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

Loving Every Little Thing

Thank you Carter's for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

I remember every minute of my pregnancy with Oaklyn. I remember the restless leg syndrome, the first kick, decorating the nursery, buying her first dress, every ultrasound, the heartburn... ohhh the heartburn! I also remember all the nights I couldn't fall asleep because of the anxious anticipation of her arrival. No one prepares you for what's to come once the bump turns into a bundle of joy. No one can prepare you for the new forms of emotional and physical exhaustion that come from parenting. The thought of that overwhelmed me and consumed me. The day I had Oaklyn, a wave of fear had swept over my entire being and suddenly I felt like the captain of a sinking ship. To be honest, the whole first year felt that way for me. I am so glad I took so many pictures of her, otherwise the whole year would forever remain as a cloudy blur to me.

When I found out I was pregnant with Cambria, I immediately knew that I wanted to do everything possible to enjoy the first year instead of jumping aboard that sinking ship again... There are so many amazing firsts that happen in the first year. From taking a bath to eating solid foods, and rolling over to pulling up onto furniture, every day is an adventure. I wanted so badly to be present during Cambria's first year and I desperately wanted to love every moment. I wanted to love the way she smelled after a bath and snuggle with her in a soft blankie. I wanted to enjoy the newborn sneezes and feel joy at the first belly laugh. More than anything, I just wanted to remember that it all goes by so incredibly fast so every moment is worth cherishing. So many people told me that same thing when I had Oaklyn, but it took me experiencing it to understand.

When I started going through all the old clothes we would be passing on to Cambria, I quickly discovered we needed A LOT more of the basics. All of the white onesies and neutral colored pants of Oaklyn's were clearly used the most. The fluffy dresses and cute rompers were always fun, but I knew immediately a trip to Carter's was in order to grab some darling pieces from the Little Baby Basics Collection. Carter's makes cute and comfy pieces for newborns and babies from sizes preemie to 24 months! I've heard form several different people that Carter's is one of the only places that actually carries preemie sized clothing too! I learned pretty quickly with Oaklyn that quality clothing is very necessary. It'll be used a ton and you want your baby to feel comfortable in it. Clothing from the Little Baby Basics line is soft, hold up during all of baby's adventures, and the prices are just right. 

When it comes to the basics, here are my favorites! First up is the bodysuit! Otherwise known as the onesie. Or, basically all babies wear in the first year, ha. It’s the ultimate basic for wearing by itself or layering under other outfits. They have expandable shoulders and snaps made to last. I also really love the easy outfit sets. It helps build baby's wardrobe with different pieces that all match! The tees also have expandable shoulders and the pants have a soft elastic waist. And lastly, I love all the bundles! They make it so easy to give shower gifts, and for mom to buy several pieces at once. You really can't go wrong with this line, so make sure to stop in to your nearest Carter's asap or check out the selection online! You can even get 20% off $40+ now through June 30th with code CART4342 online or 066944 in store!

From one mom to another, spend less time worrying and more time cherishing during the first year. By shopping the Little Baby Basics collection, you'll be able to spend more time loving every little thing and less time trying to figure out which baby clothes to get ;)

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

2

A Special First Easter Basket For Baby

I'm obsessed with holidays. And that's an understatement haha. I love celebrating holidays to the max and making them special for my family. It's so fun to start traditions early so your family has something to look forward to throughout the year. With Easter quickly approaching, I have my mind racing with ideas to make the day special and fun for my kiddos! This will be Oaklyn's third Easter, so by this point she kind of knows what to expect... But, it's Cambria's first Easter and I can't wait to give her her little baby basket! Oaklyn will get toddler appropriate toys and a few candies, but Cambria's basket is totally baby friendly thanks to GERBER® Puffs, Lil’ Crunchies, and Yogurt Melts!

Cambria is already such a great eater. She has nursed like a champ right from the start, but I followed her cues recently and let her try out some food. She already has the hang of chewing and got the hang of puffs really easily! They are easy to break down and are the perfect size for tiny mouths. I also love introducing puffs early on because snacking smart with Gerber encourages healthy eating patterns from a young age while the taste and variety keep babies happy! Did you know that little ones from the ages of 8-24 months get 25-30 percent of their daily calories just from snacks?? I love offering Cambria snacks throughout the day as an activity. We found a huge variety of Gerber snacks in their pretty blue packaging at our local Walmart. Before heading out to grab some for your baby, check out this coupon! 

