The Nap Time Creations

First, I should let you all know that I am not a perfect parent by any means. I have my great, awesome mom days.  I have my bad, not so good mom days, and all in between. I am, however, always on the look out for GREAT parenting books. I have checked many books out at the library, have taken a parent-toddler workshop, with both of my kids, and talk to many parents. So let's get started as to why I find these three books to be the best. 1. No-Drama Discipline I found that the best principle in this book was to connect with your kids. When our kids act out, which they do, then it is our job to be the detective and figure out why. A hug, or confirming their feelings helps calm the situation down so then we talk about the situation and possible consequences. I have tried this and it works wonders, but I have noticed that if I am tired and my kids are tired as well, it makes it a bit harder. As long as I have had a good night sleep I am a better parent (aren't we all tho...

He came, He finally came! Of course that was four weeks ago but none the less he came. It was a Friday night and I was feeling some contractions and before 6 am on Saturday July 19 I had him. He is perfect! I am only writing about now because we have had baby blessings, weddings, bridal showers, birthdays, and anything else in between. But our sweet baby boy is here!

I love summer and I hate to see it end. There are still so many things I want to do! Tube down the river, have a campout in the backyard, watch a movie outside. Summer can't be over yet! I remember last summer just waiting for fall to come, so that Sadie baby would get here! Now and want to slow time down and take it in. She'll be one before I know it. With that in mind I took Sadie outside and took her pictures. I have been playing with photoshop and love what I captured. The girl does something to me. I just love her!

If you are like me, you have to carry a heavy diaper bag all round. I like my diaper bag. It's convenient, cute, and I picked it out, so I like it. But, without fail I have always forgotten something and it drives me crazy!! A toy, blanket, bib, or just extra diapers. I am a new mom so I am still learning to pack everything for the one and only! So I have come up with a diaper bag check list. You can print it and use it for yourself if you have the same  problem. If I forgot anything please let me know! I would love to hear what are your favorite diaper bags! Don't forget to follow me!

I love to take pictures! I take them all day long. On my Nikon Camera and on my phone. Along the way I have found a couple things that help me take great pictures. Lighting. Open the blinds, go outside and get as much natural light as you can.  Take pictures of moments you don't want to forget. I hate it when my phone is dead or my camera is not around and I have to use my husbands phone. I don't want the picture on his phone I want it on mine.  Which brings me to 3. I am selfish with pictures. If they are of my kid, I want a copy. Don't be afraid to ask for a copy of the picture.  If you want to print you pictures, find a good printing company. Walgreens, Costco, Sam's Club are all great local ones. (Me and Walmart have disagreements.) For GREAT looking pictures go to Shutterfly , or  Persnickety Prints . Back up those pictures!!! I can't stress that enough. I back mine up on CD's and on an external hard drive.  Last but not least, Have fun taking t...

I love to go swimming and now that I have Sadie I love taking her swimming! Most neighborhoods now days have splash pads, and I want one close to me so bad!! Well I found out I DO!! YAHOO! Come to find out, I have many splash pads and pools around me to name a few Lorin Farr Pool and Slide on Gramercy Harrisville City Park Splash Pad Riverdale Splash Pad Roy Aquatic Center North Shore Ogden High Pool Ben Lomand High Pool Brigham City Pool South Ogden Splash Pad Clearfield Swimming pool Layton Surf and swim Cherry Hills I am sure a missed some so if you have any places that you love to take your kids please share!! Check back tomorrow for a yummy summer treat!! Happy Swimming!

This last weekend we had a blast going camping at Cherry Hills and Swimming at Cowabunga Bay! It was a great start to a fabulous summer! I am, however, grateful that we did a trial run of camping with Sadie. She slept horribly, was a little cranky and I learned that I need to pack more thoroughly! I have come up with a list of needed items to have for baby. Clothes Outfits Pj's Swimsuit and towel Blankets (3) Towel and washcloth Shampoo Lotion Formula Bottles Spoons Baby Food Pack and Play Sippy Cups Diapers Wipes toys bibs I also have some camping gear that not everyone has but I would recommend getting:  Formula Divider  Camping High Chair (total life saver). If you don't have a high chair a bumbo will work also! If you are looking for a list of what to pack your self as well than check out Happier Happenings blog ! Also for more Ideas check out my Pintrest Board: Check back on Monday for my quiet book ideas! ...

I love watching Sadie grow during this first year. She is getting bigger and bigger. I have found different ways to document your little bambino growing as well! A monthly picture! Here are some of the different ideas that I have found: One outfit all at different times Add what they have accomplished during that month Or just how old they are! If you don't want to paint one wall in your house chalkboard, then you can paint a cupboard door, like I did! I have also seen scrapbook paper with the month, a post-it, alphabet letters above the head, and much more! Check out my Pintrest board for more ideas on baby bumps and monthly pictures here ! Follow me on twitter @NapTimeCreate Check back tomorrow for Weekend family fun ideas!

I love seeing other moms perfect baby bumps! I will admit when I was pregnant I did not want my picture taken! I took a few baby bump pics but not cute ones. If you are pregnant, (or even if your not) and want to take pics of that cute growing bump, here are ideas for you! Compre your growing baby A front and side picture Or a different view of that growing belly! Here is my baby bump! Thats right I took a grand total of four pictures! Check out my Pintrest board for more ideas ! (they don't have to been done in the bathroom mirror!) Come back tomorrow for Baby growth ideas for the first year!!

Lately I have been feeling the need to journal everything. Probably because my great grandparents and grandparents have given me nothing of their lives other than cookware and dishes! (I want pictures and stories.) First of all, I have several journals I have kept throughout the years. Second, I have multiple ways of keeping memories. Today I am showing you what I have done for my Sadie. When I was pregnant, I had a lot  of ultrasounds. We moved from St. George to Ogden and I doubled by ultrasound pictures! So I made a flip book! It was simple. I cut the paper the size I wanted (6x6) Printed on clear labels dates, and what the pictures are. Next, I made a Sutterfly book of her first month. Including hospital pictures and newborn pics. Shutterfly sent me serval free book coupons for just having a baby! Love looking through this. Last but not least, I document milestones Sadie accomplishes in memory journal. I found this one at Wal-Mart. I write in it mont...

I love making fabric flowers for Sadie! I get a bundle of headband at Quilted Bear and make my own flowers! I personally prefer the flowers over the bows. My mom bought these shabby fabric flowers I added the netting and feathers! They are so simple to make! Use a piece of Felt (I use white) Hot glue the flowers, feathers, netting, bling, whatever you want to the piece of flet. Next, glue a aligator clip to the back and viola! You have a Hair clip. If you want you can hot glue them to a piece of elastic of your choice. Don't I have the cutest model ever!   I love the way these turned out! I am so excited!