Mommy Diaries – Page 4

5 Reasons I’m Nervous About Having A Second Child

April 7, 2015

I’m going to be very open and honest with you. I am so nervous about having a second child. As I’ve gotten bigger during this pregnancy, life has become a lot harder with Hampton. He doesn’t understand “mommy is hurting right now” or “mommy doesn’t feel good.” All he sees is a big round stomach he can bounce off of. My family is probably sitting here reading this and laughing hysterically because I actually want four children (as long as we are able and it is in God’s plan, of course). So why am I so nervous about baby #2?

1. First off, SR was a bit of a surprise for us. We had originally planned to wait until around…now to start trying for baby #2 so that Hampton would be 2 years old. HA once again, God said, “Logan, you are not in control, I am.” I am so thankful for this sweet baby girl and I know once she is here, I woould’t have wanted to change a thing, because that’s how God works. His timing is perfect, always. Alas, I am an extreme planner and a little OCD when things don’t go according to plan, so this has been a big learning lesson for me.

2. How will I have time for BOTH of my children? So many people do this. I don’t know why I am even worried about time management with two kids, but I guess it’s because I haven’t done it yet. I know I will figure it out and I’m hoping my mommy instincts will kick in again and I will know exactly how to handle it. I am, after all their mother.

3. I’m scared that Hampton will take it really hard. He is my baby, y’all. He is only 17 months old. He is still very baby-like most of the time. He loves to be held and has been very clingy to me lately. He is always right up under me. I’m scared he will have a hard time adjusting to not being the only “baby” around here.

4. When will I sleep again? We just started sleeping through the night (consistently) about 5 months ago. We have been in a really good routine, and now we are about to start the newborn phase all over again. Back to square one we go! Yikes! And this time? with an 18 month old.

5. I’m terrified of giving birth. My friends and family who know me really well, know that I have extreme anxiety over all things needles. I’ve always hated going to the doctor and let’s just say, giving birth was a little traumatic for me. I did really well, but I was terrified. Now that I know what’s coming, I’m even more nervous about it.

Okay, so now that my mom is laughing and saying “And you want FOUR?” I will reiterate: I know I can do this. I know that God does not give us more than we can handle. I know that His plan is bigger and better than mine and I know that I will laugh at myself later on and think “why did I freak out?” Well, I freaked out over Hampton, too. It was something new that I hadn’t experienced before. This is new and it will be for a while, but I will figure it out and everything will turn out great.

What tips do you have for a mom going from 1 to 2 kids?

Big Brother

March 18, 2015

Lately, I’ve been noticing a lot of the little things. Hampton’s sleepy smile when he first wakes up in the mornings. The way he watches everything we do with such intent and interest. The fact that there is peanut butter on my window sills and spilled milk on my floor should bother me, right? But I love it! I love all of the evidence of my child learning, touching everything, exploring and playing. It makes me so happy when I see him discover something new. In the last couple of weeks he has started playing peekaboo – legit peekaboo, not the baby version of the game. He runs from me when I call him. He hides from me when he has done something wrong. He lays his head on my shoulder when I tell him “no” for whatever thing he has done in apology. He is growing up and changing so quickly. Most days I want him to still be my baby boy, but others, I realize how lucky I am that he is healthy enough to run, play, spill things, eat Pippa’s food, throw (and break) my bathroom scale, make messes and laugh. He is growing up, and while it breaks my heart in some ways, it makes me smile.

A couple of weeks ago, he came up to me holding a frame with a picture of a baby in it. He pointed and said “baby, baby” over and over. It made me smile, and cry a little (blame the hormones). It was comforting to know that just maybe he does understand more than we think he does. I know he has got this. He is going to be a great big brother to our little girl and I can’t wait!

Dressing the Bump + Teething Pains

January 28, 2015

Cardigan: The Loft

Top: Target

Leggings: Boutique

Boots: Shoe Station

This pregnancy I have been determined not to buy maternity clothes. I have actually bought a couple pairs of pants for work/church, but for the most part, I have done really well just working with what I’ve got. Thank goodness leggings and tunics are in style. They have really been my go-to.

I found this open cardigan at The Loft, a.k.a. my obsession over the holidays and bought it with some of my Christmas money. I have worn it every other day since. Not kidding. It feels like a sweatshirt and is so comfortable. It’s also long enough to wear with leggings and actually cover my badonk! Win/win.

So, Hampton has his 8th tooth (and maybe more?) coming in right now. For the last week he has not been himself at all. He has had a fever off and on, runny nose, not sleeping etc. but he has also started pitching fits. I know it’s because he is in pain, but wow, I wasn’t expecting that for a few more months. He will literally throw himself in the floor and start screaming and hitting at me. It has been so tough and very tiring. I have given him Tylenol as he needs it, but that seems to make him even more grumpy. Teething has definitely gotten worse as he has gotten older.

