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5 Little Fireworks- Fun 4th Of July Song for Toddlers
Guys, this post is going to be different from my usual, but bare with me. You know how everyone learns differently? Well my kids are totally the type that learn well from songs. Because of this, #thelittleone (3 years old) is always asking me to write him songs. He names topics, and I try to come up with something for him. PJ Masks, his baby brother, the seasons… you name it, I’ve probably written a song about it. I thought today I’d share the fun 4th of July song for toddlers and preschoolers I created at his request. Plus I put together some free printables that will bring the song to life for extra play and fun. Hope your kiddos enjoy it!
FUN 4TH OF JULY SONG FOR TODDLERS
A Disclaimer You’ll Want To Read
I’m not a singer. Definitely not a poet, or songwriter, or any type of musician. I’m just a mom, staying home with my kiddos, and trying my best to fill our days. My 3 year old thinks the songs I write are brilliant, and that my singing voice is magical. So if your kids love songs and music as much as mine does, don’t worry about your voice and just have some fun. I’ll be sharing videos that feature me singing with my boys, which is WAY out of my comfort zone. But if it helps other families have the same fun we’re having, it’s worth it!
Singing 5 Little Fireworks
Here’s the song I created for #thelittleone to celebrate the 4th of July. I generally choose simple tunes from well known songs, because why re-invent the wheel? Kids are happy to sing melodies they know, and delight in the little twists that make each version special. ‘5 Little Fireworks’ is sung to the tune of ‘5 Little Ducks’.
5 Little Fireworks
by Kate @ Homebound But Hopeful
Sung to the tune of ‘5 Little Ducks’5 little fireworks soaring through the night,
Bursting with such colorful light.
Until some kids said ‘We don’t like that loud sound!’
So one little firework fizzled to the ground.4 little fireworks soaring through the night,
Bursting with such colorful light.
Until some kids said ‘We don’t like that sound!’
So one little firework fizzled to the ground.3 little fireworks soaring through the night,
Bursting with such colorful light.
Until some kids said ‘We don’t like that loud sound!’
So one little firework fizzled to the ground.2 little fireworks soaring through the night,
Bursting with such colorful light.
Until some kids said ‘We don’t like that loud sound!’
So one little firework fizzled to the ground.1 little firework soaring through the night,
Bursting with such colorful light.
Until some kids said ‘We don’t like that loud sound!’
So that little firework fizzled to the ground.No little fireworks soaring through the night.
The show was over, they’d all burned bright.
The children said ‘We loved the display!
Happy Independence Day!’*** NOTE: I’m currently away on vacation, with VERY spotty internet service, so the actual song, being sung, will not be added to this post until sometime next week, when I’m home to my regular, reliable Wi-Fi! Thanks for your patience! ***
Playing 5 Little Fireworks
I love when I can bring books or songs to life for my kids. It really reinforces the learning for them. I created some free printable pages to accompany this fun 4th of July song for toddlers.
Materials:
- Free printable pages.
- Scissors.
- Magnetic sheets with adhesive.
- Cookie sheet.
- I use cookie sheets because they’re light weight and inexpensive. The fridge, a metal door, a magnetic white board, etc. will all work just as well.
Directions:
- First print out the pages you have chosen to use.
- If kids will be coloring, give them time to color the fireworks and scene.
- Next, use the scissors to cut out the 5 fireworks squares.
- Attach each firework to the magnetic sheet using the adhesive.
- Cut out each firework magnet.
- I cut ours out closer to the firework image, but if you’re letting your toddler work on scissor skills, cutting along the square outline is a great choice.
- Use a spare magnet or two to attach the scene to your cookie sheet or fridge.
- Stick the 5 little fireworks magnets to the night sky scene.
- Sing through the song, removing one firework each time another fizzles to the ground.
- Repeat often, if your children are anything like mine!
>>> COLOR NIGHT SKY SCENE <<<
>>> BLACK + WHITE NIGHT SKY SCENE <<<
>>> FIREWORKS (BOTH TYPES) <<<
Do your kids as you to write songs for them? What topics do they request most often?
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How To Celebrate National Bomb Pop Day With Kids + Crafts
I have to be honest. Until I became a mom, and later a blogger, I had NO idea how many unusual holidays existed. It’s been fun discovering them and finding small ways to make them special for my boys. One of those holidays is National Bomb Pop Day! (Yes, the popsicles!) Since 2005, the holiday has been celebrated on the last Thursday in June. Stay tuned for a peek at our sweet celebration. (See what I did there? Sweet?! Ha!)
CELEBRATING NATIONAL BOMB POP DAY
Treat Yo’Self
The simplest and sweetest way to celebrate the holiday is to enjoy the frozen treat! Bomb pops are so fun and festive for the summer. I love how cool and refreshing they are on especially warm days. So to really enjoy this special day, you know you’ve got to sit down and share some bomb pops with your family! (Don’t forget the wipes, they can get a bit sticky and drippy!)
Craft A Paper Bomb Pop
I knew my 3 year old would love the opportunity to craft his very own paper bomb pop. Here’s a fun, easy way for kids to create while getting some sensory time as well.
Materials:
- Red finger paint or stamp pad.
- Blue finger paint or stamp pad.
- You can always use crayons, markers, etc. to add color, but I really wanted my kiddo to have the sensory experience.
- Free bomb pop inspired printable page.
- Scissors.
- Wooden craft stick.
- Glue stick or tape.
Instructions:
- Print out the free printable bomb pop page. (1 per child)
- Encourage your child to use finger paint to fill the top section of the bomb pop with red.
- Alternatively, use the stamp pad to fill the section with red fingerprints.
- Alternatively, use the stamp pad to fill the section with red fingerprints.
