Are you looking for a present for the special stay-at-home mom in your life? Valentine’s Day IS right around the corner. I just celebrated my 26th birthday and received two items from my wish list. Two! I was not expecting anything since money is tight right now, so I would say I raked in. I’ll tell you what I have been swooning over and what I was lucky enough to receive.
iPhone 5s
One of my New Year’s resolutions was to put down my phone more and be present. But I still want the newest gadget! While I have been more conscious of detaching my phone from my hands during playtime and family time, I still use it all the time. I use it most often to capture pictures of my daughter. It also comes in handy to entertain myself while nursing her down to sleep. Otherwise, I may fall asleep too! Since we were eligible for upgrade, my husband and I both got new iPhones. We took advantage of AT&T’s Next program and were able to walk out without breaking the bank. I love the 5s. Its best feature? The photo burst. I can take several pictures at once of my wiggly girl. The 5s also makes it super easy to share photos. I can select multiple pictures to email or message Grandma.
Bonus Gift: Otter Box. Thinking of getting an iPhone 5s for your favorite mom? Don’t forget to get a case that will protect it from little hands. This is also a good gift for the mom who already has a fancy phone.
FitBit Flex
Another piece of technology that I can’t stop dreaming about. This sleek little gadget goes around your wrist and tracks your steps, distance and calories burned during the day. It also tracks your sleep habits, like I really need to know I don’t get enough sleep, and acts as a silent alarm. Like a lot of moms, I find it hard to make time to work out. Before baby, I was a gym rat and I logged at least an hour at the gym five days a week. Now I can barely squeeze in a living room workout during naptime. I think the Flex would help keep me on track. If anything it would at least motivate me get out the door to take the dog and baby on a walk. I am also curious to see how many steps I take daily chasing after my almost toddler.
New Glasses
A more practical item on my wish list. I am currently rocking my old glasses, circa 2009, because my sweet baby girl decided to break my newer pair. It’s in instances like these that I’m glad I am a bit of a hoarder. I knew exactly where my old glasses were and dug them out so it’s no big deal. But I would love some new frames, even my newest pair was two years old. I’m dying for some nerdy tortoise shell frames. Also, my prescription sunglasses broke months ago. I think a trip to the eye doctor is in order.
If you’re shopping for a SAHM who doesn’t need new glasses, what about a new coffee maker? If she has been drinking from the same old drip pot from the wedding registry, then update her to a Keurig. Mattress set seen better days? Are her running shoes wearing out? Flat iron busted? If there is something that your favorite SAHM uses that has needed updating long ago, then this is your chance to surprise her with your great observation skills. Gift her something useful and thoughtful.
Sakura Bloom Ring Sling
This is the other item I can officially check off my wish list. I am using it as I type; baby girl is snoozing comfortably on my chest. I just got this beauty yesterday and we’ve already logged two naps, one feeding and several hours of wear time. I am in love. This is the perfect gift for any mom, or dad too, who is interested in baby wearing. It is very simple to use and doesn’t involve a lot of wrapping and tying. The ring sling can be used for newborns and toddlers alike. It also comes in one size, so there’s no guess work there. I love that it gives me two free hands while baby girl is comfortably on my hip, her favorite place to be.
Pampering
While I was not so secretly wishing for those items listed above (I may or may not have posted my wish list to Facebook), the only thing I outright requested for my birthday was some pampering. For some moms this may be a haircut, manicure, massage or maybe just some time alone at the gym. But my pampering of choice was going out to eat. Let someone else do the cooking. We eat in a lot because it is good for our health and our budget, so it was a treat to go downtown and try someplace new. I chose my favorite meal, breakfast, to dine out for. And the only requirement, mimosas.
