Hospital Bag Pt. 4: What to pack for Daddy and older Siblings.

 Hey! I am continuing my Hospital Bag Must Haves. You can read my original post here.

I also shared my Mommy needs & Baby needs earlier this week.

Today I want to share what Daddy and older Siblings might need.

Daddy and Opal December 2013

Let's start with Daddy.

Toiletries: 

• Toothbrush. He can use the toothpaste packed in your bag. 
• Glasses and contacts.

Clothes: 

•  Pajamas- something comfy.
•  Spare outfit.

Pillow and Blanket:

• I am not sure if it was just the hospital we were at, but they didn't give my husband a blanket or pillow. His first night was miserable. I am making sure if Dillon stays the night with me that he has these things.

 Snacks: 

• Energy drinks: Men usually are not good at staying up. Thankfully my husband is now a veteran dad and knows how to hang with me when nights are rough. But I am still packing a Red Bull or two for him. It has been a while since we had a newborn on our hands.
• Energy bars: Specialty, granola, whatever he prefers, pack them. It'll help.
• Jerky: Because, men.
• Gum: Useful to help with the long hours of labor, and putting a baby to sleep can take.
• Coffee cup/ Thermus: I am having my husband brew himself some coffee and put it in his huge Thermus the day of our C-section so that he has coffee on hand.
• Chips/ cookies: Cheaper to buy your favs at the grocery store than in a vending machine.

 Gift:

•  Some people like to give gifts to new daddies. I say, if you wanna give the daddy in your life a little something to hold on to from the day his baby was born, do it! I am thinking of doing something for him this time around. I didn't do anything with our first. I think even something little like a card or letter to express your love and gratitude for his support and telling him how great of a dad he is going to be is great. 

Electronics:

• Camera: memory card, charger, batteries if needed.
• Camcorder if you use one.
• Cell phones and chargers.

Now, what do my older children need?

So, I know *most* people usually have a babysitter for their children on call for the big day. But for others, like me, if I go into labor before my mother in law flies in, Opal is going to the hospital with us. I already talked to the DR.'s about it and they've said as long as I don't go into a C-section in that event, she can stay with me the whole time. So, in that scenario- these are the things that will be packed for her.

Movies and books:

• I would be packing Frozen and Tangled, along with our Disney Junior DVD's.
• Portable DVD player if you have one.
• Her favorite books would definitely be going.

2-3 small toys:

•   I would pack several small toys that aren't too obnoxious. So, things like a toy car, teapot and cup, and babydoll.

Coloring book & crayons:

• This is a good quiet way to pass time for just about anyone. This is a must.

Snacks & Drinks:

•   Cheaper and healthier to have these with you than in a vending machine. Just don't forget to pack an empty sippy cup if needed.

Blanket, stuffed animal, pillow, security item:

•  Just like with daddy, they may not provide these things for your child if they're tagging along. so bring the blanket and pillow in the car for daddy to run out and grab when needed.
• My daughter has a big stuffed minnie mouse that she takes everywhere. This would be a must have for the situation. The hospital can be a scary place for a toddler. A security toy/ blanket/ whatever would definitely help their stress level.

Comfy clothes/ extra clothes.

• Comfy is best. Bring pajamas if they nap. Socks and slippers are good so that they don't want to be barefoot. (gross)

Diapers and wipes, (if needed).

•  My daughter is still in diapers, so I would hate to have to send my hubby to go buy these last minute because we forgot them.

Gift. 

•  We are buying our daughter a gift, that we're giving her the day she meets her brother. We decided on some bubbles, play jewelry, Princess Rapunzal dress, and a card. We are getting her these items because ultimately they'll help us at home once we are busy doing other things. I will be nursing a lot, so I can watch Tangled with her in her princess dress. I'm excited for her to open her gift from her brother. It'll be so exciting for her.

I hope all of this helps some of you who just don't know where to start with packing. I will try to add to this, and maybe even add some photos once I pack these items :-) 

 

 xoxo- Chels.

38 Weeks Pregnant.

Photo cred: MY HUSBAND! Can you believe it!!

Wild Thing!

