Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts

September 28, 2022

My Favorite Mom Wins with Babbleboxx

 This post is sponsored by Babbleboxx.




Being a mom is the most rewarding thing I've ever experienced, from the grins and giggles to watching them learn something new - every second of taking care of my babies is genuinely a reward. Watching my older kiddo grow into a big girl, talking about boys and giggling with friends is such a special reward and on the other end of the journey of parenthood, watching my sweet baby learn to sit up, hearing that first giggle, and seeing the light in her eyes when she's accomplished something as simple as putting a toy in her mouth is absolutely so special. Being a mom is the most inspiring, rewarding, and awe-worthy thing I've ever done and it's better than I ever could've dreamed.




I'm not going to lie, it's also the most challenging time I've ever had in my life, but they definitely are worth the sleepless nights, changes in my body, and long days full of soothing emotions and fits. It's funny how that works, I feel equally blessed and stressed and I wouldn't have it any other way - being a mom is amazing.

While I'm discussing the amazing parts of motherhood, I thought I'd share some mom wins with you guys - this box from Babbleboxx came stocked full of "wins" I felt were worthy of sharing with y'all on the blog.



We'll start with a product we've been using since our little busy bee was born - CeraVe. This company's mission is to provide therapeutic skin care for everyone, including our sweet little babies! I love that their products offer an exclusive blend of three essential ceramides to mimic our skin's, as well as a revolutionary MVE technology to restore our skin's natural protective barriers, providing our kiddos with the best possible way to clean their bodies without all the bad stuff involved.


The Baby Wash and Shampoo has been sitting bath side since before Holly was born and it cleans her while helping to soothe and protect her skin.

After giving her a CeraVe bath, we love to lather her up with their lotion as well. The CeraVe moisturizing lotion is a lightweight soothing way to make sure her skin has all-day hydration! The best part is that pediatric dermatologist helped to develop the line so I know I'm putting what's recommended on her skin, without a doubt.


Another brand household name for us is Lamaze. We love their toys and have enjoyed raising Delainey to learn and grow through play with their science-backed brand. From cute little stacking rings to fun dollies, I thought I had already scored a majority of the wonderful toys they make- but it turns out I was wrong, Babbleboxx sent us over 3 new Lamaze toys to add to Holly's developmental toy collection and they are truly winners!



Starting with her absolute favorite from Lamaze: The Wacky Giraffe. This little guy makes the whole family giggle with silly sounds with every good whack she gives the table. Holls loves hitting this unique sensory toy into everything and I love that with both ends being nice and soft, it's painless and causes no damage to any surface she whacks. She cracks up with us as we all giggle at her swinging the little guy around - it's truly a hoot! When she sees this little fella, she knows it's time to play!



While we're talking about things that tickle her. The Puffaboo Elephant from Lamaze is truly the cutest way to get her to giggle! From playing peekaboo with his crinkly ears to squeezing it to hear it squeak, it's just adorable - but the best part is when it's squeezed this little elephant blows a tiny puff of air. This little puff is the perfect gentle distraction - making her Puffaboo the perfect toy for her fussy days.


Another toy we run to grab on her fussy days is made by Lamaze as well, it's the Soothing Heart Panda. This little bear friend is soothing and adorable, the perfect mixture for getting Holly to chill. With four different melodies, each with a soothing vibration synced to the rhythm of a resting heartbeat - or press the heart five times and you'll hear the heartbeat! It's such a calming, yet incredible toy and one we love to give her whenever we are winding down before bed time!


Speaking of bed time, we have a baby who loves to go to bed with a full belly. I usually nurse her to sleep and then we sometimes provide her with a little "top off" from a bottle, when she allows for it.  We've tried a handful of different bottles and she isn't so sure about most of them but the Phillips Avent Anti-Colic bottles with Air-Free vents seem to work well for her! These special bottles were designed to reduce feeding issues, colic, gas, and reflux - all of which we've had to battle with Hollyn!


