Sweetheart First Birthday

Last weekend, we invited friends and family over to celebrate Caroline's first birthday. While she is not old enough to understand what having a birthday party means, Caroline still had a blast seeing all of her favorite people and tearing up some wrapping paper. This party was really a celebration for all three of us making it a year together as a family. 

All things pink and Valentines Day was the party theme. Perfect since she is our sweetheart through and though. My inspiration was lots of hearts, gold and pink. 

Decorations were a cinch thanks to Target's dollar spot. Including the huge pink tassel balloon that I found one day in the bins. Several of the items I used were repurposed from her bedroom as well. I printed out her monthly photos through Amazon's photo service which was a breeze to use and cost under $2. 

The milestone chalkboard was a labor of love as I am not crafty at all! The smash cake and cupcakes were homemade using this recipe from Courtney. The icing was delicious and beats store-bought 100%.

The weather was unseasonably warm for February so we were able to enjoy the patio and lawn games outside. We also had beer and punch for the adults to enjoy. 

Sweet Caroline was not a fan of the smash cake. She was very timid in picking at the icing at first. Then we we tried to have her get messy, she became upset with the stickiness of her hands. This photo captures her frustration in trying to get the icing off her hands but not knowing what to do. 

Overall, it was a perfect party celebrating our little one. This year has flown by so quickly it is astounding. So many great memories have been made and I am sure there are plenty more to come. 

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DIY | Diaper Genie Refills

One thing that was on every single must have list when I was expecting was a diaper pail. I had shopped for baby showers before and was not sold this contraption that magically kept odors at bay. Why not just take out the trash everyday? Also, the roll of bags seemed so wasteful and expensive! I told my mom that we were just not going to use one and instead just use a trashcan we already had. Saving $35- $40, smart right!? Well, she insisted we get one and then after baby came I understood the draw.

However, I was not keen on the price of the refills so once the sample bags ran out I decided to just use what we had on hand! Our tall kitchen bags fit perfectly in the diaper pail and eliminated the need for any additional purchases.

This trick is so simple. All you have to do is grab a tall kitchen trash bag. Then thread the bag through the empty diaper genie cartridge and tuck it around the bottom. Cinch the trash bag in place and pop it back into the diaper genie!

You can get a box of 45 garbage bags for the same amount of the Playtex brand bags which only come around 10 to a box! Based on store prices, the refills are $1.75- $2.75 per bag vs $0.58 per trash bag.

While nothing truly covers the sent of an awful dirty diaper the diaper genie does make it more bearable. I have also linked some of my favorite odor eliminating products that we use in the bathroom and nursery.

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Top Five Essential Newborn Baby Items

It happened so quickly, my sweet little one is no longer a newborn. These past three months have been amazing, exhausting, overwhelming and filled with more love than I can imagine. When it came to our baby registry I tried to be as minimal as possible. It was interesting to see what we actually had vs what we really needed. There have been a few items I have used over and over again these past few months. I would recommend these items in an instant to any parent to be.

Boppy Newborn Lounger- This pillow comes in handy for safely hanging with a newborn on the couch or the floor. It keeps them from rolling and provides a comfy space for baby to lay. It is machine washable which helps when it eventually gets covered in spit up or poop.

Baby Wrap- I never thought I would be much of a baby wearer. However, if you have a newborn that does not like to be put down at times this was a lifesaver. I would often wear Caroline when she became fussy during the evening "witching hour". I also wore her a lot when we first went out to prevent unwelcomed hands in the stroller. It is great have your hands free to do housework, go on walks or enjoy dinner out. I loved my wrap so much in the first few weeks that I actually have two of them. The Happy Wrap is my favorite for summer as it is lightweight and much more breathable than a thick cotton wrap.

Rock n Play Sleeper - This one impulse purchase after a long night of no sleep changed Caroline's sleep during the first month. When we brought Caroline home she was so restless in her bassinet and would wake easily. Many nights she would end up sleeping in my arms. One day during that first week home we picked this up praying it would help her get a good night's sleep. Well, it is not a miracle worker but it did help us go from one hour stretches to three hour stretches at night.

Sound Machine- Most baby books recommend white noise to help sooth a baby to sleep. I could not agree more. We use this for naps and bedtime. It helps calm her down when she gets upset and drowns out noise that may startle her awake.

Halo Sleep Sack Swaddle- These convertible sleep swaddles have been a lifesaver. The velcro keeps her arms snug and secure and muffles the startle reflex. We have been swaddling Caroline before bed until last week when we transitioned her to the crib.


Other Favorites- A honorable mention goes to these three phone apps: The Wonder Weeks, Sound Sleeper and Baby Nursing. Wonder Weeks lists developmental milestones based on due date and describes what to expect for each developmental leap. Sound Sleeper is the perfect white noise on the go. We use the fan setting for when she gets upset and it helps distract her just enough to calm down. Baby Nursing is a tracking app for feedings, diaper changes and sleep. I started using this in the hospital when the doctors come in to ask how often she eats or needs a diaper change. I continued to use this app when we got home to monitor her growth and keep up with my pumping schedule.

