Tag Archives: motherhood

Money-Saving Tips for Moms (and dads, too!)

Posted on by

3

These days, marketers are doing a great job at convincing new parents that they need ALL THIS STUFF in order to have a happy, healthy baby.

Not so!

That’s why I put together my top five tips for saving money as a new mom! Not all of my tips will fit into your way of doing things, but I hope to share at least one thing over the next few days that will help you save a little money!

 

Let’s start at the very beginning, shall we? 

Pregnancy Tests
Whether you’re toying with the idea of trying to get pregnant or truly trying to get that way, you may be tempted to clear your local drug store’s shelf of pregnancy tests.

If you want to start this baby adventure off on the right money-saving foot, don’t do it! Here’s what to do instead.

1)      Purchase ONE pregnancy test from your local dollar store. Chances are good that you’ll only need one to tell you that you’re pregnant if you follow step number two.  

2)      Wait (at least) until the day you’re supposed to start your period to take the test. If you find yourself getting anxious to take it sooner, remember, you’ll be pregnant for an eternity (in non-pregnant minds that means nine months). There’s no need to make it an eternity plus 2 days. And, by waiting to take it, you’ll reduce the chance of a false negative. Besides, if you take it early and it’s negative, you know you’ll end up going back to the store to buy another test to take on the day you actually should have in the first place.

3)      If your test is negative, wait a few more days before driving back to the dollar store for another test. Chances are your monthly friend will show up later that day!

This may seem like a silly tip, but let’s see how the savings can add up…

Brand name pregnancy test                                                       $12.99
2nd brand name test (because you took the 1st one early)        $12.99

Total                                                                                         $25.98 plus tax

VS.

Dollar store pregnancy test                                                       $  1.00

Potential  Savings                                                                  $24.98

Now consider that the average couple takes three months to get pregnant. That means you could save up to $75 by going to the dollar store. That $75 will come in handy when you realize you don’t fit into your clothes anymore, which leads me to Wednesday’s money-saving topic…maternity clothes!

New Series: Money-Saving Tips for Moms (and dads, too!)

Posted on by

1

I started Girl Grows Up a few months before theBABY was born in late 2009. Since then, the purpose of this blog has been to share my journey to become the best wife, mom, daughter and friend I can be – hopefully providing some useful tidbits along the way. This has taken many forms over the last two years (product reviews, book recommendations, general ramblings), but for the next couple of weeks I’ll be focusing on parenthood.

Specifically, the cost of becoming a mom (or dad) for the first time and what you can do to save money – big time.

So, as I introduce a new series that focuses on money-saving tips for parents-to-be, I hope those of you with no interest in the topic will tell others who might have an interest to stop by and check it out.

If you know someone expecting their first baby soon, a new mom or even someone who wants to become a mom (or dad!) one day, will you share my site with them? I thank you bunches!

Stay tuned for Tip #1 coming up Monday! In the meantime, try out this nifty calculator to estimate the cost of baby’s first year.

The Stomach Flu

Posted on by

3

theBABY puked her first “big girl” puke last night around midnight.

Think creamed corn.

You’re welcome for that visual.

She really was such a big girl about the whole thing, and she agreed with me that all that corn was super silly.

Of course, we had no idea that she was puking because she has the stomach flu. Nor did we know that you shouldn’t give a 19-month old anything to drink after they throw up.

The after-hours nurse did, though. Thank goodness for those people who work in the middle of the night to answer a clueless mom’s questions about her sick baby girl.

At first, I’ll admit, I thought the nurse was dead wrong. Not the stomach flu. No way.

Then theBABY started to cry while I was on the phone, and the (very knowledgable) nurse said, “It sounds like she’s going to vomit again.”

She was right, and I stopped doubting her.

After the second episode, theBABY settled down and slept the rest of the night thank goodness. And now theBOY and I have made it through another first as parents, though it wasn’t nearly as enjoyable as the first trip to the park last weekend….

Speaking of parenting, I’m working on a new series of posts for first-time moms and dads (and those who think they may want to be parents one day)! It’s all about saving money, so stay tuned!

Night Terrors

Posted on by

6

So theBABY has night terrors.

Not familiar with night terrors? Well, the bottom line is that they’ve been the single most terrifying part of being a mom to date.

WebMD says….

The typical night terror episode usually begins approximately 90 minutes after falling asleep. The child sits up in bed and screams, appearing awake but is confused, disoriented, and unresponsive to stimuli. Although the child seems to be awake, the child does not seem to be aware of the parents’ presence and usually does not talk. The child may thrash around in bed and does not respond to comforting by the parents. 

