Thursday Blogging - tips

10 Smart Parenting Techniques that Will Get Your Newborn to Sleep Longer

If you have been working on getting your newborn baby to sleep longer, it may help if you feed your baby before getting him to sleep, give your baby a warm bath, follow a consistent routine, put a sound machine near your newborn, always be on the lookout for a sleepy baby, create a conducive environment for sleeping, make sure your baby’s diaper is dry, swaddle your baby, keep the temperature right, and be flexible and try different techniques.

As a parent, it is very challenging to get your newborn baby to sleep longer. Though they sleep for as much as 15-19 hours in a day, they do not do this in one period of time and their sleep habits usually make you getting really sleepy and tired as well. To help you get your newborn baby to sleep longer, consider the following advice:

Feed you baby before getting him to sleep
The foremost reason why your newborn does not sleep longer is that his stomachs is still small and he needs to be fed every few hours, usually every two. To help your baby sleep longer, especially at night, feed the baby before putting him to bed. But, be sure not to overfeed him, as this will cause discomfort to your baby and make him sleep less than you expect.

Give your baby a warm bath
A warm bath can help your baby sleep longer through the night as it will help soothe your baby. You can make this a part of your bedtime routine to give him a cue that it is about time for bed.

Follow a consistent routine
Bedtime routines can help put your babies in a good sleeping condition. Although it takes weeks or months to get your newborn baby to get used to a routine, it helps a lot to start introducing it to him early. A warm bath, a good book, and a lullaby can help your newborn baby start thinking that it is about time to sleep. Set your own routine that you think will work for your baby.

Put a sound machine near your newborn
Many white noise machines are designed to help your baby get to sleep easier and stay asleep longer. A sound machine (Keyword/URL) will help cover the noise around the house that might disturb your baby’s sleep, like when you are doing some chores or when a dog is barking. Make sure you choose a sound that is comforting for the baby and not something that may scare him. Alternately, you can keep some classical or other soft music playing all throughout his sleep to soothe him.

Always be on the lookout for a sleepy baby
As a parent, you may often get the wrong notion that tiring your baby can make him sleep easier and much longer. The thing is, when babies are overstimulated, it makes them harder for them to go to sleep. If you see signs that your baby is sleepy, such as when they start to yawn, rub their eyes, and cry, get your baby ready for bed before he starts getting more irritable.

Create a conducive environment for sleeping
Whatever the time of the day is, make your baby’s bedroom a soothing place for him to rest so he will be able to sleep longer. It would be great if your newborn gets to sleep longer during the night so you can get the rest that you need. To help achieve this, differentiate your baby’s afternoon nap and his night time sleep so that he will be able to adjust his sleeping hours. For example, you can lie down with your baby in bed to help her get a nap, and you can do your bedtime routine at night to help her sleep easier and much longer. Keep the room dimly lit at night to help your baby differentiate night and day.

Make sure your baby’s diaper is dry
Wet diapers and clothes can disturb your baby’s sleep. Make it a point to change your baby’s diaper before takging him to bed to give him a comfortable sleep that can last for longer hours.

Swaddle your baby
Newborn babies need security. When your baby does not feel safe, the tendency is that he will not be able to get a good sleep. Swaddle him and make him feel safe and secure, just like those days when he was still in your womb, and give him a better, more secure, and longer sleep.

Keep the temperature right
A bedroom that is too cold or quite hot can leave the baby uncomfortable, waking him up earlier than expected. Keep the temperature right for the weather to help your newborn baby sleep longer during her naps and especially at night.

Be flexible and try different techniques
All babies are different when it comes to sleeping, even twins. Stay flexible, and try different techniques to help your baby get to sleep longer. For some, nursing the newborn will work great as part of the bedtime routine after a warm bath and a good book. Others carry or rock their newborns to sleep. Make sure that you put the baby down when he is already in deep sleep. When you find your newborn already sleeping, keep rocking or let him stay in your arms until about thirty minutes before putting him down to bed to make sure he is really asleep.

Getting newborns to sleep longer is a very challenging task. They get hungry easily, they get scared easily, and they need to adjust a lot to their new environment. Try different things out, see what works best for your newborn, and be consistent when you have found the right technique. Once you do this, you will not only help your newborn sleep longer, but you are instilling in him a healthy sleep habit that will help him as he grows. You, too, can get the rest you truly deserve after all your love and care.

