With Mother’s Day approaching I thought I would share some easy gift ideas with different price points. We still enjoy giving a little something to both of our parents so it is something that is on my mind each year. I feel like parents can be difficult to give gifts for because they typically just purchase what they want or need. However, at the end of the day, it truly is the thought that means the most!

I would love to know some of your go to gifts or what you plan on gifting this year. I am always looking for new ideas!

1.Tumbler

Tumblers are always a nice and easy gift to purchase for someone because there are so many different options/prints. You could do something for water or cocktails depending on the person. I like to fill any tumbler with nice chocolates and place a small gift card inside or tie it around the outside!

2.Framed Picture/Canvas

If you have any nice family pictures, getting a picture framed or printed of the entire family or grandkids is always a nice gesture. I would definitely inquire what the person would want in their home and their style. For example, my mom likes the big canvas framed prints. This could also be a gift that is split between siblings!

3.Stitch Print

We have gifted our moms a stitch print that is a really unique and special gift. I ordered ones with them and the grandkids with their “grandma” name below and have also done ornaments of the entire family.

4.Custom Jewelry

Depending on the person and their style/personality you can gift a nice piece of every day jewelry or something more sentimental. There are so many places where you can engrave/customize pieces with names, birthstones, or initials. Both of our moms really like Kendra Scott so that is typically my go to!

5.Spa/Pamper Day

Who doesn’t love a good spa day? This is always a fun gift if you can go with the person you are gifting it to and enjoy a girls day.

6.Vacation Add On

If you have parents that enjoy traveling and planning trips, adding on something to a planned vacation can be a fun, special, and practical gift! We typically split these types of gifts among the siblings since they are a bit pricier. One year we purchased a wine tour of Napa/Sonoma for my mom while our parents were in San Francisco. She had the best time!

7.Flowers/Sweet Treats

Flowers are always a nice and easy gesture to gift someone and can be tailored to any price range. I prefer to use local companies or small businesses! If your mom wouldn’t appreciate flowers you could always do cookies or some type of treat delivery!

I would love to know some of your favorites! As always, sending light and love!

Blessings,

Jac

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With our son approaching and us hitting a year of COVID, I have been reflecting a lot on what this time has taught me and made me realize. Although this year has been strange and difficult in a number of ways, it definitely has made me take a step back and gain some much needed perspective on a multitude of things. I want to look back and appreciate what I gained from this season of uncertainty instead of the things I “lost” or “missed out on”. I thought I would share some of those thoughts today and would love to know anything you have learned throughout this time!

1.Our bodies and health are one of the biggest gifts and blessings we can be given. Taking care of them is such a privilege…not a punishment or something on a to do list. Some people would give anything to use their bodies the way God created them to be.

2.Our minds are so powerful in the way our body operates and responds. The energy you continuously pour in will be the energy that flows out.

3. Control what you can control. Do your part in what you know you need to do each day to be the best version of you because no one else is going to do it for you or live your life.

4.Practice gratitude each and every day. We take so many things for granted that are just part of our daily lives but such a blessing. The little things are the big things.

5.Listen, observe and understand what is going on around you. We are so quick to talk, voice an opinion, or jump on social media before having time to digest, research and think for ourselves. There is constantly so much noise.

6.Not sharing things on social media/publicly doesn’t mean you don’t care or you are not taking action within your own life and home. Why has that become such an expectation in our society? Our value is not behind a screen but in our day to day life, actions, and choices.

7.Ask questions and think critically. Not everything and everyone has your best interest in mind.

8.Everyone has different comfort levels in any situation. Respect boundaries and let people live their personal lives how they see best for themselves and families. Chances are we know little to none about most people’s situations/circumstances.

9.Stay connected to people. We are created to have relationships with others. Everyone struggles no matter how happy they are.

10.Fear is a powerful thing, but faith is even more powerful.

11.Life is precious.

12.Remove things that are hindering your health/happiness.

13.Have more conversations instead of arguments. Our differences can be a good thing if we allow them to be.

14.Things can be given and taken away in an instant. As much as we like to think we are in control, we really aren’t.

15.Our babies are constantly watching and learning from us whether it is intentional or not. Be mindful around them and pour into them what you want them to pour out to others and into this world.

16.Strive to be the change you seek. Words are only words.

17.Pray.

As always, sending light and love!

Blessings,

Jac

I shared a post discussing what to expect with prenatal appointments for the first half of pregnancy (up until 20 weeks). Today I wanted to share visits for the second half. I am now 37 weeks and will be delivering in the next 3 weeks either naturally or by induction. Although, I would prefer not to be induced a second time, I just follow my doctor’s recommendations when it comes to anything delivery related. I learned with our older son that you truly have to just roll with it in that area and do what’s best for you and baby.

Appointments 20-40 Weeks

You will continue going in monthly until your doctor switches you to bi-weekly (some time in the third trimester) and then weekly around 36 weeks. If you do not have anything specific for an appointment they will generally just include a urine sample, vitals, heartbeat, belly measurement and questions/concerns with the doctor. My appointments were all around 15 minutes!

Fifth Appointment

After our 20 week anatomy scan, I went back at week 24 for my glucose test. This time around was a little different because I was actually given my drink to take at home before my appointment. My bloodwork was also done at my doctor’s office, which was not the case with our son. I drank my drink before the appointment, had my regular check-up as noted above, and then did my bloodwork (has to be an hour from drink). If something is flagged you will complete a second test that has a 3 hour window.

You can check out more on glucose on my IGTV.

Sixth Appointment

This was around week 28 and was a standard check up!

Seventh Appointment

This was around week 32 and was a standard check-up! My bi-weekly started after this appointment.

Eighth Appointment

This was week 34 where we had our third sonogram. Typically you will do your last one anywhere between 32-34 weeks, however my doctor wanted me to be closer to 34 to confirm if baby was going to stay head down. My husband got to go which is always so neat experiencing that together! They will take measurements and basically check everything they did at the anatomy scan, however it is much faster. I did my urine sample and vitals before the sonogram so after it was complete, my doctor came into the room to go over everything and ask about questions/concerns.

Ninth Appointment

This was week 36 for me where I also transitioned to weekly appointments. You will continue with your standard things like urine, vitals, heartbeat, however you will also begin cervix checks. Before your cervix check you will be swabbed for strep (if you are positive you are given antibiotics during birth) and the doctor will check dilation and effacement. I also did my last blood work at this appointment where they check everything before delivery.

Tenth-Twelfth Appointment

The next three appointments will include regular check up items and the cervix check. You may also talk about induction with your doctor if that is something they are recommending or wanting to discuss.

Stay tuned for delivery, recovery, and newborn life!

As always, sending light and love!

Blessings,

Jac