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!(: 

29 weeks!

   29 weeks, about 11 to go.

   7 months, about 2 1/2 to go.

   203 days, about 77 to go.

   About 200 tums (between me and my dad), and who knows how many more tums we will consume!

    

   I am to the point where I kinda want time to speed up a bit. I can't wait to have a little baby in my arms! Ryder is about the size of a pineapple this week and he is only getting bigger. I bought a pineapple when I was at the store today because it looked really good (and because my baby is the size of a PINEAPPLE!).

   A lot of people have been commenting about my tummy this past week. Everyone wants to know when I'm due and what I'm having. I've had conversations for the first time with some people I've seen come into where I work for over a year! It's fun.(: I love talking to people about my baby, and everyone says I have a glow (which who doesn't wanna be told they are glowing!).

How far along: 29 weeks

Gender: Boy

Weight gain: 20 lbs. I did really well in not drinking soda this week. I went to the movies with my dad and he offered to buy popcorn and soda.. So I got a coke (which I was not gonna turn down such kindness from my father!). Other than that one coke.. I did not drink any soda this past week!(:

Maternity clothes: I'm wearing maternity clothes, but my jeans still fit at times. Sometimes they fit when I first get dressed and halfway through the day they end up unbuttoned.

Stretch marks: Still no stretch marks.

Belly button in or out: Neitherr, it is flat!!

Sleep: I have been sick this past week, so I kept waking up because I couldn't breathe through my nose. I even took a little bit of Benedryl this week because my sinuses were so bad, and I still didn't get good sleep:( 

Best moment this week: This week went by smoothly, I have a lot coming up though. I have no favorite or best moments this week, it was just a good week. (Besides being sick..)

Miss anything: Sleep, and I miss when I didn't have to take tums. Heartburn and indigestion are awful!

Movement: A lot of movement. I haven't felt him hiccup yet, and I really hope I will feel that before he is born.

Cravings: No cravings this week, except I have craved a good burger two or three times this week. Not a McDonald's burger, more like a Whataburger burger!

Looking forward to: Packing the bags for the hospital and having my baby shower and getting my room ready for my baby and I. 

   I feel like this week was kind of boring.. A very uneventful week, but still busy. I worked a lot, and there are a lot of changes happening at my work. Pray that all the changes going on will be better for the store and the people who work there. Also pray I get everything done and stay calm. I want to do so much, but I need to remember to enjoy time and take things in stride. I don't need to make more work for myself than necessary.

   I will leave y'all with how big Ryder's hand is this week!(:

xx

Week number 24!

   Week 24 is here and I'm so happy. Last week was so busy, and I couldn't wait to have time to sit down and write this weeks blog. I had a doctor appointment and I've been feeling Ryder kick and move even more.(:

   First off, I went to Destin with two of my good friends and we got FREE Chipotle and shopped around a bit. We got free Chipotle because we just happened to be there the day before it's grand opening and the line was slow. We asked the guy at the door what was going on, and he told us that we could go ahead in. He was really nice, and our luck must have been full that afternoon.(:

   How cute is this bracelet piece. It made me smile and I almost got it, but one must save money when you have a baby on the way.

   The day after my Destin adventure. I got a package in the mail (which I adore packages and snail mail) from a friend in Nashville. Rachel got me the cutest onesie (look at the bowtie!!), mittens, baby rags, and she wrote a note to me and Ryder. I feel so blessed to know that Ryder is gonna be so loved, even in Nashville!(:

   The Fourth of July was also this weekend. We had a nice little family get together at the beach and grilled food. When it started getting dark, we drove to my grandmothers' house to watch fireworks. We sat on the pier across from my grandmother's house and could see across the bay. We saw so many different fireworks. It had to have been one of the coolest things, just seeing all the different fireworks shooting across town.

   I can't wait for the next Fourth of July. Ryder will be here to celebrate one of my favorite holidays, and we will be decked out in red, white, and blue.(:

   I also had a baby shower this week that I attended. It was for Judith and her little one, Parker Saige. She is due about a month and a half before me. We got in the pool after the baby shower and took this belly picture (which I think is an awesome picture). Maybe Judith and I can get a picture like this next year with the babies feet in the water. Talk about cute!

How far along: 24 weeks

Gender: Boy

Weight gain: So I have gained 9 lbs. (I need to lay off the sweets!!) 

Maternity clothes: I bought a shirt and some leggings in Destin. Maternity clothes are pretty comfortable, who knew??

Stretch marks: No new ones.

Belly button in or out: In

Sleep: I have been sleeping on the couch this week, because for some reason, it is more comfortable than my bed.

