What to use to sooth your eczema!

This post was sponsored by Aveeno, however, all opinions expressed are 100% mine.

I like me better when I'm with you :)

We are honored to be able to partner up with Aveeno during National Eczema Awareness Month. Did you know that Aveeno is the #1 dermatologist recommended eczema moisturizer brand? We have been using the Eczema Therapy line for two years now, and our skin has never felt better or softer. Living in the desert, it is really easy for our skin to get itchy and dry. I keep the Eczema Therapy Hand Cream in my bag, so I have access to it at all time. Ben has one in his car and at his work, since he is constantly washing his hands at work. Let's just say that always saves his fingers from cracking :)

The Moisturizing Cream is one that I use every day to keep my skin smooth and moisturized. For my rough spots, like my elbows, knees and feet I used the Itch Relief balm . I lather it on twice a day to keep my skin from getting too dry. It like that it's thick enough to help the dryness but not greasy so it doesn't stick to your clothes. 

They are steroid-free, fragrance-free and non-greasy. If you or anyone you know is dealing with eczema I highly recommend the Aveeno Eczema Therapy line, you can thank me later!! Get yours at CVS.com!

xo

7 Ways to Love Yourself Better

Work on loving the person

in the mirror, 

who has been through so much

but is still standing.

Every journey towards self-love is so different and what works for one person may not work for another. It is because of this that I've teamed up with someone that radiates self-love, self-appreciation, and self-acceptance. She is an example to me and I love what she stands for and I love her sweet family. This story and first couple ideas are from Chelsie, visit her blog h e r e  and instagram h e r e .  

I don't know when it developed, the negative body image I've fought over the years. Whenever it was, all I know is that I was young. I remember not liking to look in the mirror before I even entered middle school, so I was what, no more than 12? I have always been very fair skinned and have always struggled with it. I remember I had a field trip to the zoo coming up....the zoo....so I must have been in elementary school. I wanted to wear shorts so badly but my legs were just too embarrassing pale. The night before the field trip I decided to try my hand at sunless tanning lotion, the next day my legs were a mess. They were streaky, spotted. I wore my shorts anyway and when someone asked me about the mess I had made I lied. I explained that I had fallen asleep on a beach with sand covering my skin and only tanned where I was uncovered and my skin was exposed. I want to laugh at the made-up story of such a young girl in an attempt to cover up her "fake bake." However, it makes me sad to realize that the fight to love myself and feel good in my own skin started when I was young enough to attend field trips to the zoo.

It's easy to allow what we look like to completely encompass our thoughts. We think of nothing else but how much food we should and shouldn't intake. How many calories should I be eating for how often I workout? How much of it should be carbs and what carbs are the correct ones to be eating? What burns more fat, cardio or weightlifting? How much cardio should I be doing? Should I sprint or do long distance runs?  It goes on and on. I have found that there are days that I've allowed these thoughts to control me and it's taken away my ability to focus on anything else.

Unfortunately, when we allow these thoughts to completely consume us we run the risk of developing unhealthy habits. Often we are in such a hurry and have such a drive to get the results we want. Either out of impatience or frustration, we result to actions and habits that will have a very negative effect on our developing bodies, physically and mentally. We develop eating disorders, body dysmorphia, dangerously restrictive diets or meal plans and we exercise beyond what our bodies can offer us. So what can we do to avoid creating habits that will leave longlasting negative effects? Here are some ideas of healthy habits you can develop that will lead you to love yourself and have a stronger body image.

1. Exchange unhealthy thoughts for positive ones
Your subconscious mind is a chatterbox. It goes all day long and rarely quiets down long enough for you to get a word in edgewise. If you've created a habit of thinking poorly of yourself these thoughts will enter your mind without an invitation. The key isn't to be upset with yourself for thinking those thoughts but rather to acknowledge that you've felt them and then replace them with something positive. When you look in the mirror and think, "I do not look good in this dress," acknowledge the thought and then tell yourself, "girl you're right, you don't look good because you look amazing." By consistently replacing the negative thought processes that you've developed, soon the thoughts that enter your mind will be by invitation only. Changing your inner thoughts and dialogue at all times will help you change your habit of criticizing into appreciation and admiration.

