Room2 love.

Dear Addison,

Now that you’re 1, a lot of changes are and will happen. You’re hopefully going to be off the bottle soon, you’re hopefully confidently walking soon, and most hopeful (for us) is you enjoy not being in our room and don’t ever come back until after 7am! 

We know you need the presence of someone else in the room and so does your sister so we thought we would ship you to her room. It was a piece of cake to do with the Joovy Room2 playard. A much bigger portable travel playard and so much nicer to look at. It’s nearly 10 square feet of space, mesh windows, elevated off the floor, and has a padded mattress. You can even order a waterproof fitted sheet. 

We also tried sticking your dockatot grand in there because you absolutely love drinking your milk in there and taking short naps in there, but when it’s bedtime, we take it out so you have plenty of space to move around freely which you do while snoozing. It’s like you’re dancing in your sleep. 

📷: 3 little girls all in one room. 

Flash forward to a little over a week later and I’m to the moon thrilled to say you have adjusted to your new room and love sleeping in your new Joovy room2. Surprisingly your cries don’t wake Abigail up at all, but hopefully this will stop soon as we are working on getting you off the need for a bottle during the night. We’re currently lessening the ounces you’re getting as well as giving you a “dream feed” before we go to bed. Fingers crossed. 

We have Joovy to thank for this amazing comfortable Room2 playard that will get plenty of use throughout our house when mommy needs to do her chores or needs to put you in “jail” because we’re hopeful one day you’ll make it to your own room or we’ll just get you and your sister a bunk bed! 

P.S. Joovy has tons of other products from strollers to bottles. They’re well made, stylish and modern for the everyday family. #joovy #family

📷: 3 little girls all comfortably sleeping the night away. 

Cheers for now and thanks for reading! 

Mommy & Daughter France Trip.

It was a little crazy to go on a trip without the hubs at 32 weeks pregnant but I did have some of my besties there so I guess technically it wasn’t just the bugaboo and me.

We took the Eurostar from London to Paris which is a smooth and quick 2.5 hour ride. The journey is pretty seamless so I would just advise getting to the station at least 1.5 hours in advance if you’re traveling with little(s). Oh, and if you’re preggos – you just may get special treatment. 😎

This trip was mainly just to visit the main sights since it’s pretty amazing now how Abigail actually remembers things at age 3 versus age 2. We did Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, walked along the Champs Elysees to shop, Versailles & Giverny (Monet’s house). Relatively pretty relaxing as we used both the metro and uber along with walking of course.

Thoughts traveling with a 3 year old (from my experience):

• US people – get used to no toilet seat covers for your little (or yourself)
• bring an extra change of clothes if you’re going to be out for the day
• anti-bacterial wipes for everything they’re touching
• ice cream is everywhere – this is perfect for bribing along with Haribo gummies. 😜

 

📷: Rocking it “Thriller” style even after having to go potty right before in let’s say not a toilet. 😁 What do you parents do when they say they have to go and there is not a toilette in sight? #pleaseshare

Product Review LOVE: EleStory

OMG, I can’t stop raving about the quality and details of EleStory dresses. They really bring out the magic in dresses and where you’re at. I received several compliments during the day about her dress and how she was twirling about in it. Love the linen material, length (this is toddler 2/3), and of course the flutter sleeves.

Product Review LOVE: TWELVElittle

We have the Companion backpack in Plus (shown above) and it’s the perfect fit. It doesn’t feel or look like a diaper bag but has the compartments for easy access to baby needs.

• In my backpack, I was able to easily put in snacks, ipad w/kid cover, 2 changes of outfits, light jacket, sunscreen, lotion, medicine, coloring book/pad with markers, and of course some of my things with room to spare to go shopping.
• Another perk is the hidden zipper section on the bottom of the bag to put dirty nappies or something you want separated from the rest of things.  Since right now it is just for my toddler, it has straws, napkins, and paper (things won’t bend in here).
• Maybe it’s the OCD in me, but one detail I noticed is the 4 metal balls at the bottom of the backpack so the waterproof material doesn’t touch the ground.  How nifty is that?
• Of course, not every bag is perfect so I would note if they’re making new bags, I would love to have one bigger compartment to put papers/ipad in and also it would be great to have the jacket hang on the side of the bag instead of inside (probably wouldn’t look as fashionable but it sure will save space inside).

