9 natural remedies for mastitis

Or, alternatively, the first time I got mastitis.

9 Months In// 9 Months Out {Life with Laurel}

And just like that

Laurel has graced us with her presence for as many months outside my body as she did inside.

Summer Style with Pinkblush // 1 piece, 4 ways {how to style a kimono}

Thanks to PinkBlush for sponsoring this post as always all opinions are my own. Some links will provide a monetary income for me without further expense to yourself. Thank you for supporting my blog! 

Let me preface this post with a little background story. I have wanted a kimono since forever. Like 2014, just-had-Brielana, forever. Pretty sure that was also the height of the kimono craze but I digress. It's been a long time coveted closet item and let me tell you, it's been totally worth the wait. 

Tiny Letters 219

Kristin's Little Letters link up is one of my favorite things to participate in but I am notorious for missing the link up day (Friday) because I am lazy. So here I am, days late but still as enthusiastic!

Mommy's favorite accessory // JORD watches

Sometimes it catches me by surprise, this whole motherhood role. Being a mom has always been my desire but sometimes I just can’t believe that I AM a mom. To three littles, perfect stair steps of roughly 3.5 years apart; girl, girl, boy. Sometimes that realization of the weight of my role is breathtaking; how did I get so lucky? How did I get here so fast? This post is sponsored by Jord but all opinions are my own.

Sleep in heavenly peace // four ways to promote childhood sleep + giveaway

This post is sponsored by Acutee but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Simple living Lifestyle podcasts // Listen

I'm back with another roundup of some of my favorite podcasts these have inspired me to embrace living a simple life with less stuff and more experiences, cherishing my people over worldly belongings; you know, the basics :)

Mother's Day memoirs

Have you ever heard the quote, Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans? Well, I say "motherhood is happening between the diaper changes, getting the billionth snack and kissing the imaginary booboo." It may even be defined by those things. 

Mom Life Lately

Thank you to Figure 8 Maternity for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own. It has been six months since I've been a mama x3 and it tickles me when I hear, "you have your hands full" or "how do you do it?" and another favorite "I could never!" I think it comes down to perspective (yes, you could do it if they are your children) and experience (I was gifted these babies by God and try my best to be the mother they deserve. On the flip side, one of my good friends is expecting her fourth baby and I think, "how can you do it all?!" haha.) You do what you are called to do! Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links. Thank you for supporting my blog!

My favorite Podcasts for Moms // Listen

I only recently got into podcasts late last year and seriously wonder what the heck I was doing during my driving commutes without them! I get so much enjoyment and entertainment from listening to these lovely ladies that it almost makes me want to drive around town more (so kidding.) Here are my favorite podcasts for mamas by mamas.

New Mom hacks // helpful tips from a mom of three

After having three babies I feel like I have some stuff to share when it comes to postpartum care and recovery. And while I don't always take my own good advice (haha) I will gladly pass on the knowledge anyway!

Those first few days/weeks/months with a newborn is tough. Everyone is adjusting to the new normal (whatever that may look like) and your body is going through some crazy hormonal and physical changes, so first and foremost, give yourself some grace. 

Take advantage of freebies//

source

There are many wonderful companies out there that cater to mom and babies and would love to send you freebies! One such company is Parent Cabin and one I personally use. You can find out more about them here. Being able to sample products is a fun way to discover new brands and many times you are also sent a coupon for more savings. 

Physical recovery//

This is my main concern, being able to get back to feeling healthy and connected to my body after giving birth. It is a big undertaking, after all you just spent the last 9+ months growing a person inside of you, and along with that awesome role, things have changed accordingly. My stomach is still looking about 3 months pregnant and don't even get me started on my legs (yikes!) but slowly easing into any sort of physical exertion will be the safest way to go. I usually wait until after the lochia to start light activity (think walking the dog while babywearing) and then begin more physically taxing activities after my doctors approval at the 6-week check up. And that's where Aaptiv will come in!

Aaptiv is an online physical trainer that was started by a woman, for women and they have recently launched pregnancy and postpartum workouts!! Try a free one-week trial here. It's available for iOS and Android phones.

Portable "Stations"//

Creating portable stations for nursing gear and diaper changing really makes things easier. When the things you need are within easy reach it sets you up for success. I throw everything I need into a cute basket and then I don't have to worry that I forgot "xyz".  Give it a try and I bet you'll love it too!

