Baby #2 Wishlist & Must Haves

Registering for a first baby was super overwhelming the first time around! I remember researching for hours and having a hard time determining what a baby actually NEEDS versus what would be more of a wishlist item. Thankfully after having Liam, I feel like I have a better understanding of that this time around and am really thankful to have already have most of the big basics (a crib, rock n' play, swing, carseat, etc.). 

My mom called and offered to throw me a baby shower in just a few weeks (SO sweet of her!) and I once again found myself registering for a few must haves that we need and wishlist things for baby #2 ...

Owlet Smart Sock | Nursing & Car Seat Cover | Baby Book

Knotted Gown | Double Jogging Stroller

Breast Milk Catcher | Bumbo Seat

The Owlet Smart Sock is a newborn baby product that has become really popular since I've had Liam. It's a sock you velcro to your newborn's foot when they are sleeping and it will alert you if baby moves to a position where they aren't getting enough oxygen and their heart rate drops. It would definitely provide piece of mind in those first few months when Nic and I had many sleepless nights just to lean over and make sure Liam was breathing okay.

I didn't have a nursing or car seat cover with Liam and always wished that I did. I would nurse him with a receiving blanket draped over us and we would both get all hot and sweaty, not to mention when he got to that grabby stage and I almost flashed people several times when he would try to rip the whole thing off in public. haha 

LOVE this baby book and these knotted gowns!

One of our biggest regrets when choosing a stroller for Liam was not picking a jogging stroller. We do quite a bit of running and had to end up getting a second stroller several months after he was born. I know BOB's are all the rage in terms of running quality but we haven't fully decided whether or not to go with that or a simple (and much more affordable!) bike trailer that can be used as a jogger?? If you have any recommendations, I'd love to hear from you!

Every time I'd nurse Liam on one side, the other side would also produce milk and leak all over the place. I had no idea they made these breast milk catchers and what a great way to save that extra milk to be stored for later rather than soaking a nursing bra! haha

A bumbo seat is definitely on my wishlist this time around. We borrowed one from a neighbor for a few months when Liam was first starting solid foods and it was so convenient for also providing stability when he was learning to sit up!

Also on my wishlist for both momma and baby ...

A Fawn Design diaper bag. I love having a backpack diaper bag that is hands-free because heaven knows these two hands will be full as it is with two kids ini tow!

A new robe to change into after the baby is born instead of wearing the hospital gown.

A Briar Handmade bonnet for those chilly fall and winter days. Dying over this print!

A couple of girly swaddle blankets from here or here because all of Liam's either did not last through his crazy spit up days or are covered in baseballs and puppies. haha

A few other must haves ...

A second sound machine. We have this one for Liam and love it! 

Lanolin for those first couple weeks of sore nursing days. 

Sleepers with mittens and warm booties for outfits without feet!

We're getting SO excited for this little girl to join us in just a couple months!

27!

Saturday was my 27th birthday! It felt pretty special to celebrate my last day of 27 weeks pregnant on that same day, not to mention to spend the whole day with my two favorite boys!

We drove to Idaho Falls in the morning and Nic spoiled me with an hour in Target all by myself! I definitely used to take for granted those care free moments alone before I was a mom. I wouldn't trade this current stage of life I'm in for anything in the world though but I definitely appreciated the gift on Saturday!

For lunch we gave Chick-fil-a another chance. Everyone I know RAVES about that place but our first experience with it was a fatty piece of chicken on a hamburger bun so we've never really been tempted to go back again. When we were out to ice cream with our friends on Friday night and they heard we'd be spending the morning of my birthday in Idaho Falls they said we had to try it again and this time, recommended what to get it. It still didn't totally blow my mind but their chicken nuggets, waffle fries, and frosted lemonade were definitely a better experience! 

While we were in IF we also picked up paint for the baby's nursery. I've never been crazy about our tan walls in our home (just not my style) so Nic spent Liam's nap time covering them up in the nursery! Neither one of us had done a painting project in a while and we ended up being a couple of gallons shy so I actually had to head back to IF today to get more to finish the project but it is looking amazing so far thanks to that sweet, hard working man of mine!

