Outfit of the Week: Week 29

Outfit of the Week: Week 29! (Can you tell I was feeling the leather today?!) Sorry it's a bit late! This week was crazy.

Dress: H&M

Jacket: Danier

Boots: Aldo

Tights: Seraphine Maternity 

Belt: Le Chateau (I think...)

Purse: Le Chateau

Earrings: Suzy Shier

Updates Galore and Bump Comparison!

So, I think I’ll start off this LONG post of updates, with a belly comparison shot. The first is from 9 weeks when I started “showing” and the last I took today, the start of week #29! Sometimes it’s hard for me to tell if I’m growing since I see myself everyday, but when you compare photos, side by side, I can’t believe how much I’ve changed in the last few months! I’ll probably do another 2 or 3 of these over the next 2.5 months to compare the belly throughout the entire pregnancy! 

Alright so, I had a super productive week and I’m finally starting to cross things off the “To-Do” list! You never know when baby will choose to arrive (HOPEFULLY it’s at at least 37 weeks so we know he’s finished cooking!), so it feels good to get things done now while I can still move comfortably and the weather is decent enough. 

My mother-in-law and I went to order the stroller and car seat last week, and to my surprise, the carseat I wanted was on sale so I bought it in stock and got 15% off! (sidenote: don’t you hate when you write a long sentence and forget enough high school grammar to remember where to put the commas?... Whatever. I’m only an elementary school teacher. Deal with it).  

On the weekend, Dan and I cleaned out the garage and reorganized the furniture in the spare room so we can fit the glider. My large computer screen is in clear view so I can turn on a movie to keep me awake during late night feedings. The bed is also an option if I’d rather just fall asleep.... LOL is that safe?! I’m just resting my eyes, I swear!)

What else... OH, I made a birth announcement (Well, the template really, since we obviously need to wait until he’s born for the photos). I found the idea on Pinterest and just made my own in Keynote. It’s pretty darn cute. We plan on sending it as an email, rather than mailing them out. Who uses snail-mail anymore, let’s be honest!) 

I also wrote a letter to our little dude, during a sentimental moment the other day (I may or may not have just finished a good cry during TLC’s A Baby Story, LOL). I think it’ll be really cool for him to read, when he’s old enough to understand. Dan’s working on one as well (what a good daddy!).

I had my first appointment with my obstetrician on Monday afternoon. It went very well, other than the 2 HOUR wait to see her! I even arrived 15 minutes early (as I always do for appointments... I hate feeling rushed), only to be sequestered in the smallest waiting room known to man with no book to read and, worst of all, no snacks! Talk about a “hangry” preggo lady! Anyways, she seemed lovely and very knowledgeable, once I finally met with her. I’ll be going every 2 weeks until I’m 36 weeks and then weekly until baby is born, so hopefully the wait isn’t so awful all the time. Luckily, Dan’s cousin and her hubby were there as well, so I had someone to chat with. She’s overdue by a few days now, so hopefully their little girl arrives soon! 

I read in “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” to start counting kicks once you’re into the 3rd trimester, so I started keeping track of how long it takes for me to feel 10 movements. I feel him most when I first get into bed, and so far, it hasn’t taken longer than 9 minutes to feel 10 movements! My OB said if I haven’t felt 6 within 2 hours, to go to emerg... so far, I think I’m good!).

Dan and I also registered for a prenatal class at the end of November, which is a 6 hour course on a Sunday. My OB recommended it and it’s run by two perinatal nurses and a lactation consultant from our local hospital. It’s supposed to cover topics related to late pregnancy, coping and pain management techniques for labour, birth and the post partum period, as well as breastfeeding. Hopefully it’s useful and worth the money! 

The nursery is coming along nicely! I won’t be showing any photos until it’s completely done, which will definitely be before December! I hope it’ll be worth the wait. Personally, I love it and it’s coming together just as I imagined. 

No OOTW post today because I’m saving my outfit for tomorrow night. My mom is hosting a jewelry party and I have a cute dress from Seraphine Maternity to wear. I’ll post it on Friday, I promise! For now, here’s a picture of my hospital “clothes!”  A new fleecy leopard print robe from Winners and the softest pink PJ’s from Zellers! At least I’ll be comfy... well... as comfy as one can be pushing out a child! LOL.  

Have a great week everyone : )

Mommy Make up!

This week has flown by! Supply teaching has finally started to pick up which is nice because I'm getting bored of being at home thinking about all the stuff I have to do before January... and not doing it. LOL. I did, however, cross a few things off my "To-Do" list from last weeks post! (*Pat on the back*)

Lately, I've been reading a few different blogs which focus and makeup and beauty. I thought it would be a cool idea to figure out a simple and quick "Mommy Makeup" routine that I can do in 5 minutes! I know being a mom will mean less time for myself, but being able to smear on some makeup in a manner that will lead to a half decent outcome, is still important to me! I just feel so much better with a bit of product on! 

