Weekly Startup

It’s 10:44 pm on Sunday night, I just got Krew down, and I’m sitting down to write this with some ice cream and wine (perfect combo). Plus, I’m writing this from my phone because our MacBook is currently broken, so here we go!

Goodmorning, good afternoon, good evening (depending on when you’re reading this) and happy Monday!!

Krew has Monday vibes on lock. But seriously, it’s a new week with new goals. Make it great.

Holy moly I feel like this week flew by faster than I could blink! Anyone else?? But we’re one week closer to Halloween, then shortly after is Thanksgiving, then Christmas, and before we know it we’re gonna be in 2020! Time needs to slow down, but man am I excited for holiday festivities as a little family! This is mine and Brandon and Krew’s first holiday season together because he was deployed last year. It’s also our first holiday season in our own home, so decorating for Fall was fun and we’re super excited to decorate for Christmas! We’ve decided to decorate small this year and add to it each year!

Brandon worked this Saturday until 3:00 pm, so I did some stuff around the house (and realized how desperately we need to reorganize our drawers and closet when I was putting clothes away). I also received a package from Overnight Oats that I cannot wait to try and let you guys know all about them! We didn’t do anything fancy Saturday night, just some take-out wings and Toy Story 4. We ain’t complaining because we all love low key chill family nights! Toy Story 4 was good, but I personally didn’t think it was as good as the other three, but it was still enjoyable and Krew liked it! What’d y’all think of it? Sunday we ran a few errands and visited a pumpkin patch, so that was a fun “Fall-y” day!

I did get some exciting news at the beginning of this weekend, which was getting accepted into LIKEtoKNOW.it. I’m going to post a blog post or hop in Instagram and show you guys more about how to use this!! This means you can shop all my looks, items I use and love, or Krew and Brandon wear/use all in one place! I linked the photo below to the app for easy access! You can download the app, follow me (cassgammons) and click on photos I post, where I will have all the items in the photo linked for you to be able to shop! I can also post sales and fun things like that, which is perfect for holiday shopping! I’m so so excited and grateful that I get to do this and it’s because of all of you guys’ support. I literally screamed when I got the email that I was accepted! Thank you times a million!! Love all of y’all. Seriously.

This week or weekend coming up I’m going to do some Halloween themed desserts, and another pumpkin craft with Krew. Oh, that reminds me, with holidays coming up, I’m going to be creating a ‘Holiday’ tab under the menu section here on the blog for all things holiday (recipes, crafts, outfits, gift guides, decor). I’ve got some super exciting ideas and things coming for all of that!

So now that I’ve rambled my heart out, let’s jump into this Monday with full force!

Some Quotes to Get You Through the Week:

“There’s always something to be thankful for.” // Seriously, think about this. No matter what the situation, there is always something. Drinking water, able to move, able to shower, coffee in the morning, you have a car/house, food to eat, clothes on your body, laundry to do, dishes to eat off of, a dog that loves you, family, a job, the list goes on and on. Think about what you’re grateful for.

“Visualize your best self. Start showing up every day as her/him.” // This one is powerful because I truly believe in speaking about goals and dreams as if they’re already happening. For example, you can say “I want to start a business.” Or you can say “I’m starting a business.” Whether you are or not, words have power in them and when you speak it, it makes it become more real. Do the same as yourself. Think about yourself in the best way you can and start being that person.

“Be kind, ridiculously, radically, endlessly kind.” // This is a no brainer but has so much power behind it. Be kind. It’s not hard to compliment someone, flash a smile, hold a door for someone. Be a part of someone’s good day.

“Hocus pocus, I need coffee to focus.” // Don’t we all?? I’ll leave you with this quote because approaching Halloween, it is perfect!

Random Thoughts and Tips

So I mentioned how this is mine and Brandon’s first holiday season together, and this tip is saving us! When you’re out and about, start picking up random items you will need for the holidays. This goes for cooking or decorations! Pick up some extra sugar, canned items, butter, extra drinks for the guest, hand towels, candles, decor you like, literally anything that you can randomly pick up, do it! This saves money from taking a hit all at once, and stress/time on you if your decorating, cooking, hosting, or any of it!

