It’s time. Our countdown over the summer has been dwindling away. September is my energizing month — because college football season kicks off this week!! It doesn’t matter if your entire family is loyal to one team, or if you’re a house divided, it’s always fun to get […]
We are officially a pacifier-free household! How’d we do it with virtually no tears or fuss? Read on to find out. We gradually started taking away the pacifier three months ago when she turned 2, starting with not bringing one in the car. We used to have one in case she fell asleep in the […]
There’s a certain pride that comes over you when you see your littles in your alma mater or favorite sports team’s colors. Whether you bleed orange and blue or not, make sure to capture the fleeting moments of your child’s first years on film. A professional photographer can capture aspects of your child your smartphone’s […]
I always wanted to learn French with my Grandmother. Growing up in Nova Scotia, French was her first language. She would teach me words here and there, but as the years went by we never sat down to really learn it, something I regret to this day. So when the opportunity came up to partner […]
This post by guest blogger, Karen Pestrak. Enjoy! Gainesville’s proximity to major theme parks, beaches and shopping provide plenty of great options for family entertainment, but the costs of travel, tickets and souvenirs can add up quickly, taking a chomp out of your little gator’s college fund. Here are a few easy options for family […]
I love having a little girl because it’s true, they are made of sugar and spice and everything nice! BUT I also love having a girl for all the wonderful hair accessories they get to wear! Lily’s hair is finally long enough to hold a barrette, but before that point, the baby headband almost always […]
As we all know, car seat safety is important in keeping your little one safe in a vehicle. We spent hours reading recommendations, reviews and literature when it came to selecting a car seat. And then we check, and double check every single time we buckle our daughter in. Chest bar in the right place? […]
Until you’re a new Mom, you don’t really consider the logistics of ordering a meal. You think, “I’ll just run in and grab a sandwich.” It all changes when you have little ones in tow. With lots of gear to juggle, I’ve traded in my cute Coach purse for a stylish, yet functional Vera Bradley […]
We are about 2 months away from Lily’s first birthday, and planning is underway! This has been the fastest year of my life and I have cherished every moment. OK, maybe there were about three moments where I definitely needed a break, but still, an amazing 10 months so far. We have the unique aspect […]
Being the scrapbooker and photo/memory keeper that I am, I’ve been excited for awhile to try out a new store that is tailored to Instagram and photo lovers…Polaroid Fotobar! One of my New Year’s resolution is to not let my beautiful photos stay on my phone. I want to see them each day, and smile. […]
If you’re looking for some whimsical Gator art to decorate your baby/child’s room, check out these fun ideas to bring a little bit of Gator Nation into their room. There are additional ideas on my Pinterest board too! What style do you prefer for your kid’s room? Vintage/handmade? Or using the licensed Gator head/logo? Go […]
Who doesn’t love a unique, handmade gift? Well, unless, it’s an ugly sweater, right? My choice for finding unique gifts each year is the annual Craft Festival at the O’Connell Center at UF. Although we’ve moved to Orlando, I try to return each year for this festival with its abundance of handmade Gator gifts, whether […]
We took a day trip to Gainesville yesterday so I could visit the annual O’Connell Center craft festival. Jesse took Lily for a stroll on campus while Mama shopped. His Daddy/Daughter time quickly turned into “The Great Search: Finding a Place to Change a Diaper on the UF Campus.” He went into several restrooms at […]
Looking for some great Gator gifts for the holidays? I know I’ve been on the hunt for Lily. We’ve picked up a few items including a toddler-sized Gator chair. However, I am looking forward to the annual O’Connell Center Craft Fair in Gainesville. I always have seen such cute toys there, and now I finally […]
We ventured to Gainesville for the Georgia Southern game for Lily’s first visit to the Swamp at 8 months old. Although the game was far from ideal when it comes to football, it was an ideal scenario for baby’s first Gator game: 1. Cool weather 2. Not crowded 3. Not as loud In fact, this […]
<I feel like I need to say this in the stadium announcer’s voice…> “Welcome to Grow Gators!” I am pumped to launch this blog for all things GATORS, UF and BABIES/KIDS! As a new mama, I’ve been wanting to start a Mom Blog, but it had to have a theme. (I’m big on making things […]