Big Brother & Big Sister Gift Ideas

It feels all too real that I am in the final month before this baby joins our family! I've been washing all the tiny newborn clothes, folding swaddle blankets, prepping the car seat, closing out my baby registry, etc. and with each thing I check off the list, I feel more and more ready for this baby to come. One special thing on that list has been putting together gifts from the baby to Liam and Lyla. I did this for Liam when Lyla was born and it really eased that transition the day we brought her home from the hospital. My hope is that it helps them know their new baby sibling loves them and that we do too, know matter how much time is required to devote to this new baby, they are still so special to us.    

From the moment I saw this "sissy" sweatshirt I knew Lyla would love it! It's one of her favorite colors and will be perfect to wear as she tells everyone she knows that she is a big sister now! I've had a much harder time finding a "big bro" sweatshirt so I found a plain blue one and with the help of a friend, plan to try ironing on some vinyl lettering so he has one too! I'm going to leave them behind with some treats while we are away at the hospital so they can wear them when they meet their new sibling. 

  

Lyla's gift from the baby is a matching baby doll carrier to the one I have (can't wait to twin!) and a new soft dolly to carry around in it. I chose the pink one to hopefully lighten the disappointment she may feel for a moment if she finds out she had a little brother instead of a sister that she is hoping for. haha 

Liam's gift is everything he loves too ... a camo fanny pack to carry around his treasures (or stuffed animals) in, and the cutest snow dragon!

I'm excited to see their faces when they open them and even more excited to write the name on the gift tag of who they are from. ;)

Other big brother and big sister gift ideas I've done in the past are these adorable books that teach them all about being a big helper. This camera to take their own videos and pictures of the new baby is a huge hit at our house too and comes in both pink and blue. You can also never go wrong with activities to entertain them while you spend 24/7 nursing like these Melissa and Doug reusable sticker books which are a favorite at our house.

Baby #3 Must Haves

 Now that I'm caught up again on our happenings from the last couple months, I can share some fun pregnancy things. Starting with some baby #3 must haves! Considering we've had two babies now, a boy and a girl, we already have almost everything we need this time around. We bought a car seat from a friend over the weekend and I couldn't believe how tiny the little insert is for a newborn baby! 

4th of July weekend I pulled down all of my baby bins with Lyla and she had a hay day going through all of the tiny things I've saved. After taking inventory, these are just a few things that are on our list before baby comes that I thought I would share for anyone who might be expecting a baby too! We registered at babylist.com and I've loved that you can link items from several different websites all in one place! 

Binkies | Most of the ones I had melted a bit in our storage bins in the garage (oops!) and while we have yet to have a baby that loves them, they are handy soothers during the fussy awake times in the first couple months.

Swaddle Sack | I got the larger sized swaddle sack when Lyla was a baby and used it with her every day. Since we plan to have baby sleep in the crib from day one, we'll need the smaller size in the beginning. 

Crib Sheet | Our crib sheets have been well loved, Lyla's even has holes. This one looks so soft and gender neutral!

Electric Nail Trimmer | This product is new to me but I've heard such great things. There is nothing I cringe at more than the thought of trimming a baby's tiny tiny nails. An electric nail filer seems like no brainer. 

Nose & Ear Cleaner | Also a new product to me but may be a little less weird than the Nosefrida we have where you have to suck the snot out of their nose. haha

Diaper Cream Applicator | I'm loving the thought of cleaning off an applicator instead of my hand post diaper change. haha

Nursing Cover | Similar to our crib sheets, the nursing cover I used for my babies is covered in holes (probably from getting snagged on our carseat because it can be used as a cover for that too). Luckily, our new carseat comes with a built in one so I can use it just as a nursing cover this time. 

Nipple Balm | Because nursing in the beginning takes a toll!!

Boppy Cover | Our boppy pillow is one of my most used baby products with my other two. I love the  color "earth stripe" in this cover!

Hatch Sound Machine | We have one of these in each of our kids' rooms and love them! Baby needs their own too. 

Ergo 360 Baby Carrier | I love using the Solly Baby wrap the first few months after the baby is born but then the Ergo offers so much more back support for a heavier baby. The one we have doesn't allow forward facing like this one does ... it will make for one happy baby when they are old enough to want to look around at everything and not be stuck facing your shirt!

Still can't believe we'll have a baby in our arms using all of these things in just a couple months!

