louisiana trip recap

We've been back from our Louisiana trip for about a week now, and I just thought it would be nice to share some of the photos from our time home.  We had an amazing relaxing week filled to the brim with good conversations with our friends and family, lots of food (it's king cake season down there...always a good idea to plan a vacation around king cake season), and glorious warm weather.  Brad originally scheduled it as a solo trip so that he can have time interviewing for prospective jobs, but I made him take me with me because I just couldn't handle the cold any longer. Guys.... it's currently snowing here (even though it's almost March)... my lil southern heart is aching for some spring temps. 

We had to leave for our flight at 4 a.m. so little bub was exhausted our entire flight ^^^ But we made it out alive, it's all good!  And incase you didn't know already, flying with kids = purgation.

Baton Rouge welcomed us with some delightful spring weather and even more delightful spring flowers.  I don't know if you know this about me but I'm obsessed with flowers.  I get straight up giddy when spring comes around and the pinks, yellows, and purples start to pop out of the ground.  These camellias in my parents yard?  I didn't know they were there and I think I actually jumped out of pure excitement when I saw them! Pier was with me but he wasn't as excited about seeing flowers as his mama was (I've accepted this).

Both our families are beyond generous whenever we come into town.  My in-laws showered us with king cake and valentines day treats (and let us + a very active toddler live at their house for a week!). My parents took Brad and I out for a double date on Valentines day, which was such a treat for us because we hardly eat out. Pier especially loved spending time with his grandparents, hanging out in my dad's wrangler, going on walks to the park, stealing mamas blueberries, and feeding the ducks at my parents house (he's way braver than I am....I'm terrified of birds...).

I'll be back in April for my best friends wedding, and I'm already counting down.  I love this state, but more importantly, the people in it. And before I forget....Happy Mardi Gras week y'all! It's the most wonderful time of the year ;)

postpartum self-care care package

Let's be honest about what it's like being a postpartum new mother.  I have multiple friends who are having babies this year, and as excited as I am for them to have a newborn to snuggle, my heart also goes out to them.  I honestly think postpartum-hood (that's a word) isn't easy for anyone.  It's pretty much always overwhelming to some degree and always requires a type of transitional growth period. Despite being surrounded by a cute snuggly baby, isolating feelings of loneliness start to creep in.  Those first weeks (and months) are just plain difficult.  That's why, instead of giving a baby gift once a newborn is earth side, I've decided to start giving mommy gifts. 

As most of you know, I struggled a lot with my firstborn.  I will never forget the care packages I received from friends back home when I was entering into the newborn fog that is the fourth trimester of pregnancy (aka 3 months postpartum).  My angel friend Ali made me HOMEMADE and HEALTHY granola bars.  Talk about the greatest gift you could ever get as a nursing mom.  I cried tears of gratitude when I ate one because I was desperately hungry around the clock and couldn't figure out a way to take care of a baby and eat at the same time.  Then, weeks later during Pier's first growth spurt (another huge learning curve for new moms), a package arrived on my doorstep from my bestie Mary Claire.  She sent me the sweetest card and gifts and even included a few books for Pier.  I cried again because I felt like once I had the baby, and the hard stuff began, the world kind of forgot about me.  Then my darling friend Amanda sent me a gift certificate to Pure Barre classes!!! I jumped for joy at that one.  Exercise especially helped keep my early postpartum depression symptoms in check.  It meant so much that my friends would take the time to send something across the country when I needed it most. 

I learned that any type of support is the best gift you could give to a struggling postpartum woman.  Emotional support, and prayers, and cookies, and probably a shoulder to cry on.   Most of my expecting friends are scattered across the country, so being there for them physically isn't possible for me right now.  So what can I do?  Taking a cue from my own experiences from my friends and family, I decided to send a "self care" care package to the new mama friends in my life. My mommy gift is a care package full of pretty and useful things, complete with items that inspire a little pampering.  Basically I want to encourage that they take the time they need for themselves!  Here are a few ideas: 

| postpartum self-care care package | 

• granola bars | or a snack of your choice.  Meals are great (they are so so sooooo great), but when you've been on hour 4 of a nursing marathon, you need quick fuel.  Food my friends...food is the way to a postpartum gal's heart. 
   
• body scrub |  the time after welcoming a new baby is the perfect excuse to pamper yourself.  I like body scrubs because they exfoliate your skin, leaving you feeling refreshed and relaxed!
   
