Diaper Bag Essentials

I know, I know, I'm not officially a mom yet and I'm already telling you what you should have in your diaper bag. No, I have no idea what you might need in your diaper bag but after tons of research and countless hours spent with kids, these are the things I have in MY diaper bag, things I think are much needed and relevant.

1.Timi and Leslie Diaper Bag  2.Boogie Wipes  3.Hand Sanitizer  4.Gas Drops  5. Diapers  6. Wipes  7. Aden + Anais blankets  8. Paci

I won't elaborate on all of these items since most of them are essentials that all moms will carry anyway but I do want to talk about my actual diaper bag. I love, love, love it so much! I have had my eye on it for years, long before I was ever even pregnant. I saw a picture of Jessica Alba carrying it and thought how much I would love it but figured if she had it, there was no way I would ever be able to afford it. Turns out, it wasn't nearly as expensive as I had originally thought it would be. I love the size, the color, and all of the accessories it comes with. Best of all, it really just looks like an awesome, beautiful purse! It's definitely one of my absolute favorite gifts!

Other items that I have in my diaper bag:

Nursing Cover

Diaper Cream

Extra outfits

Lanolin

Eventually, I will need to add things like baby food (puffs, cheerios, etc), teethers, sunscreen, toys and a highchair/shopping cart cover. For now I'm trying to keep things to a minimum so I don't have SO much to carry around. Have a great week! I am counting down the days, only 11 to go!!!

36 weeks

How far along? 36 weeks
Gender: Boy
Total weight gain/loss? 22 lbs
Maternity clothes? Yes.
Miss anything? An icy cold beverage. This week has been SO HOTT!! I was in a restaurant last week and some stranger was walking towards my direction holding two drinks, some sort of vodka (I'm guessing) with a lime on the rim and I swear I drooled on the floor. This is a tough craving since it's totally off limits and I have no idea how the whole "pump and dump" thing works. We'll see how things unfold in a few weeks.
Movement? More than ever! And I feel really sad that in the last month I have started feeling him SO much and that will all be gone in a few weeks. Although, I CAN'T WAIT to hold him in my arms, I know I will miss feeling him squirm around in my belly. It's totally bittersweet.
Cravings? More Gatorade, freeze pops and ice cream. Anything coooold!
Food aversions? None.
Are you showing yet? This question is starting to seem irrelevant.
Symptoms? Back pain....this one is gonna stick around till the end. Is "nervous" a symptom? I'm totally starting to realize that next week I'm full-term and that things could start happening at any moment.
Looking forward to? Harrison's Arrival!! I'm so ready to meet him and see his little face!

My Pregnancy Must-Haves

I thought since my pregnancy was coming to an end soon that I would put together a list of my must-haves. Things that I couldn't have survived without or that at least made pregnancy as enjoyable as possible. Since I have had such a wonderful pregnancy, some of these may not be relevant to others, but here are the things I have needed most...

1. Freeze Pops 2. Dyson Vacuum 3. Beauty Counter Products 4. Starbucks Tumbler 5. Biofreeze 6. Tylenol PM

Yes, I am aware of how completely random  this list is. First, freeze pops have been so delightful during the last few HOT months of pregnancy. They are the perfect treat at the end of the day when I just want something cold and not too filling. Second, my Dyson vacuum has been life changing since I purchased it just 3 weeks before finding out I was pregnant. It was PERFECT timing. I have cut my cleaning time in half with this awesome vacuum. I use spend 25 minutes using a lint roller and the hose on my old vacuum trying to make sure everything was pet-hair free and now with this baby, it takes me about 5 minutes.  When you are tired and pregnant, you want the most efficient and quickest cleaning tools that are made and this is at the top of the list, I promise you. Third, Beauty counter skin care products. A friend of mine introduced me to this line about 6 months ago and while I was hesitant at first (as I am every time I try a new facial product) I was very intrigued that all of the ingredients were 100% safe to use during pregnancy. I thought, if for no other reason, I'll try because it's safe. Turns out, I LOVE EVERYTHING I have tried. I have never had bad acne but have always suffered from the occasional blemish 3 or 4 times a month. Since using the everyday and every night moisturizer, I have had only 2 (very small) blemishes in over 3 months. I have not used a product from this line yet that I don't love. Again, the most important part of this line for me was that is is so safe for me and my baby, it's just an AWESOME added bonus that everything works so well. Fourth, a Starbucks tumbler or any large tumbler for that matter. I love the Starbucks cups because they are big and durable. This is the particular one that I have and I just make sure I fill it up 3 times a day and I know I have had the recommended about of water for the day. Fifth, Biofreeze has been been heavenly on my lower back and hips. I was introduced to it during a massage and it is wonderful. I only use it at night right before I go to bed and it provides so much relief. Sixth, Tylenol PM...I don't think I would have survived the last few weeks without this one. I have had such a hard time sleeping with my back pain and this does just the trick and keeps me sleeping all night (in between potty breaks). I can take take this without any of the groggy side effects the next morning. Well, I think that was long enough to ramble on about random products that I am currently loving. Hope this helps some other pregnant ladies out! I'm just learning as I go and counting down the days at this point! Have a great week. 

