Everyday Motherhood with Nordstrom

Wearing the MOTHER TomCat jeans and Vince Wool blend top

In partnership with Nordstrom, today I am sharing all of my recent purchases and my experience using their Nordstrom Trunk Club, try before you buy service, their easy to use online stylist chat and their Virtual Styling services! You can find the services HERE. Enjoy XOXO

Are you like me, a busy mom who’s style and wardrobe get put on the back burner? Most of the time I dress my kids nicer than I dress myself. I hate driving to the mall to try things on, and in store returns are not my jam, especially with four small children that I usually have in tow with me! That’s when I found out about Nordstrom’s message a stylist and virtual stylist services! Both are FREE and a way for you to either message with a real life stylist online or in their app , or meet one-on-one virtually with a stylist to get free style tips, product recommendations, help finding certain items you’re looking for, or even curate entire looks for you! Like I said, it’s free, there’s zero pressure to buy, free shipping and returns!

I found these services super helpful. I messaged my stylist through the Nordstrom app and asked for specific recommendations on Veja shoes I was looking for and basic white tees. She sent me a link to all the items she gathered for me, and I was able to just quickly shop from there! Easy peasy. My virtual stylist session was pretty neat in the fact that I set up a meeting with a stylist, sent her my wishlist through the Nordstrom app, and we agreed on a time and day. We video chatted after she drove to the store, pulled the items for me, found ones that were similar or she thought I might like, and then mailed them to me! I chatted with her via video chat, she got to know my style more and once delivered to my door I tried them on and sent what I didn’t want back with a free shipping return label!

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My Trunk Club experience was also super FUN! If you are a Nordstrom card holder, you get the $25 fee waived! Otherwise you pay that for each trunk sent to you, but it is credited toward whatever you keep. I downloaded the Trunk Club app on my phone, took the style quiz, and a stylist was matched with me who then sent me 10 items that I thought I would like/need in my trunk. I got to accept or decline the items in the app until I was satisfied with what was in my trunk and then it was shipped right to my door, without paying anything! Once they arrived at my home, I tried them all on, decided what I wanted to keep and return, and packed it back up, put the free return shipping label on, and sent it back in the mail. You have the option to schedule a pickup or return to your nearest post office! After shipping them back, I logged back onto my Trunk Club app and paid for what I decided to keep! Try Before you Buy. Literally, the coolest feature out there! I loved my experience and will definitely do it again.

I thought that the Nordstrom Trunk Club experience  gave me an opportunity to try brands I’ve never tried before or were hesitant at purchasing because I didn’t want to spend the money on something I didn’t want. This allowed me to choose items I ultimately wanted, but didn’t want to pay up front and then only after deciding if I wanted to keep them did I have to pay! I got the MOST comfortable pair of jeans. I am not a jean girl, but I wanted a pair that would be my go-tos and pair I always reach for. These are IT, and there is definitely something to be said for quality over quantity when it comes to comfortable jeans!

Below are the items I received between my message a stylist, virtual stylist, and trunk club experience! I did not keep them all, just the items I absolutely LOVED! I think that these services are perfect for anyone looking for help shopping, whether that be for yourself or gift for a friend, this is not out of reach or a luxury service but rather an experience that anyone can enjoy and take advantage of! Here are my TOP items I loved, and know you will too!

Jeans: MOTHER Tomcat Ripped Crop Jeans

V-neck Sweater: Marzipan Combo

Turtle Neck Sweater: Swim Too Deep turtleneck

Neon Green Tunic: Easy Street Tunic

Chelsea Boot: Hayle Platform Chelsea Boot

Sunglasses: High Key 62mm

Sneakers: Veja V-10

Thanks for stopping by and shopping with me! Hoping you found some staple pieces to add to your fall wardrobe and you get to experience the Nordstrom Styling Services!

Much Love,

Mari

BIRTH: Walker Wagamon

Since around 6 months pregnant, I told myself and others that I thought I would go into labor at 40 weeks and 3 days. It was stuck in my head, my mindset was set on delivering little Walker boy at 40.3 and I did just that. I scheduled an induction for Thursday, the very next day, so maybe that helped get things started naturally as well because I really didn’t want to be induced this time. Thankfully Jay insisted that his mom take the older boys the night before so that “just incase I went into labor” we would be ready to go!

Wednesday August 26th, 2020 I woke with anxiety around 4 am. All I could think about was going into labor that day, and it was already 4 am so it needed to happen soon! Just like that, contractions started up feeling more like mild cramps and happening every 5-10 minutes. This went on for about 2 hours as I laid in bed, passing the time. I got up and ready for the day around 7am, when contractions started to pick up about every 3-5 minutes apart and building some intensity. I sat on the ball for about two hours while this went on, and continued to ask Jay if he thought I was actually in labor?? (I somehow always do that, even when I’m in labor I still ask if this is happening because it’s just so surreal)

Around 9am, I called my OB office to let them know that I was in labor and contractions were pretty steady for about 2 hours. To my disappointment, our hospital was full and they weren’t able to take me as a patient and if I really thought I was in labor I’d have to go to a different hospital within our insurance network. This instantly sent a rush of anxiety over me, and I now had to prepare to deliver at a completely different hospital, with a completely different doctor that I’ve never met. I wasn’t going to let that ruin my experience however, and I trusted in God to help get me through this.

I ended up going to Maple Grove Hospital (where several of my friends have delivered). They check us into triage, where they checked me and I was dilated to 4cm which was 2cm more than what I was at my appointment on Monday! It was time to have a baby.

I had told the health care team that I was having this baby unmedicated, and they were so respectful of my wishes. The Doctor that would be delivering Walker, said “We are here for you all day, as long as you need” and that truly made all the difference in the world. To know that I was respected and supported. We then got to our room and continued to labor while we watched “In the Dark” on Netflix which helped immensely with distraction.

I was most concerned about not progressing, as with every other birth I’ve had Pitocin to help move things along. However, my mindset this time was in a completely different place. I was ready to birth this baby unmedicated. I could do it. I was doing it. And nothing was going to stop me.

Things I kept telling myself were..

