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Teaching Sam and Scout

Teaching, Motherhood, and Life In-Between

Kids, Social Media, Privacy… And Instagram Changes

Having a new baby really makes you stop and think about things… Suddenly this tiny little human is all mine, and the responsibility of taking care of her, making decisions for her, and protecting her feels overwhelming at times.

I admit that I’m pretty much an open book when it comes to my own life; but – as I’ve mentioned here before -out of respect for my husband (who is much more private than me) and our kids (who have yet to develop a sense of their own comfort level), I’m trying to be very intentional to share only MY story and not theirs.

In the last year since starting this blog, I think I have mostly been able to strike a balance here.  However, over the last few weeks, I’ve been increasingly unsure about how to handle Instagram specifically. It is such a fun and easy way to share photos and capture the little moments of our every day life; but, in many ways, it also feels very intimate and – admittedly – less carefully censored etc. As much as I want to invite my blog readers into my personal life; I always want to put my family (their safety, privacy, etc.) first.

Instagram

With that in mind, I have decided to make my Instagram account private for now.  This means that I will have to personally approve each new follower for my account; and, in addition, I will be going through my current followers in the next several days and “blocking” anyone with whom I don’t have a real-life relationship.

Please know that this was not an easy decision for me – I might have even shed a few tears over it (postpartum hormones?).  You guys have been SO wonderful in welcoming Nora and genuinely caring about my little family – liking photos, leaving comments, etc.  I can’t tell you how much that community has meant to me during my extended hospital stay after my c-section, late night feedings, etc. Please don’t think of this as me “uninviting” you into my life – I still plan to use this space to share and connect – but rather, I hope you can understand my need for one space that I keep for myself and my private life. This is NOT personal; it is simply what’s best for my family right now.  I know I can never fully protect my kids from all of the challenges of this social-media world; but, I think this is one small step I can take in that direction.

Thank you in advance SO MUCH for supporting me in this decision and continuing to follow my story here. I promise I’ve got some good stuff headed your way!

E

P.S. Those of you that blog/Instagram/etc. – How do you handle this balance of privacy vs. community with your own family?  I’d LOVE to hear some of your thoughts on it!

Nora’s Simple Gray, Gold, & Coral Nursery

First, THANK YOU for all the prayers, well-wishes, and congratulations this week!  We brought Nora home from the hospital yesterday (on my 31st birthday), and I’m just blissfully happy right now.  I’m well aware of the fact that I’m still on some pretty good drugs, and she’s still in the sleepy-newborn stage, so things will likely get much harder; but, for now, I just can’t get over how much I love this little girl and how complete our family feels.  Sam is doing AWESOME and watching him with her is the greatest thing I think I’ve ever experienced. I’m hoping to write a brief birth story this weekend to share some time next week, so stay tuned.  (And check out my Instagram for an unhealthy amount of baby photos!) BUT, for today, I’m excited to finally share her little nursery!!

 

You might remember that I said I wasn’t going to make a nursery this time around… Well, I lied! As it turned out, the room was too crowded with the full size bed in it; so we moved that bed into Sam’s room and started working with a twin instead.  One thing led to another and, before I knew it, I was “designing” a full blown nursery. Goodbye Guest Room!

My inspiration came from this print and the bold coral paint on the bookshelf and wardrobe.  I tried to keep everything else very simple, clean, and something she will be able to grow into… Also, other than a couple of small splurges, I tried to work with things we already had, DIY, or sale items. In the end, I’m super happy with the way it turned out.  It is a really relaxing space with just the right amount of “pop” for our sweet girl… So, without further adieu, WELCOME!

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And there you have it!

E

 

Source List:

Wall Color – Valspar “Tempered Gray”

Paint on Wardrobe & Book Shelf – Valspar “Powder Peach”

Overhead Light – Lowe’s

Lamps – old T.J. Maxx

Crib – Graco Lauren Convertible (ours is an older model that my parents had when Sam was a baby)

Crib Sheet & Changing Pad Cover – Aden + Anais / Super Star Scout – Fawn Star

Gold “N” – Joann Fabrics (spray painted gold)

Coral & Gold Mobile – c/o Four Glittered Geese on Etsy

Stuffed Flamingo – shower gift from Toys R Us

Faux Sheep Skin – Ikea

Curtains – Old Ikea (similar) + Pom Pom Fringe from Joann Fabrics (added by my mother-in-law)

Star Marquee Light – c/o Little Letter Lights Company

Bar Cart & Glider – “Vintage” hand-me-downs from our families (The bar cart was in my house growing up, and the glider was Jeff’s when he was a baby.  We also used it in Sam’s room.)

