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Soooo I’m not always great at answering my DMs and doing Q&A’s on Instagram is a great way to share info *but* it disappears after 24 hours on Instagram stories, so I wanted a more permanent place for your questions to live! Let’s see how a monthly Q&A blog post goes, shall we?
Who is your STL eyebrow threading gal?
I get my brows threaded regularly for shape & clean up and will ONLY go to Perfect Brows in Westport – she is SO great, it’s only $10, and you can make an appointment. // linked here
How are you so good at the crossword puzzle?
Ha! This one makes me laugh… secret talent! I’ve always LOVED crossword puzzles (thanks, mom) and my sister actually got me hooked on the mini. My goal in 2022 is to aim for the bigger daily NYT crosswords – I’ve never successfully finished one! // NYT crossword
You posted a drink forever ago. A honey bee or something. Can you share the recipe?
A bee’s knees! One of my favorite cockatils – only 3 ingredients & super delish. I sometimes sub out the gin for vodka and it’s still good! I’ll do my own blog post recipe some day but until then, this is a good guide // recipe here
Women’s snow boots? New to Ohio from Texas.
Welcome to Ohio! I *highly* recommend buying a pair of timeless, WARM, waterproof snow boots and they’ll last 10+ years… Sorel is my go-to brand and I love that these are classic // shop them here
Do you still like your Bosch dishwasher???
Still LOVE it – super quiet, washes so well, and the 3 racks are amazing! Highly recommend – we have this model.
How did you pick your children’s names?
None of the kids’ first names have any family meaning but all of their middle names do! We just liked all of their first names & we never found out the sex of our babies before they were born so we always needed 2 names teed up…
We knew Quinn was our favorite for a girl and our boy name was either Connor or Cooper.
When I was pregnant with Cooper, our names were Cooper for a boy or Emerson (Emmy) for a girl.
We still loved Emerson (Emmy) when I was pregnant with her so that was an easy one. I don’t remember having a firm boy name when I was pregnant with her but I was also pretty confident she was going to be a girl so we didn’t stress.
For Auggie, we just liked the name (I actually have a dear friend with a son named August/Auggie and he’s darling) so we agreed on August/Auggie. Our girl name was Campbell but no need to use it :).
I definitely kept a running list over the years as well + used Nameberry for name inspiration.
Hardest kid transition? (Going from 0-1/1-2/2-3/3-4) We are unexpectedly expecting #3
Hardest was definitely 1-2 for us! I remember so many people making comments that made me feel so nervous to add a 3rd baby to the mix but the transition really wasn’t bad! Quinn was 4.5, Cooper was 2.5, and they had each other to occupy the other’s time while I was busy with the baby. Quinn was also in a part time preschool program which helped.
Quinn wasn’t even 2 yet when Cooper was born, so she couldn’t care for herself, had no one else to play with, and it was just a lot going from each parent being able to pass off parental responsibility roughly half the time to both parents needing to be “on” at least one kid most of the time.
And – 3rd babies are absolute sugar :).
Relatively new. How do you handle 4 kids?! My heart says yes head says no?! // How do you keep your head above water with kids, house, work, etc.? I want baby #4 but so scared it’ll be too much for me…
Not gonna lie… we have a ton of help which is the only thing that makes it manageable for us. Obviously different things work for different families and some parents thrive on the chaos & noise of a big family… I’m not one of those people, although I love my children dearly ;).
Both sets of our parents live in town and are both helpful. My older 2 are in elementary school and Emmy is in a part time preschool program. We have a cleaning lady who deep cleans the house. We also brought on someone to help with laundry & dishes & errand-running. We’re also in marriage counseling to keep the wheels on the bus.
It’s obviously a huge decision to make but Chris and I always thought about what we want our holidays to look like in 20+ years and knew we wanted 4 kids around that table.
Is Zulily legit? Always looks spammy to me.
It IS legit – the brands aren’t “off” (ie if it’s advertised as being Hunter or Tory Burch, it’s the real deal). It’s a site where brands liquidate their items and shipping isn’t free and shipping takes a bit longer than the 2-day we’re used to from Prime, and all of these factor in to the discounted price you see. Zulily does charge for shipping, so sometimes the discount + cost of shipping ISN’T a better deal than just buying on Amazon, but when I share Zulily deals, I cross-reference to make sure I’m sharing the best deal. // Zulily
How do you do restaurants with your kids? Tablets allowed, bribes etc?
We choose restaurants we *think* will be quick – Mexican food, diners, Thai food, and ‘bar food’ type places are our best bets. One of us will usually ‘walk’ with Auggie so he’s not stuck at the table the whole time. He’s not even 2 and won’t sit in a highchair or booster so we try to get a booth when possible.
I do try to bring along a toy or 2 to keep them busy at the table, ranging from Thinking Putty to reusable sticker sheets to Color Wonder markers to a book. We started playing “family trivia” in NYC, which is where someone asks a question about themselves ‘what’s my favorite candy? / what’s my favorite color? / if I could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?’ (stuff like that) and then everyone guesses that person’s answer. Fun, easy, and makes everyone feel included and special.
No judgement but we don’t do tablets at restaurants – I want the kids to learn how to keep themselves busy and occupied without a screen so we skip them.
Local STL recs for home organizers? Trying to outsource some of our dumpster fire. Thx!
I feel this deeply in my soul – I use Kelly from Organized Interiors and really like her!
Thinking of a weekend getaway to STL (no kids). Suggestions for hotel/restaurants?
The Four Seasons is definitely the swankiest of hotels, but I’ve also heard great things about Le Meridien, The Chase is a classic, and The Moonrise is really cool as well.
As far as things to do, I love hitting local breweries and eating the local food. Some spots worth hitting are:
- Schlafly
- Rockwell
- 4 Hands
- Imo’s Pizza
- Olive & Oak
- Pastaria
- Forest Park (the Zoo, Art Museum, History Museum)
- City Museum
- Botanical Gardens
- The Arch
- St. Louis Wheel
- this is a great list of restaurants, too!
Does lexapro have any side affects? Are you still on it?
I still take 20mg of Lexapro daily and it’s a lifesaver for me. I take it at night right before bed to combat any fatigue. If you’re taking it (or any meds) and the side effects are too much, definitely mention to your doctor and they can likely switch things up :).
I got the lulu dupe leggings you shared. Love them so far! It says to hand wash. Do you?
HELL NO! Ha, I don’t hand wash anything. Here’s a link if you haven’t tried them 😉 // lulu lookalike leggings
What car do you drive??
A Ford Expedition Max! And I freaking LOVE it. Before that, I had a Chevy Tahoe and the trunk space is basically non-existent + I had a 2015 and the suspension makes for a more truck-like ride. My Expedition is much roomier and has a smoother ride. Chris now drives the Tahoe.
Did you have a chance to enjoy the holidays and the magic?!
This is so sweet to ask! I did; I’m so thankful that we were able to celebrate with our families and my kids are at that prime magical age where everything is still such a mystery. Besides PMSing the week before Christmas, I enjoyed the actual festivities and getting to make that magic for my kids.
How’s your sister and her baby doing?
Another SUPER sweet question! They’re doing so well, I hate not being able to see them regularly (they live in Chicago) but baby Maeve is filling out and looking more like a baby and less like a newborn. She does have a milk protein intolerance so my sister had to drop dairy but other than that, they’re great!
What is your favorite kid age? I’m at 3 and 1 and – does it get easier?
IT GETS EASIER!!! You’re in peak ‘keep them alive’ mode – very little reasoning, life is still dictated by naps & diapers & tantrums… my personal favorite age is like 6 months but it’s also incredibly rewarding to see your kids develop into people with personalities. My oldest 3 are at really fun ages right now – 9, 7 and almost 5!
I’d love to hear how you got started in this space! // How did you become an influencer? First viral video or post?
Slow and steady for me, with a couple of lucky shares! I have been doing this 6+ years. I’ve always been interested in writing and having a creative outlet. My major in college was Journalism (I have a BJ from University of Missouri – Columbia) and I grew up wanting to write for magazines.
I started my blog, knew a tiny bit about coding from my day job (which was in email marketing & corporate social media), and researched EVERYTHING about blogging and social media. I was already in a corporate role at work managing a brand’s social media presence, so that helped, but I learned infinitely more doing it on my own.
I quit my corporate job in the spring of 2016 and by the end of 2016 was making a little money from my blog. It’s grown steadily (but slowly) and the real tipping point came from HUGE accounts (and the incredibly supportive women) sharing me to their followers. S/O to Susie from Busy Toddler + Karrie from Karing for Postpartum!
Big sibling gift ideas to/from new baby?
I have a blog post here!
Your go-to Chick-fil-a order?
8 count grilled nugget meal with a side salad – buffalo sauce + ranch, Diet Dr. Pepper.
When will the lake house be available for rent?
Sometime soon! We were going to manage it ourselves and then came back down to earth and realized that that’s far beyond our skillsets so we’re outsourcing and I promise I’ll let you know as soon as it’s available!
What is your skincare routine?
I – gasp – don’t have one! While I use both Tula and Dime products for different purposes, I don’t have a dedicated nightly skincare routine… it’s one of my goals in 2022 to really make that happen!
Tula faves: Mineral Sunscreen // Rose Glow & Get It // Lip Balms // Filter Primer // Undereye Balm // Clay Mask
Dime faves: Eyebrow Boost Serum // Blue Facial Oil // Eyelash Boost Serum // Pimple Patches
I will say, I got a new skincare line kit for Christmas and I’ll share more soon after I’ve had a chance to use it for a bit!
Do your kids have to wear masks to school?
My older kids DO but their district dropped the mandate before the break, to take action after break, but with the state of things, we will wait and see!
Emmy does not have to wear a mask to school.
None of my kids minds wearing a mask any time ;).
Do you still love your weighted blanket? Does Chris like his cheaper one?
I LOVE mine (linked here). Chris doesn’t like ANY weighted blanket. After having the Amazon version for a year, I really do recommend the Bearby if it’s in budget! Still looks brand new after over a year. // Bearby Weighted Blanket
Maybe I missed it, but are you still nursing Auggie? Considering going past 1 yr too.
I am, in the morning, before nap, and at night. There have been a few times where we’ve been separated for a few days due to travel and I’ve thought ‘oh, he’ll probably be done with me’ and he just isn’t, so I’m not rushing it. The longest I nursed before him was 18 months with Emmy, so I’m in uncharted territory but following his lead.
What do you do on NYE with your kids?
It varies every year! The one thing we do every year is take a family selfie – low key but fun to look back on!
What do you like about living in STL?
FAMILY! It’s home for both Chris and I (neither one was born here but were both raised here) and while our kids are kids, we will stay put. It’s a great family town, good public schools in many areas, affordable cost of living, generally kind people, and it’s right in the middle of things.
How frickin’ long does the postpartum hormone rollercoaster last? I’m over it!
Umm let me know when you find out… currently in my 10th year of pregnancy/breastfeeding (with a few month gaps in between!).
Do you save up your Sunday funnies through the week or find them all one day?
Through the week! I save everything to a folder on IG :).
Vitamins your kids use again please? Do you still have a code?
HIYA! Love them. Code is LOVELUCKYLIFE for 50% off your first order // shop them here
Did your hair change after pregnancy?
My hair has always been garbage so hasn’t changed a ton in pregnancy & postpartum besides the normal cycle of loss & regrowth.
What’s your strategy for getting rid of toys once kids outgrow them? Kids involved?
Ruthless purging when they’re not around! My kids tend to be little hoarders (like their mom) so I get rid of things that are broken/outgrown/no longer played with when they’re gone.
How do you have special time with each kid?
We’re not great at doing this with each of our kids, honestly. I do take time each day to have one-on-one conversations with them and one-on-one snuggles but no regularly scheduled special dates, even though that would be great.
What your kids personalities like?
Ahhh SO different!
Quinn: quintessential oldest child. Responsible. Applied. Rule-follower. Kind. Perceptive. Quiet leader.
Cooper: quintessential second child, ha! Spicy. Passionate. Athletic. Proud.
Emmy: I’ve never met a sweeter child. Empathetic. Caring. A natural entertainer. Wise beyond her years.
Auggie: jury’s still out… his personality is starting to emerge and he’s both physical (hello, climbing) and very verbal. He seems to like to entertain so it’ll be fun seeing who he becomes!
Insta consumerism is hitting me hard – how do you cope/handle it?
My situation is a little different because it’s my job to show and share so many different products. As a consumer of social media, I am very careful about following accounts that make me feel inspired, uplifted, educated, and overall better equipped to do life versus those that leave me feeling less-than, envious, or like I’m not doing enough.
Aside from curating the content I’m consuming, it’s always a good reminder to know that what you’re seeing online us just a snapshot of someone’s day, you have NO IDEA what’s going on behind the scenes, and to also try not to compare yourself to anyone online.
Depending on where they live, their spouses work situation, other financial considerations, etc your budget, savings, expenses, etc likely widely varies from someone you follow online.
Net/net: I try to stay in my own lane & not compare my life/stuff/family/body to anyone elses!
Next place you’re going on vacation?
Well… we just postponed a family trip to San Diego. With cases sky high, it just didn’t seem like the best time to hop on a plane. So the next on the schedule is Tulum in February but TBD based on the state of the world!
What you did for SPD while pregnant? 26 weeks almost and in so much pain.
Ahhhh, I’m so sorry, it’s BRUTAL! The bright side is that it really does go away once you deliver! SPD = symphysis pubis dysfunction is a wildly painful but temporary condition caused by pregnancy. I never had it before my last pregnancy (thankfully) and I (kind of sort of) managed it with a pelvic floor physical therapist. Of course talk to your doctor as well but I believe the options are PT or chiropractic care. I chose PT because it was covered by insurance.
Does your hubby own his own co? Just wondering how he can take off work for all the trips?
He does & has for the past 15+ years. Over the years and especially since Covid, his schedule has gotten more flexible :).
Dyson air wrap. Have you ever used it?? So curious if it’s worth the splurge!
I bought it refurbished on Black Friday/Cyber Monday and it’s really really cool. I justified the cost by knowing that I could use the curling function on my girls. My hair is so fine/short that I can’t really use all the cool attachments and I think it totally depends on your hair type & budget to decide if it’s ‘worth it’ – I could definitely live without it but it’s nice to have ;). // on sale $50 off here
The chapstick you use for kids?
THIS is the GOAT! It gets rid of any chapped lips in like 1-2 days. // shop it here
What do you do with all the clothes you no longer wear?
Mostly gift them to friends or family or donate them! A few items I’ll consign through She’s So Thrifty – she does a fabulous job!