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My Honest Review of the SNOO

The SNOO is all boxed up and ready to be sent on its way – our 6-month rental is over. Taft is officially a SNOO graduate! And truth be told, I had tears in my eyes as we were putting everything away. The SNOO bassinet was a lifesaver over the past 6 months and I’m going to tell you why we loved it.

Is it Worth the Cost?

Yes! I know it is expensive. But it is really the only expensive baby gadget that I think is worth the money. The others make big promises and do not pull through. I think the rental option with the SNOO is definitely the way to go. So how much does it really cost?

Monthly: $149 per month

6 months Rental: $894

Purchase price: $1,595

When you are sleep-deprived you will literally pay any amount to get some extra sleep. This was an investment that definitely paid off. I know it’s pricey, but one thing I’ve seen friends do is to ask family and friends to put money towards a SNOO in a group gift. That way you get the one thing you really want instead of a bunch of things you don’t really need.

The SNOO is Dependable

The SNOO is so dependable. After using it for a few nights, you really get into a great rhythm and have a good idea of what to expect. I love that everything is trackable through the app – which you only have to use if you want to. It tracks the baby’s sleep times, when they woke up and how long it took to calm them. This is so helpful when you wake up and cannot remember exactly how things went the night before. It was also fun to get helpful hints, tips, and tricks through the app.

The SNOO gives you peace of mind

We all know the importance of keeping your newborn baby sleeping on its back. As new parents, it can be really stressful to create the perfect sleep environment and make sure your baby stays exactly where you put them the whole night. With my first baby, I was always waking in the middle of the night to make sure there wasn’t a blanket over her head or that she had rolled over. With the SNOO, you strap your baby into the 5-second swaddle, which is attached to the bassinet, and you don’t have to worry about them rolling or moving. It gave me such peace of mind I noticed I was no longer waking up sporadically through the night to check on the baby.

It rocks your baby back to sleep

Perhaps the greatest feature of the SNOO is that it truly rocks your baby back to sleep. The technology inside the SNOO senses when the baby stirs or fusses. It slowly increases the motion and white noise to lull them back to sleep. I was so excited to see if it actually worked – and I would say 90% of the time – it did! The other 10% were regular newborn wakings to eat.

my honest review of the snoo. baby sitting in the snoo

It gives parents the gift of sleep

I have not stopped talking about the SNOO since we started using it because I know so many parents who are desperate to get more sleep. This gives you everything you need to get into good sleep habits beginning the first night home with your newborn. I highly recommend getting one. I’m so grateful we did.

A good sleep foundation

Knowing how well my baby slept in the SNOO, I was terrified to transition him out of it. Well, the SNOO knows most parents will be nervous so they give you step-by-step instructions on how to do it. There is even a “weaning mode” on the actual bassinet you can utilize in the weeks leading up to the transition. My baby transitioned great to his crib and I think it’s because the SNOO gave him a good sleep foundation.

I can’t say enough good things! If there is one thing I recommend for a new baby it’s getting a SNOO. You can see my post on Does the Snoo Really Work here. You can see my 4-month SNOO update post here.

SNOO Update 4 months

SNOO Update

Taft is 5 months old!! I cannot believe it. We are still using and loving the Happiest Baby SNOO Bassinet. He had a very rough stretch from 4 – 5 months because he got a cold that lasted 10 days and then RSV, which was so scary.
We have used the SNOO since the night we brought Taft home from the hospital. I had such high hopes. Hearing from several friends that their babies loved the SNOO and slept great in it convinced me to try it. I am so happy to report that it is a miracle bassinet! I cannot believe my baby has been sleeping through the night since he was weeks old. He consistently sleeps for at least an 8-hour stretch from 9 pm – 6 am.

I honestly just thought people were lying about their babies sleeping through the night. I didn’t know it was possible! I remember with my first baby thinking that I would seriously pay $50 for an extra 10 minutes of sleep in the morning because I was so exhausted. Now, there are many mornings where I wake up before the baby refreshed because I got a full night’s sleep.

