How to Reset for Fall

As I scrolled through Instagram and Facebook the other day, I noticed that so many of my friends and family members are really excited about the approaching fall season. I’m right there with you! I’m excited for the cooler weather, the fun activities (apple picking, pumpkin carving, and more!), and of course, I feel like the change of a season also comes with a fresh start, that I’m really excited about. Goals have been harder to keep over the past year and people have instead been met with stress and maybe some anxious thoughts and feelings, instead. Although you cannot avoid stress, you can try your best to take charge of your life and make a change for the better. Don’t procrastinate - start during this new season, which will give you a fresh start! Here are a few ways to reset for fall, and prep for new goals, or new changes that will make you better in every way:

Refresh your goals

The beginning of fall means that the year is three-quarters of the way through (how is time flying by so quickly??), making it a perfect time to check in with the goals you set at the beginning of the year. Even if you’re not a fan of New Year’s Resolutions, fall is still a great time to take a look at where you are, reflect, and assess or reassess. If you’re not on track to complete a goal (or goals), take a step back to really think about why you’re not on track. Are you not doing something you should be doing? If so, create a plan as to how you will course correct in the fall and winter. Also, be sure to ask yourself: Is this goal still relevant to you? Do you still really want to do this? Don’t be afraid to amend your goals. It’s not always about completing a goal for the sake of completion. Sometimes our circumstances change, or our beliefs, and that specific goal doesn’t make as much sense as it did six months ago. What is important is that you’re acting in a way that reflects your personal values. Don’t think of it as failing, think of it as refreshing your goals.

How’s your budget?

How’s your budget doing? The fall is the perfect time to look over your finances if you haven’t done so recently. I know it sounds crazy, but the holidays will sneak up on us soon. As fun as the holidays are, they can be very expensive. You can prepare for the extra spending with a little fall planning. If you’re not on a budget, make a plan to get back on track. Once you’ve assessed your budget, list out the holiday expenses you anticipate, i.e. travel, gifts, parties, etc., and estimate the total costs. After you’ve figured out how much you will spend, figure out where you will cut back in the fall months to make sure you are staying within your budget. It sounds early, but you will be thanking yourself in January. 

Deep clean your home

Throughout the summer, I am always on the go. With all of the vacations, yard work, time spent with family, spending as much time outside as possible to soak up the last drop of sun, my house gets forgotten about, especially the inside. Everyone always talks about “spring cleaning”, but personally, I love the fall time when it comes to really cleaning out my house. Go through your closets and get rid of any spring/summer clothes you did not wear this year. Take a look at your winter stuff too, especially coats, and donate the stuff you know you won’t wear this year. (The fall is a perfect time to donate winter attire to a local nonprofit serving people experiencing homelessness.) Then, organize your winter gear to make getting dressed in the morning a breeze. Also, get a basket for each member of your family to store their hats, gloves, etc. It will be so helpful to just grab and go! While you are deep cleaning and decluttering, do not forget about your furniture! If you are cleaning it, make sure to move it and get behind beds and couches. You can also remove the cushions and vacuum out the inside of your couches. If you need to get rid of some furniture, call a company to help with that, such as College Dudes Help U Move. They can help with Charlotte furniture moving, no matter if you are just moving things around to make your layout better, or if you are removing large furniture items from your home. These local moving experts can help with (obviously) furniture moving, but also residential and commercial moving too! When you hire them, you will get the safest and most prompt moving services in NC, according to their website. Your items are in safe hands with them and plus, your stress will be much lower, too.

While these are just three ways to reset for fall, this will give you a start when it comes to making sure you are mentally refreshed for the new season!

Coraline in theaters One Night Only - August 24, 2021

THIS BELOVED ANIMATED FILM WILL BE RELEASED IN THE NEW LAIKA STUDIOS EDITION BLU-RAY™+DVD COMBOS WITH EXCITING NEW BONUS FEATURES

CORALINE  will be released into theaters for One Night Only on August 24, 2021, and will be released on Blu-ray/DVD on August 31, 2021.  

Los Angeles, CA – Four groundbreaking and critically-acclaimed films will receive new high-definition releases this fall when Coraline (LAIKA Studios Edition) and The Boxtrolls (LAIKA Studios Edition) are released on August 31, and ParaNorman (LAIKA Studios Edition) and Kubo and the Two Strings (LAIKA Studios Edition) are released on September 14 by lauded animation studio LAIKA and multi-platform entertainment distributor Shout! Factory. The Blu-ray™+DVD combos are loaded with exciting new special features, including “Inside LAIKA interviews with the studio’s animation team”, Never-Before-Seen Animation Test Footage, and Feature-Length Storyboards for each of the films. All four films were nominated for the Academy Award® for Best Animated Film.

