10 Weird Things About Toddlers That Don't Make Any Sense

We are officially out of the baby stage and into full blown toddler life. You guys, toddlers... they are the most confusingly adorable tiny humans. I felt like I had the baby phase on lockdown. I knew just what my kid needed, I could stop his crying almost instantly, and he was just happy to be in my presence. I unknowingly traded that for the world's cutest, most opinionated dictator. I do love this phase too, but man if it doesn't keep me on my toes!

Here are 10 weird things about toddlers that don't make any sense...

1. If they fall asleep in the car for even 2 minutes before their nap, they will only take a 45 minute nap. It could have been from 9:00-9:02 AM, and even though nap time isn't until 12 PM, the kid now seemingly only needs 45 minutes (plus the 2 they got in the car) of sleep vice the normal 2.5 hours they usually get. Riddle. me. that.

2. They have the ability to push every button you have, yet 10 minutes after you put them to bed, you miss them like crazy. 

3. They look at you like you are the worst thing to ever happen to them when they don't get what they want, but don't you dare think about leaving the room while they're upset. They'll just get even madder because how could you abandon your best friend like that?!

4. They have the world's most bipolar appetites. Yesterday, they liked apples. Today, they hate apples. Tomorrow, they will look at you like they have never heard of apples. 

5. Fisher-Price may have spent decades creating the most colorful, stimulating toys for your child, but your kid would much rather play with the empty toilet paper roll. Leave a little toilet paper on said roll, and it's Christmas freaking morning.

6. You know, if I had peed myself and was incapable of changing, I would be grateful if someone cleaned me up and got me into fresh britches. Toddlers, however, will flail and scream every second on the changing table while you're performing this selfless and necessary service. Sitting in poop > clean underpants.

7. They may have their own super cool $10 toddler cup with a weighted straw and fun colors to drink out of, but pass your Yeti, because they'll have what you're having, please. 

8. Do you know how wonderful it sounds to be pushed in a comfortable stroller through the aisles of Target and admire the world around you? Well if you ask a toddler, the answer is "absolutely terrible". Why would they want to sit comfortably with snacks when they could run amuck through the aisles and touch everything?!

9. Right before it's bedtime, they get a super burst of energy that renders them the thirstiest, hungriest, most literate tiny humans on the planet. Aka, they need a drink of water and to read 10 books, please. 

10. They're hungry ALL. THE. TIME. Like where do they put it all???

How Having A Baby Changed My Perspective On Military Life

Well another month has come and gone, but I was inspired to come back to this little space to write about a topic I've been wrestling over in my mind these last few weeks and months: babies and the military

If you guys have read this blog long, you know that I love Navy life and think there are so many positives to this wonderful adventure if you're willing to see them. I also love being a mom more than anything, and family is a big deal to me. 

Before we had our son, I felt like I was a pretty good Navy wife in a sense that I loved the adventure. I loved moving and living in different places and meeting all sorts of people. Don't get me wrong, I still love all of that so much, but when I had a baby, things changed. Priorities shifted. I grew up in the same town as my grandparents, aunt, uncle, cousins, etc. We were always together, and I loved every minute of it. Naturally, that's what I wanted for my family one day too. 

Obviously, the military doesn't allow us to live in the same city as our families and raise our kids with grandparents and cousins right down the street. That dream and this Navy dream can't co-exist, and coming to that realization has been hard for me. 

As with everything, it came down to outlook, and I had a decision to make. I could be sad that my son isn't growing up 5 minutes from his cousin, but that isn't going to change anything. Or, I could be grateful for Facetime and the Navy stationing us in the same state for the next couple of years (whoop whoop!). Having a baby did change my perspective on military life a little bit. It made me realize all the more the sacrifice of living away from family. I think these things are magnified when kids come into the picture, because every Sunday afternoon dinner or Easter Sunday or family BBQ we miss takes a toll on me. But then again, today I Facetimed two girls that became some of my best friends in Virginia, and I would have never known them had it not been for the Navy.

There is always give and take. Our son isn't going to live in the same city as our families for a long time, but this is where God has us right now, so I will rejoice and be glad in that. Having a baby makes me long for home more than ever, but right now, we are living and still loving military life, and I really believe that is where we are supposed to be. 

(Throwback to this tiny little military baby that somehow turned into a stumbling little toddler overnight!)

Military Mondays: Baby On A (Military) Budget

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of 1 Natural Way, a TRICARE breast pump provider. All opinions are entirely my own. 

Today's Military Mondays post is dedicated to all things baby on a (military) budget. Here's the skinny: babies are expensive. It's amazing how much stuff one tiny little human requires, and even after baby showers, you find yourself having to purchase so many items for your little one on the way. I remember sitting in my nursery a few weeks before my son was born feeling so overwhelmed by how much we already had and how much we still needed. It's just an expensive endeavor, and even though there may not be a way to avoid paying out of pocket for the crib, changing table, and diapers, I did find a secret or two on breastfeeding supplies that I am excited to share with you today. 

Okay, let's talk about Tricare for a second. If you are a military spouse, you either love it or you hate it. Although Tricare has it's downsides, let me tell you... it is amazing when it comes to having a baby. Seriously, amazing. 

Most insurances cover some of the pregnancy and delivery, but Tricare covers all of it. Even if you are on Tricare Standard (I am too), they cover the pregnancy and delivery. I was a high risk pregnancy, so I had more ultrasounds than I can remember and ended up having to come twice weekly at the end for monitoring appointments to check on the baby. I didn't mind all of the extra attention because it was all covered. My pregnancy cost me a whopping $0. For my delivery, I ended up needing a c-section, which is probably a $10K surgery, and I couldn't help but laugh when I received my hospital bill a few weeks later. $30. It cost me $30 to have our son. All this to say, if you are a military spouse and plan to have a baby, Tricare is pretty great. 

Another budgeting item where Tricare really comes through is with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding can be expensive too when you think about purchasing a pump and all of the pumping accessories you need. Tricare covers this too, and 1 Natural Way makes it as easy as 1-2-3 to get. 

1 Natural Way offers the biggest brands of breast pumps (Spectra, Medela, Kiinde) as well as pumping accessories, compression socks, and postpartum care supplies. It takes less than 5 minutes to order your Tricare breast pump thanks to 1 Natural Way. 

Ordering the breast pump is free, but the process can be a hassle because you have to get a signature from your doctor, get that signature to Tricare, and then order the breast pump for free. The cool thing about 1 Natural Way is that they handle contacting both your doctor and Tricare on your behalf. If you are ordering a breast pump, it means you are just weeks from having a baby, and you don't have time to be fussing with insurance and doctor forms. I really like that 1 Natural Way takes care of that for you. 

My last little budgeting tidbit as far as breastfeeding is concerned is to remember that Tricare will cover any supplies you might need. From your pump and pumping accessories to milk storage bags, nursing pads, and lanolin cream, it is all covered, so let Tricare pay for that and you spend your precious dollars elsewhere. 

Baby Registry Tips For A First Time Mom

When I set out to create my registry, I had absolutely. no. clue. what I was doing. Seriously, none. There are sooo many baby products out there. Never having had a baby, how was I supposed to know what I needed, which brands were best, and what was extra that I could leave off? What I quickly realized after talking to friends is that very few first time moms know what to register for. We haven't had a baby yet, so how are we supposed to know what they need, right?

I registered for a lot of things I use and swear by, but I also registered for a lot of things I didn't end up needing or using. I thought I would take today to put together a list of several items every baby registry needs as well as give a few tips and tricks on creating a baby registry for the first time mamas of the world.

Choosing Where To Register

When choosing where to register, you want to take several things into consideration. The goal is to make it easy for people to purchase off of your registry. While any gift is generous and appreciated, babies are expensive, so if people purchase things you actually need, that will really help to ease the financial burden of welcoming a baby into your family. 

