The Highs & Lows: A First Time Mom’s Breastfeeding Journey

I’ll be honest, I’ve had this post written for about 3 months but was too afraid (since when, right?) to share – although breastfeeding is natural, common, and well-perceived, I still do feel like it’s a very personal topic to me. I now know that’s stupid because most of my readers are Moms who have been through this same experience of trying to figure out breastfeeding for the first time. It’s actually crazy to me now that I haven’t spoken publicly on my blog at all about breastfeeding, yet it was such a big part of my 2016, I needed to share. By not sharing, I’m adding to the stigma and not doing my part to “normalize” what is one of the most remarkable things we can do as women.

Through a series of conversations with other moms, moms to be, and friends of moms, I came to the realization that I should share my journey in hopes of relating with even just one more mama. (Also, I’m feeling super nostalgic since I will officially have a 1YO this weekend!)

 Yes, I am calling it a journey because that’s truly what it has been – long, windy, with ups & downs, positives & negatives, a rewarding hardship that I would do again and again if given the chance.

The decision to breastfeed is a big one for new moms, with such a stigma behind it. When asked if I would breastfeed my son, my answer was always yes, with no hesitation. At the time, I have no idea why my answer was yes. I think my unwavering yes was influenced by the fact that my mom breastfed all of us, I wanted to save some cash money and that I was subconsciously afraid that the BF’ing diehards of the world would mom shame me if I didn’t. This unwavering yes of an answer is also what allowed me to persevere, even when I thought I could no longer go on.

My goal here is not to offend anyone as I truly feel there are positives of both breastfeeding and bottle feeding your baby. In fact, you’ll see in my story that very early on, I had to start supplementing – this would classify Calvin as both a breast fed and bottle fed baby. I appreciate and praise ALL moms no matter what their decisions or abilities have been. You HAVE to do what is right for you. This post is also not a story of butterflies and fairytales, promoting the blissful experience of b’feeding – it is my experience mixed with the emotions, the advice, and my opinions that have come to fruition over my breastfeeding stint that lasted 9 months.

And alas, I’ll say it again: EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT.

@ the hospital

 Feb 18, I had Calvin and when the nurses asked me if I wanted to b’feed I said ‘yes, I wanted to give it the good ole college try.’ They try to get baby to eat right away, even though the milk hasn’t come in yet, but more out of developing the habit for the baby.

Right away I noticed that Calvin’s latch wasn’t great. I know it’s supposed to hurt at first but this was horrible excruciating pain. I think I even said that same exact sentence to the nurse. After he would attempt to feed you could TELL he wasn’t latching correctly. I LITERALLY saw 10-12 nurses, lactation consultants, and doctors who all gave me different advice and opinions. This was really frustrating for me, and I remember being really annoyed with the differing advice from so many different healthcare professionals. Even if you are a brand-spankin new mom, at the end of the day, only YOU know what’s right and wrong for yourself, your body and your baby. I tried every position (normal, football hold, lying down) and all left me wincing in pain and tears in my eyes. One of the lactation consultants introduced nursing shields at some point, which were my saving grace and I had to continue using the entire time I was nursing Calvin. Tip here: there are several different sizes you can buy and I would say the smaller the better so that baby can actually put their mouth around it.

My milk came in so quickly/full force on like, day 2, which seemed really quick. I spent one day and night extremely full and thankfully one of my new nurses on morning shift said, “you have GOT to pump!” So she taught me how to use the hospital pump and I got several bottles out of just that one session. I thank god for her to this day. 1, because no one was helping me with the oversupply relief, and 2, because she taught me how to use the pump. Of course the doctor the next day had ANOTHER opinion and said I should not pump or my boobs would think I’m trying to feed multiples and have too much milk. Looking back, I honestly don’t think TOO MUCH milk is a thing – at least not a bad thing at all! But I get what she was saying.

Coming home 

^our first day @ home

By the time we left the hospital we were pretty much at the same comfort level as before. Calvin was able to eat successfully, but not without severe pain for Mom. I spent the next 14ish days in the same boat. Lots of pain, teary eyes, and thoughts on whether or not I could do this. I knew that if I could get through the initial struggles, I could likely make it for the long haul, pending milk supply. We continued to use the shields during feeding – pain slowly subsided and my body started to adjust. Weeks 3-6 were awesome – no problems, no complaints, just smooth sailing from here on out!

At 6 weeks, I had my first post-partum checkup. I passed with flying colors, gave an awesome report to my midwife on how things were going, I was cleared for exercise and thought this new mama thing ain’t so bad! The next day, I went to exercise at the gym we had just joined for the first time PP. I came home and my right breast was much more achy than normal.  I took a bath and was a BIT concerned just because I had been pain free for weeks. Craig and I googled breast pain as I had heard of clogged ducts, mastitis, infection, etc but didn’t think much of it.

