What I Really Used in My Hospital Bag

To see what I originally packed in my hospital bag see this post.

Today I am coming back with an update on what I actually used in my hospital bag and a couple things I wish I had. You can watch the update video above, below I will do a quick recap. The main factor that affected the items that I did use and wish I had was the length of our hospital stay. I ended up having an emergency c-section which meant we stayed in the hospital much longer than we would if I would have had an uncomplicated vaginal birth. Our hospital stay ended up being 3 nights and 4+ days from when we checked into L&D. Something I would advise everyone is to prepare for a longer hospital stay since you never know how long you will be there and then if you don't use anything then no harm done.

Baby's Bag: 

Below is what I packed in my diaper bag for the baby during our stay in the hospital and if I used the items or not plus what I wish I had for him. 

• 2 Onesies and a pair of pants- We used one onsie and the pair of pants as his going home outfit
• 2 Hats- We used one of the hats, plus the one the hospital provides
• 1 Sleeper- We used this the most, one of the things I wish I had was one more of these sleepers for our stay
• 1 Swaddle- YES, so glad we packed our own because swaddling with those hospital blankets is a mess
• 1 Blanket - Did not use this blanket since the hospital provided an endless amount of blankets for him
• Water Wipes- Did not use, we used the hospital provided wipes, and we used a ton of them
• Pacifier- Only used for his hearing test, our hospital was extremely anti-pacifier
• Only thing I am going to add- the blanket I ordered with his name on it, when it comes in- yes we did use this to take some pictures of him :) everyone loved it and thought it was the coolest thing

What I wish I had in babies bag: Really the only thing I wish I had packed for him would have been an extra sleeper, since that was what we had him in majority of the stay. The hospital only provides a shirt and they were huge. These sleepers are my favorite and perfect for the hospital since they cover the feet and hands, and have the inverted zipper for easy diaper changes. Also we did have to go to the giftshop and buy him little mits for his hands because he wouldn't stop scratching his face so that would be a great thing to add to your packing list. 

My Bag: 

In my bag I again tried to keep it pretty minimal, just trying to pack the things to make myself more comfortable during my stay. What is in my bag: 

Toiletries: 

• Shampoo and Conditioner- Did not use, was not interested in washing my hair, could barely comfortably stand in the shoer
• Soap and Loofa - Yes I did use, glad I brought my own
• Makeup wipes- Yes I did use 1-2 times a day
• Shower wipes- YES, seriously pack these, they were my favorite for wiping off when I felt gross in the hospital and even before I was allowed to shower 
• Toothbrush and toothpaste- Yes of course
• Mouthwash- I don't remember lol
• Chapstick- Yes used like crazy it is very dry in the hospital
• Deodorant- Yes
• Nursing pads- Yes
• Nipple Butter- Yes
• Before we leave I will likely add a couple of my "everyday toiletries" 
• Makeup bag- will add in a couple basics before we leave like CC cream and lip balm- Yes I did remember to pack these and did use them just putting on a little CC cream each morning made me feel a lot better when I felt like a mess

What I wish I had in my Toiletry bag: There were a couple things I wish I had packed in my toiletry bag, some I think I meant to throw in the day of before we left and forgot. Also again I think I ended up wanting some of this due to the longer length of stay. 

• Dry Shampoo, can't believe I didn't pack this, I am almost positive I purchased a small one for my hospital bag and forgot to pack it. Like I mentioned I was not interested in washing my hair so dry shampoo would've been nice
• Face wash- I did pack makeup wipes but didn't pack face wash and I wish I would have, ideally a deep cleansing one
• Face moisturizer- I meant to add this and forgot and it definitely would've been nice to have, I felt very dried out

Everything Else: 

• 2 Pairs of Pajamas- Yes I only wore my robe and pajamas for the whole stay
• 1 set long sleeve PJ's and one set short sleeve
• 1 Nursing Robe - Yes I changed into this after we got to our final room
• Cheap flip flops for the shower - Yes so glad I packed these for the shower
• 1 outfit- leggings, t-shirt, maternity top- No I did not wear these I ended up wearing PJ's home because I was so swollen
• High waisted underwear- No I only wore the provided mesh underwear and the diaper underwear I packed
• Wet ones- Did not use
• Tucks- Did not use since I had a csection
• Always Diaper underwear- Yes after a day or so I switched out the mesh underwear and pad for these because they were so much more comfortable for me, I am so glad I packed some in my bag, and they are what I wore once I got home as well
• Extra long phone charger- Yes

What I Want my Husband to Grab Day of: 

• Kindle to watch tv/ movies at hospital- Yes, didn't use a ton but a little 
• Camera and accessories- We forgot to grab these
• Extra phone charger- Yes
• Snacks- Yes, I would have even packed more snacks, we ate them all and they were great to have in the room

As you can see I actually did a pretty good job packing and there were only a couple things I wish I had packed, but nothing major. I would definitely give the advice to anyone who is pregnant to pack a little extra just in case, since you never know when you will be discharged. 

