Diapering Essentials: Ideas for Registry

After a six month short break, I've decided to start blogging again!  Our little Olivia was born in April and we've been enjoying her greatly!  She's such a good girl, always making us laugh and adding so much to our lives.

Over the past six months, I've really gotten the chance to figure out what I like and don't like, therefore, I'd like to share with you what I would register for again.  As a first time mom, it was slightly overwhelming trying to decide what to register for.  I blame pregnancy brain for searching high and low for flat crib sheets. Anyway, I created a list of items I would register for again and divided it into different posts.  The first post I'd like to share with you is all about diapering essentials. 

One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine

Changing Table/Dresser We've been so happy with this dresser that has been serving as a changing table as well. We wanted something that could transition from changing table to dresser and this is perfect.  It is slightly taller than a conventional changing table, but honestly you get used to it.  It has a wide space for a changing pad, wipe warmer, and a basket for diapers.  

Summer Infant Changing Pad This changing pad has been great, easy to clean, comfortable for baby, and inexpensive...would definitely recommend.

Carter's Changing Pad Cover Super soft, nubby material, washes very well and does not show wear.

Changing Pad Liners Whoever invented these, is a genius.  Perfect for when you can't get a diaper on fast enough, spit up, diaper blowout messes...so nice to not have to change and wash the entire cover...probably one of the best things I registered for.  

Pampers Swaddlers We started with Pampers Swaddlers and have been happy with them.  I've heard of using other brands to save money, etc, but we chose to go with Pampers.  Love the wetness indicator and fit of them.  Where we buy them varies from Diapers.com, Amazon, Babies 'R Us, and in a pinch the grocery store.  

Wipe Warmer This is really nice to have, especially with the colder weather coming or during the night.  Really does make your little one more comfortable. We like Pampers Sensitive Wipes. 

Travel Wipe Case Super thin and cute for your diaper bag.  

A & D  This ointment is what we use after every diaper change and Olivia has never had a diaper rash.  Definitely less smelly than other diaper ointments and less messy too. 

Diaper Genie Elite Our good friends gave this to us (mommy of our headband model from previous post!) and we love it.  Really contains the stinkiness! Super easy to use, as well. 

Hope this gives you some ideas to consider when registering or giving a baby gift.  Next up: Feeding Essentials! 

35, 36, 37, & 38 weeks - Baby Bird Bump

{Weeks 35, 36, 37, & 38}

{Reallllllly hoping baby comes this week!}

Baby Bird {30, 31, 32, 33, & 34 Weeks!}

Apparently I can't keep up with my weekly updates...whoops.  I read all of my favorite blogs almost daily and I always think about posting my updates and then life gets in the way and before I know it, another week has gone by.  I thought the best way to share would be via Instagram.  Here's some life lately pics for a little glimpse into what's been going on around the Bird's Nest...

*This post is filled with pics...sometimes it's just nice for a little picture walk through daily life.  Tutorials will be posted throughout the next week or two for:  DIY baby headbands, DIY baby mobile, and DIY nursery tree mural*

Let's begin...

We decided to update our bedroom and hallway closets with brand new doors and closet systems.  So exciting!  This was our before...

During...

And after...ahh b-e-a-u-tiful & organized!

My hubby's honey-do list is about a mile long and he's been a trooper through it all!  My little pregnant mind is always spinning with updates and projects for us  him to do:)  The other night I needed (NEEDED) a wall command center...so I just suggested that we hang the dry erase board and mail organizers I picked up from Home Goods.  I think my hubby caught on after I simply said...hmmm it would be so nice if it could just get done so we can check it off the list...around 10 minutes later it was done and I felt calmed:)

The dry erase calendar has really been working for us (well, me, who am I kidding that he actually looks at it!) I write down all of our bills, work schedule, important dates, etc...below is an example of how it's started each month...

30 weeks with Baby Bird!

Sweet flowers from my hubby...

Our baby headband model Kate...how adorable is she?!  I had a DIY baby headband get together with my sister, Kristen, and friend, Julia, and we made the cutest baby headbands!!  Tutorial to come...

