Last month when I shared on Instastories (be sure your following me @stormieariel to keep up with our day to day life) my second-hand finds for Sophia's fall capsule wardrobe, I received quite a bit of feedback wanting to know my tips for thrifting as this was the second fall capsule wardrobe I shared of hers using second hand finds (see her 2016 Fall Wardrobe here and her 2017 Fall Wardrobe here).



A little back story first...

For Sophia's first nine months, we were extremely fortunate enough to receive an abundance of clothes that we did not have to buy her anything. For 9-12 months, we were given quite a bit of second-hand items that were still in great condition. This was also around the time I started thrifting for clothes for her which now makes it a year that I have been thrifting for second-hand finds for our constantly growing toddler and new baby to be so here are the things I have learned in the last year about thrifting for children's clothes.

Brands

I personally look for name brand items only such as Carter's (I'm talking Carter's Carter's, not Child of Mine Carter's or Just One You Carter's, more on this in a second), Baby Gap, OshKosh, Children's Place, etc.

Here is why.

When I am thrifting I am trying to save money but I do not see a Baby Gap onesie for $1.50 and a Garnamials onesie for $1.50 to be equal in quality. I am not saying there is anything wrong with Garnamials but I could spend another dollar or two to get it brand new at WalMart so it just is not a good deal to me. This is the same for the different sub-Carter's brand at Target and WalMart. They are cute and I buy them but I would buy those brand new since the pricing isn't that far off. Also to note, there is a difference in quality between the Carter's main brand and sub-brands, hence the different pricing at each store and why they are made specifically for those stores. I have personally found that Carter's main brand can withstand a lot more washes then Just One You and Child of Mine therefore again I wouldn't buy those sub-brands used since the quality has already started to deteriorate depending on how many washes it already went through which gives you less uses of it.

Quality

Since I started talking about quality, let's discuss this next. After sorting through brands, I check the quality of the item. Does it have any stains? Is it faded? Are there holes? Just because something is a brand name doesn't necessarily make it a great buy if there is baby spit up or food stains stuck in the item and there better not be any holes. I guess faded items could be up to your discretion but I personally don't buy faded items no matter how good of a deal it is unless it is handed down to me for free but that is a different story.

Tags

There will be times when you come across items that are name brand AND still have the store tags on them. As in, never have been worn. I typically do not even hesitant and will just grab these items before anyone else sees the goodness I just landed on. Of course, I do make sure the sizing and season is correct for us and if they aren't I think of friends' and family members' whose children's birthdays or baby showers are coming up.

Frequent Shopper

My last piece of advice is the more often you go, the more often you find steals. You don't have to buy something every trip but going often allows you to see the newest stuff they put out and you are more likely to find those items that still have store tags on them. You are also more likely to figure out their sale schedule. The second hand store I frequent has their onesies for 10 for $10 every so often which is a great deal especially when I find all Carter's. Also following your local second-hand store on social media, they may list bigger items (like cribs, strollers, etc.) or their latest sales so you know exactly when to go in if you don't have time to stop by a few times a week.


Do you buy your children's clothes second hand? Are there any tips I left out that works for you?

Dear Sophia,

As I sit here to write this letter, I look at your picture and see your beautiful smile. Oh how that smile gives me such great joy. How you give me such great joy. The Lord is so so good and I am so thankful that He would even allow me the opportunity to be your mother. What a great charge it is to be on this journey of motherhood with you as my daughter. You teach me more about myself and about the Lord every day, every second. Your curious yet cautious nature is amazing to watch and that is what makes you a great leader. It is what is going to make you a great big sister.


You certainty are a natural born leader. Mommy knows how difficult it can be to ring in that leadership ability (mommy has that trait too, haha) but mommy and daddy will do our best to cultivate your ability unto the glory of God so that it doesn't lead you into trouble or misusing that ability on your baby brother.



Your attention to detail and sense of awareness is absolutely amazing for your age. You catch on to things so much more quickly then we even realize so I know adjusting into this new role as a big sister may be a little tough at first but you will fit into your role quickly and will enjoy loving on your new baby brother.



