Ainsley's Birth Story

Well, hello! I decided to take some time away from the blog during the weeks of Christmas and New Year's since I haven't had a spare minute to write a post. And I hate nothing more than just posting to post, ya know?

Today, I thought I'd kick off regular blogging again by sharing the little story of Ainsley's birthday. It was such a sweet and memorable day, and I'm more than happy to share it with you all.

...................................

I'll start by saying, we didn't really know that we'd be having her on December 10th. We had a bag packed just in case, and my parents came up earlier that week because I just knew that my body wasn't going to hold Ainsley in much longer.  However, we had no guarantee that Wednesday would be the day. 

The morning of December 10th, I had my regular twice-weekly appointment, as well as my (regular, twice-weekly) non-stress test. Ainsley hadn't been moving as much the night before -- something I immediately reported to my O.B.'s nurse when she was getting my vitals. After the non-stress test, which showed heavy contractions, (I could have told them this without a non-stress test, ha!), Dr. D came in and "checked" me. 

After a few seconds, he announced I had progressed significantly and he said Ainsley would likely have arrived within the next 48 hours anyway. Since this was a repeat C-section and I was considered a high-risk pregnancy due to my heart history, we decided to get her out that night at 5:00 p.m. (Dr. D likes to deliver his own babies whenever possible, especially his high-risk patients.) So, he called Labor & Delivery and told them to admit us. 

Ten minutes later, a nurse came into the exam room with a wheelchair and up to Floor 5 we went...

Apparently, there was a mass exodus of babies from uteruses (uteri?) across Northwest Arkansas that day because EVERY SINGLE ROOM was occupied. So, they had us wait in the L&D family waiting room while a space opened up. An hour or so later, they called us back.

Because Labor & Delivery was hopping that day, they had to set us up in one of the doctors' on-call rooms, (where the docs sleep when they're on call.) It was the size of a shoebox and had no windows, which gave both of us a little anxiety, but I was so excited that we were meeting Ainsley, that I'd have stayed in that tiny room for a week!

Our sweet nurse Mary assured us that one of the birthing suites would be ready for us as soon as the surgery was over, which was great because....windows. #necessarythings

By that time, it was about noon and our five hour wait to meet Ainsley began.

The nurse started my IV, had me sign approximately 150 papers and change into the oh-so-chic hospital gown. 

Those five hours of waiting were amazing, though. Stephen and I had time to laugh and talk, watch some TV, make calls to some friends and family, and just enjoy each other's company. We also had ample time to really talk to our nurses, the anesthesiology team and our doctor for any last-minute questions. I mean it when I say, I've never been that calm about such a huge event. 

Around 3:30, the anesthesiologist came in to start my epidural. Just like last time, because of some issues surrounding my heart and blood pressure, a spinal wasn't a possibility. I was nervous about that and told him the story of what happened during Caroline's birth. I'll never forget what he said next:

Well, I'm running this show today and that won't happen again. I promise. Believe me?

I did. Fully. 

He told me that the reason (at least he thought) that the epi didn't work the last time was because they didn't give it enough time to kick in completely. So, he brought his little cart of needles in and the fun began...

I'll be honest, it hurt. Well, the numbing shot, anyway. The sensation of the epidural going in was just weird. Stephen was able to sit beside me and hold my hand, and my nurse held my shoulders and reminded me to breathe, ha! The entire thing took less than four minutes. The last epidural took 20 minutes to place. So yeah, it was already making out to be a better experience. 

After that, a nurse from the nursery came in to let me know who the on-call pediatrician would be, as well as find out what our birth plan was. Our hospital is amazingly respectful of mommas' wishes for those crucial moments right after the baby is born, whether it's a C-section or regular delivery. I LOVE that they ask even the C-section mommas how they'd like things to go. I told her that I wanted to hold Ainsley skin-to-skin ASAP in recovery, as well as let her nurse immediately. 

Around 4:40, Dr. D came in and handed Stephen a pair of scrubs to wear in the O.R. - it was go time!

Stephen and I gave each other a quick kiss and they wheeled me across the hall to the operating room. Until then, I hadn't been that nervous, but it hit me like a ton of bricks then. Thankfully, everyone was so sweet and reassuring, plus I could tell the epidural was really kicking in. 

After testing me to make sure I was completely numb, they let Stephen come in and the surgery was underway!

I felt a whoooooole lot of pulling and tugging - it was so weird. But strangely, nothing hurt. (Stephen told me later that night that he was shocked at how rough they have to be to get the baby out!) 

Just moments after they began, I heard Dr. D say, "Ready to meet her?"

Before I could answer yes, I heard a beautiful, mighty cry fill the room. 

It was Ainsley. 

My baby girl was born. 

I'm serious when I say, it was one of the most surreal moments of my life. 

They weighed her and announced that she weighed 5 lbs., 13 oz. - a tiny little thing with a big, healthy set of lungs! While they checked her out, they finished my surgery, which felt like it took forever. I was so ready to hold my girl!

Stephen joined me in recovery almost immediately and, just a few minutes later, they brought Ains in for some skin-to-skin bonding and breastfeeding. I couldn't get over how teeny and delicate she was! I just kept saying, "She's beautiful!"

We enjoyed a few quiet minutes with just the three of us before they took us to our room.

It was a perfect birth experience. 

.............................

Soon thereafter, Stephen's mom brought Caroline into the room to meet Ainsley. She immediately smiled when she saw Ains, then started to whimper when she saw me. I think she was a little scared of all the tubes and machines in the room. After a few minutes though, she was totally fine. It was so neat to have our family of four all together!

The hospital stay was smooth and FAST. We really only spent a couple days there. (Wednesday evening, Thursday and a few hours on Friday morning.) Ainsley was nursing well, she passed all her newborn screenings with flying colors and I was recovering quickly. That Friday morning, they discharged us and we took our second baby girl home!

