Double the Trouble Giveaway WINNERS!

Thank you all so much for participating in the giveaway! The winners are: Roo's Essentials// @kreationsbydesign  Bubandbugstudio// @Sarahofinstagram Tiny Souls// 

@Noellemckinley  Darling & Mint// @2princesscloset A blue Swallow// @e_e_walsh

Please email mamandmini@gmail.com within 24 hours to claim your items.

Thank you all so much! Happy Sunday! 

Guest Blogger: Love, Joleen // The best baby board books

Hello Mama + Mini readers! My name is Joleen. I am the wife and first time mama to my two Benjamin’s. I’m a Southern California transplant, living and loving it in Atlanta, Georgia. I’m the professional photographer behind Joleen Pete Photography and the mama/blogger behind the Lifestyle/Baby blog, Love, Joleen. I am so excited to be here today -- thanks for having me, Emily!

This month our son turns ONE! Because his birthday falls just one day before Thanksgiving [this year], we're throwing his party a few weeks early.. in just three days to be precise! Both my husband and myself love to read and we love books. In my previous life, I was a nanny for 8 years, and have always loved children's books too! We decided that Benjamin's party theme would be "Vintage Storybook" to help build his own library.

We've been reading to him since birth, but he is just entering an age where he enjoys reading his books (just as much as he enjoys eating them) and will bring them to us to read to him. These are our favorites:

First 100 Words // Trains Go (We also love Trucks Go) // The Alphabet Parade // Chicka Chicka Boom Boom // Goodnight Moon // Snuggle Puppy! // I Love You Through and Through

Website | Facebook | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

Double the trouble GIVEAWAY

In honor of my birthday and Mia's two month birthday, I am giving you a gift - a giveaway times five! I have collaborated with five amazing shops to bring you the best.

To enter you need to follow all 5 shops on Instagram, repost and tag the hashtag #doublethetroublegiveaway. If you are private, you must comment private and shared. For an additional entry, comment below what your favorite item is from any of the shops. There will be one winner for each shop.

I am a mom to 11 month old twins, Charlie and Sloane. I work full time in marketing and spend every other available second with my little peanuts. Once they sleep, I craft. It keeps the right side of my brain happy and sharp. Bub + Bug Studio is named after Charlie (Bub) and Sloane (Bug). I started making accessories for sloane during maternity leave, and other moms on instagram started messaging and emailing me asking if they could purchase my creations. I hope to start making accessories for Charlie soon as well!

Instagram: @Bubandbugstudio

Shop:Bub + Bug Studio

My name is Jennifer Cannon. I am a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of 15 years turned SAHM. I have been married to my ultra supportive and handsome husband for & years, we met at work, he is an ER physician and toxicologist. We have two beautiful children Quinn 2.5 years and Harper 14 months. I started tiny souls earlier this year as a creative outlet for myself. I enjoy sewing reading and good book (but who has time to read with two small kids). My guilty pleasure is Real housewives of Orange County, I could eat Chipotle for every meal and I am still searching for the perfect pair of jeans. Thats me in a nutshell!

Instagram: @Tinysouls

Shop:Tiny Souls

I'm Krista, wife to Jake & mom to our two little ladies Campbell (3) & Holland (1), with a baby boy due in March. I own Darling & Mint.  We design & print custom paper goods, along with designing websites, logos & so much more! Darling & Mint came about when I merged my former businesses Mint Creative & Darling Bows into one.  In addition to custom graphic design & printing I make Eco-friendly ultra cozy headbands & recently launched the paper boutique side of Darling & Mint where we sell the most fun paper items including paper bags, paper straws, tags, garlands & pretty much anything pretty paper that you can imagine. I absolutely love what I do!  Designing Holiday Cards & Wedding Invitations are my absolute favorite, I could nonstop design if it were allowed. In addition to my already crazy busy schedule, I recently launched my own natural mineral makeup brand, Root (@rootpretty on IG).

Being Eco-friendly & Made in the USA is super important to both of my businesses.  I am proud to say that all of my items are Made/Printed in the USA & shipped with Eco-friendly mailing supplies.

Instagram:@Darlingandmint

Shop:Darling & Mint

ROO'S ESSENTIALS

A shop dedicated to all babies essentials from burp rags to bandana bibs to blankets and headbands we have what your littles need! And can't forget the strong woman behind the babies or any woman in need of something cozy and cute, crochet scarfs coming soon!  

Instagram: @Roosessentialsshop

Shop: Roos Essentials

With a deep appreciation for D.I.Y.'s, fabric, felt, and creativity, almost a year ago I started up A Blue Swallow Shop with a mixture of things that I love. After the birth of our son, Kai (14 months), I knew that I didn't want to just push him to live his dreams; I wanted to show him that it could be done by being an example. It's crazy how children really change your life. A Blue Swallow is a place where you can find special handmade items that bring people together and impart a piece of love to those you share it with. Whether it's a mug or a hat for your little one, each item is specially made as if I were personally giving it to you. When I'm not running the shop I'm chasing our son, partnering with my husband who is a youth pastor, and making new memories with family and friends. Each item is influenced by someone dear to me and has a story of its own. 

Instagram: @ablueswallow

Shop: A Blue Swallow

The winner will be announced Novemeber 9! Good luck. Let the Holiday fun begin!!

