Tips fo Keeping On Top of Your Infant's Busy Schedule

There is busy, and then there's MOM BUSY. I've always been a planner, but ever since my pregnancy begin my Bullet Journal has switched over from meetings to mommying (it's totally a word...). With so many things to do and remember every day, my Bullet Journal is often what keeps me sane!

What is a Bullet Journal?

So glad you asked! Here's a basic overview:

A Bullet Journal is a planner that you design to fit your needs. It can be as simple or as fancy as you want it to be, but the important thing is that you make it work for you!

I know what you're thinking... 

"I don't have time to make so many journal spreads. I'll just buy a pre-made planner. DONE!" 

BUT DON'T DO IT! 

Trust me - this is worth whatever effort and time you can put into it.

Before finding this system, I abandoned so many planners. They just didn't have the types of pages or space I needed to keep track of the things that were most important to me in the moment -- and even more so with growing kids in the picture, what we need changes constantly!

So when do I do this? I typically spend time making my spreads while pumping or at night once my daughter has gone to sleep. It's a really great way to unwind, be mindful, and often reflect. Once the pages are made, it takes seconds to jot things down or check something off a list.

Efficient AND an excuse to unwind? I'm in!

If you're a new parent, new to journalling, or just looking for some help keeping track of the 1,000+ things parents need to remember these days, here are a few spreads that I recommend. 

1. Food Log

Now that my daughter has started to try out solids, keeping track of her eating schedule has helped me out so much. Is this our third or fourth day having bananas? Is she ready to try something new? 

My food log has allowed me to take note of when and what my baby is eating. In the calendar boxes (see image below), I log the times my baby sat down to eat solid foods (AM and PM). 

On the right, I keep track of the first few days a new food is introduced to ensure there's no unwanted reaction throughout my pediatrician's recommended 4-5 days trial period. I've also included a small space for notes about each food that I need to tell the pediatrician about or if there's something I just want to remember. 

This spread also helps me when it comes to making my grocery list for the week. I can plan ahead for what she will eat in the coming days (yes, of course, I have a grocery list spread too!). 

2. Doctor Appointments

Those tiny "next appointment" business cards the receptionist hands me at the end of a visit will get lost. No question about it. Rather than hold onto it, I immediately make a note of when the next check-up will be. Here's how: 

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Starting Solids

The Food Journey Begins

I eat my cereal without milk every morning. It's always one of my go-to fun facts for those "One interesting thing about me is.." icebreaker games bosses make you do in meetings. When I tell people this, they're either 100% in agreement or they're borderline offended.

There's only one way to eat cereal and it's WITH milk! 

For me, it's all about that CRUNCH you just don't get with soggy Cheerios.  Jam it packed with fruit or chocolate chips, but leave that milk in the fridge. Not to mention, dry cereal is there for you to enjoy after sitting on the kitchen table for hours while you feed, change, and enjoy your baby. Basically, it's a mommy friendly food choice.

All this to say it makes me wonder what kind of eater my baby will be. Will she explore new flavors or stick only to the classics? Will she prefer a crunch or a squish? Will she invent her own way of eating things?

Here we are at the start of month four, and my pediatrician has officially recommended introducing solids.

I am a mix of emotions. 

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Get Your Writer to Write More with Twin Sentences!

Elementary-aged writers are always finished with their writing --

"I added a word!" 

"But I can't think of anything else!"

"Oh come on! I'm DONE!"

Getting my fourth graders to add more to their stories was always a herculean task... That is until I heard about the glorious Twin Sentences strategy! It's quick and so easy for kids to understand.

So What Are Twin Sentences?  

For every sentence they write, it must be followed by a sentence that adds more detail. This lets us SHOW our readers, rather than TELL them what's going on in our stories. We want our readers to see a movie in their heads, not fall asleep while reading.

For example...

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Six Ways Pumping Time Can Actually Improve Your Mental Health

Moms have so little time to themselves as it is. I'm grateful for even the smallest moments of "me time." They're few and far between these days!

That's why I try to maximize the time I spend hooked up to a breast pump as much as I possibly can. Sure, it's only 15 to 20 minutes here and there, but that time really adds up quickly. Not to mention it's a great opportunity for some mindfulness...something all moms absolutely need.

Sure, you could use the time to shop online or mindlessly scroll through your social media feed. We can do better than that though, ladies!

Here are a few ways to take care of YOU during those pumping minutes:

{This post contains affiliate links. This means if you click on something & purchase it, at no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission.}

First off, this is all made MUCH simpler with a hands-free pumping bra. I have two and it's made a world of difference in allowing me to do so much more. They're pretty inexpensive and SO worth having.

                                   

Bullet Journaling

This is my favorite way to unwind while being productive all at the same time!

If you haven't heard of bullet journaling, it's essentially a creative planner and scrapbook combined (at least that's how I use mine). Doodle, plan, jot down thoughts...it's whatever you need it to be!

Remember that bullet journals do not have to be perfect! It's all about being free to make what you need however you want and without judgment. If you mess up, it's OK! This is about mindfulness and relaxation. If that causes you more frustration, maybe jump ahead to the next suggestion. 😏

I've used it to track my own to-dos and goals, but it's helped me with so many mom and baby things too. It's my one-stop-shop for baby's doctor appointments, schedules, jots about her habits. You name it, I've tracked it! This is a huge help when we go to her pediatrician. Everything I need is in one place. I just keep it in the diaper bag and we're all set.

I personally love the Scribbles That Matter notebooks. Their thick pages don't allow your pens' ink to bleed through, which just makes my heart happy. There are so many other journals available though so find the one that works best for you.

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