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

As a mom, I love bedtime stories. But I also love watching the connection that happens when my toddler curls up with their dad and a book that actually feels like him . So many children’s books are adorable, but they don’t always reflect the world dads want to share with their kids. And that’s where Daddy’s Book Club  stood out to me. Why These Books Felt Different in Our House Daddy’s Book Club creates ABC books designed around dads’ real jobs, hobbies, and favorite sports ,

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

As parents, we all want to remember the little moments—the giggles, the milestones, the funny things our kids say—but keeping track of them can feel overwhelming. That’s exactly why the Kept Journal: Childhood, A History  in Forest was created. This journal isn’t just another baby book. It’s designed for parents who want a simple, fun, and meaningful way to capture memories from every stage of their child’s life—from birth all the way to eighteen. Why This Journal Is Differen

I recently picked up the Weilisi Large Ring Light with 79" Stand , and I’ll be honest—I didn’t think I’d use it this much. I’m not a professional photographer or a YouTuber, but I do like having good lighting for everyday things. Sometimes that’s snapping a few family photos, sometimes it’s filming a quick Amazon review video, and other times it’s just making content for fun. Here is how simple it is to put it together: https://shorturl.at/YtHUN The Stand Makes All the Differ

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

Every year, I tell myself I’m going to take just a few cute birthday pictures —and every year, my toddler treats it like he’s headlining a world tour and the paparazzi won’t leave him alone. But listen… as chaotic as it gets, I genuinely love our little DIY photoshoot tradition. No studio. No lighting setup. No photographer named something like “Skylar Sunbeam.”Just us, an iPhone, and a toddler who wakes up ready to negotiate like he’s on a contract tour with Live Nation. Thi

There’s something so special about curling up with your little one and a stack of festive books during the holidays. Whether you’re lighting up the tree, sipping cocoa, or trying to convince your toddler to please sit still for two minutes , these Christmas books bring all the cozy, magical vibes of the season to storytime. Here are a few toddler-friendly Christmas favorites that make perfect additions to your bookshelf — or thoughtful gifts for other tiny readers! 🎄 Llama L

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