Closet Organization Storage Tips For Kids

Do you have a small nursery space, but a decent sized closet? Or just don't want to use a dresser for your older kids because of the tipping dangers (IKEA!) We choose NOT to go with a dresser option for our family before Mason was born. We actually have an open book shelf instead and I use that to store diapers, wipes, some books, and blankets for the baby.

As far as storage areas for clothing I opted to get this Closet Organization system through ONE STEP AHEAD which you can customize for your needs. It is nice to be able to just close the closet doors and everything is put away in its place! We ordered a full set for Mason when he was born, 2- 6 shelfs, 2- 4 shelf, we got an extra 4 shelf for free with our purchase at the time, and 2 bins, the hanging rod and 2 big bins which we use for toys and shoes for the boys and we have been using them ever since. When Collin was born, I just halved what Mason had so both boys have a 6 shelf and a 4 shelf and a bin each. Now with Elyse I ordered her a 6 shelf and a few more bins since she has more small stuff.

How do I use these? 

For the Boys, they have 6 shelves and a 4 shelf organizer each. I organize it with a shelf or two for short sleeved shirts, a shelf for, a shelf for long pants, shorts and miscellaneous stuff. Plus I have a 2 bins for Mason, one for undies, one for socks and a bin of socks for Collin. They are siting on shelf in the closet easy to reach by Mason so he can pick his own clothing.

For Elyse I am hanging all dresses, and folding shirts. Onesies will be in a bin, jammies will be in a bin probably, Socks and bloomers are in a bin, and Headbands/bows are in a bin. Pants and shorts/skirts will be folded too. I have learned through the last 2 boys that the most commonly used items that get washed the most and go through the most, it is easier to just throw the clean stuff in a bin instead of folding it and all. Plus whenever my boys see a nice and folded pile of clothing, they think it is a tower and just barrel right into it then I have to fold it again. It just isn't worth it. Think smarter not harder! (I will update this with a picture of her closet after the baby shower on Saturday!)

Review: 
We really do like these. We haven't had any problems with these falling or break, the shelves do sag, but clothing can be pretty heavy, and I really did squeeze a lot of clothing in those shelves. For us they have been great and it is a great way to use the un-useable space in the closet and adds more useful shelving without it being permeant. Have you thought about these as an option for your storage needs in your kid's closet?

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Kindergarten Lunch Ideas

I am really trying to give Mason healthy foods when he goes to school. Last year in preschool, he ate the same exact thing every single day. PB & J, chips, grapes. I was actually told by his teacher to stop packing carrots because he would have such a breakdown about having to eat his veggies and he hated them. Yes I was TOLD to stop packing any veggies. They just didn't want to deal with the drama any more.

This morning I sat down with Mason and asked him what foods he would enjoy with his lunch. He helped me pick out every item on this list and he seems really excited about most of it. Not the pinwheels, but trying to make them fun for him so that he will want to eat them. You guys this is a constant battle with us trying to get Mason to try new foods. But I will let his teachers deal with it and try my best here at home to have him eat more things. One thing, I have failed in, is that I became a short order cook for him. Making him his own meals because I knew he wouldn't even try. But after talking with his doc last month, she said, NO MORE! That he needs to learn to eat what everyone else eats. And it is just setting a not good example for his siblings. Collin will eat anything at this point and I am thankful for that!

Anyhew, I am going to stick with the pinwheels and try different flavors to see if Mason will ever like them. I found these cute ideas on BuzzFeed for 23 Pinwheel Snacks! What do you do for your picky eaters to get them to eat more variety?

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Mid Month Goals

So I know it is the 15th of the month but...I only have 5 weeks left until this baby is due to arrive. 5 weeks! Being a plus size pregnant momma to be I have set a goals to make sure I am staying on track and to keep me motivated to be as healthy and fit as possible. I WANT TO END THIS PREGNANCY HEALTHIER THAN WHEN I FOUND OUT I WAS PREGNANT. And with just over a month to go until my due date there is nothing wrong with setting new goals mid month!

FIRST GOAL: Workout at least 5 days a week! 

