1. For the first time in many, many months, I actually got up and successfully completed an early morning workout yesterday morning (I did this circuit video and loved it!. I got things started at 5:50am and I can’t even tell you how great it felt to have the workout DONE for the day. Early morning workouts are totally my jam…now let’s just hope I can stick with it at least a few mornings a week!
2. This little boy. Ugh, he just makes my heart melt. If you read my Instagram post from yesterday, you’ll know what I’m talking about. <3
3. One of my new missions right now is to figure out how to decorate our upstairs hallway. It’s been bare since we moved in (over a year and a half ago now…!) but I just can’t decide what I want to hang up there. If you have any ideas, send ’em my way!
4. Nothing like a big, fresh, colorful salad…am I right?!
5. So I’m fairly certain we’re going to need to switch Alex to a convertible car seat soon, because he’s just getting too dang heavy to be carrying around in his infant seat. HOWEVER, I feel like there are suddenly 3,000 more choices to choose from than there were when we had to pick one for Lucas. SO…parents, any recommendations for convertible car seats???
6. Did you guys know that March 7th is National Cereal Day? I know I’ll absolutely be participating, and I also received a super fun package in the mail from General Mills to help celebrate, too!
How FUN is this new spoon?? I’m in love!
Thanks so much, General Mills!
7. I think I have FINALLY reached the point where my postpartum hair loss is just about over (thank GOODNESS). However, that also means that I now get to deal with all of the new hair growth…
Gahhhh, those little hairs drive me bonkers!
8. So I’ve been needing to up my weights with some of the exercises I’ve been doing lately, so on Wednesday, I ordered a pair of 15lb dumbbells and 20lb dumbbells from Sears. Believe it or not, it was free shipping AND the dumbbells arrived at our house less than 24 hours after I ordered them. SO excited! Way to go, Sears!
9. We officially have a crawler on our hands! This guy has picked up some serious speed in the past 48 hours, too.
And he’s always finding himself under furniture. :)
10. As crazy as it seems, I’m quickly approaching the 7th anniversary of this blog. SEVEN years! Mind. Blown. BUT, seven years of blogging = a LOT of old photos and posts. Recently, I’ve been dealing with some issues with my blog server filling up due to the large volume of data this little corner takes up, so I’ve been trying to go through some of my VERY old posts and just either deleting some (which will definitely not be missed…yikes, the early blog days!) or trying to resize the images on others. Back in the day, I knew nothing about what I was doing, so I’d often upload my photos unedited AND unsized, which has taken up quite a bit of space!
11. Jay and I had to go out for a quick trip last night without the kiddos, so we had a rare opportunity to stop for some weeknight fro-yo.
Gimme alllll the cookie dough and Oreos!
12. One last call for parenting tips/advice today…Lucas has recently figured out how to open his bedroom door (we used to keep a child-proof cover on the inside handle so he couldn’t open it) and he’s been coming into our room super early in the mornings now, ready to go for the day (usually before we’re even up or have showered, making morning routines a bit dicey…!). SO, I’d love to figure out a way for him to know when there’s a certain time that he’s able to be “up” for the day, if that makes sense? Sooo, any tips?? :)
Okay, I think that’s finally it for me today! I hope you all have a fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend ahead! <3
montessoriishmom says
Happy Friday! The picture of Alex under the chair is too cute :)
My little guy isn’t old enough yet so I haven’t tried this, but there are these little alarm clocks that you can set for a certain time and then they light up green when it’s okay for the child to get up. I’ve heard excellent things about them!
(https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EAHSBV4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER )
Anne Perez says
Search “ok to wake” on amazon. There are a bunch of color coded light up options to help littles know when it’s ok to get up. Good luck!
Stephanie says
OK to Wake alarm clock! Turns green when they can get out of bed. It’s awesome!
Jenny says
Check out an okay to wake clock :)
Abby says
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NC10YFA/ref=pd_aw_sbs_201_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WYYCNJCFN9GPBMS54WSF
This clock is a total game changer!! It has a bunch of different modes, but most importantly it changes to green when it’s ok to wake up. You get to set the time. It also has nap and timeout timers which you can set the time. The nap one is my absolute favorite–not more asking if it’s time to get up!
Abby B says
We use the “OK to wake clock” for our 3 and 4 year old- it gives you the ability to choose a time and the clock turns green at that time, signaling to the child that they can come out of their room. We originally had to set it pretty early (6am) but now have moved it back to 6:30 and they don’t come out until then even though I know my son still wakes up at 5:xx!
Emily says
Maybe look into the OK to Wake Clock. It’s a little pricey for a clock and runs on battery but will light up green when they have the ok to get up. You set the time that it turns green. There may be other similar items too!
Marci says
https://www.amazon.com/OK-Wake-Alarm-Clock-Night-Light/dp/B00EAHSBV4
This clock changes colors depending on a time you set, letting the kids know if it really is time to be up! There are many versions on amazon :)
sarah says
Graco extend 2 fit. They can rear face up to 50 lbs which is ideal for a 90% weight child like mine. Watch amazon – a lot of times they will have sales and will put them on sale or the buy buy baby with a 20% off coupon was how we got all four of ours. Grandparents as babysitters is awesome and was easy when we could just buy additional bases for the infant seat. Not some much when it comes to the convertible seats. haha!
Heather says
Something like this is really cute. https://www.amazon.com/Its-About-Time-Stoplight-Enhancing/dp/B00NF0EZCG/ref=sr_1_3?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1488543735&sr=1-3&keywords=toddler+color+clock
There are tons of options on amazon to choose from. I am fearful of the day when my son is able to get out of bed and move around freely. Yikes!
Heather says
Oh, and we also have this convertible car seat and have been very happy. https://www.amazon.com/Britax-Marathon-G4-1-Convertible-Seat/dp/B00O2VQZ6G/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1488544042&sr=8-1&keywords=britax%2Bmarathon%2Bconvertible&th=1
Great reviews and high safety ratings!
Ann Fisher says
Hi! Many of my friends have used the Ok to Wake Alarm Clock to stop their kiddos from waking too early. You can set the time that’s okay for your child to get up and the clock will turn green. My friends did a couple practice rounds during the day and found it to be successful. Good luck :)
https://www.amazon.com/Wake-Childrens-Alarm-Clock-Night-Light/dp/B002RNKOM2/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
Christy says
We struggled with Jayson getting up before out alarm too and it became unbearable after the last time change. A coworker suggested a clock that seemed to work for her daughter. It seemed a bit pricey but we were desperate. We bought it and the book “Back to Bed Ed.” It has helped immensely. Good luck! https://www.amazon.com/KidSleep-KSCLB-Classic-Blue/dp/B000VVIHPS/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1488543901&sr=8-5&keywords=Day%2Band%2Bnight%2Bclock%2Btoddler&th=1
Lauren says
I still love our Diono Radian RXT 3 years later. It folds/carries really well for travel too. We just turned our 41 pound 3yo around and physically he could’ve made it a little bit longer, but we were all ready.
As for waking, we moved the gate from our son’s door way to the stairs when he was potty trained at night, he had a close call and was upset. He comes in our room once or twice a week and we usually just take him back into his room and say it’s not time to get up. Worst case, we put one of his shows on and tuck him into our bed. He’s really cuddly and agreeable in the am :)
Your crawler under the chair is adorable! He is going to be so much fun this summer. I loved when my son started communicating, it made life so much easier. Prior to that he just screamed to communicate.
Nicole says
Love your post! With my daughter, we have been telling her that she can’t get up until the sun is out..it works for now….until the sun comes out super early! I can’t wait to read these comments.
Catherine says
Ok to wake clock- when it turns green, kiddos know its ok to get up! OK to Wake! Alarm Clock & Night-Light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EAHSBV4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_yzwUyb3WDMS38
Kelli Rudolph says
I have the absolute BEST answer for you for Lucas. My daughter is within a few months the same age as Lucas and we were having the same problem … she would just call to us until we came to get her. And she would do this IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT thinking it was time to get up!! AHhh, 3 year olds should not be waking me up in the night, haha.
SO … we found this this little clock at Amazon that you can set to glow green when it’s OK to wake up. We have ours set for anywhere from 6am-7am. So, if she wakes up any other time than that she can look over at the clock and know it’s not time to get up. If her little ball is glowing green she knows she can get up. It has been a LIFESAVER!! Here’s the link …
https://www.amazon.com/OK-Wake-Alarm-Clock-Night-Light/dp/B00EAHSBV4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488546103&sr=8-1&keywords=ok+to+wake+alarm
Cris says
My sister in law has a light that turns green when it’s time to wake up, she said it works really great for her 4 year old. I don’t know what kind but I looked and there are a lot of options on Amazon!
Kristin Q says
My friends have a stop light alarm clock for their daughter that turns green when she can come out of her room in the morning. If she gets up and the clock is still red or yellow, she plays in her room until it turns green. They said it took a little for her to get used to it, but now it works great.
Traci says
I’m not a mom, but I’ve heard about alarm clocks that change color from red to green when it’s okay for the kids to come out of their room. You can set the time that it will light up: https://www.amazon.com/OK-Wake-Alarm-Clock-Night-Light/dp/B00EAHSBV4
I’m keeping this on the back burner for someday because it’s genius! ;)
Happy almost 7 years blogging! I’ve been reading for at least 5 of those years now. Have a great weekend!
Fiona says
I don’t have much advice about Lucas coming into your room except people swear by those ‘grow clocks’ so when the clock changes to ‘sun’ then they know it’s time to get up. Though my sister has one and 6 am on the DOT her son is UPPPPPP … I’d love to know what others do too!
Emily says
“Ok to wake” clock. You can get it at target. You set the time you want him to get out of bed and it glows green at that time. Tell your son he can get out of bed when the clock turns green. Works really well for my son.
Kasey says
I have a daughter about the same age and have have been using the ok to wake! Alarm clock. It is a clock that turns green when it is ok for them to get out of their beds. We set it so the alarm doesn’t go off she just looks at it when she gets up and checks if it has turned green. We have been using it for over a month and so far it has worked!
Alaina says
Love the spoon! As for the car seat, the Chicco Key fit Next edition is great as you can unzip it and wash should it be necessary (ie. food particles, potty accidents). We also have an “OKay to wake!” clock for my son, a few months younger than Lucas, and it turns green to let him know it’s okay to leave the bedroom. Works great! :)
Rachel says
My kids both did this and we put clocks in their rooms. When my son started doing it he could read numbers fairly well so we just put a big digital clock in his room and I told him he was not allowed to come to get us until it said 7.
For my daughter, we bought one of those ok to wake clocks that turns green at a certain time to let her know its ok to come out. For my two they don’t do it on the week days but only on the weekends.
Jenny says
My brother-in-law uses a fun lamp and hooks it up to a timer in order to let my nephew (3 years old) know it’s time to get up. There was an adjustment period but now he does not leave and entertains himself with his toys until the light comes on. Hope this helps!
Kaelin says
Hey there – not a momma, but I know some of my friends use a Red Light/Green light alarm system with their littles. They teach their child to stay in bed or their room until the green light shines. I don’t have a link, but I think its a brilliant idea. Hopefully someone else will provide more details. Good luck!!
Allison says
Mmm cookie dough and oreos on frozen yogurt is the best! Good for you for getting up early to work out. I struggle with that so, so much. I’m in the process of trying to build a mini home gym in my basement, and maybe I should look at Sears to expand my weight collection! Have a great weekend. :)
J says
We got a clock for our daughter and took a picture of the time that needed to be on the clock for her to come out of her room, with the exception of needing to go to the bathroom, etc. It took some time with us practicing and constantly showing her how to compare the picture to the clock, but she got the hang of it. I will admit we also did a little reward system for her as well.
Michaela says
I have the graco 4ever all in one car seat. I LOVE IT! The best thing is you can adjust the strap height without have to take the car seat out of the car. It’s a little pricey but it will work from now all the way through to a backless booster so its worth the price.
Carrie This Fit Chick says
YECK YEAH! Love hearing about upping the weights! Lifting heavy has transformed my body and I love feeling strong!! LOVE your nail color- bubblegum pink is perfect for upcoming spring :)
Carrie This Fit Chick says
HECK YEAH* Hah, although maybe yeck yeah can catch on ;)
Brigid says
I’m guessing someone already said this but I would put a digital clock in his room and tell him that he can’t get out of bed until it reads 7:00 or whatever time. You can’t make him sleep but at least he’ll be in bed.
Lauren @ Oh Hey! I Like That! says
Ooooh I could totally use a fro-yo date…I may need to mention this to my husband!
Blaire says
We have been using the Maxi Cosi Pria 85 for our almost 9 month old for about a month now. We like it so far! He’s our first, so we have nothing to compare it to. We justified the price tag because of the 85 lb. weight limit. He’s so much happier than he was in his infant carrier!
Postpartum hairs are the bane of my existence right now! I’ve been trying to use a bit of hairspray on a teasing come to tame them.
Blaire says
Comb*
Lauren B says
This clock! https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=ok+to+wake+clock&tag=hydusmmsn-20&index=aps&hvadid=3481497401&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&ref=pd_sl_88e75itbm_e
Lindsay says
Your boys are precious! I can’t get over how much Alex looks like you!
Ugh…new hair growth is the WORST!! Regarding the car seat, I just went to Target and got the least expensive Graco one they had that would fit in my car and had a cupholder. I think it was like $129 maybe? The reviews were great and we’ve been happy with it.
I know there are red light / green light clocks you can get for Lucas. We aren’t there yet, so I don’t know exactly what they are called, but keep us posted on what works for y’all (if anything ha – oh toddlers). :)
Jennifer Slaughter says
Does Lucas know his numbers? I have a friend who put a digital clock in her son’s room, and covered up the last two numbers with tape, so that he can only see the hour number. When it’s a 7, he knows he’s allowed to come out. If it’s less than 7, he knows that he has to play in his room or go back to sleep. It kind of made it a game for him.
Jill says
Hi Courtney. I don’t have kids yet, but all my friends who do swear by this “green light/yellow light/red light stop-light alarm clock” thing for their kids to help them know when they can come out of their room in the mornings. I don’t know the name or where they buy it, but maybe you can google it and find it.
meredith says
I know lots of people swear by the color-changing alarm clock for their kids.
Tiffany says
Hi Courtney!
For our little guy, we bought him an alarm clock and explained to him that as long as the number started with a 7 or over, he could come out of his room. He didn’t necessarily have to stay asleep until then, but he had to do something quiet in his room: read, play lego, etc. It has worked like a charm and the rule still applies and he is 7. It saved this “not so morning lovin” mama!
Hope this helps!
Katie says
This has been my saving grace with my little boy (2.5 years old) as we were dealing with the same sort of thing as you are with Lucas. The clock functions as a night light during the night (shines yellow) and then will turn green at the time you set as the “ok to wake”. It’s been a total lifesaver and he caught on to the idea right away. Now he will remain in his room, even if he’s awake, until his clock turns green! https://www.amazon.com/Teach-Talking-Alarm-Clock-Night-Light/dp/B003D7KV0Q
Vicky N. says
The Chicco Nextfit is awesome. My four year old has been in it since he was one!
