Category Archives: Managing Baby

Boba Air Carrier Review

Posted on by
The Boba Air is a great carrier choice for infants and toddlers! It's lightweight, convenient, and packs up into a small pouch. Check out my full Boba Air review for more. #babywearing #babycarrier #toddlerwearing

There are so many great baby carriers out there with so many great merits to each. It can be hard to decide what carrier will be best for your family or even which carriers! (Many parents have multiple for different uses.) Our son is two now and the only carrier that we have ever used for him is the Boba Air. It’s been a lifesaver in many situations including summer festivals, long walks, and even just family trips to the mall. In general I love that this carrier is lightweight, super portable, adjusts to fit myself and my husband, and is still comfortable for my toddler. Read on to see a more detailed Boba Air review.  read more

The Best Place to See Santa in Milwaukee – Top 5 Santa Spots Ranked by Moms (2018)

Posted on by

I asked local moms to vote on the best place to see Santa in Milwaukee. Here are the top 5 mom favorite Santa Spots. #Santa #Christmas #MKE #MKEMom #MilwaukeeMom

Visiting Santa is a holiday tradition that many families look forward to every year! It can be a fun event for children or a crazy and long process for the whole family. Unfortunately, holiday crowds are a big part of the season, but there are so many places to see Santa that you should be able to find one that will be a fun family outing! Visiting Santa should be a magical experience that your little ones can look back on fondly. I asked local moms to vote on the best place to see Santa in Milwaukee. Here are their choices for the top 5 best Santa spots.

Please note: this info is meant to be a helpful reference for you, and is up-to-date as of November 7, 2018. Please double check hours, availability, etc. before planning your trip!

The 5 Best Places to Visit Santa in Milwaukee:

Brookfield Square Mall

Brookfield square mall tops our list as best place to see Santa in Milwaukee. This is our personal favorite as well as a favorite among local moms. Peanut and I visited Santa here on Christmas Eve last year, and it was great! There were only two other families in line, so we were able to wave to Santa before and take our time visiting.

Hours: Starting Saturday November 10th
Monday – Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Sunday: 11am – 6pm
Some special holiday hours – see website for details.

Cost: Visit is free, photo packages range $24.99-$49.99

Click here for more info

Cabela’s in Richfield

Cabela’s makes the list as a mom favorite because of the over-all experience that they include. They have activities, crafts, and giveaways to make the whole trip more fun.

Hours: November 11-December 1
Weekdays: 5pm-9pm
Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: Noon-5pm
December 2-December 24
Weekdays: 10am-8pm
Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 10am-5pm

Cost: Complimentary 4″x6″ photo for each family

Click here for more info

Milwaukee County Zoo

Milwaukee County Zoo offers breakfast and lunch with Santa, Ms. Claus, and musical performer Fred Turk. Your admission includes a meal and admission to the zoo for the day. Pre-registration is required.

Hours: December 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 2018, 9:00 am breakfast and 12:00 noon lunch

Cost: $22.95 for adults, $17.95 for children 3-12, $5.95 for children 2 and under (20% discount for zoo pass members – check your email!)

Click here for more info

Mayfair Mall

Another great place to see Santa at a local mall. Get some shopping in and make a whole family trip of the day if you want to! You can also save some time in line by making a reservation on the website in advance.

Hours: Starting Saturday November 10th

Monday – Saturday: 11:00 AM-8:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM-6:00 PM

Some special holiday hours – see website for details.

Cost: Visit is free, photo packages range $39.99-$49.99

Click here for more info

Von Maur at the Corners in Brookfield

Does it get any more American than taking your kids to see Santa at a lavishly decorated department store?? Hello, Christmas Story flashbacks. Von Maur is a great new addition to the list, coming in as the fifth best place to see Santa in Milwaukee.

