Our desire for a Large Family

Right now we are a family of four. But that is how many children Gus and I hope to have one day. Four. Yes, go ahead and a gasp...we get it ALL the time. I think mainly because most people in Miami think you're INSANE for even thinking you want to have more than one or two children. (I think it's a city thing) Whatever, I'm so over it. 

That is one thing that we have always talked about the desire to have. Since we were dating we talked about this. 

Some days, when neither one of my toddlers seems to be remotely interested in wanting to nap or listen to a single word coming out of my mouth, I stop and ask myself "Do I really want more children?". How could I even handle two more children? Well, the answer is "Sometime, down the road". 

We aren't planning anytime soon because yes with two kids barely 15 months apart, I feel like I have twins sometimes. We have our hands plenty full! But in the future I would love to have a large family. Maybe even adopt a child. 

To give a child an opportunity to have a family, a loving home, someone who cares about them would be an  amazing thing to me. There are so many babies and children who need homes, need a loving family. I have that desire in my heart. 

I know it's a tough process and it comes with trials and tribulations, different ones than a pregnancy would but adopting would give me so much satisfaction knowing that we are loving someone else's child like our own and giving him or her a better life than the one that he had. 

Who knows, this is just an idea, a desire, a dream. Maybe one day God will bless us with twins, two more children, one biologically ours, one adopted...

Top 5 Favorite Baby Products

yayyy for me! I'm on a roll this week...this is my third post this week! This rarely and I mean RARELY happens!!

I would not say I am a baby expert by any means but having a second child who is already a year old...makes me think I've been in the baby world long enough and have tried enough baby products to be able to recommend my faves and have enough knowledge to do so! After two babies, I am sharing my top 5 essential baby products and why I think they are fabulous!

First of all, let me just say that I am not a fan of Babies R Us what so ever! I had my baby registry there with Gus and the babies r us brand products are very low quality and completely over priced! I have found so many baby products significantly cheaper at target, Walmart and even Amazon.com

The big things, yes, I think it is smart to go gender neutral, if you're planning to have more children down the road. Babies are expensive, they come with a lot of "stuff" so it's nice to be able to use some things again with the second child, if it comes out to be a different sex. The high chair, swing, bouncer, and Jumperoo are all things that babies use for just a few months and then you're done with them! Well, I take that back...the high chair you get a lot of use out of but it can still be gender neutral to get more bang for your buck!

1- Gender Neutral Crib-- We have the Fillmore Crib by Pottery Barn Kids. It's white, a classic style and if you just change the bedding it could work great for a boy or for a girl. A good crib, in my opinion is a good investment to make. We didn't make the investment when Gus was born and bought a Graco crib and by the time he was done using it...it was all banged up. not worth it. 

So when Olivia was born we figured we would just make the investment and purchase a quality product. I've loved it! Pottery Barn cribs are excellent quality and completely worth the investment!

2- Pottery Barn Kids bedding--PBK has the best bedding in the world!! The quality of materials they use are amazing. Gus only used PBK sheets when he was a baby and then when Olivia was born I bought the bedding set minus the sheets and found the cutest printed sheets at Target, so naturally I got them. After washing them a couple times they got too rough for her skin. I had to go out and get PBK sheets for her! I saw such a huge difference between PBK and target sheets! (Sorry Target! I love you for everything BUT baby sheets) 

Olivia has the Scalloped Pink Pique Bedding Set and Gus had a Nautical Set that they

don't make anymore. 

I know there's a lot of researchers and baby experts out there that say not to use bumpers. There's "breathable" mesh bumpers which I think aren't very cute. But I have never had a problem with the babies and crib bumpers! 

Gus transitioned from a bassinet to a crib at like a month and a half because he didn't fit in it anymore. And Gus was about 14 months when Olivia was born and had just started walking. I was absolutely terrified he would knock the bassinet over with the baby in it so Olivia never slept in a bassinet! When she came home from the hospital she went directly to her crib!

3-Britax B-Ready Stroller + Britax Chaperone Car Seat Travel System -- I love Britax! Honestly, when I was pregnant with Gus I didn't really do much research on Strollers and car seats but I knew that Britax was pretty up there safety wise. I really just got this system because my sister-in-law had the exact same one at the time and my in-laws wanted to get it for us as a gift!

 Later, I came to find out how important it is to have a good travel system and how convenient it is with a newborn! We would just open the stroller frame up and the car seat would just pop right in! When I got pregnant with Olivia, we bought the second seat adapter for Gus to be able to sit in the stroller as well. The best part is we can use it as a single stroller or a double stroller. 

It is a little larger than most strollers and takes up quite a bit of room in your trunk but it is quality. But for a double stroller it is acctually a pretty decent size! We have used it non-stop with two babies and it still works great!

This is another thing that would be better to get in a gender neutral color! Yes, the pink is super cute for a little girl but if you have a boy after that, you're kind of stuck with a pink stroller, unless of course you can buy a completely new system!

I think this is the product that has saved my life having two babies under 2!! 

4- Avent Bottles-- I have only used Avent bottles with my two and have LOVED them! I used the older model with Gus, that had the ring inside! Several times, I ran out of the house with just the bottles and not the rings and that was just disastrous--stories of a first time mom! I would always have to end up buying bottles wherever I was or replacement rings! Motherhood fail!! but other than that I loved them! 

When Olivia was born, they had already come out with the new model (Thank God--No more rings!!) and I loved it even more than the older model!

5- California Baby Sunscreen-- I will confess I just started using this on my little ones and I love it!! My children haven't gotten a sunburn, living in Miami! Olivia's skin is sooo fair and sensitive and this sunscreen didn't irritate her skin and she didn't get a sunburn! It is a little more expensive than regular sunscreen but it works miracles!It is mineral based and gentle on babies' sensitive skin! I definitely recommend it for beach trips! 

You can order it on their website or Target carries it in the store!

**Disclosure: This is completley my honest opinion on all of these products and I have not been compensated to write a review!

What are your favorite baby products?? 

Easter Weekend Re-cap in Photos

 Here is a little photo Re-cap of our Easter Weekend!! It was nice, relaxed and full of family!!

Hope you had a great Easter Weekend celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord!

{Mother's Day} Gift Guide

I hope you had a fabulous Easter Sunday with your loved ones!! We sure did! My husband had some cousins in town so Saturday we had a beach day! We had such a blast! It's so nice to have so much family with little ones around the same age!! Sunday we went to Easter mass and just stayed home....Ill have to post pictures later this week from our Easter weekend shenanigans!! 

Mother's Day is right around the corner and thought I would put together some gift ideas for your favorite mama's! These were some adorable things I have found while shopping around, without totally breaking the bank! 

1//2//3//4//5//


1- How fabulous are these sandals? They look like they're the perfect slip on jellies! They have them in nude and in black, if the mama you're shopping for isn't a huge fan of pink! I love them in all three colors but pink is my fave!

2- All I have to say is you can never go wrong with a little Chanel

3- These Kendra Scott earrings I am totally in love with! Nordstrom carries them in multiple colors!

4- I am loving these monogrammed mason jars by Crystal Faye for your mama's favorite smoothie or summer cocktail!

5- And lastly, these nude Kate Spade sandals I am completely in love with! Nude sandals are always perfect because the possibilities for outfit combinations are endless! And with a bow, of course! Anything is wayyy cuter with a bow!

xoxo
Elda

Five on FRIDAY {sickies, smoothies + pink lips}

All I can say this week is THANK GOD ITS FRIDAY !! It's been a long week!

Well let's get this Friday party started...Shall we ladies?! Hope you have a cocktail in your hand...well or a cup of coffee because it's a tad early for a cocktail! 

{one} 

We have been to the doctor's office three times this week. Poor Olivia has got some sort of virus that the pediatricians cant seem to get their hands on. The poor thing had diarrhea (sorry TMI?) and a rash then fevers came shortly after and the diarrhea continued. We are still waiting for lab reports to come back to see if they can tell us what she's had.

We have had a full 24 hours without any messy diapers so I am really praying this virus has run it's course!

Dont worry, If we've seen you in the past week, I don't think it's contagious because no-one else in the house has gotten it.  So I think you're good!

{two} 

Tuesday, I shared a yummy smoothie recipe that I love! It's so delish and very filling! I normally cant even finish half of a serving! You can click here to check it out!

{three}

 I had every intention of linking up for the Easter basket blog hop today but that totally did not happen. Gus had his Easter party at school today and since EVERYTHING in Miami is last minute (if you didn't know, I'm a total type A and don't do well with last minute), I was still coordinating the party with the parents it was impossible to get ahold of. (BTW- I'm the new room mom for month and a half there is left of school.) Moral of the story: If the room mom for your child calls you to ask you to bring something in for a class event please at least call them back! 

Back to the Easter Baskets...I found the cutest Easter eggs at the Dollar store last week and just had to snatch them up for Olivia's Easter basket! If you follow me on Instagram, you probably already saw them! I think I may have to hoard these for next year...she'll have no idea!

{four}

In the next couple months I have few exciting things coming to the blog which I am really excited about! Good things are happening and I am sooo thrilled!! Can't wait to share!! But for now my lips are sealed!

{five}

I finally found a shade of bright lipstick that works well with my skin tone---I've been at this for awhile now! Red's just don't quite work, neither do oranges but the Pinks...oh la la...I was in love! I got this Sephora lipstick in "Call Girl" and I'm loving it! However, now I'm on the hunt for a toned down version! a lighter shade of a pink...Call girl is a bit purpley...maybe something more light pinky. 

Do you have any favorite shades of pink lipstick? Would love any recommendations!

Hope you have a fabulous weekend with your loved ones and a Happy Easter!

Strawberry Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Smoothie

Lately, always being on the go, time doesn't always allow me to have a complete, sit down breakfast so I tend to look for quick, to-go yet healthy alternatives. I am going to share one of my favorite breakfast smoothie recipes packed with fiber and antioxidants!!

Strawberry Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Smoothie

Ingredients:

1/2 of a banana

1 cup of strawberry halves

1/2 cup of Old-fashioned Oatmeal

1/2 cup of vanilla flavored Soy milk

Pop it all in the blender and blend away! I served mine in a stemless wine glass with a pink paper paper straw just because everything is better in a wine glass with a pink straw, right?? hahah

Hope you enjoy!

**Makes 1 serving**

** If you like a more liquidy consistency, you can reduce the oatmeal or add more Soy milk**

The Story of Easter + The Easter Bunny

Today, I am linking up for Tuesday Tea with Samantha, Renee, and Jenni! How adorable is this link-up?? "Tuesday Tea...because it's too early for cocktails", ADORABLE!! Love it! Anyways here we go...

Last year for Easter, Olivia was newborn and Gus was just over a year old and had absolutely no idea what was going on so we saved ourselves the trouble and money and didn't do Easter baskets. We went to Easter Mass and has a nice Easter Brunch but that was the extent of our Easter Celebration. 

This year is going to be the first year that we really do all of the Easter stuff...Easter baskets, the Easter Bunny, etc., as Gus will be almost 2.5 and he is understanding a lot these days. Naturally if we do  Easter baskets for one we have to do it for the other one...these two are fighting over everything these days. They always want what the other one has...i feel like I have twins sometimes...literally. 

So I am excited to slowly be putting Easter baskets together for them but here is my little problem...I want to start an Easter tradition for my little family, now that little Gus is more aware of what's going on around him. I want to somehow tie the story of Easter, the Resurrection: Jesus rising from the dead and the Easter Bunny and why the Easter Bunny brings Easter goodies. 

First, I don't even know where to begin to explain to him, Jesus Rising from the dead...I mean he's two. There has to be a good children's book out there that explains it in a simple enough way for a child's mind to grasp it.

I have been thinking and thinking about it and I just  can't seem to think of a good story to tie them together. I thought maybe I would be lucky and find a children's book, linking the two together...negative. hasn't happened.

Do you have any ideas how I could tie Jesus rising from the dead and the Easter bunny together?

Did you have any fun Easter traditions growing up?

Please share if you do!! I would love to hear some great ideas!! 

Five on Friday

Wow! It feels like this week has flown by. With my little guy starting school this week, we've had much more "to-do's" around here! I'm linking up again with Darci and the girls for another...

{one} Monday, Olivia's Fabulous First Birthday Brunch got featured over on "Our Joy...His Glory"! The week before I had linked up with Leslie for her happy Hostess Link-up Party, the week before!! Yay! Thank you so much for the feature and for sharing Olivia's party! You can click here to check out Leslie's blog and here to check out the feature!

{two} Tuesday, Gus started school!!! School has been  such a positive thing for him. He LOVES it! He LOVES his teacher! I already see a difference in him! Yesterday, they brought a petting zoo to the school and that was such a fun treat for him! He loves animals! I am so happy we made the decision to put him in school a couple days a week! You can click here for his first day of school re-cap post!

{three} Yesterday, I featured one my favorite Etsy shops for little ones...Kinder Companie! Christy, the creative mind behind it all, makes hair bows and bow ties in the cutest prints! I had her make matching bow ties and hair bows for Gus and Olivia and I styled them, color coordinating and mixing and matching the prints.  

The quality of her products are amazing and since Easter is right around the corner, I am hosting a Giveaway for her shop...$30 gift certificate to her shop, for any products of your choice! You can click here to check out the feature and Giveaway! 

Even if you don't have children, this would be such a cute Easter gift or Easter basket stuffer for any nieces or nephews, grandchildren or any other special little ones in your life!

The Giveaway Ends Monday, April 7th at noon so hurry, hurry, hurry!

{four} Have I  mentioned that we have another little one walking?! Miss Olivia started walking last and this week she has let go even more! Every day she gets more and more confident! Yay for mommy being closer to not having to carry a 25 pound baby anymore!! 

{five} I am so looking forward to spending a nice relaxing weekend with my little family! I think we may venture over to the zoo or maybe the beach this weekend and spend some time outdoors! Definatley looking forward to it! If we're on the beach, a cocktail will defiantly be in the books!

What are your plans this weekend? 

Happy Friday!! 

Cheers to the weekend!

Kinder Companie + Hippity Hoppity Giveaway

Awhile back, I found Kinder Companie through another blog and fell in love with her designs, products and most of all her ability to customize. This Etsy shop dedicated to making and selling children's bowties and hairbows was right up my alley! 

 I love matching Gus and Olivia. I should really say color and print coordinating because there is only so much boy/girl matching you can do! So I asked Christy to make them Easter coordinating hair bows and bowties with the same fabrics...eekkkk! I was soooo excited with this possibility!!! 

Before I go any further about how excited I was about this shop has excellent customer service....when I say excellent I mean 110%. That makes giving someone business a hundred  times better!

So anyways I was sooo pleased with these fabulous products that arrived at my doorstep, once again! (This is not the first time I custom order from Kinder Companie.) The quality is amazing, they don't fall apart! The color choices she offers are so so cute! 

I love that the alligator clip liners on the bows are scalloped...it gives it a little feminine touch ;) And  the size of the bows was just perfect! We love our bows nice and oversized...the bigger the better!

The bowties wrap around the neck and close with velcro, making it adjustable as your little ones grow! 

Here is how I styled and color coordinated the bowties and the hair bows on Gus and Olivia...

In honor of Easter being right around the corner, we are giving you a chance to win $30 store credit to Kindercompanie to get some cuteness for your little ones! 

The giveaway will go until Monday, April 7th at noon! 

Good Luck! 

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