May 05, 2021

Mama, do you take time for yourself? | Dallas, TX Newborn Photography

May 05, 2021/ Mallory Shelton

As a mom of two, I am quickly learning what I need to recharge and be my best self for my family. Until November 2021, I worked outside the home in the corporate world, I feel like this allowed me to separate work and home, plus decompress on my drive to and from work.

We welcomed our second baby boy in January 2020, quickly followed by the pandemic hitting and a stay at home order in place beginning mid-March 2020. This left little room for “me” time. Between returning to my corporate job after maternity leave in April 2020, working from home, building my photography business plus being a wife and mama to my family, all my free time went to photography or spending time with the boys.

Thanks to Sabrina Gebhardt Photography’s Mastermind I took in the Fall of 2020, I am learning to create white space and listen to my body when it needs to rest. I try to set aside time each week to take care of myself whatever I need that week. Whether it be rest, a spa trip, a walk, etc. I am learning to say “yes” to something I need to recharge.

1) Set up time to get a manicure or pedicure: some weeks I just need to get pampered. I have my white space set aside and as the time approaches I allow myself to do what is best for me that week. Every few weeks, I like to take care of myself with a manicure and/or pedicure.

2) Rest: listen to your body! I have had weeks where my body was just telling me I need to rest. Lay down and have some quiet time with no distractions. This can be huge to help me recharge, and get my mind back on the right track.

3) Exercise: get your body moving! I try to workout in the mornings. This is when I am at my best and know I have uninterrupted time, but some days I just need a little bit of fresh air. Mama, it is okay to get out and take a little walk even if you have kiddos with you. Fresh air and sunshine is SO good for the soul.

4) Read: take time to read a book you have been putting off. Just the quiet in the midst of the crazy is good for us mama’s. Sit outside or in a favorite corner and take even just 15 minutes to read a chapter for yourself.

5) Grab lunch with a friend: some weeks our “me” time may mean catching up with a friend. But you know what, it is your choice! We all have those little things that get us going, fuel our soul and for some it is brunch, lunch or dinner with that girlfriend!

So today mama, find a little time to recharge. Take care of yourself. It will help you be a better wife and mama in the days to come!

June 30, 2020

Favorite Baby Products | Personal

June 30, 2020/ Mallory Shelton

BeautyCounter Baby Products

If you are looking for cleaner, safer products for your little one’s I could not recommend BeautyCounter’s Baby line more! We use the kid’s line for Sutton now, and I used the baby products when he was younger. The Daily Protective Balm has helped with Sawyer’s eczema breakout this summer, and I use the gentle All-Over Baby Wash daily with the Soothing Oil after bath. And of course you can’t forget the everyday use of the Calming Diaper Rash Cream!

It is nice to know what I am putting on the little guys each day to keep them safe from harmful chemicals! If you have any questions about BeautyCounter please feel free to reach out!

UppaBaby Mesa

When I was researching carseats in 2016, I wanted something that we could use in another car without a base. Since both of our parents live close and if we traveled, I wanted the ease of taking the carseat, but not having to haul a base around too. The UppaBaby Mesa was one of two carseats which allowed you to use it in a car without the base. We have loved this carseat for both boys. It’s safe, lightweight and easy to transport, plus we also got the UppaBaby Cruz stroller. I am amazed at how light this stroller is and keep it in my car for quick trips to the mall or doctor.

BabyBjorn Quilted Bouncer

As Covid hit, I felt the need to have some sort of bouncer for Sawyer to sit in. He loved to be more upright, but we also needed some free hands. This was the best purchase I made during the shut down! He still loves it! We could transport it with us outside, to grandparents house and from room to room. He plays with the toys more now, but loves sitting to watch big brother in it while he plays outside!

Hatch

Though we are still learning how to wait until our light turns yellow (Sutton’s favorite color), we have loved the Hatch! We now have two, one in each boy’s room. We worked with Sutton on the colors before moving him to a big boy bed, but with all the changes that took place it took a little longer for him to understand the light. He loves to tell us he slept until his light was yellow! He does do well with it at nap time, and I am hoping to work with Sawyer on it from an earlier age. It’s also nice that I can adjust it right from my phone!

Ollie Swaddle

A must! It took me a few weeks to utilize the Ollie Swaddle with Sawyer. He loved having his hands out like big brother and cried every time I tried to tuck them away. I finally used the Ollie Swaddle when he was closer to falling asleep and this really helped get him to sleep through the night (or longer stretches). He definitely learned to wiggle those little arms out and once he was able to get one out he woke himself up, but if I got it tight enough keeping them tucked away helped him sleep better!

Como Tomo Bottles

These bottles have been the only one’s we used for both boys! I introduced a bottle around 3 weeks for both of them. They didn’t take one consistently until they were a little older, but wanted to make sure they would take one so mama could have a little bit of a break! Sutton was in full-time daycare at 3 months, so I knew he would need to take a bottle on the regular. The Como Tomo were a great transition and both boys took to them pretty easily.

Zutano Cozy Fleece Booties

Ya’ll these were a life saver! I just used little socks for Sutton, but he was born in March. Since Sawyer was due in January, I knew I wanted something that would stay on his little feet to keep them warm during the colder months. We used these almost daily and I have several in the larger sizes to use this Fall. They stay on their little feet and keep them warm plus once he starts crawling or walking they have little pads to help with gripping!

MAM Pacifiers

We tried various pacifiers this go round. With Sutton he took a pacifier and his thumb off and on the first 4 months then decided he didn’t need one. Sawyer took a paci almost from the get go, but preferred the MAM Pacifier over all the others. He usually only uses it to go to sleep and doesn’t need it throughout the day which is nice!

These are just a few of my favorite items we have had for the boys as newborns!

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May 14, 2020

Sawyer's Nursery | Personal

May 14, 2020/ Mallory Shelton

It’s hard to believe we have had our precious Sawyer for 4 months today! I loved putting his nursery together and adding a few more blue touches than I did with Sutton. We used many of the same nursery pieces, and a dresser we already had to bring in some wood tones.

I wanted to incorporate something golf related as my husband is a big golfer, and these prints I found were perfect to carry over to a big boy room or utilize elsewhere one day. The bookshelf was once my grandfather’s and used throughout my parent’s house growing up. It’s been fun to have little pieces throughout both of our nurseries that have family memories tied to them.