Baby Stuff I wish I knew About...

These are 3 things I wish I had known about before I had Caroline!


1. Lucy Darling Shop
I wish I had know about her shop earlier. While I like my monthly stickers, I really would have liked to order the ones to match the Little Artist's Baby Book. I have a baby book by Carter's but the nurses got ink on the cover when stamping babe's hands and feet, andddddd I just happen to like this one better. So, I'll be ordering this one soon.

2. Vive la Fete!!!!!!!!!!! This shop has cute little smocked outfits and COLLEGIATE wear. I would have ordered this cute little number for newborn pictures. But, since I didn't know, I'm going to order her the bubble for the fall for football season:) #WDE!!!!!!!!!!!!

3. Jennifer Ann Style's blankets and onesies. I mean come on how cute is this blanket, and it even says Caroline. :) I definitely would have ordered these for her take home outfit! Right now, JAS's having a sale good through Sunday for 15% off. It's her last sale of the year. Use code 

JAStylesCoolKids

Hospital Bag for Mom to Be

So, this is my hospital toiletries bag. Yeah... I only used my face wash and the balm chicky balm balm lip balm. So, here's what I used for the 4 nights I was in the hospital.

FOR YOU: 

1. definitely face wash [makeup wipes if you use those], lotion, and chap stick
 **definitely do NOT forget chap stick. i read about lips getting chapped during labor, and it is so  
    true! i really like my balm chicky balm balm!

2. your baby book for hand/feet stamping

3. a loose pair of pajamas. i bought these because they were comfy, dark [in case you bleed on them], and something nice for when we had visitors. because when you have a baby, people ARE going to come see your little one:) Also, you might want to pack a take home pair of pjs. Make sure they are LOOSE. or make sure you pack some maternity pants to go home in.

4. nursing bras--i didn't end up using these, but they might come in handy if your milk comes in early. 

**make sure to pack a few nursing pads to go in the bra, just in case. i packed the samples i had 

    received from my welcome bags from various places

5. a boppy pillow--i didn't use one b/c i had my c-section, but i use it every day now at home. so, if you don't have to worry about that, it might come in handy for feeding:)

6. flip flops for the shower 

7. see if a restaurant delivers. saved my hubs. he didn't want to eat hospital food and Jimmy John's delivered straight to our hospital floor. 

8. pillow--i wish i would have packed my own pillow, but i forgot. 

9. phone charger and camera!

**take whatever the nurse will give you. we brought home extra mesh undies [loved these the first few days at home], pads, and the compression binder i wore in the hospital. 

FOR BABY: 

1. pack a few outfits just in case. originally i'd only packed a couple of outfits but am glad i packed like 4 since i ended up in the hospital for 3 days. plus, if your hospital is like ours, they have a photographer come out and do a little photo shoot. plus, you'll want to post pics on social media so make sure you have your outfits so your little one can look cute when you introduce him/her to the world:) Also, make sure you bring any accessories such a hat, bow, receiving blankets, etc. the hat they put on her didn't really fit her head. so i'm really glad i had brought my infanteenie beenie with me. it was really cute, and i was very pleased with my purchase. i bought the flower beenie below. SO SO cute!!! also, i was glad i brought my own receiving blankets because they used one as a backdrop for the photo. Use promo code THANKS for 20% off. 

2. my hospital provided everything else such as diapers, wipes, pacis, etc. Literally, we only needed to bring the outfits. Not to mention, my hospital provided burp cloths and these little plain white kimono tops. 

3. another thing you might now think of but probably need to pack is mittens. baby caroline grace came out with some sharp little raptor claws. so having the mittens kept her from scratching herself AND me. 

4. socks. if you aren't bringing footies/sleepers for babe to wear, make sure you bring socks so his/her little feet don't get cold. 

This is just my experience:) 

A Letter to my Unborn Child

**I started this post on 6/6/13**

To my Unborn Child, I see mothers posting a post each month describing their babies and writing them tidbits. What a way this day in age allows us to keep our memories. I am not sure when I will meet you, albeit in my womb or from the arms of the mother who so selflessly gave you up for adoption to me. I guess I'm writing you this letter because I want you to know how much we have wanted you. Unfortunately, my body has not made this process easy due to having PCOS. The doctors have put me on medication that made me nauseated all day for a month til my body became accustomed to it. Not to mention, it gives me another side effect that I'm not even going to mention. I am doing all of this just by chance it will help me have you. And doing this by chance in the hopes it gives me answers. If I'm not meant to have children, it will allow me to know adoption is our path. You see I just want you to know how much I can't wait to hold you in my arms.

