Being a MORE Productive Mom

As a mom, it is easy to feel like you are about to lose your sanity, as your toddler dumps out all the toys in the toy basket for the fifth time this morning.  You didn't get to finish your cup of coffee that you reheated for the third time today.  You forgot to pay that one bill that you have yet to put on auto pay. You haven't brushed your teeth yet because you just forgot.  I have learned in my three years of being a mom, that there are certain things that I can do to keep myself and my family from going crazy.  I hope these are helpful to you!

Me Time

For me, I MUST have this at some point during the day. Either during nap time or before bed (if I have to stay up an hour after everyone is asleep, i do.)  I NEED time in the quiet, by myself to do important things, like watch Netflix. Moving on.

Ask for Help

Don't be stubborn or shy.  If someone offers help, TAKE IT! If you need help, ASK! Whether it's your mom, husband or a friend, ask! Even if it's just that someone watch your kids for an hour, so you can wash your hair and shave your legs. Do it!

Have a Routine ... ish

I am not a scheduler, however, I usually write out a general plan for the day, week or month. This way I can stay organized, almost always never forget anything and plan activities to keep us busy. I don't know what I would do without my planner!  But, let's be honest, we can have super unplanned lazy days too! Yay! SAHM life!

Get out!!!

This one took me a while to fully realize its potential.  Getting out of the house daily, even if it's just to go to the grocery store, is HUGE! It breaks up the day, get's the kid's energy out and *BONUS* you can come home to a clean house!  This is seriously a game changer!

Give Grace

You will not be perfect and you probably won't get everything done. But, that's so not a big deal! There is always tomorrow! The house will always get messy again and the laundry never ends, even if you have a laundry schedule.  Don't sweat the small stuff. Enjoy your time with your kids! In the end you won't remember the day you didn't make it to storytime at the library. You will remember the smiles on your kids faces as they drip ice cream all over their new Christmas outfits.

third day hair and leftover for dinner

lulewbelle

i'm back!!!

Today I am sharing some traveling tips with you all! I am currently 8 months pregnant with my second kid and thought my tips might be a little helpful for any other mamas traveling this holiday season!  Traveling during the holidays can get a little crazy, add a kid and a big belly to that and it can be a bit of a challenge! In this video I share a few simple tips to make your traveling a little easier!

Getting from the car to the check-in counter can be a challenge as well. Especially when your driver is getting scolded by drop-off security! Having four-wheel roller bags, well strapped carry-ons, a backpack or fanny pack and a stroller will make unloading and checking in a breeze.  Plus, you'll feel like a mom BOSS walking in without any need for help.

I hope these tips will help to ease the stress of traveling with kids! What are your favorite travel tips and hacks?

coffee and a prego belly,

lulewbelle

mama diary: enjoying the little things

I have noticed so many changes in my son in the past six weeks.  His face has changed so much and he is really starting to look like himself, if that makes any sense at all. His eyes are bigger and wider.  He is moving his arms and legs so much, almost standing with help.  He is "talking" all the time and smiling.  He also has new creases in his arms and legs from gaining weight... hallelujah!  

I have noticed how quickly time goes by.  My advice to new mamas is to soak up every bit of your beautiful little one and look for those small changes that make life so exciting!

chubby cheeks and leg creases,

lulewbelle

new mama diary: one month old

This month has flown by.  I cannot believe it has been a whole month since  our little man made us a family.  We have already reached so many milestones exciting moments.  

outgrew outfits..check!  smiled..check! lifted and turned head..check! 

moving in circles on tummy..check! took a bottle..check!  quiet bath..check!

I am looking forward to everything to come, but I realized how much has changed already.  Soon enough he will be scooting, crawling, standing, walking, talking...

All I know is my son can take as long as he wants to grow up right now and no one is allowed to rush him.

one happy mommy

lulewbelle

new mama diary: the first 10 days

*I obviously wrote this post a few weeks ago...*

It has been just ten days since our little one was born.  During the first few days in the hospital, I was under a sort of shock or disbelief that we finally had our son with us after 41 long weeks of waiting.  I could not believe that I was finally a mom! We were given this blessing, this amazing new life that would change our lives forever!  I imagine I will be under this shock for a while.  I am definitely a different and better kind of happy than ever before.

Being a new mom, though incredible, can be very challenging.  Even though I've only had 10 days of it, I thought I'd jot down my thoughts as I start this new adventure with my little mister.

