surviving baby's first cold

we've been dealing with a sick little babe over here!  Brady caught his first cold and it has been a doozy! we left him in the church nursery for the first time last weekend and by Tuesday evening he was so congested and coughing up his little lungs.. breaks my heart!  I'm running on about eleven hours of sleep over the last five days, but I think we are seeing the light!  I ended up taking Brady back to the doctor on Friday to make sure the congestion wasn't in his chest and sure enough he now has an ear infection (so many eye rolls!). we've dealt with colds and sniffles with the big girls, but I think Brady is much younger than the girls ever were when they caught their first cold.

ANYway.

I've come up with a handful of 'must-haves' for surviving Brady's first cold, and I think my fellow mamas will appreciate these!  as always, I'm open and welcome other remedies and resources!  

number one.

nosiboo pro nasal aspirator

YOU GUYS.  this thing changed.my.life.  when we received the nosiboo pro to try a while back I was kind of skeptical.  its the cutest thing I've ever seen.. sort of looks like a little bear.  never would I think that this thing would be the best snot sucker ever invented.  I, personally, don't have the lung capacity to manually suck the really nasty thick stuff- I make Jordan do it because he seems to be pretty productive with it. BUT, add the electric component and I'm golden. this has truly been such an awesome device to have on hand, not just for Brady, but for the big girls, too! no one was actually sick when we received the nosiboo pro so I didn't see the real value in it until Jordan, pulled it out in the middle of the night to give it a whirl on our stuffy headed baby.  I woke up the next morning to the cute little bear sitting on my counter..along with his report of "this thing is AMAZING."

since infants do not breathe out of their mouths, having a stuffy nose has been the culprit for lack of sleep in the majority of my motherhood life! this helps combat the sleepless nights but also allows Brady to be able to successfully nurse/take a bottle without having to unlatch and relatch to breathe in between.. hello gassy tummy! bottom line.. new moms, seasoned moms.. looking for a gift for a mom!!  you need it.  I promise you won't be disappointed.  this product runs you about $149 on amazon.. but alas, the friendly folks at nosiboo pro have offered a special discount for my readers!!  

use code AMBER017 for 20% off at check out on amazon!

number two.

cool mist humidifier

hands down one of my favorite + must have baby items.  for safety reasons, the cool mist option is better for children versus the warm mist humidifiers that allows risk in burning if the humidifier is touched or tipped over.  the cool mist adds moisture to the air to help ease cough and congestion while the baby sleeps.

be sure to keep your humidifier clean! I refer to this post for the how-to of proper cleaning 

number three.

simple saline

a stuffy nose can be 'de-stuffed' a couple of different ways.  saline mist/drops are awesome ways to break up the snot and hopefully allow the snot to be removed easier AND allow the babe to be able to sneeze it out, too!  I usually will spray this in each nostril before I use the nosiboo, but then also will spray it here and there without sucking anything from his nose.  I've been giving Brady a steamy bath every night to help break up the mucus as well!  very similarly to how the cool mist humidifier works!

number four. 

gentle face wipes

there are a billion options for these on the market.  and they are all equally awesome at getting the job done.  poor Brady has a raw nose because its literally a faucet at the moment, so I have these on had in every room in the house. I am quick to grab a paper towel (even with Kleenex sitting right next to the stand..) so I have gotten into the habit of having them close by to gently wipe away snot and drool.. along with his poor watery eyes.

number five. 

thermometer

we have the ear thermometer and think it works well, but when it comes to infant fevers we don't need to mess around.  the 'original' version (meaning .. before they came out with one million + one options on the market) is appropriate for infants mainly because you can take their temperature rectally which offers a true reading (in my opinion) of how his temperature is running.  our ear thermometer has the habit of running a few points off after taking multiple checks in a row.

number six. 

essential oils

it can be rather controversial, using oils on my infant, but there isn't a lot to offer as far as over the counter remedies for a baby. so, I sought out an old friend, Jayme over at citrus + cedar, for her advice.  I briefly attempted oils while I was pregnant with Baker and couldn't get the hang of it at all and here I am again with Brady.  I think being educated is a huge component of remaining consistent with oils and Jayme has been an amazing textbook of knowledge about whats safe/appropriate for me and my family.  I am not oily by any means.. in fact, I'm terrible at it and Jayme probably thinks I'm insane + annoying for the amount of information I'm asking of her to share. 

when Brady came down with a cold I asked for her guidance in finding something for relief of this horrible congestion.

congestion for infants blend: 

-1 drop frankincense

supports a healthy inflammatory response, cellular health, & immune system. super helpful with congestion, mood, skin imperfections, overall health. perfectly safe and effective for little babes.. I mean there must be a reason why they put in on Baby Jesus :)

-1 drop cardamom

aids in congestion, emotional balance, fevers, stomach issues. 

-add in 2 tablespoons of fractionated coconut oil or fill the rest of the 10 ml roller bottle.  

