Hospital Bags 2.0

In typical Tori fashion, I have the hospital bag(s) packed and they look very different this time around. I brought so. much. crap. with me to the hospital the first time around. This time, B and I are bringing one bag between the two of us, plus we are bringing a second little bag to bring home goodies (i.e. the extra formula and diapers the sweet nurses hook you up with). Less is more, my friends, less is more.

1. Snacks. Obviously this is the most important thing, ever. I made a snack mix when I had Natalie and it was perfection. I plan to do that again. I also plan to bring some Belvita crackers because I love those things. I wasn't loving the hospital food so it was nice to have some snacks of my own, especially at 2 in the morning.

2. MAMA tumbler from the Blue Envelope.  This thing keeps cold water super cold. I need my water cold to drink and I need a straw. While this is totally not a necessary item as the hospital will have cups, it is necessary for me because I am obsessed with my MAMA tumbler.

3. Shower shoes, over sized towel, travel sized toiletries. Old Navy $2 flops are perfect hospital shower shoes and are an absolute necessity for the hospital. While the hospital provides towels, they are not fluffy and they are not big. For $6 I snagged a huge, soft, snuggly, black towel from Target. If it gets ruined, it gets ruined but I want comfort for those first showers after delivery. Target also had travel pack toiletries for $5 so I snagged a pack for me and one for B. All the comforts of home and none of the stress about leaving something behind!

4. Hand lotion and chapstick. Hospitals are dry, like seriously dry. I remember feeling like I went through an entire tube of chapstick in my 3 days at the hospital with Natalie. So chapstick and a little travel lotion are must haves for me.

5. Phone charger. I don't really need to explain this one, do I?

6. 32 Degree Cool Bralette and Cami. We found out about 32 Degree Cool when Costco was selling 2 packs of the men's tshirts and I absolutely fell in love. The material is SUPER soft and cozy and the bralette and cami designs did not disappoint. The bralette is perfect for the hospital bags of all the non-breastfeeding mamas out there who don't want to buy nurses bras but need the comfort of one :)

7. Mom uniform shirts. I love these shirts/tanks from Declan and Crew and Emerson Grace Boutique. I wanted something #momlife appropriate and cute. Also, I thought the "Motherhood" shirt was too perfect for the kiddos meeting for the first time :)

8. Old Navy compression maternity leggings. Leggings, duh. Compression, duh. Comfortable, duh. Need I say more?

Not pictured: a towel for B, a toiletry kit for him, a pair of jeans, new Carhartt pocket tees (his favorite), clean unmentionables (for both of us) and pads (so glamorous). 

We also put together thank you baskets for the L&D and postpartum nurses.

I really love how these came together!  With Natalie, we made a dozen little goodie bags and left a half with the L&D nurses and half with postpartum nurses. This time, I wanted to do something a little easier and less labor intensive but with the same idea in mind. We included chapstick, bottled water with little Crystal Lite packets, snacks and gum. 

a letter to my husband

The last year of our lives has been utterly insane - between B's near death experience, my car accident and getting pregnant, I feel like life has been moving at warp speed. I have done so much reflecting during this pregnancy about our lives and our future. It's alarming how hyper-aware and overly sensitive you become during pregnancy. Thanks hormones. So on that note... I wanted to take the time to put some of my thoughts into words in a letter to my husband before we enter the next chapter of this journey.

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What a year, Mr. Wilkinson. It hasn't been an easy one and we have been through hell but I cannot imagine doing this with anyone else. 

As we wait for the arrival of our last child, I can't help but to reflect on you as a father. Parenting changed our lives, that's a no-brainer. It is completely undeniable. Sometimes I miss the time when it was just us. The freedom that came with wine and cheese for dinner, all day tv or movie marathons and no one's little life (or stomach) depending on us. But I have so much more than that now. I have the sight of you getting your nails done in the softest shade of pink because it makes our daughter so elated to paint Daddy's nails. I have the feel of your hand on my large belly as you talk to our son. I have the sounds of your bedtime conversations with Natalie. I have an even deeper respect for your patience and dedication to our family.  You have handled the emotional roller coaster that is having a pregnant, hormonal, sleep deprived wife as if it's no big deal. You are a rock when I am quicksand. 

