39 weeks.

How Far Along: 39 weeks. Fingers crossed this is our last weekly update! I tell Layla every day, today would be a beautiful day to be born! 

How I'm Feeling: Anxious..impatient..so ready to meet this sweet girl! I don't think Dylan and I could find one more thing to clean in our house. I usually end up re-cleaning things on a daily basis! Physically, my back is killing me when I wake up in the mornings, Dylan has been really great about giving me a back rub almost every night. Layla is so low down, I definitely waddle around the house now.  I keep telling myself, just enjoy these last few days..it's our last time as just the 2 of us for the rest of our lives. 

Weight Gain/Loss: Approx. 28 pounds overall...

Cravings: I've been going crazy with the Vitamix! I'm loving my daily smoothies. 

Gender: Girl...

What I Miss: Not much. I miss my pre-baby body and have been trying to figure out plans for getting back into shape..but, one thing at a time! My main focus is getting this girl out safely and into our arms!

What I'm Looking Forward To: LABOR! As of last week, I was completely effaced and have just been waiting on some real contractions to help get this show on the road. I'll go tomorrow to check my progress. 

I can't wait to see and meet her. I can't wait for us to experience the moment we've been imagining since the day we found out we were expecting. I can't wait to be a mom & see Dylan be a dad. I know our lives are about to change more than we even know!

I moved some of our hospital pack list into the car..maybe it send some vibes out into the universe. 

Weekly Wisdom: Be prepared to feel like everyone around you is poking the bear (the bear being you) at this point. Everyone is anxious for baby, but NO ONE is more anxious than YOU. Patience is thin at this point as you feel like you're waiting all day every day for baby to decide to come and there is really nothing you can do to speed things along. No, I don't know when she's coming. No, my doctor can't tell me either, trust me I wish she could. 

And God forbid someone tells you they bet you'll go past your due date or that baby will be late. Don't you wish that evil on me Ricky Bobby, don't you wish that evil on me!

Dylan will accidentally slip up and tell people I have longer to go than I really do and I am quick to snap and correct him. On our date night, the owner of the restaurant was asking about the baby and when I was due, and he gave me a week longer than I have. You would have thought he had hurled the biggest insult at me. How dare youuuu....

Seriously..if you suggest even one day past my due date, I will be mentally cursing you while smiling on the outside. Yes, I know she could realistically come later..but don't send those vibes into the universe!  

Anyways, here how we've been spending our last few days...

I spend every day feeling like I'm going to pop.

Breastfeeding class: Yes, I got to mock breastfeed this creepy baby.

Dylan getting BabyWise'd.

Wilmington bound for what we hope would be our last date night!

Packed & Ready:: Hospital Bag Pack List

I've spent a lot of time comparing different blogger's list of "must pack" lists along with "you think you need to pack, but don't waste your time" lists. I'm a self proclaimed over packer. Anytime we go on trips, I always take entirely too much! Packing for the hospital is no different, especially when I'm taking a baby into consideration. I feel like, better safe than sorry when it comes to this pack list. I'm sure half of what I pack will be pointless but hey, it makes me feel better to have it so..there.

So yeah..this has been sitting in waiting in our hallway for about a week now. I'd like to note that Dylan has yet to pack his bag because, as he says, it only takes him a second. Whatevs. I told him to at least have a stack of clothes ready so we aren't trying to figure out what he wants to bring with. I can't predict the future, in my ideal world I will be at home when I go into labor and we can leisurely grab our stuff on the way out of the door after I've done my hair and makeup, but who knows. I'm packed like baby is going to be half-way out when it's time to go. Yes, I know that won't happen but this is also coming from the lady vacuuming out her fridge a few days ago.

So, here's my pack list for myself, Dylan, & for baby...

My Bag Includes...

Clothing:

• A button-down nightgown
• (2) pairs of yoga pants (I read that tighter, stretchy material helps hold those humongo pads in place).
• 2 nursing tanks
• 2 nursing bras
• maternity zip-front hoodie
• 4 pairs of larger size, stretchy boy short style underwear (my hospital provides the mesh undies but not sure how many pairs they will give).
• 2 pairs of socks
• Cheap pair of flip flops for walking around
• "Coming home outfit" - a tunic & maternity leggings.

Toiletries (all travel sized):

*side note: Target has a great travel size section.

• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Hairspray
• Mouthwash
• Floss
• Toothbrush/Toothpaste
• Razor
• Shaving Cream
• Body Wash
• Face Wash
• Wet Facial Wipes
• Deodorant
• Make Up

For make-up, I knew I would want to take pictures once the initial chaos is over and we are settled in our postpartum room and after my shower for before we head home. I don't want to haul my entire makeup stash to the hospital for a lot of reasons, one being I doubt I'm really going to feel like doing a full make up application. 

