Hospital Bag for Baby #2

When I was pregnant with Ian, I wasn't too sure what all I would need in my hospital bag. I tend to be an over-packer anyways, which is never good when you're not sure what to take. I definitely did not use a lot of the items I packed with him, so I wanted to share what I will be packing this time around. 

What to Pack for Momma

ROBE
I got one from Victoria's Secret (similar to THIS one) that was great when I had Ian. I like these three HERE, HERE and HERE that are all in stock now. Having a cute robe was so comfortable and easy to nurse when I had the robe on which was great. I've been tempted to buy a new one, but since my old one is in great condition, I've been trying to talk myself out of it. Ha!

LEGGINGS
Since you probably aren't going to want to get your nice yoga pants nasty after delivery, I opted for super cheap (under $4) leggings from Forever 21. The ones I had from a couple of years ago are pretty faded now, so I order a two new pairs of THIS black legging, and one pair of THIS gray legging for postpartum. They are actually really comfortable and since they're so cheap, I don't worry about them getting dirty or anything.

NURSING TANK TOP/BRAS
I wore THIS nursing tank under my robe in the hospital, and a lot when I got home. I had originally bought a nursing bra that had an underwire, but I ended up getting mastitis and got one like THIS without an underwire, which was SO much more comfortable. I highly recommend no underwire when you're breastfeeding, which I wish I had known sooner. 

TWO COMFORTABLE/LOOSE TOPS
I liked to have one cute loose fitting top for the second day I was in the hospital for visitors, although I did end up staying in my robe most of the time anyways. But, I want to have that option this time around. I also packed a second comfortable top to have for when we go home. I plan to wear them with the leggings I mentioned above, since I know I probably won't feel like wearing jeans or shorts so soon after delivery. 

NURSING PILLOW
Since I plan to try to breast feed, this is definitely a must have on my list. It makes it so much easier to get comfortable nursing with the pillow you know you'll be using at home. (I have THIS nursing pillow).

PILLOW FROM HOME
I remember not really being a big fan of the pillows at the hospital, so this time around I will definitely take one of my own. Just make sure you have it in a pillow case that you know is yours so it doesn't get mixed in with the pillows there!

 MAKE-UP/TOILETRIES
I plan to just pack make-up basics, dry shampoo and any toiletries I need this time. I'll be completely honest, I didn't wash my hair at the hospital last time since it was chore enough just to rinse off in the shower. I may throw a curling wand in there, just in case I decide to do something with my second//third day hair. 

BREAST PUMP
I didn't take this with me last time, but I plan to this time. Since I had such a hard time breast feeding with Ian, I want to have it on hand in case I have issues with this baby too. I may not even end up using it, but I want to have it there in case I do need it! (I have THIS pump, and it is really great).

What to Pack for Baby

TWO OUTFITS
I quickly realized I packed way to much for Ian shortly after we had him. The hospital has all the supplies you need (including diapers/wipes, alcohol, vaseline, etc.) besides any cute outfits, so this is about all I plan to pack this time around. 

PERSONALIZED BLANKET/HAT
I just ordered Baby Boy a personalized blanket, and I cannot wait to see how it turns out. I have toyed with getting him a personalized hat as well, but Ian was born with a head full of hair, so if his brother is too, I'd hate to cover it up!

What to Pack for Hubby

SNACK/GOODIE BAG
I always let Charlie pack his own bags because he's very particular about what he wants to wear, but I did pack him a little goodie bag for the hospital. It included snacks, magazines, change for the vending machines, and I think our iPad is what I packed last time around, but I may just pack our laptop this time. Depending on when I go into labor, Charlie may be staying at home at night with Ian to ease the transition since there will be so many changes for him (definitely a game time decision since we have no idea when he'll come unless we're induced!). He'll still be spending plenty of time with me at the hospital no matter what, so I plan to do this little snack bag for him again.

