baby's hospital bag

*disclaimer: i AM, obviously, a first time mom. so, this post is just what i think would be the essentials in a baby's hospital bag. after i actually go through this wonderful experience of childbirth and staying in the hospital with our brand new bundle of joy, i'll edit this post and write in what i wish we didn't bring, and what i wish we did.*

with that said!

let's take a closer look, shall we?!

i love london's going home outfit. the backside has a rufflebutt with a cute little bow. cue the "awww's". :)

these, i am well aware, will most likely be something that i wish i didn't bring as much of. however, i'm just anticipating her either spitting up all over or who knows- her first blow out! plus, a lady needs wardrobe choices, right? ;)
plus plus- even though we're planning on not staying there a second longer than necessary, what if we have to? might as well be prepared with enough clothes!
not pictured: about 2 or 3 more undershirts.

-again, these items [like the diapers and baby wipes] i probably won't even touch in the hospital. but! i've heard of some mommies wishing they brought their own diapers and wipes because they hated the ones the hospital provided. so, i'm bringing them just a precaution. [brought much more diapers than just three. don'tcha worry!]
-kleenex isn't for baby. it's for me. because i'm sure i'll cry happy tears constantly. :)
-who knows if london will even have hair to brush. but, if she does- as her cosmetologist mommy, she'll have perfect hair when not in a cute newborn hat. :)
-hand sanitizer so that i won't have to get up and wash my hands every time after i change her diaper.
[most of these items are in her hospital/diaper bag for future use. so i figure even if i don't use these items, why not just leave it in there for the future?!]

my mama made me these cute burp cloths and this receiving blanket. [oh, don't worry. we only have about 25 more blankets at home and about 20 more burp cloths. it was HARD to choose which ones to bring along!]
the receiving blanket is pretty much just for going home. she'll probably be wrapped up in that classic hospital blanket while we're there.

-i figured, we'll be having visitors & most likely, a few of those visitors will be there when little miss is hungry. and not everyone will be wanting to view london goin to town on some dinner. ha! nursing cover-up is definitely an essential.
-the boppy. just in case i need it for aid of nursing.
-and nursing pads. i only showed 2 in the picture. i brought a TON.



there ya have it! is there anything you think i missed that i absolutely need that you LOVED having with you in the hospital?? let me know! :)
*my bag has also been packed and ready to go for some time now too, with all my necessities, "just in case's", and comfort items. maybe i'll do a post on that, too.. :)

wrangler is ONE!

our puppybaby turned 1 year old today!
so, of course he gets his very own dog-friendly birthday cake. :)

[recipe below]

we just love this little-big guy so much. he makes us laugh every.single.day.
those of you who personally know wrangler, know how funny and sweet he is.
it's really hard not to love him.

at one year old, wrangler's favorite things are...
-cuddling
-blankeys
-his kong
-his bone
-BANANAS
-apples
-cucumbers
-sunny days
-playing rough house with charlie
-the park
-going "bye bye"
-ice cubes
-the heater

hahaha he didn't appreciate the fact that i made him wait to eat his cake.
DROOL EVERYWHERE.
aaaaand it was gone before i could even blink.

& just for kicks, a picture of him when he was about 7 weeks old and a picture from today. he's grown SO MUCH!

dog friendly grain-free, soy-free & corn-free cake recipe:
peanut butter apple cake

1 egg
3/4 tsp baking powder
3 tbs peanut butter
1 small apple, finely chopped

mix together & pour into a small pyrex bowl or a large muffin tin. bake at 350* for 20 mins. let cool before giving to dog. :)

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY, WRANGLER WINCHESTER! 

XOXOXOXOXO

london's nursery

come on in! take the little tour in our little london's nursery.

sometimes we catch ourselves just standing in her room soaking up the wonderful feeling that comes from there.
there's just something about her room.
it's so peaceful and warm and welcoming.

and soon, her sweet spirit will be not only in her nursery but filled in our entire home.

with that said! here are a few snapshots for ya.

baby o. vol 7 [35 weeks]

THIRTY FIVE WEEKS!
holy. smokes.
i'm going to be a mommy sooner than i think!
i can't wait.

How far along?  35 weeks 2 days [as of today, 4-15-12]

How big is baby?  the books say about a little over 5 pounds! and around 18-19 inches! she's just plumping up now in there. :)

Maternity clothes? i think there's only a handful things that i still wear that are pre-pregnancy but i just squeeeeeze into them! a few of them are normal sweaters so those i don't squeeze into as much. oh, & i literally LIVE in my black maxi maternity skirt. best buy ever.

Stretch marks?  i don't want to talk about it. my poor legs and hips have gotten hit big time. i am just SO THANKFUL that my tummy and sides don't have them! [knock on wood!]

Sleep? still comes pretty dang easy, thank goodness! i just wake up about 3 times a night now to pee haha

Best moment last week?  i was concerned one evening because i couldn't remember feeling her move for a few hours so charlie laid his head down on my lap and just kept saying "london! wake up!" "loooondon where areeee yoouuu?" "london! mommy needs to feel you move". TEARS. TO. MY. EYES. he's going to be such a sweet daddy. oh, and she ended up moving a bit to his voice. i think she already has a favorite...

