I always wanted a big family with lots of kids. Only children either want what they grew up with or what they didn’t get to experience as a child. 50/50, right? Well, as an only child, I was always in the camp of wanting a loud house with builtin playmates.

Did we imagine we’d have 4? I’m not really sure there is a magic number when it comes to growing a family, everyone is different. But Lord willing, this will be our grand finale. I’m too old for this, ha!

The reality of having another child still hasn’t really set in yet with me. I’m finally well into my second trimester, but the weeks have seemed to drag on. My first trimester was a beast. I can actually say I was not sick with Luke, Eden or Adam…but baby #4 wants to make his / her mark early! I was throwing up every day after every meal for weeks. Misery. Taco Bell has been my lifeline, and if you follow me on Instagram, you’d see it’s pretty much this child’s entire diet. (I kid, but not really.)

I’m due late September around the first day of fall, which is kind of exciting. Fall is such a beautiful time in Ohio. Like the rest of our children we will not find out the gender and wait for his or her birthday.

Some things I’ve noticed with baby #4:

  • Names are particularly hard to chose. Especially if we have another boy. We have a few on a short list, but my mind changes with the wind.
  • People are actually very surprised to learn we’re having another child. I think people have this idea in their head that 4 is a little excessive. I didn’t really think it would come as a surprise to anyone, but it really has.
  • I’m nervous. I think I’m more nervous about this pregnancy than any others. I’m older and have a business to run and a household. My children are a little older and starting to get really busy with school and activities. The thought of going back to the newborn days actually frightens me, but I know we will do just fine!

That being said, I would love to hear from the 4 children camp…. I’ve heard #4 is easy and just blends right in with the rest. If that’s the case, I think we’ll be just fine.

Message me below or send me an email and let me know your experience!!

It’s always such an honor to be recognized by any publication for our family’s efforts to raise awareness around Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). But to be featured by Scary Mommy is kind of like the Chip and Joanna Gaines of mom publications.

I was interviewed by one of Scary Mommy’s staff writers a couple of weeks ago and then our story was published last week while we were on vacation. We are in the height of RSV season, and Adam is actually sick with a respiratory virus as I type this. It’s so pitiful. But to know his story is helping others warms my heart.

I’ve had about a half-dozen moms reach out to me during the last couple of weeks about their child’s recent diagnosis with RSV. They would not have known what to look for if it wasn’t for Adam’s story!!!! I tear up every time I think about the lives our son is saving.

So thank you, thank you, thank YOU from the bottom of my heart for listening to our words and sharing our story.

Here is Scary Mommy’s recent publication:

https://www.scarymommy.com/espiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/PicMonkey-Image7

Disclosure:  This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #TrustinGentle #ChooseGentle #CollectiveBias

When you enter motherhood for the very first time, you are whisked away into unfamiliar territory. I faced fears that I didn’t even know were possible. I doubted my ability to be a mom…what if I’m incapable of keeping a small human alive?! Something I stressed about with the arrival of my first child was being properly armed with all of the necessary items for our survival.

A very wise nurse at L&D told me the only things my baby needed were food, a safe place to sleep, and a clean environment. SO. TRUE. I’ve actually used that bit of advice as more children entered our lives and expanded the limbs of our family tree.

One brand I have loved and trusted since I started my motherhood journey is JOHNSON’S®. I remember my mother using the distinctive sweet-smelling JOHNSON’S® head-to-toe baby wash and shampoo with me, the aroma still takes me back to safe place in my childhood. JOHNSON’S® was a brand I grew up loving and trusting, so it was only natural I embarked in a similar relationship when our first came home from the hospital.

For 5 years now, JOHNSON’S® has been a staple product in our home. The soft yellow bottle of JOHNSON’S® head-to-toe wash and shampoo has a permanent place on the side of our family’s bath tubs. I am a firm believer in the 3-step night-time routine using JOHNSON’S® bedtime lotion. It’s the only routine proven to help improve baby’s sleep!

  1. Warm Bath
  2. Gentle Massage
  3. Quiet Time

The awesome thing about JOHNSON’S® products, my older children know exactly where to find the line when we walk into our local Walgreens.

I admit, there are times I have forgotten to pick up baby lotion or shampoo until the final hour. Ugh, mom brain. We are so lucky to have a 24-hour Walgreens so close to our home. It’s a store we frequent, because of convenience but even more so, because of the customer care.

I can’t even tell you how many times I have visited our Walgreens pharmacy and asked (what I consider) silly questions. The customer service from the patient cashiers to the knowledgable pharmacists is unlike any other retailer. It’s no wonder why Walgreens and JOHNSON’S® are both brands we love and trust, especially for this busy mom of three who is always forgetting something and rushing to the store for help.

A recent stroll down the baby care aisle at Walgreens revealed something that really caught my eye! JOHNSON’S® has launched a *NEW and improved* baby product line. I couldn’t help myself, and snatched up almost every item on the shelf, including the reformulated JOHNSON’S® soothing vapor bath, JOHNSON’S® bedtime lotion, JOHNSON’S®head-to-toe wash & shampoo, and JOHNSON’S® no more tangles spray.

The new & improved product line has so many positives…way too many to mention them all, but here are some ones that really hit home for me. Did you know baby’s skin is 30% thinner than an adults? So it needs the best gentle care possible.

  • JOHNSON’S® is 100% gentle (great for our youngest baby’s sensitive skin), it’s free of parabens and phthalates.
  • There are 50% fewer ingredients in the new and improved line of skin care. Johnson’s uses only purposeful ingredients. The products are dye free, and sulfate free. YAY!
  • Enhanced functionality of adding the pump top to the bottles to make it easier for mom to utilize when she has her hands full. *this is a BIG one for me, oftentimes I have my 5 or 4-year-old help out with the baby when my hands are full!