I’ve been thinking about Thanksgiving more and more this week and I’m thinking of putting together a cheaper and less fancy version of a cheese board. *cue me spending hours on Pinterest looking at all the cheese board inspo* + I also want to make a fun festive punch for the holidays! I’m open to all the advice and recipes for these!

Today, (and everyday if you want) look in the mirror and say mantras to yourself. “I am kind. I am strong. I am beautiful. I am sweet. I am loved. I am a good mom. I am a good wife. I am smart.” This goes back to how powerful words are. Use them right and they are so strong guys!

The lip combo I’ve been wear so often has been a drugstore combo! It’s the NYX Suede Matte Lip Liner in the shade softspoken topped with the NYX Butter Gloss in the shade creme brûlée.

With the holidays coming F A S T, I have a super important piece of advice. Eat the damn dessert. Yes, I said it. Do not starve yourself or deprive yourself of the yummy joys of the holidays. Also, don’t stress it!! You will probably miss some workouts and eat some bad stuff at this time of year coming, and it’s okay. You’ll get back to working out and eating clean, but don’t rob yourself of enjoying those things in life. Pick back up and get back on track the next day, that’s the key, don’t indulge every single day, but a few days in the holidays won’t make or break you. It’s called balance.

Quick + Budget Friendly Dinner Ideas

• Cauliflower stir fry from Trader Joe’s
• Rotisserie chicken, buns, cheese or toppings if you want // this makes about 6-8 sandwiches for the fridge and you can eat on them for a few days!
• 3 chicken breast, salsa, cheese, tortillas // boil and pull apart the chicken, mix the chicken and a jar of salsa in a pot on the stove, build chimichangas, (sprinkle cheese and chicken mixture in a tortilla and roll them) and bake them! This makes 10-12 and are also good for days!
• Quick spaghetti (noodles and jar of sauce) always works
• Frozen pizza and bag salad // this is simple and could be fun for family or kids if you want to add your own spin to pizza night by adding your own toppings!

Sales and Finds

QVC // different deals all the time + great gift options

Overnight oats // they gave me a code for you guys! code: CASSIDY10

Shutterfly // great gift options, personalized gifts, always running great coupon codes and sales

Billie // not a sale, just a great deal and item I LOVE

Target // 50% off select costumes

American Eagle and Aerie // 60% off clearance, $20 off $75+, $30 off $125+, $40 off $150+ code: NEWNOW

Okay, we’ve got a busy week ahead. Krew has his first dentist appointment today and then his one year check up appointment later this week. Also, I’m going to be picking up ball pit balls, and magnets all day today because they’re in every nook and cranny of this house! If you have a baby or toddler, a ball pit is a great gift option as well!! I can’t believe Halloween is next week!! Whew, time is flying and it doesn’t look like we’re going to be able to slow it down y’all. We might as well hop on and enjoy the ride each day.

I’m just a mama sending out good vibes for your Monday.

10 Mom Truths to Help You Realize You’re Not A l o n e

It’s no secret that being a mom is hard work. But I think that’s the beauty in it. You become this multi-tasking superhero that has tiny humans looking up to you, depending on you, and loving you unconditionally. How freakin’ awesome is that?!

Some days you feel like you’re crushing it and doing everything right, and others you feel like you’re drowning and don’t know what the heck you’re doing. But one thing is for sure, you were chosen to be a mama to your baby/babies. You are equipped to be exactly what your children need and nobody else can be as good of a mama to them as you.

You’re not alone in this crazy journey of motherhood.

