We moved from California to Texas, fell in love with our home and nearly four acres, and eventually made the decision to move back. From the real cost of moving to Texas to family, acreage, weather, and the two miracle babies who made our Texas chapter forever special, this is what we learned along the way.
Read MoreMazda’s SUV lineup has grown into one of the most well-rounded in the market, and after spending extended time driving the CX-30, CX-5, CX-50, CX-70, and CX-90, I’ve come to appreciate just how intentional each model is. These aren’t just different sizes of the same vehicle—they’re designed for different lifestyles, different priorities, and different types of families. If you’re searching for the best Mazda SUV, understanding these real-world differences makes all the difference.
Mazda CX-30
Best For: Singles, couples, and city driving
Seats: 5
My Take: The smallest Mazda SUV with a premium feel and excellent fuel economy.
Mazda CX-5
Best For: Small families
Seats: 5
My Take: The best all-around Mazda SUV and my top recommendation for most buyers.
Mazda CX-50
Best For: Adventure seekers and active families
Seats: 5
My Take: More rugged styling and outdoor-focused features than the CX-5.
Mazda CX-70
Best For: Luxury SUV shoppers who don't need a third row
Seats: 5
My Take: A premium two-row SUV with plenty of cargo space.
Mazda CX-90
Best For: Growing families
Seats: 6–8
My Take: The largest Mazda SUV with three rows and the most family-friendly space.
What stands out most after long-term driving is how each SUV fits into everyday life. From commuting and school drop-offs to road trips and hauling gear, each one reveals its strengths over time in ways you don’t always notice during a quick test drive.
Starting with the Mazda CX-30, this is the most compact SUV in the lineup and the easiest to live with in tight urban environments. It feels more like a sporty hatchback than a traditional SUV, which becomes a huge advantage when navigating crowded parking lots or narrow streets. The steering is sharp, the ride is smooth, and it has that signature Mazda driving feel that makes even short trips enjoyable.
However, from a family perspective, the CX-30 is best suited for individuals, couples, or very small families. Over time, the limitations in rear-seat space and cargo capacity become noticeable. A stroller, groceries, and a couple of bags can quickly fill it up. That said, it’s still one of the best compact SUVs if your priority is fuel efficiency, affordability, and a premium feel in a smaller package.
Moving up to the Mazda CX-5, this is where things start to feel more balanced. After living with it for a while, it’s clear why it consistently ranks among the most popular Mazda SUVs. It hits that middle ground between size, comfort, and practicality better than almost anything else in its class.
The CX-5 is ideal for small families. The back seats are genuinely usable for kids or even adults on shorter trips, and the cargo area is large enough for everyday needs—whether that’s groceries, sports gear, or a weekend getaway. Over time, what really stands out is how refined it feels. The interior materials, the quiet cabin, and the smooth ride all give it a near-luxury experience without the luxury price tag.
If your daily life is a mix of commuting, errands, and occasional road trips, the CX-5 is one of the most well-rounded choices in the Mazda SUV lineup.
Then there’s the Mazda CX-50, which takes a slightly different approach. After extended driving, this one clearly feels designed for people who want a more rugged, adventure-ready SUV. It sits wider and feels more planted on the road, which gives it a confident and stable driving experience.
The CX-50 is perfect for families who enjoy outdoor activities—camping, hiking, road trips, or even just loading up bikes and gear for the weekend. It offers features like available all-terrain driving modes and a more durable interior feel that holds up well to active lifestyles.
Compared to the CX-5, the CX-50 sacrifices a bit of that soft, plush ride in favor of capability and toughness. It’s not uncomfortable by any means, but it feels more purpose-built. Over time, that distinction becomes more noticeable, especially if your driving includes rougher roads or off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Stepping up to the Mazda CX-70, this is where Mazda starts to lean more into premium territory. After driving it long-term, it feels like a refined, spacious SUV designed for people who want room to stretch out without needing a third row.
The CX-70 is a two-row midsize SUV, which makes it an excellent choice for families with one or two kids, or even empty nesters who want extra cargo space. One of the biggest advantages becomes obvious over time: you’re not sacrificing trunk space for a third row you rarely use. That extra room makes a huge difference for road trips, shopping, and everyday practicality.
It also comes with more powerful engine options, including hybrid variants, which provide a strong balance of performance and efficiency. The interior design feels upscale, and the overall driving experience is smooth and confident. For buyers searching for a premium Mazda SUV without stepping into a three-row model, the CX-70 stands out as a strong contender.
Finally, the Mazda CX-90 represents the brand’s largest and most capable SUV. After extended time behind the wheel, it’s clear that this is designed for families who need maximum space, flexibility, and versatility.
As a three-row SUV, the CX-90 is built to handle larger families or anyone who regularly drives with multiple passengers. The third row is best suited for kids or shorter trips, but having that extra seating makes a big difference in day-to-day life—especially for carpools, family outings, or road trips.
What really stands out over time is how well it balances size with drivability. Despite being the largest Mazda SUV, it doesn’t feel overwhelming on the road. It remains composed, responsive, and comfortable, even on longer drives.
Inside, the CX-90 leans heavily into a premium experience. High-quality materials, a clean layout, and thoughtful design details make it feel closer to a luxury SUV than a typical mainstream option. It also offers hybrid powertrains, which help improve fuel efficiency while still delivering strong performance—an important factor for families looking to save on fuel over time.
When comparing all five models, it becomes clear that Mazda has carefully positioned each SUV to meet different needs.
The CX-30 is best for city driving and smaller households. The CX-5 offers the best balance for everyday family life. The CX-50 is tailored for adventure and outdoor use. The CX-70 delivers premium comfort and space without a third row. And the CX-90 provides maximum seating and versatility for larger families.
Choosing the best Mazda SUV ultimately comes down to your lifestyle. If you need something compact and efficient, the CX-30 makes sense. If you want an all-around family vehicle, the CX-5 is hard to beat. If your weekends are filled with outdoor activities, the CX-50 stands out. If you prioritize space and refinement without needing extra seats, the CX-70 is a smart pick. And if you need room for everyone and everything, the CX-90 delivers in a big way.
After living with each of them, what stands out most is that Mazda has managed to create a lineup where every model feels intentional. Instead of forcing buyers into a one-size-fits-all SUV, they’ve built options that genuinely match different stages of life.
That’s what makes comparing Mazda SUVs so interesting—and why taking the time to understand these differences is key to finding the right one for your needs.
If you're shopping for a new family SUV, here are some of our most-used road trip and family travel essentials:
What We Love About Our Mazda
After driving a Mazda as a busy mom with two little ones, there are a few features that stand out and make everyday life so much easier.
Plenty of Space for Family Life
From strollers and diaper bags to groceries, road trip essentials, and everything in between, I love having enough room for all the things that come with raising a young family. The extra cargo space makes errands, travel days, and everyday outings feel much less stressful.