3 Reasons I Love the SNOO

1. Peace of Mind

The SNOO was created by a pediatrician and is the safest bassinet on the market. That’s because the SNOO 5-second swaddle keeps the baby firmly on their back during the night. It also keeps them centered in the bassinet, so you will never find them with their face pressed against the edge. The SNOO is made of mesh, so it creates a breathable bassinet. The swaddle also has mesh sections so the baby does not overheat. Being a typical mom, I was worried Taft would get cold sleeping without a blanket on, but he never has needed one. They also don’t recommend putting blankets in the SNOO bassinet. Simply dress your baby in pajamas and zip them into the swaddle.

If you’re anything like me, you have a hard time sleeping with a newborn. Add to that swaddle blankets in a bassinet they can roll in and I was up every 20 minutes checking on my first baby. To know your baby is safe and secure the entire night is such a huge deal.

2. It rocks your baby back to sleep for you.

I was curious to see if the SNOO would actually be able to soothe my baby. Shockingly enough, it totally does! The SNOO has sensors inside of it that hear when your baby is unsettled or upset and increases both the rocking motion and the sound machine level until the baby is soothed. It usually takes less than 60 seconds. That means I don’t have to get up in the middle of the night, I can enjoy my sleep! When I put Taft in the SNOO to go to sleep he is usually groggy, but not fully asleep. With the sound machine on and the gentle rocking motion of the SNOO, it puts him right to sleep.

3. It is easy to use

I’m all for technology, but there are only so many gadgets I can handle while taking care of a baby. The Happiest Baby SNOO app is so simple and easy to use. I love that it tracks Taft’s sleep. Have you ever had one of those nights where you thought your baby was up, but then you can’t remember? The SNOO tracks it all for you. You can see how many times they wake up in the night and how long they sleep. I also love that everything is customizable. If you have a preemie, they even have special settings for that.
It’s such a gift for all parents and I am so grateful that we tried it!

The app shows you how much your baby sleeps. The dark blue is sleep, the red is crying/agitated, and the gray means the SNOO is turned off. It’s so helpful to look back and see how the night went.

Just for comparison’s sake, we used the Halo Bassinet with my first baby, and to put it simply – she was over a year old the first time she slept through the night. It has been a night and day difference using the SNOO this time around.

I am absolutely terrified to transition out of the SNOO, which we have to do at 6 months old. I will let you know how it goes.

If you want more information about the Happiest Baby SNOO Smart Bassinet, go here. To see my other SNOO updates and reviews go here.

Does the SNOO really work?

Does the SNOO really work? It’s something I wanted to know when I found out I was expecting baby #2. The first thing I started stressing about was sleep. My first child, Hazel was not a great sleeper when she was a baby and it was really challenging. So this time around I wanted to research new products and see if I could try something different.

That’s when I started hearing about the Happiest Baby SNOO Smart Sleeper from several friends who swore by it. The SNOO is a baby bassinet that is really so much more. Not only does it come with swaddles, it is super high tech. You download the app to your smartphone and control everything from it. After you secure your baby in the swaddle, you push the “on” button and the sound machine starts, along with the gentle rocking motion. SNOO automatically rocks your baby to sleep and uses soothing white noise to boost sleep.

What’s really fascinating is what happens next. The SNOO senses when your baby is fussy and increases the volume of the sound machine and the rocking motion. It truly is amazing to watch. It’s a bassinet that rocks your baby back to sleep!

For tired parents, it’s like hiring a night nurse. When it’s 3AM and your baby starts getting restless it’s so nice to look over at the SNOO as it gently rocks them back to sleep while you get to stay in bed.

Helps drowsy babies fall asleep

We put Taft in the SNOO when he is drowsy and he goes right to sleep. He is sleeping 4-6 hour stretches every night in the SNOO. I think that’s pretty amazing for an 8-week-old baby.

sleeping baby in the happiest baby SNOO Smart Sleeper

A couple of things to know:

5-second swaddle

SNOO’s easy “5-second-swaddle” is hip safe and never unravels. Protective swaddle wings keep your baby safely on their back.

My 3-year-old daughter can easily do it (supervised). It’s by far the easiest and most effective swaddle I’ve used. SNOO comes with an organic fitted sheet and 3 SNOO Sacks.

You can rent a SNOO

The best news is you can rent the SNOO! If your house is anything like mine, you don’t have one more square inch to devote to storing baby gear. We are renting our SNOO until Taft is 6 months old. That is the age you transition baby to a crib. I think other baby companies should take note because this is a genius idea!

