A Special Gift From Mommy

What in the world do you get a one year old for her birthday when she already  has everything?  I have been racking my brain trying to think of stuff and all that comes to mind is clothes.  Riley has way too many toys as it is and I know family will get her more, but what should I as her mommy get her?  For some reason I feel like it should be a special gift.  Any thoughts or ideas?  I'm truly lost on this one.

Andrea :)

I Think We Have a Winner!

Adam, Riley and I toured another daycare this week, Childtime.  We loved it!!! The facility was clean, professional, we liked the teacher to child ratio, the teachers seemed very nice and much more!  I think that we have a winner!  Riley will be starting in June, but we might put her in before hand so we can ease her in to the process.  Is that a better idea? So far we really like Childtime and I will have to let you all know what we think when Riley actually starts there!  We are super excited!

Andrea :)

Planning, Planning, Planning!

Well, I just sent out the invitations for Riley's FIRST birthday party!  I have a feeling she is going to be so excited!  I did decide to go with the theme that I posted previously.  I saw the cutest idea on Pinterest where you string 13 circles together, like a banner, and put a picture of your baby from newborn to 12 months on each circle.  I already ordered the materials, and now I have to choose the pictures!  I think that will be a great focal point for the party!  Also, I have been thinking about outfits!  I want Riley to be comfortable, so I have decided on a white onesie that will be personalized and a tutu to match that can easily be taken off.  Below, I have attached my ideas.  The name would obviously change to Riley on the onesie, and I really like this tutu, but will have to get it made without the top.  What do you all think?

The Daycare Search Is ON!

It is officially time for Riley to start daycare in the summer.  Both my husband and I will have busy work and school schedules.  I am so nervous!  I just had my first tour with Kindercare today.  I thought it was okay but I am definitely keeping my options open.  We have a tour scheduled for Monday at Childtime.

Ever since day 1, I have stayed home with Riley and done the housewife thing.  Now that I am graduating in December and expenses are soaring I need to focus on work and providing for my family.  So daycare it is.  I have a very long list of expectations but I would love advice from other parents when it comes to the daycare setting.  What should I look out for and what questions should I ask?  Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Have a Fabulous Friday!
Andrea :)

Fleas...

SO my dog, Shaye, has fleas...I have treated her with medicine on her shoulder blades, I've given her a bath with flea shampoo twice, and I have sprayed her with stuff that is supposed to kill fleas.  I keep finding them on her here and there.  I have vacuumed the entire apartment and I just don't know what else to do!

I bought these "bombs" that are fog bombs intended to kill fleas and flea eggs.  I haven't used them yet because I am afraid for Riley's safety.  The bomb is poisoness and we would have to be away from the house for at least 3 hours or so.  I am so afraid because I don't want Riley crawling around on the carpet if the stuff is going to get her sick.  Does anyone know of anything I can do to get rid of the fleas without using the bomb?  And if I use the bomb will it be safe for Riley?  NEED HELP!!

Thanks,
Andrea

Planning the PARTY!

Riley's FIRST birthday is coming up!! I have brainstormed numerous ideas and I think that I have finally decided on a giraffe theme!  It is super cute.  I am not the most creative person ever and would love some tips on DIY decorations that will add to the party!  Below is the theme I have chosen!  If you have any party secrets please share! I will keep you all updated on the planning :)

Teething!!

Riley is officialy teething at 11 months....she's a late bloomer!  Anyways, she is quite cranky and I have been freezing teething rings to give her.  They seem to work well for only a little bit though.  I have tried orajel and haven't seen the best results either.  Are there any secrets to helping your baby get through this process?  She is very restless at night and I feel so bad for her!! Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Happy Friday!
Andrea :)

Easter Weekend

I hope that all of you enjoyed your Easter holiday as much as I did!! My family went to my in-laws river house in Oriental.  This was Riley's first Easter and first time hunting for eggs!  She had a blast!  She also went swimming in the pool for the very first time!  On Sunday we went to church and had a family cookout.  The weekend couldn't have been any better!  Here are some photos from the river house!

Family golf cart ride!

