First Family Photos

I finally felt a little human again and was able to take some photos of our little family before Elijah gets any bigger. I can’t believe how quickly he’s growing! He’s gone from 8 pounds at birth to almost 11 pounds in such a short time and his features are maturing by the day.

Our Little Bear

Making Hospital Birth Comfortable

We were fully prepared and planning on a home birth but unfortunately a third trimester ultrasound and some doctors overstepping (and being biased against home birth) ruined that for us and we were forced into a hospital birth. 

All that to say, these are the things I brought, used and recommend bringing to make a hospital birth more comfortable and to feel a bit more like home.

• A comb. I know it sounds strange but this was a lifesaver for me and really helped to distract from contraction pain. I had this comb in my hand the entire time.

• A birth gown. It was definitely not necessary but I hate hospitals and it made me feel more comfortable to labor in. I wore it to the hospital and didn’t have to change when I got there which was nice and took the edge off as well. Mocha Delivery Gown, Milk and Baby.

• I also wore this nursing bra to make things easier once baby was delivered so I didn’t have to change or feel exposed at any point. Auden Nursing Bralette, Target.

• My favorite comfortable throw blanket from Target. I really enjoyed having this to help myself feel at home, it was nice having something soft and comforting while I was in pain (especially in the car on the drive there).

• Honey sticks, Liquid IV, gum / mints and snacks. My favorites were apple sauce pouches, Belvita and Nature’s Bakery Fig bars because they’re easy to eat when I don’t have an appetite or if I’m nauseous.

• Flameless candles to make the atmosphere more comfortable. These candles flicker like a true candle and made everything feel calmer after we turned down the bright lights and put these in the delivery room and bathroom.

• Travel / car diffuser with USB charging cord, Amazon and essential oils, Young Living. Lavender and Neroli for any stress, tension or headaches. Peppermint for headaches. Lemon for nausea. Orange for energy. Clary Sage and Cypress for their medicinal properties. I had a lavender Aroma Ring in the entire time I was there to help me stay calm. I brought my oils in this travel case to keep them organized and easy to grab quickly.

• Birth Affirmation Cards — here’s a link to the cards I used here.

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He’s Here!

Elijah Michael was born on July 11, 2023 at 4:14pm at 8 pounds 0 ounces and 21 inches long after an intense week-long labor. Even though our original home birth plan did not work out I’m thankful that I was able to have an intervention-free unmedicated birth in the hospital. We were blessed with the nicest labor and delivery nurses and had a good experience considering the circumstances.

The Home Stretch

Some photos of the last few days of “just us” and this morning as I’m in labor. We are so anxious to meet this boy and as much of a blessing as pregnancy has been, I can’t wait to feel comfortable again and fit in something aside from my husband’s shirts haha.

You’re My Stripe Cardigan, Coco McCall Shop | Flare Jeans, Free People

High Protein Food for Pregnancy

I deeply struggled with getting the recommended 90+ grams of protein daily during pregnancy and had to do some work to find foods that worked for me. Some of these aren’t the *most* healthy but they helped me get that amount when I was basically in survival mode. I’ve since been asked by several friends for advice on this so I want to share what I did and hope it helps!

• Chicken breast was the quickest way to get a huge amount in one sitting. I ate that almost every night and just mixed it up with different seasonings.

• Eggs. I had eggs for breakfast every single morning and just switched up the way I cooked them.

• Nutritional Yeast and Chia seeds are easy to sneak in to many different meals. I added them everywhere I could.

• Dave’s Killer Bread is a great brand to get extra protein in different meals. I would eat their bread, bagels and english muffins and they are all good with different flavors.

• Kodiak Cakes. Making these can be time consuming so I would just make a batch of them and freeze whatever leftovers for later.

• Orgain Protein Powder for shakes, chocolate flavor is my personal favorite!

• Chobani Complete Yogurt Drinks

• Think Protein Bars. These made it a lot easier to get extra protein while I was snacking and they have a lot of great flavors. Brownie Crunch, Target.

