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Who doesn't love a great weekend DIY project? Click the video below to learn how to create your own rustic drink tray!!
Hope you enjoyed this video! Comment with any other DIY video ideas that you would like us to create.
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We all know that essential oils, or EO's, are life. I don't go a day without diffusing or topically applying my EO's and my kids are right along with me. The health benefits are irrefutable and they leave my home smelling heavenly.
EO's can be used aromatically in a diffuser, topically (sometimes mixed with a carrier oil) and internally. Overall, I use my EO's in a diffuser - four diffusers to be exact. I have them placed in various spots in my home. Can you tell how much I love EO's?
Anyway - I wanted to share with you my go to essential oil blends. These are the blends that I typically use on a daily basis. I do change things up - especially when someone in my home is sick or another need has to be met. My kids and I took it upon ourselves to name our fav EO blends. I hope you enjoy!
This EO blend's name is very fitting. When I run it through the diffuser, this is exactly how we all sleep - and we wake up too! Well rested and ready to start our day. My son named this blend and its the perfect way to describe it.
"Sleeping Beauty" consists of:
3 Drops Wild Orange
5 Drops Lavendar
4 Drops Balance
I instantly feel a sense of peace and calm with this blend. "Peaceful Bliss" is perfect after a long day of working and running around. I like to diffuse this blend at the end of a long day, usually in the evening after dinner. When the day is winding down and everyone is getting ready to settle in for the night, this is one of my favorite blends to fill my home.
The "Peaceful Bliss" blend consists of:
5 Drops Lavender
3 Drops Wild Orange
I know this name is a little much -but this vibrant blend makes me feel just this way! This blend produces so much energy, excitement and happiness. I usually diffuse this in the morning after breakfast and power through my day. If I feel like I'm slacking before diffusing "Joyful Exuberance", this sluggish feeling quickly diminishes after the aroma fills the room.
"Joyful Exuberance" consists of:
5 Drops Wild Orange
5 Drops Grapefruit
4 Drops Cedarwood
Wild Orange is known for its mood boosting benefits and has a sweet citrus smell. Grapefruit provides an energizing and uplifting smell. -And while Cedarwood is known to promote relaxation, blending this EO with Grapefruit and Wild Orange allows for the perfect "Get It Done" atmosphere.
If you cant tell by now, I'm really into EO blends that promote a good nights sleep. As a mommy of 3, I like to insure that my sleep is as beneficial as can be. This blend is so calming and grounding, it instantly places me into a state of restfulness once I run the diffuser.
"Sound Sleep" consists of:
4 Drops Lavender
3 Drops Frankincense
3 Drops Wild Orange
Frankincense is a calming and grounding blend. When paired with Lavender and Wild Orange (which on its own is the ideal blend for calm nerves and relaxation) this blend is the perfect combination for a great nights sleep.
What are your go to EO blends? Are there any EO blends from my list on yours? Comment below.
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I am a firm believer in the healing powers of essential oils. I was first introduced to EOs (essential Oils) last year and since then I have been expanding my knowledge of these powerful health tools. As you can imagine, I’ve built quite a collection of EO’s and I quickly found myself looking for ways to store them. I wanted to make sure that whatever I used to store my oils would be aesthetically pleasing. That's when we (my hubs and I) decided to make our own version of an EO storage shelf. Now that we have this beautiful storage piece, I had to figure out the best place to hang it.
I decided to “share the wealth” and give you guys some examples of the best places to hang this beautiful storage shelf or any other similar storage shelf for your EOs.
I opted to hang my shelf in our kitchen. We have diffusers all over the house. So I do plan on adding more storage throughout. However, since this is our first EO shelf, I wanted to hang it in a place that was centrally located in the house and easy to access. Our kitchen was the best place for this. Since its being hung in the kitchen, I chose to place oils that I mostly use in the common living space and kitchen. Oils such as Oregano, Grapefruit, Lemon, Wild Orange and Eucalyptus.
An aesthetically pleasing EO shelf works double duty as a functional storage item and beautiful decor for the bedroom. A designated spot on the wall that is easy to access is the best place to hang your shelf. I suggest storing oils such as Lavender, Wild Orange, Frankincense, Balance and other calming blends since the bedroom is a place where you go to unwind at the end of a long day.
