Scheduling Made Easy with CoSchedule

As many of you know, I run two parenting websites in my local city. I loved being able to do this for almost four years, and the second site just turned one!

It can get a little crazy running multiple sites, and that's why I had to enlist the help of CoSchedule to keep my head on straight and also to be able to be a HUMAN PERSON and not attached to my computer 24/7. (You know the feeling!)

Have you used CoSchedule? After I started KMB, I was ALWAYS glued to my computer and social media trying to make sure I was continuing to grow this local resource. I would seriously wake up and post on Facebook every day. It took so much of my time away from my family, and it was something I worried about ALL.THE.TIME. I would worry did I schedule that post, how far did I schedule in advance...and the list just goes on and on.

Finally some other sites in the City Moms Blog network suggested using CoSchedule so I gave it a shot with the trial period. My life was forever changed!

Not only did it allow my Managing Editor to actual edit in WordPress while she was actually editing it a post, she could schedule to multiple outlets without having to leave WP at all. For us, it was a game changer and freed up time that we desperately needed. I was also eventually able to add a social media manager to my team, and now her and the Managing Editor can see the same information that they need to complete their tasks.

Blogging can be fun, but it can also be cumbersome with all the social media that goes with it. We all know that's part of the gig, but it doesn't have to rule our life.

CoSchedule from Garrett Moon on Vimeo.

CoSchedule also has handy tutorials that show you step-by-step how to use the program. They are also very responsive with any questions you might have. Sometimes that is hard to find in a very web-based world!

They have many features including a marketing calendar, social media scheduling, workflow management, WordPress, Google Docs, Evernote, and Chrome Extension.

I love connecting with friends on social media, but it's also nice to actually step away from the computer and enjoy life away from technology. CoSchedule has allowed me to find a balance and have the best of both worlds!

I also can access both my sites very easily by toggling the calendars. This is a great feature when you have three little ones on the go with not a lot of time. We all know that time is of the essence!

They are always adding cool features, and now we've starting scheduling to Pinterest, and you can even schedule to Instagram (well you know, as far as you can schedule with a reminder to push your Instagram photo). It's also nice to see the calendar layout with all your social media scheduled out in one convenient place!

I hope you give it a shot and happy scheduling my friends!

Natalie

2017 Shenanigans

2016 was a crazy year for my family and for myself in general. I'm really hoping that 2017 slows down a bit, but as we must of us know once you have kids there doesn't seem to be a pause button.

As we head into March 2017, my little guy turns 8 months old, and my older boys just finished basketball. This was our first experience with basketball, and the league kind of does more football/basketball since most of the kids are still learning the concept of dribbling. It was super fun to watch, and Nolan ended up scoring a ton of goals because well he's a GIANT for his age.

Foster is still a little cuddly bear, and I believe is totally ok to keep his baby status. He's no in hurry to be a big boy, and we're totally cool with that. He's a very sweet natured baby with a huge smile. He now has two teeth that he got around 6 months. I think his top two are trying to make an appearance as he fiercely chews on anything. He loves watching his big brothers especially Nolan.

The jury is still out on who he looks like...mostly I think he looks like Nolan when he was a baby, but he certainly has some Conley like features.

Nolan lost his third baby tooth, and almost a fourth one and soon a fifth. That child will look like a jack-o-lantern soon!

In March, we don't have too many plans besides moving into our new house. We started building last year, and man has it been a process.  The boys have spring break, but I don't think we are going anywhere due to the whole we need to be moving soon situation.

KMB and CMB have been keeping me busy! The first quarter is always the busiest time of year for the sites, so another reason I haven't been around. Hoping to post more soon, and more fun updates about Foster!

Natalie

This Little Guy

My little baby boy is now 5 months old! Where does the time go?

This little cutie likes to roll over, and he's really into chewing on his hands. He's got the kickiest legs you've ever seen, and the sweetest smile and laugh. Out of my three boys, I believe he's the smiliest, the happiest, and the first to roll over. It's always fun to see how they differ or how they are the same. They are all their own little people, and it's fun  to watch them develop their personalities.

We are loving our blue-eyed little boy! He's such a joy and the perfect addition to our family!

Natalie

Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas

The turkeys have been eaten, and the football has been watched--now onward to the Christmas season!

With Thanksgiving being a little early this year, it feels like Christmas is starting even earlier than usual with holiday events and tree lightings.

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is receiving cards from all my friends and family. It's fun to see how their families have grown and all the new styles of cards.

Shutterfly has always been one of my go-to Christmas cards since I started making photo cards of my family. Right now I have all the previous years on our fridge, and it's so fun to see how we've changed over the year.

Shutterfly never disappoints with their designs, and this year is no exception! Here are just a few of my favorites I'll be choosing from this year:

From foil stamped, shimmering, pop-out, and ornament shaped Shutterfly has something for everyone to choose from! Don't forget about all their awesome photo gifts for an extra personalized gift this year. I always make photo books and ornaments for the whole family, and I'm excited to design ours this year to include our newest addition!

Hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday season! Merry Christmas friends!

Natalie

Well Hello There November

Ahh...it's finally fall in my neck of the woods. We've been dealing with high temperatures this time of year with 80's and 90's...but not I finally have the 70's with some crispness in the air.

November is my favorite time of year for a multitude of reasons--my birthday (I'm forever 29!), fall my favorite season is usually in full effect, and KMB's third birthday. We plan a huge bash for KMB, and once that party is over my season of life slows down a tad as far as planning goes.

This year we celebrated on a yacht, and it was AMAZING!

 We also received our team photos back, and they are my favorite yet!

In October I was at the CMBN conference in San Antonio, and I was able to hang out with the other site owners in other cities. These ladies are awesome!

It's a busy couple of months, but hoping that I'll be catching up here and sharing about Nolan's birthday, and sweet baby Foster who is now 4 months old!

Natalie

A Superhero Birthday!

Wow I realize I haven't posted since announcing Foster's birth but as you can imagine it's been crazy around here. We've been adjusting to becoming a family of 5 and also having Nolan start Kindergarten. Life is changing, and we're trying to settle in a new routine.

At the beginning of August, we celebrated Conley's 4th birthday party. The theme was a Superhero theme, and it was lots of fun at our local splash pad!

And this guy turned one month old at the end of July!

Happy September friends!

Natalie

Introducing...

Introducing baby boy#3...

Foster Lewis!

Beautiful baby boy born on June 29th! 

7 lbs, 15 oz, and 21 inches

We are doing great and adjusting to being a family of 5!

Natalie