Hey everyone!! What a week it’s been! It was my first week on my own with all 5 littles. Our help from family has left and we are officially on our own!! Day one was good, but day two…umm, not so hot. haha!! But the great thing is I get to try it all again next week.
I’ve also been looking for some cute sweaters online this week that I wanted to share with you all! I seriously ordered 7 different styles from Nordstrom and I’m still trying to decide which few I want to keep. Also, I finally was able to fit into a few of my pre-pregnancy jeans (yay!!) so I’m feeling a bit better about myself. haha! I hope you enjoy + have a great week!!
Valentines Day is coming up soon, so I’ve been gathering up some of my favorite gifts for the whole family to share with you all throughout the week. (check out my Valentines gift guide for the little people HERE).
I know a lot of guys stress about what to get the miss for the big V-day, however, I think we are the easiest to buy for! haha!! I recently found this lipstick from MAC and am totally obsessed with this lip color (angel). It’s the perfect shade of pink, not too bright + blends in nicely. I wear it almost every day!
One of my favorite gifts I’ve ever gotten is my little gold initial necklace with the letter “h” on it for the little people. I wear it everyday and it goes with everything. I found this heart shaped initial necklace and think it’s the perfect gift for Valentines Day. It’s meaningful and the perfect little gift for her! So make sure to share this blog posts or your favorite Instagram outfits with or man or significant other for great gift ideas!!
I have always loved Valentines Day, especially since I’ve had kids! I’ve searched around and have picked out some of my favorite Valentines Day gift items for all your little people. I love this glitter purse for Hunter (because she has been obsessed with cross-body bags + purses) so this is a must for her! Hayden is all about the girly frills and dress up so she I know she will love this tulle skirt + heart socks like these.
As for the boys…they are always so easy to please!! Hudson love any type of sneakers and New Balances are one of my favorites!! Plus, how do little boys go through sneakers so fast? Like they are destroyed after a few months!!
Anyway stay tuned for more Valentines Day gift guides later on this week. I will be sharing my favorite picks on what to get Him + Her for V-day — so make sure to check back!!
It’s that time again!! It’s been awhile since I’ve done an Instagram Round up. Here are a few looks from the past few weeks…even while I was still pregnant. We are currently soaking up every ounce of baby Harper!! She has been just an angel so far and we are hoping she stays this way. Getting back to work has been a bit harder then I thought as all I want to do is sit in bed and snuggle our sweet babe. We also want to thank you all for your sweet words + congrats on our new addition. Ohhhh and I can’t wait to tell you guys what we are doing in the house hunting, building, buying department!!! We are crazy town over here!! haha. Love you all and enjoy your day!!
After five baby’s and loads of products and lots of mistakes, I feel like I’ve learned a thing or two about what you really need for after baby. Here is a list of my favorite 6 postpartum must haves for mom!! Also, let me know your favorites or any items you can’t live without as I like to ad them to the list!
. 6 POSTPARTUM MUST HAVES .
Lily Padz : I found these amazing Lily Padz with my second child and I will NEVER go back to normal nursing pads! I love that they stay put + actually stick to your skin. Then you don’t have to wear a bra at night. You can also swim in them too. They last me at least 6 months which makes them even more amazing + I think you save money!
Good breast pump : I’ve gone through 3 breast pumps. We borrowed a low-grade one from a friend with my first baby and then bought an old used one (we are talking 10 years old) Medela pump from a client. I finally bit the bullet and bought a brand new Medela pump with my third and have never looked back!!! It is amazing. I wish we would have just bought it the first time around because a great quality pump can make all the difference when pumping and nursing.
Robe/lounge wear : I seriously live in my robe (just ask anyone I know! haha!) Whenever I’m home I swear I’m always in my robe or on of my pajamas/nightgown. It’s just super easy to nurse in and always so comfy, which as you know I’m always all about comfort.
Belly bandit : I swear this helps take my hips back down + helps me get back to my pre-pregnancy size faster than any other product I’ve used. I wish I would have known about it with my first.
Button ups:Wearing buttons up shirts was my go to with nursing Houston. Just the convenience of not fully having to undress was nice. Plus you have easy access, which comes in especially handy when your out and about and need to nurse or pump asap!
Good nursing bra: This is one of my favorite nursing bras. It’s super soft + comfy, has great stretch + support and I love the quick release clasps for easy access. I really need to find another one so if you have any favorites PLEASE let me know!!
As you all may already know, dresses are one of my favorite items to wear. Especially after having baby! One of the reasons why I love them so much is that they are so easy to dress up or down in. You don’t have to think of what to pair them with because they basically go with anything and everything! Booties, converse, leather or denim jackets, + hats are just a few of the easy accessories that I usually pair with my dresses. I’ve gathered up 12 casual dresses all under $100 below!! Happy shopping loves!!
I can not believe that we had our last little babe!! It went by so fast and I’m already sad to think that it’s all over, but so unbelievably happy to have our little Harper girl here and have our family of seven complete! I thought since I’ve been through this just a handful of times that I would share some of my favorite + must have items of what to pack in your hospital bag.
. . HOSPITAL BAG ESSENTIALS . .
