With it being the end of September, that means it's getting closer to Christmas and making Operation Christmas Child (OCC) boxes. This will be the second year that I have personally participate in this project. My mom has been doing it for several years and I've helped her with it.
As promised - this is part two of three. So, I told you about how we baby, "Michael", proofed the play room, now I'll tell you about the main floor. This floor is the floor that has the most baby proofing. This floor holds the living room, dinning room, and kitchen.
Since we live in a three story townhouse, there are a lot of stairs. All three sets of stairs all make their way to the main floor so gates where a must. We first started putting gates at the top of the stairs going down to the entrance and the playroom. Once Michael started crawling, we put a gate at the bottom of the stairs going up to the third floor. We actually are using two different types of gates. We originally used the Summer Infant Multi Use Gate for both of the stairs, but have since moved one of them else where in the house. We now use the Summer Infant Stylish & Secure Deluxe Top of Stairs Gate with Dual Banister Kit for the entrance stairs and the stairs going to the third floor. What we love about this gate is not only that we didn't have to drill our banister, but that you can just take the gate off to be able to bring in larger items up the stairs.
Just like the play room, we covered all the outlets that where exposed with Safety 1st Press n' Pull Plug Protectors. For the coat closet and the half bath doors, we used Safety 1st Twist & Grip Knob Covers to prevent him from getting into them. He has recently learned how to take them off, but has left the closet alone and doesn't bother the half bath that much. We have two DVD storage units that have doors on them. One has two doors that have the knobs beside each other so we are using the Safety 1st Secure Tech Cabinet Lock. The other one has just one door so we're using the Safety 1st Lock Release Fridge Latch.
The kitchen is the room that probably has the most "Micheal proofing" and it should, it is one of the most dangerous rooms in a house. For all of the lower cabinets and drawers, we use Safety 1st Complete Magnetic Locking System 8 locks 1 key. The only way that they can be opened is with the magnet key. Michael has tried to open them with the letter magnets with not luck. We have a lazy susan that the magnetic locking system doesn't work with. For that we use the Lazy Susan Cabinet Lock by Safety 1st. Michael, however, figured out how to open it within a few weeks of it being installed. For our oven/range we are using Safety 1st Oven Front Lock so that he can't open the oven and Safety 1st 5-Pack Clearview Stove Knob Covers to discourage him from messing with the knobs. The last thing that needed to be "Michael proofed" was the fridge. For that we use the Safety 1st Lock Release Fridge Latch.
The only problem that we have is that Michael will sometimes climb up on to the counter, but not that often to make it worth putting locks on the upper cabinets.
Since we live in a three story townhouse, there are a lot of stairs. All three sets of stairs all make their way to the main floor so gates where a must. We first started putting gates at the top of the stairs going down to the entrance and the playroom. Once Michael started crawling, we put a gate at the bottom of the stairs going up to the third floor. We actually are using two different types of gates. We originally used the Summer Infant Multi Use Gate for both of the stairs, but have since moved one of them else where in the house. We now use the Summer Infant Stylish & Secure Deluxe Top of Stairs Gate with Dual Banister Kit for the entrance stairs and the stairs going to the third floor. What we love about this gate is not only that we didn't have to drill our banister, but that you can just take the gate off to be able to bring in larger items up the stairs.
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| Summer Infant Multi Use Gate |
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| .Summer Infant Stylish & Secure Deluxe |
The kitchen is the room that probably has the most "Micheal proofing" and it should, it is one of the most dangerous rooms in a house. For all of the lower cabinets and drawers, we use Safety 1st Complete Magnetic Locking System 8 locks 1 key. The only way that they can be opened is with the magnet key. Michael has tried to open them with the letter magnets with not luck. We have a lazy susan that the magnetic locking system doesn't work with. For that we use the Lazy Susan Cabinet Lock by Safety 1st. Michael, however, figured out how to open it within a few weeks of it being installed. For our oven/range we are using Safety 1st Oven Front Lock so that he can't open the oven and Safety 1st 5-Pack Clearview Stove Knob Covers to discourage him from messing with the knobs. The last thing that needed to be "Michael proofed" was the fridge. For that we use the Safety 1st Lock Release Fridge Latch.
The only problem that we have is that Michael will sometimes climb up on to the counter, but not that often to make it worth putting locks on the upper cabinets.
When we founded out that we were having a baby, I knew that I wanted to do a Classic Winnie the Pooh theme. It was a perfect neutral theme and I absolutely loved the nursery set that was at Babies R Us at the time. We took longer picking out the furniture than the theme/bedding.We knew we wanted to get a convertible crib so that we didn't have to buy all new furniture once the baby grew out of the crib. We love the idea of the furniture growing with him and possibly being used for his baby. We also knew that we wanted something that was gender neutral and dark colored. I think, at the time, we didn't know what we were having so we wanted furniture that would be great for either gender. We had furniture picked out from the JC Penney baby catalog and furniture at Babies R Us. I remember it taking a long time trying to decided. We even asked our family's opinion and I had posted pictures on my Facebook page to see what my friends thought. We ended up ordering our furniture at Babies R Us.