Hours:

Saturday, November 24th from 12 noon to 5:00 pm
Sunday, November 25th from 12 noon to 5:00 pm
Saturday, December 1st from 12 noon to 5:00 pm
Sunday, December 2nd from 12 noon to 5:00 pm
Saturday, December 8th from 12 noon to 5:00 pm
Sunday, December 9th from 12 noon to 5:00 pm
Saturday, December 15th from 12 noon to 5:00 pm
Sunday, December 16th from 12 noon to 5:00 pm

Cost: One complimentary photo per family

Click here for more info

There are so many great places to see Santa in the Milwaukee area! Where did we miss? Share your vote for the best place to see Santa in Milwaukee in the comments below.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness: Our Story

Posted on by

Did you know that 15-20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage? October is pregnancy and infant loss awareness month, and it's time to tell our stories. #pregnancyloss #infantloss #miscarriage

It seems like there’s a national month or day for everything now, doesn’t it? At some point they all start to feel like someone just made them up yesterday. I was surprised to learn that national Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month was started by Ronald Reagan. This topic has been on the verge of making itself known since the 1980’s. Even still, it’s something that we don’t know how to talk about. How do we make something so personal a part of casual conversation? How do we prepare young men and women for such a devastating possibility without taking the joy out of growing their family? It’s a hard concept to normalize because it has so many different meanings to so many different people. 

Sharing Our Stories

I wasn’t sure if I would ever share the story of our loss in a public way. Ive seen a few friends post on social media in very different ways about their experiences with pregnancy and infant loss. Some were very humble and vulnerable. They shared posts some time later and in a subtle way. Some posted long paragraphs and disheartened quotes every day for months while they grieved. Neither of these has ever seemed fitting for me. 

So I have done what many women do – I have kept this experience private. It has been between me and my family….not a secret, just kept quiet. 

So many people don’t realize that loss is a natural, and surprisingly common, part of growing a family.  It has been so strange to me how many times I have told someone that we lost a pregnancy and heard “we went through it too.” It’s this sad, private club that no one wants to belong to. There’s a sense of understanding and comfort in knowing that the women around us know the feeling. I am not the type to follow celebrities, but in this case, I found solitude in words from Hillary Scott and Hilarie Burton. 

For our family, our loss was more of an idea than a person.

We lost a baby so young that we hadn’t gotten to know him or her yet. I like to think that made things easier for us, but there is no easy time to lose a child. 

Last March, my husband and I were going back and forth about when the best time to add a second child to our family would be. That decision seemed to be made for us when we found out that I was pregnant. For me, something felt off from the very beginning. I didn’t get a positive pregnancy test until I was 8 days late – and that first test was a very faint positive. I told my husband, who was of course excited. We decided to wait to tell our families until we had seen the doctor, but started talking about how we would share the exciting news. We ordered a shirt for our little guy that said “Only Child expiring 2018.” My husband made an Easter egg that said Baby on it to go along with the rest of our family. 

That excitement only lasted 5 days. After spending a whole morning in the ER, we learned that there wouldn’t be a baby for us at that time. 

A part of me felt like I had known that something was wrong, but of course having the idea of a child taken from you is always devastating. All of the sudden, every thought is attached to the idea that you’re not pregnant. Watching friends and acquaintances go through pregnancies of their own is just a reminder of what you could have had. Now, the question of “when is the best time to grow our family?” had an answer. Unfortunately it was an answer that was in the past and unattainable. 

We kept trying, and I became obsessive about early pregnancy testing.

Since I knew that something was wrong when my second pregnancy didn’t test positive as early as it should have, I needed the reassurance that my hormones were starting to rise when they should in my cycle with the next pregnancy. 

This ended up turning the start of our current pregnancy into an emotional roller coaster and a hard reminder of what we had already been through. 

I got my faint positive test right when I would have expected it. I was cautiously excited and waited until the next day and a second test to tell my husband. We decided that we wanted our families to be involved from the beginning and told our parents the next day. 

That’s where things got hard.

I went to an Urgent Care that day for something completely unrelated. The doctor there told me that their pregnancy test was negative and that I had most likely gotten a false positive at home. She seemed confident that her test was right and my four at home tests were wrong. 

I went home and immediately took another test – positive and even darker than the day before had been. I felt a little better, but then that night I had the tiniest bit of spotting and immediately felt like we were going to go through the same thing a second time. 

It was the weekend, so I couldn’t get into my OB’s office for another two days. I talked to the on call nurse who was much more helpful and reassuring than the Urgent Care doctor. Still, I had to wait until Monday morning to go in for a blood test and then Monday afternoon for results. Even after that test confirmed that I was pregnant, I had to wait 48 hours for a second test to confirm that it was a viable pregnancy. 

We are so fortunate to have gotten good news.

We have been to the doctor a couple of extra times early in pregnancy, and everything has looked good so far. It’s hard to let yourself get excited after you know what the worst case scenario feels like. We are getting more confident every day that our little one is healthy and happy and we will soon be a family of four. 

