Hiring a Newborn Photographer: What to Look For

By Christie Collbran | April 2, 2023

We are happy to welcome to our friend, Tampa Newborn Photographer, Melanie Amparo, as our guest blogger this month sharing her tips on what to look for when hiring a newborn photographer: CONGRATS! Your life is about to get a whole lot sweeter (and challenging)! You’ve landed here because you’re looking at hiring a newborn…

Surviving the holidays with a newborn, newborn baby in a Santa hat

Surviving the Holidays with a Newborn

By Christie Collbran | December 6, 2022

The magic of the holiday season is magnified by the arrival of your baby. Of course, it is natural to want to create the perfect first Christmas for your growing family. Be that as it may, bringing a newborn home means your daily routines have undergone a major adjustment. Add in the bustle and flurry…

Holiday Family Events Tampa Bay

Holiday Family Events in Tampa Bay

By Christie Collbran | November 22, 2022

The holidays are in full swing! So, we’ve compiled a helpful list of some of the wonderful family friendly holiday events and happenings in and around Tampa Bay. To start, a great way to take in the sights and sound of the season are at some of Tampa’s local theme parks. Here’s the inside scoop…

introducing your pet to your baby

Introducing Your Pet to Your Baby

By Christie Collbran | November 7, 2022

Your pet is a cherished member of your family and should be included when big changes are happening. Here are some helpful tips to eliminate stress and concerns when you bring your newborn home.  Start preparations before your baby arrives. In all of the excitement of preparing for your new baby, you might not have…

Baby in a Pumpkin Patch, Family Fall events in Tampa Bay

Family Fall Events in Tampa Bay

By Christie Collbran | October 10, 2022

There is so much to love about fall! My son was born in September, and at around 6 weeks old we were finally ready to introduce him to the world. We visited a local pumpkin patch at a small church and created such wonderful memories. It has since become a tradition for us to attend…

returning to work after maternity leave

Returning to Work After Maternity Leave

By Christie Collbran | September 12, 2022

My sweet baby boy was only a few days old, and I was already dreading the thought of going back to work. I tried to make the most of every moment we had together. I probably changed his clothes 5 times a day. Not because he needed me to, but because I feared he would…

Taking Your Baby on Vacation

Taking a Vacation with Your Baby

By Christie Collbran | June 20, 2022

Now that summer is in full swing, and traveling is pretty much back to normal, taking a vacation seems more needed than ever! It’s important to keep in mind that for your baby, almost everything is new and stimulating. And if you think adjusting to a new space and unfamiliar things is a tough transition…

Taking Your Baby to the Beach

Taking Your Baby to the Beach

By Christie Collbran | June 7, 2022

If you are anything like me, you know there are really healing energies offered by the sand and salt water of our gorgeous beaches here in Tampa Bay. We live where many people vacation, and there is a certain type of serenity that comes from the gulf breezes and gentle lapping of the waters. With…

Breast-feeding and Birth Control

Breastfeeding and Birth Control

By Christie Collbran | January 21, 2022

We believe it’s just as important to understand your options and feel empowered in your decisions about birth control as it is for giving birth. In this post we share insight into breastfeeding as a form of birth control, called the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM).  Is breastfeeding my baby an effective form of birth control?…

best-strollers-2021

Our Top Five Strollers for 2021

By Christie Collbran | May 27, 2021

Picking out the perfect stroller can feel a little daunting with so many options available. You may be unsure of what features you’ll like or need until your baby arrives. Whether you are pregnant and creating your baby registry, working on establishing a nap schedule with your newborn, or juggling an infant and a toddler…

Building-Confidence-In-Ourselves-As-Mothers

Building Confidence in Ourselves as Mothers

By Christie Collbran | March 19, 2021

I was invited by Kylie Kelly of the “This Mama Means Business” podcast, to talk about building confidence in ourselves as mothers. It was a great experience, and I hope you’ll take a listen here. Building Confidence In Ourselves As Mothers Podcast The ideas I share below are based on my own experiences as mother…

let-children-think-for-themselves

Let Children Think For Themselves

By Christie Collbran | March 10, 2021

What Growing Up in a Cult Taught Me About Parenting “College is overrated. You don’t have to go” my dad said to me. “L. Ron Hubbard, (founder of Scientology) says that in ancient Rome, by the age of 15, men were married, starting families and already working a trade. This modern system with so many…