Moon dough

Edible Moon Sand

Today we decided to try a recipe for edible moon sand. It's supposed to be similar to moon sand but mine was a lot clumpier than sand. Maybe I added to much oil? Anyway, you take 2 cups of flour and 1/2 cup of coconut oil mix then together and that's it. E played with this for at least 30 minutes and loved it. I will say I think he ate as much as he played with and it was the biggest mess I've ever cleaned but so worth it to watch him explore the different texture and have fun playing. I hope you guys enjoy this recipe. Let me know in the comments how yours turns out.

Mommy Self Care Ideas

Mommy Self Care Ideas

Self care is one of the most important things to being and doing your best. If you don't feel at your best you won't do your best. I really try to have a self care night one night a week after E is asleep to make me feel less like I'm just a mom and more like a person. 

     As soon as the baby goes down for bed I pick up the living room and kitchen then my me time begins. I start with a Hair Mask. I love diy beauty and my hair mask is just that. You mix together 2 tbsp. Shea Butter 1 tbsp Olive Oil 1 tbsp Mayo, and 1 egg and apply it all over the hair. This mask adds strength to you hair and makes it grow faster.

Then I do a Face Mask. I start by washing my face with the Burts Bees Micellar Water wipes. (Get yours here.) Then I apply the mask. I really like the Mary Kay Charcoal Mask right now, or you can diy one with 1 cup Coconut Oil, 2 tbsp Baking Soda, and 6 Capsules of Activated Charcoal. After my mask dries I peel it off and move on to the next step.

Bath. I love a good relaxing bath. Milk baths have become my new favorite thing because my skin feels so soft after. My favorite is a Cinnamon Vanilla Milk Bath. Just add 2 cups of Milk, 1 tbsp of Vanilla, and 2 tsp of Cinnamon to a container with a lid. Shake well. Then add to a hot bath. 

While I soak in the bath I usually do my Nails and Toes, read, or scroll through pinterest. 

Once my nails are dry I get out of the bath drain the water and rinse off in the shower. Then it's pjs and the bed for me. Have fun, pamper yourself, everyone deserves some self care.

Top 5 Toys for 10 Months Old

Top 5 Toys for 10 Months Old

Toys, toys, and more toys. I feel like there are toys in every part of my house. We have two toy boxes full of toys for E and he plays with less than half. This is a list of the toys that E loves and plays with most. (This post does contain affiliate links for each product.)

1.Walking Toy

E loves his walking toy and I think it is why he is so close to walking. The learn with sis walker is awesome because not only does it help him learn to walk, It also teaches things like colors and ABCs.

2.Crawl Around Car

This thing is so cool. We actually got it as a gift from my mom and it has been amazing. It's door opens and closes which E loves getting in and out of as well as all the buttons and noises. This toy is wonderful for a baby that loves noise and moving parts.

3.Board Books

E has just recently developed an interest in books. I love these little board books because they're so much more durable which is a really nice thing when little ones are playing with them.

Plastic Toys

4.Dinosaurs are our new found love. These plastic dinosaurs are amazing to take places and provide hours of entertainment for our little man.

5.Rock n' Rider Pony

Although this toy requires a lot of adult supervision I had to include it on this list because E loves it so much. He will sit on it and push the buttons to make the pony talk for at least 10 minutes at a time, which is a lot for a baby attention span.

Staying Organized With a Baby

Staying Organized With a Baby

Staying organized with a little one is a challenge. one of my favorite tools for getting everything done is keeping an up to date planner. I am IN LOVE with my planner. Its completely customizeable and absolutely perfect. I have the Creative Year A5 Binder by Recollections.


 (Get it here). 

I love that I can make it any way I want it. I have mine set up with grid paper like a bullet journal, but there are tons of other inserts you can get to make it anything you like. I love to use washi tape and other ool stiickers in mine as well. Here is a look at mine to get you started.

Edible Paint

Edible Paint

E absolutely loves playing with anything messy. Paint is no exception. This is a great activity to keep E busy while I'm busy in the kitchen. I have learned if I'm letting him play with it independently to put the paint on the highchair and let him paint that way, where as if I'm playing with him

I let him paint on paper so I can make sure he doesn't try to eat it.

Recipe 

1/2 tsp salt

3 tbs sugar

1/2 cup corn starch

2 cups water

Combine in saucepan. Warm until mixture thickens. Pour into container, cool, and add food coloring. 

When I first gave the paint to E he didn't really know what to do with it. He sat and looked at it for awhile then I smeared some on the paper showing him what to do and he was off. He had all the colors smeared and mixed within minutes and he kept playing and painting for over an hour. The paint does turn out very thick so it is pretty messy but it washed off incredibly easy and didn't stain at all. I hope your little ones enjoy playing with this paint as much as mine did.

(P.S apparently the paint doesn't taste very good, E tried it once made a horrible face and hasn't tried it since.)

