by sugarsunshinelife | May 11, 2023 | Lifestyle, Motherhood
This post may contain affiliate links! If you click on a link in this post, it may be commissionable, and I may earn a small amount when you purchase off of that link. Thank you for understanding!
If you’re like me then you LOVE gift giving! I have such a passion for spending lots of money and gifting people. Recently, I’ve had to majorly control that urge but Mother’s Day is a holiday when I really want to show how much I appreciate the women in my life.
It can be really hard to find gifts and it’s not always easy to find the right gifts. Everyone is so different!
Are you struggling with gift ideas? Below is a great list of affordable gifts for the mothers in your life! ♥
Jewelry & Accessories:
Clothing & Shoes:
Home Decor:
Beauty & Self-care:
Bible Studies & Books:
For The Expecting Mom:
Don’t forget to shop the Kindred Braverly Mother’s Day Sale where you can score up to 50% off!
If you spend $125 during this sale, you will get a $25 store credit to use at another time!
P.S, don’t forget to use code MADISON15 for 15% off your purchase!
See something you like or would add to this list? Let me know in the comments! I love hearing from my readers!
Be sure to join my Mother’s Day Giveaway! Head to this post to enter!
by sugarsunshinelife | May 3, 2023 | Lifestyle, Motherhood
This post may contain affiliate links! If you click on a link in this post, it may be commissionable, and I may earn a small amount when you purchase off of that link. Thank you for understanding!
As Mother’s Day approaches, I wanted to reach out to all of the strong, hard-working moms out there. Every mom is one! Whether you read my blog, follow me on social media, or know me in person, I want to shed some light on mothers.
What Is a Mother?
A mother is Strong. Protective. Loving. Selfless.
The perfect example of a mother is the Proverbs 31 Woman. She is described as trustworthy, hardworking, fruitful, strong, a volunteer, crafty, wise, kind, blessed, a homemaker, fearful of the Lord, and praised by her husband for her work.
Personally, I aspire to be this woman every single day. I look up to this woman in the bible. I believe this is a perfect example of how every woman’s character should be.
The job that a mother has is so important and our characters must be well-defined before we can start building the characters of others, especially our little ones.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
As mother’s, we are responsible for the upbringing of little humans until they are adults. While this is no easy task, having that biblical strength is so necessary!
The world wants mothers to be weak and dependent on others for how we raise our children. But, if you just look to God, He provides so much wisdom and knowledge on how to manage this part of life!
Don’t forget to also lean on the older and wiser women in your life. They have been here before! I go to my mother-in-law so much for advice and she always tells me exactly what I need to hear, even if it’s hard.
Motherhood is HARD!
Oftentimes, we moms feel overlooked. We feel like our needs aren’t met and like everything we do is for others. Well, it is. Everything that a mom does is for someone. Whether it’s her kids, her husband, family, or friends, the list could go on and on.
Being a mother is truly about being a servant to others. And it’s hard! It’s hard to give yourself all day, every day. Mothers need someone to lean on. Someone to pick them up when the daily routine of life is too much.
I personally experience times when I’m just completely overstimulated. I’ve learned that identifying the things that overstimulate me has really helped me throughout the day when I feel like nothing is going right.
A lot of times, I am my own worst enemy. I start thinking of everything that I have to do and I make myself stressed. Writing a daily to-do list has helped with that so much!
One thing that really has helped me with overstimulation is reading scripture and listening to worship music. It is so easy for me to get into my own head and think only about myself. As a mom, I do everything for my boys and for my husband.
There are times when I get selfish. Sometimes I crack and make everything about me. I’m a flawed human. I have to constantly remind myself that by serving others and being a helpful hand is pleasing to the Lord.
A verse that really speaks to me is Galatians 5:13. It says, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
I believe one of the biggest acts of love is through service. By dying to yourself and giving to or helping others. Putting others’ needs and wants above yours.
Man, is that hard! It’s hard to be selfless. We are selfish by nature. It’s a daily struggle to be selfless. For me, being a mother has helped me overcome that natural instinct.
Trials
Growing up, I had an overly critical mother. Everything I did was criticized and/or downgraded. While it was abusive and very difficult, little did I know that it was teaching me how to be strong as a mother.
I have learned many things from my mother. These things she did not teach me intentionally. They were taught through the fear I had of her and through the hope I had in God. The best thing? God showed me how to grow from that!