If you read all of that, props to you ; ) If you didn't, I can't say I blame you, ha! 

Thanks so much for indulging my momma-ness and letting me tell Ainsley's birth story. I treat this blog like a journal for our life, so I wanted to jot this down while it was still fresh. 

Family of Four

Warning: This is long. It is for my momma records since I treat this blog like a journal. If you're over all the baby stuff, (and I wouldn't blame you one single bit), I'd suggest maybe skipping over this one : ) 

..............................................

Did y'all wonder if I'd fallen off the face of the earth? ; ) Hope all of you are enjoying this holiday week with your friends and family!

So.

I had a baby girl on December 10th.

And, we are all slightly obsessed with her.

I know I'm biased. I know I am. But...but.

I think she's kind of perfect. (Aren't all babies?) She's so snuggly and warm and sweet-smelling. And I want to keep her this size forever and always.

Anywhoodle, I thought I'd pop in and give you all a little update on all the goings-on since Ainsley's birthday.

Her birthday...

People asked if we knew that December 10th we'd be having her. The answer? Nope! We had a bag packed just in case, and my parents came up earlier in the week because I just knew that week would be the week. (My body was o.v.e.r. being pregnant.)  However, we had no guarantee that Wednesday would be the day. So, it was a fun surprise for us, too!

That morning, I had my regular twice-weekly appointment, as well as my non-stress test. Ainsley hadn't been moving as much the night before -- something I immediately reported to my O.B.'s nurse when she was getting my vitals. After the non-stress test, which showed heavy contractions, Dr. D came in and checked me. If you've never been "checked", you truly haven't ever experienced fun ; )

After the 30 seconds of hell that is being "checked", he announced I had progressed significantly and he said Ainsley would likely have arrived within the next 48 hours anyway. Since this was a repeat C-section and I was considered a high-risk pregnancy, we decided to get her out that night at 5:00 p.m. So, Dr. D called Labor & Delivery and told them to admit us. And up to Floor 5 we went...

Birth story coming soon!

Baby

Ainsley is teeny tiny. At 5 lbs. 13 oz. and only 18 inches long, our little gal is quite the peanut! Funny thing is, even for a petite little thing, she lost the least amount of her birth weight out of all the babies in the nursery that week, only dropping two ounces upon discharge. Girlfriend loves to eat and I'm happy to report that she's thriving. Due to her eating so well, we only spent two nights in the hospital and were discharged! (That's a really short stay for a C-section.)

We have been seriously lucky to get two very laid back babes. Her disposition reminds me a lot of Caroline as a newborn. She cries when she's hungry or wet, (or just wants some cuddles), but honestly, she's pretty content most of the time.

She looks a whole lot like her big sister, too. Her eyes are the same shade of blue as Caroline's, but her skin is very olive-toned, much like her daddy's Italian side of the family. (Caroline definitely inherited my Scot-Irish skin tone and freckles.)

As of now, we are exclusively breastfeeding. I haven't pumped yet, as I really wanted her to get in the habit of latching and feeding easily. Maybe it's because this isn't our first go-round with BFing, but it has been SO much easier this time. I look forward to those quiet, still moments during the night feedings most of all. It's such a cool bonding experience that I loved being able to experience with Caroline and I'm glad that it's working out so far with Ainsley, too.

Big Sister

Caroline is curious about her little sister and definitely likes to watch us feed and bathe her. When people point to Ainsley and say, "Caroline, who is this?",  she'll reply, "Mah' bay-beeeee!" And then I melt because I'm sappy like that. #hormonesforlife

Because of the very small age difference, we haven't had to deal with any jealousy issues - probably the biggest perk I've heard of having them so close together.

I won't lie. The first two nights at home were ROUGH. Caroline woke every hour hollering, which then woke Ainsley, too. We just thought it was because of all the excitement, however, we discovered a couple days later that Caroline had an ear infection, which is why she was so restless. She's still getting over that, but thankfully, she's on the mend and everyone is sleeping better now.

It breaks my heart to not be able to pick her up because of my incision. She'll hang her little arms around my legs and cry, which kills me. Thankfully, I should be cleared today or tomorrow to be able to lift and carry her again.


Daddy

A very special thing happens when you have kids with someone you love. Despite the fact that you spend 23 of the 24 hours every day covered in the various bodily fluids of a tiny person, annnnd you may not have showered in a sweet forever, you fall even more in love with each other.

Maybe it's that whole, "We're in this together" mentality.

Stephen is a caretaker by nature, so he's been working double-time to make sure I'm comfortable for feeding sessions, that our pantry and fridge are stocked, that laundry is done....the guy has even made us home-cooked meals most nights.

He is also completely smitten with his daughters. (Duh.)

Something about seeing a grown man pull up a chair for a tea party or tell your newborn daughter that she's "the prettiest thing ever" that makes you weak in the knees. Men turn to mush around their little girls. This is fact. And I love it.


Mommy

I feel pretty good, actually! This C-section recovery has been much easier than the first, probably because my body knew what to expect this time. The day after the CS was horrendous -- hello, second day pain!! -- but after that, things started getting better. I tried to force myself to walk a lot in the hospital, which I credit for getting rid of the bulk of the soreness so quickly.

I only had to take the pain meds for the first five or six days after the surgery and now I'm just taking ibuprofen when needed for soreness.

I did have quite a bit (read: a shiz ton) of swelling in my feet and ankles...and thighs...and hips...and abdomen...following the surgery. It was super sexy and I've never felt more attractive. (Ever heard of pitting edema? A barrel of fun; that's what that is.) Seriously, Lebron James and I could've shared shoes.

It was super sexy and I've never felt more attractive.

(Fluid retention is the new black.)

