Category: Family

Connor is TEN!

My sweet Connor James.  I can’t believe it’s been 10 YEARS since you were born.  It seems like just yesterday I was writing a blog post about your birth. You have grown into such a sweet, kind hearted, hilariously funny,  and loving young man.  You never meet a stranger and you love to play all kinds of sports.  You are quick to defend someone who is being treated wrong and try and make it right.  Of course like every kid your age you enjoy Roblox and Fortnite and that’s pretty much all you want to do these days.  Your dream trip is to the beach somewhere, preferably Hawaii or so you say! LOL!  You are a great big brother and love your sister so much.  Nobody can make her laugh like you do.  The minute you walk into the room she lights up and giggles.

You are curious and have a thousand questions a day…but that’s a good thing.  Your favorite food is cheeseburgers, especially Whataburger.  You also love ice cream and milk shakes.  I love how much you love Jesus and want to learn more about God.  You recently asked Jesus into your heart this year and it makes my heart so happy!

Your favorite color is blue.  You also want a Bugatti someday after you start your own business with your cousin Jarrett.  Ha ha!  You both named your business JarCon Inc.  I hope you both do become millionaires because that would be awesome.  I wonder what your brilliant idea will be 🙂

You have the whole world ahead of you son.  I pray that God watches over you every step of the way and always know you can talk to him whenever and wherever you want to.  I know God has great plans for you!  This has been a crazy year full of changes and lots of craziness…but you’ve been a great helper and a ray of light every day.  I thank God for you…you and your sister are the best thing I’ve ever done and I’m so proud God chose me to be your Mama!  What an honor that is.

I love you…HAPPY DOUBLE DIGITS….

Mommy

The coolest thing ever.  Card My Yard Colleyville did a wonderful job on the birthday sign in our yard.  It made Connor’s day and he felt so special.
Heidi’s first time to experience birthday waffles
Birthday Whataburger lunch at school

Oh how time flies…

“Parents rarely let go of their children, so children let go of them. They move on. They move away. The moments that used to define them – a mother’s approval, a father’s nod – are covered by moments of their own accomplishments. It is not until much later, as the skin sags and the heart weakens, that children understand; their stories, and all their accomplishments, sit atop the stories of their mothers and fathers, stones upon stones, beneath the waters of their lives.”
― Mitch Albom

8 Months: Heidi

Happy 8 MONTHS Heidi Lynnea!  You are really coming into your own these days and are trying so hard to crawl.  I love doing these comparison pics of you and Connor at the same age.  I can’t believe your brother will be TEN years old on Wednesday!  Time sure does fly when you are having fun…you and your brother are the best thing I’ve ever done in my life and I’m so thankful for each of you.

This has been quite the eventful month when you rolled off of Connor’s bed and had to be transferred to the hospital via ambulance.  You hated that neck brace and fortunately you didn’t have to get a cast and only had to wear a boot!  You are done wearing it and healing up really well!  With all that going on and some other DRAMA…I’m glad things are back to normal.

You are starting to eat solids much better and your favorites are carrots, pears, and spinach.  We think you are so beautiful and you smile all the time and it just lights up our lives.   Mommy will try to do a better job at blogging…but it’s a lot easier to post on Instagram these days….because it’s INSTANT!  But I still like to write about the memories.

You are doing great in daycare and are a social butterfly. You LOVE to get out of the house because you get bored easy.  You put EVERYTHING in your mouth no matter what it is…gross!  Ha ha!  But we are trying to fix that issue.  You are my little cuddle bug and we love you so very much!

Happy 8 months baby girl!  Mama loves you to the moon and back.

7 Months: Heidi Update

I can’t believe you are already 7 months Heidi bug!  You are the sweetest, most smiley baby.  You still love Mommy’s milk.  We’ve tried a bunch of different foods so far, but you want nothing to do with any of it yet.  You aren’t quite sitting up on your own, but you roll around all over the place and try to lift up on all fours.  You are in your own crib now and usually start off every night in it…but by morning are usually back in our bed.  You love sleeping next to us and I can tell you just sleep better with Mommy & Daddy next to you.  You want to put EVERYTHING in your mouth as well, which is probably why we have been having a hard time fighting off colds.   I can’t imagine our lives without you!  You have the sweetest spirit and truly are an absolute JOY to our lives.

Gosh… on this blog almost 10 years ago I used to document everything about your brother…but these days there’s just not enough time for everything.  I sure am trying to soak in every moment, because now I truly now how fast time flies.

Here’s a little comparison pic of you and Connor both at 7 months old:

You look alike in a lot of ways, but you are definitely more girly.  Your brother thinks you are the CUTEST ever and just loooooves YOU!

