For me, one of the very best parts of the holiday season is sending and receiving holiday cards from friends and family near and far. As someone who loves photos and can't get enough of all things pictures, I especially love seeing cards with happy faces of loved ones (and their littles :). Getting the mail each day during this season is so much fun for me (... the only time of the year that rings true!), and I can't help but hang and display each card we receive in our kitchen. Thank you to all our friends and family for sending us one each winter! 

This year, I partnered with Basic Invite to make our family's Christmas card. They have a huge holiday photo card collection this season, it was tough to pick a favorite. We went with this one — I love the raised gold foil, and you can't tell in the photos, but I chose the luxe velvet paper, which is heavier than typical cards and feels so smooth. I'm also impressed with the photo printing — the images are so crisp!

We had the lovely Alicia Mayorca take some quick family photos a few weeks ago, and we love how they turned out! Since I couldn't choose just one photo (Neda realllly hammed it up for Alicia that morning), I made a collage in iPhoto, which I uploaded to Basic Invite. I can't recommend Alicia enough if you're looking for family photos in Chicago. She makes you feel so comfortable and captures everyone in their natural state  (a more put together natural state...). I texted her after she left that I consider her a mama friend and our resident family photographer (...whether she likes it or not)!

You can customize each card a number of ways — change the font, colors (180 to choose from!), move the text, change sizing and play with the image. There are dozens of ways to customize the back, too. And you can get a sample of your card before doing a full order, which is awesome for someone like me who's notorious for little spelling mistakes. At the hospital, the day after Neda was born, I accidentally spelled her name N-E-A-D-A to the social security people ordering her card! Oops.

There are also 40 different envelopes to choose from, and you can customize those, too. Basic Invite offers an address capturing service that allows you to share a link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any other social media to request friends and family's addresses. They also offer recipient address printing at no cost on all card orders.

I always order a few extra to store as a keepsake, and this year's card feels super special... so maybe I ordered a dozen extra, I don't know ;) I just love how they turned out! Looking forward to busting out the Christmas tunes, finishing stamping and stuffing these cards and getting them out ASAP. And so excited to see everyone else's across on our fridge <3

P.S. Basic Invite is offering readers 15% off with code 15FF51.

(This post was sponsored by Basic Invite. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Make the Most.)

Seven Weeks with Neda Maliheh Hayes

Seven weeks (on Saturday ;). Seven hard, beautiful, life-changing weeks. Seven weeks full of so many emotions, so many ups and downs, so much love. And so many tears. Oh so, so many tears. I have learned so many things the past seven weeks as I've become a mother. I've learned a lot about babies. I've learned a lot about my own specific baby girl, and her signals and signs. I've learned it's OK to let other people help you — even if you think you can do it all on your own. I've learned a lot about myself, too — and how to function on little sleep, type with one hand and get the hardest of stains out of the littlest clothes. I've learned how to bounce a fussy baby to sleep with one arm while making dinner with the other. I've learned how to let some things go and just sit beside my baby and take it all in. I've learned a whole lot about love, too.

The Baby is Here!

We are so thrilled to introduce our sweet, sweet little girl (a girl!), Neda Maliheh Hayes. She was born on Saturday, September 14 at 2:03am (my brother’s birthday!) after an exciting and relatively quick labor. Her middle name is my late grandmother's first name, which makes her even more special to me. Can’t wait to share more over the next few months. She has the loveliest demeanor and is absolutely perfect. We are over the moon and exhausted, as to be expected:) Lots of love and thank you again for all the well wishes! xoxo

Bits and Pieces

I said I was signing off in my latest post, but here I am, still pregnant, terribly anxious, doing whatever I can to pass the time and ease my mind, which today is backing up photos from my phone and washing the shower curtain. It's been a glamorous few weeks around here, ha. I'm trying my best to enjoy these last few slow days, but my nerves are getting the best of me and the uncertainty of the days ahead are hard for me to sit with. I just have to keep reminding myself of how lucky I am to be in this space and how my most exciting chapter is so close <3

Our Neutral Nursery

When I first found out I was pregnant, I was really overwhelmed by the prospect of putting together a registry and nursery. I avoided it for months and months, refusing to "nest" well into my third trimester. I thought that if we were prepared, baby would somehow know and feel welcomed to come early, but if I ignored it all, I'd buy us some time (you're right, that makes no sense). But when the potential of an early delivery surprised us a few weeks ago, I decided it was time to roll up our sleeves and get started that next weekend...

Since we only have two bedrooms, one of our priorities was to keep a double bed in that room, for guests in the future and for us in case we need it after transitioning the baby from our room to his or hers after a few months. We kept the same bed and West Elm bedding we had in our guest room, but we added a new headboard to spruce things up.

