• Adding a Third Baby to the Mix

      by SimplyHollyJo on December 17, 2021 , No Comments

      I’m currently three months deep in the baby phase with our third baby. It’s a stressful and exciting phase that has me thinking back to my previous baby phases. I almost feel like a first time mom with the amount of information I feel like I’ve forgotten. Not to mention how much temperaments change from baby to baby. First Time Mom Life With my first baby, I lounged around at home, watching Call the Midwife (SO much crying), and attempting various tasks around the house when I could get a moment of baby free time, unless I could somehow do […]

      Babies, Kids, Life, Motherhood
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    • the birth of my second child | taking his time

      by SimplyHollyJo on September 28, 2020 , No Comments

      In honor of National Sons Day, (who comes up with these?) I’m going to share the birth story of my second child, who is also my second son. Better Late Than Never, I Suppose… I was 40 weeks and 5 days along. My brain convinced me that the birth of this baby wasn’t going to happen until exactly 42 weeks. Then he would share a birthday with his brother two years apart. My first had been stubborn and come early. My second was being stubborn and coming late. I had wanted him to come in April so that they would […]

      Babies, Motherhood, Pregnancy
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    • the birth story of my first child | early arrival

      by SimplyHollyJo on August 11, 2020 , No Comments

      In honor of the National Son and Daughter Day, I am going to share the birth story of my first little guy, who decided to come early at 36 weeks and 4 days. I feel the need to start this by saying that I had moved states about three weeks prior to having my son. My recent activities included unpacking a house, sealing grout, setting up a nursery, and generally working on lots of stuff. Even afterwards my midwives didn’t know why I went into labor early. I guess he was just ready to be out and about! Woke up […]

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    • A Mother’s Love | Love After Babies

      by SimplyHollyJo on February 24, 2020 , No Comments

      I’ve talked about how having kids has changed my relationship with God, and how it has changed my relationship with myself. Now I’m going to talk about how it’s changed my view on a mother’s love. Specifically when it comes to my own mother. As a mom, some days are great, some days are ho-hum, a some days are awful. The why’s behind any of those types of days are vast. My attitude, their attitude, weather, sleep, activities, growth, interests, family, outsiders, etc. So much. There is A LOT that goes into making a marriage work. You’re marrying two people […]

      Babies, Faith, Motherhood
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    • Loving Yourself as a Mom | Love After Babies

      by SimplyHollyJo on February 18, 2020 , No Comments

      Loving yourself as a mom. So much to unpack there. Right now I want to talk about how having kids has changed how I view myself, how I talk to myself, and simply how I love myself. We are our own worst critics. We are the ones that we talk to the most day to day, and we often don’t say very nice things. This is something I’ve been aware of, of course, but the significance of it has only heightened since becoming a mom. I am so much more aware of how I talk to myself, in my head […]

      Babies, Faith, Kids, Motherhood
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    • Surviving Hand Foot and Mouth Disease

      by SimplyHollyJo on December 3, 2018 , No Comments

      I survived hand, foot, and mouth disease, and this is my story. They always tell you that adding kids to any equation means getting sick more often. “They” do not lie. Growing up I had my share of illnesses. Obviously I started out as a kid as well! But as a teen and beyond, I didn’t get sick much. I would get maybe one cold a year, and I got either a stomach bug or food poisoning on the first day of senior year. Fun stuff. In college I started dating Joey when his sister was only 5 months old. A […]

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    • Detox Baths for Kids | How to Cure the Ickies

      by SimplyHollyJo on November 1, 2018 , No Comments

      I love detox baths. I always have. Warm water, Epsom salt, baking soda, and peace. I always keep Epsom salt and baking soda right next to the tub, and I often have some sort of herbal mix around as well for added benefits/fun.  Detox baths are great for muscle soreness/cramps, releasing toxins, relieving stress, helping skin issues, aiding digestion, and more. All you have to do is slow down and relax in the tub.  Training the Next Generation Because it was so normal for me, it didn’t take Liam long to join in on the detox fun. When he was […]

      Babies, Crunchy Living, Family Wellness, Kids, Motherhood
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    • Christmas Themed Baby Photos | Photographing My Kids

      by SimplyHollyJo on January 11, 2018 , No Comments

      I love an excuse to take Christmas themed photos! And when you already have themed outfits from the first kiddo, you must subject the second kiddo as well! This time around a had a few more props and ideas to help keep things fun and new for Itty Bitty. He isn’t always the most excited about photos, or being posed. I don’t really blame him at that age. His brother was no different when I did his shoot either.  For the Santa suit he was somewhat interested because he loves Gigi’s little Melissa and Doug couch. Sitting up on that […]

      Babies, Kids, Motherhood, Photography
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    • Making Time for Myself as a Mom | Photoshoot Fun!

      by SimplyHollyJo on January 4, 2018 , No Comments

      Mom’s have this great ability to take care of others. We often are running around wiping noses, making dinner, doing chores, running errands, and generally just going all the time. During all of this hustle and bustle its easy to lose ourselves, or forget to work in time to “feed” ourselves. Everyone has something, or multiple things that bring them joy and peace. For some it’s reading, or sports, or simply being outdoors. Whatever it is, we all try to make time for it in our lives to stay mentally healthy and happy. My personal joy is art. Specifically photography. […]

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    • From a Family of Three to a Family of Four | The Birth of Itty Bitty

      by SimplyHollyJo on June 13, 2017 , No Comments

      At 40 weeks and 5 days, our second baby boy decided to make his appearance! It was the day before my scheduled non-stress test and possible membrane sweep. I prayed all weekend to avoid that appointment, and everything fell into place! My mother came down that day at the urging of her hubby (thanks Mike!) due to my appointment the following day. Of course at the time I didn’t know that she already had a flight scheduled. I had sent her and my sister a text that morning saying I was cramping, but who knows if it would turn into […]

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    • Pregnant with Baby #2!

      by SimplyHollyJo on November 8, 2016 , No Comments

      Baby Hanks #2 is on it’s way!! We always said we wanted at least two kids, so when Little Man turned one, the discussions began. Hubby wanted to start trying immediately, but I was more hesitant to have two under two for some reason. I just wanted a bit more space between the two. Just like with our first pregnancy, I worked out the “perfect timeframe” for when to conceive and therefore when to deliver. ? I’m crazy like that. Ultimately we started trying a month or so before I had originally planned. Hubby was concerned that it might take […]

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    • My Cloth Diaper Stash

      by SimplyHollyJo on August 29, 2016 , No Comments

      To cloth diaper, or not to cloth diaper. I knew what cloth diapers were. My mom had used them on us as kids, but they were this huge undertaking in my mind. I was starting to learn about them prior to having kids, and I loved the idea of them, but I was hesitant to commit. Would my family think I was insane for even thinking about it… Then my mom and sister asked me if I was going to cloth diaper…and encouraged me to do so. THEN we saw adorable cloth diapers in the store…SOLD! Once Little Man was […]

      Babies, Cloth Diapers
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