Baby Shower + Registry.

Hey y’all! Been working on trying to get this post out for a while! Lots of people have asked to share my registry and top favorites that I got! Of course without the baby here I can’t give my full review on most products it there’s a few things me and Ryan tried to start using in our bedroom, etc. To try to get used to before little man gets here!!

Before we get to all that, let’s chat about the shower!!

Most would say that I had my shower very early – that was the plan! I’ve heard too many of my friends say they wish they had had their showers sooner in their pregnancy to be able to set the baby’s room up sooner and be more prepared for things they did it get! I think the timing of mine was perfect for me, I had it around my 7 month mark, the baby’s room is basically finished with a few minor touches left, and I was able to get all the things I didn’t receive as sweet gifts, on my own!

To touch on another subject, I honestly got SOOOO many things I had on my registry! Again, after being at friends showers and seeing them get nothing but clothes, I had made the decision that I had to somehow ask for no clothes. I brought it up to Ryan and a few other people and asked if they thought that was rude if I could find the right way to word it! Most said no, so we brainstormed a way to word it that would sound right! Truth be told, I got a few comments from people but I don’t regret it at ALL! why not get a new momma the things she needs instead of buying clothes? And clothes are such a personal preference! I know this is kind of a old school thing, and people get excited about buying baby clothes, but that’s not what a new family NEEDS.

The shower was held by my amazing momma with lots of help from my mother and law, my aunt sweet aunt Renee who always goes above and beyond with the party set ups, and my nanny, she was responsible for the delicious cookies! The was shower at the Southern Hotel in Covington and the venue is absolutely gorgeous!! I wanted to keep things really simple and light + airy, for some reason as the years go on I just want more and more simplicity for party’s, from decor to even the amount of people!! It makes for a much more enjoyable day!

For my registry I registered at POTTERY BARN, AMAZON, and BUY BUY BABY. Click any of those links and you can check them out! I honestly just went between two of my best friends registry’s to make mine! Seeing similar things they had registered for and just picking things I personally thought would work for us as well!!

Here are some items we are already loving + some that were absolute MUST HAVES for us!

UPPA BABY CRUZ STROLLER | $679

(In Bryce white, compatible with MESA car seat)

UPPABABY MESSA CARSEAT | $299

(In color Bryce as well)

Baby Brezza Formula Dispenser | $199

White noise machine | $49

Something we already started using to get used to it in our room! We love it now lol can’t sleep without it!

4MOMS pack & play | $299

BABYBJORN bouncer | $199

Everyone raves about these and my best friends little girls absolutely loved it!

Baby Shusher | $35

Again an item I always hear clients and friends rave about, it’s pretty genius! Literally all it does is say shhhhhhh over and over again lol but I can see how baby’s would love it!

Newborn BOPPY lounger | $32

TOUCH CONTROL NIGHT LIGHT | $20

Another thing we are already using! We both are OBSESSED, I know it’s something so simple but the light gets bright bright and then veryy dim! So dim I could sleep with it on! It is touch controlled which is so convenient and can be used on or off of its charging station.

Owlet Smart Sock and Monitor System | $399

This was a absolute must have. If you haven’t heard of this read up on it! In a nutshell it monitors the baby’s breathing and heart rate and stuff while they sleep!

Stokke high chair bundle | $388

4MOMS MomaRoo infant seat | $219

This looks amazing and I see people that have it rave about it! It has different settings to rock the baby!

Ill be sharing more and more as we discover what works for us! Registry details below

– AMAZON –

– BUY BUY BABY –

– POTTERY BARN –

XoXo, Chelsey Rae

Sharing more shower pics below! Thankful for my friend Krista for always being a amazing photographer!

📸 : Krista Cheramie Co.

Asked about Makeup!

Hey guys! Throwing this up here real quick because I got a lot of DMs on Instagram about my lip combo and under eye!

Linking items below!

I have used MAC PRO LONGWEAR CONCEALER NC15 under my eyes for YEARS now! It is the base of my under eye and then I typically apply something brighter OVER it .. AFTER I have finished my blush! Just a few dots to make it EXTRA bright, this is typically ASHLEY SIEVERTS SPOTLIGHT CONCEALER or I recently switch up with MAGIC STAR CONCEALER in PURE WHITE!

MAC | $25

MAGIC STAR | $22

It looks like a little bit of a darker lip liner is coming back in the picture for this summer! My lip combo yesterday was MILANIS NUDE LIPLINER (color 03) lined my lips with this, then put on NARS LIPSTICK IN BRIGITTE. THEN went OVER my lip line AGAIN with the lip liner to make it more defined!

Milani Lipliner | $4

NARS | $34

the worst pregnancy advice…

Hey guys! In the wake of all this craziness it kinda feels weird to be talking about shopping, but us pregnant people still need clothes as our bumps grow right?! Especially if this clothes thing has been a struggle for you like it’s been for me!!!

I remember when I first got pregnant TONS of people told me to NOT spend money on maternity clothes…this by FAR has been the most terrible advice people gave me lol!!

The last few months I have been SO happy that I started spending money on maternity clothes! If you really look they have some store that have TONS of cute clothes that aren’t too expensive! And let me tell you, it makes ALL the difference in the world that your clothes fit right just to make you feel better!!!

Towards a certain point, even when your shirts fit, your belly gets so out there that you look like Winnie the poo with the bottom or your belly hanging out – THIS is a issue for me pahahaha!

Anyway! My advice to any pregnant woman would be to definitely spend the money on making yourself feel good with new clothes that are made to FIT that prego tummy!

I lived all winter in my lululemon leggings and in the past few weeks I was like okay, I need shorts!!! And T-shirt’s that will cover this stomach!! It’s about to be hot as heck around here in Louisiana and I need something to throw on and go but still feel comfortable!

My first purchase were THESE soft shorts you see in the picture! BEST BUY EVER! After that it was on and I purchased a few more things!!

Linking some websites below that I love to shop on for pregnancy stuff and linking some clothes I already have/are in my cart below that!!

PINK BLUSH MATERNITY

H&M MATERNITY

BOOHOO MATERNITY

this website has some great stuff but it’s hit or miss, I end up returning half the bag when I get it but it’s worth it to find good pieces. Once you get the sizing down your good!

ASOS MATERNITY

ruches side maternity shorts | $32

I’d order a size up in these if you want a little bit more looseness in your legs.

Cotton T-Shirt | $18

These are technically not maternity shirts, but they come low enough to cover the belly!!’

– THINGS IVE PURCHASED –

– THINGS IN MY CART –

XoXo, Chelsey Rae

most comfy bralettes

Okay so I know I’m not the norm but I have ALWAYS, ALWAYS, slept with a bra on! To the point where I can even sleep with a wire bra on haha! Now since getting pregnant, not so much with the wire, but still with a bra!

I found these when searching for the perfect stretchy + comfy one to sleep in and after having two for the past 5 months I recently went and got two more and decided to share with you guys!!

They are priced so well too!!

Linking them below!

XoXo, Chelsey Rae

Bump Friendly Pieces

Hey guys! Can’t believe I finally did a try on today! Pahaha i am so proud of myself! All pieces on here are NON MATERNITY (besides two of them!) and all fit true to size!

If you have a bump, I’d typically size up for the bump!

– KIMONOS –

– BODYCONS –

– MATERNITY SHORTS + DRESS –

XoXo, Chelsey Rae

First & Second Trimester!

Okay guys, I have literally not been on here since December! That’s insanity!! By now those of you that follow me know I’m pregnant & am due the first few weeks in May with a sweet baby boy!

Honestly life’s been so crazy since finding out and getting used to all that comes along with it, that I’ve been a little distracted! I figured before I’m officially enter the 3rd trimester this week, I should post about the 1st and 2nd!

First and foremost before we get to that – to every single person out there who has sent congratulations our way, has kept us + baby in their prayers, and has sent their warm wishes and advice, I want to say THANK YOU!! Your love is felt and is so appreciated! Also, to any mommas out there that are trying to conceive and are struggling, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep the faith that it will happen, even when times are so unbelievably tough, god has a plan!! XoXo

_____________________________

1st Trimester

In September of 2019 as me and Ryan left for our honeymoon I mentioned while at the airport that I was a few days late, Ryan mentioned that it probably didn’t happen that quickly and I figured he was right and told myself not to get my hopes up. (The month before our honeymoon we realized after using ovulation sticks, linking here, for two months before to get my cycle planned out that I wouldn’t be ovulating on the honeymoon which is when we wanted to start trying so we said screw it, it won’t happen before we leave! SIKE) We landed in Italy spent a few days there and went on to Greece. After about 3 days in Greece I realized I was over a week late and I took a pregnancy test. Not having anything cute planned I literally handed it to him while he was mid-bite at breakfast. He was like noooo wayyyy! I can’t believe that happened that fast! And I can’t lie although I was so excited I started to get some major anxiety. All the sudden by just looking at that little line my whole life had changed. It was crazy.

We went on to take 3 more GREEK pregnancy tests before coming home and I saw my OBYN Amy grace at Tulane lakeside at about 6 weeks pregnant! This is kind of early on to see most OBGYNS but I know her and she knows I’m crazy so, I went early!

Up until about 13 weeks I did pregnancy test strips every few days that I got from amazon because I was paranoid. I don’t recommend driving yourself crazy like that but if your already a lost cause like me, I’m linking them HERE! It’s a box of 30 strips!

I also used a heart Doppler up until I could start feeling the baby move weeks into the second trimester. I would listen to his heartbeat every few days just to check, because again, I’m crazy! Linking HERE.

Heart Dopper | $54

These first few months I also purchased the 3 types of stretch mark lotions and oils I would use as well as my prenatals! (I did take prenatals two months prior to trying to conceive).

For the first trimester …..

[ PHYSICALLY ] I was a absolutely exhausted. Like alllll the time. I would get home from work and take naps, which if you know me, that’s absolutely crazy! I was nauseous constantly, don’t know why they call it morning sickness, it’s more like all day sickness! But, I only threw up a handful of times, which I am grateful for because that like my least favorite thing ever! At this point me going to the gym every morning was out the window. I went every now and then when I felt like I had the energy to! I also wasn’t seeing too many changes in my body other then my boobs becoming gigantic, but at least here the rest of me wasn’t yet haha!!

[ FOOD ] I’m normally a good girl all week and treat myself on the weekends. Mostly trying to stay away from carbs but indulging in them once or twice on Saturday/Sunday’s. Well that ALL went out the window with how nauseous I was! All I wanted was food with substance! Sandwiches! And a good hearty meal! I had some major aversions, I LOVE fish and the thought or looking at it completely grossed me out, I couldn’t touch it at all! Salads were a no go as well and some veggies that I normally love were grossing me out! I wanted lots of chicken soup with crackers or Ryans delicious grilled cheeses!! Basically I ate whatever tasted good and made me feel better that I could stomach at this point! And eating was the only thing that helped me not feel nauseous, so I gained about 10 pounds in the first trimester! I like to attribute a lot of that to the pasta in Italy before I even knew I was pregnant though!

[ MENTALLY ] I went through all the fears I feel like most newly pregnant woman have. I was petrified of loosing the baby and worried about it frequently. I constantly prayed. I also had a little bit of anxiety about everything and thinking about how much our lives will change (all in good ways, but still anxiety lol!) the first trimester really was the toughest mentally for me and I thank god for Ryan, he was my rock and was constantly positive even if I was scared and worried about a number of things! These first few months I also read the book EXPECTING BETTER, which was a great fit for me as it cut to the chase with explaining the ins & outs / dos & don’ts of pregnancy in a more up to date type of way! It also EXPLAINED why these things are the way they are and I really liked that! And how serious some of the do’s and dont’s were, which again, I liked!

Expecting Better | $13

– MUST HAVES OF THE FIRST TRI –

________________________________

SECOND TRIMESTER

I end the second trimester this Saturday, so far this has been the easiest and me feeling most like myself (mentally), more relaxed, feeling good about baby’s health and I’ve had enough energy to get back to me doing the things I love + eating my (somewhat) normal foods! Other then the body changes which in the last 3 weeks have weighed on me heavily, no pun intended pahahah!

In the second trimester having you anatomy scan is a big deal to make sure the baby is developing right, it’s nerve racking and of course can’t catch everything but when you get back news of good results, you can take a breath and rest somewhat easier.

Sleeping has also became a issue, but I find THIS pregnancy pillow has helped me with being able to put it in different positions and getting comfy. I am a back and stomach sleeper so getting used to sleeping on my side (and only the left if were playing by the rules) has been tough! After touching on some research on this subject – you’d know if sleeping on your back was cutting off major circulation to yourself and the baby and this can be fixed by propping a pillow under some of your back, which is what I resort to sometimes.

Snoogle maternity pillow | $59

[ PHYSICALLY ] this has been the trimester that my body has changed the most. I started to develop somewhat of a belly in December and while that was a bay for a little while, the last few weeks I feel like it’s been growing uncontrollably haha! I was definitely able to get back into the gym at the begging of the trimester, almost everyday like I typically would, just to do some light cardio!! Then within the past 3 weeks I started experiencing round ligament pain after a trip to Disney with my mom so I find that the walking can irritate it if I don’t keep it under 45 mins and do a slower pace. I also have had to get THIS belly band because I am carrying low. Ultimately this trimester I’ve had my normally energy back, which was a nice break from the first!

[ FOOD ] I was finally able to start stomaching some of my normals again! Fish, lots of veggies and a good salad aren’t grossing me out!! Of course when I say normals that doesn’t mean favorites, which I’ve definitely been indulging in, but more like my normal self, trying to keep that to the weekends. Except king cake – it’s Mardi Gras and I’m taking advantage of eating that absolutely wheneverrrrr this year. This trimester though I also have started experiencing major heartburn, so, I eat tums like candy some day’s! It doesn’t even matter if it’s something that would normally cause heartburn at this point! Which is so weird!

[ MENTALLY ] I feel less stressed about all the changes coming and more like well, I’ll figure it out along the way like everyone else does. I also feel more at ease about the baby because I can feel him moving around in there constantly! Now, how I’m feeling mentally with my body is a totally different story, I struggle with obsessing over these changes to the point where I was crying almost every time I had to get dressed in something other then for work or yoga leggings. I commend women who are comfortable with this and who say they absolutely love being pregnant and it’s the most comfortable they have ever been in their body. I on the other hand have no words for how disturbing it is to me to have what it feels like is no control over your own body or the number on the scale. Before I was pregnant a day full of protein drinks would get the scale down a good two pounds the next day (probably just from having nothing major in your system) now if I try to have a day full of shakes I get on the scale and it’s the same or goes up a ounce! I was told that my body will get to whatever weight it wants to be regardless of if it’s shakes all day or food. But, it’s still all so frustrating! Obviously what matters most here is a healthy baby and I’m clearly putting on the pounds, so it’s all good, I just need a therapist pahahah!! I remind myself that if so many awesome women can get back to looking and feeling like themselves after baby, that I can too! And again I’m thankful here for Ryan too because he hugs me when I cry on the floor in piles of clothes in the closet, tells me I’m beautiful and that I’m not fat I’m pregnant lol!!! #goodtimes

The books I’ve read so far during this trimester have been mostly baby sleeping books! We are trying to find the best plan for us linking the two below I’ve read and we will also be purchasing a taking cara babies course, which is online.

______________________________

So, that’s allllll folks! I definitely can say I do not love being pregnant, I love that I’m growing my sweet boy and honestly could lay around for hours just feeling him kick (the BEST part) but other then that I give it a thumbs down haha! I can say, I can’t complain though because thus far, I have been blessed enough to have had a very easy pregnancy with no sort of complications – hopefully I won’t be eating those words by the end haha!! Stay away gestational diabetes and all the other fun stuff!! I just want my little man to get here healthy happy and on time – or maybe a week before! lol!!!

XoXo, Chelsey Rae

– OTHER BABY GOODIES IVE USED –

QUICK SHIP GIFT GUIDE

okay, is it just me or did December FLY by?!? Like way to fast for me to even get a hold on it! If your anything like me your definitely NOT done christmas shopping yet, so heres a easy list full of stuff everyone would like that will ship within two day pahahha!

hover over the image and click what you want to be brought to the site to purchase!

XOXO,CHELSEY RAE

Recent purchases

hey y’all haven’t been on here in FOREVER! This pregnancy thing has got me all over the place and totally not feeling like doing any try on sessions haha!

With that said I’ve been super into legging and sweater outfits that I can be comfy in and just pair with a cute bootie to feel more dressed up!!

Below you’ll find all my recent purchases with any needed info below the picture! Click the pink link below and it’ll take you directly to the item!!

Waffle Knit Sweater | $24

I ordered in a size small, it Comes in every color imaginable!

(below picture is only some)

____________________

Split hem Sweater | $27

Turtleneck Tunic | $21

Purchased in a size medium.

Other colors below + more.

____________________

Turtleneck pullover | $32

Runs VERY large. I ordered a small and could have gone for an XS If they would offer it. If you are typically a extra small plan on this being very oversized for you.

Also comes in TONS of colors, just a few options below!

____________________

Pointed Toe flat Mules | $12

Bell sleeve sweater | $21

Clear pump | $54

Order a whole size up!

If y’all have any questions feel free to message me and ask! Feels good to finish a blog post again!!!!

XoXo, Chelsey Rae

cute “dad” sneakers

I know this whole big chunky sneaker thing is in. I think it’s a dad sneaker, maybe not? Bottom line is that I’m not super cook enough to wear them, but then I laid my eyes on this pair. It’s a mild version of the dad sneaker in my opinion, and I can pull that off. The price is fabulous too!

White sneaker | $79

These do run SMALL, size up a WHOLE size!

XoXo, Chelsey Rae