Two Under Two

My life with a newborn and a toddler under two years old has been quite the whirlwind this past month. I still can't quite believe that my Little Man is already a month old! Where does the time go?!

Having two under two is busy-that's no joke. Thank heavens for having Hubs home. I honestly don't know what I would do if he wasn't here...how do people manage? Between recovering from my c-section, to only being able to do the stairs once a day, to nursing pretty much around the clock, he's been a total lifesaver. I will never ever take for granted the fact that we were able to get him paternity leave. Especially since there is a WHOLE LOT more laundry. And it's nice having family time too of course. 

People have been asking how it's going. Honestly it hasn't been too bad. Of course we are tired and of course it's draining but thankfully our only job has been to be parents. So right now we have man to man coverage on the little ones so we aren't quite outnumbered. Clearly the fact that we don't really have any other responsibilities helps out too. Ask me how it's going in a month when Hubs goes back to work! 

There are of course some challenges. 

The laundry is insane. I don't quite understand how adding one more little human into the mix adds so much more laundry? I feel like we are doing loads every day. Thank goodness for the new high efficiency washer! Having two in diapers is rough, but even though we're washing every other day instead of every 3-4 days I still wouldn't change a thing. Having to do an extra load here and there still beats spending loads of money on disposables and also contributing that much more garbage to a landfill. When Little Man was in sposies for the first few weeks I was sick over the amount of extra garbage...and the cost! 

Keeping our little house organized and uncluttered has been a challenge too. Our house is only 1100 square feet with two bedrooms and a playroom. The kids share a closet, and we don't have much storage so we've had to be creative. We only keep out what we need and we are constantly rotating out toys and clothes. We have shelves and shelves of bins stacked in the basement that we're trying to now be very diligent about keeping organized. So far so good. My craft and creativity center has moved from the dining room table to the basement which I'm excited about. Hubs cleared out a corner just for me and my arts and crafts.  Once I can do stairs I can't wait to work down there in the evenings. We've created an extra living space in the basement as well with a tv corner and futon. I'm sure the tortoises are excited for the company! 

Keeping toys in the playroom only has been important to us as well. We want Little Miss to understand that everything has a place and she is very quick to pick up on where things go. She is learning young that it's important to put things in their proper place and every night we put everything away together so she learns the value of her things. I truly believe children can learn and accept responsibility even at such a young age!

How else has life changed with two? Well for starters Little Miss isn't the center of the world anymore. And for the most part she is ok with that, which is a good thing! She's very helpful, throwing things in the laundry, trash, or diaper pail. Or this morning when she was able to go get the boppy for me. She really likes being a helper and retrieving things or putting them away. Most of the time. She's really been patient with the fact that sometimes she has to wait for mommy's attention. Nursing a hungry newborn leaves me confined to the couch much of the day so we try to do things together from there like read stories or sing songs. Baby wearing Little Man has helped too, because it leaves me hands free to play with her. Don't get me wrong, sometimes she gets sad that mama is busy, but thankfully Hubs can usually distract her. They've been having tons of fun with all of their daddy-daughter time! 

I'll tell you though, I forgot how much I LOVE having a snuggly newborn! It is so amazing to hold that little baby and realize that you made him!! I love the smell, the snuggles, the nursing-and this time around it seems even more fleeting. Now that I know how fast it goes I appreciate it all even more! I love my toddler and seeing her grow and change into a little mini adult, but there's just something about the newborn stage that is so incredibly amazing. 

My favorite part of it all is watching Little Miss with her new brother. She can't quite say his name so she just calls him Baby. It's quite adorable. She brings him his blankies or his lovies and rattles and things. She points to his eyes and nose and names them. She was very concerned about his umbilical cord stump, and still checks to make sure it's gone. And she even gives him a tiny little kiss on the forehead every once in awhile...which melts my heart every time. I'm so excited for them to be so close and to grow up knowing one another and being buds. My siblings are my best friends, and I can't wait for my littles to have a built in best bud! It's so important to me for them to have each other. It's the little things every day and knowing they have each other that make all the craziness that much more worthwhile to me! 

Love and laughs,

Danielle

What do you REALLY need for baby?

I started this post weeks ago...forgive me for just finishing and publishing now!

The flu is never fun to begin with, but the flu at 36 weeks pregnant is truly miserable. I have been couch bound for two days. Today I am feeling better enough to sit up and eat some saltines, but still pretty stuck to the couch or bed. Thankfully the hubs has been taking care of Little Miss all weekend and took her to the aquarium today so I could rest and relax.

But of course, there is only so much Parenthood I can watch on netflix before I start to feel stir crazy. Bed rest would not do me well! Which got me thinking.

Since I had Little Miss I have always found it interesting how much "stuff" is marketed towards new parents. When hubs and I registered before she was born we left Babies R Us exhausted and with a registry full of stuff that I had no idea how to use or what it was for. With baby #2 coming along we have been getting out the stuff we need and there is remarkably less stuff this time around. Which I am quite thankful about. That got me thinking about what new moms really need for their babies? I decided to make a list of my favorite baby products that we couldn't live without and actually NEEDED.

So here are my top baby items:

1. Aden + Anais swaddle blankets-Receiving blankets are for the birds. These blankets are amazing. They're made of soft muslin that is breathable and cozy. Great for summer or winter and are made for swaddling the correct way. You can throw one over your car seat so your baby isn't exposed to the elements or the germs at the supermarket (no you don't need a car seat cover, just use a blanket!) They make good nursing covers too, and are big enough to spread out on the ground for some tummy time or a quick diaper change. These blankets got the most use in our house and will again for the next baby. I highly recommend these over any other blanket. They come in lots of fun patterns too!

2. Arm's Reach Mini Co-Sleeper-Every time I mention co-sleeping people start squawking about how unsafe it is and how could I ever sleep with my baby and don't I worry about the safety, etc. etc. Co-sleeping does not necessarily mean that my baby is sleeping in my bed. That's bed-sharing (or family bed). Bed sharing is done all over the world and CAN be done safely. Co-sleeping can be a form of bed-sharing but can also involve the baby sleeping in the parents bedroom, either in a bassinet, co-sleeper, pack and play, etc. Research shows this is the safest place for baby during the first 6 months at least to decrease SIDS risks. Among other things, mom and dad are able to attend to baby's needs immediately, and it is best for the mother baby nursing relationship. Co-sleeping worked out for us for 18 months of my daughter's life. She started in the rock and play sleeper next to our bed (more on that later!) but I still felt like she was too far away from me to feel comfortable with knowing she was ok and breathing. We tried a pack and play and she didn't like how big, empty, and open it was. She has always been small and the transition from the womb, to rock and play to pack and play was a huge open space and she didn't like it at all. She's always been a snuggler. So I quickly found myself a co-sleeper and all of our sleep problems drifted away. It sidecars to the bed so that baby is in their own safe sleep space, but close enough to snuggle, and pull right into bed for nighttime feedings. As Little Miss got older and slept longer stretches it was still nice having her close, and when she woke up and wanted to nurse neither of us had to fully wake up. I loved having this and am so glad I can use it from the beginning this time!