There is no way to understand how someone else feels when it comes to loss. Every loss is different just like every pregnancy and every child is different. It is never a good feeling to hear about someone else’s pain, but there is comfort in knowing that someone else can imagine what you are going through. Talking about a terrible experience is never easy. Some people prefer to talk to cope and to move on. Others prefer to keep to themselves. I think that as long as you are able to keep mentally healthy, either one is ok. 

I don’t know that there is a point to this post other than to share my story.

To all of the mamas who have experienced loss, I see you. I feel for you, and I support you. Whether that makes any difference or not, we may not know. I hope you find your healing. 

Boudreaux’s Rash Kicking Kit… Because Butt Paste is the Best

Posted on by

Are you looking for a baby shower gift or items to add to your baby registry? Butt Paste is a must for all new parents! #buttpaste #diaperrash #diapercream #diapers

I remember when we were creating our registry for our first son in Target. There are so many products to choose from, and as a new mom, you always want to pick the very best for your kiddo. There was a mom walking by with a 9-month-ish-old little boy. She chuckled and smiled remembering being an expecting parent and creating a baby registry. She stopped and asked “can I give you one tip?” Of course, we said yes because new parents are clueless and advice is (usually) appreciated. She picked up a tube of Butt Paste and said “skip all the other diaper rash creams. You need this one.”

I was surprised that of all the things, she chose diaper rash cream to be her one tip. We smiled, thanked her, and scanned the green box. I would definitely say that in our two years of parenthood, Butt Paste has been the only diaper rash cream that we need. We’ve used cheaper off-brand ones because that was what we had on hand, but they just don’t clear up the rashes like Butt Paste.

Moms Meet recently reached out looking for partners to work with Boudreaux to promote their rash kicking kit. Since I already love the product, I was happy to join their campaign. They’ve sent me about 6 baby-lifetime’s worth of Butt Paste in exchange for sharing my honest opinion with you.

*please note – in case that wasn’t clear enough, this post was sponsored by Moms Meet and Boudreaux. This post also contains affiliate links. See sidebar for details about sponsored content on this site.

Why is Butt Paste the best?

From the factual standpoint, Butt Paste is pediatrician recommended and free of dyes, parabens, preservatives phthalates, and talc. From a mama standpoint, it just works well. It’s a nice, thick texture and it helps to soothe baby’s rash while creating a barrier to prevent the rash from getting worse. Usually one or two applications will clear up a moderate diaper rash. It works so well/quickly that I think we have only made it through one big tube in our two-year-old’s time in diapers.

What’s up with the Rash Kicking Kit?

Boudreaux’s Butt Paste Rash Kicking Kit would make an awesome baby shower gift. It includes an original and a maximum strength Butt Paste (because every baby and every rash is different) plus a butt brush. To be honest, I made it two years without a butt brush just fine…but getting diaper cream under your fingernails is pretty nasty. It’s a neat little tool and also kind of makes you want to giggle.

 

You can get the Rash Kicking Kit on Amazon or easily add it to your Amazon Baby Registry. I’m glad that we are now stocked up for baby number 2’s arrival. 🙂

 

5 Signs Your Toddler Might Be Ready For Potty Training

Posted on by

[ad] When it comes to potty training, timing is everything! Check out these 5 signs that your toddler might be ready for potty training. #huggies #pullups #toddlermom @PullUpsBigKid @PullUps @PullUpsBigKid @Pull-Ups #NationalPottyTrainingMonth #PottyTraining

When you have a baby or young toddler, it can feel like diapers are just a part of your life and always will be. The good news is that one day, all of the diaper changes will come to an end! June is national potty training month, so now is the perfect time to look forward to the transition out of diapers for good. Someday your little one will be potty trained and gain a huge amount of independence. Right now, it probably seems like that day is far off, but your toddler may already be giving you signs that the time for potty training is coming. The timing needs to be right in order to make potty training a smooth transition for the whole family. Check out these 5 signs that your toddler may be ready to start potty training soon.

*please note: this post is sponsored by Pull-Ups, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Toddlers who are ready to be potty trained soon usually display the following signs.

1. They tell you before or right after having a dirty diaper.

I remember the first time that Peanut told us that he needed a diaper change. He said something that sounded vaguely like diaper and pointed to his pants. I was so excited for his first sign that potty training may be on the horizon. We still have abit to go, but it’s a relief to know that the end is in sight.

