What to Expect When You're Expecting Book Giveaway

You've probably heard of the book, "What to Expect When You're Expecting", but did you know they have a website with pregnancy and parenting tips? It's a great resource for New-Moms-to-be. You can track your babies growth, see celebrity moms, and find Mommy Blogs about pregnancy and parenting.

Follow @whattoexpect on Twitter and Facebook/WhatToExpectWhenYoureExpecting 

Check back next week for your chance to win the trilogy! 

Pre-Pregnancy

You're Expecting

The First Year

We'll be giving away copies on our next Pin it! Online Scavenger Hunt on Pinterest.
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Part Two: Why Sucky Boys Make Me Cry

Advice for Teens - Don't Cry.

Advice for Teens =  Don't Cry.

You might want to start with Part One: Teen Heartbreak.

Girls are sucky too.   Teenagers suck.  I didn't like most of them when I was a teenager - something crazy happens to their brains.  I've never understood it.  Perfectly intelligent, respectable kids turn into illogical beings from outer space.

I hate that most teenagers act without thinking.  Somehow, they convince themselves that point B does not result from Point A.  Now, medical science has proven it is a consequence of an undeveloped brain.  The brain does not fully develop the ability to think things through until our twenties. The Teen Brain

Don't tell them that!  It makes a great excuse, blame it on science.

What about our conscience?  Or our mechanisms for fear?  The fear of God, the fear of strict parents, or the fear of ruining our reputations as decent, honorable human beings?  The fear of not making it into our twenties? 

I was raised on a heightened sense of  fear.  Sure, I made some mistakes.  Mostly, I set lofty goals for myself and strived to keep them.  I am basically proud of my teen years.  Even the best of us succumb to peer pressure.

I also had an incredible friend that I admired and respected.  Even when she wasn't around, I worried what she would think if she found out I did something dumb. I didn't want to disappoint anyone- especially myself.

If your conscience doesn't work so well, you need a friend like this, preferably, one that you can't tell a lie.

Hey teenagers!  It is difficult to live with disappointing yourself.  Once you start letting yourself down, it gets easier each time, "Well, I've already broken this rule so I might as well break that one - it's not nearly as shameful."  Besides, you're having fun so it can't be all bad, right? 

Okay, maybe a little rule breaking builds character, maybe it gives you a strong foundation for becoming a smart adult.  You are walking a very thin line. Once that side of you takes over it is hard to stop.  Self-esteem shoots out the window before it even had a chance to take hold.

Sucky girls make me cry too, but this is not about girls.

Boys! They are not smarter than you.  They are not cooler than you.  They probably aren't more experienced than you.  Somehow, they've learned to spin an excellent yarn or act an amazing show.

It wasn't until my brothers became teenagers that I fully understood this phenomenon.  They were babies.  They didn't know anything.  They hurt but kept it hidden from the world.  They weren't cool but put on an awesome show.  Girls really liked them. 

Sadly, that guy you admire is afraid of you.  He is afraid of his friends too. They are all joking about sex.   Geesh, he doesn't even know what the other guys are referring too.  Maybe, they've got cable or free access to the Internet.  Maybe their parents are too open.  He feels stupid, maybe, you know more than he does.  Sucky boy has to play it cool.  He doesn't want to be left out of the game.

So, you buy into the cool persona and you fall head over heels.  You've never met anyone so mature (cough, cough). His breath on your neck makes you swoon...  that's unfortunate. 

He's so experienced vs.Your such a lame. 

Maybe he could teach you something.  He whispers sweet nothings...  Does he?  Or does he say things to smash your self-esteem?  "What have you got to lose?"  "I heard you..."  So what if he did?  So what if you did?  You don't have to make the same mistake twice!!

That boy set a lofty goal, one he thought was unobtainable and there you are to fulfill his wishes.  After all, 'He's the one', Prince Charming is going to take you away from your miserable life.  You like having a beau and you feel threatened - if you don't do it you're sure to lose him.

