Cleaning Tip: Make a Cleaning Schedule Part. 2

I first blogged about needing a cleaning schedule back in July of '09 and I posted a really good one that I found from the Eight-Step Home Cure. You can see that post here.

It was great but I admit I didn't follow it! but things are different now. With a baby in the house, I have to stay on top of my cleaning routines. So I went back to my friend, google, to search for a full-time-working-mommy friendly routine. My recent search guided me to two great blogs listed below:

http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2010/03/you-asked-squeeky-clean.html
http://hannahkeeley.com/home-zone

Based on their tips & suggestions, I updated the schedule posted back in '09 to the one below:

Daily Schedule:
Make Bed. Who am I kidding? I want to, I really do but I know I won’t do it.
Put dishes in dishwasher
Wash aaron’s bottles
5 minutes pick up in bedroom & living room.
Sort mail.
Clean all kitchen surfaces
Take out full garbage.
Take trash out of car

Weekly Schedule:
Clear all surfaces including microwave (put odds and ends away).
Dust – TV, bookshelves, picture frames.
Wash clothing, take in dry cleaning. – TWICE WEEKLY
Vacuum - TWICE WEEKLY
Change sheets.
Clean bathroom and kitchen.
Vacuum interior of car

Monthly Schedule:
Vacuum, sweep, or mop all floors.
Clean bathtub – it’s probably nasty to wait a whole month but I am being realistic with my time.
Clear out refrigerator.


Every Three Months:
Flip mattresses.
Dust celing fans
Clean Stove top burners & oven
Vacuum mattresses & Sofa
Wipe down baseboards (you know the end of your walls)

Every Six Months:
Declutter refrigerator, pantry, entry way, mail, bulletin board, etc.
Clean out cabinets & drawers. Donate and/or sell what I no longer use.
Clean Curtains & shower curtains.
Steam Clean carpets


*Spring cleaning (April or May)
*Fall Cleaning (October) * Perform deep treatment on your home: clean and declutter, change seasonal clothing, clean out drawers, closets, under-sink storage, purge clothing, extra CDs, DVDs, books, and furniture.

Have a cleaning schedule you'd like to share? or am I missing something you'd like to suggest?

My introduction into Digital Scrapbooking

What I love about blogging and the internet is the inspiration you get from others. I am sure you, like everyone and they mama, has read Kelle Hampton's blog. One thing I love is the yearly albums she makes of her kiddos, she prints them with Shutterfly but makes the layouts herself and let me tell you they are always gorgeous. After seeing one of her albums about a year ago, I knew I wanted to get into Digital Scrapbooking.

My interest brought me to Jessica Sprague's website, her website is awesome!!! But what I most appreciate is there is a place for beginners with videos and everything!!! You also learn to use Photoshop as you go! Pretty amazing!

I finally had a couple hours to myself last night. I watched some instructional videos from her site and downloaded this FREE template and got to work on my first ever scrapbook layout!!!

What do you think? I think I need to play around with the colors more but it was fun and I can say that this is now my new hobby!

Any Digital Scrapbookers out there? Can you share with me where you go for templates?

Motherhood: My Seven Month Old Hurt My Feelings!

I had a meltdown after my 7 month old said his first word and it was NOT MAMA but dada!!!!!

It was silly, but with my husband just returning from a week long business trip, I was the only one waking up with an infant who still does not sleep thru the night. Waking up 2-3 times a night while working full time SUCKS!

Anyway, I just wanted to hear mama. So I balled my eyes out and told my 7 month old he hurt my feelings! Apparently he didn't care because after a couple hours he had the audacity to say that word again!

I mean I held you under my heart for 10 months, went thru 12 hours of labor only to be cut open to finally have you AND breastfed your little butt for almost 5 months, ME that was all ME!

The husband is  back home now, I have rested and I am now over it! :)

I love my munchkin!

My Christmas Wish List

I'm posting this in hopes my family stumbles across my blog and they can see what I want for christmas! ;)
Love you! :)
Might serve as gift ideas for your loved ones as well.

1. A 50mm Canon Lens to go with my new Rebel.

2. A Single Cup Coffee Maker  (Hubby isn't a coffee Drinker + this is MY wish list, hence the single cup)

3. Ice Cream Maker. 'Nuff Said!

4. Camcorder to record my baby. :)  I am interested in this cute little flip recorder.

5. Viktor & Rolk Flowerbomb Parfume

6. Tina Steinberg Love Touch Necklace. It is the sweetest thing, a necklace with your child's fingerprint!

Picture Post: A fall day with my almost 7 month old

One piece jumper: Baby Gap
Shoes & Hat: Nike Jordan's VIII
Outerwear: Carters

More to come! also to come some rookie photo editing pics I'll share.

My Baby Shower

Almost seven months after baby is here and I realized I never posted about my amazing baby shower!

First, the theme! Great for boys! The theme was borrowed from Tisha Campbell's Cirque Du Bebe theme highlighted by the Hostess with the Mostess Blog. I loved this theme because it was not your typical baby boy blue theme and I loved the colors and how they popped!