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Welcome Caroline Grace

Welcome to the world our newest family member. Caroline Grace Morris was born 2/12/2016 weighing 6 lbs 10 oz and 18.5 inches long. The past week has been a whirlwind of ups and downs. We are thrilled to be home and words can not describe how amazing life is as a family of three. I will be sharing more about her birth and first few weeks of life this week. 

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Simple & Sweet Nursery

The nursery is finished. The diapers are purchased. All the clothes are washed. The only thing that is left is for this babe to make her grande debut. When dreaming of baby girl's nursery I knew I wanted to keep things simple and girly. I went with a theme of light pink with pops of grey and gold. 

This little corner is my favorite place in the house. I love to sit and rock and dream of how much our lives will be changing in just a few weeks.  Her name is a combination of grandmothers names. The monogram over her crib is a sweet reminder of the significance of her name.

 

Other favorite room details include the handmade garland I purchased off of Etsy. It makes the room feel a little more whimsical. I also love the print in the corner which is a striking resemblance to our pup Charlie. The bookcase was one my father made for my bedroom with a fresh coat of paint. The doll on the lowest shelf was mine as a child. All of the photos and accessories came from Hobby Lobby. 

Some features that are missing in these photos is that the attached bathroom has a built in vanity area which we are using as a changing table. The nursery also has quite a large walk in closet which is used for storing toys. 

Greco Charleston Crib- Wayfair

Baby Relax Mikayla Glider- Wayfair

Hemnes 8 Drawer Dresser- Ikea

26" Wooden Monogram- Etsy

Tissue Tassel Garland- Etsy

Grey Trellis Rug- Rugs USA

Silk Curtains- Target

Nursery Decor- Hobby Lobby

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Pregnancy | Week 15

Size of Baby: Baby M is the size of an apple. Little one is around 4 inches long. 

Gender: We find out at the end of the month! 

Weight Gain: My calculations were off these past weeks as I had my starting weight incorrect. Blame it on pregnancy brain! I am up 5 pounds which is right on track. 

Maternity Clothes: The few items I ordered from Target and Old Navy came in this weekend. Maternity dresses are still way too big for my little bump. So I am sticking to regular dresses for a while longer. I am LOVING Old Navy's Maternity Side Panel Skinny Jeans which I snagged for under $20! 

Nursery: Waiting to make any final plans until we know Baby M's gender. 

Movement: Feeling little flutters when I lay down or sit still. Can' wait to feel larger movements! 

Symptoms: Physically- I feel more like my pre-pregnancy self. The major symptom I notice is getting out of breath easily when working outside or at Pure Barre. I take lots of water breaks to help get my heart rate back down. Emotionally- I am a basket case. I had a really rough day Friday where I ended up crying in a co-workers office by 10am. Everyone at school has been extremely supportive and caring toward me with this pregnancy.

Sleep: Thanks to your great feedback last week, I decided to embrace my small belly for a bit longer until it gets super uncomfortable. I learned I can still sleep somewhat on my stomach if I elevate one side with a pillow. Thanks to this, I am sleeping like a baby! 

Cravings: Same carbs + fruit. I am loving muscadine grapes and pears right now. I could also eat a baked potato everyday for lunch. 

What I Miss: Running. Now that it is cooling off I am itching to go on a run. I hope to try a short one this week. 

Exercise: It was a rough week at work and I came home exhausted most days and it really impacted my workouts. Only got in 2 Pure Barre classes this week. I also enjoyed  4 long walks with the pup. 

Best Moments: Helping out with nursery at church this week. It was such a blessing to talk to the other women about newborn experiences and wisdom.

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Pregnancy | Week 14

Size of Baby: Baby M is the size of a beet or a lemon. I prefer to think of a little baby beet since  it is one of my favorite foods. Babe is around 3.5 inches long. 

Gender: I have an inkling of what babe may be. Can't wait to see if I am right at the end of the month! 

Weight Gain: I am up three pounds from my normal weight. 

Maternity Clothes: None yet but as my pants are a bit snug I know that they are fast approaching. I caught a great sale at Old Navy and Target for Labor Day and stocked up on some larger camis and basic layering pieces. 

Nursery: Just a ton of ideas floating around in my head. I have been researching cribs like crazy. Thanks to consumer reports I have narrowed it down to two! 

Movement: I have felt little flutters late at night when I am lying in bed. However, it is nothing that makes me 100% sure it is baby.

Symptoms: My belly grows as the day goes on. The picture above was after lunch. It doubled in size after dinner! By the end of the day there is no hope of buttoning my pants. 

Sleep: Sleeping pretty well once I get comfortable. I really need to invest in a full body pillow since I am officially unable to sleep on my stomach.  Any recommendations for the best pregnancy pillow? 

