Friday, May 29, 2015

Get Together's And Potatoes.


You know those big events were everyone is invited. Particularly family?

Yea, we're having one of those. 

Thank God it's not at my house! I don't know where we would fit 40+ people including children. Instead my sister-in-law is hosting it and I feel her anxiety and pain at the thought of all those people rummaging around through the backyard and her house. I've always wondered why before such a huge get together the hostess decides to clean the house from top to bottom.

I mean, let's be serious as soon as you let loose a pack full of children...that cleaning is as good as "never been done".

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE get together's. I love the feeling of being part of a large family and getting to enjoy good food and conversation with that family.

Well, I just wanted to post a quick (really short too) update to let my readers know why I've not been posting regularly this week. Been super busy helping get things ready plus I had to do a few translating jobs for some friends. It's difficult living in a country were you don't know the language. So, I help out when I can.

Anyways. The plan for tomorrow is :

4-5 A.M.- set 4kgs of potatoes to boil
5-6 A.M.- clean boiled potatoes
7-8 A.M.- entertain/feed/change/and prepare Baby J. for get together
8-9 A.M.- sneak in a quick nap before taking off at 9 for get together.

Yep. So, off to bed I go. 

4 A.M. comes round mighty quick.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Pregnancy Update And A Mommy's Worries


Yesterday was my 30 week check-up. Yep, you read that right!

30 weeks...were has the time flown?

It feels just like yesterday that I started feeling slightly sick and thought I had the stomach flu. Which turned into an extended stomach flu, you know, the 9 month kind. Ha. I make myself laugh sometimes.

I was so excited and couldn't wait to tell Hubby, which I did right away the very evening of getting that positive result. The joy on his face and the shout he let out made us all laugh. Baby J. included, even though he had no idea what was going on. 

Now, I've turned the corner into the third trimester and am heading to the finish line. I couldn't be more excited if I tried. Well, I could. And I will. The moment the Dr. places that sweet little newborn baby in my arms. 

So, anyways back to yesterday. Our check-up went really well. Baby #2 is growing nicely. A little bit faster than expected but it's no surprise to me. Baby J. measured 2 weeks ahead of time at each check-up once we hit 7 months. So, I wasn't surprised to see that Baby #2 (also known as VP and Little One) measured 1 week ahead of schedule. 

Little One weighs a little over 1.5 kgs, which means he may very well turn out to be over 4 kgs at birth. Not a problem, Baby J. was over 4 kgs as well. And he's absolutely adorable so I know Little One will be as well.

Sometimes I find myself thinking about my little Baby J. and my soon to be newborn baby. It's during these times that my mind gets to comparing the two little guys. I'll feel my sweet Little One practicing his kickboxing in there and I'll compare it to the time I was pregnant with Baby J. Both of my pregnancies followed pretty much the same pattern- morning sickness- ehh not so bad, the second trimester took forever to pass, and the third trimester was filled with loads of kicks and punches from the resident Baby. As well as a lot of stress and worry that I wouldn't have everything prepared in time for the Baby's arrival.

Oh yes. Even though I've already had one Baby and kind of know how things are supposed to play out (they sometimes have a way of not following the plan) I still get stressed. And worried. Very worried. I worry that I might not have enough clothes ready, that the shampoo and lotion I plan to use for the Baby will irritate his skin, that Baby J. might not like the newest member of our family,etc.  Mostly though, I worry that I will have trouble spending time with Baby J. and that he will feel like he comes in second to the new Baby. 

I don't want my precious sweetheart to ever feel or think that.
So, I worry, fret, and stress about the best course of action to prevent that. 

I think a lot of moms feel the same way I do. It's only natural. For a long period of time or maybe a short period of time there was only one child in the house. And that child received all the love and attention you had. Now, there is the impending arrival of the second child on the horizon and it's only natural to worry and fret a little. Will you be able to spend the quality time that each child needs with them? Will you be able to love both equally? Will you be able to divide your attention in equal parts? 

Questions that no doubt each second time mother has asked herself. 

Or at least I have. 
And after a lot of worrying and stressing about this, I've come to the conclusion that Yes, I will be able to love both equally. Yes, I will divide my attention in equal parts, I'll work my hardest to make sure each of my children feels that they are just as loved and cared for as their other sibling. 
After, realizing that, well let me tell you I finally was able to have a good nights sleep. And for once I was able to finally feel stress free and completely at peace in regards to this topic.


Did any of your pregnancies have you question yourself the same way?

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

My Thoughts On Purpose Driven Life Chapter Five

Purpose Driven Book
Chapter Five : Seeing Life From God's View



This chapter was talked about our perspective on life. The way we view life. And then it talked about the way God "views" life. 

One thing that really struck me was " You are always being tested". (PDL pg. 43) If only we would realize that when we make decisions, speak, think, and react. I bet I wouldn't be the only one who would do things just a tad bit differently. 

