I put my daughter to sleep in her own bed BY HERSELF, as in I was not laying next to her and she was fine with it, for the first time in 2 years and 3 months. For the first months of her life I struggled beyond words to try and get her to sleep. I suspected this was completely normal since everyone was telling me so. But I also know I had no idea what I was doing.
Then I discovered co-sleeping from someone who wasn’t going to report me …

My husband, daughter, and I recently moved into a small apartment. We moved out of a house where there was anywhere from 5-10 people eating out of the same kitchen. Now, we are adjusting to planning meals for just the 3 of us – with one of us only eating small toddler size meals. Of course, there are some benefits. Overall, we are buying less food and it takes less effort to prepare meals.
However, there are also drawbacks to feeding a small family. It is a lot easier to waste …

How can you furnish and decorate a nursery for just $50?
1. Hand me downs
It takes a village to raise a child…and to fill their material needs. Start collecting early in pregnancy, so you know what to register for when it comes time for the baby shower.
2. Thrift stores
With a little time, you can come across some really great finds and save yourself a bundle! It helps to make a list of everything you will need, and then keep a lookout when you visit.
3. Craigslist
Never buy big ticket items new without …

Update: The Winner has been emailed. Thank you so much for entering, following, subscribing, etc! More giveaways are coming soon.
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Hello Mommies! Today we have a fantastic giveaway from Affordable Baby Organics & Baby Bump Shops!
Insider Info: More fantastic giveaways are on the way, so subscribe to Baby Bump Diaries to be in the know!
One lucky person will win these three items in size 6-12 months or 12-18 months! (Click images for larger views)

These super cute and trendy baby clothes are made by BabySoy using soy beans! They are …

Whether it is your first, second or tenth baby, there are so many creative ways to announce pregnancy. Do you have a creative or favorite idea for announcing a pregnancy or a story about how you announced your pregnancy? Post it in the comments.
Ways to Announce Pregnancy to Family

Take a picture of you and your partner and get a blank card. Inside write, “Day Trip to Catalina: $70, Dinner at an expensive restaurant: $100, New Shoes she had to have: $50, Knowing there are actually THREE people in this photo: …

I love my husband. He is the most handsome man on this planet. We have known each other for a long time – since I was 12 years old. Still to this day I catch him looking at me like he wants to pounce and I love it. There is something very powerful in knowing your partner wants to do unspeakable things with you. It fuels a passion in our relationship and helps us maintain a healthy sex life – and I can’t stress the importance of a healthy married …

While pregnant with my daughter I had high hopes about being a Work at Home Mom. I tried everything I could to devise a way to make it work. Two and half years later things are just now where I need them to be. Looking back it has been a really hard journey – but so worth it in the end.
When Lily was first born I took my 6 weeks of maternity leave and was able to snag a deal with my former boss to work from home part time. …

Once and a while I take a step back and spend some time getting organized. It is usually when I feel like I am going to drowned in my to do list because I have stopped using any method of organization. Last August I started a home management notebook. A home management notebook is similar to a day planner, except it is so much more. You can put anything you want to in your notebook – recipes, bills, to do lists, calendars, important papers, etc. It is basically your life …

I came across a story on CNN today. It is about a girl named Eva who recently died at the age of 25 from cystic fibrosis. She blogged all the way up to her last days. I’ve spent the last hour reading her blog and balling my eyes out. It is so touching and surreal to see everything there in writing and all of the support she had along the way. She was only 25 – one year older than me…
Where will I be in one year?
What have I contributed …

In our younger years we aim to do anything to prevent pregnancy. When we are ready to start a family, we try everything to get pregnant. If you’ve ever wondered what are the chances of, then read on.

I wish I would have been wiser when my daughter was a newborn – but when you are looking back isn’t that the case with anything? We bought everything brand new and we got a lot of stuff we didn’t need – the swing, the bouncer, the play yard, the jumper…the list goes on. Baby companies have marketing to new parents down pact, don’t they? Making us think we need it all.
If you are a new parent reading this, do not fall into this trap. You will spend a lot …

Lily and I have a birthday party to go to this afternoon.  Elmo will be there. It is pretty exciting for me…err… I mean for her.  I love birthday parties for kids – or should I say, I love taking Lily to birthday parties. It is like a play date that is hyped up on skittles. I know that this evening she will be so dead tired that she will go to bed early and I will have some extra me time or hubby time even!!
Bring it on Elmo, you …

If you recently or not so recently had a baby chances are you’ve noticed some changes in your body. The way you feel about your body is important. It affects your attitude and lifestyle. You are also teaching your children very important lessons about body image and self esteem by the way you feel and talk about your self.
Let’s do a little mental exercise.
Step One:
Get naked and stand in front of your mirror. No, I am not being a pervert; there is a lesson to learn here. We are talking …

Have you ever attempted to make hard boiled eggs only to have the middle uncooked or have them crack?
Easter was last weekend so I was on a mission to find the recipe that would tell me how to make hard boiled eggs perfectly – cooked all the way through without cracking and easy to peel.
I found it! Our Easter eggs were both delicious and beautiful! Yes, above is a picture of our easter eggs. Here are step by step directions on how to make perfect hard boiled eggs, every time. …