1st time mom review series // weespring - a one-stop shop for baby product reviews

I stumbled across weeSpring after I had my first baby last October. I really wish I had discovered the site before she was born.

What is weeSpring?
weeSpring is a platform that helps you share advice with your friends about baby essentials, like bottles, strollers, and diapers. You can compare products within a single category, like high chairs, or browse a trusted friend's favorites.       Expecting parents use weeSpring to ask their friends about the things they couldn't live without, and find out what they wish they'd never bought. New parents use weeSpring to pass along their own tried-and-true advice, while continuing to learn from their friends.

I just signed up for weeSpring myself and got a nice welcome email and this Graco car seat recall email as well:

Tonight, we sent an email out to all weeSpring users who have rated a Graco car seat, because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a recall of 3.8 million child seats -- and they’re currently disputing whether there should be a mandatory recall of Graco’s infant seats as well.

It's a bigger deal than the usual recall announcement, because it’s the largest in five years. So while we don't usually email en masse about recalls, we decided this was worth sharing with the broader weeSpring community, because there's a pretty good chance that you or someone you know is using a Graco car seat.

Going forward, we'll continue to email alerts out whenever a product you've rated has been recalled*... so take 15 minutes tonight or tomorrow to update your weeSpring profile with the products you're using. (So far in 2014, we've let more than 500 users know about recalls of products they have.)

Just another good reason to be on weeSpring.

 

I'm really impressed with their site, customer service and care so far - I will definitely be using weeSpring to manage any future product purchases for my daughter, and to keep track of "maybe baby #2" products too!

 

Do you have any online tools that you would recommend to help out new parents?

* I am in no way affiliated with weeSpring (they have no clue I even exist in this world). I just thought it was a really great idea for new parents and wanted to share!

Are you a 1st Time Mom and trying to figure it out as you go along too? Feel free to leave me a comment with any questions and I will be more than happy to get back to you. Thanks for reading!

only bad moments, not bad days

Something that I have noticed a lot of new parents doing is complaining about "bad days". The baby doesn't sleep through the night; it's a bad day. Mom didn't have any time to get anything done during the day; it's a bad day. Baby had a huge blow out and mom had to change diaper and outfit for what feels like the millionth time that day; it's a bad day.

 

I suffer from anxiety on a regular basis, so I knew that adding a newborn to the mix wasn't going to the easiest thing I have ever done. Early on I made a point of focusing on the moments and not the days. My days are now made up of a bunch of moments that are hard, special, firsts, heartwarming, tear filled, heart bursting, challenging ... they range from good to bad, and can change in a second.

 

If I concentrated on bad whole days, I would be a mess so breaking them down into bite size moments is much more manageable - and I am able to focus on the good ones and get past the bad moments pretty quickly.

 

Remember moms and dads - the days are made of many, MANY moments so you can only have so many bad moments in a day (no sleep, getting nothing done, messy diapers) before you get some good ones!

 

  

i want to be a doer

I've been thinking a lot about what I want out of my life lately. I am officially an "adult" - I have a career, I am married, I own a home, I have a chunk of debt (don't all adults?!) and I now have a child. The question, "What's next?" keeps popping into my head.

I have learned a lot about myself during the 4.5 months since my daughter was born. I can no longer multi-task like I used to (this may just be due to the fact that I would rather spend time with her over doing other mundane things), I have zero desire to go back to work (financially I have to but if we could afford it, I would LOVE to be a stay at home mom), I love to write (I knew this before but being on maternity leave has allowed me the time to be reminded of this), I have to say NO more now than ever (I just learned a big lesson in this area and it was quite the humbling experience) and, most importantly, I am a family woman through and through - my family is all that really matters now.

These are all great things to learn about oneself but they also put things into perspective. They are really making me focus on what I WANT to do vs. what I HAVE to do vs. what I DON'T WANT OR HAVE to do.

Unless something has to do with something I love, something for me or something to do with my husband or daughter, count me out.