Ian's Birth Story

As we are nearing closer and closer to Baby Boy #2's anticipated arrival date, it has really gotten me reminiscing about when Ian was born. It also makes me sad to think that our oldest has grown up so much already, but I wanted to take the time to document Ian's birth story. I can't believe its been over two years, and I haven't written it down yet.

Ian was due on April 24, 2015. It was a pretty good pregnancy for me. I was really sick in the first trimester, but once that passed about week 13, I truly felt great and enjoyed being pregnant. I carried Ian pretty low most of the pregnancy and didn't really have many issues, but once the last month rolled around the back pain became pretty bad. I gained an average amount of weight (well from where I started before I got sick the first trimester...I lost about 8 pounds when I was sick), but my back was absolutely killing me from the pressure. We talked to our doctor about the options of waiting it out or being induced, and we decided that if he didn't come naturally, I would be induced on his due date that Friday. 

Well, April 22nd rolls around and Charlie hadn't even packed his bags yet, but I told him to pack them after he got back from lifting class that night, just to be safe. I went to bed pretty early around 9PM that night since I hadn't been sleeping well, and Charlie followed not too long after. I woke up around 11PM having some serious contractions. I bounced around on a big exercise ball since it was about the only way I could relieve the pain for hours just counting my contractions. At right around 2AM, my contractions had been consistent, and I decided it was time to head to the hospital. So I woke Charlie up and we headed to St. Thomas Midtown to see if it was go time.

I remember it like it was yesterday. The nurses were so nice and calm (I mean I know they see this everyday, but it made me feel so much more comfortable), got us through our paperwork extremely quickly, and they had me in a room to be examined in no time. They checked me, and I was a little bit dilated, I can't remember exactly how much, but said they would check back in an hour. Well, an hour rolled around, they checked me again and nothing had changed. I was so afraid they were going to give me some sleeping pills and just send me home. Thankfully, they called our doctor, and since we were scheduled to be induced the next day anyways, they told us they were going to keep me and admit me. I cannot tell you how relieved I was, especially knowing that I didn't have to go home and be in pain for another 24 hours.

They got us up to a room and told me to try and rest, and that they would give me pitocin to induce around 7AM if I hadn't made any progress. I did end up having to be induced and have my water broken, and then the waiting game began (of course, after I got my epidural--those things are the bomb!). So, we got to hang out and wait around for a little bit, and around 2:15PM, the nurse came in to check me and said I was fully dilated, and it was time to start pushing. She had to do a little lobbying to get our doctor in my room instead of rushing to a C-Section first since Ian was not waiting around, but nonetheless, about 30 minutes later our little man came out with his full head of dark hair (it was the first thing the nurse told us she saw)!

Our little miracle Ian Charles was born at 2:43PM, weighed 7 pounds 13 ounces, and was 19 inches long. Talk about love at first sight! I couldn't control my emotions, it truly was the most beautiful thing I have ever experienced (I'm tearing up right now just thinking about it...silly pregnancy hormones!). Charlie was a champ through the whole thing too, although I thankfully couldn't feel too much, I couldn't have done it without him. He truly is my rock.

{our first picture as a family of three!}

After he was born, they monitored Ian pretty closely because he wasn't as vocal as I guess they wanted him to be, but he really was the picture perfect healthy little baby, and that was honestly what we had been praying for the whole pregnancy.

You always hear the saying "it goes too fast," and it really does. Although some days may be tough, and I may be exhausted a lot of the time, I am so thankful that we have a healthy and active 2 year old running around. I wouldn't trade being his momma for the world. I cannot wait to see what adventures Baby Boy #2 brings to our little family.

xoxo, Ash

Current Fall Cardigan Picks

With Fall right around the corner, I have been dying to buy a bunch of new cardigans. They are one of my favorite staples for the season, so I wanted to share some of my favorites that are out right now. Bonus, all of these picks are under $100...enjoy!

xoxo, Ash

Maternity Shoot

Happy Sunday friends! I just wanted to share a few of the photos we got from our family maternity session a few weeks ago. These were taken when I was 35 weeks, and I'm pretty excited to have these  as we plan for this to be our last pregnancy (+ we didn't take any professional shots when we were pregnant with Ian). 

