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Baby Punch + 13 Randoms

I’ll just start by saying that I know how bad the quality is of this photo but Emilia’s happily careless face as she clearly just socked me and is kind of pushing me out of the way is just too candidly funny to me to pass up. Happy Friday, everyone! I thought we’d do a 13 Randoms post since we haven’t done one in a while! 🙂

1- A lot of you have asked me about my rebrand and you guys have been SO sweet and complimentary so I just want to say THANK YOU! I’m in love with how everything turned out. If you want to read more about my why I chose to rebrand I made a whole post about it HERE. 

2- I really want to tint my hair light pink or rose gold, like maybe just the ends so it kind of has an ombre effect? I’ve never been super into brightly colored hair for myself personally, but I’m really loving how the pink looks on everyone right now so I want to give it a try!

3- I wanted to find a yard designing app to help me come up with some ideas for my yard and somehow I accidentally ended up with this interior design game that I love. It’s really weird for me to like playing any games at all because I’m not really an app or game player at all, but I love this one. As I was playing it I was thinking how weird it was that the structure was so similar to the fashion game that I like, which is literally the only other app I’ve ever played. Guess what They are made by the exact same developer and are sister apps. Haha I should have known.

4- I’ve been torn lately because I feel like I need to try and find more opportunities to do nice things for others because I’ve been given a lot of love over the years from all sorts of people and I want to pay it forward. However, my first several attempts where I’ve actively decided to do something nice for someone else I’ve been taken advantage of and the whole situation just became a mess all three times! Like- HOW? Only I would have that happen, I swear. Haha I know that is kind of a dumb thing but I’m just so frustrated because I totally am feeling the “no good deed goes unpunished” phrase.

5- I found these amazing new muffins by Kodiak cakes and they are pure bliss. I love the mountain berry flavor and the chocolate one. They are packed with protein and are made with whole ingredients so they are like a healthy muffin and I love it.

6- We just watched Jumanji yesterday and I was dying. I forgot that Jack Black is hilarious- seriously his character was killing me!

7- I had my consultation with my plastic surgeon for my breast reduction surgery! Finally! I want to do a whole blog about my breast reduction but I haven’t decided for sure whether I’m just going to do one big post or have like a post mini series. I did a poll on insta and the results were pretty much exactly 50/50! I DID however, do a video about the consultation with some Q&As about the process that you can FIND HERE.   🙂 Just a warning- I use that channel mostly to talk about my health journey that I’ve been working on since October, so if you’re there to stick around for a while just expect to see some raw footage of Sunny AKA Jabba the Hut.

8- The Albion Fit swim line for the summer has come out recently and I really love all of the pieces that they’ve come out with. I can’t wait to get my breast reduction and actually have boobs that might fit into their suits, ha!

9- Today Sydney told the dog that she had impeccable taste. I asked her if she knew what impeccable meant, and she told me no. Since she is five I decided to keep it simple, and I said that impeccable kind of means like perfect, it has no mistakes. She responded with, “Oh!  Just like me! I’m impeccable!” I started laughing and then she went on, “except when I accidentally pee my pants. Them I’m only peccable.” Haha I was dying. Kids say the weirdest, funniest things!

10- I got a new Smashbox palette that I’ve been playing with lately and it’s been amazing, I’ll definitely do a product review soon.

11- I’ve been wearing my hair up so much since I had Emilia that I have a full line of hair that is broken off right at the pony tail length and it is the worst! I need to start wearing it down all the time so that the section that is broken off can grow out. It takes flyaways to a whole new level and there’s no controlling it haha.

12- I’ve had this piano song that I heard back in high school stuck in my head for days now and haven’t been able to figure it out. I finally texted my friend that used to play it and basically said, hey you know that song that I like that you used to play? And she DID know! I couldn’t believe it, it was seriously so vague of me haha. In case you were wondering, the song is WITHIN by William Joseph.

13- I just recently discovered PewDiePie after my husband started watching his videos with me in the room. I know he is like the number one youtuber or whatever, but I hadn’t heard of him until now. Now I wonder how my life could have existed before his videos entered them. SO FUNNY.

XXOO Sunny

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Ice Castles + 13 Randoms

HAPPY FRIDAY, loves! We went to the ice castles a few weeks ago and that is somewhere I’ve never been before, but absolutely recommend. It was seriously SO cool! I’d recommend going up at night though because I’ve heard (and seen photos) from friends that the lights and stuff they have going is really amazing and the ice just glitters. We went up during the day time though and it was still awesome and really cool to see all of the ice in detail. Here are 13 randoms for this post. 🙂

1- Sydney has been the NAUGHTIEST lately! Her shenanigans are so crazy and I feel like I don’t know how to control her, but also they kind of show off how creative she is so maybe I don’t want to control her? LOL. Any other mamas out there with me? She has recently cut her own hair, drawn a mural on my wall, cooked her own meal with ALL THE FOOD in the house in the microwave, sprayed daddy’s iPad in hairspray, and crumbled packing peanuts along every square inch of usable floorspace in the entire household. I swear I only blinked and these things happen, I never take my eyes off of her but the girl is a master!

2- I had toe surgery a few months ago for an ingrown toenail that I had (I know, gross!) but now my toenail has been growing back and I hate that it’s only half way up my toe. It had better come in before flip flop season!!

3- Lemonade is THE best and I’m obsessed with it. I love how tart it is and it’s always been my favorite drink and I’m craving it REEEEEEEEAAAAAAAL bad while I type this.

4- I literally fell down so many times at the ice castles when we went to see them! Like… so many times. The first time I fell I had the baby strapped to me and I just biffed it on the sidewalk and really jacked up my knee. After that it was mostly just my pride that was wounded more and more with every time I fell over. It must have looked hilarious haha.

5- I was dying to try out that gigantic, oversized lush bomb but it was $20!!! I’m not made of money and at this point couldn’t justify it for something that would wash down the drain, but I’m dying to know. Who tried it? What were your thoughts?!! Please let me live vicariously through you!

6- We finally got around to watching the second season of Stranger Things and it did not disappoint! Millie Bobbie Brown is an absolute doll and I think she is so inspirational, especially for how young she is! What an amazing little actress!

7- I really want to buy and raise our own butterflies this spring for the girls, I just think that would be so fun! Has anyone else done that?

8- Java is seriously the sweetest puppy ever, I’m so lucky that we lucked out so much with a puppy. Most puppies are like little hellions and I think she is about as good as they come. She’s come really far along with her training, she has been sleeping through the night (knock on wood), and she is very friendly and loves people. On a side note- if you have a baby and are considering getting a puppy…. think again. I wouldn’t wish that amount of work on anyone and while I don’t regret my decision, I still wish I could have been smarter about it haha.

9- I really want to try out BBG and just downloaded the app! BBG girls club, here I come!

10- I’m STOKED about the number of movies that look awesome this year! Anthony and I both love watching movies and there are so many good ones that I’ve been waiting forevaaaaa to watch! We recently just watched Bladerunner (thank you Redbox!) and I was surprised at how much I liked it! I’m into sci-fi stuff so I thought it was really cool, although I’d recommend watching the original before the new one because I was definitely lost the first half of the movie, LOL. Some other ones I’m super excited for this year are of course the Han Solo movie, Ready Player One, Jurassic World, Deadpool 2, Aquaman, Pacific Rim: Uprising, Wreck It Ralph Breaks the Internet, Venom, and Fantastic Beasts! Really that list was hard to narrow down to just that handful even because there are so many that I think are going to be worth watching! WOO! Bring on the popcorn!