Movement? ohhhh yeah! she likes to act like a little stink bug and pop her tiny booty in and out and in again. it's adorable and definitely a favorite of mine. 

Food cravings? i don't have cravings anymore but i'm just going through phases of loooving certain things, but like i said, i wouldn't consider it a "craving". it's just that when i eat or drink those items it's like the best things that's ever happened haha right now i'm currently loving: ice, lemon water, green smoothies, and grilled pb&j's with honey and bananas. basically anything. i had a cheeseburger last week and thought i died and went to heaven. 

Food aversions? none. I LOVE FOOD! and so does she. she dances with happiness whenever i eat.

Labor signs? some braxton hicks here and there. and i can't tell if my pelvis is actually starting to widen or if it's just her skull so far down and it's rubbing against my bone. haha sounds more gnarly that it is in real life. promise.

Belly button in/out? out!

What I miss: not a lot. i honestly adore being pregnant. looking forward to getting back into shape, though!

What I am looking forward to:  being a mama! but, MAN i'm going to miss being pregnant. however, having her here will be the best thing in the world. we seriously cannot wait!

Milestones: almost full term! woop!

suggestions, anyone?

oh, hello there lovelies!

since i'm almost to 100 [!] followers on this here little blog'o'mine, i figure it's just about time for some MAJOR revamping.
and since i am not too tech savvy when it comes to html's and whatnot, i'm going to need some help.
but here's the catch.
i'm on a budget.[hey- new babies cost money!]
SO, my question is: do any of you know of some dependable blog designers that can come up with a deal for me?!
please either leave a comment with their information/link to their site, or feel free to email me at samanthaeosborne@aol.com
[don't forget the 'e' in the middle!]

thanks in advance! you're the best.

a birthday in pictures. [plus a few words]

the view from this restaurant is unbelievable! this is what 30 stories up on a sunny portland evening looks like.

on the left: appetizer. fall-off-the-bone duck with sticky buns. drooling.
on the right: 10 oz. top sirloin cooked medium rare  topped with mushrooms and buttery, salty potatoes with crisp green beans and tomatoes on the side. seriously drooling now.

homemade carrot cake topped with cream cheese frosting and 23 sparkler trick candles.

took at least 10 attempts with both of us blowing these crazy candles out.

last time i buy "sparkler" candles! [that barely even sparkled!]

the end of a great birthday. :)

april second.

someone's birthday is today.

and by someone i mean my cute husband, charlie!
he turned 23.
[does being a whopping 4 months older than him consider me a cougar? haaa]

anywho- since i'm always the one doin' the talking on this thing, i thought it would be nice for all of you to get to know him a little better!
i promise you'll like him. everyone does. :)

23 things you probably didn't know about charlie

1. if he had his way, he'd be in bed asleep by 8:30pm every night. such a morning person.

2. he's played the piano, the saxophone and the guitar. though, he currently only keeps up with the guitar.

3. he is not a picky person [i can thank his mother for this!!] and i am slowly trying to become a good cook [i'm more of a baker, like my mama] so, when i try new recipes they're usually a miss. but he is always so sweet and eats every bite.

4. he is a major goofball.

5. if you were to ask him who his best friend is, he would say "my wife" [what a sweetheart] but a close second is most definitely our dog, wrangler. they are two peas in a pod.

6. he knows his way around a gun with his eyes closed. you don't want to be an intruder in our home. :)

7. he played baseball while in high school. i've been told he had quite the pitcher's arm. [& ooo what i wouldn't do to see him in those baseball pants.]

8. even though he says he doesn't have a favorite color, i can tell you his favorite is blue. he just doesn't realize it. :)

9. he is a MAN'S MAN. outdoors, hunting, fishing, guns, camping, hiking, running, weight lifting, baseball, learning more about cars, hates going shopping [even though i sometimes wished he enjoyed it more..] loves taking care of his family, etc.

10. he ALWAYS smells good.

11. always has to be doing something. as long as we've been married i'm pretty sure i've seen him have only two days where he doesn't have anything planned and just stays home and is "lazy". [his words] haha

12. loves and i mean LOVES country music.

13. kids adore him.

14. he makes a meeeean breakfast sandwich.

15. he's a veteran. served 4 years in the marine corps infantry. i am SO proud of him for that.

16. he sings "my girl" to me at random times, even if i'm not in the room. i can hear him throughout the house. it's cute.

17. he looks amazing in a suit. well, that's my opinion.. :)

18. he has two tattoos.

19. he graduated from high school early to join the marine corps.

20. he owned his own window cleaning business in high school.

21. loves being an American.

22. definitely doesn't wear his heart on his sleeve. only a few choice people really get to see his emotions.

23. is the most wonderful husband.

happy 23rd birthday, babe! i love you!