Taylor Lynn // a birth story

Better late than never right??

On Sept. 6th, I had just about given up trying to help our little girl come out. The days prior I spent swinging on swings, walking as much as I could, doing squats, drinking a beer, and "using" my husband as much as I could to try to induce labor. But not that day. That day I spent the day sleeping in and then I went shopping for things for the house. My in laws were coming over and I wanted to make the guest room presentable, so I went shopping. Around 6 pm I was heading home... Feeling little kicks as I was driving back to the house. I ate dinner with my husband as usual, then headed to our bedroom to relax and lay down. My back had started to hurt and I started to feel only what I can describe as period cramps. Everything I googled said that this was the beginning of pre-labor and I'm not gonna lie, I was a little excited... 

Now, durning my the second and third trimester the right side of my stomach would get super hard, which I assumed was my little girl trying to stretch and try to get comfortable. 

So when this happened that night, it didn't alarm me. But then, it started to become more frequent. 20 minutes apart... 10 minutes apart... Then I went to the bathroom, and I saw what no preggo wants to see... Blood. Again..  Back to Google I went. Another sign of pre-labor. So back to bed I go. 

It's now around midnight, and I tell my husband what I'm feeling, and just to be ready, but I should be okay. From 12-3:30 I am feeling the tightness get more and more frequent, but it's not painful, so I don't wake up my husband. Finally I decide to go to the bathroom again with my "tightness" happening every 5 minutes now. This time, there's a lot of blood. Then I realize... I hadn't felt the baby move... Like really move... The way she use to... Since that drive home. I start to panic.... So very calmly, I wake up Dean and we are on the way to the hospital. I didn't care if she came that day or not... I just wanted to make sure she was okay and hear her little heart beat. 

Now the "tightness" which I assumed were Braxton hicks contractions, were about 1 minute apart. They wheeled me up, and strapped on a heart rate monitor. Her heart rate was really high. In the 170's. She was usually between 150 -160. I knew before they even told me it was too fast. I also had a fever.  They monitored me for an hour with oxygen and fluids and no changes. We had just called the family to let them know she would be here probably later in the afternoon now that it was sept. 7th. About 5 minutes later... The nurse comes back and says, "the doctor doesn't like that the baby's heart rate hasn't slowed down. We are gonna have to take her out." I said "when?" And she said "in 20 minutes."

ok then.

Now keep in mind. This hour went by with my contractions 1 minute apart and no pain meds. They were starting to hurt bad. I couldn't keep my eyes open, and I didn't want anyone to touch me. Those 20 minutes couldn't go by fast enough. So we call the family again. "She'll be here in 20 minutes. Take your time" there was no need for them to rush. 

Meanwhile, the anesthesiologist comes in... Mid contraction... And starts to explain everything to me for what felt like 30 minutes. I couldn't take it. I just shook my head and said yes. He could have told me they were going to amputate my foot and put it on my forehead and I would have said yes. Whatever it took to take this pain away.  I felt like such a wuss. So after sir-talks-a lot was done, they wheeled me down the hall way and I was injected with the most glorious elixir of life into my spine. Instantly... I was in a MUCH better mood. I felt like I was moving... But couldn't feel anything. Five minutes passed and in comes my husband. All dressed in surgical gear. "You look so cute!!.... Wait...am I cut open?? " by the look on my husbands face, I was totally cut open. "Yea!! They are about to take her out! Oh my god (laughter) oh my god!"

At that moment... I see a nurse carry the smallest- whitest - blondish brown haired little baby by me and to the heating table. My first thought was "that's MY baby?!?!" And then I heard the doctor say she had pooped in the uterus, so they started sucking out her lungs for about 20 seconds. 20 seconds of not hearing her cry. Why isn't she crying? WHYISNTSHECRYING?!?! Then all of a sudden, I heard the most amazing sound I have ever heard. She finally took a huge breath and started her first cry. Instantly, I start bawling. They brought her to me, and I swear I have never felt anything so soft on my lips, I couldn't stop kissing her (still can't). After they put me back together, they wheeled me into the next room and there she was. Getting measured and washed. They brought her to me, placed her on my chest, and she instantly started to try to suckle. I started to breastfeed her, totally not knowing what I was doing. It amazed me that she did.She  knew exactly where to go, and just started to eat. 

I never knew how much my heart would want to explode watching my husband hold her,Watching her yawn, make little pouty faces. She was amazing. And we made her. And that's all that mattered. now she is three months old, and I cannot get enough of her. 

Thanks for Reading,

xoxo

B

California as seen by Californians

I thought this map was pretty dead on. (And funny)

Happy monday!

