Family Ever After Blog

Family Ever After Blog

Archives for October 2020

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Ten Hacks for Creating Quality Family Time

Life in modern times can be exhausting, as busy schedules make the days compact. Doing the work for your children demands plenty of time & energy. However, it does not count in quality’ family time’. Spending quality time with one’s family has become challenging in the modern realm, yet it remains the only way to deepen the bond among family members. In between providing for the children and fulfilling their needs, parents often lose the joy of spending quality time with their little ones.

Family Preparing Food in the Kitchen

Here are ten hacks to save some time from everyday responsibilities and spend it with one’s family.

1 – The Gap Years

One integral aspect of family planning is that it provides families with better bonding between parents and their children. But unfortunately, many of us forget the real value of quality time, and instead, we stress over ‘building the future’ for our children.

During the first eight years, a child is in his/her ideal age to establish a bond of affection and assurance with the parents. Hence, it is crucial to utilize the most of this time as it shall never return.

Besides showing the value of this period, this practice also accentuates the importance of family planning.

2 – Refreshing the Schedules

The key to healthy family life is healthy habits. Some habits are having family lunch on weekends or visiting the elder ones on a particular day. Whereas the practices include putting the devices away during the Sunday lunch, teaching the kids how to play croquet, or calling it a day at work after spending some time on a random day; demand a bit of will and effort.

However, such customs might lose charm as time passes and could no longer provide for quality time. Thus, rejuvenating the routines might be a better option. Maybe the kids want not to sit through the boring dinner and are looking to get away as soon as possible. Try a change of setting. For instance, planning a meal to an intriguing location, an all-day fishing trip, or a surprise bonfire with the kids can add color and value to the monotonous routines.

3 – Tap into Their Enthusiasm

The children’s enthusiasm serves as a lead for parents to follow. As toddlers, they desire their time to be spent observing the world around them. As they grow, they need a company for all their adventures and quests. Sometimes, reading with your kids at a library or assembling the Lego blocks might well be the thing that they are longing-for! If a kid enjoys dancing more than anything else, parents must give in to the child’s passion and also allow themselves to immerse themselves in it. This activity would give their children a sense of feeling that their choices matter and their interests are prized. The companionship between the family members becomes healthier as time progresses.

4 – Unplug During Meals

The eating table is perhaps the best place to chat and lose the worries of the day. Unplugging during mealtimes adds up to the quality family time you are longing-for. Nowadays, it is hard for working adults to lose the tech; however, it is mandatory to detach yourself from the outside world to reconnect with the family. If your phone sneaks its way onto the dining course, then no way you’re winning at spending quality time with your family.

5 – Create Inescapable Situations

With the advent of technology, routines have become swamped. Kids sometimes have to be forced to participate in family outings. But one way to make it possible is to create situations that would compel them to stay; for instance, taking them to their favorite sports match or grocery shopping with the family. Also, exercising together is a form of activity proven scientifically to formulate a strong bond between partners. According to experts, performing physical activities together adds to the relationship between individuals as it builds up the excitement and consumes a considerable amount of time productively.

6 – Take Days Off to Escape

Vacations are the time of the year when you can invest full attention towards your family. Use this time to escape reality for a while and heal your family’s left cracks created due to overwhelming routines. Quality time spent with your family shows them that you cherish the bond and give your best to bridge the gaps.

7 – Never Say No to an Adventure, No Matter How Small

It could be demanding to take time off for big holidays, as modern times make even the weekends saturated. Finding time for instant adventures could be less strenuous and always on the cards. By being creative about it, you can plan mini-adventures every once in a while to let your family not feel deprived of your time and attention.

8 – Teach the Kids, and Let the Kids Teach You

The warmth of spending quality time with our families, especially with the children when they are young, stays forever. As we age, we learn to perform our chores and activities with perfection. Before the kids lose their unique imperfections and creativity to the societal norms, let them teach you the bliss and glee of life. Spending time with toddlers can give adults the joys of wonder, enabling us to view the world in fairy tale strata, only if we pay attention. When you assure the children that their clumsiness taught you something, they would be confident enough to trust you with their fears in the future.

