Bringing Home Baby: Preparing an Older Sibling

Bringing Home Baby: Preparing an Older Sibling


Wow. This pregnancy is going by so fast. I am 37 weeks pregnant today (full term) and tomorrow is the first day of the month I'm due! There are some great articles about how to prepare your older child for a new sibling. Some of my favorites are from fellow bloggers. I have been trying multiple techniques to prepare SweetPea. I want a non-medicated birth this time around, but my true fear is after the baby is here and how my big baby is going to react. Here are a few great reads that I have compiled since I have no experience with this one. :)

hello bee: Preparing for Sibling
Beauty Through Imperfection: 8 Ways to Help a Toddler Adjust to the New Baby
Dirt & Boogers: Preparing Toddlers for a New Baby - Books
JaMonkey: Talking to Your Kids About a New Baby




I love the idea of giving her a hospital gift bag from the baby at the hospital. So I decided to make SweetPea one. I found a ton of cute ideas online and took many from those I found on Pinterest. Here is what is in our bag:



Twigtale Personalized Storybook - Big Sister Lizzie {Review}
CafePress.com Big Sister Shirt {Review of CafePress}
Nuby Squid Squirter {Nuby Reviews} - I received a shipment for being a Nuby Mommy blogger for the new baby, but wanted to make sure I got something for SweetPea too. This goes hand in hand with getting them a gift when the baby gets a gift so they don't feel left out at showers and such. PLUS, a bath toy for her Aunite's house since she doesn't have any!
Little Cosmetics Pretend Makeup {Review} - something to play with at Auntie's house
Work books, coloring book, and crayons for hospital
Flash cards for hospital
Kandoo Hand Wash - to wash those hands so many times!
Sidewalk Chalk - so she (again) has some toys to play with at Auntie's house.

How did you prepare your children for a new baby?


EmbarK12 Family of Preschool Programs Can Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of K12, the leader in online education for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Our EmbarK¹² family of preschool programs includes EmbarK¹² Comprehensive and EmbarK¹² Online, offering a fun, innovative approach to early learning your child will love and will prepare your child for Kindergarten.

 

EmbarK¹² TM Online is a robust portfolio of more than 830 interactive activities, designed for self-guided and independent learning among children ages 3-6. Developed by educational experts, this supplemental Pre-K program makes learning fun, dynamic, and enriching. Brought to you by K¹² , the leader in online education for grades K through 12, this innovative program is based on research and industry standards for early learning. EmbarK¹² Online will prepare your child for Kindergarten with basic skills such as mathematical reasoning, early literacy, scientific observation, investigative skills, and much more through stimulating engagement. Kindergarten readiness programs by K12. Try a sample activity today.

 

 

EmbarK12 Online - Over 830 interactive activities to engage your preschooler. EmbarK¹² Online was developed by educational experts, this supplemental Pre-K program makes learning fun, dynamic, and enriching and includes 12 units of activities, each with related content and activities, covering Math, Language and Literacy, and topics from the world around them. Examples of topics include "Travel and Explore," "Our World," and "Story Time."

You can grab a 12-month subscription for only $59, but for a limited time you can get an exclusive 50% discount on EmbarK¹² Online for 7 days from now ONLY! So you only pay $29.50 with discount! Just use the code EmbarkSpecial!

 

 

EmbarK12 Comprehensive- Online and hands-on preschool program for your early learner. With over 1,200 age-appropriate activities, engaging children using a wide variety of interactive multimedia and hands-on materials - over 288 hours of activities in all! There are 18 thematic units covering 6 subjects: Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Music, and Art. Examples of themes include: Family and Friends, My Five Senses, and Looking at Animals. You can get a 12-month subscription for $286/year and all of the upgrade kits include hands-on manipulative
 

 

K¹² Inc. (NYSE: LRN) is the nation’s foremost provider of proprietary technology-powered online solutions for students in pre-kindergarten through high school. K¹² has partnered with more than 2,000 school districts and has delivered more than 4 million courses over the past decade. K¹² provides curricula, academic services and learning solutions to public schools and districts, traditional classrooms, blended school programs and families. K¹² works with more than 5,000 teachers across the U.S. – the largest network of online school teachers in grades K through 12.
The K¹² program is offered through K¹² partner public schools in more than two-thirds of the states and the District of Columbia, and through private schools serving students in all 50 states and more than 110 countries. More information can be found at http://www.K12.com.