Xoxo

B

 

Sakura Bloom Dream Boards and Polyvore

Monochrome Mama by breecardiel featuring long tops

Cosy in California by breecardiel featuring aviator glasses

chic in the city by breecardiel featuring a red nail polish

I love making sets on Polyvore. Its like shopping without the price tag, but I also get to play with fashion- seeing if a shirt with look cute with a certain pair of jeans, or shoes.  That's why when i saw on Sakura Bloom's instgram that they were having a contest with polyvore, I had to enter.the winner will win their ENTIRE BOARD!
 I had so much fun creating these boards for me and little Taylor.
This week is also National baby wearing week! So grab those babies and hold them close!
Wish me luck!

xoxo
B

Adding Texture

I recently won ( i know!! ) a Moroccan style wedding blanket pillow which is super exciting because I love these pillows and blankets.  If you like neutral palettes like I do, these blankets and pillows are a great way to add texture and interest to a muted room. 

These Blankets and pillows are perfect for our all white guest room project!

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo

B

Baby must haves...the first month

 

this week, my little one turns one month old. I know. I feel like i just had her yesterday. They say that they grow so fast, and I never thought that it was really true- but seriously- she's so much bigger- so much more alert- and totally growing too fast. she hasn't even started hitting mile markers yet - like sitting up or getting teeth-but i feel like she's already gone from a newborn to an infant. 

That being said, I thought I'd share my favrotie things I've used on a daily basis to help me with my little Taylor.

clockwise from the top left:

Butt paste: this cream- I used for one day after noticing the start of a little redness on the cutest butt I've ever seen- and it was gone the next day. The good thing about this paste, is they always give it samples in every "you're about to be a new mom kit" so you probably wont have to buy this for a while.

Aden and Anais swaddle wraps: I must have received about 8 packages of these wraps! Apparently every other mommy out there also swears by these. I use these all day long. I wrap Taylor in them when she sleeps, when I'm holding her, when she is sitting in her swing. they are fantastic. not too hot, not too cold...just perfect.

Moby wrap: This has honestly saved my sanity some mornings. Although Taylor is an amazing baby- there have been some days- the days when I have the most to do- where she does not want to be put down. I put this on- and she snuggles against me, and I can get stuff done. Plus- I love feeling her so close to me.

Swaddle Me: I just recently was lent these by a friend. Taylor went from sleeping 2 hours and waking up fussy wanting to be held, to sleeping a solid 4 - 5 hours straight. There are a bunch of different types of swaddles- but i highly recommend these for nighttime. Eventually we will graduate to the Zippty zip or something like it!

Gumdrop pacifiers: Taylor likes to soothe herself with a pacifier. These are the ones she likes the most. Plus the little wipes they come with- we have one in almost every room.They also give you these in the hospital.

Bobby Infant Lounger: I was given this to borrow by another friend, and the first time Taylor used it- again she was out light a light. with no swaddle- she slept in this lounger contently- waking up here and there, but falling back asleep for almost 4 hours. an added plus, it's a complete pillow, so i dont have to worry about her falling into the whole in the middle like the original bobby- which is also a must have!

There you have it! My favorite things that helped me with my first month!

xoxo

B

Fall staples

 

Its October already. (insert shocked face here) Its starting to feel like fall here in California. The nights are finally starting to cool down, finally. After this heat wave we just had, I have never been more excited to break out my fall wardrobe. Cuffed jeans, ankle booties, over sized sweaters and plaid. Those are my fall staples. 

Click on the images for links to the items in the photos!

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo

B

Midnight confessions

I confess that night feedings aren't my best moments.

I confess I despise hearing my husband snore so peacefully while I'm awake...

I confess that I have never wanted to give up breast feeding more than I do at our 12-5am feedings.

I confess that I secretly love falling asleep in our rocking chair with her once she is milk drunk.

I confess that I love crawling back into bed feeling successful after putting her back to bed and being cuddled by my husband... Even if it takes an hour. 

I confess that I play cell phone games while feeding her to keep my mind awake. 

I confess that I HATE cleaning all the things it takes to feed my baby...and I cannot wait till I can solely breastfeed. 

I confess that I secretly love seeing her little pouty face get mad when I have to pull her away from me to burp her and she starts to whimper.

I confess that even though at times I doubt myself...I love this. 

Xoxo

B

Baby stories // week two

 

 Two weeks. It's been two weeks since our little girl was born. I can hardly believe how fast the time is going. After having family here to help for the first two weeks, this is my first day "flying solo."  I have to say with dinner in the crock pot, and little Taylor sleeping away, I feel pretty successful. 

Taylor and I have so much to learn and I could not be more thankful for this time we have together. It's amazing how someone so small can take up the entirety of your heart.