11- I’ve been breaking out like crazy lately and it’s not cool because I’ve also been having issues with my eczema and dry, itchy skin since it’s winter. I’m going to try some new products though so hopefully I’ll have some good news in the future about my skin! Until then, you can find me with a paper bag over my head.

12- I’m really loving the fringe jewelry trend lately. I thought it was a little weird at first but now I’m totally on board. Gimme all the fringe!

13- Sydney has started singing lullabies to Emilia when she is crying or trying to sleep and her go-to is always, You Are My Sunshine, which brings tears to my eyes because that is the song my parents have always sung to me, and they call me, Sunshine. I love that Sydney just chose that song to be THE song she sings.

BONUS 🙂

Here is a fun video of our day at the Ice Castles !

XXOO Sunny

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Red Lips + 13 Randoms

This was a photo taken a little while back that I initially chose not to post because I just feel like I look so gross and chubby in it, but I really am trying to learn to accept myself and in the spirit of keeping up with my #loveevolvesher campaign, I’m working on just being more real and accepting that this is ME right now, and even though I may not love how I look, I love this photo. I love how happy I am and I love Sydney’s expression, so here it is haha. I also love this lip color, this is another one of the LipSense colors that I got (cranberry) and I think it is a really good red for my skin color. I am a HUGE red lipstick lover, ha! Since I haven’t done a 13 randoms post in a little while I thought I would do one really quick. 🙂

1- We went to the zoo a couple of weeks ago and were on our way out when we spotted the lions up close to the glass, so we went over there to take a few pictures and they started roaring back and forth. I’ve never heard lions roar like that, and it was crazy loud and SO freaking cool.

2- The baby is still not sleeping. She was sleeping through the night great and then she had a few teeth come in and ever since then she has struggled. It’s been a couple of months now and I’m dying, all I want is sleep. I’m trying to tell myself to embrace it because they aren’t little for long, but it’s hard to keep repeating that when you turn more and more into a sleep deprived zombie every day and all you want to do is bite everyone’s head off.

3- We love watching random cooking shows like Guy’s Grocery Games and other food competitions like that. Over the holidays we watched one that is based in Australia (a Netflix original I think, too) called, Zumbo’s Just Desserts and it was really fun. If you’re into baking/cooking shows I highly recommend it.

4- My sister got me some bath salts from Bath and Body works that are Eucalyptus. Praise heavens, I didn’t think such a wonderful thing existed until now.

5- I’m on the hunt for a new wallet! I’ve been using the same wallet for the last couple of years and I have loved it, it’s tan and pink and from COACH so it’s super cute and has held up really well, but I use it daily and it’s just time for a new wallet. Taking suggestions on people’s favorites so let me know what wallets you love in the comments!

6- I am obsessed with those big, fuzzy, old lady kind of socks right now. My feet are always cold and those big fluffy socks are so warm and cozy. I’m sure Tony is turned on by them all the time haha.

7- Three of the songs that have been on repeat lately in my playlists have been: The Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin (thanks, Thor Ragnarok!), Clint Eastwood (because the Gorillaz are the BEEEEEEST), and Perfect by Ed Sheeran (yes, it’s overplayed, yes, I love it anyway. HIS VOICE is perfect.)

8- My favorite nail color lately is SUPERNOVA by Sinful Colors. Every single time I have it on I get compliments. It’s kind of a metallic-y silver with a rose gold hint.

9- Sydney knows every word of This Is Halloween from the Nightmare Before Christmas. It’s my favorite thing ever and I feel like I’m winning as a parent every time she breaks out singing it, which at this point is like 3 times a day haha.

10- I’m already SO over winter, but I’m still trying to enjoy it. As part of my Love Evolves Her goal I’m trying to learn to love my situation for what it is, and right now my situation is cold, snowy, and icy. Haha I am just imagining a world where I can “love” this and it seems like a looming imaginary place of non-existence… failing already at my goal and it’s not even February haha.

11- Emilia is learning to crawl but she doesn’t totally have the hands and knees thing mastered yet, so right now she has a wonky scuttle she does across the floor and it’s hilarious.

12- My favorite thing on Pinterest right now are all of the workouts that people are pinning (probably because it’s the new year!) and I’m pinning right along with them! I really want to work on my back because I’ve had a lot of back problems for years (no thanks to the giant melons I heave around 24/7). I’m also hoping to get surgery later this year and I’d like to be in better health to help with the recovery after surgery.

13- My new favorite snack right now is Sheila G.’s Brownie Brittle. I discovered it a couple of years ago but I found it at Costco the other day and I remembered how delighted the tastebuds are when it goes into your mouth. I love how crunchy it is and it’s such a good snack that is low calorie. YASSSS.

XXOO Sunny

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Christmas Recap + 13 Randoms

I hope everyone had the happiest, most wonderful, merry Christmas and holiday season! I ate my weight in cheese fondue and I’m pretty sure Sydney got four times her weight’s worth of hatchimals toys. Have you guys seen those? I don’t know what it is with the “blind bag” style of toy right now but Sydney is completely obsessed with those. Santa even brought her one of the big eggs which to me seems like it’s really just a glorified furby… where my 90s kids at that remember those things??

I’m also really excited because I’ve been wanting one of the Fuji instax mini cameras FOREEEEEVVVVVEEEERRRRR and I’m completely obsessed. Tony always knows exactly what to get me and I’m obsessed (how many times can I use the word obsessed in a post?) with the mint color, I love it so much! Anyways… I wanted to do another 13 Randoms post today (see previous post here) and share some thoughts/things I’ve had going lately. 🙂

1- We just got EJ’s ears pierced and she looks like a freaking DOLL. I don’t know what is so cute about baby girls with their sweet little earrings!

2- I got a new perfume for Christmas, it’s the CHANEL Gabrielle perfume and it is a dream. Recently I read something about having a signature scent and I think I just found my new one for a while!

3- During one of my 2am sessions with Emilia, in my tired stupor I downloaded a fashion game that I found on Pinterest and now my life revolves around it, I can’t even talk about how much I love it because I love it so much haha. It’s super unusual for me because I am not a gamer and I’m not really into playing games on my phone or on an app either, but this game… guys. If you like fashion at all, GET IT. It’s called Covet. It’s free, but be warned, you blow through the free stuff fast and it will be tempting to spend money if you don’t pace yourself.

4- Sydney told me the other day that she was going to throw me under the bus and drive it. Yep. #winning as a parent.

5- I adore my little car, but it’s been on the fritz this year and requires me to start it twice every time. I’m really lucky it’s still running and that it’s been in such good condition but I am getting really bummed about the starter situation. I’ve replaced the batter, the starter, all of the plugs, and I have no idea what it could be. Advice welcome, haha.

6- Some of our favorite holiday traditions include seeing the Christmas lights in the park and watching A Christmas Story and we didn’t get to do either one this year sadly. I guess there is always next year, right?

7- I’m very excited for the new year. 2017 has been wonderful and the last half of the year since I’ve had Emilia has been some of the happiest months of my life, so I can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store! I have an interesting idea for a resolution that I’m itching to try out!

