HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS FOR TWEEN/TEEN GIRLS:
Em’s tee (on sale for under $10!)/ Em’s leggings (currently on sale for $7.48!)
Em likes pretty much anything from Abercrombie Kids (right now you get a free stuffy with every $50 purchase and there are lots of sales!), Claires (which is buy one, get one free right now), and Amazon. A great store for shopping for teenage girls is Urban Outfitters and Hollister!
Here it is… The LONG-AWAITED nursery reveal! I promise I wanted to have these photos posted to you months ago, but as you know (if you follow along) things kinda haven’t gone as planned through this pregnancy journey of mine. BUT… we won’t discuss that again. (Search through my old Insta posts if you’re confused what I’m talking about.)
Speaking of not going as planned, this Instagram post was originally sponsored by The Mine, A Lowes Company. The plan was obviously to link all of the items to their site (as they are my FAV one-stop-shop for all things home! And I’m NOT just saying that because I work with them… I LUV’d them long before they were a partner of mine!) Here you can see the original design I created for the nursery. Unfortunately, during the time lapse between when we ordered all of the furniture and now, The Mine is no longer a stand-alone company. Their parent company (Lowe’s) is now transitioning all of their brands to their one Website. Which is GREAT in terms of efficiency of shopping all the brands under one roof. AND Lowe’s is a company we all know and trust, so it’s an extra stamp of trustworthiness for people who already respect this brand. HOWEVER, the brands have not yet all been transitioned to the Lowe’s Website, so these items are not yet shoppable with them as of yet.
Having said all of that, they have been extremely understanding of wanting to get you guys shoppable links, whether with their brand or not, as we all understand you’ve been waiting on this reveal for far too long. So… for now… I’m linking all of these items for you wherever I could find them online. I also tried to find the items wherever they were the best price. If and when Lowe’s picks these items back up, I’ll DEFINITELY update you guys and give you some new links. I’d like to sincerely thank my partners at The Mine AND Lowes.com for working with me on this project and for all they did to help me find these items. (One example: the crib was on backorder FOREVER and they jumped through hoops to find one for me all the way around the world… and I LUV IT, so I’m super, super grateful!)
Lastly, I want to thank Bianca Merrell Photography for these GORGEOUS photos she captured of Dakota’s new room. This was my first time working with Bianca, but I promise you it won’t be my last. I’m OBSESSED with her light, bright photography skills and her style works perfectly with mine. If you’re in the Tampa Bay area, I HIGHLY recommend Bianca. Check out more of her work on her Instagram and Facebook.
So, without further adieu…
Shop Dakota’s Nursery Furniture:
Shop Dakota’s Nursery Decor:
Shop Our Outfits:
Wallpaper: Rebel Walls
(Edit: I wrote this post before an emergency that put me in the hospital at 31.5 weeks. I’m SO happy now that I had this bag prepared when my complications put me in the hospital without the ability to go home again. Having all of these comforts from home prepared and ready in a bag have made all the difference.)
Hospital/Weekender Bag: Under $35!
You guys voted on my Instagram stories that you wanted me to share what’s in my hospital bag. While my situation definitely isn’t the norm, because of my placenta percreta, I’m sharing with you what I’M packing this go-round. With other pregnancies, some of the items may have looked a little differently, but here’s the breakdown of what’s in my bag with our third (and last) baby…
Everyone’s idea of what they consider necessary for a hospital stay can be different. I’ve just learned I like to have the comforts of home, and being prepared makes the experience much less stressful. This is simply what I’ve decided to pack, and I hope it helps give you a little direction when packing your own bag. Whatever you pack, my heart is with you as you prepare for the most exciting journey of your life… All my LUV…
Tell me in the comments below what else you pack and anything else you’ve learned with your hospital experiences. Feel free to ask questions, too!
For more on baby gear I have ready when me and baby come home, see this post:
*Affiliate links were used in this post. Which means I receive a commission when you purchase items at my recommendation. Thanks, as always, for your support.
