What's in My Bag? - Mama Must-Haves in a Diaper Bag for a baby & a toddler! #GerberWinWin

It's funny how having a baby changes your view of everything... and after having my toddler niece visit this past week, I know things will just keep changing for the days, weeks, months, and years to come. From our plans for the future to the way we grocery shop, everything has already changed slightly.

We're so excited for our future with her in it and I will say spending the week with an infant and a visiting toddler was a possible peek at our future with Delainey and a sibling-to-come. While those days are obviously far off in the future, this week gave me an idea of what should be in my diaper bag when it's time.

Caring for two kiddos isn't an easy task, so kudos to those of you who are currently rocking two kids at the toddler and infant age and for those of you hoping to do the same (like me), I think this list will help you!

We'll start with the essentials, at least for my family - the FOOD.

For D, a bag of milk and a bottle will do. We personally use the twist system and it's super convenient. Sometimes we bring along a different bottle, just in case.

For my adorable little niece, I had to be sure to pack a snack she'll actually want to eat and something I can bring with us anywhere. That's why I opted to bring Gerber Lil' Beanies. With 2 grams of protein and 1 gram of fiber in every serving, I feel like I'm providing her a nutritious snack and it's a win-win for us both, since she actually enjoys eating them too! Whether I hand her the Original or the White Cheddar and Broccoli, we're both delighted when it's snack time.

Speaking of snacks, I'm certain to keep something adult-friendly in our diaper bag at all times too. Since hubs is GF, we packed some of our favorite GF Bites into the bag! Paired with a water bottle we can all share, we're all set for snack time and we'll have no hangry fits in the future.

Now that the food is addressed, let's get to the BASICS -

Packed with diapers for the little and an extra pair of underwear for the niece, the diapering kit is a must have for a diaper bag - of course!

Just in case mama needs to touch up her nails or the little one gets a snag in her dress that needs a trim, the Manicure kit comes in handy!

We pack the coconut oil because it's the ultimate cure for almost everything, makes an excellent lotion, is a great way to clean sticky messes, and more! We got this small sample size container from a health food store and it goes with us everywhere.

The Instax camera is another thing that goes with us everywhere, while we haven't snapped too many pictures yet - I love the idea of taking a picture and having it right at our finger tips! Playing with this handy camera and allowing my niece to take pictures with it is a ton of fun.

The hand sanitizer is a must have for mamas and toddlers, our hands get into some dirty situations and cleaning them up before touching a baby is a necessity!

It may seem silly but having lip gloss in your bag is a great way to make a mama feel cleaner and more presentable... and it's a great way to entertain an antsy toddler.

The activity cards aren't necessarily a must-have item but they are a ton of fun! You can use these handy cards to document the "big firsts" in your baby and toddler's life. From the first trip to an amusement park to a customizable "today" card, you can snap a photo of each event and share it.

A portable phone charger is something every mama needs in their bag in case of emergency. Your phone will never die randomly again with an on-the-go charger.

The little bottle holder device was gifted to us by a friend but a life saver when my arm gets a little tired. Place a bottle inside of it and rest it so baby has constant access to the bottle. I wouldn't suggest leaving babe alone with this, but it's great if your toddler is sitting in the back seat and wants to help you give baby a bottle.

Speaking of sitting in the backseat, babies and toddlers get bored on trips so be sure to pack toys for both of them. Rattles, magic coloring books, etc. Both kiddos will appreciate a little something to entertain them on car rides and waiting in lines.

The last "basic" item in my bag is my coupon holder. With coupons to some of our favorite places and a few vital documents inside, it's a lifesaver to have a small folder to place it all in. Saving money is important so stock up on coupons and place them in a small holder and fork 'em over when shopping, you won't regret it.

With FOOD & BASICS covered, let's talk about the COMFORT items in my bag:

A breastfeeding cover is a must for those of us that are nursing and want to do so comfortable and conveniently, anywhere. I use this baby at restaurants, while shopping, and at friend's houses. It's a huge comfort for her and makes me feel less exposed.