“Open mouth, open cervix”

“I can do hard things”

“Relax my jaw”

“I can get through anything for a minute”

“Breath”

After two hours of laboring in our room, the nurse came to check on me and I asked for her to check my cervix. I was now 5cm and making progress on my own! Contractions this time were sooo different that when I’ve been on Pitocin. I could manage the pain. I could get through the pain. A contraction would come and I would breath and push into it, focusing on the pain and opening my cervix more and then the pain would be gone and I could go about my day like nothing was happening. Previous births, my pain would stay while on Pitocin, and I would never catch a break. This was by far the best part of an unmedicated birth.

Another two hours went by and I was now 6-7cm. Getting closer to transition. Our hospital allowed one partner and one support person. We said she was our doula, but she was also our friend and birth photographer. I waited til about 7cm to call her up to the room to give Jay and I the time we needed to labor alone. Once she got there, another hour went by and things started to get intense. I knew I was in transition as my body began to shake and I started to get cold. Contractions were very intense and lasting about a minute or longer, making me tear up and really needing to focus on getting through them. Hands and knees was the best position for me to help baby move down, and I really believe that worked the best because shortly after I called the nurse into the room to check me and I was 8cm. I told her I then wanted the Doc to come break my water. She called him into the room and said things would get intense, real quick, and they did.

The Doc came in, moments later, broke my water, checked me, and said I was complete, it was time to have a baby! It happened so fast both Jay and I didn’t know that I was already ready to start pushing. We had to do a double take and Jay even asked if we were pushing for practice or pushing for a baby!! lol

Ten of the most excruciating minutes I’ve ever been through and five pushes later, Walker Hawkins Wagamon was born. 9 pounds 12 ounces of squishy newborn goodness. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever done, but I did it and I’m so damn proud of myself.

Despite delivering at a different hospital, everything worked out as it should. God is so so good. The nurses were all amazing and supportive. It was my first time with a male doctor, and he exceeded my expectations. He didn’t rush me, or ask to break my water or start an induction. He let me be and labor on my own and I am so thankful for that. He was a little surprised to find that I had epidurals with my first three and then decided to do this one stone lol but his supportive demeanor will be something I will always remember. Looking back, it was so perfect. The entire day. It is something that I will cherish forever and a birth that I will never forget. And if you asked me if I’d do it over again, unmedicated, I would say YES one thousand times over!

Thanks for stopping by, if you have questions DM me or leave a comment below! I always love your support and encouragement!

xoxo Mari

Pregnancy Must Haves

Hello Hello!

Let me start by saying that when I say must haves, I just mean items that I have found useful in my pregnancies. That does not mean that you need them, or that you will love them but I am laying out a variety of products, brands and clothes that I personally love to have during this ever growing time. I do not share things that I do not love with you. I am transparent in my post about whether something was gifted or a partnership or not and I feel that I do a good job at making it clear if I actually enjoy the product, therefor continue to show my love for them by tagging or talking about that specific brand! With that said, it can be really easy to feel less than, or feel as though you need a certain something just because someone else has it. There have been plenty of times where I feel that I need or really want a certain item because I saw another influencer post about it, when in reality I in fact do not need it and can find something cheaper or can live without it overall! However, I do hope you find this post helpful in preparing for your pregnancy and possibly a good start to get a few items on hand!

Throughout this pregnancy, and as I’ve continued to grow my following on instagram, I’ve received a number of messages asking where I like to buy maternity clothes, pregnancy clothes, etc. and I will say that I am usually pretty stingy when it comes to purchasing these items because I just don’t see the worth in them only being able to wear for nine months. So, I will purchase basics and then usually try to buy items that I can utilize afterwards during the postpartum months and just buy oversized which I like anyways!

Basics:

• Maternity pants/shorts/leggings (these are items that I personally cannot live without because I cannot squeeze my ass into non maternity leggings or pants and still be comfortable)

• Maternity/Nursing bras (My boobs grow massive during pregnancy, especially after I give birth and it is not comfortable whatsoever to try and squeeze your engorged/sore breast into bras that are too small) So I personally suggest getting bras that are large enough and accessible for breastfeeding afterwards if that is your plan!

• Comfortable shoes (Tennis shoes, sandals, slip on shoes) Many women’s pregnant feet grow during pregnancy or swell so it’s nice to have shoes that fit and are comfortable in whichever season you are pregnant in!

Brands:

• Motherhood Maternity I’ve loved this brand dating back to my pregnancy with Oliver. Their items are affordable or usually on sale. In the past, I’ve bought the over the belly leggings, and their stretch maternity t-shirts.

• Aerie Is a brand that I’ve in the last couple years grown to really love. Some may think their quality isn’t the greatest, but I’ve never had an issue with anything I’ve bought and I love how soft, and oversized you can buy things. I personally love their oversized sweatshirts, lace bralettes, and oversized t-shirts.

• Pink Blush Maternity I started using this brand back when I was pregnant with Attikus. I worked with them on a partnership and that’s when I grew to love their clothes. I have received product from them and also bought product from them. Their maternity dresses are some of my favorite, but they also offer a lot of basics that are great as well for pregnancy and postpartum.

• Blanqi I started using blanqi after my pregnancy with Sonny. I bought several items from them and eventually became an ambassador for them. I cannot say enough good things about their products. I wear something blanqi nearly everyday. I will say that I get my true size, and I do not dry any of my blanqi items, I hang dry them! The item I love the most by them is by far the over the belly sport shorts or leggings!

• Free People So full transparency, my friend works for Anthropology and lets me order items through her with her discount which is sooo awesome. Free people can be expensive otherwise, but I usually buy from their active wear section. I love their crop top bras, and sweatshirts!

• Target Obviously you can’t go wrong with target! You can find anything here, and I’ve bought several nursing bras/sports bras from here! They also have a great selection of lunge wear and pants.

• ASOS Has a great maternity section, however I really like to buy their dresses. They offer a HUGE variety and lots of great styles that can be worn with a bump and afterwards breastfeeding!

• Kindred Bravely I partnered with Kindred bravely a few months ago and their nursing bras, sports, and pajama set are all extremely soft and comfortable.

• H&M: Has a great variety of button down and loose dresses for both a bump and postpartum!

Other brands that I’ve used but can be more of an investment are:

• Lego Heritage I’ve bought their maternity biker shorts and joggers!

• Hatch Collection I partnered with them a few months ago and they sent me a really beautiful flowy dress which I love but I don’t know that I personally would spend that kind of money on a dress.

