I Finally Did The One Thing I've Regretted For So Long

One thing is for sure about my family, we are not your average family. Between the Australian dad, the off-the-charts wild and brilliant kid, and me, the certifiable, outspoken and outgoing crazy mom from Miami, there's never dull moment. Never.

What's more, getting any one of us to sit still, listen and smile for more than a second is impossible. I know, I've tried. For this reason, I could never get professional photos taken of my family. Which, I have regretted for so long.

I absolutely love the professional newborn photos of sweet hands, toes and button nose, yet, never did it for my son.

I absolutely love those sweet family photos, taken in the park or on the beach, or in a studio with the ultra cute family wearing a matching tops, huddled together in a sweet embrace. Yet, never pressed the issue for my family.

Sure, I have thought about getting professional photos taken. I have looked at countless Living Social and Groupon deals for photographers. Then, I think about how the actual photo shoot would go.

FTD: Really?  I have to wear this stupid shirt and sit and smile for an hour?  This sucks.

Ollie: If you want me to wear that shirt, catch me. Oh, and good luck keeping it clean, because I plan to wreck it before we get into the car.

Me: Screw it.

Then, last weekend, while in Florida, a dear friend, who doubles as the best photographer in Orlando, Jessika Kazaros, says, Why don't we do a family photo shoot on the beach.



Immediately, I thought of all the false barriers I put up when I think of a, "family photo shoot". Still, this was a huge opportunity, and not one to pass up.

So, after much thought of what we will wear, the poses we should do, and the perfect backdrop of the beach, I decided the best thing to do would be, wing it. That morning, I let the boys pick out their clothes while I threw on a bathing suit and tossed my hair in a braid. I didn't even put on make-up.

Once we got to the beach, Jessika pulled out her camera, and told us to ignore her and have fun.

Which, we did.

Every once in a while she would ask us to pose in a fun, natural way or do something photo worthy as a family.

Three days later, the photos arrived in my inbox.

I cried.

I laughed.

I loved every single one. Even the ones where I looked like a blimp crashed on the beach. These were beautiful photos taken during an amazing family day. They were so good, it reaffirmed my belief that my family had no business posing in matching shirts. That's not us. Playing around and being silly on the beach, is.



Jessika, magically froze those moments in time, in the most beautiful way. I will forever be thankful for that day with my family.

I cannot recommend enough that you do this. Frolic, have fun and make memories as a family, all while having the moments frozen in time.

If you are going to Orlando, or already live there, and want to have Jessika Kazaros, the best family photographer in Orlando, capture your family on the beach, or wherever, check out her website, here. (More of our photos are on it!)

Oh, and tell her April sent you for 10% off your photo shoot!

Help Stop the Downfall of Family Time

Today, I'm turning over the blog to Michael Peggs for an incredibly important cause-Saving family time.

It’s harsh, but true. Quality family time has been dying a slow death over recent decades. In an age of high speed communications, globalization and gender parity, we’re constantly forced to perform better, work harder, handle more; because if we fail to do so, there’s always someone around waiting to step into our shoes. With the worst maternity leave on the planet along with Oman and Papua New Guinea, many American women are forced to go back to their jobs after just six weeks of bonding with their little ones.

Those who decide to stay at home may find that economic pressures or a need to put years of study and experience to proper use impulses to return to the labor force, where they will not be given flexibility for parent/teacher meetings, sick children or birthday parties. According to the BBC, family life is under growing strain, as parents are continually forced to put their work before their children.

While it sounds rather depressing and you probably can’t do too much to change legislation or a competitive labor market, you can be aware of it and do your best to help stop the death of family time completely. Make sure that when you are together with your family, the time you spend is quality time. Put your smartphone away. Set limits for yourself regarding work and other distractions, and make sure you don’t lose contact with your kids, or let distant relatives slip out of touch completely.

Starting a project together is a great way to keep everyone connected. And what better project to start than one designed to unite the whole family, from far and near? You may be under a blizzard of paperwork or your days simply pass by in the blink of an eye, but take action and make sure that your children know who their relatives are and how important family is.

Create a family reunion website. In just a few minutes you can access a whole online portal and design it around you and your family to propose a family reunion. Invite all family members and get them to contribute to the page with photos and latest news. Choose a place to meet and make sure that everyone gets lots of advance notice so that they can accommodate their schedules.