Top 10 Baby Items 3-6 Months

Top 10 Baby Items 3-6 Months

Here comes another list of things I'm going to tell you to buy. Ever parent and every baby are completely different so this stuff may not seem so important to you but they were to us so I hope you find something on this list that you find helpful too.
(This post contains affiliate links.)

1. Sit Me Up Seat

This thing was a god sent for us. E couldn't really sit up on his own until he was right at 6 months old but he hated laying down. This seat made it easy for him to sit up and play even though he couldn't sit up by himself yet.

2.Silicone Bibs

We started E on solid food at 4 months old which some would say is a little early so this may not be useful to you yet. These silicon bibs I started using right after E started eating solids and we still use them now at 10 months. I love that I can just throw them in the sink, rinse them off and they're ready for the next meal. P.s. some are even dishwasher safe!

3.My First Foods

This is the first solids E ever got and they're a really good price. It comes with a variety of easy to digest veggies. They're also very very liquid which made it easy for him to suck from the spoon as he learned to start eating solids.

4. Five Point Harness High Chair

I am in love with this high chair. We originally got it because we started E on solids before he could actually sit up on his own so the 5 point harness helped his sit up so it was easy to feed him. Now that he's older I love how it can transition in so many different ways.

5. Noise Machine

This is how we sleep. This little machine drowns out any noise S and I make so we don't wake up E. It was a miracle worker when we were living with my parents and sharing a room with E and we still use it today.

6. Exersaucer

As I said earlier E did not like laying down not on his back not on his tummy not at all. We started using the exersaucer at 4 months and it was a fantastic way to let him stand up and play even though he couldn't really support himself standing up yet

7. Boogie wipes

E was 3-6 month old from January-March. Cold season. These were the best thing for wiping his face. They're saline wipes so they have not harsh soaps or chemicals to break him out and they smell fantastic. I still carry these in my purse.

8. Fresh Food Feeder

E started teething at around 3 months and this was a great relief for his sore mouth. Just stick a piece of frozen fruit in there and let him chew away. This bought us at least an hour of quiet time every time we used it.

9. Silicone Squeeze Spoon

Feeding on the go is a pain in the behind. But this little spoon that holds the food made it a little easier and a lot less messy.

10. Teething Toys

Teething toys come in a million different kinds. E really liked the scilicone fruit ones but some babies prefer the ones that can be frozen I suggest ordering a cheap variety pack before buying to many of one kind to see what your baby prefers.

I hope you enjoyed reading our favorite products from 3-6 months. If your baby isnt quite 3 months yet be sure to check out my 0-3 month list too.

Sleep Training

Sleep Training

     Hey guys today's post s going to be about one of the most terrifying things to me as a new mom, sleep training. When I first heard of sleep training E was about 3 moths old, and it was from my mom who fully believed in the cry it out method, which terrified me. How could I possibly leave my tiny new baby alone to cry until he gave up on me coming to get him and fell asleep. So I ignored her and E horrible sleep habits continued. Up until E was about 3 1/2 months old he slept in a Rock n' Play right beside my bed. I loved that thing, it made it super easy to put in a pacifier and gently rock him back to sleep. By 3 1/2 months E was getting to long for it and trying to roll over in it so it was time to make a change. I tried rocking him to sleep then gently laying him in his crib which sometimes worked but most of the time didn't and he would inevitably end up in the bed with me and S by morning. When E was about 4 months old I gave up on the crib and decided to try cosleeping. Co-sleeping made getting to sleep so much easier but by morning my back was stiff and sore from staying tense all night afraid I'd roll over on the baby. We co-slept for about a month before S and I got really exausted from sharing the bed with the baby, so at 5 months old I decided he needed to be sleep trained.

     Night One

At 7:30 p.m. our night began by feeling E his last jar of baby food for the night. We then gave him a bath around 8 and made a warm bottle for him. We all three laid in our big bed and give E his bottle and read him a few bed time stories until 9. At 9 we gave E a bunches of love and laid him in his crib and S and I went into the kitchen (right outside his room). 9:01 E is screaming bloody murder and I'm already crying. We agree to give it 5 minutes then go in and check on him. 9:06, still screaming. We go quietly into his room and I roll E back onto his back and rub his belly. He never quit screaming. After about 5 minutes of rolling him back over and trying to soothe him We gave up and went back into the kitchen. I decided our best option was to just let him cry it out because seeing us was just making it harder for him to accept we weren't going to pick him up. 9:30 E is completely asleep. He cried for about 20 minutes which was the longest 20 minutes of my life. The something miraculous happened. He slept through the whole night, for the first time, ever. 

     Night Two 

We followed the same bedtime routine as the previous night. At 9 we put E in his crib then went into the kitchen. He immediately started screaming. 9:15 E is sound asleep. 

Each night it got easier leaving him in his crib and his cry time got shorter. By the time E was 6 months old he went to sleep with no more than 5 minutes of crying and slept through the night until about 7 a.m. Sleep training isn't for everyone or every baby but it really worked for us and has made a world of difference in how we all sleep.

