With both of my pregnancies I was extremely curious to know the gender of my babies very early on. Gender reveal ultrasounds are usually around 20 weeks, and it can be a long and impatient wait for eager parents. When you finally know the big news, it’s so fun to make a formal announcement with a creative photo!

We’re about to re-enter the crazy world of labor and delivery, and then having a newborn. But this time around we also have a 2-year-old toddler in the mix, which definitely makes things a bit more complicated.

By the time your second baby arrives you’re already in full-blown parent mode. Fortunately we already know how some of the journey ahead will go, but learning to balance our attention to two children is a new experience.

Having the right gear can definitely make the transition easier for both the parents and the children. You may also want to refresh your baby gear with new and upgraded products. Some items can be re-used from your first baby, and others may have to replaced.

When we were planning for my pregnancy with my daughter, one of the biggest concerns I had was how to manage my migraine headaches. Over the next 9 months of pregnancy, I devised my own treatment plan to help me navigate through migraine pain while maintaining a healthy pregnancy.

Selecting a namesake for your new baby is both exciting and a daunting challenge. Many people believe that the name you are given shapes and influences the person you grow to be. With that being said, do you choose a strong name? Or an etherial and elegant name? How about looking to past centuries for inspiration? Each parent will gravitate towards a different type of name based on their own values and life experiences.

I originally wrote this blog post years ago when I was anxiously waiting for the arrival of my first baby. Fast forward to present day, I’ve had two babies and stayed in the hospital twice during my two labor and deliveries. I have basically re-written the majority of this blog post, now coming from the perspective of a more experienced mama.

My second baby was born during peak pandemic times and I had to deliver him by myself in the hospital. My husband was not even allowed to enter the hospital building. My son was born past 41 weeks which meant I was super pregnant and not in any mood to fuss around with extra baggage and things that weren’t absolutely necessary.

The hospital bag that I packed for delivering my second baby was truly in minimalist style with only the essentials that I knew I would need. It worked out well, I didn’t have to haul around a big heavy bag and I had everything I needed.

In this guide I’ve also included more third-trimester things to get done before baby arrives. Packing your hospital bag is one of the many steps in preparing for labor and bringing baby home.

From the moment Scout was born we were just so in love with her. It was important to us to capture these moments in photos, so that one day we can show them to her when she's older. 

Becoming a mom has always been a great milestone in a woman's life, but the modern millennials mommas are shaking things up and doing it our way. Our hustle and grind is going strong, we run our empires from our homes and make big moves. We still travel, we still worship style and we continue to have an independent life outside of motherhood.