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The Friday 5

Giveaway· Link Up· Pregnancy

1 Apr

| one |

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I cannot thank you all enough for your sweet comments about C2’s nursery… and her name!

I’ll do a more detailed post next week about how we decided on Frances Belle, but to answer the vast majority of questions:

  1. Yes, Frances is a family name. She will be named after my late grandmother, Virginia Frances.
  2. No, Belle is not a family name (shocking for me, right?!). I’ll talk about that later.
  3. I have been calling her Francie for no reason other than I think it’s adorable.
  4. Yes, I shared the name early. But, after naming a daughter Dorothy, it’s safe to say I can handle any negativity that might come from someone disliking her name.

 

| two |

Minted

 

In case you happened to miss yesterday’s big post, I’m also giving away $150 to Minted this week!

And, if you’re anything like me, you could probably really use that money with wedding/graduation/baby season coming up. Just on my side of the family, we have three graduations, two weddings, three babies AND a 90th birthday between the months of June and August. That equals a lot of stationary/invitations/announcements… and gifts!

All you have to do to enter is click this link, and give your name and email address. The winner will be selected next week!

In the meantime, Minted is having a big sale through the weekend if you want to get to shopping early. Use the code EIGHT for 15 percent off the entire site!

 

| three |

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So, random. Has anyone used a postpartum corset/girdle?

I have been reading all about the Bellefit and the Belly Bandit, and I’m pretty convinced I need one. I personally know no one who has used one of these, but I think having some type of compression will be beneficial after my scheduled c-section. I didn’t use anything after my unscheduled c-section with Dorothy, and I was pretty miserable for a long time.

I would love to hear any opinions/reviews any of you have!

*This is me being totally guilty of using the blog as a crowdsourcing platform, but help a momma (who just wants her waist back) out. 😉

| four |

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In other mom-related news, can I just say potty training is a bitch?

That is all.

| five |

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And I’m off to the weekend. After finding this photo last night, I got all sorts of sad about never seeing our besties anymore.

Good thing it took all of an hour to get a dinner planned for tonight to celebrate all of our current life achievements. Follow that with some cousin time tomorrow to create a baby registry for Baby Kight, and I would say it’s shaping up to be an excellent weekend.

TGIF, my friends!

—

5onFridayLogo-Final-forblogsidemenu_edited-1_zps7fcf6068

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7 Comments

Previous Post: « Cinderella Nursery Tour + $150 Minted Giveaway!
Next Post: Our Belle »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heather Hammel says

    April 1, 2016 at 11:23 am

    Aw, I love her name. It’s so cute and unique!

    http://dogmomchic.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  2. Maria Baer says

    April 1, 2016 at 12:12 pm

    I love Minted! I used for all my wedding stationery and it was super nice.

    Reply
  3. Kendra @ Partners in Crime says

    April 1, 2016 at 12:44 pm

    I used a Belly Bandit and OMG made all the difference after my C-section!

    Reply
  4. Katrin says

    April 1, 2016 at 1:53 pm

    As a physical therapist I have worked with patients after c-section and I have never heard of a corset that you are talking about. I’d suggest breathing exercises first (the also work to decrease the pain), with light mobilization of the pelvic and mobilization of the scar. Then later on light activation of the oblique muscles. Those muscles pretty much function as a natural corset 😉 if you have any questions let me know and I can even give you some more specific exercises.

    Reply
  5. Deanna says

    April 1, 2016 at 5:00 pm

    Belly Bandit was a lifesaver. I had a c-section and it helped EVERYTHING. Trying to carry around a baby, chase after a 21 month old, and recover from a c-section was no joke, but the Belly Bandit gave my core some stabilization and made that pooch disappear 3 times faster than it did with baby #1. Happy weekend!

    Reply
  6. Laura says

    April 3, 2016 at 12:25 am

    1. As a fellow Frances(my middle name) I LOVE IT!!! If we end up having a second child, their middle name will be Frances or Francis 🙂
    2. Belle fit is the bomb dot com. Besides fitting in pre pregnancy clothes two days after baby, it took my back pain away and kept my stomach from sagging. I highly recommend. HIGHLY.

    Reply
  7. chelsea jacobs says

    April 4, 2016 at 7:27 pm

    I’m with you-francie is absolutely adorable!

    Reply

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Hey there, I'm Samantha. Recovering SAHM, and aspiring competitive dance mom. I have a passion for travel, am known to say it like it is, and I most certainly do not have it all together. Currently on a journey toward self love and discovery. Join me. 2021 | Bloom

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I never knew I could be this person. I’m not super athletic. I have never dieted or counted calories. I never considered myself or my health. I always have watched other women make big physical changes in their lives, but I have never felt like I was capable to do the same.

