June Cara Box: Revealed

Here it is, the long awaited June Cara Box reveal. This months theme Take Me to the Fair, which was so hard at first. There are so many possibilities when it comes to this these boxes. I was thrilled to be sending a box to Tiffany over at Style Honestly, so go see what I decided to get her!

Kiera from Contranaut Girl was the one who picked and sent me my box this month! I love that everything is brightly colored just like a fair. Everything she picked out for me was so practical and I will definitely be using everything she sent me!

The thing I'm the most excited about is the animal shaped cookie cutters! Kiera also included a paleo sugar cookie recipe from Against All Grain. I'd never heard of this paleo blog before and am super stoked to browse around and see what other recipes I decide to make!

July's Cara Box theme is NAUTICAL! If you know me, you know I'm obsessed and it's right up my alley. It's too late to sign up for July, but keep an eye out on Kaitlyn's blog Wifessionals for the August theme announcement and sign up.

Going, going- gone!

Google Reader is going away forever as of July 1st. Are you following my blog some other way, so that when Google Reader goes away you can still keep up with me? If you enjoy reading my stuff, I sure hope so! You can learn out how to transfer your blog roll over to Bloglovin, right here.

Bloglovin | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest 

I hope everyone is having an absolutely fantastic weekend. Despite the heat wave that's come over Southern California and a potential health scare (will elaborate more on that later), I most definitely am! I've had family here from Arkansas for the last week and it's been an amazing. That's also why I haven't been blogging very much lately. I'm trying to enjoy my time with them, whilst still doing the normal life type things. 

My July is going to be cuh-ray-zee, y'all. I'm going a nanny share with L (10mo) and baby girl Scarlett (1mo) pretty often throughout the month. I'll also be working a ton of overtime one of the weeks, trying to get myself ready for Fall semester, spending time with friends and their babies, and fitting in adult chores and other awesome things. I know I need to post my Cara Box Reveal and book review of The Help. Oh my. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day! 

Happy Sunday!

Photo Friday; One

I don't think I'll make this a regular thing, but I love these pictures that were taken the other day at the beach and wanted to share them with you. The water was freezing, of course, but L loved playing in the sand and putting his toes in the water. I see a lot of beach in our future this summer!

Happy Weekend. :)

#SwaddleProblems

Yes, I just hash tagged on my blog. It's my blog. I can do what I want. As summer approaches, I've been more and more blogs ending up on the back burner, which is something I can totally understand, especially for those blogs written by college students. By all means, go tan, frolic, and play. But, I don't want to be one of those blogs.

Yes, I am a college student, but not full-time. I have the time to write. To jot things down. To share things with you. To cross posts off my "to write" list. To tell you that L was a horrible whiney baby yesterday because we've decided to wean him from his swaddle.

I don't really have a clue what I'm doing because at my last long-term job the baby wasn't ever swaddled. I started with them when he was four months and there he was, sleeping on his belly. I'm guessing too. Yesterday was a trying day, possibly the hardest one yet. We took it cold turkey. He couldn't sleep more than one sleep cycle (an hour) in a row.

Today is a new day and a new approach. If it works, I'll let you know. I'm sure I'll write about it even if it doesn't. I wish this transition could be quick and painless, but it's not going to be. He loves being wrapped tight like a burrito. Wish us luck. I'm hoping for a better day and happier baby!

Have you experienced the swaddle wean?
What method did you use? Any tips?
Please share your experiences!

52 Weeks of Blogging with a Purpose: 10 Things I Live For

You know how some days shit hits the fan and the things you need to do just doesn't get done? Well, today was one of those days. I normally write my blogs posts during the second hour of L's morning nap. Today we took away his swaddle. It's not going well. The child who normally takes two, two hour naps everyday like clockwork, only slept two hours total and screamed his head off for another hour no matter what I tried to do to fix it. By the end of the day, we were both exhausted.

So here it goes. Ten things I live for after a ten hour, incredibly hard work day. I was going to be all cute with this, but let's be real. That's not going to happen now.

I live for:
- Joshua.
- Family and friends.
- My work. I'm raising the future, you guys!
- My faith. <3
- Hot, sunny days. Whuddup, summer?
- L's giggles, smiles, & new milestones.
- Sleeping. My favorite past time. :)
- Newborn snuggles. Need I say more?
- My iPhone.
- My EC Life Planner.

I'd be SO lost without any of those things! I hope your Monday was less chaotic than mine. :) 

Peace out, girl scout. 

