Eye Of The Beholder

Eye Of The Beholder...

          Hey y'all! My goodness it's been a long time since I've updated. We'll to start, Dustin Andrew Michael Fowler made his grand entrance on August 28, 2014, weighing in at 6lbs 4oz and he was 17.5 inches long. He came very quickly, much quicker then his stubborn brother and sister hahaha. But his birth story is for another post.
          Today I wanted to talk to y'all about beauty, and what it truly means. I personally feel that today's idea of "beauty" is completely flawed, but everyone has their own idea of what beautiful is, and let me tell you, this is something I am still working on. Weather it's in magazines, movies & tv, or social media, ways to improve what or who we are, are blatantly thrown in our face. For example, all these memes going around, and I know y'all have seen them, "when the MAC washes off" or the skinny wraps that everyone and their momma seem to be selling. This is only what tipped me into this entire blog post.
          Step back and think of how many "beauty products" there are for women vs men. Hands down there are more beauty/physical enhancements for women then men. For men you see the usual, shaving stuff, cologne, some hair products and that's about it. Now think for women, shaving, waxing, nails, hair, make up, push up bras to make our boobs bigger, spanx to make our stomachs flatter and our waist smaller, butt lifters to shape our behinds. Not to mention wraps to help tone and tighten (don't fall for it), skin care to make us look younger. And that is only part of the list!
          What happened in history to make women think they need millions of products and this and that to be attractive and how much is too much? Let's say you're a single lady and you go to the bar dressed to the nines, hair done with extensions in, nails done, make up with contouring and brows and false lashes. Not to mention the padded bra, spanx, and buttlifter you're squeezed into like a can of biscuits about to pop. Come on y'all, be realistic, what's gonna happen when you go home with someone down the line that you met that night and all of that has to come off and your look like a completely different person? It's doesn't help that there are a lot of men who complain when a woman doesn't wear make up or do her hair, but then turn around and complain when she has too much make up or extensions etc.
         As a mom myself, I know how it feels to think all of those things are needed especially after having a child. Here I am 4 months post partum with my third kidlette and I am just now starting to feel comfortable in my own skin. But after some asking around I have come to realize that all that extra stuff and most of that stuff doesn't even get noticed. Sure if you feel like it makes you more comfortable then go for it but if you're doing it for your husband or someone else, honey there are bigger problems at hand. The husband and I have had this conversation over and over again and he always tells me that I don't need all that extra stuff, that I am perfect the way I am. Every husband should feel that way.
          My oldest brother and I had a lengthy conversation today regarding this and bottom line? Men don't notice your hair and make up, they notice your confidence and your attitude. The type of men who only notice your physical appearance are not the type you should spend your time on. They are the type that will find what they think is better and move right on. Also because I know y'all are thinkin' it, I am not biased there are women like this too. Superficial people in general are toxic!!
          I'm not saying let yourself go but I'm also not saying to go overboard. All I am is saying is that everyday it should be your goal, male or female, to wake up, get ready and look in the mirror and feel good in the body and shape you were given. Make up or no make up, beard no beard, ya get what I'm sayin'. Don't base yourself around other people's distorted view of beauty, base yourself off what makes your feel beautiful. That is what is attractive to others. All the money spent on hair and make up and shape-wear and skin creams and so on, think of all the other things you could spend that on. My suggestion? A night out to show off your new found confidence! Always remember that in the great words of RuPaul if you don't love yourself how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else? Amen!

33 weeks!!

48 more days whoot whoot!! I cannot wait to meet my little boy. Bruce and Taralyn are so excited y'all!! Bruce is constantly huggin the belly and tellin Dustin that he loves him. 

Great news!! Dustin finally flipped and is head down!! Hooray!! And I also think he dropped! I have to pee every time I stand up! He is nearly 5 lbs and almost 18 inches. However he's no longer measuring ahead so I'm guessin he's gonna be around 6 and a half pounds when he's born. 