(I have been using these roller bottles for all my little blends and they are awesome and cheap.)

when using oils, dilution is a MUST, especially for infants and kiddos. for infants, 1 drop is all you are going to need, heavily diluted with 2 tablespoons of fractionated coconut oil.  these diluted oil blends are best applied to the bottoms of their feet because that is where the skin is the thickest and has the most nerve endings.

for the record.. these dilution ratios are below the recommended amount- playing it extra safe over here! for more info in oils.. I am not to person to ask!  its Jayme!  check out citrus + cedar, instead!

OKAY mamas! what am I missing??  what are your go-to's for your sick little babes! 

thank you to nosiboo for the sponsorship of this post!  all options expressed are my own.

newborn sleep essentials | tips + tricks

after four babies I think I've gotten a pretty good handle on what healthy sleep looks like for an infant.  that being said, all four of my kids have slept completely different from each other.   I've heard a billion things in regards to what it technically means for a baby to sleep through the night.  somewhere along the way someone has offered the magic "6 hour" timeframe and stated that was technically sleeping through he night. but goodness, in those early weeks I would be grateful for just a consistent 3-4 hours, am I right?  cluster feeds are not fun!

as first time parents with the twins, neither Jordan or myself had any clue as to what to expect as far as sleep goes with them.  Jolie was tiny- four and a half pounds of tiny.  she grunted and snorted like premature baby would keeping me up all night long worrying about her and checking her with every peep she made.  they both slept in a single pack and play in our room until about 4 months of age and we moved them to their separate cribs and neither slept through the night EVER.  Jolie finally figured it out around 6 months of age, but Parker didn't sleep through the night at all until about 15 months old.  even then she would only give me a full night's sleep randomly about once a week. at age four they are both in bed around 8pm.. often still awake until after 9pm and Parker wakes me once a night for a hug and is up every morning before the sun. 

Baker is an amazing sleeper. AMAZING.  she also slept in the pack and play in our room and was sleeping through the night at 6 weeks of age, flipped to her belly to combat a bit of reflux and she found her thumb really early and would self soothe through the night.  way different than the two before her.  around 6 months I did have to go through some sleep training with her (see my post on sleep training without CIO HERE) and worked like a charm.  Baker now goes to bed around 7-7:30pm every night and will sleep about 14 hours.  she prefers to stay in her crib until well after 9am in the morning.

so, now there is Brady. I will say that he sleeps pretty well so far!  one thing I did do before with the other three, and have been doing with Brady now, is maintained a consistent sleep routine.  with the twins we were totally winging it.  we didn't know what we were doing at all, and I think I can speak to most first time parents in that those first couple months are a total blur.  I tried my best to follow routine and keep up with what all the books and apps were telling me to do for them regarding sleep but every day looked different for us and with two babes it was a little bit more difficult to manage.  when Baker came along, I was more seasoned and went straight to work on getting her into that sleep routine I had attempted before.  I have found that there are a handful of items and processes that have worked with all four of my kids and I hope that you guys can benefit from my sharing what we do!  

routine 

I mentioned in Brady's 2 month update (HERE) that we recently started working with him on getting into a consistent sleep routine.  before now I was really focusing on getting to know him and his natural habits.. feeding him on demand, which included through the night.  reflux played a part against us in the sleep department, but once we got that under control I started him on a trail routine.  it definitely takes some tweaks and changes depending on your little one, but so far this is working for us!

bedtime routine @ 10 weeks

9pm: bath soak- usually about 20 minutes, bathed in lavender soap (we love Tubby Todd!) 

9:30pm: out of the bath, rub down with lavender lotion and into our jammies!

9:45-10pm: nurse + bed

bathtime really is a huge component to our bedtime routine.  I've learned that giving Brady a bath, no matter if its outside of that nine o'clock time frame, helps him sleep more soundly and also gives him the sense that okay this is what we do around bedtime.  he has come to really love the bath and it offers time to let him relax and chill out before he goes to sleep for the night.

you can find Brady's bath seat HERE

location

Brady sleeps in the dockatot- which we have been absolutely LOVING. I get asked about the dockatot all the time! I won't say that it is magical and can 100% guarantee that it will make your baby sleep through the night, because so many other things factor into healthy sleep for you and baby, but it is really something both Jordan and myself have come to love using for Brady.  we have used it for travel and will eventually use it in transitioning to the crib and upgrade to the larger dockatot grand as he continues to grow.  consistency is HUGE when it comes to healthy sleep habits, which is why the dock is so awesome.. we just move it around as we wish! Brady sleeps in the dock in our bed, and for now this is the only place he sleeps at night.  when I make the transition to his crib here in another couple months there will be a whole new process, especially when he starts napping in his crib, but at this age Brady knows that when he is in the dockatot that it is bedtime.

full belly

AND burped!  

personally I think the very best way to ensure a great sleep is to make sure they are fully fed and burped!  with Brady's reflux issues I have had to make sure he is burped really well before I lay him down or he will be awake about a half hour later with gas troubles.  holding him upright just about 10 minutes or so after he's eaten for the last time before bed is extra helpful in keeping him comfortable to get into a deep sleep and to hopefully sleep through the night.  I also have learned that the more the baby eats during the day the longer and more satisfied he will be through the night.  be really consistent with feeding your infant every 3 hours while you are trying to establish a sleep routine.  if he's sleeping randomly for a 4 or 5 hour stint through the day then he will make up for what he's missing out on during the night.

