DIY Baby Cuddly Blanket

I love making baby cuddly blankets (also known as security blankets) because they are so easy to do and take minimal fabric. I often use scrap leftovers I have from other projects. If your baby loves having something to cuddle (like mine does), this is a great option for you. Here is my simple step-by-step guide to making your own.

What You’ll Need

• Flannel fabric
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Cutting tools
• Pins

FLANNEL FABRIC
You’ll need a 15-inch square of your choice of flannel fabric for the cuddly. I like to use flannel because it's softer and comes in so many cute design options.

THREAD
Grab some colored thread that matches your fabric. This is for sewing around the edges.

SEWING MACHINE
For sewing everything together.

CUTTING TOOLS
You’ll need all your preferred items for cutting fabric.
1) A cutting board or table
2) Scissors or a rotary cutter
3) Measuring tools such as a measuring mat, ruler, etc.
4) A fabric pen or pencil to mark the fabric if you use one

PINS
For holding the fabric together for sewing.

Let’s Get Started

STEP #1
Cut your flannel fabric into a 15 x 15 inch square.

STEP #2
Fold the edges of the fabric down by half an inch all the way around. Pin into place.

STEP #3
Fold the edge of the new fold in half on the fabric so all rough edges are covered. Replace old pins with new pins through the full thickness of the fabric.

STEP #4
Sew the folded edges into place around all of the fabric.

And ta-da, now you have your own little personalized cuddly blankie for baby. Happy creating!

Tryon Palace Tour

I have always been a fan of historic sights, especially colonial-era time periods. One of my favorite trips as a kid was to Williamsburg, VA. So I was very excited to visit and tour Tryon Palace in New Bern, NC. Tryon Palace was formerly known as the Governor’s Palace from 1770 to 1775 before the North Carolina capital was moved to Raleigh.

In April 1791, George Washington stayed two nights in New Bern and attended a ball at Tryon Palace. The 8th Governor of NC (the last Governor to be inaugurated at Tryon Palace) had the state capital moved to Raleigh, NC, in 1794.

In 1798, a fire that started in the cellar of Tryon Palace burned the main house to the ground. It was rebuilt in the 1950s based on the original plans, keeping it a historical landmark.

Tryon Palace now features the main house, kitchen, office, horse stables, cellar, and 16 acres of beautiful gardens and landscapes. There are also four other historical houses and buildings near the Palace.

Tryon Palace is located at 529 South Front Street, New Bern, NC 28562. You can learn more about Tryon Palace, its seasonal events, tickets, hours, etc., on its website here.

Quick facts:

• Capital for 2 governments
• 18 galleries & exhibits
• 250 years of history (to explore)
• Dixon House, Stanly House, Hay House & New Bern Academy Museum, other historic houses to explore near the Palace
• More than 16 acres of gardens & landscapes
• Yearly/seasonal events such as Christmas candlelit celebration
• Named after William Tryon, who was the Governor of NC from 1765-1771
• The Palace overlooks the Neuse River right along the water and is gorgeous

Begin at the North Carolina History Center (529 S. Front St.) in New Bern, NC. Purchase tickets, find maps & info, view an orientation film, visit gallery exhibits, and begin the Tryon Palace tour. There is also a museum store and food at Lawson’s Cafe.

You can tour the interior palace, cellar, kitchen office, stables, and outer grounds with 16 acres of gardens. Tours of the palace and kitchen office are guided, but the outdoors is self-guided.

Note:

Photos are allowed with no flash.

Tryon Palace

Dixon House

Tryon Palace is full of history and is just gorgeous! I want to go again myself. If you’re in Eastern North Carolina, you should stop by. You won’t regret visiting this historic gem!

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.

Staying Cozy with Chrissy’s Custom Socks

This blog post was sponsored by Chrissy’s Custom Socks. All opinions are my own.

As a blogger, you can work from anywhere. And as a stay-at-home mom, my blogging is usually done in the comfort of my own home/at my house. So for me, comfort is key when writing. With it being winter, you can usually find me in some comfy leggings, a sweater, and my new knee-high blogger socks from Chrissy’s Custom Socks.

I love personalized items. There is something so special about making a unique piece that is meaningful to you. I’ve been professionally blogging for almost four years now. These socks are so special to me because they represent a big part of my life and something I love that makes me me.

Chrissy’s Custom Socks makes the whole personalizing aspect so smooth. It is easy online ordering! There are options for everyone: women, men, and kids. There are knee-high and thigh-high socks. Many different styles and color options. Thinner and thicker sock types. Simply find what pair you like best and input your personalization choices.

Once you place your order, you will receive a digital proof for final approval within 24 hours. Upon approval, your socks go into production and are assigned an estimated delivery date. There is a 1-2 week production time. Production time does not include shipping. Allow 3-5 business days for delivery.

The socks themselves are warm and cozy. I love the tighter feel of the socks so they stay firmly in place on my leg and don’t fall down or bunch up. They feel sturdy and thick, like they will last quite a while. Which is a plus! No one wants socks with holes in them right away.

Not only are they comfy, but they are also made in the USA. Another huge bonus in my book. If you love personalized items, want to stay cozy, need a new pair of socks, are looking for a thoughtful gift for someone else, or just looking to support a small US-based business–then give Chrissy’s Costume Socks a try!

The blogger socks I’m sporting are the Custom Sports Socks. How would you personalize your socks? Let me know in the comments below!