1.28.2016

14 Weeks Bumpdate


How Far Along? 14 weeks, 2 days! Already in the second trimester!

Size of Baby: A beet

Weight Gain: I think right around 2 lbs!

Maternity Clothes: Still in regular clothes for now, but you can definitely see a bump with my tops! It's nice that since it's the winter I can wear leggings pretty much all the time. :)

Stretch marks: None so far. Using my two favorite products to combat these - Mustela's Stretch and Hydration Assistant. I'm obsessed with these creams - the best!

Symptoms: Unlike with Camden, this pregnancy I've had morning sickness (more like all day...worst in evening type of sickness) up until about 10.5 weeks! I only actually threw up a couple of times, but just that all day queasy kinda feeling! I was gagging all the time throughout the day. It stopped when I was around 10.5 weeks pregnant and my energy came back at that point too, so I've been feeling really great lately! Another symptom that I have to mention are c-c-c-crazzyy dreams practically every night

Cravings: It's fun to compare my pregnancies as they have been pretty different so far. With Camden I remember craving cold, healthy items like smoothies and fruit. This pregnancy? Sweets...carbs...sweets...more carbs! I've also been craving more salty items, too. I do think a lot of it has to do with the season though - my first trimester with Camden was in the summer, and now it has been during the holidays when there are cookies and sweets everywhere!

Gender: We find out next week! Not much longer!! Billy thinks it is a girl and I, not surprisingly, go back and forth almost everyday. What are you, baby K?!

Mood: Happy and excited! My hormones have been a little easier on me this time...I feel like I was much more emotional/crazy when pregnant with Camden! ha! I feel more calm and like I haven't had as much pregnancy brain either (meaning I haven't had any instances so far of forgetting to pump my gas at gas stations like last time...remember that?!)

Nursery: Honestly? Haven't thought much about it yet. Once we find out if Baby K is a boy or girl, I'm sure we will start brainstorming things!

Movement: Not yet, but so excited for that. It's the best part!

Sleep: Not lacking in that department, that's for sure. Naps still happen from time to time (a perk of only working part time...on my days home with Cam when he naps I definitely sometimes do as well!) and haven't had any issues sleeping at night yet. Will bust out my beloved  Bump Nest pillow when I start to get a little more uncomfortable. 

Workouts: Getting in about 3 per week right now!

Anything making you queasy or sick:  No real aversions so far

Best Moment This Week: Hearing little babe's heartbeat the other day and continuing to feel well.

Looking Forward To: Finding out if Camden will have a brother or sister - what's your guess?! 

And here's a bump pic from 12 Weeks!



1.26.2016

Using Safe Products During Pregnancy {My Recommendations}


Most of you know how important it is to use safe products when you're pregnant. During my first pregnancy, I knew I needed to toss out some of my face products that contained salicylic acid in them (among other harmful things) and I thought I did a pretty good job finding safe alternatives, but I didn't really spend the time finding products that I truly loved and would want to use post-pregnancy. 

This time around, I really did my research! I've found 3 brands that I'm truly obsessed with. I will buy these products over, and over, and over again when they run out because I love them that much.

Let's start with what I use on my face: Amalou Skin. Amalou Skin is the first and only full line of pregnancy safe skin care products that help keep complexion issues from masking your glow. Pregnancy can cause many women to experience dramatic changes to their skin’s complexion, like sudden breakouts and melasma. I had melasma when I was pregnant with Camden (not cute!) so my favorite thing about this line is that it has melasma-fighting ingredients in the products.

My other favorite thing about this line is that the 4-step regimen makes me feel like I just went to the spa after every use. Seriously...these aren't your typical everyday products. They feel so luxurious and gentle on my skin. The 4-step system includes: REVEAL Exfoliating Face Wash - with tea tree oil, chamomile and azelaic acid, PRIME Detoxifying Tonic (makes my face feel so fresh) - Alcohol-free with natural antiseptics, antioxidants and azelaic acid, GLOW Balancing Moisturizer - with peptides, tea tree oil and azelaic acid, RESTORE Night Treatment - with azelaic acid and hydrogen peroxide. If you're looking to try just one product first, I would recommend the face wash or the glow moisturizer. A little goes a long way with these products...I've used them for over 3 months and still have a good amount left! I've had zero breakouts since using and in the morning my skin always looks so refreshed.

