Shopping Again for The Kids

LETS GO SHOPPING!!( But not Spend Money )

Not only am I a shopaholic for myself but I mostly do the shopping for my kids. I never stepped foot into a Marshalls before the economy slipped but now that I discovered this place I HAD to share some goodies and amazing name brands that I've found there:

Now first of all..I took a friend there when she was pregnant and we pretty much found everything they had at babies r us on her registry plus more for about half the price! Here's a taste..

1. From a Super Soft Blankets that usually go for over $40 for $9.99 to this swaddle blanket that cost about $11 for $5.99

2. A Baby Gym which sells for $70 for $39.99

3. And Juicy Couture, Ed Hardy and Ralph Lauren onesies for $9.99 and under

4. For my kids I found the shoes I was drooling over: These Keds are still selling in Stride Rite and other stores for $44.00 I got them for $14.99!

These Ralph Lauren Toddler Shoes sell for $44 and where also $14.99!

5. And I couldn't leave without getting something for myself! I found these Juicy Couture Misty Boots for $99! They are still in Bloomingdales and other stores for $249!

Try and tell me Marshalls isn't cute and amazing now! (They also have amazing home stuff too like bedding, kitchen stuff and Yankee Candles for as low as $6.99!

I have no affiliation with them but just a newfound love for them and the money they save me while allowing me to keep my expensive taste. The key is to find a Good Marshalls with the most selection and go there frequently!

Swimming with Babies and Toddlers Checklist

It feels like when you want to have a fun day at the pool or beach you have to pack your whole house with you! Here is a checklist for what to bring, and how to get them for less $$

1. Bathing Suits for everyone.




For moms the Monokini is the hottest thing. You don't have to feel frumpy in a one piece and don't have to show it all in a bikini!

 For girls we found this one for $10! at Old Navy

And for Boys at Old Navy again only $10!

2. Hooded Towels or Cover ups

 These are both from Target for $22.50!

3. Swim Toys for safety






4. Swim Diapers so your little ones don't get the saggy butt look.



Obviously sun block, food and changes of clothes are also essential.

Juicy Couture, Baby Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Gap and Loehmanns Coupons!!

 Lets Save Some Dollars!!!!

Whether it's for you or baby here are BIG discounts for this week at some of our favorite stores!!! Lets Shop!!

  For Juicy online purchases at www.juicycouture.com the promo code is "friends" (in case you can't read the small print) It's good on sale items for women and at Juicy online or any Juicy Retail Store! yay!

	In-store Barcode (For multiple uses)

	This offer is also good at Gap Outlet and Banana Republic Factory Store!

The online Promo Code for 30% off at Gap/Old Navy/ Banana is

BF1VPK74LL46 

Things my Wondering Eyes Have Seen but Wish I Hadn't

I try really hard not to judge other moms. I think moms and women in general judge each other way too much. But the little devil on my left shoulder sometimes doesn't let me hold back.
Things that have made me think "WTF?" that other moms have done:

1. Tasted the babies formula (I'm sorry but that's just gross! It is good for the baby and I guess they like it but there are reasons you don't feed it to them after 12 months. They probably realize it's gross by then!)

2. Eating some of your babies Baby Food. (Again eeew! I know it's just pureed something or other but moms you have teeth! This is why you stopped eating baby food in the first place. And maybe it's just me but I don't like my meat already chewed up for me.)

3. Let a toddler pee on the grass by a tree at the park. (Parks have bathrooms btw. It's no wonder men grow up and think they can take a leak anywhere! I know when your child is potty trained it's not convenient to make the millions of potty trips as needed but they aren't dogs they are little people.)

4. Let a child throw sand. (Some parents act like they didn't see anything happen, others are just texting their friends. If you child throws sand at my child's face you better watch out! I know all kids do this but if it's purposely thrown at another child's face I have no problem going up to the little devil child that did it and disciplining them myself)

5. Using a leash. (These seem like they were popular in the 80's I rarely see them now. I admit I thought about buying one once but I figured my toddler would act worse if she had one on even though they try to disguise them as cute little backpacks now so you can trick the child into wearing it. I saw a mom at the mall with two kids. One in a stroller and one on a leash. Her mother was with her so she had help. She was in four inch heels with her hair and makeup looking beautiful while she dragged and tugged her poor toddler on a leash! She acted like it was her dog and I even think most people wouldn't treat their dog like that.)

That's all that I've got for now. I've picked up blinging swarovski crystals on tops, shoes, and juicy sweats. It's a really great hobby. I promise to keep blogging regularly now that the holidays are over!

Baby Blogging: 8 Reasons I Dread Holiday Parties

So now that the holidays are here everyone gets invited to people's houses for parties and get togethers. I dread this everytime and usually don't RSVP because I'm scared to commit to going.

First of all..can I even make it on time with both kids?

Second..I have to pack the almost everything they sell at Babies R Us if I'm driving far

Third..again if I'm driving far..will I have to pull over to feed the baby or change either childs diaper? (Last time I did that a cop knocked on my window and told me it was illegal to do that) I guess next time I should just do it while driving then officer?!

Fourth..is the party at a late time and my kids are expecting a bath and bedtime? If so they probably won't be on their best behavior and childless people may deem them "wild kids"

Fifth..is the place I'm going baby proofed? Usually not and there are almost always some stupid crystal cat collections displayed or tea sets right where my toddler and baby can reach

Sixth..will other kids be there? If not than I know my kids will get bored and into trouble and this probably means the house won't have toys for them to play with either

Seventh...is it even worth it? If I'm going to be chasing after two little ones and constantly saying "no!" and can't hold an adult conversation then why bother

 Eight..I'm also not a fan of chasing toddlers in heels :) Give me back my Juicy Tracksuit!

Why not get a sitter you ask? Because my mom and mother in law are usually invited to the same parties. Ugghh the stress! I'd rather go to the park and call it a day.

Baby Blogging: Going to the Mall With a Toddler and/or Baby

With a passion for finding deals and shopping I never thought I would dread going to the mall. After many unsuccessful trips with my toddler and baby, attempting to stop at all the stores I needed to go I decided this calls for a strategy.

Here are 5 Tips:

First off make sure it's NOT naptime and bring FOOD! Lot's of it.

Second, Bring a Stroller! Just in case the toddler is the wandering type and/or you don't feel like running.

Third, Park far away from any play areas, carousels, choo choo trains and such. If you don't you will be stuck there and there will definitely be a tantrum when you want to get your errands done.

Fourth, Strategically plan the order of the stores you will go to. For example you know your child will never want to leave the Disney Store so go there last. Get the boring for toddler stores done first. And they need to still be away from the play areas.

Fifth, Know what you need to buy. Sometimes shopping ahead online helps so you already know the price and what you want.

So that's my 2 cents if you want them. I wonder if other moms plan this way too.

Maclarens Major Stroller Recall!

---

Maclaren is recalling at least 1 million umbrella strollers because of a potential hazard to children's fingers. A side hinge mechanism poses the risk of cutting or amputating a child's fingers when the stroller is being opened or closed, the British company said Monday.

The voluntary recall applies to all Maclaren strollers sold in the U.S. since they were introduced in 1999.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety and Maclaren have received reports of 15 incidents in which children were hurt over the past ten years.

The affected models include Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, Techno XLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller, according to the stroller company. The strollers, which are manufactured in China, are sold nationwide.

Maclaren, in cooperation with the CPSC, is providing consumers and retailers free repair kits which will cover a joint on the faulty hinge mechanism.

Consumers should stop using the strollers immediately and call Maclaren toll-free at (877) 688-2326, the company said.

Get 30% off at Gap, Baby Gap, Old Navy and more!!

Yay for new clothes at a discount!

It's only good November 12th-15th

30% off Coupon Code Link

Want to Get your kids out of the House?

When the weather is too hot or cold it's hard to figure out what to do to entertain your baby or toddler. Since you can't go to the park there are other solutions. Here are some ideas, some are local for me but if you Google "indoor play gym"  or "children's museum" and enter your city to find one.

Chuck E Cheese: These are all over the country and most have a toddler play area. There is no fee to get in and I love how they stamp your childs hand to match the stamp on your hand. The security is great. You can print coupons if you want pizza on their website Chuck E Cheese and the rides are only $0.25 each plus some of the coupons come with tokens.

Childrens Museums: This is also something that can be searched for any area. In Los Angeles there is Kidspace which is good for 2 years and up it's $10 for each adult and each child, under 12 months is free.
Also in Los Angeles is Zimmer's Childrens Museum Adults: $8.00 Children 3-12: $5.00
Children 2 and under: FREE
Grandparents: FREE when accompanied by a grandchild (how cute! and you could use the help too huh?!)


Indoor Play Gyms: So these are all in the San Fernando Valley but they all operate the same way pretty much. Some are chains or franchises so you can search the name in your area. They charge between $7.50-$9 for kids under 6 months or 12 months (depending where you go) Adults are always free. Most have a sibling discount and most offer playpasses so you can go for a certain number of visits at a discounted rate. Plus they have every toy under the sun including moonbouncers and you can play as many hours as you want to. They also have eating areas for lunch or snack time and most offer food delivery. You can spend all day there if you want to.

The Playroom This one is better for crawlers and early walkers. It's $9 per child and siblings under 9 months are free.


Jumping Genius This one is HUGE and has a separate baby play area so they don't get trampled by older kids. Its $9 per child over 6 months of age.


Playsource  This place is also huge and really nice. It's $9 for the 1st child and you get a discount for each sibling so the 2nd child is $7, the 3rd $5 and the 4th $3 and babies under 9 months are free

Gummy the Bear This one is brand new and really nice. They are also the least expensive its only $7.50 per child and each sibling after that gets 50% off admission plus they don't charge for babies under 12 months.

Under the Sea Its $9.00 per child and siblings under 9 months are free. They have 6 locations in southern california.

Mall Playgrounds: They are free for all ages

The Library: Also free and many have toddler storytime and free classes

YMCA: There are many activities and classes at any local YMCA just look up what yours offers

I hope this helps since the weather is getting cold now :) (Although if I had my own diamond staircase maybe I would be home all the time!)

Shopping With Kids or Babies is Very Hard So Are Some Stores With Great Return Policies

Shopping With Kids or Babies is Hard So Are Some Stores With Great Return Policies:

Every time I shop with either one of my children something can go wrong. (Someone has a tantrum, or is tired or hungry) Then I have to grab what I can and get out of the store ASAP!
So I am making this list in case you bought something out of impulse, desperation or is went on sale or you changed your mind. It's hard enough to make decisions as women but with unpredictable babies/toddlers in tow it can seem impossible.

Target: I love Target! Their Up and Up store brand is super cheap and great quality but besides that they will take back anything without a receipt or tag because they track your purchases through the card you used. Paid with cash? No problem they will use your ID and give you a credit and you can do this 2 times every 12 months, you can use other people's ID's too ;). It also doesn't matter how long ago you purchased the item.

Victorias Secret: Since I live in their PINK Collection I go there and shop online A lot! The online store and catalog has a No Sale is Final return policy. That means if you bought it two years ago you can still mail it back and return it! Yay!
The in store policy is 90 days and they will do Price adjustments within 14 days if something just went on sale. It's good to hold onto those receipts and tags since they are extra lenient if you have them.

Nordstrom: Everyone has heard the story (which I don't know if it's true) of the lady that returned a car tire to Nordstrom claiming she bought it there. It's not really like that but you don't need a receipt you just keep the tags and even if it's been three years you can get cash back. With no tags a store credit. I heart them!

Bed Bath and Beyond: They also have no time period, no receipt required and you can get a credit. I once returned a three year old broken lamp and got the full credit for it!

Costco: They track everyone's purchases so no receipt required and you can return almost anything whenever you want to. I know someone who has been getting new patio furniture this way for years!

Kohls: No time limit again. With a receipt full refund without a credit!

Macy's: 180 day return policy just keep the sticker they give you and get a refund.

Start keeping a receipt/sticker/tag box if you shop at any of these stores and keep your merchandise in decent condition. It doesn't have to be brand new and unworn to return it.

For Tired Moms..Here is a New Best Friend

Newfound Beauty Product

I just bought this for my dark circles since I haven't slept in days. It seems like everyone has some kind of sickness or the swine flu and I had a baby teething on top of it.
The concealer Erase Paste by Benefit actually covers and then Brightens the eyes! I look rested and awake! (At least I can fake it) :)

Vanessa Van Petten guest blogs for our Baby Blog!

 We will be posting guest blogging articles over the course of the week from Radical Parenting . Hope you enjoy the insight into our children's minds as much as we did! (it even helped us give perspective to how we relate to our own friends/family)


Teacup Parenting


We have all heard of helicopter parenting. You know, the kind of parents that are uber involved in every aspect of their child’s life and sort of buzz and run circles around them as they grow up.
I work with a lot of parents and kids, I hear from a lot of parents and kids, and I spend all day reading about parents and kids today. Something about the term helicopter parenting wasn’t fitting right with the kinds of questions and problems that parents and youth bring to me and talk about.
Teacup parenting is a much better fit.

I do not want to offend anyone with this post, I am just simply stating a trend that I see in the parenting community. Some of the traits of teacup parenting are good, and some, in my opinion are a bit scary.

1. Cherished Possession
Like a teacup heirloom, children are often treated as their most cherished possession. This is great!

2. Teacups Break Easily
This one is not so good, many of the kids I mentor and went to school with can break at any moment. When they do not get their way, like do not get a class schedule they want or cannot get driven to a place they want to go they literally crumble.

3. Once It Gets Chipped, It Feels Ruined
Many members of my generation feel the need to be perfect all the time. When something bad happens or do not get a perfect grade, they feel unworthy, like a bad person and ruined. I wish this was not the case and realize that chips and smudges build character and we learn from them, they are not to displayed prominently or tarnish your character.

4. Want to Display a Beautiful Set
There is absolutely nothing wrong with parents who brag and talk about their kids, but recently I see parents putting their kids on display like they are going up for auction: “Carrie is applying to Harvard and Yale, she has a 4.2 GPA and a 90 percentile SAT score, she plays tennis in the Junior Olympics, any takers, anyone? going once, going twice…”

5. Want to be like the Others
Parents especially want their kids to fit in and be a perfect part of the family and uphold all of your values. This is not always the case. There is a lot of pressure on kids to not only succeed, but succeed in what their parents want them to do. We need to be different, we strive to be different, we do not fit into a set.

6. Only Feed it High Quality Tea
Again, not always a bad thing. But many parents are ob.sess.ed. with the idea of only high quality, organic, positive energy, luxury, natural foods and products on, in or near their kids. Unlike a teacup, we do not get stained when we eat a big mac, and many kids are now afraid of regular food and have developed all sorts of crazy food allergies because of it.

7. The Quality Reflects Your Taste and Status
Teacups or a tea set often reflects the owners taste and status depending on the price and style of the set. I know that kids reflect on their parents, but if we mess-up, we mess-up let us get a little dirty and wear mismatching clothes if we want to, it is our way of experimenting.

8. You Do Not Want It to Leave the Collection
I have known parents to move to their kid’s college town or take an apartment off-campus for visiting times. Unlike a teacup, we need to leave the home permanently (some parents are looking forward to this day!)

9. Must Be Very Delicate with It
We fall, we get in trouble, we lose sports games we feel general ickiness. You cannot–and should not protect us from this. We need to feel those bumps so that when we grow up we do not fall apart at the first curve in the road.

10. All Teacups Have Essentially the Same Function
A teacup, although it can have all different designs and styles, is essentially just used to drink tea. Kids on the other hand do not all grow up to be mommies and daddies. I am now 23 and oh my goodness I cannot believe that some of my friends are deciding to get married and have kids (freak out!), but some others have decided they really do not want to have a family and are getting a lot of grief from their parents. We might lead a different kind of life than you and I hope this is ok.
Not everyone is a teacup parent. Are you? Do you know any teacup parents?




This article is by Vanessa Van Petten who runs RadicalParenting.com a parenting blog written from the kid's perspective with 20 teen writers. Their goal is to give parents a secret view into the world of kids and youth.

Does your baby ever poop and just the wrong Time/place?

It seems like no matter how much I plan ahead of time. Both my kids poop just as the wrong time and place.

Like when everyones buckled up and ready to go

Or I'm at a friends house (and they don't have kids) and we stink up their house. Some people are very uptight about this, plus it's like now where can I change them without getting looks. They want to send me down the the dungeon somewhere.

Or out somewhere where there are no changing tables (there should be a law about public restrooms and changing tables!)and I have to get creative (use a bench, the car, the stroller, my lap or anywhere I can balance their little bodies). It just draws a lot of attention when it's poop and people start making faces.

Am I oversensitive or does anyone else ever feel this way? We gotta do what we gotta do as moms you know?!

Before Baby there was you

Remember when..........

- You saw a toddler having a tantrum in public and thought "that will never be me"


- You saw a baby crawling in a public place and thought "I would never let my baby do that!"


- You saw a babys pacifier fall to the floor and mommy picked it up, wiped it off and gave it back and thought "eew"


- You saw a mom changing her baby in her car in a parking lot and thought "why isn't she using a changing table?!"


- You went to a public restroom to change your baby and realized not all bathrooms have changing tables


- You went to the mall the first time with baby and realized you now need to locate all elevators everywhere you go


- Poop was not something you counted or took notice to


- Getting dressed did not include the requirement of "will spit up blend into this?"


- You gave your first evil look to your phone when it dared to ring at naptime

Mothering and the Corporate World

Mothering in the Corporate World

You know we really don't get or give enough credit to working moms. It's an extremely hard job to do and it seems everything goes in the opposite direction you need it to. 

This is the experience for some:

FIRST TRIMESTER:

First get pregnant

Then worry about when and how to tell the boss

Pretend morning sickness isn't happening and keep producing

Pretend that not having coffee in the am makes no difference while falling asleep in cubicle

Will this affect any chance of promotion?

SECOND TRIMESTER:

Ok go tell boss before getting written up

If it's the first pregnancy people may be excited at first, if it's the 2nd or 3rd you may hear "Oh not again!" in the breakroom

Go through pregnancy and work as if  unaffected.

"Oh office clothes are no problem!"

"Sure I'm comfortable"

"Going to the Dr during lunch break" (OMG I'm starving)

"Want to show husband/family new ultrsound pics. Guess it will have to wait until 7pm when the day is done"

Have to pee again during big meeting. What to do? (and OMG I'm starving)

THIRD TRIMESTER:

Getting big  hearing comments like the ones posted in "Advice I never asked for" 

and "Hey you're still here? Didn't have that baby yet huh? When are you coming back? Wow you're big!" (wearing flats doesn't help)

BABY COMES:

Moving on "Yay Maternity Leave"

But once you have your precious little one..your job is calling expecting you back 6-9 weeks later. 

"What am I supposed to do with my newborn? Leave him in a dresser drawer until I come home?"

"Or pay for daycare at $800 per month?" 

Figure it out

"Ok back to work."

GO BACK TO WORK:

NOW the Mommy Guilt kicks in..."What if a milestone happens?, Baby can't say how the day went, what if it was bad?

Baby was up all night but the office still opens at 9am sharp. So exhausted don't know how to make it through the day and still have co workers respect.

Then "Is there a room for pumping milk, What everyone uses the supply closet!?, Do moms have to tell their boss every time? Will people think nursing moms just take a lot of breaks?"

What if baby is sick and leaving early is the only option? Are mothers valued as employees here or seen as a liability?"
 

Working moms deserve extra pay for the extra job they do (and stay at home moms have a job that is harder than it looks. They deserve ANY pay since they get $0 for a 168 hour workweek) 

It's a tough job (but rewarding..motherhood anyway) and I would love to see a male CEO try even half of this one day.

Don’t lie you know some of these have happened to you (or at least a couple)

Just admit it we aren't perfect! I'm not June Cleaver and don't walk around with a smile on my face while I lovingly clean up spit up and poop, while dinner is on the stove of my spotless house.

Ya right...I have two kids under 2 and if I see a shortcut I take it. We have all done something we wouldn’t tell our significant other or mother in law from time to time. Now don’t judge me I haven’t done all of these. Many are things my spying eyes have caught or confessions from others who didn’t think I’d post what they did. Now I’m only posting non serious things here..unfortunately I have also witnessed what could be classified as neglect but lets keep it light here:

1.       1. Oops the pacifier fell on the ground, I’ll just wipe it clean on my shirt baby will be fine                       

      2. Shoot! don’t want to mess up the manicure( that I finally got after three months of waiting), maybe baby will have to wait a few for that diaper change

     3. Baby needs a new diaper. Can’t reach the wipes. Oh well it’s just pee

     4. Feeding time! What?!! Why is all the food on the floor!! Well baby will just have to eat it anyway. This isn't a cafeteria.

5  5. Of course baby is hungry while I’m cleaning the house or finally getting ready to go somewhere. I’ll just prop up the bottle with a blanket                      

     6. Baby got really dirty while (you choose one) playing, spitting up, drooling, eating...good thing I have an extra change of clothes in my diaper bag. Oh..Darn it! too bad I forgot that its been in there for months and doesn't fit anymore

     7. Wiped baby’s drool with their own top when a burp cloth or bib was nowhere to be found.

8.   8. Baby pooped (they always wait for the perfect time huh?). I'm nowhere near a bathroom or all the ones nearby are gross with no changing tables. I'll change baby in the car. 

9.  
9. Oh you have advice I didn't ask for? Ok great, why don't you go take a number and have a seat. I'll call you when I want it.

W   Whats gone wrong for anyone else? I would love to hear it so we can laugh at it now that it's over!

Keeping mom feeling beautiful without a trip to the spa

Home Beauty Treatments!


I have begun to embrace at home beauty treatments. Pre babies I was a bit high maintenance and I can still maintain some of that for a lot cheaper while at home and I don't need a babysitter. I don't endorse any products I've just wasted my own money on the bad ones so you can reap the benefits of knowing the good ones. So here we go:

1. I love ProActiv facewash kit. It comes to my door right when I need it and I haven't gotten pimples in forever, even in my last pregnancy! If you want to save money just tell them to stretch out your shipments so they can ship to you every 12 weeks instead of every 6 weeks. And you can also ask them to switch what they send you. Like if you go through a lot of cleanser but not the lotion they can give you 2 cleansers and a toner and you can get lotion the next time. Its about $39 plus shipping


2. Daily Self Tanners. These are great because they don't smell bad and don't leave streaks. I like the ones by Jergens and Dove the most. Jergens makes an oil free moisturizer for the face too. You can find these at all drugstores or Walmart and Target. They each cost about $8.






3. Now some people may think I'm crazy for this one but I am in LOVE with my Epilator! Remember those horrible "Epilady" machines from the late 80's?
Well they have improved the technology and I have to say I'm in love. I save so much time by not shaving in the shower, I don't have to buy shaving cream or razors or do it in a rush because baby is crying. It's not messy like waxing so if I'm in the middle of doing it and someone calls or I have to take care of the kids I can just stop and start back up when the kids are napping.
Now I'm not gonna lie. The first time you do it if you've never waxed it will probably hurt like the dickens!!!!
But the results are amazing and in the long run you save money and time. I use the Braun Silk-epil Xpress Wet Dry. It also comes with trimming and shaving attachments. It pulls hairs out from the root and they come back very light and then barely come back at all. You need to exfoliate daily with a sugar scrub or loofah so you don't get ingrowns. I got mine at Bed Bath and Beyond so I could use the 20% discount. It was $119 before the discount. But I also found www.Amazon.com had a good price. Trust me it saves $ in the long run.






4. Now for makeup I used to be a MAC junkie. I still have almost every eyeshadow color they make. But their foundation and powder run about $30 a piece. I was also using Lancome mascara for about $30 too. That's $90 on three products! So I asked around to see what people recommended. I found Covergirl Advanced Radiance foundation and pressed powder for about $10 each. they are oil free and have the exact coverage I was looking for. And I am crazy about Covergirl LashBlast Mascara you can get 2 for $10 at Target when they are on special. Its the best mascara I've ever used!







5. This product works really well on days you don't have time for your hair but want it to look great anyway. It also depends on your hairs texture if you need it.
It's by Scunci and it's called "Create the Perfect Pony" I found it at Rite Aid one day and I love it! It costs about $5. You just put the rubber insert in your ponytail and you have a full glamorous ponytail in a few minutes.

Scunci Perfect Pony Tool with 3 No Damage 4mm Elastics (Pack of 3)


6. This last one is the best antiperspirant I've ever used and I don't know why more people don't use it. Maybe because it's packaging looks really 80's but you know when your lifting children, babies, carseats, strollers and everything else it takes to get out of the house with a baby the last thing you want to worry about it sweating. And you can find it at Target or drugstores it costs around $5 unlike Secret Clinical Strength which is $14! You use Certain Dri at night and you won't need anything the following day or sometimes for up to three days! It's amazing!

Advice and comments you never asked for..

Advice and comments you never asked for..

Why do people do these things??


1. Someone you don't know comes up and rubs your pregnant belly

2. Everyone swears they know the gender of your unborn baby by the shape of your belly

3. Someone asks you if you're having twins when you're not. (thanks for the confidence booster)

4. Everyone wants to tell you all the horrendous labor stories they know

Then when baby is born......

5. No matter the time of year your baby is born there will be someone (probably much older than you) insisting your baby is cold or needs socks. If you listen to them every time you will probably be spending a lot of unneeded dollars on more socks because they always get lost anyway

6. Again someone you don't know comes up to your newborn and touches them. (Every time this happened to me they touched their hands which are always in their mouths. Thanks for the possible infection!)

7. When your newborn cries somebody insists they are hungry. If you are nursing you start to think you are starving your baby. Thanks again do gooders!

8. When you start meeting other moms they compare timelines with you. Bragging about how their baby crawled at 4 months and walked at 9 months leaving you wondering if you are doing something wrong. I've never met an adult that walked so impressively that I KNEW he must have been an early walker. It's nothing to brag about, get over yourself.

Free Stuff

Here are some ways I have found out how to get some free stuff. They may not all work for everyone but it feels so good leaving a store knowing you didn't have to open your wallet:

1. MAC Lipstick: MAC has a recycle program where if you give any MAC counter six empty containers from products you used up they wil give you any color lipstick you want for free! That's worth $14 http://www.maccosmetics.com/giving_back/btm_return_packaging.tmpl

2. Baby Formula: When you register at http://www.enfamil.com/ and http://www.similac.com/ they will send you free samples as well as coupons for up to $5 off and if you use them they send more. Another thing you can do is ask your Pediatrician for samples. They almost always have small cans of formula of different kinds in the office. All you have to do is ask.

3. WIC: Womens Infant and Childrens Program. Not everyone can qualify for this but it's really easy to do. You can apply while pregnant or as long as you have children under 5 years old. Depending on your situation they will give you free formula, milk, produce, cereal, baby cereal, peanut butter, beans, juice and more. They also help with Free Lactation Consulting and offer Free Breast Pumps for use. www.fns.usda.gov/wic

4. Sephora: They have this free membership rewards card thing and during the month of your birthday you get a free gift! Last year I got a mascara and face cream and this year I got three lipglosses! Plus you earn points if you shop to get more free products!
http://www.sephora.com/beautyinsider/index.jhtml