What's in my Bag :: Skip Hop French Stripe

It's been quite awhile since I did a post! I do have a good reason! :)

This sweet little guy joined our family a few weeks ago, and now the kids officially outnumber the parents! We're okay with that though! ;) 

While I was pregnant I thought a lot about diaper bags! And became fascinated with what others packed into theirs! I searched Pinterest, read blogs and watched YouTube videos about all sorts of bags. I'd never had an actual 'Diaper Bag' with my other kids, they were always large purses of backpacks. This time, however, I caved... And I am SO glad I did!

After lots and lots of searching, I finally decided on the Skip Hop Duo Special Edition Diaper Bag in French Stripe.

I bought mine on target.com.

I'd seen this diaper bag on Pinterest long before I was pregnant and the more I researched it, the more I fell in love! I loved the look, the red detail, the amount of pockets, the size of pockets, everything! 

There are 5 sections to this diaper bag. The two front pockets, a shallow zipper compartment next to the main pocket, then there's the main large pocket that has a zipper closure, a pocket on the back where the included changing pad goes, and the two zipper pockets on each side for bottles. (FYI, the side pockets aren't huge, I use tommytipee bottles and they don't fit well. I usually throw sunscreen and my sunglasses case in those instead.)

This is the content of the main large zipper compartment. You can see a smaller zipper pouch under the top right group of items, I keep all that together inside there. Less mess. 

1. Diapers. Duh. It's called a diaper bag for a reason. ;) I use Luvs mostly, but right now I have Huggies for the little guy.

2. Bib. This one is from Carters.

3. Munchkin formula dispenser. These things are wonderful!! So much better than carrying a huge formula can around and measuring a bottle out in the middle of target! 

4. Bath and body hand sanitizer. This one is coconut cabana I think. It clips onto the stroller sling inside the bag so I don't have to dig for it in the bottom of the bag.

5. Huggies natural wipes. I honestly think I'll carry wipes around even when my kids are out of diapers! I use them for EVEYTHING!

6. Bibsters. These are a new find and they are the best thing ever! Disposable bibs! They have Velcro and a pouch to catch dropped food. They're fairly cheap too! I think it was like $3-4 for a 12 pack.

7. A travel size babyganics lotion and travel aquaphor healing ointment. 

8.  Fruit snacks. I'm not above bribing an onrey child. :)

9. Carters onesie, in case of a blowout or accident.

10. Burp cloth. Homemade by my wonderful mother in law!

11. Travel baby powder. I don't use this often, but it's nice to have if baby has a stinky diaper and needs freshening :)

Here's what I keep in the shallow zipper pocket next to the main compartment. I call this my 'mommy pocket' I keep everything for me in there. Again, I have a zipper pouch to keep things together. It also makes it easier to switch over to a normal purse. I also usually keep a travel hairspray in here, but my husband borrowed it for a trip and has yet to return it ;)

1.Roxy wallet. This one is from christensens.  

2. Avon glimmersticks eyeliner. This is the only makeup I find myself needing on a regular basis. If I know I'm really going to need a touch up, I'll throw in my eyelash curler, mascara and foundation compact.

3. Another Bath and Body Works hand sanitizer. This one is sweet tangerine. You can never have too many ;)

4. Bath and Body Works travel lotion. I love the new summer scents they have! 

5. Nail polish. I love this glitter polish from Ulta, you can touch up chips without being able to tell where the chip was!

6. Advil. I also keep a few rolaids in there.

7.Flossers. My hubby got me addicted to these!

8. EOS Chapstick in vanilla mint. 

9. bobby pins and hair ties.

These are what I keep in the two front pockets. Not much, just things I need to be able to reach easily. I also usually throw my keys in there.

1. Honest spray hand sanitizer. I love this stuff! I got it at target for 2.99. It's so easy for the kids! And I feel like it gets more surface area. (I can't find it online, but it was in the store!)

2. Nubby binky.

3. Kleenex travel pack.

4. iPhone. :)

And thats it! I have to add that I try and only keep what I know I'll need in my bag. I keep a separate bag with a change of clothes, an extra Aden and Anais blanket (I have multiple sets, but this one and this one are my favorites!), sunscreen, more diapers and wipes, and other emergency supplies in my car.
Do you use a diaper bag? or a purse? What do you keep on hand that I'm missing? Comment and let me know! I love to hear your momma's opinions! XO

Homemade Baby Food 101

I have a confession.

I love the baby food isle.

In fact, I love it maybe just a little too much.

But there is just something about all those perfect little rows of pureed veggies that makes my heart pitter-patter.

Odd... maybe. But I don't think I'm alone! At least I hope I'm not?

 

Now, before I delve too deeply into this topic, I need to clarify. I bought baby food for my first born, I fed it to him without guilt, it didn't break the bank, and he is a healthy, thriving three year old. I have absolutely NOTHING against prepackaged baby food. You can find amazing quality and the convenience cant be beat! However, the tipping point for me, was when I sat down and actually realized how much I was paying for those suckers! At walmart, I paid around $1.40 for two 3.5 oz packs of food. For about the same price, I could buy 4 whole sweet potatoes and make more than 10x the amount as was in the little packs.

So I dove, head first, into the baby food making pool.

And you know what, it isn't hard and it isn't time consuming. I actually thoroughly enjoy the process!

I staretd out by purchasing a mini food processor for $10 at walmart. Now, I have a blender, and I use that too, but this is very nice and convenient for small batches.

I then bought:

4 sweet potatoes

1 butternut squash

1 bag frozen peas

2 pears

1 bag frozen green beans

1 bag carrots

 

When I got home, I laid everything out on the counter and got to work.

I'll start with the peas since that's what my photos are of....

Peas:

I threw half the bag in a steamer basket and steamed them over a few inches of water for about 30 min. Until they were VERY VERY soft. Then, I threw them into the food prosessor and pulsed it until they were smooth, adding a little water along the way to help move things along. 

I always keep my baby food a tad on the thick side (you'll see why a little later)

 Once they reached the consistency I was looking for, I poured them into ice cube trays and placed them in the freezer overnight. Then in the morning I popped them out and threw them into a plastic bag.

 

Sweet potatoes: I wrapped all 4 individually in foil and baked them about 1 hour at 400 until they were soft, then I removed the skins and followed the same procedure as the peas.

 

Butternut squash: I cut the squash in half, removed the seeds and roasted it for about 40 min at 400. Then... same procedure as the peas.

 

Pears: I didn't cook these at all because they were already very soft. I just pureed them and poured them into the ice cube trays to freeze.

 

Green Beans: Okay, no advice here. I steamed them for an hour, and they just turned out gritty and nasty. So I chucked 'em.

 

Carrots: Peel and steam. blend and freeze. (see the pattern?)

 

These are the foods I'm starting out with for Quinn. Nothing fancy. I do plan on getting a little more adventurous. Some ideas I have rolling around are:

blueberry banana oatmeal

sweet potatoes and pears

beets and apples

peas and carrots (a classic)

broccoli and cauliflower

and on and on...

 

Here's how I use the baby food once it's frozen...

To reheat:
I remove about 2-3 blocks of baby food from the freezer, and place them in a microwave safe container, then nuke them, stirring often, for about 1 minute. TEST THE FOOD WITH YOUR FINGER!!! DO NOT just stick a spoon in and feed your baby! Microwaves can cause hot spots and even if one spot feels fine, or even cool, there can be burning hot places that can really hurt your little one! So please please please stir it well, and test it!! Ok, so USUALLY the baby food will still be a little cold after I stir it, so I add a bit of hot water. That's the reason I leave it a little thicker when I make the purees, so that the warm water can gently warm the baby food, while thinning it out at the same time. Usually after I thaw the baby food, I add a little rice cereal or baby oatmeal.

