I Was There Once Too

   It is amazing how far I've come. The only people who really know the journey I've been on is my family. 

   You hear people joke about how they put their parents through the ringer, well for me, it wasn't a joke. It is true that you realise how good you had it when you grow up. As a 21 year old mother of my own little boy, I look back and wish I could have made it easier for my parents. 

   When I was 14 years old, I started cutting. I just wanted to know what it was like to cut. Then I realised that people let me do whatever I want when they saw my arm. So I used it to my advantage. I could stop whenever I wanted, but I loved seeing people's reactions when I was such a seemingly happy girl. Depression slowly creeped in and I contemplated suicide once or twice. 

   I was always scared to die though. I knew it would be a selfish thing to do. I thank God that He gave me that fear. I stopped cutting for a good bit of time during high school. I was genuinely happy during my sophomore and junior year of high school, but then the depression crept back in. 

   My senior year was a hard year for me. Outwardly it was fine, but my inner struggles were a battle. I started cutting again and had no desire to do anything. I felt like I had no real friends and I had to fight to keep the darkness from taking over again. 

   I was so happy to graduate, and I decided to leave home and go to a new state. I decided to live in a place where I knew no one. I could start over. While I was there, the devil was determined to discourage me again. I had a good first semester of college, but by the end of the first semester, I wanted to go home. I even packed my bags and began driving home. I missed my family, and my mom found out she was pregnant while I was away at college. That added to my desire to come home. I wasn't there for my mom, and that was so hard for me. 

   To make matters worse, a girl told lies about me to the college for reasons that I will probably never know. Because of those lies, I had to go to counselling and almost got kicked out. I thought a year away from home would help me so much, yet the opposite happened. I was more depressed than I had ever been and the cutting started again. 

   I was so much better when I got home. I stopped cutting, and started to finally mend myself. I started winning the battles with depression I had. Not all of them, but some of them. I started going out and drinking every now and again though. I also started smoking cigarettes. I started going out more and more, and then came the day that I found out I was pregnant. The path I was going down came to an abrupt change.

   2014 was the year I decided to change my life, but I had no idea it would change as much as it did. The day after New Years I got a tattoo on my arm, over the scars where I'd regularly cut. Infragilis et Tenera. It's Latin for unbreakable and fragile. I realised that I was unbreakable, I am strong. I can win the battle with depression. God is on my side, and He is the only reason I've made it this far. He will continue to be my strength, but I'm still fragile. I can't just be reckless, and do whatever I want.

   I had no idea the change God had in plan for me. I found out I was pregnant the day after Valentine's Day. The partying had to stop, and my life needed to change. That wasn't as hard for me to do as I thought it would have been. I would have never chosen to have Ryder when I did, yet at the same time, God had perfect timing and knew exactly what it would take for me to get my life on track. 

   I am in no way saying that if your life needs change that a baby is a solution. But for me, it was. Ryder changed my life for the better. Since becoming pregnant, I have not been depressed like I used to be, neither have I cut. Now I can truly look back and see what hurt and pain I put everyone around me in. I would have done things differently if I could. I would not have started cutting. I would not have put my parents through the worry that I now know they must've suffered. I would not have left home for a year.

   I also realise that everything has happened for a reason. When I moved from home, it was one of the worse years, but I became closer to my mom than I had been for a long time. I realise that my depression has made me stronger because I've learned how to deal with it. Hopefully the things I've done and gone through give me the actual experience to help someone else. Maybe I can help someone not make the decisions I did make. I can relate to some people in ways others can't because of some of my experiences. 

   I've come such a long way. I am nothing like I used to be. I have gone through more than most people know about, and I am proud of where I am now. I am proud that I've had trials that I've overcome. I hope that my children make better choices than I did. I hope my siblings see the mistakes I made and make better choices. I hope that anyone who reads this realises that everyone has their own battles that they are fighting through, but that it is possible that someone is fighting a battle very similar to yours. Others have made it through the bad stuff. 

   I am 21 years old and I love my life. I could not imagine my life how it is now as a 14 year old girl. If I could go back and tell that 14 year old girl about how much she had to look forward to, maybe things would have been easier. Life truly does get better. When you are at the bottom, the only way to go is up. Push through whatever it is you are going through, you'll be thankful you did, I promise.

xx

Baby Fun Fact: Clothing Edition

   Alright, in my last post I asked what you thought the purpose of the envelopes on the shoulders of onesies and baby shirts were for. 

