Beach 2017

Happy Thursday!!!

We returned yesterday from three wonderful days down at the beach. We just wanted a quick getaway for our family of three and three days was the perfect amount of time for a nice little recharge. I wasn’t sure how Jax would do since this was technically our first vacation together but he did great!! I will say, I think three days was max what he could handle and I was happy to be back in our own little space but we did NOT want to leave the beach!!!!

We spent Monday driving in, unloading, and then racing to the beach where Jaxie just about ate his weight in sand, chased after the waves, and squealed every time a seagull landed close to us. It was so wonderful to watch how much my baby loves the water.  Jax is so much like his dad in about a million different ways but watching him splash and smile during our time on the beach just shows how much he really is like his mama who is also a true beach baby at heart.

We ate our weight in fresh snapper, wolfed down loads of clams bathed in a white wine sauce, and drank probably a little to much wine after the baby went down ;) it was exactly what we needed at this moment in our lives and I am so glad we did it!! We plan to go back in September once my parents have their new home settled in Port A and recreate all of the fun we had all over again!!!!

Here are some pictures from our fun time at the beach!

Day 1 we were pumped to be there!!! On our golf cart and headed to the sandy shore!

Baby boy fell asleep on the golf cart ride and I soaked it in

My toes were in the sand, I had a sleeping baby on my chest, and a cold beer in my hand. It was a pretty great moment.

Dinner at Shells ( I highly recommend!!) This place was SO neat.. a little hidden gem almost. It was SO tiny ( think cracker box style) so I was unsure at first...then we glanced at the menu and saw some AMAZING seafood...um fresh mussels in a white wine and butter sauce, fresh caught snapper cooked in a brown butter sauce. I was like okay yes we are staying. It is italian seafood so some amazing pasta was served up as well!!! Great place.

Tired boy

This was after dinner and after baby hit the hay. It was so refreshing to open a bottle of cab, sit on the deck and talk with my husband. It has been a WHILE since we have been able to do that and I felt that it was important and SO nice to be able to have that opportunity!

my beautiful boy

On to dinner at Lisabellas!! Night 2!

Smirking at his daddy

Daddy treated us to ice cream after dinner and we shared a plain vanilla cone. Jax loved it!!!!

Glorious.

On our last morning in the middle of our first cup of coffee we decided to jump in the cart and take a beach ride. It was BEAUTIFUL! The beach is so peaceful in the mornings..the smell of sunscreen and BBQ was absent as well as the squeals and shouts of excited children. It was just so peaceful and we enjoyed it!

 I am so thankful for these two every single day of my life.
Thankful.

Healthy Fruit Muffins for Baby!!!

Happy Sunday friends!!!! We are SO excited to be sneaking off to the beach with our little boy!! With that little boy in tow though I KNOW I need  to pack smart, have organized food, and LOTS of snacks on hand. I also know that I am going to be one tired ( and hopefully TAN :)) mama after getting back so throughout this week I have prepped meals that can be easily frozen so I won’t have to worry about cooking meals upon our return! 

I love muffins because, like a meatball, you can pack an abundance of fruits, veggies, or proteins ( think chia seeds!) that are super healthy for baby. My sweet boy LOVES to independently feed himself so muffins are an easy food that can be grabbed, torn, and stuck right in his pretty little mouth! 

Here ya go!!

Ingredients:

2 cups whole wheat organic flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, divided

1/2 teaspoon salt ( just a pinch y’all)

1/2 cup of applesauce
1T vanilla

1/2 cup flaxseeds

a pinch of chia seeds ( a little goes a long way!)

