Bag Lady

I'm currently in diaper bag hell.

I have no idea what kind of bag I want or need for two babies. Granted, Carter doesn't really need much anymore... we pack him diapers, wipes, and an extra outfit and we're good. But newborn's require a lot more and therefore I want to make sure that I get a bag that can accommodate both kids.

I'll admit it though... I'm rather picky. I don't want the bag to be too big, too small, the wrong style, too girlie, etc. It must have side pockets, a zipper top, fit on a stroller.

I mean, come on... is that too much to ask? Where is this perfect bag?

Let's start with what I have for Carter. It's a Bumble Bag and I absolutely love it.

It's the perfect size, meets all of my requirements, and is simply adorable. If I could get away with it, I'd use it again for this baby, but it just won't accommodate both kids. Sigh.

So, after MUCH research, here's what I've narrowed it down too...

#1: Fleurville Sling Tote in Black Bouquet
Price: $119
Concern: It doesn't have side pockets on the outside.

#2: Fleurville Lexie Tote in Black Bouquet
Price: $129
Concern: May not be big enough.

#3: Fleurville Mothership in Black Bouquet {are you seeing a pattern?}
Price: $109
Concern: It has a flap that covers the zipper at the top
{I told you I was picky...}

#4: JuJuBe Be Prepared in Midnight Eclipse
Price: $180
Concerns: The price and the size {it may be too big}... I'm also not totally in love with the pattern {I like the "Black Bouquet" pattern much better, but it's not an option.}

#5: BabyMel Amanda Bag in Blossom Grey
Price: $88
Concern: I've never heard of this brand {have you?}

Help.

Can't I just combine all these bags into the most practical, beautiful, perfect diaper bag ever?!?!

Poll's on the side. And comments are greatly appreciated, especially if you have recommendations... {although that may just add to the confusion.}

Top 2 Tuesday

Top 2 Tuesday topic: Random facts about yourself

Hmmm.... let's see, I'm gonna go really random with this one...

1. I can't get dressed in the morning unless I throw my outfit in the dryer first. It makes your clothes feel fresh and takes out all the wrinkles. Not to mention that they're warm when you put them on =)

2. I could live on cereal and be perfectly content.

31 Weeks

It happened. I can no longer wear shoes with laces. It's physically impossible.

I tried wearing sneakers to Ben's 3rd birthday party on Saturday {it was at an indoor gym with bouncey's, so shoes/socks were required} and I could not tie my sneakers. Now, I'm sure it happened awhile ago, but I haven't tried wearing shoes with laces since.... I don't even know when.

So, needless to say, I was a little frustrated on Saturday morning when I had to have my husband tie my shoes {all while making fun of me.} Sigh.

Pregnancy: 31 weeks {belly pic taken at 31w0d}

Weight Gain: 15 pounds total

Sleep: I have no problem sleeping, but if I wake up in the middle of the night {because of Carter} then I have a really hard time falling back to sleep.

Which usually results in me watching House Hunters at 3am.

Gender: Girl

Name: Brynn Sophia

Feeling: Achy belly = agitated mama. But I still have a good 6 or 7 weeks to go, so I'm trying to be nice. Especially to my college kids...

Health: I'm going to ask for something stronger then Zantac. It has completely failed me. I'm now getting acid relux when I smell food.

Movement: She's all over the place =)

Belly: Still huge. No stretch marks and very light linea negra.

Next Appointment: This Wednesday, March 31st at 31w4d. I'll have my growth ultrasound first and then my 31w appointment with my doc. Should be interesting!

Your Three Words

This week has been a big birthday week in my family, so I wanted to take a second to wish them all a very happy birthday...

My mom turned 29 on March 23rd. How I've caught up {and now passed} her age, I'll just never know.

On March 30th, my nephew Ben will be 3 {OMG, when did that happen!?!} and my brother-in-law, Matt {Ben's dad} will be 32 that same day!