So, as a third-time Mom, I’ve learned through experience to sort through the items you actually need and those that you don’t. And then I’ve been able to decide what luxuries are MY must-haves. (Cute baby accessories, obviously.) I’ve learned what I like in a carseat and stroller, and what is unbearable. I’ve learned what are luxuries and what are necessities. Having said all that, things on one’s list will definitely vary from family to family, based on your lifestyle, budget and your baby’s personal needs. Here I’m breaking down for you the items I’ve purchased (or received, from the companies I’ve collaborated with) for our baby #3, what I think you NEED and the fun stuff I just LUV to have. I’ve broken down for you what I think about these items and why:
I actually went to the store to check out/test out some car seats and strollers, and went with a specific brand in mind that I had researched extensively and thought I would get this go-round. I even was offered a collaboration with the brand, so I would have been able to have this stroller and car seat at no cost. However, when I got to the store, I discovered the stroller and car seat we ultimately ended up purchasing. Yes, we gave up a free $1,000+ set to purchase one, because I liked these ones I found SO much!
I remembered how hard it was to carry the heavy car seat I had with my daughter. (We even ended up buying a cheaper car seat for my son just so we didn’t have to lug that heavy one around again.) So THIS ONE I recently found appealed to me majorly, because one of it’s greatest highlights is that it’s the lightest weight rear-facing car seat on the market at just over 5 lbs. I’m telling y’all… it’s LIGHT! Knowing I’m going to be having extensive surgery this delivery, I was pretty much sold at that, but the amazing safety ratings were enough to sell me site on scene. Bonus, it’s not chemically-treated and it comes with certified organic cotton inserts.
THE STROLLER glides like an ice skate. The all-terrain wheels and all-wheel suspension make it a super smooth ride, in comparison to all of the other strollers on the market I’ve pushed. But one thing that has proved to be SUPER important to me in a stroller is storage space! I like to shop! (I know, shocker.) So it has to be able to hold a significant amount of shopping bags and my diaper bag. And it needs to be able to hold extra bags and souveniers, etc. for when our family of 5 is at Disney World, Busch Gardens or the other parks we frequent. Because the honest truth is, a stroller isn’t always just for pushing a baby… it’s for holding all of our stuff too! So I LUV how accessible and open the storage compartment is. The adjustable-height vegan leather handle makes it feel like the Cadillac of strollers, as far as quality is concerned, and it’s helpful for my husband, who is the one to push the stroller a lot.
On top of all of that, it’s like-flat reclinable. (If you’re a new mom, this is A MUST!). The UPF50+ canopy folds SO far over the seat that it makes for perfect dark napping and great sun protection when outside for long periods of time. (I live in Florida, so this is crucial.) There’s also a large, mesh peekaboo window on the top of the canopy so the air circulation is great, and you can see in to check on baby. OH!!! I also LUV that it has the cool little pocket on the back for your keys/phone, etc. so those things are easily accessible. There are even more features, but the last I’ll say is this… above and beyond all of this, it’s sleek and stylish. Total function with stylish appeal. Want to know more about it…? Read the reviews from users themselves… they’re all awesome…
2. HALO BASSINET SWIVEL SLEEPER: So, with our other 2 kids, we had a traditional cradle by our bed that we’d use the first few months after bringing them home. Again, having had c-sections, it wasn’t very convenient. I always wanted the baby right by me in the beginning, so I could easily look over and check on them… (You know that constant “are you breathing?” check we do over and over, in the beginning?!) So, I’d put the cradle right by me where I could see them easily. But because of my c-section incision, it was really hard in the beginning to get up and down and to bend over to get the baby in and out. It was also hard to get in and out of the bed with the cradle right up against the side of my bed. So, when I had to get up in the night to get baby supplies, go to the bathroom, etc., I had to do the awkward scooch all the way down the bed to get out of the way of the cradle without waking baby, WITH the abdominal pain from my surgery. It was just never convenient.
One of the main selling features of the Halo is that it can be right up against the side of your bed, but the bassinet can swivel a full 360 degrees so you can get in and out of your bed easily, without having to move anything, or scooch to the end of the bed. The other main selling point for me is the retractable sidewall that lowers. So, with major surgery, I can pull the baby right up next to me, pull down the sidewall, and easily get her out to feed in the night, without even having to get up. THAT, FOR ME, was 100% the selling point. I’ve never wanted to fully cosleep. But I do LUV that this has the benefits of cosleeping, having baby right next to you, without actually having to share the bed.
