Only Love For The Owlet

I'm almost 7 weeks in to my second go around with a newborn, and although I’m definitely exhausted from night feeds, I have to say that the second time has been significantly easier. I’m sure a big part of it is that I “know what I’m doing” now so there aren’t very many surprises, but I also think I prepared better this time. One of the biggest differences has been having the Owlet Smart Sock monitor for night time.

When Baylee was a baby, my husband and I used to find ourselves waking up not only when she made noise, but also when she was super quiet to make sure she was still breathing. SIDS is so scary, so we would stand over her or touch her chest looking for the up/down of her breathing. I know we definitely would have gotten a lot more sleep if it weren’t for us being so worried about her all night long.

This time, with Natalie, my Dad gifted us with the Owlet monitor. My sister had been using it for about 5 months with my niece after she got out of the NICU and she completely swore by it, so I was convinced! Sure enough, the first couple of nights at home that I started using the monitor we had a couple of red alerts that Natalie’s oxygen level was dipping below 80. It was terrifying, but I was so glad that we had the monitor to alert me to check on her. Both times that it went off, she ended up being just fine (she was born 3 weeks early so maybe a little sleep apnea, which can happen with newborns who are a little premature) but what a relief to know that we didn’t have to constantly wake up to make sure she was breathing!

Since then, I have put the Owlet monitor on Natalie every night, and so far we have had no more scary alerts! It’s so easy to use, and I sleep so much better with the reassurance that it is tracking her heart rate and oxygen level all night long. In the end, I would definitely recommend new parents invest in an Owlet. The better sleep and peace of mind is worth every penny! :)

 

Until next time! XoXoXo

One Month With Natalie

 

And just like that, my little peanut is already a month old! How did it go so fast?! We had a wonderful first month, and I already miss those first few precious days with her and her tiny self! Newborns are so addicting. :)

As of her last doctors appointment, Natalie is now 7 lbs 9 oz and 18 inches long. She's finally fitting in her newborn clothes, and is a complete snuggle bunny happiest on Mama's chest.

We started off our first days at home with lots of nursing and lots of "sunshine time" to help move her jaundice out. She still is a little yellow in her face and eyes, but we are finally doing much better!

 

At 5 days old, Natalie had her first holiday...Valentine's Day! I happened to have bought her an outfit just in case she made an early debut and was around for the day, so she looked completely festive and adorable! 

 

A few days later, we did our first Target trip together (big milestone of course!) and Natalie slept through the whole thing!  

 

Baylee and baby sis had their first "mama photo shoot" together (of many I'm sure) and it was so much fun putting them in their little double trouble outfits.  

 

Really, I've just been having a blast and looking for any excuse to take pictures of this sweet babe. So nice that she doesn't move yet. ;) 

 

It's been so amazing getting to watch her come out of her "newborn fog" and get more alert every day. Even though she is my second baby, I'm still in awe of how much babies change in their first year. I feel so blessed that I get to experience this all over again! 

 

Happy 1 Month, sweet girl! I love being your Mama, and I'm so happy you're here!

Until next time! XoXoXo

 

 

 

 

 

32 Things About Me

  Today is my 32nd birthday, and I seriously can't believe I am now "in my thirties". It seemed so far away in my 20's, but now it's here and I'm completely choosing to embrace it! So, here's a fun random fact post in honor of my birthday. :)

32 Things About Me

1. I am deeply afraid of heights. Even being on hotel balconies freaks me out.

2. My favorite colors are pink and grey.

3. I want my husband and I to renew our vows on a beach in Hawaii. (Preferably Oahu where we started dating.)

4. I feel so blessed to have daughters. I’ve always dreamed of being a girl mom! (I wouldn’t mind having a boy next though!)

5. My blog started as just a way for me to document my pregnancy with Baylee for myself and family, and now has turned into a huge part of my life. I’m so grateful to have my little space to be creative and for the community of Mom friends I have found.

6. I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, but right now being a stay at home mom is pretty dang amazing.

7. It blows my mind that I have an IVF baby. I feel like everything happened so fast (even though it was over the course of 15 months) and “poof” she’s here!

8. I have a terrible sweet tooth. Donuts, ice cream, and cupcakes are life!

9. Stargazer lillies and gerbera daisies are my favorite flowers.

10. I love going out to eat for any meal. My favorite restaurants are BJ’s, Mimi’s Cafe, and Lucille’s.

11. I only see movies in theaters once or twice a year. Hubby and I both think it’s way too overpriced, so we just wait for them to come out on Netflix.

12. I love to bake. In another life I would have totally gone to school to be a pastry chef.

13. I have a Starbucks addiction. My favorite drinks are iced caramel macchiatos and strawberry açaí refreshers. Unless it’s fall or Christmas time then I’m all about the seasonal choices!

14. Despite the empty tank I often have, I love being a mama and taking care of my girls more than anything in the world. They are my greatest treasures.

15. My husband is my best friend without a doubt. He makes me one proud and happy wifey on the daily!

16. I have this crazy desire to own a goat or a pot belly pig one day. Maybe both?

17. My love for food runs deep. I would love to be fit and healthy all the time, but then pizza, donuts, and french fries happen and I mean...one life to live, right? ;)

18. I went to private school from Kindergarten to 12th grade. My high school was an all-girls school.

19. I have 3 dogs and I am not a fan of cats at all.

20. I read the entire Harry Potter series in one summer (only reading about an hour a day).

21. If it was an option to go to Disneyland multiple times a week I would. I never get sick of it! (I haven’t been in a month and I’m dying! Lol)

22. My dream vacation is to stay in an over-water bungalow in Fiji.

23. I’m 10 college courses away from having a B.A. in Liberal Studies (to be a teacher) I got burnt out so I took a break one quarter and never went back. I have every intention of finishing one day when the time is right.

24. I was obsessed with pumpkin flavored stuff before it was cool. ;) It’s been one of my favorite flavors since I was a kid.

25. I joke about feeling old, but honestly I love my 30’s way more than my 20’s.

26. I want to learn to scuba dive, and I also want to go in a shark cage.

27. We plan on having one more baby, but if I was a little younger we would probably have 4 or 5 kids. (I’m just too tired lol)

28. The most thrilling thing I’ve ever done was ride a horse in the ocean in Jamaica. The water was up to it's neck and it was so crazy and so fun!

29. The first surgery I ever had was my C-section with Natalie 3 weeks ago. (And boy do I hope I never have to do that again!)

30. I collect coffee mugs and cozy blankets.

31. I love bubble baths, and I try to take one every so often to decompress.

32. I truly believe that the key to happiness is just choosing happy every day.

Cheers to 32!

Until next time! XoXoXo