Holy cow, my final week of pregnancy is here!! I cannot believe it is here! I had an appointment with my OB yesterday, and was heartbroken to find out that the only 2 of the doctors that I feel comfortable with are both moving on and going to other bases in other states. It was a real bummer to find that they wont be taking care of me next week at my scheduled C-section, and they wont be there for my final check ups here in DC. But she did help me with a lot of my questions, gave me great advice and apologized for how awful I was treated by her colleagues at my last appointment. Turns out, at my last appointment they should've answered all of my questions and they could have actually scheduled my C-section at that appointment. But- it is what it is. The appointment is now scheduled and set!

"Its a surprise! Baby brother will be here next week!"

photo cred: MY HUSBAND! <3

We are going to keep the date and time a secret- kind of like a reverse surprise party. It is definitely going to be exciting surprising everyone (online) with his birth photos. Online is the only way- because everyone we love is all across the country from us! The only family that will be here will be my mother in law. Thankfully she is going to be here to watch Opal for Dillon and I. I really hope everything goes smoothly! Opal and I have never spent a day apart- so I am really sad to be away for 2 days.

Lately, I have been having contractions sporadically. The most intense ones have been last night actually! They were 10 minutes apart ALL NIGHT. They never stopped. They started around 11 pm and were still going at 6 am when I finally fell asleep. Hopefully the contractions can just hold off so that Oliver comes the day we chose, as planned.

This weekend we plan to take Opal out for her last weekend as an only child. We're going to take her baby doll out in the baby doll carseat and have some fun. I think we plan to go to Chuck E. Cheese, the toy store, several parks, and possibly the movies. We're definitely taking her to get donuts, lunch out, and the Disney store! I'm so excited to spoil her this weekend.

Before I wrap this week's update up, I want to publicly thank my hubby for taking these maternity photos of me. We are going to take another set this weekend with each other and Opal. I'm looking forward to showing these to Oliver some day so he knows how loved he was before he was even born.

Hopefully I'll have news about where we are moving next in my next personal life update- which should double as Oliver's birth announcement.

Have a blessed day! xoxo, Chelsea.

Hospital Bag Pt. 3: What to pack for baby.

So this week I am continuing and going into more detail about my hospital bag must haves. Last month I wrote an overview of it, you can read that here.

Here we go!

Diaper bag.

I chose this backpack from Target to use as my diaper bag.

Linens.

I also shared 3 different linens that I will pack one of each.

I am taking these items.

1. the red fox blanket is a handmade item gifted from my mom.
2. the white fox receiving blanket is from Carters. (link below)
3. the green fox is a burp cloth, also handmade and gifted from my mom.
4. the white muslin swaddler with red polka dots is from PLUM. (link below)

PLUM swaddlers.

Carter's Receiving Blankets.

 Onsies.

I am taking 2-3 of these. Hospital will give you a little tee shirt, but I ditched that and dressed Opal myself last time. I like my own things. Ha-ha! You don't know how long your stay will be ultimately, so better to have an extra one than not enough.

Bottoms.

I am also taking 2-3 of these.

Pajamas.

 I usually use onsies and sweats or leggings as pajamas for those first couple weeks. Pajamas seem like extra laundry to me. They grow so fast that it is also a waste of money. I only bought 2 pajama/ layette outfits for him, and only because Carter's had them incredibly cheap.

Socks, hats, mittens.

 Yup, you'll need all of these. You'll likely be given some of this by the hospital, but if you want your babe to coordinate for photo purposes.. take your own.

 

Going home outfit.

I am taking a romper because it is going to be sooooo hot. I'll cover him with a receiving blanket for the car ride home so that he's not too cold from the A/C. If we get to leave at a time of the day that is still nice outside he will go home in a pajama type onsie.

Pacifier.

 My daughter didn't take to a pacifier for very long. For the random times that she did take it, she loved her Wubbanub. I will have one of these for Oliver.

Carseat.

 I would've used Opal's old bucket car seat, but it is unfortunately in California. So we bought Oliver a Britax car seat. Don't forget to take this. The hospital will help you install it and teach you proper seat belt safety for your baby.

 Diapers.

I am not taking diapers with me. The hospital will give them to you. You're already paying for them, so don't waste your own. Another reason that I will not even open my diapers, is that your babe could always come out and not need NB size diapers. They may just need size 1 and you've got a bag of diapers that you cant exchange or use. So I wont open my cute Honest Diapers until size is confirmed.

Hospital Bag Pt. 2: What to pack for Mommy.