But that's the thing most often as humans we don't think before we have a reaction to something. We don't think before we speak. Oh boy, that last one gets most of us into trouble. 
We recently had a sermon at church by a young pastor and I'll never forget what he said because it's so true! He said "This tongue gets us into so much trouble. The people around me haven't caused me 1/2 of the problems that my tongue has caused me." This is pretty applicable to most of us...especially if you're from the human specie.

One thought that had me smiling while I thought it over was "We never really own anything during our brief stay on earth. God just loans the earth to us while we're here." (PDL pg.44)
Think about this really well. You'll realize it's the absolute truth. After all when we die, we take nothing of this earth with us.

Another thing that was discussed in this chapter, though not as thoroughly as I would have liked (maybe in another chapter?) was the three rewards God promises.

  1. God's affirmation - meaning He will confirm and praise you for a job well done here on earth.
  2. Promotion- meaning He will give you a greater responsibility in eternity.
  3. Celebration- meaning exactly what the word says- He will give a celebration to which you will get to participate.
How amazing is this. 

Question To Consider: What has happened to me recently that I now realize was a test from God? What are the greatest matters God has entrusted to me?

Hmm, recently we have had to struggle just a little financially. It's been really difficult to wake up each morning knowing just how extra-tight our finances are and trust that God will provide us with at least enough money to buy milk for Baby J. What was amazing though is that God after testing our faith and trust in Him, has provided Hubby with an opportunity to make some extra cash until his paycheck comes in. How wonderfully He provides if we just allow Him to.

The absolute greatest matters God has entrusted to me are my children.

What are the absolute greatest matters God has entrusted you with? Let me know in a comment!

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Monday, May 25, 2015

Healthy Habit Filled With Vitamins For The Child And Parent.



Vitamins are enormously important to a child's diet, no matter their age. 
Just feeding a child one fruit a day not only gives you the vitamins and minerals found within it but also helps prevent chronic diseases.

Teaching your child when their young to enjoy, even love, eating fruits instead of junk food will be a great way to make sure they continue doing so as an adult as well. Consider this just by feeding your child an orange you've provided him with : Vitamin A, B1, B2,B6, C, E and other vitamins and minerals.
All of that from just ONE orange!

Imagine just how much your child stands to gain if you take out the time to feed him healthy fruits instead of handing him a bag of fruit snacks or other sugar loaded snacks. Not that there is anything wrong with allowing a child to eat sweets or chips but those should be once-in-a-while snacks while healthy fruits should be something he eats on a regular basis. 

I went ahead and put together a quick list of some of Baby J.'s favorite fruits and the vitamins they contain. Just so you can have an idea of how healthy it is to make fruits something you feed your little one daily.

Orange:Vitamin A, B1, B2,B6, C, E and other vitamins
Banana:Vitamin A,B1,B2,B6, C,E,K and other vitamins
Apple:Vitamin A,B1,B2,B6, C,E,K and other vitamins
Blueberries: Vitamin A,B1,B2,B6, C,E,K and other vitamins
Cantaloupe:Vitamin A,B1,B2,B6, C,E,K and other vitamins
Grapes:Vitamin A,B1,B2,B6, C,E,K and other vitamins
Kiwi:Vitamin A,B1,B2,B6, C,E,K and other vitamins

As you've noticed almost each of these contains the same vitamins, the difference is in the quantity. Which is great because your child might not like to eat blueberries but may love to eat grapes, no worries he is still receiving all the same vitamins he would have eating blueberries.

There are so many benefits to eating fruits. Some of them being :

  • Reduced risk for stroke
  • Reduced risk of various cardiovascular diseases and type-2 diabetes.
  • May protect against certain cancers.
  • Dietary fiber from fruits helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower risk of heart disease.
And one of the greatest fact about fruits is that the're low in fat, sodium and calories. The PERFECT HEALTHY snack!

It's important to check and see the recommendations for feeding your child fruits at during each age period. Baby J. falls in the category of 10-12 months and the recommendation is 1/4-1/2 cup of fruit a day. Which is just fine with him and me. I love seeing him taste new fruits and fall in love with them. 

Plus, teaching your child to eat the ACTUAL fruit will help them avoid having to take vitamin pills later on in life to compensate for what their missing. 

Just remember children learn by watching what you do...so make sure to eat plenty of fruits yourself!!

For more information on the importance of fruits check out: 
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/fruits-why.html . 

I also stumbled across this great infographic about various fruits.



Here's what Baby J. had to say about his snack time today...:

Today's snack time was delicious.



Would you believe me if I told you he ate the entire thing minus the one tiny little slice I snagged for myself? I couldn't provide the orange pieces fast enough to satisfy him.

Even though he's old enough and knows how to handle eating orange slices by himself I prefer to cut them up into little bite size pieces and feed them to him myself. It helps keep him clean and avoids getting orange juice all over himself and the surrounding area.

Of course, I later on enjoyed a nice juicy orange myself.
Teach by example and all that!!


Linking Up At:

Blogging , Brands, And Momsaffiliate.com


I thought that I would do a little post on a website that ranks really high on my list. Namely momsaffiliate.com

This is a wonderful website that allows bloggers and brands alike to get in touch with each other. It provides bloggers (like myself) with the opportunity to promote, review, and get in touch with brands (companies) that we really care about and respect. 


As you've noticed one of the websites I went ahead and promoted was soap.com . I loved the wonderful low prices and the fact that they ship globally is a HUGE plus in my book. I was able to promote this website thanks to momsaffiliate.com


One of the things I absolutely love about momsaffiliate.com is how easy it is to use. There really is nothing complicated to it which makes it perfect in every way. There are tabs like Dashboard that highlights your approved and pending balances, as well as the paid and pending earnings. Scrolling down the page you'll notice a place were the top performing programs, giveaways and the newest articles are featured. The Dashboard tab makes it easy to check on your account on a daily or weekly basis and provides a simple way to just keep up with your programs. Other tabs are giveaways, sponsored posts (were you get paid in exchange for writing a post) , affiliated programs, and many more.



                                   

Once you've chosen a company/website/product that you want to represent you are the provided with everything you need to get the job done. Social Media plays a big part in the momsaffiliate.com program since you do need at least a blog in order to sign up and then represent a brand. Twitter, Facebook,

 Google+, and your personal blog are the main social media outlets used to spread the word about the brand your working with. 

You'll also be provided with a personal link to use when promoting a brands that all clicks and sales made will be registered to your account allowing you to receive credit for them. Besides that you'll also be provided with banners, coupon offers, and links to products to help attract potential costumers. 

                

Of course, one thing to remember is that momsaffiliate is not only about providing you with the opportunity to work with brands; but also about providing brands with the opportunity to spread the word about what they have to offer. Meaning most brands will have some type of prerequisite. Some types like the sponsored posts might require that you have 500 monthly views or 50,000 monthly views. Or  if given the option to do a tweet or Facebook post a brand might require that you have a large number of followers. 


Personally, I have to say that I am very pleased with what I have so far encountered on momsaffiliate.com . I love the fact that I get to choose the brands I want to work with and I get the option of choosing how I want to promote them. The fact that the site is so easy to use and pretty much each tab and option is self-explanatory rates very high on my chart. For people like myself that get so easily lost in all the internet workings it is absolutely wonderful to see and work with a website that is clear and to the point on everything.


I highly recommend taking a look see around the site and joining up. If you're considering working with brands and have a blog you write on, then this is just the place to get it done. 

Visit momsaffiliate.com and see for yourself just how great it is. 







<img src="https://www.momsaffiliate.com/tracking/post/6991.png" />

My Thoughts On Chapter Four Of The Purpose Driven Life

The Purpose Driven Book
Chapter Four: Made To Last Forever



This chapter was an interesting read. 

It actually deals with a topic that most of us would prefer to avoid. That would be Death and what follows.

The PDL (pg.36) says : "This life is a preparation for the next". This is completely true. We all realize that our time here is limited. Once we are six feet under, well, it doesn't just end with us there. We get to take a little journey to eternity in a new place. Either heaven or hell.

Another very powerful thought that I came across while reading this chapter was "When you live in the light of eternity, your values change."(PDL, pg.38) I don't know how this could have possibly have been better said. It's pretty much self-explanatory as well. When you start to realize that "hey, I could die in the next moment" your priorities get rearranged. You might decide that new skirt you wanted to buy is not as important as helping someone in need. 

One of the quotes that this chapter ended with was by Matthew Henry- he said- "It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our final day."(PDL, pg.40)

I'll leave you with that thought.

Question To Consider: Since I was made to last forever, what is the one thing I should stop doing and the one thing I should start doing today?

This question didn't even take me 5 minutes to answer. I should stop living for the now. Life is more than just a moment in time. 

And I should seriously rearrange my priorities so that I can do exactly as the above mentioned snippet from the PDL- live in the light of eternity. I my life to glorify God in everything I do.

How would you answer this question?

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Project Shoebox : One Way To Keep Toys Interesting



Long time ago before Baby J. was born Hubby and I had a discussion that led us to making a very important decision. Or well, we consider it important others may not. 

We decided after visiting many of our friends and seeing their households overrun by toys that we would not buy Baby J. more than a few toys for each phase of his childhood. We wanted him to be able to have things to play with but not have so many toys that they would just end up sitting around the house unused.

Many of our friends actually laughed at us and said " You'll see once the Baby arrives you'll be buying toys left and right."

