100 Way to Encourage a new mom!

My sister was right, my blog is totally becoming a mommy blog!  :-) 

1. Fold her laundry – especially all the socks
2. Leave immediately when the baby falls asleep so she can nap
3. Bring chocolate
4. Don’t tell her to call if she needs anything, just drop by and help with everything
5. Take the big kids out for a play date
6. Tell her she’s a hero
7. Bring her food in disposable dishes so she doesn’t have to deal with washing or returning them
8. Don’t tell her to carpe diem
9. Cry with her
10. Laugh with her
11. Share details of what you love about her baby
12. Watch Up All Night with her
13. Don’t tidy your house before she comes over to visit – it doesn’t help her to think you have it all together
14. Tell her a day will come when she will sleep again
15. Make her a 2am nursing station on Pandora
16. Email her a bunch of fun deals links she can surf while nursing
17. Make sure she’s actually in 1 out of every 1,000 photos she’s taking
18. Take candid pictures of her in the new daily routine
19. Bring diapers when you visit
20. Offer to drive her on errands and stay in the car with the baby
21. Be honest about how hard motherhood can be
22. Text her encouraging messages throughout the day
23. Come over and hold the baby so she can have her arms back for a while to do chores or cook or catch up on anything that’s driving her crazy
24. Tell her to keep her phone on vibrate so you can call without being “that person who woke the baby.”
25. Don’t let her become isolated in the baby cocoon – invite her and the baby out so she can reconnect with friends
26. Never expect her to show up anywhere on time
27. Bring her lip gloss
28. Massage her neck and shoulders
29. Run her a hot bath
30. Don’t imply that breast feeding should be a breezy walk in the park; let her know it’s normal to struggle sometimes getting the hang of it
31. If she chooses to go the bottle route, please let her do so guilt free
32. She is just discovering the hard world of mother guilt – please don’t do or say anything to add to that burden
33. Don’t share any horror stories related to motherhood
34. Protect her from turning on the news in her first few weeks of being home
35. Vacuum
36. Bring fresh flowers
37. Take out any dried up bouquets
38. Paint her toe nails
39. Tell her she’s beautiful
40. Don’t tell her by now your kids were all sleeping through the night
41. Especially if by “sleeping through the night” you mean from 1am to 5am.
42. Remember that your memories of new motherhood have the romantic haze of distance
43. Wash her dishes without being asked
44. If you come over for a meal, please bring the meal and then clean it all up afterwards
45. Let her know it’s normal to stand hunched over a sleeping baby just listening to them breathe
46. Anytime she is disappointed by her new figure remind her that she grew a human being – that’s a miracle and turns out miracles need room to grow
47. Don’t bring over any magazines that feature celebrities in swimsuits 6 weeks after giving birth
48. Ask her what the one chore is around the house she wishes she could get to and do it for her
49. Always bring your camera when you visit
50. Print and frame one of the zillion photos she emails of the baby; include baby’s name and birth date
51. Bring toys/games over for the older kids when you visit
52. Tell her it’s OK to feel like you want to quit motherhood some days
53. But tell her that Trace Adkins is right and she’s gonna miss this one day
54. Don’t just make a hand print of the baby – make one of mom and/or dad’s too for a fun comparison keepsake
55. Bring her a Memory Keeper Box for that hospital bracelet, first lock, or even those first few pairs of shoes or favorite toys
56. If she has to go back to work, assure her God will be watching over that precious baby. She is brave if she gets up while it is still dark to provide for her family
57. Tell her pizza covers all the food groups
58. Hold the baby so she can get a shower
59. Bring over the Pride and Prejudice (BBC Series) boxed set for all those dinner {for the baby} and a movie {for her} months
60. Ask her which baby items she still needs – get her those instead of the cute clothes you have your eye on
61. Assure her you understand that while she might know that she’s walking on holy ground, that doesn’t mean she won’t still feel irritated how often that ground is strewn with cracker crumbs and yesterday’s socks
62. Admit motherhood is one of the hardest things you’ve ever done
63. Go ahead and quote that goodie-but-oldie, “It’s not brave if you’re not scared.” {Thank you Ben Affleck}
64. Warn her everyone will have an opinion on how she mothers but at the end of the day, hers is the only one that matters
65. Assure her motherhood is not graded; some days just surviving is victory enough
66. Tell her that drive-throughs are the best friends of mothers-with-sleeping-babies everywhere
67. Keep a pack of Thank You Cards handy in case she freaks out late one night that she hasn’t thanked anyone for all the meals
68. Never expect a thank you card from a sleep deprived new mom
69. Tell her there is no such thing as “doing it all.” And especially no such thing as “doing it all perfectly.”
70. Reassure her that sometimes the love and happiness in a home is directly proportional to the mess.
71. Send a special prayer, encouragement or blessing addressed to the baby via snail mail
72. Turn the music up and dance with her and the baby
73. Suggest that the greatest Pandora station for soothing baby music that mama can also love has to be “Winter Song” by Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles
74. Take her (and the baby) for a walk
75. Stock her fridge with necessities anytime you come over – like milk, bread, eggs, yogurt, ice cream etc – in case she isn’t up for grocery shopping
76. Watch the baby for her while she goes grocery shopping
77. Suggest she spend 15 extra minutes just reading in the magazine aisle
78. Tell her it’s normal to be be smitten with newborn love one minute and weeping with tired the next
79. Encourage her that a content household is rarely ever a perfect one
80. Remember to always be kind to the mom on your flight
81. Bring a goodie bag over for the new mom and not just the baby when you come to visit
82. If you’re too far to bring over a meal, tell her dinner from her favorite delivery place is on you
83. Tell her there’s no shame in cereal for breakfast, lunch and dinner
84. Make up midnight snacks for her to grab when she’s up feeding the baby
85. Tell her not every photo needs to be perfect – sometimes the closer to real life, the better
86. Give her the The Girlfriends’ Guide to Surviving the First Year of Motherhood for when she needs to laugh
87. Give her Devotions for Sacred Parenting: A Year of Weekly Devotions for Parents for when she needs to be inspired
88. Tell her matching socks are highly overrated
89. Wash the baby bottles for her
90. Tell her not to sweat store bought baby food, disposable diapers or pacifiers
    - whatever works, works
91. Reassure her that perfect is merely a street sign at the intersection of impossible and frustration in Never Never land
92. Tell her motherhood should come with a super hero cape, a really cute one with sparkles
93. Buy her sparkly nail polish
94. Tell her not to sweat everything Pinterest tells her she should be doing, baking, making and crafting for the baby
95. Encourage her to embrace PJ days – even if they last for weeks
96. Encourage her also to go spend two glorious hours at the hair dresser while you watch the baby
97. Tell her about all the women who did all these things for you
98. Assure her that just passing along the encouragement one day is thank you enough
99. Remind her it’s the ordinary days that make the extraordinary memories
100. Promise her it will just keep getting better

