I currently have a 5 month old {my favorite age in that first year} so I thought for this week's 'Friday Top Five' I would share my favorite picks for the 4-6 month age range. At five months Naomi's reaching with both hands, grasping things and holding them using all fingers; like fistfuls of her sister's hair {they are none too please with this development}. She's mimics the sounds that we make and Aaron swears that she's already making the 'dada' sound; she doesn't but I'll let him think that.  Is there anything that you just love for your 4-6 month old? Feel free to share them with me!

1.) OXO Tot Sprout High Chair 
Not only does this high chair carry your child through infant, toddler and youth it also features tool-free adjustments for seat and tray. It has a 5-point harness, promotes good posture, easy to clean with removable cushions and a tray that helps keep messes contained while featuring a large button that makes one-handed tray removal a breeze.

2.) Skip Hop Explore More Baby's View 3-Stage Activity Center 
Now, not only is this activity center great for this age but it also has a grow-with-me feature and turns into a sturdy table for toddlers to play at, it has a discovery window that allows them to watch their feet as they play with the piano and 360-degree rotating seat. 

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," they say; but is it? To a certain degree, I'm inclined to agree – but often times when we look at someone else, what we are seeing is only one dimensional. We see exactly what they want us to see. Whether we imitate another out of admiration, or simply because we think they have it together more than we do; and maybe, if you do it their way, then maybe you will appear to have it all together too.

We all know the image well – a pretty picture, perfectly staged, the natural lighting is on point – and suddenly we want to emulate that. It’s human nature. But honestly, would someone really want to imitate you or me if they saw the real 'us'; the real me that truthfully isn't polished and perfected. {FYI: I haven't even been close to polished or perfected for nearly five years. I'm in the trenches folks, just tryin' to survive three children 5 and under} Would you want to replicate the person behind all of the filters and layers? Would someone honestly want to imitate me when I'm raising {yelling, let's be real} my voice because I'm just plain tired of asking for the toys to be picked up for the billionth time? Or, would anyone want to imitate me when I have five piles of laundry on the floor, one in the washer that's still wet and one in the dryer that needs to be folded, but the baby is hungry, and my three-year-old just found a red pen {yes, red} and has started to give herself an arm tattoo? All of this while I'm wearing the same shirt I wore yesterday, and last night, and still haven’t made the time to shower or change. And, would you want to be like me when I put on "Spirit" or "Magic School Bus" for the girls in the morning so I can complete a task {such as drink a cup of coffee in peace}. I'm usually thinking to myself that I should probably have set them up with a craft like other moms do, BUT then I would have another mess to clean up and add to my already extremely long list of things to do. Would someone want to imitate me when I put my kids to bed at night, and instead of missing them like I feel I should, I breathe a huge sigh of relief instead?

Having been on both sides of the imitation, my question is... it’s it listening – not imitation – that is the sincerest form of flattery? Think about it for a minute…

We see these other moms and everything they are doing to live what appears to be a beautiful life, but do we hear them? Do we hear what's really being said? Maybe something more flattering would be to let that person be unique in who they are, and you be unique in who you are. There is no one quite like you, and there is no one quite like me. We are all different, and we are all special in our own way, and that is probably the way it was intended to be. And, if we listen to each other instead of simply observing, or imitating or even trying to one-up each other, I truly believe we can learn from each other.

Ever since having our third child, I feel this need to be real and raw, to show the true us, to exemplify who I really am – who we really are as a family, and I feel obligated not to pretend I’m something that I’m not, that we are not. Yes, I do like to take pretty pictures; and have beautiful experiences with my family, and obviously, I usually leave out the mess that's on the other side of the kitchen. Yes, I'll bake a loaf of cranberry orange bread for fun during nap time instead of fold a pile of laundry, and then take a picture of it {the bread, not the laundry, obviously!}, but friends – that doesn’t mean I have it all together {see: dirty clothes are still on the floor}. It’s just something I enjoy doing, something that makes me feel like… me.

As a person, as a wife, and as a mother, I’m personally committing to more listening to others and what their pictures or images say, and less imitating. Because that person needs to be them, and I need to be me.


