Mother's Day Guide

Happy Monday!  We had a busy weekend full of Frankie J's first emergency room visit....ugh.  We use the Owlet sock monitor which monitors his oxygen and heart rate and after a few scares over the past few weeks, I think I am ready to say that it is not an issue with Frankie J's heart, but rather a malfunction of the Owlet sock, which is a super bummer.  I plan on reaching out to Owlet directly to see what thoughts/help they can provide for us, but it seems to be an issue around low battery potentially.  It is sounding off with a super high (252ish) heart rate at the same time every day, which is too coincidental.  So as a result, Frankie J. got to spend some quality time at the ER where he made lots of friends and had his first EKG.

I thought I would share with you some of the results of the Instagram questions I asked about perfect Mother's Day gift ideas and day ideas in general.  

"What is your ideal 'gift'?"

1. A massage
2. A wind chime and meals cooked/kitchen cleaned all day!
3. Hugs and flowers
4. Sleep all day long with food not made by me.

"What is your perfect Mother's Day?"

1. Planting my veggie gardens with the fam and a couple of hours to myself in a coffee shop
2. Sleeping in, Starbucks, avocado toast, and getting my child who won't sit still to snuggle! (I can relate to the non-snuggler)
3. Spa day
4. No whining, sleep, and coffee
5. Not going to Paw Patrol like I'll be doing..... (ugh fail)

Mother's Day Gift Guide

1. LoopyCases phone case
2. Monica + Andy Organic Lounge Robe (this is on my wishlist!)
3. A trip to get a manicure and pedicure (extra points if you know her specific salon and nail woman)
4. A massage
5. A day off to spend how she wishes (maybe she's into yoga, tennis, getting a coffee, trip to the bookstore, etc.)
6. A giftcard to her favorite spot (Athleta, Madewell, Sephora, Starbucks, etc.)
7. Jewelry (cannot go wrong here in my opinion)
8. Flowers 

I think as moms something I am learning is to me the thought and planning that goes in to anything is way more appreciated than the actual gift itself (don't get me wrong I like gifts too)!  I hope this was helpful and please feel free to forward this on to your significant others to give them some help!

Friday Faves

Oh WHAT A WEEK....am I right?!  This weather is extremely depressing and isn't the saying "APRIL showers bring May flowers?"  I interpret that to mean rain in April is acceptable and then once May hits it is supposed to be sunny and spring-like!  Not the case here in MA!  Franco was on a business trip all week in Vegas and Frankie J. is at an age where he cannot be left alone for two seconds.  He is a crazy roller and gets himself into the most interesting predicaments.  It's funny, as a new mom you can't wait for your baby to hit certain milestones, and then when they hit them you realize that your journey is getting much more challenging.  I remember wanting Frankie J. to crawl so bad, and now that he is close, I realize how challenging that will be and how many safety precautions we are going to need to take....maybe a helmet for him?

I also remember saying to everyone "I just can't wait for him to be awake more and play more!"  While that is certainly true and fun, you don't realize that your "to do" list goes right out the window because they are now awake and needing your attention more.  This is in no way a complaint, it's just something I've noticed over the past few weeks, especially in regards to my blog.  I have gotten way off track with posting at least twice weekly which was my goal and I am working so hard to get back on track.

I've had a few weeks to think about this round of Friday faves and I am super excited about them.

1. Loopy Case

• I had seen these all over Instagram with various influencers and finally took the plunge and purchased one.  I. LOVE.IT!  I had a pop socket on my phone previously, and I did not like the feel of it and still struggled to use it to take selfies.  Solution:  the loopy case!  You put your fingers in the loop and don't have to worry about dropping your phone!  The case itself is also super durable and has been drop tested from various heights to ensure your phone is safe.  The color options are incredible!  I have the white marble case and absolutely love it.  This would make a great Mother's Day gift in my opinion.

