The day I found out we were expecting, I started planning ideas for both a boy’s and a girl’s nursery. A few months later, when we found out it was a girl, I had to think of ways to break it to our family that I was going to buy a black crib. I wanted the furniture we bought for the nursery to easily transition throughout our daughter’s life. I chose this dresser with a changing pad holder as opposed to a changing table that she would eventually outgrow. Her dresser has so many deep drawers, I am actually a little jealous it is not in our room. I also chose this crib because it will transition into a toddler bed as well. The crib skirt will only last as long as she is using the crib/toddler bed, but Biscuit makes bedding that will coordinate with the monogrammed pillow, roll pillows, and scalloped blanket for a future “big girl room”. I have included links to everything else in the nursery below! xoxo
When setting up our baby registry, I honestly had no idea where to start. There are so many products and opinions! These are the newborn essentials we have found most helpful as first-time parents. xoxo
Car Seat and Stroller: We love the Doona Infant Car Seat because it is so convenient to transition from a car seat to a stroller and back again mid-nap without any fuss. The largest complaints we heard were how heavy it is to lift into the car and that it is a little short for taller guys. While it is slightly heavy, it is comparable to a carrier and nothing I cannot handle on my own. Alex has mentioned that the arm is slightly short for him but it is not annoying enough to really bother him. We also love the UPPAbaby VISTA V2 Stroller for our neighborhood walks. The bassinet rides smoothly enough for a nap and it will be nice to swap for the forward-facing seat without having to buy a new stroller. As the weather starts to heat up, we have used the AMACOOL Battery Operated Stroller Fan on almost every walk and even in the car on some extra hot days.
Sleep: The Eufy Life S340 Smart Sock and Monitor is so easy to use at home or when traveling. The camera connects via WiFi and we are able to stream the feed on our phones wherever we go and on an iPad at home. The smart sock is my favorite feature for nighttime sleep because it gives me peace of mind and is integrated into the camera app instead of being separate. We have been living by Moms on Call Basic Baby Care 0-6 Months for sleep training and while we have made a few adjustments, it has worked really well! The HALO 100% Cotton Sleepsack Swaddle and Hatch Rest+ 2nd Gen Portable Dream Machine are must-haves for a great night’s sleep. We use a lighter and looser swaddle blanket for daytime naps but always have the Hatch on for sleep.
Diaper: The Munchkin Step Diaper Pail has worked really well in containing odor and keeping our dog uninterested. I think most diaper pails are about the same, but we have not had any issues with this one or the refillable bags. I quickly learned that baby wipes dry out quickly and are usually difficult to get out of the package, the OXO Tot Perfect Pull Wipes Dispenser has been a great solution to both of those problems. I miss having it when we travel and I spend a good deal of time struggling to get wipes out of packaging. Dottie came home from the NICU with an awful diaper rash and we tried every product there was. The nurses and doctors all told us to use diaper cream with zinc oxide in it, which most have, but none of those products worked for us. My mom swore by A+D Original Diaper Rash Ointment so we gave it a try and it did the trick.
Feeding: If you use formula at all, the Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced is completely worth it. Dottie knows when it is time for bottles and I could never move as fast as the Baby Brezza. As far as bottles go, we have loved Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow® Anti-Colic Newborn Bottles because they are so easy to pack, clean, and have interchangeable nipple sizes to fit your needs. Babies are way messier than I ever imagined and I am constantly doing laundry, especially trying to get formula out of things. We have plenty of cute and good quality burp cloths that I love, but these Muslin Burp Cloths Large are great for the middle of the night or extra messy feeds.
Travel: We are fans of the Graco Pack ‘n-Play Dome LX-Playard because of the bassinet and changing table attachments. When traveling with a newborn it is nice to have designated safe places for sleep and changing. The Hatch Rest has a portable option, but we have used the Yogasleep Hushh Portable White Noise Sound Machine when traveling because it is already in the diaper bag.
Dorothy June joined us on April 13th, and we are over the moon. She is the most precious gift and so much more. As mentioned in my previous post, “Dottie” was born with Spina Bifida (myelomeningocele) and had a bit of an unusual first few weeks. Following our scheduled c-section, she was taken to Dallas Children’s Medical Center, where her myelomeningocele opening was repaired. She then spent 12 days in the NICU where she recovered and was discharged once she could lie on her back. Dottie was an absolute rockstar, handled surgery very well, and won over the hearts of everyone in the NICU. On a personal note, nothing makes you jump out of bed and forget you had surgery faster than knowing your baby is across town having her own surgery.
Hydrocephalus was a top concern post her myelomeningocele repair because at birth her ventricles were borderline normal to enlarged. When the opening is repaired, it causes pressure on the spinal cord and increases the amount of spinal fluid in the ventricles. Her neurosurgeon diligently monitored this with frequent MRIs to ensure that she did not develop any symptoms of hydrocephalus. At five weeks he determined that a shunt would be necessary and at seven weeks she went into surgery. She had a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placed, which will route excess spinal fluid from the ventricles to her abdomen, where it can be reabsorbed into her bloodstream. Once again, she handled surgery like a rockstar, did not require any ICU care, and only spent one night at the hospital under supervision. We will continue to monitor her shunt throughout her life, and based on her neurosurgeon’s track record, we are hopeful to avoid replacing or repairing it in the future. The shunt will not limit or hinder her in any way, and she will be able to participate in all aspects of life at the same level as anyone without a shunt.
Our life has been like anyone else’s with a newborn, just with a few extra doctor’s appointments and insurance claims. If you did not know she had Spina Bifida, you would never be able to tell. She eats, sleeps, cries, dirties diapers, and moves like any other baby. Her personality shines through her post-breakfast “chats”, learning to stick her tongue out at dad, playing at bath time, and discovering new things each day. We will continue to work with an amazing team of doctors at Scottish Rite and Dallas Children’s Medical Center to monitor and address potential concerns as she grows. We are thankful for the means and access to an incredible team of doctors, which we realize is a privilege many do not have. We are also incredibly grateful to be surrounded by the best friends and family who have provided endless love, support, and prayers. xoxo
Surprise, we are expecting a baby girl this April! We are beyond excited to be growing our family. This past holiday season has been extra special as we look forward to the many memories ahead with our little one. Despite Winston’s concerned face, we promise he is equally excited to become a big bro… well we at least hope!
The title of this post probably seems a bit odd for a pregnancy announcement. During our 20-week ultrasound, we unexpectedly learned that our little girl has Spina Bifida (myelomeningocele). Considering most, ourselves included, do not know much about Spina Bifida, we decided it would be easiest to explain what that means for our family in this post. Please note that the information below is based on our personal conversations with doctors and specialists; we are by no means medical experts.
Spina Bifida (myelomeningocele) is a neural tube defect that develops within the first 28 days of pregnancy. There is no known cause, prevention, or way to predict if a child is likely to develop the defect. When developing, the spinal cord starts as a flat sheet, rolls into the neural tube, and closes from the middle up and the middle down. Myelomeningocele occurs when the spinal cord stops closing down at any given point, creating an opening of the spine where nerves are exposed and stop developing. While about every 1 in 2,700 babies are born with Spina Bifida, it looks different for every single child and is considered a “snowflake condition”.
The defect can cause a variety of lifelong needs including difficulty walking/mobility, bladder incontinence, enlarged ventricles in the brain, which can cause hydrocephalus, and Chiari II malformation. Since every child is different and the defect can occur anywhere along the spine, no two Spina Bifida patients have the same lifelong needs. Traditional treatment starts with surgery within the first 48 hours of birth to close the opening in the spine and prevent further nerve damage. Fetal surgery (in utero) to close the opening has also become more widely available since the Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS) was published in 2017. As children grow and a variety of mobility or bladder issues arise, there are multiple options for treatment. If the ventricles in the brain do enlarge enough to cause hydrocephalus, then a shunt is the most common way to redirect excess spinal fluid.
After a month of consultations with specialists, multiple MRIs and ultrasounds, and tests we have learned a few things about our little girl’s Spina Bifida. Her defect is located very low on the spine, specifically the S1 region, she currently has strong movement in her hips, knees, and ankles and they are straight, her ventricles are borderline normal to large, and she has a Chiari II malformation. In our eyes, she is absolutely perfect, and we are thankful that in medical terms she is otherwise completely healthy. Through our many consultations with specialists in both Dallas and Houston, we have discussed both traditional post-natal surgery and pre-natal fetal surgery, as well as the wide variety of surgeries and needs that we might come across in the future.
We have decided that the best decision for our family is to close the opening in her spine with post-natal surgery. This decision was agonized over and based on hundreds of factors and data. The rest of our pregnancy will look very normal with just a few more ultrasounds, which we are always happy about seeing more of our girl. Birth will include a scheduled c-section to eliminate stress on her, followed by surgery on her spine within 24 hours. We will have about a two-week stay in the NICU to let her surgery wound heal fully before heading home. After repair, her doctors will keep a close eye on a few things, but otherwise, she will be like any other baby. The specific impacts of Spina Bifida on mobility, the bladder, and the brain will become clear over years and we will be addressing them on a day-by-day basis.
We are thankful for so many things through this experience. First and foremost we are grateful for her life, which we never once questioned nor have viewed as any less. Spina Bifida is a part of God’s plan written for her and we are confident that whatever comes her way is for his reason. We are also incredibly grateful for the love, support, and prayers of family and friends; we are truly surrounded by the best people. Finally, we are thankful for the means and access to top specialists, doctors, and surgeons right here in Dallas, and realize that is, unfortunately, a privilege many do not have. We cannot wait for the great joy she will bring us! xoxo Taylor and Alex
Growing up, we didn’t have a set tradition of baking specific cookies for Santa. We usually left Santa whatever cookies we had baked last because at Christmas the cookie jar was never left empty. Rarely did we bake sugar cookies though, because most of my family, myself included, did not have the patience to chill, cut, and ice sugar cookies. While this recipe for sugar cookies does require an hour of chilling, it is otherwise relatively quick to bake. The dough is easy to mix and cut, and topping with colored sugar significantly cut down the time from measuring to eating. Enjoy! xoxo
Mix room temperature butter and sugar until just combined. Add in room temperature egg, vanilla, and almond extract, beating well. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add salt and flour, beating well for about 1 minute. Form dough into a flat disk, wrap it in plastic and refrigerate for at least one hour.
On a floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness and carefully cut out shapes. Tip, dip your cookie cutter in flour between cutting out cookies to prevent the dough from sticking to the cutter. Sprinkle cookies with colored sugar, or leave plain to ice after. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are just golden brown. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before frosting.
Easily one of my favorite restaurants in Dallas is il Bracco, and one of my favorite dishes on their menu is the Spicy Gemelli. Since we started planning our dates nights specifically around this coveted Spicy Gemelli, Alex insisted I learn how to make something similar at home. This recipe is surprisingly simple and is a relatively quick dinner. There is nothing better than a night out enjoying authentic Italian food, but this Spicy Gemelli recipe is a close second. Enjoy! xoxo
In a saucepan over medium heat, warm oil, and cook shallot and garlic, stirring often, until fragrant. Add crushed red pepper, and tomato paste, occasionally stirring until the paste starts to carmelize for about 3-5 minutes. Add vodka and cook, stirring constantly, until the liquid is evaporated. Add cream, stir until well blended and remove from heat.
Meanwhile, cook Gemelli in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and toss with sauce. Top with chopped basil and serve warm.
