Ever since I gave birth to my little girl, Olivia Kim, 10 months ago, I continually notice the different ways motherhood changed my life. Having a child is a big deal, but there really isn’t anything that can fully prepare you for the many nuances of motherhood — both good and bad, funny and infuriating — that become a part of your daily life. Before Olivia the main ‘job’ of my everyday schedule was usually planning and cooking dinner. Now that’s so far down on the list of things to do in a day…it’s almost comical that some days I have to remind myself that I need to eat. All that to say, I thought I would share the many ways motherhood changed my life.
5 Ways Motherhood Changed My Life
I was approached by Babbleboxx to participate in their New Mommy and Me campaign and while this is something of a different post for my site, I was really excited to participate. It’s so appropriate for this time in my life and since I always categorize my blog as “beauty, skincare, and a bit of lifestyle” I figured it was about time to share something from my personal life! 🙂 Please feel free to let me know how you like this type of content here on my blog. I’ve debated sharing my birth story many times…but have never gotten around to it. I still may…but who knows. If that is something you would be interested in reading –e.g. I had to be induced because I was 41 weeks and 3 days. she came out 10lb 3oz and had her naturally — give me feedback in the comments! 😀
1.Vitamins Aren’t An Option Anymore
There are so many ‘hormonal imbalances’ that your body undergoes when you are pregnant. (Raise your hand if you heard those two words more times than you could count! *raises both hands high*) I did, after all, grow a human being! Even after I recovered from the delivery there were still ‘imbalances’. Breastfeeding and functioning on little sleep take a toll on your body. All that to say…vitamins are important to me now! Rainbow Light has formulated a Pre & Postnatal Food-Based Multivitamin that is focused for the unique nutritional needs of moms over 35. And it’s all in this one pill. (Side Note: It’s non-constipating. And only a pregnant woman can fully understand the beauty of that reassurance!!)
Along with promoting healthy circulation and normal blood sugar levels, it helps sooth muscle discomfort and manage energy/stress levels. I dealt (and am still dealing) with those last two a lot so I am taking these even though I am under the targeted age category. 🙂 It’s made with natural, purity-tested ingredients and NO artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, or sweeteners. It’s vegetarian, too, and contains NO: gluten, wheat, milk, tree nuts, peanuts, soy, eggs, fish, and shellfish.
BEFORE YOU SHOP THIS PRODUCT
Write these down so you don’t forget them! When you purchase through their website, use code HAPPYFAMILY for 20% off multivitamins or HAPPYBABY for 20% off Rainbow Light’s Prenatals. It’s also a good idea to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram so you’re notified of future sales or coupons. 🙂
2. Saying things like “I Need Butt Paste, Hun!” Becomes Normal
A lot more common than I ever anticipated! It happens at least 3 times a week. Doesn’t matter how often I change her wet diapers, her bottom will start looking red and I’ll need to apply a thick layer of my trusty Boudreaux’s Butt Paste. This stuff has gotten me through two bouts of yeast infection and hundreds of diaper rashes. I am a big fan of this brand because they offer three targeted formulas that help to protect against and improve diaper rashes — Original, Maximum Strength, and All Natural.
At 16 oz this is a huge tub and will be the perfect mainstay for my nursery changing table. It contains 16% Zinc Oxide which helps to treat skin irritations by giving the skin a barrier to seal out wetness.
The Bouderaux’s Butt Paste in Maximum Strength comes in a 2 oz squeeze tube and is what I use when I need to ‘pull out the big guns’. No red butt cheeks allowed here! (Oh, the subjects that become normal, every day conversation when you become a mom!) This stuff has 40% Zinc Oxide to more than double up on the rash fighting powers.
3. Long, Deep Sleeps are A Thing of the Past
It just doesn’t happen anymore. On a ‘good’ night I sleep for a 4 hour stretch, but typically it’s between 2-3. And it’s not always because Olivia wakes up crying. Some nights the mother instincts just take hold and I wake up with the urge to check on her….because it’s been over 3 hours and I haven’t heard a peep. Is she okay? Is she still breathing? Most nights I am able to be the voice of reason and go back to sleep, but some nights I just can’t. 🙂
That’s where something like TempTraq would come in handy! It’s the only wearable bluetooth temperature monitor that is made as a soft, comfortable patch that monitors body temperature for up to 24 hours. All you need is the (free) TempTraq app and it will continuously sense, record, and transmit temperature data right to your Apple or Android. So I could check on her from the comfort of my bed! This would be especially handy for when Olivia gets a fever (thankfully hasn’t happened yet).