• Storq I partnered with storq a couple of times this pregnancy. I have their everyday jumpsuit and their 3-piece lounge set which I love. This is a brand that I would buy from and plan to buy a nursing bra or two from!

• Nothing Fits But I discovered this brand during my current pregnancy, and I love what they offer for all stages of motherhood. I did partner with them and they sent me the super soft dress and cardigan set in egg shell. I love it! I’m hoping to purchase a nursing friendly nursing dress before baby arrives!

• Some brands that I like to shop from on instagram are Vici, Clad and Cloth, Shopzoco

Some other random things I can think of to have/use during your pregnancy are below:

• Body oil/Belly Oil: I personally have used bio oil with all four of my pregnancies. I can’t say for sure that it’s helped prevent stretch marks or not, but I do know that it keeps my skin hydrated which I’ve read can be helpful in the prevention of stretch marks.

• Books: The older I get the more I realize and understand that knowledge is power. The more you know, the more you can discover your own truth, do what’s best for you and your family, and in terms of birth, rid the fear and anxiety that can come from the unknown. I’m sure there are a ton of great books and resources out there to help prepare you for birth but a few that I have and really enjoy are…

  • Ina Mae’s Guide to Childbirth

  • Ina Mae’s Guide to Breastfeeding

  • Birth Without Fear

• Belly Support Band: These are especially great for those later months in pregnancy when your belly starts to get big and heavy and is causing back pain or just pain in general. This helps support your belly and help alleviate any pain. I usually wear mine when on long walks or when doing a lot of strenuous work!

• Compression Socks: I hate compression socks, they make me sweat, they make my feet sweaty and i just personally do not like wearing them. Although I know they are good for me, especially as a nurse and standing on my feet for many hours. I know several women who do wear these and they can help a great deal with circulation. I am not linking any certain kind because I do not wear them myself.

• Pregnancy Pillow: I can’t sleep without mine while I’m pregnant, I have the pharmdoc that I bought off amazon. It works great and is fairly inexpensive compared to some that you can buy!

  Other things to consider/think about when pregnant:

• Who will be your provider?

• Who will be in your delivery? What support people are you considering having in your birth?

• Do you want a doula?

• What is your birth “plan” and are you prepared and open for possibilities of it not going exactly as planned?

• Is there a birth method you are using? ie. Hypnobirthing, Bradley method, Medicated, Unmedicated, Spontaneous labor, Induction, VBAC, cesarean section, home birth, hospital birth? Whatever you choose, and whatever ends up happening is perfectly okay, these are just things to start thinking about so that you can prepare! Birth is Birth is my eyes, you as a woman are able to bring another human being, another life into this world and it really doesn’t matter how they’ve entered the world, but rather you did it, you love them, and you are now their mother!

• Will you take a childbirth class?

• Prenantal Yoga

• Exercise

• Will you breastfeed? Formula feed? Go with the flow and see what happens?

• Do you have necessary supplies for postpartum? ( I will be writing this soon)

• Do you need to pack a hospital bag or gather items for your home birth? You can find my older version of hospital bag essentials HERE

I’ve shared a few items that I own and love in the carousel below! Note some of the links in this blog are affiliate links that I gain a small portion of income from you shopping through. I really appreciate you using my direct links, your support is always noticed and valued! Thank you so much!

If you enjoyed this post, I’d love for you to share it with your friends, repost on pinterest, and leave me a comment or some love below! If you are pregnant and can think of other things that you find helpful during your pregnancy, add them below that I can add them to the post!! Thanks so much!

xoxo Mari

Screen time

It's no secret that there are pros and cons to allowing children the use of screen time, and as more research is being conducted on the effects of screen time and a child's development it raises the question, is screen time good for my child? The increasing use of screen time to entertain children during daily activities such as running errands, car rides and dining out has become a common tool among our society today, and I'm just as guilty for allowing my children to use screen time in these ways on several different occasions.

I recently listened to Part 2 of Raising Boys on the Find the Magic Podcast, and they specifically talk about research on screen time and the boys brain. How when boys (kids) play video games it causes them to become more imitative. They start to get all their ideas and creativity from watching shows or playing video games rather than using their own creativity and sense of thinking that naturally comes to them. And for us, I was sensing this in my own children and the way that they played or lack there of with their toys and using their imagination. It was as if I had to tell them what to do next, be their source of entertainment, and think of things they could do every second of the day.... and that to me was becoming even more draining.

Our WHY

It's been a little over a week since Jay and I decided to take away all screens. No ipads, no tablets, no phones, and no TV. We came to the decision to eliminate screen time in our home because we needed a detox. The boys were becoming angry, having tantrums, not playing well together or really at all, they couldn't eat a meal or wake up in the morning without immediately running to get their tablet and start watching Youtube, or asking to turn the TV on. They were much less respectful of our authority and it was getting very hard to discipline them as they would just not listen, or cause a fuss whenever I would tell them that screen time was over. It's not to say that they couldn't ever enjoy play time or being outside, but with the increased time spent indoors and not leaving our home in months, it was getting much harder for sure.

Eliminating the use of screens was not just for our boys, but also for myself. A lot of the same feelings that I could see build up in them were also felt in me. I would get annoyed if I couldn't finish that one thing on my phone, answer an email, or reply to a DM. It was consuming me as well, and I knew if I were experiencing these feelings, I would have to set a good example for my boys and set my phone down too. I wanted to be more present during the day and connected to them. I wanted to be a good mother and play with them and enjoy our days together, without feeling distracted by my phone or what I had to "get done". I think it's safe to say that we're all guilty of scrolling the gram, online shopping, or whatever it may be that "brings you joy" during this time in our lives, but I wanted more. I longed for more and I knew I could achieve it with just a few simple changes.

To be honest, I'm ashamed of how far I let this go on, but I know that there are other parents who are dealing with the same issues which is why I wanted to share our experience with anyone that cares or is also wanting to make a change. These times of quarantine and staying at home all day everyday are tough and I get it. We're very use to being on the go, having play dates, visiting parks, running errands together and getting out of the house, so with the stay at home orders in effect, it's been a big adjustment for us all.

Allowing my boys screen time was the easy way out, the lazy parenting approach. I let it be a source of entertainment, sometimes "learning", but also a distraction for the boys when I was too exhausted, too tired or needing to get stuff done. However, I knew with a new baby coming I didn't want those first few months to be taken up by screens and exhausted parents who allowed their children too much tablet time rather than play and interaction, and connectedness between us. I didn't want it to be a constant struggle of frustration and crying/whining when the TV was off. And more importantly I didn't want look back and think of all that time spent watching screens when we could of been bonding as a new family of six.

