Valentine ideas

It is that time of year to spread love to your Valentine!  I love that most of the schools are encouraging are urging children to bring in something other than candy to pass out to their fellow classmates.  I am always searching for cute little toys to attach to valentines so that the kids can still give their buddies a little something special.  I found these unicorns on Amazon and started searching for a printable unicorn valentine to accompany them.  They are sold in a package of 12 for $6.84 and they are Prime shipping eligible!  It is a great deal for a unique valentine.  I found this adorable, free (bonus!) printable on Seven Thirty Three Blog.  Kim is super creative so search around her website for other great party ideas, printables, and tutorials.

Mason loves baseball so I started a search for a cool valentine that would be good for the big THIRD grader.  I found these baseball "tickets" on CoralBalloon's Etsy page.  As soon as Mason saw them, he had to have them.  If baseball isn't your son or daughters thing, there is also basketball, football, and soccer to choose from.  Just email the shop owner, Emily, upon checkout with your child's name.  She will then custom make them for you and email you the PDF with printing instructions.  For only $5 you get a total unique valentine for your child and you can print off as many copies as you wish!  To go along with Mason's valentine, I scored another great toy from Amazon.  These little bat and ball keychains are adorable and surprisingly well made.  The bat is wooden and the ball has real stitches through it!  They are on sale for $6.71 and sold in a pack of $12.  For about $ .50 its really a great deal!  Prime shipping eligible too so you can certainly get them in time for that Valentine exchange!

We sent them to the local print shop today because my printer is on the fritz and I am out of ink.  We picked them up and finished putting them together.  It was an easy, pretty last minute Valentine, and both kids are thrilled with how they turned out.  I have to admit that I think that they are pretty darn cute as well. 

I hope that you enjoyed and that it inspired you to do something fun with your littles!

xo,

K

  

Snow filled memories

We were finally hit with our first dose of snow and it was a big one! When Mason cried on Christmas because it was 70 and sunny, I told him that winter had just begun and I could pretty much guarentee that we would see our share of snow. Then comes Jonas! We probably got close to 20 inches in Ardmore. Since everything in Philly is in a fairly compact area the snow has no where to go but to pile high into people's yards. It pretty much causes everywhere to shut down for at least a day to get the roads in order. We took advantage of the being cooped up indoors. We watched plenty of movies and Addie's favorite, Sesame Street, which she lovingly calls "Elmo." We played games, built towers, and ate loads of food. The storm started on Friday night and continued through most of Saturday . We tried going out a couple of times but the winds were ripping through and the kids would only last 10-15 minutes before they froze. Poor Tommy was stuck outside shoveling the driveway for at least two hours. The guy was SORE on Sunday. He sucked it up for a good run of sleigh riding on Sunday though, when the wind broke and the temperature warmed up a bit. There wasn't much of a hill at the park by our house due to the amount of snow that we got but we managed to find a good spot that the kids slid up and down a few hundred times. Mason and Ellie LOVED it, Addie, not so much. She pretty much screamed for the entire hour that she was outside. It was as if she was trying to say "um what the hell is the cold wet stuff? Where is the warm sand and sun that I was born into?!!"

I am definitely not a cold weather girl. Give me the heat and the beach any day. But I did enjoy our first storm since being back east and I will always cherish the memories that we made. Here are a couple of shots from our weekend, including these deliciously warm chocolate chip cookies that I couldn't help but make. I mean we were trapped inside and we needed to eat, right?!

What is your favorite way to enjoy a blizzard? Would love to hear your favorite memories!

Xo

K

And baby makes 6!

The Bris Bunch is gaining a new member in July! We are rounding off the bunch to an even 6. Four children is something that tommy and I have always wanted, but, after Mason's prematurity and the Elizabeth's preterm scare and bed rest we weren't sure that we should try again. When we took that leap of faith and went for Addison we both thought "this is it" during the pregnancy. We were so thrilled that she was born healthy and full term (39 weeks!), but there was something in both of us that kept thinking maybe the fourth isn't out of our realm.  On hard parenting days I really thought that I should just stop at 3, but at the end of the night when I would tuck those little nuggets into bed something in me did not want to be done.