I am starting a new workout program to DANCE THE BABY OUT! Yep! I am doing some good old Country Heat! I am not a country music fan, but the workout is low impact, and easy to follow and EVEN SIDED (meaning each move is done on both legs, not just one leg so you don't burn one leg out...did that make sense? It works both sides of the body) No wonder the results are so amazing with it! And after todays workout (during really) I was so pumped with endorphins it was amazing! And it was silly. I am not a dancer by any stretch of the imagination. But I still like to have fun and I DID! So win right there!
Busy moms, next month is for you because we are doing a DANCE PARTY to a) celebrate the kiddos going back to school, and b) getting your schedule of taking care of you, back on track! So...want to join? Send me an EMAIL, FILL OUT THIS FORM, or REQUEST TO JOIN HERE! (and because you are my blog you get early access to request to join, plus a free clean eating guide from me but you have to contact me for the details to get hooked up!)

SECOND GOAL: Drink More Water! 

I need to be drinking more water. EVERYONE needs to be drinking more water. But I have noticed that the days that I don't drink enough water...I have more Braxton Hicks contractions. I also get super moody too, and when I am in a crummy mood, and getting "practice" contractions, it makes for one mean mommy! So...Drink more water. I am aiming for at least half my body weight in ounces of water. And since my weight has gone up 21 pounds that means I have to drink even more. That is where I am falling short. I need to drink at least 130 ounces of water a day (rounding up). How am I going to do that, there's an app for that! My favorite app is Waterlogged. Easy to use and easy to stay on track!

THIRD GOAL: Have fun and enjoy the rest of the pregnancy! 

This could very well be my last pregnancy. We don't know if we are going to have any more kids, or if we will be blessed with any more children. Just never know. We are talking about it but nothing has been decided. Gotta get this one out first, ya know! So...time to just enjoy this pregnancy. Even though I have been categorized as high risk for most of the pregnancy, I no longer am. So now I can finally relax and have fun and I have faith in my body and in Elyse that she is doing great. Time to have fun and just enjoy being pregnant. Yes I have many times a day where I am uncomfortable. Where going up the stairs makes me breath like I just ran a mile, where I just can't stop feeling like I am breathing fire. But I still enjoy being pregnant and the feeling of her moving around. I don't want to forget that. So time to enjoy!

I encourage you to sit down today, and think about the monthly goals you set this month. Are you working at achieving them every day? Have you forgotten about them? Are you on track to meeting them? If not, what can you do now, to help you stay on track? WRITE THEM DOWN! POST IT SOMEWHERE! IT IS WORTH IT and YOU ARE WORHT IT TO TAKE CARE OF YOU! Don't ever forget that.

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Make Yourself A Priority

How many of you take 30 minutes to yourself each day? How many of you make yourself a priority before your husbands, partners, or your kids? If you aren't you need to find time in your day where you can just take care of you! WE ALL NEED TO TAKE SOME TIME. I hear it so much, I don't have time, there is no where in my day for just 30 minutes. And it isn't just about getting a workout in, I mean, just alone time to decompress from the day and things going on around you.

The reason why I dedicate 30 minutes of my day to exercise is because it has become my therapy. It not only helps me feel energized and ready to tackle the day, but it allows me to be able to cope with the daily stress of life. When I don't exercise I feel like I am going to crack under the constant pressure of my kids yelling at me, or having to play referee plus trying to keep my house cleaned and up to snuff.

If you find that you are easily overwhelmed, or feel like the day is just closing in on you. Or you just need an extra boost, MAKE TIME EACH DAY! We all have it. Somewhere. You just have to make you a priority.

What are you going to do today to make yourself a priority?

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey!

Bump Update: 34 Weeks

Here we go! 6 weeks and counting. I don't know why but when I think 6 weeks, I think, HOLY CROW THAT IS SO SOON! Plus you have to be at least 34 weeks pregnant to have the baby at the hospital where I am scheduled at. So now I am good to go for that hospital! Baby girl is doing great. She is getting HUGE! I can just feel it. She is running out of room and loves to remind me all the time just how big she is by a swift kick to the ribs or a head butt to my bladder. 

Confirmed last week at my OB appointment and yesterday with the Chiropractor that she is in fact head down. As I like to say, "locked and loaded!" Things I notice that she loves are my baths that I take, she just goes crazy and loves the feeling of the water, showers, she also likes to fall asleep when I am driving. Crazy that I can pick that up already but each time I have had a drive longer than 5 minutes she is all moving around and within a few minutes she is as still as can be. And then at my appointments she doesn't really move around. 

