A Letter to My Daughter: This is The End & The Beginning

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My sweet one -

As I sit here, writing this letter to you, my dear daughter, I can't help but laugh and cry simultaneously.

This is such a joyous time in our lives, you're gaining independence, you are becoming a little tiny woman... and I'm so incredibly blessed to get to be a witness to the miracle that is your life. I'm so thankful to be the arms you run to, the one that you seek comfort in, and occasionally still, your source for nourishment.

With that said, we've been slowly cutting down on feedings, going from the moments when I thought it would never end, when all that would comfort you was cluster feeding, to each day slowly lessening the time you spent nursing, and now... well, now you only need me for a tiny bit of time each day, mainly suckling as a source of comfort as you drift off to sleep.

And as you lay here, I can't help but feel pure adoration watching you slowly go from your wild, curious self to a sleepy, sweet little bundle of love. I also can feel my heart getting a little heavier, my soul aching because these sweet moments with you will soon come to an end.

My sweet girl, it's so crazy to me how quickly you have grown. You are now almost fifteen months old, that's almost 456 days of pure love and devotion - each day dedicating several periods of time to special, sweet moments between just you and I.

That's over 450 days we have spent together - learning, growing, struggling, and successfully mastering breastfeeding, 10, 950 hours since your first latch and so many minutes spent admiring your beautiful face while watching you receive the nourishment you have loved so much.

Through every bit of pain as we had to adjust our position and finally learned to get an excellent latch I knew nursing you was the right choice. For each and every inch that you've grown and each time we've seen the scale go up a pound, we've celebrated our achievement. Each time you peek up at me, every time I see the way you embrace me, I know, deep within my soul every single second of our 15 month breastfeeding journey was worth it.

Breastfeeding isn't just something we have experienced though, it's part of who we both are... and it has been since you took your first breath. So seeing this all come to an end is bittersweet and amazing in so many ways.

Maybe it's knowing that you need me that makes ending this all so hard, maybe it's the fact that it's truly a connection unlike any other... I'm not sure. But as the tears stream down my face as I think of you, my little nursling, I know and will always know breastfeeding you was the best decision I could ever make and I wouldn't take a second of this journey back.

You are worth it.

And, although our breastfeeding journey is coming to an end soon, this is only the beginning of another more amazing journey together. Just remember, I'll always be here to comfort you, I'll always be the one that helps you to learn, who encourages you to grow, and who hopefully helps you achieve success through the struggles.

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Always & Forever,

Your mama



Are you a breastfeeding mom or mom to be? As you probably picked up on, nursing is so worth it all. With that said, not everyone has a breastfeeding journey as easy as ours was... some need nipple shields, others can't handle the pain, and some breastfed babies even need probiotics specially formulated for them... and that's where Evivo comes into the picture.

With breastfeeding and D's health being of utmost importance, it comes as no shocker that we have her on a probiotic to make sure her gut is as healthy as it can be. Evivo not only helps her gut stay healthy now, but we're setting her up for a healthy future too. If good bacteria (like what Evivo offers) are thriving before a baby is fully weaned from breast milk they're more likely to develop a healthy metabolism and immune system later in life. Learn more about Evivo and how it can help your baby from the inside out here.

My 14 month old's Christmas List...

I can remember when I was little I would sit down with a catalog and circle all the toys that I wanted for Christmas each year... ranging from art sets to dolls, I was spoiled and always got what I wanted and then some.With that said, Delainey is only 14 months old so she won't be circling any items in a catalog or browsing online with me for toys, but I have a good idea of some of the items on her Christmas list this year and today I want to share them with you, whether that's to inspire you to grab something super cool for your little one or to start shopping for your grandbaby. So happy shopping...

Let's get started with the most epic little princess ride, possibly ever. This would be perfect for any little princess that loves to explore, especially one named Delainey Kate.



Next on her list, the most precious little princess tent. Completed with a cute little rug and some decorative lights and she'll have a sweet cozy place to hang out now.... that eventually can grow with her into a reading nook.



Another item that I think every little girl would love is a "play kitchen"... and since D is OBSESSED with being in our kitchen and watching us cook, this beautiful little play kitchenette is at the TOP of our list.



Okay, well, maybe this item is more on mama & daddy's list, but it's definitely FOR her - this little bench would make the perfect toy box/organizer for all of her wonderful toys and it would also match our house pretty well, so that's a win!


Another item every Florida girl has on her Christmas list this year is a water table and this one definitely won't disappoint!

One item that I know D would absolutely FLIP over is this little playset, she's obsessed with playgrounds so having one at her house would make her way too excited for words!



I'm not going to lie, this "roller coaster" looks like it would be a great toy for all ages of children and it's such a good deal!




