Toddlers

Taylor Swift Anthems for 13 Stages of Motherhood

Chrissie 5 Comments
Taylor Swift Anthems for 13 Stages of Motherhood - Lover Album

If you didn’t already know, this week is officially Taylor Swift week, since her new album, Lover, comes out this Friday (August 23).

I could spend all day speculating about what this new album will be about (and believe me, I have spent many precious nap times doing exactly that), but perhaps there’s a more productive way to spend these last few days before Taylor blesses us with more soundtracks to our lives. Like maybe, reviewing how her previous anthems narrate our memories? Continue Reading →

27 Trader Joe’s Favorites for Toddler Moms {2019 Update!}

Chrissie 5 Comments
The Best Trader Joe's Items for Toddler Moms: Frozen Turkey Corn Dogs

My love affair with Trader Joe’s is no secret. I may even go so far as to say that I couldn’t live without it. Without Trader Joe’s, how would I keep my hangry toddlers filled to the brim with snacks,… Continue Reading →

Six Confessions of a Boy Mom

Chrissie 2 Comments
Boy moms are their own unique breed of mom. We deal with the dirty, the bloody, and messy, but also the hugs, the kisses, and the snuggles.

Boy moms are our own special breed of moms. We’re forced to adapt early-on, when that first stream of pee comes shooting straight up at us. Now listen, I’m all for kicking gender stereotypes to the curb – my son can wear all the pink and purple he fancies, watch all the Disney princess movies, and play with all the dolls and “pretty things” he so pleases. But the fact is, boys are just inherently different. It’s in their DNA, and there’s no stopping it. Continue Reading →

The 8 Stages of Dinnertime with a Toddler

Chrissie 14 Comments
Dinnertime with a toddler is not easy! These are the 8 stages every toddler goes through during dinner.

Remember before you had kids, when your dinnertime was a cherished time to unwind with your spouse, catch up on each other’s days, discuss the latest world events, and just be connected?

Or – let’s be real – a time to eat on the couch, watch TV, and play on Facebook next to your spouse while you both zone out after an exhausting day of work?

Dinnertime with a toddler is basically the same as that, if you did all of those things while wrestling a rattlesnake. Not only is it physically exhausting you from its surprising strength for its size, but you’re actually afraid for your life because it could bite you at any moment. But at the same time, you and the snake both gotta eat, so you’re just powering through and trying to get at least half the plate of food into your mouths before one of you completely breaks (and we all know which one of you it’s going to be). Continue Reading →

20 Trader Joe’s Must-Haves for Toddler Moms

Chrissie 24 Comments
20 things you HAVE to get at Trader Joe's if you're Toddler Mom! Toddler-friendly snacks and meals, plus mom-necessities to survive the day with a toddler.

Trader Joe’s is the mecca of all grocery stores. The cream of the crop, the best of the best, the G.O.A.T.

No, you may not be able to get your full grocery order there every time, but I’d be willing to bet you’ll end up finding all of your favorite things there.

However, if you’ve never been, it can be a little daunting. It’s organized differently than most stores, and nearly everything is Trader Joe’s store brand, so it can take a few aimless, wandering trips to get the lay of the land and figure out what the real gems are. Toddler moms ain’t got time for that, so lucky for you, you’ve got me! Continue Reading →