newborn – Page 6 – Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic

Personal August 13, 2014

Week 4 in Durango

We have almost been in Durango for a month, and time is literally flying by, which is giving me anxiety. I am not ready to return to Houston, although I would give anything to hug my friends and family. In the past week, we have seen multiple deer lingering in our yard and our neighbors, taken (almost) daily walks to the local handcrafted ice cream shop – Cream Bean Berry, gone on 2-mi. morning walks with the beautiful crisp air, finished Photo 101, started Floral Arranging 101, and learning so much in Illustrator 101. We also visited Sutcliffe Vineyards, ate at Carver’s Brewery (dying over their veggie burger), and Sasha’s mom, her friend, my sister, and her boyfriend all visited. It was a busy week, but we enjoyed every second of it. One of my best friends arrives next week with her baby, Lillian, who was born 26 days after Isla. I cannot wait!

Isla’s Baby Gap romper – love that bow at the waist (similar here)

Daily walks to the Animas River with the whole family are the highlight of my day

Jill is already one strike down on the babysitting tally (re: drinking and holding)! // Dinner at Grassburger happens far too often

This is the face she makes when she is gurgling – totally purses her little lips (more of this outfit here)

Isla loves to fist pump in her Gap Star Bubble Bodysuit (now on sale!)

My hair is now in constant pony tails because she loves to grab things – like her dad’s Serbian Orthodox chain necklace

Pattern play in her Carter’s top, Baby Gap striped pants and Trumpette socks

Hanging out on one of her Mimi’s colorful quilts

Belle is in heaven

Straight CHEESIN’ – in her J. Crew tank in flower patch and Baby Gap shorts

I couldn’t love her any more

Going on a walk in my J. Crew tank (I live in these), Nordstrom fedora (similar) and Chloe sunglasses (similar) – Isla’s Baby Gap hat looks like a mushroom here!

Ready to play fetch

Practicing standing with her Tata

One happy little patriotic sailor

I want this Janie and Jack romper for myself! I love the bow on the back

Baby August 8, 2014

Pink Lemonade Party Inspiration

I have long loved bright pink and yellow paired together – à la pink lemonade. When I saw this tank and these shorts on sale at Carters, buying them was a no-brainer. Isla’s outfit reminded me of the cutest Pink Lemonade Soiree I saw ages ago on Hostess with the Mostess. I love the idea of a pink lemonade themed party! I’m getting ahead of myself, but I already let my mind wander to Isla’s first birthday party. These celebrations end up being huge events! See some pictures below for inspiration. Most are from the Pink Lemonade Soiree, others from Kara’s Party Ideas, and others from Pinterest.

What are other cute toddler party themes you’ve seen?

Also, one last reminder that the MAM pacifier giveaway ends tonight at midnight!

Baby August 6, 2014

Isla Loves: MAM Pacifiers (Giveaway)

In the months leading up to Isla’s arrival, Sasha and I had many parenting discussions – some of the them were tough due to varying opinions, like the use of pacifiers. After reading about the various benefits (watch this informative video), I was completely pro-paci. Sasha, on the other hand, was against them. Without any research whatsoever, he deemed them as enabling a bad habit. However, come week one when Isla is crying inconsolably, Sasha immediately scrambles to Isla’s closet, looking for the pacifier drawer. I had stocked up on three brands, given advice from other first-time moms who said that some babies take to different types of teats. The MAM pacifier was the only one Isla liked, as others seemed more difficult to keep in her mouth. If you watch the video below, you can see it come slightly out of her mouth, yet she is able to keep on sucking due to the textured teat.

Quite contrary to Sasha’s declaration that pacifiers mess up teeth, the MAM Perfect Pacifier‘s innovative design incorporates an extra thin, super-soft and flexible nipple specially engineered to reduce the risk of misaligned teeth. The unique Dento-FlexTM nipple neck is 60% thinner and 3 times softer than those of comparable pacifiers; the thinner, softer nipple provides less pressure on baby’s jaw and teeth to help reduce the risk of jaw deformations and malocclusions. Extra small and lightweight, MAM Perfect is available for babies age 0-6 months and age 6 + months. Click here to watch a Perfect Pacifier YouTube video.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJUEQln1ojQ]

I’m excited to be teaming up with MAM to give away two packs of pacifiers to one lucky follower! In order to enter the giveaway, you must do the following:

Reply to this post, including your name, email and who you want to win the pacifier for (a friend’s baby, your child, your grandchild, etc.)
Follow MAM on their Instagram
You will get an extra entry by becoming a follower of Snapshots and My Thoughts (see ‘Follow’ button at the bottom righthand corner on desktop version of the blog)

One winner will be drawn at random. The more entries you have, the higher the chance you’ll win! The giveaway ends at midnight on Friday, August 8. I will announce the winner by Friday. I look forward to your responses!

