[REQUEST] [US, MN] Anything off our baby registry. Story within. (x-post /r/assistance)

First off, I’d like to say thank you for being in this subreddit in the first place. I don’t expect or plan on anything coming from this, but telling our story in and of itself will be therapeutic and that means that you, dear reader, are already helping by reading these words.

My husband and I have been together for a little over four years. We’ve always had a very positive, robust relationship. We’ve been successful. I traditionally work in digital marketing as an analyst and copywriter. He works full time as a produce clerk at a local grocery store while finishing his graphic/web design degree at the same time. There’s a lot of love between us, and there always has been.

I’m currently six months pregnant, and things are a little… rough right now. Just over two years ago we gave birth for the first time – a beautiful, serene, and unfortunately stillborn little girl named Alice. Her heart was too big for her chest to hold and couldn’t keep up with her growing body. So, you can see, that from the very beginning this pregnancy has been tense. We’ve kept a close eye on things. We’ve been vigilant.

Last year I was laid off twice. I’m not sure if it was the industry in this city, the time of year, or a bout of exceptionally bad luck, but it is what it is. When I was first laid off in January, I was given severance and able to qualify for unemployment. A little over a month and a half later, I got another job at a small agency nearby. Six months after that, I was out on my own again – downsizing, and the inability to efficiently train or make proper use of new hires. Everyone was very apologetic, I was only slightly terrified. Maybe a month after that I found out I was pregnant. Unexpected. We are, apparently, poster children for multiple birth control measures failing simultaneously. We were excited, nervous, terrified, joyous, and a thousand and one different positive and negative things at once. I was determined to find another job before the year ran out.

Things don’t always go as planned. It’s hard to get hired during the end of the fiscal and calendar year. My pregnancy started out difficult – hyperemesis, intense food aversions, doubly intense migraines - which didn't help things. That brings us to today. This Saturday my unemployment runs out, which while not very much, was enough to help cover rent and basic necessities. It was enough to get by, and not feel too horrible. Just enough. But it’s gone, and I haven’t found employment yet (despite my oh-so-very-intense efforts) and I get rounder and rounder as the days go by. I apply, get asked to come in for an interview, and then they see the beach ball being smuggled under my dress and raise their eyebrows in that way that lets you know deep down in your guts it's not going to work out.

Money is tight. Stress is high when it shouldn’t be high because it’s horrible for our daughter. She’s healthy, though. A perfect beating heart. Her father works so damn hard. School, homework, work. I’ve been working on developing an online freelance portfolio so I can still help with rent once the money runs out but… you know how it is.

I thought I’d post our Amazon baby registry. We haven’t purchased a single thing yet. We’ve gotten some hand me down clothing and blankets. There's still a lot we'll need to get over the next few months. The registry has necessities and wishes alike, so please don’t judge the fact that there’s a cute toy or outfit (or three) on there. We know what the important things are and adding the slightly more indulgent things is just that… an emotional indulgence, an errant hope, what-have-you.

We know that there are people out there who are in a worse place than we are, so we understand if you’d rather help someone out who is in more dire straits. However, if our story pulled at your heart strings, even just a little – we will truly, honestly, forever-and-ever-amen appreciate any kind gesture you throw our way. Thank you, really.

Our Amazon registry is here. We currently live in the downtown Minneapolis area, and the address to send things on the registry is my parent's home in Woodbury because our apartment is notorious for package theft.