Mommy "Must-Haves" From A Three-Time Mom

As I prepare for the arrival of Baby #3 and browse around the hot and trendy registry items on Amazon.com, I can't help but look back at those silly things I just had to have with Baby #1.  You Moms who have been there and done that know the exact products I am talking about: wipe warmers, pee pee tee pees,  the tricked out pack n play with the lullabies, vibration, changing station, satellite radio and auto pilot.  While those things are all brilliant inventions: my boys bottoms survived chilly diaper changes, peed on them selves to spite my ninja like reflexes and Lennie and I ran right back to Babies R Us to return that crazy, fancy pack n play after we spent 2 hours sweating while trying to assemble it.   

  Needless to say, my wish list for this baby looks just a bit different from that one 4 years and 2 babies ago.  Here is a peak at what's on my list for Baby Kennedy. {some links are affiliate links, but you will find these on my registry}  



Puj Tub - The Soft, Foldable Baby Bath Tub (Kiwi)

 Please tell me I am not the only Mom that battled that ginormous plastic bathtubthat was a permanent eyesore in your bathroom or kitchen while you counted down the days till your little one could graduate to the big boy bathtub!  This tub fits right into the kitchen or bathroom sink then folds flat for storage.  You can bet I will be kicking the big, blue, plastic monstrosity to the trash the second Amazon delivers this bad boy to my doorstep!  Thanks Jen for introducing us!  

Baby Delight Snuggle Nest Surround - Beige Dandelions

We had the boys sleep in a Bassinet beside our bed for the first couple months and during middle of the night feedings one of two things would happen: 1.  I would be too tired to put them back and would fall asleep with them in the bed, then startle myself awake in a panic looking for the baby or 2. Practically drop them in to the bassinet due to sleep deprivation and poor depth perception.   I can already feel the relief of not having to worry about smothering Baby Girl in my sleep or giving her brain damage due to head trauma.    

My Brest Friend Original Pillow

 When I had Gavin, The Boppy was all the rage!  Imagine my disappointment when I had to prop 3 pillows under it so he was at the right height to nurse and then he would just roll in towards my stomach because it was rounded...nursing pillow fail.  With Dylan I decided to give the My Brest Friend a try and LOVED it!  Both those problems were solved and nursing was so much more enjoyable.  Had I known that I would be having a little girl at some point, I probably wouldn't have purchased a cars and trains cover for it though.  This coral, feather little number will be the perfect cover with just the right amount of "girlie".    

Wubbanub Infant Plush Toy Pacifier Giraffe

 Could someone please have told me about the Wubbanub BEFORE I spent way too long tracking down a beanie baby and sewing a Soothie Pacifier onto it's face myself?!  Would have been useful information people!  

Graco SnugRider Elite

My main concerns when registering for my very first stroller were #1: color {obviously} and #2...well, really I just wanted it to be cute.  So I got a "handy" travel system because the car seat and stroller coordinated so beautifully.  My back quickly convinced me that this was not the brightest of strategies in selection.  It was so stinking heavy and annoying, I literally wanted to throw it across the parking lot every time I had to take it out of the car...oh wait, it weighted a million pounds.  That was not possible.  PSA for all you first time Moms: Skip the travel system...please! I beg you!  Grab a Snap N Go like this one and then pick up a nice compact stroller like the Cybex Callisto Stroller!  I accept "Thank You" gifts in the form of Edible Arrangements.  Those things are delicious!  

Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack Convertible Diaper Bag, Frolicking in Fez

