This time of year can be especially hard for those who are less fortunate - but, thanks to Amazon, we’re adding a new tradition in our home to help spread holiday cheer this season! We’ll now be donating to a new charity every holiday season thanks to Amazon.
Read MoreWith COVID-19 still very much present but so much of our lives slowly returning to normal, how can you properly equip yourself to protect your family? For us, it starts with a FORA IR42 Non-Contact Forehead Thermometer! We have one by our front door and we check the temperature of everyone that comes into our home. We loved our FORA IR42 Non-Contact Forehead Thermometer before COVID-19 because of how easy it is to use with our kids but have really come to appreciate it even more now.
The FORA IR42 Non-Contact Forehead Thermometer can be used on babies, kids, toddlers and adults! You simply point the thermometer at your (or your child’s forehead) and you press a button. Within seconds you have a reading. Because it never needs to touch their forehead, it’s so easy to use with kids and babies and it’s also hygienic and coronavirus safe.
It excelled in clinical accuracy tests and has a highly precise sensor that gives a reading in 1 second, which I find is so important to look into because many other thermometers that we researched at did not. What I love as well is that it has specific modes for infants, adults and even surface temperatures! It has a memory feature too so you don’t have to worry about remembering the temperature you took before.
The FORA IR42 Thermometer is not only helping us feel better about having people in our home, but it’s going to be such a game changer during cold and flu season this fall. It’s always a wrestling match trying to take my kids’ temperatures when I think they’re sick. With our FORA IR42, I can literally take their temperature anywhere, including in front of the TV, while they eat, while they brush their teeth and they don’t even know that I’ve done it! Click here for more info and to shop.
Use Code FORAXTOVAH for 10% off of your FORA IR42 Non-Contact Forehead Thermometer!
This post was sponsored by Upswing Health as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
I’ve suffered with lower back pain for as long as I can remember and unfortunately, with 2 kids at home and social distancing, I no longer can go for the training sessions that I need to manage my pain. Seeing a physiotherapist and trainer was really the only way that helped alleviate my pain and with that no longer possible, I went on the hunt for another solution. I discovered Upswing Health, a web-based service that helps you treat your musculoskeletal injuries from the comfort of your home.
All Upswing Health services are currently FREE, so it’s an amazing time to try them out and see how they can help you! They have a library of more than 7,000 exercise videos curated by licensed physical therapists and their services can help the active, regardless of level, age or ability, to prevent and recover from injuries that might slow them down.
When you visit the Upswing Health website, they first do an initial assessment online and can offer you at-home exercises and detailed videos to help you with your injury! They also can connect you to a Certified Athletic Trainer and even arrange a telehealth visit with a primary care sports medicine physician for injuries that are more serious.
Once I discovered this service, I jumped right in and took the assessment online. I was then put in contact with Kelsey, a Certified Athletic Trainer by text. I was SHOCKED at how easy it was and how quickly I got the help that I needed!
My conversation with Kelsey was clear, to the point and she was so quick at getting me a plan to start me on my recovery.
Within 1 hour, I had a detailed program with exercises (I’m sharing a sneak peek below)! I received a personalized link and was able to download her program right on my computer to print out or use offline. I love how easy it was to follow the exercises at home without any help or doubt that I wasn’t doing them properly. Click here to get started today with Upswing Health. Here is an example of a few of the exercises I received from Kelsey:
Any type of musculoskeletal (MSK) issue can really impact your life and many of them can be treated from home without ever having to see a doctor. Lower back pain makes it difficult for me to play with my kids, clean up the house and sleep. Finding exercises that helped and I could do from the comfort of my home has been such a blessing. Because Upswing Health allows you to talk to a sports medicine doctor for free at home right now, there’s never been a better time to try it out! Click here to get started now!
This post is sponsored by Autotrader; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
We spend so much time keeping our homes clean and sanitized, but when’s the last time you sanitized your car? You may think that wearing gloves in a store or washing your hands is enough, but taking the time to sanitize your car is something we all should do! Thankfully, Autotrader.com created an online resource with a ton of useful tips and links! You can check out the entire post by clicking here. They not only give tips and tricks to sanitize your vehicle, but also offer links to lists of cleaning products that are safe to use inside your vehicle, tips for spring cleaning your car and as always, offer a comprehensive and robust COVID-19 information hub for everything you need to know related to your vehicle and coronavirus news.
I’ve made it a weekly habit to sanitize my car. We haven’t been using it often now that we’ve been spending most of our time at home, but we still use it for groceries, doctor’s visits and the occasional trip to the pharmacy. I’m going to share the places that I sanitize when doing a quick weekly wipe down of my vehicle!