Well, the Baby is here and we are still firmly sticking to our decision. Now, that doesn't mean we haven't bought any toys for Baby J. We have. But we have tried to limit ourselves to things that would entertain him as well as help him learn. 

Actually just today I made an online order for this cute little baby phone. Baby J. has always been slightly obsessed with getting his little hands on either Hubby's phone or my own. The bright screen and backgrounds fascinate him and recently he has started to "talk" on the phone when he gets his hands on one. It's quite possibly one of the cutest things he's done so far. 



Another thing we've talked about getting Baby J. was some wood building blocks. We considered getting him some big Legos to play with but we've decided to wait on those until after he turns one. 

Some of Baby J.'s favorite toys are the three little cars he has. He absolutely loves pushing those around and chasing after them. Also, among his favorites are his drum, trumpet, and little baby maracas. I actually had to take the maracas away for now because he loved banging them on the floor. Which wouldn't have been a problem if we lived in our own house but since we live upstairs in an apartment...well I don't think the neighbors enjoyed the banging all that much. OOPS. 

                                     

One thing I've learned about keeping Baby J. happy is that just like every little child he LOVES new things. Especially toys. And just like every little child he gets bored or disinterested of them just as fast. 

Which brings me to the whole point of this post. One thing that we've learned to do to keep Baby J. interested in the toys that he has is to take them away for a little while. Or present them to him hidden in something. I call this the "Project Shoebox". I actually have a little (well it's not that little but still) shoebox that I use to store some of Baby J.'s toys. 

The minute we wake up in the mornings after doing our bathroom routines I head with Baby J. into the living room. I then grab the shoebox from the shelf and fill it with a variety of toys. Usually 4-5 will do. I then place it back on the shelf and leave it there. Baby J. will play with his other toys and sometime throughout the day if I see him get bored of what he has been playing with I grab the shoebox and let him discover what's inside.

He absolutely LOVES LOVES LOVES to open the box and spill out the toys. And yes, that many 'loves' were necessary to adequately express just how much he enjoys this. 




I suggest trying "Project Shoebox" if your little one gets disinterested in the toys he owns.

What methods do you use to keep your little one interested in their toys? Please let me know in a comment below!!

Linking Up At:

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Real Time Talk


Today I wanted to take some time and discuss my blog with you- my readers. 
I spent some time today re-reading some of my posts. Each one to me is special in its own way. But I also realize that not everyone is interested in reading about a mommy's lack of sleep or organizing things around the house. This is the reason for why I decided to keep my blog open to a variety of subjects. Subjects that all revolve around being a mommy. 

I want my blog to be a place were fellow mommy's and mommy's-to-be can stop by and find useful information as well as a story that will bring a smile to their face. From personal experience I can say that it is so encouraging and motivating to read about another mom that has struggled to get through the day because of the lack of sleep at night, it makes you realize that "hey I'm not the only one going through this." 

For many new moms life becomes a struggle of trying to juggle everyday activities. This is why I started my blog. I wanted other moms to know their not alone in falling behind in household chores, being puked and peed on, or just trying to find the perfect balance. Their not alone in this and neither am I. 



I realize my blog is still just in the beginning stages. There is so much room for growth and improvement. I don't mind that thought at all instead I embrace it. The Everyday Mommy Blog is meant to be a place of inspiration, a place that provides encouragement and understanding, that brings along ideas and resources to help others. But mostly, it is a place were you can pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee and read a real-life story about a real-life mommy trying to deal with real-life situations. Situations that range from diaper explosions to loving cuddles.
If You're Interested Click : Here

So, because I want to keep my blog open to different things and as I mentioned I want to help provide moms with the resources and ideas they need, I did some research. Which lead me to this amazing site called momsaffiliate.com . It's basically a website that allows bloggers to get into contact with a variety off brands. You get the chance to promote these brands and also earn a little bit of money along the way. 

Believe me every cent counts when you're a stay-at-home mom with a growing family.

I was absolutely thrilled when they accepted my application and I was given the opportunity to do try my hand at promoting this amazing website soap.com . Go ahead and check it out... you'll be amazed at everything they offer and the great prizes, plus shipping is free on any purchases over $49.

Anyways, I love the idea that I can now help my readers even more by checking out different opportunities and reviewing various products. Once, I am firmly convinced that this would be not only interesting but also beneficial to know I can share it with you via my blog or other social media options.

It's really gotten me excited to find things to share with you guys.

But here's the deal, so to say, I can share it with you but what I am really hoping for is some feedback. I would love to see that someone - anyone has commented on my post. Not just on the ones like the one I did for soap.com but also on posts like Flowers And Time Apart or From Me To You:Fun Summer Activities To Do With Your Baby . 

One of my greatest wishes for this blog is to see it become a place were my readers interact with each other and were I can interact with you. But I can only do that if you leave a comment. So, please do! It would really make my day. 