Friday Funday with Sprout Snacks!

On Friday, L and I went to one of the many local splash pads. We'd had our first splash pad experience a few days prior and we're hooked! He crawled around playing in the water, and had a blast, of course! I'd recently received some goodies in the mail from Sprout Foods, and decided this was the perfect day to try them out. 

I already knew that we loved Sprout. Their pouches are L's favorite and are a staple in the Boss' pantry, so I was thrilled when Sprout contacted me to try out some new snacks! I received a variety of both the Fruity Yogurt Bites and the Crispy Chews, in a variety of flavors. 

L is ten months old with two teeth, but he handles and chews food really well. These snacks have a 'T', or Toddler rating. I knew he could handle the Yogurt Bites, but I was wary about the Chews before I opened them. I opened the package and let L try them, and seeing him chew the pieces thoroughly made me more comfortable. They had a gummy but not sticky consistency, which I liked. 

If I didn't pull pieces out of the package fast enough, I was getting shouted at by a ten month old. He's found his voice and isn't afraid to let me know it. You guys, he LOVED them. Both packages we're polished off in record time, and he cried when they were gone. This dude loves food. Can you tell? 

Now you can receive $1 off your purchase of either Sprout Foods Yogurt Bites or Crispy Chews by clicking the coupon below! Sprout Snacks are also available for purchase at select retailers. I have only been able to find them at my local Walmart stores thus far.

After you receive your Sprout snacks, don't forget to enter their #SproutSweetie contest! Every month, one sprout sweetie will win a sampler pack full of their favorite Sprout Foods products. How awesome is that?

 

 #spon: I'm required to disclose a relationship between my site and Sprout Foods. This could include the Sprout Foods providing me w/content, product, access or other forms of payment. Check out the new Sprout Foods website at www.sproutorganicfoods.com.

My Week of Confessions [2]

It's technically still Wednesday, even though it's passed like 10p.
Today I confess:

- That when people talk about needing bug spray because it's the summer, I snicker to myself because I know I'm lucky, but get really confused at the same time. I don't use bug spray, ever. I've never needed it and never get bitten.

- That L is in his crib right now, awake but not crying. He's supposed to be sleeping and I have no intention of getting him until he does so.

- That I really, really want pineapple juice. It's super delicious and refreshing. Do I like pineapple? No.

- I have a $10 off coupon to Erin Condren that I received with my Life Planner and it's burning a whole in my wallet. I'm kind of obsessed with her stuff and want all the things!

- That a wasp flew into the house earlier today and I hid until my boss shooed it away. Now I'm super thankful he isn't traveling this week. I am SO not down with flying, stinging insects!

Happy Hump Day!

52 Week of Blogging with a Purpose: Who I Am

Today I'm starting 52 Weeks of Blogging with a Purpose with Becky of From Mrs. to Mama. For the next fifty-two Mondays I'll be posting according to the prompts that Becky has come up with. Often times I write about things I like and what's going on in the now, but this covers all topics, including the past and future.

I am so many things. I've done so many "about me" type posts. So I'm skipping the obvious: woman, girlfriend, daughter, sister and nanny.

I'm a babywearing enthusiast and wrap nerd. I love keeping my nanny babies close. I don't keep a stroller with me unless I absolutely have to, because I'd rather wear whoever I'm caring for. My stash is small, yet growing, and currently consists of one woven wrap in my base size, a wrap conversion mei tai, and a wrap conversion ring sling.

I'm also a cloth diaper lover. I think they're fantastic and that everyone should use them because it's not as hard a people say. :) I currently cloth diaper L while I'm at work. We use exclusively use AppleCheeks and couldn't be happier! Because L is it tall and skinny, disposables don't quite give a tight enough fit around the legs.

I'm on a health journey that includes gym-going, 5K training, and paleo-eating. I believe in going as chemical free as possible and think that holistic remedies are awesome. I'm also a college student with many, many goals for my future. I have plans to become a Newborn Care Specialist through NCSA and am working simultaneously towards both my associates degree in Child Development and completing the GE to become a board certified Lactation Consultant. 

Water is my happy place, and if I could find somewhere to play water polo in my free time, I'd be a happy camper. I like to read, blog (duh!) and cuddle with babies that aren't mine. I'm an organization fanatic, yet there are clothes thrown all over my room. I love carbs, and have to say that not being able to have them is the hardest part about eating paleo, besides find time to prep and cook ahead of time. I try to be eco-friendly, but still drive an SUV and drive thirty miles each way to work everyday. 

