Braxton Hicks, Nervous Ticks, and Preparing for Baby's Arrival

We've entered into Week 39 of my first pregnancy and each day is still bringing in something new or something painful - most of the time both! While I want my little girl to hold out at least another week and hopefully a few days after that even so her father can finish his work training for his promotion, I am also getting very antsy and anxious to meet her. I feel like I've been waiting on her forever! But I'm sure every pregnant mommy-to-be feels the same.

Little London's room is ready for her arrival and so am I!

So, while I power through these Braxton Hicks contractions how am I supposed to keep myself entertained? Thankfully I've got my Mom and Dad staying with me so I'm not completely alone inside my own head. My Mom's even been helping with the housework and cooking so I can really take it easy. (I know I'm going to miss all the help when my little girl is here!) Thanks Mom!

I am realizing that as I set out to write this post I really didn't have a plan as far as tips, tricks, or information to pass on. This one was really just to write as I find that relaxing (and my husband has asked me for a new post to read! Hi Buby!). Sometimes a blog post is just a blog post and it's for no one else other than the writer. I do promise to have plenty of information and observations that I'll pass on as I continue on down the Mommy Blogger road.

Right now, the only information I have is to make sure you have done all your pre-hospital stay preparations done. Those things include:

1. Install the Infant Car Seat - And remember that most, if not all, hospitals won't let you leave with your little one unless you have one!
2. Pack Your Hospital Bag - There's no way to really know what you'll need at the hospital and frankly most will be provided to you including diapers and the like. But a simple Google search will give you hundreds of "fool-proof" lists to follow for what you could need. My husband and I have a small duffle (I realize I have no idea how to spell that and spell check doesn't seem to know what I mean.) bag packed with some toiletry items, a coming-home outfit for my little girl, and a change of clothes for the both of us. 
3. Map Out Your Route - Most likely you won't be the one taking yourself to the hospital, and if you're like me my husband won't be the one taking me either. So, making sure you have the map printed out or at least the address written down so you can plug it into your phone's GPS is a no-brainer. My parents and I actually drove the route last weekend so it wouldn't be completely unfamiliar with the inevitable rush to the hospital panic ensued. 
4. REST! - I can not put the emphasis on resting enough. Sleep as often as you can, take naps, stay off your feet and just take it easy. I've heard it a hundred times and I'm sure you have to - once that baby comes it's not about you anymore and you will be on the move pretty consistently. I am more than grateful to have my family and friends around me to support me in every way that they can. It takes a huge weight off my shoulders and helps me focus on all the exciting and tiring things to come!

Got any major things that I should add to the list? You can find pretty extensive lists with a little searching but for me, this is the bare essentials list before your little one makes their grand debut! Who knows? My next post may be about the exciting process itself of bringing home baby London! We'll see....

Reading is FUNdamental - Books to Read With Your Kids

I have to say that one of the memories I am looking for forward to making with my daughter is reading her bedtime stories. I can't wait to for the first time she asks me to "read it again!" or when she grabs her favorite book that we've read every night for 3 weeks and begs me to "read this one!". And then that inevitable day when she turns around and reads it to me - I'm not entirely sure why but the bedtime story ritual is something I can't wait to be a part of.

In honor of all the reading we have to look forward to we register for some must have books on our baby registry and at one of my baby showers guests were asked to bring a book with an inscription instead of a traditional card - loved that idea.

Below is a list of just some of the fun books I can't wait to read with my daughter:

1. Goodnight Moon
2. The Very Hungry Caterpillar
3. Mr. Brown Can Moo Can You?
4. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
5. Ten Little Ladybugs
6. Green Eggs and Ham
7. The Giving Tree
8. Oh, the Things You Can Think
9. Mommy and Me
10. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
11. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
12. Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?

Seriously my list could go for days and it pretty much includes every Dr. Seuss book on the planet. My list above is books geared around a young child but I'm also secretly (well, not so secretly!) hoping that I'm going to raise a future Harry Potter lover. 

What's your favorite book to read to your kids? Or, what book are you most looking forward to sharing with your kids? 

Anticipating My Own Royal Baby

Blogging has always been on my short list. I've started and stopped so many times and I finally have the urge (and hopefully the drive) to give this another go. Consistency is my goal, so let's get started.

If you couldn't tell by the title of this post, I am eagerly awaiting a little one of my own. My daughter is due on September 4th and my husband and I could not be more excited. I have some serious anxiety but at 36, almost 37, weeks pregnant I figure that's normal. I've hit my nesting phase and every day wake up with the incessant need to empty out the dishwasher, organize my kitchen cabinets, and clean something that I haven't touched in the nearly 4 years I've lived in this apartment. My husband is definitely enjoying the extra cleanliness going around.

A little background on me - My name is Stephanie, I'm 25 years young, raised as a military brat, divorced parents who both remarried to find their soul mates, oldest of 5 children, and firmly and completely in love with my husband of 3 years, Brandon. If you're wondering about the blog name, "Stephactive" is the username I've had on an extensive number of social networks. I took the "active" from the term "Radio:Active" which was the album title on one of my favorite CD's by the band McFLY. Since it was released I've always used "Stephactive" as a username. As for the "Babble" part, you can take that as a warning. I'm going to babble, ramble, and post about a plethora of topics. You get the pleasure of reading about me becoming a first-time Mommy, my favorite recipes, tips and tricks I've found that I think everyone needs to know, social media, being a wife, and all the things in between.

So, now you know about me. I have something I need from you now. If you like the content, comment or share it. If you are looking for something else or have suggestions, please comment. As far as my comment policy - being respectful is all I ask. You can always reach me via Twitter @Stephactive.

Thanks for reading and here's to my first babble!