It's been a crazy week, with all kinds of intense happenings here in our little Florida abode. From the loss of our sweet, spunky poodle just a few short days ago to family (from all over the country) visiting us during the same week, we have all had a lot going on!
We had and still have a lot going on--I was overjoyed once we finally had a moment to relax. I knew making a mess was a must for Delainey and I, not just because she's a cute little terror that loves getting messy, but also because I knew I needed to let out some creativeness. When feelings get messy, I'm a firm believer that I should let that all out by getting my hands a little messy... and that's definitely something I want to teach Delainey! Productively expressing her feelings will be a common happening in our house and I can't wait to sculpt clay and finger paint with my sweet girl, but this time we decided tie dying was the way to go.
But first things first, prior to getting messy, I had to make sure D was out of her adorable clothes and ready to be around some serious mess. A diaper was her only attire for our fun little project and I wanted something reliable and comfortable so we could enjoy ourselves without worrying about D's bum - that's why I chose Huggies Snug & Dry. The perfect diaper for all kinds of activities, especially messy ones! With increased absorbency, I knew we wouldn't have a leaky problem mid-project and that was an absolute necessity, especially because I had a case of rainbow hands by the end of the whole ordeal.
With that said, we had a blast getting messy. Delainey talked me through it all while I dyed all the pretties! Side note: Instead of going out and buying a bunch of new onesies and tees, I used a handful of stained onesies we already had and made them adorable again. It's all about hugging the mess after all.
After our tie dye adventure was completed, I had to clean up quick because with an 8 month old, you have to do everything pretty speedy. I immediately grabbed for a One & Done wipe from Huggies and, as always, only one wipe came out - allowing me to speedily wipe off some of the dye and pick up my sweet girl quick! We all know having only one wipe come out of the package is a must when you are in a "messy situation", so I was more than pleased about this fact!
Do you have a mess you need to clean up? Maybe a little some booty wears diapers in your house? I suggest you check out the amazing deals on Huggies at Family Dollar, "clip" a few of their coupons for your next visit - like one for $2 off your diaper purchase, and then breathe easy knowing you chose a reliable diaper AND you get to save a little cash while you are at it!
Want to see our final product? I'll be sharing it on social media today! Keep your eye out for some pretty tie dye and don't forget to "snip" some Family Dollar coupons for your next visit!
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BlueLizardSummer #CollectiveBias
I recently shared a post about 10 things no one tells you about having a baby and one thing I mentioned is how much your skin changes and how I had to alter my skin care routine to help deal with all of those changes. With all the hormones raging through your body to help that little miracle grow, it's no wonder your skin goes on the fritz and starts doing some strange things - it's a bit like adolescence, except you're growing a perfect little tiny human instead of growing up yourself.
With that said, I found that during pregnancy and even now (8 months post-pregnancy), my skin care routine gives me the glow I always longed for. That's right, I'm fairly convinced I've mastered the routine to get the Perfect Summer Glow, even if you have sensitive skin... and lucky for you, I'm sharing it with you today!
1. Exfoliate - To start, you'll want to make sure you scrub your skin well in a bath with a body wash made for sensitive skin and use a poof to make sure you really are able to exfoliate and cleanse the skin.
Here's the thing, having a baby is the biggest blessing in the world... I'm so lucky to finally have my little blessing. She is very well my biggest accomplishment in this life and I'm SO proud of her and so proud of myself for giving life to this wonderful, sweet, little light.
And well, you know, I'm not trying to be a party pooper but everyone only really talks about all of the amazing parts of having a baby. You hear about the happy moments, sometimes even the touching moments, but no one mentions the uhhhh... not so pretty parts of motherhood.
It's true, life isn't all rainbows and butterflies after giving birth - contrary to popular belief. No one mentions that:
1. Your stomach turns into a pillow - I had high hopes that my tummy would bounce back from being stretched out enough to hold a volleyball sized baby to a flat and toned little tummy, but then I woke up from that dream and saw my stretch marks and my giant belly. Not everyone is as unlucky as me, but it's totally normal to have a flabby belly after giving birth.