Red Flag Alert!  Red Flag Alert!  Run the other way as fast as you can.

Sure, it happens for some people.  They marry their high-school sweetheart and live... ever after.

Boys are kids, just like you, with Mommys and Daddys who discipline them.  How embarrassing.  How shameful, You can't let anyone know your parents treat you like a little kid!  You have to play it cool.

Cool people know this sucks.  It sucks to feel like you are the only one doing the right thing.  It's embarrassing.  The teasing is grueling.  It takes a brave kid to stand up in a room full of uncool kids and say, "This makes me uncomfortable, I'm leaving." 

Sure, some of them will laugh at you.  They'll  mock you.  They'll dare you.  But, what if, one kid asks for a ride home.  What if no one is as brave as you this time, but your actions really hit home and someone vows never to do this again?  You could be a hero, a truly, cool person.

Don't cave in on your morals.  Don't ignore your conscience.  More importantly, 'Don't give up on yourself.'

When you grow up, (if) you'll likely discover that most kids weren't doing everything you thought they were, and the kids that were probably fantasized about being cool just like you.  They wanted parents that really cared or the courage to stand up for their core values.

Sucky boys make me cry because they are somebody's baby brother or precious little boy just trying to fit in and gain acceptance. When sucky girls play into their fears it builds a whole new world of suckiness.


p.s.  I know of a boy that doesn't suck, your Mom probably does too.  Hang in there, before you know it, you'll be the Mom of a teenager too.  May God bless you and mother's everywhere.

Looking for 1 Year Old Birthday Gifts?

Best Toys and Gift Ideas for 1 Year Old Girls

Have a one year old baby's birthday coming up? So, what are the best toys and gifts for a one year old? Nothing feels better than watching your baby girl grow. You want to be there when she makes her first step, and you want to be the first one to hear her alter her first word. These moments are magical. Believe me, it gets even more exciting when she turns a year old. It's her first birthday and it's normal to feel super excited and overwhelmed. How do you make it special and unforgettable? Other than holding a birthday party and inviting all your friends and their kids to celebrate, getting the perfect gift is the best way to ensure that your baby girl never forgets the day.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

But wait! Which is the best gift for a one-year-old girl? A toy is the best catch here. You want the best for your daughter, something that she will like and even if you were to keep it and show it to her when she is already all grown up, she would have the same smile she had when you first showed the toy to her when she was one year old.

What to get a 1 year old girl on their Birthday? 

Choosing such a toy can be a daunting task. This article aims to make the work easy for you by outlining a list of the best gifts and toys for a one year old girls.

A VTech pull and sing puppy

Kids love puppies, and they find them to be the cutest thing, and it gets even better when puppies and toddlers are combined. Not all girls are into barking, taking dogs for walks and having a pooping pooch. You do not have to get a real puppy to match the experience for your baby girl. If she loves puppies, a VTech pull and sing puppy is an excellent choice.

The little guy can do tricks and other stuff that real dogs can do and more. He can sing, teach numbers, body parts and colors as the baby pulls him around his leash. It comes with over 50 songs and melodies to keep the kid entertained, and she will never get bored even if you were to leave her alone as you do chores around the house. You, however, need to include a battery.

Baby Einstein take along tunes

Kids are sensory. Its smell and touch alone are enough to make the baby glued to the creature as she tries to figure out how the machine can respond to her queries. If your kid is already a young jammer trying to get her tune in line, this toy will do her good. It's a kind of jukebox that switches between a total of seven melodies.

What's more? It lights up as it sings. It also comes with a volume control button and two AA batteries. It's a perfect toy for small hands, and your kid will not struggle as she plays with it. Even better; it is made of a soft polypropylene surface which makes it safe for children. The color and design are cute, so it does not scare the baby away.

