productivity with a toddler in the room

Headfirst in the cat box, eating a shoe, running around butt naked, eating cat food, playing in the toilet.....

Embarrassingly, these are just a few things I have found Tobyn, my 14 month old doing while I was trying to focus on school and get something accomplished.

We've all been there, somedays you just have to finish studying or complete your homework and can't seem to give enough attention to the little precious and mischievous child currently destroying your entire house.

I had to come up with some sort of solution. We have a "third" bedroom that was a music room for Jonathan, (I say "third" because we also have a spare room that is a closed off carport, so technically four rooms. ) So we came to an agreement, his music stuff was out and Tobyn and I 

were "moving" into the third bedroom. The room you see above is now our Play/Study room and also one of my favorite rooms in the house currently.

Not because it's just adorable or anything ;)

but because I can actually be productive in there. 

I just wanted to give you ladies a few of my ideas for putting together a room or even just an activity corner to hopefully help increase your productivity each day. 

1. Have a form of barrier, whether its a door or gate, to help block off an area for you and your little to be while studying. 

Thankfully, we have an extra bedroom, but if we didn't I would just find a way to block off our living room, so I wasn't constantly up chasing Tobyn all over the house every 3 seconds.

2. Designate "your" side of the room, and "theirs"

Younger children may not understand this at first, but if you continue to give them a sense of ownership over "their" side, they will be more likely to stay over their longer and keep busy.

3. Baby/Childproof everything in the room.

This is probably pretty obvious, but you won't feel the need to look up every second to check on them if there isn't anything dangerous in the room, putting your studying mind at ease. So, cover up light sockets, pick up any little pieces on the floor that could choke them and secure anything heavy that could fall to the wall, like bookshelves. 

4. Create a creative and personal play area for your kiddo.

Tobyn LOVES music instruments (just like Daddy), so I brought his B. Parum Pum Pum Drum that we got him for his birthday and his little toy guitar into the room. As well as some books, a big bouncy ball, some foam mat letters, a rocking horse, tent and dump truck. All items that he loves, and plays with often.
** The adorable prints on the wall are Tiny Wall Designs, exclusive, custom, modern nursery prints that I create and have available for download on Etsy. Just click the Etsy tab at the top of the blog :) ***

 5. Create a creative and unique space for yourself.

I only think and study well when I am in a clean, organized space. So my desk is facing our backyard, and stays organized just for me. I painted an old desk I had to match this chair I just reupholstered. Spent less than 10 dollars on the whole desk. This is where I do my best thinking now, because it's me.

6. Teach your child to entertain himself.

This may sound harsh to some, but since day 1 I have daily allowed Tobyn to play alone. Of course I'm in the same room, but we leave him alone to be himself. That doesn't mean we never play with him, we are a very playful family. But there are times in the day where I do what I need to do, and he does what he wants... within reason. This is how I was raised and it allowed me to be to be as creative as I wanted.

7. Chunks at a time.

Go into your "room" with your kiddo only when it's play/study time. This consistency allows them to grasp better that "mommy is busy and it's time to play quietly". Talk about the room in exciting tones, as if you are "going somewhere". This stimulates the child's imagination of things to do in "the room". Also, don't expect your child to last for 2 or 3 hours in one room, chances are they will burn out. Try going in for 30 minutes to an hour at a time, then going outside. 

I hope some of these helped you guys out, because they have made a world of difference for me. 

Let me know if you tried this and it worked, or if you have similar solutions. We'd love to hear!

Happy productivity!

Lyz

5 tips for throwing (and enjoying) your child's first birthday party

 I posted a few days ago about Tobyn's First Birthday and how wonderful it turned out. I had a absolute BLAST putting it together, it even made me think about starting a party planning business until I realized 1. I live it the WORST place for that right now and 2. That I am not superwoman and can't add anything else to my plate right now. 

But I would not be being honest if I didn't tell you also how stressful putting the party together was. If I hadn't had my humongous family there to help, I would have probably been curled up in the corner crying at 4 am the night before the party. 

So I decided to give some of my tips for throwing a great first birthday party. I mean, I've only done it once, but I learned quite a bit. 

So here goes:

1. If you don't want to spend a ton of money, plan to DIY a lot of everything. 

I went to Lowe's and bought paint like for the walls in the little sample jars ($3 baby!) that way I could choose the exact shade I wanted, then I basically bought everything I needed on discount. If it was the wrong color then painted it with the matching party colors. 