9 – Let Your Family Know That You Trust Them

Taking children into confidence shall pay you in the long run. As you get busy fulfilling responsibilities and could hardly find little moments to spend with your family, take a break now and trust them to take care of you. The easiest way to do so is to let your kids try a soup recipe or clean the house for you. Letting children navigate during drives also adds to their confidence and encourages them to trust you.

10 – Be a Child

Sometimes we are so occupied trying to be adults that we forget we were once young too. Free time might never become quality time if your family does not feel comfortable in your presence. Give freedom to the child inside you so that your family feels secure and comfortable in approaching you for their tales and adventures. It promises the quality time you’ve been seeking desperately with your family.

Conclusion

Finding ‘more time’ is nothing less of a miracle in today’s era. While families already find themselves under duress for not bridging the gaps created by busy schedules, more time will not heal. Ensure that you convert the ‘more time’ into ‘quality time’ that ensures an unbreakable bond among the family members.

 

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Essential Beauty Tips For When You Are Going Through Pregnancy.

When women become pregnant, their bodies go through a lot of changes, including increases in hormone levels. This means that things change, that you’re probably going to be happy about, and other things that change, are going to make it quite sad. On the upside, your breasts will get larger, and your libido will increase. On the downside, your hair and skin are going to change. The hair might become a little more brittle, and your skin may start to lose its moisture. With regard to your clothing, things are not going to fit you anymore, and you’re going to feel fat, and unattractive. Although these things are going to make you very sad, you need to keep in the back of your mind, that at the end of all of this, there’s going to be a beautiful baby.

However, just because you’re pregnant, doesn’t mean that your beauty routine should stop. In many cases, pregnant women get glowing skin, while others, suffer from greasy skin, that may cause skin issues. You’re taking care of two people now, so it’s important that you keep yourself healthy, and eat and drink all of the right things. In order to make yourself look and feel beautiful, the following beauty tips should help you during your pregnancy.

  • Keep yourself & your skin hydrated – As mentioned briefly before, some women get glowing skin, while other’s skin begin to dry up. You need to make sure that you drink plenty of water, and this will help to clear out your body of toxins. Fruit and vegetables should be at the top of your list of things to eat, because they are not only good for you, but they good for your new baby as well. Many women complain about stretch marks on their tummies, but as long as you use GAIA Skin Naturals belly butter for pregnancy, everything will be fine.
  • Get pedicures & manicures – You are never going to have nails as strong, and as long as this again, unless you get pregnant of course. This is when you need to make the most of manicures and pedicures, and while you’re there, get your feet scrubbed, and get them to use a nail file on your hands as well. Have fun during this time, and play with different colours and patterns with regard to nail varnish. When you are happy, your baby is happy and healthy, as well.
  • Have your hair styled – You might want to get some kind of fancy hair style, but this is a bad idea, and you need to be going for something that involves less maintenance, and something that you don’t have to spend hours on every day. A lot of your time is going to be occupied with your pregnancy, and you just won’t have the patience or the time, to take care of your hair. For other free advice on taking care of yourself during pregnancy, have a look here.

This is a fantastic time in your life, so try to make the most of it. You can do all of the above things with your best friends, and really make a day of it. A visit to a juice bar, and some healthy salad, is a great way to finish off your afternoon, and you will be ready to settle down for the evening, and just watch some television.

 

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An Article about The Benefits Of Using Shipping Load Boards

A load board is a process that interfaces transporters and cargo merchants with shipments that should be shipped from one place to another. Some load boards empowers cargo representatives to peruse loads and offer on loads while others have a set value that transporters will be paid. It includes various types of information, such as the kind of load, the objective, destination, the pickup and delivery date, and the sort of truck or stacking tools that is required is posted close by the pack. And if both parties agree with each other requirements and rates, they can work together.

How Does Our Load Board Work?

A conveyance demand gets posted by clients at regular intervals. If you are a delivery driver searching for shipments, you can always use this load board by perusing and satisfying positions.

You should look for proper loads, discover one you’d prefer to do, place an offer at work, and hold back to check whether it is acknowledged. Should you be outbid, you can resubmit a cost to the client to win the job. Whenever you have won an occupation, you will get an email with the points of interest, and the client will pay you upon finishing.

You can likewise message the client with direct inquiries regarding the loads so you can be as set up as conceivable regarding completing it.

What are the Benefits of using shipping load boards?