Fisher Price brilliant basics first doll

Girls love trying to play-pretend at this age, and a baby doll is a perfect gift to help foster her imagination. She can tote the doll around as she tries to learn new words and understand different body parts like the mouth, legs, hands, and eyes. Dolls are soft and cuddly which makes it ideal for helping the baby in social recognition and giving them a sense of comfort when playing with it. She will carry the doll where she goes which is also a way of learning a sense of possession.

Fisher-price Baby’s first Blocks playlist

Your child will have a blast with this gift set on her birthday. It features two Fisher-Price toys a baby’s first block and a rock-a-stack. What she has to do is sort them for fun, which is a perfect way to keep baby busy and put her mind at work.

Such toys help develop problem skills too. The toy is meant to prepare kids for preschool through mental development. Grasping, sorting, and stocking the blocks is a fun way for your baby to stay happy as she explores. It will teach her a sense of discovery as she tries to see what happens after all the rings are sorted and stacked.

LeapFrog count and crawl number Kitty

Get your child on the move on many skills with this unique, cute kitty. The doll is designed to enhance a great push and play experience for little ones, keeping them busy and offering them a positive way of having fun. It comes with keys, that when pressed, make the cat start counting in a rhythm. How exciting is that? That's not all.

There are also music mode keys that command the cat to play meows in low and high modes as she makes silly sounds. Pushing the kitty makes her produce fun counting songs that your baby girl will want to listen to the whole day. The kitty can sit, bat, scoot, and crawl. This toy is a perfect way of nurturing mental development and balance in your baby as she explores and counts numbers one to twenty and learns new music. It comes in beautiful colors to keep your baby's attention.

The choices are endless, and these are only a few of the best and highly reviewed toys. The best part is that they are all durable and you can keep them and show them to your baby girl when she is all grown up.

How do you choose a good toy for a one year old?

You shouldn't choose the first toy that comes when conducting an online searches in sites. Let's take look at what should inform your purchase of a one year old's gift. 

Considerations when buying a present for a one year-old girl

• Safety – some toys are just not safe for babies and they even come with a safety warning signs. You will realize that some of them have been written to explain that they aren't recommended for kids under the age of five. This is probably because the toy has some aspects that could compromise the baby’s safety. Kids at this age love putting things in their mouth and you have to ensure that what you get cannot choke your baby. Also, make sure that the toy is non-toxic and doesn't have sharp edges.

• Go for educational toys – it shouldn't be all about play and fun. The child should be able to learn something when interacting with the toy. This is the developmental stage, and therefore, the toy should at least sharpen her mental development, communication skills, and cognitive capacity. Your baby will probably be spending most of her time with the toy, and therefore, it should be in a position to help her learn.

• The toy should enhance coordination – it's around this time of her life that a baby girl will be learning how to roll over and pull up as she tries to take her first step. Choose a toy that can help her enhance her motor skills and coordination as she starts to stand and walk. Keeping baby's hands and legs busy improves her strength too.

• Color and material – these are also aspects to keep in mind. You want something that will attract a baby girl and you should choose brightly colored toys over the dull ones. Pink, blue, yellow, red, and white are the most recommended colors for girls. The material takes you back to safety. Choose something soft but durable.

Recommended:

Baby Articles for New Moms from Kids Creative Chaos

Best Selling Toys for One Year Old Girls

Gift Ideas for Girls

Disney on Ice World's of Fantasy at Banker's Life Fieldhouse: Tow Mater Steals the Show

Tow Mater Printable Coloring Page

We saw Disney on Ice World's of Fantasy at Banker's Life Fieldhouse last night, and Tow Mater stole the show! At least, that's what my eight-year-old son thought. He grinned from ear to ear astonished at seeing Tow Mater in the flesh. It was truly life coming full circle for us.

