Best Keepsakes for Baby’s 1st Christmas

Baby’s first Christmas is so special! There is nothing like experiencing Christmas through a child’s eyes. And the year they experience it for the first time is just so magical.

I always try to do all the Christmas things, make the memories, and create fun keepsakes. I have certain keepsakes I try to do for each child’s first Christmas. These are some of the special keepsakes I like to have to look back on as the kids grow.

Baby’s Handprint Mold Ornament 

I started this tradition when my 2nd child was born (and my oldest was celebrating her 2nd Christmas). You make a handprint mold ornament. I buy mine at the store (Walmart, Target, etc.), but you can also make your own salt dough for the ornament.

Stocking

Everyone needs a Christmas stocking, and baby is no different! Make sure to grab one. I not only get myself a stocking to add to our mantle, but I also get a special “Baby’s 1st Christmas” themed stocking for their memory box.

Baby’s First Christmas Doll

There are so many cute Christmas-themed toys and dolls you can get at any store. They usually have “Baby’s 1st Christmas” specific ones too. I always grab one for my babies. A couple of years it was a reindeer, and one year it was Baby’s first Elf (on a shelf).

Christmas Outfit

Check out your local baby clothes section at Walmart, etc. I always make sure to get a special outfit, dress, or onesie for Baby’s first Christmas.

Christmas Photoshoot 

There are so many cute photo ideas for babies at Christmas. I always do a couple of mini photoshoots for my kids' first Christmas to capture these special moments. 

Christmas Hand/Foot Print Crafts

Another of my favorites for babies is making Christmas crafts using their hand and/or foot prints. I’ve done a mistletoe foot one and a handprint Christmas wreath before. I’ve also done some different Christmas characters (Grinch, penguin, snowman, etc.). Check out Pinterest for some creative ideas!

I hope these ideas help inspire you to create special keepsakes for your little one(s). Are there any other special Baby’s First Christmas keepsakes you’ve done that I didn’t mention? Let me know in the comments! I’m always looking for more ideas.

5 Tips to Get Kids to Eat Veggies

If you’re a parent, I’m sure you know the struggle of getting kids to eat veggies. Maybe you’re blessed with a good eater, or maybe you have at least one picky eater. I know I do. I’m sure you’ve tried it all to get them to eat healthy, and that means more veggies.

If you are struggling to get your kid(s) to eat veggies – like I do with one of mine – or if you don’t even know where to start, I have a couple of ideas. Here are some of the ways I try to sneak more veggies into my kids' meals.

1. Mix Veggies in Food

This can be one of the simplest ways to sneak more veggies into your kids' food. They are more likely to try it if they don’t know it’s in there. Try mixing veggies into smoothies, casseroles, etc. Anything to help hide that veggies are included.

2. Substitute Veggie Items for Others

Try swapping some regular food options out for vegetarian ones. Cauliflower wings instead of chicken wings, veggie pasta instead of regular pasta, veggie nuggets instead of chicken nuggets, etc. These are some of my favorite meal options, and most of my kids love them too!

3. Offer Veggies as Snacks

Start offering veggies as daily snacks. Once your kids get used to eating them, they’ll like them more. Think raw veggie trays or even raw/fresh green beans, sugar snap peas, etc.

4. Cover Veggies in Sauce

If your child has a favorite condiment or sauce, try covering veggies in that. When I was a kid, the only way I would eat meat (which I wasn’t a big fan of) was to drench it in BBQ sauce. My son is big on mayo, so we try to cover some veggies in that for him.

5. Add Something to the Veggies

Try jazzing up your veggies by adding something to them. Try eating it with cheese or a dip, or adding peanut butter, etc. 

Every child is different. My son still fights eating veggies even with these tricks, but I’m able to sneak some in other times. Hope these tips help make your feeding veggies to kids tasks easier!

7 Ways to Save Money on Homeschooling

With a new school year in full swing, now is the perfect time to implement some changes to help you save more. One of my biggest worries when I started homeschooling was the added cost of curricula and having to do it all on my own.

But I’m here to tell you, you don’t have to spend like crazy to teach your kids at home. Your kids can still have a great education, even if you're at home.