One Month Favorites

I have put together a few items that have made the first month of Mia's life a little bit easier on a daily basis.

One - The Boon Drying Grass is a GREAT way to dry all the bottle peices. The nature collection is so fun yet very functional. It also helped keep all the baby "dishes" in one places. They have trees as well to dry the nipple and membranes. I couldn't have lived without this one!

Two - Odwalla Superfood Juice is a lifesaver! It was easy to forget about eating when you're all wrapped up in taking care of your little ones needs, but don't forget about YOU! This is definitely my go to when I need a jumpstart. I was always scared to try it because of the color, but its quite delicious, plus its jam packed with fruits & veggies.

Three- The Boppy Pillow has been so functional and continues to give. Its great for nursing to give your arm a break or to keep close while snuggling during naps. This is a MUST have for any new mom. 

Four - Tommee Tippee Bib is great for a newborn. Its actually the only bib I like. The cushioned neckline is perfect to keep the milk out of their sweet little neck rolls.

Five - There is no swaddling blanket like Aden + Anais muslin swaddling blanket. Mia loves to be swaddled, but she is a pro at getting out of the receiving blankets. She cannot get out of the Aden + Anais swaddling blanket even if she tries with all her might. I LOVE how light and fresh they are. Plus they have pretty cute designs too!

Six - HPA Lanolin Cream was very soothing, especially in the first couple of weeks of nursing. Cracked and bleeding nipples are the last thing you want! I always had this by my side. This was my best friend during those weeks.

What are your Favorites?

Mia's Birth Story

Labor Day a holiday where everyone is outside grillin' and saying goodbye to summer. But I on the other hand, I was in labor.  There is nothing like being in labor on labor day. I had been walking around dilated at 3 centimeters for weeks, but I felt nothing - no pain, no water-breaking. So what would make this day any different? It was my due date. Corey and I spent the morning lounging around the house before he had to go to work. I decided to have him drop me off at my mom's house before he went to work just in case it was actually going to happen.

Once I had arrived at my mom's house, we got in the car and drove over the hill to the beach. We walked along the beach shoreline. Near the end of our 2 mile walk, I had a CONTRACTION. A contraction that took away my breath. But I didn't stop walking because I knew if I continued to walk, that meant the contractions were coming. I hobbled back to car. In the next two hours, nothing happened. Maybe it was another false alarm. As we settled down for the evening, the contractions started 10 minutes apart. But instead of getting closer - they got farther apart. Ten to twenty even to thirty minutes apart. By midnight, the contractions were back down to ten minutes. Corey picked me up and we went home. I sat on the birthing ball through every contraction. The contractions got more intense every time. By 6 am, I was a zombie. I hadn't gotten one minute of sleep in 24 hours. Corey called the hospital and they said to come in because I had been in labor for about 12 hours. We grabbed hospital bags and off we went. We arrived at the hospital at 7 am. I was screaming with every contraction and had no clue how close or far i was from meeting our little girl. I was dilated at 7 centimeters! They wheeled me into room 7 and the real work began. My water still had not broken. When the doctor asked for the hook, a moment of fear set in. Next thing I knew, fluid was gushing out. Well that was painless! I freaking out over nothing like I usually do. I was offered an epidural several times, but I chose to have an all natural birth. From the moment I knew I was pregnant, I knew I wanted a all natural birth. I wanted to feel empowered. This is what my body is made to do and I was going to do it without any help. I was determined. I labored at the hospital for 2 more hours and then pushed for 45 minutes. Those 45 minutes were the most intense minutes of my life. I would do it all over again. Mia Elaina McGee arrived at 9:53am on September 3, 2013. It was the best day of our lives.

39 Weeks

How far along? 39 Weeks.

Toal weight gain: 40 lbs.

Maternity Clothes? Yes and I'm outgrowing them by the day.

Stretch Marks? Yes, very little!

Sleep? What's sleep? I haven't slept comfortably in weeks. No position is comfortable after 5 mins.

Best moment this week: My doctor telling me I wouldn't make it another week, but obviously this girl has other plans. We made it to our maternity photoshoot!

Have you told family and friends? Yes.

Miss Anything? I'm Definitely missing being comfortable. I feel like a whale. period.

Movement: She is running out of room.

Food Cravings: ICE - I could chew ice for days. I crave ice because my body is so swollen, well, at least thats what I would like to think.

Anything making you queasy? Nope.

Have you started showing yet? Yes.

Gender Prediction: Girl.

Labor Signs: Dilated 3cm and effaced 100%. Back Pain, Braxton hicks contractions, False alarm of my water breaking

Belly Button in or out? Out.

Happy or Moody? I'm a happy camper for the most part. I just wish my little cocoa bean would make her way into this world.

Looking forward to: We cannot wait to meet her.

These are a few of my favorite things...

Fall. Its is my absolute favorite thing. I love everything about it.The weather, the clothes, the food, but most of all the holidays! What is there not to love? There is just something so magical about cozing up in cold weather with family. Now that I am starting my own family, I am even more excited. I cannot wait to share my love for fall and holidays with my little cocoa bean . But until then, I must share them with you!

ONE// TWO// THREE// FOUR// FIVE// 

SIX// SEVEN// EIGHT//

Don't get me wrong summer nights are wonderful, but the fall is season is to die live for. There's just nothing like it.