Welcome to this week’s ✨ Group Chat 💬 , where we spill what’s happening behind the scenes. From everyday chaos to the things we can’t stop talking about, consider this your front-row seat to the sister thread. Here’s what was on our minds (and in our texts) this past week…
Gratitude rituals. Something Alaina has been trying lately: grateful showers. When she steps into her daily shower, she sets the intention that the water is bathing her in gratitude. She visualizes it covering her from head to toe, soaking into her skin, while simultaneously washing away negativity, stress, limiting beliefs, and energy that isn’t hers. She swears you walk out of the shower feeling like a NEW HUMAN. The energy shift is real. Cannot recommend this practice enough!!!!
Big girl bedtimes. Floor bed transitions are underway! Both Carly and Alaina are in the process of moving their baby girls into their own floor beds as they transition out of co-sleeping, and we absolutely love Avocado Green beddng and mattresses for this purpose. They’re made with certified organic cotton, wool, and latex, and are free from polyurethane foams, flame retardants, and harmful chemicals. They’re also the MOST affordable nontoxic kids mattresses in the U.S., so do not sleep on them (pun fully intended, lol). We also grabbed the organic toddler pillows and mattress protectors, and the best news? Everything is on sale right now through 3/2!
Full feedings. Carly’s baby Carson (11 months) slept through the entire night for the first time EVERRRRRR this week!!!!! Carly is literally screaming!! If you’ve been following along, you know she has been waking up 4 - 5 times a night, consistently. Carly was breastfeeding (and she was a total snacker - quick feeds in and out), so she never truly knew how much Carson was getting. Carly’s theory was that she genuinely wasn’t getting enough calories during the day, so she was waking up at night needing more. Some night wakings are normal, but this was excessive, and it was taking a huge toll on both Carly’s and her husband’s health.
With her knee surgery coming up in March, Carly’s goal was to wean before then. She knew she couldn’t manage surgery recovery and broken sleep.
So Carly hired Ann from Full Feedings to help navigate all of these transitions at once: weaning from breastfeeding, moving Carson to bottle feeds, switching to formula (since she’s not pumping), and getting her on a real routine. And when we say routine, we mean very specific wake windows, structured nap schedules, and consistent bedtime rhythms. It was basically boot camp.
To be honest, Carly was hesitant to work with a sleep coach for a long time because she personally doesn’t align with typical “sleep training” methods. But Ann’s entire philosophy is different. Her belief is simple: fully fed babies during the day sleep at night when their needs are met. That made so much sense. It wasn’t about ignoring cries or forcing independence. It was about making sure Carson was actually getting what she needed during the day so her body could truly rest at night. Carson had never really had structure before, but it turns out she needed that routine just as much as Carly did.
Ann is like a sleep architect. Every single day, they reviewed the data, adjusted things, and troubleshot together. There were hard nights. Really hard nights. But then suddenly, it happened….. 6:30 pm to 7:00 am. Completely uninterrupted!!!!! Carly honestly never thought that was possible for them. And then it was. If you’re interested, click here for Ann’s infant and toddler programs and use code BALANCEDBEYARS to save! Carly truly cannot recommend this 1:1 coaching enough.
Postnatal nourishment. WeNatal’s ‘For Her’ has been with us through every season of motherhood. Julie is now 4 months postpartum, and Carly and Alaina are nearing the one-year mark, and we’re all still taking it. It has supported each phase seamlessly, from pregnancy through postpartum and breastfeeding. Even before pregnancy, our spouses used WeNatal ‘For Him’ to optimize sperm health and quality (because remember, it takes two!).
WeNatal delivers 24 essential nutrients in optimal, absorbable forms to support you from preconception through postpartum. Just three capsules a day (with no artificial fillers or additives!) provide a science-backed blend of antioxidants and key nutrients, and it’s all third-party tested. We’ve also incorporated their protein powder, which has been such an easy way to support prenatal and postnatal nourishment while getting in a solid punch of protein. When you grab a subscription with our link, you’ll get a FREE month of Rest + Digest Magnesium.
Weekly faves. As per usual, sharing a round-up link to our weekly faves.
See below for some of our must-haves:
Our favorite blankets are 45% off for 48 hours only (we have them all in our living rooms). Use code BALANCED45!
All three of us ordered these custom name signs for our little girl’s rooms. They’re beyond adorable.
Alaina just trialed a new tinted moisturizer. This one is phenom because it blends like a second skin. Code BALANCEDBEYARS for 20% off.
Sometimes it’s the smallest thing - a phrase, a laugh, a reminder - that shifts the whole week. Here’s to noticing those little sparks when they show up and letting them carry you into the rest of your week.
Wishing you rest, joy, or whatever you need most right now.
Talk soon 💌
Alaina, Carly and Julie
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