Oh, and one more thing... apples. Please don't take the time to do this yourself! Buy the no sugar added applesauce at Walmart! it's the SAME THING! You can even get organic at Trader Joes or somewhere  like that. Same goes for pumpkin... the canned 100% pumpkin (not the pie filling) is just pumpkin thats been baked, and pureed. Exactly how you would do it. :)

Fold Over Elastic Flower Headband Tutorial

If you haven't noticed by now, I am a little beyond obsessed with making headbands for my Quinn. They are such a fun way to change up her outfits, and if you know a few key Etsy shops, they can also be a VERY affordable, and dare I say cheap, way to add to your little lady's wardrobe!

When I found out I was having a baby girl last year, I immediately went into to headband mode, and with the help of my Sister in Law, learned about lots of Etsy shops to help me keep my cost under control! Elastic by the Yard quickly came to be one of my very favorite shops! I love the quality and colors of the elastic they have, and their packaging is so cute an convenient! They are wrapped neatly around spools, instead of just floating around in my box! It does wonders for my OCD! ;)

You need:
Colored FOE (Fold Over Elastic) about 20 in.
White FOE
2 -- 2" felt circles
A medium button
Scissors and a glue gun

1. cut 12 1" strips of elastic, and hot glue the ends together, making the petals.

2. glue 6 petals around the felt circle.

3. on the OTHER side of the felt, glue the remaining petals in the open spaces.

4. attach your headband.

5. Glue the other felt circle over the elastic.

6. Glue your button to the top.

SUPER CUTE! Right!? That's what I thought and REALLY easy! 

Happy headband making!!

All elastic was provided by the Etsy Shop Elastic By The Yard. However, all opinions and ideas are 100% my own.

DIY Minky Tag Blanket

 



Quinn is finally getting to the 'toy' age! It's so fun to watch her discover new things and play with anything and everything she can get into those chubby little fingers!

I've had the supplies to make this taggy blanket for quite awhile now, as in, I bought it all when she was like 5 days old! But it's taken me this long to get around to it! ;) I don't know why either? Maybe because until now, I knew she wouldn't have much interest in it!

Oh and just a warning... this was my very first time sewing with Minky fabric... so don't judge me too harshly! ;)

You'll need...
2- 13x13 squares of Minky fabric* ( I think I got 1/3 yd and had lots leftover)
Around 40 strips of ribbon, 4 inches long. I used 36 strips, but some of mine were the 1 inch ribbon, so those took up more room.
Pins and a sewing machine.

1.After you cut your fabric and all your ribbon, fold each piece of ribbon in half, and pin it to the right side of one of the minky squares, facing IN.

 2. Sew all the way around the minky, attaching the ribbon strips to one of the minky squares.

 3. Pin the other square of minky on top, right sides together, and pin pin pin!! Leaving about 2 inches so you can turn it around. Then, sew all the way around, sewing both squares together, with the ribbon in the middle.

4. Then, flip the blanket rightside out, through the 2 inch hole that you left open.

5. Sew around the edge. (This is the part where you don't judge me)

 

AAAAND... you're done! ;)

This really was an easy project! It's not PERFECT... but, it's for a 3 month old ;) I don't think she'll mind one bit. 

*Side note: I think looking back, I wouldn't of done both sides minky... I would of done one side with flannel, or even cotton. I'm pretty sure it would of been easier to sew.

 

Rolled Fabric Flower

Seriously... is she not the cutest little nugget you've ever seen!? I can't get enough! There's a joke amongst our family that this girl never wears the same headband twice. And while that's not entirely true... it isn't far from it!

But I just can't help it! Headbands are SO much fun! And a really in-expensive way to accessorize! ;)

Fabric flowers are one of my very favorites! They are so easy and cheap and fast! You can make one for every outfit for just pennies! You can even use scrap fabric!