- Next, encourage your child to use finger paint to fill the bottom section of the bomb pop with blue.
- Alternatively, use the stamp pad to fill the section with blue fingerprints.
- Alternatively, use the stamp pad to fill the section with blue fingerprints.
- Allow paint or ink to dry entirely.
- Cut out bomb pop shape along lines.
- Use tape or glue to stick to attach wooden craft stick to the back of the bomb pop.
>>> Grab Your Free Printable For National Bomb Pop Day! <<<
Sculpt A Bomb Pop
Kids will love a little more hands on, sensory fun when given the chance to sculpt their own bomb pops.
Materials:
- Play-Doh in red, white, and blue.
- Wooden craft sticks.
Instructions:
- Provide your child with the necessary supplies.
- Kids can sculpt bomb pops around the wooden craft sticks.
- This provides sensory input, allows kids to be creative, and also helps strengthen fingers, which is essential for efficient writing in the future.
- This provides sensory input, allows kids to be creative, and also helps strengthen fingers, which is essential for efficient writing in the future.
Still Need More Ideas?
Lucky for you, I’ve been busy pinning plenty of bomb pop inspired DIY ideas- just in time for National Bomb Pop Day! Check out the ideas I’ve gathered. You’ll find desserts, drinks, crafts, and more to inspire you!
Inquiring minds want to know… Did you grow up calling them Bomb Pops or Firecracker Pops?! Patriot Pops? Maybe even Blast Off Pops?! Let me know in the comments!
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What This Mama Made- A Week Of Weelicious Meals (3)
As much as I SUPER love my slow cooker, after a while my boys get tired of soups, stews, or casseroles every night. This week, I decided to plan mainly meals that were cooked on the stove top or in the oven. I gathered inspiration from a cookbook I’d never used before. The promise of some healthier meals drew me to it! Read on to see what recipes I chose to cook for a week of Weelicious meals.
OUR WEEK OF WEELICIOUS MEALS
First, Let’s Get This Out Of The Way
I want to make sure this is clear up front, guys. First, I’m not a dietitian, doctor, food photographer, baker, or chef. I’m a mom who really isn’t a great cook, trying her best to put some relatively tasty, not-too-unhealthy food in front of her picky kids each evening. You won’t find 100% organic, from scratch, or totally restrictive menu ideas here. I plan to share what we’re really eating- processed portions and all. Second, you’ll notice I only plan 5 meals each week. My parents inevitably invite us over one night, or we meet them out, or just eat leftovers one evening… Planning for 5 meals is more ‘do-able’ for us, and means we are less likely to waste food when plans change last minute.
What Inspired Our Family Meals This Week?
Last year on vacation, I picked up a used copy of Weelicious by blogger Catherine McCord. McCord is also the author of Weelicious Lunches which I hope to check out soon! I loved the idea of healthier meals, as well as the ‘One Family. One Meal’ promise on the cover. (Since we all know how picky my boys can be!) Due to all my fatigue and food aversions during pregnancy, I had never gotten around to cooking anything from it. (Also, I’m just a smidge of a cookbook hoarder. I’ll admit it). So this week, when I wanted to mix up our meals a bit, seemed like the perfect opportunity to start trying some Weelicious meals.
The Family Meals + The Family’s Thoughts
Turkey Pesto Meatballs
Served with: tricolor rotini, Parmesan cheese, salad, + banana.
#thebigone: ★
#thelittleone: ★★★★★
#thehubs: ★★★
#homeboundbuthopeful: ★★Would we make it again? Truthfully, I don’t think we will. Full disclosure, #thehubs took over kitchen duty on this one, so it’s possible the meatballs were super mushy due to a mishap on his part. But regardless, this one wasn’t a hit with most of us.
Chicken + Rice Stir Fry
Served with: mandarin oranges + salad.
#thebigone: N/A
#thelittleone: N/A
#thehubs: ★★★★
#homeboundbuthopeful: ★★★★Would we make it again? We will definitely eat this meal again. I’m pretty sure #thebigone will also like it, so it’s a pretty safe go-to for our family. It’s not terribly complicated either, which is a plus.
Shredded BBQ Chicken Sammies
Served with: buns, sweet corn, raspberries + blackberries.
(There was supposed to be a salad served with this meal! I was at #thebigone’s soccer game while #thehubs was home with the little boys, and he forgot to pull that out of the fridge!)
#thebigone: ★★★★★
#thelittleone: N/A
#thehubs: ★★★★★
#homeboundbuthopeful: ★★★★★Would we make it again? Absolutely! Even though #thelittleone didn’t try it, we’re pretty sure this is a meal he’ll also love. It’s super simple, very quick prep, and tastes amazing.
Rice + Cheese Treasures
Served with: salad + green grapes.
#thebigone: ★
#thelittleone: ★★★★★
#thehubs: ★
#homeboundbuthopeful: ★★Would we make it again? Nope. I chose this because #thelittleone LOVES rice, and #thebigone LOVES cheese sticks- seems like a recipe made for my boys. In reality, it was extra work making the ball shapes- and my kids didn’t care about the shape at all. So while we won’t make this exact recipe again, brown rice with cheese is definitely a possibility in the future.
Chicken Teryiak-Wee
Served with: salad, pineapple + brown rice.
#thebigone: N/A
#thelittleone: N/A
#thehubs: ★★★★
#homeboundbuthopeful: ★★★★Would we make it again? We sure will. The prep for this is very simple, and the chicken came out moist and flavorful. #thehubs and I were both thrilled to have some leftovers for lunch.
Notes:
- Meals rated out of 5 stars.
- ‘N/A’ for #thebigone generally means he was with his dad and couldn’t try the meal.