I’m still pretty new in my homeschooling journey (this is only year number 2 for me), but there are a few things I do to help with the financial aspect of it. So I wanted to share with you some tips and tricks I use to help save money with homeschooling!

1. Shop at Consignment Stores

Buying second-hand can save you so much off retail prices. Consignment shops or sales are a big place I shop for all kids' items, including school books and supplies. You can find items still in good shape (sometimes practically brand new) for a fraction of the price.

2. Stock Up During Sales

Stock up on supplies during sales. I grab quite a bit once all the back-to-school supplies get marked down after the new school year starts.

3. Buy Supplies Throughout the Year

Spread out your spending by buying items you need throughout the year vs. all at once when you’re about to start the school year.

4. Use Free Resources 

Thanks to the internet, there are actually quite a bit of free resources out there. You can find almost anything you want on YouTube or Pinterest. Some homeschooling companies even offer free products for you to test out.

5. Use Your Public Library

Public Libraries are probably the best free resource! You can find books on pretty much anything. If you’re doing a book study or working on a certain subject, just check the book out for free vs. buying one. Libraries also usually have fun programs like story time and different events.

6. Create Your Own Studies

Try your hand at DIYing or creating your own studies for different subjects vs. buying an entire curriculum for it. For example, if you want to do an ocean study, you can find ideas on Pinterest, check out library books on the subject, watch the Oceans documentary on Disney+, etc.

7. Recycle & Reuse

One of the biggest things I do with homeschooling is reusing items. When I buy workbooks, I take the pages out and put them into sheet covers and into a binder. My kids then use dry-erase markers to complete their pages. When they’re done, you simply wipe the page clean. You can keep reusing the same workbooks over and over if they want to repeat it or for future years with other kids. It ends up saving so much over the years of not buying new ones every year.

A big thing I love about homeschooling is that there is no one-size-fits-all. Every family and situation is different. There are so many options! And with all the technology nowadays, there are so many free resources to help you on your journey. You can start saving money even with homeschooling anytime!

Tummy Time Tips & Tricks

Tummy time can be such a fun time, but it can also be an equally stressful time. Tummy time is important for development because it helps to strengthen a baby’s neck, arm, and shoulder muscles. Building muscles will help your baby as they grow and learn to roll over, sit, crawl, and eventually walk. Tummy time can also help babies build their motor skills.

Despite all of the benefits of tummy time, many babies don’t like it. Especially when they are young. All three of my kids hated doing tummy time in the early days. They would scream and get frustrated when they couldn’t move or lift their head yet. I had to find ways to get creative and make it fun instead of a chore.

I wanted to share with you a few tips and tricks that were helpful for my kids during our tummy time journeys. I hope that by sharing, they help someone else struggling with this phase.

1. Take Turns Between Tummy & Back

A big thing that helped for us was to switch back and forth between tummy time and back time. We would have tummy time for a while, and when baby got too upset, we would switch and do some back time. Then we’d take turns going back and forth for a little bit.

2. Lay Out Toys

Probably the biggest thing I’ve done for tummy time is to lay out toys within arm's reach or in front of baby’s face. Having something to look at helps with distracting baby during tummy time so they aren’t lying there bored.

3. Interact with Baby

Talk, sing, and play with baby. Anything to help with distracting the baby from their unhappiness while doing tummy time. Interact with them. Let them know they aren’t alone.

4. Use a Water Tummy Time Mat

Get a water mat. My third baby absolutely loved his water tummy time mat! You simply fill it with water, and it has toys that move inside so baby can play and move the items in the water. It was a lifesaver with my youngest, and I wish we’d had one with my older two.

5. Rotate Blankets & Mats

Use different blankets with colors and patterns underneath baby. And switch those blankets/mats out every so often to give baby something new to look at. Changing it up will help keep baby entertained with something new to look at.

6. Change the Location

And speaking of changing it up…try changing the location/room where you do tummy time. If you always do it in the same room and same spot, try mixing it up with a different room or location.

7. Go Outside

And last but not least, take tummy time outside. There is something about fresh air and being outside that babies just love (I know all of mine did). Try doing some tummy time outside to give your baby some new sights, smells, and sounds.

Bonus tip for encouraging crawling: Once baby is getting closer to crawling try putting toys, books, etc just outside of arms reach. This will help encourage movement for baby to reach for/try to get the toys.