3. Snuza Halo-This is my most favorite baby item of all time. Seriously. it saved my sanity and my sleep and gave me so much peace of mind. It's a little device that runs on a battery that attaches to the front of baby's diaper so the soft rubber part touches the baby's tummy. It works over a onesie too if you'd rather clip to pants. It monitors the baby's breathing and movement. Here's how it works:
"Superior Sensor: Placed next to baby's abdomen, detects even the slightest irregularity in breathing
Snuza Halo detects even the slightest movement and will alert you if your baby's movements are very weak or fall to less than 8 movements per minute.  If no movement at all is detected for a period of 15 seconds, Halo will vibrate gently. Often this vibration is enough to rouse the baby, and Halo will revert to monitoring mode. After three vibration/rouse incidents, the Rouse Warning will alert you to the fact that your baby's movements have stopped for 15 seconds on three occasions.
If no further movement is detected for another 5 seconds, an alarm will sound to alert you."
The alarm is LOUD. Even if baby was in another room you could hear it. We had it go off about 4 or 5 times. All of the times except one it was because I hadn't clipped it correctly and it had slipped off. There was at least one time though that the alarm sounded and it was on correctly. I picked my little one up and thankfully she was breathing. I will never ever know whether or not she actually stopped moving or breathing to have made it go off, but I am forever thankful that I had the alarm on her regardless. The best part about the snuza is that you can take it anywhere. We purchased the Angel Care Video Sound and Movement Monitor for the nursery, but since our nursery was downstairs Little Miss never slept there at night. There was no way I was having her on another floor from me, monitor or not! The angel care is great, and we use it now that she is in her own room. I can see and hear her at all times and it monitors that she is moving, the temperature in the room, etc. BUT it was set up in the crib. I couldn't sleep when she was sleeping at night because I was so worried she would stop breathing. I read somewhere that newborns forget to breathe in those first few weeks. Whether or not that's true I couldn't rest unless I had some peace of mind. So if she wasn't in her crib or my arms I was a wreck. When I discovered the snuza, I was up nursing one night and immediately ordered it from amazon. I couldn't wait for it to arrive! When I finally got to use it the first night I was super nervous because I was afraid to let my guard down. By the second night I was sleeping soundly. From then on, I slept like a tired mom (not like a baby...I don't know who came up with that!) each and every night. I highly recommend this for any new parents!

4. Rock 'n Play Sleeper-This thing is great. It's small enough to put by your bed or the couch, or really any room you are in, but lightweight and portable enough to move easily from room to room. We used this in the first few weeks for Little Miss to sleep in because I was unable to use the stairs after my c-section. What a life saver! I put it right next to the couch and she was an arm's length away from me. Once we moved upstairs and she was in the co-sleeper, it stayed downstairs. I could easily take it with me from room to room when I needed to put the baby down. It was small enough to fit in my tiny cubicle of a bathroom so I could put her in it while I showered. What a lifesaver! Little Miss never really cared for the swing so this was a great alternative. I also would put her in it when I was cooking (rare!) in the kitchen, folding laundry, or for naps during the day when she wasn't in my arms. This thing rocks and we have it ready and waiting for the new baby. Such a simple product that made our lives so much easier. And although we didn't deal with reflux, I hear that it is great for babies that have to sleep upright due to stomach issues. not to mention it's cozy and cocoon like as the womb is, so babies have an easier transition to being out in the world! We loved it especially when Little Miss got older too because when she had a stuffy nose or was congested sleeping upright really helped her get some sleep. A must for every baby registry!

5. Calma-For a nursing mom going back to work....or ever leaving the house this was essential! The Medela Calma nipple "allows them to suck, swallow and breathe, as learned on the breast. Whether you breastfeed or use Calma, the baby has to create a vacuum for breastmilk to flow. As soon as the baby pauses, the flow is stopped, this is also the way with breastfeeding." I was very concerned that once a bottle was introduced that Little Miss wouldn't want to nurse anymore (the wrong type of bottle can hinder a breastfeeding relationship) or if the bottle wasn't the right kind it would turn the baby off from the bottle and then she would ONLY want to nurse. I was very nervous about all of this because I was determined to be successful at breastfeeding even and especially once I went back to work! Cheri from The Care Connection was a great help and recommended the Calma. Everything I read and learned from breastfeeding class said to introduce a bottle between 3-5 weeks and dad should give the first bottle when mom isn't home. So at 4 weeks I went to visit my friend and her new baby in the hospital and left hubs alone with the baby and the bottle. She took to it beautifully, and still nursed just fine the same night. It very well could be that we have an easy going kid who goes with the flow (ha! no pun intended!) but I honestly believe the Calma was a huge help. I was able to successfully give Little Miss pumped breast milk for the duration of our nursing relationship when I couldn't be with her. Not to mention, I truly believe the Calma had a hand in helping her transition from a regular sippy cup to a straw sippy a lot quicker (9 months) because it has a similar feel to a straw. She actually preferred straw sippy cups pretty early on and I really think the fact that she didn't have a typical bottle nipple helped.

6. BOOKS-If there is one thing I want to stress to you as a teacher mom it's that there is one thing you can never ever have too many of in your house and it's books! This is the one thing I am ok with spoiling my kids with. Books are SO important.

6. A good soft structured ergonomically correct baby carrier! Baby wearing in and of itself is so important and amazing for bonding and helping parents get things done around the house! It also helps alleviate "flat head" syndrome because the baby is not always on its back in say a swing or sleeper. But I will stress the importance of getting a carrier that will not cause baby to be "crotch dangling."
 
Baby B'jorns are classic examples. This puts stress on baby's hip joints and can lead to hip dysplasia over time. Here's a good quick set of tips for successful and safe baby wearing.

