September 05, 2017

Baby Cubby

September 05, 2017/ Taylor Ann Dietrich

Top: Old - Similar styles Here & Here || Cardigan: Groupdealz - Similar Styles Here & Here || Jeans: Nordstrom

Let me start by being very honest. Registering is not my thing. At all. I do not enjoy going to stores and selecting things I think I would want other people to buy me. I get overwhelmed by the whole process. If it weren't for Adam, we wouldn't of had anything on our wedding registry 5 years ago. He had to do it all because I just couldn't.

So when it came time to register for Jane Taylor, I had already planned on Adam being in charge once again. But surprisingly, I found myself getting more involved in the process. While Adam used the "manly" research tools like Consumer Reports, I sought out my blogger friends. Chronicles of Frivolity became my main go-to on what you need for baby.

I enjoyed using lots of different outlets to find the perfect items for Jane Taylor. But one in particular was Baby Cubby. So I have teamed up with them to bring you some of my must have items from their site when it comes to making a registry.

1) The ComoTomo Bottles - I have had a hard time with breastfeeding so finding a bottle that wasn't going to cause the so-called "nipple" confusion was important. JT takes a bottle a day and these are awesome. I wasn't planning on starting her on a bottle at all this early. But I'm thankful that we have these and mom is able to get a little break.

2) Uppa Baby Vista - Ok. This stroller is like the Mercedes of strollers. I realize the price is ridiculous. But we love it. We use the bassinet to take her on walks around the neighborhood and she also sleeps in it every night. Worth all the money in my opinion.

3) Ubbi diaper pail - I loved the design of this when we got it. Now I love that it keeps the smell of those stinky diapers locked up tight. And let me tell you those diapers start stinking sooner than you think. It's easy to use, holds a lot of diapers, and it looks pretty perfect in her little nursery.

4)Boon Lawn Counter Top Drying Rack - I was so against getting this my whole pregnancy. I just thought it was silly to have a drying spot for all the bottles, breast pumps, etc. We also have a very small kitchen and the less we can have on our countertops the better. But this is a must! I am cleaning feeding supplies all day and the lawn is the perfect spot to dry it all out. Also make sure you get the twig to go with it.

5) Avent Soothie - I fought against giving her a pacifier for a long time. There are lots of opinions about this. But one night, I finally gave in and I am here to say that I am THANKFUL for a pacifier. We don't give it to her to go to sleep. Just in between feedings so she isn't using mom as a human pacifier. This one is her favorite. Currently.

6) Hooded Towel - You will want this for those first couple of spongue baths. JT gets so cold when we wash her so this towel at least allows us to keep her head warm as we clean the rest of her.

Registering for your newborn can feel extremely overwhelming. I love how Baby Cubby has a lot of what you need but not an overwhelming amount of choice when it comes to selecting the basics. They are excellent to work with! Great for making a registry and for purchasing gifts for all your mom friends.

This post was sponsored by Baby Cubby. Opinions are my own. All products were selected by me. Thankful for partnerships like these to make a TAD more faith possible.

August 18, 2017

Once in a While & White Dresses

August 18, 2017/ Taylor Ann Dietrich

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson

Dress: Nordstrom || Shoes: Target || Similar shoes here and here

When I think about summer one of the things that always comes to mind is a simple white dress. Even though you can totally wear white all year round, there is just something about a white dress and summer. They just go together. This one from Nordstrom was one of my favorites from this year. Mostly because it is so bump friendly, but I also love how it can easily go from dressed up to dressed down. This one is currently on sale too! I have listed some of my top white dress picks below. A good white dress only comes around every once in a while.

One of the things I constantly work on in my relationship with Christ is letting Him be in control. I am sure I am not alone in this. I spend my days praying for Him to make certain things work out on my time. As each event unfolds, my prayers will become more dyer to have things work in my direction. Instead of taking the time to listen to what He might be trying to tell me.

We can try to control our plans, but ultimately they are in God’s hands. Something we know yet often have to remind ourselves. I know He attempts to tell me this on a daily basis. And even with those reminders, I still find myself trying to control His plan.

Every once in while, when I go to pray the words “just be still” will come through so clearly. It is as if He is screaming them into my brain. I’ll begin to pray for things to work out a certain way and suddenly God interrupts me with this command. More than ever before I have been hearing those words over and over again.

Realizing I need to trust in His timing has never been so apparent. Mostly because I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of our little one. But I also know He means it in so many other areas. So for now, I am doing just that. Being still. Trusting in Him to know where the next steps are. To know the exact date when she will arrive. And to know He will lead me through the paths that are presented before me.

More than anything, I pray you will be able to hear what God is saying to you as you pray today. I pray He will clearly give you an idea of what to do next. Because there is nothing more comforting then hearing Him say “I’ve got this, just be still.”

Be still and know that I am God. - Psalm 46:10

August 08, 2017

Staying on Target & Target Style

August 08, 2017/ Taylor Ann Dietrich

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson

Outfit details are all from Target: Dress || Shoes

In Genesis 1 you can read the scripture of God creating the earth. How God took 6 days to make this amazing world for all of us. On the 7th day, He rested. And on the 8th day, He started making plans to bring all the women of the world a place of pure happiness called Target. Well ok, probably not. But I do consider Target to be a blessing from the Lord above.

Isn’t it so exciting to walk into Target to pick up something so simple, only to know you will actually walk out with probably a new outfit, a pair of shoes, maybe even a new comforter for your bed. Whatever it is, you will likely get inspired at Target. And this dress is one of those things that I did NOT walk into Target to buy – but left with anyways. I mean it is so hard to turn down an adorable summer dress that cost a total of $20. Am I right?? Something I love and hate about Target all at the same time.

What I have learned over the years of shopping at Target is as long as you walk in with a budget in mind, you will walk out happy. I can’t tell you how many times I have gotten to the register and suddenly spent $100. Which then follows with a frantic check and recheck of the receipt trying to figure out how the heck that even happened. So nowadays I try to keep a plan, a target in mind, for when I enter this store. That means I actually walk into the store telling myself “you will not go to the shoe section today.” Oh the struggles of first world problems.

But shopping isn’t the only place where we might miss our mark. We can run into trouble in hitting our target when it comes to following our dreams. I struggle greatly with following through with goals and plans I have for my book and for this blog. One week the ideas will be flowing like crazy and the next week it is all I can do to pick up my computer and get to work.

Same is true for our faith. One day the Lord is present in every situation. You are talking with Him throughout each step of the day. The next morning you wake up in a rush to handle the daily tasks and forget He is even there to greet you with the blessing of a new day. We lose our target. We get off track.

Similar to every good shopping trip to Target, our faith requires discipline and focus. It is a gift to be given peace and love from Jesus Christ. But it isn’t a gift we can just accept, write the thank you note for and move on. It is one we accept and work at everyday. And with each amount of work on our end, in building our foundation in Jesus, the gift becomes even greater. The targets sometimes become clearer. And our walk with God can turn into a beautiful adventure.

So whether you are making a trip to Target today or just going through your daily to-do list, I pray that you will remember where to keep your true focus. Remember the target you should be aiming towards. And that is growing, with Him, and His love for you.