day, your mom and I will show you where we work. I bet you’d like that. You know, if someone had told me that I’d be a married man and a dad, I would have said they were crazy. But here I am. And do you know why? It’s because your mom gave me a chance. For some reason, she chose me. Not only that, but she gave me you. Not bad for someone like me.”

     I turn my attention to the bookcase across from me, and the photograph of my favorite tree in France. On the night when Lilah and I decided to try for a baby, I told her that fatherhood had been on my mind ever since my trip to France. It wasn’t until I’d experienced a real, committed, loving relationship with Lilah that I felt safe enough to think about the future. But I knew that I couldn’t pursue what I wanted - couldn’t even discuss it with Lilah - until I worked through my issues and cleaned up my act. I had a lot of growing up to do, and I credit Lilah for helping me through it. She stood by me through it all, encouraging me and giving me a shove when I needed it, and that only further cemented my knowledge that she’s the one I want to be with.

     I pause for a few seconds. “Look, kid. I gotta be honest with you. I don’t know what kind of a dad I’ll be. My dad skipped out of town when I was born, and the man who adopted me ... Well, let’s just say he was more interested in golf than in raising kids. Anyway, the point is: I’m new at this. I know I’ll make mistakes. There’ll be times when I’ll drive you crazy. But I want to be the dad you need me to be. I want to give you a better life than the one I was given. I want you to feel safe, and I don’t want you to worry that your mom and I won’t be there for you. We’re pretty new at this parenting thing, but we’re going to do our best. ‘Cause we love you. So, don’t be too hard on us. Deal?”

     I stay up with Maya until she falls asleep. Carefully, hoping she won’t feel my movements, I get up off of the sofa and creep down the hallway. Thanks to the dim light coming from the lamp on Lilah’s nightstand, I’m able to navigate my way to Maya’s bassinet. I set her down gently, cringing a bit when she seems to wake up, and then breathe a quiet sigh when she settles down. Lilah seems to be sound asleep under the covers, and so I quietly make my way over to my side of the bed. It’s a warm night, and so I discard my shirt and strip down to my boxers before I crawl into bed.

     My head barely hits the pillow when I feel Lilah move next to me. She scoots closer to me, and I move my arm to accommodate her. She settles down with her head on my chest, her hand resting on my stomach as she lets out a happy sigh. She no longer wears perfume, both for her sake and for Maya’s. But her hair still smells like lavender and vanilla, thanks to the shampoo she used, and the scent is intoxicating. I’m not sure, but I think my heart has just skipped a beat at the familiar, comfortable sensation of her skin pressed against mine. God, I love this woman!

     “Everything go okay?” she asks quietly.

     “Yeah. We hung out for a little bit, and then she passed right out.”

     “See? She just wanted some quality time with her dad.” I chuckle a bit, smiling when Lilah presses her lips to my shoulder and collarbone before she settles down again. “You’re a good dad, Jake ... and a good man. Maya and I are lucky to have you.”

     I breathe in the scent of Lilah’s hair, gently stroking her arm as she falls asleep.

     No, Lilah. I’m the lucky one.

@anastacia-lynn

@mypsychoticlove

@kimmyiewrites

[corepackaging]

Discover the Uniqueness of Baby Gift Boxes

Baby gift boxes are among the best gifts for welcoming a newborn. These boxes can contain items such as baby clothes, toys, or special moments. They are also easy to gift wrap, making them ideal for any baby shower or other celebration.

Choosing the Perfect Baby Gift Box

Picking the appropriate baby gift box takes work. This means choosing products made of solid and durable materials and cute colors and shapes that would remind the young parents that they have a new baby at home. Some other ideas that are commonly used are primary colors, pastel color schemes, animal print designs, or personalizing the jersey by having one's design on the jersey.

Celebrate Special Moments with a New Baby Gift Box

A gift box with baby products is a perfect gift for a new baby. These boxes may contain items such as baby blankets, baby rattles, and baby skincare products. Additional features, such as embroidered onesies, make these gifts adorable.