Lyla's Dollhouse

I can't tell you how old I was or what daycare exactly but I have this vivid moment as a child when I saw my very first Victorian style dollhouse. It was something that had been passed down in that family and I could tell, was very special to them. At this daycare, we weren't allowed in the bedrooms of the children who lived there. All the toys we played with were in the living room or outside but one day she made an exception long enough for her daughters to show me their dollhouse. I remember it sitting on top of a small night stand, the outside painted pink with white shutters. It had intricate staircases of the swirling nature leading to different bedrooms on different floors. The beds were adored with the perfect amount of floral and while I didn't touch a thing, it was the most incredible thing I'd ever seen.  

When I had Lyla I dreamed of making her one for Christmas someday and this was the year! My creative side reveled in every moment I spent on this special keepsake for her. I bought a kit from Hobby Lobby at the beginning of November and finished it on December 21st, just days before giving it to her. It came in a thousands pieces of raw wood that needed to be labeled, organized in phases for assembly, sanded, painted, and wood glued together. I learned the true art of how long it takes for wood glue to cure and dry, it took the most amount of patience I'd say. But it all resulted in this and it was exactly as I had dreamed ...

The original had a second tiered porch which explains the side door from the master bedroom but an open balcony just fit what I imagined so much better. 

And what says Christmas time more than tiny little wreaths on every window and a "baby it's cold outside" front door mat! 

I covered the chimney and front porch steps with tiny bricks I made out of a painted egg carton. 

A view of the inside from the back ...

The cutest mommy and daddy mice ...

I made all the rugs out of velvet paper and sewed the bedding so it would have sheets the mice could slip underneath when they go to sleep ...

While I wanted her dollhouse to be unique, I also wanted it to be special and reflect the things she not only loves but that are in her own childhood home a little bit. The living room had to have a mini version of our family picture on the wall and a tiny blanket ladder!

I also designed the fireplace for the perfect tv stand and sewed curtains for the window in this room.

I love the two toned staircase so much!

This is the master bedroom ... I made the canopy bed and found the sweetest print of an angel bunny to remind her of Rue in heaven that I turned into wallpaper from this room. The fluffy white pillows were sewn from the same fabric I made our living room pillows in our real house and painted the nightstand pink just like her pink dresser in her own bedroom. 

The wallpaper is my favorite!

That tiny picture of her and Liam ...

This is the kitchen with the most adorable floating shelves filled with everything the mice need to have a dinner party. ;)

One side has the cutest hatch to play in the back of the bathroom or dining room ...

Everything is cuter tiny!! Like that little wooden stool for a piano bench, a tiny mirror, and the light fixtures. 

This is the hodgepodge room. haha It has a spot for the piano, a washer and dryer, and the bathroom in the back. The herringbone floor is my favorite part!! All of the floors were incredibly time consuming but so worth it in the end ... I made them all out of stained or painted popsicle sticks to create wood floors. 

The sweetest scalloped wallpaper in the bathroom ...

The attic is the most played with and loved part of the whole house ... I made it with the baby mice in mind ...

I can't get over how darling they are!!

There is another bed up there and a tiny little dollhouse that opens and can fit things inside. 

I also adore the attic wallpaper. The tiny little snowflakes in the winter floral pattern will always remind me of this special Christmas, when I gave Lyla her dollhouse. 

There were a few dollhouse pieces that survived our house flood back in the day that I was able to use and it made it extra special having some pieces to include from my childhood. The piano for example which I painted black and the forest green bed in the attic. The rocking chair was also mine and was broken but I glued it back together and it doesn't look too shabby after I covered it in a coat of white paint.

Next to having my children (haha), it was my favorite labor of love. I hope she cherishes it for years to come and that one day I can pass it on to my grandkids. 

Holiday Gift Guide for Toddlers

I had a really hard time coming up with Christmas ideas for Lyla this year. That one year old early toddler stage is all about boxes and bows more than anything so a lot of her gifts this year are more practical but I did find a few fun toys for this age group too. A few gift ideas for the toddler girl in your life ...

v tech puppy & carrier | bracelets | hat | shapes pull toy 

kitty | boots | dress | piggy

Lyla is crazy about puppies right now so we got her this adorable puppy & carrier. I have no doubt she'll be packing the whole thing everywhere and loving the buttons on the front too!

We also got her a shape sorting pull toy. I had to link something slightly different above because I actually found it in the Target dollar spot. I painted the wooden box part pink and kept the wheels red and it turned out so cute! I plan to leave it unwrapped with just a big old bow on top of it for Christmas morning. :)

I got her an adorable pom hat to match her new winter coat.

She had a set of these bracelets when she was first born ... she wore them on her blessing day and I was so sad when she outgrew them. They look so sweet with dresses too and the buttons in the back of this one with the bows on the sleeve, so sweet!