I came across Mustela's prenatal line because I use their products on Camden. They are actually one of the brands that I use on him, so I figured I would love the products for myself! I use their Stretch Marks Prevention Cream on my stomach, hips, and top of my thighs. I've tried many different stretch marks creams, body butters, oils and this one is hands down my favorite! The Soothing Moisturizing Balm is perfect for on my legs and arms. Both of these are thick and moisturizing, but non greasy!

Lastly, when I'm in the shower I use Acure's body wash (can be found at Target.) It smells heavenly and my skin always feels super soft. My only complaint about this is that it doesn't lather as much as your typical body wash, but since I know it's safe for me and baby I tend to look past it since that's the only thing I don't like about it. I like their shampoo, too.

I hope this helps for you (or someone you know!) when it comes to taking care of your skin during pregnancy! And if you have any favorites to share with me, I would love to hear about them!! 

1.25.2016

I Confess...

I confess...we watched the entire Making A Murderer series in three days. We're both on Team Innocent (the random SINGLE key found days later? No DNA? So many missing pieces!), even though I know that much of the case and evidence was left out. I'd secretly really like to see something happen with this case since it has gained so much popularity over the past few months!


I confess...I made this crock pot taco casserole last night for dinner and it was one of the best crock pot meals I've made. We all loved it and it's definitely going in the weekly rotation until spring decides to show it's lovely face.

I confess...we are really looking forward to our trip coming up! Sun, pool, and relaxation. Yesss please!




I confess...that I've found some really adorable coverup's you guys might need in your life! This embroidered coral one (that can be worn as a dress too) and this white one (which also comes in black). Both very cute on and affordable!

I confess...we find out if Baby K #2 is a boy or girl in less than 10 days! Soooo yes, I'm pretty much counting down the hours at this point! I'm also not sure yet when/how we will announce it-still trying to decide! Anyone have any great ideas?!

 

I confess...I love seeing Camden interact, hug, play (you name it) with all the other kids in our family! They are so sweet to him (from my stepsister's daughters birthday party this past Friday night!) and I know he loves them.

I confess...that I worry about loving another baby as much as Cam. 

I confess...I recently just read all the spoilers for the Bachelor. Couldn't help myself!

I confess...there's still time to enter my $100 Babies R Us Gift Card giveaway! Enter here

What do you have to confess? Spill!

Happy Monday!

1.21.2016

CJK: 12 MONTHS OLD!!

 
{these are actually pictures from his 1 year appointment-he was totally hamming it up with the nurses, it was so cute}

Sorry for all the baby related posts this week guys, but I'm a little late posting this so I had to get it up before he turns 13 months old! This will be Cam's last monthly update for a while (YAY! for sticking with these for the year!) because I will probably just do them every 3 months or so from here on out.

Checking into the doctors office for Cam's 12 month appointment was a feeling like none other. Bittersweet because emotions came flooding back from his very first appointment when he was a few days old, yet I was so proud at how far we (him growing/learning, our parenting) have come this year! This was also the first appointment of his where he was walking all over the place and even sat at the big boy table with chairs when waiting to be called back. Allll the emotions...

I won't go too crazy since I posted this letter to Cam on his birthday, but I will say being a mom to this kid is the best. I've loved watching his personality develop - he's such a fun loving, sweet, determined, smart, playful little boy. We're so proud!

