I can't believe how fast September flew by. I've rounded up the top ten items you've been loving!
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Thursday, October 8, 2020
Friday, September 25, 2020
Motherhood Reflections: One Month
I didn't think I would want to share my journey outside of some snapshots, but I feel that it is important and therapeutic for me to share now.
We are so happy to welcome Brooks and be a family of three. We know that our pregnancy journey was fairly simple compared to other mothers with low to non pregnancy complications. But with every journey into motherhood life has its challenges.
My water broke a few days before my due date and we felt calm and ready. I didn't go into natural labor right away, so the midwife decided after a few hours to start me on Pitocin to encourage labor to start. Unfortunately little Brooks' heart rate started to drop whenever I had a long contraction. I did start contracting naturally but since my water had broken we were on the clock. When we tried Pitocin again the same thing happened only I wasn't as aware because at that point I had gotten my epidural.
After this scary second time, I decided it was best for Brooks to no longer try Pitocin. I couldn't stand to know I was causing his heart rate to keep dropping. So we had two options to try and let natural labor progress or a c-section. We tried to see if I could make any more progress before we approached the 24 hour deadline for my water breaking.
I prayed that I would make the best decision for my little guy. While a c-section wasn't the plan, I only wanted to bring him in to this world healthy and happy. After lack of progress, I knew in my heart that a c-section was the safest thing for him especially because his head was starting to swell from getting "stuck".
My doctor was amazing and even prayed over me (with permission) before we went in to the operating room. I know that God put him there to help me bring Brooks into the world. Jared and I were tired, but at total peace with our decision. We also had a private moment of prayer which made my heart even calmer. Jared was my rock all day long and I am forever grateful.
So please, when I tell you that I had a c-section, do not apologize to me for having one. I am so blessed to have carried this child for nine (really 10 months if you do the math haha) and bring him in to the world.
No matter what a mother's journey is to become a mother, it is hers. Whether it is adoption, IVF, vaginal delivery, c-section, fostering each is unique and such an accomplishment. Do not pity those who did what was best for them and their families just because it wasn't your perceived journey to parenthood.
The nurses and techs at our hospital were all rockstars and I will always remember their kindness and patience as we struggled to latch or sent him to the nursery to get some much needed sleep. After talking to the lactation consultant and my mom, we were able to progress in feedings and go home on day three.
Bringing him home was the best feeling, but not without its new set of challenges. Luckily my mom was there the first week and Jared's mom the second week to really help show us the ropes and keep the house running. We didn't realize how tired we actually were and I couldn't lift anything heavier then the baby for two weeks. It is the biggest blessing that they were both able to isolate during these times to be with us! I will never forget being pregnant and giving birth during a global pandemic.
Also, they aren't joking when they said those postpartum hormones hit you hard. Brooks was just laying in his basinet and I started crying because my heart was so filled with love.
On the other end of the spectrum, the nights are hard and when the pediatrician thought he wasn't gaining weight and they said those dreaded words 'failure to thrive', I felt so overwhelmed. I thought we were doing everything right, but I know some things are just part of the process.
Happy to report that he is gaining weight, but we are still trying to figure out his reflux issues. No one said it would be easy, but they were right when they said you haven't known a love like this. Every day I remind myself to find the positive if I find myself feeling overwhelmed and the best advice I could give is ask for the help. People want to support you!
*Photos by https://lookingforlane.com/
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Nursery Complete!
Hit the nine month mark and finally have the nursery done! I feel like I have been working on this forever, but I love the way it came together. We didn't do a traditional theme, instead opting for a fishing theme. We thought it would be a room he could grow into without having to make a lot of changes.
It was hard to find things that weren’t too babyish, but in the end I think we ended with a good mix.
Not going to lie, these next four weeks are tough. I am glad we started working on this part along the way. I am basically useless at this point!
I've linked most of the items below!