Along with digitally remastered editions of the films, new and existing bonus features, and new, collectible packaging, the LAIKA Studios Editions feature insightful, commemorative new essays by esteemed journalists Peter Debruge (Variety), Ramin Zahed (Animation Magazine), Bill Desowitz (Indiewire) and Charles Solomon (author and former Los Angeles Times critic).

Additionally, Fathom Events, alongside LAIKA, Shout! Factory, and Park Circus, have announced that they are bringing fan favorites Coraline and ParaNorman back to theaters to celebrate the 15th anniversary of LAIKA Studios. The two titles will be presented in their entirety and will feature exclusive bonus content that reveals the unique creative process behind LAIKA’s extraordinary films.  

Tickets for Coraline (in theaters Tuesday, August 24 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (local time)) can be purchased at www.FathomEvents.com and participating theater box offices. Tickets for ParaNorman (in theaters Tuesday, November 16 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (local time)) can be purchased starting Friday, August 13. For a complete list of theater locations, visit the Fathom Events website (participating theaters are subject to change).

Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, LAIKA is known for blending trailblazing artistry with bleeding-edge filmmaking technology. In making the studio’s first feature, director Henry Selick and the team behind 2009’s Coraline brought the film to life with painstakingly handcrafted stop-motion, utilizing an innovative combination of new and existing technology creating a sense of timelessness and securing its place as a modern classic. It was the first stop motion film ever conceived and photographed in stereoscopic 3-D, creating a new and thrilling experience for viewers.

The studio continued to innovate with 2012’s ParaNorman, the first film to use full-color rapid prototype 3D printing of the puppet faces, pioneered by LAIKA. The supernatural comedy thriller about a young boy who can speak with the dead, ParaNorman was heralded by critics for its handling of complex and sometimes melancholy topics with a touching candor not often seen in family cinema. The supernatural comedy thriller directed by Sam Fell and Chris Butler was cheered by fans and extolled by many critics’ groups as the year’s best-animated feature.

The Boxtrolls, released in 2014 and directed by Anthony Stacchi and Graham Annable, continued LAIKA’s streak of innovation and attention to detail. Based on Alan Snow’s book Here Be Monsters!, the film featured several new feats of inventive filmmaking, including designing collapsible armatures that enabled the Boxtrolls to pop in and out of their boxes; constructing a giant, steampunk-inspired roaming “Mecha Drill,” and staging a complex choreographed ballroom dance scene that seamlessly integrated practical puppets and 3D-animated background dancers. The result was a charming and heartwarming film, a perfect fit for the studio’s canon. 

A heroic adventure set in a mythical feudal Japan, 2016’s Kubo and the Two Strings is a tale of courage and the power of storytelling. Inspired by Japanese art and design to create the vibrant world that Kubo inhabits. The production team at LAIKA was led by studio President & CEO Travis Knight, who directed the film and animated several of the scenes.  To bring this breathtaking tale to life, the filmmakers created a 400 pound, 16-foot-high puppet (the largest ever created for a stop motion film), managed thousands of grains of sand for a shipwreck scene, and created more than 48 million possible facial expressions for the Kubo character alone. Kubo and the Two Strings won the BAFTA Award and became only the second animated feature in history to receive an Oscar® nomination for visual effects.

All four of these incredible films showcased LAIKA’s inventive 3D stop-motion and CG hybrid technique.  The integrated effects made the characters and their surroundings feel authentic and lifelike, immersing viewers deep into their worlds. Coraline (LAIKA Studios Edition), The Boxtrolls (LAIKA Studios Edition), ParaNorman (LAIKA Studios Edition), and Kubo and the Two Strings (LAIKA Studios Edition) are a salute to the artistry, innovation, and vision of their dedicated filmmakers.