One con people have mentioned in reviews is that the base of the Halo is heavy, so it’s not easy to move it room to room. However, they’ve added a new option, where you can remove the bassinet from the base and get an extra, easily mobile base to attach the bassinet to, so you can use the Halo in any area. This feature makes it easy for travel and being on-the-go, too. I know, with this delivery, I’m going to require help from loved ones after baby comes. I LUV that this new feature makes her sleeping quarters easily movable. It also has a nice little storage caddy you can put on the side for diapers, etc. Another convenient feature that lets you stay put in bed more often. (Believe me, in the beginning, this is clutch.)
3. DOCKATOT: One item that didn’t exist when I had my other babies, but I’ve been told is the holy grail of baby gear these days, is the portable sleeping station called the Dockatot. OK… so when we brought home BOTH of our babies, we had issues with them not wanting to sleep in a big, open sleeper. If you think about it, babies are used to being fit snug inside your tiny womb and wrapped into their own little ball. Enter world… their arms and legs are out in the open and they’re supposed to sleep in this (to them) big, huge bed. So with our other babies, we’d either put them in the car seat to sleep and put that right in the cradle, or their portable swing chair, or anything that made them feel more nestled and not so wide open.
The Dockatot is created to feel like a comfy little nest, that keeps baby feeling snug all night long. Added bonus, I’ve been told it fits perfectly inside the Halo Sleeper. So, I’m hoping I can use it right in there. Say baby falls asleep on the sofa next to you, in the Dockatot. You can easily bring her in the Dockatot to the Halo/crib/etc. and put her down for sleep where you want her located for bedtime. It’s also ultra-portable and great for travel. AND… best part… when you’re ready to transition baby from sleeper to crib, you can use the Dockatot in the crib too, so they still feel equally as snug in the now even bigger bed.
Dockatot has also added an awesome bonus feature where you can add a toy arch with removable toys to the top of the station for baby play. So, if you’re trying to narrow down how many items you have to purchase, this serves as a playmat too. Kills two birds with one stone, so to speak.
4. DIAPER BAG: Obviously you’ll need a bag to bring around with all of baby’s necessities. One option I ABSOLUTELY LUV is using this diaper bag organizer. It comes in 2 sizes and can be used in your favorite tote that you already own, and keeps everything organized and compartmentalized perfectly. I plan to use the large version in my LV Neverfull and also ordered the smaller version for other bags I may use day to day. Some other options for diaper bags I think are super cute:
5. ROCKER: I’ve heard mixed reviews from different moms on whether or not their kids liked to swing. I, for one, can say BOTH of my kids LUV’d to swing! The swing was a Godsend when I needed to get things done or just needed to be hands free a little. (Note: Babies LUV to be held!). The Fisher Price Rock N’ Play didn’t exist when I had my other kids but I will say other moms have RAVED about this item! It can function as a sleeper (kind of like the Halo I spoke of above) AND has a soothing rocking/vibrating feature, so can be used for this as well. I am still unsure if I’ll use this, however, because of having the Halo for sleeping and also having received the 4Moms Rockaroo Infant Swing off my registry (also heard good things), but I’ll keep you updated on this.
I will say… since it’s been a while since we had our last child, I asked publicly on my Facebook what baby items my friends thought were the must-haves of today… and the 2 top products mentioned were the Dockatot and the FP Rock N’ Play.
OTHER ITEMS TO CONSIDER:
Swaddles: I’ve been told that Ollie Swaddles and Halo Sleeper Swaddles are the best, so I’ve ordered both. The Ollie Swaddles make great gifts because they come in the most adorable little boxes. They’re SUPER soft and have great reviews. Don’t believe me? Google them.
I also have an assortment of muslin fabric swaddle blankets. I say you can’t have enough of these because you use them all day for wrapping baby, burping baby, covering baby, etc. So… swaddles… necessity.
Cart Hammock: Ok, so this isn’t a NECESSITY! lol But if you follow my Instagram stories, you heard me talk about the Binxie Baby Hammock. One day (when we were TTC) I saw a baby in Target chilling in her little baby hammock, while her mom sipped her Starbucks and perused the aisles of every mom’s favorite store. Let me tell you… this baby was HAP-PY! So, bottom line.. I knew if/when we were to get pregnant, I was getting a baby hammock.