Gerber has several different snacks for babies and we recently tried the Yogurt melts which were a HUGE hit! Even at three years old, Oaklyn is obsessed with them! I have to admit that I even like to sneak a few here and there, they really are yummy! Gerber snacks make a nutritious alternative to chocolate and candy for your Easter and holiday baskets which means they are perfect to stuff into eggs! When Oaklyn was only 14 months old, we did an Easter egg hunt with some friends. One of the moms was brilliant and stuffed some eggs for the babies with tiny little snacks. I'm definitely going to be sticking yogurt melts and puffs in eggs for Cammy! 

To add in a little savory taste, we added Lil' Crunchies and I have a feeling they are also going to be a big hit! 1/3 of 8-24 month olds are not eating whole grains on a given day, but it is easy to meet that with Gerber snacks! I'm sure your baby will love them! So, if you have a little one this year that might not be quite old enough to fully understand the holiday, you can at least have fun with making a baby approved Easter basket. Skip the toys that your baby doesn't even know how to play with yet and just go with the snacks you know he or she will eat! Gerber offers nutritious snacks with good for you ingredients like whole grains, real fruit and yogurt, with no added bad stuff (no artificial flavors/no synthetic colors). Not only will your baby enjoy the basket, but you will have peace of mind giving them snacks to encourage healthy eating patterns! 

Whether this is your first baby or your last, make this Easter a blast with Gerber snacks!

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

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

0

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 

0

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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Making the Toddler Bed Transition Smooth For Mom

We recently transitioned Oaklyn to a toddler bed in preparation of the new little girl that is joining our family very soon.

I was actually terrified to switch Oaklyn over because we had such a good thing going already with her in the crib and I really didn't want to mess that up.

She hadn't learned how to climb out, she slept great, and sleeping is something that is reallyy important to me.

Whether it be naps or night time sleep, we both really need that time away from each other to feel refreshed haha.

Especially with a new baby on the way, I really didn't want to mess that up!

However, I knew the transition would have to happen at some point so I thought I might as well do it before the new baby needs the crib. 

I was so stuck on when to actually do the transition because Oaklyn had to have eye surgery at the end of June.

I really didn't want to do it before because I was scared she would regress with the pain of the eye surgery and I didn't want to do it right after because I wanted her to comfortably be able to sleep in her crib.

Turns out the surgery didn't really impact sleeping much so we waited about 2 weeks after and decided to go for it.

I overthink just about everything so as Hunter was moving the crib over to the nursery and setting Oaklyn's new little toddler bed in place I felt sick to my stomach.

"What if we don't sleep at all tonight, what if this means naps are no more, what if she hates it..."

Nighttime came and she clung to Hunter like her life depended on it when he tried to put her in bed.

She screamed for an hour about how she didn't want to go in the big girl bed ha.

I finally was able to get her in bed and she began whining the second I closed the door.

I felt so bad for her!

It was honestly such a scary transition for her and I was so prepared to just bring the crib back in her room haha.

Hunter let me know that she would be okay and I that made me feel a little better, but honestly, what made me feel the best was having our Project Nursery Video Monitor to be able to check in and make sure she was okay. 

My eyes were glued to the screen as I was able to watch her get comfortable and finally fall asleep.

I never had a monitor, nonetheless a video monitor, when she was a baby and I loved being able to have it during this transition. 

It made me feel so much better being able to watch her and make sure she was okay. 

I was able to see if she rolled off the bed, if she didn't seem comfortable, if she looked scared, and if she had gotten out.

I honestly think having a video monitor has been key for me as the mom in this transition.

It has made it so much smoother for me to see her and not have to walk in and wake her up.

This monitor also has the option for me to talk to her and let her know she's okay if she's having a hard night, without actually going in there. 

There's also a fun setting where you can turn on lullabies and Oaklyn loves it!

