Thursday, February 18, 2016

HOSPITAL BAG = PACKED!

HEY YOU GUYS!
As a first time mom, I have done extensive research into what should/needs to be in a labor hospital bag. Basically, I just want to make sure that we are as comfortable as possible at the hospital during baby girl's birth! It's such a special experience and I want to be able to enjoy it to the fullest. Please note that I also am against over-packing, so I tried to keep it light (even though this seems like a lot). I'm proud to say that everything fits into one single duffle bag! Now, here's what's inside!
(Pictured: Me at 37 and a half weeks with my labor hospital bag, a Kickee Pants Convertible Gown, and pineapple juice!)

FOR BABY:
I was extra picky about what I wanted to bring for our brand new baby girl. Particularly because newborn's skin is so sensitive and they are used to not wearing anything! Keeping this in mind, I wanted to find clothing that would make her feel cozy and comfortable - which is why I'm so happy that I found the brand Kickee Pants. All of their items are made out of super soft viscose fabric from bamboo and it's oh so soft and light! Literally feels like you're wearing nothing! I'm SO in love with everything from this brand. Check them out HERE. 
(all bold words are linked, just click on them)
- Two Layette Gown Converters & hats from Kickee Pants (these things are super awesome btw. Not only are they incredibly soft, they convert from gowns (easy diaper changes) to little pants (for the carseat) and they have the no scratch mittens built in! Basically, they are all you need).
- Swaddling Blanket from Kickee Pants and a Swaddling Blanket from Lippy Brand 
- Newborn Moccs from Sweet N Swag (just cuz they are cute)
- Knit Headbands (nude: Bling Bling Baby, black floral: Lou Lou & Company, & gray: DIY) - for pics
(I also want to mention it's important to bring size Newborn and size 0-3 Month clothes just in case. You never know how big your baby is going to be. I brought one of each! With the convertible gowns, you're pretty safe just using a 0-3 M though)!

FOR ME:
- Nightgown from Kickee Pants - (yes, it's from the same super soft fabric! perfect for cuddling my newborn babe #spoiledmama)
- Target Robe (I wanted a long, soft and blanket-like one that's not too thick) 
- Two long and comfortable halter tops (I found mine at Old Navy on clearance) 
- Two sweatpants (mine are super light fabric)
- Victoria's Secret button up nightgown (GREAT for breastfeeding)
- No slip socks (got mine at Motherhood Maternity) 
- Two pairs of normal socks
- Flip flops (for the shower)
- Slippers (for walking the hospital halls late at night)
- Waist Trimmer (to help my insides go back to their rightful places)!


TOILETRIES 
A lot of these are travel sized items I found at Target and Walmart & the travel sized make-up items are from Sephora.

- Hair Brush
- Dry shampoo (VERY IMPORTANT)
- Shampoo + conditioner
- Dove Deodorant
- Toothbrush + toothpaste, 
- Natural Soap
- Make-up removing wipes
- Organic Nipple balm
- Medela Nipple Shield
- New Mama Bottom Spray
- Medela soothing gel pads
- Nursing pads (just in case - even though my milk probably won't come in for a couple days)
- Feminine pads (also just in case cuz I don't know how I'll feel about the hospitals mongo sized ones)
- Burts Bees Chapstick
- Hair ties
- Argan Balm (aka moisturizer) 
- Face wash 
- Face lotion
- Bronzer
- Nars Mascara
- Sheer foundation
- Make up setting spray (just cuz I had a sample of it)
- Wet wipes (for YOU and BABY)
- Three day supply of my pre/postnatal vitamins 


FOR DAD
- Sports shorts
- T-shirt
- Socks
- Underwear
- Toothbrush + toothpaste
- Deodorant


SNACKS + OTHER
- Pregnancy Journal + Pen
- Headphones
- Doterra Deep Blue Oil (so my husband can rub my feet and back) + Doterra Breathe Oil (to help calm me when in labor).
- Beef jerky (for dad cuz it's his fav)
- Soda Candy things (for dad cuz it's his fav)
- Lara Bars
- Trail mix
- Cashews (great for helping your milk drop and helping produce milk for nursing)
- Pineapple Juice - it's a natural anti-inflammatory and helps clear out your nipple ducts for successful nursing!!! Can also help ease the pain of breastfeeding. Drink as soon as you have baby, plus one little can each day for a little while and everything should go smoothly. It is also believed to induce labor so be careful about drinking it too early. Make sure you get the pasteurized, NOT from concentrate kind. Organic would be best! (IMPORTANT)
- Mother's Milk Tea (also supposed to help breastfeeding) Can you tell I'm determined? ;)
- Multiple packs of gum (sweet, minty, cinnamon) for when your in labor and can't eat. 
- Lollipops (also for when your in labor and can't eat)
- Favorite water bottle
- Cash for vending machine and parking lot
- Insurance paperwork
- Extra bag for hospital freebies 
- List of contacts to notify of baby's birth
- Empty folder for important paperwork

THINGS TO GRAB LAST MINUTE 
- Cell phone + charger
- Camera + charger (make sure your SD card isn't full)
- Laptop + charger
- Purse/wallet with my ID

THINGS TO KEEP IN THE CAR
- Car seat (properly installed) we have the Maxi-Cosi Mico Max 30 in sweater knit.
- Nursing Pillow (we have two, so I plan on leaving one in the car for traveling and also just in case I want to use it at the hospital. I would like to avoid bringing it into the hospital though cuz I don't want it to get dirty).

