Mama Mondays | Working, While Being a Stay at Home Mom

Working, While Being a Stay at Home Mom 

Michelle Calva 

In December of 2013, my husband and I welcomed our son, Jude, to our family. Prior to being a mom, I was a full-time registered nurse. During my pregnancy, I had planned on taking 3 months of maternity leave and then returning to nursing part-time. Of course, that plan changed the first time I held him in my arms...

My husband and I hadn't had many conversations about being a stay-at-home mom. I loved my career, and I was proud to contribute to our finances. I knew having a baby would be a life-changing experience, but I couldn't have prepared myself for the joys of motherhood. I couldn't imagine leaving him with someone else while I worked a 12-hour shift. I wanted to cherish as many moments as I could, and I felt strongly about staying at home. It was a difficult decision for a few reasons: I loved what I did, my husband and I hadn't prepared for this and it had financial implications. After many conversations and prayers, I made the decision to stay at home with our son. 

After making the decision to be a stay-at-home mom, I wanted to find a way to earn income with my new schedule. Little did I know asking one of my fellow mom friends about her bracelet during a play date would lead me to finding an exciting new career as a designer for a company called KEEP Collective! 

KEEP Collective is a brand-new company from the creators of Stella & Dot, a boutique-style accessories company. The concept behind KEEP is to create one-of-a-kind jewelry that tells a story of what you hold dear to your heart or a reflection of your personal style. KEEP offers beautiful reversible leather bands, mesh bracelets, bangles, unique tag necklaces and literally hundreds of keys ( similar to charms) to tell your story. And let's face it ladies, who wouldn't love being in the jewelry and accessories business? Whether you constantly keep with the latest trends or prefer something more simple, KEEP has something for everyone.  

So what do I do? Well, I'm a designer for KEEP Collective, and I help my customers create their own one-of-a-kind piece that tells their story.  As a designer, I am able to work at my own schedule and literally take my business wherever I go. Play dates, lunch with friends, KEEP is with me. Not only do I get to wear all of the fabulous jewelry, but by wearing it I'm promoting my business. I carry mini-design guides and catalogs in my purse or diaper bag (depends on what day of the week) and pass them out to anyone I meet. I can even place orders directly from my phone! So no more sitting behind a computer desk while stuck at home, KEEP let's me bring my business out into my everyday life. 

As a mother, there a days you feel exhausted, defeated, happy and excited (the list could go on) but what about "mom time"? KEEP has these wonderful parties called socials. Any customer can host a social whether online through Facebook, at home or maybe at a favorite restaurant. Getting out of the house even for just a couple of hours is sometimes all that we need to get recharged to take on whatever else our day brings us. Socials are great ways to promote your business, create sales and socialize with friends and all while making money. Wine & design night? Uhhh yes, please! I love that KEEP allows me to break away from my mommy role every now and then. 

KEEP Collective is a wonderful company that inspires and empowers women. It has been such a blessing to our family. I love being a part of those one-of-a-kind designs and hearing the beautiful stories behind them. I love being able to live my daily life as a mommy and provide income for my family too. My entire journey has been life changing and I am so excited to see what my future holds! 

Shop, host or join : https://www.keep-collective.com/with/mcalva

Michelle 

XOXO

Vacation for Two Please | Pint Size Board Book Review & Promo Code

Steve and I are going on a trip, and I have a confession I may be slightly more nervous than I am excited. You see it's our first time leaving the peanut for this long. We've been away overnight once before for anniversary but this time around we will be gone for a full week. 

Personally I feel that it's important for us to nourish our relationship and time alone with just each other. As much as I love family vacations I know it's important to spend some time alone and go away just with my husband. Also, if I'm being super honest Family vacations are not always the most relaxing for mommy and daddy. 

