7 Money Saving Tips For New Moms

Having a baby is the most rewarding thing in my life, but man is it also expensive!

Today I have put together 10 of the best money saving tips I could come up with for all you new moms out there.  I am not an expert, but these are all things that I have done and have helped us save some money with an expensive little boy!

1.  Buy Diaper Genie Refills At SAMs Club
We were gifted a Diaper Genie for Caleb and were giving a couple refills.  As the diaper sizes get bigger the frequency in changing the refills also increase.  I was buying the double pack from Walmart for $16.97 and the double pack from Target for $13.98 but we found the best prices at SAMS club.  You get 4 refills for $18.98!  That's an insane savings and it is well worth it.  If you don't have a membership, look into getting one, or ask a friend to take you.

2.  Buy Generic Diapers For Daytime Use
We have had Caleb in Pampers Swaddlers since he was a little bitty one.  Well not too long ago we switched him to Pampers Baby Dry diapers at night so that he would sleep longer.  Well a little bit after that buybuy Baby came out with their own brand of diapers and after trying out a small pack we decided to switch to those during the daytime.  I was buying an economy pack of Swaddlers from SAMs Club for $39.99 and I am now buying an economy pack of buybuy Baby diapers, that only have 8 less per box for $27.99!  Talk about savings!!  I still love the Swaddlers, but for the savings, the buybuy Baby diapers do just as well.

3.  Make Baby Food
I am not opposed to buying baby food made by Gerber, obviously they know what they are doing, but it gets expensive!  I have found that taking an hour each evening to make up some fresh fruits and veggies for Caleb is so much cheaper.  I can buy one sweet potato for about $1.50 and it will make almost 3 portions for Caleb.  Now if I were to buy processed sweet potato, it would cost me $1.09 plus tax for only 2 portions.  It just works out to be the cheapest and almost easiest thing for me to do for him.  We still buy Gerber for when we go out to eat because we don't have to worry about warming or chilling them, but if you can dedicate an hour to make it yourself, you will save money and know exactly what your baby is eating.

4.  Buy Clothes That Are On Clearance Right Now
I buy Caleb clothes that are going "out of season" right now in the size I think he will be by the time that next season comes around.  Now this is a bit of a gamble, but in the end it will save you so much money.  I bought a two-piece outfit from Carter's the other weekend that was size 18-months and on clearance for $4.98!  You can't beat that!

5.  Online Yard Sales/ Baby Consignment Pages
There are plenty of items out there that cost a ton brand new.  Make sure that you join your local consignment and yard sale pages on Facebook because they have great deals. We found a Bumbo on our local sight for only $5! That is a savings of $35 and it looked brand new. Cleaned it with some anti-bacterial and it was ready for our snuggle muffin to use.

6.  Use Your Normal Laundry Detergent
I used Dreft for as long as the first bottle I bought lasted but I never switched washing our clothes from our regular detergent. Once we determined Caleb wasn't allergic to our clothes we didn't re-buy any more Dreft. It is great for babies with sensitive skin, but if your baby doesn't mind your detergent switch all laundry to that. It will save you money in a heartbeat.

7.  Friends
If you are like me right now, you probably now at least one person with a baby and one person who is pregnant. Take your friends up on hand-me-downs. I have sent stuff to my sister-in-law and three other friends who are all expecting boys this year. I saved the special things that I loved a ton but every single onesie doesn't need to be saved for Caleb. Kids only wear outfits, if you're lucky, a handful of times before they grow out of them. Pass them on and accept them with open arms to save hundreds of dollars.

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I hope these have been helpful tips and if you have any others make sure to share them with me, because if you couldn't tell, this mama likes to save the dollars for more fun things!

Parenting Is Hard

I wouldn't change my  life for anything in the world - but parenting is hard.

Caleb has decided - mostly since I went back to work - that he is going to push back his bed time.  The first week it wasn't that bad.  He was staying up until about 8 - an hour later than he usually was going to sleep - and it was working out to where he would still sleep on the way to my mom's house in the morning.  

Sounds fine right?  Quit complaining Sara!

Well this last week he has been not only pushing back his bedtime, but also screaming uncontrollably for about 2 hours each night.  We walk, we bounce, we sing, we feed, we bathe - you name it, we've tried it.  Eventually he tires himself out and finally falls asleep.  

He is still sleeping through the night - once again, I know, shut up Sara!

Parenting is hard.  The hubs will hold him in one position and because I can't stand to hear or see my baby scream I always offer to take him.  This then usually turns into a little "discussion" about how the hubs is fine and nothing we do will help him at this point.  

I hate having "discussions" with my hubs.  He is the best Daddy a boy could hope for, but I find myself getting frustrated.  I'm not only getting frustrated with him, but others who are around Caleb also.  I know that people have the best intentions and hopes for my baby, but I am his mom and can anyone else care for him like I can?

