I always liked poppies, but it wasn’t until I was pregnant with Mr. President that I began to love them. During my pregnancy, we lovingly referred to our babe as “poppy” – and ever since, I just can’t get enough {poppy}.

Poppies are popular this season. Here are a few of my favorite things:

Boho Cheeks – Pocket Full of Poppies car seat cover
Mama’s! Isn’t this the most gorgeous car seat cover you’ve ever seen?! I’m totally in love.

Trust me, you want to buy this car seat cover. First off, it’s made of super soft – but durable – premium fabrics; so soft that it won’t bother baby but strong enough to withhold the rigors of life with kids.  Next, I love the “show & tell” flap; fold down when baby is sleeping (kept secure by velcro) or fold open if baby is awake. It’s also great for keeping a nosy big brother away from the sleeping baby (wink, wink). And finally, I love the prints. Seriously, so many to choose from! Plus, there’s something for every mama.

Boho Cheeks has hair bows & accessories, too. Check out their shop here and use code BOHOSHIP for free shipping (through October). Plus check out my mama & baby giveaway, featuring a Boho Cheeks carseat cover.

Honest Co. – Diapers
Every season, Honest comes out with seasonal prints and this season is on point. I can’t get enough of the Fall Prints – beautiful colors and fun prints. I may or may not have ordered an entire bundle of the Poppy print. Sorry, baby girl.

Beautiful designs aside, I love Honest diapers. Mr. President had major diaper rash issues and we tried six brands before settling on Honest. I like the option of safe and trusted products delivered to my door.

Billy Bibs – Poppy Bib
Baby Coco is a drooling like crazy right now but I hate covering up her super cute outfits with plain-old bibs. Billy Bibs are completely different than anything out in the market. They are pretty & decorative & fun. In going with the theme, my favorite is the Poppy bib (complete with pom-poms) but I love the Willow, too. Each bib is reversible, making it affordable and cost-effective for everyone (two-bibs-in-one!).

Marc Jacobs – Eliz – A – Baby diaper bag
It took me forever to find a diaper bag I wanted but when I finally settled on Marc Jacobs, I knew it was meant to be. The Eliz-A-Baby diaper bag I picked was appropriately named “poppy pink”. I mean, could it get any more perfect?! I love this diaper bag. It’s big enough to carry everything I need for two babies without sacrificing my mom swag. Plus, I can throw it in the washer (but hang dry!) if anything spills in it (which you know it does). If you’re looking for a diaper bag, check out the Eliz-A-Baby.

What are your favorite items for Fall?

Don’t forget to enter to win a Boho Cheeks carseat cover of your choice. Check out my Instagram contest // mama & baby giveaway to enter.

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I lived on the beach for years until I moved to DC. It’s my favorite place in the world. There’s just something about sand and salt and the ocean. It’s so powerful yet so vulnerable too.

Let me explain.

We’re in the Outer Banks this week. I want to enjoy my time on the beach – but I can’t. There’s trash everywhere. I’ve picked up more trash in 5 days than I did in 10 years.  All of this trash, it’s a threat to the ocean but there’s nothing the ocean can do. And that depresses me.

Trash hurts wildlife as well as humans. We’re all to blame. Me and You. But that doesn’t mean we can’t make a difference, starting NOW.

Unless someone like YOU cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. – The Lorax

So I challenge you… To care. To recycle. To cut the plastic on a 6-pack before throwing it in the trash. To stand up and make a change for Mother Earth.

We need her to last a long time. And I want my babes to experience all of the beauty she has to offer.

To learn more about Ocean Conservancy and to TAKE ACTION, visit http://www.oceanconservancy.org/

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author’s note: My breastfeeding essentials review is just one in a series of reviews that ends with a huge mama & baby giveaway (launching early October). Stay tuned to learn more about my favorite things for mama’s and her babes.

{calling all breastfeeding mama’s}

Are you a breastfeeding mama? Are you always on the hunt for the best products for you & your babes?

I’m so excited to review – and share – two brands I recently discovered that are perfect for breastfeeding mamas.

Oat Mama– Lactation Granola Bars
These bars are to-die-for delicious. Hello, Chocolate Almond Coconut. 

Oat Mama Granola Bars are made by breastfeeding moms for breastfeeding moms. Kristy & Eliza know how tough breastfeeding can be – low supply, latch issues, stress, lack of sleep, going back to work, life demands – so they set out to create a delicious snack for nursing mamas. Oat Mama bars are jam-packed with wholesome superfoods to help you power up your energy, your mood, and your MILK. Every ingredient (think Brewer’s Yeast, Flax Seed, and Rolled Oats) has a job to do and works with you to boost supply.