Coraline (LAIKA Studios Edition)

From Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas, James, and the Giant Peach)) and based on the novella of the same name by author Neil Gaiman (Sandman), Coraline is a wondrous, thrilling, fun and suspenseful adventure and the first stop motion animated film ever to be conceived and photographed in stereoscopic 3-D, unlike anything moviegoers had ever experienced before. A young girl walks through a secret door in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life. On the surface, this parallel reality is eerily similar to her real-life – only much better. But when this wondrously off-kilter, fantastical adventure turns dangerous and her counterfeit parents try to keep her forever, Coraline must count on her resourcefulness, determination, and bravery to save her family and get back home.

Voice Cast: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Keith David, John Hodgman, Robert Bailey Jr., and Ian McShane. Produced by Bill Mechanic, Claire Jennings, Henry Selick, Mary Sandell. Based on the book by Neil Gaiman. Written for the screen and directed by Henry Selick.

Special Features:

• NEW Never-Before-Seen Coraline Animation Test Footage
• NEW “Inside LAIKA Featurette”
• NEW Foreword by Peter Debruge, Chief Film Critic for Variety
• Audio Commentary with Director Henry Selick and Composer Bruno Coulais
• The Making Of Coraline
• Original Featurettes
• Deleted Scenes
• Feature-Length Storyboards

 The Boxtrolls (LAIKA Studios Edition)

This comedic fable unfolds in Cheesebridge, a posh Victorian-era town obsessed with wealth, class, and the stinkiest of fine cheeses. Beneath its charming cobblestone streets dwell the Boxtrolls, foul monsters who crawl out of the sewers at night and steal what the townspeople hold most dear: their children and their cheeses. At least, that’s the legend residents have always believed. In truth, the Boxtrolls are an underground cavern-dwelling community of quirky and lovable oddballs who wear recycled cardboard boxes the way turtles wear their shells. The Boxtrolls have raised an orphaned human boy, Eggs, since infancy as one of their dumpster-diving and mechanical junk-collecting own. When the Boxtrolls are targeted by villainous pest exterminator Archibald Snatcher, who is bent on eradicating them as his ticket to Cheesebridge society, the kindhearted band of tinkerers must turn to their adopted charge and adventurous rich girl Winnie to bridge two worlds amidst the winds of change – and cheese.

Voice Cast: Ben Kingsley, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Elle Fanning, Dee Bradley Baker, Steve Blum, Toni Collette, Jared Harris, Nick Frost, Richard Ayoade, Tracy Morgan, and Simon Pegg. Produced by David Bleiman Ichioka, Travis Knight. Screenplay by Irena Brignull, Adam Pava. Based on the book Here Be Monsters by Alan Snow. Directed by Anthony Stacchi, Graham Annable.

Special Features:

• NEW Never-Before-Seen The Boxtrolls Animation Test Footage
• NEW “Inside LAIKA’ Featurette
• NEW Feature-Length Storyboards
• NEW Foreword by Ramin Zahed, the Editor in Chief of Animation Magazine
• Audio Commentary with Directors Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi
• The Making of The Boxtrolls
• Original Featurettes

ParaNorman (LAIKA Studios Edition)

In the comedy thriller, a small town comes under siege by zombies. Who can it call? Only misunderstood local boy Norman, who is able to speak with the dead. In addition to the zombies, he’ll have to take on ghosts, witches, and, worst of all, grown-ups, to save his town from a centuries-old curse. But this young ghoul-whisperer bravely summons up all that makes a hero – courage and compassion – as he finds his paranormal activities pushed to their otherworldly limits.

Voice Cast: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Tucker Albrizzi, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Leslie Mann, Jeff Garlin, Elaine Stritch, Bernard Hill, Jodelle Ferland, Tempestt Bledsoe, Alex Borstein, and John Goodman. Produced by Arianne Sutner, Travis Knight. Written by Chris Butler. Directed by Sam Fell, Chris Butler.

Special Features:

• NEW Feature-Length Storyboards
• NEW Inside LAIKA Featurette
• NEW Never-Before-Seen ParaNorman Animation Test Footage
• Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Chris Butler and Co-Director Sam Fell
• “Peering Through the Veil”
• Original Featurettes

Kubo and the Two Strings (LAIKA Studios Edition)

Kubo and the Two Strings is an epic action-adventure set in a fantastical Japan. The film follows clever, kindhearted Kubo as he ekes out a humble living, telling stories to the people of his seaside town. But his relatively quiet existence is shattered when he accidentally summons a spirit from his past which storms down from the heavens to enforce an age-old vendetta. Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey and Beetle and sets out on a thrilling quest to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known. With the help of his shamisen - a magical musical instrument - Kubo must battle gods and monsters, including the vengeful Moon King and the evil twin Sisters to unlock the secret of his legacy, reunite his family and fulfill his heroic destiny.

