Baby Style: Our Fave Essentials

Since the day Aubrey was born, I think I've shopped more for her than I did for myself. I couldn't help it. Everything was just too darn cute. Sometimes I wish her clothes DID come in my size. Now that she's two, (and Dani came along), I've adjusted the way I shop. In other words, I knew when to buy and when to hold off, what works, and what wouldn't work. I'd stock up during big sales events and be on every children's store's mailing lists and after awhile, I had my go-to places (Old Navy, Baby Gap, Zara, and H&M) and fave essential pieces, which I share below:

1. denim jacket - I think every toddler should own a denim jacket. It goes with almost everything and adds a cute little edge to their tiny outfits. We got ours at Baby Gap (found here) and love it cause even though ts denim, its soft and the buttons are easy to close. It also fits wide enough so you can add a zip up hoody underneath and they wouldn't feel constricted.

2. tanks - I always wait for Baby Gap's "playtime favorites" to go on sale. When these tanks go on sale (and have an additional 40% off), I end up buying a lot. I use them as layering pieces when its cold, and as tops to go with skirts when its warm. The lace trimming gives it a more girly appeal too.

3. My most favorite "jeggings" for babies and toddlers is from Old Navy. Hands down, these are the best pants for them so far. They are soft and extremely durable (I've thrown them in the wash several times and they've held up), not to mention have a really good stretch (which is great for babies that are becoming more mobile).  Children's Place has some great ones too.

4. rompers - I love putting my girls in rompers. Whether it be short or long, they look so cute in them (even more so in a crazy print!). I'm always careful, however, in making sure the romper I purchase  have snaps in the bottom, otherwise diaper changes would be excruciating.

5. denim chambray top - I get so much wear out of mine that when I saw a similar version (found here) of it at H&M kids, I had to get it.

6. boots - Their sandals and ballerina shoes are no match for the San Francisco weather so when the fog rolls in, they are in their boots. I purchased these for Aubrey to wear on her birthday and she loves it (red is her favorite color apparently) and still continues to wear it. Whenever we step out and I ask her grab her shoes, these boots are her go-to's. To tone it down, however, these would be a nice alternative. For Dani, since she's still at that cruisin stage, I recently got her these from Old Navy. They're soft, easy to put on, and inexpensive.

7. printed leggings - I love the printed leggings at Old Navy! They are normally 3 for $15 and are durable and fun to dress them up in. I check in every once in awhile for new prints (I recently purchased a dark pink polka-dot one for Dani).

8. cardigans - Another San Francisco must-haves! My faves are the ones from Zara, which I stock up on for the girls during their semi-annual sale. H&M has good, inexpensive ones too (you just have to go a size down since they tend to run big).

9. utility jacket - Aubrey has gotten so much wear out of hers purchased from Old Navy that I'm considering getting Dani's her own. We purchased it a year ago (it still fits!) but they brought back something similar (as seen here).

10. knit dresses - Now that Aubrey is in the early stages of being potty-trained, she needs something with 'easy access'. Old Navy has some great knit dresses that usually go on sale from time-to-time (as low as $5!) and that's what she usually wears around the house, since its soft, 100% cotton, and not to mention, cute designs! H&M also has some for $4.95 (for a limited time, however, since they're part of their summer collection).

A Quick Note: How we roll.

 Oh, hey!

I have a couple of friends asking me how I do it. How do I make motherhood look easy? Let's be blunt here. Instagram and Facebook is what makes me look like a "super mom". It's all pictures. No one sees the fits and tantrums behind those photos (well....since they DO have IG video now...), or those times I put Aubrey in a cute little outfit, only to have her take it apart moments after I take a  pic, all those messy cramped corners in our house full of junk, and the leftover fast food / take out containers we have in our kitchen because lets face it, who honestly has time to make a gourmet looking meal every. single. day?

I ain't a supermom and my husband and I definitely aren't superheroes (even though our daughter thinks we are) but even though it may not be easy, there are ways to make it a little bit easier.

Here are some tips and ideas we (try) to live by to make it all WERQ:

1. Never bring work home
 No matter how good or bad of a day I had, once I'm clocked out, I'm clocked out. Sure, I may get the occasional phone calls here and there (that's what voicemails are for) but once I'm with my family, my mindset completely changes. All my attention is focused on the kids and try to take advantage of the time I have with them. I always joke around with my other co-workers "Time to head over to my other job!" when I leave. Let's face it, being a mother IS a job, but, it's the best and most rewarding job out there!

2. Get out of the house. Do something. 
Unlike most people, I don't have the M-F 9-6 kinda job. My hours differ week by week and sometimes changes last minute. It's a curse (no set weekends) yet a blessing (hello weekdays off). At the beginning of each month, I plan 1 or 2 weekends off in advance so my husband and I can actually have the whole day together with the kids and go out and actually get to do things together on the weekends. Because, you know, isn't that what most families do?

 3. Get out of the state. 
Even though it gets stressful, its always nice to take a vacation somewhere. Gives you something to look forward to and though they're still too young to remember, gives the girls a change of environment.

4. Never feel guilty for wanting some ME time. 
Whether it be an hour, half a day, or even the whole day, do something on your own. On the weekends, my husband wakes up at 6am and takes a ride with his bike for an hour. That's his ME time. As for me, I do anything and everything. You'd be surprise what a trip to Target (alone!) can make you feel :)

5. Take care of yourself.
No really. You have to. I remember those times when I was so preoccupied with making sure both babies were fed, diapered, bathed, etc., I didn't get out of my pjs (and let alone eat) till 3pm! Its easier now, however, because Aubrey can eat on her own and I can place Dani on a highchair. We eat meals together and afterwards, I leave them in their play area or turn some cartoons on (Yes, I let my girls watch tv in moderation) while I get myself ready. During those times when a nap is much needed, I hope AND pray that both can sleep at the same time, even if it means laying some blankets down on the living room floor so we can all nap together. A cranky and hungry mom ain't fun for anyone.

6. Teamwork and Communication and Have a pseudo-routine. 
Two babies and a dog = double the mess...and a half. Bottles, toys, clothes - my husband is all about making sure we never let things slide otherwise it'll just be a disaster at our place. It's become such an unwritten thing really, how we go about our day to day routines here. My husband is a morning person. He wakes up early every morning and in an hour, has washed the dishes, taken out the garbage, made a Safeway run (milk, food, etc), and then some. I like to take care of things before I sleep, no matter how late it gets. I fix their diaper bag, lay out their clothes for the next day, clean their play area, prep our meals and etc. No matter which time of the day it is, we're always trying to get things done. It's the only way.
 
 6. You have to come to terms with reality.
Honestly, despite all that I've said and done, it's still and always will be a challenge. There are smooth days and there are even more not so smooth days. Maybe we've become a little bit immune to it over time but we really wouldn't have it any other way. It's the life we created and the life we live for.