I've decided to start a list of all the things I want to do in my life - big and small (some are tiny even). Instead of making multiple lists, colour coding them, attaching a dollar figure to them, dating them, creating spreadsheets, etc. like I normally would, I am just going to dump everything I always say I want to do in one list - in zero particular order - so I can start crossing these suckers off. I have no idea when I will do these things, how I will do some of them or how I will afford some of them but it's time to be the adult that I am and become a doer and not a talker. This is just a quick start - I will add to this list as I come up with new dreams and ideas.

Jaclyn's To Do/Bucket/Wish List:

• Be a stay at home mom.
• Plan Charlotte's fabulous 1st birthday party.
• Go to Vegas again with my husband and friends.
• Take Charlotte to Disneyland with the grandparents.
• Go on a cruise with my husband.
• Buy a more family friendly vehicle. Yes - a mini-van is probably in my near future! :)
• Re-do our kitchen (gut job).
• Pay off our American Express (and stop using credit cards completely).
• Buy a new TV and storage unit.
• Have brunch at Lou's Bar and Grill (we love it at Lou's but have never had brunch there).
• Take a day trip to Lynden, Washington (my parents used to take me there all the time and I need to go back for a visit - I always drive past it on the way to Bellingham - time to stop by).
• Take Charlotte swimming.

I hope to report back here when I am able to check something off this list. Stay tuned!

What's on your list? Let's start getting s&*% done!

some firsts for ms. charlotte

This past weekend we got a big dump of snow where we live. It doesn't usually snow this late in February so I guess the old groundhogs were right and we are in for some more winter (it is still snowing as I write this - we are at well over a foot now and that isn't normal for around these parts).

This isn't the first time it has snowed since Charlotte was born in October - we had a bit around Christmas but nothing really stuck and I don't even think we went outside with Charlotte on those days.

On Saturday, instead of getting our 4.5 month year old all ready to "play" in the snow, we just stuck her in the middle of the front yard to see what her reaction would be. She has never showed any signs of every being cold (she is quite the little sweat ball actually) - she actually seems quite comfortable while cold (except for in the bath - that is a whole other ballgame).

She was quite funny because she was actually smiling the whole time but I couldn't get a proper photo because she couldn't keep her eyes from blinking.

 

After our snow adventure :) ... we went to our good friend Lachlan's 5th birthday party at the Honeybee Centre. What a cool idea for a birthday party! (And this was the first time Charlotte had attended a kid birthday party so she was pretty excited.) Birthday boy and party guests got to have an educational lesson on insects, they got to explore the bug room, they made bug catchers, beat the crap out of a piñata (courtesy of the parents) and had a late pizza lunch. The kids all had a blast, learned a few things and birthday mom didn't have to clean her house ... win/win if you ask me!

 

Daddy and Charlotte were very intent on learning something new themselves:

 

Check out my friend's awesome Minion spread - complete with a fruit Minion: 

 

Don't worry Charlotte - next year we will really play in the snow like all the big kids. I promise! xo



oh how i can relate!

I recently came across this article on a new blog I have started following, SortaCrunchy:
style crisis: how do you dress a body you (sorta) don't love?.

Megan is a mom of four - 2 daughters and 2 twin sons. To say her hands are full is an understatement. Her blog is filled with honest, funny and down-to-earth posts that I really enjoy reading.

I was having one of my off/blah days as a new momma and I was feeling exactly how Megan was feeling in her Style Crisis post. My daughter is now over 4 months old and I finally feel like I am in the swing of things. I can manage to get her dressed and fed throughout the day, get myself dressed and fed throughout the day and still have dinner on the table so I can make sure my husband is fed (he dresses himself thank goodness). Our days are slipping by quietly and comfortably. Life is really good.

