Third Trimester Wrap Up!

Baby is the size of a winter melon!

Baby has officially reached full term but will continue to beef up each day she decides to stay in there! I am only 18 days away from my given due date but have already had several signs of labour starting so we could be meeting her any day now! As we impatiently wait for her arrival it feels so surreal that after all this time she's finally going to be making her appearance so soon!

 

SYMPTOMS: The third trimester has been the hardest by far, which I knew it was coming considering no one gets to sail through pregnancy! So I was fortunate to have two trimesters of easy-going so I had the energy to deal with this one. I was exhausted and didn't have any energy, my new Dr. found I was anemic so once I was put on iron supplements thankfully this changed! I stopped sleeping at night, a combination of it being impossible to get comfortable, overheating and the past two weeks I've been having contractions from about 10 PM-4 AM so I have to wait it out then my body crashes around 4 each morning and luckily I get to sleep in now to catch up on some much needed sleep. As of two weeks ago I have begun to dilate so technically I am in the first stage of labour, just waiting for the 'active labour' part to kick in so I can actually have her! 

CRAVINGS: One day I woke up and was just craving meat. . . being vegetarian for 15 years this was extremely bizarre. Before getting pregnant I'd talked about it with my husband and always said if I craved it or the Dr told me I needed to I would eat meat, because the health of our baby is more important than being vegetarian. The boy was so excited when we found out I was pregnant thinking it was time to share all his favourite meals with me, but I never craved it until now! (I almost made it home free) So after a week of this craving I gave in and ate meat. I don't think I've seen my husband grin as much as I did that day. And not going to lie, it wasn't that bad. It was soon after this we found out I was anemic, so my baby and I indeed did need some extra iron! It's obvious our little girl will be a meat eater like her Daddy but the jury is still out on what this Momma will do after she's here and my hormones balance back out again!

WEIGHT GAIN: I've been fluctuating the last couple of visits, but I've definitely gained a chunk! I think I'm done gaining since she'll be here anytime now, so the looming weight loss challenge is not far off in the distance. But as always as long as she's healthy it'll all have been worth it!

 MATERNITY CLOTHES: I caved and bought one pair of skinny maternity jeans as the weather started to turn a bit chilly. So I've been set between those and my maternity dresses paired with cardigans. Most days I lounge around in my husbands t-shirt and athletic shorts, but I have plenty of pieces that will last me through the last couple of weeks and until I start to shed the baby weight after! 

BABY IS A. . . : A Perfect Little Princess

BABY IS DUE: October 18th marks the end of the 40th week, but with early labour already here, it's hard not to think she'll be here a little sooner! 

BABY NAMES: We for sure have her name, and after much debate decided on a spelling we liked. Since we're horrible at secrets our families both now but we haven't officially announced it yet so stay tuned ;)

DO STRANGERS NOTICE: Yes! Taxi drivers even avoid potholes because they're probably afraid I'm going to pop! All my neighbors always ask if it's time yet every time they see me!

BABY BUYS: Our car seat is installed we have a sleeper by our bed for the first few months and the nursery is fully stocked, just waiting on her!

PREPARING FOR BABY: We've stocked up on easy to make food and I've even frozen some homemade meals so we can focus on the baby rather than meals, we have a supply of household essentials like paper towels, cleaner, soap, toilet paper and dog food so we won't run into any unnecessary errand runs!

A Few More Days to Go!!

DIY Owl Costume

A Simple Halloween Costume for Your Little Pumpkin

With the air starting to turn crisp it's finally starting to feel like Fall, I can't believe October and Halloween are just around the bend. And for me, Motherhood! My little one is going to be here any week now so I wanted a simple fun DIY costume I could make for her while I (not so) patiently wait for her arrival! 

