GIRL NUMBER THREE!

Thank you to Sneak Peek for sponsoring this post.

 Can you believe it?? We're having another girl!

Honestly, I can totally believe it... but for some reason reading the results still took me by surprise! We are thrilled to be adding another little girl into our family! And, if you've seen the video of us telling the girls, you know they're beyond excited! Having girls feels so natural to us and honestly, I hardly have to do anything to prepare, ha! Another girl will fit so easily into our family. For whatever reason though, from the moment I saw the positive pregnancy test, I thought we were having a boy. If I'm being honest, I really had to mentally prepare for that. Having two girly girls feels really natural to me. Over time I mentally prepared to have a boy and started to warm up to the idea of a little Hunter running around. Then, came the ring test... Have you heard of this? If not, look it up on Google. Basically if you hold your ring over your hand with a piece of hair or string, it'll either move back and forth or move in a circle and that supposedly tells you the genders of your children and how many you will have. This test appeared to be accurate for every person we tried it on. My test said this baby would be a boy. So, here I was thinking we'd be welcoming a little boy into our family. I got super anxious and wanted to really actually start preparing if it were a boy because hello, we have ZERO baby boy things! Need dresses, hair bows, barbies, and pink nursery decor... I got you! But boy stuff... I have none of that. So I desperately wanted to find out the gender of this child, and fast! That's when I heard about Sneak Peek...

I have a few friends that have done Sneak Peek so I was really interested in it. The more I read, the more I really wanted tot try it! Sneak Peek is the only at-home early gender DNA blood test with results that are 99.1% accurate. It can also be taken as early as 8 weeks into pregnancy! Can you believe that?? You can now find out the gender of your baby at 8 weeks! That is 12 weeks earlier than the anatomy scan. Sneak Peek is also the safest, earliest, most accurate way to determine your baby's gender. 

I received my test in the mail and was so excited to take it. I had my mom help me because blood often makes me feel a little queasy. Luckily, my mom was super calm and helpful and it literally took us like 20 minutes. The instructions were very straight forward and I was surprised at how easy it was. You don't want male DNA to come in contact with the test so we had my dad stay downstairs and I used disinfectant  spray on the entire bathroom... I may have sprayed my moms hand after she touched her phone too... haha sorry mom. Once you mail the test back you can find out the results as fast as 72 hours after! I was alone when I opened the email and I was literally shocked! I told Hunter and he was soo excited. When I called my mom to tell her we both felt like we should go get an ultrasound just to make sure. I found a place that would take me the next day and sure enough, after looking for like 30 seconds, she confirmed that we are having a little girl! Once I received both results I felt like I could finally breathe and start really feeling excited about another girl. We're 98% sure we have her name already picked out and each passing day I get even more excited to see my three girls together. 💗💗💗

I would totally recommend doing the Sneak Peek test if you are wanting to find out the gender of your baby early. They ship everywhere in the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK. If you are wanting to try the test you can use code SPINOV11 for $10 off the standard test or $20 off the FastTrack test. The code is valid the whole month of November!

If you have any questions feel free to ask me! 

All my love

-Aleigh Joy

2

PPD Round Two

I've been meaning to write this post for some time now but couldn't seem to find the time to write it. #momlife. I've been asked several times if I went through PPD again this time. The short answer is no, not nearly anything like I did after having Oaklyn. But, I did have some form of baby blues and anxiety this time. It was short but it was still heavy. I thought I'd talk about what I did different this time and how it all went down quite a bit differently. This is a really personal topic, but I strongly believe it needs to be talked about more. I talked about this on my blog a few years ago, but I suffered from PPD really badly after having Oaklyn. The whole experience rocked my world and completely caught me off guard. While I had definitely felt upset and had low points before, I had never experienced something so life changing before. I remember feeling almost paralyzed from such intense feelings of failure, sadness, anxiety, anger, and loneliness. I honestly felt like I had no control over my emotions and thoughts which lead to feeling like I had no control over my life. I didn't connect well with my baby, the people around me, even my husband anymore! It completely took over my life and I felt consumed in a really dark cloud that could not be lifted. I knew it was really bad when I woke up from an awful dream and hoped that I would just die. I didn't have it in me to actually take my life, so I had hoped that somehow, it would just be taken from me. I actually remember praying that I would get in a car crash or something and that everyone would be okay except me. To me, it felt like everyone's lives would be better without me in them. Just so you know, I know how awful all that is. I know it's not true. I know how hard that is to read for some people... but I know better now and I hope that talking about the depths of those feelings I had will only help someone else know they aren't alone... Because of pride mostly, I chose to endure this awful time unmedicated. I kept thinking I could do it on my own. So here's my first piece of advice, please don't try to do it alone. There are so many resources out there! Take it from me who suffered through PPD severely for about 10 months... it's not worth it to live a life that you feel is worthless. If it takes medication or a therapist or whatever else, it's worth it. 

