Anyway, for today’s blog post, I thought I would switch gears a bit and share a throwback style blog post with you. Way back in 2013, I shared a Currently-themed blog post on PBF that highlighted some current things I’m enjoying, reading, wearing, doing, etc. It’s also a style of blog post I’ve seen Kristin share on her blog for years and I always look forward to reading about her current interests, recommendations, etc. I hope you enjoy this post as well! And, if you feel like playing along, I’d love to read about some of your current interests, reads, needs, wants and more in the comments section of this post!
Currently…
Currently Reading: Transfer of Power by Vince Flynn
Years ago, I read Term Limits by Vince Flynn after both my mom and dad recommended it to me and thoroughly enjoyed the political thriller. During our stay at my parents’ place, we chatted a bit about the author’s other novels and since I was in the market for a thriller and both my mom and my dad have enjoyed some of the books from his Mitch Rapp series, I figured I’d give one a shot. I opted for Transfer of Power and it’s a page turner for sure though something about the writing/thought process of the main character irks me a bit.
Currently In the Market For: An SUV with a third row or a minivan. With only 7(ish) weeks to go before our little one arrives, we’re feeling a bit of pressure to make a decision regarding a larger vehicle for our family. While I realize they make slimmer car seats that allow three car seats to fit across a bench seat (our current car seats are too wide), even if we got new car seats and managed to get them into the back row of either of our vehicles, there is no place for Sadie to go during road trips with our family since we use ALL of our trunk space for luggage and kid stuff. Sooo we’re in the market for something with a third row that is a little bigger to accommodate our growing family. I’d love to hear about any third row SUVs or minivans you guys have out there that you love or, on the flip side, vehicles you’ve owned that you’d never purchase again. I drive my cars for-ev-errr (we’re talking 12+ years) so while we know this is a big purchase, we’re hoping it will be one that will be with us for the long haul.
Currently Drinking: Sparkling water with a splash of juice or coconut water — aka my go-to pregnancy mocktail!
Current Craving: Ben & Jerry’s Pint Slices (SO GOOD!) and watermelon. Gimme watermelon 24/7 right now!
Currently Wearing: All the comfy clothes… and a mask (I have this three pack)! I feel like my quarantine wardrobe consists entirely of athletic clothing, loungewear and bathing suits. I partly blame this on pregnancy (I’ve never been one to go out and buy a new wardrobe during pregnancy and try to keep my maternity wear budget-friendly and practical) but also on the fact that 99 percent of our plans these days take place outside in the sweltering heat or else they involve simply lounging at home (aka wrangling kiddos at home since not a lot of lounging seems to take place around here)!
Here are some of my current favorites that are not strictly maternity clothes:
- Athleta Run With It 3.5” Shorts: I ordered these a size up in neon a month ago when they were on super sale and they are a DREAM. They’re incredibly comfortable, don’t dig into my sides at all and the length is perfect.
- Perfectly Cozy Lounge Shorts: The softest fabric and comfiest fit. Target does it again! There’s a reason these get great reviews! (Note: The stripe patterns are currently on clearance!)
- Seamless Basic Bralette: I cannot even remember the last time I wore a real bra because this is the bralette I wear nearly every single day. It is the BEST and so comfy… not to mention incredibly inexpensive. I gave a two-pack to my sister as part of her birthday present and she’s already obsessed, too.
- Lululemon Cool Racerback Tank: My all-time favorite workout tank both pre-pregnancy and now! Tip: Check out thredUP for this one! I can often find my size in this tank secondhand as long as I’m flexible on color/pattern.
- $10 White Slides: Aka my summer sandal obsession.
- Lululemon Align Leggings: Worth every bit of the hype.
