![]() Being a parent can be tough...Even for those of us who are seasoned veterans! There is so much to learn, and it seems that must-have information is ever-changing. When I was pregnant with my oldest, I was young and basically clueless. I didn't know what to do when I felt weird, pregnancy pains, and I certainly didn't know what to do with a real life baby! Kyle is 13 now, and he is an honor roll student and a happy, healthy kid. So obviously I did something right! Fast forward several years. I remarried, this time to a wonderful man, and we decided to expand our family. We tried to conceive for years and suffered a few devastating losses before we finally welcomed our daughter, Sophie, into the world. Shortly after she was born, we got the shock of a lifetime when we found out we were pregnant AGAIN, this time with our son, Xander. Even though I already had Kyle, my last 2 pregnancies felt new and almost foreign to me...After all, there are 10 years between my oldest child and the next. During that time, information had changed, as well as doctor recommendations. Instead of panicking, I decided to learn as much as I could about how to have a healthy pregnancy and care for a baby again. Naturally, I relied on the What to Expect series. I picked up What to Expect When You're Expecting, What to Expect the First Year, as well as What to Expect the Second Year. (Can't be too prepared, right?) I was amazed at how much I had forgotten over the years, as well as how many things were different. These books definitely helped keep me off of Google and semi-sane during my pregnancies, and they also helped me keep my cool when illnesses, finicky eating, and even emergencies happened. They also helped me stay on top of normal developmental milestones at different ages, and allowed me to have more open dialogue with our pediatrician. Other great things found in the What to Expect series are great recipes, games and activities to do with your child, and even a breakdown of what purchases you'll actually need to make before baby arrives. It's a wealth of knowledge that every parent should have even before they conceive! (And yes, there's a book for that, too! I wish I had known that when Dan and I were trying to conceive!) Connect With What to Expect : You can check out these awesome books on the What to Expect website. You can also connect with them on Facebook and on twitter to join their fun, informative community! Enter To WIN ! What to Expect.com has generously team up with me to host a giveaway to celebrate this fantastic book series. Two lucky readers will receive the following books: Simply enter using the easy Rafflecopter form below!
This giveaway is open to US residents 18+ until 11:59PM April 28, 2013. No PO Boxes. Winners will be drawn using Rafflecopter's Random Number Generator. All entries will be verified, so play fair! I will notify winner via e-mail and they will have 48 hours to reply before I am forced to redraw winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This contest is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. Thanks for entering, and Good Luck!
41 Comments
Katie K
4/5/2013 04:16:58 am
Know when to take advice and know when it ignore well-meaning people who will drive you crazy! :)
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Sherry Compton
4/5/2013 10:01:49 pm
Don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask any questions or share concerns.
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Laura Tucker
4/5/2013 10:30:27 pm
I do not have any pregnancy or parenting tips because I have never been either! My husband and I would like to start our family next year, so this series is a must for us!
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4/6/2013 03:39:48 am
Don't sweat the small stuff. That pertains to pregnancy and parenting. =)
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Sherry Compton
4/6/2013 10:24:15 pm
Hug your kids and tell them you love them often.
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lisa
4/7/2013 10:17:28 am
give lots of hugs!! read every chance you get!
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Sherry Compton
4/7/2013 10:06:27 pm
Listen to your body and ask many questions.
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Sherry Compton
4/8/2013 10:06:54 pm
On parenting, pick your battles...don't sweat the small stuff.
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Stephanie Larison
4/9/2013 04:08:37 pm
Don't let other mothers try to gang up and force you into doing parenting their way. Do what works for your family. Enjoy every second of it, it sure goes by way too fast!
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Sherry Compton
4/9/2013 10:48:52 pm
I love getting pics of the kids feet as babies for memories growing up.
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Jill
4/10/2013 12:01:25 am
Treasure each moment, it will go by quickly.
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brandy g.
4/10/2013 07:03:39 am
Don't be afraid to ask for help with the baby. Family members will be so happy to watch the baby even if you just want to take a shower.
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Nicolle Loughman
4/10/2013 10:08:47 am
Love will go farther than anything toy you buy your child
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Sherry Compton
4/10/2013 10:20:20 pm
Don't be afraid to ask for advice or help during pregnancy or parenting.
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polly
4/11/2013 07:09:06 am
when baby is napping you rest also!
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Sherry Compton
4/11/2013 11:02:05 pm
Pick your battles.
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Sherry Compton
4/12/2013 10:43:06 pm
Yes, there will be days when it feels like you can't do anything right. Realize that we all have them and it's ok to give yourself a moment.
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Sherry Compton
4/13/2013 09:35:32 pm
It always looks really easy for some but everyone struggles and has those moments and days. Realize that you are doing a great job!
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Sherry Compton
4/14/2013 09:58:30 pm
Don't expect to really be fully prepared or ready... surprises will always pop up.
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Sherry Compton
4/15/2013 09:37:26 pm
Remember to take care of yourself. You are very important and need to be healthy and well both emotionally and physically.
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Charlene S
4/20/2013 08:00:10 am
Give lots of hugs.
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Sherry Compton
4/20/2013 09:33:55 pm
Keep up with doctors appointments and remember to take your vitamins. Take care of you and the baby.
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Sherry Compton
4/21/2013 10:26:17 pm
Everyone needs "mommy" time
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Sherry Compton
4/22/2013 11:43:33 pm
Sleep when your baby is sleeping.
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Jessica Snow
4/23/2013 04:00:17 pm
Make sure everyone knows they're loved.
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Jill
4/24/2013 12:43:23 am
Remember to make time for yourself too!
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Sherry Compton
4/24/2013 09:55:29 pm
Ask lots of questions and feel for help often.
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Gianna
4/24/2013 11:50:42 pm
If you're having twins, always feed both at once otherwise you will never get any sleep.
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Charlene S
4/25/2013 03:18:34 am
stock up on diapers
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Sherry Compton
4/25/2013 09:56:53 pm
Love is the most important thing.
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Jill
4/25/2013 11:03:17 pm
Read to your kids every day.
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Amanda
4/26/2013 09:06:30 am
let others help you when they ask
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laurie Nykaza
4/26/2013 06:18:12 pm
each day is a blessing with them enjoy it
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Sherry Compton
4/26/2013 09:37:10 pm
Take photos with you and your baby...don't worry about how you look. You'll want them later.
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Susan Smith
4/27/2013 07:20:12 am
Sleep when your baby is sleeping, which was hard for me because I don't sleep well in the daytime.
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Brenda Elsner
4/27/2013 12:51:07 pm
Rest every chance you get and take a little time for yourself.
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Sherry Compton
4/27/2013 09:29:14 pm
You can never say "I Love You" too much
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Allison
4/28/2013 03:46:43 am
Sleep when thy sleep please
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Ed Nemmers
4/28/2013 05:33:51 am
Try to stockpile some sleep time!
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Carolyn Daley
4/28/2013 08:02:05 am
Take some time for yourself every once in awhile. If your kids are active be sure to have a small first aid kit in your purse or car with band-aids, neosporin, tissues, and (baby) aspirin.
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Gianna
4/28/2013 02:01:51 pm
Love and enjoy!
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I'm Brandy, a happily married, proud Mom of 3 amazing kids. If you're interested in building a working relationship, please feel free to e-mail me at: NewlyCrunchyMamaOf3@gmail.com Links We Love :Archives
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