Thank you so much! Your application is now complete.
You will receive a confirmation text message from me once I get your order to go through and you will receive specific information about your order from Mōdere in your email.
Have a blessed day and Happy Shopping!
I’m so excited for you to receive these products and start seeing results! Mōdere grabbed my attention in so many ways but one of the biggest reasons I chose to partner with them is because of their AMAZING products. For 30 years Modere has been committed to creating products that consistently deliver! These products create a new standard, formulated with ingredients that you can feel safe about bringing into your home. Modere’s mission to live a cleaner, healthier lifestyle helped me got me hooked! I can’t wait for you start implementing some of these changes into your lifestyle.
Talk with you soon!
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This post contains affiliate links but, as you already know, I only post about things I actually buy, use and love!
Hi there! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with friends and family yesterday.
Let me get right to the reason for this post: Black Friday is kind of THE day to get the bulk of your Christmas shopping done and/or score great deals on items you’ve had your eye on for a while! I know I will be scouring the web to see if any of the items on my Ultimate Toddler Gift Guide For Christmas are on sale, as well as checking out my favorite sites to up my #momstyle game (i.e. Nordstrom, ILY Couture, etc.)!
All day today (Black Friday 2017!!) on the Taylor-made Mama Facebook Page I’ll be sharing the best deals for babies, toddlers AND their moms from the places we LOVE to shop, including (but not limited to!):
3, 2, 1, GO head over to my Facebook Page for all the deals I’m finding in real time today, starting…..NOW! I’ll be posting in the comments every chance I get when I find a deal I think you’ll love:
Let me know if there is something in particular you are looking for and I’ll see what I can find:
Lastly, an admittedly shameless plug for my LipSense Black Friday sale going on in my Facebook Group – Taylor-made Beauty With Ashley.
Try the liquid lip color everyone is talking about! ???
Snag YOUR perfect color for *15% OFF + FREE Shipping through midnight on 11/24/17 plus tons of other fun deals and freebies! THIS LINK will take you straight there!
Happy Shopping!
P.S. If you don’t already have an Amazon Prime membership then today is a great day to become one. Many of the deals I’ll be sharing with you throughout the day on the Taylor-made Mama Facebook Page are Prime Eligible (free 2-day shipping and exclusive deals!). You can get a FREE 30 Day Trial to Amazon Prime HERE, just in time to take advantage of all the Black Friday Deals! You can also check out a full list of ALL the benefits of a Prime membership here.
Thank you to Tomorrow Sleep for sponsoring this review post. All opinions are my own.
Are you in the market for a memory foam hybrid mattress but not sure where to order one, or if the claims the online retailer makes can be trusted? Are you, like me, a TIRED mom, in search of a way to maximize the sleep that you can squeeze in! Well, I’m here to tell you about the best hybrid mattress I’ve ever slept on. My husband and I have ordered mattresses from three different online mattress retailers and this one takes the cake for sure. We actually returned one and replaced it with a Tomorrow Sleep mattress because we loved it so much!
As a busy mom, attempting to keep up with a VERY energetic toddler, this blog, and a quickly growing LipSense business, sleep is one of my most treasured resources. A good quality mattress where I can catch the most comfortable, restorative Z’s possible is paramount!
I also happen to have a TERRIBLE back; In college, I herniated two discs in my lower back (L5 and S1), bulged a disc in my neck (T2) during my CrossFit days, and things have never been the same. Despite lots of PT and consistent maintenance work, I still struggle with chronic pain. I have been on the hunt for a mattress that actually helps my back for YEAR – hence all the online ordering! I actually delayed in writing my review post because, ironically, the day our Tomorrow Sleep mattresses arrived I reaggravated my lower back and didn’t feel I could give an honest review until I was feeling better.
Isn’t it amazing that a King Mattress WITH a coil system fits in this box??
Fortunately, I think that this hybrid mattress was a catalyst for my back healing more quickly than expected…
Tomorrow Sleep actually has an entire system, based on science, designed to help you sleep your best. From that system, I chose to review both Tomorow Sleep’s Medium Soft (our King bed) and the Medium Firm (the daybed currently in Taylor’s playroom) so that I could tell you about the difference.
The whole “mattress in a box” thing is really amazing to me – especially this mattress because it does actually have a coil system within it that work in conjunction with the memory foam to provide for a very comfortable, yet supportive mattress. Tomorrow Sleep includes a special tool that looks a bit like an envelope opener that you use to slice through the air-tight plastic packaging to release the mattress to expand within seconds!
Tomorrow Sleep Medium Soft Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress:
My husband and I have both noticed that we are not tossing and turning at night anymore. Tomorrow claims that their mattresses help you to, “fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.”; I can attest that this is actually the case! I feel like the mattress molds to my body, yet has a “backbone” of support, if that makes sense. I’ve been waking up feeling more refreshed and energized over the past couple of weeks (despite getting far less than 8 hours) and I know that that is because I’m actually getting into the deep sleep and REM cycles that our bodies need to run optimally because I’m not tossing and turning anymore.