That night, exactly 1 day after my perfect 6 week PP check up, I woke up in the night feeling so sick with flu-like symptoms. I woke up the next morning with a 102 degree fever and felt like I was going to die. That’s not an exaggeration. Having a horrible fever as an adult is up there with one of the worst moments of my adult life. I had every blanket on in our house, and was still shivering. I knew right away this was the dreaded MASTITIS (a painful infection of the breast tissue – possible causes are a blocked milk duct or bacteria entering the breast. It usually occurs within the first three months of breast-feeding.)

Of course it was Sunday, so I had to call the emergency line for my Dr. to call in an antibiotic prescription.  My doctor confirmed on Monday and said it could have been because I wasn’t emptying enough or because of infection caused from the breast shield. I spent the next 2-3 days in and out of high fever, Craig had to miss his soccer game and work because I was so sick I couldn’t take care of my baby.

Through Mastisis, you still have to keep feeding because the duct has to clear itself. Ouch! But not as bad as the flu-like symptoms. At a few points I was too sick so Calvin had to drink the stash I had frozen, which caused my milk supply to decrease during this time and I was unsure I would ever get it back.

Slowly I did, but over the next month or so I started feeling trapped in the cycle of breastfeeding. I couldn’t leave the house for more than an hour at a time in fear that Calvin would get hungry and need to eat. I didn’t have a large supply stored because we used it while I was sick – I was basically at Calvin’s every beck and call. I am an I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T woman, and I couldn’t do anything independently – and if I did I had to pump before, during after, etc. This became really difficult for me mentally. Again, during this time, I questioned whether I was meant to do this for the long haul but decided to keep at it while I had the milk supply to support it.

Back to work 

Being a working mom who continues to pump/breastfeed is a serious task. It’s really difficult to keep up with finding time during the day, cleaning parts, transporting milk, and keeping up milk supply. {PS – LMK if you want me to do a whole post on pumping @ work and best practices, but won’t go into all the details of that here.} I wanted to stick with it as long as possible because I REALLY enjoyed the morning and night feedings that I had with Calvin. It gave us quality time before work, and then again at bed time. He would always fall asleep and then I could hold him as long as I wanted on my chest before taking him to his crib.

I did this whole process for about 5 months and when milk supply started dwindling, I decided to stop pumping at work and only feed him morning and night. Eventually, since I was not pumping to increase the supply all day, it was decreasing even more. I decided one random night after Calvin had bitten me a few times, and was flailing all over the place that something had to give and we would be done. This was right before Thanksgiving and I didn’t realize until several weeks after stopping that it was affecting me.

My mom always told me that once you stop breastfeeding, your hormones get f’ed up, and I think that is true. It brought out an increased phase of post-partum anxiety in myself particularly that I will talk about more on a future post about ‘self care’ Did any one else experience this post-breastfeeding hormonal shift?

So this all sounds like a lot – a lot of ups & downs, a lot of effort, etc….but like I said, I would do it all over again and will for future babies. There is truly nothing as precious as that quality time and bond you form because of spending all of that time literally attached to your babe. I really do like the ease of making a bottle, but I miss that quality time we had together every morning before work and every night before bed.

The only thing I want to leave you all with is the encouragement to not be too hard on yourself. Yes, I think everyone should try to breastfeed if they can. Yes, I think you should give it 1, 2, 3 tries and then make a decision if it’s for you and your baby. Yes, I think there are hardships you have to make the decision to push through if you want to continue. BUT making sure your mental & physical health is important too. If those things are lacking, it’s okay to say, “something has to give.” Making sure you’re on top of your game in those areas will be better for you both in the long run.

Lastly, you will see moms who post about continuing to breastfeed well over a  year, or who can pump 8 oz. from both boobs in one sitting – please don’t compare…you’re kicking ass and taking names in your own way.

Know another breastfeeding new mama or someone who has been on this journey? Don’t forget to share this post!

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{Month 10} + Why Mobility Changes Everything!

Wow, I’m really late getting this one up! I took Calvin’s 10 months pics on time (actually 1 day early, go me!) but obviously did not get around to posting along with my monthly mama thought…which is all about my baby becoming mobile!

You guys, a mobile baby changes. everything. I’ll be honest in saying that Calvin really spoiled us as a baby (I’m talking like 0-6 months of age.) He was an exceptional newborn, such a little angel, and we could take him anywhere – we actually still can which has been nice. He didn’t love sleeping, and still doesn’t, but we are really lucky to have had such amazing experiences. He is still awesome of course, but once he started rolling, crawling, standing, pulling himself up, and taking steps, the ass-kicking (for Craig and I) set in and exhaustion ensued (even more.) He is a wild child and cannot sit still for one second – but what 10 MO can right? I now understand (for real, this time) the following statements that I had heard from moms that came before me:

• Chasing my baby/toddler/child is my daily workout

• You’ll never sleep again – [however I would correct this to you’ll never sleep again when you want to]

• I barely have time to finish brushing my teeth or shower

• Babyproof EVERYTHING! [Calvin particularly loves to grab make-up brushes from under the sink and eat them]

When a baby is not yet mobile, you can put them in a swing, rock n play, mamaroo, etc. Then they learn how to sit-up, then they learn how to wiggle out, then they are too big to even fit in the contraption to begin with. I remember saying to Craig, “what are we going to do when we can no longer put him in something and walk away for a second? Or when we can lay him in the rock ‘n play and lay down beside him?” That comment feels like yesterday and I cannot believe that we are only 6 weeks from his 1st birthday. How did we get here?