The Heads-Up Display Navigation
One of my favorite features is the heads-up display that projects directions directly onto the windshield. As someone who is constantly relying on GPS and never quite knows where I'm going, having directions right in front of me helps me stay focused on the road while navigating somewhere new.
Safety Features for Peace of Mind
With young children in the car, safety is always my top priority. Mazda's safety technology gives me extra confidence every time we drive. Features like blind spot monitoring, lane departure alerts, and driver-assistance technology help me feel more secure whether we're running errands around town or heading out on a longer road trip.
A Luxury Feel Without the Luxury Price Tag
One thing that continually surprises people when they ride in our Mazda is how premium it feels. The interior design, comfortable seating, and thoughtful technology make it feel much more expensive than many SUVs in its class.
For our family, it's been the perfect balance of practicality, comfort, safety, and style.
For larger families, the Mazda CX-90 offers three rows of seating and the most passenger space. For smaller families, the Mazda CX-5 remains one of the best all-around choices.
The CX-50 is longer and wider, while the CX-5 has a slightly taller profile. The CX-50 is generally aimed at buyers wanting a more rugged, adventure-focused vehicle.
The biggest difference is seating. The CX-70 is a two-row SUV while the CX-90 adds a third row for larger families. They share much of the same platform and premium design.
The CX-90 provides the most overall versatility, while the CX-70 offers substantial cargo room without sacrificing space to a third row.
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Preparing for a new baby comes with a very long to-do list, but one thing I was especially thankful I did ahead of time was fill our freezer with homemade meals.
During both of my pregnancies, I made a mix of breakfasts, soups, dinners, casseroles, and quick breads that we could pull out whenever we needed something easy. In those first weeks at home, having food already prepared meant one less decision to make—and one less reason someone needed to stand in the kitchen making a full meal.
I also wanted the freezer to work for our whole family, not just me. Some meals were individually portioned, while others could feed everyone for dinner. Friends brought food, we ordered takeout, and eventually I started cooking again, but having that freezer full of homemade meals gave us such a helpful head start.
If you're preparing for postpartum, welcoming a new baby, or simply want to stock your freezer before a busy season, these are the recipes I would make again.
For me, postpartum freezer prep wasn't about creating a perfectly organized freezer or planning every bite we would eat for the next month.
It was about making life a little easier.
Newborn days can be unpredictable. Sometimes you're hungry at a completely normal mealtime; sometimes lunch happens hours later than planned. Having something you can quickly warm up gives you flexibility without requiring someone to cook from scratch every time the family needs to eat.
It also made it easier for anyone else to help. Instead of figuring out what to cook, someone could simply grab a labeled meal from the freezer and reheat it.
I made enough that those meals, combined with food from friends, a little takeout, and occasional cooking once I was feeling up to it, helped carry us through more than a month.
And because I had already done this once before, I had a much better idea the second time around of which foods were actually useful to have waiting.
The biggest thing I learned was that variety matters.
You don't want 14 pans of the same casserole staring back at you by week three.
I liked having a combination of:
Grab-and-go breakfasts
Individual meals
Family-size dinners
Soups
Casseroles
Savory options
A few sweet breads and snacks
Label everything with the meal name and date, and add reheating instructions when they're not obvious. That sounds like an unnecessary extra step while you're prepping, but you'll appreciate it later.
I also recommend freezing food in different portion sizes. Some days you might only need breakfast for one person, while other nights you want something that can feed everyone.
And above all, make foods your family already enjoys.
Postpartum is probably not the moment I'd fill my freezer with ten experimental recipes no one has ever tried.
These were some of the breakfasts, lunches, dinners, soups, and breads I found most useful to have ready.
Breakfast burritos were one of my favorite things to pull from the freezer because they're incredibly easy to portion individually.
Mine are filled with sausage, spinach, potatoes, and eggs, then wrapped individually before freezing. Instead of having to reheat an entire casserole just because one person is hungry, you can grab exactly what you need.
They also aren't limited to breakfast. These worked just as well for a quick lunch or snack when we needed something substantial without cooking.
Wrap them individually and store several together in a larger freezer bag so they're easy to organize.
You can find the complete recipe here:
These Sausage English Muffin Breakfast Sandwiches are another breakfast I love having ready individually.
They're simple, filling, and exactly the kind of thing that can be reheated quickly while coffee is brewing.
I especially like having a few different breakfast options in the freezer rather than making everything egg burritos or everything casseroles. It makes those early mornings feel a little less repetitive.
Get the full recipe here:
We are definitely a hearty-breakfast family, so I knew I wanted something beyond breads and breakfast sandwiches.
These Chorizo, Egg & Potato Breakfast Bowls combine chorizo, eggs, and potatoes into an easy meal that feels more substantial.
For freezing, I portion the bowls into individual containers. I especially like using oven-safe glass containers when possible because I can move them into the oven for reheating and bring some texture back to the potatoes rather than relying entirely on the microwave.
Find the full recipe:
A breakfast casserole gives you something completely different from the individually wrapped breakfasts.
This is the kind of meal I like when everyone is eating together or when you have family staying over to help after baby arrives.
Rather than portioning every breakfast individually, you have one larger dish that can be warmed up and served to several people.
That mixture of individual portions and family-size meals ended up being one of the most useful parts of my freezer prep.
Full recipe:
Easy Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Chili is exactly the kind of freezer meal I love because it's already designed to be made in a big pot.
Make one large batch, portion it out, and you suddenly have several future meals without doing much extra work.
My ground beef chili is hearty, easy to reheat, and simple to customize when serving. Set out cheese, sour cream, avocado, crackers, or whatever toppings your family likes and everyone can finish their bowl differently.
Get the recipe:
Lasagna Soup was another really practical freezer dinner because you get all of those comforting lasagna flavors without freezing an enormous pan of traditional lasagna.
I portion mine into containers that will feed approximately two or three people. That gives us enough for dinner without necessarily thawing a huge batch.
When preparing soup for the freezer, I also like knowing I can add a little additional broth when reheating if it has thickened.
Full recipe:
Freezer prep doesn't have to mean everything is soup.
Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas gave us a completely different dinner option and were easy to prepare ahead in a baking dish.
This is one I'd portion based on how your household normally eats. You can make a family-size dish or divide the enchiladas into smaller freezer-safe containers if you'd rather thaw fewer servings at a time.
Get the full recipe:
Soup is one of my favorite categories for freezer meal prep because it's easy to make in a large batch and simple to portion.
My Italian Penicillin Soup is made with chicken, vegetables, herbs, Parmesan, and pastina for a warm, comforting meal.
If you're specifically making a batch for the freezer, I prefer freezing soup before adding delicate pasta whenever possible, then adding freshly cooked pastina when reheating. That helps keep the pasta from becoming overly soft after freezing and thawing.
You can find the complete recipe here:
I didn't want everything in the freezer to require turning it into a full meal.
Quick breads were especially nice because I could freeze the entire loaf or individual slices and pull out exactly what we needed.
These worked for breakfast alongside eggs, as a quick snack, or even as something sweet with coffee.