There are 4 flavors to choose from: 
Lemon Chia
Nut & Berry
Chocolate Almond Coconut
Pumpkin Pecan (seasonal)

For those with allergies or diet limitations Nut & Berry and Lemon Chia bars DO NOT contain: dairy, egg, soy or wheat. Chocolate Almond Coconut is also dairy-free (but contains soy). All ingredients are gluten-free. 

My milk supply has been good (thank-you-Coco-for-eating-every-60-minutes), but I eat 1 bar/day to keep my supply up (and I’ve seen the results, it’s obvious when I’ve skipped a day!). It is recommended that you enjoy 1-2 bars/day for the bars to work their magic (the more, the milkier). Oat Mama bars are a great alternative to making lactation cookies or granola bars (trust me, I’ve made both and it’s to squeeze in the time with babies) – plus, with healthy and gluten-free ingredients, you can feel good about eating these. I can’t say enough good things about Oat Mama granola bars. Order your bars here.

Burp Necessity – The Original Burp Shawl
Burp Necessity is a burp cloth & nursing cover in one! The stay in place design covers both shoulders and back when burping your baby to protect your clothing from inevitable, messy spit-ups.

Mr. President rarely spit-up so I didn’t really need a burp cloth for him (occasionally for drool). Coco, on the other hand, is a pro at spit-up and times it just perfectly (usually after she gets a new outfit or right after I’ve taken my first shower in 2 days). Oh well.

When I discovered the Burp Shawl, I couldn’t get one fast enough. It’s a great design and I love that it can be used as a nursing cover too. Actually, I don’t really like using a nursing cover so this is a great size & weight for the times that I feel like I should use one (Church, anyone?). Since it’s already in my diaper bag, it’s great for multi-purpose uses.

Homemade in the USA by a mom of 2, Burp Necessity has all the things a mom-on-the-go needs. There are so many beautiful designs and colors, you’re sure to see one you love. Order your Burp Shawl here.

*Burp Necessity was a winner of Moms Best Network “Best Hot Product Winner”

Stay tuned for a GIVEAWAY featuring a $20 Credit to Oat Mama & a Burp Shawl of choice from Burp Necessity.

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There’s just something about a baby in a swaddle.  I don’t even know what exactly, but when I look at Baby Coco in a swaddle – snug as a bug in a rug – I can’t help but smile. She’s just so beautiful.

And it’s especially beautiful now that she sleeps through the night.  Sleep-deprived mama’s, can I get an AMEN?!

Mr. President was a baby Houdini in the swaddle. I tried at least 4 different brands and nothing worked. And by that time he was rolling and no longer needed a swaddle. He still doesn’t sleep through the night on a consistent basis.

Oh, but baby girl. She’s a dream sleeper at night. It might have something to do with a couple extra pounds and the fact that she eats every 90 minutes during the day, but I’m not going to take anything away from her. Coco sleeps through the night. And she started sleeping through the night when we started using The Ollie Swaddle.

No joke, this swaddle is amazing. It’s soft, cozy, and easy to use. Plus you have the option of keep feet in or out (perfect for middle of the night diaper changes without waking baby).

The Ollie Swaddle was developed by Dr. Kiti Freier Randall, a Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Psychologist with extensive experience working with high-risk infant and youth populations. She created The Ollie Swaddle after fostering and falling in love with an infant named Oliver. “Oliver was on the verge of being labeled “failure to thrive.” Other foster parents struggled with keeping Oliver because he was difficult, struggling to eat and sleep. But I was in love, and so I began my journey to help Oliver thrive.”

So, The Ollie Swaddle was born.

The technique of swaddling is a timeless practice used throughout the ages. Recent studies have confirmed the benefits which include:

• Helping infants sleep longer and reducing spontaneous arousal
• Helping to keep infants in the supine position
• Soothing pain and reducing crying among irritable infants
• Reducing the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
• Preterm infants show improved neuromuscular development, less physiological distress, better motor organization, and more self-regulatory ability

Baby girl loves her swaddle – and so does Mama Bear.

Looking for an amazing swaddle? Use code willrun4margaritas for 15% off your purchase, through September 15, 2015.

To support and learn more about The Ollie World, follow:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/TheOllieWorld/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheOllieSwaddle
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheOllieWorld

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disclaimer: I received a swaddle but opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this post.

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My life is all about babies right now: one full-of-energy little boy and one sweet baby girl (when she’s sleeping big brother says she looks “like an angel”). My life is crazy and so much fun, but 2 babes under 2, means that I spend a lot of time thinking about what’s best for them. There’s too much to count, but here’s what I’m {loving lately} – baby edition.

Hush Baby
I initially heard about Hush Baby when I won one in a giveaway. But there are reasons beyond “free” why I love it – and you will too. The HUSH Hat™ was designed to comfortably (and fashionably) protect your little one’s sensitive hearing, softening sounds that constantly wake sleeping babies  Designed with specialized sound-absorbing foam and ultra-soft materials, each HUSH Hat™ not only reduces noise, but is incredibly comfortable. Hush Hat helps Coco sleep better, especially with a wild & crazy older brother, and that’s really important when I need a few minutes.