35 weeks

How far along? 35 weeks
Gender: Boy
Total weight gain/loss? 21.4 lbs
Maternity clothes? Yes.
Miss anything? Still sleeping very little. God knew what he was doing when he created pregnancy, he is just preparing us for when our little ones come into the world.
Movement? Tons of rolling around.
Cravings? Strawberry Gatorade
Food aversions? None.
Are you showing yet? uh.. yea!
Symptoms? Low back pain, fatigue and some nausea. When I wake up some mornings I just feel a little "green". It's so strange, like last morning sickness at the very end?
Looking forward to? Hitting the "9 MONTH" mark later this week! Holy Moly!!!!

34 weeks

This is the latest I have posted so far, I'm almost half way through my 35th week and I'm JUST getting around to posting my 34th week. We have had SO much going on the last few weeks. I had a OB appointment last Tuesday which revealed that Harrison is indeed still breech. My doctor spent a few minutes talking about the options again; either performing the external version or doing nothing and scheduling a c-section. I left feeling SO overwhelmed. I called my husband and mom and couldn't even talk I was crying so hard. I know this doesn't seem like a huge deal to many people but I am so scared of making the wrong decision for my baby. If I were to go through with the version and put stress on the baby and his heart rate decelerates and I have to have an emergency c-section, I will be devastated to deliver early. I just didn't think I would be faced with a huge, life-changing decision. I am praying everyday about it and hoping that everything will work out just as God intends for it to. After getting through Tuesday, my husband and I made our weekly trip to the vet with our dog Penny who has been on antibiotics, anti-inflammatory meds and steroids for over 45 days due to some sort of apparently poisonous spider or insect bite. We went thinking we would leave in 10 minutes and the vet told us she would need to have a small surgical procedure right then. I. LOST. IT. completely... I could not deal with the thought it. We left her with the vet and luckily we were able to pick her up MUCH sooner than anticipated. It was a horrible, disgusting 3 days (with a wound drain that would make you want to vomit) but she seems to be on the mend! So THIS is way I'm so late posting my 34th week. I spent all weekend (literally) cleaning and organizing the house. I felt like if I didn't go ahead and do it, I wouldn't physically be able to in the next few weeks. I'm praying and definitely accepting prayers for a safe delivery of Harrison (and for myself), whichever way it may go and a FULL recovery for Penny for we bring our new baby home.

How far along? 34 weeks
Gender: Boy
Total weight gain/loss? 21 lbs
Maternity clothes? Yes.
Miss anything? sleeping.....shaving my legs like a normal human. Taking in a deep breathe!
Movement? Still rolling around alot, unfortunately still not in the right direction.
Cravings? Watermelon and cereal
Food aversions? None.
Are you showing yet? See above picture!
Symptoms? Low back pain, seems to just get worse.
Looking forward to? Putting the finishing touches on the nursery!

33 weeks

Yep... you guessed it, I'm an entire week behind again. At this point, I may never catch up, but I'm hopeful. Harrison is still breech as of last week, I go back to the doctor this week to see if he has moved at all.

I couldn't escape another scrub picture...

How far along? 33 weeks
Gender: Boy
Total weight gain/loss? 20.6 lbs
Maternity clothes? Yes.
Miss anything? Plenty... not being hot, not having back pain, sleeping normally. BUT, I know it's all 100% worth it!
Movement? More than ever! He is reallllly rolling around, however not in the right direction since he is still BREECH!
Cravings? Freeze Pops.
Food aversions? None.
Are you showing yet? Lord, yes!
Symptoms? Low back pain, pain while sleeping and seem to be getting more tired by the day.
Looking forward to? Hitting the "full-term" mark in a few weeks. It's a huge relief to know that IF I do go into labor that our little boy will be just fine!