This post is sponsored by Babbleboxx.
I can’t believe it! Jaxson is officially six months old. It’s been half a year that he’s been out of my womb and in my arms. How are we doing as a family of four? What changes have we made? Which products have been helpful? You’ll find them sprinkled throughout this blog post, but here’s a quick snapshot of them altogether.
Jaxson (Baby)
Teething Our sweet boy has been teething for some time. He is constantly drooling and his gums are forever swollen. Happily, Orajel soothes him, and so does his stuffed animal. Let’s keep it real. Babies don’t hug stuffed toys; they gnaw on them. Jaxson has many teethers, but his favorite ones are plushy toys like the Ronald McDonald House Teddy Bear. I keep it in his diaper bag. It’s been great when we’re riding in the car, and yes- he does fall asleep with it sometimes. (You can learn more about RMHC or offer a donation by clicking the links.)
Solid Foods Jaxson’s appetite has grown tremendously so we’ve introduced solid food. He’s tasted avocados, sweet potatoes, carrots, and apple sauce. He likes them all, but he opens his mouth wide for bananas. They’re his favorite thing to eat. I keep Jaxson’s clothing stain-free with OxiClean Free and Clean laundry stain remover. It’s free of perfumes, dyes, and chlorine which means OxiClean Free and Clean is great for everyone in our household.
Bathtime is also playtime. At six months of age, Jaxson can easily sit up on his own. I put on some soft music, add a little Baby Magic Gentle Hair & Body Wash to the bathtub, and just let our little one play. Afterward, I massage him with kisses and Baby Magic Gentle Baby Lotion. The Baby Magic keeps his new skin supple and soft. It is dermatologist tested and free of parabens, phthalates, dyes, and sulfates.
Bedtime Most nights, we read My Book of Bible Stories. However, we’ve recently added other books into our routine. A good one to read with your little ones is Rock From The Sky by Jon Klassen from Candlewick Press. Kids will love the visual suspense and the story of Rock from the Sky, which combines humor, fear, and friendship. Older children will like its humor. A good book is a great way to end the day especially now that Jaxson is sleeping longer at night.
Babywearing is the way I get my house cleaned during the day. Jaxson wants to go where you go! When I’m working in the yard, I place him in our wagon surrounded by a few toys. He plays quietly while I get some gardening done. Inside the home, he loves being snuggled against me in the KeaBabies Wrap Carrier. It’s soft, easy to use, and breathable. It offers the perfect stretch, with even weight distribution for best back support. I put it on and go. Babywearing is the best way to get things done around the house while keeping my hands free! Use my KeaBabies referral link for 10% off your purchase.
Jennifer (Mom)
I’ve felt more and more like my old self with each passing day. As temperatures have warmed up, my fitness routine has increased too. I gave birth at 192 pounds. I’m now 155 pounds. I only have 22 more pounds to go to reach my pre-pregnancy weight. Along with breastfeeding, a healthy diet, light exercise, and lots of water- The KeaBabies Revive 3-in-1 Postpartum Recovery Support Belt has been extremely helpful. It realigns your body and posture postpartum. By wearing it consistently you can prevent sagging and swelling of your abdomen, support your spine for breastfeeding, and return your hips to their pre-pregnancy size. Use my KeaBabies Referral link for 10% off. You can also join The KeaCommunity Facebook Community.
I’ve also adopted a new nighttime skincare routine. Retinol has helped to keep my skin luminous and wrinkle-free. However, certain skincare actives are not good to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. I removed them from my skincare routine and began looking for other alternatives. Happily, I’ve discovered the benefits of vitamin c and resveratrol– a plant-based alternative to Retinol. It’s only been a few weeks, but my skin is responding very well. It feels hydrated, firm, and plump.
Finally, my hair is recovering nicely from its postpartum shedding. I experienced postpartum shedding around my hairline. My temples suffered the most so I decided to take a break from crochet braids for a while. I’ve been deep conditioning my natural hair with ORS Olive Oil on wash day and applying Argan Oil to my temples in a circular motion. Halleljah it’s working!
Jocelyn (sister)
A few acquaintances cringe when I tell them about the 10 year age gap between Jocelyn and Jaxson. “You’ve started all over,” they say. However, I love our big gap. Jocelyn should receive a reward for the world’s best big sister! She remains kind, attentive, and willing to help in everything. Not only is Jocelyn independent, but she’s also good at communicating her feelings.
My recent BabbleBoxx included a Hoppy & Poppie Pink Cheeks Giftbox– the ultimate emotional intelligence bundle for babies-preschoolers. This complete set of emotional intelligence skill-building tools is an investment in a child’s ability to emotionally adapt and thrive. Two high-quality board books with slide and touch n’ feel features, two 6” soft plush with zippered pockets and hooks, a 100% organic cotton character blankie plus eleven ½” and two 1” youth-sized wristbands. At 10 years of age, Jocelyn has taken the wristbands for herself. She pops them on daily as a way to outwardly express her feelings. I must admit, I like it knowing what my tween is thinking without her ever having to say a word. (Use code “Friend10” for a 10% discount at https://hoppypoppie.com/shop/ with no spend or usage limit; effective 4-15-21 through
5-31-21.) Visit the Hoppy & Poppie website, sign up for the free guide, or go to the Hoppy & Poppie blog for more children-focused articles.
Jason (Dad)
Jason has embraced being a father of two with open arms. I don’t know if it’s because he’s ten years older, or because Jaxson is our 2nd baby, or because Jaxson is our rainbow baby- but Jason is so patient. There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t fall in love with him all over again.
So how are we doing as a family of four? Beautifully! Here are 5 tips that have helped us adjust to adding our new family member:
- As a couple, take the initiative in helping each other with household tasks. Husbands, it’s okay to wash the dishes. Wives, it’s okay to take out the trash. Work together.
- Help your children bond and cultivate a healthy friendship by involving the older sibling in feedings, baths, bedtime, and playtime.
- Avoid making the older sibling completely responsible for the young one. They’re not the parent- you are.
- Keep your relationship strong by setting aside time for date night, at least once per month.
- It’s easy to give the newborn all of your attention. They demand it. So remember to carve out special times with your older child.
I hope you find these tips helpful. Thanks for stopping by!
