I was also nervous about being cooped up in the house alone with both kids after my husband returned to work. I thought I’d go stir crazy trying to entertain my son and breastfeed my daughter simultaneously. So I quickly resolved to get out of the home as much as possible and stay active in my mom’s group. I mean I was the organizer of the group, I had to keep it active!
Here’s how I did it:
Create a Game Plan
Figure out where you’re going, who’s going with you, and how long you want to stay. Then explain to your toddler (if they’re old enough to understand) exactly what you’re doing and what you expect of them.
Depending on where you’re going, decide if you want to bring a double stroller or just stick to a baby carrier. I found that when my daughter was very young it was easier to carry her and push my son in our single stroller. I was still able to use the stroller to change my daughter on the go when we needed it and my son had the comfort of “his” stroller when he got tired.
Plus, I highly recommend testing out double strollers when you have both kids. That way you can find out what works best for your two, and not what looks good on the website. Many stores now allow you to test out strollers before purchasing them so take advantage of this!
Be Prepared
Pack in advance and bring lots of snacks! I always keep two diapers in my diaper bag for the baby and two pull ups for my toddler (or diapers, underwear, etc) and I keep an extra stash of back up diapers in my car in case there’s an emergency explosion or accident. That way my diaper bag isn’t overpacked but I’m still prepared.
Packing snacks that both my son and I love helps ensure that I won’t have to make any stops at the snack bar or have a starving toddler on my hands. Snacks also make for great incentives when you want to get your child to listen.
Get your Toddler Involved
My son was especially helpful when I explained that Mommy wanted him to act like a Big Brother and show his little sister how to do things while we were out.
When we visited the zoo he got to choose what animals we saw and pointed each out to his sister. When we braved the grocery store he got to hold the list and look up and down the aisles for the items we needed. And I always had a fruit leather or other favorite snack to reward him for his hard work.
This also helped us work on skills he was trying to master including learning his shapes, finding different colors, and starting to count.
Ask for Help
When out with friends and/or family please do not hesitate to ask for help when you need it! Even if your friends don’t have much experience with kids or it’s been a while since your aunt has held a baby, make sure to get them involved when you start to feel overwhelmed. And if you’re out alone don’t
dismiss the other moms around you. Even if you don’t know them, they might have no problem helping another mama out.
This is also a great way for friends and family members to get baby time with your infant while you enjoy a little one-on-one time with your toddler. I know that my mommy friends were a big help when it came to this. I was able to give my daughter to one of the other moms while I played with my son and their kids.
The great part about it? They usually ended up thanking me for giving them a little baby time! Win-win.
So if you’re considering adding to your family or are already expecting, don’t worry. Everything will work out. And you will get out of the house again. Just remember to create a game plan, be prepared, get your toddler involved, and ask for help!
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| Nursing my newborn while hanging with my toddler at a playdate |
Danielle is a work-at-home-mom of two beautiful kids and writes over at the Simmworks Family Blog. She loves to blog about her family, healthy living, going green and crafting. Danielle would love for you to come visit! You can reach her on facebook and twitter as well. If you have any questions feel free to email her at simmworksfamily@gmail.com.
ET’s Hanging with the Stars Sweepstakes! Win a Trip to L.A.!
I’m excited to share this BIG sweepstakes opportunity with my readers. From now through May 24th, Entertainment Tonight is hosting a “Hanging with the Stars” sweepstakes.Macy’s Thank-a-Mom Movement (GIVEAWAY!!!)
Mother’s Day is this Sunday!!! If you are like me, what you want more than anything is a little peace and quiet and some time to relax! Sometimes that seemingly simple gift can be one of the toughest to receive, though.
This year, Macy’s wants to honor mothers all over the world by partnering with five different charities who are all working in various ways to bring peace and happiness to mothers and their families. From now through Mother’s Day you can send a free, personalized Mother’s Day e-card to any mom you know and love, by going through the Macy’s Facebook page. When you do this, Macy’s will donate $3 to the charity of your choice, for a total donation of up to $400,000! Isn’t that wonderful?! Here are the 5 amazing charities who will be receiving the donations:
– American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women® movement
– Futures Without Violence
– Make-A-Wish Foundation®
– National Park Foundation
– Reading Is Fundamental
Additionally, Macy’s wants to share a bit of love withe Stuff Parents Need readers by offering a quick giveaway right here! One of you will win a butter LONDON Top and Tails Set (really beautiful nail polish).
Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.
