My Top 15 New Baby Essentials!

1. Fisher-Price My Little Lamb Platinum Edition Cradle 'n Swing - LIFESAVER!!!! I didn't initially purchase a swing. I already had two girls who hated swings, I just bought a bouncer, a rock n play, and so many other things, I didn't think I needed it. Wrong baby! My little love bug likes to be held and snuggled...I literally remember holding her, nursing her while doing my makeup with one hand & trying to do my hair a few minutes later. I didn't have more than a few minutes. Shes a great baby but she likes to  be held. After looking at the Mamaroo & hearing a lot of feedback I decided to go with this swing. Love,  love, love! It has many speed settings, music, nature sounds, swings 3 ways and the best part is it also has a light feature with stars and moons which she loves when the lights off. Not to mention ultra cozy. She lasts long enough in here for mommy to get something done! I got mine from babies r us when she was about 4 weeks old. You'll love it! Retail - $179.99 

2. Boppy - If you don't plan on nursing or trying to, I don't see the benefit in this. I did have it with my two older girls, now 7 & 8 when they were babies and loved it. I use mine at night for nursing so its more comfortable its also super convenient to nurse with after you've had a c section for added support. A few times I have propped her up in it, but she slides down quick so I don't feel super safe doing that. When she is a little bigger ill use during tummy time or when she can sit. For now If im up at 2am and my Boppy isn't near I am not happy! Retail - $29.99 plus washable cover 

3. Bumbo - This was my #1 favorite thing with my oldest. I literally used this every single day from the moment she could hold her head up. I took it to the beach, I took it to restaurants and sat her in the booth next to me, on the kitchen counter, camping, poolside, everywhere. I knew I needed another one with this baby. The new ones come with seat belts, which didn't before. Berkleigh is still not sturdy enough for hers. I tried for a few minutes the other day and had to  take her out! I cant wait to use this with her soon tho. Now that they have trays I am so excited to use it to feed her to. I can bring to my moms house when she watches her so she doesn't have to buy a high chair! Super convenient! Retail - $44.99. Tray sold separate. 

4. Arms Reach Co Sleeper - We purchased this so Berkleigh could be right by the bed the first few months. It has pockets for diapers and such since, like me had to move your nightstand, the side goes midway down, which for my bed level fits right up even to it. It does come with leg extenders if your bed is higher or lower. Its great to roll over and have her right there, without the very serious danger of actually having her in our bed between us. She is in her own space, but I can still touch her and grab her easily. It also converts to a full on pack n play later on if I chose to place her in one. Retail - $149.99

5. Wubbanub - Her favorite thing ever! How genius is this?! Binkie attached to a lovey! We use the soothie binkies and have since day one. She loves them and refuses the cute blingy ones I bought or any other kind for that matter. Nope she likes those gaudy suckers from the hospital! Her first Wubbanub was the white lamb, a gift from my mom. Every since that day she wont use anything else. My husband even bought her the longhorn one and she still just wants her lamb! They are machine washable which is great! The binkie is not removable so you may want to have a few of these on hand since they can wear out over time. Its great for babies to hold on to and keeps it from falling out of their mouths all the time. We wouldn't dare leave the house without her lamb. Pure Genius! Retail - $12.99 

6. Aden and Anais Classic Snap bibs - Fabulous bibs! Large in size, super absorbent, 100% soft and thick cotton muslin. I just love them! Retail - $19.95 3 pack

7. Cloud B Sleep Sheep - Softest, sweetest lamb youll ever own! Plays 4 sounds from a heartbeat to whale songs. It has two timer settings and a battery pack. We actually keep the sheep attached 100% of the time to her carseat for the car and sometimes ill take out for the stroller. We also have the Gentle Giraffe On The Go which we use in our bedroom in her bed for nighttime. The giraffe just makes different sounds. I highly recommend you get at least one of Cloud B sound animals for a peaceful night! Retail - $25.95

8. Johnson's Hand & Face Wipes - I don't use their other products for baby but I do love these for emergency's. I keep them in the diaper bag for spit up drama. They smell like shea butter heaven and are so soft. Quick easy clean up wipes for her face or whatever the spit up gets on. Retail - $2.54 

9. Blooming Bath Baby Bath - I am a sucker for packing and cute things, So when I saw this on Pinterest long before I was pregnant,  I pinned it! Cutest thing ever! I have a great kitchen sink for it but this wont work for you if yours is too small or so big that it doesn't have anything to wedge into. I love this and its machine washable. I toss it in the dryer to dry on gentle. Its very cozy & padded for her to feel comfortable drying her baths. Perfect for new babies! We are still using it at 10 weeks & I imagine we will for awhile. Retail - $39.99 

10. Ergo baby carrier / Original Collection with infant insert - My sweet girl just loves to be swaddled, snuggled and held, so this is perfect. I use at any store I go into. I pretty much keep in my trunk. I love this because it works for my 5"2 frame and it works for my husband who is 6"4 and uses it all the time around the house. He loves it too and its comfortable for us both. She goes out like a light when shes in her Ergo. I feel like she is well supported inside & lightweight. Best carrier in my opinion and we have a few wraps. Retail  - $130 

11. Aden and Anais Classic Swaddles - I love these for the same reason I love the bibs. Super soft, lightweight especially for the Arizona Heat, and huge! They are very large So I fold in half to swaddle her. So cozy and breathable muslin. They come in the cutest patterns. Retail - $49.95 4 pack

