house of rivera

I'm Thomazine or you can just call me Tam. I created this blog to share my life with you, here I post updates of my kids, photos, product finds, reviews and I even host contests once in a while and giveaways too!

[mamabele]

HOUSE TOUR + AND SHOP NEWS

Recently we moved house and settled in this gorgeous four bedroom farmhouse style home. We had been searching around thrift stores and ordering online for all our furniture and finally it’s starting to look like our space and recently Mark finished painting the walls of the house and I don’t mean to toot my own horn but I think it looks gorgeous, we are still working on the living space so it’s going to get a little shift around soon. 

As you can tell, Yara still sleeps with us due to the fact she doesn’t actually have a room in the house but she will be sharing with Ezekiel once she gets a little older and once the kids rooms are all ready and properly decorated I’ll take some photos of them as well.

In other news, the store has been pretty quiet but I promise I am working hard on new things and trying to get them ready for release, currently I’m working on our SS20 collection for my brand so stay tuned for updates on that!

[mamabele]

House Tour?

Would you all like to see a house tour? We recently moved house and we are slowly renovating it to make it our own space! By “WE” I mean, Mark and I! 

[mamabele]

[OOC: Have you released codes for the Belewildbirdbaby wrap? or know of someone who has? Thank you

Hi! Currently, no codes have been released for the wrap, I’ll keep my eye out though!

[mamabele]

THE NATURE COLLECTIVE CHAT

This is a server for moms, dads, teen moms etc, it’s a place for everyone to enjoy and discuss the daily struggles and positive sides of parenthood.

JOIN US

[mamabele]

Come join us, we’re a fun bunch and we can benefit from more parents joining us! We hope to see you there.

[mamabele]

Get a sneak peek of the new collection, very late but here is a small teaser of what's to come soon.

[mamabele]

TWO-MONTHS-OLD

My little babe Yara is officially two months old and she’s growing up so quickly and she is so loved by her siblings, especially Ezekiel who couldn’t resist snuggling with his sister on the floor in the living room, Yara, however, wasn’t too bothered and wanted to pout instead, the cutest pout I’ve ever seen. Oh, I do adore my children so much, they are truly precious to me and have helped me grow stronger over a difficult couple of months. I have also met someone new in my life, I hope to introduce him soon!!

I’d also like to give an update on my exciting new collection which is quite overdue but I promise its coming. The toddler collection is near finished and then I’m going to make a start on our child collection for the season. I do apologize for the lack of updates, life has just been so busy especially with Soraya and Ezra’s birthdays coming up within a week of each other so I’ve been trying to prepare for that rather than focussing on my collection.

I hope to have another update soon enough, hopefully, one introducing you all to the new collection and you’ll be able to get your hands on it all. Ezekiel and Yara are wearing pieces from this collection. Lovely little pieces and they all come in sizes from newborn to 4 years. I’ll close this post here, keep a lookout for a new update from my crazy family. 

Until next time. 

[mamabele]

The invite close for discord expired?

Which discord, the chat?

[mamabele]

LITTLE BUTTERFLY + CHANGES

I’ve been gone for a few weeks and this is one reason why! I welcomed this beautiful soul into our family on October 6. We had already had a name for her so I’d like to introduce you all to Yara Helena Rivera (Yara is pronounced Yar-uh/ah). 

Yara means small butterfly in Arabic and her middle name, Helena, means shining light in Greek. So, together basically means “Small butterfly of shining light” which is exactly what she is! At 2 weeks old I still can’t believe she is mine, she’s an absolute blessing, uplifting me through these tough times in our family which I’ll get into now.

Mark and I are no longer a married couple, after four years of marriage we had made the decision to file a divorce due to things just not working out between us and quite honestly, I didn’t love him the way I used to anymore. All the children understand that their dad isn’t coming back on a permanent basis but he will be having them on weekends. But, I’m sure you will have questions such as “Will you get married again?” At this moment no, I am currently a single woman with six children. Eventually, I may look for a new partner but I want to enjoy my life first.

I hope to have another blog post up soon, so keep your eyes peeled, plus I have so many products in store for the shop.

[mamabele]

38 WEEKS 

It’s been a while since I’ve made a pregnancy update on here but I’m now officially full term and baby can come whenever she wants, we are ready for her!

