This post was created in partnership with DockATot but all thoughts and opinions are of my own.

As I mentioned in my hospital bag post, we planned on Sophia staying with us in the hospital and we knew DockATot would be the only way to make that successful since her "bed" would be with her. We made this decision because I personally wanted Sophia to be as involved as possible during labor, delivery and recovery. 

Quick disclosure, these photos are staged since I obviously wasn't up for taking photos during labor and delivery and I forgot to make sure to ask anyone else to.

We are so excited to announce the most anticipated arrival of our baby boy, Anthony Carter, born October 24, 2017 at 6:10pm weighing a whopping 10 pounds 8.4 ounces and 21 inches long. As to be expected, I will be reducing the amount of time I spend on blogging while I savor this beautiful and joyous season of motherhood. 

Last year after having Sophia, I shared what I took from the hospital after my maternity stay but I also shared a few more tidbits at the end of that post and one of them was how I made care kits for around the house. One for pumping/breastfeeding, one for postpartum mom care, and another for extra feeding essentials for when Sophia started solids. I decided this time around I would go into more detail of what I actually put in each of those care kits and today I will focus on the breastfeeding/pumping kit I created to have near my nursing station.

I decided to document our pregnancy as a way to get all my feelings and emotions out and to later look and remember this beautiful time in our lives while noticing the differences and similarities with our first pregnancy. I hope you enjoy if you decide to follow along on this life changing journey.


We made it to 39 weeks which if you actually calculated my pregnancy based on my last period I would technically be 40 weeks but my doctor calculated my pregnancy based on the size of the baby at my first appointment. However, due dates are a mere estimation and can be off by about two weeks so I could even be 41 weeks. Nevertheless, we are still waiting on baby boy. We did have our weekly appointment earlier this week and I was still 3CM dilated and blood pressure is still doing good. Baby boy's heart rate was a strong 142 and my doctor said he felt higher up, I guess he is as snug as a bug which I don't doubt with how much he balls up into my left ribs. I am still have Braxton Hicks randomly that I really think I'm going to think my body is crying wolf when real labor actually starts.

Another thought to cross my mind while we wait on our little guy is what if I am that 5% or whatever of women who actually go into labor on their due date. Of course, no matter how anxious we are for baby boy to make his arrival, we trust in the Lord's timing and are just happy we have gotten this far without medical interventions. Here is to praying that baby boy won't be stubborn and cause us to have interventions because he is taking too long now though, haha.

Warm Tones

Lightweight Material

Shoes

Wearing the right shoes can determine the look of your outfit and although I am wearing sandals which is traditionally a summer/spring staple, it works with this outfit since they are cognac. At least in my opinion they work; besides I am pregnant and they are what fits so whateves, haha. You could easily pair this outfit with open toe booties to make it more fall "appropriate."


What are you fall fashion tips if you live in a warmer area?

I decided to document our pregnancy as a way to get all my feelings and emotions out and to later look and remember this beautiful time in our lives while noticing the differences and similarities with our first pregnancy. I hope you enjoy if you decide to follow along on this life changing journey.


We have made it to 38 weeks of pregnancy and does it seem to be taking forever, haha. At our appointment on Tuesday, my doctor did another pelvic check and this time I was 3cm dilated and she said there was a possibility of having the baby within a week. At the time of me typing this, it has been 6 days... so we are still waiting. Ultimately, I know the Lord's timing is perfect and I am so thankful we have made it this far without any interventions and I am praying that we still won't need any.

Baby boy is still somewhat active although he mostly seems to curl up into my left rib which makes it hard to breath and then he stretches out completely and I look deformed. Sometimes I can feel the outline of his little limbs and I just can't wait to hold this sweet little babe. 

We have been trying to do morning walks as much as possible to help jump-start my labor naturally which obviously it got me from 0 cm at 37 weeks to 3 cm at 38 weeks. We have an appointment this Tuesday at 39 weeks so I am curious as to if I dilated anymore. Although it has been an episode of crying wolf with all these false contractions I am feeling, at least my active labor should be shorter since my dilation is getting knocked out now. Gotta find the positive somewhere, right?

Friday night, I did think I was finally in labor as I was contracting for 3 hours with contractions about 8 minutes apart lasting for a minute or less. That is the longest and most consistent I have ever felt the contractions but nothing since then. Since I was induced with Sophia due to preeclampsia (read her birth story here), it is kind of hard to know what to expect and when it is real. Although I am told that I will know when it is finally real contractions so we shall see.

