Rainy Days

Our Memorial Day weekend was beautiful, up until Memorial Day when it rained for the majority of the
afternoon. Luckily we got to enjoy a picnic breakfast on the beach before the rain. Rainy days can be full of toddler tantrums without the right game plan. On this rainy Memorial Day we decided to make our own playdough and take a trip to IKEA! Making playdough is something I had heard about through a friend and was surprised how easy it was.

Playdough Recipe
2 cups flour
2 cups warm water
1 cup salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon cream of tartar
Food coloring

Place all ingredients together in a large pot. Stir over low heat until the dough thickens. When the dough pulls away from the sides and clumps in the center, remove from heat. (if dough is too sticky continue to heat)

Allow dough to cool enough to handle then knead dough until it becomes smooth. Now separate into 4 equal balls for coloring. Make a hole in the dough with your finger and place a few drops of food coloring in. I used neon food coloring in pink, purple, green, and blue. Fold the dough over working the color in. I wore gloves to avoid getting dye on my hands, but once the dye is completely mixed in the dough it will not color your skin or furniture.

Now you have playdough, and are ready to have fun with your little one!

McCormick Neon Food Coloring (I think it is more fun than your basic colors)

Gracie enjoying her homemade playdough

We also took our first trip to IKEA on this rainy day to purchase Gracie a table and chair set. This is not a store to shop around in unless you don’t mind coming home with a few more items than you planned on. We came home with our table and chairs along with an easel to foster Gracie’s wonderful artistic talent. Coloring is a favorite activity around our house and this easel was a great addition. Luckily IKEA has reasonable prices and we managed to get out of the store under $100!

IKEA - KRITTER Children's Table

IKEA - KRITTER Children's Chair

 

IKEA - MALA Easel

 

IKEA - MALA Paper Roll (for easel)

 

IKEA - DUKTIG Coffee / Tea Set 

(We did not actually buy this set as the items are breakable, but they were too cute! Perfect for an older child)

It'a a... Surprise!

The day Gracie was born was the most wonderful day of my life, and the moment the doctor announced she was a girl, was indescribable.  The wait to find out if we were having a boy or girl was rough at times, but worth it. For those of us that do not want to find out our baby’s gender prior to their birthday, decorating the nursery can be challenging. I desperately wanted the room to be ready before the baby came, therefore it was important to find the right gender neutral bedding. There are great options out there, so if you are one that wants to wait, do not let the nursery be an excuse.

Bananafish Crib Bedding - Grace

Bananafish Crib Bedding - Brooklyn

  

 

Bananafish Baby Bedding - Moda

Bananafish Baby Bedding - Taylor

Once we had our room painted and the crib bedding picked out, that satisfied my nesting urge (I had the rest of the house to focus on now).  We waited to pick out the finishing touches until Gracie was born.  Getting out of the house is great after a few days being cooped up, and what is more fun than a shopping trip?

Adding a personal touch is perfect for baby's room.  We have Grace's name over the crib and the pink ribbon added the perfect touch of baby girl.

                                Wall Letters via babiesrus.com

Wall art is also a great way to make your room more gender specific.  There are great options for both baby boy and girl. 

 

CoCaLo Daniella via babiesrus.com

Trend Lab Giggles via babiesrus.com

Tiddliwinks Safari via target.com 

                        

Pearhead Handprint via babiesrus.com

Here are a few pictures of Gracie's room.

 

 

 

Happy Decorating!

Parenthood Is...

Singing and dancing all while attempting to get your 1 year old to brush her teeth.

Pointing out the “choo choo” to your coworkers during lunch.

Driving around for 30 minutes (even at $3.09 a gallon) to ensure your little one takes a good nap.

Cuddling together in a rocking chair, reading a book, and whispering sweet dreams.

The wonders of parenthood never cease to amaze me. My husband and I began watching a show called Parenthood on NBC (Tuesdays 10/9c) and from what we have seen so far, it truly depicts the trials and tribulations of parenthood.  It is quite a funny show and a must see for parents.

