DIY Valentine Decor

Hello, Lovelies!! Just stopping by to show you the cute little valentines centerpiece that is now gracing my kitchen table. 

 

So super easy to make- all you need is a scrap of red burlap, some brown burlap, white ribbon and a mason jar. 

 

All I did was cut a rectangle of the red burlap long enough to wrap around the jar. Then I hot glued it onto a clear mason jar. A piece of left over white ribbon went over that, and I free handed a heart out of the brown burlap and attached both with hot glue.  I plunked in some fake hydrangeas I have left over from our wedding centerpieces and there you have it. All total, it took maybe 4 minutes- which is perfect for DIY decor in my book.

 



 

Close up!

 

Another good reason that it only took four minutes to make was that was all the time it took for this guy to destroy the cupcake I gave him as a distraction while Mommy crafted.

 

Hes such a hot mess. I love it.

Coffee Body Scrub

Back in college, a girlfriend of mine wanted to have a spa party. The problem was we were all far too broke to actually go out and purchase spa treatments. So I decided I could make something to bring, and this scrub was born after I started hunting through my kitchen cabinets. 

 

 

What you'll need: Coffee (the cheaper the better, baby), kosher salt or sugar, olive oil (baby oil also works) and a splash of vanilla.

 

Start by combining about a cup or two of coffee with about 1/2 cup of salt- literally you cant screw this up, which is also why it rocks.  Just toss a handfull or two of each into the bowl.

 

 

Then add in about 2-3 tablespoons of oil. You just kind of want to coat everything. If you add too much oil, it can tend to clump together. After you stir it up, add in a splash or two of vanilla. This makes it smell like a latte, which I love and vanilla is also soothing to the skin.

 

Once its all mixed up, you can take a big handful and rub it into your skin.  The coffee and the salt exfoliate off the rough, dead skin, and the oil and vanilla put some moisture back. Something I found out later is that coffee is supposed to have properties in it that when it is applied to the skin it energizes the fat cells in skin and helps to break up cellulite. 

 

Now is this medically proven? I have no idea. A professor in college told me that and it always stuck. Especially since my arse hasn't seen the inside of a gym since Grayson was born and lets face it, it cant hurt either way.

 

The proof as they say- is in the pudding. So here is my before shot of my pasty leg. Keep in mind I live in Pittsburgh and my skin is supposed to be the color of liquid paper in January.

 

 

and the after- before I rubbed on any lotion.

 

While still liquid paper white- all of the dry skin has been removed and my skin is much softer. So much so that even the hubs noticed, which is nothing short of amazing.

 

You can make your own version of this scrub by playing around with things in your kitchen, so you never have to pay for a good spa treatment again!

 

Let me know if you have a good sugar scrub recipe- I'm always looking for new ones to try!

 



Baby Essentials

A friend of mine was asking the other day what were the things that we registered for that were utter essentials for us- things that she should make sure she has for her bean-on-the way. So I decided to compile a list for anyone who is asking the same question.

 

1- The Padalily
Anyone who has lugged a baby in an infant seat knows they are big, bulky and heavy. The Padalily is a cushion that wraps around the handle and makes it so much easier to carry. They sell for around $25 and its well worth it for all of the times it saved me from having the car seat carve a niche into my arm as I lugged chunky monkey through parking lots and to and from the car!


2- Beco Gemini Baby Carrier
I love me some baby wearing. Once Grayson grew too large for the k'tan I started looking at other carriers. The three big ones are the Bijorn, Ergo and the Beco- and I researched each and came up with the Beco for a few reasons. First, like the Ergo, it was easier on your back than the Bijorn. With the strap that goes around your waist it takes alot of pressure off of your shoulders, which is important. The thing that made it win over the Ergo for us was the option to face outwards. Grayson loved to look around, and I knew he wouldn't be happy only facing in. Overall I have loved this carrier- I can wear him for hours and my back doesn't hurt at all.

