Category

Motherhood

Welcome to the World Briar David

I’m pretty sure I have watched this video about a billion times and won’t ever stop watching it in the years to come. We made this film when Briar was about 3 weeks old and I can’t believe how much he has already changed. I decided to opt out of sending baby announcements and instead share this video with all of our family/friends to welcome Briar to the world. The song by Ben Howard, called Old Pine was chosen because I played and sang it to Briar on repeat when I was pregnant with him. It just seemed fitting to use it in his video.

Welcome to the world Briar David. You complete our family and we love you so incredibly much.

 

Video: Liz Osban Photography – Song: Old Pine by Ben Howard

Packing My Hospital Bag

I remember having my bag packed and ready at like 30 weeks when I was pregnant with Adelyn. Now with my third, I think I just barely got it ready at 38 weeks. However, I felt way more organized and prepared this time on what I truly needed to take. I know there are some things that I don’t absolutely need to take, it’s just nice to know I have it if I do need it.

I used Birdling bags for my hospital bag and I am just in love with everything about it. I used the weekender bag and I can’t wait to use it for other fun travels we have coming up. I have never seen or owned a bag that is more organized and well thought-out as this one. It comes with compartments already inside for easy separation of clothes and other items, with the most spacious side pockets. I can’t get over how organized all of the contents in this bag are and know exactly where everything is. I also love the canvas exterior and all the gorgeous color options. I have the essentials kit as well which holds ev-er-y-thing…no joke I use to have to take what seemed like 10 different small bags to fit all my toiletries and cosmetics in it, but with this, I can fit all that I need into one small bag.

 

Ok- now that I’ve sold you on the bags, here is everything else I am packing! These are things I’ve learned to take as well as one’s that you suggested when I asked what were your must-haves over on Instagram! Everything shown in these photos are linked below! I will also be hosting a giveaway over on my Instagram for everything I packed!

for mama:

delivery robe

loose pajamas

comfortable pants 

nursing tank top

nursing bra (The Dairy Fairy has the best ones)

flip flops

slippers

comfy socks

nipple cream

snacks ( Oat Mama lactation bars)

toiletries – used mostly Erbaviva products for my bag

( shampoo/conditioner, body wash, chapstick, hand cream, toothbrush/toothpaste, brush, face wash, dry shampoo, cleansing wipes for face, makeup, hair tie, tucks, deodorant)

boppy pillow  – I used this cover from Madly Wish

peri bottle – this one was the highest rated

Also made my own postpartum spray using my essential oils!

for baby:

swaddles

going-home outfit (I’m using Honey Babe Clothing for this!)

no-scratch mittens

nail clippers

newborn moccs

carseat cover/ nursing cover

baby wrap

pacifiers & pacifier clips

extras:

extended phone charger

my own pillow

diffuser with essential oils

gum

cash for vending machine

camera

hand sanitizer

 

Now that I am packed, baby can come any day! We are just so excited to meet him! I hope you find this post helpful if you are packing your hospital bag. Just remember that the hospital really has everything that you truly need and everything else is just nice to have to make your stay more comfortable.

xo

Images by the talented Kathleen Peachey 

New Favorites for Baby + Mama

Today I am excited to be sharing a few new favorite items for both mama and baby! With the arrival of our new little one in April, It has been fun learning and finding new baby products! The last time I had a baby was almost 3 years ago, so it’s fun to see all the new things they have come out with since then!

I received a fun box in the mail containing a few items for baby and a couple treats for mama!

First up – Oball, a ball that little ones can easily grasp because of the fun holes in it. The girls were so excited when I opened it because they said they couldn’t wait to give it to baby brother. I don’t think they realize that he is not going to arrive ready to throw and catch a ball, but with some time this will be the perfect toy for them to play with him. The ball is flexible, comes in bright colors and can be the perfect tactile experience for any little one!

A favorite baby food brand that I discovered when Emery was a baby was Beech-Nut. I loved that they carried organic baby food at a reasonable price and she was always a fan of the flavors! I will definitely be using Beech-Nut again with this baby as they only use the highest-quality ingredients, and cook them in the fewest possible steps to keep the nutrients. I believe it’s so good to start children off with clean foods so that it helps them develop a love for it as they grow and Beech-Nut does just this.

What helps with clean-up with baby food clean up? Baby wipes! And I have to tell you, Bloom Baby wipes are were it’s at! This is a brand that I wasn’t familiar with until now but I am so impressed with the quality of them and will definitely be using them for baby boy– as well as the girls for helping clean messy faces and hands. I love that they are sensitive baby wipes because my girls have always had such sensitive skin (so I am assuming this baby will too) and always break out from certain brands of wipes. I have to be fairly picky when it comes to wipes and so far just using them on the girls faces and hands, they haven’t had any reactions.

I also love that they are created with an all-natural formula of organic plant-derived vitamins. They are the largest baby wipes I have even used, so I don’t have to use like 10 wipes for one clean-up. Believe me, you will be impressed with how much larger and better these wipes are than most.

Last but not least, a couple products for the mama because we all know that you need to treat yo’ self every now and again. These skin products are just like spa-quality, and my face feels amazing after each use. I have had the worse time with my face being so dry this pregnancy but these Vichy products have helped so much! The Vichy’s Aqualia Riche Moisturizing Cream can actually give your skin 48 hours of hydration and I am loving the Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Daily Booster because it has made my skin a million times softer and supposedly gives it a plump — which if it is true, these tired eyes totally need that. Vichy offers a range of skin care products for any type of skin using Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water from the French Volcanoes! This water strengthens skin against things such as pollution and stress! I highly recommend these products as a treat for your skin as the quality is very evident after just a couple uses!

I hope your able to find any these baby or mama products helpful the next time you are looking for a recommendation for baby toys, food, wipes or even mama skin care!

This post is sponsored by Babble Boxx. All opinions are completely my own and I only share companies/brands that I love and know you will too!