Being able to carry a baby is not something I take for granted. I am so, so incredibly grateful for my two daughters and am in awe that our bodies are able to create and grow human life. I am not one who loves being pregnant, but I pray that we’ll be able to go through that journey again at least one more time (calm down, Sasha!). Like everyone else, I try to embrace my growing curves during pregnancy, as that’s a part of the process. After giving birth to both girls, I was on a postpartum high for awhile – especially with Emi. We went on a long walk to the neighborhood park with her only 31 hours after she was born! I was able to workout until the very last day with both girls, so while I was not in peak shape (ha), I felt in shape going into labor. And then baby… and there goes your time (and ability to exercise for awhile!). With both girls, I distinctly remember seeing photos about 5 or 6 weeks postpartum and thinking, “Is that really how I look?!?” Pregnancy had left me with terrible melasma (discoloration on my face, which is very typical for pregnant women to get) and varicose veins, breastfeeding had put stretch marks on my boobs, middle of the night feeds had created deep bags under my eyes, lack of exercise had soften any remaining muscle, and overall exhaustion had seemed to suck the life out my skin (hello, wrinkles!). Things that once never bothered me now did, and I realized that my confidence had taken a big hit. Again, all of this was so worth it! I realize that!

We recently installed Nest cameras in both of the girls’ rooms, and it’s pretty crazy for us to now think about not having a way to watch Isla once her bedroom door is closed (we haven’t since she was about 12 months old!). It’s free entertainment! I will read her stories, say our prayers, kiss her goodnight, then leave the room. And then the magic begins. Ha. Pajama changes, headbands on, new books, more stuffed animals in bed, etc. I feel like we’ve been missing out for ages. But the best part about the Nest cameras are the playback. Isla has had some sweet moments, which I’ve loved listening to over and over and over again (like her prayer I wrote about here), and also some of sheer terror. The other night, I told her that she had to share her Elsa character with Emi, and she started sobbing, told me she didn’t love me anymore, then grabbed her ‘star chart’ and tore it up… which caused even more tears, as she asked me to glue it back together and told me she was so sorry and wanted me to be her mommy again. I laughed and cried re-watching that!

If you follow me on Instagram (@snapshotsandmythoughts), you will be very familiar with Emi’s Lulla Doll. If Emi ever starts to cry, you’ll here Isla running around the house looking for Lulla, then once she’s found her, “Don’t cry, Boo Boo, I’m bringing you Looooooola!” In short: she’s obsessed.  I don’t know if it’s how soft Lulla is, her perfect-to-hold size, how she tastes (kidding, but Emi is always chewing on her), or her soothing heart beat sound, but she helps Emi fall asleep for all of her naps and at bedtime. We bring her everywhere.

Before Emi had her Lulla, she was sleeping with a blanket, typically pulled up close to her face and it made me so nervous. With her doll snuggled next to her, there is so much space for her to breathe, I don’t worry. They are the cutest little sleeping buddies. Also, there is a velcro attachment that tucks into the back pouch in case you want to use it to attach to the crib vs. having her in the crib.

So when my sweet contact at Roro offered to sponsor a post, I said no, because I don’t want to get paid to tell you how much we love her, but… I did want a second Lulla! Ha. We’ve struggled to wash her, since Miss Emilia wants to hold her all day long. I’ve spoken to others who saw Lulla on my Instagram then bought her, and the consensus is in: she is loved by all babies. You can read other stories of babies loving their dolls on their website here.

The Lulla doll costs $69, with $5 shipping in the US. Her heart beat sound is activated by pushing down on the button for 2 seconds. The calming sounds play for eight hours – so I usually go and reset it right before I go to sleep, so that she can hear it all night long. Since we constantly have it on, I found that the batteries didn’t last very long, so I bought this 4-pack of rechargeable AAA batteries and charger. That way two batteries are always in Lulla, and another two are charging.

Others in the ‘new newborn favorites’ series are the Solly Wrap, Owlet Monitor, DockATot and 4Moms Infant Tub.

Yesterday, Emilia celebrated her half-birthday – a holiday reserved for 6 month olds and people whose birthday is on Christmas (looking at you, Meredith!). We spent the morning swimming at my parent’s house in Katy. They’re in Scotland, so we had the place to ourselves! Sasha is a superhuman, so he rode his bike the 20-odd miles there in 90 degree heat (yikes!). Unfortunately, I forgot to grab his clothes he laid out, so the photos I wanted to take of him and the girls didn’t end up happening! Alas, Emi’s 6 month photos are just me, her and Isla (thanks, babe!). 

Since I forgot to do a five month update, I’ve included photos and details on Emi’s life at this two markers. In summary: she’s the biggest blessing I could have imagined and everything I ever prayed for and more. I’ve told Sasha a million times: she’s the dangerous kind that makes you want ten more. If only I could deal with ten more pregnancies! Ha.