I have successfully curated a second playlist since the re-launch! This playlist has a lot of the same few artists on it and even though they aren’t new discoveries, they’re songs that keep me in an uplifted, spunky mood. The Aces were a really big part of what kept me motivated going to the gym and staying calm and collected during my pregnancy two years ago and they just came out with their second album so it only felt right to include them as such a big part of this month’s music. (I can’t believe I was pregnant two years ago. Where has the time gone??)
I was in school while pregnant and only lived about an hour away from my parents house and my boyfriend (now husband) with classes twice a week that semester so I was able to home a lot. I spent countless hours driving up and down i-95 and The Ace’s ‘When My Heart Felt Volcanic’ album (& man did my heart feel volcanic) on REPEAT. This being a girl band, the girl’s voice were so empowering and forceful that it kind of took me into another world that helped relieve a lot of stress that was weighing down on me at that time in my life. It feels like ages ago, but the emotions still feel fresh when I listen to my music from that time and ya girl loves feeling nostalgic and making herself suffer LOL. But really, does anyone else just thrive over music that hurts your heart? Just me? Okay then. 😉
Alas, the second playlist with all the music I listened to this past month. Goodbye, October!
Let me know which song is your favorite! x Abigail
In his earlier life, my grandfather was a pilot in the military. He owns two of his own planes, so growing up we always went flying with him. Sometimes for fun, sometimes for travel purposes. I’ve flown with him as his co-pilot from Virginia to Washington and back, out to Kansas, up to Boston, and down to North Carolina. I think some of my most valued experiences in my life took place with him in that plane.
Naturally, now that I have children of my own, I want them to have these same experiences that I have had with my grandfather. On October 21, 2020, I drove down to Virginia so my son could go on his first flight at 16 months old. It went a little like we expected and lasted about 20 minutes before we had to land.
The plane we flew in that day was his two seater since his 4 seater was in the shop and wouldn’t be out for a few more weeks. I sat in the back and my grandfather set Brooks in my lap and we strapped in getting ready for takeoff! Brooks has never liked wearing hats or hoods so the hedset didn’t last, as expected. He ended up without it the whole flight and listened to the engine, which was probably not as fun, but what can you tell a 1 year old? Ha ha ha! He was good for about 10 minutes until he just wanted to be unbuckled and do his own thing, which I of course wouldn’t allow to happen. He is extremely independent and doesn’t like being restricted or doing anything against his will, but he made it for the last 10 minutes as we landed safely back on the ground.
This activity was definitely for a kid a bit older, but it was still fun to experience with him and he enjoyed it for a short while! We for sure plan to take him back up in a few years when he’s 100% ready for this. The photos we took will be ones cherished and remembered forever.
Hello! Just as I told you I would be, I am back with a part two this week so without any hesitation, let’s jump right into it!
Dr. Brown’s Bottle Set (& formula dispenser) I have tried a million and one different bottle brands and I’m not going to hesitate to say Dr. Brown’s are the best. I don’t care how many parts they have or how long it takes to handwash them. They’re the best. I said what I said and it’s worth the money. The parts on the inside of the bottle help to filter out air and prevent gas build-up inside your baby which leaves them more comfortable. There are three nipple sizes to make the bottles last longer and through multiple stages. The gift set comes with bottles, a bottle brush, all the parts and nipple sizes along with a shake top, pacifiers, and a formula dispenser for all my formla moms out there! If that item hadn’t been included here, it would have has it’s own number on the list!
The Stroller Fan Now this is the item I have never seen anyone have until after I had Brooks and I can’t believe more moms don’t have it! This fan is so useful especially because I had a summer newborn. The fan has bendable legs that allow you to attach it anywhere on the stroller and position it to blow cool air on your baby when you’re out and about on a hot summer day. This saved our life many times and prevented a sweaty, cranky baby. Again, in the color I hate, but my husband ordered it before I got a say hahaha! There are many other color options as well.
