My Favorite Maternity and Nursing Products

I can't believe that Raphael is 3 weeks old! Over the past few weeks (and even before Raphael was born), I have been loving several maternity and nursing products. Some of these products were recommended to us and some I found on my own through research. These products have become my favorite maternity products and I thought it'd be great to share them with you.


1. Gilligan & O'Malley Women's Nursing Seamless Bra (2 Pack)

Oh my goodness! These bras are amazing! Even if you are not nursing, these nursing bras are perfect! They fit very well and the fabric is so soft. Even though the bras are labeled as sleep bras, they are great for wearing during the day.

2. Boobease Organic Healing Nipple Balm

This balm has been a lifesaver for me. I love that it's organic and you don't have to wash the balm off when it's time to feed your baby. It's also not sticky and it works fast. It is a bit pricey, but it's so worth it.

3. Medela Pump In Style Advanced Breast Pump Starter Set

I heard great things about the Medela pumps and after doing a lot of research, I decided I wanted one. After hearing about some insurance plans that either cover (or partially cover) the cost of a breast pump, I decided to contact my insurance and find out which pumps they cover. Luckily, they did partially cover the Medela pumps and I only had to pay just a small amount of money for the pump.

4. Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads

These nursing pads are really great. They are very absorbent and stay in place very well. I can't even tell that I have them on. I highly recommend these nursing pads.

5. May Designs Newborn Notes Journal

Whether you are breastfeeding or giving your baby formula, it is so important to keep track of how much your baby is eating as well as the time of day that your baby is eating. It's also important to keep track of how many wet and dirty diapers your baby has throughout the day. When I was in the hospital, I received a few sheets of pumping and feeding logs to keep track of my son's feeding. However, I wanted a book where I could keep track of my baby's feeding schedule.

I have been a fan of May Designs for a while and was so excited when I found out that they have a Newborn Notes Journal. This journal is awesome and I love that I can customize the cover. The journal includes so many useful things like different journaling prompts (i.e. Hospital Memories, Birth Story, etc.) and of course pages to keep track of a newborn's feeding schedule and wet/dirty diapers.

*I'll be posting a full review of this journal soon.*

What are some of your maternity and/or nursing must have products?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

*Disclaimer: I received the May Designs Newborn Notes Journal in exchange for a review, but all opinions are my own.*

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Friday! Today I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly grateful and happy list link up.

1. Good news from the doctor

2. My boys

3. A Book That Takes Its Time: An Unhurried Adventure in Creative Mindfulness by Irene Smit and Astrid von der Hulst

4. My boys and John

5. Ice Cream

6. Naps

7. Warm blankets

8. Atlanta (seriously it's such a great show)

9. Barnes and Noble

10. Slowly making a new routine

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Currently List

Happy Wednesday! It's time for another Currently List.

Watching: I have a ton of shows to catch up on. I'm currently catching up on the second season of Atlanta. I also finally caught up with Fear the Walking Dead.

Reading: I've been reading some blogs, but I really hope to start reading a new book soon.

Listening: Lights Down Low by MAX feat. Gnash is such a great song. It's been on repeat for a while. I also really like the latin mix version which you can check it out here.

Making: I've been working on some blog posts and I've also been journaling. I'm a bit behind the 100 Day Project, but I'm not stressing over missing a few days (or rather weeks).

Feeling: I've been really exhausted, but so happy. Everyone says to sleep when the baby sleeps, but it's kind of hard when you still have other children and things that you have to get done. Every time I see my boys together, my heart just feels like it's going to explode with happiness.

Planning: I'm hoping to have a new routine set up, but in the meantime I'm just going with the flow.

Loving: My family is the best. My boys are so amazing. Michael and Gabriel love their baby brother so much. It brings me so much joy when they go to Raphael and talk to him as well as give him hugs and kisses. My mami is the best! She watched the boys while I was in labor, cooked us meals, and has been checking up on us a lot. John is the best! He has been so encouraging when I am feeling stressed about breastfeeding.

What are you currently up to?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

The Nerd Nest Challenge - Frame It

Happy Tuesday! It's been a while since I shared a project that I made for The Nerd Nest. Today I'm going to share the challenge for March which was Frame It. The challenge for March was one of my favorite Nerd Nest challenges.

There are so many ways to incorporate frames in projects. I decided to use a cardstock that I had in my stash for a while. I love that the paper has a bunch of different frames. I embellished the frames with stickers, button stickers, die cuts, journaling, and a couple of photos.

The photos were taken when I was 32 weeks pregnant. I journaled about our excitement for the baby.

Below are a couple of close ups of the layout.

Did you participate in the challenge? 

