Holiday Gift Guide {for toddlers}

Christmas time already?? I'm sooo excited to buy for Whitney this year. I've been searching for the perfect gifts because I want it to be so special for her. She doesn't talk very well, she can't really tell me what she wants for Christmas so it's all up to me. But here are some ideas, I hope you find them helpful. If you guys have any suggestions I would love to hear them!

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I didn't put a link to the teepee because there are sooo many out there. Also, you can totally make one and pick out your own special colors. 

My Wishlist For Baby {number 2}

I find myself making tons and tons of lists of things I want to get for this baby. Or things I wish I had more of with Whitney. I love looking through the product collages on pinterest to get ideas so here is my list of things I am so very excited to get. It's probably not that long, but for baby #2 it's pretty lengthy haha. If any of you have any suggestions or comments on a particular product please comment!! I would love to hear from other mamas.


1. Swaddles! I loved the bamboo Aden + Anais swaddles. We only got a 3 pack of them, so this time around I'd like to make sure we have about 6-10. I would also like to try the muslin ones and the Bebe Au Lait ones.

2. Burp Cloths! Last time I mostly made a bunch which worked just fine but this go around I'm dying to try the Aden + Anais Burpy Bibs.

3. A+A Dream Blanket! I've been wanting to get one for Whitney for a long long time, but she is so particular about her favorite blanket I don't want it to be a waste of money. They are so spendy I want to make sure it's something that we will get a lot of use out of.

4. SwaddleDesigns Receiving Blankets! These were on the list last time, but I thought I would just make some. However, this time I would really like to buy at least one to use at the beginning. I really liked to swaddle Whit with the A+A one, then swaddle again with a flannel blanket to keep her warm. I've heard so many good things about them, I just really want to try it out.

5. Halo Sleep Sack! We used a sleep sack last time, but it wasn't the halo version. I like the Halo ones because you can unswaddle their arms. I also got a microfleece one because it will still be a little chilly in April. If the new babe likes it I will probably get a cotton one (for summer) in a larger size.

6. Carseat Canopy! I bought some gorgeous fabric last time and made a wonderful blanket but I couldn't make myself ruin it by putting the straps on it to hook to the carseat. So lame! This time I think I will just use my coupon and buy one of those super cute ones online. 

7. California Baby! This is the brand I have always used with Whitney and I absolutely love it. This go around I would like to try their diaper regimen supplies as well. 

 8. A+A Hooded Towels and Washcloths! A+A towels are definitely worth the money. They are sturdy towels and will last a long time. I just wish they were a little softer. I would like to get a couple more this go around.

9. Wipes Warmer! I read everywhere that it was a waste of money. And maybe they are, but to be honest I HATE using cold wipes down there. And I can tell it bothers Whitney, so I think we will get one and try it out this time.

10. Petal Diffuser! We have a humidifier that gets no use whatsoever. I used it a few times in the beginning but thankfully Whitney hardly ever gets a cold and when she does I just diffuse essential oils. So I would LOVE to get the petal diffuser for the new babe's room. 

11. Organic Breathe Easy Rub! We used some all natural rub on Whitney but The Honest Company came out with an organic rub that I would LOVE to try. 

12. Camilia and Amber Necklace! Teething is such a pain. It seems like it's never ending. I've been wanting to try both Camilia and an Amber necklace because I have heard such wonderful things about each but I guess when we are in a teething spell the last thing I want to do it order something and have to wait for it to come...maybe I should just better prepare myself :)!

13. Kiinde Feeding Set! Now this is absolutely amazing. The one thing I hated about pumping and storing milk was I never felt like we would get it to the right temperature and I always worried that we would lose nutrients. I was still breastfeeding Whitney when I found out about this wonderful invention but I never could justify it. This time I would at least like to try the warmer, I will just make sure I get it on zulily when it's a lot cheaper.

14. Boppy Pillow! It seems like lots of people are obsessed with the boppy. I just got the free nursing pillow which I think is smaller and I never could get it to work quite right. So, this time I would really like to try the original boppy pillow or the Bebe Au Lait nursing pillow to see if it's something that makes nursing easier.

15. Bouncy Seat! Whitney still loves her, so we definitely need to get a new one for the new babe. I'm still a little torn though, I don't know if I should get one of those really fun ones or another comfy one with a soft toy that goes above it. 

16. Fisher Price Snugabunny Swing! We have one of the swings with a tray that is basically in the upright position. This time I would really like to try the fisher price one, I've heard so many wonderful things about them. And everyone has told me they are worth the money.

17. Cloud B Night Light! We have the cloud B sleep sheep and we loved it, but it only stays on for a certain amount of time. I'd really like to try this guy out and see if it's something the new babe just absolutely loves. I might try it out on Whitney first :)!

18. New Diaper Bag! Not that I don't love my diaper bag, I would just like to get something a little smaller with more pockets. I have been eyeing the IKAbags on etsy for a really long time. I'm pretty much obsessed, and I really think it will be something I can use for a lifetime. I've also been looking at a cheaper route, the Skip Hop Duo in French Stripe.

Happy Halloween {minnie mouse style}

It was Whitney's second Halloween. This year was much more enjoyable for all of us and I'm sure they will only get better. We decided she would go as Minnie Mouse because she seems to really like her and the outfit was pretty darn cute...and cheap at Costco.

Our little Minnie Mouse!

One Very Special Day {August 4, 2012}

Words can't describe the feelings you get on that one very special day...wedding day. Joyfully waiting in anticipation of that blissful moment when you walk down the aisle to the man of your dreams. I remember wondering if it was possible to ever love him more than I loved him in that moment.

When we set the date for the big day it felt like it was a century away. You dream about that day for a lifetime. I can recall countless times dreaming about my wedding day as a little girl. It was all that I could have ever dreamed of. So many wonderful people came to celebrate with us and made the whole day so very special.

It's so easy to get caught up in the moment and worry about all the little details. I'm a detail person and I definitely worried a little too much about the details. One person told me, the wedding is going to happen, what didn't turn out the way you want, no one will even know. It will be perfect because you and Brandon are starting your lives together. It's so very true.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the day.

Probably my favorite picture. Silly boys!

Groom's Cake! How cute right?

 

Brandon made the arch, and I painted the scripture on it.

All images were taken by Paul Harder with Perfect Moments Photography

First Birthday Thank You Postcard {cute & cheap}

In our family thank you cards are a must. I know a lot of people could care less about getting a thank you card and to tell you the truth it doesn't bother me one bit if we don't get one.

Maybe I just have a guilty conscious. I always feel like I'm unappreciative if I don't send a thank you to someone.

About a week after I graduated High School I started fighting fire, was unbelievably busy and forgot to send thank you's. I still feel bad about that! So I make an honest effort to send a thank you.

For Whitney's first birthday I wanted to make a cute thank you with a couple pictures. We dressed her up and took her to a field just down the street from our house. I wrote "Thank You, Love Whintey" on a chalk board and took some pictures.

I made a little collage, saved it as a JPEG and uploaded it to Vistaprint. I just did postcards to save on postage and it literally cost me 8 bucks for 50 of them. Vistaprint is a super cheap way to go...just keep your eye out for coupon codes.

Here is the front of the postcard.

I don't have one of the back, but I just used their template. You could also make your own.

That picture of her crying is a classic Whitney picture. She is a very sensitive sole. She was trying to stand up and all we said was, "no, no"! Everyone that knows her should appreciate it!

Here are some of the pictures we got that day.

And of course the three pictures we used!