Have you learned anything new about me today?

*happy first day back to work day*

Heart Melting Birthday Girl

*Written on June 13, 2013*

Tonight we were at J's grandma's house celebrating her birthday, and it was time for us to go home. I was saying bye to J's two little cousins. I peeked into their car after they were buckled in and this is how the conversation went:

Me: "I love you! Do you love me?"
A: "Yeah! I love you bigger than the moon."
*heart melts*

Then my mister chimes in...
J, in a snotty know it all voice: "Well, the moon isn't very big tonight."
A, in her 5yo smartie voice: "It IS big when you get up close."

Boom. He got burned by a five-year-old. A newly five-year-old, by the way. Her real birthday is today, but I took this picture at her Batman themed birthday party last weekend. Cropped for privacy purposes but it's still my favorite!

THE Switch [to Bloglovin']

Tomorrow it will officially be half way through June. That means that in fifteen short days, Google Reader will be gone forever. Luckily there is a way you can continue to follow my blog! There is an amazing website is called Bloglovin' that will allow you to follow all the same blogs you're following now, and will even import them without much effort on your part.

Becky over at From Mrs. to Mama wrote a lovely post on how to sign up and import all the blogs you currently follow.

Want my Bloglovin' link? Here it is, or you can click that "b" in my "Let's Get Social" sidebar! 

***

I've been getting more comments than normal lately! I reply to all comments via email. If you commented and never heard from me, this is important for you. Please make sure you're not a "no-reply blogger"! To figure out whether or not you are and how to fix it, visit Kaitlyn's post here. 

I was a no-reply blogger up until a few months ago. Not knowing, I was frustrated when I was asking a question, etc. and it wasn't being answered. It is frustrating for both bloggers as well as readers.

Are you doing anything special this weekend? 

Happy Friday!

My Week of Confessions [1]

Today I'm linking up with Paige and Samantha for My Week of Confessions!

1. I confess that I haven't been eating paleo for the past few weeks. I have good intentions but my work schedule that been super crazy. I can't wait until next week when I'll be back to working 8:15a-6:15p, four days a week.

2. I confess that I'm stoked that today is my Friday. I have a five day weekend too. Is that even considered a weekend?

3. I confess that I haven't even started the book for Blogger Book Club. I should probably get on that... I have been reading though! I'm currently reading Blog Inc. by Joy Cho. I have so many books that I want to read this summer. It's going to be awesome!

4. I confess that I have an entire list of things that I want to blog about, but that I need to take photos for, so I just haven't done it. Maybe I'll do that on my five day weekend.

5. I confess that over the past few days, I've prayed multiple times for God to hurry up L's teething process. He's currently getting four top teeth all at once. It's awesome. #sarcasmfont

6. I confess that I should really take a shower right now instead of in the morning (because I'll probably wake up too late), but I'm not sure I'm going to. So.tired.

What are you confessing this week? 

San Diego Zoo & Some Firsts...

*Warning: I'm a nanny. I'm about to talk about poop.*

Last Wednesday was a big day at work. It was also full of firsts...
It was the first day I would drive more than 45 minutes one way with L. It was also his first ever zoo trip, therefore the first time he would see wild animals up close. We also had a first that day that was together. It was the first time that I'd ever experienced a poopsplosion, and I do believe it was also the first time L had ever had one.

This poopsplosion was not that of the normal type. Oh no. It was semi-solid poo that was so large in volume that it leaked out of the legs of his diaper. When did I notice that he'd had this leakage? When I picked him up to watch two leopards squabbling in their exhibit. Do you feel me? IT GOT ON MY CLOTHES. Majorly.

I then had to walk through the zoo with poop all over my shirt, as well as the poop that was all over L, trying to find somewhere to change him and try to clean up the mess. I ended up settling for a shady spot along a pathway. Gross to some, but I'm glad I did after I realized the nearest bathroom was way too far to walk to with shit everywhere.

I also had to buy a new shirt. You know, the souvenir type with some sort of zoo animal on it. Mhm. The closest exhibit to us after the ordeal was the polar bears. I now own a navy blue shirt with a polar bear's face on it that I've lovingly deemed my "shit shirt". It turns out that it fits me really well and it's become one of my go-to work shirts. I don't know how "hot nanny" that is, but oh well!

All in all, it was a fantastic day! I loved getting to see L explore visually and am so proud of him for doing well when he was tired even though we weren't in his normal nap environment.

