Logan Can – Page 70 – A Lifestyle Blog about Marriage, Parenting, Fashion and Fitness

Coffee and Babies

August 27, 2015

As I sit here and drink my coffee, I can’t help but notice how quickly life has changed. Things have really started calming down here lately. For the first couple of months after having Sophie-Rae, I felt like every day we were in survival mode. Trying to keep Hampton from feeling like the rug had been pulled out from under him was not easy. He was still a baby himself when she was born. He didn’t understand that she was coming home with us from the hospital. Once she was home, he thought she was leaving. He knows now, and he loves her so much. He hugs her and kisses her and I’m not as worried as I was originally when he was acting out.

For a while it was chaotic, loud, 2 babies constantly screaming. Both wanting to be held at the same time. Having to change dirty diapers back to back all day, Feeling helpless most days because I felt like I was getting nowhere. I wasn’t making either of them happy. We were just barely making it through the day. I had time to feed them, clothe them, change diapers, bathe them and very very little time for anything else. I became very good friends with dry shampoos and t-shirts. It was so tough and I was in a complete fog.

Sophie-Rae is almost 4 months old now. My what a big difference a month and a half makes. In some ways, that feels like forever ago, and in some it feels like we just made it out of that cloud. Mornings are now fun and enjoyable. They are filled with my boy screaming “Mama” from his crib, waffles, favorite story books and lots of laughter.We are getting into more of a routine and things are feeling somewhat “normal” again. My baby girl is (mostly) sleeping through the night now and is doing great. Thanks to a bit of acid reflux, she is still really tiny and hasn’t put on much weight, but she is perfect in every way.

I love watching my babies together. Hampton loves to give her Eskimo kisses and she always smiles so big at him. She loves to lay in the floor and watch her big brother play and he has even shared his Thomas the Train toys with her. That’s big, folks!

While those first 2 months were so so hard and tiring, they were worth it. Change is hard. For me, for my baby boy and for everyone. Once you get the hang of it, you begin to forget how things were before. You get accustomed to your new normal and you wouldn’t have it any other way.

Fall Vibes

August 26, 2015

I received product for this post, but opinions are my own.

Dress : Glamorous // Boots: Sam Edelman // Bag: Nine West via TJ Maxx // Necklace, Bangle and Earrings: c/o Rocksbox

When I returned from my cruise last week, I came home to my first Rocksbox! I was so excited to see what was in my first box! I had added way too many pieces to my wishlist this month and I refrained from taking a peek at my box online, so it was truly a surprise.

If you aren’t familiar with Rocksbox, it is a subscription box that allows you to rent an unlimited amount of designer jewelry for a limited fee every month. You can keep the jewelry as long as you want, but when you are ready for a different set, you simply send the box back and your personal stylist will send you a brand new box. Pretty neat, right? If you fall in love with any of the pieces you receive, you can buy them at a discounted price.

I wore my new jewelry with this fun long-sleeved dress that I bought back in March. I absolutely love it! I was shocked to wake up to extremely pleasant weather yesterday morning and couldn’t wait to wear it! I feel like this is a great summer to fall transition outfit.

I am SO ready for fall weather and getting this little tease made me dream of pumpkin spiced lattes and Halloween decorations. I may have even ordered Sophie-Rae’s Halloween costume. Not that I’m excited or anything…

Use Code: LoganBFF19 at sign up for your first month’s subscription FREE!

Literary Junkies Book Club: August

August 25, 2015

Here are this month’s questions:

1. What are you reading right now? Tell us about it.

I’m Reading Save The Date by Mary Kay Andrews! I loved Ladies Night and couldn’t wait to read the next book of hers on my list. I feel like she write great summertime books. I am really enjoying this one so far, but I’m only about 60 pages in. I can tell it is going to be a good one, though!

2. What books do you have on request at the library? or What books have you just picked up lately?

I just bought The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street at Target totally on a whim. It looked and sounded great! I love historical fiction and you know how I am with catchy cover art. I noticed it and had to have it. Plus, ice cream. It has to be a good one.

3. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?

I used to read several at a time, but lately, I have only had time for one book at a time.

4. What makes you love a book?

Umm… Pretty cover art? A great title and obviously a wonderful story that I can’t put down. They don’t necessarily have to be fast paced, but they do need to be interesting and keep my attention and leave me wanting more. I love a book that makes me think “man I didn’t want it to end. I hope they write a sequel.”

5. This one is totally random but Fall is just around the corner and we want to know…what’s your favorite cookbook?

I love this question! I am not a great cook, but I try! I love to bake, but I am not a great baker either. I actually just talked to my husband about how I really want to start trying a new recipe once or twice a week to expand my menu this fall. I am going to start in the next couple of weeks and will be sure to share the recipes that turn out well. Right now, I love to use a cookbook that my grandmother’s church put together a few years ago. A lot of the women added their own recipes to it and they combined them and put them in a book. My grandmother gave it to me for Christmas one year and it is my favorite go-to!

What is your favorite cookbook? Anyone have a great recipe or book I need to try this fall?

How To Blog As A SAHM

August 24, 2015

As of April 2015, I stopped working for the web company I had been with for nearly 4 years and went to full time blogging. It was a scary decision because frankly, blogging income can be unpredictable from month to month. I have had good months, bad months and amazing months. It all averages out in the end. I have been asked by so many friends and family how I make money blogging or how I have time to do it with two babies. I will be really honest, it is not easy at all, but I am an avid planner/scheduler and that has really worked in my favor.

Here are some tips for all of you SAHMs who want to blog but are unsure if you will have time:

– Figure out when and how often to post. I try to consistently post 5 days a week (Monday – Friday), but you don’t have to post that often. A lot of bloggers I follow only post 2 or 3 times a week. I also typically schedule my posts to go live at 8a.m. because I have had most success with that time. It may be different for you depending on your location and niche. Figure out what works best for you.

– Create a schedule. This is key. Whether you take photos while the babies are napping and write/edit at night or you wake up early to get it all done before they rise, it is important to have a schedule and stick to it so you don’t fall behind.

-Be consistent. Once you decide what days you are going to post be sure to do it. It can be frustrating and turn readers off if you don’t post consistently. They might quit checking back for new posts.

– Make blogging a priority. Obviously your family comes before blogging, after all, you are a SAHM. Your kids come first, always. Mine do as well. However, if you are monetizing your blog to make an income, it has to become a priority just as a job is a priority.

– Have fun with it. I love blogging. I did it for 2 years before I ever made a dime just because I enjoyed it. It has been an awesome creative outlet for me and it has taught me so much about myself. It has challenged me in numerous ways and I am so thankful for this community. If you don’t love what you are doing, you won’t be successful. Blogging is not a quick way to earn a buck. It takes a lot of hard work for little pay.

New to Blogging? Read How to Start a Blog!

Do you have any other advice for a SAHM wanting to start a blog?

How to Make the Most of Your Cruise

August 21, 2015

I hope you have all enjoyed my week of cruisin’ to the Bahamas with the recap of our trip, cruise fashion advice and Ultimate Packing List. It’s time to set sail to this series, so jump on deck and read my advice on how to make the most of your cruise and have a great experience.

1. Pack Light – otherwise, getting on and off the ship will not be too easy. Also you don’t want to be tripping over your luggage in those tiny rooms.

2. Be Organized – know where your important documents are and have them handy for getting off and on the ship.

3. Book an Excursion – my favorite memory from our cruise was swimming with the dolphins. It was an amazing experience and I wish I could do it again and again. On a previous cruise, I snorkeled and it was also an incredible experience. You don’t want to miss out on these fun memories that could be once in a lifetime experiences.

4. Go to the Shows – Even my 21 month old son loved the shows! The early shows were family friendly and were very enjoyable.

5.Go to the Early Dinner and Show If Traveling with Kids – for obvious reasons. By dinner time, Hamp was worn out from hanging out at the pool or beach all day. He still did great and made it through the shows as well, but I don’t know that he could’ve made it through the later dinner and show and I didn’t care to find out.

6. Make Sure You Make Time for Nap Time – trust me on this. You will want you child to take a good nap every day. Otherwise, you may have a screaming toddler on your hands.

7. Take Lots of Pictures – Pictures are so important to remember things by. My son will probably not remember this cruise, but we will have photos to share and lots of stories to tell him. I even took my Instax Mini so that I could take photos for my family and give them to them right then and there. Everyone really enjoyed that.

Do you have any tips you would add? What is your favorite memory from your cruise?

The Ultimate Guide to Packing for a Caribbean Cruise

August 20, 2015

My family and I went on a 4 night cruise to the Bahamas on Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas Cruise Ship. After taking my family (including my toddler), I wanted to share what you should and should not include on your packing list.

First off – the bags. It is always a good idea to pack as light as possible. Cruises can be tricky because you need so many clothing items on a large spectrum. Fancy dresses and heels as well as flip flops and swimsuits. There is no right or wrong way to pack, but I will share my advice on how to pack efficiently for your cruise with young children.

Bags: Bring one suitcase for clothes, shoes and hygiene essentials. Bring one bag that can be used as your beach bag/diaper bag that you can take onto the beach with you and around the ship. Bring your purse. I recommend a small crossbody purse to keep your passports I.D.s, etc in.

Documents:
Passports
Birth Certificates for the kids
Photo I.D.

Clothes:
Swimsuits
Swimsuit cover-up
Casual Shorts and Tanks/Shirts
Dresses (for dinner)

Shoes:
Flip Flops
Dressy Sandals or Heels for dinner
Tennis Shoes for working out

Hygeine:
Shampoo, Conditioner and Soap (our ship only offered complimentary bar soap s don’t forget your shampoo)
Razor
Lotion
Sunscreen
Make-up
Medicines (for everything, especially if traveling with kids)
Hair Straightener or Hair gel/mousse/product

Helpful Hint: Pack hygiene items in a hang up bag so you can hang it up in your bathroom. It will save a ton of space.

Accessories:
Camera
Chargers
Hat
Sunglasses
Book
Batteries
Hair Bands

For the Kids:
Sound Machine
Favorite Stuffed Animal/Blanket
Pack n Play (some ships have cots that they offer, but I felt better taking my own bed for my son)
Snacks
Zip Lock Bags (to pack snacks in for the beach and put wet things in)
Sippy Cups or Bottles
A Couple of Toys (to play with while in the room)
Wipes/Diapers

Things I Wish I Had Taken:
A Small Float (for beach days) They have floats you can rent but they were pricey. My dad rented one for $18. No thanks.
Inflatable Tub for Hamp (ships don’t have tubs)
Waterproof Camera
Bug Spray (for some weird reason, we all got mosquito bites on the ship)
Surge Protector (there were not many outlets in the rooms)

Things I Should Have Left At Home:
Hair Dryer (They had them in the rooms)
Towels (They have them in the rooms and at the pool and beach for you)

Have you been on a cruise? What are some other things you would take with you? Do you have any tips of hacks to share?

Cruise Fashion: What To Wear On A Cruise

August 19, 2015

Resort Maxi: Pink Stitch via Shopbop // Sandals: Gianni Bini (old)

It’s no secret my entire family went on a cruise last week. All 33 of us (minus my brother and his wife who stayed home to have my niece). The weekend before we left, I battled in my head over what to wear on the cruise. You go from one extreme to the next between laying by the pool in your swim suit to formal dinners in fancy dresses. You feel like you have to bring your entire closet. That is just simply not the case.

I obviously grabbed a couple of swim suits and cute cover ups, shorts and tank tops and then it came down to what to wear to dinner.

I decided dresses were obviously the way to go. They are comfortable and super easy. I took one pair of nude wedge sandals that went with all 4 of my dresses. For the casual nights, I wore what I would call sun dresses or cocktail dresses. They were dresses I would wear to church.

On Formal night, I went with a super comfortable and flowy maxi dress. It is actually called the “Resort Maxi!” Perfect for this vacation. It was great because it also hid my growing food belly. All. That. Food. It’s what I like to call a win-win. 😉

Check back tomorrow for my Cruise Packing Checklist!

Have you been on a cruise? What did you wear to formal night?

Cruisin’ the Bahamas

August 18, 2015

Last week, my family took a week long vacation to Florida and then on a cruise to the Bahamas! The Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas cruise ship did not disappoint. We had so much fun! I was so worried about Hampton’s cast getting wet or worse – sand in it. Luckily, my husband is a Jedi Google Master and found an amazing cast cover at a surgical supply store in Jacksonville! Hampton was able to swim, and take baths. He was so happy and it made the trip really enjoyable!

Our ship had a splash pad for the kiddos and kid-friendly pools. The babies had so much fun and the adults had a blast. The shows at night were very entertaining and the early shows were very kid-friendly.

Our cruise ship made two stops – The Bahamas and Coco Cay Island which is a private island owned by Royal Caribbean. Ryan and I went on this cruise back in 2012 for our 1 year anniversary and the island was just as I remembered it. It is so relaxing and peaceful. My sister and I booked an excursion to swim with Dolphins off Balmoral Island located just off of the main island of the Bahamas. Swimming with dolphins has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. I have always loved them and while I have seen and pet them many times, I had never actually swam with them. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

I was very nervous to take our toddler on the cruise with us, especially after he broke his ankle, but if I could, I’d do it a million times over. Hampton did great and even cried when we had to leave the “ba-boat.” My grandparents are talking about taking the entire family on another cruise or vacation again next summer and I will be thrilled to include SR on that vacation. I missed her so much while we were gone, but she stayed at my grandmother’s house in Florida and it worked out perfectly because she had 5 people swooning over her and spoiling her rotten for only 4 days. It was hard being away from her, but it was also really nice to spend one on one time with my boy.

Have you ever been on a cruise? Did you travel anywhere this summer?

3 Cheers for Breakfast + Giveaway

August 17, 2015

This post is sponsored by Cheerios but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

I used to never eat breakfast. Give me a cup of coffee and I was good to go. Lately, however, I have been eating breakfast and lighter dinners since I have been trying to lose my baby weight. I have grown so used to eating breakfast that when I don’t, I am starving and grumpy by the time lunch rolls around. When we went on our cruise, we ate really big breakfasts. It was amazing and I was in heaven.

Aside from the delicious French toast, scrambled eggs and bacon that was given to us on the cruise in unlimited quantities, my go-to breakfast is usually cereal. I have even passed this habit down to my son who loves his Cheerios. When I say love, I mean it! “Cheerios” was one of Hamp’s first words. As soon as he could talk, he found a way to ask for his Cheerios. He prefers them to waffles and almost any other breakfast foods (other than fruit and yogurt).

Cheerios are the perfect snack for kids. They taste great, come in so many delicious flavors now and have wonderful health benefits. Guess what!?! Publix is even offering a BOGO coupon for Cheerios!! Be sure to snag it while you can!

I recently discovered that people make so many other delicious recipes using Cheerios that go far beyond cereal! I’m talking muffins, ice cream bites that are making my mouth water and so many more! Check out all these delicious recipes here! Talk about mixing up your breakfast!

Giveaway Time!! Win $10 by:

1. Visit Cheerios and leave me a comment telling me which new flavor or recipe you’d like to try!

2. You even get a bonus entry for printing the BOGO coupon! Just leave me a separate comment letting me know you did!

I will pick one winner in 3 weeks! Good luck!

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?

4 Books Releasing This Fall: To Add To Your Reading List

August 14, 2015

The other night, it hit me that I have read most of the books I REALLY wanted to finish this summer and that fall is coming in a hurry. In about a month it will technically be “fall.” It’s hard to believe, I know. I want to start getting a fall reading list together of books I really want to read. I started looking on Goodreads and was so excited to find that Kate Morton has a new book coming out in October! I am beyond excited. As I mentioned here and here, she is one of my favorite authors.

I also saw that Nicholas Sparks has a new novel coming out! I have been a NS fan since A Walk to Remember! His books usually end sad, but they are always so good and well worth the read. I wanted to share the 4 books that are coming out this fall that I am looking forward to reading the most (as of now ;))

After You (Sequel to Me Before You) by Jojo Moyes – September 24th
See Me by Nicholas Sparks – October 13th
The Lake House by Kate Morton – October 22nd
Shopoholic to the Rescue by Sophie Kinsella – October 27th

What is on your fall reading list? Have you checked out this year’s new releases?

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