   You probably thought the same thing I did at first, it is for babies with big heads. Wrong. Say what?? Yep, it is not made for babies with slightly larger craniums (although I'm sure it helps.) 

   They are there for those times when your baby aims anywhere but inside the diaper (a blowout). It happens, to the best of mothers, to the patriarchs of mothers, every single mother will deal with at least one or two blowouts. It is inevitable, a fact of motherhood. Well when your baby has a blowout, why would you chance getting it into their hair and onto their face? This is where the envelope shoulders come in. One can pull their baby's clothes downward and (hopefully) keep the mess (somewhat) contained.

   Ryder spit up a bit, and guess what! I pulled his onesie off without even unbuttoning it because of the envelope shoulders. I've honestly been undressing him without pulling it over his head since I learned about this fun fact. Hopefully you found this fact as cool as I did!(:

xx

Man Crushes and Crafts

   So if you know me at all (or read my blog or see my Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter) you know that my child is my whole world. I love him more than anything. I did not understand what love was till I became pregnant with Ryder.

   I also love to craft. I've realized I'm really good at starting crafts and not really finishing them though. I find a new project I wanna try before I finish the last (I know, it is awful). One day I hope to have a craft room, so I can keep all the crafts in one place.

   So in conclusion, I love my son and I love crafts. This means I make a lot of things for my baby. It really is nice actually having time to make things for Ryder. It is also nice because he pretty much likes everything I make him (mostly because I am his mom and he doesn't really have a choice anyway, haha).

   Well, in the last week, I have crocheted a blanket, sewn a boppy pillow cover, almost completed two burp rags, painted a onesie, got squares of a quilt sewn together, and found three or four more projects I'd like to start. Well, I'd like to share my boppy pillow cover project because a cover cost from $25-$60 if you buy one. It cost me maybe $8 to make one. (Fabric cost me $4, Thread cost $2, and a Zipper cost $2). I also shopped smart and used coupons.(:

   My sister has a sewing machine, which she so graciously allowed me to use (thank you, Sarah<3). My boppy pillow was the one my mom got when she was pregnant with my little sister a year ago. It is black and white, it didn't look bad at all, but I wanted something a little more boyish and grey. 

What You Need:

• fabric (1 yard of two different fabrics, or 2 yards of the same fabric. I used cotton fabric for the top side, and a soft minky fabric for the other.)

• thread and needle (or sewing machine)

• zipper (you can always make it with a flap, or use velcro, but I really like the zipper)

   First you trace out your pattern onto the fabric. You can either use a cover you already have, or just used the pillow (give an extra inch to the pattern when you trace the actual pillow). Cut the fabric out, and lay them on top of one another. You sew on the zipper next, I found a great way to do that here. 

   After the zipper is sewn on, sew your two pieces together. Make sure you leave the zipper a little unzipped so you can turn the case inside out after you are done sewing. Once you sew the two pieces together, you have a boppy case. I used this tutorial to make this (except for the zipper part).

   Talk about an easy project, my case didn't turn out perfect (partly because I'd never used a sewing machine before in my life), but it serves it's purpose and actually turned out really cute (at least I think so!). 

   I also want to add the picture of the onesie I made and ask a question before I end this post. 

   How cute is it?!(: I cannot wait to put him in it for Man Crush Monday (the onesie is 6mo. so it'll be a little while before he wears it)! And the question is, does anyone know what the envelope flaps on onesies are for?? I recently found out and will have to write a short post about it tomorrow, but if you think you know, I wanna hear y'all's answers!(:

xx

PS
   If you haven't checked out my last post about a small etsy shop, do it!! She was sweet enough to include a 30% off discount code for her shop.(:

   

Swaddling and Burritos

   Disclaimer: this post has nothing to do with burritos, except that when you swaddle a baby, they look like a burrito!(:

   I am about to lay down with Ryder and go to sleep. It is freezing tonight, and I knew that I needed to make sure Ryder was all snug and cozy. So I put on his sleeper and a hat, then I got his swaddle blanket out and wrapped him up. I laid him down to go get a glass of water and I heard very unhappy crying. I rushed back to Ryder and picked him up. He wouldn't stop crying. Finally I let his arms out of his swaddle blanket and he was instantly happy.