Currently Watching: It’s been months since I’ve been into a TV show and I’d love to find a good one to check out. Ryan and I almost always read at night before bed so TV time isn’t a big thing over here but I know Michael Jordan’s documentary series ‘The Last Dance’ just came out on Netflix yesterday and I’m looking forward to watching that one soon because we’ve heard great things about it. As someone who was a huge Bulls fan as a kid and grew up in the suburbs of Chicago (shout out to Palatine, IL!) during Michael’s glory days, I’m excited to check it out. The Bulls continue to be Ryan’s all-time favorite NBA team so he’s all in on this one as well and it will be nice to have a show to watch that we’re both into.
Currently Anticipating: Our baby’s arrival. With less than two months to go, it feels like we’re officially in the home stretch!
Currently Wishing For: A LOT of things related to getting back some semblance of normalcy during this pandemic but, on a much smaller level, I’d also like a haircut and a pedicure. Little things! And, if I’m being completely honest, I’ve also found myself increasingly interested in Botox. Is it just me or has Botox become way more popular these days? I love that people are so open about it (I thought it was just a movie star thing for years!) and I am envious of the natural-looking results so many women seem to achieve. (I’m not into frozen faces over here but I’d looove to see some wrinkles disappear.) Clearly it’s not something I’ll explore until I’m no longer pregnant and nursing (so at least for another 1.5 years assuming I nurse our little one for more than a year like I did with Ryder and Chase), but it’s on my radar. I definitely have research I want to do before taking the plunge, too. In the interim, do you guys have any pregnancy and nursing-safe recommendations for getting rid of wrinkles? And while we’re at it, age spots? I need help!
Currently Indulging In: Homemade ice cream. The ice cream maker Ryan gave me for my birthday is getting more use than I ever could’ve imagined. Love that thing! The below bowl of ice cream was out of this world and was a cinnamon ice cream base packed with lots of crushed Biscoff cookies. YUM.
Currently Feeling Blessed By: Time with family at my parents’ place at the beach earlier this month. I know we were incredibly lucky to be able to spend time with loved ones and I didn’t take one second of our time together for granted.
Currently Pondering: How and when to move Chase and Ryder into the same bedroom. Our grand plan is to eventually have the baby in Ryder’s room when he or she is no longer sleeping in a bassinet next to our bed but since that won’t be for 6(ish) months after our little one’s arrival, I haven’t felt any pressure to move forward with transitioning Ryder into Chase’s room. Well, a few days ago, I started to think about how much we used the boys’ bedrooms even before they were actually sleeping in there. Their gliders were key for rocking them to sleep/a comfy nursing spot, the changing table was clutch and I used their bedroom dresser for clothing, swaddle blankets and other baby gear. What to do… What to do!? And when to do it!?
(Note: I know cribs for babies should have nothing in them. The above photo was shared before Ryder was sleeping in his crib and we absolutely removed the blanket and stuffed animals from his crib before he slept in there!)
Currently Looking Forward To: Celebrating Chase’s birthday! He’ll be five years old on the 29th and while we don’t have a birthday party planned this year due to the pandemic, we’ll find a way to make it special. He’s already requested a vanilla cake with vanilla icing and lots of sprinkles so couple that with some decorations and a few fun surprises and I think he’ll be a happy birthday boy!
Questions of the Day
Choose a few “Currently” categories and play along! Need a starting point? Here are a few…
- Currently In the Market For…
- Currently Anticipating…
- Currently Craving…
- Currently Indulging In…
- Currently Feeling Blessed By…
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Test drive! You never know what you will really like until you do. But make sure to include the random Buick Enclave in the mix! My family has one and the thing is so spacious and practical and luxurious and highly under the radar. Check it out!
Girl, you want Botox, do it. I want it too but am also trying to figure out how to just age gracefully and love myself at every turn. If I’m healthy, that’s what matters. But damn if I don’t look at my face these days and just see wrinkles…
We just got the Buick Enclave and love it! It wasn’t on our radar at all but was brought to our attention when car shopping and fell instantly in love. It’s got the looks/amenities of a luxury vehicle with three rows of seats. We go on a lot of road trips with our two babes and dog (and all their stuff) and there is still plenty of room!
Cannot rave about the Enclave ENOUGH! My husband and I are tall and this was a game changer for us when looking for a 3rd row SVU/Crossover. When a passenger it’s so comfy too!
