Yule time

Yule is coming fast!

I keep thinking about all the Shopping everyone is doing this year and how much I am DREADING it....
I have already decided that the kids don't need much, maybe 2 new things each and then some homemade items (Blankets, Doll clothes, Snugglies,) and then I will buy homeschool items...

Other then those things I am SO over this toy buying BS...Why does a Kid need to open up 20 toys each? (Not to mention the stuff they get from outside family!) I want the whole Holiday to be about family time, and about caring for others...

Whats NOT to buy your new baby.

When there’s a new baby on the way, busy parents want affordable, practical solutions – not a lot of unnecessary gear. While innovative products are making infant care easier than ever in some ways, experienced parents often find that the simplest solutions are the best.

Parents simplify for many reasons. Some don’t have much money to spend on baby gear. Others don’t have space in their homes for a lot of unnecessary gadgets. Second-time parents often find that it’s easier to fill a need with something they already have. And many families subscribe to the growing trend toward simplifying their lives, from the workplace to home.

Before you sign up for a gang of gift registries and a flurry of baby showers, consider whether simplifying and streamlining might be more practical for you and your family. Think about dropping these items from your handy-dandy list of must-have’s.

Baby bathtubs
Bulky storage and a limited size/age range make baby bathtubs prime candidates for pruning off a must-have list. Many parents take their babies into the bath or shower with them; you can tag-team with your partner, handing baby out for drying while you finish up. Small, blow-up air pillows and towels provide padding and insurance against slipping for baths in a dishpan or the kitchen sink. Wobbly sitters will feel secure in a plastic laundry basket set inside the big bathtub.

Baby laundry detergent
While it’s true that many babies do have sensitive skin, most babies don’t need special detergents. Buy a “free/clear” formula and avoid unnecessary dyes and fragrances for the whole family. Test new products by washing and using a few items of clothes before washing all of baby’s clothes, sheets and towels.

Bottles
A given if you are planning to work and pump, bottles may prove to be completely unnecessary if you’re going to breastfeed at home. Many breastfed babies progress straight from the breast to sippy cups by six or seven months of age.

Breastfeeding clothes
Some women feel more comfortable wearing specially designed nursing clothing that helps them breastfeed discreetly, but others find that the special buttons, snaps and openings are more trouble than they’re worth. Before you invest a lot of money in these often pricey specialty clothes, test out a style or two (and don’t forget your own clothing!) to see what works best for you.

Changing tables
Changing tables become precarious places to perch wiggly older babies. You can change your baby on a bed, couch, big chair or the floor. Tuck supplies into a dresser or bookcase, or station several baskets around the house for extra convenience.

Cribs
Keeping your baby close at night simplifies things for everyone. Breastfeeding mamas have known for years that nursing in bed at night helps a mother snatch every precious second of sleep. Little bed-sharers can eventually move from your bed to a bed of their own – or even a comfy pallet or small mattress on the floor nearby. Don’t underestimate the power of flexible sleeping arrangements that change as baby grows.

Diaper pails
The simplest and least expensive solution for dirty diapers is that old stand-by, a plastic flip-top trash can from the discount store. Buy one with a lid that pops up with the push of one hand or foot.

High chairs
High chairs are high-profile items that gobble up floor space. Because you shouldn’t start solids until your baby can sit up well on her own anyway, you don’t need equipment that reclines. Try a booster seat that attaches to your table or chairs. You’ll save money and room, and your baby will feel more like a part of the family sitting at the table with the big people.

Pajamas
Babies grow so fast! Buy clothes that do double duty. Use sweatsuits in the winter and T-shirts in the summer.

Plastic baby carriers
Yes, we know they’re a standard – but your baby will outgrow a plastic baby carrier after the very first months. Besides, the very best way of getting to know your baby and bonding with her is to snuggle her up close in your arms or a soft carrier.

(This is NOT speaking of Carseats which are a Legal and safety MUST if You plan to put your baby in the car)

Play yards
These space-hogs limit your baby’s ability to perform his primary task as an infant: explore and learn about his world. Babyproof rigorously and let your baby go. Buy a clear shower curtain, pull out a special basket of toys and lock baby inside the bathroom with you when you need to shower. Give you baby a special cabinet of things to play with in the kitchen, and carry him from room to room as you do things around the house. It’s time tested by generations of parents, and it works!

Strollers
Consider how much easier it would be to slip between clothing racks at the mall with your baby in a front carrier or how much happier he would be nestled next to you in a sling, leaving you two hands free to deal with packages at the post office. A pull-along wagon fits the bill for special outings and does double duty for play.

Swings, bouncers, etc.
When your baby needs comfort and movement, do things the easy way: pick her up! Save money and space and give your baby the physical and emotional closeness she craves with a carrier or sling that keeps her close to you.

Most of these space- and money-saving strategies offer an additional benefit: parent-child bonding. Steering clear of ”babysitting” gadgets and gear helps not only simplifies your household but also puts you and your baby in a position to build even stronger connections – simply wonderful, indeed!

Our choice to Homeschool

My husband and I have Decided that after this year we will start homeschooling our children.

