*Again, please keep in mind that these are just my opinions and I'm not saying one way is better than another - these are just from my personal experiences and I would love to hear comments from all of you about your own tips to share with my readers!
About a year or so ago, I started following a blog, called Deal Seeking Mom - which had information about finding the best deals at different stores, coupon codes, free samples, etc. Slowly, I began following other bloggers and now follow more than I can even remember! They are a great source for information, and my next few posts are going to be dedicated to all of those wonderful bloggers who have inspired me and just some general tips. Below is a list of some of the bloggers I follow. Check out their websites, follow them on Facebook and subscribe to their blogs.
Passion For Savings
Mojo Savings
Centsable Momma
Hip 2 Save
Saving With Amy
Coupon Dad
This is just a very small selection of the ones I follow - over the next few weeks, I will add more links to the bloggers I follow, and share some tips on sweepstakes/giveaways. Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday - it may be 2011 before I have time to blog again!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
First-Time Mom Tips - After the Baby is Born: Walking/Talking
The title of this blog refers to first-time mom tips, however, these could really be for any mom - a first-time mom, a mom of multiple kids, or anyone in between!
*Again, please keep in mind that these are just my opinions and I'm not saying one way is better than another - these are just from my personal experiences and I would love to hear comments from all of you about your own tips to share with my readers!
How old was your child when he or she began walking or talking? At our son's 12 month appointment, I felt like our son should have been walking based on just some comments our doctor had said, so as his 15 month appointment was creeping up on his and he STILL wasn't walking, I was starting to get worried. Then it happened - 1 week before his 15 month appointment he started walking! I was thrilled to be able to tell the doctor that he was walking at that appointment. Have you had any similar experiences with your children?
Before our son's 18 month appointment, I was starting to get a little worried that he wasn't talking yet. Thankfully our doctor said it was okay because he wasn't in the gray zone yet based on our questionnaire, so that made me feel a lot better. He's still not talking, but he communicates in his own way and we understand a lot of what he's trying to say or show us - we just make sure we correctly tell him what he's trying to say. Hopefully he starts talking soon - I can't wait to hear actual words come out of his mouth! Have any of you had any similiar worries about a late talker in your family?
Obviously all babies are different and you need to see what works best for you before settling on a routine. Please feel free to leave any comments you might have, and let me know if you have any stories of your own!
*Again, please keep in mind that these are just my opinions and I'm not saying one way is better than another - these are just from my personal experiences and I would love to hear comments from all of you about your own tips to share with my readers!
How old was your child when he or she began walking or talking? At our son's 12 month appointment, I felt like our son should have been walking based on just some comments our doctor had said, so as his 15 month appointment was creeping up on his and he STILL wasn't walking, I was starting to get worried. Then it happened - 1 week before his 15 month appointment he started walking! I was thrilled to be able to tell the doctor that he was walking at that appointment. Have you had any similar experiences with your children?
Before our son's 18 month appointment, I was starting to get a little worried that he wasn't talking yet. Thankfully our doctor said it was okay because he wasn't in the gray zone yet based on our questionnaire, so that made me feel a lot better. He's still not talking, but he communicates in his own way and we understand a lot of what he's trying to say or show us - we just make sure we correctly tell him what he's trying to say. Hopefully he starts talking soon - I can't wait to hear actual words come out of his mouth! Have any of you had any similiar worries about a late talker in your family?
Obviously all babies are different and you need to see what works best for you before settling on a routine. Please feel free to leave any comments you might have, and let me know if you have any stories of your own!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
First-Time Mom Tips - After the Baby is Born: Bathing
The title of this blog refers to first-time mom tips, however, these could really be for any mom - a first-time mom, a mom of multiple kids, or anyone in between!
*Again, please keep in mind that these are just my opinions and I'm not saying one way is better than another - these are just from my personal experiences and I would love to hear comments from all of you about your own tips to share with my readers!
