firstcomesfamily

Newborn Must-Haves

August 20, 2019 by firstcomesfamily Leave a Comment

We spend 9 months buying everything we’re told we need for our brand new baby. We buy everything our parents and friends tell us to but we still forget some things unknowingly. So the day comes when you take your beautiful bundle of joy home! Then at 2 am after being home for 2 weeks, baby gets a diaper rash and you realize that you never picked up rash cream. A tragedy, trust me. Following our must-haves would’ve helped your delirious and tired self be a bit more prepared.

I’m sharing our 7 Newborn Must-Haves! I seriously couldn’t live without any of these products.

Newborn Must-Haves! Sound machine, thermometer, swaddle, owlet smart sock, single me lounger.

Aquaphor– This stuff is the bees knees for diaper rashes. We had initially bought a natural brand that just didn’t get rid of the rash. I tried Aquaphor and BAM! the rash was gone within hours.

Portable Sound Machine– I would clip this little thing onto the carseat and she’d immediately fall asleep. It was pure magic! The Rohm Sound Machine actually charges with a USB making it super perfect for on-the-go.

SnuggleMe Lounger– After holding Vivian for hours, my arms would get so tired. I’d just place this on the couch or bed with me then lay her in it. She would sleep a few hours! (thank goodness) It helps babies feel like their in your arms. We still use this!

Thermometer– When you’re in the hospital, they check the babies temperature every hour. When we got home, I was constantly worried that Vivi had a fever. I would pop the thermometer out at any time! Also, make sure to get an oral/rectal thermometer as best readings are rectal.

Swaddle– We seriously swear by the Copper Pearl Swaddles. They feel like you favorite comfy t-shirt and are so stretchy. It helps get a nice swaddle on baby while also letting them have room to move around.

Owlet Smart Sock– This thing is a life saver! Place it right on baby’s foot and it tracks their heart rate and oxygen levels. If either drops below recommended levels, a red alarm goes off at the base. We had one scare with it and caught it right away. With the high risk of SIDS in infants, I recommend it to any parent. It is worth every single penny!

Mustela No Rinse Cleansing Water– Most babies get what they call “baby acne”, so normal. Put some of this on a cotton pad and gently rub over the acne. It cleared up Vivi’s baby acne overnight! You can also use this to wipe baby down in between baths in those early days.

What are your must-haves for newborns?! I’d love to hear and share with other mamas!

Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission should you chose to sign up for a program or make a purchase using my link. It’s okay – I love all of these companies anyways, and you will too!

Breastfeeding Must Haves For New Moms

August 2, 2019 by firstcomesfamily 2 Comments

Whether this is your first time or fifth time nursing, there are things you MUST have! Todays breastfeeding must haves are constantly evolving with our ever changing world. Something you may have used with last baby may have been updated by now. There are so many nifty things to make your breastfeeding journey easier, thank goodness (as if the physical and emotional toll wasn’t enough).

As for me, I am a first time nursing mama! No one in my family had ever breastfed, so I really only had a few friends to ask for advice. I can’t tell you how many times I looked on Pinterest at other mama’s nursing lists! So I decided to gather my necessary items I’ve been using this far.

Medela Milk Storage Bags– These are the best ones! They hold up to 6 ounces of milk. No ripping or tearing when freezing. The measurements of ounces is accurate! Totally worth a few extra dollars.

Earth Mama Nipple Butter– It’s made with all organic herbs like olive oil, beeswax, and calendula. It goes on easy when your nipples are cracked and dry (because it will happen). It’s also safe for baby so you don’t have to wipe it off before feeding. Oh and you can use this anywhere like lips, hands, feet! I even used on some dry skin Vivi had as a newborn.

Nursing Bra– I love the soft ones because you need to sleep in these! If you don’t sleep in a bra and breast pads, then you will wake up in a pool of milk. Not fun! These are extra soft and such a good price. Size up, they’re not supposed to be tight.

Breast Pads- I love the Lansinoh Stay Dry Breast Pads because they literally soak up a nights worth of milk without leaving me feeling like I have wet boobs. I keep these all of my house and even in my car! Nothing worse than leaking through a shirt in public!

