Briar turned a month yesterday and I am pretty sure I’m going to blink and we will be celebrating his first birthday. I’m trying to just soak in all his sweet newborn-ness as much as I can. I’m excited to share this post with you today because I have never been asked by so many people to share the information I am about to share with you. The day before Briar was born, I showed what was in my hospital bag on my Instagram stories and I shared about this “Lady Bits Spritz”. I explained how I used this spray with Emery a few weeks before she was born and I think it helped in me not tearing. My private messages on Instagram blew up asking to share the blend. So I thought a blog post was in order so that this information is easily attainable.

 I had started oils a couple months before Emery was born, so oils were new to me. I tore with Adelyn and had not even really heard of oils then, but with Emery I had a much better experience, and didn’t tear. I used the spray  the third time around again to help in preventing not tearing with Briar.

I began using the spray at about 36 weeks while pregnant with Emery and again with Briar. I feel like the spray also helped in my healing as I continued to use it after baby. SO you may be asking, what is in this “Lady Bits Spritz”??? (and YES, my mom and I both came up with this AMAZING name)

In a 2 oz glass spray bottle I filled the bottle half-way with witch hazel (alcohol free) and the other half with distilled water. Then using Young Living essential oils, I put 10 drops frankincense, 10 drops geranium, and 10 drops helichrysum. Shake and use um, you know spritz “down there”.

A few other ways I used oils during pregnancy, labor and postpartum:

Pregnancy: I was pretty careful during pregnancy to not use many oils as there are a few cautions with some but I did diffuse peppermint quite frequently to help with my nausea. The oil, Gentle Baby was also used from time to time on my belly to help with stretch marks.

Labor: I made sure to diffuse lavender and valor in my delivery room. At times when the contractions were so intense I would just take the bottle of lavender and breath it in. I feel like using oils during the labor process helped me to allow my body to progress through labor quickly. Breathing in lavender and trying to stay in a calm mindset helped me to not fight my contractions, but instead breath through them so that I could continue to dilate.

After Labor: After I had Briar, I continued to diffuse oils. I alternated between lavender, Peace & Calm, & Gentle Baby. The nurses all thought it was the neatest thing to be diffusing oils after delivery and even a couple of them gave suggestions on how to use oils with newborns.

Postpartum: I like to use the “Happy Mama” blend after baby. To make, take a glass roller bottle and put 5 drops Joy, 10 drops Orange and fill the rest of the bottle with fractionated coconut oil. I use this blend on my wrists, behind my ears, or on the back of my neck.

Oils have truly made such an impact on my life and we use them SO much in our home. From helping my girls with sleep, to supporting their immune system fight off illness– I continue to reach for my oils before using any medicine on them. I only use oils for my skin care routine and love how they can instantly change my mood when diffusing. I made a pledge this year to slowly switch all the products in our home to make sure they are safe and clean for my family. It’s been incredibly easy as Young Living offers laundry, cleaning, dish & even baby products.

If you have been interested in oils or have any questions, send me an email: samantha@hellotinylove.com

OR if you are ready to get started, you can purchase your starter kit HERE!( includes your membership to order oils and products at wholesale cost)A few of the oils I mentioned in my post above come in this kit and then you have the opportunity to order the others at a wholesale price!

Please message me if you have any questions! I would LOVE to help you get started in an oily lifestyle as it’s been the best decision I’ve made!

The information in this blog post is based upon my research and personal use of Young Living Essential Oils. I am not a doctor. Statements, products, and techniques mentioned have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

I have always wanted to get family photos in a desert location, so while we were on vacation in Scottsdale, AZ, my amazing friend Jen Griffith made this dream come true. The weather, location, and company couldn’t have been more perfect. I did maternity photos when I was pregnant with Adelyn, but not with Emery and I regret it so much. While being pregnant, I know it’s hard to find anything to wear and taking photos may be the last thing you want to do — but I encourage you to just do it. You will look back someday and truly treasure them. I am so excited to have these maternity images with my third, and last baby.