(He looks unhappy in this picture, but he wasn't for long. I freed his hands after taking the picture, and he was happy as a clam!)

  Babies love to be swaddled. That is what I read on every single website and blog anyway. I may or may not have looked up tutorials on the best ways to swaddle a baby. I was excited to have a little baby burrito.

   Guess what. My baby didn't get the memo about being swaddled. He let me swaddle him maybe a week or so after he was born. He likes to move his hands and arms around. He likes to be free, not bundled. Ryder crushed my dreams of having a baby burrito.

   One thing I've realized though is that my baby isn't just another baby. I can't go off of all the websites and books. Ryder is a little person who at one week old already had likes and dislikes. 

   Every now and again I'll think about how I can't wait for Ryder to get a little bit older. I can't wait to see his personality grow, but then I realize he already has a personality. Which I still can't wait to see him grow, but I am definitely taking him all in at the moment. 

   Not all babies are alike, and maybe my next baby will like being swaddled (because I have some mad swaddling skills, and I'd hate for them to go to waste!). So don't expect your baby to be one way or the other, because they are already little people that can prove you wrong. 

   And this is one of the blog posts telling future and current mothers that your baby may not like being swaddled. Hopefully you won't be as crushed as I was, ha.(:

xx

Foxes and Simple Blessings

   I'm sitting on my couch on this not so cool November day. In Florida, it can be freezing one day, and on the verge of sweltering hot the next. Nevertheless, my sister and I have the Christmas Jazz pandora station playing. There is a peppermint candle lit on the table, and we are sipping on our appointed drinks (for me, coffee, and hot tea for her).

   My baby is laying in my lap sleeping peacefully. I just can't stop looking at him as I sip on my coffee. He is so beautiful and perfect in my eyes. All I can think right now is how happy I am in this moment. 

   I have found myself on the slight verge of tears. Not of sadness, but of complete and utter joy. I hope I never see the day where I don't appreciate the simple things in life. The quiet simple joys that make life worth living.

   When you step outside, and the temperature is just right. When you take that sip of coffee, and it has exactly a spoonful and a half of sugar in it. When you walk into a room, and everything is where it is supposed to be. When I see my baby sleeping with a look of content on his face. When I hold my little boy, and his little hands reach out for me.

   My sisters had the opportunity to go to a  little concert last night. She texted me a picture of a shirt with a fox on it, and she stated that it reminded her of me (I adore foxes, if you haven't picked up on that in my posts already, ha). The shirt had this saying on it, "The foxes in the vineyard will not steal my joy."

   This line is in one of the songs the artist sings. It is based off a verse in the Bible, Song of Solomon 2:15, 

"Catch for us the foxes, 

the little foxes 

that ruin the vineyards, 

our vineyards that are in bloom." (NIV)

   It is safe to say, this has become my new favorite verse for the time being. The foxes are all the little things trying to steal our joy, our happiness. We must remember to catch those little annoyances and problems before they ruin our happiness. 

   

   I've never known a happiness such as this before, and I think I truly know what it means to be happy with the simple things in life now. I pray that I will remember to keep the little foxes at bay and to cherish these simple moments. My vineyard is in full bloom. 

   I challenge anyone who reads this to just pause. Pause and take in everything around you. Catch those little foxes and take the time to realize your vineyard is in bloom as well. Take the time to count your blessings, and remember the small, simple things that make life worth living. 

(Image via Pinterest) 

xx

Two Weeks Update!

   It has been 14 days since Ryder was born. It is so bittersweet because he is growing and doing so well, but I want him to stay little. I adore cuddling him and all his little squeaks. I like taking care of him and feeling so needed by him. 

   I love breastfeeding and holding him close. I actually enjoy changing diapers, they are small and aren't a huge deal (at least right now). I am a lucky momma, because Ryder loves to sleep, so it isn't too hard to get him to go to sleep. 

   As of this week, Ryder loves to eat. I'll write a post later about our breastfeeding journey, but it hasn't been long enough to be a journey yet. Right now it is just the beginning, but so far it is going really well. I am exclusively breastfeeding, and he is gaining weight. I personally love breastfeeding, but I can definitely understand how easy it would be to use formula instead. 

   Up until the other day, I was hurting if I didn't feed him every hour or two. I have not had as bad a problem though the last day or two. 