1/4 cup canola

3/4 cup agave nectar

1/4 cup baby yogurt 

1/4 cup organic whole milk

3/4 cups fruit of choice 

Procedure:

1. preheat oven to 350

2. in a medium bowl, combine flour, 1 t baking powder, and salt

3. in a larger bowl combine applesauce with 1/2 t baking P

4. to ^^ that mix, add flax, chia, oil, agave, vanilla, yogurt, and milk..stir well

5.  Add fruit of choice

6. Spoon batter into lightly greased muffin pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean!

Zucchinni Meatballs for Baby

So today’s post is all about MEATBALLS :) 

I love a good meatball.. they are so versatile and you can just about throw anything in there to make them tasty!!!! You can intermix the meats: Ground Beef, Chicken, Turkey AND the veggies: Think Zuchinni, Squash, Carrots, Onion, Spinach, Bell Pepper..The list goes on. I also love meatballs because they freeze well and whether you are meal prepping for a new baby or for a friend who is going to have a baby, or even just trying to meal prep in advance so that you are not totally overloaded..these are a great staple!!!! 

For these specific meatballs I chose the following

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb grass fed organic beef ( could use turkey or chicken as well)

1 cup bread crumbs

1 large egg

1 zucchinni shredded

1/2 yellow onion chopped and diced

s&p to taste

Procedure:

Throw your shredded zucchini and chopped onion in a medium high skillet with a dash of EVOO. Cook until soft. 

Meanwhile in a bowl add your beef, breadcrumbs, spices, and one egg and mix well. Once the veggies are soft add them to the meat mixture and mix with your hands until everything is combined. 

Next,  make medium sized balls ( think golf ball) and place on a non stick baking sheet or cast iron skillet. Bake for 60 minutes in a 350 degree oven. 

** For toddlers offer a “ dip” sometimes the fact that they get to dip these meatballs in ketchup makes eating all the more exciting. 

** freezes well**

Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken for Baby

Happy Thursday!!!!! 

We have had a slow easy week and are getting ready for our first family trip to the beach!!!! 

In preparation I have been making a few large meals this week that are freezer friendly so that when I come back I don’t have to worry about what to make the baby!!! This is one of our favorite meals that freezes EASILY!

Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken

Shopping List:

2 boneless skinless organic chicken breasts

Tessemae’s All Natural BBQ sauce

2 cups of chunked fresh pineapple

1/2 yellow onion

S&P ( optional)

Sweet potato and or cooked brown rice

** TESSEMAE’S BBQ SAUCE is an all natural BBQ sauce it has NO sugar so it is a healthy option for baby. It is sold at all the major grocery stores.

Method:

Place your chicken in the crockpot and pour BBQ sauce over them, add the chopped onion,  pineapple, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper ( if you wish) then close the lid and let cook on slow for 6-8 hours. Shred with a fork when finished cooking.

The flavor from the caramelized onions and natural sugars from the pineapple spill out over the chicken making it a super flavorful dish!!!!!

While your chicken is cooking, you can either bake a sweet potato and/or cook some brown rice and serve this over one of the two!!!

We loved both! Whole grain brown rice was great over this!

Summer Popsicle Combos for Baby

Happy Friday Friends!!

I talked about THIS particular popsicle mold on my favorite things a while back. I have been using the heck out of it especially since Jax is cutting so many teeth!! We also love to get out in our backyard in the baby pool with a yummy popsicle as well...it has been so hot!!!

Here are some of our favorite combos we have been making lately!!!

1. Watermelon & Kiwi: 1 cup chopped watermelon + 1 entire kiwi blended can make up to four molds

2. Avocado/Banana with Chia seed: mix 1/2 banana with 1/2 avocado and a sprinkle of chia seeds and mix together in blender.

3. Applesauce Pops: Create my applesauce recipe found HERE and pour into molds

4. Pineapple and Breastmilk/Whole milk: Blend pineapple chunks with added Breastmilk for extra vitamins and calories and or whole milk. 

5. Papaya and Pineapple: 1/4 a papaya chopped with 1/4 chopped pineapple blended.

These are a few of our favorites right now!!!! 

A few Mommy and Jaxie pictures of us doing what we do best in the summer...THE POOL!

Postpartum life and Breastfeeding Basics

Hello!!!

Today’s post is all about postpartum life and what to expect after baby. I am surely NO expert but wanted to share what I went through personally, and also so I can refer back to my blog once baby number two comes around. 

Here we go!!!

1. Breastfeeding Basics

* I know that breastfeeding is a personal choice and while many women choose to do so with their babies, many do not and if you are one who chose to formula feed please know that you are doing what is best for you and your baby!!!

