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?
Am I the only one who devotes way more time and attention to their toddler’s fashion than their own? I may only get one shot at this #girlmom thing, so I’m making the most of it! However, now that I’m at home with Taylor I am more judicious with how I spend, and therefore picking adorable, affordable staple pieces that can work together for an entire season.
So, in this installment of “my 1-year-old is more stylish than me,” I’m sharing a round up of toddler girl fall wardrobe staples. If you have a toddler girl, these are must have pieces for her closet, and many of them are on pre-season sale right now.
Everything shown/linked is from either Old Navy, Nordstrom, or H&M because I’m obsessed with their toddler lines and their online shopping platforms are (maybe a little too) user friendly!
Where are your fav places to shop for your little ones?
This post contains some affiliate links. As always, I only showcase products I actually really, really like!
Travel with a toddler doesn’t have to be stressful, but it does take a lot of thought and planning to make sure you get everything your family needs packed and stay (at least somewhat) organized once you arrive at your destination. Vacation is meant to be relaxing and rejuvenating.
Of course, it won’t be the same care-free time as it was pre-baby, but it does not have to be stressful.
We just survived got back from our first family vacation since Taylor officially entered Toddler-dom. Although we took several trips with T when she was under 1 year, flying across the country and spending two weeks in several different locations with our Energizer Bunny was an entirely different ball game.
As usual, I spent a lot of time brainstorming beforehand and reflecting afterward on ways to make my/your #momlife easier and take some of that mental load off of you, mama (because I don’t know of many dads responsible for packing for both himself and the kiddos, am I right?).Â
To that end, I want to share a few things you can expect when traveling/vacationing with a toddler, a total Mom Must Have for packing and keeping ALL the things organized, free printable packing lists for you + your toddler, as well as a few family photos from our vacation.
This post is part of the Packed to Perfection Series. Each post (including one of my most popular – “What To Pack In A Carry-On To Entertain A Toddler On An Airplaneâ€Â) includes tips for what to pack and printable checklists to make sure you don’t forget anything. It’s hard enough remembering what to pack for yourself, right?! I like to print my checklists, laminate them and keep them in my bags/suitcases so that they are right on hand when it comes time to pack for a trip. I hope you find the vacation packing checklists for both Toddlers and Mamas from this post useful the next time you are getting ready to travel with your tot.
If you are traveling by plane, make sure you check out THIS POST and printable checklist to make sure you have everything you need to pack in a carry on bag to keep your toddler entertained during the flight! If you are going on a vacation where the pool or beach will be involved, make sure to check out THIS POST and printable checklist as well!
Without further ado…
4 Things You Can Expect On Vacation With A Toddler
Sleep and nap schedules can and will go out the window… and your little one will be just fine.Time change + jet lag (especially if you’ve made a long journey), excitement, new faces + environments, general overstimulation and even F.O.M.O. can all be cause for your little one to miss naps, stay up late, wake up earlier than normal, and just generally be off schedule. I learned that this isn’t the end of the world, and worrying about it only serves to increase your stress and decrease the vacation vibes.Your tot WILL get back on schedule when you get home and back to your regularly scheduled programming, I promise.
Reframe your mindset from taking a vacation to taking a trip. A trip, which is what you’ll be on, is definitely a memory-filled experience, but it may not include laying out in the sun for 3 hour stretches with your beverage of choice, pausing to take and post one of those obnoxious bottom halves of your legs in the foreground + ocean in the background pics ( #guilty). If you are pining for the duty-free vacation days of old, you’ll feel disappointed and like you need a vacation after the vacation, so it’s best to get in the mindset of making it a memorable trip with the fam. Unless of course, you have # 3 going for you.
Traveling with Grandparents, friends, and family can make vacation with a toddler feel like an actual vacation. If you can plan a trip with friends and family included, I would highly recommend it. It takes a village, right? I cannot explain how wonderful it was to have my parents and some of our closest relatives around to A) spend time with, and B) help to entertain/care for Taylor. If it weren’t for the help of family, I know I wouldn’t have come home feeling as relaxed as I did. Taylor pretty much played with her cousins from sunup to sundown, which was so sweet to watch. Thanks to the generosity of my parents, AJ and I were even able to sneak where to buy Provigil away for a date night in Charleston while she enjoyed some special time with them. You could even plan a trip with other couples with little ones and trade off on nights in/date nights!
