Welcome Ryker Keane!

So, I finally went into active labor at 2:30 am on Saturday, July 7th.  I delivered little Ryker at 6:24 am as we got to see the sunrise from our room - it was an amazingly beautiful experience, it almost felt surreal!  Ryker weighed 7 lbs 8 oz and was just about 21 inches long.  He's been such a joy & seeing Keira and him together is just priceless!

Ryker's first photo with Mommy & Daddy

Welcome Little Ryker!

My babies! 

Father & Son

The first car ride home.  I have to get used to seeing 2 car seats in the back of the car!

Keira's being a great big sister!

Pregnancy Update - Time to come out!

I've been trying almost everything to try to get this little guy out, but Ryker just seems to like it in there!  The last ultrasound put me up to the due date of June 25th - which is now 8 days ago!  So my doc says that if he doesn't come out by July 9th they can induce me (which I really hope they don't have to do).  I sure hope he comes out soon we can't wait to meet him, and this load is getting a bit too heavy for me to carry around nowadays.  

Look how much bigger he's gotten!

Plus, I'm running out of clothes that even fit around my belly!  Luckily, this dress still fit me though...it gave me something to wear for my good friend Caroline's surprise 30th birthday party!

I've been getting frequent contractions at night time (as I'm typing right now actually), so I'll keep you posted in case he wants to really be a 4th of July Baby!

Have a wonderful Holiday tomorrow everyone!

What to pack in my Hospital Delivery Bag?

The time has come to finally pack my hospital bag in case I go into labor.  The last ultrasound I had before I left the hospital said that Ryker's due date moved up to June 25th, which is today, but it could just mean that he's just a big boy.  Nonetheless, he could come any day now and here's what I decided to pack in my labor bag:

I love this LV Graffiti Neverfull Bag - I used it as Keira's baby bag when she was born.  It fits a ton of things and the bright pink graffiti writing makes me smile :)

What's in my Labor Toiletry Bag?

1. Organix Hydrating Moroccan Argan Dry Body Oil:

I ran out of my Mama Mio oil so I wanted to try something else so I picked up this Organix Argan Dry Oil which says it helps to restore elasticity. You can also use this oil in the shower for added moisture and when you get out of the shower to seal it in.  So far I LOVE how it feels - not greasy at all plus the price is great at $8!

2. Travel Q-tips Pack

I don't think they provided these at the hospital but they're always good to have

3. Neutrogena Makeup Remove Towlettes

4. Aveeno Daily Moisture Lotion

5. MAC Liquidlast Liquid Eye Liner

This eyeliner is AMAZING because it just does NOT budge, especially along the waterline.  Eyeliner is part of my daily makeup routine, it helps open and brighten up my eyes.  I normally use MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack, but this waterproof one would be best to apply before going into the hospital so it won't come off during the labor process and your eyes won't look so tired in photos :)  Plus it doesn't irritate my eyes at all and I have to wear contacts, so I absolutely love it.

6.  Laura Geller Blush-n-Brighten Baked Blush

Blush is one of my favorite beauty products because it can help contour and brighten up your face. I got this blush in color SUNSWEPT it has golden and pink tones that are beautiful together.

7. Soft Lips

This was in the Labor Kit that Kim made - I had to take all her essentials with me!

8. Scunci Hair Ties & Claw Clip

These were also in the Labor Kit that Kim made.  You can never have enough hair ties or clips to keep the hair out of your face during labor!

9.  OptiFree PureMoist Contact Solution travel size

I can't forget my contact solution and case

10.  Toothbrush & Toothpaste

TIP:  Use Large Ziploc bags to help separate your clothes from your little one's clothes so it's easy to find and their clothes stay clean in the bag.  