“We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be.”
― May Barton

xo - Tiffany

This week has flown by, like most weeks in the summer tend to do. Our oldest will start kindergarten in the fall {Well, 65 days..yes I'm counting down. I'm that mom.} This will make our schedule much less carefree; while at the same time I crave the regiment it will bring it will also be an adjustment. Something that helps me currently and will be really beneficial in the fall is 'meal planning'. The planner {see: list maker} in me loves to strategize weekly menus, we don't always stick to them 100% but it does help me feel little less, well...insane. I really enjoy it, carving out a bit of time during naps or after bedtime to comb through my recipe books, tried & true family favorites, and new ones that I have pinned to my Pinterest 'Culinary Inspiration' board that I would like try out. Another reason I love to meal plan, often times I'll find myself I'm standing in front of my fridge around 4 pm willing it to give me answers because my brain is fried. It helps if all of the ingredients are in there & ready to go. We also do some themed nights, like Meatless Monday, Taco Tuesday, and Soup-y Sunday. Don't get me wrong; we do order in some evenings {who doesn't love pizza night, and not the homemade ones although they are great also.}

My process for meal planning is usually the same each week. First, I pull out my agenda/calendar to see what we have going on for the week, what nights we are home, which nights we are away and when it looks like it will just be kids and me for dinner. On those nights I still make wholesome meals but I definitely don't go all out with an intricate and time-consuming meal. They couldn't care less how much time and effort I put into the food in front of them, they just care if it tastes good. Secondly, I take inventory of what needs to be consumed in our fridge over the next few days. I haven't always done this step but it has made the biggest difference over the past two months. We no longer waste as much and it usually gives me my starting ingredient to plan a meal around. Next, I write that all down and try to find recipes to accommodate. For example, if I have two zucchini's that need to be used and corn in the freezer all I need is a frozen pie crust and we have a zucchini corn pie for Meatless Monday. Or if I have red potatoes starting to sprout I'll whip up a pot of Ham & Green Bean, serve half for lunch and freeze the rest. Also, to make things easier some weeks I will buy a rotisserie chicken, clean it and bag the meat separately for quick meal prep. Usually, one rotisserie chicken gives us enough for two different recipes. Additionally, I've been cutting up all my veggies & fruit during meal prep time and storing them for quick access. I as well try to make meals that use a lot of the same ingredients so nothing is wasted.  Here’s an example of what a typical week of meal planning might look like:

Monday:

– cheesy garlic parmesan spinach spaghetti squash (use up wilting spinach || recipe )

–  garlic bread 

Tuesday:

– chili lime chicken tacos (use up limes|| rotisserie chicken || recipe)

– homemade corn salsa

– cilantro lime rice (use up cilantro)

Wednesday:

– hamburgers or strip steaks on the grill

– watermelon, mint & feta salad (use up the watermelon)

Thursday:

– chicken fried rice (use up veggies || rotisserie chicken || recipe )

– steamed broccoli 

Friday:

– lasagna roll ups or baked ziti

– spring salad with strawberries, mandarins, sliced almonds, feta & poppy seed dressing

Saturday:

– out to eat or pizza

Sunday:

– zucchini corn pie (recipe)

– tomato basil bisque (recipe)

 Once my list is made I jump online and start adding to my list {yes, I order my groceries online}. I've found that having a plan combined with ordering online has really helped me to not be so frivolous with my grocery shopping and it totally cuts out impulse buys. I started using grocery delivery about two years ago and it's been the best decision ever. I select my groceries, choose a date and time for delivery, they pick it, pack it and bring to my door and right into the kitchen. So easy and so simple! They accept manufacturer coupons and can double them up to $.99, they recycle bags and have awesome communication with you by sending alert texts when you are the next customer delivery in your driver's route. The best thing is I don't have to drag three kids out to the store, forget half of the things on my list because I'm distracted and buy things just because they are placed at exactly the right place to grab my attention. I can monitor my running total as I shop; they also offer weekly specials and delivery discounts including FREE delivery – for all new customers. Also, they have a program called PodPass – I'm a VIPea with PodPass and pay one low annual fee for unlimited free deliveries. They are expanding all the time to try and reach new areas for delivery! I highly recommend grocery delivery, young kids or not, no judgment here! It makes life simple and leaves more time for family or fun. 

Follow the link below to see if they are delivering in your area give it a try!

Good morning Friends!