     2.  Marpac Rohm Portable White Noise Sound Machine

• We have the original Marpac sound machine in the nursery and it works perfectly for us.  This was a "deal of the day" on Amazon and I knew we would need one for our upcoming trip to Italy that was not bulky to lug.  Thanks to @takingcarababies on Instagram for alerting her followers to this deal!  I packed it for our trip to CT Easter weekend and used it for Frankie J's naps and also in the car for the bedtime drive home (normally the car noise is enough, but he was battling a little cold and kept waking/screaming).  It is rechargeable and uses a standard USB adapter.  

    3.  This next one is not a specific product but more of an idea!  I owe @k8_smallthings for this idea that I so graciously borrowed.  She suggested putting a basket at the bottom of your stairs if you have a two floor house to put things in that need to go upstairs.  Previously, we were stacking things on the desk and it just looked cluttered.  Now I place items in this basket from Target and carry the entire basket upstairs when it is full.  I unload the items and then bring the basket back down.  It just helps take away the unnecessary clutter that tends to accumulate in the lower level of our house.

    4.  Birch Benders Protein Pancakes and Waffle Mix

• This mix is delicious and is fully of protein-y goodness!  My secret hack was adding about a teaspoon of vanilla to the preparation just to make them a little extra!

Now please enjoy these pictures of the adorable 6 MONTH OLD Frankie J.  I cannot believe it has been six months since he has joined our family.  Where does time go (cue crying mama)?  

Easter recap

Hi y'all!  I apologize for being MIA the past week but I decided to take a week off during the week of Easter to recharge.  Frankie J. had his first cough and second sick visit during this week....nothing major just a gross cold.  He is sounding much better since he woke up yesterday morning.

We celebrated our first Easter as a family of three this past weekend and boy was it a doozy!  We traveled to Connecticut to spend Good Friday with family and that trip was so good for my soul.  It was the first time my cousin got to meet little Frankie J. and his smile was contagious for all around.  It was so fun to watch him interact with her little Lilly who is about fifteen months.  He also got to hang with his cousin Ayden and second cousins Colton and Camden.  Grandma and all the aunts and uncles of course spent all their time loving on Frankie and he did not disappoint with his stories and laughter.  We also had the first annual children's Easter egg hunt!  Frankie J. (helped by daddy) swooped around picking up the eggs (on his own) and putting them (and puke) in his bucket.

We took Saturday as a rest day and rainy Saturday and decided to take Frankie J. to the doctor for his yucky cough...it really spiked on the ride home Friday night.  I was that crazy first time mom who made Franco pull over so I could ride in the backseat to monitor his breathing!  Sunday was filled with Easter round two as we traveled to Gloucester to spend time with Franco's brother, wife, and two kids.  Again, Frankie was the main attraction and he lived his best life getting cuddles and gifts galore!

I am exhausted on this dreary Monday and have spent the morning puttering around the house catching up on the endless laundry we have let pile up.  I am hoping to make a trip to Target this afternoon because Frankie needs new diapers in size 4!  I feel like we just sized up to 3 and he is already needing 4's!  I often wonder what it would be like to have a little one who is in appropriately sized clothing for their age.  I do enjoy Frankie J's size though, because as I've mentioned before....it opens up the Toddler department, which tends to have more of a selection.

I have some great Friday Faves ready to go for this week so get ready.  I am also committed to finally writing my review of the Fabletics leggings I purchased!

 

Friday Faves

Happy Friday y'all!  I am coming to you feeling extremely exhausted and defeated this Friday morning (among being covered in drool and spit up)!  Keeping that mom life real for you all haha.  Frankie is right smack in the middle of leap five.  This leap has been better than the fourth for sure because he is not fighting sleep AS hard.  He continues to sleep through the night, however wakes wining and talking (eventually putting himself back), which in turn wakes me up.  We have started the transition to the crib and I am extremely excited/saddened by this milestone.  I am happy to have my space back and jovial at the thought of not having to tiptoe into bed at night, but am going to be sad about the fact that my baby is almost six months old.