- ‘N/A’ for #thelittleone generally means he ate his fruit and side dishes, but didn’t try the main course.
- We don’t force the kids to eat anything, but don’t cater to them either. I always serve fruit with dinner though, so even a picky kiddo will find one thing they’re happy to eat.
- Liking our dishes and trays? We mainly use the Pillowfort line from Target!
Tell me about your go-to resources for finding healthy(ish) meals your family loves!
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Colorful + Vibrant Rainbow Flag Story Time To Celebrate Pride
Before June has totally passed us by, I’m excited to share a bright + colorful story time I put together for #thelittleone recently. In celebration of June’s gay pride month, I was inspired by a sweet board book, Our Rainbow. Kids will get a priceless lesson in tolerance and community, as well as have the opportunity to practice some fundamental skills. Be sure to keep reading to check out our super fun rainbow flag story time!
RAINBOW FLAG STORY TIME FOR PRIDE
Reading Our Rainbow
I happened upon Our Rainbow while browsing through the book store one day. The board book is visually stunning, featuring artwork from an assortment of artists. (C.G. Esperanza, Mohammed Fayaz, Love is Wise, Dylan Glynn, Joy Yang, Chris Kindred, Beena Mistry, Cynthia Yuang Cheng, Jeromy Velasco.) Kids and adults will love checking out the colorful illustrations in a variety of styles. The board book format makes it perfect for little hands to hold and turn pages. And the rainbow flag shape of the book adds extra interest and appeal for kids.
The story is simple, straightforward, and 100% appropriate for kids of all ages. It’s the perfect choice to introduce concepts of diversity, acceptance, tolerance, and community to kids. Although it’s clear to adults that the main focus is gay pride, that may not be entirely evident for children. I love that approach, because it doesn’t make varying gender identity or sexual orientation unusual, shocking, or weird. They’re all just simply variations of ‘normal’, just like the many skin tones in the book, etc. I’m a firm believer in teaching by example and exposure- kids don’t always need to be hit over the head with the main idea. This choice for rainbow flag story time addresses the topic subtly, in an approachable way.
Plus, bonus! This book was produced in partnership between little bee books and glaad. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Our Rainbow are being donated to accelerating LGBTQ acceptance. Talk about a win-win!
Crafting A Rainbow Flag
This fun craft project is simple to set up, and easy to complete. It’s a great choice for kids who are working on some basic skills. Children making their own flag have the opportunity to practice cutting with scissors, gluing for fine motor practice, and color recognition + sorting. This craft is basic enough to lend itself to many books about gay pride. Another great option to check out is Pride: The Story Of Harvey Milk And The Rainbow Flag.
Materials:
- Kid-friendly scissors.
- Plain paper. (1 piece per flag)
- Glue stick or craft glue.
- Paint chips in rainbow colors, available at home improvement stores.
- I chose shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. You could choose to include black and brown like the book mentions.
- We looked for paint chips with 3 or 4 shades on the chip, to give my son a chance to practice his newly developing scissor skills.
- Colored paper would also work, but since I knew we were going to focus on cutting, I wanted the built-in lines.
- Paint stirring sticks. (1 stick per flag) Also available at home improvement stores.
Instructions:
- Gather all necessary supplies.
- I chose to cut each column of paint chips in half vertically. This gave my son extra practice cutting.
- Encourage your child to cut each paint chip along the line that separates shades.
- Reinforce color recognition skills by having the child sort the chips into piles of each color. (Reds, oranges, etc.)
- Kids can glue smaller paint chips along the paper in stripes of each color.
- After the flag’s stripes are completed, attach the paint stirrer stick to the back of the paper, so your flag has a handle.
- Wave your flags proudly, or hang them in a window to show your support for so many of your neighbors, family members, and friends.
Have you celebrated with or taught your kids about Pride? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.
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What This Mama Made- A Week Of Slow Cooker Meals (2)
I’ve said before that I’m not much of a cook. With 3 active boys at home, I’ve found that often it’s necessary to rely on slow cooker meals for dinner. I love the convenience of putting the meal in the appliance early in the day, before the tantrums have started or life gets crazy. They can cook on their own all day long with no additional work from me. When #thehubs gets home, we’re nearly ready to sit down as a family to eat. Keep reading to check out the cook book of slow cooker meals I chose recipes from this week!
OUR WEEK OF SLOW COOKER MEALS
First, Let’s Get This Out Of The Way
I want to make sure this is clear up front, guys. First, I’m not a dietitian, doctor, food photographer, baker, or chef. I’m a mom who really isn’t a great cook, trying her best to put some relatively tasty, not-too-unhealthy food in front of her picky kids each evening. You won’t find 100% organic, from scratch, or totally restrictive menu ideas here. I plan to share what we’re really eating- processed portions and all. Also, you’ll notice I only plan 5 meals each week. My parents inevitably invite us over one night, or we meet them out, or just eat leftovers one evening… Planning for 5 meals is more ‘do-able’ for us, and means we are less likely to waste food when plans change last minute.
What Inspired Our Family Meals This Week?
This week, I was ALL about meals I could put together in the morning, when #thehubs is still around to run interference with the kids. I love choosing a slow cooker meal for the main dish, so all that’s left in the evening is to wash some fruit and mix the salad. (After a day home alone with my kids, I need low-fuss options at the end of the day!) This week, I chose recipes from Taste of Home’s Slow Cooker.
The Family Meals + The Family’s Thoughts
Carrie’s Cincinnati Chili
Served with: fresh mango, red grapes, + salad.
