Five on Friday

1. ONE - Nursery Decor

I'm a few steps ahead on getting Beckett's nursery down. The paint color is still TBD but here are a few elements I saw on Pinterest/Babiekins blog that I am definitely going to use!

Rabbit Head Curtain Tie Backs

Sheep Rocker

2. TWO - Denim Overalls.

I know what you're thinking. Why. Why is she even thinking about them. I really wanted shorts ones...but now I'm thinking I might go with full length. We will see. But, I'm going to do it. I'm TOTALLY going to buy a pair. Here are a few I've seen...

Anthropologie - Paige

Gap

and, while I'm on this denim kick... I'm kind of obsessed with this dress by 7 For All Mankind too...and its on sale!

I saw Giada DeLaurentis wear one on her her Giada in Italy show, and now I think I need one.

3. THREE - Four Month schedule

This is for the mamas out there...when did you start stretching to 4 hour schedules? I've tried, but Beckett seems to really enjoy his 3 hours, and FOUGHT me tooth and nail when I tried to change. So we are back to three hours. He's only napping for an hour at a time which is so weird - and why I tried to stretch him in the first place - but still sleeps 11+ hrs per night without waking. For awhile he was on the verge of dropping the late nap at 530, but now since he cant seem to sleep more than an hour earlier in the day - that nap is back. Not sure what to do..if anything?

4. FOUR - Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Snappers...try them. 

You're welcome. (I bought mine at Costco).

5. FIVE - Boards

T-minus 4 days until my husband takes his Board Exams!!! In 4 short days he will be a LOT less stressed and we will be one step closer to finally getting settled and starting his new job!


Have a great weekend, y'all!

Product Review: SkipHop Moonlight and Melodies Mobile

My baby is now 4 months old  (Can you believe it?!) and I decided rather late to try out a crib mobile. We didn't get a crib until we moved back to South Carolina, so a mobile was never an option for us early on. So as he is becoming more aware (and bored at times), I decided to invest. I found this mobile and it had pretty good reviews and I thought it was 'cute' but also functional. I felt like a lot of mobiles didn't look that great - and the one that I thought looked the best (BlaBla Kids) was $150...and I just couldn't stomach spending that - especially since  I wasn't even sure he'd pay that much attention to it.

THE VERDICT:

So, I think if you wait until 4 months, your baby might not care about a mobile. Mine doesn't seem to. Overall it's a cute mobile, but I feel like there are more cons than pros. I'm a little annoyed I spent $65 when I probably could have gotten a cheap one for $30 but honestly, I'm too lazy, exhausted, and overwhelmed to drag myself to BuyBuyBaby to return it. So, I'm keeping it. (not much of a glowing endorsement, eh?) I think if my crib had ends that had bars, I'd probably really like this - so if you have that crib - go for it!

Pros:

It's cute, and it has a projector on top that puts a star pattern on your ceiling. It has a lot of options for sounds and songs, and great volume control. It also comes with a remote, so you can stand at the door and turn the monitor back on without the little one seeing you - which is nice. The leaves softly glow and it was very easy to put together. When your child is too old for the mobile, you can keep the base on the crib and use it as a sound machine, which is nice.

Cons:

{1.} The remote has 1 button. On/Off. So you can't change the sounds, the lights, nothing...just turn it back on/off. The remote does not go through the door...so you have to open it to use it.

{2.} The attachment to the crib requires you to have rails like the picture above. I really wanted to put it on the end of my crib, but my crib has solid ends. So I had to do the side...which makes the buttons in reach of the baby. Not sure I want that.

DISCLAIMER: I did not paint my walls that color. Yes, it's bright. And actually, its MUCH cuter in these pictures than it is in person. In person, it makes me want to gouge out my eyes. I will get a painter at some point but for now, it's electric blue.

See how close the buttons are to baby? At this point he is too small to get to them but not for long...I suppose I could drop the mattress.

 I do have the option to turn the control to the outside, and then switch the arm around. But, when you do that, the mobile is no longer centered, its more to one side of the crib. Not a huge deal but I think annoying. Also, when you turn the arm around, it messes with the balance of the unit. The strapping system is such that it is not totally flush with/tight on the rails. So, when its affixed like above, it leans in some. When its on the other side, it leans out of the crib -- which I find annoying.

when moved to the outside, the weight of the arm makes the unit do this - and there is no way to make it any tighter to stop this - unless I push it up against the wall. Of course, when its up against the wall, the buttons are blocked.

And, when it's set up like this, the mobile it's more to the right.

Notice, it leans forward a little bit.

Close up of the clasp. I don't love the extra 'tail' that it has when tightened.

{3.} The projection feature is cool, but it doesn't move at all..I think it might be cooler if it moved. At this point, Beckett totally ignores that, and I'm not sure when he is the age to notice it that it will be something that we are still using.

