Tuesday, June 21

Amazing Diaper Bag Idea!



Okay. So me and my mom are having a "mall day" on Monday, and I start rummaging around in my diaper bag for the ump-teenth time, looking for something that I cannot find...when my mom says, "You know what you should do? Get a bunch of small clear zipper bags to organize everything in your diaper bag so you find things easier. Actually, if I were you, I'd just use a clear bag as THE diaper bag. You'd be able to see where things are from the outside!"

Did I ever mention how incredibly intelligent my mother is?? :0)  ***love ya mom!***

I'm ALWAYS looking for new ways to organize. For me, organization is a time saver & a stress saver. And quite frankly, now that I have 2 kids instead of 1- it's mandatory. Do you know how frustrating it is to be digging and digging for something while Addy is crying and Ben is simultaneously trying to climb out of his stroller? *smile*
I'm sure you do if you're a mom.

So here's my NEW and IMPROVED diaper bag!!!!
(drum roll, please...)


Cute, stylish, AND organized right?!


I've tried organized things in smaller bags within the diaper bag before- but there was always something that didn't fit or have a place... I dunno. It didn't work that great & got out of sorts every time I used it.

I found this bag in the cosmetic section at Walmart. It came with all the matching zipper bags inside (which fit perfectly of course) for $20. Diaper bags can be pricey, so I consider this a deal!

The only things not in zipper bags are: the burp rag (on top there,) the wipey case and my personal items (wallet, keys & camera) which are all stuck in that left end. Nice thing is, even if my keys happen to slide somewhere, I can see where they went from the OUTSIDE!!

The Toiletry Bag

It contains: all those little items you can't leave home without when you have an infant.

The Snack Bag
(for Benjamin of course)

I rarely buy individual serving snacks b/c they tend to be more pricey. Instead, I divy up a large container of crackers, etc. into these little "snack size" ziplock bags, ahead of time in my pantry. That way, on a busy weekend when I need to replenish the snacks in my diaper bag, I just grab and go.

The "Extra Clothes" Bag
An extra changing of clothes (bow and all) for Adalynn for when she inevitebly spits up or poops on her clothes. :)
Also in here: Benjamin's bib (for going out to eat,) & Benjamin's socks
(to put on him if we go to an indoor playground like Chick-Fil-A or the mall)

***He wears sandals a lot and I don't like him to get his bare feet filthy.***


Let me insert here that I always keep an "overnight" bag for Benjamin in our car with lots of extra diapers, wipes, and clothes- for emergencies! I just don't want to carry all that stuff in every place with me.

That's the burp rag on top of the large zipper bag...

Inside: diapers, diaper ointment & nursing wrap

(I'm not sure why I've been keeping the diaper rash cream in the toiletry bag... makes no sense since I'm always going to use it right after a diaper change. Why open 2 different bags?? But, NO... it IS a toiletry... ha, sometimes my organization obsession overrides common sense :)


So there you have it!
My new life saver- until I find something that works even BETTER! ;)


Wednesday, May 18

Benjamin's 2nd Birthday Party

 Dear Benjamin,

You just turned 2 on May 1st! I can't believe how big you are getting. You are a big brother now, and a very sweet one! You call her "baby Ah.." and you always say, "Aww... baby," and kiss her when you pass by her. Your favorite things to play with are BALLS (of course) and your new drum set Papaw Phil got you at this party. You like watching drum solos on youtube :) and you try to beat on everything! You are talking very well now- even if sometimes only Mama can understand the words you are saying :) Lately your answer to everything is "No." You love books and looking at picture albums.

You like to point out all the people you know by name. You also really like counting. You count up to 6 over and over again when you are playing. Another thing you just got really into is coloring. I think I tried to force it on you before you were ready. But now you LOVE it! When we pray you say, "Thank you God" and "Amen". It's so adorable! Your favorite phrases are "Oh man!", "Oh no!", "Wow!", "Alright!", and "Ready?" You LOVE to "go bye bye". You are a rambler :)

You've spent the night at all your grandparents houses a couple of times and you do very well. We just started potty training you today... (we'll see how THAT goes!!) You are starting to get interested in dressing your own self. You also want to eat your yogurt (with your spoon) all by yourself... and I must say, you don't make as much of a mess as I expected! You are getting so grown up. You measured at 3 ft. tall a month before your birthday, so I think it's safe to say you are going to be tall. You are already in a size 7 shoe!! Can't believe that... I love you SO SO much. I just wanted to jot some stuff down about sweet, wonderful you. I know I'll forget all these special things... and you'll be grown before I know it... *sob*

But you will always be my "baby Benjamin."

Love you,
Mama



























Photo Credits: This is a mixture of the pictures taken by my sister Courtney and my mother-in-law Donna Mofley.