3. The Boppy
This was kind of a godsend. He ate in it, he had tummy time in it, he napped in it (even though Boppy frowns on that), it held him up when he was first learning to sit...I could go on, but you get the picture. Trust me and the 10000000 other bloggy Moms who rave about the Boppy- you need this.

4.  JJ Cole Orignial Bundle Me
We live in Pittsburgh, its cold here. The bundle me was amazing for the cold winter months because I didn't have to dress Grayson like he was the kid from A Christmas Story just to go to the grocery store. He stayed nice and toasty inside his fleecy little bundle, in fact nights he wouldn't sleep I would stick him in here and he would be out like a light.  I also loved that the blanket zipped, so even in the wind it didn't budge. They also make a lighter version for spring time, and we loved that too.


5. Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier
Kiddos get the sickies, and when they do there are zero meds that help. Pretty much all you can do is use the humidifier and a booger sucker to help ease the congestion, and this version is by far my favorite model. We have had a few different varieties of humidifiers, and this one is super quiet and easy to clean. Some tend to get mold gathered in the parts, but we have not had that issue at all. Plus this one has a spot for the vicks pads that help big people when they are all stuffed up.

6. GroVia Magic Stick
This beeswax formula diaper rash ointment has no petroleum, so its cloth diaper friendly. Its also neat and easy to put on and protects like no other. Anytime we would see a hint of red on his bum we would swipe this stick over it and it would be gone. $13 bucks might seem like a lot for 2 oz, but we use it a lot and were still on our first stick. Totally worth it.

7. Fisher Price Jumparoo
Grayson adored this, and spent hours upon hours jumping and laughing in this thing.  It was huge, and took up a good chunk of our floor space but I could put him in it and he would bounce and play with the toys and I could get dinner cooked and put on the table so it was well worth my floor space.

8. The Baby K'tan
When he was diagnosed with reflux all Grayson wanted was to be held. My poor arms couldn't take it, and I hit the interweb for a solution. So many bloggy Moms recommended this carrier, and said it was much easier to use than the Moby so off I went to diapers.com to order myself one.  It was amazing. It was so easy to put on, I could do it by myself without needing a Youtube video, and Grayson loved feeling close to me. He would nap in there and I could actually get stuff done.

9. The Wubanub
I loved this pacifier and was so sad when at 6 months Grayson kicked it to the curb. Not only is it cute as a button, but its easy to find in the car seat from the drivers seat. Grayson would always rub the different textures of the fabric on the monkey to fall asleep and when his teeth were bugging him the monkey's foot became a teether in a pinch.

10. The Lovey.
A stuffed animal head sewed onto a small washcloth sized blanket= a best friend for life. I don't know what attracted Grayson to his lovey, which is a giraffe, but he is obsessed with it. It used to be we couldn't get into the carseat unless it was tucked safely under one arm, but we've gotten better and now only need it to fall asleep at night. No matter what time you go into his room hes always got one hand on that lovey.

11. Eucalyptus Oil
Strange, I know, but this was recommended to us by our pediatrician. Whenever Grayson has a cough, we rub some of this oil on his feet and put on nice cozy socks and he gets some much needed relief. We also put it in the water in his humidifier to help unstuff him, and it works wonders. I like it because it doesn't have any other chemicals but is just a pure essential oil. We bought the 4 oz bottle and it lasts forever.

12. Prince Lionheart Wipe Warmer
Those wipes get cold, and when a cold one would hit a warm, happy, just fed milk coma baby's bottom he would scream and be wide awake. I cant say I blame him, but I was in dire need of a solution. Once we started pre-heating the wipes we had no more wide awake screaming issues. Which meant that for the $18 price tag, this Momma got lots more sleep.

13. Luv U Zoo Space Saver Swing
We had a MamaRoo and hated it at first, so we picked him up this little space saver swing and it was a hit. Its small, easy to fold up and take places and cute as a button.  Grayson was a swing baby, and this was probably one of our most used items.