We don’t often think about sanitizing our trunk, but it’s one of the places that is the most likely to need cleaning! Strollers, bags, shoes and packages, all items that have been on the floor and put in grocery carts usually end up in our trunk! There are so many new products on the market that make sanitizing your trunk a breeze! I always chose an aerosol anti-bacterial spray. It doesn’t leave a residue, doesn’t need to be wiped off and is super easy to use and apply, even in large trunks!
I use this same antibacterial spray on the floor mats of my car! Think about how many germs are on the bottom of our shoes and how many places we walk with them. Yes, we may not spend time touching the floor mats of our cars, but if you have kids then I guarantee they drop a toy at least once a day on the floor of your car. A toy that they then pick up and hold and play with. So don’t forget to sanitize the floor mats!
Cleaning your touchscreen and temperature controls may seem obvious to most, but don’t forget the buttons and features that we don’t use as often! Take an antibacterial wipe and make sure to wipe down the sunroof buttons, vents and gear shift, middle console button and cup holders! We often put our phone, keys, snacks and take out drinks in our cup holders so they’re a perfect spot for germs! Visit Autotrader.com to see what else you can do with your vents to help keep your car cleaned!
Wiping down your steering wheel will seem like a no brainer but make sure to not forget the turning signals and windshield wiper controls too!
When you wipe down the door handle, don’t forget the inside, outside and any buttons you use for the windows and to lock the doors! They’re all things we use without thinking and are often overlooked when sanitizing!
I bet you’ve never sanitized your seatbelt buckle! It was actually Autotrader.com’s article How to disinfect your car during coronavirus that reminded me to do this! You can read the whole article by clicking here. They also show a great tool in their video that can help to disinfect your seats! I’ve already ordered one and it’s being delivered next week!
If you have fabric seats, there are great antibacterial sprays that are safe to use and effective against bacteria.
Once you’ve finished sanitizing, why not give your car a good cleaning? There’s no better time, since we’re all at home anyways, to get your vacuum, get some wipes and use the 6 Simple Tips from Autotrader.com to do a great spring cleaning of your car!
This post was sponsored by Reebok as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed are my own.
Mother’s Day this year may look a little different for some people, but it doesn’t mean that it needs to be any less special! Whether you’re lucky enough to get to spend the day with the mama in your life or not, why not make this mother’s day extra special for her by surprising her with the ultimate gift delivered right to her door: a pair of Reebok Women's Harman Run shoes from Kohl’s? If you’re like me and love to drop hints to your husband about what to surprise you with, these shoes won’t disappoint!
Kohl’s is the ultimate shopping destination that will make choosing the perfect pair of Reebok Harman Run shoes a breeze! They have a huge selection of Reebok Harman Run color combinations so you can find the perfect pair to match any style. Whether you love a crisp pair of white sneakers or prefer a chalk pink instead, they have it all! Their website is also super easy to navigate so you can quickly find what you’re looking for, add to cart and check out! Or, if you’re anything like me, you’ll order a pair of Reebok’s for everyone in your family! Their selection is just too good to pass up.
Reebok Harman Run shoes are the perfect addition for any lifestyle and a must have in every wardrobe this spring. Whether you’re a super active mom that loves to go for a run or jog, a mom that prefers playing tag in the back yard or simply taking your dog for a walk, these shoes will be able to keep up. They’re gorgeous, lightweight and made with comfort in mind. They have Ortholite technology that enables air flow and will keep her feet cool while inhibiting odor and fungus with an incredible and comfy cushioning!
It’s rare that I find a pair of shoes that are comfortable enough to wear on a long walk with both my kids but that are also super trendy. I never want to have to compromise comfort for style and with my Reebok Harman Run shoes, I don’t have to!
Being comfortable, being able to stay active and set a good example for my kids and also feeling confident in the way I look are all so important to me so I decided to spoil myself ahead of Mother’s Day with a pair and my only regret is not getting a second pair. A pair of shoes that allows me to keep up with my kids while looking great is really the best gift this Mother’s Day!
Click here to check out the Reebok Harman Run shoes at Kohl’s!
This post is sponsored by Kelley Blue Book; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Shopping for a family car can seem like a difficult and stressful task, but it doesn’t need to be! I’m sharing my top 5 tips to use when starting your search and I promise it will make your decision and shopping experience a breeze! I always refer to Kelley Blue Book for car questions because their site is backed by 90 years of experience! They recently released a Best Family Cars of 2020 guide and included options for every budget and every size family! Their list was based on thorough testing procedures on 2020 vehicles and include many of the models we considered when we were shopping for our perfect car!