Riley found some eggs!

Swimming with daddy :)

Learning to Walk!

So now that Riley has mastered crawling, she's ready to start walking!  She can hold on to our coffee table and make her way around.  I can tell she wants to be as mobile as possible, which is scary for me!  I am so excited for her to walk but I'm nervous at the same time because it will be so much harder for me to keep up with her!  I'm also nervous about her getting hurt.  She gets so many bruises from bumping in to the table and various other things.  Any suggestions or recommendations on safety tips for newly walking babies?  Anything would be helpful!

Thanks!
Andrea :)

Decorating

I have been in the mood to decorate my house lately.  I just feel like it doesn't have enough on the walls.  I found some great ideas on Pinterest.com.  This site is awesome!  If you are crafty and want to work on do it yourself projects, this is the place to go.  You can look up anything from clothes to cooking to decor and so on.  I got some pretty neat ideas and hopefully I will get the chance to do them.  Once I do I will be sure to post pictures of my new and improved home!!

Andrea :)

Let's Go for a Walk!

Today was so beautiful outside!!  I enjoyed it by taking Riley for a nice stroller ride and we took our dog along too.  After that we set out a blanket in the grass and played around.  She loved it!  She is definitely an outdoors kind of girl.  Going on walks is great for us stay at home moms.  It gives us a chance to get out of the house, catch some rays, exercise, and relive some stress.  I would recommend it whenever its nice enough to take the little one out with you.  I plan on walking every single day I can and I hope you all do too!

Happy walking!
Andrea :)

Crusin!

Sorry it has been a while since I last posted everyone! My husband and I went on a cruise and we were out of contact with everyone.  AHHH it felt so nice to get away!  My in-laws along with my parents both watched Riley while we were gone, so she was in good hands. 

Coming back from the cruise....well lets just say I probably gained a good amount of weight!! Not to mention I am still trying to lose my baby weight.  Here is something that WORKS and all of you moms out there who need to drop weight...this is it.  It's called the 90 day body by vi challenge.  You replace meals with delicious shakes and see the weight dissapear.  I have lost 5 pounds so far, my mom has lost 9 pounds and I know plenty more people who have lost anywhere from 10-50 pounds!!  I am telling you this method works!! If anyone has any questions or wants any info feel free to comment on this post and I would be happy to give you info!

Happy Monday!
Andrea :)

She's Crawlling!

Well it's finally happened...Riley is crawling!! She loves it.  She has become so much more active, which is great for me because she spends more time entertaining herself now.  I have baby proofed my house by putting plugs in the outlets and bumpers on the ends of the coffee table.  I would definitely recommend the bumpers.  I feel much more comfortable about Riley crawling around because I know that they will protect her little head.  Any other tips for baby proofing?? Advice is much appreciated!

Breaking bad habits...

Ok, I am so bad about this.  I let Riley sleep in the bed with us when she is super fussy.  I need my sleep too and I hate to hear her cry non-stop so I fold and let her sleep with mommy and daddy.  She is starting to get to the point where she refuses to sleep in her crib alone because she has gotten so used to being with us.  I don't know what to do!!!  I need some serious mommy help on this one....

Andrea :)

Getting Rid of the Cold...

OK everyone, sorry I haven't posted since my first...it's been a busy weekend!!!

My daughter, Riley, who is 9 months old has a cold.  I took her to the doctor and she just said do Tylenol.  Do any of you moms have any other recommendations?  Riley seems very irritated and I hate that she doesn't feel well!  The doctor also said she is probably teething.  Any good teething remedies out there?  Thanks for your insight!

Andrea :)

WooHoo!! My first blog post ever!  I am very excited to get started with this for many reasons.  I love being a mommy, I love talking to other women who I can relate to and I love decorating and coming up with neat idea for kids' room and toys etc.  In this blog, I will post about my daughter, Riley, my life as a stay at home mom, questions that I have for you more experienced moms, and I will talk about neat ideas for birthday parties, nurserys, photo shoots, home decor and lots more!  I hope you all enjoy this as much as I do. 

Let the blogging begin!

Andrea :)