Top Features of the Best Baby Gift Boxes

Therefore, good baby gift boxes should be utility-oriented but also look nice when placed in the baby's room. They are high-quality essentials that are helpful to parents and harmless to babies. Choose natural wood, toys that are harmless to the child, and packaging that is easy on the environment, as this can create a good first impression.

Customizing Empty Baby Gift Boxes

For added ideas, choose commercially available baby gift boxes that are collapsible so that they can be used again. These boxes enable you to select specific items that the parent might be interested in. Stock them with homemade items, biological baby supplies, or unique commodities to give that personal touch.

Welcome Newborns with New Baby Gift Boxes

A new baby gift box makes the perfect present for a new mother and leaves a lasting impression. Many of these boxes arrive neatly packed and arranged according to the theme. While they eliminate time, they present an elegant and meaningful manner.

Eco-Friendly Baby Gift Boxes

Another trend that is emerging strongly is sustainability in gifting. Biodegradable and recyclable baby products gift boxes address the concerns of environmentally conscious parents. These boxes can make your gift thoughtful, stylish, and even eco-conscious.

Personalized Baby Gift Boxes for Unique Gifting

When it comes to giving out a baby gift box, it is recommended to take a more personalized approach. Some customization possibilities are unique; you can enter baby names, dates of birth, or initials of family members. Individual boxes turn into valuable souvenirs that parents can further utilize to preserve treasures.

Empty Baby Gift Boxes for DIY Gifting

Focused creatives adore empty baby gift boxes for their versatile nature. These boxes enable one to combine different articles to create a distinct look. The bags come in various sizes, colours, and designs so that individuals can choose the ones that are appropriate for the occasion or those that are in harmony with the recipient's tastes and preferences.

Why New Baby Gift Boxes Are Perfect for New Parents

A newborn baby gift box becomes a savior for first-time parents. You can add diapers, bottles, wipes, toys and other items to the baby bag. These essentials appeal to the packaging box, which feels like a celebration itself.

Best Baby Gift Boxes for Gender-Neutral Gifting

When the baby's sex is unknown, it is advisable to select the best baby gift boxes with an unnamed gender. Choose mild colors, such as green, yellow, or white. These boxes ensure your gift is appropriate while keeping the appearance sleek.

Premium Packaging with New Baby Gift Boxes

The wrapping is as crucial as the gift itself. The custom gift boxes for a new baby with elaborate packaging designs like a magnetic closure option or tied with a ribbon appearance also have increased appeal. Such details make the eating joint luxurious to ensure they capture the spirit of the occasion being marked.

Baby Gift Boxes for Long-Lasting Memories

Most parents tend to preserve baby gift boxes in their homes. Diaper boxes made of solid material can contain a baby's firsts, such as a hospital ID band and the first toy. For this reason, people appreciate them more than mere gifts because they act as memory keepsakes.

Best Baby Gift Boxes for Themed Celebrations

Mini gift baskets for the best baby gifts are pretty decorative and ideal for complementing a baby shower or welcome party. Ideas such as 'baby safari', 'under the sea', or 'characters from story books' keep your gift box unique and in sync with the overall theme of the event.

Create Meaningful Gifts with Empty Baby Gift Boxes

For those who prefer personalization, baby gift boxes allow for customization since the box is empty. Stock them with baby essentials such as story books, soothers or baby-friendly lotions and shampoos, among others. The freedom to select everything from the smallest speck gives the gift even more significance.

Affordable Luxury with New Baby Gift Boxes

One can spend a little money to make a mark. In particular, new baby gift boxes have more stylish designs and high-quality products at reasonable prices. These options make it possible to create a memorable gift without exceeding one's financial capability.

Baby Gift Boxes for Modern Gifting Trends

Traditional and most appealing baby gift boxes are currently shifting towards sleek and simple designs. You can add unique designs with light colors to make these boxes more attractive. The modern styles are suitable for parents who value products and do not like traditional designs.

The Convenience of Ready-Made New Baby Gift Boxes

Ready-made new baby gift boxes are convenient as they do not require any effort in packaging and organization. They already have lists and collections preloaded with items for you to consider. They are ideal for last-minute press gifts and provide a professional appeal.

