Maternity Leave Essentials

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I have 12 weeks off to be with my baby before I return to work and I've found myself gravitating towards the same products and the same outfits for the last seven weeks so I thought I'd share some of my favorites with y'all.  

Sally Hanson Salon Care Roller Clips

I use these clips to secure my velcro rollers when I wash and style my hair once a week (I used to do it twice but now that I'm at home there's no point and my hair doesn't really get greasy, thankfully).  The other use for these clips is for making a topknot. I wear my hair piled on top of my head all day because it makes nursing and pumping easier and these clips are a fantastic alternative to hair elastics. I just twist my hair into the shape I want and then secure it with one of these clips and it stays in and is very comfortable. In fact, I even sleep with my hair in a topknot using one of these clips.

Seche Vite Topcoat

It wasn't until Harper was five weeks old that I painted my nails for the first time. It's the longest I've ever gone without painting them, but I figured they needed a break anyway.  I didn't use this topcoat during pregnancy because it is advised not to, but now that I am no longer pregnant, it's the only product that dries nails in literally five minutes.  It's a must-have for every woman, not just moms! 

Lululemon Run Speed Short

I've owned these shorts for quite a long time and I've been loving wearing them at home with Harper.  The soft, stretchy waistband makes them totally comfortable postpartum and the fabric is perfect for lounging around the house or taking the baby outside in her stroller. They are also easy to wipe down if the baby spits up on them...speaking from experience!

GAP Racerback Bra

I've sung the praises of this bra for many posts and I even wore them during pregnancy---but I absolutely love them. You can get similar styles at Forever 21 or Target too. These are a must-have if you are nursing or pumping. I just flip it up if I need to nurse and I also use it to keep the flanges in places as I pump, hands-free! I have so many bras like this now (from GAP and other stores) because I also wear them to bed every night.

Mother's Milk Organic Tea

I don't know if it's psychological or if it actually works...but I drink two cups a day and I'm pumping over 4 ounces per session...so I'm going to go ahead and recommend this to help with supply. It also tastes like black licorice which is right up my alley!

Hari Mari Flip Flops

I'm totally obsessed with these---comfortable and so stylish. I have a review coming up on my blog this week! Stay tuned...

Kiehl's Self Tanner

I am obsessed with this self tanner. Dare I say it, I may even like it better than the Clarins SPF 6 tanning milk (though I still love that too). Once a week or so, I will apply the Kiehl's self tanner to my entire face and neck (and a little bit onto my chest) because it gives me a little color and evens out my skin. Since I don't wear makeup everyday, it's nice to have a little color, especially in the summer. Also---it doesn't smell bad and it's a watery lotion consistency so it doesn't feel any different than using a moisturizer before bed.

AE Boyfriend Shorts

These shorts are another win.  I love wearing these when I leave the house to run errands. They are comfortable and perfect for summer.

J.Crew Shorts

I'm a little obessed with shorts right now (can you tell?!) because the 90 plus degree temperatures pretty much negate that you wear shorts or a dress. I love that these come in all kinds of bright and candy colors. 

J.Crew Vintage V-Neck Tee

I've sung the praises of these tees a thousand times. I live in them. They're perfect for wearing around the house but look chic and simple when you need to leave the house, too.

What were your essential items when you were at home with your baby? Share in the comments below!

Harper's First Vaccinations Next Week

Harper is getting her first vaccinations next week when she's 8 weeks old (seriously, how has time passed so quickly?!) and I'm so scared (more for me, than for her). I remember how many heel pricks she had to get in the hospital and at the pediatrician's office to check her billiruben levels and it hurts my heart that she's going to feel pain again when she gets the shots. Please feel free to share your tips on how you soothed your baby after his or her first set of vaccines. I'm all ears!

One thing I'm excited about is that we can finally take her out once she's vaccinated. As new parents, we personally felt more comfortable limiting Harper's exposure to busy places. We've taken her to the pediatrician, to the hospital where I delivered her to work with a lactation consultant and on walks in our neighborhood, and that's pretty much it.  Our pediatrician also thought this was the best route, especially since Harper was having trouble gaining weight initially so he wanted me to focus on being at home and breastfeeding on demand and pumping. I know most parents take their newborns places before they are vaccinated but we just felt more comfortable having her at home until she got her shots. I think having her spend time in the NICU and my own hospitalization sort of freaked me out about taking her places anyway.

