pregnancy brain?

I think I need some help... I've heard of pregnancy brain where you forget things, you're scattered and you're just plain (I give you permission to gasp) blonde (no offense to anyone blonde). If I was still pregnant I would use that excuse with style. Not sure that makes sense... but I would. However, I'm not pregnant anymore so that excuse gets thrown out the window. But I feel like I have pregnancy brain times a thousand. That may seem like an exaggeration, maybe it is, but it doesn't change how I feel. I am almost the dumbest person I know. Almost. Not kidding. I make up words, I am super forgetful and I'm extremely scatter-brained. Not only that, but sometimes I find myself drifting when I'm trying to listen to someone tell a story, and my brain jumps from one subject to the next with increasing speed.

Just the other day I was talking to Sean, I was trying to describe "dying of thirst" but instead I said "dying of water loss." Yes, you read that right. Then later I was trying to say "possessive" and instead said "possessional" and I was utterly confused when Sean started smirking. I was certain that was a word. I'm sure I've done this other times too... and it's embarrassing. If you've talked with me recently and you've heard me make up a word, I commend you for not laughing but I apologize for being so dumb.

Not only do I make up words and think they're real, I also forget... What was I saying? Just kidding. I'm not that bad. I did have an interesting experience on Monday though. I went to Walmart to do some light shopping, was there for about a half hour, probably walked up every aisle, and not in any order, for only 5 items. When I finally made it to the checkout, after waiting in line behind 2 people, the girl scanned 3 of my items before I realized I didn't have my wallet (sigh). Luckily they just took everything to customer service so I could pay for it after I retrieved my wallet from home. And thank goodness I only live about 5 minutes away.

Now I haven't even mentioned the scatter-brained part. Boy oh boy.... I can't seem to get anything done. I start out picking up the bedroom, I see a cup and take it to the kitchen. I notice dishes in the sink and I start doing them. I then see mail on the table that needs to be put away, so I stop doing the dishes and start going through the mail. I see a bill that needs to be paid so I take it to the computer. While in the computer room I remember I need to write an email. By the time I finish that, Allie is waking up. I go get her and I see the bedroom that is half cleaned. So I start all over. And it's very tiring.

How do I fix this problem? Do you lose brain power when you have a child? Help!

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Ah, the internet

Blogs are so much fun.

With the internet growing in popularity,
and sites like Facebook and Twitter and all those other social networks
popping up everywhere it's easy to get lost in the little snippets of
what people are doing at the very second. Don't get me wrong, I'm addicted to Facebook (like most people, I hope…) and I recently discovered Twitter and I love it! I only use it for the business aspect, though. It's a great way to promote my photography and connect with other photographers.
But there's nothing like sitting down and reading someone's blog. People
open up more in their blogs, you get more details and you get to know
the person more. You get more of the Who, What, Where, Why, and How questions answered, and that tends to be a bit more interesting. It
also exposes you to different writing styles, and I love that!

I started my blog because I wanted
a better way to let everyone (that cares) know what I'm up to. It's
fun for me to write about an experience and then share pictures. I then started my photography blog because I wanted a good (and free) way to show everyone my work and direct people who are looking for a photographer to my portfolio. Why do you blog? Is it for the social aspect? For sharing what you and your family are up to? Or is it for a business?

I mentioned before how I use Twitter to connect with other photographers. I have been able to find some great people and read their blogs and see their work, and in turn have been able to direct people to my site and my work. It's all about exposure. And now that I've quit my job (more on that in a different post), I
need to promote my photography even more and I feel like Twitter is
a great way to do that.

I realize this post is a bit out there
and somewhat random, and I don't know what compelled me to even write it…I think I just want to try something new. And a blog is
pretty much an online journal, right?

What social networks do you use? Have you found relevant businesses with it? Are you even interested in looking at business's Facebook/Twitter pages? Or do you purely use it for social interaction with friends?

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Saving money

Today's tip is a fun one that helps me to save lots of money (something I won't have much of now that I've quit my job).

The internet is a great tool these days and I've learned of some really awesome websites to help find the best deals around. one of my favorites is www.moneysavingmom.com . She'll post links to current deals and give a preview of the product or store. If you're on Facebook, look her up! She's always keeping up with the hottest deals around.

Also check out www.dealseekingmom.com . She finds great coupons and free items (I love free!) and other awesome deals. She's on Facebook and Twitter too.

Another great website is www.mamabargains.com . They have contracts with dozens of companies to sell their products for greatly reduced prices. Just recently they sold a box of Luvs diapers for $6 (plus shipping). I've never seen diapers for that cheap!! They post one deal at a time until it's sold out so you have to check back often or you miss out. Look them up on Facebook and Twitter to get frequent updates.

If you buy produce (and who doesn't?) you need to check out www.bountifulbaskets.org. They are a unique company selling produce for cheap! It's all fresh and mostly local (where available) and it offers major bang for your buck. It's growing in popularity but currently only available in Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming, Washington and Texas.

I also receive daily emails from www.pinchingyourpennies.com where they post great deals and coupon codes for online shopping from popular companies like American Eagle, Kohls, Children's Place, 6pm, and many more. Find them on Facebook or sign up for the daily emails (or both! I do).

With so many websites and more popping up everyday, why would you ever pay full price for anything again? Check them out. I promise you won't be disappointed!

Tip of the day

When you're planning for a baby, the "to get" list can get quite long and overwhelming. If you've never had a baby before, it is very difficult to know which items you can pass up and which ones are absolutely necessary. Fortunately, you at least get one baby shower, sometimes more, to help narrow down the list. But even after all the wonderful gifts (all those the adorable clothes and blankets) there are usually quite a few more practical things to buy. The above picture is of the Leachco Pillow, similar to the Boppy Pillow but cheaper and with a built in strap for safety. It's great for tummy time, or for cuddling baby when you need a break, or for support while nursing. My little angel loves her pillow! And so does mommy! I don't know what we'd do without it. Not only will she use it for tummy time but it's great at supporting her while she learns to sit up on her own. And it's great for nap time too. My baby is perfection as a night sleeper (yes I'm very blessed), but if I want her to get a decent nap during the day it has to be in this pillow. Try laying her her crib for a nap and she'll only sleep 20 minutes if I'm lucky. Lay her in her pillow and she'll sleep for hours! Yes please! This pillow is a definite must-have!

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Work work work...

I started back to work last Thursday. It was pure torture. It still is. Before I got pregnant I would think about having a baby and going back to work after and I would think "it will be hard, but it will be fine." But now? I don't agree at all. It's the hardest thing I've ever done.

It is amazing how much changes when you become a mother. My sleeping pattern has changed, I now have to get up early to make sure everything is ready for her. My thought process has changed, I have to think of her and her needs. I've become almost completely selfless.... Almost :). And let's not forget how much my body has changed. I'm sure you don't want to know the details, but oh my has my body changed. I've entered into a whole new realm of learning too. Learning to correctly change a diaper (oh yes there is a right way...), and what her cries mean, how she likes to sleep, when she likes to eat, what songs she likes me to sing... I could go on and on. A lot of this stuff is baby specific, but there are also many general things to learn. That's where other mothers really come in handy! I've learned some cool things and I'm going to pass on my knowledge so others can benefit. I'm going to start giving a tip a day.

...................

Here's todays tip:

When baby's diaper leaks and stains her clothes, don't fear! No fancy stain remover is needed. Just rinse it with water and let in dry in the sun. Sunlight magically gets rid of baby poop! Amazing!

Tune in for more tips. And I'll apologize now if you already know these things. I didn't, and I find them really cool and exciting! Bear with me as I fumble through motherhood.

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