   Newborn diapers are awesome. I would have never said that before having my own baby! Newborn diapers are small. I only need one wipe usually. I have to change his diaper a lot, but it is so easy. (And it is nice to know I have little diapers compared to my little sister's diapers! I'll change my baby's diaper over hers any day, haha).

   I am a sleeper, like mother, like son. (And thank goodness for that!!). My baby loves to sleep, and I have to wake him up to feed him throughout the day. I'm sure people get baby fever from seeing my baby because he is so good (and because he is so cute, of course). 

   I am doing pretty well as well. I only slept on the couch for two weeks! Ryder and I decided it was time to sleep in our own room last night. We had been staying on the couch because I was hurting. It was hard to sit up and lay down, because giving birth takes a toll on your body. I am finally starting to feel myself again, which is wonderful because some people are in pain for up to four weeks or so. I am not to the point of no pain yet, but I'm getting there. I am also at pre-pregnancy weight!!! (I am super excited about that fact!)

   A picture two weeks post-partem!(:

   In all, Ryder and I are doing amazing at two weeks. We are bonding, and I love him more than anything in the world. God blessed me with such a handsome baby, and not only is he beautiful, but healthy as well. He is also already so well-behaved. This has been an amazing adventure so far, and I'm sure it's gonna only get better!(:

xx 

   

Pregnancy Princess

   I absolutely adored being pregnant. I was a pregnancy goddess, or unicorn, or something magical! I didn't gain weight till I was about six months pregnant. I never got morning sickness or had nausea. I didn't show till I was almost six months pregnant, and when I did show, I was all belly. The only huge problem I had was heart burn, and even then, I was just popping tums like no other.

   Now I did get super antsy in the last month, and I (again) had heartburn, and I missed sleeping on my stomach. Other than that, I loved being pregnant. I felt like my body was meant for it. I felt beautiful, and I wanted to show my belly off. I enjoyed people coming up and asking me if I was pregnant. To be honest, I'd sometimes get a little offended when people wouldn't mention it! I enjoyed people (that I knew) coming up and rubbing and touching my belly too.

   I read a few blogs and articles about how hard pregnancy is and how some people don't like pregnancy. It is true, pregnancy is hard, I mean, you are growing another little human! A little, separate being. It is truly an amazing miracle, but it can be a difficult thing. 

   I am on the side of pregnancy that says it is amazing and to embrace every second of it. I miss being pregnant just a little bit (nothing beats actually holding your newborn baby!), but a little bit of me misses having a big belly. I miss being able to feel my little Ryder move and his hiccups. He will start hiccuping now and I remember how it felt when I was pregnant with him. 

   Pregnancy is different for everyone though. Don't feel bad if you don't like being pregnant. Especially if it is your first. I was very blessed by the way my first pregnancy went, but my next pregnancy might be very different. I'm not planning on having another baby anytime soon, but I do want a little sibling for Ryder someday. Hopefully my future pregnancies will be as amazing as this one, but it might not be.

   I want people to know that everyone is going to have their own experience when it comes to pregnancy. The thing about pregnancy is, no matter if you have an awful one or a great one, in the end, there is going to be a beautiful baby. A little soul that is going to make a you realize that it was worth it. Pregnancy is worth it.

   I was asked to post on Instagram a picture of where I felt beautiful, and all I could think about were my maternity photos. I felt beautiful. I don't think I ever felt more beautiful or empowering than when I was pregnant. I was at awe by how my body was building a baby. At my biggest, I felt beautiful. I thought I looked beautiful. I loved my belly. 

   I'm really happy Ryder is in my life now though!(:

xx

   

   

37 weeks !

   Baby is full term. He could be born any day now, and wouldn't that sure be lovely. I've adored being pregnant, but I've gotten to that point of feeling like a whale. One minute I'll be like, I love being pregnant, but I'm ready for him to be out, but it's great being pregnant, but it's time for him to get outtt. So it is quite fun.

   

   It really is just a waiting game at this point. I had my 37 week appointment Monday, and I am 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. Effaced means that things down there have thinned out. And look at this chart ! (which I found very interesting).