I can't stand the cuteness...

On to 31 weeks...

Some outtakes for you... this was after my mom was taking my picture super close and I eventually said "just stand back and I'll crop myself..."  Yeah say that in your head and realize what it sounds like...:)

Nursery sneak peek: Baby's dresser/changing table all put together...

 Daddy & Grandpa putting dresser together for the baby's nursery...

She's so cute when she's sleeping... when she's sleeping is the main point ;)

Annabelle found her new spot to relax...

32 weeks...Happy St. Patrick's Day...blessing for the baby this week...

Like you don't have birthday parties for your animal babies...

33 weeks...Happy Spring!

Love her mobile!  Tutorial coming soon for DIY baby mobile...

Loving her mural!  My friend Leslie and I painted this in her bedroom...  Leslie is so talented & I love how it came out!!!

Current state of our bathroom because I'm crazy and needed the bathroom done before the baby arrives!!! I can't wait to see how it's going to turn out and I'm so excited!  Our friend Tom is renovating everything and he had such great ideas...can't wait until it's done...

And finally...34 weeks!

Told you it was a long one...hope you enjoyed this glimpse into life lately!  Be back with tutorials soon!

Baby Bird - 26, 27, 28, 29 Weeks {Picture Walk}

Hello!

This post is not one my normal updates as it's been 4 weeks since my last post! Slacker!!  I thought it might be nice to let you see a little glimpse of my everyday life as well as my bump update pictures:)

{26 Weeks}

{27 Weeks}

{28 Weeks}

{29 Weeks}

{My sister's gender reveal cupcake}

{Cinnamon Roll Baking Day via Pinterest!}

{Glucose Test time...passed!}

{Annabelle caught in the act!!}

{Baby Bird is having a baby girl cousin!!}

{Valentine's Day}

Can't believe there's only a little over 10 weeks left until Baby Bird makes her debut! Hope you enjoyed a little glimpse of my life lately:)

Baby Bird - 25 Weeks

Scenario of last night: It's 2 a.m. and I have yet to sleep more than 20 minutes at a time...I am contemplating going downstairs to get some milk and a piece of bread to soak up my horrendous stomach acid which is unbearable at this point...hmmm...risk waking up the puppy or die from heartburn?  I chose to wake up my hubby and have him tiptoe downstairs to get my snacks and crossed my fingers the puppy would not wake up.  Thankfully, she did not wake up and there I sat with my glass of milk and piece of rye bread hoping this would help (rye bread? really? I'll have to invest in plain white bread for times like these)- I was desperate at this point.  It was definitely one of the worst nights I've had yet.  My doctor prescribed Protonix today and I'm hoping this will help, I'm getting desperate at this point.  I was very thankful for my hubby who sat up with me for a while and allowed me to take every pillow we own to prop myself up to the ceiling to sleep. 

Moving on...as you can see the blog got a little face lift and I'm hoping you all like it! As promised, there is a twist of DIY and you will see at least a handful of DIY projects coming up soon.  I can't believe there's only about 15 weeks to go before Baby Bird makes her arrival! On to this week's picture:

How far along? 25 Weeks

Total weight gain: Around 14 lbs...I need to invest in a scale...I've been walking the puppy a lot so I'm hoping that keeps me in shape over the next 15 weeks

Maternity clothes? Mostly, still a mix of regular clothes and maternity

Stretch marks? Still none yet…still using Palmer's Cocoa Butter 

Sleep: Horrible this week, I'm hoping it gets better again

Best moment this week: Starting to paint the baby's room

Miss Anything? Being able to eat without getting instant heartburn

Movement: Lots of kicks and wiggles...especially during church - she must love the music!

Food cravings: Loving chocolate teddy grahams and fruit mmm

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not especially

Gender: GIRL!

Labor Signs: Nope.

Symptoms: Some minor cramping but nothing that lasts for long periods of time

Belly Button in or out? in...but I have noticed it is coming upwards, so weird!

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: Trying to enjoy everything but I've been so uncomfortable this week, I've just been a mess

Looking forward to: Finishing up painting the baby's room and hopefully registering for baby goodies soon

Hope you enjoy your week!