The entrance way of your home should always be inviting. If you have a traditional foyer, this would be a beautiful place to hang your EO shelf. Hanging it above a foyer/entrance table would be ideal (especially if your diffuser is sitting pretty right underneath). I would store oils such as grapefruit, lemon, peppermint in spaces like these. These scents are invigorating and inviting.
The earthly, calming feel of this EO shelf would look beautiful in a bathroom. Just as any other room, this shelf acts as a beautiful decorative piece. Along with storing oils such as Purify (which reduces odors) and lavender, you can also use your EO shelf to display small succulent plants.
This EO shelf is certainly a part of nature. The reclaimed wood brings a calming element of outdoors into your home. Why not hang it in a place in your home where you can enjoy the beauty of nature from the best view of your home? A sunroom is a beautiful place to diffuse your EO’s. Storing them on this display shelf makes access to your oils an effortless process.
For more info on our Reclaimed EO Storage shelf, visit our shop. Happy diffusing everyone!
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There's something so tranquil and beautiful about a farmhouse styled home. Farmhouse style adds a feeling of warmth and comfort to a home. The elements that you add to your home play a huge role in achieving the feel that you are going for. Many people ask "what is farmhouse style" and "how can I get a farmhouse feel for my home?". If you too would like to know, just keep on reading.
So what is shiplap? Its a type of wood board that was traditionally used to build sheds and barns. It has a rabbet cut on both top and bottom of the board. Similar to tongue and groove wood boards. Shiplap is a beautiful way to add the farmhouse look to your home, simply because it was used to construct farmhouse barns.
via Our Vintage Nest
This look fits perfectly into almost any room in your home. Kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, shiplap goes great almost anywhere in your home. A note the wise, if you do choose to add shiplap to your bathroom, its a good idea to have a well working ventilation system in there as well. Years of humidity can destroy the look of the shiplap and you'll have to re-paint it every few years.
via theinspiredroom.net
When you hear the word rustic, your probably thinking old and weathered. And my reaction to that is - YES! But old and weathered in a tasteful way.
Rustic Wooden Table Tray via Skeen Concepts
Whether your adding a barn house door, rustic wood wall decor or shelving - rustic wood decor is a great way to add a touch of farmhouse style to your home. Look for items with a distressed and weathered look.
via Skeen Concepts
Choosing the right paint color is a tremendously important step in creating a farmhouse look for your home. Look for colors that are softened and neutral. Think soft grays, greens and tans. Also creamy whites and delicate blues. You want to create a sense of openness, calm and comfort in your home.
Here's a great guide to farmhouse style paint colors for your home.
Whether you choose to display the first letter of your family's last name or a beautifully distressed wooden wall clock - oversized wall decor is the way to go.
via magnoliahomes.net
via Skeen Concepts
Distressed or textured furniture is a beautiful way to incorporate a farmhouse look into your home. I love taking the existing furniture that I already own and giving it a farmhouse make over. Mixing wood stains to give the furniture a weathered look or painting your furniture with chalk or milk paint will give you the look that you are trying to achieve. A light sanding when everything is done will give your furniture pieces that beautiful vintage feel.
"Tristan" Farmhouse Bench via Skeen Concepts
If you don't have the time to distress your furniture, you can always purchase furniture that has a distressed look. Places such as Restoration Hardware or Pottery Barn have great selections for you to get the farmhouse style that you want. Also, don't forget about antique shops and yard sales. You're sure to find great finds there.