Since D is in love with birdies lately and she's always been a foodie, a placemat like this one is perfect!




I'm certain we'll have more to add to her list and I'll even be sharing a handful of great gift ideas in our upcoming gift guide... but that's all we have in mind for now. So tell me, what do you think it something every toddler should have? Can you remember a Christmas gift from your childhood that took your breath away... what was it? I'd love to hear all about it in the comments below!

How to Wear Leggings: 5 Fashion Rules for Leggings

I used to really love fashion and I always wanted to follow the latest trends... but I'm not going to lie, since I became a mom I've also kind of neglected buying things for myself. I know I'm not the only one that's suddenly started spending on their spawn and cut back on their own stylish efforts, right? Yoga pants are life and leggings are equally as important.

So I've made a decision, after a year of concentrating solely on Miss Delainey and her fashion, this mama deserves to be stylish again too. With that said, I'm also not willing to sacrifice what I've learned to love... I mean, I most definitely still want the comfort of yoga pants.

And that's where Cuddl Duds comes into the picture... whether I'm wearing my FlexFit or Fleecewear Leggings, I know I can look fabulous while also feeling comfortable enough to chase this tiny little toddler around town.

I love that I can pair these leggings with anything and if I'm being frank, both pairs are the SOFTEST leggings I have ever owned. Like I've heard of "buttery soft" fabric before but these leggings are even softer.

With that said, there's a certain way that leggings should be worn. We've all seen those trainwreck outfits on others that make us question whether this garment of clothing should even be "allowed" in public... but here's the thing - leggings are easy to wear and pair items with! So today, I'm here today to discuss a few "fashion do's and don'ts" regarding leggings:

1. Let's start with the obvious, always cover your behind and your front butt when wearing leggings.

When it comes to tops long enough to wear with leggings, I'm seriously so in love with Cuddl Duds Softwear Stretch Cowl-Neck Tunics!  I'm not even joking when I say my cowl neck top from Cuddl Duds is a new staple item in my wardrobe.

It's the perfect pairing for both pairs of leggings and it's so versatile I feel like I can dress it up with a nice pair of slacks or down with some leggings and stay cozy all day long. I'm a huge fan and recommend everyone have one of these tunic tops to pair with their leggings... and I'm hoping to add more colors to my collection soon!

2. Make sure you find the right fit & the right length - Leggings should fit comfortably at the waist and NOT squeeze your middle. Length wise leggings should fit at the ankle, any higher will make you look short and any longer will obviously be uncomfortable and look awkward with footwear.

3. Speaking of footwear - choose the right pairing! Don't wear your yard work shoes with your leggings, choose shoes wisely. I'm not even going to deny the fact that I wear flip flops with everything... but honestly, they aren't the best pairing with leggings! I love pairing mine with boots or simple flats. But you could also pair Cuddl Duds with some simple heels too.


4. Mix it up - While I'm guilty of finding something I like and wearing it religiously, that's out of habit... not style. So this is more of a "do as I say, not as I do" piece of advice. Be sure to mix up your look - Try leggings and a button down one day, another day rock a duster and your Cuddl Duds Softwear Stretch Cowl-Neck Tunic! Variety is the spice of life after all, so don't stick with the same style!


5. Consider the occasion - Last but certainly not least, know where to wear your leggings. Job interviews, weddings, or any occasion that calls for a more reserved look is the WRONG place to wear your leggings. While they are comfortable, fashionable, and fun, they aren't business wear so be sure to dress up when needed...*(Not to contradict myself, but if you think you have the perfect business-casual outfit that involves leggings, remember there are always exceptions to the rules)!

Now that we've chatted about how to wear these leggings, I'm going to pretty much DEMAND you check out Cuddl Duds at Macy's... you can thank me for bringing your attention to this life-changingly soft line of clothing later!

DIY Matryoshka Russian Stacking Doll Baby Costume

So, I kinda sorta have a fascination with Russian stacking dolls.

I'm not sure why I find them so fascinating and adorable... but I do.

I look forward to sharing this love with my little "Babushka".

And since we've been playing dress up all month long, it was obvious to me that I had to find a way to make D into a matryoshka...

While I couldn't exactly stick her inside of another doll, I did my best to make her family of smaller dolls - including the cuties on her top & her bow!

I'm proud to report, while playing dress up she fell in love with the little "dolls" I made her to play with and we will soon be adding a real matryoshka set to her toy collection.

