Baby Archives - Leaf and Steel

10 Pregnancy Announcements with a Toddler

April 1, 2024

Expecting love bug #2? I’m diving into the delightful world of expanding families, and guess what? There’s another bundle of joy on the way! If you’re navigating the adventure of pregnancy round two with a toddler in tow, you know the excitement and challenges it brings (don’t get me started on the exhaustion).

In this post, I’ve curated ten heartwarming and creative pregnancy announcement ideas (as well as my own) tailored for those of you with a little one already stealing the spotlight. From charming photo shoots to endearing sibling reveals, these announcements are not just about sharing the news; they’re about celebrating the growing love in your family.

So, whether you’re looking for inspiration or just here for the sheer joy of it, join me on this journey of creativity and cuteness. Let’s make announcing your pregnancy as special as the new addition to your family.

Should You Have a Baby Shower for Your Second Kid?

February 1, 2024

As the excitement of expecting your second child begins to set in, a familiar question might arise: should you have a baby shower for your second kid? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think, and navigating the etiquette of second baby showers can be a bit tricky.

As a second time mom who lost out on having a big shower due to the events of 2020, I’ve been asking myself this question a lot.

Join me as we delve into the considerations, traditions, and heartfelt moments that come with deciding whether to celebrate your growing family with another baby shower. Whether you’re a seasoned mom or embarking on this journey for the first time, let’s explore the thoughtful nuances of showering your second bundle of joy with love and celebration.

First Trimester Journal Prompts

November 12, 2023

Embarking on the journey of motherhood brings a wave of emotions, especially during the first trimester. In the midst of these transformative moments, I’ve curated a set of journal prompts to accompany you. Join me in exploring the joy, uncertainties, and the miraculous growth within. Get your journal ready, wrap yourself in comfort, and let’s navigate the depths of your first trimester together.

December Toddler Birthday Party Themes

October 12, 2023

December, a month wrapped in the warmth of festive lights and the promise of delightful celebrations. As we step into this magical time, we’re excited to bring you a carefully crafted guide to December toddler birthday party themes. It’s more than just an event; it’s about weaving moments that sparkle in the heart of your little one.

In our exploration of enchanting themes, our focus is on understanding your desires, addressing the challenges that often come with planning celebrations, showcasing our expertise in curating magical experiences, and, above all, connecting with you—our valued audience.

The Best Part of Having a Thanksgiving Baby

September 27, 2023

Calling all fellow Thanksgiving baby parents!

You might be nervous about having a baby so close (or even on!) Turkey Day. Sharing a holiday was my biggest concern when I found out my due date was November 21st, but my thoughts have changed!

Now, I’ve got a little secret I’ve been itching to spill: having a Thanksgiving baby is like getting an extra scoop of joy on your pumpkin pie. Seriously, life with a November-born munchkin is a special kind of amazing, and today, I’m letting you in on why.

First off, let’s talk vibes. Fall has this cozy, fuzzy feeling, right? Well, add a tiny human to the mix, and boom! You’ve got yourself a living, breathing ball of cuteness. The crisp air, the warm hues, and the fact that our little one entered the scene during this season just amplifies the warm and fuzzies.

Find out why having a Thanksgiving baby is the best in this comprehensive post.

How I Find Time to Blog as a Busy SAHM

September 13, 2023

Welcome to Leaf and Steel! I’m a busy stay-at-home mom with a lively toddler named Baby M. Juggling diapers, meals, pets, and playdates fills my days, but so does my passion for blogging. Today, I’m here to share my no-nonsense approach to finding precious moments in the midst of motherhood’s chaos, and how I turn them into productive blogging hours.

Let’s dive into practical strategies that allow me to pursue my passion and fulfill my SAHM duties without the fluff. If you’re a fellow SAHM blogger seeking time-management solutions, read on for insights that can help you reclaim your creative space.

How to Survive Your Toddler’s Blood Test

February 19, 2023

How do you survive your toddler’s blood test and make sure they have the best experience possible?

What could be more fun than taking a toddler for their annual blood test? I can think of at least 7 million things I would rather do. Today we’re getting into why toddlers need blood tests and how to make the experience as emotionally and physically painless as possible.

This post contains affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission off of products that are purchased through these links, at no cost to you. You can read more about this process here.

If you are taking your baby for their first blood draw, head over to my previous post How to Survive Your One-Year-Old’s First Blood Test.

Let’s Talk Puppy Blues

October 31, 2022

Let’s talk puppy blues and why it’s normal to feel depressed, hate your puppy, or even want to return your puppy in the early days.

Puppy blues or “puppy postpartum” is extremely common.

Let’s say you decide to get a dog. You do all your research, you buy all the toys. You imagine snuggling your little fluff-ball on the couch and taking long walks with your new best friend gliding by your side. You mentally prepare yourself for the first few sleepless nights, the vet bills, and house training.