Visit Sponsor's Site

Take the Health Mart Pharmacy Champions of Care Challenge

This is a sponsored post with the Niche Parent Network & Conference. All opinions are my own.

Across the USA, there are many wonderful people that are constantly giving themselves for others. There are many caring people out there that are doing amazing things for others, not for recognition or fame, but for the love of helping others to live a more healthy happy life.

Health Mart Pharmacy Champions of Care Challenge

Sure they do it for the love, but wouldn’t it be nice to be able to give them something for all of their work? Something that will keep them doing this great work for the community? To say thank you, independent Health Mart pharmacists are awarding $50,000 in grants to community health non-profits to recognize them for improving health and well-being in their communities. Do you know someone who perhaps volunteers to help the elderly? Cooks meals, or just spends time with those in need? Simply fill out the form on the site, then attach a photo of the hero involved, and submit your entry. Simple right?

Health Mart’s CHAMPIONS OF CARE CHALLENGE is on! And then starting on March 17th, the public will have two weeks to vote for their favorite Champion of Care at www.healthmartcommunity.com. Make sure to visit Health Mart today, to enter for your chance for $50K in grants for local non-profits! Tell your friends, spread the word, special deserving people can win up to $50K in grants for local non-profits with this wonderful promotion. Health Mart’s Champions of Care Challenge will shine a bright light on those unsung local heroes whose everyday actions have built healthier families, workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities. Here are the great prizes:

- A $30,000 grant chosen by the grand prize winner
- A $3,000 grant chosen by the 2nd place winner
- A $2,000 grant chosen by the 3rd place winner
- $1,000 grants chosen by each of 15 finalists

So make sure to nominate some special person in the community today, visit www.healthmartcommunity.com TODAY to nominate someone or yourself for the Champions of Care Challenge from Health Mart! Then come back on March 17 and vote! Your nomination just may be one of the lucky winners!

What do you think of the Champions of Care Challenge? Who would you nominate?

This is a sponsored post with the Niche Parent Network & Conference. All opinions are my own.

Registering with Target {$25 Target Gift Card Giveaway}

This post is brought to you by Target, but all opinions and content are my own. Follow along with #TargetWedding.



Ahhh memories. The Hubby and I have been married for 7 years this coming up July. The Hubby and I lived together in a tiny apartment when we were engaged. But there were so many things that we needed and thought what better way to (hopefully) get the things we than creating a wedding registry?

We decided the best way to get everything we wanted as we started our life together was to go to one of our favorite places and register together. Target makes it very easy for you register and you can get everything you need for your new exciting journey, all in one place.

Hubby and I were very big into entertaining before we had children. I registered for glasses very similar to the Riedel Drinking Glasses just for such occasions. Plus I love the variety they come in. Hubby drinks beer, but I'm more of a wine girl myself. So I love that they have some of what we both like.



There was that one item on my registry that I didn't think to register for...and it was towels. They can get damaged so easily by husband's who don't know the difference between a guest towel or not. And with loving to have house guests and entertaining, we never seemed to have enough. If I could go back in time and re-register, I would definitely make sure to register for more towels. And I just love these Fieldcrest Luxury Towels.



With everything that you need for your wedding registry, Target has sponsored this giveaway for a $25 Target E-Gift Card! Entry is simple, all you have to do is enter through the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US only, must be 18+ to enter. Winning entry is verified. Good LUCK!

Enter to #win a $25 Target Gift Card! #giveaway #TargetWedding

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post is brought to you by Target, but all opinions and content are my own. Follow along with #TargetWedding.

Avoid the Frumpy-Mom Disease: Diaper Bags with Style

This is a sponsored post. I received compensation to share this information.

When it comes to baby-related accessories, the diaper bag is one of the most unfortunate. They come in pastel colors with sweet prints of teddy bears and baby rattles. These sad little bags are akin to the little “Baby on Board” warning signs that people put in the back of their minivans. Today’s parents are looking for more than unfortunate looking baby-focused accessories, they want accessories that are attractive, functional, and on-trend.

