Valentine's Day Parties and Printables

Pizzazzerie is my absolute favourite party planning blog. It's a veritable treasure trove of ideas and free printables. Since Valentine's Day is nigh-ish, I highly recommend clicking here and checking out the myriad great ideas- including some for the single girls! You absolutely MUST do this if you are having any kind of a Valentine's Day Party. It also has great (free) 8x10 festive prints, as well as printable Valentine cards, pillow boxes, gift bags and tags.

^^Conversation Hearts Party theme^^

^^Bittersweet party theme^^

 

^^Free Printable Cards^^

^^Free Printables for your home^^

I'm a huge fan of this Hallmark Holiday, so check back often in the coming weeks for more links, crafts and ideas to really do it up right this Valentine's Day!

                         

Monthly Essentials: Month One

I do not purport to be an expert on things baby-related. By any means. I am a new mother, and all I know is what worked well for me, and what was a waste of my money. When I was pregnant and putting together my registry I found myself wishing I could find a reliable source (i.e. not the store) to tell me what I really needed. I'll be compiling monthly lists of products that we used, and loved. These were my essential items for Month One. 

1. Avent Reusable Nursing Pads 2. 3 Sprouts Hooded Towel 3. Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Bib 4. So Young Charlie Diaper Bag 5. Kushies washcloths 6. Aden + Anais Bamboo Swaddler 7. Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm 8. Medela Swing Breast Pump 9. Bright Starts Bouncer 10. Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags 11. Earth Mom and Baby Bumboo Diaper 12. Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Bottle 13. Prince Lionheart Wipe Warmer

So why are these things considered essentials? Allow me to explain.

1. These nursing pads are super soft and stay put. You WILL leak as your body calibrates how much milk your baby will need. These are a must. They come with a nice laundering bag as well and you can totally toss them in the dryer.

2. This organic hooded towel is my usual go-to shower gift. It's soft and super-cute, and the hood is great for keeping baby's wet head warm. 

3. This bib is great and highly absorbent. It will help you avoid the dreaded "cheesy neck."

4. I did not have this diaper bag to start out with, but you have to watch the video attached on why it is so amazing. A full, detailed post on my diaper bag is to come!

5. Washcloths are great for use as baby wipes. These are thick and soft. You can make your own wipe solution, or you can simply use warm water. Commercial wipes are actually not recommended for newborn skin, so these are a great alternative, especially when used in combination with the wipe warmer.

6. Swaddling is essential in my opinion. These are incredibly soft, large and stretchy- not to mention adorable! I wear them as scarves, also.

7. This diaper balm is all natural and safe for use on cloth diapers. I rarely use diaper balm (only at night and I would if she ever got a rash, but she hasn't yet) so this tiny jar has already lasted four months and is going strong.

8. You will need a pump if you plan to breastfeed and ever be apart from your baby. It's a good idea to have a bit stored in the freezer for emergencies. Also, engorgement is no fun, and pumping will help to alleviate that pain. I'd recommend buying used if you're comfortable with that. You can buy all new parts and just reuse the motor for about 1/4 of the cost. Medela doesn't recommend that on their website...for obvious reasons. Buy, buy, buy people!

9. This was the cheapest bouncer on the shelf, and the least garish. That's why I bought it. Turns out it's pure awesome. She loves sitting in it, napping in it, watching us eat dinner in it...yeah, she's in it a lot. It's nice and soft and the cover is easy to toss in the washer for quick cleaning.

10. I love these milk storage bags. They're heavy-duty, easy to pour and have a double lock on them. That being said, always thaw breastmilk bags in a bowl just in case they leak. Whomever said "Don't cry over spilled milk" never pumped 25 mins for an ounce of breastmilk and then spilled it!

11. I love, nay, ADORE these diapers. They're soft, super absorbent and fit my mini-skinny newborn like a glove. I pair them with a Bummis Super Whisper Wrap and she is good to go for the entire night. No leaks ever, no harsh chemicals and no diapers to throw away into a landfill. They'll stay soft after several washings if you just toss them in the dryer for 10 mins to fluff them after drying.

12. These bottles are great. I recommend starting to use bottles intermittently once breastfeeding is effectively established. You will want to leave your baby at some point to go out...you may not believe me yet, but it's true!