In celebration of all of the things Harper will be able to do once she's vaccinated, an online friend of mine created the hilarious images below!

Enjoying the elephants at the zoo (it's like she's part of the pack!)

At the winter Olympics. No.Big.Deal.

At the club.

With BFF Suri.

Parachuting like a champion.

Swimming with the dolphins. She's a natural.

Running with the bulls.

At Harvard. LOL.

Now, lets be serious, we're really just looking forward to taking her out with us to have lunch at some of our favorite places and to run weekend errands (you know, normal things). It's so hot in Houston that it's hard to be outdoors for a long time, especially for a baby, so I'm actually looking forward to it cooling down a bit because we would love going for long walks with her. I did purchase this stroller fan which I've used on some of our evening walks, but I don't think it would cut it during the day in this heat.

Wishing everyone a fabulous week!

Update: My Experience with Placenta Accreta

I wanted to give an update after the post I shared about my hospitalization for retained placenta and postpartum bleeding.

My OB called me this week with the results of the pathology report and it turns out that I actually experienced a very rare complication called placenta accreta that occurs when blood vessels and other parts of the placenta grow too deeply into the uterine wall.  I had heard about it before because my boss at work had it with her last pregnancy, but it wasn't until I google'd it that I really understood how dangerous and scary it is.

Perhaps the most difficult part of all is facing the reality that this condition will affect any future pregnancies and I will be considered high-risk and have to see a maternal-fetal-medicine specialist if I ever want to have another baby---and with that, there are risks, including having to have a hysterectomy or blood transfusion. 

Some women get placenta accreta due to scarring after a c-section or other uterine surgery---none of which I've had. I also had none of the risk factors---it was completely random for me.

Fortunately, one of the world's leading experts on placenta accreta works at the hospital where I delivered, so I will be meeting with him in the next 6 months or so to discuss the condition and a possible future pregnancy.

When they performed the D&C surgery they did find a piece of placenta, but it was very small, maybe 2 cm.  I am not sure what this means in terms of the severity of my accreta, but that's one of the things I plan to discuss with the specialist.  It seems as though my situation was kind of odd because my bleeding didn't begin to be severe until 5 weeks postpartum, and not immediately after delivery like most women with this condition who are unable to even deliver the placenta (mine was delivered fully and looked intact).

I am so thankful we have our sweet little Harper. We are blessed to even have one baby. But I have to admit that it's a hard pill for me to swallow knowing that I may not be able to have another child (we wanted to have two) or that if I am able to get pregnant again, I may have a very complicated pregnancy and delivery and possibly have to have a hysterectomy. It's just really scary to think about, especially because my pregnancy was smooth-sailing and I enjoyed being pregnant for the most part.

I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me---like I said, we are so blessed to have a beautiful baby girl and she is absolutely the joy of my life. It's just another shock to find out that something very dangerous was happening in my body. I am SO thankful that God protected me and the baby and that I did not experience some of the more severe complications that some women do when they have placenta accreta. 

Knowing that complications may be in my future is kind of sad...but that's something I'm tying not to think about too much right now. After all, I have a beautiful new baby to enjoy and bond with at home---and that in itself, in addition to causing so much happiness also causes a lot of worry and anxiety that all new parents experience.  I think all of the unexpected things that happened after Harper was born have  heightened my already worrisome nature, but I'm working on moving past it all and enjoying the time I have with her at home before I return to work. If you fellow moms have any tips on how to move past worrying about everything, please leave me a comment!

Thank you again to everyone who sent thoughts and prayers my way and wished for a speedy recovery. I feel much better now and I'm so thankful to be home and healthy.

Guest Post: Your Style & Beauty as a New Mom by Marissa from The Simple Swan

Today, I'm delighted to have Marissa from The Simple Swan guest posting on my blog!  Marissa is a fellow Houstonian and has a sweet one year old little girl, Aviana.  Check out her style, hair and beauty tips for new moms in the post below!

Your life changes when you become a parent which requires you to �adjust� your style and beauty routine a bit.  Even though your time may be limited, there are still ways to keep yourself looking polished.  Fixing your hair and putting a little makeup on before leaving the house can make you feel better about yourself.  Here are some of my favorite ways to stay stylish and pretty in a matter of minutes.

