A few days ago, I asked my Instagram followers which session photos they liked better, lifestyle or wrapped/posed, and the majority voted lifestyle, but there may be a few of you out there who aren't sure, so let me talk to you about that for a sec.
Sue's News: tips
Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts
advice,
baby,
newborn,
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tips
Should I Choose Lifestyle Newborn Photos?
February 24, 2021
A while back, I made this reel to quickly communicate my tips for choosing outfits for family photos.
The first 48 hours after the birth of your baby is one of the most magical times of your life. Seeing their squishy faces, snuggling their warm, fuzzy bodies, and introducing them to their older siblings is something you always want to remember, which is why you hired a photographer. Now you want to make sure the session comes off without a hitch. Here are some tips to do just that!
Hey! It's been a bit since I've done a how-to, or advice post, but I think this is a common problem facing our society today and I just can't remain silent ANY LONGER!
One year, when I was in high school, my gift on my dad's birthday was to get completely ready for bed and go to sleep at a decent hour. My dad asked me why the heck I took so long getting ready for bed more than once, so I'm pretty sure that was the best gift I ever gave him! ;)
Now I have kids of my own and I understand my dad's frustration! Some days I'm just really, REALLY ready for bedtime, and if you're kiddos aren't, that can kinda... drive ya crazy. Haha!
We used to really struggle with Chelsea and tantrums at bedtime, but as time went on, Andrew and I discovered the things that Chelsea simply HAD to have before she went to bed, and the things she just really wanted. As soon as we figured those things out, bedtime got A LOT easier!
Here are some of the things we've done to eliminate bedtime tantrums (for the most part.)
STORY TELLING
The first thing we discovered that really changed the "bedtime game" was that Chelsea LOVED it when I made up stories to tell her at night time! Sometimes they were silly, other times, they were adventurous or even a little romantic (her favorites were the ones where she was the princess and she ended up with the prince, they grew up and she had lots of babies. haha!) It was fun for her to become one of the characters in the story, and it was fun for me to get creative with a new story. every. single. night.
TIME
We used story telling as motivation to get her to do the necessities (get in your jammies, brush your hair, brush your teeth). We'd explain to her that we only had X amount of minutes before bedtime so if she took too long doing the other things, there wouldn't be enough time for the story. Natural consequences, right?
CHOICES
As she grew, Chelsea became more and more interested in books, too, and also liked to sing a song, talk with us, and play, but of course we don't have time for all of that, so we give her a choice now. She can choose a story, a book (or two depending on the length of the book), for one of us to lie down with her, a song, or to stay up a little later to play.
LIGHT
The most recent struggle with our girls is Chelsea getting out of bed and turning on the light so that she and Alexa can play. She used to just use the night from her nightlight to play with her toys (I secretly loved finding her toys and books surrounding the little light on the wall!) but she was waking up grouchy in the morning because she didn't get enough, so, we took it away. No more night light. But then she just started turning on the regular light. So guess what? Now I take the ceiling light out! That one works basically every time because you can't really play without a light, can you?
STRETCHING
Sometimes when my kids seem especially riled up, I'll do stretches with them. Just something simple for them to follow and slow their heart-rates a little. It gets them to hold still for two seconds at least!
PRAY
Prayer is a necessity before bed! Not only does it give me a chance to hear about the kid's days, but it gives me an insight into what is really important to them (when they stop acting silly for long enough to say a really sincere prayer.) It's also a good transition from being a little crazy to lying down and going to bed. I love listening to their little voices talking to their Heavenly Father.
What has worked for you and your little one(s)? I'd love to hear your tips and ideas! Also, I didn't say much about Alexa and Barrett's routines because Alexa just follow Chelsea's suit and Barrett just eats and sleeps. I used to have to rock Chelsea to sleep, and sing to Alexa until she was out cold. Interestingly enough, those things still work for them. I guess they do carry some of their babyhood with them.
Thanks for stopping by and make sure you visit these lovely mamas and read up on their Mommy styles! If you're interested in participating in the next Mommy Style Collaborative Post, click here or visit Kiana's and Madeline's blogs!
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Now I have kids of my own and I understand my dad's frustration! Some days I'm just really, REALLY ready for bedtime, and if you're kiddos aren't, that can kinda... drive ya crazy. Haha!