Now, not only will I have gained another 5 pounds before this weekend is over just from cake, ice cream, and parties alone... I will also be very poor. But I love you guys anyway. =)

Packin'

{Check out my updated hospital bag list here!}

Hospital Bags. Let's discuss.

There's no exact science to packing your hospital bag, so let's just think about this logically: you'll want to pack like you and your husband are taking a weekend vacation some place very exciting and then bringing back an adorable mini version of yourselves as a souvenir.

Not too difficult, right?

I must admit though... I did an amazing job packing my hospital bag for Carter's birth. I didn't forget anything and I actually used everything that I brought. When does that ever happen? I thought for sure we'd bring the car seat without the base, the camera without the charger, and completely forget our cell phones altogether.

But nope... we brought everything on our list and it worked out perfectly. So what did we bring? I thought you might ask...

For Mama:
My OWN pillow. {Heaven.}
Slippers {Uggs, how I love thee.}
Flip Flops {a true necessity from March-October, in my opinion}
Comfy clothes- tank tops, t-shirts, soccer shorts, undies, sports bras, etc {I can't stress this enough, especially when you have visitors. I even went out and bought cheap granny panties and sports bras. I bled on NOTHING. I can't imagine sitting around in a half-opened hospital gown while 36 people are in my room with me.}
Hoodie/pj pants {hospital's are cold}
MacBookPro/charger {I had plenty of time to be online in the hospital, especially at night when the nurses come in and check on you every 10 minutes}
Camera/charger
Flip camera/extra batteries
Cell phone/charger {I never received or sent more texts in my entire life...yes, even while I was in labor. Make sure you're phone is completely charged at all times and ready to go.}
Toiletries {travel size work best} of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, loufa, hair spray, lotion, face wash, deodorant, etc
Toothbrush
Razor {yes, I shaved in the hospital}
Hair dryer
Flat Iron {yes, I actually used mine... what? you're a temporary celebrity.}
Make-up {see above}
Insurance information
List of people to call/text
Hairbrush and extra hairbands
iPod

Some stuff the hospital had for me: Peri-bottle, Dermaplast numbing spray, Tucks, ice pads, maxi pads, mesh undies {though I wore my own after the first day...I just wanted to feel normal!}

For Baby:
Boppy
Coming home outfit
Onsies
Car seat with base installed in the car that you bring to the hospital ;)
Receiving blankets {we used these so the dogs could get use to the baby's smell before bringing him home to meet each other. We wrapped Carter in a big receiving blanket the entire first day and then Kacy took it home and gave it to the dogs. They slept on it for 2 days =) }

Some of the stuff the hospital had for the baby: diapers, wipes, Triple Paste, formula, blankets, nasal aspirator, pacifiers, etc.

For Daddy:
Pillow
Comfy clothes
Toiletries {again, travel-size work best}
Toothbrush
Razor
Books/magazines
Debit card/cash {for food!}
Snacks
iPod

Bob and I fit everything into our travel/carry-on-size wheely suit case. I then packed all the baby stuff in the diaper bag. This time I will have to pack for Carter as well, and then figure out where he's going to stay while we're in the hospital.

Any takers?

He's an adorable blond-haired, blue-eyed monster who likes to cuddle, play {and sleep!} with his soccer ball, sing random songs {his favorite being Kesha's "Tik Toc"} and dance like nobody's business. You've been warned...

I apologize in advance...

...to you and your wallets.

Carter's, the wonderful clothing company for babies and toddlers, has finally taken it upon themselves to open an online store.

What took them so long?

Their clothing is amazing. Their onsies are comfy and don't shrink up into almost nothing. Their outfits for both boys and girls are absolutely adorable. I think I could get lost in the Carter's outlet store for hours on end. And now we can all shop from the comfort of our own work offices homes.

Check it out here.