12. Britax B Ready Stroller - Sigh...I love my stroller. I have the sleek silver one and I am  so in love! It clicks in and out easily so you can click in the bassinet attachment or the car seat which may be convenient for some. I personally don't walk her around the stroller in the car seat for health reasons but I like that it has options. It can face both ways, and is the easiest stroller to open and close...although the first time I was out alone with my girls and had to close it, we actually stood in the parking lot and watched a you tube video on how to close it...no lie...I didn't get away with that since my older girls went home and proceeded to tell everyone we knew. Easy ride, nice big wheels and many color options. We also use the Britax B Safe carseat along with it. I am a long, almost 9 year Britax user and I may never sway away. Retail stroller only - $499.99 

13. Sophie the Giraffe Teether -Simply because shes so cute, and my ped told us my 10 week old is teething! Help me now!! Apparently she is well loved because shes easy to hold, and hard but soft enough for baby gums. Sophie also comes with many books in her collection, which I love! Retail - $19.99 for Sophie alone

14. Fisher Price Rock n Play - This has replaced my Arms Reach Co Sleeper. Not because I don't love the sleeper but because I bought this from hearing rave reviews and it ended up sitting in my living room, then I bough the swing, etc and wow, I have a lot of stuff now! B also ending up going thru a gross spit up phase and I wanted her inclined. This is in my room, right next to my bed and her Gentle Giraffe is attached to the back of it! She sleeps in here at night now. I think she loves it because its cozy and she feels like she is being held maybe. I also rock it back and forth with my hand if she gets fussy. Soon Ill start going back and forth to the co-sleeper and this just so she doesn't get used to sleeping at an incline so when its time to transition to her crib she wont have a hard time being flat. This is so cozy & I know a million peopl e who swear by theirs. I also love that it folds up super easy. We took out of town with us as her bed already and to my parents house to sleep in. Down the road we will use as our travel bed until she grows out of it.  Retail - $44.99

15. Nose Frida Snot Sucker -  When I saw the photo circulating online of the old school blue bulb snot sucker that a woman cut in half that was filled with mold and nasty things after she swore she washes it...I tossed it out! I heard about this, but didn't know I actually suck the snot out myself until I first used it. Mmmm....There is actually a replaceable filter you use each time so you don't actually get anything in your mouth. My sweet girl is actually pretty calm when we use the Frida, where as the bulb she freaked out. I think this is much more gentle yet WAY more effective. It looks super weird and sounds even worse, but I promise you its so worth it. I actually used it tonight on her stuffy nose and boy did this get a lot out and clear her stuffy nose up! Retail - $14.99

Those are my top 15 baby products!! I personally use all of the above, even the exact same colors, and highly recommended all of them!

Enjoy and love those babies!! 

xoxo 

Welcome to the world Miss Berkleigh Quinn

Berkleigh Quinn

December 21, 2013

Our family is over the moon to announce the much awaited arrival of our sweet angel. Berkleigh was born on Saturday, December 21st. 2013 at exactly 8:00 am via repeat and scheduled C- Section. Berkleigh was breech which led to her arrival in the OR taking a tad longer than normal. She was very happy in there and clearly comfortable. Yes comfortable in my rib cage. 

Berkleigh was born at 7 lbs 4 oz and 19 inches long. She was my big baby!! The doctors actually said they thought she would be 9 lb range. Clearly I was so huge they assumed it was all baby. Sadly, not the case. Her big sisters were 5 and 6 lbs, so you see why I call her by big baby. 

During out stay she quickly developed some severe jaundice. Her levels were increasing very quick and they made me supplement formula to try to help her eliminate the billirubin as well as keep her under the lights with a mask. I was allowed to feed her every few hours tho. Her weight also dropped, as all newborns do but hers was over 10% which is dangerous. We almost had to stay over Christmas but I kept her fighting that weight and we were released at 6 lbs 11 oz so the doctors were happy with that. Her billirubin went down enough for him to feel comfortable to let us go home and we had some follow-up blood done to ensure it continued to be reduced. 

She has been a very alert baby girl since she was born. She is the sweetest girl. We came home on Christmas eve. 
Here is her going home outfit!!

We were so thankful to go home that day and be with our other girls and enjoy the Holiday! Here are some photos from our stay and her first few days!

The morning Of my C section - 

 Big Sisters picking us up to leave the hospital!

I cant wait to watch you grow!

Surprise! We are having a baby in less than 7 weeks!!

Clearly, Ive been a little sidetracked since April, my last blog post! Its been a long journey and I could make this a million pages long telling you our story on trying to conceive but I will skip those tears and get to the good stuff! I found out we were pregnant in April after a good year of actively trying. I was 100% positive I would not be pregnant when I took the test. I was pregnant in this pic two days before I found out and didnt know. Guess The monster Snickers should have given me a clue!!!

What a shock. I could not stop smiling!! I surprised my husband with a Christmas bag and a Baseball that read, "Baby Brew coming December 2013". It took him a few minutes to figure out what was going on! So excited! Our little pea is coming December 27th, 2013!

