Tasty Tuesday | Over-night Oats

If you're an oatmeal fan, you've got to try these oats! This recipe idea I got from my personal trainer, Misty. She shared this with our fitness class, and I'm now hooked! It's easy, clean, and is very filling. If you're in a breakfast rut or just looking for something new, you've got to try this recipe!

ingredients 

1/2 cup old fashion oats

1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1 small banana

1 tbls natural peanut butter

instructions

1. Combine oats and almond milk in a container with lid. 

Seal and place in refrigerator over night.

2. The following morning, warm in microwave if desired.

3. Slice banana and top with peanut butter.

4. Stir and enjoy!

Baby Must Haves

I've now been a mommy for almost 6 months. How in the world has half of a year already gone by?When people tell you it flies by, they're not kidding! It FLIES BY. It goes way too fast, but you'll never truly understand what I'm saying until you experience it yourself. One minute you're running on little to no sleep, changing diapers and feeding every 2 hours, then the next he's got his own little personality and is trying to crawl. Being a mommy has been the best gift I've ever been given! There are lots of trying times and second guessing yourself, but even when it's hard it puts any day job to shame. :)

With all that being said, there are some things I don't think we could not have survived these first 6 months without. All of these items have come in very handy for us. I'm call this my "Top 10 Baby Must Haves". These are all things that I think every new mom & dad should have in their house.

aden + anais swaddle blankets | layette gowns | nose frida | baby swing: similar | sleep 'n play footed pjs 

boppy lounger | diaper genie | aden + anais burpy bibs | boon grass counter top drying rack | bouncer: similar

1. aden + anais swaddle blankets THE BEST blankets ever! You cannot have too many of these. They're super soft, light weight, and big! We use at least one of these every day. I always have one in the diaper bag, and these are what we swaddle with every night. 
2. layette gowns These are great for those first days/weeks at home. They keep baby warm and covered, but also make it easy to change diapers because those first few weeks you change A LOT of diapers! :)
3. nose frida I know, it's gross. Let's be completely honest, it's disgusting but this thing works wonders! It's way better than any bulb you will get, even the hospital one. Just close your eyes and suck, that's what I have to do so I don't gag. 
4. baby swing This was one of the best hand me downs we were given. Yes, it's a complete eye sore for the living room but it was a lifesaver for us! Mac took naps in his swing, and at times it was the only thing that would sooth him and let mommy get things done. 
5. sleep 'n play footed pjs These are the best baby pjs! Mac still is sleeping in one of these every night. Babies sleep best when they're warm and these help keep them that way. I recommend the zip up ones because it's easier to get back in tact during those middle of the night diaper changes. It can be difficult to snap 10 buttons when you're half asleep yourself. They run great sales on these at Carter's and Target. I don't think you can have too many! Mac lived in these and gowns the first few weeks of his life. 
6. boppy lounger In my opinion, this was the BEST GIFT WE RECEIVED. Hands down. We could not have lived without this, especially that first week at home. It's different than a regular boppy. It's kind of like a newborn "chair." Mac spent A LOT of time in this. (awake and asleep) The dog loves it too, and now that Mac has outgrown it, it now belongs to her. 
7. diaper genie This thing is really magical! It traps the smell of stinky diapers, fits nicely in a corner, and isn't an sore in baby's room.
8. aden + anais burpy bibs These are my favorite burp clothes. They're super soft and absorbent. They also make into a bib for when baby gets bigger and starts eating food.
9. boon grass counter top drying rack This fits lots of bottles and doesn't take up too much counter space. It will hold breast pump parts very well too! It also catches the water in the bottom, so it prevents a wet mess. I also bought a couple of the flowers and twigs that fit in it to hang nipples and bottle tops on.
10. bouncer Mac didn't like this until he was about 6 or 7 weeks old, but then it became our best friend. We referred to it as our at home babysitter. I suggest one that vibrates and plays music. Ours does and it was very soothing for him. It was also fun to watch him grow in it because once he figured out he could kick and make it bounce, it then became a game for him. 

All of these items can be found at major baby retailers: Buy Buy Baby, Babies R Us, Target, or Walmart. If you've got something to add to this list I'd love to hear it! I am still discovering new things every day when it comes to mommy stuff. Just leave a comment below. I hope you'll share with all your mommy to-be friends! 

Tasty Tuesday | Meatloaf Muffins

If you're like me, you are constantly looking for easy week night dinner recipes. I prefer something I can prep ahead of time, and then just pop it in the oven when it's dinner time. After all, who wants to slave in the kitchen all evening after being at the office all day? Not me!

