All I Want for Mothers Day is… QUIET!

grandmawithgirls

I was inspired to write this post about my plans for Mother's Day while participating in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for MetLife.  I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating. It's so true.  Everyday of my life seems so loud - there are always things pulling me in 15 different directions and this Mothers Day, I simply want quiet. You know the kind of quiet that comes from tiny footsteps on the ground... The kind of quiet where all you can hear is the sound of her {and your} heart beating with pure joy after you've chased each other around the yard, squealing... The kind of quiet that comes with this smile, although it stands for a thousand words... The kind of quiet that is sharing special moments with my family … [Read more...]

Posted on May 9, 2013 by

Filed Under: children, family, momcentral, parenting · 5 Comments

Summer Must-Haves for Moms with Young Kids {Albion Fit Swimsuit Giveaway!}

albionpoppyfront

I have 2 girls under 3 {for a few more days at least}.  I'm tired, energized, and totally ready for the Summer season - all in one!  I love being able to let the girls run wild in the backyard and dreaming of days lounging by the {1 foot deep} pool!  I'm getting myself ready and thought you might be too, so I've created my list of some of the Summer Must-Haves for Moms with Young Kids! All Moms are similar, but those with younger children really have to plan out the Summer accordingly.  We have little ones that are totally ready to be independent, bodies that might not be back to their fabulous shape yet, and delicate skin to protect!  Check out my list of must-haves, then let me know if you have something that you absolutely can't live without this … [Read more...]

Posted on May 9, 2013 by

Filed Under: Current Giveaways, family, getting fit, parenting · 103 Comments

When Parenting Gets Tough: How to Handle Thumb Sucking

Thumb Sucking

It's been awhile since my last When Parenting Gets Tough post so I thought I would come back with a BANG!  Thumb Sucking. Yep, parenting is tough.  I'll admit, when I was pregnant, I knew being a Mom was going to be hard, but I never really realized how hard.  Sure, it's completely rewarding and obviously the good outweighs the bad or people wouldn't have more than 1 child, right?  But it's hard.  This post isn't going to be a woe is me type.  No, I just want to share one inner struggle that I'm dealing with and simply hope that someone has some insight, has dealt with the same issue before, or can lead me to what I really feel I should do.  Heck, that's why I write.  Sometimes when I just let my brain do the talking, my fingers do the typing … [Read more...]

Posted on May 7, 2013 by

Filed Under: children, family, parenting · 6 Comments

Thinking on My Toes: Creative Lunch Ideas and My Buffalo Chicken Fries Wrap

Creative Lunch Ideas

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community.  I was inspired to write this post on Creative Lunch Ideas as a part of this shop that has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® and Tyson #cbias #SocialFabric Moms are always thinking on our toes, right?  We deal with two year old tantrums in the grocery store, diaper explosions {cloth or not}, and the lunch time rush.  I really don't know which of those three is more stressful.  It's like I just get done cleaning up breakfast and I look at the clock and it's already time to start thinking about what's for lunch!?  So, this Mom {thumbs point at myself} decided to get creative with lunch the other day.  Ok, actually I was just thinking on my toes, like any Mom does, … [Read more...]

Posted on May 7, 2013 by

Filed Under: cbias, parenting, recipes · 6 Comments

My Number 1 Baby Registry Item – Video Baby Monitor

pro-black

I'm by no means a Baby Registry expert, but after having 2 babies I do know what I used and didn't use that was on my Baby Registry Checklist!  When I was pregnant with Sophia {who is now almost 3 - EEK!}, hubby and I tossed around the idea of purchasing a video baby monitor.  We finally concluded that it was just too much of an expense and didn't think it was really needed. Oh boy were we wrong! That is one {along with a few more} of my biggest regrets.  It would have made me sleep easier with my first baby, I know!  We did end up getting a video monitor when Moreaya was first born.  He helped me relax so much more at night when she was transitioned to her crib.  From that moment, any time someone asked me what should and shouldn't be on their … [Read more...]

Posted on April 24, 2013 by

Filed Under: Finished Giveaways, parenting, Review, technology · 150 Comments

Car Seats: What I Know Now That I Wish I Knew Then

Car Seats

I was inspired to write this post while participating in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Chicco and I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation. My baby will be turning 3 in a little over a month.  THREE!?  How is this even possible.  My life has tremendously changed in the last three year in a ton of ways, obviously.  I've learned so much about being a parent and only have, well, a lifetime of stuff left to learn. I am in no way an expert at anything when it comes to parenting, but I've definitely done more research than I did 3 years and 10 months ago and this post is about one of those subjects - Car Seats!  Car Seats: What I Know Now That I Wish I Knew Then Car Seat Safety The above infographic should be … [Read more...]

