Fall In Love With More Free Templates! Click Here To Get Your Own Smitten Blog Design... »

Friday, December 10, 2010

Walgreens Steal of a deal

I was in Walgreens yesterday picking up some pictures and I came across a steal of a deal for my son for Christmas. They have Mickey from Mickey Place house talking doll. On sale for 9.99 and then they had a coupon for 4$ off. What a great deal. With the way my little Liam loves Mickey club house I know this is sure to be a Christmas favorite!

Hurry in the coupon expires this weekend! you can find it in the in store flyer.

Wipes work wonders

I must confess, I use baby wipes on pretty much anything. From the occasional spit up, to cleaning deodorant off my clothes, wiping down the dirty spots on sofa, I havent found one thing wipes dont clean up. The clean baby spit up and puke off of almost anything. I use Huggies wipes, I dont have a specific one, i like to switch it up a bit.
I must also brag my son has never had diaper rash, or any other problems with his little bum chum, so he obviously loves Huggies wipes and Diapers too : )

One lovely saturday morning while we were walking out the door Liam decided to spit up all over my shirt and a little in my hair. Luckily those Huggies wipes cleaned it right off my clothes, and even though i swore I could smell up chuck in my hair ALL DAY my husband reassured me that it was just my head. I never found out if my hair smelled or if it was just me but, thanks to Huggies it was not all over my brand new top!

Anything crazy, interesting, unique you use baby wipes on?

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

6 months and growing way to fast!

Happy 6 months Liam Matthew Breen!

Having a child has brought such new meaning to my life, a new joy and a laughter that nothing can compare to. I have truly enjoyed watching life through Liam's eyes. It's amazing that the most simple thing can bring joy to him. Wouldn't it be crazy if we all lived our life the way a child feels there first couple years. A simple box brings them the greatest play and happiness. The joy in his eyes every morning when he wakes up, there is no wrong side of them bed for them! I truly am jealous. I wish we had better recollection of these memories. If we only could remember all the things that were don't for us on a daily basis, it would give us a greater love for those who are special in our lives. Although this has been a wild ride, one with many sleepless nights, and sometimes even a cranky crying baby, at the end of the day this is no greater reward then this. The love, the memories...
There is no greater love than the love of a mother, a son, a husband, a family.






Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

Went out on Black Friday for a Christmas tree, Crazy huh?
I still cant believe I stood outside in 7 degree windy weather for a tree. BUT, it was 70% off and we needed one. So anything for my little boo. Thank you Target!

Here are a few pics of getting this Christmas season kicked off








Any great deals you want to brag about? Tell us about them!

Let the shopping begin and the bank balances drop!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Things i wish someone would have told me when I was pregnant.

It seems you only realize things when its too late. So after buying a second car seat for my 5 month old son, and hating the first stroller we bought and few other mishaps or forgotten's along the way I thought I would share them all with you.

First I must say our son is a pretty big boy. At his 4 month check up he was weighing in at 18 pounds and 26 inches. Not to mention he has been hitting all his mile stones early, he has been holding his head up on his own since the day he was born.

On that note-I have to say infant car seats are pretty much a waste of time. We live in the city and we hardly drive, our son has maybe been in his seat 20 times and he is 5 months old now. I think they convertible seats are definitely the way to go when it comes to car seats. We ended up getting the Britax Boulevard car seat, he really enjoys being able to see everything around him and I really think he enjoys that it is more like a seat, whereas in the infant you are almost laying down.

Another big thing we realized was the stroller, which I spoke about in a previous post.

When looking at products, Obviously you want to check the safety ratings, but look how easy it is to remove things you will need to wash, seat covers, toys, etc. I wash my sons toys every night, wipe down his high chair twice a day (washing the cover about 2 times a week) always check over them to make sure they are in good condition, and nothing coming off of them , etc.



I would highly recommend a changing table with everything very accessible, or a really good couch cover bc, boy or girl they surprise pee and poo : )
I have heard from many parents, children's up-to 2 still using them.

Don't ever be ashamed to ask for help, take help, or tell someone you are overwhelmed.
It's so hard for women, we have to wear so many hats; Mother, daughter, wife, friend, maid....
Don't ever be ashamed of what you are feeling.


A few things we realized we needed after Liam was born:
-Burbcloths- my goodness does this child go through them.
-Bibs- I tend to keep a bib on Liam at all times, he drools so much it looks like he is in a wet t-shirt ten minutes after you dress him : )
-Wash new clothes in bundles bc odds are you will be taking some back if they still have the tags on them.
-Baby proof your house while you are still pregnant. You cant imagine how fast they grow, and you wont have a second to do it.
- Ask for everything you want/or need on your registry. You will be using all the items you think you don't need to buy for a while, you need them faster then you thought.
-Get infant tylenol, Gas relieving meds, and any other things you might need. It always seems to be in the middle of the night when you need them and you don't have them.
-Take as many pictures as possible : ) and enjoy the wild ride.

Hopefully this advice helps you feel a little less like this…





Sunday, October 24, 2010

Strolling.




I think the first time we looked at strollers I was 8 months pregnant. I didn't know much about them, well except that you use them to tote your baby around : /
After spending several hours, and walking all around the stroller department we finally settled on a stroller.