We used to really struggle with Chelsea and tantrums at bedtime, but as time went on, Andrew and I discovered the things that Chelsea simply HAD to have before she went to bed, and the things she just really wanted. As soon as we figured those things out, bedtime got A LOT easier!
Here are some of the things we've done to eliminate bedtime tantrums (for the most part.)
STORY TELLING
The first thing we discovered that really changed the "bedtime game" was that Chelsea LOVED it when I made up stories to tell her at night time! Sometimes they were silly, other times, they were adventurous or even a little romantic (her favorites were the ones where she was the princess and she ended up with the prince, they grew up and she had lots of babies. haha!) It was fun for her to become one of the characters in the story, and it was fun for me to get creative with a new story. every. single. night.
TIME
We used story telling as motivation to get her to do the necessities (get in your jammies, brush your hair, brush your teeth). We'd explain to her that we only had X amount of minutes before bedtime so if she took too long doing the other things, there wouldn't be enough time for the story. Natural consequences, right?
CHOICES
As she grew, Chelsea became more and more interested in books, too, and also liked to sing a song, talk with us, and play, but of course we don't have time for all of that, so we give her a choice now. She can choose a story, a book (or two depending on the length of the book), for one of us to lie down with her, a song, or to stay up a little later to play.
LIGHT
The most recent struggle with our girls is Chelsea getting out of bed and turning on the light so that she and Alexa can play. She used to just use the night from her nightlight to play with her toys (I secretly loved finding her toys and books surrounding the little light on the wall!) but she was waking up grouchy in the morning because she didn't get enough, so, we took it away. No more night light. But then she just started turning on the regular light. So guess what? Now I take the ceiling light out! That one works basically every time because you can't really play without a light, can you?
STRETCHING
Sometimes when my kids seem especially riled up, I'll do stretches with them. Just something simple for them to follow and slow their heart-rates a little. It gets them to hold still for two seconds at least!
PRAY
Prayer is a necessity before bed! Not only does it give me a chance to hear about the kid's days, but it gives me an insight into what is really important to them (when they stop acting silly for long enough to say a really sincere prayer.) It's also a good transition from being a little crazy to lying down and going to bed. I love listening to their little voices talking to their Heavenly Father.
What has worked for you and your little one(s)? I'd love to hear your tips and ideas! Also, I didn't say much about Alexa and Barrett's routines because Alexa just follow Chelsea's suit and Barrett just eats and sleeps. I used to have to rock Chelsea to sleep, and sing to Alexa until she was out cold. Interestingly enough, those things still work for them. I guess they do carry some of their babyhood with them.
Thanks for stopping by and make sure you visit these lovely mamas and read up on their Mommy styles! If you're interested in participating in the next Mommy Style Collaborative Post, click here or visit Kiana's and Madeline's blogs!
Kiana at Glitter & Donuts
Monica at It's All About
And hey! Are you considering bunking in your kids together? I have a post for that!
click here.
K C F I L M + P H O T O
Being a former pregnant-with-my-third-child-scared-look-in-my-eyes-lady, I can relate to you, and I can tell you from experience that you can survive it! And you can love it, too!
Here are a few things you can expect to change/increase/decrease/etc. when you add that third baby.
PRIORITIES
PRODUCTIVITY
GETTING OUT OF THE HOUSE
STRESS
SLEEP
DECIBELS
A lot of these things (if not all), you could have guessed because they've been on your mind ever since the thought of a third child even crossed your mind, so let me tell you the things I've done that have helped me
PRIORITIES
Obviously your top priority is to survive the day with healthy children and your sanity still somewhat in-tact. Here are a few ideas that may help.There are some needs that are purely physical and some that are mostly emotional. Your baby's needs are mostly physical. Most of the time, these needs can wait while you meet the emotional needs of the other two.
PRODUCTIVITY
This has probably been the hardest part for me because I am a very productive person and tend to measure my success by what I've accomplished that day. So, I had to re-think my definition of productivity. So, instead of filling my to-do list with tasks that need to be performed, I fill it with deeds that need to be done. "Play with Alexa," "Paint with Chelsea," and "Snuggle with Barrett" have frequented my list.
GETTING OUT OF THE HOUSE
If you can wait until the evening or get your significant other to go for you, do it, but sometimes, you just HAVE to leave your house during the day. My suggestion is to strap 'em on and strap 'em down! That translates to, "Baby wearing and cart/stroller restraints."