My sisters hosted my shower in the end of April and my gorgeous friend Erica of Sweets & Fonts, designed the invitaions.

 Front

Now Let's get to decor! WARNING: PIC OVERLOAD 

 This was the favors table, water bottles & lollipops!

 Closer pic of lollipos, they simply read "Thank you".
I use the little suitcase to store aaron's first! His first baby hat, onesie etc...

 I love this little elephant, he's part of my living room decor now. ;)

 Yummi Fruit

 Dessert table - cupcakes, gumballs & caramel popcorn!

 This table was where my sisters put the prizes for those who won any games.

 me at the sweets table!

 Food Table. Menu: meatballs, sandwiches, salads, cheese platter, lemonade & punch!

 Those little animals were piggy banks that people put money in, we still put money in them & they will be in aaron's room.

Me opening gifts - 9 months preggo! :)

Source List
listed below are links of where I know my sisters got the inspiration, printables, where items were purchased etc.... If I am missing anything and you have any questions, please let me know.

Invitation Inspirations
DIY: Paper Treat Cones
Printables
Hostess with The Mostess Facebook Album
DIY: Feather Trees
Invitations Design from Sweets & Fonts  - Printed with Vistaprint.com
Cupcakes from Clement's Pastry

Weary

Today is not a good day! I am sitting here taking a mental break from my work and just wondering how other mommies do it?! how did my mom do it?!

I am tired, my husband is out of town, I have a basket of laundry by my bed that I need to fold and I have been eating fast food all week.

Traffic has been nuts and has been turning my 1 hour commute into 2 hours, Aaron STILL does not sleep thru the night, but he did on Sunday for the first time ever and NEVER AGAIN.

We have several employees that have moved on from this job so I am not only doing my job but others as well and training new employees.

I need a vacation!

How do others do this everyday!? How do you do it?

What's Hot for Mom's

I love being a new mom and I love finding great resources, products etc.. that will help make my life easier, I mean why reinvent the wheel right? that being said, I quickly bookmarked this site when I stumbled aross it a couple weeks ago: http://mommytomommy.tv/ - This week they posted a new video called: 

What's Hot for Mom's & Dad's We Like to Follow. Check it out!

Gotta Have It: What's Hot for Mom! from Kimberley Blaine on Vimeo.

My favorite things from this segment are the Babba Car Seat Covers and the Start Cooking Website, they get down to the basics of cooking and have videos! I can't cook so I know I will be spending hours on that site. And those car seat covers are freaking adorable!

What's  your favorite item or website/blog in the video? 

Must Read Blogs & Tweet Peeps to Follow

I am one tired mama. I have a 6 month old who thinks sleep is the devil! So there is nothing to update in my life other than I’m literally a walking zombie right now – speaking of which, has anyone caught that new show The Walking Dead on A&E? It’s pretty good, and this is coming from someone who hates zombies, they give me nightmares. The show originates from a comic series and my husband is an avid comic book reader so he put me on to the show – I love how it is more about the people’s lives, and how they are coping rather than people being eaten all the time!
Anyway – I follow some great blogs and I though I would share some of their posts that have gotten me thru this long week (These blogs are mommy, home décor, social media & photography related):

Busy Mom Tips: 20 Hot toys for Christmas

Betty Crocker Wannabe: Christmas décor Inspiration  and be sure to check out her awesome free pintables!

Sometimes Sweet: Delicious Baked Ziti Recipe  - I love her pics & personality

Full of Great Ideas: Ballard Inspired Burlap Covered Vase

Nesting with Naill: Mommy’s deep dark confessions

Not Just Baby Talk --- I am a new follower

Small Space Style

Vanity Rich – Great Make up tips & tutorials!

Kevin & Amanda

Money Saving Mom

http://newlatina.net/


3 really cute mommy photography blogs:

http://ashleysisk.blogspot.com/p/inspiration.html

http://katherinemariephotography.com/

http://www.thearthurclan.com/


and who doesn’t read Bower Power, Young House Love, Kelle Hampton and A Cup of Jo.


Are you a Latina? And on Twitter? Follow these people!

http://twitter.com/TikiTikiBlog

http://twitter.com/UnaMamaConHijas

http://twitter.com/LatinaBlogger

http://twitter.com/lbconnect  

http://twitter.com/ellamedia

http://twitter.com/spanglishbaby

http://twitter.com/thoughtsofamomy

http://twitter.com/MsLatina

Got any blogs you love to read? share them please.

Enjoy and let them know how you found out about them! :)

My REAL Tips for a Better Marriage - Post baby

My girlfriend Diana emailed me a link to these great marriage tips and asked me if they were true, and yeah they are but come on, add a baby and real life to the mix, sometimes you just need some REAL tips! Here are mine:

1. If you feel like yelling & cussing him out, do it! It’s better to get it all out and move on then hold in it and have a grudge later. I know yelling isn't always best but hey that's how I deal!

2. Don’t compete. It’s easy to get caught up in, "I did the dishes 3 times this week" or "I stay up with the baby more than you", try not to do that, it will just cause an unnecessary fight.

