Last year, I decided to do a Valentine’s Day photoshoot at home for my toddler, who was 20 months old at the time . I’ve always loved capturing these little seasonal moments, and Valentine’s Day felt like the perfect excuse to slow down and document that stage of life — even if it came with a little chaos. The Outfit Plan (And the Reality) I kept the outfit plan pretty simple. He wore jeans with a white button-down shirt , which ended up being the main look for most of the ph

Finding gifts for a 2-year-old can feel tricky. You want something fun, but also something that helps them learn, move, create, and stay engaged longer than five minutes. At this age, toddlers are curious, busy, and soaking up everything around them—so toys that support imagination, fine motor skills, and problem-solving are always a win. Here are some tried-and-true gift ideas that are perfect for 2-year-olds , whether you’re shopping for a birthday, holiday, or just want to

If you’re looking for a stroller system that truly grows with your family, the UPPAbaby Vista  has been one of our most-used baby purchases—from newborn days to full-on toddler life. We were gifted the Vista V2 , and now that the Vista V3  is available, I can confidently say: if I were choosing it today, I’d still pick it—specifically in the Meadow Green  color. 👉 Vista V3 Stroller: https://amzn.to/3YrbD6P Why We’ve Loved This Stroller From Day One The biggest reason we lov

I love  doing little photoshoots with my baby, so when his first Valentine’s Day  rolled around, I went all in. I truly couldn’t help myself—and I wouldn’t change a thing. I picked up a few different decor pieces, grabbed two Valentine’s outfits from Target , and then made him a bunch of custom onesies with funny sayings  (because why not?). I had so much fun planning it all, and honestly, seeing it come together made my mama heart so happy. At the time of these photos, he wa

One of my favorite ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a toddler is through books. At this age, love looks like hugs, giggles, family time, and feeling safe—and books are such a sweet way to introduce those ideas. These are the Valentine’s Day and love-themed books we’re adding to our toddler’s bookshelf wishlist  this year. They’re perfect for bedtime, quiet moments, or just cozy cuddles on the couch. 💕 Love from The Very Hungry Caterpillar 📖 The World of Eric Carle 🔗

During the newborn stage, survival is the goal. You’re exhausted, emotional, healing, and learning a whole new rhythm — the last thing you want is to be running up and down stairs or from room to room every time your baby needs something. One of the best decisions we made was setting up our living room to function almost like a mini nursery. Here’s what we kept in our living room during the newborn stage — and why every single item earned its spot. 1. The Pack ‘n Play (With B

When our baby was a newborn, swaddling felt like one of those “everyone else knows how to do this, why don’t we?”  parenting skills. We officially stopped swaddling around 3 months when he started daycare, but those early weeks? Swaddles were a lifeline  — once we figured them out. Let’s rewind to the beginning and check out this video ! The Hospital Swaddles (aka: We Did Not Pass the Swaddle Test) You know those thin hospital blankets that nurses turn into perfect burritos i

As a mom with low milk supply and a busy work schedule, pumping became an essential part of my journey. I needed to both increase my supply and make sure my baby had milk while I was away. Over the months, I tried several pumps—each one serving a different purpose depending on where I was and what I needed. Here’s a look at the four pumps that helped me the most: 1. Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump  – Always Have a Hand Pump Sometimes, you just need a manual pump. The Medela

Motherhood is messy, unpredictable, and… exhausting. Between the endless diaper changes, spilled snacks, and the constant mental checklist of “Did I feed everyone? Did I forget something? Am I doing enough?” it’s easy to let negative self-talk take over. Enter affirmation cards for moms —your pocket-sized cheerleaders that remind you: you’re doing just fine. Positive affirmations aren’t just feel-good fluff—they’re a way to pause, breathe, and counter the “I should be doing m

I just found my new favorite bag – the Iris Trio Wallet All Purpose with RFID  in Plum  (but don’t worry, there are lots of colors to choose from!). You can grab it on Amazon  or TikTok Shop . ✨ Why I Love It as a Mom When I’m not hauling around a full diaper bag but still need to carry a decent amount of stuff, this wallet is the perfect solution. It has three separate main compartments  which makes organizing so easy: Section 1:  Wallet + essentials (phone, keys, cash, card

