Kimmie Ess

Easy peasy last-minute Valentine's Day project for the kids: Mason Jar Lantern. What? It's February already?! Did we not just open gifts and countdown to midnight?! Where is this year going? Time to act like you have your act together and surprise the kids with a Valentine's Day project that you probably have the supplies for already. Let them think it was planned.

Arrange stickers on your Mason jar in whatever order you'd like. Spell things. Add simple hearts. Whatever tickles your fancy.

When your stickers are placed, you'll be covering a layer of tissue paper all over the jar, using the water/glue mixture.

 

When the jar is covered, you can tie a ribbon around the edge. Of course, the only ribbon we had on-hand was "It's a Girl!" design. Perfect for Valentine's Day. Or not. We skipped that step for obvious reasons.

Add a votive candle, and you have a simple

I have breastfed all of my babies. When my first born was a year old, I quit nursing her cold turkey. Being 21 and quick to accept advice, I listened when the pediatrician said that I didn't need to nurse her past a year old, and that quitting right after her birthday was best. Truthfully, I snuck in a few extra nursing sessions- sobbing my eyes out thinking that each session was our last. I got terrible mastitis when she was 14 months old, and went through the worst pain. The nursing experience ended on a sad note, and I couldn't wait to have another baby and begin the sweet journey all over again.

We then had Riley. And another loss after that. When my next love was born, I soaked it all in. By that time, I had done so much research on babies in general, that I knew long-term breastfeeding was our plan. My first son nursed until he was two and half years old. He weaned himself, and it was the smoothest transition I had ever experienced. When our second son was born, I had done even more

1. Graco Sweet Snuggle, Oasis; 2. California Baby, Newborn Tote; 3. Boppy Nursing Pillow; 4. Ergobaby Original Carrier; 5. Ergobaby Backpack    

Now that our third baby, Franky, is eight months old, it's very clear to us which baby products we need, and which we could have avoided. Of course, every baby is different, but this list contains all of our favorite baby must-haves. We are a co-sleeping, breastfeeding, baby-lead weaning family, so you may need other necessities (like a crib and bottles- typically the two things you think of when you hear the words "baby items"). You'll also need a car seat, but that's for another post. Oh, and new parents: Dreft isn't necessary. Yes, that's it! Babies really aren't that complex. Happy parenting!