8- Sydney had a dance recital and I pretty much died and came back to life like 4 times while watching, it was tooooo cute. She danced to Frosty the Snowman.

9- I have been working on a bucket list for a long time and I want to actually start crossing off some of the things on my bucket list! What are some of the things on your guys’ bucket list? I’m still looking for ideas to add clearly haha. Even though it’s ridiculously long. Would you guys be interested in a post on that?? Anyways… rambling, but send me your ideas!

10- I recently discovered the stuffed chicken tortillas at the Cheesecake Factory. Up until now my favorite has been the fried Mac n cheese, but these stuffed chicken tortillas or absolutely delightful and I want to learn to make them at home, which is saying something because I hate cooking and actually want to learn more still? What? Who am I? 😉

11- I secretly like watching Sydney open up her hatchimals because I have more of an interest in the little animal inside that she gets than I should. I guess I do understand the blind bag obsession after all.

12- There is still time to get a candy cane shake at chick-fil-a. Don’t miss out.

13- My house is a disaster right now just after Christmas, but I actually got all of my decorations down and put away and it’s only one day after the holiday! I’m totally the person that leaves it up for 3+ weeks because I dread having to take it all down and I’m lazy, so I already feel like I’m getting a good start to my 2018 and I still have a few days left of 2017 to kill. Woo!

Happy almost New Years everyone!

 

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13 Randoms: A New Series

So you know when you see an idea and it just hits you like a bag of bricks and you think… YES! Pretty much this sums up my life. As much as I pride myself on creativity (well…I think I’m creative. Ha!) I am way too excited about copying really cool ideas. Literally, Pinterest exists for people like me.

As a side note- go follow me on Pinterest for my fun finds #promoteyourself 😉

But being a blogger, I am inspired by a lot of other bloggers and I love seeing what other people do, and among my favorite is Amber Fillerup from Barefoot Blonde. Guys, if you don’t follow her. Do. She is QUEEN. I’ve never met her, I don’t know that I ever will, but I swear she is my spirit animal. She does this really fun series called, “12 Things,” on her blog where she kind of just talks about fun stuff she has going on in her life or memories that she wants to remember.

AND I’M OBSESSED WITH THE IDEA.

In a way, my blog is kind of my journal. It’s my creative release, and I have hopes and dreams that one day my kids will be able to look back and think I was a cool mom for documenting all of this messy, crazy life experience. Or so they’ll be embarrassed of me, which I’m totally cool with, too. Ha.

So I thought I’d start my own version of 12 Things because it is such a fun idea. Only I’m going to do 13 Randoms. Because I’m a one-upper at heart and 13 is more than 12. I can’t help myself. It’s a personality flaw.  Also 13 is lucky, right? So with that… here is my first ever 13 RANDOMS 🙂

1- Sydney’s birthday was yesterday and I’m DYING because she is 5 years old now. We saw Coco, which is super cute, and I was reminded how lucky I am to be married into a family with such a beautiful, incredible culture.

2- I am absolutely DYING to do one of those DNA tests that you send in and then you get analyzed and you find out what parts of the world you are from. I have family that has done a lot of research on this so I have a pretty good idea, but I’d love to know more and I’ve been obsessing over it lately.

3- I just used the word DYING in all caps in both #1 and #2. I am aware that I overuse the CAPS feature when blogging. No, I’m not going to stop.

4- My hair is all falling out from being postpartum, and as it is growing out I’ve noticed it is way darker than it ever was before! It is crazy that pregnancy does such weird things to your body, like turning your hair dark. I’ll have to remedy that ASAP.

5- Candy Cane Kisses are out. YASSSSS!

6- Emilia has decided she is no longer sleeping through the night, so it’s great because I get to be awake all day at work, then awake all night with her. Who needs sleep? #notthisgirl #justkiddingimdying

7- I wish I could get a pocket size version of my husband. He is hilarious and I constantly need a pick-me-up. Also when I first typed, “pick-me-up” it autocorrected to pickle. I constantly need a pickle. Also true.

8- Emilia turned 6 months old over the weekend. Again, I will repeat the saying, I’M DYING. It’s impossible how fast they grow!!

9- I’m done with ALL of my Christmas shopping for the season. Yes, really! Let’s be clear. I’m the kind of person that is the shopper at Walgreens at 9:30pm on Christmas Eve because it is the only place open shopping for gifts. The fact that I’m done before December 1 is crazy. I don’t even know who I am anymore.

10-I know I’ve said it a zillion times now, but I can’t stop loving on the Southern Blush bows for babies and girls. I have so many of them, and every bow she posts I feel like I need to buy. Emilia is a brand rep for them now and all you guys get 15% off so you can join in on this goodness. I know this sounds really sales pitch-y, but for reals I would not be repine’ their stuff if I wasn’t in love with it. Plus Jamie (owner) is a complete and total doll. Go get those bows! Discount Code: ONYX15

11- Emilia does this really cute thing where she gets this stern, judgmental look on her face while she watches you and you can just feel her judging. Then she’ll cock up one of her eyebrows and looks like the Rock. We’ve started calling her the pebble, because she really does look like a little mini Dwayne Johnson.

12- I am really loving on the company Rags to Raches right now, but man, they’re stuff goes WAY too fast. I was so excited for a new rag to drop, and right on the dot when it dropped I added it to my cart, but by the time I hit checkout, it was sold out. I may or may not have literally started crying. I need to get my prozac adjusted if I plan to keep trying to shop there for their cute stuff.

13- I just bought LipSense to try for the first time to see if it was worth all the rage. I was surprised at how much I liked it actually, and I think I’ll do a full product review soon and talk about all of my likes and dislikes. I still think that Urban Decay is my favorite when it comes to lipstick though!

XXOO Sunny

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17 Things To Do AFTER Baby Arrives


Finally! After 9 months of gestation, discomfort, an ever expanding belly, and cravings, you have finally crossed the delivery hurdle and are standing past the finish line… with a brand new baby in your arms. And then the question hits you like a freight train… WHAT NOW? Yes, you have motherly instincts that will help you a little, but the first several weeks after delivery are often considered some of the most emotional and exhausting of a woman’s life, and at least when I get emotional and exhausted, I have a hard time remembering all of the things I need or want to do! Now that it has been a couple of years since my baby, I think I have had enough time to remember all of the things I should have done during those very first few weeks (at least I hope I’ve had enough time, ha!) Here is the list I have compiled of things to do in those first few weeks after baby arrives!

1-Take Newborn Photos

If you plan on doing so. The most incredible thing about babies by far is how ridiculously fast they grow and change. You can literally almost visibly see it happening day by day. If you plan on having newborn photos taken, do it within the first 2 weeks after baby is born. This is something I mentioned can be scheduled in my list of 24 Things To Do in Your 9th Month of Pregnancy.

2- Write Your Story!

Another amazing thing about babies… when you have one, it is shocking how quickly you lose your memory. Write down your pregnancy journey and the story of your child’s birth as a keepsake for yourself or your child. You will be amazed at how quickly all of the details fade, and having a child, at least in my opinion, is one of the most incredible things, so remembering the details might be something you treasure.

3- Invest in Epsom Salt

Oh, this stuff is HEAVENLY for helping to heal after baby delivery. It is natural and helps your skin feel soft but also has healing aids to help your body recover after having a baby, whether vaginally or via cesarean. Trust me, your body will thank me for it.