Isn't it insane the amount of diapers you go through with your children? All of the hours you spend changing those cute little buns. Confession: I use disposable diapers; I'm one of those moms, filling up the landfills. Now, I applaud you if you are a cloth diapering mom {seriously my hat is off to you} but for me it just wasn't going to work out. So when it came down to picking a brand for Naomi I decided to go with a brand that describes themselves as "savvy style, sustainability, and extraordinary service & convenience all wrapped in a passion for social goodness, tied with a bow of integrity and sprinkled with a little cheeky fun." Because; if I'm going be filling landfills with these bad boys then I wanted them to be better for the environment, for my baby and it definitely helps that the prints are SUPER cute!





So guess what guys? I partnered up with this company to bring you and AH-mazing deal!
50% off {yes you saw that correctly} off of your first bundle! Just follow the affiliate link below. I pictured a few of my favorite prints that have been recently released, those pineapple, seahorse & coral, and eggs and bacon brunch style diapers have me all types of excited! P.S they have the {best} overnight diapers that I've found on the market, they start at size 3 and keep baby as dry as possible until morning! Can I hear in the back for no diaper leaks?!

Other fantastic qualities that brand this brand processes is; the option each month to add three items at half-off to your bundle (personal products, home products, training pants, etc.) You get first access to brand new seasonal prints a few days before they are released to everyone else, they have a very user-friendly app and you can put our bundle on auto ship to be sent to you every, 4, 5, or 6 weeks depending on your baby's needs. Some of my other favorite products are; the bottom wash which has soothing aloe in it. The Honest Sunscreen Stick SPF 30 that is easy and convenient to use. Also they recently released Lactation Plus+ to their vitamin line, if you struggle with supply like I did then you should check these out!

And with this link below you can get $10 off a regular purchase of $25:
$10 off a minimum purchase of $25 with promo code GET10 at checkout (first time customers only, may only be used once per new user)

Happy diaper changing & bottom washing!

xoxo - Tiffany



(this post contains affiliate links)

Don’t feel sorry for him. He is a good dad. A content dad with a heart overflowing with love. He is thankful for the three little girls we have been so blessed with. We are happy. We are satisfied with our lives, a boy would not make us happier nor our lives more complete. We have healthy children. He's not slighted because they are of the female gender because it's not all tea parties and tutus and barbies around here; these girls love to throw on their boots caked in manure and head up to the farm, puddle jump, run the isles of the dairy barn and feed the cows straight from their hands. We don't hold them back, we don't gender restrain them, we simply let them be kids--our kids who we were given for a purpose. The next time you feel sad or sorry for a family that has children of the same gender, think twice, that family is the way it's supposed to be. Its the way God intended it to be for at least that moment in time. This also goes for only children families, i’m an only child and I do believe that I’ve turned out to be a well adjusted adult and a decent human being even though I didn't grow up with siblings.

So when you see that girl dad at the store, don't feel bad for him because he has three weddings to pay for and will probably have to create a spreadsheet for bathroom time during those teenage years. There is a reason he was given all of those girls. Also, don't feel bad for the boy dad that you see wrangling his rambunctious boys in the parking lot because you're afraid he'll only know a life of baseball games, dump trucks and never know what it's like to go to a dance recital. It's ok. We are ok, we are families of same gender children and we are going to be just fine.

Blessings,
xoxo - Tiffany

Bunch O Balloons - Water Balloons

Perfect for a picnic with lots of kids attending or when you need yours to blow off some steam or energy effectively while having fun!

Zoku Fish Frozen Pop Molds

We have had this Zoku pop maker for along time and the girls love whipping up pops with left over smoothie mix or their favorite fruit juice and if your feeling like a 'bad mom' make some kool-aid and fill them up. Nothing says summer like lips stained red. 

xoxo - Tiffany

Father's Day is right around the corner so the girls and I started brainstorming ideas of what to get my husband. The girls and I went right to the drawing board, throwing out ideas of what on earth we could get the hardworking man in our lives that never wants anything. I asked my oldest Ava what she thought and she quickly said "Oh mom, he needs boots! Like those farm boy boots so he can go get all muddy with me at the farm!" A valid thought since he's always going through boots. Next, I asked my younger daughter Charlotte what she thought and she yelled, "RAINBOW DASH! He needs a my little pony so he can play twilight sparkle with me..oh oh and maybe cinderella slippers toooooo." You can tell who my girly girl is. Ha! Now if the man in your life is anything like Aaron is then he likes shoes, nice shoes, comfortable shoes, quality shoes. I used to be under the impression that it was just women who had a thing for shoes but after meeting him I discovered that some men do also. With all of these ideas written down I got started on my search for the perfect gift. All three of us finally decided on a pair of shoes. Each girl nodding in unison that yes dad would love these because he loves shoes. Below I rounded up a few of my favorite shoes for the special father/men in your lives!

