Hadley is almost here, which means Mikey has to pass the torch down to his little sister, and give up the crib. I've been a little worried about this day, because in all my research on transitioning from a crib to toddler bed, almost all mom's said NOT to transition before 2 years old.

Well, I'm breaking the mold.

Having another baby with Mikey being nearly 17 months old and having 2 cribs seems silly to me. After much thought and consideration, Michael and I believed that our little dude was ready to sleep in a regular bed, but which one? The possibilities are endless when it comes to toddler beds! Again, I researched, and researched, and researched and then decided I didn't want a toddler bed at all. Why buy something he will grow out of so quickly?! Why not just skip the toddler bed and go straight to a twin size? So that's exactly what we did.

Now for my next challenge, which twin size bed? I still wanted a railing to he wouldn't roll off, but I wanted the bed to last him more than a year or 2. I felt like once I jumped one hurdle, I only kept running into another. I knew exactly what I wanted the bed to look like, but I just couldn't find the one that took my breath away. So, I decided to make one.

Introducing Mikey's new bed - made from re purposed pallet wood!

I'm obsessed with this bed. Thank you to my Step-Dad, Mike, for helping me build this beauty! It's exactly what I had envisioned, and Mikey loves the freedom.

Some things about this bed:

1. I found inspiration for this bed HERE*Of course, Mikey's bed is quite a bit different, but this post really sparked my design for creating a toddler bed out of pallets.
*Follow me on Pinterest for more cool kid room ideas!
2. This bed is on wheels. Being made totally of wood, it's heavy. Really heavy. Putting the bed on casters lets me move it around the room, and clean underneath it when I need to. Mikey isn't big enough to move it, though.
3. The toddler rail is totally removable. Like I said before, I wanted something that would fit him now ... and later. He won't be a toddler forever, so it was important to me that this railing can be used when needed, and removed when the time came.
4. This is a twin sized bed. I can sleep on it, Michael can sleep on it. A standard twin sized mattress is what we have on the bed which leaves room for growth.
5. I sanded and sealed the bed to eliminate splinters. I seemed to get that question a lot from my family and friends when they saw the bed. It typically went something like "Isn't he going to get a splinter from all that old wood?" Of course, I don't want my kid waking up every morning with pieces of wood in his skin, so we sanded and sealed the bed to make sure that didn't happen!

This new bed is perfect for their shared room, and gives that rustic boy feel to Mikey's space that I was looking for. I couldn't be more happy with the final result, and neither could Mikey!

What do you think?

Toddler Tales - favorites as we transition from baby to toddler

My child has grown so much over the last year and a half, and as we transition from baby to toddler, I find myself wondering up and down aisles trying to figure out what the best products are. I feel so out of the loop! I had just mastered shopping for a baby, established my favorite brands, and completed all the necessary research and it then BAM! he isn't a baby anymore. It can really break a mom's heart.

I found that there is a ton of information out there about baby products. Great reviews, blog posts and explanations of all things baby, but I really had a hard time finding any worthwhile information on toddler products. What works? What doesn't?

Here is a list of my favorite finds for my new toddler.

1. Plastic Plates - target dollar bin is the best place to find these plastic serving dishes for kids right now. They are $1 a piece and they have a variety for boys and girls. The plate featured is Skip Hop Zoo Divided Plates, and is great for keeping food separate while your little one learns to eat all on his own.

2. Child Tumblers - this thing is awesome, and Mikey loves drinking from a cup like Momma's. If your little one is into drinking from a straw, I highly recommend picking one of these up.

3. Graco Soft Transitions Potty Training Seat - Potty training is hard. That could be a whole different post itself. This potty training seat has been incredible in our journey through training, and it transitions 3 ways to help your little one through the process. I highly recommend!

4. Mix and Match PJ's - These mix and match pajamas are so much fun. Mikey loves dressing himself now, and the fun colors and prints get him excited about bedtime. They are perfect for potty-training kids and make him feel like he's independent enough to pick out his own clothes.

5. KidKraft Sling Bookshelf - The older he gets, the more and more interested Mikey becomes in books. The illustrations keep him interested, and he loves to listen to Momma or Daddy read to him before bed. This is such a neat and clean way to store books while allowing them to be on display for your little to choose their favorite one!

6. BabyTrend Sit n Stand Double Stroller - Having a baby sister will really change Mikey's riding situation. We have been taking this bad boy out for a few test runs before the new baby arrives, and he has really enjoyed it! He loves that he can sit in front or back, or has the ability to stand if he wants a little more freedom. Momma and Daddy love it, too.