Our son hasn't ever been a fan of baths. We've done everything to varying the water temperature, getting him lots of bath toys, varying the length that he's in the tub, but nothing seems to make him really happy to get in the tub. He usually showers with my husband and he's starting to be okay with baths, but would still rather avoid them. How do you handle baths with your little ones? Any tips for fellow moms out there that might be having a hard time at bathtime?
We use bedtime bath soap when he gets a bath near bedtime, along with bedtime lotion. We've always used that when it's close to bedtime and it just seems to make him feel relaxed (not during the bath, but after). Has anyone else tried this? Does it work for you?
Obviously all babies are different and you need to see what works best for you before settling on a routine. Please feel free to leave any comments you might have, and let me know if you have any Bathing Tips of your own! What have you done that works for you and your kids?
*Again, please keep in mind that these are just my opinions and I'm not saying one way is better than another - these are just from my personal experiences and I would love to hear comments from all of you about your own tips to share with my readers!
Our son hasn't ever been a fan of baths. We've done everything to varying the water temperature, getting him lots of bath toys, varying the length that he's in the tub, but nothing seems to make him really happy to get in the tub. He usually showers with my husband and he's starting to be okay with baths, but would still rather avoid them. How do you handle baths with your little ones? Any tips for fellow moms out there that might be having a hard time at bathtime?
We use bedtime bath soap when he gets a bath near bedtime, along with bedtime lotion. We've always used that when it's close to bedtime and it just seems to make him feel relaxed (not during the bath, but after). Has anyone else tried this? Does it work for you?
Obviously all babies are different and you need to see what works best for you before settling on a routine. Please feel free to leave any comments you might have, and let me know if you have any Bathing Tips of your own! What have you done that works for you and your kids?
Friday, October 15, 2010
First-Time Mom Tips - After the Baby is Born: Sleeping
The title of this blog refers to first-time mom tips, however, these could really be for any mom - a first-time mom, a mom of multiple kids, or anyone in between!
*Again, please keep in mind that these are just my opinions and I'm not saying one way is better than another - these are just from my personal experiences and I would love to hear comments from all of you about your own tips to share with my readers!
-I'd try to create a bedtime routine as early as possible. Ours is this: We change his diaper, put bedtime lotion on him because it's supposed to help soothe him, put his pajamas on him, then give him his last bottle. We did that since about 1 month and it's worked beautifully for us and he's slept through the night since about 2 weeks (that could just be because he's a great baby, but I'm superstitious so I always do the same routine). Even to this day, while we don't always do the lotion and no longer a bottle, he still sleeps great through the night!
-We've always let him cry it out, if we needed to. At night, he always goes in his bed whether he's asleep or not, and he may or not cry for a while but it usually lasts no longer than 15-20 minutes. If it's just a nap he needs, my husband will nap with him on the couch if they both need a nap, or he'll go in his bed and cry it out until he falls asleep.
Obviously all babies are different and you need to see what works best for you before settling on a routine. Please feel free to leave any comments you might have, and let me know if you have any Sleeping Tips of your own! What have you done that works for you and your kids?
*Again, please keep in mind that these are just my opinions and I'm not saying one way is better than another - these are just from my personal experiences and I would love to hear comments from all of you about your own tips to share with my readers!
-I'd try to create a bedtime routine as early as possible. Ours is this: We change his diaper, put bedtime lotion on him because it's supposed to help soothe him, put his pajamas on him, then give him his last bottle. We did that since about 1 month and it's worked beautifully for us and he's slept through the night since about 2 weeks (that could just be because he's a great baby, but I'm superstitious so I always do the same routine). Even to this day, while we don't always do the lotion and no longer a bottle, he still sleeps great through the night!
-We've always let him cry it out, if we needed to. At night, he always goes in his bed whether he's asleep or not, and he may or not cry for a while but it usually lasts no longer than 15-20 minutes. If it's just a nap he needs, my husband will nap with him on the couch if they both need a nap, or he'll go in his bed and cry it out until he falls asleep.