We kept it a secret for awhile from the main public other than family and very close friends. A few weeks after I found out we had to go the emergency room for bleeding. The unkind and unsympathetic doctor told me he saw nothing and I was probably having a miscarriage. My HCG levels were very high so he said to check back with my doctor in 48 hours to see if they double. They gave me all kinds of info that just devastated me and really had no answers. We went home and cried for a good few days. Our baby is a fighter tho and a few days later my HCG more than doubled and continued to and now we are weeks from our due date! We told everyone with this quick home pic we threw together of our girls. 

I was very sick the first trimester. Miserable working and trying to manage it all. I felt so sick day and night I prayed for it to be over every single day. Finally at around 15 weeks It all went away. I started to show very very quick. I was the same with both girls. I dont know why my body just pops out every time im pregnant but it does every time. Nothing I can do. At this point ive pretty much run out of alphabet in bra sizes (scary) and ive gained 63 lbs.Yes a Whopping 63 so far and im gaining about a 1 lb a week now going forward these last 7 weeks. Fabulous!!! 

About 8 weeks here. I Popped out fast!!

10 weeks here!

12 weeks 

18 weeks

21 weeks 

25 weeks 

3rd Trimester

30 weeks 

Most recent 33 weeks

- XOXO -

Too Faced Better Than False Lashes Mascara Review

Too Faced Better than False Lashes Nylon Extension System

What is it? Its not just any mascara that promises to plump, thicken and enhance your eyelashes. It is a lash extension system that will give you dramatic, amazing lashes that look like you either were born with amazing long, thick lashes or invested your time in applying false lashes, which lets face it, we do not all have the time to do every day and personally I worry to much about them falling off when I'm out.

It comes with two tubes, a gold, which is Step 1 & 3, the lash primer/mascara; and a smaller white tube which holds the Flexistretch nylon lash fibers and is Step 2.

Here's how Too Faced instructs you to apply it.

 Step 1: Prime the lashes with the activating base(gold tube) in slow, even strokes from lash base to tip. Since this is not a traditional mascara but a lash extension system, traditional quick motions aren't as effective in application.

Step 2: Build the lashes with Flexistretch Nylon Fibers (white tube) in the same slow, even strokes from lash base to tip. As you apply, sweep the brush out in one motion. You should be able to see the white fibers.

Step 3: Seal the lashes and meld the layers together with the base formula (gold tube). In slow, even strokes, pull activating mascara through in one motion, from lash base to tip. Pull the base application through in one even stroke at a time, until all the fibers are covered. Your lashes should look long, full and red carpet ready. For even fuller lashes repeat step 2 and 3.

When I first purchased this I followed those directions exactly. After several days of using this and testing it out, I have learned a few things and have changed the way I applied this daily until I found a way that worked for me.

I want to say first that I start out and complete only one eye at a time. I first curl my eyelashes. Then I  apply the enclosed Gold Tube or primer/mascara only to my top lashes. I do this because this mascara/primer is very sticky and the first few times I used it on bottom and top, my lashes wanted to stick together which was uncomfortable and challenging.

I then immediately grab the nylon lash extension tube and take the wand only on my top lashes as well. I don't know, I haven't tried it on the bottom, but bottom lashes too long just don't look right to me, so stick to the top only. The company says to start from your eyelash base, as you normally would with mascara and go up to your tips. I however, didn't think that made for good, separated lashes. When I did that the first few times, it was too clumpy, and really you don't need to "extend" you base anyway. So I have found it is much cleaner, less clumpy, prettier and more natural to apply the fibers starting at the mid center up to the tips. I really focus more on the tips overall tho. I do about two or three strokes going from the center outward to each side. I don't dip the fiber in the tube until the next eye. It will have plenty on it already.

I finish the top coat with a different mascara. I just don't think the gold tube provided is that great of a mascara and I don't like how sticky it is. I think it was made to be more of a primer and sealer and not neccesarly a builder in itself. I also don't particularly like the wand. So I have used several different kinds as my 3rd step. Urban Decay Lush lash, Urban Decay Super Curl, Benefit They're Real Mascara and Maybelline Colossal Volume Express. They all worked great for me this week so I would recommend any or whatever your normal favorite mascara is. You can do as many coats as you want for your 3rd step starting at the base and working your way up to the tips curling the wand up as you go. I do about 2 or 3 coats, less or more until I feel the fibers are covered and the lashes are separated and feathered out. If you need to you can grab a lash comb and comb any clumps out, but you will still have stickiness so you need to do it quickly. I would only comb if absolutely necessary since one day it actually made some lashes stick together! =( Once its all on, it is very difficult to touch up, almost impossible.

 I absolutely loved how this made my lashes look! It definitely looked like I had false lashes on. Not super dramatic ones, but conservative ones. So for a general mascara it is a GREAT alternative for the time to takes to apply lashes. I will say, that this process is timely in itself in your morning routine, but not as timely as individual lashes.

 

Pros: The White bottle, although small seems to have a lot of product in it, and the brush has so much on it and you only need so little, I can see getting a ton of uses out of it. This will last beyond the mascara.

My husband literally asked me if I had false eyelashes on!

It did not flake on me at all even after a 10 hour day.

Makes for big, popping dramatic eyes!

Easy to use.

 Cons: Mascara is very sticky

I don't feel like the Gold tube, of mascara is worthy of even being in the package. I wish they used one of their better Too Faced mascaras.

It is impossible to take off. I tried makeup remover wipes, coconut oil, face wash, hot washcloth. I don't wear water proof mascara just because its also so hard to take off and is brittle on your lashes and I am very cautious of how sensitive the skin around your eyes is, so for me this is my biggest and one true gripe. Eventually it did come off, but It was a struggle which left me frustrated.