Banana bread is one of those classic freezer recipes that is almost always worth making a double batch of.
Once completely cool, you can freeze the loaf whole or freeze individual slices.
I personally love individual slices because you can pull out one or two without thawing an entire loaf.
Get the complete recipe:
The Blueberry Crumble Streusel Loaf was another sweet option I loved having ready.
The blueberries and crumbly topping make it feel a little more special than a basic breakfast bread, but it's still easy to slice and freeze.
Again, individual slices are my favorite method here. Wrap them well, freeze them together in a freezer-safe bag, and pull out however many you need.
Full recipe:
You don't need a complicated system.
What helped me most was simply making sure every container answered three questions:
What is it?
When did I make it?
How do I reheat it?
I labeled meals with the name and date and added cooking or reheating instructions whenever someone might not immediately know what to do.
I also tried to group similar foods together so breakfasts weren't buried underneath dinner casseroles.
If you're prepping several recipes at once, make a freezer inventory on your phone or a piece of paper on the freezer door. Then you can see what you have without opening the freezer and digging through everything.
Having the right containers made this process so much easier.
For meal prep like this, I reach for a combination of freezer-safe glass containers, casserole dishes, reusable storage containers, freezer bags, labels, parchment paper, and basic kitchen tools that make batch cooking easier.
I would make even more individual portions.
Family-size meals were incredibly useful, but there are so many moments with a newborn when only one person is hungry or everyone's schedule is completely different.
The breakfast burritos, sandwiches, bowls, and individually portioned soups made those moments especially easy.
I'd also continue prioritizing variety over quantity. Ten different freezer meals are more useful to me than making a huge amount of only two recipes.
And I wouldn't feel pressure to have every meal planned.
The freezer was there to make our lives easier—not to create another postpartum rule we had to follow.
If you're filling your freezer, here are a few more recipes that can be useful to have in your meal rotation:
Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Mom's Favorite Minestrone Soup
Chicken & Rice Enchilada Casserole
Breakfast Croissants with Sausage, Bacon & Maple Dijon
Looking back, filling our freezer was one of those pregnancy projects I was especially grateful I took the time to do.
It didn't mean we never ordered takeout or that someone never brought us dinner. Quite the opposite—I loved those meals too.
It simply meant that on the days when everyone was tired, plans changed, or we suddenly realized it was well past lunchtime, there was usually something homemade waiting.
And that was really the entire goal.
If you're preparing for a baby, don't feel like you need a perfectly stocked freezer with dozens of elaborate meals. Start with the foods your family already loves, make a few extras when you have the energy, label everything well, and let those meals make life a little easier when you need them.
Those early newborn days go by quickly. Anything that gives you a little more time to be present in them is worth it.
Pregnancy is a journey filled with excitement, anticipation, and plenty of changes. Each week, as your baby grows and develops, you have an opportunity to celebrate these milestones in a unique and delicious way. This idea is simple yet so fun. It involves creating a recipe each week that reflects the size of your growing baby. These recipes not only provide a sense of joy and celebration, but they also offer essential nutrients needed for both mother and baby, as long as you use a growth chart like this with healthy size comparison foods. This blog post will take you through 40 weeks of pregnancy with recipes inspired by the comparative size of your baby, turning each stage of your pregnancy into a culinary adventure. Weeks one to three of pregnancy you probably didn't know you were pregnant yet and the baby is so small, so we will start at Week four with recipes to celebrate!
Baby is the size of a Poppy Seed! They are about 0.04 inches and less than 0.04 oz. So small yet such a big change for mom and dad! Congratulations you may have just found out you are pregnant, and joy is everything right now! To celebrate this week, cook up A Sweet and Delicious Recipe for Lemon Poppyseed Bread
Other Delicious Recipes You Can Make:
Bagels with Poppy Seeds on top
All Types of dinner rolls
Poppy Seed Salad Dressing (I have this recipe in my week for kale below)
Baby is the size of an Apple Seed! You made it to 5 weeks and baby has grown. They are working hard on creating the brain, spinal cord, heart and blood vessels. They are about 0.05 inches now and it's time to celebrate! This week we are making A Taste of Heaven: Deliciously Easy Apple Pie!
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Apple Cider Loaf with Brown Butter Glaze
Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Apples, Goat Cheese & Candied Pecans
Homemade Apple Sauce
Baby is the size of a Pomegranate! They have tripled in size and are fully protected by amniotic fluid. Now the length of .13 inch they are still so small but still should be celebrated. This week we are making The Perfect Pear and Pomegranate Arugula Salad
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Pomegranate Relish
Festive Taste of Tradition: Sparkling Cider Punch for Christmas
Fruit Salad
Baby is the size of a Blueberry! You may be experiencing some morning sickness now.. which isn't limited to the morning. You also may be experiencing more bathroom trips, as I did, and happened to be my very first symptom of pregnancy. I was waking up every night to use the restroom and that never happened before for me. While you are getting the highs and lows of pregnancy symptoms your baby is growing. Now about .5 inches and still less than 0.04 oz. This week we are celebrating with making Delicious Blueberry Cake with Mascarpone Frosting
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Soft Cream Cheese Lemon Blueberry Scones
Baby is the size of a Raspberry! Their hands and feet have webbed fingers and toes. Weighing in still below .04 oz they are still growing at around .63 in. You are still probably able to hide your bump at this point, but your jeans may be feeling a little tighter. Start those belly pictures now because baby will be here in just 32 weeks and growing every day. To celebrate we are making The Ultimate Raspberry Pistachio Cheesecake Recipe
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Delicious Frozen Raspberry Margarita (Skip the tequila)
Raspberry Trifle
Raspberry Crisp or Pie
Baby is the size of a Green Olive! They have graduated from an embryo to a fetus. The reproductive organs have formed but it is still too early to tell if you are having a boy or girl. They have grown to .9 inches and .07 oz. A small but mighty as the digestive track is also being formed. To celebrate I made Crafting a Herb Christmas Tree Focaccia Bread Masterpiece for the Holidays as you can tell I was pregnant during Christmas.
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Moroccan Chicken
Stuffing your own (I love feta in mine!)
Building A Charcuterie Board (leave out the soft cheese!)
Baby is the size of a Strawberry! Their eyes and eyelids are more developed, and eyebrows are even beginning to grow. They have made it to 1.22 in and .14 oz. This week marks you at a quarter of the way through your pregnancy. Many things are changing but you probably aren't seeing them or feeling the baby move just yet. Hold on tight because you will soon. This week we are making Chocolate Dipped Strawberries. As you can see it was still Christmas time for us and it took everything, I had to make this recipe with morning sickness. So, a blog post was never made but you can get extra creative this week if you wish!
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Apples, Goat Cheese & Candied Pecans (Strawberries are in the dressing)
Strawberry Cake
Strawberries and Cream
Baby is the size of a Lime! Just over 1.5 inches from head to toe your baby is still tiny but they are moving. Kicking and stretching inside of your belly, you should feel it in the next month or two once they grow big enough. Celebrate this week with a Cranberry Key Lime Pie or if it's not the holidays for you Mini Key Lime Pies with Splenda both are delicious!
