Playroom Pictures

I am in the process of converting our ‘office’ into Millie’s playroom!  Most of it is finished, but I am still doing the finial touches.   One of the most important things I wanted in her playroom was a big pictures.  I love pictures and having ones of Millie and our family was top priority for me.

I decided to do large pictures above the couch in her room.  I think eventually we will put a TV over her toy shelf and bins. I like to have larger frames for pictures.  I think it really draws your eye to the pictures.  A lot of times (in my opinion) people don’t go big enough with their frames and pictures! I also wanted some smaller size frames for other parts of her playroom.  I measured over the couch, and on the small wall when you walk in.  Now that I had the sizes and layout I wanted I needed to get the frames!

I used Frame It Easy online!  Their site is incredibly easy to use.  You enter what size picture you want.  Next you can choose your frame.  They had multiple options and multiple color options for the frames as well.  I personally am a white frame fan- so that is what I chose. You can choose matting or no matting (I like matting), and finally you choose clear or no glare finish! It was super simple to chose and order my frames.  They came straight to my door packaged safe and securely.  I was impressed with how they packaged my 5 frames.  Each frame was individually packaged.  Not one scratch!   They even strung the chord for hanging my pictures for me AND sent picture nails and hangers. The backs of the frames have felt padding on the corners so it lays better on your wall.  My husband was very impressed with every aspect of the frames.  Seriously, it could not have been easier.  I was pleasantly surprised at the ease, quality, and readiness of the frames from Frame It Easy.  To hang the frames I use a laser level.  It makes things go SO much quicker.  Seriously go get one.

My sister is a professional family photographer in Dallas, TX.  She took all our photos that I chose for our wall.  I am very lucky to have pictures taken every few months of Millie.  I am obsessed with all of them.  If you are in Dallas and in need of photography you should check my sister out at suzineelyphotography.com .

I hung the large frames over our love seat.  I put the smaller frames on the wall and shelf by the door into the playroom.  I am sure Millie will pull the picture off the shelf in .3 seconds, but for the moment it looks so cute on there.  I am happy with the way the frames and pictures turned out.  I am still putting some finishing touches on her playroom, and things should be ready shortly!  Once everything is done I will post an update on here.

If you are looking for frames for you or even someone else go check out Frame It Easy.  They are wonderful.  You can use the code millie to save on your purchase as well!

Tell me- do you love photos in your house? Are you a large frame person or smaller?

****I received the frames for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.****

Everyday Healthy Habits




Being a mom is tough!  It is incredible and amazing, but it is tough.  Taking care of yourself while being a mom is even more challenging.  As a woman there are so many things we are responsible for everyday, and one of them is our health.  Raise your hand if you do not take as much time for your health as you should?  You can’t see me, but I am over here raising my hand too!  It is so easy to not pay attention to ourselves and only pay attention to everyone else in our lives (i.e.- tiny human that needs us to survive).  I struggle with this DAILY.  D-A-I-L-Y y’all!  I want to share a few small habits I try to incorporate into my daily routine to help me stay healthy.

Taking a walk-  Now that is it not 100* outside here in Texas, I really try to get out and walk at least 3-4 times a week.  The weather is turning, the leaves are changing, and it feels so nice out in the fresh air.  This is an awesome time to take Millie out in the stroller and show her the beauty of the outdoors. I love to point out the animals we see and the pretty flowers and leaves.  Even at work I will try to take 15 minutes a day to step out of my therapy room and walk around to get some movement time in!  It helps me destress too!

Getting enough rest- Haha!  This is a funny right?! Getting enough sleep as a mom, especially a NEW mom!  It is so hard, but it is SO important.  I would get so mad when people would tell me, “Sleep when the baby sleeps”.  No, it is impossible, and STOP saying that to me.  But you can ask for help so maybe you can sneak in a 10 minute nap!  Or try to go to bed a few minutes earlier each night.  I know it is hard, but getting enough sleep is important for being a functional mom and not a mombie (mombie- zombie mom).

Getting the right nutrients- This is a challenge, let’s be honest.  Making sure to eat healthy all the time can be hard! Did you know the majority of women are calcium deficient? Your body can’t make calcium, so it absorbs it from your diet and from supplements, then stores it.  Also, if your body is not getting enough calcium it begins to take it from the bones, decreasing bone mineral density which can eventually lead to osteoporosis. These are some crazy facts!  This  is where my favorite supplements come in.  Viactiv Chews!  Your bones are constantly changing over the course of your lifetime, and calcium is key to supporting these changes so your bones support you.  I am still in my 30’s, but after your 30s, your body produces less new bone, and you experience more bone loss. But, you can slow down bone loss and help reduce your risk of osteoporosis with proper nutrition and exercise.  Aside from building strong bones, your body needs calcium to handle other important tasks: to move muscles, send messages through the nervous system, help release hormones and enzymes, and circulate blood.  Making sure you are getting enough calcium as a pregnant women, mother and aging women is imperative!