I have three favorites. And trust me I tried out a few. I like different carriers for different reasons.

Shh, don't tell daddy I posted a pic of him! ;)

The Ergo-This carrier is great for being outside on long outings as it gives lots of support and does not put stress on parent's back or baby's hips.They are a little pricey, but you can watch sites like babysteals for good deals. I got mine for half price on Ergo's website! We have the standard, basic black one. I wanted the one with the stars or a purple one but wanted hubs to be willing to actually wear it...and I am glad I went with black because he does!

Using the Moby around the house!

The Moby Wrap-My cousin got me the Moby for my shower. At that point I was obviously not well-versed in baby wearing at ALL and was like "What the heck do I do with this looooong piece of fabric?! Well fast forward a few months later and I was wrapping like a BOSS. Hubs and I both LOVE the Moby wrap! It takes some practice, as does any carrier, to figure out proper adjustment, holds, and wrapping techniques, but it's perfect for quick trips or long ones, chores around the house, or even taking a nap with baby on your chest! (Making sure baby is safely and properly positioned of course!) It's very comfortable to wear, and is a great wrap for beginner baby wearers. And it can hold up to 35 pounds! I highly recommend the Moby, as it is one of the more affordable carriers out there and is great for anyone just starting out with baby wearing. I found it was easy to use for errands. I would wrap it and put it on myself before I got in the car, then when I arrived wherever I was going I would just pop Little Miss out of the car seat and into the wrap. Then I wouldn't have to re-wrap every time I got in and out of the car.

Rocking the K'Tan at the Farmer's Market!

The Baby K'Tan-This was a whim purchase! I loved my Moby wrap, but as I became more of an avid babywearer I did some more research and read about the K'Tan. It's essentially the same as a Moby except it's prewrapped for you. You just slide the two hoops around your shoulders, pop baby in, and tie the waist piece around you. SO easy peasy. Plus, there is a lot less fabric, so it keeps you cooler. I love love love my K'Tan and used it most of the time before Little Miss could walk or stand.


Now that Little Miss is bigger she is heavier so I tend to use the Ergo more for the support, but the K'Tan is still my favorite! The main thing to know is that you get more holds with the Ergo...you cannot use a soft structured carrier for a back carry, just front and side holds. If you want to use a wrap for a back carry then you need to get a strong linen wrap. You can check out this website for lots more useful info about baby wearing!

A word on clothing: Baby clothing is my vice. I can tell you that once I had Little Miss I pretty much never bought anything for myself ever again. (Ok that is a slight exaggeration, but I really couldn't tell you the last time I bought myself clothes!) Baby clothes are SO much fun to buy and receive because they are so damn cute! You will get tons of cute things before the baby is born (more so if you find out what you are having) and after too, people were SOOOOO generous to us! Who doesn't love buying cute little clothes for baby?! But I always tell new moms to keep in mind one important thing: Keep the tags on everything! You are going to want to wash and organize and put away all the cute little outfits immediately, (Yes, I did this! Learn from the error of my ways!) but DON'T! You don't know how big your baby is going to be...or in our case how small! Even without the receipts most stores will let you exchange sizes or outfits months or even years later! PJs and onesies are an exception, because you'll get use out of them no matter what, but definitely keep the tags on the other clothes until baby is here!

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And honestly, that's it! You don't need lots of stuff for your baby! My child has a whole playroom full of toys which she does play with a lot! But she is also happy with boxes or baskets or pots and pans! We live in a society where everyone thinks they need to give their baby all sorts of STUFF. And don't get me wrong, we are very appreciative of everything that we have received as gifts and make good use of it all. But for those new moms out there who are stressing out about everything you think you need-don't! Just enjoy the time getting ready for baby. Before you know it he or she will be here and you will be perfectly content worrying about your little one. And baby will be ok with just your love. That's all the "stuff" that our littles need.

 Love and Laughs,

Danielle

Stop the Insanity!

Lately I have been seeing a lot of people sharing and talking about various blog posts by fellow mom bloggers. This is awesome. I got into blogging because I was inspired by all these other mamas who seemed to really have it together. After all, if they could handle blogging on top of parenting, jobs, housework, social lives...then we should be celebrating their efforts and accomplishments and sharing tips, tricks, and advice with one another.

I love reading mom blogs. On the left hand side of my blog you can see links to some of my favorite mommy blogs. I think it's SO important that moms support one another, and respect one another, despite what your parenting positions are, especially when there is so much negativity out there today regarding "The Mommy Wars."

Which brings me to my next point.

I have noticed a trend lately among mommy bloggers and just other mommies that I DON'T like.
Maybe you've noticed it too. Moms seem to be banning together to be telling like it is and talking about the harsh realities of parenthood in a very candid way. Sometimes too candid. And too abrasive.

Recently, I saw a blog post by a mom whose son was allegedly called an "a-hole" by another mom. Hold the phone, are you kidding? Who says that about a kid?! As I am reading I am really feeling for this mom. But then she does the unthinkable-SHE calls her son an "a-hole." WHAT? I am sorry but what? How can you ever use a word like that to describe your own child? The context was that a friend was calling her son too wild and in turn called her son an "a-hole." But then she responded with: "Well what the hell does she expect? He’s a 4-year-old BOY! Of course he’s a wild, crazy a-hole!"

I understand that she was "joking," but joking or not I cannot ever even imagine using such harsh words about my child. I don't care how frustrated I am or how tired or spread too thin. It's just not acceptable.

I think some moms (bloggers or not) feel that moms who don't yell or swear or say sarcastic things are out of touch or trying to put on a show or something. Every mom is spread thin. Every mom is tired. Every mom has her moments. I get frustrated when my daughter has a tantrum. A few weeks ago we were in Target and Little Miss had her very first public meltdown. She wanted to drink out of a sippy that I put in the cart to buy for my cousin's son, and of course it had nothing in it so she was MAD. She screamed and cried and wanted to get down and I could have yelled or spanked her or swore or hung my head in shame. But, as someone wise once told me, life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you react to it. So I did the best I could. We visited the snack bar where a very nice Target worker gave us a cup full of water. Then I got what I needed quickly, all while talking calmly to her and eventually she calmed down and we went home. Not once did I EVER think to call her a name or scream. Not my style. And I am Italian with a capital I, so that's saying a lot. But I believe childhood is precious and regardless of how hard things are, I never want to look back and regret something I said or did to my baby.