Our HOW

Cold turkey. That was the only way I knew how without having the pressure to give in from meltdowns. It's easy as a parent to allow just a "little bit longer" of something your child is wanting, but the hard part is sticking to those boundaries you've set and that's often where I fall short. Of course there was some fight back, whining, crying, lots of asking why and when they could watch something but after a few days they eventually just accepted it and it got a little bit easier.

Our OUTCOME

The tantrums have faded (yes, they still exist because our kids are newly 5, almost 2, and 1... and that's just toddlerhood) but OH my goodness has it gotten so much better. They wake up and are eager to eat breakfast withOUT a screen. They actually want to play with one another and instead of asking for a tablet they ask to go outside, play legos, build things and I can see their creative juices flowing. We have connected so much in this last week that I kick myself for not doing this sooner. We are able to eat as a family without anyone needing an ipad. We can take a drive without needing the DVD on. We are so much more present with our time and one another. The boys play so nicely together and they are using their imagination, and playing independently without needing me to entertain them or tell them what they can do to keep busy throughout the day.

Our GOAL

I'm not going to downplay it, screens are definitely still going to be a part of our lives but much less time will be allowed for screens moving forward. We haven't decided on those set boundaries yet, but know that we want them and need them for this to continue to work. The thought of allowing a certain amount of time sounds nice, but it has to be clear for the boys so that they know when screen time is up, it's up. However, I also will be that mom who most definitely has movie days or movie nights and not feel guilty for it because the difference between then and now is that screen time is a reward, not just a given. The boys are so much more appreciative for any time that they get watching screens and I love that.

Moving forward, I know that winter months cooped up indoors allows for more possibilities for screen time and that's okay, but I also don't want to get back to where we were and have a constant battle of using screens in our everyday life. I like how things are going and I'm realistic in knowing that sometimes life hands you days where screens are a saving grace, especially with a knew baby on the way. With all that to say, I hope you enjoyed what you read here and you find the motivation to make the change in your own home. It has been a blessing that I never thought we needed, and I'm so so happy in the outcome we've received.

If you'd like more resources on screen times, I've provided some links below and also linked a few books on raising boys that I recently started reading. As always, thanks for stopping by. I appreciate your support!

Resources

JAMA Pediatrics; Association between screen time and childrens performance on developmental screening

Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics; Mobile and Interactive media use by young children

Strong Mothers Strong Sons Book

Wild Things, The art of nurturing boys Book

Boy Mom Book

Placental Encapsulation

Benefits of Placental Encapsulation

Balances hormones

Decreased incidence of PPD

Increased energy levels and helps facilitate faster healing

Lessens postpartum bleeding

Replenishes Iron levels

Promotes healthy breast milk production

Two ways to process the placenta:

1. Traditional Chinese Method

2. Raw

TCM method is believed by women of eastern medicine that for the first 40 days after birth a woman must only eat "warming" foods to help restore balance to her body. Thus the process of preparing the placenta uses "warming" foods such as lemongrass, lemon, peppers, and ginger to steam with the placenta before the dehydration process begins.

Raw method is prepared the same except that the placenta is not steamed with anything else prior to dehydration.

Processing:

After birth the placenta must be placed on ice until the encapsulation process can begin. If, for whatever reason, the process is delayed beyond 48 hours, it is best to place the placenta in the freezer. Most of the time, depending on what service you go with, that company will come and pick your placenta up. Once the encapsulator has the placenta, they can begin examining it, removing any membranes or blood clots and cuts off the cord.

If the TCM method is to be done, the placenta will be steamed for 20 minutes with the herbal mixture prior to dehydration. It is then sliced into thin slices and laid on the dehydrator where it will take several hours to complete. For TCM method usually 8-10 hours, and 16-18 for the raw method.

After the dehydration process is complete, it is placed in a grinder and ground to a fine powder. Once ground it is placed in clear capsules and stored in an air-tight jar, and prepped for delivery to your house! I'm not sure if every company delivers, but the one I went with does and is included in the cost.

Cost:

Prices will vary depending on the company you choose. Below are the prices for where I had mine made.

Traditional Chinese Method or Raw $225

Traditional Chinese Method and Raw $255

Encapsulation and tincture $265

Tincture $40

A tincture is simply made by placing a small piece of your placenta in ever clear. You let it sit for 6 weeks, swirling it once a day. It can be used by both the mother and child in difficult times such as weaning, going back to work, menstrual cycles or for children experiencing teething, transitions, and weaning. The recommended dose is 5-10 drops in water or juice, 1-3 times a day.

A Woman’s Design Placental Encapsulation- This is where I had mine prepared!

Be prepared:

I would recommend bringing two large zip lock baggies to store your placenta in after you deliver, just in case your hospital doesn’t have something to place it in. It would also be a good idea to bring a cooler unless you know beforehand that you have access to a room fridge or cooler that your hospital can provide you. (My hospital did not allow the placenta to be placed in the fridge, so we just placed it on ice until the encapsulator came and picked it up) I also made sure I had the number packed in my hospital bag or phone so that I could easily get in contact with my encapsulator and wasn't worrying about finding the number to let them know to come pick it up.

My experience:

If you’ve been following along then you know I’ve experienced PPD in the past, significantly after having Oliver. You can read about my experience HERE… After Attikus I didn’t experience it nearly as much, but it did come in spurts, especially the guilt and anxiety but I was a MUCH happier mother, woman, and wife for whatever reason, and I think I was just prepared for what was to come. After doing some research and hearing all the great benefits I decided that I wanted to encapsulate my placenta this time around, with Sonny (Yes, this is my first time doing it) in hopes that I didn’t get PPD again.

Now I can’t really compare it to any other time because this is my first time encapsulating my placenta, but I will say that I think IT DID HELP emmensly. Other than the normal vaginal birth pains, I feel like I healed much quicker and thank god because three kids is no joke. I also feel like overall I was in a much better mood. Yes, I would have moments where I felt down or anxious or overwhelmed, but that’s motherhood and those newborn foggy days are real and hard and exhausting. I truly feel that I could of been in a much darker place had I not encapsulated my placenta this time around.