Those rain boots have been on my wish list for my kids for a long time now. I haven't found the best deal on the colors I would want so for now they remain on the wish list but one of these days I'll get my mommy & me matching moment with a pair of them. ;) 

The Jellycat stuffed animal brand has the softest and sweetest ones to choose from. The mini kitty and piggy have Lyla's name all over them.

A couple other ideas not pictured above ... this piggy bank, a puppy you can walk (Liam picked this for her, how cute huh?!), a wand for dress up, and you can't go wrong with these touch and feel books.

I can hardly wait for Christmas morning this year! It will be the first year for Lyla where she gets to open the presents herself and I'll have my video camera ready and waiting to see what she does. haha XO

Friday Favorites | Stocking Stuffer Ideas

It has been so fun having a mantel and fireplace to decorate and hang stockings on this Christmas! Can't wait for Santa to fill them on Christmas morning. ;) When thinking of stocking stuffer ideas for our wish lists, I always love starting with the "want, need, wear, read" categories! Here are a few stocking stuffers on our lists this year ...

B O Y

want :: the perfect sized Lego's to fit in a stocking

need :: a new quiet activity for church on Sundays. We've had a few of these and they last a really long time and I love that they are no mess!

wear :: since he spends more time in underwear than anything else, might as well make them fun and another pair of his favorite jeans because they are buttery soft and come in a bunch of different colors (they feel like cozy sweats)

read :: I've heard such great things about this Christmas book!

T O D D L E R   G I R L 

want :: her own bunny because Liam has one and she is constantly stealing it! haha

need :: hair detangler for the knotty mess that happens post bath and bed time!

wear :: a set of my favorite bows on her, the sweetest little bracelets, and this sweater with these leggings

read :: a lift the flap reindeer book

F O R   H I M

want :: his favorite pre workout (gets us both out of bed every morning to exercise)!

need :: new exercise shorts (he has several pairs but his favorite ones he wore painting one time and naturally wears that particular pair the most out in public. It has hand prints on the bum but I don't know how those got there! ;)

wear :: a hat

read :: to continue collecting the series so he can start reading them with Liam when he gets in grade school 

F O R   H E R

want :: make up removing face wipes (remove my make up with only water, WHAT?!) and a monogram coat hanger for our new entryway

need :: moroccan oil (I used this stuff for years and then ran out and have noticed a huge difference in how dry my hair is with crazy fly-aways without it)  

wear :: the softest crew neck sweatshirt I've ever worn! (comes in 3 colors)

read :: because I could get all the help in the patient parenting department I can

I thought I'd also add that we love the tradition of a chocolate orange at the bottom of the stocking and m&m filled candy canes sticking out of the top! Can't believe there is only 18 days left until Christmas!! I'm watching Miracle on 34th Street for the first time right now and am already crying 20 minutes in at the part where a mom brings her deaf little girl to sit on Santa's lap and she says "You don't have to talk to her, she just wants to see you." and he smiles at back at her, then at the little girl and starts speaking to her in sign language. I don't know how I haven't seen it until now but I love the magic of the holidays so much! XO

Holiday Gift Guide for Kids

The holiday season is well underway and in the interest of not waiting until the last minute to finish my shopping, I've been thinking about gift ideas for the people in my life. I'd like to spend the month of December decorating ginger bread houses, watching Christmas movies cuddled up together by the tree, baking cookies, taking Liam ice skating for the first, visiting Santa, and hopefully playing in the snow (just a few things on our holiday bucket list) rather than doing a bunch of shopping. In preparation for all the sales happening now through the next few days, I thought I would share some fun interactive ideas for kids rather than just toys this year ...

moonlite | osmo | walkie talkies | magnetic tiles

alphabet robots | legos | microphone | construction playdoh set

It's no secret that in this day and age, kids love phones ... no matter what age they are at. I don't love letting Liam play games on mine very often but when I came across these two gift ideas I knew they would be perfect when I occasionally do ... the moonlite is a projector you can clip to your phone and it has interchangeable slides you can attach to it that project the pictures from the story on the ceiling while the words are shown through an app on your phone to read to them. A really fun way to read stories before bed and doubles as a "flashlight", Liam's favorite! The second one is the Osmo. I've seen this before but it was always for iPad use only and it wasn't up until recently they made it available for Kindle and iPhone users. It is a stand you slide your device into and you can purchase educational games to go with it. The app it uses talks to you and you interact with it through a reflector in front of the phone. It looks amazing! We got Liam the creative monster game to start with for Christmas!

