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The Big Number 5

April 12, 2014

My baby is turning the big number 5

:: The Big Number 5 ::

I don’t know whether to cry or smile at the fact that my baby is turning The Big Number 5 today! Haven’t we figured out how to freeze time yet? I really wish we could, as I would keep her at this age! She is in love with so many things right now.  She is our sweet heart and makes friends with everyone she meets. She definitely has stolen our hearts.  

The Big Number 5.  My baby is turning 5 today!

Madeline was born on Easter Sunday.  She came into this world with the sweetest disposition.  I truly believe God sent her to us just the way she is. She has the patience of a saint.  Her birth came right after we had started a busy speech and ABA therapy schedule for Mason.  We were running around to various places, and she would go along for the ride content in her baby carrier or car seat.  She has always been right by my side.  She has smiled, listened, and held my hand tight along the way.  She understands and “gets” her brother and looks up to him very much.  Everything he does, she wants to do right there with him. Madeline has been our rock, our happiness, and our girl! I can’t believe she is 5.  [Read more…]

Filed Under: Family

Woodland Decor Inspiration

February 18, 2014

:: Woodland Decor Inspiration ::

Have you been noticing sweet little foxes, rabbits, deer, squirrels, and owls everywhere you look? I certainly have… and I LOVE it! I thought I’d share with you my top ten favorite Woodland Decor pieces for kids’ rooms!

Woodland Theme Inspiration {Simply Happenstance} #woodland #decor

Perhaps it’s our life in the mountains that has me enamored by these darling little forest creatures… or maybe it’s that they are all so cheery and whimsical! Whatever it is… I simply can’t get enough of all the fun decor possibilities! I am not a huge fan of themed rooms, but I think a sprinkling of what you currently love, is always a good thing when it comes to decorating! These ten would be super cute in a nursery, young child’s room, or even in a playroom!  

1. Woodland Friends  Print  // 2. Owl Branches Coat Tree // 3. Fable Foret Owl Clock // 4. Gold Owl Bookends // 5. Canvas Fox Wall Art // 6. Teepee // 7. Cardboard Deer Trophy // 8. Luxe Faux Fur Animal Hoods // 9. Forest Fox Trio // 10. Modern Woodland Wallpaper [Read more…]

Filed Under: Family, Simply Obsessed

That’s a Wrap!

February 28, 2013

 

T H A T ‘ S   a   W R A P !

>> February, 2013 <<

 

:: nicole ::

 

 :: sara ::

 

Some February posts you may have missed…

 >>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<

A Book Review {Guest Post}

Thriving in Motherhood >> Baby/Mommy Classes {Guest Post}

Birchbox Review

Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies Recipe

Current Fashion Trends we LOVE

Homemade Marshmallow Recipe Featured on Mamawolfe Blog

Baked French Toast Recipe {adapted from the Pioneer Woman}

Happy Valentine’s Day Wishes!

Our Very First Magazine Feature!

Favorite Top Ten Baby Essentials

From Bellies to Babies – Maternity Photos

Some Nursery Design Inspiration

Yummy Cheese & Vegetable Quiche Recipe

A Quest for a Simple Life >> Family Plans for the Future

Upcoming events in the Dana Point Harbor!

&

Our favorite picks of the web >> {weekend} lovelies  1,  2,  3  &  4

 >>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<

“You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep

because reality is finally better than your dreams.”

:: Dr. Seuss ::

 

 

Filed Under: Family

{weekend} lovelies

February 23, 2013

We are finishing off our very first baby week with this edition of

{weekend} lovelies!

Dreaming of a time when you will become pregnant…

learning that you are expecting…

being in the midst of pregnancy…

birthing your baby…

and holding, feeding, cuddling & kissing your newborn

{for the very first time}

are some of the most amazing, memorable & joyous times

in our lives as women!

We hope you enjoyed our baby week

and that you find the following information & links helpful!

Have a …..lovely….. weekend!

xo

 

{Healthy Pregnancy Snacks // FitPregnancy}

From homemade granola bars to ice pops & veggie dips…

there’s lots of healthful variety here!

 

{Sleep Tips During Pregnancy // Dr. Oz for FitPregnancy}

Any woman who has experienced pregnancy

knows that there are almost always sleep issues involved…

especially in the final months when your tummy is big and your bladder seems small!

Supposedly it’s nature’s way of preparing you for the sleepless nights ahead once your baby is born.

Here are some tips from Dr. Oz on getting some much needed zzz’s!

 

 

{Printable Birth Plan // The Bump}

A great tool to stimulate conversation with your significant other

and to gather your own thoughts in regards to your wishes for the birthing process.

This is important to complete and then review with your doctor or midwife.

Note: this is pretty detailed, so all of these options may not be offered to you.

 

 

{A Simple Mantra // The Keep Calm-o-Matic}

 Or… perhaps you’d rather keep things simple,

forget the comprehensive birth plan… and go with the flow?

This is pretty much how I handled my fourth delivery…

no drugs, no midwife….

just Husby, a couple nurses, my way too handsome doctor, and a hockey game in the background…

unforgettable…

 

{Shrink, Tighten, Control // Belly Bandit}

Looking for a post-partum compression wrap?

I whole-heartedly recommend the one made of Bamboo!

It is their softest material & is comfortable while still being supportive.

Make sure you read their sizing tips before purchasing!

 

 

 {Timeline for the Breastfed Baby // The Alpha Parent}

This is my favorite link of the week!

