What's In My "Toddler" Diaper Bag

Thursday, July 28, 2016

When Oaklyn was tiny, I packed everything but the kitchen sink in my diaper bag.
It was always filled to the brim with things I hardly ever even used but always made sure were there "just in case."
As Oaks got older, I found myself needing less and less things and feeling comfortable leaving the house with nothing but an extra diaper and some wipes for a few hours.
It has been such a relief on my stress level, and my shoulders ;)
I used to tote around a Petunia Picklebottom Boxxy Backpack and while I did like it for the time being, I don't think I'll ever go back... but that's a post for another day.
As we made the transition of what actually went inside my diaper bag, we also made a switch to a completely different diaper bag as a whole!
I'm pretty much obsessed with our new Coco and Kiwi Sydney Bag in Amber!
We got this bag from one of my favorite baby stores on the planet, The Baby Cubby.
They have a retail location in Lindon, Utah where they are able to answer all of your wildest questions (seriously, trust me on this one.) and help you find the best items for you and your little ones.
If you aren't local, they have a website with all the same awesome brands and great sales. 
Currently, they are having the best sale I've ever seen on the City Select stroller and I'm beyond tempted!
Directly on their website, you are able to chat with a cubby mom to ensure you make the right decisions on baby gear. 
And to top it all off, they price match! 
You guys, they even price match Amazon!
Basically, I can't say enough good things about them.


Okay, back to the bag...
This is a five piece bag and it comes in two colors
Inside the actual bag you will find a changing pad, 2 Stroller straps, a removable messenger strap, and a zip-out wet bag.
It has gorgeous gold hardware, SIX interior pockets and one exterior, the cutest teal interior, and is so easy to wipe down.
I love the design of this bag, the color, and how functional it is.
I had this weird idea in my head that my diaper bag had to actually look like a diaper bag before having Oaklyn.
I'm so excited about my Coco and Kiwi bag though because it works as a purse for a night out while also doubling as the perfect diaper bag!
So, I would hands down give this bag 6 out of 5 stars ;)


Let's move on to what I actually put inside this bag while toting Oaks around.
Here's my daily list, my go to's, my essentials:
-Huggies Diapers, and Costco Wipes in a Huggies Clutch
-Books! Oaks loves books. I'm eyeing these adorable Baby Lit books from The Baby Cubby
-MAM pacifier  and a paci clip from Loved By Sophia Claire
-Tubby Todd all over ointment because Oaks has eczema and this stuff has saved us!
-All sorts of snacks in the Munchkin snack catcher
-Hand Sanitizer
-Change of clothes for Oaklyn
-A few small toys
-My wallet and a few lip glosses ;)


So there ya have it!
Most of the time though, I condense that list as much as possible and just bring the necessities.
It's crazy how much less I have to worry about now that Oaklyn is getting older and more independent.
I would love to hear what you pack for your toddler and some of your favorite items during outings.
I'd also love to hear your thoughts on this diaper bag!
However, if you don't think this one is the right fit for you, Check out The Baby Cubby's Diaper Bag Buying guide to find the perfect match for you!
I hope you all love it as much me!

All my love,
Aleigh Joy




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Beautiful Girl, You Can Do Amazing Things

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

I remember my mom telling me numerous times growing up that she wanted me to have a better life than she ever did.
Not that her life was bad, it's just that parents only wish the best for their children.
At the time, I couldn't really understand it.
I thought it was sweet of her to say, but didn't she want to have an awesome life too?
After having my daughter, I now understand.
Every morning when I get her out of bed, I see the excitement and curiosity in her eyes for a new day.
I see her quickly look over her room to see if something is different and I say a quick little prayer that she'll never lose her sense of wonder. 
Watching her go through life's new milestones, holidays, and experiences makes life worth it.


I love being able to teach her and help her be the best she can be. 
One thing that I hope I can teach her, is that she can do amazing things.
My mom was the perfect example to me of that.
She went back to college when I was in middle school and started her dream business when I was in high school.
I watched her go for her dreams and it helped me realize that I should go for mine.
I hope that Oaklyn looks to me and sees my drive and motivation to be the best I can be and multiplies that by ten in her own life. 
She may be a little girl right now, but she is a little girl with great big plans ahead of her.
I cannot wait to see her life unfold and be there cheering her on during every new accomplishment. 
I think one of the best ways to teach our children that they can do anything they put their minds to, is leading by example.
It's quite the challenge to become the perfect example for her, but thankfully she's pretty forgiving ;)
I also think a good way is to cheer them on and help them along the way.
I want Oaklyn to know that I'll always be right beside her in each new journey and motivating her to accomplish her dreams. 


I was so excited when Aubrey from Ink Splashed released this adorable print.
It put all of my above thoughts into one beautiful hand drawn print.
It is currently hanging in Oaklyn's room and I hope that she'll always look to it for inspiration.
It actually inspires me to accomplish my dreams too!
Aubrey is incredibly talented and her prints speak for themselves. 
I love every single one in her shop and always swoon over the custom orders she creates. 
Because we love Ink Splashed so much, we have decided to team up for a giveaway!
We will be giving away one of the prints above to one of my lucky instagram folllowers.


What are you doing to teach your children they can do amazing things?
And what amazing things have you accomplished?
Let me know in the comments!