1. Your coffee is always cold. // Yes, it’s true, no matter how many times you re-heat the coffee, it’s always getting cold after all the chasing and playing and picking up and feeding and doing all the mom things. Iced coffee is a great option.
2. Half your day is now spent picking up toys. // Embrace the mess, mama. It means playing has happened and memories are being made in your home.
3. You don’t get an award for how you “mom.” There’s no award for having the best sleeper, eater, napper, or how soon your kids walk/talk. // Do what works for you and your kids. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, you parent and do what works for y’all, even when it feels crazy. (Krew slept with us until he was nine months old. And we did not care one single bit about it. It worked for us, and we transitioned to his crib when it felt right for us.
4. It’s okay to not have it all together. // Dishes will be left in the sink, laundry will have to be re-washed, and probably sit in the dryer for days…and IT IS OKAY. You won’t get out of pajamas some days, and your hair will go days on days of needing washed, and IT IS OKAY. You don’t have to have makeup on, hair fixed, dressed nice everyday to be a good mom. Let the dishes sit some days and spend time with your kids. You don’t want to look back and say you wish you spent more time loving on them instead of doing chores. The chores will be there, the time with your babies will pass.
5. You. Will. Cry. // You’ll probably cry more than you ever have when you’re a mom. You’ll cry happy tears about accomplishments, sad tears about them growing up, stressed/overwhelmed tears. You may cry in your kitchen floor, in the shower, in your closet, let it go mama. It means you care. You’re doing a good job, mama. Keep going.
6. One day your kid(s) will be growing up and doing things you used to only talk about them doing. // This smacks you in the face how fast time got away from you. Nobody prepares you for that feeling.
7. Your camera roll is now filled with all things kid related. // Pictures of you kid(s) sleeping, eating, when they learn walking, talking, videos of them laughing, and 167 shots of the same outfit (gotta get the best one).
8. Hats, dry shampoo, mom buns are your life now. // Seriously, you’re trying to make the last time you washed your hair last as long as possible girlfriend, spray the dry shampoo and pop a hat on. No shame. It’s okay, you’ll wash and fix your hair eventually.
9. Your body is different now. And that’s not a bad thing. // Give yourself some very much needed and deserved grace. Your body carried and helped God make a human or humans. That’s as big of a blessing as they come. Love that body, it’s amazing.
10. Your kid(s) are the reason you’re losing your mind, but also the reason you keep it all together. Crazy, right?

These babies of ours are tiny versions of us that are our built in best friends.

They make life worth living, even in all the crazy moments.

They make your heart explode on the daily (along with your head sometimes.)

Most importantly, your little one(s) need you mama.

Motherhood is a crazy blessing. You’re doing a great job and you’re not alone.

I’m just a mama that knows these 10 truths all too well. I love every single thing about them. •

Beachin’ with Baby

Going to the beach before we had Krew was as simple as loading up with our chairs, some sunscreen, and some drinks (and snacks because I always need snacks). We would stay out there all day, soak up the sun, fall asleep sometimes, and had not one care in the world.

Going to the beach with a baby is a whole different ball game. I’m not going to lie, it’s a beast. But it is also so much fun. We love the beach even more than we did before (and we didn’t even think that was possible). Watching Krew play in the sand and seriously live his best life out there brings loads of joy to me and Brandon.

Okay, so I’ve told you how much we love the beach with Krew and how it’s so much better with him, but now let me dive into how the heck we prep for the beast of getting out on the beach with a baby.

Must-have items:

• Sunscreen, sunscreen, and more sunscreen (we like to use the face stick for his face)
• All the snacks (for you and baby)
• Towels
• Beach hat for baby
• Cooler of drinks (for you) and juice (for baby)
• Toys that can be washed off easily (plastic)
• Hand/face wipes
• Small tent or umbrella for shade
• Chairs
• Beach bag to hold ALL THE THINGS
• Diapers and wipes (because blowouts still happen)

Walking down to the beach used to be a simple one trip task. Now, me and Brandon are either loaded down and struggling to get set up, or Brandon will take a load of things, then come back and we’ll both still be loaded down honestly. But the L.L. Bean camo tote has been more than a lifesaver for carrying a big load. It’s no doubt the best tote we have. Plus, it can be hosed out when we get home if it’s full of sand (which is usually is). Score!

We are mega mega thankful that Krew likes loves the sand, but I will never understand why in the world they want to put in straight to the mouth. Lord help us all. That’s where the hand/face wipes come in to try to keep the sand under control. Try being the keyword here.

We like to sunscreen Krew before we leave because it is so much easier to tackle the sunscreen while we get him dressed instead of trying to tackle it on the beach with sand involved and a baby that is very eager to play his heart out.

As far as snacks go, Krew usually eats a pouch on the beach and then snacks his life away with puffs and lil’ crunchies in between the play. We also keep his juice in the cooler for him to drink on the whole time.