the swaddle

when it comes to swaddling, all of my kids have been different.  the twins were in the swaddle until almost 6 months.. no joke.  they loved it.  they were swaddles at night and during the day for nap time.  they were smaller than your average, so size wise they might have been the equivalent to a four month old, maybe? after we got them out of the swaddle, Parker and Jolie transitioned to sleep sacs and slept in sleep sacs until they were over a year old.  

the swaddle had its 15 minutes of fame with Baker and then she was done.  we stopped swaddling her all together by 6 weeks of age and after we moved her out of our room at four months she used a sleep sac until about 6 months.  she didn't care for it the same as the twins- maybe because she's a summer babe and its so hot she didn't need/want the extra coverage?

so, now with Brady, we are back at it with the swaddle.  nighttime is the only time we swaddle him and we have discovered the most AMAZING swaddle (they have sleep sacs, too!) nested bean has created the Zen Swaddle, which offers a breathable lightweight option for swaddling Brady.  the swaddle features a weighted egg on the chest and sides of the swaddle that simulated the weight of my hand so he falls asleep with the comfort of mom or dad close by.  not to mention that the fabric has the perfect amount of stretch to get him in a good solid swaddle- the tighter the better as it helps him feel the most secure.  once Brady is swaddled he knows its time for bed! when we transition out of the swaddle (the Zen Swaddle is useable for babies 0-6 months of age) I'm totally getting my hands on the Zen Sac to keep up with comforted sleep habits.

wanna try one out for yourself?? I'm so excited to share that the great folks at the nested bean are offering a special discount for my readers!  use code MASSEY15 for 15% off your entire purchase!

if you have any tips and tricks for sleep that you have done with your babies I would love to hear them! I'm always learning as I go and getting encouraging feedback from you guys is just the best!! 

seven (postpartum) nursing must-haves

after four babies and a ton of trial and error I've (albeit barely) made it through the postpartum season of motherhood.  I feel like I've learned a thing or two about what you really need to be a successful nursing mama.. aside from loads of time and patience.. and WORK these are my top seven must haves for nursing.

photos by b faith photography

a well fitting (nursing) bra.  

I will confess to not investing/researching/caring about a great nursing bra before and during my nursing experience with the twins.  after 13 months I was SO over the lack of support and discomfort cheap nursing bras offered (in my opinion).. after replacing my $15 nursing bra multiple times throughout that year I could have bought three of the higher priced bras! with Baker I was determined to find an awesome bra, which is when I fell in love with the Cake nursing bras.  I have also recently been introduced to the Bravado Designs silk seamless nursing bra while I was pregnant with Brady this time around and ya'll.. I LOVE IT!  so comfortable and offers support I need for everyday wear. 

nipple butter.  

creams and butters aren't something that is a long term requirement (thank goodness!), but those first weeks are tough!  getting acquainted with your newborn always includes cracks and really painful discomfort with nursing.  I have tried the common and very popular creams and ointments and really didnt like them at all and my babies didn't either.  I had a girlfriend bring this nipple butter from earth mama to me while in the hospital and I really came to love it!  and Brady didnt mind it one bit, either:)

comfortable nursing tanks/tees. 

I never really invested in any kind of special nursing tops or tanks in my other pregnancies.. I always just made it "work" and either lifted my shirt up or pulled it down.  button down tops and dresses are always helpful!  this time around I wanted to make my life easier, especially around the house the first month or so when I feel like all I'm doing is feeding a newborn!  after falling in love with the Cake nursing bras while pregnant with Baker, I came across the Cake nursing camisole (I'm wearing it under my postpartum hospital robe in the picture above) while shopping to replace my old nursing bras. it is seamless and easy to layer under clothing and the quick release clasps are the feature I loved most with their nursing bras and this cami has them as well.  it has a built in full support bra so I can wear with by itself both in and out of the house.  I had another mama recommend these nursing sleep tee shirts from Gilligan & O'Malley and I bought two and brought them with me to the hospital- they are the softest tee shirts I have ever worn! I wouldn't ever wear them out of the house because they have a side slit that runs all the way to the underside of your arm but they have made nursing at night SO easy.

high waisted leggings. 

I have a giant love.. and I mean GIANT love for BLANQI.  I wore their maternity support leggings which tremendously helped with carrying the weight of my third trimester belly and loved the maternity support tanks (I have them in both white and black!) to wear under sweaters or cardigans and even by themselves.  a seamless comfort that is hard to find while feeling so large at the end of pregnancy.  their postpartum "nursing" leggings have definitely met the standards I expected after having Brady.  I have worn them both around the house and out running errands and love them!  they are very high waisted with a rise that meets my bra line and offers a discreet way of nursing in public (especially when I am lifting my shirt to nurse) as well as supports the "loose feeling" of your postpartum abdominal area.

lily padz.

through reading many blogs..and having many other experienced mothers recommend them, I finally tried lily padz. where have you been all my life!  these stay put and actually stick to your skin so you can wear them without a bra (although for me that would be a giant floppy mess) and while swimming!  they will be perfect for summer and multiple trips to the pool ahead!  the pressure of the silicon pad prevents leakage and they are reusable through proper care and cleaning.

good breast pump.  

