The Night I Found Out I Was Pregnant!

November 1st our lives changed forever.

I was supposed to be starting my period the next day but I just kept thinking and wondering if I could possibly be pregnant. I knew it took most people a few months before conceiving their first time but I just couldn't stop thinking about it! There were a few symptoms I had had that week that were a little different than my usual PMS symptoms-
+I cried when a Buffalo Wild Wings commercial came on at 11pm because I wanted it so bad
+I was EXTREMELY bloated all week long
+I was constipated which I don't experience ever (TMI)
That week we kind of joked that I was pregnant but honestly just thought I was PMSing.

On November 1st I was over at my friends house talking about all this and I started getting my usual cramps that afternoon.  I knew I would for sure be starting my period the next day so I was a little sad. She gave me one of her pregnancy tests and a few ovulation tests for when me and Paxton really started "trying".

When I got home that night I just couldn't stop wondering and thinking and didn't want to wait to see if I would just end up starting my period so I went into the bathroom and took a pregnancy test. I was hoping it would say I was pregnant but assumed it would be negative. When I looked at it I initially thought it was negative and got pretty sad...but then I looked closer and I thought  I could see a tiny tiny tiny TINY hint of a line. I kept staring at it because I thought I was crazy but  there was definitely SOMETHING there- barely there- but it was there! I started crying and walked out to tell Paxton I thought I was pregnant. He had a hard time seeing the line so he really didn't think I was pregnant. So I threw the test away and felt kind of stupid for getting excited over nothing.

 After 5 minutes I went and got it out and looked again. The line was still SOOOO faint but I remember seeing a girl post on Instagram one time of her test and how it was barely barely there. So I took a picture and sent it to my friend so she could tell me if I was crazy or not. I told her she might have to zoom in a little to see it but within seconds she texted back "Congratulations!" and got so excited for me! Paxton still didn't believe it. I don't blame him because look at the test-

I couldn't sleep that night I just KNEW I really was pregnant but was nervous to be completely excited just in case it ended up being a fluke. I couldn't wait to take another test the next morning so Paxton could believe it and I could let myself feel the excitement I was trying to contain!!! I woke up at 4am and took another test and sure enough there was a line!! It was still pretty faint but it was DEFINITELY there! We really WERE pregnant and now Paxton finally believed me and was just as excited! WE WERE HAVING A BABY!!!!!!!!!!! There were so many emotions I felt in that moment- so much gratitude, disbelief, excitement, fear!

I'm the worst at keeping secrets from my mom... so it took everything in me not to call her right after we found out! I tell her everything and this was the biggest secret I had to keep and I wanted our families to be in on all the excitement! So we decided to take a last minute trip to Idaho the next day to tell our families! We had little gifts for them to open up with some baby clothes inside.   Everyone was SO surprised and SO excited!! Everything just felt so perfect. It will be the first grand baby for my parents and the 4th grand baby for Paxtons parents.

It surprised me how calm, normal, and "right" everything felt for  Paxton and I when this was such a huge change that was going to happen in 9 months! But honestly I knew that everything happened exactly how it was supposed to! We sure can't wait for July!

xoxo
Bailey

Fave 1st Trimester Pregnancy Products

Shortly after I got pregnant I realized there is like this whole other UNIVERSE out there of products and things to know and learn when it comes to pregnancy & babies. I felt so overwhelmed, heck I still feel so overwhelmed. Luckily you get 9 months to prepare and try to figure things out! SO I just wanted to share a few things that I've been absolutely loving so far during my 15 weeks of pregnancy:

+Burts Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter- I have used this since the beginning of my pregnancy and I really really love it! I feel like it really is helping with stretch marks and just makes my skin SO unbelievably soft! I've been putting it over all the places a mama could get stretch marks. I feel like its even helped EXISTING ones I had on my legs from before pregnancy. I will definitely purchase gain once mine is gone. 

+Aveeno Positively Nourishing Calming Lotion- Oh my heck you guys. This is THE BEST lotion. A lotion God if you will. I can't even describe how soothing and amazing it feels! It almost has a "gel"-"lotion" hybrid  feel and the scent is just the freaking best. I seriously look forward to putting it on everyday. Go get this, your skin will thank you.

+Pregnancy Passport- The cutest pregnancy journal where you log symptoms, size of baby, memorable moments, etc. I love it and look forward to writing in it every week!! 

+Gap Maternity Leggings- So comfortable, amazing quality, and great price!! I am ALL about comfort and have been living in them. My personal favorites are the Maternity Pure Body Full Panel and the (non maternity) Pure Body Leggings. The Pure Body Leggings are hands down the best leggings on the planet earth! I've had the same pair for 3 years and they are my GO TO so I just sized up from my usual size to have more room for my growing belly.

+Epsom Salt Baths- I just use the Dr Teals brand and put about 1 cup in my baths. It really helps when my changing body is feeling sore/achy and is a perfect way for me to relax.

+Insulated Stainless Steel Water bottle- I carry it around with me 24/7 EVERYWHERE I GO!! It not only helps me get my water goals in, helps with naseau, but keeps it nice and cold all day long. TJ Maxx has a great variety of brands and good prices! 

+Maskcara Beauty IID Foundation- My face has been break out city since I first got pregnant. My skin has been struggling soooooo bad and this foundation is one of the only ones that gives me full coverage, life,  and still makes me feel like a decent looking human! (My friend Haley is who I purchase it from and she has the cutest/funnest makeup/skincare/beatuy products page you should join!)

+A Few Extras: Lip gloss, heated water bottle/heated blanket for my back, ginger ale, lifesaver orange mints, husband to massage your feet, The Bump and Ovia Pregnancy apps, macaroni & cheese, a mom and friends to text a million questions to

xoxo

Bailey

                

1st Trimester With Baby M

I can't believe I am already in my 2nd trimester! These past few weeks have been flying by! I wanted to document my first trimester here so I can remember this crazy and amazing time of my life! In many ways it's exactly how I would've expected it to go, but in more ways it was very very different than I imagined!

Fun Facts:
+Baby is due July 12
+We saw baby for the first time at week 8
+Paxton thinks baby is a boy, but I think it might just be a girl
+We got to hear babies strong heartbeat
+Baby grew from a poppyseed to a lemon

Overall:

+My mental health has been so good! I was worried my anxiety would be very bad but honestly it hasn't been an issue which I feel very blessed about. I even was able to come off of one of my meds!

+Pregnancy hasn't freaked me out as much as I thought it would! I always thought I would HATE being pregnant but that is not the case. I feel empowered and blessed.

+I didn't pass out when I got my blood drawn and I'm not anxious at every single appointment. I'm handling things well! Yay me!

+I haven't had pop or sweets consistently at all. All my favorite things just do not sound good. Breaks my heart. I miss food.

+French Fries, juice, mac & cheese, and gold fish have been a few constants that I actually can eat.

Weeks 4-7
+It SHOCKED me how much my body changed/how many symptoms I felt in just the first few weeks of finding out I was expecting.

+SO MUCH ACNE! I've never ever struggled with acne in my life but one morning I woke up and I could not even believe it!

+My breasts were more sore than I could have ever imagined. SOOOOO SORE FOR WEEKS. Not to mention the change in size.

+The exhaustion was so real. I could've fallen asleep anywhere at any given time of the day. By 8 o clock I was completely done for the day. 

+I cried a lot. Which I expected since i'm already an emotional person.
I cried because I was so excited to be a mom.
I cried because I missed my husband while he was gone for 13 hour days at school.
I cried because I went and got chick fil a and then my fries spilled on the floor in the car and I just could not even handle.
I cried because I forgot to pack a dress on our trip to California.
I cried over heartwarming Facebook videos. You name it. 

+Absolutely 0 appetite 24/7. If I didn't have to eat to survive I probably wouldn't have. I didn't really have "cravings" more like there was only 1 thing in the world that I could maybe even possibly eat. Most of the food I was able to eat during that time I probably will never eat again in my life...or at least for a long time. This included Cafe Rio which I definitely cried about.

WEEKS 7-11

+Once week 7 came along I was unbelievably sick and nauseous all the time. Throwing up 1-4 times a day. I could barely talk sometimes because if I did I knew throw up would be making its way out.
+It was hard to go outside because the cold air would make me gag gag gag. And the insane nausea was all day everyday at that point.
+I definitely called my mom crying multiple times telling her I can't believe people do this all the time.  It was just plain HARD. Harder than I could have ever have imagined!  I could not believe how much I struggled weeks 7-11.
+ It got just as mentally hard as it was physically hard because it seemed like the sickness, headaches, exhaustion would never ever end.
+I spent as much time in my bed and on my couch as I possibly could. I felt like a failure of a wife because doing chores and cooking was such a challenge.
+Mommas really are warriors!!! It was crazy that I could feel so horrible yet so grateful and blessed at the same time.

WEEKS 12-14
+Once week 12 hit things seemed to get a little better symptom wise
+I wasn't nauseous 24/7 and only throwing up once a day a few times a week.
+My energy slowly started to come back as well as a small appetite!
+Time just seemed to fly!
+We got to hear babies heart beat for the first time.
+A teeny tiny little baby bump started showing- the one where it could be a food baby or a real baby.
+Some stretch marks began to show up but I'm trying to not beat myself up too much over that because I know how beautiful and incredible my body is for growing another human!

xoxo
Bailey

The Land of Salt Jewelry Studio Workshop

2 Weeks ago my sister, BFF, and I went and took a ring workshop at my favorite local Jewelry studio The Land of Salt.  We went to the "Initial Stacking Ring Workshop" and had SO MUCH FUN! We got to make an initial ring and 2 other rings in the style of our choice.  We got to learn the basics of making some dang cute stacking rings!

We got to choose what 3 stacking rings we wanted to make and choose an initial or other stamp that we wanted! I chose a cute sun symbol! The rings started out as just pieces of straight metal and a small disc for us to stamp on! I chose a cut sun symbol for my ring! The sun represents energy, strength, power, and rebirth and it just really resonated with me that night. 

The workshop was guided and very hands-on which was SO awesome! We really got to be creative and make it our own.  The more advanced parts we got help from the owner Erica and her assistant. I loved learning and creating with my best friends! There is so much more that goes into jewelry making than you would think!

They also had yummy snacks and drinks for us and it was the best girls night!!! 

Those are my 3 stacking rings I made, I wear them everyday and absolutely love them! It makes me so happy knowing I made them! 

Here are my best friends rings that she made! The one on her middle finger she actually  picked out while she was there! 

We all had so much fun and want to go to another one for sure!! It was such a great experience. There are 3 more workshops coming up soon! Another initial stacking ring workshop, a cute layering necklace one, and a hoop earring one!! You can learn more and sign up for them HERE. Each workshop only has a few spots available so make sure to sign up quick!! You can use code BAILEYNICOLE for 20% off!!

xoxo

Bailey 

Discover Amazing Deals, Discover Jane

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If you follow me on social media, you know I am completely OBSESSED with shopping at Jane!!! Jane is a daily deal site with deals up to 65% off from thousands of different boutiques & shops AKA heaven on earth for all my fellow deal loving friends. The deals are only active for a few days and are changing daily so you will ALWAYS find something you need.  I promise.

There are hundreds of items I see at my favorite local and online boutiques that make it to Jane for a FRACTION of the price. LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO PAY FULL PRICE YALL!!! If I find something at a shop I am loving I usually start checking Jane everyday to see if they will have a deal for it! Chances are if it is trendy and popular at a lot of boutiques, it will make it on Jane.

I have made some awesome purchases through Jane over the last few years and have NEVER had to make a return. The shops list their size guides and if you read through the reviews you will know if you need to size up, size down, or get your normal size. You can always contact the shop directly if you have any questions. It really is SO easy and convenient! Those cute clogs in my picture above are on of my most favorite Jane purchases ever! They were only $24.99!!

Jane is my one stop shop for Christmas shopping this time of year and I know it will be yours too! There are tons of different categories to make your shopping experience easy peasy. Your wallet and your husband is going to love these deals just as much as you. No more telling the delivery guy to hide your packages so your husband doesn't find them.

Here are a few of my favorite deals that are live right now!

Rafe + Moose Swaddles

Sherpa Jacket 

Fall Sleeveless Hooded Cardigan

4 Pillow Covers

Ankle Booties

( I have these in the leopard print and they are my ALL TIME FAVORITE!!! )

Now that you've discovered amazing deals, go discover Jane!



Xoxo
Bailey

Cottonwood Produce Co-Op

If you are in Salt Lake County LISTEN UP!
There is this AWESOME Produce Co-op in the Cottonwood/Sandy area that you have to try! You get SO MUCH fresh fruit and vegetables for an awesome wholesale price and most of it is local!!
They offer a FULL box($25) or a HALF box($15) and the produce changes every week so you get an awesome variety. There have been several fruit and veggies I have never ever purchased before that I've gotten to try and loved.
This weeks boxes included:

$25 FULL: Honeycrisp apples, bananas, bartlett pears, pineapple, 1 lb bag golden kiwis, limes, oranges, avacado, yellow onion, yams, broccoli, cucumber, zucchini, yellow squash, spinach, and red cabbage

$15 HALF: Honeycrisp apples, bananas, bartlett pears, pineapple, limes, oranges, avacado, yellow onion, yams, cucumber, zucchini, yellow squash, spinach, and red cabbage

YUM!
Every Saturday they post in their Facebook page and Instagram (@cottonwoodproducecoop) to let you know what produce will be available for the boxes that week! If you like the options you just comment to order, pay on venmo, and pick up on Tuesday! Easy peasy.
They also have an "extras" box so you can switch out any fruits or veggies you don't like item for item which I love!
I have gotten a half box for 2 weeks now and LOVE IT! I meal plan according to what produce is available and have had such an easier time getting in those nutritious foods. Not to mention the quality of them has been amazing! They also post a meal plan on their social media accounts and share the recipes on Pinterest to show you how they are using their produce that week to give you ideas. It is such an awesome set up you guys!

You can get $2 off if you mention my name!!

Here's to living a happier & healthier life!

Xoxo
Bailey

Holiday Decor on a Budget

I LOVE decorations, especially Holiday Decorations! The Decor sections at TJ Maxx, Target, Real Deals, & Hobby Lobby are my happy place! I was always so excited to get married, have our own place, and decorate the heck out of it! One thing I quickly learned was that I would need to buy things slowly and not all at once because we were (and still are and probably always will be) on a budget. So over the past 2.5 years I have slowly added to my holiday decor! It makes me sooo happy and excited to get to redecorate for the changing seasons!

So here’s a few tips that have really helped me!

+I only buy items I absolutely LOVE. Yep. Not even ones I really really like.  Just love. I ask myself if it will make me happy to look at it everyday, if it's a yes, and I love it, it's going in my cart! TRUST ME- I could find 100 things I think I need at a store. But do I LOVE all of them? I mean maybe.....but.... Probs not.

+ Know your space! Make sure to figure out the places you will be adding Holiday decorations before you go shop! You don’t need to purchase 100 decor items if you only have room for 10! We live in an apartment and so it really can limit the amount of decor (sadly)!

+ Targets “dollar” section is AMAZING, but you already know that. So. Many. Cute. Items. They kill it during the holidays! You can find all the cutest little holiday goodies & decor here! This is a GREAT place to start!!

+Walmart really can come in clutch during the holiday season.

+ Hobby Lobby and Michaels have SUCH cute holiday decorations and I feel like they are ALWAYS having 40%+ off sales and on top of that they always have a 40% off coupon (for one item)  you can find on their app, in their flyers, or online! Nothing better than discounts on top of sales!

+ TJ Maxx is heaven on earth. I’m obsessed. Their prices are incredible and they always have such fun & unique items!! I would say I have gotten half of my joke and holiday decor from here! You can find such great deals on quality products.  I could literally spend hours shopping there, oh wait, I always do!

+Pinterest has TONS of DOLLAR STORE crafts you can make and a lot of them are actually super cute & creative! Who doesn’t love DIY crafts that don’t break the bank!? I try and do 1 DIY item each season!

+Get FREE prints on Pinterest that you can print at your local Walmart or Walgreens! This is what I do and just switch out my pictures for the season!! Literally just search “FREE FALL  PRINTS” and there’s hundreds!

+Shop sales at the end of each holiday to purchase new decor for the  NEXT year! The decor gets HEAVILY discounted and you can get some awesome items for like 70% off! Especially at Real Deals! I know, I know - you want it NOW. But if your budget can’t hang, you can’t either. So just be patient and then the next year you will be just as excited because it’ll be brand new! It’s like you’re giving a gift to your future self, which is awesome.
You really don't need a TON of decorations to make your home feel cozy and festive!

Here are some items I have been eyeing that WONT break the bank! Those letter board words are probably next on my list!!!


xoxo
Bailey

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