2. They show interest when others use the toilet.

At some point, your little one’s following you into the bathroom will turn from not wanted to leave you into an interest in what you are doing. Like with anything else, he or she sees what you are doing and wants to be able to do that too.

3. They have wet diapers less frequently.

As toddler becomes aware of the action of soiling a diaper, they will start doing it less frequently. You will notice that you are going through less diapers throughout the day – extra bonus.

4. They wake up dry after naps.

This is a great sign that your growing kiddo may be ready to potty train. A toddler who wakes up with a dry diaper is less likely to wet the bed with big boy undies on.

5. They may have a regular dirty diaper schedule.

You may notice more patterns to your little one’s dirty diapers. This is another great sign that potty training may be just around the corner!

 

Potty Training with Huggies Pull-Ups

Once your little one is ready to give potty training a go, Huggies can help with the transition. They are a great middle ground between diapers and big kid undies. As the name suggests, Pull-ups pull up like undies for your little one to practice. They also have a closure at the sides like diapers in case you need to do a change. Plus Pull-ups come in fun designs that include characters that kiddos know and love. The best part is that you can get them for 20% off from Amazon Subscribe & Save! (you all know how much I love Subscribe & Save)

We are still waiting for Peanut to be ready for potty training. He’s 21 months right now, and not consistent enough in showing the signs of readiness. There are days that all of these signs apply though, so I know that it’s right around the corner!

Mamas – was there any big clue that your little was ready to potty train? Tell us about it in the comments!

A little extra bonus content – Apparently Pull-ups also make great hats for while you hang out an watch TV. *shrug* Clearly my little model was not too cooperative for taking pictures for this post. He did, however, enjoy hanging out in his new big boy pants.

5 Books Every Pregnant Woman Needs to Read

Posted on by

5 Books that every woman needs to read during pregnancy. Pregnancy books, books about pregnancy, books for expecting mom.

Pregnancy is an exiting, overwhelming, and downright emotional time! There are so many questions that most women have, and it really helps to do your research. In the age of the mommy internet, there are nearly infinite resources out there to teach us about what to expect when pregnant. In fact, there are so many resources that it can be hard to know where to start. You can go down the rabbit hole of Pinterest and Google, but sometimes the simplest place to start is just with a good book. There are a lot of great books about pregnancy out there. To get started, here is a list of 5 books that every pregnant woman needs to read.

*Please note – this post contains affiliate links. I may make a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of the links below. See sidebar for more details.

5 books about pregnancy that every expecting mom should read:

1. A book about all things pregnancy

A book like The Real Deal Guide to Pregnancy will help you to know what to expect while you are pregnant. There are so many things that happen to your body, and it will help you to know what’s coming next. Every pregnant body is different, but this book does a great job of telling you about the things that could happen and why. The approach behind it is very casual, friendly, and practical. It feels almost like reading a really great blog post as opposed to some of the stuffy, boring, densely factual books out there.
Dude, You’re Gonna Be a Dad!: How to Get (Both of You) Through the Next 9 Months is what I would call the dad equivalent of “The Real Deal Guide to Pregnancy.” My husband is not a book person, but he was so excited about having a baby that he bought a couple of books to learn more as soon as we found out. “Dude, You’re Gonna Be a Dad”  went into just enough detail about the development of our baby and my pregnant body. It’s a great book that helps men know how to be a great partner during mom’s pregnancy.

2. A book about childcare

It’s really easy to get caught up in the fun of pregnancy and forget to plan for what happens next – you’re going to have a baby to take care of! That thought can be extremely overwhelming, so it’ll help to read a book or two to help you prepare.

Baby 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Baby’s First Year seems to be a favorite among many parents. It covers everything from picking a pediatrician to dealing with baby sleep issues down the road. Over 600 pages of credible advice is sure to cover many of the questions that you will have as a new parent.

Here’s an option that’s a little sillier and more fun to read. Be Prepared is like an owner’s manual for new parents (I say parents because I definitely read and loved this book too!). It’s a great how-to guide for everything from diaper changing, to swaddling, to playing with baby. The bulleted lists and large images make it a fun, easy read. It’s a great overview for even the most clueless soon-to-be-parent.

 

Also in this category is a book about breastfeeding. How you feed your baby will play a huge part in how you parent your newborn. If you plan to breastfeed there are many resources out there to help you. This book was my favorite while I was pregnant with my daughter, and I highly recommend it. You can also check out this post here to find out some of the best ways to prepare for breastfeeding during pregnancy.

