Road Trip Survival Guide (from an expert mommy traveler)

We are on the go so often that sometimes when we load up in the car i have the tumble weed song from  Fievle Goes West playing in my head. Rollin, rollin, rollin, keep rollin, rollin, rollin, rawhide! 

Okay hopefully im not the only one that feels that way. Luckily i have been blessed with two great little travelers. These babes pretty much have been on the go, in the car since the day they were born. Both of them started their long distance car rides at just a couple weeks and the treks have just kept getting longer. Since i consider myself a travel expert i have came up with a few items that you MUST have to survive a trip via car. 

Lets call it the Rollin, Survival Kit

1.Back Pack To store everything in of course, 

2. I am pretty sure this is how miracle worker is spelled-IPad. I know this isn't in everyones budget but if you are brave and run errands and travel a lot with your kids I promise the investment is well worth it.  I can not even count how many times turning on sesame street or an app has saved both mine and Leightons lives.

3. mirror this is for the rear facing babes. It is so nice to know when Em is awake or not and to give me peace of mind that she is still alive when she has been quiet for a long time.

4. head rest this should be self explanatory.

5. coloring activities Hello best coloring inventions ever! So besides playing on the iPad, coloring can keep Leighton entertained for hours and the plus side to both of these, no mess! 

6. Mostly mess free snacks Because your littles will get hungry and you don't want to stop to feed them.

Even though stopping every 2 hours is recommended

7. Books Why not work on those ABC's while you have the time? Not only do we read but we play games. Find a letter or an animal etc. Its like having eye spy in your hands.

I'd love to hear what your road trip go too's are and don't forget to link up!

Have questions about traveling? Feel free to ask! Don't want to leave a comment?

Email me at hello@loveandlife-blog.com

  Hopefully you can find these tips helpful for your summer travels.  Make sure to check out the other mama's blogs for even more tips!  And be sure to link up with us below if you also have a post on this.

Like a Morning Cup of Coffee// From Here to Eternity// The Not Quite Military Wife//

A Cowboy's Life// My Delicious Adventure// Sadie Sky Boutique// Meet the Sullivan's//

Love and Life//  Foxy's Domestic Side// Everyday Love// Life of Faith

July 10:  Keeping your marriage alive with a toddler

July 17:  Favorite summer toddler activities

July 24:  Helping Your Toddler to Communicate (Words, emotions, etc.)

July 31:  Dealing with Separation Anxiety

Aug 7:    Car Trip Necessities

Aug 14:  Deciding when the time is right for baby #2 (and/or how to handle these questions)

Aug 21:  Tricks for eating out with your toddler

Aug 28:  Feeling confident as a mom (How to feel this way, Your struggle with, etc.)

An InLinkz Link-up

9 months!

My sweet sweet Emersyn turned 9 months old on the 1st of August. I couldn't believe it. How has this tiny little baby of mine grown so quickly. In three short months she will be 1! Okay I am going to pretend like i didn't just realize that. She is so little still. Really she is like having a real life baby doll at my disposal. She lets me dress her up, wears her bows, lets Leighton drag her around, push her, hold her and pat her on the head and she doesn't do anything but smile. I hope i don't jinx myself here but i can't say it enough, Emersyn is a dream baby. At 9 months old Emersyn is still wearing 3-6 month clothes. But don't let her size fool you, she has some chunky legs that we cant squish enough. She loves to smile, laugh at Leighton, clap her hands and stand. Yes, stand! She even took 3 steps today with out holding on to anything. (insert eye covering emoji here) I tried to pretend like it didn't happen, but it did. When Leighton was 9 months old we were encouraging early walking, i dont know why we wanted that girl to grow up so fast. I just want my babies to be babies forever now. Em is still a total baby when it comes to eating though. This silly little girl just wants to nurse and that is alright with me. If she is absolutely starving she will take a bottle even though she doesn't know how to drink it very well. She will ocasionally eat kale puffs, bread, or a veggie pouch but those moments are few and far between. Maybe with walking will come eating. We still haven't decided whether or not we should call her Emma. 9 months ago we thought thats what we would name her and here we are still calling her Emersyn. She just seems like such a unique spirit that she deserves a unique name to go with it. 