• bath bomb | now these are fun. Even if you are a shower only person, I think that baths are necessary when you recover from labor.  To enhance your relaxation experience, a bath bomb is an exciting way to turn your bathwater into a luxurious oasis. 
   
• candle | are you noticing a theme here?  Nothing relaxes me more than a fancy candle!
   
• coffee mug | let's face it...that new mama is going to be a champion coffee chugger those first few weeks.  As her friend, it's our job to make sure she's drinking her 3rd cup of coffee in style right?
   
• bath salts | pour a little of this into a pretty jar and you have a simple and cost effective gift!  Again, baths are so helpful after labor and bath salts are beneficial to the recovery period. 
   
• face wipes | raise your hand if you hate washing your face as much as I do.  After, a long day the last thing you want to do is go through the effort of face-washing.  Maybe that's just me?  But I love these face wipes so much for the days where I just don't have it in me to do the whole nighttime routine.
   
• chocolate |  or wine? or both? I feel like an explanation of this isn't really necessary ;).
   
• face mist | Rose and lavender scents are my weakness in life.  When you're tired and need a little pick me up, a scrumptiously scented mist is just the thing the help you feel alive.  Or partially alive. 
   
• chapstick | was it just me or were your lips crazy dry during the postpartum period?  Regardless, I love me some chapstick.  I think I have an addiction to this one in particular and have gotten so many of my girlfriends hooked on it.
   
• something pretty | if you know me, you know I love supporting the Jones Market.  They make baby friendly necklaces that are both functional and beautiful to wear.  I have a few of her pieces and I'm not sure who loves them more -- me or my child. 
   
• an exercise class | take a cue from my friend Amanda and send your beloved friend a gift card to an exercise class.  I learned from experience that taking that time to reconnect to your mind and body is crucial after you give birth.  You never know, a gentle nudge to get back on the exercise horse with a free class might be just what your mama friend needs!
   
• a heartfelt card | what is more meaningful than a hand written card?  I think the art of letter writing needs to come back into fashion because there is something so sweet about receiving a letter in the mail.  

There you have it.  Pick a handful of those ideas and I guarantee that a new mother will be beyond grateful that you took the time to think of her.  Three cheers for celebrating the amazing women who are tasked with forming the next generation.  It's not an easy job, so let's make them feel loved shall we? 

mother's day out

I'm currently sipping (still warm!) coffee at Whole Foods....by myself... no baby....no to-do list...the only sound around is the hum of the espresso machine.  I just dropped off Pier at his first Mother's Day Out class and I honestly don't even know what to do with all this time. Thanks to the thoughtfulness of my husband, every Friday I will now have four uninterrupted hours to myself -- to write, to pray, to read, to do whateva I want!  It's glorious.  I told myself that I will not use this time to do errands, or finish laundry, or catch up with family, or clean the house, but instead, do something for me to help me recharge.  Honestly, I need the chance to catch my breath.  I've learned in my short stint of motherhood that it's easy to feel overwhelmed, stressed, and over-worked as a mother.  

A few weeks ago, I had a hormonal breakdown in front of my husband.  I spilled out everything that I was holding in and simply told him I just can't go on like this.  That may sound a bit dramatic, but my depression came back, I wasn't sleeping due to insomnia (a new-for-me pregnancy symptom) and a long list of pregnancy illness complaints inhibited me from doing anything productive for my family.  Some women rock pregnancy with such grace and strength.  I have accepted that I am not one of those women (at least in the first trimester!)  And with a husband who works long hours, nights, and often full weekends, I hardly got any time away from being "mom".  I could never relax.  When Brad would offer to take Pier for a few hours on his day off, I felt guilty.  I wanted to spend time with him too!  I miss my husband when he's away, and there is nothing that brings me more joy than making memories together as a family. 

So, I realized I needed to find a way to carve out time to do the things that remind me that there is more to me than being Pier's mama and Brad's wife.  Although wife and mother are titles I deeply cherish and hold with sacred reverence, I need to cultivate my other interests so that I can be a more complete wife and mother. I simply was burnt out and didn't feel whole.  Does that make sense?  I'm not sure if I have the talent to articulate this as eloquently as I want to...don't forget I'm currently jazzed up on caffeine and giddiness of having guilt-free time to my self...but I think you can understand a bit. 

