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Tips for Throwing a Baby Shower

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Throwing a baby shower helps mom-to-be get the things she needs and figure out what she still needs to get before the baby gets here. Depending on the mood swings of mom-to-be and the situation, throwing a baby shower can be stressful, but these tips for throwing a baby shower will make your life easier.

Update: Since originally posting, we have put together 16 Printable Baby Shower Games that you can print!

Tips for Throwing a Baby Shower

Start planning early: Start planning early before it’s even remotely close to throwing the baby shower. Mom-to-be may change her mind several times on the theme of the shower. Make lists and keep the ideas in a safe place, so you can refer back to them.

Create a budget for the baby shower: If you go overboard, a baby shower can cost way more than it actually should. Set yourself a maximum budget. If your budget is on the lower end, make your own invitations, party favors, or shop several places for the least expensive items.

Send out invites early enough, but not too late in the game: Because people work on all days and all different hours, it is polite to give them enough time to either take off or change their schedule for the shower. A good rule of thumb is to send invitations out exactly 1 month in advance, so there is enough time to take off work, but not enough time to forget.

Come up with some creative games for the baby shower: There are tons of variations of baby shower games. A quick internet search is sure to bring you hundreds to choose from.

Here are a few personal favorites:

Poopy Diapers: No one likes a poopy diaper, but with this game, your friends and family get to smell them and see what it “really” is. Melt different chocolate candies on different diapers and whoever guesses the right candy wins a prize.

Guess the Mom’s size: This can be done my guessing mom’s actual measurement, or by using TP to count how many sheets around she is. The closest wins a prize.

My Water Broke: Place a tiny plastic baby into your ice trays before you freeze your ice. At the beginning of the shower give everyone an ice cube to put in their glass. When the ice melts and the baby floats to the top, the first person to shout “My water broke,” wins a prize.

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10 Baby Shower Games:

1. Mommy Said, Daddy Said from the Un-Original Mom
2. Name that Tune from Play Party Plan
3. Baby Shower Scattergories from We Heart Parties
4. Baby Play-doh from Every Pot and Pan
5. Hairbow Station from The  Ribbon Retreat
6. Dear Baby Letter from Inking Idaho
7.  Baby Product Memory Game from Mind Werx
8. Late Night Diaper Game from Cul-de-Sac Cool
9. Mom to Be Bingo from Play Party Plan
10. Baby Shower Game Printables from I Heart Naptime

Update: Since originally posting, we have put together 20 FREE Printable Baby Shower Games that you can print!

Don’t get upset if people don’t come: Make the most of the party and those who arrived. Mom- to-be is going to be thoroughly exhausted by the time her shower is over. She isn’t going to be concerned with who is there; she is going to be concerned with “how long are they staying?”

Keep the baby shower focused on the mom-to-be: Make sure that in merry-making you focus everyone’s attention on mom-to-be 2-3 times during the shower. Remember, the party is about her and baby and she needs the support of everyone.

Get help to clean up: Designate a few attendees to help you clean up at the end. You can have this planned early, or just ask people when they show up. The clean-up is much quicker and easier than the setup, but after a long party and lots of planning, it’s always nice to get some help.

Create a cute theme for the baby shower: All baby showers need a theme. Let’s face it; the “it’s a boy” “It’s a girl” has been done a million times. Be creative with your themes such if mom-to-be has twins try “Jumping Monkeys.” If she is having a baby girl, try “Princess of the Womb.” For a boy, you could do “Spider Boy.” Always ask mom-to-be her opinion before choosing a theme.

Ask others to help pitch in with food: You don’t have to be responsible for all the meal prep. If you are throwing the party, you need to be spending time mingling and making the party about mom-to-be. Especially with good friends, with your RSVP, ask attendees to choose what items they can help with, so you know you have food coming. Many of the expecting mother’s friends are wanting to do more, so this is a great way to incorporate their help.

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10 Baby Shower Recipes:

1. Watermelon Baby Carriage from Red Tricycle
2. Individual Seven-Layer Dip from The Girl Who Ate Everything
3. Baby Rattle Cake Pops from The Cake Blog
4. Raspberry Sherbet Party Punch from Natasha’s Kitchen
5. Veggie Pizza with Crescent Rolls from Frugal Coupon Living
6. Sugar Cookie Fruit Pizzas from Lil Luna
7. Chicken Salad Cucumber Bites from The Two Bite Club
8. Mini Mac & Cheese Bites from The Curvy Carrot
9. Strawberry Yogurt Parfaits from Get Creative Juice
10. Cheesy Tomato Tarts with Caramelized Onions from Grandbaby-Cakes

Planning a baby shower is no easy task, but with these simple tips, your baby shower will be a breeze. Remember, it’s all about mom-to-be not about how extravagant the party is. What other baby shower tips do you have? We’d love to hear them.

