Encouraging Your Child to Read {Kindle FreeTime Unlimited}

Did you know that March is National Reading Month? The folks at Amazon are working with the National PTA, Amazon's Kindle, and the new FreeTime Unlimited program to foster a love of reading and learning in kids everywhere. I'm also going to share a few tips on how to encourage your child to read today.

I've shared a little bit about my own struggles with my oldest, now nine years old. Story time was special for us, but like her mother (ahem, that would be me), she was initially very frustrated when it was time to learn to read on her own. If it didn't happen perfectly, the first time, she didn't want anything to do with it! There was an interest in the stories, but she didn't want to put the work in to read them herself. Fast forward two years, and she's now reading several grade levels ahead. They actually stopped testing her reading level because she's doing so well this year.

I don't say that to brag, but to encourage any moms or dads out there who may be worried about their child's progress. If my highly stubborn, cranky-about-reading-daughter can be transformed into a total bookworm, there is hope for you!

Amazon knows all about reluctant readers, and they're making it easier on parents with their Kindle e-reader...just $79...and their new Kindle FreeTime Unlimited program, subscriptions starting at $2.99 a month!

My girls were beyond thrilled when a Kindle showed up at our door a couple of weeks ago. Here's what we love....

KINDLE:

• Easily look up definitions to words, building their vocabulary
• Love the Vocabulary Builder – which stores words that kids look up and allows them to quiz themselves with flash cards – and Word Wise, which provides short and simple definitions above difficult words as they’re reading along
• Small and compact. No big unwieldy screen to tangle with. 
• Carry their favorite books with them in one spot--with Spring Break approaching, this makes road trips easier to pack for! No lugging a bag of books with us
• You can download books from your local library
• Amazon also has a wonderful free books section for Kindle. I found Tom Sawyer, The Secret Garden, and Treasure Island...downloaded them for free!
• No distractions- there are no extra apps, movies, or games on the Kindle. Just reading!

FREETIME UNLIMITED:

• Unlimited access to hundreds of hand-picked chapter books and early-readers
• Curated for age appropriateness
• Easy to log in and browse titles (early readers, can search by character or theme with photos)
• Just click on the book title/cover and it's downloaded into your child's FreeTime Unlimited profile!
• Subscriptions start at just $2.99 a month. 

Note: FreeTime Unlimited also includes access to apps and videos, but I was unable to review this portion of the service because it is only compatible with Fire tablets and Fire TV.

My conclusion? If you don't need or care for the apps and videos, the regular Kindle is an excellent way to encourage your kids to grow their reading skills. And incredibly affordable! With the FreeTime Unlimited, my girls have the freedom to choose which (age appropriate) books they want to browse and read. OR, I can go in and choose books for them.

Now...for my tips on encouraging reading!

I may go into more detail in another post (and some of this I've touched on before), but here are a few tips and strategies that have worked for us:

• Start early

The earlier the better! Experts recommend reading aloud to your little one every day for 20 minutes...from birth. As a mom of three, I don't think this is always possible. But I do try to set aside time with my youngest (15 months old) to read a few well-loved baby books. I credit reading to my older two from a very young age with sparking their interest in reading.

• Be a teacher

When your little one hits the preschool/Pre-K years, take a few minutes every day during quiet time to practice letters and sounds. You can find flashcards online, in book stores, big box retailers, etc. This is key to what comes next...recognizing those letters and sounds and putting them together. Later on, use those few minutes to do sight words on flash cards.

• Find a tutor

This was a toughie for my oldest, since she was starting to get embarrassed about her reading skills. (not surprising, since getting her to work on sight words and simple reading was like pulling teeth) My husband and I finally put our feet down and sent her to a tutor that my mom recommended. The tutor had years of experience with reluctant readers, and had all sorts of fun games and exercises to grow Natalie's reading skills.

• The Twenty Minute Rule

You can read more about the twenty minute rule, and why I think it's important here (it's twenty five for us). In short, setting a consistent "no TV/movies/gaming/electronics" until you've read for twenty minutes keeps your child's skills sharp. This was a great way to back up all the skills Natalie was learning in her tutoring sessions.

• Audio Books

Audio books are a fantastic way to whet your kids' appetite for a good story! I found that my middle daughter could listen to books like The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; Henry Huggins, A Little Princess, etc. and comprehend most of the story if I just stopped and asked questions and explained every now and then. You can find more on audio book suggestions and ideas here or here.

• Make it Fun

Find some "out of the box" ideas that you can pair with reading time. Start a neighborhood "book club" with a few friends and host with snacks, an activity, and maybe a small craft. Ask lots of questions, act out parts of the book, or share favorite scenes. Encourage your little artist to start a book journal...they can illustrate their favorite chapter, write a summary, write a letter to the author, and pen their own novel!

