Baby Booty

I know, you think I'm kidding. This dress? Totally adorable. Puffed sleeves and everything.

And since it's a little big on her, she just might wear it every Sunday until it no longer fits.

It's so big, in fact, that I took it off her during the last block of meetings during church so she could comfortably take a nap in just her onesie.

Birfday Booty, Day 8

Embellished tee: J.Crew Outlet Capris & Flats: GAP Outlet Baby: Wouldn't you like to know?

Aspen is wearing a piece of finery from Old Navy's clearance. The leg warmers were made by my friend Katie. She appears as one of my accessories due to her constant whining as I attempted to be narcissistic and photograph just myself.

Dang baby, get your own blog.

Baby Booty

Blowing raspberries to match her raspberry-striped top.

Whenever I go to Freeport, I visit Polo Ralph Lauren even though I can't afford anything (and it's the OUTLET STORE!!). The great thing about now having a daughter to dress is the I can afford the tiny people clothes on the clearance racks.

YEA!!

So, last time I visited I bought a little Polo skirt. This time I bought a classic, striped Polo tee for Aspen. Each item was about $10 each, so definitely a little expensive for my tastes but not ridiculous. A plus with the tee is that it's kind of over-sized and flowy; perfect for Aspen to grow into. The buttons on the shoulder will keep the neck opening big enough for her growing noggin, too.

YEA!!

Baby Booty

Aspen got a few things too... okay, a LOT of things in Freeport. The sales were mind-blowing. Gymboree was doing things like telling me to buy items listed at $5.99 with an extra 40% discount taken at the register. I HAD NO CHOICE.

These unicorn PJs are just a small sampling of what Aspen got. I tried to get most of the items in bigger sizes that she can grow into, but since I forgot to pack extra PJs, I had to get something that fit her now.

I could just eat her up. These Unicorn PJs are from Gymboree, and just wait until you see the gigantically poofy dress I got her.

DwellStudio

While on the hunt for something cute for Aspen to wear on her birthday (with a HIPPO on it) I found DwellStudio's line of bedding for Target that includes freaking adorable hippos. I don't need bedding though, so I tried to ignore how cute it all was. But that couldn't stop me from browsing over at DwellStudio's website and falling in love with a couple of clearance items.

Aspen hasn't had new toys in a while; I mostly try to rotate her exposure to the ones we've had since she was born. I also put rice and dry pasta in empty, clean baby food jars so she can rattle those around. Plus, who needs toys when the dog brings tennis balls right to you?!

Regardless of me being lame and hardly ever buying Aspen toys, these are great! I came so close to caving and buying the rings, but then I reminded myself I can buy like, a million toys for $18 if I just go to ROSS. And if I would just learn how to use Kev's sewing machine in the basement I could make Aspen a bunny. Not that she needs anymore bunnies... but you know. I could make her stuff like the bunny.

Plus, while we're in Maine for a week Aspen will forget about all the toys at our house and they'll seem new to her again when we get back to Utah. So I don't need to buy her new toys just yet.

"Providing security through blankets."

When Aspen was born, she was sent almost immediately to the neonatal intensive care unit. It was hard to be away from her, and her Daddy didn't even get to hold her until hours after she was born.

Aspen is very fortunate because she didn't suffer from anything serious, and was released from NICU just over 24 hours after she was born. But we still got a Project Linus blankie. Project Linus is an organization that offers blankets to children in need and it's been around since 1995. On their website you can also get access to free blanket patterns (another reason I should learn to use the sewing machine Kev just got from his mom!). Aspen's blankie is simple, but it's special to me. It was there to cradle her when she was hooked up to tubes and monitors and she had to be all alone.

Sometimes when I can't get my little one to settle down, I pull out her Linus blankie. I'm so grateful that when I couldn't be with my baby, she had wonderful nurses and the handiwork of Linus volunteers to comfort and care for her.

If you have a minute, check out the Project Linus website and consider what you could donate to the National Headquarters or to your local chapter. Babies need lovies and you can help!

CSN Product Review

It was probably due to all the snow storms that hit Utah, but I waited what felt like ages for my second item to arrive from CSN. I kept checking the tracking (which I love being able to do) because I was afraid it had been delivered and stolen off my front porch.

Thankfully, the Ducky Tub arrived Monday night safe and sound. I was giddy because Aspen was due for her bath and the arrival of the tub meant I could finally get it taken care of without trying to make her fit on her cute but tiny little newborn bath seat (thanks Holly!).

This morning after breakfast I fitted the tub over my sink (the main reason I picked this tub- because I don't have a bathtub and needed a baby tub that would safely sit on the kitchen sink) and filled it up with warm soapy water. Aspen hasn't been submerged yet for her baths, but she didn't seem to mind when I plopped her in.


