A Little Tipsy

Creative Tips & Ideas

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What I Wish I’d Known as a First Time Mom

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I in no way claim to be the perfect mother. In fact if there is one thing you learn being a mother it is that there are no perfect mothers. You can not do it all. Going in with realistic expectations is imperative. Here are a few of the things I have learned in my 5 years that I wish I would have known as a first time mom.

Prepping for baby:

  • Keep a diaper handy in case your water breaks at home or while you are out. Once it starts it doesn’t stop, it’s like one continuous trickle. I kid you not, this happened to me with both kids and on my second I borrowed one of my sons diapers. It kept me and my car perfectly dry. Way better than walking in dripping wet wrapped in a towel!!
  • You don’t need everything they put on all those prepping for baby lists. Just get what seems right to you. I never really used my C shaped pillow and baby robes, but needed way more burp clothes (the ones made from cloth diapers are the best!!). Every baby and family is different.

Hospital:

  • Take your own blanket and pillow. It might seem over the top, but you’ll be glad you did especially if you end up staying multiple days.
  • If you end up staying multiple nights request a room away from the ice maker, nurse station, etc so you can rest quietly. 
  • You are not a bad mother if you send the baby to the nursery for a while so you can rest. You can not care for your little one if you are a zombie.

At Home:

  • Everyone will have advice. Take what works for you and leave what doesn’t. You don’t have to mother exactly how your mother or mother-in-law or friend does.
  • Let people help you. It will be a blessing to them and to you.
  • Sleep when you can. Nap when they nap. You might be tempted to get things done, but just like a car, your body can’t run on empty. 
  • Asking people wash their hands before holding your newborn is fine.
  • If all you accomplish in a day is having a shower, bravo! Just enjoy the time with your tiny one. It does not last long.

What do you wish you had known as a first time mom?

Share your tips below and the first 350 to reply will receive Comforts For Baby coupons for products like baby formula and diapers.

Check out Comforts For Baby’s Pinterest page for more tips for moms like you.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Comforts For Baby. The opinions and text are all mine.

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Pirate Mickey

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I had the perfect idea for a Disneyland shirt for boys, it would be Mickey wearing a pirate bandana. The perfect combination of Disney and boy. I was so excited to get started and even more excited when I saw my adorable friend Amy from Positively Splendid had the same idea and put it together with a tutorial! Awesome! That made it super easy for me!

PIRATE MICKEY SHIRTS

The applique process for the pirate Mickey was not as overwhelming as I imagined. I absolutely adore how they turned out and also have to give a huge thanks to my friend Tami for doing the sewing for me since my machine was under the weather that week!
Wednesdays through January
If you like the Pirate Mickey shirt, you may want to see our Mickey Shirts, Mike Wazowski Shirt or Disney Ad Shirts.

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North Pole Express

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Have you ever ridden the North Pole Express run by Heber Valley Railroad? We got to a few days ago and had a lot of fun.

We boarded the train and got going along. Santa’s helper was on the mic leading us in Christmas carols and sharing stories. The elves Holly and Jolly handed out Mrs. Claus special cookies and hot chocolate. The elves were really fun and dances with my kiddos in the aisle. After a while we spotted Santa! He climbed aboard to visit all the kids and give them a little jingle bell. Santa was great! He took his time with each family and was fabulous with my kids. We headed back and Mrs. Claus came by for a visit. My little ones thought it was great!

Here are my tips if you have the chance to go…

  • Tickets are highly discounted on off peak days.
  • Arrive at least a half hour early to pick up your tickets, use the restroom (there isn’t one on the train) and get in line for your train car. 
  • Car seats and strollers are not allowed on trains so bring a sling or be prepped to hold babies.
  • Take pictures before you leave if you are on the early train to make best use of the light.
  • The benches turn around if you push on them so you can have two facing each other.
  • If you stand up when Santa comes by, Santa can sit by your kids and it is easier to get good pictures.
  • If you have family members who are sound sensitive, bring ear plugs. A train car full of kids with jingle bells is really loud.
Thanks Heber Valley Railroad for a fun ride!
Disclosure: We were provided tickets for the North Pole Express, the opinions are all mine.
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Magnetic Paper Dolls

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Remember that time when I flew to Arkansas to share a really fun project on KATV for Cricut? Well, I am finally posting the how-to for those super cute paper dolls. They are easy to put together using the Cricut Mini and the possibilities are endless with patterns, colors and textures to mix and match.

Are they not adorable? Did you spot the blogger bear? 🙂
Magnetic Paper Dolls
SUPPLIES:
DIRECTIONS:

1. Start off by finding a tin you like. This is a great way to use a thrifted or holiday cookie tin. I love these rectangle game tins you can find for $1 at the thrift store. Give it a couple of coats of spray paint and let dry completely.

2. Now cut your base image out of vinyl and place it slightly below center on the tin.
  • Panda Bear – In the free Cricut Craft Room software, drag Teddy Bear Parade Cartridge image TddyBear on to the mat. Click “hide contour” and click all of the lines, except the eyes, within the bear outline. Add an oval for the nose. Cut in white vinyl. Then cut just the bear outline hiding the eyes and nose in black vinyl. Trim the arms, legs and ears from the white bear and layer it on top of the black.
  • Snowman – In the free Cricut Craft Room software, drag Snow Friends Cartridge image Snowman1 on to the mat. Click “hide contour” and click all of the lines within the snowman outline so it will just cut a blank snowman body outline. There are multiple faces to choose from. I added some coal eyes and a carrot nose in vinyl. I added it after the pics, but you can see it in the news clip.

3. Use the coordinating outfits on each cartridge to create outfits for your “paper dolls.” Just keep the default height (at the bottom of the craft room screen by the image selection window) the same as the dolls for all the clothes and they will fit just right.

I loved including papers with different patterns and textures like sparkle and denim (DYK the cricut cuts fabric?). We even made a cute Santa outfit that I didn’t get a picture of, but it is in the news segment.

4. Make them magnetic paper dolls by cutting the most basic layer of each outfit image in the magnet material. I used the deep cut blade with Speed 3, Pressure 5, Depth 6, and 4 cuts which worked beautifully. Then, just peel off the white vinyl backing and use the existing adhesive to stick the clothes to the magnet pieces.
5. Store all the pieces inside the tin for a fun gift or great quiet activity for the kiddos in the car or at church. These two tins are under my tree for two lucky little ones.
What outfit was your favorite? 
If you could choose anything, what outfits would you make for paper dolls?

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