Baby Shower Highlights...

Just wanted to share a few photos from my baby shower last weekend. It was so special for the fact that a few of my close friends took it upon themselves to throw the shower for me. After planning my own baby shower with Emery, I was so excited to be stress free with this one.

A HUGE thank you to: Nikki McClanahan, Amy Lawless, Lindsey Hines, Jessica Wilson and Jenny Oakes! You guys blessed my socks off!! :)

This chick-a-dee is ready to be a big sis! 

Nautical Cupcakes with Swedish fish on top! So cute! 

The Party Squad

Moms just wanna have fun (minus Jessica HA!)

This lady means the world to me! 

Emery was a little excited over her Frozen dress

Oh my word these are amazing!!! 

Can't forget our baby mama photo! Tradition LOL                                      

Thanks ladies for a wonderful shower! 

Baby Eli, your family is very excited to meet you!! :)

35 weeks and counting...

Holy moly where has time gone! I can not believe I am already 35 weeks pregnant! Baby Eli will be here in no time which means I need to kick it into overdrive!

I feel about the same as I did last week, although I can feel that he is getting bigger by the day! It's getting harder to do daily tasks. Bending over is almost impossible now a days. 

Still craving water 24/7 and going to the bathroom at least 4/5 times during the night is the new norm for me.

Heart burn is of the devil. Just saying. The old wives tale that says if you experience a lot of heart burn while your pregnant means your baby will be born with hair, is a lie. I had horrible heart burn with Emery and she looked like a naked mole rate, not a sprig of hair! HA! We'll see if Eli is any different.

Hello swelling! My ankles, hands and face are slowly starting to swell. I always seem to swell more in the mornings and nights. I can still wear my wedding rings though which I'm thankful for. You wouldn't believe the awkward glares you get from cashiers when they see you aren't wearing a ring...no joke! It's crazy!

I am now ending this post because I'm so tired my little sausage-link fingers can barley type! Happy pregnancy! :)

Love this little cheese ball! 

Things to do before baby...

This may not be your average "what to do before baby is born" post. Of course we all know to make sure and get the "have-to's" done before baby comes, but I wanted to take a slightly different approach to this check-list.

This is a "self" check-list. Things that I want to do for myself before I give birth. Since this is my second rodeo I know that sometimes we as mothers neglect ourselves for various reasons. Whether it's time, money, or other obligations sometimes we get put on the back burner. So a couple months ago I made a list of all the things that I would like to do before I give birth. Some may think this is very self absorbed but after growing a human for 9 months I don't think there's anything wrong with having a little R&R.

Without further adieu, here is my self absorbed check list...

• Get a pedicure
• Get a prenatal massage
• Get a spray tan (it's winter time and I'm transparent)
• Buy new PJ's or gown for hospital
• Buy new house slippers (since a dog demolished mine)
• Shave my legs (your question, "why do you need this on a check-list?" My answer, "you've obviously never been pregnant") 
• Take a nap...during the day (game changer)
• Get someone to rub my feet (Does Emery count?)
• Have someone clean my house (any takers?)

So there you have it, my short list of to-do's before baby, mommy edition! Will I accomplish all of these, probably not. Am I going to try my hardest to live up these last few weeks of being a beached whale? ABSOLUTELY!!! 

Best places to shop maternity...

One challenge that comes with living in a small town is the lack of shopping. That's probably an understatement when it comes to my town but I'm feeling nice today. :) However, there have been a few places where I have scored some super cute maternity clothes. Note: I did not buy a single piece of maternity clothing while I was pregnant with Emery so this time around I treated myself a little more! What's wrong with that?!

1) www.oldnavy.com  I am head over heels for Old Navy's maternity clothes. I haven't had good luck finding a large selection in-store, so I always order online! Their clothes are so well made, comfy, and trendy; it's my go to place! And their baby clothes....don't even get me started! Right now, Old Navy has a great sale on their maternity clothes! I just ordered a dress for my baby shower for $18!!! That makes me want to do my happy dance!

                       

2) www.target.com I also love Target's selection of maternity wear. They are always on point with style! With Target, I have had better luck shopping in the store rather than online. I would rather shop in-store just so I can make sure the clothes fit well but I'm not opposed to online shopping every once in a while.

3) http://www.pinkblushmaternity.com/ Pink Blush Maternity is an online site that has super cute maternity clothes! They are a little more expensive on their "new arrivals" but I always shop their sale section and they always have some great deals! I actually ordered a bridesmaids dress from there website and it fit really well and only took a couple days to arrive. I was very impressed! Right now they have an online sale, 20% off your total purchase! Hop on that mommas!   



4) www.motherhood.com Motherhood maternity is also a great place. I haven't bought a lot from Motherhood but what I have bought is very good quality and fits well. Let's just say I ALWAYS shop the sale racks. HA!


When it comes to maternity wear my main thing is comfort and price! My theory is I'm only going to wear these items for a few months and then who knows if I'll ever wear them again! I like to buy simple pieces that I know I am going to wear a lot and then pair them with things I already have in my closet like a cardigan, blazer, or cute vest. That way I don't have to buy as many maternity pieces and still utilize what I already have. Happy shopping ladies!

34 Weeks and Counting....

Well it's another week down and one step closer to the big day. This week the only major change is that I have been having some major Braxton Hicks contractions. I'm actually having them as we speak, TMI I know.

I am hoping and praying that my nesting instincts will start kicking in soon or my house is going to be in bad shape. I've been doing a pretty good job on not letting it get too out of control but my problem is that when I start, I have to stop and rest my back every 10/15 minutes. So a job that would normally take me 30 minutes, now takes me 45 minutes to an hour. Grrr!!

I'm having a hard time refraining myself from buying things for the baby until after my baby shower. I would hate to start buying now and then get the exact same things for my shower. So, the plan is to become a buying machine after my shower this coming Saturday.

The nursery is....not done HA! But we're definitely making progress.

Still no major cravings except just food in general, oh and Snapple Peach tea (insert heavenly choir singing).

Other than that everything is pretty much the same. Heading to the doctor tomorrow to start checking for dilation. Holy moly, that's a huge reality check. I'm having a baby....SOON!!!

Happy Monday ya'll....smile, it's not that bad, promise! :)

Product Review- The NoseFrida

Check out the product that has totally changed my mommy life!!

             https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S_U6RlZ0gCw

Preparing for two...

Since the arrival of our second child is soon approaching, my husband and I really been thinking a lot about how life is going to be totally different. Many questions and concerns have been flooding my mind. How am I going to give both the amount of attention they need? How am I going to multitask? And will we ever have clean clothes again? The truth is, I really have no idea and with my mild OCD about planning, I really feel unprepared. Is it even possible to be prepared?!

As far as preparing our 2 1/2 year old daughter, Emery, for the change I hope and pray we are taking the right steps. Here are some of the things we are doing and are planning on doing to help her with the transition change. 

1. We talk about the baby constantly! There is not a day that goes by that we aren't talking about the baby. She is very familiar with his name and knows that he is going to come and see us very soon. We really try to incorporate that baby into most of our conversations. 

2. We tell her how wonderful of a big sister she will be. I'm a big believer in encouragement. I feel like if she is told she will be a great big sis, then she will think it, then act upon it.

3. We tell her of ways that she's going to get to "help" mommy with the baby. She gets so excited when I tell her she can help me feed, wash and change the baby. Even at two I can already see her motherly instincts kicking in, it amazes me! We even go as far as practicing with a baby doll.

4. I'm going to involve her in the baby shower. I know that it may not seem like a big deal, but I want her to feel involved in every aspect of the baby festivities. I also plan on getting her a "big sister" gift to open up at the baby shower just to make her feel special. 

5. This last tip, my good friend actually gave me and it made total sense. When Emery comes to visit us in the hospital for the first time I am going to have the baby in his bassinet instead of holding him. I didn't understand this concept at first but my friend said that Emery will less likely be territorial of me if she see's that he's in the bassinet and not in my arms. 

All in all I know that all children are different and they are all going to react different to a new sibling. Since I am an only child this is all a learning process for me as well. I know I can't fully prepare Emery for her new brother but with these tips and much prayer I am hoping for a smooth transition.

If you have any ideas or even stories please feel free to share in the comment box below!

Blessings!
Leah 

33 Weeks and Counting...

So since I am currently in the home stretch of my pregnancy, I thought I would give a brief update every Monday to document some of the "changes" that are taking place!

I have officially hit the brick wall of my 3rd trimester. My energy level has bottomed out and fatigue has kicked in full gear. Since this is my second pregnancy I know that these feelings only get worse the closer you get to the grand finale. Even with the discomforts, I'm trying to take it day by day and still make the most of it. Even though my body wants to lay dormant and eat Oreo ice cream, I'm determined not to get to that point just yet, maybe in a few more weeks.

As far as cravings, I really haven't had as many as I did with my last pregnancy. Here lately I have been craving Snapple Peach Tea's and WATER! I feel like I am morphing into a camel by all the liquids I have been consuming lately. It's safe to say I drink more than I eat! Now I'm to the point where I'm not eating much because there's not much room to put it. HA! I have noticed that I am getting miserably full, quicker.

I have been slacking in the fitness department lately. I had been experiencing major lower back and hip pain that started right at my 3rd trimester. After talking with my doctor I decided to go to the chiropractor to help relieve some of the pain and I'm happy to say that it has helped tremendously! Now I only have lower back pain when I'm doing things like cleaning, bending over a lot, and even riding in the car for long periods of time.

All in all I'm doing good and can't complain. I'm excited and anxious to meet our new addition. I'm mentally prepared but not quit physically prepared yet but hopefully will be soon.