  1. Real-time Information: The primary benefit of the load board is it is real-time. All the Shipments are updated and refreshed continuously, which implies you can get a quick response to a new business that coordinates the administrations you are advertising.

 

  1. Alerts: Another benefit of the load board is that you can easily set up alarms to be advised in a hurry with the goal that you don’t need to peruse through several posts every day.
  2. Improve Your Earning: You are doing business for earning, and with the help of a load board, you can ensure that you approach an organization of drivers and that their courses are improved by the shipments you have booked.
  3. Competitive Rates: With the help off load boards, you can easily find the competitive rates. As we all know, as an agency, you always want an ample supply of drivers. A more graceful of drivers implies more prominent rivalry and valuing for your servicing. This can likewise help you streamline your evaluating technique since you could charge a lower cost if a transporter is near the loads because less travel would be required.

Let’s see what Sorts loads are available In the Market

  • Freight Load Boards
  • Truck Load Board
  • LTL Load Boards
  • Courier Load Boards
  • Box Truck Load Boards / Sprinter Van Load Boards / Cargo Van Load Boards
  • Car Hauler Load Boards
  • Power Only Load Board

Conclusion

 

With this guide, you now have a clear understanding of precisely a load board and how these load boards help to see what loads are available in the market. Now you can simply sign up and start working for the best delivery jobs available.

 

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Gift Ideas for Baby Shower Basket

A baby shower is a great way to help a mother-to-be cope with the prospect of welcoming a new baby. With family and friends around, the new mum can share space in a setting where baby gifts, support, and first-time-parent tips are accessible. When your friend or someone you love shares the exciting news of having a baby, then finding a thoughtful gift that the parents-to-be will appreciate is the best thing one can do. If you are looking for a perfect gift for an upcoming baby shower, then you might find this article quite helpful. Here are some unique gift ideas for a baby shower basket.

1. Baby Carrier

A babywearing carrier goes a long way in helping the new parents learn how to navigate around with the little one. Baby carriers also come with plenty of benefits, including enhanced bonds between mother and child, promotes breastfeeding, and reduced crying for the baby. No doubt that the parent-to-be would find a baby carrier so helpful.

2. Baby Pyjamas

Comfort and good sleep are some of the things every new mother wants, and pyjamas will perfectly meet these needs. Pyjamas are available in a wide range of options, and you want to ensure that you get the very best. Again, pyjamas in the market come in multiple themes. You can use the baby shower’s theme to inform your purchasing decision. You will also be at an advantage if the unborn child’s gender has been revealed to you. This way, you can get gender-specific pyjamas, namely girls pyjamas and boys pyjamas. Girls pyjamas, for example, will make her look more adorable and cosy in bedtime. On the other hand, boys pyjamas will be absolutely valuable for the newborn across all seasons.

3. Crib

Cribs are quite essential for nursing mothers, and gifting your friend with one will mean a lot to them. Of course, there is a wide range of cribs in the market today. Finding out the type of crib that the new parent would like will help you get a gift that suits their needs.

4. Soft Toys

When you are quite unsure of what to get for the new mother, soft toys would be the most standard gift you could ever buy. The toys can be superhero characters, princess, ballerina dolls, or a cute animal.

5. Diapers

An endless supply of diapers is every mother’s greatest desire. New parents may find themselves changing diapers for almost 10 times in a given day, and a set of diapers would be invaluable. So, why not get a month’s supply of diapers as your baby shower gift?

6. Baby Blanket

A baby blanket can be used for day-to-day fun, wrapping, and swaddling. A soft, personalized blanket with the baby’s name on it can make a perfect baby shower gift.

7. Costumes

Baby costumes can be fun, especially for mothers that would love to have a newborn photoshoot. From animal and cartoon costumes to movies and superhero costumes, you can always find the perfect gift for the newborn.

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How to: Getting Ready for Thanksgiving with Little Ones

Take three deep breaths. You’ve got this. And this is why.

The holidays make up some of our best memories. We roll out our favorite traditions and those family recipes we’ve been dreaming about all year, the ones that have been passed down through the generations.

Best of all, we spend time with the people we love best.

So it’s worth the effort! But, let’s get real. it isn’t worth sacrificing your wealth–mental or other.

The preparation alone can be exhausting, especially if you have children. The trick is to plan ahead–for your shopping expeditions and for the big day itself.

