I always said I would have at *least* 3 kids. I actually always wanted 4. However, after Sawyer (my second child) I decided I was done. I still liked the idea of 3 or 4 children, but I did not want to go through pregnancy/ nursing/ the baby phase / etc. all over again.
So, since I had decided that I didn’t want to have any more we got rid of almost all of our baby stuff that we had saved.
Well, just a couple of weeks after throwing away a big bulk of baby stuff (including our crib), we found out that I was pregnant again. Surprise! I guess God planned on me having 3 babies after all!
While I was a little bummed about some of the stuff that I had gotten rid of, I was excited to shop for a baby again. (I am never not excited about shopping!)
Sawyer is now 2 1/2, so it had been a couple of years since I bought baby stuff. There were a lot of new products that I had not seen or got a chance to use with my other two, so I was excited to try some new stuff out with baby # 3!
When I reached out to my Instagram followers and asked about their *must-have* baby products a large majority of them mentioned the Dockatot. I had seen the Dockatot before (who hasn’t?), but I feel like within the last couple years it has definitely gotten more popular. However, I was honestly surprised to hear people say that it was one of their must-have products. I was always curious about it, and since so many people suggested it I was really intrigued to try it for myself!
DOCKATOT
We received our Dockatot Deluxe just a couple weeks ago. I have been putting it in bed with me and that’s where I’ll lay Capri down after I nurse her into a deep sleep. It has honestly been the only thing that has made co-sleeping with a newborn feel comfortable + safe. I was always hesitant about co-sleeping with newborns. (They’re so tiny and fragile!) I’ve tried a few other sleepers and bassinets in the past, and honestly the Dockatot along with the Rock-n-Play are the only things my kids have slept in comfortably! I like switching off between the two because it’s nice to switch up her position. I think the Dockatot will make transitioning to the crib (much later on) a lot easier. The Dockatot comes in two sizes (Deluxe for 0-8 Months, Grand 9-36 months). You definitely want get the appropriate size for your baby, because the size is what makes it so comfortable for your little one.
Now, I do know there are some similar items to the Dockatot for a lot cheaper. From what I’ve heard, most do not have the bottom support that the Dockatot has. I could see that compromising some of the child’s comfort. I also feel like the bottom support is what makes it more of a sleeper than a pillow. Ya know? And as we usually find out, “you get what you pay for.” So, keep that in mind!
You can get $10 off a Dockatot with my referral link: Dockatot
BINXY BABY HAMMOCK
Another item that I had seen around but never got a chance to try with my other two was the cart hammock by Binxy. I was a little hesitant to try it, because it didn’t really look safe- HOWEVER, let me tell you the honest truth, it really is super safe!! It goes a lot deeper than it looks in photos. (Imagine an actual hammock, but with more support/structure!)
I tried this for the first time about a week ago and I actually LOVE it. It is so much easier to use this than an infant carrier, which is heavy and takes up a ton of room in the cart. It’s truly genius! I usually wear my kiddos out when they’re infants, but there’s almost always a reason that I need to set them down for something (adjust my carrier, go to the bathroom, etc.) so this is perfect for me! It can also hold your carseat for you if you decide you want to bring that also. It can actually hold up to 50 pounds! It can be used until you baby is 6-8 months old. (Up until they can start sitting up on their own.)
You can get 10% off a Binxy hammock with my referral link: Binxy Hammock
OLLIE SWADDLE
The third item that I recently received for baby Capri that I had not used in the past is the Ollie baby swaddle. Now, I am not a huge fan of swaddling. Mostly because I have always sucked at it. Logan was always the one to swaddle Cash & Sawyer, and I usually would have him re-do it if he did it too tight.
Thankfully I was able to easily swaddle Capri with the Ollie, and it took me like 10 seconds. It’s made from custom moisture-wicking material to reduce the risk of overheating, and it has velcro on the sides. I like that the velcro makes it easy to adjust if needed.
This is SO much easier than dealing with a swaddling blanket. Capri was super cozy in it. She obviously approves as well! I really love the Ollie + Dockatot combo. I received the Dockatot before the Ollie and I would have to lay out a blanket in the Dockatot to swaddle her (which was a pain), but this swaddle makes it so much easier!