• Talk to the Teacher

If your son or daughter is struggling with reading, but enjoys electronics, ask about any school sponsored online programs that they can log onto at home to practice their skills. I personally love that the Kindle offers badges for readers who complete their reading goals!

Most importantly, set a good example for your kids! If they see you reading, if you spend time together reading or listening to classic stories, they'll see a glimpse into the amazing, creative world that is waiting for them.

Getting over the initial hump of resistance can be difficult, but once your son or daughter discovers a love of knowledge, imagination, and experiences, it will be hard to quell. There are nights that I have to be stern with Natalie about shutting her book and going to bed!

Do you have any tips for encouraging reading in your home?


If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments, Facebook shares, and Tweets!



I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Vintage Stainless Steel High Chair Makeover

If you follow me on social media, you may remember a Salvation Army steal I posted about seeing on Instagram and Facebook page several months back. I passed up on a $25 vintage stainless steel high chair because at the time I didn't know if I'd be able to take it apart to add new covers, and I didn't have the time with the holidays approaching. My mother-in-law surprised me by buying it for me, and today I want to reveal Harris' new-old Vintage High Chair Makeover.

With the holidays past and long stretches of seemingly endless snow days in sight, I started plotting how I could give the high chair a new life. We have a plastic Fisher Price booster high chair that sits on one of our kitchen chairs, but I loved the stainless piece because it had character! And with seven cousins, having an extra baby seat is super helpful.

Aside from a little rust, it was in great shape. The cover was (at one time) white, and had a cool moroccan tile pattern. Over the years, it had yellowed and had a few tears, so I knew it was time for a replacement. Vinyl fabric was going to be a necessity...easy to wipe clean and pretty durable. The problem was that I wasn't finding many patterns or colors in vinyl fabric that were on trend. I also looked in all the local shops for a vinyl tablecloth, and the only only ones I could find were country grape festooned a la an episode of the Golden Girls in 1986.

Until I remembered that I had a cute-ish outdoor vinyl table cloth sitting in my kitchen sideboard. Like, for free.

So my friend Mandy came over, and we managed to unscrew the seats, remove them, use the gross grody old fabric for a template on the back of my new-ish tablecloth, and cut to fit.

Then we folded the fabric over the existing foam cushions and screwed them back onto the high chair.

Wham, bam, thank you ma'am.

Vintage Stainless Steel High Chair. {mic drop}

Of course, the legs need some scrubbing to make 'em shiny again. But I will probably leave the chair base as-is. I want to keep the original character instead painting it. Like most folks, I go crazy for freshening things up with spray paint, but I really liked the vintage look to this guy.

So, to recap...high chair cost me $0 since my mother-in-law surprised me with it. The covering cost me $0 because I used a tablecloth I already had.

Not bad for a free makeover, huh?

My little guy has been pretty happy with it!

Do you have any vintage pieces in your home?

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments, Facebook shares, and Tweets!

It's as Simple as Support #sisterhoodunite

This sponsored blog partner post brought to you by The Sisterhood of the Motherhood. Today's post is meant to be directed towards moms, but I think it could really be applied to any woman out there who takes the time to read this. This is a continuation of our discussion on ways to stop the mommy judging. I want to talk about supporting moms, whether they make the same choices you do, or not.

It's easy to support the moms we have things in common with. The mom you invite over for coffee when you're not snowed in, the mom who makes you laugh at every book club get-together, the mom who has the shoe collection and fashion sense you envy.

But what about the mom whose parenting style or philosophy differs from yours?

Maybe she homeschools her kids and yours go to private school. Maybe her family only eats organic food and you are a regular at the Chick-fil-a drive-thru. Maybe her kids have a strict bedtime and routine, and yours are night owls. 

If you're a regular reader, you read about my first breastfeeding experience with my older two kids and know that I was able to exclusively pump with both of them. 

I had everything all planned out for baby number three. I planned to pump for as many months as I could, knowing it would be difficult with two girls in school and activities. I planned for him to be a healthy, thriving, breastfed baby.

But, as we all know, life is what happens when you are making other plans. Fast-forward a few weeks after Harris' birth, and I knew something wasn't right.

After some visits with the pediatrician and allergist, we determined that even after me going completely dairy free in my diet for over a month, Harris was not tolerating breast milk, though he wasn't allergic. Both physicians recommended that we immediately switch him over to a special (very very expensive!!) formula. 

