The Complete Guide to Building a Diaper Stockpile

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Building a stock of diapers before your baby is born will save you time and money in the long run. Check out this post to learn how and why to build up your diaper stockpile.

Before my son was born, I had 2051 diapers in my stockpile. I know to many of you, that sounds like a lot of diapers, but in reality, that pile lasted me roughly 6 months. Babies go through diapers like they are…well, disposable! There are many advantages to using cloth diapers, and they are becoming pretty popular recently. If you go the disposable diaper route, be prepared to go through a lot of diapers. This post will teach you how to build a diaper stockpile and why you want to build a diaper stockpile before you welcome your baby.  read more

5 Tips for Helping Your Kids Get to Sleep (Guest Post!)

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Sleep can be a big struggle with babies, infants, and toddlers. Check out these 5 tips for helping your kids get to sleep. #sleep #bedtime #sleephabits #parenting

Sleep seems to be the ultimate struggle as a parent – both sleep for yourself and sleep for your child. Once new parents get past their newborn sleeping through the night, they may believe that their sleep troubles are over. Oh, you just wait new parents. There is more to come. Today I have a guest post from Judith, a mother of two, with 5 tips for helping your kids get to sleep. These tips really apply to any age, but seem most applicable to toddlers and young school-aged children. Hope they help, and you find some rest! read more

25 Ways to Make Money Blogging

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Whether you are considering starting a blog or have been at this for a while, there is one question that all bloggers want to know the answer to - how do I make money with my blog? Here are 25 ways to make money blogging. Monetize your blog. Money making blog. Make money with your blog. #blogging #workfromhome #passiveincome

Whether you are considering starting a blog or have been at this for a while, there is one question that all bloggers want to know the answer to – how do I make money with my blog? There are so many ways to monetize your blog out there. It can be hard to decide which to try and which will be worth investing your time into. I have been doing this for a couple of years now, and have tried a handful of methods to make money blogging. Here are 25 ways to make money blogging that I have found worthwhile. Not a blogger? Give this post a look anyway! There are many ideas here that can make you a little extra cash through social media as well. read more

Maternity Active Wear from Pink Blush

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Finding comfortable maternity active wear that fits can be a huge challenge. Pink Blush has a great line of maternity active wear for pregnant mamas. #pregnant #activewear #fitmom #fitpregnancy

When you are pregnant, finding the energy and motivation to workout can be a challenge to say the least! It doesn’t help that as your belly grows, it gets harder and harder to find comfortable clothes that fit. Maternity active wear seems to be the hardest to come by. Yes, you can just wear regular clothes or a big t-shirt, but that can be cumbersome for some types of exercise. Not to mention, for many pregnant women, it can be a challenge to keep your self-esteem up at the gym to begin with. Having comfortable and functional maternity active wear can really help you to feel better about getting to the gym. Check out the maternity active wear selection from Pink Blush for some great options meant just for your pregnant body. read more

10 Christian Books for Baby

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Books are a great way to introduce your little one to God's love as early as before birth! Check out these suggestions for Christian books for baby. #christianparenting #christian #books #booksforbaby

Books are a great way to pass time, interact with your baby, and teach language skills to your little one! They can also be a great way to introduce your children to faith and God’s love from the very beginning. There are many books about Jesus, prayer, and Christian values out there. Some are obvious and studious like beginner’s story bibles and some simply follow themes that instill Christian love. Whatever your day calls for, there is a great Christian book out there for you to share with your little one. Check out this post to see some of our favorites and suggestions for Christian books for baby. read more

Acidil Review

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Collaborative review with Moms Meet of Acidil homeopathic heartburn, indigestion, and gas relief.

As an acid reflux sufferer, I have figured out that managing my diet is key in managing my digestive health. It turns out that the best way to combat my acid flair ups and digestive issues lies in eating the right plant-based foods regularly. I eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to keep my digestive system healthy. Of course, most adults have occasional discomfort. When stress or a run of less than ideal meals causes your stomach to turn on you, Acidil can offer plant-based relief. I recently had the pleasure of teaming up with Moms Meet and Boion to check out Acidil and let you know my experience.  read more

Boba Air Carrier Review

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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 Deals on Amazon Family

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Amazon Family is a great way to save on diapers, snacks, and other household staples! The best part is that it's free with your Prime membership. #deals #dealsformom #amazonfamily #amazonprime #diapers

As the holidays draw near, it can be important to cut back on daily spending to make room in your budget for things like fun outings and gifts for your loved ones. One great way to save on household staples is by using Amazon Family, and specifically the Amazon Subscribe and Save feature. Subscribe and Save is a free program for Amazon Prime members that allows you the convenience of a subscription service with a discount as an added bonus! Some items seem to be close to the same price as they would be in stores, but with a little bit of hunting there are some great deals to be found. Check out this post to see how it works and learn some of the best deals on Amazon Family.

*Please note: this post contains affiliate links. For more information on affiliate and sponsored content on this blog, please see sidebar.

What is Amazon Family?

Creating an Amazon Family profile will essentially build you a dashboard of savings and suggestions based on the needs of your family. You add in the age of your child/children and Amazon Family does the rest. You will get an overview of current deals, a list of recommendations, easy access to your Subscribe and Save lists, coupons, and articles for your family. The best part is that Amazon Family is free feature included in your Amazon Prime membership.