Have any of you experienced this with your young toddlers? Do you have any advice on how to manage his pain and tantrums?

Linking up here and here!

P.S. Don’t forget to vote on our baby girl’s name on my sidebar!

It’s Okay

January 19, 2015

To all of my mama friends out there…

It’s okay that you haven’t put on make-up for two days, or brushed your hair…did you have time to brush your teeth today? It’s okay.

It’s okay that you have a pile of laundry to do, but you just got the baby down and all you want to do is sleep. Just sleep. You will get that laundry done eventually. Those dishes can wait. It’s okay.

It’s okay that you feel guilty sometimes for having a second child while your first is still only a baby himself. (Okay, that one was for me) It’s okay.

It’s okay that you are still in your pajamas at 1pm.

It’s okay that your dog peed on your floor because you forgot to let her out.

It’s okay that you have peanut butter in your hair from lunch…yesterday, and you just remembered you should probably wash that out at some point.

It’s okay to read that book to your son who is really wanting you to sit down with him instead of catching up on your work.

It is so easy to feel overwhelmed and exhausted when you are a mother. Especially a new mother, or as I’ve learned recently – a pregnant mother. It’s okay to give yourself some “me” time and to rest when you really need to. God says in Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Even God rested on the 7th day. Everyone needs to rest at some point. It’s okay to ask for help and to cuddle on the couch with your husband after a long day instead of getting those chores done. It’s okay to fall a little behind to spend more quality time with your kids. You will catch up and everything will be okay.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed with all of your daily tasks?

Woman’s Essentials For Achieving Confidence

December 16, 2014

Thank you to ThirdLove for providing me with beautiful new lingerie. All opinions are 100% my own.

It is so important for a woman to feel confident. Whether it is make-up, yoga, or that perfect liquid line that helps you achieve that feeling, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you feel confident from the inside out. It makes life so much easier. Some of my essentials to achieving this confident feeling are:

Running. I just began running a year ago and I have become addicted. I don’t feel like myself if I don’t run at least every other day. I’ve had to cut back a bit in the last couple of weeks, but I have been able to keep it up throughout my pregnancy and look forward to continuing after baby girl is born. It makes me feel healthy, toned and confident in myself.

Coffee. I have a one-year old. Need I say more? Without that morning jolt, I am a complete zombie. I definitely need my coffee.

The FRESH Sugar Ruby Red Shade and Lip Treatment. I put this on and I’m like BAM. That reminds me, this kind of goes along with my next essential…

Every woman needs that one in her life that is dependable, reliable, comforting, loving and supportive. I’m talking about the perfect bra. The mesh plunge bra from ThirdLove is all of these things to me and more. Of course, I had to get a matching pair of panties to go with it. I mean, every woman needs a beautiful set (no pun intended). Am I right? ThirdLove makes it so easy to figure out your size by using their fit guide and purchase your new beautiful lingerie quickly and efficiently. This pregnant mama definitely needs her support, and I couldn’t be more pleased with this product.

What are some of the essentials that help you feel confident? Do you have that perfect supportive bra?

17 Week Baby Update

November 28, 2014

How far along: 17 weeks!

Size of baby: 5″ long

Gender: No idea! I’m getting really excited to find out! Ryan is still saying girl, but I’m just not sure.

What do you think it is Boy or Girl?

Movement: YES! There is no mistaking those all too familiar little flutters I have been feeling. They make me smile. I can’t wait to feel it more often!

Workouts: I’ve had another great workout week! Thank goodness for TIU! Their schedule has helped me tremendously during this pregnancy.

Sleep: Sleep has still been pleasant. I’m not as big this pregnancy as I was with Hamp (probably thanks to my exercising) so I haven’t been uncomfortable yet.

Maternity Clothes: No, but I have been wearing leggings all week. They are just so comfortable. My maternity jeans are still too big for me, so I am probably going to rock the leggings for a while.

Cravings: Still no cravings.

Favorite Moment This Week: Thanksgiving! I definitely gave myself a pregnancy pass this year. It was so nice to enjoy good food with my wonderful family.

Looking Forward To: Our ultrasound in 13 days! Not that I’m counting or anything… haha I can’t wait to find out who is in there!

Announcement // 14 Weeks // 15 Weeks // 16 Weeks

15 Week Baby Update

November 14, 2014

How far along: 15 weeks!

Size of baby: 4″ long – about the size of an apple!

Gender:I still have no clue. My Doctor said she thinks it is a girl because the heart rate is much faster than Hampton’s was and it is sitting much higher in my stomach. We will see in 3 weeks!

What do you think it is Boy or Girl?

Movement: Not yet, but I’m hoping it will come soon!

Workouts: Thank goodness for TIU! These girls have encouraged me so much this week. I had a great workout week thanks to them!