Price- At $35 it is quiet an expensive mascara

Would I recommend this to my personal friends and any one of you? I absolutely would! Too Faced did a great job!

xoxo

Autumn

Bare Minerals pressed Powder vs. Bare minerals loose poweder

Disclaimer: I actually typed this months ago and just saw it in my draft box. So I am posting now since I still think its a review id like to share!

So I have been an avid Bare Minerals Original Foundation loose powder user for years. It really helped my skin stay healthy and is lightweight, but its messy and I don't like bringing the loose container around in my bag with me, so when I saw they came out with a pressed powder version, Ready Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20 I ran straight to Ulta. I was super excited. I bought the recommended brush for it as well, the Precision Face Brush.

However, I was quickly disappointed when I started wearing it.

First impression. Packaging was great! A regular mineral compact powder which I couldn't spill or make a mess with and had a mirror. The powder looked smooth and velvety. When you swipe your brush in it and tap it off, alot of product gets on the brush, too much. Also I wear in the Original loose foundation, Fairly Medium, this product in Fairly Medium is not the same color. I had to keep going back and getting different colors. It is not an exact color match to the original. I ended up getting Medium Beige in the Ready Compact. Unlike the Original, you do not want to "Swirl" your brush in the compact then on your face. The proper way to use the compact is the swipe the brush, tap, then swipe it on your face in sweeping motions with the Precision brush. You do not want to "buff" this foundation on. It is a different texture and mix then the Original and will not look the same, hence why you need to apply it differently than you are used to with the loose powder. It has a build able medium coverage which is fine for me.

Nevertheless, applying it properly for me, still didn't make me happy. I don't like this product. It felt dry, cakey, settled too quickly in my lines and never had an even smooth finish on my skin as the loose Original does. I do not like the overall way this feels on my face. I was very disappointed in this. When I happened to be walking by a Bare Minerals store months later, I mentioned it to the makeup artist and she agreed a lot of people felt the same way.

I am surprised to me, this is so different than the Bare Mineral Original Foundation and a little bummed out. I do still have the full compact, since for me I have to try something for awhile usually and at that point it was dumb to return it. Who knows maybe ill re-test it out on a random day and feel differently but the good week or two I gave it when I first purchased it, just didn't leave me with an "I love this" feeling. Latley, I actually havent even been wearing my Bare Minerals Original since I switch my products up so often.

I hope you all enjoyed this review and keep in mind these are my own opinions. Id love to hear yours on the product!

xoxo - Autumn

Real life job...life after baseball

So after months of school to prepare for his EMT Certification, fire department, a job in the government etc since we are in our "life after baseball" stage, Brew started a new job this week with Omega Morgan after we returned from our Spring Break trip in Lake Havasu.

 

A friend of his who works for the company has been trying to bring him on board for awhile. They are originally based in Portland then moved into Seattle and now just moved into Phoenix, but still mainly based in the Pacific Northwest! The market here for them is new but they have a lot of potential and work here which is great. They are a large scale moving and shipping company. They build the crates, shipping modules, etc for the jobs too. They ship bridges, planes, expensive large equipment, literally big jobs! He will travel all over eventually for jobs that require their services. He is excited to be with them and already exhausted! He left our trip early on my birthday Monday since they needed him to go to Tuscon on Tuesday. Since then he has only had a few days in but enjoys the daily change so far.

 

I had to giggle and mention this because I thought it was so funny. So some time this weekend we were talking about 4th of July and how its always on of my favorites and he finally gets to go for the first time ever in our relationship with us to Prescott for the 4th. He's like what day is it, I replied with Thursday. Its a holiday we all have it off, he goes well I dint have Friday off. I said "Babe its months away you can ask for it off, this is real life, a real job, not baseball". He replied with, "Oh wow, well ill do that." I have to explain why this is so funny to me. In baseball, during  the season, there are no days off, you have no PTO time, no vacation or sick time, nothing. You have a random day off maybe 2 or 3 days a month but that's it. If you asked for a day off other than those days, they'd look at you like you were insane and probably send you home! You can get up to 3 days off usually for a big event or family event, childbirth, wedding, etc. Only things like that but that's it for the whole season! So to be in real life, normal life, and actually have a real job, schedule, weekends off, and be able to ask for a vacation or a day off is so new to him. I just have to laugh at how innocent he is and new to this real life he is in. Even tho he has experienced all of those new things with me and my career, its new for him to actually be in it himself.

 

Anyway, Omega Morgan is a great company with all the perks for him and I am so excited for his future! The future is still unknown and this is still very new to him and some days are better than others, but I trust that there are plans bigger than we can understand right now and that keeps me positive! I am still just super excited to have him home for good!

 

On another note, I wish all of our friends safe travels as Spring Training is ending and everyone is parting ways to their new homes for the season!

 

xoxo - Autumn

Glam Glow Mud Mask

GLAM GLOW MUD MASK 

So I stumbled upon this disturbingly disgusting photo on Pinterest of what looks like a frostbitten nose. I was intrigued to research it when I realized it was a facial mask. Then a sweet baseball wife & friend also posted about it and told me about her experience and I knew I had to try it. Ill post her blog link below and the blog she reviewed it on below if youd like to check it out.

