First Month Favorites

I can't believe the first month has come and gone! I will never get over how fast time flies once you become a mom. But here we are with an almost 3 year old, and a 1 month old. And here are a few things that helped us get through the first month with our second little girl....

1. Mamaroo - This has been a GREAT investment. When Elliana was a baby, she didn't like her swing and we didn't have the room for it at the time, so we gave it away. After reading the reviews I just had a feeling this would work better for us this time, and luckily I was right! They are pricey but if you keep an eye out on Amazon you can get a killer deal like we did! 

2. Boppy Pillow - This is great for many reasons...positioning for breastfeeding, use for some down time, Evie has some reflux issues so this helps with propping her up, and for playtime!

3. Humidifier - This helps with baby's dry skin and the newborn congestion. This is really quiet and has an auto shut off once it's out of water. Plus look at all the fun colors you get to choose from!

4. NoseFrida - Okay, I know what you're thinking... "EW!" But seriously, this has been a favorite of mine and my husbands since Elliana was 5 months old and had RSV. It gets everything out so much better than the bulb, plus it's a lot easier to clean, and I promise you...you do not get any snot in your mouth! 

5. Muslin Swaddles - I didn't have not even one of these with Elliana, and I have no idea why. I had just one when Evie was born and it didn't take long for me to pick up more. I love the material and how thin it is, especially for the summer. It's a great size too. You can also use them as car seat cover or nursing cover.

6. Nipple Butter - If you are breastfeeding, and/or pumping this will be your best friend! Earth Mama products are amazing in general but I've tried different creams for comfort and this is by far my favorite, and a little bit will go a long way. Your nipples will thank you!!

7. SwaddleMe - Our Evie looooves to be swaddled. She sleeps great in it, and the tighter the better. These have been perfect for that. I know how to swaddle but I'm no expert at it...if I use a normal swaddle girlfriend will breakout in seconds. Plus, these are daddy friendly too ;)

8. Rock n Play - Any parent that has used one of these babies will tell you it's their best friend! As I mentioned before Evie has some reflux issues so the inclined position really helps with that, and the vibrating is very soothing for her too. Ever since we've been putting Evie in this at night she's been sleeping so much better, only waking up 2-3 times.

9. Honest Company Lotion - Both of my girls have inherited my sensitive skin, poor things. I have searched and searched for lotion that would be easy on their skin and I finally found a winner! Evie had some baby acne coming up on her sweet little face, I used this lotion and the next day it was cleared up. I know all babies and skin types are different, but this works great for us!

10. Keurig or any kind of Coffee Maker - If you want to survive the day after being up all hours of the night, you will need one. 

I hope this is helpful for all you first time mamas & soon-to-be mamas (even second time mamas like me!). And for the already mamas out there, tell me what your first month must haves are??

Being a family of 4...what I have learned.

It's hard to believe that Evie Joy will be a one month old next week! I'm so emotional amazed at how fast the time has gone and how the minute Evie Joy was born I already couldn't imagine life without my TWO little girls!

While there are definitely some aspects of life that are more difficult now, I'm surprised at relatively seamless the transition is/was. I remember after we found out that we were expecting Evie my sister in-law, who is also my best friend and a mother I admire, she told me that with your second child people think it's easier because you already have one, but really you are learning how to be a mother all over again with two children. That stuck with me and during this transition I have reminded myself of that everyday. But here are some of the things that I've learned the last few weeks:

LOVE. I finally understand what my mom says to my brother and I about loving us the same but different also. There's no way that I could love my two girls for all the same reasons - Elliana is talking and interacting 24/7 while Evie mostly eats, sleeps, and poops. But my heart is split equally for them.

SLEEP. I'm amazed at how our bodies adapt to change. I had felt so tired the last few weeks of pregnancy and that was on 8 hours of sleep at night (+30-60 minutes of napping during the day if I was lucky!). Now I'm getting about MAYBE 6 hours of (interrupted) sleep with no nap and surprisingly feel relatively good for most of the day.

SIMULTANEOUS NAPS. Speaking of sleep... This has been a most welcome surprise. I was really worried about how I was going to put Elliana down for a nap after Evie was born, but we have all done pretty good! Mostly because Evie still sleeps most of the day, but she takes her long nap the same time as Elliana, which has allowed me some free time to clean, play catch up online, and have my quiet time.

ALL BABIES ARE DIFFERENT. I already see a difference between my two girls. I'm really not doing TOO many things differently this time around, and yet Evie is much more laid back and calm than Elliana was at this age. Hopefully it will stay that way!

