February 28, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Breastfeeding is the craziest rollercoaster-of-a journey that I ever could have imagined. I have been feeling inspired by all of my mama friends stories and struggles and felt like I needed to write this letter to any new mother. 

photo by Verance Photography 

 

Dear New Mama,

Congratulations on your sweet baby. Each baby is a gift from God and I hope you cherish this miracle. Your body took on a great challenge and grew your own human!! Be kind to yourself for months to come and remember is took 9 months to grow that precious angel.  You now have the best job AND the most important job in the entire world. Your job is not to breastfeed your baby, your job is not to choose formula for your baby, but your job is to take care of that baby until they are an adult. Your job is to pour love into that little person’s soul even on the hardest days. Your job is to be a kind and gentle mama, even when the rest of the world is cruel.

Breastfeeding a baby for the first time is a LONG journey. It is something that starts off slow and challenging. I had no idea just how much it would test my patience. There were both days and nights that I wanted to give up. There were days filled with tears. There were days that I was mad at my baby for not latching correct. New mama, remember each day is a new day and IT WILL get better. It will get better whether you continue to breastfeed, it will get better if you decide to exclusively pump, and it will get better if you formula feed your baby. Your identity as a mother is NOT in the method you decide to feed your baby. No one on this earth has the right to judge your method. Why? Because YOU ARE THE MOTHER of your child. And ONLY YOU know what will work best for you and your baby.

I learned that quickly. I believe as a new mother, I had this idea in my head about what our feedings should look like and it is really hard when they are not pretty and perfect. Most likely, it is not going to be pretty for several weeks, maybe even several months like my case. But finally it got better. After your baby is a toddler, no one will even care if you formula fed OR exclusively pumped OR breastfed your baby. All that matters is that you feed your baby and nourish them well. I am here to tell you that breast is not always best. Whatever works for you and your baby is best.  My hope is that all new mothers give themselves tons of grace and remember that no matter what you decide, you are doing your BEST.

I previously wrote a post about breastfeeding in the beginning of my exclusively pumping journey if you would like to read it. I am still pumping twice a day and starting to come to the end of my journey. I will write my final feeding update in Tanner’s 1 year birthday update post. I would love any feedback and love to hear your feeding journey, if you would like to share. I hope every mother knows they are enough!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

February 27, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

I have been sharing some photos on Instagram from our home photo session from the beginning of the month. We are cherishing these photos so much that I wanted to share the entire story with more photos in case some are interested in seeing them all! 

All photos taken by Verance Photography. 
Floral piece handing over our Master bed by The Wilding Collective

This month parks one year of Jason and I living in our first home. I have been wanting to having an in-home photo session for quite some time and I am glad that we had these photos taken before Tanner turns 1. I love being able to look back at photos of the house that my parents built just before I was born so I can’t wait to our baby to be able to share these photos of his first home for generations to come. Not only are these photos special because they are in our first home and with our first child, but our wedding photographer is the one who captured these photos, Sindy of Verance Photography. This month also marks Jason and my 3 year wedding anniversary! When Jason and I got married in Jacksonville, we were living outside of DC and Sindy was living in Tampa. Now we are all back in Jacksonville, living in the same small neighborhood, Murray Hill. I love how these photos tell such a wonderful story. Jason and I feel so blessed to have had Sindy come to our home and share her talent with us. Have you taken family photos lately? I would encourage everyone to have an in-home session! It is such a natural environment to take photos of your family in that will last more than a lifetime.

Keep in touch,
Dani

February 16, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

I am thrilled to team up with Boon to talk about the items you will need to groom or care for your baby.

These samples and post were sponsored by boon, however all opinions are my own.

Let me just start by saying, I honestly wish that I had this Boon CARE kit since day 1! Instead, I had bought most of the items individually. I randomly picked out whatever I thought looked good. I wish I would have registered for this on my Target baby registry. Since Tanner was born, I learned a few important health tips for caring for a baby. First, you should always take a baby’s temperature rectally. While I was still pregnant I bought an ear canal thermometer, little did I know that I would not need that until Tanner was over a year old. The most accurate way to check for a fever is using a rectal thermometer. The Boon CARE kit’s thermometer is really neat because you can use to check a baby’s temperature, temperature of bath water, and temperature in a room. Second, babies get numerous colds in the first year of life and one of the only ways to help baby feel better is with a nasal aspirator.  I had no idea that I would be “sucking” boogers out of my child’s nose! The nasal aspirator is a real life savor! I have used Tanner’s all winter with his runny nose.

