{Personal-Baby Time} What to Pack for the Hospital

I am 38 weeks pregnant as of yesterday and these past few days, I have been nesting like CRAZY!! I've had a surge of energy to get things done and I can now say that I am ready whenever little Lyla is! 

One of the tasks that has been completed was packing the bag for the hospital. I made a little list of items that I needed which I will share here.

First, I decided to pack my new diaper bag from Seaport Stitches as my hospital tote since it's big enough to hold everything. Plus, it has 6 pockets total which helps with organizing the essentials! 

For toiletry essentials, I packed a zippered pouch with items that will help me feel refreshed after the child-bearing tasks that leaves a momma feeling and looking tired. I remember after having my son how much of a wreck I felt like and when I looked at photos with everyone who came to visit, I definitely saw it as well. This time, I wanted to be a little more prepared so some of the toiletries I packed are:

*Burt's Bees Facial Wipes

*Burt's Bees Moisturizing Lip Balm

*Cetaphil Face Wash & Face Lotion

*Mascara & Eyeliner

*Face Powder (not pictured-in bag)

*Comb & Hair tie

*Contacts & Solution

*Deodorant

*Eye Glasses (not pictured)

For baby, I know the hospital provides just about everything but I wanted to bring an outfit for our Lyla Rose to come home in as well as a floral crown I made her the other day. P.S. I may be adding more of these baby floral headbands to the shop upon reopening! 

For me, I am definitely coming home comfortably! Sweats, a tank, socks, slippers (not pictured), a soft nursing bra, clean undies (obviously not pictured) and nursing pads it is! Since I will still be sore and look 5 months pregnant, there's no need to be fancy here. 

Don't forget daddy too! He should bring at least one comfy change of clothes as well!

More essentials to add to your hospital bag:

*DEFINITELY a copy of your medical records (you will get them from your OB or Midwife)

*Insurance Card

*Photo I.D.

*Birth Plan (if you have one)

*Camera, Video Camera (I packed both)

*Phone & Charger

*Essential oils for relaxing (Lavender is a good stress reliever)

*A nursing pillow (the hospital provides pillows but if you feel more comfortable using your own for relaxing or a nursing pillow for breast feeding then go ahead and bring it)

*A towel (one that you don't care too much about) to lay down on the seat on your way to the hospital. That way, if your water breaks or you leak fluid, you're covered.

*Something to read since you will be at the hospital for a couple days after having baby

*Some money for vending machines if you wish

*A gift for older sibling(s). Since we are having our second baby, we want to bring a small gift for our Levi to help him feel included and remind him that he is just as special as the new baby. It will be a big day for him as well since he will become a big brother!

*A notepad or journal to document thoughts that are still fresh from a life changing experience

*A receiving blanket for baby to go home with (the hospital provides blankets but you may want to bring your own as you bring your new baby home)

*A car seat that's strapped in correctly. You don't have to bring it the first day you arrive if a family member can bring it to you later but you will need one correctly installed in your car before you are allowed to take your new baby home.

For the most part, the hospital provides everything you may need but it's always nice to be prepared with your own things. Just remember, you aren't moving into the hospital! You don't want to bring suitcases with you because not only will your space be limited but you also don't want the hassle of lugging everything in and trying to find something like your chapstick amongst several other items.

What are some essentials you recommend for the hospital?

Diaper bag by Seaport Stitches

We only have 2 weeks left until our due date!! So excited to meet our little girl SOON!

Lists and Prepping for Baby Number Two...help

It is now officially March-the month of my due date! The shop has been on vacation for almost 2 weeks now and this list is actually getting smaller and smaller! I just have a few things left to finish as far as the shop goes but soon, I will be tackling another list...the list of things to do to get ready for baby #2! 

So far, the laundry is done and hung up for Lyla Rose but I still have to find a dresser that will accommodate both hers and her brother's clothes, re-do the nursery wall (remember this? Well, all of the decor was knocked off the wall  by big brother and broken...so, I have to rethink things here). We also have a few things left to find which has been stored in the garage such as the bobby pillow, breast pump, etc and pack for the hospital trip! I just ordered a diaper bad from Seaport Stitches that I LOVE and can't wait to pack full of necessities because seriously, it's the cutest diaper bag (that totally doesn't look like a diaper bag)! I will be sharing more about it when it arrives in the mail soon. I also have to sanitize and clean, clean, clean! I've been so disorganized lately trying to race against time to get everything done so I have quite a bit of catching up to do.

