Giggles and Wiggles with My Gerber Baby, Snack Time & a Simple DIY Baby and Doggy Scarf Set

 This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. Also, because of my partnership with Gerber, my little one is ineligible to win the Gerber Photo Search or a weekly prize, but you may be eligible so make sure you submit a photo of your baby and/or pet! #GigglesandWiggles #CollectiveBias

Well, I'm not going to sugar coat it, our days have been long for the last week or so. For many reasons, but mainly because we've been dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. We've all been hot, trying to cope with an alternative way of life without electric, and bouncing around between family and friend's houses. I'm not complaining, because it could have been SO much worse... but I will say, it's nice for life to feel a little more normal now.

I know two girls in my life that are loving the "normalcy". We've been able to make our normal Target runs and pick up our favorite snacks (which they are always super excited to munch on). We are loving spending time together doing crafts, snuggling, playing, and just easing back into our daily routine again.

Along with our routine comes drool, thanks to Miss Delainey. Instead of battling the drool spots on her clothes, I decided to get a little crafty... and of course, we couldn't leave Miley out. So I made the girls matching bib-danas and the results were MORE adorable than I ever could have imagined.

Interested in making your sweetie and your pup some cute new accessories like these? Good thing it's a super simple craft!

For these sweet scarf bib-danas you will need:

Fabric with a fun print (or a gorgeous solid would work as well)
Playful trim in a coordinating color

Scissors

Fabric Glue
Tape Measure

Optional: Snacks for your helpers!

You'll begin making these beauties by measuring your puppy's neck & your babe's neck. Then go ahead and cut out two evenly proportioned obtuse triangle shaped pieces from the fabric.

Next, you'll want to fold the longest part of the triangle over once or twice, depending on the size of your pup/babe. Secure this fold with little dots of glue so you know it'll stay in place.

Following that you'll want to measure, cut, place & glue the trim.

Let these beautiful creations dry & then it's time to wear them!

Now that your sweet babes have new bibs, maybe it's a good time to talk about some "eats" for them, as D would say!

Also, I'm loving that I'm able to grab both of their new favorites at Target when I take my weekly "me" time and go browse the aisles.

For Miley, we love to give her just what she wants, especially after a stressful week. What does she like lately? The Purina® ONE® Dog Smartblend Chicken & Rice formula.

Probably because it's made with real chicken as the first ingredient and it's blended with other sources of protein to make the perfect combination for my little pooches belly. Plus the omega-6's help brighten her skin and make her coat shine and since she's aging I love that includes glucosamine to help support healthy joints... and it may make her photobombing skills a little better too, as seen below. Haha!

As far as Delainey is concerned, we are always surprising her - today's surprise snacks include Gerber® goodies!

Her new favorite? The Organic Gluten Free Honey Flavored Biscuits! They're made for babies over one, so this was her first time to get to sample these honey biscuits and it's safe to say she's a HUGE fan. I'm a fan because they're organic, gluten free, and filling - what more could a baby (or mama) ask for in a snack?

But I can't dismiss the other items we added to her snack collection recently! We both are big fans of the Gerber Graduates Yogurt Melts Freeze-Dried Yogurt & Fruit Snacks too. They are the perfect snack to munch on during dress up or while we're just scooting around the house and with no preservatives, healthy-for-the-belly live and active cultures, and vitamins A, C and E, I think it's obvious why I'm a fan of these snack time treats for Delainey.

Lastly, but certainly not last in Delainey's book: the Gerber Grabbers Fruit and Yogurt Squeezable Puree in Strawberry Banana. D is a puree-fanatic already, nevermind combining two of her favorite fruits. The best part? These pouches feature Gerber's smart flow technology, making for less mess and less "oops" during snack. I love letting her little tiny hands take control, it's so crazy that she's big enough to handle that responsibility... but it's also so exciting.

Speaking of Gerber & exciting responsibilities, I feel like I have to clue you in on one last thing... The Gerber baby photo contest is NOW underway and to mix things up & keep things as fresh as their food, Gerber is also hosting a Wiggles & Giggles pet & sweet Delainey and Miley and I just had to show off in honor of this.