Cravings: Still loving fruit & carbs. Just picked up a quart of grapes at the farmers market today and I could not hide my excitement. The lady ringing me us up thought I was too enthusiastic. 

What I Miss: Laying and sleeping on my stomach. 

Exercise: Completed 4 Pure Barre classes this week. I also celebrated hitting 100 classes with the Raleigh studio! 

Best Moments: Enjoyed the long weekend just the two of us. Trying to soak up every minute of downtime we have these days!

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Pregnancy | First Trimester

Instead of doing a symptom by symptom breakdown of the past 3 months, I have decided to do a general narrative. There have been plenty of ups and downs over the last three months that I want to remember.

First Trimester Recap

Size of Baby: Baby M  has grown from the size of an Apple Seed to a Peach! Baby is currently 2.9 inches long and 0.81 ounces.

Gender: The unknown is killing me as I am a planner and wanted to start decorating the nursery the second I found out we were expecting. Trying to be patient and am looking forward to our ultrasound in 4 weeks!  

Weight Gain: During the first three months, I lost a few pounds due to nausea and food aversions. It's amazing how many calories I avoided due to not wanting sweets! Hausa subsided in August and I am currently up one pound from my start weight. 
. 
Maternity Clothes: Although I have not gained much weight, my pants are getting a bit snug around the waist. I am hoping to get through September in dresses and cardigans. 

Nursery: Waiting on the gender. Believe me, I have tons of ideas hanging out on Baby Morris' Pinterest board.

Movement: Nothing just yet. I will say though that I have experienced a lot of aches and pains in my lower abdomen over the past three months. Lots of tiny aches and pinches, which I did not expect.

Symptoms: June and July were spent avoiding strong smells at all costs. I have experienced a wide range of food aversions many of which are still hanging around. For the first two months, I hated the though of anything sweet. Thankfully I am over that one! I still have a hard time stomaching any type of meat. Thanks to pregnancy, my boobs have gone up at least a cup size which has made them extremely sore as well. My selections of bras that fit has decreased drastically. When I go for a walk or short run I have to make sure to wear two sports bras. Pregnancy exhaustion is in full force. It is guaranteed that I will take a nap at least four days a week after work. I also go to bed at an embarrassingly early hour.

Sleep: I have only had a few nights of restless sleep.  I am so exhausted at night that I fall asleep very easily.

Cravings: My diet these days is mainly carbs and fruit. I have been living off of grapes, peaches, watermelon and pears this summer.

What I Miss: Cold lunch meat. I have tried a few heated subs and they are just not the same on a hot summer day. Also, over easy eggs. I was surprised when I read they were on the no-go list when pregnant.

Exercise: I really think exercising has helped keep my energy levels reasonable and nausea non existent. I go on walks 5-6 times a week and am slowly starting back to Pure Barre.

Best Moments: We have had lots of great moments these past three months, hearing baby's heartbeat each time we go to the doctor is on the top of my list. Telling our family and extended family we were expecting. Sharing the news with friends.

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Pregnancy | Baby Morris Q & A

Thanks so much for all your kind words, well wishes and congratulations regarding our announcement. Joe and I are over the moon excited about this sweet little baby.

Here are some questions and answers that I've been asked most frequently since revealing the news! I hope to catch y'all up on what has been going on behind the scenes for the past few months!

How far along are you?
13 weeks. Just entering the second trimester.

When are you due? 
March 1, 2016. Next year is a leap year so, there may be a chance that babe will have February 29th birthday!

How did you find out?
I took a pregnancy test the morning of our three year wedding anniversary. I saw a very faint line on the cheapo tests I bought online. I truly thought my eyes were just seeing things and refused to believe it was true. So I waited until later that afternoon and tested again with a blue dye test. It was still there- a very faint line!
That night at dinner, I gave Joe his anniversary gift which was a 6 pack of his favorite beer and a World's Best Dad pint glass. It took him a second to catch on as he first thought it was in reference to Charlie (our firstborn pup). Once the news finally set in I could tell he was a mix of shocked and thrilled!

How are you feeling?
I truly feel for mothers that experience morning sickness especially since I have felt pretty good these past three months. Not 100% myself but not getting sick either. Food aversions are no joke though. My diet has mainly consisted of fruit, bread and some veggies.

Will you find out the sex? 
Goodness yes! I feel like finding out the gender is one of the only things in my control during pregnancy. I want to be prepared as possible for this little guy or girl.

Let me know of any questions that I may have missed. Next week I'll share a recap of the first trimester. Then I'll try to keep baby updates to once a week. No promises though as I am completely thrilled about this little one!!

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Baby Morris

So, Joe and I have been keeping a little secret. We are thrilled to finally share the news! Baby M is expected to expand our little family on March 1st. We are both beyond thrilled about this new phase in our lives. 

  

He is going to be the best guard dog and friend for this little one. 

I'll be sharing more this week! 

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