Thank you Lord for the sweetest gift and the cherry on top of our family.  I can’t wait to see what God has in store for you Heidi!  I love you so much, Mama.

Must Have Items for the New Mom in Your Life

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com

Hey Mamas!  So, we just talked about must haves for baby, but what about YOU?  It’s so easy to be in the midst of caring for your new baby that you forget to take care of yourself.  This happens to me all the time and I legit wish someone would say “Girl you look rough you need to take some time for yourself”.  Also I’m taking volunteers between the hours of 1 am-4 am lol….just kidding!  But really Heidi had a high fever last night and today has been hard….some days are just that.  Hard.

Let’s talk about some things that are great for a new Mom and will also make your life a little bit easier and not so hard….because the struggle is real.

First off is Nursing Comfort Balm from Mustela.  I strictly pumped with Connor when he was a baby for 14 months, and so far I’m 7 months in exclusively pumping with Heidi.  It’s a lot of work, but completely worth it!  In the beginning though it’s so hard to try to keep up your supply and your poor nipples feel like they’ve been rubbed over and over with sandpaper.  It’s SO important to keep them moisturized and lubricated.  If not you are in for a lot of pain and it’s so important to remember to apply balm before and after feedings or pump sessions.  It will save your boobies and make for a much more pleasant experience.

Mustela’s Nursing Comfort Balm is a soothing and restorative nipple cream that keeps skin comfortable while nursing. The lanolin-free balm moisturizes and protects nipples, eases discomfort, and helps to replenish and restore skin during and after breastfeeding.  I highly recommend a lanolin free product!  It worked much better for me.  It’s made with 100% naturally-derived ingredients like olive oil and is fragrance and dye free.

Get 20% off on Mustela’s entire website at MustelaUSA.com with CODE: JAVAMAMA20
(This offer cannot be combined with any other offers. Offer valid at www.mustelausa.com only. Limit 1 per person. Offer expires February 28, 2020 11:59 PM EST.)

Second thing for a new Mama is a good nursing bra.  You are basically on breast arrest for the first six months and ease and comfort is key when looking for a nursing bra.  These bras from Playtex are awesome and super comfy!  Not to mention they aren’t that bad looking and are actually pretty cute!  When you think nursing bra sometimes you think of a granny bra…but this my friends is so cute and you’d never even know it’s a nursing bra.

This Shaping Foam Underwire bra has some awesome features like:

  • QuickStrap® clips are designed to make nursing easy anytime, anywhere!
  • Dual cup sizing flexes to fit as your size changes
  • TruSupport® 4-way Support system, including comfortable straps, deeper cups, higher sides, and a wider back.
  • Shaping Foam Underwire

Also, these Cross Over Sleep Bras come in a pack of two.  Yes, you’ll want to wear a bra while sleeping because your boobies have a mind of their own and unless you want to wake up covered in milk get a sleeping bra.  These bras flex to fit as your size changes and have Cool Comfort® fabric helps to keep you cool.

So, the third fun find are these Milkflow Lactation Coffee Pods from UpSpring.  They are AMAZING you guys!!!  And I’m not just saying that because I’m a crazy coffee junkie, but they actually taste amazing and anything that can help increase my milk supply is awesome!  I’m going to have my coffee anyway so why not have an additional benefit right?  Whatever genius thought of this idea….well, it’s genius!

UpSpring’s Milkflow is the first lactation coffee that contains the herbs Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle to help naturally promote breast milk supply. The herbal ingredients in Milkflow are plant-based and so is the single serve coffee pod itself. Milkflow Lactation Coffee Pods are 100% compostable, with zero plastic and zero BPAs. Better for the environment, mom, and baby!
The product is gluten-free, non-GMO, and Lactation Consultant recommended.

* You can find UpSpring Milkflow Lactation Coffee Pods are available at Target in the baby aisle.*

Aging…it happens to us all.  For some reason after I have babies I feel like I’ve aged 20 years…or maybe I’m just so worn out that it just feels like that?  Either way it’s been 10 years since I had my first baby and this time around I’m definitely feeling that 10 year age gap.  Taking care of my skin is key, especially as I’m veering towards the big 4-0.  This LiftActiv Peptide-C Ampoule Serum from Vichy is incredible.  I’ve been using it for the past week and I can definitely tell my skin feels smoother and brighter.