Sleep: Other than getting up to use the bathroom about twice a night, I’ve been sleeping really well. 🙂

Maternity Clothes: Nope! I actually bought a pair of non-maternity pants last weekend that I am obsessed with! I’m hoping I can wear them for at least a couple more weeks! You may have seen them on IG! Yes, I love corduroy. Go ahead and call me grandma! haha

Cravings: Still no cravings. I’m actually kind of thankful for that. I craved cookies and milk with Hamp and gained so much extra weight thanks to that, so those cravings can take their time coming!

Favorite Moment This Week: Realizing I go to the Doctor next week and then 2 weeks after that we have our gender ultrasound! I’m getting excited to know who is in that belly!

Other Changes: No new changes other than the breakouts. They are still pretty bad. I’m hoping it clears up soon and isn’t something that will follow me through the entire pregnancy.

Looking Forward To: Finding out the gender in a few more weeks! I can’t wait to start picking out a name and preparing for our little one! I’m also excited to tell Hamp all about his little brother/sister! He won’t understand, but I’m going to try to prepare him as best I can.

Read my 15 week baby update from my pregnancy with Hampton here!

The Day We Found Out

November 5, 2014

I wanted to write about August 25th. The day we found out. 5 days after our close friend’s funeral, we were sitting in the living room early Monday morning talking about everything. We were planning for our vacation to my grandmother’s house in Jax Beach and talking about how difficult it would be to have a good time when we were still so upset and just not in the right frame of mind for a vacation. I started trying to pack about mid-morning and then I started feeling light cramps. I immediately looked at my calendar and guess what? I was over a week late. Surely I just wrote the wrong date down? I got a really sick feeling in my stomach trying to think about everything in the last month. We thought we were careful. Apparently, I have a really weird body that ovulates when it wants to aka VERY late (tmi? Sorry).

I took a pregnancy test and it said “pregnant” almost immediately. I stared in disbelief. I walked into the living room and showed Ryan. He smiled and then shook his head and said “are you serious?” I started crying. Okay, sobbing/freaking out/panicking. Ryan just kept laughing and smiling saying that it would be okay. We had a 10 month old. How on earth can I have another baby right now when my hands are already so full with him and work? Of course we want more children, but we had definitely planned to wait longer than this. We wanted to be in a new house before we had another child. This is definitely not ideal timing for US. Then I started thinking…over the next several weeks. Hampton wasn’t my timing, either. He came in God’s perfect time. I would have had him months sooner than I did if it were my timing. This one must be God’s perfect timing again. We have been nervous about our house, but in reality, there are people living in far far worse situations than we are and we can definitely make it work. We have been nervous about finances, but we know that God always provides.

After weeks of letting this “surprise” really sink in, we are growing more and more excited each day! Ryan has actually been a lot more excited than I thought he would be. I have been the one freaking out a good bit. haha Honestly though, this first trimester has not been as hard as my pregnancy with Hampton. That has been a wonderful blessing. I’ve been able to hide it a lot easier this time which was nice because we needed time for the news to set in with us first. I feel like God is definitely trying to teach me a lesson on His timing vs. mine.

In a way, this is a huge answered prayer. I have prayed since my pregnancy with Hamp that I would not have to get back on clomid to get pregnant again. I wanted it to be easier for my other pregnancies. God definitely answered that prayer in a big way. I am thankful for that and for a healthy baby/pregnancy so far.

I will start bump dates SOON! There isn’t much of a bump yet, but I will start sharing updates soon!

Read all about our Christmas miracle here.

A Mommy App

October 9, 2014

Today is a very exciting day! A Mommy App has officially released and is ready for all of you lovely mommas to download!

This app is so adorable. It is perfect for all mothers. Here are a list of the features included:

– A mommy quiz to test your knowledge on all things mommy related.
– A section devoted to your pregnancy. This will help you keep track week by week.
– A section called “my kids” where you can keep track of your children of all ages. Add in milestones and other exciting achievements!
– Stress Relief feature
– Kids section where they can play games.
– Featured Blogs, Shops and Instagrams!
– App is available for iPhone and will be available for Android soon.

Download for iPhone

Check out A Mommy App on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!

Mama Mondays // Party Planning

September 15, 2014

Hampton’s birthday invitations came in the mail a few days ago and I have been busy gathering addresses and writing them out! It’s official. Party planning is in full swing. I ordered his birthday outfit (the part that I’m not making) and bought a few crafty things to make his garland and birthday cake banner! I really hope it all turns out the way I want it to, but you never know with my crafting skills. 😉

I honestly can’t believe I will have an eleven month old in a week. His birthday will be here before we know it and we still have so much to plan/buy/do before it gets here. That reminds me, what do you buy a one year old boy for his birthday? The practical side of me wants to buy him clothes or put money in his bank account, but the fun mom side of me wants to buy him everything in the toy store! Decisions decisions.

Speaking of babies, fun moms and what not, I hope you will link up for Mama Mondays below!

What would you buy a one year old for his birthday?