Dear Babies

Dear Leighton and Emersyn,

                You two have been sick the past few days and I am about ready for you to be over it. I am also about ready to punch a mom from the park in the face. I really am not a violent person, i promise. My mother bear instincts just come out when you are harmed in anyway and in this case it was getting sick. Since i am so upset she took her sick kids to the park who got you two sick, we have not left the house for a while. I am use to being gone almost all day long between the gym, errands, and the park. Being home the past few days has not been easy but in some ways it has been great. You both have been so sad and tired and whiny but all you have wanted was for me to hold you, love you and make everything better. You have fought over who gets to sit on my lap and who gets to rock with me first. You take turns having fevers, runny noses, and the saddest little coughs. Im sorry you have both been upset but i have loved all of your loving. Leighton you have been cuddling with me on the couch all day and want me to hold your hand or carry you in the kitchen so you can look at your fish. Emersyn you cry when you are left alone but smile when i hold you and kiss your hands. You touch my face and look at me with so much trust while i cradle you. When you two are sad and can't feel better unless i cuddle you or rub your back i suddenly feel needed more than ever. Making sure you are happy and healthy and safe is my job and when you aren't that way i have to work extra hard to get you feeling good again. I hope that you always need me this way. That when you aren't feeling great, you will come to me and want to cuddle and have me make it better. I love both of you more than you will ever know.

Love
Mom

Motivate Me Monday- Sick Days

This past week was eventful and fun and very very draining. Emersyn got sick on Thursday and as much as i tried to convince myself that she was doing fine, she wasn't. She hasn't slept at night since Wednesday and i mean really hasn't slept. Like when the baby can only sleep being held and the second you lay her down she starts screaming or once you do get her to lay down she just coughs herself awake. This has been awesome! Im full of sarcasm right now (due to my lack of sleep) so bare with me. 

Last night sat down to write this post and thought what in the world is going to motivate me this week, what do i need?! All i can think? Sleeeeep. So i gave up on this until this morning. Hope all of you have slept much much more than i have the past few days and i hope all the littles are way healthier. It is summer, life is supposed to be a dream and no one is supposed to be sick. But here is real life and here is what is motivating me today. 

Motivate Me Monday- Dream Weekend

Did anyone else have a dream weekend? We sure did. I honestly am pretty sad that it is over. Saturday started off with a super awesome Piyo class that kicked my butt and let the babes play at the gym day care. For some reason Leighton loves the place. Then we went on a breakfast and swim date with friends. Coconut, chocolate chip, ricotta pancakes are always a good idea! 

My little girls are quite the pair of fish. Leighton is way too brave in the water and i need to get her into lessons asap! Every time she thought i wasn't watching her she would run straight to the deep end and try to jump in. Thank goodness for awesome lifeguards who kept their eyes on her. 

After the pool and nap time i took the girls to the local nursery for "garden days" they were offering free little kid train rides. Leighton was in love. If it wasn't for the wind she would have rode that thing all afternoon. While we were there i had her help me pick out some new things to plant in the yard. What was her favorite plant to carry around? Beats. We planted everything together after church yesterday. It is so nice to be at this point in Leighton's life where she is taking everything in and learning so much. She loves to be a helper and its great because Emersyn loves to watch. 

This week I hope to have more moments like this with my girls. I am going to be posting a list of all the things we want to do this summer. I am so glad it is finally here!

Emersyn is 6 Months Old!

I cannot believe my baby is growing so quickly. She has such a sweet personality. I never want her to grow up. This little girl is such a doll. I am obsessed with her chubby thighs and bum but it turns out she is very petit. This girl has such a different little shape than Leighton did but she weighs a pound less and is an inch shorter than Leighton was at her age. This girl is only in the 12th percentile for weight! It seems so crazy to me that she is so tiny.

I love that she stills feels like a baby baby. She even lets me swaddle her still and she just barely moved into her crib last night. This sweet girl is a lot like her sister though, I think she is just trying to keep up. She is already crawling, sitting up on her own and getting into everything. By the time she is 2 we will have locks on every drawer, door and cabinet. Between her and Leighton nothing is really baby proof. 

