I have shared how we do our family advent calendar in a post, video, and some IGTVs. You can check those out here: Bridwell Family Advent Calendar 2019, Family Advent 2020 (video), Week One Activities, and Week Two Activities (IGTV). I am continuing the tradition this year, however now have another child in the mix. It has become such a fun tradition to do in the month of December and allows the perfect opportunity to create special memories with the boys. I thought I would share some things I have learned while doing this the last two years that make things easier on me as I plan each week and activity. I would love to know any traditions your family has or loves doing during this time of year!

• Have a general idea of when you want to do certain things. For example, you may have to see Santa on a weekend or incorporate activities with the entire family on non working days.
• Make a list of activities you are wanting to do and then map out in a calendar for a general overview.
• Look up any fun activities or things to do in your city.
• Collect any items needed early (ex: new pajamas, crafts, ornaments, etc).
• Write slips one week at a time so you can change things around and be flexible if needed.
• Have something reusable for anything your children open .
• Make it exciting and special!

Our son LOVES doing advent calendar and looks forward to it this time of year. He has already been talking about when we get to start!

As always, sending light and love.

Blessings,

Jac

I recently mentioned in a gift video that I like to purchase ornaments each year for the people we are gifting to. It has become a yearly tradition that I truly enjoy. I personally love having meaningful ornaments on our tree and love the special memories. We always purchase something we can turn into an ornament when we travel because it is an easy souvenir to come home with. The boys also get an ornament they can put on their room trees, so by the time they become an adult they have special ornaments for their family tree if they are interested.

I always purchase an ornament that is applicable to that person or year. For example, if a loved one got engaged, married, had a baby, became a grandparent, or purchased a home I will purchase something for that milestone. I also will look for things that remind me of them or is an inside joke/story. For example, my sister had a new love/interest for plants, so she received a cactus ornament last year. My brother recently got a Harley, so he is receiving a motorcycle ornament this year. I also like to look for anything that holds a memory. For example, we had a lake trip with family this year where my husband and brother in law fished the entire time. They are both getting a tackle box ornament with the month and year written. My son also started school this year so he is getting a pencil with the class name and year written on it.

We do a family advent calendar which you can see more about here. I like to gift the boys their room tree ornaments during that time. The other ornaments I will have hanging from the wrapped gifts.

I would love to know any special traditions you have! Stay tuned for our advent activities for this year.

As always, sending light and love.

Blessings,

Jac

Our youngest son recently turned six months which is hard to believe. As we hit different milestones, I couldn’t help but think about the first year in general and what I have learned with both of our boys. I thought I would share the top three things I learned with our older son that I have applied to our younger. I would love to know any of yours!

1.Do Things In Your Timing

I feel like motherhood is a very interesting topic, because it is something that people have many strong opinions on. I truly believe every mom is trying to do what is best for their babies, which looks different in each family. Motherhood is beautiful but creates a lot of new emotions and feelings, especially the first time.

Recognizing that I had to do things in my own time helped with any anxieties. With our second son I didn’t feel like I had to immediately start pumping or building a stash like I did with our first. I waited until 6ish weeks when I felt like it was appropriate for us. I didn’t leave our older son overnight for 11 months, while our younger son was 5. We decided to sleep train our younger son right at 4 months, while we waited until 9ish with our first. You know when you and your baby are ready to do things, so do them in your own time.

2.Rest Is Vital

If there is one thing I have learned, it is that rest is essential. Both of our boys LOVE nursing. Our older son was a 2 hours on the dot kind of guy, and our younger one is exactly the same. Since they are getting so much during the day, I recognized they didn’t need the calories at night. Because of this we decided to sleep train so much earlier this time around and I can’t explain the difference it makes. Being rested makes me a better mom. I have more patience, energy, and am happier. I don’t go to bed anxious about how much sleep I am going to get. It truly makes such a difference. We also moved both boys into their own room when they turned 4 months, per the doctor’s recommendation which also makes a difference. I recommend discussing sleep with your doctor!

3.You Are In A Season

This time around, I have the perspective I lacked with our first. Recognizing and understanding that you are in a season helps keep the bigger picture in mind. Although some things feel like they will never end when you are in the thick of it…they will. Talk to people who are also in it or have gone through it. Find people who will listen, offer advice when asked, and just support you! It goes by fast!

As always, sending light and love.

Blessings,

Jac