Our trials make us stronger. That trial, while weak at the moment, has helped me grow today. God’s timing is always perfect and He knew what I needed, even if I didn’t believe it at the time.
James 1:2-4 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
There were many things that I learned in my teenage years. My youngest sister was born, my parents were divorced and then married again, I was a ballerina, and I was being homeschooled.
In those years, I developed a sense of motherly love for my younger sisters. Again, I think this is another thing that helped me grow as a mother. I already had the instinct to care for younger ones at a young age.
I became a mom at nineteen. I was married and had just graduated high school. I was ready. I truly believe that God put me through that trial as a child and teenager to help me become the woman I am becoming every single day.
God sent my husband to me during our Senior year in high school. He was the first person I had ever told about what it was like growing up in my household. After we graduated, we made the decision to get married legally. I left home, he proposed, and then we were married before God. It was all in God’s perfect timing.
Looking back on it all, I am grateful for the hard times that I went through. They made me who I am today. I am prepared to be a mother and wife from the trials I have been through.
I love my boys and I genuinely want to serve them and my husband. I want them to be the thing that my life revolves around and it does.
One of the greatest sacrifices a woman can make is by becoming a mother. By raising arrows every single day. We are responsible for the health and well-being of our families. Whether you’re a working mom, stay-at-home mom, or both, it’s hard!
And It’s tough. Really tough. But, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I know motherhood is where God has me and I love it.
Resources For Moms:
Some incredibly helpful resources that I have bought for the special women in my life have all come from The Daily Grace Co. I just love their company foundations and what they stand for! You can read their statement of faith here.
Here are some of my favorite motherhood resources that they provide ~ and they’re super affordable, too!
A Special Gift
If you’re a mom, you know that getting time to yourself can be difficult. With Mother’s Day right around the corner, a few other bloggers and I wanted to host a special giveaway for all of the wonderful mother’s out there!
Mother’s Day is the day we get to not only tell but also show Moms just how special and appreciated they really are.
Celebrate your motherhood journey and yourself this year! I’ve teamed up with a wonderful group of bloggers to help pamper four amazing moms!
There will be ONE Grand Prize Winner and THREE $100 gift card winners – for a total of four winners!! The Grand Prize winner will choose between a combo Air Fryer/Toaster Oven, or a Kitchen Aid Mixer (up to $300!!)
It’s our hope and prayer that we will add to your blessing this Mother’s Day and also show you just how much we appreciate you, our mom readers.
To enter for your chance to win this Mother’s Day Giveaway, simply use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. I know that is quite a few entries for you, but each of these bloggers generously chipped in their own money to bring you this giveaway.
I hope you will take the time to do all of the entries. Don’t forget, the more entries you do, the better your odds are of winning!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway ends Friday, May 12th at 11:59 pm EDT. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the email to claim the prize. By entering this giveaway you may be added to the email lists of the participating bloggers. Please be sure to read the Terms and Conditions upon entering the giveaway. By entering the giveaway, you agree and acknowledge your understanding of the terms and conditions.
Good luck to everyone who enters! If you’re an expecting mother, please check out my latest post, Hospital Bag & My Favorite Items!
by sugarsunshinelife | Apr 4, 2023 | Lifestyle, Motherhood, Pregnancy
This post may contain affiliate links! If you click on a link in this post, it may be commissionable, and I may earn a small amount when you purchase off of that link. Thank you for understanding!
Getting Ready:
It’s that time again ~ Time to pack for another hospital trip for another baby! I am so excited yet terrified at the same time. Even though I have all of the emotions about giving birth racing through my head, I am comforted knowing that I have my essentials packed and ready for the day baby #2 makes his arrival.
I have once again decided to go un-medicated for this birth. With my first, I also had an un-medicated birth and it was truly magical! You can read all about my experience here. If you would like to hear about my birth story for baby #2, please let me know in the comment section below!
When I was pregnant with my first, I wrote another post on What’s In My Hospital Bag. See that post for some great tips and a quick checklist!
Must-Haves:
One of the first things I immediately stashed into my bag was the MotherLove Nipple Balm. Y’all this saved my life last time I breastfed! I started using it in the hospital and it offered so much comfort. It helped with the soreness and cracked nipples. Truly a must-have!
I made sure to pack some lip balm, extra pads, a long phone charger, and non-slip socks! These are definitely going into my toiletry bag. I also packed some travel shampoo and conditioner for my hubby while we are staying in the hospital.