4- Sleep When Baby Sleeps

I can’t stress this enough. Your body is tired. It is trying to recover. You are more than likely sore or itchy. And you are coping with the 5 million emotions that come with having a baby. The best thing for your body to help cope and recover is getting rest and sleep, which unfortunately can be scarce with a baby. The great news is, newborns typically sleep A LOT. And I know all you want to do is hold them while they sleep, or you will want to have your visitor at times when they are sleeping so you don’t have to deal with baby’s awake needs with people there, but if your baby is asleep, the best thing you can do is try and catch a few ZZZs yourself. Don’t worry about your own “sleep schedule” because your body needs the extra sleep to recover and honestly, you just had a baby woman, don’t feel guilty about letting yourself sleep a little extra for once!

5- Send Out Announcements

This is something you want to do within the first couple of months usually, because let’s face it… it is a little weird to get a baby announcement and the kid is already sprouting teeth in the photo and the kid is obviously closer to 1yr old than newborn. Many parents like to do this right after their newborn photos are born. I personally didn’t send out any announcements through mail, but I found a cute photo and sent it to all of my friends/family/colleagues through email with the usual info (baby name, birthdate, weight, etc.) Yes, I’m a little unrefined and boring, but at the time I was just too tired to think about it. Maybe if I had made this list then I would have pulled myself together and gotten some sent out? Ha!

6- Schedule Your Baby’s Appointments

This is something you want to do pretty immediately as most pediatricians want to see your baby within the first two weeks of your baby’s life. If you don’t already have a pediatrician, finding one should be on the top of your priority list. Ask the nurses at the hospital for recommendations on where to start, or talk to your friends and family about suggestions for doctors they may have.

7- And While You’re At It….. Make Your Own Appointment

Depending on whether you had a vaginal birth or a cesarean, doctors will want to see you anywhere between 2 and 8 weeks postpartum to make sure everything is healing properly. At that time they will usually go over your plans for birth control if you plan to use any after baby, so doing some research about birth control methods previous to the appointment can be helpful.

8- Stock up on Snacks

And you get bonus points if they are ready to go without any prep or can be eaten with one hand. As your body recovers you need extra nutrients and energy to keep it healing and going, and if you are breastfeeding it is even more important. My favorite things were fruits and veggies that were just cut up and ready to go, or things like trailmix or granola bars that provided a little bit of protein.

9- Don’t be Afraid to Ask Questions

Especially if you are a first time mom, you will probably have a LOT of questions. And if you are anything like me, they will cause you anxiety if you don’t get answers! When you think of questions, write them down, then you can call a doctor or shoot a text to your mom or look online to find answers. Most hospitals have nurses on staff 24 hours a day to answer questions, and they were an amazing resource to me when I had questions about a clogged milk duct and why my baby hadn’t pooped for three days. Don’t be afraid to ask! Everyone understands you are doing your best!

10- Find Helpers and LET Them Help

This is another one on my list of things to do in the 9th month of pregnancy, but I really feel strongly about allowing people to help when you need it. Find people who can come vacuum your floors, wash your dishes, or make a run to the grocery store for you so that you can focus on resting.

11- Pump!!

For you breastfeeding mamas…. Yes, engorgement is the worst, and I highly recommend getting a pump and pumping asap. Not only does it help with the pain of engorgement, but it helps you build up your milk supply for when you need to have the baby fed and are not in a position to breastfeed. Many people will debate me on this because your body is still learning to adjust and it produces however much milk it thinks it is using, so if you pump then your body will think it needs more and thus will make more, thinking the baby needs more, leading to more engorgement. All of that is true, but from my opinion, the relief was so incredible that I would rather do it over and over again and build up milk supply for the freezer than live with engorgement for several weeks while my body adjusts. Especially where I had to return to work, having milk supply stocked in my freezer was something that was important to me.

12- File Your Paperwork

When you have a baby, there are all sorts of forms to fill out and places to report to. To eliminate hassle later, it is best to get this done early. The hospital will usually give you forms to fill out to get the birth certificate and your child’s social security card (for babies in the US), or you can request to have it sent to you. Also remember to report your delivery to your insurance and fill out any necessary forms they require to make sure your baby is covered. Most insurance companies require this to be done pretty quickly, within the first 30 (or so) days.

13- Watch Out for Symptoms of Post Partum Depression

This one is a HUGE one for me. I struggled with postpartum depression after having my baby, and it was the single worst, most horrible thing I have ever experienced. It is incredibly dangerous because many moms don’t realize they are suffering, don’t want to admit they are struggling, or feel too embarrassed to tell anyone about it. This post here lists some symptoms of post partum depression that are common and should be watched for, and this one here talks about people who are at risk of postpartum depression. It is not a subject to be skipped over or taken lightly, of all the things to do on this list, this is really the most important one to do in my opinion.

14- Lots of Skin to Skin

Skin to skin has amazing psychological, emotional, and physical health benefits for both baby and mama. Especially in the first few weeks of life, having skin to skin contact helps a baby to build trust, feel secure, and feel close to mommy while being provided with a feeling of safety in the strange new world they have entered. It can also really help build the bond between child and parent, so this isn’t limited to just moms! Dads should definitely do it too!

15- Let Yourself Heal

You just had a baby. Give yourself a break. Please. You don’t need to be bending and pulling to make the bed every day, wearing yourself out with housework, or straining your body as it tries to heal through doing too much exercise. This is a free ticket to sit in your sweat pants and eat whatever you want and snuggle your smooshy, wonderful bundle of joy while binge-watching Netflix for the next few weeks. Use it.

16- Make Your Fitness Plan

For later. As previously stated, let your body heal. Now is the time that you can make your goals and a plan for how you want to approach any health or fitness goals you might have, but clear it with your doctor before beginning and take things slowly.

17- Treat Yourself

In whatever way you want! You just had a baby, you are going through a lot of changes, and sometimes it is hard to cope with all of that. Allow yourself to splurge on YOU a little. If you see something you love on Amazon, buy it. Or you get a sudden burst of energy and want to bake some cookies, do it. If you are feeling pretty good about how things are going and would like a break, let yourself go out on a date. Don’t skip out on this one because truly, you deserve it!

If you aren’t quite to the fourth trimester yet, be sure to check out 27 Things To Do When You Find Out You Are Pregnant and my list of Must Haves for the Hospital Bag.

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27 Things To Do When You Find Out You Are Pregnant


You’re Pregnant. Honest to goodness, positive line on a stick, you have a little body growing inside of you. The vast range of emotions you feel when you find out your pregnant cannot be prepared for, but one thing is for sure, you had better start preparing now for that little bundle because nine months goes a lot faster than you would expect. There are a lot of people that say you shouldn’t be trying to prepare in your first trimester of pregnancy and that you have plenty of time to think about things later, but it is never too early to start preparing and let’s be honest, you are way too excited/anxious to not do something, right??

Now, I am not saying to run off and pack your hospital bag or anything (let’s reserve that for something to do in your 9th month of pregnancy, read more here!), but there are a lot of things you can (and probably should!) do now.

Here is a list of things to do in your first trimester of pregnancy to keep you sane when you find out you are pregnant!

