Thursday Blog Hops

Social Parade Friday

Friday Blog Hops

Thursday Blog Hops

Saturday Spectacular-Link Up Your Giveaways-3/18-3/25

Good Friday/Saturday!  It's that all important time again.  Do you have some great giveaways going on over at your blog right now?  Run across any giveaways that you would like to share?  Link them up here today and all week on the Saturday Spectacular Giveaway Linky at Mommy2TwoGirls!  Tell your friends about my linky as well, I would love to make this HUGE this week!  Thanks and have a wonderful weekend!
 

Social Parade Friday

Friday Blog Hops

Happy Friday all, hope your weekend is going great so far.  Been struggling the past couple of days with hubby being sick, the oldest finishing up being sick, little one barely got sick..just a little cough and me..well so far so good.  It's that time of year when the weather changes.  One day it will be in the 20's, the next day it will be up toward the 60's and then back down to the 40's like today.  Typical Michigan weather!  So glad Spring will be here because I for one am tired of the cold and being cooped up in the house all winter.  Little one loves to be outside and we are going to get her a new bike this weekend.  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and now onto the hops!

Prayers for Japan

By now I'm sure you have all seen the devastation and sheer destruction of the earthquake and tsunami that has rocked Japan to it's core.  I have been watching the news programs and news channels since Friday, for some reason I just can't turn away.  Pictures of young children and babies with their parents, their innocence in not quite understanding what is happening.  Stories of unbelievable rescues even after four days with no food and water, 500,000 people homeless living in shelters, hospitals, and schools.  The grocery stores rationing what little food they have left and running out.  Pictures of houses being completely washed out and nothing left but debris and cars left in the tsunami's wake.  I was just watching the ABC News with Diane Sawyer and it was showing her walking through town with Japanese soldiers looking for survivors and going from house to house.  Some of these houses still had cups and bowls sitting on shelves that hadn't fallen off and were unbroken as well as a pile of slippers sitting at the door, yet the devastation was all around.  Desperate American parents looking for their children who spent their time teaching young Japanese students at the many schools or maybe even being students themselves.  Three elderly women being pulled out of their car after many many hours of no food and water, but they were saved.  Now the Japanese are having to worry about the possibility of a nuclear meltdown.  These are the images that we have seen on a daily basis and God bless the reporters, the military, the 50 workers that were left behind at the nuclear power plant to try and save so many others.  It is so hard to see these pictures and videos of this awful natural disaster  One of the miraculous stories that I just found is in the video below.  Please take a look.

 

I remember all too well the earthquake in Haiti and the tsunami in Indonesia.  I am a person that pays a lot of attention to the news, and these stories were devastating.  I could never imagine what these people are going through and wish that there is something that I could do to help.  There are several wonderful organizations to donate your money to to help the people of Japan get the food, water and necessities that they need.  Here are a few of the links:

http://www.globalgiving.org/

http://www.unicefusa.org/news/releases/unicef-humanitarian-aid-japan-earthquake-tsunami.html

http://www.mercycorps.org/

http://salvationarmyusa.org/

https://american.redcross.org/site/Donation2?idb=0&5052.donation=form1&df_id=5052

Please consider giving whatever amount you can at this time.  This is not a sponsored post, this is just a concerned American wanting to help out many people in a time of great need.  So may people are displaced and have no where to go, they have lost husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and especially their children to this terrible disaster.  Words and pictures can not explain to all of us what is truly going on, the fear, the sadness and so much more that we can't see.  Everyday the images become more and more heartbreaking as well as disturbing and it just makes me feel so helpless to see the Japanese people go through this.  Hawaii and California also suffered from the tsunami, but the damage was far less than what Japan is going through.  Still days later, they are suffering over 6.0 aftershocks and the severe threat of radiation into the air.  My heart just aches.  Even if you have $2 or $5 to give in the relief efforts, every little bit helps.  I remember when 9/11 happened, my hubby and I took all the change we had in the house and a $5 bill down to our local American Red Cross, they were thrilled with the money to help and we felt good about donating.  God Bless the people of Japan, please pray for them, because they need all they help we can give.

Newborn Sleep Patterns

Newborn Sleep Patterns

By Jamell Andrews

If you are a new parent, you have probably already realized that your baby needs to sleep a lot. Parents of infants tend to complain quite a bit that they are sleep deprived because they are up all night long with their babies. While this is certainly a normal pattern for parents of newborns, there are some steps you can take to help your child sleep for longer periods of time without waking up constantly.

