Happily Ever Mock

Mothers Day Gift Picks

Mother’s Day is this weekend and I am not sure how that happened! How is it possibly May!? If you are still struggling with what to snag for Mom this Mother’s Day, here are my top picks!

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  1. A comfy pair of shoes.  I love these pink TOMS! The color is so springy and fun!
  2. A snuggly bathrobe
  3. An adorable coffee mug.  Another idea would be to have the kids paint a mug or hand print craft at a local pottery painting shop
  4. These pajamas are so comfortable! My stepmom gifted me a few pairs to take to the hospital when I had Elise. Now I am spoiled and don’t want to wear any others!
  5. A new pair of jeans or a gift card to shop at one of her favorite shops.
  6. A Mommy necklace.  My dad gifted me this one. I love the 2 hearts symbolizing both of my girls!
  7. A denim jacket. Perfect for throwing over a T-shirt or dress this Spring.

What are you wishing for this year?

Elise Claire- 2 months

Elise Claire turned 2 months old last week and here I am finally playing catch up! #secondkidproblems

Here’s a little about our smallest girl:

  • Age- 2 months…and a week
  • Weight- 8 lbs 3.5 oz. (2%)  Sister weighed in at 7 lb 14 oz at this age.  They seem to be following a similar growth pattern though Hallie started out a big smaller.
  • Length- 21 1/4 (8%)
  • Size- We are still in newborn diapers and onesies.  Just like big sister even the 0-3 month ones swim on her! She is skinny and long!
  • Eyes- The jury is still out! They appear a gray blue, though I am not holding my breath for a blue eyed girl. Hallie’s stayed blue for so long and they eventually turned dark.
  • Hair- Light brown.  Much lighter than sisters at this age.  She also has much less of it.  It’s even starting to rub off in the back giving her a huge bald spot. Enter bows!
  • Sleeping- Much more sporadic than Hallie.  Hallie was a rock star sleeper! I generally put her to bed between 9-9:30 and I can usually get about about 6 hours. But that’s definitely not every night.
  • Eating- Aside from the night we still eat 3-4 oz every 3 hours. I am still exclusively pumping which is a labor of love my friends!
  • Milestones- Batting at toys. ALMOST giggling.  She also saves her best smiles for sister.  She holds her head up for a long time during tummy time and still rolling belly to back which is insane!
  • Memorable outings- Bapa’s retirement party, Madisonville for Daddy’s family Easter, and Sister’s ballet recital.
  • Favorite toys/activities- She enjoys tummy time, ceiling fans, mirrors, playing with sister, her turtle toy and pulling hair, people’s clothes and mommy’s necklace.  

Elise Mommy is enjoying seeing your little personality shine.  I can’t wait to see you grow and learn.  We love you so!

Sister Spring Style

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When I found out we were having another girl I couldn’t wait to plan all the matching and coordinating outfits! Spring is upon us and this momma has been scouring my favorite kid shops for some sweet spring looks for these cute sisters! A few matching options as well as some unique choices for each girl.

Big Sis

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Little Sis

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Pastels, florals, fresh fruit and stripes were my inspiration for these picks! I also am loving those sweet butterfly dresses! Hallie already loves hers and I just came across it in Elise’s size! Total score! Not to mention it’s only $5! Double Score! I’m also obsessed with the adorable flower sunglasses and the precious pineapple sunhat! Perfect for all of the park trips in our future!

What are your favorite spring picks for the kiddos?]

Spring Postpartum Wardrobe

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To me one of the most difficult parts of being in the postpartum stage is accepting your new skin.  Especially now that Spring is upon us and I can’t cover my extra pounds in layers of clothing.  That’s why today I am rounding up some flattering spring wardrobe staples for the postpartum momma.

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Each and every one of these picks are nursing friendly.  The black dress is super affordable and comes in a ton of colors! Even better, it’s available on Amazon Prime. Win!

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Probably the post important qualities when it comes to choosing bottoms for your postpartum bod, are being stretchy and forgiving. The jeans are super stretchy and wont break the bank! The shorts and joggers are both drawstring and will be incredibly comfortable as you are settling into your new skin.

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  Because you will be chasing after little ones, be sure to invest in some comfy shoes.  Also light scarves are great for concealing milk stains.

What did you love for your postpartum body?  Are there any Spring wardrobe staples I’m missing? Let me know!

Easter Basket Ideas

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Easter is less than 2 weeks away! This year is really flying by! Especially these last 6 weeks being in a newborn fog! But, I am finally getting back in the swing of things and starting to fill the girls Easter baskets! Today I am rounding up some fun ideas for you for both babies and girls!