Wardrobe

Comfort is key when putting together your wardrobe.  All you need are a few staple pieces and some fun accessories.   Make sure to invest in basic tees, flattering jeans, simple maxi dresses, and a cute pair of ballet flats.  A statement necklace, scarf, and big sunnies are all great items that can transform your plain tee and skinny jeans look. 

Tee: Target| Jeans: Paige| Shoes: Tory Burch| Necklace: Swell Caroline

Hair

Before becoming a mommy, it took me at least an hour to do my hair.  Well those days are gone.  My go-to hairstyle is a high bun.  It�s classy and chic and takes minutes to do.  Conair�s Bun Maker is an easy way to achieve the perfect bun.  Dry shampoo is also a great product to have on hand when you don�t have time to wash your hair.  It absorbs the oils in your hair, adds texture, and leaves you hair smelling great.  Batiste dry shampoo is a current favorite.

Makeup

Taking 5 minutes to put on make-up can make you feel refreshed and ready to face the day. Start with applying a BB Cream or tinted moisturizer with an SPF for light coverage and protection.  The Josie Maran tinted moisturizer is great, and is buildable for those needing extra coverage.  Dab on some concealer, a cream blush and your favorite mascara.  Also, adding a pop of color to your lips is a great way to spice up your look.  Spray on a layer of Urban Decay Make-up Setting Spray to leave your make-up long lasting.

Motherhood can be draining, but don�t let it drain your style.  And remember, in order to be the good mother you desire to be, you must take care of YOU, too.

~Marissa

Recent Purchases & Harper's Nursery Featured on Fawn Over Baby

I haven't shared any recent purchases in a long time, so I thought I'd share some in today's post.  All of these items have been purchased over the last couple of months.

Top Row: 

Cynthia Rowley Blouse from Marshalls (similar)

J.Crew Factory Teagan Ruffle Blouse (buy)

J.Crew Punk Floral Print Blouse (sold out | same print dress | same print bikini | )

Bottom Row:

Banana Republic Ponte Full Skirt Dress (buy)

Forever 21 top (sold out | similar | )

Banana Republic Ponte Full Skirt Dress in Stripe (buy)

J.Crew Factory Necklace- (sold out | similar | )

Top Row:

J.Crew Factory Mint Floral Earrings (sold out | similar | ) 

J.Crew Striped Shorts (sold out  | similar | )

Middle Row:

John Freida Luxurious Volume Fine to Full Blowout Spray (buy)

Henri Bendel Sandals (| similar | also love these |)

Bottom Row:

Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm (buy)

Boxwood Topiary Plants- Marshall's Home Goods

Have you been shopping a lot this summer? I've toned down my shopping now that I'm at home with the baby since I wear shorts and t-shirts everyday. I will probably buy some new things when I go back to work after my maternity leave.

I'm also delighted to share with you all that Harper's nursery has been featured on the blog Fawn Over Baby!  You can check out the feature here. Thank you to Melissa for featuring our sweet little girl's room!

Five Minute Makeup

Before I had a baby, I would always hear the line "you won't even have time to shower!" whenever someone talked about being at home with a newborn.  That definitely hasn't rang true for me--- I still shower in the morning or at the very least before bed a night, everyday, but what has changed is my makeup routine.

Now that I'm home on maternity leave, I don't wear makeup everyday because Harper doesn't care if I have mascara on or not (and quite frankly, neither do I). But there are some days where I'll be in the mood to apply some makeup and I definitely still wear makeup when I run errands or have company. It just feels nice to do something small for myself.

Harper is a good sleeper/napper so I do have time to do my normal makeup routine most days if I wanted to...but I don't want to spend the time/make the effort, so I cut it down to a simple five-minute routine that evens out the skin, brightens and defines the eyes and overall just makes you look fresh. I know it looks like a lot of products, but I promise it takes just five minutes of time to apply them.

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MAC StudioFinish Concealer

I use this concealer wherever needed (corners of nose and mouth and any blemishes), applied with a foundation brush.

MAC StudioFix Powder Foundation

I use a large fluffy powder brush to quickly dust this all over. Don't forget to bring it down to your neck too so it's even.

Bare Minerals Stroke of Light

I use a dab of this pink-toned brightener under each eye and blend with my finger to illuminate my under eye area (no concealer needed!)