Calvin is changing so much every week and truly starting to do things that make me realize he will be a little boy (and no longer a baby) before I know it. I really want to live in the moment and take in all of these memories as much as I can.

What a blessing it is to watch him play, learn, grow and develop. We know we are so fortunate to have a healthy, happy baby and love the excitement and energy he brings to our home.

All that aside – do they make baby chill pills? LOL I am JUST KIDDING. But I feel like the change from small baby to mobile infant/toddler has been huge. How are you mamas feeling about this stage??

THE LATEST:

-We sat him on the scale at home and he weighs ~25lbs.

-He can take approx. 4 steps on his own

-He now has 6 teeth (4 top, 2 bottom)

-Officially in all 12+ month clothing

-Can say mama, dada, up, hi, book, hot, yay, baby, and is very good at mimicking almost any word we give to him

-Is obsessed with making this new surprised, “oh” face on camera

-loves all his stuffed animals…sometimes he is cuddly, sometimes his is biting off their faces

-Loves self feeding himself bananas and raspberries

Some of our favorite items we actually own that teach mobility and learning:

Little Tikes Light ‘N Go Walker 

Baby Einstein Discovering Music Activity Table

V-Tech Sit to Stand Walker

Thanks for following along and keeping up with Calvin! We love you all.

*Follow me on instagram, facebook & pinterest to never miss the latest on Running with Strollers!*

{Month Nine} + The Stranger Danger Phase

This little scrunchy nose guy is officially 9 months! I remember feeling like I saw the most changes at 2 months, 6 months, and now 9 months FOR SURE. The biggest being his increase in mobility …he is everywhere! We’ve already gotten a few calls from daycare that he has fell, scratched himself, etc. They said this is normal as he is getting into everything – I can barely keep up with him on a 1on1 basis, I don’t know how daycare can watch his every move. Gives this mama anxiety….

The other difference we noticed this month was the “stranger danger” phase. He can now tell who has him and shows preference as to who is holding him or in the same room as him. I got an email from baby center titled,” Your 9 month old: Week 1″ and this description could not be any more true:

“Your baby may be charmingly sociable – until someone other than you comes near. Many babies this age show signs of fear or shyness around other people, bursting into tears around someone new – or even a familiar relative! It’s a normal part of development as your baby learns to tell the difference between strangers and friends. Your baby may also have separation anxiety, fussing and crying whenever you leave his side. He knows you’re important, and doesn’t yet understand that when you leave, you’ll always come back.”

Because we live away from family, we didn’t really notice this was happening until we went to visit. It alarmed us because our easy going, play with anyone, let anyone hold him, baby, was not a screaming, fussing baby, throwing temper tantrums if the wrong person had him at the wrong time. It’s good to know that this is 100% normal and hopefully it will ease up with time.

New things that Calvin strongly dislikes:

• Getting out of the bathtub

• Playing nicely in his pack ‘n play for more than 5 minutes

• Laying on his changing table

• Getting dressed – every single time I have to change him I think of this meme:

  

New things that Calvin loves:

• Eating puffs – both the grain snacks and yogurt tabs

• Touching things he shouldn’t touch/crawling where he shouldn’t crawl

• A fascination with windows

• When we kiss or pretend to kiss his hands

• Crawling everywhere!

Stats:

• ~ 22 lbs (73%)

• ~29 in long (76%)

• Head circumference 47cm (93%) – he’s a smart cookie 🙂

• Got his flu shot with no problems!

Who else has a babe around the same age? Are you experiencing some of the same changes? It’s so hard to keep up, they grow so fast!

We love you all – thanks for stopping by to catch up on Baby Calvin’s life!

Things Moms Love: Target & Nutrition for their Babies (feat. Gerber Cereals)

If I know anything about motherhood, I know there are 2 things moms love: great nutrition for their baby & trips to TARGET. Who’s with me?

I honestly didn’t realize why Moms were so obsessed with going to Target, until one rainy Sunday night a few weeks ago. It had been a long day, cooped up inside and I needed to get out, walk around, be by myself, and just…go somewhere. So I headed to Target solo for that alone time and wandered the aisles. And guess what, after buying m&ms and a new fall candle I actually did feel better 😅 I’m convinced 99% of the people who shop at Target are Moms…and for good reason.

1.) You can find anything and everything at Target – aka one stop shopping, the only way to do it!

and

2.) You can save with digital offers on the cartwheel app – I saved over  $14 in one trip this weekend, which doesn’t sound like a ton, but anything helps when buying baby items is so expensive!

Because of these, I recently started buying most of our baby “stuff” at Target – including the Gerber cereals that we have been feeding Calvin at least once every day for the past 3 months.