It might sound like a lot of work, but if you share the task with all family members and you sit down with your kids while you work on choosing the best family reunion games and the prettiest decorations, you will be rewarded tenfold by the excitement you build up in everyone involved and the invaluable lesson you teach your children about the importance of family.

Even if you can’t physically bring people together because of distance, cost, or any other reason, family websites are still a great way to unite your family and spend quality time with your kids while sharing precious memories with the people you love.

Author Bio: Michael Peggs is the founder of content marketing agency and SEO agency Marccx Media, where they specialize in SEO and Content Marketing. Before Marcxx, Peggs worked at Google in business development, forming digital media and advertising partnerships. He is also a blogger and podcaster, hosting the iTunes Top 10 New & Noteworthy podcast You University – The Personal Branding Podcast.

This Is The Ultimate Way To Honor Your Baby

Two years ago, I received what would become a life-changing email. The email was from a PR agent asking if I would share an open call for letters for the upcoming book, A Letter To My Mom; the third book in the, "A Letter To...", series-- a collection of personally-crafted letters written by people from all walks of life, including celebrities, everyday people and kids.

Being that the book was going to honor amazing women, I was more than happy to share the opportunity with my community. I even wrote a letter to my mom and published it on the blog with the open call. 

I nearly died when I received the email a few weeks later that my letter was being considered for the book. After a few nail biting months, the email I'd been waiting for came, my letter was going to be published in the book. 

The greatest honor of my writing career, so far, also honored my mother. 

Magic. 

It was pure magic.

Letters from Melissa Rivers, Shania Twain, will.i.am, Christy Turlington, Kristin Chenoweth, and Sarah Duchess of York and many other celebrities are published in the book. I'm next to Dr. Phil! There's also letters from kids, and everyday people who poured out their love. That's what makes the book so beautiful, all demographics, cultures and relationships are documented.
Why am I telling you this?

Because, the opportunity has presented itself again, and this time, the open call is asking for, A Letter To My Baby!

So Exciting! DO THIS!!! I know I am. (I'll share my letter on the blog once I'm finished!)

Imagine, having a letter you wrote to your baby published in a book, that will most likely debut on the New York Times Best Seller List! What a way to honor your baby. It's like having your love etched in stone for the world to read. 

Here's How: Write a letter to your baby, then share your letter, along with any photos you would like published along side your letter, here. (Or click the banner below)

Time-Out To The Rescue

When my son turned two, to combat his typical stubborn defiant toddler behavior, we started 2-minute time-outs (TO). Since his Mother's day out program enforced time-outs as well, it worked pretty well. Most times, just the threat of a TO worked to deter naughty behavior.

Around three and a half, the little guy sort of turned a corner on being naughty. He was a delight more than not. Time-outs became less and less, until we ceased to have them. Instead, we would take a toy or tech-time away for a period of time.

Enter two weeks ago...

The kid turned the corner on craziness! He started to say, NO!, to everything, hit, kicked, ran away, or just, did it anyway--whatever 'it' was that I told him not to do or to stop doing. After a week of the over-the-top naughty behavior and stubborn assertion of his independence, I found myself exhausted and lost for a 'fix'. Taking away toys or his tablet stopped being effective. He basically laughs in my face about EVERYTHING!

It turns out, the reason you hear, 'Four is worse than three,' is because this new feeling of being a big kid takes over. Which, has clearly happened for my now four-year-old.

The truth is, I get it. After only two days of being four, the big guy walks around with a newfound proudness. He keeps announcing he is four, the proves it by doing something on his own, or telling me how he can do it on his own because he is four. He picks out his clothes for school, puts on his one shoes, helps make his breakfast, gets his own cup of water, and even picks up his toys without being asked.

He also, fights to cross the street without holding my hand, won't take a nap or have rest time with a fight, refuses to eat dinners that aren't what he wants, and won't stop doing something until he is ready, regardless of how many times he asked. Just today, when I said, No Way, to a request for candy, he found a way.

We keep his candy on the refrigerator. At least he's resourceful.

Completely drained by the crazy behavior, I called a girlfriend and said, I'm losing it over here, my awesome little guy has turned into a terror. HELP! 