   So now, when I go into labor, if I decide to keep people informed (who knows how I'll act, I may wanna just keep everyone informed and be very loving, but then again, I might become a hermit who bites peoples heads off.... Well, we shall see!) So, if I decide to keep people informed, you'll be able to come back to my blog and check out this chart! You're welcome.(:

   Ryder is supposed to be about the size of a winter watermelon or a honeydew melon (and I believe it!). He is just packing on pounds right now. At this point, the books say he gains about half a pound a week. 

   You can see what a difference ten weeks makes! These pictures were taken at 17 weeks, 27 weeks, and 37 weeks. Excuse how I look at 37 weeks, my whole family has been battling a stomach bug. Now let me tell you! I have avoided throwing up so far, but I've definitely felt icky. Being nine months pregnant and slightly sick is not fun. 

How far along: 37 weeks

Gender: A boyy

Weight gain: 24 lbs.

Maternity clothes: I am ready to get rid of my maternity clothes... Well, not all of them, but I want to fit into some of my normal clothes again.

Stretch marks: No stretch marks or veins or anything of the sort

Belly button in or out: flat, flat, flat

Sleep: I just want to rest all the time, I've started taking naps, I'm not sure if it is because I haven't been feeling good or if it's because I'm nine months pregnant.. I'm sure it is a combination of the two

Best moment this week: Finishing my room, all I need to do is put up some more wall decorations, this corner is where my rocking chair is! 

   I personally think the "drink pure fresh milk" sign is hilarious, since I'm breastfeeding and all.(:

   

   Cherith enjoys the rocking chair, it is super comfy. My dad and brother got it and put it together for me for my shower gift, it is seriously the perfect rocking chair!

Miss anything: This week, I miss my normal clothes fitting, I miss being able to get comfortable, and I miss being able to sleep on my stomach so badly, but I know that I won't have to miss these things for long.. And when I think about that, I think of how I don't really miss all that stuff and how I love being pregnant... But I miss those things.. (There I go again, back and forth!)

Movement: Ryder loves to move, he gets hiccups literally three or four times a day, it's ridiculous. I wonder if he will hiccup as much when he is born.

Cravings: I've been craving gingerbread and ginger snaps. Just out of nowhere this week, I was wishing I could have some gingerbread cookies!

Looking forward to: Ryder being born. He will be here within the next month. I'm expecting him to be a few days late, but I'm hoping he will be a few days early. With my dr appointments so close together (they are only a week apart at this point), at least I'll know if things are progressing or not. My dr said he will probably come right on the due date, because that is how my mom was, but we shall see! 

   Sorry for writing a day late again, at least I'm keeping up and not skipping weeks! I really hope I can keep up a blog after Ryder is born. Pray that everything will keep going smoothly and that everyone in my family will be healthy and feel well soon, especially me!! 

xoxo

Panties, Pads, and Nursing bras, Oh My!

   So I have about 25 days (give or take) till my sweet baby boy will be born! I have finally (mostly) gotten my hospital bags together! This is what this post is about, hospital bags.

   I am a first time mom, thus I have never packed a hospital bag. I've read what other people have taken, and I've thought about what I would want to be comfortable while I'm in the hospital. 

   The blue bag is Ryder's diaper bag, and the pink one is mine. Isn't super cute how we are kinda matching.(: 

   Ryder's bag does not have as much in it as mine, so I'll start with his.

• two gowns (my mom gave me the advice that it will be easy to just slip the gown up in order to change his diaper and for the doctors to check him and all)

• two swaddling blankets (they match the gowns!)

• two cutesy, actual outfits

• one going home outfit

• eight pairs of socks (because I don't know what will fit him, so I'm taking a variety!)

• mittens 

• a pair of booties to go with his homecoming outfit

• a newborn Alabama hat (because Roll Tide!)

   I'm a very indecisive person, so I won't be surprised if I add another outfit just so I have choices. I need to get another hat or two, I'd love just a plain gray and/or brown one. I also would like to get some more mittens. I love the mittens, because it keeps baby from scratching himself. I don't want my sweet baby boy to scratch himself all up!

   Now onto my bag, which I will be surprised if I don't change anything about it! 