Annie’s Organic Fruit Snacks
The perfect snack, especially on the go. Prices are a little high but I buy in bulk when they’re one sale (2 for $6) at Target. Mr. President loves his “pack of bunnies”.

Honest Fruit & Veggie Wash
We eat a lot of fruits & veggies at our house and even though I buy organic when I can, everything requires an extra scrubbing. I use Honest products but the Spray is one of my favorites. It’s easy to use and wipes away pesticides, pathogens, wax, dirt, germs, & more with a 100% natural, non-toxic formula that leaves fruits & vegetables truly clean.

Alley +  Rae Apparel 
I had a chance to collaborate with Alley and Rae Apparel and love it! Everything is super soft and super cute! Plus, it didn’t wrinkle after I washed it, threw it in the clean clothes basket, and (shhh!) didn’t fold it for 3 days.

This Is My Kegstand Shirt Onesie
two words: milk drunk

Wild Flower Onesie

Young Wild & Free Tee
You know, because Mr. President is too wild & free to stand still for a picture.

Website Link: www.alleyandrae.com
Facebook: facebook.com/alleyandrae
Instagram: instagram.com/alleyandrae
Twitter: twitter.com/alleyandrae

DISCOUNT at Alley & Rae: Use code WRFM15 to receive 15% off, through 9/15/15

What are your family favorites?

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I love breastfeeding my babies, and think it’s a beautiful thing. Not really the actual act of it – most of the time my babe is rooting around even though it’s right there, milk is spraying out, and I’m covered in a combination of milk and spit-up. I think it’s a beautiful thing because I can keep my baby alive, with my milk, and that’s an incredible thing. I’ve also been blessed with babies that latch quickly and milk that’s abundant. These are all gifts I’m thankful for.

I realize not everyone shares my sentiment or my experience. Some moms can’t breastfeed, some moms don’t want to breastfeed, and some moms don’t produce enough milk to satisfy their baby. So, they use formula. And aren’t you thankful that these options are available to people?

It’s World Breastfeeding Week. To all of the moms out there that breastfeed – I celebrate you. I high-five you. You are doing what’s best for your baby. I breastfeed because I think it’s best for my babies – and what I love to do. That’s why I celebrate the accomplishments of feeding Mr. President for 15 months, and Coco for 11 weeks (and counting).

But in light of something that should be celebrated (!!), let’s not forget those who choose to feed their babies in other ways. Or those that don’t have any other options when breastmilk isn’t working. And if you need further conviction, I dare you to read this article. It will touch your heart.

Because really, aren’t we all just trying to keep our babies alive?! Each of us, we do the best we can, and doing the best we can means making choices that work for us and our babies. It’s really that simple.

Breastfeeding moms, you rock!

But so do formula moms.

For more motherhood, follow me:
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photo credit: Betsey Darley Photography

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Mr. President and I have conversations now. He’s always been a talker but at 21-months, he forms sentences and actually talks to me. It’s so much fun, and funny. 

Our day goes something like this:

Mr. President (MP): “Hi Mommy.”
Me: “Hi buddy.”
MP: “How you doin’?”
Me: “I’m good, how are you?”
MP: “Good.”

[insert name] sneezes
“Bless you, mommy.”
“Bless you, daddy.”
“Bless you, baby Coco.”

MP: “Mommy, make a breakfast milkshake (my sneaky way of getting him to drink kale smoothies). Bring stool.”
Me: “What should we put in our breakfast milkshake?”
MP: “Kale. Strawberries. Coconut.”

[On Tuesdays] “Trash truck come Tuesdays. Good Morning trash truck. Waving. White trash truck.”

“Hi Mommy. Love you mommy.” (Hi Mr. President. I love you so much)

“Mommy. Jumbo jet in the sky” [points to sky]. “So fast.”

“Baby Moses in danger, Coco” [oh, you know, from the Bible]

“Mommy, read Mega Trucks. Mommy, play monster trucks. Mommy come.”

“Water table, mommy. Bring hose. Mommy, play.”

“Take walk. Ride skateboard (piggyback attachment for Uppababy). Swing. Playground.”

[At bedtime]
MP: “Nigh, night world. Lightening bugs. Thank you God. Amen.”
“Mommy sing” (I sing him a few songs every night)
“Love you mommy.”
Me: “I love you. Sweet dreams.”
MP: “Sweet dreams, mommy.”

Oh, and did I mention the repeating?
“Don’t touch the water cooler.”
“Daddy brush his teeth.”
[Mommy doing something silly to Mr. President] “Stop doing that.”
“Baby Coco so pretty. Baby Coco so big.”

Gosh, I love this kid!

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