I’ve been organized, regimented, and kind of obsessive since 1986. No joke. I’m the kid in the middle in the picture below. If it hadn’t been for my guidance, my friends would never have figured out how to jump from that bench. I’m a type A personality, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. As you can imagine, having an infant is pushing my type-A mind to the brink. I’m rarely in control these days.…

Mr. T: What are we looking for? Me: I wanna do a post on dressing my new mom body. Staple pieces to address potential problem areas, ways to do it without spending a fortune. Mr. T: So … what are we looking for? Me: I just told you. I’m looking for mom-appropriate clothes. But wait … what’s mom-appropriate? My wardrobe sucks. Most of it is tan, black, or denim. All of it is now ill-fitting. So I…

Baby Bird is a pretty independent child. She’s happy to entertain herself while I take care of some business — except when I’m not in her line of sight. (BTW: Even if she can’t see me, I’m always watching her.)

As of late, her separation-anxiety meltdowns have been EPIC. I have to hold her while I’m making lunch. I have to hold her while taking phone calls. I have to hold her while I’m using the…

It’s the most wonderful time of the year …

Unless you’re a parent who’s stressed because money is tight and Christmas is around the corner.

Ladies and gents: I feel your pain and I’ve got your back.

No, you won’t be receiving a check from me to cover your Christmas costs, but I do have five tips to help you get the most for your money, as well as a list of 10 awesome toys for a total of $200.

First, let me say that your little one will probably be as excited about the lights and sounds as the she is about the presents under the tree. You don’t need to spend oodles of money on toys, so don’t stress out if $200 sounds (or is) impossible.

If you smile and are excited on Christmas morning, Little One will be, too.

Now to those tips:

Don’t worry about trying to get the hottest new toys. If your child is as young as mine (a 12- to 24-month-old), she doesn’t have a clue what a hot toy is. Focus on toys that can grow with her over the next year. You’ll feel better about spending the money if you see she’s using her Christmas toys throughout the year.

Don’t forget about consignment stores. We have some amazing ones here in Pittsburgh that carry clothes and toys. Everything has been sanitized and repackaged, so you won’t have anything to put together on Christmas Eve!

Consider trading in your child’s unused toys. My experience has been that consignment stores offer you more in store credit than they do in cash. If that’s the case in your area, take the credit and use it toward gifts.

Don’t shy away from layaway. Toys R Us, Wal-Mart, and Kmart, among other stores, offer the service, and some require deposits of as little as $5.

Don’t forget about stores like the Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and Goodwill. You can get so much for your money, and the stores have a wider variety of toys (and books) than you might think.

Now to the 10 toys. As I said, if you follow my list, you’ll end up with 10 awesome gifts to pack under your tree for a total of $200!

VTech Turn and Learn Driver ($11.59)

VTech Touch & Learn Activity Deluxe Desk ($39.49)

 VTech Smart Shots Sports Center ($29.99)

LeapFrog Number Lovin’ Oven ($13.19)

VTech Sort & Discover Activity Cube ($21.97)

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Puppy ($12.99)

LEGO DUPLO All-in-One-Box-of-Fun ($23.99)

LeapFrog Scout’s Learning Lights Remote ($12.88)

Baby Einstein Octoplush ($11.39)

LeapFrog Count Along Cash Register ($19.99)

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If you're looking for containers to keep your fruits and veggies fresh for a week, the Ozeri Instavac Food Storage set is more than able to handle the job.

This post was sponsored through U.S. Family Guide. All opinions are my own. #Ozeri #USFG

I think I’ve tried every trick in the book to keep my precious bagged lettuce from wilting in my refrigerator.

Wrapping it in damp paper towels. Using vacuum-seal bags. Being crazy-vigilant about the fridge’s temperature and moisture level.

When I received a set of Ozeri Instavac Nesting Food Storage…

My husband and I are finally being open about our hurt feelings and resentment. We're changing the way we love and listen to try to save our marriage.

I stopped wearing my wedding ring.

My husband and I struggled for some time, and at one point I even told him I wanted to separate, but that’s not why I pulled my ring off.

I was starting to develop a callus on my pinkie, right at the place where my wedding ring would rub it. It was irritating, a little uncomfortable, and unsightly (so says me). I removed the ring thinking the callus would soften…

Is your toddler pinching, scratching or doing gymnastics while breastfeeding? Try my five tips to establish a pleasant extended-nursing relationship.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click one and make a purchase, I’ll earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you).

Remember the early days of breastfeeding?

Not the very beginning when you were still adjusting to the physical discomfort and exhaustion of nursing every few hours. No, I’m talking about the sweet spot: You and Little One had established your breastfeeding…

Parents: Feeling tired, irritated, in need of a break? These three blog posts are the pick-me-up you need.

When do I find time to read?

Hardly ever, what with writing, editing, parenting, and that one bathroom break I get each day.

But at 2 a.m. when I’m finally able to crawl into bed, there are a few websites I visit before I close my eyes for five hours of fitful sleep.

The pieces I’ve recently found have helped me feel … normal. They’re by parents like me. Their kids are driving them nuts. They’re…

You want to keep your tot safe, but are you aware of all the hazards in your home? Check out these 15 dangers, then do all you can to keep Little One safe.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click one and make a purchase, I’ll earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you).

Children are naturally incredibly curious — it’s how they learn about life.

