handmade wardrobe // babydoll

New Look 6518

Alright, while my last handmade top was a pleasant surprise, this one was.... eh. 

For one, it's a tiny bit out of my comfort zone. I have no problem with tank tops and even off the shoulder tops, but there is something about thin little spaghetti straps that has never really been my thing. Second.... I was in too much of a hurry. I just wanted to get it done and over with, and I didn't do any pattern fitting. And yeah, it ended up being a little bit too big in the bust. Not that bad, it still works being a little looser fit. It just would better if it fit right. 

So yeah, I dunno. It sewed up quick and easy and I actually like the look of it in general. Maybe I can force myself to take the time and salvage the fit? We shall see. 

top: handmade / New Look 6518

pants: Loft (old)

Our First Year Baby Essentials

Ok, so this post might be a little over due. When I was pregnant, I loved reading other blogger's baby essentials posts, and seeing what else everyone loved. It felt a little weird writing my own too soon, though. Being a new mom and everything. How much did I really know? But now that I'm over a year in to this motherhood thing, I feel like I'm finally able to truthfully tell you what items we honestly couldn't live without during that first year. 

This list could be a lot longer. Of course you need a good carseat, stroller, swing, diapers (we love Target's Up&Up, btw) and a lot of other things.  But these are the smaller items that have gotten so much use over and over during her first year (and some still!).

And P.S - this is in no way a sponsored post. Just items that I really love <3.

1. &  2. Beaba Babycook and WeeSprout Reusable Pouches - I was determined to make P's baby food from then start, and this made it so simple. Even though she no longer needs purees as her main food source, I still use it almost daily to make smoothies and fill squeeze pouches.

3. Freshly Picked Moccasins - Obsessed. They were her first shoes, and still almost the only the only ones she wears. We've had other shoes for her from big name brands. But no shoes stay on her feet like these do. And they're soft soled, which is better for her developing feet. 

4. Owlet Baby Monitor - this may actually be my #1 most recommended baby item. Love love love. They wear it on their foot and it monitors their oxygen level and heart rate while they sleep, setting off an alarm if their numbers get too low. P never had any scary sleep incidents, but that doesn't mean I didn't have some major anxiety about it. Especially with her sleeping in her own crib in a different room from so early on.  She actually JUST stopped wearing it every night.

5. Nest Cam - Honestly, I've never tried any other baby monitors, so I can't compare. But we love our Nest Cam, and that we can access it from our phones and iPads. Wherever we are.  When I was hospitalized last September and P was at home at night with Zach, I was able to tune into her bedtime routine from hospital bed and actually slept with my phone next to me with the camera pulled up. 

6. Tubby Todd - P has some mild baby eczema that flares up every now and then. Their all over ointment helps with it a lot. We also use their every day lotion (omg smellsI so good), their hair and body wash, and their bubble bath. They just released bath bombs that I can't wait for P to try!

7. Mama & Little teething jewelry - P started teething early and chewed on eeeeeeverything. Some teething jewelry is kinda.... eh. But Mama & Little's is so stylish. And i found myself wearing it even when P wasn't with me. 

8. & 9. - Solly Baby Wrap and Sakura Bloom Sling - Baby wearing. A LIFESAVER. Seriously. I love wearing Penny. The Solly wrap was our go-to when she was smaller. I got the sling secondhand, and have been using it a lot now that she's bigger. We also have an Ergo carrier that gets a lot of use, too. 

10. Nested Bean Swaddle - Penny was a little finicky when she was really small. She liked to be swaddled, but that little beast would break out of almost every swaddle and then get really mad. Except for Nested Bean. It was our go-to. And the weighted center that felt like a a parent's touch is a bonus. 

11. Baby Deedee Sleep Sack - She's been in a sleep sack from the moment she outgrew the swaddle. She loves her Baby DeeDee (we use the lightweight one in warmer months, and the heavyweight one in winter). But Nested Bean makes a sleep sack tonal would love to try that as well!

12. Gathre Mats - these things are genius. We have a medium mat that we take with us everywhere, from the park to the beach to camping, etc. As well as a high chair mat for underneath her chair.  Water just rolls right off, and they wipe up and clean up so easily. 

13. Comotomo Bottles - I know this is one of those things where every baby is different. There are a lot of different options out there and different babies take to different bottles. P would only take to these ones. I would recommend giving them a try if you're trying to find the right one for your baby!

14. & 15. - Muchkin 360 cup and Lollaland Lollacup - P didn't really like sip cups at first, until we tried the 360 cups and now she's hooked. They don't spill, and she'll be better prepared when its time to drink out of a regular cup. And The Lollacups we use for her smoothies. They're so cute! Plus the two-part straw is weighted and easy to clean. 

Penny's first camping trip // Acadia National Park

Zach and I have been making a couple of trips each summer to Acadia to camp (see previous years), but this is the first time taking Penny. I was a little nervous about it, you know, tent camping with a 14 month old. But it wasn't quite as bad as I thought! Girl looooooves being outside. And could just play with and collect rocks all day long. And she did great hiking. 

Sleep was.... ok. She didn't take naps. Only quick cat naps in the car and carrier. And man, I know why we don't co-sleep (props to those that do!). P moved around so much, and would wake up and just want to play with us in the middle of the night. I mean, at least there was no screaming and crying. So it definitely could've been A LOT worse. But when we go back next month, we will be trading in our tiny little tent for a larger one that fits a pack and play.

But really, it was an awesome quick little trip. Take your baby on adventures! Even if it seems impossible or like too much work. Do it. I promise it will be worth it. 

If anyone has any questions about what we used for her or how we did things, let me know!

handmade wardrobe // pink plaid

I've been slacking with the blog lately. I posted this outfit to instagram last week, but never got around to posting it here. Whoops. 

Anyways, I was pleasantly surprised with this pattern. I'm all for off the shoulder looks (obvs), but something seemed a little odd about this one. It actually turned out better than expected, and I definitely think it will get a lot of wear in this last half of summer. 

top: handmade - simplicity 8381

scarf: Loft

bracelet: Mama & Little (use code HOLLY for 15% off)

shoes: Loft 

Match Your Mama

This subtle tropical print french terry fabric arrived a few days before we left for Maui, and I threw these matching outfits together last minute to add to our suitcase. Like, literally last minute. Unfinished hemlines and uneven shorts and all. Whoops. (The unfinished hem I'm keeping, the uneven pant legs I'll fix). But it was worth it. Because isn't wearing matching themed outfits the whole point of taking your kids on vacation with you? :)

my outfit: modified Megan Nielsen Briar top + some random old elastic waist shorts pattern

P's outfit: free pattern here

P's bonnet: also handmade, free pattern here

teething necklace: Mama & Little

both our sandals: Old Navy