It’s hard to say whether or not it helped with my milk production because I’ve been blessed with a great milk supply with each baby. I’ve actually been pumping just once a day, right a way in the morning because I can never find time for the evening one.

Overall, I would highly recommend getting your placenta encapsulated. It doesn’t cost that much especially if your company you go with picks it up and delivers it to your house afterwards! The benefits to me are just worth the cost. If you have questions, leave a comment below and I will see if I can answer it for you! Thanks so much for being here and reading along!

xoxo Mari

If you would like to read about how to start a good supply or breastfeeding in general you can read about my journey HERE…

What I ACTUALLY packed in my Hospital Bag

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Let me start with a little back story on what I packed after delivering Oliver, my first son. Needless to say I was extremely naive.. we were the first in our friend group to get married and the first to start having children so I didn’t have anyone to help me out, show me the ropes, prepare me for what was to come. Being my 24yo self, I literally thought I would “bounce” back after I delivered.. that I would magically loose all that fat, stretched skin and excess water weight the second I pushed Oliver out. HA! What a sad sad reality that was when I got up to to take my first shower and glanced in the mirror to find myself still looking 6months pregnant! Say what!

Looking back I have to laugh because what was I honestly thinking.. my body just grew and birthed a healthy baby boy and all I could think about was how fat I felt. It also didn’t help that all I packed in my bag was cute stuff for baby, nothing cute for me. Nothing maternity, nothing nursing friendly, nothing comfy! After all, I was gonna bounce back so I should of been able to fit into my skin tight leggings again.. even with the elephant pad they give you to stick down there! I literally packed form fitting, tight ass clothing that was sooo ungodly uncomfortable I think I just sat in my hospital gown and robe until we left home. And let me tell you, what a discouraging concept that is to grasp. That my pre-pregnancy clothes didn’t fit and I still looked pregnant! lol

So if you’re a first time mom and looking for what you actually need to pack in your hospital bag and what you will actually WANT in your bag, look no further! I’ve rounded up my essentials to pack for you, baby and even daddy so that when the time comes you won’t make the mistake I did and you can feel good about yourself after delivering!

In the Hospital

Everywhere you deliver is different in what they provide for you after you deliver but for me I know I will at least get those sexy nylon granny panties, pads, witch hazel pads, and a peri bottle to use after I pee (usually for vaginal deliveries) so you don’t have to wipe your sore, swollen, stitched up vagina! Am I making this sound awesome yet.. haha don’t worry! It really is!

Essentials for Mom

Toiletries:

• My duffle bag! I love the color and how large it is, shop HERE.

• Travel size shampoo, conditioner, body wash. Or bring your big stuff.. whatever you want to carry.

• Toothbrush and toothpaste.

• Makeup wipes or for me I like to bring my norwex face cloth to wash my face.

• Face cleanser (if you use one) and moisturizer! I’ll be bringing my Beauty Counter!

• Wet wipes, some women say they can be useful for wiping the behind but I’ve actually never used them.

• Body lotion or body butter, it tends to be very dry in the hospital.

• Body spray or perfume.

• Deodorant.. postpartum sweats are the real deal.

• Dry shampoo.

• Hair volumizer.. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this stuff.

• Hair brush and hair ties.. these are the BEST for not creating kinks.

• Makeup. It’s okay to want to feel pretty and put together.. I find that I feel 100% better when I showered and got ready so I didn’t feel like a complete slob.

• Curling iron/hair dryer. (some hospitals have the wall ones)

• Toiletry bag to hold it all in! I have this one! But this one is also really cute

• Any other go-to toiletries you personally love to have.

Your COMFIEST/FAVORITE Clothes:

• I bring my maternity leggings that go over my belly because it helps me feel sucked in without wearing a girdle or postpartum belly fit. Plus they aren’t as skin tight and feel somewhat comfortable. Also any joggers or sweat pants are nice to have!

• Favorite cardigan, I love this one it is sooooo soft or this one, is equally as soft but slightly cheaper!

• Loose comfy tops, I like these!

• Loose comfy nursing dress.. not necessary but is nice to have so you don’t have to wear pants. This one is similar to the one I’m wearing in the pics here, but I also like this one.

• Slippers, the hospital floors can kind of be nasty. I have these but these are slightly cheaper!

• Comfy robe, this could also double as a cute robe if you have one to take a few pics with. I purchased this one and also brought this lace kimono to throw over a loose dress for pretty pics.

• Comfy pajamas, I hate pants when I sleep so I love this set HERE

• Comfiest nursing bras you own, if you plan on nursing. I purchased this one HERE but I also love this one! Not that you will get your milk in while in the hospital, but you may want breast pads. I got my milk in faster with each consecutive child.

• Socks

Tech Accessories:

• Phone charger

• Wall diffuser/essential oils, if you’re into that. I didn’t pack one.

• Camera and charger if you plan to take a few pics, but I just used my phone and then hired a photographer for our birth and fresh 48.

Food:

First of all can I just take a moment to say that after birth meal is pure HEAVEN. Like the best damn meal you’ll every eat haha but I also do like to have some snacks in our room since you are there for a day or two.

• I love to have a few things to munch on while I’m there (like granola bars, licorice, chocolate, gold fish, chips, snacks lol ) and beverages are also nice to have such as Gatorade or tea. You could also bring champagne and beer if that’s your thing to celebrate afterwards!

For Dad

He can obviously pack for himself, but to help him out here is a list of a few things I usually pack for Jay. Again, he made the mistake of not really packing great the first time around and just brought literally one outfit. No undies, no jammies, no slippers, barely a toothbrush haha luckily we lived like 4 miles away from the hospital I delivered at and were able to go grab stuff as we needed.

• Toiletries he needs (toothbrush, hair pomade or gel, face wash, deodorant, cologne, body wash and shampoo)

• Underwear and socks.

• Slippers, Jay wears THESE all the time!

• Comfy pants/sweats.

• Shirts, something decent if you do take a few pics with new baby and other kids coming to visit.

• phone charger

For Baby

• Diaper Bag, I am SOOO excited about this one I just purchased because it has a cooler in it and lots of space! Thanks Britt! You can shop it HERE (doesn’t need to be filled because they usually provide you with diapers and wipes, but it’s nice to pack all their blankets/outfits you bring and use as an extra bag to bring stuff home in)

• Car seat This carseat is a little spendy, but comparable to others out there. However, I cannot say enough about how convenient and easy it is to use. It connects directly into the stroller and is quick and easy to take in and out of the base.