Okay back to it... So, when I found out I was pregnant with Cam, one of my first thoughts was PPD. It completely terrified me thinking I had to go through it again. I spent most of my pregnancy hoping this baby would never come out. I was THAT scared. I was honestly dreading the arrival of this baby. I started putting the nursery together extremely late, I put off washing all the newborn clothes, and I packed my hospital bag the night before being induced... You guys, I was seriously sick to my stomach over going through all I went through with Oaklyn. It. Was. Miserable. I did my research this time on ways to prevent it, I invested in a few things I hoped would help ease my anxiety, and I prayed continuously that I would have a different experience this time around. The night before, I felt a weird amount of peace. I laid down for bed, put my hands on my tummy, and started to talk to this baby I was about to meet. I told her I loved her and apologized that I might be a little crazy at first. I told her I would love her like crazy but that I would probably make mistakes... More than anything, I think I was talking to myself trying assure myself that it would all be okay. 

The next morning I woke up with a bundle of nerves. Yes, I was nervous about the labor and delivery part... but I was mainly worried about how I would feel after it was all said and done. I honestly felt like I was just getting myself back before getting pregnant. I didn't want to entirely lose myself again. I will forever be grateful that I decided to deliver at a completely different hospital than I did with Oaklyn because it was a fresh start. I didn't want to be thinking about the way I felt in the hospital the first time around. I didn't want my previous negative experience to affect my second birth. You guys, that was such a great decision! I loved my doctor with Oaklyn, but chose a different one this time because I wanted a different hospital. I delivered at Orem Community and it was all around a wonderful experience but here's what made the biggest differences for me... 1) I insisted on keeping the curtains open. I wanted to let as much light in as possible. Having the sunshine let into my room created a really happy environment for me. 2) Everyone in the room stayed calm. Hunter was encouraging, my nurse and doctor were awesome, and my sister calmly watched and took photos after. It was honestly perfect for me. 3) Family and friends came to visit almost immediately after she was born. Having that company there was so good for me. It made me feel so much less alone and I really felt the love and support I needed. 4) I brought a comfy robe to change into. The day after her birth, I wore a floral robe, took a shower, and put on some mascara. I couldn't believe how much good it did to just take care of myself a little. 5) I took advantage of the nursery. With Oaklyn, I refused it. I felt like I was a bad mom if I had them take her. It was hard to let them take cam because those feelings crept back in, but I got three straight hours of incredibly needed sleep and that helped rejuvenate me to be a better mom for her. 

The first week was mostly wonderful. Cam was the dreamiest little newborn, my mom was there to help with anything I needed, Hunter was home quite a bit, and I was just able to ease into life with two. However, one afternoon the flood gates opened and I was so frightened by it I felt like I was drowning. Mom, don't get mad at me for not telling you about this part... I didn't want to scare you ha. Cam had an appointment to get her bilirubin levels tested. The hospital was right by a cool park so my mom took Oaklyn and I took Cam. The second my mom and Oaks left I had a meltdown. I sobbed on my way to the hospital and could not get myself under control. I missed Oaklyn, I missed my body, I felt frantic about totally random things... suddenly I was so nervous that the awful post partum depression was back. I texted Hunter and let him know how I was feeling so he was aware. He was awesome and supportive and that helped tons. But, I just couldn't convince myself I was okay. I choked back tears the entire time I was at the hospital. Cam was being an angel and really nothing should have been upsetting to me, but I felt the opposite. That is what PPD and PPA is... it's having absolutely no control over your thoughts or emotions and it is completely awful. I picked up my mom and Oaklyn and the rest of the afternoon was going well. My mom had to leave to meet with a client she had in the area and we all tried to nap. Hunter was holding cam, oaks was asleep, and there I was, sobbing about who knows what? Hunter was a champ and just talked me through it. He held me and did everything he could to make sure I was okay. More than anything I just felt so disappointed. I totally thought that this time would be different and there I was feeling helpless and overwhelmed all over again. Hunter and I both thought it was a good idea for me to see my doctor and discuss medication and just knowing that was an option gave me a moment of peace. I was able to get a little sleep and woke up with hope. The next week or so went a million times better. I was so much less emotional and I was getting good amounts of sleep. I started to feel like maybe I was in the clear again. 

