I will start this post by saying I understand and empathize that not all women can or even want to breastfeed. I am so grateful, that despite any hurdles I was able to breastfeed both my babies for as long as I wanted to. With very few issues, sure there were tons of bumps, tears, [...]
Another thing about motherhood that I grossly underestimated was the amount of work it is, to keep up with household chores with kids, dogs and parents who are working from home. It was hard enough when I was working full time outside of the house , but became exponentially harder when we all were forced [...]
Your wedding day, may not be the best day of your life. Sorry ladies, I hate to break it to you, but there is a chance in 10 or even 5 years, this might not be the best day of your life. It will be memorable and the day you got to marry your love, [...]
Full discloser, I am doing a review of the kit I was gifted, but unfortunately, this mood kit is already sold out! However, I am linking my other two favorites at the bottom. I am not a doctor and not giving medical advice, just sharing my experience with the Doterrra Mood Kit and other essential [...]
Postpartum anxiety is nothing to be ashamed about and can pop up at any point after having a baby. I share my experience with postpartum anxiety and how it changed my life for the better. You are not alone and will get through this!
Not a New Year’s resolution fan? Well neither am I, never really been my thing. This is why and what I do instead!
It is "easy" to say what you are thankful for, but have you ever stopped for a moment and thought about what you are thankful for that didn't happen the way you wanted or expected, but got you where you are today...? Here are 10 Things that I am Grateful that did NOT happen the [...]
This year I decided to change up my Thanksgiving tablescape. I have been hosting Thanksgiving for almost 10 years or so, and each year I seem to change something up on my table. I was looking for a slightly different look this year for my Thanksgiving table and even though most stores had switched over [...]
First, I want to say that I turned this into a space for my children not to be able to say "go to the closet" ha. Seriously, I have worked really hard that we all call it the arts and crafts room now. With my youngest coming up on 18 months and my oldest going [...]
Brunch is my favorite meal and honestly most days I could make it my only meal! Holidays are my favorite time of year, a time for friends and family to gather and enjoy each other's company, with yummy food of course. 2020 hasn't been the easiest year, to say the least, one thing I am [...]
I am serious! I get so many compliments on my turkey every year, everyone is always so impressed. About 15 years ago, I took on the task of making the turkey for a huge friends and family gathering. Never having cooked a turkey before, I did a ton of research. Pretty much everyone said you [...]
I think every woman has some experience with infant loss in some matter. Some, like myself, do not have the first-hand experience, but I think everyone knows someone who has gone through it. My dear friend Laurenne agreed to share her story on the blog today, she shares her experience with two losses 16 years apart.
I am not ashamed to admit that I am a pumpkin spice fan! I have an entire page dedicated to all things pumpkin on my Pinterest page and have to hold back from buying the obscure pumpkin items each fall. With that being said I try to not over indulge with the pumpkin stuff. I [...]
When I was researching how to transition my first baby to solid foods, I knew I wanted to feed my baby the best possible foods. In theory I wanted to make my own baby food, because then I would know exactly what she would be getting and her food would always be fresh and without [...]
As summer continues on we all need a break from the heat. With little ones around it can be a challenge, here are my favorite hot weather activities with toddlers.
Okay so meal planning can be a bit daunting, but once you get the hang of it and figure out a grove it is actually quite easy. You will end up saving time and money. The biggest takeaway here is-KEEP IT SIMPLE! Simple doesn't have to mean boring, its just easier to have 10-15 meals [...]
When I was decorating my first child's nursery I knew I had to create a safe space for my baby. Living in California we experience earth quakes and have to make sure decor is built around that to keep my babies safe. IKEA Picture Frame Shelf For my baby shower I received TONS of books [...]
I can honestly say I completely underestimated the power my baby would have to change my marriage. Not in a bad way, a new baby is all consuming and there is little time, effort or energy for anything else. Here are my top tips for keeping marriage alive during the infant phase. Date Night or [...]
I had a recent request from a newly pregnant mama for mocktails. My apologies for having all of these cocktails and none for the pregnant, nursing or those who just maybe want a non alcoholic drink! I pretty much hated all drinks including water during my pregnancies, so I sometimes forget others who want to [...]
Okay, I have a confession to make...there have been multiple times in the past few years since having children that I have mentally kept "score" with my husband. He had no idea but I was doing it and honestly it just made me feel worse and I do NOT recommend doing it. I know we [...]
I have been doing my own nails since high school. Occasionally I will splurge on manicure at a salon when I get a pedicure, but that is few and far between. This year I think I have only gotten one pedicure out, so getting pretty good at doing my toes too! An at home manicure [...]
Everyone has a different image that pops into their mind when they hear "mom bod". I will admit that I was scared of my body changing when I got pregnant and didn't know what to expect. I knew my body was going to do whatever it needed to do to grow my baby. I didn't [...]
So, the transition to two kids was not "easy" but honestly it was "easier" than zero to one kid for me. Let me explain... I thought I was super ready to have a baby, I had my first baby when I was 35. Both my husband and I were a little "older", we were well [...]
Piña Coladas used to be saved for tropical vacation. I am not really into sweet or frozen drinks for that matter. Plus I know how much sugar is in this drink, so I shy away, even if it sounds great. So I decided to create a healthier version! Plus this is a great (virgin) treat [...]