Find out more about Amazon Family and check it out for yourself here.

How to use Amazon Subscribe and Save

Amazon Subscribe and Save is one of the best features available with an Amazon Family account. Amazon offers up to 15% off of household staples and 20% off of diapers delivered right to your door on a regular schedule. Simply shop the Subscribe and Save store, add items to your list, and tell Amazon how often you want your items delievered. You can add, skip, or cancel subscriptions at any time.
Don’t forget to check out the coupon page of the Subscribe and Save store as well!

What are the best deals on Amazon Family?

Diapers

If you buy name brand diapers, Amazon Family is the single best way that I have found to get the best price. We started using it before our first son was born to work on building his diaper stockpile. (Check out The Complete Guide to Building a Diaper Stockpile)
I have seen Pampers as low as $0.08/diaper, Huggies as low as $0.12/diaper, and Luvs as low as $0.09/diaper. Just keep an eye out for sales/coupons!

Coffee

If you are a K-Cup user especially, Amazon Family is the place to buy your coffee.
These Java Factory Vanilla Dream Pods always seem to be a great deal, but there is plenty of variety to choose from.
Bags of coffee grounds or whole beans can also be found for a nice discount.

Baby Food

Baby food, especially the jars or pouches of puree, can definitely get expensive! For families that chose to feed with baby food, Amazon Family can help you save some dollars there.

Snacks

For the rest of the family, Amazon Family can help you find deals on all kinds of snacks. Whether you go for individual packages or buy the larger containers and portion yourself (check out 14 Ways to Eliminate Single Use Plastic), stocking up can help you save some extra money on snacks for your family.

Household Staples/Paper Products

Toilet paper, paper towel, tissues, you name it – Amazon Family can help you to save on your staples as well as automatically restock them so that you don’t run out! I do generally find that the prices are not as good as buying the generic brand at the store, so this is one to be careful with. You can find some good deals if you watch for coupons or buy in bulk though.

Cleaning Supplies

I bought a 24 pack of sponges a while ago, and feel like I will never run out again. There are also plenty of options for cleaners, dusting supplies, and even reusable cleaning cloths.

 

In general, Amazon Family can help you save on disposable products and consumables for your family. The discount is nice, and the convenience of the auto-restock is awesome for busy parents. There are always deals to be found by visiting the coupon page or your Amazon Family profile.
You can see some of my personal Amazon Subscribe and Save orders from the past (including pricing) by visiting this page here.

There are so many great deals to dig through. Moms and Dads – what are the best deals on Amazon Family that you have found?

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

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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.

thredUP Review – Maternity Edition

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Need some new staples for your maternity wardrobe, but don't want to spend a fortune? Shop #secondhandfirst with thredUP! #sponsored #thredup #maternity #pregnant #maternityoutfit

When it comes to baby and maternity clothes, I hate spending money on things that I am only going to use for such a short time! Maternity clothes especially can be really expensive. With both of my pregnancies, I have been fortunate enough to have friends pass on some of their old clothes. Hand-me-downs have seriously been great, and their clothes are always still in great condition. During my first pregnancy, I ended up doing one big shopping trip from an online consignment shop to get the rest of the staples that I needed. Unfortunately, my second baby is going to be born in the exact opposite time of year. I have one September baby and am expecting our next little one to arrive in April. Guess those prized maternity jean shorts won’t come in too handy for this winter pregnancy. Now it’s time for another shopping spree from thredUP! Check out this post to read my thredUP maternity review and see some of my favorite new pieces for fall and the upcoming holiday season.

 

*please note: thredUP sponsored my shopping spree in exchange for me sharing my honest opinion with you. For more details on sponsored content on Mommy: Home Manager, check out the side bar.

Shopping thredUP

thredUP is an entirely online consignment store. You can filter your results to see just your favorite brands and styles. It saves “my sizes” and starts with only those when I search for anything. I also always turn on the “new with tags” and “like new” filters. This makes the items more expensive, but I know that they are going to be a good value because they are still less expensive than full retail price and will be in good condition. They have a full section of maternity clothes and much better selection than others that I have seen.

Have maternity or baby clothes to get rid of?

You can also sell your items using thredUP’s website. They send you a clean out bag, you send it in, and they sell your items for you. The payment process depends on the items that you send in, so check out this page here to see what they accept and how you can expect to get paid for your clothing and accessory items.  You can use these sales dollars to buy yourself some new post-baby wardrobe treats.

Check out my first thredUP review to see more on non-maternity shopping from thredUp.
Check out this post here if you are looking for more ways to cut down on household waste.

My Haul

As I said, I went on a big shopping spree to get ready for a fall and winter pregnancy.  I ended up with 4 dresses, 7 tops, a paid or leggings, and a pair of tights for a total of under $200. 

It was a very big haul for me and more than I usually spend on clothes at one time, but I feel like I got some really great staples. I’m going to need them since I am 18 weeks now and already showing much more than my first baby!

(The above prices reflect the price of my purchases before a 20% discount promo code) read more