I have also gone ahead and created a twitter account...GASP!... I never thought I'd do that!! But I have. I'm not exactly sure how it works yet but I'm learning. I think you can find me under the everyday mommy @everyday_mommy. I've also gone ahead and created a Facebook page specifically for The Everyday Mommy Blog, find it under The Everyday Mommy or just click on the previously highlighted word it should take you directly there. 

Alright, I guess that's about it for now on this blog post. I really just wanted to share with you my intentions, dreams, hopes, and plans for the blog. I have much more to share but this post is already quite lengthy. I will look forward to getting in contact with all my readers not just here but through Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and eventually email.



I really care to hear from you so PLEASE PLEASE leave a comment below! I've tried 
to arrange the settings on the comments so that it will be super easy to do so. Just type out your comment and press post! Let me know your thoughts, your more than welcome to go back and leave comments on the other posts as well!  


Linking Up Here:
Mom's Blog Party@ Mom Resources

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Trying Something New With SOAP.com



Hi everyone!
Today I am doing something slightly new. I have partnered up with SOAP.com to promote it's amazing website. I've browsed through their product selection and am VERY impressed. I've pretty much decided to do some shopping from them myself. Their prices are that reasonable. And you all know I'm a bargain hunter, I love good reasonable prices!! So without further ado, here is some quick information on SOAP.com.
SOAP.com sells a variety of products and at a very reasonable prices! There are products for your household needs, personal care, nutrition,they even have a whole section made up of natural & organic products. 
You'll be bound to find something you need since they have more than 35,000 different products available for sale! The best part is they have a 2 Day Free Shipping option on any purchase of $49+ and FREE 365 Day Returns.
Also, make sure to use the coupon code YAYSOAP, this will assure you
receive 20% off your FIRST order, and then 10% of off future order (valid for a 2 month period). Take advantage of this great deal it only lasts
until June 30,2015!
Seriously, just click the link below and check it out!
(The link below is an affiliate Link which allows me to make a small commission for each
click.Please use the provided link below. Thanks!)
http://sharedwithlove.com/l/4y4lgi5cl1o4
Oh, and did I mention they ship GLOBALLY? Isn't that just awesome!

Let me know what you think about their products if you buy any!

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Short, Sweet, And To The Point : Hospital Bag Essentials For Mom.

We've reached the third trimester! Time has fairly flown by and I am utterly excited for the big moment to arrive. I cannot wait to meet our second little boy.

One of the things I like to do once I hit the third trimester is get my hospital bag ready. You never know when "the moment" arrives so it's better to be prepared in advance than to leave everything last minute.

I thought I should share with all my readers some of the things that I've found to be great to have packed. Of course, some people prefer taking tons of stuff with them and others only want the bare essentials. I fall somewhere in the middle. I like to have the essentials with me as well as a few extra things. 

Here's my my version of Hospital Bag Essentials For Mom.
1. Insurance Information/ Birth Plan : Insurance Information is vital to have with you. Make sure this is one of the first things that goes into your bag. You don't want to arrive at the hospital and realize you've forgotten it. Not everyone has a Birth Plan but for those that do, go ahead and put this together with your Insurance Information. This way you have both of the most important documents together in one place.

2. Camera : You'll want to have a picture of that first moment with your little one so make sure that the battery is charged and the camera is packed right away. Personally, I loved the fact that we were allowed to have the camera on hand to take pictures of our little Baby J. as soon as he was born. So, in my book camera rates second in importance of being put into the hospital bag. 

3. Cell Phone & Charger: Believe me, you'll want to be able to inform your closest friends and family that the little one has arrived. Make sure your cellphone gets charged each day so when the moment arrives you can let people know without freaking out about the low battery. I'd suggest bringing along the charger to the hospital. After all those phone calls you'll want to recharge your phone.

4. Change: Loads and loads. You'll need lots of change. Some births can take a long time to actually happen and others happen very quickly but still, somewhere between arriving at the hospital and leaving the hospital you'll get thirsty and hungry. Take advantage of the snack machine, just remember to pack some extra change.

5.Headband/ Ponytail Holder : You'll want to avoid having clips in your hair. They tend to either slide out or poke you during the birth. And believe me, you'll be under enough pain and pressure without having something poking you in the head.

6. Toiletries/ Personal Items: These can range from : toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, make-up (if you have the energy), contacts & case, eyeglasses, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, lip balm, face wash. For each women this little personal list varies. For myself all I brought along was : shampoo, body wash, lip balm, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and my eyeglasses. 
I would suggest asking at your first hospital visit what exactly the hospital provides, it will help you avoid over-packing.

7. Extra Absorbent Pads/ Underwear : You WILL stain. Make sure to bring along some extra underwear. Most hospitals will actually provide you with the pads but I would suggest packing some of your own. You might find the hospital ones not to your liking and be better off using the ones you brought along. 