There's just something about a farmhouse table that adds a sense of history and elegance to a home. The size and strength of a well built farmhouse table will add a presence to your home that is unlike any other dining room table that you will find anywhere else. A farmhouse table is a design piece that stands alone as a functional piece of art.
via Skeen Concepts
Grain sack fabrics are the perfect addition to any home that is trying to achieve a farmhouse style. This fabric softens the feel of the room and adds a sense of comfort and warmth. Use this type of fabric on your dining room chairs or as pillow cases for your couch or any benches in your home.
via Pottery Barn
via Pinterest
Touches of greenery are an important element to add to your home to achieve a farmhouse style. The look will pair perfectly with the distressed wood pieces in your home. Its a way of inviting the outside into your beautifully designed home. Faux moss and other greenery are beautiful and easy to maintain. A greenery wreath on your front door is beautiful and inviting to anyone who enters your home.
via Pinterest
via Pinterest
I know, your probably thinking, "metals? really?". However adding metal pieces to your home coupled with the warm wood elements that you placed around your home is the right way to go when trying to create a farmhouse feel. Use galvanized pipe as holders for your wood shelving or choose dark metals for lighting.
via Skeen Concepts
via indulgy.com
Themed rooms are a design practice that many people use. I, myself, have been a fan of designing my home using themed rooms in the past. However, in order the give your home a total farmhouse feel, its best to stay clear of themed rooms. You want your décor to flow through the entire home, not stop midway. This can create an incomplete feeling in your home. I have to say, that this rule applies to all of the rooms of your home except for your kids bedroom and the occasional man cave.
Most importantly, make your design journey fun and exciting. Take time a choose the items that fit well in your home. As always, I would love to see the outcome of your home design projects. Send them my way and I'll be sure to post your lovely pictures on this site!
Happy designing!
Tiffany
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Skeen Concepts is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
I'm so excited to share my latest DIY project with all of you. This is something that I've been wanting to do for the longest time, but for whatever reason, haven't been able to complete until now.
The anticipation of making this lovely Rustic Industrial Wood Sign was eating away at me. I had all the details of what I wanted it to look like planned out, but I was honestly intimidated by the process. Once I started, I realized how fun and easy this project would be.
This wooden sign is something that will grow with my little toddler well into his teen and adult years (here's hoping that he decides to hang this lovely art piece in his future bachelor pad).
If you love this chic and rustic wooden sign - and would like to make one for yourself - just keep on reading below! I had a great time completing this project.
(2) 1"x9"x6' wood panels
(1) 1"x3"x6' wood piece
Wood Glue
Screws
Hammer
Screw Drivers
Varathane Wood Stain in Dark Walnut
Varathane Wood Stain in Weathered Gray (Not shown. Optional for gray wash look)
Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner
Varathane Polyurethane Matte Finish
Large Oil Brush
Paint Sponge
Disposable Gloves
Multipurpose Shop Rags or old T-shirt
Plastic Drape
Hand-Held Power Sander
180 Grit Sandpaper
8" Paper Mache Letters
Black Acrylic Paint
Metallic Silver Acrylic Paint
Burnt Umber Acrylic Paint
Silver Upholstery Pins
Paint Sponge
Paint Brush
Loctite Liquid Nails (glue)
Start with your 1"x9"x6' wood panels. If you have a table saw at home and know how to use it (thankfully my lovely husband did this for me) you can buy the whole pieces and cut them in half at home. Otherwise you can always ask someone at the hardware store or lumber yard to cut it in half for you.
Once cut in half, you'll be left with 4 panels measuring 9"x 3' long.
You'll only need three of these panels. So set the other panel aside for a future DIY project!
Attach the panels together with wood glue and screws to ensure a secure fit. Take the 1"x3"x6' piece of wood and cut that to use as a brace for the back of your panel.
Now, the fun part begins. Grab your hammer and screw drivers and get ready to take out some pent up anger and aggression out on the wood panels. There is no right or wrong way to go about this. By doing this, you're creating a distressed and aged look on the wood. Have fun!
Next, grab your hand sander and sandpaper and smooth out the top and sides of the wood panels. Make sure there are no sharp or splintered pieces left. Wipe down the surface and sides of the wood panels with a clean, dry cloth to remove any dust.
Using the paint sponge and the Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner, coat the surface and sides of the panels. I can't stress enough how important this step is. Using the pre-conditioner will ensure that your stain spreads nicely and evenly. Allow the pre-conditioner to sit for at least 15 minutes. Wipe off any excess with a clean dry cloth afterwards.
Next, using the oil brush, brush on the Varathane Dark Walnut stain in sections onto the panels.
Then take a cloth and wipe off stain. Do this in sections until the entire surface and sides are covered with the stain. You can repeat this step until you get the desired color your going for. Make sure to allow the stain to set in and dry a bit, at least 10 minutes.