So we are biting the bullet and going away for a week to Fiji! I honestly can't wait, I know that the peanut will be in the best hands because my mom is flying out to spend the week with her. I'm writing  tons of notes down and by the time I'm done I'll probably have a binder full of information for my mom. Including nap schedules, eating schedules, princess ballet (yes I just signed her up for that) and swim. I'm pretty much doing this so I can to ease my nerves about leaving her for the first time for this long. My thought process was anything I can do to help make me feel more comfortable about leaving I should do. 
So I came up with an idea to make the peanut her own board book talking about mommy and daddy going on a trip. I arrived at this when I was looking for books about mommy and daddy going away. Then it struck me, how cool would it be if I can make a custom board book with pictures of our own family showing her that mommy and daddy are away on a trip, how much we miss her, how much fun she'll have with her nanny and how we can't wait to come home and see her.  

In the process of googling, that's when I stumbled across the company Pint Size Productions! This awesome company makes custom board books. You upload your own photos, create your own text, the book can be truly about anything you want! I decided on the 16 page, including cover 5 5/8 x 5 5/8 for our book, and I couldn't be happier.

In our book I wrote how mommy and daddy are going on a trip and how she's going to have so much fun with her nanny. I included photos of the family as well as photos of the peanut with my mom from our last trip to New York and I ended the book with mommy and daddy miss you very much and will be home so soon to give you hugs and kisses. 

The shipping estimate was 10 to 12 days so I made sure I would have plenty of time before our trip. I received it this week and boy I cannot begin to explain to you how excited I was when I got this package. 
The book is fantastic quality it's durable, everything is printed beautifully and it came in such a timely manner. After receiving the book and reading it a few times, my husband and I were so ecstatic with the product that I reached out to the company asking them if I can offer a promo code to my readers! These books are just too cute and the possibilities are endless! 

They graciously created a special code just for you guys! Use promo code BUMPSBABES2015 at checkout for 10% off your order! Now until 11/5/15

So Enjoy! Happy Shopping!

XOXO

Loving Lately

I was going though my beauty routine the past few days and thinking to myself wow, some of these products are really great you should share them. So, I figured why not do a loving lately post. So here we go four essentials I can't live without these days. 

If you follow me on instagram (@bumpsbabesandbellinis) you probably have already guessed I am a HUGE Dry Bar fan. I have gotten blow outs from many different places, around the country and not one has ever been as good as the blow outs I received at Dry Bar. So naturally I started using their products. This one is one of my favorites. First lets talk about how all of their products have the best names! How cute is that! Hot Toddy as it says on the bottle is a hair protector from heat and frizz control. My hair gets so frizzy, its not fun. I only wash every other day sometimes every 3 days and this stuff makes it super smooth and almost frizz free. You can usually tell if I forget to use it. It's lotion for your hair, I so recommend this. 

I have been using Aveeno lotion since I was a kid. I suffer from eczema and this was some of the only over the counter lotion my pediatrician told my mom I could use. Since then I have tried many other lotions and I have to say I always go back to Aveeno. I like a light weight lotion for everyday use, but it still has to be moisturizing enough to last thoughtout the day and this sheer hydration totally does this trick! 

Back to Dry Bar again, haha. I never used dry shampoo before recently. I had a lot of trouble finding one I liked. Then at my last blow out, I asked about the Detox, dry shampoo. I decided to grab a bottle and give it try. Well boy am I glad I did. This dry shampoo is fantastic. It doesn't leave my hair feeling heavy or dirty, it feels fresh and clean. I usually use it if I'm rocking some three day hair and don't have time to tame my mane. So happy I picked this up, it's my new go to hair product. 

Last but not least Color Wow, my mom actually turned me on to this product. Here's the thing guys, ok deep breath.... I am going gray. There I said it now everyone knows, haha. I have actually had gray hair since I was 16, and I fought dying it for the LONGEST time. Well about 5 months ago I decided it was time, my hair is now growing in gray in the front and I had to do something about it. I was headed to a wedding in May and was due to get my roots done, but didn't have the time before we left. I knew my mom would have a solution, that she did and I discovered Color Wow. I love this stuff, it covers up the grays until I have time to get my hair colored and it works so well, plus the it's small enough to fit in my purse. 

Well there you have it a few of my favorite things! Have anything you can't live without? Leave it in the comments below, I love trying new products. 