Tow Mater Printables

You see, in 2004, I attended Disney on Ice, Monster's Inc. when he was just a bun in the oven. I'd never seen anything like it. I couldn't wait to take him one day. Well, apparently, I waited one or two days too long. He hated  The Little Mermaid, growled through Tinkerbell, and complained Toy Story was boring and for babies. Good thing I brought his 6-year-old sis along. She loved Cars, endured The Little Mermaid, adored Tinkerbell, and giggled through Toy Story.

Phineas and Ferb Printables

When asked, What was your favorite part? My son said, "The only thing good was Tow Mater, he had a real amber light just like on Daddy's plow." And, my daughter said, "The queen looked real and Tinkerbell really looked like Tinkerbell. Here's what I didn't like about Toy Story: the boy's hair looked like plastic, but the girl's hair (you know, Barbie) looked like real."

Maybe, I had too many years to build up my anticipation, but I preferred the magic in the Monster's Inc. version. The Little Mermaid was a beautiful display of skating artistry. In kid speak that spells boring. In fact, the daddy slept through it, but to be fair, he'd only had two hours of sleep the night before. My favorite part was also Tow Mater. Who doesn't love him? Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy hosted. As much as I hate to say it, I think they are has-beens. Please don't tell Mickey, I loved him. He was one of the very first dolls in my collection. I guess it happens to the best of us.

This show catered to the preschoolers and the princesses. Perfect, if you have either. My little, spirited "Princess" sat still all through Tinkerbell.  Now, that was truly magical!

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Tow Mater Blanket and Pillow Set*

Chocolate, Flowers, or Teddy Bears? My Postpartum Depression Pick Me Up

A few weeks after my first child was born, long after everyone else had gone back to their daily routines, I was left alone with fatigue and a mild-case of postpartum depression (post natal), one giant, smelly dog, two cats, one bird, and a bacteria infested exotic frog.  Oh... and a newborn baby, let's not forget the baby.  Everyone of those little lives needed something from me, and I needed sleep.

I didn't have enough energy to spread the love, clean the pet messes, and change the baby.  I was simply overcome by Bleh.  I knew I needed to be strong for the baby but the monotony of being alone with all of these creatures in a messy house for eight hours everyday had taken its toll.

One day, the doorbell rang.  Begrudgingly, I threw on my best hospital, maternity robe, slid on my fuzzy, pink slippers, threw the baby on my hip, and shuffled to the door. Standing on tippy toes, I snuck a peek through the peep hole. A bright-eyed, delivery girl with a broad smile peered over a huge arrangement of flowers.

With both hands wrapped around baby, I struggled to free one to open the door. Her contagious smile and bubbly personality brightened my grumpy, hermit-loving mood.  I became giddy as I signed for the flowers. The presentation was unique. Flowers were displayed in an earthenware container reminding me of the ancient ruins. 

I plopped my son into a baby bouncer and quickly cleared a place in the center of the mantle, out of reach from babies, birds, curious cats, and a dog who would eat anything. Then, I dropped to the couch and opened the card.  

"Thought you might need a pick me up about now."

Of course, I bawled like a little baby (remember I was postpartum). How did they know?  I barely knew the sender at the time - my father-in-law and step mother-in-law who live out of the country.

The special delivery came at the perfect time giving me a little pick-me-up to press on for the next few weeks.   Nothing is more heart-warming than knowing someone is thinking about you in your darkest moments.  

Why not surprise someone who is going through a rough patch.  

Seven years later, after a fall that rivaled Humpty Dumpty, the patched container sits on my mantle, looking more than ever like ancient ruins, holding my own arrangement of silks and reminding me of that special moment.

What is Postpartum depression learn more here.

My postpartum depression pick me up!

How to get Baby to Sleep for a Nap

Foolproof ways to tire your toddlers out for nap time

Are you struggling to get your little toddler to take a breather and rest? Nap time can be heaven for both you and your toddler. They get some much-needed rest before carrying on with their day, giving you a chance to get a few things done, or simply take a minute for yourself. You've probably wondered, how to get your baby to sleep for a nap, here are some tips to earn that well deserved quiet time.