Tomorrow Sleep Medium Firm Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress:
We have the Medium Firm Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress on the daybed that is currently in Taylor’s Playroom (stay tuned for our playroom reveal post!). This mattress will most definitely be her first toddler bed. I will likely start with this mattress on the floor, rather than an actual twin bed frame, but I haven’t quite decided.
Full disclosure: when my husband snores, I immediately pack up (my pillow and monitor) and head out to the playroom to sleep on the daybed, so I actually have had a few nights rest on the Tomorrow Sleep Medium Firm mattress, in addition to many a Moana or Sing watching sessions with T during the day. I must say that, although we’re sleeping comfortably on our King, I actually prefer the Medium Firm to the Medium Soft! The Medium Firm still provides the comfy, molding to your body effect of the Medium Soft but with a twinge more support. If I had to do things over again, I would definitely order a Medium Firm for our master bed.
Princess T enjoying her Tomorrow Sleep daybed
The only negative I can mention is that the memory foam pillows we received did have a bit of a smell to them for the first week or so. I wouldn’t say it was bad, but it was a noticeable earthy smell. I DO love that one side is nice and cool, and the other is super cuddly and comfy.
In conclusion, I would definitely recommend Tomorrow Sleep’s memory foam hybrid mattress if you’re in the market for a comfortable, supportive, affordable mattress made by people who truly care about getting you the sleep you NEED to thrive as a mom!
Guess what?? You can use code MAMA150to receive $150 off any $500 purchase from Tomorrow Sleep (expires 12/31/17)!
I was prompted to share this Modern Girl Nursery Reveal post as I have begun to think that, all too soon, I’ll need to transition it into a “Big Girl” room (my eyes tear up even just writing that sentence). I’m just waiting and watching the monitor closely for the day when she attempts to climb out of her crib. Babies just don’t keep, I tell you…
If you’ve been a reader for a while, you already know that I quit my job as a Special Education Administrator to stay home with Taylor a few months ago. Part of that whole cluster-change package was moving to a new home in a new city! Aside from now getting to spend my days with my precious little girl, one of the things I’m finding a lot of joy in these days is decorating our home! My passion for interiors is definitely resurfacing with the blessing of time and headspace. My favorite rooms to design by far have been Taylor’s nursery as well as her playroom; each decision and detail in those rooms is an expression of my love for her. I truly hope you enjoy photos of the finished product! Oh, and I linked everything that I could still find online for you at the bottom of the post!
With a second shot at creating Taylor’s modern nursery space, I used many of the pieces and artwork we had in her room at our previous home but paired things down for an even simpler, clean look. The other main change to her modern girl nursery is that the queen-sized bed (where I slept for several months when she was newborn!) is no longer in her room. This left a lot more space to work with.
The most recent addition, and finishing touch to Taylor’s room, is the beautiful piece shown in the photo above. This piece was gifted to us by one of Sacramento’s local artists, Sarah Phulps, owner of Sarah’s. I told Sarah the verse I wanted over T’s bed (Proverbs 3:15), sent her several pictures of the room, and she created this one of a kind gem! I couldn’t be more pleased with her creation. You have to check out Sarah’s!
It is my daily prayer + mission that Taylor will grow up believing that, because of her heart and the unique being God created her to be, she is indeed more precious than rubies.
All custom framing in Taylor’s modern girl nursery is from Aaron Brothers. Rocking Chair is from Buy Buy Baby but is unfortunately no longer available; linked here is one from Land of Nod that is very similar.
Modern Girl Nursery Organization:
Ya’ll know I can rarely put a post up without some sort of organizational tip or spin, and this one’s no different!
Organization For Outgrown Clothes:
With the rate babies grow (mine in particularly bc girlfriend is already on 2T at 18 months!), it’s important to have a system to keep all the clothes they outgrow organized until you decide what to do with them. Alternatively, you can just have a massive pile of little clothes in the bottom of the closet. Whatever suits you – mom your way ; ) I don’t yet know what we’ll do with Taylor’s baby clothes, but at least they’re neat and tidy for now, right? Maybe I’m secretly hoping we’ll have another girl who can wear it all but I digress… Anyway, here is a visual of what I came up with for storing the clothes/shoes she outgrows by size (the clear bins can be found at Target!):
Changing Station Essentials + Organization:
Although Taylor is a toddler, since she is still in diapers, not much has changed about the configuration of her changing station since her newborn days. Below are a few photos of how I organized her changing station/dresser for convenience as well as a printable shopping list of Changing Table Essentials (PS if you don’t have the Ubbi Diaper Pail – go. get. one. now. It works like a charm and works with the decor of any nursery!)
To access the printable Changing Station Essentials Checklist, click THIS LINK or the image below. If you are a subscriber, this list is now in the Printables Library for you!
I truly hope you enjoyed this Modern Girl Nursery reveal post. If there is anything else in my pictures you would like links to, comment on this post or shoot me an email and I’ll send them directly to you! If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe so that you don’t miss our upcoming Modern Playroom Reveal post – I seriously CANNOT WAIT to show you what I’ve been working on in there!
I’m SO, SO excited to share this Ultimate Toddler Girl Gift Guide with you, friends! It’s loaded with the best of the best for your little gal this Christmas. In fact, I think most of these gifts would be totally awesome for a toddler boy as well. I believe girls and boys should be exposed to and allowed to play with whatever interests them!
I do spend what is probably an unusual amount of time online window shopping + creating running wish lists for Taylor. Last year I posted a Baby Girls’ First Christmas gift guide and basically did all my shopping for her from there for the next 6 months (I actually updated that post with working links for 2017 if you have a little tiny one to shop for!).
This Christmas, at 20 months old, Taylor will really be able to play with and enjoy the gifts we get for her. I can’t wait for epic family matching pajama pictures, monkey bread minis and the light in her eyes when she opens her gifts on Christmas morning.
Of course, we are NOT gifting her all the items on this list (duh), but I wanted to give you a comprehensive guide of the most adorable, developmentally appropriate gifts out there that your toddler girl (or boy!) will enjoy this Christmas and for years to come!
Now, for the Ultimate Toddler Girl’s Christmas/Holiday Gift Guide – No matter what your little girl is into, I hope you find some toddler gift-spiration here. Let’s kick it off with Stocking Stuffer ideas!
Stocking Stuffers For A Toddler Girl:
Some great ideas for toddler stocking stuffers (boy or girl) are:
1.A Cruzee Balance Bike + helmet – I saw an 18-month-old at our local park riding one and just knew I had to add it to Taylor’s wish list! I love the concept of skipping tricycles and training wheels and teaching balance first. Adjustable seat and handlebar height allow the bike to grow with your little one for up to 3 years!
3. Matching Family PJs – order these asap! The pictures and tradition are well worth the investment. We bought this Dear Deer set from Hanna Anderson last year, and only had to update Taylor’s to a larger size for 2017!
11. Cute “Big Girl” undies or these amazing Unicorn Training Pants by Honest Co.- I remember “Santa” bringing me undies when I was around 8 or 9 and I was MORTIFIED at the thought! At this age, she’ll never remember and it might just be a helpful motivator toward potty training!
13. Table + chair set – If you don’t already have a little table and chair set, Christmas might be a great excuse to purchase one. Especially paired with the table top easel, this gift can amount to hours of fun, creative play, and learning. We have the modern, Eames-esque table and chair set shown below, but here is another from Land of Nod that is super cute.
14. iPad Mini + educational apps – if you’re ready to shell out the big dough, and are not anti-screen time this may be a gift to consider. A more wallet-friendly idea is to purchase the Amazon Fire Kids Edition (7″). I bought one for Taylor on Cyber Monday on sale, but even regularly they are only $99! Here are some of the reasons why I’m loving this one:
The kids kindle has a 2-year worry free accident warranty versus the regular Kindle’s 90 day limited warranty. Amazon specifically states: “if they break it, return it and we’ll replace it for free. No questions asked.”
The Fire comes with Kindle Free Time for 1 year, which is normally $1.99 for prime members per month or $3.99 regularly per month.
It already comes with a rubber protective case (yellow, pink or blue), which is absolutely necessary for a toddler.
It’s already primed with a bunch of kid apps and books, not to mention parental controls.
It comes with a kid-safe browser already installed.
17. Winter sweater – this gorgeous ruffle hem sweater comes in gray and blue if you’re not a poppy color fan like I am! Paired with some little skinny jeans and cons….stop. so cute.
19. Play kitchen + play food/accessories – We have the Teamson Kids Urban play kitchen in white, and I couldn’t be happier with it (stay tuned for an upcoming Playroom Reveal post!), but how cute is the pink version?! I am coveting these wooden appliances from Pottery Barn kids, although they are a little on the pricey side! We love all of the Melissa and Doug wooden play food and accessories.
20. Play shopping cart – for whatever reason, this is one of Taylor’s all-time favorite things to play with!
26. Art Easel and art supplies(washable paint, brushes, etc.)- if you already have a table and chair set up, this Table Top Art Easel from Land of Nod would be perfect. It has everything you need from a paper roll holder, holes for paint cups, a chalkboard and a magnetic whiteboard. It even has a folding design for storage. This is in my top 5 for T! There are also several stand-alone versions as well.
32. Dress Up clothes and accessories – we absolutely adore the Disney inspired (and other!) Little Adventures Dress-Ups (starting at 24.99 per costume) but you can also shop second-hand stores for all kinds of accessories and costumes to fill up your little gal’s dress up box!
33. Microphone – if you have a budding entertainer on your hands, this is a must!
39. Drums – Taylor ruined punched a hole through both bongos on this adorable Watermelon Drum set, but it was one of her favorite toys EVER so I’m adding to the top of my list for her.
Do you give gifts for the holidays? What’s on your list?
Pin this list of toys that will grow with your toddler for all your holiday shopping, birthday gifts or “just because” surprises.
Thank you to Coco & Kiwi for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are 100% my own and any affiliate links are to products I actually use and like.
The last time I posted a “what’s in my diaper bag” style post, Taylor was only 7 months old. Time has absolutely flown by….Now that she is 18 months I want to share what’s in our Toddler Diaper Bag. I keep my Toddler Emergency Car Kit and a Toddler Restaurant Kit in the trunk of my car which contain many of the things I would otherwise have to worry about grabbing on the way out the door or lugging around in my already full diaper bag (i.e. bib, utensils, first aid kit, change of clothes, etc.). If you haven’t already, and have or will soon have a toddler, definitely check out those two posts!
I have gotten more compliments on this Coco & Kiwi Provence Diaper Bag since I started carrying/wearing it, mostly from girls at my gym who are non-moms actually! As a Coco Ambassador this season, I had the option to choose my favorite bag; it wasn’t even a question which I’d choose. I adore the classic, chic sandstone stripes paired with the camel colored leather of the Provence Bag. Aside from how cute and stylish it looks, I wanted to share a couple of my favorite features with you – game changers I don’t know how I didn’t look for in a bag sooner:
1) detachable stroller straps, 2) the bag can be carried as a clutch, over the shoulder/messenger style, or as a BACKPACK! If you couldn’t tell by all caps, I’m definitely loving the diaper backpack option these days, running around after my toddler.
3) The ingenious zip-in wet bag. I use mine for opened snacks!
You can check out this and all of the stylish Coco & Kiwi Diaper Bags and accessories here.
What’s In My Toddler Diaper Bag?
FOR TODDLER:
2-3 Diapers – if your toddler still wears them which, at 18 months, Taylor does.
Wipes – I love Water Wipes travel packs because they are all natural, and can be used to clean little ones’ hands and faces as well!
Sanitizing Wipes – the Wet Ones Sensitive Skin canister makes for easy packing as well as pulling out wipes to sanitize shopping carts, restaurant tables, etc. quickly.
Snacks – did you know that when your baby becomes a toddler you then become a snack peddler? I keep a variety on hand at all times because, at this age, T is starting to really exert her independence through making her preferences known!
Comb and hair ties/bows – because, #girlmom.
Changing pad – a burgundy colored changing pad, which matches the lining, comes in the Coco & Kiwi Diaper bags, and it is actually long enough to accommodate a growing toddler bod!
Wet bag – this is another convenient feature of the Coco & Kiwi Diaper bag. The wet bag zips in and out. I personally use it to store opened + unfinished snacks!
Diaper bags + dispenser – I am obsessed with the Munchkin diaper bag dispenser. Okay, maybe not obsessed, but I do own 5!
Kleenex – toddlers tend to need nose wiping every now and again, and it’s nice to have these on hand when a runny nose occurs. These travel packs are the cutest I’ve found – it’s the little things : )
Mini first aid – I only carry bandaids in my diaper bag because I have a mini first aid kit in my fully loaded Toddler Emergency Car Kit (which includes this AWESOME portable potty for you potty training mamas!)
Sunglasses
Water bottle – sometimes I will just bring my adult sized version of this bottle and share with Taylor but, again, these days my toddler likes to have her OWN things!
A small toy that she is reallllllly into – at this moment, Peppa Pig!
FOR MAMA:
LipSense Lip Gloss– I literally do not leave the house without at least one of my LipSense glosses (Matte, Glossy or Bouganvillea), whether I’m wearing the lip color or not.LipSense is a kiss-proof, smudge proof, waterproof lip color that lasts up to 18 hours – talk about a busy mom MUST HAVE! The gloss is the only thing you need to reapply a couple of times throughout the day to keep your lips moisturized and your color it’s staying power. LipSense has been a game changer for me as a new, busy mama: if nothing else, I walk out the door with tinted moisturizer and LipSense on and feel pretty + put together! I loved this stuff so much that I became a distributor myself, at first for the discount but now I have another stream of income for my family because of it! If you’re interested in learning more or placing a LipSense order – check out my Taylor-made Beauty Facebook Group (lots of sales and fun giveaways!), and my In-Stock Album and Order page.
Gum
Feminine products
Phone
Sunglasses & Eyeglasses
Phone Charger – a must since becoming a mama/responsible for someone else besides myself!
Wireless headphones
Lifetime Athletic Gym card – I can’t insert the praise hands emoji through Word Press, or else I would. Adding this element into our toddler and mom weekday schedule has been a game-changer, sanity saver, etc.!
Hand sanitizer
Wallet (I linked the BEST price I’ve seen for this classic LV wallet!)
Protein bar – not pictured because I literally ate it an hour before taking the pictures for this post
Keys
Pen
To access the printable Toddler Diaper Bag Essentials Checklist use this linkor just click on the image below. As a subscriber, you can access and download this and any of the other printables from my website by going to the Printables Library Page and entering the password I emailed to you when you subscribed (if you can’t find it, just email me at ashley@taylor-mademama.com and I’ll re-send!).
What are your toddler diaper bag must-haves?
Other Ta[y]lor-made Mama posts you may be interested in:
Are you a stay at home mom of a toddler looking to add more structure, routine and “me time” into your weekdays? A work at home mom who wonders how to get everything done in the day? New to the stay at home mom club and need more routine in your daily life? A mama thinking about making the transition from working mom to stay and/or work at home mom? Or perhaps you’re just curious about what Taylor and my routine looks like these days (the last updates I gave were this one when I was on maternity leave and this one when I was still nursing/pumping at work!).
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then this post is for you.
Before I jump into our toddler and stay at home mom routine, I feel compelled to write something straight from the heart :
Recently, I had a conversation with a long-time friend. She shared that, through following my journey from working to stay/work at home mom over the last year or so, a fire was lit beneath her to leave her own VERY successful career to start a business working for herself + stay at home with her two little ones. And, guess what? She has made it happen for herself and her family! I couldn’t be more happy for my friend who had a vision of a different lifestyle and, despite any fears and hesitancies, followed her heart and went for it.
In turn, her story stoked MY fire to encourage women who may be in the same place I found myself a year ago – a heart being pulled toward being at home, yet also with the fear of uncertainty of letting go of a career and identity outside the home.
If this resonates with you right now, please know that I get it. I’ve been there, and I can tell you that I do not regret the decision for a minute. The moments I get to share with Taylor EVERY DAY now, even the hard ones, outweigh anything I could be accomplishing at work. Do I continue to think about what the future of my career may look like as I did a few months ago when I left? Sure, those thoughts still cross my mind…
BUT, here is the evolution in my thinking:
There is always someone who can do my/your day job (maybe not as well, maybe just as good, maybe even better) but there is NO ONE who can be YOU to your child. If you want to be at home with your baby, and it is possible for your family, don’t be afraid to make the big transition because, “the days are long, but the years are SHORT.”
Remembering this always brings me back to a place of content with the decision we’ve made. Fortunately/strategically on my part, between this blog and my Social Marketing biz, I’m finding ways to satisfy the creative, social AND entrepreneurial sides of myself WHILE getting to be at home with Taylor and focussing on my family (and make a full-time income through the latter!!).
The last few months have truly been the best of all worlds for me, and I would LOVE to chat with you if you have any specific questions about my journey or what I’m up to these days if I don’t answer them within this series.
This brings me to another question (or variation of) I’ve been asked many times since becoming a stay at home mom is,
“So, what do you DO all day now?”
That’s actually a really good question, and one I felt super nervous about in the weeks leading up to the transition from working to stay/work at home mom. I was SO used to a jam-packed, tightly scheduled, daily routine that the thought of open-ended days gave me a ton of anxiety. Full disclosure, I remember crying the week before I was finished with work, for many reasons, but mostly because I just couldn’t picture what my new days and weeks would look like.
I wanted to do this stay at home mom thing well and didn’t want to lose myself in the day to day mom-ing/home-making or waste days sitting around watching cartoons with Taylor…. As it turns out, I have spent several days with Taylor sitting around doing mostly just that- and I’m totally okay with it. In fact, I’ll take those extra snuggles any day of the week.
Having a predictable schedule and routine is important for you/your sanity and your toddler. However, it is also important to be flexible and adjust according to your little one’s (or your!) needs on a given day. Moods happen. Things come up. Kiddos and mamas get sick. Naps are dropped. Structure without rigidity is key!
*after completing payment click on “Return To Merchant” to access your printable PDF!!
Weekday Toddler Schedule and Stay At Home Mom Routine
That said, I wanted to share what a typical weekday for this stay at home mom and her 18-month-old toddler looks like. I work best when I time block (as you can see in my admittedly OCD Google Calendar below), and I hope it’s helpful to see what typically takes place during each block:
7 AM – Taylor wakes up and plays with her stuffed animals and reads books in her crib for 15-30 minutes while I “wake up”. One of the goals I have for myself is to start getting myself out of bed at 6AM in order to build in a little more me/work time before the day begins. I’m SOOOO not a morning person though, so we shall see how that goes….any tips?
7:30 AM – AJ or I (my hubby works from home with is AMAZING) get Taylor out of her crib, change her diaper, and bring her into our room to drink her bottle (yep, still drinking a bottle of milk in the AM + PM) while we watch the news/I get ready for the day. Most days I just put on some tinted moisturizer, curl my eyelashes and that’s about it. I can’t usually get Taylor downstairs without making a pit stop at the playroom, so we play there for 15-20 minutes before breakfast. Conveniently, the laundry room is connected to that room so I can start on or fold a load of laundry as she enjoys!
8:30 AM – Taylor eats breakfast and I drink coffee and check emails. Her breakfast is anything from a banana + oatmeal, to a bagel, egg + raspberries. At this point, she is able to request her favorite foods which is so amazingly cool!
