November 17, 2010 8:22 pm

Proofs

We got the proofs of Wesley’s sad-face picture day back and they are actually slightly better than I expected. He does blend in with the background a bit (white turtleneck and blank white backdrop! turns out they weren’t kidding about the “dress in colorful clothes” thing) and he looks either vaguely uncomfortable or dreadfully blank in all of them, but he’s cute enough that it makes up for it.

This whole picture thing is a total racket though. My picture package options are like, Expensive, More Expensive, Outrageously Expensive, Arm-and-Leg, and Firstborn Son. And you can only order one pose per package but I have three poses to choose from that are all equally mediocre. And you can buy individual sheets of pictures, but unless you get the package they are $15 per sheet vs $8 per sheet with the package.

For the sake of frugality and practicality (seeing as how the pictures are adequate but not spectacular) I think I will get the least expensive package of the best pose, and then get an individual sheet of the other decent one. (Whyyyy did no one tell me he wasn’t covering the black mark on the floor in two of the three shots? And that my foot was in one of them? Argh.)

I guess since I was too lazy to ever get newborn portraits of him done, and these people came to me (well… daycare) instead of me having to go to them, I shouldn’t complain because beggars can’t be choosers. (But still. My foot. And the mark.)

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November 16, 2010 9:42 pm

Holiday Shopping Tactics

Thanksgiving is coming up, which means Black Friday is right around the corner. I am too much of a wuss to actually go shopping that day (I don’t want to be trampled and I don’t enjoy crowds) so I will fill you in on my secret to successful, budget-mindful, stress-free holiday shopping.

Step 1: Assemble Your Spreadsheet

Stay with me here – I create an Excel sheet (or a Google Doc) for what I want to get people. I usually start this in November, but you could do it much earlier if you were so inclined. The first column contains the names of the people I will be shopping for. The second column contains what I intend on buying/making for them. The third column is optional and generally contains either a link to the product, the brick-and-mortar store from which I can buy it, or additional information like size or color. Sometimes I throw in a fourth column detailing price.

Step 2: Plan Your Attack

Most online shops will have Black Friday sales, and most start at midnight. You can see lists of participating online stores here. Since you already have your spreadsheet with what you want to buy and where, this part is easy. In the past, I would stay up until midnight to get all the sales right as they went up and was usually done in about an hour or two. You don’t have to stay up though… this year, with the baby, I probably won’t.

Step 3: Bringing It All Together

Make your purchases! Amazon.com often has great deals that day; many stores will offer free shipping or greatly discounted shipping. (This is where Black Friday sales have the potential to save you a lot!) I also hit up Retail Me Not to see if I can get any further savings.

Step 4: The Remainders

You probably won’t end up finishing everything all at once. I typically make a few Christmas gifts, which takes time but doesn’t involve Black Friday deals; you’ll have to find time to hit the brick-and-mortar stores still on your list; you might be totally lost on what to get Great Aunt Tillie. That’s okay. Due to your awesome planning, you’re not worried. You now have time to finish those items and visit those stores and bug your family members for additional ideas for Great Aunt Tillie.

Step 5: Reap The Benefits

Sit back and wait for all your holiday shopping to arrive! Yes, doing your shopping (mostly) in one go and (mostly) online takes a bit of upfront planning. There’s not really a good way to browse the collective internet for the most amazing present ever, so you brainstorm ideas ahead of time and see what you can come up with that day based on deals and what your instincts tell you.

This has worked spectacularly for me in years past and removes a ton of holiday stress. You’re basically done and it’s not even December yet! Look at you go!

Now if someone could let me know how to manage getting Christmas cards done and mailed in a timely fashion…

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November 15, 2010 8:30 pm

Breastfeeding on Sesame Street

My internet friend Megan recently shared this link to a clip of Sesame Street where a mama is nursing her baby. I LOVE IT. It’s so… normal. Refreshingly normal. There’s no judging, awkwardness, or apologizing. She’s even nursing without a cover! On national television! (Further proof that you CAN nurse discreetly without a cover.)

I can’t imagine a clip like this being aired on ANY kid’s television station now (especially since the reaction to Katy Perry’s clothed boobs on Sesame Street not too long ago) so I’m very appreciative that this clip exists.

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