This is really common after C-sections because of all the fluid they pump into you prior to being operated on. I'm now happy to report that I have noticeable ankles and knees again, though my tummy is still pretty swollen.

And I'm still totally, unapologetically wearing maternity jeans.


Life with two

Having two only 14 months apart is not for the faint of heart. Or those with low energy levels. I don't feel like I had much of a recovery period after the hospital. I just had to jump back into life and honestly, that was okay with me.

Is it tiring? Hell yes.

Do I love it anyway? You bet I do.

We are slowly getting our stride and I'm starting to feel like we're not treading water anymore. The first week was a blur, but this past week has been much smoother. My mom has driven up each week to be here on the days Stephen works, which has been so, so helpful. I'm definitely a little nervous about how I'll handle it once I'm here by myself, but I know that it'll all work out.

I wondered constantly how I'd love another child as much as Caroline. I can't put into words exactly how it feels, but it's like God makes even more room in your heart when you bring another child into the picture. I love them both so fiercely and wholly. They are our greatest accomplishments and the most precious gifts we have ever been given.

I don't care what else I achieve in this lifetime, so long as I do this mom thing right. Yes, Ainsley was a surprise to us, but sometimes the best things in life are those that you never saw coming.

..........................................

See y'all tomorrow!

Introducing Ainsley

Our biggest (little) surprise of 2014 is also its greatest blessing.

It is with great pleasure that our family introduces our newest little addition

Ainsley Catherine Sisti

Born December 10, 2014 at 5:19 p.m.

5 lbs, 13 oz. |  18 in.

We appreciate all of your sweet emails, comments on Instagram and prayers throughout this pregnancy, as well as your continued support as we begin our journey as a family of four. We are not deserving of the gifts that God has given us, but our hearts are so thankful for our two daughters.

As you can probably imagine, free time is scarce around our house at the moment, (ha!), but I hope to return to regular blogging after the Christmas holiday. I'm going to try to post a little over the coming weekend though, while all the details of Ainsley's birth are fresh in my mind.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends! See you (hopefully) back here this weekend!

Confessional Friday + 38 Week Bumpdate

Hey, friends! Welcome to Friday. Aren't we glad to see her?

So, my post today isn't a confession at all, but I did want to get this bumpdate up, just in case someone decides to grace us with her presence before next week! (And I'd be A-Okay with that at this point!)

You can leave links to your Confessional Posts per usual, of course!

.........................................

Weeks: 38 as of yesterday

Gender: GIRL! Stephen doesn't stand a chance against all of this estrogen : )

Name: Ainsley Catherine

Cravings: More space in my stomach so that I can eat food again without heartburn. Amen.

And nachos.

(No amount of heartburn can keep me away from nachos.)

Most looking forward to: Being not pregnant. I'm going to level with you here: the fun of this has run its course and I'm ready to feel like my body is mine again. After two years of being "with child", I honestly cannot remember what it feels like to not be pregnant. (I don't know how Michelle Duggar does it. And I do not wish to find out.)

I'm so very, very grateful that we've been given the gift of these two precious girls, and I have enjoyed both pregnancy journeys so much, each for their own reasons. Ainsley completes our family and I'm ready to have her on the outside!

Most nervous about: The C-section. Caroline's birth was a little bit scary with my epidural failing and all, so I'm praying that this time it takes. Because I can tell you first hand, a C-section without a complete epidural does not a fun experience make.

I've prayed about it a lot and now, I'm just giving it up to God.

Cheers to great drugs and a freaking fantastic anesthesiologist (!!)

I can't wait to: Start nursing a baby again. I was shocked out how much I enjoyed breastfeeding Caroline. It was such a cool bonding experience and I'm excited to share that with Ainsley, too.

Updates: We really and truly thought we were having her on my birthday. I joked with Stephen on Tuesday night that all I wanted for my birthday was to get this baby OUT. He kept saying, "Maybe Santa will give you a baby for your b-day!"

The next morning, after a night of contracting and contracting and contracting, I was eating my words. I was in pain and they were so much more intense than any of the contractions I had felt so far. These contractions started in my back and radiated all the way around to my tummy, then down into my thighs. They were the real-freaking-deal and they. sucked. big. time.

I had an appointment for a final ultrasound with our high-risk OB at 8:30 a.m. sharp, so I called ahead, told them how I was feeling and they met me there at 7:50 and got me right back before anyone else. (Thank you, Dr. C and staff!!)

They immediately began the ultrasound and I started contracting...hard. So intensely that our high-risk doc was convinced I was in labor and told me we should probably go home and get ready for the C-section! (Ainsley's head was so low that they couldn't get a measurement on it with the ultrasound...and trust me, I could/can feel it!) Even though they were intense, the contractions were all happening at really irregular intervals, (regularity = true labor), so we decided to go on home until my later appointment at 1:00 p.m.

I was feeling evvvvvvvery contraction, so I went home, packed a bag, put Ainsley's things in a bag and got my game face on.

(For concerned parties about Stephen and who packed his bag: our house is a literal two-minute drive from the hospital we're using, so Stephen will go back and forth when he needs things. And, should he require a bag, he is quite capable and willing to pack it himself ; ) I had SO many people ask me last year before Caroline's birth if I had "packed Stephen's bag yet" and we would both look at each other and laugh. {Y'all, I am serious. Granted, most of them were older/elderly women, but these folks honest-to-goodness wanted to know if and when I planned on packing his things for him.} He's a 30-year-old man who travels across the country for work on a weekly basis. I asked him if he felt cheated in some way if I let him pack his own bag for our hospital stay and he said, verbatim, "I haven't had a lady pack my bag since I went to camp when I was eight." So, there you have it.)

But back to my story...

I remember thinking, as we loaded our things into the car and headed to the appointment, that this could be it. The day the family of three became the family of four. And then The Little Drummer Boy came on the radio. And I thought about Christmas and Hallmark commercials. And puppies. And, of course, I started to get teary-eyed and happy and sappy. And then I was bawling, Bing Crosby blaring in the background and all.