Please share your poopsplosion stories with me! I know I'm not the only one... I was super embarrassed and tried my best to handle it quickly and quietly, even though I don't think that's possible when you and your baby are covered in poo.

Timi & Leslie Dual Bag: First Impressions

Remember back when I said I was in search of a new diaper bag? Well, I finally got one. I decided to get the Timi & Leslie Dual Bag in the Farrah print. I love the bright colors! I have been doing tons of research and finally decided on this one.

One of the big reasons I purchased it when I did was because it was on major sale, marked down to $30 from $80. I'm not sure if they're discontinuing the style or just revamping it. I love it so far, so I really hope they keep it around.

I've only had it for about a week, but wanted to give you a peek into what I have packed in here before I do a proper review. We're going on several long outings over the next few weeks, so I really feel like I'll be able to get a good feel and opinion of the bag over this period of time.

I totally carry my Erin Condren Life Planner everywhere I go, no matter what. It fits perfectly in this back zippered pocket.

There are these items kept? Clockwise: Front, small zippered pocket that has three mesh pouches. One of the large pockets that is divided in two, especially for diapers and wipes. The other large, main pocket is also divided. The clothes go in one side, and the snacks, formula, and toys go in the other side.

Not pictured: a small emergency kit, and L's bottle that I keep in an outside bottle pocket. In the other bottle pocket is where I keep my phone. My keys get clipped to an inner key fob and my ID & cards go in the small magnetic flip pocket in the front of the bag.

This bag also comes with a messenger style strap as well as stroller straps. Other companies charge extra for the stroller straps, so I'm really glad they we're included with this one!

I'm loving it so far, and can't wait to share a full review of the Timi & Leslie Dual Bag with you!

Semi-curve Ball

*Written on Tuesday, June 4th*

I started my work week today after not working with L since last Wednesday. Um, hello! How do babies grow so much over a whopping five days? Seriously, it's not cool. His top teeth are pushing, and he'll definitely have at least four teeth by his first birthday in August.

On top of all the teething goodness, the water at my work house is shut off today. Well, thanks city workers. You're awesome! Not really. Some of us are home during the day. So we're at my house today, and will be here again on Thursday. I think it's going well, except for the afternoons when my Oma gets home. L was crying after I put him down for his nap and she just about freaked out, asking me if it was okay if he cried. It's hilarious and incredibly frustrating at the same time.

We're going to the zoo tomorrow and I'm incredibly excited about taking L on his first zoo adventure. It's our first all-day outing, ever. I think it will be awesome and I've already asked my Twitter friends, but want to make sure I'm not forgetting anything for next time! That being said, what would you take with you besides the normal diaper bag stuff? Let me know! :)

Paleo Eats: Lesson Learned

Written on Thursday, May 30th, 2013. 

I've been eating mostly paleo for the past six weeks. I'll admit, I've had a few less than stellar moments. I had multiple drinks at the lake last weekend, along with some not so healthy snacks. However, in general, I've been eating whole or paleo foods. But tonight? Tonight takes the cake in all my bad eating decisions.

I wanted pizza. BAD. Like rightnow. So my mom ordered some, along with an order of breadsticks,  and had it delivered to my house. I ate the breadsticks. The entire order, along with a piece of pizza. I've learned my lesson. That fast food and my digestive system do not get along, at all. To think that I was ever possibly going to go back to the way I was eating before was an absolute joke.

Gluten and wheat are not my friends, guys.
Looks like I'll be paleo for life, which maybe isn't such a bad thing.

June Goals!

This is my first time doing my goals on a monthly basis, as I've decided not to do 5 for Five anymore. I think this will allow me to keep thing my goals in check on a bigger scale, and hopefully I'll actually be able to accomplish things this way. :)

Of course I have smaller more specific goals, but these are the big ones! Have you joined the Blogger Book Club yet? I'm starting my book after I schedule this post. (:

Happy Monday! I hope you have a good week!

Memorial Day Lake Shenanigans: Part 2

Little J, doing his thing. Can you believe he's going into high school? Nothing ages you like watching little siblings grow up. // Wakeboard shot, because it looks awesome. // Little cousin jumping off the top of the dock. // A moon shot. It was huge and looked absolutely amazing. I'm amazed at myself for catching this in raw with no editing afterwards.

Next time, remind me to hand someone else my camera for a little bit. I don't have any day shots of J and I and the shots I do have were taking at night after we'd both had a few drinks. Not cute, nor blog worthy. Maybe next time, y'all. :)