Here's What You'll Need:

• A onsie in the colour of your choice
• At least four varying colours of felt (don't have to match your onsie-mine didn't!)
• Scissors
• Pen
• Needle & Thread or hot glue, whichever you prefer

Let's Get Started:

1. We're going to make the top 'tuft' of feathers. Lay the felt of your choice over the neck of your onsie. Trace the neckline on to the felt, under the neck seam and up to the top of the shoulders. Make a wavy line underneath or however you prefer and cut out! *TIP: only draw half of the bottom then fold in half and cut so it's perfectly symmetrical.  
   
   
   
   
   
2. Next, cut out little 'feathers' from the varying colours of felt. Mine were about an inch wide and I had 17 feathers. 
   
3. Arrange them on your onsie fanning out as you go in the order of your liking. You can pin them into place once you settle on a design and stitch across the top of each to hold them into place or hot glue them down. *TIP: If you're using glue make sure to put a piece of cardboard or something on the inside of the onsie so the glue won't seep through to the other side.
   
4. Next, tack down or glue three little feathers on the backside to make a cute little tail  
   
5. Accessorize as you wish and you're all done!

I accessorized with a knit owl hat from The Daisy Baby and these sweet little lace leg warmers from Huggalugs!

Cutest little owl you'll ever see!

Ultimate Hospital Packing List

Baby is Ready. . . Are You?

This is part two of my Ultimate Hospital Packing List, in case you missed it here was my post for baby's bag. Now it's Mommy's turn! Mom's bag is even more important for the big day, the last thing you want when your mid-labour, or evening the first few hours of your newborn is for one of your loved ones to have to run back home to grab something you forgot. Here's a list I've compiled of the curtails you'll need for your stay in the hospital:

Toilettres:

• Hair ties, clips and bobby pins
• Chapstick
• Tissues
• Face Wipes/ Makeup remover
• Hand Wipes
• Toothbrushes
• Nail file
• Razor
• Lotion
• Prenatal Vitamins
• Advil (for Dad)

Clothing:

• Nursing Bra(s)
• Nursing Tank tops (3)
• Yoga Pants
• Socks
• Comfy Pajamas (3)
• Going home outfit- mine is a comfy jersey maxi dress!
• Flip flops
• Underwear

Comfort:

• Snacks (granola bars, suckers, trail mix)
• Water Bottle
• Slippers
• Pillow
• Kindle/ Books/ iPad/ Magazines/Other entertainment

If your like me, a lot of your essentials are things you use everyday and can't be packed until the very last minute, don't stress Mamma's! Here's a "It's Time" Print out I made with a list of the last minute grabs as well as important contact information and address info. Just in case one or both of you are a bit panicked in the moment it will help make sure nothing gets left behind or forgotten!

(Just copy and paste this into a word document, add your personal info, print and you're all set!)

It's Time!

IMPORTANT CONTACT & ADDRESS INFO

Doctor Information:  NAME   (COMPANY)

                                            ADDRESS HERE

                                                OFFICE: (   )     -         CELL: (   )   -       

Pampered Pregnancy/Support Person: NAME   (Coach)

                                                TEL: (    )     -         Ext.  #     

                                                                        

Hospital Information:  MEDICAL CENTER

                                               ADDRESS HERE

                                                TEL: (    )     -      

*Emergency Hospital Location: CLOSER LOCATION IF APPLICABLE

                                                           ADDRESS HERE

                                                            TEL: (    )     -      

DON’T FORGET TO BRING

·      Purse:

        o   Insurance card

o   ID

      o   House Keys

     o   Chapstick

          ·      Hospital Bag

    ·      Baby Bag

             ·      Phone chargers

                ·      Hospital Records

           ·      Make-up Bag

       ·      Toothpaste

       ·      Hair brush

·      Pillow

          ·      Water Bottle

  ·      Slippers

      ·      Flip Flops

·      Snacks

PEOPLE TO LET KNOW THE BABY IS ON HIS/HER WAY

FAMILY

FIRST & LAST NAME:        HOUSE    (    )       -    

                                                CELL (    )      -     

FIRST & LAST NAME:        HOUSE    (    )       -    

                                                CELL (    )      -     

FIRST & LAST NAME:        HOUSE    (    )       -    

                                                CELL (    )      -     

FIRST & LAST NAME:        HOUSE    (    )       -    

                                                CELL (    )      -     

FIRST & LAST NAME:        HOUSE    (    )       -    

                                                CELL (    )      -         

                                               