Obviously all babies are different and you need to see what works best for you before settling on a routine. Please feel free to leave any comments you might have, and let me know if you have any Sleeping Tips of your own! What have you done that works for you and your kids?
Thursday, October 7, 2010
First-Time Mom Tips - Diapers & Wipes
The title of this blog refers to first-time mom tips, however, these could really be for any mom - a first-time mom, a mom of multiple kids, or anyone in between!
*Again, please keep in mind that these are just my opinions and I'm not saying one way is better than another - these are just from my personal experiences and I would love to hear comments from all of you about your own tips to share with my readers!
-If you're using a daycare/baby-sitter and you need to buy your own diapers/wipes, I'd buy generic diapers/wipes to send to daycare/baby-sitter. They tend to be much cheaper and are generally similar quality. Generic wipes work just as good as name brand wipes. Diapers can be different but if you're not the one using them, I found that cheaper is better.
-I only liked Pampers diapers for our use - Huggies always leaked and I didn't even want to try any others after trying Pampers. However, once our son was out of the Pampers Swaddlers and Pampers changed their Cruisers to Cruisers with Dry Max, we switched to Pampers Baby Dry. The Dry Max just didn't seem to hold as much and our son needed changed much more frequently to avoid any leaks, and I just didn't like the way they fit. Everyone is different - so test out what works best for you!
-Huggies are my favorite wipes - they're not as greasy-feeling as Pampers and I just really like the thickness/texture of them. I would buy generic (Target brand) for daycare. But I'm not too specific on wipes - I'll use any kind, whatever's on sale and I have a coupon for!
Please feel free to leave any comments you might have, and let me know if you have any Diapers & Wipes Tips of your own!
*Again, please keep in mind that these are just my opinions and I'm not saying one way is better than another - these are just from my personal experiences and I would love to hear comments from all of you about your own tips to share with my readers!
-If you're using a daycare/baby-sitter and you need to buy your own diapers/wipes, I'd buy generic diapers/wipes to send to daycare/baby-sitter. They tend to be much cheaper and are generally similar quality. Generic wipes work just as good as name brand wipes. Diapers can be different but if you're not the one using them, I found that cheaper is better.
-I only liked Pampers diapers for our use - Huggies always leaked and I didn't even want to try any others after trying Pampers. However, once our son was out of the Pampers Swaddlers and Pampers changed their Cruisers to Cruisers with Dry Max, we switched to Pampers Baby Dry. The Dry Max just didn't seem to hold as much and our son needed changed much more frequently to avoid any leaks, and I just didn't like the way they fit. Everyone is different - so test out what works best for you!
-Huggies are my favorite wipes - they're not as greasy-feeling as Pampers and I just really like the thickness/texture of them. I would buy generic (Target brand) for daycare. But I'm not too specific on wipes - I'll use any kind, whatever's on sale and I have a coupon for!
Please feel free to leave any comments you might have, and let me know if you have any Diapers & Wipes Tips of your own!
Friday, October 1, 2010
First-Time Mom Tips - Registering
The title of this blog refers to first-time mom tips, however, these could really be for any mom - a first-time mom, a mom of multiple kids, or anyone in between!
*Again, please keep in mind that these are just my opinions and I'm not saying one way is better than another - these are just from my personal experiences and I would love to hear comments from all of you about your own tips to share with my readers!
-Register for things you really want - but if you don't get them, I'd find a cheaper version if possible - for example: we registered for Playtex bottles, but nobody bought us any bottles, so we found cheap Gerber bottles at Target (it equaled out to the bottles being about $1 each) and they've worked out great! I've found that expensive isn't always the best - especially when it's your own money you have to end up spending!
-Register in stores if possible - they all give you some free stuff if you do! Whether it's product samples or coupons, it's truly beneficial to register in the store.
