Browsing Tag

mommy blogger

Uncategorized

Insuring My Families Future with Bestow (Life Insurance)

family photo idea

Thanks to Bestow , a life insurance company, for sponsoring this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

bestow

nashville blogger

bestow life insurance

bestow life insura nce

life insurance

family photo idea

baby style

life insurance

Before having Georgie and Wilder I lived a pretty care free lifestyle. Even after meeting and settling down with Trey, I spent most of my time traveling with him and going to shows all over the country. Needless to say, I didn’t always make the smartest financial decisions.

Babies change you in every sense of the word, but one way that I’ve changed the most drastically is the way I think and plan for my future. It is of the utmost importance to me that everything is in place for my sons to thrive and be taken care of. Savings is more important than having more “things.”

Something that I never even put much thought into prior to becoming a mom was life insurance. I think most people would agree that life insurance is important to have. However, there is still a huge gap in those that believe that to be true and those that are protected with it.

Right after Trey and I got married we took out policies and it was such a headache. We dreaded the entire process. For us to get coverage it was a lengthy process. (Weeks and weeks actually.) It involved phone interviews, peeing in cups, blood drawn, a physical, etc. I also worked in the insurance industry after college and quickly realized it was an outdated industry.

Bestow is a company that I recently found that is changing the life insurance industry. BIG time.

Bestow has modernized the process by allowing you to gain coverage, if approved, from your phone. (No medical exams or commissioned agents.)

They are also a “do good” company. If ya’ll have followed along with my journey for some time you know that there is nothing I love more than this. Bestow allows people to not only get protection for their family but also help other families who don’t have coverage.

Some of the things I love most about this company:

* They leverage health databases rather than medical exams allowing you to get coverage in minutes instead of weeks.

* It’s much more affordable. Since I am young and in good health I’d be able to get an EXTREMELY reasonable rate. They are able to avoid a lot of overhead by utilizing technology, and the cost savings is passed to the consumer.

* Instead of commissioned agents they use licensed customer care representatives focused on my satisfaction.

* They are backed by two huge insurance companies that are both A+ rated. This simply means that you are getting the same quality life insurance policy as the biggest carriers, without the hassle.

* They are about to launch and have an early access special offer. If you sign up before launch you can get two months at no cost to you as well as Amazon gift cards for referrals that sign up for early access.

Sense of security for my babies is one of the most important things to me, so I’m very passionate about things like this. I’m happy I was able to secure a policy early on and encourage everyone to consider doing the same. You can check them out HERE

Uncategorized

An Open Letter To My Son

nashville blogger

I thought it would be fun to take coordinating mommy and me pictures with G and write an open “letter to my son”…

fall family fatching

nashville blogger

mommy and me pictures

kimono fall fashion

nashville blogger

kimonos

kimono fall fashion

On Georgie: Lion Shirt | Knit Sneaker | Jeans

On Me: High Rise Jeans | Lion Ring | Kimono (Similar- same brand) | Exact Kimono Sold out- brand is Mimi Chica | Booties

I like to think that this blog will one day be a journal stamped in time that I can go and reminisce on, and even one day my sons can do the same. Not to long ago I saw a fellow blogger say that she writes letters to her children on each birthday. She keeps the letters and will one day let them read them. Such a precious idea that I plan to borrow, but I wanted to go ahead and write one for G now. He’s in such a sweet stage and I want to remember all the little idiosyncrasies he has. So I thought I would share this letter to my son…

Dear Georgie-

There isn’t a thing in this world that makes my heart happier than hearing your sweet giggle. Right now you are a little giggle box, and it’s a sound I want to freeze in time. I know one day it will go away, and that will be the saddest day for me.

We thought you would be so jealous when Wilder came into our family, but you proved us wrong. The innate love and protective nature you have over him might just be the sweetest part about you. You are so proud to show him off to any new visitors; grabbing their hand and dragging them to him. When he cries you bring him a blanket or a pacifier, or even the remote control. Hey, what man doesn’t want control over the remote?!

You love food. (You get that honestly…) Currently you are a bottomless pit. You take your whole hand and shove as much as you can into your little mouth. I’ve yet to find anything you don’t like. Guacamole and meatballs are the current favorite. I wish it were socially acceptable for me to pick up the bowl of guac and lick the bottom like you do. If it were, I would sure join you. You and I are the same like that.

You are curious and adventurous. Your battery operated 4-wheeler can’t go fast enough. You can’t rock your rocking motorcycle (thanks to grandad for that one) hard enough. The look in your eye when you get your mind on something is mischievous, but in the sweetest possible way. With that curious spirit you aren’t afraid to climb up hills, jump off couches, slide down stairs or eat some dirt. However, you are terrified of anything in costume and even some stuffed animals. I secretly love when you are scared of something and run to me and cling to me. I hope I can always be the open arms you run to for protection.

“Da-Da” is by far your favorite word. Ya’ll are the best of friends. He can’t walk out of the room without me hearing the pitter patter of your feet chasing him down. As much as I want you to be a mamas boy, I love watching the special bond ya’ll have. Seeing your daddy like that makes me love him even more!

You’ve never met a puppy you didn’t like. It’s so sweet seeing how big your eyes get when you hear a bark. Then you will point and repeatedly say “pa-pa-pa” and try to find the puppy to snuggle him.

There is never a stranger in your eyes. You wave to every person, car, puppy, and plane that goes by. You might be stingy with real kisses, but you can blow kisses with the best of them. When you do finally give in to giving me a kiss, it is only done for the applause. That sweet little clap is my favorite.