Thursday tips

8 Useful Time Management Tips for Mom

You and the rest of the moms out there can have good time management skills by following some useful tips: get organized, delegate household responsibilities, multitask, focus on priorities, develop household shortcuts, follow a routine, bend to certain unexpected situations, and relieve yourself of stress.

Dealing with time properly is something moms should learn how to do effectively. If you consider following specific time management tips, it will not be hard for you to adjust and complete all your domestic responsibilities, kids’ needs, the relationship with your spouse, and even tasks at work. You can manage all of these responsibilities well if you learn to adapt to some forms of effective time management discipline.

Get organized
Getting organized can get rid you of the stress of failing to remember a number of appointments, unfinished tasks, and forgetting other relevant activities. Getting organized by coming up with a system that makes it possible for you to accomplish everything efficiently and effectively. Organize your home by eliminating any clutter anywhere within your house. A messy place drains your time and energy too. Your time is another aspect to organize. You do this by making a ‘to do list’. This will serve as guide of the things you need to finish during the day.

Delegate household responsibilities
Another secret to managing time is to delegate household responsibilities. It will soon become rewarding for the entire family when everyone is able to take turns in doing household chores. Start by asking your kids and spouse to take part in doing the simpler household tasks.

Multitask
The surest and safest way to multitask is to pair one simple task with a another that needs more focus. One good example is to clean your kitchen counter top while making a phone call. However, if you feel that you become agitated by doing two tasks at a time, then it is time to stop.

Focus on priorities
Giving in to other people’s requests can be a nice gesture. However, there are times when you have to say ‘no’ for the simple reason that you need to attend to more important things that are of top priority to you.

Develop household shortcuts
You can develop your own style of taking shortcuts when doing household chores. You can implement your way of clearing clutter, dusting your furniture, cleaning the windows, washing the dishes, and doing the laundry. Think of a technique to hasten your accomplishments without jeopardizing the quality of your work.

Follow a routine
Have a routine to prevent any waste of mental energy. Schedule your time for menu planning, going grocery shopping, running errands, and other essential activities.

Bend to certain unexpected situations
You must be flexible so you can cope with changing and unexpected situations. Even when you have your own set schedule, there are unforeseen things that might come up. When you are flexible, you will not easily get distracted and annoyed by any alteration in your planned activities.

Relieve yourself of stress
You deserve some forms of self-care. You must be able to spend time alone reflecting, meditating and journaling your thoughts. Indulging in a home spa and engaging in various exercise programs can be of great help too. Quality sleep and a healthy diet are two basic things you must have.

Thursday blogging

So today at 10 am I had to go get a allergy test I must say it wasn't fun! I got 32 shots in my forearms and had to hold them and not itch them for 20 minutes. It was a very tough 20 minutes lol. Bad thing is they didn't find out a whole lots I was slightly allergic to Dust mites, oak, dogs, mulberry and some other thing but not severely allergic. OK so that mean I cant be given immune therapy shot to help with all my sinus infections but its enough to where I have to wash all curtains, sheets, blankets, pillow every week. and spray beds and couch's and chairs with Lysol every few days. Plus stay away from dogs and etc. OK I see then he tells me to come back next week to go over some drugs that might help the whole trial and error thing. If that doesn't work then we might still try the immunatherapy shots. Oh boy and did I mention I have the crappiest of crappiest insurances so these visits and medicines are putting me in the hole I swear its expensive to live a long healthy happy life at this rate I am gonna give up and live a short happy  life with money lol.

So have you guys experienced allergies? Did any of you have the test done? Do you take any medicine that help? How about herbal stuff I am a huge fan of Herbal remedies. I mean I swear by them do any of you know of any herbal things that help for the sinus headaches, congestion, watery eyes whole shebang? They are also thinking I should see a Pulmonariologist (lung doctor) to check to see if I have asthma because my lungs are so weak to different things. My dad had Asthma and my son has Asthma. so it runs in the family but hmm not sure what I should do the co payes alone kill me. So what are your experiences and suggestions?

Thursday Blogging

Today I figured I would talk about saving money tips. Being a mom to 6 kids and not alot of money coming in I really have to budget everything to make things work. So here is what helps me make ends meet.