Nursery Decor: I’ll do a separate post of the nursery reveal, so stay tuned for that with all details of what’s in Dakota’s nursery. (You can also see the nursery design in this earlier post.) But I did want to share a brand I was introduced to this pregnancy: Lorena Canals. She has the most adorable, soft, quality-made decor and organizational items for any nursery. I mentioned these completely machine-washable rugs in a recent Instagram post, which would be great for any child’s room. I’m also using this adorable tassel basket in the nursery for her toys and this comfy floor cushion I envision her eventually sitting on during playtime. She’s got tons of great options available at Nordstrom.
Some of My Nursery Decor & Organization:
Clothes, Accessories, Blankets: The most fun part… wearables. There are tons of adorable onesies, gowns, accessories, shoes, etc. that I could speak of for far too long. But for now I’ll just link some of my favs below and will continue to post them on my Instagram as I get to dress my little doll. So stay tuned…
Some of the Fav Wearables, Blankets, Accessories:
To summarize, below are clickable photos (will take you directly to shoppable links) of my baby gear favorites and must-haves:
I’ll continue to update you after baby, as I’ve actually been able to use each of these items. So stay tuned to my Insta and other social channels! If you have any questions or opinions on any of the items I’ve mentioned, I’d LUV it if you’d comment on this post! Thanks for sharing this journey with me. I can’t wait to get to the other side of this difficult journey I’ve been on and just be able to enjoy the fun stuff and snuggle my little angel. Can’t wait to introduce you…
*Some items in this post have been sponsored or gifted, and affiliate links have been used with most of the items I have linked. This means I receive a commission if you purchase items at my recommendation. This did not influence my decision to pick the items I’ve mentioned, as I hand-selected what I wanted to use and endorse. Thanks, as always, for your support.
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! I’ve scoured some of my favorite stores and gathered some gorgeous looks for all budgets! Whether you’re looking for maternity or non-maternity, I’ve got you covered…
My dress is on sale for $22!!! I mean, come on… you don’t get much better than that. I actually wore it to my husband’s Christmas party, and I got so many compliments on it. But it’s just perfect for Valentine’s day too! It hugs (and covers) all the right places. But hurry, because things sell quickly once they go on sale here! Oh, and I also sign up each year for their 2-day shipping program. I pay $19 a month and get 2-day shipping (and free returns) on all of my orders for the year. And let me tell you, I use it all the time!
My shoes are definitely a splurge. They were a birthday gift from my husband a couple years ago, but they’re still my favorite pair I own. They’re a splurge definitely worth making IMO… perfect gift to ask for this Valentine’s Day! My bag is not currently available in white, but it is on sale for under $100 in this awesome neutral color. (Click on the blue hyperlinks to take you to the links.)
Here are some other great options to consider…
Valentine’s Day outfits:
Maternity Styles:
Shoes:
Happy Shopping & Happy Valentine’s Day, luvs!
*Affiliate links are used in this post, which means I get a commission if you purchase any of the items at my recommendation. Thanks, as always, for our support.
The items for the nursery are starting to arrive, but I’ve been so excited to share with all of you! I wanted to give you an idea of the design I’ve put together, so when it’s complete, you can see the concept come to life. Click on the photos in the carousel below to shop any of the items! Wall mural is Rebel Walls.
Can’t wait to show you what it looks like when it all comes together! Please tell me in the comments… what do you think?! 🙂
*Thanks to my partners at The Mine and Rebel Walls for working with me on this space. Some items linked are affiliate links, which means I get a commission if you purchase the items at my recommendation. Thanks, as always, for your support.
I’ve scoured the stores and the Internet, and I’m breaking down for you some of my top picks for gifts for kids! Many of these I’ve either purchased in past years for my kids or have purchased as gifts for them this year! Others are gifts I think are fitting for kids with all interests! Just click on the photos of the items in the carousels below and it will take you straight to the links to review and/or purchase! Happy shopping!
For the Tiny Homemaker:
For the Science-Lover:
For the Make-Believer:
For the Creator:
For the Music Lover:
For the Adventurer:
Hope this proved helpful for those of you shopping for the kiddos in your lives! Don’t forget to check out my Gift Guide for Her and stay tuned for future holiday-related posts!