After my mother in law left, I was completely on my own. Hunter worked two jobs and went to school full time and was pretty much gone from 7am-11pm every night. I felt SO alone. I was impatient with Oaklyn, I was tired, I was overwhelmed, I felt hopeless and helpless and suddenly it all surfaced again. I was hardly getting sleep because my anxiety was taking complete control of my body and I just wanted to run away from all of this and never look back. If you read my post about PPD after Oaklyn, you might remember something Hunter had told me one night when the depression and anxiety were at an all time high... He told me that I just needed to accept the trial. That I needed to stop trying to push it out of my life and feel sorry for myself, instead I needed to embrace it. Part of embracing it was praying and asking the Lord to help me through it. If it wasn't time for Him to take it away, then I just needed His help to get me through it. In this moment the second time around, of feeling lost and broken, I pleaded with my Heavenly Father that He would get me through it all in one piece. That I would figure out how to gain even a little bit of control over all of this, and that I would feel strong and able. The next few days got gradually better as I truly looked for ways to make my life feel normal again. And I think that's the biggest difference I made this time around. Instead of trying to act like it wasn't there when it clearly was, I chose to recognize it, live with it, and change it. The first time around I bottled up all of the feelings and unwanted emotion which caused an unhealthy amount of pent up sadness, anger, and anxiety that would all release really heavy when I didn't expect it. This time, I decided to keep working on blog stuff because that helps give me feelings of purpose. This is a weird one... but I decided to shower at night again like I used to. I always felt like I didn't have time to at night and I was so tired that I just stopped doing it even though I loved it. So, I made that a priority again. I got ready every morning even if that took sticking oaks in front of the tv and wrapping cam on my chest... I got ready and in turn felt ready for whatever life through my way. I went on a walk every single day. Whether it was short or long, I went. I needed that sunshine and fresh air desperately. I napped when my girls napped. I insisted that once a day, they would nap at the same time so I could nap. I tried not to care about things that needed to get done, and instead tried to care about my personal needs. I tidied up every night. Not any major deep cleaning, I just tidied up. That way I woke up to a clean apartment and felt more motivated to make it a good day. I made my bed everyday, because that meant I at least accomplished one thing on my to-do list haha! I made an effort to have a play date with friends once a week so I got girl talk and Oaklyn got to play with friends. I Facetimed and called my mom whenever I wanted because honestly, I just missed her and felt a lot of support and love from her. She always answered and it helped tons since Hunter worked so much. I started working out and eating healthier at the 6 week mark and was so impressed at how much better my mood was. And lastly, I said yes to help SO much more than I ever did with Oaklyn. People wanted to help, so I let them. You guys, I got meals for two entire weeks after my mother in law left because friends just kept asking if they could bring them. It was a lifesaver! All of these things brought my anxiety levels down which helped me to get things done and when I got things done I was less prone to depression.

 I can't even begin to explain how thankful I am that this whole experience went so much more smooth. I absolutely had hard days, I absolutely still do... but I feel like I have such a better handle on it this time around. I also believe that even though I was able to get through it unmedicated, not everyone is. I think we have modern medicine for a reason. If you just don't feel like yourself after having a baby, if you feel more anxious, angry, sad, unmotivated, easily upset, or just simply put unhappy... there is no shame in seeing a doctor to discuss your options. Because guess what, there are options and that is such a huge blessing. PPD/PPA is so common you would be shocked. What isn't common is people being open and honest about it. It does not define you, it does not make you a bad mom, it is nothing to be ashamed of. I want all of you moms out there to remember you're enough. You are more than enough... because you are absolutely everything to them. To those tiny humans you created. I remember looking at Cambria sleeping one day and I thought to myself; "you are, because of me." You are here, you are alive, you are staying alive, because of me. That thought felt equally as terrifying as it was beautiful but I am trying so hard to remember that I am meant to feel joy. These little people demand a lot from us, but they were also sent to us so we can feel joy. I can promise each of you that there is so much joy to be felt and that the storm of anxiety and depression will pass if you let it. If you need support and love surrounding this topic, let me know! I'll make sure you find it.

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

0

Creating A Water Baby

This post was sponsored by SwimWays as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own

Oaklyn was a winter baby. She was born in February and I knew that we still had some cold Utah months ahead of us, but my heart ached for summer days outside. I hated being cooped up all day and craved sunshine. When summer arrived, I was SO excited to take Oaklyn swimming for the first time. (Learn more about teaching your little one to swim on the Tach Me To Swim website.) I bought her a cute little bathing suit, made sure she had a swim diaper, packed the towels and snacks... I mean seriously, I thought it was going to be the best day ever. Oaklyn really liked her baths so I thought for sure she would love the pool. Turns out... she hated it. She stuck her little legs up when we tried to dip her in, she cried even if we held her, she hated the water hitting her face, the bathing suit kept falling down, and I was so sad! However, I should have stuck with it and continued to expose her to water. Instead, I just assumed she hated swimming and we hardly went the rest of the summer even though I LOVE swimming. 