I’m sharing my top 5 tips to use when starting your search and I promise it will make your decision and shopping experience a breeze:
Decide how many rows you need in your vehicle! Narrowing down the list of cars will easily be done once you decide if you need a 2 or 3 row vehicle. Most 3 row vehicles have the option of folding down the back row for a huge trunk, which is a feature I really enjoy. For now, we keep the 3rd row folded down and enjoy the spacious trunk, and when we eventually have another child, or when we take long trips with our family and dog, we use the 3rd row! KBB.com breaks down their list of Best Family Cars of 2020 by seating options so it’s easy to narrow down the list! Click here to see the list.
Decide what type of technology is important for you. Vehicles these days have so many options. Heads up display, lane assist, parking assist, bluetooth technology, screens in the head rests, touch screen controls etc. While it’s nice to have it all, not everything is necessary if you’re trying to stay within a budget. For me, it was essential to have a vehicle that was compatible with my phone so that I could receive and send texts while driving (it reads my texts out loud and allows me to dictate my answer back) which means that even when I’m on the go, I can still work. Kelley Blue Book offers full descriptions of all the vehicles on their site so they make it easy to determine if the vehicle you’re interested in has the technology you’re looking for! They also let you Price and Build your vehicle so you can get an idea of what your perfect car will cost you!
Car seats, car seats car seats! The item that as a parent you will use the most and the reason you turn away some of your favorite cars. Let's start with the most essential - what will fit in your car. Some cars will be able to fit 3 car seats side by side safely, while others will not. So it’s super important to check out the size of the interior of the car and the car seats that you have or are planning to purchase to make sure everyone fits! It’s something we never thought of until we considered having a 3rd baby! Next are the LATCH mounting points. These make car seat installation SO easy. Life changingly easy. But not every car is equipped with them and not every car has them so that they’re easily accessible! Finally, and probably the most important if you’re considering a 3 row SUV: can you access the 3rd row if you have car seats installed in the second row (again, something we never considered until we were talking about trying for a third baby)? Thankfully, KBB.com offers answers to all these questions on their site when you’re researching cars! Click here to check out their Best Family Cars of 2020.
Reputation is key. Getting a good deal and buying a car that checks most of the items off your list is important, but you want to make sure that the car you’re choosing is safe, reliable and that you won’t be spending more on repairing your car than absolutely necessary. Take the time and figure out which manufacturers have a reputation for vehicle safety, handling and quality before spending your hard earned money. Kelley Blue Book is, again, a great resource for reviews from real owners! I love reading through the reviews and seeing what people loved and didn’t love about each vehicle.
Lastly, make sure to consider Comfort and Convenience. While having all the bells and whistles on your car is great, the reality is that having a vehicle that’s comfortable to drive and that’s simple to operate is even better. Being able to close the trunk with the push of a button or unlock doors without pulling a key out of your pocket when your hands are full, are things that you will really appreciate when you have your family with you. Being able to put down the back seats with the push of a button or open the car doors from the front seat, are just a few other features that you never thought you would use, but are such game changers with kids! KBB.com highlights all of these incredible options and features in their vehicles and took all of it into consideration when they published their Best Cars of 2020. Click here to check out the entire list!
Don’t waste your time looking at cars that may not be able to accommodate your family! Check out the list published by Kelley Blue Book and save time!
Kelley Blue Book also released a site to help car buyers and owners stay on top of auto-related COVID-19 news! Click here to check out the site that includes news, advice and safety-tips!
This blog is sponsored by AfterShokz and PTPA Media. As always, all opinions and views that I have expressed are my own.
AfterShokz Trekz Air wireless bone conduction headphones are the MUST have accessory for every parent and fitness enthusiast! They’re light, wireless… but here’s the part that will blow you away: they use bone conduction technology so you can listen to your music while still being able to hear exactly what is happening around you. It means you can go to the park with your kids and listen to your fave podcast or song without jeopardizing their safety - you can bike ride down the street while still being able to hear the cars that are around you, and my personal favourite, you can do a quick nap time work out routine while blasting your favourite beats but still be able to hear your baby cry when they wake up!
AfterShokz Trekz Air headphones not only make sure that you can hear your favourite songs and podcasts, but they also boast dual noise canceling microphones which exclude surrounding noise - so you can pick up that quick business call and have your colleagues hear you perfectly even when you're in the middle of a playground! They basically allow you to be handsfree to play with your kids and stay on top of “mom duties” at the park, while being able to answer calls and listen to music!