Dress // Ring // Adelyn & Emery’s Outfits 

xo

Can you believe that it was like yesterday that we were filling stockings for Christmas and now it’s time to fill Easter baskets! I always have so much fun filling the girls’ baskets each year as I try to do a few fun things and then a few things that they may be needing for the summer. I usually always include a book, something to wear, a stuffed animal, and something fun to do like chalk, game, or puzzle. It was fun to look at boy things this year and include them in my favorites round-up. I can’t wait to be putting together a boy basket next year!!

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13 // 14 // 15

Hope some of these ideas help you fill your Easter baskets this year! If you are last minute like I am, there is still time to get all of these items before Easter!

xo

green dress

You know your 34 weeks pregnant when you have to open your baby app to remember what week you are, and can’t keep up with doing these bump date posts. It’s just been a busy 4 weeks as we were traveling and trying to recover from the flu. I can’t believe I will be 35 weeks this week and only have a few more weeks with this bump.

Sharing a little bump date below! I feel like not much has changed except for my size the last 4 weeks. We are out of space for three in my current vehicle so we are currently car shopping… Are you team SUV or mini-van?

Due Date: April 25th

How far along: currently 34 weeks

Size of baby: a cantaloupe!

Total weight gain: 25ish pounds

Maternity clothes:

I’m in the “tired of maternity clothes, nothing fits, I just wanna wear leggings everyday” phase. I remember getting close to my due date and just feeling ‘over’ getting dressed everyday. Ready for warmer weather and just being able to wear a maxi dress everyday! I actually am currently not really shopping anymore for maternity pieces but for pieces I can nurse in. I’ll be sharing what I find in the coming weeks!

Stretch marks: Yes! Using this & this as well as a mix I made from oils.

Sleep:  I was recently sent this pregnancy pillow (with no obligation to share) but I am sharing it because I do truly LOVE it! First I love that it comes with a cover so that you can wash it. My last pillow did not come with a cover so I was just use a pillow case over it. I love that it wraps around me more and its way more affordable than my last pillow! Check it out here!

Best moment of the week: Our last trip as a fam of four to Arizona was the highlight of the last 4 weeks!

Miss anything: motivation. I have so much to do but so little energy.

Movement: All day long! Going to miss feeling him!

Food cravings: eggs, toast, juice – not feeling as hungry lately…

Anything making you queasy or sick: not really!

Have you started to show yet: Yup!

Gender: BOY!

Labor signs: Lots of Braxton Hicks – especially when we got home from our trip! Traveling home made for a really long day and I think I over-did it.

Belly button in or out: out

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy/Moody/Tired/Exhausted/Happy/Moody….

Looking forward to: The rest of the nursery furniture being delivered and work on getting the girls shared room put together!

(Yes, I’m fully aware 33 & 34 weeks are the same dress…remember when I said not much fits??)

I realize that I am already into my 3rd trimester but I thought I would share some of my favorites from my 2nd trimester. Honestly, I would still say all of these are my favorites even as I near the end of my pregnancy. I hope you are able to find some of these helpful if you are expecting!

1. I have been lovin’/livin’ in Bae The Label maternity clothing. Everything they have in their shop is so so cute and comfortable! I have loved wearing this dress and even paired it with some leggings when it was cold outside. I also love this jumpsuit with my bump but also love that it is nursing friendly so I can wear it even after baby. Last, this sweater and these harem pants have been worn almost every night since I took them out of the package. I think they are so cute paired with the Birkenstocks that I have linked below too!

2. I’ve been using this self-tanner for about a year now and love it! It it is all natural and safe for pregnancy which I love! I do recommend buying the gloves to apply it because I have not had any streaking. I also have never turned orange from it but I usually only apply a little bit for subtle color. It’s just a beautiful light brown and gives your skin a nice glow. You can read the Amazon reviews on it–I’m not the only one who loves it!

