Hey y’all!
After a much needed holiday R&R, I’m back at it! On that note, I truly hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that your 2018 is filled with love, good health and amazing experiences.
Now, on to the intended post.
Category Archives: life
Saying Goodbye For Seven Months
As some of you know my husband is in the United States Navy. Just one day short of our daughter Grace being 4 weeks old, her Daddy has left on a seven month deployment.
This is our first deployment, and the fact that we have a baby makes it so much harder. Luckily between both of our families I have an amazing support system.
To military spouses, partners, families and loved ones, I have the upmost respect for you. It is not always easy, and there are a lot of sacrifices to be made -especially with the little things that are often taken for granted- but it is not for nothing.
Just thought I would share some sweet pictures from our final goodbyes.
Grace’s dress matched Daddy’s uniform!
Family picture
Last goodbye with Grace 😦
My last goodbye
Newborn Must Haves: The First Two Weeks
I have only officially been a mom two weeks tomorrow, but I am quickly learning that there are things you NEED, things you do not, and things that are important to your individual baby- remember, every baby is different!
Here are my must haves, so far:
Introducing Grace Cali
On September 17th, 2016 at 8:00 am on the dot our beautiful baby girl, Grace Cali made her debut into the world.
After a very fast delivery (like…5 cm to 10 cm in 6 minutes fast), but an extra long hospital stay- we are so blessed and proud to be the parents of such an amazing little girl!
Thankfully Grace decided to come a couple weeks earlier than expected in order to spend some extra time with her Daddy before he has to leave for 7 months!
We couldn’t be happier! xo
Mommy Monday’s: Take Home Outfit
I have been asked by about 5 different people “What are you going to take baby Grace home from the hospital in?!”, “Do you have a take home outfit yet?” etc.
I hadn’t obviously given it much thought but I figured, I probably should…she needs to come home in something right?!
Here are my tips for finding the perfect take home outfit:
- Remember, not many people are probably going to see this outfit.
- You have a newborn…put them in something comfortable. I.E.: Probably not a frilly tutu. They’re a little baby with sensitive skin, be fair!
- This is just a personal preference but I like classic pieces and less…tacky pieces. I am not a huge fan of take home outfits that say things like “Here I am world!” or “I’ve arrived!”
- Gender appropriate. Now, I know everybody thinks they have the cutest newborn in the world. Am I right? But more times than not…in the first month or so it’s hard for others to immediately identify whether or not your bouncing baby is a girl or boy. So, put them in something that’s either adorably feminine or boyishly cute! If you’re not a pink person, no worries, you don’t have to put your little girl in something that you don’t like! There are a million different colours and patterns out there that scream girl! Or, how about a precious ribbon headband?! So many options.
- Have them match. If you have more than one piece of your take home outfit like I do…onesie, hat and blanket, make them cohesive so that when you’re snapping pictures, your baby looks even more adorable than he or she already is!
Mommy Monday’s: Military Parents
As most of you know, my husband is in the Navy. What some may not know is that his ship is set to leave on deployment two weeks after my due date. How brutal is that right?
As much as it breaks my heart that he will miss the first seven months of his daughters life, what gives me comfort is knowing how many other military families there are out there who have a parent, or maybe even two, that is gone for long periods of time. If you have a military parent, it’s just inevitable and all you can do is make the transition easier on yourself, them and ultimately your child.
Ever since finding out I was pregnant and realizing that Tyler was going to be away for a big chunk of the first year of her life, I was determined to do everything I can so that my daughter knows who her dad is when he gets back. Of course we will Skype and talk on the phone as much as possible, but, the reality is we won’t be able to do that as often as I would like…and there will be periods where we wont have any verbal communication for weeks.
In Between Nursery Themes
As I anxiously await the arrival of my daughter, I have been keeping myself busy registering for fun things and planning how I will decorate her nursery!
Right now I seem to find myself in a dilemma between two nursery themes. Now, when I say theme I don’t mean a full out theme. I am really not one of those people who are into overdoing themes because lets face it, a kids mind changes in seconds and they have a new favourite thing every week. In terms of babies, you don’t even know if how you decorate their nursery will even match their style and personality.
So, when it comes to decorating I am a firm believer in subtle themes. Keep it classy.
I thought it would be fun to post my two competing themes and let y’all decide which one you like best!
Favourite Friday: Vaseline Aloe Soothe
I have never really been that person who burns in the sun easily- thank you Italian roots- but, ever since moving to a far more sunnier destination, I am more prone to the red skin!
The first time I had a really horrible sun burn was a year ago on the Fourth of July. I guess between the jell-o shots and endless Corona’s, I didn’t really realize my skin literally sizzling away in the sun.
I am extremely into skincare (hence my distributorship with NuCerity International for the past 3 years), and I firmly believe that if you take care of your skin, you will age more gracefully. Not to mention skin health and taking precautionary measures is very important when living in a sunny climate as melanoma is a very real thing.
Mommy Monday’s: What WON’T Be On My Baby Registry
In October I will be a new mom so of course I have been exploring the world of all things baby. Let me tell you… there are too many things in that world. I was and still a little bit overwhelmed by the amount of things people tell you that you need to buy.
I have decided to make a list of the things that people have suggested I buy, that I think I just don’t need. Hey, in a few months I could be eating my words with this list. The baby is not here yet and truthfully, I don’t know what I’ll need or she’ll need or what I won’t be caught dead without. But for now, here is my list of items that I have decided to keep OFF my registry:
Gender Reveal Ideas
I was inspired by the great gender reveal party we had to come up with some other ideas. So I thought of some fresh ideas for the traditionalist that loves the baby pink and blue, the gender neutral colour fanatic and team boy or girl party planners!
I am a firm believer that tacky does not have a place in this world. So even if you’re doing a theme that can sometimes come off as tacky, do it with a little bit of elegance and it will just come across as beautiful.