Nursery Tour// Baby Boy Nursery & Video

I am so excited to share todays post!! We have had such a great time putting together the nursery for our baby boy who could arrive anytime now. If you want to see my design board and inspiration that post is here, I think it came out pretty dang close to my original vision.

Ultimately my goal was just to create a cozy, calm space that we would all enjoy being in. It is no secret I enjoy neutrals in the home but for the nursery I did want an accent wall and some color. I decided to do a Navy accent wall and then keep the rest of the space neutral, white and fluffy. I love the contrast and how it came out.

We started the space by painting the accent wall a shade of Navy, this is Sherwin Williams Rainstorm, you can see from the pictures it looks more blue or more navy in different lighting. Our plan for this wall was to add some molding to create a board and batten look, however we didn't realize how textured our walls were until we painted so we ultimately decided it wouldn't look right with the texture and decided to skip that, by the way yes my husband was thrilled not to take that on.

For the nursery furniture we looked around at several places. Originally I wanted white however while at Target randomly my husband spotted this set, which is a white wash/grey and we loved the look and quickly scooped it up. We got the matching crib and changing table dresser. We were really happy with these pieces because they weren't plastic like others we looked at and a good price point without being cheap.

Once we had the crib we used that as the jumping off point for the rest of the room decor. Luckily the nursery is a small space and you don't want to go overboard so we didn't need much. I had a hard time picking a rocker/glider for this room because I really wanted something comfortable and that would also fit in the space, plus they are pricey so I wanted to make the right choice. After reading lots of reviews we decided on the Di vinci Olive and we are thrilled. It works perfectly for the small space and is incredibly comfortable. Also our fur baby agrees as he spends most of his days laying in the seat.

I also got some floating bookshelves for above the chair to hold some of his books. For the curtains I actually layered basic grey blackout curtains and basic white sheers on top of each other. I used curtain clips to be able to layer them.

In terms of decor we didn't get a ton, just a couple pieces for above the crib and a couple above the changing table.

For above the crib I got this faux JuJu hat from Hobby Lobby which I love the way it pops against the blue wall. I also wanted a sign for above the crib but couldn't find any I liked. Luckily while at Hobby Lobby I discovered they now sell blank signs so you can design your own. I am very happy with how it came out.

For above the changing table I got these prints of baby animals off Etsy that I love. We may also put something on the wall next to the changing table and window eventually.

Check out links to everything below:

Crib
Changing Table
Di vinci Glider
Rocking Sheep
Juju Hat: Hobby Lobby
Blank Wood Sign: Hobby Lobby
Ruler
Floating Bookshelves
Grey Blackout Curtains
White Sheer Curtains
Curtain Clips
Paint: Rainstorm by Sherwin Williams

36 Week Pregnancy Update + Vlog

For the last few weeks of my pregnancy I decided to do my updates a bit differently. Instead of updating every four weeks I will updating once a week, with a quick update as well as vlogging what happened that week in terms of pregnancy and prepping for baby to arrive.

In this weeks vlog you will see me talking about my cancelled Dr's appointment, buying & setting up baby stuff, getting my breast pump and the usual update on symptoms.