2. Feel rather than observe
Look at this picture.

I remember when this picture was taken. I felt great that day. I felt confident, powerful, strong. I remember the way my husband was looking at me when he took it and I felt fierce. When I first saw the actual photo I wanted to delete it immediately. and it's all because of that side roll. Yep, that very obvious side roll that pretty much no one but me sees. Suddenly how I FELT that day no longer mattered, it was all about how I LOOKED. One small thing is all it took to change me from fierce to flawed. Have you ever felt great and then stepped on a scale only to feel that you either need to climb back in bed or run 10 miles? Sometimes you just need to let yourself FEEL rather than observe. You need to recognize that if you feel powerful it's because you are. Not because a picture told you so but because you felt it. You need to understand that if you feel beautiful it's because you are, not because the number on the scale said so. How you FEEL should be your biggest indicator of the level of love you have for yourself. Don't let any outside influences change that.

3. Unfollow until you're ready
Have you ever noticed that you'll be scrolling through Instagram or Facebook and feel yourself sinking inside? Suddenly your body isn't good enough. You don't make enough money. Your house isn't big enough or clean enough. So much of our confidence can come from the people that we surround ourselves with and nowadays with social media, that is so many people. We often find ourselves following the ideal body, the picture-perfect house, the dream life, the all together mom, we're not following the person themselves. We get jealous when they are in another country, again, we wonder how they afford everything they own, we don't know how they lost all of the baby weight and the perfection badge that we've given them makes us uncomfortable in our own skin. Genuine or fake, click unfollow.

We have it in our heads that we can't unfollow someone because they aren't TRYING to make us feel this way. We tell ourselves that it's not acceptable to disconnect because we are self-conscious. Ultimately though, when we are working on loving ourselves comparison can be the death of our efforts. Sometimes those ties need to be cut until we are prepared to not be mentally shaken by someone else's successes. When we've developed a love for ourselves we can reintroduce ourselves into those relationships with the ability to celebrate the success of others instead of viewing it as a loss to us.

4. Develop a healthy relationship with food
I'm a stress eater, a sad eater, an angry eater, a bored eater, a hungry eater, a subconscious eater....and, well you get it. Food has become the best medicine for a bad day, depression, anxiety and more. Food is in the top 10 most addicting things in life. However, counting every calorie you put in your mouth and regretting every piece of sugar you consume is equally as unhealthy as using food as your coping mechanism. It's because of this that people have such a hard time balancing enjoying their food and feeding their bodies the nutrients that it needs to function properly and efficiently. Once you find a way to feed your body while simultaneously being able to enjoy a brownie...or 3, you will be able to let go of the stress that you put on yourself to always consume the right foods. You will also be able to release the guilt that you feel for eating some of your favorite foods even though they don't fall into the "healthy" category.

5. Start your day on the right foot
A couple of years ago, I used to sleep with my phone right next to my bed. Sometimes if I woke up in the middle of the night, I'd find myself scrolling and all of the sudden an hour had gone by. I caught myself comparing my life to others, feeling low about myself and my day hadn't even started yet. Something needed to change and it needed to change now. Think about your routine. What do you do first thing in the morning? Do you reach for your phone and start scrolling Instagram or do you take time to inhale and exhale?
Morning prayer is a huge part of my morning routine now. Along with keeping my house bright. I don't know about you, but when my home is bright, blinds are up and my home is receiving sunlight I am more likely to be happy and when I'm happy, I am more likely to be a fun mom and feel good about myself.

6. Move your body
I don't work out because I hate my body, I workout because I love my body and the things that it can do. I work out because it makes me feel good. It makes me happy. So often I hear women talk about all of the different reasons that they want to work out but they lack the drive and motivation. If you want something badly enough, you will find time for it, period. I am a mother of 3, I do not work out every day and I do it all at home. Exercise has been a part of me since I was 8, it is engrained in me but that doesn't mean it is easy every single time. Set your goals and start somewhere.
Focus on your own journey and YOUR own progress. Set realistic goals, that way you won't feel discouraged. Too often we set our goals and expect immediate results and when results don't come right away, we give up. Remember that progress is progress no matter how small. Don't be so hard on yourself. If you miss a day or two or ten, pick up where you ended and tell yourself you've got this.

7. Train your brain
That is right, train your brain to be positive. Learn self-love and positive self-talk and I promise you, you will be able to do anything. After I had my first baby I told myself that I was going to run professionally. Insane? Maybe! Doable? Absolutely! I didn't believe it at first, I would use every excuse in the world before I did something just so I wouldn't get disappointed. I can't lose 10 pounds, I can't start my own company, I can't run a marathon, I can't build a home...etc. Change your can't(s) to "I can and I will put in the work to do it!" Nothing comes easy in this world, but if you are willing to work your butt off then you will be able to achieve whatever it is that you want. Instead of seeing your flaws, try looking in the mirror and complimenting yourself instead.

