Aliesha, Author at Feathers in Our Nest

Week Thirty-Six

August 3, 2015 by Aliesha

I’ll be the first to admit it… I’ve been on a bit of an emotional roller coaster this past week! Happy, sad, laughing, crying, angry, anxious… all within a short period of time! Poor Tad.

I’m feeling pretty good physically, though I have had some evenings with pretty painful Braxton Hicks contractions that really do feel a lot like early labor. I’m hoping all this “exercise” that my uterus is getting is going to help labor go really well!

I’m definitely dealing with some swelling in my ankles lately, but it’s still not as bad as it was with Vera. My blood pressure is fine and the baby’s heart rate is great!

Vera thinks the baby is a boy now. She and Cordelia are both beside themselves with excitement! When I leave to go to my midwife appointments, they always ask if this is the day I’ll be “getting” the baby! So sweet. And Jude loves to rub and hug my belly and say, “baby.” He’s going to be a good big brother!

Hospital bags are packed for me and the baby! All the “essential” to-do’s have been taken care of, so I can use these next few weeks to work on things like stocking the freezer, buying diapers and other last-minute things, and enjoying our family of five before we become six!

Prayer requests this week: for contentment and peace as we wait on God’s timing for the baby’s birth; for continued health for me and the baby; for deliverance from anxiety and worry as I prepare for the birth; and for a labor that starts naturally without induction … thank you!

Blueberry Coffee Cake in a Mug

July 31, 2015 by Aliesha

When I posted a picture of this Blueberry Coffee Cake in a Mug on Instagram a few weeks ago, lots of people were clamoring for the recipe! And I can see why! This single-serve coffee cake is delicious and SO easy to prepare!

It’s a perfect way to indulge in beautiful, seasonal blueberries, and it’s a special treat to enjoy on a weekend morning. The luscious topping melts in your mouth and the sweet blueberries pair so well with the sour cream coffee cake. It’s a spectacular combination of flavors!

You can easily change it up by using fresh raspberries instead of blueberries (equally fantastic). If you like cinnamon, you can add some to the topping for an added burst of flavor! Let me know in the comments if you try any other combinations!

Blueberry Coffee Cake in a Mug

Author: Aliesha @ Feathers in Our Nest

Recipe type: Breakfast

Ingredients

3 Tbsp. flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
¼ tsp. baking powder
pinch of salt
2 Tbsp. milk
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
¼ tsp. vanilla extract
1 Tbsp. sour cream or Greek yogurt
½ Tbsp. coconut oil
small handful of fresh blueberries
Topping:
2 Tbsp. flour
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. cold butter

Instructions

In a large, microwave-safe mug, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Add milk, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and sour cream and stir. Stir in coconut oil.
Gently stir in blueberries.
In a small bowl, mix together flour and brown sugar for the topping.
Cut in the butter using a knife or your fingers. Sprinkle topping on blueberry coffee cake batter.
Microwave for 1 minute, then for 15 seconds at a time until cooked through (don't overcook).
Allow to cool slightly before eating.

Enjoy!

Single-Serve Mug Cake - Blueberry Coffee Cake with fresh blueberries and a brown sugar crumble topping | Feathers in Our Nest

For more of our family’s favorite recipes, click here.

My Hospital Bag Packing List

July 29, 2015 by Aliesha

Since this is my fourth birth, I now feel pretty confident in knowing what I need to pack for the hospital (and what I can leave at home)! I am mostly packed now (for me & baby), so I feel good about that!

Your list may look different from mine, but after having three hospital births, I know what I like to have with me!

My Hospital Bag Packing List: Everything You Need for Mom & Baby

Basics

-camera(s)/charger/SD card

-cell phones/chargers

-Bible

-birth plan

-my own gown for labor (ties at shoulders and down the back)

-robes/other loungewear

-nursing bra/nursing camis

-belly wrap (I used this one last time… helps uterus return to normal size quickly. Also trying another brand this time around.)

-my pillow with a pretty pillowcase

-toiletry items and makeup (minimal)

-a few hair things (but I may not use them…we’ll see)

-soft tissues/soft toilet paper (I’m not spoiled… this is a must!)

-slippers and/or flip flops

-socks

-comfortable outfit for wearing home

-SNACKS and FOOD (I’m always starving after birth, so I’m taking lots of food this time)

–Aden & Anais blankets (can be used for swaddling, as a nursing cover, or to tuck over baby in car seat… LOVE them!)

–burp cloths (2 out of 3 of my kids spit up a LOT… forget the cute tiny ones and buy these)

-gifts for the nurses/staff/midwives (I usually do a nice gift basket with gourmet food to put in the break room… always goes over well!)

-reusable grocery bags (I always seem to leave with more stuff than I came with, including dirty laundry)

Because I’m Planning a Natural Birth

-essential oils (more on this in a future post)

-diffuser (I’ll ask if this is okay to use)

-Scripture verses (see this post)

-playlist of worship music (on phones… see this post)

-massage tool (you know, the cheap plastic kind… for back rubs while I’m in labor)

Because We Don’t Know the Gender

-boy outfits

-girl outfits

(We always take more than “they say” to take because our kids seem to poop/spit up more than the average baby, haha!)

Because I’m “Crunchy”

–raspberry leaf tea (healing to the uterus)

–Arnica gel (helps with facial bruising/swelling)

–Earth Mama Bottom Balm (very healing to your nether regions after birth)

–lanolin cream (excellent for sore nipples)

–Earth Mama Angel Baby natural baby wash (for baby’s first bath)

For the Hubby

-change of clothes

-cash/change for vending machines and meals (he never keeps cash with him, so I’ll pack it in his bag)

-toiletries

-Tylenol (for headaches)

-snacks

Not packing

-pads (I’ve learned now that I just use what the hospital provides and it works great until I get home! But it’s a personal preference.)

-prenatal vitamins (my hospital provides these)

-breast pump (if I needed one for some reason, the hospital would let me use one)

-Boppy (have not used it at the hospital EVER, so no need to pack)

-books/journals (never opened these previously)

-nursing pads (my milk doesn’t usually come in until the 2nd or 3rd day, so these aren’t really needed until I get home…though I may pack a small handful of these)

-diapers/wipes (hospital provides)

-nursing cover (only needed with certain visitors, and in those cases I just use a light blanket!)

What else is on your must-have list for the hospital?

ALIESHA CALDWELL IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR SITES TO EARN ADVERTISING FEES BY ADVERTISING AND LINKING TO AMAZON.COM.

Week Thirty-Six

Blueberry Coffee Cake in a Mug

My Hospital Bag Packing List