Making A Goal To Get Outside This Summer

 This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com. All opinions shared are mine alone.

I've always loved being outside. The fresh air, the sunshine on my skin, the cool breeze, the pretty flowers and green trees... I love it all! I grew up with a very active family that loved being outdoors. Several of my childhood memories include hikes, bike rides, and walks/runs. My parents helped create my love for being outdoors really early on. After becoming a mom, I realized just how important being outside is for my mental health. Being out in the fresh air and getting active has really helped me stay sane... haha! Thanks to Babbleboxx, I recently found some awesome products that will help me get outside even more this summer!

First up is the AfterShokz Trekz Air Open-Ear Headphones

Okay you guys, these headphones are seriously incredible! I go running three times a week and I always bring Oaklyn. Music motivates and inspires me to run harder and faster, but I also need to be able to hear Oaklyn. I've tried just keeping my phone in the stroller, having an arm band... nothing has really worked for me until these! With Aftershokz I'm able to enjoy my music without shutting out the world around me. AfterShokz open-ear headphones allow you to hear it all! I'm able to run up-hill listening to my favorite pump up song and hear Oaklyn tell me she needs another snack. One of my favorite parts about Trekz Air is that they are so lightweight, sometimes I even forget I'm wearing them! They are also designed to embrace any elements thrown your way. From rain to dirt, and in my case sweat to front yard sprinklers (ha!) I know they will last through it all. Trust me, you're going to want to check out these amazing headphones and get some for yourself. Check them out by clicking here!

Next Up is Brew Dr. Kombucha

You've probably been hearing about Kombucha all over the place, but what exactly is it? Kombucha is a fermented tea. Dr. Brew kombucha is live and active, 100% RAW and unpasteurized. It is also Non-Alcoholic. Dr. Brew uses a form of non-heat distillation to gently extract the alcohol but keep the goodness. This beverage makes it possible to treat yourself! Clear Mind is their most popular flavor with notes of rosemary and sage. Each herb included has the ability to assist in mental clarity and focus. The strawberry basil flavor is deliciously refreshing and was my personal favorite. It is the perfect refreshing, summer beverage! Find out more about the brand here.

Another favorite is Heliocare® Daily Use Antioxidant Formula

This product is a natural dietary supplement with antioxidant effects on the skin. It is clinically proven and dermatologist-recommended for over 25 years. Heliocare contains Fernblock® PLE Technology, an exclusive and powerful antioxidant extract that is naturally derived from the extract of Polypodium leucotomos (PLE), a tropical fern native to Central and South America that aids in eliminating free radicals to maintain younger-looking, more resilient skin. I'm pretty young, but I definitely could be taking much better care of my skin. Heliocare makes it easy for me to get the skin I've always wanted. These little Capsules are Vegan, Gluten-free, and Free of artificial dyes. The sun can negatively impact your skin, so if you plan on being outside all summer like I am, these are a must! Find out more here.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Next we have Skratch Labs Drink Mixes, Energy Chews, and Energy Bar

Skratch Labs has created a variety of different products to help you recover after working out. Their products are not only tasty, but they are also made with all natural ingredients. Skratch Labs prides themselves in creating products made with only ingredients that will help you perform and feel better. I have found several companies with products that have questionable ingredients. It's refreshing to see that Skratch does not.

I loved the sport hydration drink mix because it did just what it was supposed to for my body. Not only do I work out six times a week, I also nurse my baby three times a day... the combination of the two leaves my body needing to hydrate often. This sports drink is formulated with 800 mg of electrolytes per liter. (twice the level of Gatorade) This is the average amount of salt active people lose when they sweat. The sport recovery drink mix is also great because it helps you recover faster than using carbs or protein alone. The sport energy chews provide a slow drip energy that won't make you crash. The anytime Energy Bar is made with plant based protein and is tasty enough to eat any time of the day! The anytime hydration drink mix is a sports drink for people who hate sports drinks! The electrolyte level is similar to that of national sports drink brands but is made with natural can sugar, real fruit, and nothing artificial. Click here to find out more about these products and receive 20% off your order with the code TRYSKRATCH.