FRIENDS

FIRST & LAST NAME:        HOUSE    (    )       -    

                                                CELL (    )      -     

FIRST & LAST NAME:        HOUSE    (    )       -    

                                                CELL (    )      -     

FIRST & LAST NAME:        HOUSE    (    )       -    

                                                CELL (    )      -     

PEOPLE TO LET KNOW THE BABY IS HERE

FIRST & LAST NAME:         CELL (    )      -     

FIRST & LAST NAME:         CELL (    )      -     

FIRST & LAST NAME:         CELL (    )      -     

FIRST & LAST NAME:         CELL (    )      -     

Stick it on the fridge or on top of your hospital bag so it's easy to find. 

But most importantly, take a deep breath and Good-luck Mommas! 

DIY Wall Art

A quick and easy DIY to brighten up your walls or perfect for a personalized gift!

I had the opportunity recently to team up with Adventures and Tea Parties, a wonderful DIY blog from across the pond to write a guest post featuring my wall art above! Make sure to check out her blog for great ideas and stay tuned for my art tutorial! 

When it's live I'll post a link Here.

Ultimate Hospital Packing List

Ready or Not Here They Come!

As the "due date" of baby creeps closer and closer the uncertainties and nerves are endless! I'm not sure why the Doctors even bother with a "due date" because let's face it babies come when they feel like it. Only about 5% of women deliver when they were expecting to! When so much is up in the air from when, and where and when family can coordinate a visit it's nice to have some other things ready to feel a little bit more prepared for the moment your baby decides it's time!

I've scoured tons of packing lists and asked family and friends until I came up with the ultimate hospital packing list for me. I divided it up into two, one bag for baby and one bag for mommy. Here is the list for your hospital baby bag. 

• Hats (I packed two for warmth and one strictly for cuteness factor)
• Headbands (Who knows how much hair she'll have- if any, so it's nice to tip people off it's a girl!)
• 1 Preemie onsie (just in case she's early or super tiny!)
• 2 footed sleepers ( NB size and 0-3M)
• 2 onsies (NB & 0-3M) and matching pants
• 1 Sleeper gown
• 1 zip-up swaddle pod
• 1 blanket
• 2 swaddle blankets
• 1 burp cloth
• 2 pairs of socks
• 1 pair of mittens
• newborn pacifiers
• charged camera w/ memory card
• All packed away in a nifty diaper bag!

Now my baby girl's bag is packed and ready for her arrival!

Banana Bread Muffins

If your household is anything like mine, bananas get gobbled up when they're first purchased but then there is always a couple that just sit and usually end up going to waste. Here's a really easy recipe to use up those old bananas and make a yummy treat in about 40 minutes!

What You'll Need:

• 1 1/2 Cups of Flour
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 3/4 Cup of Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1 Egg
• 3 large ripe bananas
• 1/3 cup melted butter

*Makes 18-24 Muffins

Let's Get Started:

1. Heat your oven to 350 degrees

   2. Lightly grease a muffin tin or use paper liners

 

   3. In one bowl mix the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon

 4. In a separate bowl mash up the 3 bananas and mix in the egg, melted butter and sugar. Stir until fairly smooth. 

  5. Fold in the dry mixture and mix well.

  6. Fill muffin liners 3/4 full with batter 

   7. Pop in the oven for about 25 minutes or until the muffins spring back from touch

   8. Let cool and Enjoy!

Serve as special bread rolls with dinner or just eat them by themselves with a little butter!

Delicious!