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6.29.2017

microblading | the solid truth in achieving great brows

I recently had my eyebrows microbladed and I'm SO glad I finally pulled the trigger.  first of all.. I'm way behind on the whole filling in your brows thing.  my poor eyebrows have been through the worst of it.. when I was about Baker's age I got stitches in my left brow, so they grow funky on that side anyway and when I got into high school I started plucking them myself and they were terribly short and thin.. like, SO BAD you guys.  I finally let them grow out and have been getting them waxed in my adult years, but even still I've never kept up with them well at all. it was only recently that I started filling them in.  after getting a brow wax (I love the gals at the benefit bar at Ulta!) she took some time and gave me a mini tutorial on filling my brows in- which actually gave them some shape and I thought- okay this is a major game changer! so, I went from never doing anything with them to filling them in the best I could every day.  regardless, they were still uneven and pretty patchy.  

now, with four kids under my feet, I REALLY wanted something to help create a quicker and easier makeup routine.. not to mention, on the days when I have zero makeup routine at all, I still have a semi-pulled together look. enter in miss Tia Parks . I hadn't mentioned it before (or after) getting them done, but the first time I posted a photo with my "new brows", people started asking about them!  it makes such a difference, more than I expected, actually.  so, with the interest shown on IG, I wanted to share about my experience and maybe what to expect if you are considering having your eyebrows microbladed:)

what is microblading?  
mircoblading falls under the permanent makeup category but it’s much less invasive than getting an actual tattoo and it’s only semi-permanent. 

whats my investment?
Tia is actually running a special right now for the procedure and is charging $250 (!!!) .  a touch up is recommended in 4-6 weeks from the initial application and she charges $50 for that.

how long does it take?
from start to finish, including consultation and the actual microblading itself was about 2.5 hours.  Tia did mention that there are some cases that it can take longer (up to 3-4 hours), just depending on the existing brow shape.

what can I expect?
first thing's first, the eyebrows are assessed, measured and drawn on with a pencil. she fills in (with pencil) where she might like to fill with the ink and then numbing cream is applied (and all throughout the process).  color is matched, the microblading is done, and color pigment is applied all over the brow for a few minutes to absorb into the strokes that were created.

whats the healing time?
7-10 days and up to two weeks! Tia made sure to walk me through the healing process very thoroughly- they started out really dark, almost unnatural looking and then progressively get lighter and finally evened themselves out in the permanent color within that first 10 days.  they will peel during the healing process, and the most important thing was to keep them dry and makeup free during those first couple weeks to allow for the best pigment protection.  some might even recommend to skip the showers and workouts for the first couple weeks to prevent anything from hindering the healing brows. 

how often do I need to get them re-done?
this is directly related to how you care for them, but up to 2+ years before you would need to get them done again.  this surprised me the most about procedure.. I had no idea it would last that long.  while this procedure fills in your eyebrows, the maintenance of them is the same, so regular waxing/threading/plucking is still required to maintain the shape.

does it hurt?
like a mother.  I think my problem was that I wasn't sure what to expect?  I had heard that "it was painless" but ya'll, it was definitely NOT painless. the best way I can describe the procedure is that it feels like she is scraping through my brows.  it does hurt, but she applies numbing cream throughout the time she is working on my brows.  for whatever reason my right eyebrow hurt worse than my left (?) but I LOVE the end result, so it's worth the little bit of pain!

how do I find some one in my area?
if you are local, in the DFW area, I highly recommend Tia!  she is located in Grapevine and can be contacted through phone or her contact page HERE.
if you are not in the DFW area I would look for someone that is certified in microblading.  before/after photos are pretty standard, so check out a few photos online before scheduling, too.

is it safe while nursing?
the truth is.. I had to google this. the initial answer is that its not recommended, but it also comes with personal judgement.  after reading a ton of conflicting information on this, I still felt a little uneasy, so I called my pediatrician and asked her opinion about it while nursing Brady and she did not see a huge issue with having this procedure done.  to me, its sort of along the same lines as limiting my caffeine intake and being careful with certain foods that might upset Brady's stomach.  I do know of some spas that will not perform microblading while nursing (definitely not while pregnant) unless you have a doctor's note.  something to look into before booking your appointment, for sure:)  

is it worth it?
yes.  100x YAS!  it was annoying to go through the whole scabbing/flaking process, and worrying about keeping them dry.  attempting to not put makeup on the but around them.. but it was/is totally worth it! its cut a solid 5 minutes off of my routine in the morning, which is HUGE considering I usually only get a handful of minutes to throw myself together. she changed the arch of my brows and made them more even and I just love them! 

