Holding Down the Changing Pad

Every diaper change it seems like we have to fight Baby E to lay still. Since, she's figured out how to push herself up to a sitting position and the fact that she loves to crawl. We're always fighting her to just stop for one second. Just to let us change her and then she can be off on her merry little way.

Of course, any time we've fought her... the changing table decides it wants to try going flying off of the dresser. In the end we always look like a jumbled up mess. Not to mention what the dresser looks like.

With that, I had thought about getting little Command Velcro Tabs to hold down the changing pad. This way I could easily remove the changing pad to clean and what not. However, every time I go to the store I seem to forget about them. Even when I write it down. Seriously, it's kind of like I have a brain fart in the store.

Anyways, I figured why not just use the over abundance of Command strips that I already have. Some how during the move some of the holders were broken.. probably during the time period that my in-laws decided to drop every box we had on the ground. Who knows.

So, I grabbed them and placed one on each of the corners and pressed down. Then I placed one in the middle on the other side. I pressed each down once again, as a just in case.

I then removed the paper shield and carefully laid it down onto the dresser. Pressing down each side as I went. Once, it was completely down and pressed; I wiggled it around to see if it would move. It didn't. Woohoo!

It even was Baby E approved when I went to change her not to long after that. It didn't move and it was less of a mess afterwards.

Oh Baby, We're Scrub a Dubbing Our Pool!

Every day this summer, I've tried to get Baby E into the pool. It's something I've always enjoyed every summer and since she loves the water... I figured she would enjoy it.

We haven't been in the pool though lately because the rain has been never ending and then someday's it's just to hot for her. Overtime, even after wiping the pool down every couple of days. We seemed to gather a little gunk in the crevices. Plus, it didn't help that with the past few rains/winds... the tarp keeps getting blown off random crap has been falling off the trees and into the pool. Oh and let's not forget our little buggy friends.

<- Grandaddy Long Leg

Some ->
Random Caterpillar






The lovely grime with tree particles

Since, the weather gurus have forecasted rain for the next umpteen days. I figured now would be a great time to clean the pool.

So, since vinegar and baking soda are my favorite things. I started with that. It got quite a bit of grime up, but there was still quite a bit left. I added more water to it, rinsed it, dumped it, and added water again. This time I took the dish soap and scrubbed. This helped even more. Got a lot of the gunk off. However, there was just still quite a bit left.. plain ol' stubborn gunk.

As a last resort, I grabbed the bleach and poured it into the pool diluting it with a crap load of water. I then scrubbed the pool again. Of course, the bleach seemed to melt the gunk off. It even seemed like I had a completely brand new sparkly pool.

~*~ I didn't really want to use bleach cause of Baby E,

 but also because it breaks my hands out like nothing before... even with gloves. ~*~

I dumped that water, added more water, rinsed, and dumped again. Then hung it up to dry. Oh yeah, I hung my pool up to dry.

Now, all we need is for the rain to stop so we can get back into that sparkly pool. I'm beyond ready and I know Baby E is!

Do you guys have any great tips on cleaning a baby pool?

The Baby Pool Needs a Cover Up Too!

When we bought the baby pool, I didn't quite think about needing a cover for it. It was a complete after thought. So, when the time came to cover up the pool I had nothing. Not even a tarp.

So, I tried a bed sheet. That lasted a hot minute and completely didn't work. Plus, I swear it felt like mold was already growing on it. Just touching the pool.

I used it anyways. Then decided to use a comforter since we were already using it as a mat on the deck under the pool. All I had to do was fold up the sides and what not. It worked. Until it rained.

Now, who knows why I did this BUT I decided to take the shower curtain from the upstairs and move it down stairs. It gave me the opportunity to take the hideous shower curtain down and the weird lining. Then it dawned on me. Why don't I just use the shower curtain.

And it works like a charm. A simple inexpensive way to cover up the pool. I even LOVE it.

Even the shower curtain liner works just as well.

Oh, Baby Tub.

When Baby E started to figure out how to stand up in the baby bath tub we knew we were screwed. Literally. We would tell her "no" and sit her back down. She'd laugh. Then give me the look. Kind of like "HAHA Mama, you know I'm going to do it again!" And of course she would. Then laugh.

Our Baby Bath Tub
First Years Sure Comfort

So, we tried a baby seat. She figured out how to scoot out of that one and climb up the side of the tub. We would once again tell her "no" and sit her back down. She would once again laugh. Give me the look. And do it again.

Our Bath Seat
The Hug Tub

Once, this started happening we would pretty much end the baths either really quickly... you know get down to business and get out OR we would have to sit in the tub with her to keep her from attempting to stand. Let me just say it's really uncomfortable even with a baby in a tight tub. I always felt squished. 