1. Return policy: you will inevitably end up returning a lot for various reasons. You will be given duplicate items, you will realize you don't actually need the item, etc. Make sure the store has a great, convenient return policy. 

2. Proximity to where you live: this sounds like a given, but you want to register at a place that is close to where your baby showers will be AND where you live. For example, if you register at Buy Buy Baby, but the closest Buy Buy Baby is an hour away, nobody is going to buy things off of your registry. 

3. Give people options: Register at 2 different places, and put different items on each registry. 

I chose to register at both Target and Amazon, and I would choose them both again in a heartbeat. They are convenient for almost everyone and returns are free on Amazon and always easy at Target for any items I needed to return. Amazon gave online shoppers a great option, and Target was perfect for anyone that actually wanted to go to the store.

Throwback to registering at Target with my sweet mom!

Basic Items Every Registry Needs

Here is a basic list of items that every baby registry should have. You will have items to add to this list, but here are some essentials:

BIG ITEMS

Crib

Changing Table

Rocking Chair

Swing
Car Seat
Stroller

DIAPERING

Diapers

Diaper Genie

Wipes

Changing Pad

Changing Pad Cover (the wipeable version will be a life saver)

FEEDING

Bottles

Milk Storage Bags

Breast Pump (check with your insurance provider before registering- most cover this)

Pumping Accessories

Nursing Pads

Nursing Pillow

High Chair or Booster Seat

Baby Spoons

CLOTHING

Swaddling Blankets

Socks

Baby Mittens

Onesies

OTHER
Crib Sheets
Burp Cloths
Diaper bag

Good luck mamas!

A Very Cookie Monster First Birthday

This past weekend, I flew to Texas to celebrate my nephew's first birthday! My twin's son is as close to mine without actually being mine as it gets, so it was an extra special, nostalgic weekend knowing this baby boy is already one!

I mean, didn't I just post this picture for the first time yesterday?

I helped Danielle plan the first birthday party, and we had so much fun making her vision a reality! Baby Emmett has been an eater from day one, so we thought a cookie monster theme was only fitting. I want to share a few of the decorations and details we included for the party!

I made a lot of the decorations on picmonkey.com and then had them printed at the local UPS Store for cheap. I like to think of it as Etsy on a budget!

Here is the invitation I made for her to mail out. I don't know how to use photoshop or any of the fancy design websites, so thank goodness for picmonkey on this one!

We wanted a pennant banner to go around the gift and food tables, so I created the two pennants below to alternate. I loved how these came out!

Here they are hung up over the kitchen island. This was our favorite decoration (and also the most time consuming to make)!

I used scrapbook paper and cardstock to make the circular banner hanging over the gift table. A little PSA for mamas: that baby trampoline was the hit of the party. All one year olds need a little baby trampoline, apparently!

Here is the little banner I made for his high chair to use while he ate his smash cake. It was immediately thrown into the trash because it was covered in frosting, but it served its purpose!

Here is the month by month progression my sister did. This was so fun for guests to look at and see how much our sweet Emmett has grown in the last year. 

I made this print (also on picmonkey) to display on the food table. That quote kills me!

A fun thing my sister did that I want to do for Preston's first birthday too is this: she gave every guest a piece of paper and an envelope and asked them to write a letter to Emmett and mail them to her. She is going to keep them sealed and give them to Emmett when he turns 18. How special is that?! Here is the template I created and printed out for guests to write their letters. 

I wanted Preston to dress the theme, so I made him a little onesie that said "Cuz is one" and used a cookie for the "O". He was so darn cute in it! It's too bad he slept for half of the party. ;)

And last but not least, here is the birthday boy "sharing" his paci with his cousin. Preston was most definitely not impressed. I'm sure it won't be the last time they annoy each other!

It was such a special weekend celebrating someone I love more than just about anything. How this baby is already one is beyond me, and it just reminds me how quickly I'll blink and be celebrating Preston's first birthday. So grateful for these boy cousins!