A burp cloth and or a bib is an obvious item to stash in a diaper bag! When dining with an infant, a good burping is always necessary post-meal. Bibs are great when baby tends to spit up or if baby has a drooly day.

I like to put an extra blanket and headband or two in my bag as well. You never know when you'll need a fresh blankie or accessories as a girl mom!

The last item and possibly one of the most important is the baby carrier! My little loves being snug and when hanging out with two littles, having one of them in a carrier is great.

So tell me, whether your a mama of two or hoping to maybe become one... What are your tips for taking care of two or more kiddos at a time?

The Perfect Fall Meal: Gluten Free Salisbury Steak & Idahoan #SignatureRussets Mashed Potatoes

I've partnered with Idahoan on this sponsored post and all opinions stated are my own.

You know, some days you just need a meal that feels hardy and "hits the spot". With today being the first day of fall, even though we are in warm Florida weather, I would say today was one of those days in my home. I was craving something different, something that just makes you feel like "home". 

I started brainstorming and realized that Salisbury Steak and Mashed Potatoes was just the right thing to make! This pairing is made up of the perfect comfort foods, the best way to start fall out on the right foot! Filling, flavorful, and a family favorite, what more could you ask for?  Do you want something savory and delicious for dinner tonight?

Making Salisbury steak is actually easier than you would imagine. Go ahead and get your apron and grab these items from the pantry to get started:

    1 tbsp olive oil    
1 white onion, finely chopped 

2 garlic cloves, minced     

5oz baby bella mushrooms, sliced    

For the Salisbury Steak:
1lb ground beef   

½ cup gluten-free breadcrumbs     

1 egg     

2 tbsp ketchup     

1 gluten free beef bouillon packet    

½ tsp Worcestershire sauce     

3 tsp dijon mustard

For the Gravy:
2 tbsp unsalted butter     

3 tbsp plain flour     

2 cups beef stock     

1 cup water     

2 tsp dijon mustard    

 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce     

Salt and pepper

Begin this recipe by heating the oil on medium, in a skillet. Add in the onion and garlic and cook for about 2 minutes - remove about half of the onions and place in a large bowl.

Now go ahead and add the mushrooms into the skillet and cook these for around 2 minutes as well, then place in a medium bowl on the side.

Next you'll want to add the Salisbury Steak ingredients in the large bowl and use your hands to mix all the ingredients until combined, not overdoing it. Divide into 5 patties or so.

You'll want to get cookin' now, add a splash of oil and heat over high heat, adding steaks in a timely manner. Cook one side of the patty for about 1 minute, then flip and cook for another minute (note: these will still be somewhat raw).

Take the skillet off the stove and transfer your steaks to a plate. Turn the heat down to a medium/low setting and return the skillet to the stovetop. Adding the butter, then adding the flour once the butter has melted - cooking the combination for around 30 seconds to a minute.

Mix in the remaining gravy ingredients until completely smooth, increasing the heat slightly, adding in the additional onions and mushrooms. Stir until smooth and then add the steaks and the juices from the plate as well.

Cook all together for 7 minutes, or until gravy is thickened and steaks are cooked through. During this time go ahead and start following the directions on the Idahoan potato packet.

Remove steaks and place on plate, taste gravy and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve steaks with gravy on top and Idahoan potatoes on the side!

While the Salisbury steak is a bit more involved to make, the mashed potatoes are easy-peasy thanks to Idahoan! The new Idahoan Signature Russets taste just like homemade mashed potatoes without all the added effort. With more than six pounds of premium Idahoan russet potatoes in each 16 oz pouch and a nice smooth taste with just a hint of butter and cream, these delicious potatoes taste just like the ol' family recipe you love to make and no one will know the wiser - unless you share your Idahoan secret!

