Best body oil for during and after pregnancy, Easter shopping ideas, easy homemade granola bars, and more mom things from around the internet
Hi, mamas!!!
We woke up to a dusting of snow this morning, and I thought I was dreaming (or rather, having a nightmare). Joke is on me that I shared my favorite outdoor toys two weeks ago as if it was time to use them! Well, I’m pulling our winter coats back out of storage to get to our favorite Wednesday activity this morning, a local music cafe’s kid’s folk club. These are the things I love about our little city. Staying busy and getting out of the house each morning for a play date or a class is a must at this toddler age. My brain can't comprehend how my 21-month-old has so much energy when she wakes up before sunrise every morning. I'm tired, but gosh, this age is so fun and rewarding, as you can truly see how much toddlers learn and absorb every day. How is my baby so grown up all of a sudden?!
PS If you missed last week’s email, don’t forget to check here for some of my Easter faves.
CLICK IF…
You’re hosting a baby shower and need a fun, creative activity for the guests
Your partner is a golfer, because this mom’s take is golf season is hilarious
You shop at TJMaxx for your kiddoes, you need to know this hack
Your Easter Bunny is in need of some last-minute shopping inspo
You’re feeling discourged by bedtime being a long process
FINDS
Shop some of my previous finds below:
You can also read all of my previous Mom Mail newsletters in the archive, here.
EATS: The Best Baked Granola Bars
Don’t get me wrong - I love a store-bought snack. But I’ve been trying to make a few homemade treats each week to save money and have a bit more control over the ingredients we’re eating as a family. The recipe we use for granola bars is inspired very closely by this one from Yummy Toddler Food website. We change a few ingredients each time we make them to keep my daughter from getting bored with this snack. (This week, we made strawberry banana ones!)
There are many options for the different wet ingredients you can use in the recipe, making it easy to use up whatever you have in your fridge and pantry. We don't put chia seeds in the bars (I'm just personally not a fan), and we still avoid adding salt for our little one, so we nix that from the ingredients, too. I love that the ingredients are all mixed together in a blender or food processor, so the mess in the kitchen is minimal. (My husband loves that part!) Once baked, they are easily stored on the counter or in the fridge. We have yet to freeze them since every time they all ~disappear~ before they reach the freezer, but if you try freezing them, let me know how it goes! My final tip is to remember to score them before baking (lightly use a knife to draw lines on the dough) so they're easy to break into the granola bar shapes after they've cooled.
SELF-CARE: Hatch Mama Belly Oil
I started using this body oil when I was pregnant back in 2022/2023, and I’ve been using it ever since. Even though it is called Belly Oil, I use it now a few times a week after showers on my arms, legs, etc. But while I was pregnant, it was great for bumps, thighs, boobs, etc., and I think it really helped me to avoid a lot of stretch mark scarring. I am obsessed with the natural, subtle scent of the sweet almond and grapefruit oils, and I appreciate the formula being free from parabens, phthalates, dyes, & fragrance. And since I definitely struggle with dehydrated skin in the colder months, this has helped me feel less like a reptile. I also love gifting this to mamas-to-be at their showers or to close friends when I first learn that they are expecting.
MOM MAIL BOOK CLUB: Corduroy
This week’s Mom Mail Book Club pick is the current favorite in our house, Corduroy. This classic tells the story of a little bear who lives in a department store and the little girl who becomes his best friend — and replaces the missing button to the shoulder strap of his overalls. It's a relatively quick and beautiful read for bedtime or anytime. And, as always, this book makes a great gift for a baby shower, a child’s birthday, or an Easter basket.
Don’t forget that you can be gifted a copy of this book by forwarding this email to a mom friend and encouraging them to subscribe. Each time you forward a Mom Mail email, it counts as one entry. When you forward an email, make sure to cc ‘mommailbymads@gmail.com’ so we can count your entry. The book winner will be contacted via email :)
Thank you for subscribing to Mom Mail! Until next week <3
Xo, Mads