Watching My Friends Lose Their Style

As an older mom (I did not have my children until I was in my 30’s), I watched many of my friends have their babies and purchase their layettes. Sadly, many of my friends became frumpy moms who carried frumpy diaper bags. In their previous lives, they were stylish women who wore designers, who never had a hair out of place, and who would never be seen in public without at least a little mascara. Once they had children, they let their roots go, wore their husband’s extra-large tees, and donned yoga pants to places other than yoga. They looked like they no longer cared. They developed frumpy mom disease. When I became pregnant, I refused to follow suit.

Being Mindful of My Baby Accessory Options

In order to avoid the frumpy mom disease, I took serious time looking for the right accessories and making sure that I did not give up my signature style. I did not want to be seen with a diaper bag that looked like a diaper bag, just like I only wear yoga pants to yoga class. I also needed one that my husband could carry without feeling like he was carrying a girly handbag. My bag of choice was the Tory Burch diaper bag. I chose a black one made of nylon with two different straps so I could carry it like a handbag, or I could put it over my shoulder. My husband did not mind carrying it either.

Along with the fact that I could fill the bag with all of my baby’s necessities, like diapers, pacis, burp clothes, and extra clothes, I loved the fact that I actually received compliments about my purse. My colleagues at work even complimented me on my bag and some asked where I bought it. When I told them that it was my diaper bag, many of them were surprised.

Money Well Spent

Granted the Tory Burch diaper bag that I chose was not the cheapest bag, but the price was well worth the style. Since the shoulder strap is removable, I can easily transition the bag to a handbag when I do not need to carry diapers around any longer. However, since I love handbags, I’ll probably have another exquisite bag to carry by the time my baby is out of diapers.

I have seen a few other moms carrying diaper bags like mine. They look great hanging off of the ends of their Bugaboo strollers. They also look fabulous on the way to gym or on the way to work. It’s just a great bag, all the way around.

However, I have noticed a few things that bring the bag and it’s high style down to frumpy-mom level. If you want to avoid frumpy mom disease, avoid these habits:

1.Letting diapers hang out of the bag. Yes, the bag is a ultra-hip diaper bag, but it does not mean that you have to show the world it is a diaper bag. If you wanted to look frumpy, why not just use the free bag that you got from the hospital after you gave birth.

2.Tying baby blankets or burp clothes to the handles. The only thing that any woman should tie to the handles of any designer handbag is a design silk scarf. Put the baby gear IN the bag. Like the diapers peeking out of the top of the bag, using the handles for a baby blanket display device just doesn’t work with this bag.

3.Filling it so full you cannot close it. This is just an invitation to have something stolen. It also makes you look unorganized and unprepared. Yes, it is helpful to have a bag loaded with all of the necessities, that’s what an organized mom does. An unorganized mom just throws everything in, willy-nilly. Your Tory Burch bag has pockets and compartments so you can find things in a flash. If you overfill the bag, you will never be able to find anything, which leans toward the frumpy mom problem.

4.Carrying a dirty bag. This pretty bag is made of nylon, so it is easy to keep clean. There is no excuse for carrying a dirty nylon bag. Designer handbags, even diaper bags, do not look good when they have smudges and smears on them. Since this is a diaper, you should have some baby wipes inside, so use them to wipe away the smudges.

Just because you have become a mom does not mean that you should become a sufferer of frumpy mom disease. If you have loved fashion, being pampered, and looking like a million bucks, having should not change who you are. You can still look fabulous and take care of yourself, even with kids in tow.

If you have let yourself go and you are tired of feeling frumpy, take my advice: buy a great diaper bag. When I’m carrying my Tory Burch bag or wearing my baby in my Beco carrier, I feel great about myself, which in turn makes my baby feel good, too. We all know that when mamma ain’t happy, no one is happy!



Christine J. Williamson is the co-founder and writer for Super Mommy Blog. She is blessed with two amazing boys and a great husband, and 100% Love blogging at I’m Super Mommy Blog. Connect with her on Twitter! Cheers!



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