Mommy Must-haves Monday

I'm so excited to really dive into the blogging world and do more than just my monthly post (which was usually late!). My sister in law and I have been brainstorming blog post topics and "themes" for a while and we just can't wait to get started. You'll see us linking up A LOT! You can find Melanie HERE Summer has officially begun, so let the blogging commence!

I have three Mommy Must-haves this Monday so here we go! All three deal with written organization. If it weren't for this three things, I would be LOST! 

#1. My Emily Ley Simplified Planner. 

This book keeps me sane with all the things I have to remember. Complete lifesaver! I was a such an Erin Condren junkie before finding this gem and now I will never go back. Don't get me wrong... I love Erin Condren's planners, but this layout just works better for me. 

I still have my month at a glance two-page spread at the beginning of each tabbed month. What I love the most is that each day has a FULL page to utilize. This is the problem that I would run into with every planner I've ever had. I'm a writer. I love to write. I love to make lists. I'll make the same list in 3 different places...it's ridiculous I know. Some people just use their phones now for their calendar and lists...I do that to, but I still have to have a hard copy. It just makes me feel more organized in my hot mess of a life. There is a place for that day's to-do list, notes, time blocks, meal planning. Every thing a busy momma needs is there! 

The January 2014 - December 2014 edition isn't available anymore BUT the 2015 edition will go on sale September 3rd @ 10:00 AM! So mark your calendars and just pretend you're writing in you future Simplified Planner for now ;) The website is closed temporarily as they prepare for their summer launch so make sure you check back mid-June.

#2. May Books

I came across May Designs a couple years ago and fell in love instantly. It completely satisfies my love of writing things down. And yes, I have a book specifically for all the lists I make. May books I have had in the past include: Meal Planning, Budget, Baby Bump Diary, Baby Diary and I think that's it. They are the perfect size to keep in your purse without eating up much room or adding a lot of weight. 

You can completely customize your books and they make for great gifts! 

#3. Stabilo Pens

Hi, my name is Lauren and I am a pen snob. What fun is it to do all of that writing if you don't have pretty pens?! I've had both types of cases when it comes to these pens. I loved the hard case, but I've found the roll up case works better for me. It's easier to throw in my purse or school bag and doesn't take up as much room. These are my go-to pens for grading papers as well! 

7 Months

I'm a couple weeks late on JT's 7 month post but I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!!! Tomorrow marks the last week of school for us and I could not be more ready. We've got a full day Monday and Tuesday and then half days Wednesday-Friday. Whoop!! We're almost done :) I've got a running list of blog post ideas that I cannot wait to get to once I've got the extra time on my hands.

Jansen at 7 months:

-is officially a crawler!! He's been allllmost there for a couple weeks now, but as of yesterday he's full blown crawling! 

-sleeps face down with his forehead resting on his hands. You'll notice a red mark on his forehead every once in a while in pictures and now you know why.

-laughs when you raise his hands up above his head every.single.time. without fail :)

-likes to have his pacifier in between bites while eating food. He'll swipe it off the tray and pop it in his mouth before I can get another bite ready for him.

-can get into the sitting position on his own now.

-loves playing with his big sister. He absolutely ADORES her.

-eats 3 meals a day with bottles in between.

-has his two bottom front teeth.

-rocks the faux hawk like a boss.

-still wakes up once throughout the night for a bottle but we are currently in the process of nixing that. We'll come back to that next month.

-watches his dad like a hawk. 

-loves to play on the floor. 

-once he spots a toy he wants, he'll find a way to get to it quick!

-is finally on a pretty set schedule. He wakes around 6:00, takes a 1.5 - 2 hour nap at 9 AM and 2 PM and down for the night at 6:30 PM. 

it was a rough night.

Sawyer loves feeding Jansen.

I love my sweet boy.

I told you she loves to feed him. 

Swoon.

We hold on when Daddy drives.

Getting digital images taken to see if he needed a DOC band. His measurements didn't qualify so no DOC band for JT!