1. budget and plan! Ok figure out when pay checks come in on what days, figure out approx average of pay checks then see all your bills and figure out what gets paid on what days. Like Me we get paid the 1st and the 15th. So the rent and the comcast bill( phone, cable, & Internet) and the electric gets paid on the 1st. Then the 15th the car payment, the car insurance, gas, and the water get paid. Other bills like student loans , doctor bills and etc get paid when I have extra money to pay them even if it is just $20 a month. I always make sure to leave gas money for the van and little extra for little things we need.

2. Shop around. Look at food ads and store ads for the best prices. If you dont want to go to a bunch of stores well that is fine I like that Walmart price matches everyone.

3. Coupons!!! I print out coupons on Coupons.com , smartsource, red plum and I get the coupons from the Sunday paper. I have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars with coupons. Find a good deal then use coupons to make them better and even if you have to pay full price for something you need well at least a coupon can save a little.

4. Date night at home! Yes it is possible. I put the kids to bed at 8 then I rent a movie for me and my hubby and make some popcorn and cuddle up. Great date and more personal and less crowds and saves alot of money. Skip a steak dinner at a restaurant. Go to the store buy two nice steaks, bake potatoes, veggies, salad, and some ice cream and grab a redbox movie go home throw the steaks on the grill or in the oven prepare the other foods. Put kids to bed bring out some candles and sweet music and relax with a nice cheaper steak dinner top it off with a big bowl of ice cream with 2 spoons and share while watching a movie. Me and my hubby do these date nights often. They are great.

5.practically Free Fun with kids. Yes it is possible. We do picnics at the parks often and we even change it up and go to different parks around the city. We have a homemade lunch , play on the playground fly kites ride bikes etc. Lots of fun and pretty much free. Adventure walks now this is a double whammy here. It not only gets you and the kids exercised and wears out some of that bottled up energy but it can be fun. I make up a list before we start of stuff that they have to find on the walk. This keeps them busy the whole time and is so fun Like a treasure hunt. Game nights, break out the cards or boards games or even the wii or other game stations. Do it as a family everyone must participate. and make it a weekly ritual so they look forward to it!

6. Make things yourself. This means lots of things. like say you need a organizer to hold those little things well things you throw away are perfect instead of going and buying some fancy smancy thing to hold them break out the baby food jars, peanut cans, etc with lids. If you want them to be pretty paint them or cover with paper. but they are great for the nails, thumb tacks, pencils, erasers, crayons etc.

7.Use left overs. dont throw them away! make a whole turkey , then the next day make some turkey soup, the next day make turkey enchiladas or tacos. Leftover taco meat well use it to make taco salads, or make chili out of it or even dip. Just get creative.

8. Buy generic if its cheaper. Most generic taste or work the same as the name brands and sometimes better! I mean there are a few things I wont buy generic like green beans because there are more stems in generic but most things generic is just as good. Even cleaning supplies some of the generic work just as good.

9. Shop at dollar stores. I get party supplies there, bday and xmas presents there, food, crafts, household decorations, even clothing. I get cleaning stuff there too. Youll be surprised what they have alot of the times. They even have name brand stuff from time to time.

10. Last but not least shop clearances. this is my favorite. I get so much clothes at walmart and target and kohls on clearance for cheap. I get household stuff and cleaning stuff cheap then sometimes I get lucky and things will be on clearance and I have a coupons so I pay even less or even free for them.

These are what helps me save what ways  do you use to save money???

Thursday Blogging

Yesterday I received a letter from my 5 year olds school that she measured under weight and small for her age. OK well we already knew that lol. She was premature and was only 17 inches long and 5 pounds when she was born. She came home from the hospital almost 2 weeks after she was born at 4lbs 15 Oz's. She was in Preemie cloths at from birth til 6 months old. At 1 year she was in 3 to 6 month clothing. Now at 5 she is in a 4T clothing but pants and bottom she needs belts since 4's fall of her bony little bum. She has always been in the 0 to 5th % percentile for her age for height and weight.  She has finally made it to the 20th % for her height but not for weight.