Haakaa– Instead of letting all of your letdown milk drip into a breast pad while feeding on the other boob, this thing catches it! It’s a miracle. Depending on how much letdown you produce, you may not ever have to use a pump. I collect 6 ounces a day just from putting it on when I feed!

Water Bottle– You are going to be SO thirsty from nursing. Having a big water bottle by your side at all times will make it so much easier to get your water in. I recommend drinking at least 16 ounces per feeding!

Hope this makes your breastfeeding journey a bit easier 🙂

What to Pack when Traveling with a Baby

July 9, 2019 by firstcomesfamily Leave a Comment

Growing up, we didn’t do much traveling. Truthfully, I didn’t really start to travel until I was 16. Something Lee and I keep telling ourselves is that we want to show our children the world, regardless of their age. So with that, you have to make sure you have everything they need when traveling. As adults, you can get by with filling up a backpack with a toothbrush and change of clothes. With children, you have to make sure you have multiple outfits (in case one gets dirty), items incase they get sick, etc. The list goes on and on.

Since we went on our first vacation with our 2 month old recently, I wanted to share our packing list with you. We kept it pretty minimal (in my opinion, but definitely not in my husband’s LOL). Always assess where you will be visiting as different items will be needed for your little one.

Outfit for everyday
Onesie for everyday – as an extra, you never know when a blowout will happen!
Sleepers/Pajamas for every night
Sunhat – Especially if a beach vacation!
Sunscreen – Necessary if spending a lot of time outdoors
Diaper Cream – Would be worse if you didn’t!
Diapers – OBVIOUSLY, we purchased them when we got to our destination to save room in luggage! But if not, pack enough for 10 a day, it’s okay to have extra!
Wipes – 1 pack per week is a good rule of thumb.
Baby Body Wash
Thermometer – Fevers can happen anytime, especially if flying.. germs will be leaking everywhere!
Tylenol – Again, fevers can happen any time.
Nail Clippers – I always keep these in the diaper bag, sometimes it seems like their nails grow overnight.
Swaddle – We swear by swaddling at bed time!
2 Blankets – For tummy time, hanging out on, etc.
Dockatot/SnuggleMe– We use the SnuggleMe and just put it right in the bed with us! Then we didn’t have to carry around a pack n play.
Pack N’ Play – If you don’t prefer co-sleepers. These can also be used for play time when on the beach or patio.
Pacifiers – Our LO doesn’t use these, but if yours does… pack extra!
Bottles – If bottle-fed, this is a no brainer, but pack extra!
Haakaa – For breastfeeding mamas, still need to collect that letdown milk!
Breastmilk Storage Bags – For my BF mamas.
Toys– Since they’re still little, rattle and a ball should keep them entertained.
Hand Sanitizer – Because there are germs EVERYWHERE!

You can find my travel faves on Amazon here:

What else do you pack for your little one when traveling?

Maternity Photoshoot

June 30, 2019 by firstcomesfamily 2 Comments

One of the things I looked forward to the most during pregnancy was documenting my bump with a maternity photoshoot. It’s the perfect moment to remember how beautiful pregnancy truly is. I’ll remember the nausea, swollen ankles, and all the extra cookies I ate but the photos show how so much more. They show how remarkable it was to carry human inside of me. If I can give every pregnant woman advice, take some photos that make you feel empowered. You are a literal rockstar and deserve to always remember these 9 months!

We chose none other than the Meg Dryfus Wedding + Lifestyle Photographer. She has done our announcement, holiday, and family photos. She always delivers a large, crisp, beautiful gallery, plus she has the best personality.. seriously I always look forward to shooting with her. We drove down to Bradenton Beach area at sunrise, yes roughly 6 am (Lee was not happy LOL) to have these done.

Grab your coffee and check out my favorite moments that she captured.

You can find my maternity dress and swim cover-up on Amazon!

I’m wearing a Large in the dress which fit me like a glove!

