Nanny to Mommy

I bought a TON of baby food (30 jars to be exact) a while back because Publix was having an awesome BOGO sale that made it (combined with a $1/3 Beechnut coupon) that I made money.

With a child you learn about things that you never thought wold be an issue. In the past few weeks my family has been dealing with Hand, Foot, Mouth or HFM, Sty/Stye also known as Hordeolum, and then a suspected urinary tract infection believed to be caused by bubble baths.

She seems pretty happy about it.

        First of all I had never heard of HFM. As most of you know, I worked at a day care and was a nanny for five years. I never have even crossed a case of HFM. But apparently it is on the rise. What it is are small red bumps located on the child's hands, feet, mouth, and around their buttock. According to the pediatrician, there is a rise in outbreaks and my daughter had a very mild case because she was showing little to no signs of pain. She did not want to eat which is normal considering that is where the bumps first appear. The cause is from children putting their hands or feet in their mouth. If the child's hand aren't properly washed all the time then the germs can cause this. As with other things, I believe there really isn't a rise of this disease just a more knowledgeable population.



Next on to Stye Eye. The little girl I take care of has a stye that she may have to get removed. Styes are not suppose to last more than two weeks and although not painful can be irritating. They are usually caused by germs getting in the eye due to excessive rubbing of the eyes. The way to get rid of a stye is by making sure the area stays clean, avoiding touching the eye, and warm compresses 4 to 5 times a day.


The Case of the Bad Bubble Bath:
Did you know that you are not suppose to use bubble bath even as an adult? The FDA says they can not regulate any shampoo, conditioner, other hair products, soaps, body wash, or bubble baths because they are not considered something that is consumed. But these types of products go over our eyes, ears, mouths, and pores through out our skin. For 25 years studies have shown that bubble baths are not safe but yet now we have Sponge Bob Bubble Bath, they even make a variety of Baby Bubble Baths. I did not know I wasn't suppose to be giving my daughter bubble baths. I remember having bubble baths as a child and thought what better way to make a bath fun.  My daughter was showing signs of discomfort so we took her to the doctor. I wish it didn't come to my daughter's discomfort for me to realize that the chemicals used in your everyday products, aren't always as safe as you think they are. The doctor said let them play in the plain water, then stand them up, wash them off, rinse off with a cup or bucket of some sort, and take them out. And as cute as bubble bath pictures are, they aren't worth the discomfort of your little one.


This all basically comes down to this...wash your child's hands as often as you would your own and watch the labels on the products you use. Also do research. I would have never guessed bubble bath was harmful until this happened. So if you don't know what a chemical on a label is, then look it up. HFM, Stye, and Bubble Bath mishaps are all common mistakes that I just don't want you to make. And if you are reading this thinking it could never happen to me, well I thought that same thing.

So I have a 20 month old as of yesterday! I still can't believe with each month going by how big she is and how much she can do. She is absolutely amazing. I love her so much. Time seems to go by so fast with children.


So yesterday we also went to Kroger. It started raining while we were in the store and not only did me, hubby, and sweet pea go but we also had my friend's daughter (who I take care of) with us as well. So getting all the groceries in the car and the two little ones was a big ordeal. So we only saved 45% but this was our time to get things we needed like produce and dairy items. I also needed paper products as well because my HUGE stockpile of toilet paper was depleted. I also didn't manage to snap a picture because we were trying to get both little ones in the house and everything put away before my in-laws came over for dinner. But here is the break down of what I bought:

Kroger Napkins = $1.67
Bounty Paper Towels $5.99 x 2 - 2 $1 coupons = $9.98
Powerade $0.59 x 15 - 5 B2G1 FREE coupons = $5.90 or $0.39 each
Kroger Whole Milk = $2.50
Tennessee Pride Sausage Biscuits $6.99 x 2 - 2 $1 IPs = $11.98
Fresh Express Garden Salad - $0.40 coupon from mailer = $2.29
Cucumbers x 2 = $1
Charmin 12 pk Toilet Paper $5.99 x 2 - 2 $1 = $9.98
Kroger Tuna x 4  = $3
Kroger Bacon Bits x 2 = $3.97
Kroger shredded cheese x 2 - $0.70/2 coupon from mailer = $6.72
Kroger sliced cheese - $0.40/1 from mailer = $2.10
Stayfree pad 2/$4 - $2 from 7/22 SS = FREE
Rubbermaid Sandwich Kits $5.99 x 2 - $1.50 IPs = $8.98
Kroger bread = $1
Kroger Large Eggs = $2.69

Total after coupons = $64.25
Total Saved = $57.30

53% savings. Over budget but got things to help save money in the future like the sandwich kits so hubby can bring his lunch. :) Going to also try and submit for this P&G rebate, I think I bought enough. :/ Remember, we get an employee discount. The mailer coupons are from the Kroger home mailers that everyone can get when you sign up for a Kroger Plus Card. Each mailer comes with different coupons specifically for your family's needs.