Being born on the West coast and having fresh seafood really spoils a girl but last year on my birthday we ate at Red Robin and I had the most amazing crab cake sandwich for Pocatello standards. I haven't had it again since but really wanted that for my birthday dinner. It turned out that it was a promotional item and they no longer carry it so we settled for Wingers instead. 

After dinner we all went mini golfing! It was pretty much like playing a game of cat and mouse with Liam the whole time (haha!) but we still had fun! Let's just say he did NOT understand the concept that you aren't supposed to pick up the ball with your hands and chuck it in the hole. He WAS a good luck charm though because every time Nic or I helped him hit it we got a hole in one!

After mini golfing we picked up some cheesecake fantasy from Coldstone. Nic even put candles in it and sang to me, a very special birthday!!

Nic asked me earlier in the evening what I was going to wish for when I blew out my candles and my answer was simple ... nothing ... because I already have everything I've ever wanted/need!! A husband who loves me with his whole heart, an adorable little boy who is my best friend, and a growing baby girl! I don't need any convincing that 27 is going to be my best year yet!!! So instead, I will do everything in my power to make this sweet boy's wishes come true and let him blow out my candles instead. ;)

Thanks to my two boys, my friends, and my family who showered me with love on Saturday and made my birthday so special! XO

Bear Lake | Saturday

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, we spent last weekend in Bear Lake and loved every minute of it! If you missed our adventures from Friday you can catch up here. :)

A few things we did on Saturday ...

When we woke up that morning it was a bit chillier outside than the day before so we bundled up, put Liam in his stroller with a banana, and took a hike up the road above the cabin. It felt like we got the best of both worlds ... views of gigantic beautiful cabins on the way up the hike and the most incredible view of the lake on our way back down! It was the perfect way to start the day.

By the time we got back, Nic's dad had once again made us a gourmet breakfast ... blueberry pancakes, eggs, and sausage. We could not thank him enough for all the cooking and spoiling he did for us last weekend!! Breakfast was amazing and once again we were having to hold Liam back from wanting to sprint down to his favorites spot by the water to see the jet skis going by! Little did he know, he was in for a BIG surprise later in the day. ;)

More pelicans flying across the water in the morning ...

The piece of property that is next to our family cabin had this really cool old truck parked down by the water so Liam and I went to investigate the "beep beep" ...

We kept our sweatshirts on for a while but as the day progressed, the clouds parted and it slowly began to warm up. 

Throwing rocks!

Building more sand castles! Life at Bear Lake is really tough. ;)

Right about lunch time, Nic and his dad snuck away to rent a jet ski together while I fed Liam. I knew if I didn't do it while they were gone, he was never going to want to eat after they got back and he saw the surprise they had in store for him. Liam's very first time on a jet ski!!!

CUTEST picture Liam's Papa took of him ...

As you can imagine, our motor vehicle loving boy was obsessed!! He loved every minute of getting to drive daddy around the lake. ;)

Love these cute boys of mine so much!!!

Liam barely got off long enough to warm up and give Papa his only ride of the day (sorry Grandpapa!). Nic and I rode together once too and definitely went slow. I honestly think baby girl bounces around in my stomach WAY more when I run then when I was on the water. A BIG thank you to Nic's dad for renting the jet ski for the day and giving Liam an experience he'll never forget! He's even been talking about it and describing it to me ever since. haha We were at T.J.Maxx this week getting a friend a birthday gift and he saw a motor vehicle book on the shelf and squealed when he opened it and found a picture of a JET SKI inside. You bet that book came home with us. haha

After returning the jet ski, we tried laying Liam down for a nap. While we were eating lunch we watched him fight his nap for a good hour before finally giving up and resorting to Plan B. Our intentions were to stay until dinner time, keeping Nic's dad company while Liam napped, and then to head back home to take care of Rue but we decided to pack up an hour or so early in hopes that Liam would fall asleep in the car. Minutes into the drive he drifted off and slept the whole way home.