And well, she may or may not be rocking this "costume" as an outfit again in the future... because hello, adorable! Want the details on her costume? I've linked what I know below!

bow { Darling Diva Boutique Bows }
top { bought used/shop sadly unknown }
icing pants { MudPie }
stacking dolls { Bloomology }

Cozy & Stylin' in Gerber Childrenswear this fall [ & our DIY Native American Costume]

 I'm super excited to share that Delainey and I are now paid Brand Ambassador for Gerber Childrenswear! What does that mean exactly? It is just is a fancy way of saying this post is sponsored, as always all opinions expressed below are mine alone!

Y'all, D will be 14 months old in a few days and I seriously can not even believe it.

I swear I blink and she grows an inch, I turn around and a few weeks have passed by.

Time is flying by, but I think that's because we have so much fun together. From going on nature walks to reading books before bedtime, one thing I know I can count on with D is that we will have a good time!

With that said, my little wild wanderer likes to be comfy for all of our adventures and I like to make sure she looks fashionable while also ensuring she stays nice and warm now that the temperatures are cooling off. That's where Gerber comes into the picture.

My tiny little diva and I can settle on Gerber because their items are comfy enough to satisfy her need for cozy and they keep her warm and stylish with animals prints and creative designs. When we put Gerber one her, it's definitely a win-win in our home!

Wholesome, adorable, comfortable, affordable and well-made - Gerber Childrenswear is a staple in Delainey's wardrobe.

The best part, though? It's all offered in coordinating sets available at Walmart!

Whether you need towels, onesies, sleepers, socks, beanies, or more... Gerber has it! They're ALL available at Walmart and I love that we were able to get our hands on this bear-y cute collection. We can easily transition from naptime, to bathtime, to playtime in Gerber.

So tell me, what items do you need to add to your Gerber stash? We have more socks and sleepers on our list, but I'll be honest and admit we would love more of everything.

And on that note, here's one of our favorite ways we dressed up this month... partly because it's a super cute costume, but also because it was so cozy for D!

To copy this costume you'll need a set of Gerber Childrenswear onesies, a skirt like this one from Peekabippy Designs, and a cute little feather bow like this one from Bloomology! Paired with some socks and moccasins, this little native is ready to trick or treat... and she's getting in touch with our "roots", which is pretty neat too!

The Cutest Part Time Super Hero - Superhero Baby Costume Inspiration!

Y'all, we've almost made it to Halloween and if I'm being honest, it has been difficult to come up with an original costume idea and post daily... as you've probably noticed.

I'm doing my best to come up with some creative ideas and luckily D has a pretty good attitude about playing dress up so we are having fun with it!

Now that she is walking, taking photos of her has become a whole different ball game though... it's more like me chasing her around everywhere while she has fun exploring.

Watching her face light up when she sees a bird is probably one of my favorite things, in the world... and the way she studies leaves and blades of grass is something else. She looks at ants with wonder and squeals with delight if she sees a squirrel.

It's pretty cool looking at the world through the eyes of a child.

And, let me be frank, she isn't just any child.

She's a super kid and I mean, being a super hero isn't an easy job... but someone has to do it.

Luckily, this little gal has made the time to help save the world.

From saving the day to finishing the food on her tray, this is one super baby.

Interested in her costume details?

Check out these shops:
{bow: accessories by sabrina}
{raglan: shop closed, but here's a super cute parent & baby set on Amazon!}
{shorts: Baby Bottoms - use the code DELAINEY10 to save}
{cape: shop closed, but Amazon has some super cute options!}
{shoes: koala kids}

This Little Piggy! DIY Baby Piglet Halloween Costume!

This little piggy had roast beef, this little piggy had none, and... this little piggy named Delainey couldn't be any cuter... or more comfortable!

This costume ranks as the most casual and comfortable, possibly... but it's a winner as far as the level of adorable it is!

The best part...? Almost anyone can make a little pig snout. It's literally a cylinder, with a circle attached, and two ovals inside of it. Attach it to a wooden dowel or some elastic, throw a couple pink triangles on a headband and your little piggy is set to snort all night!

The outfit for our piggy costume was, again, all items we already had laying around the house! A jacket from Carter's, a Hot Pink The Baby Bird Boutique Romper, light pink Sew Sassy Icings, Pink Converse, and of course, the ears and snoot were made by yours truly, Bloomology Boutique.

This little ham is definitely the cutest and loved running around growling in this costume, because she thinks all animals growl... and that's just down right ridiculously cute.

Wanna impress your friends "pig" time? Throw together some of your favorite pink items from your sweet girls closet and add a homemade pig snout and your cute little piggy is ready to go!

I'm getting so excited Halloween is just around the corner... aren't you? So tell me, what do you have planned for everyone's favorite holiday full of tricks and treats? What will your little one be dressing up as? I hope we've help inspire you to get creative with your costume this year!