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Fruit & Goat Cheese Bruschetta ( lime is in the recipe)
Lime Fruit Dip
Fish Tacos with Lime
Baby is the size of a Plum! Now weighing over 2 oz and over 2 inches long it's a week to celebrate 2's! They are now able to open and close their hands and curl their toes. They are also growing fingernails. It was the last of the holiday season for us at week 12 and I made a "Sugar" Plum Cobbler it was deliciously good!
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Plum Tart or Galette
Plum Dumplings
Plum Butter or Jam
Baby is the size of a Lemon! Growing 1/2 an inch and 1/2 an ounce from last week your little one is making leaps and bounds. They have started swallowing amniotic fluid and their bones are beginning to harden. While you can't feel it yet you have started making colostrum, the fluid your baby will drink the first few days of life. You also may be getting some relief from those first trimester symptoms. A reason to celebrate with a new recipe. Zesty Delight: Mastering the Ultimate Cod Piccata Recipe at Home
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Lemon Cheesecake With An Amazing Glaze
Arnold Palmer Popsicle: A Delicious Summer Recipe
Lemon Poppy Seed bread, muffins or cake
Baby is the size of an Orange! Now weighing more than 3 oz and longer than 6 inches they can squint, frown and possibly even suck their thumb by now. Such a big week as baby is getting bigger and bigger and you are in the second trimester. This is, for most moms to be, the best time of their pregnancy. Enjoy and celebrate every minute. Orange Cake with Raspberry Mascarpone Frosting is the perfect recipe to bring in this week.
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Blueberry Orange Glazed Muffins
Orange and Cream Smoothie
Baby is the size of a pear! This week could be a big one as an ultrasound can now find out the sex of your baby. Get ready to decorate and plan the nursery, parties, outfits and more once you know the gender. However, if you are wanting to be surprised and wait until birth like we did, get ready to remind them not to spoil the surprise at every doctor's appointment from here on out! This week baby's taste buds and nerves are beginning to connect to the brain. By 20 weeks they will be fully formed. Baby is also looking more like a little person with eyelids, eyebrows, eyelashes, nails, hair and defined fingers and toes. Such a cute little one your growing! We sure hope baby likes Pears because this week we are cooking up Delicious, Nutritious Pear & Walnut Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
Other Recipes You Can Make:
How to Make the Perfect Pear and Pomegranate Arugula Salad
Indulge in Delicious Personal Pear Tarts
Pear Crisp
Baby is the size of an Avocado! Weighing 5 whole ounces and 7 inches long from head to bottom! Your baby's heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day and will continue to increase as your little one develops. Their hair follicles are forming a pattern they will have for the remainder of their life. Celebrate your little avocado with guac at your favorite restaurant this week or by making a delicious Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe!
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Delicious Sweet & Spicy Salmon Bowls
Baby is the size of an Onion! Baby has been hiccupping but this week you might start to actually feel it. Weighing in at almost 5 oz and growing to 5.12 inches in length they are becoming more noticeable and celebrated. This week we are making a Creamy Corn Chowder Soup
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Blooming Onion or Onion Rings
Green Onion Dip
Baby is the size of a Bunch of Grapes! Your little one's tiny fingers now have unique fingerprints. Just wait until you feel their hands wrap around your one finger, it's a feeling like no other. This week we are making a delicious Chicken Salad Sandwich that you can actually eat. I missed sandwiches and deli meat so much during pregnancy, so this was a nice treat!
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Roasted Grape Crostini
Balsamic Steak with Red Grape Relish
Concord Grape Onion Jam
Baby is the size of a Mango! Their legs are now longer than their arms and you might be able to start feeling baby kick if this if your second or third pregnancy. If it's your first, you will most likely be feeling baby in the next few weeks. Celebrate this week's milestone of baby reaching almost 9 oz and 6 inches making Sweet & Spicy Mango Chicken Wings Recipe
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Sparkling Ice Mint Mango Mock-tail
Mango Habanero Salsa
Mango Slaw
Baby is the size of a Sweet Potato! If you start feeling subtle jerking movements in the womb don't worry baby has just start hiccupping. They also have taste buds and can start to send them to your brain... so if your craving different things that may be why. Some research indicates that what you eat during pregnancy can influence the foods your baby prefers later.
So with that in mind, we are keeping it fun and healthy with Sweet Potatoes being the size of baby we are making 3 Easy & Nourishing Stuffed Sweet Potato Recipes
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Sweet Potato Bisque
Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Baby is the size of a Banana! Now 10.5 inches and 14 ounces your little one is getting long and will soon start to plump up in the coming weeks. We took an amazing trip to Hawaii for our babymoon, and I loved acai bowls and all the natural fruit while vacationing, so I wanted to come home and make delicious Homemade Acai Bowls. With this week being a banana it worked perfectly because it is in the recipe and can be used on top. Hope your loving fruit this week too because this is a fun one!
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Homemade Delicious Banana Bread
Banana Nut Pancakes
Banana Oat Breakfast Cookies
Baby is the size of a Carrot! Baby is officially over 1 pound and starting to look like a miniature newborn as their lips, eyelids, and eyebrows become more distinct. This week we are making Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls made with Sourdough Starter if you don't have a sourdough starter you can use yeast or one of the fun recipes below!
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Carrot Sheet Cake with Brown Butter Frosting
Apple Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
Brandy Glazed Carrots
Baby is the size of a Grapefruit! Now more than a foot long they can feel your dancing. So, turn on the music and swing around the house. Grapefruit is the fruit of choice, and we usually aren't the biggest fans of grapefruit at our house, but this Delightful Almond Grapefruit Ice Cream Recipe was such a good one you will love it!
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Grapefruit Meringue Pie
South of the Boarder Citrus Salad
Grapefruit Poppy Seed Bread
Baby is the size of an Ear of Corn! Baby still has thin and translucent skin as well as very thin and long. Don't worry they will start to plump up soon and become nice and round. Their nostrils are opening now for "practice breathing", so they'll go through the same motions of real breathing but inhale amniotic fluid instead of air. Enjoy a Southwestern Chop Salad Recipe with an Ear of Corn cut on top to celebrate this milestone!
Other Recipes You Can Make:
The Most Delicious Homemade Corn Bread Loaf Recipe
Baby is the size of a Coconut! This week they may be able to distinguish between your voice and your partner's voice. So, start talking away because it will calm them later on as well to hear both of your voices as you begin to get to know each other. They're developing a firm grasp and may reach out and grab the umbilical cord. They can also stick out their tongue! Decadent Almond Joy Cookies are this weeks recipe and such a delicious treat!
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Coconut Rice
Coconut Curry Soup
Coconut Macaroons
Baby is the size of a Cantaloupe! They are now about 1 3/4 pounds and roughly 13 1/4 inches long from head to heel. They are also able to open their eyes and blink! We are making a fun Delicious & Refreshing Fruit Salad in a Cantaloupe Bowl where you use the actual cantaloupe for the bowl!