Oh, hormones...

Anywhoodle, by the time we got to our 1:00 appointment with our regular O.B., the contractions were still happening, but the intensity had died down a lot. (This was a welcomed feeling because...OUCH.) After a while on the NST machine, a (super-duper fun) exam and a lot of discussion, we decided that we'd reconvene later this morning (as in today) at 8:00 a.m. and go from there.

So, who knows if we'll have a baby this afternoon, tonight, this weekend or next week...it'll be a surprise for all of us - Stephen and me, included!

   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

Dressing a Maternity Body (feat. Riffraff)

Remember years ago when pregnant women were forced to spend the duration of their pregnancies wearing glorified potato sack dresses and horrendous maternity stirrup pants?

I was only nine when I remember my mom having to sport those oh-so-flattering clothes when she was pregnant with my brother. And even then, despite it being the early 90s, I remember thinking, "There has GOT to be someone out there who can make better clothes for pregnant ladies."

Thankfully, designers finally got their heads on straight and heard the cries of mamas everywhere. And do you know what? They found it to be an incredibly lucrative market (!!) (Well, gee golly! Who would've thought that women wanted to wear attractive clothing while they were pregnant?)

Vest c/o Riffraff (mine is out of stock, but similar here) // Charleston Glitz necklace c/o Riffraff // top is old from Loft (non-maternity), very similar here and here //  Fade to Blue Secret Fit Belly Skinny Leg Maternity Jean in dark wash (only $39.99!) // Toms Desert Wedge Bootie in Cheetah

Today, it's easier than ever...EVER...to look chic, put together and on-trend during those precious months of carrying a bambina. You just have to know what to wear, what to avoid and which brands/boutiques to shop.

You'll be delighted to know that you won't have to wear even one mumu.

Tips for dressing a maternity body:

1. You don't have to go up five sizes just because you're sporting a bump. I got a question from a darling pregnant girl on instagram the other night asking if she had to go up a size, just because she was pregnant. My personal philosophy? Nope. Here's the deal: most styles of tops today are very accomodating to a baby bump, (i.e. oversize sweaters, tunics, peplum tops, etc.)

I don't know if the fashion world is designing clothing like this on purpose, but it works. I honestly probably bought two or three maternity tops total that I've worn with both my babies.

Instead, look for styles like longer tunics and bottom-covering sweaters (you'll need the extra length) in your usual size or one size up (if your, um, assets have grown.) DO NOT run out and buy a bunch of clothing that's five sizes bigger than your usual; in ten months, you'll have that baby and be left with a bunch of clothes that don't fit and don't look good.

2. Invest in GOOD maternity pants/jeans. Cheap maternity pants are just...bad. They don't hold up and trust me, when that third trimester rolls around, you're going to want good britches. I'm not saying you have to invest oodles of money into pregnancy pants, but this is the area where you'll definitely WANT to buy maternity. Tops and dresses? Meh. Maternity pants= very necessary.

Also, here's a bit of friendly advice from a gal who has done it before: you'll be wearing those maternity pants home from the hospital and probably for a few weeks after the birth of your babe. Things don't just snap back immediately the day you check out of Labor & Delivery, especially if you've had a C-section and are retaining 20 extra pounds of fluid, (but they do snap back - promise!) You'll appreciate the extra fabric and tummy panel while things heal and return to their somewhat previous shape.

I really like these brands of maternity jeans:

All-time favorite: Fade to Blue Secret Fit Belly Skinny Leg Maternity Jean in dark wash (only $39.99!)
7 for All Mankind Secret Fit Belly Straight Leg Maternity Jean
Mavi Secret Fit Belly 5 Pocket Maternity Jean


3. Buy a BeBand. These have been my best friend during both pregnancies, especially during the second trimester. Essentially, it's a piece of tube top-looking, elasticized fabric that pulls up over your (unbuttoned) pants to allow you to still wear your favorite bottoms while you're pregnant. The Target brand BeBand is great for that transition time between non-maternity pants and the full blown "I'm about to pop" mama pants. It will also help save you money if you're on a limited budget or just don't want to invest in pricier maternity clothes.

I also really like Target's maternity tanks. Buy one in every color!

4. Do not throw in the towel. Trust me, at one million weeks pregnant myself right now, I-FRIGGIN-GET-IT. And yes, there are many days where I don't leave these maternity leggings and sweatshirts, which I may be wearing right at this very moment. But please don't give up for the next ten months. It's so easy, especially at the end, to just say "screw it" and throw on your fiftieth pair of jogging pants, but you'll feel soooooo much better about yourself if you get dressed. Even if it's just jeans and a cute top, I implore you to dress for yourself. It'll make those days when you feel like a manatee a whole lot more bearable. You are worth it. You are worth it.

You are worth it.

Confessional Friday: {Link Up}

Hey, hey! Since I didn't do a bumpdate this week, I've themed mine "pregnancy confessions.

By the way - we're 36 weeks along as of yesterday! Crazy, right? That went by freaking fast. Let's hope these next couple weeks do also because I'm ready to burn these maternity pants.

Taken yesterday at 36 weeks- hey, hey, Ainsley girl!

Here goes:

1) I confess that the entirety of my Christmas shopping this year will be done online. At this point, it hurts to stand, bend and move in any shape or fashion. And battling holiday shopping crowds with nine-months-worth of pregnancy hormones coursing through my veins? Nope. Not happening. {Hello, Amazon!}

2) I confess that I miss having ankles. Holy fluid retention, y'all. I never had this issue with Caroline until after the C-section, but it's so different this time. They look somewhat normal when I wake up in the morning, but by mid-afternoon, they're crazy huge. My mom came up for a couple days earlier this week while Stephen was traveling for work, (just in case I "popped"), and I had to have her help me pull  pry my riding boots off Tuesday night - ha! No more tall boot wearing for this girl until after the baby. Booties, heels and flats only.

3) I confess that while my mom was staying with Caroline and me this week, she made a huuuuuge dish of banana pudding and I singlehandedly ate the entire 9 x 9 pan in three nights. Oops.

4) I confess that I will have been "with child" an estimated 560 days of the past two years by the time this is all said and done. I'm pretty sure my uterus would like to punch me.

5) I confess that the only thing that makes me feel slightly more at ease about that fact is knowing that the Asiatic elephant has to endure a 609 day gestation period. I hope those momma elephants get some reeeeeally nice push presents.

6) I confess that all of the not-so-fun parts of late term pregnancy are immediately forgotten when I go to get Caroline out of her crib in the mornings. Her smile and excitement for seeing me and starting her day just make my heart happy. Parenthood/mommyhood is the single most incredible thing, and Caroline has been such a great reminder of the how amazing the little gift at the end truly is.

Y'all go out and have the best weekend in the history of ever. And if you can't do that, at least have a really good one.

P.S. - Blogging may be a little more scarce next week as I tie up some loose ends around the house/with work/with Thanksgiving prep. (Next week is my last week at work, plus I also very intelligently decided I'd host Thanksgiving this year. Because that seemed like a fabulous idea back when I was 10 weeks pregnant and believed in unicorns.)

I promise in advance that I will not have fallen off the face of the earth, (unless, of course, I do.) I will, however, be posting regularly on Instagram throughout the week, if you want to follow my very riveting life in pictures. My username is ablondeambition.



   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

35 Week Bumpdate: {Baby GIRL Sisti #2}

Just a handful of weeks left until we see our girl. (Insert wide-eyed Emoji face with the touchdown hands Emoji right beside it.)

An outtake from yesterday's outfit post. Hey there, Ainsley Cate!

As enjoyable as the pregnancy has been, (and I sincerely mean that), I'm ready to meet our Ainsley Catherine, (or Ainsley Cate, as we've been calling her), and see this precious girl face-to-face. It's funny, but we have absolutely no idea what she looks like. We saw so many facial shots of Caroline when she was in utero that we had a pretty good idea of who she favored before she ever made her entrance. Short of one profile shot at our 20-week appointment, Ainsley has been covering her face with her hands at every appointment.

Last week the u/s tech at our high-risk OB was able to get a shot of her from the front for a brief second, which was just long enough for us to see that she has her daddy's big, puffy lips : ) And, we are told she has hair like her big sister did. We shall see!

A few fun facts about life in week 35 with little AC:

-She's weighing in around 4 lbs. and 10 oz., and around 18 inches in length

-Ainsley enjoys break dancing on momma's bladder every night from about 10 p.m.-2 a.m.

-She gets the hiccups at least twice a day. I used to love that feeling, (and still do), but now it hurts, ha!

-I started getting all of her little clothes put into her closet on Tuesday night. Most belonged to Caroline, but there are definitely a few new things in there, too!

-I bought newborn dipes again this week...so surreal.

-My ankles have been swelling every night this week. Didn't have this problem at all with Caroline until the very last week, but I haven't been so lucky this time. What can I say? Sitting down is just rare these days.

-My normal bras stopped fitting this week. I mean, woah. (In the voice of Billy Crystal, "Helloooooooo, ladies!") On that note, I'll be making a little detour to Vicki's Secret after my appointment this morning. And what I'll be buying probably won't come from their Very Sexy line.

-I make very glamorous grunting noises when I get out of bed.

-I have been using Ruby, our dachshund, as a heating pad this week to relieve aches and pains. She gets to lay on the bump, I stay nice and toasty, everybody wins.

....................................

Stay tuned for week 36...

34 Week Bumpdate: {Baby GIRL Sisti #2}

No denying that side shot, baby! We're nearly fully cooked!

It's been a sweet forever since I've done one of these. 

Weeks: 34 on Thursday. WOAH.

Official Due Date: December 17 is still the official due date, but we have set her birthday (a.k.a. C-section day) at 39 weeks and some days ; )

Trimester: Third and final, folks.

Gender: GIRL! (Woohoooooo!!)

Name: Ainsley Catherine (or Ainsley Cate, as we've been calling her)

Baby's Size: At today's appt., she weighed 4.6 lbs. - woah, baby. I'm measuring right on track bump-wise, weight-wise, everything-wise...except "getting crap done before baby arrives-wise". So much left to do...so very, very little time.

Cravings: Everything and nothing. I'll crave something, eat it and then promptly have searing heartburn. It's a vicious cycle, but it hasn't stopped me from indulging in my favorite things as of late: apples with caramel dip, Eggo waffles, bananas, Hershey Kisses, Honey Nut Cheerios and my mom-in-law's homemade applesauce. Strangest list of foods ever; I do realize this.

How I'm Feeling: Pregnant. Very pregnant. But, very pregnant doesn't equate to very awful. No, friends, I'm feeling pretty good, actually.  I mean, I still have a decent amount of energy, and other than heartburn and insomnia, feel like I could do this for another six weeks or so. 

I'm getting to the point where it hurts to bend over and tie shoes or unload the dryer, but it's par for the course when you have a baby jammed up into your ribcage. 

Still doing lots of interval walking every day with Caroline in her stroller, though the jogging has come to a halt. Caroline weighs 19 pounds now, so I figure between me hauling all THREE of us, I'm getting a pretty good workout. I have felt so much better this go around and I really think exercise is the reason.

I always rolled my eyes at women who constantly sang the praises of working out while pregnant, but y'all, it's true. If you're expecting or plan to be soon, I'd encourage you to get a little exercise every day. It has helped tremendously with nausea, fatigue, late-term shortness of breath, cramping, everything.