Now my 11 year old is the same way. She wasn't born early or anything and she was a very chunky baby but from the day she started walking she got skinny. My 11 year old is at the 50% for height but weight she is at the 10th %. She is 64 pounds right now. Now grant she would probably be around 70 lbs if last summer while visiting her DAD she wouldn't of lost 12 pounds in that 6 weeks but ya what can I do since supposedly according to her dad and grandma her losing weight down there was my fault. Anyways She has always been skinny.

They both eat decent and even sometimes they are pigs. They eat their meats, fruits, veggies and etc. They drink milk, juice and water. They are active kids and love running and playing. So I am not sure if you guys have any of these issues or not but I will share my tips and helps that I have been given and tried.

Tips:
1. Feed them at least 5 to 6 times a day, I know that sounds like alot but really doesn't have to be huge meals just calorie packed meals or snack. Like peanut butter on toast, peanut butter on celery, peanut butter and apples, nuts, pasta with cheese or butter, grilled cheese sandwich's, shakes ( using ice cream, peanut butter, bananas, yogurt, chocolate and even add cream or powdered milk to boost calories)

2. Lots of exercise. I know this sounds like a bad things but it isn't. burning energy makes them hungry and it builds muscle with also helps them gain weight and more muscle more energy they are gonna need which in turn means more food they will be hungry for.

3. power pack any and everything they eat. OK so like in tip one  add butter, powdered milk, cream, cheese, or protein powder to  anything and everything you can. With the variety of calorie booster just mention you should be able to add it to just about anything. I get the protein powder at the health food store and it comes in a variety of flavors as well. Make sure though you ask the nutritionist at the stores which most have  that is it the right powder for weight gain in children. I got mine at GNC and the nutriontist was awesome there with tips and help. The other things you can get at any grocery store.

4. If you can get your child to drink Pedisure or eat the new pedisure bars go for it. I used the vanilla and strawberry pedisure for many years with my 5 year olds to help stabilize her weight and they make for a great snack. The only things is i probably would give it to them before dinner or they might not eat dinner. Use it if they don't eat anything at meal times and like with breakfast or morning snack.

5. Do remember your food pyramid. 5 grains, 4 vegetables, 3 fruits, 3 dairy/milk, and 2 meats a day for kids 10 and younger then it changes to 6,5,3,3,2 at 11 and up.

Those are things that have help us. If you have anything to add please do. So I hope this helps someone. I know I have used these tips and I will continue to use these tips.

Thursday Blogging

me and my cousin Kim

It surprises me how far technology has come these days. Some ways in a good way and some ways in a bad way. Lately though for me it has been handy. I grew up with my mom and my siblings on my moms side. I really didnt have much of a relationship with my dad for good reasons, but I had sister and brothers on his side too that I have met less then a handful of times in my lifetime. Sucks but thats the way it was. I dont know a whole lot of history with my dad's side. I been wanted to know more medical history for my kids sakes and I would love to know more ancestary on my dad's side too. My Grandma Hooley was the glue that held us kind of together and always knew where everyone was. She passed away about 6 years ago. So my oldest two kids got to see her once in their life which is sad she was a great lady. I know its hard for me to say that because honestly I moved around so much as a child I only got to see her and hang out with her from time to time but really thats all you needed. I miss her chocolate zucchuni cake and her 3 bean salad and her peanut brittle was the best.

Me and my dad and my brother Seth

Now this all comes up lately because last week as I was picking my hubby up from work I past by the house my grandpa built with he two hands and I seen they had tore it down and now construction company is using the barn and garages for their own personal use. It was sad. I then decided it was my mission to get in touch with the Hooley's somehow for my sake and my kids sake so they cansee where they come from too. I dont remember a whole lot of them as we werent all that close. My dad passed away gosh like 14ish years ago  and now both my grandpa and grandma were gone. So only other I knew was my sibling from my dad names and a few uncles and cousins. This is where technology is a good thing. Facebook officially came in handy. I found  4 cousins, 2 uncles, and my sister and brother on Facebook.

Me and my sister Marcy and not sure who the other two are

Gosh it is crazy what you can find on facebook haha. I got people from junior high and high school finding me and even my moms  friends finding me lol. But there are times people that I dont want to find me find me and thank goodness for the block button haha. So anyways I sat and talked to one of my cousins for a hour last night and just catching up. I feel good today and complete. I feel like a kid again meeting new friends and learning anything and everything I can. I just hope it all turns out well and it doesnt all back fire. To me Family is Family and they are important no matter what the deal is. We got the same blood and need to stick together and help each other and be there for each other! Life is short!

