Browsing Tag

maternity

Blog, Family, iphone, kids

September iPhone photos



Happy October! I’ve been looking forward to this month all year because we’ll finally get to meet this precious little life inside of me. I can’t believe we’re just days away now!

But before we jump into October, I still want to share our September of iphone pictures. There are some repeats from my instagram but half of them are pictures that I never did share.

3 of these photos are from my Grandma’s house, on the prettiest property. The front porch steps are where I would sit as a child to do sibling/cousin photos. So it’s fun to carry on that tradition. Then there’s this picture of Desmond sleeping–it totally cracks me up. Most days I feel like how he looks.

kids on tree swing and playing outside cute baby sleeping with head covered in blankie

Not much to say here except that I love my family and can’t wait to squeeze another sweet face in the mix.

dad and baby kids playing mom and baby boy

Anniversary dates are a bit different when you’re a month away from meeting baby #6. We went over to the side of our church to take some photos for the blog header. Then we had Liam snap a few pictures of Don and I before we all headed out to dinner. We took the kids through McD’s drive thru, then planned to get them shakes at Fuddruckers while we ate our meals there. Shake machine was down, lame! So we took them to Lion’s Choice for those 25 cent ice cream cones. It wasn’t how I would have pictured spending our 9th anniversary but it was perfect!

married couple anniversary photoshoot

When it feels overwhelming to have all these children, all close in ages, I need to look back at pictures like these because it’s so worth it all.

lots of cuddling and a picnic for the kids

Joining with everyone else out there, I took some “first day of school” pictures of the boys. In the past, I don’t think I ever did them. I guess this year was the year to start. Liam started 3rd and he is loving it. Kai is in 1st and he likes it but is not as enthused as his brother. Of course we had to start the day with a donut tower!! (that last picture is unrelated but Liam had an irritated, itchy eye one day so I gave him benedryl. He passed out for like 3 hours. It was adorable and had to be documented. He says he was “awake with my eyes closed.” Sure.)

first day of school and donut tower

1) 37 weeks.

2) Evangeline helping me make some brownies.

3) and 4) a lazy day, reading in the little nook in Evangeline’s room.
37 week bumpdate and kids reading books

A couple of weeks ago was National Talk Like a Pirate Day. If you dressed like a pirate, you received a free dozen glazed donuts from Krispy Kreme. All 7 of us dressed up (no shame in our game!) and got our free donuts (it should be noted that we gave away a few dozen to friends!) The Wendys right by Krispy Kreme was giving away free Frostys if you talked like a pirate! And Long John Silvers was giving out a two piece fish or chicken meal if you were dressed as pirates. Can you guess what all we did that day? The kids loved it!

getting free stuff on pirate day

Fall adventures and pregnancy documentation! I’m going to miss this belly soon! I’m trying to enjoy it as much as I can right now.

apple picking and pregnancy pictures

 

Right behind my dad’s backyard is a field of cows. The picture of the 4 kids and the 4 cows totally cracks me up.

That picture of me on my couch? Pretty much how I’ve attempted to pass the past few days…eating a 3lb tub of cake in my pajamas and robe. Yes, I linked to the cake. Because it was amazing. And is it just me, or do fresh flowers make everything better?

kids looking at cow, eating cake and colorful flower bouquets

A few iphone shots from our pumpkin patch adventure this past week.
picking out pumpkins at the pumpkin patch

For any of you Kids Say enthusiasts, I’m sorry to tell you that either 1) my kids fell short on saying notably cute/hilarious things this month or 2) I just failed to document them! I only had two little entries that I’ll just save for next time around! Sorry!

And can I just say this one more time? It’s October! We will be meeting our baby girl any day now and I can finally start referring to her by her sweet little name! Any final guesses on the birth date? Or does anyone want to take it to the extra level and guess her birth weight?

baby, Blog, links, newborn, pregnancy

What’s in my hospital bag for baby #6


This post contains affiliate links. For more information, visit my Privacy Policy page.

We are just a few weeks away (hopefully!) from meeting our little one! I just started packing my hospital bag for baby number six (instead of waiting until I’m in labor…again!) and thought I would put together a post to share what I will be bringing with me this sixth time around. I know there are already tons of packing lists all over the internet–and who really needs another one? But I’m hoping this will be helpful to at least someone out there!

I should probably just come out and say that I probably pack things that a lot of people would call “non-essentials.” I do realize that. I’m an overpacker, even with this being the sixth time. But I’ll explain why I’m bringing each item and you can decide for yourself if you find them to be essentials or not.

my hospital bag for baby number six

And yes, I’m using a suitcase. But I’ll also have my husband’s stuff in there as well! (He won’t pack much–just make sure that whoever is with you brings a jacket because they will probably get cold! And their own pillow if they want it.) I’ll also be taking my Lily Jade diaper bag. I didn’t originally plan to take it but it’s a good option to bring my wallet, snacks, camera, and any other items I will want during or right after labor and delivery. The suitcase will stay in the car and have everything else I need once we get settled into a room.