Okay. There. My soap box for the day.

Movement: All the time. She's a mover, a shaker and a...chocolate cake baker. Autumn leaf raker. Big risk-taker. Wannabe Quaker. (Quaker? Yeah, sorry. Dr. Seuss, I am not.)

Momma thoughts: 

Miss Ains gave us a little scare at Tuesday's appointment, (we go to appointments twice weekly since I'm considered high-risk.) Her heart rate dipped during the non-stress test, which scared the nurse practitioner who was on call in the clinic. So, up to Labor & Delivery we went. Luckily, my OB was the on-call doc in the hospital and after a some monitoring, I was sent home. (After four hours of sitting in L&D with a dead iPhone and a non-working TV, they deemed it was likely a hiccup of the monitor itself, not our baby, that made it look like there was a problem.) 

Normally, I'd have been happy as a clam for the required downtime, but poor Stephen was having to chase Caroline around the hospital room, the monitors were constantly abuzz and there was a crazy labor going on next door, which stressed me out beyond belief. I cannot bear seeing/hearing people in pain, which is why I could never, ever work in healthcare. (Seriously, that poor woman. She was ten kinds of hurting and it made me hurt just hearing her. I did find out when I was discharged that she finally got an epidural and was feeling much better. And yes, I asked.) 

Anywho, not my ideal way to spend the day, but at least we know little baby Ainsley was fine.

I am willing time to slow down. At this point with Caroline, I was begging time to speed up, but this time around I know how precious the last weeks of being pregnant truly are. To feel your little one inside you - there's nothing like it. (But, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't ready to burn these stinkin' maternity pants. Two years of pregnancy in a row will make you appreciate the little things in life... like trousers that button and zip.)

So, I'm enjoying the bump, the sleepless nights, the precious movement in my tummy, the maternity pants, the way my shadow looks when I catch a glimpse from the side - all of it. I'm okay if the days just creep by this time. 

Also, I could use the extra time to finish the nursery and um, do some Christmas shopping. (Hey, just being honest.)

Until sometime soon-ish --

Updates on Stuff You May Be Curious About

The fact that this post title ends in a preposition is going to drive me crazy, but it sounded too stuffy to title it "Updates on Stuff of which You May Be Curious". I just wanted to acknowledge that in writing because, well, I'm a wee bit tightly wound concerning grammar and such. 

Home Tour

I've been trying like the dickens to get our house assembled enough to take you guys on a home tour, but I just haven't had the time. I've been trying to wrap up things at work, get what's left of our things unpacked and stored in the attic, plan a first birthday party and a 30th birthday party (my husband's birthday - tomorrow!), begin Christmas shopping -- I'll be out of commission due to the C-section in the weeks leading up to, so I'm doing it now -- and basically just keep my head above water while I finish out this pregnancy. 

I'm still in search of art for the living room and kitchen, as well as a new comforter for the master bedroom because ours is shot. As soon as I can finish up those details and have a chance to take some photos, I'll let y'all come on in. I promise!

So, all that to say, our home tour may be a Christmas home tour (or winter home tour) instead of a fall one, but by golly, I'm determined to finally show y'all where we live. I love our little abode; we worked really hard for this house and I'm so proud of it.  

My MIL is going to help decorate it  for Christmas and she is a living, breathing, southern version of Martha Stewart, at least when it comes to holiday-i-fying a house. (However, she's never been to prison for insider trading. Do y'all remember when that happened to M-Stew? I still laugh about seeing tabloid photos of her in a prison jumpsuit, collecting pine cones out in the jail yard. I think her stint in the pokey made me love her more.)

Our Second Kid Will Have a Nursery, (or At Least A Crib and Bedding)
In other decorating news, Ainsley has a crib (!!) She won't be sleeping in a milk crate, after all ; ) We ended up going with a slightly different model than the Pottery Barn Taryn crib after we learned a different style converted into a larger toddler bed, (read: more miles out of one bed.) We are putting it together this weekend and I'm so excited!

I also just ordered bedding. This bedding. I love it and I'm pretty sure Ains will, too.

Hair Curling Video Tutorial

I filmed a hair curling how-to for you ladies. If you've got long hair, be sure to tune in late next week, (probably Thursday), and check it out! I think it would definitely work for shorter hair with a few modifications. I'm no pro, but the method I'll demonstrate works best for me.

I've updated my "Products I Love" page

If you've been unable to sleep due to wondering what kind of concealer I use, you can finally rest easy. On this nice little page, you'll find a complete list of the mess I use on my face and hair, as well as tools like my favorite curling iron and hair dryer. If you've been hankering to add to your make-up collection or hair product vault, check it out. 

And if not, it's sure to help you doze off if you've been battling insomnia. 

Please note: If you have questions about how I apply any of the products, please leave a comment at the bottom of the Products I Love page. I try to answer emails promptly, but these days, that's the best way to get a fast answer to your question. I'll reply back on the page, so look for a response within a few days.  

Seeing Stripes

I've said it before and I'll say it again - fall has to be one of the best times to dress a baby bump. At 31 weeks, I've loved living in sweaters, leggings, fall dresses and riding boots, a fun alternative to ballet flats and great for chasing a (very) mobile kiddo!

I was overjoyed to find that this little black & white striped shift dress, (courtesy of my friend Megan, owner of Hazel's Haven), not only accommodated, but flattered the bump. Trust me, after being pregnant for what will be nearly two years in a row, it's like Christmas when you find an item that just makes you feel, well, pretty.

Dress (c/o Hazel's Haven // Necklace (c/o/ CoraLee Boutique) // Moto jacket via H&M last year, similar here (less than $50!) and here // Sandal-booties via Target // lip color in Plum Velour by Revlon here

I wanted to give it some edge and really showcase the wide stripes (very much "in" this season), so I paired it with a leather moto jacket, my favorite black sandal-booties and lots of fun jewelry. The result? A comfy, yet on-trend answer to a dressier fall maternity look.

