finds: september

This type of post is a little different for the blog but I love discovering and trying new products and services and these three have all really struck a chord with me lately so I wanted to share them with all of you. Let me know what you think!

1. cuddle + kind

I am a huge fan of knit dolls. They are soft, they are sweet, and there is just something so adorable about them. They also tend to come with a big price tag. These aren't cheap either but they come with something that other knit dolls don't - ten meals for kids with each purchase. 10! That's amazing. The company's goal is to feed one million children per year after they launch later this week and that is something I can get behind. The dolls are handcrafted by Peruvian artisans, which helps create economic opportunity as well.

If all of the above doesn't convince you to purchase a doll (pre-sales start on September 16), consider following cuddle + kind on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest. Each follow equals one meal for a child - no purchase necessary! I just think this is such a great mission and company.

2. Kidizen

I don't have much patience for bargain hunting or resale shops - there's no guarantee that you'll find anything worth buying and with two babes, I just don't have the time of energy for that. I'd much rather pay full price at Baby Gap than spend time rummaging around a discount bin hoping to find something cute at the bottom.

And then came Kidizen. Kidizen is an app that lets you buy and sell used children's clothing. The interface is really user friendly and attractive which goes a long way in my book. I've found a few real gems and love that I can search for items whenever I have a few minutes free. All of the items I've purchased so far have been in great shape and it's just perfect for picking up some extra things when your babies are growing so fast. Some sellers offer gear and maternity clothes as well. The app is available for both iPhone and Android. Download it now and get shopping!

3. Mommy Mailbox

I started noticing a few Mommy Mailboxes popping up on social media while I was on maternity leave and when I saw what was in the August box, I started wishing that I had signed up for this monthly subscription service. Thankfully, they had a few extra boxes left so I was able to order one at a discounted rate - double score. Each month, a blogger curates a selection of products that are aimed to "uplift and reward mothers". Who doesn't need a little more of that in their lives? Honestly, it's not just mothers who would love these boxes, they would be great for any lady interested in receiving a fun surprise in the mail every month.

Photos of my August and September boxes are below. Subscriptions start at $30.95 and arrive in your mailbox the first week of the month. I can't wait to see what comes to my door in October!

I hope you've enjoyed hearing about some of my favorite recent finds.

Are you interested in trying any of these? If you do, let me know how you like them!
Have you found any great new products or services lately? I'd love to hear what they are.

wells: month three

That handsome guy? That's Wells. Our three-month old. 3 months! How is that possible? I know, everyone is always saying that about babies but time really does fly when your babies are growing up. I've probably already said that too, blame it on mommy brain. The struggle is real.

The past month has been so fun. Wells is such a smiley, sweet boy these days. And he's strong, as you'll notice in the photo below.

Since I returned to work last week, Wells is now splitting his time between daycare and his grandma's house doing just fine. You'd hardly know that he wouldn't let me put him down for days straight just six weeks ago.

Likes: Lights. Sitting in the highchair. Talking to people and being talked to. Being sung to.

Dislikes: Being alone. 
Nicknames: Bud, Bear, Wellsy Bellsy, Guapo

Month 2 Milestones: 
Started daycare and grandma care.
Sleeps through the night like a rockstar.

Coos all day long.

Other Notables:
Wears size 0-3 month clothes.

Is a thumb sucker!

We think he looks just like Dad - it's the eyes.

We love you, Guapo.

back to work again

This is one of those posts that I've started writing and rewriting several times. On Wednesday I returned to work after my second maternity leave. I had mixed emotions as the day approached, as I'm sure many new moms do. I was sad to be leaving Wells, sad that someone else would be caring for him, sad that I'll inevitably start to miss out on things, and sad that I probably won't always be the first one to know when he starts doing something new. It's not easy to leave Wells just as his personality is really starting to shine through. (In case you're wondering - he is sweet, guys. Really sweet.)

At the same time, I am looking forward to getting back into a routine, to jumping into new projects at work. And then there's the feeling of guilt that nags when I acknowledge that I am choosing to work instead of staying at home with my babies. And that makes it hard to.