The SNOO is aesthetically pleasing

It’s beautiful. It seems too good to be true- a bassinet that rocks your baby to sleep and it’s pretty too?! The designers really hit it out of the park on this one. I would have still loved it if it was giant and plastic and sparkly because it works! But the fact that it’s pretty? Bravo SNOO!

Created by a pediatrician

The SNOO was created by a very experienced pediatrician. Dr. Harvey Karp is one of America’s most-trusted pediatricians and child development experts. He is also the founder and CEO of Happiest Baby, a smart-tech and parenting solutions company. He is also the author of The Happiest Baby on the Block.

Keeping you in the loop

I will continue to share my experience using the SNOO. So look for those in the coming months. Right now all I can say is I’m so grateful someone created a bassinet that helps my baby sleep! I hope he continues to be a great sleeper.

If you’re in the market for baby products, you can read our recent post on our favorite baby stroller. Find it here.

The best stroller for your baby

Have you ever had that moment where your stroller gets jammed and won’t collapse and you have to shove the entire thing into the back of your SUV? No? Just me? Okay cool.

Looking for the right stroller

Now that we have two kids you would think that we would be better at everything in the baby gear world. However, strollers were one of the things that we just kind of accepted whatever came our way.

A hand-me-down jogging stroller from siblings, an upright stroller from grandma, a cheap stroller that comes with the carseat. Our collection was doing the job until a few things happened.

Mistakes happen…

One of us ended up running over the upright stroller while backing out of the garage… whoops. The running stroller has a flat tire and the brake doesn’t work. And the car seat stroller was perpetually jammed and was regularly getting shoved fully upright into the back of the car. Just imagine doing that in every parking garage ever, not embarrassing at all haha.

Finding a brand you trust

I knew it was time to really look at the options and find a quality stroller that we loved. I was familiar with the Colugo brand after ordering their baby carrier for Win. Colugo was started by a (soon-to-be) mom of 4 in NYC after she couldn’t find quality products for her babies that held up over time. They have since expanded into Target and have THE cutest colors and prints.

I ordered my Colugo baby carrier and was blown away by the pretty design and thoughtful design elements. The latches are all magnetic – genius! The carrier fits 7 lbs – 30 lbs without any extra inserts. The entire thing is lined with breathable mesh for those (always) sweaty summer outings. And the cherry on top – it comes with a detachable fanny pack! Hello, best idea ever.

After using the carrier I realized that the Colugo team had also dreamed up a complete stroller system that takes you from infant bassinet to full blown toddlerhood. Not to mention the colors and design were super dreamy.

The stroller we decided on

I have the complete stroller system in “Olive” and now I realize what we have been missing out on! This stroller has an incredibly smooth ride, a huge storage compartment (I like to use my stroller when I grocery shop), and has a rain/snow cover for our freezing winter weather here in Utah.

To say we love it is an understatement. Both Parker and I feel very pretty swanky having a stroller that offers such a smooth ride (and hasn’t been run over haha). The stroller folds down in less than 5 seconds. It is super easy to store. I honestly couldn’t love it more. The 5-point harness in the stroller is magnetic which makes getting in and out so much easier!

Where we use our stroller

If you are looking for a new stroller, I highly recommend Colugo. A few of my favorite ways to use the stroller:

Grocery shopping: It is so much easier to zoom in with my stroller and grab my favorite Trader Joe’s items without worrying about the car seat being safe – and taking up all the real estate in the cart.
Neighborhood walks: When it is nap time for Win it is so nice to have the bassinet option where he can lay flat and comfortably take a nap!
Travel: We have an upcoming trip booked to Mexico and I am so excited to take this stroller!

Areas you can save for your baby while on a budget

Right now it is priced right around $400 at Target which is unheard of! Over the years I have realized a stroller is not the place you want to cut the budget on. Along those same lines here are some places where we realized we could cut back with our second baby.

Newborn clothes. Crowdfund these! I have an angel best friend in my life that dropped off a bag of THEE cutest newborn clothes that her baby had just grown out of. The knit knotted gowns and caps were so cute and helpful. Before Win, I had been thinking that we had plenty of hand-me-down newborn baby clothes from Lila. Well, once he was here, I realized I had given a bunch of them away and the remainder of our supply was all bright pink!
Share baby gadgets and toys. Another friend dropped off her MamaRoo baby swing. Lila did not love her baby swing so I did not buy one for Win. Lucky for me this friend dropped it off and Win ended up loving to take naps in it. It was such a lifesaver to have a safe place to put him down that was in our main living area.
Baby swaddles: Another friend dropped off her collection of baby swaddles so I could try them all out and see which one worked best. This was so helpful! I was able to try 5 different swaddles multiple times to find out what my baby liked best. (Turns out the Zippedee Zip star suit is the favorite around here. It makes him look like a baby turtle and I absolutely love it!)

