Gift Ideas For The New Mom

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Someone you know has just become a new mom. She already has the most amazing gift she could ever receive. You can’t top a new baby, but there are still plenty of presents that can put a smile on her face when she knows you are thinking about her. Consider some of the following ideas as you plan something special for a new mother. Your thoughtfulness is sure to be appreciated when you put time and care into your gift.

Gift Cards for New Clothes are a New Place to Start

Your friend has been wearing maternity clothes for months. She’s tired of wearing clothes that are much bigger than the norm. It’s time to try out a new style. The tough part will be choosing the right size. It takes time to get back to that pre-baby figure. Consider choosing gift cards from your friend’s favorite clothing stores to make her feel like she is dressed in her best. Whether she is in the comfort of her own home or going out and about, new clothes can make your friend feel like a million dollars.

Have a Lunch Date

Once the baby comes along, a new mom doesn’t have much time to herself. Give her a treat by taking her out to lunch. Make arrangements for someone else to watch the baby. A new mother needs a break. It might be hard to take a whole day, but an hour or two for lunch can really make a difference. She’ll have the chance to talk with an adult and enjoy the pleasure of your company.

Splurge on a Trip to the Spa

A new mother is going to be sore and tired. Her body has gone through some major changes. Nine months of carrying another person inside, the strain of labor, and the effects of a natural delivery can really take a toll on her. Add long nights of staying up for feedings or to calm a crying baby to make each day more of a challenge. A trip to the spa can soothe her muscles and help her to relax, refreshing her when she returns home.

Give Her Some Extra TLC at Home

There is nothing like a care package at home. Skin lotion, bubble bath, candles, books, and movies can really give a new mom a boost. Shampoo, conditioner, and cosmetics can make your friend feel beautiful as she gets used to life with a new baby.

How About a Visit to the Hair Salon?

Expectant mothers tend to pick simple hairstyles while they are pregnant because they are low maintenance. Coloring is usually out of the question to be safe while the baby is developing. After delivery, the new mom could be ready for a makeover. Whether you take her to the salon or bring her a certificate, she will be able to pick a new style that makes her feel vibrant and stylish.

Offer to Babysit

A new mom needs a night off to enjoy an evening out with her partner. Make the offer to babysit while she heads out on the town. It can even be as simple as giving her an hour or two during the day to let her catch up on any chores, errands, or get some badly needed rest. A new mother is so wrapped up in taking care of the baby that she forgets about taking care of herself. You can remind her by giving her the gift of some time to herself.

Volunteer to be a Housekeeper for the Day or Once a Week

Household chores can be overwhelming for a new mother. It can feel like everything is piling up. She may barely have the energy to get up in the morning after being up with the baby. If she has had a C-section, it is even more difficult to take care of a household and baby. You can offer to do some light housekeeping or hire someone to give the new mom’s home a lick and a promise. Consider finding someone to come once a week while a new mom is home on maternity leave. It will help her to get back to normal sooner. Your efforts can really lift her spirits and take away some of the stress.

Newborn, Planning

How To Choose The Best Electric Fireplace For A Calm and Peaceful Home

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Electric fireplaces are constantly improving in efficiency and realism to meet the demands of the market. When it is cold outside, cranking up the furnace to heat the whole house is probably not a good idea. Heating bills are getting more expensive every year. A few degrees extra a month or a furnace running a little longer can mean the difference in your bill by hundreds of dollars even with natural gas. When you want a little bonus heat to relax when you are not running around in your home, an electric fireplace is the perfect easy-to-install space heater you need. The realism of some models also is entertaining and difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Why is an Electric Fireplace Better Than a Real Fireplace?

A real fireplace can be expensive to install and may create smoke damage, fire hazards, and burn risks. These simply aren’t factors with electric versions. They are cool to the touch and require none of the chimneys, gas lines, dry wood, or blockages that compound the upkeep of a traditional fireplace. The installation is so easy, that in many cases you can simply replace your current TV stand with a pedestal that has an electric fireplace built in.

Models like the Dimplex Opti-V Built-In Electric Firebox are so efficient and realistic that the ambiance and cost of ownership make it an attractive replacement. It uses 3D technology and LED glow logs set to the tune of crackling with dancing flames and sparks. There is a subset of outdoor electric fireplaces that will withstand the harsh weather. These may be ideal for a small gazebo or enclosed patio area. Many models feature ambient backlighting and will put out as much heat as a real wood stove fireplace with as little as 1500W. Many wall mounted models have an on-screen digital control for nuanced adjustment of the ember bed, flames, and heat.

How Do I Choose the Best Model for My Home or Office?

This all boils down to where you want to mount the fireplace. There are essentially five different options: wall mounted, built in, recessed, TV stand, or inserts. You can build the electric fireplace right into the wall if it is a newly constructed home or you are doing some renovations to get the recessed look. Inserts convert your standard fireplace into an electric by providing the internals to retrofit. Wall mounted fireplaces can be plugged into regular outlets and can be used solely for decoration or with heat. No maintenance or venting is needed for a wall mount.

Determine the options you want. Does your model come with a fully adjustable thermostat and remote control to dial in the ideal temperature or merely two manual adjustments? There will be some additional installation expenses incurred if you choose a model that required wiring directly into your household electricity. It is important to remember that these electric fireplaces typically cover a range of 400-500 sq. ft. and are not a replacement for main heating systems.

Choosing a ventilation orientation that fits your needs is also a critical factor. You need to determine if the model you want vents up, down, frontwards, or backward. Although the electric fireplace is not going to introduce embers or open flames into your home, some dry carpet fibers and draping curtains need to remain a sufficient distance from the ventilation of hot air. You would maintain the same level of care for any electric space heater.

The only other aspect to consider is where you will be fitting the fireplace and what sort of decorative effect are you trying to achieve. For most hotels and restaurants, a simple yet elegant wall mounted fireplace is enough to warm the atmosphere and provide some additional space heating in drafty areas. The realism of what is obviously not real upon closer examination can fascinate guests when they see a twenty-foot long electric fireplace hanging above them. At these distances, the fireplace will look immaculate. It may be difficult to distinguish from the real thing without reasonably considering the audacity of its size.

Whatever draws your interests into electric fireplaces, it is important to consider quality in the equation. An electric fireplace is usually listed as a selling point for a home and can add to its equitable value. No matter what model you purchase these days, it is likely to look more realistic than those of yesteryear. Keeping these features in mind, you should have little trouble finding your match without having to light one.

Planning

Making Your House Comfortable for Your Pregnancy

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Pregnancy is a time of joyous anticipation. As woman’s belly grows, she thinks about the baby she’s about to have and how doing so will transform her life. While being alive with life is an experience many women cherish, a pregnancy can be quite grueling. This is why is important for all pregnant women to turn their home into a haven from the world. A comfortable home with all a woman needs to feel relaxed as she goes through all three trimesters is a must. Fortunately, there are lots of easy ways to make this happen. There’s many things a pregnant woman can do to create a home full of tranquility and ease.

Create a Guest Room

A woman who is going to give birth frequently finds that friends and relatives want to come visit her. They want to share her delight, marvel at the life growing inside of her and celebrate every milestone. It’s a good idea to create a space in her home where she can welcome guests even if they life far away. A guest bedroom designated for friends and family allows people to spend lots of quality time together. Fitting out a guest bedroom is easier than ever. Even if the expectant woman is on a budget, it’s possible to find lots of great choices for her guest room. For example, the best cheap futon offers guests lots of room to stretch out and feel cozy even in a small space. It can also double as a couch when not in use, thereby saving even more space. After she’s given birth, the room can serve as the baby’s room.

A Pampering Bathroom

Another great room to use are the bathrooms. Designate a specific bathroom as the woman’s own. Here, she can let calming water relax her aching feet or provide relief from a hot summer day. Fit out the bathroom with items that call to mind relaxation. A special soap along with some bath oils create a paradise inside any small space. Additional details are a must. Use a heated towel rack to give warmth when it’s cold outside. A large towel offers a way to soak up excess moisture. Consider additional mood lighting such as several scattered uplights to give the room even more character. Plants bring the outdoors inside and add even more life to any indoor space.