📷: No Paris trip is complete without macaroons from Laduree.  We also had the pistachio milk shake and I was sure I was in heaven. Money well spent as it was also my last sweet I am to eat for this pregnancy now since I got the phone call from the hospital that my blood glucose level is too high. Buggers. 😓

Product LOVE: Bows!

I’m thrilled that she wants to wear bows and accessories in her hair so have found some amazing shops I support and love as they have the cutest prints and are well made. She doesn’t wear headbands so I can’t vouch for that, but future baby girl will be able to.

Mia_Handmade – her amazing butterfly designs have made me fallen in love with this shop and the mama.  She also has pom poms and my personal favorite genuine leather bows. LOVE.

Maddie and me London – who doesn’t love liberty of london fabric?  This American mom makes them and they are adorable.

James and Faye – I love the way her bows are made. They look so cute in Abigail’s hair. Well made!

📷: Versailles Palace was gorgeous! It was a cloudy day, but great for the girls pretending they were ballerinas in their dresses from Taylor Joelle Designs. What I would recommend is getting a golf cart (32 euros a hour).

Product LOVE: Bella | Ha shoes

These sandals are amazing and very comfortable (no joke!). What is probably the best part about this shop is they give back. With every pair of Bella | Ha shoes, it will help send solar suitcases to an area of the world in need. What is a solar suitcase?  It’s a portable, suitcase-like device that equips off-the-grid medical clinics with solar power so they can have light. Get your pair today! They can easily dress up an outfit.

📷: Giverny – what a cute countryside and home to Claude Monet. We decided to drive from Paris to Versaille to Giverny so we weren’t confined to the hours of a day tour. It was a nice drive.  Sadly, I wasn’t able to visit inside Monet’s house since Abigail had too much fun at Versailles and was still snoozing in the car when we arrived and by the time she woke up, Monet’s house had closed (6pm).

Product LOVE: Tiny Tinks

How cute is this doll?  We couldn’t be more happier with her.  Ours also came with a tutu but we left it at home as this traveling dolly didn’t want to get her clothes dirty.  There are different accessories you can add on and you can pick your colors to make your perfect dolly for your little. This will be a dolly she won’t let out of her sight as she also sleeps with her!

…and that wraps up our mommy/daughter trip before baby girl comes in August.

Cheers for now!

On Cloud 9.

What can I say about being on cloud 9? I’m 30 weeks pregnant and enjoying the pregnancy cravings a little too much. Fingers crossed on gestational diabetes and how the test turns out since I’m above average and now I have to take the 4 hour test (I had to do this for Abigail as well).

I would say the second time around I’m much more relaxed about everything. The must haves I swear by to have for baby are the following (based off my experience with Abigail):

• Rock n’ play – it’s not necessary to get the auto rock n’ play (but nice to have) as it’s pretty easy to learn to sit on the couch and rock it with your feet (good exercise for getting rid of cankles!).  This is perfect during the day to keep them angled and actually helped my little nap much better.
• Zippered footed onsies – I got the cotton ones from Old Navy and like them! Wait for a sale (now, tomorrow, everyday!).
• Muslim swaddle blankets – the brand I used before was Aden & Anais, but I’m really digging Modern Burlap with their neat monochrome designs.
• Burpy bibs by Aden & Anais – lived by them and it was the perfect size for putting on the shoulder to burp baby as well! This also soaked up drool perfectly and has a snap to hold the bib together.
• Aquaphor – this has been my go-to for literally everything that needs a little “fixing” or moisturizing.  I know everyone’s skin is different so hopefully trying this one out first will do the trick.
• Wubbanub pacifier – not only do they have the cutest animals connected to their pacifiers, but it helps keep the pacifier in their mouth when they are on their back. My little used it to both soothe and as a security “toy.”
• Just born – terry wash cloths – any small wash cloths will do but these were the perfect size and to this day, my 3 year old uses them to wash her face and another for her body.

