My Top New-Mom Favorites

Ok, so I've been at this mom gig for almost three months now and I can say with confidence that there are a few things we can't live without.

Beluga Baby wrap: I'm not sure who liked this one more, Athena or me. This super soft bamboo baby carrier wrap goes on easy and comes in some really gender-neutral colors which means it's perfect for Andrew or me to wear. I think my favorite part though is that there are really easy tutorials on the Beluga Baby site on how and when to use different wrap styles. Now that I've been using it, it's so easy to cozy Athena right up on my chest so she can hang out with me all day long. She loves the cuddles just as much as I do.

Trifecta of baby sleep magic: Our baby, thus far, sleeps well. And pretty much has since day one. I consider us SUPER lucky and I have my fingers crossed as well as anything else I can cross that this good thing lasts as long as it can! Maybe it's just her or maybe it's the sweet combination of these three things that we use together exclusively at night so she gets the hint that it's nighttime.

1. Zen Swaddle: This unique swaddler was a gift from my mom. It's one of those random items that pop up on my Facebook feed as an ad that I probably would have never tried if it wasn't gifted to me, but boy am I glad it was. It has little weighted sacks on the chest flap as well as the sides that are supposed to mimic human touch. I'm guessing Athena digs this because she is out cold within minutes of putting this on. My favorite part is that this sucker has some SERIOUS velcro and it's the only swaddler she couldn't wiggle her arms out of.

2. DockATot: A sweet little baby dock where you can put the baby down and know they are safe. Athena loved to sleep in hers and up until recently, slept in it every night! She is a tall little lady so she's getting a bit too long for it now but we still take it with us on quick weekends away. Click here to get a 10% off coupon! You're welcome!

 

3. White Noise Machine: This little device drowns out everything around Athena's little head which helps a ton because her nursery is close to the washer and dryer. With this going we can do whatever we want and she stays in her blissful little sleep bubble and isn't distracted! We also take this with us on trips and it fits in the DocATot zipper carrying bag which we use as her all-in-one suitcase! It fits her bed, then in the hollow part we toss her clothes, blanket and white noise machine and we're good to go!

Carters fleece footie pjs: Because any pajamas without a zipper and covered feet is for suckers! Who wants to be snapping in the middle of the night or searching for tiny baby socks that get kicked off instantly? Not me. Cozy fleece + zip-up one piece + footies = easy nights!

Athena's sleeper // She's More Bow

Boon Grass Drying Rack: It's like the one thing that is a dead giveaway that our house has a baby in it. It's not the prettiest thing and doesn't really match our decor but it does easily dry all the silly bottle pieces and tiny pump parts that I'd probably lose in a minute if it weren't for this thing.

Copper Pearl Bandana Bibs: Athena is a drooler and a super sloppy eater so these little bibs are cute, soft and absorbent. As an added bonus she looks like a little bandit in them and when they turn around she looks like a baby super hero in a cape. What's not to love there?

Armitron digital watch: In the early days when I didn't know what time or day it was and certainly didn't know how long I had been nursing Athena, I relied on this little Armitron digital watch to help me remember what the heck was going on at what times of day. Phones are great for time but the thing that made this better is that it was attached to my body. I could see it while my arms were in use.

Lactation Link: Breastfeeding, like most things you've never done before, is hard. And it's not just a one-and-done kind of thing. It keeps evolving 'til you get into a good groove and start to figure out what's ok and what feels right for you and the baby. I wrote a post back here on how awesome they are and how helpful they were in those first few weeks.

DockATot Discount and Lorena Canals Rugs

DockATot  c/o (get discount code here) // Lorena Canals Alphabet rug c/o

As a blogger, I am lucky to not only get to try some things out myself, but also to have awesome blogger friends who turn me toward new products. Some, even before I have a need for them. That was the case with the DockATot.

If you have never heard of it, let me fill you in. Basically it's a tiny baby rest station that is ridiculously portable (it comes with its own little suit case that you better believe is coming home with us to Chicago for the holidays) and it's a super safe and worry-free place for a baby to hang out in. The rounded sides are meant to recreate the feeling of the womb and hug the baby, making them feel happy and safe. It comes in two sizes so there is one for babies 0-36 months, made of breathable cotton.

And the most important detail to mention, as the proud owner of both a baby and a DockATot for over four weeks now is: SHE SLEEPS like a log in this thing! And she has since day one, so I know this isn't just a one-night fluke. 

Do I have your attention now?

I had seen a bunch of blogger friends using the DockATot with their little ones since before I was a mom, so I was super intrigued. I heard each and every one of them rave about it. Bloggers, non-bloggers, all my mom friends love theirs. It's such a simple idea, a portable, safe bed that you can put on virtually any flat surface and not have to worry about creating a tiny baby fort of pillows and blankets around them. Why had this not been thought of sooner! Sometimes the best ideas are the ones right in front of you.

So you better believe I had a DockATot waiting when Athena was born! I was so exited to try it out and, you guys, it's AMAZING! I'm almost afraid to tell you just how well she sleeps through the night or you might hate me... or she may stop, knock on wood that she doesn't! She is in it right now, as we speak, just as cozy as can be.

We use it on the bed, the floor, the chaise portion of our couch, and even on our big kitchen table when we are cooking breakfast and need an easy place to stow her. But the best part is that she loves it so much. She always looks so peaceful and cozy inside. I don't blame her; I kind of want an adult-sized one for myself!

I'm very excited to take it along with us on our trip home to Chicago for Christmas! It comes in its own little carry on bag which will make it super easy to take with us since we will be staying at multiple places. It's so nice to know she will have the consistency and same exact comforts of her bed at home while halfway across the country.

Ok, here's the part where there is something in this for you! Get your own DockATot using this link and you'll get $10 off! 

And check out this adorable natural fabric Lorena Canals alphabet rug! 

We had just redone our basement in a warm shade of white to make a playroom for Athena and this rug matches perfectly. I think the teacher in me saw this alphabet design and could just see Athena and her friends spelling out words in the future while cozied up on the rug! What makes this rug so special is that it is machine washable! Isn't that awesome? In fact, all Lorena Canals rugs are washable! (You didn't think I would get a white rug for a baby that I couldn't keep clean, did you?!)

It was really hard to choose just one of these Lorena Canals rugs because the designs are so chic. Like more West Elm than Land of Nod. Perfectly suitable for adult rooms too. I really loved this black and white one but like I said before, there was some magic in this alphabet one for me!

**As always, the integrity of my blog and the products I put on here are super important to me. I want to let you know that this DocATot and rug were provided to me but the feelings and opinions are my own. If there is ever a product on my blog, you better believe I stand behind it and would spend my own money on it!

You Are Here! Welcome Baby Athena!

Push Play!

My final pregnant outfit post also comes with the best announcement. Here she is everyone! After many weeks of sickness and discomfort, Athena Marie Welhouse came into our lives on November 4th at 11:51AM weighing in at 6lbs 12oz! I still can't believe such a petite little girl came from me!

She is just the cutest sweetest baby around although I may be a little biased.

She is just over two weeks old now and we are having so much fun getting to know her. I hear from so many people that I need to try to enjoy her and that she will grow up so fast so that's why I've been kind of MIA over here. The blog can wait but Athena is growing every day which is why I chose to make her my priority. It's taken me until just now to figure out when to have time away from her to blog. Turns out that time is 2 am while she's asleep and I'm pumping! Multitasking y'all!

Since I am a little late to welcoming her over here on the blog, I want to remind you that you can always see lots of our daily life on my Instagram story and also on snapchat (username HOTPINKSTYLE). If you like baby snuggles, I suggest you start following, because we do a lot of that over there!

I am just about done writing her birth story; that will be my next post so stay tuned for that. Til then, here is an outfit from a few days before she was born and some sweet pictures of her I took from her first week.

Dress: Topshop nursing dress // Shoes: Adidas

Gender Reveal

As part two of our big announcement we have the gender reveal. I have always said that I wanted to know what I'm having just as soon as I could find out, so that is exactly what we did. We were lucky enough to be able to find out really early so we have known for a few weeks now.

No one was more convinced than I, that I was having a boy. I think in my head I've always envisioned having boys because I grew up with only boys. I never have seen my life with girls in my family. All I know is I am absolutely smitten with my niece Allie and she has prepared me for a girl more than I realized.

We were driving home on a Friday and the doctors office called to share the news with us. We found out in the driveway of our house while still in the car. After that we walked into the house for the first time knowing one day there would be 2 girls living in this house! Poor Andrew will be outnumbered.

So since then I have only bought two things for the baby and both are blue. Sorry little lady, but I'm not about all the girly pink which may sound surprising. I'm not going to force that on her just yet. There will be lots of color in her life. That I know for sure.

Again, I'm working on a post of questions I've gotten so far regarding my pregnancy, but if you have any more for me leave them below or email me. 

Baby Welhouse Coming Soon!

Andrew and I are so excited to finally spill the beans! We are welcoming a new little human into our lives over here in Salt Lake City come early November!

Our lives have changed so much since we moved here, and this is just another fun new adventure for this new chapter of our lives.

Anyone who knows me, knows that the passion/profession of teaching for the last 11 years leads me to fall madly and deeply in love with my students and many other children that come into my life. I'm a sucker for kids and I've had hundreds in my life to love and care for right in front of me for the last decade. It's kept me busy for sure and my heart has been so full, but it's only fitting that now that I'm not teaching full time, that I make my own own little person to love and care for just the same... probably more.

We are excited to say the least. Especially to just finally share the news. It's pretty hard when you live across the country from most of your friends and family to hold secrets of this magnitude. When I went home to Chicago a few weeks ago I told my family and close friends. It was really fun to share that news in person and I'm glad I flew back to make that happen. I'm really lucky to have such wonderful people in my life!

With all that being said, I'm new to this pregnancy stuff in general, and on my blog I want to know if you guys have any interest in pregnancy updates and such? I know I've loved reading so many of my fellow bloggers' updates and experiences in pregnancy. If this is something you would like to see on the blog let me know in the comments, email, texts... you know where to find me! Questions welcome too so I know what in the heck you want to know.

FYI in the picture above, Andrew is the one with the hairy legs and (slightly) bigger feet. Special thanks to Happy Socks for the adorable heart socks to help us share our news in a fun and colorful way!