Two Under Two

Today is dedicated to talking about a few things I have learned in the last 6 months of having 2 littles under 2 years old. First of all, I cannot believe my baby boy is a couple days away from being a half year old! The saying that times seems to fly by faster with the 2nd one has totally been true in my experience. I believe partially because it is so much busier around our house and partially because it feels like the oldest was just the size of the baby and now she's walking, talking, being sassy & has a personality all her own. Like when did that happen? Although the days can feel long, the years are certainly short! With that being said, I have 3 tips that are currently making life in our house a little less chaotic. 

1. Sibling Play Time: The love shared between siblings is truly a gift. Piper loves interacting with Maverick especially now that he can laugh and play with toys. She loves to tickle him, name his body parts and "teach" him how to do all kinds of things. Watching their bond grow has been so sweet. With Maverick still being a baby and Piper being young herself and not able to understand what is safe for her baby brother, I worry a lot about her being too rough with him, falling on him or giving him something he shouldn't have. At first, I found myself separating them and while that is still necessary for safety at times I have realized that letting them learn how to play safely together is vital to their bond as well as my sanity. Each day, I try to get both of them in a safe area with toys appropriate for both ages and encourage interaction between the two of them. I work hard to teach Piper how to walk safely around her brother and play with him gently(it is a work in progress). Since we have been having this intentional time daily, I have seen that she interacts with him on her own in a safer manor that has built my confidence in trusting they can play safely together. This has helped with jealously and I also now can have Piper be great entertainment for her brother while I prepare dinner or other quick tasks that need to be done and he absolutely loves watching her dance around. 

2. Outside Time: "Nature is a tool to get children to experience not just the wider world, but themselves." -Stephen Moss

Both of my kids love being outside. It seems fresh air and a warm breeze just calm them right down if we are dealing with big feelings or restlessness. There are studies showing that time outside no matter the time of year have huge physical and mental health benefits for kiddos. Some days, with the heat we have been facing, it is just 20 minutes in the morning before the heat of the day and some days it is hours by the pool. Not only does this help with longer naps, it truly helps them experience the world in a different way than inside where there are temptations of the TV, toys with flashing lights or the same 4 walls they see everyday. There is a "1000 Hours Outside" challenge we may try to do next year where you aim to have your kids outside for a total of 1000 hours for the year. They have trackers you can print and data showing the benefits that you can look up online if you're interested. 

3. Daily Reset: I cannot take credit for this one but it may be the most helpful thing we do each day to manage life with 2 under 2. Each night we do a reset of the dishes, house and toy area. I say "we" but my husband has really implemented and taken charge of this one. He does not miss an evening doing this and I am forever grateful because it truly makes a difference. This reset includes all bottles/cups washed, toys put back in their place and the downstairs where we play and eat tidied up. Each night when I go to bed, I know that all of those areas will be set up and ready to take on the next day which keeps me from scrambling in the morning while kids are hungry and ready to play. This has been a game changer that alleviates stress and gets our day off on the right foot. This takes discipline that I often do not have at the end of a tiring day but I am so grateful each morning that it is done thanks to my husband. Even if a full reset isn't possible each day, having all the first things you need ready to go before bed each night will make a massive difference in how your day begins. 

Essential Oil Moment of the Day

I cannot cover this topic without talking about my top 3 essential oils that support me and the kids emotionally throughout the day. 

        -Valor: This may be my favorite individual oil blend of all time. It smells delicious and encourages feelings of confidence and overall goodness. I take this roller with me everywhere I go and apply it multiple times a day to bring me all the support for every occasion. 

        -Kidscents Kidpower: This is another roller we have readily available anywhere Piper is. This is another one of my favorite smelling blends but the best thing about it is it inspires confidence and positivity for the little ones. It helps mange those big feelings and is one Piper likes to ask for when she's feeling overwhelmed. 

        -Stress Away: This is another oil I love to diffuse as well as roll on. It does exactly what the name says...sends stress away and brings all the happy feelings. One of the new kits from YL has this in roller form which is an awesome addition so check out the "Make a Shift Essential Solutions" if you're interested in a great kit at a discounted rate. Link below :) 

Here is a link to these 3 products! Let me know if you have any questions. If you order a 100PV loyalty order in the month of August I will reimburse your shipping!

https://www.youngliving.com/us/en/myaccount/wishlist?listId=64c96e948ce181000a5c1393&enrollerId=4485127&sponsorId=4485127&userName=Briana

Make a Shift Essential Solutions Bundle: 4 oils, 2 rollers & a diffuser: https://www.youngliving.com/us/en/myaccount/wishlist?listId=64b6dcf88ce181000a5c0f69&enrollerId=4485127&sponsorId=4485127&userName=Briana

Happy August!!!