So how did you do? Please post your link below! :D

I breastfed my daughter for a year. And it was hard. I struggled with supply issues and the pain in the beginning was almost unbearable (she had trouble latching on). The lactation consultant wanted me to use a nipple shield which only confused me. But I worked through it and we actually made it to fourteen months. And I'm not gonna lie, yes she self weaned but I encouraged it because I wanted my body back. And saying all that, I can't wait to do it with my next baby. It was such a wonderful experience. The snuggling, the bond, the empowerment! It's amazing what a woman's body is capable of doing. Not only can you give birth but you can make food! It's wonderful and even through the hard parts I loved every minute of it.




It's World Breastfeeding Week, and in honor of it, I decided I would tell you the best advice ever given to me.

1. It's hard but you can do it. - There are so many things that can happen, low supply issues, thrush, mastitis, poor latching. But with each one you can work through it. My daughter had poor latching in the beginning due to an undiagnosed lip tie and my body conformed to her, we just had to keep working at it. We also had low supply issues, I nursed frequently, pumped, took fenugreek, and ate breastfeeding cookies. The cookies were the best part. ;)

2. Use nipple cream after EVERY time you nurse. - Your nipples get chapped and that sucks. I suggest Lansinoh.

3. Wake that baby up and nurse every two hours. - Once your colostrum is gone, your milk needs to come in and this is the only to make sure it does. My daughter was jaundice so I received this advice from her pediatrician, FIVE days after she was born. I have a very PRO-breastfeeding pediatrician and without this advice my milk may never have come in. Also feed on demand. Nursing should be your go to thing when your baby cries. And nurse when you feel like you need to. This will help your milk come in, keep your supply up, and help you from getting engorged. If you can't nurse when you feel the need to, then pump.

I miss this.

4. It's really not as exhausting as you think. - You are exhausted in the beginning just by having a newborn. Breastfeeding won't change that. Don't give up just because you think it's exhausting. What's more exhausting? Turning over and nursing your little one or going to make a bottle and then feeding a screaming baby?

5. Push through it. - My husband said this. He wasn't quite on board with breastfeeding and I think that had to do with the fact, he had never known someone to breastfeed and we were new parents. He said this to me after a long night and I was crying from exhaustion. He said remember you wanted this and you know it's best for her, so push through it. I think this goes along with, 'You can do it'. But it really does needs to be emphasized.

So what was the best breastfeeding advice you heard? And for you pregnant-first time moms, why are you looking forward to nursing?

I am so glad I don't have to worry about back to school shopping yet, although I am noticing some great deals. Still no car which is coming to a point where I might pull my hair out. Just kidding. But it has been giving me time to get my trips together and getting everything at once so I save money on gas.

So this is what I got:


***NOTE: My Publix does not do true BOGOs, so I don't have to buy two to get the deal. My store accepts Kroger, Target, and Ingles as competitors.***

2 Smucker's Uncrustables - BOGO $2.95
  2 $1/1 IPs (NLA) = $0.95 for two or $0.48 each
3 Bird's Eye Steamfresh - 50% off priced at $1.99
  $1/3 IP = $1.99 or $0.66 each
3 Bird's Eye Steamfresh - 50% off priced at $2.45
 $1/3 IP = $2.68 or $0.89 each
4 Yoplait Yogurts - 20/$10
  2 $0.50/2 IP (NLA?) = FREE
2 Mott's For Tots Juice - 3/$6
  2 $1/1 IPs = $2 or $1 each
Bananas - 1.67 lb @ $0.69/lb
  $0.50 of produce (doubled) wyb 2 Kettle Cooked Chips tear pad = $0.15
2 Lay's Kettle Cooked Chips - 2/$6
  $1/2 Manu and $2/2 Publix = $3 or $1.50 each
2 Mott's applesauce 6 pk - 3/$5
  $1.10/2 IP (NLA) = $2.23 or $1.12 each
4 Skinny Cow candies - BOGO $4.26
  $1.50/2 from 7/29 RP = $2.76 or $1.38 each
Mott's Snack & Go - $2.79
  FREE wyb 2 6 pk Publix IP coupon (NLA)
8 Progressive Soup - 4/$6
  8 $1 off Publix tear pad = $4 or $0.50 each
8 Wishbone Salad Dressings - BOGO $2.65
  $0.40/2 7/29 RP = $7.40 or $0.92 each
8 Ragu Sauces - BOGO $2.19
  $0.25/2 7/29 RP = $1.69 or $0.85 each
4 Kraft Velveeta - BOGO $2.35
  = $4.70
2 Beechnut Fruities - $0.99 (reg price)
  2 $0.75/1 IPs = $0.48 or $0.24 each

Used $5 off $50 Kroger and $5 off $30 Publix coupons.

Total Spent = $33.92, Total Saved = $95.75, Total Savings = 74%!

So let's hear how you did:
(You can post your shopping trips from ANYWHERE not just Publix, I would love to know where the hot deals are. :] )