Trying to Find Trendy Maternity Clothes for Cheap?

It's been a long time since I've blogged. Cray life, crazy kids...and a new baby on the way! So, now, with 6 children - five boys and one girl - we will be adding yet another boy! And, to be quite honest, I'm ecstatic! What could be better than 6 grown men and a daughter - when they are all grown and moved out, of course - to take care of you when you are old and (re)tired? 


So, with that said, the due date is September 22 and I have a feeling that it will come faster than I am ready for the whole newborn stage again...

In the meantime, the question has popped up: Where does a mom of 6 find economically priced, cute and trendy maternity clothing???

So, I've been on the hunt for trendy maternity clothing that doesn't hurt the wallet...and I found the perfect place! And, this can work BOTH ways for moms-to-be!

eBay!

Yay for eBay! Not only does it give people who are looking for bargain basement/thrift store prices on name-brand and designer clothing, without having to leave the house, but it also provides a forum for new moms to re-sell the clothing once they have had the baby. I have seriously found trendy, adorable tops and pants for 99 cents and up.

Shipping Costs

Yes, of course, you have to pay close attention to the shipping cost of the items...some people ship at a very low rate, while others will charge $10 and up to ship just one item. Keep in mind, while you are crying about the shipping costs, that people have to take into consideration the packaging materials, like envelops and bubble wrap, ink and labels for the shipping labels, gas costs if they are taking the items to the post office and the shipping costs, too.

Tricks

There are tricks to bidding on eBay...and, I'm not aware of them all, as I am a newbie to the whole thing, but you can add items to your "watch list" and wait until last minute to place a bid. If you really want that item, bid the highest amount that you are willing to pay for that item. You most likely won't pay that much, but it will give you the best edge for winning, just in case someone else placed a "maximum bid". eBay won't show the maximum bid amount....they will just show the winning bid amount at that point in time.

For example: An item can show a winning bid amount of $2.39, but that particular bidder might have placed a "maximum bid" amount of $5, which means that when someone else bids on it, they will have to bid all the way up to $5.01 to actually win the item. That is why I say that if you want to win an item, put in your "maximum bid" amount...if all you want to pay for that item is $5.00 and you are outbid, then that's okay, because you didn't want to pay more than that anyways. If other bidders placed bids lower than $5, then you will win the item at a few cents more than the highest bidder, not necessarily the $5 that you bid.


Do you know about any other places to acquire cheap, but nice and trendy maternity clothes?

Delicious Easter Recipes For You and the Kids -Yum Yum!

With spring fast approaching, Easter is nearly here.  One of the most popular holidays is Easter and part of the reason why this holiday (and most others) is so much fun is the food associated with it.  If you are planning an Easter dinner with your friends or family this year, here are some awesome hints for some yummy Easter recipes.

Maple Syrup Ham and Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows

One of the most desired types of food to eat at Easter is ham and you can sweeten up the flavor of ham by adding some tasty maple syrup.  While your store purchased maple syrup should work, try to purchase maple syrup that is 100% pure and not made with corn syrup.  Adding pure maple syrup will add a sweet, delicious taste that your friends and family will love.

You can simply complement your maple syrup ham with some yummy sweet potatoes smothered in minature marshmallows.  Sweet potatoes should be your maple syrup ham’s best friend.  For an extra treat, add minature marshmallows and you will definetly get some smiles from children and adults alike.

Easter Bunny Cookies

While chocolate bunnies are pivotal to Easter, cookies can also be a desired treat.  Just like Christmas cookies are fun to make and tasty to eat, so can Easter bunny cookies.  Most grocers, discount stores and craft retailers sell Easter Bunny cookie cutters to make your favorite chocolate chip or sugar cookie into some fun Easter bunny shapes.

Easter Egg Cup Cakes

Easter Egg Cup Cakes are a fun way to add excitement to the holiday’s for your little ones.  Easter Egg Cupcakes are an easy and fun way to bring color to any Easter dinner dessert.  Instead of using cup cake holders, try to use small waffle cones instead to hold your cup cake mixture.  Once baked, add coloring, sprinkles, candy, etc. to your creation.

Easter Bunny Carrot Cake


Easter bunny carrot cake is a great way to add color and fun for the whole family.  What goes better with bunny rabbits than carrots and a yummy carrot cake goes with an Easter meal.  You can easily purchase a carrot cake and decorate the top by hand.  Many people create their own icing adding food coloring to color the carrot cake to look like an Easter egg.