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(1. January 2020, 2. June 2020 (100 rides), 3. January 2021 (200 rides))

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NEW POST: What I've Found in the Dark Call it cli NEW POST: What I've Found in the Dark

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I challenged myself to be uncomfortable this year. Sharing this? The real and raw? That's uncomfortable.

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NEW POST: Who are you? (link in bio) I'm looking NEW POST: Who are you? (link in bio)

I'm looking for others who feel like me. People who may have lost a piece of themselves, but are (or want to be) on a journey to re-design their lives. Let's have a book club, or dinner party, or even start an empowerment group for 30-somethings who forgot their favorite color.

Let's help each other grow. 🌿

#cottentales #lifestyleblogger #momsofinstagram #momblogger #blogger #mhn #selflove #selfcare #identity #30something #travelblog #momofgirls #blog #bloggersofinstagram
This is the difference a year makes. ⬇️ 30 l This is the difference a year makes. 

⬇️ 30 lbs. ⬆️ Healthy habits. ⬇️ 4 in. of hair. ⬆️ Strength. ➕ A tattoo & a ton of self love. 

I never knew I could be this person. I’m not super athletic. I have never dieted or counted calories. I never considered myself or my health. I always have watched other women make big physical changes in their lives, but I have never felt like I was capable to do the same.

If you’re reading this, and feel the same way I used to, trust me. 

You can. 💜

(1. January 2020, 2. June 2020 (100 rides), 3. January 2021 (200 rides))

#empoweringwomen #peloton #pelotonweightloss #pelotonbike #loveyourself #fitness #fitnessjourney #cottentales #blogger #momofgirls #momsofinstagram #momblogger #lifestyleblogger #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #selfcare #selflove #selflovejourney #pelotonmom #pelotoncommunity #lovesquad #boocrew #uncomfortable #bloom
NEW POST: What I've Found in the Dark Call it cli NEW POST: What I've Found in the Dark

Call it cliche, but I have a word to live by this year. If I'm being honest, it actually means a lot to me. I even have some semblance of "resolutions," which are really just mantras I plan to manifest into reality... and so far I think it's working.

What's your word for 2021? What are your goals, mantras, or resolutions for this year? Let me know in the comments. 🌸 Link in bio.

#cottentales #lifestyleblogger #mommyblogger #travelblogger #newyear #2021 #quitlikeawoman #momofgirls #blogger #bloggersofinstagram #momsofinstagram #bloom #bloomwhereyouareplanted #peloton #pelotonbike #resolutions #mantra #healthyhabits #newpost #blogging
L: 12/26/2019, aka my 32nd birthday R: 01/08/2021, L: 12/26/2019, aka my 32nd birthday
R: 01/08/2021, or today. 

My husband took that first photo. He was being nice, and trying to celebrate my birthday. I never told him I hated it. I looked heavy, because I was. My skin was terrible - red, broken out, etc. I was anxious, and stressed (ha! The days before 2020!), and it very obviously showed.

Today I’m in the best shape since high school, which blows my mind. I am actively working every day on my skincare, my mental health, and my reactions. Do I mess up? All the time. This week even, I made major mistakes that affect more than just myself. It’s a constant work, but it’s worth doing. 

I see growth. I see a woman who is starting to feel uncomfortable, and that’s a good thing. Whatever goals you have, or path you’re attempting to journey this year, keep going. Don’t let setbacks end your fight. You can do this. 💪🏻

(Also, both daughters saw me make this image this morning. Both thought I was pregnant in the photo on the left. I definitely was not.😳)

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Two years ago, Santa followed us to Eleuthera. Las Two years ago, Santa followed us to Eleuthera. Last year, we danced our way to 2020 on the island. Christmas just doesn’t feel the same this year without the ocean. 🌊

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Mentally, I’m here. 🌊 #eleuthera #bahamas # Mentally, I’m here. 🌊 

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This is 100 @onepeloton rides vs. 178. This is 159 This is 100 @onepeloton rides vs. 178. This is 159 lbs. vs. 129 lbs. This is broken and lost vs. strong and healing. 

I was so proud of myself in that first photo, and I’m still proud of that Samantha. Steps to a better you will slowly become strides. Thanks to her, now I’m taking flight. ❤️ #selflove #selfcare #peloton #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #pelotonweightloss #pelotonmom #momofgirls #lifestyleblogger #momsofinstagram #momblogger #loveyourself #cottentales

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