Best Baby Gift Boxes for All Occasions

Whether it is a shower celebration for a new baby, baptism, or first birthday, the best baby gift boxes are ideal for any occasion. They are available in a range of themes and designs, so you will likely find a box that will be ideal for the celebration.

Why Empty Baby Gift Boxes Are a Popular Choice

Due to their versatility, DIY designs prefer empty baby gift boxes. They enable the use of homemade items, personalized messages, or even baby products made locally.

Invest in beautifully crafted baby gift boxes today and enhance your gifting experience!

[babygiftcollection]

Eco-Friendly Baby Gifts: Sustainable Choices for Eco-Conscious Parents

In today’s world, many parents are becoming increasingly aware of their environmental impact, leading to a growing demand for eco-friendly baby gifts. If you’re looking to give a thoughtful present that’s kind to the planet, here’s a guide to sustainable choices that new parents will love.

1. Organic Cotton Clothing

Clothing made from organic cotton is a great choice for babies. Unlike conventional cotton, organic cotton is grown without harmful pesticides and chemicals, making it safer for sensitive baby skin. Look for brands that prioritize sustainable practices, offering cute onesies, pajamas, and hats in adorable designs.

2. Bamboo Baby Products

Bamboo is a highly renewable resource, making it an excellent material for baby products. Bamboo clothing, blankets, and even diapers are soft, breathable, and naturally antibacterial. Additionally, bamboo grows quickly and requires minimal water, making it an environmentally friendly option.

3. Natural Wooden Toys

Toys made from natural wood are durable and safe for babies. Look for toys that are free from toxic finishes and paints. Many companies now offer beautifully crafted wooden toys that promote imaginative play while being gentle on the planet. They are often designed to last for generations, reducing waste.

4. Biodegradable Diapers

Traditional disposable diapers can take hundreds of years to decompose. Biodegradable diapers are a fantastic alternative that breaks down more easily in landfills. Several brands now offer options made from plant-based materials that provide the same level of absorbency without harming the environment.

5. Recycled and Upcycled Baby Gear

Consider gifts made from recycled materials, such as diaper bags, toys, and nursery decor. Upcycled products, made from repurposed items, are also a sustainable choice. These gifts not only reduce waste but often come with unique designs and stories, adding a personal touch.

6. Sustainable Feeding Products

Look for feeding items made from safe, sustainable materials. Silicone bibs and reusable food pouches can reduce single-use plastics. Glass or stainless steel bottles are durable alternatives to plastic and can be used for years, making them an eco-friendly choice for feeding.

7. Plantable Gifts

Consider gifts that give back to the environment, such as plantable baby shower favors or growth kits for new parents. These can include seed paper cards that can be planted, or kits that allow parents to grow herbs or flowers, creating a beautiful and sustainable addition to their home.

8. Books on Sustainability

A thoughtful gift could also include children’s books that focus on sustainability and the environment. Look for titles that teach little ones about nature, conservation, and the importance of caring for our planet, instilling eco-conscious values from an early age.

Conclusion

Choosing eco-friendly baby gifts not only supports sustainable practices but also helps parents raise environmentally aware children. By opting for thoughtful, sustainable gifts, you can make a positive impact on both the family and the planet. Whether you choose organic clothing, biodegradable diapers, or natural toys, every choice counts toward creating a healthier future for our little ones.

[grannyandgrandpascreations]

My Grandpa Loves Me and Elvis Onesies® Bodysuit

A funny designed Onesies® features the phrase "Grandpa Loves Me And Elvis". Nothing matters more than a baby's comfort, and this one piece is the right choice for all active babies. The envelope neckline and three snap leg closure ensure comfort throughout the day. This is a perfect gift for Mom, Grandma, Baby Shower Gift or just because for that Little One!

These gender neutral Gerber brand Onesies® are incredibly comfy! Both the bodysuits and t-shirts are printed on 100% cotton for a super soft feel. These unisex baby bodysuits are great to use as a take home outfit, baby shower gift or everyday attire!