Comfortable Seating

As a woman’s belly begins to expand, getting up from a seated position can be hard. This is why it’s a good thing to find seating that offers her enough support all throughout her pregnancy. A large pillow is an excellent way to offer comfort support. Many stores have chairs and love seats that are created with a woman’s needs in mind. Use them in a casual space such as the living room or bedroom to provide a comfortable nook for the pregnant woman as she sits down to knit a blanket for her baby to be.

Soothing Music

Music helps people truly relax and feel better. Music may even reach the growing fetus. Many women have a collection of special songs that remind them of happy moments. Create ways to bring music inside the home. Speakers can be installed in many corners to follow her as she moves about the space. Set up a series of tunes that she likes best. Playing a loop of her favorite songs when she gets home puts any woman in a great mood. These are one of many ways to help any pregnant woman make her home truly comfortable.

Planning, Pregnancy

Choosing the Right Headphones To Calm Your Newborn

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Sometimes it is stressful to calm a crying child. Everybody hates the noise of a crying baby. People try many ways to ease their babies like walking around, taking them to shower, and enticing them with some home-made pieces of stuff. Crying babies are stressful when traveling on a plane, bus, and even cars. The entire family members take turns in helping soothe the child. The child will make it difficult when working on a farm or shop where you need to keep the baby down and do manual work with your both hands. Sometimes one is required to employ a person who can look after the baby while you work, which is costly.

It is good to have a plan on how to calm the baby so that one can get time to take a rest. Many parents acquire some headphones for their kids where they can listen to some cool music. However, it is susceptible to have your toddler listening to some loud music. Our friends at Pickup Plug have affirmed that a lot of consideration should take place on the correct type of the headphones to buy. It is not advisable to have earphones that can fit within the ear of your child. You need those with ear muffs which can cover the ears. The baby’s ear-drum can get damaged by loud noise. Thus, the parent should take keen on the volume the earphones can produce. The amount should be less than 85 decibels per eight hours.

Many kids are sensitive to noise. Much noise can cause panic and stress to the child affecting the general body health to the baby. Headphones with good earmuffs can help cancel noise in places like firework displays, sporting events, and concerts. The kid cannot hear the annoying loud sounds in the background. The headphones can keep off the loud noises for children who have auditory processing issue. Kids with autism have difficulty with loud sounds. Some kids will cry a lot when they are sleepy but cannot sleep due to noise in the surrounding. Noise cancelling headphones will help your kid sleep tight even when traveling in noisy places by kipping off the strange sounds. For some in-depth headphone reviews, check out the article at Pickup Plug by going to www.pickupplug.com/best-studio-headphones/.

When shopping for the toddler’s headphones, here are the properties you should take note on;

• Type of protection – you may use earmuffs in winter to keep off cold and muff the sounds. Headphones should provide some volume limiting features, and designed to cancel the background sounds.

• Volume limiting – when you go for cheap headphones, you will find that they do not define volume accurately. The gadgets should have a feature to reduce the amount to less than 85 decibels.

• Size – toddlers should not wear earbuds. Instead, headphones can help to cover their entire small sized head.

• Connection – whether wired or wireless, the headphone should connect clearly to your device.

• Overall look – it is easier to get your child to wear the headphones since they like it when they look “cool” and “fun”.

Newborn, Pregnancy, What to Expect

Time Your Cycles To Plan Your Pregnancy Perfectly

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Timing cycles to get your pregnancy to happen at the right time is the easiest way to have success. You cannot absolutely make your pregnancy happen, but you have some tools that help. Read more below to see what happens when you have timed your cycles to know when you are fertile.

1. This Does Not Happen Immediately

The timing process does not happen immediately because you must have an idea of how your cycle works. Your cycle will trick you at times, and you should use an online or mobile app to track your cycle. You learn how long your cycle is, when it usually occurs, and when you are most fertile. The app works all this out for you, and it even catalogs when you have had sex.