...and Happy Shopping. ;)

Top Baby Blogs

About a week ago, I decided to join Top Baby Blogs, a directory of about 1,000 blogs ranging from all things mom and baby. Once you join {it's free!} you get a banner that you are able to display on your own blog for voting purposes. Readers that visit your blog have the option to vote for you by clicking on your banner link {see side bar and below.}

In a week, I've moved up from #950 to #104, thanks to you! Readers can vote once a day, so if you like my blog and continue to come back, the votes are greatly appreciated! You don't need to fill out anything, all you need to do is click on the banner, and place your vote!



Thank you for moving me up so fast and please let me know if you are a member of Top Baby Blogs as well... I'd love to visit your blog and vote for you as well! =)

Wordless Wednesday

I'm going to play "Wordless Wednesday" a little differently, in that I plan to use less words then I usually do. ;)

We went to an indoor swim party on Saturday and Carter loved it. But not at first. I love this sequence.

Come with me, dad.
Checking it out...
Burrrr.
Still not sure, but the other kids look like they're having fun...
Giving it a try...but holding on to mom for dear life...
3 minutes {and a nose dive head-first into the water} later.

Mom, who?

30 weeks

I have officially entered the forth quarter, but, with the way this baby is growing, I can't help but think that I only have 7 or 8 weeks left. Yikes...

Like I mentioned before, my appointment last week went well... I only gained 3 pounds {bringing the total up to 15} and my BP and glucose levels look really good. The baby is measuring over 3 weeks ahead so our growth ultrasound next Wednesday should give us a better idea of how much she weighs at this point.

Because I am STILL convinced that this baby is a boy {despite the TWO ultrasounds that we've had stating otherwise} I will ask the ultrasound tech to check the sex of the baby once again to confirm that she's still a girl. =)

I can't wait to see him her again.

Pregnancy: 30 weeks {belly pic taken at 30w1d}

Weight Gain: 15 pounds total

Sleep: I've been sleeping well, for the most part... though I feel like I'm tossing and turning more now and it's harder to get comfortable. Still not waking up to go to the bathroom though =)

Gender: Girl

Name: Brynn Sophia

Feeling: Overall, I'm still feeling pretty well. I am starting to get uncomfortable if I sit for long periods of time... my belly and ribs start to ache. Which then makes me feel agitated {and I hate that feeling.}

Health: Still swelling, but BP looks good. Acid reflux is still awful, and even Zantac is starting to let me down. We've been best friends this whole time... I may be moving on to something stronger, soon.

Movement: She's going to be a soccer player, for sure.

Belly: Still huge. No stretch marks and very light linea negra.

Next Appointment: Wednesday, March 31st at 31w4d.

Top 2 Tuesday

Top 2 Tuesday topic: Things you can't live without.

Now, this does not include family, friends, etc. Just two things that you really don't think that you can live without. And I know I wouldn't survive without the two things below...

1. Burt's Bees Chapstick.
I honestly use chapstick so much that I have to have one everywhere: the bathroom drawer, the family room table, my nightstand next to my bed, my purse, my office drawer.... you get the picture.


2. Aveeno lotion with Cooling Menthol.
I discovered this lotion in college and I don't know how I survived 18 years without it. Because I played soccer year-round from the time I was 4, the skin on my shins {from wearing shin guards, constantly} was very sensitive and itchy. Yuck. I went to dermatologist after dermatologist and they kept prescribing me all these creams and lotions and NOTHING worked. Finally, I went to one and she said "have you tried Aveeno yet?" I need to go back and thank that woman.

Ever since that day, I've been a walking ad for Aveeno and have pretty much converted most of my friends and family. I really need to get a job for them. Or at least buy stock.

Her first purchase...

I love you so much already daddy!
Love,
Brynn

Isn't it sweet that Brynnie girl is already making purchases from inside the womb? Or is this a sign of the trouble that is yet to come?

Brynn took it upon herself to buy a little present for her daddy. Carter bought a similar sign for his room that we just LOVE...