1. Start Taking A Pre-Natal Vitamin

If you were trying to conceive then you might have already started doing this, but if you haven’t then start NOW. Pre-natal vitamins contain all of the necessary vitamins that your body needs to produce a healthy, growing baby during development and the first trimester is when all of the major organs are developing so you need to have those vitamins. You can get these by prescription from a doctor, but they can also be bought over the counter. Just look on the back and make sure it has folic acid in it (recommended by most doctors is 800mg). This one is VITAL to start in your first trimester of pregnancy, so get on that as quick as you can!

2. Read Up!

It is never to early to start reading about pregnancy, babies, and parenthood. There is so much information out there that even though you have 9 months to read it, you still won’t read it all! Becoming educated about what is happening in your body is helpful because you can understand the stages of development and you gain awareness of what things you should be looking for so that you know if something isn’t right. Plus it is SO interesting, I am always amazed when I read about how that little bean develops inside! It is just fascinating. My favorite book was Your Pregnancy Week-by-Week, but I also LOVED reading pregnancy blogs and I loved reading the book I got for Tony about pregnancy, The Caveman’s Pregnancy Companion.

3. Make a Doctor Appointment

Maybe you already have an awesome doctor, in which case call them up and schedule an appointment. If you are like me though, you will probably have no idea where to even begin the doctor search. Start by asking people who they like, look up reviews, and if all else fails just find your nearest OBGYN clinic or even the closest hospital and give them a call. Then you can get some names and research them. And if you go to your appointment and find out you don’t like them, don’t be afraid to branch out and find a doctor you really trust because that will be important. Once you find a doctor, schedule an appointment some time in your first trimester of pregnancy. Some doctors will take you as soon as you find out, while others like to wait until you are 8-10 weeks before the first appointment.

4. Calculate Your Due Date

This is more just for fun than anything, when you go to your doctor’s appointment they will calculate it for you based on when your last period was and baby’s measurements, but if your doctor requests that you be 8-10 weeks to see you it might just be too hard to wait! There are a lot of sites that have due date calculators and you just plug in your information and it gives you the date! Of course it is subject to change based on the actual timing that you may not know, but it is usually fairly accurate.

5. Decide Who/When/How To Tell

This one is kind of tricky and there is a lot of controversy regarding this. Some say you should wait until you are out of the first trimester of pregnancy others think it is fine to tell everyone immediately. You can read more about my opinions on that here, but just know that whatever you decide to do is a good decision. Whenever you decide to tell you can get as creative as you want (I will post some fun announcement ideas soon!) or let it be a simple, special moment.

6. Alter Your Exercise Routine

I should add, if applicable. Exercise is encouraged during pregnancy, but clear it with your doctor first before continuing. There may be some exercises you should refrain from doing or alter a bit so that they are safe for pregnancy. You can search pregnancy safe exercises or talk with your doctor about them.

7. Adjust Your Eating Habits

Having a baby means your body is working extra hard and needs all of the nutrients it can possibly get! Try loading up on healthy foods that have important vitamins and proteins that you need. Vegetables that are rich in folic acid like leafy greens, legumes, avocados, and green peppers are great. It also helps to start eating small meals, several times a day. This might be tricky if you are struggling with morning sickness, and if this is the case don’t feel bad. Eat what you can and here are some tips for morning sickness that might help you survive.

8. Take a “Before” Photo

This is something that I didn’t do and I regret it 100%. It is fun to be able to compare your photos as you grow from month to month, not to mention a fun way to help document your journey and your child will love to look back and see what it was like when you were pregnant. I wish I had made myself take one in my first trimester of pregnancy with my babies because I didn’t really take any photos until I started showing, and I totally regret it! The before and after is always the most fun to see!

9. Start Using Lotion Now

Everywhere. Every day. Multiple times a day. I am not convinced that doing a bunch of extra treatments really helps prevent stretchmarks, I kind of think you either get them or you don’t because stretchmarks occur when your skin lacks elasticity which is actually genetic, but it doesn’t hurt and hey, it might help. If anything it keeps your skin moisturized which is huge because when you are super pregnant and your belly starts itching from dryness, it is THE most uncomfortable feeling. Possibly aiding in avoiding stretchmarks is really a bonus.

10. STOP drinking, smoking, birth control, etc.

Does this one really need any explanation? All of these things are harmful to baby’s development. The second you know you are pregnant, ditch these things. If you are on birth control that is invasive, such as an IUD or a rod in your arm, contact your doctor immediately. Again, this one is VITAL to pay attention to in the first trimester of pregnancy.

11. Download a Pregnancy App

This was one of my favorite pregnancy aids, I downloaded the babycenter app and loved it because I just put my due date in and it provided weekly updates and information right to my phone! Even though reading books is great, sometimes they can feel overwhelming so to have an app that has a ton of information all in one place, and each week provides a short synopsis of what is happening as well as tips and videos and photos was amazing. I loved my babycenter one but I know there are several great ones out there.

12. Start Documenting Your Journey

It will amaze you how quickly pregnancy brain sinks in and how easily you forget things about being pregnant. Start taking photos and writing about your journey. You can use a diary or get a notebook and write one line a day about pregnancy. You can also start a photo journal or photo book or write about it on your blog. There is a ton to do after you have a baby (check out the list I created of 17 things to do after baby comes here) without having to remember everything about pregnancy and writing it down, it is much easier to do along the way if you have the energy to do it!

13. SLEEP!

Your body is working hard during that first trimester of pregnancy especially, you need that extra rest! Your body is busy making brains and all the other organs your baby needs. Take the good sleep while you can because by your third trimester, it is going to be hard to get good sleep and once you have the baby you can just plan on always being a little tired for the next 18 years. (jokes, but really!)

14. Make a To-Do List

What things do you want or need to get done before the baby arrives? Make sure to write them all down so you don’t forget then make a calender and schedule when to try and get them done. This will save you immense stress in that last trimester when you are rushing to finish everything before the baby gets here!

15. Check Your Medications

There are a LOT of medications that are unsafe for pregnancy, so if you currently take any, look at the bottle and find out what it says about taking while pregnant. Be sure to clear all medications with your doctor too. Also be aware that many over the counter medications can be harmful too, even medications for something as simple as a headache or heartburn. Find out what medications you can and can’t use and then try to find alternative methods that are pregnancy safe. This goes for natural medicines and essential oils too as some are unsafe for pregnancy.

16. Keep a List of Questions

When I first found out I was pregnant, I had more questions than I could possibly imagine having, but of course my first doctor appointment came and he said, “do you have any questions?” And my mind went completely blank. Keep a list with you and as you think of questions, add them to the list, so that you can be prepared when asked if you have any questions.

17. Become Acquainted with Symptoms to Watch for

Both positive and negative. Some bloating, cramping, spotting, nausea, tiredness, and soreness of breasts are fairly common symptoms, and whether you get all or some or none of them is going to depend on you and your own pregnancy. Be aware of some of the possibilities, but also be aware of the things to watch out for like heavier bleeding, severe cramping, or dehydration so that you can get to a doctor if necessary and maintain a healthy pregnancy.

18. Find Support

Pregnancy is a long, emotional journey. The sooner you find a support system the better. This could be your spouse/partner, friends, family, or even online support groups for other parents or pregnant women. I personally love the social media scene for joining groups and supporting each other! Find me on Instagram HERE.