So, without further adieu, here is my "5 Minute Mommy Makeup" routine and a photo (Eeek, that's close!) of the final outcome. I think (hope?) it's acceptable as an easy everyday look.

I've labeled the products based on the order I apply them. Some of these products I use on a consistent basis, others are just what happened to be on sale or in my makeup case! The brushes are as follows:

MAC Kabuki Brush #182

MAC Angled Blush Brush #168

MAC Eye Shadow Fluff Brush #213

Smashbox Angle Brow Brush #12

Pink and Black Bronzer Brush - no idea!!! (it's ancient!)

Here is my "Pregnancy Journal" entry for week 28!

Size of baby: 2.25 lbs and 14.8 inches long! 

What's baby up to?: He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Total weight gain/loss: 22 lbs (It seems like a lot to me but average is 17-24 lbs at this point, so I’m good. Phew!)

Pregnancy symptoms: Knock on wood... not much other than a sore back and fatigue. 

Maternity clothes? Yep - pretty much everything I’m wearing is maternity now with the exception of a few stretchy tops, and some of my “fat” pants. I’ve busted out the winter jacket this week since its starting to get really cold, and it BARELY zips up... 

Stretch marks? Nothing yet! Thank you Palmer’s Cocoa Butter! 

Sleep: 8-9 hours (but not very deep sleep -  I wake up at least twice each night)

Best moment this past week: Starting the 3rd trimester! January will be here before we know it! 

Miss Anything? Coffee and modeling and wearing my non-maternity clothes! 

Movement: Tons! I started doing a kick-count before bed and so far it hasn’t taken longer than 9 minutes to feel 10 movements. His kicks are getting stronger and are more visible now. 

Food Cravings: Fruit! (can’t complain about that one!)

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nada

Gender predictions: Predict no more -  IT’S A BOY! 

Labor sigs: Nope

Belly Button in or out: It’s pretty much completely out

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or Moody: Both? I'll admit it, I had some minor "freak outs" this week and last (Sorry Dan!). I'm definitely nesting and when the house isn't perfect, it's apparently the end of the world to me!

Looking forward to: Ordering the stroller this week and my first visit to the OB (I’ve been seeing my family doctor up until now). A doctors appointment is probably a weird thing to be looking forward to but whatever! 

Lastly, my "Outfit of the Week" posting! It was a rainy, miserable weekend so we got a bunch of errands done and cleaned the house. Woohoo for comfy clothes! When the rain stopped, we quickly ran across the street to the little playground and snapped away! (I've featured these pants in a previous OOTW, but I love them, so here they are again!)

Sweater: Dex

Tank: Jacob

Jeans: Seraphine Maternity

Shoes: Walmart!

Alright, that's it! I'm off to order the stroller now :)

Have a great week! 

3rd Trimester and Photo Overload!

So, here we are - THE THIRD TRIMESTER! 3 months to go. 10 weeks until I'm considered "full-term". And, I feel like I have done NOTHING. Crap.

Ok, so that's a bit of a lie. We HAVE painted the nursery, bought and set up the crib and change table, ordered the bedding, registered at 'Babies R Us', and pre-registered at the hospital. But that's a tiny list compared to what we still have left to do.

Since I'm a type-A list maker, I put together TO-DO BEFORE BABY ARRIVES list, broken down into mini timelines based on what needs to be done first. I'd like to have everything accomplished before Christmas because by then, I'll be 37 weeks and theoretically, baby could arrive at any time! 

And here it is! (In case you're curious, which, who am I kidding... NOBODY CARES! ha ha, anyways....)

To-do Before November 1st

Buy fabric for window valence and closet door curtains in nursery

Have window valence and closet door curtains made and installed in nursery

Hang paintings and bunting (made by my super-talented friend Chantal!) in nursery

Order stroller, bassinet, carseat

Start to monitor baby movement with “Kick Count” method

Clean out garage

Order diaper bag

To-do Before December 1st

Pick up glider from the in-laws

Reorganize furniture in spare room so glider will fit (it doesn’t fit in the nursery - friggin’ small bedrooms!)

