Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Christmas Shouldn't Be This Stressful

I decided to add this quote because I know that I stress more at Christmas time now that I am a mother. I feel as if this quote is exactly what I needed to read today. Yes, buying the best of the best for your kids and family sounds great. But, the reality is times are hard and we shouldn't stress over the price and if it is the best thing they have ever received. To be honest, do you remember everything you ever received for Christmas? No, but you do remember the family and friends that were there to help you celebrate this beautiful holiday. My point is, they are going to remember you being there, celebrating Christmas with them way longer than the gift you gave them.

I think a lot of people lose sight of what Christmas is truly all about. We get caught up in trying to make it so perfect, and don't actually have time to step back and enjoy this beautiful time of the year. It truly is the small things and thoughts that count.

Let us remember this holiday for what it really is, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Happy Birthday Jesus.

Love,
Just Simply A Mommy

Just Simply A Mommy Book Club

I am starting a monthly book club for my followers. Life as a mom can be hectic, and to relax I love curling up with a book once Maelyn goes to sleep. I want to share the experience I get from books with other moms.

All books that are featured in the monthly book club will be a free book from Amazon. You can download Kindle Fire App if you do not own a kindle and download the book to your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Click here to download the app.

Our book for the month of December is Three Girls and a Baby. I have included the Book Description from Amazon.com at the end of the post.


Each Monday Night, I will be posting discussion questions about the book.
At the end of the month, I will post discussion questions geared to the whole book.
I sure hope you all enjoy this book, and feel free to leave suggestions for January's Book.



Book Description From Amazon:

This fun chick lit novel is Book #1 in the best-selling Three Girls series! 

Ginny McKensie's life is spiraling out of control. 

Finished with college, she should have been planning her wedding. After all, Ginny and Josh were made for each other—everyone said so. Except the love of her life didn't agree. 

Now Ginny is back in her hometown, unwillingly single, and stuck in a dead-end job. When she discovers she's pregnant, Ginny is convinced her life is ending. Instead of planning a future with Josh, she's learning the truth about morning sickness, juggling bills, and seeing just how far designer jeans can stretch. 

Her life-plan never included dating again (not even with her too-hot new boss), or being a single mother at 23. Now, with the help of her best friends, Annie and Jen, Ginny must try to re-imagine—and rebuild—a life she never wanted. 

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Despicable Me 2 Countdown Party

Despicable Me 2 is coming to DVD Tuesday (December 10th). I looked online and have included some links for different things to do with your little ones to celebrate the release, and maybe have a despicable party! 

Click the title and it will lead you to the site. 

I will posting pictures of what we did. 

Let me know how your Despicable Me 2 Party/Countdown went and I would love to see pictures too!













Saturday, December 7, 2013

To Bottle Or Not To Bottle?

Let's face it. As parent's we want to give our children everything they need and want. But what if the want is not a need, and your stuck in between a rock and a hard place. That's what kind of situation I am in right now with bottles. I know all these professional people say take the bottle away at one, but I hate seeing my little one cry. I have been researching and researching on ways to take the bottle away and go to cup. I have tried everything and nothing works. Maybe it is me, maybe I am the reason my daughter is 13 months and still gets a bottle sometimes. We are in the process of transitioning, but up to standards, we have not done it right. I will try any method there is. I got rid of all but one, she is usually fine until nap or bedtime when she wants a milk bottle.

 I want to know from you all what way did you take the bottle away? 



Put A Diaper On That Butt!

When it comes to babies, the one thing you use all day, every day, and spend the most money on is DIAPERS! But diapers can be intimidating! So many brands, types, and sizes. My daughter is one year old and I still am searching for that perfect diaper. I think by the time I finally find it, she will be potty trained. My problem, my daughter has very sensitive skin and pees a lot! So far i have tried so many different brands, my next step is overnight diapers during the day and night. To be honest, I think my washer machine is mad at me because it has to wake up early each morning to wash my dear little one's bedding. Here are my reviews on the diapers I have tried, please keep in mind my daughter has sensitive skin.

Pampers
The hospital I delivered my daughter at uses pampers. Overall I found this to be a good brand. I used Pampers Sensitive and Pampers Sensitive Wipes. I was faithful to Pampers her first 3 months. The only downfall with these are they are kinda pricey, and as you know the more your child grows, the less diapers come in a pack. 

Huggies
I only have tried Huggies once. It did not agree with my daughters skin. I tried when she was a newborn and never went back. But, now that I am having leaking problems, I will be trying Huggies Overnights and also Huggies Lil Movers, since my daughter is crawling and walking all the time. Huggies Wipes, I had no luck with. I don't care for the thick texture they have. I tried the regular, naturals, and sensitive, but did not like any of the Huggies brand wipes.

Luvs

I love the smell Luvs diapers have. It just smells like a baby. Really the only brand of diapers I tried that had a nice smell. I loved Luvs. For one, the are great diapers at a great price. A big box you can catch on sale for $20. A name brand that's cheap. Now they came out with Luvs Leakguard Diapers. The concept is wonderful, but I did not find they worked really good. Luvs are a thin diaper but do hold kinda good. They have a money back guarantee, which if your child leaks through the diaper, you receive your money back on a pre paid card. You have to send them a un-used diaper, your original receipt, and the upc code on the box. I unfortunaly had to participate because my daughter leaked through almost every diaper. But by far Luvs are my favorite name brand diaper (and the monkey is just adorable)!

Walmart Brand
For the price, these diapers hold up. You get more for the value than name brands, but it is still a brand parent's can trust. I still to this day use Parent's Choice wipes. The designs on them are very neutral, so you do not have to worry about a boy having pink designs or vice versa. I use the sensitive, and prefer those over regular because they aren't as thick and much easier to clean with. 

Target Brand
Target is my favorite off brand diapers. They hold very well and the cute polka dot design is so adorable!
They are more expensive than Walmart brand, but only by a dollar or two. They fit really good and do not irritate my daughters skin.

Family Dollar Brand
Overall pretty good for the price. You can get a pack for $4 something. But as they say, you get what you pay for. They hold kinda good, but you have to change every hour on the clock. So when you think your saving a few dollars, really your not. I can not complain though this is the cheapest diaper I found that works ok. Their wipes are really good too, especially the value. Great back up diapers for in between paychecks.

Dollar General Brand
I received these as a shower gift. The small pack is around $3.50. They are ok diapers, but I do not highly recommend. They do not hold good at all and feel like paper. I only buy these if I am one or two days away from payday and I run out of diapers. I do like the cute animal design around the waist band, but other than that I am not a fan.


I still have am going to try other brands, but right now these are the ones I have tried. 
So my question to all of you,

What is your favorite diaper brand, and why?

What is your least favorite brand, and why?










Friday, December 6, 2013

Survey Time-Win A Giftcard

I am conducting a survey to make this blog one of the best parent blogs out there. To take the survey go to the link below. 10 winners will be randomly selected to win a gift card to a store of their choice, prices ranging from $5-$50. Good luck and thank you in advance for participating !

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BXCFFBN

Welcome To Just Simply A Mommy

Hey!

Welcome to Just Simply A Mommy. This blog is just for that, women who are just simply a mommy. No codenames or nicknames, just simply a mommy. To be honest I am just simply a mommy. That's me, you come to find when you have kids, your name just disappears in thin air. You are now considered Mom and to your kids friends, you are "(Your Child's Name) Mom". In these days all of us mom just want the best for our kids, but the way the world is today it is tougher and easier on some aspects. Some days are great, but some days us Moms are just simply trying make it through. This blog will bring all kinds of tips and tricks for moms, everyday activities, d.i.y. activities (hello Pintrest!), and lots more stuff for just simply, mommy's! If you have any requests or comments, feel free to contact me. Stay strong mommy's!

Love,
Just Simply A Mommy