Introducing Britt’s new little one!

If you are in the midst of newborn life. Remember one thing: YOU ARE DOING GREAT! I say this as encouragement for myself just as much as encouragement for you 🙂 We are still dealing with wake-ups at all hours of the night. Good thing these babies are so dang cute!! It is overwhelming at times but things will fall into a new rhythm. Love to all of the mamas, soon-to-be-mamas, and hopeful mother’s-to-be.

Britt delivered her baby boy and I was able to meet him! They are both happy and healthy which is such a blessing. You forget how tiny and precious newborn babies are. Win looks like a giant next to him!

Britt dealt with a difficult pregnancy so I am so grateful she is doing well with her sweet baby boy. The fact that we by chance had girls first and now have these sweet baby boys is so fun. I am so excited to watch these boys grow up together. We are so lucky to have each other! I am sure she will share more about her new little addition to the family once the newborn fog begins to clear. It seems like a lifetime ago that she introduced Hazel.

I hope you are all doing well during these wild times. I am feeling a renewed sense of energy and purpose this Spring and I am so grateful.

5 Tips to Make Botox Last Longer

Botox or Dysport, whichever you choose, can have great results. Which is why we are sharing 5 tips to make botox last longer. We are big fans of Botox and Dysport! Especially after we did the experiment where we compared the two and Britt got Botox, Brooke got Dysport. You can read that post HERE. We ended up loving Dysport simply because it worked better and lasted longer for us. But, we heard from many of you that Botox works better for you, so it really depends on the person.

Talking about Botox and Dysport with Dr. Chidester from Form Spa

According to the US Dermatology Partners, Dysport, which entered the U.S. market in 2009, was used in Europe as an alternative to Botox for more than a decade before that.

The one downside to injectables – they are pretty expensive. Most of the time you end up spending $300-$400 on Botox or Dysport and it can last as little as 4 months. So, we asked our doctors and nurses for tips on making it last as long as possible.

#1 Don’t Work Out

So, this sounds daunting, but really you just need to make sure you’re not working out for 24 hours after you get the procedure done. Sweat can screw things up, to put it bluntly. My doctor told me taking a walk was completely fine, but to stay away from high intensity exercises that make you sweat.

High intensity workouts can also cause your injectables to wear off faster. This is because of metabolism and the different speeds at which we all metabolize. High cardio exercise that makes you sweat a lot can make your Botox or Dypsort not last quite as long.

#2 Don’t Take A Nap

This is more of a precautionary measure you need to keep in mind for up to 6 hours after you get injected. If you lay on one side or the other, the Botox or Dysport could possibly slide to that side and make your face look very uneven. Rather not risk it and try not to lie down.

#3 Wear Sunscreen

Sun damage can decrease the effectiveness of your injectables. Who knew?! So, next time you are in the sun, make sure to wear a hat. I was also advised to wear at least SPF 50 on my face every day. I love to use this CC cream, which also has SPF 50 in it. One less step and it has great coverage and stays on well when swimming.

raising our eyebrows after getting botox

#4 Use High Quality Skin Care

Using high quality skin care will make your purchase more worthwhile because it will help maintain your skin. I always ask my doctor what they suggest I use. High quality does not necessarily mean super expensive. I would recommend asking your doctor what they think would work well on your skin.

#5 Stress Less

Did you know stress is bad for your skin? Of course it’s not good, but it can also cause breakouts and cause wrinkles because of squinting and scowling. So, how exactly do you stress less? A few things I’m trying: spending less time on my phone, stretching for a few minutes before bed, setting a phone curfew for myself, starting my day with a large glass of water, and exercising every day. Hopefully, all of them add up to some stress relief.

Every dermatologist or doctor will also tell you regular treatments will make them last longer because you won’t be starting from square one every time. I have noticed this on my own face. If I keep up with treatments, it seems to be less expensive and last longer.

Is there anything we forgot to mention when it comes to making your injectables last longer? We would love to hear your tips.

Do’s and Don’ts gifts for babies

When it comes to baby gifts, there are a TON of products out there. It can be overwhelming to browse the thousands of infant items in a store. I put together this list with products that I have loved and used a million times as well as items that I received and put in the closet and never looked at again.

brooke holding Winston with text that says "Do's and Don'ts for baby gifts"

If you are expecting a baby or know someone expecting a baby it is such an exciting time! From the ultrasound photos to setting up the nursery each step is so fun getting ready for a little one to join the family.

Right now I have a 3-year-old and a 4-month-old. I realize that I am in no way an expert on all things baby. Nonetheless, I want to share what has been useful for both of my kids and what I wish I would’ve saved money on.

Let’s go over some of the don’ts first, these, of course, are my personal opinion. You may love these items – I just didn’t find myself using them.

Wipe Warmer: I could barely get the diaper on in the middle of the night changes let alone remember to warm up the wipes! Yes, this is very considerate of your little one’s bum. Kudos to you if you use one. However, I just tried to change them as fast as possible at nighttime and avoid getting peed on.
Tons of newborn clothing. My first baby was 7 lbs 11 ounces baby and my second was 8 lbs 5 ounces. They both blew through their newborn clothing. We were into 0-3 month clothing after about week 3. Don’t stock up on a million newborn diapers or you may never get through them.
Baby food blender. Just use your grown up blender – they work the same! The baby food blender will just take up space in your kitchen.

Now let’s move onto the Do’s for baby gifts. These again, are my personal preference, but I have found myself reaching for them again and again.

Boppy breastfeeding pillow: This U-shaped pillow has saved my neck and back this time around! I use the Boppy pillow every time I breastfeed or rock Win to sleep. In a short few months, it will be the perfect safety net to use when teaching Winston how to sit up.
Colugo Baby Carrier: This thing is pure magic for babies! From the mesh lining to the magnetic clips it is design perfection. The best part is you can use this baby carrier for little ones from the time they are 7 lbs up until they are 33 lbs, no infant insert is needed. My baby boy Win loves the forward-facing position so he can see everything going on around him. Colugo has a ton of cute styles to choose from – hello animal print! Colugo was started by a mom in New York City who saw a need in the marketplace and created something amazing! The best part is you can find them at Target!
Freshly Picked moccasins: Baby socks are a headache, they can never quite stay on those adorable, puffy feet. Freshly Picked is not only run by an awesome female entrepreneur (Susan Peterson) but she makes a quality product that lasts. My daughter wore her moccasins nonstop and they still look like new.

brooke wearing winston in the Colugo baby carrier

If you are shopping for a new mama-to-be I highly recommend gifting one of these products. They will be used SO much. Having a baby is a huge transition, so having functional products that help with your baby’s day-to-day activities is incredibly helpful.

Britt is expecting her baby boy in a few short months and I am so excited to share these products with her. It has been so fun to have our babies close together (no we didn’t plan it :)). They have built-in best friends and aunties and cousins that love them!

Baby Boy Announcement

Britt is so excited to share the happy news that she is expecting a baby boy in March! She had so much creating a fun idea for an announcement photo, we wanted to share them here. She came up with the idea pretty quickly and wanted to share the steps she goes through for planning a family photo shoot:

Decide the focus of the photo
Choose helpful props
Choose a location
Pick the colors to wear
Pick the vibe/season you want to portray

If you’re looking for more help and guidance with photos, we’ve got you covered!

Do’s & Don’ts for Couples Photos – Click here
Do’s & Don’t for Family Photos – Click here
How to Make Toddlers Smile in Photos – Click here

Decide on the focus of the photo

Our dad was given a classic convertible for his birthday this past summer by our older brothers. They know he has always wanted one and have been planning the surprise for years. It is the cutest tiny blue car, I knew I wanted to include it in the announcement somehow. It is a fun focal point that evokes what I was going for with this shoot.

baby boy announcement in classic convertible

Choose helpful props

I think props can add a fun and unexpected element to any photo. Yes, I love stand alone family photos, but adding a prop usually makes them more fun. The “Baby” balloon was perfect for this shoot. We wanted to of course make it a baby announcement, but holding an ultrasound did not seem to make a lot of sense for this. It would look too small for the scale of the photo, so the balloon worked perfectly. You can buy the balloon here.