Emersyn is the most mild mannered baby there ever was. She is always happy and if she does happen to get upset she can't figure out whether she should smile or cry. She loves Leighton so much and laughs the most when they play together. Emersyn lets her crazy big sister roll her across the living room, drag her into the teepee and even carry her into the backyard, all while smiling the biggest smile you have ever seen. 

 She has barely became interested in food and doesn't eat very much of it. Her favorite is kale puffs, she throws them all over the place and manages to eat them too. She isn't too fond of pureed food quite yet but sure looks cute with it all over her face. I love that she chooses to breast feed over everything else. It gives us more time together. 

Em loves blankets, and stuffed animals. She cuddles them close to her face while she sucks on her two right middle fingers. It melts my heart every time. She likes playing with things that move like wooden cars and anything little that she shouldn't have. Bath time is probably her favorite though. Her and Leighton could play in the bath for hours if i let them. With just a little bit of water she will splash forever, try to catch ducks and even roll around. 

I am not ready for this little baby of mine to grow up. Her sweet presents as a baby is just what i need in my life. She brings so much joy into our home that we don't know what we would have ever done with out her. 

Boobs to Bottles- Learn from My Mistake

Today's linked up topic is on transitioning from breast or formula feeding to milk. I have absolutely zero experience with formula feeding so i will talk about breast feeding to milk and you all can learn from all of my mistakes in this area. 

I have been blessed with the opportunity to breast feed both of my beautiful babies. I honestly was all about it with Leighton and so much so i was determined to feed her until she was at least two. I read so many great things about bonding and health that i was not opposed to feeding as long as she possibly would. That did not work out how i had hoped though. I started to lose my milk supply just a few weeks into my second pregnancy. Leighton was only 10 months old and i didn't even know i was pregnant yet. I got nervous and did everything i could to get it back. With out much luck Leighton slowly began taking more and more bottles, and by the time she was 11 1/2 months old she was almond milk from a bottle only. Not only was I devastated but Leighton was a year old and for the first time hooked on a bottle. (She drinks almond milk because she is allergic to dairy, and we aren't huge dairy fans anyways)

Break my heart here is the mistake i made... I transitioned her to a bottle. Wow was that stupid! Judge all you want, I have a 2 year old that takes a bottle every night before bed. I am a total push over but I changed her comfort from me to a bottle. 

Still I suggest breast feed as long as possible! The health benefits are out of this world. I know some people are turned off by breast feeding, it's possible to do in good taste. Use a cover or feed in private. If you are able it is the most loving and beneficial act you can do for your baby. It has been a beautiful and very fulfilling experience with both if my girls and not to mention it's saved sooo much money. 

When it is time to introduce milk. I think around 1 year is the easiest and healthiest time to do this, start with a sippy. Oh how I wish I would have. Milk or Almond milk is usually much sweeter and is almost like a treat so it's not that hard of a transition for the milk itself. But remember breast feeding is not only about milk, it's about comfort and attachment too. Help your child to find comfort in other ways than nursing. Introducing a stuffed animal or blanket is great at this time and make sure to still hold and cuddle your little one. They will notice a lack of physical contact if you don't. 

For mamas, remember this transition might not be easy on you. Your hormones will change. You might break out or feel very emotional. It is so normal, just be aware of it. You might be needing all the holding and cuddles you get from your little one too! 

When you get to this point I wish you the best of luck! How have you transitioned from breast milk to milk? 

Don't forget to check out the other bloggers and their experiences in the link up! 

My Daughters and Red Balloons

If you have not heard Ryan's story, you can find it here.

His mamma blogs here.

Loss is definitely not easy and hard does not even begin to describe the pain you feel from it. Grief comes in many ways and life that is left, is changed forever. I truly hope that dear little Ryan's parents find their way through what will be the most trying thing they could ever experience and that they may know how many angel's are surrounding them. So many lives have been touched because of Ryan's passing.  Social media has connected all of us and allowed us to be a part of each others lives with out personally knowing one another. 