Given all of that, I started to panic when I got the double pink line.  Three kids is tough stuff, and now we are adding another?! I was just adjusting to life here and getting into a routine, but this threw me off my game. I felt terrible almost instantly.  I had terrible nausea which lasted all day.  I was beyond tired, but I had insomnia at night.  I would lay awake for hours on end stressing about how I was going to handle taking care of four little human beings.  Even after seeing the baby on the ultrasound I found myself scared.  I asked for a sign that this was the right decision.  That is when I realized that this plan is all greater than I am.  I get so wrapped up in my own decisions and the "what ifs".   It is hard to just have faith in what is supposed to be sometimes, especially when you have crazy pregnancy hormones doing acrobats on you every single day!  We are having a baby and giving our children another amazing person to grow up with.  What isn't wonderfully, magical about that?!

There are a few things that I have noticed about being pregnant for the FOURTH time!

1.)  The belly is no joke this time around.  By day 5 of pregnancy I had a belly the size of someone who was 3 months pregnant.

2.)  No wine or beer sucks.  Tommy is the permanent DD after this one- I had my turn for almost 4 years!

3.)  Hearing that heartbeat on the doppler is still the most magical sound in nature.  I will never tire of hearing the sweet noise of my baby growing inside of my body.

4.)  Newborn baby clothes!  Enough said :)


I look forward to sharing more about my pregnancy, baby Bris, and the Bris Bunch's winters in PA!
xo,
K

Benefits of Baltic Amber and why we love them in the Bris Bunch household

My girls have worn the amber teething necklaces since they were babies.  I found out about them when Elizabeth was a few months old.  I ordered one for her and decided to give it a whirl.  She was already an easy baby, and did not have much trouble with teething, but there were a few restless nights.  I truly saw a difference in her teething from that point on.  She would pop out a new tooth without so much of a fuss.  She got her teeth quickly, which can be more painful since you don't get a break from the pain.  She handled them like a rockstar!  Her necklace became a part of her.  Some believe that Amber is electromagnetically charged, which produces negative ions to produce a positive effect on the body.  This can help to boot moods and promote calmness in the body.  I can say that this was true for Elizabeth.  I remember for Masons 5th birthday party I took it off of her because it didn't coordinate right with her pirate costume.  That entire party something was weird with her.  She was very reserved and withdrawn.  That was not like her at all.  I noticed it but I didn't  think too much about it until I put her necklace back on her that evening.  By morning she was back to her old self.  It was a very rare occasion when I ever took it off again.

When I was pregnant with Addison I swore that I needed one of these for the baby asap.  I wanted to be prepared for the drooling and teething faze.  Our good friends, the Gomez family, gifted Addison her necklace from the cutest boutique in Carlsbad, called Ollie and Me.  I went down to pick it out after she was born.  I loved their selection!  They had the authentic baltic amber in mustard tones.  They were beautiful. Addie has been wearing hers since she was about 3 months old.  I have seen the same benefits with the necklace.  We do still have the occasional difficult night, but for the most part new teeth pop through without much fuss!

Before I started using amber I did some research to find the exact benefits.  I was all about putting these necklaces on my girls, but it would be an added bonus if they really did serve a greater purpose.  I found that baltic amber has been used for centuries in eastern Europe for various medicinal purposes.  Baltic Amber is fossilized tree resin.  It contains succinic acid, which is released from body heat when amber is worn against the skin.  The succinic acid has been known to reduce inflammation in the gums and joints.  It has even been used with the elderly for arthritis pain!  The benefits come from actually wearing the amber, not crewing on the amber itself.  In fact chewing on the amber it not recommended!  The necklace should be worn tight enough so that the necklace can't be pulled into the babies mouth.  My girls have never put their necklace in their mouth, even when it was long enough to reach.  The trick it to put it on them when they are young enough so that they are so used to it that they never notice it.  If you are looking to purchase one for your little one be sure to buy one that is genuine baltic amber.  If you need a suggestion, check out Ollie and Me.  These are made from authentic baltic amber and they have the screw closure which ensures that your little one cannot take it off on their own.  This is where I purchased Addison's necklace from and I love it so much.  It is absolutely beautiful and we receive compliments on it daily.  Give it a whirl, you may end up with a happier baby who stops waking from teething pain!