Follow MAM

Facebook: facebook.com/MAMbabyUSA

Twitter: @MAMBABY

Pinterest: Pinterest.com/MAMUSA

YouTube: Subscribe to MAMbabyUSA

Instagram: instagram.com/mambaby_com

Personal August 5, 2014

Life in Durango & Isla’s Two Month Anniversary

Our first week in Durango was very go-go-go. We’ve gotten into more of a routine by the point, which helps this feel more like home. We’ve established local restaurant favorites – Himalayan Kitchen, Grassburger, Durango Coffee Company, and Cream Bean Berry – and had a schedule for exercise, feeding, sleeping, “working,” etc. Isla is growing by the second – I wish we knew her exact weight, because I feel like she’s doubled in size in the last 8 weeks. She celebrated her two month anniversary on Monday, August 4. I cannot believe it. She is super smiley, gurgles all day long, wants to be “standing” all the time, still spits up everywhere after eating (see bottom photo), does not enjoy tummy time except for the first 1-2 minutes, and is very used to having a camera in her face. Isla’s gassiness is much better now that I’ve cut out all dairy (i.e. become a vegan – ohmygosh I miss cheese!). Her (okay, my) favorite books are Snuggle Puppy and Oh Baby, Go Baby. She is finally getting used to taking a bottle, but I am not a huge fan of pumping! Isla went on her first hike and slept through the entire adventure (typical!). She loves, and I mean loves, sleeping in the BabyBjorn carrier. We are doing CIO (ah!) and had her fall asleep without a peep the last two nights (praying it stays that way!). We’re still learning lots and lots every day. We love her to pieces.

I put together two short videos: here and here

Lastly, the Trumpette giveaway winner is Caron B! Congratulations!

Sasha’s special feeding time // Bloomers by Baby Grace // Happy little Isla

Mesmerized by the sun – I need to get her in some shades quickly

It’s hard to tell, but that onesie was covered in spit up minutes before these photos were taken

Finally taking a bottle – this is a huge accomplishment and relief to me after much resistance

Sleepy girl in my favorite J. Crew onesie // Working on tummy time // Her signature Zoolander look

Our first baby is loving Colorado (perhaps the most!)

After every feeding, Sasha tries to teach Isla to stand – he seems to think this is a requirement at 2 months… crazy man

If Sasha wakes up first, Isla will be wearing her UT onesie

Sasha’s dad drove from Texas (16 hours) for TWO days!

Getting ready for a MAM pacifier giveaway (coming soon!)

I love Baby Gap so much – this dress is one of my favorites

Two months already? How is this happening?

This face is a regular

I couldn’t get enough as you can tell!

Little Miss-chievous Isla

Working hard on that tummy time

Some iPhone snapshots

Braving dinners out on the town with this little unpredictable one – Grassburger is our favorite

Sasha’s hardcore strength training is beginning to work // And that is his repayment // My favorite face in the world

Baby August 1, 2014

Isla’s Newborn Photos by Taylor Lord

When the doorbell rang yesterday, and Sasha came into the living room with a package, I freaked out. Isla’s newborn photos had arrived from Taylor Lord. We opened them, read Taylor’s sweet letter and immediately started looking at each photo, one by one. I love them so much. Taylor captured our happiness and Isla’s sweetness perfectly. I am absolutely terrible at editing down photos, so pardon the large number of pictures in this post, but I had to share my favorites. I love this little girl so much, and I am so happy that the Lord blessed Taylor with such an incredible talent. View Taylor’s website here and her blog here. View details about Isla’s nursery here.

PS We took these over a month ago – Isla is so much bigger by now! It’s crazy how fast they grow.

Oh, and the Trumpette giveaway ends tonight at midnight! Enter here to win a free set of adorable socks!