I tested out the AfterShokz Trekz Air headphones this weekend and can't say enough good things about them! For starters, I'm a total sucker for beautiful products, and these headphones are STUNNING. Mine are in a deep matte red called Canyon Red, they feel so lightweight on my ears and it's almost unbelievable that I can put them on and hear everything that is happening in the world around me! They come equipped with a charger and super sleek and gorgeous carrying case too so that they can stay protected when you aren't using them.
I put them to the test while Zane was napping. Normally, I try to be as quiet as possible while he sleeps because a tired and cranky toddler is no fun at all! So I usually end up doing my stretches and yoga in complete silence... which for some may be great, but I looooove listening to my music. I don't like traditional headphones for a few reasons: 1. I get caught in the cord while moving from pose to pose and 2. I can't hear when Zane wakes up if I have my headphones in! With the AfterShokz Trekz Air, I was able to blast my music, really feel relaxed and "in the zone" while doing my quick workout and the moment Zane woke up, I heard him crying as clear as day. It's really incredible how I managed to survive motherhood this long without having a pair of AfterShokz Trekz Air headphones! My only issue now is going to be convincing my husband that they are mine and he needs to get his own!
I am so excited for this summer when we take our walks to the park with my son and soon to be arriving new baby. It will be such a change to be able to relax and listen to a podcast outside while Zane plays, but still be able to hear him call me if he needs help or wants my attention.
If you want more information on these must-have wireless bone conduction headphones, CLICK HERE. They make a great gift for anyone in your life and an even better gift for yourself :).
#ShokzSquadCAN
Every year I go on the hunt for a new planner. Not because it’s a task I particularly enjoy… but more so because I haven’t found one that has it all. Durable enough to last an entire year, equipped with enough tools but not overwhelming, a great layout, and gorgeous. This year I stumbled upon Lake and Loft, and they will now have a customer in me for the rest of my planner days!
USE CODE MNMM35 for 35% OFF at Lake and Loft
Finding the right planner for me, is the difference between feeling overwhelmed with my life and feeling like I’m in control. It’s the difference between missing deadlines and being on top of all that I have to do. I’m going share my fave features of my new planner from Lake and Loft! For a limited time, you can use code MNMM35 to save 35% off yours! Click here to see it and the other colors available.
First off, the details. The gold corner accents and gold binding rings tug at my heart. This planner is such a piece, that it can sit on a desk as decor and doesn’t need to be tucked away when I’m cleaning up.
It comes equipped with pockets at the front and back so store loose papers and the fun stickers that come included!
The first section is Dream - pages filled with “Big Ideas” and “Minor Details” so that you can map out how to conquer the year and every idea, thought and inspiration that comes to mind. Whether it’s inspirational quotes, the next great business venture, or just some room decor inspiration, this section is where I would put everything that wanted to keep track of, but didn’t need to access on the daily.
The second section is Plan - self explanatory! It has gorgeous tabs that separate the months. Each month begins with the most important thing: DREAM, GOALS and PLAN OF ACTION. I love writing down my goals for the month. It helps keep me focused, on track, and when I feel discouraged, I can quickly look back and remember why I’m doing what I’m doing.
Each month also has a budget section where you can write down bills to pay and keep track of your money coming in and out. There’s even a section to write down what you’re saving up for!
A necessity for me is a monthly calendar view - I like to be able to see what’s coming up at a glance.
Finally, each monthly section is broken down by weeks, making it super easy to write down daily tasks, write weekly to-do lists and there’s even a little section for Weekly Wins. Not every week will be huge… nor super successful, but this weekly win section will help you focus on the positive and keep your drive going for the weeks to come.
This yearly planner is filled with such cute extras, such as Thank You and Happy Birthday Post Cards at the end, making it super easy to send a beautiful note to someone special while you’re on the go and busy running the world! Click here to check out my planner along with all the other styles!
USE CODE MNMM35 for 35% OFF at Lake and Loft
Lake and Loft has so much else to offer besides planners! I also got my hands on the big ta-do™ weekly checklist! These tear off sheets have beautiful gold edges, tear apart by day so that you can bring one list at a time with you and are on thick cardboard, making it oh so luxurious to write. Writing to-do lists has never been so fun!!!
Lake and Loft also has note pads, greeting cards, coasters, recipe cards and so much more! Click here to visit their site and don’t forget to use MNMM35 to get 35% off your order!
Every year I go on the hunt for a new planner. Not because it’s a task I particularly enjoy… but more so because I haven’t found one that has it all. Durable enough to last an entire year, equipped with enough tools but not overwhelming, a great layout, and gorgeous. This year I stumbled upon Lake and Loft, and they will now have a customer in me for the rest of my planner days!