Bump? - So. BIG. Sleep? - Sleep hasn’t been bad. Miss anything? -  Seeing my toes? LOL Food craving - Not really anything noticeable. Anything making you queasy or sick? - Nothing right now. Symptoms - I’ve been getting some pelvic pains and Braxton hicks but nothing too severe. Belly button in or out? - Out What I’m looking forward to - Baby’s arrival! Ring on or off? - Off. Happy or moody most of the time - Happy Baby in veggie/fruit terms - Leek 

[mamabele]

29 WEEKS PREGNANT + KITCHEN RENOVATIONS

I am now twenty-nine weeks pregnant as of this writing, everything is absolutely flying past and it’s all getting very close to my due date in June! We are all getting very excited to meet the growing little girl in my tummy. 

Anyhoo, here’s this week's log:

Bump? - Huge, huge, HUGE! Sleep? - Not bad these last few days, better than it has been atleast! Miss anything? -  My feet have disappeared, I miss them. Food craving - I haven’t been craving anything so far, hopefully, it stays that way or I’m going to eat us out of the house. Anything making you queasy or sick? - Nothing right now. Symptoms - Baby brain, aches, and pains, you name it. Belly button in or out? - Out What I’m looking forward to - Dropping our new SS19 collection. Ring on or off? - Off. Happy or moody most of the time - Happy!! Baby in veggie/fruit terms - Butternut Squash

In addition, we have also recently finished renovating the kitchen, it was drab and boring before and now it is a beautiful place for us to eat and spend time as a family. I decided to go for a vintage look because I loved it so much and I’ve shared the basic palette of the room in the photo above in case you wanted to do something similar!

[mamabele]

SS19 + PREGNANCY

I and @kalejaredkid have been working on our new collection, currently, only his stuff is featured here but I am slowly but surely sewing and piecing together some new garments for your babies. I hope to give you some more information on the new collection very soon as more and more items are made and thoroughly checked for quality and flaws.

I understand I haven’t posted a pregnancy update in a few weeks but I am currently twenty-eight weeks pregnant and have just reached the third trimester so we have 12 weeks left in this pregnancy. I’m astonished how quickly this pregnancy has progressed and I hope to get a new update posted soon to show you all my growing belly!!

[mamabele]

LITTLE THINGS + LITTLE PEOPLE

The days are still chilly but the sun is starting to peek through the day which means outdoor fun! The kids love playing in our yard, basking in the little sun we have and just being the adorable, darling and imaginative children they are. Due to the lovely weather we had, I did a little photoshoot with Soraya, Ezra and Alanna and these photos surely show their unique personalities and they really shine through.

I’ve been spending the last few weeks sorting out some clothing and furnishings for the shop, I promise we haven’t forgotten about it, just a little busy with real life. I’ll be posting a pregnancy update very shortly and I’m almost in my third trimester so, that’s exciting.

Short and sweet but I hope you enjoyed this blog post! 

[mamabele]

WEEK 24, GENDER + NAME

On Sunday, I hit twenty-three weeks, this pregnancy is going extremely quickly and we recently found out what sex the baby is and I’m so excited to share it with you all.

WE ARE HAVING......A GIRL!

We have also thought of some names for our little babe, we won’t be revealed yet but we have definitely decided on a name for the baby. All will be revealed on her birth date.

Bump? - Not even an appropriate question at this point. Sleep? - Not too bad, little uncomfortable here and there. Miss anything? -  Definitely lying on my stomach, it’s impossible right now. Food craving - I am really craving fruits with high sugar content like strawberries. Anything making you queasy or sick? - Nothing right now. Symptoms - Baby brain, aches, and pains, you name it. Belly button in or out? - Out What I’m looking forward to - Having the baby and finally being able to see my toes. LOL. Ring on or off? - Off. Happy or moody most of the time - Happy Baby in veggie/fruit terms - Ear of Corn

[mamabele]

WEEK 22

I am officially halfway, well two weeks ago but, I’m halfway! I feel great, everything is going smoothly and how it should but enough of my rambling, here’s the log:

Bump? - I’m huge. Sleep? - Currently using a pregnancy pillow for sleeping. Best moment this week - Finally making a blog post. LOL Miss anything? - Definitely sleeping on my stomach. Food craving - Nothing much. Anything making you queasy or sick? - Nope. Symptoms - Definitely some pelvic pain. Belly button in or out? - Out. What I’m looking forward to - Releasing more products! Ring on or off? - Off Happy or moody most of the time - Emotional. Baby in veggie/fruit terms - Spaghetti Squash

[mamabele]

WEEK 18 + AN UPDATE

First of all, I apologize for the lack of updates, I believe it has been two weeks since I updated last. Also, this time you can see my face! I also apologize for the advent, it didn't go as planned but when we are back, I hope to release more content.