All items are created or designed by Granny & Grandpa's Custom Creations. We also print and heat press our items using our professional, commercial grade heat press! Each design is made with High Quality, Heat Transfer Vinyl. All of our bodysuits and t-shirts are made to order in a smoke free and pet free home. We only print on genuine Gerber Onesies® and Children’s Place. Gerber Children’s Wear holds the trademark for the word “Onesie®”. The term “Onesie®” is to reference the Gerber label and to describe the genuine Gerber Children’s wear products we use at Granny & Grandpa's Custom Creations.

Care instructions: Turn item inside out, machine wash cold, no bleach, no softener. Do not dry clean. Do not iron. Tumble dry low.

Please also know that although every effort is made to photograph my items accurately, color may differ slightly from photos due to different monitor settings. Please contact me with any questions about the color or size of any item before purchasing. Have something in mind that you’re looking for? I love custom orders! I can make custom changes to all existing designs that are currently available in my shop. Please send me a message, and I’ll be happy to help!

After a package leaves my hands with the post office, Granny & Grandpa's Custom Creations is not held responsible. Current Turnaround Time due to upcoming Holidays - 1-5 Business Days. While we always use priority shipping options, once shipped we cannot guarantee delivery due to the backlog current being experienced USPS/UPS/FedEx. If you have a strict deadline, please message me when ordering so that I can note any rush requests. Ownership of packages turned over to USPS transfers to the Buyer. We are not responsible for lost, held, damaged packages or delayed packages, once your package(s) leaves our Shop it is completely out of our control. Thank you for understanding!

Thank you so much for supporting our "small Granny & Grandpa's Shop", we truly appreciate YOU! Please visit www.grannygrandpascustomcreations.com/shop to view more of our creations!

Due to different picture lighting settings the actual color might vary a bit from the pictures.

Please visit www.grannygrandpascustomcreations.com to view more products.

LET’S GET SOCIAL & BE FRIENDS! Like, Tag & Follow us for Our new Creations, Inspiration & Giveaways!

website/ www.grannygrandpascustomcreations.com/shop

facebook.com/ https://www.facebook.com/GrandpaHandmadecreations/

instagram.com/ https://www.instagram.com/grannyandgrandpacustomcreation/

goimagine.com/ https://goimagine.com/granny-and-grandpas-custom-creations/

pinterest.com/https://www.pinterest.com/grannyscustomcreations

#grannygrandpascustomcreations

A funny designed Onesies® features the phrase "Grandpa Loves Me And Elvis". Nothing matters more than a baby's comfort, and this one piece is the right choice for all active babies. The envelope neckline and three snap leg closure ensure comfort throughout the day. This is a perfect gift for Mom, Grandma, Baby Shower Gift or just because for that Little One!

These gender neutral Gerber brand Onesies® are incredibly comfy! Both the bodysuits and t-shirts are printed on 100% cotton for a super soft feel. These unisex baby bodysuits are great to use as a take home outfit, baby shower gift or everyday attire!

All items are created or designed by Granny & Grandpa's Custom Creations. We also print and heat press our items using our professional, commercial grade heat press! Each design is made with High Quality, Heat Transfer Vinyl. All of our bodysuits and t-shirts are made to order in a smoke free and pet free home. We only print on genuine Gerber Onesies® and Children’s Place. Gerber Children’s Wear holds the trademark for the word “Onesie®”. The term “Onesie®” is to reference the Gerber label and to describe the genuine Gerber Children’s wear products we use at Granny & Grandpa's Custom Creations.

Care instructions: Turn item inside out, machine wash cold, no bleach, no softener. Do not dry clean. Do not iron. Tumble dry low.

Please also know that although every effort is made to photograph my items accurately, color may differ slightly from photos due to different monitor settings. Please contact me with any questions about the color or size of any item before purchasing. Have something in mind that you’re looking for? I love custom orders! I can make custom changes to all existing designs that are currently available in my shop. Please send me a message, and I’ll be happy to help!

After a package leaves my hands with the post office, Granny & Grandpa's Custom Creations is not held responsible. Current Turnaround Time due to upcoming Holidays - 1-5 Business Days. While we always use priority shipping options, once shipped we cannot guarantee delivery due to the backlog current being experienced USPS/UPS/FedEx. If you have a strict deadline, please message me when ordering so that I can note any rush requests. Ownership of packages turned over to USPS transfers to the Buyer. We are not responsible for lost, held, damaged packages or delayed packages, once your package(s) leaves our Shop it is completely out of our control. Thank you for understanding!