Thanks the gypsy momm!

Baby Eviction Notice

I found this too funny not to share!

BABY EVICTION NOTICE
I, the Landlord (Mommy), am issuing a notice for EVICTION. Tenant (Baby) will have to comply and promptly vacate the premises, or wait until authorization for removal by physician. After which, she will be removed from the property by induction.
The Tenant (Baby) is being evicted due to breach of contract and destruction of property. Expansions only to the FRONT of the house, within reasonable limits, were discussed. Not only have these limits been exceeded, but additions to the back and sides of the house were also made without approval from the Landlord (Mommy).
Remodeling and gutting of the home was never approved, nor was changing the initial layout and base structure. Due to the damage by the Tenant (Baby), the foundation has been compromised, and the structural integrity of the house is questionable. The Landlord (Mommy) has also received numerous complaints about frequent nightly disturbances.
If the Tenant (Baby) doesn’t comply with the notice it will result in an immediate and forceful removal at the discretion of a physician and the Landlord (Mommy)

Rolo Cake Mix Bars

Okay, I need these like I need a hole in my head.  With that being said, don't they just look amazing?!

Rolo Cake Mix Bars

Ingredients

• 1 box (18.25 oz) yellow, vanilla or white cake mix ( I used Duncan Hines), dry
• 5 oz evaporated milk
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 40 Rolo Candies, unwrapped and cut in half

How to Make

1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray.
3. With your mixer, beat cake mix, evaporated milk and butter until combined. Mixture will be thick and sticky.
4. Divide batter in half and press 1 half into the bottom of the pan.
5. Bake until just set, approximately 8-9 minutes.
6. Remove base from oven and place Rolo candies, caramel-side down on top.
7. Drop remaining batter on top of Rolos in teaspoon sized amounts.
8. Bake for 20-24 minutes longer until top begins to golden.
9. Cool completely before cutting into squares.

