how quickly they grow

bathtime has changed so much since two years ago. he used to barely fill the bathroom sink and now we are a little fish in the tub. splashing, attempting to say his colors with his new nuby stacking bath boats. new favorite toy, along with his trust matchbox cars. apparently this night, it was car wash night in the bath bubbles.

after i took him out, i realized in the mirror, just how big my baby has become. once a little peanut who fit into the crook of my arm, now requires two hands. i had to capture a "selfie" of the two of us to ingrain this moment into my mind. it's always easier to remember when i have photos to look back at. his cheesy smiles, mandatory requirement of sleeping in his cowboy boots and blowing kisses to daddy over facetime.

Stacking Bath Boats available at Bealls Outlet/Burks Outlet and www.amazon.com.

I am a part of the Nuby Parent Blogger program, where I receive products in exchange for posting a review.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

www.facebook.com/nubyusa
www.twitter.com/nubyusa
www.instagram.com/nubyusa
www.pinterest.com/nubyusa

Breakfast Time with Nûby

this kid is such a fruit-cake lately and breakfast is just the same.  every morning, i'm greeted with a "hi momma" and i love the weekend mornings where we don't have to rush into work. we can take our time and enjoy each other's company. we received new nuby products and they are perfect for this time. we go through plates constantly and having new ones on hand when mom doesn't like to do dishes throughout the week. (sorry husband). the sections work perfect for him to keep his food in separate parts. also my husband was super stoaked about our son's new stainless steel sippy cup, and as you can tell by the pictures, my son was too. these weekends go far too fast, and so i was glad to capture them as the light was still coming up for the day.

Insulated Stainless Steel No-Spill Flip-it
Wash or Toss Square Section Plates

I am a part of the Nuby Parent Blogger program, where I receive products in exchange for posting a review.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

www.facebook.com/nubyusa
www.twitter.com/nubyusa
www.instagram.com/nubyusa
www.pinterest.com/nubyusa

two years.

i remember the day, well week-long almost, like it was yesterday. it sure feels like yesterday. how i spent the week on bedrest at the hospital, facebook messaging your daddy overseas, watching endless amounts of FX Marvel movies and missing our puppy. i wasn't expecting to have a son that day, we were hoping to you'd stay for a couple weeks longer.

now as i type this you are crawling all over me, asking for milk and to read your tractor book. you have such a personality now, it's fun to watch you grow, learn and catch onto more words and body language. you play with matchbox cars, tractors and farm animals the most, and sometimes i find you quietly driving them off the side of the couch for over 15 minutes straight.

most dinners incude hot dogs and a stick of cheese by request. you have found the glorious wonders of that is ketchup. if we had the option, we would play outside in the dirt until the sun goes down and even after. every morning i wake to you singing your own songs, reciting colors and phrasing back and sometimes counting to four.

taking our shoes off at the end of the day, is a full-blown toddler meltdown. and your rainboots or cowboy boots have been worn plenty of times to bed at night because mom doesn't want to try to even reason with you. daddy is your biggest play-mate and momma is always requested when help is needed.

we both can't believe you are two. it's crazy how fast time has flown, as we always say. but i keep having flash-forwards to you driving away with your license and graduating high school. it won't be too far off. until then we will enjoy your cuddles at night with your beloved "raggy" rocking you to sleep and watch you grow into the well-respected/ful boy we hope you'll become.

one year ago

this weekend, my husband and i were cuddled up on the couch watching a TV series, i admittedly got him hooked on. the last episode of the season showed a newborn baby birth at a hospital and i started to tear up. usually he just makes fun of me at how emotional i get sometimes (almost all the time) watching movies or shows. but this time he brought me in and squeezed me tight. i started to sob. it's been almost two years and it's still hard knowing that he missed out on our son's birth being away on deployment. it's a "one of life's greatest moments" and it had to be shared by FaceTime. although i am thankful for that, it still doesn't make up for not being there in person.

seeing your 3lb baby for the first time. finally holding his tiny little body days later. spending those long nights in the NICU with other moms & dads for about a month while recovering from a c-section. he missed out on all those moments we could have shared together. so i sobbed in his arms for longer than i imagined i would. i'm not sure if those feelings will ever get any easier but glad that he has been home with us for exactly a year now. watching our son grow up into a toddler, and sharing new moments together. like this afternoon: he had said "i love you" to him and Beau responded back "i love you". normally when i ask him i normally get a "muah" response. but with daddy he gets the real thing. moments i love to watch, remember and hopefully make up for past memories missed out on.