Has anyone used Amber for teething or other medicinal purposes?  Would love to hear your feedback!
xo
K

Fun with Dude and Betty

When we miss Cali we read one of our favorite books from the Bris Bunch library, Fun with Dude and Betty.  Fun with Dude and Betty is a hilarious spin on the classic Dick and Jane books from the 30s.  We have a blast reading the surfer slang in our best surfer accent.  There is a glossary at the back that helps defining those bodacious words.  8 year old Mason, who tends to only read chapter books, still appreciates this story and chooses it time and time again for a bedtime story.  In fact, when I was a guest reader for Mason's classroom I read it to a group of third graders and it was a huge hit! 5 year old Ellie loves how she can read some of the words, the colorful illustrations, and how Betty surfs the waves.  Be a bogus babe, pick up this rad read today!  Dude, Betty, and the dog Bud will not dissapoint!  Amazon has it at a great price.  Snag it now before the price goes up!

 

Xo

K

18 month Addie Guth

How is my little bird 18 months already?!  I forgot how joyful, and emotionally exhausting, an 18 month old can be.  Addison has started expressing her independence.  She is all about walking herself along the sidewalks and not being held by mommy.  It is adorable to see her little tush running down the sidewalk in her leggings, but also slightly difficult when there are instances where I cannot let her walk, like the busy gym parking lot.  This is when she throws an all out temper tantrum- kicking, screaming, and throwing her head backwards, as I'm carrying her.  Such a lovely way to exit.  I guess we officially have a toddler!  Along with that demanding independence, is the ability to do more with her.  She has taken on big brother and sister's imaginative side.  She cares for her babies, pushes them in the stroller, loves to dress up in any of our dress up clothes (or any of Ellie's tutu skirts that she finds around), color in coloring books (or the wall. Well, mostly the wall),  she "bakes" in her kitchen, and "reads" her books.  Its so adorable to watch her go!

If you are looking for some new ideas to get for the favorite toddler in your life, I have included some tried and true items that we have found to be the best for toddlers everywhere.

Diapers
Honest diapers and wipes!  I love these diapers and wipes!  I have gotten the diaper and wipe bundle delivered ever since I brought Addison home and it has saved me the hassle of the late night diaper runs.  Plus, they have helped me to save money by avoiding those unnecessary runs to the store for "just diapers" and coming out with $100 worth of other stuff that I just happened to see while I was there (you ladies know what I'm talking about!)  These diapers are Eco friendly, ultra absorbent, free of lotions, fragrances, and latex.  The wipes are super thick and are plant based.  I have always battled diaper rashes with other brands of diapers, even the so called "sensitive" kind, but not with Honest! Addie's tush has been rash free for 18 months!  Click on my referral link to earn $ towards your purchase!


Books, books, and more books!
Addie loves any books with texture and song.  These are some of her favorites and they are Prime free two day shipping eligible!
Itsy Bitsy Spider  Singing and reading make Addison happiest!
Touch and Feel Farm Book  Any chance to make silly animal sounds is great for Addie girl
Leslie Patricelli Baby Board Book Tower These are awesome for on the go.  You can tower them up or read them.  Yummy Yucky is our favorite!


Food!
Of course we always need snacks for distracting the active toddler.  I try to keep snacking as healthy as possible but also convenient for me to grab and go

- That's it Fruit bars -Each bar is made from just two whole fruits.  That's it!  This pack has our favorite flavors.  At just a little over a $1 a bar they make a great, healthy portable snack.  Prime free two day shipping eligible too!

- Cutie oranges!  Who doesn't love these?!