These meatloaf muffins are an easy week night dinner, and are a favorite at our house. You can pair them with a your favorite veggies, and you've got a complete dinner on the table in under an hour!

ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef or turkey
1 yellow or white onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup old fashion oats
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 egg
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons garlic salt

instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Combine all ingredients into a large mixing bowl, mix well.

3. Scoop mixture into cupcake pan, dividing evenly.

4. Bake 25-30 minutes.

5. Serve and enjoy! 

the struggle.

I have to be blunt and honest. I was not successful with the 24 day challenge this go 'round. I did good for the first 7 days, and then I kind of fell off the wagon. Ugh! If food wasn't so good. It sucks to have to write that, but I feel like it's important for me to always be honest here. So this brings me to the point of this post- the struggle. 

The struggle is real. It takes place every day. The struggle to live healthy, eat clean, and exercise. If only we were all born with skinny genes. If it were only easy to stay "on track" over the weekends. If only, if only, if only... blah, blah. There are a million and one excuses we could come up with, but really it's simple. To get to where we want to go, we have to want to change more than we want to stay the same. However, the end result we're looking for can sometimes be overwhelming. I found this quote below, and I LOVE it!

source

So, I'm going to start focusing on the change instead of the results. When changes are made, the results will naturally come. 

5 months old

Today our little nugget turns 5 month old. Umm, HOW is this possible? I mean a half of a year has almost gone by. This mommy needs time to slow down just a little bit!

This past month has been so much fun! Mac has the best personality and is such a happy boy! He is the happiest in the mornings when he wakes up {on his own}. He will lay there, talking and singing with a huge smile on his face.We had his 4 mos appointment a few weeks ago, and he is in the 75 percentile for height, and 96 percentile for weight. We've got a healthy, big boy on our hands!

Mac is hitting all his milestone marks and developments right on track! He is now responding to his name, reaching for things, holding his bottle, and rolling over all on his own! He loves to watch TV, bounce in his monkey, and he now enjoys playing in the floor with his feet. He has discovered his feet, hands, and also his boy parts. ;) He's rolling all over the place, and has become quite the wiggle worm. He's also trying to sit up on his own, and is very close. He can do it for short amounts of time now, but he's getting stronger every day. Mac thinks Daddy hung the moon, and has started to pet and touch his furry sister. He got an activity center a few weeks ago and he loves it! He bounces and is also figuring out all the fun activities he can do on it.  He's tried green beans, sweet potatoes, and bananas- so far green beans are the only thing he hasn't spit back out. We're taking the food thing slowly, getting better results each time we try. Dr. Stecklow said baby foods aren't necessary until 6 mos. so he's got some time to learn to like it. Mac still loves bath time, and continues to talk and laugh all the time. He's doing a lot of slobbering and chewing on everything! We might see teeth soon?! He's in size 3 diapers, mostly 6-9 mos clothes, and is eating 6 ounce bottles.

Mac,
I cannot believe how fast 5 months has gone by. It seems  like only days ago we were anxiously awaiting your arrival. You are so much fun, and are developing more every day! You are getting quite the personality, and I think you're going to have a little orneriness in you like your daddy!  You brighten our world every day with your smile and sweet laugh. We love you more than you know! 
XOXO,
Mommy

COMING SOON: FRIDAY FAVORITES LINK-UP!

HAPPY, HAPPY FRIDAY! I'm teaming up with my friend Shannon from One Stylish Mom and hosting a link-up. We would LOVE for you to join us! How do you join? Well, I'm so glad you asked! I've got all the details below... we will host our FIRST link up on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19th and hope you'll join us!

Friday Favorites with a little joy! and One Stylish Mom is a weekly link up where you can link your Friday blog post with fashion, beauty, recipes, DIY… anything that’s a favorite!

Want to join? Here’s what you need to do.

1.    Follow your co-hosts!

 Co-host: a little joy!

 Co-host: One Stylish Mom 

2.    Link up your favorites!

{Be sure to link up your Friday post, and not your blog’s main page.}

3.   Grab a button and link up.

This helps others find the linkup, and the more linking up, the more new blog friends we can make!

<a border="0" href="http://alittlejoyblog.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s372/lyndigriffith1/Blog%20Design/Link-Up-button-200_zpsb0a76f6c.png" /></a>

4.   Visit some other blogs in the link up.

This is great way to find new blog friends and gain new followers.

5.   Share the link on up on your social media. Be sure to use the hashtag #fridayfavorites. The more people we get to join us, the stronger our link up will be!