Last month when I shared on Instastories (be sure your following me @stormieariel to keep up with our day to day life) my second-hand finds for Sophia's fall capsule wardrobe, I received quite a bit of feedback wanting to know my tips for thrifting as this was the second fall capsule wardrobe I shared of hers using second hand finds (see her 2016 Fall Wardrobe here and her 2017 Fall Wardrobe here).



A little back story first...

For Sophia's first nine months, we were extremely fortunate enough to receive an abundance of clothes that we did not have to buy her anything. For 9-12 months, we were given quite a bit of second-hand items that were still in great condition. This was also around the time I started thrifting for clothes for her which now makes it a year that I have been thrifting for second-hand finds for our constantly growing toddler and new baby to be so here are the things I have learned in the last year about thrifting for children's clothes.

Brands

I personally look for name brand items only such as Carter's (I'm talking Carter's Carter's, not Child of Mine Carter's or Just One You Carter's, more on this in a second), Baby Gap, OshKosh, Children's Place, etc.

Here is why.

When I am thrifting I am trying to save money but I do not see a Baby Gap onesie for $1.50 and a Garnamials onesie for $1.50 to be equal in quality. I am not saying there is anything wrong with Garnamials but I could spend another dollar or two to get it brand new at WalMart so it just is not a good deal to me. This is the same for the different sub-Carter's brand at Target and WalMart. They are cute and I buy them but I would buy those brand new since the pricing isn't that far off. Also to note, there is a difference in quality between the Carter's main brand and sub-brands, hence the different pricing at each store and why they are made specifically for those stores. I have personally found that Carter's main brand can withstand a lot more washes then Just One You and Child of Mine therefore again I wouldn't buy those sub-brands used since the quality has already started to deteriorate depending on how many washes it already went through which gives you less uses of it.

Quality

Since I started talking about quality, let's discuss this next. After sorting through brands, I check the quality of the item. Does it have any stains? Is it faded? Are there holes? Just because something is a brand name doesn't necessarily make it a great buy if there is baby spit up or food stains stuck in the item and there better not be any holes. I guess faded items could be up to your discretion but I personally don't buy faded items no matter how good of a deal it is unless it is handed down to me for free but that is a different story.

Tags

There will be times when you come across items that are name brand AND still have the store tags on them. As in, never have been worn. I typically do not even hesitant and will just grab these items before anyone else sees the goodness I just landed on. Of course, I do make sure the sizing and season is correct for us and if they aren't I think of friends' and family members' whose children's birthdays or baby showers are coming up.

Frequent Shopper

My last piece of advice is the more often you go, the more often you find steals. You don't have to buy something every trip but going often allows you to see the newest stuff they put out and you are more likely to find those items that still have store tags on them. You are also more likely to figure out their sale schedule. The second hand store I frequent has their onesies for 10 for $10 every so often which is a great deal especially when I find all Carter's. Also following your local second-hand store on social media, they may list bigger items (like cribs, strollers, etc.) or their latest sales so you know exactly when to go in if you don't have time to stop by a few times a week.


Do you buy your children's clothes second hand? Are there any tips I left out that works for you?

Dear Sophia,

As I sit here to write this letter, I look at your picture and see your beautiful smile. Oh how that smile gives me such great joy. How you give me such great joy. The Lord is so so good and I am so thankful that He would even allow me the opportunity to be your mother. What a great charge it is to be on this journey of motherhood with you as my daughter. You teach me more about myself and about the Lord every day, every second. Your curious yet cautious nature is amazing to watch and that is what makes you a great leader. It is what is going to make you a great big sister.


You certainty are a natural born leader. Mommy knows how difficult it can be to ring in that leadership ability (mommy has that trait too, haha) but mommy and daddy will do our best to cultivate your ability unto the glory of God so that it doesn't lead you into trouble or misusing that ability on your baby brother.



Your attention to detail and sense of awareness is absolutely amazing for your age. You catch on to things so much more quickly then we even realize so I know adjusting into this new role as a big sister may be a little tough at first but you will fit into your role quickly and will enjoy loving on your new baby brother.