That's when she said two magical words; Time Out.

I don't know why I did't think of that. I was just so shocked by the crazy behavior, I guess I thought it would go away as fast as it came. So much for that.

There is such an ebb and flow when it comes to littles. They really do need their independence to learn life skills and gain a sense of self and self-worth. Unfortunately, most of the time, it's at the expense of parent's sanity and/or patience.

Even though it's back to time-outs and battles of wits and endurance, I do see how the hard work pays off. He is such a great kid, most of the time, because I don't back down when times get tough. That's a big part of what parenting is. Taking the time to guide and nurture your child, even when it sucks.

Four, here we come.

So Far, Four Sucks.

Today, my baby turned four years old. I have been trying to write this post all day, but instead, I have been dealing with a little terror.

Photo Credit: Jessika Kazaros Photography

So far today:

1. The birthday boy Refused to take off his Star Wars Lego PJ shirt. So he wore it to school.
2. I took him to Target, where he picked out a $200 Star Wars LEGO Kit. I told him, No, you have to be 6yrs old! (We go by the age on the box. It's gotten me out of a few high price meltdowns.) He threw it down first, then melted down right next to it. The kind of meltdown that is so spoiled and obnoxious I just wanted to walk away.
3. He threw his lunch all over the car on the way home.
4. Kicked all the way to his bedroom for nap.
5. Twice kicked me.
6. REFUSED to stay in his bed for nap--I made him, which sucked because I broke my back and a hellofa sweat taking him back to bed FOUR MILLION AND ONE times.

As I type, he is sleeping. I can only hope he wakes up a brand new four year old, because the one I put to sleep is worse than a three year old!

Please, don't tell me four is worse than two and three combined. I will die. Or at the very least, need a straight jacket and padded room.

In all fairness to the birthday boy, we did just get back from four days in Florida where there was zero schedule.

About to board the Star Wars Star Tour Ride at Disney

Still, the screaming, crying, meltdowns and kicking has got to stop!

Seriously. It stops, right?

When do the toddler crazies wear off?

I love my little guy more than all the stars and moon, but I can't help but think, he's cried more today than he did the day he was born! What kind of crappy birthday is that?

Fingers crossed, he wakes up a new kind of four year old. Because, when he's not being a little crazy, he is the very best little guy I know. And even when he is being a little sh!t, I'm thankful that he is my little sh!t. I wouldn't trade him for the world.

Happy Birthday little man, mommy loves you so so so so so much. Even when you are a sleepy, naughty butthead.


UPDATE: After a 3 1/2 hour nap, the Birthday boy woke up happy, sweet and excited for his birthday. I knew his extra crazy behavior HAD to be the result of our crazy routine-less family vacation. Bottom line: Routine is still key.

Hopefully, getting back on our routine will prove that four is not so bad after all.

How To Remove and Re-do Wallpaper

From a simple block color to a fancy floral pattern, there’s a wallpaper to suit all sorts of room styles. Below are a few DIY wallpapering tips to achieve a fresh new look in your home.

Removing the Retro

Time to remove that drab, dated wallpaper before your new wallpaper of choice is applied. This can be a daunting task, but if you have the right equipment it doesn’t have to be scary. One thing that could come in very handy is a wallpaper steam stripper, which allows quick removal of the current paper with little effort. These can be purchased without breaking the bank and are ideal for wallpaper that’s tough to remove. If you’ve got some time on your hands, fabric softener mixed with water can be applied with a sponge to your walls and scraped off after about twenty minutes. If in doubt, consult a guide. Now your walls are ready for their makeover.

Prepare For Transformation

For a sleek finish that will ensure that your wallpaper lasts well into the future, it’s important to make sure your walls are treated correctly before applying new paper. Fill any holes or cracks with drywall patching compound, and smooth out any rougher areas with sandpaper. It’s also important to apply a primer or sealer to your walls, which will prepare your walls to bond securely with the paper.

Operation Application

Once you've gone through the process of selecting the perfect wallpaper to suit your style (we know how long a process this can be!) it's time for the all important application stage. If your walls are particularly uneven, consider hanging lining paper horizontally on the wall before the wallpaper. Be sure to calculate the length of the rolls and the size of the room to prevent any wallpaper shortages.