Thursday Blogging

Ok I know its been crazy around here. I do have some reviews and giveaways to get posted. I just have been so busy with the kids and photography. Plus trying to get back together after the bank account fraud crap we had. We have had doctors appts. and so on. Its crazy. The weather has been great then yesterday Mother natures mood changed and it rained and hailed all day and today we woke up to snow about a inch and its cold and miserable. Plus to top it off my oldest woke up with a sore throat and no voice. Its crazy here.

My youngest has her home nurse coming to check her out and her speech therapist coming next week. I am behind on cleaning, laundry, and food shopping. Mommy needs like 5 to 7 hours to get caught up on everything without kids and then a night out to relax. I really need to get my head back into the game. Keep my eye on the prizes.

So how are all you? Anyone else going through a crazy week or two like I have? Is there anything that helps you get through it?

Thursday Blogging

Its been a long week for me and my family. A really tough one. It is thursday and I am praying the weekend comes fast and that the weather stays nice so I can take the kids to the park and get out of this house for a while.It is much needed time out.

First off Someone got a hold of our bank card and took out over $400  in 5 transactions. That money was for rent and gas. We did eventually get the bank to refund the money well most of it not all of it. The thing that bugs me though is this person got away with $400 dollars and is going most likely get away with it and do it to others. We scrape by paycheck to pay check with not even a single dollar to spare.All of our pills are past due by almost 2 months. We barely make ends meet and someone can be job free and steal other peoples money that is not right!!

Then to top it off the weather is so unpredictable here in Utah right now one day it is in high 60 and low 70s and next day 30s with snow and hail. Its suppose to be Spring. We even had our flowers bloom to have the snow turn around and kill them.I am so ready for the 80s and 90s!!

The kids are back at school after a very long spring break but boy are they whiny this week. Oh my it is crazy between my son who is 9, my duaghters that are 7, 5, and 3. It has been a house of whine here without the cheese. My youngest has been awnry and thinks everything is hers. I hate terrible twos! So mommy needs a time out or a night out. Actually me and my hubby with work, and other jobs and kids have really falling apart and we need something to get us together again. We need a date night!! Only thing is we need a babysitter. Darn oh and money oh well so much for that idea. I think Early bedtime for kids , a Redbox movie and dinner alone will have to do.

Thursday Blogging

So I had some people ask about transitioning from crib to a bed so I thought today i would blog about how I did this with my kids. I recently like 3 weeks ago just transitioned my last baby out of the drib and into a toddler bed and got rid of the crib for good. Now emotional that was hard. No more baby stuff in my house at all. The crib was the last well other than the bottle but thats a whole nother story lol.

My first one she went into a todddler bed on her first birthday. She was mature enough and so ready. The only problem I had with her is I used to hold her until she fell asleep then put her to bed. Yes I learn fast never to do that with any of the other kids. So not only was I getting her into a bed she could easily get out of and out of her room I was breaking her from falling asleep in my arms. It was tough but after about a week it got easier.

My son was 2 when he went from crib to bed. He didnt have a toddler bed though he went directly into a single size bed. The special part for him though is I got a wood frame from a garage sale and sanded it. and painted it dark blue and forest green. Then I got some wood plate like thing shape like sports stuff from the craft store and and painted them and nailed them to each corner of his bed frame. Then I stenciled and painted his name on the head board. He loved it and it was his special sports bed. He still has this bed today almost 8 years later but it can use some touch ups haha.

My 5 year old and 3 year old both went into a Elmo toddler bed around 2 as well. They were both big Elmo freaks so they were excited. Plus when they went into toddler beds they got moved into one of the rooms with their sisters. So they had someone to talk to and play with in their rooms. My 3 year old shares a room with my oldest who is 11. My 5 year old shares with my 7 year old. They were both really ready. Now they are in bunk beds. littles on bottoms and oldests on top. It opened up alot of room  in their rooms to clutter more toys in their rooms haha.