So tell me, what are your favorite fall meals? Also, if you give this meal a try, be sure to let me know what you think of the deliciousness in the comments below!

7 Tips For Living a Healthy Lifestyle with a Baby!

Leading a healthy life with a newborn can be difficult at times. I've heard all kinds of tips like "sleep while they are sleeping", "you can eat anything while breastfeeding and you won't gain", "you can't go out of the house until your baby is 6 weeks old", etc. While I'm certain every bit of advice has come with good intentions, I've come to realize living a healthy life with a newborn is kind of a "winging it" thing and you do what works for you.

Since I've kind of made my own healthy living plan with Delainey, I thought I'd share what works for both of us. I think it's great that I have so many people in my life willing to help me find our way in the world, so here's my two cents on how you can live a healthy life with a baby in tow.

1. Go with the less is more approach - We went overboard buying gadgets and dohickeys to make sure our daughter would be content... Now that she's here, I've come to realize she really didn't need nearly as much as we have for her. With two swings, a bassinet, a Rock & Play, a Pack & Play, and more, I feel like we could open an orphanage and still have space left for little one's to relax. I'm super happy we had enough to provide all these amazing things for her to choose to chill in, but I know with our next baby (yes, there may be another - at some point) we will be more of minimalist. If you're currently expecting, take a look at your registry and make sure you really need/want everything on there!

2. Learn to snack healthier - It's easy to get carried away when you finally have your appetite back, especially when you are nursing a newborn and it feels like they are taking all of your nutrition the second it hits your body... I'll be the first to admit I eat "lactation cookies" like they are going out of style. But I've also found ways to eat healthier versions of my favorite foods. Outshine Simply Yogurt bars and Outshine Fruit bars have become my daily ice cream fix. Whether I'm enjoying Outshine Fro-Yo bar first thing in the AM while reading a book and watching Lainey on her monitor or I'm having a Fruit bar as a midnight snack, I know I don't have to stress about counting calories... plus, they just taste better than other popsicles (so that's a total WIN)! Want to try the Outshine goodness for yourself and #SnackBrighter? You can find a location nearby you that carries the deliciousness here!

3. Increase your activity level slowly - Take it easy, let yourself get back into the swing of things at your own pace. While it's tempting to jump back into working out, you need to take it easy, as your doctor probably advised you. It's nice to go for a short walk with a newborn to get a little fresh air but be sure to listen to your body (and your intuition) and don't over do it!

4. Find sleeping arrangements that work for you - While co-sleeping isn't recommended, it's what has worked for us so far. I don't plan on always snuggling up with her in our bed and I often place her in her bassinet whenever she's napping or I'm pumping, etc. but sometimes she just needs to be held. It's easier while we are doing middle of the night nursing and I know we both cherish the skin-to-skin time as well. This tip is a sensitive topic but I know it's what is working for our family so I thought I'd share with you.

5. Be sure to take a moment and relax - Whether you're enjoying an Outshine Simply Yogurt bar on your back porch while watching your little one relax on the baby monitor... or you need to take a long hot shower, be sure to take some time for yourself. As a new mom, I didn't realize I was skipping showers until I finally got around to taking one after a few days of being sticky and smelly. It's like your whole world gets wrapped up in baby and while it's an amazing thing to experience, you need to be sure you are taking care of yourself first. Treat yourself, allow yourself a moment to breath deeply, and be sure to make sure you are clean - a shower may seem so insignificant, but sometimes it's just what I need to mellow out and be the best mama for Delainey I can be!

6. Invest in a new "mama friendly" wardrobe - If you are nursing, you'll want to buy yourself some nice nursing bras, a nursing tank top (or two), and of course, clothing that makes your breasts easily accessible. If you are hoping to achieve your pre-baby body in no time, I highly suggest looking into waist cinching undergarments as well. I know ot's easy to feel defeated when you try on your pre-baby clothing just after delivery, but give yourself time... it took you 9 months to put on the "baby weight", I suggest allowing yourself about half that time (if not longer) to lose it! In the mean time, buy yourself some waist cinching panties and a few new items of clothes that don't hug you as tightly and embrace the new curves!