Any pointers, tips, advice on prepping for baby #2?? Please, please, please!

{Personal} Little Peek of Baby Girl's Nursery

I am still in the middle of getting the nursery all situated for our little Lyla Rose on the way. She's due in March so the nesting has ensued once again.

Since the little lady and our 3 year old son will be sharing a room (at least for now) I'm trying to figure out clever ways to make it suitable for both a boy and girl yet still keeping a way to decorate specifically for each child. So far, they have their own decor above each bed with Levi having an archery/nature theme and Lyla having an eclectic/floral theme. I've been working more on the wall above the crib and I just finished her floral mobile yesterday.

Here's just a little beginning peek of baby girl's nursery. More to come once the other projects are done. 

What are some of your favorite nursery decor/projects? Any ideas for a shared room?

Welcome to the world baby Blayze

About a month ago, I threw a minion themed baby shower for a friend of mine who was pregnant with a little boy they named Blayze.

On the night of July 12, they went into the hospital after contractions started to increase and labor was in full swing. After dropping my son off with my mom and the husband off at work, I picked up Del Taco and headed straight to the hospital to await this little man. Since Jessica had dilated to a 7 before I arrived, I thought for sure she'd give birth within a couple hours but after getting the epidural, it turned into a long night but a peaceful one for mommy to be.

Here is their story.

These necklaces are sentiments of her grandmother, mother and father who are with her and baby Blayze in spirit.

Our baby pool.

At 7:19 am on July 13, 2013, Blayze Peter Ambrose McGarvey was born. He weighed 7lb 15oz and measured 19.5 inches in length.

Welcome to the world little Blayze. I can't wait to watch you grow up and give you lots of hugs and kisses along the way! 

Congrats to Jess and Ethan! Love you both. :)

My ever growing belly + our little man :)

Just about a year ago, my husband and I found out we were going to have a baby . About 11 weeks after that, we found out we were having a boy .
{Our little Levi}
During my pregnancy, I took tons of belly shots (as most pregnant women do) . I compared his height and his weight to different foods and recorded it by taking photos of the foods with my ever growing belly . I have compiled some of the photos from my weeks carrying our little man inside of me and I'm excited to share them! :)
It's funny when I think back at my early second trimester, I thought I was HUGE...& then I entered my last few weeks of being pregnant...I got HUMONGOUS...ENORMOUS...XXL! LOL
But that GIANT belly carried the littlest love of my life for 41 weeks and nutured him to become a beautiful healthy baby boy that we can call our own . :) We are so incredibly blessed .

On Dec. 2, 2011, our little guy entered the world weighing in at 6lbs 11oz and 20" long . That was the most amazing feeling in the world when my husband and I got to meet him for the very first time . It's really indescribable .
Here's little Levi...
from newborn to
now 8 weeks old :)
{Our Heart}

His {many} smiles :D

It really is completely life changing when you give birth and/or have a child . He makes me look at life differently and appreciate the smallest moments in life a little more .
I love you Levi Joseph

“Making the decision to have a child - it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ”
― Elizabeth Stone

Little Red Bow Tie :)

A couple of days ago, I created a little red bow tie for my little man who is now going on 7 weeks old! (::tear:: he's growing up so fast!) I thought he would look so cute with one on & boy was I right!? lol

& I didn't stop there! I also created a red bow for my hair to match him. There aren't many ways a mommy & son can match each other but I was determined! :D
...now to make one for my husband! lol

{Hope you are having a beautiful day!}

Buttons & Bow Ties!! {Sneak Peek}

My baby shower for little Levi is just around the corner! (Where the heck did the time go?!) With the help of my mom and mother-in-love :), the invites were finally all put together and sent out, the cake has already been ordered, & the decor is well on it's way to being completed (although there is still lots to do!)
This morning at 4am, little man kept kicking me non-stop after I rolled over and apparently woke him up...so...he made a point to wake me up & he sure succeeded! Since then, I have been working on projects for the baby shower this morning and I wanted to share a sneak peek at some of the details!!

{Buttons & Bow Ties}

{Enjoy}

:)












Some of my favorite quotes from baby books, songs, and nursery rhymes when I was a little girl.
There will be one in each of the centerpieces at each table :)