It seems silly now, but despite the fact that my son's pain and discomfort went away within a few hours of starting the special formula, I was wracked with horrible guilt. 

I'd never given any of my babies formula that young before. Everyone up until that point had told me that "breast is best." Would he be okay? Was I a terrible mother? Terrible for not recognizing the signs of his pain earlier (it wasn't colic!)? Terrible for giving him formula? My sister did her best to encourage me, but living hundreds of miles away from each other made things difficult.

I focused more on me and my guilt than the fact that my son was finally able to take nourishment without horrible pain.

Enter Joy.

Joy was a lady I knew from my local MOPS group. She wasn't a close friend, but she knew about our situation. Not only did Joy take the time to encourage me to ignore the guilt and any commentary from other moms, but she offered me support.

We're pretty different. 

Joy has six kids, I have three. She does some homeschooling, mine go to the public school across the street. She likes tea, I like mochas...and so on.

But Joy knew I needed someone to speak some positivity into my life. She showed up on our doorstep out of the blue with dinner. She pulled me aside before our MOPS meeting to see how I was doing and to tell me how cute my new baby was.

But most of all, she let me know that there is no one right way to be a mom. I owe her a huge debt of gratitude. Her kind words helped me see how blessed I was with a baby who was thriving...and continues to thrive a year later.

In the past year, I have learned that you don't have to agree with another mom's parenting choices to support and encourage her. I'm sure that there are some choices I make as a mom that would be different from the choices Joy makes. 

But she didn't let that stop her.

Don't let it stop you.

Find a mom who could use some support this week. Give her a hug, send her a hand-written note with a Starbucks gift card, send her a private email with an inspiring quote, or stop by her house with a plate of cookies (after sampling a few to make sure they aren't gross or anything- I mean, be willing to make that sacrifice). 

Tell that mom that she's doing a great job! She is just the mom that her kids need. 

I guarantee that not only will this make her day, but it will make yours too.

As moms and women, we need to do more building each other up and less tearing down. Social media, especially, seems to be a hotbed of vicious activity. Why fuel the fire with all of the circular arguments going on? Are you really really going to change someone's mind with that article you share on Facebook or the comment you leave on an Instagram photo?

Our free time is limited as is with little ones needing to be diapered, fed, driven to activities, homeworked, bathed, and sent to bed. If we used those little windows of free time as opportunities for SUPPORT, think of what we could accomplish!

It's as simple as support.

What's one way you could encourage another mom or woman this week?

*You can learn more about Similac's The Sisterhood of Motherhood on Facebook and their website. There's also a hilarious Mommy Judging video you can watch!

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments, Facebook shares, and Tweets!



Disclosure: Similac partnered with bloggers such as me for its Sisterhood of Motherhood Program. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. All opinions expressed are my own. Similac believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Similac’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

Turn Mommy Judging On Its Head #sisterhoodunite

This sponsored blog partner post brought to you by The Sisterhood of the Motherhood. Call it judging. Call it guilting. Call it shaming. The phenomenon of Mommy Judging seems to be everywhere these days, thanks to the power of social media. Moms criticizing and belittling other parenting choices, and feeling defensive for the choices they make for their own families. Today's post is meant to be a discussion of how we can combat the Mommy Judging in a positive way. Let's turn mommy judging on its head. Please join me!

As I mentioned in my last "sisterhood" post, if you have kids, you've probably experienced (or participated!) in Mommy Judging at some point (there's a whole funny video dedicated to it). I've encountered it a few times over the years.

One very uncomfortable instance I can recall was a few years ago with a casual mom acquaintance. She asked where we would be sending our oldest to school for first grade, and was appalled when I told her Natalie would be attending the public school across the street from us.

She could not, for the life of her, fathom why we would not send Natalie to the local private school that T and I both graduated from. Not that it was any of her business, but finances just would not permit that, and (three years later) we love our neighborhood school and are happy with it. The other mom went on and on, even offering *helpful suggestions* as to ways we could send Natalie to the private school. She went so far as to ask why my mom wouldn't use her staff discount for us.

I was embarrassed, to say the least.

I stammered and stuttered and looked around to make sure none of the other moms could hear the conversation.

How do you respond when other parents question your choices? Sometimes they really do mean well...and sometimes...sometimes they just want to validate their own parenting style and make you feel "less than."

I read Amy Poehler's Yes Please back in November for book club. I was surprised to find that I really connected to Poehler over her reflections on parenting. She's a talented, famous, wealthy actress and I am a stay-at-home sippy cup washer.

We couldn't be any more different.

Yet, we are both moms who want the best for our children.