My point is, why are moms acting like it's "cool" or "funny" to rally together to say how much parenting sucks sometimes? I have seen so many things online lately whether from blogs or e-cards or memes that say things about how parents can't wait until their kids go to bed, or talk about how their kids are such a burden. I know most of it is probably meant to be in jest, and maybe I am more sensitive to certain things because of my stuggle to get pregnant. But is it really necessary to talk about your kids using swear words?

I know that mom was defending her son. And I don't blame her at all. I am not trying to pick on this one mom. I don't know her and I certainly respect her mama bear attitude. I would be and feel the same way if someone said something bad about my kid. But maybe tone it down on the harsh words. What is he going to think someday when he grows up and reads her blog and sees that his mama called him such a name?

Another post that made the rounds awhile back got to me as well.
This post had a mom talking about parenting "teams." So many people on my friends list shared and liked and commented on how great this woman's post was. She was all up in arms because she doesn't want to be labeled as a specific type of parent or be lumped into a group. She doesn't want to be called an attachment parent and is proud of using lysol and disposable diapers and thinks that because she uses or does those things that other moms will judge her. And maybe some will, but that doesn't make it right. But it also isn't right to talk about the people who choose to do or not do certain things in the same negative way.

That's fine that you don't want to be labeled. No one does. But do you need to be so negative about those people that DO like to identify with a certain group? I know that  I personally love being able to identify with other like minded people. I have made a lot of friends this way and feel like I have a great network of resources of like minded mommies to go to for advice, support, or just to vent and talk! What's wrong with wanting to identify with others? That saying "It takes a village" has some truth to it!

I very proudly consider myself an attachment parent. You all know this. I am proud to nurse my babies anywhere and everywhere and ::gasp:: past the age of one. I baby wear. I co-sleep. We use cloth diapers. I did my best to make my own baby food. We spread out vaccines-but we DO get all of them!  And I am proud of those things.

Have we used disposables? Yes! My daughter is in one right now as a matter of fact since we are sans washing machine. I have no plans to wash diapers in the sink. And I am ok with that.

Has my daughter had pouches? And pizza? And french fries? Yes! Because we do our best to shop organic and non-GMO but we also live life. And if it's pizza Friday then Little Miss is having pizza. And if we are at Tim Horton's she gets a timbit. And she loves it! And I am ok with that.

Guess what? I DON'T believe in home birthing! If you do, more power to you! But for me and my family, I am a firm believer in a hospital birth. I had a c-section due to an emergency situation the first time around, and yes I have a scheduled one for this baby. And I am ok with those things too.

But do you see me feeling guilty or swearing or talking bad about others who disagree with me? NO! Because everyone's situation is different, and every family has to do what's best for them. And I guarantee you that doesn't make me any less of an "attachment parent." Or a parent for that matter.

Go ahead and call me AP. Go ahead and call me crunchy. Or "team green" because I am not finding out the sex of my babies. Put whatever label you want on me. I don't really care. I think people who get mad about that kind of thing are thinking way too much about it. Maybe they feel guilty for not being more like this way of parenting or that way and that's their way of coping with it. Who knows. But I honestly think everyone needs to settle down, stop fighting about how we choose to raise our kids and just respect one another. No one needs to be getting all up in arms and swearing because they feel like they are falling short of the expectations they put on themselves-or the expectations that they believe or perceive others/society to be putting on them.

What we all need to remember is what it all boils down to: our babies.

As long as your little ones are fed, clothed, have a roof over their heads, are paid attention to and LOVED then you are doing a good job.

I know I am doing a good job. Because my little one is happy and loved.

So go ahead and put a label on me.

The only label I care about is the one my babies give me: Mommy.

Love and Laughs,

Danielle

Friday Favorite & a Celebration!

First Friday Favorites post in quite awhile! I have to share a product that I absolutely LOVE with you today but first I want to share my excitement over a recent milestone:

The Good Life facebook page has reached and surpassed 100 likes! I know that this may seem like small potatoes to some bloggers, but for me it was really exciting. I feel like I don't even know 100 people in real life so to have SO many fans like and follow the page truly means a lot. Thank you all for sharing with your friends and for passing the word along! I will do my very best to keep bringing you tips and tricks for living a greener, better, simpler life!

One more thing before we move on to my Friday Favorite. It has been brought to my attention by my friend Kelly, a fellow blogger over at Healthy Revenge, that sometimes facebook makes it hard for people to see all of my posts on The Good Life page, including blog updates. So if you would, please head on over to The Good Life's facebook page and make sure your screen looks like this:

"Following" should have a check next to it. Also, if you click on the "liked" box it will also give you the option to "get notifications" which you can click if you feel like being notified every time I post in your notifications. Thank you! Keep sharing and engaging in The Good Life here on the blog and on facebook!

Now for my current Friday Favorite!

This one is especially for all the mamas out there, but all women (and maybe some men too...with long hair?) can definitely benefit from this one!

As a busy mom there are always days when Little Miss wakes up before I am ready and I am cursing the fact that I can't just leave the house with my hair wet and not done...I might scare the children in my class. And my mother, who has a peeve about wet hair would kill me. (I know she would probably never know but I would have lingering guilt that she'd find me out!)

Showering, makeup, dressing, and coffee can all be taken care of in a reasonable amount of time, but factor in drying and straightening my longish hair and it adds about 20 minutes. That is a great deal of precious time when you have to get a toddler out the door and want to actually spend a few minutes of quality time with her before you leave. I have to be to work at 7:25. I work 5 minutes from home....thank God. Otherwise I would never make it. And usually am walking in right on time!

I am a big fan of the IDEA of dry shampoo. A product that will help a busy mama on the go get ready and not have greasy looking hair? I'm sold. But I tried tons of other ones that just didn't work. They made my hair heavy, thick, gray looking, and some even more greasy. Not to mention the chemicals! Before I was pregnant with Little Miss I tried the Tresemme dry shampoo. It smelled atrocious. I actually would hold my breath when I used it! Just look at the EWG ratings!