Gracie is really exerting her independence these days and enjoys speaking her mind. While this freedom of speech can be difficult at times, we have found that when we know what she is asking or talking about it makes our lives much easier. We received the Baby Signs DVDs as a gift and has been one of the best items that has come into our lives. I am not a huge fan of her watching a lot of TV, but found that when I really need a break, or when she really needs some down time, the Baby Signs DVD is perfect. We began watching them at 6 months and she has developed such a wonderful knowledge of the signs.  She is now using them on a regular basis. It has made a world of difference in our communication.

Baby Signs via babysigns.com

I was out to lunch with my girlfriend who has recently returned to work, and we spent a great amount of time discussing the little ones and the ups and downs of parenthood.  For us working moms, parenthood can be a bit more challenging at times (at least when it comes to managing the schedule). Wake up, get ready, get baby ready, eat, get to daycare, get to work, work, leave work, pick up the baby, get home, get dinner, get to bed, and finally have some down time. As much as I enjoy spending time with Gracie, those few precious hours of ‘me time’ after she is in bed can be rejuvenating. When Grace is woken up during those hours it is very disappointing. She has always been a good sleeper, but certain days are lighter than others and with such precious time hanging in the balance, I do anything to ensure she stays asleep. The phone typically gets turned off, TV or music is played at very low volume, and the dog cannot go running around the house. Those of you with dogs may understand me, but I find the jingling of the tags on her collar to be one of the more annoying noises in my life. That is why when recently doing a little web surfing, I came across this item, and was wishing I had come up with it on my own. Embroidered dog collars with easily detachable tags, I love it!! I told my husband about this find right away and he even agreed it was perfect for the dog and me.

WoofWoof & SEW On Dog Collars by BiceDesigns via Etsy.com

Any other fantastic parenting must haves out there? Let us know!

Tueday Nights 10/9c on NBC

Baby Bug

The other night, I somewhat jokingly brought up the idea of growing our family to my husband and received the response, “OMG, help me!” Not exactly what I was expecting, but at least he is honest (and funny).  While I know that neither of us is ready for another little one quite yet, I think the baby bug is biting me again. Gracie is getting so big and I am so looking forward to her having a sibling. When we decided to start a family, I most definitely caught the baby bug from my good friend that had recently announced her pregnancy. Paul (my husband), took a few months to come around to the idea. He was nearing the completion of his doctorate in physical therapy and could not see anything beyond graduation at the time. Once he got the bug too, it was not long before Gracie was on the way!

As I dream about our future family I have found a few items that will be on my wish list.
I love the idea of these stylish hospital gowns! I had no idea they made anything like this when I had Gracie, but I will definitely be purchasing this for the next one. What a fun way to express your style while in the hospital, and a great way to enhance those first pictures.

Gownies - Ella via Amazon.com

While I am not normally a huge fan of animal prints on baby, I just cannot resist the cow print. My husband drew the line on the cow print car seat. Perhaps it is the new found respect I have for dairy cows after nursing for a year. Target has these great onesies, including the cow print.

Jelly Belly Infant Girls Bodysuit Set - Bean Safari via Target.com

This book is a must have for any new parent. It is so sweet, and is such a wonderful way to spend time with your little one. Reading is so important for our children, and it is never too early to start (but that is a topic for another time). This one is definitely a tear jerker, but well worth it!

On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman via Amazon.com

Mother Earth Meets Baby

When it comes to babies, eco-friendly is not the first thing that comes to mind. I have found it difficult to manage the waste produced by Gracie. Disposable seems to be it when “it” comes to baby and toddler items. While disposability is wonderful for convenience, it is not so wonderful for our earth. With an increased availability of eco-friendly products, there are ways to manage the waste and keep the convenience of disposable products.

Seventh Generation makes eco-friendly (chlorine free and biodegradable) baby wipes that are still just as effective as other brands. We have used these and did not see any difference versus other non eco-friendly brands.

Seventh Generation Baby Wipes via Amazon.com

There are also more eco-friendly diapers that are chlorine free and more biodegradable than the leading disposable diapers (the research states varying findings but the most common seems to be around 500 years.) These eco-friendly diapers will help reduce that time. When purchased from Amazon, they also come in recyclable packaging free of any plastic.

