SoftFlex Natural Nurser {Nuby Product Review}

When it comes to bottles, I am not super picky. What really matters to me is that it is BPA free, doesn't leak, is easy to clean and my baby will take it. The SoftFlex Natural Nurser checked all those boxes, plus they are colored, which I think is cute. The first thing I noticed about this bottle is how, uh, lifelike the nipple is. The hubby and I got a little laugh out of that. Also, I tend to prefer wide necked bottles because they are easier to hold, so I liked that feature. And in the middle of the bottle, there are little indents making it easier for little hands to hold it. Though I will say, this bottle doesn't fit on my breast pump (bummer) which holds traditional wide neck bottles, so it does have a wider neck than the average wide neck bottle...you still following me? Lastly, the measurements on the side are actually made on rather than printed on. This is a huge plus for me because I have had measurements wash off other bottles I have owned, rendering them useless in my book. 

Really all I have to say is, a cute bottle at a great price, what's not to love?! 

And since I know you want to see me in action, here is a little video of me talking about the bottle. 

You can purchase the SoftFlex Natural Nurser online at www.BuyBabyDirect.com, Target and Kmart. And, in honor of Father's Day, from now until June 17th, www.BuyBabyDirect.com is offering free shipping on all purchases over $10. It's the perfect time to pick up a pack of bottles! 

I did not receive any compensation for this post, although as part of the Nuby Mommy Blogger program I may receive items to sample or review. 

American Graffiti

When I think about living in Modesto, I think about living in one of the most miserable cities in the country. But really, there are good things about living in Modesto. One of those good times is each year when graffiti week comes around. You may or may not know that George Lucas is from Modesto and his movie American Graffiti is based on his teenage years in Modesto. Once a year, our city turns into what I would consider traditional American. Every night there is a car show somewhere in the city. And on the weekend is a parade of cars downtown. That is what we went to on Friday night. It was fun and filled me with pride for my city that doesn't have much to be proud of.

About 1000 old cars were in the parade. They threw candy out their windows to the crowds lining the streets. One old car had a coke trailer behind it and was handing out bottles of coke. Engines were revved, tires were spun until smoke filled the air, little kids waved from the back of cars like they were prom kings and queens. It was great fun!

Isla certainly seemed to enjoy herself. She was full of smiles and enjoying her time. Now Connor on the other hand, he seemed to be in sensory overload. After watching the parade for a few minutes, he wanted to be in the stroller with the sun shade closed in front of him. If we tried opening the shade to show him a passing car, he tried closing it again. I don't know what his deal was, but I decided to just leave him be. Hopefully next year he will be a little bit more into the action.

Speaking of next year, in all my years in Modesto, I had never been to the graffiti parade. I'm glad I went and would definitely like to make it a tradition. And one day, if I am lucky, maybe I could be one of the prom queens riding in a car.

What I Wore {nine}

You are probably thinking to yourself, "you were only gone 3 days, how many outfits could you really need?" Just know I took full advantage of changing outfits for dinner and enjoyed getting dressed up every day! 

Day one:

Notice my dress and pants match? I really like that color! 

Sweater: Madewell

Tank: Michael Stars

Jeans: Madewell

Shoes: Steve Madden

Necklace: PacSun

Dress: Anthropologie

Purse: Madewell

Shoes: Diesel

Day two:

Dress: H&M

Leggings: Hollister

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Dress: Diesel

Sweater: hand me down

Belt: from Scotland

Shoes: Diesel

Day three:

Shirt: Urban Outfitters

Jeans: Gap

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Necklace: PacSun

Sunglasses: Juicy Couture

I told you I managed to change a lot! It's back to shorts and t-shirts for me though. 

The Napa Valley Getaway

We are back from our anniversary getaway (even though our anniversary isn't for a couple more weeks). It really was great to get away and enjoy some distraction free time by ourselves. As I said before, this was our first time away by ourselves since having Connor 2.5 years ago. And I'm not going to lie, the first day I was on edge just thinking about what was happening with my children. Were they ok? Was Isla taking a bottle? Was Connor behaving himself? I just kept trying to remind myself that they were in good hands and kept my phone right by me at all times just in case. 


We stayed at an amazing little cottage and had a breakfast basket delivered to our doorstep every morning. How great is that?! Oh, and let me mention how great a complete nights sleep was! Especially since I hadn't experienced one in about a year. It was FABULOUS. Of course, I woke up having to deal with some very full ladies. Speaking of which, I have never liked pumping, I now have quite the disdain for it and quite the respect for those mamas out there that do it on a consistent basis. 

After finding out my kids made it through the first night fine, I was ready to head out for the day. We are random travelers. We don't plan and kind of make things up as we go along. So, we ended up grabbing sandwiches and eating them at a winery that overlooked the valley...we also ignored the posted sign and did not purchase any wine. 

As first time wine country visitors, we did take a tour at one of the wineries. After having to wait because the first tour was sold out (I told you we don't plan ahead!), we ended up getting a tour all to ourselves. What rockstars we are! 

One of my favorite parts of the trip was being able to get dressed up for dinner...don't worry, there will be another post of all my outfits. I enjoyed not having to think about baby access when dressing myself or how difficult it would be to run after a toddler in heels. I just got to get all dressed up and enjoy the company of my husband. It was great. Oh, and our cottage had complementary valet service to dinner. We were like ballers, getting dropped off and picked up! 

I must admit, even though we had a fabulous time, I was ready to get back to my babies...even if a certain little boy didn't hug us when we got home and probably wanted to say at his Papa & Memaw's a little longer. I try to not get offended! 

All in all, I had an amazing time on our little getaway and hope we will do it a little more frequently than every 2.5 years. Of course, next year is our 10 year anniversary so we will have to do something for that!  

Connor is Famous

We went to a car show on Sunday and the photographer from the Modesto Bee took a bunch of pictures of Connor playing in a ginormous, drivable shopping cart. Though the picture didn't make it into the print edition, they did post it online and that's still cool in this mama's eyes.

I showed Connor the picture and asked him who it was and he said "That's Connor...in shopping cart". Such an adorable kid! And such a little thing that only a mama would love!   

That's Why

Ian and I are headed out of town by ourselves for the first time since welcoming children into our lives. It is definitely long overdue. Yet at the same time, it is a huge deal. Putting all my trust in someone to care for my children the way I want them cared for is a big deal. Especially since I have a little girl who still gets up numerous times a night. 

Last night I had this conversation with my mom via text:

It's because of her response that I know my kids will be fine. It doesn't mean I am not nervous that Isla will have a meltdown the middle of the night and refuse a bottle. But it does mean that I know my mom will handle it with love and grace. There is something to be said for leaving your children in the hands of people you know care. 

What Isla Wore {one}

Shirt: Cherokee - hand me down

Shorts: Gap

Shoes: Saltwater - hand me down

Its probably time for someone to do an intervention on me. I did a photoshoot with Isla just because I liked her outfit so much. It was a really great outfit though. One of my friends said last night that it was her favorite outfit she had seen Isla in. See, it really was great!

Isla has so many clothes sources (grandmas, friends, hand me downs) that I never need to buy her clothes. Her wardrobe is a little out of control. I guess we start 'em young! Anyway, these shorts are actually something I bought for her...right after she was born. I love them and was so excited for her to wear them. They are just that freaking cute.

As I've said before, even though I utilize them, dresses and hair bows scare me. This outfit is is true representation of how I would style my adorable little girl.