Getting ready for Baby #2

When I first found out that we were expecting our second baby, I thought we already had everything we needed for his arrival. Then, I actually did a mental checklist and realized there were quite a few things that we didn't have or that we had gotten rid of that we would need.

1.Double Stroller

2.Carseat

3.We needed to figure out the sleeping situation. Would we need another crib? Should we transition Dakota to a toddler bed and use his crib for Levi? (We decided to transition Koda to a big boy bed)

4.Breastpump. The one I had with Koda didn't work well.

And of course there were a few things that I had discovered since Koda was a baby that I would want this time around.

Here's some of my wishlist items. Things that we don't necessarily need but will most likely pick up to make our lives a little easier.
Evenflo Symphony Convertible Car seat- This is Dakota's current car seat and we love it so much that we decided to just go with it from the beginning this time. It comes with an infant insert which is perfect. We still have Dakota's infant car seat to use for trips to the store and things like that. Friendly reminder-NEVER put your infant car seat on top of a shopping cart! There is NO proper way to do it. Always put it INSIDE the basket. ALWAYS.
Dex Daydreamer- This is kind of like the Nap Nanny which was discontinued. I guess this one is 'safer'. Although, as far as I could tell, the Nap Nanny wasn't dangerous as long as you used it correctly. Who knows...I'm just glad there's something similar available.
4moms Mamaroo- This baby is amazing. It's different from a typical baby 'swing' because it simulates the motion that the mother makes while the baby is in the womb. It has a swaying motion as opposed to a swinging motion. You can also plug your Ipod directly into it and it will play your playlist. I've seen it in person and was pretty impressed and after reading the reviews on it, my husband and I were both completely sold. Besides, the swing we had with Koda lost pieces during our many moves so.....it's kind of like I HAVE to get it, right?
Snuza Halo or Hero- This is for my comfort and peace of mind. When Dakota was newborn I would constantly lean over during the night to check if he was breathing, meaning between that and feedings, I got absolutely no sleep. This doodad eliminates the need for me to check his breathing myself because it does it for me. You clip it on your baby's diaper and it monitors the movements they make from breathing. If it stops for longer than a few seconds, it alerts you. I read the reviews on this and they were all positive and have saved more than a few lives.
Woombie- A swaddler the hugs your baby tighter than a typical swaddle so that it feels more womblike.

If you're looking to save money, check your area for consignment sales. They have brand new/gently used items at HUGE discounts. I went to one recently and was able to pick up a double stroller, a brand new, completely unopened breast pump, and a few other things for both of my boys.
 What items did you realize you would need or need more of when you were expecting another baby? I hope there's not something super obvious that I'm completely spacing on!


Returning to blogging & Baby DQ #2

Yes, I'm still alive. I took a break from blogging but I think I'm ready to get back at it. I will for sure have plenty to write about because...Surprise! We are expecting Baby DQ #2! My due date is June 15- Father's Day! We are having another little man and his name is Levi Wyatt. Dakota loves to kiss my belly and hug it and say 'awwww'.

Speaking of Koda...he is so crazy big and so so smart! He amazes me every day with how much he is learning and growing. His vocabulary expands each and every day and his personality keeps growing. He is absolutely hilarious and super adorable, and believe me, he knows it. I truly cannot believe he is already almost a year and a half! Where has all the time gone?

Along with getting ready to welcome a new baby, we are also making some other big changes. We have moved back home from Germany and are transitioning out of 'the military lifestyle' and back into civilian life. That means finding a new home which I am super excited about. I can't wait to get into a new house and start decorating and making it into our home. We've never really been able to settle in and decorate and everything because every time we got to a new place, we would move very shortly after so there was really no point. Hopefully now we will be somewhere more permanent and actually be able to make it our own. When we do start decorating and all of that, I will be sharing pictures and projects on here so you all can follow along.

Keep an eye out for posts on preparing for Baby #2, Summer Style for the littles, and Cloth Diapering.