Who doesn't love walkie talkies, so great for so many ages and this particular pair has really good ratings for distance if they play with a friend or sibling outside. 

Liam's favorite thing to do right now is build ... he plays with these magnetic tiles at our library all the time and loves nothing more than Legos and super heroes right now making this set the perfect fit!

Another favorite around here, robots that transform. How fun is this set where it helps them practice the alphabet?!

A microphone for the music loving dancer in your life and a construction playdoh set that comes with the cutest electric drill.

Another favorite not pictured above ... a stomp rocket (and this one glows in the dark)!

Hope a few of these ideas help! XO

momma & mini stocking stuffer ideas

First of all, can you believe Christmas is 2 1/2 weeks away?! WHAT! It's the most wonderful time of the year and it is just going so darn fast, AH! We still have Christmas movies, cooking baking, driving around to look at lights, and making gingerbread houses left to experience! Thankfully the one thing I am happy about being done with is our Christmas shopping (thank you Black Friday sales!). If you are still on the hunt for some last minute stocking stuffer ideas, I've got you covered for the mommas and minis in your life!

Before we jump into that though, I have a question ... When you were a child (or even with your own kids), was Santa the one who brought gifts to fill stockings on Christmas morning or did mom and dad?! See, I remember my stocking being magically filled on Christmas morning with things from Santa but Nic remembers mom and dad doing it. It's one of the many discussions we've had together this year as we try and figure out what we want our kids to experience ... especially since Liam is really beginning to understand this year. Let me know in the comments, I sincerely want to know! On to the gift guide ...

M I N I    G I R L

I know babies don't really need much but here a few things Lyla is getting in her stocking this year ...

Binkie Clips ... because I'm not kidding you, one second there are a handful of binkies in sight and then the very next second (insert WHEN YOU NEED THE MOST), there is not a single one to be found. Sure to do the trick right?! Right.

Moccasins ... because they are the perfect first pair of walking shoes. Liam learned to walk in them and they were my favorite. I love them because they are easy to get on their little wiggly feet and hard for them to pull back off. I bought Lyla's pair in a 12-18 month size so they won't fit her until next fall. 

Bunny Rattle ... because a lot of her baby toys are hand-me-downs from Liam and it was way too adorable to pass up!

Clothes ... because the one thing babies grow out of faster than anything else. Lyla is officially wearing 3-6 month clothes and almost her entire wardrobe was 0-3 so I got her the cutest cream hi-lo sweater and this adorable ruffled button up (both on clearance right now!). Girls clothes are my weakness!

Bows ... because a girl just can't have enough! Linked my favorite bow shop but I also adore this cream stars one!

M I N I    B O Y

A few things we picked for Liam's stocking this year ...

Harmonica ... because he played with one at a friend's house and balled when it was time to go home and he couldn't take it with him.

Magnetic Rocket Ship ... because he loves putting things together and taking things apart!

Color Bath Drops ... because it makes bath time even more fun than it already is! Liam loves mixing the colors too and watch the bath water change. 

Scented Colored Pencils ... because he has never experienced them before and I think he is going to flip!

Other ideas include ... new underwear (we got Liam these adorable briefs this year), a bow tie, matchbox cars (I'm on the hunt for a motorcycle one), and don't forget an m&m filled candy cane to poke out of the top of the stocking!

M O M M A

Pop socket ... because I can't tell you how many times I've almost dropped my phone without one. I LOVE  this one!

Tassel Charm ... because it would make an adorable key chain on my diaper bag or my car keys.

Clay Mask ... because I have heard such great things about this product and am embarrassed to admit that I have never done a face mask before. Crazy huh!

Tumbler ... because they are my absolute favorite drinking glasses to use around the holidays and to decorate my kitchen shelves with throughout the rest of the year!

Latte Bowls ... for the exact same reasons as the tumbler drinking glasses!

Happy Christmas shopping! XO

Baby #2 Wishlist & Must Haves

Registering for a first baby was super overwhelming the first time around! I remember researching for hours and having a hard time determining what a baby actually NEEDS versus what would be more of a wishlist item. Thankfully after having Liam, I feel like I have a better understanding of that this time around and am really thankful to have already have most of the big basics (a crib, rock n' play, swing, carseat, etc.). 

My mom called and offered to throw me a baby shower in just a few weeks (SO sweet of her!) and I once again found myself registering for a few must haves that we need and wishlist things for baby #2 ...