Cravings:

Ice & Skor bars

Symptoms:

Lordy you name it. Siatica, round ligament, I'm exhausted and can't sleep to save my life. Oh aaaan that lovely heartburn!!

Last week vs this week

How To Tuesday!

     

      Hey y'all! Today's post is all about how to go about getting a free breast pump through your insurance company. I highly recommend this even if you plan to exclusively breastfeed. there's nothin' wrong with getting somethin' for free that you may only use once or twice.
      So since all of the insurance changes have gone through this year there haven't been very many upsides to it. However one of those upsides is that most insurance companies now cover breast pumps. Yes some did before but not as many as you'd think.
      Most insurance companies still aren't advertising that they even offer breast pump coverage let alone how to go about getting one. Some are extremely helpful and some (like mine) don't really know how to answer questions so here is a step by step guide

1. Call your insurance company. This is your quickest way to get a simple yes we cover it or no we dont.
2. Ask these questions:
    ● What types of pumps do you cover?
    ● Do I have a deductible or copay?
    ● Do I need a prescription to pick up my          pump?
    ● Can I get pump before baby is born or            do I need to wait until baby is here?
3. Do your research! Depending on how helpful the phone call was you may not need to do anything else. That just wasn't my experience. So I dug a little deeper.
    ● Medela Pump Coverage Info
Best website for finding out who you can order pumps through if you are covered.

Please keep in mind that some insurance companies will tell you to go through Babie's R Us or Walmart BUT you have to pay out of pocket - full price of the pump - then wait 6 to 10 weeks to be reimbursed and they won't reimburse tax! So either way I recommend checking the Medela link because they give multiple options for how to go about getting your pump.

And if all else fails, contact the lactation consultant through your ob office or the hospital you will be delivering at. If you've turned up nothin' but road blocks they will help you the most they can.

Also, if you have any questions please email me ! I'd be more then happy to help y'all!!

Hope this has brought some clarification to y'all and that you can receive your pumps soon!!

31 weeks!!

     

      We have the car seat y'all!!! Finally able to relax a bit, he has a place to sleep, clothes, and his car seat all the big stuff. The BaByQue is next weekend so we will wait until then to stock up on diapers and wipes.
I am slowly starting to bond with this lil boy the closer we get. He is still measuring a little ahead and is still breech so we go at 36 weeks for a growth scan and to check his position.
      Now we just got back from campin'....at 30 weeks pregnant. I did it but don't recommend it y'all. Unless you have an air mattress, unlimited access to the food you want, and a bathroom within steps, don't do it. At least not in the 3rd tri. Don't get me wrong this momma loves campin' but dang y'all. My back and hips hurt like hell and I was starving the entire time!! Not to mention bein about a block away from the closest bathroom at 3 am. Not even this backwoods lovin' country momma would do it again.
      Now for the fun stuff:

Craving:

- ICE (good lord am I craving ice. Cups of it a day!!)

- Chocolate cake!!

- Skor bars.

Symtoms:

-Back pain/sciatica 

-Heartburt

-Swollen piggies! 

Till next week y'all!

10 wk difference 

29 & 30 bumpdate

       Sorry for slackin on the bumpdates y'all! With the munchkins outta school for summer and plannin all of the events comin up I lose track of time and pregnancy brain is in full effect. 

      ***29 weeks come and gone. I've craved a title bit of everything under the sun but most prominently ICE! I eat it by the cupful. I know anemia blah blah blah. I have an iron deficiency that gets worse when I am pregnant. I finally caught Dusty moving on camera!! Only took 206 days hahaha. 

      ***30 weeks - this back pain is no joke and I finally can't hardly get off my couch without help. I'm hungry all of the time but never for anything we have at home. But I make do with what I have. We are going camping this weekend y'all. Which should be so exciting and fun but the thought of sleeping on the hard ground does not excite me. So wish us the best of luck haha. 

Upcoming:

4th of July party

BaByQue 7/19

Honeys Snippin 7/25

Vegas 8/15-8/18

Then little man is due 9/4!!