Best moment this week: I don't have a favorite moment, maybe just feeling Ryder kick while I'm watching tv. Oh, and I literally just won some crochet bow ties for Ryder. Winning a contest is pretty awesome, plus I get something for Ryder out of it. I will have to take a picture of the bow ties when I get them in the mail next week!

Miss anything: I miss sleep so much...

Movement: Becca felt him kick some last night while watching tv, I think he moves while I'm sleeping more than anything.

Cravings: Chocolate and soda (I need to start craving salads again)

Looking forward to: I have another ultrasound in less than two weeks, and I will be going to visit the University of Alabama's campus soon.(:

   And I will leave y'all with a picture of me when I was six months old with my daddy. I wonder if Ryder will favor me a lot or not. I also adore this picture.(:

xx

Week 23!

   It is finally July, and I love the month of July. It is such a busy month for me, but not a bad kind of busy. Hopefully it will fly by.(: I am 23 weeks along now, which leaves only 17 weeks left. It seems so long and so short at the same time! I know I keep saying that, but honestly, I'll probably say it a lot more. 

   Ryder is supposed to be about a foot long and weigh a little over a pound. That means he is about the size of a foot long sub from subway! His taste buds are supposed to have formed by this week, which means he can taste most of what I eat (which has been a lot of sweet stuff this past week). He has been moving quite a bit, and I absolutely adore it. 

   This past week has been a pretty good week, it went by rather fast. I feel like my belly is finally starting to look pregnant. I had my first stranger touch my belly the other day. It was flattering and strange all at the same time. I know that it irritates some people to no end when strangers touch their pregnant bellies, but I honestly do not think I will mind too much. I say that now, but who knows, my opinion could change down the road.

Here is a picture of my bare belly. I *think* I have a cute small bump right now.(:

How far along: 23 weeks

Gender: Boyy

Weight gain: I'm gonna say 5+ lbs. and I'll give a for sure answer next week

Maternity clothes: I'm still mostly in regular clothes, but it's gonna be time to get some maternity work clothes soon.

Stretch marks: No new ones, I feel like I can feel my stomach stretching though sometimes.

Belly button in or out: Still in

Sleep: Sleep has been interesting, it is really hard to get comfortable lately, the most comfortable I can get is on my back, which you aren't supposed to sleep on your back.. So.. It's been difficult.

Best moment this week: Nothing in particular, I made baby shower gifts for some of my friends who are having babies and I'm excited to give them their gifts(:

Miss anything: I miss when my back didn't hurt and falling asleep easily

Movement: He is moving in there more and more everyday(: I can't wait till people can feel and see him move too

Cravings: I've been craving sweet things this week

Looking forward to: My appointment which is Thursday, and my friend's baby shower is Sunday. 

And here is another mirror pic from this week. This was taken at the end of the day, so far I've only gained weight in my belly. I'm hoping it stays that way!

xx

So I'm Going to be a Mommy..

   ..And yes, I am rather young. In today's age, twenty years old is seen as a very young age to have a child. It seems as if many people actually look down upon young mothers.

   It used to be the norm for people to have children when they were young. My grandmother on both sides had children in their late teens, that was how life was back then. People got married, and they started a family. Women didn't want to wait around and become old spinsters! In this new time, a woman should go to college, get a job, be independent, get married, and then start a family after being married for awhile. There is nothing wrong with doing it this way. Actually, it's very smart because by the time you decide to start a family, you are financially stable and supposedly mature.

   If you don't do it the way I just stated, you're throwing your life away. College is going to be hard, forget about getting a good job, you'll never have nice things, and money will always be an issue. People will question your maturity and ability to be a mother. People will state how young you are, and think you need their advice in order to be a capable mother.

   First of all, you are not throwing you're life away. You are just adding a little life to it. Change is going to happen (hopefully for the better). College is going to be hard, but it's not like it was easy to begin with. Children should give you more incentive to go to college and get a degree in order to get that good job to make money to pay the bills and have nice things.

   Secondly, I've known people in their forties less mature than people I know that are my age. Maturity is subjective, and people mature at different ages. Having a child will also (hopefully) mature you a bit in and of itself. You're ability to be a mother will (again, hopefully) kick in as well. After all, almost all moms have that motherly instinct. That's just what happens when you become a mom. 

   Would you like to know a secret? Ryder is not a planned baby (I know, shocker). I have always wanted to be a mother, but I didn't think I would actually be one until much later. I always thought twenty-four or five would be a good age to start producing offspring, but life has thrown me a little, wonderful curve-ball. 