I love watching you grow, but I sure wish you would slow down. Love you sweet boy!

Xo,

MAMA (P.S. You still refuse to say mama, my heart might melt right away when you finally give in and say it…)

Uncategorized

Family Photos | Tips on Coordinating Outfits

family phots

So excited to share our family photos!

What to wear to family photos

Nashville blogger

coordinating family fashion

Nashville Blogger

Nashville Blogger

family phots

Nashville Blogger

Nashville Blogger

Nashville Blogger

Nashville Blogger

family photos

family photo ideas

family photos

On ME: Dress | Lion Ring |
On TREY: Button Down | Pants |
ON GEORGIE: Jeans |
ON WILDER: Onesie

Real talk… getting myself and the boys ready for this picture and packed in the car to meet Trey and my friend/photographer might have been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. It took hours of planning, packing their diaper bags, sippie cups/snacks, change of clothes, loading the car. Then waiting till G napped to rush in the shower and attempt to do my make up. Then getting each of them ready without the other one crying, etc. Whew. I’m exhausted just thinking about it again.

Once we got there G decided he wanted nothing to do with picture taking that day. Par for the course. He normally is so sweet and cooperative. Not this time! Baby tantrum. He only wanted to play with a puppy he spotted from afar and eat dirt/throw sticks.

My original idea for this post was tips on taking family photos, because I do get asked that a lot. However, given the train wreck that was my children during these, I decided to stick to some tips on coordinating outfits. At least I got that part down!

How to Coordinate Family Photo Outfits (without looking cheesy)

1. Everyone does NOT have to match perfectly. (I know every family has done the all white beach pics, but we don’t need to all match. Keyword here is coordinate.

2. Make sure and choose a fairly neutral backdrop. You don’t want something super bold in the background to steal the show, or compete with anything else in the shot.

3. Don’t be scared of a little print. (However, no ones prints should match exactly.)

4. If you are unsure, stay in the neutral family. (Grey, black, white, tan, denim, etc.) They can all be mismatched easily.

5. Pick one persons look to start. (I knew I wanted to wear this dress. Even though it is orange, there are white, tan, grey, and sage colors in it as well. I pulled those colors for the boys!)

6. Don’t pick anything overly “trendy.” Fashions and trends are constantly changing, there is no way around that. However, if you want something that stands the test of time don’t go head to toe trendy fashion on every family member.

Uncategorized

Owlet Baby Monitor | Better Newborn Sleep

newborn sleep

Owlet Baby Monitor Review and How to Deal with Newborn Sleep

newborn sleep

newborn sleep

newborn sleep

newborn sleep

Owlet Baby Monitor | Dockatot | Swaddle | Organic White Gown | Pacifier

Being a mom to a new baby is mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting. One of the main reasons for this is adjusting to a newborn sleep schedule. (Or should we say lack there of.) Not only do you need to wake up baby to feed every couple of hours, but also to every little sound they make.

I held George to sleep for every single nap, and throughout the night. (Yes, I know this is horrible.) I was able to do nothing else during the day when Trey wasn’t home. Having a one year old this time around, this simply wasn’t possible to repeat with Wilder. (I also wised up and realized it truly wasn’t in his best interest either.) I did tons of research on best sleeping habits with a newborn and swore I wouldn’t make the same newborn sleep mistakes twice.

First, we got an owlet smart sock and baby monitor. As a parent, the constant worry about the wellbeing your baby is real. The owlet uses pulse oximetry to track your infant’s heart rate and oxygen levels and is designed to notify you if something appears to be wrong. Peace of mind is priceless, in my opinion. The fact that I can put this device on Wilder, and sleep better myself, is one of the greatest possible scenarios for a new mom. Their motto is “love more, worry less.” This has proven to be true when we are using the sock. If you need to get a gift for any family expecting, there isn’t a greater thing you could get them. These are changing lives, and saving mothers’ sanity. You can find more information on the logistics of how these socks work HERE.

I also added a Dockatot to my baby supply arsenal. We use this method during the day for naps when I am keeping a close eye on him, but can’t hold him. (NOTE: The Owlet is meant to be used in a crib with nothing else in it, and not in co-sleeping situations.) We make sure Wilder is full, burped, has a clean diaper and then we swaddle him. (Little Unicorn and Modern Burlap are both great swaddle brands.) This method has really worked for us so far. (Knock on wood!!)

Also, the first go around I didn’t want Georgie to wear any baby “gowns”. I thought they were too “girly”. This time around Wilder is in them every night. It makes it so much more accessible for late night diaper changes, and he doesn’t get as upset undressing him and having to get him dressed again. These organic gowns have been my favorites.

Very recently a friend tragically lost her baby to SIDS. It made this post so much more meaningful. I feel compelled to help spread the word about the Owlet Smart Sock and how they can empower parents with the right information at the right time. I do want to share and be clear that because the cause of SIDS is unknown, Owlet cannot and does not claim to prevent it. Jana has quickly made it her life mission to equip families with the owlet to provide parents peace of mind. Owlet has SO GRACIOUSLY offered to match the funds that she raises to provide the socks. It would mean so much to me if you would make a small donation to help raise awareness and provide these to sweet moms who can’t financially manage to purchase one on their own.

You can read more about her story, her son’s legacy and how you can help HERE.

Thanks to Owlet for sending this product for review. All thoughts are my own.