Move over, Pinterest

Every night after Ryenne Ashley goes down to sleep I close her bedroom door, walk out to the living room, and am met with one of my favorite views as a mother and wife. No, it's not a Pinterest-worthy room with white walls, geometric shapes, modern furniture, and a vast array of trendy artwork hanging on the walls. The scene that I am usually greeted with consists of baby toys scattered about the room, a little shoe here and there, my husband's lunch containers sitting on an end table, board books scattered far from their place on the bookshelf, David's work uniform crumpled in a heap on the floor... a room very much lived-in. Many people might actually describe this sight as a complete mess (and on more than one occasion I admit that I would have agreed), but I look at it and it is the most beautiful home in the world to me. Tonight it finally hit me - why it's so beautiful to me:
What a blessing and privilege it is to have a husband and a baby to clean up after!
Those scattered toys and books strewn across the room? That means there was a little person who played and read and discovered today. The dirty lunch tupperware? That means there was a husband who enjoyed a good meal today. Those little shoes sitting in random places on the floor? They belong to a pair of adorable little feet that are not only walking all over the place, but growing way too fast! And the dirty pile of laundry? That means that there's a hard-working man in the house who ran, sweated, and worked in that uniform all day to provide for his family.
How could I see these things and not feel grateful?? The absence of them would possibly mean that that room could have the potential to be pinned on Pinterest, but oh how empty my life would feel without the laundry, the dishes, the little shoes, the toys, and the books to bring purpose and fulfillment to my life! There is no other title in the world that I'd rather have than "Wife" and "Mama." I know I didn't do anything to deserve either of those titles, but God in His sweet grace chose me to be wife to David and mama to RyeRye nonetheless.
And so it brings me great joy to clean up after my two precious charges every night. Goodness knows where I'd be without them :)

The most Pinterest-looking part of my home currently haha
David brought me these beautiful roses just because....
just because I'm a lucky girl :)

Xoxo,
Randie Megan

Top 10 Favorite Mom Hairstyles (That Don't Look Like Mom Hairstyles)

This is a simple enough post - My Top 10 Favorite Mom Hairstyles (That Don't Look Like Mom Hairstyles). The second part of the title is key - no mama wants to look like she hasn't had time to do her hair. No mama wants to look like she is secretly balding after all her crazy postpartum hormones are all whack. No mama wants to look like she is sporting greasy hair because she hasn't been able to shower for three days straight.
So, my saving grace in the hair department comes from 3 amazing bloggers. Let me introduce you!

Bethany // former Treasures & Travels contributor

My all-time favorite blogger would be Bethany Menzel who used to be a contributor blogger to the Treasures and Travels blog. However, because she is a mommy herself, she ended up leaving the T&T blog in order to focus more on her mommy and wife roles. While I LOVE her for that, I also hate her for it because she was basically my sole reason for perusing through Treasures and Travels so faithfully! I love Tegan and Lindsay (the other two bloggers), but Bethany was definitely my favorite ;) My love for her started when I discovered that she has the exact same hair type as me. Exact! When you find someone who has amazing hair and has the same hair type as you, you simply must stalk them because if their hair looks good sporting a certain style, so will yours! I've spent most of my life trying to get great hair like people in magazines or movies, but the truth is, your hair will never look exactly the same as those people's unless you have the same hair type. Bethany Menzel is the only other person in the world of bloggers who seems to have my hair type. So! There you have it. Bethany is my hair idol :) I now creepily stalk her on her personal blog and Instagram since she no longer contributes to Treasures and Travels.

Emily // The Freckled Fox

My next favorite blogger would have to be Emily from The Freckled Fox. When you look at her blog, you will probably think "right, how could I ever have gorgeous mermaid hair like THAT???" BUT! Emily swears that her hair is just normal and relatively thin like the rest of us normal people! Her secret is just making it look like her hair has tons of body and volume. Her hair tutorials are fun because she can basically do anything with her hair. She is seriously incredibly talented!!

Amber // Barefoot Blonde

Last but not least is the gorgeous Amber from Barefoot Blonde :) Anything related to braids - Amber is your girl. This girl will open your eyes to the wonderful world of BRAIDS. She can show you how to do a French braid or fishtail in a hundred different ways. Plus she goes on incredible adventures all over the world with her adorable little family!

Alright, now that I've introduced you to my top 3 favorite bloggers, I give you:

MY TOP 10 FAVORITE MOM HAIRSTYLES 

(that don't look like Mom Hairstyles)

1) The Top Knot <<<<<<<<<

Courtesy of Treasures & Travels Blog

Alright- before you scroll ahead - hold up a second. This is not just ANY top knot. This is a textured, funky spin on the classic top knot, which puts it in its very own category. This hairstyle is perfect for rocking 3-day-old oily hair (let's be honest - that happens a lot!) or fresh, out of the shower wet hair (like that ever happens)!