14. The Bumbo
Grayson loved to be up, seeing what was going on around him so he loved his bumbo. When he was still kind of little for his high chair we would plop him in this on the table between us when we were eating and give him bites of his baby food. He felt like a big man, and always ate so much better when he was sitting with us. He still tries to sit in it sometimes, but his chunky butt doesn't exactly squeeze down into the opening anymore.

15. The Womb Bear
From the day we brought him home from the hospital, we would turn this on in Grayson's room to drown out the noise of the dogs barking or any other outside noises. He always slept so much better when it was on, and would sleep through anything. He doesn't use it anymore, but when we were sleep training it was essential.

16. Tadpoles Foam Playmat
 With hardwood floors and a baby learning to crawl/walk, we would have had many more goose eggs and bruises if we didn't invest in this mat. I loved that it would cushion his fall and was easier on his hands and knees than the floor. Its not always the easiest thing to clean, but its well worth the effort (I just put mine in the dishwasher to get it germ free!).

What did you consider a baby essential that I forgot about? Feel free to share!


*Please Note- I was not compensated for this post. All opinions are solely my own and based on products we have used and enjoyed!*




 

 



Books and Puzzles- Grayson Approved!

Part one of this post was all about the toys we cant live without, but we also got lots of books and puzzles that we love as well. Here are a few ideas if you're searching for some great gift ideas.

 

Funny Faces Books- Rusty Robot

 

This is just one book in the series and Grayson received a few of them for Christmas. He ADORES these books. They all have textures he can touch and feel, and they make sounds and some even have lights. Plus they're short enough to hold his attention, which is hard sometimes with longer books.

 

Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You Hear? Sound board book

 

We love the Eric Carle books, and this one he can push to actually hear the sounds as we read the story. Win. I keep this in the car and it keeps him entertained for the rides to and from Grandmas house.

 

You Are My Sunshine

 

 

This is hands down Grayson's favorite song. He really likes when we read it and we can tell him to turn the pages as we say the words.

 

My First Colors, Lets Learn them All! Tab Board Book

 

Each tab opens to a different page of items that are all the same color. Grayson really likes pointing out all of the different items on the pages (well, the ones he knows).  Its a book that we can use for a few years.

 

Melissa and Doug Deluxe Latches Board

 

This puzzle is amazing. It has all kinds of latches and chains and craziness that keeps the kid entertained for 30 minutes at a clip. He really hasn't even figured out that it is a puzzle underneath, so when he does that will bring a whole different kind of fun to the table.

 

Poke-A-Dot Books: Old MacDonald

 

 

LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. It has these little plastic pieces that you push, and it sounds like popping bubble wrap. Then, as they push in the first page, it sets up the second that they can push and pop on that side. Grayson adores it, and every adult that has seen it has loved it as well!

 

Melissa and Doug Farm Wooden Chunky Puzzle

 

I like these puzzles because the pieces are the perfect size for chubby toddler hands. We spend time asking him where is the duck, cow, pig etc and making the animal noise as we play with the puzzle so even if hes not getting it exactly in the right position he knows how to match them up. Plus, it doesn't have handles or little pegs- so you can stack the puzzles on top of one another for easy storage.

 

A few Mom Fails- and what they taught me.

We've all been there, you know what I'm talking about. Those moments when you're going along, thinking you've got the Mom thing down, then all of a sudden BOOM- a mom fail.

 

Lets see some examples, shall we?

 

How about the time a few months ago we left home to run to Giant Eagle (grocery store) that is roughly 2 miles from our house for a few essentials. Of course I left the baby bag at home, we would be home in 20 minutes, and I had JUST changed his diaper and fed him and thought we would be cool.  Mommy friends see where I'm going with this? We get in the store no issues. Grayson is in the buggy, laughing at Mommy who is making faces as she grabs produce, when all of a sudden I smell it.  Poop. I figured we would just finish the shopping, go home and get him changed. Until I walked in front of the buggy and realized the back of his white shirt was now brown.  Lovelies, he pooped out of the diaper and clean up to his armpits. Here I am, full cart, no diapers, no wipes and no change of clothes. Mom Fail.

