burlap wreath tutorial

 

I was getting tired of the wreath on our door and had been brainstorming some ideas of what to replace it with.  I have seen burlap wreaths everywhere lately, and when I found this burlap ribbon at Joann's I knew it would be perfect for a wreath on our front door.  I love the contrast of black and white.  Too bad our front door is brown.  But, I was in love with the ribbon so I went ahead with the project anyway!

I used a Styrofoam wreath, LOTS of ribbon (I had to go back to buy more...4 spools in all, and I still could have used more!), and small pins (you want them to blend in with the wreath).  If I were to do this project again, I might try a wire wreath instead.  The white foam is really difficult to completely cover with burlap ruffles.

I simply made loops with the ribbon all over the wreath and secured them with pins.  The nice thing about this project is that it's easy to re-do if you don't like it since you are using pins, not glue.

 

I cut smaller pieces of ribbon and made loops with them to cover up some "bald spots."

 The final touch was this burlap rosette.  It was made from some wide burlap ribbon. 

To make the rosette I folded the ribbon in half, and twist/turned it loosely around the center.  I then pinned it to the wreath to make it secure.  That's it!

I'm happy with the final product.  As with most DIY projects, you learn as you go.  It's not perfect, and I kind of wish our door was black or white....but, it will do for now!

starting solids

Quinn started solids (more like mush) when she was five months old, so I guess I am little late with this post.  The pediatrician said that six months is the recommended age but that we could start earlier if we thought Q was ready.  I decided we would start when Quinn began to stare me down whenever I would eat in front of her.  :)

 

We started with breakfast every morning about ten minutes or so after her bottle.  The menu...just rice cereal mixed with pureed baby food (we started slow with mainly bananas, prunes and pears).  By the way, prunes really helped with some of the "back up" that we encountered at first. ;)  I was surprised with how soupy the rice cereal consistency was mixed with breast milk/formula!  Again, these are considered "solids."  Quinn would only eat about 2 tablespoons MAX at first (most of which didn't even make it near her mouth!)  Now, at six months, we are adding a meal in the late afternoon (5/5:30 pm), and trying more vegetables.

 

Organic?  Store bought vs. homemade?  Apparently, I'm one of those parents who isn't much of a health nut, because 90% of Quinn's baby food has been non-organic and from the jar.  Yes, these are the big debates you go through as a new mom.  And, I am choosing to relax on this one.



1/2/3/4

The whole baby food thing was really fun at first, but now it feels like a bit of a chore because it's just SO MESSY.  You definitely want a waterproof bib that you don't have to put in the wash after every meal.  We have just normal little baby bowls, but I am kind of wishing we bought the ones with the suction on the bottom so that Quinn can't play/throw the baby food off the high chair.  I also want to try this freshfood mash and serve...way more convenient for those of us who are too lazy to make our own baby food ahead of time!  And, these Gerber rest easy spoons are convenient too. 

 

fresh food feeder

The fresh food feeder works great for serving fresh food.  I put a cold banana in this one when Q was a little fussy with teething issues.  She didn't end up eating much banana but loved nawing on it!  My niece also loved hers when she was little.

 

I hope this baby food talk is helpful, and MIGHT take ten minutes off from the twenty that you will spend staring at all of the baby food options in baby section at Target. ;) 

hospitality gift for a new mama

 striped fabric caddy-Home Goods / personalized tote / other storage caddies

 

Babies everywhere!  It must be the stage of life I am in right now!  I confess I am not the best gift giver.  But, I sure do love receiving creative and practical gifts!  My lovely mother dearest (that's what we call my mom when we are sucking up:) put together this basket for a close relative that recently had the cutest little baby. 

There are so many things you could do with a basket like this.  Maybe add in a face mask, scented candle, or...lanolin (haha...new mama joke, sorry).

Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas, Mom!  I had to include this pretty picture, whether you like it or not ;)

six months



Quinn turned six months last week!  We are loving this age!  Here is what she has been up to this past month.

monthly milestone sticker

 



Quinn's personality is so sweet and laid back (for now ;).  She loves to smile and make crazy noises.  She is on a much more consistent schedule with napping at almost the same time every day, which has helped mommy relax A  LOT!  It's been fun to watch Quinn learn new tricks like putting her paci back in her own mouth and roll over from her back to tummy.

We love you to pieces, Quinn! 

 

decluttering the baby cabinet

Since Quinn has started drinking formula and eating baby food, my little cabinet for her stuff in the kitchen has exploded.  I am constantly using this cabinet, so I decided it was worth taking the time to organize it and make my life a little easier.  Plus, I was getting sick of seeing bottles scattered all over my counter.

 Before...

 After!  Organizing is so therapeutic. 

I put all of the things I need on a daily basis on the bottom shelf.  This included formula, bottles, bowls, spoons (in an empty formula canister with the label stripped off!), and medicine (not really for daily use, but in a convenient spot).
On the top shelf I put extras like teethers, extra rice cereal, extra formula, sanitizer bags, etc.
*Where is the baby food?  In the pantry with the canned foods.  Hmm... possibly for a different post?

Now, for the tricky part.  All of those darn little bottle parts and pacis!  I cleared out a drawer underneath the cabinet and put them all in one spot.  Now, if I could just get them from the drying rack and back into the drawer...kind of like folding laundry for me :/
The nursery water ended up in a cabinet below the drawer.  That way it's not on the counter but still  easy to get out.

Let me know if you have some organizing tips for baby stuff.  I would love to hear them!  Oh, and here are some adorable pictures from the impromptu photo session I had with Quinn the other night.

I could eat her to pieces.  Love my sweet munchkin.

traveling with baby essentials: 5-6 months

I flew with Quinn by myself again this month.  It was definitely worth it.  Matt was going to be away for a wedding that he was in, so I figured I might as well go hang out with my family up north instead of stay at home alone with the baby.  Things went pretty smoothly.  The first time I flew with Quinn was when she was three months old.  I did things a little bit differently this time around now that she is a few months older.

These are some items that I found to be the most helpful while traveling with a baby at 5-6 months.  I also answered some more detailed traveling questions below.

1. I don' why, but babies seem to LOVE these simple links
2. The Ergo Baby Carrier is still one of my favorites, and is easy on the back.

3. We just bought this Baby Jogger City Mini.  It's not really for jogging, although I have gone for a short jog with it.  You can fold it up with one hand!!  It's wonderful!

4. I wish I had a Chicco Hook On Chair. We put Quinn in the exersaucer to feed her baby food, but this portable high chair would have been nice.

5. Q's teething got worse while we were away.  I was really glad I packed teething tablets. Seriously, babies change overnight!

6. I always bring single-serve powder packets in case I need them.

7. Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bags are a quick way to cleans pacis and bottles.  You can use one bag 20 times!

8. My sister brought this Bumper Jumper when she travelled to Florida with her family.  It's a great  space saving substitute for a big exersaucer or jumperoo.

9. My Dad bought this rattle for Quinn.  A few toys small toys like these were perfect for keeping Quinn entertained on the plane.

10. I bought a car seat travel bag to help carry and protect the car seat since we decided to check it at the airport.  It actually worked out well because my luggage was overweight, and I was able to throw some stuff into the car seat bag to even it all out!

What gear did you bring for carrying the baby?

I brought the car seat (without the base) in a car seat cover bag (some have roller wheels, others you can wear like a back pack) and our new City Mini Jogger with the Ergo underneath it.   Most car seats can be installed without the base.  I prefer to not bring the base because we end up changing cars a lot anyway, and it's just one more thing to lug through the airport.  (Just follow the installation instructions carefully.)  We have a Graco SnugRide car seat, and it installs well without the base.  I chose to bring the big stroller, as opposed to our Snap n' Go, because we planned to be outside a lot and I didn't want Quinn to be stuck in the car seat for walks, etc.  When we got to the airport, we checked our suit case and car seat bag.  I kept Quinn in the stroller until it was time to board.  At that point, I put her in the Ergo carrier so I had my hands free and brought the stroller to the service counter where they gave me a baggage claim ticket.  They went ahead and checked it right at the gate.

What baby items can I buy when I get to my destination?

My mom already has some baby gear at their house, like an exersaucer and crib, which made it a little easier for me to pack.  For a baby that is five months old, it's helpful to have something to keep them entertained.  Luckily, they aren't really on the move yet so it doesn't take much!  My sister used the Bumper Jumper (above) with her little one who loves to jump and wiggle.  The nice thing about it is that it's small enough to travel with.

Here are some things that I found were just easier to buy when I arrived to my destination:

Diapers

Wipes

Formula

Baby Food (Quinn is just starting solids, so I didn't need to bring puffs or one of those pouches on the plane.  I did bring some baby spoons.)

What were your sleeping arrangements with the baby?