2. Use The App Daily

The app must be used daily so you learn about your cycle in a practical way. You cannot learn when your cycle happens or how long it lasts if you are not using the app. The app gives you consistent information about your cycle, and it gives tips when you check every day.

3. Learn Your Fluids

You must learn how your fluids change when you are going through your cycle, and it is important to check them yourself. You learn when you are fertile based on these fluids, and you must check the fluids often because your body is constantly changing. You might have fertile or sticky cervical fluid in the morning, but it might be clear and benign in the evening. It takes only a second to check, and you can log that in your app.

4. Talk To Your Partner

You must talk to your partner about all that you are doing to get pregnant, and they must be aware of how hard it is to get on your cycle and have sex at the right time. If your partner is not aware, they will be confused, and you must keep them informed so that they know when it is most important to make love.

5. Stay Healthy

You must eat a healthy Diet and exercise as much as you can. Your body responds to a good diet and exercise routine better than anything, and you must have a plan for your diet that keeps your weight stable. Regular exercise keeps your menstrual cycle regular, and the process becomes much simpler when you have a diet in place that you know works.

6. Conclusion

Timing your cycle to get pregnant is the only reliable way to increase your chances of getting pregnant on your first try. You cannot account for everything, but you have a much better chance of getting pregnant when you use a mobile app to track your cycle and care for your body. Change your diet to assure that you are healthy, and use an app that gives you tips as you plan for your next interlude with your partner. Anything less leaves your pregnancy up to chance.

Cycles, Planning, Pregnancy

Planning for Pregnancy – What to Expect

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Having a child is one of the most exciting times of your life. There is much to be excited about as you will meet your child and grow and develop together. However, there are many uncertainties surrounding the pregnancy process that can be aided with some foreknowledge can simplify and enhance.

The First Trimester

Most people find out that they are pregnant during the first trimester. The first trimester is the riskiest period for miscarriage and many people delay communicating about their pregnancy until after the first trimester has passed. While it can be disturbing to have a miscarriage during the first trimester, this is just your body’s way of removing fetuses that would be unlikely to survive and become a healthy child.

Be sure to visit your doctor during the first trimester as they can help to guide you through your pregnancy and the issues surrounding it. They will likely recommend that you take a prenatal vitamin (which should be taken even after you are pregnant) which helps to provide dHA and other valuable ingredients to your fetus as they develop in your womb

Your doctor can also help to guide you through the various feelings that you may have such as morning sickness and various forms of anxiety. While morning sickness doesn’t impact every pregnancy, it can be debilitating for some and learning how and when it tends to ease (typically during the 2nd trimester) can make the countdown easier to handle.

The Second Trimester

During the second trimester your fetus will continue to develop and the doctor will learn more about your child. Tests for various genetic diseases can be attempted through blood and urine tests during the second trimester. Your doctor will also provide you with the ability to learn about your child’s sex during the second trimester.

While weight gain is commonly associated with pregnancy, most of your weight gain will occur during the third trimester. It is important to eat a balanced diet during the second trimester and to avoid cigarettes and alcohol during this period.

The Third Trimester

During the third trimester, both your body, and the fetus, will experience significant amounts of weight gain. The fetus will continue to develop and this growth will put considerable strain on your body. Many women become at risk for diabetes during this time (which thankfully eases post-pregnancy) and you may be experiencing back pain, particularly as your body gets ready for the birthing process.

While giving birth can be painful, modern techniques and drugs greatly reduce the physical pain of the process. It is important to be prepared and have contact information on hand as well as your doctor group selected for the delivery, along with a route to the hospital.

Pregnancy can be an exciting and challenging time, but so is raising a child. Remember that once your pregnancy is over you will now be caring for a new living being that will require a significant effort to care for. Pregnancy is the start and not the end of your responsibility and be sure to relax and save your energy for the post-pregnancy period. You will certainly need it.

Planning, Pregnancy, What to Expect