To apply the first strip, measure the wall and cut a strip of paper 10cm greater than the length of the wall. Place the strip face down on a papering table or surface you don't mind getting sticky, and apply a layer of wallpaper paste, allowing time for it to soak in. 

Draw a vertical line down the wall to ensure the paper is straight, and plan ahead to ensure patterns and designs on the paper match up. Now you're ready to hang your paper. Keep a steady hand and use a brush to push the paper into the corners.

Finally, mark a line where any excess paper meets the wall, peel the paper back and trim off the excess. 

Making Wallpaper Go Further

A quirky alternative to covering your walls in wallpaper can be achieved by making it an artistic feature of the room. Framed panels of leftover wallpaper can look really funky, and they require very little effort. Opt for a fun or funky pattern to add a splash of excitement to your room. 

Et voila! Your room has undergone its transformation. DIY wallpapering: no problem! 

Images by DaveBleasdale and Wicker Paradise used under Creative Commons License. 

Wanna Blog? Learn From Me, Or Have Three Blogs In 5 Years!

For the record, I never meant to be a "blogger". In fact, I didn't know the insane billion dollar industry existed until a few months into my second blog, First Time Mom And Dad.

My first blog, tiredofbeingpregnant.com, I created so I could say F*CK THIS SH!T four million times, and not have a forum full of haters calling me out. Pregnancy was hard for me. There were definitely no rainbows or unicorns. And the second I mentioned that in a pregnancy forum, I got ripped. Even told I was going to be a terrible mother. #A$$holes.

With the pregnancy blog, I stopped being pregnant, I felt like it would be silly to start writing about being a mom. So, I started FTM&D. It seemed natural, to switch to talking about parenting. So, I've been writing about the ups-and-downs of parenting for the last four-years.

Now that my son is older, more independent and needs less attention, I have more time to do the things I love. And strangely, I need to figure out who I am today. After all, I'm coming off nearly five years of having my life on hold, so I could hold my son.

Being a writer, I turned back to finding big freelance jobs. I even stared entertaining the request for turning both the pregnancy blog and parenting blog into a book. And yes, we are certainly looking at publishing the full story on our crazy fairytale meeting and romance.

But something still felt like it was missing. I realized, I love blogging. I love having this open space to share my thoughts, ideas and tips.I also LOVE my readers. when they comment on the blog, or on my social media, it truly males my day! I'm all alone at my desk all day. I'm pretty isolated over here, now that my son is in school.

I knew it was time create in a new space.  Grow. But, before I made any new leaps, I knew I had to pick a name that allowed for growth! Learn from me, when naming you blog, avoid anything that could limit you. It's hard to switch with a blog name like, Mommy All Day Everyday. Avoid that! 

Enough with the rambling. Here's the plan...

Tiredofbeingpregnant.com and firsttimemomanddad.com are getting an overhaul. Starting with the first posts. The best ones I'm going to freshen up and prep for publishing. I will repost the best posts. It will be like starting over again with pregnancy and parenting... just not so dazed and confused this time around! Don't worry, there will still be awesome product and service reviews for preggies and parents!

LoveLifeDIY.com, is in full swing! And will become my full-time website. In addition to my usual ramblings about parenting and marital woes, I'll be writing about anything and everything else!

In fact, over the next two months, look for:

My 2016 Travel guide; a series of posts on the best time to but flights, accommodation and car rental/hire. How to save big when traveling with a family, and the best airlines for families, and which ones go out of their way to make kids feel at ease.

With spring around the corner in the northern hemisphere, get ready for early gardening tips, garage sale finds and the one ting I am most excited for, revving up my DIY and house renovation projects. There is still a lot to be finished in our 100-Year-old fixer-upper!

Feel like some international travel? Follow us on a long haul trip back to The Aussie's Motherland to celebrate four very important birthdays. I cannot wait to show you the magic and beauty that is, Australia!

It's time for change and growth. I hope you will join me.

Sincerely,

April

To see all the things I'm cooking up before they hit the website, follow me on your favorite social media channel!

 Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | YouTube | Google+ | LinkedIn

Happy Valentines Day! I love...

I wrote a poem. It's AWESOME!

I love my Hubby and my Bubby,

and my friends and family too.

I love God and my faith,

 and the sun on my face. 