   I have been pretty blessed and had very little negativity in all this. My friends and family are excited and so supportive. Although I have read blogs and seen shows where young mothers are seen in a very negative light. Hopefully the stigma of being a young mother will change, but that is going to take good and loving mothers who are young. If you are in your early twenties, I am not saying go get pregnant just to prove to people you can be a good young mother. I personally know about six girls who are having a baby within two months or so of me, and they are all in their early twenties.

   I think that God has chosen some wonderful girls to become mothers. They are all good people with great hearts. I believe that there are good points to being a young mother. I will never have to wonder what it was like to have a lot of free time. A child is a huge transition, but I am not used to a lot of free time and super lazy, lonely Saturdays to begin with (especially with how many children my family have, ha). I hopefully do not have to worry about being healthy enough to see my child grow up either. My biological clock has a good amount of time on it still.

   I have enjoyed spending a good amount of time on Pinterest lately. I love looking at baby blogs, nursery ideas, quotes, and baby shower ideas (I know, I'm such a mom). A few days ago, I saw this quote and really liked it. 

   "Being a young mom means that we met a little early, but it also means I get to love you a little longer."

   I just think that quote is beautiful and rings so much truth. I know that some people in my situation would probably imagine that their life is over. To a certain extent, a part of my life is over, but I see it more that I've just ended a chapter of my life and started a new one. I am so happy to be a mommy to my unborn son. It may have happened a little earlier than expected, but all in God's timing. In my case, He gave me an unexpected blessing. 

xx

Week 22

   I feel like the weeks are going by so slowly.. Yet I only have about 18 weeks left, which is crazy. Part of me loves being pregnant and having Ryder in my tummy, and another part of me is already ready for it to be October so I can hold and love on my little boy.

   Pregnancy has gone so well for me so far. I honestly (I don't think anyway, ha) haven't really complained too much. My bladder fills up faster and I'm tired. At least up until this last week. So I know I'm not the most in shape person ever, but I haven't been able to catch my breath lately. Which is not fun, Ryder is already squishing my lungs. The other symptom that has been killing me is my back. I feel like an old woman with this back pain, hopefully it is just Ryder on a kidney or something (my mom said it probably was, so I'm hoping it is and that Ryder will get off my kidney!) 

   Other than those few things, I really do enjoy being pregnant. Knowing there is a little life in me and that God is fearful and wonderfully making him perfectly is just amazing to me. I feel like pregnancy is such a beautiful thing. 

How far along: 22 weeks

Gender: Boy(:

Weight gain: 1+ lbs. I feel like I've probably gained around five pounds, I'll find out next week at my appointment though 

Maternity clothes: My pants are still buttoning, and I feel so proud(: but I'm loving dresses, I feel so pretty(:

Stretch marks: Just ones from before pregnancy, no new ones yet (hopefully never)

Belly button in or out: In, I'm wondering if my belly button will stick out ever, I looked it up and some women's belly buttons are in the whole time

Sleep: I could sleep better, the past two nights haven't been good to me, so I can't answer this question without being bitter about the past two nights, ha

Best moment this week: Actually feeling Ryder from the outside(: My little sister Rebecca felt him too<3

Miss anything: I kinda have been paying attention to what I eat and drink, because some things just make me feel blehh, so I miss being able to just eat whatever I wanted 

Movement: Felt him from the outside, I'm starting to finally feel him more

Cravings: Coke slushies still, and them if I hear someone talking about food, I'll crave it until someone mentions another food sometimes, ha

Looking forward to: My appointment and the baby showers that will be coming up. I have a cousin and two friends who are pregnant and due a month or so ahead of me which I think is pretty cool(:

   Ryder is about the length of an ear of corn this week. About 10 inches or so and around 13 ounces. 

   So I know I shouldn't buy things for Ryder yet because I'll be getting so much from friends and family. I need to wait till after baby showers, so I can buy what I need. I'm buying everything on sale though, so I'm not being completely awful. 

   I finally found a little stuffed fox, so I am pleased with my purchases.(:

xx

21 weeks!

   It's blog time again, this week went by pretty fast. It was rather uneventful, but good. People are actually noticing I'm pregnant now. I still feel like I'm looking like I had a few too many fries and slushies (which may or may not be partly true as well, ha). 

How far along: 21 weeks

Gender: Boyyy

Weight gain: 1+ lbs. I'm sure I've gained some, but I'll leave the weighing to the doctor office visits(:

Maternity clothes: I'm slowly but surely starting to wear one or two pieces of maternity clothing here and there

Stretch marks: None

Belly button in or out: In, you can tell in my picture below, this was candid and not planned, ha, excuse the wet hair

Sleep: I am sleeping as well as possible for being pregnant I guess, ha

Best moment this week: No huge moments this past week, I got told I looked skinny though, which was pretty cool(:

Miss anything: I've started taking a tum here and there because I guess I've been having heartburn or something, but I'm not sure because I've never had heartburn before really.