#thebigone: ★
#thelittleone: N/A
#thehubs: ★★★★
#homeboundbuthopeful: ★★★Would we make it again? I’m honestly not sure if we’ll make it again. #thebigone wasn’t a fan of the allspice and cinnamon it calls for- he said it tasted like apples. While my husband and I were ok with the spice, we probably won’t make this one often.
Lentil + Pasta Stew
Served with: fresh cherries + salad.
#thebigone: N/A
#thelittleone: N/A
#thehubs: ★★★★
#homeboundbuthopeful: ★★★★Would we make it again? We will definitely eat this meal again. The leftovers were tasty, and it made quite a bit (8 servings), so it means we had extra for lunches during the week as well. Super tasty!
Slow Cooker Meatball Sandwiches
Served with: green grapes + corn chips.
(There was supposed to be a salad served with this meal! I was at #thebigone’s soccer game while #thehubs was home with the little boys, and he forgot to pull that out of the fridge!)
#thebigone: N/A
#thelittleone: ★★★★★
#thehubs: ★★★★★
#homeboundbuthopeful: ★★★★Would we make it again? We definitely will. #thelittleone was ALL about this meal, surprisingly, and ate leftovers later in the week. When #thebigone heard I made this while he was with his dad, he was super disappointed to have missed it. It’s a ridiculously simple meal to prep, so we’ll absolutely have this again.
Shredded Chicken Gyros
Served with: salad, red grapes + feta cheese.
#thebigone: N/A
#thelittleone: N/A
#thehubs: ★★★★
#homeboundbuthopeful: ★★★★★Would we make it again? Yup! This is another meal #thebigone was super sad he missed, so I’ve already promised him we’ll make it again. I loved the lemony flavor, and the leftovers tasted great too. Definitely a new favorite recipe for me!
Italian Sausage Dinner
Served with: salad, pineapple + shredded mozzarella.
#thebigone: N/A
#thelittleone: N/A
#thehubs: ★★★★★
#homeboundbuthopeful: ★★★★Would we make it again? I think we will, but likely when #thebigone is with his dad, since he’s not really a fan of Italian sausage. #thehubs and I both loved the meat and veggie combo in this meal. (Gimme ALL the zucchini!)
Notes:
- Meals rated out of 5 stars.
- ‘N/A’ for #thebigone generally means he was with his dad and couldn’t try the meal.
- ‘N/A’ for #thelittleone generally means he ate his fruit and side dishes, but didn’t try the main course.
- We don’t force the kids to eat anything, but don’t cater to them either. I always serve fruit with dinner though, so even a picky kiddo will find one thing they’re happy to eat.
- Liking our dishes and trays? We mainly use the Pillowfort line from Target!
Do you love slow cooker meals too? What about pressure cooker meals? Let me know which appliance you prefer in the comments.
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What This Mama Made- A Week Of Family Meals (1)
Life since welcoming #thelastone has been such a whirlwind! I feel like between the boys, my blog, my husband, and home, I’m constantly being pulled in all directions. One of my biggest goals going forward is to cook at home for the boys more. I was doing pretty good about meal planning, until my pregnancy introduced all sorts of food + smell aversions. Sharing meal and menu ideas here is the perfect way to keep me accountable. Read on for what I hope will become a regular series on the blog, and check out our first week of family meals.
OUR WEEK OF FAMILY MEALS
First, Let’s Get This Out Of The Way
I want to make sure this is clear up front, guys. I’m not a dietitian, doctor, food photographer, baker, or chef. I’m a mom who really isn’t a great cook, trying her best to put some relatively tasty, not-too-unhealthy food in front of her picky kids each evening. You won’t find 100% organic, from scratch, or totally restrictive menu ideas here. I plan to share what we’re really eating- processed portions and all.
Also, you’ll notice I only plan 5 meals each week. My parents inevitably invite us over one night, or we meet them out, or just eat leftovers one evening… Planning for 5 meals is more ‘do-able’ for us, and means we are less likely to waste food when plans change last minute.
What Inspired Our Family Meals This Week?
I know I’ve mentioned Rachel Hollis on the blog at least once before. I promise, I’m not one of those moms who is totally obsessed with her. I’ve read her books, they’re decent, but you likely won’t see her mentioned too many more times here. Unless there’s a meal involved, because so far, we’ve really loved her Real Life Dinners cookbook. The meals we’ve made have all been pretty simple, accessible, and tasty. I’ve eaten gotten thumbs up on several dishes from the boys!
The Family Meals + The Family’s Thoughts
Breakfast Strata
Served with: Greek yogurt + berries, fresh mango.
#thebigone: ★★★★★
#thelittleone: N/A
#thehubs: ★★★★
#homeboundbuthopeful: ★★★★Would we make it again? We’ll definitely make it again, especially since my oldest reallllly liked it. He requested I use breakfast sausage instead of Italian sausage next time though, so I’ll make the switch and see what he thinks.
Twice-Baked Bacon And Egg Potatoes
Served with: fresh strawberries + green grapes.
#thebigone: ★★★★
#thelittleone: N/A
#thehubs: ★★★★
#homeboundbuthopeful: ★★★★Would we make it again? As a whole, our family really likes this recipe. We’ve made it before, and will make it again. In full disclosure, I only like my eggs scrambled, so we make half of these with eggs, and half without. Without eggs, it’s pretty much potato skins, but no complaints there!
Biscuit Pizza
Served with: mango + pineapple.
(Total #momfail here, I intended to pick up a salad to serve this with, and just completely forgot. So normally, we’d be having a green salad on the side!)