Review | Nûby Active Sipeez 2 Handle No-Spill Stainless Steel 360 Degree Flip-it Clik-it Cup

things have started to slow down here, i'm hoping i'll finally get back into my blogging routine now that i don't have wedding and portrait sessions to catch up anymore. and of course my nice cameras are in for their annual cleaning, and i feel totally lost with out them.

any who...first and foremost, we are still a part of the Nuby Parent Blogger Program and love each new product that comes out.
here's the most recent well loved product:

the new Nuby Active Sipeez 2 Handle No-Spill Stainless Steel 360 Degree Flip-it Clik-it Cup:









this cup has daddy's approval written all over it! for one, it keeps his milk cold longer. granted if the boy is thirsty enough he will down the entire bottle at one go, but it makes it a wonderful travel cup when we went back up to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving. it also has a weighted straw, for the kid that thinks he has to tip back every sippy cup. this is great because he won't get frustrated trying to get the last sips out.

Nuby has come out with more Stainless steel products and we are excited to add them to our collection. durable, easy to clean and the no-spill are great to have with an almost two year old around the house.

their new line can be found at Babies R' Us and you have to go get one for your little one as well.

I am a part of the Nuby Parent Blogger program, where I receive products in exchange for posting a review.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

www.facebook.com/nubyusa
www.twitter.com/nubyusa
www.instagram.com/nubyusa
www.pinterest.com/nubyusa

Halloween with Nuby

Being in the Halloween spirit, this review couldn't have come at at better time! We have had the iMonster 2 Handle No-Spill Cup for months now, and it's been a favorite.

He started with this cup when we transitioned over from bottles, and the handles on either side make it easy for him to grasp. It's held up quiet well for the past six months, and that says a lot coming from a toddler who isn't very careful with his belongings. Somehow something always seems to get chucked onto the floor during dinner, and thankful for a dog who isn't afraid of eating anything off the floor.

This sippy cup starts out at 4 months and my almost 19 month (baby) still enjoys it.  The no-spill is even better now because he doesn't seem to understand yet if you tip an open cup, the contents will spill out. He loves to say "uh oh" when it happens and part of me thinks he does it on purpose for a small amount of attention. oh little boy!

We will have our iMonster cup in hand as we trick or treat this weekend and next. You can never have enough candy right, at least now when he still hasn't a clue how oh so delicious it is. :) Probably next year, I won't win that battle. At least for now, mommy and daddy aren't complaining at all.

The iMonster 2 Handle No-Spill Cup is available at:
www.amazon.com
www.walmart.com
www.kohls.com
and more!

I am a part of the Nuby Parent Blogger program, where I receive products in exchange for posting a review.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

www.facebook.com/nubyusa
www.twitter.com/nubyusa
www.instagram.com/nubyusa
www.pinterest.com/nubyusa

the hardest part

as i sit in the rocking chair, in my son's room for the night. he drank his night-time milk, and i slowly rock him back 'n forth in my arms. dish rag in his mouth (it's his form of a nuk) and his legs crossed on top of my lap. everything is quiet, he is actually laying in my lap, not wanting to get up and move around. i hold him just a little tighter, breathe him in just a little sweeter. i realize that this is the hardest part of parenting. it isn't the long nights of zero sleep. it isn't the countless hold your breath diaper changes, praying he doesn't pee. it isn't the IV's and breathing tubes when he was in the NICU as a preemie and countless pokes at the doctors.

it is nights like these were i realize he has grown from his tiny little chicken legs. his muscles are stronger, and soon those legs will be running all round the house. they used to be wrapped up in swaddled blankets, covered in adorable footie button-up pajamas. this is the hardest part, watching him grow up before your eyes, and there is nothing you can do to stop it. not even pause just for a second. it's hard to remember every little detail. i barely remember what he was like as a newborn, how quickly it fades without the help of videos and photographs. understanding that soon this little 20lb peanut, will be a grown man; hopefully towering over me. meeting someone and raising a family of his own. hopefully rocking his own little baby the same way. sending those sweet soft kisses to their forehead, whispering "i love you"s as you lay them into their crib for the night.

tomorrow he will be just a little bigger, just a little smarter, just a little taller. and you can't make it stop. not matter how hard you seem to try.

need. motivation

i've gotten lazy, or busy, or both? i want to put full blame my tremendous lack of motivation. it's hard to get everything done in a day that i want to get accomplished, and working out is one that gets put on the way back burner. i come up with any excuse in the book not to. babe, it's too hot out. i should really get laundry started so he has pjs. i just ate. the whining goes on and on. you're lucky you can't hear the things that go off in my head, just as sad.

but honestly every day, it's slowly starting to eat away at me. i used to be a size 6 (pre-baby). i loved those kettle bell workouts, and my flat stomach. all of those pre-baby clothes were sold at my rummage sale or given to the thrift store. i couldn't handle them being at home anymore and me not being able to fit into them. my hips seem like they will no longer be able to go back to the way they once were. i had motivation: my husband coming home from deployment. now? he's home and all we want to do is relax on the couch watching our son attempt to walk all over the place.

i need to start again. i need to find that rhythm again. i've always enjoyed running. in high school i ran under a 5:25 mile, believe it or not. i made it to state in cross country, a goal i worked hard to accomplish my senior year. you'd think i'd keep that going even after running in college, but i haven't. why not? it's hard weighing myself in at my 32-week pregnancy weight, with NO baby.

thankfully its the start of summer. oh joy, swimsuit weather. non-the-less warm weather to enjoy more time outside. i've downloaded the Nike+ app on my phone and put in the date of a half marathon in the beginning of the fall. that there ladies and gentlemen, is my new found motivation. to enjoy running, build back (or piece together as much as i can) the body i once had. plus more outside time for baby, means an earlier bedtime too. double plus! this post is published to make me more accountable. local friends, have a workout and need a buddy (let me know), fellow bloggers, bug the crap out of me to make sure i'm sticking with it! i need you.

On the Go with Nûby

for some reason, we are always on the move. it's been this way since before my son was born. i'm never satisfied just being at home relaxing, unless it's cold, wet and rainy out. i love going out to eat, seeing new places, visiting friends and family. go go go! now that my son is eating any thing and everything in sight and drinking whole milk, we are able to go out for longer periods of time and not having to worry about making a bottle of formula. let me tell you friends, it's been real nice.

for that reason, i also have a bag of items i keep in the car just in case we forget things. if your like me, i hate having to run to the store just because we don't have something for him that we left at home. so packing this bag give me a small piece of mind that even if i didn't pack my purse with the entire house, i'll have what i need. i put them all into a bag i received as a gift, it works great with all it's little pockets, making it easy to see what i have.

Diapering Items:
-a couple diapers
-a small package of wipes
-an extra set of play clothes
-a pair of shoes and socks
-an extra pajama set

Eating Items:
-Easy Go Suction Bowl filled with small snacks
-Travel Utensil Set
-Wash or Toss Sippy Cup
-a package or two of pureed fruits/veggies
-bottle of water

Play Items:
-a small toy or two they like
-an extra small blanket, and rag (it's like his pacifier)
-a jacket and hat
-a small first aid kit

now i know there is quite a lot more that you can put into the bag, but this is what works for us. When he was little there was so much i would pack, but for a one year old the basics is all you really need. because let's be honest, he'd rather play with something other than a toy we brought and always wants to go-go-go! i'm interested to see if you pack anything in the car for emergencies and if there is anything different you include.

the Easy Go Suction Bowl and Spoon is a must, because it keeps all of his snacks in one container and has a spoon for the pouches we still feed him. The suction base is a god-send because his hands love to push everything off his tray and onto the floor. which is okay at home because we have an automatic vacuuming cleaner (thanks pup!) but in public it's embarrassing for me. i hate leaving a restaurant with food scraps all over the floor. this bowl helps keep it in one place and doesn't allow for mass chaos of puffs over the entire place.

thanks to his daycare, he has been taking sippy cups like champ now and the Wash or Toss Stackable Cups are a great thing to keep in the car for the times we forget to bring a sippy cup with. thankfully he isn't too picky with his cups, and has yet to work with the straw ones but we will get there. he is able to hold onto these well and they are light weight making it easy for him to pick them up. so easy to wash and throw back into the car, when needed.

