Okay here it goes, the transition from no kids to one literally rocked my existence. While joy was always at the forefront, our new lifestyle also brought a lot of anxiety, resentment and feeling utterly consumed with thoughts about whether or not I would ever feel like myself again.
Read MoreMy husband is the love of my life. I knew I would love him from the minute I saw him walk into the martial arts studio after only two weeks of living in Denver. It took us awhile to finally get together, but I am so happy that we met and that we have built this beautiful life together.
While I have highlighted the many good times that we have had, I have also candidly talked about our struggles as well, especially when I was battling postpartum depression. We have come such a long way since that period in our marriage and I wanted to share why I think our marriage not only works, but is thriving!
Read MoreYesterday on Instagram Stories, I shared three dress silhouettes that I am loving while pregnant. I am slowly building my closet full items that I can wear now while pregnant as well as afterward during the postpartum phase. I think it is so essential to be comfortable yet still feel that you're able to express your personality while pregnant. Below is a roundup categorized into the three dress silhouettes that I tried on + a few more options that I am currently loving. Happy shopping!
Read MoreWinter is quite the busy body and I have really enjoyed watching her interests grow. I know it can be overwhelming to find toys that your little one will engage in and it's hard to know what to buy. I figured it wouldn't hurt to put together a list of what Winter currently loves in case your on the hunt for some new toys + activities.
Read MoreI met a beautiful stranger at Panera Bread the other night. He was a regional manager who was training a young teenager on the cash register, and I happened to be the young boy's first customer. The manager was so sweet and ended up giving me a gift card for my next visit. We somehow ended up talking for 15 minutes about family and careers. He had adopted his brother's son at three months old (now five years old). He explained that when he got his son, he quit his six-figure job to focus on his new role. He conveyed that he hadn't known how honestly stressed he was and how his career was killing him slowly until he quit. I could relate in so many ways, and I was so thankful to be in his presence. He was a true example of selflessness and love.
Our 20-week appointment is coming up quickly. I have had a few DMs asking if I'd share about our decision to keep baby number two's gender a surprise. People often think we are nuts for not finding out. It literally drives my family members nuts. Especially my poor Mom.
I wrote about our decision to keep Winter's gender a surprise in her birth story (here). The story explains that when we were pregnant with Winter Perry had asked me to honor the most romantic request of our marriage thus far, the wish to wait to find out the gender until birth. You see, he was really wanting to find a way to connect to the baby. He commented on how amazing it was that I got to bond with the baby from conception and he too wanted to feel a part of that magic. He stated that he thought it would be super romantic if he were the one who presented our son or daughter, and it was such a sweet and sincere request, how could I possibly say no?
Read MoreMother's Day is right around the corner and I have put together the ultimate gift guide! Shop by genre or mix and match from them all! Categories include: Gifts for the Fashionista, for the Homebody, for the New Mom and for Sentimental Mom (which is totally me!) Happy almost Mother's Day, everyone!
Read MoreI am really going to make it an effort to do these posts every single week. So if I miss a week, someone please remind me! I just think it’s such a great way to get to know you guys and fill you in on more of what I am up to.
Remember, in these Weekend Links posts there will always be a 'Question of the Week'. If you respond to it in the comments below you will be in the running to win something from me that I will mail to you as a token of my appreciation for reading the blog.
Read MoreA few weekends ago, thanks to Alaska Airlines, I had the honor of going to San Francisco to visit my childhood best friend, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and niece. I lucked out with the weather and spent most of my time walking. I must have walked 10+ miles a day. I was so worn out after the trip, like reallyyyyyy worn out. I spent the next two days after my trip in bed with a migraine and puking! I am so grateful that I had a few good days while there!
I have left Winter maybe twice in her 2.5 years of life, so it was definitely a strange feeling to not be with her for a few days. The first day I was gone from her I found that I was craving her in a sense. I missed holding her and hearing her talk. I was, however, able to ease into the trip a little more the second day and spent the rest of the time being more present.
Below is a little recap of where I went, what I ate and places I saw. San Francisco totally stole my heart, so if you get the opportunity to visit, I highly recommend it!
Read MoreI am so excited that I am doing these bump updates. It will be fun to go through them one day with my son or daughter. I am so thankful to Brittany, the photographer for the blog, for capturing such beautiful imagery.
We shot this at a park in Denver that has this crazy castle-like structure. I climbed up on the wall and initially wanted to stand, but I was feeling a bit dizzy, so I sat and just enjoyed the views of the park. It was really relaxing.
