To tell the full birth story of our sweet Josiah, we have to back up just a little. My entire pregnancy I had assumed I would probably be induced just as I had been with Raylee and Ruthi. It’s like my body just needs a kick and then it takes over on its own. I’ve had fairly easy inductions compared to a lot of people. I actually like being induced because I can have a plan for childcare and I know better what to expect. So when I got to 39 weeks and my doctor explained that the hospital has now changed their policy, I was taken aback. My OB said because the hospital is so busy, they won’t Continue Reading
Hospital Packing List My Second Time Around
I've been down this road before. I'm no longer a first-time mama. So I figure I have a much better idea of what I should and shouldn't take to the hospital on delivery day. I still read lots of lists online to be sure I wasn't forgetting something. But I think I had a pretty good hospital packing list this time around. First of all, let's talk about the bag. I didn't want something too big like an actual suitcase. But I also didn't want the bag to be so small that I would need five different bags! I decided it was time I bought me a new duffle bag. All of the ones we own are just worn Continue Reading
Pregnancy Bump Photos for Baby #2
Last time, I made sure to take a pregnancy bump photo every single week. I loved seeing the slight changes turn into big changes. This time, I did a pregnancy bump photo every other week. Sorry, second kid! Ha! By doing them every other week, the changes are a little more evident. Unfortunately, at the beginning of my pregnancy I was still trying to find the right spot to take these photos. By week 10, I had found it. But I wish I had started there from the beginning. Check out my baby belly! Pregnancy Bump Photos Bi-Weekly Some of the differences I saw in this pregnancy compared Continue Reading
8 Freezer Meals to Make Before Baby Arrives
Ya'll know I like to feel prepared before having a baby ... or actually any time! But especially right before such a huge change and life transition. Last time I was pregnant, a friend asked me if I'd like to do freezer meals together. We made several, and it was so helpful to have those meals tucked away and ready to use when we needed them. Now that I know how hard postpartum can be, I knew I wanted to make freezer meals again. When you haven't slept in days (or maybe even weeks) and the last thing you feel like doing is cooking, freezer meals can be a lifesaver! This time, I asked a Continue Reading
Things to Stock Up on Before Baby Arrives
The last thing I'm going to want to do when I'm knee-deep in postpartum "bliss" with a toddler and newborn is run to the store because I realize I'm out of toothpaste. That's why I like to stock up on household goods before the baby comes. I try to think of anything and everything we may need or run out of and buy a few extras when I'm in my third trimester. Items to Stock Up On Here are some ideas for items you may want to stock up on before that sweet newborn is keeping you up all night. Toilet paper Pads Hand soap Makeup remover Any makeup you may run out of in the next month Continue Reading
Baby #2 On The Way
I realized the other day that I haven't actually announced our big news on the blog yet. I've announced on my Facebook and Instagram pages, so you've probably seen. But in case you aren't a social media person, but like to read my blog, I didn't want you to miss out on our big news! You may have noticed I had an extra plump belly in the photos of my last post where I shared about my favorite cleaning tools. That would be because I've got baby #2 growing inside there! We found out we were expecting the day before Thanksgiving. We felt we were both ready to have another little one, so we had Continue Reading
Twin Beach Gender Reveal Party
My sister-in-law is pregnant with twins and will be having them sometime in the next two months. We are all so excited for them! When I found out that she would be finding out the genders right around the time we would all be doing our family vacation in Florida, I kind of begged her to do a gender reveal party on the beach. In fact, I offered to plan the whole thing. Thankfully, she agreed to it! With the help of our other family members, we all threw a fantastic beach gender reveal party for twins! Photo by MindyAnna Photography Beach Gender Reveal Details I came up with a few gender Continue Reading
How to Choose a Breast Pump
As I've said before, breastfeeding was really hard for me at first. We had trouble getting a good latch, my breasts were sore all the time, and Raylee was eating constantly (or at least it seemed like it). So during that first month, to help me out and give me a little break, my husband would give our daughter a bottle twice a day. I would pump using a breast pump during those times, but it also gave me a chance to sleep a little longer. For me, pumping was a way to grow a stash of milk to keep in the freezer and a way to give myself a break from the constant breastfeeding. For others, they Continue Reading
What I Didn’t Use from my Hospital Bag
During the birth of our daughter, my husband and I spent two nights and two and half days in the hospital. I read all sorts of packing lists for what to take in your hospital bag. I created a list of everything I could think of, and we packed it all. I am the type of person who would rather be more prepared than needed. If it helped me feel less stressed, then fill the car to the brim! And that's what we did. Now, looking back, I can share with you which things I brought that weren't needed in my hospital bag, as well as which things I'm most thankful we had with us. What I Didn't Use Continue Reading
Prenatal Massage: The Benefits and Tips for First-Timers
At 16 weeks of pregnancy, Travis and I went to a place called Love My Baby Bump to get a gender-reveal ultrasound. We didn't want to wait until 22 weeks, which was when the hospital planned to do our anatomy scan of the baby. While we were at the ultrasound place, we found out they also do prenatal massage sessions for mamas. I don't know about you, but I love me a good massage! I was having a lot of back pain in my first months of pregnancy, so I tried out the prenatal massage. It was amazing! After that first experience and seeing how much it helped my lower back pain, we bought a package Continue Reading
Calming Birthing Playlist
Holy moly, it's March. That means our baby is due! Next week in fact! (Insert stunned emoji faces) I can't believe she could really come any day now! And I can't believe that soon I will be experiencing labor for the first time. I have to admit, that sounds pretty scary! That's why I really wanted to create a calming birthing playlist full of music that would remind me that God is taking care of me. Of course, when the time comes, who knows what it will be like. Perhaps it will go so fast that I won't have time to play any music. Or perhaps it will take so long, I'll get tired of hearing Continue Reading
3rd Trimester Essentials
It's finally the month my baby is due! Although, I really can't complain, the 3rd trimester has definitely been uncomfortable. I feel big. It's hard to move around or put my shoes on. I have to pee all the time. Every time the baby moves, which is a lot, it feels uncomfortable. Oh, and sleep is harder to come by. I can totally see why 3rd trimester mamas are ready for the baby to just get here already! Although there's not a lot you can do to fix these 3rd trimester woes, you can use some of these things to ease them a little. Today, I'm sharing my 3rd trimester essentials -- the things that Continue Reading