Also take a look at these Free Baby Shower Games Printables. Pin to Pinterest.

Take a look at these Gender Reveal Party Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

Enjoy these New Mama Newborn Tips, Hacks, and Tricks! Pin to Pinterest.

Also check out these

Tips for the First Trimester – Pin to Pinterest.
Tips for the Second Trimester – Pin to Pinterest.
Tips for the the Third Trimester – Pin to Pinterest.
Tips for a Newborn  (aka the Fourth Trimester) – Pin to Pinterest.

Shopping for Baby? Check out these Baby Freebies on Frugal Coupon Living.

a FREE nursing pillow,
a FREE Eskimo hat,
a FREE nursing cover,
a FREE baby sling,
a FREE car seat cover,
a FREE belly bands,
a FREE nursing pads,
a FREE baby leggings.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

Second Trimester 101

Congratulations for getting through the first three months of pregnancy. You are probably super excited to be moving onto the second trimester. Many people say that the second trimester is the babymoon of being pregnant. Things start to get a little easier and you can enjoy being pregnant for a little while. Although there are still some things to keep an eye out for, you are about to relax for the next few months before having a baby gets really serious. Check out these tips for the second trimester.

Amazon Baby Registry

Guess what mom! It is not too late to register that baby. If you sign up for a Free Amazon Baby Registry at Amazon.com, add everything you need to your wish list. Get extra discounts, and get an extended return period. Additionally, you can pick up your own Baby Registry Welcome Box from Amazon. This Welcome Baby Box is exclusive to prime costumers who have opened an Amazon Baby Registry. The Baby Registry Welcome Box contains product samples for mom and baby.

Tips for the Second Trimester

{Week 13 to Week 26}

Get out for walks: During the second trimester, as long as you are feeling good, don’t be shy about getting a few walks in. Your body probably appreciates the movement and exercise just makes you feel good all around. Plus, burning those extra calories is a bonus and will make loosing weight post pregnancy easier. It will also help the labor! Please consult your health care provider before any exercise!

Enjoy eating healthy foods: The second trimester you will experience a growing baby like never before. It’s important that you stay on track with healthy eating because you want your baby to grow strong and healthy as well. Talk to your doctor about taking a prenatal vitamin and supplements to give you body and baby all the nutrients they both need. Two additional supplements that are known to be  important are Folic Acid and DHA supplements – I liked Expecta. Again, consult your doctor first.

Start making a list of everything you want/need: If this is your first pregnancy, you have the fun task of going through and making a list of everything you want/need. The best part about this is that you can make it fun. It’s always a good time dreaming about all of the fun baby items that can be purchased. It’s also a good time to start thinking about a baby shower and when you’ll have it. It’s also okay to ask someone if they’re willing to help you plan it!

10 Must-Haves for a New Baby

1. Stroller – We love the Britax USA B-Ready Stroller (as it can convert to a double).
2. Travel Crib – We love the Graco Pack ‘N Play Playard Portable Napper and Change.
3. Carseat – We love the Britax B-Safe 35 Infant Car Seat (it’s wise to keep your car seat and stroller in the same brand so you can snap the carseat in the stroller.)
4. Baby Wrap – We love the Boba Baby Wrap.
5. Bouncer/Swing – We love the 4Moms Mamaroo Bouncer (favorite with my last three kids!)
6. Breast Pump – We love the Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump. (Update: I have officially pumped for five kids. the Spectra S2 is my all time favorite. I preferred it over hospital grade it was so great!)
7. Swaddle Blankets – We love the aden + anais Classic Muslin Swaddle Blankets.
8. Thermometer – We love the Kinsa Smart Thermometer.
9. Baby Monitor – We love the Motorola Remote Wireless Video Baby Monitor with 3.5-Inch Color LCD Screen.
10. Tub – We love the Safety 1st Newborn to Baby Tub.

Enjoy the baby’s movements: Before long, you’ll start feeling baby move inside of you. While it’s the coolest thing in the world, it may catch you off guard. Try to enjoy those movements because before long, those movements will be stronger and stronger and after baby is born, you really will miss them!

Get out when you can: Like mentioned before, the second trimester is usually when moms feel the best during their entire pregnancy. If you can, try to get out and do things before baby gets here. Perhaps a manicure and pedicure is on your list or maybe you want to get some traveling done. The second trimester is an excellent time to get some of those “want to do’s” done – you are not too big and probably over the nasty feeling of morning sickness!

