Sunday's Sanity Saving Tip

It seems like a no-brainer, but entertainment is the biggest money-sucker for most young families. It is also one of the most important things for a mom (especially a mom of two!). For my family, with a 2 year old who is constantly on the move and needing to be entertained, we could easily spend $100 a month in books, games, toys, crafts, etc... All in an attempt to keep Z happy.

Enter the sanity saving tip of the week: the library. Dust off your old library card, folks, because our weekly visit to the library has saved me well over $100 per month and opened my son up to a whole new world!

Each week, Z, W & I go visit our local library branch. We are lucky because our branch is brand new and absolutely beautiful. Z is allowed to pick out 5 books per visit (I give him a little help because, let's be honest, he rummages for a few minutes and then grabs any book that is near his grubby little fingers). He is also allowed to pick out 2 DVDs. This is where the money saving has really started to pay off. He has been really into Bob the Builder recently and if I was to purchase all the DVDs, I would end up spending at least $15 a pop. Multiply that by the 15 Bob the Builder DVDs we've seen at the library and I would have been out a whole whack of cash! He also has been desperate to see Cars. I'm not sure that he'll love it and don't really want to spend the money on the DVD until I know...so I've requested it at the library to make sure it's a movie we really want to purchase.

Our local library also offers toddler story time. For approximately 1/2 hour, toddlers are entertained by one of the best story-tellers I've seen in a long time. Z loves to just sit and watch and listen but he's starting to become a bit more brave and participate. With some songs, stories, and crafts, you can't beat this free entertainment and learning.

Young families need a weekly outing that is both fun and affordable! The library fits the bill for both- fun for mom and kids alike.

Sunday Sanity Saving Tip: the library

Face-Licking and One Nap

Today, Z wrestled me to the ground.  Fun times.  Ok, I "let" him wrestle me, but he feels like he did it.  Then, he grabbed my cheeks with his chubby little hands, squished them together, and licked my mouth.
LOL!
I think he was trying to give me a kiss...I think??
Regardless, it was so cute and he was so proud of himself.  Little stinker!

In other news, I believe we are entering one nap territory.  Which drives me BANANAS!!!!!  He is 7 1/2 months old and he should still be having two naps (I feel).  He gets up at 6am, has a "cat-nap" (30 mins...tops...which is not a nap and doesn't count!) at about 8am, then a real nap from 11am-1pm.  That's it.
So his new bedtime has become 6pm because he just cannot make it any longer...not that I'm complaining because I actually get time to work on things like writing (which I love) and reading (which I love even more)...and housekeeping if I remember/desire/have to...
But, between you and me, I wouldn't mind if he went to sleep at 7pm and woke up at 7am...that extra hour of sleep would be amazing!

Pampers Tips Sheet- A Parent Is Born

Remember being a brand new mom?  I certainly do...granted it was just 7 months ago, but those 7 months have been some of the busiest, head-spinningest, mind-boggling moments of my life!

I've waxed poetic about this before- but no matter how many books I read and websites I perused, I was so completely unprepared for new motherhood and all that it would bring to my life.  Gah!  Who knew that when you read that you wouldn't get much sleep, that meant you wouldn't get ANY sleep??  Who knew that breastfeeding could feel like torture and bottle feeding with formula could end up causing a Niagara Falls of throw-up??  Who knew that everytime my new baby coughed it didn't mean that he had a lung infection and he didn't need to be run to the pediatrician?

I'll tell you who knew: other moms!!  As baby Z has grown, other moms have become my best ali and my greatest resource.  They know.  They know more then any website or book could ever tell me and they're willing to tell you exactly the way it is.  Some of the best advice I have heard, I feel, should be passed on to you.  Seasoned moms, new moms, expecting moms, or ever people who think they might be moms one day need to know:

1. Trust your own instincts, even if you are a first time mother.  You carried that baby for 9 months and it is your responsibility.  Don't be afraid to listen to that "little voice".
2. Do what is right for YOU AND YOUR BABY.  Whatever works for you (within common sense reason of course) is what you should do.
3. Ask for help.  Now is not the time to be proud.  When people say it takes a village to raise a child, they were right.  Trying to do everything on your own will only result in an exhausted, stressed out mommy.
4. Eat while your baby sleeps.  Shower whenever you can.  Prepare your diaper bag the night before,even if you don't think you're going out the next day.  A tiny bit of forethought goes a long way in saving your sanity.
5. Tell your baby that you love him EVERY SINGLE DAY

Those are just a few of the amzing pieces of advice I've received in the first 7 months of my child's life.  I'm sure that other mothers could add one or two tidbits that saved them when they were new moms or when they were returning to work.

Now you have the chance to share that advice and win something for it!!  You should know by now that I love myself a good contest, and I wanted to share this one with all my mommy friends out there.

Pampers is creating a Pampers Tip Sheet that will chock full of useful information by moms for moms.  Real advice that is practical and useable.  Wouldn't you hae killed for that when having your baby?

Enter your best mom tips HERE for the chance to win a $20 gift card (25 winners) or a grand prize of $500 (and who couldn't use that with Christmas right around the corner?).  There are two categories:

1. How to cope with going back to work 
2. Mom/Baby Sleep Tips

You can enter all tips HERE until December 10th! 

And, if you don't mind, feel free to share all parenting tips here with me!! Lord knows I could use them:)