Jesse Coulter

This past weekend at the Thrive Conference, Emma from A Beautiful Mess, spoke about the power of goal making. She credited setting measurable goals as her #1 trait of being boss (not just a real boss, but being bad a*# in general). I also love reading Nicole and Chelsea's monthly goals posts, so I thought I would join in and share with you my small goals for March. I hope to continue this for the rest of the year.

I often get blogging questions such as; How do you reach out to brands? How many followers do you need to have before you reach out? Do you have a media kit? What's in your pitch?

90% of my partnerships over the years have come from me reaching out. In my latest video I'm sharing what I've learned the past 6 years, and giving my honest opinion of what works and what doesn't work for me.  If you have any specific questions, please comment on the video and I'd be happy to answer them!

ONE YEAR! My babies are officially a year old! I love them so much I could eat them up. This past year has been filled with MANY smiles and MANY tears.

• The first few months were filled with extreme anxiety, sleepless nights (well I still have those), and trying to figure out how to raise three kiddos. I gave up breastfeeding after a week, spent lots of time in my hometown for extra help and went back to work after 3 months. I am EXTREMELY grateful for my mother and the rest of my family and friends for helping us. Our village was strong and still is.

• When people say, "Oh my goodness, I want twins!". I look at them like they're crazy. I know that sounds mean, but this is NOT easy. It's the hardest thing I've ever done. It has put extreme pressure on every aspect of my life, but it has taught me, changed me, and molded me into a stronger person.

• We had a very simple first birthday party with close family and friends. You'd think I would go all out, but I really didn't have the energy to plan it and I didn't care about going big. No invitations, no balloons, no elaborate decorations. I bought two simple cakes from HEB,  finger foods (meat, cheese, fruit, nuts) and had custom cookies made by ShortBread Baking Co. Not having to cook was a GAME CHANGER! I remember at Turner's first birthday running around like a mad woman trying to prep everything and cook, and I did not want to repeat that. The only thing that took time was making the pom pom garlands and a ONE sign, but making them was so much fun! 

This year started out wonderful with the birth of Walt and Whitney and ended horribly with the passing of my Dad. Sorry to be a downer, but it's the truth. 2017 will be a tough year as my family and I experience a year of firsts without my Dad but we're strong and will get through it together. I pray 2017 is a year of spiritual growth, memorable experiences, and lots of love.

Here's a positive recap of 2016:

One more month and my last babies will be one year old! As I see them grow in to toddlers, I am making more of an effort to be present and aware of the baby stage. Smell their baby skin, kiss their soft cheeks and bald heads and soak up their baby giggles.

LIFE LATELY:

- I am dragging my feet in planning their birthday party for a couple of reasons. 1.) My life is INSANELY busy right now. 2.) Every time I start to plan in my head I get completely overwhelmed with all the things I want to do and shut down. Planning a birthday during Christmas is not fun. There are days when I think about going ALL out, and then other days when I think they'll be lucky if they get a cake.

- Last week Whitney and I took a quick overnight trip down south to visit my parents. When we got home Alex said "Do you want to see what the boys and I did this weekend?" He proceeded to show me pics of them at Catch Air (an indoor play park), which he took them to on Saturday night. Then Sunday he took them to breakfast, grocery shopping at HEB, and then to a kid's birthday at Mt. Playmore (another indoor play place). I couldn't believe it. Alex said they all had a great time, but he was definitely tired.

- I totaled my van (which I had bought a year 1/2 ago after totaling my last car, and replaced the transmission 6 months ago for $5,000 because we thought we would drive it forever...UGH!!!). All three kids were with me which was very scary, but thankfully everyone was OK. We bit the bullet and bought a new Toyota Sienna and I'm in LOVE!

Last Christmas I had an advent calendar for Turner, decorated my entire house, did tons of holiday themed activities, and hosted a Favorite Things Christmas Party for my closest friends. This year I was lucky enough to get a tree up and decorated. I'm taking it easy this year, and that's OK.

It's official! I'm a YouTuber. It's taken me years to pull the trigger, but thanks to Alex, my blogging buddy Erica and some inspiring women I decided to take the plunge. A few months back Alex tried to talk me in to it but I was hesitant with all that was going on in my life (new job + baby twins)...however it seemed like the message was not going away. I would listen to podcasts or friends talk about blogging, seizing the day, business owning, chasing after dreams and for some reason YouTube kept coming back to me. I finally got tired of making excuses and did it, and I'm so glad I did. Alex is a huge YouTube fan and willingly volunteered to do the editing (which takes up the most time), so I'm thankful to partner with him on this. I can't wait to talk with you about the things I love...fashion, motherhood, travel, home decor and more! There will be lots of dancing and outtakes. I'm hoping to post once a week, so please subscribe and follow along!

Are you a YouTube fan? What types of videos do you enjoy watching?!

To my little ding dongs...that's what I like to call them these days. What a month it's been! Their personalities are hilarious to watch. Whitney is stoic and doesn't crack a smile easily, but when she does it's the sweetest thing. Walt is my goofball and laughs at anything I do.

Life lately:

• STOP the sickness! I don't remember a day I haven't given one of them antibiotics in the past 6 weeks.

• I took a new job and life has been insane! I've doubled my commute, and I have much more work to do during the day. I leave work at 4, get home just in time to pick them up by 5 and it's a $%&# show till about 8pm. However, I love my job!

• Alex and I took a mini-vacation to Houston for my 30th and it was the best! Much needed time away from kiddos, where we could actually talk and eat in peace. My in-laws drove down from Dallas to watch all three!

Onesies: Gap. Moccasins: Freshly Picked.