*Save 10% here on Gerber Cereals at Target through the Cartwheel App*

We made a trip yesterday so I could use this offer myself and pick up more cereal & necessities before the busy week.

Why do we use and trust Gerber for Calvin’s nutrition?

First off, Calvin loves this cereal and he has since day 1, so anything that is Calvin approved, we are a big fan of! When I was breastfeeding full time, I added breast milk to the cereal for the perfect concoction. Now that I have cut back, I mix the Gerber Cereal and one scoop of formula with water, and he loves it just as much. I love that you can do either. We mix it up between the Rice Cereal, MultiGrain Cereal, and Oatmeal Cereal at dinner each day, and also along with breakfast on the weekends.

The Health Benefits of Gerber Cereals:

• Have iron to help support learning abilities
• 2 servings of Gerber Cereal a day has 90% of a baby’s daily value of Iron.
• Are made with calcium to help build healthy bones and teeth
• Delivers a nutritional blend of Zinc, Calcium, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and six B Vitamins thanks to Gerber’s VitaBlocks for healthy growth.
• Non-GMO: not made with genetically engineered ingredients**
• No artificial colors or flavors**

**so key in my mama book!!!

This offer is good on Gerber Cereals now through 11/26. Just clip the offer digitally, pick up your cereals and save! So easy and efficient, since I know we will all be at the store shopping for Thanksgiving and eventually Black Friday this week.

Speaking of, I hope everyone has an amazing holiday with family and friends. I am thankful for every one of you!

Here’s to more trips to Target and making sure our babes get the best nutrition they possibly can. Oh, and saving $$$ while at it!

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To The Working Mom: So your Child Goes to Daycare (& why it’s okay!)

Like everything I write, I want to start this post off by saying this is 100% my opinion and experience. I know everyone has their own way that they feel about childcare and who they want to watch your babies…and that’s okay! I know Moms who will ONLY leave their child with family members – and I know Moms who will leave their child with anyone who will take ’em. I can only speak to my experience with Calvin, but hope that this helps to ease at least one new working mama’s pain of returning to her job. For most Mom’s, the decision to return to work isn’t a choice, it’s necessary for her family. And even if it is a choice, it’s still not easy to spend so many hours away from your baby-ever.

A few weeks ago I was in Calvin’s school picking him up and I saw the tiniest new baby in his room. A few minutes later her mom came in to pick her up and we got to chatting. She proceeded to tell me that her daughter was a preemie of 4lbs when born and at 3 months she was just over 8lbs. It was her 2nd day back to work and she teared up telling me how hard it has been on her. Calvin weighed more than her baby of 3 months, WHEN HE WAS BORN. I cannot even fathom having to leave him at that size. My heart hurt for her and I wanted to hug her and tell her repeatedly it does get better – in time. Us Mom’s have to do what’s best for our family, even if it’s returning to work earlier than we want. It’s okay to be sad at the beginning.

Leaving your child for the first time in the hands of essentially, strangers, is a very strange concept and hard time for new moms. For being someone who is so focused on her career and motivated in the professional aspect of my life, I was absolutely shocked at how quickly my priorities changed. I became obsessed with maternity leave and can say that those 3 months were the some of the best times of my life with my new little guy. While I don’t necessarily wish I was a SAHM, I do wish I had just a bit longer before I had to leave him. Signing up for daycare, going back to work, and adjusting to life as a working mom, was and has been the most challenging time of my life.

For weeks I worried about the care of Calvin, how much attention he was getting, how he was developing, etc. The primary colors everywhere and the smell of the place made me nauseous. I would hardcore question the teachers, heavily scope out the landscape of the room, and avoided drop off duty 100% of the time.

I still worry about those things but 100% feel that the positives of taking your child to a care center outweigh the negatives. Calvin has grown to love his school, his teachers, and is developing right on target!

Here are my favorite benefits – I think the pictures will speak for themselves in these areas 🙂

Social Interaction 

 ^leading the team meeting

^rollin’ with my homies

Creative Development

^ my all time favorite – facepainting day!

^I’ve tried to get Calvin to color with me at home once and it was a disaster

^Calvin’s “art” that I will save forever

Independence

^food>sleep lol! ^dumping toys all over the place and making a mess somewhere that’s not my living room^playing while the other babies sleep

Some other positives I’ve noted of sending Calvin to daycare:

• Adult interaction – He is able to get used to being with other adults outside of just Craig and I – he loves his teachers and more importantly, they love him!

  

• Structure – I was horrible at structuring our days while at home with him and basically let him do whatever he wanted…they keep him on a set schedule for when he eats and he naps as needed throughout the day

• Opportunities for us to connect with other parents – they host events such as “back to school night” and a Halloween parade for us to take part in with him and the other families. I discovered another Mom of a baby in Calvin’s class had the same midwife who delivered her daughter that delivered Calvin. Such a small world.

  ^Halloween Parade

• Trusted professionals – these caregivers are professionals at watching babies and it is their focus all day. If Calvin were at home with me, I know I would be trying to do a million things at once. They can recommend how much he should be eating, call out anything that seems abnormal, and give us advice on what to watch for. As a first time mom, I don’t have anything to compare to!

• Daily updates – we get daily updates to our emails through a program called Life Cubby. At the end of each day we have a summary on when he ate, slept, and even how often they changed his diaper. The picture updates from Life Cubby are how we have been able to save all of these great photos of Cal.

  So – yes daycare is seriously scary to a new mom. It’s scary when they get sick for the first time, or when they get hurt for the first time, but those things are going to happen either way. I’m here to tell you that  it does get better and you will see your child learn to love it. Are there days when you just DON’T want to go to work – or when you DON’T want to take your baby to daycare? All. the. time. Pretty much every day. But because we have time apart during the week, our nights and weekends are treasured. They are special, and they are enjoyed to the fullest extent.

To the working mama, you are doing great. It’s going to be okay – you will spend your days kicking ass at your job and still come home each day to the biggest smiles you have ever seen. You CAN have both and you will learn to find the beauty in balancing it all 💙

^post daycare kisses

Leave me a comment below or send me a message if you want more info or to connect – I love hearing from all of you! 💕

{Month 8} + Posts coming to RwS this Fall

We’re officially in month 8 and I’m LATE! Technically Calvin was 8 months back on Tuesday. He is getting HUGE and turning into quite the crazy guy. The words I would use to describe him now are: determined, independent, outgoing, extroverted, observant, energetic, silly & CUTE!!! Duh.

Calvin has 1 tooth, he is learning to crawl but instead of pushing off his knees/feet he likes to go up into a plank/downward facing dog position. I told Craig I think he might go from army crawling to walking. He can say many words and is very vocal, although he probably doesn’t know he is saying them (mama, dada, hi.)

He is in getting very heavy so we bought a larger convertible carseat for my car and we keep the infant carrier in Dad’s since it’s almost impossible to carry him in the seat any longer. He is in size 4 diapers, and he has to wear overnight diapers during the night because this child. pees. so. much. He kept waking up with pee all down his front. TMI. He is in 9month+ clothing and is making my arms very strong – at least that’s what I tell myself!

He gives the sweetest hugs, “kisses”, and lunges into my arms when he sees me after work. Lastly, no, we are still not sleeping through the night. He is hit or miss – some nights are 8pm-630am and others he’s up at 12pm, 3am, 5am, etc. As soon as we were going to start sleep training, he started teething hard core …SO TBD on this. We keep hoping he’ll magically start sleeping through consistently, but we’ll see. Who has done sleep training?

Tonight we are heading to a Halloween party and Calvin is staying with his first babysitter outside of daycare & family – let’s hope he decides to be a little angel

^this bear doesn’t stand a chance
^the only dog Cal is getting for a long time^these chunky leggies are super ticklish^yayyy^loves holding his books^ballin’^I have a big belly, Mom

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Stay tuned this fall for …

The winner of my $10 starbucks giveaway (head to my instagram to enter)

My Game day Recipe

More accessory & clothing giveaways

Our take on how daycare is going & the benefits

A day in the life of a Working mom

A Wedding planning update

AND MUCH MORE ❤

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Family Pumpkin Patching (in Free People!)

 We finally made it to the pumpkin patch yesterday – which means it officially feels like fall! The past two weekends have been rainy and dreary here, so this was the first weekend we’ve had in a while where we could even make it outside. We took full advantage….I think all of central NJ was at this same orchard!

I said we were going to get Calvin’s first pumpkin, but I really wanted to go for the apple cider and donuts…duh! We waited in line 45 min for a bag of donuts, but there was no way I was leaving without them. Craig had never had warm, orchard made, cider donuts (aka he has never lived) and he said the wait was #worthit.

I wasn’t originally going to do a post on our pumpkin patch adventure but we ended up getting some great photos that I wanted to share in one spot. I can’t get over Calvin in his plaid and jeans. I also realized that both the top and jeans I wore are some of my favorite ‘Free People’ items that I own, so I linked below and left some tips on where and when to find this brand on sale.

I LOVE Free People clothing – the material is so soft, quality, and comfy! BUT I never buy full price…watch for this brand at Nordstrom Rack and in the sale sections of Macy’s, Lord & Taylor and Nordstrom. You can absolutely get items discounted year round! The shirt I am wearing is originally $98 and I got for 54% off at Nordstrom Rack. The jeans are originally $78 and I got for $25 at Nordstrom Rack. The cheapest I found online right now is at Macy’s for $32 (but they have 25% off sitewide!) I highly recommend sizing down (this is a Small and it’s big!) & Free People as a brand in general, but do not recommend paying full price 🙂

Free People Purple Hi-Lo Blouse – Purple

Free People Hi-Lo Blouse – Black (54% off!)

Free People Purple Top – Similar (40% off)

Free People Relaxed Skinny Jeans (on sale!)