- Happy Tot Pouches  These are my favorite for Addie right now.  They have Salba the super Chia added for added nutrient which keeps her fuller longer.  At less than $1.50 a pouch this is a pretty nice snack to have around for your growing babe.  Plus, if you subscribe for regular delivery of these through amazon, you can save 15%.


Toys! (All toys mentioned are free Prime two day shipping eligible)

Corolle Baby Doll  We have tried out our fair share of doll babies in the Bris Bunch household.  Corolle is our favorite.  They have all different sized dolls with sweet little faces.  We have this exact style one and Addie always chooses this one to carry around.  She is a perfect size for her to hold and love on.  Plus she smells good, kind of like a new baby!  It is on sale today for $12 off of the original price.  That is much cheaper than when I purchased it, so run to grab it today!

Fisher Price Classic Travel Doodler I mentioned how Addison loves to color.  This old school toy is awesome for the car and restaurants.  Added bonus- if she happens to "color" on the wall or the window of the car it doesn't leave a mark!

Little cars  Entertaining Addie during Ellie's ballet class in the small studio space outside of her class is a challenge.  They do not allow food so there goes my number one distraction technique.  I tried books but she has no interest in sitting on my lap, when she can climb onto the windowsill.  Another mom, who has a toddler, brought along her son's collection of little toy cars and they were sitting there pushing them around the slick hardwood floors.  Addison couldn't get enough of this!  I had completely forgotten about the little ones fascination with little cars and trucks that they could push themselves.  These fisher price little people cars are so basic but they are just the best.  They are big enough for those little toddler hands, yet small enough to throw in your bag.

Plan Toy Van Walker  Addison LOVES having her own stroller or wagon throw her belongings in and push around the house or outside when we go for a walk.  How adorable is this Plan Toys one with the VW style van?!  Its on sale today for $12 off and it is free Prime two-day shipping eligible!  Go grab it today to stick under the tree for your favorite toddler.  I am definitely picking up one for Addie girl!


Blankets!
I always have to have at least one blanket (or "nonny" as we call them in the Bris abode) with me for the babes.  Not only are they great to cuddle with a sleeping baby in the car, but they also double as a tissue for runny noses, an extra warmth layer for super cold days, and protection from an unexpected rain storm.  I have always been a huge fan of the cotton muslin blankets.  They are the best for swaddling newborns and babies.  My older two loved to cuddle and sleep with theirs long after they were babies.  Addie still appreciates her nonny being wrapped around her when she goes to sleep, but I was having trouble finding ones that were big enough to stay tucked.  These Little Unicorn cotton muslin ones are the best!  They are big enough, and their prints are absolutely gorgeous.  Go grab some today!


Shoes!
Freshly Picked Mocs I know that baby moccasins are all the rage right now, but there is a reason that they are.  They are comfortable and not confining to a baby's growing feet.  They are easy to keep in your bag, and since they are made from 100% real leather, they keep their feet warm in the cold.  There are a ton of different brands out there, but the Freshly Picked mods are the best.  They actually stay on the foot without slipping off at all and the leather is so supple.  We have had a pair since Addie was in a size 1 and we keep going back for more as her foot grows.  You can even size up for extended wear time, and they will still stay in their feet due to design of the elastic opening.  They are simply amazing, and ADORABLE!


Hope that this was helpful.  I'm off to chase my little lady down for some good snuggle time before bed.
xo
K

Updated Blog

I began this blog four years ago as a way to journal our California life to share with the grandparents, aunts, and uncles who were living away from us.  We have had many changes over these past four years, including welcoming baby Addison into our lives.  I find that my blog has become more and more about my children and my experience as a mother.  The West Coast Life name limits what our whole story is about, not to mention we are no longer "west-coasters!"  I have decided to update the title to The Bris Bunch.  I am very excited to continue publishing our stories, and to include some other Bris Bunch members as guest bloggers.  Turns out 8 year olds are very knowledgeable individuals!
Thank you for following along for the past four years. I look forward to sharing more of our life with you under The Bris Bunch!
xo
K