Some of My Favorites:
I found the cutest Kindred Braverly socks and they have the cutest saying, “Baby you’re worth it.” on the bottom. This pair comes in four different colors. I’m so excited to wear them during our hospital stay! You can use code Madison15 for a discount at checkout!
Another Kindred Braverly item that is in my bag is the Sublime Adjustable Crossover Nursing & Lounge Bra. I have already started wearing it because it is just so comfortable! It’s great for lounging in and definitely a must-have!
Due to wanting an unmedicated birth, I knew I wanted to pack a diffuser along with some of my favorite Essential Oils. I grabbed this diffuser for under $15 a few weeks ago and have used it every day since! An Essential Oil that I plan on diffusing during our hospital stay is Young Living’s Lavender oil. This oil is so effective in my everyday life and I hope it can help me during labor!
Ready for if he needs it is a pack of my favorite brand of pacifiers (I love this color)!
Waiting at Home:
While there will be another sweet boy waiting at home for us, there is something else that I want to mention that isn’t going into my hospital bag, but is ready for when we get home. It’s the Nanobébé Complete Feeding System! They were so kind to send me a sample to try for our newest addition! We have only ever used Nanobébé brand for pacifiers, bottles, etc. I was overjoyed to collaborate with their brand!
The Nanobébé Complete Feeding System includes two Flexy silicone pacifiers, convenient breast pump adapters, a baby bottle warmer, 4 slow flow nipples, and a bottle brush for easy cleaning! It’s perfect for any new parent. I can’t wait to put this feeding system to good use!
I made sure to pack some disposable nursing pads to help during those early days of breastfeeding. My favorite are the Nanobébé Disposable Nursing Pads! I tried many brands when I breastfed my oldest and these are the only ones that would completely catch milk and not leave me wet. I could wear any bra I wanted as long as I had these on! They are so unbelievably helpful!
Having an easy and accessible way to everything postpartum is so helpful! I made sure to have my disposable nursing pads within reach and organized. I stored them in this cute basket that I got from the Dollar Tree! Here are some that are similar to the ones I bought.
One of the best welcome kits that I have gotten is from Nanobébé! It is completely free and has everything you need to sample including nursing pads, breastmilk storage bags, and a 0-3 month Flexy Pacifier! I think this welcome kit is what hooked me on Nanobébé with my oldest. That and the fact that Nanobébé pacifiers were the only ones he would take… ha!
Did you know that you can also donate a bottle or pacifier to a family in need? Here’s how Nanobébé offers an amazing way to give to others at hardly any cost! Donate now!
I love hearing from others! If you can think of anything that I’m missing or something you would add (or have added to your bag), please leave a comment below. Have a blessed day!
Love my content? See my latest post, Momanda, Built For Moms!
by sugarsunshinelife | Mar 6, 2023 | Fashion, Motherhood
This post may contain affiliate links! If you click on a link in this post, it may be commissionable, and I may earn a small amount when you purchase off of that link. Thank you for understanding!
Something that always brings me joy is finding brands that support moms and that are built for moms. That’s why I was so overjoyed when I discovered Momanda!
Momanda is a brand built to promote body positivity during your pregnancy and breastfeeding journey. Their products are for moms of every mind, breastfeeding or not! They strive to have comfortable yet stylish clothing for moms all over the world.
“Born out of a desire for something chic and elevated, we created MOMANDA to fill a void in the maternity clothing market. Our products are designed to make each moment – pregnant or not – enjoyable, rich, fun and beautiful. We’re obsessed about individuality. We’re obsessed about quality. Simply put, we make the perfect combination of fancy and practical.”
Momanda was so kind as to send me three of some of their best-selling items! (They’re going quick, too!)
One of the best things about this bralette is that it was designed to flex upwards in both band and cup size to accommodate your growing body during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
This bralette also features a wire-free design for utmost comfort! It also features wider cups and wings for the best coverage when wearing. This way, you don’t have to worry about anything hanging out or not being supported!
I was so surprised at how soft and weightless this bra is! The band itself is very soft and lightweight. I definitely have a new favorite!
The Dream Lace Nursing Bralette comes in four different colors with a variety of sizes to choose from. Grab yours here!
Every momma knows how hard it can be to pump, especially when your bra is in the way! That’s why Momanda has created a beautiful Lace Hands Free Pumping Bra. Not only is it super convenient for pumping, but it is also stylish and affordable!
This bra is often referred to as the “Do Anything Bra” because you can literally do anything while pumping in this bra! Not only is it great for pumping but it is also great for breastfeeding in general.