He started rolling onto his tummy yesterday officially.  I missed it, but my husband told me it happened twice.  That huge milestone, also means we have to ditch the swaddle....ugh.  We have loved swaddling Frankie J. and he loves being swaddled.  Today we started naps with one arm out and will continue that for a little while before freeing the other arm.  I have a few sleep sacks that I want to try and would love your feedback in the comments section about which ones you found helped ease the transition from the swaddle.

Well that's the current state of affairs at the Casagrande house this past week.  Here are this week's Friday Faves!

Friday Faves

1. Spa Headbands!  I snagged this one that I am pictured in below at TJMaxx for around $3.  It is such a great solution so that your hair doesn't get all wet while washing your face/applying serums and moisturizers.  I found these on amazon as a close match.  

    2.  Triangular Scarf Bibs.  I recently purchased these from H&M for Frankie J.  I adore the way they fall on him, must kinder than a bib which sometimes gets in his way because of its bulkiness.  The price is certainly right for $7.99 for three bibs.  I am bummed I didn't buy more and will definitely be popping back for some back ups.  I loved this color selection and the sailboat tags on the bottom.  

  3.  H&M boys summer clothes!  I have had a nightmare of a time finding infant shorts that do not look ridiculous on Frankie J.  Most of them flare out at the leg region and look absolutely ridiculous. I purchased a couple pairs at H&M and am IN LOVE with the way they fit him..and they have the snazzy button adjustable waist which is key.  I snagged these in the seersucker and navy!  I am going to be going back and grabbing some more of those too, I just needed to figure out sizing.  I will say their sizing is a little bit off compared to how things are sized in the US, so that has been a challenge.  I need to investigate their online shopping platform a bit and see what shipping looks like.  The store had a pretty decent selection and variety of sizes.  The price point is super affordable which is key, because he has been growing out of things so quickly.  

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and if you are local, once again enjoy that beautiful weather!  

Friday Faves

Hi y'all!  I am coming at you highly caffeinated today and with a belly full of the best breakfast in Boxford!  Franco was traveling again this week and he is finally home to stay (for a few weeks anyways)!  This week Frankie J. and I lived on walks, breakfast out, and a little shopping sprinkled in...that's what happens when you outgrow all of your clothes (Frankie, not me haha).  On this week's Friday Faves are a few things that I suggest adding to your registry if you are currently expecting or share with a friend who is expecting, or better yet gift them to someone who is expecting!

Friday Faves

1. Ergobaby All-in-One Cool Air Mesh Newborn Ready Omni 360 Baby Carrier

• Frankie J. has LOVED this now that he can face outward.  He kicks his feet as we walk and it is truly the most adorable thing ever.  He loves being able to look around and see what's going on.  We are going to Italy in June and I am going to use this to trot through the airport instead of gate checking our stroller.  

       2.BINXY BABY Shopping Cart Hammock

• I think I have talked about this item before and my regret at waiting so long to use it!  I think this is a must have for any new mama out there.  I think we would have gotten more use out of it if Frankie J. was born in the spring/summer just because of the jacket situation.  Now that the weather is warming up, I'm not as worried about putting him in it without a jacket (since they cannot wear bulky jackets in the carseat).  It clips on to the cart and has a velcro re-enforcement anchor on both sides.  Frankie loves riding in it and loves being able to have a 360 degree view of let's be honest....Target. 

***Can we all note Frankie J's foot up on the cart chillin' ?!***

    3.  This baby swimsuit

• Not only am I obsessed with the pattern on this swimsuit, I love the idea of a one piece long-sleeved suit for Frankie J.  It keeps him warm in the chilly swimming lesson water and the rash guard top cannot ride up on him to let in the chilly water.  It is also much easier to get him into than a top and bottom, and also stays on in the water and just has an overall better fit.  I am not sure I will carry it over into the summer with beach and pool days, but love having the option!

That's it for this week folks!  Stay tuned next week for my Fabletics leggings review!  I hope you all have a great weekend and if you're local, get out and enjoy tomorrow's sixty-five degree day!