Deciding that you love yourself is a daily choice. You don't decide that you love who you are and stay that way without question. You don't decide that you're beautiful and then never look in the mirror and feel disappointed again. Offering yourself positive words of encouragement and acceptance is one of the biggest steps towards loving your body and being confident in your own skin. Show your body you are thankful for all it has done for you by not letting it be defined by the number on the scale. Remove the restraints of perfection that you've placed on yourself and you will finally feel free. You are beautiful. You are powerful. You are strong. You are worth it. You are enough.

xo

How to find your mom village!

Encouragement from moms for moms is like the air we breathe:

We need it,

It fills us up,

it allows us to do what we do everyday.

 "It takes a village to raise a child!" This phrase is as old as time and at one point or another we have all heard it. To me, a village is being surrounded by family/friends that are there through thick and thin. So if you think about it, you've most likely been surrounded by a village at least once. 

When I moved to America from Sweden, as you can image that was one of the hardest and most terrifying things ever. I didn't know a single soul. At 19 years old, I had to step out of my comfort zone BIG time and speak a language I hardly even spoke. My BYU family became my village. They helped me in ways I didn't know was possible. Then I got married, and we had Noah a year later. I was so lucky to be surrounded by family and friends so I hardly felt alone. I had my friends but I quickly realized that I also needed mom friends. 

Noah needed kids to play with, I needed to have adult conversations besides my husband. As a first time mom, I had no idea what I was doing so what better way to learn, than from moms. To feel like you weren't the only one that had a fussy kid, or that wasn't getting enough sleep at night. What better person to ask about breastfeeding than a fellow mom. Now that I have three, it has become even MORE important to me to have mom friends. 

When we moved to Arizona, we moved to an area with people who had lived there for years. I assumed most of these moms had their own "village", and some did but a majority did not. Here is the thing, we often assume that we know what other people have/need. We psych ourselves out before we even know, thus, we miss out on major opportunities. 

Momming is hard, whether you're a new mom or have 5 kids, it is still hard. Do not be afraid to reach out, step out of your comfort zone and do not assume you know other people's stories. Finding a mom village does not have to be difficult, I think we are the ones that make it hard. We live in a digital word where we can connect with other moms through FB groups, Instagram but also neighborhood groups. These places help us connect with people we probably never would've met. I am a living example of that, a lot of my close friends that I've met since we moved started online. And I am still alive haha :)

                                                                            My Sisters Closet 

The next time you see another mom with the baby item you’re thinking about buying, or their child who looks to be the same age as your little one, go over and say hi, because I am sure that they are hoping that they have the courage to do the same…

We are all in this together <3

xo

Dear mothers, your belly is beautiful.

"Family is the center of life, it is the key to eternal happiness"

- L. Tom Perry

As far as I can remember, I have always wanted to become a Mother. Never once did I think about the fact about my body changing. Growing up, I watched a whole bunch of women including my mother and sisters give birth. Never once did I look at them and think about their postpartum bodies. Maybe I was too little to understand, maybe I didn't get it because I wasn't a mother, maybe I didn't notice or maybe I was too busy snuggling babies. Either way, it was never about their bodies. 

Fast forward to when I had Noah. One of the first comments I got, mind you I just birthed a baby, was "wow fatty, let me see your belly". At the time I didn't think much about it, but looking back that bothered me so much. All of a sudden I started stressing, I needed to be back to my fit self instantly! All of a sudden my thoughts shifted and for a time I wasn't myself. My thoughts were consumed with "how can I get my pre-baby belly back??". I remember poking my belly and I am pretty sure my finger touched my back. After a good meltdown, or several... I thought, "Forget about that comment Fatty, you just had a baby...that is freaking amazing."

We live in a world were we are being told to be perfect. To look flawless during and after delivery, to have a videographer and capture every moment of that day, to have Pinterest worthy photos. Because if we don't, we "missed" the point or we aren't keeping up with the Jones'. 

Why why why?

Instead of women being hopeful of one day being able to carry a child, some are too scared to give up their bodies. Scared because they have heard horror stories. 

"You will never be able to hold your pee again. You will never have abs again. Your boobs will hit the floor, etc."