The Wonder Weeks

Wonder Weeks = A grumpy baby, and a very tired mommy

If you don't know what a Wonder Week is, let me break it down for you.
A few weeks at a time when your baby/toddler will cry almost constantly, forget all about their schedule, refuse naps, wake up 5 times a night, and test the boundaries that you've set for him/her while also testing your sanity.
Why? Because just as babies go through physical growth spurts, they also go through mental ones. These mental growth spurts are what the book The Wonder Weeks call "leaps" because after these few weeks of what you are certain is your breaking point, your baby will be able to do and understand things that he/she was not able to before. From what I understand from reading The Wonder Weeks, during the leap our babies might now know what's going on or why their world seems different every time they wake up and it can be very upsetting which is why we, as parents, experience our babies being extremely irritable and clingy (not wanting to be put down).
The bad news is that these 'leaps' can be exhausting and trying for us parents, but the good news is that not only will our baby 'leap' to his/her next stage, there is a general timeline of when these leaps will happen. I've been following this calendar since Koda was just a few weeks old and sure enough - he is right on cue with every leap.

If I notice one day that he's being extra fussy or his schedule has changed, I look at my calendar and 10 out of 10 times he will be in a leap. It even shows when the worst point of the leap will be. This is (in my experience) right on point as well. Here's the calendar so you can track your baby and maybe you will find that his/her 'fussy periods' are more predictable than you think! You can buy the book The Wonder Weeks HERE or download this APP for your phone/tablet which will track your baby on the chart and tell you what you can expect and what they are learning from that particular leap.

Dakota is right in between week 44 and 45. You see that little storm cloud over week 44? Yea...it's there for a reason. These past few days have been hard for both of us but today, I can already tell that things are getting better and we'll be out of the woods soon. I know that because for the first time in about a week, he has went down for an early afternoon nap, without putting up a fight.
That's what I'm talkin' about!

Living in Germany

"What's it like living in Germany?"
I can't tell you how many times I've been asked this question since my family and I moved here almost 6 months ago. I didn't think it was fair to give my opinion until I had the chance to actually experience it for a while. After living here for a few months now, I'm still hesitant to give an answer, but I do have one....kind of.
I'm not the biggest fan.

BUT!!!
Let's keep in mind that I have a very limited view. I haven't been able to travel much or experience all the great things that Germany has to offer. We live in a very small Army community, which is currently shutting down and lots of things aren't available to us anymore. So, there's that....along with the language barrier which can sometimes be very frustrating. I'm not saying that everyone should know English or something, because that wouldn't be fair. I just struggle with the language barrier and it can make simple things, like a trip to the grocery store, rather difficult.

I'm also not a fan of the driving here. I'm a nervous driver in general, and even though I have my German license, I am still terrified every time I have to drive somewhere. Drivers here seem very abrupt to me and it makes me uncomfortable. Maybe I'm just a wuss but, it is what it is.
There are a few other things that I don't like such as no A/C or ceiling fans, having to use bottled water, and the lack of elevators makes it difficult when you have a stroller and a baby that isn't able to walk. But now I just sound spoiled.

There are a few things that I really do love.
I love the scenery. Not necessarily where I live, but in places like Garmisch, the view is truly breathtaking.

Baby toys! Germany has some of the coolest baby/kids toys that I've ever seen. Not to mention their strollers. It's basically a bassinet on wheels. Neat-o!

"Downtown" Pretty much every place you go in Germany (that I've been to, at least) has a 'downtown' area with lots of shops and cafe's that you can just walk around for hours! When the weather is nice, it's perfect for family outings. You can go to and Eiscream shop and get these really elaborate (and delicious!) sundae's, go to a wine shop and taste all the wines and liquors, stop at a restaurant or 'brauhaus' and get a meal or a cheese platter, and go to all the other little shops along the way.  

I also love all the festivals that Germany has! There was one right across the street from where we live and we went to it almost every day that it was here. They have the best goodies and treats and also live bands and BEER, BEER and more BEER!

Hmm....maybe I like Germany a little more that I thought ;)

FALLing in love!

The weather here in Germany is already cooling off and it's seriously putting me into the most festive mood!
Yes, I'm that girl with the Fall wreath already hanging on the door.

I used to be a die-hard Summer lover, but from home décor to Halloween duds for the little one, this Momma has fallen in love with FALL.

I've got my spicy scents from Candles by Victoria in my warmer, all the classic Halloween themed movies on the TV, cute festive designs on my chalkboards and apple cider in my mug!

