Toddler Summer

Lets talk about a toddler's summer.  I was scrolling through my phone today weeding through the excessive amount of photos I take, realizing that my little man has managed to make it to the water every single day for the better part of the last few weeks.  My husband's family has a camp on a lake, his grandparents have a pool, and we have an inflatable water slide pool thing that belongs at an amusement park not on my front lawn.  Once a week we usually meet up at a local beach for a play date.  While flipping through these photos my first reaction was really proud that we are making this the best summer a little dude could ask for.  Then I realized how much work it is and that I am so tired.  The constant packing and unpacking of food, drinks, wet towels, swimsuits, toys,  and dry clothes I am wiped out.

Other than sunscreen the first thing I pack is drinks.  Being in the sun with a little one, keeping him cool and hydrated is a major priority.  However, he's two.  He tends to spill his drinks, squeeze the box as soon as he gets it, or uses his drink as a sand toy.  He usually only has one thing on his mind... fish.  Oh, boys. 

|| Juice Box Holder ||

Nuby has a juice box holder that is so genius I can't believe how easy it is.  I throw it in the cooler with a few juice pouches, don't have to worry about rinsing it out between uses and he doesn't make a mess.  Its also a hit with Leavitt because he can use it with one hand instead of the two he needs to keep a juice pouch from squeezing out everywhere.  He loves fishing and would rather shrivel from dehydration than put down the fishing pole! The textured bottom means it stays standing further preventing spills.  A mommy win.

I also have been shamelessly using the wash or toss straw cups.  Just as the name says you can wash them after use or toss them.  They stack inside each other to make room in my drawers, the simple straw design is easy washing, assembling and using.  I love that they come in a four or six packs of fun colors Leavitt can mix and match them however he likes.  I also like that they are so inexpensive that if I lose one, have to throw it out, or it ends up a sand toy I have no guilt over it.  We had a play date recently and I sent a cup home with another mom, because toddlers love a road drink.  Not expecting it back.  I was so glad to have them to share, and equally as happy to have it back! Tomorrow we are headed to the beach again.  A play date with several moms and even more kids.  

|| Wash or Toss Straw Cups with Lids ||

Nuby was kind enough to allow me to host a giveaway for a juice box holder to one lucky reader! Find me on Facebook and Instagram to enter to win.  The giveaway will close on Friday July 22 at 8PM EST and the winner will be announced Saturday July 23.  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. 

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: Baby Edition

There are two types of people right now.  Half the world is charging their Nordstrom cards up like crazy and posting their finds on the WWW.  The other half are praying their finds are still available when the early access ends and everyone without the card can shop the sale on July 22nd.  I don't have the card so I am in the group of retail prayer warriors.  While I could get the card and pay it off like a responsible adult there is a part of me that likes the gamble of weather or not my favorite items sell out.  What can I say I live on the edge.  All items except the travel crib are under $50 making this one of the best baby boy round ups ever.  

|| Blanket || Fleece Suit ||

These two are Maine baby must haves.  A monogrammed stroller blanket for $42.90 and the softest fleece suit ever made for $45.90 will have your baby cozy and cute while out and about in the cold Maine months.  

|| Outfit || Travel Crib ||

Stem Baby Organics makes this adorable little outfit.  I am obsessed with their clothes.  Leavitt had several pieces from them that I loved.  Stylish and functional, making them perfect for new babes and toddlers alike.  I must say their stuff washes so well!  This outfit is on sale for $25.90 and is worth every penny!  

I have never owned this travel crib, but I did my research.  I watched youtube videos, and read other mommy blogs.  Everyone says this is the easiest thing to fold, without a loose fitting bag to make lugging it around easier.  This has a changing station feature as well as a bassinet option while they are newborns helping make the $231.90 price tag worth it.  This is definitely on our list of things to snag before baby #2 gets here!  

|| Hoodie || Boots ||

This Norstrom Baby hoodie is clearly adorable and on sale for $19.90 making it a steal.  I love the little bear ears to give it that aww factor and the gray means it will go with everything! 

These UGG boots are taking me back a little bit.  Leavitt had a pair of blue and brown ones I bought the day we found out we were having a boy.  They are special to me so I am keeping them just for him.  That being said he wore them all the time and this little guy is going to need a pair.  This gray color is right up my alley and so so sweet for a newborn boy or girl.  Normally I would need to sneak these into the house but for $39.50 I think even my husband will agree we need these!