Let me tell you something, forget about all the horror stories you've heard! There's nothing more incredible than holding your baby in your arms. The moment you have longed for, for 9 months, enjoy it to the fullest. There's nothing more special than watching your spouse become a parent. Let that be your focus, not what your body looks like the day after.

Your body may not look the exact same, it will be even better! You carried one/multiple children, that is freaking amazing. You discovered strengths you had no idea even existed. You can now carry a carseat, grocery bags and talk on the phone at the same time. Skills! You can change a diaper in record time with no skid marks down your finger. You can sleep with one eye open, literally. You can prepare a bottle in the dark. You can read a bedtime story by heart. You get countless of kisses and hugs every day. Each day you keep your kids fed, happy and safe.

I can go on and on... because you my dear, YOU ARE AMAZING! 

                                                                  Matching outfits from Flexi Lexi

Your belly is beautiful because it created life. That is hard work.

If you are worrying about getting "back" or you're currently in that phase, my advice to you is- enjoy the journey, and know that your fit self will be back. Be patient with yourself, a lot happens with our bodies during pregnancy, so let your's take the time it needs to adjust back. 

Learn to love yourself in every stage, and you will learn to appreciate what you've done so much more.

xo

I took away the TV and it changed everything!

Before you continue to read, know that I am by NO means saying that watching tv makes you a bad mom.

With that said, summer is here in full force! Ben is busy with his rotations and studying for his boards. Noah has his summer break from preschool, and I found myself almost panicking because I have been dreading the summer. I have been dreading not being able to go to the park whenever we wanted, and basically being stuck inside. When you're stuck inside for so long, it is very easy to let the kids watch a movie or a show so we all get a "break". I mean who doesn't love watching movies? In our home, with my kids it became a little too much. I've discussed with other moms about screen time and ours wasn't anything crazy. Yet for my kids, it made them a little crazy. 

I had been praying so much for help and guidance. How can I teach them better? How can I be more loving? What do I need to do to keep our home at peace? How can I be a better mom? All those questions, and you guys it has been HARD! Many prayers, many tears, feeling defeated and not feeling an answer to my prayers. I felt a couple times how I didn't deserve to be their mom because I wasn't doing a good job. I was feeling real low and stressed because I knew we needed to do something... I just didn't know what yet. 

My mood consisted of easily becoming irritated, no patience and no fun. It came to a point where the kids would wake up WAY early, and the first thing they would ask for was to watch a show. We'd say no or not right now then (insert mega tantrum). That is when it hit me, we needed a break from the tv. We needed to stop with the shows and the movies and just let them be creative. I needed to be more involved with them, play with them more, laugh with them more, create more memories and not let the tv be an option. I needed to be more present with them.

The first three days were the hardest, I had to say no a lot. I had to come up with different things to do that N & O would enjoy. But you guys, it has been the best change and decision we have ever made with our kids. It has been over 2 weeks now, and we treat them with a movie on Friday night. You should see their faces, they get SO excited and actually appreciate watching the movie. The kids wake up and they want to play with their toys, play with each other, help me make breakfast, and go play with their friends. I have seen such drastic change with their attention and mood. They get excited about simply coloring. Noah is so fun and his imagination is so exciting to watch. 

These are the kind of memories I want them to have. There's nothing more enjoyable then the sound of my children's laughter. To some this may sound drastic, but this has hands down been the best decision ever.

Happy Hump Day

xo

Not today Satan, not today!

"It is not what you are that holds you back,
It is what YOU
think you are not."

I preach about confidence and loving who you are all the time. I too have times when I let the adversary tell me that I'm not enough. I'm not cute enough. I'm not doing enough. I'm not a good mom. I'm not making enough. I looked myself in the mirror the other day, and you know what I did? I started picking at things that I didn't like. Ugh, my hair, my face looks like I'm going through puberty again. My abs don't look like they used too. My skin is all stretched out. On top of that, my kids have been extra difficult this week and I have felt super defeated. 

Why do we pick ourselves apart? Why do we spend our thoughts and emotions on what we don't like and wish we could change about ourselves? Or why do we compare our worsts with other peoples best! Why do we let Satan dictate our happiness? I literally said out loud "Satan, not today". Here's the thing, we do not need to justify him being in our heads. I remembered this during that very moment, Satan is smiling while I was crying. This only happens because I allow him to. I also remembered the power of prayer. That I can tell him, "Bye Satan, not today" and he will be gone. Whenever the adversary tries to bring you down, force yourself to say prayer. Give him a big fat BYYYYYYYYE ! 