It might seem a little soon to be jumping into all of this but I just can't help myself!

Speaking of not being able to help myself, I've already hit up Old Navy and Carter's to get some seasonal stuff for my little man. I think that any little one (girl or boy) could rock these all season long.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to get back to my Halloween movie marathon! (Hocus Pocus, anyone?)



Chicken and Veggie Stir Fry

Who doesn't love a good recipe? Especially when it's super easy, fast, and yummy!
This is something that I threw together one night and it turned out DELICIOUS!
The pineapples add a burst of flavor and the water chestnuts and cashews add some crunch!
Here's what you'll need:

2 or 3 chicken breast, cut into strips (depending on how many people you're serving)
3 bell peppers (1 red, 1 yellow, 1 green) cut into strips
1 medium onion, diced
1 cup baby portabello mushrooms, sliced (more, if you like)
1 can water chestnuts
1 can diced pineapple
1 cup halved cashews
Kikkoman Stir-Fry Sauce (approx 1/2 bottle)

In a skillet, cook chicken. In another skillet, combine bell peppers, onion, and mushrooms and saute until soft. In a pot or large skillet, combine chicken and vegetables and stir fry sauce. Add in water chestnuts, pineapple and cashews and let simmer uncovered for 5-10 minutes. Serve. You can also serve over noodles or rice, if you prefer.  Enjoy!

This or That: Diaper Genie vs. Munchkin Diaper Pail

There are SO many decisions to be made when you are preparing for the arrival of a baby. How should you decorate the nursery? What brands should you use? What items are worth splurging on and which items can I afford to spend less on?
After going through this, I have come across some products that I've had to switch out or replace, which means spending more money so, I've decided to start doing this type of post called 'This or That' where I will compare two or more brands of the same type of item and give you a review of both, ultimately giving my opinion of which is better and hopefully saving you some time, hassle, and money.

Our first match- Diaper Disposal

You spend hour upon hours, and most likely quite a bit of money, on setting up your babies nursery. It's beautiful and perfect, just like your sweet new baby, but if you don't have a good way to dispose of diapers, that perfectly designed room that you worked so hard on can become a room that you'll avoid at all costs because it smells like baby poo. Even if you don't dispose of your diapers in the nursery, wherever you do dispose of them, the smell is sure to linger.


DIAPER GENIE ($ 34.99): When preparing for Dakota's arrival, we got a gently used Diaper Genie from a consignment sale (We probably paid about $10.00). It was in perfect condition and had no 'smell' to it. However, after Dakota arrived and it was put to use, it quickly became a problem. It held in the 'smell' when it was closed, but the moment you opened it to throw away a new diaper, the room was filled with stench. I couldn't figure out what the problem was. It was emptied (which was a nightmare because those liners are a huge pain in the but to work with) and cleaned out on a regular basis. I tried using baking soda to help absorb some of the smell but nothing worked. The smell was getting unbearable and I got to the point where I would rather just throw the diaper in a plastic bag, tie it up, and throw it in the regular trash bin just to avoid opening the Diaper Genie.

Finally, enough was enough and my husband and I agreed that it was time to give in and get a different diaper disposal system.

Munchkin Arm and Hammer Diaper Pail ($29.99): This diaper pail is a DREAM. It is so easy  to use and when you throw away a diaper, the liner twists so that no smell escapes from the bag. There is also a cartridge of baking soda in the lid that releases a sprinkle every time it shuts so it keeps the pail even fresher and when it's empty, you just pop off the lid and refill it! No expensive cartridges you have to buy.. The liners are SO easy to deal with, too. Instead of all the turning, and cutting that comes with the diaper genie, when you are ready to empty this diaper pail, the top of the bag pops out, snaps together and becomes a handle, and a closure for the bag. GENIUS! I couldn't be happier we made the switch. I just wish we hadn't waited so long!

If you'd like, you can click here to watch a video and see just how the Munchkin Diaper Pail works.

The winner of this match up is clear- Munchkin Arm and Hammer Diaper Pail.

If you'd like to see more posts like this, or have a request on a type of baby item that you'd like to see compared, just comment below!