**Finished on 5/12/15**
It's been almost 2  years since I started this post and a lot of things have changed. The medicine did nothing, yet I stayed on since it regulated something my body doesn't normally do on its own. So, in that respect, it did something. It just didn't do what I wanted it do-- give me a baby. So, we had to go through the IVF process to have you. I was nervous and scared and emailed someone I know that had gone through it before me. I remember in her email she said during her in vitro process she just kept thinking it has to work. It has to work. And I made that my mantra. It has to work. I'll never forget going in on the day of our transfer. I was more than nervous in that moment than any other in my life. And being 34 at the time, I'd had lots of moments. I had St. Gerard's prayer brought up on my phone, and I said the prayer for motherhood several times. During the transfer, I just clutched my patron saint, Saint Gemma Galgani, pendant and prayed. And, I just prayed.  The next step was just to wait... I'm not the most patient person when it comes to wanting to know something. Waiting makes me wonder if purgatory is real, how do those poor souls do it. How do they just wait? HOW.DO.THEY.DO.IT. But, they just do. And, that's what I did.

I tested early even though I wasn't supposed to. I'll never forget the first two tests were negative. I knew it was still early, so I didn't let it get me down *too much*. Then, I'll never forget that first time I saw the faintest second line. The next day it was darker, and then, I knew. I knew. I knew you were here. And I cried. I cried because I was so happy, I cried for all the women like me who felt defeat month after month, and I cried because now it was a whole different type of being scared. I cried because I didn't want to lose you. And, now here I type the rest of this letter on May 12, 2015, your due date. Obviously, you take after me on punctuality as you are just happy as a lark in my womb with no evidence of showing up today on time. But that's okay, I'm always late, and if you are too, we'll just both be late--together:)

I can't wait to meet you, Caroline Grace! You are already more loved by me than I have loved anything or anyone in this world.

Presidents' Day Hostess + 28 week Update

Last month, I was one of the hostesses for our monthly DAR meeting. Since it was the Saturday after Presidents' Day, we chose to use that as our theme. I think our table came out nicely!

We made sure to include a couple of cherry desserts to honor George Washington. Remember "Washington would not tell a lie when asked if he cut down the cherry tree." ;) Our desserts were mini cherry pies and chocolate covered cherries.  For my bumpdate, I took a bathroom pic before my meeting. ha!

**I think this is the week where my bump started to pop out for real**

how far along: 28 Weeks

size of baby: eggplant

gender: female

belly button in/out: out

weight gain: 14-15 lbs

maternity clothes: right now still trying to wear as many of my non-maternity tops as possible like this gap tee. however, they are starting to get too short as my bump is growing. thinking i need to get a few classic tops to hold me over til the baby comes. 

stretch marks: not yet *fingers crossed*

rings: on :)

nursery: bedding purchased. 

movement: feeling her kick a lot more. 

symptoms: heartburn and indigestion

sleep: still sleeping through the night. having to get up a few times but nothing major

best moment last week: still feeling her move is cool!

cravings: sour candy, sprite [try to not have it often], chocolate, salad

aversions: pb&j, bananas, grilled cheese

what I miss: coloring my hair, having anything BUT dry skin/scalp, gums that don't bleed, sleeping on my stomach

looking forward to: picking out pieces for the nursery, meeting our baby girl:)

27 Weeks

**this is the tired face. i had taught school all day and had parent-teacher conferences til 6:15 p.m.**
how far along: 27 Weeks

size of baby: rutabaga

gender: female

belly button in/out: out

weight gain: 14-15 lbs

maternity clothes: i'm still wearing as many of my non-maternity tops as i can

stretch marks: not yet, hoping it stays that way

rings: on :)

nursery: bedding bought, now need to look at paint colors

movement: moving around more since she's getting bigger

symptoms: heartburn/indigestion

sleep: still sleeping most of the night-probably get up about 2-3x 

best moment last week: feeling her move more!

cravings: sour candy

aversions: pb&j, grilled cheese

what I miss: soft cheeses, a cold coca-cola, being able to get in/out the car easily, wish my gums were back to normal, never thought i'd say i miss my oily skin--pregnancy has dried my skin out as well as my scalp:/

looking forward to: meeting our baby girl

First Piece of the Nursery

I have been mulling over bedding for a couple of months now. I felt like once we had the bedding picked out everything else would be so much easier! The first bedding we ordered was from Pottery Barn, and while it was pretty, I just felt kinda meh about it. Then, I started searching on etsy, and it kind of just got out of control. I finally decided spending $400+ on bedding is just ridiculous. But I'll admit, it's really hard to find anything that isn't covered in owls or butterflies, or isn't super trendy like chevron and what not. I just wanted something pink, girly, and feminine.

I finally decided to try PBK again, and I'm so glad I did. They were having a sale, so with tax and shipping we only spent right at $200. I did not order a bumper as we won't be using one, but I did get the crib skirt, quilt, matching pillow sham for pillow for the rocker, and I went with a white with pink polka dots crib sheet.

It came in, and it was exactly what I wanted. It's called the Ruffle Collection.

Now, just time to start picking up pieces and hoping it will all come together in the end! 