Third Trimester Recap

June 28, 2019 by firstcomesfamily Leave a Comment

The third trimester felt like the fastest one by far but it was also my favorite. It lasts 12 weeks but they are so easy to wish away. During my last trimester, I found myself to be very emotional. You’re buying cribs, diapers, going on maternity leave, etc. which is quite the roller coaster. I started to realize as the days went by, that it would no longer just be Lee and I. We wouldn’t be able to go get a late night dinner or lay in bed and binge watch Netflix on Sundays. You prepare 9 months for the biggest life change yet have no idea what to expect. This is why making the best of your last days as 2 is so important.

Health

I passed the Gestational Diabetes screening, WOO! The sugary drink was not as bad as I expected…just tasted like flat Sprite. But I did hear eating 37 jelly beans has the same amount of sugar and some OBs will let you do that instead (worth an ask!). My swelling continued and seemed more so 37 to 40 weeks. They did find that my protein count was close to high at my 39 week appointment which is why they induced me.

Body

Swelling all day everyday!! I gained about 25 pounds in my third trimester (60 lbs total, but that’s a story for another day) which definitely was due to the nightly cookies and cake LOL. Grocery shopping was enough walking for me as my feet started to kill me. I didn’t feel much pressure until Week 38, which mainly was my lower back if I sat in a chair too long. Lee had learned back compression exercises in our birth class that helped me so much!

Cravings

My craving for sweets came back full force in the Second Trimester. Cookies, cakes, brownies, you name it! I tried to keep breakfast, lunch, and dinner as healthy as I could with proteins and whole foods so I could have a treat each night. I continued to want deli sandwiches every single day. I know they say to avoid deli cuts due to listeria but I made sure to eat it fresh and never let it sit too long.

I felt overall pretty good during my Third Trimester and wish I could have those last days back. As 39 weeks pregnant approached, I was constantly crying. I was so worried for the unknown of labor, although I felt I was prepared as I could be. Those last 12 weeks were bittersweet and my favorite of our pregnancy journey.

TIP: Take a birthing class with your support partner. It will give you so much information about what to expect, way more than what you can read on Google!

Floral Baby Shower

April 17, 2019 by firstcomesfamily Leave a Comment

(photographer: Angel Adriana Photography)

When we found out we were having a baby girl, I was a little unsure what kind of theme I wanted to go with. We had our hearts set on a neutral safari themed room for a little boy but I knew that I want all pink for a girl. I wanted something that can grow with her and be trendy opposed to the traditional Winnie the Pooh or Mickey Mouse. We landed on a pink floral theme. Our wonderful extended family hosted this gorgeous shower for us and she did not disappoint!

Location

For all my Tampa locals, we decided to host it at Foundation Coffee Co. Tampa Heights. It is located in an old historic brick building just near Tampa Riverwalk. There is such charm in the fact that is located in a restored building. They have an door sitting area along with an eclectic outdoor space with greenery and a pergola. Outdoor seated roughly 40 people and very reasonably priced. We opted for the back patio since it was spring in Florida and couldn’t pass up the gorgeous weather.

Theme

Everything was stemmed from the actual wallpaper we used in the nursery. (You can find it HERE) We had custom napkins made with the actual wallpaper graphic. What a gorgeous touch!

Desserts

My favorite part, DUH! Our only request was great desserts and she did not disappoint when arranging them.

We had mini cupcakes which I’m all about! There was a Guinness Chocolate, Cookie Dough, and Vanilla. The cookie dough was so good, but I may be biased because I love chocolate chip cookies.

Of course there was cake, what is a baby shower without one? We had a simple white cake and vanilla buttercream naked cake from Publix. I was so impressed with the quality of the cake. Definitely would order another for an event.

For some grab and go desserts, we also had pretzel rods and cake pops. The cake pops were traditional vanilla flavor but the wow factor was the detail of design. Almost too good to eat!

Games

Since we had a co-ed shower, we tried to keep the games to a minimum so guys didn’t feel obligated. To appeal to the guys, we did a bottle chug race. This was a race of who can drink the apple juice out of the baby bottle the fastest! You could also do it with beer (guys would definitely like that LOL).