You can get 10% off an Ollie swaddle with my referral link: Ollie Swaddle
Trying these new items was really fun and I truly love all 3 of them. I am excited to try more new things as Capri gets older!
While I did receive these items in turn for a review, it was not technically necessary that I leave a positive review! However, I honestly do love all 3 products! Capri is only 5 weeks old, so we definitely have a lot of use left in these items. I will report back if my mind changes on anything. 😉
Use my referral links to get a discount on these items!
Dockatot ($10 off!)
Binxy Hammock (10% off!)
Ollie Swaddle (10% off!)
xx
My Birth Story
My Birth Story
It’s almost 10 PM, I have been here at the hospital since just after 5 AM this morning, & I figured I should jot down what happened today before I forget anything!
So, yesterday I actually went in for my weekly doctor visit & everything looked pretty much the same as it had the last two weeks; 3 cm dilated + baby’s head was VERY low. Doctor repeated to me what he told me the previous week, “her head is really low, so make sure you don’t wait too long to come in once you start having regular / strong contractions!”
I had been having contractions for the past couple weeks but nothing strong or consistent.
That night (last night) when I sat down to work around 8 PM I started to feel some strong contractions. I texted Logan & told him, but I told him I was going to take a shower & lie down & they’d probably go away.
I ended up falling asleep after my shower. I woke up at 4 AM to some super painful contractions. I called him & told him “it’s time”, & thankfully he was heading out of work & on his way home.
Once he got home we waited for his mom to get there (to watch the kiddos) & we headed out.
The hospital is about a 15-20 min drive for us so I didn’t feel *too* rushed. Logan was speeding & I’d yell “slow down it’s fine!” Then I’d get a painful contraction & be like “let’s get there!!!” 🤣
We got to the hospital around 5:00/5:15 AM.
Everyone at the hospital check-in apparently thought I was far from delivering because no one was rushing. The nurse (who said “we’re all guessing you’re a 5 or 6”) checked me and said “wow you’re an 8! Did you want the natural birthing room?” To which I responded, “no, I want an epidural.” And she just kind of looked at me like “uhh not happening”, but said ooookay…and started wheeling me to the room.
A couple nurses came in my room along with the midwife, Yvonne. When I told them I wanted an epidural they all looked at me like, “are you serious?”
Yvonne basically told me it was almost time to push! She said I *could* get an epidural but it would literally be pointless.
Not gonna lie, I wanted to cry. The contractions hurt, but I could bare them. The thought of feeling a child bust out of my vagina is what scared the hell out of me! I was not prepared for this! Plus- **TMI** I felt like I had to poop…Yvonne assured me that it was the baby that I felt- NOT poop. I did not believe her.
I am all about mind over matter. The fact that I went into this thinking I’d be able to get an epidural really threw me off. I would have done the natural birthing room and labored in the tub if I had known that I was for sure unable to get the epidural.
Yvonne said she was going to break my water and then I could start to push. I was freaking out!
She broke my water, told me to get on all fours, and…well, I had no choice & started pushing.
Dear God it was the worst pain of my life. Like I said, I truly believe a lot of this had to do with mind over matter, and the fact that I wasn’t able to prepare my mind to do this without meds made it worse than it had to be.
*Pushhh pushhhh*
I was screaming out the f-word while praying to Jesus to help me. (I’m sorry, Jesus. I’m sure you understand.)
I still felt like I had to poop so I kept pushing Logan down because I didn’t want him to see haha. He would try to look and I’d scream “don’t look!!!” He said I was pushing him into the ground as hard as I could. (I didn’t poop by the way…in case you were wondering. Ha!!) I’m actually laughing out loud right now thinking back on it.
Finally, Logan & Yvonne let me know the head is out. I felt a slight moment of relief until I thought about how I still have to push the shoulders out.
**Pushhh pushhh**
I could feel every little thing. Her shoulders, followed by her body, her legs, & then the chord.
The feeling of pushing the rest of her out was such a relief.
They immediately laid baby Capri on my chest, and she was so cheesy (covered with vernix) and so perfect.
She was born at 6:10 AM. Hardly an hour after we arrived at the hospital!