I was compensated for attending this event sponsored by Nick Jr. and Mom.me. The thoughts and opinions below are my own. 

A few weeks ago Turner and I visited the Thinkery for the very first time thanks to a Mega Playdate hosted by Nick Jr. and Mom.me. I picked Turner up from school and we headed out to meet some of my local mom blog friends and their adorable kiddos.

Hitting a milestone birthday today...the BIG 30! A couple of years ago I dreaded this birthday, but I can honestly say that I'm perfectly fine with leaving my 20's. I've learned so much about myself over the years, and I'm excited for what's in store for my 30's! In a decade I've studied abroad, graduated with my BBA and MBA, created life long friendships, married, started a blog, moved to Austin, was diagnosed with vaginismus, found a career, bought a house, had THREE children and many things in between. Yep, just like that a decade has gone by.

I thought I would share a few things I've learned about life and myself.

- Family is everything. When I was young I dreamed of living abroad or being a big wig marketing exec in NYC, but after studying abroad I learned real quick how much I missed my family. I missed them so much it hurt, and I never want to be that far away again. So...I will never leave Texas and I hope my extended family never does. Kids, you're going to an in state school...fingers crossed.

- Stand up for yourself. This is something I'm still working on, but I learned the hard way what it feels like when you don't stand up for yourself. I was pretty much bullied at my first job in Austin. Every day was hell, and for some reason I let it happen. I let the person ( a woman) walk all over me. I may be outgoing and LOVE to talk, but I hate confrontation. I've learned that confrontation is going to happen, and you need to be brave and stand up for yourself even when everything inside of you tells you to back down and hide in a corner.


- Jesus has never left me. Over the years I've been very close with the Lord and very distant. He is a constant in my life, and I pray that in my 30's I could draw closer. Alex and I have found a church we like, and we hope to put roots down over the next few years.

- I'm a writer. When I first started blogging and for many years after I never considered myself a good writer. However, over the years I feel like I've been able to tell stories through writing in the same way I would in person. I'm still horrible with grammar, but I enjoy typing out my thoughts and feelings.

- I'm an open book. Being honest and vulnerable is the key to connecting with others. I've been asked hundreds of times in job interviews what my greatest qualities are, and many times I respond with my ability to connect with people. Communicating and relating with others has always been something I've enjoyed, and through my 20's I learned that those are the traits I want to bring to my job, marriage and friendships. You could ask me anything and I would answer it. Money, marriage, faith, motherhood, you name it.


If you read this blog, thank you! Thank you for reading my words, and following me along on life's journey. Cheers to 30!

Over the past 4 years of being a Mother I've always felt I was a bit different than most moms. I'm over the phrase mom guilt, and often don't feel guilty for the decisions I make. However, I do want to discuss this topic that has often crossed my mind.

The last time the 5 of us took a photo together the babies were 5lbs each and only a few days old, so I was extremely excited for this Fall shoot with Laura Morsman! Can you believe she got all these great shots in 15 minutes?! That's Laura working here mini session magic for you!

I received lots of compliments on our outfits so I thought I would give you my tips for coordinating family outfits. First off let me say that going from 3 outfits to 5 outfits was a big jump, and I was overwhelmed at first. 

It's odd that as a kid I was VERY messy...so much so my nick name was Messy Jesse. My room was always filthy and I never picked up after myself (sorry mom). Today I'm the complete opposite, and actually enjoy cleaning...well I enjoy a clean home. I've teamed up with Lemi Shine to show you my "attempt" at creating a cleaning routine that includes the whole family.

This past weekend Turner and I went to our first yoga class together at The Little Yoga House's newest location in North Austin.  We participated in the Family Yoga class, and I loved it! The focus was "kids first, grown-ups second", and our instructor emphasized the class was all about connecting and having fun with your child.  We did partner poses, group poses, silly flowing sequences and yoga games!

I love this shot of the babies because you can see all three of their hemangiomas. Thanks Laura for these beautiful photos!

Can you believe that Walt and Whitney have NEVER worn shoes until this point?! There are tons of baby moccasins around these days, but Freshly Picked was the first one on the market. I've followed FP for years and have always wanted a pair for my kiddos! I loved seeing Susan on Shark Tank and have enjoyed following her business's journey.  Since I won't ever have any more babies I knew this was my final chance to try them out and I've got to say...I'm SOLD! I've drunk the koolaid and I'm a fan forever. Why you ask?

A few months ago I met my friend Stephanie for lunch and her adorable baby girl was wearing the cutest bonnet. She told me about the company Love Factory New York, which all of the items are handmade by a woman named Rie. I immediately reached out hoping to collaborate. A few weeks later Rie sent me these adorable outfits for Walt and Whitney.

Oh goodness, it got me all stirred up again. Most of the comments made me feel guilty and selfish for working, but then I had working moms and even stay at home moms stick up for me.

Photo: Laura Morsman Photography

Happy 7 months Walton and Whitney! This past month has been HUGE for development. They have changed so much, and are starting to interact with Turner, Alex and I much more.

Life lately:

• I've started getting rid of baby items that we no longer use - Twin z pillow, Rock n' play, Bumbos and lots of clothes. I feel like they are growing much faster than Turner did and going through outfits like crazy. I've been buying mostly second hand, but if I see a cute outfit that has a coordinating color like the onesies below, then I immediately buy them because....TWINS!

• My social schedule has calmed down this summer, so most nights I'm at home. Sometimes Alex and I are lucky enough to eat a hot dinner together.

• We had 6 month photos taken with Laura Morsman and even though I forgot their outfits they turned out adorable! See the full post here.

Outfits: Aden and Anais. Bow: Little Poppy Co.