Digital Paper

While I'm on a roll (two days in row!), I just want to mention this Etsy shop with which I am now OBSESSED.  I never understood the role of digital paper (as I am not a professional "printable" creator), but now that I have a need for it (see printables post below), I am absolutely in love with Kylie Healey Designs.  (http://www.etsy.com/shop/KylieHealeyDesigns?ref=seller_info)  She has digital paper, clip art, and more, and she is a joy to work with. Thank you, Kylie, and prepare to see quite a few downloads from us in the future!
(By the way, does this post have enough parenthetical writing??)

Printable Monthly/Weekly Chores Checklist

So...I have been MIA for almost three months, and the reason is right here:

On October 19th, we welcomed our second sweet baby boy into the family, and between nursing him, changing his diapers, and chasing around our two-year-old, I have barely been able to keep up with the shop, let alone blog about it!  No one told me how difficult it would be to divide my attention between the two kids in these first few months, but I feel incredibly blessed to be doing it!

Which brings me to the reason for today's post:
I have now added downloadable files (as well as a printed version) of an organizational creation that kept me sane after the birth of my first son (and I'm hoping will have the same effect now!)  We are introducing Weekly/Monthly Chore Charts and Cleaning Checklists into Tweet by the Sea, and I'm hoping these will be at least somewhat helpful to new moms (or housewives, working wives, or stay-at-home dads) like me!

As a new mom, I wanted to be ready to host visitors at a moment's notice! However, I didn't want to spend all day, every day cleaning the house and missing out on spending time with my sweet bundle. The arrival of baby #2 six weeks ago made this task even more challenging! Thus, this simple checklist was born in order to help me organize my days with a few simple cleaning tasks during the week so that the house was always at least "presentable" (if not spotless!)

If you follow the suggested list, you should spend about an hour or two (depending on the size of your home) each day cleaning and doing household chores (I usually try to complete them in the morning before naps so that we have the afternoon free, but many tasks can also be completed during naps, if you don't want the precious time to yourself :).

If you prefer, we're also offering blank lists that can be completely filled in (and thus, customized) by you!  Please continue to watch the shop for more downloads for grocery lists, weekly meal planning, and a complete "Company's Coming!" cleaning checklist.  I truly hope these help someone else the way they have helped me!

Chenille Baby Burp Cloths

So, here's the thing about burp cloths...I was given loads of them when I was pregnant with my first son, and by the time he was just a few days old, I already had some favorites (based on practicality, and of course, aesthetics! :)  Some were too thin to protect my shoulder, others too thick to gently wipe away baby's mouth--others were very practical, but just not very pretty.  Eventually, they all ended up stained with PolyViSol spit up (I had a baby with reflux), so most of them went in the trash!

I had a lot of fun making these sets (and they are so soft I had to make some for my baby-boy-on-the-way, too!).  100% Cotton on the front, backed with super-thick and very soft chenille.  They're soft for baby's face, thick enough to absorb, and well, rather pretty!  Each cloth is approximately 9x15", which is generous for wiping up baby messes, but small enough to fit easily in your diaper bag!

Looking for the Perfect Baby Shower Gift?

Oh, the conundrum--something from the registry, or a beautiful, unique gift that you hand-picked yourself?  Of course, if the mother-to-be has registered with Tweet by the Sea, there's no dilemma at all (we do registries, by the way!), but even if she hasn't, consider this baby shower gift set in the beautiful Heirloom Citrine collection.  No mother can ever have too many burp cloths (especially if she has a baby with reflux like I did!), and the blanket is perfect for baby to cuddle with in the stroller or car seat.  It would work nicely paired with something from Mommy's registry, like bottles or lap pads, so you can be sure you're hitting all the marks!

Two New Stroller Blankets & Burp Cloths

I've just added two new stroller blankets--a gender-neutral one, with the lovely Aqua Snail Scallop fabric from Tula Pink's Prince Charming collection, as well as a modern one for baby girl from Amy Butler's Soul Blossoms collection.  The two generously-sized burp cloths are the "Windy Day" fabric from Backyard Baby.

 

  

Stroller Blanket for Baby Girl

I am very excited to be contributing to the shop this week!  I have been dying to get involved in some creative projects for Tweet by the Sea, and I have just added this new stroller blanket to the shop!  It would be the perfect shower or new baby gift, and it has a sweet and soft cotton print on one side, with cuddly, warm minky on the other.  Thanks for taking a look!

Seasonal Decor Has Now Arrived in the Shop!

I love my sister dearly, but she is always making me look bad--not only does she somehow juggle 16-month-old twins, but she is now displaying her heaps of talent by adding some BEAUTIFUL seasonal decor to the shop!  Maybe I should just take advantage and have her come decorate my house for Fall????  Here are some photos--check out the Etsy shop to purchase!