Thanks Cookies & cups!

tips n' tricks

Ames Tribune! I feel like I took a huge step into adulthood {as if we're not there already with two kiddos!} but i ordered the paper!  A sign we're getting older :-)  It costs $120.00 for a year & I'm making it a challenge to myself that I make that back in the coupons i'll get from it.  So, I'll keep you posted!   I have a spreadsheet ready & everything...I know, I'm a dork!

 Phone Trick:  this one is for my sister Haley who says my blog has become a mommy blog! :-)  Ryan actually shared this one.  But, when I listen to my Pandora on my phone if I put it in an empty bowl (like a cereal bowl)  it sounds SO MUCH FULLER!  It really makes a difference.  Someday I'll get a docking station, but until then this will work just fine!

 Shelf:  This spring I am soooo making this.  I have fallen in love with it, simple, rustic & just my style!

 

Sippy cups:  for all you moms out there you KNOW what I'm talking about finding the perfect sippy cups.  Ones that don't spill ...its nearly impossible.   Well, I finally found some that we LOVE!  They are Nalgene sippy cups!  I had NO idea they sold these but I found 'em on Amazon for 7.50/each and got free shipping with my membership to Amazon Prime {love this btw, I'll have a whole post devoted this! }

My funny husband:  Ryan started this segment called,  "the faces of Cy" with funny captions.  This one was my favorite..."You want to take my temperature WHERE?"
 

Diapers online @ target.com

I have become a BIG believer to buying diapers online, more specially :

www.target.com

I love their Up & Up diapers. 

When T-man was a baby I did the typical first time parents thing & tested out all the different types of diapers: huggies, pampers, luvs etc.  For one reason or another they didn't suit our needs (mostly because T-man would pee them all out) & then I tried Up & Up diapers (targets brand) & feel in love with them!  And...the plus side?  They are always cheaper than the name brand diapers & I don't have to worry about having coupons to get 'em!  Then came Cy & getting out with the two boys at first felt completely overwhelming (still is sometimes!) and I discovered target.com delivers FREE SHIPPING {as in TO your front door!} of their diapers with any order over $50.00! Not hard to do with TWO kiddos in diapers (I plan to tackle potty training tucker this late spring/early summer when I 'm getting more sleep!)  and...if you go through www.ebates.com you get an ADDITIONAL 3% off your total order.  AND if your order the diapers & they outgrow them you can return  & exchange them at your target store.  pretty cool, huh?  Now I could be saving all sorts of money if I did cloth & I have SO MUCH respect for those that do but if you're like me & not cut out for 'em, give this a shot! 

my 3 baby must haves!

We are borrowing this type of chair from Ryan's grandparents while they are in Arizona for the winter & I LOVE IT!  We didn't use a chair like this with Tucker & I regret not doing so.  We keep it in our bedroom & is so helpful for the middle of the night feedings.   I set Cy on the ottoman part & change him, quick & easy! love it!

to keep me occupied during feedings I've been using our online netflix account & watching the TV show Frasier to keep me occupied. I AM LOVING IT.  I literally crack up, laugh out loud uncontrollabley sometimes!  I've even woke up Ryan a few times in the middle of the night by my laughter. :-)  I get a KICK out of that show.

I think they say your sense of smell is your strongest sense with memory.  So, we used this little trick with Tucker & now with Cy but after his bathtime we lather him up with this Johnson & Johnson bedtime lotion.  Who knows if its helping, but we'd like to think so! :-)  I feel like the last week we've made big improvements with his sleeping stretches...Thursday night he slept for 7 straight hrs & Friday night he slept for 6 straight hrs.  YAHOO!  It is my prayer nightly that this continues!

Only in Iowa...

 First of all i think this is incredible romantic.  I've grown up around alot of farmers &  if you know a farmer they are practical, very practical. So I found this so sweet.

100 Cows Make Moooving Valentine's Surprise

 CRESTON, Iowa -- An Iowa wife got quite a surprise for Valentine's Day. Take a look at this picture!