• Before bringing your baby home set the stage. I was induced at 39 weeks, so I had time to plan, race around, buy out Babies R us and all that good stuff. However if your water breaks and you rush to the hospital then just try to have a few of these items lying around so that when you return home from the hospital it will be easy to have everything ready. I knew I would be spending the majority of my time downstairs so I had my basket of  breastfeeding supplies ready and waiting which always included breast pads, my breast pump, extra bottles, a burp cloth, and a huge jug of water. Your Boppy or feeding pillow should always accompany the area where you feed as well. 
• During your hospital stay I highly advise on talking with a lactation consultant. It can be hard to get a good latch and those consultants are so helpful and offer many tips. PLEASE ASK YOUR LACTATION CONSULTANT AND PEDIATRICIAN TO CHECK FOR A TONGUE OR LIP TIE- I cannot tell you how many of my friends had so much trouble with a bad latch and cracked nipples all because of an overlooked issue. If you baby has a tongue tie it is not a big deal they will clip it right in the hospital and you can continue on with your breastfeeding journey.
• Once you return home your baby will want to eat every two hours..some even want to eat every hour. DO NOT PANIC I know that this may seem exhausting, excruciating, time consuming, and like your baby is never fully satisfied. The question ( are they getting enough?) will constantly run through your mind. The answer is yes they are. Newborns cluster feed in order to build your supply. Breast milk is based off of supply and demand so the more they feed the more milk you produce. Cluster feeding is exhausting but it is also a good thing. Some newborns are extra sleepy and you may even have to wake them up for feedings DO SO no matter how exhausted you are. You need that supply built and baby needs to be fed so whatever you do set a timer or write down the feeds in a journal but it should be every 2-3 hours of feeding.
• Journal your feeds: I had a note book that I kept all of Jax’s feeds in. I would start with the time, how long he fed, and from which side. Babies will eat two hours from WHEN THEY STARTED FEEDING. For example if your baby starts feeding at 7:00 AM and feeds for 30 minutes he will be finished at 7:30 your next feed is not at 9:30 but at 9:00 ( from when he started) I kept journal next to my dresser and just took it everywhere with me.
• You have to keep hydrated. I suggest a 40 oz bubba cup, a yeti cup, or any sort of large cup to constantly  have full of water. In order to meet supply demands a hydrated body is needed in other to boost your supply of milk. The same goes for eating. 
•  It is so important to EAT during breastfeeding. You are burning a TON of calories and your body needs those calories in order to produce more milk so be sure you are eating the RIGHT foods that will nourish your body. Some example meals that I ate constantly in the early weeks are as followed: Breakfast: Oatmeal with peanut butter and berries, plain eggs with avocado, toast with peanut butter ( I kept things plain, simple, and healthy) Lunch: Turkey sandwich, fruit, baby bell cheese ( I limited dairy but didn’t cut it out completely and J never had any issues with his tummy..Keep colic and gas drops on hand in case though) Dinner: Brandon’s Breastfeeding Chicken Rice ( yes my husband literally created a meal that is good for your milk and we make it for all our friends who have just had babies. Ill post recipe soon) Pork chops and grilled zucchini, open faced burgers, a ton of chicken and healthy fats!!!!! 
• In order to create a great supply ( and possibly have extra stored away) pump after every feed. I would feed Jax and then pump off excess, I would also pump first thing in the morning ( when your prolactin is highest) and store those bags.
• I personally introduced a bottle at two weeks after Jax came home. I wanted his daddy to feed him a bottle of BM while I showered, or slept..whatever the case was I wanted him to get used to it. I know that the lactation consultants are very hardcore on “nipple confusion” But honestly I believe it to be a myth. I gave J a medela bottle and he would go from bottle to breast perfectly fine. I also didn’t buy 3474058347534 bottles to see “ which one he liked best” He got what he got and thats it. Your baby will take what they give you just don’t wait a long time to introduce because they will get completely used to the breast. 
• Your body will regulate milk production after a while. You may start to notice your boobs don’t feel as engorged all the time and that they even may feel soft. Your milk is not gone don’t panic !!!! It is just that your body knows exactly how much your baby needs and it isn’t creating such an oversupply any longer. For me this happened around 12 weeks.

