Over the past weekend, my mom, sister-in-law, and aunt threw me a baby shower -- a purple and grey, elephant baby shower! They chose this theme because it's what we are using to decorate our daughter's nursery. The great part about having the same theme for the shower and the nursery is we can use some of the same items for decorations! During the shower, we had a craft activity, games, food, and the opening of gifts. We had around 30 guests come to the shower, and I had a fantastic time. Elephant Baby Shower Details Decorations Let's start with decorations! I loved all the little Continue Reading
Things to Do Before Baby Arrives
If you didn't know, I am a big-time planner. I like to know what to expect and I like to be prepared. Of course, I can't really know what to expect when it comes to birth or raising a newborn since I've never done it, but I can read up on it and ask other ladies all the questions. One thing I can do for sure is try to be as prepared as possible when it comes to things to do before baby arrives. As I've entered the third trimester, sleep has become harder and harder. Because of my giant tummy? Yes. But also because I can't seem to turn my mind off. It runs a mile a minute about everything from Continue Reading
Where to Register for Baby
I remember when Travis and I registered for our wedding about four years ago. It was so exciting and so fun. Now, we've finished registering for our new baby. This time it was also exciting and fun, but it was also overwhelming. There are so many places to choose from that the first question is where to register for baby. Then comes deciding what to actually register for! Are you struggling on where to register for baby? Travis and I chose two places for registering for our daughter. Here are the things we considered when deciding: What's in our area so we can look at items in person Continue Reading
Pregnancy Announcement
One of my all-time favorite things about pregnancy so far is getting to tell people about it. It's so incredibly fun to watch people react when you give them the news that they are going to be a grandma/aunt/great-grandma, etc. It's really fun when your pregnancy announcement is totally out of the blue and they don't expect it at all. Like for our first pregnancy -- watch our families react in this video. It's also super fun when your family knows how much you want a baby and know you've experienced loss before. It makes it extra special because people are so happy. I love genuinely happy and Continue Reading
A Letter to My Angel Baby
In January of this year, I began to miscarry our first child -- our angel baby. Tomorrow is what would have been my due date. I can't help but think of what this month would have been like. Preparing the nursery and making sure everything is just right. Packing a hospital bag. The fear and happiness of knowing baby is coming. Going to the hospital. Getting to hold our first child. Seeing the look on my husband's face as he realizes he is a dad. Watching family members hold our precious little one. So many would-have-beens. This is my letter to our baby in Heaven, our child who we lovingly Continue Reading
Ways to Cope After Miscarriage
How can we cope after such a tragic loss? Losing a child is an indescribable loss that brings a heavy grief with it. So how can we cope? My unborn baby would be 19 weeks right now. In just a few short weeks, I would be finding out the gender. (We think of our baby as a boy because of a dream I had while pregnant.) Travis and I already had a theme and plan for a gender reveal party. There's not a day that has gone by where I haven't thought about our baby. I still miss him. In these past two months, although I have still felt pain and grief, I can feel myself learning to cope. I can feel Continue Reading
Healing Music: Songs for Miscarriage Survivors
Music can be healing for many people. Certain songs can be easily qualified as healing music. As I've been processing the loss of our baby, music has been incredibly helpful. A friend of mine even sent me a card with an iTunes gift card inside. She understands how healing music can be. I've been collecting songs for a long time now, and I've added more in the past few weeks. I wanted to share this list of healing music -- songs for miscarriage survivors, or really anyone experiencing loss or heartache. Learn How Healing Music Can Be With These Songs Check out these songs and add them Continue Reading
To My Pregnant Friend After My Miscarriage
I have several friends who have recently announced their pregnancies. Others who are right in the middle of the pregnant happiness -- gender reveal parties and baby showers. I have other friends who have recently had precious, beautiful babies. This post is for them. A Letter to My Pregnant Friend ... After My Miscarriage Do you know how happy it makes me to see your belly grow? Do you know how much I love your little baby? Even in the midst of my own pain, I love to see your joy. I love seeing you happy and healthy and full of life. I know it's hard for you. You don't know what to Continue Reading
After Miscarriage: Ways to Remember Baby
After having a miscarriage, at first I thought I could pretend that I was never pregnant at all. Perhaps, if I could make myself believe that there never even was a baby then the loss wouldn't be so hard. I could quickly move on and be happy again. That idea didn't last long. As the reality set in, and my grief began, I knew there was no way I could ever forget. Would it be easier to forget it all? Yes. But that is most definitely not the best option. Instead, I know that I need to remember. I need to grieve the loss so I can heal and move forward. But even in moving forward, I don't Continue Reading
10 Things to Do Before Starting a Family
Travis and I have been married for almost 9 months now. We enjoy talking about the future. Having a forever home, future careers, and starting a family... As fun as it is to think about getting pregnant or having our first baby, we are not ready for that stage in our lives. Not ready at all. There are so many things we want to do before we change our lives forever. And a baby will definitely change things! For those of you out there wondering if it's time for you to start expanding your family, here's a list of things you should do before you consider starting a family. 10 Things to Do Continue Reading