This pumping bra looks and feels similar to a normal bra, but it’s stylish and feminine! The Lace Hands Free Pumping Bra is great for working moms as you can use it hands free and without hassle.
The Lace Hands Free Pumping Bra comes in eight different colors and my favorite is by far the color “Cream Coffee.”
The product I was most excited about had to be the Cozy Soft Touch Lounge Set! It is sleek and cozy, long-sleeved, with skin-friendly perfection.
This lounge set is not only perfect for pregnancy, but for any stage that you might be in as a mom. Whether you are breastfeeding, pregnant, or simply being a mom, you can enjoy life in this super comfy wardrobe addition!
Something I just love about this set is that it is the perfect piece to wear when you come home from the hospital. It’s stylish so you can wear it out and about or simply wear it around the house!
The Cozy Soft Lounge Set is made of mostly cotton so it is breathable and perfect for those early postpartum days. This set comes in six different colors, with Swan White being my personal favorite.
One of the best features of Momanda’s Nursing Bra’s is that no one has to know what it is! Their bras are so concealable for nursing that it looks similar to your regular bralette. This way, you can be stylish while also keeping your intimates practical.
Have you tried Momanda? Let me know in the comments! I would love to hear about your experience!
by sugarsunshinelife | Feb 8, 2023 | Lifestyle, Motherhood
I am so honored to have been able to collaborate with 4D Mommies of Birmingham this past week! I got to experience their wonderful facility along with a beautiful ultrasound of our baby boy. I can’t wait to share my thoughts with you but first, let me tell you all about 4D Mommies!
About them!
4D Mommies has been proudly serving Birmingham for 11 years! They offer a wide variety of services including 3D and 4D Ultrasounds, Gender Determination, Sneak Peek DNA Test, DVD video of your session, CD with 15-30 3D images, color prints, and more! Their packages start at just $50 and includes a five minute 3D/4D imaging session along with 1 color 3D print. If you want to check out the other packages that they offer, head to this link here.
What is a 4D ultrasound?
“4D ultrasound video is a heartwarming experience where you can actually see your little one moving around inside your womb. Be prepared to see smiles, hands covering shy faces, and wiggles as they explore their space and get comfortable. 4D video is the next chapter in the ultrasound imaging book. While 3D gives you beautiful detailed images of your baby’s face, hands, feet, and the capability of determining the gender of your unborn child, 4D is the addition of being able to see your baby move inside the womb. Facial features, smiles, thumb sucking and more can be seen in detail. This experience is really a sight to behold, and you will love how close you will feel to your child after seeing what all the movement is going on inside.”
-4D Mommies
Perks of choosing 4D Mommies!
~4D Mommies provides a relaxing environment for mom, baby, and anyone joining the ultrasound experience.
~They highly encourage you to bring along your closest loved ones to your appointment and I found that so refreshing!
~You can choose from a broad selection of ultrasounds packages so that you can easily find which one best suits your family.
~ Enjoy the comfort of seeing your baby without the need for a doctor’s visit.
~All packages come with a picture and a 3D/4D imaging session!
~Even if you aren’t expecting, you can purchase a gift certificate for the mommy to be in your life!
How to get a FREE ultrasound!
Each month, 4D Mommies gives away a free ultrasound. All you have to do is hop on over to this page and let them know when you’re due. What a blessing!
I was so impressed with 4D Mommies of Birmingham! My family had come down with a sickness this past week so we had to cancel our first appointment. They were so helpful in rescheduling for us! 4D Mommies made such a magical moment for us by being able to see our little one for so long!
One of the coolest parts about having a 4D ultrasound was how defined our little one’s face was! It was so amazing to see his features like his little button nose, opening and closing his eyes, yawning, and seeing some of his hair!
We are so blessed to have been given this opportunity to work with 4D Mommies of Birmingham and I can’t thank them enough. Thanks to them, many smiles have been made and lots of tears have been shed. I recommend going and seeing 4D Mommies to all expecting moms, you won’t regret it!
by sugarsunshinelife | Nov 1, 2021 | Fashion, Motherhood
In my opinion, one of the most important things during pregnancy is being comfortable. With your body changing so much, being comfy is always a priority. Throughout my pregnancy, I have constantly been researching the cutest + comfiest clothes that are maternity must-haves.