Gross right?! After I read it won the 2012 beauty aware I had to try it. I tend to have really large pores especially on my inner cheek area and my nose. I cant stand how big they look sometimes and at the end of the day my makeup really tends to set in those suckers. So I ran to Sephora and ran home to put it on.

Application:

1. I washed my face really well with my favorite cleanser and Clarisonic Mia

2. I applied a good amount on my fingertips and spread it evenly around my entire face, staying away from my eye area. It has a very light green tea ish smell to it which I found pleasant.

3. Now you wait. When it first goes on its very dark, just like it says, like mud. Within seconds before I Was even done applying it parts were turning an ashy gray/green. I waited 10 minutes with it on. During this time my face got very tight, tingly and ashy gray. I couldn't move my lips at all after the 10 minutes.

4. I used a warm washcloth to gently rub it in circular motions wet on my face to get it off slowly. Ive read alot of reviews that it took actual scrubbing to get it off, but I did not have that experience. Mine came off very gently and easy. Then I made sure with splashes of water it was all removed and my face was clean.

5. I followed up with a face moisturizer

What they promise: Designed as a 10 minute anti ageing facial in a jar for behind the scenes use in Hollywood’s entertainment, music, fashion and award industries, for immediate camera ready glowing skin. Delivers noticeable 3 day glow from skin collagen synthesis, helps diminish fine lines and wrinkles, leaves skin brighter, smooth and soft, multilevel resurfacing exfoliation evens out skin tone, helps tighten skin and minimise pores, absorbs impurities without removing natural oils, helps protect against free radical damage.

My thoughts:

The package is very glamours and glitzy almost like its soley for hollywood starlets. I love packing, im a big sucker for a packaging. It gets me everytime!

WOW! I took better before and after pictures that are hard to tell in photos but my pores looked so much smaller, my skin literally felt tighter and when I woke up the next morning still had a great glow! I did this at night, but the next day when I did my makeup, it went on so smooth and even. It literally looked amazing, even my husband noticed the difference in my cheek area and nose. My foundation looked flawless and my face still had a great glow. I have heard different reviews on how long it lasts but I will say my great, just had a spa facial glow lasted a solid 3 days then faded away. I will tell you the nasty stuff that came out of my pores was much needed and needs to be done once a week. This is an amazing alternative to spa facials or dermatologist facials if you cant go often or cant afford them often. You should get about 12 masks out of the jar says the brand reps, but Ive heard some people get as many as 20

It retails for $69.00 but you can get it as low as $44 from Amazon.

http://www.glamglowmud.com/

I highly, highly recommend this mask! It seriously does as promised and works wonders. Its great for a weekly mask or if your preparing for an event or important party/appearance/photshoot to use beforehand as well. Love love love!!

http://strikeoutinstyle.com/

http://ivoryandolive.com/2013/03/reader-review-i-tried-glamglow/

xoxo - Autumn

Baseball & the choice my husband made to close the Chapter

I have been meaning to write this blog for a few weeks now but things have been crazy and I wasn't sure of what to say, but a lot of wives and friends have been asking us about baseball the past few weeks so Ive finally decided to sit down and share with you my sweet husbands story.

My husband, Ruben Flores a rhp was drafted out of high school in 2002 by the Cleveland Indians in the 29th round draft. He decided at the time, it wasn't right so went on to College. That next year, he was drafted again in 2003 by the Seattle Mariners in the 12th round draft. This time, my eager beaver took the challenge and moved to Arizona for rookie ball. The next season he moved to Lake Stevens, Washington for the season and ended up breaking his wrist playing. He stayed there with his broken wrist and a few months later during his rehab he realized he couldn't throw and his shoulder was experiencing severe issues. The Mariners flew him to Seattle and it was determined that he needed his first surgery for a Labrum repair. He spent the next year rehabbing and came back the next spring training in Arizona ready to roll. He played the whole next season and his shoulder started hurting again while he was in California playing. He had a second surgery on his shoulder at this time. He spent another year in rehab. The next season he made the All Star Team and his team was #1 in the League. I loved that team. They were a great group of guys on the team, some of which ended up becoming such good friends they were in our wedding, and the fans were amazing! They were so welcoming and very loyal.

This particular year he was eligible for rule 5 draft. After being moved up after winning the All Star Game, he called me when I was dropping the girls off at school one day and told me he was just traded. After 6 years with the Seattle Mariners he was traded for Bill Hall, a big league guy with the Brewers. It was all over ESPN and the news that night. I was shocked. So the next day he flew from California to Florida for  the last month of the season with the Brewers. It was a weird mix of emotions for us both and a little shocking but at least it was the last month of the season.

 

That off season, he was now eligible for free agency. The Brewers called and wanted him back, The  Red Sox called and low and behold, Seattle called, after they traded him. We spent two weeks going over major pros and cons of each team. It was a huge decision but for us but we decided to give the Brewers another try for no reason other than we thought at the time it was best for his future and his career in baseball. So back to Florida we went that next Spring. I loved visiting there, solely for the beach but the team never felt right for him. It seemed to turn into more of a job and his passion started to fade that year. We were definitely ready for the year to be over. It was a rough year and he was going thru some personal things that made it hard to cope with playing that year. He wanted to be anywhere but there.