Voice Cast: Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey, Rooney Mara, Ralph Fiennes, Art Parkinson, George Takei, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Brenda Vaccaro. Screenplay by Marc Haimes and Chris Butler. Produced by Arianne Sutner, Travis Knight. Directed by Travis Knight.

Special Features:

• NEW Feature-Length Storyboards
• NEW Inside LAIKA Featurette
• NEW Never-Before-Seen Kubo and the Two Strings Animation Test Footage
• Audio Commentary with Director/Producer Travis Knight
• “Kubo’s Journey”
• Original Featurettes

ABOUT LAIKA:

Fueled by the vision of its President & CEO Travis Knight, the animation studio LAIKA was founded in 2005. Located just outside of Portland, Oregon, LAIKA was awarded a Scientific and Technology Oscar® plaque in 2016 for its innovation in 3D printing. All of LAIKA’s five films: Coraline (2009), ParaNorman (2012), The Boxtrolls (2014), Kubo and the Two Strings (2016), and Missing Link (2019) were nominated for the Academy Award® for Outstanding Animated Feature. Kubo and the Two Strings also won the BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film and received an additional Oscar® nomination for Visual Effects. Missing Link was awarded the Golden Globe® as Best Animated Film. @laikastudios

ABOUT SHOUT! FACTORY

Shout! Factory, LLC is a leading multi-platform media company devoted to film and TV distribution, development, and production, as well as the preservation and revitalization of the very best in pop-culture entertainment. Founded by Richard Foos, Bob Emmer, and Garson Foos in 2003, Shout! owns and manages a large portfolio of films, contemporary and classic TV series, animation, and documentaries. The company’s creative acquisition mandate has established it as a leading independent distributor, with partners and properties including GKIDS, Sesame Street, The Carol Burnett Show, The Johnny Carson Show, IFC Films, Stephen J. Cannell Productions, ITV Studios, Major League Baseball Productions, and many others. Shout! Factory Kids focuses on live-action and animated kids and family properties as well as anime, and the company releases films and television shows in other genres under the Scream Factory and Shout Select imprints. Shout! develops, acquires, and distributes new films via Shout! Studios owns and operates libraries including Mystery Science Theater 3000 (in partnership with creator Joel Hodgson) and the Roger Corman New Horizon Pictures Library, and operates the acclaimed streaming service Shout! Factory TV. Shout! Factory is based in Los Angeles, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com.

A review and giveaway of this adorable movie will be coming next week.  Check it out on the big screen tomorrow!

Thanksgiving Fashion Trends For The Family

 The fashion trends for Thanksgiving this fall are all about color. With the arrival of our favorite season comes a new palette of colors to embrace and experiment with. There's no need to feel limited by these fashion trends, however! You can wear any type of clothing you want with the right color combinations. Let’s look at some fashion trend ideas that will help you find your perfect fall/winter wardrobe as well as explore different ways you can combine colors for the Thanksgiving dinner.

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Kids Fall Fashion Trends

Try boys thanksgiving shirts for kids who love to show some personality. And for girls, try a jean jacket in aubergine hues with printed leggings and gold ballet flats.

If your kid gets hot easily, layer up on the clothes for chilly days. Warm brown pants with an orange sweater are perfect! 

Some ideas of how you can mix colors:

A warm-toned shirt layered over a dark top creates a deep look that will keep kids cozy through winter. For boys or girls looking for something more unique, consider adding pops of color like mint green tones mixed into their wardrobe! The possibilities are endless when it comes to kids' Fall Fashion Colors. Have fun mixing harmonious shades together for kids this Fall.

Women Fall Fashion Trends

Find your fashion color: fall fashion trends are all about rich, warm colors. Browns, reds, and oranges are a great place to start when choosing an autumn fashion trend. Pair these stunning earth tones with black or white for a classic look that will never go out of style. Layer tops in darker shades over lighter ones for more dimension! 

Don't forget the boots: this is going to be the season where ankle boots really shine so don't feel like you have to stick with traditional winter footwear such as Uggs or snow boots!

Incorporate some dark into your wardrobe: Add depth by mixing deep brown hues and scary shades of purple together in one outfit for maximum impact this fall/winter season. Deep purple is a fantastic fashion color that can be used to create an elegant and rich look.