 Okay, so this was one trendy splurge that I whole heartedly support.  This will be your new go to purse after all, you might as well make it an amazing one!  This diaper bag is freaking awesome, has all the bells and whistles and pockets a Mama could dream of.  Now a word of caution: steer clear of the "fabric" material bag and opt for the water resistant material.  The closures are Velcro and will snag that outer material as will every thing else you pass by while carrying your adorable diaper bag.    If you already have the fabric bag, don't throw yourself on the ground Scarlet O'Hara style and weep.  Just pick yourself up a set of the Hush Velcro Silencers that cover the Velcro closures and use magnets to close the flap.  These also help avoid those uncomfortable stares when you need to sneak something out of your bag in the middle of the prayer at church.  P.S. when you unvelcro slowly, it doesn't make it more quite...you just get longer stares.     Custom Necklace From Lisa Leonard Designs Ahhhh, the official "Mommy Badge"!  Every Mom needs a necklace that represents her children.  I got one after I had Gavin and poor Dylie never got added.  #MommyFail  #Middle Child You can bet that I will be sending this link to Lennie so that he can purchase my "push present" in time for Kennedy to grace us with her presence.   Pssst... Use code "myhero" today and tomorrow for FREE shipping and Monday you can get 25% off with code "MemorialDay25" but you didn't hear that from me  ;-)   So tell me...what is your #1 baby item that you simply could not live without.  Or tell me what was your biggest waste of money.  

   

Time to Focus: Nursery Inspiration with Land of Nod

Six / Thirty / Thirteen: Has a nice little ring to it doesn't it?  I could have chosen Seven / One / Thirteen, but it just didn't feel right. 

 

 Yesterday I had my monthly check up to make sure Little Miss Kennie is lookin' good and we decided on an induction date of June 30th, 2013.  She will be out of town the week I am due and there is no way I was going to risk her missing the delivery of my 3rd and final munchkin.  She had delivered Gavin and Dylan I would have been devastated if one of the other Dr.s had to step in.   

{These photos are from when Gavin & Dylan lived in the nursery}

  Today the reality set in that in less than 6 weeks there will be a newborn living in our home. As I did a little tidying up in Kennedy's nursery I felt a little panicked. With the craziness of planning Elevate, decorating a nursery had to be put on the back burner in favor of saving my sanity.  

   I am so glad that I had gotten the big painting projects done weeks ago: the room, new dresser and vintage twin bed frame.  Still her room leaves a lot to be desired.   The walls have gone from baby blue and brown to stark white. I love the bright clean look, but I know that I at least want to do some design on a focal wall.  I'm thinking light tan stripes???  I'm also thinking of swapping the dresser and crib so all the color isn't located on one wall.  

I love the clean, crisp bedding and this Herring bone throw might be my favorite thing in Kennedy's room, but it just doesn't feel complete yet.  The rocker in the corner was passed down to me by Lennie's aunt and as much as I love it, I would really love something a little more comfortable.  

These wood frames are such a fun and whimsical shape...I'm having a hard time committing to a color to finish them off though.  Good thing, paint isn't permanent!  I purchased this vintage bed and dresser off craigslist and transformed them using homemade chalk paint.   I have some ideas in mind for finishing this room up, but one of the problems I have run into color matching.  I purchased some material online that I loved and used that to match the paint for the bed and dresser.  While I usually shop online for convenience, it can make it hard to ensure that the items I purchase will fit in with my current color scheme.  You could imagine my excitement when I found out that Land of Nod is opening up a store just 10 minutes away at South Coast Plaza!    Problem solved!   The South Coast store Grand Opening is literally just around the corner: May 31st!  Land of Nod is having a huge party with lots of giveaways happening through out the day and special goodies for those who shop early...you can bet I will be one of those early birds!   Just like Lennie enjoys a little pre-game action before a big football game, I have been doing a little "online pre-gaming" to prepare for what promises to be an epic shopping trip.  Here is what I have my eye on...   1. These teal suitcases would be the perfect storage solution 2. I have been looking for a tan rug and this one is just perfect! 3. How cute would these knobs be with some mini ballet shoes hanging from them?! 4. I strongly believe that this glider would make me a much better mom, I think it's a proven fact that a comfy chair makes a happy mama. 5. Really...how can you go wrong with a beautiful, white, felt pillow?! 6. When it comes to crystals, I am a firm believer that bigger is better and this chandelier does it right. 7. How am I so lucky that they actually have those adorable suitcases in BOTH the shades I need???  Pretty sure that is a sign that it was meant to be.   While taking home ALL of these swoon worthy items, may not be in my immediate future...there might actually be away to up my chances of making that happen!   Land of Nod is having a Room Makeover Sweepstakes that ends on June 17th.  Can you say perfect timing?!  If you need me, I will be over there entering...every. single. day!   If you want to keep yourself in the Land of Nod loop, here is how you can keep in touch: {Instagram} / {Facebook}   If you could pick anything from Land of Nod to grace you home, what would it be? You can bet that glider is "numero uno" on my list!  

