Skin Food by Aubrey

Photos by Andrea Dozier

I just wanted to share one of my current loves...... Skin Food by Aubrey.  My sister, Carly, turned me on to the products when she bought me the tinted lip balm.  As it turns out Aubrey and I went to the same high school, and actually I graduated with her younger brother.  

So once I decided I loved the lip balm, I wanted to try more of her products. Her products are all handmade, organic, fair trade, Non GMO.

I bought the baby balm and have been using it on Cooper since he was born. I think it has numerous uses, but I mostly use it as lotion of his dry skin, and also on his balding, peeling head :). I love how light and fresh it feels.  

The deodorant was immediately interesting to me... I've tried in the past to find an aluminum free deodorant and have failed to find one that really works.  And I am happy to say this deodorant really works.  I do put it on with my hand to apply it, but I don't mind.  

The Raw product is really nice. It feels so light on my skin.  You have to be careful to not put too much on, because a little goes a long way, but I really like it.  And this is another product that has numerous uses, but I mostly use it as a face cream.  And did I mention how amazing it smells?

Check out her etsy shop for more info

I currently have on order a few more products to try out. I'll let you know how it goes!

Our Favorite Baby Clothes

cooper by katie-mae-snider-leavell on Polyvore

Gap Statement Bodysuit - new capri blue / Gap Marled Sweats - blue denim heather / Baby footed coverall in double stripe - coveralls -... / PAIGELAUREN baby - PAIGELAUREN BABY - CLASSIC COVERALL - rompers / PAIGELAUREN baby - PAIGELAUREN baby - CLASSIC RAGLAN COVERALL -...

Being home for 11 weeks with baby Cooper taught me a lot of things... but mostly that I love to online shop.  And what is more fun that shopping for cute baby boy clothes..... ummm Nothing!
I have to say all the shirts and tops are so cute... but the easiest thing for me are the one pieces with feet. This way, it is easy to change diapers, and no worrying about socks falling off.
I actually own all of these pieces and love them.

1. J Crew Baby has some of the cutest stuff. Shipping is always free on their baby stuff, and I got a few of these coveralls on sale for a very reasonable price.

2. Paige Lauren. My friend Renee got Cooper an adorable romper in mint green and ever since I've been hooked. This stuff isn't cheap, so I only purchased a couple for his 6 week photos. But you can sign up for their emails and they alert you to sales.

3. KicKee Pants. This is absolutely my favorite of all the items above.  I wish I could dress him in these footies all day everyday.  They are super soft, thanks to being made from Bamboo and so stretchy. They run a little small. Cooper is already wearing 3-6 months, but I feel like he will be wearing these for a long time. Seriously though you will not be disappointed with anything from this company I actually got my first footies from Sugar and Spice. But you can order online at KicKee Pants or Amazon.

4. Last but not least is Gap. Most of what Cooper owns and wears is from Gap. Everything is soft and so cozy, and stylish.  They have great sales, and you really just can't go wrong with anything from Gap.

When I found out I was having a boy, it was my mission to find cute boy clothing. And I feel like I have accomplished this mission.
Stay tuned for more cute boy clothing!

Cooper the Chunker

My baby boy was born weighing 6 lbs 6 oz.  Everyone that saw him insisted that he was "Tiny". I guess being so close to him everyday I didn't notice just how small he was. At our 2 month check up he only weighed 7 lbs 4 oz. The doctor wouldn't even give him his shots. So we started supplementing with a little bit of formula after each feeding. We went back the next week and he weighed 8 lbs 4 oz.  You know in that moment when the doctor tells you that your baby is too small, you don't question it, you just do what is necessary to take care of your baby. And I am so happy I did.  It is crazy now to look at the picture I previously posted, he was so tiny ( and his head looked so huge).
 I weighed Cooper today (almost 12 weeks old) and he weighs 10 lbs!!! Hallelujah!
Here is a pic of my little chunker....

Smiles

Cooper shared with us this week his first smile.  Needless to say it made me grin like a school girl.

And these photos make me smile a lot!

This is what Elle does every time she sees Cooper.

Cooper

I'm sitting here, on a rainy day, snuggling with my 6 week old baby.  If you would have told me a year ago that this is what I would be doing, I would have thought "Yeah I wish".  But here I am! I am absolutely in heaven being at home with this cutie.

Jon and I tried for about 2 years to start a family.  It wasn't until last July when I decided to find a new doctor ( one that would actually DO SOMETHING ) that things happened.  And surprisingly we didn't even do anything.  I think for the first time in 2 years I had the confidence that it was going to happen.

In the beginning the pregnancy went very slow.  I was very nausea for the first 16 weeks.  Then right before Christmas I found out that I had gestational diabetes.  Finding out you have to completely change your diet the week before Christmas is no fun!  And not to mention having to prick your finger 4 times a day... it put a damper on my mood for a few weeks.  But then I got a hang of diet, I found foods I could eat, and the pricking of my finger stopped bothering me.  Not everyone with gestational diabetes is able to control it with diet and exercise, but thankfully I was able to. This allowed me to not have to take an medication, and in the end to have a healthy baby.

Next thing I know, it is April and my due date was April 20th.

This was me 3 days before Cooper was born.

On April 21st I went to the doctor to figure out what the plan was going to be.  I knew that they weren't going to let me go much longer than a week past my due date ( b/c of my gestational diabetes).  And to my dismay I hadn't dilated at all. I was really bummed.

Long story short, we decided to go that day to the hospital to begin the induction process.  

Jon and I ran around like crazy, getting our bags, straightening up the house one last time.  I couldn't believe we were going that day!!! I remember we went to lunch before we went the hospital and I remember thinking... this is our last meal as just Jon and I.  

I won't bore you with the details of the induction. But everything went according to plan, even a little better than planned... and Cooper was born at 8:43 PM April 22.  

Picture by... Andrea Dozier

It is completely cliche to say... but my world totally changed. I knew I would be in love with him, but I didn't know the extent of that love until I had him in my arms.

Best decision I made was having Andrea come the following day to take pictures. I will treasure these photos always.

A Pink Balloon

Elle turns 1 year old next month and I have to say it has been such a blessing to be so close to see every little step she has taken over the past year.  She has grown up before our eyes. She brings so much Joy and Love to our family.

A little extra special tidbit about these photos..... the dress Elle is wearing was made for Abby by our mom ( probably 25 or 26 years ago ).

9

These are a long time coming..... but before I post her latest photo shoot I had to post these.