Product Reviews

  • Motherhood, New Born, New Mom, Product Reviews, Sponsored

    My Babywearing Journey

    This post is part of sponsored ambassadorship with Baby K’tan. All opinions are based on my experience.

    Ever discovered something that makes you want a do-over? That’s how I feel about babywearing. It’s not that I never knew about babywearing, I did. My mom actually was big on babywearing when I was an infant as you can see, so naturally, she advised me to do the same when I became a mom too. My babywearing journey started in October of 2010 when a few days postpartum with my oldest child, I went for a walk wearing her and my back hurt so much I reasoned it was just not for me never considering that it was just that baby carrier. My husband wore her a few times after to take her on the subway but besides that, the baby carrier collected more dust than memories.

    baby wearing journey

    Fast forward 7 years and I found myself revisiting my stance on babywearing a few weeks after my third child was born. She wanted to be held and I needed to cook for her siblings, clean, run errands etc. One evening I was trying to help my son in the shower and she was crying to be held, my son was shouting “Mommy the baby is crying!” and it was such a chaotic moment out of desperation I grabbed a baby carrier that I was gifted and started wearing her and she was immediately happy and fell asleep. I was surprised but so happy that I did it again the next day and soon we were both hooked. We’ve tried a few different carriers since and I fell in love with the Baby K’tan Breeze. It’s lightweight,  great on my back, easy to use and made from the softest material comfortable for both the baby and me.

    With two free hands, I’ve found that we gained the freedom to live more and get things done. Baby girl is definitely the boss of the house but this is one way to take back some of that control from her so I don’t feel like I’m drowning. I’m all for a happier baby overall and she loves being close to me and there is nothing that can replace that feeling of security and love for her.

    Those of you who follow my Instagram stories heard the news last week but if you missed it, I’m happy to share that I’m going to be partnering with Baby K’tan to share my babywearing journey over the next few months as a brand ambassador. A few of you shared that you love Baby K’tan baby carriers too so I encourage you all to share your stories on social media using #BKJourney so we can inspire and learn from each other.

    ps:

    All parents should consult the Baby K’tan website and/or their Baby K’tan Baby Carrier instruction manual before first use to ensure a safe and happy experience. Consult the Baby K’tan FAQ’s for additional tips and support.

     

  • Exercise and Workout, Healthy Eating, Lifestyle, Motherhood, New Mom, Product Reviews, Sponsored

    Making Wellness a Priority as a Mom of Three

    Thank you Nokia for sponsoring this post. Visit the Nokia Body+ site for more info and start the new year off right!

    I mentioned a few weeks ago about my husband’s hospitalization last month. It was a scary time and I felt physically, emotionally and mentally depleted as a wife and especially as a mother of three with a newborn baby. If you’ve ever been a caregiver for someone who is ill you know how challenging that is and while I celebrate the fact that I was strong enough to keep us all from falling apart during that time, I have to share the types of thoughts I was having. See this was my second time that someone close to me was hospitalized and both times I found myself confronting my own self-care and wellness approach. Nothing forces you to confront your own shortcomings more than seeing someone you care for suffering. I’m lucky enough to have three amazing kids and I want to not just be around for them but to be healthy and enjoy life with them as they grow into adults and that would require me making self-care and wellness a priority.

    Listen, it’s much easier said than done. Years ago, I had a great routine and ate super clean and remained very active. Once I fell off that routine, I’ve struggled to get back on it consistently but I’ve never stopped trying. I’m now a mom of three and it’s important now more than ever to set a good example for my children of a healthy lifestyle. Fortunately, although I haven’t been as good as I once was I’m healthy based on a physical I did a few weeks ago at my doctor’s office and I want to maintain a clean bill of health. Dieting isn’t an option for me at this time as I’m still breastfeeding but I think that gives me the opportunity to make small changes that can become part of my lifestyle. Here are a few ways I plan to make wellness a priority:

    Monitor my Weight to Learn about my Body. 

    In my late 20s, I monitored my weight checking it several times a week and recording the numbers in a notebook. Then after I had my first child I discovered the MyFitnessPal app and started using it to track weight, calories consumed and exercise. That’s been cool but Nokia Body+ scale is a complete game changer for me. It’s a combination of all of the above thanks to the accompanying app called Health Mate that’s available on Google and iOS. What I love about this app is that it tells you everything from my weight, muscle mass, BMI because it automatically syncs with the Body+ scale. I’ve been able to get all of my overall data including physical activity, sleep, weight,  trends, track progress so I can improve over time. The best part it syncs with other apps including my beloved MyFitnessPal. So far I’ve been tracking my post-pregnancy weight-loss and my BMI is slightly 26.6 which is slightly high so my goal is to get it below 25 in a healthy range.

    I do wish I had gotten this scale during my pregnancy because there is Pregnancy Mode that includes tips for health prenatal weight gain. Our entire family is taking advantage of this app though and since I’m able to create profiles for each of the kids and the baby in Baby Mode it’s going to make pediatrician visits a lot simpler.

    Try new Classes.