9:30-11:30 AM – Monday through Thursday (again, not EVERY Monday through Thursday because flexibility is key!) we go to Lifetime Athletic Club within this time block. Joining this gym is hands down the best decision we made as a family when I quit working and we moved to a new city. Their childcare facility, programming, and staff are absolutely phenomenal and Taylor LOVES going there. While she participates in toddler art or music class, I get to workout for an hour or so. This time is SO good for both of us; she gets to develop her independence and play skills while I get to maintain (maybe even increase!) my fitness and sanity, win-win! I always bring a snack for us to share outside the gym when we’re finished up. If you follow me on Instagram you’ll see that I often document our “conversations” during this time that has come to be a special tradition between she and I.
On Fridays during this time block, we go to the local library for a Mommy & Me developmental play hour which is super fun for Taylor, a little stressful for me (because she is literally the Energizer Bunny + Tazmanian Devil in this environment), and overall great for her development. Anything for T.
11:30 AM– When we get home from the gym, I make lunch for Taylor to eat before she goes down for her nap. Her lunch is usually leftovers from the night before, a toddler approved Green Smoothie, Annie’s Mac and Cheese (no shame in my game!), plus some fruit and water.
12-2 PM – Naptime, glorious, naptime. Although T’s naps have been hit or miss over the last few weeks, she typically naps for 2-3 hours a day. During this time I shower, work on blog-related stuff and/or my Social Marketing business (as of January 2019 I now make my full-time income through this endeavor which is AMAZING!!!!), start or finish a load of laundry, and (some days) clean one room of the house. I create a prioritized “to do” list for each naptime block at the start of the week and get as far as I can through that day’s list, bumping unfinished business to the evening “Task” block or to the next day. Obviously, this system gets WAY backed up when Little Miss decides to boycott her nap/s, but I digress…
2-4 PM – This is the time we either A) get outside of the house to play (if I have an errand to run that day, we’ll go on the way home), or B) play indoors and incorporate a learning/developmental activity. This may be a trip to the park or zoo, going outside in our backyard to play with her water table or playhouse, artwork or another craft in the kitchen (this art smock is a must, and under $5!), a make shift “fort” in the living room, or up to her playroom to “cook,” in her kitchen or play with her toys and dress up clothes.
Around 4:00 I offer T a snack whether we are at home or out and about. Her favorites these days are gummies, protein + fiber bars, and Goldfish.
6-7 PM – I begin preparing dinner around 6:00. While I’m prepping for dinner AJ (the hubs), Curious George, Peppa Pig or Daniel Tiger babysit for Taylor, and we eat together around 6:30 PM.
7-8 PM – Almost every weeknight Taylor takes a bath, and then we go through her bedtime routine. Since I’ve been at home with Taylor, my hubby and I have been switching off every other night with who is “in charge” of the bedtime routine. On my nights off, l usually take a bath with my favorite bath bomb and enjoy some “me time.” This time is so critical, especially on the nights when I need to put in evening work to catch up on work stuff.
9-11 PM– This is the time where I (usually) try and get things I didn’t get done earlier in the day done. Although, many nights all I do is enjoy a glasses of wine (or 2 or 3) and a crime show with my hubby on our comfy couch. Those are the best weeknights of all : )
I would love to know what your stay at home mom routine and toddler schedule looks like. I love getting ideas from other mamas like you! How is it different than ours? How is it the same?
XO,
Ashley
UPDATE [January 2019]:
I am now blessed to be able to work and make a full-time income from home!! That’s not everyone’s desire, but it truly was mine and I’ve found a way to make it happen for our family, and a way to help others make it happen for theirs!!! If you’d like more information on what I do now or if you are looking for an opportunity to either make some additional income for your family or even replace your income like I have I would love to work with you!!
Thank you to Fab Fit Fun for gifting me the Fall Box for review.
The Fall 2017 Fab Fit Fun box has arrived and once again I’m super excited to share what’s inside with you! Fall is pretty much my favorite season, plus my (34th?!?!) birthday is in October, so this box was perfectly timed.
So far, as a #fabfitfunpartner, I’ve received the Spring, Summer, and now Fall 2017 Fab Fit Fun boxes and each time I have honestly been wowed with the VALUE; Â I seriously think to myself, “how do they get away with including this much quality product for THAT price??”.
What’s So Great About Fab Fit Fun Subscription Boxes?
If you aren’t yet familiar with Fab Fit Fun, how it works, and why you’ll love it too, allow me to break it down : )
Each box costs $49.99 Â for over $300 worth of product (but read on for a code to get $10 off that price + free shipping!)
Boxes ship out seasonally and are chock full of full-sized fashion, health, beauty and fitness goodies – the latest and greatest for that season.
 Not only do you get a box filled with awesome goodies but, as a subscriber, you also get access to FabFitFun TV! Fab Fit Fun TV is a free service (for subscribers) through which you get full access to on-demand videos from the top fitness trainers in the world. Hello, workouts during naptime!
Fab Fit Fun is ranked #1 in subscription boxes. I’m sure you can already see why! I honestly have not found this kind of value in any other subscription box I have had the chance to review.
I don’t want to be a complete spoiler alert, so here are just a few of my favorite items from this season’s Fab Fit Fun box (+ their retail value which alone total $246.50 – whoah!!)