I hope these little bits of "wisdom" are helpful! Enjoy that new baby first a foremost because the sayings "babies don't keep" and "time is a thief" are too true!

   
   

Noah's Bandage Project // National Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month

If I wasn't a blogger I would never have experienced the powerful community that is mom bloggers. I feel so honored to be able to share in a group of women that supports and encourages each other. With that said, did you know September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month?

If you answered "no" don't feel bad because I didn't either until a couple of weeks ago when I received an email from Brittany. Whom I didn't even know until said email arrived in my inbox. But when I read her words I couldn't help but feel that she had bestowed a gift to me. Here are Brittany's own words:

Some of you know me and some of you don't - I'm Brittany and I blog at Just Another Day in Paradise sometimes when I get my act together :)

I just took all the emails of blogger folks that also participated in the Summer Birthday Exchange that Liz hosted (plus I added a few folks!), so if you aren't interested at all in doing this - do not feel bad about deleting this.  

Here's the deal - if you don't know, September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness month.  Our next door neighbors lost their little boy, Noah, last June to pediatric cancer - but before he went to heaven, he sure left his mark on the world by starting something called Noah's Bandage Project.  Quick background: at the young age of 6, while going through his own treatment, he quickly realized how un-cool it was to just have the boring skin colored bandages all over his body with all the pricks and pokes that comes with treatment for pediatric cancer.  If he felt that way, he knew other kids did too.  He started a drive to collect fun bandaids (that all our kids love) and distributed them to other kids at Children's Mercy Hospital in downtown KC.  What started as a small drive, turned into something much bigger.  The KC Royal's got involved, the KC news, etc. Noah passed away in June 2015, but his family and friends are working hard to ensure this amazing project lives on.  

So - why am I sending you this email?  Well every day when I pull in and out of our driveway, I pass our neighbors house (as you would guess). This month they have a sign in their yard for Pediatric Cancer Awareness month. There are countless cars at their house working on this project and have been hosting all kinds of events around the KC area to ensure it continues to grow. Deb (my neighbor, who is Noah's mom) said she is even having to talk to local stores about increasing their inventory of the fun bandages because so many schools are hosting bandage drives that they are running out - how amazing is that!!? I just feel the urge to do something to help with their amazing efforts to carry on Noah's legacy.

Ok - onto the point. I'm sure all our kids love fun bandaids (heck my 2 older kids each had 2 somewhere on them tonight in the bath...), so I was thinking it would be fun to find a time this month while at the store with your kid (or kids) to pick up a few boxes of bandaids for these kids suffering from pediatric cancer to brighten up their day. I know as my kids get older, I'm really loving finding ways to incorporate how we can help others and teach them the joy in giving back. I thought how cool it would be if some folks in the blogging community wanted to join in and send a few boxes to Noah's Bandage Project and do a quick post on it to build awareness not only of this amazing project....but also for pediatric cancer. The thing that I found baffling when talking with Deb as I was writing a post about this for the Kansas City Mom's blog was that so little (only 4%!!!!) of the national cancer research budget goes to researching pediatric cancer. Noah's Bandage Project is working to increase that number as well.

I mean how can you not feel compelled to help out such an amazing endeavor?!

After I told Kinsey about going to Target to pick out some bandaids for children with cancer she promptly said she wanted to get "Princesses for the girls and Snoopy for the boys." And that's exactly what she did (plus a couple more.)

It broke my heart explaining to Kinsey about children having cancer so I can't even imagine living through it. I pray over Noah's Bandage Project and the families who are going through treatment. God keep them in Your almighty hands.

If you want to contribute bandages or funds visit Noah's bandage Project or send them to the following address:

Noah's Bandage Project
119 N Parker Street Suite 110
Olathe, KS 66061

Linking up here.

   

   

Mom Empowerment // A Collaboration {and Giveaway!}

Motherhood is a trip, isn't it? We grow and nurture our babies inside our bodies. We go through labor and delivery and then get to hold our babes in our arms for the first time. And then the world shifts and now we think not only for ourselves but also about our children. That can put a lot of stress and guilt on our plates, but we manage. And I know us moms wouldn't have it any other way: 

When you feel like you can conquer the world because the baby slept the night through for the first time!

When an epic tantrum is preformed in public and through the embarrassment and shame you keep your cool and carry out your screaming child. Then let the tears fall in the safety of the car.