How to choose a location

My friend Tori is a fabulous photographer and her parents have a forest-like backyard that I knew would make a perfect location for the photos. Since we were going to be sitting in the car, I knew I wanted a lush green background. That would not have been the case for say, bridal photos. I think I would have picked somewhere more formal. For the purpose behind the photos, I think this woodsy location was exactly what I was looking for.

baby boy announcement family photo with ultrasound

Colors to wear

In picking the colors for our family to wear, I knew I wanted to blend and not stand out from the car too much. I picked an off white flowy dress for myself because it was flattering. I was 17 weeks pregnant when we shot the photos, so I looked more chubby than pregnant. Super cozy baby blue sweater was the winner for my husband Sam because I love that color on him and wanted someone to wear baby blue. And lastly I found a white and blue striped dress for Hazel that seemed to tie it all together. So, I went with blue and white for the colors.

baby boy announcement photo with ultrasound

What announcement vibe are you going for?

Even though we got our baby boy announcement photos taken at the height of Fall foliage color here in Utah, I did not want an autumn look. Personally, I wanted these photos to be warm and airy and bright. A summer vibe fit that much better. That’s one of the main reasons I specifically picked a location with no fall foliage, just beautiful, lush green trees.

Hazel kissing mommy's tummy in baby boy announcement photo

mom and daughter for baby boy announcement photos

Baby Boy Announcement Photos That are Multifunctional

I love that the photos from the photo shoot are multifunctional – I used them for: social media baby announcement, framed family portraits in my house and put one on our Christmas card. Instead of doing three different photo shoots, I did one that covered everything I was looking for.

How to use Crest Whitestrips Correctly

Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you I will earn a commission if readers click through and make a purchase.

We have realized over the years after trying dozens of different teeth whitening methods, our absolute favorite is Crest Whitestrips. They do the job so well and are by far the most economical choice. At around $30 a box, you really can’t beat them!

britt holding up crest whitestrips and showing the correct way to use them

Odd methods of teeth whitening that don’t work

Banana Peel: Rubbing a banana peel on your teeth will not make them whiter. This myth seemed to be all over the internet a few years ago.
Baking Soda or Hydrogen Peroxide: Rubbing plain baking soda on your teeth sounds very gag-worthy. And hydrogen peroxide sounds really dangerous. Just trust the $30 package of Crest Whitestrips.
Homemade recipes: Don’t do it. Trust the experts.
Brushing your teeth ten times a day: exhausting and no one has time for that.
Infomercial products: we spent years hosting a TV show where different whitening products came on the scene and claimed to work magic. NONE of them actually worked.

Complaints about Crest Whitestrips

There are a few complaints and concerns people have about Crest Whitestrips:

they slide off your teeth
they make your teeth sensitive
they don’t cover all of your teeth

The correct way to use Crest Whitestrips

So, here are a few fool proof ways to make sure you are getting the most out of them:

Wipe your teeth dry with a dry index finger.
Carefully apply each strip and push firmly onto your teeth.
Keep them on for 10 minutes past the recommended 30 minutes – it’s like getting extra credit!
Peel them off carefully and wipe teeth clean again with a dry index finger.
If your teeth still feel slimy – brush them without toothpaste – just use a toothbrush and water.
Try not to eat or drink anything dark in color for 30 minutes

I’m worried they will make my teeth sensitive

People with sensitive teeth have a right to be concerned using Crest Whitestrips will make their teeth even more sensitive. Brooke and I both have pretty sensitive teeth and one thing we’ve done that helps is to use Sensodyne toothpaste in the days after using Crest Whitestrips. You can buy it here. It helps to make your teeth not quite as sensitive to hot or cold. Other than that, we have noticed that Crest Whitestrips do not cause any “zinging” unlike some other teeth whitening treatments.

Two different kinds of Crest Whitestrips

There are two different kinds of Crest Whitestrips. The Classic and The Pro. The Classic has strips to last you 14 days that you wear for 30 minutes at a time. The Pro has strips to last you 4 days to wear one hour at a time. We have tried both and each product works great. However, if you want something to work FAST go with the pro. Especially if you are getting ready for a special event.

Best whitening tool on the market

We have truly tried every other whitening item on the market, along with getting professional treatments multiple times. In comparing results, Crest Whitestrips have been the winner again and again. They give you incredible results and are such a great bargain!