Not only are they great for her, they are easy to clean with less parts and somewhat adjustable since you can adjust the nipple size as baby matures and remove the Air Free vent, if you'd prefer. Honestly, I'm not sure why you would though -  I love that the Air Free vent helps prevent her from "drinking air" because the nipple of the bottle stays full even when she is drinking it at an angle while sitting upright, bringing us both comfort whenever she gets a bottle.


Another way we've learned to comfort her lately is with her new Phillips Avent Soothie Snuggle, we were sent a sloth and it has to be the cutest little lovey I've ever seen! These lightweight plush toys attach to a removable Phillips Avent Pacifier, meaning they can be cleaned without a bunch of hassle.


They also make the cutest accessory while being a comforting little companion for Holls, so it's a win-win! It isn't just a cute little fluffy stuffy though, I love that I'm able to locate her paci much quicker with her little sloth friend attached and that it's made with safe and durable materials so I don't have to worry which part of the toy she decides to soothe herself with while we are in this stage of putting everything in her mouth!



Another item from the Babbleboxx that I know is going to be super durable is our Stonz!



These cool shoes and booties are kid-certified, made for developing little feet, vegan, non-toxic, and offered up with a 365 day warranty! Stonz makes everything from adorable casual shoes to snow booties and mittens, all in a range of sizes - designed to provide comfort to kiddos at any age, in any climate, at any time! 



The Stonz toddler booties we were sent will be the perfect addition to Hollyn's winter outfits, especially when we travel home to finally introduce her to family (hopefully) this winter. Keeping her warm in coziness that stays on those kicking feet will be absolutely necessary. I love that these booties are all-weather wind resistant and they just slide on her little foot, easy peasy! All I have to do is tighten them up with the adjustable toggles and she's good to go!



The other shoe Stonz sent over was their Cruiser. These shoes made my day with how stinkin' adorable they are, I mean who knew baby and toddler footwear could be so cute? These Cruisers are 100% my favorite pair of kicks she owns, with a sweet peachy color and a earth-friendly, sturdy and wearable construction, what's not to love?


We've still got a ways to go until Holly B can walk but I love that these shoes are made with a reinforced heel and are safe for walking, when she's ready. They're also made with a breathable mesh upper and a hi-poly insole, so we won't have to worry about her little shoes stinkin' the place up - they'll be fresh and ready for another wear soon.


Speaking of fresh, I absolutely adore the next product that was sent in my Babbleboxx! T.N. Dickinsons Witch Hazel is game changer and always has been in our home! They make a wide variety of products but two that are amazing post-partum are the T.N. Dickinson’s Witch Hazel Hemorrhoidal Pads with Aloe and the T.N. Dickinson’s Witch Hazel 100% Natural Astringent!



The Witch Hazel Hemorrhoidal Pads with Aloe are a lifesaver those first few weeks after a vaginal delivery. Even if you don't suffer from the dreaded pregnancy hemorrhoids, these extra soft pads help soothe vaginal pain as well and can be used daily to help provide relief!


On the other end of their product line is the T.N. Dickinson’s Witch Hazel 100% Natural Astringent! This wildly powerful astringent is actually gentle enough for daily use on your face and body but it does it's job unbelivably well. I use it to help when my skin is especially greasy looking or when I'm trying to fight a blemish before it becomes too bad and love how well it works!


While we're on the topic of things that work well, I think it's time to discuss Oilogic. This company takes the stress out of stressful situations with their solutions-based wellness products. Their products arefree from petroleum, phthalates, parabens, sulfates, gluten, dea, dyes, mineral oil, artificial colors, and synthetic fragrance, but they still get the job done - isn't that impressive?!


The two Oilogic products I was sent were the Oilogic Slumber & Sleep Essential Oil Linen Mist and the Oilogic Stuffy Nose & Cough Essential Oil Vapor Bath - both are lifesavers and total "wins" with Holly!


The Slumber and Sleep Linen Mist is beyond soothing. The natural aromatherapy calms and relaxes us both, while getting Holly ready for bed. I try and spray the blend everyday before I lay her down so she knows to associate the smell with bed/nap time and so far, it seems like it could be working..