So, one night while perusing Pinterest... I do that a lot once Baby E is down for the count... I found this nifty little idea about using a laundry basket in the tub. When I saw that, a light bulb went off. That was probably one of the coolest ideas I've seen on there. 

Tub Time Lifesaver from Happy Home Fairy

After thinking about it, I realized we only have one laundry basket... So either I needed to be ridiculously prompt regarding our clothes or I needed to go buy one. Then I thought about the fact that I would possibly need to put a lot of water in their to honestly make it work for her. As much as we LOVE bath time at her age, we don't really need a lot of water. 

I then dismissed the idea.

About a week later, I was going through our front room. Organizing and throwing things out. When I came across a storage bin. It was just sitting there without a top on and it was like once again a light bulb went off. I could use this as a tub! It would be a tad bit harder for her to stand up and it could be easily reused without having to worry about having to keep switching/drying with the laundry basket. Plus, we could put the needed amount of water for Baby E.

All we had to do was rinse it out. Cause it was a little dirty from the stuff that was in there. Then it was on.

I just placed it under the faucet, filled it up with the desired amount of water. Placed her baby seat within it... for comforts sake and added her toys. Clean up was a breeze too. Once she was off to bed, I would wash it out and lay it up against the inside of the tub to dry. Then we could use it the next day without any fuss. She seemed to enjoy it and it worked like a charm for almost a couple of months. Until she figured out how to stand up in that too.

And it was back to the beginning of laughing at us. Until she all of a sudden would start crying when we told her "no"... Oh, Baby E.

Anthem LemonAid Stand

Although summer is my favorite time of the year, I also enjoy seeing the local kids/daycares/groups standing on the side of the roads with their lemonade stands. Of course what doesn't say summer without a little lemonade?

With that during the weekend of July 19th-21st you'll see several lemonade stands popping up in the area in support of Anthem LemonAid. This event raises funds to help the Children's Miracle Network to raise funds to help beat childhood cancer. If your in the Metro Richmond area all proceeds go to The Richmond Children's Hospital at VCU or if your in the Hampton Roads area all proceeds go to Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughters.

We did this with the school-age children when I worked at a daycare several years  ago and it was one of the best things ever! The kids decorated their own stands, made the lemonade (with help of course), and sold the lemonade themselves. The excitement was just unbelievable!

You can either register for either a physical stand or an on-line stand OR you have the option of registering for both. Below are the areas where you can register for your LemonAid stand.

Physical Stand~

- To register your physical stand in the Richmond Metro area (includes most of Central Virginia as well as Northern Virginia), click here
- To register your physical stand in the Hampton Roads area (includes majority of the Tidewater area), click here

On-line ~

- Hampton Roads area, click here --- stand will remain active until July 31st
- Richmond Metro area, click here

Hope many of you guys get the opportunity to participate! It's an amazing cause and truly fun!

Richard Scarry's Busytown at the Children's Theatre

Wanted to share with all the mama's and daddy's out here in Central Virginia that at the Virginia Repertory Theatre at Willow Lawn they will be putting on a play based on Richard Scarry's books Busytown.

The play will be showing from July 5 to July 28. Tickets start at $10 and range to $16 depending on the seat section that you choose. The times do vary each day, but seem to be pretty reasonable... especially for younger children.

To purchase tickets or view schedule times just click here.

I know if little bug was just a tad bit older, I would definitely be taking her to see this... however I don't think a 9 month old is quite ready... That would be a crazy adventure :).

Sweet Summertime

Summer is full swing... at least for us :). It used to be when Memorial Weekend would hit, we'd celebrate my birthday or celebrate the start of pool season. However, lately the way the weather's been... it's kind of hard to jump in the pool when the water is FREEZING. Who likes cold water? Not this girl.

Now, that Summer has officially started... let's celebrate with a few of our favorite essentials for Baby E.

~*~ Here are a few of Baby E's swim essentials ~*~

Saving money with a swim diaper. This honestly pays for itself and comes in several cute patterns! We bought this since we live further out from those big box stores and clearly don't feel like paying $15 on swim diapers down the street or having to order and wait. So, we bought this and it's already paid for itself!

iPlay Swim Diaper

Adorable Swimsuits!

Circo Swimsuit Stripe, Circo Swimsuit Polka Dot, Carter's Ruffle Swimsuit

And of course, you CANNOT Forget The Sunscreen! 

You can get any sunscreen at your local stores, this brand is just our personal preference... whatever works for you and your baby is perfect! 

We also have a baby pool that we picked up from WalMart and use a variety of toys of hers.

Do you guys have any favorite or necessary swim items for your little one? We'd love to hear!