Tag Archives: july

Why I’m Scared this Fourth of July

Hello and Happy Fourth of July!!

You’re probably thinking I’m scared of the Fourth of July fireworks or crazy people who had too much to drink and are high on smoke bombs driving around, but that would be wrong. Well, the latter is a little worrisome, but not an issue I’ve dealt with before.

Nope, right now, as you read this, my wife and I probably just finished our 5k at a nearby brewery as G-Ma and Avery cheered us on and are sipping on a refreshing craft beer to celebrate. The scary part is what we’re doing for the day; going to G-Ma’s to *gasp* spend the night!

As you can tell, I’m writing this in advance, so I’ll have to fill you in on the details of our race and the rest of today in a future post. For now, I’m just sharing my fear with you. Avery has outgrown her pack ‘n play portable crib which we’ve always used at G-Ma’s and we have been avoiding another visit for far too long.

This time, we are going to make a comfortable bed on the ground since she has no awareness of boundaries and hope for the best. She is never just asleep when we put her to bed in her crib at night, and she usually rolls all over the place talking for a good 20 minutes. I assume this normal for most toddlers, but geez, she’s crazy!

So now, after waking up early for the 5k and being exposed to fireworks, she’ll either be extremely tired and will go to sleep easily, or so tired she’s wired. Parents, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. We brought her to G-Ma’s last year where she first saw fireworks, but was hardly aware of what exactly was happening.

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Now that she is very aware of everything around her, who knows how she’ll take the loud booms and flashy pyrotechnics. Will it be overstimulating, scary, or a joy to watch for her? Guess we’re finding out today!

So, the plan of attack is counting on the accumulation of waking up early, playing at G-Ma’s and swimming at her neighbor’s house, possibly no nap, and staying up later to see fireworks working for instead of against us to get her to sleep good at night. Wow, that was a long sentence!

My nerves are a little frantic, if you can’t tell, but luckily Going Mom is cool and calm. Hope my frantic state is all for not.

Bye for now, and Happy Fourth of July to those of you here in the U.S.! Happy weekend to the rest of you!

Have you had to deal with a tricky sleep situation for your little one?

Ever find a solution or was it just a miserable night for everyone?

Any tips? Please?

Zevia Tonic Water Review & Giveaway (Now Non-GMO + Color-Free!)

Disclosure: Zevia provided free product for me to review. I was not compensated in any other way and all opinions are my own.

Zevia zero calorie soda giveaway

Zevia is no stranger in our house. I’ve published several posts on this healthy soda explaining why it means so much to me and even held a giveaway before. Oh yeah, and I’ll never forget the first time Avery took her first sips of the Smarter Soda. It take long until she was reaching for more!

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Being free of artificial preservatives and sweeteners, naturally sweetened with stevia, and tasting delicious is what made us instant fans years ago. But now Zevia has stepped up their entire line of healthy beverages to be Non-GMO Project Verified and free of any added color. This means no more caramel color in any flavor, so they’ll be clean and clear, just like their list of ingredients.

It takes a lot of work to go through the process of becoming Non-GMO Project Verified, and Zevia did it for us, the health-conscious consumer. Thank you, Zevia!

When I heard of their newest addition, Tonic Water, I had to try it for myself. Lucky for me, they agreed to send some to try and review. Okay, and I’m sure a little cheesy-grinned persuasion from Avery helped too.

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Upon its arrival, I was ready for my first taste. After checking out the cool white cans, that is.

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Well, then we had to take a picture of her caterpillar next to the can…

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Annnnnddd, THEN I opened it up to try. By itself, it tastes slightly bitter with a dry hint of citrus and a clean mouth feeling. Nothing to write home about, but who writes home about soda anyway? Just call to tell them how awesome Zevia is, no time to write!

Since tonic water is not meant to drink alone (it’s a mixer), I used the rest of the open can to make a little mocktail for Avery and myself.

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Obviously, Zevia + Zevia = delicious awesomeness, so I made a 50/50 mix of Zevia Strawberry and Tonic Water after a hot walk under the Texas sun. The result did not disappoint, we both loved it and the drink was gone in no time.

After another day in the heat (I think it’ll be like this for a while), I got creative and pureed watermelon and added a little Zevia Tonic Water for a little refreshing fizz.

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And we have another winner!