And last but definitely not least, we have T-Rex® Tape

Let's be honest here, we all have had situations where our duct tape just wasn't strong enough to get the job done... but how is that so?? Isn't duct tape supposed to be ferociously strong?? T-Rex tape is! It is built for intense holding power so you can use it on long lasting home repairs, awesome DIY projects, or any other task at hand. T-Rex tape has a double-thick adhesive that holds up in any climate and environmental condition. Head outside this summer and find projects you can accomplish with T-Rex Tape. Click here to find out more about this brand!

So what are your summer plans this year? Are you making an effort to get outside more?

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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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

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Why Holidays Are So Much More Fun With Kids

This post is sponsored by Carter's; However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. 

I have always absolutely loved holidays. I can remember as a kid sitting by my window late at night, just looking at all of my neighbor's Christmas lights. I would sit there until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer because I just loved the magical feeling the lights brought. I remember waking up Christmas morning giddy with excitement because it was such a special day. I remember not being able to sleep the night before holidays because I was just SO excited. As a kid, the excitement of holidays can't be beat. I still loved holidays as I got older but noticed the magic start to fade. I no longer felt like the little girl I once was. However, that magic suddenly came back once I had kids of my own.

I remember hearing it all the time, "holidays are so much more fun with kids!" But, I never really understood what that meant until I had a child of my own. Oaklyn was almost a year old on her first Christmas and even though she didn't really understand what was happening, it was still so much fun for me. The next year was even more fun as we watched her tear open presents exclaiming "ooh's and ahh's" each time. This year I can hardly wait for christmas morning just so I can watch her experience the magic of Christmas. So why exactly are holidays so much more fun with kids? Let me explain...

First things first, you get to start as many holiday traditions as you want! I am kind of a tradition crazy person. I couldn't wait to have a family of my own because I was so excited and ready to start traditions. A few of my favorites are visiting Santa, watching Christmas movies, looking at Christmas lights as a family (to make it even more fun look up "the polar express" on pinterest!), making and decorating cookies, reading Christmas books, advent calendars, and matching family jammies! Did you know that Carter's has an amazing selection of children's pajamas in all different sizes?? Carter’s has the best holiday pajamas, not just because they’re affordable, but because they’re comfortable and stylish!

Second, you get to experience that same magic you once felt as a child all over again. It has been so fun to watch our kids experience the magic of holidays. Watching Oaklyn's eyes light up when we turned our Christmas tree on this year, literally filled my heart with joy. I couldn't stop smiling as I watched her eyes get big with excitement. I felt that same joy I once did as a child only now, it's ten times greater. Oaklyn can't wait for Santa to come and she asks if it's Christmas time just about every day. I am loving how excited she is and it's making me that much more excited as well.

Third, you get to plan a Christmas card! I don't know if this is as exciting to others as it is to me... but I literally am obsessed with Christmas cards! I get so giddy when they start showing up in the mail. I also love having it as a keepsake each year. I save our Christmas cards each year and love looking back over the years. I started the first year Hunter and I were married and have done one every year since. It has been so fun seeing our family change each year. It also forces you to take an updated family photo! With family pictures, comes planning coordinating outfits! Carter’s has a variety of styles perfect for every holiday moment, and they definitely have you covered in the family photo category! There's adorable clothes in several sizes at their store and online. Carter’s clothes and PJs are equally cute and comfy – at an affordable price point that doesn’t sacrifice quality.

