Here's What I've Been Doing....

Spending time with our sweet little boy!!

 

It was quite the surprise when he decided to join us at 37 1/2 weeks. We always thought he might come early, but we weren't expecting him that soon! Fortunately we were all ready to go, with a finished nursery and all of our new baby supplies.

 

He arrived January 26 at 12:14am after an lightning fast 5 hour labor. For those of us who were there, it was more like a 30 minute labor....but that story will come later.

 

I was determined to have him naturally, med-free. Everyone said I was nuts... but it was the most amazing experience, and if I did it again, med-free is the way to go!

 

Gray stayed with Papa, and they had just settled into bed when we called and said that he was coming NOW! Gray wasn't quite sure what was going on in those early hours...but here is our first family of 4 picture.

It was love at first site holding my little man. Gray was fascinated by this new little person.

She loves to hold and kiss him, and tells us all the time what she will teach him when he gets bigger. So sweet.

 

In Daddy's Hands

 

This picture melts my heart into a million pieces.

He wanted to make sure everyone knew that he was a birthing expert...

I will never get tired of kissing that sweet little face.

 

Our family is complete. Perfect.

I can't wait to continue to share my adventures in Mommyhood with you, now as a mother of TWO.

It's Baby Time...maybe

The bags are packed and sitting by the door....just in case.

Hubby informed me that he'll pack right before we leave. This makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. At least I know Gray and I will have what we need. 

 

I'll be MIA for a while, but when I come back, there will be a new little man in the house!

34 Weeks

At 34 weeks, we decided it was time to squeeze in one last belly photo shoot because you never know when babies will decide to make their appearance! I've told little man to keep cooking a few more weeks, but we all know how kids listen.

 

Of course, we had to get a couple of family shots and some of just goldilocks too! Isn't this one gorgeous?

His name was almost too long for this shot. Either that, or I don't have a long enough belly.

I was glad we had enough blocks to spell it out!

This is hands-down my favorite picture. I love that her little face is squished right into my belly. She's going to be the BEST big sister.

This picture is a close second on my favorites. She always tells me

"I have a baby in my belly too!"...so I told her to show me!

Our family of three will be growing by two feet soon!

Now that's a BIG round belly. Little man is running out of room in there.

I'm a little sad that this is the last time I'll be pregnant and feel those little miracle kicks, jabs, rolls and hiccups. I am thrilled though to know that our little family will be complete with our little girl and boy.

 

The nursery is done (pics to come soon) and we're waiting....hopefully just a few more weeks and we'll get to hold that sweet little boy.

{Tutorial} Heat Therapy Bags

If you've never used a rice bag, then you have been missing out! I was given one of these during my first pregnancy, and I use it every. single. day. even when not pregnant for pain relief, and therapeutic heat!

 

They are perfect for Mommy's aching back, legs and feet, or wonderful to add a little warmth to your baby's crib before you lay them down at night.

 

I'm going to show you how to make a channeled rice bag. The sewn channels make the bag easier to use, because the rice stays in place, rather than falling all to one side. It also makes the bag easy to roll into a log-shape to put under your neck.

 

Let's get started!

 

Materials:

 

1/2 yard cotton duck fabric

2.5 lbs uncooked rice

sewing things

Start by cutting your cotton duck into a rectangle 20" x 18". Fold the rectangle in half, right sides together, to give you a 10" x 18" rectangle.

 

Sew down one short side and the long open side, with a 1/4" seam allowance.

 

Clip the corners, but don't cut the stitching!! Turn your bag right side out and poke out the corners. Topstitch around the three closed sides. This will reinforce your seams so no rice will come out!

 

Now we'll sew our channels. You can measure, or just eyeball it and hope for the best. You'll sew two long lines of stitching from one short end, to the open end of the bag. Sew them so that your three channels are pretty evenly spaced.

 

Using a funnel, begin to fill your channels with rice. Use at least 2.5 lbs of rice, but no more than 3. You want the rice to be able to move around and have a flexible bag. Your bag will look about 2/3 full.

 

Now, fold over the open side at least 1/2".

 

Then fold down again, and pin. Stitch across the fold at least 2 times to make sure it's secure. You could use a pretty stitch if you want to.

 

Then, your heat therapy bag is complete!

You can roll it up, or use it flat.

 

And they look so pretty too. You won't mind leaving it out! Unlike those plug-in heating pads.

 

Directions for use:

 

Place your heat therapy bag in the microwave in 30 second intervals until the desired heat is reached. Lay it on your aching neck, back, etc. for comfort.

 

For use with babies and children, do not exceed 1 minute and only lay it on their bedding to warm it. Do not place the bag directly on children or babies.  

 

The rice will stay warm to the touch for up to 1 hour, but will cool gradually, making it safer than electric heating pads.

 

The bags can also be placed in the freezer if you want a cold bag, but I'm not patient enough to have tried this yet.

 

DO NOT GET THE BAG WET

Remember...it contains rice. If you get it wet, you'll have to add new rice and sew it up again.

 

*Happy Crafting*

Baby Showers

A few weeks ago we held a baby shower for my cousin, who is having her first baby...a little GIRL!

She is due on Christmas Day...you can't wrap that one up!

No baby shower these days is complete without a diaper cake.

Tutorial on the "No Roll" diaper cake coming soon....part of the "Becoming Mommy Series" right here!

My cousin-in-law made these precious centerpieces. A baby-ism for each letter of the alphabet.

All of the ladies of the family helped out, from getting invitations done, to prepping food, to stacking cupcakes on towers!

A little bump comparison!! I'm two months behind with my baby BOY!

Those cupcakes were deeeeeelish!

Her {HEART}

By birth or by marriage....there's a lot of love with these women!! 

I'm not quite sure why Aprile and I are so far apart....

Will Kaileigh hurt me for putting this picture into the universe???

I'm willing to find out!

 

There's sooooooo much more shower and mommy/baby goodness to come over the next few months. 

Stay tuned!

22 Weeks

We have sailed past the halfway point in this pregnancy. I cannot believe how fast it is flying by! Maybe it's because I have two more friends who are pregnant, or because it's football season, or because the holidays are coming up, but I feel like I have NO time left to get ready for this baby, and I haven't even started yet!

Fortunately, we DID find some time to take some pictures. I've heard that baby #2 gets slighted in the picture department because all of the attention was on the 1st baby. I think this one will be the opposite. With my favorite camera in my bag everywhere I go, I don't miss an opportunity for picture taking. 

Hubby was kind enough to take some belly shots for me last week! He's getting much better at using my camera!

 

Even though the wall is crumbly and dingy...that's what I love about it! I've been telling him for weeks I wanted to take some pictures there. 

 

Brownie points for anyone who can name where this wall is!!

 

Hubby didn't like the "haze" in this picture, but I think the sun flare is perfect!

 

I didn't take many belly pictures with Grayson, so I want to make sure I get these while I still can. 

Baby Update: 19 weeks

Baby is now 19 weeks and growing fast! These pictures are from 18 weeks...I'm a little late posting.

I feel a LOT bigger than I did with Gray, and this one is definitely a lot lower than she was. I'm starting to feel little kicks and movements, definitely the best part of being pregnant!!

Low, LOW bump!

My little basketball. Though, with our DNA, he probably won't be a basketball player. Hubby and I were skipped with the height gene.

Love, Love Love this picture.

Gray is giving her brother a hug. She won't let anyone else touch my bump but her! She pitches quite a little tantrum if her Nana or Daddy try to touch the bump.

She's going to be a great big sister. Just a few more months to find out.