That off season when he came home, he felt he needed to move on. He started a whole new career path and tried to purse the Phoenix Fire Department. He always has wanted to work for the government in some sort. As soon as he got the call to interview with them, literally the same week his agent called with some teams who were interested. We went back and forth and what was best for him, and us and if he felt his heart was still in it. We decided to give it one more year. I told him you cant just stop because you have crappy year. I knew if he said no, he would regret it and always ask himself what if. So that spring, once again he left. We had a two bedroom apartment in Avon, Ohio near the lake. This was my ultimate favorite, favorite year, team, fans, town you name it!!! It was Indy ball, and Brew had nothing to worry about but playing for the only reason to play again, his passion and love of the game! And it worked!! The best fans, a great team of guys, a charming and beautiful town. I wish I could have stayed there the whole time with him. I visited much more that year with the girls. He did Amazing that season. The fans and news nubbed him the "ice man", which just makes me giggle thinking about it, because if you know my husband he is the sweetest, quietest, patient man, definitely not made of ice! He held the league record of 21 saves and a 2.24 ERA. The team made the playoffs and naturally I flew out right away. The last game of the playoffs his parents and I both were there. It was an awesome night and end to the season. Brew came running out 2 minutes later and said the Red Sox just purchased his contract. I knew his hard work paid off that season and he was noticed again. You cant say no to the Red Sox twice, so I wouldn't let him say no.

Our first year in Florida for ST was a challenge especially with him leaving so much sooner but It was a great place to visit when I went out. He had a great season but he began over pitching and pitching too many consecutive innings too many days in a row. A lot of guys were on the DL that season so the team was hurting to use every pitcher with little rest. In July, something happened to his elbow. He couldn't throw and was in major pain. They sent him to the doctor and eventually was called down to Florida to the Red Sox Spring training facility to rehab his arm. He was there for about a month and didn't throw the whole time until the last day. When he came home we rested his arm for months, which is what he was instructed to do.

 

During these past few months, I think he began to lose his faith in the sport and himself. I encouraged him to pick up the ball and try but I know he was afraid. His elbow and shoulder hurt just doing every day things still. He reverted back to his back up plan which I guess for me was somehow a sigh of relief but also heartbreak at the same time. We didn't talk about baseball for a long time. He got too upset and I couldn't bear the random emotions when we did or the tears I always had. I finally encouraged him to try to start his throwing program a few weeks ago which didn't go well. His elbow was in pain and he just couldn't throw. He has decided now his heart is ready to move on and he just cant take anymore of the unstable life baseball brings. He is tired of getting injured. It has taken a huge toll on him the past 9 years and you give up alot in playing and being away from your family for 7 months a year. We all do, but I was okay with that sacrifice because it has allowed us new experiences, new friends and great memories. We got to visit amazing places we would have never visited otherwise and I was watching my husband live his dream and do what he loved. That's all that mattered to me.

 

I have experienced such sadness throughout this whole ordeal and his choice to not get his arm taken care of and move on. Nothing is more devastating than a whole life you've had and the only thing you've known disappearing. This is all he has ever done. Its like graduating high school all over again and starting fresh. Of course, I am the only one who sees that and he expects his new "career" to happen overnight instead of evolve over time as the past 9 year career has. Way too hard on himself. Now a few weeks after deciding that he is ready to "retire" from baseball, although I'm sure there will always be sadness involved, I think we have both become much more excited for our future. I think when he understood (and I drilled into him) he has been blessed to play baseball for so many years and organizations continued year after year to see something in him, that he came a long way. A lot of guys don't make it so long. That alone is an accomplishment to be proud of. I am much more at peace with his decision which he has asked me to me a million times. I have better understanding of why he is moving on and I am proud of his strength and trusting in god for his future. Our life isn't going to be all figured out at once and I'm okay with that. We have a great life without baseball and have been very blessed. He is testing and trying out new career options while he makes this change and Ill support whatever he chooses, but baseball will always be a big part of our life. I know he is still hurt and that hurts me the most but we are open to whatever comes next and whatever plan god has in store for him. I know something bigger and better is in our future.

 

 I am thrilled to not have countdown of 18 more days with him before he would normally leave for Spring Training. So many of my friends are already posting their husbands countdowns before they leave and I for once, don't have to. I actually for the first time in our whole relationship get to spend our first Summer together! Our first 4th of July together and so many more awesome things he always misses! We can take a real Summer vacation and not just me and the girls visiting some random town for our summer vacation. This is definitely a huge adjustment period for us andfeels a little weird as Spring training is around the corner, but we are taking it a day at a time. I can tell you not having to rush home to Skype with my own husband or to have to take Red eyes just to see him on a 3 day weekend, just makes me smile! For me being away from him is normal, long phone calls, two living expenses, dealing with the girls and dogs as a single mom for half the year, all normal, but I am more excited than ever to have a real normal life. I cant imagine what that even means just yet but we ready it. I married him for a reason, I love being in his presence and I am so blessed to call him my husband. We are so excited to move on, expand our family and enjoy our time together for the first time when weve normally had so little of it.

 

Welcome to my normal life...life after baseball. where I suppose I need to shave my legs daily now and wont get a baseball season break....<3
xoxo - Autumn

Where have I been?