Frankie's (and Mama's) Friday Faves

H-A-P-P-Y Friday y'all!  This has been a particularly long week, as Frankie J. entered leap 5 and Franco was traveling until last night.  I am thankful Frankie J. has learned how to put himself to sleep on his own at this point, because otherwise I think this leap would be even harder/still may be because we are only 3 days in!  He has been waking every 30min-1 hr and just talking/screeching/whining until he falls back asleep for the same amount of time and is then up again.  We have not had to intervene at all, but unfortunately his waking, causes us to wake as well.  Coffee is currently my best friend (although we've been best friends for a long while).

We had our second swim class this week and Frankie J. LOVED it.  He "jumped" in and went up to his mouth and was trying to drink the water.  He was kicking and even loved being on his back floating and swimming around.

In order to get back on track with our Friday faves, this week you are getting a double dose to make up from last week!

Friday Faves

1. Baby Boy Skinny Jeans

• What baby doesn't need their very first pair (or three) of skinny jeans?!  These are my favorite jeans for Frankie J. because they fit him so well and are also super affordable for his rapidly growing body!  

     2.  Easter Basket Liners

• I am obsessed with these Easter basket liners from Pottery Barn Kids!  They add such a cute touch to any basket and can be personalized with your child's name.  I am highly considering buying ones for Franco and I that say "mommy" and "daddy"...but that may be too far!

     3.  Essie Gel Couture

• I tried this for the last time last weekend and LOVE it!  It is really difficult to block out the time to get my nails done right now, and this was super easy to use and dried very quickly.  It has been on my nails for about a week and has not chipped at all.  This is a great affordable option and is carried at Target (or as we call it "The Happiest Place on Earth").  I am excited to get a few more colors to have on hand.

I hope this weekend makes you as happy as Frankie J. is right here in his new activity table!  

What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag

Happy Thursday y'all!  I thought I would talk this week about what to pack in your hospital bag.  I remember feeling extremely overwhelmed by this task and kept feeling like I was going to "forget" something.  I had everything packed around the 36/37 week mark just in case.

Full disclosure, I did not use everything I packed (I will note what I used and what I did not).  I also suggest having the bag in your car (not at home like I did).  I ended up being sent directly to the hospital from a routine appointment and my husband had to leave during early induction to go home and get our stuff.  Here is what was in my bag for Frankie and myself!

Items for Frankie J.

1. Swaddle, Hat, and mittens set

• I knew I wanted a cute set for pictures in the hospital and I couldn't find anything I loved at any mainstream retailer.  Of course, Etsy had exactly what I was looking for.  This ended up being even more special for us because our hospital offered a newborn photo session.  We have the most adorable pictures of him in this set that I will cherish always.

     2.  3-5 white onesies (not needed)

• The hospital ended up providing these for us and we used theirs.

     3.  3-5 outfits

• I ended up having a c-section and was at the hospital longer than if I had had a vaginal birth, so we did use more outfits that most probably would.  Frankie did spend his first days in just the long sleeve onesies the hospital provided (mostly because I could not move to change him and due to exhaustion).  After his first bath, we had the hospital staff put him in his Halloween outfit (it was Halloween) and we changed him into little one pieces after that.  

     4.  Going Home Outfit

     5.  Pacifiers (if you are going to use them)

• Our hospital also provided them, but did not tell us.  I noticed most nurses had opinions on breastfeeding and pacifiers telling us to wait.  We did not wait, and in my experience, Frankie took the pacifier and nursed just fine.  Until recently, he took a bottle fine too.  I do not tend to believe in the "nipple confusion" theory.  Using a pacifier has also been proven to reduce the risk of SIDS.  

     6.  2-3 swaddle blankets (not needed)

• I just knew I wanted the option of using my own swaddle blankets (which I did not really use). The nurses were really great about swaddling Frankie J. for us (we were NOT good swaddlers) and they always had warm hospital blankets on hand which helped soothe Frankie J.

Items for Mama

1. 2-3 Nursing Camis

• I ended up using these more than any of the bras I packed.  They were the most comfortable and I could sleep in them and wear them during the day.