 

|| Moccs || Sweater ||

Moccs are everywhere.  And more and more people are making them.  I love the story of the Freshly Picked brand, but they are the most expensive moccs on the market.  Leavitt had several pairs and the ones that don't have his footprints in them will be shared with his brother.  But these little ones are making me think our newest edition needs these! The color and the woven sweater look are perfection.  On sale for $41.90 makes them cheaper than you could ever get them from a Freshly Picked sale.  

This sweater is Stem Baby Organics like the outfit above.  Leavitt had 3 of these sweaters.  The pointed hood makes babies look like adorable little elves.  The buttons and tassel on the hood give it a made with love look.  For $24.90 you can't go wrong weather you are shopping for a gift or shopping for your own little one.

I hope all your favorite items are still available when the early access ends if you are a gambler like myself!  If you have the card, happy early shopping, I'm a little jealous so enjoy that for me! I am going to put together some toddler & mama must haves for you all too! Hope you all had a fabulous weekend! We sure did!

Lately

I had planned on sharing with you the sweet details of our 4th of July weekend, but the week has gotten away from me and that all seems like a lifetime ago.  So I will give you all the nitty gritty of our life lately.

We had a great weekend with plenty of relaxation and family time.  My little one once again got his camp and grandparent fix.  Mommy and Daddy took a day date to get coffee and a few groceries.  I snuck out to do a little shopping while my husband took Leavitt fishing with his Dad.  I sprung for a flamingo towel, bubble machine and shirts for my husband.  Truthfully it felt like a splurge, probably because I was solo shopping for something other than food.  We filled our hearts with memories and our bellies with lobster.  My husbands uncle thrilled my two year old with a fly by in his helicopter and I managed to reclaim my cool status by catching a turtle.  The thrills people.  

Monday being a holiday meant Tuesday came in like a wrecking ball.  We managed to crawl out from under the mountain of camp laundry and my husband made it to work while Leavitt and I got groceries.  Tuesday nights I have been joining some fabulous ladies for a bible study.  Our summer series has us restaurant hopping and reading a book on how to keep our cool.  My mom watched Leavitt so I could meet the girls and dine al fresco, while my husband had a guys night with the best man from our wedding turned house guest for this week!  The break we all got was refreshing and we all slept a little sounder that night.

Wednesday had me debating weather or not I was going to a beach play date.  I have been torn lately between feeling guilty and wanting to pack our days with memories before he becomes a big brother, and feeling like I am letting little things fall between the cracks around the house.  While I love a good play date, I have been on a hamster wheel of packing and unpacking lately.  I am so glad we went.  The water was cool, the sun was hot and the company was unmatched.  I packed us enough food to weather the apocalypse, beach gear and sunscreen.  I survived another public outing seven months pregnant in a swimsuit.  After a few hours the tide came in forcing us off the beach.  My little one clearly hadn't had enough so we went swimming at his great grandparents house.  He swam for a few hours and still stayed up past his bedtime with no naps.  It is no wonder why I am tired all the time!!

While I have been filling my days with memories and adventure I look forward to Thursdays.  When I can get that much needed manicure, conquer my to do list and generally get my shit together.  I am so thankful I have that time I can count on so that I can join play dates, and focus on just spending time with my favorite little guy and not feel overwhelmed with all the things I need to accomplish.  Which is a lot lately.  I have a few new things coming up on the blog in the next few weeks and in two months we will have a precious new family member to love... in the words of my babe "oh gosh!".

Hope you all are packing your summer with as much memory making as we are!

Post Work Out Nutrition

I was introduced to nuts.com and after chatting with them about all the cool things they have going on I decided to bring you guys a little post-workout snack inspiration.  Believe it or not this ol' mom bod makes it to the gym at least once a week.  Weather I am at the barre studio, hitting up the pilates reformer, or out for a power stroll with my tiny taskmaster.  I am determined to keep moving throughout this pregnancy.  While I am headed into the newborn days eyes wide open this time, I am also eyes wide open at how hard bouncing back to pre-baby normal can and will be.    