    I don’t think wellness needs to be boring or redundant it’s important for me to have fun and mix things up.  I’ve tried indoor cycling and rock climbing and I plan to try trap yoga, West Indian dancing, and Barre class this year.

    More Video Journaling.

    I was doing some digital decluttering this weekend and I came across some of my video journal clips from a few years ago. It was incredible because I was able to learn so much more about myself than I do when I read it on paper. I’ve consistently journal most of my life but I stopped video journaling a few years ago and I think it’s a really great way for me to get out thoughts and feelings. There is something about saying it out loud that’s therapeutic.

    Kicking my Clean Eating, Dirty Snacking Habit.

    The hardest of all will be kicking what my husband teases me about most my “clean eating, dirty snacking” habit.  My main meals are usually healthy but I could go HAM on a bag of chips or sleeve of cookies when snacking. I’m not proud of that but it’s true and it’s a huge struggle for me because my self-control is really sad and I do not live alone but I’m hoping that once I start making all of these small changes my family will be influenced and avoid junk too. My daughter already stopped drinking juice at school on the days I would give her and she brings only water these days.

    How are you making wellness a priority?

    Get 10% off at the Nokia Health store through December 1, 2018 here with this code: NEWYOU-XKY-F9P

    I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

  • Lifestyle, Motherhood, New Mom, Product Reviews, Sponsored

    Plan a Romantic Valentine’s Date-Night-In

    Thank you, Babbleboxx for sponsoring this post! 

    This weekend was all the way LIT! On Saturday night, I an epic girls night out and then last night was date-night-in. I’m so glad my husband and I enjoyed each other for 3 years before having any kids because since we became parents we’ve probably made it out to celebrate Valentine’s Day, once. The chances of getting out got slimmer back in November when we had our third baby because getting someone you trust to watch THREE kids isn’t easy. Good thing we’re basically professionals at having date-night-in at this point. Listen, staying in doesn’t equate boredom for us so I figure I share some of our secrets to help you plan a romantic Valentine’s date-night-in:

    Have a showstopper!

         

    Here’s the big secret when it comes to date night in, you need to a showstopper —something that makes the night feel like a big ole’ deal like this Edible Arrangements Valentine’s Day Gift Set. As I mentioned on Instagram, I went crazy over the semi-sweet chocolate dipped strawberries when they were delivered.  I didn’t know that they’re made locally and they make the perfect last-minute gift as they’re hand delivered with same day delivery.

    It’s a timing thing.

    Date-night-in needs to be at the right time! Consider your lighter days when you’re not completely worn out preferably when all your littles ones are asleep, at school or an activity.

    Chesapeake Bay Candle

    Set the mood with lighting!

    Setting the mood with lighting isn’t a new concept to most of us mamas, we know that lighting makes the world of difference already but it’s important to keep in mind that you want your space to not feel like the same space you were just helping your kids with their homework. I personally love scented candles to set a romantic mood especially since I do not use candles when the kids are up. Candles mean grown-up time in our house and any old candles wouldn’t do.  My preference is soy blend wax candles because they deliver a clean burn. I tried the Chesapeake Bay Candle: Mind & Body – Love & Passion Candle that came in my Babbleboxx and loved the scent of the candle, it’s a citrusy mango grapefruit scent that’s invigorating.

    When I kiki with other moms and the topic of lingerie comes up, it’s not uncommon to get a confession of them not feeling comfortable in lingerie after having babies. I know the changes that happen to our bodies, post-baby body can attack our confidence but one thing that’s always worked for me is to wear something that I really love on top of it, like a dress that always makes me feel gorgeous. The lingerie becomes the fun flirty details and I don’t worry too much about my flaws.  I’ve been a fan of Maidenform products since my teen years because of the good quality, style and, comfort. This matching Raspberry Icing  set that came in my Babbleboxx lives up to those standards. The lace bra’s sexy plunging neckline works well for my style as I love v-neck clothing and I love that it’s lightly-lined. It’s very soft and I love how the color looks against my dark skin. The thong is risqué yet comfortable which sometimes a hard combination to find with lingerie and when wearing it with tight clothes it’s seamless.

    Date-Night-In

     

    Drink to the occasion! 

    It’s rare that I have a drink but I make exceptions for holidays and date-night whether we step out or stay in. This was my first time trying The Traveler Beer Company: Lucky Traveler Blackberry Shandy which is made with real blackberry. We both enjoyed the shandy and I’m looking forward to trying in a cocktail as I found a few recipes on the Lucky Traveler Shandy website.

    Date-Night-In

    Don’t skip snacks!  

    Date-Night-In

    Regardless of the type of date night in you’re planning, no snacks mean no fun. It’s nice to try out a new snack together or introduce each other to a recent find. Popcorn, Indiana: Kettlecorn is a good option if you haven’t tried it yet. It’s an old favorite that I was happy to see in the Babbleboxx because it’s non-GMO and gluten-free.

    Date-Night-In

     

    Those are my secrets for a great date-night-in. Share yours in the comments!