 

I hope that these tips and tricks help make your tummy time journey a little bit smoother for you and baby! Do you have a tummy time tip that I didn’t mention? Let me know in the comments below!

Mess-Free Play for Traveling with Kids

One of the biggest things we put a lot of thought into when traveling with our kids is what to pack to keep the kids entertained. No matter their age, toys are a must for kids. Whenever we take a road trip, it’s easier because we can bring more…but during our recent flight in April, I had to rethink what to bring based on getting through security and having minimal space.

It was trickier, but we did it. You may have to get more creative with what you bring, but there are still plenty of mess-free toy options to keep the kids happy! Here’s my top list of our favorite mess-free toys for traveling!

Moldable Clay

My son loves playing with magnetic sand, Play-Doh, and molding clay. While the sand is his favorite, I knew we could travel with it because of the mess. So we opted to bring our moldable clay. He can still build and shape it, but it doesn’t crumble and leave a giant mess everywhere.

Magnetic Toys

Magnetic puzzles, books, or character story boards are another great option for kids who want to play with multiple pieces, but you don’t want to constantly be losing them. I’ve also heard of someone who took a cookie sheet pan to have her kids play with magnets on so they didn’t fall.

Window Cling-On Decals

There are so many great reusable sticker/window cling-on options these days. I’ve even gotten some at the dollar store. You could get some books or just the window cling-on decals/stickers, and the kids can play with them on car windows and/or airplane windows.

Fidget Toys

The current obsession with little fidget toys like the spinners, poppers, etc. is another great option to keep your kids entertained and in one spot, mess-free.

Writing Tablets

Probably our favorite mess-free toy options are the erasable writing tablets. Both of my kids love drawing and coloring and could do it all day. These tablets are great because they can draw and erase and draw again over and over. You can also play games on them like tic-tac-toe, hangman, etc. So many options for ways to use them. No more crayon or marker mess. My kids used these on every flight and layover we had during our trip in April. We don’t go on a trip without them!

I hope these tips help to keep your little ones entertained during long travels and keep you sane with no messes! Do you have any other mess-free play ideas for traveling that I didn’t mention? Let me know in the comments below!

8 Benefits of Baby Wearing

I have always loved baby wearing. With my daughter, I just liked having her close, but as I had more kids, it became more essential so that I could get stuff done and still spend quality time with each of my kids. My youngest has been my biggest baby-wearing fan–he is obsessed!

Baby wearing is popular for many reasons. And there are different reasons why you may choose to do it. It is good for a baby’s physical and mental development and health in many ways…some that I only recently learned. So I wanted to share what I have learned with you. These are my top reasons why baby wearing can benefit not only your baby but also you!

Being Hands-Free

The biggest reason for me when it comes to baby wearing is having your hands free! If you have a baby who is clingy, or older children that need your help, having your hands free to do other tasks is a huge plus! My littlest guy takes a regular morning nap in the carrier while I clean and get stuff done around the house.

Bonding

Baby wearing builds that bond with your baby. You can easily talk or sing to your baby. You get extra snuggles, and they get the extra time with you even when you are busy.

Security for Baby

Your baby will feel more secure and safe when snug against you in a baby carrier. Think about it: they are snug against you for 9 months and are used to hearing your voice and heartbeat. Being able to do that again after they are born into the world brings an added security for them.

Peace of Mind for Mom

Along with security for the baby, baby wearing also gives mom peace of mind. When I have a newborn, I am more anxious and constantly checking if they are breathing. Baby wearing gives me a sense of relief because I can easily check if the baby is breathing when they are on my chest.

Out of Reach for Others

Baby wearing is great if you want to keep strangers or people from trying to touch/hold the baby when out and about. With my youngest, I wear him in a carrier often, especially when I don’t want people touching or spreading germs to him. You can easily cover baby and/or move away if people get too close to baby.

Reflux & Gas Relief

Baby wearing is also known to help babies with reflux, gas, and colic relief. Being in the upright position helps baby get burps out easier, which helps prevent gas buildup in the belly.

Regulate Functions

Holding baby close helps them regulate their breathing, temperature, and heart rate. Studies have also shown babies who are routinely carried cry less and are generally happier.

