Mommy's Simple Sanity Savers

• This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small incentive if you make a purchase using these links. This will not change your cost of items, item return/exchange policies or item quality. 

As an expecting mommy, there's hundreds of lists, blogs, registry guides and even full books about what you MUST HAVE to welcome your new baby into the world and into your home. For first time moms especially, this can be super overwhelming.

In a later post, I'll talk about what I have found the most helpful from my registry but today I'm talking about the "not so typical" things that have been keeping my sanity. Check it out!

1. Gamer Chair. I bought one off Amazon and it has been a lifesaver! Since Charlotte was born, I spend about 8 hours per day sitting or laying on the floor next to her play mat or bouncer, talking to her and playing. After about a month of doing this everyday, my back and bum was definitely paying the price! With a gamer chair, I'm only about 6" off the ground so I can still be right next to her without having to sit on the hard ground.

2. Roll-away Bed. Another weird one, right? If you are like me and have a significant other who works full time and a small house.. you'll especially appreciate this. Once that little bundle of joy falls asleep, you will want to take advantage of it! I spent quite a few nights on our roll away bed in our living room next to her pack & play, or her bouncer, or her swing, or her play mat.. or whatever she fell asleep on! This made it so much easier because I didn't have to worry about waking her up by moving her to our bedroom and I didn't have to worry about her waking my husband up multiple times through the night when she was crying or fussing. The best part? I could just fold it up and roll it back into the closet during the day (super helpful with all the company that a new baby brings!)  This is the one we have- it's not exactly sleeping on a cloud, but it's not bad either! 

3. Bathrobes. I LIVED in bathrobes for the first 5 weeks that our little one was home with me. Particularly for C-Section deliveries and breastfeeding, bathrobes are amazing. I could wear a bathrobe without any pressure on my incision and I could easily open the top for feeding my little one. It was also convenient for when company was over, as I could stay pretty well covered during feedings without having to bury my newborn and I under blankets in the middle of summer. Here's my tips in choosing a bathrobe: make sure it has pockets... you'll want to carry a burp cloth, pacifier and cell phone with you and your hands will be full with your baby! I preferred thicket cotton robes, as they kept me feeling adequately covered without being too hot. And hoods... forget about it! You're going to spend a lot of time leaning back on the couch, rocker or glider with your baby on your chest... you don't want an uncomfortable hood bunched up on your spine! 

4. DVR. Let's admit it.. we all have a guilty pleasure TV show.. and once that baby is in your home, it's going to be very difficult to consistently be able to watch your shows without missing parts while your little one is voicing their needs. DVR not only helps you be able to watch shows as you are available, it'll also help you to be able to stash up a decent supply of entertainment for the countless hours you'll spend feeding and rocking your little one day and night. 

5. Mommy Time. Don't be afraid to ask/accept offers for help. I thought I'd be the kind of mom that never wanted to let go of my little one.. but after 3 weeks straight of crying, feeding, pooping and rocking... I was nearly too willing to let others help. Granted, I'm not saying to go pull someone off the street and hand them your child, I was still pretty picky about who I left her with. Every once in a while, taking an hour to sit in a hot bubble bath with some Pandora radio playing and my Pinterest app in full force was exactly what I needed to pull myself together. 

6. Online Shopping. I was way behind the times with online shopping. I had never used the internet for everyday purchases, until I had a baby. The thought of taking her into a store and trying desperately to calm her as she screams her way through the aisles still gives me chills. Luckily, nearly everything is available online these days. I place orders nearly weekly through Walmart, Amazon and occasionally even some clothing retailers. Having toilet paper and diapers delivered right to my door weekly has been a life saver! 

These 6 things pretty well sums up my first 6 weeks as a mommy. Beyond these, just take the time to relax and enjoy your little blessing. Hold her tight and cuddle her as much as you can. Know that the hard times will pass, and the good times will become the things you'll cherish. 

Most importantly, find what works for you. Every baby and every mommy are different. If it works for you, do it! You know your baby best, if you're being the best mommy you can be, then you're doing it perfectly. 

Let's be HONEST

I have never been one to be all into organic/natural/chemical free products, until I got pregnant.

Thanks to the ever creepy stalk capabilities of social media tracking your recently visited webpages and recently searched items, I was bombarded with articles about how baby foods are loaded with chemical preservatives that lead to defects and clothes detergents (even baby ones) are loaded with chemicals that cause asthma and hives and diapers.. oh the diapers.. I think the images of the chemical burns on those poor babies are forever burned into my brain...

So you can imagine my thrill when I learned about the Honest Company.

Honest is Jessica Alba's company that guarantees not to use any harsh or toxic chemicals in their products. They offer a huge range of products from sunscreen to diapers. They also offer free trials of many of their products so you can try before you buy! Another huge perk: their diapers are seriously adorable!

I jumped right on board and signed up for the monthly diapers and wipes subscription through Honest. Here's what I found I liked and didn't like about having a subscription of honest diapers and wipes.

The Pros:

• Super Cute Diapers- you get to choose what designs you want in each shipment and they change them periodically
• "Month's Supply" of diapers and wipes delivered to your doorstep- shopping with a baby, especially a newborn is HARD. With Honest, you don't have to leave your couch! 
• Good, sturdy, thoroughly moist wipes- I hate companies that make wipes that feel practically dry or rip right apart as you try to pull them out of the container... No body has time to fight with flimsy wipes during changing time! 
• Worry Free! No need to fret about your baby winding up with a nasty burn or rash from chemical laden diapers and wipes.
• Easy shipment date adjustment online- if you need diapers sooner (or later) you can easily log into your Honest account and set your shipment date.
• Great price! In Newborn size, you get about 320 diapers PLUS 4-72 packs of wipes for $79.95. At Walmart, a case of 128 Pampers Swaddlers in Newborn size costs $34.94 (316 Diapers costs $69.88 PLUS a 56-count pack of wipes costs $1.97 so add an additional $10. For both you end up at $79.88.. THEN you have to incorporate the cost of gas (for people who live in the boonies like me, it's a 60 mile round trip) and THEN think about the hassle of packing up your baby, the diaper bag, your purse, making the trip, unloading the baby into the car, praying she doesn't have a blowout while you're in the store (or in her carseat- YUCK), struggling to keep her from screaming through the store, packing her back in the car... on and on and on. Honest is DEFINITELY a great deal! 
• Target carries honest products! If you get in a pinch and have quick, easy access to target, you can replenish your supply in store.

The Cons:

• As much as I wanted them to be perfect for my little one, the just didn't quite fit her right. All babies are made differently, so if you question whether they'll fit yours appropriately, definitely take advantage of a free trial! 
• They're pretty stiff. This is a double edged sword- they are free of all the chemicals that major diaper companies use that make their product so soft which is AWESOME, but they can leave some pretty sore looking red spots from being so stiff. (We just try to give her about an hour a day of time with no diaper on to relax her skin and air out). She loves it because she can straighten out her legs without a big bulky diaper between her thighs and it gives us piece of mind to see her skin without red marks from constant pressure of diapers. 
• If the amount of diapers sent to you isn't enough or is too many, it can be a real pain. The website currently doesn't have any options for "mix and match" bundles. Personally I think it would be handy to be able to get multiple sizes in a delivery if needed (they send 6 packs of diapers, so I'd love to be able to order 4 in size 1 and 2 in size 2, our little one has been growing like a weed so she blew right through the size 1 phase). 
• Inquiries/cancelling is a pain. They only offer most account modifications via phone and, like many customer service businesses, it can take FOREVER t oget through to a representative.
• The "deals" run out once they have your credit card on file... Before I signed up for a subscription, I always was getting e-mails for 50% off a bundle or buy one bundle, get a second for a percentage off, etc. After I signed up, those deals all stopped. I hate when companies only reward NEW customers... It wouldn't hurt to dish out a little love to loyal customers once in a while too! 

So all in all, I think Honest is a great company and they have an awesome mission. I love the chemical free products and the piece of mind that their products gives to parents. The products are adorable and the price point was spot on. I ended my diaper subscription simply because they didn't fit over her bum correctly, but they may be perfect for your baby! I'll still continue using honest for their wipes and other products. 

My recommendation: Give the free trial a shot and see what you think! It's worth it!

*I am in no way affiliated with The Honest Company. The images provided are samples available at www.honest.com used to give my readers a better understanding of the company. 

Gourmet for Days

As a new mom, it has become nearly impossible to spend the time that I used to put into creating elaborate gourmet meals for my husband and myself. Luckily, things have started to settle down so I have been able to regain a bit of my creativity in the kitchen while the little one supervises from her bouncer chair.

I'm working on losing the baby weight and typically operating on a pretty sleep deprived , so breakfast is a very important part of my day.

Today, baby girl was in a particularly cooperative mood, so I had some extra time to make myself a delicious meal!

So all of this was prepared and ready to eat within 10 minutes! Not too shabby, eh?

For starters, I sauteed some sliced potatoes in coconut oil with a bit of salt and pepper. I used canned, pre-sliced potatoes so they would cook quicker, and just tossed them in a saute pan with some hot coconut oil.

At the same time, I cooked 2 eggs with 6 cherry tomatoes sliced in half. When the potatoes were done, I pulled them out of the pan and put some fresh spinach right into the hot pan. The eggs and spinach finished around the same time.

I put everything on a plate and topped my eggs with some goat cheese crumbles. Typically, I would have used feta but since I've eliminated cow's milk from my diet, I have a new found appreciation for goat cheese!

Truth be told, it was absolutely DELICIOUS! And goes to show that fancy breakfasts don't have to be super time consuming.

Dairy Free Ice Cream Dream

Ok, so you may know I have recently gone dairy and soy free to attempt to make my breast milk compatible with my little one's tummy.

With the exclusion of dairy unfortunately comes the exclusion of delicious creamy treats like coffee creamer, cheese and, most importantly, ice cream.

I tried the options that are available in our local grocery store, almond ice cream and "Rice Dream"... let me tell you they were no where near the ice cream I was so desparately craving.

Luckily, I came across some amazing recipes for non dairy ice cream and decided to give it a try. Turns out it was DELICIOUS!!! And so much healthier than ice cream. I may stick with this as my "ice cream" for good from now on! It would certainly not bother me at all for my kiddo to grow up liking my "look alike" ice cream better than the sugar loaded, fattening products available in stores!

Here's what I used:

1 banana, peeled and frozen
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup vanilla almond milk

That's it!

I put all ingredients in my ninja blender system together and blended them for about 60 seconds, until a creamy texture formed.

It was absolutely the perfect substitute for ice cream in my non-dairy diet. Next up I'm going to start trying some flavor combinations- I'm thinking peanut butter, strawberry and wild berry! Yummy!

Green Tomato Jelly

Tomatoes Galore? Search no more!

My grandmother is one of those women that can make just about anything taste delicious!

This is her recipe for Green Tomato Jelly.

5 cups chopped green tomatoes

4 cups sugar

2 3oz. packs Jell-O (I usually stick to grape, raspberry and strawberry.. but feel free to be adventurous!)

1. Chop  your tomatoes. I usually just cut around the core and cut them into 1/2 inch squares. (You don't have to chop them super fine or evenly.. you're going to cook them down and then puree them).

2. Combine tomatoes and sugar in a sauce pan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir frequently. (The tomatoes will break down with the heat and sugar and make a syrup-y like liquid)

3. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.

4. Use either a blender or emulsion blender to puree your mixture. (I used the ninja food system and it worked awesome!)

5. Return to sauce pan, add Jell-O mix and let simmer for 20 minutes.  

While your mixture is simmering, start prepping your jars. I have a bottle sterilizer that I put mine in and then fill them while they're still hot, many canning experts boil theirs... do some research, choose your method and get your jars ready to fill.

Once your mix has cooked, pour into your prepped jars and process them according to your favorite method! I put my jars in boiling water for 5 minutes, then let them sit wrapped in towels for 36 hours.

Enjoy!!

Oh, you're pregnant?!

Ok ladies, if you've ever been or currently are pregnant, I'm sure you'll know right where I'm coming from here.

There are some things that you just DON'T say to a pregnant woman.

During my pregnancy, I had the joy of working in a local restaurant, so I was constantly interacting with people which allowed me lots and LOTS of time to compile a list of things that drove me absolutely nuts when people would say them to me...

For those of you who haven't been pregnant or had one of those freakishly easy "I only gained a half a pound and never got sick" pregnancies, take note!

10. "You're carrying high, it's definitely a boy!" I'm pretty sure I heard this at least once a day, usually after someone asked me if I knew the gender yet (to which I would reply "it's a girl"!). Low and behold, half the population has a 6th sense about them that has turned them into walking, breathing ultrasound machines. I had one woman actually tell me that if I had a girl, she was going to be a tomboy because she doesn't want to be a girl based on the way I was carrying... Backoff ultrasounders!

9. "Why are you tired? You should be sleeping all the time now!"... I especially loved hearing this one from men. Let's go through the list of things preventing my peaceful slumber... A. There's a 20 pound beach ball growing off my front side, not the most ideal situation for comfort! B. I pee LITERALLY at least once every hour... Sleep soundly though that? I think not. C. The child in my stomach is working on developing her tap dancing skills on my ribcage. D. Once the tap dancing stops, she starts boxing training on my organs. E. I am about to have a BABY! I'm bringing a HUMAN into this world! There's a million things to be done before she gets here, there's no time for sleeping!!!

8. "Should you really be eating that?" If I had followed all the dietary suggestions I received, I would have been living on spinach and multivitamins. I'm not saying that you shouldn't watch what you're putting into your body. I was very cautious and cut various things out of my diet per my doc's suggestions, but don't deprive yourself. You're growing a human... you need some nutrients!

7. "Don't you have anything cute you can wear?" Please take not of the massive growth I'm carrying on my front side. Find me a place that carries clothing that'll fit over my bump without breaking the bank and I'll gladly buy some. Have you seen the prices on maternity clothes? Outrageous! I'll stick with my leggings and XL Sweaters, thanks!

6. "Let me guess your due date!" For your own safety, you probably just better not.

5. "How much have you gained??" Are you asking that because you think it's 5 pounds or 50? Why are you asking that at all?? Why is a bulge in my gut suddenly an acceptable reason to discuss my weight publicly? I vote no.

4. "Do you need ice cream?" If I'm already in a foul mood, offering me cliché pregnancy foods is probably not the best route to take. If I want to eat something, I'll let you know. Once I let you know, get your behind moving and get it to me STAT.

3. "You're HOW FAR past your due date???" Yeah, 2 weeks, trust me, I'm well aware. Stop telling me to walk, drink pineapple juice and ride on railroad tracks.. If there's a theory, I've tried it! This child will make her arrival when she's ready.

2. "You have no idea".... This didn't get me as bad in the beginning, but as time went on this seemed to be the response I'd get from people every time they'd ask how I was doing. "Do you have morning sickness?" "Yeah, I haven't been able to eat much of anything for weeks" "You have no idea..." ...ummmm yeah, after 2 months of constant nausea and vomiting, I think I've got a pretty good idea. "Is she moving a lot?" "Yeah, I think my bladder is her punching bag" "You have no idea"... There's a 7 pound child beating on my bladder constantly, I think I have a pretty good idea. Just trust her when she tells you how she's feeling, she knows exactly what she's dealing with!

1. "Oh, you're pregnant?!" ....nope, this is a watermelon I put in my shirt for special occasions. Seriously, if someone tells you they're pregnant, just send your congratulations. If they're past 4 months, chances are she's feeling pretty huge and your surprise at her announcement is NOT going to help her feel any better. You might as well just look her right in the eyes and tell her you think she's a whale. Not cool. So, so not cool.

Now remember, every woman is going to be completely different in how they feel during this miraculous time in their life, so it's your job as a person who interacts with them to NOT push an unnecessary buttons. Follow my list, use some common sense and well.. just don't be dumb and the world will be a much happier place. Or at least hers will!