flower pillows, ruffle pillows

Some of my new favorite things...

I have been busy making a few interior changes here and there.  Behind the new linen ruffle is the new cover.  It's a fresh change.  

I loved my new linen ruffle pillow covers so much, I just had to share.  We will see how they will do in my Etsy shop.  Wish them luck!  

baby love

My best friend is having a baby girl in October.  We are headed to TX for the weekend to hand deliver a little gift...

My new favorite baby gift...  diaper caddy basket by SaraBear

 Filled with handmade burp cloths {rolled up and presented so cute} and a few extra essentials...
(wipes pop-up container, lots of diapers, lotions, and the like}. Handy, right at her finger tips. 

I can't wait to hold the little sweet.  I hope you love it, Erin.  

Happy Weekend...xo!

My favorites... Diaper totes

I'm on a DwellStudio kick these days.  Just love the modern prints and lines of their designs.  This is one of the best totes I've come across yet... and I do look!  Functional, fashionable - not too big, not too small.  Need I say more?  Simple.

One other bag I absolutely love - is definitely NOT a diaper tote, but I have been known for using everything but diaper bags to tote the diapers and wipes.  So, I must mention a non-diaper tote, tote.  With so many options, this bag would work for so many personalities.  Timbuk2 offers a "build your own" feature.  Love it!

My Favorites... my own craft tags

Slowly but surely, I'm on my way.  I completed the tags for my Etsy shop (still to come) and I couldn't be happier with how they turned out.  A bit of trial and error... ordering some from a source other than myself, that didn't quit work or look the way I had hoped - but here they are in all their glory - by me! 

My Front Door

Just a quick note... I just love my door knocker.  My aunt found this for me in San Francisco.  I'm a big dragonfly fan - not a collector, I just think they are beautiful.  It's just one of those things in (or on) your house that makes you smile inside... everyone needs something like this.  I love it.  

My Favorites... Boppy Pillow & Rocking Chair

For the record - I breast fed my two babies... B for 17-months and N for 15-months.  I'm so proud of it... It was not always easy, but once again, I did it for my babies.  With a degree in Human Nutrition, I know how important it is for Baby and Mom - when it's possible.  

Two things I used more than anything... my Boppy Pillow and Best Chair rocker.  

I could not get by without my Boppy pillow.  I took that thing everywhere.  I sacrificed a carry-on while flying for the comfort of my Boppy.  It made feeding so much easier.  I LOVE my Boppy and even though I have my body back to myself, I still use it.  I rock N with my Boppy.  The covers from Pottery Barn Kids are the softest ever.  They are so soothing!  I'll just say it again, I love my Boppy!

The Best Chair rocking chair was my splurge purchase when I was pregnant with our first.  It was gift from my grandparents and it was the BEST gift ever.  I will use this long after my kids want to be rocked.  

My Favorites... Cloth Diapers

It wouldn't be right if I didn't mention diapers in my blog.  B was in disposables up until about 18-months and then we switched her into cloth after deciding we would go with cloth for our second baby.  Once I did all the research and decided what kind of diapers to buy, we made the cloth commitment.  There are so many cloth diaper options out there, it made my head spin!  So many, I would hate to even hash it out again on this blog.  

In the end, my absolute favorites are the bumGenius 3.0 one-size diaper.  They fit babies 7-35lbs.  They come in many cute colors.  And as they say, they are the cloth diaper for every-day people.  They have a cover with an insert and close by stretch-to-fit velcro tabs.  

How do I deal with the poop?  I use an ImseVimse flushable liner in each diaper... you get the point, just toss the liner into the potty and flush!  Did you know your not suppose to toss poopy diapers into the trash?  You are actually suppose to flush the poo first?  Who does that?  

We wash the diapers every 2-3 days.  I bought just enough that we have to keep that schedule or we run out, plus any longer and that would be an even grosser load of laundry.  Speaking of laundering... you must use "special" detergent and you should not use fabric softeners. I use Charlie's Soap - I love it for everything and it's pretty economical. It can get kind of complicated.   

Anyway - this is the system that worked for my family and I thought I would pass it on.  By-the-way, we easily recovered the cost of the diapers within the first 6-months and we went "green" when it was oh so popular... it's work, but it's for our babies and their babies, right?  

I love Oilcloth!

I made an oilcloth splat mat a few years ago, so B could have snacks and drinks in the living room... (we didn't do sippy cups).  Let me tell you - It has saved so many carpet cleanings and accidents.  It takes away the stress of possible spills.  Less stress = Happy Mommy!   We use it under our little table and chairs for snacks, we sit on it during messy crafts, we use it while we play with Play Dough, etc.  The list goes on and on...

 

The kids needed their own little totes for times when we drop them off at Sunday School or YMCA childwatch.  So, I let B pick out the fabric and happily, she picked "boy" colors.  I made their personalized bags with the oilcloth, straps, ribbon, and velcro.  They are the perfect size for a change of clothes and a snack.  B totes her bag to the library every once in a while, too... with little brother following not too far behind.

 

My Favorites... Potty time!

On the verge of potty-training another munchin - I found the perfect little potty.  BabyBjorn has yet another wonderfully simple product.  It is ergonomic in design and offers a high splash guard with a bowl that is easy to remove and clean.  It doesn't take up a lot of space.  We are hoping it will be a good one to toss in the car on long trips, in case Nohlan is afraid of the public potties.  Not to mention, it's cute, too.  

We also loved the Boon potty bench.  It has two side storage areas, which holds toilet paper.  This potty bench also functions as a step stool (capable of supporting 300 pounds)!   The optional splash guard is a little high for my son, but this potty was great for my little girl.

  

My Favorites... Stroller

For the record - we went through a couple of strollers before settling on my favorite.  And let me be clear, we actually did not "settle."  I absolutely LOVE this stroller... Phil & Ted's Sport.  It's our everything stroller.  I take it everywhere and use it for everything.  It can be purchased with a doubles kit or you can wait and purchase it later... the back seat easily snaps on and off.  Suitable for newborns through 4 years!  If you even think you may have more than one child - this is your stroller. 

  

My Favorites... Bibs

In the beginning, I went through so many bibs that my babies used during meal-times.  These are the two brands I LOVE the very most... Bumkins and BabyBjorn.  

The Bumkins bib has an adjustable Velcro closure, is PVC, BPA, Phthalate & Vinyl Free, and they come in very cute fabrics.  My kids picked their own and went for Green Eggs and Ham.    Both have pockets to catch the bits that don't make it into their mouths.  Both are waterproof, which has saved a lot of clothing changes.  

The BabyBjorn bib was great because my daughter couldn't pull it off.   It comes in 4 different colors - bright red, ocean blue, spring green, sunflower, and pink.  We especially loved bright red.