-Register for diapers (probably in size 2 and larger)/formula/wipes - you'll be lucky if anyone actually gets you some! At my own showers, nobody bought us any diapers or wipes, which really surprised me because every shower I had been to before having my own, it seemed like every gift included either a small box of diapers or wipes! So register for what you think you would like to use for your baby so that if people do get you a vital necessity like that, they know what you're wanting to use. And the reason I say size 2 is that if you don't, you'll get all Newborn and size 1 diapers, which quite honestly, your child probably won't fit into for that long - especially if you get a large amount of those diapers! Most of the time you can exchange them at your store though if need be.
-I'd recommend getting 8 bottles minimum - that will get you through almost 1 day's worth of bottles so you won't have to wash bottles more than once a day. I dreaded washing bottles some days, and other days I was on top of it, washing a bottle after every use. It's just nice to have the flexibility to not have to worry about if you have any bottles clean, if you have enough for the day!
-I'd buy a few LARGE waterproof multi-use pads. We use them as our cover on our changing table, and in his crib to cover most of the sheet so that if he spits up, or pees and it leaks through his pajamas, etc. then we don't have to change/wash sheets multiple times a day - changing crib sheets is horrible! So with those pads, I rarely have to change the sheets, and I always have 1 or 2 spare multi-use pads that I can put in the crib when one gets dirty.
-I haveabout 8-10 burp cloths, you can't have too many of those! We use them for when he's eating, for burping, for wiping his nose quick (since he always has one with him, it's usually the closest thing to be able to use for anything).
-We used a lot of receiving blankets in the first few months because we always kept him wrapped/swaddled and he loved that. Now I use them as a blanket to cover him up with if it's cool in his room, although he hates being covered up so he usually flings off the blanket not long after I put it over him.
Please feel free to leave any comments you might have, and let me know if you have any Registering Tips of your own!
*Again, please keep in mind that these are just my opinions and I'm not saying one way is better than another - these are just from my personal experiences and I would love to hear comments from all of you about your own tips to share with my readers!
-Register for things you really want - but if you don't get them, I'd find a cheaper version if possible - for example: we registered for Playtex bottles, but nobody bought us any bottles, so we found cheap Gerber bottles at Target (it equaled out to the bottles being about $1 each) and they've worked out great! I've found that expensive isn't always the best - especially when it's your own money you have to end up spending!
-Register in stores if possible - they all give you some free stuff if you do! Whether it's product samples or coupons, it's truly beneficial to register in the store.
-Register for diapers (probably in size 2 and larger)/formula/wipes - you'll be lucky if anyone actually gets you some! At my own showers, nobody bought us any diapers or wipes, which really surprised me because every shower I had been to before having my own, it seemed like every gift included either a small box of diapers or wipes! So register for what you think you would like to use for your baby so that if people do get you a vital necessity like that, they know what you're wanting to use. And the reason I say size 2 is that if you don't, you'll get all Newborn and size 1 diapers, which quite honestly, your child probably won't fit into for that long - especially if you get a large amount of those diapers! Most of the time you can exchange them at your store though if need be.
-I'd recommend getting 8 bottles minimum - that will get you through almost 1 day's worth of bottles so you won't have to wash bottles more than once a day. I dreaded washing bottles some days, and other days I was on top of it, washing a bottle after every use. It's just nice to have the flexibility to not have to worry about if you have any bottles clean, if you have enough for the day!
-I'd buy a few LARGE waterproof multi-use pads. We use them as our cover on our changing table, and in his crib to cover most of the sheet so that if he spits up, or pees and it leaks through his pajamas, etc. then we don't have to change/wash sheets multiple times a day - changing crib sheets is horrible! So with those pads, I rarely have to change the sheets, and I always have 1 or 2 spare multi-use pads that I can put in the crib when one gets dirty.
-I haveabout 8-10 burp cloths, you can't have too many of those! We use them for when he's eating, for burping, for wiping his nose quick (since he always has one with him, it's usually the closest thing to be able to use for anything).
-We used a lot of receiving blankets in the first few months because we always kept him wrapped/swaddled and he loved that. Now I use them as a blanket to cover him up with if it's cool in his room, although he hates being covered up so he usually flings off the blanket not long after I put it over him.