Ingredient Concerns

Ingredient	Concerns	Score
FRAGRANCE	Ecotoxicology, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Miscellaneous, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)	Data: Fair
OCTINOXATE METHOXYCINNAMATE	Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes, Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Persistence and bioaccumulation	Data: Limited
ISOBUTANE	Multiple, additive exposure sources, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Contamination concerns (BUTADIENE), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)	Data: Limited
BUTANE	Multiple, additive exposure sources, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Contamination concerns (BUTADIENE), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)	Data: Fair
PROPANE	Multiple, additive exposure sources, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)	Data: Fair
SD ALCOHOL 40B	Enhanced skin absorption, Cancer, Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Multiple, additive exposure sources, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)	Data: None
SULISOBENZONE BENZOPHENONE 4	Enhanced skin absorption, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)	Data: Fair
SILICA, AMORPHOUS	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Persistence and bioaccumulation	Data: Fair
ALUMINUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE	Contamination concerns (ALUMINUM POWDER), Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Use restrictions	Data: None
ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE	Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)	Data: Fair

The overall score is an 8 which is considered "High Hazard." No wonder I had to hold my breath!
Not to mention it didn't work! 

I gave up on dry shampoo. Until thankfully due to my short lived Birchbox subscription I discovered this awesome product! It totally comes in handy on days when I just don't have time to wash my hair let alone do all the other primping that comes along with it!

LuLu Organics Hair Powder is seriously a miracle product. It is talc free, organic, and made from completely all natural ingredients. Check it out:

I was not sure this stuff would work. After all the directions say that you only need a dime sized amount. Boy was I mistaken! A little goes a LONG way. And it doesn't leave your hair feeling weighted down or greasy, and doesn't leave a residue or look gray like other dry shampoos. It comes in four scents, the one I received which I LOVE is lavender and clary sage which is a nice fresh smelling scent. It retails for $30 for 4 oz which might seem like a lot but it will last FOREVER. The tiny sample amount that I received lasted me for a long time, and I used it a lot! If you aren't sure you want to commit to the larger size before trying, they have a 1 oz travel size that is only $9.50! I absolutely love this stuff. It's the perfect solution to those "days of unwash" where you still want to look, smell, and feel good! You can purchase it directly from their website or from Amazon as well! The best part about it besides the fact that it WORKS is that it is completely natural. Talc is controversial, being linked to carcinogens, and many powder based cosmetics contain talc. I don't know about you but I would much rather spend a little extra and KNOW I am getting a fabulous all natural product. Especially if I am putting it on my body where all the ingredients will be absorbed!




So if you are looking for a fabulous dry shampoo alternative, then look no further than LuLu Organics!

I thank you all again for reading and following, and hope you will continue to enjoy and share The Good Life!

Love and Laughs,

Danielle

Being a mom-The best and the worst

Being a mom is hard work. It's the hardest job I have ever had BUT it is also the most rewarding job in the world. I have never once complained about my new job. I wanted it so much and it's everything I expected and sometimes unexpected too. I never expected to love someone this much. I knew I would love my baby before she was here but I never could have imagined how much I would love her. I knew I would be more selfless once she arrived, but I continue to be in awe of how much I am happily willing to give up every day if it means she is happy. Do I miss sleeping in on the weekends? Sure. But I would never trade it for what I have now: unlimited snuggling on the weekends! Do I miss being able to hop in the car and run errands all by myself? Sometimes. But now I get to watch my daughter take in the world wherever we go and enjoy every minute of it. This kid LOVES Wegmans! The point is that for every thing I will miss about my old life, there are 100 more reasons I love my life as a mom.

The best part of being a mom is knowing you are needed always. 

Feeling that little hand creep up to find your finger and hold on tight. Seeing that little face search for you in a room and see it light up with joy. Hearing that little giggle because whatever you did was absolutely hilarious to that sweet little bundle of love.

But the worst part?

...is watching your child go through what we endured this weekend. There is nothing scarier and nothing that hurts more than when your baby is sick. Except when your baby is sick AND has to go through a ton of medical procedures.

Little miss was doing fine. Earlier in the week we had her at Children's for a GI to look at her tummy. She's been spitting up more than normal and has developed some eczema, so the doctors have been trying to rule out a few things. Thankfully she doesn't have reflux or any other terrible stomach condition! This summer  next week! we will see an allergist to rule out a possible food or environmental allergy...did you know that eczema is more often than not caused by an allergy or sensitivity? But otherwise she got a clean bill of health because other than the spitting up she is still gaining weight and is the happiest baby around.

Friday evening she went to sleep at her normal time and was fine. Around 2 am she woke up crying. Sometimes she does this and I usually help her find her binky or pull her out of her co-sleeper and in bed with me and she goes right to sleep. She will either stay there with me or I will put her back in her co-sleeper once she's out. Well as I held her I realized she was burning up (score +1 for co-sleeping!) so I used the temporal thermometer to take her temperature. If you don't have one of these, GET ONE! It's a lifesaver. Want to take your child's temperature while they are sleeping? No problem! Such a wonderful invention! Her temperature was 101. Not too high, but enough that she was uncomfortable. I chalked it up to teething, because let's face it, at ten months this kid really needs some teeth soon! She was still pretty fussy though, so I gave her some Motrin to help her get some rest. She eventually calmed down and slept in my arms all night.

I woke up around 7 am and realized she wasn't up yet...not like her at all. She usually wakes between 5:30 and 6 to eat. I took her temperature and it was 101 still. The Motrin hadn't brought it down. She was sleeping soundly though, so I just held her and waited for her to wake up. Around 7:30 she woke up and waned to nurse. After she ate she fell back asleep until 10:00 am! When she woke up she was really lethargic and fussy...not at all like herself. I changed her and took her temp and it was 102.5. High enough to call the doctor who sent us to urgent care. They didn't open until noon, but we wanted to be the first ones in so we got there around 11:45 and walked in as soon as they unlocked the doors.

I normally wouldn't be so freaked out by a fever...after all in the past little miss has had fevers and has played and laughed right through them. I knew this was different because she was NOT herself. She was clinging to me and crying for no reason. And was SO sleepy. Once they got her admitted they took her temperature and it was 105.8. Tell me that isn't the scariest thing you have ever heard. In a 17 pound infant that fever scared me more than I have ever been scared. In that moment I went into survival mode. Thankfully the nurses were extremely calm and kept me feeling that way too. A high dose of Tylenol was administered and then we were brought to a patient room. I will say that Pediatric Urgent Care is phenomenal. If you live in the Buffalo area and your child is sick I highly recommend there over an ER. Comfortable rooms to wait in with beds and cribs, TVs, books for the kids, coffee, and the staff is wonderful.