Our journey to becoming parents wasn't an easy one and I am so thankful that you never gave up on our dream. I am so thankful for so many of the things, big and little, that you do for me, for us and for our family every day. I want to thank you for taking out the trash and recycling every week because I don't even know what days they go out on. I want to thank you for every diaper you willingly changed for Natalie and all of the ones you'll be changing when Everett arrives. I want to thank you for showing our daughter how a true gentleman treats a lady. I want to thank you for always treating me like a lady, for always kissing me good morning and good night and telling me you love me. I want to thank you for our neighborhood walks, even though you know they will always end at Mr. Mike's so you can buy us ice cream. I want to thank you for always listening to me and loving me, even when I make it difficult. I want to thank you for still seeing me and looking at me 10 years and (almost) two babies later the same way you did that night at the pub even though I barely recognize the body I am in now. I want to thank you for always being my safe place, our safe place.

Every day you show selflessness and dedication to your family, to being a good husband, a good father, a provider. You have always been more than willing to sacrifice so much for us.  Please know that I see all of those big things and little things that you do for us.  You are the glue that holds us together. Do you know how lucky Natalie is to have a father like you? A man who is loving and patient, strong but gentle. I pray she is lucky enough to marry someone as wonderful as you. Do you know how lucky Everett will be to have a father and role model like you? Someone who is equally stern and fun, silly and serious. I have watched you grow as a #girldad and I am so excited to see how different, but special, your relationship will be with our son.  Do you know how fortunate I am to be married to someone as undeniably supportive, loving and devoted as you? Please know, I work every day not to take that for granted.

B, I am so lucky to do this life with you and I cannot wait to continue to watch you grow as a husband and a father. You amaze me, every day. Thank you for being an incredible father to our (not so) little girl and, soon enough, our little boy. Thank you for fighting for us, for our marriage.  Thank you for choosing every day to do this journey with me. I love you more than I will ever truly be able to put into words. 

baby #2 | 35 weeks

How Far Along: 35 weeks, 4 days! A lot late this week but for good reason! 

Size of the Baby: Baby W is the size of a coconut! YUM.

Can someone have one of these ready for me after delivery? Thanks :)

Although... given my appointment on Thursday, I can say with certainty that would be one very large coconut.

Pregnancy/Sleep/Labor Signs: Everett is clearly a big boy. He is all up in my ribs and starting to cause quite a bit of pain.  We'll find out this week just how big he is measuring and I cannot wait :)

I am still sleeping pretty well given that I am so. freaking. close. to the end, I am fairly surprised and over the moon thrilled about. I am getting leg cramps at night which is tough. I try to drink gatorade before bed but I try not to drink too much because of that whole getting up to pee thing. It's a balancing act. 

No labor signs just yet which I am totally ok with. I had my first cervix check last Friday with Dr. Masiky. We are 1/2 cm dilated which is the same as with Natalie. I'll go back next week for another check and for a BPP to check fluid, size and his breathing. 

Bump/Belly Button/Weight Gain: I could not be more in love with this bump. My belly button is flat-ish. For the most part it is flat but sometimes it's a nub. Natalie thinks it's weird and I love it. I have not gained any weight in the last week so I am still up only 35lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight. It looks like I will probably gain about the same amount of weight with both pregnancies, but I will still be 24lbs less than my delivery weight with Natalie which feels just crazy to me.

Cravings/Aversions: Craving nothing. Aversions: everything. I have had a rough case of food poisoning since the weekend so food is making me super leery. 

Big Sister: She has been hamming it up all week. I could not be more proud of her. I loved that my parents got to spend some time with her and see what a sweet, sassy little girl she is. She spent the weekend in NJ visiting B's family and she is just obsessed with Unkie's girlfriend, Allison. It is the sweetest. 

Miss Anything: My parents. We had such a great visit with them and I wish that we had gotten more time. I know I'll see them in about a month but it's tough. 

Best Moment: This week has been full of them! Last Wednesday, we got to spend some time with my parents and take Nat to the splash pad and pool where my parents were staying. That little girl had the time of her life. She is so carefree and happy and I wish I could bottle it up and sell it because we'd be rich. 

my mama and me :)

On Thursday, B and Nat came with me to my OB scan which was nice.  It was an anxiety filled scan so I was happy to have B's hand to hold.  And then, after my appointment my coworkers threw the sweetest little sprinkle for Everett :) He is one very loved and lucky little boy and I am one very blessed mama to have such amazing co-workers.

Thursday evening, my family came over and we continued the celebrations. We celebrated my parents visiting and Everett (by virtue of leftover sprinkle cake) and just being together which was nice. We picked crabs, some lucky people drank beers and we laughed and listed to Buffett. Hello summer, indeed!