Large ‘K’ Pendant Necklace 

Kayla Sunglasses

Craig’s Plaid Flannel

What are some other fall family activities we could do with an infant? Any ideas!? I loveee seeing all of your fall family pics, keep them coming friends!

PS – I am also still loving Snapchat (as opposed to instastories) and I need some new friends! Follow us @greenskm:

We are off to meet our friends’ new baby today, get some blog shots for upcoming posts (some exciting partnerships!) and I want to make some chili for football! Have a great Sunday…talk soon!

My Summer Post Recap: All things Baby, Back to Work, Engagement, Re-branding & Travels!

It’s been a summer for the books! So much growing, traveling, fun & so many firsts in our life! As I was rounding these up, I went back to re-read some of my posts – I need to take some of my OWN advice and remember why I wrote the things that I did.

The post that hit me the hardest was “The 5th Trimester: Learning to Balance Time & Give yourself a Break.” This post is very near and dear to my heart – definitely the most honest words I’ve written to date. If you are a working mom, or will be…check it out!

The most exciting thing that happened personally this summer, is that Craig and I got engaged! We are so official now!

The most exciting thing that happened blog wise, is that I re-branded from “Kayla Marie” to “Running with Strollers.” I finally found my niche and can’t wait to keep writing & bring great content to all my readers!

Here is a recap of this summer’s posts. I have re-linked for easy reading if you may have missed one in the craziness that summer can bring 🙂

Calvin Turns 4 Months + The challenges & rewards during this time 

Back to Work! + My Working Mommy Essentials

The 5th Trimester: Learning to Give Yourself A Break

*My favorite & most honest post of the Summer <3*

My Favorite Way to Order Prescription Glasses + Pics of this Baby Bear!

4th of July Inspired Family Photos

We got engaged! + Our Favorite Vacation Photos 

Calvin turns 5 Months + How Having a Baby Changes Your Priorities

Our Day Trip to NYC + Getting Out of your Comfort Zone 

Mom goes to Nashville + Increasing Your Happiness + How to wear Shorts & Boots

*Blog Re-Brand!!*

Flying with an Infant + Travel Necessities! 

Calvin turns 6 Months + Remembering to Live in the Moment 

Calvin Tries the MamaRoo!

Shirt Dresses: Perfect for the Transition to Fall

Here’s to a new season, more firsts, and finishing out 2016 strong.

So much love for all of you! ❤

Infant Toys for Development: Little Tikes #playwithpurpose

Let me just preface this post by saying a year or so ago, I never thought I would be blogging or interested in baby toys, their purpose, or which ones are the best. Priorities change so so fast …when you have a little one, he or she quickly becomes the most important responsibility in your life!

One thing I did NOT expect as a new mom was how early Calvin would be interested in toys and how important it would be that we have the right ones handy.

I remember when Calvin was only like 4-6 weeks old, he seemed bored just laying in his rock n’ play and my mom suggested we get him a play mat for our home right away. This way, he would have toys to focus on, grab at, and stimulate him. By 8 weeks he was grabbing at the dangling toys and could play independently for up to 20 minutes at a time.

Fast forward to 6 months, and this child needs stimulation constantly. He’s such a crazy little man, always grabbing at the things around him and very curious to discover anything in his line of site. Toys have been so important to have with us as we travel and take Calvin places in which he needs to be entertained. Little Tikes introduced me to the concept that products/toys can also be used as tools to help baby develop. That sounds like killin’ two birds with one stone –I’ll take it!

Two of Calvin’s new faves are…

The Little Tikes Shake ‘n Rattle Crabbie Ring designed to help baby grasp. Not only do I feel like this toy has helped him with ability to hold on, but he also mimics me after I shake it (and it’s not a super light toy!) The first time Calvin played with this crabbie, he was laughing hysterically!

And his Little Tikes Hide ‘n Seek Hermie designed to improve eye tracking. The little hermit retracts back into its shell as Calvin watches – and it vibrates at the same time. I actually feel like this toy has helped with his grasp as well because he tries to pull the hermit out of the shell to see its eyes. Isn’t it funny how babies love toys with eyes? I also like how you can hang this from a car seat handle or overhead play mat.

I also really want to get Calvin this Little Tikes Soothe ‘n Spin Octopus – he’s obsessed with any stuffed animals and the spinning motion is meant to calm baby before a nap. If you know us, you know Calvin needs as much help as he can get while trying to get to sleep!

What are the best toys you all have discovered for 6 months and up? Anything I should expect developmentally in month 7? Experienced mamas, let me know! 🙂

For more on these these Little Tikes toys, where to purchase and how you can #playwithpurpose- you can check them out here!

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend and enjoy the warm weather while it’s still around!

How often do you get out of your Comfort Zone? + Baby’s Big Day in the City

Hello hello – the first day back from Labor Day weekend! It was a super fun 4 day weekend for me so today was a BIT of struggle city getting back into it!