 

 Hey! So last month I made a general must haves post about packing my hospital bag! You can read that here. But I want to go into detail about what specifically to pack for mommy, baby, and the family over this next week. To begin, lets start with Mommy!

(Obviously you'll need your wallet and things like medications you're taking- if any. All of those obvious items, I am not going to mention here.)

Here is a little recap from the last post:

A pretty robe and nightgown.

I don't care what anyone says! That hospital gown makes you feel so gross and it isn't flattering at all. It doesn't look pretty in the photos, and I don't care if I stain this. I bought it to boost my confidence for the hospital and it really will do just that. Purple is one of my happy colors. I recommend taking something in a color that makes you feel amazing and ignore the "you'll stain it somehow" remarks. Who cares! I want to feel and look pretty while in that bland hospital.

Comfortable sleep nursing bras.

I have some old ones that I had from nursing Opal, but I bought this new set for the same reason as above. New stuff makes me feel special and pretty. I didn't have this style of sleep bras yet, so that is exciting to. It is going to do the job of making my uncomfortable engorged boobies feel as awesome as possible.

Undies.

Personal preference. But the day I go home I am most definitely not wearing those mesh undies. I am going to feel like a normal woman in some normal undies.

Nursing pads.

Washables will stay home, I am only packing the disposable ones.

Slippers.

Walking the halls is a necessity. Pack some slippers! I bought these to match my robe, and I haven't wore them once. I am saving them to add to the "new makes me feel awesome" feeling.

Socks.

The hospital's compression socks aren't all too flattering either- so I'm taking these. Hopefully I wont be as swollen this go-around, and they'll fit.

Glasses.

Don't forget to pack these if you need them!

Lip balm.

You'll need this for sure. Hospitals are dry and if you're like me and lick/ bite your lips while nervous or anxious- you'll definitely need it! Ha-ha!

Water bottle.

Your hospital will have large foam cups that the nurses and your partner or family will continuously bring you full of yummy ice water. 

So what else does Mommy need? Toiletries and Nursing items!

Nursing Pillow.

  I have used a Boppy, My Brest Friend, and those free ones that you get emails about.

My personal preference has been the My Brest Friend- I love the back support, strap, pockets, how wide it is for baby, and how the baby is actually supported and not rolling into or away from you like they can with the Boppy. I have this specific pillow in "Blue Bells".

Nipple Butter and Pads.

I chose Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter. It is all natural and safe for you and baby. You don't have to stress about wiping it all off before each nursing sesh. I'll probably use it as my lip balm too. Babies R Us carries it in stores AND you can now finally buy this in stores at Target, too!

Check out all of their products for:

Breastfeeding care here.

Postpartum care here.

I like these NUK pads because of how thin they are. You can't see them through your tops. They work great, and they don't come apart like some others that I've tried. The price point on them is really great too.

Skin care.

I have a really serious thing about taking care of my skin. I break out and am allergic to a lot of products/ makeup. So I will be taking my face wash routine, some makeup remover wipes, and a facial cleansing wipes to keep my face from breaking out while I am in the hospital.

I am also taking a body wash and small moisturizer for my face and hands.

Deodorant- because duh.

*not pictured- shampoo and conditioner. Take these with you if you plan on washing your hair during your stay. I am taking a shower cap because I will wash my hair the day of my surgery and wont need to wash again during my stay.

I ALSO RECOMMEND SHOWER SHOES. TAKE SOME FLIP FLOPS TO WEAR WHILE YOU SHOWER IN THE HOSPITAL!!!!!!  

Hopefully your hospital is clean, but you just never know with public showers. I don't do germs.

Eye care.

I mentioned above to take your glasses, but don't forget to pack your contacts, their case, and a small solution for them. I love my contacts, so these are definitely going.

Oral care.

 Take your toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste. I am taking Listerine in the travel size also, because you just never know if you'll be stuck to a bed for a long period of time unable to brush your teeth properly.

Make up.

Some women will want to wear makeup, others wont.  There are usually professional photographers who will come by and offer to take photos that you can later purchase. Having these items on hand is good if you plan to do this.

 Hair Care.

If you plan on showering (and washing your hair) you'll likely want to pack shampoo and conditioner. I am having a scheduled C-section so I will be washing my hair the day of and styling it. I am taking a shower cap because I only wash my hair every 3 days. :-) If I need these products my house is close enough to the hospital that my hubby will bring them to me.