We did it, baby girl!
Capri Grace. My little wild card.
***
We were discharged just over 24 hours after delivery, and we are back home and Capri is perfect and healthy and I feel great. (Minus being extremely tired from lack of sleep.)
I am so thankful that everything went so quickly and there were no complications. Yvonne from Premier Care For Women was amazing! I am so happy that she was the one to deliver Capri.
Now it’s time to get back to work and cuddle on this little precious princess of mine.
xx
What To Pack In Your Hospital Bag
Baby is due in 3 weeks! My hospital bag is packed and *pretty much* ready to go. This is my third baby, so I think I’ve got this hospital bag down…I’m sure I’m forgetting something though!
My Maternity Style
Let’s talk maternity style.
I am pregnant for the third time, and this is the first pregnancy I have actually purchased maternity clothing. (I think I purchased a pair of jeans with my last two pregnancies but never wore them because they didn’t fit right.) For the most part I just go up a few sizes in the women’s section, instead of purchasing pregnancy items.
I love to shop, but I’m pretty cheap when it comes to buying clothes for myself. I stick to places like Forever 21, H&M, and BooHoo. I rarely spend more than $30 on an item.
When it comes to shopping for clothes while pregnant I TRY to buy things that aren’t too “pregnant lady-ish”. I like to get things that will last me through nursing also. (All you Breastfeeding mama’s know that certain clothing items just don’t work with Breastfeeding.)
I did a BooHoo haul recently and posted my unboxing video. They have some really cute & affordable pieces that will still look cute even after pregnancy. You can watch it HERE
There are a few clothing items that are my go-to this pregnancy. You definitely want items that fit comfortably, but also compliment your growing body!
Maternity wardrobe must have pieces:
Cozy Jeans & Graphic Tees!
My absolute favorite pair of jeans this pregnancy are from H&M. They are so soft, stretchy and comfortable. And they actually fit! I wear these at least a couple times a week. CLICK HERE to check them out.
I could also wear comfy graphic tees all day, every day. I get a lot of my graphic tees from small shops. The one in the photo above is actually from Target though.
A few shops I’ve worn a lot recently are: Sweetees, The Bee & The Fox, Savage Seeds, and Fine & Dandy Pins.
Maxi dresses and maxi skirts are definitely go-to pregnancy pieces.This dress is from Forever 21 and it has pockets! The skirt is from my Boohoo haul, and I believe it has pockets as well. POCKETS, GUYS! Neither of these items are maternity items, but they fit perfectly and can be worn after pregnancy.
Get the dress HERE
Stripes are definitely one of my favorite patterns, ha! These looks are both cozy and cute. The top is from my Boohoo haul, and the dress is actually from Forever 21. While I do like loose and oversized graphic tees, sometimes it’s nice to show off that bump with clothes that are more fitted. Bodycon dresses can be a great pregnancy piece if you get one that is long enough and not too tight. Get the dress HERE
Tank tops are always a must for me. I have so many black tanks like this it’s not even funny. I almost always one of these on underneath whatever I’m wearing. These particular ones are actually for nursing as well! Get them HERE
When you’re pregnant AND chasing around two little people all day, comfort is KEY! But, for me, part of being comfortable is liking my outfit. So I have really tried to not “let myself go” and JUST wear leggings & t-shirts every day. It’s fun to dress up the bump a little when possible.
I’d love to know your favorite places to shop while pregnant!
Bump Boxes Pregnancy Subscription Box
I love subscription boxes, so when I hear about Bump Boxes, which is a subscription box for pregnant women, I knew I had to try it. This is my third and *most likely* last pregnancy, so I’m wanting to try anything and everything while I can!!
My box was filled with goodies that were specifically tailored to my due date.
I love that they offer 3, 6, and 9 month subscriptions so you know exactly how long you’ll be getting them.
Pretty much everything in my box would still be useable after pregnancy. My favorite thing about subscription boxes (besides that it’s basically a surprise for yourself every month) is the fact that I get to discover new products and brands . A couple things that came in this box were things I actually needed but just haven’t bought for myself. (Typical mom…always buying for everyone else, never for myself!)
Definitely check out bumpboxes.com if you are pregnant and want to treat yourself to some goodies every month!
