The Birth Story

October 23rd. The day my life changed. Yet again. I met my second daughter, my little angel, whom I call, my beautiful surprise. Zoey Faith Gauthier was born.

Finally hitting 38 weeks, my midwife agreed to induce me within the next few days. So to make sure Gaby would make it and witness the birth of his baby, I made sure not to do anything that'll get me into labor without warning. I laid around the house, tried my luck at sewing again, avoided carrying Isabella. Things were looking good. On Wednesday, October 22nd, my mom and I decided to go to Ikea and get a few things for the new place I was moving to in Buffalo. With a lot of walking and aisle cruising, my contractions started up at 5-10 minutes apart. I called Gaby right away, by the time I said the word contractions, he was already getting strip searched at the airport. There was nothing getting in the way of him and his girls. So we hurried home, retrieved Isabella's over night bag, showered, ate (I learned this time around) and headed to my grandmother's house. By the Grace of God, Isabella was an angel as we dropped her off.

Fast forward a few triage, ultrasound, and cervix examining hours later. Gaby made it to the hospital by the time I was admitted. So far so good! So lets see, my epidural never really worked, I was in agony and thought I was in an episode scandal and walking dead at the same time. By the time they decided to readjust and reinsert my epidural needle, I was already 8 cm dilated. Contractions and a foot long needle at the same time wasn't my idea of a night on the town. The ultrasound tech informed me that this perfect [little] baby was weighing almost 9 pounds. So in preparation of reaching 10 cm, I was trembling of terror and fear of a 18 wheeler passing through me. I may or may have not asked for a c-section with the day I had. But with the help of my mom and Gaby, I put my game face on, and delivered my 8lb 14 ounce BUNDLE of joy after 23 hours of labor. But it was worth it all when I looked at the face of my this child I never knew I was missing.

For lack of better words, Zoey is a glimpse of heaven, my beautiful surprise, the exhibit of God's love for me. She is everything I never could have imagined. Thinking life could not be sweeter as a family of three, here comes one more to completely change your world around. As I mentioned once before, Zoey was completely unplanned, we didn't know how to manage two kids under 2 years old. We tried for years to have Isabella, and with a simple hop and a skip, God insisted we meet this angel, Zoey. We are so thankful for this life He's given us and we are so in love with this new little addition.

Isabella met her a few hours after I delivered and our hearts melted yet again. Isabella has not stopped kissing her sister since the day Zoey was born. We are so complete.

Now the fun begins..

                                                     
                                                                                  

Hospital Bag ready. Set. Go.

Little Zoey Faith is officially full term! Entering 37 weeks, I have found myself in the famous nesting stage bubble. I have everything washed, folded, plugged in, and set up. So I wanted to share what I was able to put together for the hospital bag and diaper bag. With Isabella coming a little sooner than expected at 36 weeks, my hospital bag was not completely up to par to Pinterest's standards. Now that it's my second time, I've learned to be a minimalist and bring just what I need. Here goes…

Hospital Bag (Links attached)

1. Spanks (Similar). this is number one on my list to getting back to your fine self. Once you give birth, your body may look like a raisin or a deflating balloon. It's best to start putting everything back together again with the help of this awesome sucker.

2. Slippers, flipflops, and comfy thick socks. Simple; you will be walking on some questionable floors.

3. Towel. you will not be giving birth in a hotel. Bring your own thick, comfy towel(s). Something you can actually wrap around you.

4. Robe. You will be having friends and family and doctors and nurses visiting, wrap yourself up quickly with a nice, sleek robe. Sometimes we want to look appropriate with a decent outfit and good bra when we have guests, a robe is a quick fix for this quick visits.

4. Pajama set. A nursing-friendly, preferably button up pajama works best. Maybe not your old high school flannel Winnie The Pooh pajamas. Something nice and grown up always feels good.

5. Toiletries.  This includes gigantic pads, wash cloth/sponge will be needed. Or anything else you can think of that you would travel with because…. you are not at the Hilton.

6. Nursing Bra. As you begin your breast feeding journey, a comfy nursing bra is a  must. No need for anything fancy, you will be wearing it for hours and get some stains on it. Found my two pack at Walmart. #Nice.

7. Panties. Granny panties preferably. You will need the support and the comfort. Something cheap will do. If you have a vaginal birth, you will need all the panties and extra large pads you can get.

8. A going home outfit. Something comfy, pretty, and not too over the top to ride home in.

Now, I read a lot and looked up what other moms were bringing, and from experience, you don't really need your iPad, stool softener, or your boppy pillow. The hospital will provide plenty of pads, weird stocking undies if you need them, pain killers, and stool softener. you will be pretty busy with the baby and your visitors to need your iPad or Nook or other sources of entertainment. You smart phone will do just fine. I plan on bringing my own pads and undies just incase I don't feel like wear a boat of a pad and I may want to feel some cotton on my tush. But have the variety.