MY REACTION TO THINGS. This is probably the area that I have seen the biggest change. With Elliana, I was very cautious about everything - noise in the house, not letting him fuss (at all!!), sleep habits, and so on. I've quickly learned that I have to let go a lot of things that I used to stress obsess about. There are times when I have to do something with Elliana and it may require Evie to fuss for just a little bit (like when I'm helping her in the bathroom) in the mamaroo or bouncy. There are times she will be woken up from a nap because we have to go someplace - or because the household is loud. It's made me much more calm and relaxed about things, and has made the first few weeks much less stressful than I expected them to be!

GETTING READY. This is one that I tried not to think about while pregnant. Getting ready is definitely a tagged team match if Lucas is home and we are going somewhere. I try to plan it at least 2 hours before we have to leave but honestly with a baby that's not quite on a nursing schedule, and an almost 3 year old who has an opinion about what she wears now, 2 hours is more of a goal than actual reality. Now while I'm home alone I will take my showers during naptime or at night before bed if I know we have plans in the morning. I try to get the girls dressed after breakfast, and have them in my bedroom watching TV while I throw on some make-up. 

ELLIANA'S REACTION. This was my biggest worry while I was pregnant. I was never concerned about how she would act towards Evie Joy because she loves babies, but more how she would act to not having ALL the attention. She has been a wonderful big sis. She wants to be included with changing diapers, holding her, checking on her when she's crying, grabbing the paci, and will almost never pass her by without leaning in for a kiss! But like any only child as a toddler, she had to adjust to mommy not always being able to do something if I'm busy with baby sister (like nursing). I would be lying if I said she's done completely amazing and acting normal this past month with a new baby, it's been a BIG change for her. But she's learning and we are learning with her.

We are all still adjusting to being a family of 4, and it's been difficult and amazing all at the same time, and we wouldn't change it for anything in the world!

favorite picture.

What changes did you experience with the addition of a second child?

Welcome to the World, Evie Joy!

Our sweet Evie Joy Roberts made her grand entrance on June 28, 2015 at 3:24 am. Here is her birth story...

Late Saturday night on June 27th around 11:15 pm I started having contractions, and they felt stronger than normal. I started timing them for an hour like I had been told but by the 45 minute mark I knew it had to be the real thing. I called the Doctor who told me to head to the hospital, and Lucas called his mom to come over to stay with Elliana. After what felt like hours she arrived only in 20 minutes to the house and by that point my contractions for very strong and very close together (I gave up on timing them because there was no way I could focus on that!!) After another 20 minute drive to the hospital we arrived at 1:22 am and headed straight to the L&D floor. Thank goodness I found out just a week before that I could pre-register and not deal with that hassle when we got there. The poor guy at the desk probably called the nurses at least 3 times to see when one would come and get me, I think he thought I was going to have that baby right there in the waiting room! 

My mom and Lucas went with me to the delivery room and by the time they got me hooked up I was 6cm dilated and contractions were one minute apart, and then they told me I had to wait for the epidural.... This mama did not think she was going to make it. Thank goodness for Lucas, my mom, and sweet nurses who were all my personal cheerleaders and helped me through!

With Elliana I was induced, so everything was planned out and as soon as the contractions started getting strong with her they gave me my epidural and I was only at 5 cm. I say that because even though I already had a baby I never felt the intense labor with her like I did with Evie Joy, and honestly I'm glad I did! I prayed that I would go on my own and now I know what "true labor" is haha. 

By the time the anesthesiologist arrived I was 9 cm and once he finished I laid back down they said I was ready to push! Woah! The nurse said it takes 20 minutes for epidural to kick in and it's barely been 20 seconds!! But I was ready! 4 good pushes and then I heard the faintest little cry. Our baby girl was born at 3:24 am weighing in at 6 lbs and 13 oz with a head full black hair! I was overwhelmed with her beauty and burst into tears as they laid on my chest. 

It is an amazing feeling to bring another baby girl into this world, you always wonder how you will be able to love another child like the one you already have, but then it just happens. And it is incredible! My heart is bursting with love & happiness. Elliana absolutely loves her baby sister! She tells her "it's okay" when she hears her cries and grabs her paci, and she always wants to hold her. It's so sweet watching their sister bond they have already. 

Thank you all so much for all of the well wishes! I can't tell you all how much we appreciate it, we have really felt so overwhelmed with love from everyone!! I am excited to continue sharing our journey with you & adjust to life as a family of four.