The part that stood out to me more than any other part in the book was Poehler's revelation that just because a woman does something differently than you does not mean it's the right choice for your family. I highlighted the following quote and it's popped up in my thoughts more than once in the past few months.

"Good for her! Not for me. That is the motto women should constantly repeat over and over again. Good for her! Not for me."

Sarah's family lives on a 987 acre farm in Iowa and raises organic llamas and makes felted llama hair soap that she sells on Saturdays in the outdoor market and donates all the proceeds to blind chickens.

Good for her! Not for me.

Leah only feeds her kids kale.

Good for her! Not for me.

Tracy sends her four year old to college prep class five afternoons a week.

Good for her! Not for me.

Get the picture?

This concept of essentially minding one's own business and choosing to react positively was so freeing to me. {the obvious exception being when a child's health and security are involved--"what would a doctor or policeman say?" is my rule of thumb}

Our generation spends a lot of time behind computer and phone screens. It's become second nature to use social media as a platform to expound on the virtues of our parenting choices, add our two cents when someone hasn't asked for it, or to fire off a rapid response when a mom disagrees with our parenting style.

Sometimes it's easy to forget that the woman on the other side of the screen can do without our scrutiny and judgement, hastily typed out as our fingers fly over the keyboard. No, what she really needs is support, encouragement. A friend. A sisterhood.

I'm doing my best to adopt Amy Poehler's mantra when the schooling-sleep training-baby feeding-discipline-organic or non-organic-etc etc etc argument rears its head yet again in conversation or online. Because, quite honestly, there are more interesting things to talk about sometimes. Who wants to rehash the same thing over and over?

No one is asking you to change your mind or stop being passionate about your parenting style. Maybe just choose to focus on positives instead. Remember that we are all parents who love their little ones...and no one method or way of life fits all.

So, while your choices might be "good for [you], not for me," I think we can agree that an effort to support each other in this journey of parenthood is good for you AND good for me too!

*You can learn more about Similac's The Sisterhood of Motherhood on Facebook and their website.

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments, Facebook shares, and Tweets!

Disclosure: Similac partnered with bloggers such as me for its Sisterhood of Motherhood Program. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. All opinions expressed are my own. Similac believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Similac’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

Stop the Mommy Judging: The Sisterhood of Motherhood #SisterhoodUnite

This sponsored blog partner post brought to you by The Sisterhood of Motherhood. Today's post is a topic close to my heart. I've been thinking a lot about judging and feeling judged. Mommy Judging is everywhere: social media, TV, schools, and play groups. It can be overwhelming. I was over the moon when Similac contacted me about partnering with The Sisterhood of Motherhood, a new campaign for moms everywhere. Join me in watching this hilarious, honest, and encouraging video and we'll continue the conversation below!


"I can't believe they send their son to school there."

"You don't feed your baby organic, whole grain oats grown by nuns in the south of France and hand rowed across the Atlantic in a boat made from reclaimed barnwood?"

"Their daughter dresses like she went through the recycling bin at the thrift store."

"It must be nice to stay home and watch your DVR shows and drink Starbucks all day long."

"It must be nice to get out of the house and go to work and drink Starbucks and relax at a desk all day without a care in the world."

Moms, it's time to be real. Whether you have one child or nine, chances are you've sat on a park bench, roamed the aisles of Target, or been a part of a conversation when you feel judged by other moms for a parenting choice you've made. It could be anything from how you put your toddler to bed, to where you send your child to school, to what you feed your baby.

It hurts, it stings, it's deflating. And it can wash over you and cling if you let it.

If we're being honest with each other, I bet we'd put down our coffee cups for a second, look each other in the eye, and agree that we've probably done some Mommy Judging ourselves. We've turned and done the same thing to others that caused us so much pain.

If you watched the video, you saw that the moms (and dads) were so focused on criticism and one-upping each other that they missed the most important part of a morning at the park: a chance to bond with their children and a chance to connect with other parents.

It took the shock of an impending accident to shake those parents out of their respective bubbles and get them to see past their differences. When it comes down to it, we're all parents who love and cherish their little ones and want the best for them.

What if we took all that negative, frustrating, heavy, binding energy used to hurt and crush others and channeled it into something good, something kind, something encouraging? What if we spent that time focusing on our own loved ones instead of the perceived wrongdoings of other moms?

Yes, no matter what our beliefs, we are parents first.

The Sisterhood of Motherhood is all about a new mindset for moms and dads everywhere. Acceptance is the focus, not our differences. Isn't that refreshing?

CHALLENGE: This week, I challenge you to be on the lookout for a mom or dad who might parent differently than you do. Give them a smile (or a hug, if you know them), a Facebook shout-out, an email, text, or hand-written note, and tell them they're doing a good job!