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Perfect Light & Fresh Italian Summer Charcuterie Board
Cantaloupe Salsa
Baby is the size of a Bunch of Kale! Your baby can hear your voice and may even respond to it with changes in their heartbeat, breathing, and movement. If a noise is particularly loud, your baby may startle, and as they startle you might feel your baby move. Let's move to the kitchen to make a delicious Sweet Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing this is also a good recipe if you plan to breast feed as kale is a great leafy green to have because and after pregnancy helping with supply.
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Italian Sausage, Potato & Kale Soup
Kale Pesto
Kale Smoothie
Baby is the size of a Head of Lettuce! Weighing in at about 2 1/3 pounds and measuring roughly 14 1/2 inches they are filling in slowly and leafy greens and lots of protein will help them grow even more. Making a Loaded Iceberg Wedge Salad that you can add to the side of a nice steak, salmon or chicken makes for a great dinner.
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Lettuce Wraps
BLT Wraps
Tostada Salad
Baby is the size of a Cauliflower! Your baby's bones are soaking up lots of calcium as they harden, so be sure to drink your milk or find other ways to get your calcium in.
Cauliflower Bang Bang Cashew Recipe: A Sweet and Spicy Delight
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Creamy Cheddar Cauliflower Soup
Cauliflower Rice
Cauliflower Pizza
Baby is the size of a Zucchini! Your little one's brain is growing rapidly, and their lungs are continuing to develop. Baby is on a regular cycle of sleeping and waking. Every 30 to 90 minutes they will start to move around to let you know they have woken up, enjoy those little feet moving inside you. Soon you will see them dancing away during diaper changes. Zucchini Roll Ups Dinner is this weeks recipe and a great one for leftovers or freezing for meal prep after baby arrives if you want to make a double recipe.
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Mom's Favorite Minestrone Soup Recipe
Fried Zucchini
Walnut Zucchini Muffins
Baby is the size of a Bunch of Asparagus! From this week on baby will be gaining as much as half a pound per week until they are born!! Still a little one at 3.31lbs they still have a way to go so keep your nutrition up with lots of green veggies like this Baked Ceasar Asparagus Side Dish
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Fontina Asparagus Tart
Radish Asparagus Salad
Feta Asparagus Frittata
Baby is the size of a Squash! Baby's taste buds have fully developed, and they also may acquire a preference for the food you are eating. This week's meal is a nutritious one packed full of veggies, so we hope you and baby enjoy this Tastes of Classic Ratatouille.
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Yellow Squash Patties
Summer Squash Salad with Shrimp
Sauteed Squash Side Dish
Baby is the size of a Bunch of Celery! The Lanugo that covered their body to keep them warm is starting to disappear. You are officially 7 weeks to your dude date and 8 months pregnant. You may start preparing for baby soon with meal prepping, classes for birth and breastfeeding, and packing your hospital bags soon. Take a moment from all the preparation and celebrate baby with a delicious Deviled Egg Pasta Salad that you will truly enjoy and is great to have as leftovers too!
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Slow Cooker Braised Short Ribs
Celery Root Soup
Baby is the size of a Butternut Squash! Their bones are fully developed by now, turning their head and moving their body from side to side. Weighing almost 5 pounds and 17-18 inches long they are growing big and strong! This meal is a delicious dinner you can enjoy while getting in great nutrition for you and baby. Chorizo & Butternut Squash Vegetable Sheet Pan Recipe
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Butternut Squash Soup
Butternut Squash and Turkey Chili
Autumn Spiced Butternut Squash Bread
Baby is the size of a Honeydew! To prepare itself for birth, baby is now making its way upside-down! Their digestive system is almost fully developed this week and now capable of digesting nutrients from your milk once they arrive. Celebrating this week we are making a Perfect Light & Fresh Italian Summer Charcuterie Board. I did include traditional meats on the board that I wasn't able to eat, but my husband had no problem finishing it off for me.
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Minted Honeydew Salad
Fruit Skewers
Baby is the size of a Papaya! Their wrinkly skin is starting to fill in and get more plump. Average baby size is now 18.66 inches and 5.78 pounds. They are growing big and getting ready to make their big entrance. This week we are making the Tropical Creamsicle Smoothie and if you are eating dates to help soften your cervix this is a double win! I ate these daily the last month of pregnancy.
Other Recipe You Can Make:
Papaya Boat
Papaya Cheesecake
Papaya Salsa
Baby is the size of Romain Lettuce! By now you are starting to run out of room for baby in your uterus and they are almost about to make their big arrival! Because of this they are mostly stretching and wiggling instead of giving out big kicks. A nutritious recipe this week is the Italian Chopped Salad Jar Recipe and can be made into mini jars to enjoy throughout the week as a meal prep.
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Delicious Buttery Italian Croissant Sandwich
Caesar Salad
Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Baby is the size of a Pineapple! Baby is growing week by week and preparing for their own arrival as you are too! Their brain is forming connections this week that will help them swallow and even sleep better once they are born. A Virgin Pina Colada Coconut & Pineapple Ice Pops are the recipe this week and the perfect treat if you are trying to eat pineapple to help soften your cervix.
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Pineapple Glazed Chicken Thighs
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Pineapple Pancakes
Baby is the size of Spaghetti Squash! This stage is characterized by the final preparations for birth, with fully developed organs and a rapidly growing brain. Your baby’s lung development is typically complete, enabling their first breaths outside the womb. Your baby's 39 week baby weight is 7.25 pounds and they are almost 20 inches long. This week we are celebrating with Easy & Delicious Italian Sausage Spaghetti Squash Dinner
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Chicken Parmesan with Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti Squash Lo Mein
Baby is the size of a Watermelon! Reaching 40 weeks of pregnancy is a monumental milestone, marking your baby's imminent arrival. At this point, your baby, now about the size of a watermelon, is fully developed and ready to be born. Celebrate the soon to be bundle of joy this week with Sip into Summer: The Ultimate Sparkling Watermelon Punch
Other Recipes You Can Make:
Grilled Watermelon
Watermelon Sorbet
Each week brings about a new recipe that not only symbolically represents your baby's growth but also incorporates nutrient-dense ingredients. These recipes are designed to be a fun way to support a healthy pregnancy, providing essential vitamins and minerals that nourish both you and your developing baby. Weeks 1-12: Think of small yet nutrient-rich foods such as poppy seed muffins or blueberry smoothies. Weeks 13-26: As your baby grows to the size of a lemon, peach, or mango, enjoy dishes like peach cobbler or mango salsa. Weeks 27-40: Celebrate larger milestones with meals that feature butternut squash, pineapple, or even a small watermelon. This 40-week journey transforms the ordinary act of eating into a celebration of life and growth.
