Saturday, October 4, 2014

Our Newly Decorated Girls Room

Hey guys! As I had mentioned yesterday, it was quite the whirlwind when Hudson moved into his toddler bed. We moved the girls' into a shared room and I wanted to show you guys the pics.



I wanted to keep the walls the same color because the room is so big and I've come to know that not only do I hate painting walls but I'm not very good at it either haha!

So, I needed to bring in color in other ways. This dresser I bought at a thrift store when I was pregnant with the twins. My husband painted it white and it was in their nursery and then in Chatham's nursery. I bought that cute pillow on the chair from Homegoods and had Home Depot color match it to paint the dresser this beautiful mauvey pink.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

7 Tips for Transitioning from Crib to Bed

It's official! Hudson has made the complete transition from crib to bed. It was a bit of a long road because Hudson's climbing and escaping skills will probably one day help him get into the Navy Seals.

So, the way our house was setup was the twins were in a big bedroom together and Chatham was in a smaller room right next to it. Adam's office and our master are off in a separate area. 

Hudson has previously gotten out of the pack n play randomly way back in April/May and we thought that was the end of the crib for him.  But luckily (not really) he ended up getting sick and it kind of nipped the crib jumping in the bud. He stayed in the crib up until about a month ago and that was when I realized it was time to officially switch him. A lot of people have asked why I didn't just switch both twins into beds at the same time and what I've learned is there is no rush! Yardley is in no rush to get out of her bed and I am in no way ready for her to switch out. Plus, I thought having one toddler transitoning at a time would be easier on us and them. 

So, we took the front part off the crib and added the safety side rail. Things weren't too bad until about 3 weeks into the transition when Hudson learned he could climb into Yardley's bed. At first, it was adorable, they would laugh and squeel and eventually fall asleep in her crib. Then, 2 nights in a row, Yardley woke up at 4am screaming that Hudson was in her bed. We would go in and put him back in his bed and he would climb right back in as soon as the door would close.

So, the week before Chatham's 1st Birthday Party, (when we expecting over 30 people at our house), we had to switch around the bedrooms. The girls would be in the bigger room together and Hudson would have his own smaller room. This included painting the walls and redecorating - but more on that in a later post!

A few days after Hudson settled into his room, things finally calmed down. I read the girls a book and put them to bed. Then I head over to Hudson's room. I read him a book and sing him a few songs and then leave him and he's quietly falls asleep. 

So what did I learn? Here are my top tips for making the transition:

1. If they climb out once, it's not necessarily OVER in the crib. Put them back in and let them go to bed. Sometimes they are so stunned by what just happened or it was a fluke, and they don't even know how they did it in the first place. You'll know when it's time- they can easily get out of the crib no matter how many times you put them back in. 

2. Now that you're child is out of the crib, they'll be looking for the safety and security of a crib when they're expected to go to bed. View their room as a crib. Babyproof the entire room- plug any outlets, hide any cords, attach tall pieces of furniture to the wall, and simply take out any furniture you think they could get hurt on (ie rocking chair). 

3. Take out the toys- for a short while, you're adorable nursery may now be a bare room. But for safety and your sanity- it's easier this way. If your child now has access to walk around his room witout you there, make the room boring. I left a handful of books and one stuffed animal. The rest got moved out until he's ready for that. 

4. If you think your child won't be easily able to cimb in AND out of his new bed, skip the bed for now and place thir mattress traight on the floor with one side up agaisnt the wall. It will still be comfy with a blanket and pillow and a lovey.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Chatham's 1st Birthday Party

If you've been following B & B (Babywise & Beyond) for a while now, you'll know that I always refer to Chatham as our sweetest surprise. It took what seemed like forever to get pregnant with the twins, and when they were just about 8 weeks old, and about 1 weeks home from the NICU, I got pregnant with Chatham. As shocking as it was, we were just so elated to have gotten pregnant with no fertility treatments, no ovulation calculating, not even a thought about getting pregnant. Once the shock subsided, we couldn't imagine our lives without a new baby in it. And from the moment my sweetest surprise was born, our family just felt so complete.

So when thinking of a theme for her 1st Birthday party, I of course, wanted to do something sweet and a Pink Lemonade Stand seemed perfect!




Our cute little invite from Etsy
My simple DIY 36' balloon & tissue tassel



Partially finished dessert table... had to snap some pictures before guests arrived - blueberries & grapes went in the tiny yellow cups, rice krispies dipped in pink chocolate on a stick went on the white plate, & I had one more plate of watermelon & pineapple kabobs

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

The Podee: Hands-Free Bottle Feeding System

Have you guys seen this thing? WHERE was this when I was home feeding 2 little preemie twins at the same time!!!