Every day I take two Viactiv Calcuim Soft Chews. Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews are available in either delicious milk chocolate or caramel flavors. While both are delicious, I really love the caramel flavor!  I love Viactiv calcium chews and compared to other calcium gummy supplements, Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews have 30% more calcium, ½ the sugar and ½ the calories.  Who doesn’t love that?! They are easy to find as well because they are available nationwide supermarket, drugstores and major retailers, including CVS, Rite Aid, Target and Walmart.  You can check out where else to purchase them here.

You can check out their products and the social pages: Viactiv Facebook; Viactiv Instagram;

These are a few things that help me try to stay healthy and get the calcium I need as a mom and a woman. It is a daily struggle to be balanced, but incorporating these few activities into your life can help! Is there anything you do that really helps you for your day?  Do you already take Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews? Is so what is your favorite flavor?  Let me know in the comments below?

*If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to become pregnant, speak with your healthcare provider before taking any supplements.

**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

****I received Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews of chocolate and caramel flavors for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience. Please talk to your doctor before taking any supplements to see what is best for you****

Best Gifts for New Moms

Being a new mom you quickly realize one of the items you purchase most is diapers. Being a new mom you also quickly realize convenience is a must.  This is where my new favorite service comes in- Incredibundles.  They are a diaper and wipe delivery service and they are awesome. You can order for yourself or you can order a subscription for a mama to be.

Ordering it as a gift is as simple as 1, 2, 3:

  1. You chose the length of Diaper subscription you want to give (or receive).  The choices are 3, 6, 9 or 12 months.
  2. The recipient will be sent an adorable announcement package from Incrdibundles.  It includes a sweet teddy bear with certificates that have unique codes to redeem the subscription.
  3. The recipient is able to redeem the diapers! They get to chose the brand (Pampers, Huggies, Luvs, etc) and size each time the monthly diapers are being sent straight to their door.

Simple as that.  This is a perfect gift to give to someone or to yourself.

I am so excited that Incredibundles is giving one lucky mama a 3 month subscription! Head over to my Instagram page for all the information on how to enter!

**I received an incredibundles pack for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.**

Incred Pin

 

5 Reasons Why We Love Our DockATot

If you’re a mom or a soon to be mom you have heard about DockATot.  Everyone raves about DockATot, saying it is this magical invention that helps their baby sleep better, it is sent from heaven, it is the best thing since sliced bread.  Well everyone is right-  DockATot is incredible.  We absolutely love ours and I can honestly say it is a MUST have for any registry.  You will want to register for both sizes too- the deluxe and the grand.  I will tell you the FIVE reasons we love ours and why you will too…

  1. Portable–  You are heading out of town? Take it with you. Going to your mother-in-laws? Take it with you.  The DockATot can go anywhere. One of my favorite things is that you can go other places and your baby will still feel safe and comfortable in their own bed.
  2. Co-Sleeping- Before we had a baby we were the parents who didn’t want our baby sleeping IN BED with us. hahahaha! Once we actually had a baby we were the parents who had their baby sleep in bed with us. The DockATot put my mind at ease for co-sleeping.  I knew she was safe in the DockATot in bed with us. *
  3. Multiple uses- The DockATot has so many uses.  Sleeping, play, lounging, and more. Millie loves to sleep in it and use it to lounge in the family room too!
  4. Washable– Lets face it- blow outs happen- and usually at 2am when you are half asleep.  Wheeeeee! Having a baby is so fun.  But seriously, you can take the cover off and throw it in the wash.  This is a must for babies.
  5. Different Covers– I love that there are so many different cover choices.  We have the banana leaf print and the rose print.  Having an extra cover is great for when one is needing to be washed (see 4 for why you’ll want an extra cover)!

*Bonus** It Is Adorable–  The DockATot is adorable.  With the different cover choices you can have it coordinate with any room you need.  Honestly- Millie looks so adorable while in it, like a little munchkin sent from heaven!

The DockATot has been a lifesaver for us.  Millie had tummy issues, re-flux, and was not a very good sleeper- until the DockATot.  The first night she we had it changed our whole sleeping situation.  I felt comfortable knowing she was getting good rest and was able to still be close to me.

A couple of my close mom friends say:

Sara (sara.intheflowers) : ‘Finley has never slept better! The DockATot is the best thing that has happened to out family!’

   Samantha (samantha.bowmann) : ‘With our DockATot, Reagan has been sleeping                                                  through the night almost every night. We have taken it with us                                                  when we sleep away from home and it’s a godsend!’

  Marianna (Hendricks.tribe): “Dottie loves her Dockatot! It’s perfect for sleep, travel, &                                            play!’

Thank you so much to DockATot for the wonderful Grand.  We absolutely love it and couldn’t be happier!

**I received the DockATot Grand for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.**

*(Co-sleeping is not for everyone- please research, talk to your pediatrician, and decide what is best for your family)