I am a part of the Nuby Parent Blogger program, where I receive products in exchange for posting a review.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

• Wash or Toss Stackable Cups are available at Meijer
• Easy Go Suction Bowl and Spoon are available at: Amazon, www.diapers.com, TJ Maxx, buybuy Baby, Bealls, Sears, Baby Depot of Burlington, Ross Dress for Less, and DD's Discounts.
• Travel Fork & Spoon Set are available at: TJ Maxx, Bealls, DD's Discounts, Ross Dress for Less, www.buybabydirect.com, www.cookieskids.com, and www.kidslandusa.com.

www.facebook.com/nubyusa
www.twitter.com/nubyusa
www.instagram.com/nubyusa
www.pinterest.com/nubyusa

Klose To My Heart GIVEAWAY

Mother's Day is right around the corner, and this will be my second year as a mother. how crazy is that? and finding the perfect gift for me is hard my husband whines over and over. i admit i am picky when it comes to getting things for myself. this mother's day was just that too. my husband didn't have many ideas floating around in his head, and that'd be the day i'd let him buy me a pair of nice diamond earrings. i'd never wear them! one: because they are too expensive and i'd be afraid to loose them and two: i'm just not much of a dress up kind of gal. so when Kari reached out to me to help spread some love to her jewelry business, i knew just what i had in mind. something simple, and full of charms of my favorite things. anything you can dream up on a necklace, bracelet and more, Kari can do! she's able to do one of a kind pieces that fit your style. here's what i had on mine: my husband and my son's first initials, a camera (of course), "always & forever" a small saying my husband and i shared from the beginning of our relationship and a wing which has so much meaning to me in many different ways.

i have a feeling this little number is going to be a staple around my neck, whenever my son grows out of the "hey what's this?" "oh lets put this in my mouth" stage. it fits me perfectly, a culmination of a charm bracelet hanging from my neck, reminding me of all the greats in my life. a perfect mother's day gift, if you ask me. and just like that, i'm excited to offer a $10.00 credit giveaway to her store.

Here's a little backstory on Kari, owner of Klose To My Heart:

My name is Kari and I am the owner and artist behind all the items produced by Klose To My Heart. I am a marine wife who started this business while my husband was deployed because I love creating jewelry. I grew up being creative. I went to school to become a “Health Care Administrator” but with a husband in the military I quickly realized that wasn’t the right career for me. My family saw my love and drive for being creative and suggested I start trying to market my jewelry online. I took their support and began trying to come up with a name. Every item I make is near and dear to me. This drive to my business brought me to my name. I wanted something unique that stood out so I changed the spelling of close to match my name and carry through my love for what I do.  I started out making primarily military inspired jewelry. I wanted a way for military families and loved ones to be able to show off their support in style! Everyone has their own style, what style of jewelry I like, someone else might not. So I wanted everyone to have the chance to express their style while supporting their loved ones! I have grown and evolved with this business over the short five years I have been creating everything. I am always creating new items!  I am blessed to say that I get to work everyday, creating and enjoying what I do. This business has been a lot of fun and lot of work! I hope you enjoy my jewelry as much as I do!

Social Links:
www.klosetomyheart.org
https://www.facebook.com/klose2myheart
https://www.etsy.com/shop/KloseToMyHeart

a Rafflecopter giveaway

bedtime with Nûby

since this kid has become more mobile, we have spent more time trying to keep him contained with the least amount of mess. somehow things seem to be thrown all over the floor, tonight it was my Harley Davidson poker chip collection, which kept him quiet entertained. night time is daddy time, every weekday morning he is up and gone before he even wakes up. so i'm with him all morning and daddy gets his quality time in at night.

while he gets him ready for his bath, i prepare his bottle. our Nuby Non-Drip 2 Stage Bottle is a morning and evening staple. this baby holds 11oz which is more than any of his other bottles and is lighter than his glass bottles, making it easier for him to hold.

baths are right up his alley, and gets so excited even if he hears the shower running for when we take one. toys are a must for this kid to play with and this Nuby Bath Book is a great one to have. he loves books and babbling to himself. the bright colored and durable pages withstand his front teeth. waterproof and easy to clean, make it easier for daddy to manage picking up.

not sure who enjoys the baths more, daddy or him? hearing those giggles outside the bathroom make me happy to have my husband home for them to share these moments.

daddy is adamant about getting into a routine, and brushing teeth is a must! so when i saw this Nuby Oral Care Set, i couldn't say no. it's a great start to get him used to having a toothbrush in his mouth, and not to mention makes for a great teether for those never-ending teething moments. which seem to occur more often than not. he loves to hold onto the brushes and chew away, and the design of these make it easy for him to do that.

mommy's say for bedtime routine, must include a book or two. lately his favorite is The Hungry Caterpillar. he loves when we count with his finger the food. i love sitting in the room watching my husband read to him and see our son's eyes just light up with every page.

while daddy gives him his bottle and rocks him off to dream land, momma finally takes some time for herself. a little netflix, a lot of ice cream and some editing client photo sessions.