Check out our favorite beauty and lifestyle finds

Must-have makeup products from our group course
Are Amazon leggings really that great?

How to prepare for a newborn photo shoot at home

Newborn photos are here! Baby Winston had a safe arrival and we could not be happier! Yes, we have had sleepless nights, mastitis, and lots of spit up but the newborn snuggles and sweetness completely make up for it. There is just nothing more precious than a baby fresh from heaven.

This time around, I am so happy to say, my epidural worked and the labor and delivery was such a happy experience! It has also made the recovery process smoother and easier. These metal nipple cups have helped tremendously and I highly recommend them to anyone that is pregnant right now. I have also given myself more grace with this baby and just tried to enjoy the slower pace that comes with a new baby.

This entire experience was different due to the global pandemic. No visitors are allowed at the hospital so Lila did not meet her baby brother until we brought him home. In hindsight, I think this was actually a blessing because she was able to meet him in a familiar, comfortable place.

By the second day at the hospital, we definitely missed having visitors (and the delicious food they bring). This time, immediately after my delivery, I was offered 2 Saltines and a cup of juice. Major letdown! I was ready for a huge, juicy burger, fries, and a shake after not being able to eat for 18 hours!

Family picture on the couch with newborn baby

Big sister with new baby brother on the couch for newborn photo session

Getting the baby home was also quite an adventure. We found our air conditioning system was broken and it was a hot 100 degree day. Thanks to some friends with portable AC units and quick working family members we were able to get our house cooled down to a livable temperature while we got a completely new air conditioning system installed throughout our house. I am so happy to say that it has been working without any problems since then!

For Win’s newborn photos I reached out to my incredibly talented friend and photographer Tori Hillyard. She has a great eye for detail and I knew she would be able to photograph my family in a beautiful way. I also felt more comfortable having a friend in my home that I trust during this time when the virus is running rampant.

Before the day of the photoshoot, Tori sent me a few tips that would make the shoot go smoother. Along with her suggestions, I remembered a few things from Lila’s newborn shoot that made photos with a baby easier that I want to share in hopes that they can help you too!

THERMOSTAT: Turn up the thermostat. Tori sent me a reminder text on the morning of the photoshoot to do this. We knew we wanted some cute shots of the baby wrapped in his diaper wrapped in a blanket and didn’t want to freeze him out while taking them. This worked great and made Win so comfortable that he fell asleep for his “glamour shots”!
EAT: Feed your baby and you right before the photoshoot as well as any older siblings. A full belly is a happy belly. I was able to feed the baby right before Tori arrived at my house. When Win got a little fussy during the photos she was nice enough to let me feed him again. A full, sleepy baby is much better for photos than a hungry one! It made a huge difference!
BATH: Try to bathe your baby right before the photographer arrives. I did this because Win completely covered himself in pee right as Tori pulled up – of course! However, I was able to give him a quick rinse and it got his dark hair nice and fluffy right before pictures started.
LAYOUT OUTFITS: Choose all the outfits, blankets, and props before the photoshoot. Make sure that everything you are going to use is freshly laundered the night before. This will help the flow of the photoshoot.
TREATS AND SHOWS: Bribe older siblings! Yes, we did in fact bribe Lila with a donut and a Disney movie. What can I say? We wanted some good shots! It worked for the most part and we got the majority of her photos done at the beginning of the photoshoot so that she could watch her movie quietly as we got the other shots we wanted.
DAYTIME: Use natural light. I love the look of light and airy photos, especially when it comes to newborns. Tori captured this perfectly by coming to take the photos in the afternoon when the light was the brightest.
SOLO SHOTS: My favorite pictures always tend to be the ones where Parker is one-on-one with the baby. They are so precious and capture how proud he is to be their dad. I highly recommend both mom and dad getting solo shots with the new little one.
POSES: The options are truly endless for newborn poses. Tori was great and guided us through a lot of different poses that I had never done before. Ask your photographer for advice and they will be sure to have some great ideas.

Newborn photo sessions are one of those things that you will never regret doing. The newborn stage is so fleeting that it is so special to capture these little babies when they are so fresh and sweet.

I know that I will treasure these photos forever. I am already wondering how many prints I can get away with hanging throughout our house because I love them all so much! If any of you mamas are expecting, start planning your newborn photo session with your little one now so that it is not a stressful situation when it comes around. It is a great thing to look forward to with your family and I promise you won’t regret getting them done.