Easter Cocktails

For those adults that prefer to top off their dinner with a delicious alcoholic beverage, there are many flavorful cocktails that compliment the atmosphere of an Easter meal.  For example, certain liquors come in several colors such as grenadine for crimson, blue Curacao for blue and mixing clear liquor with various fruit juices for multi colored Easter drinks. For those that crave a cocktail without the alcohol, it’s simple to add color to your dinner with a variety of fresh fruit smoothies, just by adding fresh fruit with cream or milk.  Some people even add some yogurt to the mix.

Holidays,


If these recipe ideas don't make your tummy growl for Easter dinner, I don't know what will!

Visit Kid Approved Meals for more fun ideas! Happy Easter!

TV is Bad, Bad, Bad for Your Kids - Not!

I was in the middle of my daytime routine...and a thought hit me! I had to write a blog post - a real blog post - for the first time in a long time!

We've all been slapped on the hand, scolded and felt guilty for allowing our children to watch tv. Parenting experts, magazines and online articles will tell you over and over again that too much television will turn your child into an overweight couch potato with no ambition. But, with all of the choices that we have to present to our children for television viewing, it leaves me to wonder if the "experts" might be slightly wrong.

Morning Routine

I have a morning routine that I have fallen into lately - and it's working pretty darn good for me, as a busy mom of 6. I get up and hustle the four oldest children out the door to the school bus, "Did you brush your hair? Your teeth?" Bla, bla, bla...and then, when the mad rush is over, there are still two (demanding) children to tend to.

Right on time, at 8:00 A.M., Mickey Mouse Clubhouse comes on Disney Junior. (By the way, I LOVE that channel, for the kids, of course!). During the beginning of the show, I will make my strawberry flavored Carnation Instant Breakfast (a great way to get those much-needed vitamins!) and start brewing my must-have coffee. As the show progresses, I encourage my little ones to count and sing along and dance and interact with the questions that are posed.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

If you haven't seen Mickey Mouse Clubhhouse lately and you have pre-school aged children and toddlers, you really should check it out. There are quite a few similarities to Dora the Explorer: it is a colorful cartoon, they ask questions to get the children thinking and interacting, and they present and solve problems (with the help of their viewing audience).

When the music plays, Dakoda will dance around and laugh, quite often joined by Dylan. When they ask questions, Dylan is quick to guess the answer and is quite proud of how "smart" he is when he gets the right answer (which is 99.9% of the time, little Smarty Pants). Couch potatoes, they are not. And, thanks to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, I can get my morning started with my vitamins and coffee without interruption - and I know that my children are getting a little bit of exercise, both physically and mentally.

Dora the Explorer (and Go, Diego, Go!)

I mentioned Dora the Explorer earlier, and will let you know that both Dora and Diego are also favorites in our house. I like these shows because they are also interactive and ask questions to get the children thinking and problem solving. They also teach a little Spanish to the children. I can proudly say that my children know quite a few words in Spanish, thanks to Dora, Diego and Handy Manny.


Handy Manny

Teamwork, cooperation and community are the focus points of Handy Manny. Handy Manny is joined by his animated tools who are always willing to help him solve problems. This show gets my little people thinking and solving problems and there is a little Spanish incorporated, too. You can find Handy Manny on the Disney Channel.

Little Einsteins

The classical music that is raved about for the enhancement of your children's brains can be found here! Along with music, you will find artwork and problem solving. For many years, right after they outgrew the Baby Einstein series, my children moved onto Little Einsteins. Another Disney Channel series, I don't see it on as often as I used to, but I still think it's a great show for pre-school aged children.

A Big No-No Show

Spongebob Squarepants

I hate this show. There is absolutely no educational value in it, and although my children will sit and turn into zombies while Spongebob Squarepants is on, I can't stand it. My children know it, too. I have made my opinion of the show very clear. I do admit that I will allow my children to watch it once and a while, but they can forget about the Spongebob Squarepants marathons in my house!



I could list every kid's show on television and my opinion, but I don't have the time to do it, and I'm sure that you don't have the time to read a blog post that long...but, my point is: there is television programming for children that is educational if you encourage your children to participate, think and dance along with the music.

I'm not advocating all-day entertainment with the television, but for those mothers who need a moment (or two) to get acclimated to the morning or cook lunch or even take a quick shower, these shows can definitely teach your child a thing or two while you are busy. They can also help out on rainy days (or these long winter days) when all of the crafts and activities start to get boring.

I, personally, don't limit television viewing hours for my little ones (the older children, yes), but I do monitor the show choices and direct them to the shows that I think have educational value for them.

What is your opinion? Do you think that television is completely bad for your kids? Do you set time limits on the tv? What are your kid's favorite shows?

THE MOST DVD Movie Review

I was sent a DVD copy of a faith-based and very touching story called The Most. I had only read the email that was sent to me, and was not prepared to watch a movie that was 99.9% in another language. I think there were about two English words.

We sat the kids down (and by now, they are accustomed to being reminded that they are participating in a review - and they are so very willing to participate), they, too, were surprised that the movie was in another language. It was only 33 minutes long, so I told them to watch and pay attention, because even if they cannot understand the verbatim, they will be able to understand the plot if they pay close attention.

From the email:

33-minute short film directed by Bobby Garabedian
 

MOST, the Czech word for "The Bridge," is a fitting title 

for this 21st-century parable about a loving father, his 

young son, and the fateful day when they attempt to head off 

an impending rail disaster. Hundreds of passengers aboard an 

oncoming steam train are completely unaware of the danger 

that looms as they head toward an open drawbridge. As a 

desperate young woman witnesses an act of mercy beyond 

imagination, her life is changed forever—as are the lives 

of all who see this film. Both heart wrenching and glorious, 

MOST vividly portrays the greatest offering of love, sacrifice, 

hope, and forgiveness known to man.

Can you see why I wanted to review it? The fact that the movie was in Czech (I think..LOL) took nothing away from the story line. My four oldest children completely understood the movie and we became involved in several different conversations after watching it, ranging from why choices were made and how the choices changed everything in the character's lives to how things would have been different if other choices were made and what they would have done if they were the main character (the father). I love the thoughts, theories and ideas that this movie provoked in my children's minds.

We loved the movie so much (and because it was so short), we actually watched it twice in a row! Due to the language barrier and the fact that the movie was so awesome, it was definitely better the second time around.

We also watched the making of the movie, which is also on the DVD. This movie was produced so well, despite many different obstacles, including lack of a budget and leading characters!

The Most will move your heart...and if you have the tendency to cry during movies, be sure to put that package of tissues right next to you, because there is no doubt in my mind that you will need it!




I received a DVD copy of The Most for my review - I did not receive compensation.

Medela Breastmilk Labeling and Storage System Review & Giveaway!

After a long time away, I have finally brought myself back to Mommy Rantings to post yet another review and giveaway for everyone who has been so wonderful during my absence!


My apologies to Medela for taking so long to post this!

For breastfeeding moms, the question, "When did I put this bottle in the fridge?" can happen more often than not, with a new baby and so many new things to remember. Never mind the lack of sleep and endless feedings and diaper changes that occur 24-7! It all can certainly put a damper on the memory!

But, thankfully, Medela has breastfeeding moms in mind...and all of the struggles that they go through!

If you look at the image, it seems pretty basic. A container that neatly holds the bottles in the fridge and bottles with caps that allow you to turn the dial and "mark" the bottle with the day that you put that particular bottle in the fridge. Look closer and you will see the arrows on the container that also "mark" in and out, showing you quickly which side of the container you should be pulling bottles from (and which side you should be placing the new bottles that you make).

How brainless is that? I love it! 


As a mom of six, I love the idea of organizational tools and items that help to keep my memory on track! I'm definitely one of the moms that look in the fridge and wonders when the heck I put the bottles in the there!

You will get two bottles to start out with. (If you want more than that, you will have to purchase them.) Medela's breastmilk bags will also fit in the container, so you have a couple of ways to store and save breastmilk for the times that your precious little one needs it. (The bags did not come with the Medela Breastmilk Labeling & Storage System - I just wanted to mention them as another option!)

So, breastfeeding moms (and Mommy Rantings followers who know a breastfeeding mom who would put this storage system to use), Medela has elected to giveaway one of their Breastmilk Labeling and Storage Systems.

Giveaway

I'm going to make this giveaway simple for you...

So, make sure that you are 1) a Mommy Rantings GFC follower and you 2) "like" Mommy Rantings on Facebook (in the right hand column of the blog - scroll down) and then...choose from the following:

3) Like Medela on Facebook and tell them that Mommy Rantings sent you.

4) Follow Medela on Twitter.

There are four chances for entries. So, be sure to enter a new comment for each number above.

In addition, don't forget to leave your email address! This contest will close March 22nd!

 


I was provided the Medela Breastmilk Labeling & Storage System in order to post this review. I was not offered compensation for my opinions.