#momlife

How I Manage Lyla’s Clothes

January 11, 2021January 11, 2021Homemaking, Motherhood, Organizing1 Comment

Here’s something I didn’t know before becoming a mom: managing your child’s clothes is a full time job. Literally just keeping Lyla clothed takes up so much of my brain space. Does she have play clothes, church clothes, shoes, and pajamas that fit? She needs enough for multiple outfits a day on messy days, but not so much that she doesn’t wear things before she outgrows them. She’s in 18 month size at one store, 12-18 months at another, and some 18 month clothes are too big. It’s a lot to keep up with, and that’s not to mention pulling things she’s outgrown and making decisions about whether to keep them for a future baby or donate them. And if you keep them, how do you store them? This is why the Proverbs 31 woman got up so early! I’m certainly no expert, but I wanted to share the basics of my approach for any other moms who might be interested.

Buy minimally: The easiest way to keep clothes from piling up is to be conservative when buying. Babies grow SO quickly. Realistically, they’ll only get to wear things a few times. The caveat? They may go through multiple outfits a day, depending on how messy things get. I like to buy for Lyla one size at a time, but I don’t wait until she’s grown completely out of her current size. When her onesies start to get hard to put on, her pants turn into capri pants, and her little toes are pushing her jammie feet, I go ahead and get the next size up. Be mindful of the seasons when buying. Are they outgrowing things at the end of summer? Buy fall clothes in the next size up, with a few transitional pieces to carry them over. I don’t impulse buy. If I see something cute that catches my eye, I make myself come up with multiple different places she could wear it. I check to make sure it will be easy to put on and take off for diaper changes. I never just toss something in my cart. Of course I still have fun dressing my little baby doll, but I try to avoid wasting money on outfits she won’t wear.
Purge frequently: Each time Lyla grows into a new size, I purge the old size from her closet and dresser. I go through her clothes as if I know for sure we will have another girl and save what I want. I don’t get everything out at once and make a huge, overwhelming mess. As things come through the laundry, I set them aside. While she plays in the floor in her room, I grab the old size from her closet. I go through her dresser while Andrew is watching her in the evening. I may spread it over a whole week if that’s what’s realistic. When I’ve got everything collected, I separate into keep and donate. I use clear tubs for storage because I like seeing what’s in there at a glance. I label in Sharpie what size is in the tub. Donations go into paper bags and get taken to a local charity that serves women & families, or to a friend with a younger baby. Is there a foster family in your social circle? Ask if they know anyone fostering a baby wearing that size and bless them with it!
Donate generously: Speaking of donation, I really encourage donating vs. consigning. I know there are some who are able to make very good money by consigning, and maybe if I had multiple kids or a high volume of items I would do it too. For me personally, it is not worth the amount of time consigning takes to make that money. That’s just my personal economy. There’s nothing wrong with consigning and it can be a smart, frugal way to serve your family. I’m just convicted that I don’t NEED that money, but someone might really need those clothes. I like to get things out of my house as soon as they stop serving our needs, and the thought of holding on to a ton of clothes waiting for a consignment sale or for someone from Facebook to Venmo me gives me acid reflux.

Again, I’m no expert, but these are the things that have made this Hurculean task feel manageable. Over the course of the last 16 months, I’ve gotten into a groove and found the system that works for me. Do you have any questions about how I shop for, store, or otherwise keep up with Lyla’s clothes? Any tips of your own? Share them in the comments!

Fall Comfort Food Recipes

October 4, 2020January 4, 2021Homemaking, Recipes3 Comments

There’s something so cozy about warm meals when the weather first starts to get cool. I rely heavily on my crock pot and dutch oven during this season. Today I’m sharing a few of our favorite comfort food recipes. These are all simple and can be made in a slow cooker. For more easy dinner ideas, visit my previous post Easy Dinner Recipes.

Garlic Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients:

1 cup boiling water
1 cube beef boullion
1 TBSP cooking oil (I use olive oil but vegetable or canola is fine)
1 pack lean stew meat
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1.5 cloves of garlic, minced (I buy jarred minced garlic)
8 oz (1 block) cream cheese
1 bag wide egg noodles

Instructions:

Pour boiling water into crockpot. Place bouillon cube in water. Stir and cover. Set crock pot to low. (If I’m in a hurry, I just do hot water.)
Heat oil in large skillet. Brown stew meat.
Add stew meat, soup, Worcestershire, and garlic to crock pot. Stir to combine. Cook on low 6-8 hours.
About 30 minutes before serving, cube cream cheese and mix into crock pot. Cover and keep on low, stirring as cream cheese warms.
Cook noodles according to package directions. Serve stroganoff over noodles.

Notes: Many people put onions and mushroom slices in their stroganoff. I leave these out due to personal preference, but you can add them to the skillet after the beef is browned, cook until warm, then add to crock pot. This recipe is nostalgic for me. It was passed down by my Bible study leader from senior year of college. She used to have us over to her house for the study and cooked a delicious meal WITH homemade dessert every week. It was so special and so heartwarming back in those college days where being in an actual house and having a warm, home-cooked meal felt like such a luxury. This is one of Andrew’s favorite things I make. It’s SO good and a great fall/winter meal that really sticks to your ribs. I serve it with roasted veggies, and rolls to sop up the sauce!

