Fabulous Friday: My Fav Photos of the Week

This weekend I got to take my babe with me as I add a new craft to my resume Ma Yoga. I got to spend the weekend with some amazing women. Its amazing because the training is not only for certified yoga instructors, but mamas and pregnant women too! I learned so much and can't wait to take prenatal yoga training in two weeks! If your interested, check out it out by clicking here -> Join me! Im excited to start teaching my mamas and preggos!

Jay Jay Loved being able to talk to Uncle Keith! This boy says Keith at least once a day and every football player is KEITH.

Jett is growing so fast. I had a bitter sweet moment during this bed time. As I laid there watching him sleep. He is so big already. He will soon grow up to be a big boy and go on his own journeys. As much as I want to see him grow into his own, Im sad for him to not be this little guy very long.

My little boy isn't so little anymore! This was our first attempt at potty training. Lets just say we had a wet floor :).

Laughter + Family = Love & Happiness.... This is a rare but special moment! Its been awhile since seeing my big sisters and then my cousins were over too, it brought so much happiness to my grandma.

Saved the best for last! My two sweet boys. My everything. I got a preview of Jetts Newborn shoot and let me just say, I can not wait to get them back! They are amazing! Check out the preview by Adele..

The never ending question...

Two of my best friends got married recently and as I was viewing all of their AMAZING wedding photos, a few of which I posted, it made me think of the never ending questions that people always ask. For the phase in my life that question is, "Sooooooo, When are you guys going to get married?" I think I get asked this the most out of anything else when people see me. And although I don't mind, I don't know. It often times makes me think how rude of a question it really is. When people get married yes people assume but you never know when your getting married. Just because we have kids doesn't mean we should rush into getting married. I would not want to get married because I have kids. It doesn't work that way. If we aren't ready then we aren't getting married yet. I really don't mind the question because I do it too but the more I'm asked the more I realize its funny because its really none of peoples business. Literally the most random people will ask me, and Im not directing this to any one person because like I said I do it too. 

This doesn't just go for When will you get married? It goes for Whens the next baby? Or when are you having a baby? When are you getting a boyfriend? etc.

They are definitely innocent questions but should be considered because you never know what some one is going through. I think the universe read my mind because as I was typing this post, this article below popped up on my Facebook. Check it out. In summary people would ask when this woman was having a baby? It was very painful for her because she had fertility issues. These are personal questions. It was just a reminder to think twice before diving into someones life because you never know the circumstances!

Double the Pleasure

Well Today, September 25th, is Jett's original due date! My little man is almost three weeks old!! What a blessing and a whirlwind at the same time! Im sure this applies to most moms that go from one kid to two but I just can share my experience. I always heard going from one to two is harder than two to three. SO going into this mommy hood of two I was nervous. I was excited because I knew they would be close in age making them close overall and especially after having another boy! How cute is it going to be when they are best buddies, not so cute when they fight if they are anything like me and my brother lol! 

It has only been 20 days and its been a whirlwind of emotions and feelings. For the most part positive! Its so sweet having a newborn again. I can see why women continue having more and more kids. This phase will be missed when Im done. But the reality of the situation its been overwhelming at times. 

First, the physical tiredness. My body feels good but my boobs, my boobs are so sore! Not so much anymore but those first few days was rough. Having engorged boobs and cracked nipples and a toddler who wants to snuggle up on my chest was just.........unbearable lol. I love to nurse but I'm back to leaking and spraying everywhere. Not to mention soaking my shirts and trying to figure out my outfit for the day that will be accessible to nurse easily while out.

I love to sleep. I REALLY loveeee my sleep! It worked out with one because although he gets up at 6am-7am, I get a full night of uninterrupted sleep and nap time! Nap time was always MY time. They were a time for me to either catch up on sleep or get whatever I needed done finished without any interruptions. Well now nap times are OUR time, mine and Jett's time. It seems that most times Jay Jay goes down for a nap Jetty boy decides to be up. Night times are ruff. Me and Jett co-sleeep. I can just picture myself now sitting up dosing off while he is eating! With one it works out perfect because you get to sleep when they sleep. So those times during the day while they sleep you can catch up. Then, eventually they sleep less during the day and more at night, well most babies. Then you just really get used to the sleep schedule and your not as tired, which Im sure I will this time around its just a bit harder. Not to mention Jay Jay learned how to open his door so now during the night instead of falling asleep like he normally does he has been coming out of his room. The first few nights we sort of allowed it and he slept in the bed with me. However, I get THE WORST sleep with him because he moves around so much. So I started locking him in his room, and it worked. I will unlock it once he is sleep so he will get up and come in my room at 6am asking for BITES, ready to eat. Another regression in sleep for my Jay Jay man is on multiple occasions he has woken up about 3/4ish and came into my room. SO I am trying to get that back in order because like I said, I LOVE MY SLEEP. My mornings are very hard. After broken sleep I get tired. I feel so guilty because I sometimes just turn a movie on for Jay Jay and fall asleep for 20 min. I just want to be able to give him the attention he needs and deserves.

