Lauren Vandiver

Nothing like a Texas sunset.🌅 Hey y’all!! We’ve taken a long break from social media over the last few weeks, but I wanted to pop in to say hi and give y’all a quick update.☺️ We’ve been spending the last month or so commuting back and forth between dada’s work in Archer City and our house in the Dallas area since Maxon became old enough for the mini road trips (it’s about a 2 hour drive from our house!)🚘 It feels like packing up the babies/myself and commuting back and forth has become a full-time job.🤪 In other news, Maxon has gotten SO BIG y’all (clearly, haha!!) and is just the sweetest, most talkative and ticklish/giggly little guy, and Evie is still the best big sis ever!! Promise we won’t be so MIA from now on!☺️ Hope the New Year is off to a wonderful start for y’all!!! #happy2021 #maxoncole #everlyaustin

I’m not sure which is more hectic, the gift wrapping madness in the days leading up to Christmas or the cleaning up and reorganizing that has to happen after.🤪🎁💤 Thank heavens for @walmart pickup & delivery - I used Walmart delivery to get all the necessities we needed for casseroles, last minute gift wrapping, stocking stuffers and more before Christmas and did a Walmart pickup order two days after to stock up on our everyday essentials!🙌🏼 The best part is you still get Walmart’s unbeatable prices when using their pickup and delivery!😍 I’m doing a basket comparison over on stories so you can see how much we save on Walmart delivery & pickup vs another popular retailer - check it out!!🛒✨ @liketoknow.it http://liketk.it/34VlJ #liketkit #LTKfamily #LTKbaby #walmart

Merry Christmas, baby.🎄❤️ Hope you all had the merriest Christmas!! We decided to switch things up this year and have Santa come to our house tonight, since we were traveling back from the ranch on Christmas Eve.🎅🏼 So, Mrs. Claus and Santa are up late tonight filling the stockings, wrapping last minute gifts and eating the yummy cookies left behind.🍪 I’m not sure who’s more excited to wake up in the morning...Evie or me and Cole!!☺️ Sweet dreams, y’all!! 💤 #merrychristmas #maxoncole #santaclausiscomingtotown

Who else is still shopping for a few last minute stocking stuffers?! 🙋🏼‍♀ Growing up, Santa always remembered to put everyday essentials in our stockings like shampoo, chapstick, etc. 🎅🏼 This year, Mrs. Claus is carrying on the tradition and adding some @drteals Essential Oils coconut shampoo and conditioner to everyone’s stocking (minus our little baldie babe, Maxon, of course!) @drteals Epsom Salt Soaks are easy and essential stocking stuffers too! You can find @drteals Essential Oils shampoo and conditioner at select Walmart or at Walmart.com!✨ #drteals

Welcome to Maxon’s man cub cave.🐻👶🏼🌴 In case you missed it, I’m sharing our baby boy’s tropical, Jungle Book-inspired nursery over on the blog (link in bio✨). My idea for a Jungle Book-inspired nursery actually began before Cole and I were even engaged (I even bought a few nursery items for it back then!!🤷🏼‍♀️😆) Click on the link in my bio to read all about it + get the details on how Maxon’s nursery came to life! #maxoncole • • • Wallpaper: @miltonandking Wood Name Sign: @thepolymathmom Decor & Furniture: @grandinroad Framed Prints: @minted #nursery #nurserydecor #boynursery #junglenursery 📸 by @angiegarciaphoto

How I exclusively pump up to 80 ounces of breast milk a day?! 🍼✨ Answering my number one FAQ since Maxon was born! You can find lots of these exclusive pumping essentials I recommend from @bamboobies 💕 #bamboobiespartner #exclusivepumping #breastfeeding #bamboobiesdec 🥛EXCLUSIVE PUMPING ESSENTIALS🥛: •lots of comfy nursing and pumping bras like this one I’m wearing by Bamboobies. •a standard hospital grade pump. •a wearable pump for when you’re on the go. •comfy, washable nursing pads like the ones sold at Bamboobies. •3 ounce syringes for storing the collustrum you pump before baby is born and in the beginning. •implement daily supplements of fenugreek and sunflower lecithin to keep your supply up. •Bamboobies pumping lubricant and nipple cream. •lots of milk storage bags. 🍼EXCLUSIVE PUMPING TIPS🍼: •start pumping once a day a week BEFORE your due date (with the approval of your OBGYN). •try to start exclusive pumping within the first month (the earlier you begin, the greater your supply will likely be). •pump as often as baby takes a bottle, a minimum of 8 times a day in the first month. •don’t skip your night pumps for the first 1-2 months. •set alarms on your phone daily to remind you to pump. •store your pump parts in a ziplock bag in the fridge to save time washing them. •set up a pumping station with all your necessities somewhere in your home. •have a pre-stocked pumping bag with all your essentials that you can grab on-the-go.