USE CODE MNMM35 for 35% OFF at Lake and Loft
Finding the right planner for me, is the difference between feeling overwhelmed with my life and feeling like I’m in control. It’s the difference between missing deadlines and being on top of all that I have to do. I’m going share my fave features of my new planner from Lake and Loft! For a limited time, you can use code MNMM35 to save 35% off yours! Click here to see it and the other colors available.
First off, the details. The gold corner accents and gold binding rings tug at my heart. This planner is such a piece, that it can sit on a desk as decor and doesn’t need to be tucked away when I’m cleaning up.
It comes equipped with pockets at the front and back so store loose papers and the fun stickers that come included!
The first section is Dream - pages filled with “Big Ideas” and “Minor Details” so that you can map out how to conquer the year and every idea, thought and inspiration that comes to mind. Whether it’s inspirational quotes, the next great business venture, or just some room decor inspiration, this section is where I would put everything that wanted to keep track of, but didn’t need to access on the daily.
The second section is Plan - self explanatory! It has gorgeous tabs that separate the months. Each month begins with the most important thing: DREAM, GOALS and PLAN OF ACTION. I love writing down my goals for the month. It helps keep me focused, on track, and when I feel discouraged, I can quickly look back and remember why I’m doing what I’m doing.
Each month also has a budget section where you can write down bills to pay and keep track of your money coming in and out. There’s even a section to write down what you’re saving up for!
A necessity for me is a monthly calendar view - I like to be able to see what’s coming up at a glance.
Finally, each monthly section is broken down by weeks, making it super easy to write down daily tasks, write weekly to-do lists and there’s even a little section for Weekly Wins. Not every week will be huge… nor super successful, but this weekly win section will help you focus on the positive and keep your drive going for the weeks to come.
This yearly planner is filled with such cute extras, such as Thank You and Happy Birthday Post Cards at the end, making it super easy to send a beautiful note to someone special while you’re on the go and busy running the world! Click here to check out my planner along with all the other styles!
USE CODE MNMM35 for 35% OFF at Lake and Loft
Lake and Loft has so much else to offer besides planners! I also got my hands on the big ta-do™ weekly checklist! These tear off sheets have beautiful gold edges, tear apart by day so that you can bring one list at a time with you and are on thick cardboard, making it oh so luxurious to write. Writing to-do lists has never been so fun!!!
Lake and Loft also has note pads, greeting cards, coasters, recipe cards and so much more! Click here to visit their site and don’t forget to use MNMM35 to get 35% off your order!
Disclosure: I have partnered with YMC and Armor All and have received compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.
Between daycare pick up and drop offs, my daily commute to work and all the errands we run on the weekends, my car often feels like my second home. A second home that doesn’t get cleaned daily (unfortunately). No one warned me how chaotic driving around a 2 year old would be… and throw my snack stealing Boston Terrier into the back seat mix, and I have a guaranteed headache. I wouldn’t say that driving with both of them is relaxing and our daily commutes never used to be something I looked forward to... until now!
Thanks to Armor All’s new Essential Blends air fresheners, I can escape my commute and imagine that I’m in a spa, doing yoga, or just sitting in silence at home (yeah right, I’m a mom… I don’t get silence at home :) ).
Made with essential oil blends, their air fresheners can help you leave the traffic behind, with blends such as: Energize, Awaken, Focus, Calm and Refresh. The fragrances come as either a hanging diffuser style or as a vent clip! I used both :). The first one I tried is REFRESH which has a gentle but awakening Eucalyptus Mint scent. The vent clips make it easy to put the air fresheners in the back seat (which in my case is necessary!) and the incredible and unique scents will help you escape your commute! The scents include: Citrus Pomegranate, Pink Grapefruit, Eucalyptus Mint, Lemon Bergamot and Vanilla Lavender!
Armor All is encouraging Canadians to take time off from the stress of daily traffic and try their Essential Blends air fresheners! They’re even making it a bit easier to get a head start by offering an Escape Your Commute Contest! Prizes include 25 Grand Prizes of WaySpa Gift Cards (valued at $150 each), 10 Instant Prizes of Armor All Product (valued at $100 each) and Frequency Essential Blends air freshener prizing. Enter the contest by visiting the essentialblends.ca website!
Disclosure: I have partnered with YMC and Armor All and have received compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.
Between daycare pick up and drop offs, my daily commute to work and all the errands we run on the weekends, my car often feels like my second home. A second home that doesn’t get cleaned daily (unfortunately). No one warned me how chaotic driving around a 2 year old would be… and throw my snack stealing Boston Terrier into the back seat mix, and I have a guaranteed headache. I wouldn’t say that driving with both of them is relaxing and our daily commutes never used to be something I looked forward to... until now!