Check out my unboxing video to see everything that came in my box!
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Pregnancy Update • 2nd Trimester • Week 17-18
I have been doing pregnancy update vlogs to document how my third pregnancy is going.
I feel like I am made to have babies. I have had the easiest pregnancies (*so far* knock on wood!), so I doubt anything crazy or exciting will be documented!
It’s nice to look back and watch myself grow.
Just like most pregnant women, I take photos throughout my pregnancy, but to actually have videos to look back on will be something I never had before.
I am going to try to post a video to YouTube at least once a week in 2018! This is a pretty big resolution, and I know it won’t be easy, but I’m going to try!
We’ll see how things go once my third child arrives. Ha!
I am now almost 20 weeks, so this video is from a couple weeks ago. I uploaded a gender reveal video this week. I will also being doing videos on the kids playing, which might be a separate channel. I haven’t decided on that yet. Cash & Sawyer love watching channels like Ryan’s Toy Review, and Cash begs me to record him while he plays with his toys…so they might just need their own channel. Kids these days!
Motherhood In Style • Cute & Cozy Fashion
If you looked in my pile of unfolded laundry you would see a big black pit. I would say about 85% of my wardrobe is black! 5% white…5% and 5% other neutral colors. This makes it easy to put outfits together (and I am SLIGHTLY color blind, which is also a factor). I am also a firm believer that comfort is key, BUT I think you can be comfortable and still look put together.
Here’s some outfit inspiration for mamas that want to look put together yet comfortable!
Some of my key pieces:
• Black Skinny Jeans – My new FAVORITE are the ones in these photos, which are from Old Navy, they have a stretchy waistband! A dream come true. CLICK HERE to shop
• GOOD black leggings – These look and feel nicer than the $7 Forever 21, but are just as comfortable, and they won’t rip after 2 washes CLICK HERE to shop
• Loose white tops – Not sure why but I just feel like a clean white shirt always looks nice, especially paired with black pants or shorts. HERE is one similar to the last photo
• Pencil skirt – I love love love pairing t-shirts with pencil skirts. They’re comfortable but look a little more dressed up, even when paired with converse.
• BOOTIES! – I feel like a cute pair of booties can bring a whole outfit together. One of my favorite places to shop for boots it Qupid
If I could fill my closet with those key items I would be set.
Moms can still look cute while being comfortable. Just remember to grab a good key piece that pulls the outfit together!
*Post contains affiliate links.
Britt’s List Of Unique Baby Gifts
I’ve gathered up some of my favorite baby items for this blog post.
WARNING: This post may cause baby fever.
I don’t think I want another baby, but damn, this stuff is so cute it sure makes me consider having one more!!
BURRITO BABY SWADDLES
As if you didn’t want to eat up a new baby already, this will make it even harder to resist! These burrito baby swaddles are hilarious and adorable. SHOP HERE by Mirando Brand
PERSONALIZED BLOCKS & UNIQUE WOODEN TEETHERS/TOYS
Little Sapling Toys has the cutest selection of wooden teethers, toys, and blocks. Personalized blocks that spell baby’s name would be a lifelong keepsake. I really like the idea of finding a teether that fits perfectly with the family, for example the guitar for musicians, the castle for Disney lovers, the airplane for a pilot’s baby, etc. There’s seriously SO many cute ones to choose from!! SHOP HERE by Little Sapling Toys
SLUMBER SLOTHS
Who doesn’t love sloths? Exactly. These super soft, handmade sloths are perfect for little ones to cuddle with. And they’re super duper adorable. SHOP HERE by Slumberkins
MILESTONE BLANKETS
These milestone blankets by BatzKids are such a great way to photograph and treasure those special milestones. There’s so many to choose from, including age blankets, monthly milestones, first holidays, and even a monthly pregnancy blanket. SHOP HERE by BatzKids
MILESTONE CARDS
Another great product to track milestones are these milestone cards! There’s a lot to choose from, and they are all super cute. SHOP HERE by Milestone
DOCKATOT
If you haven’t heard of DockATot yet, then you’re missing out! (From what I hear, at least.) I always read rave reviews about this product. Basically, this little spot is designed to help your baby sleep like…well…a baby! I wish I had known about it with my littles. SHOP HERE by DockATot
