Blog Posts by LilSugar

Hospital bills, wardrobes, and gear for baby can cost a small fortune but it doesn't have to! Check out these ten budgeting tips to ensure that your growing baby bump does not lead to a diminishing bank account.

• Open Your Arms to Hand-Me-Downs - It's tempting to want to put your newborn bundle of joy in only new clothes and gear, but accepting hand-me-downs is an easy way to cut costs dramatically. It's also a good idea to check the Consumer Product Safety Commission for any used gear you acquire that may have been recalled.
• Clean Up With Baby Showers - Buying baby gifts is one of the small joys in life. Pregnant women are showered with gifts for their upcoming arrival and it's a big financial help for expecting moms and dads. Register for goods you need, and don't be afraid to return those that you don't.
• Go Neutral - Plan on having baby number two or three in the future? Even if your first born is a girl, you may not want to stock her closet with everything

As a parent I've come to terms with the fact that my little ones will frequently bring tears to my eyes. I'm a crybaby and I'm okay with it. I had the tissue ready for when she went off to preschool or said momma for the first time, but some events brought on the waterworks without warning. Here's my weepy bittersweet look at five unexpected times new moms can expect to cry.

• First Shots - It's almost inevitable that your lil one will shriek when she gets her shots, but a new mom may also be brought to tears to see and hear her baby's discomfort. Don't be surprised if you cry more than your bundle of joy the first time she's getting poked.
• First Tooth - The first tooth is exciting - I couldn't wait to see my tot's pearly whites. However, I broke down into tears once I felt the sharp chomper poking through - another delightful sign that she was growing up way too fast.
• First Moves - Crawling and walking are monumental milestones in a tot's life. Once your little

The entrance into parenthood is a mixed bag - excitement, love, adrenaline and anxiety are just a few of the emotions most parents will experience. New moms are driven by the unknown and typically want to do everything right but when the second baby comes along, many a mom admits to asking, "What was I thinking?" Here are a few things that I wish I would have known before having my first child.

• Trust Your Intuition - Many new moms are afraid of trusting their own intuition and seek advice from anyone willing to dish it out. Instead of waiting for the pediatrician to give the go ahead on every little thing, second time moms are more comfortable going with their gut.
• Ask and Take Help - Many first time moms hesitate accepting a helping hand. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it, and if someone says they want to give you a break, graciously take them up on it.
• Dad Is Not Mom - Many new mamas can stare at their newborn breathing and be in total awe. New

A pregnant woman is expected to gain anywhere from 11 to 40 pounds, depending on her weight before carrying her child. Unless they're breaking records, most babies aren't tipping the scales past 10 pounds so what is causing all the extra weight? Ice cream and pizza aside, we've detailed where expecting mamas can anticipate the extra baggage to come from during those nine blissful months.

• 2-3 Pounds For Breast Tissue - An expecting mama may notice a little extra va-va-voom in her chest weeks before her baby bump makes an appearance. That's because around 2-3 pounds of pregnancy weight is in the breast tissue, giving pregnant women their coveted cleavage.
• 2-3 Pounds For Placenta - This vital organ during pregnancy supplies the fetus with oxygen, food, and allows fetal waste to be disposed, but it also accounts for about 2-3 pounds during pregnancy.
• 4 Pounds For Increased Blood Volume - A pregnant woman's blood volume increases by a hefty amount and can add four

Potty trained tots may go all day without an accident, but nighttime poses a whole new set of challenges - even for the kiddos who've been using the toilet for years. Unlike adults, children are not always able to wake-up to use the restroom and so accidents happen. Until baby gets through the night with dry underpants, try these tips for battling bedwetting.

• Use the Bathroom Before Bed - It's a good habit to teach your child to use the bathroom before turning in for the night. You'll feel more comfortable knowing her bladder is empty, and she'll love an excuse to stall her bedtime even more.
• It's Not a Problem Until It Is - Bedwetting is completely normal in most kids under the age of five. If anything, it may be more of a nuisance to mamas washing the sheets every night. If your child does not seem to be bothered by soiling the bed, don't make it more of a big deal than it is. Most kiddos do grow out of it by the age of six.
• Try Potty Wake-Up Calls - Some

Busy bees have got nothing on mothers. There are not enough hours in the day or hands in the house for most mamas to accomplish all of her tasks. While she can't magically add another 60 minutes to her day, she can make it feel like she did with a few of these easy time-saving tips.

• Stock Up on Gifts - Save yourself from needing to run out at the last minute to grab a hostess gift or any other little notion you may want to hand out. Keep small gifts, bottles of wine, and cards on hand so that all you have to do is grab and go.
• Get Online - Cross things off your to-do list without having to go anywhere. Log on to pay bills, stock up on gear for your tot, and keep tabs on your bank accounts with the speedy touch of a finger.
• Double Duty Dinners - Preparing meals for the family can be timely. From picking up all the ingredients, to cooking and cleaning up after you've finished, it's no wonder many mamas dread dinner duty. Doubling up your recipes and using the

As the pools close down and the heat comes to a halt, so does our repertoire of Summer activities. Hang up your swimsuits and get ready for Autumn! Enjoy the changing seasons, while keeping a little extra change in your pockets with these five budget friendly activities for Fall.

• Free Classes - Many spots such as Gymboree offer free trials of their organized classes. It's a fun way to keep your tot busy and meet other moms and kids, all while not spending a dime - unless of course you decide to join the class. Check online for free classes near you.
• Pick Your Own - Pack up the kids to pick up some fruits or veggies at a pick your own farm. You'll love the nominal fee and they'll get a kick out of finding the perfect pumpkin for carving or apples for making pie. Check your local listings at pickyourown.org.
• Parks and Playgrounds - The park is a good free option in almost any season, but especially in the Fall. Most of the big kids are back-to-school, which means

Sometimes, older is better. Toys do not have to be powered by batteries, controllers, and electricity to be a lot of fun. In fact, many knickknacks that current moms and dads grew up with required nothing more than a hearty imagination. Take a nostalgic look at some classic playthings that have stood the test of time and would make memorable additions to any modern day toy box.

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