Teething: Take Two

Motherhood has been pretty magical.  I have moments of pure bliss every single day where I am positive every ounce of good karma my husband and I have, was used on our kids.  We have been abundantly blessed with healthy, happy, good natured children.  Sure the toddler has his moments, hell, I have my moments.  You'd be hard pressed to be close to me and not see my impatient, and sometimes demanding side.  I can be a little dramatic, and high maintenance.  There isn't a day that goes by I don't roll my eyes at Leavitt wondering why he calls everything disgusting, or why he's constantly asking "whats that noise", only to realize I say the same things over and over again.

There is a lot of chatter amongst moms right now about how hard it can be.  Some even go so far to say they rarely shower, or have trouble getting out of the house.  While I have been lucky to be an early riser - getting a head start on my family most days, I still have days filled with doubt, and stress.  I'm always trying out new baby gear, and adapting our schedules to work smarter not harder- so to speak.  

My youngest is 6 months old and cutting teeth.  He gets so aggravated when he can't seem to soothe his gums with his fingers or a blanket.  He also is getting his toes wet in the new foods department.  However he hates being fed with a spoon.  He instantly gets this horrified look on his face and spits it out.  He prefers to have something soft he can kind of chew on.  I had poked a bigger hole in his bottle and added some organic baby oatmeal and fruit to his formula, letting him use the bottle helps because it is familiar.  We call it his baby smoothies, but it makes me feel bad that he's not actually getting to taste the fruit alone.  Insert greatest new baby product ever.  The Nuby EZ-Squee-Z is a soft silicone bottle, with a wide spoon shaped end.  The end has little holes that pureed food will come out of while he chews on it soothing his gums, but also giving him a taste of new foods.  I am in love with this because it is the same concept as those little pouches us moms love, but it is so easy to make my own food for him and put it into this little bottle.  The bottom part is also silicone so he can easily hold it, and squeeze himself.  I love that it encourages him to self feed, and look how happy he looks using it!  I laughed the whole time he used it for the first time because he couldn't get enough of it, he was so proud of himself.  It comes with a hygienic cover that is great to toss in your bag for on the go self feeding.  As always you know anything great for him is a hit with me if it cleans well and is BPA free. The Nuby EZ Squeeze is Coming Soon to Babies R’ US. Can’t wait to shop? 
Shop similar item by Nuby here: Nibbler : Amazon & Babies R' US.  

Squeeze Feeder: Walmart , Babies R' US  &  Amazon. 

Nuby also has these great IcyBite teethers that go in the refrigerator  but are on a ring that he can easily hold without his fingers getting cold.  They have multiple teething surfaces, including the cold surface, a soft rubber surface and the hard textured ring. 

Shop the Nuby Icy Bite Teether Keys at:

Buybuy Baby, Walmart & Amazon.  

I am still learning how to navigate these infant trials while loving and raising a toddler too. We are on the go so much more than we ever were when Leavitt was an infant. Being in the trenches some days of constantly being tasked with their needs and complaints can be trying.  I am grateful to be the one doing life with them, and for great products that make the tough stuff a little easier.  OK mamas, I want to know what else do I need to make teething easier?  

Spring Fever

Lately I have been in a real mood.  I am generally someone who sees the light at the end of that dark winter tunnel and doesn't complain but this winter won't quit.  We set our clocks ahead, the calendar says spring, time hop is showing me pictures of last year where we already had Easter and the ground was snow less.  Mother nature didn't get the memo and is killing my vibe.  

A gal pal of mine was saying she had been shopping more than normal and I realized I had been taking advantage of all this indoor time by online shopping for spring outfits.  Trying to stay optimistic warmer and brighter days are ahead with retail therapy is apparently how you avoid seasonal depression around these parts.  Give me all the white denim, chambray, off the shoulder, ruffles, and blush a closet can hold.  

It's not just my wardrobe I am sick of and shaking up.  I have been struggling with decisions about what next school year will look like for our family.  He currently goes to a private school - because he is still too young for public options - I decided to complicate my life and try to choose between part time, full time, christian, and non faith based options.  You know because I don't have enough on my plate.  While we take his education seriously, we are adamant our kids be encourage first and foremost in these precious young years in their wonder and self confidence.  I am more inclined to encourage his love of fishing and his love of family than I am to push a competitive educational agenda.  I am definitely airing to the side of "let them be little" - but the temptation to give him the academic edge is still taunting me a little.   