All my love,
Aleigh Joy

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Tasty Tuesday: Clean Kettle Corn

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

I have seriously been slacking on Tasty Tuesday recipes lately.
I've been cooking non stop, but forgetting to take pictures!
I also can never seem to find time to write out the recipes. Seriously, there is just not enough time in the day!
Anyways, I have a "late night cravings" problem, ha!
Somehow, after putting Oaklyn to bed at night, I immediately crave something sweet.
After dealing with tantrums and time outs all day, it's finally time to unwind before bed and my favorite way to do that is by having a treat and watching a show with Hunter.
However, all those late night calories can really add up!
I've been trying to find ways to fulfill those cravings by still eating somewhat clean.
I love fruit, homemade popsicles, green smoothies, and protein shakes, but something I can never get enough of is popcorn!
The smell of kettle corn will always remind me of high school football games when I used to cheer for Hunter on the sidelines and it brings back sweet memories, and sweet tastes!
Old fashioned kettle corn isn't the best for you... so I figured out a way to make it a little better and I'm obsessed!
So here's my clean-er version of kettle corn :)


Ingredients

-1/2 cup popcorn kernels
-1 tsp salt
-a little less than 1/4 cup honey
-3 tbsp coconut oil

Directions

1) Pop your popcorn however you please! I am hoping to get a whirly pop at some point but for now I just use a pot with 1 tbsp of coconut oil and let it pop on medium heat with the lid on.
2) Transfer popcorn to a bowl and sprinkle salt throughout.
3) Bring honey and 2 tbsp coconut oil to a boil whisking constantly over medium heat in the same pot you popped your popcorn. (if you are using a pot that is. Use a pot instead of a whirly pop if that's the route you choose!)
4) Pour a third of the mixture over your popcorn, then mix. Continue doing this with the remaining two thirds.
5) Devour ;)


I hope you guys enjoy this recipe as much as I do!
I can literally eat the entire bowl by myself... oops!

All my love,
Aleigh Joy

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Master Bedroom Wants

Friday, July 8, 2016
Hi Friends! Happy Friday!
It's been a busy week for us with family in town and errands to run.
I'm soooo excited right now because we are getting ready to redo our master bedroom!
This condo isn't where we are planning on staying forever, but it is where we'll be for a few more years, so I decided it was time to do what I want to it!
If you follow me on snapchat (username: aleighjoy) then you probably saw we finally painted the kitchen cabinets white! 
After doing that, we loved how much it brightened up the place and wanted to lighten several other rooms!
We're starting with our room and I couldn't be more excited.
Like the rest of the world these days, I totally love the farmhouse look.
Hunter and I love watching fixer upper so that must be why ;)
We're doing seafoam green/blue, gold, cream, grey, and true white. 
I'm SO excited about it!
Below you can check out and shop some of the items I've been eyeing through the process!

I can't wait to get started!

All my love,
Aleigh Joy

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A Motherly Bond

Tuesday, July 5, 2016


It was somewhere around 11 am and my brand new baby was set on my chest for the first time.
We had prayed for her by name for the past 6 or so months after we had found out her gender and actually agreed on a name, but I still looked at her swollen little face and said out loud, "Are you Oaklyn?"
I loved her instantly and cried tears of joy upon meeting her, but I still felt like I didn't actually know her.
She cried and I looked to the nurses as if they would tell me what do to with her, as if they knew her better than I did.
I started rocking her and attempted different ways to nurse her and I thought to myself, "I can't wait to get to know you."

Hunter's side of the family has several grandchildren. 
I've been around since the day he became an uncle and when I married into the family, I went from never being an aunt to having 5 nieces and 6 nephews. 
I remember hearing each of my sister in laws saying that their babies had a specific cry that helped them understand what they wanted. 
They knew each of their children so well and always seemed to be able to tend to their needs.
Their kids looked to their mommies for comfort and well, everything else they needed, because they knew each other and had a bond like nobody else. 

So there I was, sitting in that hospital bed wondering when that bond would come and when I would understand my child in a way that no one else would
And then over time... it just happened.
It happened over the course of the several nights I was up with her while the rest of the world was sleeping.
It happened when her first little tooth popped through and her fevered little body only wanted mama to comfort her.
It happened when she was learning to walk and looked for my hand so I could guide her through this new skill she was figuring out.
It happened when I sat with her on the bathroom floor with the hottest water running through the shower in hopes that the steam would unclog her stuffy little nose. 
It happened through bath times, feedings, being rocked to sleep, endless diaper changes, snuggles and kisses, dancing together, doctors appointments, being worried sick during the wee hours of the night, giggles and tickles, and being together every single day.

Those first few weeks home from the hospital, I thought I might never know how to console her when she cried or get her to sleep longer than 15 minutes on her own.
Somehow though, it just happens... and when it does, you'll have never felt a more selfless and unconditional love.
Because sometimes you just need a break and wish your baby would let someone else hold them. 
But, each time you pass them off and they reach back for mama, you think your heart just might burst of love.

I remember several times holding someone else's baby and looking to the mom when he or she started to cry.
Now, I am that mom and I couldn't be more happy about the bond I get to experience with my little girl.
I know it may sound cliche, but you truly can't understand the bond between a mother and her child until you become a mama.
Becoming a mother changes you and that phrase only scratches the surface.
Lately, when I hear Oaklyn cry, or I see her eyes light up, I seem to immediately know what she wants or is happy about.
It's not because I'm some baby whisperer... it's because I have a bond with my child that nobody else will ever have. 
I think I finally understand why my mom was so protective over me and why Hunter's mom cried when every child left the house.
As a mom, your baby will always have a special place in your heart and you'll hope that they will always still need you in some way or another. 
The bond and connection a mother shares with her baby is the whole reason motherhood is so special and beautiful.
So for now, I'll enjoy each time when Oaklyn's little arms immediately reach back for me the second I hand her off to someone else.
I've spent countless sleepless nights working on that bond ;)

All my love,
Aleigh Joy


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