Friday Favorites- Bathtime Edition

Happy Friday!

Lu started requesting a "bah" this week as soon as we finished dinner.  Bathtime has always been her favorite time of day, but it was unbelievably cute to hear her verbally request a bath for the first time. 

To honor that love of bathtime, I thought this week's favorites should be bath related.  Here are our favorite things in the bath right now...

Favorite Baby Bath Product: California Baby Calendula Bubble Bath

Lu is obsessed with bubbles, or as she says "buhbuh."  Even though the California Baby products are a little pricey, the bubble bath is definitely worth it.  A small cap full makes a lot of bubbles, so the bottle will last a long time.  Not only is the natural fragrance amazing, but it also has no gross toxic additives which means I don't worry when Lu shoves a handful of suds in her mouth.  Extra bonus- it comes with a bubble wand so you can blow real bubbles in the air!  Fair warning: your child will  point to the bottle requesting the wand every.single.night. 

A close second for our favorite baby bath product would be Burt's Bees Shampoo & Wash.  It is 98.9% natural and doesn't have a fragrance- so your baby smells like a baby!

Favorite Tub Accessory: Skip Hop Moby Bath Spout Cover

This was a baby shower gift that keeps on giving- by preventing bath boo-boos.  Lu flops around in the tub liked a beached whale sometimes and I am forever grateful that she isn't slamming into the hard metal spout.  Plus, it is adorable that Lu likes to touch the whale's face.

Second place in this category goes to the Boon Frog Pod toy organizer.  We only put the toys away when company comes (just being honest!) versus the spout cover which is appreciated daily.  But both are cute and functional!

Favorite Bath Toy: My First Slash Foam Cubes

We've been through all kinds of tub toys- rubber ducks, stacking cups, you name it!  Lu's current favorite are foam cubes from Babies R' Us.  I got them from end-of-summer clearance and they are a big hit!  She loves to squeeze the water out, while saying "weeze," over and over.  We have also been working on identifying new animals on the cubes.  She pinches her own arm when I ask her to find the crab.  Too funny. 



What are your favorite baby or child bath accessories?  I'd love to hear! 

Friday Favorites- Baby with a Cold Edition

Happy Friday! 

Lu is finally coming out the other end of a cold (hopefully the first and last of the season!) so this week's favorites are the things that got us through this week being (mostly) stuck in the house.  

Fav New Toy: LeapFrog Shapes and Sharing Picnic Basket

I put away a lot of the new toys Lu got last month at her birthday party because I wanted to spread out the excitement.  About once a week I pull out something new and it is a nice change to her playtime routine (for both of us!).  

This LeapFrog Picnic set is a huge hit with Lu.  She is starting to use pretend play so it is absolutely adorable watching her 'eat' with the fork...or maybe just eat the fork itself?  Same idea!  

The basket sings songs which she enjoys now, and it also and asks you to "find a square" (ie. plastic sandwich), which will be fun later.  Any toy that will still be age-appropriate in another year is a hit with me too! :)

Favorite Fresh Pick of the Season: Apples and Pears

My in-laws basically have a mini-orchard with a variety of fruit trees, and we were the lucky recipients of apples and pears on Sunday.  Homegrown goodness!  

Then the realization set in that I had to do something with a boatload of fresh fruit...

Apparently Lu wanted me to get on the homemade applesauce ASAP because she started unloading behind my back.  Sneaky monkey.

I'll be sharing some easy recipes next week so you'll know what to do with a boatload of fresh apples and pears, too! 

Mom-with-a-sick-kid Favorite: Harpoon Fall Tailgater Variety Pack

Is it wrong that I took my barefoot and sweaty child to the liquor store?  

While the husband was at the Pats game last night, I had this lovely Harpoon Octoberfest (with a side of DVR'd Bravo shows).  

Happy Mommy! :)

And happy weekend to you! 

The Day I was Outsmarted by a One-Year-Old

Lu has a favorite lovie, a zebra that we have nicknamed Zeebie.  

She sleeps with Zeebie over her face and carries him around the house after her naps.  So stinking cute. 

She loved Zeebie even before she could carry him! :)

I also had a favorite stuffed animal as a child, and my parents lived with a constant fear that it would be lost or destroyed.  So in an effort to avoid that type of disaster, I went out a few weeks ago and bought a Zeebie look-alike.  When Lu has one, the other gets washed.  

Genius, right? 

This morning Lu scooted into the laundry room and found the spare.  Shit. 

She spent the rest of the morning in double-fisted-lovie-bliss.  

Is it bad that I am already trying to trick my child?... Or worse that she can already outsmart me?  

Baby (and a lot of stuff) on Board

Two things baby-related happened in our car this weekend.  (Seriously, this just turned into a themed post without any effort!)

First, I changed over our baby car kit to better fit Lu's bigger clothing size and the impending cool weather.  

Baby car kit??  When Lu was an infant I had a fear of multiple diaper explosions happening while running errands, so I repeatedly stashed spare diapers and clothes in different spots in the car.  So not practical.  I got the Diono car organizer which has worked great to keep the baby stuff better contained in the car.  I can also switch it between cars in 3.2 seconds.  