Thank you so much for supporting our "small Granny & Grandpa's Shop", we truly appreciate YOU! Please visit www.grannygrandpascustomcreations.com/shop to view more of our creations!

Due to different picture lighting settings the actual color might vary a bit from the pictures.

Please visit www.grannygrandpascustomcreations.com to view more products.

LET’S GET SOCIAL & BE FRIENDS! Like, Tag & Follow us for Our new Creations, Inspiration & Giveaways!

website/ www.grannygrandpascustomcreations.com/shop

facebook.com/ https://www.facebook.com/GrandpaHandmadecreations/

instagram.com/ https://www.instagram.com/grannyandgrandpacustomcreation/

goimagine.com/ https://goimagine.com/granny-and-grandpas-custom-creations/

pinterest.com/https://www.pinterest.com/grannyscustomcreations

#grannygrandpascustomcreations

[pricehuntersstoreeee]

Invest in Your Baby's Future with Affordable Clothes

The arrival of a baby is a joyous occasion, filled with wonder and excitement. However, amidst the baby showers, gift registries, and endless to-do lists, a daunting question often arises: "where to buy cheap baby clothes?" Fear not, new parents (and seasoned ones too)! PriceHunters understands the financial realities of raising a little one. That's why we offer a delightful collection of affordable baby clothes, ensuring your precious bundle of joy looks adorable without straining your budget.

Why Choose Affordable Baby Clothes from PriceHunters?

Let's face it, babies grow at an alarming rate. Investing in a whole wardrobe of designer outfits that they'll outgrow in a few weeks isn't practical. PriceHunters offers high-quality, adorable baby clothes at competitive prices, allowing you to dress your little one in style without feeling the pinch. Here's why choosing affordable baby clothes from PriceHunters is a smart move:

Variety and Value: We offer a wide selection of clothes for babies of all ages, from newborn essentials to playful toddler outfits. Our prices ensure you can find trendy choices without compromising your budget.

Durability You Can Trust: Affordable doesn't equate to flimsy. At PriceHunters, we prioritize quality. Our clothes are made from soft, comfortable fabrics that can withstand the inevitable spills, drool, and washing machine cycles that come with parenthood.

Style for Every Occasion: From charming rompers and playful onesies to cozy pajamas and adorable outfits, you'll find everything your little one needs for everyday wear, special occasions, or simply lounging around.

Seasonal Delights: Our inventory is constantly updated with fresh seasonal styles, ensuring your baby looks their best year-round.

Essential Affordable Baby Clothes for Every Stage

PriceHunters offers a curated selection of essential baby clothes to ensure your little one has everything they need, no matter their age. Here are some must-haves:

Newborn Essentials: Invest in a comfortable supply of onesies, bodysuits, and sleep sacks made from soft, breathable fabrics.

Comfy Pajamas: Opt for cozy pajamas made from cotton or fleece to keep your baby warm and comfortable throughout the night.

Adorable Onesies: Onesies are versatile and comfortable, perfect for everyday wear and playtime. Choose from a variety of fun prints, colors, and patterns.

Playful Rompers and Dresses: For warmer weather or special occasions, rompers and cute dresses in vibrant patterns add a touch of style to your little one's wardrobe.

Essential Accessories: Don't forget essential accessories like soft hats, bibs, and cozy socks to keep your baby warm and comfortable.

Shopping for Affordable Baby Clothes at PriceHunters: Tips and Tricks

When it comes to shopping for where to buy baby clothes, PriceHunters is your partner. Here are some tips to maximize your savings:

Explore Our Deals and Discounts: We frequently offer deals and discounts on baby clothes. Keep an eye on our website and subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed.

Shop by Season: Stock up on clothes during clearance sales for the past season. Babies grow quickly, and you can often find great deals on outfits they'll fit into soon.

Consider Mix and Match: Create unique outfits by mixing and matching solid-colored onesies with patterned pants or skirts.

Think Long-Term: Purchase a few key items in slightly larger sizes to ensure your little one can wear them for a longer period.