Being a working mom is tough for so many reasons. Being a stay at home mom is tough, too. Both have their own challenges and I have to give a lot of credit to the moms who do stay home full time. I have loved both of my maternity leaves and I am so grateful that I have been able to work our a schedule that allows me to spend every Friday at home with them. That makes going back to work easier than the first time too.

The kids are taking to their new schedules like champs and this week will be our first full week of what will be our normal schedules. I'm sure there will be some bumps in the road but we'll get the hang of it. Until then, I so appreciate everyone's support and kindness as I return to work. Wish us luck and say a little prayer that all goes smoothly this week!

august so far

Note: As I am writing this, Wells is asleep. He is, at the moment, approaching ten hours of sleep overnight. This is the seventh day in a row where he has slept at least seven hours overnight. I realize this might be boastful but I am so glad he is sleeping through the night that I had to share! We are so relieved to be sleeping again!

We ended July and kicked off August on Mackinac Island. I say this every summer: Mackinac Island is my favorite place to go.

There are many reasons to love Mackinac but, I think my main reason for loving it is the timelessness of the island. In a world that is moving so quickly, you always know what to expect on Mackinac. There will be bike rides, it will smell of horses, there will be fudge, there will be great lake views, there will not be cars, and there will be charm in spades.

And every August, there will be Neckers there. It's fun to see how much Elia grows from year to year and watch her experience the island in new ways and I look forward to doing the same with Wells.

We've gone to Mackinac with my parents and my aunt's family for the last five years and normally stay in the middle of the island, at some condos I grew up going to. Since Wells is too small for a bike, we opted to stay at Mission Point Resort this year, on the far side of Main Street. It was fun to stay somewhere new and we were so thankful that we weren't walking several miles into and out of town for meals.

During our weekend we spent time with our family, swimming, visiting with my college bestie Jess and her family who were on the island Saturday, and Todd and I even got to have a cocktail hour sans niños one day.

Saturday evening, we went to The Woods for dinner and bowling, a family tradition. We took a taxi there and it was far less slow than I remember it being in years past. As a bonus, Elia was fascinated by the ride. We ate and bowled, duck-pin style, before heading back into town for the evening. The Woods is such a unique and beautiful spot and we love eating time there every summer.

Mackinac never disappoints and I love creating new memories there with my family.

That was last weekend and this weekend we hosted Todd's college friends and their families at the lake house. This is a tradition that formally began two years ago, making this our third year running. Since the first year we have almost all grown to be families of four and watching our kids run around together is incredibly entertaining. The crew was slightly smaller this year but we still had a ball. I'm always grateful that Todd has such a solid group of friends from college, they're such lovely people and I always enjoy spending time with them.

With so much fun packed into the first third of August, I can't wait to see what fun is in store for us the rest of the summer! 

wells: month two

Yesterday, Wells hit the two month mark. How is this kiddo already two months old? (I will think that every month for the rest of his life.) Since his last "birthday" he has grown so much. He is awake a lot more often now and he is just the cutest little thing when he's flailing around, taking in the world.

This month began with some sleep and comfort challenges that felt all-consuming at the time. It's hard to imagine that some moms are already back to work by now, I'm having a hard time believing we'll be ready for that in three weeks when I go back. Anyway, I am happy to report that Wells is sleeping much better and that means both Mom and Dad are feeling more like people and less like cranky zombies, which is very good for the entire family - thanks, Wells!

Without further ado, some highlights from the last month:

Likes: Staring at lights. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Being upright. Stroller rides. Car rides. Eating. Being in his Solly Baby Wrap.
Dislikes: Being put down (But this is getting better too!). His Mamaroo.
Nicknames: Buddy, Buddy Bear, Wellsy Bellsy, Wellsy

Month 2 Milestones: 
Smiles at us.
Went on his first vacation to Mackinac Island.
Slept 7 hours just last night - Hallelujah!

Other Notables:
Weighed 11 lbs. 12 oz. at his two-month checkup, up 4 lbs. from his birthweight.
Is discovering his hands. Three cheers for self-soothing, hip hip hooray!
Wears size 0-3 month clothes but still fits in a few newborn items.