This part of Arizona, well all of Arizona is beautiful, and different and so unlike the midwest. I especially love the red rock here. We visited Arizona at the perfect time, because there were plants blooming, and lots of green splattered around the desert. 

I rounded up some of Ruby's favorite toys as well as a couple we hope to add to her collection soon. I am a big advocate for beautiful baby toys. Most of these toys have held a spot on her bookshelf at some point. I love that they can serve another purpose and look beautiful displayed or maybe just strewn about on your living room floor. :) 

I recently read something that said, 'I don't want to sleep like a baby, I want to sleep like my husband'. And it's so true. It makes me a little angry that Jordan sleeps so well, and i'm usually up thinking about nonsense.

Casper asked me to share some thoughts sleep for World Sleep Day, so I decided to ask the best sleeper I know. So, here are some tips from Jordan's Sleep School, free of charge! :)

Jordan's Sleep School 

1. Sleep is essential.
"I'm a grump if I don't get good sleep"

2. Wind down before bed.

Do something you enjoy, read a book, watch tv

3. Cold bedroom with warm sheets.
Jordan prefers to keep the temp down around 64 when you can and use flannel sheets (in the winter time) He also very dislikes cold feet touching him, so he says ;)

4. Wake up slowly

Jordan sets a couple alarms to ensure that he gets up, he also likes to read in the morning and take his time getting out of bed. 

5. Take care of things during the day - don't think or worry about them at night

The key to getting good sleep is having a good day. Try not to plan anything too stressful in the morning (like a test or difficult meeting)
Jordan is a very efficient person by nature, so he typically aims to get everything done of his to do list.

I think this is one area that would help me to fall asleep quicker. Instead I often put things off and am worrying about them in the evening (when I can't do anything about it) to make sure I do it the next day

6. Comfy bed with comfy pillows
Jordan and I often prop up all of the pillows to sit up, relax, read and talk before bed.
Also, invest in a nice mattress, and I am a sucker for memory foam, so a topper for our bed and have an appropriate pillow for how you sleep.

(Ruby is two months in this photo above)

These were just a few things that stuck out to him in our conversation about this sleep habits. He also helps me when I can't fall asleep at night. He often tells me to get out of bed, sit down somewhere else and read a book, or lay down on the couch.

I think my biggest lifesaver recently for me, has been the reminder app on my phone. I'll just tell Siri to "remind me to water the orchid every Monday" and she will. Or "remind me tomorrow night girl's night at 6:30 p.m." Then I don't have to worry about it. Definitely a big help for this mama who can't seem to remember ANYTHING. Does it ever come back???

What are some of your sleep habits? Do you have any lifesaving tips?

P.S. Here is a great infographic on the power of naps and ruby sleeping

 This girl on her papa's shoulders is just the cutest thing. We brought a carrier, but Jordan often prefers to hold her and she prefers to ride on his shoulders. She tugs on his ears and hair and we joke that she's trying to tell him where to go.