• This is the carseat base that we have to go with the UPPA mesa above. The self retracting LATCH connectors make it the easiest carseat base I’ve ever used, plus we’ve used it with all THREE kids now!

• Car seat cover, especially since it will be cold when I deliver! I have this one, and like that it’s gender neutral, but I also use my heavier duty one found HERE.

• Milestone plaques or Gender Reveal Plaque I’ll be bringing from our shop! You can purchase HERE.

• Blankets to swaddle them in, I love these and you can purchase HERE.

• Going home outfit, not necessary but fun to do!

• I love gowns and kimono tops for babes to wear, super easy and convenient in the hospital. Carters has some nice ones otherwise KidWild brand sells some really cute ones!

Other things you may like to have

• Pillow from home.

• Cozy blanket, just be sure not to forget it there!

Hopefully you find this post helpful for your hospital stay or to reference to other mamas to be! As always leave a comment with questions! Best of luck to you, and enjoy that snuggly baby.

XOXO Mari

Please note that by clicking on any of the links above I may gain a very small commission from you buying any of those items. I appreciate you being here and thank you in advance.

All photos above taken by my friend Samantha Cater with Samantha Cater Photography

Three baby carriers I love best and why

Baby wearing. The truth, it isn’t always as enjoyable as everyone makes it out to be. Honestly, I feel like even just 3 years ago it wasn’t that popular.. I never wore Oliver, partly because he didn’t enjoy it.. or so I thought. You see, if you wear your baby from the start, they feel close to you, can listen to your heart beat, and find it soothing. They may not always seem like they like it, but don’t get frustrated.. they can sense it. It’s new to them too, and you both just have to be patient and work through it.

I also don’t believe that you can spoil a baby. Oliver was a very crabby newborn.. constantly cried and was fussy. Always needed to be held and it was extremely exhausting. So after I had Attikus I told myself that I wouldn’t have another baby like that, I wouldn’t spoil him and he needed to learn to self sooth. Now looking back, that is my biggest regret. I wish I would of held him close and coddled him all day long.. it’s not to say that I didn’t love him and snuggle him and give him all the attention I could, it’s just I feel like I gave him a tougher love than I did with Oliver and for that I am regretful. Luckily he’s only one and there is still plenty time to make up for it, but man that mom guilt is the real freaking deal.

With that said, I wanted to share my three top baby carriers and why I like each of them. I wear Sonny every day, he sleeps so peacefully so close to my chest and it’s absolutely wonderful because I can play with the boys, tidy up or do anything else I need to “get done”. Truthfully though, wearing Sonny has taught me to slow down. Enjoy that snuggle time with him while also giving quality time to my other two. It allows me to not feel so guilty if I need to clean or pick up around the house because I’m still getting those snuggles in. Baby wearing has become one of my favorite things and I hope we continue to enjoy it together.

Me with Attikus above in the wildbird

My Top Three Baby Carriers

Solly Baby Wrap: SHOP HERE

• Pros: The quality of the sling is amazing, super soft and stretchy, breathable and is great for carrying your infant/newborn. You can get their body so snug to yours, it doesn’t feel like their falling down on you, and its most importantly comfortable. You have two arms to do what you want which makes it perfect for around the house.

• Cons: It’s very long.. I don’t know what other people do when they’re out and about because it hangs on the ground while your trying to put it on and it does take a little bit of practice to put on before it gets easy and quick. I also haven’t used one with an older heavier baby, so I’m not sure what that’s like.

Wildbird Sling: SHOP HERE similar HERE

• Pros: Unlike the solly wrap and the long fabric, the sling is very convenient to transport and take anywhere with you. It’s also pretty easy to put on especially when you get the hang of it.. there are videos you can watch on their site which make learning to use the sling much easier. I use to carry Attikus in the sling a lot because he always liked to be held and he was a bigger much heavier baby so I held him on my hip, the sling is great for holding your babe on your hip while still having two arms free to use.

• Cons: I find that the fabric is a bit stiff when you first get it, but as you use it and break it in, it gets softer, and the quality of the fabric gets nicer. I also find that my back starts to hurt when using it for long periods of time because the sling only hangs on one side of your shoulder, instead of two which allows for equal weight distribution. I also can not figure out how to use it with a newborn, I mean I do use it every now and then but it’s not easy to get them comfortable.. but maybe I just don’t know what I’m doing lol

Ergo Baby Carrier: SHOP HERE

• Pros: The Ergo is my all time favorite for travel, long walks, hikes or any type of adventure where you’ll be wearing your baby for a long time. It’s so easy to put on and has the BEST back support. Like literally it provides the best support and is very comfortable and when worn right doesn’t fall down or feel like your baby is falling out.

• Cons: I don’t really have many cons for this other than it’s a bigger carrier so it doesn’t just fold up nicely into your diaper bag. It also has velcro on it which can get stuff stuck to it, but thats not too bad in my opinion!

Overall, if you’re looking for a carrier whether it be a wrap, sling, or carrier.. I would highly recommend any of these brands. There are other brands that I’m sure are very similar to these but I can’t speak for them and just know the ones that I’ve used myself. I hope this inspires you to start baby wearing and enjoy those extra snuggles.. because like they say, babies don’t keep.

XOXO Mari

Please note that if you shop through any of the links provided I will gain a small commission and for this I am forever thankful as this small portion of my blog helps provide for my family!

Wearing Attikus in the Ergo

A life update and Products I'm loving right now

Our sweet Sonny boy is 3 weeks old already. It feels as though he’s been with us forever as we adjust to life with all five of us. Boy does he enjoy eating.. I’ve created a mama loving, cluster feeding, baby wearing little piraña and I guess if he’s really my last I can’t get too upset. I think life is getting a tad easier.. a tad! Simply because I feel like I’m almost back to myself as far as healing goes. Man, those first few days/weeks are rough because you are trying to heal, you’re in pain, but you just gotta do what you gotta do and life goes on, you still have to be a mom, you still have to take care of your family and once you can get past that point you finally start to get in the groove.