KCCI viewer deetravis uploaded the picture to our u Local page.She wrote, "My husband surprised me this morning with a heart shaped valentine he made while haying the cows!! Very creative! I loved it. We farm in SW Iowa near Creston."The picture shows close to 100 cows "helping" with the surprise.

Read more: http://www.kcci.com/entertainment/30465965/detail.html#ixzz1mlbAQSt4

STTN week 6

(sorry for the poor quality of picture.  this was taken from my camera phone & it has one too many scratches on the case!)

Cy turn 6 weeks yesterday! The first of many milestones.  This past week has started smiling & cooing...which is totally make us fall head over heels more in love with him!  He is starting to sleep a little better (thankfully!) & we've even dropped a middle of the night feeding already!  I think this next week I'm going to try & spread out his feedings from 3 hrs to 3hrs 15 mins.  His nighttime routine is as follows:

6:45 pm  bathtime
7:00 pm 5 ounces in a quiet, light darkened room. get him swaddled up before feeding him.  burp him then set him down to sleep in his crib.  with the sound machine on.  he'll sleep til 10:00 pm
10:00pm  wake him up for his dreamfeed.  5 ounces with a pinch of rice cereal. don't change diaper & leave lights low.  put down to sleep immedately after.

*he is sleeping in his crib for most of the night!  after he wakes up sometime after 5:45ish we'll bring him back into our bedroom where the pack & play is  so he doesn't wake up Tucker

he usually wakes up 1:30-3:30 for a feeding.  he's been gulping down his feeding & heads right to sleep.  he usually wakes up around 5:45-7:00.

Pros:
makes it to three hours between feedings like a champ
Falls back asleep after his middle of the night feeding (story at that later)
does well at resturants

Cons:
starting to not like his carseat
still working on self soothing himself to sleep during the day
still working on a routine & not going to sleep without sleeping props (such as swing or bouncy seat)
the boys sharing a room has been more challenging then we thought, but we're figuring it out.  
  
This week we're going to work on:
going from 3 hr. between feedings to 3 hrs 15 mins.
working on the Cry it out Method for naptimes
sleeping in his crib for most naps.
work on identifying sleep cues (he has started yawning this week, so that helps!)


that's whats been happening in our little world!  :-)

boys will be boys

in our duplex, on the other side live three boys.  they have been great tenants.  We have two funny stories we'll want to remember.

You had a baby??
Feb 1st our doorbell rang and one of the boys came over to pay Feb. rent.  I answered the door with Cy in my arms & he looks at me down at Cy completely bedazzled.   His face said it all ... "where the heck did that little guy come from!?!"  Ryan & I got a GOOD laugh out of this because they have lived next to us for the last nine months & must not of seen my belly expanding! :-) 

Wellness Check:
When Cy was about two weeks old & sleeping for all of us was at a prime (still is, but that is another post :-)) at about 3:00 A.M. in the morning we heard LOUD pounding on the door next door.  (to the boys' place)  it kept going & going. So Ryan headed down to see if one of the boys had been locked out.  He opened the door to find two police officers.  He said they were doing a wellness check for our one tenant Rob.  Ryan lets the officers in, they look around & don't find Rob & they left.  The next morning Rob comes home & we told him that alot of people were looking for him.  He said that he had drank too much & texted his dad (who lived 2 hours away) he had  MEANT to text 'help, I need a ride'  instead he was just able to write  'help' then passed out.  his parents of course freaked out (as they should have) & tried calling him & couldn't get ahold of him & then called the police officers.  ahhh the joys of living next to college students! :-)

STTN

STTN is what every mother strives for, from the day they get home from the hospital...SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT. With each week I feel like we are getting closer but still have a WAYS to go!  Cy is such a good, laid back baby!  {which is sch a huge blessing!)   I specially remember Tucker sleeping through the night at 10 weeks...and it.was.glorious!  Since then we think he's been up ONCE since then--(in the middle of the night--one bad night of teething--he's a great sleeper, but I can't take any credit for, I attribute it to babywise!)  Cy just turned 4 weeks last Friday & here is his schedule.  (so i remember for the next kid)  We have been working like CRAZY to get the babywise schedule established. Have I mentioned I thrive on routine??  I am most efficient  & pleasant (as my husband will attest!) when I have a routine. :-)  The below "flow" of our day is working on this routine.   According to the book I follow  this routine should be established by week 9ish.  (keeping my fingers crossed!)