I know not many people understand the choice to homeschool, But we are Confident that we are making the best choice for our children...
We have found a GREAT Curriculum...and plan to Purchase the materials this coming spring for Chass's Kindergarten year..
We have chose to use the Curriculum from Oak Meadow (Oakmeadow.com) it's a Waldorf Based Curriculum that goes from preschool- high school...

We have made this choice for a Few Reasons...They include Learning styles, Personal Beliefs, and The fact that Schools are NOT doing the best they can to protect certain children from more aggressive children.

I know someone in my family is not going to like this (LOL someone ALWAYS has a comment) But It is OUR choice and we are making the BEST choice for OUR children.

10 reasons to wear your baby

1. Wearing a baby is convenient. When we carry a baby in a sling, we can walk around freely and not have to worry about negotiating steps, crowds or narrow aisles with a stroller. Plastic "baby buckets" and removable car seats are heavy and awkward for parents, babies often look uncomfortable, and they are kept at knee level. A sling can block out excess stimuli when breastfeeding a distractible baby, and it allows for discreet nursing in public places. A sling can also double as a changing pad, blanket, or cushion when away from home. I've found my sling especially handy when negotiating busy airports with a small child and several bags! 2. Wearing a baby promotes physical development. When a baby rides in a sling attached to his mother, he is in tune with the rhythm of her breathing, the sound of her heartbeat, and the movements his mother makes – walking, bending, and reaching. This stimulation helps him to regulate his own physical responses, and exercises his vestibular system, which controls balance. The sling is in essence a "transitional womb" for the new baby, who has not yet learned to control his bodily functions and movements. Research has shown that premature babies who are touched and held gain weight faster and are healthier than babies who are not1. Mechanical swings and other holding devices do not provide these same benefits.
3. Babies worn in slings are happier. Studies have shown that the more babies are held, the less they cry and fuss2. In indigenous cultures where baby-wearing is the norm, babies often cry for only a few minutes a day – in contrast to Western babies, who often cry for hours each day. Crying is exhausting for both the baby and his parents, and may cause long-term damage as the baby's developing brain is continually flooded with stress hormones.3 Babies who do not need to spend their energy on crying are calmly observing and actively learning about their environment. Baby-wearing is especially useful for colicky babies, who are far happier being worn, but placid, content babies and children will also benefit greatly from the warmth and security of being held close. 4. Baby-wearing is healthy for you! It can be challenging for new mothers to find time to exercise, but if you carry your baby around with you most of the day or go for a brisk walk with your baby in her sling, you will enjoy the dual benefits of walking and "weightlifting". A long walk in the sling is also an excellent way to help a tired but over-stimulated child fall asleep. 5. Toddlers appreciate the security of the sling. Slings are usually associated with infants, but they can be very useful for toddlers as well; most slings accommodate children up to 35 or 40 pounds. The world can be a scary place for toddlers, who feel more confident when they can retreat to the security of the sling when they need to do so. Toddlers often become over-stimulated, and a ride in the sling helps to soothe and comfort them before (or after!) a "melt-down" occurs. It can be very helpful in places like the zoo, aquarium, or museum, where a small child in a stroller would miss many of the exhibits. 6. Baby-wearing helps you and your baby to communicate with each other. The more confidence we have in our parenting, the more we can relax and enjoy our children. A large part of feeling confident as a parent is the ability to read our baby's cues successfully. When we hold our baby close in a sling, we become finely attuned to his gestures and facial expressions. Many baby-wearing parents report that they have never learned to distinguish their baby's cries – because their babies are able to communicate effectively without crying! Every time a baby is able to let us know that she is hungry, bored or wet without having to cry, her trust in us is increased, her learning is enhanced, and our own confidence is reinforced. This cycle of positive interaction enhances the mutual attachment between parent and child, and makes life more enjoyable for everyone. 7. Slings are a bonding tool for fathers, grandparents, and other caregivers. Slings are a useful tool for every adult in a baby's life. It makes me smile when I see a new father going for a walk with his baby in a sling. The baby is becoming used to his voice, heartbeat, movements and facial expressions, and the two are forging a strong attachment of their own. Fathers don't have the automatic head-start on bonding that comes with gestation, but that doesn't mean they can't make up for this once their baby is born. The same goes for babysitters, grandparents and all other caregivers. Cuddling up close in the sling is a wonderful way to get to know the baby in your life, and for the baby to get to know you! 8. Slings are a safe place for a child to be. Instead of running loose in crowded or dangerous places, a child in a sling is held safe and secure right next to your body. Slings also provide emotional safety when needed, so that children can venture into the world and become independent at their own pace.
9. Slings are economical. Slings cost far less than strollers, front-carriers or backpacks. Many mothers consider the sling to be one of their most useful and economical possessions. Inexpensive used slings can be found in consignment and thrift stores, and new ones can be bought for about $25 -$50 (U.S.) - not bad for an item many parents use daily for two years or more! A sling can also be sewn for the price of a length of cotton, some rings and batting; sling patterns are available. 10. Baby-wearing is fun. Who doesn't love to cuddle a precious little baby? And when your baby is older, having her in the sling makes conversations easier and allows you to observe her reactions to the wonders of the world around her. It's also fun for baby, because when she is up at eye level, other adults notice and interact with her more. Your child will feel more a part of your life when she is in her sling, and you will find yourself becoming more and more enchanted with this special little person.