But in the same breath, I am in a bit of slump when it comes to not being a mom. You know what "they" say - don't lose yourself when you become a mom because it is so easy to do. My days are wrapped up in breastfeeding, nap times, exercises (my daughter's - muscle development issues - not mine, unfortunately), storybook reading, laundry, dishes, etc., etc., etc. My life is ... well ... life. It's the everyday stuff that is taking precedence right now. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE the everyday stuff. It's my favourite. But without something to balance it out, it gets pretty old pretty quick.

In my pre-pregnancy life I played soccer. I read books all the time. I went to movies. I stayed up past 9:00 p.m. I rode my bike. I went to yoga. I got massages. I went for walks. These are all things I still know I enjoy but have taken a backseat to the newborn.

I am now that mom. You know the one. The one that wears yoga clothes but never actually sets foot in a yoga studio. I have a pair of grey yoga pants and a pair of black yoga pants. And I have four hoodies. And I rotate the death out of these six articles of clothing. To be fair, I was less than impressed with my wardrobe when I got pregnant so I donated any item I didn't love so I would be forced to purchase new clothes after the baby was born. Well, she's here and every single day I automatically put on my yoga gear and get ready for my day.

I am super grateful that I have lost a lot of the baby weight while breastfeeding but I am nowhere near my dream weight, and my body is nothing like it was before (I would describe myself as a head to toe wet, limp noodle right now). Therefore, the thought of buying new clothes makes me want to pull my hood over my head and climb back into bed.

To add to the dilemma, I could not hate shopping for clothes more. It is my least favourite thing to do on the planet. And I'm not talking like I just need a new pair of jeans. I don't have any jeans so yes, I need those. But I also need dress clothes, shoes, a sports bra, underwear ... oh boy - I am starting to sweat just thinking about it.

My husband is sick and tired of listening to me complain about "having nothing to wear" so he is making me go shopping this weekend. He is forcing me. And I am already anxious about it - Will I even find anything that fits? How will I afford new clothes on a mat leave budget? (I HATE spending money on clothes.) Where do I even shop? (I like to shop at department type stores so that I can browse on my own. I hate it when sales people help me.) The whole shopping idea just makes me uncomfortable. BUT ... I can't live in the same clothes forever (or can I?! Okay, okay - I know I can't).

Time to pull up my big mommy panties and go out into the world and find me some clothes that fit this body, right now, without worrying about what might happen to my shape in the near or distant future. The time is now! Hmm ... wonder how I can get out of this?!

How did you manage your wardrobe during the "in between" stage of your body after having a baby?

a sunday smile

via

1st time mom review series // wish list items for "maybe baby" #2

I am so not ready for another baby. Not in the least. I am still recovering (mentally and spiritually) from pregnancy, labour and delivery and the first 3 months of baby Charlotte's life. :) All joking aside - I have no clue if we are going to have another baby. I can't imagine only having one, or Charlotte not knowing what it is like to have a little brother or sister. I have always thought that if I did have kids, I would have at least 2. My husband is set on just having one - mainly for financial reasons - but we will have to see what the future holds I guess. I must say, I would love another maternity leave. This is the best time in my life so far - enjoying every minute of it and am so grateful.

But if we do decide to have another baby, and are blessed to have one, these are on my wish list of items I would love to try!

Fisher-Price Newborn Rock n' Play Sleeper

I think there was a just a recall on this item for mold but those recalls don't ever deter me (just be sure to Google it if you already own this product). We used a basinet for our little one but she never really got used to it so I moved her into a little bed next to me and that only worked sometimes. She spent her first 2 months sleeping on me or swaddled and propped up in a breastfeeding pillow. For Maybe Baby #2, I would like to try a different approach and get something like this Rock n' Play Sleeper. And if it works, it is easy to move from room to room, and easy to travel with. Anyone use this product and did your little one sleep in it?

  

Miracle Blanket

When we went for our hospital tour, the lead nurse told us that swaddling was a big no no now and that our newborn would not be swaddled in hospital. Fast forward to d-day, and the first thing they did was wrap her up like a tight little burrito. I had some judgement about swaddling so I never learned how to do it properly with a blanket. We used a few swaddle sacks from about 1 to 2 months but my husband hated them. I've heard rave reviews that the Miracle Blanket from other moms who swear that it's a sleep genie. Will definitely invest in one if the time comes.