OUTFITS: One of my good friends gave me Win’s gray outfit before he was born and I love it. Highly recommend it, it is from Lou Lou & Company. The knotted gowns are a game-changer for quick diaper changes! Lila’s dress is from H&M’s Spring line.

What I am packing for baby boy’s delivery

Just two more weeks to go!

We are a couple weeks away from baby boy joining our family! The induction date has been set for July 31st and we could not be more excited! Due to the global pandemic, this pregnancy has gone slow but fast at the same time. I have definitely tried to be extra mindful of my health during pregnancy.

Expecting baby #2 is very different

Expecting baby #2 is an entirely different experience than #1. We already have most of the baby basics and know what we liked and disliked the first time around. However, I do think that we missed out on a few items as first-time parents that I am excited to have this time around.

This time around I am doing things differently

I want to share a few things that I have gotten in preparation for baby boy. They may seem simple, but it took baby #1 and some lessons to realize how helpful they could be.

Brooke and Lila prepping baby brother's nursery

Hospital outfit for me and baby boy

First up, a hospital outfit for me and the baby. Lila’s labor and delivery was a bit traumatic so I did not get out of a hospital gown the entire stay, let alone touch anything in my hospital bag except my toothbrush. Lila even wore the hospital onesie home, we truly had no idea what we were doing! This time around I have high hopes that the labor and delivery will be a good experience and that I can attempt to unzip my hospital bag before returning home with a brand new baby!

I came across Kindred Bravely and immediately loved their positive and encouraging branding and messaging. I had also heard great things about their products.

Soft, roomy robe with matching shorts and nursing bra

The first thing I picked out was a black, extra soft and roomy robe for myself to use at the hospital with matching black shorts (During those first few weeks of breastfeeding a comfortable robe is critical!) Luck would have it that they also carry swaddle blankets and have an adorable black heart print. I plan on using both items at the hospital this time around!

Bamboo nursing pads instead of disposable

Next up, I discovered that they carry soft, bamboo nursing pads that are not only removable but machine washable! I am excited to try something that is not only more economical but kinder to the earth.

The last item I picked out is a nursing friendly sports bra. With Lila I always found it so frustrating to breastfeed while wearing a normal sports bra. This should make that entire situation more doable and convenient.

Brooke holding her favorite diaper bag and changing pad

Diaper bag revamp

Diaper bags can make or break your daily routine. With Lila we had a really nice diaper bag from Nordstrom that had plenty of pockets and storage. However, we quickly realized we would have been much happier with a bag that had backpack straps. We were constantly trying to keep the bag on our shoulders and found it to be really irritating.

Backpack or bust

I came across Parker Baby Co. and immediately loved their name (same as my husband’s :)) The sleek design and backpack qualities. We picked out a bag that both of us are looking forward to using that not only has backpack straps but plenty of storage and a look that both of us are comfortable wearing.

Dad wearing a gray and cream diaper bag backpack

Here are some suggestions from friends of items to take to the hospital

As for everything else going into my hospital bag, some friends reached out and suggested a few items I had never thought of like:

Shethinx period underwear, instead of wearing the bulky mesh undies from the hospital. I am sure they are a million times more comfortable!
My own pillow from home, with my own pillowcase on it so that it sticks out from the hospital ones and I don’t forget to take it home with me!
Cozy socks like Stance or slipper socks and comfortable shoes like Birkenstocks or flip flops
A hairbrush, completely spaced on this one last time haha
Snacks, due to the virus we will not be allowed any visitors which means no yummy drop-off’s from friends and family. Friends suggested I pack protein bars, fruit, and other easy to pack snacks. I will definitely be missing the milkshake drop off’s I got after Lila’s delivery!
And of course, onesies, swaddle blankets, and beanies for baby boy to wear!

How this experience will be different

So far, it sounds like Parker will definitely be able to be with me for labor and delivery, thank goodness! The doctor says that we will both be asked to wear a mask for the duration of labor. And all expecting moms are currently getting tested for the virus 3 days prior to their delivery date. Although these times are strange and have extra safety measures in place, I am so grateful to feel good and have a healthy baby boy that will soon be making his arrival. Thank you for all of your love and support, it means the world!

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