 “This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Land of Nod, but all my opinions are my own. #PMedia #NODinCA  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.”

Elevate: The Back Story and Our "Why"

Back in the day {like 2 years ago} when I started blogging I was trying to navigate my way through blogger jargon, html codes and linky party rules.  It can be so overwhelming to a newbie!  I was doing my linky party duty one day and clicking around some links and notice that this one girls blog had the pretties little grouping of buttons at the bottom of her post that she had linked up.  The buttons were all the same size and lined up just perfectly in a neat little block.   

 Jen & I sightseeing in Utah after SNAP!   I thought to myself...I HAVE to figure out how she did this!  I can be a little "Monica Gellar" when it comes to things all lining up and being neat and orderly.  You really couldn't tell that from looking at the hot mess that is my home, but in business and my online life, things must all be in a pretty little package.  So I found her email address and sent her a message that said something like, "I love how all your buttons line up!  How do you do that?"  Super smooth right!   Here was her response:   Hey there!
Sorry it took me a bit to get back to you, our computer is running so slow! Anyways, I got help with my button list from one of my blogging buddies, Jen, over at Life, Crafts and Whatever. Here is the link: http://lifecraftsandwhatever.blogspot.com/2011/02/lets-clean-up-those-buttons-yo.html and it is so much easier than you'd think. Before I was doing a text link and editing my post every time I found a new party, but now I just copy and paste the buttons I had put from my previous craft post and put it in my new one. You can make them whatever size you want and make them look clean and organized. The first time I was super nervous because it's somebody else's button :), but once I came to the realization that I wasn't going to delete my post, it became pretty easy. I hope that helps, let me know if you have questions! Also, I'm your 50th follower, yay! I love your about me-in my other life I would have loved to be a dancer...Wish I could say cheer helped me with rhythm, but it didn't! Would you ever like to guest post on my blog or do a giveaway? I am swooning over your pegboard! What a great idea! And your etsy shop is darling, you do it all! Don't feel pressured, no worries if you can't!
Thanks!
Jen   Honestly, I totally didn't get how to do that button thing still, but a guest post!  I knew what those were so I went with that.   Hey Jen!
Thanks so much for the info...I am having a hard time keeping up with all these awesome link up parties, but my link up list is all wacky. I would love to do a blog swap if you are up for it! I usually like to swap on Thursdays because I post link up posts on the other days, but I am totally flexible. I have oct. 13th and 20th open. Let me know what you think!
Thanks again!
Summer   We did our guest post swap and that was that for a bit.  Then about 5 months later Jen sponsored my blog.  In the middle of getting buttons and giveaway info she sent me this life changing email.   Hey there!
Getting ready to write my guest post...what exactly do you want it to be about? My giveaway will be on that post, right? I have read a couple of the sponsor guest posts and they were about the blog, how they started, their family etc. Let me know if that is what you'd like.
Also, I have a question...promise you won't laugh!
I follow this blog and I hadn't looked at it in months because of how sick I've been with this pregnancy and when I did I saw that she had just put together a blogger social {maybe in the San Diego area because I think that is where she is} and it looked like a bunch of fun. They did 2, the first they had to cap at 30 and the second they had to cap at 60. She gives tips of how they put it together, I can send you the blog post if you want. I'm wondering if you'd be interested in throwing something like that in the next few months.  Anyways, I have some ideas, but wanted to just run it by you and see what you thought. No biggie if you are super busy!
Thanks!
Jen

 

 Hoop by: Take the Cannoli

 