#thebigone: ★★★★★
#thelittleone: ★★★★★
#thehubs: ★★★★
#homeboundbuthopeful: ★★★★Would we make it again? Not going to lie, we actually made this twice this week! My kiddos both LOVE it, it’s super quick + easy, and is a great way for kids to get involved in cooking. We tweaked our toppings a bit (pineapple + mushrooms- YUM!), and it was perfect for our family. We’ll definitely be making it again.
Hawaiian Chicken
Served with: brown rice, salad, + fresh watermelon.
#thebigone: ★★
#thelittleone: N/A
#thehubs: ★★★
#homeboundbuthopeful: ★★★Would we make it again? #thehubs and I both think this is a meal we’ll definitely be making again. I definitely give this one extra points for being able to prep in the crock pot!
Ranch Beef Stew
Served with: salad, wheat roll, pineapple, green grapes + mango.
#thebigone: N/A
#thelittleone: N/A
#thehubs: ★★★★
#homeboundbuthopeful: ★★★Would we make it again? I think we will. #thebigone was at his dad’s house the evening we served this, so he didn’t have a chance to try it. I’ll be interested to see what he thinks when we eventually eat it again.
Notes:
- Meals rated out of 5 stars.
- ‘N/A’ for #thebigone generally means he was with his dad and couldn’t try the meal.
- ‘N/A’ for #thelittleone generally means he ate his fruit and side dishes, but didn’t try the main course.
- We don’t force the kids to eat anything, but don’t cater to them either. I always serve fruit with dinner though, so even a picky kiddo will find one thing they’re happy to eat.
- Liking our dishes and trays? We mainly use the Pillowfort line from Target!
What cookbook is your family’s favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
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My Baby Drinks Donor Milk + 10 Easy Ways We Make It Work
Welcoming a new baby brings all sorts of choices and challenges to a family. One of the earliest- and often most divisive- is the deciding how your will feed your newborn. Mommy wars, parenting shaming, and mom guilt abound surrounding this topic. I do NOT want to jump into all of that craziness, since I take a firm ‘fed is best’ approach to the question. I’m open about the choices we’ve made to feed our newest little boy, and the topic is often met with surprise, confusion, and plenty of questions. So today, I’m sharing our choice to use donor milk to feed our baby. Read on to see why, and check out some tips if donor milk seems like a choice your family would like to make.
WHY DONOR MILK IN THE FIRST PLACE?
A Little History
When it comes to feeding my older kids, I have seriously done and tried IT ALL. #thebigone drank formula from a medicine cup while I attempted to establish nursing with him. Then formula from a bottle while I tried – unsuccessfully – to pump milk for him as well. We ultimately went to just formula, starting with a pretty standard one, and then switching to a ‘gentle’ version later. He was a strong, healthy baby, and formula was the best choice for me at the time.
With #thelittleone, I wanted to nurse him exclusively. I wasn’t a single mom anymore, I wasn’t working anymore- I thought maybe I had the support and time to commit to it. He struggled to nurse and gain weight. We tried nipple shields, supplemental nursing systems, bottles of formula- it was a tough time for me (and him!) Eventually, we settled on exclusive pumping, which I did successfully for a full year. He also received some donor milk throughout the process to supplement my iffy milk supply. He was a strong, healthy baby, and pumping was the best choice for me at the time.
This Time Around
So, we made it work. Formula, pumping, donor milk- I figured it out with the older boys. But if I’m being honest, my mental health took a hit during that time- especially with #thelittleone. I felt like I paid more attention to my pump than my baby. Everything I ate or did was scrutinized for if it would impact my milk supply. As soon as I tried to lose baby weight, my supply would start to dry up. By a year, I felt like a prisoner chained to my pumps.
For #thelastone, I decided before we even tried to get pregnant, that this time would be different. This time around, I rely almost entirely on donor milk to feed my baby. Typically, he drinks a 3 oz. bottle of formula every evening, in hopes he might sleep a little longer. But otherwise, on a ‘normal’ day, #thelastone chows down exclusively on donor milk other moms pumped for him. He is a strong, healthy baby, and pumping was the best choice for me at this time.
What’s The Benefit?
While #thebigone was generally a strong, healthy baby, he did home some minor health issues early in life. Chronic ear infections, reactive airway disease, and an allergy to milk were some of the biggest, and are often linked to not breastfeeding. #thelittleone escaped most of these health issues, but my own mental well being suffered immensely for that first year. We were hopeful we could find a happy medium to feed #thelastone- a solution that we felt helped avoid some of the allergy issues that run in our family, but also allowed for a happier, healthier mom. Donor milk, full of immune boosting goodies from the pumping moms, seemed to be the perfect choice- and has worked beautifully so far.
TIPS TO MAKE DONOR MILK WORK FOR YOUR FAMILY
If you’ve given it some thought, and want to try donor milk for your own little squish – whether to supplement or entirely replace your own milk – here are some suggestions to make it easier. They don’t apply solely to using donor milk though- many are important factors to keep in mind with whatever feeding approach you take. (And remember- fed is best!!)
Do Your Research
Using donor milk isn’t exactly simple. You need to have a strong understanding of the process, as well as the benefits and the risks before committing. I suggest talking to others who have done it, and hearing about their experiences. You want to be prepared for the journey ahead, which has some practical challenges, and can also have emotional difficulties as well. Doing your research thoroughly and early will help you feel prepared for and committed to the choice your family is making. Continue to research throughout as well- verify that medications are safe for breastfed babies, etc, and be your family’s best advocate.
Stock The Supplies You’ll Still Need
If you are planning to rely entirely on donor milk, you are able to skip some of the typical nursing supplies. Namely, no pump, nipple shields, milk savers, nursing bras, nipple cream, etc for you! There are still plenty of things you’re going to need, and some in very large quantities!
- Exclusively breastfed babies, no matter the milk source, need a Vitamin D supplement daily.