The Oilogic Stuffy Nose & Cough Essential Oil Vapor Bath uses the natural power of essential oils to help treat babies not old enough for traditional forms of medicine. It helps stuffy little ones clear their nasal passage and calms little coughs. Both of these Oilogic products are now available nationwide in the baby aisle at Walmart, CVS, buy buy Baby, Amazon and more!



So tell me, what do you consider a "mom win" in your home?

November 7, 2021

A List of Must Haves for New Moms - Babbleboxx

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx



 Wooooo, we're half way there...

Well, almost half way, anyways... and for me that means I'm starting to prep for baby. Actually, who am I kidding? I've been buying cute things and a few necessities since I saw the positive test but now things are starting to "get real" so I'm feeling that urge to "nest" a little bit more. Instead of stocking up on pink clothes and bows this time, I'm trying to be more of a minimalist and stick to the things we need.


I recently sat down to make a list of my essentials and the items I know we need for baby #2, when Babbleboxx asked me to partner with them on this epic box for new moms... and I obviously said yes when I realized the box included a bunch of must-haves for moms (and new babies)!


With that said, let's dig in and start going through the box together. Trust me when I tell you, you're going to NEED it all!

First, let's chat about Bamboobies. The company name may make you giggle but the products are absolutely some of my favs! I remember when I first started my breastfeeding journey with Delainey, I had no clue what I would need and what was excessive but washable nursing pads and nipple balm were two staples that I highly recommend to any new mom.

The washable nursing pads from Bamboobies are more comfortable than any other brand and help protect from leaks. I love that they are sustainable, designed with renewable bamboo and still washable! The perfect little secret to tuck into your bra, since they are completely discreet and made of super-soft velour in the shape of an adorable little heart, which contours to you no matter your bra size!

If you're a first time mom, something you may not think to add to your hopsital bag, but absolutely is a necessity for breastfeeding mom's is nipple balm! The Bamboobies Organic Nipple Balm is so soothing and provides relief during those adjustment periods while nursing and dealing with sore nipples! Since it's an organic, plant-based formula there's no need to wipe it off before breastfeeding and I love that it doesn't contain any of questionable chemicals found in other creams/balms (like phthalates, parabens, synthetic frangrances, etc). The best part is, it helps your poor nipples recover and provides relief, which I promise you'll need during those first few weeks/months! These are the things most people don't mention about postpartum but I think you need to know...

   Want to try out a Bamboobies product for yourself? Use the code Babbleboxx (valid through 12/31/21).


Speaking of things you need to try for yourself, The First Years makes a multitude of products that we loved with my 5 year old but two we knew we needed for this babe were the The First Years First Dreams 3D Portable Bassinet and The First Years Gentle Warmth Digital Bottle Warmer.


The First Dreams 3D Portable Bassinet is going to be a lifesaver, I already know! I'm a huge advocate for letting baby sleep whenever and wherever they fall asleep while also practicing safe sleep - this handy bassinet is going to be perfect for that! Safe, cozy, and portable, it's going to be perfect to keep baby in arms reach while letting her snooze away! I love that it includes a carry tote for outings and a set of machine washable sheets for mishaps and diaper malfunctions!

Not only is it portable, but it's easy to fold up - with an easy one hand 3D fold, you can keep your other hand free for baby! Whether you're traveling or napping in your own room, you'll be able to see baby snoozing away with the 360 degree view thanks to the full mesh sides! I can't wait to catch some ZzZ's while baby snoozes and find comfort in knowing she's perfectly safe in this perfect little Portable Bassinet!


One item I wasn't so sure we needed as a first time mom, that ended up being an absolute must was a bottle warmer and this fancy Gentle Warmth Digital Bottle Warmer from The First Years looks like it's a true upgrade from the one we had. Breastfed or formula-fed sometimes baby needs a bottle when mama isn't around and making sure it's the right temperature is vital! The warm water bath the bottle is submerged in helps evenly and effectively heat up the bottle and it stays warm longer than steaming.