Most of all princess, I know you will be the best big sister because you love playing with others especially other kids. Seeing the joy and excitement on your face when your favorite people are around playing with you gives us such great joy that we knew the best gift we could give you, with the Lord's will, was a sibling. It will be an adjustment going from just us three to a family of four but I cannot wait to see the bond you will have with your brother.


I love you princess.

Love,
Mommy

I decided to document our pregnancy as a way to get all my feelings and emotions out and to later look and remember this beautiful time in our lives while noticing the differences and similarities with our first pregnancy. I hope you enjoy if you decide to follow along on this life changing journey.

After having one baby make it to toddlerhood and only using clothes she was gifted instead of splurging for more clothes, we found the magic number to make a capsule wardrobe work especially since babies are constantly growing the first year. These numbers are suggested for each sizing stage but ultimately it will vary per a child as some babies grow faster during certain stages then others. Also note that clothing before 6 months is typically in better condition since babies are not eating solids yet so those sizes typically stay nicer looking longer which allows you to rotate through them more often.

The post was created in partnership with PinkBlush Maternity but all thoughts and opinions are of my own.

I think it would be best if I admit upfront that I like to be prepared while others may say I am an over packer. Being prepared sounds better but whatever. I am also slightly high maintenance therefore I do not depend on certain accommodations that hospitals or even hotels provide like toiletries. I have sensitive skin and I like what I like so there's that. Now that I have disclosed that to you all, here is what we packed for our hospital stay as a family of four (yes, we will have Sophia stay with us in the hospital, more on that in another post UPDATE 10/30/2017 read here).

UPDATED 10/5/2017 My doula suggested also packing a sports bra or a swimming top for myself and swimming trunks for Anthony, in case we decide to utilize the shower during the labor process.

Mom

• c/o a nursing bra
• c/o PinkBlush hospital delivery robe
• a going home dress
• travel size toiletries
• birth plan
• non-slip flip flops
• comfy shoes
• non-slip fuzzy socks
• nursing pillow
• sports bra (UPDATED 10/5/2017)

Last time, I brought a simple button down night gown but this time around I decided a nursing bra and a hospital robe would be the easiest and most efficient thing to wear after I have the baby since I will be constantly checked in all private areas during my stay plus having less on will make it easier to also nurse my new little babe. And you can't go wrong with how beautiful this hospital robe from PinkBlush is as it will still make me feel put together and decent looking for visitors after pushing a human being out my lady parts. I also plan to wear it around the house once we are home as well because let's be honest who really wants to get dressed those first few weeks especially when you are nursing around the clock.

Also, I will be wearing the same shoes into the hospital that I plan to wear home to keep some of my packing to a minimum. The reason I am also packing non-slip flip flops is to use those in the shower so my bare feet are not touching the floor where countless women's bodily fluids touched. I also really like the mesh undies the hospital provides therefore I will not be packing any and I plan to take some home with me (see what I took from the hospital last time and what I plan to take again here).

The fuzzy socks will be much more comfortable then the ones the hospital provide and the nursing pillow will, of course, make nursing more comfortable by helping me support the new little babe.

Dad

• a change of clothes (shirt, shorts, socks, boxers)
• pajamas
• toiletries
• flip flops
• house shoes
• swim trunks (UPDATED 10/5/2017)

Since Anthony will be going back and forth between the house to care for our dog and allow Sophia to have a normal nap, he doesn't need to pack as much since he will be able to take care of his business during that time back at home.

Baby

• going home outfit
• socks

As you may have noticed, I kept baby's packing list to a minimum this time around. The hospital has everything you need for the baby.

Sibling 

• c/o DockATot Grand and traveling bag
• pajamas
• change of clothes (shoes, socks, etc)
• diapers
• lovey
• blanket
• bottle/cups
• snacks
• sound machine

Most of the items on Sophia's list are her bedtime items as she will be going home daily with daddy for nap time while he takes care of our dog so she can get a fresh pair of clothes as needed.

Entertainment

• Cell Phones & Chargers
• iPad
• Busy bags

• lacers 
• books 
• sponge blocks
• drawing pad
• stickers
• doodle pad 

• Camera and Tripod

We decided we would take our own Fresh 48 photos this time around as I didn't find the price worth the quality we received from Sophia's Fresh 48 that the hospital provided last time. We will have more formal family photos done in a few weeks by our friend and photographer Nick.

How did you pack differently for each delivery? Did you pack more or less each time?