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Yes, there were seconds……then thirds. Then I had to change her diaper from all of the liquid intake. Gotta keep’em hydrated in the heat!! But after the diaper change, someone apparently was not done….

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Oh yeah, and of course their tonic water is perfect to enjoy our adult beverages without weighing us down from sugary, high calorie mixers. Vodka Tonic, anyone?

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These two over ice after getting the kiddo to sleep is a nice way to wind down a crazy day with a toddler, a long day at work, or just to relax.

With plenty of summer left, I plan on finding other fun, refreshing, and most importantly, healthy ways to use Zevia’s Tonic Water as well as all of their now color-free and Non-GMO flavors. Check out the list of recipes for their Tonic Water on Zevia’s site for some creative ideas perfect for both kids and adults.

Oh, and maybe it would help if you were to win a 6 pack of Zevia to get things started, huh? Well, lucky you, I have just the thing; a chance for 3 readers, that’s you, to enter for a chance to win a voucher to pick up a six-pack of any Zevia flavor you want!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest ends Saturday, July 4th at midnight. Good luck and be sure to spread the Zevia Love on Twitter by sharing your photos and including the hashtag #TheNewSweet!

Favorite Photos of our Baby in July

Aaaaannnddd there goes another month! Goodbye, July!

The end of July marks my mom’s (G-Ma’s) birthday, and the anniversary of when Going Mom and I first met. We think it was right before G-Ma’s birthday, but can’t remember the exact day.

11 years have passed since we first met, and we’ve been together ever since. Like most couples in love, there have been ups and downs, but obviously wayyyyy more ups than downs! I love my wife, and I’m happy to share this life with her and Avery.

August 17th will mark our wedding anniversary, and we’re celebrating by staying two nights in a hotel while G-Ma holds down the fort/Avery. I’d be lying if I said we weren’t counting down until this day; we could use the time!!

On the topic of time, I can’t believe July has already passed, but I’m excited to see what Avery will surprise us with next. Here are some of my favorite pictures from this past month; hope you enjoy!

First day of July started with a TMNT fort!!
First day of July started with a TMNT fort!!
But don't you love me, Daddy?
I’m a little stinker. But seriously, I’m sitting on a big stinker right now….
Starting to hang out with Daddy in the kitchen.
Starting to hang out with Daddy in the kitchen.
Crawling in G-Ma's kitchen for 4th of July weekend
Crawling in G-Ma’s kitchen for 4th of July weekend
Hanging out at the pool with G-Ma and Paul
Hanging out at the pool with G-Ma and Paul
Fourth of July 2014
My favorite ladies all in one shot!
G-Ma makes me happy!!
G-Ma makes me happy!!
I don't even know what to say....
I don’t even know what to say….
Visiting Uncle Preston at work.
Visiting Uncle Preston at work.
You have to have a spoon if you're in the kitchen!!
You have to have a spoon if you’re in the kitchen!!
Happy in the bathroom!
Happy in the bathroom!
Playing with Papa
Playing with Papa
Night out with my love. BYOB paint class.
Night out with my love. BYOB paint class.
Not happy, but I know I'm cute....
Not happy, but I know I’m cute….
8 Month photo session. Hey bear, I got your nose!!
8 Month photo session. Hey bear, I got your nose!!
Okay, I'm a little proud.
Okay, I’m a little proud.
Keeping busy with my busy board.
Keeping busy with my busy board.
I claim this freezer MINE!
I claim this freezer MINE!
No matter what, I'm happiest when working out in my jumper.
No matter what, I’m happiest when working out in my jumper.
Happy after a nap!
Happy after a nap!
Food tastes better in this position.
Food tastes better in this position.
At least she won't be scared of a lot of things...
At least she won’t be scared of a lot of things…
I get lost in the ocean of her blue eyes every time.
I get lost in the ocean of her blue eyes every time.
I have the power!!!
I have the power!!!
Bottles stop her crying instantly.
Bottles stop her crying instantly.
Yepppppppp.
Yepppppppp.
Excited about going for a run in the stroller!!
Excited about going for a run in the stroller!!

 

Did I post enough? I had to stop myself from adding more, but hopefully you like what I have. We’re looking forward to another exciting month ahead!

How was your July?

Any plans for August?

Do you have kids going to school for the first time or preparing for another year?