We went back and forth on whether to get a glider, but we ultimately decided to wait and see if it's necessary. Instead, we're using a comfy armchair that used to be in our living room with this Moroccan pouf I'd wanted for years but had no reason to get until now.

As with everything for this baby, I've wanted to meld our two cultures as much as possible (the boy name we have picked out is equally Irish and Persian, and I love the meaning in both languages... I wonder if we'll get to use it!), and I adore this print from an Irish artist, which we had framed by our friends at Framed and Matted. The print says "Animals come in many shapes, sizes and colours. They can't speak to us, though that's no reason not to be nice to them." I hope Mooshi understands the underlying social justice issues we're referencing there ;)

We've tried to keep things as neutral and simple as possible. I know that once I know the sex and meet our babe I'll go overboard and fill this room with too many things, but for now I'm loving how calm the space feels. I also like that so many pieces will last us a long time. Like this beautiful neutral crib, which can be used as a toddler bed, our beloved first Persian rug and bookshelves that Brian made — filled with books from dear family and friends. I didn't want the room to feel too baby, I want it to be a space that can keep its character but grow with our family.

My favorite thing in this room is the personal touches. I love that Brian made the shelves, a sweet mouse print (Mooshi means mouse in Farsi ;) illustrated by my best friend's mom, a fox stuffed animal knitted by Brian's aunt (she also made us the most darling sweater), a quilt that was embroidered by a close family friend, a blanket from another friend's mom, my friend Kate crocheted us the cutest mouse lovie. So many people care for our little Moosh, and I plan on keeping these treasures for decades and decades. The most important thing in our lives are the people that are in them, and I'm humbled and glad to see that every time I'm in this room.

Since I'll likely be signing off on here for a bit, I wanted to say thank you for all of your kind words, support, encouraging comments and the general love you’ve shown throughout my pregnancy. The past nine months have been so surreal and the fact that our baby is almost here feels like a dream. I can’t wait to share this next chapter of my life with all of you!

Other products, in case you're wondering ;)

Crib sheets

Lion stuffed animal

Sound machine

Changing table

Changing pad

Diaper pale 

Gray blanket

Brass shelf 

Baby monitor

Hamper 

(This post was sponsored by Wayfair, which gifted us our pouf and crib. We also received complimentary framing from Framed & Matted. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Make the Most.)

Is Mooshi a Boy or Girl? Testing 12 Old Wives' Tales

37 weeks! Term! We made it!!! I've begged our little babe to stay cooking every day for the past three weeks (when early labor signs sent us to the hospital), but anything goes now (that doesn't mean I'm ready, though...)! Brian joked that if we did make it to 37 weeks, I'd get greedy and plead for something new — September, baby! Just make it through Labor Day weekend, baby! So true :) My dad flew to Munich on Saturday, and I'd really appreciate it if Moosh stay put until he's back.

I mentioned in my third trimester post that we chose to not find out the baby's sex, and it's driving me crazy. Of course it doesn't matter either way, but I've been on pins and needles wanting to know! I'm an extremely anxious person, not at all patient and a gossip by nature (don't bother telling me a secret), so this is truly torture. So many times Brian told me to find out and end my misery, but each time I'd think "I've made it this far..." and he's stayed firm on not wanting to know. I couldn't possibly keep it in if I did and he didn't!

I feel like I've put every old wives' tale to the test the past nine months, and B's coworkers suggested this blog post so we have the prediction in writing. When the pregnancy test said positive at four weeks, we both instantly thought it was a girl; something in our hearts was just so sure, same with the names we quickly picked. Everything just felt right. Brian has stuck to his prediction since (and a September 8 birthday), but I've switched almost daily. Our families are split down the middle, and at each of our baby showers, guests were 50/50, too! But strangers on the street (who have loved screaming their predictions for months) and sweet random grandmas who ask a lot of questions and ask for a lot of views always guess boy. What's in there?!?!

According to much research scouted from around the Internet (so they must be true ;) here's what we're having...

1. Sweet versus salty cravings: They say if you find yourself craving all things sweet, that’s a sign you’re having a girl. Cravings for salty or protein-rich foods mean it might be a boy.
I haven't really had any cravings! In general, I've just wanted light, cold foods (like hard-boiled eggs and blueberries) because anything too rich leaves me feeling even more heavy. But, I have found myself inhaling brownies by the batch on several occasions, so let's say girl. 