My two favorite Christmas gifts.☺️❤️🎁This month has been a whirlwind, but I’m sure thankful for my little crew.🎄 How are we nearly halfway through December, y’all?! Here’s a peek at our front porch Christmas decorations!!❤️ Swipe right to see our favorite new addition - the cutest little reindeer planter form @grandinroad 🦌✨ #everlyaustin #maxoncole #christmasphotos #christmasdecor #grandinroad • • • Evie’s dress by @pippaandjulie My skirt by @uniquevintage Christmas decor by @grandinroad 📸 by @angiegarciaphoto

Maxon’s tropical jungle nursery reveal is finally live on the blog!!🐘🌴 Click on the link in my bio to see all the details and my inspiration behind his Jungle Book-inspired room!☺️ I also included details from Maxon’s jungle themed Christmas tree, featuring the cutest animal ornaments by @oldworldchristmas 🐅🎄 📸 by @angiegarciaphoto ✨ #maxoncole #babyboy #boynursery #junglenursery #nurserydesign • • • 🎄tree from @grandinroad 🐘ornaments from @oldworldchristmas 🐯onesie from @projectnursery ❄️hat from @tinytruckerco 🌴wallpaper by @miltonandking 💛Maxon name sign by @thepolymathmom

My little mini and me have been spending less time in front of screens and more time outdoors lately.☺️ It’s been wonderful, but now this mama is a little more behind on her Christmas list than she’d like to be.📝😬 Are you a last minute Christmas shopper or do you pretty much cross everyone off the list after Cyber Week sales?! #mommyandme #everlyaustin • • • PS - how cute are these “mama” and “mini” trucker hats by @tinytruckerco ?! Also, these denim jackets are favorites from @caramiakids ✨

QUESTION - what’s your favorite holiday tradition?!🎄🎅🏼 I’ve listed some of our holiday traditions of past, present and ones we’d like to try in the future below in case you’re looking for some inspiration.⬇️✨ Side note - I’m sorry I’ve been so MIA the last week...life has been full of unexpected turns lately, but I’ve learned to trust His plan and focus on our family first, so I took a much-needed break from social media.❤️ 🌟HOLIDAY TRADITION IDEAS🌟 -bake cookies for Santa -have an Elf on the Shelf ensure your little ones stay off the naughty list -adopt an Angel from the Salvation Army Angel Tree -write letters to Santa -dress in matching holiday pajamas -read a holiday classic like ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas -visit Santa for photos -count the days ‘til Christmas with a fun advent calendar -attend Christmas Eve candlelight church service -put “reindeer food” out on Christmas Eve -put together a scavenger hunt on Christmas morning for a special gift from Santa -play the ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas pass around game -gif an annual holiday ornament -drive around to look at Christmas lights -watch the same Christmas movie together every year #christmastraditions #holidaytraditions #everlyaustin #mommyandme #vfathome 📸 by @angiegarciaphoto

My heart (& belly) has never been more full.🦃🧡 We started our Thanksgiving off with some family photos, followed by a feast of every delicious casserole (and turkey, of course!) Then, we ended with games, family Christmas pajamas and alll the pie.🥧☺️ Today, we decided to skip the madness of Black Friday shopping and spend more family time together at the ranch with dada and his cows.🐮 SO very thankful for our little family of four and the overwhelming love we get to share with our entire extended family, whether or not we got to see them all yesterday!! Hope you all had the happiest Turkey Day!! 🦃🧡 #happythanksgiving #thankful #everlyaustin #maxoncole #thanksgiving2020

Smiling’s our favorite.😁🎅🏼 What better way to spread Christmas cheer than with a personalized gift from @vistaprint that captures those smiles?!🎁 My little elf buddy 😉 and I made calendars, photo books and canvas prints for our loved ones to unwrap this Christmas and we can’t wait to see the joy and smiles they’ll bring!!🎄You can get 25% off your order of wall calendars, mugs and holiday cards from Vistaprint with code “SHAREJOY2020” ✨ #madewithvistaprint #evereverlyafter #elf #christmascards #christmascards2020 #vfathome #everlyaustin

Very important question: what’s your favorite Christmas movie? 🎥🎄 Everly has been OBSESSED with The Grinch lately (the 2018 animated version).🎅🏼💚 As in, we’ve watched it 39 times, it’s the only soundtrack we play in the car, and Evie is starting to quote the movie now, haha.🤪Which is especially crazy because as a kid, my favorite was the live action Grinch movie (& still is!) and I used to quote it constantly. “Hate, hate, hate. Double hate. LOATH ENTIRELY.” (...anyone??)😂😂 Is there anything better than reliving the magic of Christmas through your little ones?! I think not!! 😍 And speaking of magic, we had SO much fun earlier this week safely meeting Santa at @galleriadallas and experiencing @snowdaydallas (that’s where this pic was taken)🎄❤️📸 It’s a must-do experience for anyone who loves all things Christmas in the DFW area!!🎅🏼 I shared lots of photos and videos on my stories - you can see them on my “SnowDay” highlights.✨ Hope y’all are having a wonderful weekend!! ☺️ #snowdaydallas #galleriaholiday #everlyaustin #maxonce