Thursday, August 6, 2020
Hospital Bag 2020
How are we a month away from welcoming our little man? This pregnancy has gone by slowly and fast at the same time. I feel like this is pretty normal for pregnancy despite the pandemic. I just got to miss out on random people trying to touch my stomach. I don't hate it!
So since we are getting close and I know anything could happen in the next couple weeks, I have started to put together mine and baby's hospital bags! I reached out to friends to see what their must haves were and pulled together the list below!
- Long phone charger/cable
- Grip socks
- Comfy PJs with buttons
- Nursing Bras
- Your own towels
- Your favorite Snacks
- Water Bottle
- Lip Balm
- Slippers
- 2-3 Baby outfits
With the way my brain is working right now, I am glad that I am packing early because I would most definitely forget something. And right now we don't think Jared will be able to leave the hospital to go grab something.
Hopefully this helps some of you other mamas to be!
Sunday, August 2, 2020
My Top 10 NSALE Items
I find making a top ten list helps you focus on where you want to spend your budget and what you think you will get the most use out of. Let's face it, with this sale it can be a race against the clock!
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| Red Felt Hat |
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| Faux Suede Leather Jacket |
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| Los Gatos Vest |
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| Chelsea Cowl Neck Sweater |
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| Spanx Faux Leather Leggings |
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| Calson Drape Blazer |
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| Brixton Joanna Straw Hat |
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| Tory Burch Carson |
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| Steve Madden Loafer |
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| Madewell Madison Ribside Cardi |
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Top 10 Baby Registry Must Haves
I started this registry after we heard the heartbeat for the first time, because as a first time mom I couldn't help myself! Quickly, I got really overwhelmed with all the choices and options there are out there when it comes to baby stuff. From working in a Daycare during college and babysitting, there were a few things I knew I absolutely wanted, but most was just a guess based on what I had seen on other people's registries.
Due to these new times, we can't go to the store and look around, talk with a third party about what we should definitely get so I had to rely on others to give me their must haves. Below are the top ten items I most frequently was told I needed, couldn't live without!
- Hatch Sound Machine
- Boppy Lounger
- MamaRoo
- Moms on Call
- Nose Frida
- Owlet
- Velcro Swaddles/Ollie Swaddle
- Phil and Ted's Lobster Chair
- Skiphop Wipeable Changing Pad
- Burp cloths (Triple the amount you think you need)
I am so thankful for those who helped share their favorites, because it has made me feel more confident in my registry overall and what I will need to buy.
Here is the link to our full registry if you want to check out some of the other items people suggested.
Katie & Jared's Baby Registry
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
48 Hours in Sedona
A weekend with your college best friends never seems like enough time, but luckily my friends like to stay busy and we wasted no time in Sedona!
Below is our itinerary and favorite spots from the trip!
Decided to fly in Phoenix and drive up to Sedona. It was perfect because we were able to grab a quick bite and then hit a few wineries along the way until our Air BNB was ready for check-in.
Lunch: Daily Jam
Delicious brunch option! It was perfect since we didn't want anything too heavy after being on a plane all morning.
Dinner: Pisa Lisa
A fun casual pizza place with a unique Sedona vibe.
We started off our on full day with a Sunrise hike on Sugarloaf trail. T
his trail is marked as moderate, but I recommend downloading All Trails, because at times the markers
aren't always clear.
Then we went across town for brunch at Creekside Sedona Bistro.
It is close to a ton of the tourist shops, but the views are amazing and the food is so fresh!
Next up, massage time! We headed over to Sedona's New Day Spa. It was my first every massage and now
I can never go back to a life without them. Definitely make sure you book a month in advanced, because this
boutique spa fills up fast!
We couldn't leave without taking a Pink Jeep tour. A little different than what I thought, but was so much
fun getting to learn more about the area.
A lot of people recommended Elote Cafe for dinner, but we
weren't able to wait that long for dinner so we went to a similar restaurant Javelina Cantina.
The decor is gorgeous and the food is the real winner!
On our way out of town before we went to Chapel of the Cross, we grabbed some juices at Local Juice! So many fun flavors, but I snagged the PB&J.
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