The Essentials:

First of all, I’d say that these are probably the most essential:

  • carseat–you can’t leave with your baby without one!
  • camera–even if all you have is your phone…you need to document those first moments!
  • toothbrush/toothpaste
  • phone charger–I ordered this 6 foot iphone cord from Amazon because the standard 3 foot cord never seems to reach the bed.
  • going home outfit for mom and baby–yoga pants and a tshirt definitely count 😉
  • nursing bra–I recommend something comfortable! I’m trying this one for the hospital.
  • hairbrush
  • deodorant

And Then, Here’s What I’m Packing:

If you’re a minimalist, you could get away with packing these items and nothing else. The hospital provides pretty much anything else you and the baby would need. However, I’m not a minimalist. So here are some other things going in my bag!

  • makeup/mirror–some people don’t care about wearing makeup, I do! So for me, it’s an essential.
  • makeup wipes–to quickly take off my makeup before I get the chance to actually wash my face.
  • face wash/moisturizer
  • body wash
  • shampoo/conditioner–I just collect samples for the shower stuff and toothpaste or buy travel size containers
  • comb/hairspray–like I said, not everyone cares about this stuff. I do!
  • glasses/contact case/contact solution–not needed for everyone but don’t forget these items if you need them!
  • snacks and money–right after I give birth, I want food and I want it right away! The cafeteria never seems to be open when I give birth so I will absolutely make sure I bring snacks in the room with me to eat right after I have the baby. The money is for vending machines or any food you need outside of scheduled meal times.
  • robe–I bought this robe from PinkBlush for this time around. Something pretty to wear after baby is born. It’s so soft and comfortable and will be beautiful in pictures! (though I totally should have ironed it before photographing it!)

soft robe from pinkblush maternity

  • nursing salve–The hospital will give you some if you need it but I’m going to be bringing my own nursing salve from Tubby Todd. (I’ve heard that it helps to start using it a couple of weeks before you’re due–I guess I’ll find out soon!)
  • freshening spray–speaking of Tubby Todd, I have been obsessed with their freshening spray–it’s like a deodorizing body spray. I already use it daily so I will absolutely have it with me to help me feel fresh until I can shower!
  • lotion–I promise, I have not been asked by anyone to share any products on this post. But I’m a big fan of Tubby Todd. My babies have all had flaky skin after birth. The hospital has given me some Johnson’s lotion but the smell is overwhelming to me. I’m bringing some Tubby Todd lotion with me this time. The lavender smell is A-MAZ-ING!

tubby todd review

  • flip flops/socks–not to be worn together…unless that’s your style 😉 Flip flops are great for the shower. And either can be worn so you don’t have to walk on the hospital floor barefoot. Something about that just grosses me out haha.
  • pillow–if you’re picky like me, bring your own pillow!
  • ponytail holder–a big necessity while in labor and delivery!! (for me, at least!)
  • chapstick–a lot of women tend to get dried out lips during delivery. I use a tinted chapstick because I like a bit of color for pictures.

I also prefer to change out of the hospital gown as soon as I can. You don’t have to! But I bought these leggings to wear. I won a pair of their maternity leggings at the beginning of my pregnancy and I love them so much that I bought a pair for after I deliver. They are pretty pricey but the quality has been amazing and I think I’ll get my money’s worth with how much I’ll be wearing them. I used their facebook code (FB25off) to get 25% off!

blanqi postpartum leggings

I’m excited to try out this pocket shirt from Nuroo to be able to do skin to skin while still feeling like I can be dressed. But I’ll also be bringing another shirt or two so I can decide what I feel comfortable wearing during the day. (I seriously don’t even stay the two nights that they give you–but I am so indecisive so I like to bring a few different choices!)

nuroo pocket shirt

I’ll also be bringing some comfy clothes for sleeping.

For baby

You really only need the carseat and going home outfit, but if you’re going to do pictures (or if you’re on your 6th baby and you don’t get many visitors so you know you’ll be taking lots of pictures) you can bring a few things that you’d like in pictures. Here are a few of the things I’m bringing for baby girl!

newborn baby hospital bag checklist

Some of the items pictured: bonnet//cocoon swaddle and headband//daisy headband//bracelets//blanket

**a cute little story about the bracelets–I bought these months ago, the day we found out we were having a girl. Ever since then, Evangeline has been asking when her baby sister will be born so she can put the bracelets on her. So I’m packing them along for her to put them on her sister when they meet for the first time.

Thinking about moments like that have me so anxious to meet this precious baby girl. But in the meantime, I’m cherishing every bit of this pregnancy, the good and the bad. I’m so very blessed to carry this precious life! If you have any more suggestions to add, be sure to leave them in the comments! I know different people have different preferences (like music during labor) so maybe your comment will be helpful to someone else! Whew–that was a lot to take in! Hope you made it to the end!