I have always used the Medela brand breast pump, so with all of my kiddos I have just gone with what I know.  I invested in the pump in style tote  four years ago in my breastfeeding journey with the twins and used the same pump with Baker.  I could already tell by the end of it with Baker that my pump was pretty much toast.  worn out.  beat.  basically used to death through three babies.  insurance has beefed up their breastfeeding support game and now offers FREE pumps to those pregnant moms wishing to breastfeed!  I decided to take this route to see what my insurance would cover and I found that they covered the Medela pump! it is SO EASY to get your free pump.  google "insurance covered breast pump".. I used edgepark.com because that was the first option that popped up.  I looked up my insurance, selected my pump, and about a week later my brand new pump landed on my door step.  usually you aren't able to order it until the last part of your third trimester, but shipping is usually next day so ordering it within just a couple weeks of your due date isn't a problem.  

healthy diet.  

I get so many questions about maintaining a healthy diet while breastfeeding along with looking for ways to cut out calories to lose some of that baby weight in the meantime. I work in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) about 4 days/week with teeny babies and often my care overlaps to the mothers trying to boost their supply while exclusively pumping to feed their baby.  a few things I always tell my moms (and follow myself!)

THREE most important things during breastfeeding: 

protein + calories + fluids

I can always tell a dip in my supply when I haven't gotten in enough water throughout the day.  I shoot for about 100 ounces (12-14 cups) of water/fluids and always have my water bottle nearby while nursing (especially through the night!) 

you need at least 1500-1800 calories every day.. average needs are closer to 1800-2200 calories.  since breastfeeding requires about 400+ calories you can still lose weight while consuming a good amount of calories and see little effect on your supply.

whole grains and healthy fats are key in promoting a healthy milk supply.  you should shoot for about 65 grams of (healthy) fat every day.. think peanut butter, avocado, flaxseed, olive oil, nuts/seeds.

I was introduced to Milkful lactation bars which offers a super easy and healthy way of boosting your supply through the magic of food alone.  I've been eating a bar about once/day as my afternoon snack- with about 250 calories and 11 grams of milk supporting fats, its the perfect pick me up with the added benefit of milk boosting ingredients.  I love all three flavors but their signature blueberry almond coconut is really delicious!

SHOP THE POST

<

>

feeling festive on february first

I just handed the girls three giant bowls of popcorn and then realized its 6pm, which is dinner time apparently.. SO, popcorn for dinner it is! fiber and whole grains.. maybe I'll throw in some string cheese to balance out the food groups. makes me feel better.

it is also February 1st!  these kind of holidays can be whatever you make of them.. I personally appreciate any time that we can adorn ourselves in festive jammies:)  the big girls are old enough now that planning preschool crafts means a lot more of them than me doing the "work".  after searching pinterest I found some really darling activities to do with them to celebrate love day.

but first!  how about a flashback to these tiny babies this time last year?!

we still wear these "olive you" tees a year later and when Katie announced this year's 'olive you' tee design I about died for the grey + pink combo. 

oliveeeeee them!

here's a handful of other cutie pink + red + hearts things for a little February inspiration

as for those preschool activities that I mentioned above, pinterest to the rescue.  while I'm afraid that I'll never have an original idea again, I appreciate every single pin for things/occasions like this!

..and for recipes.  and decor ideas. and clothing inspo.. 

anyway! I'm totally digging the originality and EASE of these valentine's shaving cream hearts.  how cute and festive are they?? Baker might even be able to hop into the fun with a little help from her mama. I also might get crazy and try these rainbow heart sun catchers or bust out the paint I have hidden away for a rainy day and recreate these valentine pom pom painting.  I could also just skip the paint and make homemade valentines day play dough.. anyone ever made their own play dough before?  I haven't and I'm just curious about the success rate of these recipes:)

speaking of f o o d! I'd say these cupid floats are good all year round and maybe tomorrow we will have this valentine's day s'mores popcorn for dinner instead of the regular old stuff:)

Happy February First, friends!  

XOXO!

pregnancy essentials | second trimester

its hard to believe that my second trimester has come and gone in a flash!  is it going by as fast for everyone else as it is for me?  as I was making a short list of things that I simply "cannot live without" I went back and looked at my pregnancy favs from my pregnancy with Baker, which wasn't too long ago, and I coincidentally several of the exact same things on my list!
thankfully I haven't been completely consumed with discomfort aside from little random bouts of heartburn and definitely taking time to enjoy these last couple months growing baby boy!
here is my list of a few things that have made life easier over the last several weeks.
in the meantime, I always love to hear what works for fellow preggos and mamas that have experience with all this before me!  share away!