 

Now- there is always, always, always a spare diaper in my purse. Also I keep a change of clothes, thing of wipes and a diaper in the glove box of my car.

 

Then there was the time we were reading the story "No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" and Grayson started jumping on the couch.  I laughed, because in the book it says at the end "but no one says anything about the sofa!" Here I was really impressed, because he understood the story.  I even reached for my camera to show Daddy the silliness.  Then he took a flying leap off of the couch and landed square on his head. Mom Fail.

 

We don't allow jumping on the furniture at all anymore.

 

I remember back when Grayson had reflux really bad and I took him to meet a friend of mine for lunch.  She doesn't have kiddos and is terrified of all gross things that babies do, but she had deemed mine "safe".  We were having a grand old time eating and talking. She fed Grayson, hugged on him, played with him.  It was all going too well.  When she handed him back to me, I gave him a quick hug. As I pulled him away from me the bouncing/squeezing must have gotten the best of him because he decided to projectile vomit all over me in the middle of the Olive Garden. It even soaked my bra, and I had no extra clothes. Mom Fail.

 

I learned to carry an extra shirt that day, or pick restaurants adjacent to Target in case I needed to purchase a quick change of clothes.

 

A few weeks ago I had made Grayson a wonderful dinner. Roasted chicken, corn, mashed potatoes and apple slices. He ate the corn and apples no problem. Wasn't a fan of the mashed potatoes but hes a bit of a texture eater so that was okay. But the main dish? He flat out refused to eat the chicken.  Like cried tears when I placed it into his mouth. Now he'll eat nuggets till the day is gone, but grilled skinless chicken might as well be brussle sprouts to my kid. So rather than fight it, I let him go and just eat his corn.  Fast forward about an hour to when it was time to feed the dogs.  Grayson loves to help feed the puppies, he pours the food into their bowls and giggles. Our dogs eat Chef Michaels with bits of dehydrated chicken and veggies.  Well don't you know that little snot reached into Gizzy's bowl and started to eat her dehydrated dog food chicken; not an hour after refusing the stuff that I took hours to make that was you know, people food. Epic Mom Fail.

 

We don't leave Grayson alone with the doggies while they are eating anymore.

 

This kid keeps me on my toes for sure. But no matter what the situation was, in the end I always end up laughing. Please let me know Im not the only one who has Mommy Failures out there?!

 

Christmas Gifts a 1 year old LOVES

Each month I always shared a list of must haves, things that Grayson really enjoyed that month. I did it so when I have baby #2, or when someone else has a baby, I can look back and get ideas for gifts and needs at each stage. I decided that I would share the gifts that he really seemed to enjoy this year for Christmas for the same reasons- and if these lists can help any of you lovelies out, then all the better!

 

Imaginarium Train Set with Table - 55-Piece

 

I picked this train table up for $40 on Black Friday, and I'd say thats the best money I spent this year for Christmas. Its not too big, only 4 square feet and its only about 1.5 feet off the ground so the size is PERFECT for Grayson Boy. He can reach to the center and really play with all of the pieces. I read alot of reviews and everyone suggested a train table, but I didn't want to bite the bullet and spend $150 on a huge one if he wouldn't like it.  This is the perfect little starter table and as he grows we can buy more pieces and then graduate to a bigger table.  Another plus? It doesn't make noise. WOO! Grayson will play with it for an hour at a time, making train noises and moving the pieces around. So hes actually getting to use his imagination and I don't need ear plugs. Its a win-win!

 

Fisher-Price Little People Wheelies Stand 'n Play Rampway

 

 

Grayson has been playing with cars on a more frequent basis, so we thought he might enjoy this. Well, we were right. It stands about three feet tall, so its perfect to grow with him. He loves putting the cars on the ramps and then watching them go all the way down.  He can then push them all around the living room and put them on the elevators to take them back to the top. It gets about 20 minutes of solid play- and for a toddler that's pretty golden.