We had settled on the Bumbleride Indie stroller

I say we settled because once my son was born and we used this stroller, i HATED it. yes hate with red in my eyes. First of all the 3 wheels seemed so unstable, every time i would hit a bump or crack in the side walk i thought it was going to flip right over on its side.
Not to mention it doesn't even have a cup holder or tray for your little one. Also, the back adjustable back rest was pretty shotty the way it was to be moved to the different positions, it was a pull string, REALLY?!
Maybe if you were using this just as a jogger it might work, but for me and every day i thought it was horrible.


So we started back on our stroller hunt. Fun fun- NOT!
We headed back to our favorite baby store BuyBuyBaby
I love this store because they are so helpful and so knowledgeable about the products they sell. Another great thing is they carry a variety of items from the luxury brands to the cheaper ones.

We ended up falling in love with a Peg Perego Pliko Switch stroller. It is such an amazing stroller but in stores it is selling at $400.00. yes a little outrageous if you ask me. We ended up coming home so i could do some research online.

I found this store called albee baby it is such a great store for everything baby.
It is located in NY, but they also sell on the web.

I ended up finding the same stroller for 275.00 with FREE Shipping!! Whoo hoo!

I cant wait for this stroller to get here! I love that it has the option for your child to face you or face out to the open world. I am so excited for Liam's new ride : )

Happy 5 months Biggie!

Happy 5 months baby boo! Wow, I really cant get over how fast time is going. It seems like just yesterday I was pushing down on my tummy begging you to get out! : )
I enjoy every minute of Mommyhood : ) It is a wild ride for sure. One i wouldnt give up a second of. : )








Schedule's and list.




I have always been big on list even before Liam was born. But now my life is truly swamped with lists and schedules. My days are so much longer now but in another sense so much shorter. Time is flying by. I cant seem to catch up sometimes, at least i have my camera to try and keep track for me : )

A lot of new mothers come to me and ask me about my schedule for Liam so I thought I would blog about it.

Liam wakes up some where around 6-7am. I always try to make sure he spends time in his crib before i get him out and start his day. I go in and check on him and give him a couple toys, change his diaper, turn the light on and take his blanket off.

Once we get out of bed we hang out and watch cartoons and play. Liam eats breakfast around 8:30-9am. After every feeding(of food) i let him lay down on his back for about 10 to 15 minutes just to let his food settle, then it is go go go : )

I let him sleep as much as he wants from wake up until 2:30pm. He usually only takes one nap around 11am it is normally only a 45 minute sometimes an hour. If I am lucky I will get him down for another one around 1ish.

Once 2:30pm hits it is eyes WIDE OPEN time. haha

Around 4pm i feed him dinner, bath at 5. after that we have play time then around 6 we settle down for bed and read books. I put him down for bed awake, i don't rock him to sleep anymore except in the middle of the nights for feedings and for naps in the afternoon.

on a normal night he wakes up 2 times.

We have started a sleep training method which so far is going pretty good.
If Liam wakes up before midnight we don't take him out of his crib, we soothe him by speaking to him, rubbing on him, and loving him while he is still laying in his crib. It is a very hard process, more on the mom then the dad. I was tore up the first night, i think i shed more tears then Liam did. But, we are making progress.

When i first heard of this sleep training thing i was totally disturbed by it. But, once researching and realizing my son was only waking up for cuddling we had to do something.

here is a link where i got a bunch of useful information. Obviously you have to feel this is right for your child, and more importantly you, and if you decide it is stick with it! you can do it! i promise!


It is amazing how much a schedule has helped our life. Liam even reminds me if I start to fall behind even 30 mins.


Good Luck : )


Success=


Saturday, October 23, 2010

4 months.. already!


Liam is four months old and time is flying! He can sit up for a few minutes on his own, and he is quickly learning to squirm around the floor, even if he wont show mommy how.


This boy is getting big! Weighing in at 18lbs 26 inches and 81 percentile. My baby boy is such a little biggie : ) This little man has become quiet the little terror. Wants EVERYTHING and wants it NOW : ) chases the dogs in his walker. and a few days before he turned 5 months out popped a little white tooth : ) the front bottom one. now just waiting for it to come the rest of the way through.

Enjoyed his pumpkin patch and fall activities.

Thank you for showing me such a love. such a power. such a warmth. ♥

I remember I thought you looked like an angel wrapped in blue so soft and warm
You've had me wrapped around your finger since the day you were born


















Liam hits 3 months!


Liam's first spoon feeding and while he spit most of it out, it was so much fun to watch and i got some great pics. He is growing so fast, and seems to change everyday. I love my little man! I never knew it would go this fast. it seems like just yesterday i was pregnant. Its amazing to watch this little boy grow before my eyes. He truly blesses me with his laughter, his love, and i am enjoying every second of it.











Saturday, August 14, 2010

Liam hits 2 months!

Weighing in at a whopping 14lbs 15 oz and measuring 24 inches long! I think we are on our way to the worlds largest baby. At 2 months 2 weeks he Rolled over from belly to back and started giggling! It's amazing to see what joy Liam brings to everyone life he touches. I have never felt a love greater than the one I hold for him. I am enjoying every moment just watching him grow before my very eyes. Liam learns something new everyday. This months newest obsession is eating his hands, watching Madagascar, giggling, baths have been a favorite since birth.

Here are a few photos of special moments : )

enjoy!







Liam's first moments captured.

Little Liam weighed in at 11lbs and 2 oz and measuring out to be 22inches long at his first doctors visit. He is getting so big so fast! I cant believe my eyes. This is lifes greatest mircle. I love my baby boy more than words could ever begin to express. Here are a few photos I thought I would share. Looking back I realize how much smaller he really was. Now i have giant baby on my hands : )