Tip Tuesday: A GOOD Hotel in the Minneapolis Area

This past weekend my family and I went on an impromptu trip to Minneapolis. We wanted to look at furniture at IKEA and take the kids to the Mall of America. I went on hotels.com looking for a room that was nice, inexpensive and close to the mall.

I was lucky enough to book a Hampton Inn and Suites, only .5 miles from the mall and included free wireless, a pool and free breakfast for only $99 a night. But it was worth so much more.

First off, we got there late and they hadn't given our room away (like my husband feared). The beds were SO soft. The next morning, breakfast was awesome. Scrambled eggs, waffles, yogurt, cereal, doughnuts, bagels, sausages, apple and orange juice and milk...it was great.

We spent all day (7 hours) at the Mall of America. When we returned, the kids were pleased to see their "babies" (fluffy the dog, Buzz Lightyear and Cabbage Patch doll) lined up on their made bed. We decided to hit the pool--just to wear the kids out a bit more. After the pool, I asked the front desk for a place they could suggest for pizza. They handed me a flier for a local pizza joint with coupons! SCORE! I also asked if it would be possible to wash out the kids cups (we had bought at the Disney Store). Not only did they let me use their kitchen area to wash out the cups, they also informed me that I could get milk from the kitchen area for the kids!

The next morning, breakfast didn't disappoint. They had added French Toast Sticks to the menu. YUM! With a family of five, free breakfast saves us at least $40/day!

Check out was a breeze...and they offered late check out of 11 AM. Next time we go to Minneapolis, we'll be sure to stay at the Hampton Inn and Suites near the Airport/Mall of America.

Salvation Sunday: God can use anyone!

So this morning, I was reading about the story of Moses from the Bible. You remember the Israelite leader who delivered his people from Egyptian slavery to a land of promise. I came to the part of the story where a young Moses killed an Egyptian before running to the wilderness to hide.

The story then proceeded to go on as God picked Moses to lead His chosen people out of Egypt. Through this story I was once more reminded how God can take anyone or any evil and turn it into something good.

Just think. Moses was a murderer and yet God chose him to be His leader. I find this fascinating not because it is an excuse for bad behavior but because God takes ordinary people, offers mercy, and calls them into a life of service. The story reveals God's way of grace. He reminds us that we cannot achieve redemption on our own but rather through total obedience and surrender turn our lives around for His glory.

I think it is interesting that the Bible also mentions that Moses ran away to hide from Pharaoh. This is like running away from God after we sinned. God can still find us wandering in the wilderness, right where we are at, and pick us up to redeem us. So why bother hiding.

No one is exempt if we are willing to follow. Other examples in the Bible include Abraham, David, and Paul. Abraham was an old man with a past history of false god worship. David was a murderer and an adulterer. Paul condemned Christians who walked in faith. All these stories prove that God can take the least unexpected person and turn their lives around. How unlikely that these people be chosen in the first place, right?

And why were they chosen by God. First, they represent that nothing is impossible by God; God chooses the most unlikely scenario/person so that we know that it is not the man who made it successful but God who made it successful. Second, they point to God's fulfillment of grace; God forgives sin not matter how bad a past or sin can be. And last, they bring glory to God and His perfect plan.

Our response must be that of repentance and openness to God's working in our lives. Then we follow in obedience, stepping out in faith. Only then can we be used by God.

Toy Thursday: Homemade Doodle Board

Judah and I have been playing with our homemade doodle board the last few days to pass the time. This is another activity that can be used simply for fun or to add as a tool for learning. It is super easy to put together and the results are endless.

I found the idea off of Pinterest at the Hippie Housewife. To make our own though I used washable finger paints in a Ziploc freezer bag taped down by clear packing tape onto our plastic table cloth (use blue painter's tape directly to wood table). To do this I poured a generous amount of primary colors into the different areas of the bag. We noticed the more paint you use the more fun you have. Before taping the bag down, I smoothed out any and all air bubbles. I used a light color piece of paper underneath to brighten the background and to catch any messes that may happen. Then I sealed the edges of the paper and the bag off with packing tape.


Judah understood the concept right away as he mixed the colors together like finger painting only mess free. To make designs, you take your finger and draw lines through the paint. To erase your drawings, just lightly smooth out the paint. This is how we doodled our letters and shapes as well as made hand prints. Judah then pretended it was mud and drove his trucks over the bags for road effects.

We left the doodle boards up for several days so that Judah could go back to it to play. We did have one scratch and I simply taped over it with clear packing tape. The colors mixed together. Since the paint remained wet inside the bag, you could totally undo the doodle board and use the paint for a real finger paint project.

Tip Tuesday: Check list for New Baby

Since I am almost week 36 pregnant, I decided it is time to go through a check-list for the new baby. Here is a list I used from a friend during my first pregnancy I thought I would review. And of course, based on my previous experience, I took some away and added a few other items. Please share from your own experiences what items you would include or not include and why.

These are the must have items you should have before baby arrives.

1. Crib with at least 2 sets of crib sheets and waterproof pads. You do not need a bumper or a baby positioner for baby as they are unsafe.
2. Mobile to hang over crib
3. Chest of drawers
4. Diaper pail, Diaper Genie for disposables
5. Changing table with a changing pad and 2 pad covers
   
6. A good night light
7. A clock with indigo light to see what time it is in the wee morning hours
8. A comfy rocking chair
9. Lots of receiving blankets. Consider the size of the swaddle blankets as the ones in the store are way too small for swaddling. Also I could not have done without my Halo Sleepsacks which relieved nighttime fears of blankets falling over babies face.
   
