Blog

19 Fantastic Must Have Items For Your Baby Registry

Shopping for baby and toddler stuff can get really tricky and expensive. With new products out in the market, there's a lot of trial and error for determining which ones are half decent or really worth having. Take my word for it, I've been through my fair share of shitty products, but these are all worth having on your baby registry to ease your life as a parent. Free Resource Library Get access to download all my freebies all at once. EmailFirst NameFree Resource Library Free Resource Library Your information will be kept safe and spam-free. This post includes Affiliate Links. Where…

14 Comments

May 6, 2019

Mom Life

Being A Mom Is Remarkably Like Getting My Degree

People go to college to gain knowledge on different fields of study in attempt to get them into a career path. Unfortunately there ares no degrees for parenthood or being a mom.But that’s not to say that a college education doesn’t prepare you for life lessons. Architecture School definitely played a major hand in preparing me for motherhood. It even gave me some really cool skills I couldn’t possibly have had without my degree.Disclosure: All of what you are reading here is mostly completely and totally true. 😝 * This post includes Affiliate Links. Free Resource Library Get access to download all my…

16 Comments

April 7, 2019

Parenting

How to Plan a Fantastic Baby Shower

Throwing a Baby Shower can be really fun. It's a great way to celebrate the new mom or new parents as they go through a new journey and welcome a new baby into their lives.Traditionally, the mother has no involvement in planning a baby shower, it is usually a best friend or close relative who plans it for her as a surprise. But these days, most moms-to-be want to be involved in the planning in some aspect. And these days a lot of baby showers are co-ed as well.Rather than having someone throw me a shower, I was in charge…

23 Comments

March 26, 2019

Mom Life

Where’d The PACI Go?

Sometimes when it's quiet and I feel a bit of boredom I grab my phone and browse through my most recent pictures. I do this for many reasons, mainly to absorb these moments but also to remind me of my blessings- my beautiful family. The other day I stumbled upon a picture I posted on Instagram a few months back, of my daughter playing peekaboo with her pacifier on her face. I decided to repost it and got carried away writing a caption that turned into the story behind her bond with that pacifier.This isn't your average pacifier addiction story,…

10 Comments

February 20, 2019

Kid's Activities & Learning / Seasonal

Valentine’s Day with Kids + Printables

Our Valentine's Week so far So far we've had plenty of Valentine's Day fun.Last week we attended a cute little Tot Time in our area where there was an open play full of toys and costumes as well as a little crafting area. My kids loved the simple craft of using stamps and putting foam stickers on paper. We had a lovely and calm morning.Over the weekend we spent quality time as a family. My husband captured some great moments on our camera of me baking with the kids. We made some yummy heart cookies. I had my son help me…

8 Comments

February 2, 2019

Kid's Activities & Learning / Mom Life

DIY Chalkboard Wall for Kids: Creative & Learning Ideas

A DIY chalkboard wall gives kids a huge space to draw, create and learn. Here’s how we made ours and the many creative ways we used it over the years.

11 Comments

January 19, 2019

Home / Parenting

Mom-Approved Feeding Favorites for Baby and Toddler

Having the right tools makes a huge difference in the way we do things. Feeding your baby can be such an exciting milestone. So having the right feeding tools for your baby at the right stage is essential.Kids are a huge market for products. Some of those products are amazing, some are decent, and some are complete garbage. Make sure you're checking ratings and reviews before buying anything!This is a basic list I've compiled of some of my favorite mom-approved products and tools for feeding our children within the baby and toddler stages.Side Tip: Quality is always better than Quantity. You…

4 Comments

January 14, 2019

Mom Life / Parenting

8 Things I Swore I Wouldn’t Do As a Parent

Within three months of dating, my husband and I would have talks about having kids. We had goals of having our children before hitting our thirties so that we could still feel youthful by the time they would graduate from high school. It's a goal that most people set but later find more complicated due to schooling, career paths, having the right partner, and especially "being ready". My husband and I were lucky enough to have found each other at a young age and having kids just after college so we've achieved this goal twice so far, maybe even a third by…

27 Comments

January 8, 2019

Gift Guides / Parenting

Toddler Development & Gift Guide for a 2 Year Old

Turning 2 is such a big deal, for both parents and children. From 18 months to 24 months our kids develop so much and for the next year there will be so much more change as they become independent little two-nagers and three-nagers. If you've met one you'll know why they're coined teenagers. This gift guide will help you find appropriate gift ideas for any 2 year old based on their developmental growth. * This post includes Affiliate Links. The 2 Year Old Gift Guide Categories My little girl just turned 2 and I'm seeing her grow so much in…

