Pregnancy Favorites

With me entering my last month of pregnancy, I thought I would list some of my favorites and must haves for this pregnancy. If I have said it once I have said it a thousand times..this pregnancy is completely different than my first. With Elliana I didn't need much to keep me happy comfortable. It was an easy pregnancy (which I am grateful for, but totally think it's deceiving for it to be my FIRST pregnancy...), so there wasn't much to that list, but this time there have been a few things that I found that have made my days of pregnancy a little easier. 

Here we go....

1. Water Bottle or Tumbler - This was literally the first thing I bought after I saw the 2 little lines on my pregnancy test. This is going to sound crazy but to me water always tastes better in a cute tumbler rather than a clear plastic bottle. Plus, I love drinking out of a straw so a cute tumbler with a lid is even more perfect...especially with a rowdy toddler around. Also, if the taste of water just doesn't work for you these cute and affordable fruit infuser water bottles are perfect to give it some flavor! 

2. Makeup Wipes - I've been a big fan of makeup wipes since I had my first baby. I had to keep my bedtime routine under 60 seconds or I would fall asleep in the bathroom. I have super sensitive skin, and I have tried almost every kind of makeup wipe and even facial wash out there. My favorite would have to be Simple Brand. So far it's the only kind that does not break my face out or make it dry. 

4. Snoogle Body Pillow - For Christmas I received this body pillow and it has been a great cuddle buddy! It can help with the hip and tailbone pain, and when my acid reflux was awful at night it really helped me sleep better and keep my head above my feet. They make all kinds of body pillows now in different shapes. If you just need something to put between your legs or under your growing belly a simple $10 body pillow at Target would work just as well for that!

5. Humidifier - This really helps with the dry and stuffy nose that you get right around the 2nd trimester. With Elliana I used one every night and never had issues, but for some crazy reason I didn't think about using it this time around and I would literally wake up in the middle of night with a bloody nose because I was so stuffy. So I highly recommend using a humidifier, plus most of them have a soft light so you can find your way to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

6. Fruit Bars - Okay, I've said in almost every pregnancy update how I've been craving fruit. It's definitely a great and healthy craving to have, but with being on the go with a toddler I don't always have time to eat it when I really want it. Fruit bars have been great for a morning or midday snack, or when we are on the road and I can just dig one out of my purse (yes, I am the pregnant woman that keeps snacks in my purse...don't judge me). Also fruit popsicle bars are great with this summer weather!! 

7. Cocoa Butter Stretch Mark Cream - I love this stuff so much. Like most creams, it may not work for everyone but it has definitely saved my skin. I know they say it's very much hereditary if you get stretch marks or not, and this is the first thing my mom bought me after I found out I was due with Elliana. So maybe it's just coincidence...who knows? But I do love the smell and it's really affordable. It also has helped with the itchy skin.

8. Belly Laughs: The naked truth about pregnancy and childbirth - Okay let's get real for a minute. Pregnancy is obviously something beautiful and the most wonderful thing a woman's body can do BUT it's not always rainbows and butterflies. There are the "not so attractive" moments and times where you just want to sit down, cry, and ask "WHY ME?!" This book is definitely something that can lift your spirits and let's you know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. This book covers everything..even the things you secretly google just to make sure you are not going completely insane. 

9. Maxi ANYTHING - I seem to get my most pregnant in the summer time. I was pregnant all summer long with Elliana, and luckily this one is due in the middle of summer. But here in the heart of the south the weather gets hotttttt and crazy humid in the summer. My absolute favorite thing to wear during this time are maxi dresses or skirts. That is definitely my most comfortable piece of clothing and my go to outfit. 

10. Rice Heat Pad - Last but not least my #1 pregnancy must have is a rice heat pad. Oh my goodness gracious this has been my most used and favorite thing ever. Mine was given to me as a gift for Christmas. Someone had made it for me, and I was so thankful because I had been wanting one since I used my old roommate's like 5 years ago for cramps. Little did I know how useful it would be for pregnancy. Anytime I have pain in my hips and back, cramping, or even when my stomach would feel upset, I just throw my rice pad in the microwave for 2 1/2 minutes and then lay down. It eases everything within minutes. I understand some people are weary about using heat pads while pregnant, but my doctor has always recommended me using one for aches and pain. I believe a rice pad doesn't get as hot as an electric heating pad but still gives you the same comfort. If you can sew or even crotchet you can easily make one...if you can't (like me) I suggest having one made. You won't be sorry trust me!! 

I know that was a ton of information, but I remember being a first time mommy-to-be and searching for all the recommendations I could find. So I hope that you find this helpful and that somewhere along the line, something here can make your nine months of baby growing just a little bit easier! (:

8 Months + Lazy baby

How far along: 32 weeks

Gender: Girl

Weight gain: 16 lbs. I think she got my message last time (:

Maternity clothes: Yes. Besides a few items I have like the dress in the picture above. As long as it's flowy and comfy I don't care if it's maternity or not.

Stretch marks: None yet. 

Belly button in or out: Does flat count??

Emotions: Those have been out of sorts lately.. Will explain below.

Sleep: Besides our precious daughter coming in to climb in bed with us anywhere between 1 and 4 AM...it's good. By the way I hear this is normal for kids her age..anyone have experience with this? I don't mind the extra snuggles, but she's always been a good independent sleeper and my only concern is when the baby gets here.. 

Best moment: Lots of them! Baby showers, school year ending, family in town, seeing Evie (and her hair!) on the ultrasound, and my little sister graduating!! 

Worst moment: Our baby girl already making her mama worry. Again I will explain below

Miss anything: Being comfortable! Any way I sit, stand, or lay is only comfortable for so long.

Movement: Well we have found out that Evie is a bit on the lazy side...

Cravings: Mmm....watermelon, strawberries, really anything fruity or just fruit in general. Popsicles, still can't have enough steak, aaaaand fried bologna sandwiches.

Queasy or sick: Nope. HALLELUJAH!!!

Looking forward to: Just getting ready for Evie and soaking up lots of outside time with Elliana before sister's arrival!!

The past month has been a bit on the crazy side for our family, and little Evie Joy decided to give us a scare in the middle of all of it. Back at my 24 week appointment my Doctor mentioned that in my ultrasound one of Evie's kidneys was larger than the other. He assured me that this is NOT a big issue but something we would have to double check after she developed more. This is something that is common in babies, mostly boys, but it has something to do with the urine not flowing through correctly and backing up the kidney. Fast forward to last week... I have mentioned on here before that Evie moves all the time. I was sure we had a soccer player growing inside me because she was always kicking and jabbing. Well one night I realized that she had not moved for going on 4 hours...pretty unusual for her. I drank caffeine, ate dinner, laid on my side and even poked my belly. Nothing. I called my doctor's office and they sent me to the hospital to be monitored. Once we got there and hooked up of course she started going nuts and even seemed like she was trying to kick the monitor off my belly. A few days later I went back to my Doctor and he scheduled my ultrasound to double check her kidneys, and gave me a chart to keep track of her movements so he could see exactly how much she was moving. His concern was that it could have something to do with her kidneys or something that was not seen in the last ultrasound. If her movement was not enough he would have me admitted in the hospital to be monitored. That was Friday and I had to wait until this morning to get results from the ultrasound and go over the chart. Y'all..this mama was praying so hard and told close family and few friends so they could be praying too. 

I kept track with every movement I could feel and let me tell you...seeing it on paper had me even more worried. She wasn't moving as much as I or my Doctor was hoping... I was scared. I mean, I was obviously thankful that there was some movement, but to be honest there is nothing like having that fear of something being wrong with your child and you not being able to do anything to help her... As moms we can be our own worst critic. We can put a lot of pressure and responsibility on ourselves and get really down if we feel that we have done something wrong or just not being able to fulfill certain tasks. That is exactly how I felt Friday morning...that I couldn't help her, that I wasn't enough for her. But God took care of that...like He always does. Sunday morning our pastor preached about when Jesus multiplied the fish and bread. I  had to miss the first part of the sermon to lead worship for our preschoolers. But when I came back upstairs he said something that hit my heart..."The point is Jesus is enough. He is more than enough. He can take what is poor and make it rich, take what is hungry and make it full, take what is small and multiply it. He is all you need." Wow. No I may not be enough, but Jesus is, and He has plans for this child..whatever they might be, and I need to trust her and everything she is and has with Him. At that moment, my fears went away. I won't lie and say I was completely anxious free but I knew deep down that it would all be okay...that she would be okay.

 On Monday I got to see her all curled up inside me...not moving, but I saw and heard her heartbeat, her hands, feet, legs, arms, and her hair! Wow. I don't know if I could ever get enough ultrasounds just to see her little body. We continued to pray for our sweet girl and good results. This morning Lucas and I went to my Doctor with a hospital bag in our car and found out that EVERYTHING looked good on her ultrasound, and even though her movement was not where he wanted it to be this past weekend, she had a much better day yesterday and he did not send me to the hospital!! PTL! Looks like we just have a lazy baby on our hands. I have to continue to keep track of it and will see him again later this week, but as of right now our baby is fine and healthy. Exactly what we were praying for. 

I know this can be too much for a blog, but I wanted to share this because someone could be reading this and dealing with not feeling like enough, and like I said we may not be but God is and He just wants us to trust Him and know that He's got this. Why should that be so hard for us to do? To give everything to Him...

Have a blessed week, y'all!!