After my hormonal breakdown, Brad surprised me by signing up Pier for this program.  I am grateful I have a partner who cares deeply about my whole being -- my faith life, my mental and physical wellness, my hobbies, and so much more.  It's a blessing that I don't take for granted.  It's only been an hour since I dropped Pier off, but I have a feeling this is exactly what I needed. 

it's a girl!

First off, let me express my apologies for being absent on the blog the last month or so.  First trimester is no joke, and finding the time and energy to blog (despite it being something I love), was a challenge.  I have so many ideas and life tidbits I want to share with you but I felt like I needed to respect this time to rest up and take care of myself.  Hoping the sickness and fog is on its way out so I can be consistent in posting updates and fun things in the future! 

Incase you missed my Instagram post yesterday, I wanted to announce publicly on the blog that we're having a LIL GIRL.  I cried when I found out.  Brad couldn't wipe the smile off his face.  We were both in awe of how good the Lord is to us and what a privilege it is to bring this new life into the world.  I have a daughter! Obviously all I care about is a healthy baby, but it is nice to know that I'll have a comrade (besides Gertie) to share in my love for Little Women and Maria Von Trapp and gel manicures and twirly dresses.  I'm beyond excited to meet her.  I'm so full of joy at the prospect of knowing this little person.  She's already such a gift.   

toddler gift guide

Raise your hand if you're a last minute gift-giver? Guilty.  Year after year I try to be ahead of the game, but alas, here I am again stuck in the same spot two weeks before Christmas with a shopping list a page long. I also keep reminding myself the purpose of gift giving is to celebrate the One who gave everything to us and it's important to cultivate a spirit of giving throughout the year (especially if you're a parent because those little ones watch your every.single.move).

I know you're most likely sick of gift guides, but I put together one that would be perfect for the toddler in your life.  Here's what I'm eyeing for Pier this year: 

1. WOODEN ROBOT | I love this little guy.  I think Pier will enjoy moving him in different positions.

2. DRAWING BOARD | Pier has been on a big drawing kick lately.  He's fascinated with pens and coloring! I thought this would be a fun, mess free way for him to spark that creativity. 

3. CHARLEY HARPER BOARD BOOKS |  I'm a sucker for good illustrations and it doesn't get better than Charley Harper. 

4. PLAY POTS AND PANS | We don't have a play kitchen yet, but Pier loves all things kitchen related.  Pots, whisks, spatulas -- he can't get enough of them.  I thought it would be fun for him to have his own set. 

5. TEEPEE | How perfect for a little boy who loves to hide and snuggle?  He's such a cuddly kid and I imagine us reading lots of books and having tickle fights galore in that tent.  Plus it's cute enough to transport from room to room! 

6. THE PERFECT BOTTLE | This is something he actually needs.  We have a sippy cup problem in this house, and I think I found the solution to all my cup woes in the form of this bottle.  A nice stocking stuffer idea!

7. MIRROR BLOCKS | Pier has such an engineer mind.  He's into building things and stacking toys, so I thought these were a unique spin to the traditional building blocks. 

8. RIDE ALONG |  A classic Christmas toy.  We don't have one of these and I can imagine him having a blast scooting around the house on it.  

9. COMFY JAMMIES | Jammies are a must for our family...especially in the wintertime when we live in our PJs! I love these: organic cotton, sweet design, and ethically made.  

10. TODDLER CRAYONS | For the little artist in your life. These are made from natural beeswax and are the perfect size for little hands. 

A few little asides about toys:  Santa will only give each child three gifts to mimic the three wise men giving their gifts to Christ.  As a family, we tend to favor toys made from natural resources rather than plastic. Plus, the light up noisy toys heighten my anxiety and I've learned to eliminate as many triggers as possible to alleviate my symptoms.   We also lean toward quality over quantity. If we need to spend a bit more on something that will last year after year, kid after kid, then it's worth it to us. We would rather support local artisans who are making things to support their families rather than big corporate companies so that's something we look at as well. 

One last toy tip: Make an Amazon wish list to share with friends and family.  These have been life savors for those hard-to-shop-for-what-do-I-get-this-person family members.  I also love that I can curate what my kids get so that way we don't end up with excess toys that aren't needed.  I'm all about simplifying! 

I hope this was a bit helpful.  Now hop to your mindful shopping!