4Moms MamaRoo

This is the "it" product for 2014. Charlotte never took to her swing or vibrating seat but if we have baby number 2, I would love to try a MamaRoo - swinging and vibrating all in one. I enter every contest I come across to try and win one of these. And since the majority of our baby gear is second hand (grateful) it would be fun to have something brand new the next time around.

Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit

Speaking of sleep ... the Magic Sleepsuit is supposed to work miracles when transitioning out of swaddling. Good until babies can roll over on their own, this Sleepsuit keeps the baby weighted on their back so they start to feel freedom but not too much - less arm and leg craziness. Charlotte had no problem going from the swaddle sack to a sleep sack and onesie but not all babies enjoy hat much freedom until they are a bit older.

Woombie Donut

I had to buy my friend a baby shower gift so I asked my prenatal class momma friends what baby product they can't live without (I actually don't use a lot of products - we have a ton of stuff but I rarely use most of it). One friend said that she loves her Woombie Donut and after looking into it, I wish I had one myself. It's basically a travel bed for your infant. You can use it to set your baby down in a comfortable space when you need your hands free. They say not to use it to sleep in but I would have no problem with it - and would probably take it everywhere with me. I will for sure be looking at one of these in the future.

Are there any items that you think are must haves for "maybe baby" #2?

Are you a 1st Time Mom and trying to figure it out as you go along too? Feel free to leave me a comment with any questions and I will be more than happy to get back to you. Thanks for reading!

how i am documenting my daughter's 1st year

When my daughter was born in October of last year, I knew I wanted to document her 1st year in a special way, but I had no clue how I was going to find time to do it. Anyone who knows me can tell you that I am a bit of a perfectionist so if I start something, it will eat me alive if I don't finish it, and finish it well so I didn't want to start something that I couldn't keep up with consistently.

Photos
I considered the monthly baby stickers - where you attach a sticker to a onesie monthly and take a photo (usually in the same spot to see how much they have grown). I love this idea and adore seeing photos of moms who do this with their little ones. I never got around to ordering the stickers but I did start taking a monthly photo of Charlotte on the rocking chair in her nursery so that I could measure how big she had grown in a year - see, I'm just as on top of it and organized as every other new mom out there! But - alas - I quickly realized that I hated the rocking chair so we now have my mother-in-laws glider - the inconsistency just didn't work for me.

From the moment Charlotte was born, I have take photos of her on a daily (okay - sometime hourly) basis. I am pretty sure that she thinks that my hot pink iPhone Otter case is part of my human body. Poor kid. So I started using A Beautiful Mess app to mark each day, week and month mark of her 1st year (I use the Lobster Two font - my favourite).

 

 

 

 

So in a year, I will have collected 365 individual images of our little girl. I am not sure what I am going to do with them at that point but I am sure some sort of photo project will take place (I already documented her 1st month and my pregnancy in a photo book).

 

Journal

I also wanted to make sure I documented all the little moments that we share together, including all of her 1st memories. I do have a baby book that I am keeping up-to-date but I wanted a way to document the day-to-day stuff. I have been using the Wonderful Days app for years now and I absolutely love it. I decided to dedicate Charlotte's 1st year to her so instead of keeping my personal journal on my iPhone, I keep bullet point notes each day for her - as well as her daily photo in the file. The app lets me also keep track of how I am feeling and the weather. Honestly - updating a day takes maybe 5 minutes, not even.

 

 

The best thing about this app? It syncs with Evernote. This means that I will never lose my journal notes, and I will be able to do something with them later on down the road (again - not sure what but I am pretty sure a book will be happening at the end of this year as a keepsake for when Charlotte gets older). I have considered just using Evernote directly for this process but I want my "journal" to be passcode protected and you have to pay for that feature through Evernote - it is automatic with Wonderful Days.