     2.  2-3 Nursing Bras (did not use these)

     3.  Bathrobe

     4.  2-3 sets of pajamas/lounge clothes

• I was SO happy I did this.  I was not allowed to shower for a few days after my c-section and once I was I remember the feeling of showering and putting on "real" clothes.  Lounge clothes are preferred just because you will be sore and uncomfortable for a while after giving birth.  I did splurge and buy myself some new sets so that I could feel good and give myself something to look forward to.  I made sure they would be nursing friendly because my plan was to nurse.

      5.  Hair ties (you will not want your hair down in your face while giving birth)

      6.  Non-slip socks

• I knew I didn't want to rock the tall hospital provided socks once I was able to be in lounge clothes.  I still wear these and they were a good/affordable option on amazon.

      7.  Slippers

      8.  Phone Charger

      9.  Laptop (did not use)

     10.  Kindle (did not use)

     11.  Pregnancy Pillow 

• This was something I needed to help me sleep pre-delivery and I knew I would need it to help me during labor.  It ended up being invaluable during my stay and I also used it to help me nurse.  

     12.  Diaper Bag (for ride home)

*** Make sure you take any diapers, wipes, and ointments from your baby cart in your room if they are opened.  The hospitals aren't allowed to re-use them and they end up getting thrown away.  We used these diapers and wipes for our downstairs diaper basket. ***

     13.  Toiletries

• The hospital does provide you with some, but I knew I was going to want my own from home just to make me feel more like myself.  I packed my own razor, toothbrush, and makeup too.  I didn't do full makeup while there, but just a little to feel a little put together.  I realize everyone is different and this might not be important to you.

     14.  Water bottle

• This allowed me to drink plenty of water and avoid the little hospital cup fulls that they give you. 

     15.  Breast Pump (did not use)

• I had brought it because I wanted the nurses to show me how to use it, but I ended up not really needing it while there.  They also gave me a hand pump, which I highly recommend taking home with you to have on hand.  I am obsessed with this breast pump and cannot suggest it enough.  It is rechargeable which means you can travel around the house with it or take it with you in the car/airplane if needed!  

I am sure I have missed something and it will come to me after I hit "publish."  If that is the case I will either edit the post or add the additional items in the comments section.  I'd love to hear from you guys on what you found useful in the hospital that I may have missed!  Leave a comment below and let's help some future mamas out!  

Melissa's Monday Must-Haves

Hi Everyone!  It was a busy week/weekend over here at the Casagrande house!  We started swim school this past week and Frankie J. loved it until they wanted him on his back with ears in the water...he was not a fan of that!  He also had his first "school" pictures even though he is not in school quite yet!  My sister-in-law was extremely thoughtful and asked if we wanted the opportunity to get some pictures taken at the preschool she owns.

Frankie also got his first real fever Thursday afternoon, but after a dose of Tylenol it returned to normal and did not come back!  I think it is definitely teething related and we are still patiently awaiting their arrival!

Yesterday, Frankie J. and I traveled to Connecticut to shower my cousin and her sweet baby to be!  Frankie J. was a dream and slept the whole car ride both ways (it did pose an issue at bedtime though!).  With all these activities, I did not have a chance to post Frankie's and my Friday faves!  So we are retitling for this week calling it our "Melissa's Monday Must-Haves."

Melissa's Monday Must-Haves

1. Bun Maternity Cozy Nursing Hoodie

• I love this hoodie!  It is exactly as described....cozy and comfortable.  I also love that I can wear it out in public and it does not scream "THIS MOM IS NURSING."  It has a snap on one shoulder and pulls down so that you can easily nurse.  I am going to invest in another one for sure!  I got this on Zulily for 49.95 I believe.  If you sign up on their website, you will receive a code for 20% off your first purchase.

     2.  Baby Moccasins

• I just got two pairs of these for Frankie J. and I am loving them!  They are exactly what I had been looking for and at a fraction of the cost!  I got a gray pair without laces and a tan pair with the laces.  The best part....THEY ARE $10!  

