Decorating for Darlings

A friend of mine is having her second baby and is in the same predicament I was in, where the two will be sharing a room (A problem many people face). When the two babies are of the opposite sex, one is sometimes faced with a decorating dilemma. So to the style books (sites)I went. I am a huge junkie of Ohdeedoh, so I scoured the site for days before settling on a color scheme of turquoise,black and white, with splashes of yellow and orange for my wee chicks.

 

At the library recently, I found the most awesome book on children's rooms, wit many ideas for gender neutral rooms. 

Design Ideas for Baby Rooms by Creative Homeowner

Design Ideas for Baby Rooms

Love and little ones,

Kerry the Momster

Second Time Around

Becoming a second-time mom brings with it new fears of how to balance life with another little soul depending on your very-stretched resources. Also is the knowledge of knowing the lack of time, lack of sleep and amount of pain involved. However, I was very aware of these expected life traits prior to planning for Baba Dos, and welcome them with open arms because of the other traits that trivialize these negative ones, with the magnitude of their joyous existence.
"Been there, done that" also affords me the knowledge of the tremendous love, giggles, pride and giddiness that accompany the stork's gift. The ever-growing, constantly changing and consistently amazing aspects of your child, blind you to all the un-ending worries, choices and routines.

I also feel there are some nuggets of wisdom I have under my belt, that I wish I could have told my old self prior to baby's arrival; which I will impart here for (hopefully) some lost new mommy to gleen some info from.

1.  Everything you say can and WILL be used against you (and most likely in a public setting). Some of your repitions might be cute, like the time my daughter told our barking dog to "Drop the attitude", or some frustrating like, "Why do I always have to do everything??" (on being asked to brush her teeth), to the downright rude "Oh shit!" (on dropping a fork on the floor). So be careful what you say, 24/7!!
2. Document everything! You might think we you will never forget the cute nuances of baby hood, but unfortunately (and sometimes fortunately) you do. You grow with your child as he/she develops so there are new games, new milestones and chores to look forward to. In an already over-occupied, mushy mommy brain, this doesn't leave much room in the memory department, so snap away and write it down somewhere. I have a book by my bed where I write funny quotes and dreams my daughter has, and then I have a box for each year which I fill with receipts, notes, photos, certificates, cards, tickets etc. I just keep stashing them in there and then put the quotes in there too and cds with photos. At the end of the year I am supposed to organize the items into an album, but  I have 3 years thus far, and not one album BUT all the items are there to look through and remember when I finally do have the time.
3. Sleep is the reset button. From the beginning, everyone tells you to sleep when your baby sleeps. This is very true because the biggest cause of post-partum depression and fighting with your spouse is lack of sleep. With more rest under your belt you are better equipped to face the challenges of parenting. I think sleep is a cure-all, and as someone who battles to get it, I hold it in the highest regards. Sleep will forevermore take precedence over almost anything: sex, shopping, socializing. Furthermore, after a particuarly difficult day, watching your sleeping child resets your over-whelming love for them, and even if they were being little terrors until the moment their heads touched the pillow, suddenly they are angels from God in your eyes once more. It's a great reminder of what it's all for.
4. You will most likely be consumed with guilt for the rest of your life. The mommy wars aren't just about moms arguing over breastfeeding vs. bottle and working vs. stay at home, they are often against yourself. You will feel guilt for so many things: too much TV, not enough photos, not getting vaccines, getting vaccines, too much sugar, not enough intellectual stimulation for your child, not enough toys, too many toys, not enough time, too few activities scheduled, losing your temper, spanking, not spanking... just a few of the constant barrage on your sensibilities and ego. Everyday there are seemingly 700 choices to be made, and be made by you, and you may never feel you make the right ones. But when you are feeling overwhelmed, just recall your own childhood and know that your parents went through the same thing, and you turned out okay (hopefully). Or know that you are at least making better choices than them:). But most important, know that just the fact that you are worrying about MAKING the right choice, makes you a good parent, who put the well-being of your child first. 

Hope these little gems stick under somebody's bonnet!
Love and child-rearing,
Kerry, the Momster

Listomania

Listomania-Great song! Also a great way to organize my over-crowded, fuzz-lined brain. Those of you who have been following this blog for a while know that I am addicted to tadalist.com where I list books to read, baby names, craft ideas and everything else my little brain needs to hold, but wont.

With four weeks left until Baba Dos arrives, I am feeling overwhelmed with everything that I still need/want to do in preparation. Here is my 36 weeks pregnant list of "to-do's".

1. Take pack n play to moms.
2. Thank you cards for shower.
3. Clear out car
4. Set up car seat.
5. Pack hospital bag
6. Infant CPR/safety class
7. Make appointment with pediatrician to discuss vaccines.
8. Find out about baby insurance.
9. Get Lampstand and bulb.
10. Items for nursing area: magazine organizer, bottled water, granola bars.
11. Buy breast pump.
12. Put together baby's health kit.
13. Pick out birth announcements.
14. Get a haircut.
15. Buy costco frozen meals and replacement for camera.
16. Go to Mr. Food and stock up on pre-made dinners.
17. Prepare K's items to sleepover/ play while I'm in hospital.
18. Organize who will watch her/school drop off, etc.
19. Ipod playlist for labor
20. Cover electrical outlets
21. Life insurances
22. Hospital baby list- do's and donts for doctors and nurses.
23. Register at hospital
24. Birth plan
25. Wash baby items.
26. Organize and clean kids' room.
27. Complete Baby Mobile.
28. big sister stuff: print photos of her for hospital, wrap gift from "baby".
29. Wills

I'm sure there are  a bunch of things I'm forgetting, please let me know if there are. If I knock out 7 items a week I should be prepared by the time baby gets here (Unless, of course, he wants an early debut into the world ).

Love and preparation,
Kerry the Momster

Snack Packs

Weekend Project idea:

Here is me doing my part for the greenifying of the earth. Reusable snack packs, rather than countless ziploc bags daily for my daughter's lunch.
This is fully lined in washable plastic, and made with a velcro closure. It may be used for dry or wet snacks- although not at the same time or there might be a squishy, inedible disaster where you left food.

Here is a pattern if you would like to make your own, I just added a little fold over piece to mine.

 

Or if you aren't particuarly crafty, save money on ziplocs by buying your snack bags. These ones are pretty cute. 

$7.99 @Vitamin Shoppe

Love and reduction,

Kerry, the Momster

Able Labels

I've been in major nesting mode, having 6 weeks left until delivery. The other day I cleaned out my cabinets (don't tell my doc, as I'm supposed to be on bedrest!), and decided that the only way to ensure that everyone puts the items in their rightful spots, is to go label crazy. And so I did.
Here they are! If you would like me to email you the workable word document, comment with your email address, or email me directly, if you're afraid of crazy internet stalkers.

I just printed them onto sticker paper and then taped over them with packing tape, to create a laminate effect.

Love and labeling,
Kerry the Momster

Label it!

My little goose (the four year old) now dresses herself as part of her morning routine. To make it easier I had my husband set up a low bar in the closet so that all her clothes are accessible. Then to further help her know where each item goes, I created little labels to seperate the clothes by type. (Dresses, sweaters, shirts, etc). The clothes that don't hang each go in boxes (also labeled) such as underwear, socks, pants, shorts and skirts. These labels also help when she is putting away her laundry.

I also created labels to separate baby's clothes. These are boy ones that I am sending to a friend of mine. I printed them out on cardstock and laminated them to keep them from getting destroyed.

If you would like any of these pages in photoshop format, so that you can edit them to your own specifications, please let me know. Or if you would like me to customize them for you, I can do that for $10 (I have a paypal set up). 

Hope you like!

Love and organization,
Kerry, the Momster

Back To The Grind

As we begin our mad dash to the stores for backpack's, lunchboxes and clothes, we sigh in relief knowing that in just a few days our little gems will be back at school, being educated and entertained by someone other than ourselves for a few hours a day. Can I get an Amen?

With this return to the trenches comes the dilemma's of rush hour traffic (the kind in your kitchen and bathrooms prior to 8am). Here are some of my tips to keep the morning's running somewhat smoothly.

Handmade totes from http://www.knotjustjigs.co.uk

1. Set up a morning routine for each child. I created little pictures of each morning job (brush teeth, put on clothes, put on shoes, make bed and brush hair) which can be customized for each child. Remember to keep the lists age appropriate and that you may still have to assist in some tasks (like belts and shoelaces). I have the pictures glued to magnets on the back of my daughter's bedroom door (where she has a white board). Right after breakfast she starts on her routine. She may choose the order in which to do the various tasks, but they must all be done. When they are she gets moved up on her behavior chart, but you can choose any reward such as stickers, pennies, etc.
2. Pick out a week's worth of outfits on Sunday night. My husband has the task of making sure our willful 4 yr old is dresses for school. I came up with this system when too many days I would hear the stories of fighting over skirts and shorts and shoes. On Sundays we put together 5 outfits complete with socks and hair accessories and put them on hangers in an easy-to-reach spot. Then my daughter gets to pick what she wants to wear each day from these five outfits. 
3. Have separate bags for each after-school activity. Avoid the "I-forgot-my-soccer-cleats-drama" by having a bag for each activity. I started this system after about the third time my daughter arrived at skating lessons without gloves. If your child does soccer, ice-skating, ballet, and gymnastics, have a bag for each sport for each child. Tote's work wonders and can be purchase from craft stores and decorated by your child with pictures of the activity and their names on them. After each lesson, make sure all items are washed and put directly back in the bag for the next week. Let the kids know that NOTHING is to be taken out of the bag for any other activity. (My daughter loves to wear her gloves around the house, so I bought a pair that was ONLY for skating) If you have a particularly busy child and thus a lot of totes, have hooks in a closet or on a hallway wall to hang the bags.

Hope you are able to use some of these strategies that have worked so well for me, to streamline your mornings.

Love and organization,
Kerry the Momster

Art Appreciation

We all adore our children's art and would love to keepsake each and every piece, however after about the third birthday, your art collection may get a little overwhelming in size. I developed a strategy to keep all my little Van Goh's work without having to rent a storage facility. I purchased the most amazing printer/scanner/copier combo which allows me to scan all her work and store them in files by year on my hard drive. I also created a "showroom" for her work by creating a group on facebook where family and friends can be as equally awed by her creativity as I am :).

Here is her latest installment: 


My Daddy When he was a Little Boy.

Love and artistry,
Kerry the Momster

Second Time Around.

http://www.kerryjaclyn.com

I am adding to my brood in October with a little baby boy. In trying to prepare myself and my family I have found numerous checklists and lists (which I adore!)... Especially lots of different things to do to prepare a young sibling for the arrival of the new baby, to help combat jealousy, to keep oneself organized in the chaos, and ways to include your older child in the process.

This is what I've got:

Preparing Your Child for Hospital Stay

• Take them on a tour of the hospital
• Explain Alternative plan for when you go into hospital
• Ask your child to take care of something for you while you are gone (a scarf, or pottery)
• Put a picture of yourself in your child's room
• Hide some small gifts around the house, and when in hospital tell them where to look for them.
• Make a welcome gift for the sibling (a bib,etc)
• Give your child the hospital number to call you if he or she is old enough 

 Shortly Before Baby is Due
 

• Let your child help you pack for the hospital and remind you of items to put in
• Pack a suitcase for your child to open when you are gone (snacks, gifts and a note)
• Take a photo of your child to put in the hospital room- and tell them you are doing so.
• Have your child draw pictures to put in the room
• Write a letter to your older child describing how you felt the day she was born.
• Make a birthday cake and freeze it to have a little "birthday party" for the new baby when you are home.
• Make a "I'm the big sister/brother" t-shirt for your child to wear to the hospital.
• Have your child help prepare the baby's room.

When you are in the Hospital

• Make frequent calls to your child. Don't mention too much about the baby but say "I love you and I'll be home soon!"
• Ask your child to water the plants at home. Giving her responsibility makes her feel needed.
• Remember on visiting that your child is anxious to see you, more than the new baby.
• Don't allow other guests in when your child visits for the first time.
• Have a gift "from the baby" to give your child.
• Tape a photo of your older child to the baby's crib in the hospital.

And finally coming home

• Let your child come with Daddy to pick you up from the hospital
• Put a 24 hr hold on visitors and let this first day home be special for the family
• Plan to spend the first day in bed as a family
• Plan to indulge with a cleaning service, friends or family to help with household chores
• Have a special time each day for just you and your older child, or explain that babies come "with nothing" and need to get lots of things.
• Keep a supply of little gifts for your child when visitors shower gifts on the baby
• Have your child unwrap gifts for the baby
• Give your child "important" tasks like distributing snacks to guests, fetching diapers, helping bring the baby out to show visitors, etc.

Even with all of this info I still feel quite anxious. I often find my anxiety is completely unfounded and things tend to run much more smoothly than I plan. But I like to be over-prepared rather than under. It helps me eel a sense of control.

Most of this info is taken from the book: Welcoming your Second Baby by Vicki Lanski

Love and preparation,
Kerry, the Momster



 
 

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Feeling listless?

I have lists for EVERYTHING! baby names, to dos, books to read, movies to watch, things to sew, craft ideas, favorite websites, baby checklist...etc etc. Never lose another list again! You set up an account and logon from anywhere to access your lists.

Then go make lists. I am a list freak... and this is my addiction:
www.tadalist.com

Love and listing,
Kerry, the Momster.