This is where I start to question - only halfheartedly - how hospitals just send you home with a human.

You have to take a class and test to get a driver's license, but you can just have a baby.

You have to wait until a certain age to smoke, vote and drink alcohol, but you can just have a baby.

Parenting is hard.  I know that I am doing the best I can - and so is the hubs - but we have no idea what we are doing.  We don't have the answers and I find myself wondering how our parents do.  How does my mom know that he is hungry?  How does Ryan's dad know that he wants to be held closer?  When will we get these magical powers?

If you have any suggestions to the screaming baby at night thing, please let me know!

Also, if you have the same thoughts and feelings please let me know so that I don't think I am totally insane!

Further more, if you see me and I look like a cracked-out monkey, please just give me a hug and tell me he is a happy and healthy baby and that we are doing it right! 

I hope you all understand that no matter how frustrating this is, I can't be upset or frustrated with this little snuggle muffin at all...I mean, look at that face! :)

My Dearest Little - Three Month Letter

I know this is late - but it is better than never.

My dearest little one,

I cannot believe that another month has come and gone.  It seems like just yesterday you were wanting to come out and meet the world.  You are now a big 3 month old little man and filling our hearts and home with joy and love each and every day.

3 months was a big one for you.  We started out the month working on more tummy time.  Although you are good at it, you definitely only want to do it when it is convenient for you.  You will be happy as clam on your own terms, but if you don't want to do it you have no problem letting anyone know.  You have successfully been holding your head up on your own now with only a little assist when it somehow falls to the side. ::you really hate that::

We had lots of fun with your friends Abby and Emma.  Abby Grace always loves seeing "the baby!" and Emma Rose loves that she can now sit and talk to you.  I love that you all are close in age and love each other.

I left you for the first time this month with someone other than your Mima or Grandma/Pop.  It was your Aunt Leslie, but still.  Big step for your mama little one, I'm a little emotional still.  You did great and it was good for mommy to get out also.  Aunt Leslie found a monkey in your toy box and it is now your favorite toy.  We take it everywhere we go.

Another big thing you did this month was go meet your Great-Grandma. I am still so sad that you will never really get to know her, but don't worry, Mima and I will tell you all about her.  She is a funny lady that you would have loved to hang out with.  While we visited her you did great.  You were smiling and happy the whole time we were there.  She loves babies and was so happy to see you.

Veteran's Day came around and it happened to be on your daddy's day off from work so we explored the city all day long.  We went from place to place and enjoyed wonderful food and treats to honor those who have helped keep our freedom, including your daddy.

As a wonderful surprise your Aunt Lorraine came to town, from Maryland, and you got to meet her.  We spent an afternoon with her, Aunt Leslie and Mima.  You were such a good boy and she loved getting to meet you.

Maybe one of the biggest things we tried this month was the Bumbo!  We got it off the military yard sale site on Facebook and it is great!  You love it!  The first time you tried it you couldn't stop laughing and smiling.  I am still so amazed at how big you are getting.

You celebrated another holiday this month - Thanksgiving.  You weren't too impressed, probably because you couldn't eat any mashed potatoes, but let me tell you - next year, you will love it.  It was nice.  We got to see both sides of the family and you were such a good little turkey.

I love you so much Caleb Tyler.  I know I tell you so many times throughout the day but it is still just as true.  I can't wait to see how the next month goes and what milestones you will hit next.  Mommy will always love you snuggle muffin!

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Now for some stats shall we?

3 Months Old
Weight: 14.5 pounds (59th percentile)
Height: 25 inches (71st percentile)
Clothes: 3-6 months

Colorado Family Photos

Remember me telling you about our Colorado Trip?  Well while we were there we took family pictures.  It was the first time there were 6 of us and I wanted it documented, and so did my mom.

Convincing two men to take pictures is difficult, especially when my husband already knew he had to take more pictures here at home for our little family.  After pulling teeth Finally, we got our pictures done and if I am being honest...I love every other person in them except for me!

Apparently I thought I had lost a lot of my baby bump by the time we took these.  While my mom tells me I look great, she is my mom, what is she going to say?  Maybe it is just a self-image issue, but I hate that I still look pregnant or really overweight in almost all of these pictures.

Oh!  And can we talk about how my mom also didn't tell me to wipe that stupid smile off of my face?  That's not a real smile!  It looks forced in every picture almost.  LOL

But without further ado, I introduce you to my gorgeous sister-in-law, handsome nephew, good-looking brother, sexy husband and the most adorable baby boy on this planet :)

This kid cracks me up!  We love him to death!  And he loves his baby cousin!