The next thing that is difficult is time management! The first time going out alone, getting ready took wayyyy longer than I expected. I gave myself about one hour and I should have given myself three. As Im trying to shower, with the shower open to keep an eye on both kids, its chaos. Jay Jay is standing on the toilet turning the water on and getting everything soaking wet, thank goodness Jett was peacefully sleeping. But when it's finally time to get Jett dressed, I change his diaper put his clothes on..literally two seconds after his pants are on he poops again. This boy pooped like crazy in the first couple of days, he still poops a lot a lot but not as much. Getting in and out of the car is a task. I have to secure Jay Jay because he will run off. The first doc appointment we went to I didn't put him in the stroller, lets just say it was a disaster.

There are many struggles because now instead of caring for one its double the pleasure. Im trying to find the balance in managing both with finesse. Not too sure if I will ever accomplish that but as long as WE are good I am ok with a chaotic routine lol. Between changing diaper, melt downs, feedings, spilled food, spilled drinks, nap time, dirty clothes, dishes, house, bills, spit up, sjgfhidunjbkfgjbnihgjlnkmfhiugb lol thats what my brain feels like.. I am just trying to remember to give myself a break and take care of me. In order to make all of these things possible my well being has to be on top of my list also. If I break down not too sure who will take over the fort! Mamas hold things together no offense to dads because their role is important too!

In light of all the trials motherhood of two brings, the joys outweigh! Im excited to see my two boys grow up and be best friends! Jett is such a sweet boy and a perfect addition. Im excited to see Jett's personality as he gets older. I don't think I could have asked for two sweeter boys. I think Jett is going to be a mamas boy :). He loves his kisses already! I am remembering to enjoy my newborn because before I know it he will be off being an independent little toddler!

Mommy Must Have: Baby Carrier

I remember with my first son when trying to pick it was so difficult to decide! There are so many different baby carriers to decide from I didn't know where to begin. Not to mention all of the safety concerns with carriers. I've seen carriers from 29.99 to 100+. So what makes a carrier more expensive ? Does that mean its better than the cheaper one? I don't necessarilly think that is true. I think its all on the mother and baby's preferences. I think the safety concerns come into play if you are not using the carrier properly. I have three brands of carriers, because I do believe a mama can never have too many carriers! I have the Boba Wrap ,  an Ergo 360 & Original Ergo, and I recently bought a Neobulle Ring Sling. Which I love each one of them for different reasons.

Boba Wrap

 I was intimidated by this wrap initially because it seemed so difficult to use. Once I got it down I instantly fell in love! I personally loved this wrap while traveling when Jay Jay was younger! It is light weight but very supportive. I loved the fact that it was flexible and allowed him to be tight and snug to my chest. He loved it as well, he always fell asleep in it. I loved using it during colder months too because it is so snuggly!

ERGO 360 & Original ERGO

I love my ergo! I don't think I could do without it! From Infancy to toddler stage it works wonders. I always did front carrying but it can go on your back as well, which is good while cooking dinner! It provides a lot of support so I love wearing it while working out! We have done multiple hikes using the ergo. Its light weight and provides better airflow than a wrap or sling, in my opinion, so I prefer to use this while working out or doing activities that are hotter. I recently purchased the 360 to be able to use the forward facing feature. I also love the support that it provides for when your baby turns into a toddler. It is easy to put on and dads love it too! If I had to choose one I would go for the Ergo! You can also purchase an insert for your teeny infant :D

Neobulle Ring Sling 

This is my newest addition to my collection. So far so good! Its snuggly and super easy to put on! Its comparable to the wrap in the sense that its flexible and keeps the baby really close and warm. The main difference is that the ring sling is way easier to put on. Once you have it set up you don't need to take it out of the ring to put on, take off, and wash. I love the different options in terms of the look as well. Im not too sure how I will feel about it when Jett gets bigger and closer to one but we shall see! I have many friends who use the slings and love them even into toddler years!

Why Should you baby wear?

 First I would point out that babies like to be held. Which means no hands for mommy! When you have a carrier it really helps you free your hands. It also really helps with the weight of the baby, which can get heavy as they grow. With two kids the carriers work wonders in being able to comfort my newborn while being able to entertain my toddler!

According to Dr Sears, In the article Benefits of baby wearing for your baby, he provides 5 reasons why baby wearing is beneficial. These are all based on his studies and studies of others quoted in the article.

1. Sling babies cry less
   • After studying carried and non carried infants, those infants who received the set time of being carried cried less than the noncarried group.
2. Sling babies learn more
   • instead of crying they are learning
   • when the baby is in a state of quiet alertness it allows the mother, or carrier a better opportunity to interact.
3. Sling babies are more organized
   • The sling helps the baby organize their systems outside of the womb
   • "In order for a baby’s emotional, intellectual, and physiological systems to function optimally, the continued presence of the mother, the most important benefits of babywearing, is a necessary regulatory influence."
4. The "humanizing" benefits of baby wearing
   • the baby is more in tune with the carriers rhythm 
   • "Proximity increases interaction, and baby can constantly be learning how to be human."
5. Sling babies are smarter
   • "The benefits of babywearing are that it helps the infant’s developing brain make the right connections. Because baby is intimately involved in the mother and father’s world, she is exposed to, and participates in, the environmental stimuli that mother selects and is protected from those stimuli that bombard or overload her developing nervous system."

hope this information helps you make the decision on which carrier to buy! I definitely would say the baby carrier is a MUST have! Plus who doesn't like to snuggle with their baby!

Happy Friday,

Jord