Anyways, it’s week 18!

Bump? - Definitely, I’ve blown up since I last updated. Sleep? - Sleep is pretty okay, uncomfortable sometimes though. Best moment this week - Seeing the baby again. Miss anything? - Definitely sleeping on my stomach. Food craving - I’m craving sweet things like...candy and fruits. Anything making you queasy or sick? - Nope. Symptoms - My hips are quite achy and my pelvis too, the baby is quite low. Belly button in or out? - Out. What I’m looking forward to - Taking a break from the shop until the new year! Ring on or off? - Off Happy or moody most of the time - Happy. Baby in veggie/fruit terms - Bell Pepper.

[mamabele]

WEEK 13 + BIRTH PLAN

This week is finally over which also means, time for another pregnancy log and update.

Goodbye first trimester, hello second trimester, hello week 13!

Bump? - Bump has definitely gotten bigger; but mainly bloating, pictures above were taken at different times of the day. Sleep? - Sleep, sleep, sleep. Best moment this week - Reaching the second trimester! Next appointment - December 10th! Also Ezra’s third birthday! Miss anything? - Not a lot, sleep mainly and lying on my stomach when sleeping even though it was just as difficult! Food craving - I’m really craving chips. Anything making you queasy or sick? - Nothing much, it’s been pretty low and subtle. Do you know the sex of the baby? We don’t! Mark wants to find out but I don’t. Haha. Have you picked out names? We have picked names, yes! Symptoms - Same as last week, not much as changed in a week. Belly button in or out? - Out What I’m looking forward to - Sharing more products with you all! Ring on or off? - Off. Happy or moody most of the time - So-so. Baby in veggie/fruit terms - Peach

About the birth Home or hospital birth? Home Natural or medicated birth? Natural Who will be in the delivery room with you? Mark, Tatiana and Kaía if she wants to be present at the birth. Will you breastfeed? Breast is best! Do you think you’ll need a c-section? I hope not but obviously, if things go wrong this might be the case. Will you cry when you hold the baby for the first time? I have never cried when holding my children for the first time, I don’t know why. Would you let someone videotape the birth? I’m totally open to it, wanting all the goings on etc. Are you excited about the birth, or scared? I’m very excited at this point but also nervous because we lost our last baby at 17 weeks and it’s inching closer to the time we lost the baby. But I have faith that we will carry this baby to term.

[mamabele]

SIBLING PREPARATION, WEEK 12 + LOVE

The thing that I feel most mothers fear most is acceptance from the sibling that was once an only child. Giving birth to your new baby and then having your other child not accept them is shattering, crushing, heart-wrenching, you name it but I’ve found that including your child in the pregnancy journey makes them more likely to accept the new member of the family!

Kaía has always been accepting of her siblings and has seen 2 of them be born (Soraya and Ezekiel) and has always been a very hands-on sister to them. I always felt that she’d struggle with it due to having ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) but she gifted us by reacting in such a special way, she looked and cared for her siblings with such love and it was a beautiful thing to see and something I will never forget.

This beautiful soul also wanted to be part of week 12′s log so, here’s an extra face for you to admire! It’s also my second official appointment in this pregnancy.

Maternity clothes? - Clothes are getting tighter, especially the jeans I’m wearing but luckily, they stretch, a little. Bump? - Trying to make themselves known, that's for sure. Sleep? - I’ve been getting a bit of insomnia this week but nothing too severe but I definitely miss my beauty sleep. Best moment this week - We recently did some renovation in the house and bought new..housey things. Miss anything? - Being less moody and exhausted but I also miss...not being pregnant. Haha. Food craving - Nothing new. Anything making you queasy or sick? - My husband, HA! Symptoms - Exhaustion, achy boobs, peeing to high heavens, you know the drill. Belly button in or out? - Out. What I’m looking forward to - This week's appointment and adding to our ultrasound picture collection. Ring on or off? - Off. Happy or moody most of the time - Moody-ish. Baby in veggie/fruit terms - Plum