#Rude

What a crazy week this has been!  My sweet Sloany came down with the flu on Wednesday and I have seriously never seen so much vomit in my life.  And actually, I've never worn so much vomit in my life either (insert sighing/frazzled sad face emoji here).  On our way home from ballet on Wednesday, Sloan began projectile vomiting in the car.  And when I say projectile... I mean hitting the back of the passenger seat in front of her (TMI?!).  Puke managed to get into every tiny little crevice of my car and after Eric and I both tried cleaning it out I am seriously wondering if it would be easier to just light the car on fire and buy a new one.  Once we got home she continued throwing up (on me) and soon had a fever, chills, and body aches.  It was so sad seeing my usually perky girl look so lifeless and weak.  Kids just shouldn't be allowed to get sick, it's not fair!

Tutus and topknots at ballet.

We haven't left the house (or gotten out of our pajamas) since ballet on Wednesday and I think it's safe to say we're starting to go a little stir crazy.   I've been doing my best to keep Sloan busy, while also trying to force her to lay low and rest.  We've read and re-read every book in our house and we now have a pretend Target in our front entry way.  The three things Sloan always needs from Target?  Dog food, bagels, and Mama wine.  Those seem like necessities to me.  Yesterday while playing Target, Sloan looked at me and said, "Mom, your hair in a ponytail?"  I said, "Yeah, this is called a topknot.  Do you like it?"  She squinted her eyes and very slowly replied, "Welllllllll... not really."  #rude

Speaking of Target... I would kill for a Target run right about now.  Actually I'd love to go anywhere right now!  Although the last few days have been rough, Sloan seems to be on the mend and I am so ready to have her healthy again.  Now I'll just cross my fingers Phayre doesn't get sick!

If you've been patiently waiting for a Sloan and Co. restock, I have good news!  I have slowly been working on bracelets and will have a ton ready to ship bracelets in the next week or so!  There will be princesses and Valentines Day items available!  Make sure you're following us on Instagram for updates (@sloan_and_co)!

And hey, it's Friday!   So cheers mamas, drink an extra glass of wine for me!  Actually that won't be necessary, I'm sure I'll drink plenty ;).

Xo

Marisa

Phayre's Baptism

Or sweet Phayre Golda was baptized this past Sunday and it was such a beautiful day! Definitely a day I'll never forget and one that must be documented!  We had Phayre baptized in the same church that Eric and I were married in almost seven years ago.  Sloan and I were also baptized there two years ago, so it's a very special church to us.  We were surrounded by our family and closest friends.  We chose two very special friends to be Phayre's Godparents and they stood up with us as we accepted the responsibilities to help guide her in faith.  It was just so special, I can't quite put into words how much I loved that day.

Phayre really is an easy going baby and her baptism was no exception.  She cooed and looked around while the Pastor held her and spoke to the congregation.  She didn't even make a peep when he poured water over her head!  As soon as she was baptized, she fell asleep and slept for the rest of the service (seriously, she's the sweetest!).

I am just so incredibly thankful for the supportive family and friends that we have in our lives.  My girls are so lucky to have so many people in their lives who love them.  God is good and I am abundantly thankful for all of the blessings he has given me!

Phayre's baptismal gown is from a local boutique.  Her headband is from A Little Lady Shop and her Bracelet is from Classy Mama Designs.

Xo

Marisa

Minbie Bottles // Product Review

I feel so lucky that breast feeding is going so well for Phayre and I.  She is five months old and exclusively breast fed; I'm really proud of that!  BUT, let's be honest... I wouldn't mind having the hubs help with a feeding here or there (especially those that happen in the middle of the night... thank you four month sleep regression).

Theres the old saying, "if it aint broke, don't fix it."  Well, that's sort of how I've gone about breast feeding.  Nursing is going so well, I haven't felt the need to pump and feed Phayre from a bottle.  This also makes it very hard for me to be away from my little Phayre Bear.  Like ever.  I love her to death, but let's be honest... she's my little ball and chain.  A very very cute ball and chain I might add :).  At some point I know a bottle is going to be necessary though.  Hello, we NEED a date night!

This week we tried the Minbie bottle with Phayre and she took it no problem!  I mean girl never misses a meal so I wasn't terribly nervous, but she didn't even think twice and latched right on!  She didn't have any issue breast feeding after she had taken the bottle which was my number one concern when offering her a bottle. Looks like this mama just gained a little freedom.  Ok at least a date night!!

Eric really enjoyed feeding her and now Sloan asks constantly if she can feed her baby sister!

 

The Minbie has won several design awards and is made to ease the transition between breast and bottle.  Perfect for someone like me who wants to feed my baby with both.  Minbie bottles promote the all-important instinctive breastfeeding technique, so the experience is smoother and less confusing for your baby.  Bottom line, you don't have to worry about them refusing the breast after drinking from a bottle!  I chose the glass bottle and it's also really comfortable for the parent to hold.

Minbie is Australian designed and owned, but they have a distribution center in the US so you can order online and get your bottles pretty quickly!

You can visit their website here.  Also, check out their social media platforms: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

Xo,

Marisa

Resolutions.

Ahh I cannot believe 2015 is coming to an end and we are getting ready to celebrate New Years Eve and welcome 2016!  With a new year, comes new resolutions.  I'm not one to usually make resolutions, but this year I felt like I wanted to.  There are things I would love to work on and maybe putting them in writing will motivate me to really follow through!

1. BALANCE
My number one goal or resolution for 2016 is to find a better work/life balance.  Sloan and Co. has become so much bigger than I ever imagined and while I am so incredibly thankful, my work often comes at the expense of my family.  I'm a stay at home mama, but I also feel the need to have something for myself and SAC has really fulfilled that need.  I have already started making some changes and I am really excited for the future of SAC!

2. LIVE IN THE MOMENT/APPRECIATE THE SMALL THINGS
I know when my babies are grown and I'm reminiscing about what our life was like, I'm not going to remember what clothes they were wearing or what things we had.  I really want to focus on the small moments of joy with my girls and be able to just live in those moments without being distracted by things that don't really matter.  I'm not saying I'm never going to buy a ridiculously cute (and overpriced) bonnet or stay up late searching for the PERFECT birthday dress, but I am going to work on focusing on what's really important: my family and the time I spend with them!

3. GET HEALTHY!
You guys, postpartum has not been as kind to me the second time around.  I basically use breast feeding as an excuse to eat and drink anything and the pounds are not just falling off this time!  If I'm being totally honest, I want to feel better about myself and I'd love for all of my clothes to fit again!  Walking into my closet these days is kind of depressing!  And outside of being vein, I want to set a healthy example for my girls and have more energy to run around with them!  I want exercise to become a regular part of my life again, to cook healthy meals, and to drink more water.  It all sounds so doable... I need to get motivated!  Let's go Marisa!!

Three resolutions seems like plenty and I want to actually stick to these so I better leave it at that.

I'm super excited for New Years Eve this year!  We're heading to our friends house for a fancy (kid friendly) dinner!  We'll be home by bedtime, but there will be plenty of time for noisemakers and silly NYE hats :).  Oh and champagne!  Lots of champagne!  I am so excited to party with my girls and the hubs.  I hope you all have a fun and safe New Years Eve as well and WELCOME 2016 (I know you're going to be a good one!)!!!

Xo

Marisa

And because I'm trying to make sure my children are the most festively dressed people on the planet...

Pop, Fizz, Clink shirt and Onesie.  Part Hats.  Firt New Years sticker.