Open Letter To The New Mom

Open Letter to the New Mom

You've brought your beautiful new addition into the world. Congratulations! Now you just have to adjust to having this new little person depend on you for everything every second of the day. It's pretty hard right? I know I've been there and so has every other mom, even the ones who look like they always have everything together. I could tell you it will get easier, I'd also be lying. It doesn't get easier, ever. Life will eventually feel normal again though, It's just a different kind of normal. Eventually you and your new baby will find a groove and you will adjust and so will your baby. For right now all you can do is your best. So get a good cup of coffee (learn how to make a good cup at home, you'll need it), put the baby down and take a hot shower, and breathe mamma you're doing your best and it will pay off.

Packing With A 9 Month Old

Packing With A 9 Month Old

     Packing for a trip is different for everyone and every trip so I'm not going to go through every item I've packed for me and E. I am however going to tell you about a few of my favorite items that I make sure to have on every trip whether it be an overnight trip or week long vacation.

1. A good cross body bag

     I love cross body bags. They're easy to carry and still allow me to use my hands to carry ither things like a sleeping baby after a long day of shopping or laying on the beach.

2. Large Tote

     There are a million reasons to have a large tote packed for a trip. It could hold towels going to the pool. It could hold souvenirs on the trip back home. It can hold dirty clothes so they arent in the suitcase with your clean clothes. The uses are really endless.

3. Luggage Set

     A good luggage set makes all  the difference when packing for a trip. I opt for a hard case luggage set big enough to but mine, Scout's, and Easton's clothes in. This way we only have one big suitcase to keep up with.

4. Baby Carrier

     I have loved my baby carrier since day one it makes life so much easier. I don't know that this would be useful for every trip but since most of my trips include a lot of shopping the baby carrier comes in handy. It's an easy to keep E safe and still while still being hands free and is a lot lighter than the stroller. I would recommend this one for a younger baby, and this one for an older baby.

5. Pack n' Play

     The pack n' play is such a necessity. I love the ones that have the changing table attachment. Then you have an easily portable bed and a changing table for your little one. Plus it's east to set up and take down for those quick overnight stays.

6. Portable Sound Machine 

     E loves his sound machine at home so it just makes sense to bring one with us on trips. I tried to find the smallest one I could that would be easy to hook up and unhook. 

I hope this gives you a head start on packing for your next adventure. 

Planning A Vacation With A Baby

Planning a Vacation With a Baby

When my mom and I started planning our usual family summer vacation I thought it would be like it was last year. I was so wrong, now we have Easton and that changed everything. Now the hotels, restaurants, and entertainment have to be baby friendly which is a lot harder to find than I thought. Here are the steps we took to plan our vacation.

1. Pick a date and hotel

     This is the easiest part. Pick the dates you want to be out of town and start searching for hotels. I love hotels.com. It lets me look at many hotel options at once so I can get the best hotel for the best price. E loves the water, but pools are often to cold for him, so my goal was a hotel with a nice indoor pool and plenty of room for his pack n play. If your baby likes being outside you may look for something with or near a playground. also, take into consideration the location of the hotel. We wouldn't want a baby who is a light sleeper in a hotel in the middle of downtown in a big city.

2. Pick your Entertainment

     This was the hardest part for me because most of our usual entertainment was not baby friendly. Look for indoor attractions or attractions that give you an all day band so you can leave when baby needs a break and come back later. We chose to visit a small zoo (could be walked in 1 hour), Ripley's aquarium, and a small amusement park with games and rides a 9 month old can do 

(with mommy's help of course.)

3. Plan your dining 

     I love planning where we will eat. I try to choose hotels with a complimentary breakfast so one meal is out of the way. For lunch we try to keep it quick and light which can be harder when you have a baby eating table food. We chose to eat at places that had kids meals like mac&cheese, hot dogs, and fruits and veggies. Dinner was easy to plan because most dinner restaurants have kids meals. We just decided where the adults wanted to eat and easily found something E could eat too. If all else failed I ordered something that could easily be shared with him like pasta and steamed veggies, chicken and fries, or soups.

4. Plan your drive

     Easton does not like being in the car for long amounts of time so we tried to plan a lot of stops and plenty of car entertainment. We stopped roughly every hour to hour and a half for a few minutes. A couple of stops were to get gas and a quick diaper change, some were for food, most were just to stretch. In the car we had plenty of E's favorite snacks, toys to occupy him, and our portable DVD player attached to thee back seat head rest. we also have Amazon Prime which allows us to access to tons of movies to keep him (and us) entertained even on the go.

Our trip was a blast. There were still a few bumps in the read when we couldn't get a long enough nap time or food just didn't come fast enough but over all E did great and I thing it was a perfect first family vacation for our little man. I hope this helps you plan your perfect trip too.