I included the exact links of these products below:)

1 // tarteist contour palette 

randomly, I included a similar tart palette on my second trimester favorites two years ago.. and honestly I still have NO idea how to contour.  none.  okay, so after taking Jenna's private makeup class (which was SUCH a fun girls night out and so helpful, btw) I have somewhat of a better idea of what I'm doing, but lets just say my first couple times of trying the palette out have been a disaster.  BUT I'm learning as I go!  Kate's blog for tips are always helpful and found couple of youtube videos that seemed legit enough and worth my time to watch.. and liked this article the best, but still I am at a loss with what exactly contouring is. what I do know is that the highlighter(s) of this palette brightens the darkness around my eye area and cheekbones, as well as hide the 'pregnancy mask' that has seem to show up once again this time in pregnancy.. its not as raging as it was before and I can promise its because I'm not out in the summer sun every day like I was with Baker.  

2 // all about the comfy tee

sounding like a broken record for the third pregnancy in a row.. because h o w many times have I mentioned my love of the comfy tee- but now more than ever I am really appreciating it.  the entire gap pure body line is my favorite and has continued to do its part in fitting the growing bump well throughout this entire pregnancy.  I will say, I am carrying hm 100% different than I carried my girls- he's really low and all out in front.. and my normal pre pregnancy size still fits me like a glove, and is basically the only thing that I am comfortable in right now.  all of my favorite unisex tees I wore throughout my pregnancy with Baker have failed to cover the bump as I've gotten into my third trimester with this boy!

3 // the wireless + seamless

since becoming pregnant with the twins, and then breastfeeding them for 13 months (see also demolishing my boobs) it is rare, and I mean RARE that I go without a bra.  I definitely have been wearing the Cake nursing bras I swooned over last go round with pregnancy and breastfeeding, but this time I have also just stuck to the basic t-shirt bras and pullover seamless options, too.. also from gap.

4 // full coverage

confession: I am not a huge fan of underwear.  I hate thongs and the cheekie versions of said thongs.. and full on granny panties are SO annoying.  so I go without.  all the time.  but when I'm pregnant I need underwear, so I'm forced into wearing it and I've found awesome comfort in full coverage bikinis.

5 // maternity support wear

I discovered blanqi maternity late in the game with Baker, so this time around I was very interested in investing in some great support and comfortable wear for this pregnancy.  and OMG, talk about support.  these are the best leggings I have ever worn and I definitely wear them OUT.  I have a couple of their tank tops as well and when wearing them together it gives sort of a compression support which can be so helpful with back and neck discomfort.  I also have a pair of their nursing support leggings in my hospital bag "pile" of things waiting to be stuffed in a bag before heading to the hospital for delivery. 

6 // heavy cream

I have had a serious case of itchy belly from all the stretching its had to do over the last couple months.  I am one of the lucky ones and don't get stretch marks- even after housing a set of twins. honestly its one of those things that you either get or you don't. its 100% genetic and no stretch cream or coconut oil can help in preventing it.  my mama didn't get them, so neither have I!  BUT, those stretch creams and oils can totally help in keeping your belly smooth and itch-free.  heavy creams with shea butter have been my BFF.

7 // tums

hello, heartburn.  you have, once again, completely cramped my style these last couple months.  I have been popping Tums a couple times a day and they do the trick to hold back the burn.   I carry them in my purse and diaper bag these days in fear of being miserable while out and about. nothing wrong with that!

8 // a little extra boost

I totally spaced on my dietitian brain and have been taking my prenatal and my additional calcium supplement at the same time.. a SUPER common food-drug interaction as a result of this is anemia because calcium 100% blocks the absorption of iron in the blood.  I have been doing this since the beginning of my pregnancy without even thinking twice about it and its finally caught up with me.  I've been feeling lightheaded and dizzy when going from sitting to standing too quickly and after a routine blood panel workup at my 26 week check up it showed I was anemic.  the moment they told me that it was like **forehead slap**.  just a little nutrition biochemistry for anyone, not just if you are pregnant.. take your multivitamin and calcium supplement at least 2 hours apart from each other.  so, now, I am taking an iron supplement in addition to my prenatal before I go to bed and my calcium first thing in the morning:)

pregnancy essentials | first trimester

being pregnant this third time around, has been a whole new experience.  I've done this before a couple times, you know, so I should know what to expect.  but also because it’s been so much different than my pregnancies with the girls! with the twins, as well as Baker, I had and easy breezy first trimester.  I was hardly sick and occasionally forgot I was actually pregnant.. and while the exhaustion never ceased, it was manageable.  with this little boy in my belly I had awful morning, er.. more like evening or ALL DAY sickness.  I am so exhausted, too.  I basically slept on my face at night even with a two hour nap during the early afternoon every day.  it’s pretty weird how pregnancies can have your body react in such different ways. I’ve really accepted this time around that while I can control a lot of things in my life, this isn’t one of them, so I’ve adapted a go-with-the-flow type mentality. with my first trimester recently rolling to a close, I thought I’d put together a short list of some of my favorite that have helped me get through those first 13 weeks.

get moving, stay hydrated, + take your vitamins!

invest in a good water bottle. I fill my hydroflask water bottle and I carry it everywhere. my OB suggested drinking 10 glasses of water or more every day and my giant bottle holds about 40 ounces.  so I know if I re-fill my water bottle at least two times I am in good shape!  Not to mention what I am eating and drinking outside of water itself.

saltine crackers. I was never without a sleeve of these crackers during the first trimester, and a short stack almost always kept my queasiness at bay. almost. 

fruit. I always love fruit, but when I am pregnant its like we need an apple orchard and strawberry farm in the backyard to keep up!  a bowl of fresh fruit is hands down my favorite first trimester snack..okay. maybe my favorite pregnancy snack in general. 

