September 25, 2017

Finding Balance - Family, Work, Home

Working a "9-5" job when you have kids, a husband, and a house to take care of isn't easy. When I went back to work after having my first son I often found myself overly tired, stressed, and completely run down. When I knew my path was leading towards being a stay-at-home mom once we had our second, I knew my main goal would be taking care of our kids and keeping our house together, but I also set out to grow my side business. No, I didn't NEED to, but the idea of having my own means to do extra activities with my kids was something to chase after. My business isn't huge, but it does well and fits our current lifestyle, though I have found that my biggest weekly battle is balancing my work, house, and kids. I have compiled a list of some tips that I find help me navigate the weekly craze that is our life.


1. Do light housework while the kids eat breakfast

Housework is no joke with a three and one year old hanging around. If I had a penny for every Cheerio I picked up throughout the week, well, I wouldn't need my side business and we would all be retired on a mountain somewhere. But since no one pays me to pick up Cheerios, I guess I'll keep cleaning and working.

I don't usually eat breakfast, as I will work out and have a shake later into the morning, so while my babes are quietly sitting at the kitchen table or outside enjoying a bowl of cereal home-cooked meal, I will put away clean dishes and wash any leftover ones, clear any counters of junk, and will usually run the vacuum through the downstairs to take care of those never ending Cheerio trails.




2. Pick one day per week for the deep cleaning

Don't pick one day to clean 1 bathroom and the next day for the others, get them all done in one day...and stick to that day weekly so you don't get behind. Monday is a good day to do this- that way you are using a freshly cleaned bathroom all week, unless you have boys, then good luck keeping it clean EVER. Maybe on Tuesdays you dust and vacuum, Wednesdays wash the windows..create a schedule that works for you, it is much easier to do a little each day than attempting to clean the house top to bottom in a single day when you find out the in-laws are coming.


3. Start a load of laundry when you wake up in the morning
Does anyone enjoy doing laundry? I dislike it almost as much as I dislike doing the dishes. I TRY to get one load going each morning. This way I am not rushing to fold one load because another one needs the dryer, and it's totally okay if you don't wash and fold on the same day, you don't have to be THAT on top of things! I usually don't fold it right away because kids, but it does get done eventually.


4. Nap time is serious business


Both of my kids still take naps--or at least have a rest time. I make sure this happens at the same time every day. This is when the bulk of my business is done. I sit in a quiet spot, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, and work to get as much done as I possibly can while they are upstairs leaving me be. If I don't get every little thing done, I will sometimes log on after bedtime and finish up a few orders so I can get them out in a timely manner but I do try to have everything wrapped up by the time they start stirring.



5. Don't work during play time

Honestly, if I try to get work done while my kids were playing, they may or may not destroy each other. This doesn't mean that I don't shoot a quick email out here and there while they play independently, but I do try to keep my work out of play time. My kids enjoy that time with me so I like to make sure they get plenty of mommy time. Try to leave your work out of play time, you and your babies will appreciate it.


6. Don't stress when you don't get EVERYTHING done

There are times when I email a customer to let them know that there is a delay (usually only by one day) because my day didn't go as planned, and I have yet to run into someone who is not understanding. Kids are unpredictable no matter how planned out the day is, and sometimes it can't be avoided. If one of my kids needs extra snuggles, work can wait. If we get home late from a play date and nap time is lost, work can wait. Sometimes crumbs sit on my rug for days before I actually find the time to vacuum..is it gross? Probably, but some days running a vacuum isn't in the cards for us and I don't stress, I know I will get to it eventually. Right now, there is a laundry basket full of kids clothes (CLEAN!!!) sitting upstairs waiting to be folded, and it will most likely still be there tomorrow but it's ok! It's all about finding your balance.


What are some tips that help you balance the work/wife/mom life? Do you stick to a schedule or just wing it? Also, please tell me that I'm not the only one with this Cheerio issue?!





















September 6, 2017

Newlie Co Gail Satchel

I see more and more parents turning to the higher end, more stylish options when it comes to baby products, especially diaper bags. When I received the Newlie Co. Gail Satchel, I instantly fell in love with the color and style. I hadn’t used a satchel style diaper bag before so I was entering new, exciting territory and it fits my love for non-traditional diaper bags perfectly.


The Gail Satchel looks nothing like a diaper bag, in fact it looks more like a high-end leather purse so you would never guess that inside there are more diapers and kid snacks than other normal purse related items. I also wouldn’t call myself stylish AT ALL, but I’m pretty sure carrying this diaper bag ups my level and I have received many compliments on it. The faux leather bag comes in two colors, black or sandalwood, I picked sandalwood because IT IS GORGEOUS, and although it will fit into any season I can picture it being so beautiful alongside all the maroons and mustards of the Fall season.