Did you catch that last part?

….the child does not respond to comforting by the parents.

theBABY actually screams louder and cries harder when I go in to get her. She acts like she’s in pain or like I might be trying to hurt her.

The pediatrician said to make sure she’s safe and let her go through it. Easier said than done, Doc.

All the websites say this happens in 1-6% of all children. Lucky us, huh?

And what’s even worse? Some of the possible causes include sleep deprivation, stress (about what exactly at 15 months?!) and having a parent who had them as a child or who sleepwalks.

Guess who was a sleepwalker as a child? Yep. Me.

So basically, it’s all my fault. Thanks for asking.

I’m praying her central nervous system develops past this stage quickly!!

And now I’m wondering, what did you pass on to your kids that you wish you hadn’t?

Opinions, everybody has one.

Posted on by

8

When I was a little girl I wanted everyone to like me. I liked everyone, so naturally I expected them to like me back.

I was such an innocent little thing, wasn’t I?

In 3rd grade, I couldn’t understand why a 4th grader who I didn’t even know would make fun of my hair. At that age I didn’t love my hair, but I certainly didn’t think it was that bad.

One time something hurtful was even put in writing and published for the entire high school to read. Now that was a bad day. 

I remember the people who said unkind things about me. I remember thinking that if they just knew me, they would know what a good person I was. Wouldn’t they? I never wished harm on anyone, so why would anyone wish it on me?

Each time, their words – whether verbal or written – affected me. They placed a little seed of doubt in me that wasn’t there before. Maybe they even began to shape my opinion of myself. 

Luckily I had great friends and family who loved me.

As much as I hate to admit it, I’m still a lot like that little girl. I mean, doesn’t everyone want to be liked and accepted by others?

But I’m not that same little girl. Back then the opinion of others carried so much weight. What else did I have to measure my worth? 

What’s different about me now is that (most of the time) I don’t let the negative things others think about me eat away at me or define my worth. Why? Is it because I’m old and hardened?

Boy, I hope not.

I think it’s because I’ve learned whose opinions really matter. I know whose opinions to seek because they truly know me and care about me. 

They are the people who…

…are invested in my life.

…want the best for me.

…aren’t threatened by my potential successes.

…don’t run away on the hardest days.

…share my perspective on life.

…base their life on the same Truth as me. 

To these people, I say thank you.

Thank you for freeing me from the never-ending-people-pleasing. Thank you for the honest conversation. Thank you for caring enough to be kind, even when I need to hear something not-so-nice to hear. 

I think as long as we’re forced to interact with people that we wouldn’t naturally choose to interact with, we’re going to find people who would rather tear us down than build us up. We’re all human and imperfect, so we’re bound to hurt each other at some point even when we’re trying our hardest not to.

And that, dear reader, is why the most important opinion in my life is my Creator’s. He’s the only one who can love perfectly. If He’s good with me, then I’m good with me.

And lucky for us all, He thinks we’re pretty darn worthy of love and kindness.  (No matter how bad our hair is!)

What I can’t seem to figure out is how to make sure theBABY never gets hurt by the words of others. My guess is I can’t make that happen, so I’ll make it my job to be there when it does – to listen and to try to convince her to believe me when I tell her whose opinion really matters.

Six Steps. Six Must Haves.

Posted on by

8

Today a friend suggested I share my must-have baby products for newborns.

I don’t claim to know it all about babies. I only have one, and I’m betting she’s one of a kind. I do, however, know what worked best for us and I’m hoping this list will help someone out there.

(Disclaimer: You won’t find things like car seats and strollers on my list because those are obvious needs.)

So, in honor of theBABY’s first six steps (taken tonight!!), here are my top six must have newborn items in no particular order…

1) WonderKids Newborn Bubblestich Booties

theBABY has the tiniest feet, and these were the only socks that stayed put in those early months.

2) Gerber Cloth Diapers (Burp Clothes)

We went through burp clothes like crazy, and these beat the pretty ones any day of the week.

3) Halo SleepSack Swaddle

theBABY slept in one of these every night for the first four months. There are lots of swaddlers out there, but this one is coupled with a sleep sack that zips from the top down (for easy diaper changes). Plus, when your baby decides they want free arms, you can easily remove the swaddle altogether and use the sleep sack on its own. (Tip: Dress the babe in a sleep gown instead of a onesie or sleeper, and you’ll have absolutely no snaps to mess with during those middle-of-the-night diaper changes.) 