     3.  These Pom Pom Earrings

• I just bought these in white and I love them!  They are lightweight so they don't weigh down my ears and they are a perfect length so Frankie J. can not reach them while I am nursing (trust me this is huge)!  

I hope you all have a great week!  My Fabletics leggings arrive today so I am hoping to get a blog post up this week about them!

Friday Faves

Hi y'all!  It's that beautiful time of week again...Friday!  Although, as a full-time mom I have discovered that Friday is really no different than any other day of the week.  It does mean, however, that my husband is free for the weekend to have some quality family time!  I am going to take a few mommy time outs to run some much needed errands.  I have learned that these times away are important and actually let me "mom" that much better the rest of the time.

Here are this weeks Friday Faves!

1.  The Wonder Weeks app

• This app has been a lifesaver!  You enter your child's due date and it tracks all the developmental and cognitive milestones your child will go through.  It gives you the dates your child is expected to enter this leap and the duration of the leaps.  Once your child is in the leap it gives you the signs, what you can do to help your child, and games that will help foster the milestone they are working on.  If I notice Frankie J. having several "off" days I often open the app to check if he is entering or in a leap.  You can also sync it with your calendar!  

2.  Nose Frida

• I was convinced I would never use one of these upon becoming a mom....well boy was I wrong.  I tried the "bulb" that they give you at the hospital and that come in many of the "baby kits," but it didn't have enough suction to get the gunk out of Frankie J's nose.  This tool is a must-have for new moms.

3.  Zulily

• It took me awhile to jump on this train, but it's pretty amazing.  This is a shopping app that has different deals every day.  I often go on and search for high-end baby products I see or have purchased at various boutiques.  I have purchased brands for Frankie J. on here such as KicKee pants, Hannah Anderson, Milkbarn, and Caught Ya Lookin' at a fraction of the cost you can buy them for on their websites or in the boutiques that often sell them.  They also sell adult clothing, home items, and baby gear.  The only downfall I find is that you have to pay for shipping and shipping takes a long time because of the way their process works.  In order to get the deals they place a bulk order from the retailer, then it is sent to Zulily, and then it is shipped to you.  If you make a purchase, you "unlock" free shipping for the rest of that day.  

That's it for this week friends!  I hope you all have a great weekend and Frankie J. wants to share his new trick with y'all!  He has now decided to boycott tummy time by simply rolling over...every.single.time!

Baby Stockpile Items

Hi Everyone!  Happy Thursday.....we are almost there, Friday is right around the corner.  It is starting to feel more and more like spring may be approaching here in Massachusetts.  Frankie J. is changing by the day and is starting to become more and more independent.  He really wants to sit up right now and sometimes gets frustrated when he cannot do it on his own (cue Bumbo seat).  Still no sign of a tooth, but teething symptoms are in full effect....yesterday his bibs were SOAKED and he couldn't stop chewing on his hand.

I wanted to mention some things that I found extremely beneficial to stockpile before baby arrives.  These are a mix of things I did stockpile/things I wished I had stockpiled more of.

Baby Stockpile Items

1. Diapers

• We chose to use Honest diapers and bought tons of diapers to get us started this first year.  I liked Honest just because of their commitment to safe ingredients for Frankie J. and the adorable prints.  I am super curious to try the new Hello Bello line at Walmart which share the same dedication to safe ingredients and cute prints, but at a lower price point.  I think when we are done with what we have I am going to buy a package to try.  We waited until they were running some good promotions and stocked up on diapers all the way through size 3.  I used this diaper stockpile sheet I found on Pinterest, and overall it was spot on for us as far as how many diapers to use for each size.  

      2. Burp Cloths

• I use these and love that they are organic and super soft, but also absorb really well.  I initially had about five and a dear friend told me I really needed many more.  I probably have about 15-20 and I highly recommend having at least that many just to cut down on laundry those first few months.  We actually didn't need them in the beginning, but around month two Frankie J. started spitting up a ton.  The pediatrician assured us this was normal and that it would continue for a few months.  I always keep at least two in my diaper bag just in case!

