Smart Thinking & Planning Ahead for Mamas

Thanks to Tervis for sponsoring my writing. Visit their website to learn more about the world’s first smart cup.

In my early days of a stay at home mom I didn't have a schedule, I flew by the seat of my (still maternity) pants. I was tired, cranky and wasn't adjusting to being a mom well. What was I missing? I wrote with a struggle that I was having and many readers emailed me to let me know their tips and tricks.

You know what their number one thing was? A schedule!

I never thought of Trey as a "schedule" baby since I was nursing. I had always heard that you can't plan - you just feed when they are hungry. And I feel like yes, you do, BUT that is no reason you can't have a (flexible) schedule and routine by any means!

I slowly started getting organized, making lists, planning meals, outfits, playdates, you get the idea. I am a much better mutli-tasker than I ever knew I could be. I consistently do 3-4 things at one time. And while some days it seems exhausting, when I get to curl up on the sofa with my husband at night and the house is clean I know it is all worth it.

Getting Trey on a nap schedule was HUGE. He was not a good napper at first but from 6 months to now (almost 15 months) he has grown to be an amazing (scheduled) napper. This is awesome because I can plan all of our dates and errands around his naps. As well as schedule things I need/want to do alone while he is sleeping. It has made him a happier baby and me a happier mama!

I try to make sure that we have extras of everything in the car as well, this has REALLY helped for those times when you are out and realized you are out of diapers/wipes/snacks or clothes get dirt on them, spit up on, etc.

All in all I have just found that by working harder throughout the day to be more organized and planning ahead it has made for a much happier household for all involved!!

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I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. To learn more about Tervis, visit their website: http://www.tervis.com.

My First OOTD Post....Ever

I love seeing everyone's OOTD, OOTN & even NOTD (nail of the day!) posts. I've been obsessed with reading "fashion blogs" since 2008 - blogs I have no business reading because I will probably never own a Chanel bag and while the thought of a pair Loub's make my heart go pitter-patter in a major way the thought of where I'd even wear them to stresses me out!

I've always wanted to do an OOTD (day/night/whatever!) post myself but I don't consider myself stylish by any means and heck I don't even own a full length mirror! But lately I'm trying to dress a little more fun - even if it means doing it on the uber-cheap!

So this past weekend for our annual Girl's Night Out (more on that tomorrow) I had J.D. snap some pics on my way out the door.

The dress & leggings are from Forever21 and the booties are from Old Navy! (Tan courtesy of Sun Labs! HA!)

p.s. And while this was fun and all, chances are you won't be seeing any regular OOTD posts from me. My yoga pants really aren't anything to blog about!

The Great Pumpkin is Coming!

Last weekend we headed to a local pumpkin patch to play and cut some pumpkins off the vine to take home. Trey absolutely loved it! He just wanted to run around everywhere!!

We also got to meet up with this pretty girl and her parents!! (I know, I died over her outfit too!!)

And just for fun, because I have been feeling nostalgic lately, here is Trey's picture from the pumpkin patch last year. He slept the whole time in the moby wrap!

His vs Hers: SMS

Hers: Hair appointment! (Just a trim and all over dye)

His: Starbucks, Park & Best Buy aka perfect "guy" morning!

{Almost} Wordless Wednesday

My sweet little skeleton, 1 year later.

Ten on Tuesday

Today I'm linking up with Roots and Rings for Ten on Tuesday.

Today's topic: All About Pasta!

1. Red Sauce or White Sauce?
Vodka sauce please!

2. Do you prefer pasta you can twirl or stab?
I love to twirl my spaghetti but we usually have rotini, penne or ziti so I'd say I'm really a "stabber".

3. Baked or boiled?
Baked. The flavor! The cheese! YUM!

4. Do you like meat in your sauce or do you kick it vegetarian style?
I don't like the meat in small pieces in my sauce, but I do like it with meatballs! (Or my grandmother used to add hardboiled eggs and pieces of chicken - apparently when she was little her family didn't have a lot of money and that was an easy way for them to add protein in.)

5. Where have you had your very best pasta ever?
My Grandma. I get my Italian side from her. She may have been kind of fiesty but she was THE best cook EVER.

6. What is your favorite pasta dish?
Penne alla vodka.

7. Do you serve meatballs when you make spaghetti or just do a meat sauce?
Turkey meatballs

8. What type (rice, whole wheat, egg, etc) of noodles do you use?
Whole wheat organic from Trader Joe's or plain white ziti.

9. What type of meats or vegetables do you put in your sauce?
See #4

10. Do you make a “Sunday gravy” to use throughout the week or do you just open a jar of whatever and heat it up? (No judgment on this one!)

I make my own, the closest I have found to my grandma's recipe is Carmine's Marinara Sauce. LOVE. I could eat it by the spoon-fulls straight out of the pot!

What we've been up to

I have been trying to recap some fun we have been having lately for what feels like for-evah now!! Here's what Trey and I have been busy doing this past week!

Hanging out at Addie's first birthday party!!! It was so much fun and omg the decor was amazing!!!

Last week we headed to the beach for the Neptune Festival and Sandcastle building competition.

This sculpture was my favorite.
Someone was dying to get in the water!
We also had some play time at Grommet Island while we were down there!

On Saturday we headed to the Children's Festival! The weather was cool and crisp and just felt like an all around perfect Fall day!!

And despite that sweet smile on Trey's face, the past couple days have been a true bear. Teething and just general not feeling well has done a number on Trey and mama both. Hoping that we are turning that around today! Fingers crossed at least!!