I stumbled across this "One Hot Mama" kit from Bare Minerals and thought it would be the perfect gift to myself to take to the hospital. For starters, I love Bare Minerals! Also, it came in a cute case that's easy to throw in my hospital bag. My plan is to throw my foundation into the case when it's time to go, and I should have the basics for what I'll need at the hospital. I expected for the mascara/lip gloss to be travel size for the price, but I was happy to open and see everything is full sized! I'll use all of this once I'm home as well, so for $40 I feel like it was a good purchase.

I have a "Last Minute" list sitting on top of my bag for things I can't pack until we know we are heading out. The list includes things like:

• Hair Dryer
• Flat iron
• Round brush (I have to have one when blowdrying my hair)
• Prescription medications 
• iPad 

Miscellaneous:

• Nursing pads (your hospital may provide these, ours didn't mention them)
• Lanolin cream
• Prenatal vitamins 
• Protein bars
• Pens
• Quarters for vending machines
• Phone/iPad Charger
• Pillow with colored case
• Towel (colored) for shower (our hospital said their provided towels are small and probably what you would expect from a hospital)
• Belly Bandit

Apparently, Belly Bandit is the bee's knee's. We heard about if from a friend who said it was amazing. It seemed like a vain thing to add to the hospital list, however I'm taking it with me. It's benefits can be found here. 

I'm planning on wearing it home from the hospital. 

Daddy Pack List includes...

• Pajamas (basketball shorts/T-shirts)
• Change of clothes
• Hoodie
• Rainbows/flip flops
• Travel size toiletries: shaving cream, razor, toothbrush/toothpaste, deodorant, body wash
• Pillow with colored pillow case
• Blanket
• Towel (colored) for shower
• Books
• Protein bars 

Pack List for Baby Layla:

• Carseat
• Blanket for the ride home
• Breast Pump
• Boppy nursing pillow
• Pacifiers (some hospitals provide these, our hospital does not)
• Noodle & Boo  wipes for "monkey showers"
• California Baby lotion
• Nail clippers
• Hair brush (she may need some styling before heading home..ha)
• (2) hats
• (2) infant gowns
• (2) pairs of scratch mittens
• (3) pairs of socks
• (2) "Coming Home" oufits. Packing two outfits came as a suggestion from the nurse at our maternity open house, in case the one special outfit gets thrown up/pooped on. 
• Aden + Anais swaddle blanket
• Headbands (for pictures)

*We are not packing diapers/wipes as these are provided by the hospital. 

So, there ya have it. I'll either be so grateful I packed how I did, or I will look back and laugh at how ridiculous I was. My list is based on the fact that I know I will have at least a 2 night stay regardless of vaginal delivery/c-section because I tested positive for Group B Strep (requires that baby is monitored for additional 24 hours after delivery).

Now, we just need our girl to come... 

38 weeks.

How Far Along: 38 weeks! We are two days away from starting the 10 day countdown to her due date! Ultrasound confirmed that she is head down and ready to go! The waiting game is in full effect...Our hospital bags are packed (it looks like we're moving in for a week) and waiting!

How I'm Feeling: Impatient! It's so ironic how we spend the majority of pregnancy praying that baby stays put and then to shift to being totally fine if baby comes. I know that every day she stays in she is growing stronger, but I admit to still be antsy! I'm not sure if anyone is ever completely "ready" for baby, but I feel like we are as ready as we could ever be.  Some days I feel like she's gearing up for action, other days I wonder if in true Layla fashion she will make us wait. She will come when she's ready so I guess I'll just sit tight and try and soak in time with Dylan while we still have the chance. 

Her given weight estimate was 7lbs 1oz at our ultrasound..but that could vary up or down by 17oz (yikes!). She has dropped down low into my pelvis and I feel all of that weight pulling on my back for sure. I've had constant Braxton Hicks contractions over the past two days or so...However, other than the back pain I really can't complain! 

Weight Gain/Loss: Total weight gain up to this point is 27lbs. I feel very fortunate to have gained steadily throughout this pregnancy. I'm already mentally calculating where that weight is being carried/what I'll have to lose to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight. One thing at a time...lets get this girl out first!

Cravings: I've had a lot of chocolate this week! However, I'm grateful that my want for smoothies is back. We headed to Sams Club this past weekend to load up on frozen fruit, spinach, and carrot juice for smoothies. Yum! We decided to invest in a Vitamix which I am so excited about! I can't wait to start juicing and making smoothies. I know Dylan will put it to alot of use, and I'm looking forward to using it down the road to make Layla's baby food. 

Gender: Girl...I can't imagine how much we are going to love her (we already do!)

What I Miss: I really don't miss much. I feel that I'm so focused on everything coming our way, there's no time to miss anything!

What I'm Looking Forward To: Meeting our girl! I'm excited to attend the breastfeeding class we have at the hospital tonight. Crossing my fingers for some good information! I'm glad Dylan is coming with me..I know I will need a lot of support in the beginning!

Weekly Wisdom: The "nesting"  instinct is real! I was literally vacuuming out my refrigerator the other day and today I reorganized the spice cabinet. I've become a total germ/dirt/clutter-phobe but it's a great distraction. Dylan and I worked so hard to get everything completed about 2 weeks ago which has allowed this time to relax (kind of) and really finish up small/random tasks before baby comes. Do I feel crazy vacuuming my couch every day? Not really (especially with our dogs), but I'd rather have this spare time to be nit picky rather than scrambling at the last minute. 

Oh, and something I am so glad Dylan pushed me into doing is to make a hair appointment! One day I looked in the mirror and realized I had about a zillion gray hairs and my roots were so outrageous. I knew I needed to go get it done but hated to spend the money. However, I am so glad I went ahead and got my color and cut. I figure it's easier now to go than once Layla is here. 


Anddd just because getting her curtains hung was such a fiasco, ta daaaaa....

My inner curtain nazi is happy now. 

Project Nursery.

The nursery. I see women (myself included) pinning nursery ideas long before baby is even created. It seems so overwhelming at first! I think there are so many reasons God makes pregnancy 9 months...one being there are so many details to decide on within those seemingly long months of waiting.

To each their own but I for one am not a "theme" type person. I knew I wasn't going to pick out the prefab sets sold at the big box stores because I wanted her room to feel collected rather than bought and not "over the top" babyish.

I found my color palette inspiration from Pinterest:

I think deciding color (or theme if you're going that route) is key, especially if you plan on shopping flea markets/TJ Maxx, etc. Once I knew my color and overall feel that I was going for, it was less overwhelming for me to keep an eye out for little things whenever I was out shopping.

Pinterest was my go-to when it came to nursery inspiration. I used this pin as a general guide:

I wanted her room to be feminine and sweet without being an explosion of PINK. Mainly because I knew once a lot of her clothes and accessories were introduced to the room, it would add a lot of color...plus, I also just really love using neutrals and adding in pops of color rather than the color be the main focus.

For wall color, we went with Benjamin Moore "Stone Hearth"

This is my "thank GOD the room is finally painted so we can decorate" face. We were on stand still until the painter could come and I was entirely too antsy to wait around much longer. Nothing bugged me more than walking past her room and seeing everything in piles.

I'm not even sure the paint was completely dry before we busted out the crib to put it together. 

The nursery was pretty bare bones at this point, but having a place that she could sleep made me feel so much better! 

Next up: Project fluff & hang the Pom Poms...

I had purchased pre assembled pom poms from Pretty with Sprinkles on Etsy. As much as I love decorating, I admit to having zero patience. I know it's less expensive to make your own pom poms but, just fluffing 15 of these suckers was enough for me. If you have the money to splurge, I would recommend her shop. She has a huge selection of colors and they came packaged so cute! 

Dylan was such a trooper hanging the poms. I know I've been driving him crazy with my insane nesting/OCD requests and habits but he's been so patient with me and lets me just be a crazy neurotic first time momma. 

To go above her dresser, I ordered this gold print from another Etsy shop; fine and dandy paperie

Then, added a few flea market finds to go on the shelf, along with monogrammed shoes from my best friend/Layla's Aunt Sarah...

My last DIY project for the nursery was to create a monogram for above her crib. I found this antique painted frame at a flea market a few months ago and felt it would be perfect to add a monogram to. I purchased inexpensive wooden letters from Hobby Lobby, painted them metallic gold, painted a layer of subtle gold glitter, added a sweet fabric flower and there ya have it..

All in all, doing a nursery doesn't have to break the bank. I tried to be extremely frugal and it was actually a lot of fun. For some people, searching for pieces isn't fun but for me it's a lot more fun than going and picking out a (sometimes) chintzy nursery set from a big box store. It also gave me something to do while Dylan was deployed.  

TJ Maxx/Marhsalls are usually my "go to" stores before I spend retail on anything. I found these storage bins that go perfectly with my color scheme. I think from smallest to biggest they were $7/9/12. I'm using them to store extra wipes/blankets in. Love them!