      3.  Bibs

• I am STILL stockpiling bibs!  In the beginning I used them for spitting up to protect Frankie J's neck and clothes, but now I am using them more for the immense drool from teething.  We honestly go through four to five bibs a DAY and that's on a good day.  You really need to change the bib every time it becomes soaked in order to keep your baby's neck dry and protected to avoid a rash.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Neat Solutions

Vuminbox teething bibs

Nuby teething bibs

I also just ordered these KicKee pants bibs but have not tried them yet.  I ordered them from Zulily (which I have become obsessed with) and their shipping takes a bit of time.  

    4.  Wipes

• I use the WaterWipes and am obsessed.  They are the perfect wipe (for me).  They are the perfect thickness and wetness to clean up any blowouts that may (will) happen!  As part of our Honest diaper bundles, we got some of their wipes as well and I am not a huge fan.  They have the thickness down, but their wipes are too dry in my opinion.  We stockpiled these using our Amazon registry (which I highly recommend) baby bucks program.  Basically, a percentage of what people bought for us (up to a certain dollar amount) was credited to our amazon account and you can access that money to buy certain products (diapers, wipes, creams, etc.).  We chose to use them solely for the WaterWipes.  

I would love to know if there was anything else you found helpful to stock up on pre-baby!  Let me know in the comments section below!  

Frankie's (and mama's) Friday Faves

Happy Friday y'all!  This week has been brutally cold here in MA.  I just realized we have not left the house since Frankie J's four month appointment on Tuesday...eek!  That needs to change today.  We all need some fresh air.

I am nervous to even say this, but fingers crossed, sleep seems to be on the up and up in the Casagrande house.  Frankie J has decided he is done with four naps and is down to three.  I think we will continue to offer the fourth if his last nap ends super early, but he has told us (through his crying) that he does not want it most days. 

Without further ado, here are this week's Friday Faves!  If you have not entered the #frankiesfrifavesforfree giveaway on my instagram make sure you do!  Don't forget to tag three friends!

1.  Fisher-Price My Little Snugapuppy Deluxe Bouncer.  Frankie LOVES this seat.  It is a part of our morning routine and he goes there after his first wake-up in the morning while I make coffee.  He really likes the vibrating feature.  I like it because it is portable and I can move it around the house as needed.  We have the fancier 4moms MamaRoo which is also great, but that is much more difficult to move because it requires an outlet.

2.  Genuine Kids from OshKosh.  I am currently obsessed with this line of clothing Target has to offer for kids.  I am a sucker for Oshkosh in general, but find this line more trendy, while the OshKosh store tends to be more of a classic vibe.  The only down side is it only starts at 12 month sizes (which in this case it is great that Frankie is so tall!).  

 **pants only are OshKosh**

**tops only are OshKosh**

3.  Matimati Baby Bandana Bibs.  These are currently in my cart on Amazon.  I am such a sucker for cute, trendy bibs.  I need them to match Frankie's outfits and this company offers SO many pattern and neutral options.

Have a great weekend everyone!  Stay tuned for next week's blog post on what to stockpile before baby arrives!

Skincare routine

Happy Tuesday y'all!  My husband and I last night looked at each other and said "wow, it's only Monday!"  Five days left in this awful fourth leap for Frankie and I can honestly say this has been the worst one yet!

I thought I would share my new skincare routine with you today.  Since Frankie J, I have been blessed with the best gift of motherhood, large dark circles under my eyes.  I know I am probably late to the skincare game, but I also wanted to stop the signs of aging as well.  I did some research and read countless reviews online and this is what I came up with.

(Discussed from left to right)

1.  Amorepacific Treatment Cleansing Foam.  This is the first step in my morning and evening routine.  I have been looking for a new face wash for awhile, but I have super sensitive skin which is tricky.  I had been using this Clinique cleanser and it did the job, but my face always felt dull.  I got this Amorepacific cleanser as a free sample at Sephora and used it for about a week and loved the results.  It left my skin feeling clean but also looking brighter than usual.