BEFORE

 AFTER


LOVE! 
if you're in the area, definitely give Tia a call + book your appointment!
I'm going for my touch up in a couple weeks and plan to do another post then. its amazing what a little shape to your brows can do for your entire face!

6.26.2017

Brady Jordan | 3 months

THIS tiny beefcake!  life with Brady is getting better every day.  I swear this boy will never know the value of personal space because there is always someone all up in his grill smothering him with kisses and hugs.  the entertainment value of Brady when it comes to Parker, Jolie, and Baker is priceless.. after all, he is their very own real life baby doll!
we're 14 weeks old today, and while I don't know exactly how much he weighs I swear he's probably tipping the scales at 14 pounds, at least.  he's wearing 0-3 month size pretty comfortably, but 3-6 month is in our near future along with filling out size 2 diapers. his belly is awfully round, but I have to say that this boy is SO long.  when his legs are stretched out it makes him look huge!  I have a feeling we won't be getting a ton of use out of his infant carrier. 

E A T 
Brady remains on a pretty consistent eating schedule, especially now since I've been back to work.  he sleeps and eats and plays around the same time every day.  3-4 hours between feedings is normal, but I would say its probably closer to the 3 hour mark if he happens to be awake. if he's sleeping I won't wake him until we hit four hours since the last feeding.  Brady's eating about 5 to 7 times every day and 3 of those are from the bottle.  I'm pumping while at work and bringing home about 20 ounces every day, so I've been able to freeze some on top of what he will need for the next day.   

the usual 'scheduled' feedings: 6am before I leave for work and then 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm 9pm before going down for the night.  we hit our 3 month growth spurt- and while the day time hasn't been completely terrible, its the nights that have been tough. he was sleeping from about 9pm until 7am until the last week or so.  waking around 3:30a-4am and again at 5:30am and refusing to go back to sleep until he eat AGAIN by 6am.  that early morning cluster feeding business is all over the place- and I'm exhausted!  

P L A Y / D E V E L O P M E N T
we are all smiles.. and he's even let out a tiny baby giggle a time or two.  he smiles in response to anyone saying hello and talking to him in a sweet voice.  he especially loves looking and 'chatting' with his sisters, especially miss Parker Jane. the moment Parker comes near or he hears her voice he lights up and starts searching for her until she gets close enough for him to be able to focus on her.  she scoops him up and pure joy spreads across his little face. he thinks JoJo is totally hilarious and Baker is all over him ALL the time and he's such an amazing sport about it.
Mickey Mouse - Brady is completely mesmerized by the Mouse and will sit in Parker's lap watching TV for a solid 20 minutes.  he's content as long as he's involved in whatever is going on around him.  if its at all possible for an infant to have FOMO (fear of missing out), Brady has a severe case! 
I have a confession to make.. we have slacked terribly on tummy time with B.  he's got awesome head and core control and can be held on my hip without being too floppy and in the times we have laid him on his tummy to play he raises is head up and moves around as he pleases with ease.  I have noticed that he's starting to turn himself to the side when he's laying in the swing or in the dockatot, so I don't think it will be too much longer before he's rolling over.
Other developments..
-hands! he's basically stuffing his entire fist in his mouth.  there is also the DROOL thats coming along with stuffing one's hand in his mouth.  I don't think this related to teething, but more about the fact that he's found his hands finally and he's completely infatuated with them!
-blowing spit bubbles and playing with his tongue!  I'm following along with his milestones on my  Wonder Weeks app.  which by the way, if you don't have this app, you need it.
-mimicking sounds.  Brady totally tries to mimic his sisters and follows their lead when they make the 'oohhhh' sound.  
-he bats at the hanging toys and will even shake his toys that make noise.  we are slowly but surely working on holding objects, but we really need to get him more toys..  the girls like to hand him things and get so excited when he grasps them out from their hands.

S L E E P
I'm feeling pretty lucky that this boy has turned into a great sleeper.  he takes 1-2 long naps during the day - usually about 2 hours in the morning and 2+ hours in the afternoon around 2-3pm.  occasionally he'll take about an hour long cat nap in between either of the two "bigger" naps during the day.  he's falling in line with how the twins napped at this age, whereas Baker always just took one solid nap. if I am home to do so, I'll nurse Brady to sleep, just to top him off in hopes to promote a longer nap:)  we are working on taking naps in his crib- quite literally since today.  before now he's been just napping wherever but mainly in the swing or in the rock'n'play, but its definitely time to get him into his crib, for naps at least!  he is still sleeping in our room in the dockatot, but most likely we will be moving him out in the next month.  I'm not ready to move Brady out, and I don't think his daddy is either.. having him right next to us in the bed is so comforting and  I still wake at night on my own to check on him and its easy to just reach over and rub his head and back when I feel like it.  I love having my boy close. 