13 Comments

November 21, 2018

Recipes

Kid-Approved Hidden Veggie Meatloaf or Meatballs Recipe

When my kids were younger, getting enough vegetables into their meals wasn't always easy. This hidden veggie meatloaf became one of those recipes that worked surprisingly well—they loved it, and I loved that I could pack several vegetables into something they were already happy to eat. I also started making the same mixture into meatballs, which quickly became a favorite. My kids are much better veggie eaters these days, but they still ask for these every once in a while—and honestly, they're really good even if you're not trying to hide vegetables from anyone. * This post includes Affiliate Links.…

14 Comments

November 14, 2018

Parenting

Potty Training Struggles and Tips + Free Printable

Potty Training a child is a huge milestone but it is also a huge hurdle. This article covers all things Potty Training, including common struggles, our long journey with my son, and some of my best tips and lessons learned.You're welcome to scroll down to the bottom for the recap and additional tips. Make sure you subscribe to get the Potty Charts in the Downloads section. The Potty Training Hurdle Potty Training a child is a huge milestone but it is also a huge hurdle. Here you'll learn about common potty training struggles, tips on determining readiness, methods of potty…

26 Comments

November 8, 2018

Mom Life / Seasonal

Why Celebrate Halloween with Toddlers

Realizing Some People Do Not Celebrate This Halloween season I've been seeing some back and forth as to why people do or do not celebrate the holiday. In the past, I've always thought that not celebrating was because of cultural differences and for not condoning such a marketed holiday.Because I do not follow any religious affiliation, I wasn't fully attentive to those who do not celebrate or may even be outraged by the holiday due to religious reasons and "celebrating life and death" or "the devil." Having it Both Ways While I respect all points of view, please respect mine…

0 Comments

October 30, 2018

Recipes

Pão De Queijo Recipe

What is Pão De Queijo? Pão de queijo is a very popular Brazilian food. It is, in essence, a baked cheese bread/ball.Its not your average piece of bread, nor is it anything like a mozzarella stick.It is both soft and crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. This is due to the main ingredient, tapioca, a type of starch.It is often served for breakfast or a snack. Sometimes for dinner as well since the Brazilian culture doesn't have large meals before bed.The balls are usually about 1.5 inches in diameter, however some bakeries make much larger versions. Some people…

7 Comments

October 15, 2018

Mom Life

Joining The Two Under Two Club With Colorful Perspective

Becoming parents of two under two is no joke. It was a thrilling a nerve-wracking adventure but also came along with some struggles, unwanted attention, and repetitive comments from strangers. Even through that, I wouldn't have it any other way. Deciding to Become Parents of Two Under Two My husband and I always wanted to have kids close in age. We had a set goal of having about three kids with an age gap of two to four years. Even after our first child was born we still agreed we wanted a second baby at some point soon. When our…

26 Comments

August 13, 2018

Parenting

Baby Talk Is More Practical And Valuable Than You Think

You've heard of baby talk, or child-directed speech. But did you know just how valuable baby talk is for infants and toddlers?By narrating my actions and breaking things down into steps with baby talk, I'm able to prepare my kids for what to expect. I started abusing baby talk to prevent toddler tantrums. Toddlers get frustrated when something happens out of their expectation so using baby talk helps to prepare them while also tremendously enlarging their communication and vocabulary. Free Resource Library Get direct access to download freebies all at once in the Free Resource Library. Email First Name Free…

19 Comments

August 13, 2018

Gift Guides / Parenting

Greatest Life Saving Essentials For Every Nursing Mom

If you plan on breastfeeding, your milk supply will be with you at all times. But you'll need a few nursing essentials to make things a little more comfortable for you and baby. For starters you'll need accessible clothing, like nursing bras and tops or dresses that make your breasts easily accessible. Secondly, you will need a breast pump, bottles, and a milk storage system. Thirdly you will need more particular things for your breasts, to protect from leakage or for healing and therapy. And lastly, you may need a nursing pillow and some swaddles/burping cloths. * This post includes Affiliate Links. Free…

7 Comments

August 2, 2018

Parenting

Managing Sensitive Baby Skin

My daughter has always had that baby soft skin. To this day, at a year and a half, she still does. She's got that soft and fair skin that can easily be irritated. When she was a few months old she started developing some rash-like patches around her chest, arms and back of her thighs and suspected a food allergy or Eczema. Turns out she just has fair and sensitive skin, dodged a bullet! However, I do take similar precautions and use soaps and lotions meant for Eczema as well. Disclosure: I have included some affiliate links throughout this post.…

8 Comments

July 31, 2018

Mom Life

Recording Bump By Week Photos Was The Best Decision

Being pregnant comes with so much excitement. You go through many amazing physical and emotional changes. Nine months seems like a long time to grow a child but then you feel like it passed very quickly. That's why it's so important to record an expecting mother's process with bump by week photos. * This post includes Affiliate Links. Free Resource Library Get access to download all my freebies all at once. Email First Name Free Resource Library Free Resource Library Your information will be kept safe and spam-free. Free Resource Library Get direct access to download freebies all at once in…