I researched ALOT in the months before his party, I searched for DIYs, cheapest supplies, party ideas, everything. Then I set in place about two months before what was needed before I even started purchasing. 

2. Ask for help

I would have been screwed if my family hadn't been there to help e. Originally I thought I was going to make 7 different desserts to feed 45 people the night before all by myself. My family offered to come a day early to help though, and I'm so glad they did. Ask a mom, sister, aunt, friend, anyone that you know is creative but would respect your wishes. 

3. Draw up plans for decorating before party day

This may sound a little crazy, but I had all these decorations and I didn't want to have to run around the house the day of the party trying to figure out where to put them. So I drew up a simple sketch of where I wanted everything to go. I actually ended up handing it off to family member so it was nice that I didn't have to explain it to everyone. 

4. Make several lists, so you don't forget anything

I made a list for all the food, all the party necessities, a list of all the DIY items needed and then a list of all the actual DIY projects to be done. It kept me super organized and helped me know what still needed to be done for the party in the weeks before. 

5. Remember, this party is for you child and they are going to have fun no matter what. Make sure you enjoy this moment with them.

I did my best at this, but I was running around also making sure everyone was having fun. I did do my best to stay with Tobyn though, and enjoy every moment with him: The presents, the cake.

One thing I'm still kicking myself about is when we put him in his highchair to eat his cake, he was pretty overwhelmed at the 45 people staring at him so we hurried and gave him the cake, totally forgetting to sing him Happy Birthday. Oh well. Kid loved his cake anyways. :)

So, mistakes are going to happen. 

It's life, it's a party, a celebration. It won't matter when they are 20. Just enjoy the day with your family, and do everything you can to make it a great one for you child. That's all that matters.

I hoped these tips helped someone, if they did or if anyone has any other tips please share!

Lyz

one year has passed.

My baby, he isn't a baby anymore. He's walking, jabbering, laughing. He has his favorite things, foods, people. 

He knows how to say "light" and "uh oh","hot", "dadda", "momma" ( sometimes). 

I have heard it a million times "Don't blink, you'll miss everything". 

I don't think I missed anything, I feel like I honestly can say I did my best to not take one moment, one stage, one developmental change for granted.

I photographed EVERYTHING this year.

But, I did blink, somehow it's a year later. And my sweet baby is 1 today.  

Happy Birthday Tobyn Iver, I hope we can bless you as much as you've blessed us.

We love you.

Lyz

photography by me.

getting to know this "mommy" person that I am.

It's been a while since I've blogged. I've been getting my bearings on being a mom. 

If that ever happens? 

I had some rough spots at first. 

Engorgement issues, 

small case of Mastitis, twice. 

Really yucky baby blues.

But really, other than that, this whole mommy thing I think I can do.

Tobyn is such a perfect baby.

 I'm slightly bias, but he only cries when he has a reason to.

And he lets us sleep a pretty fair amount.

I think we were blessed super huge on this one.

We recently moved from the town we lived in, where Jonathan and I met, where it all began. 

That was hard, but we moved into a house, so no worrying about keeping up neighbors in an apartment with a crying baby. Super awesome. 

We are close to family, his family.

 Even farther from mine now, which is difficult.

  Going to see them is a huge ordeal and very stressful. Tobyn is NOT a "ride the baby around in the car to get him to stop crying" kind of baby. He hates the car. 

Trying to think about my future, my families future.

 I want to go back to school, I know I need to do it now. Or so I'm told I will never go back. I'm seeing what I can do. 

   My issue I'm having right now, as far as mommy business, is balancing being a mom and being myself. I'm still trying to understand that I, myself, am a mom now. 

They are not two people, but one that have to coincide with one another. 

It's like I sometimes have an issue taking off the mommy hat and putting on the Lyndsey hat when needed or necessary. I'm trying not to loose myself entirely.  

Did anyone else have this issue? What helped you?

Lyz

fancy little waddles

We are so close!

I officially feel like an elephant.

But I'm totally ok with that, because we meet our sweet boy in a little over a  month!

He is supposed to be the size of a honeydew melon, but I'd beg to differ that he isn't the size of 3 watermelons.

Not to complain,

but it is so hot.

Why can't it just be Winter this Summer like it was Summer last Winter? 

I'd be able to wear more than one layer perhaps without feeling like I'm melting.

Enough of that, we are almost done. 

I just can't believe it.

Hold tight my sweet baby.

Lyz