- It’s kind (and common!) to offer to replace milk storage bags for your donors. Stocking up early is a great idea. Some donors prefer a specific brand, so shopping the sales and coupons for what’s available is a great strategy.
- Bottles, nipples, bottle brushes, drying racks… You’re still going to need plenty of those.
- If you plan to let your own milk dry up, you’ll likely still need nursing pads for at least the first few weeks postpartum.
- Coolers and ice packs are essential for being on the go, since donor milk will eventually spoil if not kept cold.
Make Sure You Have Support Around You
Let’s face it guys… the idea of donor milk is still pretty ‘odd’ and surprising. Some people will not understand or respect your choice. You need to believe in the choice you made and having people around you support that choice helps a lot. We’ve been lucky that our pediatrician is 100% on board with it, as well as most of our family.
Be Sure To Network
We managed to fill our freezer even before our baby arrived thanks to letting people know we planned to use donor milk. Make friends and family aware of your choice early on- they may be or know over-suppliers who have milk to spare. Breastmilk can be stored in a stand-alone freezer safely for up to one year, so you’ve got time to build and use a stash of donor milk. Also reach out to groups like Eats On Feets and Human Milk 4 Human Babies (and their local divisions!). They’re an amazing way to connect with potential donors, and people who have been doing this for a while.
Keep Your Baby’s Feeds Paced
Babies drinking from bottles get milk easier than babies drinking from the breast. Because of this, they can be more likely to overeat. We make sure to pace our pumped donor milk feeds, so that tummies aren’t upset, and milk isn’t being wasted. By a year old, my squish will still be drinking 3-4 oz. bottles with the slowest flow nipple- and growing just fine!
Think About Your Freezer Space
As I mentioned above, donor milk can be stored for quite a while in a stand-alone freezer. Bags of milk can begin to take up space quickly, so you’ll want to consider your freezer space early on. The freezer on your refrigerator isn’t as efficient for long term storage, and won’t hold much milk. A chest freezer is a great choice if you can allot the funds.
Develop A Routine And Plan Ahead
Feeding with donor milk requires a bit of planning ahead. Milk needs to be defrosted before it’s available for baby, so you need to find a system that accounts for that. In our home, my husband takes charge of the milk, and defrosts a batch twice a day. He fills bottles each morning and evening, leaving some extra defrosted milk in the fridge each time- just in case #thelastone is a bit extra hungry. When I go to run errands, I grab a bottle or two from his stash to take along in a cooler. It’s what works for us. You’ll need to find the schedule that works best for your family.
Be Flexible
Know that feeding your baby isn’t necessarily one-size-fits-all. You may have trouble finding donor milk at times, and need to consider other options. Your baby may reject a particular donor’s milk (due to high lipase, for example), and throw the process off. My own squish was hospitalized, and it was much easier for us to use the hospital-provided formula while we stayed there with him. Remind yourself that fed is best, and you’re doing the best you can.
Know Your Baby + Trust Your Mama Instincts
At the end of the day, you and your family know your baby best. If everyone around you thinks formula is the way to go, but you notice a lot of gas, reflux, or vomiting, you may need to trust your gut and make a change. Is baby reacting poorly to donor milk, due to a diet or medication issue? It may be time to change your approach. Keep your focus on what is best for your family, and your child- and know you’re making the best possible choice you can.
Give Yourself Some Grace
It’s never going to be perfect. There will always be doubts, worries, rough days feeding, occasional spit up, etc- no matter WHAT method of feeding your baby you choose, donor milk or not. Give yourself some grace, and have faith in your ability to mother your baby. Being flexible, doing your best, and going easy on yourself are all critical to being sure baby is fed, growing, and thriving. They go a long way to making sure mama is making it through these early days as well.
I’d love to hear the way(s) you’ve fed your babies! Formula, direct nursing, donor milk, exclusive pumping- or a big mix like me?! Tell me about your choices and experiences in the comments below!
[And remember- No Judgement!] - Exclusively breastfed babies, no matter the milk source, need a Vitamin D supplement daily.
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Our Life Lately- Introductions, Updates, and Catching Up
Guys, I know. I’ve been seriously MIA for way too long. No doubt if you follow me on social media, you’ve noticed my Instagram, Twitter, and even Facebook accounts looking a bit empty lately. Now that our youngest is fast approaching 3 months old, it’s definitely time for an update on our life lately. If you’re new to the blog, this is the perfect chance for you to become acquainted with the mob of silly boys I call family. Glad you found us, and hope you’ll stick around for a bit!
Standard Disclosure: This post is not sponsored in any way.OUR LIFE LATELY
Introductions
If you’re new-ish to my blog, welcome! There’s a good chance that if you’re local to me, you discovered my family thanks to Victoria‘s awesome article in the Democrat & Chronicle. Here’s a quick run down of the faces you’ll see here most often!
Credit: Tina Marie Photography
I’m a boy mama, through and through- the proud mom of 4 gorgeous boys!
Eli [#thebigone] is currently 8 years old.
Avi [#myrunawaybunny] would be 5, but is proudly held in our hearts forever.
Asa [#thelittleone] is 3 years old.
Ori [#thelastone] is quickly approaching 3 months old! (And our last baby, I swear!)>>> New here? Make sure to follow along so you don’t miss a thing! <<<
Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter / YouTube
Credit: Sarah O Photo
These kiddos keep Dave (#thehubs) and I hopping ALL the time! Despite our busy schedules, and chronic sleep deprivation, we make life work by laughing together every single day. Dave works a daily office job and is the best co-parent I could hope for. I’m a semi-reluctant at home mom, who used to be a fashion designer, and is just trying to figure this whole ‘adulting’ thing out as I go!