I decided to gray-wash my sign to give it more of a rustic, worn look. If your going this route, repeat the above step that you did with the Dark Walnut color - until the entire sign in covered. I used Varathane stain in Weathered Gray to acheive this look.
Let your sign sit and dry for a while before using the Polyurethane. Apply a thin layer of Polyurethane over the entire sign. Let it dry for a couple of hours, then repeat again. I only applied two coats to this sign. But if you want, you can apply three.
Now, lets create those industrial letters!!
Using a paint brush, paint the paper mache letters with black acrylic paint.
Once dry, paint over the black paint with the silver metallic color. Use irregular brush strokes. This will ensure that the black paint will show through the metallic paint and create the desired "metal" look.
If you want to take it a step further - use a paper towel to "drag" the metallic paint after applying it with the brush. Similar to how you wiped down the stain on the wood. This will give the letters more texture.
Next, take the paint sponge and the Burnt Umber paint. Lightly paint the color sporadically in corners of the letters. This will create a "rust-look".
Once the letters are dry, place the upholstery pins around the corners of the letters.
Almost done!! Are you as excited as I am???
Measure out where you want to place your letters on the wooden sign.
Squeeze glue onto the letters and place them down on the wooden panels.
Apply pressure (without ruining the letters) then place a heavy book onto the letters. Leave it there for an hour to ensure that the letters are secured to wooden sign.
There is it. Your very own Rustic Industrial Monogram Wood Sign!
Now sit back and take it all in.
Have you done a similar rustic industrial inspired project? Let me know in your comments.
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The holiday season is here and most likely, your kids are enjoying a much needed vacation from school. The weather is cold and the sun is setting earlier in the day. What better time than now to hang with the kiddos and watch some great holiday movies?
Which ever way you decide to watch these movies, make sure and have a comfy blanket and lots of snacks on hand! Here are 10 great holiday movies your kids will love.
While there are sequels to Home Alone, nothing beats the original. This movie has humor, suspense and even tugs at your heart. Your kids will enjoy the action packed traps that Kevin sets up throughout his home. And everyone will love the beautiful ending when he is reunited with his family again.
This is a definite holiday classic. My kids truly enjoy watching this movie and I share the same feelings as they do. This is a movie that I grew up watching every holiday season in my childhood. While The Muppet Christmas Carol keeps with the original story line of A Christmas Carol, the original Muppet characters adds its own sense of humor to the story.
Obviously this will make the list of must watch holiday movies. Watching this movie during the holiday season in right up there with putting out milk and cookies for Santa. Its a most do.
This movie is a modern play on A Christmas Carol. The Family Man may be better for your kids if they are older. The humor may be a little advanced for kids under the age of 11. Still, this is a holiday classic that both you and your kids will enjoy watching together.
This movie is the best combination of cute and hilarious. Will Ferrel's character is undeniably funny. Your kids will enjoy the laughs and you will also.
While the animated version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas is very entertaining, The Grinch with Jim Carey is extremely comical. Rest assured, the entire family will have their own favorite scenes from this movie.
Whats more entertaining then seeing a parent slowly turn into Santa himself? Your kids will adore this movie. The Santa Clause is about family and love. Its packed with suspense and action. A great recipe for a wonderful movie.
You can start playing this movie from October 31st. Not sure if that's something that you will enjoy or grow to despise. Either way, this is a movie that the kids will love to watch over and over again.
While this is not a traditional holiday movie, its has all of the characteristics of the holiday season. Love, friendship, family. There is action and lots of humor - and lets not forget about the adored song - "Let It Go".
Another holiday classic. This is a must play movie during the holidays in my home. We even have a small version on the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree.
I hope your family enjoys watching this movies as much as mine does! Are there any other holiday movies that you and your family enjoy watching every year? Comment below.
Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season!
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By now, I'm sure all of you know how much I LOVE Target. Especially their Dollar Spot. Searching for cute, quirky treasures that cost (at MOST) $5 has become a bit of an obsession for me.
Like always, I love sharing the items that I purchased with all of you. Here are my current fall finds from the Target Dollar Spot.