One of the things about working out while pregnant that I find most challenging is finding protein packed snacks that leave me feeling full and running on an even keel.  There is nothing worse than feeling light headed after a work out and craving some sugar to keep going.  I've never claimed to have the most self control but it is that moment of weakness that has me running for a latte.  To avoid that I tend to keep little snack sized portions of trail mix or almonds in my bag.   They keep me feeling full and energized without feeling guilty for snacking after a workout.  My work out days are usually days my son is in daycare.  I pack that day full of errands and keeping my energy up is super important.  You can find some other high protein snacks here.

I realize many of you probably aren't gearing your snack choices towards pregnancy.  But these snack options they have come up with are really great ideas for anyone who works out, or is looking for a healthy option to avoid the 3PM crash that has my local Starbucks backed up every afternoon.  For tips on healthy snacking check their list out here complete with recipes.

Nuts.com also carries a wide variety of dried fruit, nuts, beef jerky, candies, even candy by the color for you candy bar needs.  Because if you want to be the cutest hostess and most hated mom voted by other moms on the toddler birthday scene, you have a candy bar of course!  

So hop on over to nuts.com order up some snacks for your home, office or party and visit them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for more snacking inspiration.

Weekend Recovery

After a long weekend at camp, I wasn't ready for Monday. By not ready I mean Sunday night I left camp in tears because my child became so overtired and obsessed with his Grandfather I literally was in no position to parent anymore.  His refusal to ride home with either of his parents left me free to get groceries alone, clearly not passing up that opportunity even if my eyes were red from sobbing the whole way home.  Come Christmas I hope I have detoxed from these hormones and no longer cry so much... what gives?!

With my Monday morning errand already completed the night before, I scrolled Facebook and remembered some other mamas were planning to head to the beach for the day.  Annoyed I had been kicked to the curb all weekend I decided we should take his grandparent hangover to the beach to get in some quality time my soul desperately needed.  When in doubt head to the water.

I needed some last minute beach essentials, and my Starbucks fix before I could send myself back to the isolation of another lake.  He really is my best bud.  We waded in the water.  Cheers-ed with our SB cups.  Snuggled when the wind got a little crazy, and got to catch up with our MOPS friends.  Could that surfer hair be any sweeter? I vote no.  

He proved how overtired he really was by frequently acting like he was taking a nap on the beach.  Being an adventurer is exhausting people!  It was so nice to snap back to reality by easing into our week.  I am still looking for more places to day trip, and need to put some of Maine's amazing festivals on our calendar before the summer escapes us and we become a family of four! 

Summer Wanderlust

The weather around here has not been ideal.  In all honesty it has been sucky at best.  Yesterday I was in a rotten mood, I had no motivation and my little sidekick was feeling the same.  We sat around, I did a little crying (hormones and grief are a major bitch) but once the sun warmed up around lunch time I threw as much as I could in a bag and took off.  I honestly thought we were going to Bar Harbor but then decided to head to Fort Knox.  We got there around one in the afternoon, the breeze was warm and our mood was light.  

We toured the fort, he loved looking out all the windows and was terrified of the tunnels... me too kid,  me too.  We then picked up rocks and climbed the cannons over looking the river.  He held my hand the whole time leading me from one exciting thing to the next.  He kept saying "mom, look!" I love that he likes to share his excitement with me, and that he wants me to have fun too.  As we walked together he pointed out the lupines and wanted to pick them.  He hands me them one by one and encourages me to smell them.  Seriously.  Melt my heart.  

We then went over to the observation tower in the bridge.  He loved the elevator and looking out at all the "fish" which were actually fishing boats.  He hugged me in between running around in circles at the top of the tower and kept giving me kisses.  We basically had the whole place to ourselves which of course made enjoying the tower much more fun for us both.  

He napped the whole way home and when he woke up he was in the best mood still so we went to the farm for ice cream and a little chicken chasing.  We also got an X rated goat show which was quitting time for me.  Of course we weren't on the same page and he attempted to slap me while I was loading him in the car kicking and screaming.  I of course cried again while telling him he could not hit mommy... seriously hormones you can chill.  He told me it was "ok mama" and that he was in fact sorry.  

I live for days like today when everything isn't right with my soul and yet my heart can be full.  I am navigating pregnancy and grief the best way I can.  The hormones make the emotional roller coaster of losing a parent even less predictable.  Yet my heart is full, full of adventure and love.  I am so thankful I will have more days like today with him before he gets promoted to big brother.  I need to check out a few other places to day trip but we will definitely be heading back to Fort Knox... especially since it Cost $5 for the park and $3 for the ice cream... cheap date!

Pregnancy Obsessions

I go in phases with my obsessions.  A couple years ago when we moved in to our new home it was all things housewares.  I had a moment where I HAD to have fancy holiday china.  I did a long stint in crazy town and acquired an embarrassing amount of Tory Burch shoes... like around the same number as my age.... grossly over done but I still browse for a good deal and want more.  I had a weird pack n play problem for a while and we ended up needing four and are now down to two that are not appropriate for a newborn, go figure.  Pajamas have been my jam off and on for years.  I have several drawers full of them for different moods, seasons and travel.  Because who wears the same thing alone with their husband that they would an overnight trip to camp with the in laws? Obviously no one.  Of course pregnancy brings out a whole new animal in me that can't get enough of certain things and none of it makes any sense.

Lemon, cucumber and mint water.  It's my jam right now.  I drink at least two pitchers of it a day at home.  I gave up diet soda when I found out I was pregnant with bambino numero dos.  I actually drank it with Leavitt.  I had so much morning sickness, dizziness and constant exhaustion from being up at three in the morning for work and being on my feet all day.  Then running over to our new house and playing assistant GC to the actual general contractor who needed me to make decisions every single time I showed my tired face.  My diet coke addiction kept me from passing out after long shifts and my doctor didn't seem to mind even if I did get dirty looks from my mom and other 'natural' moms... so not my friends basically.  Anyways... tangent much.  This time it tastes disgusting to me and have been downing my favorite infused water all day every day.  It supposedly has detoxifying benefits, reduces inflammation in the body, and is super hydrating all expecting mama wins.  Another drink switch up is, almond milk instead of skim milk in my daily chai.  I am making them at home and the almond milk is not only less calories but is supposedly better for your gallbladder which I had some trouble with during my first pregnancy.  So far so good.

Sunless tanner.  Ok this is kind of gross but I can't help it.  I have bright blue varicose veins that look like worms making up a road map on my right leg.  It's super annoying to me and the only thing that seems to help the appearance other than all that water I'm drinking is to apply sunless tanner to my legs.  They honestly make me a little nervous and should have them looked at after pregnancy.  They reared their ugly head when I was pregnant with Leavitt and reduced in size but didn't go away after I had him.  Two and a half years later they are back with a vengeance and I'm less than trilled about it.  I also have been hitting the moisturizer up like crazy after my daily shower.  I have a long lotion routine that is getting annoying to even me.  I use the Jergens gradual tan on my legs.  Wash my hands.  Micellar water on my face.  Jergens natural glow for face.  Wash my hands.  Palmers coco butter oil on my belly.  Wash my hands.  Coconut oil lotion on my arms.  Essie feet in the clouds lotion on my feet.  Wash my hands.  It's getting a little out of control all the different lotions and washing of hands.  I had a real spray tan yesterday to even things out a bit and luckily I just look like I've been on vacation... a girl can dream.

I am obsessed with diffusing essential oils right now especially grapefruit.  I love that I can diffuse the oils for up to eight hours, and unlike a candle I can leave the house or the room and not worry that the house will burn down or my toddler will try to play with it.  Grapefruit is uplifting, clean, and energizing, all things this pregnant lady needs. 

Speaking of energizing and uplifting, the blood orange white pepper Bliss scrub and body wash have me starting every day with a citrus party in the shower.  I get these at Tj Maxx usually, but you can get them online too at Blissworld.com.  I normally don't gravitate to citrus smells but either the summer or pregnancy have to loving all things citrus.  I am also loving all things lady maintenance because I feel like a guest in my own body right now, so these little things help my state of mind.

I am sure like all of my obsessions I will be phasing things in and out like the moody pregnant person that I am.  I am really enjoying these little changes to my everyday routines.  I am also obsessively researching double strollers and am pretty sure I have picked one but if you have a suggestion send it my way! I am also pack n play shopping which is killing me to need another one.  Hope you all had a fabulous weekend!