Get the Children Involved

The first thing you want to do is to hype up the day to your kids. Your success with this will depend on their ages and personality. If you involve them in the planning and get them excited, then they might be more patient when you’re shopping and cooking.

  • Have them plan a game to play or let them color in the place setting with markers.
  • Buy them a new outfit they can’t wear until the big day. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, but get something they think is special. Presley Couture, kids boutique clothing, has lovely twirl dresses and dress-up clothes, too, if you want to let your child be a princess on the day. Their Mickey-type mouse ears are also as fun as can be and make a nice bribe.
  • Talk about the menus, especially their favorite foods. If they’re old enough to help at all, that can be a huge deal for them. I often have children man the toaster the day before, toasting the bread for the stuffing.

While You’re Shopping

You are a brave soul! Let’s talk shopping,

Make sure you have the gear you need. You can make a kid-friendly list with pictures of what you need to buy, and if your kids are old enough they can check things off the list as you go.

If they’re younger, bring toys you can clip onto their clothes or baby carrier. Only go shopping after they’ve just eaten and aren’t cranky and sleepy.

For bigger trips, get someone to watch your little one. Take turns with another parent, if you need to.

Prepare Your Menu

Hopefully, you’re not doing all of this alone. But either way, you can save yourself a lot of stress by spreading out the cooking over weeks instead of just a day or two. This way, you can make some dishes when your child is asleep.

For instance, you could choose a pie you can freeze or choose other freezable desserts. You can freeze unbaked berry pies and then put frozen into the oven when the time comes. Pecan pies can also be frozen or baked ahead of time.

Cranberry sauce is also a great make ahead recipe, if you like to make your own.

This recipe for freezable rolls comes from King Arthur’s Flour. Make them and freeze them uncooked., and then on the day you need them, let them thaw and rise and stick them in the oven. You can make them two weeks ahead of time.

For recipes that you usually make last minute, you can sometimes make them earlier in the day. For instance, you can make mashed potatoes and keep them warm in a slow cooker. Pour a thin layer of unsweetened cream on top to keep the potatoes from drying out. When ready to serve, just stir it in.

For recipes that have to be made on the day, besides potatoes, I like to chop all my vegetables the day before and put them into Ziploc bags. Then I put all the Ziploc bags in a separate grocery bag labeled stuffing, etc.

If you do most of the work ahead of time when your child is least likely to interfere, you can make Thanksgiving a much less stressful day.

For Travel

Make sure you have all the right gear. Double what you think you need in diapers, changes of clothes and toys. You can leave the extras in the car if you’re embarrassed, but you’ll still have what you need nearby if your first set of supplies doesn’t cut it.

A decent stroller is essential. Ergobaby makes decent, durable strollers. I particularly like that they transition from a baby to a toddler stroller. Let doting relatives take your baby for walks, weather permitting.

Holidays can be stressful, but if you plan ahead, everyone will be much happier. You’ve got this!

 

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Five Easy Ways To Brighten Up Your Home

We’ve all spent a lot more time at home than we’re used to during the past twelve months. During that time, many of us have started to find little things about our home environments that annoy us. We’ve begun to feel like it’s time to give the walls a fresh coat of paint or throw out all the living room furniture in favor of something new. Some of us have even started to think that we want a total change of scenery and we’d like to move house, but that isn’t possible for everybody! Instead, let’s talk about little changes that can make your living space start to feel new again.

We know it’s a cliche, but a change is often as good as a rest. The slightest difference to the arrangement of a room or the things in it can allow you to appreciate it in a new way. What once looked tired and dull suddenly becomes exciting again. Once you’re on a roll with making small changes, you find that you suddenly have new ideas about what to do with your new space, and you progress from there!

Not everybody has the budget to make wholesale changes to their home, and we understand that. That’s why we’re focusing on little things that can make a big difference. Without further ado, here are five easy tips and tricks for making a tired old house feel like a new one.

