Archives for August 2021

Grabease Baby Led Weaning Products: A Full Review!

August 31, 2021 Leave a Comment

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We have always been a big fan of introducing self-feeding skills relatively early with our babies. My biggest issue with Addilyn was that she so often would choke or gag herself when practicing with utensils. I knew when it came time to start teaching Lilliana, that I needed to find some better training options. Naturally, when Grabease reached out and asked if I would like to try their stainless steel utensils in exchange for a review, that was a big fat YES!

I absolutely love that they include a choke barrier with all of their products. I have so much more peace of mind letting her experiment and play without fear of harm. The teeny little knife is a fun bonus, as none of our other training sets have ever come with that. Lillie loves to “cut it,” and even our 3-year-old begs to play with it.

The ergonomic handle fits her sweet little hands perfectly and makes it much easier for her to scoop. Upon handing her the spoon, she pretty much got the hang of it right away!

Well, maybe dry-ish cereal wasn’t the best “first test” with them, but she actually was able to scoop it up very well after a couple of tries.

Look at that sweet little face. She was tickled to death with her pretty new goodies, and had fun experimenting with scooping and digging with it. The other huge win for me, was that she didn’t turn the spoon upside down. If you have a child learning self-feeding you know, they so often will rotate as they bring it to their mouths, thus dumping all of the food off. The way that these spoons are designed seems to help them simply bring the food to their mouth. Which creates far less mess for this momma!

They sent us the 18 Months+ Stainless Steel Utensil Set, which comes in several colors. How adorable are these?!

You can start out self-feeding as young as 3 months, with the super soft and pliable silicone spoons, which double as teethers!

Babies then graduate to the Ergonomic Utensils, which encourage independent feeding! This is from their site:

“Our utensils are designed to safely nurture independence in little ones ready to meet their self-feeding developmental milestone. Our patented fork and spoon sets were the first utensils designed with babies’ independence in mind, and they come highly recommended by Occupational Therapists. The ergonomic handle fits comfortably in babies’ natural hand grasp, making the hand-to-mouth motion easier! Using this set will also help strengthen their fingers while encouraging proper pencil grasp development (this will come in handy later!).”

If you are as OCD as this mama is, these All-over bibs are amazing! I wish I had had them when my girls were in the early self-feeding stages. You better believe that if we have more babies, I will be ordering a few! You simply slip it on your baby, and over their entire highchair. Mealtime cleanup takes seconds. And all the mamas said “Hallelujah!”

I’ve tried many suction bowls. Most lose suction really easily, and are still chucked into the floor. The Grabease Suction Bowls are amazing! Perfect for Baby Led Weaning, they help control portion sizes and balance meals as well.

Last, but definitely not least, they sent me some of these awesome Reusable Snack Bags to try! We go through so many snack baggies around here and I love that these are not only eco-friendly, but they save us big money! It also helps keep portions age-appropriate, and the utensils fit inside perfectly for on-the-go use!

While this isn’t really a food related item, their little double sided toothbrushes are awesome as well! Perfect for little hands, these encourage self-brushing while also making sure teeth don’t get missed.

My final thoughts?

I’m incredibly impressed! Every product is very thoughtfully designed and encourages your Child’s development and independence. Aside from that obvious priority, they are convenient, easy to use and make a mama’s life much easier (hello, awesome bib!). If you are considering baby led weaning, you need to run over to their site and stock up on all the things!

Every purchase that you make on their site helps to provide for mothers and babies in need, as well. You can read more about that HERE!

While you’re here, check out my meal-planning mom hack that saves me HOURS every week!

You can also grab full weeks of meal plans, complete with grocery lists here!

Overwhelmed by the Task of Raising Godly Children?

August 28, 2021 Leave a Comment

Are you overwhelmed by the task of raising Godly children with the state of our world right now? I hear you, mama. There is so much unknown, and in the face of Cancel culture, it can be a real struggle. Read on for some encouragement and practical steps you can take.

Remember that we do this by His strength, not our own.

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
-Isaiad 41:10

Seek the truth in the Bible directly. Not from what a “scholar” or influencer tells you it says. False teaching is abundant right now, and so damaging. Get in the Word!

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
-Matthew 24:35

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
–Hebrews 13:8

Speak the truth boldly. Do not compromise your faith just because “cancel culture” tells you that you have to.

Teach your children the truth of God’s Word. And the value of sharing that without apology. There is far too much on the line.

“But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.”
-2 Corinthians 4:2

Remember that He will have the last word. The victory is already won!

55 “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
-1 Corinthians 15:55-58

Don’t lose hope, we are in this together. You are not alone! He has you, and you’ve got this!

“Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.” – Psalm 127:4

While you’re here, check out my meal planning mom-hack that saves me hours every week!

The Cutest Crossfit Baby Shower Cookies!

August 17, 2021 Leave a Comment

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Wow! It’s been a hot minute since I shared some decorated sugar cookies with you guys! I’ve been enjoying a break from baking to focus on our family, but when my sweet friend Sam contacted me needing Crossfit Baby Shower Sugar Cookies, I couldn’t say no! This theme is adorable.

The parents were not finding out the gender, so we kept it neutral: mint, coral and royal blue. As avid Crossfitters, we had to work the kettlebells and weights in there, too!

The kettlebell rattle is simply an Ann Clark Rattle cutter flipped over. The scripted Baby cutter is this one from BobbisCutters on Etsy.

The weight is done using a simple Circle Cookie Cutter.

The onesie is done using this Ann Clark Onesie Cutter. Of course, we had to add the barbell on there!

These were made using my melt-in-your-mouth no spread sugar cookie dough, and decorated with my viral royal icing recipe!

Brb. Obsessing over how cute these turned out! I totally want to throw a Crossfit Baby Shower now!

If you’re planning a Crossfit Baby Shower, you have to hop over to Etsy! My mind is blown by how many cute theme-y items are on there! I mean just look at a few of them:

Here’s the link to that Baby cookie cutter!

Grab that Melt-in-your-mouth Cookie Dough Recipe Here!

And my viral Royal Icing recipe here!

LOVEVERY: The Play Kits Full Review

August 10, 2021 Leave a Comment

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I have always been a huge fan of the Montessori style of teaching (learn more about it here), which focuses on child-led play and development, designed around their natural interests. Even with our 3 year old, I have sought to really support and develop the things that draw her in. So when LOVEVERY offered to send me a Montessori-inspired play kit to review for our 17 month old Lillie, I jumped right on it!

To be honest, I’ve been eyeing them for a long time. I am so thankful for the opportunity to test it out with our littles and am doing a full review below! If you’ve been considering it too, read on!

As I have mentioned in my other product reviews, I am a huge packaging snob. Good packaging can almost always sell me on a product before I even crack it open! LOVEVERY did not disappoint in this area. The kit arrived in a sturdy, crush-proof box and you are met with beautiful imagery from the moment you lift the flap.

There is a handy reference chart that shows you which age-range kit you are receiving and a breakdown of what is inside. Our girl was sent The Pioneer Play Kit this time.

Each toy is carefully and thoughtfully packaged in, to prevent damage in shipping. They also include a really well-made play guide for the parents! It explains each toy and how you can use it to maximize your child’s learning. Even more valuable is the detailed information on the social, emotional, communication, motor skills, and problem-solving milestones your child may explore at this stage.

Here is a breakdown of The Pioneer Play Kit:

Honestly, I was really impressed with how many toys you get in the play kit, and how sturdy and well made they are! They may look simple, but they are quality. Minimalist Montessori design allows room for creativity to flow, and each toy is really beautiful!

My little one saw me opening the box, and she was so anxious to play that she was not thrilled with how long I was taking to photograph everything!

We busted out the Fuzzy Bug Shrub first, and she was immediately drawn in.

She had fun babbling about the types of bugs, and proudly showed me each one, over and over.

It may seem incredibly simple, but she literally played with this for 45 minutes without asking for anything else. I was the one that initiated a switch in toys! If nothing else, I am already amazed by the attention-span development that this Play Kit has brought. None of the electronic toys hold even close to this time.

Next, I broke out the Wooden Stacking Peg Board. I was amazed that she just naturally knew what to do. I did not have to explain it one bit! Her little mind was just drawn in and she figured it out.

She had so much fun just stacking them up and tearing it down, over and over again.

Again, we got another 30 or so minutes of pure entertainment before I switched her to another activity. So far we were over an hour in and only tried out two of the toys.

While the first two activities were very natural (and highly entertaining!), the Stringing Bead Toy was more of a challenge for her, which I liked. It frustrated her a little at first, but her brain worked to figure it out. Before I knew it, she was happily threading and removing beads by herself.

What was the most surprising to me was the amount of interest this Play Kit garnered from our 3 year old, Addie (excuse our bed-head). She was immediately curious as to what her sister was doing and wanted to play too. After a short skirmish about sharing, I instituted a timer where I rotated them between the girls so that they could each play with an activity.

She could play with the simple Stacking Peg Board toy for hours herself. Mama will definitely be ordering her a kit for her age!