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, who wouldn't love finding additional items to add to your fall decor for cheap? The rustic, organic style of these Dollar Spot items go so well in my homes current theme.
"Family" Cook Book Holder - $3
Pumpkin Butter scented candles - $3, each
Ceramic Pumpkin - $5
"Give Thanks" Wooden Sign - $3
Glass Canister - $3
Nothing spreads the feeling of warmth and the holiday season like a good candle. This Pumpkin Butter scented candle is the perfect amount of sweetness and comfort that makes up this beautiful time of year.
These pumpkins are not only adorable, their also durable! This is a big plus in my home. My little one tends to think that anything with a rounded shape is a ball and therefore must be thrown.
Burlap Pumpkins - $3, each
Wooden Baskets - $5, each
Have you checked out your local Target's Dollar Spot lately? What fall finds did you grab? Comment below.
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Traveling can be one of the most rewarding - and most trying- experiences when you are toting your kids along with you. Between flight delays, cancellations, stomach viruses, and plain old crankiness, you may feel ready to head back home on day one of your traveling endeavors.
But getting past the horrific travel experience and arriving at the place you've been dreaming of (and planning for) the past several months - is completely worth it.
Kids learn so much when you pull them from their usual routine of day to day life. As for you - you learn so much about your children and yourself as a parent when traveling.
Here are the benefits of traveling with your kids.
Showing your kids how other people live in this world is a wonderful thing. It shows them that there is not "one way" to live. They see how other children their age live and go to school. They experience how other people eat and try new foods. It is such a humbling experience as a parent to hear your kids appreciate not only their lives but how others live too. Which brings me to my next benefit of travel with kids...
No matter where you go, if you and your children are taking in their surroundings of where they are, it puts things into perspective.
While traveling with the kids, even I learned to be more relaxed as a mom. I don't consider myself to be a strict parent. But I do like to keep some order in my day and follow some sort of routine. On my last vacation with the kids, I found myself continually telling me to "calm down". I started to just enjoy the day and enjoy my kids as they were in the moment. I stopped planning every moment of the day and realized that just letting things "happen" is the best thing.
I decided to take this frame of thought home with me. While I can't completely be this way in real life, I have definitely started taking steps towards being more relaxed as a mom.
Time seems to slip right through my fingers and I think it is so important to hold on to the moments I have with my kids now and live in the present moment.
No matter where you happen to go on vacation, you and your kids are bound to learn something new. Learning comes from experiencing things, situations and places. They will come back to their regular lives with these new experiences and use it in their daily life. On our recent family vacation, my kids got to walk the courtyard of an ancient Mayan Ruin. They climbed the temple of Altun-Ha (located in Belize). They got to learn first hand where part of their culture came from (my husbands family is from Belize and are of Mayan decent). I felt so overwhelmed with joy that they had the opportunity to experience that.
One of my goals is to make sure I travel with my kids as much as I can. I want them to see that this world is bigger than just them. I want them to understand that there are more choices in life if they keep an open mind. Most importantly, I want them to understand that not everyone is the same. People are all unique and that's what makes this world beautiful. Traveling shows your kids first hand that there are all types of people in this world and that the world is a vast place that should be cared for.
While all of the above reasons for traveling with kids are important, this is the most important to me. Memories stay with a person for a lifetime. Precious memories are one of life's most beautiful gifts. I know that every trip that I take with my kids, no matter how big or small, we are creating memories together. Memories that they will eventually share with their kids. I look forward to creating as many travel memories with my family as I can.
What are your thoughts on traveling with kids? Comment below.
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I've always pictured myself as having four kids. When I was pregnant with my second, I was completely overwhelmed with the idea of having another child. I had just settled into having one baby and was comfortable with being a family of three. Transitioning from one child to two was one of the most overwhelming situations that I've ever dealt with.
When Ayden, my second, was born, Ava was only 19 months. So I was dealing with two babies under two years old. It was intense.
Fast forward six years, I gave birth to my youngest, Mason. I was completely unafraid of the idea of having three kids. In my head, I've already dealt with the traumatizing experience of having multiple children. At first, things seemed to run smoothly in my home. We took day trips as a new family of 5. It was wonderful. Perhaps it was my positive thoughts towards being able to handle three kids that allowed me to breeze through the first three months.