Among the things we don’t have or can’t do, one thing you do have that you can’t trade for anything is a knowledge that Heavenly Father is yours and loves, listens, and helps us regardless of our ‘flaws’ or shortcomings. That is what matters most.

Be kind to yourself. Be proud of yourself. Because you are good enough. You are pretty enough. You are strong enough. You are worth it. You do deserve the best. You do deserve to be happy always. Do not hold yourself back any longer because you are freaking amazing. Strive everyday to be a little better, to be the best you. Believe in yourself.

xo

My secret to how I do "it" all

Never doubt a mother. 

She can carry a screaming toddler,  

two gallons of milk, 

talk on her cell phone and

 still slap you for looking at her crazy.

I can't stop laughing at this quote, it is so funny and so real!! Lately I have had people ask me, "how do you do it all fatty?". You have three kids, you're a wife, you cook, you have time to workout, you blog, you have your fitness thing..how? The answer is very simple,  I don't . Truth is, my house is a mess 90% of the time. There is usually a pile of laundry that needs to be folded or washed. I love cooking, but costco pizza is also our jam! I usually remember that Noah is in charge of snacks at preschool the day of! I am totally winning haha. I bribe my kids often because #youdowhatyougottado and we all end up happy! 

Oh, and I eat a lot of chocolate and ice cream :)

Somedays I am on survival mode and others I feel like super mom! 

I think we all do it, we just do "it" differently. We are all super stars in our children's eyes. We are their biggest heroes. Don't let someone else's strength make you feel less of a mom. I wish I was a cleaning freak, a baker, a craft monster and other things...but I'm not! 

And guess what? That is OKAY, because I am a whole lot of other great things! And so are YOU!

xo

Surviving 3 children, 3 years and under

You go through big chunks of time where you're thinking,

"this is impossible, oh this is IMPOSSIBLE".

And then you just keep going and going,

and you sort of do the impossible.

-Tina Frey

Shirt from Malyn Logic

When we found out we were pregnant with Kingston, my instant reaction was "holy moly, we will have 3 kids 3 years and under". Some people think we are crazy, and other think we are completely insane haha. A lot of people told us how having 3 rocked their world. With 3, you are outnumbered, schedules don't work together, its uneven, someone might be lonely, etc. While some of these things might be true, remember that YOU decide how things will be. I totally believe that your attitude sets the tone in the family. I am all about having a routine and a schedule. It sure has been a little harder getting all kids on the same sleeping schedule (cause mama gotta nap too). Instead, I have taken Noah's nap away so while the kids nap we bond. I am not going to lie, at first I was so sad to loose that nap. Then I remembered, this won't last forever. These are the moments I will look back at and smile about. Besides, taking away his nap has resulted in Noah going to bed earlier and waking up later :) As they get older, the one-on-one interaction with each individual becomes more important. 

Being a mother of three, I have learned to appreciate my slings/wraps so much more. They have been a lifesaver for us. Although I might be outnumbered, I still have my hands free for Noah and Olivia! I have also found that doing activities that each kid enjoys has been super important. Olivia has had a harder time with this new transition, and it has been important to do things she loves. 

 My biggest struggle has been night time. If Ben isn't home, it has taken a lot longer and I find myself not being able to do our normal night routine! 

Oh, and I haven't gone grocery shopping alone yet. Needless to say, I miss my random target runs!

If you're pregnant with your third and terrified how things will go, don't be. Every baby, every situation is different. Don't let other people scary stories affect you. Find things that works for you and your family. If I can do it, so can you :)

3 things that helps me everyday

1. Start my day with a prayer

I know it might sound basic or a given, but I need that boost.

2. I keep my house bright
I find myself feeling happier when it is bright in my home

3. Have a plan each day and try to go out!
Something we do as a family, even if it is coloring. I hate the feeling of "not accomplishing anything". Going out with three kids isn't ideal everyday, but we try to go out each day. Even if it is just to the mail box :)

Sling color sage from: Wildbird

xo

Co-sleepin with the Baby Bay sleeper

Happy New Year friends! I want to start by saying thank you for following along and for your continual support through the year. I still cannot believe I have three kids! My mother calls me everyday, and it even throws her off sometimes haha!