While nap time sounds like a dream, getting your toddler down and asleep is much easier said than done. Although some days may not run to plan, there are some great ways to encourage a toddler to take his nap, so you can have a moment to get through your to-do list. Here are some infant nap time parenting tips so you can get some things done around the house.

Encourage or play active games with them

Active games are a great way to burn off all that extra energy before a nap. It can be as simple as a game of Simon Says or Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. Not only are these games fun and easy, but they also require minimal set-up and clean up. 

Simon Says can help kids learn about body awareness and movement, as well as how to pay attention, follow instructions and be a leader. Whereas Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes can help kids with their balance, coordination and learning about their bodies.

Other games like Duck Duck Goose and Ring Around the Rosie lets kids literally run around, but can also help them develop strategic thinking skills and spatial awareness – although you’ll need more than one child (or adult!) to be able to play them.

Get some fresh air and/or exercise

This goes without saying – exercise is a great way to tire your little ones. Ideally, any exercise you choose to do should burn through their excess energy without giving them a second wind and keeping them wide awake. The key is to stay active and keep babies moving, but not to have too much fun so they won't fight sleep when it comes.

The old stand by activities are great for tiring out your baby for outside play: 

• Bouncing or kicking a ball.

• Riding a bike or scooter.

• Playing chase.

• Blowing bubbles.

You can even go for a light walk around the block or to their favorite playground. Let them loose on the play equipment and they’ll be ready to nap when they get home.

If the weather isn’t the best, you can still get your toddler moving at home. Encourage them to have a dance along to a music video or get them running and climbing with a make-shift obstacle course. 

Put them to work with some household chores

If you’ve got a few jobs to get done around the house, why not get your toddler involved? This will take a little patience, the job will likely take a little longer, but every little chore will get your toddler closer to sleep.

The easiest way to make this nap time trick work is by giving your kids chores that are appropriate for their age, which also keep them active. Start with simple things like picking up their toys or tidying up their room. You can add a touch of fun to the household chores by having clean-up races, enjoying a toy scavenger hunt to be found in the bottom of the laundry pile, or making a game of loading the dishwasher.

Not only will doing household chores wear your kids out, it also teaches them responsibility about how a household functions. These are valuable life skills your children will carry with them throughout their lives. It’ll also help you get through the household chores on your to-do list, even if they’re not perfectly done!

 

Encourage winding down activities

Even with all their energy burnt off, your little one might not just drop straight off to bed. Sometimes they need a little quiet time to help them settle and wind down.

Relaxing activities that will keep their attention are key to quiet time. These activities can be as easy as giving them an age-appropriate puzzle, a simple coloring activity, or engaging them in quiet building activities, like a Lego set.

When all else fails, a good-old children’s book is a sure-fire way to help them unwind. You can encourage them to curl up on the couch and read to themselves or mimic bedtime and read to them as they fall asleep.  

Create a nap time ritual

Complement winding down activities by creating a nap time ritual to follow. This should be similar to creating a bedtime ritual. It should be consistent, such as setting aside a specific period of time everyday for the nap, dimming the lights, reading a story to them, and playing some white noise (like rain or wind) to block out outside noises.

This nap time ritual gives your baby's body a cue to fall asleep, rest, and recharge.

Once you start giving these nap time sleep methods a try, you’ll soon be watching your little one drift off to sleep with ease, allowing you some much needed me time.

Recommended:

How to get Baby to Sleep through the Night Tips

Nap time Tips for New Parents

Breast Milk of Formula?

Trip to Sheffield with Family

Visiting Sheffield With Your Kids

Thinking of traveling outside the United States? If you're looking for places to visit in the UK with family, Sheffield is a great option. In Sheffield, there are numerous indoor and outdoor activities for children and families. We've highlighted a few to help you plan your visit to Sheffield.

Kids of all ages are offered a wide range of fun activities and hands-on learning experiences at Sheffield's museums. At places like Kelham Island Museum, families can learn about the city's history via interactive displays. If you head a little out of town, you can also find animals, birds, reptiles, and insects from around the world. Families will enjoy an excursion to Sheffeld.

Cafes offering snacks and sandwiches at city parks and gardens and in most museums are family-friendly. Except for some, not all restaurants and bars in the city are family-friendly. Seen below, children will enjoy a trip to Our Cow Molly, Dairy Desserts.

Many people are choosing Sheffield as an excellent place to raise children and settle down. Many foreigners to the UK also prefer Sheffield to settle down. If this sounds like something you may want to do in the future, you should contact immigration lawyers in Sheffield and get started on the immigration paperwork and application process. The UK is very welcoming to highly skilled professionals and families.

Fun Facts about Sheffield:

• Sandygate Stadium is the world's oldest football ground in Sheffield. Sheffield Hallam FC owns the land.

• Sheffield is said to be the greenest city in Europe because of the numerous parks and greenspaces in the Sheffield.

• Every year, the World Snooker Championships take place at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

• Sheffield United's stadium located at Bramall Lane was actually a cricket ground.

• Helen Sharman (a Chemist from Sheffield) was the first British astronaut sent into space.

As you can see, Sheffield has a rich history and plenty of green spaces where you can find many activities and places to explore with your kids.

The UK National Video Game Museum is in Sheffield.

The Rivelin River

The Rivelin River is historic and has an excellent pathway to take a walk with your child. You can follow a trail that leads to old mills. There is a water park near the café to have some fun. Herons and other wildlife can be sighted here.

The Botanical Gardens

The Sheffield Botanical Gardens are very well-manicured green parks. The 19-acre Sheffield Botanical Gardens are home to more than 5,000 different species of plants. It's easy to roam around with your children and babies as the paths are made of tarmac, making it easy to operate a pram. Admission to the Botanical gardens is free, and you can also relax at the café once you're tired. The best times to visit are spring and summer when the flowers are in full bloom. 

The Winter Gardens

Winter Gardens is a tropical oasis situated in Sheffield city centre. This Garden is amongst the largest temperate greenhouse in the country and is home to nearly 2,500 plant species. You can enjoy nature while your kids can safely walk the paths around the tropical trees.

Weston Park Museum

Weston Park Museum can teach you about culture and history. Founded in 1875, the main collections in this museum are free, and the displays are spectacular. There is a gallery that displays facts about Ancient Egypt. The Weston Park Museum is also known for being the home to Sheffield's social and natural history and archaeology. 

Some of the notable highlights in this museum are the Bronze Age armor and art. Apart from this, you can also visit exhibits from other more prominent museums in the area. The museum has many guided tours to help your family understand the historical importance. 

Weston Park 

Weston Park is in the vicinity of Weston Park Museum. You can relax while your kid runs around in the park. It is a perfect place to have a post museum picnic.

Tropical Butterfly House Wildlife & Falconry Centre

The Tropical Butterfly House Wildlife & Falconry Centre houses a vast array of free-flying birds of prey, owls, reptiles, parrots, meerkats, farm animals, lemurs, and more. While the name does signify butterflies, you can also see the incredible falconry. Animal lovers can learn about otters (from the keepers), feed farm animals, pet a few lemurs, see the meerkats, and photograph as many butterflies as you want. 

National Emergency Services Museum

Sheffield is home to the National Emergency Service Museum – the largest of its kind in the world. There are more than 50 vintage vehicles – police cars, fire engines, and ambulances with uniforms and gear and equipment for different eras. Families with kids can also avail the kids' fire engine rides (included in the ticket admission). If you're in the mood for a treat, you can also rent some of the vintage vehicles and take a tour of the city.

Recommended:

Vacation Tips from The Adventures of Kids Creative Chaos