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Wednesday, August 28, 2024
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Friday, July 26, 2024
Making Bath Time Fun: How We Turned Showers into a Splashing Success for Devon
We have figured out how to make Devon love bath time!
First, we discovered he prefers showers. This made him 1000% better about water in his face.
Second, we put his infant tub in the shower. It’s like playing in a pool while it’s raining.
Third, we occasionally add bubbles! Maybe always.
I have an extra-large jacuzzi tub, so giving him baths in my tub would be a lot of wasted water. We still keep the other bathroom off limits to Devon so Nathaniel doesn’t have to put all of his stuff up and out of reach every time he uses it. So, showers in my bathroom are the most ideal option.
This has made getting clean after dinner so much better and easier! He goes straight from the high chair to the shower. I literally strip him of everything as I’m taking him out of his chair, and he runs to the shower.
I never would have imagined my one-year-old taking daily showers, but here we are.
Thursday, July 25, 2024
My Little Warrior's First Busted Lip
Yesterday was a tough one for my little adventurer. At just 15 months old, he's always on the move, exploring and discovering the world around him. But sometimes, those little legs don't quite keep up with his curious mind or he inherited my clumsiness. Maybe both.
It happened in a flash. One moment, he was gleefully playing at his activity table, and the next, he tripped and fell right into it. The sharp cry that followed sent my heart racing. I scooped him up and saw the blood on his lip—his first real injury.
As a mom, seeing your baby in pain is one of the hardest things. But in that moment, I had to stay calm. After some gentle cleaning and a lot of cuddles and nursing, the bleeding stopped, and his tears turned into little whimpers.
Throughout the rest of the day, he showed me just how resilient he is. Despite the swollen lip, he was back to his usual self, exploring and playing with a smile. His bravery reminded me of how strong and resilient our little ones are.
This experience was a reminder of the countless firsts that come with raising a child—both the joyful and the challenging. Each bump and bruise is a part of his journey, and as his mom, I'm here to help him through them all.
Today, he's sporting his little battle scar like a true warrior. And while I'm sure this won't be the last of his adventures, I know we'll get through each one together, one step (and tumble) at a time.
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
The Exhausting Yet Beautiful Journey of Working Full-Time and Caring for My One Year Old
Working full-time while caring for my almost 16-month-old is an experience that can only be described as both exhausting and profoundly rewarding. The daily routine is a whirlwind of activity, from early morning wake-ups to late-night work catch-ups. Every day is a balancing act, trying to meet the demands of my job while ensuring my little one gets the attention and care he deserves.
The exhaustion is real. There are days when I feel like I’m running on empty, with barely enough time to catch my breath. The constant juggling of tasks—responding to emails, attending meetings, preparing meals, and managing nap times—leaves little room for rest. It's a relentless cycle that often feels overwhelming.
Yet, amidst the fatigue and the endless to-do lists, there are moments of pure joy that make it all worthwhile. The first smile in the morning, the giggles during playtime, and the quiet moments of cuddling remind me of the incredible blessing that motherhood is. These moments are fleeting and precious, and they provide the strength and motivation to keep going.
Balancing a full-time job and caring for a toddler requires a tremendous amount of energy, patience, and resilience. But it also brings an unparalleled sense of fulfillment. Every challenge overcome, every milestone reached, is a testament to the strength and love that define this journey. While the exhaustion is undeniable, so is the profound blessing of watching my child grow and thrive each day.
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Just a little goes a long way
I just realized today that the 529 I opened for Nathaniel at birth is still open. I forgot about it after I got busy as a single mom going to school, working, doing homework and housework.
Every month from March until December of 2006 I put $5 a month in it (we were poor poor). In 2007 it received a deposit from Upromise (cash back incentives from shopping). Nothing since.
Today the account that I haven’t personally but anything in since 2006 is worth $289.89.
17 years of just sitting in an account growing with the market.
I wish I had continued to contribute to it because imagine what $5 a month for 17 years would have looked like when $84.28 increased by over 343%.
My point is that 17+ years from now, even saving as little as $5 a month will grow your savings more than not saving anything at all. Whether you save for yourself or your children, you won’t regret putting that $5 away.
*Btw this account was abandoned but he does have another 529 so he will be ok.
If you’re interested in saving for your child with as little as $5 a month we have been using College Backer and highly recommend it. Not only can you set an automatic contribution as as low as $5 a month but you can also invite friends and family to contribute.
For myself, I use Stash to grow my savings. For just yourself it is $3 a month and you can also set an automatic contribution for as low as $5 a month. You can upgrade your account to contribute to an IRA and/or custodial accounts for your children. I also use Robinhood but just for myself. Robinhood has cryptocurrency and options available but you should know these can come with higher risk.
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