Penguin from Cuddle and Kind, Bedframe Sleek Modern Furniture

He is the sweetest little man. Every time I look at him, I feel like he is changing. Kingston can sleep through anything, because N&O are so loud. The other two on the other hand, were way different as babies. Then, they become toddlers and wake up because they're thirsty or want to cuddle. 

Noah and Olivia both sleep in the same room, which has been such an adventure. Everytime we check on them, they're always in the same bed. It is pretty cute :)

Kingston sleeps in this bedside sleeper from BabyBay, next to our bed . We didn't want to put him in his own room yet, so co-sleeping it is. Co-sleeping can be a little scary to some people, because of all the worries out there. This is why I love this bedside sleeper. He is still close to me, but in his own special spot. It was so easy to assemble, it only took us about 15-20 minutes. I would recommend this sleeper to anyone who wants to co-sleep but do not want their baby in their own bed. The sleeper comes in different finishes and I love this white one we chose. You can match anything with white ;)

Birth story- Kingston

Monday, November 28th, the kids and I met up with my friend Amanda at the track. It was a very breezy morning. As we were chatting and walking around, I was beginning to have braxton hick's contractions. I didn't think much of it. Later that afternoon Ben's parents arrived from Utah, now baby could come whenever he needed to.

Tuesday, November 29th, it was 5:30 am and I woke up because I honestly thought I had wet the bed. I rolled over and nudged Ben to let him know my water just broke. There wasn't much, but enough to wake me up. I ran to the bathroom, and another gush of water came out. Yup, my water definitely broke! Things just got real, we were going to have a baby today!!!!

I went back to bed and told Ben "let's go back to sleep, I'm not in any pain". So back to sleep we went... well back to sleep Ben went. My amniotic fluid kept coming, who knew there was so much water in there? I took a long warm shower, ate a big breakfast (nobody wants to be in labor hungry) and then off to the hospital we went. As we said our goodbyes to our kiddos, that is when it hit me, we were going to be a family of 5 by the end of the day!

When we arrived to the hospital, we needed to sign some papers before getting a room. I tried signaling to Ben that I couldn't sit down because I was soaked (still leaking haha). I was so embarrassed!! The woman at the desk asked me if I was sure my water broke"? Haha, I laughed and then told her she didn't want me to sit on her chair. She directed us to a room where they were going to monitor me/baby. The nurse checked me and I was only dilated to a 3! You guys, I was so annoyed and couldn't believe that I was only a 3!!! Lucky for me, because my water broke so I was required to be admitted. Not yet tho, they were short on nurses and apparently it was a good day to have a baby. I was the only one who wasn't in pain, so I had to wait and wait. Two hours later (around 11am) we got our room. My contractions were consistent but not very strong, so they gave me a dose of pitocin. My biggest fear was having a labor similar to Noah's. I was terrified, and the nurse kept asking me if I wanted an epidural. My answer was no, I didn't want to be numb waist down to my toes. My nurse insisted on how good the anesthesiologist was and not to worry. I really didnt want to relive that feeling of not being able to move my legs. My contraction started getting more painful, but I felt that I could still handle it.

Around 12:00 pm they checked me again and I was only dilated to a 4. I thought this was going to go faster. I was being so dramatic haha, I just wanted to hold my baby already. They couldn't check me very often because there was a risk of getting an infection. 

The question about an epidural came up again, at this point my pain level was about a 6. I told my nurse I was doing okay and that we could wait. The anesthesiologist (that everyone raved about) came to inform me about the procedure. I just smiled and thanked her for coming. I looked over at Ben and he just told me to do whatever I was comfortable with. Then he said "but remember, when you get going, you go fast". The nurse came back in to inform us that because there were so many women in labor, I might not have a chance to get it when I wanted to. Once again, I told her my fears about the epidural and how I didn't have a good experience with Noah. She was so convincing, so I decided to get the epidural.
I could only lay on my left side. Everytime I was on slightly on my right side, K's heart rate would drop down. 

It was 230pm and she said it takes about 20 min to kick in. The nurse checks me again and I was STILL dilated to a 4. Ugh, so discouraging. I honestly wanted to cry, but kept it somewhat together. The medicine was kicking in. My butt went numb, then my legs and I could barely wiggle my feet. The tears started coming. I was numb, all the way down. Exactly what I didn't want to happen. All of a sudden I feel this HUGE contraction, my pain level shot up to a 15. I couldn't even talk, I just closed my eyes and waited for it to go away. What was happening? Why did I just feel that? Holy cow, another contraction...okay, this isn't normal? MY BELLY ISN'T NUMB!!! 

