This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of “Walmart Baby Savings Days”. The opinions and text are all mine. As a mama of three kids, I find I’m always needing to buy something for one of them. Whether it’s a new car seat, potty training items, or clothes and shoes, their needs are constant and ever changing. I like to have a trusted one-stop shop that I…
Coping with Grief During Pregnancy
This is the second time I’ve dealt with grief during pregnancy; the first, I was grieving the very recent and raw loss of my twin sons, and now, the death of my mother. Two hugely significant relationships that have been lost, in the midst of new life. Keeping going when your world is falling apart is always tough, but doing so when pregnant can seem overwhelming. The elevated hormone levels and physical…
Dealing with SPD in Pregnancy ft. Belly Bandit Upsie Belly
Pregnancy is notorious for the aches and pains it brings, and SPD (symphysis pubic dysfunction) is one of those fairly common pregnancy complaints that can cause a lot of suffering. A condition where the hormone, relaxin (which is responsible for relaxing all of your joints and ligaments in your pelvis in preparation for birth), gets a little too loose, and can result in making the pelvic joint unstable. I was…
A Second Trimester Pregnancy Announcement
We are so happy to announce that all being well, we will be welcoming another baby into our family in June! 18 weeks hadn’t been the moment I thought I’d post a pregnancy announcement, but a threatened miscarriage due to a subchorionic hemorrhage and my mum’s death meant it’s come a lot later than anticipated. But we are excited and feeling blessed, as always. Finding Out We always knew we…
Talking To a Toddler About Baby Loss
Death is always a delicate subject, for both adults and children, and even more so when trying to explain the abstract concept of baby loss to a toddler or young child. When William and Noah died almost 5 years ago, we knew that if we had any subsequent children, we’d talk openly with them about their brothers. They would know their story, their place in our family. Henry grew up seeing…
5 Minute Makeup for Glowing Summer Skin
During the summer months, I like to keep my makeup routine basic and use lightweight products that help give glowing, radiant skin. It’s been a while since I shared my current makeup routine, so I thought I’d do a little step-by-step from start to finish. I love this quote from François Nars; “makeup shouldn’t cover your skin, it should enhance your natural beauty, not mask it.” Since having children, the…
A Terminal Diagnosis
My mother is dying. How is it that I am writing those words, that hold such horror and truth? This fact comes to me in nauseating waves; this all encompassing grief that is all too familiar. It has been 4 weeks since my worst fears were confirmed: incurable lung cancer. My sleep is fretful; my dreams murky and unsettling. I lie awake; unable to succumb to the exhaustion. It is only when…
Simple Springtime Activities for Toddlers
This post is sponsored by Carter’s; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. The other day I found myself sorting through my little girl’s closet once again, reluctantly selecting the baby clothes that no longer fit her and folding them to later put away in storage. This activity always tugs on my heartstrings. Each piece of clothing holds a memory, a moment in time; and packing it away signifies the end of…
Simple Gift Giving – Want, Need, Wear, Read
In my last post I talked about keeping Christmas simple. It’s easy to get caught up in the consumerism surrounding the festive season, but this year I’m focusing on keeping it minimal and meaningful. Embracing minimalism and simple living doesn’t mean missing out on the most exciting parts of Christmas, though. Some of my fondest childhood memories are waking up ridiculously early on Christmas morning and creeping downstairs to marvel at the twinkling…
Keeping Christmas Simple
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. And Christmas these days is the season for coveting, envy and desire. We’re inundated with images of the “perfect” holiday season. The twinkling outdoor lights, and the perfectly decorated 10 foot tree. The festive cushions, and the perfectly displayed tablescape. It’s easy to fall for the magic of the holiday season, to step into the fantasy of being able to buy the perfect Christmas. Whereas once…
A Rustic Floral Themed 1st Birthday
Our darling Everly Rose is now one! Her big day was celebrated a couple of weekends ago with a rustic floral themed party. I’m loving boho vibes at the moment so I couldn’t resist incorporating elements into her special day. It was a happy day (although Henry struggled with understanding why the presents weren’t for him and there were tears – nobody warned me about that!) where Everly delighted in opening her presents…
Autumn in Virginia
Can you believe how quickly being on the cusp of autumn has turned into the anticipation of winter? As the last of the leaves flutter down and the promise of Christmas beckons with its magic, I can’t help but feel wistful about the unexpected pleasure of a season that I had been apprehensive about. I recently wrote about trauma anniversary reaction, and how autumn holds a sense of melancholy for me. Part…