XOXO 

Mama Mondays | Intro & Starting a Business with Young Children

Hi Everyone! I hope you all had a splendid weekend. I've had something up my sleeve for while now and I am so excited to start sharing it with you today. Mama Mondays is a 8 week series I will be featuring on my blog with fabulous articles written by some amazing guests and fellow mommies. We will be discussing topics like, starting a business with young children, adoption, motherhood after loss, mama beauty tips, mama work outs and so much more! Please be sure to follow along so you stay up to date on all the fabulous topics. 

So for the next 8 weeks, Bumps, Babes and Bellins will be taken over by other mommies and you're going to love it! 

XOXO

To kick off our Mama Monday series, I want to introduce my wonderful friend, Alexandra Spitz! I have gotten to know Alexandra over the past year through my OC Mommy and Me experiences and she has been an inspiration to me. I think you will enjoy her story... 

Starting a Business with Young Children

By: Alexandra Spitz, Parent Educator and Founder of OC Mommy and Me

If you asked me 10 years ago before I had kids what I would be doing after I had kids I would have told you that my dream was to have a job where I could work in the mornings so I could pick up my kids from school at the end of their day.  My parents both worked full-time and I always felt envious of the kids whose moms were there to pick them up while I was shuttled off to after-school care everyday.

My dream was to own my own business but I had no idea if that would ever be possible.  When I was a kid I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up.  I just sort of worked in whatever jobs came available to me because I liked making my own money.  When I was 15, I got my first job working in retail in the afternoons after school.  I worked in a small boutique store where I was given the opportunity to learn many different aspects of a small business.  From there I took a series of other retail jobs then eventually landed in operations for a real estate development company in LA for over 10 years.

When my husband was relocated to Orange County, I knew I was going to have to work but I had no idea how I was ever going to be able to work for anybody else.  My old company had become like family and starting at the beginning was just so daunting.

Fortunately, the universe has a very interesting way of bringing you what you’ve always desired.  It never tells you when it will come, but if you’re patient and stay in the present, it does.  After arriving here, I noticed the void of structured mommy and me classes in OC.  This was so surprising to me with all of the families in the area.  It was crystal clear that this was my calling.  We were relocated here not only for my husband’s career, but for my dreams as well. 

OC Mommy and Me was a complete labor of love.  At the time, my now oldest was just about to turn two.  The days were long and he was exhausting, but every free moment I had plus hours after he went to bed each night, I was entrenched in starting my business.  It was so much fun and everything just seemed too easy!  It sort of felt like I was cheating a little.  I always envisioned starting a business to be stressful and overwhelming.  It was anything but.  I loved every minute of building what OCMM is today.

I started small with just one class per week.  After that class was finished the moms wanted to continue on for another series so then I had two classes going.  Before I knew it, I was teaching 8 classes per week and very pregnant with my second child.  I was doing all of the administrative work, plus the teaching and I finally realized I needed some help!  It was a little bittersweet adding teachers and someone to help with the programming because I am a complete nut when it comes to my business. I want everything to be perfect and the moms happy! 

As time went on I noticed I had to work on balance.  As business was busier it took more of my time.  That time that used to go to my kids or my husband or myself.  I had to reinvent the personal wheel.  Once my second was born, this became even more overwhelming.  It is a constant learning experience and I take the twists and turns as they come with an open mind and a big heart.  I always try and remember what the purpose of all of this is.  It is to help other moms which makes me a better mom.  That’s my daily work, every single day.  I go to bed every night and ask myself “was I a good enough mom today?” because that’s what matters most. 

Each day is definitely a juggling act and some days don’t go smoothly at all.  Some go better than planned.  I have learned so much about myself and others and I pinch myself every day that I get to spend time with the most inspiring, smart, successful women that I would have never had the honor of knowing without starting this business.  For that I am so grateful and I’m not sure what I did to deserve such an amazing career!

Owning my own business has given me a lot more self-confidence and I have learned self-love.  It doesn’t come without its challenges but I truly feel starting a business with young kids has saved me in a lot of ways.  I am absolutely a better mom a better wife and a better individual because of it!

One of Alex's groups! 

