First Birthday Gift Ideas

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Okay.. this has truly been the fastest year of my life. I know people always say “don’t blink” but I swear when you become a parent time truly just decides to speed up. I just sent her birthday party invites out and it still seems surreal to me that my newborn baby is about to be a one year old. *insert sad face*

That being said, with each stage comes new things for your kiddo to learn and to do and I am truly just winging it most days. So, after some research and comparing list with my other mom friends, I have compiled a list of first birthday gift ideas so you don’t have to! 

FIRST BIRTHDAY GIFT IDEAS:

1. Pottery Barn Anywhere Chair

2. Nugget Couch

3. Little Tikes Cozy Coupe

4. Activity Table & Chair Set

5. Montessori Toys

6. Puzzles

7. MEGA Building Blocks

8. Rainbow Counting Bears

9. Outdoor Slide

10. Radio Flyer

11. Busy Board

12. Clothes- I am particular when it comes to Ella’s clothes lol. So, if you're anything like me, I would add a few clothing items you like to your wish list to make it super simple for those buying!

13. Snack Spinner Container

14. Money Towards Savings Account 

SHOP AMAZON LIST

Whether you’re a parent of a soon to be one year old or just looking to buy for the little one in your life, I hope this list has helped! I will be keeping you updated with party planning ideas too! I am one of those annoying people who loves to go all out for birthdays..even a one year old. I am aware she will not remember it but guess what.. I WILL! Haha

Have a great day!

Talk soon!

Postpartum & Breastfeeding Favorites

Ella struggled with latching. Thankfully I had great nurses in the hospital who helped me start pumping right away! I exclusively pump and it has been working great so far. These are all of my favorite products that have helped so much through this experience! The pumps are a splurge and more for convenience! They are fantastic for anyone on the run a lot. I can literally go to the grocery store with them in and no one would know!

Shop Breastfeeding Faves

Postpartum is something that no one can prepare you for and usually no one wants to talk about it. Don’t worry- I am an open book and would totally write a blog post going more in depth about my experience because I searched and searched for blogs before going into labor just to feel more prepared and didn’t really find much!

Shop Postpartum Faves 

He Loves Them More

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"Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all

 numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth 

more than many sparrows."

Luke 12:7

   

I’ve actually written a blog about this topic before but I want to bring it up againi because I hope it can bring you peace just like it did for me.

     No one can truly prepare you for the emotions that come over you the moment your newborn baby is placed in your arms. I knew I would love her but I can’t even put into words how much I do. I just knew that from that point forward there was nothing I wouldn’t do for her. It was also terrifying. My job is to protect her and to keep her safe but in such a scary world.. She literally needs me to function right now but this is all so new to me too.. how do I be a good mom? Will I even be a good mom? These doubts and anxieties can creep in pretty quickly if you are not careful.

     Being a new parent is scary. I want to keep my baby in a bubble and hide her away from all the evil of this world but unfortunately we just can’t. But in the midst of any fear, anxiety or doubt, God says to us “but do you know the number of hairs on their head?” (Luke 12:7) 

     No, I obviously don’t know how many hairs are on her head. All I know is she’s losing a lot of them haha! God loves our children so much. He created them. He has a plan and a purpose for every little thing they will encounter in their life. Of course we will still worry- I’d be concerned if we didn’t but ultimately we can surrender those fears to God because He loves them more & that gives me peace! 

New Year Thoughts

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Having Ella has changed my prospective on a lot of things. It’s made me realize what’s actually important and the things that use to seem so big are actually pretty small. One goal this year is for me to be content with exactly where I am. I realize now I truly have all I could ever want right in front of me. I enjoy nice, new things as much as the next person but it’s not what truly brings me joy. 

What brings me joy is spending time with family, seeing Ella do things for the first time, jokes, laughter, hugs, exercise, waking Ella up every morning and spending time with Jesus. Those things matter to me and bring me true Joy. 

We get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of every day life. We get so caught up in fitting in and having what another person has. I am fully guilty of this; But in 2022 I say, no more. 

I strive to be more content. 

To live in the moment.

To not major on the minors. 

To laugh at myself more. 

To just enjoy life as it is and not wish for more. 

We are not promised tomorrow and too often we take the things that are truly important for granted!

Bring it on 2022. 

Pregnancy Safe Skin Care

 Hey!

    I hope you had a great week! This week we finally started the process of cleaning out Ella's future room. I am so so so excited to start decorating and documenting everything we do to it! We only have 4 months left and I truly feel like September will be here before we know it!

    If you don't know me, I am a Medical Aesthetician. I specialize in skin care, lasers, and all sorts of other fun cosmetic treatments! I absolutely love what I do. I love helping people feel confident in their own skin! Speaking of confidence, pregnancy took a major toll on my skin (and confidence) in the 1st trimester. I felt like I was back in high school! So many breakouts on my face, chest and back and not a ton of products out there to help that are actually safe to use. So annoying. 

    Well, if you ever find yourself in the same boat or just need a break down of what to use during pregnancy- look no further!

PREGNANCY SKIN CARE REGIMEN

Okay, I like simple. I am not someone who is going to spend a ton of time at night pampering myself with a 20 step regimen. I figured there are probably more people like me when it comes to that, so I decided to write a simple AM and PM regimen for pregnancy. Of course you can mix and match products as needed based on your skin type- this is just what I personally have been using!

AM REGIMEN

Step 1: Skin Ceuticals Simply Clean Cleanser

Apply one pump and mix with water, cleanse face thoroughly and rinse off with water 

Step 2: Revision Revox 7

Pregnancy=no botox. This product is a spot treatment for any expression lines that could normally be easily treated with botox. I apply it between my brows, on my forehead, and crows feet! 