Embracing the growth of your baby through weekly recipes not only makes the journey to motherhood fun and engaging but also ensures that you’re providing essential nutrients for both you and your baby. Each dish, inspired by the size of your little one, serves as a delicious reminder of the incredible transformation happening within you. Parents-to-be celebrate these moments, prepare nourishing meals, and share your experiences with a community of expectant mothers. Thus, with every bite, you are not just feeding your body but also cherishing the remarkable journey of bringing new life into the world.
Dresses Worn In Photos
Entering motherhood is a joyous and overwhelming experience, marked by a whirlwind of new responsibilities and emotions. As a first-time mom, navigating the initial postpartum period can be challenging, requiring a mix of preparation, patience, and support. To make this transition as easy as possible, having the right postpartum essentials is vital. I wanted to put together this blog post to share the things I personally found most essential for the fourth trimester for both me and for baby. With so many products on the market to choose from, there really is something for everyone. These are my favorites that I will be using again with my next pregnancy and found essential to this postpartum period.
Investing in supportive and comfortable products and pads is a game-changer for new moms learning to breast feed and preparing your body for it. With so many products on the market the big deciding factor for me was to use all things with natural products. Being I would be breastfeeding, I didn't want any ingredients or chemicals that could possibly affect the baby. These essentials are not only about physical comfort but also about proper breastfeeding management. Comfortable silverette nursing cups provide the necessary support to ease some of the discomforts associated with breastfeeding. Dealing with milk leaks and sore nipples is a common challenge for new breastfeeding moms and this is where I found a mix of disposable and reusable pads both came in clutch for me.
Silverette nursing pads are a mama’s secret weapon for pain-free breastfeeding and pumping. The original 925 silver nursing pads are designed and handmade in Italy, Silverette® are FDA-registered, and designed with your comfort in mind. They are easy to use and made of high-quality, natural materials, so you can feel confident that Silverette pads are the safest choice for you and your baby. I used these immediately and still do today. They help calm my nipples after feeding and protect them from sticking to clothes and nursing pads.
Nursing pads, on the other hand, are also crucial for managing milk leaks. Without them, you might find yourself dealing with embarrassing milk stains at inconvenient times. I have been very blessed in having an abundance of milk, and the ability to work from home, but that had led to a lot of leaks around the house. Disposable nursing pads are there for convenience while reusable nursing pads are great for an eco-friendly option. They both help absorb leaks and keep your clothes dry, while silverette's provide relief from soreness. Nursing pads come in various materials, catering to different preferences and sensitivities, while silverette's help soothe and heal cracked or irritated nipples. Reusable nursing pads are great for an eco-friendly option and can be used again and again. I use these often and love that I can wash them and use again, and that they are soft and hold lots of milk. The downside of these are they can tend to smell a little if you use them for a full day from the milk absorbing in them and they move around if you are wearing them in a nursing friendly top or dress or if your bra isn't fitted tightly enough. I like these but if I am wanting something that stays in place for when going out in public, I opt for the disposable nursing pads for convenience, placement and lack of smell. They absorb the liquid milk into them and form a gel like consistency inside the pads. Both are great options, and I would recommend keeping both on hand if you plan to nurse. Combining nursing pads and silverette's keeps you prepared and comfortable, ultimately making the breastfeeding experience more enjoyable.
Essential nursing supplies can make a significant difference in your breastfeeding journey. Nursing pads manage leaks, while a good-quality nursing pillow provides support during feeding. I will link the two products I have below. I found a nursing pillow as a good product to have, especially to better bear the weight of the baby, however, with having a c-section I didn't find it comfortable in my incision area withing the first month. Stocking up on nipple cream helps alleviate soreness and prevent cracked nipples, ensuring a more comfortable experience. I personally only used a lanolin nipple cream the first few days while in the hospital that they gave me, however, I felt more comfortable with just using the silverette's being baby boy was nursing and I didn't want him taking in anything. The nurses in the hospital did assure me that the cream was safe, but it's my opinion that sometimes one person's view on what is safe isn't always another person's.
Postpartum bleeding can be heavier than a normal period, making high-absorbency pads essential and underwear you are comfortable in a necessity. You'll need underwear that is specifically designed to manage the unique postpartum flow when adding a pad, providing both comfort with a high waste line with a snuggly fit to help you feel secure while also giving a wide area to add large pads that are very much needed to new moms. By having a stock of high-absorbency pads, you can confidently manage postpartum bleeding, keeping you focused on recovery and your newborn. This disposable underwear allows for you to stay focused on recovery and on your newborn, and to not have to keep up with the constant laundry you would have. I went through 2 boxes of these and my maternity underwear in between to help give me the added support on my tummy for the first 6 weeks. I still am using my maternity underwear as they feel more comfortable around my c-section and when I wear my waist trainer.
Heavy absorbency pads are necessary for managing the heavy postpartum bleeding that many new moms experience. These pads provide ample coverage and security, helping you feel more comfortable and less concerned about leaks. The variety in sizes aligns with changing flow levels, allowing you to choose the right pad for each stage of your postpartum recovery. Heavy absorbency pads ensure you are well-equipped to handle postpartum bleeding with confidence and ease. Comfort and protection in pads are crucial for new moms, as postpartum bleeding is often heavier and different from a regular period. These pads offer a combination of softness and high absorbency, ensuring they provide comfort while preventing leaks. Having a variety of pad sizes on hand helps accommodate the changing flow levels typical during postpartum recovery. From heavy flow in the initial days to lighter flow as weeks go by, having the right size pad ensures you stay comfortable and protected. Postpartum bleeding was much longer than I ever thought, as I was almost 6 weeks to the day which is normal and expected. Having these pads and disposable underwear helped me feel secure, clean and are definitely on my necessity list as a first-time mom. Whether you have a vaginal or c-section birth you will need these, and you will bleed. You are bleeding because your placenta was delivered as well as the baby and that is an open wound inside of you that is healing for quite some time.
Choosing hypoallergenic options can make a significant difference in your comfort level during the postpartum period. I always choose pads made from organic cotton and that are fragrance-free to avoid irritation, but I especially use them now when my body is going through so much change, and because I may be more sensitive.
Keeping well-hydrated and nourished is essential during the postpartum period. Your body needs adequate water and nutrients to recover and produce breast milk. Having water, healthy snacks, and easy-to-prepare meals within reach can help maintain your energy levels and overall well-being. Nutritious snacks can come in handy during middle-of-the-night feedings, ensuring you have the energy to care for your newborn. Always keep a large water bottle nearby to remind you to drink fluids. I would try and drink a glass of water at each feeding and refill, so it was ready for the next time and in between. This kept me plenty hydrated and set a goal for me. Have healthy snacks like almond or oat bars, fresh fruit, or yogurt at hand. Nuts and seeds are great for a quick protein boost. Fresh fruits like bananas and apples are also quick grabs and are great fruits to have when breast feeding (research this, not all fruit and veggies are as beneficial). Whole grain crackers and cheese also give a satisfying snack. Add in salami or other delicious deli meats you had to do without for nine months to help give you additional protein. These are all great for easy snacking, and once again I linked my favorites below.
