10.24.2016

Please Children, Sleep.

I like sleeping.

Like a lot.

Kids don't usually understand the beauty of sleep.

With my kids, it takes awhile for them to understand that sleep is good.

Sleep/bedtime routines can be a subject war.  There are so many ideas, opinions and what nots about what works best for kids and families.  This Mommy Style Monday is all about bed time routines.

I make bed time pretty lenient as long as they get their butts in bed and let mommy & daddy have some peace and quiet. LOL! (I mean this in the nicest way possible)

One thing that is always the same is the bed TIME.  7 o'clock! Yes that's right 7.  We've tried different times over the years but our kids wake up at the crack of dawn no matter what time they nod off, so they go to their rooms at 7.  Its harder in the summer cause the sun is still shining through their windows, but its a lesson in obedience (mwhahahaha!).

They get drinks of water, read some stories then its lights out.



We used to be the ones that read to the girls, but once Evelyn go bit by the reading bug she started reading to Amelia. Then Mia learned how to read so they read to themselves whatever books they want for about 10-15 minutes then they turn the lights out.  Mia falls asleep quickly and Ev usually comes down and complains about something then we send her back up.  




Camden also goes to bed at the same time, 7, for the most part.  I am actually okay that he doesn't nap anymore, because that means he will actually fall asleep at night.  He sometimes asks for a story, but mostly we just let him watch Netflix on my tablet till he falls asleep. Whatevs. It works for us.





Leo is a whole different ball game entirely. The boys are supposed to share a room, eventually.  We have a crib next to Camden's bed but it hasn't been used yet. Leo is still close to us.  We have a ginormous closest.  Its literally the size of most nursery rooms are, so he's in a pack n'play in our closest, with a noisy fan and pitch black.  He's just 7 months so he's still learning BUT he has consistently slept through the night more for awhile now so I say the, work around him-no sleep training, thing is working.  Sleep training has worked for our other kids, but this little one is just good at working with our emotions that we can't let him cry. ;)  I've tried some sleep training, but its just too sad, and its okay.  It works for us and for him.  He's happy so we're happy



I know some families are very vigilant with a specific routine and it works for them and their kids.  I know some families that let their kids stay up as late as they want, and it works for them and their kids. Our "routine" may seem like a chaotic mess, but it works for us right now.  Doesn't mean it won't change, 4 years ago it was different, and in 4 years it will be different again. You do you, and what works for you.  Your family, your kids, your life.  Make it work and happy sleeping.


Kiana // Glitter & Donuts
Madeline // CaseyLand
Sue // Sue's News
Juli // Journey of J^3
Beverly //What a Day
Monica // It's All About



If you'd like to join in the next Mommy Style Monday head on over to Kiana // Glitter & Donuts or Madeline // CaseyLand 

10.14.2016

Capture Motherhood


I was recently tagged in a photo on Instagram by a company that I follow Regalo Baby about capturing motherhood





I love the words they posted "I didn't lose myself when I became a mom I found myself."

Its something that I've been thinking a lot about lately so it was fitting and exciting when they tagged me to share how I capture motherhood.

My younger self never had a definitive plan as to what the future held.  All I knew was that some day I would be a mom.  It was a natural transition for me, but I did have to give up a lot to be able to be a mother.  Social mental, financial. Being a mother takes, and takes, and takes.  Sometimes it takes so much that you feel like you never get anything back.  In just the past couple years I was forced to stop and look at things much differently in all areas of my life.  Things that seemed to be one way, ended up being another.  I had to build myself up more than I've ever had to in order to be the mother and the person I wanted and needed to be.  My perspective on motherhood has changed so much since then and I am glad I've had to change.

For me capturing motherhood is about the spontaneous fun, the mundane and the down right boring moments.  Moments of chaos, and moments of calm.



Its the little mom fails. Getting ready to feed your baby a bottle then dropping it right on his face.  He doesn't want to be near you any more, so you make it work.


Losing a battle with a 3 year old about wearing a winter coat when its 90 degrees outside and he's sweating, but it makes him happy.



Having a continuously messy home even though you swear to your husband that you spent at least an hour cleaning it, oh well.



A photo posted by Erica Jenkins//Good Job Momma (@airkaka) on


Seeing your kids have a love for the same thing (technology) and play nicely together.


Being a mother is my job.  Just like if I had a job outside the home, and I bust my butt everyday.  Its hard, its lonely, its worth it.

Thank you Regalo Baby for inspiring this post today.  If you want to join in capturing motherhood use the hashtag #capturemotherhood and tag @regalobaby  on Instagram



10.10.2016

Mommy Style Monday: Accessories




Hello all and welcome to another Mommy Style Monday! We're in our second week of fall break and its been a bit crazy around here.  I am glad for these MSM posts to keep me coming back and updating the blog.  Sometimes, I spend so much time on the site I write and work for (East Valley Moms Blog, I LOVE it!  It's like another baby to me.) that I forget about my own! oops! Thank you for sticking around and still keeping up with me and my crazy life.

This MSM is all about accessories. Besides my eyebrows (its an obsession), 100% honest my favorite accessory is a hair tie on my wrist. 85 percent of the time I have one, even if my hair is already up.  Its just my thing I guess.

I don't wear very many accessories, I don't go out and buy many things either.  I have a few necklaces and a few pairs of earrings. I would love to branch out and have way more choices but I can't seem to spend my money on something like this.



Walmart: Black & Coral Necklace & blue earrings
Target: White pearl flower earrings
Gifted: gold necklace & peach flower earrings. 

I've had my Walmart necklaces for years.  There were a couple more necklaces but those are currently in a land fill somewhere weeping over my decision to let children wear them. Eh, oh well. Live and learn.

I tend to wear jewelry accessories when I'm kid free. So out at an event or to blog conferences. 

Let us witness accessories out in the wild.  

This past August at Say Hi Society Blog Conference photo Let Me See You Sparkle

This past April 3 weeks postpartum at a Say Hi Society Blog Conference


Getting my head shots for East Valley Moms Blog March 2015

First Moms Night Out Event for EVMB February 2015


I'm just saving the environment by REUSING!

But really my accessories are spit up, food stains, pen marks, and mess.  Give me a baby on my hip and a toddler tugging at my shirt any day over earrings, hats, rings, necklaces or scarves.


Maybe some day i'll get a chance to accessories with things, instead of children but i'll enjoy this time while it lasts.

What's your favorite accessory? Kids, hats, bolo ties??

Go and see what the other ladies linking up accessorize with.

Kiana // Glitter & Donuts
Madeline // CaseyLand
Juli // Journey of J^3
Monica // It's All About
Chelsea // Tessa Marie

If you'd like to join head on over to Kiana at Glitter & Donuts or Madeline CaseyLand 

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