If you're looking for fashion inspirations from celebrities this season then take note that famous fashionistas are rocking some serious styles with these autumn/winter hues. Try the following colors for your fall/winter wardrobe: rust, dusty rose, burgundy, deep olive green, lavender, and taupe. 

Men Fall Fashion Trends

Almost too easy this thanksgiving: take your pick from among traditional dark hues like navy blue and black; choose more muted shades such as camel brown or coffee brown or go bold by adding bright indigo blues instead of plain white. Thanksgiving is not the only time of year to express individuality through fashion. so, when it's cold outside and snowing (or raining or sleeting), you can still show off your unique sense of style with men's winter clothes in jewel tones such as emerald green, ruby red, and deep Bordeaux wine. 

The result? A wardrobe full of new possibilities where thanksgiving dinner becomes the perfect canvas for expressing individuality through fashion choices.

The Do's and Don't Of Online Chats

 Have you ever wanted to start a conversation online but didn't know what to say? Whether it's on Facebook or through all chat line numbers, online conversations can be awkward. 

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

Let's have a look at some tips on how you can start online chats and avoid awkwardness. These include knowing the different types of chat lines so that you are prepared for any online conversation.

Know the type of online conversation you want

Is it a video chat? Texting? A one-on-one call or group chat? Knowing what kind of communication you want will help with online conversations as well.

Be aware that online chats can be different from in-person communications, so don't take them personally. Instead, be mindful and conscientious about your messages to keep things civil!

If someone makes an online comment that upsets you, please try not to respond right away before thinking more critically about how they could have said it differently.

The benefits that online chats have in store 

Online chatting offers many benefits over traditional forms of communication such as face-to-face interactions, phone calls, and text messaging because people are generally much less shy when using computers or cellphones to talk to others instead of interacting face-to-face.

There are various online chats available which can be a great way to start online conversations as well. It will have the added benefit of finding people nearby who match your preferences for dating while also chatting online! 

You may want to test out some types that offer free trial periods before deciding which is best for you.

Friendship sites like Meetup are another option if online chats aren't what you're looking for but rather connecting with others by location first and foremost. This can be very beneficial if you are in a new city and want to connect with other people online but don't know many locals.

Finally, online chats through sites like Google Hangouts or Skype may be something you're interested in for video chatting! These can also be used as free trial periods until you decide that it's worth paying the monthly fee for more features.

Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA from Pexels

What Not To Do On Online Chats

Don't be the online chat police

If someone is trying to get into a conversation with you, let them do it - don't spoil their fun by interrupting and saying, "You shouldn't say that."

Photo by Alex Green from Pexels

Keep things positive

There's no need for negativity online. You'll find people online who are looking for friends or just want to make new connections; some might not have as many opportunities in life because of where they live, so it can help when chatting online.

Be polite

It doesn't matter if the person is flirting with you or giving you advice on something, always remember your manners! For example, never argue about grammar mistakes during an online chat session. That's what spellcheck is for.

Don't be too online

Unless you're looking to make a connection, don't send the person who's chatting with you more than one message per day. If they want to chat that much, it's not online dating!

The Things New Parents Always Have To Learn

If you are about to become a new parent, there is every chance in the world that you are feeling incredibly worried and nervous right now. This is a very normal feeling to have, and in a way, it would be quite strange if you were not worried at all. But you should at least feel heartened by the fact that most of the things you are going to come across are things that many people have come across before. What’s more, you are easily going to be able to learn how to manage them all, each as they come.

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In this post, we are going to take a look at a number of the new things that new parents always have to learn. Knowing about what these are upfront can help you in a number of ways: you can start researching and trying to learn about them, you can mentally prepare, and you can start to appreciate the magnitude of what you are doing. Don’t let that get in the way, however: it really is one thing at a time, as it is with everything else.

How To Go On Little Sleep

There is no doubt about it: once you have a kid in the picture, you are going to lose out on sleep for quite a while. At the start, your baby will obviously be up and crying throughout the night, and maybe all night if you are unlucky. And then when they get a little older, you’ll find you may lose sleep just from worrying about them! So whichever way you look at it, you are probably going to lose out on sleep for quite a while from here on out.

