The Dreamegg Cool Mist Humidifier is only $46.99 on Amazon right now. They also have a $10 off coupon you can apply to your order. I just love that it now replaces my diffuser for Calvin's nursery. I don't have to have so many different things to fill up! 

Holy cow! These stroller beads are a GENIUS and I seriously think every parent needs them. Calvin has been more awake during the day and fascinated with the world which means he's been super grabby hands lately. Getting around has been more challenging because he's been fussing a lot more. I've generally been ok with him when we're out because I can pick him up or carry him but when he's screaming in the car and I'm driving, it just gives me anxiety. I've had to pull over a few times to give him his bink bink (pacifier) since he's spit it out. 

Poppyseed Play has these stroller beads that are made of really nice wood. You string and tie them to the ends of your stroller and it keeps your baby super entertained. I absolutely love that they're different shaped spheres and rings as well as textures to help keep his attention. They also rattle a little bit to. This definitely kept him company and his fussy fits stopped! 

Seriously every parent with a baby or expecting parents should check them out. I linked them above because they're super affordable! Keep your sanity for a price of $23.99? I think so!

After my c-section with Calvin and bringing him home, I was overjoyed that he was healthy and we were finally growing our family. I was lucky that he didn't have any big issues feeding or latching. My husband took about 1.5 weeks off of work and we were feeling pretty good about things. I was recovering well from my surgery and I was able to be out and moving slowly.

But it was just a few weeks being home alone with nobody to talk to that things took a turn. My emotions and hormones were all over the place. I was on a weight restriction because of my incision healing and he was pretty much reaching it. I couldn't leave the house without my husband because I wasn't able to pick Calvin up in a carseat. The days went on and my baby boy wasn't sleeping, he was fussy and colicky and he wouldn't let me put him down. I started getting envious of my husband for being able to leave in the morning to work. I started seeing that as a luxury or a break away from home. I felt like a terrible mother for thinking that. I felt terrible for wanting to leave. I would look in the mirror and not recognize who I was anymore. 

He continued to do what he can around the house and help with our son. He picked up my slack and never complained. He would prep a bottle and feed Calvin to give me a break from feeding him. He wiped away my tears and affirmed that I was doing a great job despite the fact of a crying baby. 

A friend of mine started checking in on me and keeping me company through voice text messages throughout the day. She would send me words of affirmation. She probably had no idea how much her words helped get me through some darkest days. When she worked from home, she came to visit or help get me out of the house more often. She still does this today!

I also never thought I would find some great friends online. I connected with some amazing mamas through Instagram who supported each other. 

Is my postpartum depression/anxiety completely gone? Nope. I still deal with it on a daily basis. But I now have some resources to help cope with it. I am still in the process of finding a professional to talk to.
​If you're struggling with this as well, here's what I have to say. 

Your feelings and thoughts are valid. You are everything your baby needs and more. You're doing more than you think. 

At only 2.5 months, Calvin is already becoming very grabby hands! He's already reaching down and grabbing his... you know. He's also been kicking and cooing a lot more which is making diaper changes somewhat challenging. Thankfully we found this SnoofyBee Clean Hands Changing Pad. It's hilarious how much he loves it. You can definitely tell this was created by actual parents solving this very issue! As you can see in the above picture, it Velcro's around your baby and distracts them. There's 2 loops that you can attach a little toy and it creates a barrier so those curious hands aren't reaching where they're unwanted! It easily folds up and becomes a little clutch. You can attach it to your stroller or bag for easy on the go access! It's also water resistant and easy to clean!

Everyone tells you that your feet will swell but nobody told me that my fingers would too! I started getting really swollen in my hands and fingers towards the end of my pregnancy. They would get so swollen that my fingers would hurt when I tried to bend them when I woke up. It was like I was double jointed! I hated thinking about getting my ring resized bigger because I didn't want to have to get it sized down again later. My husband and I already had such a challenging time finding a company who would resize a ring down to a size 3! Now with the swelling, I went up to a size 3.5. So I just went most of my pregnancy without wearing a wedding set but then it always felt so naked since I was used to wearing one.

Well fast forward 2.5 months postpartum and my fingers still get swollen! I got really tired of trying to shove my wedding set on every few days for it to be uncomfortable. I just needed an alternative for a while. Now where in the world can you find a size 3.5 that isn't a kids ring? Let me tell you! I came across Modern Gents Trading Co. where they had my size! I started reading through and talking to their customer service team and was so impressed! They're a complete conflict free company that offers affordable engagement and wedding rings for men and women. They also have a lifetime warranty on all of their products! 

I am wearing their best selling set- The Evermore ring and The Duet earrings. It has a sterling silver band that is rhodium plated with simulated diamonds. It's such a great alternative!

- Annonymous

The thought of going out in public with a newborn baby was so terrifying because I had to feed him so often. I just wanted to stay home with him but I was starting to go crazy being cooped up in the house with nothing to do. As a new mama, I was scared and intimidated to nurse him in public. It's so sad that society shames nursing mamas! Up until I discovered this nursing poncho by Milky Chic, I wouldn't go out for long stretches of time because I had to feed my baby so often. When I would go out for more than just an hour or two, I would prep a bottle and keep it in a thermos so it would stay warm. The hassle of carrying an insulated thermos, baby bottle and other baby essentials got really heavy! Sometimes my fussy baby was hungry but just wanted to be breastfed and I didn't know how to! 

This nursing poncho is a much needed! Any nursing mama who uses any coverups NEED this poncho and here's why! 

KEY FEATURES: 

• Lightweight and easy to carry with a carrying bag
• Wired neck creates a peek-a-boo window and airflow
• Fits any body shape or size 
• Full body privacy from the front and back
• Two snaps on either side of your shoulders to thread through your shirt to hold it up
  • You no longer have to wear expensive or unfashionable nursing shirts 
  • You no longer have to wear button down or zippered shirts or blouses 
• Converts to be used as a carseat cover 

If you'd like to try it out, it won't disappoint! I'm so glad I have this so I don't have to prep bottles or hide out in a dressing room, car or corner.