Beyond Affordability: Choosing the Right Baby Clothes

While price is important, comfort and safety are paramount. Here's what to consider when choosing baby clothes at PriceHunters:

Fabric: Look for soft, breathable fabrics like cotton or fleece that are gentle on your baby's delicate skin.

Fit: Choose clothes that fit comfortably without being too tight or restrictive.

Safety: Ensure all garments have snaps or zippers instead of buttons, which could pose a choking hazard.

Easy Care: Opt for clothes that are machine washable and dryer-safe, making laundry day a breeze.

PriceHunters: Dressing Your Little One with Love and Value

At PriceHunters, we believe every baby deserves to look and feel adorable. With our curated collection of affordable baby clothes, we offer parents a way to express their love and style through their child's wardrobe without breaking the bank. Browse our selection today and discover a world of stylish and affordable clothes for your precious little one!

[noisycowboyglitter]

"Celebrate Your Baby Boy with Beer: Hilarious Pregnancy Tees"

"Beer Me I'm Having A Boy" is a playful twist on the traditional baby shower, catering to expectant fathers and couples who prefer a more relaxed celebration of impending parenthood. This trend taps into the growing popularity of "dadchelor parties" and co-ed baby showers, blending the excitement of a new arrival with the casual vibe of a beer tasting.

Buy now:19.95$

Picture a backyard barbecue or a laid-back brewery event where friends gather to toast the future dad. Instead of pastel decorations and diaper cakes, you might find beer bottle centerpieces filled with blue flowers or a "diaper keg" where guests bring diapers in exchange for a cold brew.

Games take on a decidedly different flavor at these events. Think beer bottle baby races, where participants roll empty bottles across the floor, or "Chug for the Baby," where non-alcoholic beer stands in for formula in baby bottles. A "Guess the Beer" tasting contest adds a fun, thematic twist to the usual baby shower games.

Gift-giving gets a makeover too. Guests might bring six-packs with custom labels featuring dad-to-be advice or onesies with clever beer puns. A "Build a Beer Caddy" station allows attendees to create a personalized carrier for those late-night diaper runs.

Buy now

While mom-to-be may or may not partake in the beer tasting, mocktails and non-alcoholic brews ensure everyone can join in the toasts. It's a celebration that acknowledges the changing dynamics of parenthood, where dads are increasingly involved from day one.

"Beer Me I'm Having A Boy" events recognize that becoming a parent doesn't mean giving up your identity or interests. Instead, they offer a chance to celebrate this new chapter in life with a cold one in hand and good friends by your side.

Xmas gifts for beer lovers offer a perfect blend of holiday cheer and hoppy indulgence. For the festive season, consider a beer advent calendar, featuring 24 unique craft brews to countdown to Christmas. A set of insulated stainless steel beer growlers, adorned with holiday designs, makes for both a practical and stylish gift.

Buy now

For the homebrewer, a deluxe beer-making kit with seasonal ingredients like cinnamon or orange peel could inspire winter-themed creations. Beer-infused treats like hop-flavored candy canes or beer brittle offer a unique twist on traditional holiday sweets.

Personalized beer steins or glasses etched with holiday motifs add a special touch to their drinking experience. For the ultimate beer enthusiast, consider a guided brewery tour package or tickets to a winter beer festival.

Don't forget stocking stuffers like bottle opener ornaments, beer-scented soaps, or quirky beer-themed socks. A subscription to a craft beer club ensures the holiday spirit continues year-round.

Buy now

These thoughtful gifts are sure to have beer lovers raising a glass in holiday cheer.

[ravi0903]

newborn socks

Etsy.comlisting

As the excitement builds for a new arrival, many families are opting for a “baby sprinkle” – a more intimate celebration compared to a traditional baby shower. It’s a chance to gather loved ones, shower the expecting mom with support, and pick out delightful gifts for the little one. One standout option that’s gaining popularity for these events is incorporating practical, eco-friendly gifts like organic cotton baby socks. In this guide, we’ll explore how these charming items can elevate your baby sprinkle and provide valuable tips for selecting the perfect baby shower favors.

What is a Baby Sprinkle?

