After 3 years of searching, I finally found a comfortable nursing bra I love! I wrote (and raved) about it, and much like when I had my first child, I doubted that I could ever love another bra so completely! But, like any mom of multiple kids knows, when another one comes along your heart grows big enough to accommodate them all! And that’s exactly what happened when I found the Bella Materna Basic T-shirt Nursing Bra with underwire.
Life is all about decisions. Decisions, change, challenges. They never seem to stop. And each decision I make seems to lead to more change, bigger challenges, and yet another decision to be made…
Like having children. I have never doubted that I wanted to become a mom. But now, I can no longer deny that I’m being faced with the decision as to whether I want to keep my job or not. The answer we’re leaning toward? Not.
I just can’t do the corporate rat race with a 130-mile per day commute, leaving me zero time to spend with those kids I wanted so badly. It’s NOT a sustainable way to live, so it’s time for a change. But that means challenges galore. Namely, our budget. But I can deal. I know big changes will need to happen, but I’m hoping I can make a lot of little ones, too.
Take my love of coffee, for instance. I live for the feel of a warm, hand-crafted coffeehouse drink in my hand. Alas, I’m going to have to break up with my barista. Those things ain’t cheap. But I have a new love! Once that saves me money without having to give up any of the quality of my beloved coffeehouse brew. It’s Gevalia, and it comes in new single serve K-cups. It’s by far the best single serve coffee I’ve ever had.
…and just look what you can do with it!
Filed under Product & Restaurant Reviews, Recipes & Food, Uncategorized
I had to go to the doctor today, and I had no choice but to take both kids with me. I was a little worried about my son’s “poor behavior-itis” so I agreed to let him get a new app on my phone to keep him busy while we were there. The timing was perfect, because Disney Junior has just released the new “Doc McStuffins: Time for Your Check Up” app!
The brand new activity-based app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch allows players to join Doc, along with Hallie, Lambie and the rest of her friends for a fun-filled time fixing, sorting, exploring and caring for toys, dolls and more. Inside Doc’s clinic, players can choose from four entertaining and engaging developmental activities.
Game features include:
The Big Book of Boo Boos saves the names and diagnoses of cured patients so players can go back and look at them at anytime. Additionally, throughout the game players will be able to earn Doctor’s Notes prescribed with “lots of love,” “kisses” and “cuddles.”
My appointment went smoothly, and my boy wasn’t even freaked out when I had blood drawn. In fact, he was quite interested. But then, he watched Doc, and knows that there’s nothing to be afraid of. Thanks, Doc!
The “Doc McStuffins: Time For Your Check Up!” App is available for $3.99 from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.
Filed under Family Fun, Uncategorized
Mother’s Day, my birthday (40!), my anniversary…they’re all coming up soon. And what do I want, besides an 8th day in the week strictly for relaxing? There’s one thing I covet above all others: some snuggly muslin from aden + anais.
I fell head over heels in love with aden + anais products when I got the bamboo swaddle blankets I put on my baby registry. I had heard such great things, and boy did they ever live up to the hype! They’re softer than soft and such a generous size for really good swaddling. We got a few of the Classic Muslin Swaddle Blankets, too, and they also became fast favorites.
You may be wondering what the big deal is about muslin. Here it is, from the experts themselves:
“Muslin is a finely-woven breathable fabric believed to have originated in Bangladesh during the Middle Ages. Its delicate yet durable weave makes the fabric stretchy and, therefore, ideal for swaddling, as the natural “give” allows the blanket to be tucked snuggly around a baby without being overly restrictive.
The lightweight muslin also permits air to circulate around the baby’s body, while still providing comfort and warmth without the worry that the baby may overheat in moderate weather. Cotton muslin is also a workhorse fabric, in that wraps woven from this natural fiber stands up to repeated washings only becoming softer — and better — with age.”
– adenandanais.com
That statement about not letting baby overheat really is true. For some reason, both of my kids put out some serious heat when they sleep, which leaves them sweaty and hot all night long. The muslin helps keep them from getting too hot, which helps me sleep better and worry less. Besides the swaddlers, Elliette now has a classic sleeping bag, which is great now that the weather is warming up. She can wear it alone or over a onesie to keep her feeling safe and snug without the need for a blanket or anything else. The single layer of muslin is light and allows air to circulate so she stays comfortable. Plus, it gets softer and comfier each time it’s washed!
Filed under Baby Guide, Product & Restaurant Reviews, Uncategorized
I have lots of clear memories of my childhood, but some of my most vivid memories are of washing wooden stairs with a sponge, cooking spaghetti on Wednesdays, and picking up sticks with my trusty wheelbarrow. Those were my chores, and I don’t remember them so well because I hated them or because they were hard. I remember them because they made me feel proud of myself. (Ok, so I hated doing the spaghetti dishes, but I got over it…)
Now, I’m trying to figure out how to help my son feel that same sense of pride. At three years old, he’s just getting to the point where he can really understand what it means to help Mom and Dad. Right now, he helps alongside me when I clean, recycles with Daddy, and picks up his toys. Sometimes he’s willing, but sometimes it’s a bit of a battle, so my challenge lately has been getting him excited while helping him build a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility.
So, I found this online service called MyJobChart.com. My Job Chart is the free, easy to use, online chore chart and reward system for teaching, organizing and motivating your kids to Save, Share and Spend responsibly.
Kids simply log in…
do chores and earn points
then save, share or spend!
Kids can even access their own personal store where they can redeem their points.
Here’s how it works:
How MyJobChart.com Works! from MyJobChart.com on Vimeo.
My Job Chart gives parents the satisfaction of seeing their kids gain the foundation skills of a strong work ethic and financial understanding. It facilitates fun, engaging, hands-on answers to your questions about chore chart , kids and allowance , and kids and responsibility. My Job Chart even gets a thumbs up from financial expert Suze Ormon, who calls it a “revolutionary family resource”!
Currently there are 351,755 members using MJC and hundreds more joining each day. We’ll have to work pretty closely with our boy since he’s only three, but I’m going to give My Job Chart a try. Maybe I’ll even start a chart for myself! 
Filed under Parenting & Family, Uncategorized