Nature Babycare Eco-Friendly Diapers via Amazon.com

We frequent our local restaurants more than I would like to admit and I have seen these types of place mats often and always thought they were a great idea. Gracie loves to eat off the table and you never know what is on the table at a restaurant. My hesitation in purchasing these was the waste, and that this is yet another item that would end up in the garbage after 1 use. Neat Solutions makes a biodegradable placemat that we can now use without the guilt. 

Neat Solutions Biodegradable Table Topper Disposable Stick-on Placemat  via Amazon.com

There are also eco-friendly toys and books that are great. We received a Natural Baby book as a gift and have since purchased more. Gracie loves these books. They have great pictures of very recognizable items that Grace loves to point at and say. These eco-friendly books happen to be made from recycled paper and planet friendly inks.

  

Natural Baby Splash, Play, and Eat  via Amazon.com

Happy Earth Day!

Traveling Tales

When I first embarked upon the parenthood journey, I was determined not to let having a baby infringe upon the activities of our lives (I say this in the most unselfish way possible). I wanted Gracie to have life experiences and learn to be flexible with change. That said, our first trip was from Chicago to LA; Gracie was 2 months old. I was determined that, even as a new mother, anything was possible, and I wanted to prove that I could do this trip on my own. Grace was an angel and slept the entire 4 hour flight. We had a wonderful vacation and the return trip was just as uneventful as the one there. Our next adventure was a 14 hour drive to Tennessee with the whole family, including Izzy (the dog). Our trip began on the busiest travel day of the year, the day before Thanksgiving. Leaving Chicago at 4pm, we were in endless traffic, but we finally arrived at our destination at 6 am the next morning. Grace did wonderfully in the car and was wide awake once we arrived. Her dad and I were not. Despite parental exhaustion (nothing new), we had another wonderfully successful trip. Proud of our amazingly laid back daughter and feeling that there is nothing we could not do, we planned another trip. This time we travelled to Florida for a spring break get away. Gracie was now 7 months old and, as Chicago native, was not used to the Florida heat. This caused a bit of disruption, but she still enjoyed the vacation where she experienced her first swim in the pool and sported her new summer clothes. On our way to the airport, ready to return home, my husband and I were congratulating ourselves for a job well done. With our good sense and perfect parenting skills, we had thought ahead and booked a flight time that would coincide with Gracie’s nap time, anticipating she would sleep a majority of the flight. Had our flight not been delayed 4 hours, I truly believe our plan would have worked. Instead Grace slept the entire time at the airport and was wide awake on the plane. A wide awake 7 month old does not want to sit quietly for 3 hours, however we made it home and received a voucher for our inconvenience. Chalking this less than pleasant flight up to 'the airlines fault,' I was happy to book our next trip. Over the next few months, we took a few more side trips here and there close to home that all went well. It was not until our most recent trip to LA that everything changed. Gracie was 16 months and we were going to take another girls only trip (no dad). We were both excited for the warm air and beaches (at least I was). I prepared for our trip buying all the essentials: new diaper bag, car seat bag, and of course new sandals for us both…any excuse for bags and shoes! A hands free diaper bag is a must when traveling solo. The car seat bag was great for both carrying on the plane or checking, and the shoes… well, they were just cute. As Gracie and I are sitting at the airport having dinner, I am thinking to myself how much fun this trip is going to be. I am mother… I am invincible... I am naive! On the plane, ready to read some books and go to bed, Grace throws up all over her clothes and seat. Unfazed, I quickly change her clothes (always keep spares in the diaper bag) and clean up. We settle back into our seat again, this time Grace on my lap as we prepare for takeoff. The plane is not 10 feet off the ground when Grace throws up again, this time all over me, herself, and the poor man next to us. I was in shock! This was a parenting moment I was not prepared for. I tried to clean up as best I could, but I was not prepared with a change of clothes for myself. Grace continued to throw up every 30 minutes for the remainder of the 4 hour flight; my poor baby had the flu. By the time we landed in LA, we were both practically naked having run out of all spare clothes and blankets. The remainder of our trip was pretty much the same. Grace would rally during the day and got to enjoy the warm air, had fun shopping, at the pool, and at the beach, while mom got to enjoy sleepless nights and periodic vomit. We got back home to Chicago just in time for me to catch the flu as well.

