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!! 

THIRD TRIMESTER!

How far along: 28 weeks

Gender: Girl

Weight gain: 14lbs total - I am 1 lb shy of the total weight I gained with Elliana. Hope she starts to slow down now!

Maternity clothes: Living in them everyday!! Starting to look at maternity swim suits..yay!

Stretch marks: None and I have to say how much I love the Cocoa Butter Lotion that I have used since I first found out I was pregnant with Elliana. Not only does it smell amazing but it works wonders! I soak my belly with it twice a day. 

Belly button in or out: I would have to say about in between now!

Emotions: Anxious and freaking out! I can't believe we only have less than 3 months and there's still so much that needs to be done! We've gotta get the ball rollin...

Sleep: is so so? Reflux and trying to get comfortable wakes me up, but my doctor just gave me some medicine for the reflux and I've started sleeping with my Snoogle Pillow that helps.

Best moment: Thinking about having a new baby in the house. It's been a while since I've held a newborn (:

Worst moment: Acid reflux starting. I didn't have it with Elliana or really any time before this. But I hear that means baby will have lots of hair! 

Miss anything: Energy. It's starting... The whole feeling exhausted, needing to catch my breath after walking up or down the stairs, and making Elliana's nap time my nap time too. 

Movement: Still moving a lot. Elliana had her head on my belly, then Evie started kicking. Elliana looked up at me so serious and said "Hey stop that!" I told her it was sissy saying hi (:

Cravings: Oh the cravings... There's been a lot in the past month like chicken salad, strawberries, Lemonade (Oh how I love the new Ice Dream Lemonade at Chick Fil A mmm...), Sonic corn dogs, and what I have to make my "special treat"...steak and salad!

Queasy or sick: Queasy again.. Now it's only when the reflux is bad. 

Looking forward to: It doesn't have much to do with pregnancy but I'm looking forward to summertime! So many exciting things will be happening including having a baby!!! (:

Toddler Tales and Sayings.

Lucas and I love to talk about the new and funny things that Elliana says these days. I thought it would be fun to keep track of these silly sayings to look back on in the future. Especially for when she's in the teenage years haha ;)

One time she asked for a cookie, when I told her not right now, she reached her hand out and with that sweet smile said "C'mon I neeeeed it!" it was so cute and funny I had to give her one.

When she gets tired of us asking her about something over and over she puts her hand over her face and says "I don't know. I don't knooooow."

She is absolutely in love with Beauty and The Beast right now, so she loves to tell the story. She always starts with "Gaston is mean to the beast" then it's "Belle save the beast" then it's "Beast turn into a prince" short but sweet (:

Sleeping Beauty is "Asleep booty" which is funny because she can say "Beauty and The Beast" haha. 

Don't know where she has learned this but she likes to bend over and tell us "look at my butt". (This is Lucas' favorite...haha)

When she makes me something in her kitchen she tells me what she made, and it could be anything from cookies, to soup, to mac n cheese. But no matter what it is she let's me know "it not hot" and then she sings "Happy Birthday" to me. 

Speaking of singing, this girl loves to do it! She will sing anything she hears once from preschool songs to songs on the radio. If she knows the motions to them, the cuter it is her singing it. Here are her current favorites:

1. Jesus Loves Me

2. Trust & Obey

3. Baby Bumblebee

4. All About The Bass

5. Shake It Off

6. Happy

7. Beauty & The Beast

and of course...

8. Let It Go

We listen to a lot of Pandora at home and our favorite stations for her are Cedarmont Worship (Children's), Disney, and Kidz Bop. 

Hold me is "Hold you"

When we tell each other goodnight or bye we always "I love you best". This is something so precious to me, and I hope she never outgrows saying this. (:

When she gets frustrated about anything she says "C'mon now!" or "Ahh man!"

When she's not ready to leave "Just a minute" or if we ask her if she's ready she puts her finger up and says "Ahmost" 

If we call her silly, crazy, or just about anything she says "No I Elliana."

But if we tell her she's cute she will say "Thaaaaaanks." 

While watching a movie with me she pulled my shirt up and said "Baby sister watch it too" 

The most precious and sweetest thing I have ever heard her say is the Easter story. Over the past couple of weeks we have been talking about it, and the Easter Egg Story is a great way to share it with your kids. She will tell us "Jesus ride the donkey and the peoples say Hosanna, Hosanna and then they drink the cup and Jesus died on the cross cause he love us, he go to the tomb and the girls run to see Him but He not there, (and really loud and excited she puts her arms up and says) "JESUS ALIVE!" I know she's too young to understand the concept of it all, but to know she knows the story and loves to tell it is planting that seed in her heart. 