Clothes I packed for ME:

- 2 PJ Sets

- Nursing Tank Tops & Bras

- Comfortable Underwear

- Lightweight Robe 

- Leggings

- Comfy and loose clothes to come home in

- My eye glasses & case

Things I packed for BABY:

(* Before I packed his clothes I washed them all in DREFT and put them in the dryer with Bounce Free & Sensitive Dryer Sheets to prevent irritation)

- My BIRTH PLAN

- Baby no-scratch Mittens 

- Tiny socks (that look like little Jordan shoes)

- Onesies 

- Hat

- Soft blanket

- Little Pampers bag with a couple newborn diapers and wipes (the hospital should have these too)

- Clothes for Picture Time (most hospitals have a photographer that comes around to take the babies first photos so it's good to have an outfit picked out in case)

Other things I'll take are:

- Camera
- Slippers (which I'll probably wear on my way to the hospital)
- Flip Flops to wear in the shower
- Hair Brush
- Installed Car Seat & Base for taking the baby home
- My Nook for reading during the day
- A mini reading light
- iPhone for playing music in the room
- My list of contacts (family & close friends) for Erik to text when I go into labor

Now, it's just time to wait for those lovely contractions to begin!

For all of you expecting soon, I wish you the best of luck for a beautiful and safe delivery! Congratulations!

The Most Creative DIY Baby Shower Gifts!

My friend Kim (who is also expecting a baby boy in July) made me the CUTEST Baby Shower presents that I told her I had to do a post on it! It's so creative and useful and I just love them! 

Thank you so much Kim!

The Diaper Cake on the left and she cut out Ryker's name!
The gift basket on the right was labeled "Hospital Survival Kit" and you have to see what's in this!!!

So cute I don't want to ever take it apart!

Genius! You bet I'll be taking these with me to the hospital!

Kit Contents:  Chewing gum, Cotton Candy, Mini Oreos, Hand Sanitizer labeled "Sanitize before Snuggles",  hair ties (can't have enough of these), mini Aveeno lotion, mini facial tissue box, makeup remover cleansing wipes, a hair clip, soft lips moisturizer

Remember to always tell people, "Sanitize before Snuggles" when holding the new little one!

Thanks so much Kim! You're so creative!

New Pregnancy Photos

My friend Deborah was able to send me some photos of her work from our photo shoot session at my place.  Here's a couple to share with you guys.  Check her out at Deborah Quast Photography.

Based from the last ultrasound it looks like I'm 34 weeks now so only 6 more weeks to go!

Countdown time....

Happy Friday!!!

Pregnancy Update: 30 Weeks

Wow! Time does FLY!!!

This weekend we went to our 3D Ultrasound appointment at 3D Baby Vu in Pleasanton, Ca - I highly recommend them (their packages are great and the photos are high quality).  It looks as if this little boy may be another big baby because he's measuring out to be about 2 weeks older than my EDD (estimated due date) putting him in the 87-90% percentile in growth already...and he's still in the womb!  When Keira was born she was only 6 lbs 11 oz, but 21 inches long and she's still in the 90 percentile in height!  I guess they got that from their Daddy! I just hope he's as good to me as Keira was when it's time for him to come out!

Ryker Keane at 30 (...or 32) weeks

His eyes are wide open already!

It's crazy how detailed these ultrasound photos can be!

 and....

They even gave us this little cute bear with Ryker's heart beat recorded so you can hear it when you squeeze him!

We can't wait to meet you little big guy!

Pregnancy Update: 28 Weeks

I had my 28 week appointment yesterday and it turns out that I have now become anemic!  It sure does explain why I've been feeling EXTREMELY exhausted and drained in the middle of the day. I've only  gained 1 pound since last months appointment so the doc gave me some iron pills and said I should increase my  protein and red meat intake to boost my iron and gain a little bit more for the baby. So, to all you prego moms & new mom to be's out there, remember to be sure to get your "IRON" on with these Iron rich foods:

- Soy (tofu)
- Beef
- Dried Fruit
- Spinach of course (just think Popeye)

* If you're taking Iron pills, the doc advised me to take it in between meals with orange juice to increase the Iron mineral absorption in my body.