19. Try to Ease Your Symptoms

So you are sick. Really sick. And you can’t manage to go more than 45 minutes without yawning. And you can’t count the number of times you are going to the bathroom in a day because it is so often. Relax. This is normal and usually are signs of a healthy pregnancy. You may not be able to get rid of symptoms entirely, I mean you are building another human afterall- give yourself a break! But there are some tricks you can do to help manage your symptoms- not drinking a lot of water before bed will help reduce bathroom breaks at night. Taking naps in the day or going to bed early will help ease how tired you feel. And for morning sickness, here are some tips here

20. Research, Research, Research!

A lot of people don’t realize how many options are available when it comes to pregnancy, delivery, and parenting. Start researching now so that you can make well informed decisions about what you want to do. If you want some ideas for where to start researching, you can start with looking at different delivery methods, breastfeeding vs. bottlefeeding, pregnancy tools to use, and various parenting methods. Try not to get lost in all of that information and follow what you feel is best for you and your baby!

21. Start Saving Money

Babies are EXPENSIVE. Maybe you are financially set already to have this child, but if you aren’t then now is the time to start saving up! When it comes to saving money, 9 months isn’t that long of a time. Start finding coupons for baby items to stock up when they go on sale and putting aside money each month that can go towards the baby.

22. Learn About Your Insurance

There is no nice way to say this really, but most people will agree with me when I say that insurance can be the biggest pain in the butt. Now is the time to call and inform them of the pregnancy, what your options are, what things they cover, and if they have any programs specifically for pregnant women. I know some insurance programs offer bonuses specifically for pregnant women such as 24 hour access to nurses, free books and informational outlets, free infant CPR classes (or similar), and even can offer freebies like breastpumps and giftcards.

23. Invest in a Pregnancy Pillow

ASAP. I didn’t get a good pillow to use until I was into my third trimester, and it changed my pregnant life. I was lucky (eyeroll) and got to have morning sickness for my entire pregnancy, and this pillow helped immensely with the nausea at night because it helped control stomach acid and heartburn, which both make nausea worse. Plus pregnancy can get extremely uncomfortable, it will be nice to have this on hand when you first start feeling uncomfortable rather than waiting until just weeks before you deliver. Trust me, you will be thanking me on this.

24. Avoid Reading Stressful/Negative Things About Pregnancy

Being pregnant already increases your stress levels and anxiety, don’t fuel it with online discussion boards about horror stories with pregnancy or read stressful information in books. If it is something that might make you worry or give you negative thoughts, save yourself the stress and skip it. You are already working hard enough to create that little person, don’t spend extra energy worrying and stressing about things you read.

25. Drink More Water

Staying hydrated is extremely important even when you aren’t pregnant, which makes it just that much more important when you are! Your body needs more water too because it expels so much energy while building a body, and the baby starts to use up that water too. Grab a giant, refillable, BPA free bottle and keep it with you constantly and drink every time you think about it.

26. Find Comfortable Clothes

You may not have a big belly yet, but over the next few weeks you will start to notice clothes fitting tighter and pants feeling more snug on your waist. I know, I know, you don’t need pregnancy clothes this early, but honestly they are THE most comfortable things and you might as well take advantage of them while you can. This early on, I would probably invest in some good leggings or something with a stretchier waistband so that you are comfortable until you get to a point where you will fit into maternity clothes. And I don’t even need to mention that it is just fun to look at maternity clothes, even if you don’t need them right away and there is no shame in that!

27. Stop Stressing and RELAX!

Yes, you are having a baby and your life is about to change and it is exciting! But these first few weeks can be very overwhelming and exhausting, both emotionally and physically. Try not to stress about little things, negative things, or things that just don’t matter. Instead, focus on taking care of yourself and being excited about your baby! That little miracle will be your most amazing accomplishment and the greatest love of your life!

Let’s be friends! Come find me on instagram! @heysunnyjess

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5 Things to Help Hold the Reigns of the Plastic Horse When You Are Going Round and Round

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Some days, you just don’t know where you are going. And that is OK! And some days, you just don’t know who you are. And that is OK , too! It is kind of like that quote, “Life is like a carousel. Sometimes you’re up, sometimes you’re down, sometimes you go round and round. Just remember to enjoy the ride.”

For whatever reason, I always liked that quote (not sure who the original creator was), probably because it is cheesy. What can I say? I love the cheese. Lately however, I feel like I have just been going round and round and round. I thought I had it all figured out, only to have my crazy heart tell me that I should go in a different direction. Wait… did I say heart? hmm. Maybe it is the universe telling me. Or the JuJu Gods. The Colors of the Wind maybe? Whatever it is, I suddenly wasn’t happy with the said direction I had previously “chosen” for my life and to be quite honest, I haven’t totally figured out what direction is supposed to replace it. Hence… I go round and round and round.

And let me tell you, going round and round is not as easy as it has seemed. Maybe it is due to my high anxiety, but I find it extremely frustrating and stressful that I can’t seem to keep up with my life, like a storm chaser after a tornado. Or maybe I am the tornado and I am just spinning out of control? Anyhow, it doesn’t matter WHAT the reason is so much as that what matters is that it is important to find a way to keep calm so you can keep a firm grasp on that plastic pony while you go round’n’round. Here are a few things I have found helpful, maybe this list can help a few of you (my fellow “round’n’rounders” trying to figure out who you are and what you’re supposed to be doing) too.

  1. Find What you Love. When in doubt about who you want to be or what you are supposed to do, turn to your passions. I am cheesy and corny, so I already know how this sounds, but I am truly a firm believer in individuals being given their passions and talents for a reason. It is shameful not to engage in it. And more importantly, if you aren’t passionate about what you are doing you will never be as happy as you could be.
  2. If All Else Fails, Try EVERYTHING. If you don’t know what you love, find it. Believe it or not, there is a LOT of things to do out there in the world. That means there is a ton of potential for finding what you love and what you are good at. You will never know that you have the potential to be the world’s best Pooktre Artist if you never try it out. (BTW Pooktre Art is pretty dang cool!)
  3. Find an Outlet. Going round in circles on the carousel sometimes just makes you dizzy. Find something to distract you from the circles and helps you focus on just YOU. Find an outlet. For me, I like writing this blog. The writing isn’t my best, I don’t spell check, I just write for my self therapy. My husband does photography. Some people like to knit or play an instrument. Occasionally I draw for fun. This outlet needs to be something that draws attention to YOU. To something that makes YOU feel better.
  4. De-Tox. All of that pent of stress and anxiety? TOXIC. Find a way to relieve that stress from your shoulders and it will be much easier for you to focus. Studies show that people who meditate just for a few minutes every morning tend to be way more productive. (No, I am not looking up stats for this post- I have enough homework I am procrastinating, thank you! For more info on meditation and health benefits check out this WebMD article.) I like to escape into books. Or take a bubble bath. Many people love yoga (these people are usually skinny and can twist themselves into a pretzel- both tricks I have yet to master, but someday I’m sure I will!) Or maybe you just need to take an entire weekend and binge-watch an entire series of a television show on Netflix. If you have money, go get a pedicure or a massage. Just do something to relax and rid yourself of unnecessary stress.
  5. Don’t Waste Your Time Waiting for the Right Thing to Come Along. You will never get married if you wait around for the right guy to show up ringing your doorbell. You will never be a concert pianist without practicing. You will never go on that vacation if you don’t try to come up with a way to get money for it. All advice you have probably heard before, but it is true. Even if you don’t know where you are going or what you want to do. Don’t let yourself stop progressing just because you don’t know where your potential lies. Keep trying new things, focusing on yourself, and finding your own potential. Make life happen, don’t let it happen to you.