I would 100% recommend checking out the Volkswagen Tiguan or the Atlas if you are really looking for space. I have a tiguan and love it, but I also drove an Atlas for several weeks while waiting for my Tiguan and it was amazingly spacious but still great to drive.
Second the Atlas. We got it before our second was born and the third row has nice room while still having trunk space. It actually has better trunk space than my MIL’s Tahoe. Only thing I don’t love about it is blind spot monitoring only beeps if you have the highest trim level car. I also have heard great things about the Kia Telluride.
SUV-wise: We just bought the Atlas (Cross sport but we don’t need the 3rd row) and LOVE it, I recommend the Atlas highly.
Pregnancy safe skincare, I just started using The Ordinary Vitamin C +HA (totally safe) plus Olay Regenerist (again super safe) and I have seen a massive difference in a week. I highly recommend the 2 and will be get on the botox wagon after baby too (I want it too!!)
Currently In the Market For…. ALL the baby things, I still don’t know what we do and don’t need
Currently Anticipating…. BABY BOY (1st baby)’s arrival; I’m due in 2 weeks and 3 days! What?!?
Currently Craving… Carbs, fruit, water
Currently Indulging In…
Currently Feeling Blessed By… A Charlotte friend’s wedding being virtual. We wouldn’t have been able to attend, given we’re so close to the due date, so it was SO special to be part of some very close friends’ big day.
I also highly recommend the Atlas! We have a 4 year old, 2 year old and an infant, and the set up works perfectly. The biggest selling point was that the whole seat tilts forward for easy access to the 3rd row. With just one kid in the third row, we can fold the other half of the third row down to fit the dogs, strollers etc
Hi! As a momma who just had a baby and waited to make the room up, do it early! I never remembered all the use we had for the baby room before we actually had them sleep in it and I was so grateful to have the room FINALLY setup when we did! Also thinking it might be better to transition your two boys now so it’s easier when the baby comes? Just my thoughts 🙂
Mamma of 3 here, and girl you need a minivan!! We have a Toyota Sienna and it is amazing. The sliding doors are key for when you are carrying an infant car seat, and holding your toddler’s hand (or anything else that makes your arms full!) A press of a button and they slide right open! Prior to our 3rd kid, I had a Toyota 4Runner, and it was hard to give up my suv for a van, but so worth it in the end. We test drove a lot of large SUVs (sequoia, yukon), but the minivan is where it’s at for space. We have a golden retriever and we go camping quite often (hello, so much stuff!!) , and we can pack way more in the minivan than a large SUV. Unless you get an extended version of an SUV, a minivan has more space hands down. Good luck!!!
Ryan used to drive a 4Runner and we STILL talk about how much we loved that SUV! And thanks for the recommendation — the Sienna is one I test drove pre-quarantine and I really liked it!
I second the minivan! Embrace it! We love our Sienna as well. It was important we had AWD, so we only looked at the Sienna. The sliding doors are amazing since I have a 5, 2.5, and newborn (all boys) 🙂
Yes on the Sienna! And AWD was important to us as well. We have three boys under the age of 6 and I NEVER pictured myself as a minivan mom but here I am. I love the convenience of it. It is so roomy but it feels like you are driving a luxury car…so easy!
Mom of 3 here! We went from a Jeep Grand Cherokee to a Chevy Traverse about a year after our youngest was born (we have the Diono Radian RXT seats that fit 3 across). It’s the best option as far as seating and cargo space without going full Suburban.
Second the Traverse! I test drove during winter pregnancy with my 2nd child- needed room for our 100 lb lab and family and stuff to pack. We loved our Acadia and would have gotten another but the new style was smaller. I showed up at the dealership and we bought a Chevy Traverse that day. I honestly didn’t test drive it til 5 minutes before signing papers (my husband was late and he checked it out the day before). Love the split bench in the back and the leg room but it’s not as huge and pricey as a Tahoe or Suburban. We have a 12 yo who sits in the back, a 9 yo and 3 yo in middle, and room to bring Nana and Papa along if we need to! Plus great gas mileage and it’s AWD- a MUST for Midwest winters!