So, moral of the story... I no longer feel that a toddler needs to experience the world before her 2nd birthday and while we will never pass up a great opportunity, our family will be enjoying the wonders of the world in a 5-10 mile radius of our home, for now. I reserve the right to completely change my mind once the horrors of this latest trip escape me.


The best purchase I made! This diaper bag is great, stylish, and with the adjustable strap can be worn over the shoulder (hands free... a must when traveling alone). 

Oi Oi Diaper Bag Pink Herringbone Hobo via Amazon.com

The picture of this is completely rediculus, but this bag actually worked great.  It is very inexpensibve and works great for checking or carrying on the plane.  I was able to carry the diaper bag, this car seat bag (with car seat), and Gracie on the plane. 

Especially for Baby Car Seat Travel Bag via babiesrus.com

Shoes for the trip was a must (as usual)! Target again has great kids shoes at great prices.

Genuine Kids by OshKosh® Jaiden Flower Gladiator Sandals via Target.com

  

Gracie enjoying her trip to LA

Babies and Taxes!

As every American is aware, today (April 15th) is tax day. While there are many benefits to parenthood, one of these benefits is the tax credit! As working parents, we are able to take advantage of the dependent care credit as well.  Parents are able to have money (up to $5000 per household) taken pre tax from their pay check for dependent care.  Since we have to pay for child care, at least there are some tax benefits. With that said, whether you owe or are getting a refund from our friends at the IRS this year, here are some ways to save or spend on your little ones.


Making your own baby food… a wonderful way to save. I have made all of Gracie’s food since she began eating at 5 months. There are a few items that made the process almost as easy as opening the jar. The Cuisinart Smart Stick was great and easy to clean up. The clean up should not take longer than making the food itself. Another item I found, and could not have done without, are the Baby Cubes. These worked great for us to freeze and use for daycare, home, and any outing. There are many options out there, I have heard of ice trays, but having the container all in one piece was perfect and allowed us to just grab and go (an essential for any working mom).  The last item that served me well was a baby food book. It was a great resource to get started with. Through time and as you get more involved, coming up with your own recipes that your baby loves is great fun.

Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender via Cuisinart.com

Baby Cubes via babycubes.com

Naturally Healthy First Foods for Baby by Jacqueline Rubin

Looking for some fun things to spend your refund on? Gracie and I recently found some great items at Target! They now carry Trumpette’s! Not only do they have the socks we have all grown to know and love, but they have shoes now too. As a shoe queen myself, I have managed to raise a shoe princess in just 19 months.

Tori Spelling's new clothing line Little Maven has great, stylish clothes for babies.

 Little Maven by Tori Spelling via LittleMaven.com

I found a great baby boutique in Chicago, Twinkle Twinkle Little One.  You can find great gifts and high end items for baby.  I epecially love these tee's for boys!

My Little Pumpkin - Off to the Office T-shirt via twinkletwinklelittleone.com

Normally I do not care for little babies in headbands, however with these flowers they are just too cute!  I cannot resist flowers on a hat or headband. 

Baby Blossom Flower via PinkBowtique.com

The Wonders of Working

For all the working moms out there, while it seems that having to be away from your children everyday is torture, there is one thing that makes it all worthwhile. Showing up at daycare having your baby come running toward you calling "Mommy!!" seems to make even the worst of Mondays melt away. I have a friend that will be joining the world of working moms soon and want her to know that there are many of us out there, and it is not all that bad.

This weekend, I took a metalsmithing class and was inspired by my beautiful daughter to make a pendant. While this may not be an option for everyone, there are many beautiful choices to purchase. It gave me a small sense of peace to wear this today. I had my Gracie with me all day. So, for any mom in need of a new fashion idea that keeps your baby with you all day, here is a great one. Also with Mother's Day approaching, this is a great gift idea that any mom would cherish.

This is the necklace I made, inspired by Grace (it has her name on the front and birthdate on the back)

There are also some great pieces online. I found a few different styles at etsy.com

Via etsy.com

Via etsy.com