Read MoreWhen I was in my 20s, I never thought twice about what I was putting on my skin. I regret buying products that may have been bad for the environment, tested on animals or used synthetic products which were terrible for my skin. I am so much more conscious of buying products that are good-for-you (meaning no bad stuff) + environmentally + socially friendly.
It's taken me a long time to find the perfect products to add to my routine, and I carefully picked out the items below because I know you will love them as much as I do.
Below is a roundup of my favorite skincare and makeup products.
Read MoreThis blog post is written in partnership with Comfortiva. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I feel a shift coming. I think it’s inevitable that as your kids continue to grow older, you evaluate what is and is not working for you and your family. I mentioned this on stories a little a bit ago, but as Winter approaches the 2.5-year mark, she is becoming increasingly independent and busy, meaning she is less interested in staying still for photo ops.
Read MoreYou guys, I am only 15-weeks and this bump is popping. I really want to make an effort to show you how I am building my wardrobe with growing belly. I am looking for items that I can wear now and postpartum. Below is a roundup of my favorite spring skirts. I have a few that are non-maternity (just sized up and wear them either high over the bump or low and under it). I also put together maternity specific ones too!
Read MoreThis first trimester kicked my bootie! With Winter, I would get nauseous but was able to curb it with a ginger chew or a cracker. This time around, I had nausea all day long. The following roundup is all the products that I have tried and liked or that were recommended by you gals on one of my Instagram posts. I figured I would put them in one place, just in case you too are experiencing the first trimester yucks!
Read MoreOur entire family was sick in February. Coughs, stuffy nose and more. As a parent, you feel so helpless when your little one is sick, and I am always looking for natural remedies to add to your medicine cabinet. Today I am reviewing DrKids HIMASAL - Natural Nasal Saline Solution made with Himalayan Salt.
It was designed to remove all the impurities found in the nasal cavities, offering nasal irrigation relief. It works by moistening the inside of the nasal cavity to loosen and soften thick or crusty mucus.
Read MoreHello, 2nd trimester and sayonara, all day nausea! I am finally starting to feel human again. I am so eager to document this pregnancy as it will likely be our last. I plan to do weekly or bi-weekly bump updates where you can find all the details on what's going on with me physically and emotionally, as well as give you some inside tips on my go-to fashion and product must-haves while growing this little bean.
I am partnering with Comfortiva to show you a few shoes from their spring/summer line. First up, these are beautiful gladiator sandals which I will go into more detail below. So let's begin the Q & A, shall we?! Oh, and side note, this wall that says Dairy Block cracked us up because as we were shooting Perry was joking that this is going to be my nickname once my milk comes in (hehe!).
Read MoreWinter,
I have been orchestrating these thoughts since the day that I had found out that you were getting a baby brother or sister. I vividly remember the moments before I discovered that we were expecting. I was sitting at the dinner table with you and your Dad and I said out loud, "We are enough." I grabbed your hand, you smiled at me, and your father nodded in agreement.
Read MoreThe other day, our neighbor notified us that a man tried to open the front door while their daughter was sleeping in the living room. They immediately informed the police and shared an image of the man who attempted to break in. Thanks to the Logitech Circle 2 Camera they had just installed earlier in the week, they were able to capture an image of the trespasser. Talk about excellent timing!
We thought our neighborhood was relatively safe, but this particular incident got us thinking about more ways we can protect our house and family, both at home and online.
Read MoreIt was incredibly easy for us to get pregnant the first time (which we feel so blessed about), so our original thinking that it would be the same with baby #2.
Nine months of waiting for that positive test doesn't seem like an eternity now, but if you have ever wanted something so badly, then you know how discouraging it can be to get that negative test several months in a row.
Because I have been open about our journey, I have been introduced to so many beautiful souls who are also trying to conceive, and many of them have been trying a lot longer, have experienced miscarriages, and failed rounds of IVF. These women have been etched into my nightly prayers, and before I go any further, I want to acknowledge their strength, and hope that their baby comes soon. It breaks my heart to hear about all the families that struggle with infertility. It just doesn't seem fair.
Read MoreThis is a story that is incredibly special to me, and I am so excited that I get the chance to partner with Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group and share it with you. This is our proposal story, the beginning of our lives together, and one of the most blissful days in my entire life.
I have always had a love for the Spanish language and culture. I learned Spanish while volunteering as an art teacher in an orphanage in Guatemala in my early twenties. Since that experience, it's been a lifelong mission of mine to keep up my Spanish in hopes of raising my children bilingual. Perry, my very thoughtful boyfriend at that time, knew that it had been several years since I had the opportunity to be completely immersed in the Spanish language and culture and booked me a month-long trip to Oaxaca, Mexico as a present for finishing graduate school. Little did I know what he really had planned for us during this time in Mexico.
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