As an early childhood educator, I know the importance of reading to young children. It sounds so simple and, to be honest, a little unbelievable, but reading to a child for 20 minutes every day from the time she is a baby is the simplest, most-effective thing a parent can do to … [Read more...]
Why our Toddler Doesn’t Really Need Toys for Christmas
Halloween is over and Thanksgiving is coming up, but there's one major holiday that's already on everyone's mind: Christmas! For those with children, that usually means toys and lots of them. As we prepare for the gift-giving season, Maria and I are doing our best to keep Dessa's … [Read more...]
1920’s Master Bedroom and Nursery Update
I am so excited to welcome you back into our home for the third installment of our house update. This week's update is all about the bedrooms - our master bedroom and Dessa's nursery. You may recall that both of the downstairs bedrooms in our house had three doors - a standard … [Read more...]
Dessa’s Gray and White Nursery Tour
It's funny how we've only been living in our new house for five months, but I already feel nostalgic about the home we had rented for two years. It was the first place we lived that truly felt special to us and it was the first home Dessa had ever known. Looking back at photos of … [Read more...]
The Super-Weird Thing That Happens When I Sleep At Night
We have a new form of late night entertainment in the Gavin household and it seems as though I am at the center of it. For the past few weeks, the strangest thing happens when I'm asleep. I don't know if this is a phase or the latest long-term change in my life to come from being … [Read more...]
How I Shop for Safe, Baby-Friendly Household Essentials
Since becoming a Mommy, I've become particularly mindful of the chemicals I bring into our home. I want the house to be clean and clutter-free (now more than ever), but I've also become much more aware of what exactly is in everyday household products. When it was my own health … [Read more...]
Dessa at Nine Months Old
All my life, people have told me that children grow up so fast. And I always nodded my head and agreed. But now that I have a child of my own, the complete truth of that statement is really starting to hit home. You really do blink and they're bigger. These past few months, Dessa … [Read more...]
Custom Photo Board Book Baby Gift
Rob and I are so excited for Dessa's first Christmas. There is so much more magic in the air this holiday season now that we are parents. It's as if we are seeing Christmas with fresh eyes for the very first time since our own childhoods. Dessa may not understand anything about … [Read more...]
Our Favorite Gifts for Babies and Children
Thank you to UncommonGoods for sponsoring this post. While this was a sponsored opportunity from Uncommon Goods, all content and opinions expressed here are my own. This post also contains affiliate links. We earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase through one … [Read more...]