Also, I have been getting a ton a emails asking what I “specifically” love to pack in my hospital bag — so this post is for you friends. Below are some items I have come to need throughout the years with all 5 of my babies in those first few days at the hospital. I hope you love them as much as I do!
And…thank you so much for all your love and support through this crazy + wild journey of ours. You all have been so sweet with your comments and emails since Harpers birth. I’ll be sharing some postpartum essentials on the blog in the next few weeks, so make sure you check back and don’t miss it! Love you all!
xx – kails
FOR MOM
packing bag: I have loved my Birdling Bag since the day I got it. I’ve had it for a couple years now and I can pack pretty much all the kids for a weekend trip. It seriously is the best + it has organizational pockets inside!
slippers + socks: I don’t know about you, but I feel like hospitals are always so cold. Having a pair of socks and slippers are a must need in those cold hospital rooms.
robe + nightgown: I always like to bring a robe to the hospital. It is just easy to nurse in and you can cover up in a second for those last minute guests. Plus, who really wants to get dressed? Haha.
cardigan: Just another easy layer to cover up + warm up in and is also easy to undress for nursing.
belly bandit: I tried this for the first time after Houston + absolutely swear by it!! Honestly this thing got me back to my pre-pregnancy size faster and totally made my hips go back down!! Plus the added support for my back was great!
lily padz: I found these amazing Lily Padz with my second child and I will NEVER go back to normal nursing pads!! These are amazing and will stick to your skin + you don’t have to wear a bra at night!! Which to me is the best thing ever.
coming home outfit: I personally don’t love putting on jeans to come home from the hospital. I don’t feel ready and I’d rather have something loose and flowy while my belly is still going down. So I usually opt for a simple dress. I love this one and wore one like this home with Harper.
. . SHOP MOM HOSPITAL BAG . .
FOR BABY
swaddle blankets: I love to swaddle my babies the first chance I get! The babies love it and it always helps them sleep better. These blankets are amazing because they are lightweight, big, and my babies stay swaddled in them!
two onesie outfits: They say that babies just need one extra layer. I like to bring a couple of onesie outfits along with me to the hospital. A favorite of mine is always the classic white onesies from gap.
hats + headband: I love to put the little hats on my babes. Because I think they lose most of their body heat through their little heads. Not only are they so cute, but they help keep them warm too.
moccs +socks: These are a must have… so those little piggies don’t get cold. Plus the tiny ones you can pass on to all your babies.
binkis: The Nuk brand have always been the kind of binki’s / pacifiers that stay best in my babies mouths. I absolutely love this brand and have used them with every single one of my children. Crazy to think for ten years we have had these binki’s in our home.
blanknyc skinny jeans (only $88!): These are one of my all time favorite jeans! If you’ve been around for awhile you know before I was pregnant I wore these jeans ALL THE TIME!! The holes are perfect and they never stretch out.
rag & bone black jeans: I love my black jeans. They go with absolutely everything (think basic black leggings) and I love the stretch in these as well!
j brand white jeans: These are my favorite white jeans ever! I wear them with everything and they are super comfy too! I love white because you can always bleach them and they look like new!
boyfriend jeans: I like these boyfriend jeans because they aren’t baggy and still fit good around the waist and bum. I like this style cause it breaks it up a bit and it’s a more laid back look.
pink skinny jeans: These pink skinnies are such a fun + cute color. They go with almost everything and are a different look to mix things up from the regular blue jeans. I cut holes in the knees to give it some texture and love the way they turned out!
j.crew distressed toothpick jeans: These have the perfect amount of holes in the just the right places to make these classy distressed jeans have a perfectly “worn-in look”.
hudson camo jeans: I don’t think camo will ever really go out of style, and thank goodness cause I love my camo jeans! I love to pair them with a denim jacket + neutral colored tops (black, greys, whites). Such a fun, neutral pattern!
current/elliott destroyed jeans: Yet another awesome destroyed jean. These have a more faded wash to them, making them look a bit more casual. I also love the ankle length on these too!
classic blue jeans: Everyone has to have a pair of classic, dark wash jeans. These are one of my favorite “regular” jeans. The dark wash color stays after a million washes and doesn’t ever fade or lose its stretch!
blanknyc light wash jeans: If you haven’t noticed, blanknyc is one of my favorite jean brands. This pair is similar to the top pair I linked, but has a much lighter wash. I love the way these feel and love the lived in vibe these jeans portray. The holes don’t stretch out either which is perfect for this mama who is always running around and living in her jeans!
Now go snag yourself a pair of great jeans for the new year!! I can’t wait to fit back into all my favorites in the next few months.
Getting ready for baby can be a bit overwhelming. But if you simplify things into categories it can take a little stress out of it all. These are the five things I usually try to do before any of my babies come.