I'm sure there are many other things she has said or done that has had us rolling. Lucas says we need to start writing them down she she says them so I will have to start that. But it's so bittersweet to see her grow up into a little girl and eventually a young lady. I love having conversations with her, and hearing her tell me that she's my "best fran" or that she's "mommy's baby". Of course there are times when she says things that I think "Boy, I liked it better before she could voice her opinion" but she makes up for it when she uses her manners like saying "ma'am?" when I or Lucas call for her (we are working on the sir haha), and knowing her please, thank yous, and excuse me. 

We just love seeing her personality come out and can't wait to hear what she has to say when Evie arrives!

6 Month Bump!

I'm a week behind, but I wanted to wait until my doctor's appointment. (:

How far along: 24 weeks

Gender: Girl

Weight gain: 10lbs total 

Maternity clothes: Yes. Love my maternity stretchy pants, which are the most comfortable pants ever. Finally found jeans and capris that are fit my short legs! (:

Stretch marks: None

Belly button in or out: In

Emotions: My emotions have been either really happy or overwhelming. I had a major breakdown moment just thinking about how close we are to Evie's arrival. Of course I'm excited about it, but the fact that we are going to have TWO kids just hit me pretty hard. 

Sleep: is pretty good. Except for the times Lucas has to wake me up because I'm having a bad dream...

Best moment: Starting the progress on the girls' room, got the car seat and an Ergo carrier! Can't wait to try it out!

Worst moment: Bad dreams! I have been having some awful nightmares and they all involve Evie! Anyone else have this problem while pregnant??

Miss anything: Being able to get up without it being a struggle.

Movement: All the time. This girl is always doing flips and kicks.

Cravings: Frosted flakes cereal, lemonade, strawberry shortcake snacks, and oranges. So happy I can eat sweets now without feeling queasy. 

Queasy or sick: None! YAY!  

Looking forward to: Finishing the girls room! (:

20 Week Ultrasound

Today I had my 20 week ultrasound for Evie, and it was amazing.

She was moving around all over the place! My tech was the sweetest, which I believe made the whole experience even better. She showed me every little detail on the ultrasound, gave me tissue as I cried while watching her heartbeat, and kept saying "beautiful" and "amazing" over and over.

I was lucky enough to stay for an hour because a student needed some OB practice. She had never done one before and she was so amazed, it was pretty cool to watch!

This one is my favorite. Elliana couldn't go with me, and I was telling the tech how excited I was about her having a sister. Then Evie was opening and closing her hand like she was waving, so the tech caught this and said she was waving at her sister. Yes, I did cry.. 

I know some people can't understand ultrasound pictures and see what is what, but all that matters is that you see life and a blessing. That's exactly what I see when I look at these. A life that is growing inside me, and a blessing that God has given us. I can't believe we are already at the halfway mark, and we will be holding this blessing in less than 5 months! 

Valentines

Today was Elliana's Valentine's Day Party at school, since she is sick with RSV she had to miss it unfortunately. She hated missing her party but I still took her little valentines for her classmates so that made her a little better. Afterwards I went to pick up Elliana's goodies for Valentine's day from mommy and daddy (: As I was there I saw a lot moms that look like me usually, frantic and worried. Worried about what to get for their little valentines, and even though it's 2 days away, what to get their kids' friends??? 

Even though Valentine's day is pretty much already here, I wanted to share a super easy and cute valentine that you can make with your kids for their classmates, friends, or Sunday school class. It may be too late to share this now but hey, there's always next year, right? (:

So, I'm sure the picture says enough, but here's instruction just in case ;)

Supplies:

Foam Heart

Krazy "Heart" Straw

Foam Heart Stickers

Sharpie Pen

Knife

I put the straw on the heart to see where to cut the slits. Slid the straw through. Wrote a fun witty valentine. Then Elliana placed the sticker in the middle. DONE!

Can't get much easier than that!

I hope you all have a great Valentine weekend! We will be making the most of it at home while our girl gets better, but that won't keep us from having some sort holiday festivity! 

RESOURCES:

Foam Heart//Krazy "Heart" Straws//Foam Heart Stickers