Here we are...

Five months in...

Like many, COVID-19, brought a new normal to our lives. I no longer get up for work and drive 45 minutes into the office. I now wake up and walk about 15 steps into my office. At the end of my work day, I no longer get into a car and drive home fighting traffic. Now I walk out of the office and put my mom hat on and start cooking; some days however I can't walk away from "work". It's here all the time and so easy to get caught up in the work that I forget that I must be deciplined for my sanity and for my family. I miss my office (something I never thought I would say), I miss my co-workers, I miss huddles at a desk or in a office to chit chat about our weekend or about something new in life. About two months ago I believe, we were able to go into our building and retrieve items to help us work more effecient at home; walking into my office was so bittersweet. I have a new appreciation to my love and hate relationship with work, if that even makes sense. (I know crazy right) But most importantly I undersood how blessed I was to be able to work from home. It has it's perks, NO traffic, I get breakfast every morning cooked by the hubster and most importantly more time it allows for my boys.

Life to some degree as stopped for us, not just going into a physical building for work. We weren't going to our church building, a place where I knew I can always find refuge. Our business travels came to hault. We find ourselves only venturing out for groceries or other household necesities. We had to get creative and find things that we can do at home for fun, we have done a couple of projects here and there. I will share some in another post.

Overall we are healthy and safe, a true blessing. Yes we have had losses, we have had trying moments, but through it all I can say God has been with us every step of the way. I honestly believe, for me and my family, this time was meant for us to work on our homefront. To build a stronger foundation in Him, to grow our relationship with each other and with our children. It gave us a pause to a busy life we normally live.

At the beginning of the year I chose a two words, Seek & Intentional. He cleared my schedule, so I would SEEK him more and be intentional with my time. I can't lie and say I have done both 100% because let's be honest, laziness gets in the way. I can sit and do NOTHING and just lay down, when did I have the time for that. NEVER before this. So yes, there have been times where I have to check myself. Remind myself we are living in a time where we can't be lazy and we can not leave our guard down. SEEK Him and be intentional with our time.

When will we get back to normal? Will normal be normal as we knew it? I don't know the answers. I do often ask myself more times than I need to but still the answer is, I do not know. What I do know is that God is in control and whatever lies ahead He has us covered.

I pray you are healthy and safe. I pray you feel His unconditional love always and never feel alone.

all the love. Sophia

My Baby Faves!

I had my second son 10 months ago and I wanted to share with you some of the items that I loved this time around that I didn't have with my first son. Below you will find my TOP 10 recommendations:

• frida mom Labor and Delivery + Postpartum Recovery Kit: ($99) You will THANK ME! I did not have this with my first son and let me tell you I wish I did. This will make the postpartum recovery so much better and easier. They sell everything separately but I recommend the kit. The box is a Toilet Top Storage Caddy, you place in the hospital or home restroom for immediate use upon giving birth. Inside the kit you will find Upside down Peri Bottle, Disposable Postpartum Underwear (OMG way better than the hospital ones, TRUST me), instant Ice Max Pads - No freezer (felt amazing even tho I was cesarean, this help my oo-ha just feel fresh), Perineal Cooling Pad Liners, and Perineal Healing Foam. You also get a bathroom essentials bag, delivery, and nursing gown, labor, and deliver socks. For half the price of the Delivery + Postpartum Kit, you can get the Postpartum Recovery Essentials Kit for $49.99. If you don’t purchase for yourself add it to your gift registry.

• Portable Electric Breastfeeding Pump ($33) If you plan to breastfeed and need a low-cost wireless pump, I recommend this one. We traveled a lot with our business and this made pumping on the go so much easier. This pumped more milk out for me than the other wireless one I had that I paid $200+ for. (It was great but not the pump power — took longer to pump)

• nanobebe Breastfeeding Baby Bottle ($40) my favorite bottles for my breastmilk, storage, and the baby transition very well between breast and bottle. The only reason I stop using, my baby stopped breastfeeding at 5 mo and I stopped producing. I definitely recommend for breastfeeding mamas.

• Kiinde Twist Pouch System ($34) I can’t rave about this enough, I used it as long as I could. Great breastmilk storage, you can pump into the pouch and then just popped into the bottle. I also used it with our formula powder milk, they also have the Food Baby Storage and Squeeze Pouch. I used this for when I began making his baby food at home.

• Boon NURSH Bottles ($20) When we moved our of the Kiinde system, our next favorite bottles that he is using and loving. Silicone, no gas issues, easy to wash and easy to hold. They have two color options and come in a pack of 3.

• Portable Bottle Warmer ($75) portable bottle warmer, they have a new version now however I have the older version of this. We loved it for the breast milk on the go, I was able to give it quick warming before. It stayed charged for a long period of time for when we did a road trip, also was able to charge in the car with USB.

• ToteSavvy($65) I had a hard time finding a diaper bag that I loved the first time around, I ended with a backpack instead and used small bags to organize everything. This time around I wanted to use whatever bag I found, my husband made my diaper bag and I purchased the totesavvy organizer to insert into the bag. I’m able to convert any of my now purses into a diaper bag with the insert. This can also be used as a purse organizer once we move out the diaper phase.

• fridababy Basic Care Kit ($35) I love everything frida, this kit comes with their SnotSucker, GasPasser, SnipperClipper, and Skin Soother. The go-to kit for a fussy baby, keeping a baby healthy and clean. Other favorites include: DermaFrida & MediFrida — made our baby journey so much easier

• Baby Teethers ($15) her teethers and baby clips are the best, I have tried all her baby products just about and we love them. Such cute designs and colors, baby safe.

• B, toys Bedtime Soother ($17) We discovered our little one loved water sounds or white noise, this was perfect for him to soothe him to sleep and I love the different lights. It has 4 different sounds and you can change the colors as well. It has a button for a timmer as well.

All pictures are mine with the exception of the frida (credit link above)

Luca-Bear's Dedication

We dedicated Luca Bear to the Lord on October 20, 2019 at Greater Life Church. Our second miracle boy came into the world 2 weeks early on a Sunday afternoon. Surrounded by family and church family, we brought Luca-James back to the Lord and placed his life in the hands of our Father.

Our Pastors (Mark & Cecila Hughes) prayed over Luca-James along with our parents by our side. Such a special moment for us, God gave us this second gift to care for and guide him in His ways. We pray we always do our best to do that.

Surrounded by family and friends from near and far. It worked out perfectly to have our family from Tennessee and Nacogdoches with us the same weekend. Thankful for our family!

Oh Baby!

I've always wished for a sister growing up since I didn't have a sister as a sibling, instead God gave my parents 4 boys to be my siblings.

However God placed amazing sisters in my life growing up. I gained a sister by marriage, my sister in love, Kami Perez. I secretly wished we were pregnant together and God granted that wish. Because she lives in TN and I live in TX, we agreed to have a double baby shower.

My lovely sister, Laura (husband's sister) executed our vision beyond our expectations. Something you would find on pinterest is how I would say it.

It was a perfect hot day in Houston, at Three Hearts Appearal studios. Gathered with our closest friends and family. We had a DIY paci clip and or rattle for mommas. (I recommend for your babyshower)

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