3. A book about fitness

Staying (or getting) fit while you are pregnant will not only make your pregnancy easier, but it will help with labor and postpartum recovery. The Everything Guide to Pregnancy Nutrition & Health: From Preconception to Post-delivery, All You Need to Know About Pregnancy Nutrition, Fitness, and Diet! was the first pregnancy book that I read. It really is an everything guide starting with preconception and ending postpartum. I would highly recommend this book for everyone! This book answers the questions of “What is safe to do during pregnancy?” and also includes some great exercises.

If you are not really interested in nutrition, you could call this book a 2-in-1 and skip the next category. The Everything Guide to Pregnancy Nutrition & Health  goes just enough into nutrition to give you a good base knowledge.

4. A book about nutrition

While you are not eating for two, you are eating to nourish the growth of both yourself and your unborn child. I read What to Eat When You’re Pregnant: A Week-by-Week Guide to Support Your Health and Your Baby’s Development It is great because it is very thorough, but that also means that it is dense. “What to Eat When You’re Pregnant” includes a week-by-week analysis of your pregnancy and how to support your growing baby. It will teach you the best super foods at each stage of your pregnancy and includes some great recipes.

5. A journal

This one may be a stretch because it’s not really going to give you too much information. Either way, a pregnancy journal is important to have. I think that we all tell ourselves that we will go back and look at old journals, but then don’t always do it. Maybe that’s true, but keeping a journal will help you to enjoy your pregnancy and bond with your baby. The Belly Book: A Nine-Month Journal for You and Your Growing Belly (Potter Style) is a cute, easy to fill in option. The writing prompts are written so that you are writing to your baby, so that makes it feel a little more conversational and fun.

If you are an avid journaler, Love Letters to My Baby: A Guided Journal for Expectant and New Mothers seems to go more in-depth and has some great reviews on Amazon. I haven’t seen this one myself, but it looks very sweet.

Experienced mamas – what were your favorite books for pregnancy?

As you are preparing for your new baby, head over here to check out other pregnancy related content on Mommy: Home Manager.

 

How to Get Your Toddler to Eat Dairy (when he/she won’t drink milk)

Posted on by

#ad Getting your toddler to eat enough dairy is important. Especially if he won't drink milk! @happytot makes that much easier with whole milk yogurt pouches. #healthysnack #toddlermom #happybellies

We have had a real struggle with getting our 18-month-old Peanut to drink milk out of a cup. He will drink water all day out of a sippy cup, and he will drink milk out of a bottle, but he just refuses to drink milk out of his sippy cups. We have tried them all – regular sippy cups, bottle-shaped sippy cups, 360 cups, cups with straws, you name it. He will have none of it! As we tried to take his bottle away, he got less and less milk. Now he has been without his bottle for a week, and has not drank any milk in that time. We talked to his doctor about the importance of dairy in his diet, and she does not seem worried as long as he is eating well. If you’re in the same boat, here are a few tips for getting dairy into your toddler’s diet when he or she won’t eat milk.

To learn more about Happy Family, check out their website here.

How to Get Your Toddler to Eat Dairy

Cheese

This one is pretty easy. Peanut will eat slices or chunks off a block of cheese just fine most of the time. Other times he makes it clear to me that he is sick of the cheese and doesn’t want to eat any more of it. The one thing to be careful of with cheese is that it is a “stopper.” Therefore, make sure that your toddler isn’t eating too much in one day and that he or she is drinking plenty of water. Quesadillas are a favorite form of cheese in our house.

Milkshakes/Smoothies

Making a milkshake or smoothie out of healthy ingredients gets your little one to drink some milk. They get some extra fruit or vegetables. I will make a shake for myself with almond milk, bananas, spinach and maybe some chocolate. Then I mix that with about a quarter milk and a little extra ice for Peanut. He will happily drink this from a cup with a straw.

 

Yogurt

Yogurt is a great kid-friendly dairy option. The biggest downside is that many brands are full of added sugar! This HappyTot whole milk yogurt is free of added sugars, any sweeteners, and dye. Best of all they come in pouch form. I don’t always have the time to feed Peanut a whole serving of yogurt, and he can’t be trusted to do it himself without making a mess. The pouches make it easy to hand him one to slurp as he sits on the kitchen floor, “lounges” on the couch, or runs around like a crazy person.

I found them in the refrigerated section at Target, and they are available at many large national retailers. You can get a $1.00 off coupon by clicking here.

Keep Offering Milk

Since milk is an important source of nutrients, you want to keep offering. According to Peanut’s doctor and babysitter (who went through this with her own son), one day Peanut will decide to like milk again. We continue to offer him milk with his meals. He will hold onto the cup while he eats his cereal in the morning and tolerate it sitting next to his plate at dinner. He seems to like the presence…but won’t drink it for now. We just keep offering.

 

Check out the HappyFamily website to learn more about their products and get a $1.00 off coupon!

How I Keep my S*** Together (as a Working Mom)

Posted on by

How I survive everyday as a working mom! Coffee, pilates, and baby snuggles plus prayer and perspective

Today marks one year since I officially launched Mommy: Home Manager and started life as a “mommy blogger.” I know that I’m a day late for #throwbackthursday, but I wanted to take a minute to throw it back to one of my very first blog posts after going live. This site is a lot of how to’s and lists, but this post is something different. This is my story, a peak into my life.

When I wrote this: I was having a rough morning that ended in a very humbling experience. I had just started a new job and was still getting a grasp on being a working mom. At the time, I didn’t think that it was the right path for me, and I felt like it wasn’t fair that I had to spend so much time away from my baby.

One year later: Overall, I have adjusted to life as a working mom. It’s who I am, and feels like a part of me. I am starting to get my career ambitions back and think about myself in addition to my family. My husband and I could not love our son more. Even though I now feel like I have my s*** together more often than not, there are still times that I lose it. I think we all do! When that happens, I try to just let it happen and then move on. We are all human, and no-one is super mom 24/7.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope that you can relate.

How I Keep My S*** Together

Being a working mom is hard. I think that every mom feels guilty about saying it out loud, but there are definitely days that I feel like I am barely able to keep it all together. Somehow we all find a way to push through and keep going for our families.

While I was doing research before writing this blog, I posted on Facebook asking for content suggestions. A dad friend suggested “Topic #1: How do you survive??”  and I responded “Coffee, Pilates, and baby snuggles.” It may sound silly, but those three simple things really do help keep me mentally healthy. Two more important ways that I keep myself motivated are prayer and perspective.

Let me tell you about the roller-coaster morning that I had.

This morning I took Peanut to my cousin’s house because our babysitter is unavailable this week, and he was kind enough to agree to help us out. I drove the half hour to his house without feeling put out because I was grateful that I have family members who are able to take care of my son for me. As I was parking, I realized that I never packed the container of formula that was sitting on our kitchen counter. Of all of the things to forget, formula was the worst one. Anything else, my son could do without or my cousin would have for his own baby.

I kept moving as I thought about what to do next, but the only option was to go get formula. I went into action mode – I quickly explained to my cousin, asked where I could go, and hastily handed him my baby before running out the door. I drove the short distance to the nearest grocery store. I went to the baby aisle, and did not find formula! I felt defeated and frustrated that I could do something so stupid as forget formula for my infant. I texted my husband to call his dad about dropping some off, and then asked a cashier just to make sure that I was looking in the right spot.

She told me that the store carries formula, but they have to keep it behind the counter because it is so frequently stolen. Talk about putting things into perspective.

I purchased the formula, took the container back to my cousin’s house, kissed my son, and left for work. I work in a very casual, understanding office, so I knew that running late was not a big deal. In the end, I made it to work just a few minutes after my start time and everything is just fine.

 

A few times during this experience, I really wanted to just cry. I started to think about how I wouldn’t have to deal with things like this if I didn’t have to work. Sometimes, I really resent that I don’t have the option to stay at home with my son. Then I remind myself why I work so hard. I work hard so that my family can have the materialistic things that help us to live well. I work hard so that we can afford to take trips and make memories down the road. Most importantly, I work hard to set a good example for my son. I want to teach him that hard work and faith will be rewarded.

All of that being said, we live on a very tight budget, and sometimes I feel like all of our hard work isn’t being rewarded the way that it should be. The truth is that we live on a very tight budget because we have been blessed enough to take care of ourselves well. We own our home, we own our cars, we are paying for our educations. All of those things are much more important to us than having extra money to spend. The most important blessings that we have are the things that we didn’t have to buy – our family, our health, the ability to work and be self-sufficient as a family. God has taken care of us through each other, and sometimes it is the bad experiences that remind me of that.