 I thought sure!  That sounds like fun.  A little lunch and maybe a speaker and call it a day. We can totally handle that!  Pretty soon we were talking on the phone every night till midnight and Lennie started referring to Jen as "My Wife"...our little blogger meet up had turned into an idea for a full day conference.  But our idea wasn't to organize just any conference, this one would be special.  There are so many events out there that focus on the business of blogging, how to classes, tips & tricks and are amazing!  But there was nothing out there that had a main focus of promoting actual friendships and inspiring women to believe that their story is important enough to be shared.     That was where we wanted to go.  We focused our planning on providing opportunities for the attendees to really connect and spark a friendship.  Conferences can be one of the most intimidating situations in the blogging world because you are stepping out from behind the computer screen to put "the real you" out there with all your "flaws".  You are no longer able to backspace and spell check before you put it all out there.  There is no pic monkey-ing or photoshopping.  It's just you....and a bunch of strangers. Scary...like really, really scary!   Bags donated by: Laura Hernandez Photography / Graphic Design by: Madison Design Studio   We included activities that facilitated an opportunity to meet new people without the intimidation of having to walk up to a group of strangers with nothing in mind to say.  We carefully selected speakers that make sure that once these women walked away at the end of the night, they would know that they mattered both as people and as bloggers, that they have a story that is uniquely theirs, that they are the only ones qualified to tell that story and there somewhere out in blog land there someone that their story will touch in a way that no one else could.  They could inspire and change lives just as their favorite bloggers do on a daily basis.  This was our goal.      Jen, Me & Nichole   Even as we planned Elevate this year, our focus remained unchanged.  Each minute, each activity, each speaker was carefully planned out to achieve this vision.  Yes we still had conversations about business and shared the things we have learned about blogging, but the focus was still to inspire.    The amazing swag and raffle prizes donated by our generous sponsors   At the end of the night as we packed up all the decor that we spent countless hours planning, making and setting up we wonder if we once again achieved that goal that we set back in the initial planning stages of our first Elevate.  And then we sit and wait and hope that those who spent the day with us got anything out of their time at Elevate.  And then the we see posts like this one, this one and this one.  Then when I feel all warm and fuzzy, the warmth continues with post like this one, and this one.    Thank You to the Newport Dunes for providing a breath taking venue   Posts like these make me breathe a sigh of relief, make me excited to start planning all over again, make me feel like I have made a difference.  In a world where it is so second nature to tear each other down, I feel so blessed to be part of an event that promotes building each other up, supporting each other and facilitating an environment of inspiration.     This is why Elevate was created and this is why it continues.   Our amazing speakers: Kimmie, Sarah, Ashley, Erin Planning partners in crime: Jen & Nichole    Nichole's Sister Jen, my Mom Terry, Jen's Mom Sue These ladies worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the day run smoothly   A big hug and thank you to all of those who supported us, there are so many of you: speakers, attendees, sponsors, family, friends.  It's because of you that lives are being touched and changed for the good.          Till next year!       Want a peek into the Elevate 2013 shenanigans?  Here is the highlight reel!    

Photos and video courtesy: Lora Knight Photography

Epic Silhouette Giveaway: Ends Tonight!

I have a bit of a love affair going on right now.... Let me clarify!  It's a crafting love affair, with my Silhouette cutting machine.  I love it so much that I even named her, yep...it's a her.  I love it so much that I actually own two!  And yes, I named her as well.  They are like the most awesome little old ladies that you just love to hang out with because they tell the best stories.  Accept instead of telling stories, they make THE BEST projects!

Do you have a Silhouette?  The possibilities with a Silhouette are endless!

Need anything paper related? Done  Want to decorate with vinyl? No prob!

Have you seen the darling month by month baby onesies? Make your own!
 

I love my Silhouette and am having fun learning to create more with it! This last weekend Silhouette so generously gave away a Silhouette Portrait at Elevate Blog Conference to one of our attendees and to sweeten the deal they are giving one more away on Instagram!
 

Want to get your hands on the raddest crafting tool of life???  We got cha covered: Rules are below!
 