Honestly, I'm 8 months out and just now starting to feel like I really need to do something about it - i.e. exercise more enthusiastically. Some people are more gung-ho about getting back into shape and those are the people that likely bounce back a little easier. With that said, embrace your extra fluff while also working on your fitness and maybe take a minute or two to cuddle that baby - there's nothing wrong with some curves and the stretch marks will fade, babies don't keep - after all.
2. You're, uhhh, going to be a little damp - Well, honey, I've got some news, you thought that crazy amount of discharge was going to stop when you had your baby - wrong! And... I mean, eventually and unapologetically your pesky Aunt Flo will be paying you a visit again sometime - that's just mother nature for you.
Luckily, U by Kotex Fitness Tampons, Pads, and Panty Liners are a thing - so you're saved! Whether you need protection while toning your core during yoga class or you plan on running a marathon, U by Kotex Fitness are made to fit and form with your body and provide comfortable protection for your busy self.
That's right, you don't have to worry about any nonsense - U by Kotex & Walgreens have you covered! Plus, I have your back - use this rebate offer & save on these postpartum (and all the time) essentials!
3. Watch out... Here comes Big foot! - Yes, mama, I'm talking about you! Okay, well maybe not really but... if you're a shoe hoarder like me you may want to start destashing on ebay while you're pregnant. It's a sad but true fact, your foot grows while you are pregnant and it doesn't shrink back - much like your stomach. The good news is, you now have something to look forward to - shoe shopping!
4. Sleeping in a Pool - This sounds like a luxury vacation... right? WRONG! Another odd but true thing your body does postpartum is sweat profusely at night. I can remember waking up drenched and wondering what had happened, I was cold, I slept without blankets, and still - covered in sweat. It's actually your body ridding itself of all those amazing hormones that helped create your baby... but it's disgusting and you'll probably want a couple of changes of sheets so you don't have to sleep in your own sweat again and again.
5. Go ahead and Start Calling yourself Betsy - If you're breastfeeding that is definitely going to feel like your new name and you'll practically feel like you have udders too. Breastfeeding is such a rewarding part of motherhood but it's not an easy task. At first it hurts... and don't let anyone tell you any differently. Then it's constant, like almost 24/7. You'll want to give up... and it's totally okay if you do - fed is best, after all...then there's always the possibility of engorgement or mastitisis.
But that's all worth it for the benefits of breastfeeding, in my opinion... and the good news is, it all gets better and easier.
6. Want a new hairstyle? Well, you're going to get one. I've always had SUPER thick hair, never had a worry in the world... then I had D. Now my hair is thin, stringy, and gets greasy easier... and somehow lost some of its natural curl. Hair loss is a horrible part of postpartum that I absolutely thought wouldn't effect me... but it did. Oh and did I mention you'll have some hair growth in places you never have before, thanks to those totally awesome fluctuating hormone levels.
7. Party time on the Potty - Well, it's really the opposite of a party... but I wanted it to sound fun. Your first postpartum bowel movement after having your baby will be uncomfortable, to be frank. I was terrified, maybe even more intimidated than I was to give birth. Turns out, I really didn't have much to be scared of. But trust me, you'll be intimidated to poop after having your baby... even if you went while giving birth, which if you didn't know - $h*t happens all the time during child birth and it's totally normal. Oh... and I'm a person that prior to having a baby never even admitted to tooting, now look at me writing about bowel movements on my blog - so I guess you could say your comfort level regarding things like this will likely change as well.
8. Be mindful of postpartum depression and anxiety - Speaking of comfort levels, be aware that postpartum depression & anxiety are both very real. Be careful of the thoughts you choose to focus on and seek help if you are feeling desperate or especially uneasy.
While I luckily didn't really seem to suffer from postpartum depression or anxiety, I've experienced both in my life time and never want anyone to feel that discomfort. While neither condition is preventable, I suggest you take some time and do something for yourself every once in a while, make sure you seek support from your spouse, your family, and your friends, and just try and live in the moment.