Get educated on childbirth and babyhood: Although a lot of understanding how motherhood and babyhood works comes naturally, there is no harm in reading up on it. It’s always best to come to your own conclusion about how you will do things, but it’s always best to be educated first. Start researching a few books to read or you can even as for advice from others. Trust me, there’s always a veteran parent out there willing to give advice on parenting. It’s also good time to sign up for a Lamaze class. If you are looking for a good laugh and some tips along the way, take a look at the book Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy.

Start budgeting: Yes, it’s completely possible to start budgeting for the baby to be. You can create a budget based on the price of diapers and the going rate of how quickly babies go through those diapers. You can also start looking at day care centers if you’ll be going back to work. The list of having a baby is so long that it’s really nice to start crossing these items off your list as you can.

Keep track of your growing baby: One of the best parts about being pregnant is watching your baby grow. A great way to pass the time in the second trimester is to keep track of how you baby is growing. I personally enjoyed doing this through a baby journal!

10 Popular Pregnancy Journals and Keepsake Books

1. The Belly Book (I had this book with my two girls.)
2. Expecting You: A Keepsake Pregnancy Journal
3. From Pea to Pumpkin: A Pregnancy Journal
4. Letters to My Baby: Write Now. Read Later. Treasure Forever
5. The Nine Pregnancy Countdown Journal
6. Pearhead Pregnancy Journal
7. Fitbook Mama2B: 40-Week Pregnancy Journal for an Active Mom and Healthy Baby
8. Waiting in Wonder: Growing in Faith While You’re Expecting
9. Pregnancy Journal: A Week by Week Guide to a Happy, Healthy Pregnancy
10. Hello, I’m Pregnant: A Pregnancy Journal

These tips for the second trimester are to help you plan for your baby accordingly. There will be so many new experiences that it may be hard to process it all at once. Some of the best advice is to keep things simple and cross things off your list as you can. What tips do you have for other moms during the second trimester?

Also check out these Tips for the First Trimester. Pin to Pinterest.

… and our Tips for the Third Trimester. Pin to Pinterest.

Once baby comes, enjoy these Tips for a Newborn – AKA the Fourth Trimester. Pin to Pinterest.

Also take a look at our popular post – Newborn Tips and Hacks. Pin to Pinterest.

Enjoy these Monthly Baby Photo Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

FREE Stuff for Baby

Shopping for Baby? Check out these Baby Freebies on Frugal Coupon Living.

a FREE nursing pillow,
a FREE Eskimo hat,
a FREE nursing cover,
a FREE baby sling,
a FREE car seat cover,
a FREE belly bands,
a FREE nursing pads,
a FREE baby leggings.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

First Trimester 101

Getting pregnant for the first time or for the tenth time is very exciting. However, your body is about to go through several changes that you can only understand if you are at this point in your life. Pregnancy is beautiful, but also a challenge. While you are going through this time period in your life now, you should know that it will be over before you know it. You’ll be onto your second trimester in just a short while, but you need practical tips for the first trimester now.

Amazon Baby Registry Freebies

Guess what mom! It is not too late to register that baby. If you sign up for a Free Amazon Baby Registry at Amazon.com, add everything you need to your wish list. Get extra discounts, and get an extended return period. Additionally, you can pick up your own Baby Registry Welcome Box from Amazon. This Welcome Baby Box is exclusive to prime costumers who have opened an Amazon Baby Registry. The Baby Registry Welcome Box contains product samples for mom and baby.

Tips for the First Trimester

{Week 1 to Week 12}

Get as much rest as possible: Your first trimester of pregnancy will really test your ability to stay awake. In fact, you are probably so tired you could fall asleep anywhere. And this is a different kind of tired, almost unexplainable. The best tip for being tired in the first trimester is to get as much rest as possible. Lower your expectations for how much you think you will be able to get done during the day.

Start shopping for maternity clothes: Not all women need maternity clothes in the first trimester, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start shopping now. One day you will wake up and your clothes won’t fit you quite the same way as they once did. Why not be prepared? One thing I did with my pregnancy was took a list of what I would need. I made sure items could be returned (because you never really know) and I created a full shopping cart at my favorite shopping spots. When coupon codes or sales came, I shopped then.