We also used a fantastic minivan when in Florida. It did not look or feel like a minivan. But no AWD- 😕 so I wasn’t getting it for our country roads. But you might love it Julie!
I have driven a Suburban since my kids were born and they are now 17 and 20. It’s still going strong and I wouldn’t have traded the space (hello ball tournaments) and safety features for anything smaller. The captains chairs in the middle row kept them from being so close together and I liked not having to worry about getting rear ended and having a child that close to the back as you will find in minivans and smaller SUVs. I’m thinking about my next vehicle as they are now older and I think the safety features of the Volvo XC90 are very convincing.
No kiddos here, but I’ve been getting Botox for a little over a year now and I totally recommend it! After you do it once you realize how NOT a big deal it is…I think a lot of the stigma has dissipated, but even if it was still there, who cares??
I get it preventatively so that the few wrinkles I was starting to form (I’m 33) didn’t “etch in.” I also experienced the unintended side effect of reduced tension/stress headaches!
Friends never noticed (go to someone who knows what they are doing) but did comment on how good my skin looked or that my eyes looked brighter.
It’s a small, relatively low cost way to look and feel refreshed and give yourself a little boost. Go for it!
When we found out we were expecting our third, my husband immediately started researching vans. He’s big into saving the environment so he found a plug-in hybrid minivan, the Chrysler Pacifica. He then searched the country for a used one but we couldn’t find one anywhere with everything we wanted and finally gave into buying a new one. He ordered it the first week of March…and then the world shut down including Chrysler factories. A couple months later (after I had the baby) we were told the van would be arriving in a couple days. We got a phone call from the dealership and expected to be able to pick it up but were instead told there had been a recall because the battery can basically spontaneously combust! So basically a year of researching, searching, and waiting with still no car big enough to fit all of us! Apparently there’s a fix coming in October and it’s not like we’ve been going anywhere but it’ll be nice to have the option. Anyway that van is great, and if you’re not into saving the world there’s a nonhybrid version that hasn’t been recalled haha.
Check out the Ford Expedition max! I looked and test drove basically every 3 row SUV and this one was the clear winner to actually have trunk space when the third row is in use. Suburban was second pick. Chevy just redid them for 2021 so that’s also worth a look!
I have a 2016 Honda Pilot and looooovvveeee it!!! It actually has room for 8. I know mini vans are so great for space but they just are not my thing. Also, Botox is pretty amazing. I have only done it once but talk about money well spent. I am getting ready to go for round #2. It has lasted about 6 months. I say go for it when you are done nursing baby #3. I’ve followed you since the beginning and now you have 3 kids (almost!), whoa! Congrats Julie!
I dreaded being a minivan mom, but I absolutely love mine now that I have it. I have 2 boys, 4 and 2, and I love the convenience and space and options with a minivan. No regrets with the Honda Odyssey- we have a 2019 model because I really liked the middle row track system that allows the seats to slide Side to side, so we took the middle seat out, and I can slide the captain seats into the middle position to make space for potty breaks (I keep a travel potty in the van and it works awesome) , taking off messy shoes/clothes (which is a seemingly everyday occurrence with 2 boys), and when people need to gain access to the 3rd row (car seats, especially rear facing ones, makes access to the 3rd row really tricky with the conventional minivan setup).
Second the Hindi mini!! Just had #3… my other two are 4 and 2 and it’s glorious🙌🏼
Currently in the Market for… a new bed for my husband and my room! We’ve been looking at Purple and Nectar and need to make a decision!
Currently Craving… Some fellow mama socialization! I have felt so isolated lately with not working in the office right now. It’s been myself and my husband working from home, along with a newly 2 year old and my 5 year old since March! I am so thankful for this time with them but man I could use a drink with a fellow mama (or two) only time!
