Zoo trip!

So the other day we took Alexa to the zoo, and of course it rained... But we wrapped her up and waited out the rain. Her favorite animal was the orangatang, and he seemed to like her. It sorta crawled up to the glass and put it's hand up to the glass where she was. SO ADORABLE. We got her a pink monkey as her first zoo toy. Very much fun, until the rain kicked into hyper-drive. But by this time the little angel was asleep, so we just covered her face and quickly found the shops then left. She waas only four months old, so we'll take her again soon, but it was very exciting to watch her react to the animals. Afterwards we went to Applebees, where our waiter gave her a red balloon that she loved. (Balloons are her favs)

Name Finder

So what really is in a name?



My Brother and Sister-in-law are expecting another baby, and it really had me thinking about baby names...



Has anyone noticed that a lot of the older names are coming back? Grace? Or Edward?

We personally had a lot of thinking to do, go with the name craze or find something original? Would anyone be offended if we didn't name them after someone? How are two people supposed to pick out something that will stick with a human being for the rest of their life? And what about nick names?

At the time of picking Alexa's name, we really just pieced it together. Alex... That was always a name i liked from childhood so there is prolly the basis for her name. Rayne... Not so sure where it popped in at.

Alexa Rayne...there is magic there. I've looked up what her name means and all that jazz... but really her name is from our hearts. We didn't use name generators or anything. And what matters the most is when you first see that tiny baby face. You'll know their name soon enough.

Just a few things they forgot to tell us....

So as we all know there are tons of books, and articles out there about everything you need to know about babies. how many of those books actually lack any quality help? Or actually help when the time came to use it.

My daughter Alexa Rayne is almost 5 months old, I've been pooped on, puked on, scratched, hair pulled and she's screamed in my ear, and my baby is really well behaved. She sleeps through the night, didn't cry when i got her ears pierced, has had only one ear infection, eats well, if not too well... I dunno. She's amazing but i was never prepared for everything that was going to take place, even with my two year old nephew. Like how much it cost for formula, diapers, wipes, clothes, shoes, everything just adds up. I'd like to just take a second to spread just a few things that I've learned in my five months.

Now we'll touch on the few random things everyone must be afraid to tell you, cause you never hear them...

My husband sleeps through the baby crying, don't get me wrong he's a great dad but this is so annoying... If I were to wake him up he'll get up, but most of the time it's wasted effort. I'm not really for sure what a good solution for this is... but you could try moving the baby monitor closer to him, didn't work in my case. But mostly it's best if you let it go. I held onto that fight too long and it only caused more problems. Luckily that only applied to us for two months til Alexa started to sleep through the night. If you fight over it you'll only end up more exhausted than you began. Accept that your partner is a heavy sleeper and keep going.

Little girls pee when you take their diaper off too. This you may laugh at me for, but i really didn't know that. Changing my nephew I was always always careful, but at first with Alexa I threw caution into the wind... then i got peed on. Maybe I was just sheltered from that thought because people assumed that I knew this, but maybe you don't know either.

Holidays are now a hassle. Both of our parents are divorced. Which makes four sets of families to go see. And EVERYBODY wants you to stay for a meal or participate in traditions, but four families... four meals... plus all those extended family parties...

EVERYONE has advice. Especially Grandmothers... (Personal Story, sorry i can't help myself) I have a formula divider (a plastic tub with three or four divided areas that allow you to store amounts ready to be mixed powered formula) so I fill it up and it's ready to go. Every time I'm around my grandma she gets upset that i don't "measure the formula". I guess she gets it now, but it was just recently that the explanation stuck. Back to my blogging... Simply the ladies at the supermarket will always comment about the way they're dressed or what type of bottle you are using... it happens. The best way to keep your sanity is to smile say thanks for the advice and keep on doing exactly what works for you. But trying to fight the crazed advice givers only makes it worse, you know what works for you and your baby, that's all you need. Do listen tho, because usually these are people that have children and are only trying to help. You may learn a thing or two.

Fathers... Not yours... Your baby's fathers. I once heard a saying that women are mothers the moment they become pregnant, while men become fathers after the baby gets here. TRUE to an extent. It just may be a bit later than you think. While women seem to have the amazing power to be WONDER MOM from day -280, men seem to take their time. My husband still doesn't change poop diapers, i have to pack the diaper bag so things are sure to get where they need to be, and i still get frantic calls at work that he can't get the baby to calm down. And at first she scared him... He's a firefighter, and maybe something so small and needy really did the trick. I dunno. He didn't really hold her much to begin with, now he's fantastic, but i worried about him and her a lot in the beginning...