I am going to try to do my hair and makeup every single day of this journey because that is what I feel will make me happy. I want to feel and look my best. I am going have the professional photos be taken this time around also.

Nursing tops.

 If you're going to be nursing, take a couple tank tops even if you're planning on a short stay. You never know when your milk is going to come in, and you may leak. I hate being in a top that has a bunch of dried milk all over it. It just feels nasty.

Dress from Target.
Jacket is from Gap.
Necklace from Charlotte Russe.

Handbag: gift.
Sandals are from Payless.


Going home outfit and shoes.

 I am having a C-section, so I am packing a light and very loose dress. I don't want to wear anything tight or touchy on my scar. I'm taking sandals the day I go in, and will wear them returning home too.

For the lovely ladies having a natural birth- leggings and a top are optional for you. Definitely pack clothes for a size 5 or 6 month belly. You're still going to have a pretty swollen tummy while your uterus is in the process of shrinking.

I do recommend packing a dress just in case. You never know how your birth will end. 

I had no idea I was going to have a c-section the first time around and had to wear leggings and a tight top home. I was in so much pain and was uncomfortable. I truly wish I packed a dress to go home in just in case.

DRESS: FOREVER 21  SHOES: TARGET

TUMMY BAND: MOTHERHOOD

Tummy Sleeve/ Band. 

I am taking mine with me to hold my belly up. I wasn't a fan of the Abdominal Binder that the hospital gave me last time. It hurt and was too large for me. I am going to use this and if I end up wanting something more supportive I will buy the smaller binder from Babies R Us. Last time though, this did the trick and I could still breathe.

Ipad/tablet with favorite movie(s).

Your hospital should have the option to pay for cable during your stay. I am going to do this again, but I am also taking my Ipad with my current favorite movies. It will help to pass time and take my mind off of things if needed. Especially during the times my hubby may be at home napping or spending time with Opal and I am alone at the hospital. 

Pillows.

I don't think I am going to take pillows from home with me, but I am going to keep two in my car. Why? Because I am totally taking others' advice about hugging one pillow, and sitting on another on the ride home. Having that C-section wound is going to have me all sorts of sore. I remember every bump on the drive home was so painful, so I hope this tip really does help.

I also want to share a link to my Pinterest board that I have been pinning some advice from other bloggers.  

 

        

I'll continue to add to this as much as possible.

37 weeks pregnant!

Hey Everyone! We are another week closer to my sweet boy coming Earth side! 

   

Oliver should be around 6.5 lbs so far, and gaining 1/2 a pound each week! He also is pretty much at his birth length around 19-21 inches long. His lungs should be matured, but that doesn't mean he is necessarily ready to breathe on his own outside of the uterus.

He is now considered "Early term." I know a lot of people consider this week as full term, but that has actually been changed! "The nation’s ob-gyns have redefined ‘term pregnancy’ to improve newborn outcomes and expand efforts to prevent nonmedically indicated deliveries before 39 weeks of gestation," according to www.acog.org. You can read more about that here.

I am having Braxton Hicks contractions (false labor- practice contractions) here and there. They don't feel like period cramps this time around, they're more intense and feel comparable to shorter active labor contractions. I continue to have pubic bone pain. My OB's have said that it is because the ligaments in my pelvic bones are now too soft and separated too much. It is called Symphysis pubic dysfunction, or SPD. (You can read more about that here.) I experienced this with my first pregnancy, and have had the pain this time around since 20 weeks. It is not pleasant at all! 

With my last pregnancy I was devastated to see my tummy gradually be covered in stretch marks. It was painful to see my body tear itself the way it did. By the end of my whole birthing experience and being over packed with fluids in the hospital, I had stretch marks cover my hips, inner thighs, lower torso and everywhere under my undies. I was stretched to the max and my skin paid for it. So, this time around I was very scared that it would only get worse. 

I have been using Palmer's cocoa butter stretch mark tummy butter on it every day, and thankfully they have not gotten darker in color. Until this past week I actually hadn't been itchy or in pain. My C-section scar is starting to feel overstretched, sore and is now dark in color. the stretch marks that run through it are welted and swollen. They hurt to touch at this point. I hope this changes after my delivery.

Lastly, I am starting to really experience forgetfullness. I have been starting sentences and then I guess I just stop talking. My husband has been constantly asking me what I was going to say... and I don't even remember. I forget everything I need to take places with me, time and dates, etc. It is really getting annoying. I know this wont end soon... Exhausted mommy brain is going to be hitting me even harder in 2 weeks.

