(before)
Fireplace season has arrived, and since we plan on using the heck out of ours this year, so this was the next project we couldn’t wait to get started on. I enlisted the help of my whiz of a friend Emily Harris (who did our dining room walls), to help achieve more of the aged european look I was aiming for. This is what we came up with…
I thought I had the experienced mom thing down for a while there as I started to finally feel comfortable with multitasking and juggling little ones. Homework + bath time + dinner all at once? I got it! Packing lunches + doing Veronica’s hair + making coffee for Gabe? I can do all the things! Insert proud second. Well as I have come to realize…..it usually just takes one tough day to dethrone our pride and realize we are human after all and need help more than often to make our everyday lives run somewhat smoothly. I love to talk about help factors that have worked for our family in making motherhood a tad easier. Or maybe the things that give us that 15 extra minutes to take a phone call or get dinner going. So today I am talking about the new Jonathan Adler Crafted by Fisher-Price products. They have been so helpful in this help-a-mama-out department, and also have given my little ones the opportunity for more QT time with their new sister.
I don’t think we talk about postpartum recovery very honestly amongst each other. It’s easier to talk baby names and birth stories than it is to address how difficult the first weeks and months after having a baby can be. I have had a different recovery process for each of my children, but I can tell you after having my 5th child Azelie, I was more tired and in need of help than I have ever been. More due to the fact I still have a 14 month old that is glued to his mother’s ankles, and a three year old trying to adjust in his own stubborn way to a new little one. But you know what? I have never been more humbled by the people that have showed up for me. Our “tribe” as you would call it that have shown up in ways I really needed. I wanted to write a few ways that have helped me tremendously navigate the first blurry weeks of postpartum in hopes to help more women who may also be in need. Here are a few things you can do for any new mother, whether it be their first or fifth, that can be incredibly comforting or helpful in the postpartum weeks.
I admit I was slightly eager to pack away the maternity clothes in the record hot Altanta summer, and more than a tad excited to pull out the fall layers. The good news: we have officially landed in my favorite season. Bad news: it is still 90 degrees. However, this didn’t keep me from an inaugural pie bake with my sister on the first day of autumn, and the annual fall closet transition. Here are a few layer-able and interchangeable staples I either had from last year or added to the lineup this year. I will probably using these 7 fall wardrobe staplesthe most this season!
1. Striped Button Down
2. Jogger Pants
3. Distressed Denim (these are from Madewell, and here is a similar option)
4. Suede Booties (similar)
5. Wine Leather Tote
6. Tunic sweater vest
7. Grey layering tank
*Escape Bag via here.
Also, swooning over the new J. Crew pieces at Nordstrom.
Cheers to the first autumn weekend!
I am hoping this report on finding the right white paint for your walls saves some of you grief and tears. Short story: A few months ago I made an impulse decision to select a white paint at 9pm at night, and proceed to buy 5 gallons for the painter to use the following morning. I did this against my own better judgement, but took my risks because I was too lazy and in a hurry to test colors on our walls. Well as you can imagine it didn’t end well. We left the house to the painters for the day and when I got home, I found my walls to be practically baby blue versus the creamy white I was certain they would be. Lesson learned. Shotgun decisions no more!
Here are a few tips for testing paint colors, and finding the right shades of white…
(source)
With a new baby, I am keeping the expectations real low around here for a fall bucket list, but autumn being my favorite season, you bet your bottom I am still making one! Even if it takes till the end of November to complete;) I asked my little ones to help me come up with some ideas. Here are our top ten:
Do you have anything you are wanting to tackle this fall?
Happy weekend!
It feels like a whole new experience getting to have a baby girl again. Forgot how fun the little details of sugar and spice and everything nice are. As we settle into a family of 7, there is little I have been doing than holding babes, feeding, napping, and somehow getting them all dressed and fed;) I will have to write a post soon about the best things you can do for a new mother, because my friends and family have taught me some lessons in that the last few weeks!
These are a few items for wee ones that are either new or long time favorites:
Free Babes Bows – It is so hard to find bows that fit newborns, let alone premies! These little bow headbands from Free Babes fit Azelie perfectly. They have sailor bows as well for big sisters.
Blabla dreamcatcher mobile – Loved how plush this is, and it actually makes for a really sweet wall hanging!
Little Unicorn Security Blankets – Found these at SugarBoo and Co. They have the satin lining that my children love that are small enough to tote around everywhere. After my son Max attached himself to a queen size duvet, I figured I would jump the gun and force a mini size attachment blanket on Azelie;) This line also carries my favorite swaddles. *They are offering a 15% discount of your purchase with code IHOD15.
Munchkin latch bottles – I have written about these before. Still my favorite for newborn through toddlers.
Briar Bonnets – Purely for my own enjoyment. I can’t resist a baby in a bonnet! Briar carries the best prints in all sizes!
Alimrose mini doll – Veronica saved this doll for months to give the baby in case we had a girl. She has the large one. These are handmade and such good quality.
Pacifier Clip and Natursutten pacifiers – A winning combination. Azelie doesn’t use this yet, but Rocco is currently very attached to this combo!
Seventh Generation shampoo and diaper cream – Can’t get over the scent. It’ll make your babies smell edible. The ingredients are safe and effective!
Ring Teether – My sister just started making these! These beads are the only type teether Rocco liked, and they are safe and easy to clean. You can email her: triciasimpson2 (at) gmail.com to snag one for $14. She can make girl, boy, or gender neutral!
Sollybaby Wrap – Never have I needed a babywrap more! With a 14 month at my ankles and a newborn in need of mama time, this has been used to death these last few weeks! Dying to get my hands on their Rifle Paper Co design.
Sleep hat – My sister in law sent this gift and thought it was too cute not to share. Goes over their eyes, and had me laughing at the mini Audrey Hepburn sleep mask it resembles.
Any baby favorites you swear by? Happy almost weekend!
*Artwork behind the items is by Max Wanger
Not sponsored by any of the above companies. Just genuinely love to support small businesses and share products that we appreciate!
