Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

I decided to share some of my favorite Dr. Seuss quotes.







What are some of yours?



D.I.Y. New Mom Survival Kit Tutorial

D.I.Y. New Mom Survival Kit Tutorial



My sister-in-law is 32 weeks pregnant with her first baby. I decided that I would throw together a New Mommy Survival Kit for those first few weeks home. This could be a shower gift, hospital gift, or something you give them once the new mom is at home. You can mix an match any item you'd like, but I decided to go with a slightly more realistic approach than what I've seen on Pinterest. This might also make a GREAT gag gift that might actually come in handy!

New Mom Survival Kit Tutorial


D.I.Y. New Mommy Survival Kit


Lansinoh Breast Cream/Pads
or other favorite breastfeeding care items
These are just the best! :D

Pacifiers/Soothies
If you want to be a human pacifier, that's up to you. But I did not and in my experience, it really isn't wise because they can get too full and be unhappy.

Bottled Water
When you are nursing, you are ALWAYS thirsty! Always carry water with you everywhere you go.

Power Bars
Perfect go to snack when the new mother needs fuel because they are making milk for a human after all.

Headband/Hair Ties
Who has time to fix their hair with a new baby around?
Throw it in a quick bun or use Goody Spin Clips instead. Love those things.

Chap Stick
You are thirsty ALL THE TIME when nursing. So your lips get dry a lot.

Breath mints/gum
A new, first time mom might have issues squeezing in time to brush their teeth in between nursing sessions. But fresh breath always make you feel so much better.

Depends/Pads
Yes, I went there. They didn't have a period for nine months, and now life is making up for it.

Hemorrhoid Cream
Shhh...it happens to the best of 'em.

Coffee/Gift Card
Could b for dad but after the constant up and down all night of feeding a baby, New Mom will need a little pick-me-up to get them going in the morning if they have some where they need to be.

Hand Sanitizer
Germs are everywhere. It is essentially important New Mom Cary's this with them, so whenever a family member wants to hold the baby, they can be prepared to make sure no one shares their germs with the new bundle of joy.

Dry Shampoo/Baby Powder
Who has time for a shower with a new baby?
Sweet Pea would always wake up and start crying as soon as I jumped in the shower, NO matter what time or day or what I did before.
Did you know baby powder is the key ingredient in Dry Shampoo? I'm fairly certain that is why it is included in those travel toiletry kits that are always given as baby shower gifts. Because they aren't suppose to be used with a newborn baby...

Coupon Vouchers for cleaning/cooking/baby sitting
THE. BEST. GIFT. EVER. I didn't prepare freezer meals before my Sweet Pea was born because of my month of bed rest. And it was awesome when friends and family brought food as our welcome home gifts. My mother-in-law also helped out with cleaning. As fun as it is to sit and hold a newborn baby, New Mom needs you to help with these chores while she heals and builds her breastfeeding bond with the baby. But those baby sitting vouchers will come in handy soon, trust me.


What would you include in a New Mom Kit?

Used the label found HERE.



Share Your Weekly Totals - Stocking Up On Essentials



It's been an interesting week to say the least. Hubby was off two days this week (YAY!) but that means I had another kiddo to clean up after (boo...). It was really nice to get to spend time with him though. I didn't have B on Tuesday and it was rainy/cold out so we stayed in our pajamas all day. :)

I'm so glad it's March. My birthday month! Plus, February sucked because this was the first month where the tax break was no longer in effect for us. And we weren't adjusted. But it's all good now. Plus Hubby finally got his raise from being promoted to Third Level Co-Manger, so next step means Store Manager! :D

Yesterday we went to Kroger and scored five loaves of bread for $0.59 each on Manager's Special and $1.79 a pound Tyson boneless chicken breasts. My famous Chicken Enchilada recipe with MexAmerica tortillas will be up this weekend. You're gonna love it.

We saved about 49%, but what did I say about not getting caught up with percentages? ;)

Since we didn't really coupon (just bought the necessities), I have compiled a list of some deals that I would have taken advantage of if I had the gas money. :/

And if you would like to know more about how we saved so much on essentials, I am going to write a post very soon about learning how to shop sales and read labels. Exciting stuff! :)

I posted my 10 Tips for Beginner Couponers, which has done really well. If you are an experienced couponer, I would love your input!

Free Baby Blogger Opp

Bellyhood

Blog with Mom and Adventures of 8 have teamed up with a wonderful online meeting place for pregnancy and mommies of babies and toddlers called BellyHood! We are looking for 50 other family-friendly pregnancy or baby/toddler niched blogs to help us give away a $200.00 Diapers.com Gift Card! Each Blogger will receive a FREE Twitter Link for posting and promoting the free giveaway opp and event.

If YOU are a family-friendly pregnancy or baby/toddler-niched blog

CLICK HERE to go sign up NOW to apply for this

FREE Giveaway Opportunity!

Don't forget to mention Diana Chastain when you register! ;D


#ThumpingThursdays #BlogHop #Linky, Week #19

Hey everyone!
Can you believe February is almost over and MARCH is right around the corner?
That's my Birthday month! So some awesome giveaways are definitely in store!

This is the last week of the month. I am so excited to have the pleasure of having such wonderful co-hosts this month. We are looking for next month! So if you are interested, just click HERE to find out more info on that. Also since this is the week, it's time to get social! So link up you Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram below, as well as your blog of course. Can't wait to 'meet' you. :)

This week's Featured Read is:
Thumping Thursdays Blog Hop Featured Read

Everyone make sure to drop by and say, "Hi".
Interested in being a Featured Read?
Just make sure to follow the rules so you can receive THESE benefits too. ;)

Want to make sure you get our weekly reminder e-mails?

Please add
diana.n.chastain[at]gmail[dot]com
to your address book. Thanks!

Now on to the rules. I know who likes rules, right? But I promise you are going to want to follow these rules. This is how the Featured Read gets picked. ;)

Rules:
1.
Follow
your hosts and co-hosts.
Don't forget you can follow GFC via Twitter! :D

HOSTS:
Diana from Nanny to Mommy
Nanny to Mommy


Karina from Mom In The USA
mom in the USA products made in the USA

Co-Hosts:
Dawn's Disaster
Daddy's Space
Happy Kids, Inc.
We Three Crabs
Please leave a comment if you are a new follower!

We are looking for new co-hosts for next month!
If you are interested in co-hosting, click HERE!

2.
Add
the badge somewhere on your blog.

Please make sure to add our new badge.
What do you think? I love it!




3.
Link
up your main blog page.
No Giveaways or Specific Posts, please.
Link your Giveaways up HERE

Our hop is open from Thursdays at 12:01am to Wednesday at 11:59pm.
So you can share and link up all week long!

4.
Visit
at least the two blogs before yours in the link set-up.

5.
Share
the Hop!



The other cool thing? Our hop can be added to your site as well.
If you do this, please leave
Nanny to Mommy a comment, just to make sure we know. ;) *wink*wink*

6.
The Most Important Rule
Have Fun!

Happy Hopping! :)