• Notebook and planner (I will also have pens to be able to write in them and for paper work)

• Sakura bloom sling (just because I cannot wait to use it. I may not even get it out of the bag, but I'd rather have it and not use it than not have it and wish I did)

• A pair of slippers and socks

• Big granny panties (I know for a fact that I will much rather wear underwear I bought and cleaned rather than mesh underwear from the hospital)

• One night gown that will be good for breastfeeding

• Two sets of pajamas (one is button down, easy access for breastfeeding)

• A nursing tank from Target

• A few nursing bras

• My going home outfit, which is just a pair of sweatpants and one of my comfy tees

• A robe

   And in a bag within this bag, I have my cosmetics and beauty supplies.• My bag

• Hair bands and ties

• My hairbrushes 

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• Hairspray (it's miniature)

• Deoderent 

• Makeup fanny pack

• Eyeliner and Mascara

• Tums

• Wallet

• Big pads

   I enjoy doing my makeup and I feel much more myself when I have a little bit of eyeliner and mascara on, so I would not leave the house with my makeup fanny pack. I'm sure there are few other things I could leave out, but I am definitely one of those people who would rather be over-prepared than under-prepared!

   I'm going to probably get a miniature set of shampoo and conditioner so I can wash my hair and feel clean. Hopefully my dad will let me borrow his speaker as well. I'm a huge music person, so I will definitely have music playing some of the time. I will obviously have my phone charger with me. I'm sure someone in my family will have a video and regular camera with chargers as well.

   If you have any suggestions (especially if you've done this before !!) let me know. I'm sure I will add some things before Ryder comes. I like to think I am pretty prepared though. Now to play the waiting game.

   I have a doctor appointment Monday, so hopefully there will be some progress and Ryder will be itching to come out!(: 

36 weeks

   By the end of this week, I will be considered full term. This means that in no more than five weeks at the most, I will be someone's mommy. Talk about hard to believe. I am so excited to meet my little boy. 

   

   I am so happy that it is October, because this is supposed to be Ryder's birthday month (although I think he will wait till November to make his appearance). Ryder is now just putting on some weight in my tummy now. He should be as long as he will be when he is born at this point. One of my favorite apps is ovia pregnancy because it shows how big baby's hand is, and Ryder's hand has grown so much. I remember when it showed that his hand wasn't any bigger than my fingertip!(: 

   This past week I had my baby shower, and I'm so thankful for everything that Ryder was given. People were so thoughtful and sweet, I'm so thankful for everyone who showed up. I really don't have much more I need before Ryder is born. I'm gonna need some more diapers, wipes, and I will need to get bottles eventually, but other than that, I'm not left wanting. 

   My room/nursery (same place) just needs curtains, blinds, and wall decorations, then it will be complete. All that I will need will be my sweet baby!(: I have a few more things to put in my hospital bag and diaper bag, but I will be putting up a blog post about both later this week (at least I'm gonna try!). 

How far along: 36 weeks

Gender: A sweet boy

Weight gain: 22 lbs.

Maternity clothes: I haven't bought any clothes in weeks, I'm making do with what I have right now

Stretch marks: None, and I really hope it stays that way, if I get stretch marks at this point, I will cry. It would just be cruel to get stretch marks with four weeks to go !!

Belly button in or out: flat, but I think it's starting to be a bit of an outtie, not quite, but almost...

Sleep: Hasn't been too bad this week, I've been tired, weariness has hit me like a train, I want to just rest all the time.

Best moment this week: My baby shower was great, I love having everything almost together. I cleaned Ryder's clothes and sheets, I've made two more afghans, I almost have my room all put together. I just have my hospital bags and a few other little things left to finish. I finally got to cross out a few things off my list this week (I love lists, and I love crossing things off lists!). 

Miss anything: My hands and feet keep swelling. I can't wear my rings anymore, and some of my shoes are kind of tight :( I miss shoes and rings, I also miss the days of no heartburn. Heartburn has come with a vengeance this past week, it is ridiculous. I have started waddling slightly.. Not a lot, but I want to not waddle, I'm not a duck! I'm starting to feel big as well, it is going to be weird to be normal sized again.. 

Movement: Ryder still moves so much, even though he is running out of space to move!

Cravings: I haven't really had any cravings this week.

Looking forward to: I'm looking forward to putting up my next few blog posts, and I'm excited for my next dr appointment. Hopefully It won't be too uncomfortable being checked, and hopefully Ryder will be in the right position for labor to happen soon! Time is truly flying! 

   So sorry for being so late on this weeks post, I've been tired and busy. My sister didn't feel good, and I helped take care of her the past few days. Hopefully I can make up with extra blog posts this week! 

xx

35 weeks!!!