The question here is how to cope with it. After a while, you will find that you naturally start to manage with less sleep fairly easily. But if you want to hurry that process up and make it a lot easier, you might want to think about trying some tactics for dealing with less sleep. That includes having something to do when you can’t sleep, like reading a book and trying not to worry about it too much, as over-worrying about your sleep often makes it all the more difficult to sleep more!

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As long as you don’t panic and you get what sleep you can, you should find that you can more or less function okay, and your body and brain will soon learn how to cope with far less sleep than you may have been used to up until now.

Decorating The Nursery Is Really Important

People often think of decorating the nursery as just a nice, cute thing to do. While it is also that, it actually turns out to be one of the most vital things you can do for your child. The reason is simple: when you have spent a great deal of time and energy and effort on decorating the nursery, making it look really nice, and ensuring it is homely, your baby is much more likely to be happy with the room, and therefore to enjoy sleeping in it.

So, if you want to make sure that your baby is sleeping as well as possible, you should definitely be sure to put a lot of effort into the nursery as best as you can. That is going to make a radical difference to your baby’s restfulness, which as we have seen is important for your own restfulness too! It is also a good way to get yourself ready for the baby’s arrival, and a nice tradition to work on the nursery.

Breastfeeding Takes Practice

Practically no mother in the world finds breastfeeding easy on the first dozen or so attempts. It’s a completely normal and natural part of the process to find that there is a learning curve to trying to get your baby to feed. So if you are finding yourself worrying about this, just try to relax. It really is a very common concern, and nobody in the world finds that their baby latches on perfectly each and every time - and certainly not the first time. You should therefore try to be relaxed around the whole thing, and certainly don’t beat yourself up about it.

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Another important thing to bear in mind about breastfeeding is that it can be incredibly painful. This pain can take some getting used to, but it is something that you will find goes away after a period of time, or at least you do ultimately get used to it. You’ll also find that there are times when your baby only wants to feed for ten minutes, and sometimes they’ll want to feed for an hour, so you never really know what you are getting into each time you go to feed them. As long as you know this from the start, it can help you in not over-worrying about these very normal issues.

Nobody Is An Expert First-Time

When you talk to other parents, or when you read books or find information online, you might often get the feeling that everybody else in the world appears to be an expert on the subject of raising a baby. It can be very easy to feel as though you are alone in the world not knowing about the basics of looking after your kid. However, this is how everyone feels when they first have a child, and often far beyond that too, and you are definitely not alone in feeling this way.

The fact is that nobody is an expert right away, and you are not going to be either. It’s okay to have a learning curve and to take your time picking everything up. That’s just how it goes. What you shouldn’t do is blame yourself or be overly strict with yourself and beat yourself up for not knowing things: that kind of attitude won’t lead to anything good, and you’ll only find it actually makes things worse in general anyway. Give yourself a break!

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Be Grateful For Help...But Don’t Accept It Blindly

Once you have a baby, everyone in your life will want to help you, and you’ll start receiving offers for different kinds of help left, right, and center. This is going to make you feel either calm or overwhelmed, depending on your nature. The best approach is to be genuinely grateful for the help that is being offered but to also be wary about what help you accept. You need to know that the help is coming from a person who knows what they are doing. If it doesn’t, you are going to find that you can end up in a worse situation just by taking their kind offer of help! So it is wise, and in your baby’s best interests, to be slightly wary of any help that is offered too.

That being said, from time to time you will want to be able to give your child to someone for the night, and it’s good to have someone who will do that for you when required. Generally, this should be your own parents or someone equally as close to you, whom you know you can trust. And bear in mind that this first time away from your child will be particularly difficult for you.

How To Change A Diaper

One of the most important and basic skills that you are going to need to learn is, of course, how to change a diaper. Once you have got the basic process down, it’s not really all that hard, but again it can be the kind of thing that takes a good deal of practice in order to get it going and to see what you need to do each time. You should change a diaper at least whenever your baby feels uncomfortable in their current one - and don’t be surprised if they go to the toilet again straight after putting a new one on them! The easiest way to change a diaper is to ensure you have everything to hand when you begin, keep a hold of your baby at all times during the process, and take it slowly. You’ll find that this makes it a lot easier on the whole.

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You Will Make Mistakes

Another important lesson in all of this is that you should expect to make mistakes once in a while. No matter who you are or how prepared you might feel, there are things you are going to get wrong. You have to learn how to deal with this situation, and to do all you can to try not to be too hard on yourself. It really is just a part of the process, and a normal part of it too. You should expect to get things wrong once in a while - if you didn’t, you wouldn’t have any opportunities for learning new things.