Scrapbook
I - like many - am obsessed with Project Life but haven't gotten around to starting that documenting process. I did just order the Project Life Core Kit - Baby Edition from Amazon. I am not sure when I will get an album and get started on this scrapbooking project but I'm glad I made the leap in the right direction.

Email
Another thing I did recently was open up an email account in Charlotte's name and shared it with her grandparents. That way, any of us at any time can send Charlotte a note for the future. I wrote her a bunch of letters when I was pregnant and have those sealed up in pretty envelopes and wrapped with a bow but I loved the idea of handing over her email address and password on her 16th birthday so she could read the words and advice from loved ones. We will see if anyone actually gets around to doing this - ha ha!

*******************

I have a lot of pieces up in the air but I know that when it comes to letting Charlotte know what her 1st year was like, I will be able to find all the details. Once I get around to pulling all these pieces together, I will make sure to share them here! Now my only concern is, how am I going to duplicate all these efforts for any future children?! :)

How do you document your children's lives?

this sums up my life quite nicely these days

I LOVE this cartoon from Baby Center's My Baby Today app:

recently // february 2014

Making // nothing right now. I am actually in a bit of a creative funk.

Cooking // haystack dinner as a casserole.
Drinking // lots of water with lemon juice.
Reading // the goldfinch.
Wanting // this white heart garland.
Looking // to feeling 100% healthy again.
Playing // not yet but looking forward to playing soccer again.
Wasting // days watching United States of Tara on Netflix.
Wishing // that Charlotte would take a bottle on the odd occasion here or there. (Same wish as last month.)
Enjoying // every minute at home with little Ms. Charlotte.
Liking // that Spring is coming soon.
Wondering // what Charlotte's new, four month old schedule is going to turn out to be.
Loving // my husband.
Hoping // that I can continue to keep my anxiety in check.
Marvelling // at how active Charlotte is getting by the day.
Needing // to exercise.
Smelling // my Calm body spray.
Wearing // too many yoga clothes. Momma needs a new wardrobe. Stat!
Following // NieNie Dialogues - she has a Charlotte too!
Noticing // that Charlotte has almost figured out that she has feet.
Knowing // that I am blessed.
Thinking // about our potential road trip at the end of the month.
Giggling // at Charlotte's facial expressions.
Feeling // loved.

why do people use the term "new mom" like they have a bad taste in their mouth?

As a new mom, do you ever notice that other parents who have been a parent longer than you (or have more than one child or had a child a million years ago) tend to regard you as a new mom like it's a bad thing?

I was pretty sure that when I got pregnant, I thought that having my first baby was something to be celebrated, something that was amazing and hard and awesome. Trust me, it is, but every time I question something about my baby, or I ask for help or advice, the response usually comes back with something like, "Oh, you're a new mom." Um - yes - we all know that. You don't see any secret toddler in the closet or a teenager hiding in my trunk do you? This is definitely my first rodeo. Therefore, I have no clue what I am doing and would think that I could rely on other mothers to set me on the right path.

I was telling a fellow mama that I got very conflicting advice on what baby equipment I should use, and her helpful advice? (Seriously people - one doc says yes to Jolly Jumper, exersaucer and Bumbo and another specialist says hell no to all three?!) "Oh, just do what feels right and when you have your second, you won't care." Uh thanks, but who said I was even having any more children? Will I only be validated as a real mom if I have more than one?

I was telling a mom/family member about how frustrating I find it that my daughter won't take a bottle. Her reply, "Don't worry about it, you're a new mom so you probably didn't try the right way. Just wait until she is older." Excuse me? Getting a baby to take a bottle seems like a pretty unique situation - to each unique baby so what works for one might not work for the other. But what do I know? I'm just a new mom.