Bumpdate: 24-26 Weeks

Yikes, I haven't updated in like 3 weeks! I have made a pact with myself that I'm going to update/post here regularly. I'm sure lots of teachers can relate, but I feel like not only do I work a full time job during the day, but I'm constantly working on work at home too! I have a life, I need to take time for myself, I don't get paid overtime, it doesn't hurt to just say you know what I'm going to go home today and have some me time, some family time. So, that's what I've decided I'm going to do starting TONIGHT!

how far along: 26 weeks; tomorrow I'll be 27

size of baby: at 24- canteloupe; at 25- cauliflower; at 26-size of a head of lettuce

gender: female

belly button in/out: well, folks it's neither. my belly button was not an innie or an outie to begin with. it was like a mix inbetween, and now it just looks plain weird. ha!

weight gain: the past 3 weeks, I've stayed between the 11-12 lbs. 

maternity clothes: yes, but i'm still wearing some of my non-maternity shirts granted they don't fit the same, but they're working for me. ha!

stretch marks: none so far ^fingers crossed it stays that way*

rings: on :)

nursery: finally picked out bedding. 

movement: wow, the farther along i've gotten the more i feel her move. it's a weird but surreal feeling that there is a tiny human inside me. 

symptoms: heartburn:/

sleep: yikes! i wake up multiple times throughout the night to go to the bathroom which makes me so tired in the morning and leaves me feeling like i didn't get any sleep

best moment last week: when i could see my tummy moving!

cravings: orange juice, sour candy, ice cream [trying to keep these on lock down in moderation!], oranges

aversions: pb&j, bananas, apples, applesauce

what I miss: coloring my hair it's looking a hot mess, eating soft cheeses, the ease of getting in/out of cars, etc. 

looking forward to: my first baby shower next month!

And just in case you're wondering about my less than remarkable pregnancy fashion attire here ya go: 

Week 24

top: white tee [banana republic outlet; old; non-maternity]; grey open faced cardigan [NY&Co.; non-maternity; old]

pants: 7 for all mankind [original bootcut; maternity]

shoes: gap city flats [old]

accessories: Papers of Peace necklace-Be Free Revolution; sunglasses- NY&Co. [old]

Week 25

pajamas-Nick and Nora macaron pajamas from Target. They are sold out online, but I just saw a pair on clearance at my Target the other day for like around 9 bucks. These are seriously my new FAVE pjs, and I'm still wearing my normal size...well, with a little belly sticking out:)

Week 26

top: striped boyfriend tee [gap; old; non-maternity]; layering tank [target; liz lange maternity line]

pants: 7 for all manking original bootcut see week 24 for link

shoes: Sperry Topsider boat shoes

accessories: multi-glitter earrings [Kate Spade; sold out check ebay]; scarf-murfee in dress rehearsal print [Lilly Pulitzer; old]

23 Weeks

my bump finally popped out. what a difference 3 weeks can make. 


how far along: 23 weeks [in this pic 23+3 days]

size of baby: grapefruit

gender: female

belly button in/out: in-ish. ha

weight gain: around 10-11 lbs

maternity clothes: yes

stretch marks: no, and i hope it stays that way

rings: on :)

nursery: waiting on swatches for bedding

movement: kicking, moving around 

symptoms: none, feeling good

sleep: having to go to the bathroom more

best moment last week: feeling her move around in there

cravings: salad, sour candy

aversions: pb&j, bananas, grilled cheese

what I miss: coloring my hair, goat cheese, chili cheese coneys, subs, crab cakes, etc. i'm sure you can tell i'm hungry right now. lol. also, i miss little things like sleeping on my stomach, bending over with ease, getting in/out of the car easily, etc. 

looking forward to: getting things picked out for her nursery. looking forward to time flying by so we can meet her:)

21 Weeks:)

how far along: 21 weeks 

size of baby: the size of a pomegranate

gender: female

belly button in/out: in

weight gain: 7 lbs

maternity clothes: TBD... I'm out on my Christmas Break and while my jeans are getting a little too snug, I haven't tried on any work clothes in the past week. But I have been wearing leggings and yoga pants which are super comfortable. If only I could wear them to work. Ha!           

stretch marks: no

rings: on 

nursery: still pinning ideas

movement: still feeling kicks. will be glad when she has less room so they aren't so sporadic. 

symptoms: feeling good! been able to stay up later and watch tv:)

sleep: so far so good. just have to get up a couple of times to go to the bathroom

best moment last week: baby kicks

cravings: chick-fil-a chicken sandwiches with cheese, nachos 

aversions: pb&j, bananas

what I miss: being able to highlight my hair. it's a hot mess! i know most say it's okay in the 2nd trimester, but i'm just gonna wait. why stop the trifecta i got going on? ha!; being able to get a sinus cocktail shot

looking forward to: finally deciding on her name, picking out her bedding, my next ultrasound

It's a Girl!!!! :)

Guess it's time to explain why I've been gone from my little space on the interwebz for awhile...

I haven't been able to blog much due to being moved to a new subject this year, helping chair our yearbook club, working an afterschool program, not to mention going through my first trimester where all I wanted to do was catch some ZzzzZzzzzzzzzzzzs. 
I plan to be back with the cliche weekly bump-dates! It's been a long road but SO worth it!