One of the style features that grabbed me is the turn lock flap closure, it’s not often you find a diaper bag with that kind of detail. Under the flap, there are 3 main pockets-two of which have other various pockets inside. The large middle pocket is zippered which is where I keep my mom essentials: umbrella, wallet, hand sanitizer, mints…basically all the items I don’t want my kids getting into. It could really fit a whole lot more. The other 2 pockets on either side of the zippered pocket are open, but I haven’t had any issues with anything falling out because they are deep. 

Both pockets have a bottle/sippy cup sleeve which is great because each kid gets their own pocket! The front open pocket has 2 slide-in pockets as well as a large zippered insulated pocket. I was asked if the insulated pocket would fit an epi-pen, and the answer was absolutely, it would be perfect for something such as that or even snacks that you want kept insulated. The back open pocket is where the included changing pad is kept which is clipped in to its own little space, and this is where I keep diapers and wipes for my youngest as well. There is a small zippered pocket on the back of the bag which could fit a wallet and keys, or candy…you could fit a secret stash of candy there. There is also a key clip on the inside on the bag which keeps my key safe and not buried, always a great feature to have in a diaper bag.



I really love diaper bags that have multiple uses and can be worn different ways. The Gail can be worn as a shoulder bag, on the arm, or crossbody with the included strap. I find that I wear the bag on my shoulder most often but will occasionally wear it cross body. I do feel that if the diaper bag is too full, wearing it crossbody may feel a little awkward since it is a fairly large bag, but I love it for when I am out with only one child. The strap also gives it a cute stylish look if you keep it attached while wearing it as a shoulder bag.



Newlie Co. does sell their stroller straps separately, but the Gail Satchel comes with a large change pad and the strap to wear it crossbody. I have also used the included strap to hang over the grocery cart handle or stroller, so it is still a convenient diaper bag even without stroller straps.

The Newlie Co. Gail Satchel diaper bag is truly a beautiful bag, as are their other designer bags and the best part is that they do not come at a designer price. Newlie Co. diaper bags and accessories can be purchased online at their store HERE, or on Amazon, Buy Buy Baby, Pish Posh Baby, among others, and you can find stores in your area by visiting the website HERE.




I received this diaper bag in exchange for a review. All opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

xo - Michelle







September 1, 2017

4 Tips For Your Independent Eater

The saying "all babies are different" rings very true in our house, especially with food. We tried baby led weaning with my first, but he gagged if there was any thick or chunky texture and he didn't go for it until after he'd been on purees for a bit, but my youngest went the baby led route from the get go. So much so that he mostly refused when I tried to spoon feed him something.

I found that the best ways to please the VERY independent eater wass to make sure that whatever I was giving him for a meal, he could eat it on his own. 

Here are 4 ways to help keep that independent eater happy:

1. Homemade Pouches
These are simple and cheap. Use whatever fruits, veggies, meats, pastas, etc. to create your own quick meals. They can be kept in the freezer for when you are in a pinch, or when the family is eating something that isn’t suitable for the baby, like steak that could be difficult to chew or something that is extra spicy. I love making oatmeal & fruit pouches, or even just plain applesauce. To make it easy, I use the Infantino Squeeze Station. Just cook the foods to desired consistency, mix, pour into the squeeze station, press, and done! There are reusable pouches that work with the squeeze station as well, and although messy the first time trying a pouch on his own, he picked it up fairly quickly. We also use Sage Spoonfuls reusable pouches, these can be filled from the ziplock side so if you don't have a Squeeze Station...no worries!!




2. Soft Foods
“Everything” is fair game. If I can cook it up soft, C will eat it with no problems. We started him at 6 months with naturally soft finger foods such as peas and avocado, but if I made a puree, it would be thick enough for his little hands to still be able to “pick up”. It was messy, but he enjoyed it and learning how to eat on his own. His food list has grown to include just about anything and everything that we eat, as long as it is something easily mushed in his gums. Carrots, chicken, blueberries, cheese, ham, just to name a few. Rule of thumb with whole foods and littles, use your pinky nail as a size reference when cutting, and of course use your best judgement--you know your babe best.

**TIP**
 Some foods are slippery though, so my tip for those is to mash up some Cheerios into a dust, and roll the cut up pieces of food in them. This trick works great for bananas!



3. Silicone/Mesh Feeder
These are great to use for those foods that are more difficult to chew, like apples. Cut up pieces small enough for the feeder and let baby go to town. It helps to break down the bigger chunks, giving baby the right amount to enjoy. Frozen, cold, or cooked foods are perfect for these.

4. Frozen "Treats"
Yogurt is one of the easiest ways to get in another daily serving of dairy, but again, C hated the spoon. To help his independence with this, I would freeze dots of yogurt and at breakfast time when they are ready, he was able to eat the yogurt drops by himself. They stayed frozen long enough to not be TOO messy, but they quickly melted away in his mouth. You could also blend up some fresh fruit to mix in for a little more fun, he loves when I serve him these!



Using these different methods was/is great for C's independence. It also allows me the freedom to be able to eat WITH my family since I am not having to feed the youngest, and I know that he is getting enough to eat since he is in control.