When you feel like crap because your child fell down and you couldn't do anything to stop it but feel responsible for their pain (like when Kinsey got her concussion. That was definitely a lower-than-low moment for me.)

When your child wins an academic award and you're bursting with pride.

These are all moments we've gone through or will be going through as our babies grow and change. I'm standing on the edge of a big milestone as Kinsey is getting enrolled into Kindergarten for the 2016-17 school year. All the feels. 

For all the highs and lows and every moment in between, I just want us moms to acknowledge that we are enough for our children. For our husbands and family. And most definitely for our selves.

I know it's easy to get caught up in comparison. Or getting lost in what something seems to be not what it actually is. I know because every day there are things that bombard us as women and mothers that tells us we are less or makes us feel that way. But in the midst of negativity there is always positivity, the light will always shine through the dark. 

I'm so proud to be a Mommy and share in this journey with all of you, so when Jessica asked if I would like to be a part of her Motherhood Collaboration, I just had to say yes (after feeling extremely blessed and honored.) Be sure to check out these other contributors too!

Jenuine Happiness

Keepin' Up with the Smith's

Secrets of a Stay At Home Mom

Simple Luxury

The Newly

This is For Keeps

Now, on to the Giveaway!

Here is your chance to win a tee from Faith Forward Apparel. A little about the owner and creator, Krystal:

Krystal has only been designing apparel for a few years, but very sporadic and not even for a business. Just doing it for fellow friends and their teams, as Fitness Coaches.

She decided on the name for her business Faith Forward Apparel because Faith is very important to her. If you don't have faith, hope and love, then what do you have? Faith is stronger than any fear. 

She opened an Etsy shop to simply start producing more of the visions she had - "I was holding back due to my very busy life as a Mom of a 4 year old little boy, a wife to my wonderful handsome husband, and a full-time Graphic Designer/Art Director as well. I thought enough is enough and it's time! So basically that is where my Faith comes back into play - I jumped in 1,000% and went for it."

She wants her shop to inspire others, to lift up those Mama's or anyone that may not feel they are Enough. Because YOU are- You are so much MORE than you think you are. Let go of all your fear, and bring in the faith, and know you are worth it! 

Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Giveaway will be live from Friday, June 10th through Sunday, June 12th. Winner will be announced on Monday, June 13th. Open to US residents only. Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

   

   

Rewind Friday // Play with me Mommy

Welcome to the first Rewind Friday! I love the idea of breathing new life into older posts that didn't get as much love the first time around. I wen't back into my archives and am starting from the beginning. 

This was my 8th post ever written {Wednesday April 3, 2013} and it just brings me joy. Joy looking back at a newly two year old Kinsey. Joy that her still wanting to play with me is the greatest feeling in the world. Joy that I now have two beautiful daughters that call me mommy. Joy, joy, joy. And, if I'm being honest, a touch of sad that Kinsey will never be that small again, sigh.

Here is a little sneak peek:

I have a new favorite phrase. It's like music to my ears. It makes my heart beat with joy and floods me with all sorts of feel-good endorphins (and it doesn't require a trip to the gym. Bonus? I'd say so.) It is up there with my other favorites including, "Will you be my wife?" and "you're having a girl". What makes this phrase amazing? My newly 2-year-old daughter says it with a light in her eyes and a smile on her face, "Play with me mommy!" It gets me every time.

As a Preschool Teacher I prepare and facilitate a room that is conducive to play. Read: I get paid to play! (I am so blessed.) Play is an essential part of healthy social and emotional and physical development and as parents we are the very first playmates our children have. {...read more Play with me Mommy...}

I still believe every word of this post wholeheartedly and hope you'll find joy in reading it too. 

Thanks for joining Beth, Meghan, Stephanie and me! The next Rewind Friday will be on Friday, June 24th. Now it's your turn to add your link below! Don't forget the most clicked links will be featured next month too! Also join us on IG using #RewindFridayParty.

An InLinkz Link-up

Beth Our Pretty Little Girls

Facebook//Instagram//Pinterest//Twitter

Meghan The Adventure Starts Here

Facebook//Instagram//Pinterest//Twitter

Stephanie Wife Mommy Me

Facebook//Instagram//Pinterest//Twitter

Whitney Work it Mommy

Facebook//Instagram//Pinterest//Twitter