Buy New Wall Art

You probably don’t realize how much time you spend idly staring at the walls in your house – especially those in the rooms you spend the most time in. The more you do it, the more you notice things that annoy you – cracks, scuffs, outdated photographs, and the like. The good news is that you can transform a wall very easily in a way that doesn’t involve any painting or decorating. A good piece of wall art can transform the mood of a room and the people in it. It gives your room a focus point other than the television and introduces color where there was no color before. You don’t need to spend big money on this – we’re sure there are local artists in your area who would be thrilled if you bought from them. Alternatively, reproduction prints are available cheaply online. If you’re feeling especially ambitious, buy a canvas and a frame and make some of your own!

Get New Mirrors

A common problem with spending a lot of time indoors is that the internal dimensions of your home start to feel smaller than they really are. There’s an easy way to combat that – buy a mirror. In fact, buy several new mirrors! Aside from the fact that mirrors are always handy, a well-placed mirror is a tried-and-trusted way of making a space feel bigger. The walls no longer feel as solid or as restrictive, and that’s not the only bonus. You’ll also get more light into a room if you have a large mirror in it, as the mirror reflects the light back out into the room. Consider a long rectangular mirror behind your sofa or above the fireplace if you have one. Position it strategically, so it catches most of the light through your windows, and you’ll quickly find your room looks very different. In fact, home window tinting is a great way to filter light, add to ambiance and enhance your home.

Change Your Lighting

The way a room is illuminated plays a huge role in determining what that room feels like. A naked light bulb will always make a room feel slightly intimidating. We don’t imagine that many of you have naked lightbulbs in many rooms in your home, but you might have lighting arrangements that don’t do the space any justice. Even if that’s not true, it’s probably a while since you changed them. A glass lampshade will make your room a lot brighter without having to change the wiring at all. Don’t just think about going brighter, though – give yourself options. Floor lamps can make a room much more cozier at night. If you have the option, you might even want to consider adding a small skylight to let more natural light into a room that struggles to get much. You’re looking for a warm, natural feeling during the day and then mood lighting at night.

Create A Games Room

If your home is anything like hours, there will be a room in your house that you don’t know what to do with. It might be a spare bedroom that nobody ever sleeps in or a room that was supposed to become a study but has instead become a storage room. That’s wasted space. Instead, consider turning it into a games room. We don’t mean investing in arcade game cabinets and pool tables (unless you really want to) but put your games console in there with some comfortable chairs and a few other entertainment options. How much more fun would it be inviting friends round to play cards at a table rather than doing it remotely at online slots websites? Even if that’s not your thing and online slots are actually your preferred style of gambling, you could take your laptop or tablet into the room and play online slots in a space that suits the activity. A games room is really just an entertainment room, so whether we’re playing games on websites like Money Reels, PlayStation games, or watching a movie, having a room that’s dedicated to having fun improves the mood of your entire home.

Buy Some Houseplants

The word ‘lifeless’ is a word we come across often when we see people express their frustration with their living spaces. A great way to do away with a feeling of lifelessness is by introducing life into your home, and the easiest way to do that is to buy a few plants! Plants bring color and shade into your home, but that’s not all. They also help to purify stale air and generate oxygen on top of the pleasant aroma of the flowers that bloom from them. Flowers unfortunately don’t tend to last for very long after they’ve bloomed, but your local garden center should be able to point you in the direction of a range of long-living plants that should stick around for longer. There are even a few varieties that can live on indefinitely and don’t require much maintenance from you. Green fingers help, but they’re not necessarily a requirement!

We all get bored with our homes from time to time, but we often forget how easy it is to solve that problem. If the space around you is looking a little dull and uninspired at the moment, try one of the tricks we’ve listed above. You might be surprised at how much difference they make!

 

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How Educational Entertainment Slows The Onset of Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is a major issue among older Americans. Scientists still can’t determine with certainty what causes its onset nor how to reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s disease once it begins to take root in the brain. What we do know, however, is that there are a number of ways to prevent rapid deterioration once an Alzheimer’s diagnosis has been made.

How does Alzheimer’s disease affect the brain?

 

An alzheimer’s brain-scan reveals a dense network of tau proteins containing neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques. These intruders degrade brain function by interfering in the typical neuron connectivity amongst brain cells, leading to the death of certain cells and a rupture in the connections between others. Alzheimer’s disease begins with the degradation of these connections in the brain tissue, inducing symptoms like dementia, memory loss, and cognitive decline. More acutely, older adults begin to lose the ability to perform the typical daily functions that been second-nature for decades. Conducting interventions to assist parents or grandparents with Alzheimer’s suffering this slowly ballooning loss of brain function, can be incredibly heart wrenching. But there are some things you can do to ease the pain while trying to reteach some basic behaviors.