Growing up, we swam a ton! My parents put us in swim lessons early on to ensure we were safe around large bodies of water and then we spent tons of time on different vacations where swimming was always on the agenda. We went to Palm Springs, Las Vegas, Hawaii, beaches in the South of France... I remember spending tons of time in the water. I was so bummed when I thought Oaklyn didn't love water as much as I did. After that summer, it took several other trial runs to get Oaks to like being around the water. She still pretty much hates when it is in her face and I had to bribe her to play in the splash pad last summer... but we have definitely made progress.

I decided that I wanted to expose Cam to water in a positive way early on. We started with baths in a baby bather, moved to sink baths, and also let her play in the big bath. I always smile at her and show her how to splash and she just loves it. With summer on the way, I knew it was time to start introducing her to the pool. I wanted to create a positive water introduction experience with her and started trying to find ways that would help excite her. I knew I had found baby gold when I saw the SwimWays Infant Baby Spring Float. Not only is SwimWays an industry leader in helping children learn to swim, but they also promote water safety. The Infant Baby Spring Float is the most creative baby float I have seen yet. It has a sun canopy, it is fabric-covered, has a soft seat that cradles baby, and a 3-point harness to keep baby secure. To make mothers even more comfortable with bringing their babies into the pool, there are additional security features that include dual inflation chambers, child safety valves, and a wide base with an inner spring around the outside edge of the float for stability. I tried not to get my hopes up, but with this float, I was almost positive Cambria would have a really great experience. 

So, we loaded up the girls and took them to the pool with everything but the kitchen sink in the stroller... #momlife. I got the SwimWays Infant Baby Spring Float all set up and was shocked how easy it was. Then, it was go time. I got Cam in her little bathing suit and we stuck the float in the water. I passed her off to Hunter who securely buckled her in and she was in heaven. She sat back and lounged while loving looking all around. She was also shaded by the removable and adjustable canopy with UPF 50+ sun protection. But the best part, was that I was having fun too! The float has built-in handles making it possible for me to swim and enjoy myself while also knowing she was secure and safe. Once Cam found the water with her feet, she was loving splashing and moving all around the pool. I didn't hear her cry once even though it was past her nap time. Not only did I have a great experience, but I know Cam did too! I was so excited to have the SwimWays Infant Baby Spring Float because I know it was key in helping create my little water baby. Now I'm so excited for summer and all the pool days we have ahead of us!

Where is your family swimming this year? Backyard, beach, community pool, lake, or a vacation?

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

0

Save Some Money On Your Favorite Baby Products With Parents Choice

This post is sponsored by Walmart. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone. #ad #walmartbaby

When I had Oaklyn, I only used the expensive brands of pretty much everything baby related because I thought they must be better if they cost more.

I wish I would have known what I know now, because we would've saved ourselves a whole lot more money!

I remember the first time I swayed away from a few of those pricey brands... I was sure it wouldn't go over well.

Like I had said earlier, if it costs more it must be better... right??

WRONG!

One brand that I tried was Parents Choice and I was SO happy that I was able to still get some of the best quality at a fraction of the price!

It felt so refreshing to know that I would be saving money for our family while still getting exceptional products for my little baby.

By using the Parents Choice brand, I realized I had more money to use in other areas of our lives such as going out for date nights, doing activities as a family, and getting a mid day treat with my little one!

Parents Choice is a line with over 275 different products from bedding to diapers, and wipes to baby snacks. 

Parents choice is new and improved and I can assure you, it is as good - if not better - than those top brands you've been using.

A few of my favorite Parents Choice products come from their line of bedding.

I love options, and they have plenty!

The line includes receiving blankets, crib sheets, changing pads, baby blankets, and nursery sets that are all made with super soft materials and come in trendy patterns!

My sweet little Oaklyn had a problem almost right from the start with wetting through her diapers at night.

We tried all different types of diapers and nothing seemed to help the situation. 

With that being said, I needed to have several different crib sheets on hand at all times to ensure she always had a clean one when the others were being washed. 

All items in the Parents Choice line are priced at $40 or less with majority being priced at less than $13!!

That meant I could easily stock up on sheets without a worry.

I was able to find several different styles that matched or complimented her nursery.