Alex

Dear Summer

Dear Summer,
       You can leave now. Pumpkin is in the stores and officially the sent of our house so please feel free to vacate the premises. Here's the thing we both know you and I were never close, to be honest you're not exactly my favorite season. Sure I loved you when I was a kid and your arrival meant no school, but now you make me hot and cranky. Listen I love your barbecues, pool dates and sure the fire works in July are pretty incredible. But if I am being honest you are just a stepping stone to one of my favorite seasons. I love the crisp fall air, the apple picking, carving pumpkins and the boots oh the boots. Fall colors and pumpkin spice lattes, you see they just get me. I enjoy a good cardigan and a cute burgundy top. I need to hold a warm drink with cool cold air blowing in my hair. Summer your great you really are, I'm just over you.

A photo from pumpkin picking last year, can't wait to see her pick out a pumpkin this year. 

Sincerely Yours,
Nicole

Stitch Fix Review #2

So I got my second box in the mail last week, and I have to say it was way more me then my first. The styles that were picked out this time around were so much more my style, I ended up keeping two of the tops from this box and I have already worn them both twice! So here you have my poorly lit iPhone photos :-) 

I love love love this top! It was by far my favorite in the whole box. 

The fit was perfect and the style was very me 

A view of the back 

Market & Spruce | Xander Short Sleeve Woven Back Sweatshirt - Medium | $54.00

I decided to keep this one, it's crazy comfortable and a wonderful summer to fall top. 

RD Style | Carlotta Mixed Material Knit Top - Medium | $58.00

I am a huge fan of this top. It fit perfectly and was also very comfortable I felt like I could dress this up or down as well depending on the outing. 

Heres a view of the back, I kept this top as well. 

Mavi | Sonja Boyfriend Jeans- 6 | $88

I liked these Jeans but the fell a little to low for me. I prefer a higher rise with my denim. They were also very comfortable and stretchy, but I wish they fit my hips and thighs a bit better. 

Loveappella | Saxby Scoop Neck Top - Medium | $54

I liked this top and felt like it fit nice, but it was a tad itchy for me. The material didn't feel very nice on my skin. I also felt for the top itself it was too pricey. 

Market & Spruce | Elmira Jacket -Medium | $68 

This jacket was different and fun, just not my taste. It made me feel too boxy. I prefer my jackets to be a bit more fitted. 

All and all I loved this box, at least way better then the first one. I'm looking forward to my next fix!
XOXO

So you want to have a baby?

Since we announced we were pregnant with our sweet little girl I can't begin to tell you how many times we were asked by people how we knew we were "ready". I think with my Facebook feed being flooded with marriage proposals, wedding and baby announcements it's perfectly normal for our friends and family to be curious how we "knew" it was time to put a bun in the oven.
So here you have it my tiny bit of advice for how we knew we were ready....

Photo Credit Amanda from April Smith Photography 

You NEVER are! You can be as prepared as possible yet nothing in the world can truly make you ready for what is about to come.
I told my husband constantly that I knew I was ready and couldn't wait a moment longer. I wanted to be a mommy so bad. I read the books, I knew what ergo I wanted, I educated myself on breastfeeding, I ran the numbers, heck I even measured for a crib. The thing is nothing prepared me nothing truly made me ready. Knowing we wanted to start a family was more of a feeling then anything else. You can't take a quiz or a test to tell you if you are... you just know.
Then after months of getting ready and preparing everything from diapers to frozen dinners, this little bundle of joy will enter your world and everything changes. It's true what they say about your heart walking around on the outside of your body. You feel their pain, their joy, and you never thought you'd had so much fun hanging with Mickey Mouse.
No matter how much you try, nothing prepares you for the emotional roller coaster that is becoming a mom. Extreme frustration, immediately followed by extreme joy. Its a unbelievable feeling no one can truly prepare you for and it happens in a instant.
So my piece of advice for deciding if you're ready to have kids....go with you're gut! Trust you're instincts and you'll know when the time is right. You know YOU best. Have open and honest discussion with you're partner and when the time is right you will both feel it.
Just my 2 cents!

