Freshly Picked Moccasins for our Dapper Little Dude {Baby #3} + Giveaway

My love for Freshly Picked moccasins is no secret around here (or here or here!) and when I became pregnant I knew I had to have a pair of itty bitty moccs for the new babe. Thanks to Freshly Picked for sending baby boy a pair of moccasins. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase using one I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

When baby became Baby Brother I really got into finding the perfect pair for him! In the last few months Freshly Picked has introduced two new styles of moccasins, the City Moccs without fringe around the ankles and the Penny Loafer no fringe and a cute "penny holder" detail that are pure perfection for the dapper little dudes in your life!

I am so smitten with the Penny Loafer style, the classic look in quality leather sized just for new baby feet, that it makes my heart positively melt.

I have a set aesthetic when it comes to our son's wardrobe (give me all the gray neutrals, black and whites/creams, stripes and a few pops of bright poppy) and these slate penny loafer moccs will go with everything!

So now we just wait until our baby boy makes his appearance and when he does (three weeks and counting!) he will be our last babe to make his first shoes Freshly Picked moccasins.

***Head over to my Instagram to enter to win a pair of Freshly Picked moccasins of your very own!***

Linking up here.

   

   

First week of First Grade // Back to School 2017

My heart, how is Kinsey in first grade?! I swear just yesterday I was taking her to my work to start Preschool. Time is a funny thing.

Kinsey started school ridiculously early, like, the second day of August early and that is why it has been quiet on the blog this week; making that mind shift and getting everything prepared for a smooth transition takes some work.

I actually have been enjoying getting up at 6:20a every morning (ten minutes earlier than when I was working!) because it affords me ample time to get us all ready and out the door without feeling rushed. And since I get to put Brielana down for her noon nap, I also get to take some zzzz's, if need be!

Kinsey has rocked her first week of school. She came home on Friday with Student of the Week! It may have been a short week, but girlfriend owned it. She is in a smaller sized class (such a blessing) with a few of the same friends as last year and it is her teacher's first year teaching! Gotta love that fresh-faced enthusiasm. My favorite part is she didn't go overboard with the class supply list (you know what I'm talking about ;)

I also wanted to take a minute to sing some praises about using essentail oils to fight the onslaught of school germs. True story (thanks Facebook for reminding me) but this time last year, Kinsey was already sick. A full week of school and her poor immune system was overloaded. Well, this year I wanted to be proactive and it has been working!

I recently discovered Plant Therapy from listening to an old The Healthy Moms podcast (thanks to Laura for turning me onto Katie!) and really love their KidSafe line of oils. I got the KidSafe Wellness Trio and started diffusing Immune Boom about two weeks ago. I also mixed up some coconut oil with it and have been rubbing it to the tops of both girls feet before bedtime. I know I enjoy the nightly ritual, so I'm hoping its just as relaxing for the girls. Once we get into the flu season I know I'll be able to rely on Sniffle Stopper (rubbed onto the chest as a decongestant) and Germ Destroyer.

So here we are back in the swing of things. Everything lableled with Kinsey's name. New structure and routines. A new school year!

When does your kiddo go back to school? Are you feeling prepared?! I know a handful of mamas who are sending off their babes to Kindergarten, let the emotions flow and don't feel awkward if you cry; we're all dying a little inside every first day of school.

Linking up here.

   

   

Baby Boy Buys // Baby #3

I have been slowly filling up Baby Brother's dresser with all the tiny things and I just had to share some of my favorite buys. I'm not one to spend a lot of money haphazardly but when quality and craftsmanship (and good customer service!) collide plus throw in a good sale, I can't pass up those deals!

L'oved Baby

This organic baby clothes and gear company was started by a mom whose own mother was diagnosed with breast cancer around the time she was pregnant with her first child. After researching the benefits of breastfeeding Sharon made a commitment to nurse and made her first nursing cover, which evolved into L'oved Baby. The apostrophe is so clever as "Oved" is Sharon's last name (I'm a huge sucker for special little details like that!) I love this company's baby clothes and have had so much fun waiting for their Big-Find Thursday sale each week where a certain color or item of baby clothes is featured and you're sent 3-4 pieces for only $40!

Right now I'm hosting a giveaway on Instagram to win a $30 shop credit to L'oved Baby!

Modern Burlap

Full confession- I never really got the hang of swaddling my babies. Brian is a pro and Kinsey was swaddled up for the first two months of her life. But come Brielana, she hated feeling confined and all the swaddle blankets seemed unnecessary after that. Well, in an attempt to get some longer stretches of sleep, I'm going to try my hand at swaddling again and when I came across Modern Burlap's beautiful designs, it definitely solidified my want for swaddlers. I didn't realize how much the black and white patterns really resonated with me but when my eyes fell upon this Jeremiah 29:11 verse swaddle, I wanted to cry and immediately purchased it (it's on sale still!) because this verse is my touchstone and it was meant to be. Plus, if the whole swaddling thing doesn't happen to work out, I can always use this as a wall hanging!! 

source

June & January

I've become a tad bit obsessed lately because I've absolutely have fallen in love with their color "poppy" (a reddish orange color) and just can't get enough! J&J specializes in basic children's pieces, think solid, striped and dotted prints that can be mixed and matched to create several different looks with just a few pieces. Right now I'm anxiously awaiting their new Baby release so I can complete little misters coming-home outfit!

PS- if you shop through my referral link you can get 15% off your first $50 purchase! 

Am I missing out on any fun and unique baby boy shops? Let me know what your favorites are so I can check them out!

Linking up here.

   

   

Minimalist Hospital Packing List {Baby #3}

This being my third trip to the Labor and Delivery unit at our local hospital (which so happens to have been my place of birth, my husbands and our siblings and two daughters!) I felt confident packing my bag this go around. Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links. Thank you for supporting my blog! 

I call this my minimalist packing list as I don't bring "everything and the kitchen sink". I also don't plan on staying longer than a day (or any more than I have to!)

Nursing tank- more coverage and support than those hospital gowns.

Cozy cardigan- a robe or hoodie would work just as well.

Yoga/jogger pants- I forgo the hospital gown ASAP after delivery and found that it makes me so much more comfortable when I'm in my own clothes.

Non Slip Socks For Hospital- no one wants to put their bare feet onto hospital floors (shudder).

Toiletries- toothbrush/toothpaste, facial soap/lotion, Travel Size Shampoo + Conditioner Kit, deodorant (and extra points if they're travel-sized!) hair ties, lip balm

HUGGIES Wipes- so easy to use and dispose when changing those first sticky merconium diapers! 

Going home outfit for you and baby- truth be told I usually stay in my post-birth uniform of nursing tank/yoga pants/cardigan but a maxi dress would be just as comfy! But Baby's going home outfit is a pretty big deal, am I right?

Boppy Nursing Pillow- this item could technically be left off and regular pillows used but the shape is superior and using it to nurse is so much more convenient.

Water Bottle- I don't go anywhere without mine!

Phone/charger- how else will you share baby's birth announcement on social media? ;)

***Car seat installed in car- this will stay in your car but is a must.***

I hope this list helps other mom's find that packing for the hospital need not be stressful or  feel like you're laden-down with "stuff" as the best bundle is the one you get to carry in your arms for the first time after growing for nine months!

This post was first seen on The Vintage Honey Shop Blog!

Linking up here.