Formulated with only 10 ingredients including: 10% Pure Vitamin C (an antioxidant known to help brighten skin), Natural Origin Hyaluronic Acid (to hydrate and plump the skin) and Plant-based Phyto Peptides (to fight signs of collagen loss).  Derm-grade formula targets visible signs of collagen loss, wrinkles, lack of radiance and firmness.
Clinically proven efficacy:
– From the 1st use: Skin is firmer & feels hydrated
– In 10 days: Skin looks smoother & radiant
– In 1 month: Visibly reduces wrinkles & resurfaces skin texture
Get 15% off from 1/23-2/14  with code: VICHYBABBLE2020

For more information & how to use this product visit HERE

This is an awesome cause and I’m excited to share with you “Love Without Boundaries“.  It’s a Non-Profit Organization and international charity that provides hope and healing to orphaned and vulnerable children, and their undeserved communities. Their mission is to provide healing, education and refuge to vulnerable children worldwide, and their core belief is that ‘Every Child Counts.’  From the beginning, their model has been to partner with local citizens on the ground to change the lives of vulnerable children. By working together, we empower each other to create a lasting impact.
Love Without Boundaries provides hope and healing to vulnerable children through ongoing programs in Cambodia, India, Uganda and China, and more through special projects around the world.  To learn more about this amazing program download this free copy of The Heart of an Orphan, by Amy Eldridge, and learn more about LWB’s story of love, hope and healing.

So blessed to be this baby’s Mama.  I can’t believe how fast time flies when you are having fun…or sleep deprived…or whatever!  Ha!  But I wouldn’t trade a darn thing! xoxo Becky

New Year + New Favorites for Baby!

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.comWell, I’m 6 months into this new mom thing (again)…and it’s going pretty well!  I mean she’s still alive and thriving and we seem to be getting a bit more sleep, so that’s a WIN in my book!  Heidi sure does keep us on our toes and she’s growing like a weed.  She really is the happiest and most smiley baby I’ve ever seen.  She’s starting to figure things out and get bored easily and even has a bit of separation anxiety when I leave the room.  The one thing I keep saying to myself when I see new baby items is “Wow!  They didn’t have this almost 10 years ago when I had Connor?”  So many things have changed in a decade and I love trying and sharing my favorite baby products with YOU!  So, it’s a new year & I’d love to share some NEW fun baby products we’ve been trying lately and you can check them out too!  I also love connecting with new Moms on Instagram and the blog…it’s so fun!

The first item we are loving is the new Snuggle Knit Collection from aden + anais™

The NEW aden + anais™ snuggle knit collection is made of the softest fabric designed for the ultimate snuggle. This would be the perfect gift if you know someone about to have a baby.  It has everything needed for a hospital stay and afterwards.  The set comes with a beautiful knotted gown, hat, swaddle blanket, & bandana bib (The bib is exclusive to the newborn gift set).  This super soft set is available in three prints – heather grey, rosettes, and navy stripe.  The newborn gift set retails for $59.95.  The knotted gown, hat and swaddle blanket can also be bought separately. The snugly little lovey retails for $19.95 – Perfect for babies and toddlers, the snuggle knit lovey will be much-loved by little ones & provide calm and comfort at any time of the day. I love the super stretchy and SOFT fabric which makes it easy to swaddle and use as your baby grows.
The snuggle knit newborn set is available for purchase at adenandanais.com, Amazon, at retailers including Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, and at select specialty boutiques across the country.

The second thing we are obsessed with is the Lil’ Squish Jellyfish Sensory Rattle + Teething Toy from Baby BananaThis little lady is a drooly teething mess lately.  Anything she can stick in her mouth she will!  The Lil’ Squish Jellyfish Sensory Rattle + Teething Toy will keep your curious little one busy and happy through the teething phase and beyond. It’s made of 100% silicone, Lil’ Squish has a soft, squishy head with lots of fun textures for little mouths to explore. A variety of colorful tentacle loops make it easy to hold and maneuver and provide more teething textures, as well as promote hand-eye coordination in children.

The third item on my new Mama baby list is Butt Paste Maximum Strength Tube from Boudreaux’s

This is a product we already use and this might be an over-share…but Heidi has been sick with an ear infection and has been taking antibiotics this week.  Nothing gives your baby diaper rash like getting the runs from medicine…ugggghhh….

She actually hasn’t had that big of a problem with diaper rash until now.  Just wait until your baby gets sick or starts eating solids then queue a diaper rash!  Boudreaux’s Butt Paste Maximum Strength formula contains 40% Zinc Oxide for when stubborn diaper rash needs a little more attention. A must-have addition to any diaper bag and nursery changing station, Boudreaux’s Butt Paste quickly and effectively treats rash without harsh ingredients like dyes, preservatives, parabens and talc. The product works by forming a protective layer on soft baby skin to soothe rash discomfort – leaving both baby and parents happy!  You can see a difference in as little as 3 hours!

The fourth item on our list is the Tinkle Crinkle Activity Ball and Tinkle Crinkle Caterpillar from GUND

This gal loves anything with a crunchy sound or thingies sticking out of it! Lol!