Make birth announcement postcards (obviously without pertinent info yet!) and pre-address envelopes

Put winter tires on my car

Buy and wrap Christmas presents

Donate old clothes, shoes, purses, coats to make room in closets

To-do Before December 25th

Launder all baby clothes, towels and blankets

Stock nursery with diapers, wipes, and other essentials

Pack bags for hospital

Install carseat

Take a pre-natal weekend course with Dan

Finish reading “What to Expect the First Year” and “The Happiest Baby on the Block”

Have 9 month maternity photos done

Write and mail thank-you notes for shower gifts

Create “labor and delivery” playlist and load onto i-pod

Write a letter to our “little man” about how excited we are to meet him :)

Replace batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

Make meals and freeze them!

Get Lucy groomed

Clean the house (thoroughly!)

Get a hair cut and pre-natal massage (the last “me” day for a while!)

Apply for EI benefits

OK, breathe Devon! You can do it. 

Alright, moving on (since that's enough stress for one day!)

I did an amazing maternity photo shoot earlier this week with Anthony from Chung Photography, and I'm SO pleased with how the photos turned out! Here are a few of my favourites :)

                                

        

    

    

 

                                                       

We're going out this weekend to order the stroller, bassinet and car seat (it takes 6-8 weeks to arrive), and here is what we decided on! 

               

It's the Peg Perego "Skate" system. This stroller is amazing because it allows you to attach the bassinet for long walks when the baby is young, transition to an upright stroller when he's a bit older, and of course, you can attach the carseat as well! We plan on also using the bassinet on a rocking stand in our bedroom for sleeping the first few months until we move him into his crib/room. 

After much deliberation, I also decided on my diaper bag! It's the Charlie II convertible diaper bag by Timi & Leslie. 

Cute right? It also comes with all kinds of useful items (change pad, wipes case, insulated bottle tote, "mom clutch", etc) so if I want to use a different bag for spring and summer (I've got tons of oversized handbags), I can just use all the same accessories.

For this weeks Outfit of the Week, I put together a "Casual Autumnal Dog Walk Look". HAHA. Dan and I took Lucy on a nice walk through the ravine across the street from us, so we decided to incorporate our fur-baby in some of the photos! 

Jeans: Habitual

Top: Seraphine Maternity

Jacket: Primark

Purse: H&M

Shoes: American Eagle

Alright - that's it until next time! Have a great week! 

Confidence Booster!

After last weeks frantic ‘Pregnancy, Labour and Delivery Questions’ post, so many mommy friends stepped forward with wonderful advice, tips and recommendations! Thank you so much to all the ladies who provided me with answers and reassurance! I TRULY appreciated hearing from you and I know I have a great support system if I have (which I inevitably will!), more questions along the way. 

So I compiled all of the answers I received for each of my questions and here is what I learned (I feel SO much better now!):

Questions (with Answers!) about Pregnancy, Labour and Delivery!

1. I'll start with a "vain" question - So far I’ve been lucky enough not to have any stretch marks. What products do you recommend for preventing them and minimizing them if they do come?

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula for Stretch Marks - I’m now using this for prevention! (Also helps relieve the constant itch!)

Vitamin E Oil/ Bio-Oil - I’ll definitely start using this at the first sign of stretch marks. 

2. Cold and flu season is upon us and being a teacher means I’m more susceptible to catching something. Can I safely take anything to prevent/treat symptoms? 

Saline rinse for sinus congestion - I’ve got a Neti-Pot and I’m so glad I can use it! It works wonders.

Gargle with salt water - My mom’s favorite sore throat remedy. It’s just so nasty!

Hot water with lemon and honey for a sore throat - This actually sounds pleasant! 

Regular or Extra Strength Tylenol - I knew about this one and find it really works well for the muscle aches and pains and sore back I always get at the onset of a cold.

Throat Lozenges (ex. Halls) - I try to stay away from them because I end up taking way too many! The green ones are like candy! 

3. Did you or are you planning on signing up for childbirth classes? Did you find them useful?

I got mixed reviews on this one. I think Dan and I will end up taking some sort of pre-natal class in the next few months (anything helps when you know nothing lol). Also, I’ve found I can read up on alot of things but until I’ve actually done them or seen them done, its still a bit of a foreign language. I’ll keep you updated on what we decide and if we found them beneficial. 

4. I find myself worrying about every little ache and twinge. How can I distinguish what’s normal from what’s not?

This is a tough one. The general consensus was that if the pain doesn’t go away after  peeing, drinking water and then lying down on my left side, or the pain worsens, I should contact my doctor. So far any ache, pain or twinge I’ve had goes away after I do those three things, so I can probably chalk it up to round ligament pain, a Braxton Hicks contraction, or the baby being in a weird position. 

5. When contractions start, when should I go to the hospital? I don’t want to go too early and be sent home, or too late and deliver in the car! LOL (but not really, that would suck!) 