3. Be real & be you 100% of the time. It isn’t about pleasing people all the time anymore, you need to be happy first!

4. The husband needs to learn how to cook & make a couple meals occasionally. I love when my hubby treats me to a homemade breakfast! Same goes for cleaning.

5. Chocolate. I like chocolate. Get us Chocolate!

We have only been married 2.5 years and have a 6 month old so I am sure I will be adding to this list, but this is what has helped us so far.


Got any tips that have helped you? Share!!!! I’ll compile & re-post.

November Blog Hop

I have been learning so much about social media the past couple months in trying to promote my blog & getting involved in my job's social media projects. I want to share all of that with you, so I'll start with the following tip.

Participate in blog hops, meme's & linkys.

I am now participating in my first Blog Hop, if you'd want to join, LINK UP!

Weekend Recap

Aaron spent the night with his grandmother sat night. At first I was bitter and sad that I have to share my baby and for the first hour we spent the whole time talking about our little guy and wondering what he would be doing if he was home at the moment.

Then we got over it! And were so excited we didn’t know what to do with ourselves!

So what did I do – SLEEP!!! Then I made myself a rootbeer float while catching up on episodes of the office and glee!! It was awesome!

Then I realized I was slacking on my project 365 and went to a nearby lake and walked a good 2 miles and snapped away – got to take pics and get exercise in, it was great!

I am hoping this week flies by because I hope to take the little man to the park on saturday and snap pictures of him while I practice using the AV & TV mode on my canon. I found this tutorial and used what I learned on Sunday so I am excited to practice with my boy!

Homemade Baby Food: Butternut Squash

My first attempt at homemade baby food was super succesful!
Now that Aaron is 6 months old it is time for solids! YAY.

I kept it simple and choose butternut squash. It was super easy & I have told ya'll before that I am super lazy so if it aint easy, I aint doing it!

Here's how I did it:

All you need is 1 butternut squash & a tiny amount of unsalted butter.

1. Wash & Peel
2. Cut up the squash into pieces.

3. Boil it

4. Puree it
My blender has a puree option so that is what I used, no need to go buy extra supplies.

I added a little butter and a little water to help get the consistency where I wanted it.

5. Store!

I got these super cute containers from babies r us, they are made by Annabel Karmel. They are cute, cheap and get the job done. I packed some for aaron to take to grandma's and froze the rest.

THAT'S IT!!! Literally took 15 minutes and I was done! 

Cloth Diaper Newbie

So I am new to cloth diapering and my reason for going this route may be a little different than others. I know most people go cloth because it’s green or because it’s a great way to save money. I went this route because Aaron has a sensitive tushy, pampers & huggies were both giving him rashes and I couldn’t stand to see his little butt irritated.

Once I got into cloth diapering however, I can definitely see the other benefits and now that Aaron’s skin isn’t as sensitive anymore, those reasons are why I am considering staying cloth.


Here is what my experience has been so far:

At the moment, I cloth diaper Part Time while I try to convince my mom, who watches Aaron while I’m at work, that it’s easy & not messy at all. While he is at my mom's Aaron uses Huggies Pure & Natural, which I honestly do not have any complaints about now that his skin is tougher. No rashes & No Leaks and I really love Huggie's Every Little Bottom Program!


Again, I am a newbie and still learning the in’s & out’s of cloth diapering, I never planned on going cloth and knew NOTHING about it, so if there are any pros reading this I would appreciate any feedback you have.


So far, we have tried Gdiapers & Fuzzibunz.


Gdiapers is the very first cloth diaper I tried. I chose them first because I read that it was a hybrid diaper, so there’s a choice between a cloth insert or flushable inserts. I figured if it got really out of hand (I don’t know what I was expecting) I could go the flushable route and not have wasted my money. I also really liked the idea of a snap in liner and that you can reuse the cover and just insert a new cloth - super easy! And I need super easy because I am super lazy!


I have been using the ginserts and I noticed that when it get’s wet it scrunches up on the sides and then the liner gets wet –I am wondering if that is supposed to happen? It hasn’t been a big deal, the cover hasn’t gotten wet so that’s good. I have seen on a couple YouTube video other mom’s using different inserts but I haven’t tried that yet and don’t know which ones to try.


I had been dyiing to try Fuzzibunz because in doing more research online I read that people had great experiences with them, so I was super excited when I went to conference for work and scored one for free!!! They are super cute and super soft, which I loved.

My first thought when putting it on him was that is was a little bulky and I really don’t like too much bulk – I feel like that might to limit his wardrobe. I also didn’t really like the pocket insert, maybe because I was already used to using gdiapers. Another reason I was to try them was because their insert was nice & thick but it felt a little damp when Aaron was wet – again, I am newbie, and wondering if that is supposed to happen?
I want to try one more so I recently purchased a bestbottom diaper, I am waiting for it in the mail. I check my emails every second to see if it has shipped. I know understand the obsession with cloth diapers!

Overall, so far, I really like gDiapers and I am currently building a stash. And here is his royal cuteness in his gdiaper!

When it comes to washing, that has been fine but I haven’t had the courage to cloth when we travel or go out for a couple hours yet – I first need to tackle getting the grandparents on board! AY!