*Several hours were spent shopping for and researching the items I’ve linked above. This blog post contains affiliate links, which means I get a commission if you purchase items at my recommendation. Thanks, as always, for your support! It’s what keeps this blog of mine alive! 🙂
Well, surprise! If you’ve been wondering why it’s been so quiet over here on my end, here it is!!! It’s been a crazy 3 months, but we’re finally so excited to share that we are pregnant with Pfeiffer Kid #3, or as my dad endearingly calls she or he “PK3”.
If you’ve been following along, you may have read my very personal blog post about my devastating loss a few months ago. After speaking with our doctor and doing some personal reflection, we decided that we would continue to try the following month. I understand this topic is a very personal one, and each family probably has their own opinions about when they decide to try after a loss. But, it was very early on for us, and we decided we were emotionally ready to keep trying.
So here we are 3 months later, 3 months pregnant! I’m just now at the end of my first trimester, but boy oh boy has it been a rough couple months! I’m now remembering why I thought I was done having kids after my second pregnancy. I’ve been feeling pretty sick, extremely exhausted, and due to some complications, I’ve been instructed to lay pretty low. So it’s been lots of unplugging and resting and trying to keep this baby cookin’! But we’re OVER-THE-MOON with joy and gratitude that God has blessed us with this miracle!!
We’ve now seen the heartbeat a total of 5 times, so we’re feeling pretty good about the progress of little PK3, and we should even find out the sex within the next week!
I’ve been pretty open about our journey, and I plan to continue to be, as I hope that our story can inspire even one person. After having 2 kids, we decided we were both done, and my husband had a vasectomy. Fast forward 4-5 years later, my youngest was going to school full-time, and I started majorly second-guessing that decision. I just didn’t feel like I was ready to be out of this chapter yet. Life felt so good and I wondered why we made such a big decision at such a young age, and I started questioning completely if we’d made a huge mistake…
After lots of discussion, pondering and PRAYER, we decided to move forward with doing a reversal. Going into it, we weren’t sure what the outcome would be. We were told that statistically we were the perfect candidates for this procedure, as we as a couple have had 2 healthy babies together, we did not have a history of fertility issues, we were both still “young” AND it had only been 5 years since the original procedure. Still though, there were no certainties, so we had to go into it unconditionally with as much hope and faith as we could muster up.
The very first month we were able to try I had a positive pregnancy test around when my period was due. However, within 24 hours I got my “period”, and I learned that this is typically considered a “chemical pregnancy”. I’d never even heard of this before, but I felt a mix of emotions that day. On one hand, I was pretty disappointed once I realized I wasn’t actually pregnant. But, on the other hand, I felt optimistic that we showed signs of being able to get pregnant again so quickly, so I was also very hopeful.
Over the next several months after this I had my own personal health scare that postponed our baby journey completely. While I sorted out my own health, we had to put the idea of a baby on hold, which was extremely difficult after everything we’d been through. But several months later, we were ready to try again! (Maybe I’ll share more on that another time…)
The early miscarriage was more devastating than I could have ever imagined. But after the almost year-long journey from the reversal to now, I can honestly say it makes me even more full of gratitude for this blessing God has given us now. I know that my story is unfolding as it is supposed to, and God will continue to answer my prayers and teach me through unanswered prayers that He is in charge and that I can plan as much as I’d like, but some things are simply outside of my control.
With that, I accept this journey unconditionally. I pray for health and happiness and that this baby is the perfect completion to our little family. The kids are gleeful that they are going to have a baby brother or sister, and that makes my heart explode even more! When I consider how lucky I am in this world to be surrounded by so much unconditional love, it only seems right to consider adding another soul to our loving circle.
I so appreciate all of you coming on this journey with us. After my last blog post, I was flooded with the most kind, caring, considerate messages from so many of you, I couldn’t even believe it. While we can all knock social media and the issues that it can cause, it is also be the most incredible forum for a bunch of strangers to come together for so much good. Your support has meant the world, and I hope that you know that I’m here for each and every one of you who may have a similar story or ANY story of your own! Please feel free to comment below, and I’d LUV to connect with you!