Whether you're heating up breastmilk or formula, you'll be able to find comfort in consistency with the Gentle Warmth Digital Bottle Warmer and it doesn't require a specific type of bottle or bag so you can use it with whatever brand you prefer... even better, once you start purees you can even use this gadget to warm those as well. The easy to use digital touch screen makes this device fool-proof, so those middle of the night feedings will be a breeze for you or Dad!



Another favorite brand of ours from when D was a baby is Baby Magic! Trusted by us and many, many other parents (over the last 70 YEARS) the Baby Magic brand is a true legacy. From helping to clean up blow outs to soothing those midnight woes, Baby Magic is there for your family and the products they offer truly do their job!

The Baby Magic Moisturizing Lotion is one you and your baby will be praising for years to come. As we all know, nothing is sweeter than those newborn baby cuddles but maintaining that soft skin means replenishing moisture is a must - enter Baby Magic lotion, enriched with nourishing Calendula, hydrating coconut oil, and soothing aloe, it's the perfect way to seal in moisture and keep your sweet bundle of love feeling comfortable and soothed.


Speaking of comfort, baths were never D's favorite - that is, until we found the right soap! The Baby Magic Gentle Hair & Body Wash is one of our family favs and I can't wait to share it with the new babe. Baby Magic Gentle Hair & Body Wash is delicately formulated for daily use and since it's free of sulfates, parabens, dyes, and phthalates, it helps babe feel clean and soft all day long. Baby and parents can rest easy knowing it's tear-free, allergy and dermatologist tested, and completely hypoallergenic - what every new baby needs!



One thing I didn't have with D that I wish I would've had is more support - in every facet of the word. One way I plan on seeking out support with this baby is by using WishGarden Herbs! Their liquid herbal extracts (or tinctures) are remedies that have been around for ages and the AfterEase and Baby Blues formulas sound like they will be so soothing once this baby enters the world!


AfterEase is an-in-the-moment type of soother that has been lovingly formulated to soothe normal and temporary afterbirth contractions that occur when the uterus contracts and returns to it's normal pre-pregnancy size. If you've had another baby you may be aware that these pains last for 2-3 days after birth and aren't very comforting when you're adjusting to life with the new babe. With AfterEase you'll have something to help calm and support your body as it adjusts.

Baby Blues is another formula I wish I would've had after birthing D, as a mood support it helps mamas who are dealing with a bit of the postpartum blues. It's a powerful, yet gentle combination of herbs that helps your body support healthy hormone levels. Like a big ol' herbal hug, Baby Blues supports new mamas in the moments you need it most.


The last item on my essentials list from this Babbleboxx is the Triple Paste Diaper Rash Cream! If you've ever been around a baby with diaper rash, then you know how painful and saddening (for mama and baby) it can be, luckily Triple Paste is a life-saver and helps relieve that pain and ease the tears almost instantly.


Triple Paste includes just the right amount of medicine and ingredients to keep baby's bum soothed while not including unnecessary chemicals or ingredients. I love that it's not just me hyping Triple Paste up though, it comes pediatrician recommended and dermatologist tested! If you're wanting to provide protection, relief, treatment, and/or soothing comfort for you little one's bum - Triple Paste is what you need!



So tell me, if you're a first-time mom, what's one "must have" item on your list?

November 3, 2021

Silly and Cute Thanksgiving Turkey Guided Drawing

 My little gal is constantly making art and sharing her creative ideas with us, from checking out "how-to-draw" books from the library to making her own story books and secret notes for us.  I'm always so impressed with her creative side and I do all I can to nurture that.


Lately she's been asking me how to spell new words and draw certain things so I figured we would do a guided drawing to celebrate the beginning of November.

These cute turkey friends made her giggle as we drew them and were super easy to create. Just a few minutes of drawing and a fun time coloring and we have some thanksgiving decorations to add to our fridge.

Want to draw with us? Here's our step by step:

 



Want more craft inspiration for the holidays? Be sure to subscribe to the blog!


May 8, 2020

Keeping Kids Busy with Some of The Best Boredom Busters

This post is full of Boredom Busters and is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.