I don't know that we will be able to make it back to Bear Lake this summer as we get closer to baby girl's arrival and I can't travel anymore but if not, we sure had the time of our lives this trip and will look so forward to going back next summer with TWO kids in tow, holy cow!! I'll have to start packing days in advance if we ever want to make it out the door that trip. haha Until next time, beautiful Bear Lake!

Bear Lake | Friday

We spent last weekend in Bear Lake at Nic's family cabin and had the absolute BEST time! It is so incredibly beautiful there that I'm not sure my camera ever left my hand except for the moments when I was splashing with Liam in the water or playing in the sandbox. Everywhere you look there is a picture perfect moment to capture so needless to say I came home with a full camera roll of special memories and thought it might be best to break up our trip in two posts. 

Friday ...

If you've ever traveled with little ones, you know what a chore it is just to get out the door in the morning let alone with a fully packed car of everything you might possibly need for an overnight stay. haha In other words, we didn't leave super early on Friday morning. We rolled into Bear Lake right around lunch time and Nic's dad, the gracious host he is, was waiting for us with grilled hot dogs in hand! Such a kind man! We enjoyed lunch with Papa and Grandma Dee (the whole five minutes that Liam would allow anyway, he was chomping at the bit to go down by the water) and then spent the next couple hours playing with Liam in this giant sandbox overlooking the lake and catching up. Not a bad way to spend a Friday afternoon if you ask me!

Liam's cute Papa and Grandma ...

We were so bummed Dee had to leave during Liam's nap to head back home for work the next morning! We missed having her experience the rest of the trip with us.

Pretend fishing off the boat launch pad ...

It was so cute watching these two build a sand castle together ...

Friday's weather was in the mid 70's which was perfect when enjoying it from the shore but the water was absolutely freezing. Guess what, a certain little boy didn't care one bit and practically wanted to be tossed right in! haha The rest of us avoided swimming in it.

While walking with Liam through the water along the shore line I felt a small splash right in front of my feet and thought Liam had thrown a rock. As we kept walking though I saw this little frog frantically swimming away in front of me before returning to shore. Nic's dad said they hadn't seen a frog there in years so it was fun to spot this little guy! He is pretty camouflaged but can you find him??

Baby girl's first trip to Bear Lake! ;)

I definitely learned that this was likely my last trip anywhere before she gets here. It has become so uncomfortable being in the car for too long and sleep anywhere but my own bed is tough to come by these days. I loved every minute of feeling her kick inside me as I enjoyed this view though!

I had to share a couple of cute bloopers from asking Nic if he would take these pictures of me. The one on the left was him "posing" while I tested the lighting in my camera (haha!) and the one on the right was a result of his cute artistic/creative side. When he handed the camera back to me he said, "I took a few with you out of focus because I thought it might look kind of cool." Best photographer husband ever! :)

Nic's dad brought along this new sandbox set for Liam to play with and he hasn't stopped using it since (even at home)!

The family cabin!

Liam is in the sweetest phase right now where he hugs everything and everyone that makes him happy and goes "mmm" as he wraps his arms around tight and squeezes. It is adorable and melts my heart every time! While he is loving on this turtle in this picture, it didn't last long because a few moments later he was sitting on it in the shallow water and the waves caused it to tip over. haha He never used it again for the rest of the weekend!

One of his favorite things to do while we were there was to throw rocks in the water and watch for boats or jet skis going by ... 

There are the most beautiful pelicans that fly overhead and float in the water. They are so much fun to watch!

Our view for the weekend and a little piece of heaven on earth ...

Friday night Nic's dad made yummy chicken and veggie kabobs and baked potatoes for dinner. We were so spoiled and so well fed the entire time we were there! He would hardly let us lift a finger to even help clean up. 

After dinner we brought Liam inside the cabin for some down time before bed. There was a fun train track set for him to play with while we watched the movie, Up. Just as we were getting ready to put Liam to bed, the rain began to fall outside the open windows, cooling the temperature down for a pretty good night's sleep. It was the perfect first day! Sharing our Saturday adventures at Bear Lake tomorrow! XO