Please feel free to leave any comments you might have, and let me know if you have any Registering Tips of your own!
Friday, September 24, 2010
First-Time Mom Tips - Pre-Baby
The title of this blog refers to first-time mom tips, however, these could really be for any mom - a first-time mom, a mom of multiple kids, or anyone in between!
When my best friend from college found out she was pregnant last fall with her first baby, my brain went crazy remembering all of the tips I had come across from being a first time mom to a 4 month old at the time! During our baby shower, one thing the hosts did for our shower was ask everyone to bring in parenting tips. My friend, specifically said she didn't have many tips at the time because they didn't have any children of their own, so that she hoped I would pass on any tips I discovered along the way when they had children of their own. So I did just that! And I would love to share them all with you - not all at once though, so stay tuned for more! This specific blog refers to tips after you've found out you're pregnant, but before the baby has arrived.
*Again, please keep in mind that these are just my opinions and I'm not saying one way is better than another - these are just from my personal experiences and I would love to hear comments from all of you about your own tips to share with my readers!
-Starting anytime after you find out you're pregnant, I'd buy any clearance/sale clothing items you can find - any size, all the way through 24 months. I've gotten so many great deals on clothes - $2 or less - either at Target or Babies R Us - since before our was born. Onesies, shorts, pants, pajamas, and socks are all great things to have in every size for the first 2 years.
-Sign up for everything you possibly can - babycenter.com, thebump.com, Enfamil, Similac, Nestle Good Start, Pampers, Huggies, Luvs, etc. - they all send out samples, or get you free magazines, and give you tons of coupons. Even if you don't use them, there's always somebody you can pass them off to that could use them. I gave all of my Enfamil and Nestle Good Start formula coupons to other people, but still got other coupons from those companies that I could use - such as bottle coupons, food coupons, dishes/spoons coupons, nursing pad coupons, etc. Free stuff is great and it always comes in handy!
-If you're planning on having other kids, I'd buy lots of neutral items - pants, shirts, socks, pajamas, onesies, etc. - because that's all stuff you can use with your next kid. I bought very boy-ish specialty outfits (Thanksgiving, Christmas, 1st Birthday, etc.), but everything else is pretty neutral. Once people find out the sex of your baby, they tend to buy very gender-based clothing items so it's nice for you to have those neutral items on hand so your baby's wardrobe doesn't quickly turn into an all blue or all pink closet! It's also good to have neutral baby gear - strollers, car seats, bedding, furniture, etc. because those items can be pretty expensive and you don't want to have to buy a whole new set of everything with each additional child. To be able to re-use some of those items for additional children would be a great money saver.
-A few months before your due date, make appointments to meet with pediatricians - some offices have specific programs designed for expecting parents, others just allow you to come in to see the office and meet the doctors and ask questions. And in some instances, they'll give you a goodie bag - the pediatrician that we chose had a program for expecting parents and gave us a free book, coupons and a free container of formula. It's great to get all of those questions you have regarding the pediatrician out of the way before the baby arrives.
-If you are choosing a daycare, I'd start visiting them or at least contacting them soon after you find out you're pregnant. A lot of them have waiting lists, sometimes very long waiting lists, so you'd need to pick somewhere very soon if that is the case with one that you really like, so that you can get on the list or guarantee a spot for your baby when you're ready to use the daycare (which would probably be a month or 2 after the baby is born, however long your maternity leave will be). This is especially true for large cities I've found. The daycare we chose had a 6 month waiting list so it was good to get him on the list so that when we were ready, they would be ready for us.
Please feel free to leave any comments you might have, and let me know if you have any Pre-Baby Tips of your own!
When my best friend from college found out she was pregnant last fall with her first baby, my brain went crazy remembering all of the tips I had come across from being a first time mom to a 4 month old at the time! During our baby shower, one thing the hosts did for our shower was ask everyone to bring in parenting tips. My friend, specifically said she didn't have many tips at the time because they didn't have any children of their own, so that she hoped I would pass on any tips I discovered along the way when they had children of their own. So I did just that! And I would love to share them all with you - not all at once though, so stay tuned for more! This specific blog refers to tips after you've found out you're pregnant, but before the baby has arrived.
