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

   

   

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!(: 

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!

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

28 weeks(:

   28 weeks is upon us. Ryder is the around the size of a coconut. He is also able to cough, pretend breath (suck in and out amniotic fluid), and dream. I remember when my little sister was a newborn and would smile in her sleep, and she must have been dreaming. I can't wait to see Ryder smile in his sleep once he is born.(:

   I feel like this week flew by. My family and I finished our church conference (which was amazing), and we went to Hurricane Harbor for our fun day on Friday. Hurricane Harbor is the six flags water park in Texas. We usually go to an amusement park each year, but my dad was nice and chose a water park since me and mom weren't able to really ride any rides. I can't wait to be able to ride a roller coaster again though! 

   We got home late Saturday night, and it was actually nice to sleep in my own bed after a week of hotel beds. Ryder has been kicking up a storm lately, which means he is growing. Starting this week, I'm supposed to count how many times he kicks in an hour. 

  I got a lot of goodies this week as well. I got a sweatshirt from lovedbyhannahandeli.com (you can follow her on Instagram if you'd like, @lovedbyhannahandeli). The sweatshirt is one of the softest ones I own, and it says "Mama Bear," which I think is perfect for me!(:

   I also received my crochet bow ties in the mail from @dapperbabywear (her name on Instagram). She has a little etsy shop, and I had my package when I got home. She was so sweet and addressed the package to me and Ryder, and she also wrote me a sweet little card!

   I forgot to mention that I got my diaper bag last week. I was able to go to a Vera Bradley store and get it. I got my mom one when my little sister was born, and she has used it so much and loved it. It's not only big and durable, but I think it's so pretty too! My mom got me the matching bottle carrier for it as well!(:

How far along: 28 weeks

Gender: Boy!!

Weight gain: 20 lbs... I went from gaining no weight to this! At the doctor yesterday I was told to watch my weight, yikes! I used to never drink soda, and I'm going to cut it out again because it isn't good for me anyways.

Maternity clothes: I got a maternity dress from target the other day, and I love wearing my kimonos with tank tops too(:

Stretch marks: Nopee

Belly button in or out: I don't have an outie, but I don't really have an innie either.. My belly button is kind of just flat, I think it is really funny looking actually!

Sleep: My belly is in my way just about no matter what, and I wake up two, three, twenty times a night... I'm either uncomfortable, or Ryder decides he wants me to be awake with him, or I just have to use the bathroom. I would love a good night's sleep before my baby arrives.. (Laugh it up everyone who knows how I can usually sleep just about anywhere at anytime..)

Best moment this week: I loved Texas, I know I said I liked it last week, but Texas was just a really great place I thought. I also passed my glucose test, which is good!

Miss anything: Sleep, and medicine. I haven't really needed medicine at all, and I'm not a medicine taker, but I've gotten really congested the past few days, and my head, throat, and ears have been bothering me really badly. Hopefully I will feel better soon, because I don't want to have to take any medicine.

Movement: I can now see my bump twitch and move a bit from the outside! My friend who really wanted to feel him in Texas actually ended up feeling him, which made both of us very happy(:

Cravings: A few, I am really in the mood for soup, but that's also because I don't feel good I think. I still have had the anti-cravings this week. I've had really bad indigestion/heart burn this week, at least I think that is what it is. My stomach will just hurt sometimes, and I'm not sure if it is a specific food that is causing it or just an overall pregnancy symptom that is just gonna happen whether I like it or not.