The benefit educational entertainment provides for your loved one.

 

According to recent studies, tasks that involve learning have shown promise in slowing the degenerative properties of Alzheimer’s disease. Education based entertainment keeps the mind active at a time when it can be incredibly easy to simply relax and watch the world go by. As we age, our minds lose their sharpness through our conscious decisions to stop using the cognitive power that we are endowed with. It truly is a case of use it or lose it. If you are concerned for yourself or your loved one, try working in puzzles, documentaries, and new and challenging reading materials in order to keep the brain active, and to stem the development of these amyloid plaques and tangles.

 

The incorporation of these types of entertainment can be simple. For instance CuriosityStream’s Clint Stinchcomb has often discussed the ease of access that can now be found when searching for factual and education-based television programming. CuriosityStream offers an easy-to-use format that delivers thousands of streamed movies and docuseries, regarding a range of historical, biological and scientific topics, directly to your television. Educational television is a great way to engage the mind and get the cognitive abilities working, even for those who do not have Alzheimer’s.

 

Research suggests that talking is another great way to work the brain’s memory and cognitive functions. Watching television, and then discussing the theories or frameworks within the content, works wonders to get it thinking about all manners of scientific breakthroughs. All whilst engaging the reasoning abilities to make sense of the content that has just been digested.

What other activities engage the brain?

Puzzles also engage the cognition regions of your brain. For loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease that don’t like sitting in front of the television, bringing them puzzles, such as sudokus, crosswords, and brain teasers can help them stay engaged. These types of activities can be done anywhere, so a day out at the park to enjoy the fresh air while flexing the brain might be the perfect weekly activity, to keep your loved one mentally spry and happy.

 

The degenerative effects of Alzheimer’s can be incredibly scary for both those suffering with it, and their caregivers who must attend to their increasing needs. However, science has given us many breakthroughs in new treatments to help fight back against this cognitive impairment, and better ways to improve the quality of life of those who have this type of dementia. Keep your loved one active, and his or her brain in constant motion, in order to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s or to keep early stages of Alzheimer symptoms from worsening. There is hope for those suffering from this disease, you just need to know where to find it.

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A Guide for First-Time Mothers: How to Keep Baby Happy and Healthy

Being a first-time mother is one of the most nerve-wracking things you will ever be. All of a sudden, you have been entrusted to care for this tiny, helpless human, who you love more than you realized was possible. Everyone from friends and family to strangers is telling you what to do and making you doubt everything you’ve already done. You’re filled with excitement, fear, love, guilt, and you are generally exhausted all of the time.

When trying to learn how to keep your baby happy and healthy, it is vital to remember that your baby will feed off your energy, so when you are happy, they will be overall happier. Remember — your happiness matters. Here are some tips to help you both stay healthy and happy.

Make the best decisions for your baby.

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You know what is best for you and your baby. You decide if you will stay home or go back to work, breastfeed or formula feed, use cloth diapers or disposable diapers, start with fruits or start with vegetables. Despite everyone telling you what is best for you and your baby, only you know what the right answer is for both of you. When you decide what you want to do, research what you need to make it most comfortable for you. For example, if you will be primarily breastfeeding, buy yourself a comfortable nursing pillow so that you can enjoy that time with your little one. If you are going to pump, invest in a high-quality pumping bra like the ones carried by Simple Wishes. Buying a good pumping bra will make pumping much easier and more convenient. There are so many uncomfortable things about pumping, your pumping bra shouldn’t be one of them. If you are strictly going to bottle feed, find bottles that will help reduce air consumption. Less air means less spit-up.

Get more exercise regularly.

 

Both you and your baby need exercise, fresh air, and sunshine. You will feel better while bonding with your baby. You will both sleep better and feel be healthier overall and more alert thanks to adequate amounts of sun and fresh air. Walk with your baby every day. If you don’t live somewhere where you can walk outside year-round, find indoor places where you can walk. While you won’t be getting all the fresh air and sunshine, the exercise will still help both of you. Read up on jogging stroller comparisons, and invest in a comfortable and reliable jogging stroller. If you aren’t jogging just yet or never plan to jog, jogging strollers are more comfortable to maneuver and walk with on uneven surfaces like trails or bumpy sidewalks. An active parent is a happier parent, so consider a jogging stroller, which can make being active more convenient for you.

