December Bucket List

Tomorrow starts the most magical month of the year, and we are so excited! Yesterday, we took Baylee to meet Santa and it got me thinking that making a December Bucket List would be perfect, so we can try to do all the things we want to do before Christmas! Oh, and for the record, the Santa meeting went great! Baylee was all smiles and proudly told him that she wants "a moose" for Christmas. Don't ask me where this kid got the idea, but Santa said he would make it happen. ;)

December Bucket List

 

1. Have a Christmas cookie baking day. 

2. Watch 25 Days of Christmas as well as all of our Christmas DVDs 9,000 times! 

3. Go to the local mountains for a snow day.

 4. Find a way to "pay it forward" every week.

 5. Read a Christmas book every night before bed. 

6. Walk through a neighborhood that does extravagant Christmas lights while drinking hot chocolate.

 7. Dance to Christmas music in the kitchen in festive socks. 

8.Find a new ornament for the tree. (We get a new one from Disneyland every year.)

9.Decorate a gingerbread house.

10.Host a Christmas party.

11. Do a cotton ball snowman craft. 

12. Send out Christmas cards.

13. Wrap presents in pretty paper with big home-made bows.

14. Have a "pajamas only" day. 

15. Make a festive breakfast.

Any other ideas for fun things to do during the Christmas season?

 

I am so excited for this Christmas and everything I get to share with and teach Baylee. She can already sing along with "Jingle Bells", "Away In A Manger", and "Rudolph", and wakes up every morning saying "It's Christmas time!" She is so my child. :)

This little girl has a magical surprise in store for her when she wakes up tomorrow morning, and I can't wait!

 

Until next time! XoXoXo

 

 

Thanksgiving 2016

The holiday weight gain officially commenced this weekend and I'm not even mad! ;) We had such a blast spending time with our families and eating amazing food!

We started our festivities at Brian's parents' mountain home. The weather was perfect, so we made it a point to take some family pictures with the beautiful scenery in their backyard. I know Brian misses living on the mountain so much, so I love seeing how happy he is when we finally get to spend some time up there. 

It was great to see Baylee and her cousin Adalyn running around playing together in their little Thanksgiving outfits. Dinner was yummy, and Baylee had so much fun sitting at the table with the whole family and entertaining everyone.

 

 

After we left his parents' house we went to my Aunt's for dinner part II. We got to hang out with my sisters and cousin, and were having so much fun that I totally forgot to take pictures! I spent the night with my sisters that night and we got up way too early to do some Black Friday shopping. Such a blast!

Friday evening we had Thanksgiving dinner part III at my grandparents' house. It's always my favorite to do Thanksgiving over there because my Nanny makes all the things that I grew up eating. It seriously tastes like my childhood. :) (And I have yet to taste a pumpkin pie as good as my Nanny's!) 

It was the first time that my sisters and I were together on a holiday with all of our significant others, and it just made my heart so happy. The guys put up Christmas lights on the house with my Papa while us girls helped with dinner. After we ate, we played Battle of the Sexes (The boys won. Meh.) and the evening was all laughs and fun. I couldn't have asked for a better Thanksgiving!

 

And now...time for my favorite holiday of all! FALALALALALALALALA! 

Until next time! XoXoXo

   

 

Small Shop Favs!

 

bow//dress//shoes

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I'll have a post next week with our Turkey Day recap, but today I'm going to share some of my favorite small shops that you can check out this Black Friday and Small Business Saturday! Anyone who knows me knows that I have a special place in my heart for small shops. I just love the feeling knowing that my money is helping to support a family instead of a huge corporation. Plus, let's face it, handmade bows are the cutest! 

My two favorite Bow shops are Nell's Bow Co. and Little Juneberry. They both make the sweetest bows that you can have on either a nylon headband or alligator clip. Nell's Bow Co. specializes in bigger tailed bows and cute little knotty bows, and Little Juneberry's bows come in two different sizes of classic tailed bows. They are both having great sales for Black Friday (Little Juneberry tomorrow at 12am CST & Nell's Bow Co. tomorrow at 12am PST), so make sure you check them out! Bows are perfect stocking stuffers for the little miss in your life. 

