Man life was different 2 years ago. Do you ever fe Man life was different 2 years ago. Do you ever feel like you miss something but you also don't want it back? I love our life now, too. We don't currently have any toddlers in the house (for now) but I love who my kids are, I love who Josh and I are, and I'm content with that. Sometimes I wish I could revisit these moments tho..
#ad Do you ever worry about what's happening to yo #ad Do you ever worry about what's happening to your skin under your mask but you just try not to think about it because you're just trying to do your part and be a good citizen?? I know I've noticed breakouts where my mask rests on my face and I was so excited when I found a fix.. 

Shikō Beauty Collective (@shikobeautyco), an online marketplace that just launched in the US (!!!) is a go-to for all things Japanese skincare. Their products highlight what Japanese traditional beauty is about: what we put on our skin and body contributes to our overall health. 

INMASK SALON With Mask Point Pack (Sittori), available at Shikō Beauty Collective, protects skin from breakouts, and most importantly, those caused by frequent mask-wearing. 

INMASK SALON With Mask Point Pack (Sittori) not only protects skin from breakouts and makes wrinkles and pores inconspicuous, it also fits to your face perfectly to care for the eyes, nose, and chin. 

INMASK SALON With Mask Point Pack (Sittori) can even be applied while wearing a face mask to maximize its use and self-care benefits OR over makeup! The heart-shaped mask is not only cute, but verrryy practical. 

Hit the link in my bio or stories and use code CHELSEA15 for 15% OFF all Shikō products! @shikobeautyco #ShikoPartner #myshiko
In this adoption process, we're in the education p In this adoption process, we're in the education phase and it's teaching us a lot about parenting as a whole. A lot of things I've felt or suspected but are now being confirmed by the experts ha. 

For example, we can think of kids like a bank. They need affection deposits all throughout the day. And then if/when you ask them to do something they don't want to do (aka make a "withdrawal") they need to have a full account or they're going to start to break down. It happens with kids who have experienced trauma but I think it happens with all kids to be honest. 

I've known for a long time that our kids go to bed easier at night when I've been more intentional during the day, but that doesn't mean I make that happen every time. 

I'm thankful that there's so much research that has been done on child development and we're now in a situation where we're required to study it. Personally, I love learning about this stuff!
Happy birthday Evy! How is our YOUNGEST already FO Happy birthday Evy! How is our YOUNGEST already FOUR?? We had such a fun day celebrating our girl 💕
Since moving to SC, all we've wanted to do is sh Since moving to SC, all we've wanted to do is show it off to our friends and family! 2020 was for sure not the year for that... 

BUT I recently met Samantha (@samantharaisingwildflowers), a mom of 3 gorgeous girls from Tennessee, and I get to show off SC to her virtually!! Samantha and her family LOVE the outdoors which is perfect because we spend so much of our time exploring outside. SC definitely has the weather for it! 

Over the next few weeks, I'm going to be sending Samantha a care package of some of my favorite local SC goodies as well as sharing with her some of our favorite things to do & outdoor activities right here in Greenville so she knows some great spots to hit when she and her family are able to visit #yeahthatgreenville. Stay tuned!

#discoversc #ad #sc #southcarolina
The other day I suprised Josh with this necklace. The other day I suprised Josh with this necklace. Usually I wear jewelry that represents the kids but this time I wanted something that was a symbol of our love - of our promise to each other. I was suprised that when he saw it, he gave me a hug and said he really liked it. I could tell he really meant it. I didn't realize that it would mean that much to him. Thank you @relleryofficial for this beautiful piece that reminds me of my best friend ❤️ (swipe)

Shop Rellery's new Heartful collection and use my code CHELSEA10 for 10% off!
#myrellery #gifted #ethicalfashion
A month ago, I couldn't drop this girl off for an A month ago, I couldn't drop this girl off for an hour on Sundays at Sunday school. BUT - since being in preschool the last month, yesterday she walked into Sunday school, put her hand on another little girl's back, said hi, and sat down next to her. Now I'm starting to be kinda jelly of her social confidence 😆
Guys. I finished the paper work 🙌🏼 Now I can Guys. I finished the paper work 🙌🏼 Now I can only hope it's all correct 😅 Honestly such a weight off, though. I've been trying to train myself to just start the things that overwhelm me because I have a bad habit of putting stressful things off for weeks and feeling the weight of it the entire time. I highly recommend NOT doing that 😂
I felt pretty convicted recently because I was rea I felt pretty convicted recently because I was really dragging my feet getting the last few adoption documents in (bc I was overwhelmed by the complexity of them).But I realized that every day longer it took me to turn it in, it could literally change who we are matched with and the fate of our family & son forever so..
I'm determined to get this paperwork done tonight! 🙏
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Baby, Family, fitness, Kids, Toddler, travel · April 18, 2018

6 Tips For Hiking With A Baby

Hiking has always been a huge part of our lives and one of mine and Josh’s favorite pastimes. We didn’t want the fact that we had little kids keep us from the things that we loved and, in fact, we believe that hiking is great for kids! That being said, there are definitely a few things that we needed to change when we started hiking with kids. Hiking with kids (especially a baby) is a whole new ballgame! Here are some of the tips we’ve learned along the way:

1 | Invest in a quality baby backpack/carrier

During Ev’s first few months, we always hiked with her in a front carrier that we had when David was little but, boy, was that rough on my back! For my birthday, I asked my mom to get us a legit baby backpack to carry her in and we have LOVED it! I don’t think the brand is all that important but I would recommend getting a back carrier with a wedge on the bottom that baby can sit on.  It allows their weight to sit at your hips rather than pulling at your back or shoulders. We’ve also found that even though our carrier is mean to be like a backpack, we can switch it around to the front if we want to.

2 | Pack essentials in a backpack rather than a baby bag

It’d be nice if all you had to remember to bring on your hike was the baby but, sadly, that’s never the case. Babies usually need things. Maybe not lots of things, but they do need them. Things like diapers, wipes, nursing covers or bottles, extra clothes, toys, pacifiers, etc. And you’re not going to want to lug that around in a single shoulder strap baby bag.

3 | Be smart about what you and your baby wear

Take it from this picture, Josh and I haven’t always been prepared when it’s come to hiking with the kids. We took this picture in the middle of August when the weather down at sea-level was sunny and in the 80s. Up in the mountains, though? Totally different story. It was misty and cold and we found ourselves in light sweatshirts with no extras. These next pictures tell a different story:

 

A post shared by Chelsea Damon 🍍 (@chelsealeighdamon) on Feb 17, 2018 at 7:47pm PST

A post shared by Chelsea Damon 🍍 (@chelsealeighdamon) on Feb 10, 2018 at 6:36pm PST


Although one setting was colder than the other, we thought ahead and came prepared in the right clothes. We got this great lamp outfit for Ev which was SUPER warm but loose enough to add a layer of cozy PJs underneath if we wanted her to have extra warmth (I’d also recommend a cold-weather suit like this). It’s also usually a good idea to grab a brimmed cap or bonnet just to give baby’s head come cover in case the weather turns bad unexpectedly.

Secondly, if you’re breastfeeding, be sure to keep that in mind on your hike. While hiking, you might feel most comfortable in a sports bra, which is one of my favorite clothing items in the word to wear. Just make sure that your shirt and bra are loose enough to easily move aside for a hungry baby. Breastfeeding can be tricky when you’re on the trail but having easily adjustable clothing will make things less complicated. I use this nursing cover and freaking LOVE it. It feels light and silky like an athletic wear material which is GREAT during the summer!

4 | Understand just how long your baby can go

This picture makes me laugh because Ev and David were just SO DONE with being outside (even though we had technically just arrived there).

Every baby has his or her limits and no matter how well fed or clean the diaper, that baby is going to want to go home or nap eventually. If you’re lucky, you’ll have a baby that falls asleep effortlessly in the baby carrier. Evy has always been hit or miss. Sometimes we’d be pleasantly surprised because she’d fallen asleep in the carrier without us even knowing and other days there was no mistaking that she just wanted to be home in her crib. Josh and I usually have the expectation that we may need to cut the hike short and head back before Ev (or David, our toddler) gets grumpy, that way we make it home in peace. Every child will be different, just do your best to set your expectations for finishing the hike on what you know your baby to be able to handle.

5 | Take a buddy

Whether you hike with your spouse or a friend, it’s always a good idea to hike with someone else, especially if you have kids with you. I’ve gone on smaller hikes with David and Evy in the past and while it started out nice (like most hikes do) I ended up regretting not going with Josh because BOTH kids wanted to be carried home (I should have seen that coming). Besides just having a helping hand, there’s safety in numbers so it just makes sense to have another person with you and the kids on a hike.

6 | Time your hike wisely

This point goes along with point #4. Like I said, every child has his or her limits but why not start strong by starting a hike first thing in the morning or first thing after naptime? That way, your kids are refreshed, getting outside will more likely be exciting rather than tiring, and you’ll give yourself plenty of time for a great hike before kids get worn out. You might think that you’ll be able to push through naptime and/or your kids can just sleep in the carrier or in the car on the way home but, take it from me, a hike down the mountain is no fun with tired and crying kids.

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In: Baby, Family, fitness, Kids, Toddler, travel · Tagged: advice, baby, backpack, carrier, child, daughter, diapers, easy, family, gear, hike, kids, mountain, noads, pampers, prepared, son, supplies, tips, travel, walk, wipes

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6 Tips for Day Trips With Small Children

Hi! I'm Chelsea and we're the Damon's. We spent the last two years in WA state paying off student loans and just bought our first house in SC! I love a smooth black coffee, Josh's first love is the Seattle Sounders. Our kids are huge dorks and constantly make us laugh and we all love spending as much time outside as possible.

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Man life was different 2 years ago. Do you ever fe Man life was different 2 years ago. Do you ever feel like you miss something but you also don't want it back? I love our life now, too. We don't currently have any toddlers in the house (for now) but I love who my kids are, I love who Josh and I are, and I'm content with that. Sometimes I wish I could revisit these moments tho..
#ad Do you ever worry about what's happening to yo #ad Do you ever worry about what's happening to your skin under your mask but you just try not to think about it because you're just trying to do your part and be a good citizen?? I know I've noticed breakouts where my mask rests on my face and I was so excited when I found a fix.. 

Shikō Beauty Collective (@shikobeautyco), an online marketplace that just launched in the US (!!!) is a go-to for all things Japanese skincare. Their products highlight what Japanese traditional beauty is about: what we put on our skin and body contributes to our overall health. 

INMASK SALON With Mask Point Pack (Sittori), available at Shikō Beauty Collective, protects skin from breakouts, and most importantly, those caused by frequent mask-wearing. 

INMASK SALON With Mask Point Pack (Sittori) not only protects skin from breakouts and makes wrinkles and pores inconspicuous, it also fits to your face perfectly to care for the eyes, nose, and chin. 

INMASK SALON With Mask Point Pack (Sittori) can even be applied while wearing a face mask to maximize its use and self-care benefits OR over makeup! The heart-shaped mask is not only cute, but verrryy practical. 

Hit the link in my bio or stories and use code CHELSEA15 for 15% OFF all Shikō products! @shikobeautyco #ShikoPartner #myshiko
In this adoption process, we're in the education p In this adoption process, we're in the education phase and it's teaching us a lot about parenting as a whole. A lot of things I've felt or suspected but are now being confirmed by the experts ha. 

For example, we can think of kids like a bank. They need affection deposits all throughout the day. And then if/when you ask them to do something they don't want to do (aka make a "withdrawal") they need to have a full account or they're going to start to break down. It happens with kids who have experienced trauma but I think it happens with all kids to be honest. 

I've known for a long time that our kids go to bed easier at night when I've been more intentional during the day, but that doesn't mean I make that happen every time. 

I'm thankful that there's so much research that has been done on child development and we're now in a situation where we're required to study it. Personally, I love learning about this stuff!
Happy birthday Evy! How is our YOUNGEST already FO Happy birthday Evy! How is our YOUNGEST already FOUR?? We had such a fun day celebrating our girl 💕

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Man life was different 2 years ago. Do you ever fe Man life was different 2 years ago. Do you ever feel like you miss something but you also don't want it back? I love our life now, too. We don't currently have any toddlers in the house (for now) but I love who my kids are, I love who Josh and I are, and I'm content with that. Sometimes I wish I could revisit these moments tho..
#ad Do you ever worry about what's happening to yo #ad Do you ever worry about what's happening to your skin under your mask but you just try not to think about it because you're just trying to do your part and be a good citizen?? I know I've noticed breakouts where my mask rests on my face and I was so excited when I found a fix.. 

Shikō Beauty Collective (@shikobeautyco), an online marketplace that just launched in the US (!!!) is a go-to for all things Japanese skincare. Their products highlight what Japanese traditional beauty is about: what we put on our skin and body contributes to our overall health. 