For sleeping, I always bring Quinn's Sleep Sheep from home.  I think it helps her feel more comfortable in a new place.  I have also heard of bringing a crib sheet from home because it smells familiar to the baby.  We don't especially love it when Quinn sleeps in our room....well, I don't because I wake up to every little noise she makes while asleep!  Most of the time we put her right outside of our room, or if there is a connecting bathroom, we try to get the pack 'n play in there.  The best part about the bathroom scenario is that it's really dark and the fan makes for a nice white noise.

 

I would be happy to answer any questions you might have about traveling with a little baby!  Just post a comment or e-mail me.

 

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charlie coco's giveaway // summer sherbet hair bow



 

This sweet little clip set could be yours!  Amber, from Charlie Coco's, is giving away this "Summer Sherbet" hair bow that can be used as both a hair bow clip or headband.  If you don't have a little girl of your own to adorn this cute accessory with, it would also make for a great baby shower, birthday, or "just because" gift!  I mean, it's FREE, so why would you not enter?!  Check out more of Amber's accessories here. 

Enter to win this hair bow by using the giveaway tool below.  Remember, the more times you enter the better your chances of winning!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

sewing tutorial: diaper cover

This is one of the best tutorials I have come across in a while, which I REALLY appreciate as a beginner sewer.   It's honestly as easy to follow as one of Pioneer Woman's recipes ;)

Two new skills I learned while doing this project were, 1-sewing in elastic (not as difficult as I thought) and 2-sewing a ruffle (harder than I thought).

To make the diaper cover, just follow the directions and don't give up!

There are so many ways to do ruffles.  I had a hard time deciding which kind to make.  This type seemed pretty easy so I went for it.  The only thing I never really figured out was how to sew the ruffle to the diaper cover properly.  So, I just went ahead and sewed really closely to the middle stich and on the sides.  I'm not in love with how it turned out, but it will do.  Here are some tutorials that I found helpful for ruffles...
*how to "gather" or bunch the fabric
*seven types of ruffles
*sewing layers of ruffles (I might try this one next time)

 

I made another drawstring top dress to go with the diaper cover.  The process was SO much faster the second time around!  I used the pattern for the next size up (6-9 months, Q is 5 months old), which seemed to fit Quinn a lot better.  You can check here if you missed my post on how to make this dress.

 

Happy sewing!

five months

I am out of breath.  This girl is charging ahead...growing, developing, discovering...I have a feeling this is just the beginning of us trying to keep up!

SO much happened this month.  I feel like this collage does not do it justice!  Here are some more things Quinn did this past month:
 

-took her second airplane ride for Aunt Kelsey and Uncle Ben's wedding

-started to sleep through the night consistently 

-transitioning to fewer naps

-will cat nap in the car seat without fussing (I don't have to hightail it through the store as much anymore!!)

-making lots of new noises

-observing everyone around her

So far, if I had to describe Quinn's personality in a few words I would say she is SWEET, OBSERVANT, and CALM.  I guess she inherited most of Matt's genes. haha  I don't mind at all :)

There are a lot of fun things to come in the next month.  Quinn will be taking her THIRD airplane trip and going to the beach for the first time!  We will also start introducing her to new kinds of baby food!  Just hanging on for the ride :)

happy father's day

We have had fun celebrating daddy all weekend.  It's Matt's first father's day, so I really wanted him to feel appreciated for all that he does for our family.  He has such a big heart.  We love him so very much!

 

Matt didn't have a specific gift that he wanted, so we took the thoughtful/crafty/CHEAP route ;)  I am better at that anyway...haha  So, I did a little DIY decorating.  The banner was made out of grocery paper bags, and the vase was an old wine bottle with some burlap. 

We did most of our celebrating on Saturday morning.

 



We enjoyed a little waffle breakfast.  The whipped cream made it extra fancy....don't you think? hah

 

 

Matt's "gift" was a little scavenger hunt around the house.  It was fun to watch him read the clues and follow him around the house (Quinn in tow with Beacon trailing behind us).  Some of the gifts included new pics of Quinn for Matt's desk at work, his favorite candy, and a coupon to clean Beacon's box for a week.

One of the gifts was in the mailbox.  It was a coupon that said I would give Matt a back massage...massages=Matt's primary love language, so it was a big deal to him.



My personal favorite part of the weekend was going out to dinner Friday night (bonefish grill!), getting froyo, and seeing a movie!  We saw the Internship.  There were funny parts but I was a little annoyed with the unnecessary profanity...ugh.  We still had a lot of fun going out for the night.

 

Hope you enjoyed celebrating the special guy in your life!