Weeks of Pregnancy: 36

What Happened During this Time: 

During this week not a ton happened, my doctors appointment for the week was cancelled. I spent most of the week prepping/ nesting for babies arrival. It felt really good to check some last minute things off the list and get things ready. A couple things off this list: 

• Car seats are installed in both cars
• I got my breast pump (after quite the ordeal, more details on that in video)
• Got our final baby items that we ordered such as: frame stroller, pack and play, act.
• Finished and mailed off my thank you notes from the baby shower
• Finished washing all of babies clothes and blankets, putting them away

Symptoms: 

• Heartburn- Still going strong, but very on and off
• Swelling- My swelling also increased during this time and only seems to be getting worse. It is the worst in my feet, especially my right foot. At this point I have one pair of tennis shoes that barely fit and one pair of slide on sandals I have been wearing most days. I stopped wearing my wedding rings and have just been sticking to a silicone version to be safe. 
• I will say this has been one of the symptoms that bothers me and freaks me out the most, some days my foot and lower leg just swell up so much it is crazy to think that it is normal but my doctor assured me everything is fine and it is just regular pregnancy swelling plus also probably made worse by the summer heat 
• Pelvic Pain/ Pubic Symphysis - I mentioned in my last update that around week 31 I started having pretty severe pelvic pain, this has definitely continued into this week 
• This has been my biggest symptom and the most uncomfortable, there are times when walking is very painful. However I will say using the belt and cutting out all lower body work has helped a lot. 
• In addition to the pelvic pain the baby has been pushing down on my pelvis and cervix causing additional pain 

Cravings: 

• ICE- I think that is mostly just because it is hot, also obsessed with ice pops 

Aversions: No aversions during this time 

Weight Gain: A lot, but at this point I have accepted that I am doing pretty much everything I can do keep this in check short of eating a 100% clean diet. I have exercised my entire pregnancy and eaten healthy overall with a few extra treats. I can't keep beating myself up about it I can only continue to be as healthy as possible. Also I truly believe I have had a good amount of water retention and gain the last couple weeks with all my excessive swelling so that may be contributing to the number on the scale. 

Workouts: During this week I cut my workouts significantly just focusing on walks around the block as much as I can. I was in so much pain that doing any additional workouts just didn't seem like a good idea, much less appealing. I will continue to take this week by week. 

Favorites: (I am going to keep adding here) 

• Cold Therapy Socks- these are my new favorite for this period and I talk about them a decent amount in the video update. They are basically ice pack socks so they feel great on pregnant achy and swollen feet. I think they also help a little bit with the swelling. I put these on at night once I know I will be sitting on the couch or in bed for a bit. 
• Get Here: https://amzn.to/2KDDut2

• Snoogle Pillow- Serioulsy every pregnant woman needs this pillow or a similar it is a game changer and I really have been sleeping well 
• Get here: https://amzn.to/2JvHNXa
• Palmers Skin Therapy Oil & Cocoa Butter- I put the oil on immediately before I get out of the shower then pat dry. It has roeshemp oil and others in it perfect for stretch marks as well as my very dry and itchy skin. Then later, usually before bed I will also apply their cocoa butter on my belly. 
• Get here: https://amzn.to/2JxzFWb 
• Epsom Salt Baths- with all the tailbone pain I have been taking so many epsom salt baths, they help sooth all my muscles and it also feels nice to just float when my tailbone is bothering me. I use both the Dr. Teals salts and the salt soak, often in the same tub.
• Water Pick/ Water Flosser- This helps treat and prevent the bleeding and agitated gums that pregnancy can cause and is great for just everyday use if you're not a great flosser like me.
• I got this travel size one here 

What is in my Hospital Bag// Mom & Baby

Watch Video Here

Since I am now 36 weeks pregnant I figured I better get those hospital bags packed and ready. I packed myself a bag, a bag for the baby and my husband packed his own bag. 

I watched a lot of videos and talked with several people about what to reasonably bring to the hospital, a lot of people bring way to many things. I just wanted to make sure I had what I would need to make my stay comfortable since truly everything you bring is just optional the hospital provides everything you and baby need. 

Baby's Bag: 

I packed baby boy a few things in my diaper bag. I kept it pretty minimal for him since he doesn't need much the hospital provides everything he needs during his stay. What is in his bag: 

• 2 Onesies and a pair of pants
• 2 Hats
• 1 Sleeper
• 1 Swaddle
• 1 Blanket 
• Water Wipes
• Pacifier 
• Only thing I am going to add- the blanket I ordered with his name on it, when it comes in

My Bag: 

In my bag I again tried to keep it pretty minimal, just trying to pack the things to make myself more comfortable during my stay. What is in my bag: 

Toiletries: 

• Shampoo & Conditioner
• Soap & Loofa 
• Makeup wipes
• Shower wipes
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Chapstick 
• Deodorant 
• Nursing pads
• Nipple Butter
• Before we leave I will likely add a couple of my "everyday toiletries" 
• Makeup bag- will add in a couple basics before we leave like CC cream and lip balm