We chose the Babi Italia Hamilton Collection in chocolate. We were told a year ago that it was discontinued, but it's still listed on the Babies R Us website (click here to see it).
When we were ordering our furniture, we noticed that the Classic Winnie the Pooh was being discontinued. My mother-in-law bought the light and my sister-in-law bought the valance and the wall decals. My husband and I went to every Babies R Us that was in a reasonable driving distance to find the bedding, wall art, blankets, and changing pad cover. We were able to get everything, but the full bedding set. One store had the heavy blanket still on display so we asked if we could buy it and they said that we could.
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| Was sad to see the blue and gold go. |
The room that we chose to become the nursery was our WVU room and was blue and gold. We bought a paint that had the primer mixed in with the paint. Helped save my husband time and did a great job covering up the deep blue color with just one coat (my husband did two coats just to make sure). After the painting was done, my husband and father-in-law installed crown molding. Looked like a completely different room.
We then brought the furniture in and started decorating. We ended up using regular Winnie the Pooh bedding for the crib. When we finally decided on a name, I went to Michaels and bought letters for his name to put over the crib. The letters were white so, I bought chocolate colored paint and painted each letter. I was originally thinking of putting baby Winnie the Pooh stickers on the letters, but decided against it so we could still use them after the theme had changed.
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| Installing the crown molding |
Even before I became a mom, I've always had a camera with me. I love taking photos. It's a great way of capturing the wonderful memories and keeping them forever. So, it's not really that strange to me that I have probably over 3,000 pictures of Michael already. It does help that I'm blessed to be able to stay with him and capture all these wonderful pictures.
I also decided that I wanted to capture the age milestones professionally. The first one, we couldn't pass up on. He was only two days old and still in the hospital. We put him in the outfit that we were going to take him home in (a West Virginia University onesie). It was amazing how they took the pictures. Just put my pillows from my hospital bed to the foot of the bed, put a white bed sheet over them, and then placed Michael on it and started snapping away. The photography studio that took the pictures, posted them on Mom365.com so that we could share all the pictures with everyone. We placed our order the day after the pictures were taken and a few weeks later our pictures were in the mail. I will definitely do this with our next baby.
When I was home visiting my mom, I scheduled for Michael to get his three month pictures taken by one of my oldest friends who was working for PictureMe Portrait Studios (no longer open) in one of the local Walmarts. Had some adorable pictures taken. We even had a picture taken with him holding a football! I ordered a package deal that included a CD of all the pictures taken. Love those kind of packages - great way for everyone to see all the pictures taken.
Since Michael's six months ended up around Christmas, we decided to do our first family pictures to put in our cards and Christmas pictures of just him. I scheduled them to be taken at PictureMe Portrait Studios in my hometown since we we're in visiting. This time, Michael just loved the camera and it was extremely difficult to pick which ones to have printed out. We also got them all on a CD so even though they aren't printed out, we still have them digitally. Everyone loved them - my mother-in-law had a hard time choosing which ones she wanted, that she had me make her a photo book of all that she liked.
Michael was born at the perfect time, because nine months was around Easter. This time, we tried a photography studio (Portrait Innovations) near were we lived. I absolutely loved the place when we walked in and Michael seemed to as well. He was great and we got so many wonderful pictures. They had so many great props! I made my own package that included a CD of all the photos. One of the great things about Portrait Innovations is that they print your pictures right there and are ready for you within 30 minutes.
For his one year pictures, we went to Portrait Innovations here in town. We were lucky to have the same photographer and she did a great job, again! We didn't get nearly as many shots as before, but I think it was more because of the time of day they were being taken. I made a package that included a CD of all the photos.
With our next baby, I'm not sure if I would go the same route. It was very pricey and most of the pictures that we had printed out weren't the ones that some family members wanted. Don't get me wrong, I'm very glad that we had them done, just wish that it didn't cost as much as it did.
If I had a more professional camera, I would more than willingly take them. I've gotten some ideas on how to create a "studio" in your house and what kind of props that you could use (check out my Photography board on Pinterest).
Another way I might go about doing this with the next baby, is by searching on Facebook for local photographers. I have found that there are great photographers out there that are not charging the amounts that a studio charges. We had family pictures taken at a local park last year by a photographer that I had found just by going to our local Chick-fil-a family night. She was taking pictures of the event for them. When they were posted up on our local Chick-fil-a's Facebook page, I knew I wanted her to take our family pictures. I was not disappointed with her at all. They're one of my favorite family pictures so far. She did a wonderful job with editing the pictures and put them all on a CD for us. No actual pictures were printed - only a CD. Just the way I like it!