Tune out the critics and celebrate The Sisterhood of Motherhood! #SisterhoodUnite

**You can follow along with Similac's new program on Facebook and YouTube.

What is one thing you've felt judged for as a mom or dad, and how has it affected you?

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments, Facebook shares, and Tweets!




Disclosure: Similac partnered with bloggers such as me for its Sisterhood of Motherhood Program. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. All opinions expressed are my own. Similac believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Similac’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

Third Trimester Pregnancy Must Haves {Mommy's Must Haves List}

Welcome back to my Mommy's Must Haves series, a guide to the essentials for pregnancy and baby...written by a mom of three. My lists are compiled in an effort to be budget friendly, and today's is no different. Today, I'm sharing a brief list of my must-haves for the third trimester of your pregnancy.

If you haven't read the must have lists for the first trimester or second trimester, be sure to check those out and Pin them to read later. Many/most of those items will continue on into your third trimester.

1. Comfortable Daytime Shoes
As each of my pregnancies progressed, my feet always swelled pretty badly towards the end. No complications or pain...just a lot of water retention. It helped to have some comfortable, but stylish flats to throw on when I needed to go somewhere.

2. Flip Flops
See #1 above. If you're pregnant in the summer, chances are you may want to just live in your flip flops. Summer heat, humidity, and water weight can make flip flops the only bearable option for some.

3. Tennis Shoes
This trimester is all about the shoes, isn't it? Hopefully, you've had a chance to fit some exercise in all along. With my first pregnancy, I worked in an office all day, and didn't often have the chance to be up and about. When I hit my third trimester, I made a big effort to slip on my tennis shoes, leash the dog, and take a walk around the neighborhood. I found this made a big difference in my recovery from an unexpected c-section. Getting up and walking is crucial!

4. Comfy Socks
So you're tired from having your shoes pinching your feet all day. Grab some confy socks or slippers and put your feet up! If this is your first pregnancy, please, for the love of all that is holy, rest while you can. You're gonna be really, super tired soon.

5. Supportive Bra
This was actually part of the maternity wardrobe I mentioned in the second trimester must have list, but it bears repeating. I'll discuss nursing and pumping bras in another list.

6. Thank You Notes
Hopefully a friend or sweet co-worker has thrown or will throw a little baby celebration to celebrate your little one. You can find cute thank you notes at Target or WalMart! Call me old-fashioned, but I think it's important to take the time to properly thank friends and family who

7. Waterproof Mattress Pad
With one failed induction and three c-sections, I never had to worry about my water breaking, but chances are that you will. It would be a shame to ruin a mattress when a simple waterproof mattress pad would do the trick. My husband works in the industry, so a waterproof mattress pad was on our list during the first pregnancy, before we knew that our daughter's giant head would make future c-sections a necessity for me. Already have a mattress pad? Now you'll have a spare. If you already have kids, you know spare bed linens are a must!

8. Casserole Dishes
Download, buy, or borrow some freezer cooking recipe books and make a few now! Grabbing a freezer meal on those nights that you are just tired, or those nights after baby is here and you are just exhausted, will make your life a bit easier.

9. Hospital Tour Sign Up
Contact your hospital or their website and look to see if they offer tours of the maternity ward. Our hospital also offers a fun, free sibling class for big brothers and sisters. They conclude the class with a tour. I remember feeling slightly less overwhelmed when I arrived for my induction with baby #1 because I'd seen the nursery beforehand.

10. Nursery Plan
I'll write an entirely separate post detailing must-haves for a nursery, baby gear, etc. But if you haven't started thinking about where your little one will sleep and grow, start planning now. Even if you think you want baby to sleep in your room for the first few weeks, you may too tired and busy after he/she arrives to decorate a baby's special space. Being armed with a plan will make you feel prepared.

11. Hospital Bag
I usually don't pack a hospital bag until a week or two before I know I'll be heading in, but if you've been experiencing complications or if your doc thinks an early delivery is a possibility, you may want to think about having a bag stashed, just in case. As with item #10 on this list, I'll share a separate post for Hospital Bag essentials, to keep this post from being overwhelming.

I can't think of too much more that you might need in your third trimester that is a "must have."

I know a lot of first timers plan "babymoons" with their first pregnancy. If you are on a budget and worried about saving to pay for baby's necessities and hospital bills, please don't spend more money or go into debt to go on vacation. You don't need to leave town to enjoy some quiet time with your husband before baby arrives. Go out to a nice local restaurant, take a walk, finish up shopping for the nursery, or plan a candlelight dinner at home followed by a movie. You'll be glad you saved that money for unexpected expenses down the road...there are always one or two!