Fitbit. thankfully my sickness wasnt in the morning when I am used to working out.  but even then, waking up extra early has been hard! the fitbit has been a great thing to help keep an eye on my heart rate while working out but also to help keep me motivated to move throughout the day outside of bootcamp.

who doesn’t love a horse pill prenatal, am I right? as if your gag reflex isn’t already at it’s all time high (I cant even hardly brush my teeth), you are expected to swallow and tolerate a giant chalky vitamin. I am a horrible pill taker in general, and took one for the team while I was pregnant with the twins. I hated life taking those giant prenatals.. and when I was pregnant with Baker, I used the honest brand prenatal complete vitamin, and although it wasn’t the worst, I still couldnt take it on an empty stomach.  I made a healthy habit of taking my vitamins after dinner before going to bed so that I slept through any stomach discomfort.  this time around I have decided that the gummy vitamin is the way to go.  my OB wasnt super impressed with the idea of me taking an over the counter option I had selected, so she prescribed me the Vitafol gummy vitamin.  I also take an additional (gummy) calcium supplement- the target brand.  I’m still not convinced these gummies arent candy–a far cry from the horse pills!

I need support! … & a comfy pair of jeans.

snoogle body pillow. the snoogle body pillow has been a lifesaver. up and having to quit sleeping on your back or stomach can be a real drag, especially if you’re that kind of sleeper- which I am a hard core stomach sleeper.  my belly is still small enough I can ALMOST get away with it.. but I wake up so uncomfortable within an hour. this pillow is a must have. I swore by this pillow during my previous pregnancies- and when I was pregnant with the twins it took me until about mid-pregnancy to make the splurge.  that’s the best part about pregnancy the second and third time around–when you know better, you do better– all the little things you learn along the way add up for the next time around. the snoogle pillow encompasses your entire body giving you back and tummy support. I love that it will last all pregnancy.. and some time afterwards if I'm being truthful- the hubby found out that I had pulled this puppy out from the darkness while he was at work and browsing through my social media. basically sent me the crying emojis for three hours. sorry hubby.

speaking of support, I embraced maternity clothes much sooner this time around than I did with the other two pregnancies.  just finally accepting it for what it is.. so much better than the old elastic band through your buttonhole trick! my belly is measuring almost 2 weeks larger than I actually should be. I fell in love with the comfort and stye of motherhood maternity in my first pregnancy with the twins and again with Baker.  maternity pants style and sizing (leggings and denim) seems to be all over the map, but when you can find quality and comfort AND consistency in one place I totally can appreciate that.  I have several pairs of motherhood maternity denim (which I just noticed is BOGO 50% off right now!) and have ventured over to their work style pants/chinos as well as leggings and workout gear.  I know exactly the size I need and shopping online has been easy.  I about DIED when I found these faux leather leggings in their collection.  FAUX LEATHER.  I will find every reason to wear these:)  not to mention they are by Jessica Simpson maternity, which has inadvertently become  my favorite maternity designer. 

So, I know those are just a few items, but truth be told the first 13 weeks aren't riddled with many crazy life changes that required new purchases.. I took that time to focus on sleeping and trying to eat when I could. It was back to basic survival skills with less of the fun stuff. What did you swear by in your first trimester?

fall mini style

this are my favorite kind of posts.  scouring the internet for fashion forward pieces for my little people.  having girls to dress in clothing that I can only wish came in MY size is JUST amazing.  not to leave out you boy mamas, but ya'll.  the florals and texture and layers upon layers of trendy fall style for littles is over the top!  PLUS, lots of these styles are on sale (40% off at old navy!) and using code FALL4IT at gap will get you 40% off!  AND, you can earn gapcash with your purchases.

first up- the boho preppy style of layering in these two outfit options.  I see these outfits as something more special than preschool or a playdate this fall- how about some inspiration for your fall family photos?  in our fall pictures from last year we were MAD for PLAID and this year I'm super excited for what we have planned, but the layered look always makes any outfit look more dressed up.  this new plaid henley top from the pendleton collection at gap is just perfection!  you could mix and match this top + the tassle shawl sweater with the grey denim instead of the flare jeans, but I really LOVE flare jeans on my little ladies.  let me just say, lilly pulitzer cardigan is a monstrous splurge for toddler clothing, but I sized up so the girls can wear them through two seasons instead of one.  I did that last year with a handful of vests and cardigans and they still fit comfortably this season again.  the oversized look is "in" anyway.

shop these preppy fall layered looks

so many fun things go along with this time of year and these outfits would be perfect for the pumpkin patch, apple picking, and of course church on sunday. how amazing are those mustard colored skinny corduroy pants?!  all three of my girls may have these cords and all three of them might be in the same amazing mustard color. hashtag: matchingforlife OR, even more so, matching IS life?  probably. 

the mix and match of pattern and texture between the floral blouse and the lace cardigan, as well as the knit weave of the cowl neck sweater and the corduroy pants is something that I love to do when I dress myself, so of course I carry that over to their wardrobe as best I can.

because sometimes they just want to wear their sweatpants and my little pony tee shirts and I don't fight it. (well, I don't fit it that hard.)

shop these mix + match looks

two words. moto leggings.  I was searching for a pair of moto pants for myself and fell upon a toddler version and about fell out of my chair! h+m is doing it right, ya'll!  and they are cheap (for what they are).  I love the edgy style mixed with the romantic look of the layered sweater or the boho style of the sleeveless sweater tunic. again, something I really focus on for my own style- so it is SO fun to find things in little girl styles, too! 

the real question is.. how long are you going to make me wait, Texas?!  I guess we'll just fake it till we make it until then:)

shop these edgy looks

beauty faves | minimalist makeup routine

while that little collage of my favorite beauty products is b u s y up there, really this is the simplest make routine I have found myself in since.. well ever.  when the twins were really young I still made time for getting myself ready and out the door- I was late about half the time, but I was pretty put together for the most part. when Baker was born, and actually this started when I was pregnant and exhausted, it was a success for me to have just been able to fix my hair.. not even wash it, just get it out of the hair-tie mess on top of my head, let alone put on makeup!  I was busy getting myself and three kids ready for whatever and I was always last on my list for being completely put together.  I cant tell you how many times I have gone to church/dinner/work without makeup on or my hair in a topknot from the night before.  this is coming from a former "I cant go anywhere without having full face makeup and hair washed and dried ".  finally I have fallen into a routine that has me looking put together well enough and it takes me probably just about 15-20 minutes to get myself ready.
the base
I start with lotion containing SPF (I use R+F for my skin care) and then layer with benefit porefessional.  I got this as a sample- and they always get me.  after running out of the tiny bottle I immediately got myself a full size tube.  I follow this primer with tarte full coverage foundation.  I've used this foundation for a couple years and I really love it.  I'm not picky about my foundation makeup really, but I have to find one that doesn't clog my pores and actually lasts as long as it says it will.  lastly, I finish off my base look with concealer.. and another sample product I received.  I swear they know what they are doing when they hand out those tiny little samples..benefit fake up quickly has become my favorite concealer. this one boasts a crease-free formula, and it follows through with that claim with flying colors!
the brows
I've mentioned my new found love for the benefit eyebrow system, and if I don't do anything else aside from my base makeup- I always do my brows.  I never EVER messed with them before- mainly because I was clueless and a little intimidated as to how to achieve a more full look. I start with the gimme brow; brushing evenly over my brows.  I then line just under my brow line with the high brow pencil (I love this stuff!) and set my brows by brushing on the ready, set, brow setting gel. EASY and takes about 5 minutes or less.  serious.
the eyes
while we are talking about eyes.. kind of.. I can mention my go-to eye shadows.  I am a lover of MAC and urban decay- but LOVE L'Oreal's infallible eye shadow. I wear this shadow in Amber Rush almost everyday.  If I am not wear this, I've got urban decay snatch or sellout on my eyes.  since I have lashes, I don't wear mascara very often unless we are going out or taking pictures or I need a fill really bad:)  when I do wear mascara it has to be oil free as to not affect the lash glue, and so I use benefit BADgal lash. 
the blush
I finish my look with my FAVORITE blush ever- urban decay afterglow.  I wear this blush in fetish- which is a warm coral color.  I always gravitate to the warmer colors for my olive skin.  they have a huge array of colors in these, so you can definitely find any color that you love!
the brush
I'm kind of a snob when it comes to my makeup brushes.  I have used the cheap ones.. and the brush hairs gets all in my makeup and stick to my face because they so easily fall out.  I make a splurge on new makeup brushes about once a year (hello, they are the perfect stocking stuffer!) and MAC is always my go-to for brushes. the three main types I use.. a powder blush brush, and foundation brush, and my favorite and super tiny angle brush. I shop at utla A LOT, and I found a great brush cleanser by IT cosmetics that I use about once a week.  it doesn't take much and the bottle lasts forever.  I haven't tried this DIY recipe, but my favorite beauty blogger has a super easy tutorial to DIY your own brush cleanser HERE.  after you read that.. google her youtube tutorial on how to tease your hair.  it will change your life.
lips
at any given time I have about 4-5 glosses in my bag. I love lipgloss- and I have a lot and tried a lot.  my favorite right now?  buxom full-on lip polish.  I wear dolly (a mauve color) most often and for a little more color I wear Isabella, which is more of a plum color.


there we have it! easy and quick and with super minimal effort-  all good things in one sentence.  any quick beauty tips you got for me, I am all ears!

baker bree | first birthday wishlist

oh my goodness.  we are in countdown mode!  our sweet girl is turning ONE in a little over 2 weeks and how in the world do I explain how fast this year has gone?!   I am loving every minute of her little growing self and cannot wait to celebrate her in a BIG way! showering her with stuff isn't what is important on her birthday, but it totally makes it that much more fun:)

its all about you Baker girl!

for my snuggle bunny // chloe the bunny is just the sweetest and softest bunny EVER!  I got this precious bunny for Baker as our gift to her from her mama and daddy.  not only is this doll uber cute, the story behind this company is amazing.  cuddle + kind is a company started simply because they wanted to make a difference.  with each doll they sell, cuddle+kind donates 10 meals to children in need through their giving partners.  each hand kit doll is made in Peru by artisans from locally grown cotton and provides women with sustainable fair-trade income.  they have donated over 200,000 meals in just over 6 months!  they have a goal of one million meals in one year and I am so excited to be apart of it!

developing her fine motor skills // we have a TON of hand me down toys from the big sister girls.  we kept nearly everything, so there isn't a lot of toys I can think of to 'need' but its amazing how much times and toys have changed in just a couple years!  looking for anything to develop her fine motor skills that seem to be thriving at this age.  she shakes nearly everything that she picks up to see if makes noise which is why the parum pum pum drum would be such a fun toy for her to play with- and I can guarantee her sisters will be playing with it, too!  she also is really into stacking and fitting toys into like spaces, so the shape sorter pull toy and the animal nesting blocks would be right up her tiny alley-o-fun.  she digs the phone and loves to have you talk, too..and while we have about a million options for pay telephones, the skip hop owl phone would be something new and fun for her to enjoy.  the little people noah's ark is something I get for every little friend that has turned a year old.  I also can appreciate that this toy doesn't sing, make noise, light up..require batteries! 

baby in style // Baker specifically requested these precious outfits (obviously).  while I am a huge advocate of the moccasin and we wear them often, my favorite shoe for the big girls has always been TOMS and when I put Baker in her first pair of tiny TOMS , I just about died!  I love them! I have also heard awesome things about native shoes, and got a couple of hand me downs from cousin Kendall, but with Baker being such a busy body these days she definitely needs to be in shoes when we go out.  old navy is basically killing it with their spring and summer collection.  I want everything!  this two piece is screaming to my boho heart + and this bubble denim romper is precious to the bone + give me every floral dress on the rack.

ten month favorites

a little late to this party, but better late than never, no?  Spring is in FULL SWING over in these parts, which means the weather is changing and the temps are rising. this month's favorites list its all about the summer comfort and play!

pound + tap bench // the big girls got this toy at their second birthday and Parker still carries around that wooden hammer on her mickey mouse tool belt. but Baker gets a kick out of putting the balls in the holes more than anything else.

activity cube // by far her FAVORITE toy on the planet.  another hand-me-down toy we pulled it out early this month and she stands and keeps herself busy busy busy with this thing. we got it from Costco around Christmas time a couple years ago for the twins, but they never got the use out of it like miss Baker.  I think this age is prime time for her development and cognitive skills in using this cube.

snack keeper // its hard for me to believe that my sweet girl is big enough to hang with the rest of them!  the big girls still use their keepers and Baker got herself her own recently and I am impressed that she has figured it out.  not to say their aren't times when she flips her cup upside down and she's sitting in a pile o' puffs, but we are working on those motor skills and she's getting the hang of it.

plum teensy fruits // I randomly picked these up at Target trying to find something different than puffs and they are a HIT!  miss Baker has just two (bottom) teeth with no others in sight, and she gums these well and has no problem eating them (even though they say tots on the box.)

shortie pajamas // its getting warm in Texas!  Baker is a sweater - she is drenched any time she is in her carseat or stroller and especially when she sleeps!  she's started to sleep without the sleep sac and while some nights she is still in long pants, we are leaning towards the short sleeves and short pants.  this pj set (on sale!) is SO cute, too.. I got it for all three of the babes.  love that match-matchy business!

fabric tie headband // they are soft and hold their shape- which is important because if Baker can see the headband at all she's grabbing for it and stretching it off her head. she doesnt' mind it being on her head/over her ears, but if she sees it, its game over.  we have EVERY color and print!  we also have a handful of her poolside headbands, too! Use code pbandj for 25% off your order.. that code NEVER expires:)

summer hats // Baker in floppy hats.  ok.  babies in general in floppy hats. come ON!  Baker has more hats than her closet shelf can hold and the floppy ones are my favorite.  perfect for keeping the sun off her baby face, and great for wearing to the pool.

golden hill skinny minny onesies  // I mentioned these back when Baker was a tiny babe in my postpartum favorites blog post.  summer is quickly approaching and we still live in these super lightweight and uber comfy onesies! she wore them all winter for layering, and now a little bare baby arm action for the summer!  they hold their shape incredibly well and can double as swimwear when she's playing in the water table out in the backyard.

j+j tank jumper (on sale!!) // another summer favorite.  stretchy.  lightweight.  and the colors!  it is my go to option for hanging out around the house or heading to the park.  we have them in several colors:)

<

>