13. I love this wipe warmer for several reasons. It's made to be used with reusable wipes, it's anti-microbial and it has a nightlight on it, which is a godsend for night time feeds.

If you have any questions about any of these products feel free to post a comment below.

30 Before Thirty: The Official List

I will be turning thirty on November 29, 2013. As of right now, I have eleven months to complete everything on this list. 

1. Read thirty books
2. Travel to my family's hometown in Ireland (I've already done this in Italy, so I have to make it even!)
3. Kiss the Blarney Stone
4. Donate my hair to cancer
5. Save $1000 for Liliana's education
6. Run the Sporting Life 10k
7. Sew a dress for Liliana
8. Sew (and wear!) a dress for me
9. Organize every closet in our house
10. Paint our hallway
11. Create a family photo gallery in our hallway
12. Take Liliana to the Royal Ontario Museum on a rainy afternoon
13. Set up a playroom / guest room in the basement bedroom
14. Have dinner in a castle
15. Go on a date with Stephen once a month
16. Visit the Art Gallery of Ontario as a family
17. Have a family picnic on the beach on Toronto Island. Take Lili on some of the rides!
18. Host a giveaway on Toronto Mama
19. Make and print a photo book of Lili's First Year
20. Make and print one photo book for each of our European vacations
21.Visit Green Gables in Prince Edward Island
22. Get my parking pad sorted
23. Grow a small raised vegetable garden
24. Host a wedding shower
25. Tell someone special how much they really mean to me
26. Host a first birthday party
27. Host a crafternoon at my house with friends
28. Finally make it to the Ex as a family
29. Have a beer tasting at Black Creek Pioneer Village
30. Have a super-cute family photo taken

I'll be posting about each of these as I complete them, and crossing them off my list. Finger's crossed I can get them all done in time!

Liliana's Monthly Photos

On the 24th day of each month I have been taking a mini photo-shoot of Baby Dragon to commemorate her month-iversary. I've been asked many times where I got the onesies for these pictures, and the answer is I made them...and you can, too!

I found the printable here at Britt & Her Boys. She has so many awesome ideas you have to check out her blog! There is a girlie version, and a more gender neutral/ boy version. Clearly, I went girlie (like, whenever I have the chance!) The printable is all ready to go- no need to even reverse it. I simply printed it out on "Avery Light T-Shirt Iron-On Transfer Paper" using an inkjet printer. This is important...do not use a laserjet! It will melt the paper and possibly ruin your printer. Follow the instructions included to adhere the transfer to the onesie. You can use any brand of onesie you like. I used Gerber triple packs at a cost of about $10 each. You'll need four packs for a total of 12 onesies i.e. three 0-3 month, three 3-6 month, three 6-9 month and three 9-12 month. I've seen the Carter's brand triple packs at Winners and Marshalls for as little as $3.99...but of course not when I needed them.

In terms of the pictures, I do them in the same spot, at the same time on the 24th of each month with the same background. I've only done four so far, but the change in her is already so incredible! This is a great gift  idea, but it's also a really nice way to document your baby's development through the first year. I'm planning on compiling all the pictures into a photo book including the milestones she reached in each month.

Welcome, 2013! Aka: The 30 Under 30 Edition

So begins the dawn of a new year. Our little family has had an incredible run these past few years; new jobs, beautiful wedding, lovely new-to-us home, loads of travel and of course our sweet Baby Dragon. 

This year is bittersweet for me, as it marks the end of my twenties...I'm sure you're rolling your eyes right now, but I really feel like it's the end of an important era for me. Twenty-something was good to me. I've never met thirty-something but it kind of intimidates me for some reason. 

In order to ensure I appropriately wrap up this decade I'm giving myself something of a project. In lieu of resolutions this year (who keeps those, anyways?) I'll be doing a 30 Under 30 list. Effectively this is a list of thirty "life challenges" I want to accomplish before I turn thirty. I'm about 75% finished compiling the list, and when I am, I'll certainly impart here. 

Most importantly for 2013 I want an overarching theme permeating everything I do: Mindfulness. I want to live each day with intention, let my inner light shine and live as an example for my little daughter. I have a precious gift that I don't want to waste. A year off to "get my mama legs" and I don't want to waste a second of it. 

I'd like to welcome 2013 and to wish you all a happy, healthy and fulfilling New Year from Casa Burtch. I'm pretty sure it's going to be your year!