For little girls dresses for the holidays or every day, I love Belle & Rose Boutique. Their dresses are very well made and look adorable for pictures! They are having a Black Friday sale starting tonight at 8:00pm CST. 

A new shop I just found for dresses is Modesty Handmade. The sweet Mama who owns it made the buffalo plaid dress that Baylee wore in her Christmas pictures and I couldn't be happier with the with the way it turned out! Their Black Friday sale starts tonight at 6:00pm PST.

My favorite shop for everyday clothes for both girls and boys is June & January. I had followed them on Instagram for forever, but I finally made my first purchase about 6 months ago and have been obsessed ever since. We have quite the J&J stash coming along, and Baylee loves to wear every piece. The swing dresses are our favorite ever! Their Black Friday sale is amazing and starts at 7:00am EST tomorrow morning!

Madly Wish makes the most adorable kids bedding and undies. I haven't ordered anything from them yet, but I want this floral faux fur blanket for Baylee so bad! Their undies are super adorable too, and now that we have a potty trained tot, she might be getting some stuffed in her stocking!

My favorite small shops for toys are Cuddle & Kind and Smiling Tree Toys. Cuddle & Kind makes the cutest knit stuffed dolls that each have their own unique name and personality. Each doll comes in a 13 inch or 20 inch option. The best part? Every doll sold helps give 10 meals to children in need! :) 

Smiling Tree Toys are awesome wooden toys for all ages. They have wooden tethers for babies, and for big kids wooden name puzzles! I can't wait to get a wooden name puzzle for Baylee because I think it will be a great way to teach her how to spell her name.

There are so many great shops out there that it was hard to narrow down a list of my favs! I love discovering new shops, so if you know of any I need to check out let me know! Also, I will have tags to follow all of the shops mentioned on my Instagram, so be sure to follow me @mrs_tibbetts

Hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving! I know I'm thankful for so much, including each and every one of you! :) 

 

Until next time! XoXoXo

Christmas Pictures 2016

 I was so thankful to our photographer, Janae from Janae Marie Photography, because she is totally on top of things when it comes to her photography and scheduling her shoots. I'm always battling mall crowds, trying to get last minute pictures done at a studio so that I can get cards ordered and out in time; but not this year! Janae held mini family shoots at a Christmas tree farm a little over a week ago, and I couldn't be happier with the results. I don't think we have ever had family Christmas pictures come out this pretty! :)

 

 

That's right everyone! I have the most beautiful Christmas cards ordered and scheduled to be delivered to my door step this Friday! Boom!

If you live in or near the Inland Empire and want to be in the know for Janae's upcoming shoots, then be sure to click here to join her Facebook page.

I can't believe Christmas is only a month and a few days away! This is going to be the best one yet...I can tell! :)

Until next time! XoXoXo

Starting Our IVF Journey

 

Image via Pinterest

As some of you may have read in my last post, Brian and I had our initial consultation with a Reproductive Endocrinologist on Wednesday. I avoided this like the plague for a few months, because I didn't want to hand over the reins for something that I should be able to have control over. One day, however, we were discussing it, and Brian looked at me with sad eyes and said "It's been two years and nothing's worked." and I knew it was time to stop being so proud and figure out how we were going to get me pregnant again.

Let me just start by saying I love the whole team at the fertility clinic we chose. They are so very nice and helpful, and I felt comfortable talking to our doctor right from the start. He explained so much to both Brian and me that we only vaguely understood before coming in. I now have a deeper understanding about why we haven't been able to get pregnant again and why Baylee is truly our little miracle.

I had an ultrasound during the consult and he found a total of 27 follicles on my ovaries. Meaning? I have PCOS. (polycystic ovary syndrome) I always kind of knew I had it, but my doctors have gone back and forth about it with me because I am at a healthy weight and have been pregnant before. Now it is affirmed that that is why my cycles are so wonky and why I don't always ovulate. Okay. Hurdle one.