A baby sprinkle is a smaller, more casual event compared to a full-scale baby shower. It’s typically held for a mom who is having her second or third child, and it focuses on celebrating the new addition with a bit more simplicity and elegance. The goal is to sprinkle a bit of joy and support without the grandiosity of a traditional shower.

Why Choose Organic Cotton Baby Socks?

When it comes to choosing gifts for a baby sprinkle, organic cotton baby socks are a fantastic choice for several reasons:

Eco-Friendly: Organic cotton is grown without harmful pesticides or chemicals, making it a safer and more sustainable choice for the environment. This aligns well with the increasing demand for eco-friendly products and can be a thoughtful way to contribute to a greener world.

Soft and Gentle: Babies have sensitive skin, and organic cotton is known for its softness and breathability. These qualities make organic cotton baby socks a gentle choice for a newborn’s delicate feet, ensuring comfort and reducing the risk of irritation.

High-Quality and Durable: Organic cotton is not only soft but also durable. High-quality socks will last through countless washes and wear, making them a practical and lasting gift.

Stylish and Versatile: With various designs and colors available, organic cotton baby socks can complement any baby wardrobe. Whether you’re looking for classic whites or cute patterns, there’s a style to suit every preference.

How to Use Organic Cotton Baby Socks in Your Baby Sprinkle

1. Baby Shower Favors: Organic cotton baby socks make delightful favors that guests will appreciate. They’re practical, adorable, and can be easily wrapped in a small, elegant package. Consider including a little note explaining the benefits of organic cotton to add a personal touch.

2. Gift Bundles: Combine the socks with other organic baby essentials like onesies or blankets to create a thoughtful gift bundle. This approach shows extra effort and care in your gift-giving.

3. Themed Decorations: Incorporate the socks into your sprinkle’s décor. For example, you can use them as part of a cute centerpiece or hang them as garlands to add a touch of whimsy to your event.

4. Personalized Touch: If you’re feeling crafty, consider adding personalized elements to the socks. Custom embroidery or unique packaging can make the gift even more special and memorable.

Where to Find Organic Cotton Baby Socks

For those searching for high-quality organic cotton baby socks, look no further than this Etsy listing. This 5-pack set offers a beautiful assortment of soft, eco-friendly socks that are perfect for any baby sprinkle. Each pair is crafted with care, ensuring comfort and durability while maintaining an elegant aesthetic.

Conclusion

A baby sprinkle is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate a new addition to the family in a more personal and relaxed setting. By incorporating organic cotton baby socks into your event, you’re not only giving a gift that’s practical and stylish but also supporting a sustainable and eco-friendly choice. Whether as favors, part of a gift bundle, or a decorative element, these socks are sure to add a touch of elegance and thoughtfulness to your baby sprinkle.

Embrace the simplicity and beauty of organic cotton, and make your baby sprinkle a memorable occasion with these charming, eco-friendly gifts.

[babyclothingandfootwear]

How Twinkle Boutique Shop is Redefining Fashion for Modern Children

Are you looking for a children’s boutique that offers more than just clothes? Twinkle Boutique Shop is redefining fashion for modern children by offering a carefully curated selection of baby boy and girl clothes, gifts, accessories, separates, outerwear, and more. 

With a focus on quality, style, and comfort, Twinkle Boutique Shop is becoming a go-to destination for parents who want their babies to dress fashionably while feeling comfortable and confident. This blog explores new standards in children’s fashion and why it’s the perfect place for modern parents to shop for their little ones.

A Fresh Approach to Baby Clothes

Twinkle Boutique Shop understands that babies deserve clothing that is both stylish and practical. Our selection of baby boy and girl clothes is designed to meet the needs of modern parents who want their babies to look adorable without compromising on comfort. From soft, organic cotton onesies to trendy little outfits, 

Comfort Meets Style

One of the key features of our baby clothes is the balance between comfort and style. Babies have delicate skin, and Twinkle Boutique Shop ensures that all our baby clothes are made from soft, breathable fabrics that are gentle on the skin. Whether it’s a cozy romper for a day at home or a cute dress for a special occasion, our clothes are designed to keep your baby comfortable and stylish.