Make sure you make some time for yourself, too! Let Dad be Dad and allow him opportunities to take care of all the kids himself from time-to-time!
STRESS
The sun will rise, the sun will set, and you'll take every day one at
a time, just like you always have. Don't stress too much about it.
You're going to figure it out.Really encourage your children to play together. That way, you *might* get some quiet time that you need and it will build family relationships, even if that bonding happened over ripped sheets on the bed-slide they decided to make. #faceslap
Movies are a GREAT tool. Getting home from outings is one of the most stressful times of day for me. If I can just get the kiddos inside and turn on a movie, it gives me just the break I need to get settled back into the house-groove.
SLEEP
Sleep? What is this thing you call, "sleep." Ha ha. I can't really give tried-and-true advice about this one, because I'm not great at it, but I do know this: It's important and I do a lot better if I've had some.
DECIBELS
9 times out of 10, Barrett's crying when I lose my cool. The thing that works best for me is taking him out of the situation by putting him in his room
for just a minute, and helping the other two.
LOVE
Of course I couldn't let this post go without saying something about how much love grows in your family when that third baby arrives. I truly believe that there is something special about that third child. They bring a special kind of peace and joy into your home and I think that everyone can feel it.
Hopefully these tips helped one of you out there. If not, hopefully this will:
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Toys | Our favorites + Mommy Style Monday
August 29, 2016
As a mom, I feel like I'm stuck in the middle of one of those big ball pits they used to have at McDonalds, but instead of balls, it's toys. If you're a mom, I'm sure you can relate.
Why my kiddos need so many toys, I don't know, and how we keep accumulating toys when I regularly go through and throw out or giveaway the ones we don't use anymore, is a total mystery. In fact, poor Alexa didn't even get any real toys for her birthday because we are practically swimming in them (she got a book and some homemade sock puppets instead #momoftheyear).
Anyway, when it comes to toys and interests, I feel like my kids have A MILLION! And they go through phases, although there are a few that hold true like coloring, painting, playing pretend with beanie babies, and the doll house that was mine when I was a kid. But the best toys are the ones that mom and dad have an interest in playing with, too, because when it comes to play time, most kid's favorite toys are their parents.
So here are a few of our favorite toys to play with together:
DUPLO LEGOS | MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS - we like to create farms, make towns, towers, sort colors, etc. and who doesn't want to be a part of a band?
MARBLE RUNNER - seriously. so fun.
BOOKS - my kids love a good story and this 5 minute star wars story book is definitely one that I don't mind reading often!
PAINTING | ART - we like to paint with water colors, or just color with crayons. it's especially fun when we draw pictures for other people!
BLOCK TRAIN - Barrett loves sucking on all the different shape, color, and size blocks and it's fun for the older girls to switch up the blocks and wheel it around, too!
SNAPCHAT - duh.
One thing that CAN NOT be denied is how much fun it is to watch your kids play and to have a good time, but that "good time" part doesn't always apply, as was apparent this weekend at Chelsea's first soccer game.
This pic seriously CRACKS ME UP! You never know how your kiddo's going to react to a new situation! It wasn't too long ago that this reaction to the game that Andrew and I both love more than any other would have got me down, but that's a post for another day. Let's just say, my expectations aren't set to "perfect" anymore, and that's been good for me and my daughter.
As for the "Mommy Style" part of this post, I'd say the best style you can sport when playing with your kids is your bright-eyed smile (or goofy face), because kids don't care what you're wearing. All they care about is that you're present and that you're making time for them exclusively. They grow so quickly, and someday, they're not going to want to play with Legos or marble runners anymore. Don't look at playtime as an inconvenience or an interruption of the projects you want to get done. Appreciate those moments and make them happen. I know I'm going to try harder to do that this week, and I invite you to join in with me!
Now before you get all choked up and teary-eyed and rush to your kid's room to demand that they play with you RIGHT NOW, stop by these other lovely mama's blogs and see what they have to say about their kiddos and toys!
8
Why my kiddos need so many toys, I don't know, and how we keep accumulating toys when I regularly go through and throw out or giveaway the ones we don't use anymore, is a total mystery. In fact, poor Alexa didn't even get any real toys for her birthday because we are practically swimming in them (she got a book and some homemade sock puppets instead #momoftheyear).