Left to Right

Havaiana Flip Flop | Clark's Norwin Vibe

Born Hemlock Boots | Vans

Birkenstock 'Arizona' | Converse

---------------------------

But- if you have a non-shoe lover in your family then here are a few other practical, hysterical and fun ideas!

Left to Right

Gardenbyrd Hose Nozzle | Phantom 75' Expandable Garden Hose

That's What She Said | Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffingan

Yeti Coolster | Yeti Rambler 20oz

Blessings-

xoxo Tiffany

OK y'all...I'm going to be really real for a second, again. Ha! I have many short comings but my honest to goodness real-life Achilles Heel is LAUNDRY! Anyone else? Anyone? I do occasionally find it fun sorting the colors, separating piles of delicates and towels, putting it in the washer and adding powdery soap but after that step happens that is usually when the wheels start to fall off my laundry express bus. Yes, we drive many buses in this house. Well, I was inspired to write this post today because for the first time in over a month (yes you read that correctly) I saw the floor of my laundry room, its tan tile...I totally forgot!

In short, you're not alone if you also hate doing laundry. (Yes, I know it's a strong word) If you dislike the mundane task of switching the loads, hanging up items that can't be dried in the dryer, ironing shirts because your husband hates wrinkles (I do too but hello #timeconsuming) and then shuffling all of those piles of clean folded clothes into drawers. 

Folks, it is OK to feel overwhelmed by the task of clean clothing and to give yourself some grace this Monday morning even if the rest of the people in your house don't BECAUSE I hear your laundry room battlecry and I sympathize!

Happy Monday!
xoxo- Tiffany

• The detox bath is designed to open the skin’s pores, so I don't wash bodies or hair during this particular tub time. Just set a timer for 20 minutes, put on some Disney radio tunes and give them tub toys to play with.
• If your water is unfiltered then you will need to neutralize it by adding ¼ cup natural baking soda. Add this 5-7 minutes before getting in to help alkalize the water and neutralize chemicals, including chlorine.
• If adding essential oils to the bath then only use 'top quality' therapeutic-grade oils. I recommend dōterra and young living, they are very reputable brands. I don’t recommend purchasing any oils from say...Walmart. Those brands have many 'other' fillers in them.
• Also be sure to drink a cup of water afterward to replenish, and they can cause drowsiness so be prepared to relax. 

"If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales." -Albert Einstein

One of my favorite things about having children is all of the different books we get to read. My mom started me off with a collection of Nancy Drew books while in elementary school, I remember reading the first one in a day and being obsessed with books ever since that day. During the first few months of our married life I would spend a lot of time just reading while we drove cross country every other week. Aaron thought it was hilarious that one particular day I sat in the passenger seat from sun up to sun down just reading.

It has also been a dream of mine to have an entire room dedicated to of all the books I had read...I guess that's what most would call a library. Ha! ...Maybe one day but right now our rooms are chock full of baby things, toys & more toys. But there is one spot in the house where some of my books hang out because while finishing our basement Aaron had a built-in bookshelf installed. He knows that two things that I really love are built-ins & books. Best husband ever. As for the girls, their books are..well, all over the house. A corner in their room, a corner in the basement, a shelf on my bookcase and their 'current favorites' (obsessions that we constantly re-read) hang out on display shelves in their play room.

Also since we are such book lovers over here we decided to try out Bookroo. An online book club that every month curates, wraps and delivers books to your front door. You choose from 3 board books for ages 0-2 years or 2 picture books for ages 2-6 years. You can choose either a 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month subscription.

We received our first Bookroo Box and the girls were so pleased with their selections, When Charlie Mcbutton Lost Power & Lulu's Party.

If you want to get your very own Bookroo Box, click here!

Happy Reading Friends!