. . SHOP MY FAVORITE BABY GIRL ITEMS . .
wash all baby clothes: This is a definite must! Babies will go through so many outfits before you know it. Having their clothes washed and ready for when you come home will save you so much time.
stock freezer + fridge: This is especially essential if you have other little people running around! When you get home with a brand new baby, you usually don’t want to leave home. Having your fridge + cupboards stocked and ready will relieve a ton of stress of trying to figure out what to do for dinner + lunches.
wash bottles + binkis + pump (if you use one) : Once again, this will save you lots of time when you get home. Everything is prepped and ready for baby.This is just one less thing to worry about.
get a mani + pedi: This is a personal favorite! I don’t know about you, but after I get home with baby I usually don’t leave house for a few days + and never get ready! Having a mani + pedi already done makes me feel just a little more put together when I’m having those days of staying in my robe and pajamas all day.
get your house cleaned: This one is a favorite or me. I always feel better and less stressed when I have a clean home. You’re already going to be so tired when you come home from the hospital, and cleaning a dirty home will be on the last of your to do list. Plus, you should be resting + snuggling a baby – not cleaning. Although it doesn’t last long at our house (with 4 little people running around), there is still no better feeling than coming home to a clean house + not having to worry about it!
So I’ve been a California girl for the past 5 years and we don’t have much need for a bunch of layers. But after our trip to Salt Lake City, Utah to look for house’s I quickly realized this would be our families new reality next year.
We were in Louisville, Kentucky before California so I do have a sense of layering from those 4 years there + I forgot how much work it is to get all the little people bundled up and take it all off again!! haha. Anyways, I thought I’d share 5 tips + tricks for layering and keeping a bit of shape in between it all so you don’t feel like a huge marshmallow.
Basics : Always start with your basic layers — these are key pieces everyone has. For example: leggings, a plain white tee, any long sleeve shirt like grey or black, and tights.
Layering Pieces : This is the piece that you usually will end up in once your inside. Any button up tops, light blouses, super lightweight sweaters, so you know all the cozy goodness.
Mixing Textures : So this is what can change your entire look. You can add texture with chunky sweaters, scarves, even a vest, ugg boots. Anything with texture, throw it on!!
Hero Piece : This is you main top layer — such as a trench coat or rain coat, snow coat, or peacoat. I’ve even seen a long duster as the hero piece in not so cold places…like Cali.
Accessories : This is always my favorite, because it just completes your whole look and depending on with what accessories you go with…again you can change your entire look by wearing a hat or beanie, adding a bright colored purse or a neutral one. Also, gloves, and sunnies are a great addition.
Well I hope these tips help you layer through out the rest of the winter season!! I am already stocking up on winter items for next from Nordstrom for myself and the little people, as I know we are all going to freeze our first winter up there. Ahhhh, it will be night and day from our usual California winters.
I’ve been getting a lot of questions + sweet concerns about how I’m currently feeling and have been feeling, how is baby doing and more. I just want to say thank you for all your kind emails and comments!! They really have mean a lot. So today I thought since I’m being induced in 3 days (or maybe going sooner on my own) I might as well do my first pregnancy update — and last. haha.
How far along: I will be 39 weeks this Friday. I have been started with my last two babies, as well, due to how fast my deliveries are and complications with my pelvic bone separating. Last time with Houston they induced me two weeks early because I could hardly walk and he was still 8 lbs 3 oz. So I’m kinda nervous to see how big baby girl is going to be.
Weight gain/loss: I honestly have no idea. I didn’t want to look or keep track of a number and feel bad if I gained too much or not enough. This is my 8th pregnancy (5 little people + 3 miscarriages) and in all reality it doesn’t matter to me as long as baby is healthy.
Sleep: this pregnancy has probably been the worst with sleep. I feel like I haven’t slept in months due to my pelvic bone separating and all the pain that goes along with that + I just feel my body is getting old and can’t keep up. haha.
Food cravings: I don’t think I’ve ever had really bad cravings. I mean when I’m not pregnant I still want ice cream and pepsi all the time – so I don’t think much as changed. Except for now both make me sick and not sleep.
What I miss: sleeping on my stomach + being able to move from side to side in bed and not feel pain.
Stretch marks: yep, just on my stomach around my belly button. I got them with my 2nd baby (Hudson) I have tried every lotion / stretch march cream out there and I honestly think it’s just genes. You either get them or your don’t. I know some of my friends love this for their boobs and this for their stomach.
Belly button: outtie from the minute I find out I’m pregnant. haha. No but mine pops out pretty fast and makes my mom and sisters sick.
Upcoming appointments/events: being induced this Friday morning!!
What I look forward to: having my whole family here for our last baby is something so special to me. They were all there with our first, Hunter, but haven’t been able to ALL be at another birth until now!! Everyone fly’s/drives in Thursday and I feel like it’s Christmas all over again!!
To say I’m not completely nervous for baby five would be a lie. I know we have done this four times before, but for some reason the number FIVE is totally freaking me out!! Like I don’t know if we can handle FIVE little people!! Right now, I’m just trying to think about holding that sweet little girl and praying that she is perfectly healthy and that delivery is fast and smooth. Wish us luck!! And I’ll let you know how five is. haha.
It feels good to be back home in Cali! It’s been a while since we did an Instagram round up because of all of the holidays – but back to reality! Baby is finally dropping and we are getting close to having her — like next week! How has time flown by so fast?! A bunch of my favorite outfits from the last couple weeks are posted below! Hope you all have a great weekend!!