It is also important to prepare or purchase easy-to-heat meals for quick but nutritious eating. During my third trimester I prepared breakfast casseroles, soups, enchiladas, stews and pastas and froze them. These were all meals that were easy to make and freeze and I made sure to add in additional veggies where I could to help with healing and milk supply. I highly recommend having foods on hand ready to heat especially the first few weeks after having baby. You will be tired and adjusting to this whole new life the last thing you want to do it cook, but you'll still need to be eating nutritious meals to heal your body. I also recommend hot meals like soup and stews. I felt these meals healed me from the inside and soothed my body even though it was a hot summer in Texas. Proper hydration and nutrition set the foundation for a smoother and more energized postpartum recovery for me, and I know it will for you as well.
Comfort is paramount when it comes to postpartum clothing. Loose-fitting, soft fabrics like cotton or bamboo are highly recommended for maximum comfort. Easy-access clothing options, such as button-down shirts or nursing tops, make breastfeeding simpler and more convenient when out in public. Additionally, stretchy leggings or maternity pants with supportive waistbands provide a comfy yet supportive fit for your changing body. Having a cozy robe or lounge outfits can be a great addition for easy, comfortable wear at home. Opting for comfortable clothing can greatly enhance your postpartum experience, making it easier to focus on yourself and your newborn.
My personal favorites for recovery are comfortable nursing sleep dresses. These are a lifesaver during the postpartum recovery period, especially the first few weeks when I was healing from a c-section and preeclampsia. These dresses are designed with easy-access openings and clips for hassle-free breastfeeding, making feeding sessions convenient and stress-free. They also have a flowy bottom, so I didn't have to worry about anything around my incision being too tight. The dresses I have been wearing on repeat still today are all linked below. I also added in some pajamas I personally added into my rotation after the first month when I was more healed. These pj's were nice because they were still able to hold my Hakka into place when feeding.
Having extra help and support during the first two months postpartum is invaluable. An extra pair of hands, whether from a partner, family member, or professional caregiver, can provide much-needed assistance with various tasks. Additional support can help with household chores, baby care, and providing the mother time to rest and recuperate. Planning and organizing help in advance will ensure a smoother and more manageable postpartum experience. I was blessed enough to have my husband home for 4 weeks and my mom stayed with us 8 weeks. My mom flew in and arrived 2 weeks before our baby boy was born to help prepare the house and 6 weeks after to continue helping clean, cook, do the laundry and take her turn holding her first grandchild. Having them both with me was so essential in my recovery especially ending up back in the hospital a second time a week after birth with complications from preeclampsia. If you don't have family or friend support, I highly suggest hiring a doula to help with that support. I know the Doula we hired for our predelivery classes offers this service. They sometimes help with the household chores to reduce stress, assistance in baby care to give mom breaks, and many other things. This may not provide the emotional support and companionship like a family member would, but it will still help with reduced stress allowing for focus and bonding with your new bundle of joy. By having extra help on hand, you can navigate the challenges of the postpartum period with more ease and peace of mind.
While some essentials are critical, there are also nice-to-have items that can further enhance your postpartum experience. There were 2 types of "cuppies" as I call them that I used to assist in my breastfeeding and store up milk supply. The first I used was Medela Therashell's for the first 4 weeks of breastfeeding when your body is regulating your milk supply and you don't want to over produce (or if you do want to so you can stock up for going back to work maybe then disregard this). I loved these because they caught the milk on one breast while baby fed on the other. They also had little air holes on the top to provide air to your nipples for added healing. After 4 weeks I changed to this shell Hakka, and I also have the regular silicone one, but for me it slips off and baby has also kicked it off a time or two as well. For less milk spill the shell nicely slips into my bra or nursing top/dress and stayed in place while also suctioning to retrieve more for me to freeze for a backup supply.
Finding diapers that both your baby likes and have all the chemicals or lack of chemicals you're looking for is important. I knew I wanted the cleanest, most natural ingredients before baby ever arrived and so I started looking for the best diapers and wipes I could find that also didn't cause any discomfort for baby. Coterie's products when looking at reviews were once referred to as the Roll's Royce of diapers, and for great reason! They have the cleanest ingredients while also absorbing more for longer between diaper changes. This means that those critical longer night sleeps for you and baby are made more possible! All of their materials that come in contact with your baby's skin are dermatologist tested, proven hypoallergenic, and free of 200+ irritants. The Apex technology they use is softer, while the elastic leg cuffs help protect against blowouts and chaffing. The diaper is free of fragrance, lotion, latex, rubber, dyes, alcohol, heavy metals, parabens, phthalates, chlorine bleaching, VOCs, optical brighteners, and 200+ other potentially harmful chemicals. It’s hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, dermatologist-tested, and third-party tested by independent labs making them a one of our must-haves. For more on coterie diapers and a discount on your first purchase use code WARREN20.
There really are many options for bassinets and as a first-time parent picking one is very overwhelming. You don't know your little one yet, and aren't sure what they will take to best in their brand new environment. We knew we needed a small bassinet near our bedside as baby's room is upstairs and we wanted him right near us once he arrived. I found 4mom's bassinet highly recommended online and noticed that it has a lot of features others didn't. Some of those feature that are included are 5 speeds, and 4 white noise options. This will help you find the ultimate soothing combination to help comfort and support your baby through every nap and night. They also have an app so you can set them for a period of time, and it will turn off on its own. This comes in handy at night especially when baby has just barely drifted off to sleep, but you don't want the movement to immediately stop to wake them. I normally set ours for 30 minutes, because they say it takes them 20 minutes to fall into a deep sleep so the extra 10 ensures they are asleep and gives an opening in case they woke back up. This allows us to go to sleep right away and not stay up to turn off the movement. You can of course keep the movement on all night, but I don't want our little one to get totally used to the fact that he will always be rocked to sleep 24 hours a day.
Another essential for us during sleep time was a sleep sack. Swaddling wasn't a favorite for our little one. After the first few days home we realized he was spending the first 30 minutes of being in his bassinet trying to get his hands free to help sooth himself to sleep. Once we took the swaddle part off of the sleep sack/swaddle from Kyte Baby he slept right away and for much longer. If you aren't sure what your baby will like I recommend the sleep bag swaddlers, because they give you the option to remove the swaddle part right away or as baby uses their hands to sooth themselves. Once you know baby likes a sleep sack better or is ready to transition, they have this option as well. The best part about Kyte sleep sacks and sleep bag swaddlers is they come in 3 TOG (or Thermal Overall Grade), which is a rating system that measures warmth and calculates how quickly a fabric uses heat. It is the standard when choosing the appropriate sleeping bag for your baby, depending on the ambient temperature in your nursery. They recommend a heavier TOG during cooler months and a lighter one during warmer months. you can find more on their website as well as appropriate sizing for your little one.