Currently Indulging In… chocolate all the time! My sweet tooth has gotten bad!
Currently Feeling Blessed By… All the extra time with my family!
What a time this year has been! I flex between feeling so blessed to have extra time with my husband and kids and have us all be healthy but at the same time this season has been so HARD! Full time working mom and full time mom simultaneously has honestly been the hardest time of my life.
One good thing out of all of this is that as soon as my littlest turned 2 in May she decided she needed to potty like her big sister so she’s literally potty training herself! It’s been so crazy- the girls are using Alexa to set timers and big sister is being her biggest cheerleader!
Good luck in your last weeks of pregnancy!
We have a Ford Expedition Max (there is a shorter version too) and absolutely love it. It is a joy to drive and so comfortable. It looks big but because of the eco boost engine it is not a gas guzzler. We put all the seats in the back down and have car picnics all the time. Perfect for rainy days when you want to still do something as a family outside. Just lift the back window or the trunk door and voila! So much space! We are a family of three and even camped in it and had enough room to sleep comfortably. Bring on the car movie nights by the beach 🙂 A wonderful family vehicle. Seats 8 adults comfortably so you will have room for a guest or two too.
I love your boys’ hats! Where are they from?
Bitty Brah! She has a promo code if you search the site. I have these for my little one and they are great!
If you want Botox i say do it! I started getting a minimal amount when I turned 30 and I love the way it looks. I was pleasantly surprised by how inexpensive it is compared to shelling out $$$$ for anti-aging products!
We have a Ford Explorer with 3 rows and love it! Our 2nd row is bucket seats/captains chairs because we wanted our dog to be able to get to the 3rd row with two carseats in. And with the 3rd row, you have the option to stow one or both seats. But even without stowing the 3rd row seats, there is still more room in the trunk than the other 3 row SUVs we looked at (highlander, pilot, Acadia and traverse). We just got back from a long weekend at the beach and fit my husband and me, a 4 month old, 4 year old and all our stuff (including a jogging stroller and beach tent) in the car with one 3rd row seat stowed. I also ended up riding home in the 3rd row while our dog rode shotgun since the 4 month old hates her carseat with a burning passion and was totally comfortable!
That ice cream looks exactly like the Biscoff one for which I (cringingly) pay $6.50 a pint! Is the cinnamon base somewhere on the site? I tried to search for it but didn’t have any luck. Thank you!
Not Julie but I’ve made this base so many times I have the recipe bookmarked lol it’s in this post:
https://www.pbfingers.com/things-im-loving-friday-323/
I do not have children, but in December wanted to upgrade my Honda Accord to an all wheel drive vehicle (ohio winters). Just like you, I keep my vehicles for a long time. I’m 38 and have only had 2 cars since college, both Accords. I went with the 2020 Honda Pilot and I LOVE it. I definitely suggest checking that out for something with third row seating.
We were in pretty much the same boat as you- expecting baby #3 in September and realizing our current vehicle wouldn’t cut it for space. We had the Toyota Highlander which I absolutely loved, but like you said, the smaller 3rd row wasn’t realistic for trips or bringing our dog with. We were between an SUV and minivan and went the minivan route. We got the Chrysler Pacifica just this last Friday (like three days ago haha) and so far we are in love! TONS of space between seats and rows, automatic buttons for all the doors, stow and go seating.. We also heard good things about the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna but happened to find the best deal with the Pacifica. Plus I feel like they all look less “minivan-ish” than the older models- it honestly doesn’t look much different than my Highlander. Good luck!!
Hi! Mama of 3, and if you’re moving the boys together I’d say do it asap! First of all, you’re not going to want to prep it all while also not sleeping. Hormones, and nursing on demand. Also, I had a few people tell me to transition them.early so its not tied to the new baby. (I moved my girls together about 6 weeks before my son was born. It was fun to decorate their space, and just make it abiut them, instead of saying your baby brother needs this room).
As for s car, we drive a Honda Pilot. There’s a third row, but then there’s no storage, so we just pull all 3 in the second row. No issues ! We love our Pilot!