Over the weekend, in between bouts of dying, I did baby brother's laundry and worked on thank you notes. I have some final little things to snag for his room and then I will post pictures! I packed hospital bags and put together gifts for the hospital nurses. And then on Sunday afternoon, I got to celebrate the pending arrival of my friend Emily's little girl, Harper :)

Can't Wait For: I cannot wait for Everett's room to be done. I know he won't be sleeping in there anytime soon, but it's nice for me to have his space complete. I am also excited for my weekly appointment with Dr. Masiky since we'll get to peak in on baby brother :)

Maternity Pictures | Liz Hough Photo

I first reached out to Liz from Liz Hough Photography when I was just barely pregnant. I wanted to price her out because I was in love with her work. Liz has worked with so many of my co-workers so she came really highly recommended and I can see why! She is flexible and understanding and as a mom of almost 5 month old twins and a three year old, she just gets it. 

When I did Natalie's maternity pictures, I didn't plan outfits with as much thought. This time around, it was so much more fun. I narrowed down the dresses I liked from Pink Blush and I had my co-worker (and fashion guru), Shawn, make the final decision.  Old Navy had the cutest tutu dresses on sale so I snagged three in different colors so that once my dress came in, Shawn could tell me which one would be best for Natalie to wear. Once we settled on a pink dress for Natalie, I opted to let her wear her pink princess heels. It was important to me that these maternity pictures not just celebrate my pregnancy, but truly reflect this moment in our lives and at this moment, princess heels are all the rage. 

We met up with Liz for maternity pictures one evening during the middle of the week at a local park. She had asked if I had a time preference and I said I really loved her work during the golden hour. Rain was in the forecast so I was a little anxious but we lucked out and had really great, although a smidge humid, weather for pictures.  The golden hour is such a beautiful, peaceful, serene time of day and I feel like it is truly reflected in our pictures.

Natalie was a total ham bone during pictures.  She listened so well and really took to Ms. Liz. My heart melted so many times but especially when Liz was taking my picture and Natalie from the background said "You're doing such a great job, Mommy!" I love how encouraging and sweet that little girl can be. Clearly B and I are doing something right :)

I cannot put into words how happy I am with the results of our maternity pictures.

A sprinkle for baby brother

I have talked before about how amazing my work team family is. In fact, I went on a hormonal tangent not too long ago about how thankful I am for these amazing women. I owe so much to them, both personally and professionally. So it really wasn't a surprise that when I told them there wasn't going to be a sprinkle for baby brother, they insisted he get one at work. And not only did they plan the sweetest little sprinkle, but they made it during a time that B and Natalie could come to celebrate too. 

B and I are so incredibly overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support of this pregnancy and our little family. We are feeling so blessed, happy, excited and most of all ready to welcome little brother in a few more weeks!

baby #2 | 34 weeks

How Far Along: 34 weeks! 

Size of the Baby: Baby W is the size of a butternut squash box of cookies! (Cookies sound amazing but cookies mean carbs and carbs are a no-no. Whomp whomp.)

Pregnancy/Sleep/Labor Signs: I have said it approximately 579 times and I will say it at least another 426 but this pregnancy has been so different than my pregnancy with Natalie. I feel much better this time around. 

Sleep is starting to get a little bit questionable. I've made it this far so I guess that's only fair. I need to go buy some extra pillows for the bed which should help out.

No labor signs just yet. I did have a dream the other night that my water broke during a clinical team meeting. Since I missed the one for this month, I guess we'll have to see if it happens at the meeting next month on the 11th :) I have my first cervix check next week which is just crazy that we're already that far along and I am super excited to see how things are progressing at this point (if at all). Fun fact: I was 1/2 cm dilated with Natalie at 35 weeks.

Bump/Belly Button/Weight Gain: I am bumping. I feel smaller this time around even though I have gained nearly as much weight in 34 weeks (up a total of 35 lbs) as I did in 40 weeks with Nat.  I feel more confident and love my body so much more this time. It's liberating. Sometimes I almost forget that I have the bump. The other morning B was still snuggled in bed and I went to lay on his back and couldn't because of the bump and was like well shoot, when did this thing get here?

Cravings/Aversions: Nothing this week!

Big Sister: I could not be more proud of her lately. Last weekend while at the baby shower she was so well behaved. She had impeccable manners. She was a total rock star. I am so incredibly proud of the little lady she is becoming.

She also totally rocked maternity pictures this week and I cannot get enough of her sassy little self. I wish I could bottle up this age. Three has been hard but I think we're turning a corner! ...here's to hoping I haven't jinxed myself!

Miss Anything: Carbs and chai. While I haven't cut them out entirely (it's impossible and not actually good to do that), I have had to be much smarter about them and that has been terrible. Did you know a venti no water lightly sweet chai has 39 grams of carbs? And a regular no water venti chai has 56 grams of carbs? Hell, cutting those out should mean I am allowed to have bread but it does not. Ugh. 

Best Moment: We did our maternity pictures with Liz from Hough Photography this week and it was so much fun! Liz is seriously a dream to work with and I am already on pins and needles waiting for the final product!

Can't Wait For: We are doing more maternity pictures this weekend! I literally cannot get enough documentation of this last (planned) pregnancy.  This weekend's pictures are with the every so fabulous Monique! We absolutely love working with her! Also, my parents are coming to visit next week and I am so excited to see them! We are spending the whole day with them next Wednesday and then we're hosting everyone for crabs next Thursday. Eek!

310 Crever All Grown Up

I met Danielle and Dee at the end of my freshman year of college. The three of us instantly clicked and became fast friends. We saw each other through tough exams, shitty break-ups and brutal hangovers. Twelve years later, they are still some of the people I love most in the world.

While in college, we often joked about a pregnancy pact. Little did we know, it would accidentally come true!  Dee text me in October to let me know that she was pregnant and I was beyond excited for her. Dee was 100% born to be a mom. I told her we were thinking about trying again soon and then B and I got pregnant in November. Around the holidays, I text Danielle that I had a crazy pregnancy dream that I got a holiday card from her in the mail that had a pregnancy announcement. She said that while no card announcement was coming, she had JUST found out the week before that SHE was pregnant too. Given that she is the best godmother, I know Danielle is going to make the best mama.

This past weekend we made our way to NJ for Danielle's baby shower. B dropped Nat and me off at Danielle's parents house and then head to Piscataway to visit with his parents before coming back to get me and Nat. Danielle's mom threw the most perfect shower for Danielle and baby JJ.

Dee, Me, Danielle

the Lyco girls | Dee, Me, Danielle, Jamie, Tara

Danielle, Nat and me 

so happy to celebrate this mama to be!

I am so happy that I was able to make it up to New Jersey to celebrate Danielle and the pending arrival of baby JJ. I am so looking forward to making a trip up in August after the boys are born so that we can get three little babes together (and so mama can have a cocktail with her best gals).

baby #2 | 33 weeks

How Far Along: 33 weeks! And for shits and gigs, a 33 week comparison photo...

Size of the Baby: Baby W is the size of a durian! Hopefully he is cuter than one...

Pregnancy/Sleep/Labor Signs: This pregnancy, as easy as it has been physically, has been filled with complications. I started with a subchorionic bleed in my first trimester then traded that in for the placenta previa. The previa finally cleared and we were told he was breach. Now he isn't breach BUT my fluid is high. I made the mistake of googling high amniotic fluid. Bad idea. My MFM wants me to cut out bread, rice and fruit - aka all happiness. I'll go back in 2 weeks for another scan to check on things. Oy. 

The nesting has taken over in a big way which cracks me up because just last week my coworker/friend Shawn asked me if I had been nesting and I had said that I hadn't felt compelled to do much this time around. I guess knowing that June is going to go by in the blink of an eye and then we're in Everett's birth month really freaked me out this last weekend. I cleaned Natalie's room and organized her things. I was packing her bag for our trip to NJ and opted to go ahead and pack her bag for when I go to the hospital. I don't even know where she'll be going yet but her bag is packed, so there's that. I washed all of his bottles this past weekend too.  I have made a mental checklist of the things that I want to bring to the hospital and also for the nurses goodies that we'll bring. When we had Natalie, we made little goodie bags for the nurses with chapstick, hand sanitizer, gum and hard candy. This time around, I want to make baskets with the same things but also include some snacks and bottled water with crystal light packets attached to them. I'll do those for both the L&D and postpartum units.

I am still sleeping really well. I am beyond fortunate for that. Obviously some nights are better than others but overall I really cannot complain. 

No labor signs yet. I haven't had braxton hicks much this pregnancy but we'll see how long that lasts. I will have a cervix check at my 35 week appointment which will be here before we know it! Eek!

Bump/Belly Button/Weight Gain: I am seriously bumping and feeling every bit of 33 weeks pregnant. My belly button is officially flat. However, on the upside, my weight gain is starting to slow down. In fact, this week I am down two pounds for a total weight gain of 34lbs.  I'll take it. I attribute that to the fact that I have been eating less at night because I have been far less hungry and I have really been trying to be good about my water.

Cravings/Aversions: Spicy. Give me all the spicy things. This came back just in the last day or so but it's definitely back. 

Big Sister: I just love this kid to pieces. She is such a sweet little soul. She is all about her mama lately and I don't know if I am just noticing it more because of how hard it is getting to do things or if this is her norm. She loves so fiercely and I cannot wait to see her and Everett together. I know she is going to love him so much.

Miss Anything: Day drinking. The summer weather has made me miss an ice cold spiked seltzer or spiked lemonade or margarita. I would love a watermelon marg right about now.

Best Moment: It was the best taking Natalie to my OB scan on Monday. I loved getting to check in and see how big baby brother is but I also loved that she got to see him too. She loved hearing his heartbeat and was so excited to tell B about that. 

Can't Wait For: Oh this is a long list!  I am SO excited to celebrate the pending arrival of my Natalie's Godmother (my college roommate) Danielle's little boy, JJ. Added bonus: B and I will have a double date with his brother and his girlfriend, Allison. Another added bonus: Nat is having a sleepover with my in-laws so that B and I can have one final night just us! Then next week we have maternity pictures :)

baby #2 | 32 weeks!

How Far Along: 32 weeks! It's crazy how quickly these last weeks are going by... although, I am sure come 35 weeks I won't be feeling that way!

Size of the Baby: Baby W is the size of a squash a bucket of popcorn. YUM.

Pregnancy/Sleep/Labor Signs: I have done such a lovely job steering clear of swelling. I am really making a more conscious effort to drink more water. I am keeping my feet elevated at work as much as possible and that has made a drastic difference too. My rings are on and feel good and that's another new thing for me.

Sleep is still good. This is unheard of. I feel rested and good. I am starting to feel tired in the afternoon but I feel like that is normal. 

No labor signs yet. I will have my first cervix check in 3 weeks. That is crazy. This pregnancy is just flying by. I have a feeling the whole month of June is going to fly by!

Bump/Belly Button/Weight Gain: You guys, we laughed so hard at work today because I am up 36 pounds. Granted, I weighed myself after a big lunch, but still. It is just so ridiculous. I used to give my friend Jess grief because she gained 38 pounds with her son and delivered at 33 weeks 3 days. Welp, I am on track to have gained just as much weight by that point haha

The bump is finally really out there and I am definitely looking every bit of 32 weeks pregnant. However, I am still so in love with this bump. My thighs are not my best feature at this point but such is life. They will get back to normal one day. I feel much different about my body this time around and I'm sure it's because (a) I won't ever be doing this to my body again and (b) I have done this before and I got back down to not just my pre-pregnancy weight but to a much happier place for me. 

Cravings/Aversions: Smoothies. The craving is back is a very real way. I would easily give up coffee for smoothies - not that I drink a lot of coffee anyways... at least, for now anyways. I feel so energized and good after a smoothie in the morning.

Big Sister: Oh my little Natalie. This has been a tough week. I think the lack of sunshine was getting to all of us and we were going a little stir crazy.  

On Sunday we were supposed to go to the National's game. It was a 1:35 game so we figured if we left by 11:45, we'd be there by 1 and have time to get situated prior to the game. After 2 hours in the car, thanks to torrential downpours and traffic detours, we were still 30-45 minutes out from the stadium. B looked up the game and it was on rain delay. There was no way that little girl was going to be in the car another hour then wait out a rainstorm for a baseball game. We opted to head home instead. Nat was bummed and kept asking when we were going to go see the baseball game. We didn't make it home until almost 5:30. Somehow the only meltdown of the day, from Natalie anyways, came about 10 minutes from the house. Bless her little heart.

On Wednesday Cheryl was closed because her middle daughter was graduating from high school so I was home with Natalie. It was definitely something we both needed. We snuggled in bed in the morning then ran errands. And then, for the first time in MONTHS, she snuggled in my lap and took a two hour nap. I was not going to complain. Bonus - I got caught up on the Bachelorette. We spent the afternoon outside playing in the sunshine, blowing bubbles and looking for robins eggs.

Miss Anything: Nothing that I can think of!

Best Moment: My day off with my big girl was so needed. It was good to recharge my batteries and to reconnect with her since she and I had been bumping heads quite a bit. I think the rain was getting to us both and having some time with her in the sunshine made us both feel a bit more like ourselves.

Can't Wait For: We have another check-in early next week for baby brother. I am excited to see how big he is measuring and if he is still breach! Then next weekend we get to see some of my favorite people on the planet and celebrate the pending arrival of baby JJ!