It's early. Too early even for the birds to be awake. Aaron just headed up to the barn, and the house is quiet. My two tiny dragons are still sleeping peacefully in their bunk beds, and the baby is back down after a quick feed. It's raining again this morning, but I don't mind it. My coffee is miraculously still hot, but my 'momma heart' is a bit heavy.

I started writing again as a creative outlet, mostly to share ideas and things I am currently enjoying, but so far every time I sit down to write a post I feel like I want {ok, need} to pour out my soul.

Yesterday was, well... a day. The morning started off great as they typically do, but by lunch time I could tell Charlotte was in need of a nap. Ava started not typically needing a nap every day, which is causing nap time for Charlotte to be a bit tricky. I honestly feel like I'm devising a strategic tactical plan when I think about how I'm going to handle the 12:30 post-lunch battle.

Well folks, yesterday I lost. {kids - 1 // mom - 0}Around 3:30 - 4:00 p.m., the wheels started falling off the happy express bus, and we were headed straight for crazy town. There were sibling fights breaking out over paper scraps (I mean, seriously), sassy words being shouted, timeouts happening, raised voices, and enough guilt to go around for everyone. Eventually the girls went to bed miraculously early, without much fuss; so as my day was ending, I started to analyze the events that occurred and of course started feeling like a 'bad mom'.

I prayed for a better day tomorrow.

Then, this morning when I decided to stay up after feeding Naomi to finish the last chapter of the book I'm currently reading, I was reminded of a big truth that's not always easy to allow yourself to believe:

"YOU ARE A GOOD MOM."
"YOU ARE ENOUGH."

The words stung. I said them out loud. I needed to hear them.

Here's an excerpt from the chapter, in case anyone else needs to hear these words this morning:

"Here. I'll say it again. YOU are a good mom. Has anyone told you that in a while? Or ever? Has anyone looked you squarely in the eyes and told you that you are doing a great job? Has anyone held your hand and reminded your heart that this whole being a momma thing is hard, and its normal for it to feel impossible some days? Has anyone ever admitted to you that she feels like a huge failure some days too?"

"Sometimes it happens in the middle the afternoon. The kids are fighting, and I'm trying to get the baby to nap, so I holler, "Go sit on your beds, and don't make a sound until I come get you!" And immediately, I feel guilty for how I have responded. I think about how they are just as important as the baby that I am rocking in my arms, and I wonder if they feel like I don't love them as much. I question why I couldn't just set the baby in his crib and give a kind correction to my older children. Why couldn't I just show them love when they needed it the most? Isn't that what I would have wanted someone to do for me?"

"So, if you'll let me, I'd like to remind both of us why we are not bad mommas. And hopefully, by the end of this thing, we'll have started a movement of women who want to speak truth into the hearts of other moms across the globe. Because when we mommas set our hearts on something, there's nothing that can stop us. And you and me? Well, together we just might be about to change the world. But it has to start with us. First, we have to believe it ourselves. So, say it with me: "I am a good mom."

Friends I feel like this, and if you feel like this also you are not alone. This next passage hit me right in the gut, it was like she was talking to me about my day yesterday. It's incredible to me how we just happen to read something right when we NEED it. She continues:

Lately, I've been wanting to be given grace in certain situations (see: laundry and dirty floors) but truth bomb... so do my kids. Now, there is a fine line between extending some grace and not letting them get away with something but sometimes they just need grace also.

My takeaway from this chapter is this:

Let's not focus on the #momfails, but instead let's change the conversation about motherhood. Call yourself a good mom, and believe it. Say goodbye to the negative feelings, because we all make mistakes. And by all means, stop whispering to yourself "if only I were a better mom..." Stop thinking "all the other moms are doing it right, and I'm not..."

Because, even though it feels like it at times, I know with all my heart that I'm not a failure. And I know you are not a failure. Let's be real for a minute. We are all trying to survive, we are all doing our very best, and the reality is - there is no one right way to do anything. You do what you need to do, do it the best you can do, and believe in yourself because YOU ARE A GOOD MOM, and YOU ARE ENOUGH.

We certainly don't hear it often enough. So let's commit to not only telling ourselves that, but let's commit to telling each other every now and then.

Ask yourself, "How can I encourage another mom this week? How can I help her believe she is a good mom too?"

Blessings, Tiffany

The book is:
Hope Unfolding: Grace Filled Truth for the Momma's Heart by Becky Thompson