Encouraging Articles for Moms

I really appreciated these 2 articles for encouraging moms in their quest Hopefully in checking them out will encourage you too.

35 Clever Parenting Ideas
Motherhood: While "Good Enough" is the new "Great"

Eat it up, Baby!

I started Zavier on Enfamil today, for many reasons. My aunt who is a pediatric nurse suggested that I make the change since Zavier's bowel movements were a bit limited. She also thought that there were more favorable nutrients in Enfamil than some other brands. Plus, with all of the samples and incentives that Enfamil provides, I thought that the choice was pretty clear.

So far it's working out well! Zavier has been more content and full after feedings today. He is less gassy and sleeping more soundly. He did spit up the first batch, but that was probably just due to the fact that it was the first batch. We've had no problems since, and I hope that it continues through the night.

My Moms Care

My mom just left me this morning after 2 days of helping out, and now my mother-in-law is here for the week to assist with the baby and other needs. I am so blessed to have them! They are my saving grace, aiding me in cooking, getting out of the house for a breather and to run errands, cleaning, feedings, changings and NAPS! I love these ladies because they love all 3 of us so much, and show it by taking such good care of us.

Mom Groups

Once my son was born, I decided to "abandon" my apartment for a "home life" with my boyfriend. Though my place will be housing my belongings until July when my lease expires and I make the final transition, I have been living life here in a new town. As you can probably imagine, aside from being a new mom, I need to get acclimated to having a social life with a child and in a new town at that.

I already have a friend from college who grew up in the area and still lives here. I see her frequently. Two of my boyfriend's co-worker's wives have reached out to me, and one in particular has made a point to really include me in her life as a mom and on the social front as well. I have really appreciated their reaching out, yet I know that it is also a good time for me to start meeting new people and making further connections.

So far, I have looked into joining La Leche League and a Meetup group for new moms. Now having problems breastfeeding, I feel a group such as La Leche would be the perfect avenue to identify with women going through the same struggle and meet/socialize with moms at the same time. The Meetup group which I joined hosts specific events for moms and kids on a regular basis. Once Zavier is a little older (and has a few more vaccines) I plan to frequent the group to again make connections with other moms.

Naturally I plan to keep in touch with my friends and family from my pre-mommy days. However, there's nothing wrong with mixing the old with a little bit of new, especially as you embark on a new journey, one that will truly never end. I think I could use a little bit of advice on how to do that well. ;-)

Pamper Me!

I have come to find that I do indeed have a preferred diaper. After trying both a generic and Huggies name brands, I have chosen Pampers as my diaper of desired use. My son wets through Huggies easily even down to his onesie. That makes for extremely frequent changes of diapers and clothing. Pampers tend to keep the bowels contained with a bit more ease, and he wakes less often for changes.

We were given several of both brands, thus I will be using them- Huggies during the day, and Pampers at night- until they run out. In using 10+ diapers a day, I am sure that we will end up with less of them sooner rather than later.

Pampers also has a rewards program that I really like. Each month you enter the code from a package of used products to receive points towards rewards for baby and family. There are also many coupons floating around out there for Pampers both online and in paper format. Check out your weekly paper and coupons.com as well as the Pampers website.

My Frugal Family Faves

For anyone who lives in the Central Pennsylvania region, a friend informed of $5.50 Fridays at Zoo America Hershey. I am not sure of the dates or how long the promotion will last, but there is a calendar of events posted on the site.

Mama Cheaps also has posted The Regal Cinemas Summer Movie Express and the Kids Bowl Free activities. $1 movies on Summer Tuesdays and Wednesdays at participating theaters, and discount bowling at different lanes.

Dutch Wonderland is also offering this discount (also found via Mama Cheaps):

Anyone heading to Lancaster, PA this summer with young kids – this Dutch Wonderland discount is AWESOME and super RARE!

Purchase four (4) full price Royalty One Day Admissions and receive one (1) complimentary Royalty One Day Admission FREE!

No further discounts apply and your tickets be purchased online between March 24 -30, 2014. You must purchase four (4) Royalty One Day Admissions at full price to qualify for the complimentary admission. One complimentary Royalty One Day Admission will be earned for every four (4) full price admissions purchased. Can be used any day of the 2014 summer season (expires October 12, 2014). Offer not valid on previously purchased tickets. All ticket purchases are nonrefundable.

Use coupon code PSHD2430 at checkout to get the free ticket.

Ends 3/30/14.

Hope you find time to have some frugal, family fun!

Diaper Deals

Here's a diaper deal that I encountered on the Mama Cheaps website:

744 Pampers wipes for $19.49 via Amazon (a $.50 coupon should pop up on the page for you.) Shipping is free if you purchase this particular count through Amazon directly.

After purchasing these, I came across another Amazon deal that included MORE WIPES (896 count) for the same price. Thus, it is indeed worth it to shop Amazon for certain products.

I'm also planning on using Amazon Mom if possible. I have heard positive things, and often find great deals at a monthly discount as well.