When I had my first baby, I had a HUGE diaper bag, and I brought everything with me and still felt like I always needed something else. By the time my second baby arrived, I got really really good at leaving the house with only the essentials (diapers and wipes), pending on the trip of [...]
I'll start by saying I never used to really like Margaritas, whenever I got one at a restaurant it was often too sweet and tasted weak. So, I would rarely order one out. It wasn't until I became a bartender and realized there were other ways to make drinks besides using sweet and sour that [...]
After my first baby was born and I went back to work, I had to learn to streamline my morning routine. After my second baby was born, I had to learn to get ready in about 15 minutes total. There was just not enough time in the morning to get everything done and oddly enough, [...]
When I went back to work after having my first baby, I remember walking in that first day feeling as if I was a completely different person. Truthfully it scared me because I didn’t want to be a different person. Everyone treated me as the same person, but I felt like I was lying to [...]
It has been over a year since we brought home our second baby girl. Most days it feels as if she has always been here, that I worried over nothing before she arrived and this was always the way our family was meant to be. For me bringing home our second baby was an easier [...]
Parenting and marriage is a bumpy ride. My husband and I, have had more arguments since becoming parents than I could have ever expected. Becoming a mother was natural and "easy", becoming a parent wasn't as "easy" for me. The first year is survival mode and with so many ups and downs you think you [...]
Every mom has a list of things that she wishes she knew before she had kids. Here are mine, the things I wish I knew, this wouldn't have changed anything in regards to having kids, however I wish I knew how much it would affect and change me. Becoming a mother is something I know [...]
Mother's Day is a holiday that I didn't quite get as a kid. Then after my own mother was no longer a part of my life, it was a day that just made me sad. It wasn't until I was dating my now husband, that I understood more of what Mother's Day meant to others. [...]
At home date night ideas, when you can't or don't want to go out.
Fun, interactive, natural Easter egg dye to do with young kids!
Before I even became pregnant I thought I would be a "Pinterest" Mom, actually I strove to be one. Everyone knows the type, some look down on them and some (like myself) look up to them. I should have know before the baby even arrived that I would not be a Pinterest mom. We were [...]
Since most of us are enjoying a little more "free" time at home, I put together a list of things to do with your kids (babies and toddlers are my specialties right now), family and most important for yourself! Hope you find these useful for now and future "rainy days". Kids Gardening-My toddler loves to [...]
Recently I had a few weeks, where I was just overwhelming exhausted all of the time. I just couldn't seem to snap out of it. It didn't help that the baby wasn't sleeping great and most nights I ended up on the couch with the dog. Oddly enough the baby sleeps better with my husband, [...]
With two babies, two years apart, I have picked up a few things along the way. Life is still a daily circus, but I can pretend to have some control over things. Don’t fold clothes-I folded the girls clothes until our oldest started to dress herself. In that processes she would mess up all the [...]
One thing no one told me about (among a million things), was the invisible weight of motherhood. The mental load a mom carries around, the stuff you can't see, the stuff she tries to hide from most people, even herself. After the baby is born, there is a pressure to "bounce back" and "loose the [...]
I am definitely no expert when it comes to potty training, but I will say that potty training my oldest was a huge accomplishment for me. I'll explain why in this post, potty training brought out all the emotions for me-happiness, sadness, anger, frustration, mom guilt, hope etc. First I should start by saying that [...]
When I got pregnant with my first I was super excited about play dates, bonding with my girlfriends that already had kids and everyone coming over to visit the new baby. I assumed a meal train would be set up, I read so much about saying no to visitors, I was ready to turn down [...]
I always had huge ambitions for my career and personal life. For as long as I can remember I pictured myself with kids, at the same time I pictured myself as a successful business woman, being a bad ass executive. Little did I realize how conflicting those two dreams would be in real life. Let me back [...]
I'm not an expert but, I have gone on two maternity leaves and worked full time. Going back to work after having a baby is not only super overwhelming, but brand new territory. Most of us have had the same routine and schedule for a very long time before having kids. Having a new baby [...]
I have wanted to start a blog for at least 10 years. About 6 years ago, I remember being in New York for New Years and meeting a gal who was a food blogger. I was so envious of her! It not only sounded like the coolest job ever, but she really seemed to love [...]
These two will always be my greatest accomplishment. I have wanted to have kids for as long as I remember. As a little girl I wanted 5 kids, an amazing career, to travel the world and have stories to tell about my life that would get passed down for generations. Once I reached an age [...]
As a little kid, I remember LOVING all of the traditions around the holidays. There was something so special and familiar about doing the same thing every year, but only during that time. Honestly, it was one of the hardest parts for me after my parents divorced. Most of our traditions went out the window. [...]
I don't know how you do it! A girlfriend of mine recently said that to me during a discussion when I was talking about work. We both have 2.5 year old toddlers and a newborn...the only difference is I work full time and she is a full time stay at home mom oh and I [...]
I feel a little cliche doing a "What I am thankful for post", so changing it up a bit with 10 things I am thankful for that I never thought I would say (in no particular order)... 1. I am thankful that it took me longer than I wanted (and hoped for to meet my husband), [...]
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