2) The Headscarf Roll <<<<<<<<<

Courtesy of The Freckled Fox

I used to see college girls sporting this hairstyle in Chicago and assume it was way out of my hair league. It just looks so chic and hipster - it's impossible that it could actually take less than one minute to do...right? WRONG! Grab a headband or hair scarf and have fun looking like you actually had time to spend on your hair for once. Because who says moms can't be chic and adorable too??

3) The Front Row Braid <<<<<<<<<

Courtesy of Barefoot Blonde

Another hairstyle that may seem basic but I promise you that if you check it out, it won't disappoint. Amber lets you in on a few secrets to making your front row braid thick even when you don't have thick hair ;) 

4) The Sleek Pony <<<<<<<<<

Courtesy of The Freckled Fox

I think that high pony tails are entirely underrated. To me they turn a boring mom into a spunky one - but only if they're done right! Check out Emily's tutorial on the sleek pony!

5) The Half-Up Top Knot <<<<<<<<<

Courtesy of Treasures & Travels Blog

This is my go-to hairstyle when I actually want to feel feminine and girly and wear my hair down for once. The best thing about this hairstyle is that it allows me to do that while still keeping my hair off my face. Bonus: this tutorial is for long OR short hair!

6) The Fishtail Halo Braid <<<<<<<<<

Courtesy of Barefoot Blonde

I know, I know. This one looks pretty extravagant. But I promise it's a lot easier than it looks! Which is one of the secrets to being a hair savvy mommy, right?? I LOVE this gorgeous fishtail halo braid. A new spin on a timeless look.

7) The Side Braid <<<<<<<<<

Courtesy of Barefoot Blonde

Okay, even though this girl looks like she seriously has Disney princess hair, I promise she is human and that this look is actually attainable for normal people like us! This braid is basic, basic, basic, but it totally gives the impression that you 1) have a lot more hair than you actually do and 2) have a lot more time than you actually have. Win-win!

8) The Hair Roll <<<<<<<<<

Courtesy of Treasures & Travels Blog

This hairstyle is so easy it's crazy. Similar to the headscarf roll, this look is both feminine and flattering! When I first attempted it, it literally took me less than 2 minutes. And I only had to read the tutorial once. That's how easy it was.

9) The Textured Sock Bun <<<<<<<<<

Courtesy of The Freckled Fox

Sock buns are pretty popular and there really isn't any secret to the perfectly round buns that you see hundreds of women sporting these days - but Emily makes this look her own by adding some texture which I love!! Makes it more of an everyday look in my opinion, rather than a fancy-occasion-only option.

10) The Braided Crown <<<<<<<<<

Courtesy of Treasures & Travels blog

I like Bethany's version of this look because she leaves out little strands of hair around her face which keeps it from looking like a Heidi-inspired look. Again, SUPER easy and feminine - a combo I really love in case you couldn't tell.

Well, there you have it! My top ten favorite mom hairstyles - and do you agree that they don't at all look like typical mom hairstyles??? Right??!?! Well get this - each of these women are actually... you guessed it... MOMS!

Emily // The Freckled Fox // Mama to 5

Amber // Barefoot Blonde // Mama to 1.5

Bethany // Treasures & Travels, BethanyMenzel // Mama to 2 (one in heaven)

I hope you take some time to read about each of them because they are truly beautiful women inside AND out.

What is YOUR favorite go-to mommy-hairstyle? Comment below!
Randie Megan

Comparison: Ergobaby Carrier vs. Sakura Bloom Ring Sling

It's been some time since writing my last comparison entry on baby carriers. Since then, my daughter has grown quite a bit what with turning 1 and all, and as a result I have found myself reaching for different carriers than I used to! Like I said before in my comparison between a Bibetts and Sakura Bloom ring sling, I don't have nearly the elaborate stash that you'll find many mamas have, but I do have a Bibetts ring sling, a Sakura Bloom ring sling, an Ergobaby carrier, and a Mei Tai.
Before I get to which carrier is my absolute favorite, let me make a short list of my favorite things about each, starting with the Sakura Bloom.

