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co-sleeping
Ok, so this might sound really bad, but I've been bed sharing with my baby. We have a okay pen for ...
Snow Cone Cupcakes - Perfect for your Patriotic Picnic
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 by Kelly Pugliano from EverydayFamily Eats
Summer season is about to kick off with neighborhood barbecues and picnics celebrating the Memorial Day Holiday and I have a great little cupcake that will dress up any table! It’s fun, colorful, and garners “oohs” and “aahhs” from all those that sink their teeth into this delicious Snow Cone cupcake.
Last summer, I was looking for a new recipe to take to our neighbor’s annual picnic. I was tired of bringing the same treat – brownies cut in the shape of stars – and wanted something that was easy, more in the theme of red, white, and blue and – honestly – had a bit more pizazz. Lucky for me, I follow Angie (aka: Bakerella) the crazy-talented mastermind behind Cake Pops. In my email came her latest post and it was the perfect recipe I was looking for! Now, her cupcakes actually look like snow cones; mine need a little more practice. But the end results were the same – delicious; because I came home with an empty tray!
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 by Amanda Rodriguez from My Mom is Awesome
This spring I rolled out the BBQ pit all by my lonesome as a surprise to my husband.
I'd planned to grill some steaks for a nice surprise-we-don’t-have-soccer-or-piano-or-anything-and-I-don’t-know-what-to-do-with-myself dinner on the first really warm day that popped up out of nowhere in April.
Armed with his grilling utensils and my expertly seasoned meat, I set up my charcoal, squirted it liberally with lighter fluid, lit a match and yelled, "BURN, BABY, BURN!" on my deck while my children hid in shame and my neighbors stared.
Only, surprise on me.
After 30 minutes of me trying to get the fire to light by burning old credit card bills and intermittently dousing it with lighter fluid (please note: this is a BBQ DON'T unless you are after an eye brow optional look) I realized two things: fire is seriously dangerous, and I suck at grilling.
Who knew when the husbands were standing around that thing, beers in hand, with their I-made-fire caveman chests puffed out, that there was actually some skill involved?
Not me, clearly.
A Mix of Formula and Breastfeeding May Benefit Baby
Monday, May 20, 2013 by Casey Archibald from Buzzworthy Bulletins
There has long been a debate about whether it is better to breastfeed or formula-feed babies. Some breastfeeders accuse formula-users of not supplying the healthy benefits of breastmilk to their babies, and some formula-users insist that formula is their only option. According to a recent study, a mix of both might not only be a happy medium, but it might benefit baby as well.
Three Summer Childcare Options for Working Parents
Monday, May 20, 2013 by Kathy Murdock from Thrifty Mom's Two Cents
Many of the moms I know are celebrating the arrival of summer while worrying about a big issue all working parents face: childcare.
During the school year this doesn’t present as much of a problem once the kiddos are old enough to attend school. When school is out though, most of my friends that work spend a lot of time finding places for their children to go and things for them to do over the summer months.
The following are just a few options that might be available to working parents who are in need of childcare for the summer. Most of my friends use a combination of these three.
Taken Advantage of By Family Members
Monday, May 20, 2013 by Stef Daniel from Mom, Myself, & I
My good friend has a problem. A serious problem. Not only is she a stay at home mother to her own children, but her extended family members are constantly calling her up to help them with every little thing. If they need cupcakes for a birthday party, they call her (because she is an awesome baker). If someone is going away on vacation, they ask her to house sit. If they have an upcoming event, they call on her to help put things together. If a kid in the family needs watching...you guessed it, they call her.
Sadly, my friend is not alone. She has a hard time saying no, and is extremely close to her family. Of course, she WANTS to help as much as possible, but often this helping out others and constantly being the go-to on-call person leaves her own life more stressful and at times empty.
Just recently, while she was already caring for her own sick mother, a family member called and asked her if she could take on yet another sick senior so that they could go away on vacation. Keep in mind, not only does she have children, but she is also watching her best friend’s child on a daily basis. Plus her mom. This time, she had the courage to say no.
5 Reasons I'm Not Sure Whether I'm Ready to Have a Baby Yet
Monday, May 20, 2013 by Megan Eager Klay from Preconceived Notions
“They” say timing is everything. If that’s the case, is there ever a right time to have kids? Are you ever fully financially, mentally, emotionally, (and then some) ready to bring a wonderful little life into this world? One who is completely dependent upon you?
I am a planner, and trying to determine when to bring a baby into mine and my husband’s happily busy lives has been the most difficult thing I’ve attempted to plan for yet. I don’t want to make any mistakes (did I mention I’m also a perfectionist?), although realistically I know that I will. I want to be the best mommy I can be, and the thought of not being exactly that, frankly, scares the hell out of me.
Help me if you can! Share your experiences, please, as I bring to you my five reasons I’m not sure whether or not I’m ready to have a baby yet...
4 Fantastic 1st Birthday Party Themes
Monday, May 20, 2013 by Alison Lee from Tales from the Crib
The first birthday is always the most special, as so much happens in the first year, and it is the first party you're throwing for your baby. If you need ideas for a fun party, here are some great ideas from four moms.
Monday, May 20, 2013 by Chaunie Brusie from Blog from the Belly
After experiencing three pregnancies in the past four years, I have something to confess:
I don’t really like being pregnant.
Ok, ok, so maybe there is maybe a month or two in the second trimester when I feel halfway decent. I can sport the cute little baby belly and feel like I am actually the glowing pregnant woman that I am supposed to be. The overwhelming fatigue and constant feeling like I’m going to puke every five seconds of the first trimester has dissipated. The books talk about the second trimester as the best part of pregnancy because you get an energy boost of sorts, but part of me has to wonder if it’s simply the absence of the misery that is the first trimester; kind of like how you feel the first day after being sick for a really long time—you feel joyful simply because you’re not sick anymore.
But other than those few fateful weeks when I am tricked into thinking pregnancy is fun, I find the entire process of growing a human being incredibly difficult.
Sunday, May 19, 2013 by Sherry Fahrenwald from Celebrity Stilettos and Sippy Cups
Summer is just around the corner so it's time to shed those winter layers and bring in all of those cooler looks for summer. Today I'm going to show you how to maximize a few key pieces to create six inexpensive summer looks. By just utilizing certain clothing staples and accessories you can really stretch your wardrobe; it's not necessary to spend a ton of money to keep up with current trends.
Adipex - Is the Weight Loss Worth the Risk?
Sunday, May 19, 2013 by Stef Daniel from Mom, Myself, & I
After my 4th child, and at the age of 37, I found it very difficult to lose my post-baby weight. In fact, I was sitting (literally) on an extra 20 pounds that made me feel sluggish, insecure, and unhappy. When I went to my doctor and talked to her about my weight 'issues' (which were mild in comparison to many), she recommended that I start taking Adipex, one of the brand names for phentermine. And I did. And, admittedly - it worked in more ways than one. For one thing it gave me the most energy I had ever had in my entire life. Insomnia wasn’t an issue, because I felt like I was on speed and didn’t need sleep. And, I was NEVER hungry. In fact, I was always thirsty and drank gallons of water. At the end of 6 weeks, it worked - and I had lost OVER 20 pounds without exercising.
The problem was I was starting to develop some other medical issues. Anxiety for one. As my body became accustomed to the Adipex, it didn’t have the same 'energy' effect where I felt like a super hero. And my lack of desire for eating and feeling full so fast was taking a toll on my immune system. Next up, were several months of severe urinary and bladder infections - and days where I was literally peeing blood.