The ducky cushion suctions to the tub so it doesn't slip around, and when Aspen starts taking baths in a big-girl tub the ducky has a pocket so it can be suctioned to the shower wall to hold toys. I love it when something does double-duty because my house is small and storage is an issue.

There's also a plug for draining the tub, as well as two extra-deep cups in the tub for keeping fresh, warm water ready until it's time to rinse. Using this tub made bathing Aspen so much easier because it's the perfect size and I don't have to bend over and wash her on the floor of the shower.

Another feature I wasn't aware of when purchasing the tub is that it is designed to hang from a shower rod to drip dry. My shower stall door has a nice, long handle and I was able to fit the baby tubs hooks right over it so it can dry until ready for storage. I love it! No more leaving the tub in the kitchen sink (even though it gave me a great excuse to ignore the dirty dishes piling up!).

I love this tub and couldn't be more satisfied. There isn't anything I would change about it. If you need a tub for your little one, definitely check out CSN and get one from them!

CSN product review

Today I received the first of two items I ordered from CSN. As usual, shipping was super-fast; I got a notice only two days ago that my first item had shipped. It was only three days ago that I ordered both my products.

Aspen is very excited to have a new toy. I'm always surprised that even at her young age, she still gets bored of the same toys every day!


Thankfully, Aspen doesn't have teeth yet, nor is she in the process of teething, but I was thinking ahead when i ordered her this teether. It has lots of color and texture to keep her little fingers interested, and it's a great shape for her to shove in her mouth (which is her new favorite past-time these days).


The only improvement I would make to the Sassy Gummy Guppy would be to add a little ring to it so she can better grasp it. At 16 weeks, Aspen has yet to master holding things without something to completely wrap her fingers around.

The experience with CSN was just as great as all the others I've had, whether I've done a giveaway or reviewed a product. Definitely stay tuned for the next review, which will probably be soon because my other item from CSN shipped yesterday. See you here again soon!

Minted in 2010

I'm having this bracelet custom-made to read "LOVE" instead of "LUCK." I already know I'm lucky to have my little Penny-baby. Kelly even suggested making it with a penny minted in Penny's birth year. Wouldn't that be special?

Visit Kelly Annie's Etsy shop if you'd like to see what other new items she's recently listed. I'm so glad she can make me a little charm to remind me of my daughter. I hope to have it long enough that Penny becomes aware of it and what it means to me.

East Coast represent!

Joanna Goddard shared this gem today and I couldn't help but pass it along. I wish my computer could transfer smell. I might have to invest in some for Aspen so I can manipulate her dreams to be about summers in Maine with her grandparents.

Making me the happiest mom on the block.

So freakin' in love with this book. Many thanks to Abby for sending it. Since reading it on Friday, I've tweaked my baby-soothing routine and Aspen goes to sleep so much more easily. Which means I'm back in bed a lot sooner than usual after midnight feedings.

Hallelujah! If you have a newborn, GET THIS BOOK.

A new twist on Farr's ice cream.

On Thursday night, my mom, Kev and the babies (Aspen and Maddie) went to the Riverdale dog park. After Maddie had a load of fun sniffing other dog bums and running around, we piled back in the car and stopped at the new Farr's ice cream shop on the corner of Riverdale Rd and Wall Ave.

Stop reading this post and get over there right now.

As soon as we walked in I commented that it seems to be the Farr's ice cream for the new generation. The tables are topped with industrial metal and there is a completely different vibe than the old-school versions of the two other Farr's shops in Ogden.

This Farr's offers a selection of delicious soft-serve ice cream with dozens of topping options. Ice cream lovers such as myself can pick a cup and mix/match flavors and toppings to our hearts' contents. The soft-serve is weighed and billed by the ounce so you can choose how much bang you get for your buck.

I mixed orange creme with strawberry and then I died and went to heaven.

If you like soft-serve, custard and/or frozen yogurt, then I recommend you visit this new Farr's. I believe there's one in the Orem area as well (Sophia, check it out for me and have some soft-serve for dinner, will you? I know you like that). The best part for me is that you're invited to sample the flavors and the cups they offer for the task are HUGE. Like, I almost helped myself to a handful of samples and called it good.

Please go, and tell me what you mix up.

Lolly top dress

$30 for a little girl's dress doesn't exactly scream "sale" to me, but for J.Crew it is. There's an outlet in my hometown (Freeport) and I can guarantee that if I ever buy anything for Aspen from J.Crew, it'll be from there.

Despite how delightfully adorable this dress is, I can't justify the pricetag. But I can look all I want, right?