I’ve been a mom now for 5, going on 6 years, and while I may not be an expert in all things parenting I do know the brands that I love and trust. JOHNSON’S® and Walgreens top the list for me!

Have you tried the NEW & improved line of JOHNSON’S® baby products? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

BONUS! From 7/29- 8/25 JOHNSON’S® Baby products are buy 1 get 1 50% off with your Walgreens balance rewards card! Here is the link to this incredible offer: http://cbi.as/a27dm

DSC_3806

Bath time is our youngest baby’s favorite time.

Facetune_20-08-2018-19-54-28

JOHNSON’S® products are 100% gentle.

IMG_3628

“The Brand You Trust, Now More Gentle Than Ever”

DSC_3789

New & improved JOHNSON’S® Baby line at our local 24-hour Walgreens.

DSC_3792

I couldn’t stop with one!

Facetune_20-08-2018-19-28-49

Super happy when his sister joins him in the tub.

Facetune_20-08-2018-19-36-03

Facetune_20-08-2018-19-23-37

JOHNSON’S® and Walgreens are brands we love and trust.

I’m turning 35 years old this week. Some will say, shut it sister… you’re a young pup. Some will say, whoaaaaa…old balls. Some will say, I totally feel ya.

I’ve never really been one for my birthday, but this one is kind of hitting me in the jugular. Holy schnikes, I’m getting up there. Halfway to 70 years old. So, I wanted to put something in writing about this season of my life, mainly to have something to look back on when I reach 40, 45, and dare I say….70 years of age.

So I turned to my favorite person in the world (most days)…my husband. I asked him interview style to answer 15 random questions about me. Most are ridiculous. Some are funny. All are 100% accurate.

I encourage you to do something similar at some point during this season of your life. It didn’t take us longer than 5 minutes. Heck, you could even copy these exact questions if you’d like. That way you, too, can have something to look back on when you’re 70 and smile at how beautiful this messy life is.

(His answers are first, my thoughts are in bold italic.)

  1. If I could have one super power, what would it be?  8 hours of sleep. I know this isn’t a super power, but getting it would be! –Yeah, I would venture to say this would be a pretty kick ass super power.
  2. What is my favorite part of being a mother? Laughing with your children. -This one he didn’t even hesitate on, he answered it right away, and the answer was perfect. Absolutely, hands down, my favorite part of being a mother is the laughter and life my children give our home.
  3. What is one of my dreams? To write a book. –I’ve never wavered on this since I was 8 years old. It’s always been my dream. One day…. one day…. I will write that book.
  4. What makes me feel overwhelmed? A cluttered and messy home. –100% true.
  5. What would be the hardest thing for me to give up? Your home. –I never thought of this as my answer, but he’s right. Giving up my home and this life we have built would be the hardest thing to say goodbye to. 
  6. If I could give money to charity which one would it be? The Humane Society. –I love dogs, but I don’t think that would be my answer. Children’s Hospital and especially RSV research is what I’m most passionate about during this season of my life.  
  7. What’s my hobby? Writing. –He paused a long time to think about this one because I don’t really have time for hobbies. Between juggling our home, laundry, cooking, working from home, and 3 kids…there isn’t a lot of time for hobbies. 
  8. Given the choice of anyone in the world, who would I want to have dinner with? Leonardo DiCaprio –DUH. And let me just say, it’s not because I think he’s Titanic Hot, I just find him to be the most fascinating person in the world. 
  9. What is my favorite movie? The Departed- as it should be everyone’s. What about artist? Bob Dylan –Anyone who knows me knows this answer without skipping a beat. I love Bob Dylan, his writing, his music, his bizarre nature and misunderstood voice. 
  10. What is my favorite thing to eat? To drink?  Sushi and a nice bottle of wine. –Heaven.
  11. Where do I want to retire? Savannah, and her oak lined streets –we lived there for about 6 months a few years ago, and I fell madly in love. We will be back to stay longer next time.
  12. Am I on time or always late? Never on time, but also never really late. –again, 3 kids.
  13. What makes me happiest? Your family. Being a wife, mother, and loving every minute of it. -no comment needed!
  14. What is one random thing about me people might find interesting? You were a news anchor for 10 years. –Honestly, I don’t miss a day of it. I miss my friends and the communities we lived in, especially Birmingham, but the job itself is H A R D. Much respect to all my newsies. 
  15. What is your word of advice to me? To remember that social media is 90% bullshit and real life is unfiltered. It can be both heartbreaking and triumphant. So decide what to be and go be it. –I love him. 

eden winter 2

Okay, so Adam is teething. Whaaat?! Why do I not remember either of my previous children teething this young?

He’s almost 6 months and already has 4 little teeth popping in. Since the teeth arrived so quickly, I didn’t really have time to purchase any teething toys. (Let’s be honest, old teething toys are kind of gross.)

When Great Pretenders contacted me about sending a new teething toy for Adam, I jumped on it. What I didn’t expect, was how quickly Adam would become attached to Alvin!

The adorable Alvin the Elephant all rubber squeaker from the book, “A Day at the Park with Meiya & Alvin” combines the developmental benefit and stimulation of sound toys with a friendly character for comfort. Alvin is easy-to-grip form is perfect for little hands. By creating sound, babies discover their tactile and auditory senses. We love the rattle part…well, my older kids love the rattle. Also, Alvin’s all natural rubber harvested from the Hevea Tree, is certified non toxic BPA free, PVC free and hand painted!

Let’s just say, Adam’s in love with Alvin. And we are too, I highly recommend this product for your little teething babes!

Alvin