UPDATES + CATCHING UP
#thebigone
Third grade is nearly over for #thebigone, and he can’t wait for summer break. He’s (again) proving what a kind, gentle big brother he is, and adores our newest little one. Soccer is keeping him active, and he’s as voracious a reader as ever. Seriously, I can’t keep enough books in the house to keep up with this kid!
#thelittleone
This kiddo is finishing up his second year of part-time daycare, which we call school. He loves to spend Mondays having special adventures with my mom, and got his own chance to try soccer this spring. Our boy loves the new baby, and helps with him every chance he gets. He was just accepted to the lottery-based UPK program in our hometown for fall, so we’re gearing up for a big year of ‘real school’ with him soon!
#thelastone
We’ve all been loving welcoming this last baby into our family. He’s a sweet, cheerful, smiley little bit 95% of the time. This #peanutpie absolutely adores his big brothers, and saves his biggest smiles for them. Even when he’s waking us in the middle of the night to eat, we’re grateful for the opportunity to parent one last little squish.
Both of the bigger boys caught a spring virus a few weeks ago, and as hard as we tried, they managed to pass it to #thelastone. He had to be hospitalized for several days but is finally home now. We’re happy to see our smiley baby again, and just trying to get back to normal life after our time at the hospital.
#thehubs
My husband was lucky to spend about 7 weeks home with the boys and I on paternity leave. It’s the first pregnancy we’ve had where he’s really been able to stay home and help, and what a huge difference it made! Dave is back to work now, and we’re finding a new routine for the family. He’s an awesome dad who keeps us giggling with his constant dad jokes, and does lots of night feeds to help me maintain my sanity.
Me…
Credit: Tina Marie Photography
What to say about me? I’ll be honest- part of my radio silence lately has been the result of my own mental health struggles… I have a history of anxiety and depression, and postpartum definitely causes some serious flares for me. Dave being home on leave helped quite a bit, until #thelastone was hospitalized- everything sort of crumbled at that point. I have PTSD as a result of #myrunawaybunny’s birth + death, so hospitals, especially with one of my babies, are a major trigger. I held it together while we were admitted, but fell apart a bit after discharge. I’m still working to process it all, and get myself back to an even keel. I chose to prioritize my family and our health over blogs, social media, and ‘work’, knowing that the reason I chose this path was that I could make it work for my family, not against it. So now, hopefully, I’m back(ish). It will take some time to get myself totally back into the swing of busy, but I’m here and jumping back in.
LOOKING AHEAD
Wondering what to expect from me in the months ahead? There will still be some quiet stretches, as sleep regressions and teething make appearances. I hope to focus more on our own experiences, less of the ‘sponsored’ stuff, so you’ll likely see more posts like this one. For now, we’re just trying to love our life lately, and see what adventures come our way!
I’m clearly a boy mom, but curious about all the parents out there! Just boys? Only girls? A mix of both? Tell me about your family in the comments below!
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3 Simple Ideas To Squeeze Extra Reading Time Into A Busy Day With Kids
Even in homes with kids that LOVE to read (like mine!), there are still days when life gets in the way of making sure children have quality reading time. Big kids have sports and extracurricular activities, little ones have naps and tantrums, and parents have work and ‘adulting’. Combine them all, and it’s not surprising many parents are often hunting for ways to easily squeeze a little extra reading time into their children’s busy days. Keep reading for a look at the 3 simple ideas we keep in mind with our own kiddos- at least one is bound to work well for your family too!
This post was sponsored by Amazon as part of an Ambassador Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.[Pssst… Wondering where I’ve been the last few weeks? We just welcomed our brand new baby, so I’ve been recovering from my c-section, and spending time with family. Stay tuned for further updates, and hopefully some baby photos in the near future!]
SQUEEZING READING TIME INTO A BUSY DAY
1. Provide A Reading Time Incentive
Busy kids may not always want to choose to reading time during their few minutes of ‘down time’ every day. For this reason, it’s important to find reading time incentives that motivate your children. Do they respond well to rewards like sticker charts? That may be the way to go for you. Be sure your children see you reading often for pleasure. Modeling themselves after mom or dad’s behavior may be all the incentive they need.
If you have a child that just can’t seem to resist the allure of screen time, think outside the book. Amazing products exist that provide reading time benefits on a screen without sacrificing quality at all! The Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Tablet is a great choice to encourage tech lovers to get reading. With an Amazon FreeTime Unlimited subscription, your child can check out a HUGE assortment of books, as well as videos, Audible books, educational apps, and games right on their touch screen.
2. Keep It Fresh
Just like adults, kids can easily tire of the same format or style of reading time day after day. It’s important to mix up their reading materials, to keep it feeling fresh, new, and interesting. If you make sure your kids aren’t bored, they’re more likely to turn to reading time on a regular basis. Providing variety can come in several forms. Check some out below!
- A mix of fiction and non-fiction books is ideal.
- Stock your library with a variety of genres to choose from.
- Reading time comes in many forms, so don’t overlook magazines, comic books, etc.
One reason we love our Fire Kids Edition so much is that it makes access to a wide variety of topics and genres super accessible for our boys. Plus, the parental controls that are part of Amazon FreeTime make it simple for my husband and I to steer the boys’ time on the device to learning, rather than play. (That ‘Learn First’ parental control is genius!) Parents can easily limit content, set time constraints, and monitor what their children are working on.
