Canadian Moms to Receive Finland Baby Boxes

Mothers in Canada are about to start receiving the popular maternity package that mothers in Finland have been receiving for 75 years. It is a maternity package from the government that is designed to be a starter kit of baby supplies. In Finland, an expectant mother will be given a box full of baby supplies by the state. This tradition dates back to the 1930’s, and is given to all infants in Finland, from all social backgrounds. The Finland Baby Boxes includes the following items: * Mattress, mattress cover, under sheet, duvet cover, blanket, sleeping bag/quilt * Snowsuit, hat, insulated … Continue reading

Baby Gear – The Useful And The Useless

With so many baby items on the market today, first – time parents are often confused when they sit down to create a baby registry. How do you know which things you will need, and which you can do without? One idea is to look around for lists on the internet. Many experienced moms and dads have shared their opinions about what they used, and what they found useless. Use these lists as inspiration, and as food for thought about whether the items mentioned on the lists fit with your philosophy about how you would like to parent your child. … Continue reading

Winter Gear For Your Snow Baby

If your baby is coming soon, you may already have stocked up on blankets, hats, and cozy clothes for your little one’s cold – weather arrival. Of course you will want to ensure that baby is warm enough during the winter. However, it is also important to consider safety while selecting which items you will use to keep him cozy. For example, there are many baby buntings and snow suits in the stores right now. Did you know that it is not safe to place baby in a car seat while he is in a bunting or snow suit? The … Continue reading

How Heavy is Your Load?

Yesterday, our high councilman came to speak to us in Sacrament meeting. I have to be honest and say that through most of his talk I was in the hallway trying to bounce a baby boy to sleep. He finally did, so I snuck back in for the last 10 minutes of his talk. He shared a story that I thought was powerful, and made me think. He said that Elder Bednar came to visit at a recent regional conference in our area and shared a story that he wanted to share with us. Now, he was paraphrasing Elder Bednar, … Continue reading

Organize Your Wet Winter Gear

Are the dripping kittens and slushy boots taking over your household? I have a couple of solutions that will help you to get everything organized, neat and tidy and prevent the soggy wet patches that typically get tracked into your home. Corral the boots We used to have a small area rug near the front door to catch the wet boots. The problem was, not only did the rug itself get all wet and dirty and then hard to clean, but the boots had a habit of falling over and getting spread throughout the hallway. A good solution to coral … Continue reading

Preparing for a Powerful Snowstorm 2

The snow is falling, and we are all gearing up for a snowstorm that may leave us without power and without an easy way to get out of our driveway. If you missed the first post, click here: Preparing for a Powerful Snowstorm. We do have a generator (which is also gassed up and ready to go), but we can’t attach it to everything. If we will be without power for more than a few hours, we will attach it to the heat, the well pump and water treatment system, the upright freezer and the refrigerator. This will have our … Continue reading

Frugal Fun: Make A Snowman Kit

Everyone here in Pennsylvania is gearing up for a major snowstorm. It is predicted to sneak in sometime late tomorrow night and continue through Wednesday, closing school, causing delays and making havoc. Fortunately, I still have a good stockpile, so I won’t have to join the throngs of folks at the grocery store, buying up all of the eggs, milk and bread. The kids are looking forward to the snow, especially my oldest, Andrew. Lots of snow means a day off of school and the chance to build a snowman. And so, tomorrow I will be assembling a snowman kit. … Continue reading

Stay Merry This Christmas

 The holiday season is upon us, and if you are pregnant the mere thought of all of the shopping, cooking, cleaning, and everything else that you usually do for the holidays might leave you feeling exhausted. Fortunately, as with many things, the expectations that other people would place on you during the holiday season are likely to be far lower than those that you might set out for yourself. Here are a few tips for making the holiday season a little bit merrier and a little less stressful. First of all, make sure that your holiday schedule is realistic. Do … Continue reading

Now Is A Good Time To Learn About Breastfeeding

Whether you are thinking of breastfeeding your baby or you are trying to decide whether you will breastfeed your baby, it is important to educate yourself about breastfeeding. Of course, the best time to read up on breastfeeding is while you are pregnant, so that you can be ready to nurse your baby when she arrives. It is also good to become familiar with breastfeeding resources that offer information and support. That way, you’ll know right where to turn when challenges or questions come up along the way. One great resource that I have used to answer many of my … Continue reading

Ready for Springtime

I’m sure that I am not the only parent out there who is eager for the snow to melt away and the temperatures to rise. While there are many wonderful things to do indoors during the colder months, I am looking forward to being able to go outside with Dylan more often. Today, we got a taste of springtime and it has me ready for more. Throughout the winter I have tried to ensure that Dylan gets to spend time outdoors on a regular basis. He loves to be outside, especially if it involves digging in the snow. Of course, … Continue reading