18 Comments

July 25, 2018

Mom Life

15 Helpful Things To Know Before Your Trip To Disney World

My family and I planned a trip to Magic Kingdom at Disney World over the summer that was extremely exciting, yet very overwhelming. There is so much to do in such a short time that I didn't want to miss a beat.We took the whole family: me and my husband, our two young toddlers, and my husband's parents and sister. I was in charge of planning everything and did quite a bit of research to make our trip easier.For anyone planning a trip to Disney World, there are 15 things you really need to know and prepare for. * This post…

14 Comments

July 20, 2018

Mom Life

A Day at Disney World With Toddlers

For our son's 3rd birthday we planned a family trip to Magic Kingdom for one day as a family of 7. This post is how I planned for our trip for 5 adults and 2 toddlers under the age of 3 and how our day actually went. Also see: 15 Things to Know Before Going to Disney -as I have recently split this post into two. * This post includes Affiliate Links. Free Resource Library Get access to download all my freebies all at once. EmailFirst NameFree Resource Library Free Resource Library Your information will be kept safe and spam-free. Our History With…

23 Comments

July 19, 2018

Parenting

How To Plan Toddler Birthday Parties On A Budget

Everyone deserves to be celebrated on their birthday, including toddlers. But it doesn't have to be a huge bank-breaking party. I prefer to plan simple and exciting toddler birthday parties on a small budget. * This post includes Affiliate Links. Free Resource Library Get direct access to download freebies all at once in the Free Resource Library. Email First Name Free Resource Library Free Resource Library Your information will be kept safe and spam-free. Improvising Toddler Birthday Parties For my son's second birthday, I had to change his party location and setup within a few hours due to weather conditions.…

15 Comments

July 10, 2018

Gift Guides

Toddler Gift Guide for One Year Old

As a child nears the end of infancy they start to develop a lot more interest in objects and toys. So much changes for children between 12-18 months and 18-24 months. This guide will help you find an appropriate gift for a one year old based on growing developmental skills and needs.With the right set of toys they can explore and learn things on their own. They go from crawling to walking, or straight to running, while developing all new skills and abilities. Your child may still seem young for some of these at first but their brain development grows so much by…

20 Comments

July 1, 2018

Home / Parenting

Easy DIY Toddler Bed Rail Bumper – Solution for Kids Falling Out of Bed

Our son was about to turn three when we decided it was time to move him from his crib/toddler bed into a full-size twin bed. He was ready for the upgrade, but we had one big concern: he moved around a lot in his sleep, and we worried about him falling out of a much larger, higher bed. After the toddler bed rail we bought didn't work with his new bed frame, I needed a quick and inexpensive alternative. I ended up making a simple DIY toddler bed bumper using three pool noodles taped together and placed underneath the mattress…

23 Comments

June 28, 2018

Recipes

Egg-Free Banana Muffins for Babies & Kids (Dairy-Free)

These egg-free banana muffins became one of my go-to recipes when my kids were little. I usually made them as mini muffins, and because my version uses applesauce instead of eggs and doesn't contain dairy, they were especially convenient for playdates, parties and gatherings where little kids might have different food allergies. I originally started making them for babies and toddlers, but they never really felt like “baby food.” The older kids and adults ate them too, and I've made batches of them many times over the years. * This post includes Affiliate Links. We All Love These Banana Muffins When…

18 Comments

June 27, 2018

Gift Guides / Seasonal

Super Practical Essentials For Baby & Toddler Water Fun

It's Summertime, which means most of us are trying to survive this heat by spending time by the pool or water. This guide is for Baby and Toddler water fun essentials. It includes all things swimsuits, rash guards, water shoes, and water toys. * This post includes Affiliate Links. Free Resource Library Get direct access to download freebies all at once in the Free Resource Library. Email First Name Free Resource Library Free Resource Library Your information will be kept safe and spam-free. Baby & Toddler Swimwear You can find baby & toddler sizes for swimwear anywhere you buy children's clothing. Personally prefer…

24 Comments

June 18, 2018

Parenting

How To Style Baby Girl Hair with Cowlicks or Fine Hair (Easy Styles + Best Products)

If you’re wondering how to style baby girl hair — especially with cowlicks or super fine strands — you’re not alone. I went through this phase with my daughter and quickly learned that baby hair has a mind of its own. In this post, I’m sharing the simple tools and styling tricks that actually helped tame her wild strands, plus a few affordable accessories that stayed in (and didn’t hurt her head). Whether you’re prepping for photos or just trying to keep hair out of her face, these tips should help. As kids get older, hair care eventually becomes one…

12 Comments

May 27, 2018

Parenting

How To Make Non Slip Socks for Toddlers – A Simple DIY Project

When our babies start to stand, cruise, and learn to walk socks can become a slippery issue. In my home we don't wear shoes inside to avoid tracking in dirt and, in socks, it can be fairly slippery. But I figured out a way around the slippage, with DIY non slip socks for my toddlers. I expected to only do this little DIY for their learning-to-walk stages but we ended up loving it so much that I still do it just for fun. This really comes in handy because toddlers are runners and they're always distracted. Non slip socks make…

12 Comments

May 25, 2018

Kid's Activities & Learning / Parenting

Raising Multilingual Children: What We’ve Learned Along the Way

Raising multilingual children has been a journey of family, culture, and connection. Sharing how our family approaches English, Spanish, and Portuguese as our kids grow — and what we’ve learned along the way.

29 Comments

May 16, 2018

Home / Parenting

Benefits of Toddlers Helping around the House

As a mom of two, I've found so many benefits from having my toddlers helping around the house. It teaches them a responsibility while we get to tackle house tasks and bond together. The Debate Over "Child Labor" There's been a lot of back and forth about kids doing chores around the house. Some say it takes away from letting a kid be a kid while others say it teaches responsibility. I think the real concern is, how it's enforced. Of course it's essential that a child does not grow up in prison-like conditions, where they are forced to do…

28 Comments

May 11, 2018

Parenting

“Styles” of Parenting

Everyone follows different parenting styles. Before we even become parents, we've already decided how we want to raise our kids. What I didn't know is that different styles actually have labels. I recently read an article about the six styles of parenting and it really got me thinking about my own parenting and what is really best for our children. "The 6 Styles of Parenting" The article focused on the pros and cons of six parenting styles: Helicopter Free Range Authoritarian Permissive Authoritative Uninvolved Helicopter Parenting A common term used with parents who are overly involved in their children's lives. Children raised…

7 Comments

May 11, 2018

Parenting / Recipes

Homemade Baby Food Hacks

Baby stores will try to sell you mini appliances for steaming, pureeing, and storing homemade baby food. If you have a blender or food processor you can steam on the stove or microwave and puree them without buying new appliances that will take up space and become useless after a few months. And better yet, if you take the extra time to do several different kinds at a time you can be set for weeks or months at a time by freezing. Basically, meal planning for your baby!Blenders and ice cubes will soon become your best friend.I figured out this trick with…

0 Comments

May 1, 2018

Mom Life

Grocery Shopping With Two Kids: What Worked With a Baby and Toddler

Grocery shopping with two kids sounds simple enough until you actually have to figure out where everyone—and the groceries—are supposed to go. When my kids were both under two, even a basic grocery trip came with logistics I hadn't really thought about before. My toddler still needed to ride in the cart, my baby was often in her infant car seat, and somehow I still needed room for the groceries. Over time, I figured out a few things that made grocery shopping with a baby and toddler much more manageable—from how I arranged everyone in the cart to keeping them…

21 Comments

April 27, 2018

Parenting

Terrific Benefits Of Limited Screen Time for Toddler Development

We all know watching too much TV or staring at our phones or computers for too long can harm our eyes. We've all been through those headaches. Babies and toddlers, however, have new and sensitive eyes that are still developing and cannot handle nearly the same amount of screen time as adults can. So is it okay to allow our children to watch TV with us or watch videos on our phones? What are the effects of screen time during toddler development? When is too young? And what/how should we limit our children's screen time? Doctors might tell you one thing but…

18 Comments

April 22, 2018

Mom Life

How To Conquer Depression With A Great Motherhood Support Group

When you're a stay at home parent with a child, or children, you start to get lonely even though you're not physically alone at all. Even with family support, I often found myself feeling alone. But finding a motherhood support group changed everything. I finally had an outlet with people who would understand because we were all going through the same things.Being a parent is drowning on so many levels. We are pushed and pulled in all sorts of directions with no time to even process our own thoughts. So finding the right motherhood support groups is essential for any mom…

18 Comments

April 22, 2018

Mom Life

Postpartum Recovery After A C-Section

Giving birth is a miracle, but postpartum stories are rarely shared. Our bodies don't go back to 'normal' and we get hit with the cold hard truth. Let's get real about the realities of the afterbirth period.I don't want to overwhelm you because being a mother is absolutely amazing, but we're not actually always glowing. Well, sort of, but that's because we don't often shower LOL. * This post includes Affiliate Links.If you just gave birth this is what I have to say to you: "Congratulations you just gave birth!! Oh hey, you look like shit by the way. Get ready…

12 Comments

April 20, 2018