3. I told myself that I would never buy a pair of Birkenstocks because I never thought they were very cute at all…however when a blogger friend said they were the best thing she put on her feet while pregnant, I was sold. My feet have been killing me, especially in any flats. These are so so comfortable and cuter in person than I thought. I will be living in these this summer.

4. Honestly I love all of Erbaviva products. I have been using them for about a year now and I obsessed with their body wash and lotion. The awaken scent is my favorite and it feels like a treat every time I use these products. I love that they contain essential oils and that they have a mother/baby line! Erbaviva products have not only beautiful packaging, but they are organic and filled with ingredients I feel good about using the girls and myself.

5. LOVE this pregnancy pillow! I also love that it can be even a nursing pillow for after I have baby. It’s the perfect amount of support and the cover even is removable so that you can wash it!

6. I absolutely love these vitamins and everything in them. It is 3-a-day which it is kind of a lot but I know that baby is getting lots of good things from these vitamins! I love the Garden of Life brand and use it for even the girls vitamins/probiotics.

7. Promptly Journals makes the most beautiful childhood journals that go from pregnancy until your child is 18. I am filling out one for each of my babies so that I can gift it to them when they graduate high school. I love all the questions in it and even the places I can put photos as keepsakes. These journals truly are treasured and will be so fun to write in the coming years.

8. I have been using Bio Oil since I got pregnant with Adelyn. I originally bought it because it has such great reviews on Amazon and I can see why. I love that it isn’t greasy and doesn’t have a weird fragrance like some do. While I have stretch marks, I do feel like it has helped reduce the appearance of them when I am not pregnant. I love that it is formaldehyde-free, paraben-free, Sulfate-free, fluoride-free – so basically free of a lot of stuff I don’t want to be putting on my skin. Another neat fact is that Bio Oil is the #1 scar and stretch mark product in 18 countries.

What products have been your favorite during pregnancy?? Leave me a comment below of any that I NEED to know about!

xo

This weekend my sweet friend Lori is throwing baby boy a baby shower! I was really hesitant when she asked me if I wanted a shower, because I do really have everything I need. Then I thought about Emery and how she didn’t have a baby shower and how it made me kind of sad. I think every single baby should be celebrated whether it’s your first, or fifth! So I am excited to just get together with a few friends and family to celebrate baby boy!

I registered on Amazon to make it easy for others as I don’t know many that don’t use Amazon these days… AND its so nice because Amazon really does have everything you would need for a new baby! I plan to put together a baby registry post soon! What is one item that you would recommend to any mama for her registry?

Due Date: April 25th

How far along: currently 31 weeks (I’ve just come to terms that I will never get these done in time…)

Size of baby: a coconut! 16 inches long and 3 1/3 pounds

Total weight gain: 22 pounds

Maternity clothes:

Received a package from Isabel Maternity this week! I love some of their new spring prints, how affordable everything is, and the best part you can find it all at Target!

Also loving everything from Legoe Maternity! I just got this dress for Arizona so I will let you know how I like it! They make everything to wear with and without a bump! It’s all nursing friendly too! I feel like I am starting to look more for nursing clothes than maternity clothing as I am nearing my delivery date!

Stretch marks: Yes! Using this & this as well as a mix I made from oils.

Sleep: Very little as I am just getting over the flu. I have this cough that will not go away! I am still loving this pillow!

Best moment of the week: Some furniture was delivered for the nursery and for Emery’s big girl room! Can’t wait to show you!

Miss anything: energy! I am so tired lately!

Movement: Yes! More at night than during the day.

Food cravings: dried mango, dark chocolate, and pizza

Anything making you queasy or sick: Just getting over the flu! Nothing worse than not feeling good pregnant but having to also take care of two sick little ones!

Have you started to show yet: Yup!

Gender: BOY!

Labor signs: Some Braxton Hicks contractions this week, but I think its from coughing so much

Belly button in or out: out-ish

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to:  My baby shower this weekend and my sister visiting next week!