.................................

I've always only worked with a handful of stores (most local) that I really, truly believe offer something different to their customers. Hazel's Haven is one of those. So, what makes them different? Megan carries only a few of each piece, meaning you won't see 20 other women in the Starbucks line wearing your cardigan ; )

How to shop Hazel's Haven

1) The best way to shop HH? Instagram, babes. Hop on regularly and check them out at @hazelshaven to scope out pieces every day. Just leave a comment or even call the store at (479) 242-4295 if you see something that tickles your fancy, and they'll make sure you get what you need.

2) You can also check out Hazel's Haven on Facebook, too!

3) Or, if you happen to live in NWA or the River Valley, they're located in Fort Smith at 908 S. Greenwood Road. Stop in and see 'em and you'll fall in love, just like I did.

30 Week Bumpdate: {Baby GIRL Sisti #2}

Weeks: 30 weeks this Thursday

Official Due Date: December 17 is still the official due date, but we set her birthday at last week's appointment (a.k.a. C-section day.) I don't want to announce it just yet, in case it changes. (Not that impacts your life in any way whatsoever...more of just a little "FYI" tidbit.)

Trimester: Third and final, folks.

Gender: GIRL! (Woohoooooo!!)

Name: Ainsley Catherine

Baby's Size: At last week's appointment, they estimated her weight at 2.5 pounds, which is pretty average for this point. My bump (or fundal height) is also measuring average and on target for Ainsley's gestational age. (Riveting information, isn't it?)

Cravings: Bananas, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Cheerios with fresh strawberries, honeycrisp apples with peanut butter. On the savory side, I'm craving McDonald's chicken nuggets with barbecue sauce and their french fries. I have no shame in the occasional indulgence in those golden gems. Judge away; I care not.

How I'm Feeling: I feel great! I still have a good deal of energy, though on my days at home with Caroline, I am beat by the end of the night. She keeps me on my toes for sure, but it's pretty fun to chase her : ) I always tell people that my office days are far easier than my SAHM days, at least from an energy standpoint. 

Sleeping isn't too comfortable, just because Ainsley loves to be active beginning at around 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. or so. The bump is getting bigger, which means it's a little harder to find a cozy position to doze off. Our couch is much more comfortable than our bed, only because it's really firm and easier to roll off of when I need to get up to visit the loo!

No nausea most days and I'm still enjoying my daily cardio of taking Caroline on walks. We do a LOT of hills with the stroller and I try to jog short, easy intervals throughout. (She likes to go fast, so we both win!)

I also count cleaning our house as exercise. Ever hauled a central vac hose (and the 20 various nozzles that attach to it) up and down stairs, from room to room while chasing an 11-month old? It's a work out. Trust.

Movement: All the time. I don't mind it a bit. Sure, it can make sleeping a little tough, but it's very reassuring to feel little Ains moving around in there. 

Momma thoughts: It's crazy to me that we're now in the home stretch. Already?? Can someone please explain to me where the last 30 weeks have gone? 

We pulled the trigger on the crib and bedding, so I'm feeling pretty confident we'll have everything squared away in her nursery by the time she's here. Perfected? No. But she'll have a cozy place to sleep and, Lord knows, plenty of clothes, ha! 

We are also in the process of buying a new car for me - something that will accommodate two carseats more easily than my little Nissan. It's been so nice to have both of our vehicles paid off, but the reality is, two rear-facing carseats are going to make it TIGHT in my sedan. We're looking at a couple mid-size SUVs, which will give us a bit more room for both babies and alllllllll the stuff that comes with them.

As crazy as I know this will be with two babes under two, I'm so ready to meet Ainsley and complete our family. 

I got a text from Stephen the other day saying, "I love our life." It made me smile. Because I love it, too. The journey is wild and about to get wilder; it's true.  I mean, who in their right minds decide to have a baby, sell their home, move and then bring a second kiddo into the picture all in one year? (Though that last part caught us a tad by surprise.) 

Apparently, we do. And gosh, I don't think I'd have it any other way. 

Until sometime next month, friends --

28 Week Bumpdate: {Baby GIRL #2}

Weeks: 28 

Official Due Date: They adjusted it very slightly to December 17 based on her size, (she was measuring consistently smaller than the estimated original due date, indicating they may have overshot her gestational age just a bit.) Our delivery date will probably happen closer to December 10 or so though, as we'll be having another C-section and they don't want to chance me going into labor when my OB isn't on call. 

Trimester: Third and final, folks!

Gender: GIRL! (Woohoooooo!!)

Name: Ainsley Catherine

Baby's Size: According to the What to Expect website, Ainsley should weigh almost 2.4 pounds and be approximately 14.8 inches long. 

One of the outtakes from yesterday's post...

Cravings: Spinach and artichoke dip. And queso. And roasted red pepper hummus. And really anything else that you could put a tortilla or pita chip in. Also? Bananas. And though sweets never sound that appealing when I'm pregnant, I'm enjoying the mess out of the occasional grande Pumpkin Spice Latte, (non-fat, hold-the-whip, dash of cinnamon, if you feel inclined to bring me one.) 

How I'm Feeling: I'm feeling like I've arrived at the third trimester, which, as any second-time momma can tell you, is best summed up in one word: blerrrrghhh. I had a lot more energy at this point with Caroline, but I have a feeling that's because I wasn't chasing a very busy baby around then. (The obvious. I love to state it.) 

I also feel very, um, large. The bump popped much faster, though it seems to have finally tapered off in growth, kind of like it did with Caroline around this point. (I expect it'll get more gigantic by the week around 34 weeks...mark my words.) And the boobs? They have exploded in size. (There. I said it. I'm wearing a letter of the alphabet that I never thought I would. And good gosh, they hurt.)