BEFORE YOU SHOP
If you purchase through TempTraq’s website use the code BABBLEBOXX10 for 10% off your order. Expires 10/31. As always, it’s a good idea to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to be in the loop if they run special sales.
4. Your Beautiful Pregnancy Hair Turns On You
They warned me about the postpartum hair loss…but I was not prepared for how bad it got! If you are following me on Snapchat, then you already know — it was BAD! Like stick-up-straight-Alfalfa-bad. What an unpleasant ride!
I should’ve started using a haircare routine like illumai Biome Care System for Hair long before I started loosing it. illumai is a line with very clean formulas: no sulfates, no silcones, no parabens, no preservatives, no plasticizers, gluten-free, nut-free, 100% vegan, and cruelty-free. *takes a deep breath* whew! That was a moutfull! It’s hard to believe that there are only 7 ingredients in this system! The shortest ingredient list I’ve ever seen on a shampoo/conditioner set!
illumai works with every hair type making it 100% color safe and ideal for everyone in the family to use. Using this system for just 3 washes in a row is supposed to restore the biome, detoxify the effects of legacy products (the stuff you’ve been using on it before) and guarantee safe, effective, and healthy beauty for your hair. I’ve used this twice and I agree with their claims. My hair feels very clean. I can’t wait to see what extended use of this system does! I will be doing a hairstyle tutorial in the coming weeks — look out for it so you can see how luscious my hair is looking!
BEFORE YOU SHOP
I’ve got a coupon code for all my new moms! And it’s special because it’s the first coupon code I’ve received from a brand that was specifically created for my readers! Yep, I’ve arranged for you to get 40% off either the full size system or the travel size when you shop through their website. Just use the code 44FROMMYVANITY at checkout! Expires 10/31. Don’t forget to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
5. Folding the Clothes takes FOREVER because – Onesies
Do you know how many onesies you can fit in one load of laundry? A lot! And you’re always going through onesies — in the first six months she was constantly barfing and then once she finally started to slow down on the projectile vomiting…we started introducing food to her. And man, a baby can make a mess in no time!
There came a time not long after she was born that I had to buy several packs of onesies (Didn’t matter the color…but bonus if it was cute!) because we were going through the ones we owned quicker than we could wash them. And Olivia grew so quickly the first six months, she didn’t stay in a size for long. Another reason something affordable like this 5 pack of Gerber onesies is a smart buy!
BEFORE YOU SHOP
They have a coupon, too! Make sure you check this link, as they’re regularly sharing new coupons. But if you order online through their Gerber Childrenswear website you can receive FREE shipping if you use the code BBOXX16FS. Offer expires 10/8 (so don’t delay!)
BONUS: Snapshots Become Invaluable
This isn’t a ‘funny’, but I did want to share because it really is special and means a lot to me now that I’m a mom. 🙂 Every mom knows exactly what I am talking about. Thank the Lord that I always have my phone nearby to whip and and snap a picture. I can’t even explain to you what sort of moments I’m talking about…but they’re just precious and so fleeting…there is always the urge to try to capture it so that I can look back on it later. And while my phone is awesome, there is still something special about having a physical copy of your picture moments after you take it.
That’s where FUJIFILM’s INSTAX Mini 70 comes in. With this camera you now are able to photograph your child and get pictures immediately. I love watching the picture develop right before my eyes — it’s the coolest thing! Once fully developed the images are sharp and clear. I’m always so bad at actually printing out the pictures I take, the INSTAX Mini 70 solves that. Now I can have pictures on my phone for me and send pictures to Olivia’s grandparents, too.
As you can see from the pictures the INSTAX Mini 70 fits nicely in our hand and can easily find a spot in your diaper bag for on-the-go moments. And not to worry — it has a selfie mode that will automatically adjust settings for the perfect selfie of mom and baby!
Okay, now it’s your turn. Please tell me I’m not alone here! I can’t be the only mom who says ‘butt paste’ numerous times in a day or who has gotten to the expert level of folding a thousand pairs of onesies in record time. Leave it in the comments! You mom’s ROCK!! <3
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This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Single Edition Media. Any questions about my disclosure, read here. 
Thank you for your support!