It's a hands-free system for bottle feeding your baby. This would be perfect for those times when you feel like you have to do the dishes, make lunch, brush your hair, and feed the baby all at the same time.

I propped my twins on occasion and felt like I needed to check on them often in case they didn't want to drink and the milk would get all over, etc. I also worried about the milk draining down into the ears and causing ear infections (heard of it happening at a daycare). It would also be a great solution for when you need to pump at the same time as feed your baby.

I think one thing moms are typically plagued with it guilt- especially moms of more than one child. You constantly feel like your diving your time between them. This gives you the opportunity to have that special bonding time with one baby while still feeding the other and then swapping the next feed.

Here's the link- check it out and let me know what you guys think!!

The Podee!

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Schedule for Baby & Toddler Naptimes

I get asked a lot how I'm able to get anything done with 2 toddlers and a baby crawling around. It's often out in public that I get the most quizzical looks and the convo usually goes something like this- "Are they triplets? Wait, no, that one's smaller." Haha- I try and cut them off before the confusion sets in. These 2 are 19 month old twins and she's 8 months old. And then the convo usually ends with "God bless you." (and he did!)

But, the reason I can get anything done is because I've kept a routine/schedule since the twins were born and Chatham got right in line. Below is the general schedule we keep these days. Chatham's personality is much more easygoing so sometimes her naps can be moved in order to get some things done or if we have fun activities to do!

The twins' nap however- never, ever changes because they are like little cranky, crabby mini-adults running around if they don't get their naps. So, about twice since they've turned 1 have we missed their nap.

So this is how we roll:


How do you make it work at your house?

How to Get Your Baby to Nap Longer

One of the most common stressors of having a baby is when they won't nap. One of the most common questions and requests I get is "how do I get my baby to nap or nap longer?" Many times you are able to get your baby to sleep and then a short while later, they are up again, usually crying.

You're not the only one! This is a super common scenario with most babies. I'm sure if you have done any research, talked to your pediatrician, or even looked online or at a baby book, you have heard about REM cycles. Typically what happens is about 30-50 minutes into a nap, a new cycle starts which causes your baby or child to wake up. They haven't learned yet to stay right back in the cycle.

Today, I'll share with you my common tips that help soothe your baby into the next cycle and have them (hopefully) napping great in no time!




1. Routine- I've said in many posts before, but having a routine is so important. Think about it: the second we don't have a phone or what or person to tell us what time it is, we are out of sorts. Other then if it is a dark or light outside and what we are doing with them, our children have absolutely no idea what time of day it is. It's human nature to crave a routine or schedule, and therefore, the babies and children who are on one, generally sleep better. It is a pain in the butt to stay to the routine, I can remember countless days, staying in, missing out on fun things because I needed my twins to stay on their schedule. But it's worth it! It gives them a sense of order in their lives and therefore, reduces anxiousness and helps prepare them for whats coming next in the day. Even at the youngest of ages! So, set a nap time and bed time routine. Shut off the lights, sing them a song, give a bath, play the same white noise or sound machine... all cue-ing them- TIME FOR BED!

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Big Amazon Baby Sale!

Did you guys see this? I am like the poster child for Amazon Mom. With 3 kids, getting out of the house to go anywhere, especially for something like shopping for diapers and wipes is nearly impossible. I buy bulk diapers, wipes, & formula and it lasts forever, Plus it gets delivered in 2 days!

In addition to the convenience, Amazon is having a big 20% off sale right now! Some of my fave products are marked down:

Baby Trend Snap N Go EX Universal Infant Car Seat Carrier (Perfect when you don't want to lug around big stroller)


Baby Jogger 2012 City Mini Single Stroller, Sand/Stone (the BEST fold down on a stroller ever)




WubbaNub Giraffe (which my twins now use as Little stuffed animals)


 Nuby 2-Pack Nibbler, Colors May Vary (this is such a cool product- baby's can chomp away on food without the risk of choking):

SwaddleDesigns Marquisette Swaddling Blanket, Medallions, Bright Pink (perfect size for swaddling, similar to the one I show in my video): 

 Fisher-Price Newborn Rock n' Play Sleeper, My Little Snugabunny (my kids LIVED in these until they were big enough to move around):




Hope you get as much use out of these products as I did- and what better start than to save 20%! I'm all about saving the $$$

Have a great day!