Let’s be real—I rarely put on makeup. But some days, especially when the weather is gloomy, I don’t want to give off full Adam Sandler vibes. So today I decided to try a very simple, beginner-friendly look with products I actually own. No pressure, just playing around and seeing what works. See my to go products: https://shorturl.at/Lad0s 1️⃣ Tarte Maracuja Tinted Moisturizer I started with this tinted moisturizer because I wanted something light and natural. I used a beauty

As a proud Slytherin, I’ve always loved a little mischief, ambition, and style—and yes, that applies to my parenting too. So when it came time to dress my toddler for a Harry Potter-themed photo moment, there was no question: Draco Malfoy it had to be . Why Draco? Well, they share a birthday with him (how could I resist?), my toddler has blonde hair that makes the Slytherin heir vibe even more perfect, and let’s be honest—there’s a tiny part of me that’s living out my own Hog

If there’s one thing motherhood has taught me, it’s this: the less I have to pack, the better my life becomes. Bringing a baby anywhere feels like preparing for a cross-country expedition. And going to the grandparents’ house? That used to mean mentally running through a never-ending checklist: Do we have diapers? Wipes? Toys? A safe place to nap? So we finally made the best decision ever — we created a set of “grandparents’ house essentials” that stay there permanently . No

Birthdays are a full-on production when you’re celebrating a toddler—especially when you’re channeling a Warped Tour  theme. From cupcakes to coloring tables, I wanted to make it fun, a little chaotic, and totally memorable. Here’s a full breakdown of everything I picked up to pull off the party, complete with links to the goodies that made it all happen. Products I got: Warped Tour Custom Logo Checkered Happy Face SVG Warped Two'r (Tour) Coloring Page Tattoo Packs Mini Tatto

Planning my two-year-old’s birthday party felt a little bit like planning a mini music festival — minus the questionable port-a-potties and overpriced merch. Once I saw this theme, I knew  it was the  theme. Warped Tour was coming back this year, so it felt like the most logical, nostalgic, millennial-parent thing to do.Plus , when we did our maternity shoot, we used tiny baby Vans and my husband wore a Warped Tour shirt from one of the years we actually went. So honestly, it

Being in the hospital after giving birth can feel like a mix of awe, exhaustion, and “oh wow, now what?” Between the haze of newborn snuggles and sleep deprivation, I realized there were a few things I needed  to make life easier—and I didn’t want to wait to get them. So, yes, I whipped out my phone and ordered them right from my hospital bed. Here’s what made the cut: 1. Maymom Pump Parts Compatible with Spectra/Ameda Luna Pumps When the lactation consultant measured my nipp

Chanukah is the perfect time to cozy up with your little ones, light the menorah, spin the dreidel, and dive into festive stories that celebrate family, tradition, and fun. If you’re looking to add some new titles to your child’s bookshelf this year, here are five of my favorites! 1. Goodnight Bubbala This festive parody reimagines a classic bedtime book as a lively Jewish family gathering complete with bubbies and zeydes—a perfect read-aloud or gift. It even includes an excl

Let’s be honest — those first few weeks (okay, months) of motherhood are a blur. You’re running on coffee, adrenaline, and maybe 2 hours of sleep… total. That’s why when it comes to gifting a new mom, skip the fancy baby outfits and go straight for the real  essentials — the things that will make her feel a little more human during those long days and longer nights. Here’s what to include in the ultimate New Mom Survival Kit  — approved by moms who’ve been there, cried there,

Let’s be real: those middle-of-the-night wake-ups are no joke. Whether it’s feeding, diaper changes, or just comforting a fussy baby, having the right items within arm’s reach can save your sanity. If your nightstand is on the smaller side, I highly  recommend a wheely cart—it keeps everything organized and mobile, which is a game-changer when you’re half asleep. Here’s my roundup of must-have items  for your postpartum nightstand: For Every Parent Water bottle  – Hydration i

(Pro Mom Tip: Use your 15% registry discount before it expires — especially for the things you’ll actually need, like daycare backups. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.) Putting together a baby registry is supposed  to be fun. But let’s be real — it’s also a weird mix of “what do babies even need?” and “how much of this can I convince people to buy so I don’t have to?” Here’s my list of things I actually  want and will use, plus a few laughs along the way. 1. Munchkin Brica Ou