8. Maternity (Nursing) Bras/Pads/ Nipple Cream: You might not want to breastfeed but either way, have some along with you. You will still end up producing milk and you'll want to be comfortable and avoid leakage. If you forget to take anything else with you, you'll survive but DO NOT FORGET YOUR NIPPLE CREAM!! This will be a life savior if you decide to breastfeed or pump!

9. Robe: Some hospitals provide you one but most don't. Unless you want to be walking with your behind peeking out from the back of the hospital gown, make sure to bring along a robe. Plus, it will come in handy after the birth as well.

10. Yoga pants/t-shirt/nightgown : After the birth you might enjoy slipping back into your own clothes. Bring along some roomy yoga pants and a lose t-shirt. Or maybe you prefer a nightgown. Either way pack it. You'll still be in a little pain and will want to avoid anything too tight. 

11. Coming home outfit : Go ahead and pack your coming home outfit as well. Usually, the hospital rooms will have a small closet/locker you can use to store your stuff. So, plan ahead and bring your going home outfit as well.

12. Bath towel : Once again, usually hospitals provide these but personally, I've found the hospital ones to be very thin. Therefore, to avoid frustration I suggest packing your own. But remember bring along one you don't mind getting dirty.

13. Slippers/ Socks : You might feel a little cold after the birth (due to blood loss) make sure to bring along some socks. Slippers will be needed for walking, just make sure you don't mind getting them all dirty.

14. A book/ magazine / MP3 : This is extra, it's not a must. You might find you have just a little bit of time on your hands either waiting for real labor to start or after the heavy work is already done and baby is sleeping. Either way, pack something light...I would not suggest War and Peace. 

This is my version of everything that you'll need to bring with you, as the mom. Like I mentioned above you might feel that in order to be completely comfortable you'll need your own pillow- take it. Or you might not want to bring anything extra - then don't pack a book. Every woman's needs are different and each will pack just a little bit differently. That's fine. 

This list is mostly just the essentials that you will need. Like I've mentioned many times above the hospital provides a variety of items; make sure to ask what exactly it is they provide if you want to avoid over-packing or in some cases packing too little.

I hope you'll find this list was helpful. Leave me a comment below of what other items you think are essential for your hospital bag!

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Flowers And Time Apart.

Yesterday was such a beautiful day. Baby J. and I enjoyed a short trip to the local grocery and then came the long way home. All because the sun was out shining and the sky was so blue you wouldn't believe it.

We had also made a quick stop on the way home to pick some gorgeous little flowers. You know, the ones that you notice growing wild in the grass all over the place. We actually had strangers stopping to stare at us. Guess they never saw a mommy and her little boy having so much fun making a tiny little bouquet out of everyday flowers. Hmm, how fitting everyday flowers for an everyday mommy.




Aren't they beautiful? I love them maybe twice as much because I got to pick them with Baby J.

Today was also very exciting. Even though the weather changed dramatically overnight and we had clouds and wind all day. After several days apart Hubby finally returned from his trip. We missed him so much while he was gone but the excitement and joy that radiated off of little Baby J. at seeing his dad walk in the door will forever be etched in my memory. His smile was so big and the way he reached out his arms to be grabbed up in a hug by Hubby was exceptionally sweet. It brought tears to my eyes.

This was the first time Baby J. and I have had to spend time without Hubby. I thought for sure the little one wouldn't really notice his dad's absence as strongly if I kept to his normal routine and filled the evenings that he usually spends playing with Hubby with other activities. How wrong I was. I couldn't believe it when the first evening rolled by and as soon as it got dark outside Baby J. started crawling towards the front door. Every couple of paces he would shout out "Daddy come! Daddy!" I thought my heart would break in two. 

I did my best to divert his attention and it worked up until bedtime. Every night before he goes to sleep Hubby spends a few minutes kissing and cuddling our son. Then he hands him over to me to be feed his bottle and put to sleep. That first night Baby J. cried up a storm when there were no hugs and kisses from Hubby. I tried cuddling and kissing him but he wouldn't have it. Instead he kept lunging for Hubby's side of the bed and crying out "Daddy Come!". I ended up rocking a crying little boy to sleep and then kissing away his tears while mine rolled down my cheeks.

I never knew my heart could hurt so much. 

The second, third, and even fourth evening were just as bad. There was plenty of crying and shouting for his daddy to come that it made my heart break over and over. Then when he heard the bell ring today I have never seen him army crawl his way to the door that fast. The minute he reached the door he started patting it and shouting "come, mama, come. Daddy come!" It was the fourth time my little boy has said mama. And actually referred to me.

I'm sure by now you have a mental image of just how joyous their reunion was. Then after spending a few minutes kissing, hugging, and patting his Daddy's cheek Baby J. received an extra surprise. He heard a voice that he loves very much and the squeals of delight that accompanied him seeing his Grandpa were such a treat to see. 

In the end we all enjoyed a lovely evening watching Baby J. practice walking back and forth between the two favorite men in his life. Daddy and Grandpa. Oh, did I mention Baby J. has taken his first steps during Hubby's time away? Yep, he sure has. And he's been very diligent about practicing at every chance. Which means I am constantly rushing to his side to keep him from falling on his face. 

But it's worth it. Soon, my little Baby will be walking. 

How fast time flies.

Has your little one ever reacted so strongly to you or your husband being gone for a longer period of time? How did you deal with their reaction?

My Thoughts On Chapter 3 Of The Purpose Driven Life

The Purpose Driven Book
Chapter Three: What Drives Your Life?


This chapter was divided into two parts. The first dealt with the different things that drive people. Such as guilt, resentment, anger, fear, and need for approval. Personally, I believe that each person no matter how well put together they seem and how accomplished they might be are driven by a little by one of the things listed above. 

The second part of the chapter discussed the benefits of  purpose-driven living. It mentioned how knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life, simplifies it, and prepares you for eternity.

Some of the thoughts that remained with me after reading this chapter were :" If you want your life to have impact, focus it!"(PDL pg.32) We each realize that there is a part of our lives that needs to be more "organized" or needs "structure" but I never before thought of focusing my entire life in order for it to have the impact I want it too.

Another one of my favorite thought provoking lines was "Living to create an earthly legacy is a short-sighted goal. A wiser use of time is to build an eternal legacy." (PDL pg. 33) I loved this particular thought. Personally, I think leaving a legacy of faith and love to your family or friends is amazing but Mr. Warren has it right leaving just an earthly legacy behind has almost no purpose if your eternal one doesn't even exist.

Also, another one that really got me thinking was "You become effective by being selective." (PDL pg.32) This is actually unbelievably true. Our time is most wisely spent by being selective about how we spend it and the same could be said about our lives. 

This chapter was rich in content. It gave me so much to think about and made me take a closer look at a part of myself and the way I live that until now...I really didn't bother with. 

Question To Consider: What would my family and friends say is the driving force of my life? What do I want it to be?

My family and friends would probably say the love for my husband and child is my current driving force. My husband would say my need for approval...because of the insecurities I struggled with and of course my love for him and our child. As I've typed this out I was actually very saddened. I've always thought my number 1 driving force would be my need to live a life pleasing to God. Instead I've subtly placed God second. And other things first. I am disappointed in myself. 

I really do want my number 1 driving force to be living a life that pleases God, my faith, my love for Him. After all, that is why I made a commitment with Him. Why I turned over my life to Him in the first place. Because everything that He did for me and offered me was so great and amazing that all I could do in return was promise Him a lifetime of worship, a lifetime of living for Him. And somewhere along the way I've stopped doing just that and started looking out for myself again. Here is another thing that I will start changing that needs correcting. 

How would you answer this Question To Consider? Let me know below!

Friday, May 15, 2015

From Me To You : Fun Summer Activities To Do With Your Baby.

I don't know for the rest of the world but over here it's starting to look a little bit like summer. Just a little. We still get the occasional thunderstorms and rain.
Which is why I thought I should share with you some of the things you can do with your baby or toddler this summer. 

Here's my personal list of Fun Summer Activities To Do With Your Baby:


1. The park - He/She might be a baby but they'll still love being outside. The park is one of the most perfect places to take a baby to, it provides a variety of activities that you can do with your little one no matter their age. My personal suggestion-try the baby swing it might take a little getting used to for some babies but in the end they'll love it. Baby J. loves to swing and thanks to the baby swing one of the little parks nearby he can enjoy that activity plenty.

2.The zoo - Little ones will love seeing the many different animals. You will too. Plus, it will provide a great way to sneak in some exercise and to top it all off the baby might just fall asleep for a prolonged nap...fresh air tends to do that.

3. Strawberry/berry picking - Newborns might have a little trouble with this but in general babies will love this. You might end up doing all the picking but they'll do plenty of snacking! Personal note - Baby J. tried his first real strawberry at 8 months and he's been hooked ever since!

4. The Pool - This is an activity that all ages can enjoy. And summer is the perfect time for it. Hit the kid friendly pool (or set one up in your backyard!) and enjoy not only the sunshine but watching the little one splash around. Just make sure to bring along plenty of sunscreen. 

5. Take A Walk - This can be done anywhere. All you'll need is some good shoes, your stroller, water, and of course your baby. Personally, Baby J. and I try to take a walk every other day we love visiting different areas in our neighborhood and on days that are extra sunny and warm we make a pit stop for ice cream.

6. A Picnic- Who doesn't love some time in the sun and good food. Everyone does. Whether your definition of food is a bottle of milk or a delicious sandwich. Take your little one to one of your favorite spots, spread out a blanket, and spend some quality one on one time relaxing together while enjoying the view.

7. Backyard Gatherings - These can be done with just family or you can include your friends. Either way baby is bound to love these because of the many people present who will be wanting to spend some time with him/her. The best part is this can be done right in your backyard and does not need to involve a lot of money spending. Instead it provides the perfect opportunity for the little one to make friends with your friends and get to know the family better. On a side note - Baby J., hubby, and I just spent last weekend doing this exact activity. We had a blast spending time with friends and family and eating some delicious grilled chicken while the kids spent time playing together.

I tried to think of only activities that you can do OUTSIDE with your little one. The summer is still just beginning so the heat won't be that intolerable. Just remember to always have sunscreen with you and a hat for the little one. As well as plenty of fluids to keep you and the baby hydrated. 


What are some of the activities that you like to do with your little one during the summer? Let me know in a comment below!


My Thoughts On Chapter 2 Of The Purpose Driven Life

The Purpose Driven Book
Chapter Two: You Are Not An Accident


So, far the first two chapters have me hooked. I loved the beginning of this one just as much as the first one. Simple and to the point.

You Are Not An Accident.

Sometimes, after a day filled with things gone wrong it really helps to hear those words or in this case read them. I know from my own personal experience there were many times in my past were I felt like I must have accidentally landed on earth because seriously, I couldn't seem to get anything right. 
I was always reassured by my parents that no I was not an accident. God wanted me here so He placed me here.

One of my favorite thoughts on this chapter is were it talks about just how God took the time to purposefully create us. I used to complain all the time to my mom that my hair was such a normal shade of brown. Nothing special. She once gave me a wonderful example that changed my opinion about myself forever. She said " Imagine God as the ultimate painter. He's painting this amazing masterpiece...you. He choose your eye color, skin tone, height, face shape, lip shape and color, hair color and whether it would be wavy or straight. He choose each of those things and He's made this masterpiece, a one of a kind. Now you come along and take a look at it and say..."Hmm, my hair color is to plain. Let me spice it up a bit with some highlights. My eye color doesn't go with my skin tone. Let me get some colored contacts. And so on. You've taken the brush out of His hand and started fixing something that didn't need fixing. Why? You were made perfect from the start."

I love the fact that this book also brought up a similar thought. You aren't an accident, you were created because He wanted you to be. I loved one particular sentence- He custom-made your body just the way he wanted it. (PDL pg.22) Can you imagine someone, and not just anybody but GOD, taking the time to create every single detail about you? From your physical appearance to your personality, to your way of thinking? How amazing is that!

Another thought that made me smile and be filled with joy was- God left no detail to chance. He planned it all for his purpose. (PDL pg.23) This brought about such joy for me. I felt good to know that HE knows everything in advance. He planned each of my steps. He must have wanted to be really sure that His purpose for my life would be fulfilled. Of course, it all depends if I allow it to, allow His purpose to take place.

When I read that God's purpose for creating me was His love. Wow. He must really love me. 

My all time favorite part of this chapter was the poem by Russell Kelfer. I loved it. It brought tears to my eyes. I went ahead and looked it up online and pasted it on here. It is absolutely beautiful and there is so much truth in the simple and straightforward way it's written.

You are who you are for a reason.
You're part of an intricate plan.
You're a precious and perfect unique design,
Called God's special woman or man.

You look like you look for a reason.
Our God made no mistake.
He knit you together within the womb,
You're just what he wanted to make.

The parents you had were the ones he chose,
And no matter how you may feel,
They were custom designed with God's plan in mind,
And they bear the Master's seal.

No, that trauma you faced was not easy.
And God wept that it hurt you so;
But it was allowed to shape your heart 
So that into his likeness you'd grow.

You are who you are for a reason,
You've been formed by the Master's rod.
You are who you are, beloved,
Because there is a God!

Alright. I'll stop here with my thoughts on this chapter. I think the poem says so much more than I ever could. Actually I think it sums up this chapter perfectly.

Question To Consider: I know that God uniquely created me. What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?

I looked at my answer to this question when I was around 12-14 and almost cried. There was so much pain in my answer. I think of my answer now as a mother and wife. Some of those things I listed before have since changed or simply been dealt with. Yet, in this season that I am in pregnant with our second child and a mother to an almost 10 month old...I still struggle with my weight problem. It doesn't bother me as much and doesn't make me feel insecure anymore. I just struggle with accepting that as a pregnant woman I will be a bit heavier. Can't help it I'm growing a child. 
I also struggle with the fact that I am a very sensitive type of person. I take everything to heart. I wish I could be just a tad bit more "tough" and let things "bounce of me". But I can't. God placed in me a heart that is very sensitive, a sensitive spirit if you will. 
I'll have to work on accepting that.

What about you? Let me know your answer in a comment below!