Week 31

Photos by Lacey Monceaux

Week 31

Balance

The hardest part of starting a small business is starting it, maintaining it and continuing the passion during the ups and down of the journey. 

When I started A Little Bundle two and half years ago, I was constantly working 24/7 non-stop in the first six months to a year. I was figuring out the Instagram lingo, spreading the word about my small business and continuously perfecting (shaping + changing) my mission. I think I can honestly say I neglected my boyfriend (now husband) and had an imbalance lifestyle of work. Luckily, over time, I've confidently conquered the routine aspect of my small business, but I'm constantly still learning and finding a balance of work life with everything else. 

When we found out I was pregnant, it really forced me to become grounded with a slower pace of life. Perhaps it was the extremely nauseous first trimester or the fact that our lives are about to change dramatically with our newest baby addition, but in the last seven months (I can't believe I have two months left!) my pregnancy has put a new perspective in the way I'm operating A Little Bundle and being present when I'm spending time with my friends and family.

I've noticed such a difference in the last few months with these little changes:

• Turn off your notifications. It really makes a huge difference. Instead of constantly checking out the latest comment or like - you're more focused on what you're doing in real time and dedicating a time to explore the social media at another hour. 
   
• Stay Organized. Try to keep your email account organized, and start writing the most urgent things to accomplish in a notebook. Utilize your google calendar and put in reminders to keep up with commitments and deadlines.
   
• You can't do it all in one day. Just accept it. I know you really want to, but it's impossible! It's also okay to take time off to have lunch, run errands, and get things done for your personal life. The key is, the happier you are, the better work ethic you'll produce!
   
• Have a shut off time. I use to work all morning, afternoon and evening. Now, I shut off around 6:30pm, and I might revisit a few tasks around 9pm while winding down with TV. Try to give yourself a break to spend time with your partner, kids and friends! You never know, it might inspire you with what you're working on, too.

I can't wait to hear what you've been trying out to find a balance with your lifestyle! Working mom life is hard, but we all juggle it the best way we can.

Dress: Free People | Bracelet Cuff: Vintage

Third Trimester: aches and pain

Ever since I started my Third Trimester, I've really felt my sciatic pain escalate. I have read that it's how my baby is positioned in my stomach and she might be sitting on a nerve. It's really starting to make me waddle! Here are a few ways I've been trying to relieve my pain:

• Prenatal Massages
• Massaging with a Lacrosse Ball 
• Yoga Stretches - Cat and Cow, Pigeon, light stretches
• I'm trying out acupuncture thanks to my sweet friend, Jessica, on Monday! I'll let you know how that goes! 

Dress: Freepeople | Shoes: Keds

With my three babies including @maddieandmacaron

Week 30

Hat: Janessa Leone | Dress: Hatch

Tee: Mother of Dragons | AG Maternity Jeans

Week 28-29

Dress: Target

Shorts: Hatch | Sandals: Birkenstock

I'm an Aunt, again!

On February 11th, 2016, my sister gave birth to my nephew, Maxton Conrad Lam! It's pretty incredible to be able to hold a baby the day they enter the world! And as expected, I'm bias since it's my nephew - but he's perfect!

My adorable little niece, Adelyn (Max's sister), got to meet Max the very next day. We prepared a gift for Addy and told her Max had given her the gift. She seemed open and accepting at the hospital, but once my sister got home with the baby - Addy began to show signs of jealousy when my sister is feeding Max. 

There's always an adjustment period - but I think Addy is doing so great with accepting Max overall :) 

Get up, Get dressed!!

Now that I'm in my third trimester, I work from home and am preparing for the months ahead for A Little Bundle. Honestly, it's giving me a little anxiety to grasp the idea of learning how to be a New Mom and juggling my small business as we approach closer to the end of my pregnancy term. BUT I'm confident enough that things will turn out the way it should :). 

I believe working for yourself requires a lot of self-motivation, good time management, and ambition to want to do more for yourself. It is a luxury to work for yourself, and work from home. But it's also a challenge because you can easily work all day (which I have done in the beginning) and neglect your personal life (which really does happen). The key is to finding that balance for your personal life and your career. I'm especially grateful to be able to do what I do at this time of my life - it's amazing to be able to be with my first baby and work where I can, when I can.  

