Author: The Diaper Bag Confessions

Reading is something that is, and always has been, very important to me. A quiet escape from the chaos of life. Some of my fondest memories involve books. Spending Spring Break at my grandparents house, sitting on my grandma’s bed reading old books she kept in the top of her closet.. The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Freckle Juice.. so many wonderful books. So many pages turned through my fingers. I loved it. I craved it. I always hoped my children would have a love for books as well.

We always read to our kids. Especially my husband. Bedtime routine is not complete without a book (or 3..) to wind down the evening. As they are growing and learning, the story time routine is changing a bit. They want to be the ones reading now. As sad as I am to watch the tide change, I am rejoicing. Statistically, boys are less likely to have a love for reading. They lose interest in reading far more rapidly than girls do. My goal was, and always has been, to not let my boys become part of that statistic. There is a world of imagination and creativity found in books. This is incredibly important for boys and so far, my boys are embracing it.

I’ve decided to give my boys love for books a space here in the blog. A new (and first for The Diaper Bag Confessions!) vlog segment called “The Diaper Bag Kids Read” where they will read some of their favorite books. Lets face it, its educational, fun.. and adorable.The first book in this new series is B.J. Novak’s children’s book.. “The Book With No Pictures” – all of my children love it. We hope you and your children enjoy it as well! (Please ignore the fact that its vertical video.. by the time I realized it, it was too late and lets face it, you cannot re-create moments with children..)

Feel free to leave us some new book suggests that your children love. We’re always looking for new books to add to our library!

When my oldest was a year and a half old, he outgrew the first of his many allergies, dairy. He was a petite kid, frequently on antibiotics for recurrent ear infections, so our pediatrician recommended his first dairy based food be a whole milk based yogurt. We found Stonyfield Farm’s YoBaby yogurt. Not only was it a whole milk yogurt, but it was organic. Win! He loved it and so did we.

Fast forward 8 years and 3 more kids, and we are still a YoBaby family. The fact that it is made with whole milk is even more important for our youngest. He is a bit more than petite — he’s incredibly small. He needs good, healthy sources of calories and that is exactly what YoBaby gives him.

He is now almost 11 months old and a YoBaby through and through. In fact, more often than not, I can’t get the spoon in his mouth nearly fast enough. (I keep trying to tell him that the container doesn’t taste good. That doesn’t seem to stop him..) When he sees the container, especially the apple flavor, he starts flapping his arms and panting. If he could talk, I’m pretty sure he’d be saying “hurry up, hurry up, hurry up!!”

There is one small caveat to his yogurt filled excitement… The mess. The ooey, gooey, milky mess. It’s on the table, the high chair, the floor.. In his hair, and some days in mine. He does try to help clean it up by licking any reachable, yogurt covered surface. But in the end, we all need a good cleaning. Thinking about it now, I’m pretty sure it’s less about helping clean and more about not wanting to waste any of it.. My skin is well accustomed to the yogurt facial, as is his. I don’t fret, though. There are far worse things than organic yogurt that could end up all over my house. I am raising boys, after all.

I love that Stonyfield Farm’s YoBaby yogurt is such a staple in my kids’ first foods. Helping them grow, keeping them healthy and building their palettes.

Do you have a YoBaby or plan on having a YoBaby? Would you like to win a Stonyfield YoBaby gift set like ours, including a hat, bib and 4 YoBaby coupons -courtesy of Stonyfield Farm? Leave me a comment below and tell me what you love about YoBaby. How long have you been a YoBaby family? Then fill out the Rafflecopter below.

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Note: I am a Stonyfield brand ambassador and Stonyfield did provide me with YoBaby for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

As an exclusively breastfeeding mom, I realized very quickly how much co-sleeping was a blessing to my sanity. Especially as I had more children. The ability to roll over in a groggy, half awake, barely functioning state of mind to reach my baby to nurse them in the middle of the night, then quickly return to my own blissful state of sleep was critical. Coffee only does so much as far as giving moms the required amount of energy to function.

