Friend Highlight!: Family of Festivals

Friend Highlights!

www.familyoffestivals.com



Family of Festivals, Love is Alive







DO YOU LIKE MUSIC? PROBABLY!!!!

Ok, all you music fans... here's something you need to be a part of! Family of Festivals is a user-driven website which connects music lovers to festivals, upcoming events, and other music fanatics.

There's a "Family Room" where you can join in on the conversation in different forums, whether it be to buy/sell tickets, share pictures, or hook up with other people that went/are going to the same festival as you!

Visit the store to purchase Hand dyed t-shirts that enter you in for a $200 drawing, and if you're a member of the family, take and additional 10% off. Since these ate hand died, there's not a ton of supply, making your shirt unique and you're chances of winning high!



find yourself. www.familyoffestivals.com



Join the Family to get linked in, and to be able to comment and get updates on latest events, comments in forums, and discounts on store items.

If ever there is a festival or show that's not listed, spark up the convo and get you're friends in on getting ready for those festivals!



Find yourself www.familyoffestivals.com



www.familyoffestivals.com by Ari Singleton

16 Random tips and tricks I've found!

16 random tips... aimed at new moms!

(not that I would know!)

• When people say "rest when you can"... seriously do it! When people offer to help, put them to work doing laundry or dishes, so you can rest.

• New born pictures are ABSOLUTELY adorable, but make sure you are asking for help to get them done! Don't push yourself too hard!

• Medella is THE best pump there is out there... do NOT Settle for less!

www.medela.com

• As far as milk storage bags go... I recommend Lansinoh or Gerber. They are the only two I have found that do not leak when defrosting.

www.lansinoh.com

• Best way to freeze milk is to lay it flat, stacked one on top of another. It saves room for your veggies and frozen meat and defrosts way quicker!

• I know the docs say that using lotion or mother's cream doesn't work against stretch marks, but I'm a FIRM believer that it does! My favorite brand is from Sprouts.

• Unless you plan on adding to your laundry pile, do not invest in the cloth leak pads. I suggest Lansinoh again, and I frown on the Johnson ones... just for leakage purposes!

www.lansinoh.com

• A nursing cover works SO much better than a blanket, if worn right. Definitely a great baby present!

• Everyone suffers from some form of post-partum. It might be brought on by lack of sleep, but it's NORMAL to feel the blues. I had it bad with my second, and worse with my third and FINALLY called the doc for some help. Glad I did and it was so easy!

•  KEGAL, KEGAL, KEGAL ladies! I believe it will help you in your delivery! I did about 100 every day while I was pregnant with all three, and I think it helped me rebound back!

• The first three months of breast feeding are hard... believe me! Learn about when your baby is going through growth spurts, so you know ahead of time. They go through a HUGE one at 3 months, which I believe is why a lot of moms quit around that time. Think... how many stopped after 3 months out of frustration? Not many!

• Take as many pictures as you can. Even if they aren't blow-up-and-put-on-your-wall worthy. Every little one helps keep those memories! 

• Do NOT buy a nursing bra when you are in that first engorgement stage. I did this, and those nice round (but painful) Double Ds didn't stay for long!

• Whatever you do, make sure YOU are taking care of YOU. You can't be strong and happy for you're baby if you're not strong and happy for yourself!

• When it comes to toddler bed time... don't hesitate to buy that "big girl bed" and throw a pair of cheapy side rails on it. It saves you a couple hundred, unless you find a cute one used. I'd suggest against spending over 50 bucks for one, especially since you can find a "big girl/boy bed" for not much more than that!

• My last... law... to... abide...by... WAIT SIX WEEKS BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO "PRACTICE" CREATING ANOTHER LITTLE ONE... chances are good you WILL! Oh, and breast feeding is NOT a good form of birth control ;)! Heed this warning or you may end up with...



THIS!





Disclaimer: these are all my personal suggestions, not to be confused with doctor's orders! 

Any mother's out there want to add??

A Funeral To Remember

My grandmother finally passed away after fighting brain cancer for almost 4 months. She was an awesome, strong, sweet lady, and I'm sure going to miss her. I think she would have loved what we did with her funeral, though!




Me and Grandma

First, before she passed, we had planned a Halloween party for the kiddos in the family, since a lot of the family was to be there. My grandma told me "Good, I like to party!". Unfortunately, she passed the night before the big party. We still had the party, as if she were still there. It was awesome!

We had the kids make a witch stew...



Idea courtesy of familyfun.go.com

These are the pizza mummies... SO delicious!

Idea courtesy of familyfun.go.com

Pumkin Bowling...

Idea courtesy of familyfun.go.com

Eyeballs, pumpkin rolls,and "finger" food!

Idea courtesy of familyfun.go.com



After the funeral, at the gravesite, we had a balloon release for my grandmother. The balloons and string are yellow, because that is her favorite color. Attached to each of the balloons was a picture of each individual with grandma. We attached one copy to the balloon, and kept a wallet size for our keeping.




my beautiful sister Sadie

And... the final product. I really think my grandma would be happy we did this for her! Love you and miss you already my sweet Grandmama!