Movement: Same as last week, still not feeling as much as I want to though 

Cravings: Coke slushies !! I've had one almost every day.. (Told you I might have had too many !)

Looking forward to: Seeing Baby Ryder again and feeling him kick more.

   So all around good week, I'm so tired still. I'm ready for the magical kick of energy that most pregnant women get in second trimester, hopefully it will come. I did register this week, which was interesting. I registered at target and babies-r-us, I feel like there is so much stuff and I didn't know what to register for. I didn't wanna register for diapers and clothes, because people are gonna get me what they want in those departments, ha. So I only scanned things I knew I for sure wanted. It'll be interesting to see what all I get for Ryder, who knew baby things were so fun. (:

xx

20 Weeks

   I am a day late, but I am now 20 weeks along. Halfway to seeing my sweet baby boy(: It is hard to believe I am already halfway there, part of me feels like I've been pregnant for so long, and the other part of me feels like I just found out the other day. I'm sure that I will probably feel that way until Ryder is born though! 

   Here are a few picture of my slowly, yet ever growing growing belly.

   I know I look fabulous in my sunglasses, my sisters made fun of me when I put them on, ha. 

How far along: 20 weeks

Gender: I am having a little BOY!!!

Weight gain: Last week it put 5+ lbs, but I was wrong, when I went to my doctors' appt last Thursday, I'd gained exactly one pound. I'd say I'm doing pretty good for being halfway pregnant;)

Maternity clothes: I bought my first maternity clothes this week, just two dresses from old navy. They are super comfortable, and I could wear them everyday.

Stretch marks: None

Belly button in or out: In

Sleep: I told my mom I was having trouble sleeping the other day and she laughed at me! I've always been a big sleeper and can sleep anyplace anytime.. Usually.. I had a few days off from work though, so I think I've caught up on a little bit of sleep.

Best moment this week: Finding out that I'm having a boy(:

Miss anything: I still miss sleeping on my tummy.. 

Movement: I've felt Ryder kick a few times, but still not a lot..

Cravings: I craved seafood gumbo this week, and I got some at a creole restaurant yesterday. Talk about the best gumbo ever.

Looking forward to: Seeing Baby Ryder again and feeling him kick more.

   I've had an all around pretty good week. I've gone to the beach, been watching my aunt's puppies, and catching up on sleep. I still have some things that I am hoping and praying for. I have two prayer requests, 1. Pray that I can find an affordable and nice place for me and Ryder to live and 2. Pray that Ryder will be a healthy baby and that there will be no complications throughout the rest of this pregnancy. 

xx

It's a Boy!!!

   So I went to the doctor yesterday and found out that I'm having a baby boy! I am so excited, I just know I will have the cutest baby boy ever (I know I will be slightly biased, but still)! 

   So meet Baby Ryder!

   I feel like he has the cutest nose. (: The ultrasound went really well and the doctor said everything looked good. There was one thing she saw that she wanted me to get checked out again, so I'll be going to get another ultrasound later this week. Hopefully it's nothing and I'll just be able to see my sweet baby again and have some better pictures. 

   I let my mom and dad know right away what I was having, and I kept it a secret for about two hours. I had my family and a couple friends meet me at Moe's for lunch and I handed out peanut M&M's as their hint. Everyone very quickly realized I was having a boy;)

   

   One of my long-time best friends came with me to the ultrasound and then we had to take a picture together. I feel like I don't look pregnant at all (even though I'm almost already halfway through!). I was wearing a loose shirt, and I hadn't eaten yet though. After a little shopping, we grabbed a blue slushie for obvious reasons (and I was craving a slushie reallyyyy badly..).

   My sister offered to take a picture for me to put up on Facebook, so we had this really cool idea of blowing up balloons and white ribbon. As you can see.. Balloons popped and it wasn't as grand an idea as we thought. It was fun though(:

   We decided to just look cute and we set off a color smoke bomb and got what I think is a pretty good picture. I look pregnant after having lunch and a slushie and other random snacks throughout the day(:

   And here are some of the baby clothes I bought(: I'm so excited to get Ryder clothes and things. I've decided to get him fox things. I'll be ordering a little fox stuffed animal soon, I'm so excited.

   I feel like I wrote a lot, and I know I've stated how happy/excited I am more than once, but I am proud of my baby already. It's starting to become more real as the weeks go by, hopefully I'll be feeling him kick more by my next post!