Experienced moms, what are some of your must-haves for the third trimester of pregnancy? New moms, what are some things you know now that you wish you'd known then?

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments, Facebook shares, and Tweets!

Second Trimester Pregnancy Must Haves (Mommy's Must Haves List}

Back again with another installment of my Mommy's Must Haves series for new and expecting mamas. All the essentials for pregnancy and baby. You can click here to start the series from the beginning. Today, I'm going to share a list of my essentials for the Second Trimester of Pregnancy.

Here are some of the essentials for your second trimester...on a budget!

1. Body Pillow
There are probably 567 different kind of pregnancy body pillows that you can buy. These are fantastic as your belly grows. You can use it to support your back or your belly, depending on what's achy or uncomfortable.

My best tip? Forget the pricey ones and buy a $15 body pillow from WalMart or Target. If you decide to "upgrade" later on, go for it, but I found that a cheap pillow and pillowcase from WM did the trick. Save the cash and buy yourself a cute pair of shoes.

2. Tums

You may or may not start to experience heartburn in your second trimester. Please consult your doctor first, but mine allowed me over-the-counter Zantac after a certain number of weeks for the really unbearable cases. Otherwise, I stuck to Tums. But be careful not to overdo those too. 

3. Baby Pinterest Board
Yes, now's the time to start a Pinterest board and fill it up with all sorts of tips, projects, and ideas you find as you scour the web. Not ready to announce your pregnancy yet? You can make your board secret! I have a Pinterest board that I dedicated to nursery ideas, baby gear, tips, and more. Feel free to check it out for inspiration and RePins!

4. Maternity Wardrobe
Yep, at some point you're going to start to "show." If this is your second or third baby, you'll be surprised at how much sooner this happens! I have a very thorough older post with all the necessities of a budget maternity wardrobe outlined. Please check it out to see what you'll need...you might be surprised!

Although it was geared towards Fall and Winter pregnancies, you can easily tailor it to Spring or Summer by swapping the pants for capris and going for lighter weight layering pieces rather than heavy sweaters.

5. Diapers
Huh? You're probably wondering why this chick is recommending that you buy diapers during your second trimester. Don't worry, you won't need them. But baby will. And diapers cane be expensive!!

I finally caught on and started buying a pack or two of diapers in my chosen brand (we love Pampers here) every couple of weeks. By the time baby #3 was here, I had a pretty good stash of diapers on hand. I am sure my husband appreciated not being sent out for diapers every other night.

Tip? You probably won't need that many packs of the newborn size diapers. I'd recommend buying maybe two large packs (keep your receipt taped to them!) and then a few in sizes 1, 2. I also love Pampers "Baby Dry" diapers for night time.

6. Announcement

You do not need to send out paper pregnancy announcements. Please, please save your money for diapers, wipes, clothes, baby food, etc. BUT...it can be fun to do a creative pregnancy for your family, especially if this is your first baby. There are loads of ideas out there. I shared our creative pregnancy announcement to the kids last year on the blog.

And that's pretty much it for the second trimester. If you missed the first trimester tips, you can catch them here, since some of those must-haves you will carry with you throughout your pregnancy.

What are some of your must-haves for the second trimester pregnancy?

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.

Best Pregnancy and Parenting Books {Must Have List}

Last week, we opened up the Mommy's Must Haves series with a list of essential items for your first trimester. (You can view the whole series here) One of the things I mentioned was using your first trimester to get a hard start on all that reading! This week, I'm going to share some of my favorite pregnancy and parenting books.

Remember, this series is based on what worked for me...I'm a mom of three little ones, so I've had a chance to read a lot, choose the methods I like, and discover what works for our family. What I found to be informative or useful might not work out for you. The key is to learn as much as you can and try out new things until you find your groove! Please no rude comments about how you dislike a certain parenting style or method. Those will be deleted right away.

What to Expect When You're Expecting- Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel
One of the long-time "pregnancy Bibles" for expecting moms. I've seen this book discouraged on some blogs for being too "Debbie Downer," but I'll give the authors props for being thorough. There are so so sooo many questions women have during pregnancy (especially their first), and this book really covers all the bases. My best advice for this book? Don't skip the part on cesarean sections, thinking it won't apply to you. The nurse that led our childbirth class said the same thing when I was expecting my first, and of course I didn't listen. Three c-sections later, I'm a pro, but I do wish I had been more informed going in.

Your Pregnancy Week by Week- Glade P. Curtis and Judith Schuler 
I referenced this one quite a bit during my first pregnancy because I loved reading weekly updates.