SHOPPING CART HAMMOCK
I’m not going to lie, these shopping cart hammocks look too good to be true! What a great little invention. Putting a car seat in the front of a shopping cart is frowned upon because it can be dangerous, and putting it in the back takes up the entire cart. I would have loved one of these when my kids were little! SHOP HERE by Binxy Baby
MOSES BASKET
I am obsessed with these Moses baskets! They are seriously the perfect little spot for a new baby to sleep. Bassinets take up a lot of room, and are hard to move around. I would have loved one of these for my babies. SHOP HERE by Plum + Sparrow
BABY BOOK
Baby books have been around for forever, but they’ve never been as cute as they are today! These adorable Baby’s First Year books are so unique and modern. SHOP HERE by Lucy Darling
MULTI-USE NURSING COVER
I actually own a Covered Goods nursing cover, and still use it even though I am done nursing! This cover not only acts as a traditional nursing cover, but it also functions has a carseat cover, shopping cart cover, and a scarf! SHOP HERE by Covered Goods
BABY WRAP
Baby-wearing is a new-mom NECESSITY! I didn’t master the art of baby-wearing with Cash, mostly because I didn’t find a carrier that I loved/felt comfortable with. Thankfully I discovered Solly Baby wraps before having Sawyer, and it ended up being a lifesaver! I love that it’s very lightweight and breathable, and holds baby super close and snug to your body. SHOP HERE by Solly Baby
These are my favorite unique gifts. I hope this came in handy with your registry or the next baby shower you’ll be attending! I’m sure I’m missing some other amazing unique gifts on here, so if there’s any that you recommend, LET ME KNOW!!
xx
Britt
Healthy, Fresh Baby Food Delivered To Your Door
I’ve started to see a lot of these meal delivery services start to pop up, and they all look really great, I’m interested in trying them…but I worry that my kids won’t like anything that’s included.
I was just introduced to a local company called Mini Fresh, which is similar to those meal delivery services that I mentioned, BUT they actually cater to babies, kids, and moms! My favorite thing about the company is the fact that they offer 100% organic food, and it’s all FRESH. They guarantee delivery twice a week, and everything is delivered within 5 hours of being cooked and packaged.
They are located in Phoenix and deliver locally at the moment, but they plan on expanding, so hopefully they can make it to your area soon if you aren’t in the Phoenix area!
Read more about their mission HERE.
I tried a bite of everything that was delivered, and it was all really tasty. (And I swear I’m not just saying that!!!) Those energy bites are full of so many great ingredients, but when I read them before tasting it I thought to myself “that cannot taste good…”, but it actually did. It tasted GREAT! And my kids thought they were cookies. Ha!
I gave the kids these trays for an early morning breakfast picnic. I heated up the veggie quiche (which was delicious) on a separate plate and then put it back in the tray.
That little oat bit (top right corner) was my personal favorite (lol), I took a bite and wanted the whole thing.
Give them a try if you’re an AZ local! Click HERE to browse their website.
Beautycon Box Review
I have always been interested in those monthly beauty box subscriptions, I just never pulled the trigger on signing up for one. There are a lot of different ones to chose from, which makes it hard to decide which one to choose!
I recently received my first beauty box, and it was from Beautycon. I was pleasantly surprised by the full size products, and the variety of items inside.
The box includes name brands such as Too Faced, Garnier, and L’oreal.
My favorite items were the Lippie Stick by ColourPop, the bronzer by Too Faced, and the highlighter by Artist Couture. I truly loved every item in the box though, and will use every single product.
Another goodie that came in the box was this botanic fiber facial mask , which was so refreshing! I think I’m going to have to stock up on these.
While I don’t have any other subscription boxes to compare it to, I do think that this one stands out among the ones I’ve heard about as far as the brands & sizes of products it offers.
The cool thing about getting a beauty box is that is likes a little surprise for yourself! You know it’s coming, but you don’t know exactly what will be inside.
If you decide to grab a box for yourself, be sure to use my code BRITTKAVWINTER for 15% off your total.
Click HERE to check out their website.
This post was sponsored by Beatycon.