Turkey Chili

Ingredients:

Ground turkey
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can red kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
Diced tomatoes (not drained)
2 cans tomato juice
1 packet chili seasoning
1 Tablespoon cooking oil
Shredded cheese (for topping if desired)
Sour cream (for topping if desired)

Instructions:

In a Dutch oven, heat cooking oil. Brown the ground turkey.
Add beans, tomatoes, tomato juice, and seasoning packet. Stir until combined. Cook, covered, on high until mixture is close to boiling, then turn down to low heat and allow to simmer, about 30 minutes.

Notes: We had frozen, homegrown tomatoes, which have a lot of water in them. Depending on how thick you like your chili, you may want some water or beef broth to add a little liquid. Or to use fresh tomatoes vs. canned for more water. I’m not usually a huge chili person but turkey was a game changer for me. The cooking time is not an exact science. Technically, once the meat is cooked and the chili is heated through, it’s “done.” But the longer you let it simmer, the more well combined the ingredients will be. This is a good meal to make on a Saturday, when you’re not in a rush to get supper on the table after work. Then you have leftovers ready to go on Sunday!

Vegetable Beef Stew

Ingredients:

1 lb beef stew meat
1 bag frozen mixed vegetables
1 can diced tomatoes
2 carrots diced
2 medium potatoes diced
1/2 tsp black pepper
3 cups beef broth
Any other veggies you prefer, like onion & celery

Instructions: Combine all in crockpot, cook on low 8 hours

Notes: This classic veggie soup recipe doesn’t have to be exact. This is a great way to make use of produce you have on hand, and it’s the ultimate warm, sip-able supper. Serve with crackers or grilled cheese.

Pot roast

Ingredients:

1 bag baby carrots (you don’t have to add them all)
2 medium potatoes, diced
1 packet ranch dressing mix
1 packet brown gravy mix
1 beef roast, any kind, about 5 pounds
1 1/2 cups water

Instructions:

Wash potatoes and dice into bite-sized pieces.
Place roast in crock pot. Pour ranch packet and gravy mix over roast and rub in like a dry rub (you can use a basting brush if you don’t want to get your hands dirty!)
Surround roast with carrots and potatoes.
Pour water over roast & veggies. Cook on low 8 hours.
Before serving, shred roast in crock pot with forks.

Notes: This always makes me think of Sundays after church when we would come home to the smell of roast in the crock pot. I personally prefer to cook my vegetables with the meat, because they soak up the flavor and it’s ready all at once.

Those are the recipes we look forward to most each year, along with the white chicken chili and ham & white beans I wrote about it my pr evious dinner recipe post. What are your go-to comfort food recipes or dinner ideas? Share them in the comments!

What’s in my [Diaper] Bag

September 24, 2020January 4, 2021Motherhood, Shopping, Style2 Comments

I used to love when magazines would feature a glimpse into a celebrity’s purse. They always called it “What’s in my bag?” The designer totes were filled with things like luxury beauty products, gorgeous personal care items, and interesting odds & ends. Well I’m no celebrity, but I have a bag! Today I’m showing you what’s in my diaper bag, from what kind of bag I use to how I pack it for every possible situation.

The bag:

When I was pregnant, several friends advised me to get a diaper backpack instead of a tote bag. Their reasoning was that it’s so much easier to have it on your back and have one less thing in your hands with baby in tow. I totally get what they meant because babies do require a ton of stuff, and any time you’re out with your baby you feel like you have a million things you’re holding. However, I found the backpack to be frustrating. No matter how many pockets it has, the big section of a backpack always turns into a black hole. I hated not being able to just reach into it for things. I had to unload whatever I was carrying and take it off to get into it. After using it for about six months, I switched to an open, structured tote and haven’t looked back. I like being able to glance in and make sure it’s all packed. I reach into it all the time while it’s on my shoulder, and toss things in on the top when needed. This particular tote is from a store that went out of business so I can’t link it, but I’ve linked some similar options below.

Links: Amazon tote (comes in lots of colors), H&M Shopper, Walmart leopard straw tote

The contents:

Our diaper bag stays packed with diaper changing supplies, a change of clothes for Lyla, small toys, basic baby care items, my purse items, my wallet, phone, glasses/sunglasses, and keys. I put a full itemized list at the bottom that you can use as a checklist! To keep everything organized, I use these clear bags. I use the larger ones for travel, and three small ones in the diaper bag: one for clothes, one for toys, and one for baby care. For my stuff I use a zipper pouch so that when I need to leave the diaper bag with Lyla (like in the church nursery or at grandparents’ houses), I can just put the pouch in my purse and have all my stuff ready to go.