XOXO

This weekend brought to you by grandma and papa

We had a blast this weekend which lucky for us went from thursday evening to yesterday night. Grandma and Papa came to visit! It's always to so nice having family here, since we live so far from everyone it truly makes the time we spend together extra special. 

Friday we went to Tanaka Farms and did a watermelon tour, which as you know was on my summer bucket list. For all you local mamas out there looking for something to do with the kiddos this was a fabulous tour. Weekday mid summer and we were only 1 of 3 families. You even get to take home your own watermelon! The peanut had a blast and ate all the fruit and veggie samples along the way. If you follow me on instagram (@bumpsbabesandbellinis) then you saw we went to Stax Cookie bar afterwards and.... yummy! 

"I carried a watermelon" any dirty dancing fans out there! haha

Top from anthropologie

Love this! 

Saturday we fan a few errands and the peanut and I both learned how to sew from grandma. More me then her, but she will benefit in all the cool new skirts mommy can now make her, thanks to grandma. Grandma also made her the most adorable Minnie Mouse bedding for her doll crib, that daddy build her a few months ago. We added a mattress too it as well so she has a easier time reaching in. 

Skirt made by me and grandma! 

Sunday we went to the farmers market and OC fair. First time with the peanut since we didn't venture out over there last year. She had a blast and ate her fair share of fair food. lol She LOVED looking at all the animals, especially the "moos" I think we may have to move to a farm. 

Skirt made by mommy! Custom Minnie Mouse top 

Monday we went out for dim sum and the peanut got to do the carousel and "choo choo" at the mall. Which means mommy will now have a very difficult time shopping in the future. hahaha. Then after a early dinner it was time to drop off grandma and papa. 

Cake pops with a view | Dress from old Navy (old)  | Shoes Mini Melissa 

Pretending to be the baby and sleep in her doll crib. hehe

We are all going though withdrawals already, and are defiantly looking forward to our long trip in October. 

XOXO

Target Toddler Style

So I was in Target the other day or what I more commonly refer to as my second home, and I found some of the MOST adorable fall clothes for the peanut. Since I have discovered many adorable items from other blogs I decided to share my finds.  All of these clothes are from the Genuine Kids line from OshKosh only available at Target. 

Jean Polka Dot Button up 

Do they make this in my size? I see a mamma and mini photo session in our future. 

Cable knit leggings

"Fur" vest (in pink) I couldn't find the gray one online. Is it just me or will she look like the cutest little fashionista in this. 

I had a skirt like this when I was little so naturally I jumped at the chance to get the peanut one. So precious right? Couldn't find it online. 

Since it doesn't get too chilly here in the "fall" I like dressing the peanut in sweaters when we go out, and this one was just too sweet to pass up. Couldn't find it online. 

Happy Shopping! 

XOXO

Weekend Pigtails

Monday Monday. Who else is missing the weekend today. I know I sure am. With a new week already in full swing over here let's discuss the best days of the week shall we! 

Friday was super fun, since my sweet friend Kelly drove down from LA and spent the day. We took the peanut to our splash pad and she had ball. 

Thanks for this super cute shot Kel!

Then Saturday was a pretty momentous day for us because.... I was able to FINALLY do this,  to my sweet little girls hair! 

I cannot begin to tell you the amount of excitement and pure girl mom joy I had brushing her hair into pigtails or waterspouts as my mother in-law called them :-) 

So needless to say we rocked these bad boys all weekend. 

And yes I am getting a "no mommy" in the picture. 

Saturday night my awesome bestie babysat so Steve and I could attend a murder mystery dinner. Super fun night with great conversation as always. Thanks Auntie Em! 

My sweet friend Alyssa and I at dinner...kidless 

Then sunday was a good old fashioned family day. We ran a bunch of errands and rode the "choo choo" at the mall. Headed home for naps and hung out. 

Pretty much a super awesome weekend. Now we have to push though the next few days till grandma and papa come visit!!! I don't know who's more excited the peanut, or the parents who know they get a few extra hands this weekend. I'll give you a hint it's the ones who will be drinking wine. 

XOXO