{what is it with my kids and their shopping addictions before their even born?}

...so as soon as I, umm... I mean Brynn, saw the "My Prince did come, his name is Daddy" sign at BRU, she knew she just HAD to have it.

That now brings the total number of pink items in her nursery to a whopping.... three. I'm trying.

Your Three Words

Yep, you read that right. At my appointment yesterday, my doctor told me that I am now measuring over 3 weeks ahead.

Now, there would be little cause for concern for the average pregnant women, considering that belly measurements have a lot to do with fluid levels and not the baby's size.

But not for this pregnant mama.

It was a major cause for concern considering the big baby trend that runs in our family. Let's recap, shall we...

Ben {nephew} 10lbs 2 oz, born on his due date.
Grace {neice} 9lbs 12 oz, born 1 week early.

And let's not forget....
Carter {handsomely, adorable son} 9lbs 5oz, born 2 weeks early.

Because my belly measurement has nearly tripled {ahead} in just 4 weeks, my doctor wants to perform a growth ultrasound at my next appointment on March 31st {31w4d} to get an idea of her size. I will then have another growth ultrasound done at 35w5d for precautionary measures.

This worries me for several reason, but the main being that I had major complications after the birth of Carter {blood clots, hemorrhaging, major drop in BP, etc.} so there is medical concern that this may happen again due to the baby's size. Of course, I do not want to be induced too early {and my docs won't take the baby before 37 weeks, thankfully} but waiting too long also puts me at a greater risk of needing a c-section, which is something that I do NOT want, for obvious reasons. At this point, it's a "wait and see" kinda thing.

In other news...
1) My BP was still good.
2) I only gained 3 pounds this month.
3) My glucose levels were normal.

{And considering the sandwich, cheese fries, AND ice cream cone that I had for lunch yesterday before my appointment, #'s 2 & 3 are truly a miracle}

So, my total weight gain is now 15 pounds in 30 weeks. I'm very happy with that... especially since a lot of that weight can be blamed on my monster baby.

Okay, so maybe not a lot. But still...

Rockin' a fake.

Well.... my wedding rings are officially retired. My fingers started swelling at about 28 weeks and my rings starting getting tight and uncomfortable. I had a little ceremony as I placed them into my jewelry box, not knowing when I'll be able to fit my sausage fingers into them again. :::tear:::

But my finger is not nekkid. Oh, no. I bought a fake set.

I know that there are plenty of pregnant women out there that can walk around ring less and be perfectly comfortable with it.

I'm not one of them.

Now, I think the main reason for this is the fact that I work at a university. It's almost like being pregnant and walking around on campus is equivalent to having the plague. Pregnancy is not contagious, people.

If it's not that, then it's the blatant stares and whispers from the college kids. Like, "Oh, that poor slut whore girl... I wonder if the father's still in the picture?"

So, my wedding rings {in all their fake glory} show that I did not get knocked up at the local frat house.

Oh, and here's a pic... {added just for you Kris!}
I have been getting a lot of compliments on it, but I can't pretend that it's real. So, as soon as someone says:

"OMG, your ring is gorgeous"

I immediately reply:

"Kohl's. $10."

29 Weeks: Bare Belly

I'm going to be brave again and post another bare belly pic just to show you all how massive this thing really is. It's hard to believe that I technically have 11 weeks left, though I can almost guarantee that I won't make it that far.

So, without further ado...


I'm much lower this time then I was with Carter. I'm sure, by the end, it'll feel like she's literally going to fall out of my belly. I might even be one of "those" mom's that need to buy a support band just to walk around in public. Boy, I sure hope not.

Pregnancy: 29 weeks {belly pic taken at 29w1d}

Weight Gain: 12 pounds total

Sleep: Still pretty good. Although I have a bladder of steal, if Carter happens to wake up at any point in the middle of the night, I do have to go to the bathroom. But I don't wake up on my own to go.

Gender: Girl

Name: Brynn Sophia

Feeling: My belly aches now. Already. My ribs hurt almost constantly and I just feel... huge.