Must Have Monday - Hospital Bag Edition!!

      Hey y'all!! So one of the most frequent asked questions I get is "what on earth goes into the famous hospital bag!?" Seconded by "is a whole bag really necessary!?" Yes, yes, yes it is necessary. The last thing you wanna have happen while in the midst of prepping to push out your peanut is havin' your honey runnin' back and forth between the hospital and home. Not everyone lives within 5 minutes of their delivery place so that can cause a problem. Not to mention labor times vary from momma to momma. Mine were 23 hrs and 27 hrs. And you'd better believe it can be boring. Even if your labor is only 4 hours (lucky duckie) there are still comforts from home you'll want with you. I will also be going over what you truly want in babies bag as well.

Momma's bag:
- Clothes, keep em baggy.
(Most women still look about 4-5 months along after giving birth so make sure you have comfy clothes. Ie baggier shirts, and sweats. Not to mention your momma bits will be sore for a couple days so you aren't gonna want anything super tight)
- Granny panties.
(Yep I said it y'all. Let's be real here. The pads you will be wearing post baby will make you feel like you are wearing your very own diaper so make sure they aren't anything you don't wanna throw away.)
- Maxi pads
(HEAVY flow)
- Nursing tanks/bras. (I'll post a link for cheap DIY nursing tanks from Pinterest at the bottom)
- Postpartum support belt **optional**
- Camera and charger or extra batteries
- iPad, ereader or tablet and charger
- Phone charger
- Travel bod wash, shampoo and conditioner
(Surprisingly most hospitals will only give you Johnson's head to toe while you are there so bring your own.)
- Face wash and moisturizer
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Hair ties, clip or Bobbi pins and Brush
(Keep hair up during labor and for easy styling for pics after baby is born)
- Socks with grippy bottoms -- buy at Target ;) and slippers
(The hospital ones never stay up)
- Snacks or change to buy snacks
(You may not be able to eat while laboring but your honey may get hungry)
- Basic make-up for pics post baby
- Change of clothes for your honey and his tablet w/ charger
- Your own pillows! Makes a huge difference!!!
(Make sure to put a bright colored or patterned pillow case on your pillows so hospital staff doesn't mistake them.)

      Now obviously there may be some things that you add or subtract from that list depending on personal preference but I promise everything will be wanted. Now onto babies bag. Most moms figure they need everything plus the kitchen sink in babies bag, but in reality it is the complete opposite. Your bag should be more full then your babies.

Babie's bag
- Coming home outfit and extra jammies.
- Outfit for in hospital newborn pics.
- Baby blanket
- Ziplock Baggie
(Keepsakes!! Hospital bracelets, name plaque from bassinet, etc.)
- Your own binkies
- Swaddlers
- Hats
- Socks
- Pediatrician info!!
- Boppy pillow and car seat.

      Whattttt!? No diapers and wipes!? *Ghasp* the hospital supplies you with diapers and wipes, and encourage you to take home the extra! Some hospitals even give out welcome baskets and things like that so that is why you pack babies bag lightly y'all!
      Now sometimes things change and due to certain reasons your hospital stay might be extended, this is when you would send your honey home for more stuff. Hope this has helped y'all and please is you have suggestions on things that should be added comment or email me!

28 weeks!

28 weeks heck yeah! In the home stretch. And I can't wait to be holding my second little man in my arms! We have lots of things to be countin down to. The BaByQue is the last weekend in July. Our Vegas trip is in 63 days and my EDD is in 83 days. That seems like forever but I know it's not all that long. I got Riley's blanket almost completely done just have to heavy stitch his initials. Also lookin into how to make a no sew boppy cover. 

Had our first hospital visit this week but proud I made it to 28 weeks. I have a hard time feeling him move because of the anterior placenta so we had to go have him monitored. But he looked fantastic thank goodness. 

Cravings: 

Ice

Sunny D

Symptoms: 

Acid ugh

Sleeplessness

Back pain