Although he’s gaining weight and eats like a champ, he’s a skinny little nugget. He definitely has the Wagamon genes as far as skinny chicken legs go.. poor dude lol So he does still fit into newborn diapers (which Attikus NEVER wore!) and newborn onesies, but he’s tall so newborn sleepers don’t fit! His latch is getting better, and I’m just about done writing my blog post about our difficult time breastfeeding.. for now the chiropractor is helping immensely and we actually all started going and we love it! Our family friends own Restore Chiropractic in Maple Grove, MN and I highly suggest going to see them, they are amazing and have so many stories of healing just in the year that they’ve been open! If you go, tell them Mari sent you!

Our middle child, wild child, Tasmanian.. Attikus is just as he sounds! A handful. Gosh I love his sweet soul, but man is he busy. Constantly getting into everything, climbing on everything. I will come out of a room and find him on top of the countertops! In the dishwasher, on the table, in the pantry with everything out of it. Coloring markers on my furniture! He may be busy but he’s so full of life, loves loves loves books and is so sweet with Sonny. Wants to always hold him, kiss him and give him hugs all while saying “HHhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiii” in his sweet 1.5 year old voice!

Oliver is such a good big brother. He’s grown up so much since bringing Sonny home. He helps out much more than I thought he would, and loves on both of his brothers so nicely. It just melts my heart and I love watching him grow into the young little man that he is. Preschool drop off is a little more difficult, carrying one on my hip so he doesn’t run away, carrying the carseat on the other hip, and holding Oliver’s hand while we walk inside. Ughh.. the hardest part of going anywhere is getting them all in the car!! Literally dread it.

Things I can’t live without right now

Mamaroo: My older boys actually didn’t care for this gadget, but Sonny seems to enjoy it and it’s easy to just set him in there if I need to do something quick! SHOP HERE

Solly baby wrap: Sonny is exceptionally gassy and sitting upright and on me seems to help keep him somewhat calm. SHOP HERE

Comotomo Bottles: I love the design of these bottles and how they mimic your breast. There are tons of bottles out there that are suppose to be great for going back and forth between bottle and breastfeeding but we’ve had such success so far with these! SHOP HERE

HonestCo Diaper Bag: I love that this is an actual backpack so it feels really nice while wearing it. It also features a cooler if you pump and store your milk in it, and has plenty of room for itty bitty diapers as well as Attikus’ giant diapers! SHOP HERE

UPPA baby carseat and stroller: Yes, this stroller is expensive BBBUUUTTTT I cannot say enough about how much we love it. We’ve actually used this carseat with all 3 kiddos now which to me makes it super worth it! The stroller is so nice because you can easily click the carseat in and go, plus we have the skateboard attachment that Attikus has been riding on into preschool drop off and its been a life saver. SHOP HERE

Halo Sleep sack: sooo obviously back is best, and babies love to be swaddled, but I can never seem to keep my own babes swaddled in just an ordinary swaddle blanket. I’m great while at work with the NICU babes but my kids seem to maneuver out if them. These sleep sacks are great for keeping them warm snug as a bug. SHOP HERE

Hand mits: Why are babies born with claws lol I’ve been keeping Sonny’s hands covered with little mits to not only stop him from scratching himself but to help fight those pesky germs that are flying around this time of year. For whatever reason everyone seems to go straight for the hands when they meet or see anew baby, which usually end up going straight to their mouth and all those nasty germs become a nasty cold! SHOP HERE

Blanqi Maternity Leggings: These leggings are seriously the BEST! I have been living in them because they suck me in, make me feel a littler skinnier and they are HIGH RISE up to my breast so when I go to nurse I am still covered up in my midsection. I highly recommend getting these leggings for after baby, you will not be disappointed. SHOP HERE or HERE

Nose Sucker: This is our saving grace this winter season. It is one of the best products I’ve ever bought because it sucks all those nasty boogers out of your kids nose in a gently way. It’s electric, plugs into the wall and works sooo sooo good. Especially for those little babes who don’t know how to “blow” their nose. A little on the spendier side but I think it’s totally worth the money! SHOP HERE

Spectra Breast pump: This pump is sooo nice, I love it way more than I thought it would. I mean its a pump how different could it be from the Medella, but I love love love it. It’s sooo gentle, it has cycles you can program, its much more gentle on your nipples, and it’s portable, doesn’t have to be plugged in and I can literally charge it and then take it wherever I need it to be in my house!

Thanks for stopping by! XOXO Mari

Screen Time for Tots

KidloLand- Educational App for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Today I’m talking all about screen time. Do you have a limit of how much screen time your child gets each day? Do you ban certain apps they can watch or play on? Do you only allow interactive learning games and videos? Are they allowed to watch at meal times, out to eat, to keep them quite. In this day and age I think it’s really easy to just give in.. in my opinion, I would say that it’s very uncommon to not see a small child with an ipad, their parents phone or some sort of tablet.

For us, we try to limit “tablet time” especially YouTube kids (Oliver is obsessed with Ryan’s toy review) but it can be very challenging and if I’m being honest we’re not really that strict with it. A lot of times I suggest using it when Attikus takes a nap and I need to get work done, or if we’re out to eat and he won’t settle down, it’s just easier for US to just give in and let him watch it.. that way he’s at least quite! So when KidloLand reached out to me to trial their online interactive learning apps, I was all for it and extremely excited to have Oliver actually learning while using his ipad!

Oliver doesn’t just want to watch YouTube kids anymore, he actually clicks on the learning app himself and enjoys playing all the games and listening to all the music. His favorite games are the tracing of shapes, or letters or numbers, putting the puzzle pieces together and washing the trucks! There are so many games within the app that he loves and I’m so proud of him for learning and pushing through his frustrations when he has a hard time with one of the activities.

The Reason I love KidloLand

This app is award winning for kids under the year of 5! It features 400+ Nursery rhymes and learning songs that are ideal for that toddler stage because they are interactive and keep them engaged with surprises that come alive when tapping on the screen. It offers a complete phonics section with songs and learning activities to help them towards their first steps to reading.

Benefits of KidloLand learning

• Kid safe and Kid friendly content

• Read and sing alongs

• Colorful illustrations

• Over 500+ stories, songs and games

• Can access offline

• Interactive with animated graphics

I would highly recommend this app for any parent with a child who enjoys a little too much “Ryan’s toy review” time as it again offers preschool math games, english learning for kids pre-k through kindergarten, over 700+ interactive games for babies and toddlers to help boost their cognitive skills, hand-eye coordination, concentration, and imagination, plus 1000+ nursery rhymes, songs and games! Especially with the arrival of our 3rd baby here soon, I know I will not be able to give Oliver my full attention in those first couple weeks so I’m looking forward to having the option for him to use the KidloLand app. You can download the app by clicking the links below.

iOS: https://apple.co/2QO5sFX

Android: http://bit.ly/2idlUkW

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2fGWIBB

Thanks for stopping by, be sure to go check out the KidloLand app as I know you will love it as much as we do!