As you can see, there is a lot to bear in mind. Just take it slow and easy, and all should be well.

Third Trimester Hassle: 6 Fun Things To Do To Prepare Yourself for Delivery

The third trimester is the most exciting pregnancy time, but it can also be the most frustrating. Your baby will soon be here, and you're getting big! So if you are feeling frustrated with your growing body or need a break from being pregnant for a bit, take a look at these six fun things to do during this final stretch that may help prepare yourself for delivery.

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Go for Every Beauty Appointment

It's easy to forget about the beauty appointments you need during pregnancy. They're just so many, and it feels like there are never enough hours in a day! 

But taking care of your skin is essential, especially as you get closer to delivery when hormones will change and cause an increase in acne or other breakouts. You'll also want to book any non-invasive treatments now before the baby makes everything too difficult for travel.

So, no matter if you're going for a massage or facial to release tension in your muscles and increase blood flow, an appointment with your stylist to get that perfect haircut before baby's here, or to get those nails done now - book them! You'll be so happy you did.

Pack Your Hospital Bag

Pack your hospital bag as soon as you can. Put in the clothes you want to wear after delivery, a toothbrush and toothpaste, any toiletries or other supplies of yours with strict security requirements. If possible, pack your phone charger too. Pack snacks for yourself if it's difficult for someone else to get food while at the hospital with you, such as juice boxes or cereal bars.

You'll need things to entertain yourself. You may also find it helpful to bring an extra set of sheets and pillowcases from home just in case they're not available at the hospital; this is especially important for those with babies who have eczema or allergies. 

Finally, pack your birth plan in the bag and any paperwork you need for the baby's social security card, insurance cards, and any other essentials.

Have a Baby Shower

A baby shower and a gender reveal are parties that typically occur in the third trimester of pregnancy. The mother-to-be and her friends or family members throw it traditionally to celebrate the pending birth and new arrival. 

Typical planning for a gender reveal party includes information about when and where the event will be, who's invited, what they should wear if appropriate, food needed, gift ideas for mommy, and clothes for the little one(s) before their arrival home from the hospital. 

Sometimes there are games at showers such as "guess how many jelly beans" or bingo cards with different prizes on each card. It can also include other traditional events like breaking open packs of diapers to reveal the gender or guessing a baby's weight.

A popular thing for guests at showers is to bring gifts in place of attending, but sometimes people are instructed not to bring anything because everything has been taken care of. 

The average number of attendees at a shower is 12-14 people, and they usually last an hour or two hours, depending on the games and food available. 

Install a Car Seat

First, you'll need to find out what type of car seat your baby will need. If you don't already have a car seat for the newborn stage and are looking for one before this due date, check with friends or family members who may still be using theirs. You can buy new ones at any major retail store that sells furniture. With installation in mind, when shopping around, try to look for seats with side-impact protection and those approved by the proper authority. 

Find a Pediatrician

A pediatrician is an important person to look for when you're pregnant. They can provide recommendations about the safety of your pregnancy, any changes that will happen in the baby's development, and what type of care they'll need after birth. There are many different types of pediatricians- general pediatrics or a specialist like neonatology (newborn care).

It doesn't matter if this appointment might be premature due to how early you are in your third trimester because no doctor will see you until at least 34 weeks into the pregnancy anyway. So this meeting with them could potentially save time and money by advising before labor starts! Finding one as soon as possible is also vital as babies under two months old should not travel more than two hours away from their doctors.

How To Use Your Baby Stroller, and Wrapper

The first thing you need to know is that there are two types of strollers: the umbrella and the smaller type, and then there's the more common full-size stroller for bigger kids. If this will be your toddler's primary mode of transport, buy one big enough so they can grow into it.

If you're having twins, think about getting a toddler double jogger which fits both babies in front of each other. Of course, you'll want extra large storage underneath for all their stuff--and get an adapter kit if you have only one car seat carrier because otherwise, once the second baby is born, you'll need to buy another car seat.

Learning how to use the stroller and rubber can be fun--and it's also an excellent way for you to bond with your toddler.

Conclusion

The key takeaway from this piece is that pregnancy can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, but don't let all the physical changes get you down; enjoy every moment because soon enough, they'll be gone forever. It is also essential to prepare for your third trimester. It can give you peace of mind and help take care of any loose ends before the baby arrives.