Friday Favorites- Momma Summer Edition

It's time for a momma's summer favorites edition. I mean we need some cute stuff too right?!

1. Dang it feels good to be a texan shirt- this shop has some really cool stuff but this shirt is my favorite.

2. Foamy Wader necklace- I love that this is different from other name plate necklaces in that it is so danty. Great for layering or wearing alone.

3. AE sandals- So excited that berks are back in style. I bought these and love them.

4. Abercrombie distressed boyfriend shorts- I have to admit I haven't shopped at Abercrombie since High School but knew I could find some great distressed jean shorts. These were perfect.

5. Victorias secret swimsuit- I love this top super flattering.

Friday Favorites- Summer Edition

Are you ready for summer?? I sure am. I can't wait to take my sweet baby to the pool. Here are some of my summer favorites for the lil man.

1. JJ Cole Essentials Blanket- this awesome blanket is water resistant and folds up into a little pouch. It is perfect for your little one at the park or sand-- since it is beach weather and all.

2. DakkoBabySC summer hat- babies always need a good sun hat. These are so cute and are reversible with two different patterns. The shop also does custom orders.

3. Janie and Jack Swimsuit set- this goes without saying..this set is adorable! and a top that helps to cover that sensitive skin= perfection

4. Babyganics sunscreen- offcouse the babies need a sunscreen that is safe for their sensitive skin.

5. Dream Baby Stroller Fan- help keep your baby cool. This clips on the stroller and has soft fan blades.

6. Canon Rebel t3i- one of the best investments I have made since finding out I was pregnant is my camera. This rebel is so easy to use and takes great pictures.

Blessington Farms

If you are in the Houston area you have to checkout Blessington Farms near Houston. We picked fresh strawberries and blueberries. There are so many fun activities for kids and babies. Animals, a big slide, hay maze and obviously yummy fresh fruit. I can't wait to take Hayden again when he gets a little older. He is currently 8 months old and so enjoyed getting messy eating strawberries and blueberries. 

Mother's Day 2015

This was my first mother's day and what a great one it was. Nothing special happened but I was able to enjoy it with my mom and sweet baby.

I felt so special and privileged to stand up at church this morning when they recognized moms. I love being a mom to this perfect gift from the Lord.

A Day in the Life of Hayden {7 months old}

First things first milkie and snuggling with mamma and daddy in bed.

Feed me! Food is my favorite. 

Go time. Can't stop- Won't stop. Not up on all fours yet but I somehow manage to get into everything.

And when I get really tired of playing by myself I crawl to whoever is close and grab their feet.

Momma calls this swing "life saver" I have no idea why...maybe because I will stay still in it for a solid 10 mins.

After a long day of playing comes dinner and bath time. Naked and splashing= happiness.

Lotion and jammy time. I love when you rub my big tummy. Putting clothes back on isn't my favorite. Why can't I stay naked all day?

Cuddles with mamma then night night.

Friday Favorites Newborn Edition

1. Kissy Kissy- This brand makes the most comfortable clothes ever. They hold up great in the wash and are so soft you will want to wear them!

2. Burp Cloths- Cloth diapers work great as burp clothes. By the way you will need a ton of burp cloths. I sewed a really fun patterned material on the front of mine and voila cute and affordable.

3. Noodle and Boo lotion- Their products smell so great and make your baby so so soft. Someone bought me a gift set and now I am hooked.

4. Long Sleeve Tops- It takes babies a bit to regulate their body temps. These are great for layering and are very easy to get on/off. Babies use the restroom alot in the beginning so these are great for tossing once they get stained.

5. Jellycat Stuffed Animals- This is still my sons favorite stuffed animal. It makes a unique chime/rattle sound and is super soft. He loves to snuggle and cuddle him.

6. Aden and Anais swaddle- I love anything aden and anais so it's no surprise I love this swaddle. It is made of their muslin cloth which is lightweight and very comfortable. It also has snaps that make it easy to swaddle your baby and adjust to make it tighter or looser.

5 Tips For New Mommas

1. Say no to people- Hayden was a month early and was very small. Our doctor said to limit guests for the first 2 months of his life. It sucked. I felt rude and sad that I couldn't share my sweetheart with the world. However, looking back, it was such a big adjustment and I was so freggin tired--having guests would have just stressed me out even more. If you aren't comfortable with someone seeing you in your pajamas with the biggest bags under your eyes- maybe don't have them over right now. This is a time about you and your family. It's ok to say no.