A fun way to stock up our diaper pile was to do a Diaper Raffle. We asked everyone to bring a pack of diapers and in return we chose a random name to win a prize.

A really nice touch was that my sister-in-law handed out advice cards. She asked everyone to write a piece of advice down for us. It was so sweet for us to read through these once we got home. Most advice was to sleep when possible, remember to date each other, and don’t worry about keeping your home clean.

Favors

At most showers, they give a favor that you usually toss away. Following along with our sugar addiction, we gave custom sugar cookies as our favors. They had a beautiful “V” for Vivian. Let me tell you, these things were delicious! I totally am a supporter of cookies as a favor at any event!

We were extremely blessed with family and friends who have given their unlimited love and support during our journey. It’s incredible what positivity and love a little baby brings to so many people. So incredible to showered with joy and love. We thank everyone along this road.

Second Trimester Update

April 13, 2019 by firstcomesfamily Leave a Comment

Hallelujah! We are finally into the 2nd trimester! We are are officially 17 weeks and 5 days as I write this. The first trimester wasn’t the worst in the world but it certainly sucks the life out of you. I was constantly nauseous (luckily never threw up) and was always tired. Also, its the stage when you just look/feel bloated when you’re so anxious for the bump to pop.

Here’s my 2nd trimester update so far:

Health

Maintaining healthy blood pressure and vitals at every appointment. I’ve gotten dizzy/lightheaded a few times from moving so fast but that is common as there is more blood rushing through you. We had a NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Test) done to screen for any chromosomal conditions and risks. Luckily, we were low risk and negative for all. Which also makes me thankful for medical breakthroughs that we are able to screen for things so early on. I have had some slight swelling occasionally which is usually from me not moving for a long period of time. No fun! I can only imagine how worse it’ll get.

Body

I am up 10 total pounds from when we first found out I was pregnant. I actually had spiked 6 pounds at my first appointment then had lost 6 by my next appointment. At out 16 week check-up, I was back up the 6 pounds and the doctor said I’m right on track. I definitely should be walking and moving more than I do. Round ligament pain has begun last week that just feels like extra sore lower back muscles. Warm showers, stretching and massages help. Also, my acne continues to rule my face which has to be the most annoying symptom as I’ve never had acne until now. I’ve been using witch-hazel and tea tree oil to help dry out and pull any dirts out. I’ve also caved and bought my first maternity clothes! WOO!

Cravings

Still on a salty kick! Potato chips have been my bestie although I’ve only had them a few times. I also caved and had a deli sandwich because it was ALL I could think about! Bought from a respectively clean grocery store near me and so far so good.

TIP: STRETCH! That will help alleviate the pain you may start having as your body is making room for baby!

Week 6 & 7 Pregnancy Update

September 20, 2018 by firstcomesfamily Leave a Comment

Hello to all the symptoms they tell you about pregnancy! Hit me right at the beginning of Week 6 and still haven’t gone away 🙁 But on the brightside, we are only 2 days away from our first OB appointment! I’m so nervous and excited at the same time especially since we’re still in the early stages for miscarriage. (This risk decreases after 12 weeks) I have a laundry list of questions to ask our OB so I’ll keep you posted!

Babe Update

Little babe has grown from 0.25 inches to 0.51 inches in these past 2 weeks! They went from the size of a sweet pea to a blueberry. About 100 new brain cells are forming per minute! How wild!

Health

I have had crazzzyyyy nausea and food aversions literally since the beginning of Week 6. I mean the type of nausea where you only eat crackers, water and saltines. When I am actually wanting to eat food, it’s usually whatever I am craving at that moment (Chicfila, Chicken Noodle Soup, etc.) Week 7 started with a sour stomach that brought me to tears. It felt as if I had a bad stomach ache for 4 straight days! I could barely eat anything because nothing agreed with me. Thankfully that has subsided the last 2 days.

Body

Just some bloating still but not really a bump I would say. I’m just at that stage where I looked a little bloated in the tummy and want to wear all the baggy clothes. I have a feeling I’ll have a bump by Week 12 which I’m soo excited about. I’ve already stocked up on some bump friendly dresses to wear to work during the transition.