In the scheme of things, having to run to the store to buy an extra container of formula is not a big deal. At least I am able to buy formula. I am frugal about my grocery budget, but I have always been able to feed myself and my family. That in itself is a wonderful gift from God. I thank Him everyday for my home, my family, and our health. Tonight I will thank Him for the ability to put food in front of my family without having to even think about stealing from the grocery store.

So that is how I kept my s*** together today.

I wasn’t a perfect mom, but I took care of my son. While I was at work, I took care of him by making sure that he was with someone who loved him. I know that Peanut won’t remember the day that I forgot to take formula to the babysitter’s house. I know that he won’t remember the day that I accidentally washed the dishes with hand soap (yesterday…) or the days that the house wasn’t as clean as I would like it to be. I hope that what he remembers is how much his mom and dad love him and how hard we work to take care of our family.

Transitioning to the Grown-up Table (with help from Nuby)

Posted on by

Check out these great products that made our transition to the grown-up table a breeze! #toddler #toddlermom #mom #parenting

It’s crazy how quickly toddlers turn from babies into little people. Peanut wants to be with us and doing what we do constantly. He sees me brushing my hair, and wants to do the same; he sees me cooking, and pull out his own pots and pans; he sees me talking on the phone, and suddenly anything remotely phone shaped is being held up to his ear. Recently he decided that if I am eating my dinner with a fork, then he will only eat his dinner with a fork. The next natural step in teaching him to act like a small human seemed to be moving him from his high chair to the table with us.

*the products mentioned in this post were provided to us courtesy of the Nuby blogger program in exchange for me sharing my experience with you. All opinions are my own. There are also affiliate links included. See sidebar for details. 

Meal times have been so much more fun with our little companion in the seat next to me! He feels more like a part of the family instead of someone that I need to serve. He’s learning how to behave by interacting with us while we eat and even chimes in on our conversations with his gibberish. I’ve started giving him dinner on a plate instead of just pieces at a time on his high chair tray. He spends more time interacting with us and less time feeding the cat. I definitely feel like we picked the right time to make the switch.

Here are some great products that made our transition from high chair to grown-up table an easy move:

Easy Go Booster Seat

This is a serious game changer! It was so easy to clip into a kitchen table chair and has just enough support for our little guy to sit up with us grown ups. Even better, it folds up and can easily be taken on the go. We were able to bring this along to dinner at a friend’s house, and it made life 1000x easier and more enjoyable than having him on our laps or packing a high chair.

Sure Grip Miracle Mat Section Plate

I think any toddler parent knows how much these kiddos love to throw, tip, and dump food from dishes. This mat stays flat on the table, has sections for portioning out food, and covers a little more room than a regular kid’s plate. If he tries, Peanut can definitely still flip it…but the flat surface is apparently not as obviously fun to flip as a regular plate or bowl because he doesn’t try as often.

Stainless Steel Utensils

The object that started it all – a fork. Peanut always wants to eat his dinner with utensils like Mom and Dad do. This cute little set is the perfect size for him, and obviously not as sharp as the adult versions.

360 Insulated Wonder Cup

I love the 360 cups in general. They’re supposed to be more orthodontically friendly, and Peanut likes being able to just pick up his cup quickly and drink. I don’t love that this one isn’t able to go in the dishwasher. *sigh*

Check out these other great Nuby products for your toddler available on Amazon:

How to Mentally Prepare to Return to Work as a New Mom

Posted on by

Going back to work after having a baby is a huge transition! Check out these tips for preparing yourself to return to work. #newmom #workingmom #momlife #pregnant #firsttimemom

Last Halloween, I remember sitting on my couch holding my tiny 6-week-old son next to an old friend. His sister had a baby right before I did, and in conversation he casually said to me “are you so ready to get back to work? My sister can’t wait to get back to normal.” I wasn’t really sure that I understood what he was saying! I could not imagine leaving my son alone all day, let alone being excited to go back to work. Even more, I couldn’t imagine anything in my life being “normal” the way that it had been before my baby was born.

For my husband and I, there was no question of whether or not I would go back to work after we became parents. Our plan was always to be a two-income household. I had a career that I loved, and I wasn’t going to give that up to sit home all day and take care of a home and a child.

That was before I had a home and a child to take care of. After I became a mother, I realized how much work goes into taking care of a home and raising a child. Being home full-time sounded better and better as time went on.

I did the math, and I tried to make the numbers work. There was no way to balance our budget without my income. I had decided, without meaning to, that I did not want to go back to work. From there, it was all down hill.