Owlet Smart Sock | Nursing & Car Seat Cover | Baby Book

Knotted Gown | Double Jogging Stroller

Breast Milk Catcher | Bumbo Seat

The Owlet Smart Sock is a newborn baby product that has become really popular since I've had Liam. It's a sock you velcro to your newborn's foot when they are sleeping and it will alert you if baby moves to a position where they aren't getting enough oxygen and their heart rate drops. It would definitely provide piece of mind in those first few months when Nic and I had many sleepless nights just to lean over and make sure Liam was breathing okay.

I didn't have a nursing or car seat cover with Liam and always wished that I did. I would nurse him with a receiving blanket draped over us and we would both get all hot and sweaty, not to mention when he got to that grabby stage and I almost flashed people several times when he would try to rip the whole thing off in public. haha 

LOVE this baby book and these knotted gowns!

One of our biggest regrets when choosing a stroller for Liam was not picking a jogging stroller. We do quite a bit of running and had to end up getting a second stroller several months after he was born. I know BOB's are all the rage in terms of running quality but we haven't fully decided whether or not to go with that or a simple (and much more affordable!) bike trailer that can be used as a jogger?? If you have any recommendations, I'd love to hear from you!

Every time I'd nurse Liam on one side, the other side would also produce milk and leak all over the place. I had no idea they made these breast milk catchers and what a great way to save that extra milk to be stored for later rather than soaking a nursing bra! haha

A bumbo seat is definitely on my wishlist this time around. We borrowed one from a neighbor for a few months when Liam was first starting solid foods and it was so convenient for also providing stability when he was learning to sit up!

Also on my wishlist for both momma and baby ...

A Fawn Design diaper bag. I love having a backpack diaper bag that is hands-free because heaven knows these two hands will be full as it is with two kids ini tow!

A new robe to change into after the baby is born instead of wearing the hospital gown.

A Briar Handmade bonnet for those chilly fall and winter days. Dying over this print!

A couple of girly swaddle blankets from here or here because all of Liam's either did not last through his crazy spit up days or are covered in baseballs and puppies. haha

A few other must haves ...

A second sound machine. We have this one for Liam and love it! 

Lanolin for those first couple weeks of sore nursing days. 

Sleepers with mittens and warm booties for outfits without feet!

We're getting SO excited for this little girl to join us in just a couple months!

Mother's Day Gift Guide

Hey Friends, hope you are having a happy Tuesday!! :) Mother's Day is this weekend and I am really looking forward to having the opportunity to celebrate it this year with my own mom! She is coming into town on Saturday and Nic is planning to spend some quality time with Liam while we have a girls afternoon just the two of us to go shopping together! I can't wait! This Mother's Day feels even more special knowing that I am celebrating it as a mom of TWO. Knowing this little girl is joining our family soon is all I could really ask for! I have already been spoiled with a couple of shopping trips for a few maternity clothes that I have been needing so I am hoping Nic and Liam keep their promise of just spending time with me on Mother's Day without gifts. We do however have our own moms to spoil so I've rounded up a few ideas if you are in need of a last minute gift idea for Sunday ...     

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

As moms, we tend to have little hands around all the time that easily break or damage anything in sight (haha!) so I tend to always buy pretty cheap sunglasses because they seem to never last me more than one season (if that) but I think every mom should make an exception for these aviators from Diff Eyewear! They are seriously stunning for summer! 

Last Mother's Day Liam gave me this beautiful rose gold bar necklace with his name engraved in it and it one of my most cherished and favorite pieces of jewelry. This would perfect for grandma with all of her grand kids names on it too!

My favorite flower to both give and receive are tulips! I love this idea of wrapping the bouquet in a beautiful new dish towel tied up with twine and plan on doing this for our moms this year.

If you haven't heard of Chatbooks you need to stop what you are doing right this very minute and pop over to their website! They are essentially $8-$14 books that you can create from your Instagram account, Facebook, phone, or computer pictures. We have an entire collection from all the years we've been married that have so many special pictures and memories in them. You can make custom ones as well which have become a tradition for our moms the last few years since they became grandmas of all of the pictures I've taken with them and Liam.

If you have a nursing or pregnant momma in your life these leggings are a lifesaver!

I always dreamt of having a little girl and still can't believe my dream will be coming true but how sweet are these mom and mini goldie bracelets! I'm seriously dying!! They would be so perfect for a mom and baby daughter and are secretly on my future wish list after she is born.

While I know this day is special for many, I also know that for another majority it is a hard day to face. It may serve as a reminder of a child who you've lost, a child you haven't had the opportunity to conceive, a distance that has been created between you and your own mom, or maybe a mother in your life who has passed away. I want you to know that my heart goes out to you as someone who has experienced a form of pain that a woman can face. You are not alone and you are so loved and cherished on this day and every other day! XO