Understanding infants’ sleep requirements

Sleep cycles for babies are significantly shorter than sleep cycles for adults. Even though you should expect your newborn to sleep anywhere from 14 to 18 hours each day during his first week at home, these hours are not consecutive, nor are they consistent.

The average baby does not stay asleep for longer than two or three hours at a time, with some of them managing to sleep for as much as four hours straight. This means that you, as a parent, wind up losing significant amounts of sleep every night as you tend to your restless child.

The sleep cycles of babies involves much more time spent in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep than adults do. This type of sleep is quite a bit lighter than other types, and as such it tends to be more easily disrupted. This is why people tend to tread softly when they are in the vicinity of a sleeping baby.

The excessive amounts of REM sleep are absolutely essential for the healthy developments that occur in an infant’s brain. Fortunately, by the time an infant is 6 to 8 weeks old, he will start to sleep for shorter periods of time during the day, and will stay asleep for longer periods at night. Most babies will not be able to sleep through the night until they are at least 3 months old, and in some cases the magic age is 6 months.

Establishing positive sleep habits

A great way to gradually get your baby adapted to normal, healthy sleep patterns is to teach him the difference between day and night. While this does require some time and patience on your part, it can be done successfully. In fact, you can begin teaching your child when he is about 2 weeks old.

To have success with this, you will need to keep your baby engaged with activity during the day. Let plenty of light into your home, and do not worry too much about keeping sounds to a minimum. At night, you should not engage your baby in too much activity, and try turning the lights low and keeping noises to a minimum. After a bit of time, he will learn the difference between night and day, and learn that nighttime is for sleeping.

It can also help your child to adjust to more normal sleep patterns if you learn to recognize the signs indicating that he is tired. When you notice these, put him down for a nap. Even if he does not fall asleep right away, he will very likely be sleeping in a short amount of time. Try not to keep your infant awake well past the point when he becomes tired or it will be more difficult for him to fall asleep.

About Jamell: Jamell Andrews authors many insightful articles on parents and childern. She is a firm believer in the many uses of natural remedies for colic.

Tuesday Blog Hops

Pretty Neat Review and Giveaway

I have always thought of myself as being organized around my house.  I find myself cleaning everyday whether it's just everyday cleaning like wiping down counters or tables or extensive cleaning like vacuuming or dusting.  Organization, well, at times I am, other times I just like to put things away so I don't have to see it.  I have been told that I have OCD because I like to have the house clean pretty much at all times, yet things like papers, coupons, tools and other things just get thrown in drawers.  It is then that the hubby gets frustrated when he goes to open a drawer to look for something and sees a mess.  I love my house to look nice, but my organizational skills can definitely use some help.

I was excited yet apprehensive to be able to review a book called Pretty Neat: The Buttoned-Up Way to Get Organized & Let Go of Perfection.  This book was written by the two creators of the buttoned up Organizational Products that are absolutely fantastic and helpful, Alicia Rockmore and Sarah Welch.  I don't read too many books about organizing because I don't want to be told how to do things around my house.  I have always been someone who likes to do things my way, that way I know where everything is and what needs to be done.  I know that I needed some help especially help with keeping my cupboards, books, and desk organized.  I also have a hard time with the girls rooms keeping them neat with their toys, coloring books and so much more.  It seems that at times, we have a lot of clutter around our house and I definitely was intrigued by reading this book.  I have NEVER read any kind of organizational book, but I read this one cover to cover and found a lot of great tips and methods that are simple and definitely would make anyone's life a lot easier for keeping their home neat and tidy.

The Pretty Neat book has organization tips for not only home but at work as well as taking charge of you to-do lists and schedules.  It teaches you how to get organized for traveling with your kids, helping your kids help in cleaning up and even how to master a home cooked meal.  This is all just for starters, there is plenty more great wisdom in the book as well.  I have learned so much to get my house in complete order.  I often found myself jotting down notes in a notebook to make sure that I didn't forget a certain tip when I came across it.  I would highly recommend this book to everyone who needs a little help organizing your home, office, garage, or your household in general.  I can't wait to get started!

Want your own copy of Pretty Neat:The Buttoned-Up Way To Get Organized & Let Go of Perfection?

MAIN ENTRY-Mandatory and must be done before any extra entries.  Please make sure that your email address is included in your comments so that I may contact you if you win.

Share the area of your home or life that has been the biggest source of your organizational stress.

EXTRA ENTRIES-Please list a separate comment for each.

