Fab 5 #10

Since I had a baby a month ago I thought I would share my top 5 mommy/baby must haves with you.

#1- aden and anais bamboo blankets.

These blankets are the softest ever! They are super large and perfect for swaddling, they are also great to use as nursing covers. You can also use them to cover your car seat. They are super light, so if you are having a summer baby you should get them.

 

#2- MAM Pacifiers

The best thing about these pacifiers is that they come in a plastic box that also doubles as a sterilizer. You just place the pacifier inside and fill the box with water and heat it in your microwave for 3 minutes. It's so much easier than having to boil your pacifiers on the stove! I love it! You can also use the box to hold clean pacifier in your diaper bag. 

#3- Lansinoh Gel Pads

The lactation consultant in the hospital introduced me to these. I'm not sure when they came out but this is the first time I've heard of them. I wish I would have had them after I had my first daughter. These pads give you cooling soothing relief when you have sore cracked nipples. My baby did some damage the first few days by not nursing correctly and I was in so much pain. These pads offered some relief, it was awesome! If you are planning on nursing I would buy a pack. I think they are around $10 for 2 sets and they last for 4 days each. You will probably only need them the first week or two. 

#4- Gilligan and O'Malley 2 pack nursing sleeping bra

I never used sleeping bra's before when I nursed my older two daughters. Sleeping in a normal nursing bra was so uncomfortable! This pack is from Target and is around $20. I bought a 2 pack on sale for $11. 

#5- Freezer Meals

My sister came to visit the weekend after I had the baby. She brought me a weeks worth of freezer meals, it was the best gift ever! The week after our help left we ate the freezer meals. It's so hard to make dinner when you have a newborn, it was such a relief to just be able to pop a meal in the oven. Especially if you have a fussy baby. There are tons of freezer meal recipes on Pinterest you could use. I think the weeks worth of meals would also be an awesome baby shower gift. I wish I would have made some more myself before the baby was born.

First Bath

 Comforts for Baby was kind enough to send me some of their products to try out. I used their bath products for my little girls first bath, or sponge bath. She didn't love the sponge bath, most babies don't. She did like having her hair washed though. We are still using these products three weeks out on all three of my kids. I really like the baby oil, especially the smell. I love the smell of a clean baby. You can find these products at any Kroger.

One cool thing about the baby wash is that it is dye-free, soap free, and ph-balanced so it doesn't dry out babies skin. They also have a night time bath scent. I like to use the baby oil after the bath, and it absorbs quickly into her skin.

Unlike baby soaps, Comforts for Baby® Baby Wash cleans without drying because it's 100% soap free, dye-free, and pH-balanced. The tear-free formula is clinically tested hypoallergenic, and is dermatologist and allergy tested, so it's even gentle enough for newborns. - See more at: http://www.comfortsforbaby.com/newborn#health-hygiene

Sweet girl three days old!

She did enjoy getting her hair washed.

Don't you love that new baby smell, so sweet!

Introducing...

 My Little Princess

Born on 10/3/13 8lbs 15oz 21inches long

Fab Five #9

I have not been crafting or sewing this week. Just taking it easy. Here are some few things that have been going on around here.

 

 #1. Stretch Mark Removal

My 4 year old was watching my stomach move (one of our favorite things to do together) and she reached over to grab her pencil and said, "Let's erase this mark." She said it so matter of fact, it was hilarious! I love the look on her face, she is really concentrating. If only it were that easy little girl : )

 2. Got my Hair Did! 

This pic is from my phone so the quality is poor. But I got my hair highlighted and trimmed this week. Only three weeks left till baby, and I know I probably won't get back to a salon anytime soon. I always like to have my hair done right before I have a baby.

3. Another Nursery Peek

I made this fabric banner from left over material I had from the car seat canopy. There is still no bedding in the crib. I bought these cardboard letters from hobby lobby and spray painted them. It was probably less than $10 for all three, which is great! I really tried to spend as little as possible on the nursery. I painted the walls white when I was 25 weeks pregnant. They were purple before. I wanted something I could change up easily. I was planning on stripes or something on this wall, but I was/am too exhausted to do that. It's also really hard for me to commit to a paint color.