Thanks to Armor All’s new Essential Blends air fresheners, I can escape my commute and imagine that I’m in a spa, doing yoga, or just sitting in silence at home (yeah right, I’m a mom… I don’t get silence at home :) ).
Made with essential oil blends, their air fresheners can help you leave the traffic behind, with blends such as: Energize, Awaken, Focus, Calm and Refresh. The fragrances come as either a hanging diffuser style or as a vent clip! I used both :). The first one I tried is REFRESH which has a gentle but awakening Eucalyptus Mint scent. The vent clips make it easy to put the air fresheners in the back seat (which in my case is necessary!) and the incredible and unique scents will help you escape your commute! The scents include: Citrus Pomegranate, Pink Grapefruit, Eucalyptus Mint, Lemon Bergamot and Vanilla Lavender!
Armor All is encouraging Canadians to take time off from the stress of daily traffic and try their Essential Blends air fresheners! They’re even making it a bit easier to get a head start by offering an Escape Your Commute Contest! Prizes include 25 Grand Prizes of WaySpa Gift Cards (valued at $150 each), 10 Instant Prizes of Armor All Product (valued at $100 each) and Frequency Essential Blends air freshener prizing. Enter the contest by visiting the essentialblends.ca website!
This post is sponsored by First Alert Canada and the Mom It Forward Influencer Network. All opinions are my own.
When is the last time you checked your fire and smoke detectors to make sure they were working? What about your carbon monoxide (CO) detectors? I was shocked to learn from First Alert’s 2017 Survey of Canadian Households that more than one-third (35%) of Canadian homes do not have a CO detector installed and that the majority of Canadians do not have the recommended number of smoke alarms installed to protect their home from the threats of smoke and fire.
Often called the invisible killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless and colorless gas that can be produced by any fuel-burning device, such as a furnace, boiler, stove or car. It is the #1 cause of accidental poisoning in Canada and is responsible for more than 300 deaths each year, which should be enough of a reason for you to run out and buy detectors for your home IMMEDIATELY. Equipping your home to be safer doesn’t end with carbon monoxide detectors! According to the Canadian National Fire Information Database, 80 percent of fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms, often due to missing alarm batteries or expired alarms… and I refuse to let that be my home!
First Alert offers several smoke and CO alarms equipped with 10-year sealed lithium batteries which means you don’t need to remember to change the batteries! 10-year alarms also eliminate the risk of ever having an alarm deactivated due to battery removal. It doesn’t hurt either that the CO detector and smoke alarms are so sleek looking, easy to install and simple to use. You take them out of the package, press the test button to ensure they are working, and install with the screws that are included. The First Alert packaging even includes instructions and recommendations on where to put smoke and CO alarms in the home! They blend right into your home decor and you can sleep better at night knowing that you’ve done all you can to keep your family protected!
Check out First Alert’s website to learn more about equipping your home with the latest in home safety!
#LiveWithA10
Having a baby changes your life and also the relationships that you have with the people around you. It makes you sympathize and bond with your fellow moms over how it's possible to survive on so little sleep and it unfortunately, can also distance you from your friends who don't have children. I can't say that I blame my friends... I once upon a time didn't have a baby and found it really hard to relate to what my mom friends were going through. I would try to have a conversion with my bestie M. and every 10 seconds was interrupted by: L put that down, L stop jumping, L stop running in the house! Fast forward a few years and our conversations now go something like this:
-Hey M! How are y - Zane don't eat the dog food! - what was I saying?
-I'm good... tired, busy the usua - L put that down! Leave your sister alone! - what was I saying?
-You were telling me I think about your day yesterday? I don't really remem - Zane stop french kissing the dog! Omg M gotta go. Zane is playing in the toilet.
Mom life changes EVERYTHING. I've teamed up, once again, with my mom friends and we've come up with a list of apologies for our friends that don't have children! Feel free to add your own in the comments below:
1 - I'm sorry I was an hour late to your birthday party - to be honest.. my son threw up all over as I was heading out the door and you're lucky that I showed up at all. You should in fact be buying me a gift. Have you ever tried to wake a baby up from a nap and then show up at a party smiling? Why is your party at 9am anyways? Don't you know this is NAP TIME.
2 - I'm sorry that every time we go out I'm always wearing black yoga pants - it's really because no other pants fit me and the black really camouflages all the food stains from my child throwing his dinner at me. Tonight we ate cheerios for dinner because i just couldn't deal.
3 - I'm sorry that my child bit you/hit you/threw something at you - I really am trying to teach him. Listen - if you think you can do better, take him for a day and try. Actually maybe a week. I could use some sleep. Please?