Benefit Eye Bright Pencil (optional)

For extra brightness in the eye area, apply to the inner corners of both eyes and under each lash line and use your finger to blend.

MAC Eyeshadow in "Copperplate"

Apply to bottom lash line only, using an angled brush. This will define your eyes subtly. If you don't like to line your bottom lash line, you can use this to create a soft definition on your top lash line.

Anastasia of Beverly Hills Brow Pencil

Eyebrows frame the face so it's important to fill in sparse areas and define them---it really completes your look. Use gentle strokes when applying for the most natural look.

Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in "Zero" (optional)

Apply to the waterline for additional definition.

NARS "Laguna" Bronzer

Swipe along cheekbones, hairline and sides of nose for a sun-kissed glow.

Bobbi Brown Blush in "Peony"

Apply to the apples of the cheeks for a rosy glow that looks like you got sleep, even though you were up 3 times during the night to feed your baby.

DiorShow Mascara- Waterproof

My favorite mascara---makes lashes look so long and lush. I like the waterproof version because it lasts and doesn't smudge on hot summer days.

Dermstore Lip Quench
A friend recently purchased this lip treatment for me and I love it! It has a very light pink color and is a fantastic lip conditioner.

Has your makeup routine changed since becoming a momma? How did you make it simpler/quicker?

Hope everyone has a great week!

1 Month Favorites!

The first month of baby's life is full of learning--- your baby's cues, a new routine and so much more. I thought about the products we've most loved during the first month of Harper's life and below are some of my favorites. You can also check out my first weeks baby essentials post for more baby must-haves!

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Marc by Marc Jacobs Pretty Eliza Nylon Diaper Bag

I love this diaper bag because it's roomy, doesn't look like a traditional diaper bag and is made of easy-to-clean material. I also love all of the pockets because it makes it easy to organize. The best part is that it can be used for travel or as a gym bag when you no longer need to use it for your baby.

BabyLegs

I purchased BabyLegs to keep Harper warm in our house during the summer when our AC is blasting because it's 100 degrees outside. BabyLegs allow me to dress her in a onesie and keep her warm while simultaneously making diaper changes easy.

Puj Flyte Tub

One of the best newborn inventions ever, this foam tub fits right into your sink and folds up for easy storage. A must-have for new parents, especially if you are short on space or just want a lightweight, easy-to-use product. Harper loves baths in her Puj tub!

J.Crew Vintage V-Neck Tees

I got these during the store's 30% off promo and I pretty much live in them while I'm at home on leave. They are soft, comfortable and easy to nurse in.

Woombie

Otherwise known as the "magical baby sleeping device" in our house, the Woombie is unlike any other swaddler. Your baby's arms (and legs) cannot escape from this. We prefer it to the Miracle Blanket and the Halo Sleep Sack because she can get her arms out of both of those.  I love that it comes in cute patterns and it's so easy to use and makes nighttime diaper changes easier than ever. You just unzip ONLY the bottom portion of the Woombie and baby stays swaddled while you change her.  Mommas-to-be, add this to your registry!

Burts Bees Baby Wash

I purchased this a week ago and have really enjoyed using it when we bathe Harper. It smells like Honey and it's a really natural product.

MAM pacifiers

At first, Harper didn't seem to show a preference for any one pacifier, but in the past couple of weeks, she has made her wishes very clear- it's the MAM or nothing!  She used to take Avent pacifiers and the Soothies, but she now prefers the MAM pacifiers and makes a "what the heck is this" face when we try to give her another brand.  

Mustela Newborn Starter Kit

I got this kit at one of my baby showers and absolutely love it!  I love the foaming hair wash, body wash and diaper rash cream.  Mustela products are wonderful and I even used their stretch mark cream during pregnancy.

Triple Paste

At about 3 weeks old, Harper started to get a bit of a diaper rash because she has a lot of dirty diapers. I change them right away, but she goes constantly so it's important to use diaper cream to create a barrier for her sensitive skin.

What were your must-have baby items during the first month? Share your faves in the comments below!  

I also have to give a shout-out to Jessica from the blog Little Baby Garvin (she has an adorable daughter also named Harper!)  Her registry must-haves lists helped me select a lot of the baby items we use. I encourage you to check out the archives of some of your favorite mommy bloggers to help build your registry if you are expecting!