• Core Power Protein Shakes by Fairlife Milk. Chocolate Flavor, Walmart.

• Lunch meat, cheese, almonds or peanuts as a snack between meals. I know it’s controversial to have lunch meat during pregnancy but I just made sure I was having high quality meat and I never had any issues or concerns.

* This is not health advice, this is just what worked for me personally.

37 Weeks

Olive Cropped Hoodie, American Eagle | Black Lace Bralette, American Eagle | Light Pink Cami Set, Victoria’s Secret (exact set no longer available, similar set linked)

Postpartum Clothing Haul

Here is my mini haul from Target and American Eagle to get some clothes for postpartum — all of these have a baggier fit and are so comfortable I’ll be throwing them in my hospital bag.

1. Auden Nursing Bra, Target. These bras are the best I’ve found so far, they are super comfortable and affordable.

2. Beige Cover-up, American Eagle.

3. High Waisted Shorts, American Eagle.

4. Cropped Hoodie, American Eagle.

5. High Waisted Pant, American Eagle.

6. High Waisted Beach Party Short, American Eagle.

7. Top and Shorts Pajama Set, Target.

Bits + Pieces of Spring 2023

Maternity Photos

My camera finally died and decided not to turn on when we were on our way to take maternity pictures at the beach so we decided to wing it and took these pictures with my iPhone and a tripod. It definitely was not my plan and while at the beach it was windy and cold but I’m so happy with how these turned out.

I am so thankful for my sweet husband and can’t wait to watch him become a dad.

White Button Up Shirt, Target | Floral Bikini Top, Tillys | Distressed Skinny Jeans, American Eagle (exact pair no longer available)

31 Weeks

White Button Up, Target | Impress Press-on Nails, Target

Preparing for Baby E

We are going for a very minimal setup right now because we are in a one bedroom but here are some of the things we’ve added to our baby registry. I had a hard time finding out what was most important vs completely unnecessary - I hope this helps any moms who are trying to build their registry. Once baby is here I’ll make sure to share what we ended up using.

Nursery Must Haves:

Crib | Crib Mattress | Infant Lounger | Activity Gym | Drawer Organizers | Dresser | Storage Basket | Diaper Pail | Changing Pad

Feeding:

Breast Pump *make sure to order yours through insurance if possible | Colostrum Collector Set | Haaka Pump & Ladybug | Nursing Pads | Nursing Cups | Milk Storage Bags | Bottles (I recommend adding different brands to try just in case) | Burp Cloths

Infant Care:

This section has been updated after our newborn season to include items we wish we had right when we got home and recommend having on hand.

Frida Baby Ultimate Care Kit | Gripe Water | Frida Saline Spray | All Purpose Balm | Boudreaux’s Buttpaste | Made of Baby Powder | Baby Soap | Thieves Laundry Soap | Frida Humidifier | Baby Bath Support

Travel & Transportation:

Nuna Stroller & Carseat Travel System | Car Seat Cover | Beanko Diaper Changing Station | Nuna Wind Cover | Nuna Cup Holder

Bonn Baby Shower 2023

Our baby shower was on Saturday April 1st, 2023, the rain stopped just before the shower and allowed us a perfect warm afternoon. The theme was “spring duckling” and we chose a bright spring theme with a white and powder blue color scheme. Decor was rustic serving trays, simple florals, citrus fruits and rabbits added here and there.

We wanted the food to have a casual picnic feel to it so we served croissant sandwiches, wraps, veggie cups with ranch, fresh fruit, strawberry vanilla cupcakes, cookies and pastries for dessert. Each guest was given a small basket, honey stick, mini jam jar, tangerine and chocolate chip cookies as a favor to take home.

We are incredibly thankful for our family letting us use their home to have this shower and for helping to set everything up and shower my husband and I as we anticipate the arrival of our sweet boy this summer.