Most of all princess, I know you will be the best big sister because you love playing with others especially other kids. Seeing the joy and excitement on your face when your favorite people are around playing with you gives us such great joy that we knew the best gift we could give you, with the Lord's will, was a sibling. It will be an adjustment going from just us three to a family of four but I cannot wait to see the bond you will have with your brother.


I love you princess.

Love,
Mommy

I decided to document our pregnancy as a way to get all my feelings and emotions out and to later look and remember this beautiful time in our lives while noticing the differences and similarities with our first pregnancy. I hope you enjoy if you decide to follow along on this life changing journey.

After having one baby make it to toddlerhood and only using clothes she was gifted instead of splurging for more clothes, we found the magic number to make a capsule wardrobe work especially since babies are constantly growing the first year. These numbers are suggested for each sizing stage but ultimately it will vary per a child as some babies grow faster during certain stages then others. Also note that clothing before 6 months is typically in better condition since babies are not eating solids yet so those sizes typically stay nicer looking longer which allows you to rotate through them more often.

The post was created in partnership with PinkBlush Maternity but all thoughts and opinions are of my own.

I think it would be best if I admit upfront that I like to be prepared while others may say I am an over packer. Being prepared sounds better but whatever. I am also slightly high maintenance therefore I do not depend on certain accommodations that hospitals or even hotels provide like toiletries. I have sensitive skin and I like what I like so there's that. Now that I have disclosed that to you all, here is what we packed for our hospital stay as a family of four (yes, we will have Sophia stay with us in the hospital, more on that in another post UPDATE 10/30/2017 read here).

UPDATED 10/5/2017 My doula suggested also packing a sports bra or a swimming top for myself and swimming trunks for Anthony, in case we decide to utilize the shower during the labor process.

Mom

• c/o a nursing bra
• c/o PinkBlush hospital delivery robe
• a going home dress
• travel size toiletries
• birth plan
• non-slip flip flops
• comfy shoes
• non-slip fuzzy socks
• nursing pillow
• sports bra (UPDATED 10/5/2017)

Last time, I brought a simple button down night gown but this time around I decided a nursing bra and a hospital robe would be the easiest and most efficient thing to wear after I have the baby since I will be constantly checked in all private areas during my stay plus having less on will make it easier to also nurse my new little babe. And you can't go wrong with how beautiful this hospital robe from PinkBlush is as it will still make me feel put together and decent looking for visitors after pushing a human being out my lady parts. I also plan to wear it around the house once we are home as well because let's be honest who really wants to get dressed those first few weeks especially when you are nursing around the clock.

Also, I will be wearing the same shoes into the hospital that I plan to wear home to keep some of my packing to a minimum. The reason I am also packing non-slip flip flops is to use those in the shower so my bare feet are not touching the floor where countless women's bodily fluids touched. I also really like the mesh undies the hospital provides therefore I will not be packing any and I plan to take some home with me (see what I took from the hospital last time and what I plan to take again here).

The fuzzy socks will be much more comfortable then the ones the hospital provide and the nursing pillow will, of course, make nursing more comfortable by helping me support the new little babe.

Dad

• a change of clothes (shirt, shorts, socks, boxers)
• pajamas
• toiletries
• flip flops
• house shoes
• swim trunks (UPDATED 10/5/2017)

Since Anthony will be going back and forth between the house to care for our dog and allow Sophia to have a normal nap, he doesn't need to pack as much since he will be able to take care of his business during that time back at home.

Baby

• going home outfit
• socks

As you may have noticed, I kept baby's packing list to a minimum this time around. The hospital has everything you need for the baby.

Sibling 

• c/o DockATot Grand and traveling bag
• pajamas
• change of clothes (shoes, socks, etc)
• diapers
• lovey
• blanket
• bottle/cups
• snacks
• sound machine

Most of the items on Sophia's list are her bedtime items as she will be going home daily with daddy for nap time while he takes care of our dog so she can get a fresh pair of clothes as needed.