10 Places to Shop for Maternity Clothes

1. Diapers.com
2. Zulily
3. Isabella Oliver
4. LOFT
5. Gap
6. Old Navy
7. Motherhood Maternity
8. Kohl’s
9. JCPenney
10. Target

Eat when you can: A lot of women experience nausea in that first trimester. Some women feel guilty that they can’t keep food down or they can’t physically keep it down. Keep trying to eat when you can. Pack little snacks that you can tolerate in a bag, so you always have access to a yummy snack when you want it.  If nausea is causing an issue in your eating habits, there are some things that can help. Consider ginger or vitamin b6. Before starting anything, consult your healthcare provider first.  I found taking my prenatal vitamin in the afternoon helped my stomach verses taking them when I first woke up.

Ask for help when you need it: During the first trimester of your pregnancy, you may not be able to keep up with your other kids and you may lack the ability to keep your housework in order. It’s okay to ask for help. Most women have been there and know how hard it can be to not have the energy you once did. Also, learn to ignore what isn’t immediately important, your second trimester should be much better.

Look for a healthcare provider right away: It will take a few weeks to get into the doctor, but it’s best to schedule your first prenatal appointment right away. Ask for recommendations from friends and family, but also, make sure the doctor you want is in your insurance network. Often your first doctor’s appointment will be around the 8 week mark.

Try to eat as healthy as possible: During your first trimester, you will hear two stories. Some people will tell you to eat whatever you want and others will tell you to eat a healthy diet. Keep in mind that what you eat does affect your baby and your body. Try to eat as healthy as possible, but don’t stress yourself out about it. You are eating for two but that doesn’t mean you need twice the amount of calories. I tried to keep my intake very similar to the amount of food I ate when I was not pregnant. As your baby’s gestational age increas, you might eat as much as 300 extra calories a day. Again, consult your healthcare provider about how many calories a day is healthy for you and your child.

Make sure you’re eating enough: Although it’s important to eat when you can to help combat nausea, it’s also vital to ensure you are eating enough. Sounds weird, but your body needs the correct amount of calories to help your baby grow.

Go with the flow: When it comes to the first trimester, you really never know how you will feel on a daily basis. You could feel exhausted one day and have high energy the next day. Go with the flow and rest when you need to. Take it easy on yourself, you’re growing a tiny human.

Think about how you will announce your GOOD NEWS: Perhaps one of the most exciting parts of the first trimester is how you will tell everyone the news. You can make it exciting, fun, or you can just let out the news however you feel is best. This step can definitely help you take your mind off the exhaustion and nausea you are currently feeling. We love these fun ideas from Pinterest.

How to Annouce Your Pregnancy

1. Shoes and Feet Source
2. Twins Pregnancy Announcement from Arrows and Apricots 
3. Big Sister from Cye Photography
4. Tricycle from A Bit of Pop
5. Chalk Announcement from Notes from Dionne
6. Safety Pin Family Source
7. Crib Eviction Notice Source
8. Expected to Pop Balloon unknown
9. Coffee Cups Source
10. Eating/Drinking for Two Source

Talk to other moms: There are groups you can join that allow you to connect with first-time moms or moms who are in the same stage of pregnancy as you. Talking with other moms can help you feel empowered to make good decisions. Sign up for Baby Center for tips and advice from other moms who have gone through the same thing. They also will provide you with a weekly email so you can track yours and baby’s progress.

Get plenty of movement: Although exercising is probably the last thing you probably feel like doing while pregnant and queasy, it’s a really positive thing for you and your baby. Movement can make you feel better, but also give you more energy. More energy is always a good thing when pregnant! No one is saying you should go run a marathon, but walking around the block is always a great option. You know what you’re capable of doing, if you have any questions, always consult your doctor.

The first trimester is a very exciting time in a pregnant woman’s life. These tips can help you get through those first few weeks of nausea, exhaustion, and wonder. Get excited though because the second trimester is going to be super exciting! Do you have any tips to add?

The fun doesn’t end with the above list of pregnancy announcements. Also take a look at these Cute Pregnancy Announcement Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

Also check out our Tips for the Second Trimester. Pin to Pinterest.

… and our Tips for the Third Trimester. Pin to Pinterest.

Once baby comes, enjoy these Tips for a Newborn – AKA the Fourth Trimester. Pin to Pinterest.

Also take a look at our popular post – Newborn Tips and Hacks. Pin to Pinterest.

Enjoy these Monthly Baby Photo Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

Baby Freebies

Shopping for Baby? Check out these Baby Freebies on Frugal Coupon Living.

a FREE nursing pillow,
a FREE Eskimo hat,
a FREE nursing cover,
a FREE baby sling,
a FREE car seat cover,
a FREE belly bands,
a FREE nursing pads,
a FREE baby leggings

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.