Julie says
I’ve heard that these work well with toddlers!
http://www.target.com/p/ok-to-wake-alarm-clock-and-night-light/-/A-11852371
Julie says
And we love our Chicco NextFit ZIP Air convertible seat!
http://www.toysrus.com/buy/convertible-car-seats/chicco-nextfit-zip-air-convertible-car-seat-ventata-07079493990070-69016796
Liz says
I can’t read other comments for some reason, but the Ok to Wake clock is a lifesaver for our 4 year old! Worth every penny.
Aurora@Fitness is Sweet says
Wow, I can’t believe it’s been 7 years! Also, that froyo looks amazing :)
Kaitlyn @ Powered by Sass says
How adorable is that spoon! I want one! Also, now I’m craving froyo. A weekend trip might be in order.
http://www.poweredbysass.com
Rebecca says
Just read about a clock on another blog that might help you with your early riser – OK to wake! Alarm clock. It turns green when it’s ok for them to get out of bed.
Katie @ Live Half Full says
I’ve seen a lot about those clocks with lights that tell you when to wake up for kids that age. I think The Small Things Blog shared about it!
Melissa says
I had to no idea March 7th is National Cereal Day, but now that I do know, I will definitely be celebrating! As one of my favorite foods, cereal is something I look forward to each morning and have since childhood.
stephanie says
We use this Bluetooth, color changing light bulb with our toddler (age 3). We tell her she has to stay in her room when it is red (bedtime) and she cannot come into our room in the morning until it turns green. There are several other colors you can program it to and you can control from your phone! It’s great! You can set the timer ahead of time to fit your schedule. https://www.amazon.com/Flux-Bluetooth-Smart-Light-Bulb/dp/B00GWBBZ2I
Melanie says
Hi, I don’t have any kids yet but one of my friends who does has a clock that they set for “wake up time”. For example, if you set it for 7am, the light will turn green at 7 and then he knows he can leave the room. It’s worked wonders for them! At the beginning they gave their son a small reward to reinforce the behavior ( a few minutes of a show etc)
Sana says
Awesome job on getting your workout in!!
Jessica says
A tot clock! Amazon has a bunch of different options. The one I have turns green when it’s time to wake up and my kiddos know they have to stay in bed until it turns green. It doesn’t work every single morning but it does most of the time. Good luck!
Sarah r says
YES! get the green light clock. It is life changing!!!!
OK to Wake! Alarm Clock & Night-Light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EAHSBV4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_62HUyb5JSGTM1
Malisa says
Check out the OK to awake clock for Lucas! We use it for our 3.5 year old and it’s helped us get her to at least stay in her room until we want her to, even if she wakes up earlier.
Shaqueefa says
My kid wakes up when the chickens in our backyard starts to cluck! I got them as a gift to my man for his birdday. He hates them. #rude
Lisa says
Yup i second the wake up clocks. Alia knows not to come out until she sees the sun on her clock. It’s a star at night and turns to a sun at the time you set it too.
Abbie says
I just ordered 3 convertible car seats for my 6 month old because he’s so long! I got the Graco 4 Ever and Graco Extend 2 Fit. We took our son to the store to try them out, and he seemed to fit best in those. Many of them had short crotch buckles, so it would be beneficial if you could try them out :)
Bethany says
I just order my little guy a convertible seat. After some research and a shout out to my mom friends we went with the britax usa boulevard clicktight.
Rachael says
We have 3 of the Peg Perego Primo Viaggo carseats and absolutely love them. They are very comfortable and easy to clean.
https://www.diapers.com/p/peg-perego-primo-viaggio-convertible-car-seat-atmosphere-1092420?sku=PR-357&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc_D&utm_campaign=GooglePLA&utm_content=pla
christy says
We have a brutal marathon and boulevard and love them. My brother just bought the brutal pinnacle and it actually converts to a booster after so it is truly the last one you will buy! He loves it and we might buy them for our youngest soon
christy says
britax… lol stupid auto correct
Megan says
I’m currently looking for a car seat for my 9 month old twins and have done a ton of research. You can’t go wrong with Britax and everyone seems to love the Diono RXT too. I think we’re getting the Britax Boulevard.