Life has been so crazy since the season ended and Brew came home. As soon as he came home, we had the usual MAJOR adjustment of him being here again day in and day out after I was home alone, head of the house for almost 7 months with two kids and two dogs. So that's always fun. After we got settled again he signed up for school for some Fire Science classes. He has a free college education from the Mariners since he was drafted out of early college so why waste it when he has so much free time. As I discussed in a previous blogs, his general passion is just helping others so starting the fire department process again that we started a few years ago was just the natural thing to do when he came home. As of now in January he has completed his EMT Classes and EMT certification which is great. Its just a small step in a positive direction and it was FREE!

 

The girls and I love having him home again. We finally feel normal again and I look forward to coming home every night to him!

 

As far as me, our company ARC Southwest, a company my mom and a partner started closed its doors. It was very sad and difficult to see all of their hard work just end after almost 3 years but it was a necessary step due to some outside issues which were nothing about our performance or how well the company was doing. So that made it even harder. I knew ahead of time so started looking for new companies to move to. I ended up taking November off, which was a nice break and finishing my real estate license finally. It gave me the time to spend with the girls and Brew and finish an important part of my career. I ended up getting a great job offer in October but didn't start until Early December. Its been a month now and things are going okay, just a major change in my duties, responsibility and work I am not used to. I transitioned from Multi Family to Single Family which has major differences in itself. I'm used to being a workaholic and this is a big break in workload. Everyone keeps telling me its good for me to take a breather for awhile and I should be happy but I guess I thrive on work. Wander where I got that from?!

 

So for now we are back to normal, figuring things out along the way and thinking about our future. I will catch up on a few other blogs this weekend and week! I have a few FABULOUS products to review! =)

 

xoxo

Etsy

My Etsy Store is Now Open! 

I am doing several custom orders for signs and knob boards! Visit my store for unique hand painted signs on awesome barnwood and regular wood or beautiful knob jewelry necklace racks!

I just ordered some AWESOME knobs I found and I am making some with some vintage ones Ive found on my recent trips scouring some shops and markets!

Check it out!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AutumnNicoleDesigns

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream Review & Urban Decay Naked Skin

I am always on the hunt for new light foundations & tinted moisturizers that hold up in the Arizona heat and my busy long days.  I bought the New Urban Decay Naked Skin when I went into Ulta and the guy said since he sees me there all the time and knows I love Urban Decay (that is a problem) that I absolutely must try this "sick" new Urban Decay product and my skin will just love me!

He tested out my skin and said I was a 4.0. So the sucker I am I bought it. The price is $38 for 1 oz but it should last you awhile. I love Urban Decay and all of the Naked line. So I was super excited they had this new product as they aren't super known for skin care. It comes in several colors with cool and warm undertones. Each color has a .5 which are the cool skin tones and the .0 are the warm ones. When I got home and actually applied it on my face the next day, the 4.0 was way to Olive toned for my skin. So I went back and traded it for the 3.5 which is perfect for my skin. I couldn't wait to wash my face and redo my makeup the next morning.I applied it over M.A.C. comfort cream moisturizer with my beauty blender sponge, but I am tempted to buy the Urban Decay blender brush it is recommended with. It dries matte and luminous and I almost didn't need powder over it. I did apply a tiny quick blend of powder on my nose and t zone for the day since I wasn't sure how it would last during the long day. It applied perfect. By the very late afternoon, I did need to touch up with powder but we are talking 115 degree weather and I didn't have primer on underneath, which I usually do. It has more of a watery, liquid consistency than a foundation has so a little goes a long way. I used one full pump for my face. I found it very similar to Hour Glass Veil foundation which one of my best friends referred me to a few months ago. The coverage is great but I can still see my freckles which my husband loves. It is build able which is great but I didn't feel I needed to do that. The packaging is sleek and sturdy. I am a sucker for packaging! It doesn't have that real makeupy smell since its fragrance free which is nice. I don't like to smell like a makeup. 

Cons

My only major hesitation with it is that it doesn't have any SPF, which I do still wear underneath but I like it in my makeup as well. I am a die hard Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer fan with SPF so its hard to compare anything to that, but to me this is a step in between a sheer lightweight Mercier type with illuminating features and a heavy foundation like M.A.C. Studio Fix. 

The next product I got was the New SmashBox Camera Ready BB Cream! BB cream has been all the rage in the US lately when it was brought over from Asia and Korea. Women over there swear by it. BB cream was designed to reduce redness and was created for patients who had dermatological issues or just received chemical peels, etc.  It has several features and is supposed to be a primer, anti aging , moisturizer, foundation and spf all in one.  It is known as Blemish Balm or Beauty Balm. So many big cosmetic companies are coming out with their versions and spins on it. Its pretty much a tinted moisturizer with extra additions. Years ago I stopped wearing heavy foundations and traded them in for tinted moisturizers or very light things such as above, so this was fun to try. I really wanted to try the Too Faced BB Cream since I love most of their products and Smashbox's new Camera Ready BB cream since they are a the kings of Primers and have other great products I love! I decided to go with Smashbox. I got the light/medium but switched it for the light. It was much better on my skin and after a few minutes almost blended in with my color perfectly. I applied it over moisturizer with my beauty blender. It really evened out the slight redness I always get on my upper cheeks which I loved.  It is great if you have oily skin. It controls that stubborn problem very quickly. It is also $39, like the Naked Skin but is a much smaller package than other BB creams, so that stinks. It gave me full coverage, and lasted all day and I didn't need any powder on top. It was not as dewy as my Mercier or other products I like. I love that it is SPF 35 so I don't need to layer on a bunch of sunscreen. 