Incorporating these nice-to-have items can elevate your postpartum comfort and overall experience and were all essential for me. I hope these wonderful products have also helped you in your journey, or in your future journeys. Becoming a mom is the most rewarding and beautiful experience but can also be overwhelming. Learning as you go and finding support from other mom friends that provide suggestions on what has worked for them is so important. So, from one new mom friend to another, I truly hope this blog helps and congratulations on your new little one. Remember, you're a great mama!!
It’s been just about a year since we went to Charleston, South Carolina and I’m still obsessing over the photos we had done! Which reminds me… I never shared them for inspiration! Maybe one day I’ll get better and get my blog posts up right away once we get them! Until then.. here are the photos we took with links to what we are wearing, or similar looks if they are sold out that I loved as well.
This Charleston couples photoshoot was a super last minute booking, in fact the whole trip was! So, I was so excited that Rebecca was able to get us in the day we landed (before we ate our way around every restaurant in Charleston. LOL!) The best part of having photos done while on vacation is the photographer will bring you to parts of the city you may not have otherwise seen. In my opinion, you have one of the best souvenirs that you will have for a lifetime, to look back on, and in this case it worked for our Christmas cards too!
How did I find Rebecca to shoot our photos? Hashtags! Just lookup wherever you are going and photographers. So in this case I looked up #CharlestonPhotographer and there she was! Look through all the hashtags and see who has your style and fit is and basically just slide in their DM’s to contact them! In this case Rebecca was perfect. Her photos were light, airy, and really highlighted all of the downtown Charleston charm and beautiful homes. She was exactly what I was looking for to create these lifestyle images in this photo session.
Now that I had found our photographer I had to pick outfits. We had booked this trip just 2 weeks before we went, so I didn’t have all the time in the world. I first found an adorable blue floral dress on ShopLovestitch.com that I knew would standout against all the gorgeous colors of Charleston and found Scotty a blue linen shirt that matched perfectly. Of course for another look I needed something pink because its just on brand for me haha.. I had a hard time finding anything that would come on time if ordered online, so I looked in my closet. I found a pink long dress that I had gotten from Revolve and hadn’t actually worn yet. It was perfect! Next, I needed to find something for Scotty. I wanted him to have a little more formal for this but also layers. So I grabbed a pink button down with a print at our local Banana Republic and a blue jacket in his closet. The 2 outfits we wore complimented each other so well. The whole shoot went so nice and it was once again great to use for our yearly Christmas card, but also for any photo collages we may want to frame in our home.
Last tip I have for you… On this shoot Scotty wore the same pants and shoes in both outfits. His two looks were completely different and you wouldn’t really focus on that but it made it so much easier for changing outfits! Let’s be real, husbands and kids don’t love taking these photos, they just do it for us. So its important to make things easier for them when you can being they don't enjoy it. So something like using the same bottom half of outfits really helps! Also mentioning its a gift or in this case my "souvenir" from our trip!
Here are more from our Charleston Photoshoot:
Shop Pink Dress Inspo
Shop Blue Dress Inspo
To book your own appointment with our Charleston Photographer Rebecca click -here-. She is also an amazing wedding and engagement photographer if you are looking!!
If you’re looking for the perfect way to commemorate your time in the beautiful city of Paris with your loved one, consider having a couple's photoshoot. A couple's photoshoot in Paris is an ideal way to capture the beauty, romance, and adventure of your time in the City of Lights. From the iconic landmarks Eiffel Tower to the stunning architecture of the Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris provides stunning background locations for any couple’s romantic photoshoot. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best spots to have a couple's photoshoot in Paris, as well as tips for making the most of the experience. Whether you are taking these for a big event like an anniversary, engagement, honeymoon, maternity, proposal or to just remember your once in a lifetime trip to Paris here are some great examples of how you can get creative with Pinterest worthy photoshoots! So, grab your cameras and get ready for a romantic day of capturing memories in one of the most beautiful cities in the world!
One of the first things I did when we knew we were going to Europe was book a photographer! I already had one planned out that I had found online at Whatlolalike’s website! She had posted a blog post with photos from her trip and I loved them! So, naturally, I saved her post incase we were ever in the area. I actually have an entire folder of photographer’s I come across on Instagram that I save for inspiration. Whenever I see photos I like I’ll research the photographer’s page and see if they have the type of aesthetic I enjoy. Light and airy.. bonus points if I see pink on their feed!! This prep work makes is easy if we ever travel somewhere and we wanted photos I already have someone good in mind and I’m not searching last minute. Another way to find photographer’s when traveling is searching # (hashtags). That’s what they are for, to easily find places. So lets say I didn’t have this photographer already in mind.. I would search #parisphotographer and see what pops up, and go from there.
This shoot is probably one of my all time favorites we have ever done! It showed our trip and gave us a way to explore the city in a whole new light! We actually had a horrible time getting to Paris because of flight issues and were only left with less then 24 hours in the city. The only sighting of the Eiffel Tower was when we took these photos in the morning other than a quick taxi drive by the night before from the airport to our hotel. Sadly that was it! The city is so beautiful! So I am so glad we got to do these and capture this moment before we headed to Italy. I cannot wait to go back and explore Paris with more time to soak in all the beauty!
For this shoot I wanted a really romantic look! Soft and elegant! Once I found my looks I found Scotty’s suit from Banana Republic for our first look and came across the Coat on the second on Zara. Sometimes I’ll just share with him the colors I want and he will shop himself online for his favorite brands to find things that we can get to match. This time he hadn’t found anything so I helped. Most of his suits are all from Banana Republic already so that was an easy one! I used to actually work for them when we first got together so he had lots of clothes from Banana and always loved the fit. The coat was just a lucky google and the perfect one came up! (I really wanted a velvet one but he quickly shot that down hahah!)
Photos below by:
Our outfits are old from: Revolve Clothing & Zara (I will link similar looks below)
Every year it’s our tradition to do our annual Christmas Card photos. I love to obsess over them! Outfits, Location, Props.. you name it and I have it all thought out and prepped for the hour long shoot. I have loved doing this ever year since we got married… and that might be why I prepare so well for campaign shoots as well. They’re so fun for me, however I know that is not the case for everyone. So I’m going to share different ideas and shoots we have done in the past and ones we do from here on out. This will help with inspiration, but also for me to have a place to look back at each one we have done!
This first shoot I want to share is from our 2020 pictures with Ellie Koleen. Ellie is such a sweet person and a talented amazing photographer. If you are looking for someone in the California area and beyond (because I know she loves to travel) I highly suggest her!
These were taken in Morro Bay. This year we had purchased a new beach house in Morro Bay and it felt like the perfect time to do a shoot in our new town! I wanted it to be classic, simple and timeless. Which meant to be clean, no colors, no prints just creams, just whites and neutrals only..with maybe a few spots ;)! I also added in a bottle of Champagne mostly so I had some content photos for NYE. The champagne also made a cute element to finish a shoot right out of the ice cold ocean water! This was considered my only “prop” in these photos and I loved the suppleness of it and the one color that pops in those photos!
I hope this gives you a fun idea for your next shoot and let me know below if you want to see more of these! You can also shop our looks and similar styles below:)
Xo, Amanda
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