Anyway, when it comes to toys and interests, I feel like my kids have A MILLION! And they go through phases, although there are a few that hold true like coloring, painting, playing pretend with beanie babies, and the doll house that was mine when I was a kid. But the best toys are the ones that mom and dad have an interest in playing with, too, because when it comes to play time, most kid's favorite toys are their parents.
So here are a few of our favorite toys to play with together:
DUPLO LEGOS | MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS - we like to create farms, make towns, towers, sort colors, etc. and who doesn't want to be a part of a band?
MARBLE RUNNER - seriously. so fun.
BOOKS - my kids love a good story and this 5 minute star wars story book is definitely one that I don't mind reading often!
PAINTING | ART - we like to paint with water colors, or just color with crayons. it's especially fun when we draw pictures for other people!
BLOCK TRAIN - Barrett loves sucking on all the different shape, color, and size blocks and it's fun for the older girls to switch up the blocks and wheel it around, too!
SNAPCHAT - duh.
ACTION FIGURES | BEANIE BABIES - i love listening to their imaginations and different voices as they play with + speak for their little characters and be honest... you still have your beanie babies, don't you?
This pic seriously CRACKS ME UP! You never know how your kiddo's going to react to a new situation! It wasn't too long ago that this reaction to the game that Andrew and I both love more than any other would have got me down, but that's a post for another day. Let's just say, my expectations aren't set to "perfect" anymore, and that's been good for me and my daughter.
As for the "Mommy Style" part of this post, I'd say the best style you can sport when playing with your kids is your bright-eyed smile (or goofy face), because kids don't care what you're wearing. All they care about is that you're present and that you're making time for them exclusively. They grow so quickly, and someday, they're not going to want to play with Legos or marble runners anymore. Don't look at playtime as an inconvenience or an interruption of the projects you want to get done. Appreciate those moments and make them happen. I know I'm going to try harder to do that this week, and I invite you to join in with me!
I do have to say that these overalls are def one of my staple pieces and perfect for playtime with all those pockets! I'm a fan.
Now before you get all choked up and teary-eyed and rush to your kid's room to demand that they play with you RIGHT NOW, stop by these other lovely mama's blogs and see what they have to say about their kiddos and toys!
Kiana | Glitter & Donuts
Madeline | CaseyLand
Jessica | Mason Jars and Lemon Bars
Britt | My Little Sunshine
Juli | Journey of J^3
Chelsea | Tessa Marie
Monica | It's All About
Melissa | The Frolics of Mama Llama
And if you want to join in on the collaboration next time, be sure to stop by Kiana or Madeline's blogs to signup! It's really fun. You should do it.
Good luck this week! Hopefully it's full of fun and quality time with your family because put those two things together, and you've got Heaven.
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Service Ideas for you and your Toddler | Yellow Quakies
August 19, 2016
the honey bear on the table has absolutely nothing to do with this post.
This post has been compensated by Yellow Quakies. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This post has been compensated by Yellow Quakies. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A few weeks ago, Chelsea had kinda a rough day at church. It's true! She has those days, believe-it-or-not. ;) I was sitting in the third hour of my church meetings (Relief Society) and I heard wailing out in the hall. Of course, I recognized it as my daughter's, so I went out there to take care of things. Chelsea was sitting on her teacher's lap, her arms restrained, screaming her head off. I mean, this was wailing and gnashing-of-teeth-level, guys.
Turned out that Chelsea lost it because she really wanted to sit by her little friend in class, but her teacher (who had been suffering from a migraine all weekend, poor woman!) had said no because they were disrupting the class, and that was just totally unacceptable to Chelsea that day!
As you can imagine, I was feeling pretty bad for the teacher, and I felt like if I didn't do something, this experience would turn Chelsea against her teacher and put a HUGE strain on the relationship to the point where we'd have these kind of meltdowns weekly. So I decided that Chelsea and I would do something about it!
photo c/o Chelsea's teacher who still doesn't know it was us! shhhhhhh...
We heart-attacked her! Well, it wasn't totally a heart-attack because Chelsea wanted stars and flowers, and suns, too. The funny looking little man was my idea :)
I decided that I wanted to experience that warmth with Chelsea more often and so, have made it a Sunday tradition! I call it "Service Sunday!"