I loved that there were so many options between nine coordinating colors so I could mix and match to create a customized look for my baby. 

Now that I'm on my second baby with plans to have more, I'll definitely be shopping the Parents Choice brand more often! 

I also love the receiving blankets for tummy time. 

They are soft and lightweight which are perfect for her to lay on, roll on, or use in the carseat. 

I chose a neutral pattern and color scheme to match any outfit.

So now you all know one of my best kept secrets ;)

Okay, so it's really not a secret at all that I'm a total bargain shopper.

I love getting the most bang for my buck!
I also love that I have the option of heading to my local Walmart to shop the Parents Choice brand, or I can stay in my jammies and have everything shipped right to my door!
How else do you save money on baby items??
I'd love to hear!

All my love,
Aleigh Joy

1

Holiday Twinning With OshKosh B'Gosh

“This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of OshKosh B’gosh; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.”

You guys, the holidays are HERE! Every year I get so excited on September 1st because fall is the best season of the year and we get to break out my favorite clothing items of the year... sweaters, tights, boots, etc. Then Halloween comes to kick off the festivities and the next day, my mind is in full on Christmas mode! I love Thanksgiving too, but I like to think of it as a pre-Christmas ;) Either way, this time of year is such a fun and special time for everyone. With all the fun get togethers, family pictures, and parties, comes holiday clothes shopping! I stopped into OshKosh B'Gosh this weekend and found SUPER cute matching outfits for the girls! You know how crazy I am about the matching sister thing ;) OshKosh always has such a cute selection of holiday clothes and this year is nothing short of amazing!

From denim to dresses and sweaters to skirts, OshKosh has you covered! I had THE hardest time picking out matching outfits for the girls because I loved everything. Before I left I said to Hunter: "I should be back soon!" HA! Guys, I knew I loved their clothes... but I did not expect to have such a hard time deciding! I had like 5 outfits picked out and different variations of the outfits and couldn't for the life of me decide! I almost just gave up and bought them all haha. Luckily one of the sweet employees helped me pick out the outfits in the pictures and I could not be more excited with how they turned out. Oaks kept twirling and smiling when I got her dressed and she loved matching her little sister. I about died when we put Cambria on her lap and she kissed her little head. Oh man, sisters are SO fun!

I love that OshKosh B'Gosh is my one stop shop for stylish and age appropriate clothes for both girls. As you've seen from my instagram, I have this thing with putting the girls in matching clothes... it's just so cute! Before Cambria was born I had the hardest time finding clothes in both infant and toddler sizes and it made me so sad! You can only imagine how excited I was to walk into OshKosh and see they had all the outfits I wanted not only on crazy sale, but also in both baby and toddler sizes! I loved that they put both sizes right next to each other instead of in different sections of the store because it made it so easy for me to find the right sizes in each style. All my dreams were coming true as I was shopping and picturing the girls matching during all the holiday activities I have planned ;) 

OshKosh is having an amazing sale right now making it so easy to love both your kid's style and the price. All the clothes online and in store are marked down like crazy and on top of that I have a coupon code for you to get another 20% off your purchase of $40 or more! In other words, you'll be getting a steal of a deal! In store just use code: 037264 and online use code: OKBG3418

Another great deal to look out for is the OshKosh Dash in to win sweeps on Black Friday! They will already have amazing deals in store but on top of that, the first 100 people to any store will receive a gift card worth up to $100! Depending on when your local store opens the deal either starts on 11/23 or 11/24. If the store opens on 11/23, the dash in to win is on 11/23. If your store is closed on 11/23, then the dash in to win event is on 11/24. Find your closest store here! 

The last thing I have for all of you is something extra fun to get excited about! I'm giving away a $50 gift card to one of you that can be used in store or online at OshKosh B'Gosh! That way you can get your kiddos ready for the holiday season with all their stylish and age appropriate styles! Leave a comment with your favorite holiday tradition here for one entry and tag friends in my instagram post for even more chances to win!

 Now go ahead and get all your little ones holiday outfits picked out for a GREAT price at OshKosh! And don't forget the matching or coordinating outfits ;) 

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

Cambria's onesie | Cambria's Tulle Dress | Oaklyn's Shirt | Oaklyn's Tulle Dress

7

Cambria's Birth Announcement With Tiny Prints

Thank you so much to Shutterfly for sponsoring this post! All opinions and experiences are mine alone. #partner

When a baby is born, they seem to bless the lives of everyone surrounding them.

They bring so much joy, love, and sweetness into the world with their tiny little bodies, completely dependent on their parents.

A baby is always something to celebrate and I think every parent has the right to show off their beautiful bundle of joy.