As i watched the story of Ryan's passing grow and the red balloons fill every square i scrolled past, tears filled my eyes and love filled my heart. I reflected a lot on my girls and what they mean to me. How could i possibly imagine losing either of them? I can't. I pray it is a heart ache i never have to endure. I do not know if i could survive it. My girls have become my whole heart. All of the love i have for anything in my life is somehow connected to them. These two beautiful spirits were entrusted to me and it is my responsibility to show them love, to teach them of heavenly things, and to provide them with strength and safety. I intend to hold them a little longer, shower them with kisses and praise, and pray that they may be safe from them things in the world that are waiting to harm them. I feel like Love is to simple of  a word to describe how i feel about my girls. I hope they may always know how deeply i care for them and that they are the root of who i am. They are my daughters. Leighton and Emersyn are my everything.

Motherly Advice {Seek Adventure}

We all know that going to the grocery store with a toddler and 5 month old may be an adventure in itself but somehow i have decided there is a need for more. When we stay home 5 days a week except for visits to the gym we all tend to go a little crazy. Maybe me more than the girls but i am convinced Leighton is way more well behaved when she gets some fresh air and sunshine. 

Now that the sun is out and summer is just around the corner it is time to start planning all the adventures you want to go on. Vacations, day trips, park outings, pool days, whatever your heart desires. Seriously seek after it. Immerse your children in it. 

At the end of last summer i discovered my love for hiking. This year i plan to hike as many times as we possibly can, i am not kidding when i say i want to hike at least once a week. Southern Utah is like one ginormous hikers play ground. How in the world am i supposed to hike with a crazy 2 year old and a baby? It is not easy, I will tell you that right now.

 Courtney and I attempted our first run at it last week. We were not prepared for the hour it took us to sunscreen, chase, change, and pack on all the kids, but now that we have done it once we are convinced it will be easier next time. 

If you are a hiker and want to try it out with your kids here is my advice... always use the buddy system (take another adult), wear sunscreen (at least lather your kids in it), bring a ton of water, and be very very patient. Walking at a toddlers pace is not always easy but if you try to see the hike through their eyes you will enjoy the beauty around you soooo much more.

If i learned anything in all of my child development courses it was that children learn through experiences. These little ones are total sponges just waiting to soak up whatever we allow them to. Go ahead be brave, and seek adventures and take your littles along to experience them with you. 

Top Ten

I think it's about time I share a little more about myself. Anne from The Hills are Alive shared a top 10 and I loved it. With all the new followers (love you!) let's get to know each other more.

Top Ten 

1. Morning cuddle sessions with the girls

2. Trenta green tea lemonades

3. Dancing with Leighton

4. Finding new places to eat out

5. Maxi dresses

6. Couponing at Target

7. Fresh flowers

8. Beautiful lighting, especially through my back window

9. Saturday morning piyo workouts

10. Front door wreaths

Just a few more because who only has 10 in their top?

The way Emersyn sucks her fingers, Kaden coming home early, Everything gold and The smell of spring.

Now its your turn, post it, insta it, or comment it, and tag me I want to get to know you too! Seriously lets become online besties please?

The Meaning of Easter

This past week I have been trying to get Leighton into the Easter spirit. We had so much fun with egg hunts, an Easter party, and dyeing eggs. If any holiday would be her favorite, it would be Easter. Ever since this girl was little she has had an obsession with eggs. Getting to play with them and find them has been a dream come true. We might just end up doing egg activities for the rest of the year. P.S. I totally made that adorable gold egg shirt she has on. I am serious when i say we were in the hippity hoppity easter bunnyrific spirit.

I was so excited for all the holiday eggcitement that i didn't spend much time talking to her about the real meaning of Easter at all. Okay to be honest i didn't spend anytime talking about it. Sarah challenged me in her last letter to do the #becauseofhim on instagram, which i did and I loved my small moments i took each day to reflect on all that i have been blessed with because of the savior.

Last night i laid in bed and thought about what i wanted to post about Easter. What it really meant to me, what spending all this time with the girls means, and why we celebrate this blessed holiday. I really lost sight of what is important, not that dying ombre eggs and dipping strawberries to look like carrots isn't...but the resurrection of Jesus Christ just is so much more. This holiday is really about our savior and that he died for us and lived again. I am somewhat amazed at how there are two huge holidays devoted to a man that not everyone believes in but almost everyone seems to celebrate. How wonderful is the message that seems to be hiding along with all those eggs? 

If you have not seen this movie yet, provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, then please watch it. I could not describe in a better way what is real and possible because of this man and his actions that we celebrate on this Easter Sunday.