We all know what's been going on, it's no surprise to hear we are staying home and maybe getting a little more one-on-one time than usual. It's been weird, sometimes tough- especially those of us who thrive on social time with our friends, like Miss Delainey. But we are adjusting, we're all learning what it's like to thrive in this "new normal" and while we are cooped up I've been doing my best to find ways to keep this little smarty-pants entertained!


She's beyond her years in knowledge so it's not always easy to keep her occupied. She's been so much fun to learn with though, it's just constantly keeping her entertained can be challenging... until we got this box. It was literally FULL of activities and we haven't stopped playing and learning together since it came in! I finally wanted to sit down and share what we've been up to with all of this fun stuff!


We've always been big fans of Disney and our Alexa... so it comes as no surprise that we instantly plugged our new Alexa in, set up a little group, and blasted Disney Hits over our "group" of Alexas! Whether we're jamming out while finishing up a craft or simply having a dance party - using our Alexa to play our favorite and quiet possibly 'the happiest playest on Earth' using the Disney Hits playlist is something we all love doing.





Something I learned recently, is that we have access to even more Disney Hits Playlists - like Disney Lullaby, Disney Piano, and Disney Junior! We have been checking them all out and I'm a huge fan of each one for different reasons! Go ahead - tell your Alexa to download and play Disney Hits, check out all the Disney Music and download it on Shopify, find the station on your Pandora, or add all the Disney Hits to your library on Apple Music! Just start jamming and be happy listening to all your favorite tunes!


If you have kids, you know they all are handling this 'virus' stuff differently. I suppose our little ones are learning to cope in ways we never had to, which is both amazing and tough to fathom at the same time. Regardless of how bewildering all of this must be for them, we all know kids can be emotional too. D is 100% a walking ball of drama, sass, and emotions so having Action for Healthy Kids remind us to begin exploring our Feelings through Color was a real blessing.


Delainey always likes to get artsy, just like most healthy, happy kids,  so she was totally game for getting our hands messy and painting. We created art that made us feel good, with no real "goal" in mind - Delainey made a cute rainbow to send to family  she said "it's going to make them feel happy", then I decided to let her help me paint my work desk... and that may very well be one of the sweetest little pieces of art she's made with so much spirit and love behind it. I'm obsessed with having a huge "mural" of her work right where I can see it, everyday I'm working, all day!

I'm over here just bragging about her art, but I love that Action for Healthy Kids is encouraging us to express Feelings in Color and they also have SO many other activities to keep us all entertained - I'm excited to pick another activity to test out with D!



Speaking of activities I'm loving trying out with D, exploring the "night sky" is something we've done more since this whole thing started than we ever had before and we both are cherishing that time together. She's always loved 'space', so it's been fun embracing that and looking at all the stars and chatting about the moon, but when we got the book, A Child's Introduction to the Night Sky: The Story of the Stars, Planets, and Constellations--and How You Can Find Them in the Sky, we both loved watching the sky even more!


With a star finder wheel, glow in the dark stickers, and a STEM aligned concept that teaches us both about constellations and inspires several activities, we're 100% excited about this Astronomy book for kids and look forward to learning more from it.



Speaking of learning, another item in the Babbleboxx that Delainey and I are just obsessed with is the Magic Sketch. I don't know if you've seen these things but its literally the coolest little electronic art kit. She has been learning her ABC's, practicing writing her name, making lists, coloring, playing tic tac toe religiously, and even attempting puzzles with this new little gadget.


Did I mention the screen is made to withstand the likes of a kiddo who writes and plays tough? Well, it is... and this boogie board also has a GORGEOUS mix of colors that Delainey can't get enough of. She likes just drawing to reveal a color and discussing her findings and that's pretty much the coolest.


The best part about her new little Magic Sketch is that it's completely paperless, she just pushes a button to erase her scribbles and on to the next masterpiece! It's endless fun and amazingly, it's pretty educational too! Want to try out a Magic Sketch? Use the code WMBBX2BQDSZZH and save 10% off any purchase at www.myboogieboard.com, good through October 2nd, 2020.