Let’s talk about clipping a baby’s nails. Isn’t it the easiest thing you have ever done??? SAID NO ONE EVER! I have literally bought three nail clippers, one from target, one from babies-r-us, and one from CVS. I did not find any of them super easy to use or hold. While I still get really nervous to trim Tanner’s nails, the clippers in the CARE kit do fit really nicely in my small hands. I actually feel like I have control, so these are the clippers that I will use from now on. I was excited to see that the CARE kit includes a silicone tooth brush because now that Tanner is 9 months, I want to start taking care of his gums (he is still toothless). He is trying more and more foods and I was taught that dental hygiene should begin as a baby.

Tanner did not have cradle cap so I never had to get a cradle cap brush. Yet, this brush could be used as a regular brush too. Finally, I used the medicine spoon from the CARE kit for the first time this week. It is useful to have a medicine spoon on hand because you never know when your baby may need a little extra TLC. I would highly recommend Boon’s CARE kit for any new mama or any baby registry. I spent much more than $30 getting all of these products so this is a deal!! What are some of your favorite products on the market? Please let me know if you have any questions. A big thank you to Boon for partnering with me on this post!

Keep in touch,
Dani

January 31st, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Watching Tanner grow is the biggest blessing, but it sure is bittersweet how fast time is moving. How can my baby almost be 9 months old??? 

{Bonnet: Briar Handmade – Skirt: Rylee & Cru}

When I found out that we were expecting our first child, I decided that I wanted to write a tri-monthly updates about our experience. That way anyone who was curious about my pregnancy could be filled in and it would be a great way to keep a personal log. The last update that I shared was when Tanner was 6 months. Since our sweet boy will be 9 months in less than two weeks, I thought it was time for a quick update!

Tanner is learning something new every day. My mama heart bursts each time he accomplishes something. We took a trip to the doctor for Tanner’s runny nose and cough so I know that our ham weighs 22 pounds and measures 29.5 inches long as of today (around the 90th percentile for both)! The newest skill that Tanner has mastered is clapping.. all the cool kids are doing it! It is the cutest thing when he gets excited and claps! Our BIG boy still is not crawling, which I am totally fine with. Sure, I would be proud if he started crawling, but I also know that means much more work for me. Tanner does scoot around and can roll to where he wants to go if he is really determined. He has started to get up on all 4’s more so I think we will have a crawler soon.

Tanner is still sleeping through the night 95% of the time. He does like an occasional 3 or 4am snack. He does not have any teeth, but today the doctor mentioned that she can see a bottom tooth is very close to breaking the surface. With the way Tanner eats, you would not know that he does not have any teefies. At 22 pounds, the boy loves to eat. He wants to eat WHATEVER we are eating. I am loosely following the baby lead weaning technique by letting Tanner try all of the food we eat. Let me tell you, the kid loves carbs like his mama.

Tanner is still being fed breastmilk, but we had a big change this week. We are beginning to mix breastmilk with formula, bottles are now going to be half and half. Tanner nurses first thing is the morning, then I pump twice during the day now (I use to pump 6 times a day). Amen. I just want to get my life back and not be married to the breast pump. Tell me, how are you ladies doing? Anyone else over pumping out there?? I would love to hear about the milestones that your babes are hitting? Big or small, they are all so exciting!!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

 

 

January 11, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Before traveling with a baby, I had so many questions. I decided to put together this blog post for any other moms in my position. I also include some helpful tips for flying with a baby for the first time. 

Hope everyone is off to a great 20-17!! I am trying to keep up with a few resolutions myself: cook more, exercise more, and create more blog content. If there are any ideas that you would like me to cover, just let me know! I would love to hear suggestions or any ideas that you would like to see covered on D & C.

I feel blessed that I have gotten to stay home with Tanner since he was born. Since I will not stay home forever, I decided early on that I wanted to take advantage of not working and travel with Tanner. Tanner and I have gone to South Florida to see my parents a few times and to Virginia and DC to visit friends. Traveling alone with a baby gave me some anxiety. I had so many questions for friends who had previously flown with their babies. I decided to create this post in hopes of helping any mamas out there traveling for the first time with kiddos.