In addition to these staples, make sure your bag can also fit feeding supplies, baby’s outerwear (jackets are supposed to come off in the car seat and oftentimes they get hot in their stroller), loveys/stuffed animals, and any other random thing you might find yourself needing to carry. Basically, make sure your tote is large enough that it has negative space. There will be so many times you just need to get something out of your hand and it’s so helpful to be able to just toss it in.

I hope this post is helpful to those of you in the diaper bag stage of life. I clean mine out multiple times a week to keep it from becoming a bottomless pit of junk. Below is a checklist you can use to pack your bag. Modify it according to your needs!

Lyla’s First Birthday Party

September 23, 2020Homemaking, MotherhoodLeave a Comment

Let’s be honest, first birthday parties are for the parents. I chose a donut theme for Lyla’s party for two reasons. One: I used to work for a photographer who did a lot of one-year sessions. Moms would buy these cute smash cakes for their babies to tear in to, and the babies usually just stared at them. Additionally, Lyla gets uncomfortable when a lot of people are looking at her. I wanted to avoid a big buildup to the moment she would eat her cake, so I started thinking about alternatives. Two: Andrew loves donuts. I mean he is literally passionate about them. I knew if I chose a theme he was excited about, too, it would make planning the party a lot easier. Below, I’m sharing my inspiration for the party along with some photos from the day.

The colors:

The first thing I choose when I’m decorating something is the color palette. Color is what makes the most sense to me in design and the first thing I notice. Lyla’s signature color is lavender, but most girl stuff is pink. I went with a purple, pink, and teal color palette to make choosing my decorations easier.

The invites:

I found tons of cute, customizable options on Etsy. I chose these and asked for the design to be tweaked just slightly to match the party colors. I had them printed on cardstock at Office Depot and picked up A7 envelopes while I was there.

The food:

We ordered from a local donut shop called Munal’s Donuts. They customized an icing color for us at no extra charge! We did donut kebabs using these paper straws, also from Etsy. Andrew built the donut board and I have hopes to use it for future parties. Rumor has it the Krispy Kreme recipe originated at Munal’s Donuts. An employee there branched off and created Krispy Kreme. They have a non-compete contract clause that states Munal’s cannot lay claim to the Krispy Kreme recipe, but Krispy Kreme can never open a location in the Paducah area. Paducah is so cool!

Since the donuts were so sweet, we also served healthy and savory finger foods. We did a vegetable tray and Chik-Fil-A nuggets. I wish I always had a tray of nuggets in my house. For drinks we did milk, coffee, and bottled water. We went very simple with the food and I felt like we had plenty. I don’t think anyone shows up to a child’s birthday party expecting a huge meal.

The decorations:

The decorations ended up being a little challenging. I had everything picked out from Party City, but they kept canceling my order as soon as I placed it. I had to make do with what I could find at other stores, and most places aren’t stocking party supplies right now. I ordered this set of serving pieces from Amazon. Full disclosure: the color on the plates and napkins is a yellow-ish ivory, not white. I got a lavender plastic tablecloth at Target and a banner from Hobby Lobby to go over the food table. I put together a backdrop with the intention of using it for photos with the birthday girl, opening presents, and to sit her hi-chair in front of for her donut & singing “Happy Birthday.” I got a fringe curtain from Amazon, a tassel banner from Michael’s, and balloons from Target. I’m not linking the fringe because it fell down approximately one minute after being put up. It was adhesive but if you do something similar, I would tack it in with thumbtacks. The banner had to be strung and tied so I’m not linking it either because I found it super frustrating that it didn’t come assembled. And the balloons ended up being a hassle. We had to find somewhere to get them inflated, the place we went had obviously not trained anyone on how to use the helium, and the balloons ended up deflating by the time of the party. So my dreams of Pinterest perfection were dashed. But for a brief, shining moment we had a cute backdrop.

I also made two banners for the party, one to go on her hi-chair and one to display her monthly photos throughout the first year. I used thin purple ribbon from Michael’s. For the “ONE” banner, I used scrapbook paper, cardstock, and sticker letters from Hobby Lobby. I am cursed with being creative but not artistic, so I had Andrew cut out the pennants. For the photo banner, I got square prints of her photos and used mini wooden clothespins from Hobby Lobby to hang them. I loved it so much I hung it in her nursery after the party!

The favors:

Since most of the guests at the party were going to be either adults or babies who can’t have anything that would present a choking hazard, I opted not to do favor bags. Instead, I ordered these thank you stickers from Etsy and put them on food-safe white bags from Michael’s so people could take home a donut. I knew we would have extra and the personalized stickers were such a cute touch.

We had so much fun at Lyla’s party! She did great and she had a blast getting all the attention. It was a bittersweet day for me as my family was unable to be there while my Dad fights leukemia, but we were blessed by the family and friends who were able to join us. My best friend since 5th grade, Victoria, even drove up from Mississippi during some of her rare days off from being an ER doctor to be there! It felt too good to be true!

I’m linking my Pinterest board for the party below for more inspiration! Hopefully this will give you some ideas for your next party!