Your tot is going to have a blast! No matter where you are, what you do, or even what you forget to pack, YOU are providing an amazing experience for your little one that they are going to love. Enjoy every precious, energy-filled moment.
Pack For Vacation With A Toddler Made Easy!
The EZPacking cubes made packing for and then accessing ALL the toddler things upon arrival at your destination so, well, EZ! I purchased the Starter Set (one cube in each of the four sizes) a year ago, and was gifted another set for this trip – Thanks, EZPacking! How do I love thee? Let me count the ways… I could go on about EZPacking all day long, but I’ll just give you the top 4 reasons why you MUST have these packing cubes for your next vacation (Plus, you get a 15% discount with code TAYLORMADEMAMA!):
EZPacking Starter Set in gray.2 weeks worth of toddler gear -easily packed!
Transparency. I love that the EZPacking cubes are clear. I can easily see the outfits, accessories, diaper cream, etc. that I am looking to find for myself or Taylor.
If you are going to be traveling between several different places, the packing cubes make it so easy to get comfortable and organized quickly. Even if we’re only staying somewhere for a couple of nights, putting things away and getting my suitcase out of sight just makes me feel more relaxed and at home. Throw the cubes into the bedroom or bathroom drawers and you are all set; everything is still in the same place it was at your last stop.
The cubes can be packed to utilize the entire height of the suitcase so, no wasted space!Â
EZPacking cubes come in several different colors (black,green, pink, blue and gray – orange is currently sold out), which is perfect for mamas packing for more than one child and sharing a suitcase. You could even have older children pack their own color cubes. I used a black set for myself, and a gray one for Taylor:
What To Pack For Vacation With A Toddler:
These are the vacation packing lists I use to pack for Taylor and I. I tried to include all the essentials a toddler and their mama would need. Other lines are under almost every category within the checklists so that you can add any additional, specific items you need to pack. Please let me know in the comments if there are any glaringly obvious things I left off! Clickhere or just click on the pictures below to access, download and print copies of the Mama and Toddler packing checklists:
Travel Sized Downy Wrinkle Release Spray – I roll when I pack in EZPacking cubes because it saves more space, and this spray helps in a pinch when I don’t have access to or time for ironing!s
J by Jeep Umbrella Stroller – this lightweight stroller is super easy to travel with and handles surprisingly well, even on the cobblestone streets in Charleston!
Portable Crib – although we borrowed a crib from my cousin this trip, we typically travel with our Baby Bjorn portable crib unless we are staying at a hotel which guarantees access to a crib (just make sure to bring your own sheet!).
Boxed organic milk – no refrigeration required. You can buy a 12 pack on Amazon and take a few with you for car or airplane travel when refrigeration isn’t convenient or possible.
Wet Dry bag – I pack all of Taylor’s suits and sandals in the wet dry bag, and then use it for pool/beach trips if we are going on that sort of vacation. I can’t get enough of these Skip Hop wet/dry bags.
Portable Snacks – Taylor’s fav snacks (that include protein) are these Sprout Power Pouches.
I hope you find the things I did to plan for, used during and learned along the way on vacation with a toddler help make your next vacation an enjoyable experience for your whole family – including YOU!
 EZPacking has kindly extended a discount for my readers. Enter code: TAYLORMADEMAMA15 at checkout for a 15% discount!
P.S. A few of our fav family vacation photos (July 2017)
(Charlotte, North Carolina + Litchfield Beach and Charleston, South Carolina)
Whether you carry the title of Mom exclusively (“stay at home mom”) or are a “working mom” outside or inside the home, it’s rare that anyone truly sees or gives you credit for ALL you do in your role as a mom.
You don’t add “Mom” to your resume because the results you’re producing can’t be quantified, even though it’s the most important title you’ll ever hold.
You’re indispensable (the boss!) but there is no corresponding salary, nor performance bonuses to cash in on.
You’re really good at this motherhood thing; you are constantly honing your craft, but there isn’t a career ladder to climb or promotions to be given.
You punch in for this job, but you NEVER punch out…
So, especially as a stay at home mom, how do you respond when you’re asked the question,
What do you do?