Want to get in on the Gerber baby fun? It's easy to enter! Get your name in the mix by posting a photo of your sweet kiddo on Instagram (must be a public account) using the hashtag #GerberPhotoSearch2017. You can post up to 10 times and earn your baby $50,000 for capturing the most precious pic. Don't fret, though. The search will be going on through 10/27, so you have plenty of time to get the perfect photo.

Plus, if snapping the perfect photo of your pup (or kitty) & your tiny tot together sounds like an additional challenge you want to take on, you can share a pic of your pooch and your babe, with the hashtags #GerberPhotoSearch2017 and #GerberGigglesandWiggles and get your name in the pool to win one in six $500 cash prize pack, a 1 year supply of baby food, and a 1 year supply of Purina pet food!

Want more info on the contest, you can take a peek at the official rules here or here's a brief summary: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.) and Puerto Rico, who are 18 years of age or older, have a valid Instagram account and/or email address, and are parents of a child 48 months of age or younger and meet certain background check requirements. Enter search by: 11:59:59 pm ET on 10/27/17. For Official Rules, including eligibility and entry requirements, judging criteria and prize descriptions, visit www.Gerber.com/photosearch2017/rules. Void where prohibited.

So tell me, how do you plan to spoil your little wigglers and gigglers? We're pretty big fans of delicious snacks and fun crafts in this house... but I can't wait to hear from you! Also, don't forget to grab some Gerber & Purina goodies from Target and of course, enter the Gerber Baby & Giggle and Wiggles Instagram contests! I can't wait to scroll through the hashtags and see some of your cute babies!

How I'm Teaching My Daughter to "Give Back" & Help Children's Charities at Only 1 Year Old...

Now that my little sass is officially one, it's like a little learning switch was clicked on and she's absorbing everything. She repeats a lot of what we say now, she is suddenly standing on her own (I have a feeling she'll be taking steps any day now), and she is constantly wanting to explore. It's pretty amazing watching her mind act like a sponge, really soaking everything up and I feel so blessed I get to teach her all of life's lessons and more.

While I'm so excited D is learning new words and physically developing, I also want to nourish her soul. I want her to learn to always have a giving, caring heart, to do the right thing, and to just be a good human and I think that's something we need to start fostering now. So today, now that her birthday celebrations are winding down, we decided to set up a little lemonade stand.

And... instead of her pocketing all the proceeds, we are raising funds to help a charity that we feel passionate about supporting - We are dishing out some delicious lemonade #ForRMHC!

The Ronald McDonald House Charities provide places for families to stay within steps of the hospital where their children receive the medical care they need. I know what you're thinking... it's a hard pill to swallow, thinking about a child being critically ill - but it's a reality. While it's something I never hope to face, it's something several people are dealing with right this second. To give you an idea of what I mean by several, in 2016, RMHC provided 2.4 million overnight stays to families with sick children!

Let's do the "math"... That means 2.4 million families were able to spend the evening with their little one a tiny bit less worried, 2.4 million people were able to snuggle their sweet child to sleep, those same children were able to feel the comfort of knowing their parents were just seconds away.

It's amazing that RMHC was able to help so many children and their families... but the numbers are still growing in 2017. So, they have challenged everyone to truly raise love. Their goal is to raise enough to help provide 12,500 more stays for families, so that they may share a smile, hugs, and just simply spend more time together.

I guess you can see why I knew this was the perfect way to teach Delainey about giving back, it's practically common sense to want to help these families out. So on that note, I'm sure you're asking yourself, "What can I do to help?"

And the answer is simple - donate... or you could always start your own RMHC fundraiser to help give back! Find out more about how you can do either here!

Once you decide to start your own fundraiser, whether or not you're hosting a bake sale, planning on juggling your heart out to entertain the masses, or setting up a chalkathon... it's easy to do your part and help these families going through a tough time out. Just spread the word and let the magic of caring hearts work, at least that's what I told Delainey. Raising love and funds for these kids was easy peasy once we had our lemonade dished out.

While we were only making proceeds one quarter at at time, we're proud to say we made enough to send over a tiny sum to RMHC and can't wait to set up our little "lemonade shop" again soon to continue raising funds for our favorite children's charity.

So tell me, how will you raise funds for these kids and their families? I'd love to hear your plans for fundraising and how you plan on giving back in the comments below!

6 ways to Ensure Your Little One is Safe in Honor of Baby Safety Month + a Giveaway

This post is sponsored by Chicco, regardless I'm a HUGE believer in the #TurnAfter2 campaign. With that said, all opinions and beliefs discussed below are solely my own.

So, it's September and my child is ONE and if I'm going to be honest, I'm still trying to deal with this fact. While I'm so incredibly excited to watch her grow, I'm also just distraught about how quickly it's happening. It's so bittersweet watching her turn into this rambunctious toddler and sadly, there's nothing I can do about how quickly she's growing and how fast time is slipping into the future.

I've decided to face it, while I can't stop time, I can do my best to keep her safe... and I'm fairly certain I'm not the only mama that feels this way. That's why today I want to discuss safety, after all it's Baby Safety Month! So here's 6 ways that you can ensure your little toddler isn't going to get into too much trouble.

1. Keep things clean - Once baby becomes active, it's time to really start cleaning - especially the surfaces they can reach. From the floor to the ottoman, we've been redecorating thanks to our tiny little explorer and her curious hands! We've moved glass into containers she can't reach, we've rearranged cords and replaced handles on drawers. It's been a lot of work and we still have more to do but keeping a tidy, organized home is important for her so she can still seek, discover, and explore without getting hurt!

2. Know first aid - While we're on the topic of getting hurt... it likely will happen at some point, no matter how clean or safe your home is. Show of hands who has already taken a tumble?

While you can't prevent every little scratch or tumble, learning first aid could come in super handy the day that happens... so you might as well learn today! From infant CPR to knowing how to use a defibrillator in a emergency situation, knowing  all things related to first aid is the best way to ensure your baby and those around you are SUPER safe... and bonus points, you literately could save the day one day... and it only takes a few hours to learn First Aid basics. Look into a class nearby you!

3. Turnafter2 with Chicco’s Fit2 Infant & Toddler Car Seat - Speaking of learning, did you know that #Turnafter2 isn't just a suggestion but a law in most states?! Luckily, I've always been a huge proponent of extended rear-facing and knew the second Chicco announced the Fit 2 that we had to have one!

Why did we choose the Chicco Fit2 Infant & Toddler Car Seat over other car seats? It's simple, Chicco's been in the baby gear business for over 50 years and they know what they're doing! We were using their previous model, the KeyFit 30 and knew the Fit2 would be perfect for us! What's different about The Fit2? It offers two positions, making it easier to practice extended rear-facing because baby fits more comfortably in the toddler position for longer.

On that note, earlier this year Chicco launched TurnAfter2, a national movement designed to increase the number of children who ride rear-facing longer. This movement is about educating us, the parents, about the benefits of riding rear-facing longer. You can find out all about the movement here... and if you're interested in being a part of the movement, be sure to use the hashtag #TurnAfter2 to show off images of your little cutie riding rear-facing.

4. No Cart Surfing - Speaking of car seats, I've seen SO many people think it's okay to place your car seat across the back of a shopping cart... or sometimes I've seen mama's think their carseat is "latched correctly" when placing it in the little seat where a child would sit once they get older. Either way, it's not an okay place for a baby's car seat to remain. The safest way to take baby in the store is either by placing the car seat within the cart or by carrying the baby, so please don't make the mistake of placing your car seat ON the cart and not IN it!

5. Smart Song - While D is still a little too young to teach lyrics to a song, I plan on teaching her a song all about her. I want her to know her information young, including all of our names, her address and one of our phone numbers. That way if she, heaven forbid, ever goes missing, she'll know exactly how to communicate who she is, who her parents are, and where she should be.

6. Teach Manners - Speaking of being taught, I think it's important to discuss teaching a baby manners. From how to gracefully pet a new dog to saying please & thank you, we're working on D's manners and politeness already. This may not seem like a safety thing, but it kind of is. She's learning to ask before action, which could save her in the future.