                                 Book/Sleeper/Bow/Plush Bunny/ Pacifiers/ Swaddles

Hallie always loved this little Easter book, and we can’t wait to read it to Elise! We love the Modern Piggy Bows.  Also if you haven’t already snagged a pair of these precious Bunny Ears from Ashlilium, they are perfect for the Easter basket! The little bunny sleeper and swaddle are both so cozy! I love the little bunny feet.  I am usually not one to buy stuffed animals because Hallie already has so many, but these cute Jelly Cat bunnies are just so precious! Top the rest of the basket with necessities like Mam pacifiers and you are good to go! On Hallie’s first Easter she was a bit older, so we were able to add in some puff snacks and baby food pouches.  It was a nice touch for an older baby.

Sunglasses/Chalk/Markers/Butterfly Clips/Jelly Sandals/ Stuffed Puppy

These precious sunnies are our favorites and hold up great to tough kid wear!  The unicorn chalk and bright markers will be perfect for spring and summer fun!  These adorable butterfly clips are the best! Hallie loves them and wants to wear them with every outfit.  She also wears jellies all Spring/Summer so Easter is the best time to size up!  Finally if Elise gets a stuffed animal, Hallie will want one too. The puppy is just so sweet!

What have you snagged for Easter baskets?

Elise Claire- 1 Month

Now that sweet Elise has been in our lives for over a month, it’s about time for a Blog introduction.

We had a planned induction the morning of February 22.  We settled in at 5am and started the pitocin drip and things moved along quite slowly.  Finally around 2pm the nurse put me on a “birthing peanut” which sped things up and within an hour I was ready to deliver.

It was slow going in the beginning, but it  was an easy birth. Delivery took less than 20 minutes and she came into the world at 3:33pm.  Yes, 3:33 on 2-22.  The doctor said she came out with prayer hands, which was the sweetest thing I could have imagined.  Just like sister, she’s a little bean.  She weighed in at 5 lb 8.9 oz.

Unlike sister, she is growing steadily and quickly.  Already out of preemie clothes now at a month old.  It’s funny to me watching her wear Hallie’s newborn clothes, because Hallie was around 2-3 months old when she started wearing them.

So far she is a more challenging baby than Hallie.  She wants to be held all the time, which is difficult when I am trying to meet Hallie’s needs or cook dinner. Thankfully both Hallie and Christopher have been amazingly helpful!  All in all, we are totally smitten.  Big sister is completely in love and thinks of her as her personal baby doll.  She loves holding her, kissing her and helping me choose her clothes.  She also talks to her in the softest sweetest voice and my momma heart wants to explode! My little independent girl has been such a rock star during all of this, and even spends more time cuddling Christopher and I which is totally out of character for her.

Postpartum has been a bit worse this time as well.  More tears and a little more pain this time around.  I put a humorous spin on the the joys of postpartum on my latest Dallas Mom’s Blog Post.  If you are in need of a laugh, check it out.   

Now at a month old things are getting a little easier.  Most nights we are getting about a 4 hour stretch of sleep after our final feeding of the night.  Usually from 10pm-2am.  If I am lucky I can get her to go back down to sleep for another 3-4 hour stretch until daylight. At one month Elise can roll belly to back (just shy of 3 weeks!), is super squeaky, and sucks her thumb!

Though she is needy, I am telling myself that I am going to miss these cuddles and feedings very soon.  With it being my second rodeo, I know how quickly time flies.  Babies don’t keep and we are in awe of how much she has already grown. Elise Claire we love you so much and are enjoying every minute of watching you grow and change.

 

Modern Piggy Review/Giveaway

(This post is sponsored by Modern Piggy.  I received product in exchange for an honest review)

Happy Friday Friends! What better way to ring in the weekend than with a fun giveaway with an amazing company.

Modern Piggy is a made in America bow shop with the best selection of high quality handmade bows! The company was born from the brains of 2 adorable boss moms and best friends! Talk about girl power! (Check out their story!)

This precious company has a wide variety of styles including headband bows for the teeniest babe to adorable scrunchies and their new “Modern Knot” to top even mom’s messy bun, not to mention bows for every little girl in between!  And, want to know the best part?  No matter what you choose in the shop, shipping is always free!

We chose matching Fuchsia Rose hand tied bows for Hallie and Elise from the Valentine collection and I just can’t wait to match the girls! Hallie is already in love with her clip and Elise’s headband is packed in my hospital bag, awaiting her arrival.  This Momma is looking forward to trying out the new “Modern Knots” since I have endless messy buns in my future of taking care of a newborn again!

Got a boy?  He can wear Modern Piggy too! They have an adorable selection of bow ties as well.  Many actually match their selection of Bows.  Certainly the perfect option for matching brother and sister!  Hello Easter ensembles! 

Another thing that sets Modern Piggy apart from the average bow shop is their “Midweek Markdown”.  Each Tuesday the sweet ladies over at MP mark down one bow style 20%.  Now that’s a great deal if you ask me!

If you are looking for a subscription bow service, Modern Piggy has you covered there as well.  Adventure by Modern Piggy is a subscription service offering 3 bows monthly straight to your door.  You have your choice between a clip set, a headband set or a handkerchief tie set.  T

here is also a choice to add a pigtail set to your order for an additional fee.  Seems like they really have thought of everything!

Because the ladies at Modern Piggy are so awesome, they are offering one of my readers a $15 shop credit! Entering is simple.  Head over to my Instagram and follow along with both @Happilyevermock and @ModernPiggy then tag a few friends who would love the chance to win bows for their littles or for themselves! Good Luck!

To learn more about Modern Piggy visit their website today.  Also be sure to follow them on social media: Facebook/Instagram/Pinterest

Kid Valentine Ideas

Love day is almost here! Hallie and I enjoy creating the perfect Valentine each year to share with her sweet friends! Today I am sharing all of the Kid Valentine ideas we have made in the past, then a cute idea for this year.

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Finger Painted Valentines:

When Hallie was a baby/toddler, I put a few drops of paint on thick paper.  Then I let her go to town finger painting.  After her artwork dried, I cut hearts out of it to let her hand out to family and friends.  This is a hit, personal and so very easy!

 

Heart Shaped Crayons:

For Toddlers this is a fun Valentine to make and to receive! Purchase a heart shaped mold, similar to this one.  Sort broken crayons by color, remove from wrapping, and fill molds just over halfway full.  Melt at 350 for 10 minutes (or until fully melted) in the oven.  Wait until fully cooled before removing from mold.  Hallie loved sharing these with all of her friends!

Donuts and Milk: 

This was the Valentine we shared a couple years ago with playgroup and it turned out so cute! I just bought milk bottles, paper straws and dipped mini donuts in sprinkles.  I let her friends choose between strawberry or white milk and it was a total hit! You can print the Donut Tags we made here.

Ice Cream Valentines:

Last year since we had school friends and Playgroup friends to share with, I needed an easy and cost effective idea! I got some adorable valentines from Raeannekelly on Etsy. (unfortunately these aren’t available this year, but here is an adorable substitute!) Then I ordered color changing spoons from Amazon.  I just attached the spoons with a hole punch and some ribbon for the next time our friends eat some ice cream! You can even attach a free ice cream coupon from chick fil a or Baskin Robbins if you want to add a little something extra to it!

Sunglasses Valentines:

This year Hallie wanted to give out “Ash Sunglasses”- Have you seen Sing? If not it’s still a precious idea.  I created this little printable and I am attaching a pair of heart shaped sunglasses for each kiddo. What do you think?

What kinds of Valentines are your kiddos sharing with their friends this year? I can’t wait to hear!

Big Sis/Little Sis Valentine Style

At this point in my pregnancy I’m unsure whether or not we will welcome Elise before or after Valentines Day.  So today I am rounding up some Valentine style faves for both Big and Little Sis! That way I am prepared no matter what happens!

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Big Sis Valentine Style

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Hallie absolutely loves the little pink and white heart dress. It is so soft and sweet! I also must get her those heart 1 piece pajamas because Elise already has them, and I can’t wait to match them!

Little Sis Valentine Style

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I just love the sweet little XOXO swaddle! I can’t wait to snuggle Elise up in it! AND how cute is the little mix pattern light pink outfit! Why are baby clothes so precious!?

Valentine Accessory Style
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I have gotten the girls a few matching bow sets already! I love the sparkly Ashlilium hearts.  They come both on clips and headbands, and you really can’t beat the price and the quality! Head to her shop and give her some love!  I also adore the Modern Piggy bows! We will be collaborating with them very soon, so stay tuned!

What are you loving for your littles right now?

Baby Sprinkle

Elise Claire you are already one loved little girl!

On Saturday my friends and family got together and threw a little baby sprinkle in honor of our sweet baby girl. It was so beautiful and the food was delicious! I was so blown away that everyone was so willing to spoil us. Everyone was so thoughtful!  A huge thank you to my very best friend Joyce, my Auntie Janie and my Stepmom Linda for hosting! All of your hard work did not go unnoticed! We feel so loved!

Also thank you to my sweet Mother in law Beth, my cousin Karley and friend Sindi who traveled to make it to the shower! You guys are the best!

Enjoy these sweet photos from the sprinkle!