For more awesome information on breastfeeding please visit 

www.kellymom.com

2. Postpartum Self-Care

• Take a shower daily. I know that baby blues can settle in..mostly you just don’t feel like “yourself” taking  nice hot shower will do wonders for you. Stick baby in a bouncy chair right outside your shower ( I promise they won’t run off :)) and take a shower and wash your hair..shit get crazy and even shave your legs! If your baby is screaming ..its okay they will survive while you take a 5-10 minute shower. Remember fill YOUR cup too.
• Take your colace girls. Y’all I am not even trying to lie this is a MUST!!! I am speaking to all you vaginal birth mamas on this one. From the time you have your baby you will be given some meds and then some colace take it. DAILY. This will help your first BM ( I really think that is a more disgusting word to use than poop) come out to where you don’t think you are giving birth for a second time. Although you totally will think you are giving birth again. Sorry just keeping it real. Just take your damn colace.
• Try and nap when the baby naps. For me this was not something that came easy. I have anxiety and suffered with wanting to constantly stare at my baby while he was sleeping instead of sleeping myself. Eventually I got over it and would take a nap here and there but just remember have someone else do those dishes or the laundry. Mama YOU need to rest.
• Limit visitors. I was BIG on this..I did not want every single neighbor and their 3243324 kids coming over to touch my baby. I know this may sound prissy but you are  your child’s only advocate. You need to keep YOURSELF free of germs as well as your freshly born baby. Ask visitors you are comfortable with to wash hands and sanitize. If visitors ask what they can bring always say food. Neither you or your husband is going to feel like cooking after giving birth so I advise to freezer prep meals before going to the hospital ( think month nine) as well as have company bring you meals. Most people ALWAYS show up with a casserole dish or at the very least a bag of chic fil a. Limit visitors to 30 minutes to an hour. Most people understand that a new mommy is tired and wants to be in her newborn bubble but occasionally you may have those visitors who prop their feet up, ask if you have any food, and make you feel like YOU should be entertaining. A BIG FAT BYE FELICIA is what you tell those visitors. Well maybe not that exactly.. but you at least whip your boob out and say you are breastfeeding now.. and they usually get that it is their cue to leave. 
• Yes you can have that glass of wine. No your child will be delayed. Visit HERE to get the full info on the do’s and dont’s of alcohol and breastfeeding. 
• Spend a little time with your husband: I know that it may seem difficult with the baby constantly on your boob but if you can steal away 30 minutes while the baby is in the Rock N Play or while your mom is holding the baby. Do it! You will feel like yourself for a few minutes and its nice to chat with the person you brought life into the world with:)

Okay guys these were just a few of my suggestions!! I hope some of these help you mamas out there!!!!

Its a good morning.

It is a good morning today.

Today, as rare as it is, my husband let me sleep in for an extra 45 minutes since his day isn’t very busy. I woke up to the sound of Jax squealing and Brandon clanging around in the kitchen trying to start breakfast. I decided to lay quietly in bed and just soak the solitude up since this hardly ever happens. I remember the days before Jax was born, when I would lay in bed feeling him kick and roll. I loved having that secret dance party just between the two of us, it was so so special and I cherished it. Now he toddles across the living room on his walker, his chubby feet having much of an agenda on where to go next! 

Downstairs the squealing continues..now turning into fits of frustration because daddy isn’t spooning the yogurt into his mouth at a fast enough speed. I decide to get up, I walk quietly down the stairs because I want to steal a moment just watching the two of them together.. moments I dreamed of during the 18 months of trying for Baby Jax. I am in love with what I see.. 

I see a daddy who is so in love with his baby.

Most mornings it’s a hustle and bustle of trying to unload dishes, feed the baby, warm the bottles, throw on exercise clothes, gulp down coffee, having Brandon race out the door and me  yelling at him to watch the baby “ because I have to pee dammit!!”