OPTIONAL - a lot of other women bring these things but I can't decide if I want to or not!
- Extra Pillow in colored case (maybe leave in the car?)
- Personal (colored) towel - so it doesn't get mixed up with the hospitals laundry.
- Blow dryer


AND THAT IS IT! Feel free to share this post on Pinterest if you liked it. & Let me know if any of you experienced moms think that I'm missing anything! For more updates, follow me on Instagram: BrooklynFletcher

Thanks for reading :)

A picture of my puppy, Khaleesi - just because! She jumped onto the bed right after I was done taking pictures and snuggled up all cute. I love her! <3 

Friday, February 5, 2016

8 MONTH UPDATE + PINK BLUSH
















IT WAS SO WINDY WHEN WE TOOK THESE PICTURES! I guess that's Oklahoma for you... at least it's semi warm here so I'm not complaining, it was just hard to get a good shot of this dress!

The maxi dress that I'm wearing is also from Pink Blush Maternity and it is SO comfortable... don't tell anyone but I've actually worn it twice this week already. Ha! It's just so simple, cute, and comfortable. How could I not? I've already mentioned this about Pink Blush Maternity - but again, I LOVE the fact that their clothing can be worn before, during, and after pregnancy. Makes me so happy that I'll be able to wear it longer than a few months! ALSO, to remind you today is the last day to enter my Pink Blush giveaway. Head over to my IG @brooklynfletcher to enter. Winner will be announced tonight at 9 PM MST.

& GUESS WHAT ELSE? Today we got to see our sweet little girl! We thought that she was bigger than normal
and so my doctor scheduled another ultrasound to take her measurements so we could get a better idea of when she is coming (because we've had a bunch of confusion with her due date since she wasn't planned). Well, turns out everything is as normal as can be and she is still head down in the birthing position (has been for 2 weeks now). She is right on schedule for March 7, 2016. Part of me is relieved because now I have more time to prepare, but then also another part of me is a little bummed because I want to meet her so bad! Ahh I'm just so in love with her already. 

From the 3D picture, my suspicion of her looking just like Andrew has been confirmed! She looks JUST LIKE HIM. I love it. She does have my lips... but I swear the rest of her is Andrew made-over, just a little squished version! haha! I know she'll change and grow and probably look more like me as she gets older, but I just think she is the cutest thing I've ever laid eyes on. Can't wait to see her in real life! to better explain the photo of her, one of her hands is under her chin and the other hand is wrapped around her head covering her ear. She was moving LOTS during the ultrasound (as always), she is VERY active. Like, ALL. THE. TIME. Sometimes it makes it really hard to sleep at night but I'd rather be feeling her constantly than not because it seriously is the coolest thing ever! 

I have also recently caught the "nesting bug"... and i have it BAD. Andrew gets mad at me some nights because it's like 1 AM and I'm on my hands and knees scrubbing the floor! Haha he always begs me to come to bed, and I'm just not tired! Even though, i know i should try getting as much sleep as possible right now. As far as preparation goes, I feel pretty good about everything. I've started packing the hospital bag and diaper bag (I'll post about it when I'm finished), her bed is set-up, nursing station is ready, changing station is ready, I have all the necessities and then some! Only things I can think of that I still need are size Newborn clothes and maybe more newborn diapers... and possibly the Owlet Monitor. I have a million 0-3 months size clothes but since the ultrasound said that she will be about 7.5 lbs by birth, that means she will be fitting only in newborn size for at least the first few weeks. I was apprehensive to buy more before the ultrasound because we all thought she was going to be a big baby! Turns out I'm just big because my body frame is so small, haha! Anyways, I think that about sums up my 8th month of being pregnant! Thanks for reading :)


GET THE LOOK:

PINK BLUSH CHARCOAL MAXI DRESS
FREE PEOPLE MAXI CARDIGAN 
NECKLACE
SHOES


Wednesday, February 3, 2016

PINK BLUSH GIVEAWAY









35 weeks pregnant and I can't even tell all of you how hard it is to find clothes that fit! I swear everything is a belly shirt on me... haha. & I'm not sure about the rest of you but I have a hard time spending a lot of money on maternity clothes that I'm only going to wear for another month or so! Which is why I'm SO grateful I found Pink Blush Maternity! I love that their maternity clothes don't scream "maternity". I could easily wear this comfy maternity top postpartum and after I'm back in shape too! I'm obsessed with the crochet detail and the super soft fabric as well - we all know that being comfy while pregnant is key! All the items from my outfit are linked below.

& here's the exciting part -- > I've teamed up with Pink Blush Maternity to give you all a chance to win a $75 credit to their shop! This applies to their maternity line, PINK BLUSH MATERNITY and also their women's line, SHOP PINK BLUSH! So you don't have to be pregnant to enter. Good luck!
smile emoticon
PS: I also have another look from them coming in a few days!

SHOP PINK BLUSH:

WOMENS + MATERNITY


GET THE LOOK:
PINK BLUSH White Crochet Maternity Top
Denim Jeans 
Boots 
Purse
Necklace
© BROOKLYN FLETCHER
Maira Gall