Co-Sleeping, though, is not always easy. Not always safe. Not always as convenient as it sounds. The bed-sharing environment isn’t ideal, especially in regards to safety. Some bedside co-sleepers are bulky and hard to access from the actual bed. The co-sleepers that sit in the bed are hard and not convenient either. That’s why when I saw the new Halo Sleep System Bassinest, I knew it would take the co-sleeping world by storm. It has ease of use. It’s safe. It’s convenient. It’s brilliant.

The Halo Bassinest gives you all of the benefits of bed-sharing while still giving baby their own, safe, space to sleep. It allows you to pull baby right to you without getting out of bed, reach over the flexible lowering side of the bed to pick up baby while you’re still laying down and then place baby back down after nursing. (Added note: a friend of mine loved these features for ease of baby care after her c-section!) It sits up high enough to keep baby in eyesight from your bed, it can be used away from your bed as well, it’s stylish and doesn’t take up much room. It’s the perfect solution for implementing safe sleep practices while still having the convenience of co-sleeping. Pair it with Halo’s Sleepsacks and you’re sure to have created a safe and comfortable sleep environment for your new baby.

As part of Halo’s commitment to safe sleeping, whether or not your baby co-sleeps, they want to remind parents about safe sleep practices.

ALWAYS
•Place baby to sleep on his or her back at naptime and at night time.
•Room-share, but don’t bed share; the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend against bed sharing as it can lead to an increased risk for accidental suffocation.
•Use a crib or bassinet that meets current safety standards with a firm mattress that fits snugly and is covered with only a tight-fitting crib sheet.
•Remove all soft bedding and toys from your baby’s sleep area (this includes loose blankets, bumpers, pillows and positioners). The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests using a wearable blanket instead of loose blankets to keep your baby warm.
•Offer a pacifier when putting baby to sleep. If breastfeeding, introduce pacifier after one month or after breastfeeding has been established.
•Breastfeed, if possible, but when finished, put your baby back to sleep in his or her separate safe sleep area alongside your bed.

NEVER
•Never put your baby to sleep on any soft surface (adult beds, sofas, chairs, water beds, quilts, sheep skins etc.)
•Never dress your baby too warmly for sleep; keep room temperature 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit.
•Never allow anyone to smoke around your baby or take your baby into a room or car where someone has recently smoked.

Note: This post is sponsored by Halo Sleep Systems. They provided me with a Sleepsack in exchange for this post. The opinions expressed are my own and no other compensation was received.

There I was, shopping at Target. Desperately trying to get the shopping done within the baby’s window of contentment. Before I knew it.. His lip was quivering.. His brow wrinkled. Then it started. Smiles had quickly turned to impatient crying. Holding him in my arms, I started the “mom shuffle and sway” along with the “rhythmic shushing” lullaby. In that very moment, it hit me. Motherhood is pretty much a constant musical production.

The Choreography – I mean, think about it. You never stop moving. There’s not a single moment that doesn’t involve walking, running, bouncing, swaying, jumping, or lifting. Be it to calm a child or keep up with a child. The dance is never ending. Not to mention, every move you make, especially if you have multiple children, needs to be choreographed or a mess of chaos results. “Okay.. Shuffle, shuffle, grab your jackets, step ball change, put on your shoes.. Now everyone two step your way to the car!”

The Soundtrack – There is a musical number for everything. From “whhhhhy on earth won’t you sleeeeeeep!!!!” to the reprise of “525,600 Legos!” You’re also now a composer of the top shushing ballads. You can, and do, sing your way through anything.. anywhere. Not to mention, the numerous songs your children will sing continuously. (More soundtracks should include 5 year olds singing songs like Starships and Roar.)

Improv! – Just when you think you’ve rehearsed enough to conquer the public stage.. Inevitably, in front of a large audience of people.. Something will go horribly wrong requiring you to react quickly while throwing your script out the window. Take for instance that time when my child’s diaper exploded during take-off on an extremely cold plane. Naturally, I’d packed diapers in our carry-on. What didn’t I pack? A change of clothes. Of course. Time to wing it. That sweater I was wearing? Voile! Oversized toddler bunting. (The only thing less attractive than that outfit was the replacement we bought at the only airport shop on our layover. A Tie dyed romper declaring a love of Arizona.. Fabulous.)