10. Boppy pillow or I actually prefer My Best Friend Delux (for post-Ceseran recovery as it sits high above your incision and allows you the ability to do several feeding positions).
    
11. A vibrating bouncy chair
12. Diaper cream, Infant Tylenol, Infant Gas Drops, and safety and hygiene kit with an Emory board and nail clippers and a working thermometer.
13. Baby bath tub and baby wash clothes/towels for tub.
    
14. Diaper bag or I actually prefer a baby back pack to free your hands when unloading the car.
    
15. Breast pump if you are pumping - If you do not work outside the home, I would consider a Medela Swing Pump as it is convenient to store in your diaper bag for traveling. Then consider renting a double pump machine for the first few weeks after your hospital stay until your milk production goes down to allow you to store enough milk in the freezer. When you rent a machine, you will buy brand new tubes (which you will need for you own machine anyways) making it totally sanity.
    
16. Breast pads - I like the disposable Johnson and Johnson cotton inserts that fit into your bra so you do not leak all over.
    
17. Lanisol cream for you breast if you are breast feeding
    
18. Breast milk storage bags and marker
    
19. 4 - 6 ounce bottles (if breast feeding) - Most lactation consultants at the hospital start you on a certain brand like Avent. Take your cue from them before purchasing your own set of bottles as babies respond differently to the different nipples.
    
20. A container for the dishwasher to wash bottles and drying rack for bottles that sits on the counter. We also used our bottle warmer quite often on our second story but not that it is not necessary to have.
    
21. Stroller based on your needs - I recommend a jogger if you exercise frequently. Otherwise, consider one that fits with your car seat for daily use. Remember to make sure that it fits in the trunk of your car and you can open it with one hand as you may have the kid on the other.
    
22. Car seat - I would recommend getting a car seat base for each of your cars. Never buy a used car seat because you do not know if it has been in an accident or meets all the safety requirements. Also, keep in mind after a number of years, your car seat will actually expire and by kid number three you may need to buy a new seat.
    
23. A car seat cover for the winter.
    
24. Baby monitor - We prefer a video monitor that we can hook up our smart phone and computer too.
    
25. A sling to carry baby around.
    
26. 2-3 nursing bras - I suggest not buying them until right before your due date as your bust size does change. Consider getting fitted at your local hospital boutique before leaving for home to find the most comfortable size and fit. I prefer Bravado Designs as they were the most comfortable with the back pain I experienced my cesarean.
    
27. 1-2 pacifiers
28. 2-3 packages of 0-3 month onsies
29. 3-4 packages of 3-6 month onsies
30. 2-5 pairs of pants
31. baby socks
32. baby hat
33. 4-5 sleepers - I like the nightgowns for newborns as it is easier to change their diapers
34. Baby book and/or first year calendar - I like to have them available at the hospital to do an extra set of footprints directly into the baby book.
    
35. Outfit to bring baby home from the hospital as well as comfortable clothes for mom to go home in. I suggest a dress or skirt for post-ceserean if you incision is still painful and sore.
    
36. Burp Clothes
37. Diapers - I recommend the Pampers Swaddles for newborns because the yellow line changes colors after the diaper has been wet.
    

These Items are really nice to have on hand but I recommend borrowing them from a friend or family member for storage reasons. Please note that each baby is different and may not always take to one of these items anyways.

1. Bassinet and bassinet sheets
   
2. A swing

These items are nice to have or again borrow but you do not need them right away.

1. Exersaucer
2. Baby Bjorn
3. Exercise/play mat
4. High chair
5. Pack and play
6. Bath toys
7. CDs of lullabies
8. Toys- rattles, teethers, blocks, rings, books
9. Cute lamp for the nursery

Things to do before baby arrives

1. Chose a pediatrician before baby arrives
   
2. Try and get your nursery done before you are 7 months pregnant
3. Make meals to freeze
4. Stock up on 1-2 months worth of : toilet paper, paper towels, soap, shampoo, razors, 1month supply of maxi pads (with wings), dish soap, diapers and wipes, rice/pasta, frozen vegetables, bread (can freeze), etc.
5. Consider hiring a cleaning service
   
6. Consider buying a digital camera, video recorder
7. Consider a mini vacation before your bundle of joy arrives
8. Starting thinking about who might babysit for you
9. Have the car seat bases installed a few weeks before you are due
10. Get thank yous done before baby arrives if possible
11. If you think you might need daycare, start looking now
12. Start looking at places where you might want to get baby pictures taken
13. Wash all baby clothes in gentle detergent prior to having baby
    

Salvation Sunday: Thankful for Our Readers

Believe it or not, Mommy's Recess is International. Occasionally I'll check the stats of our blog and was surprised at how many people from different Countries read our blog.

In the last month alone, our stats, broken down by Country are below.

United States 5,882

China 216

United Kingdom 184

Canada 142

Russia 114

Ukraine 97

Germany 79

Philippines 58

Australia 53

India 43

Wow. This is only ONE MONTH of posts. Awesome. We are so thankful for our readers! Thank you all for reading and making Mommy's Recess a success!