Baby Bird - 24 Weeks

So I think I'm officially nesting... For the past few days/nights I've been obsessively cleaning and organizing everything I can.  I've been getting the do-you-realize-it's-9-pm-and-you're-scrubbing-the-bathroom-baseboards look from the hubby, who happily took out the garbage and didn't say a word when he saw me dusting and polishing any wood furniture I could get my hands on before bed.  I guess it's a good thing...although is it bad to continue to vacuum rugs until perfect carpet lines are achieved?  Ahh, the little things in life make me happy.  Carpet lines are one of them.  On to this week's picture.  I'm not sure stripes were a good idea, as I'm feeling large and in charge lately.

How far along? 24 Weeks

Total weight gain: Around 14 lbs...yowzaaa

Maternity clothes? Yes because they are much more comfortable than squeezing into my old jeans with a hair tie.  Super excited about my new maternity winter coat...fits so much nicer than my regular sized one

Stretch marks? Still none yet…still using Palmer's Cocoa Butter 

Sleep: Pretty good, considering I slept through most of the time that the electric company cut down a ginormous tree in my front yard this morning

Best moment this week: Cleaning out the nursery, getting ready to paint

Miss Anything? Not ramming my knee on the baby gate we use to keep the puppy out of the bedrooms... apparently my ability to lift my legs higher has now become nonexistent

Movement: Lots of little kicks and wiggles... some days I feel like she's sleeping much more than others, but last night she was a wild little thing

Food cravings: Loving smoothies in the morning... not really feeling like I have to have anything that second though

Anything making you queasy or sick: I've had some sort of cold/sore throat and that's been making me feel somewhat queasy at times

Gender: GIRL & she has a name!

Labor Signs: Nope.

Symptoms: Some back pain but otherwise feeling good

Belly Button in or out? in

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy for the most part!

Looking forward to: Painting the nursery (hopefully) on Friday!

Hope you enjoy your week & thanks for reading!

Baby Bird - 22 & 23 Weeks

Hi there...this week's post is a combined one with both 22 & 23 weeks.  New Year's Eve was fun and low key this year...no champagne over here for a while.  My twin sister is also expecting so it was nice to have someone on the same page.  She's about 7 weeks behind so I'm excited that the babies will be so close in age.  I can't wait to find out what she is having.  On to last week's photo...

I'm a little bummed about how the Instagram photos show up on here...but it still showcases the bump:) And now this week's picture...

I definitely feel like she's grown a lot in there the past week or so because her little kicks are definitely stronger and I can feel them more often.  I don't know about you, but I've always had an irrational fear about squishing her while I'm sleeping or if I haven't felt a kick in a few hours that there's something wrong.  Irrational, yes, but I'm feeling better now that I can feel it more :)

This week's & last week's combined update:

How far along? 23 Weeks

Total weight gain: Around 14 lbs...what?! ok, so ice cream and pasta the night before the drs. appt was prob not my best idea...

Maternity clothes? Definitely loving my maternity jeans because they're much more comfortable that my old jeans...also bought a Spanx type pair of leggings and they are going back immediately...wow was I not ready for the shiny spandex look...woof

Stretch marks? Still none yet…have been using Palmer's Cocoa Butter and that seems to be working nicely as a preventative measure:)

Sleep: Pretty good, still loving my pregnancy pillow...some nights are better than others with being wide awake at 3 a.m.

Best moment this week: Hearing the heartbeat again was nice and completing my first diy project for the baby!

Miss Anything? I'd love a sushi date with my college roomie and bestie Teresa

Movement: Definitely more these past two weeks...love it!

Food cravings: I had to have pasta with lemon sauce the other day...why you ask? so I can eat it before my drs appt and feel like a whale!!! Grrr...

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Gender: GIRL & she has a name!

Labor Signs: Nope.

Symptoms: Some leg cramps during the night 

Belly Button in or out? in

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: Pretty happy, moody when I'm feeling tired but who isn't?:)

Looking forward to: Posting about my special diy project and starting the nursery!

Have a great weekend!