The Tinkle Crinkle Activity Ball features lovable characters from the Tinkle Crinkle Collection in soft, 3-D cut-outs on top of sections of different-textured fabric and multicolored ribbons for a mix of sensory-stimulating play. This soft plush ball has safe embroidered details and is easy to grip and throw by little hands and is machine washable for easy cleaning!The classic Tinkle Crinkle Caterpillar has been updated with fun, new patterns and a more modern look for modern babies. Each part of 16.5-inch Tinkle Crinkle Caterpillar includes a fun surprise for baby, including squeaker, crinkle, rattle, and more in bright, primary colors and fabric with textures to promote tactile and sensory stimulating play. Tinkle’s embroidered details make it safe for play by all ages 0+ and is machine washable for easy cleaning!  We love the GUND brand.  They have the cutest dolls, teddy bears, & stuffed animals make perfect gifts for birthdays, baby showers, baptisms, Easter, Valentine’s Day & more!

The fifth items on our baby bests is the iBaby Balm and Baby Lotion from Pipette

We’ve been using this after bath time lately and the baby balm is super nourishing and hydrating with plant-derived ingredients to comfort even the most sensitive skin.  The baby lotion is very lightweight and non greasy.  Babies have super delicate skin so I’m always cautious of what I use on Heidi.  Pipette Baby provides deep, gentle moisture for baby’s sensitive spots and replenishes and restores natural balance of baby’s skin.  Pipette is also featured in Good Housekeeping Magazine on page 49.

I hope you loved hearing about what we are LOVING with our new baby and I’d love to hear what you recommend as well.  Nobody helps a new Mom better than another new Mom right?  It takes a village and lots of coffee!!!

Dainty Gold Jewelry

Let’s talk bling y’all!  What are you into this season?  I’m super into dainty gold jewelry right now and have been for a couple of years, which is funny because I used to ONLY wear silver or white gold.  Oh how the times have changed and now you will find me pretty much only wearing yellow gold.  From dainty earrings to little personalized necklaces…I love it all!

One piece I wear on repeat is this gold circle pendant from AU-Rate.  I chose to put my birthstone on it too.  There are so many ways you can customize jewelry these days from gemstones, to your initials, different chains, even mixing and matching metals.  Jewelry is also the perfect gift for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries…or VALENTINE’S DAY…. you can’t go wrong!

I think the necklace above looks good with anything, but I also love to layer it with other necklaces too.  My sister gave me this one for Christmas with Connor & Heidi’s initials and I wear it pretty much every day.  I also love pieces that have special meaning behind them, and this one sure does!

These gold studs from Gorjana are an everyday piece as well.  You can find them at here.  Sometimes I forget to put earrings in and these are a great pair that go with everything and I don’t have to think about it.

Some other favorites that I’ve been eyeing below:

Doesn’t everyone have an Amazon wish list these days?  Ha ha!

I’d love to hear about some of your favorite jewelry finds!  Leave a comment and tell me what your loving lately and how you wear it.

Daystar Christmas

I’m way behind on blogging lately due to the craziness of the holiday season, but I wanted to recap some of the fun and festive things we did this year!  One of those being a visit to Daystar Christmas!  I always pass this amazing light display when I’m on the freeway because I live close to Daystar, but I’ve never been to visit…until this past year!  

If you are looking for the perfect place to take Christmas photos this is the spot!  All the lights make for the perfect “bokeh” effect and walking around automatically puts you in the Christmas spirit.  This was Heidi’s first Christmas and I’m so glad we got these beautiful photos that I’ll cherish always.

There are over one-million LED lights, a life-size nativity scene, a kid-friendly Christmas Town, multiple photo-ops, photos with Santa, and hot chocolate in the Scratch Cafe!

Here are a few pictures of our night out at Daystar Christmas 🙂

I love this HUGE wreath it screams “Family Christmas Card”.  Next season we’ll have to make plans to go early so we can actually put it on a card.  I didn’t get cards out this year because it’s been so busy, but next year that will be my goal.

Connor and his best friend Ben.

This is my best friend Ellen.  We’ve been best friends since the 7th grade.  If you’ve been following me on Instagram you have probably seen a lot of her.  She moved here about a year and a half ago for a job and then her company had a massive layoff last August.  She’s one of the nicest, sweetest people you will ever meet and I’ve SO enjoyed having her close by.  If she doesn’t find a job by February she’ll have to move back home to Arkansas and I can’t let that happen!  If anyone knows someone hiring Ellen works in Apparel and Fashion merchandising and sourcing. #hireellen

This is my favorite picture!

My sweet, precious babies.  They sure are a gift from God.  

Thank you so much for having us to visit Daystar we had the BEST time ever!  Everyone was so incredibly nice and accommodating and great with our kids.  We can’t wait to come back next year and check it out.  Much Love, The Branch Family