   I literally have a little over a month to go till I see my baby boy! My friend had her baby this past week and I got to hold her when she was only a day or so old. She was so little, and it made me that much more anxious to hold my little one!(: 

    My friend actually made me anxious to have my baby too! She is a little thing, and she went into labour, and four hours later, there was a baby! She went through her labour naturally with no epidural. She told me how glad she was that she did that, and I am really hoping I can go through birth naturally as well. Women's bodies were made to give birth, they have done it for hundreds of years! I guess we shall see how things go in another month or so!;)

   I loved my maternity pictures from last week, and everyone else seemed to like them too (they are in the last post or so). I can't wait to have pictures with and of my baby. I promise they will be even more amazing! 

   My week was a little boring other than those few highlights, and I got a canvas to put up by Ryder's crib. I had a doctor's appointment yesterday, and everything was good. I have another one in two weeks and my doctor will start checking my cervix. 

How far along: 35 weeks

Gender: Little boy !

Weight gain: 22 lbs. (I've gained four pounds since my last doctors appointment !)

Maternity clothes: the only thing I want is maternity jeans, I want some so badly and I am highly considering buying some.... 

Stretch marks: None

Belly button in or out: flat

Sleep: heartburn is keeping me up at night, (ugh). I can't seem to go to sleep when I should go to sleep, but I want to sleep during the day and at random times, it's not the most ideal situation..

Best moment this week: Holding my friends newborn baby(: Hands down(: and I got a couple cups, and my cutting board in the mail!(:

   I got this cup from @thelittlevinylsaur on ig. I won it in one of my loop games! It says "I sneezed on the beat and the beat got sickah." It's cute!(:

   This cutting board is seriously awesome. I mean, how many people do you know with a monogrammed cutting board. I feel like this would be a great gift for a newly wed couple (that is what comes to my mind right off the bat). @ohmgrownhandmade on ig makes them!(:

   I love my monogram cup! (I love monograms too much, I know!). @thecraftyengineer on ig makes them! I won mine in a contest, but they are only about eight dollars, and they are so cutee!<3

Miss anything: My hands and feet keep swelling, and when I've been on my feet, my hips start hurting really bad, so I miss when those things didn't happen!

Movement: Ryder has hiccups 24/7, I really do love him moving though.

Cravings: I've been craving waffles yet again, I love waffles, I don't know what it is(: and hot fries!

Looking forward to: My baby shower is Sarurday! I can finally put my hospital bags together, I can finish putting my room together, I will finally know what all I need, and I will finally be able to wash baby clothes. I am so ready for after the baby shower! I've been waiting to put things together for the longest time.

   I will be putting up a few posts in the coming weeks. What is going in my hospital bags and the shower and all! I'm excited.(: 

xx 

Maternity Pictures

   In my last post, I wrote about how I had taken maternity pictures with a friend. Today, I got the disk with all the pictures on it!(:

My sister and I met my photographer at hobby lobby so we could make a flower crown for the shoot. Neither of us had ever made a flower crown before, so we were hoping for the best.

As I was driving towards are destination, it started to lightly drizzle. We were all hoping that the sun would just stay out a little bit longer and that it would not rain. Thank goodness we were blessed with the perfect light and day.

We were all sweating from it being a tad too hot, but this shoot was so enjoyable. Before taking pictures, my friend had asked if I would mind getting in the water, and I replied, "why not, let's do it!"

I am so so pleased with how these pictures turned out, and I know I am going to enjoy looking back at them in the future.

This one is one of my favorites!(:

I adore this one as well, I think our flower crowns turned out really well!

My friend wanted to incorporate my baby's name somehow, and my sister suggested writing it in the sand. This picture ended up looking so good. Although I am right-handed, maybe that is why the stick looks so delicate in my left hand!;)

This is my other top favorite, I just feel like it looks so beautiful. I feel like some women struggle with the way they look when they are pregnant and start getting "fat." I honestly have loved it so far. I feel so beautiful, and I am so happy.

I am really hoping that Ryder has blue/grey eyes like me!

Thank you, Rebecca for coming with me to my maternity shoot. Hopefully you enjoyed it, and I know you are going to be an amazing aunt when Ryder is born!(:

This picture was the last picture we took. We were running out of time and light, so we just snapped the picture and hoped for the best. This ended up being one of my favorites!