 I have been trying to make myself feel better every day by doing something for myself. I paint my nails a new color every other day. I try to have my hair done at all times. I try to sneak in long showers during nap time at the expense of cleaning my house. I do my makeup every Saturday and Sunday. I wear perfume nearly every day to smell and feel pretty too. 

It is ALL about self confidence this pregnancy. 

I am loving myself just as much as my children and husband love me.

This is the very end of my pregnancy, and this is what we plan to be my last pregnancy. We still plan on expanding our family- just not biologically. The plan for a couple years down the road once we are done with school will be to open our home to foster kids and hopefully adopt 2 more children. Ideally we would be bringing in a set of siblings to keep them together. That is my dream and something I really hope happens. We have so much love to give, I know we will be great foster and adoptive parents.

I actually opted out of my weekly visit for this week and just scheduled my next visit for my 38th week.  I will be scheduling my C-section at that appointment, so I will have more info on that next
Wednesday. :-)

On another note- the pregnancy cravings have shifted from breakfast foods (donuts) to milkshakes and french fries. Did you know that Five Guys is testing AMAZING milk shakes at certain locations? Well, you're welcome! They're delicious!!

xoxo, Chelsea.

17 months of Opal.

I can't believe my growing girl is nearly a year and a half old! We are so proud of the sweet girl she is growing into. She is so smart, kind, and loving. She amazes me every day with things she says and does! It surprises me when I ask her to please do something and she does it. I point at things and she understand what they are.

The funniest thing she did over the weekend was run around this park near our apartment that is really close to an airport.. so there are planes taking off literally every 5 minutes. So shes running around with her head looking up at the sky, her little arm out pointing her finger at the planes, and screaming "bird!" at the top of her lungs, extremely excited. No matter how many times we tell her that they are called "planes" she shakes her head and says, "bird!" It is so funny and one of the cutest things I've ever seen.

Another thing that has really blown me away lately is how amazing reliving seeing things for the first time is. I forget how magical and beautiful the world is sometimes, but then when I'm down on the ground with her and realizing she is seeing something for the first time ever it amazes me! She is literally seeing things for the first time. Up until that moment, that thing never existed to her. Isn't that the strangest thought? It really is.

Lately our life is all about bubbles, baby dolls, Minnie Mouse, and watching princess movies. But not just any princess movies... Tangled and Frozen are the ones on repeat that she gets so excited about. It is darling. I don't really mind watching them over and over, mostly because I am getting other things accomplished while she plays quietly.

Her favorite color and song haven't changed in months. She's keeping these consistent. But fruits have changed! She was crazy about cuties, but lately purple grapes are her go-to. She will try to get away with picking all of the cucumbers out of our salad at dinner and eat nothing else if we let her. They're her absolute FAVORITE.

Her favorite toy has been a large stuffed Minnie Mouse that goes everywhere with us. I'm serious... EVERYWHERE. The park, grocery store, target, the bed.. everywhere. Also, bubbles. She has bottles that are good for inside play and another for outside. She is loving these. Thankfully it is a nice way to spend time outside of the house on the weekend. Her favorite book is still "Room on the Broom". It stays in the car to keep her happy while we are out and about.

She has been a talkative little gal lately. She has learned to say "no" but doesn't really say it in an annoying way (thank goodness!) She uses it to answer our questions, to tell us if she doesn't want to do something, and to make fun of me. That one is pretty funny. We have "no, you!" wars and go back and forth.

She also likes to say "baby", take care of baby dolls, and hug/kiss my belly. I'm so glad we only have 3 weeks left. I'm ready for my two babes to be together. She can say and properly use "please". It comes out more like "plee", we're still working on the "s" sound. And finally, "doing". She loves to say, "mom, doing?" to ask me what I am up to. If I ask her what she is doing she will look at me and say, "doing?" and point to herself. In which I have to reply, "Yes, what are you doing?" It is adorable and I just love it.

I can't wait to see how much she will grow from this point on... These next couple months are going to be so busy and hectic. I hope I can balance life and being her mommy well. I just try to remember to write these things down somewhere, anywhere. That is why I really love instagram. It is like a mini scrapbook and journal to capture these little things.

xoxo, Chelsea.