Trendy Designs for Every Occasion

Twinkle Boutique Shop also offers a range of trendy designs that cater to different occasions. Whether you’re looking for something casual or dressy, our collection has something for every need. Our baby boy and girl clothes come in various colors, patterns, and styles, ensuring that your little one is always dressed in the latest trends.

Thoughtful Gifts for Every Milestone

When it comes to gifting, Twinkle Boutique Shop offers a variety of thoughtful and unique gifts that are perfect for celebrating every milestone in a child’s life. From baby showers to birthdays, our selection of gifts is designed to make every occasion special.

Personalized Gifts

One of the standout features of Twinkle Boutique Shop is our range of personalized gifts. We offer custom items such as monogrammed blankets, personalized onesies, and custom name signs that add a special touch to any gift. These personalized items are not only memorable but also practical, making them a hit with both parents and children.

Gift Sets

Twinkle Boutique Shop also offers beautifully curated gift sets that include a selection of our best-selling items. These sets are perfect for new parents who want to try a variety of products or for anyone looking to give a thoughtful, all-in-one gift. Our gift sets include everything from clothing and accessories to toys and keepsakes, ensuring that there’s something for everyone.

Versatile Separates for Mix-and-Match Fun

One of the ways boutique Shop is redefining fashion for modern children is by offering a range of versatile separates that allow for mix-and-match fun. Our separates collection includes everything from tops and bottoms to skirts and shorts, all designed to be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits.

Encouraging Creativity

Twinkle Boutique Shop believes that fashion should be fun, and our separates collection encourages creativity and self-expression. By offering a range of mix-and-match options, we allow children and parents to create unique outfits that reflect their personal style. This approach not only makes dressing up more enjoyable but also helps children develop their sense of fashion from an early age.

Practicality Meets Style

In addition to being fun, our separates are also practical. We offer a range of options that are easy to care for and designed to withstand the wear and tear of everyday play. Whether it’s a comfy pair of leggings or a stylish top, our separates are made from high-quality fabrics that are both durable and fashionable.

Outerwear for All Seasons

When it comes to outerwear, boutique Shop offers a selection that is both stylish and functional. Our outerwear collection includes everything from cozy winter coats to lightweight jackets, ensuring that your child is prepared for any weather.

Seasonal Essentials

Twinkle Boutique Shop understands the importance of having the right outerwear for each season. That’s why we offer a range of options that cater to different weather conditions. Whether you’re looking for a warm parka for winter or a breathable raincoat for spring, our outerwear collection has you covered.

Durable and Stylish

Our outerwear is designed to be both durable and stylish, ensuring that your child stays comfortable and fashionable no matter the weather. We use high-quality materials that provide protection from the elements while also offering a stylish look. With options for both boys and girls, Twinkle Boutique Shop makes it easy to find the perfect outerwear for your little one.

A Commitment to Quality and Style

Twinkle Boutique Shop is committed to offering high-quality products that are both stylish and practical. We carefully select each item in our collection to ensure that it meets our standards for quality and style. Whether you’re shopping for baby clothes, gifts/accessories, separates, and outerwear, you can trust.

Ethical and Sustainable Practices

In addition to offering high-quality products, Twinkle Boutique Shop is also committed to ethical and sustainable practices. We work with suppliers who share our values and prioritize sustainability in their production processes. This commitment to sustainability ensures that our products are not only good for your child but also good for the planet.

Exceptional Customer Service

We believe that shopping for your child should be a joyful experience. That’s why we offer exceptional customer service to ensure that your shopping experience is smooth and enjoyable. Whether you have questions about sizing or need help selecting the perfect gift, our friendly and knowledgeable team is here to assist you.

Conclusion

Twinkle Boutique Shop is truly redefining fashion for modern children by offering a carefully curated selection of stylish, comfortable, and high-quality products. From baby boy and girl clothes to thoughtful gifts/accessories, separates, and outerwear, The online company Twinkle Toes & Clothes provides everything you need to keep your child looking fashionable and feeling comfortable.

Visit Twinkle Toes & Clothes today to explore our collection and discover how we are redefining fashion for modern children.