Landon's First Day of School

Sent Landon off to his first day of full day kindergarten this morning. It was a really hard decision but after much prayer and thought and many conversations with his teacher and principal dating back to last spring, we made the decision to hold him back this year and repeat kindergarten, only in the full day enrichment program from 9-3:30. So he'll be receiving academics in the morning and afternoons are filled with lunch, recess, art, gym, music and play. We feel so good about this decision as he will finally be the same age as his peers! It was a hard year last year academically and socially as all the other kids were older than him due to him having a summer birthday. But he is so ready for school now and we feel so confident that he's going to have a great year, make great friends, thrive academically and physically and socially this year and in the future. And he's off!!! 

Oils During Pregnancy, L&D, + After Baby

Words can't express how amazing these little bottles have been throughout my pregnancy, labor and delivery, and have already been for support postpartum.

This was definitely the most challenging and unbearably sick pregnancy I've ever had and I could tell a huge difference on days that I used my oils versus the days I didn't. The changes made to my life (and Landon's and Blair's) with essential oils was a huge game changer for us. I used my oils my entire pregnancy, during labor, and have continued to use them post partum. I have LOVED knowing I'm using something so natural, pure, & safe. I'm only 5 days post-partum and I can already tell a huge difference in how I feel now versus how I felt post-partum with L & B. I truly wish I had only started on this journey years ago!!
Many people I talk to are curious about which essential oils to use while pregnant. My absolute favorite oils throughout my pregnancy were:

- Aroma Ease to battle my non-stop morning sickness. This is an amazing Young Living blend that has ginger root oil extract as well as peppermint essential oil which helped IMMENSELY with nausea. I was soo sick the entire pregnancy and only wish I discovered this one in my first trimester!! I diffused this one every.single.day since I got it at about 28 weeks.
- I also diffused and absolutely loved Abundance  - this smells like a dream and it really (!) helps bring out feelings of gratitude, tranquility, peacefulness, and fullness of life.

- I used Frankincense and Tea Tree in my facial oil cleanser (twice a day at morning and at night), which helped soo much for my skin. I had some bad hormonal breakouts in the beginning of the pregnancy and the Frank + Tea Tree combo in my oil cleanser made it go right away. 

- I use(d) the Thieves multi-purpose household cleaner and it was honestly the only cleaning agent I could (can still only) stand the smell of. It smells simply amazing and will make you super happy when cleaning your house (its a blend of cinnamon, lemon, eucalyptus, and cloves and words do not do it justice). It works tremendously well on all surfaces and is 100% natural so it gave me complete peace of mind cleaning like a crazy lady throughout my third trimester nesting slash OCD, and also with a fresh newborn baby.
* This is a great post about oils and pregnancy!

Favorite oils during labor were:

- I had Peace & Calming diffusing all day during pre-labor. (I also diffused and put on my wrists during anxious/stressful days throughout the third trimester).
- I had Valor diffusing in the hospital during labor and it played a huge part in helping me deliver our precious baby completely drug-free & epidural-free. (!!!!)

And favorite oils I'm using Post-Partum are:

-Valor on the wrists for emotional support and strength.

- I also love Tangerine in the diffuser, by itself or also mixed with Grapefruit. It's so happy and uplifting.

- Stress Away, speaking for itself.

- I'm also still also loving Abundance and Gratitude post-partum as well.

I could honestly go on and on about how much I love my oils and what they have done for my life. But if you want more info, please email me! & do your research....oils do not have to be intimidating! I am forever grateful for what they have done for me and my family.

 

If you want to SIGN UP with your own Young Living membership through me, click HERE :)

(WHOLESALE/distributor is the way to go even if you never, ever, ever want to sell a thing- you'll get the 24% off discount forever and only need to spend $50 a YEAR! ZERO strings attached).
ALSO: Not only is Young Living offering a FREE 15 ml bottle of Cedarwood oil with the purchase of the Premium Starter Kit this month, but I will also give you a $10 gift card to any store of your choosing if you sign up with my link the during the month of August + buy the Premium Starter kit. (I've been diffusing Cedarwood + Lavender in Blair's diffuser every night and it's been HUGE to get her sleeping all the way through the night. And it smells amazing. (Of course). She calls it her 'magic potion' and won't go to sleep without it running).