7. Follow your intuition - If something doesn't feel right, then don't let it happen. Whether you aren't sure about your baby's new pediatrician and the way they manage their practice or you just know something isn't healing right during your recovery, don't be afraid to speak up. I haven't had either of these issues but I know it's good to listen to what my mama instinct is telling me. If your in-laws are sick and insist on coming over, remind them that you and your newborn are more vulnerable and that they need to stay away until you both have less weak immune systems.You have the power to make decisions so be sure to use that power and tell others that something is making you uncomfortable,


So tell me, are you a new mama too... or have you done this whole parenting thing before? I'd love to hear any advice you have to share on how to lead a healthy life with a newborn, leave me a comment telling me below!

5 Fall Cleaning Tips For Busy Households

This review was made possible by iConnect Influencer Management, Febreze and Swiffer was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine.

Fall is here already... with cooler weather, stylish scarfs, colorful leaves, and pumpkin spice everything and I feel so happy about it all! While fall is such a happy time, it means my schedule is getting busier and with Delainey in the picture, things are really busy this year! If you're anything like me, you have a hundred commitments, a handful of appointments, and maybe even a newborn baby cooing at you. It's a busy time in my life, but so rewarding too! Instead of slacking off on my housekeeping, I've found ways to make keeping my house clean a little easier.

1. Use stylish storage to keep your stuff organized - It's true, we all have junk drawers and a closet full of stuff that we may need in the future. Instead of stuffing it all in a cubby and hoping it doesn't fall out when a guest visits, find some awesome storage options and give everything in your home "a place it belongs". I love a quick visit to The Container Store to get my stuff organized, with bins, bags, and storage options galore - I know they have everything I'll need to get my house in order!

2. Vacuum, spot-clean, and Febreze furniture, blankets, and cushions - While it's wise to do this regularly, with a busy lifestyle, sometimes you can only manage to deep clean furniture once a season! I highly suggest making sure you do this during the Fall, to get rid of stinky summertime smells and to refresh your home with awesome smells like Febreze Big Sur. Refreshing and inviting, your home feels new when you take the time to clean your furniture!

3. Wash the windows, drapes, and blinds - This may seem like you're overdoing the cleaning thing but it's so nice to have fresh windows to see the beautiful weather through! Take a few minutes while you're tidying things in each room and wipe down your windows and if you have some extra time, open the latch and wipe down the outside of the window as well! After your windows are nice and clean, use a duster to get the blinds or take down the drapes and give them a good wash - while they may not appear dirty, you'll notice how much dust goes flying if this isn't a regular chore on your list.

4. Deep clean the floors - Sweep, Swiffer, vacuum, and scrub all the places you walk often. These high traction areas are prone to dirt and while you may clean your floors often, it's good to deep clean these areas at lease once a season! I love using my Swiffer all year round, but scrubbing the floors is something I don't do as regularly but I definitely notice a difference when I do.

5. Organize closets and cupboards - Taking the time to change out your clothing from Summer wear to Winter coats is a good step in the right direction, but also take a moment to rid your closet of unwanted items. While you're at it, go through your cupboards and cabinets in your kitchen and bathroom and get rid of expired items - whether it's a spice that no longer seems to be as pungent or a compact that you've had for a little bit too long, purge and let it go!

It's that easy to get your house in order for the fall! Spend a few minutes each day completing each step and before you know it, your house will be spic n' span and you'll be relaxing watching Hocus Pocus and drinking a Pumpkin Spice Latte - after all, that's what fall is all about!

So tell me, do you have a favorite cleaning product? Do you have any fall cleaning tips you just have to share? Dish all the details in the comments below!

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