Looking forward to: I've really been thinking about my baby this week (which he is on my mind almost all the time, but extra this week!). I can't wait to hold him and see him. I love being pregnant, but the idea of holding my little baby and touching his soft skin makes me anxious to have him here. I really can't wait for October to get here!(:

   Thank you for all the prayers coming my way. Ryder is measuring perfectly according to my latest ultrasound, and im healthy. Pray that this continues to be the case! I also have a lot of things to figure out, and I hope I can get everything in order before my baby gets here! So here is a typical bathroom selfie from Sunday to end you with.(:

xx

Week 27(:

   I wrote a rather long blog (at least I thought it was long) last week, and I'm warning you now.. This one might be a bit lengthy too! I complained a bit last week, but I feel like I have no complaints this week. Some of y'all must have prayed for me!(: 

   

   I am 27 weeks and can now say I'm in the third trimester! Some people wait till week 28, and some say it starts around week 26. I'm gonna stick with the middle number and say I've finally made it! I can now sit in my dad's lazy boy without him saying anything! He would always ask me if it was third trimester yet when I'd be sitting in it, and sadly I'd say no and get up. Now when I get home, I at least get the comfiest chair in the house!;) 

   With three more months (hopefully) of growing left, Ryder looks like he will when he will be born almost. He is just wrinkly and still needs to fatten up a bit. He can control his lungs and regulate his own temperature as of this week. He is about the size/weight of a head of cauliflower or a bunch of bananas.

   The glucose test was not that bad (which I was worried it might be). I'm pretty healthy, so I'm sure I'll pass it (watch me have to take the three hour test now just because I said that..). It tasted like orange soda, it looked like orange soda, I'm pretty sure it was orange soda and they switched stickers.

   I got to see my baby this week, and the ultrasound was awesome. I promise that in the actual ultrasound and on the screen, you could see his face and his features. I may be biased, but I already think he is so adorable.(: 

   I am in Texas this week and I adore it here. The air is so dry, which is very nice compared to the usual Florida humidity. Even when it is raining, there is dry air (but maybe that is just me)! The traveling wasn't bad either. I'm sure being in a twelve passenger van with a lot more room helped!

   I am here for my church association this week. Everyone I have interacted with so far has been wonderful and so nice. I've even had a few people come up and tell me they read my blog (which was one of the coolest things). It is nice to know my mom isn't the only one who reads this. I was going to take this week off and not blog, but hearing those few people made me excited to write today (and a bit nervous, so blame them if this blog isn't as good as usual! Ha).

   So now the best part.

How far along: 27 weeks

Gender: Boy!

Weight gain: 9+ lbs. hopefully not too much more, I think I've been pretty healthy since my last doctor appt.

Maternity clothes: I'm finally using the belly band with my jeans, I made it to third trimester, so I'm pretty proud of myself(:

Stretch marks: None

Belly button in or out: Still in, but I promise it is slightly shallow

Sleep: Still not the best, and I'm thankful for every little bit of sleep I get. If it's not one thing, it's another. Ryder has started to kick me to where I can feel it, which is the newest reason of being awake at night.

Best moment this week: Being in Texas and being with my family. I also enjoy seeing old friends and people I have seen and known for years.

Miss anything: This week (well as of right now anyway) I can't think of anything I miss, except a few of my dresses are way too short now because of my belly. There were two dresses I bought and wanted to wear so badly, but couldn't because of this baby.. But other than that, nothing that I miss!

Movement: Three siblings down, two to go! Another sister of mine finally felt him. He is favoring my ribs a lot, but hopefully he will move enough for some friends to feel him before I go home. I secretly love them touching my belly too.. (I know, I'm weird, ha, I'm sure I wouldn't like it if it were strangers!)

Cravings: I don't really have any cravings this week. I've definitely had anti-cravings though. Too many to name, we have just gone to eat and I will decide that I'm just not feeling any of the food that they serve.. 

Looking forward to: Baby showers should be soon! I hope my mom and sister will at least start planning one. I feel like time is flying by and I am going to run out of time! I have another appt soon to find out how my glucose test went and if my baby boy is healthy and all.(: 

   I feel like I could have written a few more paragraphs, but I won't bore y'all anymore! I am so thankful for everyone who reads this. If you do read this, please remember to pray for me and this little boy of mine. Prayers and God's grace/blessings are what have gotten me this far, and they will be what keep me going!

xx