Here is a look at what I keep in the car for our little one:

1 set clothes

1 hooded sweater

2 diapers

Travel-size pack of wipes

1/2 travel-size first aid kit (the other half is in the diaper bag)

Travel size boogie wipes, sunscreen, butt paste

1 new book

1 old favorite book

1 Snack bar (longtime fav is Ella's Kitchen)

All of this fits neatly into the Diono organizer.  

Much better than squirreling away stuff in the glove compartment! 

I also keep a plastic grocery bag and changing pad in the back of the car for emergency in-car diaper changes.  Because you never know...

Second car-related thing, we decided to turn Lu's car seat to forward-facing this weekend.  Yes, she just turned one...but she is the size of a two-year-old, which is the basic age (really weight) suggestion for turning the seat around.  She looked so cramped I don't think it was any safer to keep her rear-facing.  In case you are wondering, we have the Britax Marathon and I love love love it.

Lu's first ride turned around was into Boston, and she giggled for a good 15 minutes.  Apparently, the new view of our heads was hilarious! :)

While in Boston she also took her first selfie. 

More details on our weekend excursions in a bit!  Happy Monday! :)

Amateur Mother-of-the-Year

Happy Monday! 

Two things happened on Friday that are blog-related: 

1. I thought it was Thursday and didn't post my weekly favorites. 

2.  This happened. 

That's right, my beautiful girl had her first real fall.  I was carrying in two armloads of groceries when she toppled over the step into the garage.  I saw the whole thing in slow motion.  And I felt like the worst mother in the world.  (I realize this is just the first episode of life-long motherly guilt.)

She, on the other hand, was fine within 5 minutes.  

The worst part is, her first birthday party is this weekend.  Oh, and we have a family portrait scheduled with the entire Sparrow clan on Friday.  More photos will be taken during those two events than in the entire past 6 months.  Awesome. 

Here is the progress today... 

Clearly she is not amused.  Insert mom guilt, again. 

On the Go... With Baby In Tow!

Happy Monday! 

Our recent trip was the second round-trip plane adventure for little Lu.  In prepping for our first trip months back I found plenty of travel tips for flying with an infant... 

Feed during take-off to help ease pressure in the ears.  It works.  

Schedule the flight around naptime so the baby will want to sleep.  Great tip.  

And while there is certainly no guarantee of a happy baby on a flight, we have had good luck and I really believe that thoughtful packing is key.  Packing your carry-on carefully for baby (and leaving the glossy magazine behind) is essential.  Every item should have a purpose (or multiple if possible) and a place in your carry-on bag. 

Here are 6 things that will hopefully help limit the glares from other passengers when you fly with a baby...


1. Aden + Anais Swaddle Blanket: It is no secret that these are the best swaddle blankets for newborns, but for older babes it also serves as a great cuddle blanket, nursing cover, and scary-airport-bathroom-changing-table-drop-cloth.  Trust me.

2. Comfy PJ's (preferably 2-piece): I like to dress in comfortable layers when traveling, so do the same with the baby.  Two-piece pj's are convenient for quick diaper changes... and if you are delayed sitting on a hot tarmac and the little one needs to partially undress.  Stash an extra change of clothes in your carry-on that is more appropriate for the weather outside the airport.

3.Lightweight Scarf for Mama: I often get cold while flying, so this is an easy way to layer.  It can quickly be stashed in your carry-on when not in use.  For baby, it can serve as an inconspicuous nursing cover or peek-a-boo game accessory. 

4. Diaper Bag Carry-On: It took me a long time to choose the 'perfect' diaper bag, but I couldn't be happier with this one.  It also happens to be the ideal carry-on.  It has just enough pockets that you can organize toys, tickets, food, wipes and everything else you may need to frantically grab in 0.2 seconds.  

5. Mixed Puree Pouches: No spoon, no bowl, no problem.  Lu loves to suck the delicious balanced food groups straight from the pouch.  Easy and more nutritious than airport food.  I pack several of these in my bag in case I need one later in the day too. 

6. Touchy Feely Book: Pack a new toy (or book) and a familiar toy from home- you never know which one will be the best distraction for a fussing baby.  I often bring this book when we leave the house- it is one of Lu's favorites and the 'touchy' parts keep her busy. 

Here is my sleepy jet-setter all wrapped up in an aden + anais blanket AND my scarf.  

Do you have any carry-on essentials when you travel with a little one?  Happy travels! :)

On the Go... With Baby In Tow! by sparrowathome featuring cotton scarves

Friday Favorites- Beach House Edition

Happy Friday from the Sunshine State!

While the husband holds down the fort back home, Lu and I are busy boosting the beachy-vibe at my parents' second home in Venice, Florida.  She is loving the bonding time with her Nana!  

Here are our favorite things at the half-way mark in our remodeling/relaxing girls week.