DETAILS
My Dress, Piper and Scoot | Welcome Sign, Paper and Pine Co. | Game and Prayer Cards, Minty Paperie

VENDORS
Furniture + Linen Rental: Touch of Gray | Invitations: Minted | Cookies: Petite Moi Bakery

26 Weeks

Ginger Dress, The Western Company | Heritage Western Boot, Ariat

Mom + Dad

We had our anatomy scan and got to see our boy. We are so thankful he is healthy and can’t wait for him to be here.

Half Baked

First Trimester Necessities

Here’s a list of my first trimester necessities and what helped me through with my migraines and nausea. 

1. Easy and quick to grab snacks - the easiest for me to eat were Belvita Sandwiches and apple sauce pouches. The less flavor the better. 

2. Gum and mints.

3. Ginger Ale and Upspring Stomach Settle lozenges, Target.

4. Essential Oils, Young Living. Lavender for any stress, tension or headaches. Peppermint for headaches. Lemon for nausea. Aroma Rings are super convenient and reusable. Both the Lavender and Aromaease rings were amazing for stress or to fight off nausea. 

5. CBD Body Balm - 365 Brand, Whole Foods.

6. Heating pad and ice packs. 

7. Eating high protein - I tried to get 90mg+ of protein per my midwives recommendation daily. When I did that my nausea was almost completely gone. See some easy high protein foods here.

I kept all of these items and basics like tissues, chapstick, hair ties and a water bottle in a storage cart next to my bed so I didn’t have to get up often when I didn’t feel well. 

Most importantly, this verse carried me through the uncertainty and anxiety of the first trimester:
”Unless the Lord builds a house,
    the work of the builders is wasted.
Unless the Lord protects a city,
    guarding it with sentries will do no good.
It is useless for you to work so hard
    from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat;
    for God gives rest to his loved ones.”
Psalm 127

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Pregnancy Announcement

I tested on the morning of October 18 at 8am, right after I woke up and I had to wait all day for Zack to come home to tell him the news. The most difficult part was acting normal and not being suspicious because he can always tell when something is up (haha!). We ended up being so excited and told family immediately — the video with their reactions is below. This has been the best news and we are so excited to be welcoming a baby BOY this summer! We talked about wanting a baby boy as our first child since we were dating and are so blessed that our dream is coming true!

What made me take a test: I caught a cold that week and rarely get sick. The morning of October 18th I had a vivid dream about being pregnant and when I woke up from that I had a little bubbly feeling in my belly.
First Trimester Symptoms: Migraines here and there and slight nausea on and off all day long *eating protein is helping so much!
Cravings: Salty and sour food, especially citrus!!
Aversions: Coffee (which I usually love) and sweeter foods / sauces. Ex: thousand island dressing

Red 2-piece outfit, H&M | Black and White Flannel / Black Flannel, Dixxon | Best Gift Ever Onesie, Etsy.

Candy Apple

Red Dress, Fashion Nova | Nike Air Force 1’s, Nike | Nike Socks, Amazon | Necklace, Sol Sister

Halloween Party 2020

Here’s a little recap of our 2020 Halloween Costume Party! 🎃 Zack and I dressed as Donovan and the Countess from AHS: Hotel. We unfortunately did not get any trick-or-treaters stopping by this year but we had a great time hanging out with our family and friends.

Dinner: Spicy chili (my brother’s recipe) with garlic focaccia bread / marinara dip on the side
Drinks: Spiked apple cider (recipe), Vampire kiss shots (recipe) and Shirley temples served with a syringe to make it spooky 🧛🏻‍♀️
Treats: Cream cheese/pumpkin cupcakes, Monster Drizzle Caramel Popcorn from Target, Reeces & Oreo bats
Welcome Scaredy Cats Doormat, Michaels | All Paper Plates & Napkins, Joann | Black Fabric Table Runner, Target | Spooktacular Time Invitations, Basic Invite