October Recap: Halloween

November 28, 2017November 28, 2017Leave a comment

This Halloween, Rob and I decided to dress up the girls as much as possible. After all, a little Hocus Pocus never hurt nobody.

The morning of Halloween, I asked Averie, “What would you like to dress up today?” and she replied, “A fairy, mommy.”

So I got some items from her closet and wa-la…. Fairy Averie.

And for Arya, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, because that’s what I really wanted to go rather than going to work that day.

When I came back home, I wanted them to relax and unwind before trick o treating. Perfect moment for another chance to dress them up.

Averie was Princess Belle

and Arya was Tinkerbell

Did you see what I did there? Belle & Tinker-bell. The bells. I just noticed that. lol

We had them dancing to Halloween songs, just to get them in the mood.

Let me tell you, to get them both ready within an hour is hard. Arya was fussy and Averie did not have a nap and was throwing tantrums.

After it felt like forever, we were ready. Introducing, The Peppas. Mommy pig, Daddy pig, Georg-ina, and Peppa.

Did you notice that this was a DIY costume.

Averie’s dress is an actual t-shirt from the boys section that I cut out. I bought her a long sleeve shirt and stockings. For Rob, I got him a Polo last minute in Walmart. And for me, I bought the dress on sale on Amazon and the long sleeve was bought in Walmart. For Arya, I had a teal long sleeve onsie but after seeing her in the tinkerbell costume I fell in love and left her in that costume instead.

We went around our block but we noticed not many kids were around and the couple of doors we knocked on no one answered. We didnt want Averie to get disappointed so, we ordered pizza to go and headed out to our old neighborhood to trick o treat.

This year was the best, Averie and I were singing along to, “This is Halloween, this is halloween, everyone SCREAM!” and we would scream and laugh.

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Best moment of my night, was when Averie and I got scared together. As we were going to a house it looked like a statue was holding candy with a bucket, and all of the sudden it moved! “AHHHHH” we got scared as it began to wave, to our surprise it was only a lady dressed up. She got us real good.

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This Halloween it was one to remember. Averie told us “Thank you Mommy & Daddy. Had so much fun!”

-The Mominista

My Maternity Shoot

July 28, 2017July 28, 2017Leave a comment

Before I became a mother I always envisioned my maternity shoot. It would go something like this, a beautiful sunny day, a light breeze; with love ones surrounding me and the feeling of empowerment by what I was creating inside. On April 15, 2017 this was the day that I felt all of that.

I have the best mom friends, Michelle and Yesenia surprised me a week before this day and told me “SURPRISE, you have a photoshoot on this date, time and oh, we got you a dress. So don’t stress!” My eyes watered, my jaw fell to the floor, and I let out a scream of excitement! I literally, could not believe it.

I had never done a professional photoshoot before and Rosa, photographer of Perfect Love Photography is beyond amazing to work with. She clearly knows how to work with kids because she was able to capture my toddler smiling in pictures while she was running around. She had Averie entertained and laughing throughout the entire shoot. I appreciate that she had patience and played with her. She made me feel relaxed in all of our shots and made us laugh when I would make an awkward pose and we would adjust to it.

Our photos came out amazing filled with the most beautiful warm natural lighting, just like I envisioned. If it wasn’t for my mommy friends I literally wouldn’t have this magical moment captured. I am truly grateful for this gift given to my family.

– The Mominista

5 Must Have’s During Pregnancy

July 19, 2017July 19, 2017Leave a comment

Once you find out you are pregnant all excitement begins and you IMMEDIATELY want to start shopping for … the baby. But hold on baby girl; let’s get YOUR essential items first. You’ll thank me for this post later! You are welcome.

So for me, once I knew I was pregnant again, right away I told myself, “Oh shit I need….”

Maternity bra that will eventually be a nursing bra. Image via Walmart.com I’m a mommy on a budget. So Walmart was the place I found my maternity/nursing bra. My tip is if you are a C cup know that during pregnancy you will go up a size. So choose a bigger cup, you’ll thank me later. For both of my pregnancy’s I have used, Loving Moments by Leading Lady Maternity Wirefree Sport Nursing Bra with Padded Comfort Straps and Full Sling. It is comfortable and adjustable.
Maternity Underwear Image via Walmart.comOnce again, Walmart comes in handy. Just recently I used, Great Expectations Maternity Over the Belly 2 Pack Seamless Panties and they were life savers. They hugged my big ol’ belly just right and they were super comfortable, didn’t feel like I was wearing anything. And that’s an awesome feeling for a preggo! What I LOVED about it was the fact that it came in a 2 pack deal!
Pregnancy pants Image via oldnavy.com Old Navy saved me both times for my pregnancy. I love skinny jeans/pants and they cater to maternity women’s fashion. If you are not sure what pants you should buy give Old Navy’s Maternity Full-Panel Skinny Jeans a try. The waistband hugs the belly in all the right places and the jeans are fitted just like you were non pregnant.
Maxi Dress Image via oldnavy.comI am telling you now; it must have some type of opening in the front. Eventually, you will want to breastfeed. Easy access, duh! Plus, when you are SUPER pregnant, usually when you are around 35 weeks, you will end up blowing up big time (you will look like a turtle and feel like a whale I’m just being honest) and the last thing on your mind is trying to decide what fits you by figuring out what to wear. You will rather just throw something on and go on your way because walking takes a bit of time and you are already running late. Same thing happens after you give birth, you want to feel comfortable. What is fashionable and convenient? Take a look at this Old Navy Maternity Side-Slit Henley Maxi Dress. It has 3 buttons that you can open and breastfeed your child. You both win!
Sandals Image via Adidas.comImage via newbalance.com
I swore that I will never get canckles during pregnancy because I would be an active mommy. HA! HA! HA! Yeah right! No matter if you are sitting, running behind a toddler, or exercising. Your feet will get swollen and that shit hurts! So I am telling you now, go buy sandals! Wide width will be your friend! Preferably like the one above, from Adidas, Women’s Training Adilette Ultra Slides. Oh! and remember you will possibly need a bigger size. During both of my pregnancy, my foot got so swollen I was a size 10 – 10.5 and non-pregnant I am a 9 in shoes. You can also get sandals with adjustable strap, New Balance PureAlign Slide. This helped me so much at the office when I couldn’t fit into the Adidas. Yes, they got real bad.

So, that’s it. Those were my top 5 items needed during pregnancy. Happy shopping and enjoy your pregnancy.

– The Mominista