Depression, anxiety, and feelings of deep regret are not in most people’s vision of early puppyhood. Certainly, they weren’t in mine!

I Regretted Getting a Puppy

Earlier this year, my husband and I decided to get a dog. We did everything “right”. We had good intentions. We researched what felt like every single breed, made pros and cons lists, and investigated how to choose a reputable breeder.

After weeks of deliberation, we decided on a Vizlsa. We had both admired them for a long time and felt that the breed would suit our family best. We both had dogs in the past and thought we knew what we were doing.

We got all the things we needed, got in contact with an amazing breeder, and started saving for the expenses. When we would receive pictures of our growing boy, I was felt with nothing but pride and excitement. It was a very similar feeling to seeing my daughter on an ultrasound when I was pregnant.

I was so excited to have a little toddler and a new puppy. Looking back, I’m not sure what I was thinking, ha!

We picked up Bodhi when he was 8 weeks old. He was the cutest, sweetest, droopiest little boy. He was so calm and slept on my lap the whole 8 hour drive home.

I Knew We Made a Mistake

As we pulled into the driveway he gave me a nibble on the arm. Little did I know, we had brought home a full on land-shark. He was a terror. There was literal blood, sweat, and tears. He bit with such force and determination.

“Aren’t dogs supposed to be in tune with our emotions?,” I would ask myself. He didn’t seem to care. We tried what seemed like everything.

Let's Talk Puppy Blues - 8 week old vizsla male puppy

I was constantly covered in bruises, bites, and scrapes. I lost several pairs of pants to the cause. I didn’t love him. I didn’t feel bonded with him. I didn’t feel like he loved me. I didn’t feel like it would get better. I remember waking up anxious every day because I had to manage him.

I would cry all the time. I would beg my husband to bring him back. I felt like we had made a huge mistake. I would tell everyone and anyone how hard it was to have a puppy. Without doubt, having a baby was a breeze compared to him.

I didn’t know for a little while that I was suffering serious puppy blues.

What are the puppy blues?

Here is a definition from Psych Central, “Post-puppy depression, another term for puppy blues, isn’t a formal diagnosis. It’s a term used to describe feelings of regret, disappointment, and dismay that can occur after getting a new dog.”

The puppy blues can be caused by your puppy’s destructive behavior, neediness, or inability to sleep through the night.

What are the symptoms of puppy blues?

According to ChoosingTherapy.com, symptoms of puppy blues include the following:

Feeling overwhelmed
Feeling anxious, sad, and/or hopeless
Feeling helpless and/or paralyzed
Feeling guilty or ashamed
Feeling trapped
Feeling empty inside
Feeling numb
Suicidal ideation
Feeling angry or resentful towards your dog
Thinking you made a mistake in getting a dog, or wishing you could return them
More frequent crying
Increased tension or more frequent arguments with other members of your household
Increased irritability
Difficulty concentrating
Increased muscle tension, headaches, nausea, or stomach upset
Changes to appetite and weight loss or gain
Difficulty sleeping even if your dog is sleeping through the night

Do the puppy blues go away?

Yes, with the right amount of time and training the puppy blues do go away. Ideally, puppies are easier as they grow into themselves, learn to relieve themselves outside, and form a bond with their owner. Speaking with other dog owners or even a mental health professional can be beneficial as well.

Some situations where puppy blues may not go away is if your new dog is reactive or sick. This can lead to ongoing feelings of helplessness and loneliness. A qualified trainer or vet can aid in diagnosing these issues and potential solutions.

For awhile, I didn’t believe people when they said that he would “grow out” of certain behaviors. I really thought we had a lemon on our hands. I thought there was something wrong with him. Diligent training and age definitely helped his behavior and ability to calm down.

Now, Bodhi’s biggest issue is that he jumps on people when they come into the house. This is non big deal with a small dog, but having a 60lb mass of orange muscle jumping up to lick your face can be terrifying. It’s my most significant stressor when it comes to my dog. However, now I have some experience to show me that with the right training, discipline and time, we can get him to a place of safe and joyful greeting.

What can you do about the puppy blues?

The best thing you can do for the puppy blues is to have realistic expectations of your puppy. Puppies are messy, needy, and have no impulse control. Also, most puppies are brought home at 8 weeks old, which is still very young! Embracing the insanity definitely helped my relationship with Bodhi.

The fastest path to forming a bond with your pup is through training. Starting with small, five minute lessons is a great way to start. Sit, stay, and lie down are all basic essentials.

Let's Talk Puppy Blues - 6 month old vizsla male puppy

Something else that helped in the beginning was treating it like a new baby. We ordered takeout, used paper plates, let the laundry pile up, and just focused on survival mode.