Since taking the pictures for this review, we have also fallen in love with the Race and Chase ramp, and the girls giggle and play with it often (you can see a video in my Instagram Reels!). Lillie absolutely loves the ‘Max and Nana go to the Park’ Board Book (What happens when you get hurt? A story about learning to process and manage emotions). She will carry it around saying “Oh, Max!” Seriously. Cutest. Thing. Ever. And it’s a super simple book, so it fascinates me how much she has taken to it. The sweet garden puzzle challenges her, but we are working on it and I love a good challenge!

My biggest takeaway?

LOVEVERY is worth every dime, and is way cheaper than a babysitter! If you are a work-at-home parent like I am, these Play Kits are invaluable! Any time I pull this kit out, both of my children (now 18 months and 3 years) will engage with it easily for a couple of hours. Most of the time, this is independent play, which has always been a struggle for us with our oldest. Worth it, over and over again!

What’s really cool?

You can start your child from day 1 with a Play Kit tailored to their developmental stage. I only wish I had known about LOVEVERY when my babies were tiny. Next one, Lord willing!

They have a beautifully crafted Play Gym that is designed to give your child an entire year of play! I don’t know about you, but my girls were over their simple play gym by about 3 months, once they could roll out from under it.

The Montessori Playshelf

I am super intrigued by this, and when we finally build our home, may just have to order one! Check out this goodness, straight from their site:

“Bring the benefits of a Montessori play experience to your home with The Playshelf by Lovevery. The 2-in-1 shelf makes toy rotation and storage simple in a modern, 100% birchwood design. Display the optimal number of playthings at a time for deeper learning at your child’s pace, and keep out-of-rotation toys out of sight for a calm, clutter-free playspace. Watch your child take the lead on their learning as they naturally follow their interests, respect their toys, and embrace order.

Key Features

2-in-1 shelf makes for simple toy rotation and storage of up to 6 Play Kits
Montessori-inspired design
Includes 2 Wooden Trays and 2 Storage Bins
100% FSC-certified Baltic birch
Soft-close technology to protect your child’s fingers

There’s an entire Home Collection that is filled with purposeful decor to stimulate your child. There is a a 5-star rated Block set, thoughtfully designed to provide years of purposeful play. You can even create a Baby Registry to stock your home with unique toys for your baby. Definitely give LOVEVERY a look over, you will not be sorry!

A Sweet Fox Baby Shower

August 6, 2021 Leave a Comment

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One of my sweetest girl friends is expecting a precious baby boy very soon! Myself and the other staff wives from our church threw her a sweet southwestern fox themed baby shower this past weekend and I am obsessed with how it came out! The theme was simple: organic earthy colors, centered around a set of watercolor fox, owl and cactus prints that she ordered off of Etsy. (These exact ones, if you are looking!).

Our church has been utilizing a farm for service during this whole Pandemic and they have been kind enough to allow us to host events like this there. It was the perfect venue for this little shower!

Isn’t she just the cutest little mama?!

Our friend Crystal brought the earthy vibe with some canvas tablecloths, burlap and greenery from her home. We had guests fill out this sweet journal with notes to mama, and also write their address on Thank you card envelopes to make life easier on the parents-to-be!

The “barn” that we use is really just a large, open pavilion type of deal, so we had guests enter by this table and set up the gift table just past it. Some of the sweet girls went out into the fields and picked wildflowers to fill vases around the barn, which could not have been more perfect!

A simple whitewashed crate brought some dimension to the desserts! The sugar cookies were our party favor, and we placed those in a simple seagrass basket like this one!

I, of course, made the cake and cookies! I have taken a major step back from my baking business, but I truly enjoy doing things like these for my friends and family! Hand painting them for the watercolor effect is my favorite anyway, and it matched perfectly her prints!

They are made using my no-spread sugar cookie dough (recipe here) and viral royal icing recipe. The fox is done with this cute little fox cutter from Ann Clark, and the cactus is done with this one!

I had a wooden cake plate on hand that was just right!

I have actually ordered Snake Plants from Amazon and been super happy with them! You can’t beat the price!

Again, how sweet are these prints?!

His round name sign was made by our sweet friend Lauren with White Flag Design Co. Check out her Insta to see some of the other amazing ones she has done and request a quote!

The journal is so sweet and special. I know Morgan will cherish it in the days to come.

Lauren found these cute little fox napkins on Amazon (here) and they worked out great!

At Morgan’s request, we did grilled hot dogs using this awesome portable grill. I am 100% a fan of simple food, and these were great!

You just can’t go wrong with backyard barbecue food! Watermelon, chips and hot dogs all the way!

LOVE this sign by White Flag Design Co.

What’s a baby shower without a little blind baby food taste test?!

We had so much fun throwing this little get together, and the details were so simple but came together amazingly well! Love you, Morgan! We can’t wait to cuddle sweet Ashby!