I have to brag on my brother a little bit first though. He got into photography a little over a year ago, and I am just continually blown away by his talent. He has always been creative, so I'm not the least bit surprised, but I am so happy that he has found his passion and is pursuing something that he has such a knack for. You have probably noticed that he takes most of the photographs for my blog (which I am SO thankful for), but if you haven't clicked over to his Instagram, you need to do it! Words cannot express how much fun it is to get to work together when we shoot, and I wish him so much success in the photography world. Love you big bro...I more proud of you than words can ever express, and we want to thank you so much for the beautiful pictures! 

You can find the link to my dress below, as well as Charlie + Ian's outfits too. Have a great week friends, and thank you so much for following along and supporting my blogging journey. We are so grateful to have you sharing this special time in our lives with us!

xoxo, Ash

*All Photography by Sam Carbine*

Cold Shoulder Tee

Although my bump is getting a little too big for this top now, it has been a staple all summer. This exact one is sold out in black, but I have linked a couple similar from the same brand. 

To my fellow pregnant mommas, if you haven't invested in a Bella Band, you NEED to. It was so nice to have through both of my pregnancies to be able to wear dress pants, shorts, jeans, etc. that are non-maternity. It allowed me to buy the bare minimum maternity bottoms with my first and second, which was great since I hate spending money on maternity clothes. It is definitely a lot cheaper to buy one Bella Band rather than multiple cute maternity jeans and shorts. I have linked the one I have below. 

With less than 5 weeks to go in my pregnancy, I am so ready to meet our little man. Any tips from second time mamas are welcome, please send them my way! I will have a post coming soon of what I will be packing in my hospital bag this time around, so stay tuned. :)

xoxo, Ash

*All Photography By Sam Carbine*

Show Me Your Mumu Seashell Maxi

I have loved wearing dresses this pregnancy that are not maternity pieces. That way I can wear them again post baby! I love Show Me Your Mumu pieces already, but this dress has such a feminine and fun pattern on it for summer and it will be great for spring/summer 2018 as well. The hi-low hem detailing is just gorgeous as well. I have linked this whole outfit, plus the other pieces they have in this print below. Have a great rest of your week loves! 

xoxo, Ash

*All photography by Sam Carbine*

August Skin Care Must-Have

Happy August! I cannot believe that I am saying that already. This year has flown by like crazy! I wanted to share with y'all a new product that I have been using over the last few weeks that I am completely OBSESSED with. I ran out of my usual daily Beautycounter moisturizer a few weeks ago, and it happened to be right when we were restocking out new Countermatch Adaptive Moisture lotion. We sold out within 24 hours of launching this new product last month, and I now I personally know why! 

This pregnancy brought me some skin issues that I had never really dealt with before. My skin was super dry for a while, with really bad patches in certain areas on my face. I had some oil that I used that really helped me through that stage of the hormones, but I wish we had this product then! It uses a bio-mimic technology that naturally adapts to your skins needs, which is SO good. 

My skin immediately feels better after I put it on at night (and sometimes in the morning--I'm not the best with washing my face twice a day). I have definitely seen a change in the appearance of my skin since I started using it. My skin hasn't really been "glowing" this pregnancy, but I have really noticed that it is doing so after using this product. (Side note: out of 692 reviews on this product, 657 people gave it 5 stars, which is absolutely incredible). It is definitely a must-try product!

You can read more about this product HERE. If you're not familiar with Beautycounter, you can learn more about us HERE. I love that our mission is health & safety focused, but that we do not compromise quality. It has been so nice to not worry about what I'm putting on my skin this pregnancy, I know that all of my BC products are safe and have zero harmful chemicals/ingredients in them. 

Feel free to email me if you want to chat about it, I would love to share my journey and this amazing company with you!

xoxo, Ash