I love wine in my belly 

and strawberry jelly.  

I love when my house is sparkly clean.

and a world where nobody is mean!  

 I love riveting books, and love stories

and movies that are not too gory.

I love cute shoes, and flirty dresses

and when Ollie and FTD don't make big messes!

I love when I hit publish on a great post,

and to live life to the most...

Happy Valentines day my friends!  

What do you love?

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5 Game Day Prep Tips You'll Want To Know #GameDayTraditions

**I've partnered with SheSpeaks and Proctor & Gamble to share my Game Day Traditions. All Opinions and traditions are all mine!

Are you ready for some football? Are you ready for some awesome commercials? Are you ready for awesome food and drinks? Below are five things to help you show up to the big game 

Me too. I absolutely love Football tailgating and parties. Everybody shows up in a good mood, excited to eat and drink and be merry. The kids are run around wild, footballs are being thrown in every direction. The women congregate in the kitchen... It's like this organized chaos that has the best energy and food ever.

In anticipation of there Big Game, I prep, and early! Below are five ways you can show up to the big game like a rockstar! Seriously, people will cheer if you follow these five prep tips.

1. Find the greatest appetizer. I'm a firm believer in never showing up to a party empty-handed. In preparation for the big game, I scour the Internet for the latest and greatest football themed appetizer. Thankfully, there are many out there, so this is not so hard!



2. Color coordinate-Once I know what teams are playing, I pick one and stick with it! I use the team colors of my pick to choose my Big Game outfit. I also get colored hair spray to spray a few strands of my hair, and the kid. What fun is it, if you don't go all out?

3. Find fun facts for the Big Game and both teams. Love Trivia? Have a Big Game Trivia contest! Make a list of 10-20 trivia questions and hold a drive contest. Winners get to pick their seat in front of the game! Or, just stuff your head full of Big Game Fun Fact to wow the party goers with.  (To see my list of last year's Big Game Trivia questions, click here.)

Did you know: A 30: second ad during last year's game (2015)  cost $4.5 million, the most expensive ad in history, so far! That's $150,000 per second!!!! (Kantar Media) #Insane

4. Eat a big lunch! As much as I love nachos and hot wings, I also love my skinny jeans! I prepare a big, healthy, 'clean' lunch for my family before the Big Game. I try to get as many health things into our bodies before we stuff ourselves with not-so-great snacks. It also cuts way back on calorie consumption at the party! #DoThis

Did You Know: FYI: Big Game Sunday is the second-largest day for consumption of food and drink for Americans, behind Thanksgiving Day! (Reuters)

5. Bring a well groomed family, and an extra shirt for each member! Being that there are copious amounts of photos, selfies and messy foods served at these parties, prepare your family ahead of time, and then bring a back up plan! Before we leave to for the party, I make sure everyone is dressed, hair combed and teeth brushed. I'm still hoping for that one great family photo! And just so that photo doesn't happen with food and spilled juice all over our shirts, I bring back up shirts, just in case.

Grab all of your Big Game Snacks and grooming needs at Walmart!


What are your game day traditions?

You Want Me To Stick That Where?

There are seven words all parents say, usually within the first few weeks of their child's life:

You want me. To stick that. Where? 

If you're a parent, you know exactly what I'm talking about. That cold scary probe the nurse insist must be stuck where the sun doesn't shine, to check your newborn's temperature. That's right, a thermometer.

Well, good news, parents! Family 1st™ has answered our parent prayers. It is my absolute pleasure to introduce you to the first, NO CONTACT, temperature projecting, Pediatrician recommended thermometer, VisioFocus®. 

This is my new favorite parenting tool. Favorite. Just you wait... this thing is a magic wand of epic-ness.

**I've partnered with Family 1st Products, to share the AMAZING VisioFocus®,

 the first no contact projection thermometer. 

All options are my own. 

Which, here's the first one. I freaking love it!!!!!!

So. The VisioFocus®, is amazing. 

Ah. May. ZING! 

I'm sorry, I just want to gush all over it. The VisioFocus® is SO MUCH MORE than a themometer! I have been so obnoxious with this thing. I've taken the temperature of every single thing in my house. Including, but not limited to, the plants, the wall, my foot, my hand, every forehead that passes me, Professor the cat, the freezer and everything inside of it, water, ice water, the window, snow, my kid running away from me... the fun just never stops!  