Favorite Baby Beach Accessory: 

My obsession with the Honest Company continues.  I bought their reusable swim diaper in size large (for the not-so-little one) at the beginning of the summer and LOVE it.  Lulu got an awful diaper rash from the name brand swim diapers on our beach vaca in April, but not this time!  You just wash it with the rest of your laundry.  Bonus- it is cute enough to use without a swimsuit!  Check it out Here.

Why is a potbelly so adorable on a baby?!  Love her.

Favorite Painting Tool: 

On day 2 we redecorated and painted the guest bath and living room.  (More details on that in a later post!)  My mom picked up this Wooster Shortcut 2-inch angled rubber handle brush at Home Depot for cutting-in.  Amazing find!  The handle is short and flexible.  This will change your (painting) life- I mean it.

Favorite Shopping Score:  Discontinued Designer Fabric Samples at JoAnn Fabrics

They are on sale right now... For $1.  Seriously.  Originally $54.99 per yard squares that you can use to recover a chair, or pillow, or wall art- yes, please!

My mom grabbed these samples to turn into pillows for the newly painted beach house living room. 

 I grabbed a bunch for my own house too, but you have to wait and see them once they have been used! 

And of course, another favorite this week would have to be the Gulf Coast sunshine.  It is actually cooler and less humid than New England.  Perfect for sipping a cold wine spritzer!  Cheers! 

Kid Picnic Table Face-lift

This may seem like a self-explanatory post, but I am so thrilled with the results that I just had to share...so please humor me, share in my amazing-deal-gloating, and keep reading!

I managed to score this Step2 Picnic Table at a yard sale on Saturday for $5.  Yes, $5!  And it was a church yard sale so I didn't even negotiate (more on my new crazy-yard-sale-lady ways in a future post).  I didn't even finish looking around because I wanted to get this in the car before anyone else spotted it. 

You can see that the table was lovingly used by another child who enjoyed painting...no problem!  I knew I could give this table a quick face-lift with a little spray paint.  I taped off the  areas where the table-top and seats connected to the base using blue painter's tape.  I sprayed the table-top first and then sprayed the seats second.  And here it is! 

I have to give credit to my husband for picking which colors to use: Rustoleum Ultra Cover Green Apple (top) and French Lilac (seats).

Total cost for this project (table & new cans spray paint): $11!  You can find the same table new for $99 Here.  I think Lu likes her upcycled version just fine! 

...And her little dog too! :)

My plan is to bring it indoors this winter as a play table.  

Did I mention it was only $5?!  

DIY Growth Chart

Important Background Story: My twin niece and nephew were turning 1 and I was on the hunt for a creative his&hers gift that they would use for awhile.  I spotted two adorable wooden growth charts at HomeGoods and grabbed them right away.  Before the party I added their names using colored sharpie paint pens.  They were a big hit!

So much of a success, in fact, that fast-forward 3 years, and a request was made for the first birthday gift for their little sister, Lily.  As all of you HomeGoods aficionados know, I knew there was no chance of finding another one (I still looked...big fat fail).  A quick online search of similar growth charts on Land of Nod and PBKids made me realize that I could make one for less than 1/2 the price.  

So here it is- my personalized growth chart tutorial! (And my first tutorial- be kind!)

I started with a trip to Lowes with the intent to have a piece of MDF cut to 4 ft long and maybe 6 inches wide.  Then I stumbled into the perfect size ready-to-go: 1 x 10 x 4'. Since it was real wood, it had knots, but I knew they'd be covered in paint and the price tag was only $7.  Perfect. I got two- one for the gift and one for Lu. :)

I used leftover spray paint for the base coat- the left is Zinsser Oil-Base Primer and the right is Rustoleum white lacquer.  The Zinsser covered a little better, but they both looked good. 

Don't forget to spray the edges too!  (I did forget on one. Annoying.). I let them dry overnight.

The inspiration for your design is totally up to you!  I used this adorable giraffe gift bag as inspiration for Lu's. I bought basic craft paint at Michaels's and used cheap sponge brushes and paint brushes I already owned.  If you have to buy all of this, it will cost about $10.  

Then, get painting!  Against all of my perfectionist tendencies, I knew this was going to look 'handmade' so I didn't worry about brush strokes or straight lines. Just breathe. :) 

After I finished the 'art' and let it dry it was time to turn it into an actual growth chart by adding inch-marks.  I used a tape measure and sharpie to mark each inch.  I made the mark at each foot twice as long.  

I planned to use oversized letters for feet numbers, since the top of the growth chart will be '5 feet' and the bottom will be '1 foot,' but you could easily number all inches.  Just make sure you take into consideration how high you want this off the floor (think about baseboards). 

I didn't have matching letter and number stencils, so I created a word document, chose a cute font (american typewriter), and enlarged to 200 pt.  Print and cut.  Next, trace around your stencils.  You may need to retrace your lines to make them straight (hello again, perfection) or just fill in the number/letter if it looks like a mess.  

Here are the finished products...

That's it!  Super easy, right?  If you have no supplies already on hand, the total cost of this project should easily be under $20.  Total time (excluding drying time) about 3 hours.  The options for personalization are endless- make it to match a nursery or playroom.