Lots and lots and LOTS of contractions. Most have been Braxton Hicks, but a few have been pretty painful. Nothing crazy that's resulted in a quick trip to Labor & Delivery though, so I'm not too worried. 

Heartburn. Woah. I had it with Caroline, but never, ever this badly. I'm up every night until at least 1 a.m. with searing, unrelenting heartburn. Zantac has stopped working, so my OB is calling in something today to see if we can remedy this. (My doctor is amazing, though. He's messaged me every day to check and see if I've gotten any relief. If you live in NWA and are in need of a top-notch OB, I'd love to refer you. He kicks tail.)

No swelling at all and I haven't had to pop a Zofran, (something they give to combat nausea and vomiting), in weeks, so I'm a happy camper.

I go in two weeks to take the Glucose Tolerance Test (SO FUN!), so let's all say a prayer I don't puke. The last time, it took a lot of gulping and chugging to get that mess down. It's just so much sugar at one time! Thankfully, I held it in and passed the test.  I also have to get my Rhogam shot (and am electing to get my flu shot) that day, so it'll be a boatload of fun.

Movement: All the time, but especially from about 10:00 p.m. to 2 a.m. She twists and turns, and does lots of cool dance moves in there. It's fun to feel it, and even more fun to see from the outside! (Ever watched your own stomach move up and down and side-to-side on its own while you lie completely still? Then you really haven't lived.)

Momma thoughts: I am in awe that we're sitting here at the third trimester. I'm even more in awe that I haven't done anything with the nursery yet. I'm such a planner that, by this point, Caroline's nursery was nearly finished. With the move and unpacking, poor Ainsley's room has taken a backseat. Thankfully, the house is now unpacked, so I plan to zero in on getting her space decorated. 

I love, love, love the room she'll be in, though. Big windows and tall ceilings - both things I wish I'd had in our old house when we did Caroline's room. (Speaking of which, I should share some pics of C's new room. I love it!)

For starters, we'll need a crib. We got the Sleigh Fixed Gate Crib for Caroline from Pottery Barn and I have loved it so much. They don't make that particular model anymore, but I think we'll be ordering this one, the Taryn Crib:

I'm really unsure of what I want to do for the bedding or color scheme, but if I can find one statement piece and build around it, I think the rest will fall into place.

Now that things have slowed down around here, it's starting to hit me that we'll be welcoming our newest girl in just 11 weeks, (at the most!) I really cannot wait to see what she looks like, get a feel for her personality and learn her likes and dislikes. To me, that is one of the most fun parts of having a wee one - the little discoveries you make about the person who's been living inside you.

She may not have been exactly in our plans for this year, but my gosh - I'm so glad Someone Else saw fit to send her our way ; ) Family of four sounds pretty darn good to me...

Until sometime next month, friends --

Buying Cute Maternity Clothes: {It Is Possible}

One of the topics I get emailed about most is maternity clothes and dressing a burgeoning bump. Mama-to-be styles have definitely come a loooooong way since the horrendous potato sack dresses of previous decades, but it still ain't easy.

Especially when all of your non-pregger work friends are rocking cute little pencil skirts and you're sitting there like, "Check out my fourth maxi dress of the week!"

BUT. But. There are stores where you can score a pretty cute maternity outfit that will help you feel less cow-like and more, um, Beyonce-like than the mumus of yesteryear.

The Best Maternity Stores Where I've Had Luck Scoring Great Stuff

Pink Blush
Pink Blush is my hands-down favorite spot online to buy maternity clothes. (And no, they didn't put me up to this. They don't know me from Adam.) They have the cutest tops and best fitting pants I've found for maternity. Oh, and it's very affordable. I call that a win, my friends.

My pregnancy with Caroline - pants were from Pink Blush!

My pregnancy with Ainsley - shorts from Blush are here. 

Pickles & Ice Cream
The cutest little designer boutique online for anything and everything maternity, Pickles and Ice Cream is a go-to for me, (and the name is just awesome.) My favorite brand of jeans when I'm not pregnant is Paige Denim and they carry ALL the styles of maternity in the same brand. Trust me, splurge on at least one pair of quality maternity jeans. You will wear them to the very end and then some.

Oh, and their tops are pretty great, too!

H&M Maternity
We all know and love H&M. They offer the trendiest pieces at prices that would make a garage sale blush. For leggings and outerwear when I'm with child, I always go straight to H&M's MAMA collection. Granted, both my pregnancies have been in cooler weather in the third trimester, (when you really need maternity clothing), but I'm sure that their summer apparel is equally good.

The famous leggings - LOVE 'em. 

Also, I loved my H&M MAMA leggings so much, I took them to the hospital when I had my C-section with Caroline. They were a lifesaver. They held my bandages in place during those first couple days, were so comfortable and soft, and were stylish enough to help me feel semi-cute when visitors stopped by. People may tell you not to bother with leggings after a C-section, but I wholeheartedly disagree if the leggings are from H&M. LIFESAVER, ya hear?

A Pea in the Pod
I can't sing the praises of Pea in the Pod enough, you guys. It's a little more than you'll spend at some maternity stores, but I guarantee you'll love the pieces so much more. I work a lot of Pea in the Pod for work during my last pregnancy and, even at 1,000 weeks pregnant, still felt stylish and put together.

Loft Maternity
I really and truly think that if I had to choose one store who does maternity workwear most affordably and stylishly, I'd give the trophy to Loft Maternity. I love that store when I'm not pregnant and possibly even more so when I am.

Pregnant last year with Caroline. Top from Loft Maternity and shoes were from regular Loft.

Poll for all the mamas out there: 
Where was your favorite place to shop for maternity clothes during your pregnancy? Which stores did you love and which left something to be desired?