**Warning:  this will be boring for most readers, really this is for us to remember for our next kiddo**

Cy at 4 weeks:

7:00 am.  Wake up  (change diaper & eat 5 ounces)  (wake him up if he isn't already)
7-8 play (activity mat, face time with mommy, daddy & tucker)
8:00-10:00 Nap 

10:00a.m. feed & diaper change (5 ounces) (wake him up if he isn't already)
10-11 playtime
11-1 Nap

1 pm feed & diaper change (5 ounces) (wake him up if he isn't already)
1-2 playtime
2-4 naptime

4:00 feed & diaper change (5 ounces) (wake him up if he isn't already)
4-5 playtime
5-7 Naptime

*****
6:45p.m. wake him up (or he might even already be up) & give a bath, change to p.j.'s
7:00 p.m. turn down lights,  give bottle & put right to bed (no playtime) (5 ounces) lights down & quiet atmosphere. turn on sound machine

7-10 sleeps  ---(I usually go to sleep around 9 & Ryan does the last feeding)
**amazing what a week will make, last week he only slept from 7-8:30!) **

10:00 p.m. wake him up & give him his "dreamfeed."  don't change diaper, lights off & feed him 5 ounces & put him right back to bed.  turn on sound machine

then...wait for HIM to wake up.  This time is usually sometime around 2:30ish.  Two weeks ago it was 1:30 so I feel this is an improvement! At around 2:30 I change his diaper, wrap him back up in his snuggie & feed him 5 ounces then put him back down to bed.   & wait for him to wake up again.  Usually its around 5:00 or 5:30 & follow the same routine as the 2:30 feeding.  We're still working on him going back to sleep & STAYING asleep til the 7:00 feeding but I keep reminding myself this will come!  At the time he starts crying again --usually around 6:00ish I bring him into our room into the bassinet & try & get him to fall back asleep til the 7:00 feeding. 

Right now he is sleeping ALL of his naps in his swing.  I will try & attempt the cry it out method in a week and a half when he is more ready to learn to sooth himself back to sleep.  I have heavily learned on the 5 S's (which a dear friend of mine introduced me to & am so thankful for, thanks Ashley Buller!)

1. Swaddling: Wrapping makes your baby feel magically returned to the womb and it will keep your baby from flailing his/her arms. If not done correctly, the baby may cry even harder. Remember to swaddle snuggly. Loose blankets may be a choking risk. Also, don't overheat your baby. (Babies should never be sweaty and flushed.)

2. Side/Stomach: Newborns are easier to calm when they're lying on their side or stomach. This triggers the calming reflex by imitating your baby's position in the uterus. Lying a baby on his/her back can sometimes trigger a falling reflex and make your baby feel insecure. Keep in mind the side/stomach position is great for calming crying, but babies should only sleep on their backs.

3. Shhhh: "Shhhh"ing your baby imitates the sound he/she heard in your uterus, which was as loud as a vacuum cleaner. Place your mouth two to four inches from your baby's ear and make the "shhhh" sound. It must be loud enough to match the sound of your baby's crying, or he/she won't hear it.

4. Swinging: Rhythmic moving imitates the jiggling your baby felt inside the uterus and activates the calming reflex. Ways to use motion are: baby slings and carriers, dancing, infant swings, rocking, car rides, bouncy seats.

5. Sucking: Putting a pacifier, finger or breast into a baby's mouth satisfies hunger and turns on the calming reflex.

cheap pregnancy tests!

pregnancy tests are so DARN expensive so I was happy to come across these from a frugal blog I follow.  I ordered some just yesterday!  While we're not even THINKING about our next kid yet you can never be too prepared, right?!

if you’re looking to score Pregnancy Strips on the cheap, head on over here to snag the Wondfo Pregnancy Test Strips 25 ct for only $5.69 + FREE Shipping through Amazon Prime.  That makes each Test Strip Only $0.23, which seems like a bargain – and you won’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home to snag this deal!

cute finds

since Cy's been born I've been dying to find a project I can do. Something that makes me feel "normal" again. While I haven't found that time yet, I'm hoping it'll be here soon. In the meantime here are three cute things I've run across:

1.) since tomorrow is the superbowl I just might have to try & make these. Super cute & not too difficult. :-)

2.) use an CD sleeve as a cute way to deliver monster cookie goodies. free printable to go with it! Click Here!

