Over the last year, our family has adapted to a new normal and we have spent so much more quality time together as a family. I’ve found so much comfort in self care, spending time with my family, and snuggling up with Dimples. Dimples joined our family last year and he has brought so much joy to our lives! He couldn’t have joined our family at a better time, since he kept us so active during our time at home for daily walks and play time! I don’t think dogs realize how much they change their human’s lives. They always say “Who rescued who?” and I honestly find myself asking that question all the time.

When the leaves change and the weather drops, I know it’s time for my favorite season of the year! As we approach this new season of life as a family of four this October, Ben and I have been looking for ways to spend quality time with Aimery and activities to do when she’s finally here. I love the fall time because the air is crisp, the outfits are cozy, and there are so many fun things to do together as a family. Whether it’s a Halloween movie night at home or taking a drive through town to see the foliage, there’s endless amounts of fall activities for families to do together.

Did you know that dogs may struggle with stress and anxiety just as much as people do? While it can be hard to notice at first, your dog may be trying to tell you something; so pay attention as best as you can! Some ways that your dog might try and let you know they’re feeling off is by tucking their tail, pushing their ears back, trembling, panting, and the list truly goes on. If you notice any unusual activity, that’s when it might be time to discover ways to relax and soothe your furry friend. Our family grew last year when we brought our dog Dimples home, and life has been so great since he joined us! Dimples suffers from general and separation anxiety, so Ben and I have been doing a lot of research and trial-and-error to see what works for us and Dimples. Keep reading to see how we have been working with Dimples to soothe his anxious feelings!

As we transition to October, it’s important to be aware that October is Fire Prevention Month! Ben and I have been preparing for baby #2 over the last few weeks, and making sure our family is prepared in any circumstance we may face, including fire safety. Aimery talks about how much he wants to be a firefighter one day, so Ben and I have been finding ways to incorporate that into our day-to-day. We’ve been putting together a checklist for fire prevention month with the help of First Alert to make sure our home and our safety plan are all in check. You can find Fire Alert fire safety products at your local Lowe’s. Keep reading to learn more about our family’s fire prevention month checklist!

Ben and I could not be any more excited for baby girl to join our family next month! This is such an exciting time as we are spending together preparing for her arrival. This week, we went on our last vacation as a family of three to our lake house at Deep Creek. Whenever we travel, we always make sure our wills and life insurance policies are up to date!

We have been practicing positive parenting with Aimery over the last couple of years, and have found that it works best for our family. Positive parenting focuses on helping children understand their emotions and encourages parents to be more mindful about active listening to their children’s needs. Positive parenting goes into every aspect of parenting, including Aimery’s relationship with food. It is important for Ben and I to help Aimery create a healthy relationship with food, while making sure he is getting all the nutrition he needs. Keep reading for three tips to practice positive parenting with a picky toddler!