8.15.2012

Bags, bags, bags!

So, I now have four. Well, sort of. I have 4 bags that have been bought or given to me recently for use with baby Arden. One is a cute and very girly messenger style bag that my friend Amber gave me, it will be good for nice events. The second one is more of small an “overnight” style quilted fabric bag from my friend Amanda, it’s going to be really useful for those many trips to the grands’ houses (and it has super cute owls on it).  The third one is what I call a “dump bag” just a big square tote that a sweet lady at church got me. It’s also quilted fabric in pink and brown and has Arden’s monogram on it (You may have seen it on fb in an ad for Emily Ann’s) It’s actually packed with Arden’s hospital stuff and sitting by her bedroom door! And the last is one I bought myself. It is fun and cute, but most of all seems really, really practical! It’s wipe-able, has lots of storage and pockets and comes with 2 sets of straps and stroller straps! AND I got it at half price- which makes it even better!! I’m hoping I’m not disappointed at the quality, but from what I hear Timi and Leslie is a good brand? We’ll see!

 

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The monogrammed “dump bag”

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The practical

 

So help me out. What bag did all you other mom’s just love or hate.

I will need to add to my collection before long! I really don’t want to spend a fortune. . .but it’s a lot to ask of a bag to be stylish and functional! And this time is way easier, as I’m not afraid for it to be really girly!

With Stratton at first we had a couple or maybe 3 diaper bags. . . one for church (a really nice monogrammed canvas type from Restoration Hardware but wasn’t good with the stroller) and one for everyday (a wipe-able army green manly looking Eddie Bauer bag that was perfect with the stroller and extremely functional, it just wasn’t that cute [it was manly]) and personally, I think they need a different one for daycare, too many hands are in and out of that one and it gets grungy and plus you really don’t want to keep anything too nice in it in case someone accidently picks up your bag and never brings it back. . .it could happen! So he had one for that. I can’t remember what it was like, but probably simple and cheap and it’s probably been thrown away or garage-saled!  We also had one that my friend Amy made me! It was so pretty and I could hardly bring myself to use it. But I did and I broke the strap. I think I retired it after that! We mainly took it to church or short events.

Then when Stratton was at about 5 months when we started needing more toys and books for church so I ended up with a large Vera Bradley tote that seem ginormous at the time, but it worked perfectly. I loved that I could throw it in the wash (probably not supposed to do that but I did) and it would be looking and smelling like new in no time! However it also didn’t work with the stroller very well. I still use it today to tote my stuff around! It does show a little wear now though.

Then when we went to D.C. I ordered a skip hop backpack to take with us, I was excited about it, but it never came in. . .and never came in. . and finally a few days before our trip I found a really lightweight simple shoulder strap bag at TJ Maxx. It worked, but by the end of our trip it was already torn. It went to the garage sale this year. I think the backpack would have been good, but I canceled the order. I did get the matching “saddle bag” and really like it. It Velcro's to your stroller and is nice for your small stuff. It’s red and black and matches the stroller. It’s perfect for outings like the zoo!

On a side note:: We also got him a medium sized (carry-on approved size) red and brown monogrammed duffle bag before we went to D.C. and that bag has been awesome! As much as we travel and as much time as he spends with this grandparents its so nice! And the perfect size. If you are looking for a good and different gift for a baby or toddler I would suggest PBK Fairfax collection. So, far it’s really taken the beating and banging! We had intended on buying him the whole set, but guess what?? Yep, they discontinued the color we picked. Go figure.

So, let me total that up. With Stratton we had a total of 7 diaper bags.  No wonder I couldn’t afford a new purse for so long!

Around the time he turned 2 we quit carrying the “diaper bag” in leui of a more boyish bag so he could pack it and carry it himself (not that he does). Stratton now carries a Northface backpack with his books and toys and snacks for church and also a fabric train backpack that he takes to school everyday. He’s such a big boy.

35 weeks

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Pregnancy Stats:

How Far Along: We are exactly 4 weeks away from holding our baby girl!

Size of baby: On average a baby at this stage is 5.5-5.8 pounds and around 18.5-18.7 inches- about the size of a coconut.

Movement: Still plenty of movement, but it’s getting less and less intense.

Sleep: It comes and goes. I can nap really well though!

Cravings: Nothing new here, still chopping on lifesaver mints and ice like crazy.

Symptoms: Still have bad heartburn that I can’t seem to get rid of, more swelling, and of course all the mess that went on Monday and Tuesday!

Best Moment this past week: Our fun dinner party/shower Saturday night! (more on that in another post)

Stratton may be digressing a little. He told us Sunday that we weren’t having a girl, but a baby boy! Hmm. . .I’m thinking all this might be getting a little to real for him too! He’s been watching a show on Disney Jr. lately called Charlie and Lola. It’s a cute cartoon about a big brother and little sister.  So, I think at the moment he thinks having a little sister is going to be fun like the cartoon. Haha. He’s in for a rude awakening! We are still dealing with some weird tantrums and fits. This morning he got mad at Jarrod because he was going to walk him into his classroom, like we always do. Today apparently he wanted to do it alone! One minute he’s wanting you to hold him and the next he’s Mr. Independent?! These moody phases need to pass!! I’m the one that is supposed to be having the mood swings!

Adren’s room will be completely complete if I can just get Jarrod to hang up the window valance sometime this week! My mom finished it and gave it to me this weekend. We just haven’t had a chance to get it up, but we will soon! Then I will finally post pictures!

Other than being mentally prepared, I think we are ready for her to come anytime. Her bed is ready, laundry is done, bottles are ready to go, carseat is revamped and ready to put in the car, and We all have bags packed and ready to go . . . I just need to schedule the cleaning lady to come and do a really good deep cleaning to the whole house and we’ll be set.  It’s funny that I think I’m ready- and it’s even funnier that I know I’m kidding myself and I’m not even the least little bit prepared for what’s really to come! At least I’m trying! I know even the best and most thought out preparations are going to need some tweaking, but things are much farther along than when Stratton was born and we made it ok, so I’m not going to get too worried! I feel like I’ve done just about everything I can do at this point!

Things on the checklist now are:  Spend quality time with Stratton, Take it easy and try to make it 4 more weeks, Get a mani/pedi (and maybe one more massage), Go buy a new robe that isn’t white (I left mine at the hospital on Monday! Ugh!!). All that doesn’t seem too ambitious does it? I don’t want to over-do it! Ha-ha?!

 

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Yikes! Just 4 more weeks?!