But not this morning.

This morning daddy is being patient.. he wipes up the eggs and yogurt from the high chair tray..and from the floor...and from his own beard ( which J has thrown eggs on) I love watching him as he kisses our Jaxie and makes him belly laugh. I love watching their father son dynamic and hope they will always share such an inseparable bond. 

Some mornings are a complete shit show..and I forget how much I dreamed about mornings like today. 

Mornings like today are beautiful and simple. Sometimes my house is chaos and I need a bucket of coffee and wine to help my OCD not stare at the monumental mess of dishes, bottles, and crap flung throughout my home. I know once we add our second things will only get messier and louder.. 

crazier.

I watch as daddy lifts Jax from his chair and plants kisses all over his belly..again more belly laughs explode from his tiny little body.

I am soaking every bit of this in.. every moment is precious.

One day I will come downstairs only to find grown children sitting down at the breakfast table  instead of wild, crazy haired babies.  They will be to busy to let me cuddle and snuggle and plant kisses all over their face and lips.

Instead they will be in a hurry to get to school on time.

These are the days...and These are the mornings. 

I am so grateful to be “Mom”

New Mom Must Haves

As my baby’s first birthday is nearing I thought what better post than a bunch of new mom essentials??  I seriously went WAYYYY overboard packing my hospital bag, getting my house ready, spazzing over every last detail ( poor husband). What new mom doesn’t?? It is such a life changing and wonderful event to bring a new baby home but you definitely need to stock up on THESE to make your life just a little bit easier.

Here we go

Mama and Jaxie a few hours after birth

For Your House:

1.) Basket system:

 I have a two story so I knew this was important in order to not be constantly walking up and down the stairs for diaper changes, breast pads, penis creme ( I really don’t know what to call it), and other good stuff. I had a basket in my living room and also in our bedroom since we had the baby in there the first three months. 

THIS Diaper Caddy from amazon is similar to the one I had.  I suggest organizing your bin before you leave for the hospital so that when you are coming home you already have it nice and ready to go and you can lounge on the couch or wherever with baby nearby. Inside it I had the following:

1. Breast Pads

2. Diapers and a pack of wipes

3. Enormous giant period pads 

4. Dermoplast ( HOLLA!!!!) <----This is seriously a MUST have if you have a vaginal birth. 

5. Tucks. 

6. Let me repeat. Tucks ( also for if you have a vaginal birth) VERY important. 

7. Your Peri Bottle ( this is the fun little bathroom bottle you get to squeeze on your nether regions every time you go to the bathroom yay! You will get it from the hospital)

8. At least two swaddles for baby

9. Burp Cloths

10. Mitts for baby ( extra set)

11. A paci or two

These are the majority of what I kept in my bin. It was such a life saver since I had a hard recovery and going up the stairs was the last thing I wanted to do. Baby was almost ALWAYS in my arms or in his Boppy Lounger so it made it easy to just have everything all ready!!! 

For the Hospital:

I am sure some of you reading this are exactly like me and have your bag packed at 35 weeks ( JUST IN CASE!!!!) I was just SO concerned that this child of mine may come out early so I felt like I needed to be prepared ( side note- J didn’t come until I was induced at almost 40 weeks. ) I am just a compulsive person by nature:) Anyhow I packed three LARGE bags and pretty much only needed one. Let me break it down:

What to bring to the hospital:

1. One Extra Large bag or duffel and also Makeup and toiletry bag 

2. Boppy  for baby

3. Diaper Bag - inside have the following: 2 outfits of different sizes, 1 hat, 1 pair of mitts,  1 swaddle ( the hospital will provide endless diapers, wipes, pacifier, nose sucker, newborn beanie!!!)