I've also loved that it tells me the temperature because this summer has been SO hot!

It helps Hunter and I determine if we need to turn the air cooler or warmer for her comfort. 

Overall, I have been SO pleased with this monitor and I'm just so glad we've had it during this transition.

It has honestly made all the difference for me!

I love that I can sit and work during nap time and just look down and make sure she's okay, and I love that I can easily check on her right before I go to bed at night. 

I'll be talking more a little later on my tips for a smooth toddler bed transition, but for now I'll say that having this monitor is definitely a tip that will help out!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

Thank you to Project Nursery for sponsoring this post!

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Why I Chose the Chicco KeyFit 30 Magic For Baby C

*Thank you to Chicco for sponsoring this post

Oh baby gear, there's just so much of it out there!

Strollers, swings, car seats, carriers, swaddles, toys, clothes, diaper bags... it's seriously overwhelming to a newly pregnant mama.

Or at least it was for me...

When I found out I was pregnant with Oaklyn, I was honestly clueless as to what we actually needed and what was worth it to save and splurge on.

I remember taking out my laptop and searching "what do I need for my baby?"

That almost overwhelmed me more because I realized how much we needed and even worse, how much it would cost!

Needless to say, I closed my laptop and decided I would figure it out later.

One thing I truly believe is worth splurging on, is the car seat. 

A car seat needs to do its job and keep your baby safe.

I had no idea what type of car seat to get with Oaklyn so we just settled for a travel system that was on sale and called it good.

That was my first big mistake in motherhood haha!

I should have read the reviews, gone to a store to test it out, heard what car seat techs have to say, and maybe spent less on clothes so we could get a better car seat ha.

The one we got was a huge pain to install, never felt secure when installed, the straps always got twisted, and to be honest... was not the safest.

This time around we decided that the old car seat was one thing not worth saving.

We threw it out and did some research on getting a newer, safer one.

I was looking at a few well known brands and just couldn't get past the fact that the Chicco KeyFit 30 had the absolute best reviews.

I also went into my favorite local baby store and asked them a few questions and they told me they always recommend this car seat.

So... what's so great about it??

Well, it's the #1-rated infant car seat in America.

So, that for starters is always good to hear!

It has also been voted as the easiest car seat to install which is a huge selling point for Hunter since he usually does the car seat transferring haha. 

It Features ReclineSure® Spring-Loaded Leveling System and dual RideRight® bubble level indicators for an accurate fit. 

When the car seat is properly positioned, SuperCinch® LATCH Tightener uses force-multiplying technology to achieve a super tight fit with a fraction of the effort!

The KeyFit® 30 Magic is designed to hold babies from 4 to 30 lbs and has a reversible infant insert that is both breathable mesh and soft fabric for babies 4-11lbs. 

A large canopy with a zip-out, mesh extension allows gentle breezes to pass through which I thought was SO cool!

This is actually one of the differences between the regular KeyFit 30 and the Magic.

I love that the canopy extends further for extra shade. 

The magic also comes with the all-weather boot which easily folds open to give parents convenient, full-access to both baby and harness. It is also easily removable when you don't need it.

It has energy-absorbing EPS foam lining, a 5-point harness, and reversible infant insert which creates both a comfortable and safe place for your baby.

Because I want this review to be completely honest, I will say we have not actually used this car seat yet.

Baby C isn't going to be here for a couple more weeks so I haven't been able to actually use it on an infant, but just from having it in my hands and checking out all the features, I'm positive it is a million times better than the car seat we had with Oaklyn. 

Also, we tested it out with Oaklyn's (very well loved) teddy bear and loved the fit!

It is incredibly easy to remove from and insert into the base, weighs enough that I feel my baby will be safe in the event of an accident, yet is also light enough for me to carry, and I love the look of it!

We have the NextFit Zip for Oaklyn and have loved it so much that I knew we would become longtime Chicco users.

When searching for a car seat, I highly suggest looking into all it offers.

Car seat safety is HUGE so do yourself a favor and get this car seat next time around :)

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

Click here to look more at the Chicco KeyFit 30 Magic and Click Here for the rest of their infant seats

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