Hi mama, if you are looking for the best advice for new moms you have found it.  A few years ago I was searching Pinterest for everything first time mom, packing my bag, and creating the best nursery. I know you have got so many things to do and so little time left, which is why I  wanted to share all the best advice.  I also know that every mom (and baby) is different so I had friends and followers to give their best advice too.  My heart was so happy with all of the submissions coming in from all these sweet moms, then I was also kinda peeing in my pants (take that as advice) from the hilarious moms!

First things first, advice will be coming in hot from everyone…

Grandma : Oh we didn’t use car seats
Mom : I covered you in baby powder you lived
Friend : You have to breastfeed. It’s the only way
Co-worker : Breast feeding was terrible – formula only
Grocery Store Checker : You have to co-sleep for a year
Neighbor : Natural birth at home is the only way
Boss: My husband never fed the baby

Do what works for you and your family girl!

Real mom advice from delivery thru the first year!

• Listen to your gut. Trust that mom instinct it’s in there!
• You do not get a gold star for breastfeeding… so if it doesn’t work out its okay because a fed baby is best.
• Don’t set expectations sometimes the unexpected is better.
• Google Photos – always back up the 500000 pictures you are taking.
• Get out of the house. Even just for a walk around the block or at the mall. You need some fresh air. Showers and fancy clothes aren’t required.
• If you feel off, not yourself, depressed, please seek help. From friends, family or a professional. Its 100% okay to get help.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Anything from needing a nap to needing help if you are sad.  (tons of moms said this)
• Do not have expectations for your delivery – no one can plan their delivery and your Dr. will do what is best for you.
• The first few weeks are hard. Its okay to not be okay. You’ll get thru it.
• Do not compare yourself to other moms, the internet, or books. Do what works for you!
• Enjoy every moment, even the middle of the night snuggles. You will miss it.
• Drop all expectations. Survival mode above all else.
• Parenthood is a series of trial and errors, no one is perfect!
• Babies don’t come with answers. It’s just a matter of finding & figuring it out.
• Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’ll never remember that your house was a mess or you had laundry everywhere, but you will remember the moments with your babes.
• Be patient with yourself, your partner and your baby.
• Don’t feel bad, guilty, or like you have to justify what works for your family.
• Breastfeeding is not an automatic thing babies know how to do. Just like everything in life, practice makes perfect.
• Lots of fresh air for your girls if you are breastfeeding…. I walked around with no top on half the time.
• It only takes 2-3 weeks for the nipples to get used to breast feeding.
• Don’t give up. So many moms say they wish they would have breast fed longer. Also, its okay to stop nursing and use formula. Don’t cause yourself a mental breakdown because your baby won’t latch or feed.
• Getting babies to sleep is way harder than I thought.
• Choose one sleeping technique and stick to it. It only takes a few nights for them to adjust!
• Don’t feel obligated to have visitors come over until you are ready.
• Use a retainer cup to keep pacifiers in.
• White noise machine is a must… also a portable one. (or an app)
• Keep a backup of everything you might need in your car. Diapers, wipes, snacks!
• Not matter how good your child nurses, make the last feeding before you go to bed a formula bottle.
• Always keep your diaper bag packed and replace what you use when you get home.
• Get a mom clip for stroller and battery powered fan (mom you might love the fan too #hotflash)
• Start introducing bottles sooner than later to help them get used to them.
• Always pack disposable diaper bags, changing pad and an extra bottle.

Very funny and true advice!

• Drop all expectations. Survival mode above all else.
• Zoloft and Jesus
• Take ibuprofen around the clock for the first few days and keep the ice packs coming.
• Put the newborn in the nursery and get some sleep. The nurses are pros and will wake you when they need to eat.
• Make dad get up! You didn’t make the baby on your own.
• Just get the depends and take the stool softener.
• Wine. Lots of it.
• Delivery, get the epidural!
• Buy the booger sucker.
• Never get waxed during pregnancy!
• Sleep on a towel for the first 4 months because night sweats are a real damn thing!
• Do not let anything said between 10 pm and 6 am count – ha I needed this with my hubs (craz at 2 am)
• Let them sing, its good for their lungs. This is from my fav uncle… he would say that the kids were singing when they were crying. This will seriously make you laugh when you want to cry. At the store and the kids are crying.  You can’t get them to stop and people are looking at you…”oh, they have the best singing voice don’t they?”

Onto the list of what to pack in your hospital bag. I wanted to keep this list simple because your hospital has sooo much stuff for you I see zero reason to bring extras!

Friendly reminder : My boys came 3 and 4 weeks early so get the bag ready ha! My favs are also linked! If you want the pretty printable version get it here… the ultimate hospital packing guide

Mom
Robe – I wore a robe daily while I was at the hospital with both boys!
Nursing tank
Nursing Bra
High-rise compression pants (or workout pants)
Fugly big underwear (or sport the mesh- a new trend. I haven’t tried them but have heard amazing reviews!)
Comfy PJs with button top
Going home outfit
Nipple cream

Toiletries
Shampoo + Conditioner + Soap
Toothbrush +Toothpaste
Dry Shampoo
Chapstick
Lotion
Hair ties + Brush + blow dryer

Baby
Car Seat
Going Home Outfit
4- Zipper sleepers – these are perfect with the hand covers too!
2- swaddles
Hat

Dad / Electronics / Documents
2 changes of clothes
Cell charger with long cord
Camera + Charger
Insurance, License etc (we were able to pre – register and didn’t need this)

I hope this makes life a little bit easier as you prepare in the final few weeks!

