No Place I'd Rather Be

   My last few posts have not been very happy posts, so I think it is time for a good post. I've cut out coffee, well caffeine. I've been drinking fully decaf coffees and a little bit of sweet tea. I've been trying to drink more water. I started out the year really well, I was drinking almost a gallon a day. That was one of my resolutions, so I am making that resolution again. 

   The cool thing about resolutions is that you can start one at anytime. I am drinking more water again, and I feel immensely better. You can blame it on positive thinking if you'd like, but since I decided to give up caffeine and drink more water a few days ago, I've been happier. The weather is still cool and dreary, but my mood is not. 

   If you have any resolutions that you've drifted away from, maybe now is the time to make them again. Maybe it is time to change your resolutions or make new ones. 

   Another resolution I'm adding is that I've decided to put my phone down when my baby needs me. I've decided to hold and cherish my baby because he is the best thing to ever happen to me. There are babies out there who don't get loved on, and I don't want Ryder to ever feel like that.

   I am his mother. If Ryder needs me, I will be there. I will not let my baby cry, not because I'm spoiling him, but because he is a baby who needs his mother. When babies cry, something is wrong. That is how they communicate. When my baby needs his mother, he will have her because I know that is what is best for my child.

   I shower my baby in love, because how can I not? When I see this baby of mine smiling, it makes me know that I'm doing exactly what I should be doing. When I see my baby sleeping, that peaceful look just melts me. I will do anything to keep my baby safe. I am his protector. I want him to never be fearful of going to sleep. 

   I'll be cleaning or doing something, and I'll look over at Ryder and he will be watching me. He just watches me, and as a four month old, I know he already admires me and looks up to me. I am responsible for this beautiful, sweet child. He makes me want to be a better person. He makes me want to be the best mother I can be. 

   So my resolutions are to drink more water, and love my baby more. A little less than what I started the year with, but two things I can put all my energy into. They shouldn't be too hard, especially the second one since my heart literally overflows with love for my son.

There's no place I'd rather be.

xx

One Month Must Haves

   These are my one month must haves. I have been doing this whole mother thing for about a month now, and these are things I have personally used almost daily with my new baby. I know a few people having babies soon, so hopefully this will help you out a bit. I will also have to remember to look at this post when I have another baby way down the road!

1. Diapers

   I know this is kind of a "duh" thing to have on any baby list, but Ryder specifically uses pampers. So if anyone wants to get Ryder diapers.. ;) He can use Huggies as well, but we tried an off brand diaper and it caused a rash.:( 

2.Wipes

   Another "duh" item, but wipes are important. Ryder uses Pampers sensitive wipes. Huggies wipes are not good wipes to use, at least I don't think so. They are rough. I use baby wipes to take off my makeup, and if I wouldn't use the wipe on my face, why would I use it on my baby's bottom??

3.Mittens

   I used mittens every day the first two weeks. Ryder always had mittens on because I did not want him to scratch his face. I just stopped putting mittens on him all the time (and of course he scratched his face).

4. Pacifiers

   I am all for pacifiers. Like really, these things are great. Ryder likes the MAM pacis. He started on the paci when he was eight days old. Everywhere I read said to wait about a month before introducing a paci in case of nipple confusion (pshh, my baby hasn't been confused about that at all). Ryder's doctor also said that it was perfectly fine for him to have a paci that early as well since he was gaining weight and healthy. Doctors have recently stated that pacifiers help reduce the risk of SIDS as well (which helps me sleep better at night).

5. Ring Sling

   I adore my ring sling. I have three of them and am so pleased with them. First off, I can use them till Ryder is about 35 pounds. Right now I just use the newborn cradle hold and the belly to belly hold. As Ryder's neck gains more support, I will be able to use the kangaroo hold, and even wear him on my back. The ring sling is comfortable and so versatile. Not all babies and mommas will like the ring sling, but me and Ryder love it!

6. Water, Water, Water

   I cannot state enough that water is so good for you. Mommas need water. Water helps milk production and makes you feel so much better. My water intake is awesome. I have a huge cup that I just keep refilling, it is just so refreshing.

7. Lip Balm

   The two pictures are the exact ones I use. I have never had drier lips in my life. After giving birth, my lips were drier than the Sahara Desert, and lip balm was my best friend. I actually didn't have lip balm in my hospital bag, so thank goodness I have a mom who knew I would probably regret not having lip balm. 

8. Socks

   For you and baby, but mostly for baby. I love baby socks, and they are important too. Babies lose heat through their head and feet. Ryder almost always has his feet and head covered. I use a hat or beanie for his head. 

9. Reusable Nursing Pads

   They have disposable nurse pads, but the reusable ones are much more comfy. They are soft and don't feel as weird as the disposable ones. I am actually making a few nursing pads so I don't have to wash the two sets I have over and over. They are really easy to make, and when you make them, they are cheap, and really cute!