4.  A camera if you overachieve and do not use cellphone as main camera :)

5. Snacks

6. A large cup for your water ( I brought my 40 oz bubba) you can find it Here

7. Your carseat for baby ( bring inside the hospital with you to your room)

8. Your breast pump if you feel like it ( I didn’t start pumping until I got home so I strictly enforced skin to skin and breastfeeding in clusters during my hospital stay

What to put in YOUR bag:

After you give birth, are somewhat settled, and cannot stop gazing at your freshly birthed baby you are going to feel desperate for a shower. Let me be brutally honest. This shower is going to be the BEST DAMN SHOWER YOU HAVE EVER TAKEN. You will have felt like you have survived war, you have afterbirth smeared up to your eyelids ( sorry girls!), you smell bad, your visitors are politely telling you that you look amazing but they want to barf their coffee all over your hospital bed. Your baby will be perfectly fine while you take a glorious 10-15 minutes to have that shower you deserve!!! Pack the following:

Toiletries:

1. Your favorite Shower gel, lotion, and loofah. You will never be so happy to smell like you!

2. Your shampoo and conditioner

3.  Brush or Comb

4. Toothbrush and Toothpaste

5. Face wash and Moisturizer ( some of you fancy girls may be contemplating packing your entire facial skincare line. Don’t. Make it simple.)

6. A little bit of makeup. ( BB cream or Tinted moisturizer, a little blush, gloss, and mascara is about as crazy as you need to get. You will be wanting to nap, kiss on the baby, and honestly a freshly faced mama is just SO beyond beautiful. 

7. A hairdryer if you think you will get cold but honestly I never used mine

Bag:

1. 2 nursing nighties and a nursing robe ( do NOT I repeat DO NOT) put this on during labor, you will totally ruin it! Put it on AFTER your shower and you will feel so amazing.  I bought my favorite nursing nightie HERE and felt so pretty in it while everyone was visiting.

2. BIG GRANNY UNDERWEAR. Yes girls.. pack you some big ones because those diapers  pads they are going to hand you will not fit in anything but. I actually preferred the mesh panties from the hospital because I’m freaky like that:)!

3. The hospital will provide you with said pads. TAKE THEM. All of them. You will need them and your insurance paid for them so stock up. 

4. A house shoe of some sort if you walk around the hospital

5. Snacks

6. hair clips, ponytail holders, something to clip your hair up

7. Your OWN pillow from home. So comfy and nice

8. a nice blanket from home- like a throw that you are familiar with and love

9. Wallet with insurance and ID

10. Your baby book if you want the nurse to put the baby footprints inside ( I just tore out the specific page and handed it to the nurse)

11. 2 nursing bras ( one will suffice honestly but 2 just in case)

Whew! I think I covered most of it! I will be posting an example newborn schedule soon and some tips for when you bring baby home!!!

xxoo best of luck!

A few Postpartum pics for ya!

Coffee was my bestie

This is real post partum life. Nursing robe, exhausted face, fussy newborn, granny panties, but pure happiness:)

Snuggle that baby!

Favorites on a Friday!!!!

My plans today are to continue with Jax’s birthday plans and get ready for his party!! I am so excited!!!! I love to party plan and the fact that I get to plan for my own little one year old makes me so happy!!!!

Here are some 

1. These Gap nighties are my favorite thing to wear past 6 PM :) They are THE softest material, nursing friendly, and just comfy to wear at the end of the day. I love a good Jammie 

These Jammies are also fun and super cute to lounge in. Gap has all kinds of fun summer prints going on with their lounge wear.. I LIVE in lounger during the summer!!!! 

SO SOFT!!!! 

2. OITNB Fans...Today is the day!!!!

#BINGECITY

3.  All of Baby Gap’s fun summer outfits!!! I love when J wears rompers and they have A TON right now!!!! 

So so so cute

4.  THESE Tory Espadrilles are SCREAMING summer, July 4th parties, and just fun to slip on and go! We are hosting a fun Nautical themed birthday for a special little boy so mama had to have them....

5. Our New House!!!!

This is definitely a favorite!!!

We did a complete 180 from our original building plans due to a few different circumstances but since we own our custom plans we will wait and build in a few years. I cannot WAIT To build memories in our back yard watching our kids swim and playing with them in the pool. We are definitely installing a “Katch a kid net” so that no accidents occur! I can’t WAIT to decorate..I may or may not have already been ordering a few new items for the new house :/ 

Im pumped.

Thank you lord for these blessings