When contractions are 5 minutes apart, lasting for 45-60 seconds, and continue for an hour, you should go to the hospital. This seems to be the standard formula but I’m just worried because my mom had REALLY fast moving labours with both my brother and I, so I want to be on the safe side! I’ll probably go in a little bit sooner and risk being turned away. 

6. I could probably pack a whole suitcase to bring to the hospital. What do I really need?

WOW this is quite a list! I’m glad I asked this question because I definitely would have packed the wrong things and probably forgotten many of the essentials! 

Feminine pads - I honestly don’t think I would have thought of this! 

Toiletries

flip flops for the shower

PJ’s and slippers

Comfy clothes, socks, nursing bras, extra underwear

nursing pads

A good book or magazines 

paper & pen, folders for paperwork - also would have forgotten this! 

Camera, phone, chargers

A hot pack

My own pillow 

Breastfeeding pillow

cash/change for vending machine, parking, etc.

Diapers and wipes

baby blankets

a couple sleepers, undershirts and a “going home” outfit 

socks, hat and mitts for baby

Penetin cream/ Vaseline

carseat

7. Due to a “low lying placenta” I may need to have Cesarean. Any tips on recovering as quickly and as painlessly as possible, from a C-section?

Let your husband do most of the works as your recovering - I love this answer! LOL

The first 4 days suck because you think it will be forever before you can move properly and pick your baby up, but it's amazing how quickly it gets easier. As long as you have plenty of help at home, you’ll be fine. You can also safely take Tylenol for the pain, which does help.

8. If I’m able to give birth vaginally, when is the best time to ask for an epidural if I decide I want one?

Usually you can get one after you’re about 3cm dilated so, if you know that you want one, ask for it as soon as you get to that! After you’re past a certain # of centimeters (it varies, depending on doctor and hospital - usually about 7cm), you wont be able to get one anymore. 

9. I think I want only my husband to be in the room when I deliver. How soon after our baby’s born, can the rest of my family come in?

After they’ve delivered the placenta (yuck!), stitched you up if you tore or had an episiotomy (double yuck!!), then your family can come in. Usually about 15-30 minutes after delivery. SOME hospitals make family wait until visiting hours. I hope this isn’t the case for us!

10. How soon after the birth, will I be instructed on breastfeeding?

Usually within the first hour or so, they’ll help you with breastfeeding and latching on (although its only colostrum at this point as your milk wont actually come in for a few days). Often hospitals will have a consultant or clinic in the delivery ward as well who will be very helpful. Its difficult, frustrating and sometimes painful at first, but don’t give up because its definitely worth it! 

11. How long do I have to stay in the hospital after giving birth? And after a C-section? 

It varies by hospital but typically somewhere between 24-48 hours after a vaginal birth and  48-72 hours after cesarean. 

12. And the most important question of all  - Soooo, what the $&!*# do I do now?!?!

LOL Relax Devon! You’ll be fine - so much comes naturally and after the baby is born you’ll feel confident and prepared for motherhood! 

 (In case you got bored of reading, here's some silly labour humour LOL)

I also got some awesome random tips! Here are some of my favorites! 

Pre-make and freeze meals or have your family bring you dinner for a few days

Wait until after baby is born to buy your nursing bras because your size will change when your milk comes in. Maybe buy 1 in advance, a size up from what you are at the end of your pregnancy.

Don’t buy too many newborn diapers or newborn clothes in advance. You might have a big baby who will never fit in them!

Buy sleepers with zippers, not snaps! 

Try to nap when baby naps. Household chores can wait.

Keep track of pees as a way to ensure baby is getting enough to eat.

Try Halo brand ‘sleep-sacks’ for in the crib/bassinet instead of blankets and comforters.

Ask for and accept help from friends and family. Don’t be a hero!

Don’t try running after giving birth or you’ll fall on your face- HAHA!

Thanks again to everyone who responded to my cry for help! I also have a Pre-Birth Clinic at the hospital this Thursday where I’m sure I’ll be given a butt-load of information and paperwork to do. Anyways, I’m definitely starting to feel more confident... let’s see if it lasts! 

To end, here is my Outfit of the Week post for week 26! Don't you just love the gorgeous fall colours outside?! 

(By the way, I could just LIVE in this dress. Its uber-comforable, stretchy and has just the right amount of ruching along the bodice and on the sleeves. I bought it because its also totally wearable after baby is born! And I love the cute button details on the back). 

Dress: Seraphine Maternity 

Tights: Seraphine Maternity

Purse: Jessica Simpson

Boots: Aldo

Scarf: gift from the ByWard market (in Ottawa)