Breastfeeding:

One word...OUCH!  Don't get me wrong.  Nursing my son is the coolest thing ever.  It's kinda like our bonding time. When he looks up at me, as if to make sure I'm really his mommy, I melt.  I love this time with my kid, but I cannot wait for my breast pump to get here so I can take a break every once in a while.  Plus daddy really wants a chance to feed our little man.  Nursing every 1-3 hours can only result in sore, cracked and sensitive nipples tmi?, absolutely no fun.  But I am so happy to know my son is getting everything he needs just from my milk.

Sleep:

I'm not getting much of it, but I am getting used to the hours.  I'm probably awake as much at night as I am during the day.  "Sleep when the baby sleeps" is a true statement.  I am hoping that by the end of this week I will be able to sleep a little less during the day and be more productive.

Pictures:

I have taken so many pictures that my phone is working slower than normal.  Ooops!!!  I need to start printing pictures or saving them somewhere beside my phone in case it breaks.  Everything we do is a first, so pictures are a must!

Beauty:

Completely on the back burner.  It is a special day if my hair stays down for more than 5 minutes or I remember to put deodorant on.  I'd like to start waking up earlier and actually getting ready with clothes and a little bit of makeup.  I shaved my legs last night and I already feel so much better. :)

We will see what new things will happen in the next week or so.

completely content mommy

lulewbelle

so SO busy

I have been so busy, getting a job, prepping for school and now starting school.  All I want to do when I get home is unwind and sleep.

Here are a couple favorite "unwinding youtube videos" I have been loving lately.

Lennon and Maisy

These young ladies are great! They remind me of me and my sisters when we were young.  Always singing and harmonizing.  This cover also made me love this song ALOT!

I love it so much that I wanted to hear the original...

which was not my style...

but then i found this video...

 SNL

I was cracking up watching this video.   So hilarious!

Hope these videos help you unwind like they help me!

tired feet and busy mind,

lulewbelle

st. louis - grand rapids - chicago

It has been a long while since my last post.  It's been a busy month: moving from arizona to missouri, settling into my in-laws home, job searching in a new city, family visit in michigan, family reunion in chicago, job interviews and my quarter of a century birthday!

I have shown pictures from our move and now it's time for the many pictures from my last few weeks. Some of the pictures are out of the order that the challenge requires, but oh well!

day 17: technology
my oma's (grandma) sweet setup at my aunty's house. she loves her netflix (dvd's and computer)
day 18: your shoes
locals. can't do any better - thank you mom!
day 19: something orange
my headband i made for a 70's party and the toy story sheets i slept on during my visit in michigan
day 20: bokeh
(say what? i had to look this one up)
focused on my beautiful cousin playing guitar and singing 
everything else blurred out.
sorry aunty!

What I did in Michigan:

-I went blueberry picking with my aunty and had some delicious berries for the rest of my time in Michigan.  Yummy!!!  

-I also noticed a rite aid that had a closing sale! 50% off EVERYTHING! 

I was so ridiculously excited!  

-Found my mom's banana bread recipe from the old church cook book.

-Did I mention I took the bus for the first time EVER to get to these cities?...what an adventure!

-I also tried a chewing gum that my cousin brought back from his trip to Thailand. It was tasty!

day 21: faceless portrait

thanks to my phone and a foggy mirror

Our trip to Grand Haven, MI

day 23: sunflare

hmmm...forgot this one. but this tank top was so awesome i had to take a picture of it.

we also stopped for some ice cream on our way out!

day 24: animal

Grand Haven was a cute waterfront town.  on almost every corner, there were these dogs, each decorated differently than the last.  

we had a lot of fun driving and walking around looking at all of them.

Family Reunion in Chicago

day 22: hands

me and husband - we missed each other while i was in michigan

day 25: something pink

my sister (in-law) and her man in their pink metallic 70's costumes for the theme party

day 26: close-up

the bottom of a sting ray at the Shedd Aquarium

we had tickets to get in free! - thank you family!!!!

it was a beautiful aquarium.

day 27: from a distance

the chicago skyline from our bus tour with the big 'ol family

I have had a wonderful couple of weeks, but now it's back to the real world.  Looking forward to landing a job in the near future.  

praying for the knowledge to pick the right path,

lulewbelle