Deco Cuticle Oil (retail value:$12.50) – I use this before my DIY shellac manicures. It smells super fresh, and the packaging is just too cute : )
B-Low The Belt (retail value $55) – the camel color matches these quintessential fall boots I scored during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale PERFECTLY.
Living Coxet Wire Heart Ceramic Jewelry Holder(retail value $33)
Mer Sea Cozy Wrap(retail value: $98) – it’s still hot here in Sacramento, but I wore this around the house for about 5 minutes and it’s super luxurious, soft and cozy.
Whish Renewing Mud Mask(retail value:$48)
Great stuff, right??
Ready to get your own Fab Fit Fun Fall 2017 Box? Click HERE and don’t forget to use discount code: TAYLORMADE to snag a box for only $39.99 (and free shipping!).
Does your toddler love to eat veggies? Do you have the time to cook fresh vegetables to accompany every meal they eat? If you answer no to either of those questions, read on and pin this easy toddler approved green smoothie recipe!
From the time we introduced solids and started making out homemade baby food, Taylor would pretty much eat anything, including veggies, at every meal. “Score!”, we thought…However, at around 15 months she began to really develop her independence and preferences – not to mention an increase in her activity level! She began to reject the veggies presented to her, or eat less of them than I knew she needed for optimum daily nutrition.
She also developed a LOVE for Jamba Juice Acai Antioxidant smoothies. While absolutely delicious, the sugar content in (and price of!) those smoothies had my “I want to be a responsible mama” head spinning. I decided to make my own version of a “Jamba Juice” at home and she went bonkers for it. It’s basically a simplified version of the green smoothie her dad and I drink regularly.
I decided to make my own version of a “Jamba Juice” at home and she went bonkers for it. It’s basically a simplified version of the green smoothie her dad and have made for ourselves regularly for years now.
Nowadays, Taylor has this toddler approved green smoothie once daily: sometimes for breakfast, sometimes for lunch, and sometimes for her late afternoon/pre-dinner snack. It’s a total #momwin to know she’s getting such a nutritionally packed meal that she is also thrilled to eat!
Of course, I continue to offer her fresh, cooked vegetables with every meal, but on the occasions when she refuses or eats very little, I am confident that she is still getting sufficient fiber and nutrients in her diet from her green smoothie. I’m not a doctor, and of course there are feeding issues for some little ones that complicate this, but in general it’s recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics to introduce a variety of foods to toddlers, multiple times and in multiple ways, in age-appropriate portions, but to let them decide how much to eat.
Okay, so I won’t spend too much time on this piece, but I do have to say that we have tried gone through several different blends over the years, and the Nutri Ninja Auto-iQ Blender is A) the most convenient for a family (it comes with several different sizes of blender cups), and B) the best a thoroughly blending the ingredients (even whole, frozen fruits or ice!) .
The auto setting is awesome; the Nutri Ninja takes the guesswork out of the equation and blends perfectly every time. I’m not exaggerating. I will not mention our previous blender or harp on any more about the Nutri Ninja, but l think we can all agree that no one wants a grainy smoothie resulting in remnants of kale leaves in their teeth, am I right?
Go get the Nutri Ninja – totally worth the investment in your toddler’s health.
At the time I took this picture, she would ONLY drink her smoothies from a recycled Jamba Juice cup. Pick your battles, I say.
Simple Toddler Approved Green Smoothie Recipe:
Toddler Approved Green Smoothie
1 handful kale (red kale is less bitter than green)
1 handful spinach
1/4 cup whole milk plain Greek yogurt
1/2 banana
4-6 organic frozen strawberries
1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla flax milk + protein
Layer all ingredients in the Nutri Ninja blender, starting with the kale and spinach.
Blend under completely smooth
Serve in a cup with a straw.
Shop Cups With Straws:
The possibilities are endless with this base smoothie! Which other yummy, nutritious, power ingredients will you add to this easy toddler approved green smoothie recipe? Avocado? Egg white protein powder? Gogi berries? What tips and tricks do you have for getting picky eaters to eat veggies?
Thank you to Caseapp.com for sponsoring this post. As always, all views and opinions are 100% mine.
Yes, yes, I know that women for centuries got by just fine without all the technologies available to us moms these days. However, I truly don’t know what I would have done without my iPhone, laptop and particularly the apps that made life SO much easier and much less stressful for me as a new mom.
I want to share the top 10 apps that I personally used and think would benefit any new mom + will continue to be useful as your baby grows; I’m still using all of these apps now and Taylor is almost 1.5. All of the apps listed are available in the iTunes App Store and I’m almost certain all are also available for Android phones as well. I hope one or more of the apps I share will make YOUR life as a new mom a little easier or sweeter!