Okay, so as far as the tent goes, Krew doesn’t nap on the beach yet because he’s always way too excited and doesn’t want to miss a beat. But, as he get’s older, our hope is that the tent will give him some shade if he does nap. For now, we try to stick him in there to play and get a break from the sun for a bit. We also use the tent for diaper changes, which has been super nice.

So, the beach before baby may have been more relaxing, but even through all the prep, it is way more fun with a baby. Watching him play cannot be beat. It’s truly priceless. That smile that he gets on the beach, is worth all the lugging of items, trying to keep sand out of his mouth, and fighting him to reapply sunscreen the whole time. It’s worth it a million times over. So even though beach with a baby is a beast to take on, we embrace the crazy and enjoy the memories we’ll hold onto forever.

I’m just a mama who loves watching her baby play in the sand.

How is my Baby Six Months Old?

**Disclaimer: This was written when Krew was six months old, and Krew is now almost nine months old**

6 months have come and gone since September 27 2018. 

SIX. WHOLE. MONTHS. 

This time has passed so incredibly fast. Now I’m not gonna lie (because I’m human and I’m a mama) some days have felt long. But looking back, it’s all happened in this beautiful chaotic whirlwind that I long to remember for eternity. Another day has passed, and now we’re all of a sudden here….at your half birthday. 

Okay, serious mom life reality coming at ya…I started writing this on Krew’s six months, which was Thursday, March 27th. Today is Tuesday, April 3rd and I’m just now coming back to this to finish writing out my crazy thoughts. But the beauty in all this, in these past few days, where I haven’t had the time to get back to writing this, my family and I have been to the beach twice, had breakfast out together, have went to the playground and watched Krew have so much fun on the swing, had tons of laughs, got to promote Brandon as a family, and just sat back to watch how much Krew is learning and changing every day. That’s the thing about watching our babies do this growing up thing, we have to stop and SOAK IT IN. It goes by in a flash. 

Krew has absolutely rocked my world since the day he was born, in the absolute best way. Before he was born, I didn’t know what it was like for my heart to live outside of my body. I didn’t understand what is was like for someone to need and depend on me for literally every little thing. I didn’t know what the heck I was doing as a first time mom, but I did know that I loved this little boy more than anything imaginable and that I would do anything and everything I could to make sure he was always taken care of and given the best life possible. 

These past six months have been quite different from any other time in my life. Before Krew was born, I slept more, worked out more, ate more regular, (and probably a little better, honestly) got my hair/nails done more often, you know did more things for myself because I had the extra time. But really, now I sit and wonder what the heck I did with my time before Krew because I can now get fully ready in 20 minutes or less, I do home workouts that take about 30 minutes, I eat whenever I can and sometimes that means eating a sandwich driving down the road or popping a toaster strudel in the toaster oven before I go get him from his nap (and almost forgetting about it), but hey it gets the job done. Now, the cries of hunger or needing comfort in the middle of the night wake me, and I couldn’t be happier that I get to calm them and get the sweetest of snuggles at the same time. I know those snuggles won’t last forever and they’re going to be gone in a blink of an eye, so any time he cries, I will always be there and run to his rescue. So I mentioned that I got my hair/nails done more often, but since Krew has been born, I would rather spend the time I could use for my hair or nails with him, or spend the extra money on him because let’s be real mamas, we want stuff for our babies over ourselves any day. What I’m getting at in all this, is that even though my life looks totally different than it did six months ago, I wouldn’t trade a single moment, bottle, snuggle, diaper change, cry, kiss, or any single bit of my journey through motherhood thus far. Krew has made me a mama and I am extremely blessed to be his mama day in and day out. 

These moments are precious. Priceless. Wonderful. Blessings. In these six months of Krew’s life, he has already blown my mind, amazed me more times than I can count, learned so much, moved across the country (and adapted like a champ), and filled our world with so much love. Like I said, I didn’t know this type of love existed. Krew is such a beautiful blessing and I would re-live these six months over and over again if I could, but on the flip side, I’ve enjoyed watching him grow and can’t wait to watch him continue to blossom in his life.

I’m just a mama who loves her six month old baby and is torn between loving watching him grow and learn, and wanting him to stay little forever.