My Youngest she really was the easiest. She went into to her tinkerbell toddler bed on her 2nd birthday. She was really ready. She shared a room with me until  she went into the toddler bed. Now she has her own room. She began climbing out of her crib at 13 months. At 18 months I just started leaving the crib side down because it didnt matter if it was up or down it didnt stop her or slow her down from getting out. Also around 18 month she figured out how to open the doors. She you couldnt keep her in the room if you tried and she didnt like to sleep with me in my bed so ya she is a monkey that cant be trapped haha. We even bought the door knob guards to put on the inside of the bedroom door . You know the child saftey gaurds haha ya that was funny. It took little escape artist one day to figure those out and now she gets out just as fast if it wasnt on the door. She's one smart cookie! She loves her big girl bed though and wont share with anyone trust me I tried to lay in it and she grabbed me by the hair and dragged me out. SHEESSSHH!

My Tips for helping transition from crib to bed:

1. Make sure they are ready mentally

2. Make sure they are mature enough for the extra independance

3. Put the bed the same place and room as the crib was. It is liek a comfort thing. They reconize the place in the dark and dont feel like they are being thrown into a new scary place. Familiar surroundings are very important.

4. Let them help pick out the bed or help set it up. Make it special for them. Let them use the blankets and stuff from their crib and anpother familar surrounding. YOu could even let them pick out a new bed set for their new bed. Just let them feel like this is their choice and their special thing.

5. Make their new bed a fun thing not a forced thing. Liek I play like I say bedtime and she says no I say fine I am gonna get in my big girl bed. Then I run slowly to her room and climb into her bed and pull the covers on. She follows me laughing and screaming at me to get out of her bed and pulls me out. I make going to bed a game then when she gets in and curls up under her covers I read her favorite book and tell her goodnight, love ya and give her kisses and say she you in the morning and shut the door. This leads into my last tip.

6. Routines!!! Have a regular bedtime routine and stick to it every night. I mean this it really does work.  Our routine is to get clothes out for tomorrow. Brush teeth. Get into bed. Bed time story. and then I love you and see you in the morning. I do this every single night with all 6 kids. Same bedtime every night and the kids know what to do and how to do it and  thats that.

So I hope these tips help they worked for my 6 kids and I hope they help you. If you have any more helpful tips let us know. We would love to hear them or your bedtime routines. What worked for you kids and what ages were they when they did this transition?

Thursday blogging

So a new thing I want to do is blog yes not a review just blog about me, my kids, my complaints or whatever haha. So Lets see how this goes.

My Baby

So my baby turned 2 last week and she is growing up so fast. I am just realizing that now. We set up her own room two weeks ago and she loves it. She has a new toddler bed and has not fought about going to sleep in it at all she was completely ready for a big bed. She has been showing signs for potty training too. But honestly I dont know if it is that she is my last baby or that I am just lazy haha but I dont want to potty train yet. I dont even have the will power. All I can think about is the messes to clean up and all the time and stress to say go potty or stop playing in the toliet or sink. I know think about the diapers it will save and the money but really I dont want too.

Another thing I have procrastinated against was removing the bottle. All my other kids were off the bottle by 18 monthes and she is 2 and still on it. She does drink out of a cup great but she still pretty attached to her bottle. I tell myself its because of her food allergies. She doesnt get enough of her nutrients from the limited foods she eats so she still has Nutramigen Formula a couple times a day plus with her reflux I still have to add rice cereal to her formula or soy milk to thickening it up with doesnt do well in sippy cups. Lately though I really want to get rid of the bottle becuase she still wakes up anywhere from 1 to 5 times a night. I mean really she is 2 and I really need a real night sleep. Its been almost 4 years since I have gotten to sleep through the night with out getting woken up. Really its been that long!  I feel now taking away the bottle is my only other option. I tried her own room. I tried letting her cry. I tried sleep with her. I tried formula and feeding right before bed so she was full. She goes through 2 diaper changes at night and at least 2 to 4  8 oz bottles a night. I am not ready for the crying and the fits from taking it away though. I am gonna slowly take it away  and get it to where it is just at nap time and bedtime. for a little while then move to just bedtime and then gone for good. I know at my rate and hers it might take a month or two before its really gone but I am at my last leg I need to do something.

So what are something you slacked on with you baby. What did you take longer to stop then the others? What helped motivate you to do it finally? Any tips for me and getting my 2 year old to sleep through the night? I love her so much and I hate seeing her grow up so fast but I dont want reprecussions for not getting things done when they should have been done. What do you think?