Diaper Bag

1. Warm one piece pajama. Baby is still adjusting to this cold new world.

2. Two or three Newborn diapers and wipes. (stores give a sample amount when you open a registry)

3. Blankets. Thick and thin. swaddle size and larger. I can't resist wrapping them up like a hotdog in these gorgeous blankets.

4. Hand sanitizer. Germs Be Gone.

5. Beanies, mittens, and socks. Keep them warm.

6. Pack of onesies and pants. Comfy baby clothes is an obvious must.

7. Cute take home outfit. This was actually Isabella's. I'm glad I saved it and now my second little girl gets to wear it home! (Tearful emoji here)

8. Cute headbands. Because she's a girl for a reason.

9. Nursing pads, Breast therapy, Nipple healing ointment. All these nursing products are a major must, between leaking breasts and a latching newborn, you're going to need all the help you can get.

10. Big Sister shirt. (Similar) If applicable. I couldn't resist this adorable Big Sister shirt for Isabella. all the pictures I'll be taking of the two of them, it seemed perfect. I also bought her a small toy to not only entertain her for a while (she's almost 2 years old.. so you already know) and to have a gift just for her from her little sister. (Tearful emoji here again).

You will not need a week's worth of diapers and wipes, or lotion and soap and wash clothes. The hospital provides tons of it. and since you're paying for it, take as many as you can home. I won't tell.

I hope this was helpful and good luck on D Day!!!

Black, White, and Gold All Over! #BabyShowerFun

This past weekend we celebrated the coming arrival of Baby Zoey. It was the sweetest day. It was small and had just the right amount of ladies there. My first shower was over the top with all the trimmings. This time around, I wanted just a few ladies, fab cupcakes and comfy chairs.

I wanted to be involved with the decorating and the small DIY projects. This prego needed to keep her hands busy and off her tush. Before I knew it, I was in my third trimester and needed to get the ball rolling. My mother, this amazing chef friend of ours, and myself put everything together in 2 weeks! Being that this is my second rodeo, I didn't need as many things as I did last time. No need for hanging laundry line of onesies, and feeding your partner some stinky mush in a jar we feed our kids. Just something simple and chic. We played the Price is Right, ate gold dusted Eiffel Tower chocolate cupcakes, and ate for days. 

Between the play dough babies, freaky babies in ice cubes, and chicken sliders, it was a great shower and wouldn't have it any other way. Mom, thanks for everything! the shower was just what I needed! Oh, Isabella was an angel! It's true!! She behaved, participated and gave us a little show. Anywho, thank you all for coming, for your support, and most importantly, your friendships. Xoxo

Some quick detailing:
BABY balloons were ordered on amazon.
Gold letter Z was found at Michaels and spray painted
Invitations were made using half the aisle of the dollar section at Target
The Ready to Pop I created and added to simple black and white popcorn cups
Black and white chalkboard table runner is also from Target
Black Eiffel Tower belonged to a friend

The Next Chapter.

Ok ok. So I haven't written in a while. Life has been.. interesting. I'm getting whiplash looking back how fast and how much life is changing for us right now.

Here's the short version: My husband and I have decided to relocate to Buffalo, NY! Why? Besides the financial and career advantages for him there, we believe God is sending us to be a help in the community and the local church which happens to be his father's. We tried making life happen in South Florida, but when God sends you somewhere, the best thing to do is listen and say yes. So here we are, in this point in our lives, simply saying yes. And I'm so excited to see what he has in mind for us!

So the transition has been steadily moving quickly. I'm waiting to give birth here in Miami while Gaby gets things set up for us in Buffalo. So it's been Isabella and I on our own without Daddy and missing him has been the hardest part. I can't say we've been alone. Staying with my parents the final month of the pregnancy has been a life saver, I know without a doubt I could not do this last month without them. I call it the "Thanks Mom Trimester".

Which leads to how my daughter has OFFICIALLY made it to her Terrible Twos just a few months early. Now before I pull out the balloons and cake, you can find me running for the hills. Between her throwing my glasses, rings, books in the garbage, applying my mac red lipstick on herself and the floor,  chewing her crayons, and licking the outside of our car, raising this toddler has been a breeze! (Insert crying face emoji here) Oh, side note, now I totally understand why moms put their kids on a leash!!! I would never do it but after chasing my toddler around Panera Bread one day, I seriously considered it.

Things are definitely moving fast. Now that D Day is soon approaching, it's time to choose between a house or apartment, A/C or fire place, City or Suburbs. I guess that's the fun part… We have to mentally and physically prepare for a new life. Zoey is fully baked in 2 weeks and we have to literally haul our lives up north. Juggling two kids will be an adventure I'm nervous/excited to embark. I will need as much tips as I can get for this new life, the cold, the kids, the snow. You name it, I'll be a rookie at it.

Next up! Posting about my upcoming Baby Shower! Can't wait! Xo.

Maternity Shoot pictures are here!

I am so excited to share the pictures that were taken by Jozgirli Photography. She did an incredible job capturing my growing family. My 18 month was and is usually a challenge with pictures but some great shots were taken and I am so in love with them all. Thank you again so much!

Hope you like them just as much I do.