{weekend} lovelies
:: Weekend Lovelies ::
The weekend is here! School is winding down, but our schedules seem busier than ever! Hope that you can take a few moments this weekend for yourself…. and maybe browse some of our favorite finds on the web this week over a cup of your favorite coffee or tea! We kept it short and sweet! Enjoy… and have a lovely weekend, friends! {xo}
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas // Hither & Thither
Mother’s Day is coming up quick! Here are a few gift ideas! Click the title link above to see even more classic ideas for your sweet moms…. or possibly a treat for yourself!
The Best Olive Oil Cake You’ve Ever Had // Cup of Jo
This recipe uses your finest olive oil, lemons, a touch of rum, and almond milk….. Mmmmmm! I personally can’t wait to make this recipe! Wouldn’t this be divine over a cup of hot coffee with the company of a close friend? Bliss…
{weekend} lovelies
Happy Weekend!
Here are some of our favorite finds with focus on keeping things simple {natural, holistic, organic, earthy…. or whatever you’d like to call it}!
We hope that you are able to delve into the articles & videos, find something that makes you think, & hopefully smile!
Enjoy! {xo}
Earthling Month // Whole Foods
I am loving this Earthling Month movement by Whole Foods Market! What is an Earthling, you ask? “Earthlings are people that care about the world around them. Every day during Earth Month, we’re exploring the moments that make us more than human. See what other Earthlings are doing, learn something new, and add a moment of your own via Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.”
What do you do in your home to teach your children about caring for our beautiful planet? We are going to do a small vegetable garden in pots on our porch soon… and are hoping to spend lots of summer days spent rummaging through our local farmer’s markets. We are trying hard to not eat things with labels, and instead… making whole, fresh foods at home.
Living with Less. A Lot Less. // NY Times
The title of this NY Times article speaks for itself. I wish everyone would read this and really take it to heart… Our family is in the process of making some big changes in a quest to simplify our lives which I talked about {here}. What’s your reaction to this piece?
[Read more…]
What Ails Me… Migraines
A couple of months ago, I hit a new low
{which is one of the reasons I finally headed back to the doctor after years of not going}.
Husby was at work for a 48-hr shift and I was home with my four little ones.
I had a migraine that was so bad…
that my oldest son {age 8} had to make ego waffles for his siblings for dinner
{so embarrassing to admit}….
I found myself running to the toilet to vomit…
I was sure that this was going to be it…
the time that my brain would finally cease and I would die of a brain aneurism or something
{however unrealistic that actually may be}.
My 6 year old, plagued with a look of helplessness and fear, came running…
asking if I was ok.
He took it upon himself to get me a hair tie.
Later that night, after the pain lessened to a point I could tolerate…
my oldest son took me to the prayer box in my bedroom…
with tears in his eyes, he showed me a handwritten letter on a small piece of paper….
a prayer to God,
asking Him to make his mommy feel better.
I was completely overwhelmed and brought to tears with the sheer sweetness of his heart….
that his initial instinct was to pray.
I was crushed,
at the same time…
thinking about the affects this would have on my children….
seeing their mommy so frequently sick with migraines.
Top Ten Baby Essentials
Here it is!
Our
Top Ten Baby Essentials
that every mama should have!
All products are ones we have personally had… and loved
{with the six children we have had between the two of us}!
These products are not only stylish…
but completely practical, affordable & great quality!
ONE // Ju-Ju-Be ‘Be Right Back’ Diaper Backpack
Ergonomic, Teflon-coated diaper bag with plenty of pockets
and a well-organized interior features adjustable straps
and a breathable mesh panel in back for comfort.
**********
This diaper bag was Nicole’s personal favorite… and she had many!
This one was super functional & easy to carry around!
TWO // Fisher-Price My Little Snugabunny Cradle ‘n Swing
This swing offers a comfortable, relaxing environment that will soothe your little one.
Featuring a soft head rest and airy canopy,
the swing stimulates the senses with a mirror globe,
a bird mobile that plays gentle tunes, and six speeds.
**********
Having a swing or bouncy seat is especially important if you plan to take a shower!
The perfect safe place to keep your baby in eye-sight
while getting a few things accomplished around the house!
THREE // Cloud B ‘Sleep Sheep’ Stuffed Animal
Cuddly stuffed sheep helps lull little ones to sleep by providing four soothing sounds:
a calming heartbeat, ocean waves, spring showers and tranquil whale songs.
**********
Finn actually still has the giraffe version of this stuffed animal in his crib.
He loves the sounds it makes as he drifts off to sleep!