Then, reality set in. I'm not sure what it was that kick started the panic in me. There was a wonderful cocktail of situations that occurred almost simultaneously that made me realized - I'm in over my head. We had just closed on a house when Mason was 5 months old. We were in the middle of demolition and remodeling the new home. The others kids were in school and they had their own set of demands (class parties, birthdays, school reports, etc.) Everything that was occurring was equally important and deserved an equal amount of attention and devotion. Not to mention my mommy duties of making sure the kids felt that the situations were as "normal" as it could be.
They say God doesn't give you anything you can't handle. And while all of the situations that I was experiencing were blessings, I still had to learn how to juggle - big time. It was a situation of "get in the game and just go -or fall behind." So that's exactly what I did. I had to learn to stop whining, this was my life. My beautiful, full life. And I loved it. So I had to nurture it.
Now that I am on the otherside of the chaos, I can say that things have definitely leveled out. Mason is at an age where he is walking and exploring. We, as a family, have settled in as a family of 5. While there are many (MANY) obstacles that we have to face, I am well equipped and capable of handling them as they come.
As far as my life long yearning for four kids, I have to say that idea has not changed. I still am completely open to the idea of adding one more set of baby feet to the family to make us a family of 6.
What are you thoughts on having three kids? How was your transition from two to three or four? Comment below.
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This is such a true phrase.
I find that when my house is a mess, I can't think straight. I'm cranky and unproductive.
Therefore make it a point to straighten up whenever possible.
Before I go to bed at night, I make sure the kitchen is cleaned and the living areas are well put together. This helps me get myself together in the morning quickly and efficiently.
Hope you enjoyed this quick mommy tip!
Another school year has begun. And with this new school year, I wanted to start it out with new goals. Goals to make this a great year for the kids and for me as well.
It's not many, but the impact will be powerful. That's what matters.
Here are my goals for this school year.
This is part of my slogan - and also part of who I am. But for some reason, during the school year, I lose this. I become overwhelmed with the mounds of notices, worksheets and beautiful art work that is sent home everyday.
I made it a point to handle this head on. I went out a bought items to create a "homework station" for the kids. There are space for all of their papers, folders and supplies. Now everything will have a place.
That's the main way to stay organized - create a "home" for every item. This makes cleaning up easy and effortless
Whether this means not getting too overwhelmed with the paperwork (because of my lovely homework station noted above) or just remembering to take a deep breath when dinner is running late or on the way to the kids after school activities - I have to make it a point to keep my stress at bay.
This is NOT easy. But its worth a try. It's healthy for the kids, my husband and myself. I can be a better parent by simply taking a deep breath and getting through a situation with a level head.
There are so many demands put on kids in school these days. While these demands will help them in the future, it can also hurt them.
It's so easy for a child to loose their creative side because of the stress of having to handle their many tasks throughout the day.
My goal is to keep the creative activities going and to feed their creative sides. Part of growing as a person has a lot to do with expression and creativity.
I'm determined to make this school year a great one!! What are your goals for your kids or for yourself this new school year? Comment below.
Click here to find out about my DIY Homework Station. Enjoy!
The breastfeeding journey is unlike an other journey you will experience. It to this day surprises me how wonderful and beautiful the human body works. By providing all that your baby needs to nourish them.
Although the journey is beautiful, at first it is much like a process. At times you may feel the need to just throw in the towel (or nursing pad) and call it quits.
If you do, than that's fine. Its totally your choice and you know what is best for you and baby. But if you are unsure of what you want to do, I say give it another try.
Here are my 10 Tips for Breastfeeding.
I put this as my number one tip because it is so important and true. It does get easier. And you will actually begin to enjoy it.
The first few weeks of breastfeeding are rough. You and baby are learning how to get through this new chapter with ease. Its painful, tiring, discouraging and overall not a good time.
But, please, hang in there. The rewards of getting through this tough phase are astonishingly amazing.
This is something I struggled with in the beginning with my first child. I wasn't aware of the fact that baby may not like to nurse in a particular position. Or that one position is way more comfortable than another position.
