Month: April 2017

Creating A Perfect Playroom

Creating A Perfect Playroom

Thank you to the shops listed  below for sending gorgeous products to try, that I loved so much, I had to review.  As always the opinions expressed  here are 100% my own. Being a birth through five education major I find play VERY important for learning. I 

Summer Swimwear Roundup – Mommy and Me

Summer Swimwear Roundup – Mommy and Me

Thank you Swim Zip, Rad Swim and Kortni Jeane for sending sending the swimwear reviewed below. As always the opinions expressed  here are 100% my own. Izzy and I LOVE twinning! I’ve rounded up 3 swimsuit shops you MUST check out for this summer and I’m going to 

4 Reasons to STOP asking when a woman is having kids.

4 Reasons to STOP asking when a woman is having kids.

I’ve hesitated hitting publish on this one. Everyone is damn sensitive these days… but I needed to share my thoughts on asking women when they are going to have a baby or have another.

First off if you aren’t close you really shouldn’t be asking, “So when are you guys going to start trying?” or “When should we expect baby #2?”

Have I asked these before, yes! But with close girlfriends not an acquaintance or stranger.

If you aren’t close just don’t ask!

Here is why…

1. Infertility

You might not know it, but that girl you asked if she’s going to have another has been trying for over 2 years to give her child a sibling or to get pregnant for the first time. She’s been injecting herself full of medications to prep her body for magical science that costs thousands of dollars out of pocket and may still result in no baby. Not everyone has the luxury of having sex to get pregnant. For those with infertility it can become a lengthy and medical procedure that involves a lot of medication and money. Some people can’t afford to do it once or can’t afford to mentally, physically or financially do it again.

2. Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Have you heard of HG? It sucks and is seriously the worst. Imagine feeling like you have the flu for 9 months. Ya 9 not 10 because the first 4 weeks you don’t have enough hormones to really get you sick. I think by 4.5 weeks pregnant I was puking from 2am-7am and then dry heaving from 7am-10am. It was misery! I was on 2 medications to help with my non stop puking, I had my iron levels tested constantly and actually lost weight. I HATE hospitals so I did all I could to stay out. I sipped on ginger ale, licked saltines (because most days I couldn’t eat) and  was told I needed to start drinking ensure. It’s a pretty miserable condition. I was sick through my entire pregnancy and even was throwing up during labor.

HG is believed to be caused by heightened hormone levels, but still they don’t really know. Most woman with it start becoming very sick around 4-6 weeks pregnant & have some relief around  20 weeks pregnant, but 20% are sick through the entire pregnancy (I was the 20%).

I can’t tell you how many times people said, “Every pregnancy is different” or “Girls make you sicker than boys.” Sorry but STFU! No one with HG wants to hear that shit.  I’ve been told 86% have a chance of getting HG again. Read more on my story with HG and thoughts about it here.

Bottom line, some woman might not be planning on more kids because they don’t want to be sick for 9 months (miss work, their child’s life etc).

3. Finances

Maybe they can only afford to have 1 child or are not financially where they want to be to start a family.

4. Don’t Want Kids

Shocking to you? It shouldn’t be. Some people just don’t want kids, its that simple.

I know as a society we get excited and it’s a common question for us to ask, but keep in mind this could be a sensitive subject for some. 

 

XO Eryka

Mealtime with Brinware

Mealtime with Brinware

Thank you Brinware for sponsoring this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I’m always looking for mealtime products for Izzy that are safe and functional. I’m so excited to share Brinware with you all. The first time I was introduced to 

Hyperemesis Gravidarum sucks, stop telling me every pregnancy is different!

Hyperemesis Gravidarum sucks, stop telling me every pregnancy is different!

Hyperemesis gravidarum is different for everyone, yet miserable for everyone who has it. Have you heard of hyperemesis gravidarum? It’s freaking miserable! Like so terrible! I can’t explain my fear of HG except to tell you my kid is 2 and I’m still petrified by the thought of 

DIY Rice Krispies Treat Paint Brushes

DIY Rice Krispies Treat Paint Brushes

For Izzy’s birthday this year we themed it around what she loves. It was between Mickey and Minnie Mouse,  a dance party and an art party. We went with the art party and I’m so glad because it turned out beautiful! You can see the whole party here.

I’m sharing a fun and easy DIY Rice Krispies treat recipe with you all!

I seriously never made Rice Krispies treats before this and they turned out adorable and delicious.

DIY Rice Krispies Treat Paint Brushes

 

DIY Rice Krispie Treat Paint Brushes

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons Butter
  • 6 cups Rice Krispies Cereal
  • 4 cups of mini marshmallows or 1 10oz package marshmallows
  • Melting chocolates (white or colored)
  • Optional: Food coloring (if you can't find colored chocolates)
  • Large Wooden Popsicle Sticks

Instructions

  1. In a large saucepan melt the butter on low heat. Add the marshmallows and keep stirring as it melts.
  2. Once completely melted remove from heat.
  3. Add Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal and stir until evenly coated.
  4. Press the mixture into a 13 X 9 pan. (Make sure to coat the pan with cooking spray first.)
  5. Once it has cooled a bit, cut into rectangles.
  6. Place each one onto wax paper.
  7. Melt one color at a time of the colored dipping chocolates (or add dye to the while ones).
  8. Dip each wooden stick into the melted chocolate and then stick it into the rectangular treat. (This will be the brush handle)
  9. Let sit for a minute to harden.
  10. Dip the top of the treat (the other end). Take a spoon and drizzle some on to allow for the dripping paint look. Lay flat on wax paper to dry.
  11. Store in large zip lock bags with wax paper until serving.
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https://busylittleizzy.com/2017/04/19/diy-rice-krispies-treat-paint-brushes/

Have fun guys! I really enjoyed making these!

XO Eryka

Educational Activities with Plastic Easter Eggs

Educational Activities with Plastic Easter Eggs

Teach Tuesday is a series bringing you educational posts weekly! Easter has come and gone, but these dang eggs remain! Kids love them. Izzy especially is obsessed! I don’t have the heart to put them away until nest year or throw them out. I’m sharing how to use 

Becoming An Oil Lover with Crane

Becoming An Oil Lover with Crane

Thank you Crane for sponsoring this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Have you heard of essential oils? I’ve been hearing more and more about them and finally decided to give them a try. My good friend Chanel who also blogs 

Bathtime Storage and Play Review

Bathtime Storage and Play Review

I received these products for an honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. This post also contains for affiliate links. With a purchase from these links a small profit can be made, which helps keep this blog running.

Izzy LOVES bath time! Sometime she even asks for a bath during the day and depending on the plans for the day, I agree to it.

Today I’m going to share 3 toy holders and organizers for bath time. We have the Tubby Table, The Shelfie and The Boon Ledge. There are pros and cons for all, you decided what would work best for you and your family based on this review. 

1. Tubby Table

Pros: It suctions to the bottom of the tub. You can easily wipe it down to “wash” it. It holds drying toys and it’s a perfect play space for tubby time. It keeps kids/babies playing in the tub vs near the edge. Which is great because this helps encourage kids/babies to play in the tub and keep water in! #momwin It comes with toys for play. You can buy extra sets to go with your Tubby Table to change up the play. They have a tea set, mermaid set, race car set, dinosaurs set and zoo animal set, which is sold with the set.  Every Tubby Table comes with the shapes which is great fine motor for Izzy pulling them out and putting them in. She also practices saying her shapes as well. Lastly it can sit in any tub for use. We love to bring it into our bathroom if Izzy decides to tub in there. 

Cons: It takes up space in the tub that may be needed for another child depending on how many you have. I only have one child so it’s not an issue for me and it has worked fine with Izzy and her cousin (two kids) as well. Last con it requires minimal assembly, & guys it’s super simple. 😉

2. The Shelfie

Pros: It suctions to the top edge of any tub to hold toys during play and while drying, after the tub is over. It’s on the edge of the tub so not taking up space in the tub for extra bodies (which can be useful if you have more than 2 tubbing at a time.) There is no assembly needed.

Cons: It doesn’t come with toys for play & it encourages play near the edge of the tub, which can cause water to spill out.

3. Boon Ledge

Pros: It closes up when not in use or for travel. It has an area that opens in the tub to hold more toys when dying of or during play. It’s on the edge of the tub so not taking up space in the tub for extra bodies (which can be useful if you have more than 2 tubbing at a time.) There is no assembly needed.

Cons:  It doesn’t come with toys for play & it encourages play near the edge of the tub, which can cause water to spill out. It doesn’t fit on all tubs (the width of the edge must be standard. It did not fit on my master tub.)

 

This is the Boon ledge open.
This is a down view, you can see the added area to hold toys.
This is the Boon ledge closed.

If you are looking for something to hold toys and act as a play space in the tub that will encourage keeping water in the tub I suggest the Tubby Table. It’s really a great play space and keeps Izzy busy in the middle of the tub vs near the edge. Not to mention it’s easy to put her toys on it after the tub is over to dry.

XO Eryka

Shop Small Saturday – shop LuLaRoe for a cause

Shop Small Saturday – shop LuLaRoe for a cause

I received some of these products for an honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. If you have been following along on the blog or on one of my social media channels than you know I’m an educator.  I was getting my