Little People, Big Dreams Books
Have you ever seen a cuter series of books? I remember seeing these books before I had Emery & thought if I ever had a little girl, I was going to have to get them.
In this series, you discover the lives of outstanding women from designers and artists to scientists. They begin life as a little child with a dream, and went on to achieve incredible things. They are basically little illustrated biographies of amazing women in history.
The books feature Marie Curie, Coco Chanel, Amelia Earhart, Agatha Christie, Frida Khalo, just to name a few.
I found some of the stories to be a little bit too old for Emery (she's 2.5), just based on the graphics and what happened in the story. For example in Frida Kahlo, she gets into a very bad accident and it shows her lying in a pile of blood. The story of Agatha Christie was not a great one for Emery's age, as Agatha Christie was a murder mystery author. They will be amazing for Emery to learn about when she is older.
There are some books from the series that are age appropriate for Em to read now. We found the Amelia Earhart, Coco Chanel, and Marie Curie ones to be awesome!
They also just came out with a few other new ones including Audrey Hepburn, that we have yet to read. I can't wait to read them with Em!
Have you read any of these cool books?
<3 Kastles
Beauty
June Skincare Favourites
It's been awhile since I have shared my favourite beauty products. Right now I have been trying out a couple different skincare products. Postpartum means my skin has changed once again, so it's always a good time to experiment with new products. I love trying out products in different price ranges, it's amazing how the drugstore finds can be just as good as the Sephora ones.
This Estee Lauder Revitalizing Supreme Global Anti-Aging Cell Power Eye Gelee is where it's at. I have never tested out a more luxurious eye cream before. It's a multi-action eye treatment with a cooling massage tip. I especially enjoy the cooling massage tip on hot nights, it's so refreshing!
This is my first time testing out Garnier's Skincare products, and I am super impressed. I'm not surprised as I have been a fan of their hair products for many years. You can't go wrong with a sheet mask, ever! The Super Hydrating Sheet Mask was a super nice treat for my dehydrated skin. It was easy to throw on in the evening while I was nursing, which was a bonus (only took 15 mins). For extra added moisture, I applied the Moisture Bomb Dry Skin Gel Cream afterwards. It helps to moisturize skin for 48 hours, which as a busy Mom is so awesome.
The product I was most amazed by was the Micellar Water. I have heard people going on about it for awhile now, and I totally get it! It's seriously so amazing. You just apply some to a cotton pad, and wipe off your make-up. It comes off so easy, feels amazing and doesn't sting your eyes like most eye make-up removers.
This Stress Positive Eye Lift from Dermalogica is actually a mask for under your eyes. You have the option of leaving it on or tissuing it off. Fermented yeast and a unique Hyaluronic Acid blend firm skin to help generate a lifting effect, which let's be honest all Moms could use. It's formulated without artificial colors or fragrances, which is cool!
I have been a fan of all Rocky Mountain Soap products for awhile (have you seen their beautiful store in Canmore? Love it!) so naturally I was impressed by their new Wellness Bath Bombs. It's such a great way to treat yourself and relax. If you aren't into having baths, you can also use these ones as shower bombs! My favourite kind is the Serenity one, anything with lavender always makes me happy.
THEFACESHOP never disappoints. They are always on top of the latest & coolest skincare trends. I love the Heaven Grade Ginseng line, it just feels so luscious on the skin and fancy. The Ginseng is is aged for 6 years. I start with the YEHWADAM Heaven Grade Ginseng Regenerating Emulsion. It helps provide a strong protective film over the skin by moisturizing the skin from deep within. I follow it up with the YEHWADAM Heaven Grade Ginseng Regenerating Cream. I love how thick and moisturizing this cream feels.
What are your favourite skincare products right now? Let me know!
<3 Kastles
Baby
Family
No Baby UnHugged
I knew a little bit about how important skin-to-skin was before having Emery, but after having Alder, I really believe in it!
Our little Alder is already one month old! I haven't told his birth story on the blog yet, but I wanted to share a little bit about how skin-to-skin was so important for our family. His birth didn't go as planned, and I ended up having an emergency c-section. I wasn't able to hold Alder right after he was born, but I was so grateful that my husband had the opportunity. Immediately after they made sure he was ok & cleaned him, the nurses and my husband noticed that Alder was wheezing a little. They were worried about his breathing & wanted to take him to the NICU to hook him up to C-PAP machine. My boys went to the NICU, while the doctors wrapped up the surgery and stitched me up. We were separated for over two hours. Turns out when they got up to the NICU, the doctor decided that Alder and my husband would do skin-to-skin instead of using the machine. He obviously knew the benefits of skin-to-skin. Aaron and Alder snuggled for over two hours, and it ended up helping regulate Alder's breathing. They never ended up having to use the C-PAP machine. I know those moments are something my husband will cherish forever.
With Father's Day around the corner, I am excited to partner with Huggies and their #NoBabyUnhugged Campaign. Huggies deeply believes in the power of hugs and supports parents with resources to provide important skin-to-skin hugs to their baby. Research has shown that skin-to-skin between a parent and baby following childbirth has many important benefits on a newborn's physical and emotional development, including reducing response to pain, reducing stress, creating a stronger parent bond and more.
In fact, expecting parents can download and complete a Hug Plan with their partner, which acts as one extension of a traditional birth plan, to ensure their new baby receives important skin-to-skin hugs immediately after birth. This is an incredible tool to help parents plan for hugs regardless of what happens during labour (from having multiples to a C-section) and ensuring all babies receive the hugs they need to thrive.
I have some more interesting facts about skin-to-skin that I found really cool and wanted to share with you.
Benefits of Skin-toSkin Hugs Provided by Dad
While there has been a lot of research on the benefits of moms providing skin-to-skin hugs to their new baby, many experts have been specifically exploring the impact of father-infant skin-to-skin contact. A recent study has highlighted the multitude of benefits that babies receive during skin-to-skin time with dads, including:
-Temperature control
-Better infant behavioural response
-Improved bio-psychological markers
-Better interaction behaviour of fathers with their infants
-Reduced stress and anxiety experienced by fathers
Here are some tips for Optimal Skin-to-Skin Hugging:
1.) Skin-to skin: Parent should remove all clothing from the upper body, baby should be in a diaper only.
2.) Proper positioning: Parent can lie down or sit up with baby chest to chest and tuck baby's legs up into the fetal position. Baby's head should be turned to one side, so airway is clear and head is supported. Baby's hands should be near his/her face for self-soothing.
3.) Cover up: Baby and parent should be covered with a blanket once in the proper position.
4.) Duration: It is important for your baby to go through a full sleep-wake cycle, which is usually about 60 minutes as a minimum, to get the full benefits and to get the biological systems stabilized.
5.) Listen to baby: if baby starts to wiggle around and is no longer comfortable that's a good time to stop.
NOTE: Baby is safest sleeping on their back, not on parents chest and do not drink hot liquids or cook while hugging baby.
I would love to hear your experiences with skin-to-skin! Please share below!
<3 Kastles
Family
Maternity
Style
Mama and Me Maternity Photos
I wanted some photos of just Emery and I (plus baby bump) before baby showed up, so I just got my husband to snap these photos a couple of days before our son showed up.
I will always cherish the time Emery & I got to have together just the two of us. This beautiful little girl made a Mama. She's the sweetest and sassiest little lady, and always keeps me smiling. I can't even write this without crying. I am looking forward to the time we will have hanging out with her little brother now, and watching them grow together.
Emery was so sweet to the baby while he was in my belly. She was always singing, talking and kissing baby. Now that he is here, she does the same (not without a little jealously & sass now and then, haha). I can't wait to watch their friendship grow.
These Nursing/Delivery robes from Pink Blush Maternity are pretty much the best. They are so beautiful but also comfy. I have been using it postpartum too, since getting up with a toddler & newborn is kind of chaotic it's nice to have this to throw on. It makes me feel a little bit more put together and it works for nursing.
Also if you are pregnant, you MUST get these pjs from PinkBlush as well. I got these near the end of my pregnancy, and I can't stress enough how amazing they are. I wish I had gotten them sooner! They are soft as butter, pretty, and the waistband on the pants are so comfy for that large growing belly. They are also nursing pjs, and I have been wearing them still.
What are your favourite maternity clothing items or brands? I always love hearing about peoples hidden gems.
I hope your week is going lovely so far! Thanks for stopping by!
<3 Kastles
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