What came next was about two hours of attempting to get a pic line in to get a blood draw and give IV fluids, a catheter, and more attempts at getting a blood draw. It was awful. My poor baby just cried and cried and there was nothing I could do because they had to find out what was wrong. I felt like the absolute worst mom in the world knowing she was going through all that. I know it was necessary to find out what was wrong, but still it was heart-wrenching.

Finally we found out that what was bothering my little one was a bacterial infection. Her white blood cell count was extremely high. She received a high dose of antibiotics with the directive to return on Sunday to get another dose. Finally, finally after several hours we got to go home. I spent the rest of the day and evening on the couch holding my baby in my arms. She was exhausted and drained and was not having any part of being put down. And because I'm her mama I put everything else aside and held her all night because that's what she needed.

After a horrible weekend my little one is finally starting to feel better. She's playing and laughing but is still very clingy. She's still not back to normal but she is getting there. I have been on edge for three days watching her every move just praying that she will get better.

This has definitely been the worst part of being a mom. Knowing your little one is sick and in pain and there's literally nothing you can do. There is nothing else about this job that compares to the fear and pain you feel for your child in that moment. But I think it makes you a better mom. When you feel that way it shows you how strong you can be. In that horrifying and scary moment you become someone you never thought you could be-a strong and unwavering spirit for your child.

So I embrace the good and the bad, and as hard as it is, I accept the hard parts because it makes me the mom I want to be. I am learning to be strong and fight for whatever my child needs because of those fleeting moments of fear.

And I am thankful for that.

Love and Laughs (and lots of prayers too),

Danielle

 

Being a New Mom

Things that I have learned from this new experience:

1. Sometimes you might put shampoo on your hair before it is wet.

2. You might wear your glasses into the shower.

3. Once or twice you will mistakenly rub hair gel onto your face instead of lotion.

4. You may even shampoo your hair twice in a row.

5. It is much easier to grab a handful of chocolate chips on the way out the door than an apple because and apple takes too long to eat.

6. Often times a choice has to be made of eating or showering. Showering always wins.

7. It is easier to leave the house with a small baby poop stain on your pants than to find a new pair that fits.

8. You can never have too many nursing tanks. In fact, you should probably have a stash of two per day.

9. Never underestimate the power of the sun for removing diaper stains.

10. Lanolin will ruin your favorite tank tops.

11. Amazon > Caffeine, crack, cigarettes, alcohol, or whatever your poison may be.

12. Buying soapnuts is equal to a drug deal. (How many kilos am I getting? That website seems shady...)

13. Buying used diapers is a similar experience (I will pick them up this weekend...will you take $25? How bout $27? Sis, will you come with me to get these so I don't die?)

14. You will toy with the idea of choosing sleep over any other activity. And sleep will usually win.

15. Smartphones are the best inventions for a nursing mother. Hulu on demand is the second best.

16. Sweatpants are your friend.

17. You may lose 20 pounds, but your pre-baby clothes will never fit the same way again.

18. Who needs weight watchers when breastfeeding is the best diet around?


But the most important thing I have learned is that being a mommy is the most important and BEST job in the entire world. And I wouldn't trade it for anything at all. Love my peanut :)

Love and Laughs,

Danielle

Reflection

Originally posted 10/18/12

On this beautiful fall day I was able to sit back and reflect on the blessings I have been given.

I took little miss to the memorial trail nearby to go for a nice long walk. The sidewalks near our house are so bumpy so it was nice to be on smooth pavement for once. I got myself a pumpkin spice latte and put the baby in the stroller to enjoy what may be one of the last nice days where we can be outside without being bundled. It was warm enough that I could wear a long sleeved shirt and yoga pants and still be quite comfortable. Little miss of course snuggled up in her new fuzzy hat!

The trees were nearly at peak and it was quiet. I was able to really reflect on the beauty around me as we walked the trail. Joggers, dog walkers, and even a lone cyclist passed us by and we shared hellos and small talk about the weather and the baby. It made me smile that every person that passed was so friendly. You don't often have that happen anymore in the world today.

 As I walked I was alone with my thoughts and I thought, wow, I am so fortunate to be able to have this day, this moment in time. A year ago around this time I was in a rough place and never thought I would be so lucky a year later. It gives me so much perspective. We all really only have today. I think it's important to remember that. Every day little miss gets a little bigger and changes a little bit more, and the day before is gone forever. I try to remind myself to cherish each moment as it happens but sometimes everyone forgets that. Sometimes it takes a beautiful day like today to help me remember that today is a gift-after all, isn't that why they call it the present?

I saw this picture yesterday on someone's facebook and it really made me think. It's such a simple statement, but it really is the truth. Ask yourself if you have what you really need. No life isn't perfect and yes we have troubles but in the grand scheme of things do we have a roof over our head? Do we have food to eat? Do we have a beautiful family and love to share? Having those things is what life is about. If you have those then you are richer than any of the 1% and you have everything to be thankful for.



Yesterday was a rough day. The baby was very fussy all day and for a normally happy and cheerful baby it's very obvious when something is wrong. It broke my heart to hear her crying and not to know how to help her. But I didn't get angry or frustrated. I kept it together and I just held her close and rocked her. Because that's what I would want if I were her. To be held close and reminded that someone is there even if it's been a bad day. I won't always be able to hold her close and snuggle her when she is sad, but I will always be there. I hope that by keeping her close to me and giving her that security now when she needs it the most, it will remind her that mama will always be there, even when she is too big to snuggle.

So while my baby girl slept in her stroller today I thanked God for every minute with her, even the tough ones. Because for every tough minute or hour or day or sleepless night, there are a million amazing moments to cherish, and how could we be so thankful for the good without a smattering of the bad to remind us that we only have today. After all, there is "No Day but Today."

Enjoy this moment. Because today is all we have. Tomorrow, she'll be a little bigger, a little older, and a little bit closer to growing up. And while I am so excited for every milestone and to watch her grow into an amazing young woman, I want to hold on to this precious time for as long as I can before the present becomes the past and in the blink of an eye my baby isn't so little anymore.

Love and Laughs,

Danielle

Citrus Lane

Looking for a last minute gift for the little one in your life? I found it. A subscription to Citrus Lane!

Citrus Lane is just like Birchbox, but for babies. And moms too! It's $25 a month (or $21 if you buy a 6 month or longer subscription). It seems like a lot and I was wary at first too, not wanting to shell out the cash especially when I didn't know what would come in it. But as usual, groupon came to the rescue! They had a 3 month subscription for only $35 so I had to try it out.

