Monica Lee

Holiday Gift Guide with Walmart

Hayes and I have teamed up with Walmart to share some of our favorite things with y’all!! Since Christmas is so close I figured I would share some gift ideas!! Walmart has ALL of our baby favs and must haves so I’ll be sure to link all of those + some fun gift ideas for babies of all ages!! I’m also doing a little gift guide for any girl in your life because Walmart is becoming my GO TO place for all things fashion & beauty accessories lately!!

New Parent Musts + Gifts for Baby

 

Gifts for Her

If you’ve been on the hunt for a fun and affordable gift for a baby or girlfriend in your life, hopefully this list was helpful!!
I am so in love with all of these items and would be THRILLED to receive any of them as a gift!

Weaning – My Experience


Let me start this by saying…
Never, I mean NEVER in my wildest dreams did I think I would be nursing my baby past 1 year.
I knew I wanted to breastfeed and I knew it would have its ups and downs.
My goal was to breastfeed for 1 year, I really never thought about weaning, I kind of just naively thought he would just want to stop once he turned one. (so ridiculous of me, I know) I had also heard so many stories from friends saying their babies just weaned themselves so part of me was also waiting for that…but every single time I thought he was close to weaning himself he’d start wanting to nurse all day every day and it was
E X H A U S T I N G.

I never imagined myself having a 17 month old who would throw an absolute fit if I didn’t give him the boob wherever and whenever he wanted it. It was HARD and I would get embarrassed. I didn’t mind nursing him at home, I actually loved and cherished our morning and bedtime nursing sessions SO much, it was one of the few times he was actually still and I could just look at him & soak him in. The morning and bedtime nursing sessions were my favorite & the ones I miss the most.

I don’t remember how old Hayes was when I really knew that I was ready to wean…The truth is I was never emotionally ready.
I was physically ready for sure. But the thought of it being “the last time” and the thought of my baby not needing me in that way really did devastate me and keep me holding on for a little too long. I remember seeing an instagram post of a mama videoing her last nursing session with her baby girl, she was sobbing and just kept telling her daughter that this was the last time and she’s going to be a big girl now. It hit SO close to home and I sobbed for days and days knowing that our time was coming soon.

I knew if I didn’t set a specific date to stop nursing Hayes that it just wasn’t going to happen and I was going to keep pushing it off…and then my friend Allison texted me letting me know she was offering “The Last Latch” photos on Friday July 26th.
So I decided that Friday would be our last day. I had a few days to mentally prepare myself and also stock up on snacks and new toys to keep Hayes occupied. I’ll talk more about that with y’all in a little bit!

I remember waking up Friday morning knowing it was going to be a day of lasts for us.
I picked Hayes up out of his crib and he would usually always sign for milk and tug on my shirt….
but he didn’t.
It was such a bittersweet moment, I didn’t nurse him that morning and that was really really hard for me but I was also super proud of him and it re assured me that he was ready.
Our photoshoot was around noon, and I really didn’t know what to expect.
I remember getting my hair & makeup done by my insanely talented friend, Bridgette, and talking to her about what was about to happen and how I felt about it all.
I didn’t know if I would feel comfortable nursing him with a camera in my face, or if I would feel weird and out of my element. I had no earthly idea what to expect but I’m happy to say it was SO incredibly special. I barely knew Allison was there and I just held my baby while he nursed and I cried. Cried because I was SO DANG proud of myself. Cried because I was so sad that such a special thing was coming to an end. Cried because I let other people opinions affect me for so long. Cried because I was so excited to have my body back. There were lots of reasons behind those tears but I remember just feeling an overwhelming amount of gratitude. Just so thankful for Hayes and his health and for the opportunity to be his mama.

I didn’t want that to be our last nursing session because I wanted it to be just him and I.
I wanted it to be at home in our usual spot, so I decided bedtime would be the last time.
I had a lot of anxiety before putting him to bed that night, I remember setting up my phone on Hayes’s book shelf and clicking record. The room was pitch black so I had no idea if it was even recording anything, I just knew I never wanted to forget that moment. I rocked him and nursed him and cried and cried because I knew that really was the last time.
We had gotten to the point where he didn’t nurse long, 15 minutes t0ps…so I made sure to cherish those 15 minutes.
Then I laid him down and walked out and cried on Kyle.
I did it.

The following days were shockingly easy. I don’t know if I was just insanely lucky or what. But I do have some tips & tricks for those of you wanting to wean soon! The #1 rule is to NEVER say “NO” when they ask to nurse. This is HUGE. It will only make them upset & feel confused and like they’re in trouble. I know Hayes pretty well and I would try and get a snack or a distraction before he would even ask to nurse. BUT if he did ask or tug on my shirt I would say something along the lines of “Hey do you want to go get a popsicle?!” in a really excited voice lol and that would usually do the trick. Hayes had A LOT of popsicles those following weeks. Also, be prepared to work a lot harder on keeping your baby busy and happy. I had no down time whatsoever and would constantly make sure he was happy and busy and entertained so I wouldn’t have to deal with seeing him sad about not getting the boob. I knew I couldn’t emotionally handle him being devastated about it so I did everything I could to distract him.

I was really worried about nap and bedtime because I have ALWAYs nursed him before those.
The first night after weaning I sat him on my lap and he was laying on my chest and he just let me rub his back and rock him, he has never done this so I was in complete shock. And then I kind of replaced nursing with rubbing his back.
That lasted for about a week or two. He would just lay down and want me to rub his back and be perfectly happy with it.
He quickly got over that and started throwing fits for naps and bedtime which was hard, I wanted SO badly to rock him or cuddle him or do ANYTHING for him but he would just fight and fight because he didn’t want to go to bed.
We’re at a point now where for naps we get his blankies and bear and I just lay him down and he typically goes down pretty quickly (depends on the day, some days we try and try & he doesn’t nap at all)
Night time has been good lately, We do bath, pajamas, books, brush teeth then lay down!
Hayes has never been super consistent with sleep so some weeks are good & some are really hard.
Just remember that it’s a big change for them too so if it doesn’t go smoothly at first, that’s normal!

Whenever Hayes would ask and distractions or snacks wouldn’t work I would just say “I’m so sorry Hayes, it’s gone gone, you drank it all baby, there’s no more” and just repeat that or things similar to that and hold him and love on him!

A lot of you asked if I replaced nursing with a bottle or anything and I tried! Hayes has never LOVED milk, he’ll only drink almond milk if anything, and he really doesn’t even love that. He’s gone weeks without drinking milk and his Dr said that’s perfectly fine as long as he’s getting other forms of dairy!! 

A lot of you also asked how my hormones and boobs were after weaning. I was SO lucky and they never got super full or engorged and I never experienced crazy hormones. I think it helped a lot that I had slowly weaned Hayes to just morning and night. Towards the end I was definitely nursing him more than morning and night BUT we had mostly weaned down to just twice a day. I think a lot of people experience the crazy hormones and engorgement when they have to stop abruptly. But you just never know!

We’ve officially reached the other side and he no longer asks and if he happens to see my boobs he just giggles or says “milk” but it ends there! haha I’m happy to say that he DOES still need me and our relationship is better than ever!

For all you mamas who are weaning soon, YOU’VE GOT THIS. Your baby will still need you, I promise!!
There are sososo many more amazing and special memories ahead and be you should be SO damn proud of yourself!

Hair & makeup : BespokenBeauty
Photography: LentillePhotography

Friday Favorites – Postpartum clothing *musts*


Okay y’all, I’m totally aware that some of you are rolling your eyes at this post.
Mainly because I’ve never had a baby so you’re probably thinking…
“How the hell will you know what you’ll want to wear after you give birth?!”
BUT I’ve had friends have babies, and I’ve done A LOT of research.
With that being said, there’s not a doubt in my mind that the majority of the time I’ll be in my husbands sweatpants and a nasty grungy shirt with breast milk and spit up all over it.
I mean, I’m not an idiot guys…I know motherhood is not all rainbows and butterflies.
BUT I also know, that for me personally, I’m going to want a few items on hand that I can throw on that are still super comfortable, but will also make me feel a little more put together and pretty.

**So that’s what today’s post is all about – comfortable and CUTE items for the new mama who just wants to feel human again**

PS: I’m having my baby in the Spring, so most of these items are for Spring/Summer,
if you love this post and want me to do another one with Fall/Winter postpartum clothing items just leave me a comment letting me know!!

As far as tops go, loose and flowy will be your BFF.
I’m sharing some adorable options for every occasion – and almost all of them are nursing friendly!
1. When you’re chillin’ at home and want to be comfy & simple but have guests coming over
2. You have an event to be at and need something a little dressier
3. You have a family get together and want to be cute but still comfortable
4. You and your man have your very first date night
5. You gotta get to church and praise Jesus and ask him for some patience cause you haven’t slept in 6 weeks.

Now, bottoms are something that are going to take a little longer to fit…mainly jeans/shorts.
So I’m thinking leggings/joggers/sweats are going to be my main choice those first few weeks.
I mean, if I’m completely honest those first few weeks i’ll probably be wearing a diaper and Kyles sweatpants…
BUT I’m sharing some cute items for those days when ya need a little pick me up or have someone stopping by or actually need to leave the house for something and need to look more put together!!
Also including some great jeans/shorts options for when the baby weight starts coming off!

Let’s talk postpartum dresses…I feel like this would be the “easiest” thing as far as just throwing something on and trying to get out the door.
I’ve definitely got a few Tshirt dresses already in my cart and ready to be purchased.
A simple Tshirt dress paired with some comfy tennis shoes will most likely be my “go to” simple look.
However, I do have a few weddings to go too not long after baby is born so I’m including some nicer options as well!

I really really hope y’all actually enjoyed this post and felt like it was helpful and didn’t just roll your eyes the entire time.
I just know myself, and know that i’ll want to have some cute clothing options that will make me feel good no matter how exhausted I am.
So hopefully you were able to find some pieces that you love and can order for after baby arrives. I hope when you look at them hanging in your closet when you’re mid panic/breakdown you think of me and smile and say, damn – she was right!!! 😉 haha

Happy Friday y’all!!

Friday Favorites – Maternity Pajamas!!

It’s Friday, and it’s ALMOST Christmas!!!!!!

Okay, so I asked all of you on Instagram if you really wanted this post and I was pleasantly
surprised with just how many of you NEEDED a post like this in your life.
So today is all about maternity pajamas!
From cozy sweats all the way to sexy lingerie, I’ve got ya covered!
And the best part is all of these options are SUPER affordable.

I’m actually really sad that I didn’t purchase more maternity pajamas,
I think I’m going to have to grab one or two of those Asos jammies, they’re just too cute!
It’s SO important to feel comfy while sleeping during pregnancy.
Hopefully some of these options help all you mamas to be!

I probably won’t have another post up until Tuesday so
Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Must read books for first time moms


The day I found out I was pregnant was easily the most exciting day of my life.
Kyle and I had been trying for a couple years with no luck, so to say it was a complete
shock would be an understatement…I was in absolute disbelief, and of course the joy and excitement running through my veins was just unexplainable!
You can read more about our pregnancy story here.

After sharing the news with Kyle and our close family and friends I soon realized,
holy crap I don’t know what the heck to do with a baby!!!

I am totally the type of person that LOVES being prepared, I love having a plan,
I love knowing what’s going to happen and what to expect in all situations.
Obviously, when it comes to babies, especially you’re very own unique, individual,
special, one of a kind baby…there’s only so much “preparation” you can do!
BUT I knew I wanted some good books to read to help ease this mind of mine
and help me feel just a litttttllleeeeee more prepared for when baby comes!

DISCLAIMER: I totally 100% support all you soon to be mamas who say “STOP READING”
just do whatever works for you and your baby! I’m ALL about that life, and say
“YES! You do you mama!!” but that just isn’t me, and I’ve loved having different books to read!

Anyways, I’ve made it super easy for y’all and each book image is clickable and shopable!
I’ve actually only read 2 of these books so far and currently in the middle of another!
But I went ahead and asked a bunch of you what your favorites were and not only did I get a great amount of feedback but I had an overwhelming amount of you asking for me to share what everyone else was sharing with me! So that’s what I’ll be doing today!!

The 3 books I read during my pregnancy & 100% recommend:

The very first book I read wasn’t necessarily an informative one,
but moreso a super relatable/hilarious/calm ya down/make ya feel normal kind of book!
One of my girlfriends gifted this book to me and it was THE best thing ever.
I seriously can’t even tell y’all how hard I laughed while reading this!

The next book I suggest is totally “basic” and I didn’t exactly read each page,
but I 100% enjoyed skimming through it and learning about what was going on inside my body each week/month!

This next book was also gifted/lent to us and I am SO thankful for it!!!
(currently reading)
It’s been extremely informative not only on babies but also on breastfeeding – which I plan on doing!
This plan is super easy and customizable – for instance, if you’re not planning on breastfeeding it will totally work for you as well, It pretty much works for ANY mama/family (so it says/so i’ve heard)
Obviously Hayes isn’t here yet so I’m not speaking from personal experience,
But we have had MULTIPLE friends say that this book completely changed their lives when it comes to baby sleeping through the night early on.

Alright, now here’s a list of some of the books that y’all suggested and recommended!
If you highly recommend any that aren’t on here let me know and I’ll update this list!!
I actually just purchased “The power of a praying parent”,
I already have “The power of a praying wife” and LOVE it so much!

Hopefully y’all enjoyed this post!! And hopefully it was a little helpful for some of you soon to be mamas who are similar to me!
Let me know if you end up grabbing one of these books
or if you’ve already read one/a few!

Happy Tuesday!