I am also becoming a little bitter with time.  While the weather is in a holding pattern, the growth of my new precious baby  is not.  We have weathered sickness after sickness, and I am beyond anxious to get him outside in fresh air, exploring this world he lives in.  I can't wait to experience all of those great Maine firsts with him.  Quite frankly I am growing impatient and a little pissed off we are cooped up still.  I can't wait to get him downeast, toes in the Atlantic for the first time... you know a good old Maine baby baptism.  OK, I might be taking this a little far, but as he grows more, and more into his personality I am impatient to start the adventures of being a mom all over again.  Leavitt and I adventure so much during the summer months, and we are so pumped to have another buddy to bring along!  I can't help but think that if Leavitt does attend a full time school schedule next year that I need to make the most of our time this summer.

So spring, show your face or I am moving back to Florida and taking this Maine brood with me!

Photos are from last year by Danielle Brady Photography 

Spring Snacks with SkinnyPop

While we have been recovering from yet another blizzard, I am filling our house will all things spring.  As most of you know I am not the crafty type so when I want to create with my little man we head to the kitchen.  I was asked by SkinnyPop popcorn to come up with a spring recipe for you guys and decided I would let my favorite helper in on the action, after all he can't get enough of all things popcorn.

This is the simplest little snack that your kids will love helping you make, and they will definitely enjoy.  The good news is zero measuring, so they can take the lead if you set all the ingredients out.  Even better there is no baking time so those impatient little ones will only have to wait a few minutes for the white chocolate drizzle to dry!

We warmed some white chocolate up in the microwave, and while we waited we grabbed a bag of SkinnyPop popcorn, vanilla cupcake goldfish, pastel citrus marshmallows, and some sprinkles - of course.  I laid a small section of parchment paper out, and scattered small hand fulls of each snack on to the paper.  We used small rubber spatulas to drizzle the melted chocolate, and added some sprinkles for a finishing touch.

I love the bonding time in the kitchen with Leavitt, and he loves snacking so this was the perfect little activity for a cold almost spring morning.  We had so much fun drizzling the chocolate and snacking on the finished product while we watched movies to dodge the cold.  

I wanted to make this super easy for you so below is a picture of your shopping list to make our spring sweet and salty snack mix!  I hope you all enjoy it as much as we do, I also hope you make some memories in the process!

You lose some

 I am in full blown survival mode right now.  Friday I took Preston to the doctor for the second time last week.  The night before his nebulizer had stopped working so I called the doctor to get a RX for the parts I needed.  I set up an appointment to have him seen again before the weekend.  Confirmed with my husband sitting next to me that he or his dad could get Leavitt from daycare because I couldn't be in both places at once.  He of course said he could.  Friday rolls around and we discuss his dad getting Leavitt again... everything seems a go.  I spoke with him, then the daycare, about this.  Nick called his dad and his dad said he was in the woods and didn't know he was supposed to pick him up.  Called me, and said his dad felt bad he missed my text.  If you see where this is going, my husband never asked his dad he simply said he did and never got around to it, then assumed I had taken care of it.  Luckily we hit the daycare lottery and she was sweet about it, even told my husband she hadn't called to worry me.  I had to grab some last minute items at Target and what do you know I get a phone call that Leavitt pooped everywhere.  Never happens on my watch but whatever.  Stressed he puts a swim diaper on him instead of a pull-up despite Leavitt's protesting that's not the right one.  I get home in time to watch Leavitt pee all over his socks.  Have mercy.  

Weekends are pretty hit or miss on the mom front over here.  We are either planned to the max, or end up a bunch of vegetables which creates anxiety beyond belief for me.  This weekend was no different we had plans all day Saturday.  Babysitters lined up for a funeral in the morning and an engagement party that night.  Sunday I just hoped wouldn't leave us taking up residence on the couches, because it is just too much work to actually relax for me.  Preston has been battling a cough all week.  No fever, no runny nose, just a really nasty cough.  We forged on all week with the reassurance from the doctor he wasn't contagious.  Fast forward a week to Saturday Preston woke up worse than I had heard him all week.  Despite being seen at his doctors office twice that week,  like a crazy person when I found his hands freezing, legs a speckled purple color and feet in the same condition I panicked and called my mom who brought over an oximeter my sister has.  Of course his tiny fingers too small for it, and freezing gave us an alarming result which caused me to take him to the ER.  Let me just stop here and say, a rational side of me knew he was fine, the panicked mom in me wasn't sure.  Turns out my precious Preston will be fine in a few days.  Phew.  I also have been banned by his doctor and the ER doc to never use one of those things on a baby again for my own sanity... noted.  