Sometimes you might just be going in circle in life, but sometimes you need to go in circles to help discover yourself. It is the time in life to discover where you want to go and who you have the potential to be. It is inevitable that some days, you are going to feel like the Lily Tomlin quote that says, “I always wanted to be somebody… but now I realize I should have been more specific!” You will wish that you had been more specific when asking to be a “somebody!” Unfortunately that is just life. Or maybe it is fortunate. When you start going in circles and feel the monotonous round and round motion of that carousel horse, you know it is time to start focusing on yourself to find what you are really supposed to be doing. With that, I will just say this once more! Don’t let life just happen to you, you should make life happen!

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Mommy Must Haves: The Hospital Bag

I think I mentioned in my previous post 24 Things To Do In Your 9th Month Of Pregnancy, that it seems like this fall is baby season this year! So, as a follow up post, for all of my friends, family, readers, and everyone else having a baby or thinking about it, I have put together a list of my recommendations to stuff your hospital bag with as you anticipate your labor pain adventure your precious babe’s birth day!

(Side note: I am a chronic overpacker, so I didn’t need half of the stuff I brought… I will make sure to include the items you DON’T really need so you don’t break your back dragging your bags around the hospital!)

For Mom

  • Something to Do While you Labor. Occasionally labor goes really fast for women and they have a baby literally 20 minutes after checking in. Lucky brats. This is NOT the case for most women- I labored from 7:30 in the morning when I was induced until after midnight. And I didn’t pack ANYTHING to do. What a fool I was. Tony did try to help by purchasing me a magazine…but it ended up being in Spanish! Whoops! Save yourself the boredom and distract yourself from the pain (as much as possible anyway) and bring something to do. Card games, Books, Magazines, Games on a tablet or phone, or even writing thank you cards from your baby shower are all great options. (Especially that last one!)
  • Fresh Underwear. All I could do was pray thanks to God that my mother went out and bought me fresh, comfy underwear to wear after having a baby. You don’t have to buy new stuff, but make sure what you bring is clean and maybe a little bit roomy for comfort, but more importantly, to fit that giant diaper-sized pad you will be wearing! The hospital provides pads that literally go from your belly button to your mid back, and some sexy mesh undies to go over it. I found them terribly itchy and was so glad I had my own to wear!
  • Deodorant. Having a baby is hard work, whether vaginally or c-section. You better believe your body is going to be producing some major body odor and having something to swipe some freshness every so often is extremely welcome. (Maybe this is just me, but when I stink I begin to panic about everyone else smelling me, and that is the LAST thing you should be worrying about when having a baby!)
  • Robe. Well, technically you don’t NEED this as the hospital provides some beautiful smocks for you to wear….but as sexy and tempting as they were, I would have been glad to have something of my own to wear to make me feel a little more put together. Something that is short enough not to tangle aound your legs and still has easy access to your front as you (and baby) get checked often after delivery. Usually when you are sleeping because those nurses have an evil agenda. Ha.
  • Something Comfy to wear home. Don’t try for cute. You just had a baby, you aren’t going to be getting right back in those skinny jeans and cute bras. Wear a comfy nursing bra (unless you have boobs too big for a nursing bra…like me…again post coming soon on big boob problems) a loose t shirt, and some sweat pants. Or a maternity outfit. Don’t get stressed trying to impress anyone by dressing cute.
  • Some kind of comfy Socks, Slippers, or Flip Flops. Unfortunately after having a baby, those darn nurses and their sneaky, evil agendas make you walk. Especially if you had a c-section. (Something about being good for you? I think they just have an agenda haha) And to me, it is just disgusting to walk around the icky, germy hospital in your bare feet. Supposedly they can give you some sockies if you ask, but I never got any and I felt cleaner (and safer from hospital cooties) having my own slippers to put my feet into.
  • Insurance Card, Hospital Registration, and ID. Now, if you show up in labor, they won’t turn you away if you don’t have these documents, but it sure does make the process a whole lot easier if you have them ready to go! At some point they will make you provide this information so it is just best to have it in the bag! Because I was induced, my doctor got all of the registration stuff ready for me a week before I went in, so if you have an idea when your baby might come, see if you can pre-register and save some stress.
  • Chapstick and Lotion. Holy Moses, after labor and delivery, I ITCHED. Not everyone has this problem, but since I had a winter baby, have dry skin anyway, and from all of the medicine, my body was a dry, itchy nightmare. Having some lotion and chapstick readily available was the best idea I had when packing my bag, hands down.
  • Toothbrush and Toothpaste. Maybe Mouthwash. Keep bad breath at bay. Enough said.
  • Dry Shampoo. Or if you know you are going to be there for a few days, actual shampoo and conditioner. Travel size is fine. Like I said before, it is hard work for your body to deliver a baby, no matter how you do it. Afterward you just feel sweaty and greasy. At a time like this, clean hair makes ALL the difference.
  • Camera and Charger. Yes, you will be just like every other parent out there and want to take a zillion and a half pictures. And that is OK. Just be prepared for it. I am going to add BRING A PHONE CHARGER for this one too, because we took tons of pictures on our smartphones!
  • A treat for yourself! They won’t usually let you eat during labor, but afterward, you DEFINITELY deserve that piece of candy! Treat yourself!

What to leave at home:

  • Nipple Cream. If you plan on breastfeeding, the hospital typically will provide you with some of this if you ask for it. And trust me, you will want it. Breastfeeding is HARD work.
  • Squirt Bottle. After having a vaginal delivery, you just need to have something to help you freshen up and even to help you go to the bathroom! It might be something you can consider bringing, but again, the hospital typically provides you with one.
  • Breastfeeding pillow. Best invention ever. But when going to the hospital, it was just one more thing I had to carry and let’s face it, I was tired of carrying things. So I ended up doing JUST FINE with the hospital pillows and used my boppy once I got home.
  • Extra Clothes. Besides your outfit to wear home and your pjs or robe to wear around the hospital, you really don’t need clothes. You won’t be there forever, and you have no reason you need to get dressed. Enjoy not having to get dressed. (I will use ANY excuse not to have to dress up!)

For Dad

  • Change of Clothes. Unlike you mom, dad DOES have to keep getting dressed as the hospital does not provide him a glorious robe to wear. I would suggest sweat pants and a t-shirt. Tony wanted to look nice for all the baby pictures so he wore jeans. To each his own.
  • Cash. Mom might not be allowed to eat during labor, but dad is going to get hungry. Bring some cash for the vending machines, nearby gas stations, or the hospital cafeteria. Our hospital had a starbucks in it, so Tony was really excited he had some cash to spend on a muffin.
  • Something to do while mom is in labor. Same type of list as mom. Magazines, books, games, or maybe the two of you can download some movies to your tablet to watch?
  • Toothbrush and Deodorant. Dad’s get smelly too!
  • Pillow and Blanket. Not all hospitals will provide this for the daddy’s, however even if they do, dad might prefer to have his own stuff anyway.
  • Snacks. For the same reason you bring cash, dad will probably get hungry and may not want to leave the room or spend money at the vending machine. Having a few snacks handy, especially if it is in the early hours of the morning, will make him grateful!