After checking my ovaries, he wanted to check out the severity of my bicornuate uterus. It was literally the longest ultrasound ever because he couldn't get over what he was seeing. Apparently, my bicornuate is a lot worse off than I thought...to the point where if it separated any further, I would probably have two uteri. Here is a picture that kind of explains what we are dealing with here.

 

Image via Pinterest

So, as you can see, I have two "horns" so to speak. In order to get pregnant everything would have to take place in the correct horn on the side that I am ovulating from that cycle. There is no way to control that naturally especially since I don't always ovulate...and especially since not even the 5 cycles of Clomid helped. The doctor flat out told us, "Your chances of getting pregnant naturally again are highly unlikely." Ouch. So, basically Baylee was a complete miracle. I couldn't feel more blessed to have her!

When a couple has reached our point in the infertility process, the normal next step is to do IUI (intrauterine insemination). I, however, am not a candidate for it because of the risk of multiples. My uterus shape puts me at a high risk for pre-term labor, and even more so with multiples. So, our only option is to do IVF where the amount of embryos can be controlled.

The clinic got us pumped! They have a high IVF success rate, and since I am healthy, we can easily make this work. Then, yesterday we got the e-mail with the itemized breakdown of cost. I knew it was expensive, but seeing it all makes it too real. We are looking at anywhere from $15,000-$18,000 to be able to have another baby. Crushed is an understatement...I have no idea how we are going to do this. But, my always optimistic husband is hopeful.."We will figure it out!" We both want this baby more than words could ever explain.

My sisters, being the wonderful people that they are, decided to start a Go Fund Me site to help raise money for us to be able to achieve our dream of expanding our family and giving Baylee a sibling. Brian and I hate ever asking anyone for a handout (even our own family) so we rarely do, but this is something we want more than anything in the world. It would help us tremendously if anyone could donate, share our Go Fund Me site, and especially just pray for us. I have faith that God will give us another baby; He has just given us a mountain to climb before we get there.

As always, thank you all for your love and support! I really don't know what we would do without you all! I will try to do frequent updates on where we are at in the journey and how it is all going. 

I can't wait to make another life. :)

 

Until next time! XoXoXo

Love List

Well, today is a huge day for Brian and me. This afternoon we have our first consultation with a Reproductive Endocrinologist to see what our next steps are in our TTC journey. I am so excited to finally get this ball rolling, but so scared...oh, so scared. I don't know what we will be able to afford, and I don't know how my body will react to any treatment they decide to do. That is terrifying to me. All I know is that we want this bad enough. We are going to get pregnant again. Please keep us in your prayers today! :)

I think a "love list" sounds fabulous to combat these crazy nerves I have! 

We just got our first dress from Belle & Rose Boutique and I love it so! They have the sweetest outfits and bathing suits for little girls that work for photo shoots or everyday twirling. I put Baylee's on her for the first time today and she said "Oh, Mama...I love dis pwincess dress!" I think that's winning right there. Right now through 11/20, they are offering 15% off your entire purchase to my readers! Just enter the code ASHLEE15 at checkout!

  

 

I also found another new handmade bow shop to add to my addiction collection. Cynthia at Little Juneberry makes adorable bows that you can get on an alligator clip or nylon headband. The best part? Every high quality bow is only $5.00 and shipping is flat rate at $4.95 every day. She is currently closed to prep for Black Friday, but will reopen again on November 25th with her biggest sale of the year!

Everyone who knows me knows that I have a think for decorating with chalkboards, but I recently discovered these Letterfolk felt letter boards and I really think I need one! They come in two different sizes with all the letters you need for cute quotes, menus, or that perfect Instagram pic accent.  

  

So, lately "cozy" has been the name of my game. I can't get enough of fluffy sweaters and blankets! The weather is finally on a quick route to cold here in the desert, so I think I'm just overly excited. These fuzzy throws from Target are my absolute fav! They come in 9 colors and you can't beat the price of $15! Target also has fun flannel sheets for Christmas/winter. We got these moose print sheets, and even Brian is obsessed with how soft and warm they are! 

I also have a thing for comfy moccs, and I found these ivory Sonoma moccasins at Kohls that are made with sweater material on them! They gorgeous in person, and sooo cozy.

Last, but not least, this official trailer for the new live action Beauty and the Beast that comes out in March gives me the chills! I am so excited! Emma Watson as Belle is perfection.

Thank you again for all your prayers and support through our infertility journey! I will be sure to update on here as soon as we know what our next step is. You all are so wonderful, and I am so blessed to have such loyal readers! I love each and every one of you!

Until next time! XoXoXo

  

The "Pay It Forward" Challenge

God, my family, my health, my home, my doggies, my wonderful country, good coffee, Disneyland, cozy blankets, Octobers, Christmas, cupcakes, ice cream, pizza, wine, candles, long walks through Target...my list could go on and on with all the things, big and little, that I am thankful for. I think we all get so caught up in getting through life, that we forget that just the simple fact that we wake up still breathing each morning is a reason to be thankful. This holiday season, I am challenging myself to be thankful every day, not just on Thanksgiving, and to show my gratefulness by "paying it forward" whenever I can. 

Baylee is not old enough yet to really get it, but soon enough she will be, so starting this year I want to instill a tradition in our family where we spend the season doing at least one good deed a week. It's amazing how much the little things can make a big difference in someone's day. Have you ever had someone ahead of you pay for your Starbucks in the drive-thru? I have, and it literally can change my whole demeanor the rest of the day knowing that there are still gracious humans in this world.

Here are some of my ideas for paying it forward this season:

1. Pay for someones coffee at Starbucks in the drive thru.

2. Leave a note, or some baked treats in your mailbox for your mail carrier thanking them for all their hard work.

3. Pay a compliment to a random stranger.

4. Donate money to a good cause of your choice.

5. Bake holiday cookies and treats put them in mason jars with a bow and pass them out to neighbors.

6. Leave a more generous tip than you usually would to your server.

7. Go out of your way to thank someone who is usually underappreciated (your garbage man, a custodian, a grocery store clerk, etc.).

8. Donate clothes, books, and toys that you no longer need.

9. Participate in Operation Christmas Child by filling a shoe box with toys and supplies. (Click the link to find a drop off near you on November 14th-21st.)  

10. Hold the door open for someone, even if you are in a rush.

11. Donate food or money to your local church for their homeless collections. (Many churches also supply Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners to those who cant afford it.)

12. Let someone go ahead of you in line at the grocery store.

13. Take a friend or relative that you don't get to see very often out to lunch.

14. Leave a baggie with $1 in quarters at a vending machine with an anonymous note that says "This snack's on me!"

15. Take a thank you note and some cookies or cupcakes to your local fire department, police department, or hospital for the staff to enjoy. 

We only have 6 more weeks until Christmas, and yet so many more simple ways besides the 15 ideas on this list that we can make someones day. Please comment with any more ideas! Even just a simple smile for a stranger can make a difference. :) 

If there's anything I want most for my daughter, it's not just for her to find the goodness in this world, but for her to be the goodness. 

Until next time! XoXoXo

 

Baylee's Christmas Pictures!

I recently took Baylee to have some Christmas pictures taken with the very talented Janae from Janae Marie Photography. We talked before hand about what each studio set up was going to be like, but she completely exceeded my expectations of just how magical these pictures were going to turn out! I am completely obsessed!

 

 

I seriously want to frame each picture and put them all over my house as Christmas decor! (Or, like, forever decor!)

Janae is so great with kids (Baylee loves her!), and so creative with her photography! If you are in or near the Inland Empire area, you don't want to miss having one or more of these sessions done for your littles this year! There are a few session spots left for when she will be holding this shoot in her studio in Rancho Cucamonga on Sunday, November 13th, 2016. You can sign up here, and make sure to let her know that Ashlee sent you! Also, you can follow her on Facebook to see any other upcoming sessions here!

Until next time! XoXoXo