Everything Else: 

• 2 Pairs of Pajamas
• 1 set long sleeve PJ's and one set short sleeve
• 1 Nursing Robe 
• Cheap flip flops for the shower 
• 1 outfit- leggings, t-shirt, maternity top
• High waisted underwear
• Wet ones
• Tucks
• Always Diaper underwear
• Extra long phone charger

What I Want my Husband to Grab Day of: 

• Kindle to watch tv/ movies at hospital
• Camera and accessories 
• Extra phone charger 
• Snacks 

Hopefully I didn't miss anything that I talked about in the video. Comment in the video comments if there is anything else you are glad you had or wish you had in your hospital bag :)

Pregnancy Update Weeks 32-35 & Pubic Symphysis

Watch Video Here

Weeks of Pregnancy: 32-35

What Happened During this Time: 

During this time honestly not a lot happened because we have been sticking pretty close to home and just spending time with friends and family now that we are closer to the end. However we did do several baby/pregnancy related things during this time: 

• We had a couple Doctors appointments, including another ultrasound where we found out baby boy was already 5 pounds 10 oz which we couldn't believe. That seemed huge to me but I was told that is still only about 65% for weight. He was also still head down, actually holding his feet during the ultrasound.
• Birth Class & Hospital Tour- we completed our birth and parenting class offered by our doctors office and that included our hospital tour and registration so it was great to get that all taken care of. 
• Finished the nursery- we have a couple really tiny things to do but overall we finished the nursery and don't have to worry about it for the rest of the pregnancy. 

Symptoms: 

Overall still feel like my symptoms are pretty minor but am experiencing a few things. 

• Heartburn- This has definitely picked up as the days go on, both heartburn and indigestion 
• Swelling- My swelling also increased during this time and only seems to be getting worse. It is the worst in my feet, especially my right foot. At this point I have one pair of tennis shoes that barely fit and one pair of slide on sandals I have been wearing most days. I stopped wearing my wedding rings and have just been sticking to a silicone version to be safe. 
• I will say this has been one of the symptoms that bothers me and freaks me out the most, some days my foot and lower leg just swell up so much it is crazy to think that it is normal but my doctor assured me everything is fine and it is just regular pregnancy swelling plus also probably made worse by the summer heat 
• Pelvic Pain/ Pubic Symphysis - I mentioned in my last update that around week 31 I started having pretty severe pelvic pain, when I went into the doctor that week she pushed on my pelvic bone and I about screamed. She let me know the tendons were severely inflamed and I had pubic symphysis. That was what was causing all my pelvic pain. Unfortunately there isn't much you can do for the pain other than modify your activities and wear a support belt to help relieve some of the weight and pressure being put on your pelvic area. 
• This has been my biggest symptom and the most uncomfortable, there are times when walking is very painful. However I will say using the belt and cutting out all lower body work has helped a lot. 

Cravings: 

• ICE- I think that is mostly just because it is hot, also obsessed with ice pops 

Aversions: No aversions during this time 

Weight Gain: A lot, but at this point I have accepted that I am doing pretty much everything I can do keep this in check short of eating a 100% clean diet. I have exercised my entire pregnancy and eaten healthy overall with a few extra treats. I can't keep beating myself up about it I can only continue to be as healthy as possible. Also I truly believe I have had a good amount of water retention and gain the last couple weeks with all my excessive swelling so that may be contributing to the number on the scale. 

Workouts: Due to the pubic symphysis and pelvic pain I cut out all lower body workouts. I have been taking daily walks each morning and doing upper body workouts regularly. I have split my workouts into: Arms (biceps and triceps), Back, and Shoulders, if I go to the gym or do a home strength workout it will be one of those three. I have been able to continue with all the upper body workouts very comfortably and it actually feels good to stay active. 

Favorites: (I am going to keep adding here) 

• Cold Therapy Socks- these are my new favorite for this period and I talk about them a decent amount in the video update. They are basically ice pack socks so they feel great on pregnant achy and swollen feet. I think they also help a little bit with the swelling. I put these on at night once I know I will be sitting on the couch or in bed for a bit. 
• Get Here: https://amzn.to/2KDDut2

• Snoogle Pillow- Serioulsy every pregnant woman needs this pillow or a similar it is a game changer and I really have been sleeping well 
• Get here: https://amzn.to/2JvHNXa
• Palmers Skin Therapy Oil & Cocoa Butter- I put the oil on immediately before I get out of the shower then pat dry. It has roeshemp oil and others in it perfect for stretch marks as well as my very dry and itchy skin. Then later, usually before bed I will also apply their cocoa butter on my belly. 
• Get here: https://amzn.to/2JxzFWb 
• Epsom Salt Baths- with all the tailbone pain I have been taking so many epsom salt baths, they help sooth all my muscles and it also feels nice to just float when my tailbone is bothering me. I use both the Dr. Teals salts and the salt soak, often in the same tub.
• Water Pick/ Water Flosser- This helps treat and prevent the bleeding and agitated gums that pregnancy can cause and is great for just everyday use if you're not a great flosser like me.
• I got this travel size one here 

Pregnancy Update Weeks 27-31

Watch Video Here

Weeks of Pregnancy: 27-31

Important Events: During this time we had a couple doctors appointments, including an ultrasound and my glucose test, we took a couple weekend trips and did some work around the house and in the nursery. 

So during this time we did have an ultrasound and it is so exciting to be able to see baby boy! During that visit they told us he was 3.5 pounds, about 60% for weight and looking very healthy. He was also head down during the appointment, but he is still able to move and flip at this point so that could change.

Symptoms: 

Overall still feel like my symptoms are pretty minor but am experiencing a few things. 

• Heartburn- I have been expereincing this on and off thought the last few weeks. Not a daily or predictable thing.
• Slight Foot & Hand Swelling- Nothing major but I have definitely noticed swelling in my hands and feet. I think it is especially aggravated by the heat which can cause you to swell on its own. Due to the swelling I wear slide on shoes whenever possible, only wear one ring (they are thin enough on their own but too much together), or I don't wear a ring at all if I notice my hands seem swollen. I try and elevate my feet and use my new favorite socks, below, to help also. 
• Leg Cramps- During this time I suffered a decent amount of "Charlie horse" type leg cramps usually in my sleep
• Pelvic Pain- This started in week 31 and caused me to cut out out activity to rest, I was in a great deal of pain on certain days. I consulted my doctor on this as well, she let me know what the issue was, I will share more on this topic on its own. 

Have not had any Braxton hicks up until now, also not having insomnia. I don't sleep great but I sleep decent just waking up a lot throughout the night. 

Cravings: 

• Still just don't feel like I have really had many if any cravings 
• I suppose fruit if anything 

Aversions: No aversions during this time 

Miss Anything: No, only thing I mention in the video is missing be able to more easily put on my shoes, as well as tie them. Right now that is a whole lot of work, but I can still do it. 

Weight Gain: After my last update when they said I might be gaining too quickly, I had a weigh in this time where I only gained 2 pounds so they said that leveled it out and put me back in range for healthy gain. Overall it stresses me every time they weigh me and I have finally had to accept that I am doing the right things to stay healthy and some of it is entirely out of my control so I will just keep doing my best. 

Workouts: During this time I was still successful with regular workouts. Mostly gym workouts or at home resistance training. It started to get too hot for hikes sometime during this period. However sometime during week 31 when I started experiencing the pelvic pain I decided to take some time off and just rest. Since then I have done no lower body work, since I do not want to make the pain worse. 

Favorites: (I am going to keep adding here) 

• Cold Therapy Socks- these are my new favorite for this period and I talk about them a decent amount in the video update. They are basically ice pack socks so they feel great on pregnant achy and swollen feet. I think they also help a little bit with the swelling. I put these on at night once I know I will be sitting on the couch or in bed for a bit. 
• Get Here: https://amzn.to/2KDDut2

• Snoogle Pillow- Serioulsy every pregnant woman needs this pillow or a similar it is a game changer and I really have been sleeping well 
• Get here: https://amzn.to/2JvHNXa
• Palmers Skin Therapy Oil & Cocoa Butter- I put the oil on immediately before I get out of the shower then pat dry. It has roeshemp oil and others in it perfect for stretch marks as well as my very dry and itchy skin. Then later, usually before bed I will also apply their cocoa butter on my belly. 
• Get here: https://amzn.to/2JxzFWb 
• Epsom Salt Baths- with all the tailbone pain I have been taking so many epsom salt baths, they help sooth all my muscles and it also feels nice to just float when my tailbone is bothering me. I use both the Dr. Teals salts and the salt soak, often in the same tub.
• Water Pick/ Water Flosser- This helps treat and prevent the bleeding and agitated gums that pregnancy can cause and is great for just everyday use if you're not a great flosser like me.
• I got this travel size one here 

Pregnancy Recap// Weeks 22-26

Recap

Watch Video Here: 

Weeks of Pregnancy: 22-26

Important Events: During this time we had two doctors appointments, we spent a week in Hawaii for our babymoon and we did some work on the nursery. 