I personally find it best for me to get up each morning as if I'm "going" to my office. Taking the steps to get ready allows me to feel better about myself and prepare for the day.

Here are a few tips that help me get started every morning:

1. I wake up and start my routine - you know the drill - wash your face and brush your teeth! After living in NYC for 8 years, I've been a loyal Mario Badescu user. I've had several facials there and have always found their products affordable, effective and the jam! 

2. Always, Always, Always put on your SPF. Yes, don't miss a beat ladies. Moisturize that SPF on every day! I currently use the Clarins Brightening Hydrating Day SPF 20. Then, I put on another SPF 50 over that from my tinted primer! 

3. Do Your Hair. It seriously helps you get in the mood to get dressed and actually look presentable. It's so easy sometimes to just wake up, throw on tee and sweats and pull up my hair, but doing your hair makes you want to get ready for the day. My hair is naturally wavy, so I just go through with the curling iron by Conair to give it that fuller wave look. 

4. My sweet Kyles bought me the Korres lip tint as a gift and I love using it when I get up. It has just a bit of color that brings you to life - enough to want to finish the rest of your face (powder or foundation, eyeliner, etc.).

5. I am obsessed with the Maybelline HyperSharp eyeliner from Taiwan. We grew up being fortunate to be able to visit Taiwan almost every year growing up and really understanding our culture with our family. Whenever someone visits Taiwan, I always request to have these eyeliners brought back for me. If I travel to Taiwan myself, I usually buy out the entire store's stock! haha!

6. Lastly, I stock up on these at every Duty Free airport - Shu Uemera Eyelash Curler. They're the best and the only ones I've loved using. Andddd I've tried a ton - from ones found in Japan to random brands in Asia to products found here in US. These. are. the. ones.

I hope this inspires you to take the little bit of step to just get ready! - and that includes all Stay at Home Moms (yes, your job is a 24 hours gig!).

Third Trimester: Week 28

WHOA. That was fast.

I'm really feeling the weight of my belly weighing down again on my bladder. I'm constantly going to the bathroom to pee and my lower back is feeling the expansion pain more and more. 

This experience so far has given me so much appreciation and amazement for the women's body. We're built to grow another life and give birth to another human being?! That's incredible. Every pregnancy is different and not one journey is better than the other. We're all in the same boat and we should all thank our mothers for sacrificing her body, time, devotion and life to raise us. 

A friend of mine once told me that when you have kids, it really is like a full circle. You come to realize so much of what your own mother has experienced and sacrificed. The amount of gratitude and respect is indescribable. I'm so thankful for the amazing family support I have around me and I only wish the same love for my own children.

Waitlist for Austin Pre-Schools and Daycare!

If you live in Austin, Texas and you're having a baby, you better start putting your baby's name on 3 or more pre-schools and daycare centers - NOW! Austin City is overflowing with new residents every day and it's a bit insane how long some of these waitlists can go for! The wait can go up to 3 years!

I've already booked tours to a few pre-school / daycare centers. Ideally, I'd love for my baby girl to be with me until she's 1-2 years old and then enroll her into a safe and playful environment for routine and social exposure. It would also be a great break for me to drop her off for a few hours - a lot can be done in that short amount of time if you can manage your time efficiently. :) 

Here are a few we're checking out:

• Green Sprout Preschool
• Open Door Preschool
• Stepping Stone School

Hospital Tours and Birthing Classes...and Doulas?

This weekend, Kyle and I went on a hospital tour at the OBGYN North St. Davis Hospital. It was informative and more of an introduction for Kyle to become familiar so that on the big day, we're not panicking (too much). Ha!

We are also taking a general birthing class. We feel more comfortable going into the big day educated, but we both agreed that we're not afraid of the situation. 

Many of our friends and family have shared their experiences on hiring a Doula, and we've heard both good and bad stories. Every labor is different and every Doula is different. We decided to interview a few and see how we feel about their role on our big day. 

Frankly, Kyle and I both feel like it's not necessary to have a Doula if you're at a comfortable and well-staffed hospital like OBGYN North. If you have someone in the delivery room with you that you can trust, comfort you and be strong enough to get you through the contractions - for me, that's all I need. On the other hand, I've heard stories of Doulas massaging you while you're contracting and helping you through the labor process successfully. 