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Giveaway will end on Monday March 21 at 7pm EST.  Winner will be chosen via random.org and notified by email as well as posted here on my blog.  Winner will have 24 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.  Open to US residents ONLY!  Special thanks to Global Influence, buttoned up, Alicia Rockmore and Sarah Welch for providing the book for review and giveaway.  GOOD LUCK!
Disclosure-I received no monetary compensation for this review, only a free book in exchange for my honest opinions.  I comply with all FTC rules and regulations. 

Saturday Spectacular-Link Up Your Giveaways-3/12-3/18

Good Saturday morning!  It's that time of the week again.  Do you have some giveaways going on at you blog right now?  Come across some great giveaways on other blogs that you would like to share?  Link them up here today and all week on the Saturday Spectacular giveaway linky.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Saturday Spectacular-Link Up Your Giveaways-3/5-3/12

Good Saturday morning!  It's that all important time again!  Do you have great giveaways on your blog going on right now?  Run across any giveaways that you would like to share?  Link them up here today and all week on the Saturday Spectacular giveaway linky!

Five Question Friday

1. Have you ever forgotten your child in a store or at school?

No, I can honestly say that I haven't ever forgotten either one of the kids.  I have been late picking the oldest up from school once or twice though.

2. Where did you go on your very first date? (Like…first first, not first with your spouse or current significant other!)

First "date" if that's what you could call it was a camping trip with a boy that lived just down the street from me.  OK so it was more like I met up with him in the middle of the night and and we hung out until the middle of the morning.

3. What’s your “silly” fear? (We’re not talking water and heights.)

It might be silly to some, but I am deathly afraid of mice, even dead ones.  I hate to see them or ever have them around and if I know they have been somewhere, I will flip out.  I hate mice!

4. Confrontation: do you cause it, deal with is as it comes, or run far far away?

I run FAR FAR away!

5. Wood floors or carpet?

Carpet seeing as how that is what most of my house has! 

Social Parade Friday

Friday Blog Hopping

Wednesday Random Thoughts

Welcome to a new feature here at Mommy2TwoGirls!  I always have lots of thoughts running through my head, whether it be life in general or news that I have heard on TV or seen on the internet, maybe some gossip that I have found in a magazine or heard on Entertainment Tonight.  Whatever it is, I have random thoughts.  So let me run some of these by you and have you comment!

*First off, let's start with the obvious big entertainment story: Charlie Sheen.  He is what everyone seems to be talking about.  Personally, I love Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men is one of my favorite shows.  I kind of feel sorry for him in a way because we all really don't know for sure what is going on with him.  Is he an alcoholic?  Addicted to drugs?  Addicted to porn or sex addict?  Is he bi polar or maybe he has a mental problem?  All of these have been theories on news journalists and everyone else, the bad thing is now that he got his kids taken away and refuses help.  I heard someone say yesterday that he is following the same destructive path as Anna Nicole Smith and we all know what happened to her, unfortunately.  I wish Charlie Sheen the best and hope that he will take his family's advice and seek help..before it's too late.

*Anyone watch the Oscars?  Well I didn't but I heard that James Franco (who is very good looking by the way) didn't do such a good job as host.  I personally can't sit through the Oscars, I know it's fun to watch what everybody is wearing and who is seen with who, but 4 hours?  Congrats to Natalie Portman, I think she is a great actress.  Am dying to see the Social Network, can't wait to get it through Netflix!

*Speaking of Netflix, any of you have it?  I just subscribed to it last weekend and I am amazed at all of the possibilities.  I have gotten several emails from them in the past to join, but have never been able to because I don't have a credit card.  To find out that they now accept pay pal payments made it easier for me to join and now I can't imagine being without it.  I am a couple of seasons behind on Desperate Housewives so I spent a few hours last weekend watching six episodes from last season.  TV shows and movies, I will definitely be a Netfliz subscriber for a long time to come and would recommend it to everyone!

*Getting really bummed thinking about the upcoming NFL season not happening come September.  It's all about money...why do people in this world have to be greedy?

*Tired of these rising gas prices!  Last week we spent $60 to fill up our car twice..at $3.41 a gallon.  Talk about more greed!

*Anyone watching American Idol?  I'm not, I have a few episodes on the DVR, but haven't watched them yet.  I think I have lost my interest in the show, although I love Steven Tyler.  I think this show has finally run it's course.

*Survivor is on tonight..who are you rooting for?  I am rooting for Boston Rob, love that guy!

*After a struggle the past couple of weeks, I am back on track to losing weight yet once again.  I have hit the gym three days this week and have pushed my workout time to almost an hour.  Feeling pretty good.

*Looking forward to spring and the warmer weather, tired of snow and being stuck in the house.  Looking forward to the oldest daughter playing soccer, I even get to be an assistant coach this season.

Have a great evening!