Symptoms: 

Overall still feel like my symptoms are pretty minor but am experiencing a few things. 

• Lower back/tailbone pain: Still struggling the most with lower back and tailbone pain. Pretty much daily, some days it is much more severe than others. However I did get a yoga ball to swap out with my office chair which I think does help a lot, since sitting at my desk for long periods of time was when it was bothering me the most. I also do roll, massage and stretch the area which I think helps.
• Swelling while traveling: The flight to Hawaii is ovbiously a long one and something our doctor brought up so I did wear compression socks and made sure to get up and move as often as possible. However I still experienced swelling on both trips. After we arrived in Hawaii the swelling went down within an hour or two and was fine. On the way back though it seemed a but worse and stuck around for about 24 hours after we made it home. I soaked and iced my feet to help. Other than from flying I haven't had any other problems with leg or foot swelling since. 

Cravings: 

• Still just don't feel like I have really had many if any cravings 
• I suppose fruit if anything 

Aversions: No aversions during this time 

Miss Anything: Didn't miss anything, in Hawaii I had some virgin Pina coladas which were actually better than the real thing so I was happy. I also had some yummy sushi in Hawaii all with cooked fish/shimp. 

Weight Gain: During this time my weight did make a significant jump that I discussed with my doctor but I think baby went through a growth spurt. Plus my weight gain before this time had been on the slower side. I am keeping an eye on it and being aware to make sure I am not gaining too much/ too fast. 

Workouts: I have still been able to be pretty consistent with workouts and I am really loving it, I feel great when I get workouts in. I am still working out at the gym with weights, doing incline walks on the treadmill, hikes and walks around the neighborhood as well as occasional yoga. 

Self-Care: Something I want to add in here that I think is part of the reason I have been feeling pretty good is a couple things I have done to take care of myself. Aside from the actual workouts I am doing I am making sure to get in lots of stretching as well as foam rolling. Also I have never taken so many epsom salt baths in my life. I think these things have helped my body from becoming too sore or achy from all the extra strain. 

• Foam rolling- this I think is huge and if it wasn't something you were doing pre-pregnancy it may not even occur to you. Since being pregnant my muscles/ joints have been much tighter however it helps so much when I foam roll. I even had to make some late night runs to the hotel gym in Hawaii to foam roll because I felt so tight and it made all the difference. I typically roll my lower back area, my shins, my quads and most importantly my IT bands. My IT bands get really tight which causes more tightness in my lower back and other areas when I don't do this. 
• Epsom Salt Baths- like I mentioned I don't think I have ever taken so many. I find this really helps if I am sore to help take some of that away. Also just being in the bath and floating while pregnant feels great, especially when my lower back is bothering me. I feel like it just takes the pressure off my lower back while I float in the water. Epsom salt baths also help you absorb magnesium which is great for you especially when you're pregnant. 

Favorites: (I am going to keep adding here) 

• Snoogle Pillow- Serioulsy every pregnant woman needs this pillow or a similar it is a game changer and I really have been sleeping well 
• Get here: https://amzn.to/2JvHNXa
• Palmers Skin Therapy Oil & Cocoa Butter- I put the oil on immediately before I get out of the shower then pat dry. It has roeshemp oil and others in it perfect for stretch marks as well as my very dry and itchy skin. Then later, usually before bed I will also apply their cocoa butter on my belly. 
• Get here: https://amzn.to/2JxzFWb 
• Epsom Salt Baths- with all the tailbone pain I have been taking so many epsom salt baths, they help sooth all my muscles and it also feels nice to just float when my tailbone is bothering me. I use both the Dr. Teals salts and the salt soak, often in the same tub.
• Water Pick/ Water Flosser- This helps treat and prevent the bleeding and agitated gums that pregnancy can cause and is great for just everyday use if you're not a great flosser like me.
• I got this travel size one here 

Bump Pics

Maui Babymoon //Road to Hana & VLOG

Catch up on the rest of our Maui Babymoon trip:
Days 1&2- read here
Days 3&4- read here

On our last full day in Maui we planned to do the "Road to Hana" journey. This is a popular thing for visitors to do. On the trip to the town of Hana there are countless waterfalls and other beautiful sights to see. When we took off we weren't sure if we would make it all the way to Hana and just agreed to go as far as felt comfortable and enjoyable for us then turn around. My main goal was just to see some waterfalls and I would be happy.