9. It's time to discover your new skin - That's right even your skin changes. If you developed stretch marks, those are definitely a huge change so I'm sure you know what I mean. What you don't know is that your skin will likely react differently to your favorite lotion, it may burn easier in the sun, and your skin care routine may need to even be changed to give you the best glow you can get.
10. No longer you - Another thing that no one mentions is you literally are no longer who you used to be. You are "mom" and while that title is a huge honor, it also means you are no longer just living for you. Your life is now ran by a tiny milk-loving dictator and that means you're in for one crazy, sweet, wild, enjoyable ride.
With all of that said, there's one other thing no one mentions... that's the highs. The heights your emotions will reach from watching your child grow and learn. The first time you see your child smile, the first time you hear the word mama, those first tumbling steps towards you... and your heart will swell with a level of joy and pride you've never even dreamed of feeling before, and that... that is what makes it all worth it. That is what motherhood is all about.
Thanks to Kay Jewelers for sponsoring today's post, regardless all opinions expressed below are completely my own.
Believe it or not, Mother's Day is just around the corner...
The day when we celebrate all the wonderful things our mamas do for us. From holding us on their hips, to cleaning faces with their freshly licked thumbs, to creating an epic last minute diorama for a school project the night before it's due, mamas are the perfect mixture of nurturing and helpful. Basically, we are all super heroes - but we run on little-to-no sleep, just try to do our best, and love our kids fiercely. That's why all mamas deserve to be celebrated... Can I get an amen?!
I'm pretty excited to be celebrating my first Mother's Day with Delainey... and I'm ecstatic because I get to spend the day with my mother as well! While I'm still learning the ropes and adjusting to my new "super hero" life as a mother, I'm lucky enough to have my best friend to coach me through it all.
It's funny, our relationship has gone through so much - from her being my entertainment committee when I was a kiddo, to my favorite person to share clothing with during my teen years, and now, well now, she's a friend - my best friend. The bond a mother and daughter share is unlike any other and I feel that way with Delainey and I'm certain my mama feels that way about me (and my sister).
While I plan on spoiling my mama, I was still on the fence about what to get her. Are you in the same boat? If so, here are 4 different items from Kay Jewelers that I bet your mama has on her wish list:
1. From accessories to outfits, we all know your mama always has the most beautiful items, but one thing she needs (and every other mama in the world needs) is Diamond Solitaire Earrings from Kay Jewelers. These timeless beauties are the perfect addition for every mama's accessories collection and every mama I know would go absolutely gaga if she was given a pair of these earrings on Mother's Day.
2. If anyone loves rings, it's my mama... but I know she's not the only one! Is your mama a ring lover as well? Then I'm certain she would love to have this Open Hearts Ring. It's not only beautiful, the design represents giving and receiving love and having an open heart, the perfect representation of motherhood.
3. When you see a piece of jewelry and it takes your breath away, I think it's meant to be your Mother's Day present... right? This Diamonds in Rhythm bracelet is gorgeous and so perfect for any mama, but this is what I have on the top of my Mother's Day wish list. The whole Diamond in Rhythm collection is really on my list--actually, the diamonds are made to be captivating from any angle... which means myself and other new mamas can be chasing after our toddlers and catch a glimpse of these as we are grabbing their precious little hands and be reminded that we are loved and appreciated.
4. Last but not least, we all know the way to a mama's heart is her kids - that's why this key necklace is the perfect gift for your mom on Mother's Day. If you're a dad or son trying to find the perfect present, you've unlocked the answer with this Diamonds in Rhythm Heart Key Pendant Necklace.
Showing appreciation on Mother's Day is what the day really is all about and these are just a few beautiful options offered at Kay Jewelers that will make your mama smile. Do you want to get your mom something beautiful and meaningful for Mother's Day? Check out the Kay Jewelers and find the perfect present for your mom.