Posted on April 15, 2013 by

Filed Under: momcentral, parenting · 16 Comments

Quick, Easy, Sweet Snack for Moms {without the Guilt!}

DOLE Snacks for Mom

When I found out that I was chosen to host a party for the DOLE Fruit Crisps snacks, I couldn't wait!  When the packaged arrived at the door with all the yummy flavors, I was even more excited.  When Sophia found the beautifully packaged box of red, crinkled paper protecting those yummy snacks, well, I wasn't so excited. But then when I read that one bowl only contained 160 calories - I got excited again!  These are the perfect snack for Moms and just a few calories, so no guilt! I struggle with snacking, but especially at two times during the day.  The afternoon nap time, slump and after dinner.  While the girls are napping, it's quiet and I always want to reach for a little sweet something to keep me awake.  After Dinner, I love to have a sweet treat to finish the day, buuuuttt... that … [Read more...]

Posted on April 4, 2013 by

Filed Under: momcentral, parenting, recipes, Review · Leave a Comment

Baby Safe Nail Polish – Our Toes are Getting Fancy {coupon code & giveaway!}

Piggy Paint Baby Safe Nail Polish

I have been a huge fan of Piggy Paint as soon as I had Sophia.  Those cute little piggies were just begging for some color, but I was obviously worried about putting nail polish on them.  I mean, if it smells that strong toxic, imagine what's in it!  So, when I stumbled over Piggy Paint at a natural, local cloth diaper store, I was intrigued and purchase the Toe-Tally Fancy Set right then! We acquired a few different colors and have been Piggy Paint fans ever since. So when this lovely box arrived at my door, I couldn't wait to show Sophia... This kid is obsessed with blue, so I obviously bet myself that she would pick the front and center Tea Party for Two, but she actually went with the Ice Cream Dream {which she proclaimed was green AND blue!} and then proceeded to order tell me I would wear pink and Moreaya … [Read more...]

Posted on April 1, 2013 by

Filed Under: children, momcentral, parenting · 57 Comments

Toddler Snack Idea: Greek Yogurt Smoothies

ebyogurt4

Over the past few years, Greek Yogurt seems to be gaining an even larger fan base and new found popularity. Greek Yogurt is packed with even more nutrients than yogurt and has a delicious and unique taste. Greek Yogurt has nearly double the protein than regular yogurt and has half the amount of sodium found in regular yogurt. Greek Yogurt is thicker and creamier than regular yogurt which makes it a great way to fill up without excess snacking! Earth’s Best’s line of Greek Yogurt Smoothies are a perfect snack for your toddler! These smoothies are made in great on-the-go pouches which make them ideal for snacking anytime and anywhere. Each Greek Yogurt smoothie is a natural, sweet blend of real organic fruit, yogurt and whey. One serving contains 3 grams of protein compared to 2 grams of protein in regular yogurt smoothies. … [Read more...]

Posted on March 27, 2013 by

Filed Under: children, parenting · Leave a Comment

Keep Out of Reach of Children: Kids and Medication Safety

Safe Kids

If you start looking at labels, you'll see the phrase "Keep Out of Reach of Children" on almost everything.  When I worked in a childcare setting, the state of Tennessee required anything that had that warning, be locked up so kids could literally not get a hold of it.  It was a great experience for me because I often think back to those experiences and put into practice what I learned then. But - one thing that we use almost daily that I would about bet know one keeps locked up... medications.  I'm sure that most of you who are reading my blog are dedicated parents and definitely do keep medications out of sight and away from children, but sometimes we might slip.  Or worse, your child might be visiting another house and they don't keep their medications tucked away safely. Those figures are … [Read more...]

Posted on March 22, 2013 by

Filed Under: children, momcentral, parenting · 7 Comments

Mom, What’s for Breakfast? Healthy, Simple Toddler Breakfast Idea

sopheboatmeal

  "Mom... What's for Breakfast!?" I can't tell you how many times I hear this question - at least once a DAY!  HA! But seriously, breakfast options can be just as hard to decide on as lunch and dinner.  Especially hard when you've just woken up, haven't had a cup of coffee yet, and are scrounging around the cupboards and freezer for a quick option on those mornings. I've shared before that Sophia is in love with oatmeal in the mornings.  One reason is because it's something that she can help make, but she also loves to customize it.  Right now she's on a dried blueberry kick, so when she's enjoying a bowl of Earth’s Best® Sesame Street® Organic Yummy Tummy Oatmeal, we always add a small handful of blueberries! There are numerous benefits of eating … [Read more...]

Posted on March 20, 2013 by

Filed Under: children, family, parenting · Leave a Comment

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