**Just an FYI we used the Shaka Guide Road to Hana guide app to guide our trip and can't recommend it enough**

This is an all day event so get up early and get on the road. We got up, got coffee and breakfast then got on the road by about 7:30am. Our first stop was in Paia town to see the Ho'okipa lookout, we were hoping we would see some turtles but didn't find any that day.

Then back in the car to our first stop on the Road to Hana adventure, Twin Falls. This was something I really wanted to see, so that no matter how far we made it I got to see some waterfalls. The first pair of waterfalls aka twin falls is just a couple minute walk from the car and accessible to everyone. After checking those out we sought out the trail to the bigger waterfall known as caveman falls.

To get to Caveman falls you go through a gate with a sign that says for "experienced hikers only" although it was a very easy/moderate hike in my opinion. The only challenge is having to cross a little creek. After walking the trail, crossing the creek and walking across a little bridge we were met with the the most beautiful waterfall, in a cave-like atmosphere.

Seeing that first big waterfall was a killer start to our day and we were thrilled, also not knowing how far we would make it on the trip we felt content knowing we had already had this experience. Next we hopped back in the car. Our next stop was to see Honomanu Bay from an overlook along side the road.

Then we made a quick stop at Changs pond which is a swimming hole with a small waterfall. It was actually full of families with kids swimming, jumping off rocks and hanging out. Definitely a must stop if you have kiddos on board.

Before we knew it we were at the Halfway to Hana stand, and of course we had to stop for snacks and photos. This stand is known for their banana bread so we grabbed a loaf of that and a shaved ice to enjoy before getting back on the road. After this point it did start raining and that did affect some of the places we did and didn't stop. There were several awesome waterfalls you could see from the car and side of the road during this part of the trip.

Next stop was at the Hana lava tube cave, which is something we never would have known about or seen if the app didn't tell us to pull over. You enter from a serious little hole on the side of the road. Then the cave opens up, It was a very cool sight. There is a good amount of footage of this in the blog video.

Soon enough the app let us know we were almost to Hana, we truly didn't think we would make it that far but based on timing it worked out. So we decided we would go to Hana town, grab lunch see the red sand beach then turn around and possibly make a few stops on the way back that we missed on the way up.

Once driving into Hana we headed in the direction of the red sand beach. We parked the car then set out on the trail. After a few minutes on the trail it started to sprinkle. A passing hiker heading back said it is sunny at the beach keep going so we did and to our surprise it sprinkled the whole trail and then the beach itself was somehow super sunny. The red sand beach was an absolutely beautiful sight, something I am glad we saw. However what makes the red sand is broken up lava rock so walking on the sand was miserable, your shoes sunk in and got stuck and bare feet was like walking on rocks and glass lol, just an FYI.

We got lunch at the Hana Ranch restaurant, one of the only sit down restaurants in Hana. Other than that there were mostly food trucks. Honestly the lunch was not impressive and we happened to decide just to split something when it was time to order and very glad we did. Then we hopped back in the car to head back.

We only made a couple stops on the way back. One was to see another waterfall we missed on the way up, honestly I am not sure which waterfall this is but it was beautiful and an easy walk from the car.

We ended up making it back to our hotel a little before dinner time and we were wiped from a full day. Overall I loved this experience and would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Maui, especially if you are the outdoor type and like hiking and waterfalls.

See our full day in this video below: 

Maui Hawaii Babymoon// Days 3 & 4// & VLOG

Continuing a recap of our Babymoon trip to Maui, catch up on Days 1 & 2 here.

On our third day for breakfast we headed to a food truck on the hotel property. We got the acai bowls, banana bread and some iced coffee. Honestly was not impressed with the acai bowls here especially being in Hawaii but they were still good and it was a really nice start to the morning. Then headed out with my sister and one of her roommates who is actually also a friend from college to explore the west side of the island.

