gift ideas for the toddler girl!

Today, I've put together a few gift ideas for the toddler girl on your list!

Here you go!

1. Land of Nod Modern wooden doll house. 

2. A Tiny Arrow Handmade Headband.

3. Faas Design Handmade Moccasins.

4. Blue Without You Handmade dolls.

Hopefully these helped with some holiday shopping ideas, and if you're already done with your shopping, check out these great ideas anyways.. after all- you can always find a good excuse to gift a handmade item ;)

XO,

Heather

Gifts for the toddler boy!

Today's post is all ol of these Bentley either has or is getting for christmas!  So I'm super pumped about our 4 favs for the boys!

Here we go!

1. First off is a pair of Freshly Picked moccs! Moccs are a nessesity for every childs wordrobe!

2. Tuscany Creative Felt tool set! How perfect for that little guy thats not ready for real tools, but wants to help dad (or mom!) with the fix-it-ups around the house!

3.Hok9 Custom strider bike. These bikes are perfect for teaching balance and are SO much safer then trikes. This way the child is completely in control of there speed! My son LOVES his bike! bot to mention this company was started for there son! You are also able to purchase regular striders from them as well if you dont want a custom! 

4.Be little YOU and me Teepee!  These teepees are so quality, and i cant wait for Bentley to get his!

There you go, my top 4 picks of toddler gifts for the boy! 

Stay tuned for top picks for the toddler girl!

XO,

Heather

Gifts for the baby- part 1

So, I know I'm a little behind in posting but if your anything like me you have barely put a dent in your christmas shopping- meaning you have plenty of time to add these to your kiddos stack of presents!

This post will come in 3 parts: gifts for babys, gifts for the toddler boy, and gifts for the toddler girl.

PART 1.

1. zo•li 2 pack teethers - perfect chew toy for any teething baby!

2.sophie la giraffe- great little hand toy that doubles as a durable teether!

3.wubbanub- super cute paci pet! Never lose a pacifier again! Okay- maybe you will still lose a paci now and then, but these are to cute to pass up!

4.aden + anais swaddle blankets- there is nothing better then snuggling a baby wrapped up in a aden + anais swaddle blanket! It's alnost like a girft for momma too!

5.baby jives hand made mobiles- These mobiles are to die for, so so so beautiful! I love buying hand made!

check out all those gifts for the babies, and stay tuned for gift ideas for the toddler boy! Andas always come find me on instagram @heatherleeighclark

XO,

Heather

missing in action

First off, to those that celebrate. . HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Please make sure to stuff your pretty little faces consistantly with the food you've been waiting on all year! ;)

On another note, I wanted to appoligize for being missing in action the past few days. I will get another gift guide out here within the next few days, so you have time to shop for the holidays,  but if you're anything like me you have barely even started!

So monday we went to the doctor for Kasyn's 2 month check up, and didn't recieve the news we were hoping for. I will give you a good bit of info on whats going on..

From the time I started having contactions to the time Kasyn was born was all of 45 minutes. So fast infact I didn't make it to labor and delivery and she was instead born at our small little towns tiny ER! With her quick delivery came a few medical problems and due to the fact that she wasn't born in a labor and delivery hospital we were transfered there by ambulance,  so it took her some time to get the care she needed. She spent 1 night in the nicu due to high fever and low blood sugars. She was having some issues breathing, but they seemed to look past it, and blamed it on her quick and traumatic birth. A few days later we were released to go home. We went in 2 days later for a check-up where she tested positive for jaundice- no big deal. She had also droped from her 8.2 birth weight to 6.11. Doctors thought that wasnt a healthy weight loss and had us return 3 days later for a weight check.. she was down even more... in and out for the following 2 weeks for weight checks and she finally started gaining, and we were told she didnt need to be seen again until 2 months. I had brought up her breathing again, and they didn't seem concerned at all, and again told me she didn't need to be seen again until her 2 months. I knew something wasn't right, so I took to good ole google on my own to see if weight gain and troubles breathing could be associated with anything. I started single searching the things I noticed her doing.. snorting, snoring, gasping for air, choking.. and 1 thing poped up, sleep apnea. Rare in babies, but possible. Called the doctors and again, they didn't think it was an issue, and they'd see her back at 2 months.

So, her 2 month check up was monday. She still isn't to a healthy acceptable weight, only a few ounces past birth weight. I again brought up her breathing,  not worried, I finally (which I should have done from the beginning.) Told the doctor I wanted another oppinion,  and wasn't leaving untill I had one. So she sent another doctor in, and I asked her to leave the room so I could speak with him on my own. He assessed her listened to my worries, and immediately ordered her a chest x-ray. He also had an appointment with a cardiologist set up within 10 minutes, and put in an order for a 24/7 apnea machine. Finally someone listened to me!

We go back next thursday to see the cardiologist,  as well as a weight check, and then we go from there.

So, that's what I've been up too. I'm sorry for the delayed posts, I'm just trying to get to know this machine and snuggle both my babies a little closer. With my husband deployed I'm just a one woman team! I will continue to keep you all updated, and things will get easier as soon as I figure out a schedule!

I will post an IG update (follow me at @heatherleeighclark) when the gift guides are up!

Xo,
Heather

Baby bottle top picks

As a new mom I battled the idea of what baby bottles would work best for us. Of course there is no real way to know untill after baby is born, I thought I would share some of the bottles we have tried, liked, and were not so fond of.

The list is pretty long, so I will spare you and only share a few. These are personal oppinions and observations of the products, and others may feel each bottle worked different for them.

My favorite we tried was the comotomo baby bottle. You can find these on amazon, and many other sites. I loved that the bottle was soft and flexable and made easy to grip for baby. Also since the bottle is a wide nipple its easier for breastfed babies to go back and forth, without becoming to confused! They are simple to wash, and just an all around great bottle.

The adiri natural nurser bottle, which can also be found on amazon, was a very close second. The only doenwn side I found to the bottle was the fact that it opens from the bottom, so it seemed to drip a bit as I was making a bottle. Adiri has since came out with a new model called the next gen, which you are able to fill from the top. I haven't tried this one yet, but I have one in the mail, and will update you when I give it a try! These bottles come Iin 3 stages for slow(0-3) medium (3-6) and fast (6+) flow. 

One more bottle we were very happy with was the tommee tippee, you can find them with this link or also at your local target, meijers, and babies r us stores. The tommee tippee bottles were also very easy to clean, and grip for my son when he was learning to hold on to the bottle on his own. Another thing I really liked with these bottles was that you are able to change out the nipples for a faster flow! You can choose between a regular bottle, and one that offers a collic reducer! 

One bottle I was not so fond of was the bare bottle by bitty lab. Though I really liked the shape of the bottle, and the general idea of making a bottle that was formulated to flow just as a breast does, I wasn't to excited about how much it leaks. I felt like my daughter wore more of her formula then she was able to eat! if anyone else has used and had a better experience with this bottle please let me know!

There is my oppinion on a few of the bottles we tried and what worked and didnt work for us.Remeber, every baby is diferent, so a bottle that worked great for my little, may not be as great for yours. Quality wise my favorites were the adiri, comotomo, and tommee tippee! Asusual, if you have any questions email me at blog.heatherleeigh@gmail.com!

XO,

Heather!

Holiday stocking stuffers for the babes

With the holidays aproaching quickly, I decided to put together a list of stocking stuffers for the littlest babes.
So here is my round of stocking stuffers: in no particular order because I love you all the same ;)

1.

Maximus and the whale personalized letter blanket/lovie

These adorable lovies will be in both my kids' stockings! What's better then a lovie that has a personalized message! Would be perfect to stick in their memory box after they've outgrown it, so they can cherish that personal note forever! Not to mention this is an AMAZING little shop to work with!

2.

Baby Jives co.'s handmade beautiful mobiles

These mobiles are absolutely stunning, I tear up a little thinking about how I wish I would have known about them when my son was born.. but you can bet there is a baby jives mobile on the way for in my daughter's nursery.. and its the first thing that will be bought if we decide to have a baby clark #3! These are a MUST have for every babies nursery!

3.

alexandra rose Wooden teethers

These wooden teethers from alexandra rose are the perfect essential for all babies! and YES- there's one a few in Kasyn's stocking, from me and grandma! AND they're organic :)

4.

There isn't much that is better then a baby snuggled in a aden+anais swaddle blanket!

So great, that we have 24, and need more! You can never have enough of these super sorft, cozy blankies! They have so many uses other then a swaddle blanket, and they are sized perfect to grow with your child! My 20 month old still sleeps with one! And they are great carseat blankets.

5.

Sugar Plum Lane Baby Leggings are a perfect go to for every babies wardrobe. We have a few pairs in both my son and daughters closets, and will deffinatly be adding more! They are such great quality, certainly highly reccomended!

6.

Carly Megan Shop harem pants are a MUST have in your baby or toddlers closet. We LOVE our harem pants! They are to die for! The quality is amazing, and she is SUCH a sweet hearted person. I would highly recommend a few pairs for your kiddos closet. They are the first things my son picks out to wear! Tons of styles, including these beautys coming in '14! Bentley will surely have a pair soon!

7.

Mawdsley loves bibs are perfect for that little drooler! So stylish, and great quality. She also offers adorable little shoes and moccs, adorable and affordable-perfect match!

8.

Freshly-Picked Moccs

I love a good quality mooc that wont fall off my babies feet & that wont fall apart! Best part they are coming out with new and gorgeous colors that are to die for!

So there you have it! Some of my favorite for 2013 baby/toddler stocking stuffers! Go get them, and help a handmade business out ;)

If you are interested in having an entire blog post and instagram post about your product, contact me at blog.heatherleeigh@gmail.com & remember to follow me in instagram @heatherleeighclark.

XO,

Heather

including the kids in your daily activities!

Today's post is not only about our delicious weight watchers meal, but about how important it is to include your kids in your everyday duties around the house!

Last night, The kids and I went over to my moms house for dinner.. (since I'm away from home often, we spend as much time with my momma as possible when were around!) I had an itch to cook, which you should know.. never happens- my husband is the fabulous cook in my household, so were struggling to eat good meals while he is deployed! ;)

Anyways, we were supposed to have lazy house wives- my all time favorite meal.. maybe because the name hits the spot with my hatred of cooking ;) (I will do another post on the recipe later on) but momma decided to try a new meal instead, which to my suprise turned out amazing!

My handy little helper Bentley- shown above eating the spinach and ricotta directly out of the bowl.. was great at mixing up the main ingredients to the meal! He loved helping mum and his grandma in the kitchen!

To me, it is SO important to stay involved with your kids! I feel like these days to many parents rely on the tv to entertain their kids. I had a blast having bentley help out with dinner, and best of all he loved it too!

So, who is ready for the best part? I've included the recipe as well!


Spinach Lasagna Rolls:
Servings: 9 Serving size: 1 roll. Old points: 4 pts. Points+: 6wwpts
Calories:224.9. Fat:3.4g. Protein: 13.0g. Carbs: 31.5

ingredients:
●9 lasagna noodles, cooked
●10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and completely drained
●15 oz fat free ricotta cheese
●3/4 Cup grated parmesan cheese
●1 egg
●Salt and fresh pepper
●32 oz tomato sauce
● 9 tbsp (about 3 oz) part skim mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°. Combine spinach, ricotta, parmesan, egg, salt, and pepper, In a medium bowl.
Ladle about 1 cup sauce on the bottom of a 9x12 baking dish.

Place a peice of wax paper on the counter and lay out the cooked lasagna noodles. Make sure noodles are dry. Take 1/3 cup of ricotta mixture and spread evenly over noodle. Roll carefully and place seam side down onto the baking dish. Repeat with remaining noodles.

Ladle sauce over the noodles in the baking dish and top each one with 1 tbsp mozzarella cheese. Put foil over baking dish and bake for 40 minutes, or until cheese melts and center is warm. Makes 9 rolls.

To serve:
Ladle a little sauce on the plate and top with lasagna roll!


there you have it! A simple, yet yummy ww meal! I strayed a bit from the weight watchers part and added a bit more cheese ;) next time I may use a bit less spinach as well. We also had took cook for more like 50 minutes as the middle wasn't quite warm yet!

feel free to post your experiences and thoughts on the meal in the comments, would love to have some other oppinions!

xo,
Heather