Diaper Bag at Five and a Half Months

   I love seeing what is in people's purses, backpacks, and diaper bags. Maybe I'm just a really nosy person, but I think you can tell something's about a person by the contents of their bag. I decided that after 5 1/2 months, I've got this diaper bag thing down, except for when I forgot to replace the extra clothes in the diaper bag, Ryder ended up wearing a diaper and a beanie till we got to Ross. In a positive light, Ryder got a really cute, new outfit!

   I use my Vera Bradley diaper bag. It is awesome, everything fits, it is easy to carry, and it is stylish. I also have matching accessories, which is pretty awesome. I have the bottle holder, the paci holder, the baby blanket, and the key chain!(: Now, onto the contents!

I have diapers and wipes (duh!), we use Pampers, because it is the best for us. I also have little bags to put clothes on when Ryder has a blowout.

Neat cheeks (a new and awesome product) to wipe Ryder's face, they have a sweet flavor (which is so much better than wipes!) and they aren't sticky (ig - @theneatcheeks). And a pack of Kleenex.

I always have an extra outfit (ig's - pants-@joyaltee, tank onesie-@littleurbanapparel) , extra socks, and extra beanie (ig - @twolittlekings). His paci is MAM brand, and the clip is leather with his name on it, made by @coconutrobot on ig.

Toys are a must now, especially with Ryder getting older and needing more to keep him entertained. He loves his wooden teeter fox (from @bannortoys on ig) and his fox lovey (from Carter's). 

I have to nursing covers, one of them doubles as a seat cover, and both work as scarves. The flowered one comes from @coveredgoods on ig, and the gray with triangles comes from @kismetlovecollection on ig. They both work as a makeshift blanket or mat as well. Although I always have at least one blanket, usually Ryder's personalized one from @kennedyscollection on ig.

I have a thing of mascara (Rimmel brand just from Walgreens) and a perfume rolly ball (Tease from VS). Lip balm is a must, I love my eos lip balm.

I almost always have at least two nursing necklaces, which are both from @mamaandlittle on ig. They are seriously the best thing. They are cute and Ryder loves them!

Last, but not least, my ring sling frond Sakura Bloom (ig - @lovesakurabloom). I love my ring sling, and I don't know what I'd do without it. It is so much easier than hauling Ryder around in his seat. And it fits perfectly in my bag, which is awesome.

   Hope you enjoyed seeing what was in Ryder's bag. I also usually have a water bottle, some kind of snack, my wallet (which is also Vera Bradley), and another onesie (for safe measure). Hand sanitizer and changing pad are connected to the actual bag. Sophie the Giraffe also makes its way in their most of the time, so it varies with time, but this is the usual.

Is there anything you use that I don't have and should, let me know!! I am always up for suggestions!(:

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!(: 

25 weeks down and counting

   25 weeks pregnant, and 105 days to go. I cannot wait to be in double digits later this week for the days I have left. Baby Ryder is about the size of a cantaloupe, and he should be weighing in around a pound and a half. I hit a milestone this week, which made me very happy. At 25 weeks, babies blood vessels in their lungs are working and their nostrils have opened up. This means Ryder's chances of surviving if he were born now are very strong, although he better stay in there for at least 14 more weeks or so!

   This week has been a pretty good and uneventful week. I did attend another baby shower this last Sunday for my cousin. She is having a little boy, which is cool because there will be two little boys in my family that will be close in age. I loved giving her and baby their gift, hers is on the left, and the other one is a girl version for another friend of mine having a baby.

   They are onesie cupcakes! Four onesies, and two pairs of socks. I also included a pacifier in the bow. I am very proud of my gifts. They were practical and adorable (at least in my opinion!).

   My momma bought some of my favorite things for her grandson this week. She got him little fox booties (which I am in love with!) and some gowns and bibs. If I hadn't mentioned before, I love foxes and they are Ryder's favorite animal until he can choose his own favorite animal!(: 

   Look at all the foxes! Talk about cute.(:

How far along: 25 weeks

Gender: It is a boy(:

Weight gain: My scale says 9lbs. up from pre-pregnancy weight.

Maternity clothes: I've been wearing some of my momma's maternity clothes that she gave me from when she was pregnant with Cherith (my little sister). And they are really nice and rather new since she just wore then last year.

Stretch marks: None still(:

Belly button in or out: Still in

Sleep: I slept better this week, although it's still hard to get comfortable. I am noticing that my belly is definitely starting to grow now.

Best moment this week: I got to spend a lot of time in the pool and sun this week, which was so nice. I love the pool, and I also exercise more in the pool from swimming and floating. I also feel so rejuvenated after being in the sun and water.

Miss anything: I miss sleep still, and I also miss being able to catch full breaths. It has also started to get hard to bend over, which I am still pretending I can bend over without consequence.. It's getting harder with every passing day though!

Movement: I am finally experiencing being able to just feel him kick and move. It is literally one of the best feelings in the world. It makes me so happy and my heart just swells with love for him when I feel him move

Cravings: I've still been craving soda. I craved Pepsi one day this week, and I had to have Pepsi, not coke or any other soda, but specifically Pepsi..

Looking forward to: Seeing my baby in a little over a week at an ultrasound, and I have some packages coming in the mail soon. I am also really looking forward to October, I know it's still three months away, but I'm getting so excited lately about having my baby.(:

   This was before my cousins baby shower, I love being pregnant and my little belly!

   I got a robe this week, and it is so comfortable. It will be getting a lot of use.

   My feet are getting harder to see everyday, but I'm not complaining one bit!(:

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 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

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!