I really had hoped to have this post written sometime in August just before we had our last baby; but since she came a couple of weeks early, I didn’t get it done in time.  I still want to write it because I think I will still enjoy looking back at this and reading my feelings during this time in life.

I want to start by saying pregnancy is seriously an amazing, miraculous and beautiful thing.  I feel so blessed to have provided a home for nine months for three amazing little humans.  With that said though, it is also a very long and sometimes difficult journey.  It is different for everyone and for so many the journey is difficult for months or years before they can even conceive and may still continue to be difficult once they are finally carrying the baby they have prayed so long for.

In my case, I have been incredibly  lucky to have easily conceived for each of my babies.  I have always been so grateful for that.  Pregnancy was difficult for me with both of my little girls though.  Girls seemed to rock my hormonal world and caused me to be incredibly sick for months and months.  I mostly got relief around 18 weeks with each of them.  Those times truly seem so far away now; but when you are in the midst of them, you feel like you may never feel okay again for the rest of your life.   I know that seems dramatic, but it’s true.  I felt like a lost about four months of my life with my 2nd and 3rd pregnancies because I was barely functioning.  But guess what? Life still moves on and you best suck it up!  So that’s what I tried to do.

I have never been the woman that loved being pregnant.  I always swelled up and retained a lot of fluid.  It didn’t make me feel extra beautiful or glowing. I ended my 2nd pregnancy with high blood pressure and continued to have it off and on throughout my 3rd.  I actually became more anxious with each pregnancy rather than more calm.  That one really seemed ironic to me.   My first pregnancy with Brody, I was blissfully ignorant.  I had a fairly easy pregnancy and just assumed I would have a healthy pregnancy and baby at the end.  By the time I hit my 3rd pregnancy, I had seen/read/heard so many more stories that I was so scared something would happen to the baby or I.  I was more anxious during that first trimester certain it was my turn for a miscarriage.  I was so incredibly sick that I would convince myself something was wrong.

I am totally a half-glass-full kind of gal, so this was so new and hard for me.

Thankfully those crazy/anxious thoughts did begin to go away the further along I got in my pregnancy and the more the nausea started to subside.  I had actually read during my 2nd pregnancy with Madelyn that nausea was actually a sign of a healthy/growing baby in there so not to think that the nausea meant that something was wrong.  It was just part of pregnancy for some women.

I knew I didn’t love pregnancy, but I had definitely gone into this 3rd pregnancy KNOWING it was going to be our very last.  I tried my best to appreciate it, enjoy it, and keep a positive outlook throughout it.  I looked forward to the day I would get to deliver our last baby because those moments when that baby first arrives are some of my absolute favorites.  I’ve always told you guys that I love child birth.  I still do love it, but I guess God knew not to make this delivery “text book good” because after sending a second baby to the NICU after it was born; I feel officially DONE welcoming anymore children into our family! It is so stressful and I’m so thankful to have a healthy 3rd baby home with us now to complete our family.

I say all this to let all the women out there know that bringing children into this world is an incredible thing, but it surely isn’t always easy.  I think it might be the hardest yet most beautiful thing we do.  I know everyone’s story is so different and so many amazing and deserving women out there have hard stories to tell. I think you are all amazing and I hope you know you are not alone.  There is someone else out there with the same crazy thoughts you are having or with the a similar difficult journey that you may be embarking on.  Don’t feel alone and don’t feel scared to talk about it.  You are a rockstar

Purple Dress photos by Jennifer Lee

Beach photos by Teston Photography

The post My Feelings On My Last Pregnancy appeared first on Home of Malones.

37 Weeks

The post 37 & 38 Weeks | Pregnancy Three appeared first on Home of Malones.

This is my third time around at packing my hospital bag and I think I’ve got it down pretty well.  With my first. I made sure I packed in plenty of time and then with my second, I actually had the baby at 39 weeks and didn’t have myself completely packed.  I won’t make that mistake again!!  You really don’t need a lot for the hospital, but I would rather have a little more than I need than not enough!  Here’s a look at what we are bringing this time:

My Suitcase // Baby Suitcase // Baby Bag // Boppy Cover // Baby Book // Soft Baby Doll

FOR BABY:

• Going home outfit: Be sure to have your favorite going home outfit for baby.  Mine is from Elizabeth Layne Heirloom.  Some of my other favorites are from Feltman Brothers or Auruluz.
• Onesies or Gowns: It’s nice to have some soft and comfortable gowns for the baby when hanging out at the hospital.  I love the gowns because it makes diaper changes so easy.  Our favorites our Kissy Kissy, Pixie Lily, Beaufort Bonnet Company, and Paty.
• Diapers and Wipes: The hospital will provide these for you, but I wanted a few of our own, so I brought Honest Diapers and Water Wipes.
• Swaddle blanket: I’m loving the swaddle blankets from Little Unicorn.  I love the personalized blankets from Jennifer Ann so much.  We also found cute ones from Copper Pearl that have the matching knit hats.
• Baby Hats: I love having the sweet hats for babies to wear in the hospital.  They look so cute on when they are all swaddled up.  I found precious ones from Pink & Blue Bonnet Boutique.
• Pacifier: I’ve always given my kids pacifiers and honestly pray that they will take them! I love these from …. and these adorable monogram ones from White Elephant Designs.
• Stuffed Animal: Just a cute idea if you have one or were gifted one.  We love these from Cuddle + Kind.
• Baby book: We packed her new baby book so that we could get her footprints on one of the pages. Just ask the delivery nurses ahead of time and they will do that when they get her footprints for their records.
• Name Banner:  I think these name banners are just adorable.  We got ours from Glam Banners.  I also love these “hello my name is” stickers.
• Toiletries: Body Wash, Lotion, Sanitizer, Butt Paste.  You can bring your own or use what the hospital provides.  We love Honest and Noodle and Boo products and we can’t go without Boudreauxs Butt Paste.

FOR ME:

• Robe: A robe is important to have in the hospital because you are probably in pajamas or a breastfeeding tank most of your stay and it’s nice to have something to cover up in for guests, doctors or nurses that come through the room.  I love this one I packed and it also comes in blue if you are having a boy.
• Pajamas: Loose fitting, light and comfortable pajamas are important for your stay.  Mine are from my favorite Lake Pajamas.  They have maternity styles with buttons for easy breast feeding.  I have the gown and the short set.
• Bedroom Slippers: You could just use the same flip flops for this purpose, but I love having something cozy to wear around the hospital room and halls. Just something cheap because you may just want to toss them before heading home!
• Hospital Gown: Of course you get one of these from the hospital, but if you would like a cuter one, they have lots on Etsy and I got this one from Amazon. 
• Hospital Clothes: I like to pack a couple pair of Lululemon workout pants with some easy nursing tanks.
• Going Home Outfit: I like to wear something besides workout clothes home from the hospital.  This time I’m going to pack this comfy maxi dress to wear home.
• Toiletries: You want to bring your own toiletries. You can see a full list below. The hospital will provide some of this for you, but after being in a hospital environment and desperately needing a good shower after labor, there was nothing better than having my own products from home to make me feel more normal. I wouldn’t forget to pack your own skincare products, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion, lip balm, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc. … oh, and a hair dryer and hair brush!
• Makeup: I keep a makeup bag packed that is ready to go for travel.  I love to feel human after getting my first shower and put a little make up on plus you know there will be lots of photos taken in the hospital!
• Belly Wrap:  I have the belly band from my last pregnancy and I loved wearing it.  It helped smooth things out under clothes and supposedly it helps to get your tummy tucked back in
• Flip flops: Cheap ones for the shower that you can toss afterwards. Mine are Old Navy.
• Stretch Mark Cream: Whatever you have been using during pregnancy, throw in your bag to have in the hospital too.
• Nipple Cream: You may start breastfeeding in the hospital and need your nipple cream to help with painful nipples.
• Extras: The hospital will also provide pads (much better than you find in the stores), disposable underwear, witch hazel, and a spray on pain/itch reliever. All of these are a lifesaver. I wouldn’t even bother bringing your own supplies. I found that the pads the hospital gives you are way, way softer than store bought ones, which ended up being a lot more comfortable. The disposable undies may not be the most attractive thing, but I really appreciated having them and never used the panties I packed!

TOILETRIES FOR ME:

• Hair dryer: Love this travel one by T3.  You may or may not use it, but I remember really wanting to feel clean and put together after my other babies.  It just felt good to get back to “normal” again.
• Hair clips, hair tie, etc.: For pulling your hair back.
• Shampoo/Conditioner/Body Wash: Your first shower will feel so good. Don’t forget to bring these goodies from home.
• Basic Toiletries: Toothbrush/toothpaste, razor, hair brush, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and your own body lotion, and any face products you use or face toilettes.
• Dry Shampoo: I live for this stuff. Batisse is my very favorite.
• Stretch Mark Cream: Lather that stuff on even after the baby is born!
• Tucks Pads: These  are a lifesaver in my book!
• Flushable Wipes: These are awesome to have post-baby!

MISCELLANEOUS: 

• Boppy Pillow:  It’s really nice to have this in the hospital if you are planning to breastfeed your baby.
• Extension Cord: Basically needed for your phone so you can have it while you are in the hospital bed!
• Nice Camera + Charger: Phone pictures are great and definitely most convenient, but I loved having my nicer camera to take a few photos for the baby book.
• Pillows: You will be so glad to have a nice pillow from home.  Maybe put a colored pillowcase on it so you don’t forget to bring it home.
• Bath Towel:  This is nice to have because the ones at the hospital are dinky.
• Breast Pump: Definitely if this is your first baby, bring your pump so you can meet with a lactation consultant and discuss how to use your pump and make sure you are doing it correctly.  I am not planning on bringing mine this time.
• Night Lights: Nice to have in your room to help eliminate turning on the bright overhead lights all night long as nurses come in to wake you and baby up!
• Sound Machine: Hubby and I sleep with one every night and so do our kids, so it’s nice to have in the hospital too to drown out some noise.  We just use an app on our phone or you could bring one with you.
• Speaker: It’s really fun sometimes to be able to have some music playing in your room.  I actually love having music on giving birth and made this Delivery Day playlist for my first delivery.
• Laptop & Charger
• Phone Charger
• SNACKS: For you, hubby, guests, and the nurses.  We were happy to have these snacks to nibble on in our room.

Photos and Video Editing by: Jennifer Lee

And I thought it would be fun to make a video going through some of the individual items I packed for myself and for the baby.  You can watch it here

The post What I Packed in Our Hospital Bags appeared first on Home of Malones.

So I thought it would be fun to share some of the items we are wanting/buying for baby number three. I had my first child 5 years ago and it’s really amazing how fast things change in the baby product world in such a short time!  The great part for me this time around is that I was able to borrow or be passed down some items for this baby instead of having to buy them.  Since we know this will be our last baby, it was a nice feeling to not have to buy brand-new, expensive products.  So here is what we are adding to our already large collection of baby supplies for #3!

1. Halo Bassinet – I’m thankful that our friends passed this down to us to try for baby 3.  I have used the Rock N’ Play Sleeper by our bed with both of our other babies and that worked out pretty well.  The downsides were that it was lower to the ground, so I had to get out of bed to get the baby and since it has a little incline (which the babies seem to really like); it made for a harder transition into their crib.  We move the babies to their crib at 1 month, so I’m happy to be able to just borrow and try this out to see if this baby will like it.
2. Love to Dream Swaddle Up – With that said, I wanted to try this sleep swaddle that I have seen a lot of people loving lately.  I like that it keeps the babies hands contained, but they can move them up close to their face if they want to.
3. Dock A Tot – I’m sure you have heard of this contraption by now, but every mama seems to swear by it.  I’m able to borrow this as well which is really nice.  I have seen people use this inside of the Halo Bassinet or the crib or on their bed or anywhere throughout the house.  I love the versatility of it!
4. Uppababy Mesa Carseat – I’m so happy to have an upgraded car seat for this baby.  This seat wasn’t out yet when our first was born even though we had the entire Uppababy Vista Stroller system.  I love that this will now work directly with our stroller system and that it is so much lighter than our previous carseat!  Plus, it was another hand-me-down which is so nice
5. Baby Shusher – I am all about the “white noise” for babies.  This is an expensive contraption, but I’m all for having it hanging from the car seat to keep my baby from screaming their lungs out on car trips.  It’s great to take anywhere too!
6. Carseat Cover – I love this lightweight cover because it is cute, looks great over the carseat to protect baby and also doubles as a nursing cover when needed!
7. Peanut Changer Diaper Pad – We used a traditional changing pad with the other babies, but I wanted this pad for the new baby because I will be using a pretty tall dresser as the changing table in the baby nursery.  I love that this was in rubber-like so it will stay put on the dresser and that it just wipes clean without needing a changing pad cover!

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Other baby registry posts

Baby Registy Must Haves|Equiptment and Essentials – Baby One 2013
Updated Baby Registry & New Products for Baby #2 – Baby Two 2016
I plan on doing a COMPLETE baby registry post to compile all of my favorites for you now that we are going to be three babies in, so stay tuned

The post New Baby Products for Our Third Baby appeared first on Home of Malones.

The post 23 Weeks | Pregnancy Three appeared first on Home of Malones.

I am slowly coming out of my pregnancy fog and nausea and trying to get back to a regular life and routine.  I am 18 weeks and am almost back to 100%.  Cooking at home still doesn’t really sound appealing and neither does exercise besides a nice walk outside, but I see both of those things coming back in my near future.  I announced our pregnancy with baby number three at 14 weeks and you can read a few question and answers about it here.  I hope to document this pregnancy sporadically throughout.  In a lot of ways, it seems like ages since I was last pregnant; but at the same time, all these symptoms seem far too familiar!

It has taken a little while for my belly to pop this time around because of all the throwing up that occurred, but it has now been a full two weeks with no vomiting and it’s definitely been something to celebrate   My appetite has steadily increased and I have few aversions left!

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