Painted Wall Art – Sam Chapman originals (inspired by this)

Flamingo Prints – The Animal Print Shop (Frames from A.C. Moore)

Large Bed Pillows – Fabric from Joann Fabrics (covered by my mother-in-law)

Coral Pillows – Target

Changing Table – Ikea

“Love” Wall Art – T.J. Maxx Clearance

White Baskets – Target

Wire Baskets (under changing table) – T.J. Maxx

My Girl

She’s here!

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Nora Kent

Born Monday, 3/23/15 at 3:41AM

7 pounds, 10 ounces

Baby Nora and I are both doing great!  Right now, I’m soaking up the quiet time for snuggles with my girl and treating this hospital stay as the closest thing to a vacation I’ll be getting anytime soon. 😉  All of us – and especially Sam – are totally in love. THANK YOU for seeing me through this pregnancy – your prayers for a healthy baby and delivery were SO appreciated.  I’ll be slowly getting back to blogging in the next few days/weeks as I adjust to our new normal, but there are plenty more photos and details to come.

XOXO,

E

Not Your Mama’s Nursing Tops (and Dresses) from ASOS

One thing I seem to be hyper-aware of as I think about dressing postpartum this time around is the ability to nurse easily and discreetly while also feeling comfortable and cute in my clothes (and hiding my belly as much as possible).  Here are a few stylish nursing options I found online at ASOS.com this week:

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ASOS Mama.licious Nursing Space Dye Top. Also comes in black.

ASOS Maternity Nursing T-Shirt with Double Layer.  Also in black, light pink, and a very thin gray stripe.

ASOS Maternity Nursing Maxi Dress with Double Layer.  Also in black (on sale right now) and navy (I think). There is also a shorter (“skater”) version in blue, fuchsia, and black/gray color block.

ASOS Maternity Nursing T-Shirt with Wrap Overlay.  Similar to the first top but better for warmer temps. Also comes in navy.

I was super excited to find these options, but also a little concerned about the price (even the t-shirts are right around $50.00) and the fact that they are all considered “maternity” even though they are clearly designed for nursing (which, news flash, does not happen during pregnancy).   I guess I understand the thought behind this design – if you are going to pay that much for a shirt you may as well be able to wear it for as long as possible – and they don’t look maternity to me, but I wonder how long I would actually be able to wear them without looking and feeling like I am pregnant.  Anyway…

Does anyone have any experience buying anything in this line?  Is it worth it?  (I’m particularly drawn to the maxi dress – in black – right now since it is on sale and might be fun to wear to my sister’s bachelorette party just a few weeks after baby is born.)  Thoughts?

*I also kind-of love this top from H&M for about half the price.  It seems very discreet and versatile.

What was your favorite thing to wear when you were nursing? Where did you buy nursing-friendly clothes?

Happy “Bump” Day!

E

(Hoping to have an updated bump photo etc. up soon…)

Quick Check In… Still Pregnant

Still pregnant.  I was 37 weeks on Saturday; which means, for the most part, we’re in the home stretch/ “any day could be THE day” stage.  I keep feeling like this girl is going to come early, and then I go to the doctor, and he is so casual about everything that I leave feeling like I may as well get comfy (yea right) and settle in for the long haul.  My due date is March 22nd.  Sam came three days early.  We’ll see. For now, I’m feeling pretty good other than the normal uncomfortableness of late pregnancy.  I’m also having a lot more Braxton Hicks contractions than I had with Sam, and I’m sleeping a lot less.  I plan to work right up until 40 weeks, so that keeps me pretty well tired and busy, but I’m thankful for the extra time with my students to get them prepped for standardized tests, etc. etc.  (I’m trucking away at my long term sub plans etc., but it is a LOT of work, and I’m moving pretty slowly.  I’ll be glad when those are all done so that I can finally really relax and feel like “I’m ready.”)

As for my lack of blogging lately… The truth is, it’s hard to sit down and write when my mind is just in a million different places. I definitely plan to photograph and blog about the nursery, I’ve finished two books I want to review on here, and I have lots of important things to discuss with you all like “coming home outfits” and this blog turning a year old in a few weeks; but, for now, I’m showing myself grace and just… blogging when I feel like it.  I’m sure the energy and enthusiasm will return eventually.  In the meantime, thanks for sticking around and bearing with me during this stage, for praying for my sweet girl, and for going on this journey with me.  I promise you’ll know when she is here!!

Love you all! Seriously.

E

P.S. I’m taking a little break from goals in March since they seem kind-of pointless.  Next month, maybe?!?