Ryenne (~6 months here) & I at the Farmer's Market
"Kangaroo Carry"

Sakura Bloom Ring Sling (Classic) in Acadia
$98.00

• completely adjustable
• lightweight and non-bulky - easy to keep in the diaper bag
• linen
• machine washable
• the Classic version is a single layer of linen which allows for a front carry, kangaroo carry (front forward facing), and hip carry

We like to use it for:

• shorter walks
• "emergency" situations (aka my child only wants to be held and my arms are about to fall off)
• since it is so lightweight and non-bulky, we keep it in the diaper bag at all times so that we always have a carrier on hand

Ryenne (~6 months) & David
"Front Carry"

Original Ergobaby Carrier in Aussie Khaki

$115.00

• more of a "backpack style" carrier
• includes a hood
• 2 pockets
• ergonomic (meaning that it keeps the baby's legs spread apart in a natural "froggy" fashion rather than holding up the baby by the crotch - a known cause of hip dysplasia in babies)
• cotton
• all straps are adjustable (even the hood)
• 3 carry positions - back, hip, and front
• machine washable

We like to use it for:

• hiking
• shopping trips
• going on walks
• putting her to sleep - it's the only carrier she will sleep in (and she falls asleep FAST)
• anything and everything

Based on that last point, you are probably already guessing which carrier is my favorite. The Ergobaby. As much as I do LOVE that I am able to stow away the ring sling so easily (and, let's be honest, it's so pretttttyyyy), the Ergobaby is much more comfortable on a long-term basis now that my daughter is bigger and heavier and longer. Maybe if I wore the ring sling enough I would develop better back and shoulder muscles in the right places, but the thing I love about the Ergo is that my daughter is basically one with me! It's like being pregnant again... sort of. Her weight is evenly dispersed between my shoulders and my hips - with NO strain whatsoever to my back. Even my mom, who has back issues (sciatica and an inflamed disc), was perfectly comfortable carrying my daughter in the Ergo.

Bonus: my husband prefers the Ergo as he feels it is more "masculine" than the ring sling - although he has worn the ring sling before too ;) (Real men do it).

And if you have read my comparison between Bibetts and Sakura Bloom, you'll note that I had mentioned that my daughter did not like the Ergo. Well, one day she just decided that it didn't bother her anymore, and now she loves it. I think it had something to do with her finally being able to peer over the back of the carrier instead of being tucked away deep inside. That being said, I do think that if we ever had another baby that the ring sling would once again be my go-to as baby would be much less heavy as a newborn, and you really can't beat the convenience and ease of toting around a light piece of fabric that magically transforms into a baby carrier.

So, I guess the real answer is that BOTH are my favorites - but at different stages of my baby's life! I loved the Sakura Bloom for her infancy, but the Ergo is unbeatable for carrying a toddler. Currently my (and my husband's) favorite baby carrier is the Ergo. It comes along with us pretty much everywhere despite the awkward shape and bulkiness. The comfort of the fit when it's on totally outweighs the hassle of lugging it around.

Which carrier do you prefer? Do you have an Ergobaby or a Sakura Bloom?

Thanks for reading!!

Randie Megan

And an extra picture just for kicks:
Ryenne Ashley knocked out on Daddy's
back during a family walk one day haha

Review: Classic Skwish by the Manhattan Toy Company

The Manhattan Toy Company "Skwish"
Classic Rattle & Teether Grasping Activity Toy

Today I am doing a review on a "new" toy that Ryenne Ashley has acquired thanks to some dear friends of ours here in the city! The other day we visited a family that I used to babysit for, and while we were there they gave us some hand-me-down toys. As a matter of fact, all of Ryenne's toys are hand-me-downs from this family!

When I first saw this "contraption," I was definitely intrigued as it is unlike any toy that I've ever seen for babies! The colorful pieces are wooden, and the black are stretchy elastic, so it is actually bendable/movable. The thing that is so great about this toy for my 4.5 month old, is that her little fingers can grasp it so easily and bring it up to her mouth to gnaw at (she has been all about biting, grabbing, feeling, and touching lately! And she is so fascinated with this little gadget!

I'm a little particular when it comes to baby-related items as I'm not a fan of brightly colored, overly-stimulating, lights-flashing, music-playing play things. I don't have anything against people who do enjoy those types of toys in their homes, but personally I like toys that encourage children to use their imaginations a bit more. Sometimes toys nowadays tend to do all the "imagining" for the kids. This one is perfect for curious little babies. The fact that it stretches and bends makes it exceptionally interesting, and there are wooden "beads" that slide back and forth along the wooden pegs making a gentle sliding sound.

The mother of this family actually mentioned that this toy was around when she was a baby! She said that initially she was a little worried about the beads coming loose and becoming a potential choking hazard, but after growing up with it and then having one with her own two children, she saw firsthand that that was never a problem. The fact that this toy has been around for about 40 years tells me that there's something special about it!

Well, to wrap up, I found this unique rattle/teether on Amazon for just $12! It's originally from the Manhattan Toy Company, and I read on their website that it is actually the winner of the 2014 Family Choice Award (apparently it's quite popular and I'm still just very new to this baby world!)! 

I know that the next time I attend a baby shower, I am including this as part of the gift! It's already a family favorite in our home.

What are your favorite baby teethers/rattles? Please share!