Baby – Page 5 – Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic

Baby January 13, 2015

The Best Baby Items on Etsy (Giveaway!)

I love Etsy. The fact that there is now a marketplace for entrepreneurial artisans all across the world to share their unique goods is just amazing to me. What did we do without it?

I have always been a big Etsy fan, but not necessarily an avid shopper. That is, until the moment I found out I was pregnant with Isla. Etsy is the mecca for adorable baby products – bows, leggings, blankets, teethers, birth announcements, baby shower decor, mobiles, etc. I’ve scoured the site over the last year and have ordered a number of baby products – some of which I love to pieces and want to share with you. And what’s even better is that my favorite seven shop owners (Les Petits Darlings, By George Baby Boutique, Nomad Floral Designs, Smiling Tree Toys, Baby Grace Houston, Max & Me, and Happiness Lives Here) have agreed to give away some of their amazing products to one lucky winner of the giveaway below (over a $200 value!). The giveaway ends at midnight on Sunday, January 18. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Colorful Leggings & Shirts from Les Petits Darlings

I first came across Les Petits Darlings (Etsy + website) on my favorite Instagram account – @kristygirl of The Benzer Bunch. Her daughter, Livi (Seriously? Could she be any cuter?) has lots of leggings from Les Petits Darlings, and I love them all. I decided to get Isla the cotton candy ones, because I am obsessed with how bright and whimsical they are. I can’t wait to order another pair – and I know I need the crowd pleaser t-shirt for Valentine’s Day. It is insanely cute.

I have to warn you – browsing this site is slightly dangerous, because if you’re like me, you’re going to want everything you see.

Sharon, the owner of Les Petits Darlings, is kindly giving away one of the brand new Valentine’s Day t-shirts to the giveaway winner!

Follow Les Petits Darlings on Facebook // Instagram

Baby December 4, 2014

Ruby’s Confetti-Filled First Birthday Party

If you’re not following Claire on Instagram (@ClaireBearCurtis) already, you are seriously missing out. I stumbled upon her account recently, and I’m addicted to her gorgeous pictures and even more beautiful children. Her little baby girl, Ruby, turned one recently, and Claire threw the world’s greatest first birthday party. No, seriously.

While I get major anxious just thinking about that milestone in Isla’s life (exactly 6 months from today!), I get great joy from looking at the photos from Ruby’s confetti-themed party. The cake is unreal, the leggings (and multiple outfit changes!) were precious, and the table background with all of the honeycomb poufs is to die for. I want it all!

Feast your eyes on this colorful confetti fantasy land!

Baby December 1, 2014

Baby Registry Guide: Newborn to 6 Month Essentials ($400+ Giveaway)

When I sat down to write this post, I thought to myself, ‘I need to make a concise list of all essential items for a baby’s first five months.’ Then I listed all of the products we use on a day-to-day basis, and oh-my-gosh – it is quite the opposite of concise. Babies require lots and lots of stuff.

I felt very overwhelmed while creating a baby registry, even though I was fortunate enough to be given recommendations from a number of friends. I decided to register on Amazon.com – I’m so glad I did, as it was very convenient to have everything in one place. My list of essential baby items is pretty lengthy. I’ve provided a little description to each item which will hopefully help guide you! If you have further questions, please feel free to email me.

My absolute must-have items are Honest Co. Diapers and Wipes, Medela Contact Nipple Shield, Summer Infant Baby Zoom Wi-Fi Video Monitor, PacaPod Diaper Bag, Fisher-Price Newborn Rock n’ Play Sleeper, MAM Pacifiers, aden + anais Muslin Swaddle Blankets, BABYBJORN Bouncer Balance and Baby Carrier We, Dr. Brown’s Wide Neck Bottles and Bottle Warmer, and Carter’s Onesies. So far, our favorite baby brands have been BABYBJORN, Honest Co. and Dr. Brown’s. We’ve tried a number of different items from each company, and swear by them all!

As part of the 0-6 month baby essentials post, I’m giving away a few of these must-have items (valued at over $400!), including a Dr. Brown’s Bottle Warmer ($45 value), BABYBJORN Bouncer Balance ($160 value), 4 packs of MAM Pacifiers ($25 value), a pack of Carter’s 0-3 mo. Onesies ($25 value) and a PacaPod Diaper Bag ($150 value). One winner will be drawn at random on Friday, November 5 at midnight.* Good luck!

Baby November 19, 2014

Isla at 5 Months

The majority of our 2014 family photos were posted last Monday (read the post here); however, I wanted to take a few non-Christmasy pictures, and I’m glad we did. With a quick outfit change, we moved into more neutral colors and added an Anthropologie headband, A Little Lady bow, a big Geronimo-style balloon, and Thimblepress confetti (this was a big fail, but a good laugh).

Paige of Awake Photography did such an amazing job capturing Isla’s sweet smiles and sassy personality. We took these two days before her 5 month anniversary – I wish she would be able to take each month’s photos! I’m looking forward to taking our ‘big’ family pictures with my family (parents, two sisters, brother-in-law, Sasha, Isla and me) in two weeks time (right before her 6 month anniversary!). My mom even managed to sneak into a few photos from this session! She was so helpful to have with us at Memorial Park.

A little 5 month update, because I think these are sweet! I’ve been capturing all of the milestones in her baby book, but thought I’d share some here. Isla is now officially mobile, and first made her way from one side of the rug to the other the day before her 5 month anniversary (albeit, very slowly). She laughs non-stop – her stomach is so ticklish! She adores when I sing, which is fantastic, as nobody else does. Her favorite story is Good Night, I Love You. She wants to eat everything and certainly will lick whatever comes her way. We still haven’t started solids, as she is still vomiting a lot, but it’s coming soon! She is so much more predictable, although we’d had a few off-nights here and there. Her hair keeps getting longer and longer – it is a legitimate mullet. She is much more observant and I can tell her thoughts are getting much more developed. She still doesn’t like getting into her car seat, but now falls asleep almost every time the engine starts. She’s at home with me every day, but has been going to the Life Time Fitness day care 1-2 times a week and most recently, at Bayou City Fellowship. I had to take her to the pediatrician recently for her erratic breathing that causes me a heart attack. Other than that, she’s a healthy 15 pound baby girl whom we love beyond imagination. I cannot imagine life without our sweet little miss Isla.

I hope you’re having a happy Wednesday and that your week is going well so far!

5 Month Baby Photography Houston Photos 6 Month Texas Park Memorial Balloon Anthropologie Headband J. Crew Paige Budde Awake Photography

Baby October 31, 2014

A Berry Happy Halloween!

Happiest Halloween to you! Isla is dressing up as a strawberry to go trick-or-treating tonight in the neighborhood with her cousins. I must admit, she is not as big a fan of the costume as I am! That stalk hat really rounds it out so nicely, but she is apparently not a hat person.

I wish everyone the best Halloween! I am looking forward to this weekend. We’re getting our family photos taken on Sunday by Paige of Awake Photography, and I’m so excited. I have a handful (or two) of props ready, and cannot wait to get them back.

Are you going trick or treating tonight? If so, what are you or your little one going to be dressed up as?