Boy was I pleased. The best part of CL is that they tailor the box to your baby's age. So in November we got a box for a 4 month old, and this month a 5 month old. The toys are all natural and organic and there is even a surprise thrown in for mommy each month too!

Our November box:

The theme was "fun with food" (for Thanksgiving, natch). Clockwise from the top: A coupon for 20% off tiny prints for holiday cards, goodbyn snack containers ($5.49), Under the Nile fruit and veggie toy ($8.00), Juice Beauty nutrient moisturizer ($9.00), Madecasse Chocolate squares ($2.00), and Green Eats snack bowls ($6.99).

The bowls are BPA free and made from recycled milk cartons. How cool is that?! The moisturizer and chocolates were a special treat for mom which I loved, and the little veggie toy is cute and easy for little hands to hold on to. The snack containers are great for throwing in the diaper bag which will be nice when little one starts solids.

Without the savings from the coupon, the total of the box comes to over $30 so you save money. Overall I thought this box was ok. I wasn't sold on Citrus Lane. It was ok, but December's box was amazing!

Our December box:

The theme was "A Few of our Favorite Things." (Sorry for the dark pic!) Clockwise from the top: Mommy's Bliss Gripe Water ($12.99), A Tiny Love Eli Elephant ($6.99), gift certificate to www.ecomom.com-one of my favorite websites! ($15.00), 479 Popcorn-Sea Salt and Caramel flavor ($1.99), Chewbeads Bangles ($19.50), and a Pearhead Baby Handprint Keepsake ornament kit ($14.95).

The total of this box is over $70 so it would definitely be worth the $25 for the month! I was super excited about this box. The baby loves jittery toys that you can pull on, so the elephant will be so much fun for her! I have been wanting to get some fun chew bangles so they were a great addition as well. The baby handprint kit was a great bonus as I have been wanting to get one of those too. We have never used gripe water but I have heard great things about this stuff. Good to have on hand if we need it. May I just say that the sea salt caramel popcorn was a DELIGHT while I was wrapping presents tonight, and went great with my hot cocoa. Finally the ecomom gift coupon is SUPER because it is a website with SO many amazing products, all organic/all natural, and each purchase provides one meal for a hungry child for a day. Win win!

I am really excited now for the January box now. I think this is a really great service for babies and it's so much fun looking forward to the box each month!

So if you're looking for a last minute gift for a special baby or toddler in your life click here to subscribe to citrus lane!

Love and Laughs,

Danielle

What Not to Say to a Working Mom

I came across this post recently on Huffington Post after catching the link on Twitter. And it struck so close to home. Everyone is always saying what you shouldn't say to a stay at home mom and how stay at home moms have it so hard and everything (which they DO, I AGREE). BUT, working moms have it tough too. Basically if you are a mom, life is tough. But you do what you do to make your child's life better in any way you can. But I always resent when people make it seem like I am going off to work every day and leaving my child behind because I lost some sort of bet.

I feel like I can speak to both sides of the issue because for 4 months I was a stay at home mommy. So I know what it's like to stay at home and I know what it's like to work and be a mom.

I will tell you that working moms have it tough. And I don't think working moms always get enough credit. Not only are we responsible for taking care of everything at work (In my case: deadlines, lesson plans, correcting, meeting state standards, meetings, writing grants, planning field trips, parent teacher conferences, more meetings, report cards, being evaluated, inspiring, loving, and educating the future leaders of America, etc. etc. etc.) And all while not getting paid a very hefty salary. On top of work responsibilities we don't get to just come home and relax. No, we come home after a very busy day at work, pick up the baby from child care and we have to start our second job. Just because I am at work doesn't mean that I still don't have to do laundry, pay bills, vacuum, clean, clean, clean, do more laundry, pack the day care bag, pack lunches, let the dogs out, feed the dogs, make dinner, do dishes, fold the laundry, run errands, feed the baby, etc. etc. etc.

I am NOT complaining. I LOVE my job and wouldn't trade it for anything. (Well, I might trade it for retiring to a beach side villa in a tropical paradise for the rest of my days, but that isn't an option). No way, I love my job and I love being a mom. And I am lucky because my husband is a big help. We share chore responsibilities and he takes care of a lot of the big stuff including dropping the baby off at baby school and picking her up half of the time. And I wouldn't trade being a mom for anything. At the end of the day even my most difficult moments with the baby are the best ones of my day. Not that she is difficult, but on the off chance that she is fussy, or up at night, or sick, I always think to myself that even at those toughest of times when you are exhausted and want to pull your hair out, that's still better than anything else because I have her to love.

You would be surprised at the ridiculous things people have said to me. And much of it I am sure was not meant to be harmful! But it still really hurts when you KNOW you are doing right by your child and people still question it or make comments. So when I read Devon's post it really struck a chord with me! I am re-posting the main part of the post here because I loved it so much. Below are the dumb questions/statements people give and the blog author's response. Excerpts from the post are highlighted in blue. I have bolded and underlined my favorite parts!

And just an FYI-people have said all of these things to me at some point in some fashion.
It's incredibly sad that in our society many people just don't think before they speak and hopefully they will start to get the hint that it's just not acceptable to say things that judge another person's lifestyle or decisions!

Can't you afford to stay home?
Let's assume for a minute that I can't. Let's imagine I work to help pay the mortgage and buy groceries and send our kids to college. Where does this conversation go now? Awkward, right? Next thing you know, I'm going to be asking you how much your husband earns so you can stay home. Let's agree not to go there.
Then let's say I can afford to stay home. The question assumes the reason I work is entirely financial. Which is part of it, to be sure. If I could make money watching bad reality TV and doing yoga all day, I would. Since I can't, I work at a more traditional job -- but it's not all about the money. I value my education and the years I've devoted to my career. I think it is good for our boys to see me working outside our home so they know that a woman isn't confined to being a wife and a mother. I also know that some day our kids will be off at college or started on careers of their own and I want to keep a foot in the working world so when that time comes, I'm not staring at a big gap in my resume that makes it harder for me to get a job. I also like the equality that exists in my marriage because both my husband and I put money in the bank. That's just me. But this particular question devalues all of those considerations and, in turn, my choices. Please don't do that. 


I'd give anything to get away from my kids for an entire day.
If you really mean it, I'm happy to help you polish your resume. You can be away from your kids all day, every day! Of course, along with that "freedom" you'll feel guilty about being away from them and will wonder if they're ok because they're home with a babysitter or in day care. Going to work every morning and waving to my kid from the upstairs bathroom window isn't a spa day. It's sort of like doing a triathalon. You start each day with a morning plunge into icy water, getting everyone to school/work then do an an eight-hour bike ride, all topped off with a half-marathon of dinner, homework, baths and bedtime. During your bike ride not only will you be expected to pedal hard, you'll also have to take phone calls from the school, the babysitter, and the doctor, respond to birthday party invitations, take a quick side trip to grab supplies for an art project, order groceries and a new pair of jeans and remember to return library books because it all needs to get done RIGHT NOW. If you're lucky, there's some wine left over in the fridge.  

I would like to point out that even when I am exhausted and overwhelmed and stressed I NEVER want to be away from Charlotte. EVER. When she is apart from me I feel like a piece of me is missing. But it's a fact of life and as the author of the blog says you get over it because you have to. And you know what? I know that being apart from her makes me appreciate the time we DO spend together even more. I never feel "obligated" to be with my child because I have to. i genuinely enjoy every minute.

I'd miss my child too much to be away from him all day.
I know. I completely understand. You get over it. Because you have to.

This one REALLY makes me mad. You think I don't miss my baby?! I miss her every second of every day. I miss her when she is sleeping in the co-sleeper 5 inches from me. I miss her when someone else is holding her. Again, being away from her makes me appreciate her that much more!!!!

The problem with this country today is that not enough moms are home raising their children.
I know! I couldn't agree more! Oh, wait. You're not advocating for paid parental leave, flexible work schedules or telecommuting, are you? You're not picketing in support for working parents (because, let's face it, some dads would like to be able to spend more time with their kids too) so they can make good choices for their families, right? You just want more moms to stay home. It's possible those families would be better off living under a cloud of financial or psychological stress to adhere to a traditional view of families, but I'm not buying it. If I see one more comment about how dual-earner families are undermining the very fabric of society I will lose my mind. Last I checked, no one in my family had shot anyone, stolen anything, cheated on a test, run a red light, or even so much as littered. Of course, I've been working all morning, so things may have changed since breakfast. 

Why did you have kids only to let someone else raise them?
People have said this to me. People have said this to my friends. It's a good thing that I didn't have the power to incinerate them with my laser beam eyes. If I hear it again, I'll refer you to item no. 1 for the reasons I might work outside of my home. And then I'll just ask you to be a TAD LESS JUDGMENTAL THANK YOU VERY MUCH.<-------FTR people have said this to me too. REALLY?! I had Little Dude because every fiber of my being wanted to be a mother and we felt like our family was incomplete without another person in it. Loving and raising a child is not incompatible with having support to do that. We are grateful and proud to have wonderful people who help us -- from family to friends to teachers and babysitters. But make no mistake, my husband and I are raising our kids. We aren't home every day, but we are a presence in our kids' lives at every moment. 

I don't know how you do it. It must be so hard.
It is. I don't know how I do it. But I don't think that's because I work, I think it's because parenting is hard whether you stay at home or go off to the office. I don't know how any of us do it. It's glorious and rewarding and full of love and it is the hardest thing I've ever done. Balancing kids with anything else, whether a paying job or running a household or finding time to watch Honey Boo Boo, is nearly impossible.

You must be so organized to be able to balance everything.
I have a love/hate reaction to this statement. At first, I bask in the affirmation. I believe I am organized. Then I remember -- I am one set of lost keys away from a meltdown. I have mismatched socks, my kid went to school with jelly on his face and I haven't exercised in a week. I have piles of books and clothes and god knows what else in my bedroom. I forgot a conference call yesterday and lost the planetarium permission slip. I let something slide every day. There is no balance. Only carefully controlled chaos. Pretty much like everyone else's life.

There's always time to work later, these early years are so precious.
All the years are precious. And why don't people say this to fathers? 

People have actually said to me "Well for us it was just more important for me to be home to be with my babies through the most important years." RUDE. Like I don't want to be there? See above. I DO. But as a teacher especially I know the value of children learning routines and socializing, and also realizing that there are other people on the planet besides them! And not for nothing, my daughter is already at not even a year old working on social skills, fine motor, sensory skills, etc. She is happy to see her teachers every day and is always smiling when I walk in to pick her up. She is well taken care of and learning SO MUCH ALREADY!

You look exhausted.
Gee! Thanks! Wanna give me a day at the spa? And then watch my kid for me so I can relax? No? Then let's just pretend we can't see the bags under my eyes. 

Again, I have gotten this a few times. Yea I am tired. I am BUSY. So is everyone. That doesn't give you the right to comment on how I look. Even with a baby I still make sure I take a shower and do my hair and makeup every morning because it's important to me to feel put together so I can face the day. So when I hear this even after I have worked hard on making myself somewhat presentable for public viewing it just puts a damper on my day.
 
At least you treasure every minute you have with your son.
Well, maybe not all of them. Because sometimes Little Dude is a monster and I get home at the witching hour, just in time to force him to eat his carrots, make him brush his teeth and go to bed. Which, as any parent will tell you, is just the most relaxing time of day. This is why I keep a chilled bottle of wine in the fridge. Despite that, of course, I do treasure my time with my kids, but I have a hard time believing that would be different if I were home more. 

This I don't completely agree with. Maybe because my little one is still so young and hasn't given me any tantrums or monster like moments quite yet. Maybe she will. Maybe she never will. But I DO treasure every single moment with her because I wanted her SO much! I had to work really really hard to be a mom and I treasure every cry, every dirty diaper, every sleepless night, and every smile because even my worst day with my baby is my best because she is HERE and she is MINE!

Don't you worry you're missing out?
Every day. But then my son runs into my arms when I pick him up from school and climbs into my bed in the morning to tell me I'm the "best mommy ever," and I know it's going to be ok.

My biggest fear is that my baby girl is going to crawl or say her first word at baby school. But I know in my heart I am doing what is best for her and working hard for her and it makes me feel a teensy bit better. I cherish her teachers and you know what? If they happen to see some first milestones I know they will be so excited to give me every detail and make me feel like I was there. And knowing that they love her so much makes me the happiest mom in the world.


So the next time you have a comment about a working mom or dad think first before you speak. Because words hurt, and frankly it's none of your business! What I always tell my students? Worry about you, and no one else!

Love and Laughs,

 Danielle