XOXO Mari

Surviving Week ONE

Where do I begin, this past week has been a whirlwind. Three, three and under is no joke people! If you didn’t know, I went to my 40 week appointment last Friday which lead to me being induced just a few short hours after I left the clinic! I left my appointment feeling so anxious, excited, and giddy we were about to have a baby.. called all our loved ones, went home to get our bags and left with Jay to the hospital! (I’m currently working on his birth story, so I went get into too much detail now!) Anyways, I had him Saturday morning at 1204, we spent the night in the hospital Saturday night and went home Sunday afternoon.

Thankfully I delivered on the weekend so that Jay was able to be there for me the entire time. Sunday night dinner consisted of the glamorous Lee Ann Chin, and we all ate out of the same bowl of food on the floor in the sunroom. It was super romantic. Monday, Jay took work off.. thank god and I had the ingredients to make stuffed shells for dinner while Jay watched all 3 kids so I could cook lol The boys screamed and cried for no reason most of the time, and I had to hold Attikus while stuffing the shells (which is super easy to do… not!) but dinner was made, we all ate, and we survived another day.

Tuesday was my first day BY MYSELF with all three littles. I woke up at 5am to yet another wake up call to nurse and I just bawled. I think Sonny ate every hour that night so I maybe got 30 minute stretches in between feed times.. I felt like my life was ending, like how in the world was I gonna take care of three kids on a total of 3 hours of sleep! Jay took Sonny out of the room for a couple hours while I got uninterrupted sleep for 2 hours and I literally woke up feeling like a new woman. Isn’t it funny how that works?

If I’m being honest the rest of the week has been a blur. My mom came down Thursday to help out which was a huge life saver and we’ve had so many great visitors come and bring meals or stop and say hi which has been such a blessing and I feel so grateful for everyones well wishes and encouragement.

How I really FEEL

I decided to encapsulate my placenta this time around and I can honestly say I believe it has been working. I have a blog written up already on everything you could want to know about placental encapsulation, but I’m waiting to share my experience before I go ahead and post it! Other than my bleeding vagina and nipples, things have been great. lol I think the hardest part of having multiples is caring for your older children. Everyone will tell you get some rest, let yourself heal, yadayadayada.. but I mean c’mon. When do you actually have time to heal! In between nursing the newborn 24 hours a day because he’s a little piraña, getting meals ready for your older ones, trying to be a “good” mom and playing with them while the newborn sleeps, getting them to take a nap so you can at least just sit on the couch for a few minutes to “heal”, changing Attikus’s diapers, wiping Oliver’s butt… the list could go on and on! A mom’s job just doesn’t end.

There are times I feel soooo grateful for everything that we have, for our three healthy boys and this family we’ve created. Other times I feel like we may never have a life again lol And other times I question if I’m doing an okay job? Am I holding our newborn baby enough, am I really soaking in all the newborn goodness? Do my older boys know that I love them, know that I am really trying my best. All of these questions are normal.. and I believe the placenta pills have helped me to see the good in it all and not succumb to the postpartum blues.

I like to keep things real and as honest as I can.. I’m extremely exhausted, but that’s a given. Postpartum is not glamorous in any way shape or form. My tits are the size of watermelons and my nipples are sloughing off skin from a poor latch.. but we’re working on it and it’s getting better. I’ve got a nice fupa, rocking large undies up past my belly button. I eat when I can, whatever I can which mostly ends up being bread, granola bars, or cereal.. super healthy. I’ve been trying to drink a lot of water which helps with weight loss and hydration. Most days I wear my greasy hair in a bun, with jay’s oversized shirt and sweatpants on. Milk stains are a given.. I probably smell like a mix of sour milk, a dirty pad, and B.O. Yumm… don’t get too close. lol I will say that when I get the chance to it’s nice to shower and at least dry my hair. Getting ready and clean makes you feel like much more of a human and that’s okay to want to feel pretty and somewhat normal in a state where you are so vulnerable.

Like I always say, this is just a phase.. this time will pass and there will be new challenges to overcome and new joys to embrace so for now I am trying to just focus on the present. Focus on our family, our well-being and being the best parents that we can be. This may look differently for everyone.. and that’s okay. I know that we will get in a new groove one of these days lol and things will eventually get easier, but for now this is where we are. We are surviving, my kids are healthy, happy for the most part lol and I’m slowly healing and feeling more normal each day.

Moments from this past Week

• Oliver started saying “shit” yea I probably say that a little too much, but #momlife

• Attikus thinks he’s big enough to pick Sonny up and often times I catch him trying to lift him out of his mama-roo

• Most nights consisted of a frozen meal, or left overs that we all just shared from one bowl..

• Oliver is the sweetest big brother and tells Sonny he loves him all the time

• Attikus shush’s the baby when he’s crying

• My first real outing was when he was one week old… getting the kids in and out of the car is a freaking nightmare

• Postpartum sweats are real and I’m sweating like a wild hog.. and my Native deodorant ain’t doing me shit

• The day I can stop wearing pads I’ll be forever thankful.. I feel like I’ve been wearing a diaper for a week

• I’m not getting too concerned (or at least trying not to) about my weight and what I’m eating. Right now, food is food and I’ll whatever I can get my hands on.

Three little boys are crazy right now but I can already tell that this will be so fun once they start to grow and build their relationships together. Anyone going through this exact stage in motherhood, or about to have your first baby, or fifth baby.. know that you are not alone. We will get through this tough time and you are SUPER WOMAN. You are doing your best, you will have moments of weakness, and moments of strength, and this time will pass so soak it all in, live in the present and love those babies with all your heart.

Coming soon to the blog……

• Dealing with a difficult latch

• Placental encapsulation

• Sonny’s Birth story

• Screen time for tots

• What I packed in my hospital bag

Hope you enjoyed today’s post, found some laughter in our crazy and were encouraged to help get you through the day!

XOXO Mari