For that reason, I absolutely love sending out birth announcements when I have a baby.

It's so fun to celebrate this new little life with friends and family from afar that may not have been able to meet the new addition yet.

Plus, who doesn't love getting something in the mail??

I know I do! Unless it's bills...

Birth announcements double as keepsakes for me as well. 

I know both girls will love seeing them when they're older. 

When I was deciding where to get birth announcements, choosing Tiny Prints was such an easy choice.

They did our Christmas cards last year, and those were my absolute favorite cards we have sent!

They have so many gorgeous options that you just won't find anywhere else.

I loved how sweet and beautiful this design was and I really love the way the gold foil looks in person!

Designing this card exactly how I wanted it was so easy thanks to Tiny Prints!

Their site is super easy to navigate and they give such fun customizable options.

They even printed our return address and the addresses of the recipients for me!

And get this... they even sent the cards for me!

I'm not kidding when I say this was SO easy. Which is pretty much exactly what a new mother needs.

I had a few more cards and envelopes sent to me just in case I ran into someone I forgot about that lives by me and it was super easy to add that on.

I am always so impressed with the convenience of using Tiny Prints. 

Have you sent out birth announcements with your babies?

And aren't you so excited for Christmas card season?!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

0

Life With Two... So far.

This post is somewhat of an update on life and somewhat of a follow up post to this one.

I also haven't blogged like... at all... since Cambria was born so I figured I'd do that ha.

The day Cambria was born I was instantly in love with her. Like smitten, maybe even obsessed? Hunter said recently that Cambria "walks on water" in my eyes because literally everything she does is adorable to me. I was so happy that this time around, the bond was instant. If you've been a reader for a while you know I had pretty severe PPD with Oaklyn and I think that really hindered the bond I had hoped for with her. Luckily it came later and we pretty much became best friends. However, it was so nice to feel the instant connection I had seen so many other moms experience this time around. The hospital was such a dream. She slept in my arms or on my chest the entire time, nursing was fairly easy, I felt mostly calm and relaxed... I couldn't believe how different this experience was. When we got home my mom was there to make dinners, take care of Oaklyn, let me recover, hold the baby while I showered and then my mother in law came the week after to do exactly the same thing. It was wonderful and I even thought to myself, "maybe two kids isn't so hard after all!" 

When both grandmas left, I pretty much became a one man show. Hunter has two jobs and goes to school full time so to be honest, he's not home much... I was tired and some nights were rougher than others, but overall I was shocked at how much smoother the transition from one to two was. Oaklyn was the type of baby that I literally could not put down. So far, Cambria has been a much more mellow baby and that has been a huge blessing. Oaklyn has also gotten a little more used to being home more often. Before Cambria was born, we were only really home to sleep during the night and nap time. Other than that, we were out playing! She loves being active and exploring so I just always had activities planned constantly. With a nursing baby, that became pretty complex. So we're still kind of adjusting to a slower lifestyle. 

As far as sharing the love goes, that has actually been pretty hard for me. I'll be honest in saying I'm not much of a baby person. Generally when babies cry it's a guessing game for me and makes me anxious and nervous. They're sweet and adorable but I'd much rather babysit a 4 year old than a 2 month old. That being said, I can't get enough of Cambria! She gets the hiccups and it's cute, she cries and it's cute, she smiles and my heart could literally burst. It definitely helps that she's such a sweet baby. Unfortunately, Oaklyn is going through a tough age right now and throws tantrum after tantrum all day long. When she's sweet, she's the sweetest. When she's not, well... it drives me nuts. I feel like everything with her is a fight right now and it stretches my patience pretty thin. I feel bad because I have to tend to Oaklyn's constant meltdowns and messes so I feel like I hardly get to hold Cambria. But then I also feel bad because when I am holding Cambria I'm talking to her sweetly and tending to her every need whereas with Oaklyn I expect more of her and get upset when she purposefully acts out. It's a balancing act for sure and while I love them both to pieces, this is just a hard phase. Babies need a lot of constant attention and care, and toddlers need constant stimulation and well, are just a lot for a mom haha. I know that this time is short and they honestly won't even remember it, but I'm always worried they can't feel how much I truly love them both. 

I feel like I get asked quite a bit how the two kid thing is going... and I generally answer with, it's going! I feel like my life is kind of a circus right now and most of that is just where we are in life. Hunter is SO close to graduating and I can't tell you how excited we are for him to be done. No more homework, no more classes, no more group projects... we can't wait! His two jobs also take up a good chunk of time and energy and I'm left feeling exhausted because I'm at home with the kids by myself most days. 