Can Help with Breastfeeding

If you are a breastfeeding mom, baby wearing can help with that in a couple of ways. The hormones released when moms hold their babies close trigger milk release (let-down). Having that close physical contact with your baby can help with milk production and help you learn your baby’s hunger cues up close. Women who baby wear are twice as likely to successfully breastfeed.

The ease of use when it comes to baby wearing should be enough to convince you to give it a try. Baby wearing when I travel is a lifesaver for me–especially when flying! What is your biggest reason to baby wear? Let me know in the comments below!

How to Prepare Your Body for Labor

Labor and delivery is a very exciting time, but it can also be a very stressful and overwhelming time. It is true what they say: “you don’t know what you don’t know”, meaning you can’t fully prepare or know what to expect until you’ve been through it. And while you can never 100% prepare or know what will happen (because anything can happen), there are ways to help prepare your body for it ahead of time.

With my first pregnancy, I tried to read and research different ways to help prepare my body for labor early on. I wanted to do my best to be ready for the task of birthing a child. While every person and pregnancy is different, these are the things I still do every pregnancy that I think contribute to a smoother delivery for me.

Exercise

The biggest one for me is exercise. Just moving your body can be a huge help! It doesn’t have to be anything too crazy either. Squats and lunges are great for helping your body prepare for birth. Swimming is great for exercise and alleviating the weight of your body. Even just walking is good for you. My personal go-to is yoga. It is more relaxed but still gets the job done. It’s easy to modify when needed to accommodate your growing belly, and you can do pregnancy/labor specific routines too. In all three of my pregnancies, I walked/chased kids around and did yoga regularly.

Hydration

It might not seem important, but anyone who has ever been pregnant knows hydration is very important during pregnancy. Staying hydrated helps both mom and baby and can help prevent preterm labor. I carry around a water bottle all day. If you need help drinking more water, try out a bottle that has time stamps on it to make sure you are drinking it throughout the day based on the times. Another of my favorites is to simply add cucumbers or fruit to the water for when you want something with taste.

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

In my research for labor prep, I came across red raspberry leaf tea. I love tea, so it was an easy thing for me to try with my first. Studies have shown drinking red raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy can help make labor faster and reduce complications and interventions during birth. I personally have drunk it for all 3 of my pregnancies. I start taking it in the third trimester (1 cup a day until 32 weeks, and then I increase it to 2 cups a day). If you are unsure or have any questions, ask your doctor about it.

Yoga Ball

Another thing I take up in my 3rd trimester is my yoga ball exercises. I try to sit and do hip circles, slight bouncing, rocking back and forth, etc., a little bit every day. It will not make you go into labor, but it will help your body prepare for labor, and it is also good to help the baby get into the optimal head-down birthing position.

Bonus Tips:

Two other tips I have heard can help (but I have personally never tried) are perineal massages to help prevent tearing and also eating dates at the end of pregnancy.

With my first two babies, I had 2nd-degree and then 1st-degree tearing. With my 3rd, I didn’t tear at all, and he was my biggest baby. These are the methods I used to help prepare my body each time. Just keep in mind every person and pregnancy is different. There is no guarantee of an easy and tear-free childbirth. But my philosophy is that it doesn’t hurt, and anything is better than nothing when it comes to labor prep! If you have any other suggestions that I didn’t mention above, comment below!

Newborn Must-Haves

Just like with pregnancy and postpartum, newborn life comes with many changes. Because each baby is different, it can be unpredictable. No matter if it’s your first baby or 6th, the newborn phase can still be a bit of a learning curve each time.

You might have one baby who loves to be swaddled and another who hates it. You might have one baby who likes to be in a baby wrap and another who prefers just a baby carrier. Each baby has their own preferences and favorite things. It takes a bit of trial and error to figure out what works for each baby.

For example, my first two babies loved their baby swing. I figured it was a staple, and all babies love it. My third baby hates it and screams whenever he’s put in it. But we did find another baby seat with vibration that he likes.

So while these are some essentials I have come to rely on with newborns, sometimes you just never know what they’re going to like. You may have to get creative and play around to figure out what works best for you and your baby.

Once you find what works for you, run with it! I try to keep it basic and minimal with my tips to help you along on your journey. So without further ado, here are my personal top essential must-haves for newborns.