Cons

Only comes in 4 colors. Says its fragrance free but does have a very makeup type smell to me. It does go away after you put it on and your all set to go.

I love both of these products but they are so different and have different features I cant say which I love more. I am not comparing one BB cream to another here. So the past week, Ive switched up what I use between these two and my Mercier depending on which look I want for the day. I will say my face looked better in a picture with the Smashbox BB cream than it did with the Urban Decay, where it looked great in person but a little too white/powdery in pictures. So I guess if I know the paparazzi are around Ill wear the BB cream! =) 

He is home!!! Our off season life begins...

Brew is finally home!! I could not be happier and more elated to wake up to his amazing smile every single day and to be able to say goodnight in person every single night and not over Skype! The girls are in dreamland that he is home. They love him so much and all the things he does with them. He got home last Saturday and we had the whole night to ourselves! We had an amazing date night, which we haven't had in MONTHS! We went to dinner, a movie and went to the casino and played some black jack (I am obsessed with Black Jack but sometimes see "Chips" as "Tokens" and that doesn't make Brew happy)only to find out my last $20 I had to play with & we were walking out with was better used at the Wheel of Fortune machine where we got a $1,000 spin! Yes a grand! Woop woop! That was super exciting considering I always think the Wheel of Fortune machine is a waste. Then Monday comes and back to reality, but it was so nice to come home every night after work to him instead of waiting a few hours for his game to be over.

So lets kill the white elephant in the room. I let Brew have his few days of a drive home to process what happened to his arm, he drove silently home for 3 days and stopped in Texas on his way to spend 2 nights with his parents. It was a rough few days for us not being together and really not knowing what to say. Once he got home, after our amazing weekend we discussed everything that happened and what the plan was. I am a super planner and super A type personality and I need it all laid out, however lately I've learned not everything needs to be solved in a day which is now what I'm trying to teach Brew so he stops worrying. At this point in his career, his heart is still very much in it, but every year that goes by it gets more difficult for him to see the future playing. The fact of the matter is, before he got hurt, he did great this year, his numbers were great. I don't doubt he wont play again next year if we decide the opportunity is right for him. Many don't know, but our backup plan, which I've tried to not let him think about since I don't want to stress him out or make him feel that he needs one or divert his focus off baseball, has always been in the works. Brew has been thinking about joining the Fire Department the past few years. In fact, two off seasons ago he started the process and actually was going thru the interview process with the City of Phoenix, but a few weeks before the scheduled date, the phone rang late in the off season, and we had a choice to make. With all of our excitement with the future, we went through a lot of back and forth feelings and I told him to go. He didn't want to pass up the chance with the Fire Dept, but I told him the Fire Department will always be here and it would kill me if he stayed and regretted it and asked himself down the road,"what if". So off he went and two more seasons have gone by. During this season, we looked at classes to get started on but they started in August (this week) and he wouldn't have been home in time. So we brushed it off. So once he got home this week, and I was looking for all the reasons why this was meant to be, I told him now he is home and can start the EMT certification he needs and the other classes he needs to take. At least this way, even if we go play again in the Spring, he would already have the whole Fall semester complete and his EMT Certification and State Board all complete and in his back pocket should anything in the future not work out the way we planned. Than he can play and at that point we just wait until the Fire Department hires again, which is rare but will happen between now and late 2013.

Finally he was excited again and realized this really all did happen for a reason and was in gods plans this way. We got him all registered for what he needed, books and all. Thankfully the Seattle Mariners pay for his College since he was drafted by them out of early College so his degree is free! Things were going in the right direction and we decided to take baseball one day at a time. Well once it was released to the public this past week that he was no longer with the Red Sox, the phone rang. A team was offering him to come and was shocked he wasn't with the Red Sox anymore. They didn't know he was hurt so Brew had to explain he couldn't play yet and needed to work on his arm and would be ready by winter or spring at the latest. They said they would check back. It was nice to hear from a team and know that his hard work this season didn't go unnoticed. The same day, when we were at my moms at 8:30 at night, the phone rang again! Ahhh! I heard him repeat the same thing to the guy and they said they will check back in a few months. Just when we didn't think about baseball for a few days, it was very difficult to have to tell teams no and have those conversations. My heart was very sad for him, but happy at the same time. I told him it was bittersweet but reminded him as hard as it was, he did the right thing by telling them no and making sure he works on his arm and its really ready. No matter the circumstance, it breaks your heart when you see someone work so hard for their dream and then when you have opportunities you have to pass up...it just kills me. 

He had a long call with the Red Sox head trainer after this and was told he needs to rest his arm for a few months, start throwing again in December and go from there. I think this made him feel a lot better about things and not worry about baseball right now so he can focus on just being home right now and getting this semester done and working towards other plans on the side. So now, a week later, Brew has started school! He has morning and night classes with professors who are Phx Fire Chiefs/Captains. I actually connected him with one of them thru a Police officer who comes to our office a lot. They invited him to go on calls with them and hang out at the fire house to experience it all. Its great for him to have contacts like that! Right direction! Poor guy was up til midnight last night studying, reading and doing homework! So proud of  him and his focus. He sure is a sexy man when he acts so smart! Baseball, Firefighting, or whatever he ends up doing I know he will be great! I think I can deal with going from a baseball uniform to a fireman uniform...ANY Day! =)