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5 month old will not sleep thru the night.. help??
Hi i have a 5 month old daughter and she will not sleep thru the night she was there for a while b...
November 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
So, where did you end up the day after Thanksgiving? Did you head out at the crack of dawn (coffee in hand, of course!) seeking the best deals? Maybe you even went so far as to tag team with your partner or arrange a babysitter so you could head out solo and "do some damage" in terms of shopping for the holiday season. With a little one...
Swap Until You Drop: Something Old for Something New
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
As we all know, clothes are expensive. Try finding a new pair of jeans for Junior at any department store – even the cheap ones – and plan to spend around $15. When you live in a cold weather climate and jeans are the staple garment six months out of the year, that can add up. Not to mention the fact that kids grow at the speed of an O...
Dos and Don’ts for Cyber Shopping Monday
Monday, November 28, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Black Friday brings shoppers to the stores who are in search of great bargains and huge discounts. I’d thought I might join the stampede this year; and then I thought again. I really can’t stand crowds or, actually, shopping (I know, I’m weird), so I decided to continue my holiday shopping plan: set a budget (check), create a list...
Monday, November 28, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
Have you seen this ad? Wow. And, what do you think? Do you agree? Why the ad? It certainly does get your attention. Recently released in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the first time I saw this ad, it shook me to the core. So why did they put it out there? The second-leading cause of infant mortality in Milwaukee is SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome...
Saturday, November 26, 2011 by Heather Montgomery
Some new babies came into the world of Hollywood this week. Here is the latest info on the babies, parents, and toddlers of Hollywood. Piers Morgan welcomed his first daughter with wife Celia Walden. He has three boys from a previous marriage. Maggie Rizer and her husband Alex Mehran had a baby boy Alexander Rafahi Mehran III. This is their first...
Thursday, November 24, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
Happy Thanksgiving. It's my favorite holiday of the year. Really, what's not to love? It's about family, great food, and the reminder to be thankful. When it comes to your child developing, what are you most thankful for? Here are a few thoughts to get you started...Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving! This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for... The mome...
Dos and Don’ts for Holiday Online Shopping
Thursday, November 24, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Life in a small town has its definite advantages. I can go into any store and see someone I know. I can always keep tabs on my kids and what they are up to because everyone knows everyone else’s business. And if I need to get into the doctor for an emergency, I can call that morning and they’ll get me in by ten. On the other hand...
Wednesday, November 23, 2011 by Heather Montgomery
Unless you were living under a rock for the past year, you know how obsessed the media is with the royals across the pond. After the media frenzy of the wedding, all eyes turned to when Kate would produce an heir to the throne. After a visit to a Dutch UNICEF factory, where Kate was seen refusing a taste of a peanut bar, rumors began swirling that...
How to Keep Spending Under Control During the Holidays
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
With Christmas fast approaching, it’s fair to say your wallet will be opened and your credit card swiped (or cash spent) at a much higher rate than is normal within the next few weeks. I have always tried to purchase Christmas gifts throughout the year as I find things I know certain people will like – a pretty sweater on sale for some...
Black Friday Shopping: Will You Stand in Line for the Savings?
Monday, November 21, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
It’s that time of the year again. No, I’m not talking about eating turkey with family while watching football and reminiscing. I’m not even talking about playing Santa for the young ones in your life. It is Black Friday time, or the day of fighting the shopping crowds following stuffing your face with pumpkin pie, green bea...
Monday, November 21, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
How do you teach a child to be thankful? Can you teach them to be thankful? It's Thanksgiving week. Definitely as parents, our kiddos rank up on our list of things we are thankful for. If it weren't for my kiddo, I wouldn't have experienced a very special kind of love, an overwhelming and deep level of caring, and I certainly can thank her for mak...
Saturday, November 19, 2011 by Heather Montgomery
I am certainly guilty of watching the train wreck that was Jon and Kate + 8, as well as other ridiculous reality TV shows where children grow up in the limelight. As the world watched, this family was torn apart by the celebrity the show cast on them. I can’t imagine I would have wanted my poop, potty training, and other child antics to have ...
Friday, November 18, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
I got a ton of bargains at Publix this week. It was a great week to shop! My best . . . . The sale: Buy one, get one Barilla pasta, making it $.74 The coupon: $.55 off one Total: $.19!!...
Friday, November 18, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
Ah, the holidays. They are joyful. They are memorable. And, they are frantic. Before baby, the hubby and I used to try to make the rounds everywhere. We would carefully map out our holiday journeys to include stops at the parents (having two sets of divorced parents makes that twice - or four times - as fun) and sometimes another family/friend or t...
Thursday, November 17, 2011 by Stef Daniel
I believe people who live in glass houses should not throw stones. (How cliché is that?) The other day, I was having a conversation with a bunch of other moms, all of us around the age of 40. A few of them were literally lashing out at a few younger people they knew that were having children out of wedlock. In all...
5 Tips for Creating a Festive but Frugal Thanksgiving Get Together
Thursday, November 17, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
For our family, Thanksgiving has always been a fairly small ordeal. Growing up it was just my mom and me and whatever pets we happened to own at the time. Nowadays, we generally celebrate turkey day with my husband’s family – still not super large – although sometimes it winds up just being the four of us. I have posted about a f...
20 Kids? Seriously, How Many Is Enough?
Thursday, November 17, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
Seriously, how many children are enough? Recently, the Duggars - Jim Bob and Michelle - announced that they are expecting a 20th child due in April 2012. Twenty. Seriously. When it comes to your child and their development, what will be the right number of children in your family? Do you believe a person can have too many children? T...
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 by Heather Montgomery
It is that time again to do a baby bump update. Several celebrities have announced births or pregnancies lately. Hugh Grant recently revealed he is the father of a baby girl who was born in September. According to reports, he had a fleeting affair with an unnamed woman that resulted in pregnancy. He does not have any other children. Jared Padalec...
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 by Stef Daniel
I can remember when I was first told I was having twins. It was quite a shock for me, because not only did I not plan the pregnancy, but I also definitely didn’t expect to see two little fetal poles on the ultrasound. I don’t remember if I was overwhelmed, excited, or just plain stunned (or some combination of all three)....
Holding on to Gift Cards You’ll Never Use? Gift Card Exchange Day Offers Cash or an Amazon Gift Card
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Buying the perfect gift for someone can be a tough task. Gift cards are one option for getting someone a gift without being too specific, allowing the recipient to use the card to purchase what they really want; but while most givers purchase cards with the best intentions, not all gift cards are warmly received. Case in point: A good friend of mi...
Tuesday's Top 10 - Myths of Motherhood
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 by Stef Daniel
Motherhood is full of myths. From the crazy advice you get from others to the preconceived notions of what you think motherhood will be like – moms are set up from the beginning to feel letdown and frustrated at some point. Don’t get me wrong – there is nothing quite as amazing as being a mom, but the truth is that it ...
No Debit Card Fees, But Watch Out: You’re Probably Going to Pay One Way or the Other
Monday, November 14, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
The verdict is in: Consumers didn’t want to pay a monthly fee to banks for the convenience of using a debit card, and the banks listened. After an outpouring of complaints, Bank of America, Chase and Wells Fargo have decided to cancel the fees they had planned to charge for debit card use. This is great news for those of you who regular...
Monday, November 14, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
“What’s wrong with you?” It’s one of those things I’ve definitely wondered about my kiddo from time to time, but I have held my tongue. The mom in the locker room last night didn’t have the patience to do that. Instead, in a locker room filled with other mamas and preschoolers, she looked straight into...
Saturday, November 12, 2011 by Stef Daniel
Talk about feeling like a loser mom. A few weeks back, I was at a softball tournament with my daughters. This means, all day at the ball field from sun-up to sundown. Which also means a lot of packing and preparing to ensure that I had everything my kids might possibly need for the day. I thought that I had. But, so...
Older Parents a Hollywood Fad?
Saturday, November 12, 2011 by Heather Montgomery
With the recent announcement of Bruce Willis expecting his first child with his wife Emma Heming and Bruce being the father of three older children with his ex-wife Demi Moore, my mind has turned to parents having babies older and older. Bruce Willis is 56, while his wife is 33. I understand the desire of a younger wife to have a child; howev...
Friday, November 11, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Cake, Anyone? This week’s bargain: Betty Crocker Cake Mix The sale: Buy One Get One at Publix @ $1.83. Since you can buy one only at half price, one box cost .91 The coupon: A printable .50 off two, which doubles to $1 off of 2 Total: $.83 for two boxes, or $.41 each! I stocked up since we have several birthdays coming up!...
Thursday, November 10, 2011 by Stef Daniel
I can remember when I was pregnant; trying to come up with names for two little girls was pretty much my constant priority. For the first time in my life, I paid attention to every single name that I heard, and I remember feeling overwhelmed with responsibility. After all, naming a child – that is one very important, once in a lifet...
Saving Money on Fruits and Vegetables
Thursday, November 10, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
My grocery bill has been greatly reduced thanks to combining sale items with coupons, but I have always said I could never see the enormous savings those on shows like Extreme Couponing see. For one thing, I refuse to spend that much time on couponing – also, I just don’t have that much free time to invest – but for another, our f...
Thursday, November 10, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
We all want to give our child the world. The question is "Should we?" When it comes to the upcoming holiday season, how much will be enough in terms of gift-giving for your child? How much will you spend on your child? How many gifts will be bought? I shop all year round. It's so easy, especially when it comes to getting gifts for the...
Not by the Hair on My Chinny-Chin-Chin
Wednesday, November 09, 2011 by Stef Daniel
Confession time. PLEASE DONT LAUGH! I have this little tiny hair (okay so maybe two but really who’s counting) that seems to pop out of my chin and neck (WTH) every couple of weeks. I can be feeling pretty good about myself, complete with make-up and freshly combed hair, headed to the awesome social hot spot of my kid’s schoo...
Celebrities Cashing In on Babies
Wednesday, November 09, 2011 by Heather Montgomery
With the rumors continuing to swirl regarding Jessica Simpson's growing midsection, there are some reports that she is shopping the rights to the announcement and first baby photos. It is nothing new to get paid by magazines for exclusive rights to pictures of a wedding or new bundle of joy, but I think her situation is a little different. She...
Start Thinking Now About Holiday Dinners
Tuesday, November 08, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
If there is one thing you’ll quickly learn about saving money, it’s this: you have to plan ahead. Run out of something and buy it at the last minute and chances are high the item won’t be on sale, you won’t have a coupon, and you will have to pay double the price you would have paid had you gotten it a few weeks earlier when...
Walmart Promotes Lowest Prices with Gift Cards This Season
Monday, November 07, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Hold on to your wallets, holiday shopping moms and dads! This year, retail giants plan to utilize sales strategies to reel consumers into their stores for holiday shopping, which means consumers can expect to find some great incentive plans starting in just a few short weeks. (Yes, Christmas really is only a few months away!) Why the i...
Surgical Procedure? When You Can, Wait.
Monday, November 07, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
We want nothing more than our munchkins to be healthy. Healthy often equals happy. What happens when a surgical procedure is recommended? Or is needed? We trust in our pediatricians and other medical professionals to help guide us in making the best decisions when it comes to caring for our munchkins. However, would there ever be a time or a reas...
Saturday, November 05, 2011 by Heather Montgomery
Recently, the news has broken that several Hollywood stars have adopted children in the past few months. I think adoption is an amazing process that takes selflessness to a new level from both the birth and adoptive parents. Hollywood stars are in the unique position to provide their children with pretty much almost any want or need their child has...
Saturday, November 05, 2011 by Heather Montgomery
Recently the news has broken that several Hollywood stars have adopted children in the past few months. I think adoption is an amazing process that takes selflessness to a new level from both the birth and adoptive parents. Hollywood stars are in the unique position to provide their children with pretty much almost any want or need to their childre...
Friday, November 04, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Coffee, anyone? This week’s bargain: a bag of Eight O’Clock Coffee for $2.49! The sale: Buy One Get One at Publix. Since you can buy one only at half price, one bag cost $3.49. The coupon: A printable $1 off one bag Total: $2.49 Since I’m not a specific coffee drinker, this bargain was so good for me I bought several. Also, i...
Friday, November 04, 2011 by Stef Daniel
I recently shared a blog with you all about my miscarriage and the painful residue of memories and feelings that I was left with. There was a tremendous response, and my heart goes out to each and every woman who has suffered through a miscarriage. May you all receive blessings. However, there is good news as well. After...
Cheap Checks? What a Scam! Watch Those “Fake” Specials
Thursday, November 03, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
So the other day I realized I needed new checks, and I was flipping through the newspaper on Sunday when I spotted an ad in the insert that, I realize now, was way too good to be true. The deal? Purchase two boxes of duplicate checks for ONLY $9.00! $9.00? No way! I pay nearly fifteen dollars per box at the bank, I thought, happ...
Thursday, November 03, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
When it comes to your child, what do you do when nothing seems to be working? Perhaps your challenge is bedtime? Or maybe potty training? Temper tantrums? Maybe it is just an off day filled with "off" behaviors? I'm raising my hand and jumping up and down to the last statement. It's been an off day with my kiddo ...
Thoughtful Thankful Thursdays - A Crock Pot Life
Thursday, November 03, 2011 by Stef Daniel
Yeah, so you know by now that I don’t cook. (Or should I say, don’t LIKE to cook, because I do cook every stinking day.) But now that cooler weather is upon us, I have to admit that I haven’t minded preparing some cozy meals for my family. And, one of my all time favorite ways to cook is to use one of life’s speci...
Wednesday, November 02, 2011 by Heather Montgomery
It seems to be baby season in Hollywood! Several celebrities have announced their pregnancies, given birth, or adopted these past few weeks. It seems to me that having kids has become all the rage among the country's favorite screen stars. Maybe it is just that as a mother I now pay more attention to other people’s pregnancies and child...
Wednesday, November 02, 2011 by Heather Montgomery
It seems to be baby season in Hollywood, several celebrities have announced their pregnancies, given birth, or adopted these past few weeks. It seems to me that having kids has become all the rage among the countries favorite screen stars. Maybe it is just that as a mother I now pay more attention to other people’s pregnancies and children, b...
Don’t Fall Prey to These Three Money Gobbling Supermarket Strategies
Tuesday, November 01, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
I’m a pretty smart shopper. I have done my research over the years, so I know the best price for the items I regularly buy. This means when I make a quick stop in the grocery store for an item I forgot, I don’t fall prey to the gimmicks I sometimes see. I know the bottom price of an item, and since I rarely shop without using coupons, I...
Tuesdays Top 10 - Motherhood Quotes I love
Tuesday, November 01, 2011 by Stef Daniel
Maybe its because I’m a writer, or maybe it’s simply because I am a sap when it comes to human emotions, but I LOVE (LOVE LOVE) quotes. And, I am also a firm believer that words well said, at just the right time, can often make a huge difference in how you or how someone else is feeling! Since I have become a mother, many quotes...
Don’t Fall Prey to These Three Money Gobbling Supermarket Strategies
Tuesday, November 01, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
I’m a pretty smart shopper. I have done my research over the years, so I know the best price for the items I regularly buy. This means when I make a quick stop in the grocery store for an item I forgot, I don’t fall prey to the gimmicks I sometimes see. I know the bottom price of an item, and since I rarely shop without using coupons, I...