Shop Our Outfits (Affiliate Links*):
**Amazing photography by Kristin LaDriere Family Photography! If you’re in the Tampa Bay area, check her out! She’s done our photos for many years, and she rocks!!!
For those of you who have followed along for a while, you probably know that my mom was a professional ice skater, and I basically grew up in an ice-skating rink. One of my fondest memories as a child was attending the big ice shows when they would come to town. My mom usually knew people, so she’d get us backstage passes, and we never took for granted mingling with the professional skaters and getting a behind-the-scenes look at the shows. As I’ve gotten older, I’m realized how lucky we were to be able to have these experiences and how much the ice-skating world has made such a mark on my heart.
Whenever Disney on Ice comes to town, we always make a point to attend. It’s kind of like going to Disney World- it’s just magical and you can FEEL the magic when you’re there. The smiles are priceless and the memories are too. So, when Feld Entertainment contacted me about a behind-the-scenes experience at Disney on Ice, there was zero hesitation! The best part… I got to bring my mom! After all of the years of her treating me to backstage passes, here I was getting to bring her! So amazing! With that, we headed down to Ellenton (a little over an hour from us) to get a sneak peek at the newest show Dare to Dream. Here’s a peek at our behind-the-scenes experience…
We first met the Feld staff and other bloggers/influencers with their kids in the hotel lobby and caravanned over to Feld Entertainment Studios. Once arriving, we started off with a little mat session of stretching and exercises with some of the hosts and skaters from the show! I believe this back area is where the staff let get to loose before a show. There are ping pong tables and some of the staffs lockers and looks like it’s a place they like to hang out (which the kids thought was cool). The kids thought the staff were the coolest people EVER! They were incredible with the kids, and the facility is top notch!
We were then treated to some Moana-themed snacks, in honor of the addition of Moana to the show lineup.
After our snack, we headed over to the costume area and got a hands-on presentation of some of the most elaborate, gorgeous costumes you could imagine. I mean, you see them from afar and think they’re gorgeous, but up close, they’re even more amazing. Corbin was stoked he got to hold “Maui’s hook” and Em was enamored by all of the gorgeous dresses.
After the costume designers answered a few questions and let the kids touch the props, we headed rinkside. There we got to chat with the director of the show and some of the skaters about what the new show was all about. We got to hear about technical aspects of the show, listen to some of the performers’ feedback and watch choreography practice! (My mom and I really enjoyed that!)
Next, we headed upstairs for an amazing, healthy Moana-inspired dinner, complete with crafts and goody bags for the kids! The coolest part… we got to chat one-on-one with Show Producer Nicole Feld. She was incredibly sweet and down-t0-earth and happily obliged to answer all of our questions.
After dinner was complete, we headed back down to the rink to watch the first ever public performance of Dare to Dream. It was amazing to experience being at this performance and seeing this incredible show before anyone else was able to see it! We were joined by families of the cast, crew and staff, and sat directly rinkside. As someone who has such a special appreciation for ice skating and the art of performing, this was an experience I was incredibly grateful to be a part of!
Included in the act were Beauty & the Beast, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Frozen and the newest addition… Moana.
(Em dancing with her new bestie! lol She and Hollie Woodward‘s daughter Brielle were inseparable from the start!)
(Em and Corbin, after the show, excited to get on the ice!)
(with bloggers Hollie Woodward and Destiney Green)
The final cherry on the cake was after the show when we got to actually get on ice and skate with the hosts and performers. For my mom & I, this was certainly the highlight of our day. It was like a flashback to my childhood to be on the ice with my mom and all of these performers, but with the added bonus of having my own kids with me. It was heaven on earth.
If you’re looking for something fun, magical and heart-warming to do with your families, I’d highly encourage you to attend a Disney on Ice show. The newest show Dare to Dream is now touring. For a list of show dates/times and to find out when this show will be in your town, head here!
I hope you enjoyed this peek at our experience behind-the-scenes. Thanks for coming along with me! I hope you’ll get a chance to check it out for yourself when the show comes to a town near you! Got any questions? Comment below, and I’m happy to answer!
For links to any of our outfit details, shop below:
*Disney on Ice hosted and sponsored this event, but all opinions are 100% my own. There are also some affiliate links in this post, which means I get a small commission when you use my links to make purchases. Thanks, as always, for your support.