2.  Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Peeling Gel.  I use this exfoliant as a second step about 3 times a week.    You put it on your face and massage it around to get rid of any debris that may be clogging your pores.  I was very skeptical about using this product because with my sensitive skin, exfoliants tend to irritate my skin because they are harsh.  So far this product has been great and has not irritated my skin at all!

3.  Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Deep Sea Collagen Super Serum.  If it is not a day where I have used the exfoliant, then this becomes the second step after I wash my face.  This is a collagen oil that helps reduce wrinkles, makes your skin more firm, and brightens!  I take a full draw from the syringe and I rub it all over my face and neck.  I love Tarte products for many reasons but the biggest for me is that they are cruelty-free, meaning they do not test on animals.  

4.  Biossance Squalane + Peptide Eye Gel.  After I apply the Collagen Serum, I apply this to my under and upper eye areas.  Out of all of these products, this is my favorite.  I noticed a dramatic difference in the puffiness and darkness of my eyes almost immediately.  The woman at the store told me that and I did not believe her, but after a few days I thought the difference was quite noticeable.  

5.  Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream.  I got this product for Christmas but was not using it daily until now.  I think combined with the eye gel, this also helps to reduce the puffiness and combats the wrinkles of aging.  I read somewhere that you should start using eye cream in your 20's before the signs of aging begin....whoops!  At least I'm starting now right?!

6.  Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream.  This is the final step of my skincare regimen.  I used to be really great at applying moisturizer to my skin and then I started having a hard time finding one that didn't irritate, but also one that didn't leave my skin feeling heavy and greasy.  I have been seeing the push of hyaluronic acid everywhere and wanted to give it a whirl for myself.  Hyaluronic acid is something that your skin naturally produces to hydrate your skin, but this is an extra dose to help stop the signs of aging.  This cream is light and fluffy (thus the name cloud cream).  I apply it to my face (not eye area) and neck twice daily.  

I hope this has been helpful and I am going to end this by saying, I am not an expert in skincare in any way, shape, or form!  I am just a tired mama trying to look less tired and young!

Frankie's (And Mama's) Friday Faves

Hi y'all!  It has been another LONG week over here!  I am not sure what is going on....I know Frankie J. is in the middle of a month long leap, teething, and the four month sleep regression (I'm guessing that's what is going on 😂).  If you are reading this saying "What is a leap?" I highly recommend you download the Wonder Weeks app.  It is spot on and has been a lifesaver in our house (even my husband reads them).  I am SO happy that the weekend is finally here and am even more excited that Spring will hopefully be here soon.  I am looking forward to the warm weather and many walks outside with Frankie J.  Don't get me wrong, I love a good mall walk, but I think warm weather will be better for my wallet.

Here are this weeks Friday Faves:

1.  My Brest Friend Deluxe Nursing Pillow.  This nursing pillow has truly been a saving grace for me.  I struggled a lot in my early nursing days trying to get Frankie J. in a comfortable position and one that was comfortable for me as well.  I tried using pillows to prop me up (not supportive enough) and the Boppy.  The Boppy is great for floor time, however Frankie kept rolling into the crevice because it didn't hug tight enough to my body.  The Brest Friend pillow has an adjustable strap that adjusts to your body and is made of a more durable foam that doesn't squish down when your baby is placed on it.  I bring this thing everywhere to the point I have considered buying another one just to keep in the car (see my previous post on buying multiples of your most used items).

2.  Talenti Gelato Mediterranean Mint.  This stuff is heaven on earth.  If you know me at all, you know that I am not a huge ice cream lover at all.  I am a sucker for a good mint chip and this stuff is amazing!  I tend to crave more salty foods, but this is the exception.

3.  Sophie la Girafe.  This is one of Frankie's favorite toys right now.  I was always skeptical about the hype of these, but Frankie J. is obsessed with his.  He loves the sound she makes and also loves to put her in his mouth (I have read that babies love the taste of the rubber).

Happy Friday!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  We are expecting some snow here and I am excited for a comfy weekend!