Tag: motherhood

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Top 5 Newborn Products

GabbingGinger

Top 5 Newborn Products

Please note this post may contain affiliate links or gifted products.

Thanks for checking out the products I love.  Below are a few extra details on the products with links to where to buy! Hope you enjoy!

Haakaa: If you didn’t know the Haakaa Breast Pump is made of 100% silicone and sticks to any flat surface with its suction base. The increased capacity lets you express even more milk at once!

Hatch: If you didn’t know this is a sound machine, night light and a time to rise alert machine all in one!

Ollie Swaddle: If you didn’t know the Ollie Swaddle reduces waking suddenly due to the Moro reflex or spontaneous arousal and helps to maintain supine position.

Ollie Swaddle and DockATot
Swaddle & DockATot

Binxy Baby: If you didn’t know the Binary fits most standard grocery store carts (even a Costco cart at the narrow end)!  It can hold the car seat and support up to 50 pounds in weight.  Ideally used for babies approx. 6-8 months until they sit up on their own.  ***BONUS ITEM*** Lulabu Soothe Shirt:  If you didn’t know this is a “kangaroo” pouch that allows you to baby wear with out the hassle of a wrap or carrier.

Binxy Baby
Binxy Baby

DockATot: If you didn’t know the DockATot is a multi-functional lounger, co-sleeper and playtime lounger.  It comings in two sizes (Deluxe for 0-8 Months, Grand 9-36 months).

All of these products are lifesavers in the newborn days.  Make sure to check out the video on my thoughts on each product and why I love it!

I am getting a lot of questions on the nursery and how the rug I talked about HERE is holding up. The nursery is almost complete (2nd kiddo problems).  The Lorena Canals rug is wonderful.

What are your must have newborn products?

XOXO Gabbing Ginger

baby, Family, Fashion, Favorite Things, love, Maternity/ Pregnancy, OOTD, Things I Love

Year ONE

GabbingGinger

 

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As I sit back and reflect on the last year I just cannot believe how fast it has come and gone.  The saying is true that minutes can seem slow but the months go by so fast. Tripp has taught me so much in such a short 12 months.  These months have taught me patience, empathy and to be more care free. My type A personality has definitely been challenged but in a good way!

So, I thought to wrap up twelve months of motherhood, I would give you twelve tips I’ve learned.

  1. Don’t be afraid to take the baby out.  It is a big production but it is worth your sanity to get out and about.
  2. You do you.  Go with your gut.  If you need to sleep train do it, if you want to give the baby a Paci do it.  Don’t worry about the judgmental moms out there you need to do what is right for you and your family.
  3. Do something for yourself every once in awhile.  Coffee with a girlfriend, a pedicure… anything to help relax and rejuvenate.
  4. THIS TOO SHALL PASS.  The crying is HARD but I PROMISE it is temporary.  Positive self talk is very important in those days with lots of crying and little sleep.
  5. Get a yeti cup.  If not you will reheat your coffee 5 million times a day.
  6. Find a good support group.  You will have a million questions and that group will save your sanity.  DR GOOGLE IS THE WORST SUPPORT GROUP.
  7. Take a shower.  Put the baby in a bouncer or a safe space and take 5 minutes for yourself.  You will feel like a new person.
  8. Breastfeeding is HARD.  I will say after 6 weeks for me it got significantly easier.  We have made it to one year and I am so proud that we did! But do what you and your baby need. FED IS BEST.
  9. Buy yourself something cute. Those first days are hard but having a nice fresh (stretchy and comfy) outfit does a world of good.
  10. Continue taking your pre-natals and have lab work done to make sure all your levels are good…. turns out I was vitamin D deficient and once I started taking supplements I started feeling SO much better!
  11. Ask for help.  Even if it is just for 30 minutes when you need a break you need a break.
  12. The kitchen doesn’t have to be spotless.  This is the hardest lesson for me… they say to sleep or rest when the baby is resting but I tend to try to tackle the never ending to do list.  I have tried my best to learn that it is ok if the house isn’t perfectly clean for one day or if the laundry waits an extra day. The stress is NOT worth it.  Spend this time with the family and worry about the chores another time.  Honestly, sticking to a schedule has really helped me to not feel overwhelmed by the amount of things to get done in a day!

What are your tips for first year moms?

XOXO Gabbing Ginger

PS Aren’t are pictures the cutest?! Shoutout to photo guru Chandi!

PPS Here are the outfit details: floral dress [under $25!], Cold Shoulder Top, Jeans, Sandals.

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Family

Being a mom when your mom has passed

GabbingGinger

“Death ends a life but it doesn’t end a relationship that lives on in the mind of the survivor.”

I don’t like to write “sad” posts because it really isn’t my personality to dwell on things that are not positive.  However, being a mom when your mom has passed is something that has really challenged me over the last 10+ months.  Let’s be honest, living life without your mom is hard and as new life chapters start not having your mom there to help guide you through the challenges and the triumphs is something you are constantly re-learning how to deal with. I often times have found this article helpful. It reaffirms that it is ok to mourn and that with new life events that sorrow may hit you like a brick wall.

For those of you who do not know me personally my mom passed away not even a month after my wedding, it was somewhat sudden and unexpected… she had had health issues but had been seemly doing very well. It was quite a heartache to deal with.  My husband was and is wonderfully supportive, as well as, my friends and family. Honestly, without them I am not sure I would be where I am today.

It is hard to not be able to pick up the phone and call my mom whenever I have a question or wonder “was I like this as a baby?!” I couldn’t ask my mom how her pregnancy was or what I was like as a newborn.  Those are things I NEVER processed five years ago when she passed away… and when these new situations creep up, the emotions can come on full force.  Sometimes honestly a simple comment someone makes one Facebook about their mom will bring up though feelings, because honestly life can be very bitter sweet without when you hit those life milestones and wish your mom was there to share it with you.

So what have I done?  I reach out to friends and family.  I have a loving mother in law and mom friends that are there to give me advice and support.  I talk about my mom to others with less fear these days…. you know you don’t want people to “feel sorry for you”.  I allow myself to feel sad and know that it is okay to still grieve and be upset.  I read a blog post of an acquaintance from college who lost her mom and it has resonated with me [PS you should follow her journey about being BRCA1 +].  In the post it talks about how you are allowed to have a poor baby day. Everyone has days to feel sorry for themselves but her mom’s rule was that that you only got one day, after that, you had to pick yourself up and keep on keeping on.

I absolutely love that advice and have kept with it.  It is OKAY to have a bad day but know that tomorrow you will be better! Another affirmation that I like to live by is “not every day is joyful but there are bits of joy in everyday.”

If you every need to talk please don’t hesitate to send me a message.  Grief and sorrow are always changing and new challenges present themselves [especially with motherhood and other defining life moments].

MOM

XOXO Gabbing Ginger