So, if you're nervous to make the transition from one to two kids... In my experience it hasn't been nearly as hard as I thought it would be. It's challenging but motherhood is in general. Getting sleep is hard, doing your hair is hard, and finding time to yourself is hard... but that's just the newborn phase in general. I'll report back when Cambria is sleeping through the night and taking two solid naps a day ;) I'm honestly just trying to figure it all out and hoping I don't totally screw my kids up along the way, ha!

It's still so weird to me to say "my kids" like... I'm a mom. But not just a mom to a kid, but kidS!

Where has the time gone?

Anyways, there's a jumbled post on my thoughts on two, 8 weeks in ha.

I have some other posts that I'm really going to try to work on in the next few weeks that are a little more thought out. 

So please forgive me for my absence in this crazy time of life!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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Prepping For Fall & Winter With Mama & Baby Essentials

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com. All opinions are completely my own. Thank you for your support on behalf of all the brands that keep my blog up and running!

While I've only been at this whole "mom" gig for 2 1/2 years, I will say that in those two and a half years I have definitely tried out my fair share of products for mamas and babes. With my first little girl I think I tried just about every brand of baby products out there because being a first time mom, I only wanted the best for her. Now that I'm on my second, it feels so much more relaxed already knowing what we do and don't love. I'm excited to have partnered up with BabbleBoxx to share some of our favorites with you guys that will surely help during fall and winter. There were plenty of awesome brands to share with you guys included in this box so let's just dive right in!

Osh Kosh B'Gosh Baby Clothes: Right from the start of being parents, Hunter let me know how much he adores baby overalls. Osh Kosh has some of the absolute cutest ones and they're super soft! They're also easy to get on and off because of the buttons along the inside pant seam. The buttons are also super convenient for diaper changes. The set also came with this darling long sleeve onesie that is so girly and cute! Osh Kosh has the cutest selection of both baby clothes and toddler clothes that go up to size 5t! You can get 20% off a $40+ purchase online with code: OKBG3352 and in store with code: 036992.

Mustela Hydra Bébé ® Body Lotion: This natural baby lotion is great for both mom and baby! It is also a best selling product from Mustela. I put lotion on my babies every single night and I love that this one is hypoallergenic, 97% of the ingredients are from natural origin, and it helps preserve baby skin’s cellular richness. It is so nice to know I'm putting pure ingredients on my little newborn as we enter the dry months! You can get 20% off at MUSTELAUSA.com with code: BABBLEBOX17

Boudreaux's Maximum Strength Jar: In my time of being a mom, I have dealt with some seriously rough diaper rashes! Oaklyn has really sensitive skin and just eating something that doesn't sit right with her belly has resulted in a really painful rash. We have loved this brand right from the start! It was actually one of the first rash creams I put on Oaklyn as a tiny newborn. It is pediatrician recommended and made without harsh ingredients. I'm so glad we have this big jar for Cambria! Head to www.buttpaste.com to check it out. 

Vichy– Mineral 89: As a young mom with little kiddos, I don't get much time to myself anymore... but when I do, I make sure to take care of myself. I have always loved different skin care products that help me keep my "youthful glow." I’m really excited about this hyaluronic acid face moisturizer! I wasn't familiar with Vichy products so I did some research on the brand and I'll save you the trouble by letting you know why you need it! All of their products contain mineralizing thermal water from French volcanos! How cool is that?? It strengthens your skin against internal and external aggressors such as pollution and stress. You can get 20% off + FREE Shipping with code: BabbleBoxx. This offer is good from 9/1 – 11/30 2017.

Playtex Nursing Bra: I remember making a list of everything I needed when I was pregnant with my first daughter. I had the usual things like a swing, a diaper bag, clothes, a crib, etc... However, my sister in law brought up how important it is to have an awesome nursing bra! At the time, I totally didn't get why, I mean a bra is a bra right? Wrong! I quickly learned having a comfortable nursing bra is exactly what every new mom needs! This nursing bra from Playtex is so comfortable and has everything a nursing mama needs in a bra. When nursing, your cup size fluctuates a ton! This bra has the ability to span two cup sizes and one band size! It also has front adjustable clasps, a fabric designed to keep you cool and comfortable, plus a wider back and higher sides to keep mama comfortable. 

Mumbrella: Okay this is totally one of those products you wish you would have thought of! Like seriously, how did no one think of this before?? It’s an umbrella that is designed to protect you from rain, sun, and other weather while you push a stroller. It is so cool to be able to have an umbrella that I don't have to hold! It is water resistant and 50UV coated as well! This is one of those things you don't think you need until you're running across the parking lot in a rain storm umbrella-less because while pushing a stroller, you just don't have enough hands! You can use code: BABBLEBOXX for free shipping!