Lastly, holidays with little ones means the opportunity to feel the joy of giving. I love receiving presents... who doesn't? But, I've learned over time that the joy of giving is even more fun for me. I love finding holiday gifts for my kiddos and feel so much joy when I watch them open up a present I got them. Oaks is a true girl and loves getting new clothes! Carter’s will have can’t-miss Black Friday deals beginning 11/17 so you can get your little ones some cute new holiday clothes at an amazing price! Carter’s and OshKosh B’gosh are giving away over $700,000 in Dash Cash to the first 100 people to visit their local Carter’s or OshKosh B’gosh store for the Dash In to Win Sweepstakes.  The Sweepstakes will be held on Black Friday (11/23 or 11/24 – depending on when the store opens after Thanksgiving). Plus, customers will receive a gift from Shutterfly on their $40+ purchase that day! SO many reasons to head to Carter's for Black Friday shopping! Also, you can take 20% off your purchase of $40 or more in store or online through 12/31/17! The in store code is: 070716 and the online code is: CART4198. So many great deals at Carter's!
It's also fun to teach your children why giving is important at a young age. Carter’s believes that every child deserves a good night sleep so they are partnering with Pajama Program, an organization that provides children new pajamas, from November 1st – December 31st. Customers can help by donating a pair of new pajamas in store or make a monetary donation at check out (in store or online). Carter’s will match up to 100,000 pairs of pajamas. Your local community benefits directly from your support and your children will learn that the holiday season isn't all about receiving... it is about giving as well.

Being a mother has been the hardest thing I've ever done... but it has also brought me the most joy. Children are a lot of work and a whole lot of fun! It has been so fun having kids during the holidays and I can't wait to create more memories with them this year! Now tell me, what do you look forward to most during the holidays??

All my love,
Aleigh Joy

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How We Got Oaklyn To Sleep Better

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. This post is sponsored by Huggies OverNites. All opinions are mine alone. #EveryoneSleeps #CollectiveBias

Our sweet Oaklyn girl definitely did not come into this world with any sense of how to sleep.

She had her days and nights mixed up for months on months and we were up for hours upon hours of the night with her... often. 

I personally love my sleep so adjusting to little to no sleep after having Oaklyn, was incredibly difficult for me.

I usually felt stressed and hardly had enough energy to make it to 2pm.

I dreaded nights because I knew I would be up most all of them. 

We tried just about everything to get Oaklyn to sleep and it seemed like nothing was working.

When I went to the pediatrician for her 6 month appointment, the doctor was in complete shock that she was still waking up 3, sometimes 4 times during the night and said it was time to make some changes.

I'm happy to report, that we all sleep peacefully these days and unless I stay up too late looking at my phone, we are all very rested during the day!

So how did we do it?

The foundation was starting Oaklyn's night off right with a set bedtime routine.

We did bits and pieces of this routine since the day we brought her home from the hospital, but we now make sure we do every single step before laying her down for the night.

So what all does this routine involve?

Take a look down below!

1) Start off with a bath/shower. Oaklyn began to cry every time we put her in the bath around 11 months no mater how many times we changed the temperature. I finally decided to just turn the shower on and see what she did. To my surprise... she loved it! So, Oaklyn now showers by herself, with me sitting next to the shower of course haha! It's the cutest thing and she absolutely loves it! I wash her body with soap about every other night to make sure not to dry out her skin, but she always goes into the warm water to calm her down.

2) After her shower, we bring her into her room to put on a fresh Huggies OverNites diaper and put lotion on. Oaklyn has eczema so we absolutely never skip the lotion and baby massage. We recently started using Huggies OverNites diapers during the night and they have been a huge lifesaver! I used to go into Oaklyn's room in the morning and her sheets, onesie, and off-brand diaper would be completely soaked. I was constantly washing sheets and she was obviously uncomfortable in her leaking diaper. I knew, often times, she would have slept longer if it weren't for her soggy diaper making her uncomfortable. I'm so glad we found Huggies OverNites  because they have been the perfect solution to this problem. These diapers have insured that our Oaklyn gets a great night's sleep every night. I love knowing that she will be able to stay in a deep sleep all night long and wake up refreshed because of how durable Huggies Overnites Diapers are. 

3) We then put her in clean footie pajamas to keep her comfortable and warm throughout the night. I would keep her in footie pajamas for the rest of her life if I could! they are just so snuggly and cute!

4) Oaklyn has tons and tons of hair, so once her jammies are on, we brush her locks. It has been so cute watching her learn how to brush her own hair too since we do this every night.