I had three huge contractions before the anesthesiologist came back in. She informed us that sometimes it doesn't work. My scoliosis could've also played a big part to it not working. She could increase the doze, which meant I would be even more numb (insert more crying). 

My doctor came in to check how I was doing at 345pm. He was suppose to insert a device that would tell how strong my contractions were. As he went to check my cervix, to our surprise our little man was right there, ready to come meet us. Within the hour I went from being dilated from a 4 to a 10! No wonder I thought I was dying with those contractions. Ben wiped my tears away and said "are you happy now"? My doctor prepped his table and got all ready. Ben was on one side reassuring me how good I was doing. Three pushes later, at 4Pm, our baby was born. He was finally here, 7 pounds of pure perfection. Healthy as can be, head full of hair, and tiny but long feet. He is the perfect mix of his siblings and I now our family isa complete.

 Life is perfectly chaotic and I wouldn't have it any other way. We were lucky to have no complications, and got to go home the following day. 

 Just a couple of days old, my friend Brittany Noble took some family pictures for us! 

I absolutely love them!

Bedframe from Sleek Modern Furniture :)

Baby wrap from Modern Burlap

xoxo

Best baby carriers + a giveaway!

“This giveaway is a partnership with Nakturnal, with a prize of a gift certificate”

I have held you this way since you were brand new. 

For what they say, the saying is true. 

The moments too precious, the cuddles too few

And nothing in the world that I'd rather do.

Than be here to carry and be close to you.

I love baby wearing. 

I love that feeling of my babies being close to my heart. Some kids don't like being worn, lucky for me they've all loved it. 

There are so many different kinds out there, which can be very overwhelming. Here are some of the best newborn carriers. Make sure to check the link out to see all the different kinds. 

As for additional options, you all know how much I love supporting small businesses. Here are some other carriers that I own and love! 

The wrap in the pictures is from Chekoh. I am absolutely obsessed with this blue color and love how comfortable the material is. Baby K is 2-weeks old today. The weather was amazing so we decided to go out and I wore him the whole time. These also come in several different colors and patterns. 

Happy Baby Wrap, one of my favorite companies. They are lightweight, breathable, comfortable and they come in different colors as well. These wraps saved me when I had Olivia, and has saved me with baby K. Although I might be outnumbered, a carrier is a must!!

BabyBjorn is a company that I have known since I was a child. They're from Sweden, and I have loved watching them grow. It is amazing how much they have perfected their carriers. Noah was carried in one ever since he was born, so we are big fans! 

These are just a couple of the ones that I love and have used with my children. 

There are so many other brands and  I would LOVE to know which ones you recommend?

One of you lucky readers will win a $50 gift card! 

All you have to do is comment which carrier is your favorite and why!

That's it! 

This giveaway will end December 20th!

xoxo

Pregnant with scoliosis- Tuft and Needle

Some of you may not know this, but I have pretty bad scoliosis. Scoliosis is a sideways curvature to the spine. I have lived with with for as long as I can remember. I never thought of it as being a weakness, but instead I trained harder and worked more to keep it under control. Fast forward to my first post-pregnancy, this is when the scoliosis really hit me. I had doctors tell me all of my life that pregnancy will be hard on my body and especially with my scoliosis.
As you know, being active is a big part of my life. Naturally, working out while pregnant was a no brainer. Despite me working out, I had trouble with back pain with this pregnancy. Usually the back pain would come towards the end of the pregnancy, but this time it started very early. That was when Tuft & Needle came to the rescue! They gifted us this amazing king size mattress. It couldn't have come at a better time! It arrived at our doorstep, in the coolest package, which the kids loved. I was so giddy to open it up and start using it. It took us about a week to get into it and I kid you not I haven't had ANY back pain since. You guys, it is a straight up miracle and I am so glad we got this mattress!!!

I absolutely love how you have a 100-day sleep trial. If you don't love it, you will get your money refunded and they will donate the mattress to a charity. How awesome is that? I definitely think that a quality mattress is something everyone needs. If you're looking for a mattress, I highly recommend Tuft & Needle! Great quality and amazing prizing! We are even thinking about getting one to each kid, cause N & O will be sharing bunk beds :)

We also had our amazing mattress on the ground until we got our Burgio King Bedframe, and I couldn't be happier!

Thank you Tuft and Needle for an amazing product :)