Seriously, I have not set it down since I opened it a few days ago. Sometimes, I take the kid's temperature just for fun.  

Bottom line: It works. INSANELY well. In less than 20 seconds, the temperature is projected on my son's head, perfectly. I was blown away. I pointed at my head in the mirror, and sure enough, 98.6. Same thing happened with FTD. The thermometer never touched one of us, yet read our temperature perfectly. 

I think back to all the nights Ollie was a sick baby.  I must have felt his head and disturbed his sleep 50 times a night. If I had the VisioFocus®, life with a sick baby would have been much less stressful. 

Now, on to why I can't put the thing down! The VisioFocus® is not only for foreheads! It's for taking the temperature of anything and everything! It's a Six-in-One Thermometer! It's made to take the temperature of just about anything. There is a button to take the temperature of faces, and a button for everything else inside your house. 

With only three buttons, the VisioFocus® is foolproof.  To take a human temperature, push the button with the 'face' icon. To take the temperature of everything else in your home, press the button with the house icon. 

I can honestly say, I have put the VisioFocus® through the ringer! I have tested everything in my house, and in every case, VisioFocus® has given me an accurate reading. I TOTALLY get why doctors and pediatricians are recommending it. It's so easy to use, doesn't disrupt the child, sleeping or awake, and can be used for multiple things in the home. Being able to check the nursery temperature, the bottle and bath temperature and baby's temperature in a matter of minutes, with the same thing is Epic. Love it.  

At a retial price of $55, it's worth every penny. Thankfully, as an exclusive FTMAD reader, for a limited time, Family 1st™is extending a $15 off coupon! At checkout enter promo code:15OFF2016MB Get a VisioFocus®, here.

Something else Family 1st™is extending is an awesome giveaway! One lucky reader will win a VisioFocus® mini ($45). Sign up below!

The No-Chemical Head Lice Game Changer EVERY Parent + Teacher Needs!

**I've partnered with V-COMB to talk about all-natural, safe and effective ways to prevent and treat head lice. All opinions are my own.

As you may already know, I have been on a serious lice fighting rampage. When a little girl in my son's pre-k class had lice, that ended up spreading to a few other children, I lost the plot! Lice? People fleas? Wait. No. 

I was officially on a mission to find a way to prevent lice, or at least catch the little blood suckers before they took over my house. I went right to the pharmacy, and was pointed in the direction of things with "pesticides" in them! No way am I putting pesticides and chemicals I can't pronounce on my child's head. How can there not be a safer way? 

I went home and started researching all-natural chemical-free treatments to prevent and kill nits and lice.  

I found that using Essential Oils daily to pre-treat your child's head can work as a barrier to lice. Essential Oils like Tea Tree, Lavender and Rosemary are fantastic. Mix with detangler or just massage right into your child's scalp. PRO TIP: Mix a few drops of Tea Tree, Lavender and Rosemary oils with water in a spray bottle. Hose your child's coat, backpack and anything else lice like to jump on.

Since the essential oils are not 100% effective at preventing lice, it's crucial to regularly spot check your child's head. The good news is that lice start as nits, or eggs. Meaning, you have seven days before the nit becomes a louse, and a few more after that before the louse is is mature enough to lay eggs. By regularly spot checking weekly or even bi-weekly, you can prevent a full on head lice war.

Since the nits essentially super glue themselves to the hair shaft at the base of the scalp, picking them off is not so easy, and that's if you even see the teeny-tiny thing! 

ENTER: The V-COMB: A chemical-free, painless supercharged Nit and Lice comb. <Insert rays of light and singing angels>

You have to watch this video so you can see the V-COMB in action. So so so so so cool!


               

The Aussies have struck Gold again with the V-Comb. It sucks away nits and lice from a child's head safely and effectively. ZERO Chemicals needed. Zero. With Ollie's short hair, it takes less than a minute to check his head. It's easy, effective and gentle on my little guys scalp. I want to give one to every single school and parent! #Epic

If I could, I would donate one to every single school in the world! It's that great. Luckily, I was able to talk the makers of V-COMB into giving one lucky winner and their child's school a V-COMB!  That's right, One for you and one for the school!  Enter below!