Lastly, I’m currently HOPING…that our state RI switches to distance learning for sept. Theyre changing regs to make it easier ( no 6 fees, no mask required, no smaller class size, and just ta due to budget), and im so scared for myself and my family!
I’ve never driven on, but the Chevy Traverse is a comfy ride in the back row. I’m assuming Chase can buckle himself in? The Buick Enclave is the same car, just with more premium features. We’ve had both Chevy and Buick and have had good luck with both!
Subaru Ascent! I did not like how big the atlas felt and the Toyota hylander felt funny to steer. Also, your next show should be schitts creek. It’s so light hearted and funny. They are short too, so you can still get your reading in after. 🙂
Honda Odyssey. You can slide the seats around in the second row and the sliding doors are so great. We were not enthusiastic about looking at a mini van but figured it was worth looking at and as soon as we did, there was no question what we were getting. It’s so great.
We love our Ford Expedition!! We have room for our family of 5, plus grandparents/friends and still room to spare.
Sliding doors on a minivan are a game changer! I love my Sienna.
If you get something with a 3rd row, make sure the 2nd row has bucket seats…especially since your kids will still be in carseats/booster seats for a while. We have a smaller SUV with a 3rd row and I hate it! My 2 younger kids are still in carseats so they are in the middle row so I can buckle them in. My oldest either has to squish between 2 car seats in the middle row or she has to crawl in the hatchback or jump over the middle row to get to her seat in the back (not able to fold down a seat when there is a carseat there;-)). If we are going on a trip, she has no choice she has to squish between the 2 car seats because we need the 3rd row down for packing all of our bags.
I wish we would have considered a minivan or a Suburban.
No kid but I’ve heard of friends with three kids who love the Volvo SUV. And YES to Botox! I’ve been doing it for a year and love it.
HIGHLY recommend the Last Dance documentary! It was so well made and fun to watch and also I’d say it was very motivational. Michael’s attitude to never give up and win at all costs is something that seems almost super human. Definitely inspired me to be even more driven in my own passions.
We have the Buick Enclave Avenir package and LOVE it. The split third row gives tons of flexibility when packing up loads of stuff and the camera in the rear view mirror means you can pack to the ceiling and still see safely.
I’m the same with Botox and hate the frozen look but still want to help myself out a bit along the ageing process! I went and got some done 2 years ago and then fell pregnant and now have had 2 doses since having my baby. I just tell them I don’t want to look frozen and then they do their thing! I love how people are being open about it and its about helping us age better, I’m all for it! And agree with the person above that it probably works out price wise doing this a couple times a year than spending lots of money on anti-ageing/anti-wrinkle creams that may not work! Also thank you for recommending the Jessica Simpson biography, I just devoured it and absolutely loved reading her story!
Minivan mom of 3 kids under 5 and a dog here! Trust me, you want a minivan with 3 kids and here’s why: 1). Your kids will LOVE opening the sliding doors and getting into their carseats by themselves which is something you don’t want to think about when you have 3 busy kids! 2) those sliding doors will not damage the car next to you when your kids open their doors by themselves bc again, you have 3 kids and if you can avoid extra stress in your life you should! 3) there is so much space even with all the seats in use! You can take your kid’s friends places too! Remember those 3 kids? They come with a lot of stuff and you can hold it all and the kitchen sink! You have plenty to worry and think about with young kids, you can always get a big SUV when they get older. I have a Pacifica and I absolutely love it, but we’ve already had to replace the transmission at 40k miles. The Odyssey is on our list when we soon replace it, but the Kia Sedona also is up there! Test drive ALL the vans! See how your kids like it and see how easy it is to attach carseats and buckle in your kids. Never met a mom who regretted getting a minivan!!
Chrysler Pacifica for the win in our household! We’ve had ours for a little over a year and have nothing but praises to sing. We LOVE it.
I have to say, mom of 3 under 5 and minivan all the way!!! (We have the Toyota one- I’m not a car person, I don’t know what it’s called). Those sliding automatic doors have changed my life and I could never go back!
