Erin Loechner
Our Weekend Getaway
Road tripping with a baby who hates her car seat seemed daunting at first, but after a particularly cold and rainy spring, Ken and I were feeling the itch to inject some sunlight into our lives. Here in the Midwest, that means traveling to the lake for some much-needed rest, relaxation and rejuvenation (as much as is possible with a 9-month-old who still fights naps and sleep regularly, that is!). So last weekend, we packed up the car, cooler and bags and made the trek to a friend’s cottage for a weekend of no make-up, no technology – and, perhaps most importantly, no itinerary whatsoever.
What's In Your Diaper Bag?
I’m always fascinated to hear what other moms are carrying around daily between busy lives of grocery runs and scheduled playdates. And today, I thought I’d share a peek into my own diaper bag, filled to the brim with 15 of my favorite products and items that keep Bee happy and occupied (and mama stress-free!). Tell me, are you stashing any of the below in your own diaper bags? I’d love to hear!
5 Ways Babies Inspire Creativity
One of the bigger surprise souvenirs of babydom for me has been an incredible surge of creativity. Prior to mothering Bee, I’d heard tales of the opposite – the sacrifice and the commitment and the exhaustion. I certainly wasn’t painted a negative portrait; I was just offered one where there was a healthy dose of realism and expectation management. But now that I’m eight months into my own journey (and quite enjoying the view!), I’m noticing that motherhood truly does lend itself to a most beautiful burst of imagination and creativity and spark. (Hint: We just have to look for it.) Just in case you’re stuck (or are wearing the blindfold of sleep deprivation and teething), here are five ways I’ve spotted the resurgence in my own life:
How To Entertain a 8-Month Old
If you mamas are anything like me, you’re always on the lookout for fresh, new ways to entertain your baby. The weather is still fairly chilly here in the Midwest, so we’ve been making the best of these dreary days by maximizing our playtime indoors and doing our best to explore hidden treasures in our own home. Below, enjoy a few activities that are keeping us happy, active and entertained! Tell me, what are your favorite go-to games and toys for your own little ones? As always, I’d love to hear!
On Letting Go
Bee is achingly close to learning how to walk. She’s standing on her own, often testing the boundaries of gravity and matter in the daredevil-est of ways. She’s always been a fairly active baby, lifting her head in one week, rolling over at two months, crawling at four. As a first-time mother, it feels too fast, as if we’re surpassing the baby phase and moving straight into toddler territory of playgrounds and playdates and tantrums. Yet with every ounce of my being, I’m continually reminding myself that independence is an important (yet ever-so-difficult) gift to give our children.