Land's End Diaper Bag: This Land's End Diaper bag is the lightest diaper bag I have ever held! As a mom, that is super important. I always joke that once you become a mom you turn into a pack mule with everything you have to carry, ha! The last thing you need is a heavy bag weighing you down! It has easy access to everything you need to grab, comes with a changing pad, and is durable. It also has an adjustable webbed strap that is designed to loop around a stroller handle! This would be an awesome baby gift for a new mom! 

Which products will you be trying out this fall and winter??

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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Up Your Baby's Sleeping Game With the Ollie World Swaddle!

Hey Everyone!

Since having Cambria, some of my most frequent asked questions are about what baby products I think are must-haves. 

Every single baby out there is different and will like different things, but there are definitely a few products that I will always recommend to people and one of them is The Ollie World Swaddle!

I'm a huge believer in swaddling my babies and I'm obsessed with this one!

Babies, all of them, are born with a startle reflex that can easily wake them up.

Oaklyn had to be swaddled insanely tight when she was a baby or else she would wake up several times a night thanks to this reflex.

Cambria was definitely born with a more mild temperament and probably doesn't "need" to be swaddled like Oaklyn did, but I'm positive it is still one of the main reasons why she is such a good sleeper.

Not only does a swaddle prevent the startle reflex, but it also just keeps your baby nice and cozy. 

I mean think about it, they were in this warm and cozy womb for 9 months and then suddenly they're expected to be okay with learning to fall asleep without that same environment. 

That's why I love swaddling my babies right from the start... it's a nice little transition for them to the real world.

So why did I pick the Ollie World Swaddle over all the others on the market?? 

Well because this one is simply the best, and trust me, I've tried them all!

The Ollie World Swaddle looks like a regular old blanket, only it has velcro to keep it secure.

It is SO easy to use. I literally just stick Cambria in the middle, pull one side over, then the other and boom, she's ready for bed. 

Some of the really cool features of this swaddle are...

 -The patented moisture-wicking threads interwoven into the fabric which reduce the risk of overheating.

-Velcro that helps keep the Ollie secure and allows the fit to be individualized meeting the need and size of each baby as they grow!

- And the opening on the bottom that makes middle of the night diaper changes a breeze. You can also securely close it with the elastic band.

Basically, this swaddle has everything you need and keeps your little one sooo cozy!

The second I put Cammy in her swaddle, she instantly calms down and will just lay there happy as a clam.

Come to think of it, I wish they made them in my size ;)

All my love,

Aleigh Joy 

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Shopping With Two Littles

Friends! I'm here to tell you about a baby MUST HAVE today.

This product is useful no matter how many kids you have, but it has been a lifesaver so far with my two little kiddos!

So, let me paint a scenario in your head for a second...

You have this cute new little baby who fell asleep in her carseat. 

You also have a little two year old who would be a complete nightmare if you let her "walk" alongside you at any store. 

You also only have one cart and somehow have to fit all of your groceries inside that one cart with the carseat and that two year old sitting in the seat of the cart. 

Sounds difficult right? RIGHT!

I was totally the mom who stacked Triscut boxes on top of Oaklyn's car seat when she was tiny haha!

I mean where else would you put them with that huge car seat taking up all the space?

Despite the fact that shopping with kiddos is already less than ideal, it's also challenging trying to figure out where to ya know... put everything!

Insert the Binxy Baby Shopping Cart Hammock!

You guys, I'm not kidding when I say this thing is a MUST for any momma.

It is amazing and a total lifesaver when you are doing your grocery shopping. 

So what exactly is it??

Binxy Baby is a shopping cart hammock for your little one to lounge in while you fill up your grocery cart. 

It has clips that hook onto the rails of the cart which can hold up to 50 pounds!

It has a infant carseat safety strap to keep the carseat secure, or a secure seat harness to keep your little one lounging comfortably and safe. 

It also has 2 layers of fabric to hold in your little one.

I just keep it rolled up in the back seat of my car so I always have it ready when I need it. 

If Cambria is asleep, I just put the entire car seat in the hammock.

If she is awake, I just put her in the hammock and let her look around.

Either way is so simple to use and makes SO much space for groceries in the cart!

Literally everywhere I go, I get stopped by numerous people asking what it is and where they can get one.

It's just THAT much of a necessity!

I highly recommend this product and I know it can change your grocery shopping experience as a mom. 

Check out the Binxy Baby website to find the design that you like best!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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