Cravings

Cravings have been off the chain!! I mostly have wanted ALL salty foods…which is sooo unlike me. I barely even want anything sugary. I’ve thought about potato chips for like 5 days now. I’ve mostly craved macaroni and cheese, egg bacon and cheese bagels, and vanilla ice cream. As soon as I think of something, I immediately crave it until I get it.

TIP: Keep crackers handy for morning sickness! Once you feel some nausea, snack on a few crackers!

XOXO,

Shie

Pregnancy Reveal

September 8, 2018 by firstcomesfamily Leave a Comment

What was the day that changed our lives forever actually started as a normal Sunday morning. Lee was away on a golf trip while I stayed back to work on the blog. I had woken up that morning and like everyday I would track my fertility and period in the Glow app. When I logged in, I realized my period was two days late!! In my mind, I was like ehh it’s no big deal this is my first month off of birth control so I’m sure my period will be off. I thought about taking a test but brushed it of then within 20 minutes I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Soooooo I sat down and started peeing on it….it was positive before I could even stop! I couldn’t believe it! I thought there was no way it could be positive especially since we’ve only been trying for a month. Well I was wrong, I took a digital Clear Blue test and it came up positive too! Seeing the positive on the test was the absolute happiest moment of my life.

Now I had to think of a way not to spill the beans to Lee before he made it home 6 hours later! We talked on the phone during his drive home and I was trying my hardest to play it cool. To keep my mind busy, I went shopping (doesn’t every new mama?)

Reveal Gift

I knew there was a cute little children’s boutique, so I had them make a customized onesie that said “Hello Daddy”. Then I went over to Target, grabbed this super cute book by Jimmy Fallon called “Your Child’s First Word Will Be Dada”. Perfect for Daddy’s gift! I went home, threw it in the box along with the first positive test I took and waited impatiently for Lee to arrive.

Once he got home, I couldn’t wait any longer! I sat him down (all while secretly recording him) handed him the box and let him open it.

His reaction was exactly what I imagined. He opened the box and was in utter shock. I immediately jumped on him and held him close. I was shaking with such excitement. A feeling similar to what winning 1 billion dollars probably feels like. We cried, laughed and screamed of our joy for our new baby. Something I will forever cherish and remember.

Week 5 Pregnancy Update

September 8, 2018 by firstcomesfamily Leave a Comment

Been carrying my little babe around for five weeks!! This was my first full week knowing that I was pregnant. We’ve processed the initial shock although it still feels surreal that we are finally pregnant. Something that we had planned many months for showed up within a month of being off of birth control.

They don’t warn you of the emotional roller coaster that you go through the first few days that you know you’re pregnant. I was completely overjoyed when I saw those lines cross on the test. My heart was beating out of my chest. We have felt absolutely over the moon this past week. I’ve felt so happy and complete. Also, the fact that you’re growing a human….freaking awesome.

Health

I am rather healthy, no history of diseases which could be seen as a complications. I do have poor circulation in the legs which something we will definitely monitor. Walking and exercises will help me keep the fluids flushed and my body limber to carry. I’m planning to exercise 3-4x week. I also have started taking my prenatals as well! I was on. Hormone balancing supplement for the past 4 months which contained enough folic acid for my new little babe.

Body

No size changes yet! Just feeling and looking a little bloated. Oh and super sore nipples and boobs! It’s crazy and actually the first symptom that made me think I was pregnant. I’ve had light and intermitent cramps everyday mostly at night. These are normal as it is the egg attaching to the uterine wall and growing. If these are to get stronger and more often then I would be worried.

Cravings

No cravings! I naturally have such a sweet tooth so I obviously had a few sweet treats. I actually find myself not hungry, probably because there is so much on my mind.

TIP: Take your prenatals! Folic Acid is extremely important to your little appleseed.

It helps the baby’s neural tube develop into their brain.

I am so excited to share how I’m feeling week by week with you all!

What symptoms did you have at 5 weeks?!