MILESTONES/MOMENTS TO NOTE:
-is officially walking all over the place! (a few weeks before his birthday he really started taking off)
-waves, claps, loves to dance to music 
-says: mama, dada, buh bye, baba (bottle), ball, and his newest-more!
-7 teeth (4 top, 3 bottom)
-first Christmas!!
-played in the snow for the first time...was a little unsure at first, but crawled all around in it!
-tried cake for the first time at his birthday (obviously a huge hit)
-still sleeping 7pm-7am, with 2 naps during the day 
-21 lbs, 31.5 inches  

LIKES:
-his play car
-sitting in his anywhere chair (from pottery barn)
-hiding in his tent playing peekaboo! he loves when we come "find him"
-stacking cups
-to climb up onto couches..he laughs hysterically and sometimes tries to purposely fall off (#heartattackcentral)
-reading books
-doing "blast off" with daddy
-to cuddle on the couch with mommy watching Mickey

DISLIKES:
-having his teeth brushed
-waiting too long for his food (ha)
-keeping his socks/shoes on in the car

favorite pictures: 

favorite videos:

1.20.2016

Camden's 1st Birthday Party



Happy Wednesday!

I'm so excited to share pictures from Camden's first birthday party! I know I've said it before but I can't believe that I actually have a one year old now...it feels like yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital! The party was on Camden's actual birthday (the 10th) and it couldn't have been better - I was so happy with how all the decor and food came together! There were about 30 of our closest friends and family who celebrated with us, and about 13 kids! I really wish I would've got a picture of the whole group - we were so thankful for everyone who showed up. Anyway, we decided to do a "Woodland Animals" theme, after I came across the idea on Pinterest, and fell in love with it!! It was perfect for Cam because he loves animals, and I knew finding decorations for it would be pretty easy.

Since my parents offered to have it at their house (thank you!), I was able to go over the night prior with my best friend Lindsay, who was such a huge help planning and decorating, to set everything up so that there would be little to do the morning of the party!

 For the food, we kept it simple with italian and turkey subs for the main dish. We also had pasta salad, asian salad (that we called "critter salad" to go with the theme), trail mix, a pine cone cheese ball with crackers, veggie tray, "pond" punch, chocolate acorns (I made them out of a hersey kiss, white icing, mini vanilla wafers, and a butterscotch chip-they were delish!), and the most adorable fruit hedgehog that my girlfriend Lindsay made...





I'm not gonna lie-the food was all super delicious! Oh, and I picked up the little burlap trees around Christmas at Target and the wooden signs were finds from Hobby Lobby!

I found the most darling woodland animals highchair banner, cupcake toppers, and birthday crown all on Etsy. Ah, they were so cute! (and I now know who I'll be using for future birthday events-highly recommend these shops for your little ones!)

 
 {birthday crown: from LaLaLola Shop!}
 
 {cupcake toppers-from AngiesDesignz!}

 
 {highchair banner: from The Shabby Cupcake!}
 


My stepmom actually made Camden's fox smash cake herself! Isn't it adorable? She did such a good job and he wasted no time digging into it!


Another one of my favorite decorations was that chalkboard sign! I knew right away that I wanted one for the entry way when people walked in. I ordered it from Sarah, the owner of Lovely Little Designs. She does all kinds of chalkboard signs (for any event you could think of pretty much) and she does an amazing job! I received so many compliments on it, and of course I love that we get to keep it forever (and that I didn't have to worry about doing my own handwriting, ha.)

For favors, I picked up some chalk (that happened to have a fox and raccoon on them!), bubbles, and other small gifts from Target and placed them in a metal bin for the kids to take home.


And the absolute best, best, BEST part (besides the fact that Cam was happy) was that since I had help from family and friends making the food, everything was pretty much stress-free. We really got to enjoy the day with our birthday boy, which was the most important thing!

Happy birthday (again) to our little Cam! We love you so much!

1.18.2016

5 Favorite Things


-ONE-

 The cutest cards and stationary from Trop Mignon Paper Co. I can't even pick a favorite because I love all of them...but I'm partial to the BFF wine friendship card (perfect for support, a quick thank you, anything really!), the cute baby shower card, or the cheese one. Because well, cheese is in fact the best. And the best part is you can't find any of these at Target - nope, way cuter. The "stuff to do" notepad is magnetic, so it's front and center on our refrigerator.

shop them all here!