Thank you to everyone who provided us with dinner the past weeks. Not only did it help to not have to worry about dinner, but I am so impressed with our friends cooking skills!!! 

Our little family is lucky to have you all in our lives.

Happy Monday!

xoxo

B & T

Any day now...

On the eve of 38 weeks and with only one “work” day left, I find myself completely excited and numb (for a lack of better words) at the same time. I am excited to have the next three months off to gather my thoughts, be able to have mornings without an alarm, and to be able to be in my own thoughts before the baby comes.  I ‘m looking forward  to be able to have a little time to plan, journal and blog my big plans for my framing business and design business to help keep our little family afloat while on maternity leave.

I think I have thought about all the possibilities about how life will be when the baby comes that I just can’t think anymore. What if she’s a terribly unhappy baby? What if I’m a terribly unhappy mother? What if she doesn't start feeding right away? What if she has colic? What If I lose my mind? What if I have to call my husband to come home to give me just a moment to gather myself (or cry alone in the bathroom so no one knows I’m losing it). But oh…what if she’s perfect…sleeps thorough the night…latches on right away…coos and melts my heart.  I make myself go crazy. I mean, coming from a large family, and being one of the older cousins, babies are no unknown territory for me. I know how to take care of a new born….right? At least I think I have a grasp. These are the thoughts that circle my head all day. My real fears when it comes to bringing this little girl in to this world. I guess we will just have to find out when she arrives. Any day now…. 

Organize My Life..please

Call it nesting, or call it the death of my messy phase, or maybe it's the fact that we have shiny new floors in our home...I am seriously feeling the need for organization in our home. (pics of the floors to follow soon- once I figure out this whole organizing thing)

We have already purged and cleansed out most of the items in our home that we don't use. For example- the old towels we have had for the past 8 years! Man, it felt good to get rid of those blue towels. I swear that color haunts me! I feel like this weekend, a huge overhaul is needed. We don't have much storage in our little home, and now with all our new baby products- sippy cups- playmats- stuffed animals- we definitely need organization more than ever! I found this link- which light have to be my bible for a little bit- and these amazing baskets- my current obsession- pictured above are available at Joanna Gaine's shop. I would love to hear your organizing tips!

Speaking of baby stuff- Thank you to everyone who came to my beach themed baby shower! I was so overwhelmed by the love and laughter we all shared that day. I cried...thanks mom...and laughed and enjoyed so much of that day. Thank you for all the gifts. Lil' baby K is so lucky to have all of you in her life already!

xoxo 

B

This Month // August

Happy Monday!! 

xoxo

B

How to not get burned....

Recently, I have had an experience that left such a bitter taste in my mouth.  As I sit here writing this post, I know I will have reservations about actually hitting “publish”  but then the whole purpose of this post will completely be for not, and I will never forgive myself.  I am writing this post for myself, and for other people in the creative, design and services industry.

A beautiful mess & Lux and Lace

We are so excited to finally announce that Lux & Lace frames are now available at A Beautiful Mess in Agoura Hills. This shop could not have been a more perfect home for our frames.

In their new home just down the way from their old shop, they have more than doubled in size! This store is not only good for amazing antique and rustic eye candy, she does interior design services as well! Please stop in and say hello to Kymberly! 

Kymberly- thank you for supporting Lux and Lace frames.

Shine on summer

I am obsessing over this trend this summer.

Proud to be an American

 

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8

With July approaching fast, and the World Cup kicking off today, I have had the United States on my mind. I have always loved the silhouette of California and our glorious nation. I think a vintage flag or state art are awesome accessories, not only for your home but they also make great jewelry pieces! 

One things calm down a bit, I will post a DIY on how to make the USA Pallet art from pottery barn. Although-when you consider the time and effort, the pottery barn one doesn't look so bad!

Don't forget to watch the boys battle it out vs Ghana on Monday!

Lets do this USA!!!

xoxo

B

The only acceptable way to add drama...

Having a home with high ceilings can be beautiful. Sometimes those high ceilings can make a space swallow everything in it. I like to add a little drama to the room and add high florals to take up some of that space. Dogwood branches and over sized palms are a great option for these pieces. 

even in a simple room, one amazing and oversized floral piece can be a great focal point. 

Hope you are having a fantastic Wednesday!

xoxo

B

PS: dont forget!

Color crush // fainting aqua

This color has been completely taking over my every thought. It reminds me of the beach- calming waves and cozy nights. As many of you know, I'm not a big fan of a ton of color- so pairing this color with a white washed room is just the perfect amount of color pop. 

Don't forget 20% off frame orders the whole month of June! 

Contact me at Breeklipfel@gmail.com or through my Etsy shop! 

use code HOT2014

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo

B