INMASK SALON With Mask Point Pack (Sittori), available at Shikō Beauty Collective, protects skin from breakouts, and most importantly, those caused by frequent mask-wearing. 

INMASK SALON With Mask Point Pack (Sittori) not only protects skin from breakouts and makes wrinkles and pores inconspicuous, it also fits to your face perfectly to care for the eyes, nose, and chin. 

INMASK SALON With Mask Point Pack (Sittori) can even be applied while wearing a face mask to maximize its use and self-care benefits OR over makeup! The heart-shaped mask is not only cute, but verrryy practical. 

Hit the link in my bio or stories and use code CHELSEA15 for 15% OFF all Shikō products! @shikobeautyco #ShikoPartner #myshiko
In this adoption process, we're in the education p In this adoption process, we're in the education phase and it's teaching us a lot about parenting as a whole. A lot of things I've felt or suspected but are now being confirmed by the experts ha. 

For example, we can think of kids like a bank. They need affection deposits all throughout the day. And then if/when you ask them to do something they don't want to do (aka make a "withdrawal") they need to have a full account or they're going to start to break down. It happens with kids who have experienced trauma but I think it happens with all kids to be honest. 

I've known for a long time that our kids go to bed easier at night when I've been more intentional during the day, but that doesn't mean I make that happen every time. 

I'm thankful that there's so much research that has been done on child development and we're now in a situation where we're required to study it. Personally, I love learning about this stuff!
Happy birthday Evy! How is our YOUNGEST already FO Happy birthday Evy! How is our YOUNGEST already FOUR?? We had such a fun day celebrating our girl 💕
Since moving to SC, all we've wanted to do is sh Since moving to SC, all we've wanted to do is show it off to our friends and family! 2020 was for sure not the year for that... 

BUT I recently met Samantha (@samantharaisingwildflowers), a mom of 3 gorgeous girls from Tennessee, and I get to show off SC to her virtually!! Samantha and her family LOVE the outdoors which is perfect because we spend so much of our time exploring outside. SC definitely has the weather for it! 

Over the next few weeks, I'm going to be sending Samantha a care package of some of my favorite local SC goodies as well as sharing with her some of our favorite things to do & outdoor activities right here in Greenville so she knows some great spots to hit when she and her family are able to visit #yeahthatgreenville. Stay tuned!

#discoversc #ad #sc #southcarolina
The other day I suprised Josh with this necklace. The other day I suprised Josh with this necklace. Usually I wear jewelry that represents the kids but this time I wanted something that was a symbol of our love - of our promise to each other. I was suprised that when he saw it, he gave me a hug and said he really liked it. I could tell he really meant it. I didn't realize that it would mean that much to him. Thank you @relleryofficial for this beautiful piece that reminds me of my best friend ❤️ (swipe)

Shop Rellery's new Heartful collection and use my code CHELSEA10 for 10% off!
#myrellery #gifted #ethicalfashion
A month ago, I couldn't drop this girl off for an A month ago, I couldn't drop this girl off for an hour on Sundays at Sunday school. BUT - since being in preschool the last month, yesterday she walked into Sunday school, put her hand on another little girl's back, said hi, and sat down next to her. Now I'm starting to be kinda jelly of her social confidence 😆
Guys. I finished the paper work 🙌🏼 Now I can Guys. I finished the paper work 🙌🏼 Now I can only hope it's all correct 😅 Honestly such a weight off, though. I've been trying to train myself to just start the things that overwhelm me because I have a bad habit of putting stressful things off for weeks and feeling the weight of it the entire time. I highly recommend NOT doing that 😂
I felt pretty convicted recently because I was rea I felt pretty convicted recently because I was really dragging my feet getting the last few adoption documents in (bc I was overwhelmed by the complexity of them).But I realized that every day longer it took me to turn it in, it could literally change who we are matched with and the fate of our family & son forever so..
I'm determined to get this paperwork done tonight! 🙏
I woke up feeling grateful today. Grateful that th I woke up feeling grateful today.
Grateful that the sun is out and the weather's getting warmer.
Grateful that Evy was kicking me in bed. 
Grateful to know Josh would be home from his workout soon and we'd get to talk. 
Grateful for fun projects at work.
Grateful that our sweet neighbors dropped off hand me down bikes for the kids that they were so excited about. 
Aaand grateful that it's Friday.
All the things ❤️

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