Your house. WHen people actually offer to help you clean up, TAKE THE HELP!!! I guess I was too proud to begin with, I could do it all by myself. We moved the day after I came home from the hosptial. Family helped him move and everything, but after they left I had it all. Now I really wish the magic laundry fairy would come by once a week and help, but alas she doesn't really exist. Best advice, take in in stride. Keep things clean as you go. It keeps everything tidy and when you go to clean it isn't like taking on a full day job. Do a load of laundry a day.

Remember to really take a bit to concentrate on yourself. If you are not happy, then no one is happpy. You have a very loving family right there for you.

Class in Session

So as we all know there are tons of books, and articles out there about everything you need to know about babies. how many of those books actually lack any quality help? Or actually help when the time came to use it.

My daughter Alexa Rayne is almost 5 months old, I've been pooped on, puked on, scratched, hair pulled and she's screamed in my ear, and my baby is really well behaved. She sleeps through the night, didn't cry when i got her ears pierced, has had only one ear infection, eats well, if not too well... I dunno. She's amazing but i was never prepared for everything that was going to take place, even with my two year old nephew. Like how much it cost for formula, diapers, wipes, clothes, shoes, everything just adds up. I'd like to just take a second to spread just a few things that I've learned in my five months.

Today we'll touch on prices, and ways to save money.

Tip One: COUPONS!!!! Sign up for Good Start coupons @ goodbaby.com, they've sent me coupons for up to $11 off formula, money off bottles, pacifiers, baby food, bowels,etc. They're so useful. Especially starting out. Huggies, Pampers, and Luvs usually send you coupons too. Sign up at thier websites, Huggies send me coupons for diapers and wipes all the time. Anywhere from $.50 to $3.00 off wipes and diapers. Coupons can be found on the Internet, anything that might have a website, probably has a sign up for memberships (which includes free coupons), look in the Sunday papers, and always look for ads and sales. Remember certain stores honor competitor's prices, so ask your local stores about details. Look for coupons in your pediatrician's office too.

Tip Two: Don't be too proud. Having a baby, or more than one can be expensive. if you qualify go to your local health department and sign up for the WIC program. They help with women pre and post pregnancy, and with children up to 5 years of age. Use an opportunity to get a medical card if you need one for your child. The very least that can happen is they tell you that you don't qualify.

Tip Three: Thrift stores or second hand shops. Goodwill prolly just popped up in your head, but there are some really nice places that sell second hand baby products. (Not that there is something wrong with Goodwill, there are just places that specialize in baby products.) A lot of these places sell furniture, swings, car seats, strollers, and even maternity clothing too. Pay attention to places and see if they trade in clothing, some even give a cash back option. Baby clothes are really hard to soil on a day to day basis if treated properly, and they usually don't get to be worn many times, so don't feel bad for buying second hand clothing. Also about twice a year there are massive baby sells, like the Little Cherub Sale, that gather clothing for the up coming seasons and sell them for about 2 days. You might have to dig a bit, but almost always it's worth it. Which brings me to Four.

Tip Four: Sell anything they outgrow.Yeah you might want to keep a few of their best outfits for the memory box, or for the next child, but if you're done, or need money then it's a fast way to work it. Newborn size was worn about a month here, and from the showers i had SO many newborn clothing, things she wore once. I'd say that happens a lot. Even if it's to your neighbour or in a yard sale you're making money to provide more things your baby needs now.

Tip Five: If you buy in bulk it's always cheaper! Sam's Club in notorious for big sized items, Walmart carries some bulk items, and look in BigLots, you'll find random great deals.

Tip Six: Off Brand products work just as well. (HINT: some babies have sensitive skin and can only use certain items, Alexa can only wear Huggies Gentle Care diapers... If this is the case find something that works over price) Even dollar stores carry baby products, a dollar thing of wipes versus $2.50 at pricier stores? Which sounds better?

Tip Seven: This may be one of my favorite tips, and the last for the day... FREE SAMPLES!!! By getting free samples you'll know what you are getting, plus you don't have to pay for it to find out if you like it or not. And this doesn't just pertain to babies, you can get free samples for everything. Freebies4mom.com is amazing for finding coupons and giveaways and samples. Usually you don't have to fill out surveys or anything, just type in your info and wait for it in your mail box, you'll be excited Certain websites will also have birthday clubs and things for free whatevers on your birthday, so optimize anything you can do.

I hope I can save you a few bucks, and let me know if you need any links or you've discovered anything I missed. Thanks!