-TWO- 

 Garnier's Micellar Cleansing Water! I read a lot of reviews about micellar waters and this one seemed to be a favorite. I don't like over washing my face, so it's nice to use this in the morning because it gives me an instant refresh and makes my skin super clean. I also use it to remove makeup...it's gentle but does a great job. Will definitely buy it again!


 -THREE- 

Valentine's Day clothes for Cam...too much cuteness! I got both of these from Carters recently for 40% off...the 'heart breaker' sweatshirt comes with navy pants and I can't wait to see him in these and to snap some pics (of course.)


-FOUR-

The best prenatal vitamins! During my first pregnancy, I just took the gummy prenatals but noticed iron and other essential vitamins were missing. This time around, I don't have to worry about that because everything I need is in my Hotze prenatal pak! Inside this box (which I keep on my counter because it's an easy reminder to take them) is a roll of individually wrapped packets with the pills inside - you take one packet for breakfast and one at lunch. They don't make me feel sick (like some prenatals can) and I know that baby (and me) are getting all the right nutrients we need on a daily basis! *if you're expecting-use code MOMMY20 for $20.00 off!*



-FIVE-
One of the first products I knew I wanted when we found out we were pregnant again - a CoveredGoods! I first saw it used as a cover on infant car seats and LOVED the look/design of it. Then I got online and found out it's actually a four-in-one cover! You can use it as a nursing cover, wear as a scarf, a shopping cart cover (genius), and also for the carseat cover. I got this one (grey/ivory stripe) since it's gender neutral and will go with a lot of my outfits when I wear it as a scarf!



Happy Monday friends! I've got a whole round-up of posts coming at you this week!

What are you loving lately?


1.14.2016

Feeding The Littles: 2 Ingredient Pancakes


 

I'm pretty positive many of you already know about this genius pancake recipe, but I didn't want anyone to think I had completely forgot about my feeding the littles series! So here I am...showing up with one of the easiest recipes ever to say, I haven't. If by chance you haven't heard of these pancakes, your life will forever be changed in the best way possible.

These pancakes are kid approved and mommy approved! Mommy approved because they are so quick to make that my life is easier because of them and because they are healthy for me to eat, too!  Camden loves these pancakes and one batch usually makes enough that I have breakfast for him the next day as well.

You'll need:
-1 (very ripe) banana
-1 egg

>>Mash the banana in a bowl. Add egg and stir to combine. Cook like a regular pancake! Add in blueberries or any fruit that your little one loves. (I like to top Camden's with some greek yogurt or just a tiny bit of butter, but he will eat them plain too!) 

Does anyone else make these pancakes for your kiddo? They are a weekly thing in our house! Happy Thursday friends!!

PS: Got to hear Baby K #2 heartbeat yesterday! Always the best! 

1.13.2016

Registering At Babies "R" Us (Win $100 Gift Card!!)


Babies! How is that they are so small but need so many things?! Breastfeeding supplies, bottles, swaddles, swings, carseats, strollers... yeah, it can get a little overwhelming to think about, can't it?

If you've been pregnant before, you know that creating a baby registry is not as easy and quick as one would think. If you haven't been pregnant before, let me just tell you: it's no joke! Especially if you're like me and never really spent all that much time in baby stores (other than buying gifts for others) prior to becoming pregnant...I was like a lost little puppy when I walked in Babies "R" Us and I remember feeling so stressed because I had no idea what the best products were, and what I really needed on our registry. And my husband? Sorry Billy, but not exactly a baby product expert.
 
We decided to register at Babies "R" Us with Camden and luckily, since I wasn't afraid to ask some questions, we had an excellent experience registering with them! We actually split up registering into multiple visits and each time we had the most helpful employees (what they call their Personal Registry Partners) showing us where certain products were located in the store, teaching me how to add/remove things on my registry when scanning, and recommending popular items and products that other mom's love. Still, to this day, I prefer shopping at Babies "R" Us when I need anything for Cam because they always have what I need and are so helpful. And when using the registry online, they make it super easy to add and delete things!