That's all I really want though, her to be safe in the future... and I think most mamas feel the same way! So tell me, will you be sharing a #TurnAfter2 photo or teaching your toddler a "smart song" in honor of Baby Saftey Month? I'd love to hear how you plan to keep your precious babe safe in the comments below!

Want some awesome news? Chicco is giving away a Fit2 car seat to one of my lucky readers! If you want to enter just use the giveaway tools form below!

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A Day in The Life of Delainey

Life is funny, I used to dream of being a mama... and now look at me. Parenthood is more than I dreamed of, I'm not going to lie, everyday is centered around catering to my sweet girl. I spend every second wrapped up in a lack of sleep and a constant state of concern for her well-being, mixed with an overwhelming amount of love and pride. I could have never imagined how much her little cry would break my heart and how amazed I would be each time she does something new. It's like I knew being a mother would be this amazing experience, but I had no idea how incredible it really is to have someone call me mama... until it happened.

I'm not going to pretend everyday is perfect, because... we're human. Some days D is a sassy mess and on occasion, I can be the sassy one. I like to think we are the type to only serve up organic fruits and spend hours every day doing DIY activities, but the reality is some days we don't change out of our jammies because we are too busy watching Sid the Science Kid and eating food from a pouch. The truth in the matter is, as long as we love her and protect her, I think she'll be alright.

With that said, today I want to give you a little view inside our daily life. Today I'm sharing what a Day in the Life of Delainey looks like.

5:30AM - Time to wake up, family! Delainey wakes up almost every morning and wants to nurse and snuggle.

6:30AM - Daddy and Delainey get up and start their day. Lucky mama gets to sleep in. Typically this duo makes espresso for us and then spends a little time outdoors.

7:00AM - Snack time for Miss D. She can't stand the idea of waiting for breakfast so she needs something pronto! Usually it's a teething cracker or some fruit, but it depends on the day.

8:00AM - Delainey helps her Daddy make breakfast... and she loves it. Watching him cook is a favorite activity of hers.

8:30AM - Mama wakes up and plays while breakfast is being served!

9:00AM - Still eating breakfast, typically tossing pieces down to her dog... unless it's blueberries, strawberries, banana pancakes, or avocado - then those are all hers!

9:30AM - Time to clean up, polish off with a tiny bit of milkies (and usually we sneak in a bath... which she still isn't really a fan of).

10:00AM - Simple as that. Read her a book, give her some milk, and snuggle and the girl is out for a nap.

11:20AM - Delainey is usually bright eyed and bushy tailed by this time. We normally get dressed for the day and take on some activities, like modeling for our favorite small shops or a fun DIY project!

12PM - Lunch time rolls around quick everyday. Since we have practiced Baby Led Weaning, typically D just has some of what we're having or we make something just for her. From noodles to jackfruit, she has a variety and loves it all.

12:30 - We play a little and burn off that energy!

1:00 - We read books, we play in her room, she roams the halls on all fours and sometimes she chases after the dog.

1:30 - This is around the time we have started to give her a daily dose of probiotics! Which one do we use? Evivo!

I recently shared a post about items every breastfeeding mama and baby need and mentioned that we were using Evivo. What I think I need to mention again is why we're choosing to give her a daily dose of Evivo...? The answer is simple. Evivo helps restore and maintain health in a baby's gut! I like to think of it like this - if good gut bacteria are thriving at this age, it's more likely that she'll have a healthy metabolism and immune system later in life. I want to set her up for success, that's we choose Evivo.

2:00 - It's usually time for a second nap around now....

3:30-4:00 - It's wake up time... and someone is ready to explore.

4:30-5:30 - Depending on if her Daddy is home or not, we spend time outside exploring, do water play, have fun with DIY projects, and well, occasionally, we are slackers and we just watch some TV during this time.

5:30 - And just like that, it's time to chow down again. This girl loves her food so she eats solids like it's nobody's business.

6:00 - By this time she is playing in her room, we start her night routine by reading a little and getting her pjs on.

6:30 - Around now she starts to nurse to sleep and she's out by around 7-ish...

And then it starts all over again the next day!

Interested in trying Evivo with your little one? Click here to learn more.