The hardest part of Service Sunday is coming up with the service activity. Luckily, I know a number of fabulous moms (you fabulous moms in my FB mom support group!) and @servetogether who helped me out! So here are a couple of ideas that I came up with myself, + some from my mom friends!
Heart-Attack someone's door
Bake cookies for someone
Color a picture for someone
Write a letter to someone - we have a couple of cousins on missions we love to write to!
Make a "Just Because" card for someone (click for printable front and inside - print front, then flip paper over to print the inside)
my printer wasn't working for some reason, but i wasn't going to let THAT stop us!
Go visit a nursing home
Go to a food pantry
Take flowers to someone
Take sandwiches to the homeless, or just sit and talk a while
Have a FREE lemonade stand!
So often it's not how you serve, but who you serve. Try doing some of these projects for your local police department! Those guys have been catching A LOT of flack recently.
I'll definitely put some activities on repeat, but I also don't want it to get old.
This necklace from Yellow Quakies will forever be a reminder for me and my kids (especially Chelsea) that when we give service, our hearts are full.
Good luck this week, friends! Go find someone to serve, and make sure to stop by Yellow Quakies - @yellowquakies - to say hello and see what else she has available! I am currently crushing on her Custom Couple pieces!
P.S. Chelsea was WONDERFUL in class the next week!
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PinkBlush GIVEAWAY + Mom must-haves for Sunday
July 29, 2016
This post has been compensated by PinkBlush. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Anybody with a toddler understands that the Sabbath being a "day of rest" doesn't apply to them the way it used to. In my church, we meet for three hours. You read that right. Three. Hours. Every. Sunday. One of those hours is spent sitting in the same spot the entire time listening to somebody else talk. If you think that sounds hard, imagine how the kids feel!
The reason I do it is because I believe it's true and renewing the promises I made with God when I was baptized all those years ago helps me to remember Him throughout the week and do better.
But I'll be the first to tell you that it's no picnic! There's a lot of compelling, reminding, and distracting involved. It's hard to ask a little one to sit still and quiet for a whole hour. That's why I bring a Mary Poppins bag full of distractions (and sit by an amazing older couple that helps)!
So here are some of the Stange Family must-haves for Sunday!
For kiddies:
Water bottles
Hand sanitizer
Diapers and Wipes
Changing pad
LIMITED number/amount of toys
Coloring
I try to avoid bringing snacks, but I've definitely been known to bring them when I've been desperate, and religious related coloring books and toys are preferable, but if it's a choice between fighting with my kid right before it's time to go to church or letting them take the princess coloring book, I'll let them take the princess one.
For mama:
Gum
Chapstick
(I'm not as high maintenance as my kiddos)
And if you're a nursing mama like me, a nursing friendly dress is a MUST! Like this one from PinkBlush!
As a mom of three, I have a healthy appreciation for clothes that are cute and fit perfectly while you're pregnant and when you're nursing. Unfortunately, they're not always easy to come by, which is why I often sew my own clothing.
PinkBlush is the exception!
PinkBlush is a women's online boutique, especially equipped for women who are pregnant or nursing. Their clothing is practical, trendy, and high-quality, making it perfect for the modern-day-mom!
If I didn't teach the 16 and 17-year-olds who tend to notice things like clothes re-wearing, I'd don this dress every Sunday. Not only is it perfectly convenient for nursing (and very cute), it also passes the comfort-test with flying colors! It's made with a stretchy spandex fabric that gives good stretch but still resumes its original shape, so you don't have to worry about the fabric sagging over time.
I'm regularly a size small, but I decided on a size medium because I plan on wearing this dress next time I'm pregnant, but with how stretchy the fabric is, I'm sure I would have been fine with a small (*read "true to size.")
My kids love this dress almost as much as I do! They love how soft and stretchy it is, and they especially love that they can hide under it and make me a centaur! I would have taken a picture and posted it here had it not been a little questionable in taste ;)
Anyway, the point is, it's kid friendly.
And now, for the...
GIVEAWAY!!!
PinkBlush is offering one of my followers a $50 giftcard on any item in their shop! They have so much goodness available in their store (SO many cute dresses for women!) PinkBlush has something for you whether you're pregnant, nursing, or somewhere inbetween! To enter, follow me on instagram (@suesnews), and look for the giveaway post! Follow the directions from there and I'll announce the winner on Monday!
Good luck!
I don't understand it, but somehow, this four-year-old looks better in my sunglasses than I do.
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