Recently, I went with one of my best friends to Babies "R" Us to help her create her own registry (we're due 5 weeks apart which we're so excited about!) and one of their employees went above and beyond helping her. She walked with us around the whole store answering any questions she had and even helped by educating us on all the differences in bottle choices, which was one thing my girlfriend was confused about (and for good reason...seriously, so many options.)


When I first recommended registering at Babies "R" Us to my girlfriend, one of my biggest reasons for suggesting them is because of the ease and convenience when returning registry items. I ended up changing my mind on a lot of different things after Camden was born and it has never been an issue with them. My other favorite thing about them is their endless earnings, where you earn up to 10% on all purchases made from your registry. (Tip: sign up for their emails on their website-they send coupons out frequently!) 

For those of you who might need to register soon, I highly recommend Babies "R" Us. Especially if you're into having less headaches. :) They are having a Registry Party on January 16th from 11am-12pm in all Babies "R" Us stores! They will have games, giveaways, and a meet & greet with other parents-to-be (great way to meet new friends!) Also, be sure to download their new Registry App so that when you think of a product you want to add but you're on the go and not at home (happens to me all the time!), you can easily add to it! You can also share with family and friends this way! 

What is your favorite thing about shopping at Babies R Us (or if you've registered with them, what did you appreciate the most?) Tell me in the comments for a chance to win a $100 Babies R Us Gift Card!

 
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This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
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1.11.2016

A Letter To My Son On His First Birthday

(this was written yesterday on his birthday - published today:))

My sweet Camden,

Today we celebrated your very first birthday! We woke you up singing happy birthday and filled your crib with balloons - you were the happiest little boy and so excited! Me and Daddy decided we will have to make it a yearly tradition from here on out, due to the gigantic smile you had on your face and how much you loved it. Today was also your first birthday party with all of our closest family and friends! In typical Camden fashion, you embraced everyone with your loving, joyful, and happy personality. You really loved playing with your number "1" balloon, eating your chocolate cake (let's just say you weren't hesitant at all and let out a big cry, which you never do, when we tried to take it away), playing with all the kids, and opening all your presents. Lately, you love to give other kids hugs and kisses and at your party you "tackled" a few kids trying to do just that. It melts our heart to watch - you are truly the sweetest boy. The party was so much fun and we were on cloud 9 being able to show you off. A few hours after you went to bed, I went into your room as you were sleeping and just held you in the rocking chair like the days when you were little. I thanked God for giving me the most perfect son, for keeping you safe this past year, for all of our ups and even for those challenging days in the beginning when I questioned every move I made as a first time mom. I just held you tight on my chest as tears rolled days my face because of how thankful I am to be your mom, the amount of love I have for you, and how I hope/pray to be around for as many of your birthdays as humanely possible.

 I have to tell you something about today, though. We may have only had one real birthday party for you this year, but celebrating you is so easy. That's because I've celebrated you every single day since the moment you were born. I wake up and look in your eyes and just smile that you are in fact my son. You have made your Daddy and I so insanely proud and we love you so freaking much...so much that it almost hurts sometimes. Watching you grow this year and spending time with you has been the highlight of my life. I know you won't remember the days we shared together this year going to swim lessons (my fav!), to the park, to the mall, taking walks, or just playing in the backyard, but they are my most cherished memories. You are my biggest pride and joy and the best thing that I have ever done.

Not only that, you have undoubtedly changed me as a person for the better. There is NOTHING more that I enjoy than being your mother. You've taught me how to be more patient, how to go with the flow and deal with change, and appreciate the little things in life. You've also taught me how to be a mother and I have to say, I think you did a pretty damn (sorry) good job. Just like tonight, at bedtime for the past 365 days, I've prayed to God and your Grandma Janet to keep you safe from harm and for you to always know how much I love you. I want you to always know that I am your number one biggest supporter and my love for you will only grow! You are my entire world...my everything...my reason why...and no matter if you're 1 year old or 80 years old, I pray you feel and know that. 

Thank you for making me a momma and for the best year of my life. Happy birthday, my sweet Cammy.

I love you to the moon (and around and around and around many times),
Your Mom