2. It's ok to be disconnected- I remember feeling like I fell off the face of the earth. I got out of contact with so many friends, hadn't seen any new movies and hadn't gone shopping in WAY to long. All of these things came back slowly in time. I started to see friends again and got caught up on things. Don't worry your social life will all come back in due time.

3. Don't fret over schedules- I drove myself nuts trying to get Hayden on a schedule. I read every single thing I could find and really worked hard at making him get on a schedule. In the end I decided-- screw that. He will get on a schedule when he is ready-- and once I let go of this perfect schedule idea all that anxiety went away. I decided to do what worked for me. That included taking naps cuddled up with him and nursing him to sleep. Whatever works for you and your individual baby is what you should do.

4. Don't compare your baby- I constantly compared my son to others his age. Where is your baby at developmentally, how big is your baby, how much do they eat? etc. etc. etc. You know what I learned-- it's not important. Every baby develops in different ways and at different times. Just like the growth chart stats-- just watch that your baby is growing/developing and your good to go.

5. Hang in there- It is a huge adjustment going from doing whatever the heck you want whenever you want to having a baby dictate everything. I mean wait I can't run out the door anymore in 2 seconds? I can't sleep in until 11 if I want?! Don't worry- you adjust. My brother said you grow with the baby and that is so true. You really do and then waking up at 6 every morning isn't so bad. You will look forward to it because it will be to get your sweet smiling happy baby out of bed. Getting all his stuff together to leave will get easier...actually everything will get easier. Then you will look back and realize wow it was alot of changes but ALL for the better!

These are just a few things I wish I could go back and tell myself after having Hayden. It is such a huge adjustment and you know what-- it all turns out ok. Not just ok it turns out beautiful, wonderful and full of blessings.

{Checkout more of our newborn photos Here}

Restoration Hardware Baby Knock Offs

To say I am obsessed with Restoration Hardware is an understatement. I love to flip through their magazines and dream. In reality I just can't bring myself to pay that much for furniture that my child will most likely destroy. So I decided to find some of my favorites pieces for way cheaper. 

Restoration Hardware Shelves vs. Wisteria Shelves

Restoration Hardware Bed vs. Pottery Barn Bed

Restoration Hardware Letters vs. Hobby Lobby Letters

Restoration Hardware Dresser vs. Ikea Dresser

Restoration Hardware Art vs. art.com Giraffe, Elephant 

Restoration Hardware Chandelier vs. World Market Chandelier

Friday Favorites- Bath Time Edition

Nothing is sweeter than bath time. My boy loves being naked and splashing in the water. Below are some of my favs:

1. Restoration Hardware stool- you will definitely want a stool as you will be bending down alot. I love this because you can also use it as a step up stool for you baby. I love that it looks nice since it will be in your bathroom for awhile.

2. Circo wash clothes- these are so cute but are great because they can really get in all those lil fat rolls.

3. Pottery Barn Bath Towel- this is absolutely adorable and so snuggly.

4. Noodle and Boo- this brand smells so good and keeps babies skin so so soft. I love it!

5. Bath ring seat- this is great for babies who can kind of sit up but not fully on their own. It has really good suction cups that fit tight to the tub and has pulls to release them.

5 Tips For Your First Pregnancy

1. Be a yes person- Pretty soon life will very much change. It is in such a great way but things might be more challenging than before. Go see a movie, get a pedicure, see your friends and go on date nights. Be a Yes person because life will halt for a bit after your baby.

2. Sleep-Sleep-Sleep- I remember my sister in law giving me this advice when I was pregnant. She said sleep while you can. Let me add to this--sleep while you can and don't feel lazy about it! Seriously- your body will appreciate all the extra rest.

3. Workout- You will never regret working out. It will prepare your body for delivery but you will totally thank yourself after you have your sweet baby. I tried to workout all the way through my pregnancy and I really feel that's part of the reason my weight came off so quickly.

4. Ignore the Haters- Everyone has their own unique birth/baby story and some of them aren't so good. Don't let someone scare you or get you down about your baby. This is YOUR story. This is YOUR baby. This is YOUR family. You can make it what you want. I encourage you to stay optimistic.

5. Mentally Prepare- With that being said I do think it is best to mentally prepare for the hardships ahead. Having a baby for the first time really is such a game changer. My husband would always say how nervous he was about life with a baby. I always blew him off. The problem is nothing is perfect and I had a huge adjustment to overcome.  Accepting the fact that yes there will be alot of sleepless nights and yes it will be challenging will help you not loose it in the process.