A Pack ‘n Play Occasionally we will have a night out and leave the baby with my cousin or a friend and having a Pack ‘n Play has been really handy when the people you have babysitting don’t have babies. We have taken many beach trips and stayed in many hotels and having your own portable crib is so comforting. It’s gone from New York City to Raleigh, NC and has yet to give us any issues. We love it and you will too. The set up of the crib is quick and easy once you’ve figured out how it works and has been used as a play pen during yardwork and painting out kitchen to keep Brooks contained and occupied while we got stuff done.
Baby Nest This is one of those things you actually see ALL the time, except cheaper. I love the Dock a Tot and think SnuggleMe Organics are adorable, but they’re extremely pricey and personally I just dont see the need to get something that expensive when you can purchase something that works just as well for a better price. This Baby Nest is cute, snuggly, and 100% washable. It’s nice for babies who can’t yet roll around. It’s safe and we were able to use it in our bassinet as well until her outgrew one. These baby nests also go by the name “baby loungers” so if you aren’t keen on the one I have and linked, you can search many other patterns on Etsy!
Silicon Suction Bowls & Plates (& catch bibs) Key word: suction. These plates and bowls suction to any dry surface you press them onto and prevent your children from throwing their food and snacks off the table or high chair and prevent so much clean up time. I love them and I specifically love Little Harmony’s plates and bowls! While you’re there, check out their silicon catch bibs.
I hope that these articles are helpful to anyone expecting a baby. It can definitely be tough trying to figure out what you need through the stress and excitement of preparing for a child. Next week, I’m going to turn out one last part of baby must haves. This was originally only a two-part series, but having decided that 5 items per list was a good amount, I found that I had about 15 items I wanted to include. So there will be a part 3 next week. After that, I want to go through some of the things I don’t think you need for your babies and maybe save you some money 😉
Back in May of this year, Brooks and I were taken on in a 3 month partnershp (June, July & August) with a small business called Little Harmony This children’s company is owned and run by a woman named Elishah Harmon, hence where “Harmony” comes from in the brand name. She sells silicon products for children including bibs, place mats, suction plates and bowls, pacifiers and pacifier clips, and the cutest fringe blankets I have ever seen in an assortment of colors. In the most recent launch she has even branched out into onesies and footies for children under 12m old! Working with Elishah and her brand was one of the best experiences ever and was so much fun.
She sent us her featured, best selling products to promote as well as ones she was considering adding to her line. We got to see new colors before anyone else and test things to provide her with feedback. My favorite item by far was the fringe blankets because they complimented my love for a boho style, but the bibs…? Oh, the bibs were a LIFESAVER.
Before I had my son, I had sworn up and down that I didn’t need silicon bibs and that I would be fine without them. My mom tried so hard to convince me otherwise and to add them to my baby registry, but I refused. BOY was I wrong. They completely transformed meal-time and saved us so much cleaning up. The bibs are designed to catch any food dropped from the child’s mouth or hands as they are eating and the silicon material makes them SO easy to clean and wash. You literally apply minimal effort and get the most effective results which is really nice considering all the things you have to stay on top of as a mom.
Below, I have shared some photos from an at-home shoot for a few of the products.
I was drawn to this company not only because of their wonderful products, but also because they donate 5% of every purchase to helping children in foster care through a program called Because One Matters in Georgia. This program aids in comforting children during their transitions into foster care and help prepare young adults to flourish in independent living in their lives after foster care. They focus on helping children make lasting positive memories by celebrating them during their time spent in the system and teaching values of enthusiasm, integrity, & social responsibility.
Do you really need any other reasons to fall in love with a brand? Every child deserves to be celebrated, encouraged, and shown love and Little Harmony directly contributes to it.
The photo above is another photo I took of Little Harmony’s suction bowls and is currently featured on their Etsy shop. You can find Little Harmony on Instagram here and their direct website link is here! Even though my term is over and our code is no longer valid, tell them I sent you! I know it would mean a lot to hear their rep team members still talk about them! ❤
You can also find Because One Matters website by clicking their name and their instagram here as well. I would suggest checking them out to learn more about what they do!
Abbvocado 