Projection feature..

So, do I wish I'd just spent $150 on the blabla one? Yep. But, the thing about babies is that you NEVER know what they will like. Sometimes they love the stuff you hate and vice versa. He looks at this and it 'does the job'. My next baby might be obsessed. Maybe there is not a single mobile on the market that my baby will love...but at the end of the day, who has the time to test several on their baby? And, since it is over the bed, do you want him to be enthralled with it? Probably not. Overall, I think I might just not be a mobile person. 

Hope this helps you if you're on the market for a mobile!

Five On Friday

{ONE}

Another Week at Pawleys. I just got back last night from a short trip to my favorite beach, Pawleys Island. Its the third week I've spent there this summer, and it never gets old! I can't wait to go back on Labor Day Weekend!

{TWO}

Decor ideas for a wood paneled den.

Our new house a cozy wood paneled den. I know it sounds terrible, but honestly I love it. The panels are solid tongue and groove wood and provide a really homey feel. I do know that having a room like this can look dated so I'm scouring the internet to find examples of ways to update it and really enhance the room. Any ideas? Have any of you dealt with a room like this? Bunny Williams just did a spread in Southern Living but I'm still on the hunt for other pictures!

{THREE}

Book Recommendation

I'm currently reading Unbroken - albeit VERY Slowly- and it is SO great! I have not seen the movie, nor plan to. (I strongly dislike Angelina and purposefully do not support ANY of her work). I definitely recommend this book! ITs a great mix of history and action...I can't wait to find out what happens!!

{FOUR}

House organization

Does anyone know of any good bloggers that write about house organization? I have so much stuff, EVERYWHERE. I need help getting it all in its place...HELP!

{FIVE}

Teething

I think we are finally starting to enter into the teething stage...and its weird. My happy, easy, sleepy baby is taking shorter naps, drooling, and even fussing! (gasp) Although no one else seems to think that my baby is now "fussy" or a "challenge" - for him, its a real change! I started using a teething toy that a friend gave me and Beckett loves it! Its made by a company called Bannor Toys - based out west and made with all natural products (bees wax etc). I highly recommend it!

Sorry this is short and sweet, between unpacking and a crying baby, I'm lucky anything was done at all!

I've turned into THAT blogger

You know the one. The one that gets pregnant, and EVERYTHING is abut the pregnancy. And then she has the  baby, and literally falls off the blogosphere. I swear I'm going to blog, and then it doesn't happen. I have SO much I want to share, but just haven't had the time. Today however, I'm here and I have about 20 minutes so here goes a quick post. I hope you enjoy :)

Cooking is almost impossible with baby around. At least for me. But, I saw this recipe - it makes A TON - and we ate it all last week. It was healthy, and yummy, and felt very gourmet I must say. I got it from the Pioneer Woman (who annoys me endlessly but the lady can cook). Her recipe on TV varies from online, but I think either way works.

The dressing is the best thing I've ever made. Seriously. We made salmon to put on top, but chicken would work too. Keep a protein on hand, and this will work for lunch/dinner ALL WEEK. Seriously, it made a ton of salad.

We made a bourbon-maple glaze with orange juice, and brushed it on the salmon while on the grill.

See The Pioneer Woman's prep comments and photos HERE.

Ingredients

•  SALAD INGREDIENTS:

• 1 package Linguine Noodles, Cooked, Rinsed, And Cooled

• 1/2 head Sliced Napa Cabbage, Or More To Taste

• 1/2 head Sliced Purple Cabbage, Or More To Taste

• 1/2 bag Baby Spinach, Or More To Taste

• 1 whole Red Bell Pepper, Sliced Thin

• 1 whole Yellow Bell Pepper, Sliced Thin

• 1 whole Orange Bell Pepper, Thinly Sliced

• 1 bag Bean Sprouts (also Called Mung Bean Sprouts)

•  Chopped Cilantro, Up To 1 Bunch, To Taste

• 3 whole Scallions, Sliced

• 3 whole Cucumbers Peeled And Sliced

• 1 can (about 10 Oz.) Whole Cashews, Lightly Toasted In Skillet

•  _____

•  FOR THE DRESSING:

• 1 whole Lime, Juiced

• 8 Tablespoons Olive Oil

• 8 Tablespoons Soy Sauce

• 2 Tablespoons (up To 3 Tablespoons) Sesame Oil

• 1/3 cup Brown Sugar

• 3 Tablespoons Fresh Ginger Chopped

• 2 cloves Garlic, Chopped

• 2 whole Hot Peppers Or Jalapenos, Chopped

•  Chopped Cilantro

My Unofficial Hiatus

I never officially got on here and let you all know that I took a break from blogging. I suppose my e-absence was a dead giveaway, however. So, the baby was a definite slow down to the blogging - props to those mommies out there that kept it up - but we also have a few other big things happen! My husband got a job in South Carolina, and I was tasked with coordinating a move from West Palm Beach to Greenville within a 3 week span. So, needless to say, between the baby and move, blogging was on the back burner. Since coming back to Greenville, we have spent a week living with my inlaws (bless them) and two weeks in Pawleys Island. This week we continue to live in my in-laws home, and next week? We move. Again. That's right, we bought a house and close on it next week. This summer has truly slipped away from me, and I can't believe in a month's time we've moved to a new state, and purchased a house. It's amazing how fast things can change. So, over the next few weeks I hope to get back into blogging, and updating you all with my adventures in mommyhood, decorating my house, and just general life (note: just be prepared, the 2016 election is about to heat up, and I'm going to be blogging about that too...)

A view of the Reedy River in downtown Greenville, SC

Stay tuned for more updates!

Oh, Hey Friday! Five New Baby Tips

So you know you're a new mom when you post your Friday post on Thursday...because you have no idea what day it is. So, sorry guys, and let's pretend this is the first time I'm posting this?

I'm beginning to wonder when I will ever get back to blogging or when I'll have time to myself again! Life has gotten crazy as of late, and I've really struggled to make time to blog. Friday five posts are going to be my goal for the next few weeks until I can get back in the swing of things!

This post is going to be baby. allll baby. Sorry guys. But, there are things I've learned that I think NEED to be shared. I saw so many posts about the 'baby must haves' and the things you HAD to register for, but I have come up with several ideas/tips that I think are a little more on the practical side -- i.e. not a $200 diaper bag or a $400 stroller.


1. Hand Sanitizer at your changing station.

I'm married to a doctor, so perhaps this is why we found this to be a 'must have'. Often, you get the baby up, change him, grab a snack, settle on the couch and start his feeding. Did you catch the part where you have a chance to lay the baby down and wash your hands? No? Yeah, that's because it never seems to work out that way. The first few days of having a baby it was non stop for me. I was always doing something, and eating was a luxury. Seriously, I'm pretty sure I LIVED on pretzel sticks in a giant Costco sized tub. I only had time to eat things that were 'on the go' or ready made - no time to make a sandwich. I quickly found that keeping a bottle of sanitizer on the changing table helped me to keep my hands, and then when I found myself snacking on finger foods shortly after I wasn't totally grossed out. After you have a baby, personal hygiene can go to the back burner - you're thrilled if your teeth get brushed - so yeah, hand washing can be one of those things you forget to do.

Side Note: I also keep a little rag by the changing table to wipe off the diaper rash cream - never thought about that until I had it all over my hands and had no where to wipe it off...

2. Dimming Lamp in the Nursery

We had this old 1990s style floor lamp from my husbands bachelor apartment that I happened to place beside my nursing glider. It was THE best idea. I am able to feed and change the baby at night without using bright lights and  slowly dim the lights until the baby is totally asleep. Try it, you'll be a believer!

3. Baby accessory baskets around the house

I live in a small rental right now, but I've found that no matter what room you are in, you need some baby essentials on hand.  I keep a small basket in my bedroom and living room with a few things in it - a pacifier, a toy, and a burp cloth (maybe a blanket). Initially I felt like I would have 5 burp cloths in one room and ZERO in another. This has helped tremendously!

4. Babywise

I tried to read this book pre baby and was overwhelmed and slightly confused by it. Now that I have a baby and am learning my baby I now better understand it all. I started really implementing the principles at 6 weeks, and now my baby is sleeping about 6-8 hours (normally 7-8) at 8 weeks. I highly recommend giving it a try!

I bought mine here on Amazon

5. Birth Announcement Addressing

Prior to your baby being born, I recommend getting your list together of recipients and then paying the service (I used Tiny Prints) to address the cards for you. I did NOT do this because I thought it would be too hard to get all the addresses together into a spreadsheet and didn't want to pay the fee. PAY THE FEE. I'm still addressing announcements. It may never end.

Beckett

Weekending: Babies. All the. time.

My weekends are now 100% baby. But, I'm really starting to hit my groove and enjoy it. So, my first back as a mom is a 'sort of' Weekending post...but mostly because that's when I found the time to write it! Enjoy xx

I know it's been a minute (or five weeks to be exact) since I've blogged - but I've had good reason. Beckett joined our family weighing in at 8 lbs 3 oz and 20.25 inches long. The delivery was smooth (and in record time) and everyone is healthy! We're so thrilled albeit, exhausted. I hope that as time goes on I'll be able to get back to blogging but lately I've hardly had time to breathe let alone shower -ha!

Beck is currently screaming for a diaper and dinner, so I'm going to let these photos from our newborn photo session do the talking. For those of you int he Palm Beach area - our photos were taken by Kate & Sarah Photography in West Palm Beach. Give them a call, both girls were fabulous, and got some amazing shots of us!