Before I get into how I’ve been answering that question lately, let me first say that (45 days in) I do not have a single complaint about the stay at home mom life. It is a privilege and a blessing, and it is the life I chose.While there are certainly effects of this major change worth mentioning (and writing future posts on!): financial adjustments, shifting responsibilities and dynamics in our marriage, acclimating to a new home and town, finding “me time” when I’m an introvert at home all day with two extroverts, etc., life is good. I go to bed each night excited that I get to spend the next day hanging out with my girl. I’m not missing anything. My husband is amazing, supportive and works incredibly hard and well to support our family. This lifestyle, this (at least mostly) undivided time…I’m living my dream and I’m so, so grateful.
Side Note: I find the “stay at home mom” and “working/career mom” labels obnoxiously pigeonholing and misleading but I’m still going to use them here for sake of clarity; I think we can agree that ALL moms are full-time moms, and stay at home moms do a lot more than just stay at home.
We’re all just doing what we feel is best and what works for our families – and a darn good job at that!
From Career Mom To Stay At Home Mom – Update #1
Something I realized during the initial transition period from career to stay at home mom, and not something I’m super proud of admitting, is just how much of my identity is tied up in how other people perceive me based on what I did/do.
I know a job title, salary or anything else external does not define my worth, but on more than one occasion I found myself responding almost apologetically to the question about what I do sayin something like, “I’m just a mom right now, but I used to…” I reference my previous occupation as if it increases my standing in the eyes of the person who asked; I add words as if they add value – as if being Mom is not enough.
I don’t assess others (especially moms) in this way, I know that being a mom is one of the highest callings + most demanding jobs out there, and I was very confident in my decision to put my career on pause and be a stay at home mom, so my words and reaction came as a surprise. Maybe it’s that I felt competent in my profession, but I’m still getting my footing and confidence in this all day mom/homemaker thing. Maybe it’s the subconscious influence of the society we live in, undervaluing what we do as moms and overvaluing productivity/money-making/achievements. Whatever it is, I felt the tug of my pride, and a wrong thinking showed itself in need of correction.
Confidence & Worth As A Stay At Home Mom
Fortunately, motherhood has a beautiful, humbling, refining quality when we reflect upon and act out of the experiences we have along our journeys; Oftentimes this brings a reminder of a simple, deep truth like it did in this instance for me – no matter what we do part time, full time, inside of the home or outside of it, we are defined bywho we are.
Not by the title you have or someday wish to hold.
Not by what you do or don’t do.
Not by what you have or haven’t accomplished.
Not by accolades or criticisms from others, and certainly NOT by the amount of money you earn or don’t.
True worth has nothing to do with the external, and everything to do with the internal and unseen – the “who” you were created you to be, the person you are in this world. As moms, we ALL struggle with thoughts that we aren’t enough, that we aren’t contributing enough to our family financially or time wise, or that we’re just generally not doing things right.
Well, I’m here to tell and/or remind you that you alone are absolutely enough and that – as long as your kids are loved, safe and mostly happy -there is no wrong or right way to “mom”. Feel good about doing what feels right to you and works for your family.
YOU are a gift to your family and this world and you should have every confidence in the person and Mom that you are. There is nothing else you need to prove to anybody.
As for me, I will continue to pour my talents, heart, soul, mind, and skills into my family and raising our precious daughter without the time + mental commitments to another job for this season of life. There will be times in the future when I use my gifts toward other ends and maybe even pick up where I left off with my career, but my current path is stay at home mom to Taylor.
That is enough.
I am more than enough.
My role as Mom is invaluable.
The same is true of you.
So, the next time I’m asked what I do, with shoulders square and the confidence and pride ALL mamas should have, I will simply say, “I have the privilege to be a Mom.”
When you’re asked, “what do you do?how do you respond? Could you relate to any of the thoughts I shared in this post as a working mom or stay at home mom? I would absolutely love to hear from you.
This is the first in a series of posts on the journey into SAHM life and this big transition for our family, so stay tuned + make sure to subscribe if you haven’t already. Do you know a mama who could use this encouragement? Please share this with them!
UPDATE [January 2019]:
After going back to work for a year (which ended up being A LOT harder on my heart than I anticipated), we decided as a family that I would stay at home with Taylor. This was a BIG decision for me (read about that HERE), but I’m glad I made a leap of faith. We moved cities and changed up our whole lifestyle, but the time I now have with Taylor is worth all that change. Our Toddler + Mama Daily Routine is also in THIS POST!
But there’s more…
I am now blessed to be able to work part-time hours 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 in the pockets of your busy life, or even replace your income like I have I would love to work with you!!
over the years, and the 
Shop Cups With Straws:
