Tips For Starting A Baby Nursery

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Before your baby arrives, you have to make many crucial decisions to ensure that it stays comfortable. The most vital one is creating a nursery. However, when the baby is still small, it is easier to pick on colours then when they grow and start having interests you can repaint.

First, you should select a theme since it will guide you further when you are choosing other items. They include vintage, classic or modern among many others. Depending on your preferences, you can either use one colour of paint or make a fusion of two or a maximum of three. Be cautious about choosing colours that are too bright or dull. The next step is to look for a crib and bedding. When choosing linens, opt for the types made of pure cotton since baby’s skin can be sensitive. On the crib, you can choose something suitable for their age, when they grow up you advance, or instead you take a type that you can convert to become a toddler bed in future.

Babies come with dirty diapers; hence you will need a changing table. The best designs are those with extra storage for the keeping of diapers, books, and also toys. My drawer storage was installed by a basement contractor in Fredericksburg to keep my baby’s stuffs organized. Furthermore, you will require a dresser for storing all your baby’s clothes, shoes, and any other items. Choose a model that has drawers with sufficient space. Although you are looking out for your baby, do not forget yourself as you will be the one handling it most times. A nursery chair comes in handy for when you want to feed or just soothe the baby. The best option is either a rocking chair or a glider, and it should have armrests to support your weary arms.

The ideas above will ensure you have in place the essential items to provide comfort for your baby. Also, you can add some decorations like photos of animals or the baby after they arrive. 

Turn off the noise.

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This is an incredible piece from Hula Hoop girl written by September McCarthy a mother of ten children, you heard that right, ten children. She knows a few tricks on how to make motherhood easy. Once in a while, we must reevaluate what we are capable of doing and what we are not. This book has been such an eye-opener for me. I am sure that this book will enlighten you as well. Also, the homemaking category bundle is a very helpful set of e-books. If you wish to read this book, you can only find it by tomorrow so you must be vigilant not to miss it.

My “Wish I knew earlier” List

There are so many things that I still wish I knew before I became a mother. Luckily, my children are still young and I can apply this knowledge now before they are all grown. As my children sleep peacefully in their beds and my house is quiet, here are some of the things I keep thinking that are important to know upfront:

• To enjoy time with your husband before getting kids, because after having babies that time will be scarce and you’ll surely miss it.

• That time will fly by so fast

• That parenting will bring out the worst and the best in a person.

• That the hard parenting seasons seem to be unending, but they will come to pass.

• Using the Platt Prodigy 2.0 would help prevent backache during pregnancy

• To keep memories of joyous season fresh because it is easy to forget them during those tough times

• That sometimes you’ll feel like your job as a parent is the most unappreciated one in the universe. However, it is the noblest job you’ll ever do.

• That you should prioritize your relationship with your husband or partner because he is your greatest ally on this earth

• That it’s normal to feel like you do not know what you are doing. Everyone else feels the same even if they do not admit it.

• Warm moist air helps children breathe easier.

• The years pass by so fast, with the current one passing by faster than the other one. It will feel like they are passing by in the blink of an eye.

• That there is no problem when you put your kids first. Even though society says that we must not neglect ourselves, and we don’t, our kids will only be young for a while. Give them all your love, time, and attention because they are grown and gone sooner than you think.

These notes and article were written by Jeff who is an author and also does tree trimming services in the summer months. 

What I Wish I Would Have Known…

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There are volumes of things that I wish I would have known before I had children.  Thankfully I still have younger children, and I’m learning these things now, before it’s too late.  Here are some that come to mind as I sit here in a quiet house and they all sleep peacefully in their beds.

  1. To enjoy the time that you have with your husband before you have children… you won’t have time like that again for quite awhile, and you’ll miss it.
  2. That time goes by so quickly.
  3. Prepared to be tired almost all of the time.
  4. That parenting will bring out the worst in a person…
  5. but it will also bring out the best.
  6. That the hard seasons seem to be never ending, but they will pass.
  7. The Leggett and Platt Prodigy 2.0 would have helped my back during the pregnancy.
  8. To remember the joyous seasons, because they are easily forgotten during those hard seasons.
  9. That you may feel like you are doing the most unappreciated job in the world, but it is the most important thing that you will ever do.
  10. That your husband and partner is your greatest ally on this earth.  Keep that relationship a top priority.
  11. That it’s okay to admit that you don’t know what you’re doing… everyone else feels the same way, whether they will admit it or not.
  12. Warm moist air for babies will help them breathe easier.
  13. It seems impossible, but each year passes more quickly than the last, until you feel like one year passes will soon pass in the blink of an eye.
  14. That it’s okay to put your kids first.  Society tells us that we need to take care of ourselves, and we do, but we only have these gifts for a short time.  Pour into them while you can, because they will be grown and gone before you know it.

What do you wish you would have known?

 

What In The World Is Natural Parenting?

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What is Natural Parenting Exactly?

It is a trend that you cannot escape. You see it on magazine covers, you find it on the spines of books on bookstore shelves, and you read about it on just about every parenting blog that has been penned by a father or a mother out there. Natural Parenting. Well, now what in the world is it, exactly?

To me, it sounds like what you would think it is. You have children naturally without pain killers. (I did this for all three of my children in a hospital, not at home). You breastfeed your children. What else? Maybe it also means that you grow your own vegetables and make your own baby food. Note that I said this is what I think it is.

I happen to use cloth diapers on my babies, too. A few people thought I was nuts. In a short time, a few of those people decided that there were virtues to using a cloth and they got on the bandwagon with me. Other things natural parenting makes me think of is not using deodorant or not vaccinating your kids. It seems like it is something only hippies do, right?

They also prefer to use fans and open windows and skip the air conditioning. No, not me. I like the conveniences of modern life. I still consider myself a natural parent. I try to follow what constitutes this lifestyle.

We have started a garden and have been pleased with the vegetables that come from it. My kids like helping with the gardening and there is no greater thrill than eating the food we have grown for ourselves.

I consider tutoring your children to be part of natural parenting, as well. I think it helps foster a bond with your children and it helps them to learn to be independent thinkers.

I do use deodorant, I am happy to inform you. I always try to use a brand that is made of pure ingredients, however. I don’t go out of my way to use toxic chemicals. As for what my husband and I do to raise our children, I would think that it goes along the lines of natural parenting.

However, after reading some of the natural parenting guidelines online, you would think my husband and I have a long way to go to become truly natural. I am not sure I feel we are doing our children any disservices by parenting them the way we choose to. We do our best to bring natural into as many aspects of our lives as we can.

I don’t believe that advocates of natural parenting should shame other parents into doing this that or the other thing in an exact manner to “qualify” as a natural parent. We all have our own styles and preferences as do our children in life. I think you need to remain open to parenting from the heart.

If that means ditching deodorant, then well, more power to you! I am kidding but I wonder what means natural parenting to you? 

Another Gluten Wake Up Call.

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Just when we thought that Levi might be growing out of his gluten sensitivities we have once again been reminded that this youngest son of ours is far more sensitive to gluten than anyone else in our family.

As a baby Levi’s gluten sensitivity showed up as eczema all over his face and also on his neck and arms.  Later on, around ages two and three, it caused allergy symptoms and asthma flare ups.  We spent more than a few times in the emergency room or the doctor’s office before we realized the connection.  Lately we noticed that those symptoms were not happening so much anymore.  We hoped that he was growing out of his sensitivities so we decided to gradually allow him to have some foods that contained gluten.

It seemed that all was going well, as far as we could tell.  No eczema on his face and he hasn’t had any asthma flare ups in quite awhile  This is unusual, especially with the onset of a cold.  The last cold that he had I was just waiting for the asthma symptoms to hit. but they never did.  I was so excited!  What I neglected to look for were other possible symptoms, so when Levi started to complain of tummy pains every so often, I just chalked it up to gas pains.  He also started to say that we was having burps and that when he did he had throw up in his mouth.  Hmmm.  That was a little bit strange, but not strange enough for me to put two and two together, because I just wasn’t looking for it.

The kicker came last Wednesday at Bible Study when I was called out of my small group.  Levi had thrown up in his class.  Not too alarming given the viruses that seem to be running rampant in this town recently.  This didn’t act like a virus though.  Levi didn’t have a fever, a runny nose, a cough, a sore throat, or any other symptoms.  In fact, he was acting perfectly normal, and didn’t vomit again for the rest of the day.  Later that night, at about 9:30 or so, he vomited in bed (showing EXTREME self control for a four-year-old and not even getting it anywhere until I came running with a bowl).  It was then that I started to wonder if maybe his gluten sensitivities were showing themselves in a new way.  I thought back to all of the tummy complaints and the digestive issues and realized that the last couple of weeks had been leading up to this.  I even spoke to a friend (via text) who said that she had recently come off of her gluten free diet and had experienced those exact same symptoms.  I felt terrible for not making the connection sooner.  As soon as we got home from church that morning we went back to a completely gluten-free diet, and with the exception of the night time episode, he hasn’t been sick since and has only complained of tummy pains once, soon after.  I haven’t heard of any nasty burps either.

This journey through gluten sensitivities is new to us.  Although I have allergies to everything under the sun, we have never dealt with food allergies or food sensitivities in our family.  It’s definitely a learning process for me my husband.  Levi has not been formally diagnosed with a gluten intolerance, but it’s obvious to us that his body cannot handle it very well.  It’s out job to make sure that we take care of his nutritional needs and help him to learn what his body can and cannot handle.  He is such a great sport about it too! You’d think a four year old would complain and whine about not being able to have the treats and foods that he would like to have.  Some of his favorite things have gluten in them, and when I tell him that he can’t have them anymore because they will make his body sick he just says, “Okay, I will never eat that again!”  He’s very proactive about it all.  We are blessed with a very sweet child.

Tell me, are you a gluten free family?

What are some of your favorite gluten free products?

 

Cloth Diapering Help is Here!

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Natural Moms and Moms to Be!

I’m so excited to tell you about the latest project from my friend Erin at The Humbled Homemaker.

Today Erin launches her latest eBook release, Confessions of a Cloth Diaper Convert, and I have to say that I really wish that this book was out about 6-1/2 years ago when I was researching cloth diaper options.  I was pregnant with Luke and really wanting to cloth diaper, but I had no clue what I was doing or getting into.  Maybe you are in that place right now?   I spent weeks, possibly months, on the internet reading about my options.  I read about different types of cloth diapers, how much they cost, and how to care for them.  I stressed over which diapers to buy because we didn’t have any stores in our town where I could go to actually get my hands on any of the newer updated pocket diapers.  I was so overwhelmed!

You are in luck!  Erin has done ALL of the research and trial and error for you!  She has made every cloth diapering mistake in the book.  She has worked for a cloth diapering store.  She has trouble-shooted for other mothers, helping them to find the perfect fit to their babies’ cloth diapering needs.  And she has saved her family thousands of dollars by ditching disposable diapers!  Now she has written the book!

This week only Erin is offering a HUGE deal when you buy Confessions of a Cloth Diaper Convert for the introductory price of $9.95.  By the way, $9.95 is less than the cost of using disposable diapers for one week… this is worth the try!

THIS. IS. HUGE.

When you buy the book for only $9.95 you will also receive all of these bonuses from these amazing companies who have partnered with Erin for her book launch:

Free Baby Accessories*

A free nursing cover by Udder Covers!* ($34.95 value!)

A free baby sling from Seven Slings($48 value!).

A free nursing pillow from Nursing Pillow ($39.95 value!).

A free carseat canopy from Carseat Canopy ($49.95 value!).

Can you believe these bonuses!  If you are a new mother or an expecting mother, these products are all things that you will find that you cannot live without.  If you ask me they are definitely worth the cost of shipping, no doubt!

 

A New Breastfeeding Mother’s Dilemma.

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I was texting with a good friend the other day and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about our conversation since then.  She had shared with me about a breastfeeding mom who had returned to work and was pumping full time to feed her child who was now in daycare.  Good for her!  Her supply is great, the baby is well fed and taking the bottle beautifully.  Then she takes her child to the well check up at her pediatrician’s office and what does he say?  That it’s wonderful that she’s doing this, but she has a lot on her plate, so don’t be a martyr about it.  He tells her that he is interested in everyone’s physical and mental health, soooooooo just in case…… here’s some free formula!!!  What???  I’m told that now the mother is concerned that maybe she is not making enough milk for her baby after all, when there is no indication that this is true.  The baby is perfectly healthy.  This mother’s breastfeeding relationship has been sabotaged and her confidence as a new mother has been shaken and that saddens me greatly!  I’m going to take a stab in the dark here and guess that this new mom’s mental health was not better off upon leaving the doctor’s office that day.  She walked in a confident young mother who was taking wonderful care of her child, and she left doubting her ability to adequately care for her baby.

The pediatrician in this situation claims to be concerned about the health and wellness of the child, and I’m sure that in a general sense he is, but do you care to know what the first two ingredients are in the formula that he so freely gave to the mother?  Corn Syrup and Sugar.  That’s right- Corn Syrup and Sugar, because obviously this must be better for babies than breastmilk.  Are you kidding me?  Please don’t take this the wrong way.  I know that there are mothers out there that choose not to breastfeed or who are not able to breastfeed, and I am fully supportive of their right to choose how they feed their babies, but to believe the lie that formula is equal to or superior to breastmilk in nutrition is just ridiculous.  Formula will never be equal to breastmilk in any way, shape, or form.  For a doctor to act like taking a bottle of formula is better for a baby than being fed breastmilk should raise serious red flags in a parent’s mind.  I would be seeking another doctor’s care immediately.

According to a study in Pediatrics (February 2011), formula fed babies who started solids earlier than 4 months are 6 times more likely to become obese by age three, compared to formula fed babies who started solids later.  This study followed 847 babies.  Well, you may say, babies aren’t supposed to start solids that early!  True, but although the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents not introduce solid foods into their baby’s diet until between 4 to 6 months of age, 26% start their babies on solids by four months old.

Interestingly enough, breastfed babies are at no higher risk of obesity, regardless of when solid foods are introduced into the diet, according to the same study.  In 2005 a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association estimated that the childhood obesity rate could be cut by 15-20%, simply by switching formula fed babies to breast milk.  That is amazing!  And yet medical doctors are constantly pushing formula on mothers and babies, all in the name of the health of the baby!

Pediatricians are wonderful people and we love the pediatricians who take care of our children, but I have the final say in my child’s health and well-being.  Whether you want to admit it or not, doctors are influenced by pharmaceutical companies and YES, formula companies too!  Why do you think they push the stuff on us from the moment babies are born in the hospital?

Your body was created to provide for and nourish your child.  Your breasts are not for show, they have a function and a purpose… they are amazing!  Lactating mothers were meant to be the sole source of nourishment for their children, so please do not doubt your ability to be this for your child.  

If you would like more information on breastfeeding your child, please read my Breastfeeding 101 Series.
 

Homemade Gifts : Orange Dream Sugar Scrub.

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I think I can officially say that it’s the holiday season!  We might be a couple of days away from Thanksgiving, but I’m well into my Christmas shopping, how about you?  One thing that I really wanted to do this year was make come homemade gifts and the Healthy Living eBook bundle gave me all of the inspiration that I needed!  The great news is that the eBook bundle sold so well that we are bringing it back for Cyber Monday and Tuesday too!

I used Simple Scrubs to Make and Give by Stacy Karen as a jumping off point for this homemade sugar scrub.  This is included in the Healthy Living Bundle that will be available again in one week.  Stacy has several wonderful recipes in her eBook!  This scrub was so incredibly simple to make, I don’t know why I haven’t done this before, honestly.  I used her basic scrub recipe and then added my own essential oil blend, using Sweet Orange Oil, vanilla extract, and a few drops of peppermint oil.  Oh my goodness, I wish this blog had smellavision because it smells dreamy!  I threw a few decorations on the jar and glued a ribbon around the top to  make it Christmasy… it will make the perfect give for a friend or family member!

Stacy includes several other recipes in Simple Scrubs to Make and Give, like Morning Coffee Body Scrub, Fresh Citrus Body Scrub, and Chocolate Lovers Scrub.  They all sound good enough to eat, and they’re all natural, which makes them the perfect gift for an expecting or new mom!  In fact, I’m thinking of making this for my childbirth education class moms as a gift.

But don’t buy Simple Scrubs quite yet!
Be sure to check out the Healthy Living eBook bundle next week, where you’ll find a total of 34 books by 29 authors (including Unbound Birth, by yours truly).  For $29 you’ll have your handmade Christmas gift resource guide in time to make gifts for all of your loved ones!  Plus you’ll get a couple of free bonuses too!  It will be the last chance to get this bundle and it’s just too good to miss!
 

Pregnancy and Childbirth Books that I Love.

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I thought I’d share with you some of my favorite pregnancy and childbirth books.  There are so many resources out there.  Some are great… some not so much.  In fact, there is one extremely popular pregnancy book that I hated and will not recommend to my clients or readers (nope, I won’t name it here, that would be rude).  I have a short list of my favorites pregnancy and childbirth books though, that I recommend over and over again.  I have read them myself and found them very informative and useful.

Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler.  

This is a must-read for every woman, whether she is trying to get pregnant or not.  Toni informs the reader on everything that she needs to know about her reproductive system and cycle, as well has how to chart fertility and how to avoid pregnancy naturally.  Somehow she does this in a funny and easy to read way.  I love this book!  You can also visit the website here, it’s a great resource.

The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer

What I love about this book is that each chapter addresses a different aspect of birthing and does so with a lot of well-researched, accurate, and unbiased information.   This book covers everything that you want to know about birth.  Henci Goers website can be found here.

Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin

Ina May is the world’s leading midwife and founder of The Farm, in TN.  She has included birth stories and practical advice with her mother-centered philosophy on childbirth.  Another must read!  You can find Ina May’s website here.

Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn by Penny Simkin

This is the book that I wish I had read before my first child was born.  When I found it I read it cover to cover. “It covers all aspects of childbearing from conception through early infancy. It includes information on what to expect during pregnancy and birth and how you can work with your caregivers to make childbirth a happy and healthy experience.” (From Amazon.com)  Penny Simkin has been a childbirth educator since 1968 and she holds a wealth of information that she generously shares in her book.

Unbound Birth by Jennifer Yarbrough

You didn’t think I’d leave this one out did you?  This one is near and dear to my heart.  If you’re reading this post, then you most likely are interested in natural birth options, and this book will give you the information and encouragement you need to have the natural hospital birth that you desire.

These are just a few of the books that I recommend every new mother read when she finds out that she is pregnant.  Like I said, there are many books out there vying for your time and attention.  These will give you a good start as you begin exploring your birth options and progress through your pregnancy.
 

Homemade Baby Food Recipes.

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Once baby is weaned from breast feeding, it’s time to start to introduce foods, and all of the sudden you are shocked to find out how much organic baby food can cost!  It has gotten a bit more economical over the last few years, but you can still save a lot of money by making your own homemade baby food.  Here are a couple of homemade baby food recipes:

Apple and Apricot Puree

2 small apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped

2 fresh apricots, peeled

Place fruit in a saucepan and cover it with water (about 1/4″ above the fruit).  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and cover.  Simmer for 5 minutes.  Drain and puree.

 

Banana and Berries

4 Tbsp H20

1 banana

1/2 Tbsp rice cereal

10 berries (strawberries and blueberries are a good choice)

Bring water to a boil.  Add banana, cereal, and berries.  Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.  Puree.