Between the cradle position, football hold, side-lying and cross-over hold - you and baby are bound to find one position that works best.
Get ready to be completely surprised! A regular pillow? How could this be?
I struggled with many breastfeeding pillows with all three of my kids. I thought, maybe they'll like this pillow...or this one...
Nope. For me, none of my kids liked the trendy breastfeeding pillows. I had several different kinds. Nothing worked better than a plain ol' pillow.
My Boppy pillow did come in handy as a comfy seat for the babies, though.
I constantly found myself asking others for their advice and using their shared experiences as an expectation of what was to come for me. It was frustrating and tiring.
With my first two kids, I feel like this may be why I stopped breastfeeding so early. I decided not to compare myself or the experiences of breastfeeding when I had my last child. And my journey lasted much longer than the first two.
Remember, everyone is different. Therefore, everyone's experience will not be the same.
VERY, VERY hungry. Like, you may just eat your husband if he doesn't hurry up with your meal hungry.
I never expected that I would have an even bigger appetite than when I was pregnant. But its true.
And it makes perfect sense. Your body is using its energy and nutrients to create wholesome food for your little one. Therefore its using all of the resources in your body to do so. You need to replenish it. FAST!
Just be sure to take in as wholesome foods as you can.
Much like your need to eat to replace lost calories and nutrients, you also need to drink lots of water.
I mean lots of water. I would just carry a glass water bottle around with me everywhere to make sure I always had water. At least 64 oz/ day of water is needed to support your milk production. If possible, drink even more than that.
Give yourself time to get used to breastfeeding. Setting limits for how long your going to try can make you feel overwhelmed. Which doesn't help at all.
Prepare for a successful start to your breastfeeding process by having the essentials near by. Check out my 5 Favorite Breastfeeding Items below.
If you search, "Breastfeeding Items", you will see an enormous list of "essentials" to successfully breastfeed.
Odds are, you don't need even half of the products that are listed. My advice would be to hold off on purchasing the expensive items to see if you will even have a need for it.
Nothing is more annoying than watching a $300 item collect dust in the corner of your room.
Like I said in the beginning of this post, at first, breastfeeding is a process.
Just take a deep breathe, look at your baby, take everything all in and enjoy this lovely journey of motherhood.
What are your tips for breastfeeding? Comment below.
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If your looking for an easy way to stay organized this school year, a homework station is the way to go.
With all the notices, art work and documents that are sent home with your kids, it would be great to have a practical place to keep them. (Rather than piled up on the computer desk or kitchen table).
This DIY homework station is so easy to make. Even better, the cost of the supplies are so cheap!!
Ikea Pluggis Magazine File (Set of 2), Ikea.com
Ikea Pluggis Bin w/ Cover, Ikea.com
Glass Canisters, 4, Dollar Store
Folders (3 Pack), Target
Rust-oleum Specialty Metallic Spray Paint, Gold
Rust-oleum Painters Touch Spray Paint, Ocean Mist Gloss
First I started with my single most favorite thing to do, spray paint!!
Seriously guys, this is my new favorite hobby. I'm constantly looking around the house for something to update or bring back to life with a fresh coat of spray paint. It's so fun!
Anyway - back to what I was saying - take the glass canisters and head outdoors. (I know that some people spray paint indoors with the windows open, but I don't recommend that).
Place a cloth or large paper on the ground if you like. My backyard currently has a slab of concrete in one section that we are going to be getting rid of. In the mean time, I've named that spot my designated spray paint area.
Line up all four canisters. I separated the canisters into two groups. You can go crazy an spray paint them in what ever pattern you like.
Spray on two coats. Allow 20 minutes between each coat to be sure that the paint has dried.
Next take your Pluggis Magazine Files and Pluggis Bin.
Place the magazine files in the bin along with the freshly painted canisters.
Viola! A beautiful and fun homework station! Perfect for the entire school year.
I think I'm more excited about this project than the kids. Mainly because I know I'm starting the year off with a plan to stay organized. Here's to a great school year.
Comment below with a picture of what you use to keep school paper work organized!!
Here's my current list of favorite baby names.
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