 

And last thing but really important is when you sign up with someone, you are joining their team. Make sure you do your research -- My team provides classes, resources, webinars, online events, business training (if interested) and is a beautiful community and support line that feels like family. <3 There's no better time to start your oily journey, I truly wish I had only done so sooner.

Havana Grace :)

Introducing Havana Grace Bauman:)

I was (and am still!) in total shock that we have another little girl! She is perfect in every way and has completely stolen our hearts.

She came into the world last night, 8/18 at 7:21pm, at 7 lbs 11 oz, 20 inches long, & a full set of BROWN hair! 

I had her completely drug-free and epidural-free (!!!! Holy shit man), exactly as I wanted and hoped for and fiercely prayed for.

Thank you everyone so much for the prayers and encouragement the past 24 hours and all of you who have put up with me and still loved me through the past 9 months 😆 

@chrisjbauman, you are the absolute best. 

My adrenaline is kicking right now, baby girl and baby daddy are both sound asleep as I lay here wide awake purchasing all sorts of adorable baby girl things on etsy 😁🎀🎀 Hope to get a full birth story up on the blog at some point,  but for now I just wanted to share our beautiful, happy, healthy news 💝👶🏻

Back to School Fashion with Ladida!

I ahh you guys, I am absolutely swooning over Ladida's children's clothing company, especially in the spirit of back to school season. I'm getting so excited putting together outfit ideas for our newborn photo shoot, as well as first day of school and school pictures. I love dressing Landon and Blair in outfits that are unique and stylish, which for boys is SO hard to find.

Ladida.com carries a huge online selection of designer children's clothing with so many beautiful classic and sophisticated pieces, as well as clothing for special occasions. They have everything your heart could desire for upscale kid’s clothing that just exudes swag and originality. This company is perfect not only for your own little ones but I love their unique and boutique styles for special friend's birthdays or holiday gifts as well.

For the BOYS:  

My favorite boys outfit would have to be these pants, this shirt, & these shoes. (but oh my gosh - just look at these shoes for a special occasion, all the heart eyes). Also love this boys' backpack and this cute scarf & hat set!

For the GIRLS:

My favorite girls outfits would be this dress with these boots. I'm also loving this classic Peter Pan collared shirt with this gorgeous plaid skirt! Also obsessed with these pony hair cheetah slip ons :)

And of course for the baby they have SO many adorable options that would be perfect for our newborn photoshoot. I'm totally in love with these knitted rompers (1 & 2) for a boy or a girl:

Right now ladida is offering free shipping on any order over $49. Go check em out, & happy back school shopping!

 

Bits of Life Lately

Carnival days, envisioning how terrified I'll be when they turn 16

Little L up there bulldozing

& Picking out Landon's new apple tree, he went with a Figi and is planted in our backyard now. Now just to figure out how to keep the deer from eating it..

Life, Loss & God's Grace

Despite the hardships of this pregnancy, I was reminded today how graced I am to be carrying this little life inside of me. 

Having gone through two miscarriages of my own after Landon I am aware of the type of pain you can feel ripped in your heart when you've lost a baby. I've been there and I've felt that aching feeling too and I want you all to know that you're not alone and that God is STILL at work. No matter how hopeless and aching that feeling may feel I can tell you firsthand that His plan is always, always better than ours. All you mamas out there who have suffered a miscarriage, an infant loss, or troubles conceiving, my heart is with you and I'm so sorry. But hold onto God and turn it over to Him because when you surrender it all over to Him, He will always be faithful and He is the ONLY one who can grant you your heart's desires. 

It may not look like you had originally planned but in the end, it will be exactly what you wanted and more importantly you will be prepared to live it in the most beautiful way. All that I am and everything and everyone I have in my life I owe completely to the love, peace, and promise I receive from my faith. 

I take none of this for granted, and I pray that if you're aching, that you can find the glimmer of faith and hope in your heart and just keep holding on, because He won't let you down.