And my favourite - baby gets fussy in a visitor's arms but said visitor refuses to give baby back to the new mom.
Visitor: Oh baby, you can cry all you want. I've heard a crying baby before and it doesn't bother me like it probably bothers your mom.
Me (aka "New Mom"): Actually, I know she's hungry so I should just feed her now.
Visitor: Oh no, she's just being fussy. Aren't you baby?
Me: Nope. Pretty sure it's been over 3 hours since she last ate so I will just feed her.
Visitor: I will just bounce her up and down because this helped me soothe all my children.
Me: Time to eat!
Visitor: Trust me, this will work ...
Me: (After baby looks at me wide eyed and freaking out ...) JUST GIVE ME MY F*&%ING BABY!
Visitor: Well fine. I was just trying to help. You know you won't jump every time your second baby cries. That's just a new mom thing.

OH. MY. LORD.

I've collected a lot of these scenarios over the past few months (I do get great help and advice too but the bad taste comments tend to stick out in my memory) and wonder what age my baby needs to be before I am no longer a "new mom". What if I only have one child? Will I be a new mom until my daughter turns 18? :) Sure, people tell me I am being too sensitive or taking things the wrong way but could it be that some people are just super insensitive and condescending without realizing it?

I really appreciate the love and support of my "mom tribe" but I have to say my favourite people to go to for help are my friends who have just recently had babies themselves. When they call me a new mom it is said as if we both belong to a secret club. It's new, it's alive, it's exciting. And it doesn't matter if I'm asking about what baby carrier I should purchase, or if a mark on my baby's skin looks wrong, they dive into the issue with gusto and examine all angles without just dismissing me off as a new mom.

Cheers to all mothers out there old and new but please pass an extra glass of champagne to those ladies who are going down the same path at the same time as me. Thank you friends!

Did you feel like people weren't giving you enough credit when you became a new mom or dad?

happy valentine's day

Enjoy all the love, chocolate and wine that should be a part of your day today! xo

Who doesn't love a good old someecard?

1st Time Mom Review Series will continue next Friday!

Are you a 1st Time Mom and trying to figure it out as you go along too? Feel free to leave me a comment with any questions and I will be more than happy to get back to you. Thanks for reading!

the many faces of charlotte // 4 months old

babies are like snowflakes

I was reading a random blog the other day (can't remember which one) and I read a line that said, "Babies are just like snowflakes. Each one is unique and beautiful, and can't be compared to the other." This analogy really hit me because I am a first time mom of a four month old and the learning curve on this new gig has been huge. I have enjoyed every minute of it but it has also been the hardest thing I have ever done.

When you become a new parent, you are like a sponge - you read too much, you ask too many questions of every other parent in your life, you think too much,  you analyze too much, you try and find a answer for every single thing your newborn does (even if nothing is actually wrong) ... and in turn, you get a lot of conflicting advice and information.

One expert will tell you to swaddle your baby whereas the nurse at the hospital will tell you that swaddling is now a contributor to SIDS. One person will tell you to never wake a sleeping baby and another mother will tell you that you have to wake them every three hours or else! (Or else what?!) A friend will tell you that you need to start feeding your baby solid foods at 4 months but all the experts (who the hell are these people anyways?) will tell you that you have to wait until 6 months.

One of the biggest discrepancy (and probably the issue I have Googled about the most in the wee hours) is over sleep - Where should my baby sleep? When should my baby sleep? How long should my baby sleep? Should I follow a napping schedule? Should I hire a sleep trainer? HOW THE HELL DO I JUST GET MY BABY TO SLEEP? If you haven't read this exhausted new mom's hilarious take on 'expert' sleep advice, you must. I wish I had read it (and taken it in) while I was pregnant - would have saved me a lot of anxiety and grief for not being able to figure it out and do it right (my point being is that there is no right or wrong).

Bottomline is being a new parent is a journey. It's a journey into the depth of your soul - you will never feel more challenged, more humbled or more in love in your life. It's a journey of self discovery - just how many hours can  you survive without sleep? It's a journey about developing a new relationship - you and your new baby really are strangers so it totally makes sense that it will take a while to get to know each other. For some, the magic number is 6 weeks but for me, it took about 12 weeks for me to feel comfortable with my little one, and for her to really start to rely on me.