On to the top 10 apps for a new mom …
White Noise App – I personally used the Sound Sleeper app and could often be mistaken for a walking thunderstorm with Taylor in her stroller during those early months when she would only fall asleep to fairly loud “rain” (read my other 4 tips for newborn sleep in this post). Whatever works, whatever works…It’s also useful to have white noise on your phone when traveling if you don’t want to bring along a bulkier sound machine; This brings me to the next app…
Baby Monitor Annie – You have to have another person set this app up on their phone as well, but once that’s taken care of it’s easy to then utilize your phones as the camera and receiver – just like you would for a baby monitor. We did this a couple of times when we stayed at my parents house and didn’t pack our monitor.
Starbucks App – I used this embarrassingly too often to order + pay for my coffee ahead of time if I knew I was already going to be out and about near a Starbucks. Sometimes I would make a trip out of walking there from home (we used to live about a mile away). It’s the little accomplishments, like getting out for a coffee with a newborn, that makes a new mom proud! If you have a baby prone to fussing while not in motion like mine was, then you don’t want to be waiting in line and then for your drink if it can be avoided. Stroll in, grab coffee, stroll out. It’s not lazy, it’s GENIUS.
LifeCake – this is an app you can start using from your baby’s first day in the hospital through their first day in college if you really wanted to be a Mamarazzi like that. You can grant access to as many friends or family as you want. It’s nice because you can post pictures every day if you want, and not have to worry about privacy and/or annoying everyone else on your Facebook feed that isn’t immediately related to your little, photo-overload worthy cutie. Anyone you add can then see and comment on photos you post, which are labeled by their day and month of age. This app is especially useful if you have parents/grandparents who don’t live nearby and want to see their grandchild and share in their day to day. We added our parents and siblings, who don’t live in our immediate area, and it’s been a great way to stay connected. LifeCake will also put together a photo book of your photos for an additional cost.
Wonder Weeks – have you ever wondered why your baby or toddler is more fussy than usual over a period of days or weeks? Well, wonder no more with this app! You create a profile for your baby and then have access to a personalized weekly calendar of their mental development that keeps you informed of their leaps, when you can expect fussy behavior, and why!
Web MD Baby – this is an app I discovered after the newborn days but wish I’d had sooner! Not only is the app a feeding, diaper and sleep tracker, but also a great resource tool; The Baby 101 section has hundreds of articles and resources on everything you’d want to know about your new baby, from colic to skin care.
Facebook– so this app (and the next one) you could access through your laptop or computer, and probably already have BUT are you a member of the Facebook Groups Precious Little Sleep and Breast, Bottle & Beyond?? I cannot tell you how many times admins and members of these groups came to my rescue, even in the middle of the night. See the evidence of this below! I probably would have thrown in the proverbial breastfeeding towel if it weren’t for the support of the community in BB&B, as well as my friend who also happens to be a lactation consultant. You can read my interview with her + her top tips for breastfeeding mamas in this post. You do have to request to join both groups, but I am sure you’ll be approved!
Pinterest – Forget Google, THIS is my (almost) All Things Motherhood search engine. I spent a TON of time on Pinterest when I was home on maternity leave and nursing newborn Taylor all the time. I’d sift through articles, read, then pin the best ones related to sleep, feeding, new mom hacks/advice, inspirational quotes, postpartum, and basically all things new mom (like thousands). I would love to save you the trouble of doing all of that, so just follow me on Pinterest and check out the pinned posts on all my new mom related boards!
BabySparks – Developmental Activities & Milestones – I love having this app to give me ideas of activities to help Taylor develop in the seven critical areas: Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Cognitive, Speech, Sensory, Self-Care, and Social Emotional. The app includes information regarding development from month to month (from 0 to 2 years old), as well as specific activities that you can do with your baby. Each activity has a demonstration video as well as a detailed how-to description. You can also search for your specific need/s, which for us was Tummy Time/rolling!
Instacart – This just might be THE most useful app for new and/or pregnancy moms, especially in those first postpartum weeks. You know, when all+ of your energy is taken up trying to take care and sustain a little life, and the last thing you can think about doing is getting out of the house to go grocery shopping? If Instacart is available in your area you can order groceries from your local store via Instacart, then one of their shoppers will pick them up for and deliver them to you at the time you specify. Say whaaaat?! This was a lifesaver for me as a new mom, particularly when I went back to work and didn’t want to spend any of my non-working time doing anything except being with T! My referral code is ALATIMER14 – you’ll get $10 off your first order and I’ll get $10 too! You can then share your own referral code with friends and get $10 in InstaCart credit.
So, let’s talk about my iPhone case and Laptop Skin for a minute; how cute are they? Both are from Caseapp.com. You have the option to create your own custom cases and skins, which I had every intention of doing, Â but I honestly couldn’t get past how stinking cute their ready made patterns were! Is it weird that I chose a laptop skin that matches my downstairs decor/color theme?? Okay, I didn’t think so. : )
I think I picked the cutest patterns ever, but check out all of the options here yourself,  and let me know which one you like best! You can use code TAYLORMADE20 to receive 20% off your order at Caseapp.com, valid until October 21, 2017.
Are there any Apps you would recommend for new moms or moms with toddlers? Leave me a comment and let me know!
Other Taylor-made Mama posts you may be interested in:
over the years, and the 
Shop Cups With Straws:
