DIY: clothing dividers

These dividers are such a great idea! I've bought and received various sizes in infant clothing. Since im such an organized freak I would love to have each size separated so I wont have to dig around on her clothing rack for the perfect fit. You can buy them online here:http://www.etsy.com/shop/potatopatch?section_id=6253182
But if your like me and know you can make something instead of pay and wait around for it, make it a DIY! Ill leave that project and how i did mine for another post.

Nursery of the day: cherry blossom obsession

Lately I've had this obsession with cherry blossoms. If I would have seen this nursery decor I would have ran with the idea for the whole nursery. It would have gone perfectly with the cherry blossom wall decal I used in Audrey's room:

My obsession has led me to stumble upon some DIY projects for her room. The first one is a cherry blossom painting on a lampshade:

And the second idea is making cherry blossoms to hang from the ceiling [which you can make with tissue paper ;]

Ive got some projects to work on and with all this time on my hands [counting down the days till my baby girls delivery] I cant wait to get started.

June bug

Little miss Audrey Leigh will be born just in time for summer. She's suppose to be my June bug, but for some reason I have a feeling she wont be born until early July. Im very much an outdoor summer girl and my mom threw me into water when I was just a baby. I love the water, and I hope Audrey will feel the same. I've already got her a couple bathing suits and cute lil sandals.

I cant wait to decorate the backyard with fun outdoor things for her. I dont believe in sitting children in front of the TV. I, myself grew up always playing outside: climbing trees, catching lizards, pretending to be power rangers, playing chef making mud pies with dirt and water, digging holes in the backyard making my own golf course, playing soccer with my dachshund, I had such a wild imagination! Here are a few things [very affordable] that I cant wait to get for Audrey so she can have fun outdoors.

 Baby sprinkle splash pool = $? at target

 Baby float activity center = $21.98 at Walmart

Disney float with canopy = $14.50 at Walmart

A pool for the backyard of course! = $249 at Walmart

Swing along castle = $119 atTarget

Sand box, summer playcenter =$128 at Walmart

Nursery of the day: pink & green

I absolutely love this nursery. My second choice would have been to use the colors pink and green for the nursery. These colors remind me so much of spring time. Very bright and refreshing....just in time for my little summer baby. Great idea Paula K from TheBump.com.

Month 8: Hands swelling

My hands have JUST started swelling into my 8th month. Ugh, puffy face....puffy feet...now puffy hands. Not fun. Im starting to feel like this

Lol, These last two months im not liking the way i look in ANY of my clothes. I feel so bloated and i can honestly tell you that i know what obese people feel like and how hard it is to do normal things. I've only gained 30 pounds which is relatively good, but its starting to get to that point where i dont like anything i put on. Being pregnant is beautiful and i love my baby bump, but for some reason I just dont like anything i wear anymore. Time to go do some light exercise.......or eat a pickle, whichever comes first.

Baby don'ts: nipple buffer

I've been told that breastfeeding hurts. There are some doctors that tell you to prepare your nipples for breastfeeding by buffing them up, and im sure there are plenty of methods for that. One way ive been told is to take a wet cloth and scrub your nipples. Harden 'em up a bit. Before you even think about it, DONT! What you may not know is that your nipple :

"Secretes oil that cleanses and lubricates the nipple, keeping it soft and pliable. It also has a scent that the baby uses to locate the breast. You cannot smell it but your baby will be able to, especially right after the birth. Do NOT remove this oil with soaps or other drying agents such as alcohol or witch hazel. If your nipple tissue becomes dry or crusty from leaking colostrum, cleanse gently with clear warm water and apply a small dab of Lansinoh ointment after showering. “Toughening” of the nipples before birth is no longer recommended as it will further damage your tissue toward breakdown."- http://www.co.monroe.mi.us/healthy_babies_breastfeeding/prenatal_breastfeeding_info.html

 There you go ladies, there is nothing that you can do to prepare your nipples for the pains of breastfeeding. What you need to know is that if your breastfeeding correctly and the baby is latched on like its suppose to, it will not hurt. When it starts to hurt and its really painful for you, its because your not doing it correctly. I advise you take a breastfeeding class. Roger that ;]

Baby don'ts: Leash

I've never understood why parents put their baby's on a leash. Its the most absurd concept to ever exist. First of all, if you feel the need to put your children on a leash because they wander off and you cant keep an eye on them, there is something wrong with your parenting skills! Learn how to keep your children under control. If you think putting them on a leash will train them to behave and stay in sight THINK AGAIN:



A leash does not train your child. Its inhumane, its cruel and unusual and its not cute. A Pomeranian on a pink bedazzled leash is cute. Not a child. Monkey backpack or not, stop being lazy and learn how to raise your children to be well behaved in public. A child is not a dog or a toy. PERIOD!

Baby must haves: Tooth tissues

Tooth tissues for your baby helps prevent against plaque. You can use them on your baby's gums before their teeth come in. Its important to start oral hygiene early. Wipe your babys gums with these disposable sheets after each feeding. Remember, you dont have to wait for teeth to come in to start your baby with healthy oral hygiene habits ;] Another item i need to add to my list.

Nursery of the day: creamy dreams

These colors can be used for both little boys and girls. If your one of those moms who wants your babys gender to be a surprise but you still need to decorate the nursery, this is a good idea. Creams with white furniture, very great combo.

Belly painting

 

Surfing the internet for baby projects I came across this neat idea: Belly Painting. This is new to me, i've never heard or seen this type of stuff before. You can buy the kit at Bed Bath and Beyond  for $20: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=16565105

This is what it looks like:

You can be really creative with it, or keep it simple. Something i've been saying i want to try but havent gotten around to it. Who wants to paint my belly?...lol

Advice of the day: preparing for birth

 Painful delivery =/

As the clock is ticking and its getting closer to your due date I know emotions are flooding in and you might be thinking how you can make your delivery as smooth and calm as possible. Every woman's pregnancy is different. I've had the privilege of talking with many different mothers and they have all given me different advice and stories about their delivery experience. Some say its not bad at all, dont get yourself worked up its actually quite easy and they didnt go through that much pain at all and then you have those who have said it was terrible they were in so much pain, etc. Im not gonna lie, im one of those people who has to be COMPLETELY prepared for whatever it is im about to go through and for giving birth it was pretty much the same. I need it to be systematic, i need to know whats gonna be going on, I need all my materials ready for me and so forth. Call me crazy but everyone has their own way of calming and this is mine. I've done some research and heard some great feedback about things you can do to help make your delivery as painless as possible.

1. Yoga- Practicing yoga throughout your pregnancy helps you with your breathing. During delivery its essential to keep your breathing under control and to 'hee hee hee hoo". You'll learn about that in lamaze class. What  i love about yoga is the calming effect of deep, focused breathing. It does wonders! Practice yoga, get deep into your breathing and enjoy its relaxation. The light stretching also helps your body relieve aches and pains.
2. Walking- Any type of exercise is key to prepping your body for labor. The last thing you need is to be weak, trying to push and you cant even hold your legs up. Walk, walk, walk. Work those legs and stay fit at the same time. Get those lower body muscles prepped for delivery! You'll be amazed at how much easier your birthing experience will be.
3. Birthing ball- Rolling your hips on a birthing ball helps you open up in your lower pelvic region. A birthing ball is mostly used DURING labor for that reason but if your experiencing back or pelvic pains during your pregnancy you can use the birthing ball to ease your pains.
4. Kegels- Ladies, we all know what kegel exercises are! Remember all your girlfriends raving about how these exercises tighten you up down there for your man ;] giving him a more pleasurable experience?.....hmmmmm....If you dont know what kegel exercises are look them up. They help prep your muscles down there for delivery. Your suppose to do them 3 times a day in sets of 20.

These are the basics. The only thing i can say is to not let yourself get lazy. Im on maternity leave right now and its so easy to get caught up sleeping, laying around and feeling pity on my poor body. Get up, get moving and stay active. Its gonna be hard for those stay at home mom-to-bes but you'll feel and look better. Motivation: Thinking about all that baby weight you want to shed after birth, it will be a lot harder if you let yourself go. Is that motivation enough?

Maternity Tour

Today I got to tour the hospital and take an in depth look at the room ill be delivering baby Audrey in. I must admit, I was really impressed with how beautiful the Hospital looked and more importantly how nice the delivery suite was. It was just refreshing seeing all that and the entire staff there is extremely helpful and very sweet people. When we first got there we signed in and got to talk to a couple staff members at different tables. At one table we were given information about birthing balls [pretty much yoga/exercise balls]

which are really helpful with your labor because sitting on them and rocking your pelvis different ways helps open up your pelvis aiding in childbirth. I have one at home, yes im an active yogi so i have all that lol. I will definitely be bringing mine in when its time to give birth. At another table there was a very nice lady who talked to us about the WIC program [Women, Infants and Children]. Basically its to support low-income women and children up to age 5 with a nutritional health program. They give you certain healthy foods [milks, cheeses, rice, fruits, vegetables] and formula for your baby if you dont plan on breastfeeding. Its a very helpful program for those mothers who need a little assistance, dont be shy ;] They even have stores just for WIC products so you dont have to go through the hassle of picking certain qualified products out at the regular grocery store. 

There was another table where you could purchase products like the birthing ball, swaddle blankets and baby slings!! Remember i put this on my list of things i needed...Look what i got:

My very own sling. I liked this one because theres an extra strap by the shoulder that you unzip and can put your phone, keys, etc. VERY CONVENIENT! 
So after all that they gave us a presentation before we took our tour of the hospital. They gave us a walk through of when we arrive at the hospital, where to park, what to bring, where to go, what to do, etc. VERY useful information. They also talked about the sling, how to wear it, the benefits, and also how to swaddle your baby. My favorite part was the "happiest Baby On the Block" which is a class given by Dr. Karp that teaches his revolutionary approach to calm crying babies and help them sleep longer. I know we can get so frustrated with crying babies, they just wont stop and you get so tired of it because you feel like you've done everything but they wont stop. Dr. Karp teaches a few techniques on how to stop your baby from crying and its completely amazing....watch:
Baby instantly stops crying when you swaddle them

Baby stops crying instantly when you shoosh them

I know it might seem harsh shooshing in their ear really loud like that but the reason why it works is because when the baby is inside you, they are constantly surrounded by loud noise. Voices, your heart pumping, its like the sound of a vacuum in there. They have surrounded themselves with that for 9 months, when they come out into the world they cant handle all the quietness. Research suggests that when you put the baby down to sleep to have some kind of constant noise in the room...preferably white noise for your baby to sleep well. Look up Dr. Karp and his practices, you'll be amazed.
On to the next......okay well after all that we were given a tour of the hospital, the rooms, the nursery, etc. I highly suggest that new mothers take a tour. Once again i came out more prepared and ready for this experience! Hope this helps.

Audrey's nursery; from scratch

The nursery is finally done! Minus the 5 piece crib sheet set i still need to get and a few little things here and there, im proud of  all the hard work i put into making this nursery my dream nursery! If its one thing i can say to those who want to have a child its this: I know its sounds and looks cute to have a baby but please if you cannot give your baby everything it needs AND more do not get pregnant. You want to give your child what you've never had and i can honestly say ive done just that. With that said, here is baby Audrey's room:

This is what the room looked like BEFORE

Heres my dad painting the walls for me [while pregnant do not paint, the fumes are not safe for the baby] We had to apply 2 coats and it was a lot of work, let me tell you!

The pink was finally done

Added some dark chocolate touch

Had to apply 2 coats of the dark chocolate as well. Such a pain in the ass, but definitely worth it.

Mom went around doing the final touches [edging, and those hard to reach spots]

It was hard to get good pictures of the room because the dark chocolate made the pics dark, however i made a video, touring baby Audrey's room. Enjoy!

Pic of the day

"The night you were born i ceased being my mother's girl and became my daughters mother" -unknown

Nursery of the day: Vintage all american boy

This nursery is so beautiful. I love the centerpiece which consists of the circular crib with drapes. I never would have thought to put the crib in the middle of the room as a focal point. Amazing.

Gift to mommy: tutu

One of my friends at my baby shower made me a tutu for baby Audrey. Can you believe she made this?!

She knew i was totally into the whole "pink and chocolate" theme, I cant wait until she's old enough to wear it. Some people amaze me with their talents and kindness. Homemade gifts are the best gifts. Thank you.

Baby must haves: baby sling

Is this thing not conveniently cute or what? You can get housework, shopping, you name it done while baby is close for comfort. One thing ive heard people say is that they dont want the child to be held all the time because your spoiling it so much, blah blah. WRONG! Hellooooo, the baby is so used to being close to you, for 9 months it was protected inside you in a small little space listening to your heartbeat, your voice, being rocked by your body movements. Studies have now shown that you cannot spoil your baby by carrying it too much or never letting it go. THEY will tell you when they dont want to be held, trust me a baby is gonna get tired of you before you get tired of it and will want to be put down. Let it happen naturally.

Benefits of wearing a sling:

• Baby feels content and safe. Its a fact that babies cried 40-50% less than normal, not carrying them may predispose them to crying
• Its convenient. No heavy carrier to lug around or bulky stroller to navigate.
• Allows you to have two free hands to do more taskful things while providing comfort for your baby.

There are new and improved slings, shop around for one that suits you. Shoulder pads, adjustable straps, comfortable and sturdy for the baby, different styles and colors. Definitely a must have on my list of things i need. 

Baby must haves: COUPONS & free samples

For those of you who have a phone with an Android marketplace [where you buy apps for your phone] there is one application i highly suggest you download, and yes its free. Its called the COUPON APP. Ive added it to my phone as a "widget" so its constantly updated on my phone:

And when you click on the app to open it, it gives you a list of coupons from various places

You've gotta check 'em out, they actually work! From time to time it lists free samples that when you click on them, take you to the website and all you do is fill out your name and address and will be shipped your free sample! Works like a charm. And what i love is that there are a lot of free samples for mothers such as infant formula, diapers, nipple gel pads, etc. Just look at all the free samples i've received so far:

Infant formula [got free samples TWICE], huggies all natural diapers, pampers pull-ups, a sippy cup, and nipple gel pads for your sore nipples when you breastfeed. May not seem like a lot but a little goes a long way ;]

Pregnant photography

Taking professional pictures during your pregnancy is great for remembrance and decoration for your baby's room. Instead of wasting my money on professional photography I decided to use my parents camera and have our own personal photo shoot. Luckily their camera has great outdoor quality and my dad wasnt that bad of a photographer, lol. Here are some of my favorite pics.

I am definitely taking professional pictures of baby Audrey Leigh as a newborn, if your like me and have almost every baby magazine you will find discounts and coupons for FREE portraits ;] Oh the perks of being pregnant.