When the girls celebrated their first Valentine’s Day together as sisters, I came up with the idea to set up a little studio in our dining room and have some Valentine’s Day photos done of them just for fun! I didn’t really think it would be become a tradition, but I am so glad having their photos taken for Valentines has become a yearly thing! It’s so fun to see how much they change each year and who doesn’t love a photo shoot with hearts, a dash of pink, and/or a little frill?!?

So here are some of my favorites taken throughout the last 3 years–Happy Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day 2016

Look at those sweet chubby hands and round face!

Photos by: Liz Osban

Valentine’s Day 2017

Photos by: Liz Osban

Outfits & Shoes

This is kind of fun, but we used the same location for the photos in 2017 & 2018. It use to just be an empty space that people would rent for events but then it turned into more of a restaurant the following year!

Valentine’s Day 2018

Photos by: Kathleen Peachey

Dresses from The Borrowed Boutique 

I can’t wait for next year in adding a sweet little BOY to our Valentine’s Day photos!
Hope you all have a day filled with lots of LOVE!

XO

(We lost the number seven so I had to improvise…)

27 & 28 Bumpdate

Due Date: April 25th

How far along: currently 29 weeks (yes, I am a bit behind…)

Size of baby: size of large eggplant

Total weight gain: About 19 pounds

Maternity clothes:

I will have a post hopefully up next week of some really great finds! I’ve been loving everything from Bae The Label!!

Stretch marks: yes! So many after three babies! Gotta love those tiger stripes! I have one area on my belly that has hurt for weeks. It just feels like its pulling and stretching all the time. Putting a little pressure on it is the only thing that seems to help. I never had this with the girls of just one area on my belly. Any suggestions?

Sleep: Becoming a little more difficult…still loving this pillow!

Best moment of the week: Going to Copper Mountain for some R&R with the fam bam!

Miss anything: being able to workout – even walking has me more winded and cramping

Movement: yes, all day long!

Food cravings: eggs and toast, cereal, oranges, chocolate

Anything making you queasy or sick: Long car trips and if I smell something that stinks

Have you started to show yet: Oh yea!

Gender: BOY!

Labor signs: Nope.

Belly button in or out: out-ish

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to:  Arizona next month! I need some vitamin D! So sick of the snow!

25 & 26 Bumpdate

Due Date: April 25th

How far along: currently 28 weeks today (yes, I am a bit behind…)

Size of baby: head of a cauliflower about 2 pounds, 14 1/2 inches

Total weight gain: Goodness I don’t even know anymore. Who gets on a scale when they are pregnant??

Maternity clothes:

I have some really fun maternity clothing posts coming soon! I however just bought a few items for our trip to the mountains next week from Nordstroms!

I bought this tunic in the colors Grey Pearl Heather and Jade. You can’t beat the $39 price tag either!

I also got this cashmere tunic in Dark Grey Heather but wish I would have gotten the Pink Smoke color too! It’s also 30% off too!

I’m excited to try this maternity hoodie! It looks so comfortable!

These SPANX maternity leggings had great reviews so I will let you know how I like them! I plan on getting up a favorite maternity legging post soon!

I also thought I would give these jeans a try!

Stretch marks: yes! I will be sharing an oil mix that I made next week! I absolutely love it!

Sleep: Becoming a little more difficult…still loving this pillow!

Best moment of the week: Finally being done with work and going on a little family trip last week!

Miss anything: not maternity related, but my long hair! I am growing it out again but why does it seem like it takes years to finally get back to a long length!

Movement: yes, all day long!

Food cravings: dried mango, BLT’s, cheeseburgers, avocados, cereal, chocolate chip cookies…I feel like my cravings change almost every week!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Well I found out last week that long car drives make me so sick. I asked some of my followers on Instagram for tips and I plan on putting most of them into action next week on our trip up the mountain!

Have you started to show yet: YES!

Gender: BOY!

Labor signs: Nope.

Belly button in or out: out-ish

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to:  Our trip to the mountains and nesting/organzing!

Cutest tees and onesie from Swanky Shank