We also moved my middle son into his brothers room around a month or two before the baby got here. We wanted them to be used to the idea before their sister came and didn’t want it to seem like we were taking his room away to give to her. I’m not sure if that mattered, but it all worked out!
On the botox, I was apprehensive about starting it too, but I works so, so well and if you find someone good, it will be natural-looking. Also really not as expensive as you would think. I honestly don’t think there are a lot of products you can use out there that are going to make a ton of difference in the 1.5 years you’re waiting out to do the botox. I know retinol, but I don’t think that’s nursing safe? I would just moisturize and use sunscreen, take care of your new baby, and save your money for the botox when the time comes! 🙂
I LOVE my Honda Pilot. It does have a 3rd row and ample space to add all of the things that moms need. I bought it when I started having grand babies in 2013. It has 130,000 miles on it now and I have no desire to trade it in. That being said, I think it would be difficult to get littles buckled into their seats if they need help. For that reason I would suggest checking out the Honda Odyssey. Get it fully loaded (if its in the budged). As others of said, test drive them all. I would even suggest seeing how easy it would be to get the littles in and out when you test drive.
My first born is a 75 lb golden retriever and when the 2 human children came along, we also needed more space to travel. We bought a Toyota Sienna 4 years ago and love it. The kids can get in and out by themselves, we have plenty of space, and it is comfortable to take on long road trips. I had to swallow my pride when I became another member of the suburban mom minivan club but now I recommend them to everyone!
We love our Honda Odyssey. Great space and a comfortable ride. Plus it gets really good gas mileage. With 2 kids and 2 step kids we have to have a van!
Highly, highly recommend a minivan! Of course it’s not as nice to look at as an SUV, but it can’t be beat for space and the ease of getting in and out. We have a Toyota Sienna and love it. It’s old (2008) and still runs so, so well! We recently rented a Chrysler Pacifica though for a longer trip, and I would honestly go for that when we buy a new one someday. It drives so nicely, the seats are comfortable and easily moveable and their technology system is great. Lots of space and options. Plus as I’ve looked into it, I think you get more for your money with a slightly used Pacifica. Plus they’re only one with a Hybrid option. Finally, we took my Dad’s Nissan Pathfinder on a short trip a year ago with our kids. We only have two kids, and while it drove really nice, it felt so crammed even for a 3-row SUV. Plus getting in and out is not as smooth for the kids. My husband always says, “The worst part about a minivan is walking up to it” Lol. Otherwise, it’s amazing! Wouldn’t go back!!!
Hey there 👋 The GMC Acadia is a great car. It’s easy for adults to navigate to the thud row and sit or buckle in a little one.
You should talk to Jen (Pb runnerr) about Botox. I think does Dysport which is basically the same thing and usually a bit less $$$. She is very open about injections and has written posts about them. I would link one if I knew how 😂 Her results are fantastic!
• Currently In the Market For… new curtains
* Currently Anticipating… The Bachelor(Ette)
* Currently Craving…fresh cherries
* Currently Indulging In…non dairy Ben and Jerry’s- you’d never know it’s not “real” Ice cream
* Currently Feeling Blessed By… the extra time this quarantine has given my family
Have a nice day!
So when I found out I was having twins after already having 2 older girls, my husband semi forced the toyota sienna mini van upon me. I swore I would never drive a mini van! However, he was right. (Don’t tell him, because I won’t admit it!) The van is where it’s at! They drive SO well. We take our four kids plus our goldendoodle all over the place with plenty of space in the trunk for all the things! The side doors open with the push of a button, so no worries about little ones banging heavy doors into other cars, etc. And load that thing up with the DVD player and all the extras! We needed 4 wheel drive because we live in CO, but if you don’t need that I believe you get extra storage space under the seats. We also have a GMC Acadia, which I love, but the van is the ultimate family vehicle.