Disclosure: I was contacted by M80 on behalf of Macy’s to share this promotion. I am receiving the same giveaway item as the winner in exchange for posting this promotion. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
Creative (and SIMPLE!) Ways to Bring Food to a Friend: Guest Post from Vanderbilt Wife
I live in the Land of My Late 20s (let’s not speak about how that number 30 is looming mere weeks away). In this Land, the population is being increased every day by friends giving birth. Of course, there are many members of all ages in this Land, but I think your late 20s and early 30s is probably the peak of life here.
I have two little ones myself (3 and 1) and have been beyond blessed with the visits of my friends during those newborn times. Because almost always, the friends come bearing food.
There is nothing worse than thinking about making dinner when you are juggling a toddler and a newborn, breastfeeding and groggy from lack of sleep. If it’s your first baby, you’re probably in the “why did they let me bring this thing home by myself” daze. With your second and beyond, cooking becomes more difficult with a child wrapped around your leg screaming “MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY I HUNGRY!!!!!” (Or maybe that’s just mine who doesn’t seem to equate me cooking dinner with her being less hungry in half an hour.)
Thankfully, those meals from friends seem to make the first few weeks with a newborn more tolerable. I try to mix it up a little when I take food to a friend, because no matter how appreciative you are of the meal, sometimes another dish of baked pasta gets old.
So think outside the box! Here are some ideas.
Bring breakfast. Everyone loves breakfast for dinner, and it’s probably something the new parents haven’t been brought yet. I think Berry Baked French Toast is perfect for this time of year and makes a fun dinner. You can throw in some cooked bacon, too, for an easy protein, if you want.
Classic Meat and Two or Three. Think of what you often cook for dinner at home: a protein, a carb, and a veggie? (At least that’s my default.) This kind of meal is comforting and “normal,” but most people bring casseroles when they feed a friend. Recently I made Chicken and Cherries and cooked rice with peas for a friend with a new baby. Maybe a little boring, but my friend said her husband went crazy over the plain old brown rice.
Think seasonally. Hamburgers aren’t too difficult but are something most everyone loves, including kids, as the weather warms. How about a gift of some doctored-up Tomato Basil Hamburgers, Broccoli Salad , and a bag of gourmet chips?
Remember everything. If you bring burgers, bring buns, too! If you’re really nice, throw in paper napkins and plates and disposable silverware so the new mom won’t have to do dishes, either.
Now or Later? I always ask if the mom wants to eat it now or if she wants a frozen meal she can cook later. Sometimes people bring enough food for 3 or 4 meals, and it would be more helpful to have an extra meal for a later time.
Bring an extra meal for later. A simple crockpot meal assembled in a big ziplock bag will be super easy for her later. She can just toss it in her crockpot and not have to cook that night. This comes in super handy when baby is going through a growth spurt and nursing 24/7, a day with a busy schedule, or just a night she doesn’t have the energy to really cook. Try Honey Parmesan Pork Roast, Summer Vegetable Chowder , or Vietnamese Chicken Thighs.
And you know … if you bring pasta or poppyseed chicken, I bet it will still be VERY appreciated.
What’s your go-to meal for a new mom?
Jessie is a stay-at-home mom of two and freelance writer in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She writes about faith, recipes, and her failures as a mother and housekeeper at VanderbiltWife.com.
Meet Our Baby Girl!
We are delighted to announce the birth of our second daughter, Layah. She finally joined us (after 24 hours of labor!!!) on May 7th at 8:26am. She weighs 7 pounds, 3 ounces and is 20 inches long. We are delirious from our lack of sleep, but also head-over-heels in love with our tiny little bird.
What’s in Your Diaper Bag? Guest Post from MizMeliz.com
Here is a question for those of you with babies. . .
“What’s in your diaper bag?”
You may be asking yourself, why does she want to know this – her kids are teenagers!??
That’s it exactly! My kids are way, way, way out of diapers and well on their way out of high school and I am out of touch on the new stuff for babies. When I get invited to a baby shower, I have no idea what a new parent wants or needs. Most of the stuff I thought was cool when I had babies has been replaced by newer products. But, I wonder, are they better?
I asked my friend at work, Jeff Beam, a few questions. Jeff’s beautiful wife, Kelly, had just given birth to their baby girl, Lynnox, a few weeks prior. I had a lovely conversation with this sleep-deprived first time father on his first week back to work. He gave me some insightful, however sleepy, answers.
MM: What were your first impressions of becoming a parent?
JB: I was blissfully ignorant. I felt ready, for sure. I thought, “this really isn’t that bad, my baby is great!” Then, the sleep deprivation set in. I went from thinking; this is magic to what the hell is happening?
MM: Have you found any baby item particularly helpful or useful at this point?
JB: We were given a small backpack with compartments from the hospital, a good supply of diapers and a changing pad. So far, that has been very helpful.
MM: What is your favorite gift you have received for baby?
JB: For me, it’s the Boppy. We use it constantly.
MM: They still have those? I loved mine!
JB: It’s great! We also received a rocking chair that is perfect for Kelly. She sits in it as she is breastfeeding. My wife’s comfort is most important.
MM: What is the best piece of advice you received when you were expecting that has proved to be most helpful?
JB: I can’t remember right now, everything is foggy! But my friends have told me that taking care of a baby is easy. When they cry, they need something. It is like I am putting together a puzzle. It’s just a matter of figuring out which piece of the puzzle I am missing.
MM: Do you have any advice, based on your experience so far, to give to other new parents?
JB: Always have a change of clothes and plenty of diapers! (MM – for those “explosions!” Right! I’ll never forget that!) To new fathers, I would tell them what I do is remember my responsibility is my wife. Making sure Kelly is okay is my job. We are a tag team. I am ready to step in. Take the time off and stay home from work for those first few weeks.
MM: Is there anything you need now, other than sleep?
JB: We could use some help with meals, we are both exhausted and too tired to cook!
My (unofficial) advice to Jeff. . . if you think you are too tired to cook now – wait until you have three teenagers!!! Seriously, have you heard of ordering in? It’s great!
Officially, it was an honor to talk to Jeff. He was in love with fatherhood. He was in love with baby Lynnox and most importantly, even more in love with his wife. He is a wonderful father (and diaper changer!)
I was glad to hear that The Boppy is still a favorite for new parents. It is a great product. Way better than using a pillow. That’s what we did back in the day, you know. When my nephew was born, he was the first grandchild and there hadn’t been a baby in the family for about 15 years. We all passed that child around on a pillow like he was going to break if we touched him! It was symbolic because he was precious and we cherished those moments. It was useful because a baby needs to be propped up and cushioned. They are hard to hold on to at all times. The Boppy helps and is comfortable for the adult as well as the baby.
I used my Boppy for feeding and holding my babies when they were very little. They come in cute designs. Mine was black and white. That was big back then. Now they have them in pretty patterns or you can get a plain one and they have slip covers you can buy separately. I went to The Boppy website and found they have lots of products besides just the pillow and you can order online. http://Boppy.com The prices range from $19.99 for a slip cover to $44.99 for a travel pillow. They also have those cute play gyms and mats that are a great and useful gift for $24.99 – $74.99.
There are many new products and some variations of the standard product and all are useful and make terrific gifts. My favorite is and always will be The Original Boppy. Every family should have one! In fact, I wish I had one now. I would still use it! It could be helpful for my aching back! Seriously, I was very impressed that The Boppy company thinks everyone should have a Boppy, too. And they are doing something to make that happen. They have a goal of donating $20,000 worth of Boppy® Pillows to moms in need with Nurse-Family Partnership.
In case you haven’t guessed . . . if you invite me to your baby shower, you’re getting a Boppy!
Miz Meliz (aka Melissa Reyes) is a mother of three teen aged boys, lives in Southern California, works full time at a middle school, writes and takes pictures for her blog, and enjoys being married to her equally busy husband of twenty years. Visit her blog at http://mizmeliz.com @MizMeliz on Twitter and MizMelizFan on Facebook.
It’s My Due Date!
My due date has arrived! Unfortunately, my baby didn’t seem to get the memo…she’s still hanging out in what must be a very comfy uterus (Darah didn’t want to come out of there, either, and had to be induced!). I’m going to be pretty focused on encouraging this one to come out on over the next handful of days. There will be some wonderful guest posts on the site while we make our final preparations for our baby’s arrival. I’ll touch base again when we have news to share!
Making the Most of Two under Two: Guest Post from So Easy Being Green
Big Sister Sophia
Although having 2 children under the age of 2 is major work {and I sometimes want to pull my hair out}, it truly is a joy! We found out we were having another baby the month before my oldest daughter turned 1! It was planned, but came a couple months earlier than planned. I was so nervous and scared about of the idea of having 2 babies so close in age and so young at the same time, but I was excited too!
I’m an only child so I was {and still am} intrigued at the sibling relationship. When we found out we were having another girl, I was elated for my oldest daughter, Sophia! I was giving her a gift that I never had – a sister! Someone that she could always count on to be there, someone she could share clothes and secrets with, someone that she could roll her eyes with when Mom was getting on her nerves.
Little Sister Moreaya
But before all that can happen, we must survive the first couple of years! In the last 4 months, I’ve learned a lot about both of my girls, my husband, and mostly about myself. And although Tiffany doesn’t quite have 2 under 2… 2 under 3 is just as much work! So, here are my five tips to making 2 under 2 a fun and exciting journey!
- HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR! You have to laugh at everything. Laugh at the fact that your house is a wreck because, well, you have a Toddler destroying it and an Infant demanding all of your attention to keep you from cleaning it. Laugh at the fact that every time you go into a restaurant to have a meal with your husband and rowdy ladies, there will be at least 1 man, woman, couple roll their eyes because they just know your children are going to interrupt their quiet dinner {and they usually do}! Laugh at the fact that one day you’ll wish both of your girls would crawl up on your lap at the same time and wants lots of Mommy Hugs and Kisses. Just laugh – and teach your children to laugh too!
- Use cloth diapers. Ok, so this is obviously my personal choice – but had to share since I’m a green blogger and love all things fluffy. They’ll save you a ton of money on the first go around {older child} and then if you kept them in good shape – they’ll save you another $2,000 by re-using them on your younger child! Want more info on cloth diapers – I’d love to answer any questions you may have!
- Have a regular babysitter. And a back-up babysitter. And maybe a back-up back-up! You’ll need it. It’s important for you to have some “me time” especially when you’ve got 3 babies {uh, hubby too!} depending on you 24/7! It’s also nice to have 1 kid go see Grandma for an afternoon so you can have that quality time with the other – instead of sharing between the 2 all of the time.
- Praise the older sibling. I praise Sophia as much as I possibly can for everything she does. She is more likely to help me with Moreaya and around the house – cleaning up her toys, carrying items from one room to another. Although she doesn’t really remember the time that she had with me when it was just the two of us, I do. And I try to make each moment special with her.
- Love, love, love your girls! By loving on them, kissing them, and doting about them – they’ll learn to do the same things to each other in return. I never thought I could love another person as much as I loved my oldest, Sophia. But I do. I love them both equally and can’t wait to see them grow up together and hopefully be the best of friends… at least most of the time!
Lindsey is a Stay at Home Mom to two beautiful little girls, Sophia who will soon be 2 and Moreaya who is 4 months! When she’s not chasing the rambunctious toddler around or “spoiling” her new beauty, she’s blogging at So Easy Being Green. Her blog is dedicated to sharing eco-friendly tips and products to help families, just like hers, realize that it really is… So Easy Being Green!
Olay Launches Products for Sensitive Skin! Review and GIVEAWAY!!
Spring is such a beautiful time of year. Everything is in bloom and looking absolutely stunning. The beauty of nature is positively breath-taking this time of year.
It’s also a nightmare for your allergies, if you have them. I actually didn’t suffer from allergies at all (except for a random allergy to goldenrod) until I left the South for 2 years and then came back. My body, it seems, had completely forgotten how to handle all this pollen and threw a complete fit! That was back in 2004, and it hasn’t been able to recover yet. Every year when the flowers start blooming, I have to reach for some allergy medicine to help get me through.
This year, in addition to sneezing all the time, my skin is also extra-sensitive (I attribute this to pregnancy). Things that never used to bother my face are suddenly giving me rashes or burning when I apply them. Yikes!
That’s why I’m turning to Olay for my skincare needs right now. Did you know that they have several fragrance-free options, which are designed for sensitive skin (and are also great for those folks currently suffering from allergies….your skincare products can make your suffering worse if they contain irritants!).
There are 3 products I have been using this month, and I’ve had absolutely no problems with any of them.
First and foremost, I have to sing high praises for the Olay Clean & Mild Makeup Remover Cloths. I don’t usually buy this type of product, because to be honest, it seems a bit indulgent. I mean, just get out a wash cloth for goodness sake! But let me tell you, in the last weeks of my pregnancy when it took all of my strength just to think about washing my face, these were invaluable. If I hadn’t had them on hand, I probably would have just gone to bed with a dirty face. Just being honest. These also are going with me to the hospital. I really love them! This product retails for $4.99.
Second, I’ve been LOVING the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream. This product, itself, is not new, but the fragrance-free formula is new. In my experience, sometimes skincare designed for sensitive skin seems to lack the same powerful punch that other products have, particularly when it comes to anti-aging properties. Not this one! Olay Regenerist has won MANY awards for its effectiveness, and I’m thrilled to be using it without any worries that my skin will negatively react to it. This product retails for $31.99.
Finally, for these tired mama eyes, I’ve been using the Olay Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum. If there’s one facial product that you should definitley seek out a sensitive skin formulation for, it’s eye cream! Imagine if it contains irritants in it and then it gets into your eyes. Ouch! This product from Olay is fragrance-free but still works really hard to hydrate the skin around your eyes and to life and brighten the entire eye area. Love it! It retails for $24.99.
Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a gift set from Olay, containing the same products I reviewed!
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