None of my t-shirts fit anymore and I often get made fun of because my belly sticks out of the bottom. I actually had to wear a t-shirt to work today for a student event that we're having for finals week {candy buffet... woot woot!} and I actually had to pick out a bigger size when I got to the office because my usual medium t-shirt no longer fit me.

Stop laughing, it's not funny. At least that's what I had to tell my sister this morning. And Bob. And all my coworkers. I think I even heard Carter laughing at me.

Health: Swelling is getting worse. Rings are officially retired. Flip flops are starting to get a bit tight {already.} I'm eager to see what my weight and blood pressure are at my appointment this week.

Movement: She. Doesn't. Stop. Moving.

Belly: No stretch marks. Yet. For some reason I do think I'm going to get them this time. I mean look at that thing. It has a mind of it's own. I guess it kinda does...

But I don't really care about stretch marks... I mean, what can ya do? Their badges of honor for what our bodies go through, right? {Is that what I'm "suppose" to say? I think it is...}

Next Appointment: This Thursday, March 18th at 29w5d. I wonder how far ahead she's measuring. I'm scared.

Oh, and yes the belly pictures we're taken in Brynn's nursery...it's coming along perfectly!

The stripes are painted, the furniture is in {except one of the dressers was damaged so BRU ordered us a new one}and everything is coming along. This weekend we're going to put in the chair rail and I'm making a trip to Ikea to buy a few fun things.

I'm not going to show you any updated pictures, though. I want to wait until everything is done and then write a post about the final product. I'm so excited to see everything come together!

Okay, fine. You talked me into one picture. But that's it.

Top 2 Tuesday: Celeb Styles

This weeks Top 2 Tuesday topic is Celebrity Styles. If I had to pick just TWO, I'd say:

1. Reese Witherspoon- She always looks so adorable {even in between movie takes, from what I've personally observed} and seems like such a laid back "cool" mom.
2. Jennifer Aniston- I have always thought she was beautiful. She looks good in anything!

Birth Plan

I don't really get birth plans. I mean, I kinda understand why some people feel the need to write them. Kinda. But I still don't get them. When it comes down to it, every person out there will do what is medically necessary to deliver a healthy baby. Right? Right. In the end though, I think having a birth plan just sets you up for disappointment, because when does anything ever go as planned?

With that being said, if writing a birth plan was mandatory, here's what mine would look like:

1. Get an epidural as soon as humanly possible. {Do they have a delivery service for anesthesiologists? No? They should.}
2. Deliver a healthy baby.

That's it.

Or, wait. Maybe it would look like this...

I'll go into labor naturally, after 37 weeks, and deliver my healthy baby girl on a sunny Friday afternoon in May. My doctor will deliver her in our hospital. There will be no tearing and very little pain. I will push for 10 minutes. Baby girl will be 8lbs 2oz and 21 inches. Carter will be able to visit his sister in the hospital and will not try to push her off our laps or throw a ball, train, or block at her. Our family and friends will be able to visit throughout the weekend. We will go home on Sunday afternoon and have a big dinner and a glass bottle of wine.

Okay, I changed my mind. That's my birth plan. I'm sure I won't be disappointed at all...

Your Three Words

My local Rita's stand opened up this week and I was so excited to get that first taste of heaven for the season. They even have a lot of new flavors this year, including "Swedish Fish" {which is a type of candy... for those that aren't in the East Coast/Philly region... I had no idea this yummy goodness was not available every where} "Florida Orange" and "PEEPS"... ya know, like the little marshmallow Easter candy that some people go crazy for.

The three that are above in the picture are Swedish Fish, my all-time favorite- Mango, and a Mocha Ritaccino. Yum.

Carter even had some {okay, almost a whole small} and absolutely LOVED it. I think he must remember it from when I was pregnant with him and I ate gallons of mango water ice at a time...
...nah, that can't be it.