Ava's First Bath

There are so many firsts with newborns, and each one is so precious.  We waited until Ava was 2 weeks old to give her first bath.  I was so happy that the hospital we ended up at (a story for another time) was so respectful of all my wishes, and no bath was one of them.  The creamy substance on your newborns body has immune properties and when left on leaves a layer of protection while your baby's immune system adjusts.  It also allows for more uninterrupted skin to skin time with your baby in that first hour.

Waiting was a bit hard b/c I was looking forward to this special moment, but the fact that I had lots of stitches myself made it easier since I needed to wait about two weeks before getting in the tub myself.  This moment, just her and I was so precious.  Daddy took a few photos and hung out for a bit, but then left us to be for a while.  I remember the soft blinking of her eyes and the way she relaxed into the water after a bit.  I knew she was going to be a water baby having so much Cancer in her birth chart.  I have always been a water lover myself, and I took a long soak in the tub almost every night when I was pregnant with her.  I'm sure it was something she was already familiar with.  I have still only given her one bath without myself in the tub with her and that was b/c of a huge poop explosion!  Oh, and she did poop in the tub with me once, that was super fun. ;)  It's our special time together though.  There is something so sacred about this time with her.  And I'm not quite sure what it is and why it is so specific to bath time, but every time I lay her on her back in the tub she looks just like me when I was a baby.  It's like I'm staring into myself as a baby which is a very intense feeling.  It's really the only time I fully see it in her though.

Do you remember your first bath with your little?  How did it make you feel?

*Btw, all opinions I ever post on here about what we chose to do with our babe are purely my own personal experiences + opinions.  I am a huge supporter of 'what works for you is best' or 'to each his own'.  I am not here to tell anyone how to do something when it comes to their child and I hope that respect can be returned.*

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE CAPTURES

I have been sharing my 'Pieces of Home' features for quite some time... but these images are not always taken at home, although they usually are... I feel like they needed a new caption though... So now these simple 10 photo posts will be called 'A few of my favorite captures'... b/c essentially that is all they are.  I snap photos all day long everyday.  It's just part of what I do.

THREADS // EARTHY PASTELS

Cheers to my first solo outfit post since Ava was born!  I honestly wasn't sure if I was going to keep doing these or not... Having a baby has completely changed my priorities.  But I have missed it some, so if I have the time and inspiration to do one, then I will.  If I don't, then I won't!  This is kind of how I feel about everything right now.  If it feels good, then yes, if it feels draining, then no. 

I will say this is a way for me to exercise my self confidence, which I admittedly talked about on an instagram post the other day after cutting my hair.  You can feel so silly and guilty even worrying about your postpartum self when you have this beautiful little baby in your life!  But at the same time, I think it should be talked about for that very reason, b/c all of our feelings are valid.  When there is shame and guilt around something, it should be looked at and examined.  It has been trying learning to love my postpartum body and all it's millions of changes.  I'm pretty positive if you are human and you have had a baby, you probably have felt some of the same things.  It's a whole new world post baby... the extra pounds, the hair loss, the skin changes, the way you function below the waist, joint issues, perpetually less sleep... just to name a few.  It all adds up and can be easy to feel self defeating.

So, I'm working on it.  That's all I can say.  I'm learning to cut myself some slack, to focus on more important things, and remind myself it's a transition.  That's why they call it the 4th trimester after all.  It's a very real thing. 

Speaking of change... I am doing a MAJOR closet purge.  If you follow me on instagram than you already know.  I'm selling half of my closet over on @laurashomeandcloset and still have more to list!  Since becoming a mama I feel so much changing, including my style and my need for ease.  I feel like I have been decluttering for a year now and could do so for another year.  I've been going through my closet over and over again, pulling out things I haven't worn in a very long time, some I've only worn once.  I hold on to these things b/c they are beautiful, or because a friend made it... but if it's not getting the proper love it should in my possession, I feel it should move onto another who will show it more love.  So even though I am letting go of some very special things, I feel good about it.  Knowing they will live a new life! 

I'm also saving up for my dream couch and this closet sale is helping me.  In the movement of decluttering I am also rethinking some of the pieces in my home.  Our couch is a great couch, we got it passed down to us from our friends and we have loved it alot!  But it's a sectional and I really just want a regular couch to create more space in the center of our home.  Bella was the only one that used the part that sticks out, and now that she is gone, I feel like I can let go of this couch.  Plus, my brother needs one, so it's already getting a good new home!  The three couches I have owned in my life have all been passed down from family or friends.  I'm really excited to pick out and buy my own couch for the first time! 

Btw, that beautiful mala... it's a natural teething necklace for Ava!  Check out Little Biting Tree!

Even though so many pieces in my closet have been transitory over the years as my style changes, some pieces never leave.  I have some things in my closet that I have owned since I was about 15!  This kimono I found at f21 years ago, and it is still one of my favorite things to wear.  Same goes with all of my Blowfish shoes!  They are the most comfortable shoes with the yummiest earth tones.  They are all keepers.  I'm so in love with these sand colored booties.  And this hat I found at World Market quickly became my favorite.  I wear it ALOT!  My rings from Bella & Chloe are also some of my go to's.  I wear alot less jewelry most days now b/c of Ava. Maybe a cuff or ring or two, maybe a necklace, sometimes none... and that's it.  I'm sure that will change as she gets older, but for now, I'm loving the simplicity.

I'm pretty obsessed with this color pallette right now too.  If you check out my pinterest, you can clearly see what my eyes have been drawn to lately.  Earthy pastels... mauve, peach, tan, cream, sage green, dusty blue, burnt umber & sienna, grey.  Really since I got pregnant these colors have stuck out to me. 

Apparently it feels good to blog again!  I had alot to say!  Hopefully I'll be back soon. Peace.

MAMA BIRD + LITTLE WING

Well I have definitely not updated here like I had planned.  My little Ava Pearl is already 15 weeks old tomorrow.  I am just so in love with this little ray of sunshine.  She brings the biggest joy I have ever experienced into my life.  She is on her 4th mental leap right now and is learning so much.  She is still completely enthralled with discovering her hands.  She almost giggles and we just can't wait until we hear her first real belly laugh.  She smiles with her whole face, especially with her eyes.  She can pucker her bottom lip when she is not happy like nobodies business.  She is completely a mama's girl.  She's long and lean with a big ol' noggin.  She has a better wardrobe than me.  She falls asleep on her own most naps.  But at night still has to nurse for an hour or two before falling asleep.  She likes having my hair swept across her face.  She constantly curls her toes like a monkey.  Her voice has the loveliest baby tones.  She can't roll over yet, but she is a fierce leg kicker.  She loves to 'stand up' using her leg muscles.  She loves bath time most of the time, and every time she is in the tub on her back staring up at me, I see myself as a baby in her, it's like I'm looking into my own reflection.  I see my mother in her eyes.  She can be very independent and happy as can be all by herself, and also at times want nothing more than to be held by her mama.  She loves her naps.  Like, really loves her naps.  She only likes car rides half the time, either she is asleep or crying and screaming in the car.  She only likes to be 'worn' if I am constantly walking and bouncing.  She can hold onto her rattle for a very long time.  She loves being talked to and loves story time.  She likes her Baby Animals golden book the best.  Her favorite toy is a bee teether our friend Melissa sent us.  She loves chillin' on the porch.  She has the sweetest round moon face I have ever seen and a smile that could light up the world.  I am so freaking blessed that she chose me to be her mother.