I have to write about this, because it is just so true for my mom and I. Anytime we see something cute and girly and we just have to get it, we are calling it...The Elyse Effect! She is making us get these things that normally we wouldn't be getting. I just can't help it when I see super cute outfits, or ruffle butts, or bows, and bling. I HAVE TO GET IT. It's the Elyse Effect! Case in point: This outfit below. It was the Elyse Effect yesterday. She made me do it! 

Total Weight Gain: Gained 21.4 pounds total. Weight as of this morning 258.4 pounds. 

Symptoms: Can't eat very much. I get very full/stuffed very easily. So I am down to eating very small meals. I try to get the important things in, like veggies and protein and eat them first then add in the carbs, since carbs can take up so much space. Plus I am getting heartburn. Especially if I eat too much! Peeing a ton/constant need to pee! I am up at least 3 times a night right now to go to the bathroom, but most of the time there is nothing in there. 

Baby’s Size: Pineapple! (my fave fruit!) (~19-22 inches, 4.5-5.25 pounds)

Maternity Clothes: Yes, bottoms need to wear maternity or stretchy pants. Tops I wear maternity now and my bigger t-shirts but those are starting to get tight now. Wearing my new Fabletics sports bra in these pictures and LOVE THEM and the fun colors! A ton more coverage and super comfy! Top by: For Two Fitness

Stretch Marks: I already have a ton that I got when I gained weight years ago. So nothing new. I am using Honest Company belly balm right now though to help my belly stretch so I do not get any new ones. I apply it at night and right after I get out of the shower. After the shower I actually don't have to apply as much! 

Belly Button: Innie! I never had my belly button flatten out or pop out during my other 2 pregnancies, but this might be the one that I do! Every week it is getting closer!

Braxton Hicks Contractions: I am getting them throughout the day now. Including some strong ones that kind of make me stop and take a breath. Mainly when I am moving around too much, getting up from seated or during my exercise. It is a great reminder to take it easy and drinks some water! 

Gender: GIRL!!! So excited about all the cute stuff we got for her! We have her coming home outfit and her picture props! So girly, and way too cute!

Sleep: I HAVE to take a nap every day. I don't know what is going on but it has been something every single night this week that either Matt wakes me up, the kids stat screaming for me or what not. So... this momma just isn't getting the sleep she needs at night, Because I am so tired though, it hasn't been as hard to get back to sleep but it still takes a little bit of time. (If you see me make a comment on FB or IG at 2am this is why!) I am still getting up at night at 11:30pm, 1:30am, and 3:30am, 5:30 without fail to use the bathroom. This week always around 9pm for about an hour where she is just going crazy! Plus I am flopping over like a fish trying to get comfy. Sleeping is not my friend right now!

Miss Anything: Sleeping comfortably flat on my belly or back! Sleeping through the night. 

Cravings: Veggies. Are really the only thing I really have to have with my meals. I really don't have any cravings of things that "I have to have". Peanut M&M's are my go to treat. but I can only eat a little at a time. 

Aversions: Sweets taste too sweet for me, so I can only handle a little at a time. I guess that is my only aversion and kind of good!

Excited About: The count down is on! Seriously, it almost seems surreal that my time is winding down, only 6 weeks left. Tonight Mason and I are going on the sibling tour of the hospital. So I am excited to see what happens there. I am also counting down the days to when Mason goes back to school. After having Kindergarten camp we are both ready for him to be in school. I'm still going to be sad about it but he is so ready and excited! 

Workouts: Pretty well for this week! I got in 5 days of regular workouts this past week. My regular Workouts include: 21 Day Fix yoga & pilates.  Beachbody On Demand Active Maternity and Diary Of A Fit Mommy's Fit For Two 2nd Trimester workouts in daily. Super excited for September. I am going to be trying out the newest workout program, COUNTRY HEAT because I just want to DANCE THIS BABY OUT and the results from just 30 days of 30 minutes a day of dancing have been UNBELIEVABLE! Wanna join me and get in on the group, CLICK HERE to fill out the application to join so I can get in touch with you on how you can join us! 

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey!