Diaper Bags

I hate standard diaper bags. I think they either look childish or completely boring. The bag is for me to carry baby's stuff, not for the baby! And I shouldn't have to give up feeling stylish and sexy just because I'm a mom. Not to mention the fact that I shouldn't have to sacrifice an arm and a leg to get a stylish bag.

I also think standard diaper bags are huge. I'm not going to want to lug that huge thing around. People are trying to convince me that I need a standard, huge, waterproof diaper bag. I'm not convinced.

I found this bag on Etsy that I really like. So my question for all you moms is: What do you honestly think in terms of it's functionality as a diaper bag? Is it big enough for the essentials? Is it a big deal that it's not waterproof?

Pregnancy thoughts

I had my gestational diabetes test this morning, and even though it's not something I would willingly drink, I didn't think it was quite as bad as everyone makes it seem.

I've always slept on my side. Always. But sleeping on my side makes my hips ache like crazy now. I must flip sides at least 4 or 5 times a night.

Speaking of sleeping, I think the pillows I stuff around myself are taking up more space in our bed than my hubby and I combined.

I am 24 weeks & 5 days pregnant, and so far I've gained 12 pounds.

I'm okay with the weight gain because it's all in my belly so far, but my back isn't liking it too much. You wouldn't think 12 pounds would make that much of a difference, but it definitely does.

The doctor told me today to make sure I get a flu shot. I don't really believe in flu shots, so I don't know how I feel about this.

I religiously rub cocoa butter on my belly twice a day. I don't know if I really believe it will prevent stretch marks, but it certainly can't hurt and my belly is super soft.

I have a wedding to go to in a month. I tried on my favorite black satin peep-toe pumps with my new dress and they are too tight. My feet aren't swollen either. I cried.

No, I'm not kidding, I cried over shoes. But they are beautiful, sexy shoes that I was looking forward to wearing.

I booked our childbirth class for November. *REALITY CHECK* I actually have to give birth in 3 months. Terrifying.

My hubby and I agree on 2 names for baby girl, but I'm not in love with either of them. One of them I really like, but the possible nicknames people may call her are horrible to me. The other name I'm not completely crazy about, but I absolutely love the nickname we would call her. My all time top 2 names were taken by my hubby's brother and friend in the last 2 months, so I would feel weird naming her one of those.

So, any baby girl names you want to share to help us out?? I'll tell you my first 2 choices that we can't use were Sophia and Addison. Nicknames would have been Sophie or Addie. And her middle name will definitely be Ann-Marie, after my mom and sister. Any suggestions?? Please?

A letter to my daughter - 24 weeks

Dear baby girl,

Today, I am 24 weeks pregnant with you, a milestone they say is important because you would have a chance of survival if you were born now. Getting to this point has been a long journey for your Dad and I. Someday, if you want to know, I'll tell you about your siblings in Heaven and everything we went through before you were conceived, but this letter is about you.

When I found out I was pregnant with you, I was excited, but hesitant. I tried so hard not to let myself get excited. My brain kept telling me that it was too early and that I might lose you too. But my heart...my heart couldn't help but be excited!

In the beginning, I worried a lot about you. I had very few pregnancy symptoms and you were such a good little girl to your Mama, which any pregnant woman would dream about. But me, I worried, because with no symptoms, I had no reassurance that you were okay in there. Your Daddy told me not to worry and that you would be just fine, but it was always in the back of my mind.

Seeing you on ultrasound, moving around, twisting and turning - it was pure heaven for me. After one of our ultrasounds, the doctor had some concerns about your health, so we went to see a specialist. I was terrified. After another ultrasound, the specialist seemed to think you were perfectly fine, but there was only one was to know for sure. To find out though, we would have to risk losing you, and that is not a risk we were willing to take. Since then, I've felt calm and confident that you are okay though. And whether you are born completely healthy or not, your Daddy and I will love you beyond words.

You are kicking me all the time now. That in and of itself is a huge relief - a constant reminder that you are inside me and doing just fine. I'll never forget your Daddy's face the first time he felt you kick. He had been jealous for a couple weeks that I could feel you and he couldn't. And then one Sunday morning, you were kicking so hard that I felt the kicks from the outside for the first time. I called your Daddy over and put his hand on my belly. I tried not to react and when you kicked his head turned to me so fast and a huge smile spread across his face. It is a smile that I will remember and treasure for the rest of my life.

Every single one of your kicks is pure joy and love for me. (Even the ones when you're kicking my bladder and sending me to the bathroom every 5 minutes!) You have no idea how much your Daddy and I love you, baby girl. We can't wait to meet you and hold you in our arms. We can't wait to teach you and experience the world for the first time again through your eyes. We can't wait to love you - although we already do - more than words can ever describe.

You are the answer to our prayers, baby girl. We thought that by having you, the overflowing amount of love your Daddy and I have for each other would be directed to you. But already we have learned that the love we have for each other continues to overflow, only now our hearts are overflowing with love for you as well. Marriage is not easy, baby girl, even with someone you love as deeply as your Daddy and I love each other. And we know that raising you will not always be easy either. But if there is one thing we teach you baby girl, I hope you learn that nothing worthwhile is ever easy and true love - pure love - really is worth the struggle.

Continue to grow healthy and strong in there baby girl. Before we know it, you'll be here with us, and as excited as we are to meet you, you have some more growing to do first. There are so many people waiting for you, that love you so much already. You'll soon learn that your family can be crazy, but despite that, you will be surrounded by more love and support than you can even imagine.

I love you more than I could ever write in words,
Mommy

Fenway

My husband and I started dating during football season. Don't believe me? I'm a Yankees fan and he's a Red Sox fan. Yes, you read that correctly. Baseball season is interesting in our household. But we live just outside of Boston, so I'm a bit lonely here in Red Sox Nation!

Anyway, last Tuesday, my hubby and I went to a Red Sox game. He got free tickets from someone at work, and despite my team loyalties, I love Boston (the city) and going to live baseball games, so we made it a date!

As it turns out, Ali from the Bachelorette was throwing out the first pitch at that game. Ali grew up in the town right next to where I did, and my husband grew up with her, so he knows her and her family. So it was exciting to see a little of our small-town roots in the big city!

I, of course, brought my camera, and had more fun taking photos than watching the game. (Though, I have to admit, I enjoyed the fact that the Red Sox lost!) But enough chatter...you probably just want to see the photos...

Our baby girl's first baseball game!
(23 weeks)

Ali and Roberto

Warming up.

I don't think he'd be smiling and waving at me
if he knew I was a Yankees fan! ;)

Just before Ali threw out the first pitch!

LOVE :)