3. Take It ALL With You
There’s nothing worse than being stuck at a doctor’s office, in traffic, or at a crowded restaurant with bored kids. I do my best to keep a fairly well stocked diaper bag, but no matter what I choose, someone is unhappy with the options to stay busy. With the Fire Kids Edition, it’s SO simple to just throw the tablet into the diaper bag, and know each boy will have no trouble finding something to read that will interest them.Thanks to FreeTime Unlimited, there’s no complaints that “Mom chose the wrong book again!” Happy kids, who are getting extra reading time is pretty much always a win-win in my book*!
*Ha! ‘Book’. That pun wasn’t intended, but I’m a nerd and HAD to point it out!Want A Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Tablet For YOUR Family?!
Enter for a chance to win 1 of 10 being given away. Entry is easy, so check it out below! Sweepstakes ends on April 3, 2019.
Amazon Fire Kids Edition Sweepstakes
I-C will randomly select winners from all program entries and Amazon will facilitate fulfillment of the winning prizes of 10 Winners.
Did you enter the giveaway? In the comments, let me know what sorts of books YOUR kids would download first if they won a Fire Kids Edition!
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Breaking Up With Bubbly- How I Broke Free Of My Soda Addiction
It’s the New Year, and guys, I wish I could make some major changes. But I’m going to be totally honest. We’re having a new baby soon, and my life will already be undergoing so much change. Huge resolutions and sweeping proclamations of ‘living my best life’ just aren’t in the cards for me in 2019. [Side note: if you’re feeling me on this, check out this great read. You’ll love it!] Anyways, I recently checked out an encore performance of Rachel Hollis’ ‘Made For More’ which inspired me to undertake a small habit change each month… The idea being that small changes are more ‘do-able’, and eventually add up. First up, I’m quitting a fierce soda addiction… Read on to see how this first transformation went!
Disclosure: This post is not sponsored in any way.QUITTING MY SODA ADDICTION
The Backstory
Alright guys, I’m not gonna blame anyone but myself for my intense love of the bubbly stuff. But I willlll say that my parents were not terribly strict about my soda intake as a child… So by now, my thirty-something self is pretty much dependent on the stuff. I’ve never been a big fan of most juices, have yet to find a flavored water I enjoy (suggestions welcome!), and don’t really love plain water. So my dependence on soda is well established.
Full disclosure, on a typical day I would drink a large fountain drink from McDonald’s. (Their fountain sodas are the best. It’s like a proven fact.) But I’m a grown up, and I know, it’s just empty calories, has ZERO nutrition, and sets a terrible example for my kids, who are only allowed a sip or two of soda at a time. Choosing to break my soda addiction once and for all (hopefully) seemed like a logical first step for this experiment in creating new habits.
My Month
I saw ‘Made For More’ on January 2nd, so I didn’t quite commit the entire month of January to developing this new habit. But I did start battling my soda addiction on January 3rd, so it was pretty darn close. (So, I’m counting it. Deal with it.)
01.03.2019 1155pm: Drinking extra water at 31 weeks pregnant may have been a silly idea. Already doubting how much sleep I will actually get tonight… Committed to the process, but not sure if it’s worth the crankiness!
01.04.2019 1247pm: Target run with #thelittleone. Feeling thirsty, and not in the mood for any more plain water after this morning… Decide on an iced latte at Starbucks instead. Note: need to monitor caffeine intake as this little experiment progresses.
01.05.2019 946am: Out for a late breakfast with the kids and my parents. Swapped a small cup of apple cider for my usual soft drink… Still empty calories, so really not sure whether to consider this successful.
01.09.2019 555pm: Doing really well in general, just sticking with water for the most part. Having dinner out tonight to celebrate the hub’s birthday, and this was definitely a time when I wanted a soda. Stuck with a berry lemonade though, so I suppose I could have done worse.
01.17.2019: Just a general check in, as the month has begun to fly by. I’m finding that for the most part, I am able to fight back the cravings very easily- MUCH more easily than the times I have tried to give up caffeinated soda in the past. Maybe switching to caffeine free before quitting was a crucial step?
01.23.2019: Still soda free, and doing great with it. I do drink a berry lemonade once or twice a week, and often a small orange juice during breakfasts out with family. Sometimes I drink a small glass of the kids’ high protein, lower sugar chocolate milk when I have a sweet drink craving. I’m still not loving water constantly, but I know it’s worth it for my health, so I’m sticking with it.
All In all:
01.31.2019: I did it! I’ve gone nearly an entire month without soda- and have no intention of reintroducing it to my diet. Yes, I’m still up using the bathroom ALL NIGHT, EVERY NIGHT thanks to my crazy amount of water intake, but I’ll live with it. I do still LOVE me a berry lemonade, although it may just be a pregnancy craving. We’ll see if that hankering fades after I deliver this baby in March. I’ve kept my coffee runs minimal, which is shocking for the third trimester of pregnancy, when I’m pretty exhausted. Honestly, I’m thrilled about the changes I’ve made, and absolutely plan to stay soda free indefinitely.
My Soda Free Tips:
- Plan ahead. I don’t love most juices, ‘health’ waters, teas, etc, so I know that to be successful when I’m out and about, I NEED to have a bottle of water in my bag. That keeps me hydrated, comfortable, and far less tempted to grab a quick soda.
- Experiment a bit. I’m still struggling to find other beverage options that I really like, as sometimes I just get sick of water. Lemonades and some juices seem to be the best for my belly right now, but I’ll be interested in potentially trying a few iced teas or some infused waters in the near future as well.
- Make it a family thing. I’m lucky- my immediate family really didn’t drink soda prior to my quitting. My husband drank it occasionally, and my boys had occasional sips of mine, but they were all happy to give it up entirely at home while I did. Having that support, and no in-my-face temptation made it much easier to break my bad habit. Get everyone on board with the process if you can!
What are your favorite non-soda beverages? Let me know which I need to try in the comments below!