XO- Lindsay

In light of the recent tragedy with Kate Spade, I am finally pushing myself to publish a piece on a topic that I’ve went back and forth on since we started blogging. A glimpse into my normal life with anxiety.

I’ll start by saying that life is hard. It doesn’t matter the amount of money, friends, or fancy things you surround yourself with. With social media and pretty filters, it’s easy to feel like everyone around you is living a better life.

See this picture right here…this is the picture of a happy mom, who has a great family, amazing friends, the best job, more things than I could ever want. You know what you can’t see is I also have anxiety and panic attacks.

There’s this little thing called mom guilt that I’ve carried with me since my first son was born, and I am finally putting it aside!  I have been fortunate enough to work part-time since my first baby was born.  My mother had watched my littles until they went to preschool at age 2.  They now go to preschool 3 days a week and are home with me the other two.  Their preschool requires your child to go full time one year prior to entering kindergarten.

I had thought about pulling them out and finding somewhere else that allows part-time until kindergarten.  My thoughts at first were this is ridiculous- how can any 4 year old be tolerable when he’s in school all day.  Then it dawned on me, I’d FINALLY have some time to myself that I hadn’t had in over 4 years!  I talked it over with the hubby, and he too was on board with sending my oldest full time!  Done deal- my oldest child will attend preschool 5 days a week even on the days I stay at home.

As everyone promised my boys are growing up way too quickly and the transition to a toddler bed is breaking this mommas heart. ( How many time can I google how to transition to a toddler bed – then crying and saying no! ) Seriously, cannot believe that we are already remodeling our toddler boys room, taking away all the things that really made this room a nursery. Cameron actually never tried to climb to of his crib, but at almost three it was time for the BIG boy bed!

These special shoes were hand painted with his initials – I can’t believe how tiny they are! 

Yes- I am saying it- a vacation without kids

you deserve this – your children will survive- you will have a good time

It started this post months ago right before taking a trip with my husband and a few friends. I went back and forth on this because I can hear the nay-sayers backlash on this topic. Sorry nay- sayers I hope this post pushes one mama to get online and book a vacation without kids!

One of the hardest things about being a mom is seeing your kids sick. When sickness hits our house usually both boys get it. We are snuggled up for a few days till they feel better.  I know as soon as my kids start acting sick I call my mom, text my girlfriends, check google, then call the Dr. to get us in right away. Our pediatrician is always amazing about seeing the boys and fitting them in right away, then a quick trip to the pharmacy and we are good to go. Minus now- I have to get two rambunctious sick boys to take their medicine- the hard part.

We are book obsessed and had to round up our all time favorite best books!

Every birthday, shower, and celebration you think, “What can I buy that they do NOT already have?”  The answer: MORE books! Save your money on cards and give a book instead. Write a note inside to make it extra special! Fill holidays with book – Easter, Valentine- more books please! Less candy to make my kids wild!

My boys love reading together every night before bed.  It’s a great chance for us to sit together and wind down before the end of the night.

Yes, you can start reading to your little ones at any age.

Where is Baby’s Belly Button? -This book is a quick read with big easy flips that my sons loved. Karen Kratz has a few other similar books that are so cute too!

Peekaboo Sophie- I have yet to meet a child that doesn’t own a Sophie or like to play peekaboo!  Why not read about it.  This book allows babies to lift fun flaps and reveal what’s behind.

Love You Forever- This book.  Amazing and a classic but don’t attempt to read without tissues close at hand.

Everything is Mama Even if we bought the dada version- Your Babys First Words Will be Dadda– first this one is going on our list!  Its just as funny and by Jimmy Fallon!

Maternity session time. Ladies I was totally on the fence about if I should get maternity pictures.  Trust me momma you should and will be so happy you did. You might not feel like Heidi Klum at the moment -but it really is a time to try and embrace the bump!

We ended up with a slightly gloomy spring day luckily the flowers couldn’t have been more beautiful!

Today I am going to share with you how I stay sane during the LONG cold winter months.  We’ve all been there- stressed, tired, overbooked, and anxiously awaiting warmer weather and sunshine! If you’re anything like me, I crave warm weather and outdoor adventures.  Unfortunately during the winter months it’s not that easy.  Especially if you’re a mom with kiddos who seem to be climbing the walls each and every day!  Being a mom is so rewarding and exhausting all at the same time.  Between potty training, colds, dirty laundry and constant meltdowns it’s hard to find time for yourself.   Trust me, I’ve battled with this for many years (more on that later).  The guilt of taking care of myself when I should be taking care of my children but the truth is, if mama ain’t happy, no one is!

Warning if you are not pregnant this post will give you baby fever!

The hours we spent browsing newborn pictures while pregnant was a little overboard. We have gathered our favorite pictures and how to prepare for the big day (after your big day of labor and no sleep)! Also, the best thing about a newborn lifestyle session is that it is in your home, with all your own stuff – makes life so easy on you.