Easy way to enter:

1. Follow these peeps on Instagram

 Silhouette

Delightful Deets

Munchies_Mama

Mother Hubbard

2. Repost the picture above
 

3. Use the hashtag #silhouetteelevate in the caption of your repost and tell people how they can enter too!
 

Hurry! You only have until tonight to get your entries in!

If that wasn't awesome enough, Silhouette is having a great deal through this Wednesday, the 15th for the Silhouette Cameo and chipboard, Silhouette Portrait and chipboard, and the chipboard if you already have either machine.

Look at the discounts!

Go here to read the details and use the code

ELEVATE

to take advantage of this offer!

I don't think we could have started off the week any better!  Good Luck friends, I hope you win!

 

Sunrise Shortcake Popsicle Recipe with Probugs Frozen Kefir

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Lifeway Kefir but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia ##kefirprobugs http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO”

 

 

I have a confession to make and if you know me in real life then it's not really a surprise: I may not be the best example to my boys of how to eat healthy.  I just love my sweets!  Moderation Shmoderation!   Lucky for me, this Little Miss that has been growing in my belly for the past 7 months has kicked me into gear.  I have been on a total healthy kick, I simply can't get enough fruit!  No joke I ate a whole watermelon yesterday and I'm not even sorry.  It was delicious!   I have even been exploring new foods!  Confession #2: I hate to try new foods. This baby has seriously been rocking my culinary world.  One of the new foods I have tried is Lifeway Kefir.  Heard of it?  Neither had I till my girl Alissa started raving about it.   Let me fill you in:

Keifer is a creamy probiotic dairy beverage similar to but distinct from yogurt. Lifeway offers the largest selection of Kefir in the world. Based on whole milk, low-fat or non-fat pasteurized milk, Lifeway Kefir has a unique effervescent quality that stems from the exclusive blend of kefir grains. The blend of cultures contains seven to ten billion CFU’s of 10 strains of bacteria, plus ProBoost, our exclusive pair of clinically proven probiotics to balance your body’s ecosystem, support digestive health and immunity – that’s 12 live and active cultures per cup.

 

In short: it's creamy, delicious and good for you!  My boys have a current obsession with popsicles and although they totally chow down the the Lifeway Kefir ProBugs frozen treats all on their own, I decided to whip up these fun little layered Sunrise Shortcake Popsicles for them last Sunday.

Here is what you need: 5 T Cool Whip  5 Medium Strawberries (diced) 30 Mini Nilla Wafers (crushed into crumbs) 5 Tubes Lifeway ProBugs Frozen Kefir in orange (defrosted till soft) 1/2 T Butter (melted, not pictured) 6 small drinking cups 6 Popsicle sticks  

Directions:

 

1. Mix melted butter and crushed Nilla Wafer still combined.
2. Layer 1 spoonful of each ingredient into the drinking cups in this order:
    Kefir / Wafer mixture / Cool Whip / Strawberries / Kefir

3. Insert popsicle stick and freeze for 4-5 hours

To remove from cup: snip the top of cup with scissors and peel cup off

And then enjoy!

  Here are some fun facts about Lifeway  Kefir:   * Filled with more beneficial cultures than other fermented milk products such as yogurt or buttermilk.

*Cultured for 14 to 16 hours, whereas most yogurts are cultured for just 2 to 3 hours. It’s that extra time that gives Kefir its high probiotic activity count (7-10 billion CFUs per serving) and its delicious effervescent taste.

*Made with organic milk from grass fed cows, free of rBGH (Bovine Growth Hormones) and antibiotics.

*An ideal milk substitute for infants, pregnant women, nursing mothers, convalescents and the elderly.

*A good remedy for digestive problems such as colitis and IBS, and is particularly helpful in reestablishing necessary intestinal microflora that may have been destroyed by antibiotic or other medical treatment.

*Available in 12 flavors in lowfat, nonfat, whole milk, children’s (ProBugs™), both lowfat and whole milk organic, and lowfat organic varieties under the Helios brand.

*Produced in 32 and 8 ounce bottles found in the dairy section of supermarkets, grocery stores, gourmet shops, delicatessens, and convenience stores.

*All of Lifeway's products are gluten free. 

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