babies

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Salem Essentials: Handmade all Natural Bath Bombs

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​After a long busy and stressful day what do most people do to unwind or relax??… Take a bubble bath right!! Well now there is a new trend, bath bombs!! With the rising popularity of bath bombs they are now an essential bathroom staple and they are becoming even more popular with kids. That being said, with a world where you can easily throw some chemicals together to yeild a quick cheap product for consumers you want to find the best quality for your children. And I have done just that. 

     I have tried about 15 different bath bombs and I found the perfect one right in my own town. How cool is that!! I kept going to local festivals and this company’s name and products continued coming up so I said ok I’ll check them out, there’s a reason they are so popular. And I was so impressed with their products I decided to connect with the owner/creator and learn more. 

     The amazing company I am sharing with you is Salem Essentials and Apothecary.  Candace and Jonathan the owner/creators are located in Kernersville, NC where they handcraft small batches of natural bath and body care products. Candace the mom behind the company has been in the body care industry for more than 20 years working with labs in the skin care and beauty industry. She knows her stuff and is very conscientious about what goes into her products. She has over 2 decades of experience with all natural beauty consumer products. But more importantly back to those luscious bath bombs, they have been developed with safety and skin care being top priority. They are free of parabens, phthalates, bpa, and formaldehyde ingredients. Their products are also sourced responsibly using non GMO ingredients and free of chemical preservatives. These bath products are made using plant based dyes no synthetics, so no stains on your tub or your family. Win..win! And if that’s not enough her products are PETA certified meaning they are vegan and cruelty free!

​​    So check out their shop for more information about them and their products through http://www.salemessentials.com!! And if your still not convinced, check out their page on Instagram and enter the Salem Essentials upcoming giveaway for a chance to win a bag full of their childrens bath bombs!! I promise if you win you’ll be hooked they are by far the best and the only bath bomb my family uses. So go check them out they really are the bomb!!!​​​Also they have added their new kids Bath Bomb pack on their website…Click their link and check them out!!! ​​http://salemessentials.com

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Vacation with a Toddler 

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So I finally got that dream vacation with my little family at the beach!!! Me, daddy, Jackson and my mom off on our beach vacay. Not!…it was time well spent and we made some beautiful memories and traditions. But it was hardly a relaxing trip. Thats ok though, you live and learn. I feel much more confident and prepared for the next vacation with my toddler. Here are a few simple tips that can make traveling with a two year old  much more relaxing.

Naps are essential!!! Even if your LO seems to be having to much fun, still set aside a peaceful time during the day for them to snack, and rest up before the next round of activities. I learned the hard way about this.  My first day was filled with exhaustion, tantrums and chaos.  Once I added naps it was steady sailing…

Providing a somewhat daily routine makes it easier on your toddler because they don’t have to wonder what’s next because they don’t generally like surprises. They need some structure. So keep to a schedule, whatever vibes with your family.

Try to keep the days simple, not too many new activities. By the third day, I realized my son was very happy to get up eat breakfast and go sit and wade at the edge of the ocean, then take a refreshing dip in the indoor pool, followed by a few minutes in the hot tub and he was good for his nap. 

Ahh!!! Now back to the nap subject, that makes for peaceful time that mommy needs to regroup. And I really loved snuggling on the couch with my little guy for naps, since  it’s something we haven’t done in almost a year. These were much needed cuddles.

Snacks and music became essential. I hate to say bribe your kid but sometimes the battle isn’t worth it when you can give them a nice fruit or veggie pouch to eat on or some crackers. And my son discovered YouTube while at the beach!! It was great, the music videos were so soothing to him he actually fell asleep watching them on several occasions.

And bath bombs and bath toys are a great last resort when all else fails and you can’t get your babe to relax. 

We had what I considered a magical vacation to say the least. The ups and downs I wouldn’t change for a thing. Everything in this post is purely my opinion and may or may not be what best for your family these are simply suggestions from one mom to another. I hope you find them useful or pleasant to read. Please scroll to the bottom and leave comments or feedback!!! And dont forget to Subscribe with your Email for updates on my latest posts!!! 

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Top Reads for Toddlers

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I can still remember when I was a little girl how my grandparents were always reading to me. As an adult I love to read, and I knew when I had my own child that I would make it a point for them to learn how to read and better yet, to enjoy it. Reading is a big part of learning how to talk and interpret what people around you are saying. I have chosen our toddlers top 5 reads this summer and I think you should give one if not all of them a try.

1. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: a fun rythmic rhyming book that teaches kids the letters of the alphabet.

2. Llama Llama Red Pajama: another lighthearted silly rhyming book that tells the story of a baby who is upset that his mommy isn’t with him every second of the day….I’m sure most moms can relate!!

3. The Pout Pout Fish: An adorable book with rhymes and different ocean creatures that gives your little one a story of hope and a happy ending about a gloomy fish turned into one who spreads happiness instead of sadness.

4. Good Night I Love You: This is a wonderful book to read before bed, this is one of the many loved books by Caroline Jayne Church. This book goes through the basic night time routine that children go through.

5. Goodnight Moon: I’m sure everyone knows of this wonderful classic with simple illustrations that are in colors of soothing tones and can definitely set the mood for any little one drifting off to sleep. 

These are the top reads in our household right now, what are some books that your children love to read on a daily basis?? 

I would love to know, please share in the comments and if you haven’t already subscribe to my blog with your email so you will be notified of new posts!!

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How to Handle Fussy Eaters

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  Mealtimes should be fun to relax and spend quality time with your littles..right? This is not so true however if you have a fussy eater.  You could end up dealing with a tantrum or a hungry baby who refused to eat and is now in a not so pleasant mood. I have five tips to share with you to try the next time dinner becomes a battle of the wills!! Every child is different so one may work and another may not. This combination of tricks has helped us through battles with our finicky eater.

1. Toddlers have a drive to be independent and figure the world out for themselves. So make them feel like they are doing something independently by giving them a choice. This works great at snack time, I give my son 2 choices and he gets so excited that he gets to choose on his own foods and beverages.

2. This is a hard one for me, but as long as your child is healthy and gaining weight it is ok if they miss a meal. Again run this one by your pediatrician. But my doctor has reassured me this will not hurt my child as long as he is still meeting other milestones like height and weight gain. 

3. If you know your baby is really hungry, maybe they didn’t eat much at lunch this is a great time to introduce something different but similar. If it’s completely different they will not be as willing to try. But if you child loves cooked carrots for example try cooking them butternut squash or sweet potatoes. They may only try it but that’s progress. It can take up to 15 times of introducing new foods before they accept and like what they are eating.

4. Be patient. It can be so hard when your trying to please your child and make sure they are getting all the nutrition that is required.  It can be extremely frustrating for us moms but we have to be an example to our kiddos. Which means patience, persistence, and don’t forget praise them when they try something new.

5. Last, try to include them in the meal prep or making dinner. Give them a simple task to do. Jackson enjoys sprinkling parsley in my dishes and pouring water in whenever it’s needed, even if it’s just to boil pasta. Let them stir something or assemble a tasty wrap/sandwich for dinner. Make food fun.

Remember tastes change with time. So don’t force your littles, make this a fun and interesting part of their daily routine. And know that this is only a phase and your kiddo will have a sophisticated palate in no time!!!!