Now for the fun Prego news... I'll be taking my maternity photos with Deborah Quast Photography at my house this Sunday. I am LOVING bright printed dresses and I'm super excited to see how my growing tummy looks in these!

Ella & Michelle Dresses, ForLove21 Necklace, Missoni hat

Happy Friday Everyone!

New Pregnancy Essentials

Being pregnant calls for a new set of daily "ESSENTIALS" and here are a few of the things that I now need once again...

Prenatals:  My sister recommended these Organic Prenatals which I actually bought from Whole Foods and I love it, you have to take it 3 times in a day, but I find it a bit milder than just taking one fat vitamin pill a day.  I also take Omega-3, which is also very important for prego women to take. Added bonus, it's also helps keep your eyes healthy.

Water: My husband always keeps me on track of me drinking at least 12 glasses of water a day.  It's very important for the baby and for yourself to stay hydrated, plus it's a great way to further prevent stretch marks.

Mama Mio Stretch Mark Oil & Body Butter:  This is amazing and it has lasted me 6 months now. I lather this on daily and sometimes twice a day, definitely after a warm bath.  I put this oil on first and then layer the body butter on top to keep the moisture sealed in.

Skinny Jeans (or Jeggings) & Stretch Leggings:  It's been so cold lately that I've been having to wear boots almost every day because my feet get so cold - so skinny jeans have been my best friend!  I love the Old Navy low cut Maternity stretch leggings they're so comfortable!

Fashionable Flats / Boots / Running Shoes: I bought these Sam Edelman Icelynn flats a couple years ago, but they are one of the most beautiful pair of flats that I own because I LOVE crystals and there are a lot of them on this shoe, plus I love the metallic iridescent finish on the upper.  Find something that keeps you feeling glamorous, even if you can't wear heels all day long anymore for the time being...even my Simply Vera Wang rugged boots have rhinestones on them!  Also, if you're going to go sporty, try a bright fun color for your running shoes. Erik bought me these Nike Lunarfly's not too long ago.  I love them - they're so comfortable and plus they make me feel bright and happy...even when it's a bit hard to see my feet with my belly in the way!

Great Read:  This Belly Laughs book by Jenny McCarthy is hilarious. I've read it twice, both times I was pregnant and it still makes me laugh.  I highly recommend it.

Great pair of Earrings:  Of course I have to say that I just love feather earrings, especially bright ones from Velvet Throne ;).  They're so light to wear and the bright colors make your face just glow even more.  Also, since it's a bit tough to wear a lot of accessories like layers of long necklaces (since they almost always touch my baby bump and never quite sit right on me right now) - earrings are the perfect way to accessorize!

Now for Beauty:  I'll do a separate post for my normal daily makeup & skincare products I love to use, but for now my favorites that I use EVERYDAY are:

Daily Moisturizer:  I've been using Body Shop's Vitamin C Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30. It feels great and smells refreshing.

Eyeliner: My MAC Fluidline Eyeliner in Blacktrack is my daily go to liner.  However, on days where I want it to stay put longer, I use MAC Superslick Eyeliner in On The Hunt Black color (this is definitely on my hospital packing list when I deliver! It will NOT come off your eyes!!)

Lipstick:  MAC Angel Lipstick.  I love this color, it's the perfect lip shade of pale nude pink on my skintone.

Can't forget to "Contour":  IT Cosmetics My Sculpted Face Palette - I am obsessed with contouring my cheekbones.  I own a TON of products for facial contouring and highlighting, but this is my all time favorite kit because it has different shades for contouring and highlighting your face.  Plus it has a mirror and cheat sheet on the inside cover.  It's perfect, especially if you're new to contouring - you'll just love it. It seriously can take 10 lbs off your face by slimming your cheekbones and highlighting other areas of your face.  It works wonders especially when you're eating for two ;)

Cheers to a happy mommy and happy belly!