You'll need:

Fabric (1 strip = 1.5 inch x 3 feet)

scissors

hot glue

felt (or more fabric)

elastic headband material (or a clip)

 

 1. Tie a knot in the end of your fabric strip.
2. Begin rolling the fabric around the knot. As you roll, add small dots of hot glue to keep the coils in place. The tighter you roll, the smaller the 'coils'.
3. Keep rolling... and rolling... and rolling.
4. Once you have about 2 inches left, glue your coil around the back, and once its dry, cut off the excess.
5. Glue a circle of felt onto the back, to keep the coils in place.
6. There you go! All there is left to do is add a clip, or an elastic headband (you can find those on etsy or, even at walmart and joannes!)

 

What are your favorite headband's to make?

I'm back! {What I love Wednesday}

 

Thank you for all the sweet messages on facebook regarding our sweet baby girl! We are SO glad she is here! It was a rough surgery, but an AMAZING recovery! SO much easier than my first! I wont bore you with details, but I'll share some of my favorite photos!

 

I also wanted to share a few things I am LOVING as of lately!

EOS Lip Balm: LOVE this stuff! actually, I've loved it for a few years now! The chapstick is amazing, and the scents are all to die for! Plus, how cute is the container!? I've seen them at Walgreens, Walmart, Target... pretty much everywhere! I may or may not have EVERY scent! they run around $3.

 

Chiobani Greek Yogurt tubes: I was really excited when I saw these at walmart! My little boy loves gogurt, and these are the exact same thing, only more protein and less sugar! and around the same price! ($250 for 8) Plus, they are wonderful frozen!!

Huggies new case: I have no idea what this is called, but when I saw it at Target, I HAD to have one! I love the hard, refillable case to throw in the diaper bag! I know they have those small cases, but I always forget to refill those! This holds the same amount as the plastic bags, but doesn't get ripped or smashed! I got mine for $2.18 I think.

DIY :: Receiving Blankets

I have a really awesome Mother in Law! When I was pregnant with my first, she made me oodles of blankets for the little man! From quilts, to wraps, and everything in between. These, however, were by far my very favorite! They are a lot larger than the generic store bought blankets you can buy at Target or Walmart, and perfect to use as a swaddling blanket, nursing cover, car seat canopy, ground cover, and SO much more! And bonus... they cost around $3.50 a piece!

All you need is 1 1/4 yards of flannel per blanket. I bought my fabric at Joannes, regular price it is $6.99 a yard, but this week it was on sale for 50% off. Score! But if it's not, be SURE to use a coupon! They always have 50% coupons out! I am not a huge fan of the cutesy nursery prints, so I keep on the lookout for funky styles.
Once you have your fabric, it's really pretty simple from there... all you do is serge around all 4 edges! That's it! See.. I told you it was easy! And if you have an awesome Mother in Law that offers to do it for you, even better! :) That would be the reason I have no 'during' photos ;)
But really, these make great gifts, and they are so much nicer than the dinky store bought blankets! Especially if you pop out 9.4 lb babies like I do, that wouldn't stay swaddled in a tiny blanket if you wanted them to!
Here are a few more that are in waiting!

Baby Signs Sheet {Free Download}

I really wanted to teach my little boy to sign, but I sadly, I fell off the wagon after just a few. He learned more, and understands hungry, but other that that, I just wasn't consistent enough! I think it was because I didn't remember them myself! I made this sheet to put up to help me remember to teach him the signs! I had totally forgotten about it, but I thought maybe it could help some of you teach your little ones!

For the life of me I cannot remember where I got these photos! But if I did, I would give them credit!

Download here

Baby Family Album {Free Download}

My little boy loves to look at pictures! He will point over and over to different people when you ask him to! I had been wanting to do a little album like this after I made this one for my little brother to take on his mission.

It was so easy and cheap and he LOVES it! It keeps him entertained at church, and even at home!

All you need is:

24 Photos of your child with family members

Cover (I just printed mine as a 4x6 photo)

plastic 4x6 album (I got mine for like .97 at walmart)

Just print your photos (I use costco) and add them to the album. The Covers are always a bit bigger than the 4x6 print, so I added some cardstock behind it.

