Our First Year (Noah turns One)

This post is dedicated to all (current and future) mama’s out there.
Life is going to change, but you don’t have to go through it alone.
Here are the most helpful tips and resources I’ve used and lived by through our first year with Mr. Noah Giraud.

Top 3 tips:

• Read, read, read!

• Don’t buy recipe books for your baby! Pinterest & YouTube are your new best friends! There is so much free content online. You’ll save money and shelf space!

• Follow mom’s on social media if you want more knowledge, to feel like you aren’t alone, or to make mom friends! DO NOT compare yourself to the moms you follow on social media and DO NOT compare your baby to other people’s babies. Each mom and child are different.

Top 3 YouTubers:

• Hapa Family
  I love watching Ashley’s videos for child development! She follows the Montessori principles to help guide children on their journey to becoming responsible humans! I don’t follow the Montessori lifestyle 100% but I really do enjoy certain takes on parenting and the growth of your child.

• Olivia Zapo

  I watched A LOT of her videos after Noah was born. I especially enjoyed watching her “must-have” videos for each age group.

• Natalie Bennet
  This mama of 3 was a gem to find! When I was pregnant, I would watch her weekly pregnancy updates religiously! She also has the sweetest personality and offers videos on seasonal decor and day in the life vlogs!

5 Reminders for when I feel overwhelmed:

• You’re doing the best you can with what you have and where you’re at!

• Appreciate each stage your baby goes through (even the hard ones!) because before you know it, they’ll be onto the next one and you’ll miss the days when they used to X, Y, and Z.
  Practically, I try to stop myself from thinking “I can’t wait until my son…” Whether it be walking, talking, or being able to do things on his own. These days will come! If I spend all my time yearning for those days, I won’t be able to appreciate the days when he needs me to hand him something, feed him, or dress him.

• My baby is comforted by my presence and I won’t be able to carry him forever. Pause, squeeze a little tighter, kiss, snuggle, and hold him when he’s crying. When I do this, I feel nothing but love for my son, and the anxiousness I felt during his fit slowly dissipates.

• No one knows what they’re doing 100% of the time, so it’s okay that you don’t either!

• It’s okay to skip folding the laundry if it means you’re guaranteed 1 more hour of sleep.

Favorite Brands:

• Old Navy

  • Clothes run big

  • 6-12 month sizes fit Noah for as long as he was wearing those sizes

• Burt’s Bees

  • Nice cotton material

  • Grips on the feet

• Carter’s

  • True-to-size

  • Don’t run small

  • Cute styles

3 Helpful Apps:

1. Lullabies for Babies (free)
   Forget buying another machine that you have to replace batteries in! I downloaded this onto an iPad and would play this during the night or naptimes as white noise and it was a life-saver! It plays as long as your device is charged!
   I also downloaded it on my phone to play on car rides!

2. FamilyAlbum (free)
   Have relatives, friends, or in-laws that you’d like to share pictures/videos of your child with, without having to text them in a group or individually?
   The FamilyAlbum app solved that immediately for me!
   - The app automatically separates albums by months and includes the age of your child
   - You’re able to have separate albums for each child
   - Easy to invite your loved ones
   - You can order books through the app (optional)
   I haven’t personally done this, but it seems like an easy way to order your pictures by months

3. Baby Monitor ($4.99)
   I bought this app with a gift card, and honestly, it has helped me when we’re out on the road or on vacation when my son needed to nap.
   All you need are two devices (ex. iPhone and iPad) with this app and an internet connection.
   Monitors help to ease your mind, and relieve you from having to stay in the same room with your sleeping child! Win-win!

It has been way too long since I’ve written on my blog, but I’m motivated to help mom’s everywhere who are on a deep dive for information before and after baby gets here!

We’re in this together.