Jansen -- 5 & 6 Months

I am combining Jansen's 5 and 6 months posts because I am that.far.behind...eeeek! He actually turned 7 months yesterday but I'll do that post separately...hopefully this weekend.

Highlights from Jansen's 5th and 6th month:

- He was 19 lbs. and 25 inches at his 6 month visit

-Switched pediatricians and were referred to Cranial Technologies to look at possibly getting a DOC band for his head. (That experience deserves its own post later on)

- Sleep...what is sleep?? My sweet boy seemed to not need any! I got to where I couldn't even count the amount of times he woke up during the night. Holy moly that was a rough couple of months.

-Took every nap in his crib like a champ...night time was a little bit tougher though. 

-Started cereal at 5 months and veggies at 6 months.

-Gnawed on everything in sight...I knew it wouldn't be long before those teeth came in.

-LOVED his jumperoo...that boy could give Tigger a run for his money!

-Wanted to be in the middle of everyone all.the.time. Heaven forbid he be left out of what was going on.

-Rode in the stroller like a big boy...no more car seat on the stroller!

-Spent lots of time hanging out in the bumbo. 

-Became captivated by Super Why which is Sawyer's absolute favorite show. Both of the kids are in love with that show and as a former Kindergarten teacher, I can't help but love it too! 

-Began sleeping on his tummy at 6 months. 

-We moved bed time up to 6:30 and really put a good night time routine in place. This made a HUGE difference in sleep training him. 

- Started his new daycare :) My kiddos are finally at the same daycare...makes momma's day afternoons so much easier!

-Began sitting up on his own at 6 months. Sawyer loved that Bubba could sit up and play with her now. If he decided to lay back down she would say, "Mommy, Bubba sit up" over and over until I sat him back up. That little girl LOVES her brother! 

-Celebrated his 1st Easter and his sister's 2nd birthday. 

-Never stopped smiling...or so it seemed. We thought Sawyer was the happiest baby ever, but JT has got her beat. Everyone always comments on how happy he is and that he is always smiling. What can I say...we make happy babies :)

1st St. Patrick's Day

Easter Egg Hunt at daycare

Playing with Grandma 

Easter 2014

This picture makes my mommy heart burst. The day Sawyer turned 2 and JT turned 6 months.

How can you not fall in love with this face?

She absolutely ADORES her Bubba.

Our Sweet Boy is 4 Months Old

I swore I was going to be better about posting this time around, but I'm still finding it hard to actually make myself sit down and do it! Two little ones under the age of two and teaching keep me pretty darn busy. Not to mention, Jansen still isn't the best sleeper so as soon as he's down for the night, I'm pretty quick to follow!

JT @ 4 Months:

-weighs 16 lbs and is 25 inches long 

-Finally took his first nap in his crib on 2/1

-found his feet and always tries to pull his socks off

-sucks on his hands like there's no tomorrow

-moved up to 5 oz bottles (3 oz formula & 2 oz bm)

-shrieks and screams so loud & high pitched, I swear he's going to break a window

-is a drooling machine

-has gas that stinks worse than a grown man's...it's unbelievable

-is down for the night between 7:30 and 8:00. 

-has slept through the night a couple of times, but majority of the time he still wakes up once or twice to nurse (no real consistency on times) 

-up for the morning @ 5:30 on school days, around 6 on the weekends

-learned how to blow raspberries and does it non.stop. 

-Both kids will be blowing raspberries in the backseat (Sawyer thinks its funny to copy Jansen) so when I go to get them out...SPIT is everywhere!!!

-got to use his jumper for the first time and he LOVES it! He jumping away as I type

-has the cutest giggle and ohhh the belly laughs....swoon!

-the smiling and talking is pretty much constant 

This momma has been blessed with two extremely happy babies...now if only we could make that two awesome sleepers! ;)

Partying with her shades and yes that's her potty...don't worry it was clean!

 making a pizza!

 sweet morning stretches

 lunch break while shopping with Nana

Rocking the boots, bib and no pants...