4) Quality Hooded Towels

If more than two come in a pack, they probably aren’t quality. The best towels are the ones that are thick enough that you could use them to dry your hair. Bundle those cold, wet kiddos up in a cozy warm towel after the bath! 

5) The Snot Sucker from the Hospital

Whatever they’re really called, you won’t find a better one! Take it with you guilt free. They won’t reuse it anyway.

6) Aquaphor

The pediatrician will probably have samples of all kinds of baby lotion. Stay away from the stuff in the pink bottle for the first month or so. Aquaphor is great for the baby’s delicate, dry newborn skin. As they get older, it’s great for dry noses and chapped cheeks.

Well, there you have it! Nothing earth-shaking or life-changing, but it all sure helped our transition into parenthood!

Do you have something to add to the list? If I missed your newborn must have, leave it in the comments!

Things I Want theBABY to Know

Posted on by

3

A week at the beach helped me check off a few of my 29 Things.

 

I’m taking a break from 10 or Less Tuesdays this week, simply because I have more than that to say at the moment. Please feel free to share your Ten or Less anyway!! 

This post is inspired by #14 on my 29 Things list. 

I did, in fact, read a novel. Things I Want My Daughters to Know by Elizabeth Noble. 

I liked the book. (Thanks for the suggestion, Melissa D.! It was the perfect vacation read.) 

But more than I liked the book, I liked the idea of the book. I’m pretty sure my version of the story would have gone differently.  

I started thinking about the things I want theBABY to know. Things about life. Things about me. Things about God. Things like…. 

On Being Our Daughter… 

  • theBOY and I have big dreams for her, but are fully committed to supporting her dreams.
  • I was around before her, and yes, I do remember life before theBABY.

On Living… 

  • Life is about more than the amount of stuff you can accumulate and the number of people who think you’re important.
  • Take pleasure in life, but don’t let your pleasures take control of your life. If they do, turn your back on them.

On Others… 

  • Always respect authority, but never blindly follow it.
  • Some people will wish things for you that, when you’re honest with yourself, you don’t even want. Don’t let it trick you into thinking you do.

On Our Creator… 

  • God wants her to choose Him. And I do, too. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him. John 3:36

See you again next week…and I promise to only have 10 words for you!

theBABY is Growing Up

Posted on by

1

It’s been quite awhile since I’ve bragged about theBABY, so I’ve decided it’s time.

First, let me just say…she’s the sweetest. She still wakes up with morning smiles each day. She still lights up when theBOY comes into the room. She still likes it when I sing.

But now?

Now, it’s even better.

Now, she waves and says “hi” in her sweet little voice.  Sometimes it even sounds like “hi dad.” (Though, I’m pretty sure she called a golfer AND a tree “dad” on the ride home today.)

Now, she pulls herself up into a standing position just to sit down and stand back up again.

Now, she drags her toy box out, takes out all of the toys and pushes the box back into its place.

Now, she peeks through the bars of her crib while she waits for me to come get her after a nap.

Yes, now it’s even better.

Six Month Reflection

Posted on by

3

theBABY is six months old now. It’s hard to believe half a year has passed since she arrived.

She’s smiling a million times a day and making us smile, too.

I thought it’d be fun to capture what she’s learned at this stage.

  • She’s up to three yoga poses now, including Happy Baby Pose (imagine that), Boat and Cobra .  (All self-taught, of course. What kind of mom do you think I am?)
  • She can turn every page of her Elmo & Friends Look and Find book. (Without eating the pages – impressive!!)
  • She says “da da” and something that sounds like “cat,” though I know that’s impossible.

Such a proud mama!

No, she’s not saying mama. Yet.

Motherhood: Perk #3

Posted on by

4

It’s so sad. theBABY has her first cold.

Funny, her little cough is so grown-up sounding to me.

I wonder if her throat is sore.

The snotty nose and sneezing (hers) and the sleep deprivation (mine) have led me to discover another unexpected perk of mamahood.

theBABY doesn’t care if I get a full seven (okay, really I want eight) hours of sleep at night. 

It doesn’t matter to her that I have to miss work or cancel on friends.

She doesn’t worry about what time the doctor’s office will open to take my call.

So what’s the perk?

In the middle of the night when she can’t sleep because she can’t breathe, all she wants is me. The minute I pick her up she falls back to sleep. There’s nothing else to it!

It’s so simple.

All she knows is that when she cries and I come, she can sleep.

And in those moments, I can give thanks that she’s a healthy, happy baby who happens to need me in the middle of the night while she’s getting over this cold. 

Having something in my life that is more important than me (and my sleep) is my unexpected perk #3.