Baby Bargains- Denise Fields and Alan Fields
If you're a first time mama and have no clue what kind of gear you need, where to get it for a good price, and what to buy, this is a good one to pick up. I remember doing a lot of research on pack 'n plays, carseats, and strollers with this one.

The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy- Vicki Iovine
Reads exactly as if you are listening to a funny, honest, and experienced mom friend. She gives practical advice and talks about things your doc doesn't usually get to during those routine appointments. A great balance of funny and poignant.

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding- La Leche League International and Diane Wiessinger 
T's cousin recommended this one to me when I was pregnant with our first. I found a copy in our local thrift shop and found it to be very informative. Unfortunately, breastfeeding doesn't work out for every mom (and it's okay!!!!), so I worry that this book might cause some new moms undue stress or guilt if their breastfeeding experience (or lack of one) doesn't go the way they had planned. Exclusive pumping was not popular when I was doing it, so I wish my copy of the book had been more helpful in that area...perhaps the newer editions do?

What to Expect the First Year- Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel
Like it's counterpart listed above, this is a fabulous, thorough look at a baby's first year. I really really recommend reading the sections on the first three or four months before baby arrives so that you have a little bit of an idea of what to expect. It was even a good refresher for me to read with my second and third pregnancies!

Moms on Call- Jennifer Walker and Laura Hunter (not pictured above, sorry)
I read this one when I was pregnant with baby #3 and loved that they practically lay out everything a new mom needs to know, from how to diaper and how to swaddle, to how to give an infant a bath. They also offer some great schedules to try out, as well as a handy iPhone app!

Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care- Benjamin Spock, M.D.
This book is like the holy grail of information on caring for your baby. It may be old, but Dr. Spock's book has been in print for more than 50 years, so clearly something is working. I remember that my mom had a copy of this in our bathroom drawer! The most recent editions have also been updated along with current advances in health.

Sippy Cups are Not for Chardonnay- Stefanie Wilder-Taylor
A very humorous look at parenting an infant!

The Diaper Diaries- Cynthia L. Copeland
Another humorous read that will make you smile during those tiring first few weeks. I remember feeling so nervous and strung-out over breast-feeding, lack of sleep, and uncertainty...and this book made me smile. I knew the author "got it."

Note: I save these two for last because they truly saved my life. With my oldest daughter, I was exhausted, hormonal, and totally unsure of what I was doing. Reading these next two books and "editing" things to fit our family made mothering during that first year simpler. I loved having a loose schedule to follow and my daughter thrived as she grew older (seriously, off the charts in percentiles) and I set some "bedtime rules." The way the authors do things may not be for you, but they note that you can tailor things to fit your family, which is what we did. I have three happy, healthy, well-adjusted kids. They eat well and have been sleeping in their own beds with no problems whatsoever since being a few months old. I call that success. (Again, if you're not a fan, you don't need to leave an ugly comment--I will delete it.)

On Becoming Babywise- Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam M.D.
This is book one in a series. Wonderful, practical tips on feeding philosophies, sleep, day time play, healthy baby growth charts, etc. Again, not for everyone...but I have three awesome kids who harbor no ill will towards me for encouraging them to learn to soothe themselves to sleep.

Twelve Hours' Sleep by Twelve Weeks Old: The Baby Sleep Solution- Suzy Giordano and Lisa Abidin
In the haze of not having slept in weeks, I ripped this book off the shelf at our local bookstore when our oldest was a little over a month old. I didn't follow it to the "T" because we stretched things out and tweaked the timeline/scheduling to suit ourselves. But I loved her tips on soothing a fussy baby, keeping a little one awake to feed, etc.

I also wrote a post with the Best Pregnancy Websites and Blogs last year. I do hope you'll check it out!

Hope you find some of these titles helpful and inspiring!

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.

First Trimester Pregnancy Must Haves {Mommy's Must Haves series}

Welcome, moms, moms-to-be, and moms who want to share this series with their friends. (haha) Today brings the first post in my new series, Mommy's Must Haves...all about the essentials for pregnancy and baby. Written by a mom of three on a budget!

If you just found out you're expecting, congratulations. This is such an exciting (and emotional!) journey you're embarking on. Trust me, now's the time to start planning and preparing for your new arrival. Don't ask me how I know, but it stinks to wait until the last minute. {wink}

If you're planning and hoping to be pregnant soon, welcome to you too! It's a great idea to make healthy choices and plans before you 

As I mentioned in the series opener, every single pregnancy is different! You may have morning (or afternoon, or night) sickness; you may not. You might go up three bra sizes; you might get away with just wearing something stretchy. What worked for me might not work for you, so take my tips with a grain of salt and be prepared to try some other ideas!