Entertainment

• Cell Phones & Chargers
• iPad
• Busy bags

• lacers 
• books 
• sponge blocks
• drawing pad
• stickers
• doodle pad 

• Camera and Tripod

We decided we would take our own Fresh 48 photos this time around as I didn't find the price worth the quality we received from Sophia's Fresh 48 that the hospital provided last time. We will have more formal family photos done in a few weeks by our friend and photographer Nick.

How did you pack differently for each delivery? Did you pack more or less each time?

I decided to document our pregnancy as a way to get all my feelings and emotions out and to later look and remember this beautiful time in our lives while noticing the differences and similarities with our first pregnancy. I hope you enjoy if you decide to follow along on this life changing journey.

This week has been exhausting. All three of us managed to get sick with a cold so just imagine a pregnant person, a toddler and a person who is always sick, sick at the same exact time. In a way, it was good we caught it before baby boy comes but it sure made this week challenging but we were fortunate enough that my sister made us chicken soup on Thursday and on Friday someone from our church also made us chicken soup as well as provided food for us to have for Saturday and Sunday. We are constantly amazed of the love we have surrounding us from not only our biological family but our church family as well.

Also this week, there were two late evenings or early mornings (around 3 am) where I thought I could have been in early labor. I had what felt like contractions for about 40 minutes one night and then nothing. On another night, I had contractions for about an hour, nothing for an hour and then a few more for about 40 minutes but then nothing after that. Oh what fun those two nights were.

I also stopped babysitting this week since I had late onset preeclampsia with Sophia at exactly 37 weeks, I didn't want to chance the mom having to find last minute childcare accommodations, just in case. We have our appointment tomorrow at exactly 37 weeks so I am a little nervous that I will have to be induced again. As much as I am ready, I would rather little man to come naturally and my body do what it was made to do but I do understand that sometimes our bodies work against us and the Lord provided doctors with the means of intervention for when it is necessary. I would still appreciate any and all prayers that intervention is not necessary this time around though.

As I was reading back on my bump date from Sophia at 36 weeks, I noticed we also started nesting at the exact same timing. What was suppose to be a simple wall repair in our master bedroom quickly turned into painting our walls and some of the trim as well as deep cleaning the pack n play and setting it up in our bedroom. We also installed the infant car seat back into the car.


I plan to take this week pretty easy for the most part besides finishing up my hospital bag today as well as take Sophia to a mommy and me program one last time before brother arrives. Tomorrow morning, I am going with my sister on her hospital tour (she is 34 weeks pregnant with her first baby) and I will have our 37 week appointment after that in the afternoon which will include an ultrasound and checking my lady bits. Hmm, that sounds like I'm busy already but once Wednesday hits, we don't have much planned unless baby boy makes his arrival early.

Often times dad's can feel left out in the breastfeeding relationship between mother and child or they feel useless but I put together a little list of ways dads can help during the breastfeeding journey.

This post was created in partnership with PinkBlush Maternity but all thoughts and opinions are of my own.

I decided to document our pregnancy as a way to get all my feelings and emotions out and to later look and remember this beautiful time in our lives while noticing the differences and similarities with our first pregnancy. I hope you enjoy if you decide to follow along on this life changing journey.

I am so happy to finally share our maternity pictures with you all. Hurricane Harvey first put a damper on the first date we were supposed to photograph these and then the next weekend, we were hit with rain again. Even the day we shot these, we were rained out of our shoot but we still managed enough time to get a few amazing photos in.




As always, I can never think our friend and photographer Nick from LaPalomento Photography enough for always capturing these special moments in our lives.

I decided to document our pregnancy as a way to get all my feelings and emotions out and to later look and remember this beautiful time in our lives while noticing the differences and similarities with our first pregnancy. I hope you enjoy if you decide to follow along on this life changing journey.


I can't believe we are already here at the end of this pregnancy but at the same time, I still feel like there is forever to go. This mama is tired and I just want to be able to hold baby boy in my arms and to lay on my back comfortably, haha. This week, I have been trying to take advantage as much as possible during Sophia's nap time to just take it easy and relax in bed. Thankfully with Anthony being home the last few months, it has helped tremendously to also take breaks throughout the day since he is here able to take over. I am not sure how I would be doing this if he wasn't home although I am sure we would have managed but it is nice not having to, if that makes sense.

Strangely enough, I have also been craving the hospital food. I really cannot wait to have their sandwiches for lunch and the oatmeal for breakfast. And honestly to have oatmeal in general without getting heartburn will be nice. This whole pregnancy, I have had to give up oatmeal because the heartburn is so bad and that is one of the easiest and my favorite breakfast foods.

Baby boy is still having consistent movements and I noticed the times I wake up to pee in the middle of the night are always around the exact same timing, 3:40ish am and between 4-5 am and again around 7-8 am. I normally fall asleep around 2-3 am due to discomfort and constantly peeing and waking up around 9 am for the day for reference of how much sleep I am actually getting. Around 4-5 am is when baby boy is going crazy in my tummy with summer salts and flips so it has me wondering if that is around the time I will go into labor. We have also noticed that Sophia has been strangely extra extra clingy and just acting strange with bath time and bed time so we wonder if she senses brother coming sooner than we think.

Weight/Height Restrictions 

Properly Strapped 

Expiration/Recalls

Rear Facing Recommendation 

Since sharing Sophia's capsule wardrobe last week for the fall, it gave me time to think about all the fall things I would love to do with her this year. Some of these we did last year and we want to keep doing them each year as a family tradition and other's we want to try to see how she will enjoy them and possibly adding those as a tradition as well.

I decided to document our pregnancy as a way to get all my feelings and emotions out and to later look and remember this beautiful time in our lives while noticing the differences and similarities with our first pregnancy. I hope you enjoy if you decide to follow along on this life changing journey.


We had our 34 week appointment on Thursday and everything is still going good, praise the Lord. My blood pressure is normal, baby boy's heart rate was 142 and our doctor said she has a feeling he is going to be a big boy which honestly I wouldn't doubt with how heavy he is and because this belly just keeps growing and growing limiting what actually fits so you will find me rotating through the same things quite frequently until baby boy arrives.

The past few days, I have made a lot of progress on the hospital bag front but still have a lot more to go. What can I say, I am very particular about certain things and I definitely do over pack because I would rather be prepared. The baby's things are completely packed and fit into a sandwich ziploc bag, haha. Anthony's items are mainly packed besides his toiletries. I packed as much as I could for Sophia but most of her stuff will have to be a last minute packing thing so I jotted them down on a post-it for Anthony to be able to grab quickly. I still need to pack my entire list but I am honestly waiting on a few things in the mail so I am hoping they get here soon.

As for the baby, he is still moving quite a bit, not as much as before but still enough. A few times it felt as if he was doing summer-salts so I guess he is getting just as uncomfortable as I am at this point. I also started noticing I am leaking small amounts of colostrum already so my body is definitely getting ready for this baby and to be honest I am ready to be done with this pregnancy but I know how important these last few weeks of development are for the baby so I will not rush him out and God willing he will come naturally on his own.

We have gotten some nice fall like weather here in Houston lately which has inspired me to get Sophia's fall wardrobe ready. If you remember from last year, I put together a mini fall capsule wardrobe for her as a baby girl and you may notice a few of those pieces will reappear here in her toddler fall capsule wardrobe. Again, most of the pieces were found at second hand stores with an exception of a few that were given as gifts at her birthday (I made sure to request the next size up from our guests). I did try to find as many exact or similar options for you all in case you want to create a similar look for your toddler girl.






If you are wanting to hear more about how I thrift shop for baby and toddler clothing, let me know and I can prepare a tips and tricks posts later on (UPDATE: see Tips for Thrifting Children's Clothes here). I am also in the works of creating a new baby capsule wardrobe (UPDATE: see Infant Wardrobe here) so be sure to stay tuned for that!