2. The garlic test: If you’re able to eat a lot of garlic but not smell like it, apparently that means you’re carrying a girl.
Boy, then. Up until recently I was working out often, and I could always smell the garlic oozing out of me after a big Italian dinner. Yep, gross. 

3. Morning sickness: If you’re suffering from excessive nausea and morning sickness, it’s said you could be having a girl.
Boy. I've been very, very lucky to have an easy pregnancy in that regard. I didn't experience nausea or vomiting and always had my appetite. I was worried little things like a coworker's lunch or perfume would bother me, but it was smooth sailing. 

4. Pregnancy glow, or no: From the source: if your complexion is bright and your hair resembles that of a Pantene commercial, you could be having a boy. If that much-talked-about “pregnancy glow” is MIA and you’re breaking out, it may just mean you’ve got a girl growing.
While I don't feel like I'm glowing, my skin has cleared up, and my hair has been amazing. I'm scared of what's to come, but for now I've been loving how thick and strong my once thinning, frizzy dry hair is (even Brian has been like "dang, girl!"). So, boy! 

5. Partner’s weight gain: If your partner is gaining weight alongside you (also known as “sympathy weight”), that could be a sign that you’re carrying a girl.
Brian just doesn't gain weight. Ugh. Boy.

6. Moody versus mellow: If you’re feeling more moody than mellow, you might be having a girl. If you’re more chilled out, legend has it you should get ready for a boy.
Brian mentioned this in our wedding anniversary post, but I was so calm when I first found out I was pregnant. Strangely so, everyone around us was surprised. As someone who's always worried about something, I was so at ease with everything and just wanted to soak it all in. The tides have definitely changed since, but since I started on such a high note, I'm going to say boy.

7. The eye test: Look in the mirror for about a minute. If your pupils are dilating, it means you’re having a boy.
Umm, girl. 

8. Carrying high versus low: According to pregnancy lore, carrying high means you’re having a girl, while carrying low means it’s a boy.
I've thought I've been carrying low from the start, and now that the baby is dropping, I feel like it's super low. I keep asking the doctors if it looks OK to them ("Doesn't it feel like it could be at my knees soon?" was my latest concern), but they seem to think it's right where it should be... boy.

9. The ring test: Tie a ring on a string and hang it over your belly. If it swings in a circular motion, you could be having a girl, but if it’s swinging side to side, it means you’re having a boy.
Brian had our friend Angie do this on me on vacation a few weeks ago and shared it on his Instagram! Consensus: girl. 

10. Heart rate: During your ultrasound, pay attention to baby’s heart rate. If that little ticker is beating faster than 140 beats per minute, get ready for a girl.
This has fluctuated with every appointment (150-135 bpm), but at our hospital stay, it was high, consistently above 150. And the first time we heard it it was 150, too. So, I'm going to go with girl.

11. Chinese gender chart: Place one finger on the age you were when you conceived and another finger on the month of conception. Where your fingers meet in the middle will tell you if you’re expecting a little boy or girl.
Boy!

12.  The key test: Ask the pregnant mom to pick up a key. If she picks the key up by the narrow end, it’s a girl. If she picks up the key by the rounded top, it’s a boy.
Someone asked me to do this, and I was so confused at the time. But, girl!



Bonus,  a random one I didn't test out: Salt test: In Romania, they sprinkle salt over a pregnant woman without her knowledge, and wait to see if she rubs under her nose or her lower lip first. If she brushes her nose, it’s a girl. If she rubs her lower lip, it’s a boy.

So, what's our conclusion? 7/12... boy! We'll see! Stay tuned! Any day now... eek!

P.S. A quick test if you're interested :) This one leads to boy for me, too.

Answer yes or no…
1. Have you been craving sweet (not salty) foods?
2. Did you have lots of morning sickness?
3. Are you extra moody?
4. Is your face rounder than usual?
5. Are your hands soft, versus drier than usual?
6. Did the man initiate sex at the time of conception?
7. Is your right breast larger than your left breast during pregnancy?
8. Are you graceful during pregnancy, versus clumsy?
9. Is your belly low versus high?

More yes answers = It’s a girl!
More no answers = It’s a boy!

Our Backyard Baby Shower

Almost immediately after I told them I was pregnant, my mom and sister started planning a backyard baby shower for B and me, and we started looking forward to it instantly. During cold March days when I couldn't imagine it ever being summer, I pictured all of our friends in my parents' backyard, the sun shining, music playing, our Moosh coming soon. Last Saturday was just that and absolutely perfect. The afternoon was super relaxed and low-key, and we just chatted and hung out. I can't wait to introduce our baby to these people that make our lives so full. The three of us are truly the luckiest <3