• Staying Out of the ER | A Daily Mom Goal

      by SimplyHollyJo on November 6, 2018 , No Comments

      So life is hard. Parenting is hard. It’s all just hard. It can be super amazing at times, boring at other times, and just plain hard. So often times I will get to bedtime and I’m just happy I survived the day. Lately when one of the kiddos is doing something dangerous…which is most things when you have a big head and uncoordinated body…I tell them some variation of “be careful” (usually trying not to actually say those words,) followed by “Mommy doesn’t want to go to the ER today!” Goals. We should always have them. That’s one of mine. […]

      Kids, Motherhood
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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. […]

      Babies, Kids, Motherhood, Photography
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    • Mommy Wars | Can’t We All Just Get Along?!

      by SimplyHollyJo on December 18, 2017 , No Comments

      Mommy wars. I hate them. So much. I am a firm believer that everyone should do what works best for themselves and their kiddos when it comes to parenting. Not all parents are the same, not all kids are the same. What worked for your first kid, might not work for your second. What worked for your sister, might not work for you, that’s okay! Love your kids, raise them how you want to raise them, and be supportive of your mom friends who are roughing it without a manual just like you! Then One Day a Lightbulb Went Off… […]

      Motherhood
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    • The Minimalist in Me

      by SimplyHollyJo on December 11, 2017 , No Comments

      Some will read this and think I’m crazy, others will think, “good luck while having kids!” No matter the reaction, this term has been on my mind a lot the last year or so. I’ve always been intrigued by the minimalist movement, and I was kind of thrown into it last year. We decided to move, which meant showing our house. I needed a way to make sure I would be ready for sudden appointments. So I packed up half the house. I got rid of things, and I boxed things up and put them in closets. I reduced the […]

      Cloth Diapers, Kids, Motherhood
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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 […]

      Babies, Motherhood, Pregnancy
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    • Achieving My Pregnancy Goal

      by SimplyHollyJo on April 21, 2017 , No Comments

      So, I did it! Baby and I made it to 37 weeks (full term)! I’m actually at 38 weeks and change as I type this. I’m so excited that birthing at my birthing center is a real possibility now.  But now I have a “problem.” I’m in the “waiting game” phase of pregnancy. It’s so weird to be just kind of moving about life waiting to see when God will spring labor on me! It’s a new experience for this pregnancy!  It’s also new being in this stage of pregnancy. I had only JUST started feeling uncomfortable in my last […]

      Motherhood, Pregnancy
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    • Pregnancy Goals

      by SimplyHollyJo on March 29, 2017 , No Comments

      Based on my two pregnancies so far, I usually stay pretty mellow. I think that’s just my personality.  I am blessed to not have fertility issues this far, and I usually have pretty uneventful pregnancies. That doesn’t mean I don’t have nausea for 10+ weeks, back and hip pain, and round ligament pain. It’s just that I kind of see them as a part of the package for me and know I’m blessed to not have worse things to deal with. (I also frequent my chiro, which helps immensely!)  This pregnancy has been slightly different since I’m not working, but […]

      Motherhood, Pregnancy
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    • How to Sell Your House with a Toddler

      by SimplyHollyJo on December 6, 2016 , No Comments

      It sucks. It’s not easy. I don’t suggest it. But I’m going to share some tricks about how to sell your house with a toddler (or other small children). Pair Down, EVERYTHING  The first thing your realtor will tell you to do is to get your house show ready. That means clearing out personal items and scaling down clutter and decor. You want your stuff to showcase the house, not hide it. Store things away that you don’t really need, or that could cause clutter and messes that take too long to clean up on a whim. Minimize Toys Put […]

      Motherhood
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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 […]

      Babies, Motherhood, Pregnancy
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    • How Having a Kid Changed How I View Road Trips

      by SimplyHollyJo on September 12, 2016 , No Comments

        Road trips. They were a big part of my childhood. I mean if we did go anywhere, we drove. I use to love it…sleeping, playing games, eating gas station junk food…what’s not to love? I also remember staying up late playing navigator to my dad with a REAL PAPER MAP. It was awesome! Fast forward many years and I still loved road trips. Blaring music, gas station junk food, and chair dancing. Yes! Fast forward again…kids. Hmm. They can put a damper on road trips. We live about 8 hours from my family and many of our friends. We are lucky […]

      Motherhood, Photography, Travel
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