Happy 6th birthday to the OG sister! There's no be Happy 6th birthday to the OG sister! There's no better feeling than getting to know the wonderful person she is growing into. We're so proud of this girl!! 6 is going to be a great year 💕
I'd want to sleep all day, too, if I were up every I'd want to sleep all day, too, if I were up every hour last night 🙃🙃 

Outfit @honest 🦋
Anyone see our other kids lately?? 😜 You know, Anyone see our other kids lately?? 😜 You know, it's so funny how some parts of the newborn phase have been like muscle memory and others have been like we've had our first born all over again. 

We were worried about how David and Evy would feel with this new family member but they have been so sweet that it brings tears to my eyes to put it into words. I was especially worried about Ev being supplanted as the youngest but, honestly, being the big sister suits her SO well and I think she's been loving it, too. 

I've also loved getting to experience this again with Josh. The way you band together during the newborn phase especially is very bonding. You rely on each other deeply and it's not always cute or pretty. 

Super grateful 💗
To the best big brother and sister. Cleo is going To the best big brother and sister. Cleo is going to think she has the coolest, smartest, bravest big siblings in the world, and she's not wrong 😉
She's here 🌷 Cleo Renée was born 2 weeks early She's here 🌷 Cleo Renée was born 2 weeks early on Saturday March 11 at 1:52 in the morning. 

Josh and I just had a feeling about that day (Friday), so we kept the kids out of school, went out to breakfast, and just spent our last day together as a family of four. 

My contractions started right after my 38 week appointment that morning and progressed throughout the day until around 4pm when I thought, "Mmk, I'm starting to really need to breathe through these. Better go in."

I was so convinced they were going to turn us away that it really didn't hit me that we were actually going to meet our girl that night until we'd been there for a few hours already. 

Baby girl ended up being 7lbs 15oz and 20in long!

We are all so in love. David and Evy are OBSESSED. A few times their friends have come to the door to ask them to play and they've said they'd rather stay home with the baby 😄

We are so blessed and thankful for this little girl ❤️
How to use a French hair pin. I love these things How to use a French hair pin. I love these things because they can hold up even my thick and chunky hair and I don't have a large clip sticking off the back of my head (don't get me wrong, I love a good hair clip, too)! Have you tried one yet??
This season of waiting has been weird. But I’m s This season of waiting has been weird. But I’m so grateful for it.

On the one hand, there’s so much to do to get ready for little one to join us—it’s been a while since we’ve had a newborn! I’m spending most of my free time writing and nesting, nesting and writing. 

And then on the other hand, I’m feeling pretty ready to have my body back. And by that, I mean just to be done literally sharing it with another being. You start to miss things after a while like being able to breathe when you lay on your back or not getting indigestion for eating a few grapes. 

Overall, there’s so much to be thankful for. Each little inconvenience is a blessing and I’m happy they’re there. I’ll also be happy when they’re over. For now, I’m just savoring being a mom of “older kids” (8 and going on 6) that can grab their own snacks from time to time and put on their own shoes. We’re going to be heading back to square one in a couple months and I’m sure there’s a lot we’ve forgotten!
Naturally, when we see a need, we rush in to fill Naturally, when we see a need, we rush in to fill it and fix it. On top of this, it’s hard for us to ask for help because we don’t want to be a burden to others. 

But in the process of meeting everyone else’s needs and neglecting our own (especially our need for rest), we often become bitter towards the ones we’re helping.

Instead, one of the best things we can do as a wife or mother is to assess our own needs and make sure to leave space to meet them ourself or to ask for what we need. 

It might be time to rest, help with the next meal, time alone to pray and meditate on God’s word, or allowing yourself to leave a task un-done so you can “selfishly” enjoy a hobby of yours like the rest of your family gets to do. 