•Nuby Bath Book (available in store at Meijer)
•Nuby Oral Care Set (available at Baby Depot at Burlington and www.babiesrus.com)
•Nuby Non-Drip 2 Stage Standard Neck Bottle (available at Baby Depot at Burlington and CVS)

I am a part of the Nuby Parent Blogger program, where I receive products in exchange for posting a review.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

www.facebook.com/nubyusa
www.twitter.com/nubyusa
www.instagram.com/nubyusa
www.pinterest.com/nubyusa

day in the life

i always loved looking at other photographer's day-in-the-life snapshots but for some reason never motivated myself enough to do one for me. well this weekend, i finally lugged my camera, a diaper bag and purse with me. we took our son to Chicago for the first time and met up with our wedding photographer for a mini photo session. here's how our day started:

06:00 | almost on the dot every. day. our son wakes up. i have yet to set an alarm clock since he's been sleeping through the night. these two items have made my morning so much easier. we have used the baby brezza since he transitioned over to formula around 4/5 months. my husband was adamant about glass bottles and we we used them from the beginning. but now he is drinking so much more that 8oz ones won't work. cue the Nuby 2 Stage Standard Neck Bottle. it's 11oz size is perfect for his morning chug and BPA free which makes for a happy daddy too.

07:00 | as we (well just me) sat on my closet floor and second guessed any outfit i chose for our photo session, this happened! our little man took his first crawls forward and both of us were there to witness it! he made about two feet and decided my sock and under garment bins were far more interesting.

08:00 | and we are off, after a quick stop for a Hardee's fast food breakfast. for anyone that doesn't already realize, their biscuits are sooo delish! beau wanted every peice of my breakfast sandwich and we again brought our trusty Nuby bottle. downing some orange juice, he can master it pretty easy with the handles. which makes me happy not to have to keep twisting my body 180 degrees holding it up for him.

09:00 | these new teeth have been a beast just like the first couple. he just got his other top two (making it four on top) now and one more if not another (along with the two bottom previous) popping through. i've tried so many "teethers" and he never is interested. so i offered him a toothbrush from his Nuby Tooth & Gum Care Set, we just started to use at night time, and he loved it. it was so easy for him to hold onto and gave him some relief until he fell fast asleep on the drive down to Chicago.

10:00 | when we road trip, my husband drives. heck he drives even if we are going down the road, unless i insist that i want to. so when we hit some small Chiacgo traffic, he started to hold back some choice words while I took the opportunity to capture a city i have had googly eyes for since my college art trip visits.

11:00 | has to be one of my favorite captures to date of my son, definitely of today no doubt. thanks to my husband's fantastic driving skills (with a huge truck) we managed to get to the studio space early. we let this kid stand on my lap and stick his head out the window like a dog. it's funny how he mimics Harlee and how the fresh air instantly calms his mood.

12:00 | mini session with Redwall Photography is complete. i was instantly wishing i had a space to capture clients in like that during the times weather isn't the best. an old (worlds largest at some point) pasta factory turned art studio spaces. all three floors and old exposed (and working) elevator. had me swooning. although a crabby and fussy baby had us running for the door. he usually is so great but today wasn't one of his photogenic days, of course.

13:00 | so with a fussy baby in tow, not liking being strapped back into his seat. we decided to forgo downtown festivities and make our way out of Chicago. we headed for a must-visit that's been on my list forever. but first: lunch and drinks.

14:00 | ikea. finally. both our first visit too, and if you were a fellow shopper you could have helped pick our jaws off the floor. we were overwhelmed. so many options. so many cute pillows. oh look at that adorable duvet cover. 500 dollars later, we both promised ourselves at least a new home purchase before we ever go back. highly dangerous.

16:00 | conveniently we had brought the truck and had no issues loading my husband's new work space in the back. we made our way back to WI with an over tired baby and a happy momma riding along side. dreaming of what her first house will look like.

17:00 | teething biscuits have been pure gold the ride home. after another bottle, he finally crashed and we drove back in silence.

18:00 | had a moment where i realized "this is it, this is what i have been wanting" since my husband came home from deployment. driving his truck, the radio on, my feet up on the dash and our baby asleep in the back. it was a perfect ending to an exhausting but fun day.

I am a part of the Nuby Parent Blogger program, where I receive products in exchange for posting a review.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

www.facebook.com/nubyusa
www.twitter.com/nubyusa
www.instagram.com/nubyusa
www.pinterest.com/nubyusa

•Oral Care Set can be found at Baby Depot at Burlington and www.babiesrue.com

•Non-Drip 2 Stage Standard Neck Bottle can be found at Baby Depot of Burlington and CVS