Follow health recommendations

 

In your baby’s first year, you may feel overwhelmed by the multitude of doctor’s appointments needed. However, many things do need testing. For example, a newborn hearing screening is vital because it is highly challenging to detect a hearing problem in a newborn otherwise. The sooner a hearing problem is diagnosed, the sooner corrective actions and ears intervention services can be implemented to ensure your baby develops the speaking skills they will need throughout life. Hearing Health USA is committed to everyone living their best life, which includes communicating with others clearly and effectively. They take your baby’s hearing health very seriously and have clinics throughout the country.

Don’t forget about your mental health.

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First-time mothers often suffer from postpartum depression, anxiety, fear, guilt, exhaustion, and a variety of other contributors to mental health problems. Having a child is no small feat, and mothers often think that they should feel nothing but joy. The reality is you may feel a combination of positive and negative emotions that change frequently. Take care of yourself, and it will directly contribute to the health and happiness of your baby. Find people to talk to, see a therapist, tell your doctor how you feel, take breaks, and ask for help. This advice may sound easier said than done, but your mental health is critical so don’t take it lightly.

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4 Gifts That Show You’re Truly Committed

Picking out the right gift for that special someone in your life is an opportunity to show them how much you care and how well you know them. The right kind of gift can pave the way for a conversation centered on how committed you are to one another. It can change everything. So, let’s take a look at four gifts that will show your partner that you are truly committed.

 

A Diamond Ring

Okay, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a giant diamond the size of the moon. We recognize that times are tough and money is tighter than it has ever been for many folks, thanks to the Coronavirus. With that being said, if you have the resources available at your disposal, we’ve got just the lead on a superior and affordable diamond seller. We’re talking about Silk Road Diamonds. Silk Road Diamonds is primarily an online presence, which allows them to offer affordable price points, due to cutting back on costs that’d normally result from having retail stores. The diamonds they offer are conflict-free, and party to the Kimberly Process, which ensures they haven’t been used to finance war or any other kind of conflict.

 

Their inventory boasts a wealth of high-quality trilogy diamond engagement rings, halo diamond engagement rings, solitaire diamond engagement rings, and beautiful wedding rings. Finding that next ring that you know will make your partner’s jaw drop, while effectively portraying just how much you love them is as simple as booking an appointment online with Silk Road Diamonds.

 

If there’s one thing that this difficult and tumultuous era of the coronavirus has taught us, it’s that life’s too short to wait around for the magic to happen. Sometimes, you’ve got to take the action, the leap of faith that makes your stomach queasy and rattles your nerves. But hey, that’s what love is; muddling through that mess of emotions to step up and show that special someone just how much you love them.

 

A Watch From A. Lange & Sohne

You’re not going to find any ordinary, run-of-the-mill watch from A Lange Sohne. No, these watches are top shelf, family heirloom kinds of treasures. A. Lange & Sohne is an iconic German name, given new life by its founding family after the fall of East German communism. Since the founding family presented their first watches in the fall of 1994, the brand has climbed the ranks to go toe-to-toe with the very best of the Swiss watch houses.

 

So, if you’ve got someone in your life that’s always keeping time, on-the-move, seemingly committed to a life of hustling, there really is no better gift. These are the kinds of watches that nobody ever wants to have to take off.

 

A Mug That Keeps Coffee Warm

It sounds too good to be true. This might as well be some kind of modern-day sorcery. A mug that keeps your coffee warm all day? This is the perfect, thoughtful gift for your partner that’s always working on something while guzzling superhuman amounts of coffee. Nothing shows off that warm and tender loving care like you gifting them a mug that spares them the experience of drinking cold coffee.

 

Insanely Comfortable Slippers

With autumn here and winter right around the corner, it’s only a matter of time before everyone’s dealing with cold feet. One of the best parts about the colder weather very well might be getting to sink back into all of your cozy clothing. Throw a pair of slippers in there that make it feel like you’re walking on clouds, and you’re set for hibernation mode. A true sign of commitment can be shelling out the extra cash for a pair of nice slippers that you know she’s going to wear around the house as often as possible. Plus, you can throw in a one-liner about “not getting cold feet” to add some humor to the relationship.