As I sit here, coffee in hand, staring at my reflection in the oven - I pray I don't have to use today, I am fairly certain we are in over our heads in this parenting gig.  My husband and I have a good sense of humor to keep our marriage afloat during these total WTF moments, but really what the.... are we doing? I hope we aren't alone in the wandering in the dark hallows of parenthood, but sometimes I expect strangers to high five me I have it so together, and other days one kid gets left at daycare, another is unnecessarily take to the ER, and there is a poop smell from dad poop-gate I can't get out of my bathroom.  You win some, you lose some.  I just hope the boys aren't sitting on a couch someday talking about these cringe worthy parenting moments to a therapist.  

The upside to this weekend was we made it to the engagement party, there was wine, adult conversations, and my mom is a rock star had both kids in bed by their bedtimes and cleaned my house and did my laundry!  Meme, you're the real MVP! 

Photos are by the lovely Danielle Brady Photography who keeps it real documenting life's perfect moments and bloopers for me.  

Special Day

I know I am not alone when I say school break is anything but a break for us mamas... am I right?  When school break last week snuck up on me after two weeks of snow days falling on school days for Leavitt, I about lost my mind when I realized I was staring down the barrel of another week with no school.  Preston and I really accomplish a lot when Leavitt is in school.  We tackle my to-do list, snuggle, run errands, snuggle, get coffee, snuggle, go to story time... you know important things.  I need that time alone with him or I start to panic the clock will run out on his infancy and I will have missed it.  Having them both home with me is actually way more fun than I sometimes will admit, but there is something really special about having time one-on-one with them.  

Our treasured babysitter agreed to take Preston for me for a day so I could spend some alone time with Leavitt.  We hadn't spent a full day just us since he became a big brother five months ago.  I told Leavitt the night before we had somethings planned for the day but that we could do whatever he wanted on his special day.  We agreed we should get breakfast, buy a toy, get a haircut, visit his dad's work, go to target, go to the "mama go go store" (Starbucks), and we would have lunch with friends.  

Leavitt really is a lot of fun for me.  He has the best sense of humor, and makes everything so much more exciting.  I kind of forgot how much adventuring we used to do when it was just us every day.  He has to have his sunglasses and his favorite Nuby water bottle everywhere we go.  Of course he loves the water bottle for the bright color and flip top action.  I love that it won't spill in my bag, that it is easy to clean, and big enough to not need to refill it all day long... because who has time for that?

|| Water Canteen ||

We made it home in the afternoon for a second lunch for Leavitt.  Per usual mac n cheese and fruit were top of the list, after not eating his lunch we had out.  He agreed to eat until he saw the hedgehog and elephant pictures on the bottom of these adorable bamboo and cornstarch bowls.  He really loves the challenge of getting to see the animals at the bottom the bowl, and I love that he eats better for me that way.  His requested reward was a reese's heart, because no hard work should go unrewarded on your special day right? Right.  These bowls are seriously the cutest, I want to snag the moose one because what Maine boy wouldn't love it! But also these cool little bowls are the perfect size for toddlers, they are eco-friendly, dishwasher safe, BPA free, making them great for moms too!  I've linked them for you but you will be able to find them at your local Target soon along with the water bottle!

|| Bamboo Bowls ||

Shortly after our second lunch Leavitt started to miss his brother and wanted to go get him from daycare.  One last stop to Starbucks (again) was all he could think of to top off our day.  I offered to go to Starbucks before getting his brother but we decided to grab him first.  I love that he thinks of his brother when he's having fun.  Honestly I had kind of forgot how easy and fun toddlers can be.  Every outing lately with both of them is so much work that I usually manage to get things done with just the baby now.  I am going to make a real effort to do more with Leavitt alone, he's definitely one of my best buddies and I've really missed the just us time, plus I feel way less weird talking to Leavitt as we stroll the stores.  I am sure I look like a crazy lady babbling on and on to the carseat by myself.  

I have teamed up with Nuby to give one of my readers a Thirsty Kids Flip-it water canteen.  To enter to win find us on Instagram @bringingupleavitt or on Facebook.  U.S. Residents only please. 

Bringing up Leavitt is a Nuby parent blogger and was given products in exchange for reviews.  All opinions are and always will be my own.