That curiosity means that, as parents, we need to be on our toes at all times. From electrical outlets to laundry detergent pods, everything is a hazard waiting for our children to…

I was molested by my grandmother's boyfriend. Two decades later when I got pregnant, seeds of fear and anxiety from the abuse began to sprout.

I was molested by my grandmother’s boyfriend.

I don’t remember when it began — I think I was 7 or 8 — but I recall bits and pieces of the abuse.

I remember him cornering me outside the bathroom and saying, “Don’t you like me? Just let me have a little kiss.” He was too close, and his breath was harsh. I cried, and he let me pass.

I recall cutting my leg on a nail in the dining room as I tried to…

Moming is hard, especially for us first-times. That's why I depend on parenting hacks.

Moming is hard, especially for us first-timers.

I started reading parenting books, magazines, and guides the day I found out I was pregnant. Then Baby Bird arrived, and none of the crap I’d read applied — or my brain was so scrambled from exhaustion that I couldn’t remember anything I’d read.

A year into motherhood, I now depend on parenting hacks. Nothing expensive, nothing outrageous.…

My obsession with “Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion” got my wheels turning. How many other classic fairy tales have been updated and reimagined to include people of various races and cultures?

Lots. And lots and lots.

I’ve found dozens with arresting visuals and interesting twists on the standard storylines. These five, though, stuck with me. All are too advanced for my baby, but they’ve definitely earned spots on my must-read-to-Baby-Bird list.

Little Roja Riding Hood by Susan Middleton Elya. This is a sassy, modern, Latino-inspired version of “Little Red Riding Hood.” My favorite part? Our protagonist saves her abuelita (granny) from a wolf. Girl power!

There are Spanish words peppered throughout, and the book includes a glossary for easy translation. My opinion: Little readers should be able to use the context clues to figure out what the Spanish words mean.

Rapunzel by Chloe Perkins. This board book gives “Rapunzel” a beautiful Indian-inspired makeover, and the illustrations are glorious.

See? Vibrant enough to attract littles, and intricate enough to interest adults.

From the archways of the tower to the adornments on the outfits, the imagery screams India. Unfortunately, the storyline is the same as the classic … but perhaps that’s OK.

If the goal is to help children see diversity in the books they read, then that’s accomplished with the art. Kids won’t know the story is the same, so no harm no foul, I suppose. (See how I talked myself back into loving this book?)

Little Red Gliding Hood by by Tara Lazar. This one isn’t as cultural as the others, but it does feature Little Red as a brown baby, allowing me to show my daughter someone who looks like her.

And if you’ve always had a soft spot for The Big Bad, then this one’s definitely for you.

In this fractured fairy tale, Little Red is a figure skater in need of a partner. The Dish has the Spoon, and Hansel has Gretel, so Red turns to you-know-who to help her win an upcoming competition.

If you’re tired of reading Mother Goose’s rhymes, give this one a spin. Little One will recognize the characters, and you’ll get a nice — and entertaining — change of pace.

Did I mention the wonderfully whimsical illustrations?

Auntie Tiger by Laurence Yep. (Warning: This book is not for younger readers.) Older kids will be captivated by this adaptation of “Little Red Riding Hood,” and they’ll understand the book’s lessons of safety and sibling love.

This book is much more grim than the other titles on this list (a child is eaten and a tiger is drowned), but the spectacular art helps it feel lighter.

Despite less-than-cheerful storyline, I thought this book deserved a spot because of its quality, and the fact that parents could use it to discuss stranger danger and China.

The Rough-Face Girl by by Rafe Martin. The protagonist of this “Cinderella” adaptation (who has been scarred by fire) has to find/see her “prince” to marry him. Instead of relying on a fairy godmother to guide her, The Rough-Face Girl uses her own skills and intuition to get what she wants.

The illustrations are beautiful — each a painting that could stand on its own — and they meld wonderfully with the story.

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My favorite parts of this tale are the theme of seeing the wonder of nature, and the messages of self-reliance and beauty manifesting from the inside.

They’re lessons we all want our children to learn.

Once you try this recipe for homemade yogurt made in a Dutch oven, you'll never go back to store-bought.

I know you’re probably tired of reading about how finicky my child is when it comes to eating, but it seriously blows my mind.

Last week, in a total surprise, she was willing to eat tortellini with alfredo sauce for dinner. She rejected the salmon, broccoli, and smashed potatoes I made just for her, and she wanted the meal I made for myself and Mr. T.

Why is it surprising? Because she’d eaten…

In a complete surprise, I was nominated for the Blogger Recognition Award. I'm honored to receive the nod and excited to pass the torch to 10 others.

In a COMPLETE surprise, I was nominated this week for the Blogger Recognition Award by Heather Brandon of Everything Happens in Threes. The award is intended to acknowledge the work of blogging community members, as well as share with readers the writers that we enjoy.

The pieces Heather shares on her site is awesome. They’re witty and informational (her post on changing a baby is a must-read),…

The stars of my breakfast/snack time muffins are diced strawberries, banana baby food puree and ... Greek yogurt.

I told you last week that Baby Bird gave my ego a sucker punch when she refused to eat my PBJ and Oatmeal mini muffins.

Initially, I was disappointed at being shot down. Then I realized that my kid refuses to eat nearly everything I give her these days.

I stopped taking it personally and got back to work.

After a few more missteps, I came up with these:

Strawberry-banana mini muffins. These.…