It's still an option for us, but we're both leaning towards not hiring a Doula. I'll keep you posted if we change our minds :) 

Educate yourself about the Zika Virus, please!

My Baby Girl kicks alllll day and allllll night. It feels like a butterfly floating around and just random punches coming at you. If you sit next to me, you can even see her punching through my stomach!

Kyle and I decided to cancel our trip to Tulum, Mexico due to the Zika Virus scare. We cancelled all our plans and are even just considering staying put until our girl arrives. Since the outbreak of the Zika Virus, I've been interviewed for several news articles (see below). 

We didn't think much of the Zika Virus until CDC released an official warning that the virus affects pregnant women in all trimesters. This was just not worth the risk of a vacation.

Mamas, please do your research and read about this dangerous virus! It's a mosquito-borne disease - specifically from the Aedes species. If you've been bitten by a mosquito, chances are you may or may not develop symptoms- mild fever, rash, joint pain or conjunctivitis. This virus is specifically dangerous to pregnant women because it causes a birth defect called microcephaly.   

Microcephaly is characterized by a smaller than average head, usually indicates an underdeveloped brain. This can cause a lifetime of problems including vision loss, seizures, learning disabilities and more.

To learn more, please use your search engine and read all the credible news out there before you decide to travel with your unborn child.

• Tourism industry keeps watchful eye on Zika viru
• Expectant moms are canceling 'babymoons' over Zika virus scare
• Everything You Need to Know About the Latest Zika Travel Warnings

Giveaway with Pink Blush Maternity

I have been so excited to work with so many different brands that are generously offering their products for me to try during my pregnancy. A great go-to easy essential pieces is Pink Blush Maternity! They have such a wide range of styles - I'm positive you'll find outfits that'll help you through your trimesters.

I've teamed up with Pink Blush Maternity to giveaway $75.00 credit! We're hosting it on @alittlebundle. Be sure to enter and win. Winner is chosen on Thursday! Goodluck!

Cheat Sheet to eating healthy (or at least trying!)

Ever since I started feeling better in my second trimester, I've been able to eat "anythinnnng" I want! But every time I go through a fast food joint, I feel like I have to make up for that meal with a more healthy choice. 

In our household, we always try our best to cook dinner Monday through Friday. My husband, Kyle, has the luxury to eat lunch at home since his work is only a five-minute drive away. When I'm grocery shopping, I usually plan 2-3 meals ahead - that way my produce are fresh and we're not letting food sit in the fridge!

Here is a great cheat sheet to know what's in season when you're grocery shopping:

FRUITS + VEGETABLES

Apples: August-November

Apricots: May-July

Blackberries: May-October

Blueberries: May-August

Cherries: April-July

Grapefruit: January-April/December

Grapes: July-November

Melons: June-October

Peaches: May-October

Raspberries: May-November

Strawberries: March-November

Watermelon: May-September 

Artichokes: March-June/September-December

Asparagus: February-June

Brussels Sprouts: January-June / September-December

Cucumbers: June-November

Green Beans: June-September

Peppers: May-December

Week 24

It's been harder and harder to get creative with my outfits. There is only a handful of clothing items that I can choose from that actually fit me right now! One of them is my hatch collection night out legging. It's already starting to barely fit - but I'll make it work until I can't. I love matching it with my Stuart Weitzman boots. 

Jacket: Artizia 

Tee: Jcrew

First Friday of 2016!

It's the first Friday of 2016 and I'm STILL organizing the ins and outs of A Little Bundle, my house, Baby Girl's Nursery and it never ends! Hope you'll enjoy your weekend and make it productive! 

New Year's Resolution

1. Cultivate and value patience

2. Be conscious of what I'm eating

3. Surround myself with only the people I admire, adore and love

4. Be present in every situation

5. Find a balance between work and life

Jacket: Madewell, Dress: Freepeople, Shoes: MM3

January's First Week!

Starting my first week of January with a black and white outfit! I look like Sherlock Holmes but that's okay. :)

New Year's Eve!

Wishing you and the ones your love a very happy, healthy and magical 2016! 

Winter growing belly

I love layering denim on and under every outfit! Oh, and anything with Adina Mill is just the perfect outfit. Check out her beautiful work - I constantly get compliments when I wear her out.

Follow Maddie and Macaron!

With my 2 Girls!