B R A D Y
you give me such baby fever little one. I want to bottle you up and keep you in my purse for all eternity!  you have become the absolute LIGHT of our world- and your sisters just adore you- you've hung the moon for all of us and I couldn't be more thankful for that.  I don't even remember what life was like before you came in it.  I mean, I'm sure I was sleeping a little bit more, but who needs sleep?!  you are in your fourteenth week of life, and the last 14 weeks have been such a joy.. even when your mama feels like she's chasing her tail most of the day just to keep up with you and your sisters.  Ive been trying so hard to make the best of the crazy that comes along with adding a fourth babe, and the moment you let out a sweet coo or offer me a huge full faced smile all that goes out the window. you have become one of the happiest babies I've ever met and how lucky am I to be your mama.  I love sitting and snuggling your sweet cheeks over and over.. which makes it hard to ever want to get anything done.  you are the most social little guy and want to be in and around all the commotion and sit wide eyed while the house just gets louder and louder.  
I tell you a million times a day that I think you are HILARIOUS and you just smile back at me in agreement.  you are so playful and sweet and those eyes just say a million words but I only wish to know what you are actually thinking about all of us. 
all smiles.  all the time.
you are so ticklish! I can hardly run my fingers down your back without your squirming.  mama blew raspberries on your feet the other night and I could see how bad you wanted to laugh at me! you haven't quiet figured out the relationship between the tickles and the laughing, but in no time I know we will have you giggling with the rest of them. 

you had a few fun milestones this month! we introduced you to baby Carter as our besties welcomed their second boy to the mix! you guys will have the best time growing up and I can't wait for you to run around and do all the boy things with C and his big bro Grayson!
we also took you out to the ball game again!  you went to your second and third baseball game and you're always the best little date and form of entertainment in between innings and bites of hot dogs + giant tubs of tater tots.
we also got to celebrate your daddy this month- his first Farther's Day with a baby boy! 
you are a mover and a shaker- bouncing your little bootie around as you kick your legs about., especially in the bath!  oh how you love bath time! we usually soak in the tub for about 20 minutes or longer before bed at night and you just lounge in your chair without a care in the world. 

you've found your hands and have them in your mouth 99% of the time.  if they aren't in your mouth they are in front of your face with balled fists.  you have become so vocal and will screech with excitement at anyone lending an ear to your babbles, but also the ceiling fan and especially that little duck hanging from your carseat. my favorite time with you has to be a toss up between your baby naps on my chest and the sweet little conversations we have in between. I cannot get enough of you.  even at 4 in the morning, you still make my heart beam with pride as I study your sweet baby nose and squishy ears and those amazing eyelashes- okay, THOSE LASHES!  ladies pay big bucks for lashes like those, brother! and that amazing olive skin tone you've got.  I could trace your baby nose and chubby cheeks all night.
your mama is quite smitten with you and I'll thank you forever for making me a "boy mom". an experience that is beyond anything I could ever imagine. 
I love you so much, buddy. 
3 M O N T H P H O T O D U M P
























6.20.2017

Father's Day at the lake

after last week's drama and craziness with Jolie, we needed a break.  mentally and emotionally drained coupled with the exhaustion of my first week back to work + Brady's first cold (allergies!!) I was DONE and needed to decompress.

we had planned another lake trip with our Supper Club before we even left the last time- which happened to be Mother's Day weekend, but it couldn't have come at a better time.  two days of uninterrupted fun and zero plans but eating, drinking, and playing with our closest friends + the kiddos that have grown up together since birth.  the weather was perfect, not scorching hot like I was afraid of, and there was even a little breeze off the lake.  we lounged on the giant back porch, drank beer punch (which is AMAZING) and made huge pots of spaghetti for dinner + about 400 sandwiches for lunch to feed this crew of babes.  we celebrated Landon turning 6 years old with cake and ice cream and then loved on the dad's on Sunday for their special day.  looking at these pictures from the weekend makes me realize how lucky we are to be surrounded with such a core group of people to do life with.  people I trust, love, and would do anything for.  and all these kids!!  how FUN (and chaotic) life will always be. 













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