For Baby

  • Going home outfit. The hospital provides a little shirt for them to wear in the hospital, but when they leave you don’t want them to go naked! Actually I doubt the hospital would let you take them naked…. Anyways- for this go for comfy more than cute. It is your baby’s first outfit, try to choose something that will be soft on that tender new skin and be sure to wash it with hypoallergenic or baby detergent first so that the clothing doesn’t irritate the newborn skin.
  • Blanket. The hospital does provide a blanket to swaddle the baby in while there, but when you are leaving it will be nice to have a blanket to wrap up your little bundle of joy. Plus, many hospitals now have an awesome feature where they have an on-staff photographer come and take pictures with your baby. I loved having a pretty blanket for these pictures!
  • Carseat. You won’t leave the hospital without it.

What to leave home:

  • Diapers and Wipes: The hospital provides these for you. And diapers are SO expensive, trust me, you should take FULL advantage of the ones they give you!
  • Nasal Aspirator: This is something necessary to have for newborns, which means that the hospital provides one right from the get go!
  • Pacifier: There are mixed opinions about this one. The hospital does provide them, but many people don’t recommend using them at all for the first two to three weeks to avoid nipple confusion. Sydney LOVED her hospital pacifiers, so even if you choose not to use them until later, make sure to take advantage of the hospital ones they give you.

I hope this list helps a few of you sort out what things you choose to bring and what things you choose to leave home. Remember, the reason you are at the hospital is to HAVE A BABY, focus on only bringing the essentials and avoid packing frivolous items so that you can focus more on being a mommy than on your strained back from carrying heavy bags!!! 🙂

If you liked this post, come find me on instagram and see more of my daily shenanigans!

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Best Platforms for Building a Blog and How To Choose the Best One

I’ve said it a million times lately to my instagram friends that only have an IG account, but I’m going to say it again right here, really loud. YOUR WEBSITE IS YOUR BEST INVESTMENT. 

You need, need, need to have a website if you are serious about blogging or having a business. Hell, even if you’re not that serious about it, it’s a small investment to make in order to protect your content because it’s the one thing that you own! 

Now that I’ve got my you-need-a-website pitch out of the way for now, let’s talk about the nitty gritty- how to actually create your website and which platform is going to be best to help you do that! 

I’m not going to pretend to be a total expert about site-building and code and all of that jazz, but I’ve been in the blogging game for a lot of years now and I’ve learned a thing or two about having to build your own site from scratch with no knowledge. 

**And guess what, if you’re like me, and don’t know anything about building a site, I want you to know that YOU CAN DO IT and no, it’s not too hard to do alone! **

If you want to build your blog, start here!

There are several different platforms for building your website and a lot of them are great for blogs. I’m going to share some of the top 3 here and talk about the pros and cons of using them based on my own research and personal experience, so you can make an informed decision for yourself! 

First up, WordPress! 

In general, WordPress is kind of the powerhouse of all site builders and dominates the market. For a long time, WordPress was really the only option bloggers had!

It’s important to note that WordPress does have a free blogging platform (wordpress.com) but if you want to truly own your content and site, you’ll need to go through a site host and install wordpress.org to build your website. 

You’ll need a hosting service.

Think of your host as the place where your site is stored, you use your hosts servers to store the information and you’re purchasing your little slice of the internet through them.

There are tons of hosts out there, but some common popular ones to start for new bloggers are bluhost, godaddy, hostgator, and ipage. Once you have your host, you’ll be able to build your site using WordPress.

The Pros of WordPress

The great thing about WordPress is that it’s completely customizable, you could literally code a site from scratch if you wanted to. There are thousands upon thousands of plugins, widgets, and themes that all work with WordPress, so you can find nearly anything you might want for your blog easily and can modify your site easily yourself.

PS I recently did a post about the best places to shop for cute WordPress themes! Find it here!

Once you learn it, the system is fairly easy to use, and it integrates with other platforms you might use (such as google analytics!) 

The Cons of WordPress

The downside to WordPress is that especially for a brand new beginner, it’s a pretty steep learning curve. I have spent literally hundreds of hours researching how to do things and watching youtube tutorials trying to figure things out on my own, and they don’t really have a support team to help you. They do have support forums so you can type in your question and hope someone responds, but I’ve never had much luck finding results with those. 

Other Considerations

Of course, there is always the option to hire someone to help you get your blog started or to help with some of the coding stuff. I once had a coding problem with my redirects that I had NO clue how to fix, and I was able to find someone to help me fix that one little problem for fairly cheap.

If you don’t have the time to spend figuring out certain aspects of wordpress or need some custom coding, hiring someone to help is a great option. Otherwise, you might spend some time learning how to do it yourself, and that’s great too (build those skills, right?) 

Overall, in my experience I’d say the majority of bloggers and small businesses tend to use and recommend WordPress because it gives you the most power in terms of complete customization and options. 

Now let’s talk Squarespace!

I’ll just put this out there right now, I really wish I had known about Squarespace when I was starting out.

The Pros about Squarespace

Squarespace is an ALL IN ONE platform for site hosting and creating, so you don’t have to have a separate host and install a builder (the way you do with WordPress). 100 points for convenience, right there! 

Squarespace is also built to be used by people who don’t know what they’re doing and don’t know the first thing about code, which means it’s a lot of easy to install templates, drag and drop features, and a super user-friendly interface. My grandparents could build their own site with this thing, it’s THAT easy to use. And if you get stuck? 24/7 customer support – it’s bomb. (No wading through hundreds of forums trying to find your answers!)

The Downside of Squarespace

Now, the downside to Squarespace is that because it’s a newer platform and entirely its own thing, there are not as many options for customization. There is a large library of templates, but I’ve only just recently started seeing outside people selling templates that will work with Squarespace, so your options are limited.

All of their templates are beautiful and mobile responsive, but you lack a lot of customization that you can get with WordPress. 

What about Wix? 

Wix is the new girl in town, and I think she’s going to be pretty popular! I don’t have quite as much experience with Wix as I do with Squarespace and WordPress, but it’s another platform that has the host and site builder all in one, which is awesome for new bloggers.

Wix is also an option that is fairly cost effective compared to some hosting sites and usually allow you to have your domain free of charge for the first year. If you’re looking to start on a budget, this might be the solution for you.

The downside is that because Wix is newer, it doesn’t have quite as many options in terms of templates and customization as you would find with Squarespace, so your design will have more limitations, but if you’re newly starting out and don’t want to fuss with figuring out how to design a site, the simplicity of their templates and user interface is awesome!

How to choose the best option for YOU

Now that we’ve talked about all three platforms, it’s important to stop thinking about what “everyone is saying” and make the best decision for YOU. Do you know any coding or want to learn? Do you want something easy to use without too much learning? Is budget a factor? Where do you hope this blog will be in a few years, and will the platform you’re considering support that?

It’s also important to remember that NOTHING IS PERMANENT. So if you make a decision today, and decide later it’s the wrong choice or that you want to switch for one reason or another, you can do that! Transferring sites and hosts can be a pain in the butt, but it happens ALL the time, every single day! So don’t let the fear of making the wrong choice slow you down or stop you. If you want to start a blog, then there’s no better time than right now!

For more blogging and social media tips, come find me on instagram!

XX Sunny

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