I can’t get this Cap Cana dress by Troubadour Clothing (out of Charleston, SC) out of my mind. I think it’s just THE most perfect frock for any possible spring/summer social engagement.

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• troubadour clothing
• cap cana dress

May 3, 2012: at Jazzfest in New Orleans with my favorites

May 3, 2013: Cuddled up with my newest favorite

“Having a child is surely the most beautifully irrational act that two people in love can commit.” - Bill Cosby

This is a quick post. Nora is in the middle of her 6 week growth spurt and demands to be fed almost every hour. Send sleep and hope and prayers and happy baby fairy dust!

These Victoria’s Secret Essential V-Neck tees are the bees knees. They are nice and long and come in an array of fantastic colors. I wear them pretty much 24/7.

I’m kind of obsessed with these bibs by Kissy Kissy. They are so sweet and since baby spit up is a little unpredictable, I think they are a cute option if she’s going to be wearing a bib anyways. Kissy Kissy also makes some really nice baby clothes and receiving blankets, but if you’re going to get one thing from them, I’d definitely go with the bibs. These are also a great idea for a baby gift since they are a little on the pricier end when it comes to bibs.

See how cute:

(pic from my instagram. Follow me @thedailyjulie)

And finally, I have a question for all you mamas out there: How long did it take you to get back to your pre-baby body. I’m heading back to work in 4.5 weeks and with 12 pounds still to lose, I am living in fear that I’m going to have to get all new work clothes so I don’t look like a stuffed sausage in a pencil skirt. I’d love some perspective/advice on the matter.

Nora turned one month old the past Saturday. ONE MONTH!!!! I have to live each day and sleepless night hour by hour or I think I might go crazy, so it’s nuts to think that a whole month has already passed. Granted, it’s been the longest month of my life, but time marches on. We go in for her one month check up later today, andI can definitely tell that homegirl is much bigger than she was when we brought her home from the NICU. Exciting!

Anywho, there have been a few items I’ve reached for again and again to help me survive this past month. And trust me, the first month is all about survival - baby’s and yours.

My Brest Friend

Dumb/kind of funny name, awesome product. I started using this on day 3 three of Nora’s stint in the NICU. It’s when they took her off her IV and let me start breastfeeding her. It was essential for saving my back on those long days at the hospital and I continue to use it at home. I like the support it offer during the day, but it really shines during the night time feedings when all I want to do is pass out in the glider. My brest friend saves the day night by supporting the baby and my elbows.

Baby Connect App

It’s $5, which is $5 more than I normally pay for apps, but it is SO helpful tracking her feedings and diapers (and a million other things, but I just use it for those two), so I don’t look like a doofus who doesn’t know anything about her baby at the pediatrician’s office. Also, this app is crucial in letting me know which boob was the last one used. I can’t keep track.

Online Grocery Shopping

I use the service at Harris Teeter, but Lowes Foods also has one. It has been a total game changer. I just add all the items on my grocery list to my virtual cart, select my pick up time, they call me when it’s ready and I drive over to the grocery store. They have a special lane for online orders and bring all my groceries out to the car and have a portable credit card machine so I don’t actually have to ever get out of the car. I was little worried that my produce items would not be the ones I would have necessarily selected but I am pleased to report that my bananas have been satisfactory and they haven’t given me a single rock hard avocado. Extra bonus: My orders are saved so I can see what I bought last week and any week before, which makes reordering a breeze!

Motorola Wireless Baby Monitor

This monitor is the jam. It’s wireless with a video monitor and sound, so I can tote it around the house during the day and know what Nora is doing at any moment. It also has a feature so I can talk to her through the monitor which is especially handy if say I’m on the toilet and she starts crying so I can sing her a little song and let her know I’m coming ASAP. She naps in her pack and play and it’s nice to have a little freedom to get ish done (when I’m not napping myself) with two free hands while being able to keep an eye on her without actually having to be right by her side at all times. It’s also great at night because Nora sleeps in her own room, so if i hear her start moving around, I can check on the video monitor to see if she’s legit awake and hungry and just doing her newborn squirms and cooing.

Target Nursing Sleep Bras

Speaking of sleep. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! When I take my more appropriately named evening naps, these Target nursing sleep bras have been so great. I wear these and some boy shorts and am comfy, the girls are contained, and it’s pretty easy to get myself arranged to feed Nora with minimal effort.

New Mama Bottom Spray

It was just last week that I stopped wearing maxi pads every singe day. Did I mention my daughter is a month old? Anyway without getting TMI, I received this as a baby shower gift and I much preferred it to the spray stuff they give you at the hospital.

Swaddle Me Wraps

I have about six of these and I would say that’s a good number to have. Nora gets swaddled up all night which helps her sleep a little better. I mean, she still wants to eat every three hours, but I think swaddling her nice and securely helps her stay asleep the full three hours (most of the time). You can swaddle with regular blankets but  newborns are like mini Houdinis and the velcro closures on these swaddle me wraps are nonnegotiable to make sure the little bugger stays put. Oh, and six might sound like a lot but when you factor in spit up that will get on it and diaper blowouts, you want to have plenty of backup!

Aden and Anais muslin blankets

These are just all around great blankets. You can use them as receiving blankets, swaddle wraps (I swaddle Nora in these during the day using a loose swaddle that she will inevitably break free from. I like to think that the different swaddling helps  her distinguish between night and day a little better), baby blankets, burp cloths, or anything else you might need a piece of fabric for your newborn. These will be your go to blankets. And I’ve washed mine a bunch and am pleased to say the prints on them are just as vibrant as they were the day we got them.

The other essentials (Netflix, the internet…) and some are things that you can’t buy - drinking TONS of water, COFFEE, a fantastic support netwrok (I would not have survived the week of Nora in the NICU had it not been for my family, friends and neighbors that brought over lots of food, warm meals, and warm words), and making a little time for yourself, even if it means just getting to brush your teeth while the baby cries for a teensy bit.

What was essential for you to survive the first month+ with a new baby?

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I need some help y’all.

95% of my wardrobe these days revolves around “lounge clothes” (i.e. workout/yoga clothes that I don’t actually work out in) and I need shoes to wear  on the rare occasion that life calls me out of the house (so far, that would just be to my newfound breastfeeding support group). My flip flops seem weird and tennis shoes are too much.

I need something that I can slip off and on that looks normal with cropped leggings and vneck tees. Whatchu got?