3.) super budget friendly idea to show your love to lots of people. free printable. Click Here!

4.) turn a cinnamon roll into a waffle...YUM! can't wait to try this one! Click Here!

5.) Yarn wrapped letters. LOVE this!Click Here!

Cy Greyson Houck

We had our little one last Friday on Jan 6th --which happened to be my late grandma Huhn's birthday!

Here is a little about the name...

Cy-- Contrary to what most people think Cy did not come from our love for the Cyclones. Cy's name came from the great pitcher Cy Young. Ryan had always liked the name & suggested it to me awhile back & we both fell in love with it.

Greyson-- This name came from a CD we saw from a youtube sensation. We saw it and immediately knew we wanted to use it.

If Cy would of been a GIRL the name would of been Piper Jo Houck. We don't like reusing names so we'll retire the name Piper. :-)

Cy is doing great, he is a laid back baby & Tucker is slowly adjusting to life with a little brother. Wednesday morning he asked when the baby was going home... but other than that he loves his little brother! We're still adjusting to life with two little munchkins & getting sleep in when we can. We've been blessed with so many great family/friends who have dropped off meals or thoughts of love. THANK YOU!

etsy love

Since i've had alot of time on my hands lately I thought I'd show you some fun stuff I either got for Christmas or bought myself with Christmas money. :-) It's what I got to call my current loves of the moment.

1st.
My little sister HALEY surprised me when herself & another friend MADE me my shower curtain I drooled over a few months back. They were selling on etsy for around 140.00 & she REMEMBERED that & took on this little domestic project! I LOVE IT!! I'm waiting to paint the bathroom before I put it up, I'm thrilled with how it turned out!!

Here is a picture of it mid process:

Here is the finished project in her friends Kendra's bathroom to show what it looks like. Didn't they do a good job? Thanks ladies!!

p.s. Kenra's blog is http://kendragustafson.blogspot.com/
my sister haley's blog: http://fancy--that.blogspot.com/

2nd: My OTHER sister Carly remembered how I adored this address stamp & got it for me for Christmas. LOVE IT! Can't wait to have an reason to use it soon!

P.S. the seller on etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/foryoo?ref=seller_info

3rd: a new keychain holder so I can find it in my purse/diaper bag easier!

4th: This cute basket I got on clearance from an etsy store. I am hoping to go all vintage Christmas ornaments next year, like this...

I've seen 'em at garage sales for like .50Cents before so I'm hoping I'll get lucky this year & score enough to decorate our tree! So when I saw this basket, I HAD to get it :-)\

4th: I am excited to write some thank you notes on these bad boys...

{for the record, I'm really seeing how she made them to copy 'em!}

P.S. http://www.etsy.com/listing/85739263/stationery-thank-you-cards-set-with

then lastly I am excited for a daily clean list for each day of the year with Bible verses. Now, to be completely honest it is Jan 4th & I haven't done ONE day yet, but I'm excited to dive into once I get back to "normal" as a mother of two without a pregnant belly!

Motivated Mom is like the Dave Ramsey of home cleaning!!!

Click here to see what I'm talking about http://www.motivatedmoms.com/products.html
(if you are interested in trying this out don't spend your pennies I'd love to mail you a pdf for 2012!)

Quick Baby Update

Went in Friday morning for a non-stress test, 24 urine analysis & ultrasound & blood pressure check. We thankfully found the bed rest is helping (as my blood pressure went WAY down--even back to normal ranges!) I am really starting to go CRAZY with bed rest, but know it's the best for the baby & me. Its hard watching our little tornado tear apart the living room & helpless against the clean up! :-) Thanks for all your prayers! I go back in Tuesday morning for another round of the same sort of tests, so time will tell. Again, they'd like to keep this little peanut in until Thursday Jan 5th, so time will tell! I'm getting a little anxious to go through birth again, but know the end result will be well worth it. I love visitors so please feel free to stop by!