You really don't need much for your first trimester, but here are some items that I found to be helpful over the course of my three pregnancies!

1. Saltines

I had awful, terrible nausea with all three of my pregnancies. All day, all afternoon, and all evening until I went to bed. I was the most tired with baby #3, probably due to the fact that I was exhausted from the pregnancy...plus taking care of my two other kiddos. Saltines were something I could nibble on without feeling like I was going to hurl...right away.

You may have morning (or afternoon, or night) sickness; you may not. Find something, anything (!) you can eat without wanting to throw up. With my first baby, fresh fruit helped me feel better. Find your thing and hold onto it!

2. Water Bottle or Straw Cup

Again with the morning sickness! Sometimes the only thing that kept me from "tossing it" was taking little bitty sips of very very very cold ice water. If I felt the nausea coming on, I'd start sipping, and sometimes it would keep things at bay. Also, water is good for you.

3. Ginger Ale

I don't think the brand really matters, but sometimes Ginger Ale also helps curb the nausea...also, it's nice to be able to order something besides water when you go out to eat as a treat. (Especially since you'll be turning down margaritas for the next nine months!)

4. Ginger Pops

I'm adding these (Preggie Pops) to the list because they were recommended to me by so many friends. There wasn't much that seemed to work for me, but friends have sworn by the ginger pops! You can find them at CVS, WalMart, etc.

5. A good OB/GYN

This should be a no-brainer, but I've heard so many mom friends talk about how much they dislike their docs and end up switching when they get pregnant. Find yourself a good OB/GYN! Look for someone who is empathetic, takes the time to listen and answer your questions, and isn't pushy. Also be sure you like the staff! I've had the same OB/GYN since I got pregnant with Natalie, my oldest. Not only is my doc excellent, someone I trust (she's done all three c-sections!), but her staff is fabulous. They are kind, friendly, and don't keep me waiting!!!

6. Pregnancy Journal

I'll level with you. You probably won't have time to do this if this is not your first pregnancy. You have enough on your hands to deal with, so don't beat yourself up. If this is your first baby, a pregnancy journal can be a fun way to record your feelings, experiences, and health. My sis gave me one when I was pregnant with Natalie, and I loved it. You'll also be able to look back and compare if you have more little ones later on.

7. Prenatal Vitamins

Hopefully, you're already taking some for the folic acid. My OB/GYN prescribed some prenatal vitamins during my first two pregnancies, but they were so expensive ($50 a month with our new insurance!!) with baby #3 that I just took over-the-counter ones and never noticed a difference. Ask your doc what he/she recommends, and they probably have some great samples for you to try. 

8. Pregnancy and Baby Books

One of my top pregnancy tips? Start reading those pregnancy and baby books now, and take notes! First-time moms, I don't need to tell you. You probably already have a stack of them on your coffee table. I'll share a list of my favorite pregnancy and baby books next week, but you can also check out my list of best pregnancy websites and blogs! If this isn't your first pregnancy, it's still kind of nice to dust off those pregnancy books and brush up on your knowledge.

Other first trimester tips:

-Nighttime vitamins

If you are unable to keep anything down, try taking your vitamins at night after you brush your teeth. I found I was less likely to hurl them back up, and it also helped me to remember to take them since I was following a routine.

-Avoid caffeine

My doctor told me that small amounts of caffeine (ie. one small cup of coffee a day) are okay, but I preferred to play it safe and went cold turkey. If you're experiencing morning sickness, the thought of that coffee, mocha, Coke, etc. may make you feel gross anyways. I held off until around 20 weeks and then allowed myself a small amount after that so I wouldn't go nuts. Ask your doctor!

-Rest up!

You're growing a human being. I found this trimester to be the most utterly exhausting of all. I suppose it's kind of a shock to introduce a human into your system. When I was pregnant for the first time, I used to come home from working 9 to 5, take a 2 hour nap, and then still go to bed by 10 because I felt so awful from throwing up all day. My husband, who was possibly the least sympathetic partner ever (don't worry, he learned his lesson by subsequent pregnancies!) did not understand this at all, and frequently made me feel awful about wanting/needing extra rest. Don't let anyone give you slack for needing a nap or two! By baby #3, T was the one telling me to go put my feet up and take a load off. 

If you already have little ones at home, start enforcing a nap time or quiet time. I promise, it won't kill them. Take some time for yourself and rest up for your new baby.

What are your top must haves for the first trimester of pregnancy? Any good tips?

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.