5) Once all of the grooming is done, we sing and pray with our little girl. I've looked forward to doing this as a family for so long and love that we do it every night. We have sang the same song to Oaklyn since the day she was born and we always make sure to pray for our little family.

6) We then get the sound machine going and turn the lights down as we give her the last bottle of the night. This helps calm her down and ensure a full tummy all night long. I love stroking her hair and her little cheeks as she drinks.

7) Once she is done and hands me the bottle, I trade it in for a pacifier. I snuggle her and let her know I love her, then tell her I'll be back for her in the morning. I then say goodnight, give her one last snuggle and kiss, and lay her down in the crib and she is out for the night.

This routine has been so critical in helping Oaklyn sleep.

We make sure to never skip a step because it helps her distinguish that it is night time.

I love that we do the same thing every night but also keep it simple enough that anyone can do it if we need them to. 

If your baby is having a hard time sleeping I highly recommend that you start a good night time routine to help calm them down. 

As mentioned briefly above, once Oaklyn got this routine down and started sleeping better, her diapers were always soaked in the morning!

I felt so bad knowing she was trying to sleep with a soggy diaper on and felt even worse that I had to get her up when she wasn't quite ready because her sheets were soaked with pee.

I'm so glad we found Huggies OverNites diapers because they have saved us from washing the sheets several times already and have helped Oaklyn sleep longer!

Huggies OverNites Diapers are the #1 selling Nighttime diaper and Huggies’ most absorbent diaper to help keep baby’s skin comfortable and dry for a deep sleep and happy day.

Huggies has created an amazing diaper with all night leakage protection for a full night’s sleep.

These diapers last up to 12 hours!

I love that Huggies OverNites diapers have a SnugFit Waistband to keep the diaper in place throughout the night which in turn, creates maximum protection no matter how much our Oaklyn girl tosses and turns.

In combination with Huggies OverNites Diapers, we have been loving using Huggies Natural Care Wipes!

With these wipes you are guaranteed to give your baby’s delicate skin a soft, sensitive clean.

This is Huggies’ simplest formula ever, which is made of 99 percent water for a gentle clean.

They have Triple Clean Layers that are gentle on baby’s skin, yet still thick enough to clean the mess... they really do the job!

Make sure to check out both the Huggies OverNites Diapers and Huggies Natural Care Wipes, I know you won't be disappointed!

 Also, if you visit this page you can get $2 off your first pack of Huggies OverNites – for a limited time only– and find other Huggies offers!

I would also love to know what your favorite tips and tricks are to get baby to sleep.

Let me know what works for you in the comments!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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Saving With Groupon Coupons

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine alone. #ad #GrouponCoupons

I am a huge fan of saving money!

I'm known to always look for the best deals and not settle paying full price for anything... ever!

It's so fun and exhilarating to see the numbers go down on a purchase and to think of ways I can use the money I saved, for something else.

I'm always looking for new ways to save money on the products we use often which is especially helpful since my husband is in school. 

One of my favorite places to find ways to save money, has always been Groupon. 

I've used Groupon for years on discounts at restaurants, concerts, and my favorite... photo books from shutterfly!

However, I just recently found out that Groupon Coupons has several different awesome coupons for stores I shop at weekly!

You will love the amount of money you are saving with these completely free coupons!

Yes, you read that right! You don't need to pay for a membership with Groupon Coupons, signing up is free of charge!

What could be better than that??

There are currently 65,592 different coupons on Groupon Coupons from over 9,949 different stores so you are bound to find something you like.

I personally love that I can find awesome shopping deals on Groupon Coupons for fashion items for all of us!
Our favorites are from...

-Carters

-Rue 21

-Macy's

-Kohl's

-JC Penny

The fun definitely doesn't end there though!

There are coupons ranging from Dell Electronics to awesome phone deals from Sprint!

So from one mom constantly trying to save money to the next, you need to check out Groupon Coupons!

Your husband will thank you when you save money on makeup from Ulta, and your little brother will thank you when you buy him movie tickets for his next date ;)

Why not save money on the things you already buy?
What's your favorite way to save money?

All my love,
Aleigh Joy

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