*Again, please keep in mind that these are just my opinions and I'm not saying one way is better than another - these are just from my personal experiences and I would love to hear comments from all of you about your own tips to share with my readers!
-Starting anytime after you find out you're pregnant, I'd buy any clearance/sale clothing items you can find - any size, all the way through 24 months. I've gotten so many great deals on clothes - $2 or less - either at Target or Babies R Us - since before our was born. Onesies, shorts, pants, pajamas, and socks are all great things to have in every size for the first 2 years.
-Sign up for everything you possibly can - babycenter.com, thebump.com, Enfamil, Similac, Nestle Good Start, Pampers, Huggies, Luvs, etc. - they all send out samples, or get you free magazines, and give you tons of coupons. Even if you don't use them, there's always somebody you can pass them off to that could use them. I gave all of my Enfamil and Nestle Good Start formula coupons to other people, but still got other coupons from those companies that I could use - such as bottle coupons, food coupons, dishes/spoons coupons, nursing pad coupons, etc. Free stuff is great and it always comes in handy!
-If you're planning on having other kids, I'd buy lots of neutral items - pants, shirts, socks, pajamas, onesies, etc. - because that's all stuff you can use with your next kid. I bought very boy-ish specialty outfits (Thanksgiving, Christmas, 1st Birthday, etc.), but everything else is pretty neutral. Once people find out the sex of your baby, they tend to buy very gender-based clothing items so it's nice for you to have those neutral items on hand so your baby's wardrobe doesn't quickly turn into an all blue or all pink closet! It's also good to have neutral baby gear - strollers, car seats, bedding, furniture, etc. because those items can be pretty expensive and you don't want to have to buy a whole new set of everything with each additional child. To be able to re-use some of those items for additional children would be a great money saver.
-A few months before your due date, make appointments to meet with pediatricians - some offices have specific programs designed for expecting parents, others just allow you to come in to see the office and meet the doctors and ask questions. And in some instances, they'll give you a goodie bag - the pediatrician that we chose had a program for expecting parents and gave us a free book, coupons and a free container of formula. It's great to get all of those questions you have regarding the pediatrician out of the way before the baby arrives.
-If you are choosing a daycare, I'd start visiting them or at least contacting them soon after you find out you're pregnant. A lot of them have waiting lists, sometimes very long waiting lists, so you'd need to pick somewhere very soon if that is the case with one that you really like, so that you can get on the list or guarantee a spot for your baby when you're ready to use the daycare (which would probably be a month or 2 after the baby is born, however long your maternity leave will be). This is especially true for large cities I've found. The daycare we chose had a 6 month waiting list so it was good to get him on the list so that when we were ready, they would be ready for us.
Please feel free to leave any comments you might have, and let me know if you have any Pre-Baby Tips of your own!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Welcome and Quick Overview
First, I'd like to welcome you to my blog! This is what I hope to be a new beginning for me and all of the followers I hope to bring along with me. I am a new mom of a 16-month old boy, and I feel I have a lot of good information to share with the world based on my experiences, tips from others, trial-and-error situations and good old fashioned reading! As of now, I'm planning to post a new tip each week - such as tips for new (or veteran!) moms, organizational tips, savings tips, etc. I'd love any comments that you have - even if it's just a quick hello or keep up the good work! I hope you all enjoy my new adventure as much as I hope to, and feel free to mention my blog to anyone you think could benefit from it! If you could become a "follower" of my blog, and click on any ads that interest you as well, that would be a huge help to me to get this blog out there for all to see!
This is just an introduction to my blog, and I hope to post my first "real" entry this week. Stay tuned and thanks again for following!
This is just an introduction to my blog, and I hope to post my first "real" entry this week. Stay tuned and thanks again for following!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)