4 - I'm sorry I forgot your birthday/anniversary/first day of work etc. - I run on 4 hours of sleep a day and I can't even remember my own name most of the time, so just be thankful I remember who you are. You really are important to me and I promise one day I will get my shit together and start checking my reminders on my phone... if I can only find it... my son was playing with it somewhere. Speaking of which... were is my son?
5 - I'm sorry I had to cancel our plans last minute because the baby was sick - I promise this isn't an excuse. They put everything in their mouth and are sick every week. I would much rather be sitting and having a glass of wine instead of sucking out boogers from my baby's nose (for those who don't have kids - yes this is a thing... and yes you will have to do it. Have kids they said... it'll be great they said.)
6 - I'm sorry I left your party early - I know I said it was because the baby was going to have a melt down, but I was the one who was ready to snap and felt it would be frowned upon if I started crying in the middle of a crowd of strangers.
7 - I'm sorry I can never make it to dinner with my kid unless we eat at 5pm - Kids are assholes sometimes. Especially tired ones. If you want to have dinner at 7pm and want me to bring my son, that's fine. But know that there WILL be a melt down. And my son's screaming is comparable in volume and pitch to a beluga whale so EVERYONE will stare. We might even end up on YouTube when he starts catapulting the food across the restaurant. I'm down if you are... I've been through it all and have no shame anymore.
All in all, my life has changed... but I promise I'll find that balance again... or a really good babysitter that's always available. I love you and miss you and still treasure our friendship so please wait for me to find my way. :)
My friend M. has always been the one I turn to for advice about pregnancy, children and life. She is happily married with 2 beautiful children. I remember like it was yesterday her telling me: Don't make any life changing decisions in the first two months after your baby arrives. You will hate your husband, but I promise it will pass and you will love him again... eventually.
I remember laughing a bit and thinking that although she was usually right, this time she was wrong. My husband is amazing, attentive, affectionate, goes out of his way for me, and will be the best father ever. There is no way I could hate him.
Fast forward a few weeks, baby arrives, we're in baby bliss. I am looking at the man who helped me create this beautiful and perfect little baby and I am thinking to myself that M. was totally wrong. How could anything ruin this perfect moment? My husband turns to me with this loving look in his eyes, opens his mouth and says: ."Sweetie I'm tired. I'm going to go to bed".
He. Is. Tired.
I pushed out an 8 pound baby that I carried around for 9 months (during which I didn't have a single good night sleep). I am breast feeding this screaming and colicky baby every 1 hour. I have stitches in my you know what that ache every time I breathe, and He. Is. Tired. I may have thrown something at him at that moment... It honestly is such a blur I don't remember, and unfortunately, it went downhill from there for the next 2 months. When I talk to the new moms around me, they all have different variations of the issues that I faced, but ultimately we all had the same sentiment: how were we crazy enough to marry our husbands and how do we get out of this marriage. I'll blame some of the hatred on the exhaustion and the hormones... but a lot of it is really because our husbands are just sometimes really clueless.
If I sum up the top idiotic things that our husbands did/said, it would include the following:
1. "Hunny the baby is crying and won't stop. Here, you take him... you know what to do!"
2. "I heard the baby crying all night... did you manage to sleep?" - yes. I slept through the high-pitched screaming of a newborn... said no mom EVER.
3. "It's so hard going to work when you have a newborn at home" - oh yeah? It's hard being able to pee when you want, and have adult conversations and to sit in your quiet office and gather your thoughts?
4. While the baby is screaming his head off "Is everything ok up there? Why is the baby crying" - for the same reason he's been crying since he was born you idiot.
5. "Your pregnancy wasn't that bad... we should have another one" - because you carried around a watermelon in your stomach that pushed on your sciatic nerve and gave you nausea that rivalled the worst hangover you've ever had? And you then pushed out that watermelon? I thought so.
6. "Can you please turn down the baby monitor. I'm trying to sleep and the noise from the baby is keeping me awake" (you may throw a pillow at his head when he says that one)
7. "I'm going to go for dinner with my friends while the baby sleeps... is that ok?" - ok so first off, the baby doesn't sleep. Second, no. It's not ok. I want us to suffer together.
8. "Sweetie the baby is crying! Are you going to go see what's wrong?" - thanks for letting me know! I was momentarily deaf and didn't hear the screaming baby down the hall. Let me run faster so that you aren't bothered by his crying.
9. "You're so lucky you're on mat leave. Where do I sign up? It is so much easier to be home than to go to work" - when he says that one, I recommend leaving him with the baby for 1 day while your cell phone is turned off. That's all it will take, and I guarantee you will never hear that again.
10. " Why are you so tired? Just sleep when the baby sleeps!" - yes... and all the laundry will magically get done, and the dog will get walked, and the groceries will appear in the fridge.
Being a new mom is such a whirlwind of emotions and unfortunately your husband will never understand what you are going through. He will never understand the shock of seeing your own body postpartum, he won't understand the surging hormones, he won't understand the exhaustion, and he definitely won't understand the physical recovery from labour and breast feeding.
I promise you however, that as things get easier with the baby and you start to fall into a routine, your husband will be able to contribute more and he will get on your nerves less (I didn't say not at all... just less). You will start to remember why you fell in love with him.... until the next baby arrives :)
If you enjoyed this blog post, follow me!
FollowLiving in a condo or a small house with a new baby can be challenging if you don't do it right! It's really easy as a first time mom to get caught up in all the gimics and cool gadgets that flood our social media streams (I'm a sucker and buy everything). What is really necessary and what really helps save space? Here are my top 5 recommendations to make condo living with a baby a breeze.
It's so tempting when you receive gifts for baby to rip them open and assemble them in anticipation of using them. Baby is 2 months now and the toy says it's good for babies 3 months+ so assembling it now will save time right? Perhaps... but it will also leave your rooms feeling cluttered and make you feel like you're missing space. Boxes are more easily stacked and hidden under cribs, in closets and in storage rooms than assembled toys are. Babies also develop at different rates, so a 3 month+ toy may only interest your little one at 4 months or maybe even 5 months. Moreoever, by the time your little one is ready to use this new toy, you may be able to put another one away! We recently got a Jumperoo as a gift and when assembled, it will measure about 3 feet long x 3 feet wide and 3 feet high, whereas the box fits perfectly under baby's crib.
I also recommend keeping the boxes for certain items so that you can easily store them when baby outgrows them. A couple great examples are your baby's infant car seat and vibrating chair. They are awkward shapes and will take up a lot of room in your storage unit or garage and may even get damaged unless you put them back in their box.
Pottery Barn has some really cute bins!
If you live in a condo or small house, chances are you don't have the space for a designated play room. As baby grows, toys, blankets and books will slowly invade the common living areas in your house so storage bins are a great way to keep the clutter off the floor. It will also save you from having to run from room to room trying to clean up toys all the time. Toy boxes are great for baby's room and they can double as a bench or reading nook when baby gets older :)
When looking for a dresser or extra piece of furniture for the baby room, I can't stress enough how much units with drawers and cupboards have saved our life. I was a bit apprehensive at first because who really wants to fold baby clothes, blankets and bibs, but they have been the secret to keeping my sanity! I have filled my drawers and cupboards with bins and baskets that leave me feeling as though there is organization amongst the chaos. There's a bin for baby's toiletries, a bin for cloths, a bin for burp towels, and bin for diapers etc. It also means that there is no wasted space and no need to buy teeny tiny hangers for baby clothes. Moreover, when I have a screaming baby and need to put things away fast, drawers conceal the mess until I have time to go back and put things away properly :)
Baby bath tubs take up SO MUCH space and when you live in a condo and are struggling as it is to find somewhere to put everything, compact is essential. We found an amazing collapsible bathtub by Boon called the NAKED bathtub that is great for infants and toddlers. It has two positions (incline and regular) that make it easy to use for parents and safe for baby. It also has a hanger built in so it can drip dry from your shower when you're done using it! I've included some pictures of it below! Another alternative is to give baby a bath in your sink, however depending on how big your baby is and how big your sink is, this isn't always an option.
It's a totally normal feeling to be so excited for the arrival of your new baby and to want to be overly prepared - especially when the nesting urge kicks in. But when living in a smaller space, I don't recommend stocking up on things that baby won't need for the first new months. Just as I recommended leaving toys in boxes until they will be used, I recommend buying items as you need them because other items will be able to be put away. An example in my life is Zane's rocking/swinging chair and a Play Yard. Both, I believe both are necessary and super helpful, however at Zane's age now, he uses the MamaRoo on a daily basis whereas he's too little to use a Play Yard - he can't move anywhere yet so I don't need to keep him confined. Instead of having both set up in my living room (which would take up a lot of room), once he outgrows the MamaRoo, I'll go and buy a Play Yard and put it where the MamaRoo currently is!
I hope this short list will help all you mamas! I could go on and on with space saving tips, but I'll save a few for a later date! Don't hesitate to reach out to me and let me know if you have any tips or questions. I would love to hear from you :)
xox Tovah
If you enjoyed this blog post, follow me!
Follow