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5 Tips for Transforming a Fixer-Upper Into Your Dream Home

Being a homeowner is tough on its own, but it’s an entirely different animal when you decide to purchase a fixer-upper. Taking on the task of updating an old home comes with a myriad of potential challenges.

 

When you’re searching for that old home to transform into your dream home, you don’t really know what to expect until after you’ve purchased it and begun tearing it apart. There could be unexpected water damage, cracks in the foundation, leaks, mildew, plumbing issues, electrical wiring issues, sewage issues, etc. that you really do not know about until after you’ve purchased the home. It’s important to keep yourself informed on what to expect when investing in a fixer-upper home. Here are five tips to get you started!

1. Cleanup Time

 

This is a really good place to start if you’re feeling overwhelmed about the massive undertaking that is “renovation”. The first thing will be to remove any belongings that you don’t want damaged, debris, old furniture and appliances, as well as any old fixtures you’re probably going to replace. The whole house (a.k.a. any rooms you’re renovating) should be a blank canvas. The next step will be to sweep all the floors and dry vacuum your space. It will be counter-productive to take the cleaning any further because you will immediately undo any of your hard work during the renovation process, so just stop there. Once this is completed, you will feel so much better about moving forward with your dream home project.

2. Your Pet’s Needs

 

As a homeowner you’re goal is to achieve ultimate comfort for yourself and whoever else will be residing in that space. What about if you have pets? Whether they’re indoor or outdoor, they’re definitely going to need a place to poop. Pet waste can be an absolute pain to deal with, and it is something so minor and mindless to have to deal with on top of a massive renovation project. One of the best and most convenient ways to keep pet waste in your lawn to a minimum is to subscribe to a pet waste removal service. For pet owners in the Naperville area, you might want to consider a pet butler. Those with dogs probably deal with a lot of dog poop cluttering their yards, and might be interested in pet waste removal naperville il and other places in the chicagoland area. Another convenient service these types of businesses offer is a dog walking service, just in case you’re a little too busy with the home renovation to take your best friend on a walk. If you think your dog or other pet deserves a pet butler, or you struggle to keep up with scooping the poop and keeping a clean yard, then a pet waste removal service is just what you should consider subscribing to.

3. Protect Your Home

 

The risks of owning an old home for homeowners are substantial, as previously mentioned. In order to properly protect your home you will need insurance, so be sure to do a little research on which insurance company will be the best fit for you and your home. A good place to start is with homeowners insurance, and you may want to consider flood insurance if you live in an area that experiences heavy rain or if your old home has a basement which could flood. You should also obtain proper licensing before beginning your renovation process.

4. Assess the Risk

 

You definitely should be aware of if your house poses a risk of floods. If you have an old home with a basement, then flooding should be of concern to you. Sometimes the leaks and floods are not evident at the surface, but are revealed once you’ve opened up the floors and walls to reveal damages like mold growth and water damage. You should consult with a professional to solve these issues because attacking mold with bleach will not permanently alleviate the issue and the mold will actually continue to grow. There is also the scary reality of a full-on flood situation in your basement. Whether it’s inches of water or a large amount of water, a flooded basement is something to concerned about. If you’re not sure what you should do if your basement floods is to, again, contact a professional, such as a professional plumber, to help you pinpoint the source of the flooding. A professional plumber will be the best contender for identifying and fixing a burst pipe and can also help you install a floor drain and a new sewer line. It might also be good for you to invest in a dehumidifier to speed up the drying process of your wet basement after the source of your basement flood has been identified and alleviated. Owning and operating a dehumidifier will also help reduce the growth of mold.

5. Updating Appliances

 

A big part of making that old home have a nice and updated feel is by investing in new appliances. New appliances and hardware like faucets and cabinet handles offer a detailed extra touch to your new home. Before shopping for that new fridge, dishwasher, light fixture, or other electric appliance, be sure that your main electrical service panel as well as your wiring through the house is up to code. Contact your local electrician for professional assistance with this task, unless you have proper licensing to do so yourself. If you’re purchasing a gas stove, make sure that you consult with the local gas company to make sure that your house is up to code in that regard as well.