Battling the Baby Blues

New moms are overwhelmed with a roller-coaster ride of emotions just after the little one makes his/her debut. Happy that the pregnancy is over, sad to lose the "because I'm pregnant" excuse for sleeping all day. Elated to have a new baby to love, distraught from losing countless hours of much needed sleep. Pleased when baby sleeps an extra hour, disappointed because your milk just isn't coming in fast enough. The baby blues is perfectly normal form of emotional torture. Some women only experience the blues for a week or two after the baby is born, but for others, it seems to never go away. Sometimes it leads to depression or worse. There are plenty of simple ways to help fight the baby blues. #1: SMILE try to maintain a positive attitude. Watch a funny movie, read jokes in the news paper or online, bake you favorite cookies, invite a good friend over just to talk... #2: FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF don't let your post-pregnancy body get you down. Your body goes through extreme changes in the few weeks or even months after the baby comes. Put some make-up on, do your hair, buy an outfit for the in-between sizes time... #3: RELAX it's hard to relax when you have an infant that depends on you for everything. Don't try to clean the whole house in your few spare hours. Lay down, take a nap, watch a movie, soak in a warm bath, wear your pj's... #4: SPEND SOME TIME ALONE even if it's just for an hour or two. Do something for yourself, go to the mall even if you don't buy anything, get a massage, get your hair or nails done, go see a movie, get a Slurpee (they always make me feel better),... #5: UNDERSTAND THAT IT WILL ONLY GO AWAY IF YOU WANT IT TO the baby blues are somewhat parasitic and will only stay as long as you let them. In someways it is out of our control when they come or go. Do everything you can to keep from feeling down. If you feel you can't control it or that it may not be going away, see a doctor. Some women have it worse than others and may need more than self-reassurance. Consulting a doctor about the baby blues is normal and never a bad idea. Not consulting a doctor may allow the phase to stick around even longer.

FOR THE DAD
There are many ways a husband or partner can help. Here are a few ideas to consider:

~Buy her flowers
~Make her favorite meal
~Write a note about all the things you love about her
~Avoid arguments. If she says something you don't agree with, forget about it
~Volunteer to get up in the night
~Understand that she may be emotional
~Don't beg for sex. It is not only undesirable but extremely painful to her at this time
~Make her a treat (chocolate may not be the best choice if she is nursing)
~Offer to watch the baby while she goes out
~Understand that she may not only want a new outfit, she may need it as she is in between sizes
~Kiss her
~Tell her she is beautiful
~Paint her toenails - with permission
~Give her a massage
~Allow her some alone time
~Forget about yourself and your own needs. She needs you more than ever right now
~Accept feeling like a slave, it is nothing compared to how she feels right now
~Change a few diapers
~Do the chores without being asked, she will need to spend her spare time sleeping
~Buy her a card
~Show her you love her; about a million times a day should do...
~Make her feel special

(feel free to print this and give it to your husband or partner)

Gas Prices

If you haven't heard yet, gas prices are coming DOWN! But, everyone knows, it is only cheaper if you don't have to drive around to find the cheapest price. If you are getting ready to run some errands or go out for the day, find the cheapest price on your route then stop there instead of going to every gas station you know of trying to find the best price. Find it before you leave home! To check out gas prices in your area go to http://gasbuddy.com/

At home spa

If you are a mom, I am sure you will agree that we just don't get enough time for ourselves sometimes. I do love spending time with my little one, but there are days where I just wish I could find some time for things I like. This past weekend I asked a few friends what they do to keep their sanity! My friend, Vanessa, sent me an email about how she spends her alone time. This is what she had to say:


"My name is Vanessa and I am a mother of 3 rambunctious boys and 1 sleepless baby girl. I spend my days feeding the baby and homeschooling the boys. I try to run an organized life to make sure the kids stay in a somewhat normal routine. Every day, at about 3:00 pm, everyone goes down for a nap. Thankfully, they usually take good two hour naps everyday. This two hours alone is no less than life saving for me! After I have done a little cleaning up and preparing for the next shift, I love to do a little something for myself. One of my favorite things to do is an "at home facial". They are very relaxing for me and the help me feel refreshed. Here are a few facial recipes and instructions that only take a few minutes:

• Honey facial: Place a very warm, damp wash cloth over your face for about 5 minutes to open your pores. Immediately after you remove the wash cloth, smear honey over your face. For an exfoliating scrub, add sugar to the honey and scrub face for a few seconds. Then just leave it on your face for about 15 minutes and rinse with warm water.
• Avocado facial: Just mash up an avocado and smear it on your face. Leave it for about 15 minutes then rinse with warm water. Avocado is naturally moisturizing so you may not need a face lotion after this mask.
• Cucumber-lemon facial: Place a very warm wash cloth over your face for about 5 minutes to open your pores. Immediately after you remove the wash cloth, place a cold slice of cucumber over your eyes (to help reduce puffy eyes), and a few room-temperature lemon slices all over your face (to help reduce appearance of blemishes and break down oils), and a warm wash cloth over your face. Squeeze lemon slices a little bit to make them juicy. Leave them on your face for about 15 minutes then rinse with warm water. It shouldn't burn, if it does rinse immediately.
• Banana facial: Mash a banana and smear it all over your face. I have heard this helps with wrinkles.
• Simple witch hazel facial: Open pores with a warm wash cloth (or after a warm shower) then rub witch hazel over your face with a cotton ball. Witch hazel breaks down oils and tones skin.

I am sure there are tons more easy facials that can be done at home, but these are the ones I have tried and enjoyed. I hope this helps you enjoy your kids' nap times!"

Thanks Vanessa! I am definitely going to try a few of these!

*Any suggestions? Leave a comment!*

AbOuT mY dAy...

You know how you're always just so thankful for a brand new box of wipes? Thankful that if the wipe falls down in, you won't have to reach down in there very far to pull it back through? Thankful that when you child makes you an 8 wipe present, you know you wont get stuck in the middle with only 3 wipes? Yeah me too... The only thing I can't figure out is why a pile of wipes wont all fit back into the wipey container after they have been pulled out one-by-one by a 9 month old little boy. I mean, they ALL did just come right out of that very same container, ...right? *stumped*

Eat this, NOT that

I am totally guilty of eating what I want, when I want. In fact, I just barely polished off 2(TWO) whole packages of Oreo cakesters. Granted, they only have 2 cakes inside each package and they are horribly delicious. But, beware, their deliciousness is a scurvy little trick! These suckers are crammed with 250 calories, 100 of which calories are from FAT! And if it weren't for my diminishing metabolism, I might just run right over to the cupboard and scarf down the rest of the box.

Last night I sat in my bed wondering how this all happened to ME. I have always been thin, but since my son was born, I am slowly beginning to realize why so many women worry about what they eat. I told my husband I was going to try to diet as soon as all of the junk food is gone. Not a diet to lose weight, but a diet to eat healthy. I don't want to be one of those moms that puts carrot sticks in the kids' lunches and fills my own lunch with pudding and cookies. I want my kids to think it's cool to eat cauliflower and celery just like mommy. So, starting Monday, I am going to choose to eat healthy. No more cakesters for lunch and homemade desserts for dinner. Treats will be only to reward myself after a weeks worth of "being good".

There is actually a book called Eat this, not that, which can be purchased at http://www.amazon.com/. It can help you learn some healthy alternatives to the things you eat at restaurants and fast food places. Also check out http://www.womenshealthmag.com/ and play the "eat this, not that" game in the nutrition section.

Some healthy alternatives:

• Eat bacon, not sausage
• Eat french toast, not waffles
• Eat red bell peppers, not green ones
• Eat celery with peanut butter, not ranch dressing
• Eat a chocolate chip granola bar, not a chocolate chip cookie
• Eat ice cream with fresh berries, not syrup
• Eat brown rice, not white rice
• Eat baked chicken, not fried chicken
• Eat apples with the peal, not without
• Eat apples dipped in yogurt, not caramel
• Drink lemon water, not lemon Kool-Aid
• Eat dried fruit, not fruit snacks
• Eat wheat bread, not white
• Drink 100% orange juice, not Sunny-D
• Eat a blueberry muffin, not chocolate
• Eat a chocolate and peanut butter dipped banana, not a banana split

Not all of the alternatives are exactly *healthy*, but they are a better choice.

Easy ways to recycle

Recently, I decided to do my part in helping the environment. I do realize that there is so much more I could do, but you have to start some where right? I have seen so many people that take immense step in staying "GREEN"and I can't imagine the effort it must take to just remember to do all those things! Way back in the good old days, when I worked as a bagger at a grocery store, there were a few people that always brought in their reusable shopping bags for their groceries to be packed in. I remember thinking to myself, "These people are ridiculous! What kind of people bring their own bag when we give them out for free?!" Ha!... If I only knew the facts! Did you know it actually costs more to recycle a plastic bag than it does to just make a new one? Plastic bags cost about 1 cent and paper bags cost about 4 cents! Read this article from National Geographic. I found it very interesting. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/09/0902_030902_plasticbags.html Now, I'm not so sure how much paper bags affect the environment, but I do know that they are easy for me to recycle with my phonebooks and newspapers. *Reusable bags usually only cost $1.*They don't tear as easily as the plastic bags.*Some have a flat bottom so they don't tip as easily in the trunk.*They are washable.*They hold a lot more than plastic bags.*And there is so much more you will like about them! Park City, UT recently banned plastic bags! I think this is a wonderful idea! Here are a few more ways I try to recycle and some tips I stole from friends:

• Juice containers: Instead of throwing out the plastic bottles, I save a few so I can mix frozen juice concentrates in them.
• Glass pickle jars: I rinse them out and use them for my used bacon grease and oil. When it's full, I throw it out.
• Plastic grocery bags: I know I'm not the only one who does this... I use them as trash can liners in the bathroom and bedroom cans.
• Plastic produce bags from the grocery store: Usually the don't get dirty or sticky, so I stuff a few in my diaper bag for dirty diapers and in the pouches on the back of the seats in the car for trash while I'm out running errands.
• Dish water: Before I drain my "rinsing side"(if it isn't very gross or soapy), I get a big cup and water all of the little plants in my house.
• Egg cartons: (if you don't already recycle them with your newspapers and phone books) I cut them in fours and plant a few herbs in them and take them to the ladies I visit each month. I have also seen people use them to organize scrap booking embellishments.

Ever notice those big, metal, dumpster looking containers in the corner of the parking lot of the grocery store? I know the Harmon's in Orem has them... They are recycling containers! Most of the ones I have seen are labeled "Phonebooks". Well since I don't want to pay the city to come pick up my recycling (this may not be the case in every city), I take my paper and cardboard to these recycling bins. Also, did you know that the grocery stores are actually PAID by some recycling companies to save their cardboard? That's right! They save their cardboard boxes, smash them flat, and put them in a machine that makes a "bale" out of them(just like a bale of hay)! Then a company comes and buys the bales from them. I know that some grocery stores will let you bring your unwanted cardboard (I think they will only take big boxes and stuff like that, not small stuff like cereal boxes but you can call to ask.)to be recycled with theirs. They will not pay you for it but at least you know it is being recycled. Call your local grocery stores to see if they will let you bring it in to be recycled!

Halloween is coming!

October will be here in just one week and we all know what that means! HALLOWEEN! Moms take so much pride in dressing up their little princesses and monsters to take them trick-or-treating. BUT- are there somethings we are forgetting? Here are some tips to make your haunting a happy one!

Play it safe:

• Buy glowsticks or reflecting tape to put on the front and back of your child's costume.
• Use face paint rather than masks.
• Don't let them go alone!
• Know your route before you leave. Avoid sexual predators by checking out http://www.familywatchdog.us/Default.asp. Only go to houses where you know the owners.
• Check your child's candy before they dig in. Throw out any opened candy and all homemade treats unless you know and trust who they came from.
• Make sure they are bundled up! Snug-fitting long Johns wil fit under just about any costume.
• Don't knock unless the porch light is on. This will avoid angry answerers!
• Pass out allergy friendly treats. Fruit flavored candy is usually a safe choice. Small, inexpensive toys, pencils, and juice boxes are some other ideas.
• Attend your local mall or church Halloween party. This is a safe way for your kids to trick-or-treat without doing a lot of walking or driving.
• Throw your own Halloween party! Invite your friends and neighbors to come over for some games and activities! This could help you avoid trick-or-treating all together!

Happy Haunting!

Making money fom home

Hey all you SAHMs! Here are two easy ways to earn a few bucks while the kiddos are napping!

#1: Sign up for surveys at your2cents.com.
#2: Sign up for surveys at mindfeildonline.com.

The companies will send you links to surveys that they want to pay you for! Most of them take about 15 minutes to complete and you can typically earn 1-5 dollars for each one. Sometimes there are $10-$15 opportunities! It's one of those things you just sign up for and forget about it until you get a check in the mail!

Fun things to do in Utah that wont cost a fortune!

• BYU Earth Science Museum-FREE Explore Jurassic fossils
• Gardener Village http://www.gardnervillage.com/events.php -FREE Feed the fish and ducks, visit the candy shop for free fudge samples, see all of the seasonal decorations, visit the petting zoo ($2), take some classes (some classes have fees), shop for unique gifts and decor.
• Red Butte Gardens http://www.redbuttegarden.org/node/18 -Walk around the gardens and enjoy the beautiful views
• The Living Planet Aquarium http://www.thelivingplanet.com/ -A self guided tour throught the aquarium will allow you to take your time and discover Utah native marine life as well as other fascinating marine life.
• Cabela's-FREE There is so much to do in Cabela's without dropping a dime! It's like a museum opened a Cabela's! See wildlife from all over the world as well as record setting big and small game animals.
• Thanksgiving Point http://www.thanksgivingpoint.com/ - There are always excited events for the whole family. Visit the website for event calendars and prices.
• The Children's Museum of Utah http://www.childmuseum.org/ -An interactive museum that is enjoyable for children and adults.
• The Gateway Mall-FREE Pack a lunch and put the kids in their swimsuits and head downtown to the Gateway Mall in SLC. The "dancing waters" are on all summer long!
• Utah's Hogle Zoo https://www.hoglezoo.org/ - Open all year long! Pack a lunch, bring the strollers and wagons, and enjoy all of the animals!
• The Clark Planetarium http://www.clarkplanetarium.org/ -FREE Museum about the planets and solar system. Several free exhibits are on display. There is also an IMAX theater and other activities that do have admission fees.
• Bridal Veil Falls-FREE Just a few miles up Provo Canyon. Pack a lunch and eat at Nun's Park. From there, whether you decide to walk, rollerblade, bike, or run, there is a paved trail that will take you right to the beautiful falls (and further if you wish)where you can play in the shallow water or hike to the top of the falls. Bring the stroller or wagon!
• Non-ski season liftrides at Sundance resort http://www.sundanceresort.com/explore/sum_lift_rides.html -Enjoy the ride with a one of a kind scenic view.
• Hill Airforce Base Aerospace Museum http://www.hill.af.mil/library/museum/ -FREE Aerospace history museum.
• Classic Cars International Auto Museum http://travel.msn.com/Guides/EntityProfile.aspx?destinationid=29047&entityid=1125&entity=Attractions&rrso=DESC&rrsb=DATE -If you love cars, you wil love this museum's collection of over 200 classic cars.

There is so much to do in Utah and these are just a few things! There are also tons of parks, recreation centers, lakes, and trails to be enjoyed!