Etsy, TJ Maxx, Amazon, flea markets and receiving items from our registry helped to create the whole room for a lot less than if we purchased everything from a retail store. Finding good deals on some stuff allowed for a few splurges when we really couldn't find what we wanted. We quickly realized that if something is designated for "baby" it seems to double in price! 

Baby furniture is OUTRAGEOUSLY priced...like, hurts me to think about it. I found her dresser at a flea market for under $200 and I love it so much more than the basic white dressers I've seen in retail stores. We added some patterned drawer liners and it fits everything perfectly, even her cloth diapers managed to all fit into one drawer.

Anyways...her nursery is pretty much set to go, which is an amazing feeling. For so long I never thought we would have enough time to get everything done! I love walking into her room and seeing everything ready and waiting. Due to a hardware screw up at Ikea (my fault), we are having to wait to hang her curtains which is driving me nuts. I am like a curtain nazi and feel like a room isn't complete until there are curtains. 

We also have very generous friends of my mom who offered their glider to us for a fraction of it's original purchase price. I am so excited to get it here, unfortunately it's stuck in Atlanta until someone can bring it up when they come to visit after Layla's birth. 

So now, the wait is on for baby girl to make her arrival! I am one anxious mamma!

Crib: DaVinci Jenny Lind

Crib Skirt: Land of Nod

Crib Sheet: Aden + Anais

Changing Pad Cover: Aden + Anais

Pom Poms: PrettywithSprinkles

Gold Print: fineanddandypaperie

37 weeks.

How Far Along: 37 weeks: Layla is considered full term and could be born safely at this point. So crazy. She will continue to gain weight until she decides she's ready for her big debut! We have a growth/position ultrasound on Friday so we will get a weight estimate and also check in to see whether she decided to flip to the head down position.

How I'm Feeling: In disbelief that we are at this point! I spent so much time praying that Layla wouldn't come early because we had so much still to do. At this point, her nursery is ready and waiting, the car seat is installed, we waved goodbye to our 2-door Accord and now have a 2014 Jetta for our second car...things that all seemed like they were never going to happen in time! It's surreal to know that if I were to go into labor it would be okay. I am so anxious to meet her!

Physically, I'm really starting to get uncomfortable. My back is so tight and sore when I wake up every morning and getting up and down is challenging. I feel like my energy is still high considering how close we are to her due date. She must have "dropped" because I went from downing Tums after every meal to not needing them as often. Whew...holy acid reflux/heartburn! 

My bellybutton fought the good fight but it has finally accepted defeat and my innie is an outtie for now. 

As of this past Friday my cervix has begun to thin, no dilation at that time, and based on a physical exam my midwife believes that Layla may have flipped and is no longer breech. Ultrasound this week will confirm.

Weight Gain/Loss: This past weigh in was interesting. I was shocked when the scale was +7lbs at my appointment! I told Dylan, something has to be going on..because I knew Layla didn't gain that much weight and I certainly didn't feel like I would have packed on 7lbs in 2 weeks. (Warning: TMI ahead). Lets go with, constipation has been no friend of mine over the past few weeks which I knew was a common symptom. Apparently, it was more severe than I realized. While my midwife was checking for dialation/effacement she immediately asked if I was having bathroom issues. Apparently I truly am full of shit (no pun intended..ok, maybe a little intended.) But, for real..it's severe. So..the extra weight "gain" was explained. Lets all cross our fingers this next weigh in reflects all of my Miralax, Colace, and enema (yes, an enema..yikes!) efforts. The joys of late pregnancy...

Cravings: If it's edible, chances are I want it. My appetite has increased for sure. I feel like I need to eat as healthy as I can to give Layla as many nutrients in these final days, not to mention I've tried to really up my fiber intake.  

Gender: Girl ...we are so close to meeting her, I can't wait! 

What I Miss: Not much...

What I'm Looking Forward To: We have a maternity photo session this Saturday and I'm really excited to have professional photos made! We haven't had actual pictures since our wedding and I absolutely want to remember this time in our life. 

Weekly Wisdom: Even though I feel huge, I do recognize that I am smaller than some women at this stage. (Everyone carries their baby differently!)It never fails when a stranger asks when I'm due, I say the 25th, and with jaws practically dragging the floor they say, "of this month!?!/you don't look like it, honey" and part of me is still so annoyed by it. I think part of me assumes they are probably thinking "something must be wrong with the baby's size" and although I know that she is perfectly healthy and normal, it still bugs me to see people's reaction. It's been my advice in the past, but you really just have to let people's comments roll off your back. Pregnancy is really the only time people feel like they can comment on your size and it's just bizarre. I've just learned to smile and say something like, yup she likes to hide out in there but she's doing great! And mentally roll my eyes.