It was as if nothing happened.  I could have gone to work the next day.  Nothing.  I couldn’t celebrate Christmas that year.  I didn’t want to be around friends or volunteer.  Just like that my baby dissolved into nothing.  I had been there before.  I had two miscarriages before my oldest and three that summer.  This felt like more nothing than ever before.  I’ve learned with time that each loss is so different...I’ve had some that shook me to my core, some that I felt guilt for feeling too numb to face, and others that I just kept pushing through.   The one thing I would tell anyone facing loses and just let yourself be.  If you want to wallow and be grumpy--do it.  If you want to make a to do list of how to try again--you go girl.  Don’t worry about how you should feel...just face how you do feel the best you can so maybe someday you can learn how to live with it.  There is no right way to grieve. 

With time we decided three months later to try one more time. That was it. That was more than we had in us and it stuck.  It’s bittersweet knowing that if that pregnancy worked out I wouldn’t have my sweet baby D.  I can’t imagine a world without his feral smiles.   I’m thankful that our journey ended in two beautiful boys.  I know that is a privilege that not all get. I do my best to cherish even the hard days because we worked so hard to get here.  This is our parenthood journey. ​

 eLearning is back or here to stay for so many families.  It is hard, it can be frustrating, and sometimes it can be the least of your worries.  Teachers and parents are all asking one thing: how do we make this work?   Sadly I do not have a magic wand, but I do have 12 years experience in virtual education and I am now at school where we are in the heart of eLearning. 

​Virtual education is very different than eLearning in many ways (online school programs, resources sent to homes for families, everyone has the tools they need, platforms designed for parents to the teacher, and so much more), but the tips for success cross over between both.  

 This year I wanted to make something with my toddler to gift everyone for Christmas.   I didn't want to make cookies or bake, so somehow I landed on making homemade bath bombs.  When I was pregnant my aunt sent me some with a quilt for my son.  It was such a treat.   Thus started my mission.  I did a lot of research and this is what I landed on.

Directions

1. Pour all of the dry ingredients into a large bowl.  I did not have an issues with this staining my regular mixing bowls. Then stir in the coconut oil.  
2. Split the mixture into two bowls if you want to make my bath bombs two-toned.  This is optional.  One bowl got one color stirred in, the other bowl got a different color.  You also have the option of using more color in one bowl than the other. My colors wound up painfully close so this step didn't turn out for me.
3. Once you have the desired color check your consistency.  The mixture should feel like kinetic sand.  Some recipes I found called for water or even Witch Hazel, but I found that they both cause my mixture to fizz! I found that Baby Oil (that I had in my bathroom) worked best! I added just a little bit at a time until it seemed ready to pack.
4. Put the sprinkles or embellishments at the bottom. If you're using a silicone mold put them right there in a thin layer on the bottom! If you're using a cupcake pan then first put squares of tissue paper in the mold (like you would cupcake lines (which would also work, but I was being frugal!). I put sprinkles on the top of these and it turned out okay...not great.
5. Start adding the mixture to the molds.  If you're doing two-tones fill up your mold half way then switch colors. Pat the mixture as you go. At the end I really pushed down with bottom of a spice jar.
6. ​After that let your bath bombs air dry for 1-2 days. Bag the up and hand them out!
   

Voila! My son loved this and can't wait to hand them out at Christmas.  We even tried one out...just to be safe! ;)

With my first I was team Honest.  He had sensitive skin that resulted in frequent diaper rash with other brands and I found that other brands didn't fit him well so we had a LOT of leaks.

Their ADORABLE prints and impact on the environment was a huge bonus. 

​Then came Hello Bello

My second little man was prone to diaper rash and Honest diapers just weren't in the budget.   I saw these while shopping and tried a pack.  I fell in love!   

Here is my Honest comparison (see what I did there?)

Similar to Honest

• Their diapers stay dry longer and don't get squishy
• They fit my slim/skinny little man better than other brands
• Less money spent on diaper rash cream
• Comes in bundle mailed to my house ever other month
• You can adjust and move shipment dates as needed
• If you order a bundle they offer a discount on other projects such as bug spray, sunscreen, vitamins, and other diapering needs
  
• Fun prints

​
Pros:

• Hello Bello wipes are much better than Honest (and my little man loves to play with the crinkly packaging)
• The price point is much more friendly on a teacher budget

Cons

• Hello Bello is a newer company so their variety of prints and additional products is still growing

If you're interested in trying out Hello Bello, use this link for $15 off!

I am a huge reader.  So I figured I would be doing the world a disservice if I didn't share my favorites for the time being.  What are you reading?

PS. As an Amazon Associate I get a tiny amount if you purchase through my page and it cost you the same! Boom!

I just happened to come across this book at my local library (or love-berry as my oldest calls it) and it seemed like kismet.  Okay, that might be a touch dramatic, but it seemed to fit perfectly with my new them of finding balance. 

I'll admit I haven't even finished it yet, but it is an easy read with practical ideas that real life people can follow.  Definitely check it out if balance is your mission!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.