Each baby is unique and different so follow your instincts and do what is right for you and your family. Most what "they" have told me or I have read about says that their opinion will work with "the majority of babies" and about 99% of the info has not applied to our Charlotte. I knew she was special but really? :) I am sure you have been told this time and time before but it is the truth - just go with the flow, follow your baby's lead and you will all be just fine and better off for it!

I couldn't resist :) via

another year older

I celebrated my 35th birthday on Sunday which is awesome but I have pneumonia which is way less than awesome.

I am going to hide away for the day and rest - hope to be back at this blogging business as soon as possible. Lots of ideas swirling in my head that I can't wait to get out. Thinking this blog is going to turn into a "Mom Blog" after all. More to come soon!

For now I am going to spend the day cuddling this little cutie who is 4 months old today! xo

what i'm crushing on lately

via

Here are a few things I've stumbled across lately that I absolutely adore. I hope you enjoy; and find some fun and inspiration in these links!

• Kiwi Crate - I look forward to when Charlotte and I can start ordering these and get creative together. Such a fun idea!
• This wrapping paper cart from Home Depot. I am going to start saving for one. Could they have picked a better colour?
• Nashville on Netflix. I am a bit late to the game but I am absolutely hooked. This show totally makes up for my Friday Night Lights withdrawal.
• These adult Valentine's Day Cards. I can think of someone special for each of these little cuties.
• This quote from Clementine Daily that holds so true for my life right now.
• Charlotte Monroe at 15 weeks old ... can't get enough! xo

1st time mom review series // my favourite gifts for a new mom

When you have a baby (especially your first) you get a lot of gifts. And 99.9% of those gifts are for the baby. As a 1st Time Mom, it's fun to open up and explore the tiny outfits, the new toys and all the thoughtful presents your little one gets from friends and family but what about mom? She did just go through a marathon to get that little bundle of joy here so why not spoil her too? For sure bring the new babe a little something, but don't forget about momma bear as well. Doesn't have to be right away, it can even be a few months down the road. Trust me, the thought will be more than appreciated. Here are a few items that have helped me through my 4 brief months of motherhood.

crockpot and recipe book

via Amazon.com

I use my crockpot on a weekly basis - sometimes daily. You literally set it, and forget it. Check to see if your new momma friend has a crockpot and gift her a new recipe book to help her stay (easily) motivated in the kitchen.

essential oils

via Escents Aromatherapy

 I have never been more hungry and thirsty in my life than when I started breastfeeding. A good water bottle and lots of delicious snacks would be a welcome for any new mom trying to figure it all out.

 

water and snacks

via Amazon.com

This Stress Relief Aromatherapy Inhaler has been amazing to help battle my anxiety during the first few months of motherhood. I love all that Escents have to offer so any of their products would be a treat for a new momma.

 

lip balm

via Amazon.com

Want something quick and easy to bring to your new mom friend? You cannot have enough lip balm around the house when you start breastfeeding. Those little cuties suck you dry - literally! :) Eos is my new favourite!

Are you a 1st Time Mom and trying to figure it out as you go along too? Feel free to leave me a comment with any questions and I will be more than happy to get back to you. Thanks for reading!

hell yes!

more blogging resources for you // part 2

Here is a follow-up to my previous Blogging Resources post. I just signed up for this course by Blogelina and really look forward to following along, learning and growing this space.

Happy Writing Friends!

• Free Blog Content Planner Printable
• 10 Tips for Designing a Blog
• Never Too Late to Shape Up Your Blog
• The Nitty Gritty of Running a Blog (And Why I Can’t Do It For Free)
• My 2014 Blog Planner
• Have You Lost Your Blogging Focus?
• 10 Tips for Putting Together a Killer Blog Post
• Tips and Tricks: Blogging Tips #1
• The Art of Blogging: My Favorite Tips
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