Intermission– At long last! After a good dose of dancing and musical numbers, you find yourself at intermission. We moms have dubbed this glorious mid-performance break “nap time.” A much needed moment to catch your breath and prepare for the next act. Is it just me, or is intermission never long enough?

Wardrobe Changes – One must never expect to wear only one outfit during an entire performance! Never. Especially in the musical of motherhood. There will obviously be at least 2-3 wardrobe changes, courtesy of pee, poop, puke and some form of mashed vegetable. Likely these outfits will involve yoga pants and a ponytail.. Though at times you may be lucky enough to wear the nice costumes… Those may even involve heels and a shirt that isn’t covered in snot and spit up!

The stage – Naturally, it’s not quite enough to simply star in this production. You must also care for all of the props and make sure all is returned to its proper place before the following day’s performance.

Take a Bow – When the performance is over for the night, obviously you appreciate the round of applause for a job well done. Even if you’re clapping for yourself. The stage lights are out for the evening. You worked hard and put on the best show you could. Now it’s time to unwind and prepare for your next performance tomorrow! Bravo!

Motherhood, coming to a stage (or grocery store, mall, local park..) near you!

Three years ago, at this time, I was playing Sudoku in my hospital bed. I had been admitted to the hospital after 2 days of contractions every 5 minutes. I honestly couldn’t believe I was in labor… even at that point. My previous two babies were both induced. I’d never even had a Braxton Hicks contraction. There I was, though, 38 weeks and 2 days pregnant.. About to have our third baby.

That night was very calm and so much fun. (How many labors have you described as fun? LOL) I spent much of the evening trying to convince my OBGYN that Taco Bell really wasn’t a suitable name for a baby while laughing hysterically about the woman in the delivery suite next to mine laboring to “Rolling in the Deep” very loudly. Then, at 1:17 am on July 21st.. He was born. Little did I know then just how much that little boy would change our lives.

He has taught me so much in the last 3 years. About life, determination, patience. He’s the sweetest, most genuine little boy you will ever meet. He’s also quite stubborn. I am so lucky to have him in my life.. But even more lucky to be his mom. Happy 3rd Birthday, PhiePhieMonster!

It never fails. Anytime our family goes out, someone will stop us and say “Four boys? Bless you!” I smile and make a comment like “I’m definitely out numbered!” or “They sure keep me busy!” The truth is, though, raising boys is fun! With four boys, I am never bored and my days are almost always eventful.

My boys are definitely big balls of energy. They run non-stop. I’m fairly certain that my husband and I are the only people that walk inside the house. Up the stairs, down the stairs. Bedroom to playroom, playroom to bedroom.. Sprint to the bathroom. Like little roadrunners.

This high energy life makes summers fun. We live a block away from our community park (complete with water splash pad!) and our suburban neighborhood is full of sidewalks and laced with trails. Active kids keep us active, which hopefully keeps us young!


Even our son with physical limitations pushes himself to be as active as his brothers. It usually means he’s limping by the end of the day and unable to walk easily up and down the stairs, but he has fun with his brothers, so who am I to try to stop him? (Okay.. Honestly, I used to try to stop him.. but – have you ever tried to stop a two-year-old from doing what they want??)


I definitely don’t know what it’s like to have calm, relaxed kids. While they enjoy movies and television, my boys rarely ever just sit to watch. They usually watch out of the corner of their eye while running and jumping around. (I definitely don’t mind this!) Even family game nights, where we are typically all sitting in our living room on the floor playing a card or board game, isn’t very calm. They usually involve victory jigs that resemble touchdown dances and a whole lot of “booyah!!” commentary.

So yes, four boys is definitely chaos. It’s busy. It’s all sorts of insane. It’s peed on toilet seats, smelly feet, dirt, bugs and a lot of talk about butts/farts/burps. It’s 5-mile family walks, Saturday morning runs, jumping off the stairs and I’m sure eventually it will be many many broken bones. It’s my life, and I love it.