   One thing I don't have pictured that is important is food. Food in general! I forget to eat. I know you are probably wondering,"really, forget to eat?!". Yes, I will go about my day and lay in bed and be kinda hungry, then I will think about it, and I literally will have gone the whole day without eating anything. I drink a lot of water and other drinks, and I just don't get really hungry. I have to stop and make myself eat though because food is important! It keeps milk supply up and it is healthy to eat food. So take the time to eat something after having a baby.

   I am so thankful to not have to want for anything honestly. I am provided with what I need right when I need it. It's really and truly amazing. I have learned lately that there are amazing people in this world. It may seem like humanity is awful nowadays, but I have personally seen the kindness and love still in the world. Strangers have given help to me and Ryder when I least expected it. 

   These are one month necessities for me, and I have been very blessed to have all these things. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and remembers to be thankful for all the people and blessings in their life.

xx

Pregnancy Must-Haves (for me anyway!)

   When I first found out I was pregnant, I looked at a million "pregnancy must-have" blogs, lists, etc.. 

   I would choose my favorites from each list. So I thought I'd put my own must-have list out there. If you are pregnant, I encourage you to look at a lot of different lists and blogs. First off, they are fun to look at, and secondly, they really are so helpful and informative!

1. Water!!!! I have a Starbucks I've cup, it holds 24 oz. especially when I was at work, I'd drink at least three or four cups a day. I also have two or three Victoria's Secret water bottles, and I loved the smart water bottles. 

   It is so so important to stay hydrated. I went a week or two not drinking as much as usual and had to go into the hospital. I also had a bladder infection because I wasn't flushing my system out. When you aren't pregnant, you need about eight cups of water. When you are pregnant, you need a million cups of water... Just kidding, but you do need about twelve cups, you are carrying a second human who needs water as much as you do!

2. Tums. Can I just say that I've never needed tums in my life. I think I would have had an awful pregnancy if I hadn't had tums. Between my dad and I, (he wasn't pregnant, but he has heartburn and stuff) we went through more than a few bottles. And not the normal size bottles, the extra big value bottles! Also looking back, I wonder if maybe I could consider tums a craving. You hear of women craving chalk and stuff, well tums are essentially chalk in a way.. So yeah, thoughts.

3. Pre-natal vitamins. I bought these the day I thought I might be pregnant. I just used the Target brand. They never made me sick or anything. I was awful about remembering to take them. I'd take them every day for a month, and then the next month, I'd always forget. No, I'm not a bad mother, and if you forget to take prenatals, you aren't a bad mother either. Especially if you are healthy and take care of yourself. That being said, I found it easier to remember to take my vitamins if I used my little pill bottle thing. It has a compartment for every day of the week, I have a really cute purple one.(:

4. Root beer. I really didn't drink soda before I got pregnant. I went a good three years where I would drink soda maybe once or twice a month. I enjoy tea and water and coffee, but I craved root beer when I got pregnant. I love Abita root beer, I promise it is some of the best tasting root beer. It is going to be hard to stop drinking soda again when Ryder gets here!

5. Sweatpants. I adored my Victoria's Secret sweatpants. They were never too tight, I wear them still. I have a pair in my hospital bag to come home in, and I will probably wear a pair when I go in to have my baby. 

6. Snoogle! Dude, these things are awesome. It honestly didn't help me when I was newly pregnant, I had trouble sleeping no matter what, but when I finally started getting bigger, I enjoyed it very much so. Until it got comfortable to use, my siblings used it a lot (even my brother). It is a little expensive, but it is a big pillow that will be used a lot. You could probably get away with a $15 body pillow from Target though. 

7. My tote. I have this particular tote that is pictured, just with black lettering. I also have two other totes. I crocheted a lot while being pregnant, so one tote would almost always have yarn in it. Sometimes I didn't wanna take my whole purse, so I'd throw my keys and wallet in a tote, and it is just really handy to have. I have my tote holding my toiletries in my hospital bag at the moment.

   Some things I don't have pictured, buy a pair of maternity jeans. Spend $50 and get a pair of really nice maternity jeans. That is one thing I didn't do that I wish I would have. My regular jeans fit me till I was six months pregnant, and then I thought it would be silly to buy jeans with only three months left, but I would have gotten so much use out of them. I've wished for jeans many times, so next pregnancy, I will be buying jeans. 

   I don't have dresses pictured, but I had about three dresses that I adored, especially in the in between stage where I was kinda rockin a bump, but not really. Maxi dresses are awesome because you can put a belt on and your little bump looks adorable. Maxi dresses are comfortable, and they don't have to be maternity either! 

   That is my list that I can think of. I also never used panty liners before becoming pregnant, but I've used them a lot the past two months. Mostly girls are reading my blog, so I don't think that is TMI... The guys that do read this (there are two or three, but I'll keep their name private for their sakes) won't say anything.(: 

   I can't believe that I won't be pregnant for much longer. I'll have my baby in less than a week! I will definitely miss being pregnant though. Hopefully this list will help someone out (seriously, get tums).

xx