Now since I'm sure all of you dont want photos of my little cutie on your album, I whipped up a simple little printable cover. They are both 4x6, so you can either print them along with your photos, or just on your computer.

Download blue cover

Download pink cover

The method to my diaper bag maddness

I love my diaper bag! Mostly because I can always find what I am looking for inside! My diaper bag is actually just a large messenger backpack

This one to be precise!

I had looked EVERYWHERE for a boy diaper bag, one that my dear sweet husband wouldn't mind toting around also, and had finally decided on a $80 backpack. Thankfully, though I didnt think it at the time, the company sent me an email a few days later saying that the backpack I had ordered was out of stock. I was a tad frustrated and anxious, seeing that I was due in just a few weeks. Well, we took a quick detour on one of our shopping trips to Sportsman's Warehouse, and I found this bag for 70% off! It ended up being about $20. Things I LOVE about this bag, It's big. It had 2 bottle holders, it is NOT girly (which is hard to find in a diaper bag!) What I DONT love about this bag, the majority of the space is one HUGE pocket in the center. Which brings me to the point of this post. What I have, and how I organize everything in my diaper bag.

Quick sidenote... When I was pregnant I searched for a list of the 'basics' to have in my diaper bag before I had the baby, and couldn't find anything, so here is mine to help any other new mommas-to-be out there! :)

1. Wipes. For boogers, spills and of course messy diapers :)

2. Diapers.

3. Sunglasses.

4. Water bottle, mostly to make bottles, because I dont trust public restroom/gas station sinks. yuck.

5. Makeup case. I keep a spare of everything in there just in case I ever have to get ready in the car. Mascara, cream blush, eyeliner, foundation, eyelash curler, lip gloss etc.

6. Wallet (I know it's filthy, I cant part with it, it's too perfect.

7. Shoes for the little mister.

8. My 'everything' case. I got these two cases from TJMAXX (but I've also seen them at walmart) they came with all of the baby essentials (clippers, scissors, thermometer etc.) but I emptied them out and they are wonderful for keeping things contained. This one has lotion, eye drops, wet wipes (famous daves :)) hair gel, AA batteries, hand sanitizer, and a baggie with medicines (tylenol, tums, benedryl and things like that) I also usually have a travel size hairspray but it's lost. :)

9. Baby food. I got these little mini tupperwares at walmart for pretty cheap. they are SO nice because the lids fit really tight so they dont spill all over. I have one of cereal puffs, and one of baby oatmeal.  I also carry a container of baby food in case we are out to eat and there isnt anything my baby will eat on the menu, and a spoon.

10. Pen.

11. Travel size kleenex.

12. Point and shoot camera. You never know when you'll need it!

13. Formula. I put some in the same kind of tupperware that i have the snacks in, It's SO much easier than carrying an entire can, but it holds a lot more than those dispensers that only hols 3 bottles worth.

14. Mints.

15. The other case in the set I got. This one has everything baby. A disposable changing pad, diaper rash cream, baby lotion, baby powder, orajel, baby tylenol, gas drops, and more hand sanitizer.

16. Baby toys and books. Small tip that I wish someone had told me. Only put small toys that you dont mind losing in there, because there will come a day when you will have to retrace your steps in walmart to find the stuffed hippo your husband gave you when you first started dating.

Hopefully this helps some of your diaper bag dilemmas, or at least gives you some organizing ideas!

Update... I redid his post after my third baby! See what I carry around now by clicking here!

One FREE Nursing Cover!

Hey all you Moms, right now you can go to UdderCovers.com and get One FREE Nursing Cover!! Awesome right?! All you have to do is pay shipping costs, which are 9.95, enter the code "valpak" in the promo/coupon box at checkout, and Walla!!  The cover is yours!

Get yours today, not sure how long this awesome deal will last!

Thanks Udder Covers!!