A thorough timeline that every breastfeeding new mom should read & bookmark!

 

 

 

{DIY Modern Nursing Shawl // The Coterie Blog}

This darling shawl appears to be super easy to make

{this would also make a great gift}!

You need 1 yard of knit fabric, and it only requires you to sew one line!

It’s cute and functional!

It even covers your back, unlike most that you purchase!

 

 

 

{After Baby Workouts // Knocked-up Fitness}

Our friend, Erica Ziel, of Knocked-up Fitness recently released her new AFTER BABY Workouts!

You can also go on her site to view her YouTube fitness videos!

See our post of her Pilates-Infused Fitness for expectant mamas {here}!

 

 

 

{Postpartum Intimacy // Giving Birth with Confidence}

Experts from FitPregnancy give the real scoop on what’s really going on

“down there”

and answer questions about intimacy after baby!

 

 

{Tips for Photographing Your Baby // Click it up a Notch}

10 really helpful tips for photographing your baby!

These pointers are realistic and easy enough to do

for the average mom or dad behind the camera!

 

 

{Additional Reading Material we Recommend}

Difference Between Baby Blues & Depression

Helping Your Older Kids Adjust to the New Baby

Baby Milestones >> 10 Basic Developmental Skills & Timeline

 

Filed Under: Lovelies

Thriving in Motherhood {Guest Post}

February 22, 2013

We thought we would wrap-up our Baby Week with a special treat!

A guest post from our friend,

Britton Lunde!

She is a proud mom of three beautiful daughters

who can relate to all the challenges that motherhood brings!

Her passion is to reach out to all new mothers

and empower them to be the mommies that they are made to be!

She continues to support expectant mothers

with her mother/baby support program throughout

Orange County, California.

Here is what Britton shared with us about her lovely business…

“Thriving in Motherhood, LLC 

 is about 10 years in the making and was officially born in 2009.

 I first started the class at Irvine Regional Hospital in 2001

when my second daughter was just 3 months old.

I saw a real need for a new moms support group

and found that need not being met in Orange County.

With my teaching background, I developed the curriculum

and started the program in the Spring of 2001.

I wasn’t sure how the program would do,

but I obviously met a need for new mothers,

because it grew very quickly.

My passion has always been teaching,

but now I found exactly where I was supposed to put that passion…

into new moms and their babies!

I taught at Irvine Regional Hospital for 7 years until it closed its doors in 2008.

I then was asked to bring my program to Kaiser Irvine

and started in 2009 where I have been for 3 years.

My class has grown to be very successful and I am finally expanding!

 I am excited to now offer my classes in multiple locations.

 My goal is to reach as many new moms as I can,

and help them adjust to their crazy new journey…  

motherhood!

My desire is to have no mother feel like they are just surviving motherhood.  

I want them to thrive in it!

So…

if you are looking for a comfortable and nurturing place

to get out of the house and bring your baby,

then come and share some special time

by meeting other moms going through the same phase of life!

Learn relevant, useful information to help you transition

into your new role as a mom. 

I offer a unique mother baby support class

with informative topics each week, such as

Infant Sign Language…

Infant Massage…

Feeding…

Sleeping and Routines…

Soothing Your Fussy Baby, and more!

The class is designed to empower moms and expectant mothers,

while providing a stimulating and engaging environment for infants

{newborn to 9 months}.  

All new mothers have mixed feelings of joy and fear,

love and doubt,

empowerment and also feelings of inadequacy.  

My goal is to help you find new and supportive friendships

with other moms and receive the support that you need to be successful!  

My passion is to help mommies and babies thrive!”   

{Britton earned her Bachelors Degree in Social Science with an emphasis in Child Development from UC Irvine.  She received her Childbirth Educator Certification and Postnatal Educator Certification through the International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) and is a certified Kindersign Instructor. She has 12 years experience teaching Early Childhood, Kindergarten, Childbirth, Parenting and Postnatal classes.}


Visit Britton’s informative website…

{Thriving in Motherhood}

to view her blog, gather resources & register for local classes!

You can also email Britton at

{thrive2motherhood@gmail.com} 

for information about private consultations & classes.

 {Click HERE}

to “like” her Facebook page for updates!

**********************

Britton is a wealth of knowledge in the field and a fabulous resource,

so take advantage of her classes and pass on the information to other mommies you know!

It is so great to support other local moms

that are reaching out to help empower women!!!

 

Filed Under: Family

A Dose of Nursery Inspiration

February 21, 2013

Here is a dose of nursery inspiration

from one of the most lovely sites

for ideas & dream boards…

{lay baby lay}

 

 

 

Perhaps you fancy a

serene & gender neutral space?

Here is one of my favorites!

{Very Rosenberry}

 

 

 

A nursery any princess would swoon over….

{Grey Likes Baby}

 

 

Shared spaces…

these can be tough rooms to design!

I personally have had to do this

with my 4 kids in 2 rooms!

{Chic & Cheap Nursery}

 

Here’s one last fabulous site,

filled with an abundance of

decorating tips & ideas!

Check out these fun vision boards…

{Project Nursery}

 

 

 

Filed Under: Family

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About

bioSara and Nicole are sorority sisters that simply “happened” to end up in the same small town. They have many things in common, which have set the tone of their blog. They hope that you will join them in their journey of motherhood, dreams that may be, the daily life, and their passion for cooking, yoga, fashion, and design!

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