Step 3: Revision Vitamin C+

Pregnancy is known to cause many hormonal changes to the skin, including unwanted pigmentation (Melasma) It is even referred to as the "pregnancy mask". This vitamin c is not only amazing for treating current pigmentation but also for preventing.

Step 4: Revision Intellishade Orignal

I said I like simple and this is the definition of a simple, all in one product. SPF 45, anti-aging moisturizer and my daily makeup all in one product. It gives a light coverage so I usually just add a little powder/blush on top!

PM REGIMEN:

Step 1: Skin Ceuticals Simply Clean 

Step 2: Revision Revox 7

Step 3: Revision Vitamin C+

*I use the ZO Exfoliating Polish and the ZO Enzymatic Peel 2-3 nights a week**

On those nights, my regimen looks like this- Cleanse, Scrub, Revox 7, Enzymatic Peel. 

Lastly, I always recommend talking to your Doctor and Dermatologist to make sure you are using what is best for your specific circumstance :)

Have a great week!

Life Update + First Trimester Must Haves

 Hey Everyone, long time no chat!

    Gosh, I can't tell you how long I have wanted to just sit down and write a blog post. I kept making excuses and just being lazy. However, I have finally found my motivation; pregnancy. 

    So far during my pregnancy, I have learned that there are so many unknowns, so many changes, so many fears and not a lot of authentic, personal experiences out there to help. I want to write about all that I have learned so far and all that I will learn in the future. Heck, even if no one reads this, I want to have it all to look back on and remember this exciting adventure for myself. 

    With that being said, I am currently 21 weeks pregnant! Whoop whoop! However, let's start from the beginning....

THE FIRST TRIMESTER RECAP

        Most of my first trimester was spent with a ginger ale in one hand and a box of cheez-its in the other. I was exhausted and nauseous pretty consistently. I think if work would have let me, I could have slept through those entire 13 weeks. No lie. 

      During the first trimester I absolutely hated chicken and vegetables. HATED THEM. The thought of chicken made me want to throw up. It is so strange because I ate chicken everyday before pregnancy. That all went out the window and all I wanted was carbs and Chick-fil-a Diet Arnold Palmer. The only other craving I still have is for anything sour and frozen. I always laugh because it sounds like I am craving a margarita. Don't worry though- I just settle for a snowball these days! 

      The overall hardest thing for me though was the fear of the unknown. All I can say is...STAY OFF OF GOOGLE. I found so much comfort in prayer-gosh it feels like I prayed constantly! I guess I never truly understood giving something completely to God until pregnancy. He is in complete control! I am also extremely thankful for my very supportive friends and family who let me talk out all my worries and helped ease my mind. 

1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate. I am a sucker for cute water bottles. I love the look of this one and the fact that it has the times on the side so it gives me a goal each hour! I went ahead and ordered the silicone straw lid with it and absolutely love it! Purchase Water Bottle

2. A comfortable bra is a must! My boobs were one of the first things to change and I knew it would only get worse as time went on lol. This bra was recommended by a few friends at my gym and it is amazing!  I can wear it daily to work or to work out, the straps and band are adjustable, and there is so much support! 10/10. Take the quiz to see which bra is best for you! Bra Quiz

3. I mentioned how I craved sour things so these preggie pops were amazing. They are for nausea but are like little sour candies. I loved every flavor! Preggie Pops

4. Once you find out you are pregnant, it is very important to start taking a prenatal vitamin daily. I love this company because their team prays for each order being shipped out. I thought that was super special! Prenatal Vitamins

5. I started using Belly Butter as soon as I found out I was pregnant. I know a lot of it has to do with genetics but I figured it couldn't hurt! This one feels so good and smells good too! Belly Butter

6. Okay, these are an investment but so worth it! These leggings will work throughout my entire pregnancy and post. They are like butter and so stretchy! I  go to the gym daily so finding comfortable workout clothes was so important to me. These are worth every penny! Lululemon Align Leggings

Luke 12:7

"Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all

 numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth 

more than many sparrows."

Luke 12:7

   

My mom tells this one story often & every time I hear it, I can't seem to get it off my mind. I go through times when I don't know what to write about or I simply don't feel like it- however, one thing I have learned is that if God continues to put something on my heart, there's a reason for it.  So here goes nothing. 

       The story is quite simple. My mom & Dad were young, newlyweds, college students, and broke, when a little surprise named Taylor came into their life. Needless to say, they were scared & nervous (my mom especially). When she held me for the first time in that hospital room she was praying to God telling Him how nervous she was about this journey, how nervous she was about raising me, how much she loved me & never wanted anything bad to happen to me. As she was praying/crying she had this overwhelming sense of peace & she heard God say to her "But do you know the number of hairs on her head?"  When she came to the realization that she indeed did not know the number of hairs on my head but that God did-- she had this peace that surpassed all understanding. A peace that can only come from knowing that your life (and the lives of all who you love) are in the hands of our loving Father. 

This story is such a clear perfect picture of God's great love for His people. 

This story is something simple that we need to be reminded of every single day. 

Don't Feel Loved?

Don't Feel Worthy?

Insecure?

Ashamed?

Heartbroken?

Discouraged?

Well, guess what? You have a heavenly Father that adores you SO MUCH that He knows the exact number of hairs on your head. 

Life can get difficult sometimes & we can get nervous & scared just like my mom in the beginning of the story. 

OR

We can have peace & trust in God. We can trust that He will never leave us or forsake us. We can trust that He wants what is absolutely best for His children. We can trust that despite our imperfections, He loves us, He has created us, & we are His. 

Find your Identity in the fact that you are worthy & loved in the eyes of Christ!

Have a great day!!

PS- I was blessed with the absolutely best parents. Their love for me & my sister is unconditional. No doubt. and to think, God's love for us is even GREATER than that.. so crazy.