I don’t think it’s a secret that the past 18 months of my life have been a bit crazy – relocating for the first time away from all friends & family, taking on a new leadership role with increased responsibilities, finding out we were pregnant, moving apartments 3 times, making all new friends, having Calvin, getting engaged, and the list goes on! Yada, yada, you guys have heard it all. That is so much to fit into 18 months and people have often looked at me like I’m crazy or asked me how this is possible.  NOT that I think i’m the expert on any topic, as most of the time I’m writing about something when experiencing it for the first time. I also DON’T think others haven’t gone through crazier changes or experiences in even shorter time frames or that I’m special!

BUT the past 18 months are what have inspired me to write -the challenges and rewards are what inspired me to continue on this blogging journey and allowed me to discover something I love to do.

But why do I keep talking about this? Why do I say the back half of my twenties has been a ‘life changing’ time?

It has all been done completely out of my comfort zone.

None of it this has been comfortable – it has stretched me (both mentally and physically, ha) but all of it is preparing us for our growth, success and new opportunities in the future. I sound so responsible! But for real – Nothing rewarding I have ever accomplished has been done in comfort.

I didn’t WANT to relocate initially but I knew I needed a change and to challenge myself professionally.

I didn’t WANT to move apartments after only 6 months in the other one, but we needed more space.

I didn’t WANT to live away from family when we started our family, but we stuck to the decision we committed to, and have made it work very well for us.

Even going back to college, I didn’t WANT to practice with my dance team 16+ hours a week, but I wanted to be on a team where I could win a world championship more than anything else in my life. *humble brag moment*

Sometimes the right thing isn’t the most fun (initially.) If you want the outcome more than you don’t want to feel uncomfortable, it will be worth it.

I’ve gotten out of my comfort zone more recently than I even care to admit, but making the best of the situation, overcoming, and moving forward, I think, is where you start to see rewards and new opportunities. People may look at you like your crazy but if you have a feeling deep down that what you’re doing is right, you have to try.

I guess my question to you is, are you consistently finding ways to stretch yourself or do you stay with what is familiar? Are you unhappy in some aspect of your life but you keep doing the same thing every day? What have you been wanting to do but are too afraid of what others think?

Getting out of your comfort zone doesn’t have to be moving across the country – it can be sending that email or setting up that meeting at work that you’ve been putting off. It could be finally introducing yourself to another Mom you’ve been wanting to connect with in your “circle” of acquaintances. It could be going to an event that takes a hell of a lot more effort to attend than to sit at home on your couch eating chipotle.

What can you do this week to get out of your comfort zone in order to grow a bit? Seriously, I want to hear the “scariest” thing you’ve done recently! Let me know below!

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One thing that we’ve made sure to do is to keep living our lives and truly incorporate Calvin into the things we enjoy doing. I’ve learned that having a baby doesn’t mean you no longer have a life – yes things are more difficult, and there are certain things you can’t do, but remembering you CAN still do things is key.

Since he was born, we have never shied away from taking him places – to restaurants, parks, the beach, friends houses, the city.

Earlier this summer my sister and brother in law let us know that they’d be coming into NYC in August and asked if we would be able to meet them for the day. We live in NJ – about an hour outside of the city, a 75 min train ride on the NJ transit. For anyone who has been to NYC, you know it is a different world – overwhelming, mesmerizing, full of opportunity. Before we got pregnant we went into the city a few times, always leaving exhausted but feeling grateful that we live so close to such a buzzing atmosphere. The east coast is no joke – it is fast paced and you can get lost in the shuffle easily.

When given the opportunity to take our 6 month old baby into the city with us, we could have easily said no or come up with a million excuses to why it isn’t safe, he’s too young, or that it’ll be too hectic. We knew it all of these things could be true in some capacity, but we were excited for the challenge and adventure of the day trip with Calvin. Plus, if we can take the babe into NYC and explore, we may just be able to take him anywhere!

It turned out to be the best day – even with an unexpected torrential downpour and we can’t wait to take him again.

Here are some of our fam pics from the trip!

^Cal’s first train ride

^view from the Boathouse in Central Park^reppin’ the Bengals in NYC^central park

I hope you all have an amazing week and start to your September!!

Talk soon,

{Month 6} & Remembering to Live in the Moment

It has officially been half a year since Calvin has come into our lives. It’s actually quite terrifying how quickly half a year has gone. On one hand we’ve grown and learned so much, on the other, I feel like I blacked out, and here we are! I’m still trying to find ways to slow down time but I’ve also just realized we have to enjoy each day fully – there is no time to waste. People all the time stop us and say, “enjoy it” or “don’t blink” and I can completely understand why they make those comments. It’s actually really cool to feel like you’re right in the moment you are supposed to be in. No more waiting for other things to happen before you can start your life!