📷: naptime in her rock n’play with her wubbanub giraffe pacifier at 6 months.

New products to give a whirl from hearing about and/or I love to support up and coming businesses.

• MiaMily Hipster Carrier  – the new generation has storage space to fit all the necessities (e.g. keys, bottle, diaper, phone) for that quick run out!
• Dockatot (USA)/Sleepyhead (International) – raving reviews on helping your new bundle sleep well and give you some sleep as well! My first had some problems sleeping so hopefully this product will help.
• Cosatto pushchair – OMG, can their patterns be any more amazing, bright, and colorful? They are also functional and light – what more can you ask for?
• Nuby breast pump – I’ve been looking for something smaller than what I previously had and plus with a UK adapter and found this.  Also, it’s nice to note that the Nuby Digital Breast Pump has won the 2016 Prima Baby Magazine SIlver Award for the best electric breast pump.
• Lil Dandlelion Bib-danas –  so soft and organic. They feel great and are super stylish (my 3 year old wants to wear as an accessory)
• Lalabubaby soothe shirt – triples being amazing by being a nursing bra, soothe pouch (use instead of a carrier), and a stylish top.  Looking forward to wearing on the even quicker errands I have to run with baby #2.
• TwelveLittle Diaper Backpack – I couldn’t resist and tested it out already and in love.  Not only is the Companion backpack padded, but the details with it are fabulous (e.g. 4 metal balls on the bottom of the backpack to avoid having the material touch the floor!) It also has the ideal amount of pockets and most importantly things all fit.
• Dribble Dry – just got mine and it’s so soft! I’m sure my new bundle will love taking a breather from a bibdana and burpy bib!

Product LOVE: North Star Knits 

• I couldn’t stop myself and got two handmade crochet rugs from this small shop and they are perfect.  Perfect thickness and really shows the love put into these rugs. My little loves to take naps on them as well.  They are also machine washable but air dry so the shape holds.
• Anna has many other designs and products she does (e.g. beanies, socks) so definitely check out her etsy shop by going to her website above. I promise you won’t regret it as she is a sweet mama to work with.

📷 : northstarknits rug

Any products you have that are must haves, please do share with me! I would love to know.

Cheers for now!

Walks Around Town.

Even though it was pouring rain this morning and we got drenched (holding 2 umbrellas), I think walks around the town are so amazing to the development of our little and just taking the world in. There is so much to see and you don’t necessarily have to travel far to see it (even though I love to travel and jet set around the world).

My little loves to sing and just chatter away about anything and everything. Some I don’t understand as I don’t think it’s even English or Chinese, but when I do understand it, it is so crazy to hear the things she remembers. They are definitely a sponge and even when we think they are not listening, they are – eek!

I think the most important part of this time is that we are in the present (ok, besides the picture taking part) and engaged. We’re not distracted with technology and replying back to something but looking around and just taking life in.

Some of the things we do on walks to keep the conversation and interaction going and help the walks fly by are:

• I spy (something brown and eating)

• What is that? (a little house, little bear’s flat)

• What do you do when… (crossing the street?)

• Do you remember? (being silly with Goofy)

• Tell me (what letter/number that is – houses and license plates are perfect for this! 📷: Pebble Child toy block – part of my G & H limited edition gift set)

• Who is (e.g. relatives, friends, classmates. 📷::that is your buddy baby Cameron)

• Languages (using English vs. Chinese)

Do you have any fun things you do on walks or funny stories to tell?  Would love to hear from YOU.

Cheers for now!

www.ajangsley.com