Changing & Cleaning

If there is one thing everyone knows babies need, it's diapers, etc. There are some more items that often are overlooked until they’re needed that you’ll want to make sure to have on hand. Here are my newborn must-haves for changing and cleaning:

• Diapers/Wipes
• Diaper rash cream
• Bath/Baby wash
• Gripe water
• Snot sucker
• Baby oil
• Baby lotion
• Grooming kit (Baby brush/comb, nail clippers, thermometer, medicine dropper, etc.)

Clothes & Accessories

Babies outgrow clothes so fast in these early days; I suggest finding what works for you and Baby. Stick with those things as opposed to buying everything. For example, I typically only dress my babies in sleepers for at least the first month (sometimes longer), so I buy mostly those instead of all the onesie/ multiple piece items. Here are my essential must-haves for newborn clothes and accessories:

• Pacifier
• Baby sleepers
• Burp cloths
• Hat
• Blankets
• Swaddle wraps/blankets

Equipment

You will need quite a bit of equipment for your new little one. While each baby is different in what seats they may or may not like, you really don’t need to get one of everything. My best advice is to go with the essentials while they are newborns and slowly add the bigger toys/chairs/seats as needed as they get older. Here are my equipment must-haves:

• Boppy pillow
• Swing
• Pack n Play/Bassinet
• Carrier/Baby wrap
• Car seat
• Stroller
• Breast pump/bottles
• Baby bathtub

For more newborn items you may want/need for your hospital stay, check out Hospital Bag Must-Haves, and for postpartum essentials for mom during the 4th trimester, check out Postpartum Must-Haves.

I hope that these tips come in handy for you and help to better prepare you for life with a newborn. All of us mothers have been where you are. Just know you are not alone! If you have any suggestions for other must-haves that I didn’t list, please comment below and let me know.

Hospital Bag Must-Haves

Just like everyone’s pregnancy journey is different. Everyone’s birth story is different. Having a good hospital bag full of essentials is so helpful when you’re in labor.

There are so many go-tos out there about what you should or shouldn’t bring with you. I’m here to share my two cents from my own personal experience. With my first baby, I packed all the things…and I mean ALL the things. It was a lot, and I didn’t use half of them.

I quickly learned what was a must-have and what wasn’t. I majorly downsized for my second child’s delivery and was much happier. The truth is, the hospital will have a majority of things you need, so you don’t need to truck towels, pads, etc. in with you.

Everyone’s preferences are different, so you may not use all of my essentials or want extras added on, and that’s OK. You want to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

Packing for labor and delivery doesn’t need to be stressful or full of items you won’t use. So I wanted to share what I have found as must-haves in the hopes it helps other mommas-to-be out there be better prepared.

Toiletries

Typically, you won’t be in the hospital too long if you have a simple birth, so you won’t need a lot of items, but you’ll still want your typical toiletries. With my first two kids, I was discharged 24 hours after birth. These are my go-to toiletries to pack:

• Shampoo/conditioner
• Witch hazel
• Lotion
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
• Dry shampoo
• Deodorant
• Chapstick
• Hairbrush
• Headband

Mom Items

I make sure to include my mom must-haves when packing. My personal go-tos are:

• Purse (with all essential IDs, etc.)
• Hair ties
• Phone/camera and all chargers
• Comfortable coming home clothes (maternity bra, big underwear, pants, shirt, etc.)
• Belly band (postpartum belly band to help stomach shrink back after birth)
• Hip band (belly support/hip band to help hips shrink back after birth)
• Water bottle
• Snacks

Baby Items

Probably the most items I pack are for the new Baby. My go-tos for Baby are:

• Boppy pillow (for nursing and taking photos)
• Baby’s coming home outfit
• Pacifier
• Baby memory book (the nurses will take a footprint of Baby after birth and put it into the book for you)
• Baby accessories for announcement photos (bring along anything you want to take photos of Baby. For me, it is usually blankets or clothes, a custom hat, and a cute boppy pillow cover. You could also include any name signs, hats, etc)

I hope that these tips come in handy for you and help to better prepare you for a more relaxed hospital stay. All of us mothers have been where you are. Just know you are not alone! If you have any suggestions for other must-haves that I didn’t list, please comment below and let me know.