The heartbeat is a favorite of newborns.
FOUR // Aden + Anais Bamboo Muslin Collection
For countless generations, mothers have swaddled and cared for their children with natural muslin.
aden + anais® has gone one step further to bring you soft,
silky rayon from bamboo fiber muslin.
Luxuriously soft, it is the ideal fabric to use on delicate baby skin.
**********
Both Nicole & I have swaddled our last babies using these wonderfully soft & versatile blankets.
Perfect to drape over a stroller to shade from the sun,
to use to cover-up when nursing,
or as a personal favorite cuddly blanket
{Finn’s favorite — to this day… he can’t go to sleep without one}!
FIVE // Ergobaby Carrier
An exclusive Petunia Pickle Bottom pattern updates a convenient,
ergonomically designed baby carrier that can be worn in front, back or hip position.
Strategic padding ensures comfort for both you and baby,
and a stowaway sleeping hood protects your slumbering little one from sun and light rain.
**********
We have both had many different baby carriers, from slings, to wraps, to this!
The Ergobaby Carrier is our favorite!
By far… the most comforable on your shoulders and neck.
It comes in many different colors and patterns
{Finn — who is nearly two, still fits comfortably}!
SIX // Boon Flair Pedestal Highchair
No cracks. No crevices.
This one-piece seat is the sleekest, smoothest thing going and it makes cleanup unbelievably easy.
Its dishwasher-safe tray cover actually fits in a dishwasher.
The continuous height positioning with pneumatic lift
is just a fancy way of saying you can pick the exact height you want to fit any table.
**********
Holy Moly!
I personally, have been through quite a few highchairs with our four children!
Most have fabric and many spaces for food and liquid to seep in.
This highchair from BOON is amazing!
It is so easy to clean, and I LOVE how modern it looks,
especially in comparison to others on the market!
SEVEN // BOB Revolution SE Stroller
BOB Revolution SE is a great stroller for active parents!
It has great stability and is lightweight, making it easy to push.
The stroller has an ultra padded, adjustable reclining seat and a five-point safety harness
to provide maximum comfort and safety for kids.
A swiveling front wheel provides great performance on the road.
**********
You can also purchase an infant car-seat adaptor
making this our all-around favorite stroller lasting from infancy through toddlerhood!
You can honestly buy this one stroller and be DONE!
{they make a great double, as well}!
It’s a fantastic investment!
EIGHT // bumGenius 4.0 All-in-one Cloth Diapers
bumGenius One-Size Cloth Diapers fit most babies from 7 to 35+ pounds.
No more sorting by size or having to carry multiple diapers when going out.
Three snap-downs on the front of the diaper allow you to
easily adjust the size of the diaper as your baby grows.
The soft, waterproof outer fabric keeps the diaper trim on your newborn and toddler.
Soft, sueded inner fabric gently wicks moisture away from your baby’s skin.
**********
I know that most of you have probably never thought to cloth diaper,
I assure you…
that I didn’t either with my oldest two boys.
I decided to cloth diaper Sophia for economical reasons,
for the benefits to her, and to our lovely planet.
I did so for about a year and was also able to re-use them on Finn for several months!
{Click Here to Learn More About the Amazing Benefits of Cloth Diapering}
It’s worth considering and doing a little research!
Please let me know if you have any questions about my experience!
NINE // Sophie the Giraffe Teething Toy
Sight: The dark and contrasting spots all over Sophie the Giraffe’s body
provide visual stimulation and make her easily recognizable to baby.
She soon becomes a familiar and reassuring object.
Hearing: Her squeaker keeps baby amused and stimulates his hearings.
Taste: Sophie the Giraffe is very flexible and has lots of parts for baby to chew like ears, horns, legs.
She is perfect for soothing baby’s sore gum when teething and is completely safe.
**********
Every baby needs a good quality teething toy, since everything ends up in their mouths!
This is one of Nicole’s favorites!
TEN // Lansinoh HPA Lanolin
For breastfeeding mamas,
this is the leading product in its category.
It soothes, heals and protects sore cracked nipples.
It is the only topical nipple cream endorsed in the US by La Leche League International,
which is considered the foremost experts on breastfeeding.
**********
This is the only product that truly worked when starting to nurse!
A must-have product… for sure!
Note: it also works on chapped lips, cracked heels & dry skin!
****************************************
Nicole & I hope that this list helps!
It was super difficult to narrow our favorites to 10,
because we honestly have so many!
We would LOVE for you to share with our readers some of your
“must haves”
in our comment section!
We can’t wait to hear about your all time favorite baby products!