 

Playhut 6- Foot Tunnel

 

Grayson loves crawling through tunnels at the park, so when I saw this guy on sale for $10 I figured I couldn't go wrong. It folds up really easily, and gets nice and flat so its very easy to store. Grayson has already logged many trips crawling from one side to the other.

 

Super Why DVDs

 

My kid is obsessed with Super Why- if you don't remember, mosey on back and check out his first birthday party. My stepdad found these DVDs on Walmart.com and picked a few of them up.  Coupled with the in-car DVD player we can get almost ANYWHERE in peace. Each DVD has 3-4 episodes on it, so for $9 dollars its a great deal. Plus, there are alot of new episodes that kids haven't seen on TV which always holds their interest a little more.

 

Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Puppy

 

My Dad picked this up for Grayson and at first I was skeptical. We already own Leap Frog's version- Scout, who can say Graysons name and be programed to remember things he likes.  However, Grayson loves this puppy.  He likes the songs he sings, and plays along whenever the puppy says "Wheres my hand/foot/ear/etc?" Its a great way to help teach body parts, something Scout doesn't do.

 

Tonka Chuck & Friends Classic Vehicle - Boomer the Fire Truck

 

 Chuck has a bunch of friends. A bunch.  We gifted Grayson a few different ones for Christmas because they are the perfect size for chubby toddler hands.  Plus they are semi soft, so when he chucks it at his head it wont hurt too bad. Cant go wrong with Chuck and his friends.

 

 

Other gifts that we really liked were the play-a-sound books that make animal noises or music- he received a few of these and loves them all pretty equally. As well as an assortment of balls- something you cant go wrong with for a boy at any age. 

 

Hello 2013!

Well, I hope you all had a wonderful time out celebrating and partying like it was 1999.  I spent my evening playing trains with a sicky baby, watching Superwhy and giving extra snuggles. Grayson was up till 2:30 and back up at 5, so this morning it certianly feels like I was out partying my face off.

 

We had plans to go to a wonderful party at my friend Julie's house, but hearing that his Momma had plans for like the first time ever Grayson decided to get a severe case of the sickies. Runny nose, cough, fever- oh and if that isn't enough lets add vomiting to the list. Just to make sure that Momma can't go out. Atta boy. He's lucky he's cute that one. 

 

But seriously, knowing he wasn't feeling good there is no way on Earth I would want to be anywhere else than snuggled next to him.  Until he yaked on me. Then I wouldn't have minded being a little further away. But in the spirit of fairness about an hour later he did even the score and toss his cookies on Daddy. That part at least made me smile.

 

When the ball drops at midnight its time for new beginnings, a time for growth and a time for change. I have my list of resolutions- things I want to accomplish and do this year.  I was always told to write down goals because it makes them more tangible and easier to accomplish. Well if writing them down makes it easier, releasing it to the Internet gods should make sure that I guilt myself into keeping them.

 

So here goes.

 

1. Cook at home at least 5 nights per week. For the sake of clarifying eating at other peoples houses counts, so break out those invites people!

 

2. ORGANIZE THIS HOUSE. De-clutter, streamline, and donate to charity all of the crap we don't want/need/use. Then keep it clean.

 

3. Run a 5K. I did the couch to 5 K program but never really ran. Id like to actually prove that I did it.

 

4. Be a better Mom.  Not that I'm a bad one now, but I think I can always be better. Show more patience, more tolerance, more understanding. Spend more quality time with my little guy.

 

5. Travel somewhere this summer with my husband and son that isn't to visit family.

 

6. Exercise regularly- at least twice a week.

 

7. Redo another room in the house. Be it the playroom (you know, the room that used to be my dining room?), the main bath, the guest room or add a second bath. I'm not picky, but I want to get at least one completely done.

 

8. Blog more regularly.

 

 

So those are my goals. I'm going to accomplish them, because I'm far too proud to proclaim it then fail...that would just be embarrassing. Let me know your resolutions, Ill be more than happy to guilt you into keeping your promises to yourself as long as you do the same for me!

 

Happy New Year, Lovelies!!

 

Last picture of 2012!