It really is so tough to truly live in the moment every single day – especially when you always want Monday to be Friday, or 8:30am to be 5:00pm. Since weekdays make up over 70% of each year, I’m trying to remind myself to fully enjoy these days as well. The little time at night I get to spend with my family on Monday-Friday is so valuable. I think this is why I often feel like I ONLY have time for work & baby in my life. When I’m not at work, I want to be spending every second with Calvin and Craig. I’m going to make a larger effort to change my mindset on “working for the weekend.” Although the weekends are so so fun with my guys, so is every other day of the week. Here’s to working hard, but also remembering what is most important when the going gets tough. This is the true struggle of every working mom, but something I am slowly learning to overcome.

Alright, onto the little guy 6 month updates. 

Calvin is starting to look and act like such a little boy. Just when we don’t think he can get any cuter, or we can love him any more – it happens! You can tell from these pics that he is getting to be much more mobile. He can’t crawl yet, but he can roll slide and scoot anywhere he’d like. It was almost impossible to get him to “sit” still in his chair. He’s such a happy baby and so chill (except when he’s hungry or super tired.)

^he destroyed this sticker about 5 seconds later

^he looks like a baby gorilla here LOL

Our biggest milestones this month

• Weight: 18lbs, 3oz (70%) | Height: 27in (77%) | Head: 17.75in (88%)

  

• Calvin has had a blocked tear duct in his left eye since he was born, which prohibits his eye from draining correctly. We were hoping that it would open on its own but it hasn’t, so we have to go to the eye dr to figure out next steps, this month. We don’t want Calvin to be known as the kid with the crusty eye 😜

• Mom went away for a full weekend & Calvin stayed with dad for 2 nights/3 days #boysweekend

• Mom is still breast feeding & Calvin is also officially eating all kinds of baby foods – rice cereal, apples, pears, bananas, mango, carrots, peas, sweet potatoes – we have yet to find a food he doesn’t like!

  

• Calvin took his first plane ride which I wrote about here.

• Calvin is still not sleeping through the night – in fact the past week was pretty rough. He will wake up for about an hour anytime between 2-4 and then he is up super early, sometimes again at 5am. He will usually fall back asleep but only if I hold him or he lays with me. Not a habit I want to be creating, but this mama really doesn’t care when she needs just a bit more sleep in the mornings!

Oh, I got told I look like a mom for the first time at work a few weeks ago, haha! I came to work on a Friday super casual, with my hair in a Mom bun, which is what must have given me away. Nothin’ wrong with living up to a stereotype!

I’ll be writing here soon about “leaving” Cal for the first time and our mindset on taking baby into the big city (NYC.)

I also wanted to remind you all that there is only a few more days to save $70 on the MamaRoo in wrote about last week & enter the sweepstakes to win ALL the 4moms products + a 2016 Honda Pilot!

Who else has a baby around Calvin’s age? What are they up to? What are the biggest milestones you’ve experienced? I love talking to you all about your babes, so let me know! I hope everyone has a great week – we’re already in the last full week of August!

Talk soon!

 

Busy Mommin’ with the @4moms mamaRoo

It’s official, a tiny human has taken over our living space and it suddenly looks like the apparatus set-up at the gymnastics dome in Rio – a swing, a bassinet, a play mat, a bouncer, toys, bibs, socks, and last but not least – the 4moms mamaRoo infant seat. After working all day, I’d LOVE to hold and play with Calvin for the rest of the night (let’s be honest – some nights I do), but it’s just not always physically possible. Unfortunately, there is so much still we still have to accomplish in the 4-5 hours we have in the evening.

Outside of 6 months being an extremely CUTE phase, it just me or is 6 months kind of an awkward stage developmentally? He is super active but can’t sit or stand up on his own so he’s just 18-19 lbs of crazy and all over the place – the only options are holding him or having a seat hold & entertain him. I do not like picking up Calvin from daycare where he is in a bouncer, just to put him down again at home: insert mom guilt here. Fortunately, having a great seat that will hold, soothe, and entertain Calvin has been key at this phase and he absolutely loves the MamaRoo. I don’t feel bad letting him chill in this seat when I know he’s having a great time. He is obsessed with the balls on the mobile and the calming motion of the seat. This child needs all the ‘calm’ he can get!

Our favorite features of the mamaRoo Infant Seat:

5 motion settings

The hanging mobile with removable stuffed toys

USB plug-in with built in speakers

5 other optional sounds

Can hold up to 25 lbs

Lightweight/movable

Adjustable seat position – recline or straight up

Machine washable seat cover

Easy (seriously!) set up

Downloadable 4moms app – allows you to control the motion, speed, sound and volume remotely

I will say that the 4moms products are a bit more expensive than the fisher-price or other infant seats, but I honestly think these are the types of products that are worth investing in, especially if your baby is happy. I like to spend less on clothes that they will outgrow in just a few weeks, and more on products that you can use and re-use for months, or with baby #2, #3, etc. Moms to be – you can also register for these items and someone can gift them to you 🙂

For more information on @4moms products (strollers, bathtubs, infant seats, highchairs, play yards) you can visit their product page  or sign up for the @4moms email subscription here..

Does anyone else have a @4moms product? Do you love? Which 4moms product should I try next??

Talk to you all soon – hope you are having a fab week!

❤ Kayla