You’re probably wondering, what do I really need throughout my pregnancy? Well, first off, you need the basics. Such as leggings, a few comfy tops, maternity underwear, etc. I’m going to share with you my top ten maternity clothing items that I can’t live without! The products I have found so far will leave you in the comfiest state while you carry your little one.
Let’s get started!
#10
Motherhood Maternity Crop Leggings
I purchased a pair of crop leggings like these because I wanted a nice cotton pair and some that weren’t long. I also knew that I wouldn’t just want to wear jeans all the time and when paired right, this pair of leggings can be fancied up. I was extremely pleased when I got this pair because the legging wasn’t see-through and it was a good length.
I normally wouldn’t wear cropped leggings, because I like mine long, but these were just so cute and comfy that I couldn’t resist. I think these will pair well with a nice sweater and sneakers when cooler weather comes my way.
#9
Motherhood Maternity Scoop-Neck Tank
This tank gets a 10/10 all the way. It’s 58% cotton so it’s very breathable and light. I love wearing mine with pajamas or shorts. This tank works perfectly as a basic tank and can be paired with anything!
#8
Fitglam Maternity Tank
I’m going to admit that I have struggled with finding maternity tops that fit me in a flattering way. I’m petite, so everything fits weird now that I’m pregnant. I have been loving oversized tops and fitted maternity shirts, though. Here is a tank that I absolutely love! This tank top has been a lifesaver! First off, it’s really cute and comfy on my belly. It’s not uncomfortably tight on my belly and it’s breathable. I got this one when I was around 20 weeks along and it was perfect timing. By that point, all of my pre-pregnancy workout tops were either too tight or fitting cropped. This tank comes in many different and unique colors! I got the aqua color and it’s beautiful.
#7
Maacie Maternity Leggings
Okay, finding comfortable leggings to accommodate my belly and my height was not as challenging as I thought it would be. I wanted a lightweight pair that wouldn’t see through and would feel comfy on my belly. Let me just say, I was shocked when I tried these on. They looked heavy and not very lightweight in the picture but when I got them and tried them on, I fell in love. They are super soft and light. I could wear them as pajama pants if I wanted to. They also look super cute and have pockets on both sides to put your electronics in.
Being 5’3’’ I thought they would be too long but these leggings are the perfect length. They definitely give me a workout pant vibe so I would wear these with a sweatshirt or tank top depending on the weather. Surprisingly, I love them more than the non-maternity leggings that I own. I think that says something!
#6
INNERSY Postpartum Underwear
These undies are something you need while pregnant and you can even wear them postpartum!
#5
Motherhood Maternity Under Belly Joggers
This pair of joggers have been amazing and friendly to my new bump. They are lightweight and comfy enough to wear as pajama pants or casual!
#4
Motherhood Maternity V-neck Tee
I really like this top because it accommodates my belly so well! It fits perfectly on my belly without being too tight. I don’t normally wear v-necks but this tee is so soft and comfy that I figured I should at least give it a try. I’m glad I did because I love it!
#3
H&M MAMA Ribbed Top
Yes, I finally did it. I finally found a ribbed top for expecting mothers! I couldn’t believe my eyes when I found this top at H&M. I had really missed not being able to wear a textured t-shirt and finding this top made me so happy. So far, this shirt comes in turquoise and beige. I went ahead and grabbed turquoise because blue looks great on my skin and I’m expecting a boy. This shirt can be styled with almost anything and it is great for layering. I can’t wait to start wearing this shirt everywhere!
#2
Motherhood Maternity Relaxed Fit Shorts
Finding shorts that weren’t too tight around my belly wasn’t a struggle until I hit 25 weeks when my belly started growing overnight. I’m glad I already had this pair of shorts on hand and ready to wear! I love this pair because they are comfortable and easy to move around in. I can fit the waistband on my belly and below it as well. Definitely something I needed!
#1
H&M MAMA Ribbed Tank
I have seen a lot of mama’s wearing ribbed tank tops that weren’t for maternity wear and I looked for a while before finally finding one for pregnancy. Y’all, I’m in love. The colors are beautiful and with the tank top being almost completely cotton, it’s so comfortable and light. This tank can be paired with almost anything and has a stylish texture. Another great feature? It comes in a 2-pack and comes in six eye-catching colors! How great is that!
Lastly,
I hope you have found something on this list that will help you and your ever-growing belly on your pregnancy journey. Motherhood is beautiful and I wish all the momma’s out there the absolute best. Need some food recommendations to help accommodate your morning sickness and food adversions? Check out my Pregnancy Food Favorites here!