In the end, making room to find joy each day may be one of the best things you do for your relationships.
30 weeks and counting down the days til we meet yo 30 weeks and counting down the days til we meet you. We *think* we've finally settled on a first name after non-stop back-and-forth and brainstorming. Any guesses?? Or.. what are your favorite baby girl names right now??
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Baby, Motherhood, Sponsored · March 19, 2019

The Best Tips + Packing List for Hiking with Kids and Babies

As a general rule, the idea is to pack smart. Don’t pack more than you need as you’ll probably be the one carrying it all back, but do keep certain scenarios in mind like hunger, bathroom breaks, weather, etc.

When Josh and I got pregnant, we knew that we didn’t want our lives to look all that much different than they did before we had kids. We loved getting out and trying new restaurants, hiking exploring new cities. And we decided that our kids would just come along for the ride once they joined the fam.

So while we still try to do a lot of the things we did before kids, we’ve had to make a few modifications. We, of course, can’t do an 11-mile hike in one day with both kids

The more obvious things to pack

Here are a few things that you would probably bring with you anywhere, but are especially essential if you’re going to be out in the middle of nowhere with kids:

  • Extra diapers
  • A zip-up outfit (easier to pack and lighter than an entirely new outfit, am I right?)
  • Extra pair of shoes. Although it might be ok to keep these in the car for after the hike in case you’re planning on grabbing a bite to eat or running errands before going home. I don’t know how many extra pairs of shoes we have in our car but I’m confident a pair will always be there when we need them.
  • Water/formula
  • Snacks. No one likes being out with a hungry toddler. Especially the hungry toddler. Bonus points if this is a treat the kids can look forward to like homemade trail mix.

The not-so-obvious things to pack/gear you’ll need

  • A hat to protect from sun or rain, should it become an issue.
  • Jacket. Depending on where you’re hiking, it could be cold and windy at the end of your hike! Josh and I have had to endure freezing hikes because we gave our sweatshirts to the kids (because the base camp was warm and the top was very much not).
  • A quality baby carrier/backpack
As a general rule, the idea is to pack smart. Don’t pack more than you need as you’ll probably be the one carrying it all back, but do keep certain scenarios in mind like hunger, bathroom breaks, weather, etc.

We have the Chicco SmartSupport Backpack. I love this baby backpack because it does and will grow with the kids. If I’m going to spend money on baby gear, I hate the idea of only using it for a few months and then giving it away or keeping it in storage.

The Chicco SmartSupport Backpack is wonderful because, at the moment, we can use it carry BOTH Evy and David! It holds up to 40 lbs and David, the peanut that he is, is still under the weight limit. Which is great for us because half the time when we expect to use this backpack, we think it’ll be for Evy when- just kidding- David is the one who is completely done with walking.

I also can sometimes have a bad back and I need all the support I can get when carrying the kids. This backpack has an aluminum frame, making it extremely light, as well as lumbar support so your back isn’t killing you at the end of your walk.

I also love that the Chicco SmartSupport Backpack also has an adjustable canopy that can help provide shade from the sun or rain if that becomes an issue during your hike. I also find it’s freestanding ability really useful when we stop for breaks or a snack!

Overall, Josh and I love to use this backpack for long and short walks with the kids, and the kids love hitching a ride to the end of the hike.

As a general rule, the idea is to pack smart. Don’t pack more than you need as you’ll probably be the one carrying it all back, but do keep certain scenarios in mind like hunger, bathroom breaks, weather, etc.

Here are some pro-tips:

  • Beware taking your kids on a hike you’re not familiar with, try a trial run when it’s just you and your partner.
  • Be sure to download the map of the area you’ll be hiking on your phone in before you lose service. This has been a lifesaver for us when traveling in the past!
  • Keep in mind the time it’ll take to get back. Kids only last so long, you don’t want to find yourself in the place that’s furthest from where you started when kids begin to break down. If can make it to your turnaround point while the kids are still enjoying your hike, you might just make it back without having to carry tired and grumpy babies.
  • Plan the time you start your hike. Of course, any seasoned parent knows that when you leave the house with kids, you need to budget enough time to make it home before nap/bedtime. Generally, I feel like our kids are way more up for adventures in the morning so try getting out early!
  • Don’t rush it. If you have it in your head that you want to complete the entire hike, you might need to be a little flexible with that goal. Also, be sure to take your time and enjoy the hike! When your kids stop to look at the sticks and leaves, look at it with them. Yes, your hike will take longer. But I’ve found that if we keep the attitude of our hike positive and exciting, the kids last way longer than if we try to rush them to make it to the end.
  • Make it a game. Toddlers love challenges! If you can create a scavenger hunt (or if you forget to plan one, a game of “I spy”), the kids will be much more focused on the fun rather than keeping up with mom and dad.
As a general rule, the idea is to pack smart. Don’t pack more than you need as you’ll probably be the one carrying it all back, but do keep certain scenarios in mind like hunger, bathroom breaks, weather, etc.

As a general rule, the idea is to pack smart. Don’t pack more than you need as you’ll probably be the one carrying it all back, but do keep certain scenarios in mind like hunger, bathroom breaks, weather, etc.

After a few hikes, you’ll find that investing in a couple high-quality pieces of gear will go a long way and serve your family for years to come. We love using our Chicco SmartSupport Backpack because we know it’s strong enough to hold the kids and light enough to take anywhere. Pick one up for your next walk through town or grand adventure!

As a general rule, the idea is to pack smart. Don’t pack more than you need as you’ll probably be the one carrying it all back, but do keep certain scenarios in mind like hunger, bathroom breaks, weather, etc.

In: Baby, Motherhood, Sponsored · Tagged: 40 lbs, baby, backpack, carrier, chicco, inexpensixe, noads, pack, quality, review, toddler, travel

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Comments

  1. SENECA says

    May 18, 2020 at 6:05 am

    I have been on the hunt for a hiking backpack! I think you’ve got me sold! This one seems awesome with great features and an unbeatable price! Thank you for sharing!
    Seneca | SENECAWELKER. COM
    https://www.senecawelker.com/

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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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Happy 6th birthday to the OG sister! There's no be Happy 6th birthday to the OG sister! There's no better feeling than getting to know the wonderful person she is growing into. We're so proud of this girl!! 6 is going to be a great year 💕
I'd want to sleep all day, too, if I were up every I'd want to sleep all day, too, if I were up every hour last night 🙃🙃 

Outfit @honest 🦋
Anyone see our other kids lately?? 😜 You know, Anyone see our other kids lately?? 😜 You know, it's so funny how some parts of the newborn phase have been like muscle memory and others have been like we've had our first born all over again. 

We were worried about how David and Evy would feel with this new family member but they have been so sweet that it brings tears to my eyes to put it into words. I was especially worried about Ev being supplanted as the youngest but, honestly, being the big sister suits her SO well and I think she's been loving it, too. 

I've also loved getting to experience this again with Josh. The way you band together during the newborn phase especially is very bonding. You rely on each other deeply and it's not always cute or pretty. 

Super grateful 💗
To the best big brother and sister. Cleo is going To the best big brother and sister. Cleo is going to think she has the coolest, smartest, bravest big siblings in the world, and she's not wrong 😉

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Happy 6th birthday to the OG sister! There's no be Happy 6th birthday to the OG sister! There's no better feeling than getting to know the wonderful person she is growing into. We're so proud of this girl!! 6 is going to be a great year 💕
I'd want to sleep all day, too, if I were up every I'd want to sleep all day, too, if I were up every hour last night 🙃🙃 

Outfit @honest 🦋
Anyone see our other kids lately?? 😜 You know, Anyone see our other kids lately?? 😜 You know, it's so funny how some parts of the newborn phase have been like muscle memory and others have been like we've had our first born all over again. 

We were worried about how David and Evy would feel with this new family member but they have been so sweet that it brings tears to my eyes to put it into words. I was especially worried about Ev being supplanted as the youngest but, honestly, being the big sister suits her SO well and I think she's been loving it, too. 

I've also loved getting to experience this again with Josh. The way you band together during the newborn phase especially is very bonding. You rely on each other deeply and it's not always cute or pretty. 

Super grateful 💗
To the best big brother and sister. Cleo is going To the best big brother and sister. Cleo is going to think she has the coolest, smartest, bravest big siblings in the world, and she's not wrong 😉
She's here 🌷 Cleo Renée was born 2 weeks early She's here 🌷 Cleo Renée was born 2 weeks early on Saturday March 11 at 1:52 in the morning. 

Josh and I just had a feeling about that day (Friday), so we kept the kids out of school, went out to breakfast, and just spent our last day together as a family of four. 

My contractions started right after my 38 week appointment that morning and progressed throughout the day until around 4pm when I thought, "Mmk, I'm starting to really need to breathe through these. Better go in."

I was so convinced they were going to turn us away that it really didn't hit me that we were actually going to meet our girl that night until we'd been there for a few hours already. 

Baby girl ended up being 7lbs 15oz and 20in long!

We are all so in love. David and Evy are OBSESSED. A few times their friends have come to the door to ask them to play and they've said they'd rather stay home with the baby 😄

We are so blessed and thankful for this little girl ❤️
How to use a French hair pin. I love these things How to use a French hair pin. I love these things because they can hold up even my thick and chunky hair and I don't have a large clip sticking off the back of my head (don't get me wrong, I love a good hair clip, too)! Have you tried one yet??
This season of waiting has been weird. But I’m s This season of waiting has been weird. But I’m so grateful for it.

On the one hand, there’s so much to do to get ready for little one to join us—it’s been a while since we’ve had a newborn! I’m spending most of my free time writing and nesting, nesting and writing. 

And then on the other hand, I’m feeling pretty ready to have my body back. And by that, I mean just to be done literally sharing it with another being. You start to miss things after a while like being able to breathe when you lay on your back or not getting indigestion for eating a few grapes. 

Overall, there’s so much to be thankful for. Each little inconvenience is a blessing and I’m happy they’re there. I’ll also be happy when they’re over. For now, I’m just savoring being a mom of “older kids” (8 and going on 6) that can grab their own snacks from time to time and put on their own shoes. We’re going to be heading back to square one in a couple months and I’m sure there’s a lot we’ve forgotten!
Naturally, when we see a need, we rush in to fill Naturally, when we see a need, we rush in to fill it and fix it. On top of this, it’s hard for us to ask for help because we don’t want to be a burden to others. 

But in the process of meeting everyone else’s needs and neglecting our own (especially our need for rest), we often become bitter towards the ones we’re helping.

Instead, one of the best things we can do as a wife or mother is to assess our own needs and make sure to leave space to meet them ourself or to ask for what we need. 

It might be time to rest, help with the next meal, time alone to pray and meditate on God’s word, or allowing yourself to leave a task un-done so you can “selfishly” enjoy a hobby of yours like the rest of your family gets to do. 

In the end, making room to find joy each day may be one of the best things you do for your relationships.
30 weeks and counting down the days til we meet yo 30 weeks and counting down the days til we meet you. We *think* we've finally settled on a first name after non-stop back-and-forth and brainstorming. Any guesses?? Or.. what are your favorite baby girl names right now??
Saturday highlights 🖤 We've been trying to be s Saturday highlights 🖤 We've been trying to be super intentional with the time we spend with David and Evy recently, knowing that big changes are just around the corner! We pray with them, ask them what questions they have, take the time to explain things. I'm hoping they'll be set up pretty well for the transition of little sis coming in March but most of the work will happen after she gets here! How did you help littles prepare for baby?

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