My maternity leave, like many moms I’m sure, was a blur of exhaustion, baby cuddles, and physical recovery. I sat at home most days trying to get a handle on breastfeeding and taking care of a baby while keeping myself fed. I didn’t have the time or mental capacity to try to take care of myself or think about my mental well-being.

As my return to work drew near, I dreaded it more and more. I frequently tried to tell my son that I would be leaving him soon, but I could not get the words out without choking up. It seemed so silly because I knew that he wouldn’t know what I was saying anyway, but I needed to be able to tell him that I was going to leave him soon. I just couldn’t do it.

My return to work was rocky to say the least. I was prepared to resume my job, but I was not prepared for the mental and emotional hardships. I approached the whole situation with an “I’ll be fine” and “it is what it is” attitude. Now I know that there are steps that I could have taken to make my transition less overwhelming.

My hope is that other new moms can learn from my mistakes and help themselves to feel more supported and prepared upon their return to work.

Here are some suggestions of things that you can do to mentally prepare to return to work as a new mom:

Mark it on the calendar

I have always been the type who wants to have a plan for everything. Knowing what to expect and having a plan for when you will go back to work is the first step in accepting the idea as a whole. Mark your first day back to work on your calendar, and know that the time will come when when your maternity leave ends.

Get out of the house

This was my number one mistake during maternity leave! The idea of leaving the house with baby in-tow seemed so daunting and so stressful that I rarely did it. My first time back at the gym was just a week before I went back to work, and I regretted not going sooner. Being out and interacting with other people helped to clear up the maternity cloud that seemed to loom in my home.

Talk to someone who has been there

You are not alone in this! Any working mom that you know had to go through the transition of going back to work. Just because they made it look easy, doesn’t mean that they didn’t struggle through it like you may be now. Just having someone to talk to and relate to can be a huge relief for any emotional burden.

Let yourself be a little upset

Like I said, you are not alone! All working moms have been where you are now, and it is hard. Don’t bottle up your emotions or ignore the way that you feel. It’s ok to be upset or anxious about your return to work. Talk about it with your spouse and be honest with yourself.

Assess your mental health

While you are being honest with yourself, take the time to think about your mental health. Maternal mental health is something that our society has not talked about enough until just recently. Stuff Mom Never Told You has a great podcast on the subject that came just in time for me to put a name to the post-partum anxiety that I had struggled through on my own. If you are struggling with your mental health, take the time to get whatever help you need! It will make everything infinitely easier moving forward.

Have a feeding and/or pumping plan

How you feed your baby is a huge stressor for all new moms. It may have taken your whole maternity leave to figure out what feeding strategies and schedules work for your baby. Going back to work is going to put a whole additional learning curve into your plans. Decide before you go back how you will continue to feed your baby while you are working.

Talk to your boss

Speaking of planning, your boss is your ally in making sure that you are successful in your return to work. Take the time to talk openly about what support you need when the time comes. If you will be continuing to breastfeed, discuss when and where you will be taking breaks to pump. Make sure that your boss knows if you are ready to jump back in with both feet or if you need to ease back into your old routine.

If possible, start slowly

If you are leaning towards easing back in, talk to your boss about starting the transition back to work slowly. Some women are in a position to go back to work part-time or with slightly reduced duties at first. If that option is available to you, I highly recommend giving it some hard thought.

Find a childcare provider that you trust

Leaving your little one for the first time can be anxiety-inducing in itself. Knowing that your baby is taken care of by someone that you trust will help to ease your mind. If it’s possible, consider starting out with a loved one watching your baby. If you are going to a daycare or a new babysitter, you may want to do a couple of trial runs before leaving for work. Ask your provider if you can drop baby off for a half-day or two the week before you return to work.

Don’t fall victim to the role overload

Another great Stuff Mom Never Told You tidbit – “role overload” is what they call the stigmas around certain roles in our society. In this case, don’t let yourself be overrun by the pressure that comes with being a working mom. You don’t have to be a Pinterest-perfect, Clair Huxtable-esque, overachieving mom all the time. Allow yourself to relax and just take care of yourself and your family.

 

Whether you are a working mom by choice or out of necessity, returning to work after maternity leave will be a big adjustment. It can be relaxing to have time away from your newborn, but at the same time you may feel guilty for spending so much time away from your home.

Taking the time to prepare yourself mentally and emotionally before you return to work will help you to have a smooth transition from working professional to mother to working mother.