It is a zoo!

It is a total zoo at our house lately trying to get everything done. In the last few weeks, we've started a business and I've started a new job (on top of being nine months pregnant) so to say we are overwhelmed is an understatement but we're confident that these are the right moves for our family right now.

We decided to take Ryanne to the zoo on Friday to get out of the house, take a well deserved break, and just spend a little time being a family of three before these precious days are over.

Ryanne loved the giraffes! 

She was so worried that each animal didn't have a family. So sweet! 

This is her typical "cheese" face lately

Are your bags packed?

Mine probably should be . . . but I haven't quite brought myself to do it yet. I do have a lovely list of things to pack, however. I thought I would share it and see if I'm forgetting anything.

It's been almost three years since I did this! There are some moments of the hospital stay with Ry that I remember like yesterday, but others not so much.

So far this is my list for round two . . . adapted slightly from round one ; )

• Going home clothes (definitely still maternity clothes) - I brought non-maternity clothes with Ry because I really had not clue what I was in for. Trey had to go home & get me clothes. 
• Snacks - We all know how important eating is! And to say the hospital food is not the greatest is a grand under statement. Not to mention how exhausted and hungry you are after labor (or I am) 
• Laptop (and charger) - I need something to occupy my time!! 
• Camera (and charger) - Everyone wants adorable baby pictures, right? I brought a video camera with Ry, but will be veto-ing that idea this time. I don't need video of that. 
• Pillow(s) - I'll probably bring a couple this time around. The L&D was slammed the night I was admitted to have Ry and somehow "couldn't find me a pillow" Labor is uncomfortable enough without having to lay your head on a rolled up brick of a blanket. 
• Make-up - Of course. I'd prefer a personal make-up artist come put it on for me so I look less like a bloated exhausted whale in newborn pictures, but I guess I'll take what I can get ; ) 
• Cute pajamas - Hello, Victoria's Secret cotton pjs! They are high coverage, but easily accesible for nursing and when every one and their mom wants to prod at and examine your body post delivery. 
• Robe and socks - Got to keep those feet warm . . .and of course you need a robe to cover up your rear until you can get out of that horrid gown. I would say to bring underwear, but I might just be looking forward to the lovely mesh panties the hospital gives you post-delivery. They really are amazing. It's rather pathetic how excited about them I am. 
• Nursing bras and/or tanks - for obvious reasons . . . ease of access, let's say.
• Flip flops or house shoes - I'll probably take both because who knows with Arkansas weather if it will be 90 or 40 when I deliver in April. Both are easy and on and off for swollen, tired feet and keep your feet off the germ-y hospital floor
• Ponytail holders and/or headband - to tame the crazy hair
• Boppy - this was really a lifesaver for supporting Ry when I was feeding her. I was just so tired and it helped majorly when I was holding her. 
• Phone charger - It would be a tragedy if my phone died. How would I play on twitter? 
• Hygiene stuff - shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, and the like. I'll be honest and say that I probably won't wash my hair while in the hospital. I hate blow drying it at home & the last thing I want to do hours after giving birth is get hot & sweaty again, but of course you'll want a shower and clean teeth :) 
• Important documents - Don't forget a pen and notebook to write down important information as well as any health insurance or personal identification info that the hospital may require. You may also want to bring a folder to store all of the important new documents in. (Our hospital provides one, but some may not) 
• A masseuse - Oh, maybe that was just in my imagination. It would be lovely if the hospital had one on staff, though. 

Moms, feel free to add to the list! My afternoon agenda includes packing Drake's bag so I'll probably be back to share my baby checklist. 

Making a List, Checking it Twice

So the days are quickly approaching that we will have a second baby. {Um, what?} I've been slowly gathering a list of things I "need" and checking them off so that we are ready once Drake decides to join us. Here are some of the things I have on my must buy list. If there is anything else you think is essential, please share!

The Fisher Price rock n'play snugabunny sleeper is definitely on my must list. I feel like it will be the perfect combination to keep Drake off the floor and away from toddler fingers, but great for him to sleep and I can easily transport outside or to a different room in the house depending on where Ry and I are. 

After rave twitter reviews, I decided to go with this Ameda purely yours ultra pump vs a medela pump. Numerous people have told me that lactation consultants prefer it over medela & highly recommend it so I'm excited and hope it works out well for us. I bought a very cheap inefficient one with Ry and I'm convinced it led to the short amount of time I continued to pump after I went back to work. I hope this investment helps this time around. 

This time around, I chose to go with this Safety 1st diaper pail. We used a diaper genie with Ryanne, but really wasn't pleased with it. Between constantly buying refills for it and it's inefficiency at smell management, I hope this one works out better. It takes regular trash and/or grocery bags & has a deodorizer right in the lid so I have high hopes for it. 

I've stocked up on the faithful colic calm once again. It worked miracles for Ryanne so I of course had to buy some to prep my medicine cabinet again. 

I've decided to try the avent pacifiers and the adorable wubbanub this time around. I was a faithful mam user with Ry but I'll be honest, I really want to carry around one of these cute creatures! 

Twitter tells me this miracle blanket is well, a miracle, so I have to try it out. 

In an effort to be more "green" I've decided to try out these tommee tippee bottles, too. I used playtex drop in bottles with Ryanne (and probably will still use them some) but there were times that not having a solid bottle was annoying, especially when traveling so I decided to give these a try too. 

Of course we have the old faithful necessities, such as a car seat, diapers, pacifiers, diaper cream, wipes, etc but please feel free to share anything you found to be a necessity. 

Shower Time

Last Sunday, we had a shower at Church for sweet Drake. We started attending there after Ryanne was born so they asked to throw a shower for Drake. I got lots of sweet goodies for him.

His cake. Ry was excited I got to bring it home. She loved the blue icing & might've looked like a smurf after she finished destructing eating the rest of the cake. 

Opening presents. . . . Drake got lots of goodies! 

This quilt was Trey's grandfather's when he was a baby so it is just under 80 years old. His grandma brought it to the shower to give Drake. 

I was bad and didn't think to take a picture of all the gifts before I put them away and I {gasp} put them away that afternoon. I may have to drag them back out to get a picture. Or maybe not. 

Anyway . . . . I took my first exam of my new rotation today and am so glad that is over with. Now I have a lovely week break to get my house all nested and prepped before hitting school again hardcore before Drake is born. Wish me luck! 

Finishing touches

I'm working on the final touches of Drake's nursery and these are just a few of the things that I'm loving for his nursery.

Isn't this organizer so cute? From etsy

I love this sweet sign for his room! 

Another adorable sign. I can't make up my mind which one I want! 

I'm loving this changing pad cover too. 

I love this delivery/hospital gown too. I can't decide if I want one. It's almost too pretty for what I know will go down. haha!

There are about 762 pillows I have my eye on for his room, but I think this one and another one are going to win the battle. 

Our carseat is boring black so I've got my eye on this and a couple other accessories to dress up his carseat.