Beyond the magic board, more magic actually came in our Boredom Busters Babbleboxx - The Feel Better Box from Open the Joy literally was just what we needed during this time. With 100+ ways to keep us occupied all in one tiny box, we both are overjoyed to have something new to do each and every day and it's been just the fix we needed to cure our cabin fever. From painting to conversation starting cards, I'm so excited to explore all of this with her.


She instantly fell in love with her unicorn, which made my heart melt a little. Letting her know she could share her secrets and thoughts with him was just what she needed. She held him like a baby for a bit and then insisted he rock out to Disney Hits with us while we colored on her Boogie Board... and then worked in the little workbook included in the box.



Today's activity, and the first one in the book, included drawing feelings. D is quite the artist and we had a lot of fun discussing what each addition to her creation meant. From happy to sad, she drew a range of emotions and I'm not sure if she realizes it, but she drew exactly how most of us are feeling as of late.


I love taking the time to bond during all of this closeness, there truly is nothing better than connecting over something meaningful and this little "get well kit" is one that has made our family feel a bit better during all this... crazy.


I was so thrilled to learn this little box of goodies is actually designed by child therapists to promote conversation and healing through play, something we all need right now - but especially our youth! I also was blown away to learn that Open the Joy partners with the Spread the Joy Foundation, to distribute joy boxes to hospitalized children across America. Want to get your hands on a box? Now through June 1st you can save with the code "boredombuster".

Beyond feelings, we've been trying to challenge Delainey's mind in other ways. We all love a good puzzle, am I right? The Smart Farmer and Jump In are two SmartGames that we both can't get enough of. The other afternoon, I was able to complete a quick project for work while she played a round of Jump In next to me. It was fun to hear her debate where the pieces should go and she loved telling me about each piece, this STEM game may be among one of her new favorites.


We also had a blast playing with another STEM game, The Smart Farmer. It's a similar type of game and she loved it as well. We played these by practicing counting to each spot and recreating the patterns from the little books they include, but then we kind of got into imaginative play too and that's been perfect for us!


It's so fun getting to see her learn planning, problem-solving, spatial insight, and more. These are seriously HUGE milestones... and she doesn't even realize she's doing anything more than playing because they are such fun animal themes and inventive family games!


Want to try any of the SmartGames? Use the code 10SMART2020 on Amazon.com to save!




The last items I'm going to share today are possibly the most played with so far - the KidiGo™ Walkie Talkies + LeapFrog® LeapStart® 3D Learning System from VTech®!



Both items have been so much fun for all of us! Delainey cherishes time spent chatting on her KidiGo walkie-talkie and it's been fun watching her learn to use this fancy one with messaging, games, and more!


I can see us playing with these for years and years to come, plus I can send one with her when she decides to play in her room and we can chat while I'm wrapping up chores... it's been fun having a new way of communicating with each other and I think we both agree! You can get these Walkies at either Target or Walmart - check both for the best deal!



The LeapFrog LeapStart 3D Learning System is also something we will get YEARS of use out of... with so many activities and ways for her to learn just by pressing a button, I'm seriously having trouble not GUSHING about this gadget!




With the combination of real books and the touch and talk activities, this system seemed to make learning fun for her and the first two books (sold seperately) we received had some of her favorite Characters in them so doing, "Math in Action", was super fun for her and the Toys Save the Day book with Toy Story characters had her jumping for joy!


I'm already browsing the LeapFrog site for another set of books, I know she's going to be so excited to learn more from them... and, well, that's just amazing and I'm eager to watch her learn and grow!


Get your hands on a LeapFrog LeapStart 3D Learning System at Target, Walmart, or Amazon!




Beyond all that she's gained from her new 3D Learning System, I was stoked to hear VTech & LeapFrog are helping parents and teachers and children as much as they can with a website dedicated to offering resources for learning at home, get more information at LearnThroughThis.com


It's definitely a weird time in our lives right now but we are beating the time spent indoors with all of these amazing items included in our Boredom Buster Babbleboxx, how are you passing the time in your home lately? I'd love to hear all about it in the comments below!