My dream family car is the VW Atlas. Our reality will probably be the Chevy Traverse. We currently have the Chevy Equinox, which has been okay for short trips, but we can’t fit another adult in if we want to drive a grandparent or even a cousin with us.
In the market for: a new to us vehicle. fence installation. concrete fixers (pretty sure that’s not a technical term, ha)
Feeling blessed: supportive family and supportive work environment.
We’re going with a van next, prob a Honda Odyssey. My parents have driven the Odyssey for years and my dad keeps buying them even though all of the kids are out of the house. He likes the flexibility of the seats/storage plus it drives well. We will probably be going with the Odyssey next since we want the trunk space. Alot of SUV’s with a third back row either give you a 3rd row OR a trunk which I just can’t get behind. Plus I’ve found that vans get a bit better gas mileage and easier to get in and out of with the sliding doors, etc. We need space for the strollers and the dog so a van it is. Def not as sexy as some of the bigger SUVs but for trunk space, I’ll give it up. haha! Also, one of my friends drove a Tahoe for awhile and the back seat was SO uncomfortable so I wouldn’t recommend that.
Hopefully you’ll find something that ya’ll love and will work for family! Good luck!
Currently In the Market For… We are currently looking for a bigger vehicle as well. We are not expecting a third but are running into running out of room in our current vehicle. Could you share everyone’s suggestions in a blog or FB/Insta post?
Currently Anticipating… We are not really anticipating anything BIG. My youngest turns 6 months next month and anticipating all the changes that come with that:)
Currently Craving…I am nursing so i am craving any and all food.
Currently Indulging In… Cocomels. Dairy Free caramels. DELICIOUS
Currently Feeling Blessed By… Nice mornings. Before it gets too warm we have been enjoying as much outside time as we can get.
Volkswagen Atlas!
We got a Kia Telluride before our second was born so we would have a 3rd row when the kids get bigger and bring friends when we go places (can’t wait for this pandemic to be over!). My husband did a TON of research before selecting the Telluride and we LOVE it!!! Feels like a luxury vehicle for a portion of the price. Can’t say enough good things about it!
For skincare check out Jordan Harper on IG. I believe she has a highlight on pregnancy/nursing skincare. I’m nervous about using Botox so I’m starting with medical grade skincare first. Last year I added glycolic peel pads and a vitamin C serum to my regimen and have seen great results.
Make sure to always wear sunblock (daily) and a hat on lake/pool days.
Honda Odyssey, best minivan ever! I owned several while raising my kids. They have TONS of cargo space, all the best features, and drive like a car! I resisted getting a minivan, but loved it in the end. So easy for the kids to get in and out on their own, much easier than an SUV.
First, you will LOVE The Last Dance. Regarding anti-aging, I was seeing more wrinkles after the birth of my son and decided to try Beauty Counter’s products because I knew they would be safe. I think my skin has totally changed from them. Currently pregnant with #2 and not at all opposed to botox, but if you want to feel a little better about your skin in the meantime I highly recommend their Overnight Resurfacing Peel, the Countertime cream and the Vitamin C serum. I use the first 2 at night and the other one in the morning, along with an Olay SPF moisturizer and feel great about my skin without makeup now. I am NOT in sales for them (I buy from a friend), but I’m a big fan!
With the room sharing, I say go for it sooner rather than later! My daughters are 2.5 years apart and have been sharing a room since the younger one was about 8 months old. They’re currently 4.5 and 2 (expecting our 3rd) and there are really no issues! They are both very used to it and it’s so cute to hear them chatting more at night as they fall asleep. I think kids adapt quickly and once they do get used to it, you’ll probably never look back! Good luck 💛
I just couldn’t get on the minivan train so we have a Cadillac Escalade. Middle row is captains chairs which allows an easy pass through to the third row. Such a comfortable ride. My favorite vehicle yet.
Previously had a GMC Acadia which I loved but they’ve become smaller over the years and would be tight for 3 kids and a dog. Also had an Infiniti QX60 but also smaller and doesn’t have all the bells and whistles you’d expect for an Infiniti.