Training as a Solution to Puppy Blues

However, one of the most helpful skills a pup can learn is how to settle. We taught Bodhi this by rewarding him anytime we saw him “chilling out”. Over time he came to jump onto his favorite chair and put his head down on his paws.

Another thing to save your sanity during the puppy blues is crate training. We chose this crate for our dog and we used it from day one! We began giving him “enforced naps” every few hours. He had a hard time sleeping outside of his crate, so it gave him time during the day to rest. Puppies need a lot of sleep.

Crate training also gives the owner some time to relax, knowing that their puppy is safe. It’s also essential so they are used to being crated in emergency situations, at the groomers, or at the vet.

Will I ever love my new puppy?

Yes! It can feel like that bond will never come, but believe me, it will over time!

I’m sure there are some dog lovers who won’t identify with this post, but puppies are hard.

Now that my dog is a year old, I notice how badly I felt towards him. I was waking up anxious every morning, not wanting to deal with his biting and whining. It really was not how I envisioned getting a dog would be.

He’s still very much a puppy in an adult-dog body. There are some days where his existence feels like more work than reward. He’s still a trouble maker, but I’m able to see my part, like when he’s under-exercised or I left food on the counter where he could reach it.

Now I have the dog that I pictured. He’s my adventure buddy and he curls up at my feet with a bone at the end of the night. He protects our house from allllll the squirrels and is so gentle and loving towards our toddler.

He’s on his way to becoming a sweet old man!

Have you ever experienced the puppy blues? Did you know that it was possible to feel this way after getting a fluffy adorable puppy?
Let me know below!

30 Fall-Themed Lifestyle Blog Ideas

September 22, 2022

Today we’re rounding up 30 fall themed lifestyle blog ideas to bring more traffic this autumn!

Fall is a big deal here on Long Island. The weather is beautiful, the leaves change in waves, pumpkin patches and corn mazes cover the North Fork. After some unbearably humid and hot summers, fall feels like a gift.

How Parents Can Be Thoughtful Health Advocates for the Whole Family

August 25, 2022

Today’s post is a guest post by Katie Conroy from advicemine.com. If you are interested in guest posting on Leaf and Steel, head over here!

Parenthood comes with a huge number of fun times and rewarding experiences but also a few significant responsibilities. Maintaining the health and well-being of your family is one of your chief concerns as a loving parent.

That includes your children, your spouse, even your aging parents, and, of course, yourself as well. Being health-conscious is not just about satisfying basic needs, though. You can go above and beyond as a parent by being a mindful, thoughtful health advocate so that your family can thrive for many years to come.

Make Good Lifestyle Choices for Your Household

The first step in living healthier is to make small changes to your daily habits over time. When it comes to personal fitness, you can start by simply going for walks during your work breaks or taking the stairs more often.

As for making choices that benefit your whole family, the best approach is to tackle the issue as a team. For example, children are more likely to eat healthy snacks if their parents are foregoing junk food as well. If you have young kids who enjoy playing outside, consider joining in the games so that everyone gets a little more physical activity.

Find the Right Healthcare Professionals

Medical care is something that you should not approach with an anyone-will-do attitude. Health experts explain that finding the right primary care doctor is very important for building a bond of trust with your healthcare provider. When you have a consistent relationship with one doctor, you can be confident in their knowledge of your family and their intentions to serve your best interests. Your health matters, and whether you want to read more about the Monica Kraft Duke settlement or you want to read more about how you can ensure that your teens make the right choices, it’s all about knowing the right healthcare professionals. You’re going to do so much better with their health when you have the right people around you!

Try finding a physician with experience caring for any specific medical conditions that might exist in your family. Your chosen doctor should also be someone who is patient, good with children, and who makes you feel comfortable voicing your questions and concerns.

Organize Your Family’s Medical Records

While your healthcare provider should keep track of your medical history, you can take extra steps toward securing your family’s well-being by keeping your own copies of medical documents. It is a good idea to have both a physical folder as well as a digital storage solution for organizing important documents by the individual. As one example, you can use a free online tool to compile x-rays and other medical images into one convenient PDF file.

When you properly organize your medical documents, it is very easy to review your records whenever necessary. You should regularly check over your bills and other important documents for errors and inconsistencies.

Consider Senior Living for Your Aging Parent

If you have a parent that requires round-the-clock care for a serious health condition, it might be time to talk to them about senior living. Choosing a trusted senior facility will ensure that your aging parent has constant access to skilled nursing and comfortable living conditions. It is not a decision to be made hastily, though, so be sure to read reviews, compare costs, and check detailed facility reports.

Being your family’s main health advocate can be a fulfilling responsibility but also draining at times. You can draw on motivational parenting resources from Leaf and Steel to reinvigorate and reinspire your sense of purpose. With a positive attitude, overseeing your family’s well-being will become like second nature.

What did you think of Katie’s article? How do you make positive, healthy decisions for your family? Let us know below!