@Targetfanatic {Instagram Finds}

I love Target. I really, really love it. The dollar bins are always stocked full of things did I love, and Their home decor and furniture sections hold a special place in my heart. Michael loves the t-shirts that they have, and I can't walk past the Women's clothing without stopping to take a look. I can't spend less than 30 minutes in the baby section for my little people, and I always find myself walking out with some type of purchase.

As you can see, I'm not the only one who likes checking out the One Spot finds!

Photo Editor - Rhonna Designs App in Android Market

Recently while scrolling through Instagram (@l_rotundo), I ran across an instagram-er who shares deals and discounts at Target. Swoon. I had no idea that Target had so many great deals and coupons!

MEET @targetfanatic

If you are a Target shopper who likes saving money (and who doesn't?!) then this is your place to easily find deals and coupons directly on your instagram feed. She posts regularly with deals, steals and coupons that help shoppers get the most bang for their buck.

She's worth the follow! Now excuse me while I head to Target ....

Bringing back date night

Michael and I have been married for almost 3 years now. We have 1 child and we are days away from delivering our 2nd bundle of joy. With that being said, date night has turned into a thing of the past.

Between chasing our wild child, keeping up with the Army life and anticipating the arrival of our next kid, we don't have a lot of time on our hands. It's become very apparent recently that Momma and Dad could use a night out. Not a crazy night out or anything, just a night to ourselves to have an adult conversation about something other than diapers, what's for dinner, or what the next weeks schedule looks like.

Here is a list of a few date night idea's that are cheap (or free!) to help bring back date night.

1. Netflix Night In {FREE!} - Netflix is a valued thing in this house, but mostly to watch Jake and the Neverland Pirates. We rarely have the chance to watch an adult movie, or follow a series that we enjoy. I can't even begin to tell you how nice it is to cuddle up on my own couch, wearing my favorite sweatpants with my husband and enjoying an adult movie together. It's truly a relaxing way to spend some quality time with your spouse!

2. Drive-In Movie - Drive-in films are a cool experience. Not every town has a drive-in theater, but do a little research to see if there is one near you. It's so fun to pack up the car, bring your favorite snacks and drinks, and sit outside beneath the stars and get out of the house with your loved one! If you haven't been to a drive-in movie, it's worth the trip!

3. Day at the park {FREE!} - Sometimes dates can take place in the afternoon, and if you are looking for a day date, this is the way to go! Take a walk around the park and take in the view, grab a few bikes and exercise together, or grab a bench and talk. Have a picnic outside and enjoy some sunshine. There are so many things that you can do at the park!

4. Have a Picnic - This could tie in with #3, but having a picnic, no matter where you have it, can be a fun way to relax and talk to your spouse. Picnic's are so fun, and can even be a surprise date if your looking to add a little spark to the date!

5. 21 Questions {FREE!} - Create a list of 21 questions that you want to ask your spouse, and have them do the same thing, then spend the night asking one another questions. This is such a great way to get to know a little bit more about your spouse, share your dreams and thoughts, and improve your marriage.

6. Make a Meal Night - Pick a night and a meal and make it with your spouse. Many towns offer cooking classes that you can participate in, or you could head to the grocery store together to grab the ingredients of your favorite meal and make it together at home! Michael and I do homemade pizza night a lot, and we have so much fun making our own pizza's in our kitchen while the kids are asleep.

7. Ice Cream Date - This is a little traditional, but I love ice cream, so it's always a win for me. Spend an hour or 2 in the ice cream parlor enjoying your favorite flavors and having adult conversation. Even an hour together can really add a new life to your marraige.

8. Scavenger Hunt - Plan a fun scavenger hunt for your loved one. Pick some of their favorite things to hide, and create clues to lead them to the items. This can be a fun surprise, and a way to let your spouse know that you are thinking of them, and appreciate them for what they do!

9. Dinner Date - Of course. How could this not be on here? Sometime's is so nice to have a nice meal cooked for you, dress up, and spend an evening having a drink with your spouse. Hire a good babysitter and treat yourselves!

10. Art Date - A lot of towns have some type of ceramics shop or craft stores that have classes where you can create something together. Michael and I have went to our local ceramics shop before to spend some time together and you get a fun gift out of it. It's super fun to create something together!

Here is my list of dates that work for us! Most of them are super cheap or free, and they are things that we would recommend. It's important to spend quality time together, so get out there and bring date night back!