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| 2 days old. |
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| 3 months |
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| 6 months |
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| 9 months |
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| 1 year |
For his one year pictures, we went to Portrait Innovations here in town. We were lucky to have the same photographer and she did a great job, again! We didn't get nearly as many shots as before, but I think it was more because of the time of day they were being taken. I made a package that included a CD of all the photos.
With our next baby, I'm not sure if I would go the same route. It was very pricey and most of the pictures that we had printed out weren't the ones that some family members wanted. Don't get me wrong, I'm very glad that we had them done, just wish that it didn't cost as much as it did.
If I had a more professional camera, I would more than willingly take them. I've gotten some ideas on how to create a "studio" in your house and what kind of props that you could use (check out my Photography board on Pinterest).
Another way I might go about doing this with the next baby, is by searching on Facebook for local photographers. I have found that there are great photographers out there that are not charging the amounts that a studio charges. We had family pictures taken at a local park last year by a photographer that I had found just by going to our local Chick-fil-a family night. She was taking pictures of the event for them. When they were posted up on our local Chick-fil-a's Facebook page, I knew I wanted her to take our family pictures. I was not disappointed with her at all. They're one of my favorite family pictures so far. She did a wonderful job with editing the pictures and put them all on a CD for us. No actual pictures were printed - only a CD. Just the way I like it!
I took these two ideas, combined them, and geared them to my family needs. Since I had a child still in diapers, I had several empty wipe containers so no extra cost there. Most of the items were purchased at Target, some at Walmart, and at a reasonable price.
Here's the list of everything that I put in and with some finagling, I did fit them all in.
- two 1 gallon bags
- travel first aid kit
- antiseptic wash
- additional band-aids - I ended up putting them loose instead of keeping in the box to help fit everything in the wipe container
- lotion - travel size
- anti-bacterial gel - travel size
- mini flashlight
- small travel pack of wipes
- travel pack of tissues
- little tin of mints
- a pen
- pad of paper
- travel toothbrush
- travel toothpaste
- scissors
Updated on September 18, 2013
I was put on bed rest three months before having Michael. We had already decided that I would be a stay-at-home mom and were trying to get things financially set as best we could before being diagnosed with gallstones and being put on bed rest. So, since we didn't have that extra three months like we thought, we cut out all extra expenses that just weren't necessary (still kept Netflix so I had something to keep me occupied while my husband was at work).
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| My first check. |
I was earning about $40 a month, but summer came and it kind of went to the back burner. What I like about it is that you know upfront how much money a survey is going to make you, unlike other sites out there that you earn points and hardly ever know how much money you're really making. There's more than just taking surveys on there to earn money. You can watch videos, play games, print coupons, and shop certain stores online through their website.
Another way that I have brought money in is by selling things via online yard sale pages on facebook. I've made more money doing this. I know that I could probably bring in more if I would sell Michael's clothes he's outgrown and his toys he doesn't play with anymore, but we plan to have another baby in a year or two and I don't want to have to buy new stuff. It's not that easy to sell on facebook, have to keep at it, but it's a great way to earn money and get rid of stuff that's just collecting dust in the house.
I haven't made enough through this, but I have monetized my YouTube videos. From what I'm seeing, the more views on a video that's monetized, the more money you'll make. The same goes with writing a blog and earning money from it.
This is what I've done so far. I know that it doesn't bring in much, but I would honestly rather do this than go and work a full-time job and putting Michael in daycare.
Update:
I had completely forgot about a few other things that I've been doing. I use coupons as much as possible. I haven't been able to be as good as those people on Extreme Couponing, but I have saved some money doing that. We also watch how much we spend at the grocery store. Before we would just go in and get what was on the list, maybe more, and not even think anything about how much everything is going to cost. Now, we know how much we have to work with, a lot of times it's $30 a week, and bring up the calculator app on the cell phone and start adding each time we add something to the cart. A lot of foods taste the same no matter the brand so, we buy store brand most of the time. There's still those items, like Ketchup, that you have to go name brand on.
I have downloaded an app on my Android cell phone, Ibotta. Haven't really used it because most of the offers are of items that we don't use. Sounds like a great concept - earn money grocery shopping. Still trying to figure it out.
Another way I've tried, but have not been successful with is making slideshows for people. My first slideshow was for mine and my husband's wedding nine years ago. I have since done a slideshow for my husband's best friend's wedding, my sister-in-law's wedding receptions, a 50th anniversary party for my husband's grandparents, a 25th anniversary party for my in-law's, and first birthday parties for one of my nephews and Michael. I have been putting it out there on Facebook, but no luck. I charge $15 an hour. Depending on how many pictures and songs, it could take anywhere from two hours to five hours. I've had a couple people contact me, but have never gotten back to me after our first talk.
ABOUT AUTHOR
I'm a stay-at-home mom in the DC Metro Area who is always looking for new and exciting things to do with the family without breaking the bank. I write about kids, meal planning, DIY, crafts, holidays, recipes, and good old family fun. Follow me on this journey called life!
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