We took off in the car and headed towards the west side of the island. Starting first with a drive up the coast to XX bay. We were actually looking for a trail here that we never found but got out of the car a couple times to walk around and see some beautiful sights. Also the wind was out of control this day we felt like we might actually blow away.

Soon we were getting hungry and figured it was time to find some lunch. We went to Sea House in Napali Bay, which had absolutely gorgeous views and was right on the beach. Then we took a short drive over to Cliffhouse. Which is a rock cliff area on the water where a lot of locals go to hang out, swim ad cliff jump.

I obviously did not do any jumping but they had steps into the water and I just got in the water and floated in a floaty and watched everyone else. This place was a very cool hidden gem that we really loved. By the time we finished up here I was exhausted and ready to head back to the hotel.

I was so tired after this day that we headed out to the pool to watch the sunset and then ordered room service and I crashed so hard and really early.

I woke up early the next morning since I think I fell asleep before 9:00 the night before. I woke up snuck out on to the balcony to relax and watch some Youtube videos while I waited for Evan to wake up. Then we headed out for breakfast. We went back to the hotel restaurant and I got the best avocado toast ever.

After the packed day before I decided I was too worn out and just wanted to spend the whole day relaxing, hanging at the pool and reading. Which I feel is an important part of any vacation anyway.

That night we met back up with my sister and couple of her roommates for dinner at Maui Brew Co, which just opened a restaurant. The place is awesome with a great atmosphere. We also got there right in time to see the sunset from the patio and it was killer.

Stay tuned for the next post where I recap our day adventuring the Road to Hana!!

Watch Maui Babymoon VLOG here: 

Maui Hawaii Babymoon// Days 1 & 2// & VLOG

Yesterday we got back, after a very long day of traveling from our "baby moon" trip to Maui, Hawaii. We had a fantastic vacation and I am so excited to share some of the details with you. First a little background on how we decided to go, where and when.

What many of you may not know is that my sister actually moved from Dallas to Maui late last summer. Soon after she officially moved my dad and step mom started talking about planning a family trip with everyone to go out there. By fall they had picked a time and rented a house for the first week of June. As soon as we found out I was pregnant, I counted out the weeks and had a feeling that would be too late for me to be traveling that far, sure enough our doctor confirmed at my first appointment. We were super bummed about not being able to go with my family on the trip, however we decided just to go early on our own. I quickly checked my Marriott account and realized we could cover the whole hotel stay with what was left of my points (I used to travel tons for my old job and rack up the points and status with Marriott) so with that covered it was a no brainer.

We always planned on and wanted to go on a babymoon anyway so we were so thrilled when we could make it work, get to see my sister, visit Hawaii and with a paid for hotel. All that was left was to decide when we could go, that would also be a good time in the pregnancy. We figured between 20-26 weeks would be an ideal time and found a time during that window where the hotel and flights were available.

So lets jump into the trip. We left bright and early on Thursday morning and made it to Maui before lunch time. My sister picked us up, we went to lunch then we went to the hotel to check in and explore. We stayed at the Wailea Beach Marriott and it was more beautiful then I even imagined, I would definitely recommend to any one planning a trip, it is right next door to the Grand Wailea.

We walked the property, checked out the beach and pools. Then we rested a bit, headed out to dinner and called it an early bedtime since it was 4 hours later at home and we got up at 3:45am that morning. Also when we got back to our room from dinner we had the sweetest little gift from the hotel welcoming us for our babymoon.

Since we got to bed early the night before we got woke up early but fully refreshed the next morning. We headed off first thing to the hotel restaurant for breakfast with a view.

After breakfast my sister picked us up and we headed out for our first mini adventure to Le Perouse Bay and the Mermaid pools.

It was a pretty easy hike around the bay with beautiful views, although some was on the lava rock. Then once we got close to the pools it was a little bit more difficult but still doable. Down a little hill we reached a secret little cove and the mermaid pools. We hung out there for a bit then headed back. The hike didn't feel to tough and this pregnant girl did fine but when I checked my steps after we finished it said we went over 5 miles which I was surprised to see.

After the hike we picked up some salads for lunch and headed back to the hotel to spend the rest of the day hanging at the pool and relaxing.

Once dinner came around Evan and I headed out for a solo dinner at the nearby shops at Wailea and it was one of best meals we had the whole trip.

Watch Babymoon Vlog here: