From the featured blog, Mommyhood Exposed

My son Hunter was five months old when he was introduced to his first solid foods. I was beyond excited he was now at the age where he could experience fun new tastes and textures other than plain old milk. As a mom, it was a thrill to witness his reaction to each flavor. The tastes were so foreign and unfamiliar, yet stimulating to his sensitive little taste buds. I can still remember his face when he tried his first food-bananas. The look in his eye seemed to scream “more, more!”, while he smacked his tiny lips. In the following months, he would literally eat everything; from green bean casserole to the hearty vegetable stew medley, and everything in between. I can remember thinking to myself, “this is fantastic! He’s not a picky eater!”, and thanking my lucky stars above.

I neglected to knock on wood, however, because eleven months later, all of that changed.
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From the featured blog, Lizzy Dear’s Life

It’s an age-old question: are in-laws a help or a hindrance? I know we’ve all heard plenty of negative feedback in regards to in-laws, and the role they play (or don’t play) with our children. But is the hype true, are all in-laws evil? I’m not one hundred percent driven to answer yes or no on that question. In my personal experience with in-laws, I believe that everything depends on the attitudes of all parties involved. Sure, we have flaws, and at times personalities and convictions don’t mesh, but I do believe there is a benefit to creating a positive relationship with in-laws.
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From the featured blog, 2 Wired 2 Tired

“Wow!” “Congrats!” “We are so happy for you!” These are statements my husband and I heard over and over again when we told people we were pregnant with our daughter. Later, when announcing our pregnancy with our son, the reaction couldn’t have been more different. Most people thought we were joking. Some said, “Really?” and “No way.” Others even said, “You know how that happens right?” and “Was it an accident?”

Our friends and relatives responded so differently because our daughter was our first, and the pregnancy with our son was confirmed when she was only 6 months old. Friends and relatives were even more shocked to find out we planned it that way. Continue Reading »

From the featured blog, Between Laundry and Naps

When my daughter was born three years ago, my husband and I did not know how much rest and relaxation we would be giving up as a couple. All during my pregnancy, we had heard those famous words, “Enjoy your free time now, because once the baby gets here, you will not have any.” People tried to warn us. They tried to get through to us. But it never, truly sank in……until we had our precious daughter in 2006. To us, free time meant spending whatever time we had away from our daughter, either together or separately, doing things we enjoyed and loved. This, in turn, was enough to spark the romance and keep the magic alive in our relationship. Before our child rearing days, we were always a care free couple, pursuing our individual hobbies as well as spending time with one another. But once our little Ava arrived, things in our relationship started changing. What made things even more realistic is that we started realizing how over protective we were becoming as parents. It was like a job interview every time someone offered to babysit for us. All of a sudden, planning an evening of romance and dinner turned into the Spanish Inquisition for babysitters.
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From the featured blog, Bright Autumn Sun

It seemed that in the days leading up to having my baby, and especially after he arrived, that there was always something for another mom to criticize or say that she did differently or better, because new moms believe that what they are doing for their baby is by far the best and most amazing thing ever.

I realized that being a young, new mom and having other mom friends was a little like being in high school again. The comparisons start early: Natural birth vs. medication; Formula vs. breastfeeding; Organic fabrics vs. regular; Making your own baby food vs. buying jarred…the list can just go on and on. Once the baby is born, it’s milestones this, milestones that! I never knew I could be so obsessed with when someone would decide it was time to roll over!
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From the featured blog, Trying Our Best

Motherhood is full of moments that make you eat your words.

I never though I could love as much as I love my kids, I never thought I would really get as little sleep as I do, I never thought I would discuss the bowel habits of another human, albeit an itty bitty human, for 20 minutes as if it were the most interesting topic in the world, and I never thought that I would be on the organic bandwagon.

{But then again I never thought I would catch someone’s vomit in my own hands and I’ve done that in the past five years way more times then I care to count.}

But really, I never saw the organic thing coming. In fact just recently flyboy uttered the phrase, “Oh come on a little pesticide never killed anyone”. And he was being serious.  I think.  But then again he’s a Marine who prides himself on his survival skills.
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From the featured blog, Growing Up…Townsend Style!

When I got pregnant with my first child in November of 2001, the only fresh example of parenting I had was my aunt and uncle, who at that point in time had their three children ages 7, 6, and 3. 

I, of course, had my own example of parenting from my mother, but I don’t remember any of my “baby” years, nor do I remember my brother‘s.  I’d witnessed my aunt and uncle happily brining home all three girls from the hospital and my aunt breastfeeding and pumping with all three.  When I began my own journey into parenthood, I immediately decided on breastfeeding.  My aunt told me it was best.  My uncle, a pediatrician, told me the benefits such as less allergies and higher IQ.  Did I want the best for this little person my body was building?  Of course I did.  Was breastfeeding the right choice for me?  Yes, I believe it was.

Fast forward to August 28, 2002.  At 3:17PM, I’m formally introduced to my beautiful baby boy, Ethan.  Our first nursing session goes beautifully.  I love cuddling this soft, warm little person to my chest as he happily nurses.  The next day, we are discharged and head home to continue our bonding.  In preparation for my breastfeeding journey, I purchased a pump and very few bottles.  I didn’t want to hinder myself in the process of establishing a healthy breastfeeding bond with my baby, so I didn’t purchase any formula, and refused the  samples they offered us in the hospital.  Would it have been easier in my sleep deprived state to grab a pre-made bottle and slap a nipple on it?  Sure.  But, was it the best?  Not in my mind.  Continue Reading »

From the featured blog, Mama Notes

Society has mades us believe that our children need (even want!) a lot of toys. Shelves are filled with hundreds of toys, all with bright lights and sounds to attract children. It has gone way overboard, sucking kids in and putting guilt on parents who don’t buy their kids 10 toys for Christmas. The truth is, kids are pretty simple. Give them a bowl of water, some stickers or finger paint, stacking toys or a race car track, blocks to build a castle or sand to make a tunnel and they’ll be entertained.
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From the featured blog, Confessions from a Working Mom

I’ll admit it…

 
I was one of those moms who thought she would spend her maternity leave leisurely strolling through the neighborhood, pushing a pram (no, I’m not British, but like Madonna, I like to sound that way); I thought I’d be spending afternoon coffee dates with my girlfriends; and I thought– for sure– I’d be getting lots and LOTS of rest.
 
Because, honestly, how much work could one little baby be?
 
Well, you know what people say what you assume… It’s not nice.
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From the featured blog, Dear Crissy

On August 3rd, 2009, I gave birth to my tremendously handsome son, Evan. As a first time mother, I spent most of my nine months of pregnancy wondering what life would be like once my baby was born. I knew that while there would be many new challenges and perhaps even surprises in store for me, I could be certain of two things. First, that I would love my baby and strive to be the best mother possible, and second, that I would breastfeed. Loving my baby was a piece of cake. From the moment I saw his face, it was a done deal–I was hooked. I wish I could say that my goal of breastfeeding was so easy.
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