1. Make a list of everything you will need for baby a few days before you begin to pack. I found this helpful that way I did not forget anything.
2. Pack plenty of their favorite toys so they can feel a part of home while away.
3. Plan out the babies clothes/outfits to minimize any thinking once you arrive at your destination.
4. Travel with 7 or 8 diapers and purchase the rest when you arrive to your destination to free up any packing space.
5. Try your best to stick with your child’s routine if they have one (i.e nap time and bedtime).
6. I recommend carrying a diaper bag that makes everything easily accessible. I just got this new Babymel diaper backpack from the Baby Cubby and it would have been a dream to fly with.
7. When flying: Either push your stroller through security or wear your baby. My friends let me borrow their stroller and car seat travel bags. Whether you are going to curb check or gate check the stroller & carseat, I HIGHLY recommend getting these covers. Your items will stay clean because the airport workers do just toss your luggage and bags in the bottom of the dirty plane.I opted to push Tanner since I am not an experienced baby wearer so I figured the airport was not a good place to practice. I also was able to use the room underneath the stroller to store our winter coats since my husband would not be there to help hold things.
8. When flying: Make sure your child has their own boarding ticket or that “infant in your lap” is clearly marked on your boarding ticket. My friend, Sam, stressed this to me and it still happened. When I got to check in, the guy told me that they would just add Tanner to my ticket at the gate. So after standing in the security line, the TSA sent me back to check in since Tanner was not on my ticket! Also, Bring a COPY of your child’s birth certificate because it is better to be safe than sorry.
9. When Flying with Milk: If your baby is breastfed, I recommend purchasing a milk cooler so you can pack extra and keep it cold all day. I brought 4 bottles in our Medela cooler and the TSA’s just check it in a separate X-ray machine. If your baby is formula fed, use can pack whatever special water you choose to mix the formula with. You just have to tell the TSA that the water is for the baby.
10. Last, give yourself plenty of time & grace. Remember it is OK to ask for help too!

Hope these tips help! Safe travels in the new year friends!

Keep in touch,
Dani

January 4, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

I was in the dark when it was time to register for our first child. I created a registry wish list for expectant parents,  filled with some of my favorite items that we use daily.

Happy New Year friends! I wanted to write a post about creating a baby registry for new parents. It is hard to believe it was this time last year that this new mama made Tanner’s registry, like a chicken with my head cut off! Since then, I have had a many friends ask me for some registering advice and opinions on products. Some stores give you a list that is helpful, but there are SO many choices that it is hard to know whether or not you are making a good choice.

I am thrilled to team up with Baby Cubby to discuss registering for a baby. For anyone who has not heard about Baby Cubby, it is a one-stop-shop for high quality and safe baby products. The shop is run by parents who have been in our shoes! They do the research for us, by trying the products and making sure each item is highly rated and safe for our children. The shop even does fun activities like stroller testing to make sure that people are happy with the products they sell. Now that our son is 8 months old, my husband and I have a list of our “must-have products.” These items are at the top of our wish list whenever we try for baby #2. I created this Baby Registry Wish List to share my favorite items with new parents!

*these photos are from BabyCubby.com who sponsored this post. 

Baby Registry Wish List

Baby’s Room

• Oeuf Sparrow Crib
• Ubbi Diaper Pail

 

Living Room

• 4 Moms Mamaroo
• DockATot and TockATot Toy Bar

 

Fun Items for Baby

• Bannor Toys Classic Wooden Rattle
• Oball Classic Rattle

 

Bath Time

• Boon Naked Baby Bath
• Little Unicorn Hooded Towel

 

Items for the New Mama & Baby

• Babymel Robyn Diaper Backpack
• Gathre Leather Mat

 

I hope this list and items can help give new parents some ideas for registering.  Some other important information to know about Baby Cubby:

• They have an online blog with great information for parents.
• They are always willing to help parents since they are not just trying to sell you “stuff”
• They will price match
• They have free shipping over $49.
• They make sure every item they sell is safe for baby.
• You can get 10% off your first purchase when you sign up for their newsletter!

Please let me know if you have any questions! I wish I would have known about Baby Cubby sooner so I hope you enjoy it! What are your favorite places to shop for your little ones? Wishing you all happy and healthy new year!!!

Keep in touch,
Dani