All Things Lovely -

Toddler Bed Transition with Dockatot

July 24, 2017

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Disclaimer: This post is in collaboration with Dockatot. All opinions are my own. Please visit my disclaimer page for more information.

We decided it was time to transition Sawyer to a toddler bed around the same time we brought Oliver home. Because we’re crazy, of course.

But, it was so easy. The very first night he did not get out of bed once. Not once. And he slept all the way through the night! We thought it might be a crazy fluke but since then, he still never gets out of bed at night! It’s amazing, I thought it was going to be such a battle, but it wasn’t at all. Our secret?

The DockATot Grand.

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For The Zombie Parents: The Ninja Coffee Bar

July 21, 2017

katielovelyy2

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Disclaimer: This post is in collaboration with Ninja Kitchen. This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Visit my disclaimer page for more information.

We have a 3 week old so we’re officially getting zero sleep. My husband and I have a little agreement. I do all of Oliver’s nighttime feedings, and he gets up with Sawyer, toddler extraordinaire, at the crack of dawn. So I’m sleeping in shorter increments, but he’s getting up earlier. At the end of the day, we’re both getting about the same amount of sleep.

Close to none.

I’ve never been much of a coffee drinker. I really only like coffee when it’s cold brew or iced which can be really hard to make at home. But now that we have a newborn again I need the caffeine in an extreme way if I’m going to get through my day. So that means either suck it up and drink coffee I don’t love, or find out how to make iced coffee work at home.

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“Oh, Two-dles!” Sawyer’s Second Birthday Party

July 20, 2017

katielovelyy2

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Disclaimer: This post is in collaboration with Oriental Trading. All opinions are my own. Visit my disclaimer page for more information.

I had such big plans for Sawyer’s second birthday. There was a whole pinterest board dedicated to fun ideas and DIYs. I was going to make all the snacks and decorations myself. There was going to be tons of fun activities, all his friends and our friends were going to be there and it was going to be the perfect summer afternoon.

Then, reality set in. I started having some complications with my pregnancy and had to start modified bed rest. Meaning all of the snacks and DIYs would have to be put on the back burner.

We ended up ordering all the decor from Oriental Trading, only inviting family and very few close friends, we got snack trays from Wal Mart, and I made Funfetti cupcakes from a boxed mix. I was bummed I couldn’t give Sawyer the pinterest-worthy party I had envisioned, but you know what, it didn’t matter.

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What The Lord Taught Me During our NICU Stay

July 18, 2017

katielovelyy2

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Murphy’s Law- Anything that can go wrong, will.

It started with Oliver coming into this world. When my water broke at 2am on June 25th I practically lost my mind. I’ll save most of the details for when I write Oliver’s full birth story but after I realized what was happening I started sobbing and hyperventilating and I couldn’t stop. It was too early. It was too close to Sawyer’s birthday. He was still breech. I would need another c-section. It was way too early. Still, 3 weeks later, when I think about the feeling of waking up to warm water gushing down my legs, it makes my skin crawl and sends a shiver up my spine.

By the grace of God, Oliver turned on his own after I was admitted to the hospital and I was able to have a VBAC. Trial #1 turned to miracle #1.

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The Benefits of Cord Blood Banking

July 12, 2017

katielovelyy2

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Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Americord. All opinions are my own. Please visit my disclaimer page for more information.

Our babies are so special.

I look at my two sons and I know I would do anything for them! There is no cost I would spare, nothing I wouldn’t do, to make sure they were safe, healthy, and happy. We always want what’s best for our children, don’t we?

Something I wish I was more educated on before my babies were born is Cord Blood Banking. And I’m not alone. Approximately 33% of all expectant parents are unaware of the option of Cord Blood Banking, and even of those who are aware, 74% of them consider themselves to be minimally informed.

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A Coming Home Outfit

July 5, 2017

katielovelyy2

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Disclaimer: I received these products in exchange fore review. All opinions are my own. Visit my Disclaimer Page for more information.

Since Sawyer came early, there were a few things I never got to do and wasn’t prepared for. We didn’t have the nursery done, we didn’t have a coming home outfit for him, we didn’t even have hospital bags packed. So with this baby, I knew I needed to be more prepared!

Well, Oliver came even earlier than Sawyer did and while there are still plenty of things that need to be done, we were at least slightly more prepared. I did at least have the hospital bags packed which really was lucky, given I had only packed them a week before. I had all the newborn clothes unpacked, I had all the gear I needed, and I had a coming home outfit for him.

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I Cry All Day Long Now (My First Few Days as a NICU Mom)

July 2, 2017

katielovelyy2

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I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. Leaving the hospital everyday without my baby is gut-wrenching. I’m tearing up just thinking about having to do it again tomorrow.

I cry when I wake up because I open my eyes and remember I had a baby a few days ago, who’s not here with me.

I cry when I pump because I wish I could feed him directly and I can’t.

I cry when I leave Sawyer to visit the NICU.

I cry as I make the hour long drive to the hospital and pass 4 other hospitals much closer to home that my insurance wouldn’t allow me to deliver at.

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