Week 36 of pregnancy. Decision time.

I can't even believe we are finally SO close to meeting our little man.

We have about 4 weeks left, (3 if I elect a C-section!) THREE WEEKS!

He is around 19-22 inches long and 5.5 lbs. 

I definitely think he is on the long side, because he is making me super uncomfortable!

I think this upcoming weekend I am going to go out and pick up the last of the things that I need for my hospital bag.. and I should pick out a little cute outfit for him to come home in. 

I am hoping it wont be too hot the day we bring him home. You just never know here in the DMV, it can be 90 degrees but raining out of no where! :-)

I am getting really nervous for my next appointment. For some reason my doctors like to pretend that the only thing that matters is that your baby is head down. But for some women, their positioning is JUST as important. I am not sure if there is something about my body (like the shape of my pelvis, or that my pelvis is misaligned) but my daughter was posterior (meaning that she was facing my belly button rather than my spine; also referred to as "sunnyside up".) This is a problem because the diameter of her head was too large to fit through my pelvic bones, and she got stuck pretty bad.

Because of the baby being in that position I had extreme back pain, long drawn out labor (weeks of prodromal labor [false labor], and days of actual labor). I was told by my doctors weeks ahead of time that she was sunnyside up. I was told the chances of it leading to a c-section but told that it probably wouldn't happen. But that was by ONE of my many doctors. She was really upfront about it all and honest. It gave me a lot of time to try to turn her with recommended exercises. (Check out Spinning Babies for more information.) 

But for some reason, a lot of the doctors at my clinic like to pretend that I am naive and don't know anything about the situation. They say that the baby will turn and that I have nothing to worry about. They said that everything I've read about and all the research is false. They said that the exercises on spinning babies is not going to do anything, (yet with my last pregnancy I was encouraged to do them....?) I hate that I don't have one set provider. I hate seeing strangers that don't know me. I hate that they all contradict eachother. Something inside of me tells me that if I listen to them and I attempt my VBAC everything is going to end up the same exact way it did last time. 

I don't think I am doubting myself; I think I am just coming to terms with the fact that a c-section is the smartest way to go if I know he is posterior. I just vaguely remember the surgeons saying that my pelvis was shaped a certain way while they were tugging away trying to get Opal's head out of my body. I have more peace in my heart knowing what will happen if I do elect a repeat c-section than if I let the doctors fill my head with my dream birth and then it be robbed from me again.

I honestly cannot let what happened last time happen again. I was there for 6 days with an infection. I was told I lost too much blood and was going to need blood transfusions.. I was swollen from head to toe because the nurses neglected to take my IV out causing my body to be over packed with fluid.. I didn't even get to use the restroom or walk until day 5. It was torture. I was neglected and not taken care of, honestly. I just want to go in, have my baby, and leave like a normal person. I don't want to be away from Opal for a week. I don't want to be in worse shape than the average woman who goes in and has a c-section, all because I was pressured into a VBAC knowing that my babies don't like to turn.

So, all in all, I am skipping my checkup for the 2 wk mark and just chose to go to the last appointment (38 weeks). I'll be scheduling my c-section and going to have Oliver the next week. I have been stewing over this decision for weeks now, and I am starting to feel happy and confident about it. I feel in my heart that this is what is best for my baby, and best for my body. I don't want to put myself through the painful labor that a posterior positioned baby causes. I want to be at peace with this birth, since I am still traumatized from the last. 

I don't think I will be choosing an "easy way out" that most people perceive about c-sections. I honestly think I am choosing the harder route. I am trying to mentally prepare myself for a potentially horrible looking scar (I am really happy with the one I have now, and don't want it to be worse), the fact that I will have weight lifting restrictions, not be able to hold my oldest for months, etc. I really will have a rough road ahead of me, especially with a move across country happening just 3 weeks later. I hope that it all works out. 

I am just so thankful that I have my husband and my daughter by my side. It is the most reassuring feeling. I hope that my sister and my in laws will be here for the birth or soon afterwards. It will help so much to have people here to show Opal that she is not forgotten or unloved. That is the last thing I want for my precious girl.

All in all, I know it will all work out. I know that it is the most stressful situation right now just because we still don't know whats going on with the Marine Corps or child care for Opal.. But I know in my heart that the Man above is watching over us and going to make sure we are taken care of and that all is well. I have faith. <3

xoxo, Chelsea.