30 & 31 weeks

This mama has gained about 22lbs so far! I'll enjoy the conservative number since I know that I'll really pack on the pounds those last 4-6 weeks! I'm pretty sure I'm already the size I was at 39 weeks with Elise now. 

With Elise, I didn't really feel huge or uncomfortable until about the last two weeks. This time? That feeling came a couple weeks ago. Some days are better than others, but these are some of the pregnancy symptoms I've been experiencing: 

-back pain

-heartburn/acid reflux (the kind that wakes me out of a dead sleep!) 

-peeing every 20-30 mins

-some days I feel completely spent and exhausted with minimal effort. 

-pain in my hip flexors

-SUPER sore boobs (like even worse than what I experienced in the first trimester!) 

  Lena is also moving like crazy. Just like her sister, I've found kick counts to be completely unnecessary. She barely gives me any rest. I dread peeing at night because it somehow signals to her it's time to have a dance party! A couple times, it's caused to me start my day around 445 :( 

Even with all that though, I don't have much to complain about as she's perfect healthy and growing fast. I haven't had any more bleeding (knock on wood) and was even cleared to go back to the gym. I do, but I'm even more conservative now about my modifications. It is really nice to be back in that community though. 

This week, I also purchased and packed what I would need in the hospital when Lena decides to make her grand entrance. Last time, I didn't pack much and really, there wasn't anything I needed I didn't have. The hospital provides me with just about everything. I just thought it would be nice to have a few things this time that I knew worked for me and made me comfortable. 

First up, nursing bra. A lot of women don't wear bras at all during their hospital stay. I didn't the whole time. But after being in labor and sweating for 12 hrs, it felt really nice last time to shower and put on a nice fresh bra for visitors. So I'm packing one of my own! 

Next item is a pretty pushers gown (thanks Andie!). This gown is made specifically for labor and delivery in a hospital setting. It has ties up the belly so you can wear the monitors for contractions and fetal heart beat, breasts are easily accessible for nursing, and the back even goes low enough that you can still wear it for an epidural if you choose to have one. I'm excited to use this! Not pictured will be a robe (one that I don't care if it gets blood on it or not) and house shoes because I get very cold in hospitals! Also my own pillow and blanket. A lot of that's not pictured or packed because I use them everyday.

Next up, my own nipple shields and breast pads. The hospitals nipple shields last time were just ok. They kind of fit me but after I got home I found the medela ones worked much better for me. As for the reusable pads, last time I found out the hard way that my skin is too sensitive for disposable nursing pads or lanolin. So I bring my own washable pads and olive oil as a replacement for lanolin. 

I also have packed mittens and onesies for Lena. The hospital has clothes for her, but I figure we have them ready to go, why not go ahead and use them? I'm also packing a Halo Sleep Sack and her cute coming home outfit! 

Other things I'm taking but aren't pictured (because I plan to use them) include:

-toiletries (including a travel size shampoo /conditioner/bodywash, hairdryer, and brush)

-phone, camera, and iPod and their chargers (my husband makes me a pretty amazing playlist during labor to help calm me through contractions)

-nonskid socks/house shoes 

This is all I've come up with but I wouldn't be surprised if I added things later on! There's things I could pack myself for postpartum care, but honestly, the hospital did such a good job with me last time and sent me home with some amazing freebies and tips that I don't feel the need to pack or spend money on anything myself. 

I would also like to bring something nice for both my doula and my OB. They've both been so amazing to me and helpful throughout my pregnancy. I don't know what I would've done without them and the big event hasn't even happened yet! 

One more event happened this week! We celebrated our third and final Easter weekend as a family of three. The only holiday we've managed to not be separated for since Elise was born! 

We actually don't consider ourselves religious nor do we attend Easter church services. But our group always gets together for a big brunch on Easter Sunday that tends to last well into the night! It's always fun to dress with their theme, and taste test all the delicious breakfast foods! 

Elise really enjoyed dying eggs and hunting for them this year with her grandparents. We cannot wait to see how Christmas goes with her this year. Every year she gets a bit older and understands a bit more about the holidays so each year just gets to be more and more fun for us as parents to watch. 

We are really looking forward to next years Easter with both girls! We may have to host a brunch of our own!