 

4. Initial Jewelry

I found this necklace on etsy here.

I want to get something like it with my girls initials. It's a simple piece that would go with anything which I really love. I'm loving the branch. I've also seen ones with little birds that are adorable.

 

#5. Ikea Rug

I know everyone has this rug, but I want it! I want to put it in my living room. Right now I have this gray one from Ikea. 

 

I would move it into the nursery if I get the new one.

It probably won't happen soon, but maybe at the beginning of next year I might be able to make an Ikea trip. I wish the store was closer!

Fab Five #8

 #1. Nursery Sneak Peak

I'm mostly done with the nursery. I just have to add bedding, the glider, and maybe a few more decorative things. After her arrival or a little before we will move the bassinet, swing, and bouncer out. It's a little crowded with baby gear. Our stroller and car seat are also stuffed in there. If you are looking for crib sheets this week Target had them on sale for $9, and buy 2 get 1 free. They have tons of cute prints. My sister picked some up for the baby. Yellow and white chevron, hot pink with white polka dots, and a cute owl one that has the room colors with some brown in it. 

 #2. My big girls started school! Pre-K and 1st Grade. 

They love it! 

We are a few weeks in and it's so hard to get back into the routine. They are exhausted by the time they come home and you can tell by the attitude and my youngest falling asleep on the living room floor almost everyday around 3 or 4. Which makes bed time very frustrating. But they are happy while they are there at least. I didn't prepare them for waking early, the thought of starting to wake them up early a week before school and being in my third trimester just seemed crazy. 

Hopefully we will get used to it soon, you know right when I have the baby and end up being even more tired.

 

#3. Pencil skirts/ Maxi Skirts

I'm so ready to wear normal clothes again! I love this animal print skirt. There is some similar material at Hobby Lobby in knit and I'm thinking about making a knee length pencil skirt with it for after baby. I think it would be cute paired with any color solid top, what do you think? A little too crazy? I love animal print. I lived in my cheetah print forever 21 cardigan last winter. I also made my first purchase from Girl Charlee Fabric and have some black and white stripped knit I'm going to make into a maxi skirt. I also bought some chevron black and pink but they cut the fabic in half : ( I ordered two yards, and it came in two one yard cuts. Sad. I should have left a note in the note section. The fabric seems to be great quality though. I think I will try to make one of those nursing cover scarf's with the one yard cut.

I'm also thinking leggings and over sized tops will be perfect for after I have the baby. Where is your favorite place to buy leggings? I want good quality ones that are not see through.

Tutorial found here

#4. Floor Poof's

I'm loving these! I bought bias tape last year to make my girls one for Christmas (I still need to buy the fabric.) I didn't end up make them. I still think they would love them. I really want to make a cute one for the nursery too. Maybe I will get to it. I've been sewing more since my youngest in in pre-K, but it's only part time so my time is limited. And it's so hard to bend over, haha! Cutting fabric is way more difficult now. 

#5. 35 1/2 weeks and counting!!

I'm getting induced in less than a month! It's so crazy! I can't wait to be more comfortable. I'm waddling like crazy and baby has already dropped. I never dropped with my first two, they were induced also. My last was induced 9 days early and was 8.5 pounds. This baby will be induced 4 days early. I'm hoping she won't be huge. I'm currently craving Ice like Crazy! 

Braxton hicks contractions are still driving me nuts, and my feet hurt all the time. 

I can't wait to see what she will look like. My two older girls looked totally different at birth, so it will be interesting to see who she favors. I've gained 30 pounds so far, which has been less than my other pregnancies, so hopefully I won't gain 10 more this last month. But she looks healthy and everything is going well, besides the discomfort. Which is such a blessing!

I hope you've had a good week!

34 weeks

 

Why yes those are pajama pants. As soon as I get home the maternity pants come off, I just can't stand anything on my belly right now.

 Here is my torpedo! The latest pregnancy complaint: Itching! 

Can you be allergic to pregnancy? haha! 

And yes, I've used Palmer's stretch mark cream since I was three months pregnant. I used it with the girls too. The past two nights I've woken myself up itching my stomach, and I had to put more lotion on it in the middle of the night. Super fun! 

I hope this six weeks goes by fast!! I'm going to get induced a few days before my due date, so the first week of October sometime. 

That's only 5 1/2ish weeks! Yay! 

My back and feet hurt, and I'm just done. I'm waddling around really bad. I'm still have braxton hicks contractions everyday. They are not regular, but they are annoying. I've been so tired lately and I haven't done much. I guess my body is still working even if I'm not. 

I finally spray painted some picture frames for the nursery today, and I made a fabric banner. I went ahead and packed the diaper bag for the hospital today since I was in the baby's room. I just have to sanitize her pacifiers. 

So I am super excited to meet this little girl. My stomach dropped even more yesterday, so maybe she will come on her own? My other two were induced, they didn't want to come out. Ever! 

I just mailed off my registration forms for the hospital today, I've had them since my first trimester. So it was about time. I also signed my girls up for a sibling class at the hospital I thought it would be fun for them. We shall see : ) 

I can't wait to meet this little girl!!

Comforts for Baby Review

Comforts for Baby sent me a few of their toddler products to try out. 

I received diapers size 4 (it will be a little while before baby can fit into those), baby wipes, cotton swabs, baby powder, and baby oil. 

The wipes are the perfect size for my diaper bag. 

You can find Comfort for Baby products at your local Kroger, and the best part is that they are affordable! 

They have tons of products besides what is pictured including formula, baby food, training pants, bibs, bowls, sippy cups, etc.

Here's a little info about the brand: 

We all know that babies and toddlers need lots of stuff to get them – and you – through your busy days. But caring for your baby doesn’t have to cost a lot. Comforts makes it simple, with all of the right products for every baby stage, from diapers and formula to bibs, lotions, cups and snacks, all reasonably priced and conveniently located together for easy one-stop shopping. We know value is important, so we’ve designed our products according to the highest standards so you can get great quality and save money, too.

 

Fab Five #7

What I'm loving this week: 

#1 Naps!

I'm loving that I finally found a way to get my girls to take naps during the summer. My youngest would always take a nap during the school year last year when her sister was at school. But since she's been out of school it's been a nightmare in the nap department. She's been falling asleep on the couch or floor around 4pm which is the worst because she will keep her sister up all night. 

I finally put my oldest in my room and my youngest in the room they share. It's worked a few times and I'm grateful for that!

#2 Belly Moments (this picture was taken at 20 weeks and I'm now almost 33)

Waking up and being surprised by my huge baby belly is sort of fun. That is until I try to get out of the bed, that's not so fun. Sometimes baby girl will wake me up with her movement and it's a reminder to me of what a miracle she is. I complain about pregnancy constantly, but I am truly grateful to be having another daughter.

 

#3 Fall is coming!

I'm loving the past two days of 70's! I live in the south and this is super rare in August, and I know it won't last. I can't wait for cooler weather, I'm cardigan obsessed! 

 

#4 Nursery Board

I found this nursery board on Pinterest. It has the colors I'm going to be using in our nursery. I'm just going to be using more pink, and less yellow. I love the color combination, hopefully it turns out well. 

 

#5 Nursing Scarf

I'm dying over this scarf/nursing cover combo! You can purchase one here for $20! So cute, and it comes in different colors. I may try to make a few myself, because I'm super cheap. But I still think $20 is a great deal! 

What are you loving this week?

31 weeks

 My youngest loves to watch her baby sister moving. She lifted up my shirt while we were watching home video's on the computer. I took a picture of her with my phone, I didn't realize she fell asleep. Cutest thing ever!! 

 She is so excited to be a big sister.

 I had an appointment this past week and I was measuring at 32 weeks. So I think we will be having another big baby. My sleeping beauty was 8.5 pounds induced 9 days early. So I'm pretty sure this little girl will be at least 8 pounds. 

We've put up the crib and curtains, I will be showing all of that when her room is more together. I still have to make her bedding. I'm just going with a crib skirt and fitted crib sheet. 

I did make her curtains and car seat canopy. Tutorial coming eventually...

The material is from Hobby Lobby. 

I'm still addicted to Chevron. 

I painted her nursery white and the curtains are hot pink and white. Her crib skirt will be aqua ruffle fabric and the crib sheet will probably be pink and white. 

I'm thinking about incorporating some yellow, but I'm not sure.

If I do I will probably make the crib sheet yellow, and hang a giant wooden initial letter in hot pink above her bed.  Her name is still undecided, so I can't do that just yet.

So what do you think? Will yellow be too much, should I just stick with hot pink and aqua?

Fab Five #6

Freebies!!

This weeks fab five are things I've gotten for free! (or almost free minus shipping) 

I'm posting this a little bit early this week so you can take advantage of these deals too : )

#1 Free Baby Sling

I got this sling for free! I used a coupon code for breastfeeding awareness month and only had to pay shipping which was around $11. The print I choose is Newport. I love the aqua and pink! I choose those colors for my baby's nursery too. You can get yours free by using the code PJBABY at Seven Slings. Remember there are sizes for the slings, I almost missed that. There is a sizing chart to help you pick the right size. 

#2 Aqua Silicone Watch

I heard about these free watches over at twistmepretty.com, thanks Abby! All I had to pay was shipping and handling. I bought mine from kissmemint.com.

 I'm not sure if the deal is still on now. I love this watch is looks so much better in person! 

#3 a set of Bamboobies reusable nursing pads. 

Just visit the site to claim yours! Hurry up there is only one more day left to claim them. (which is why I'm posting this early and not on Friday). They have a few other things on sale if you like their products. They are really thin so you don't have to worry about the big circles showing through your nursing bra. 

 #4 Free Nursing Pillow

Use Promo Code "BFWEEK13" at NursingPillow.com 

I almost got one of these too, but I already have a boppy. It's a great deal if you don't have one though, you also have to pay shipping around $12. 

 #5 Free or priceless? 

My soon to be middle daughter fell asleep on her little sister (a.k.a 31 week belly)

while watching home videos on the computer. She wanted to pull my shirt up to see the baby move, it's one of her favorite things right now. She's so excited to be a big sister! 

So sweet!

Hopefully you can take advantage of some of these great deals this week, I love free!

Fabric Paint Onesies

 I had a little fun with fabric paint today. For the gold onesie I just made an outline of a collar and filled it in. Then I took a small cork and dipped it in the paint to make the fake buttons. It took two coats of paint. After it was dry I placed a piece of material over it and ironed it a little to set the paint. I then hand sewed the bow onto it. Before I attached the bow I burned the ends so it won't fray.

For the mock pearl shirt I used the same cork and stuck a push pin in the top to hold it, and dipped it into the paint and just free handed the necklace. Then I flipped the cork over and used the bigger end to make the larger string of pearls. The pink flower I already had left over from making headbands a while ago, and I hand sewed it on. I found the little shirt at a second hand store, I'm pretty sure it is one that the hospital uses. I'm going to put it on my baby after she's born, she going to be the fanciest baby in the nursery, hehe!

 I'm 27 weeks and huge! I get asked when I'm due constantly. When I say October I get a lot of deer in headlight looks. Yes my tummy gets huge, it has with the my two previous pregnancies also. I've also been asked if I'm having twins, nope! I do feel nine months pregnant already though, does that count?

Sorry for poor picture quality on this post. I really enjoyed making these you should try out freezer paint. You can get a small tube for $0.99 at Hobby Lobby!

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