Teething Time

I've been feeling really guilty lately.  I feel like I have slacked off with Preston so much in comparison to all the things I did with Leavitt.  I used to write letters to Leavitt once a month about all the adventures he was having and milestones he was meeting.  We are almost five months in with Preston and he's only had a birth letter written.  I doubt he will care someday, but I do.  I not only am documenting less but I still have myself convinced he is a newborn, when he clearly is not.  He has totally gotten the second child shaft.  Sorry Preston, I love you lots.

|| Nana Nubs ||

He rolled over the other day and I missed it.  I knew he was close, but when I heard him crying I turned around and he was face down.  Just like that he rolled and I missed it.  He has been chewing on my fingers, his bottle, his fingers, blankets, his hat, whatever he can find.  I felt so dumb when someone told me, "you know he's probably teething".  You're right he's that age, drooling everywhere, chewing everything... of course he is teething.  Which is funny that I missed all the clues when I was convinced Leavitt was teething every time he cried.  Someone get my former self a chill pill.

I guess I was expecting him to scream bloody murder and there to be teeth there, before I would declare a teething epidemic was upon us.  Since I have accepted his leap into this next little phase of infancy, I have been giving him teething toys to play with and he is obsessed.  He gets so excited he chews the crap out of it, brings his legs up, and squeals in delight.  Like with all seasons of mom life, you need the gear to make things easier on you and your babe.  Preston loves the Nana Nubs.  He loves that he can hold it himself and that the tiny silicone bristles massage his gums.  When he finally gets it in his grasp he rubs it along his gums like a dog with a bone.  He's very serious about his teething. 

|| Teething Charms ||

We are on-the-go so much more than Leavitt and I were when he was an infant.  Being the only child Leavitt was catered to a lot more.  Preston is woken up from naps to go get his brother from school, or dragged out of the house just to take Leavitt down the street to daycare.  I more than ever appreciate anything that travels with us.  OK mamas, share your secrets, what are you doing to make your babies more comfortable teething?  This little guy loves these toys because they are so soft, and he can hold them himself.  Even if it kills me that he's wanting independence at four months old!

If you would like to win a Nana Nubs for the teething babe in your life find us on Facebook or Instagram @bringingupleavitt U.S. Residents only please.

Bringing up Leavitt is a Nuby parent blogger and was given products in exchange for reviews.  All opinions are and always will be my own.

Wanted: Mom Squad

The overuse of #squadgoals on every social media platform ever has me evaluating my mom squad goals.  I consider myself a nice blend of high maintenance and being down to earth.  So I figured I would put together the ultimate list of attributes for the perfect mom posse.  

You must be fluent in sarcasm.  My love language. 

Humor.  I once read that Victor Borge said "laughter is the shortest distance between two people".  I have also heard that laughter is the best medicine.  I don't take myself seriously at all.  There is no bigger buzz kill than someone who just can't let something go, or laugh off the nonsense that comes with parenting small children.  

Thou shalt not compete.  There are no trophies in the mom game so settle your pretty self down.  

Balance.  Sometimes we eat organic fruit and eggs for breakfast and happy meals for lunch.  Shit happens. 

No judging.  I have exactly enough brain power to keep my kids safe and fed.  I don't have time to judge you so don't wag your imaginary finger at me sister.

Coffee.  If I have to elaborate on this you live with a nanny and I'm judging you... OK I'm not judging, I'm jealous.

Adulting.  If you don't get your adult on every now and then you're not doing anyone any favors.  Get a sitter, get dressed, get to know your mom friends without the distractions.  I promise a night out with your friends will energize you for the next day on the mom job.  My husband spends all day with adults, I need that too, or our conversations start to take a weird turn somewhere between what he ate for lunch and who refuses to poop on the potty.  Not so sexy.  

Show up.  I had two major life changes last year.  My Dad died and I had a baby.  Immediately after each event I had some of the most giving hearts at my door.  Weather they brought food or coffee, or came by to sit and talk me through these moments I couldn't have handled either change with half the grace without them.  Tough times are made easier with a little community to love you through it.  

Must love wine.  Vodka works too. Or tequila, scotch, whiskey... whatever does the trick.  God forbid you order a bud light though, I have a couple friends who won't let me live that mistake down.  I have another friend who showed up at the hospital with wine to celebrate.  Yes, I drank at the hospital, and it was glorious.  

Must consider chips and guac an actual meal.

Preferably loves Target, Baby Gap, and TJ Maxx.

Understands my love of dark dry shampoo, and isn't grossed out that I wash my hair like once a week.

There you have it,  all the qualities you need to assemble the perfect mom squad!