Having a baby is the best thing I have ever done. I love my son and can't imagine not experiencing this love and wholeness. The baby stage lasts for such a short time. Cherish everyday.Congratulations on your first pregnancy it is such a beautiful crazy ride!

Any other moms have advice to share?

Friday Favorites- Feeding Edition

Starting your baby on solids? I have made so many awesome mom friends since having Hayden. On top of the support, play dates and knowledge I gain from them-- we also share our love for products. So I have decided to do a Friday Favs and post some of these items that we are all loving.

1. Aden and Anais Burpy Bib- as if the blankets weren't awesome enough these bibs are fantastic. As any new mom knows babies get food Everywhere. I try my hardest to keep him clean but it is impossible. These totally help with that. They are so big that they cover the majority of him-- so we can narrow down 10 outfit changes to 3--give or take. Also super soft and work as great burp clothes.

2. Fresh Food Feeder- these allow the lit toot to feed himself. I can just chop a banana and voila. Also great for teething as you can freeze breast milk or fruit and they can chew on it.

3. Boon Highchair- this sucker is awesome. Super cute-obviously but very easy to clean. Which again babies get food everywhere. Also easy to move around and doesn't take up a ton of space. Which is great since you have so much baby crap everywhere.

4. Munchkin Sippy Cup- the straw is super easy for him to use and it is weighted. This means that he can topple this sucker anywhere and nothing will fall out--including the straw.

5. Freezer food tray set- this is great to freeze homemade baby food in. They are easily stackable so they don't take up a ton of room in your freezer, come with labels and are microwave/dishwasher safe.

6. 201 baby purees- this book is awesome. Has a great introduction that describes how to pick healthy wholesome food for you baby. Great recipes and instructions.

It's a Texas thang yall- Bluebonnet pics

Bluebonnet Pics-- obviously we have to do these every year. The last one is one of my favs haha

Mother's Day Gifts

Hey hubby look over here! I have made it easy for ya. Just buy me any/all of these.

1. DessiDesigns phone case- this is so cute! and since having my son I drop my phone about 100 times a day--I definitely could use a new cover.

2. Jcrew sweater- love the spring color and all of their comfy sweaters.

3. Lush Cosmetics Rose Bomb- anything lush is great by me. All natural, healthy and the rose scent is so nice.

4. Alari Design stacking rings- these are so feminine, dainty and personal.

5. Pottery Barn slippers- my mom got these for Christmas and they are seriously the most comfortable slippers ever.

6. Voluspa Candle- these candles just flat out smell wonderful.

Healthy Meal Monday- Homemade oat/cereal bars

Looking for a healthy easy homemade oat bar? This recipe is just too good not to share. I make these  when I need a snack or something sweet. They are seriously so good and are so easy to make!

Combine all ingredients listed below and press into bars or balls. Then refrigerate. They last about a week but I dare you to try and let them last that long. Enjoy!

You are 6 months old?!

People always say it will go by so fast. While yes there are some days I feel this way most days no. I think time is just so sweet and precious and I know that one day I will wake up wishing I could go back.

When you were 2 months old my dad introduced you at his church. My mom wanted to take you to the oldest women's Bible Study class. It was the sweetest thing I have ever witnessed and will never forget. The joy and light that you brought to these ladies eyes was amazing. They just wanted to touch your foot and just stare at you. So tender so much love and they didn't even know you.

I have to think that they were once mothers and you somehow brought back those emotions to them. It made me appreciate you so much more and remember this is such a precious fleeting time.

So I decided to cherish everyday (some days it's simply impossible ;)) You didn't sleep through the night (well you actually still wake up once) until here recently. I started from when you were little singing Amazing Grace to help you go to sleep. I realized what a precious time it is to be the only one that can really soothe and comfort you. I hold you a little longer and tighter when you are in my arms during those late night feedings.

I love to just stare at you, watching you learn and play. I love your little fat rolls and sweet soft skin. I love to rub lotion on you and see you move your little pop belly around before putting you in your jammies. I love when I am breastfeeding and you look right into my eyes and smile with so much love.

I so cherish you Hayden and am so blessed to have loved on you for 6 months. I love being your mom and just want to remind myself to cherish these precious moments. So when I am in the "oldest" women's Bible Study class I can have the same light in my eyes for a baby remembering you and our sweet times.

I love you my precious angel!

Newborn Photos

My sweet boy Hayden Davis Franks was born 9/19/14 weighing 5 lbs 1.6 ounces and 18 inches. He had to come a month early via c-section due to growth restriction but luckily didn't have to spend any time in the niccu. I took his newborn pics myself and while they may not be professional quality I love them.