What to Pack Fast For a Last Minute Beach Trip

Summers in Puerto Rico are absolutely beautiful! 

The sun is usually shining and the water is always refreshing, whether you're headed to the river or the beach. 

But boy, is it HOT! 

90 degree plus weather almost everyday definitely calls for spontaneous trips to cool bodies of water, aka the BEACH!! 

Whether you have one week or 10 minutes, this list includes just about everything you need for an impromptu sandy getaway:

Essential

Beach Bag

Sandals 

Bathing Suit cover-up

Change of clothes (extra undies)

Sunscreen

Lotion

Brush

Leave-in hair moisturizer or conditioner

Light Weight hair spray

Hand Sanitizer 

Finger foods! (Snacks, sandwiches, hotdogs, etc.) 

Bottled Water 

2 Towels (always bring an extra)

beach chair/ mat 

Shady hat

Sunglasses  

Optional

Baby powder (For easy sand removal) 

Soccer ball/ Football/ Volley ball

Beach Pail (Sand castle is a MUST)

Reading material 

For Toddler/Kids

Sunscreen

Shady Hat

Beach Toys

Life Vest/ Water Wings

Sandals

2 Changes of clothes 

2 towels

Snacks! 

Sippy Cup 

Mini beach chair

Giant beach ball 

Potty Diaries: Getting Started

To potty or not to potty?

It seems that's the next big question as our little ones make the transition from toddlers to big kids. And everyone has something to say about it. With half of your friends and family telling you to wait and the other half telling you it's about time you got started, it can be hard to know if or when your baby is ready. 

The main question on my mind was, at what age is it appropriate to start toilet training

my son? After many hours of research I finally found my answer.

Despite what you may have heard, I found that there is no exact age to mark the beginning of the potty days; it all boils down to your baby. Is he or she ready? I found a POTTY READINESS QUIZ on pediatrics.about.com that might help you figure it out. 

The next question is, are you ready? To begin the potty process you'll need a few supplies:

Potty Time Tools

A cleaning spray (maybe 2, for the accidents)

A large pack of paper towels

Potty seat or potty chair (pro/con list for both)

Baby wipes (for cleaning up beginners) 

Training pants or undies 

 Diapers (yes, you'll still need diapers. our little ones still cannot be expected to stay dry at night or during naps)

A potty book for parents (optional but extremely helpful)

 An online forum to turn to when you're at your wits end (no matter how calm you are when you start the process, I guarantee mild frustration on your part at some point. Knowing that others are going through the same things may help you feel a bit more relaxed and will motivate you to be patient and to not give up) 

A few more things that experts suggest are videos and books to help your baby along. We decided to skip the videos, and although I originally planned to buy potty books, they didn't get there in time. So speaking by experience, I'd say it's okay to start without those as long as your little one understands what the toilet is, what it's for, and what to do on it. 

Follow Nico and I as we take our first steps towards his childhood! 

And I wish you the best of luck on your own Potty Journey! 

5 Fabulous Outfits For Young Moms

Fashion Friday returns for its 2nd edition! 

Here are 5 more outfit ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

 Flowy Salmon Sleeveless Top with Dark Skinny Jeans

Red Corduroy Jacket, Tank Top, with Faded Jeans

Short Sleeve White Jean Jacket, Printed Cami, Skinny Belt, and Jeans  

Long Checkered Print Shirt, and Mock Velvet Black Skirt 

Over-sized Wonder Woman T-Shirt, and Black Leggings

{Staying home doesn't mean I have to wear PJs all day ;) } 

 

3 Yummy Toddler Meals They Won't Refuse

It can be incredibly frustrating to get a toddler to eat, let alone be sure that they are getting an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals. Their little bodies are going through big changes that have a monumental effect on their appetite. Sometimes, my little one will ask for more, and sometimes he only takes 3 bites and he's done. 

The key is preparing foods that he can enjoy, that have nutrients packed into every single bite. 

 One of the things I learned not to do is give him what I know he likes just because I know he will eat it. French fries may be tasty, but they are certainly not an everyday thing. 

 

The following meals are colorful and healthy, and they have Nico running to the dinner table every night!

Salami and Swiss Cheese Sandwich with Mustard and Margarine, and Carrot Sticks and low fat Ranch dip

 Kielbasa Sausage with Carbonara Elbow Macaroni, and Juicy Cucumbers

Homemade Fish Sticks, White Rice & Black Beans w/ Fresh Chopped Spinach, and Juicy Cucumbers

**BONUS**

For a delicious and nutritious dessert, Apple Slices with Vanilla Yogurt!

Puerto Rico Adventures: El Yunque

My family and I are blessed to live on an island that is rich in history and diverse in nature and landscapes. From the rainforests, to the caves, to the beaches, to the salt plains, there is always something new to see! 

During the month of July, we planned a few affordable day trips around the island to take in as much of Puerto Rico as we can before we move back to the States later this year. 

Our first stop was El Yunque rainforest! 

Since we got a late start we did not have time to stop at the observation tower and viewing spots on the way up to the river. Our main priority was taking a dip in the cold Yunque water! If you want to see everything the mountain has to offer I recommend leaving early; the park is open from 7:30am to 6pm. 
Start heading down 45min. before they close to avoid getting left behind. 

When we arrived we were interested in going to the peak, but the hike is much too difficult for our 22mo, Nico. 

(My husband and I agreed to go together later) 

 

Instead, we tried to tackle the hike from the gift shop down to the waterfall. The path was steep and narrow and there were dozens of tourist passing by on the way up and down. Needless to say, Nico got very tired and when we realized we would have to carry him all the way back up the mountain we turned around.
(Again, we agreed to save this hike for another day) 

Nico and I suffered a minor accident when I stepped off the path and slipped on a rock, falling face forward, with Nico in my arms. 


 


I came down with his weight and mine on my forearms and elbows, and learned to never leave the path. The 30 or so people around me were very concerned about Nico, who was terrified but not hurt, and shot me "bad parent glances" when they passed around me, as I was now determined to never leave the path.

We eventually made it back up to a picnic area we had spotted on the way down, conveniently close to the parking lot and a tranquil shallow part of the river. 

We ate a delicious lunch of turkey, Swiss, and salami sandwiches with barbecue chips, then suited up for Nico's very first river bath!

 

He was freezing but excited and more than comfortable as long as he could cling to Daddy or me. 

I guided him up stream.... 


 

And before we knew it, it was time to go home. On the way down the mountain, Nico fell asleep...

and we were able to stop at a looking point with a view that is much better in person. 

Where the ocean and sky connect <3