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Introducing Baby Raphael

Happy Monday! I'm back...well kind of. I haven't blogged in a couple of weeks because baby Raphael has arrived! April 9 has been added to our list of the best days of our lives.

My family and I are so very excited that Raphael is here. I still can't believe that he came 5 weeks early! I had a feeling that he would come early, but I never thought that it would be this early. The day before Raphael was born, I remember telling John that I could not wait for our little angel to arrive...and here we are.

I'm hoping to get a chance to work on his birth story soon especially since I never did write a second or third trimester update. Until then, check out my Instagram for more updates.

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...
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10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Friday! Today I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly grateful and happy list link up.

1. 5 more weeks!

2. Sleeping in

3. Getting good news from my doctor

4. Visiting my mami

5. Rice Krispy Treats

6. Naps

7. My boys and John

8. Getting to see how the baby is doing (ultrasound)

9. Catching up on some shows

10. Getting half of the house decluttered

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...
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What I Read in March

I have been trying to keep up with my reading goal for this year. I want to read 12 books this year (one each month) and decided that I would share some more book reviews on my blog. I also want to share my favorite blog posts, articles, etc. that I read and loved every month. Below are the books, magazines, and blog posts that I read in March.

Must Read

The Crossroads of Should and Must by Elle Luna

I read The Crossroads of Should and Must again. This is such a great book and really made me think about my goals. I decided to read the book again since I planned to buy Elle Luna and Susie Herrick's new book Your Story is Your Power.

Light Reading

Cosmopolitan - April 2018 issue

It has been such a long time since I read a magazine, but I'm glad that I picked up the latest Cosmopolitan issue. I loved reading Cosmo's interview of Cardi B.

Blog Posts I Loved

This article on parenting. I think everyone should read it.

A blog post on success and failure.

Love, love, love this post by Sarah Hartley! I loved how honest Sarah was when she told her story. Reading this post made me think about my feelings on being pregnant.

Did Not Finish

How to Be Married by Jo Piazza

I wouldn't say that How to Be Married is a bad book, but it just didn't really interest me. Technically, I didn't try to read this book in March, but I had to mention this book. Usually, I try to finish a book even though I may not be interested in it, but I decided not to try this time. I think I may try to read the book again...once I'm done reading all the books that I really want to read. What do you usually do when you start to get bored with reading a book? Do you just stop or try to power through?

What did you read in March?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

April Goals

Another month has gone by, but I am so excited that it's finally April! My due date is getting closer and soon my little boy will be here! This month is going to be very busy and I have a lot things that I have to get done before the baby arrives.

Since it's going to be a busy month, I decided to make some goals and I have already made a to do list in order to stay organized. Check out my recap of my goals for March as well as my new goals for April below.

Recap of March Goals

• Read 1 book: I read The Crossroads of Should and Must again and really loved it. I'm still reading The Poet X.

• Start meal planning: This was kind of a pass and a fail. For most of the month, I didn't meal plan. I started meal planning during the end of the month...so I guess it's kind of a pass?

• Publish 10 blog posts: I posted 11 blog posts this month. 

• Make at least 3 scrapbook/craft projects: I made a mini album and a scrapbook layout. I also journaled in my Moleskine sketchbook.

• Declutter one room or closet: This was a fail. I didn't declutter an entire room or closet, but I did get started. 

April Goals

• Read 1 book

• Declutter every room and closet

• Work on meal plan

• Make at least 2 scrapbook/craft projects

• Finish shopping for the baby

What are your goals for April?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash 

Spring Q & A

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a great weekend and a wonderful Easter. Today I'm linking up with The Blended Blog for TBB Asks. TBB Asks is a monthly questionnaire and link up series. This month's theme is Spring.

1. What 3 colors remind you most of Spring? Pink, Green, and Blue

2. What is the first thing you add to your wardrobe in Spring? Rompers or a cardigan

3. What is the first wardrobe item you ditch in Spring? Sweaters and coat

4. Who mows the grass where you live? Maintenance/Landscape worker

5. What's Spring like where you live? Cool in the morning and then really hot in the afternoon

6. What's your favorite thing about Spring? Warmer weather and flowers

7. Are you a Spring cleaner? Absolutely...we have already started Spring cleaning

8. Are you a Baseball fan? Yes! I'm a Yankees fan.

9. Tulips or Daffodils? Tulips

10. Favorite Outdoor Spring Activity? Going to the Farmers Market

11. Flowers in the ground or in pots? Both

12. Favorite bird? I'm not a big fan of birds, but I do love parrots and blue birds

13. Car wash or wash vehicles at home? Car wash

14. When do you pull out your sandals? In late Spring, but I prefer to wear sneakers

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

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