40 Weeks In — 40 Weeks Out

Best 80 weeks of my life!

I feel quite different than I did 40 weeks ago . . . I'm definitely more comfortable, confident, and although I'm still sleep-deprived, it is largely by-choice. Although pregnancy was a magical time in my life, there is no comparison to spending every day face-to-face with my sweet daughter. Motherhood is so meaningful, and compared to pregnancy, it has been much more enjoyable in my experience.

First on the list is that I love having my body back. Although I'm still breastfeeding and constantly attached to sweet Charlotte, I'm well below my pre-pregnancy weight, and I appreciate being able to lift, move and work like I did before I got pregnant. Another great advantage of not being pregnant anymore is the fear of the unknown has subsided. I'm no longer waking up constantly throughout the night counting movements or obsessing over every small detail of labor, delivery and the health of my baby. 

Overall, the 40 weeks it took to grow Charlotte inside seemed to last three times longer than the time that has passed since Charlotte has been born, and I can only imagine that this will be the theme of my life from here on out. Charlotte was just a sparkle in her daddy's eye 80 weeks ago, and now she is here filling everyone's lives with laughter, slobbery kisses, pure joy and truckloads of unconditional love.

A Holiday for Thanks

Isn't it pretty obvious what I'm thankful for?!

You're probably expecting the typical "What I'm thankful for . . . " list from this post, but I'll save that for my family's pre-dinner tradition. Instead, I want to share an article that is really special to me. It was the first cover story I wrote for IE Weekly last year.

Giving Thanks is a piece I was inspired to write, because I wanted to remind or educate people on the types of values that are held in many local Native American tribes. Many Native Americans have relationships with nature, food and material possessions that we can learn a lot from. One example of this that I explain in the article is how, "Food isn’t just for nourishing one’s body—it is also an important element for spiritual celebration, social fabric and maintaining a connection with nature."

I hope we can take a moment and re-evaluate our priorities when it comes to the holidays. While I will definitely follow my family's typical Christmas traditions to ensure Charlotte has a great first holiday season, I want to continue focusing more on the experience and less on the things.

Remember to always count your blessings, be altruistic, and take a moment to really soak in what a great gift life is today and every day.

Happy Thanksgiving! From Charlotte & Me!

Baby Milestones — Nine Months Old

The exhaustion of having a nine-month-old is taxing in a completely different way than that from being a full-time mom to newborn. Pre-toddlers like Charlotte are so busy they end up fighting off naps right and left, and I find myself remembering the days when naps could last three hours. While every stage in a mini-human's development has its own unique set of challenges, I love watching my daughter grow. Happy nine months angel baby! These are some of the milestones Charlotte is hitting at nine-months-old:

Multi-tasking. Charlotte doesn't only stand unaided for up to one minute, she at the same time claps, dances and celebrates the overall happiness of life. Oh, and she took her first step yesterday! No big deal!

Speech. Charlotte has been saying words like "dada" and "hi" for more than half her life, however now also says with intent, "Baba" and "Papa." Whenever she is prompted to say "mama," instead she answers with a scary growl-like sound. I think it means she's trying!

Food & Diet. This little lady is still starving despite being in the top 90th percentile for height and weght. Aside from as many healthy servings of breast milk as Charlotte wants each day, she also enjoys three meals and plenty of snacks.

Playtime. Char has reached a milestone within the last couple weeks, and it might be one of the best milestones yet. She is able to safely entertain and play by herself for a decent amount of time. By decent amount of time, I'm referring to enough time to shower in the morning. She loves toys, and when she is happy in the morning, it is easy to distract her for up to 20 minutes in her play pen aka baby jail.

I love how grown-up Charlotte is becoming. She is on the verge of walking, and I have to constantly remind myself to slow down and appreciate every sweet moment with my little girl.

What milestone has your baby hit recently? Please share below!

Surviving Breastfeeding — One Bite at a Time

My parenting priorities are shifting, and I'm learning to become more creative every day . . . which is exactly what having a nine-month-old will do to you! What used to work just doesn't have the same appeal to my baby anymore. Her new tendencies are forcing me to reconsider my approach to many aspects of our relationship, with breastfeeding at the front and center of the issue.

Between the biting, scratching and pinching, breastfeeding has been full of all new challenges. Anyone who thinks that a mother continues breastfeeding for her own personal enjoyment has clearly never had to deal with the trials and tribulations that come with breastfeeding a newborn who can't latch, an infant who wants boob 24/7 or a pre-toddler with a full mouth of teeth.

I have said from the beginning that breastfeeding has been my go-to mom trick. Whether Charlotte is fussy, hungry, sleepy or even hurt, a little boob makes everything so much better. However, I've had to completely shift this way of thinking lately, because little miss seven teeth has another agenda, and it is usually painful for mom. I only offer Charlotte the boob when she is genuinely hungry, or else I'm guaranteed to get bit hard enough to leave a scab. Although she is less likely to bite me at first when she's hungry, if I leave her on to the point that she gets bored or curious, I'm in for a bite. 

Oh, and then there's the pinching and scratching that comes along with all this. And while the painful peak is during breastfeeding, the abuse comes throughout the day.

The only advice I have for other moms is to take your baby off the breast when they start biting. Other than that, I'm curious if there are other ways to help end the pain. I'm surviving breastfeeding one bite at a time, but I would love to hear advice from other moms below!

Taking Care of Yourself, A Helpful Guide for Moms

Eating, drinking, sleeping . . . it seems like my most basic necessities are the ones that most often get neglected. Although Charlotte is huge, full and well-rested, I can't say the same for myself.

I eat as often as I can, but I don't think my diet always meets the 2000 calories that is recommended for a breastfeeding mother. A challenge I have is that I prefer to eat at home, and recently I've really been focusing on eating organic. This poses a problem when I'm trying to eat a full meal in a short amount of time. 

Beyond that, sleeping is always second priority to work, and there is always so much more work to be done between Charlotte, my dogs, housework and my paying jobs. (As I write this, it's 1a.m., and I'm sure I will be up before 7a.m. to hang out with sweet Charlotte.) If you're a mom who struggles like me to make the time to take care of her basic necessities, here is a guide to aid you in taking care of yourself for a change. These simple cheats will aid you in successfully feeding, resting and hydrating yourself . . . one day at a time.


Eating!

Meal Prep. Don't miss an opportunity to plan ahead for a meal. If you make tacos one night for dinner and have leftover meat, beans, cheese and other ingredients, don't let them go to waste. Prep some healthy burritos for the next day. I'm guilty of eating burritos for a noon breakfast as a last resort, but it is always a great burst of protein.

Easy, Healthy, Organic Meals. Pre-made meals don't have to look like cheap, soggy microwave entrees. Instead, opt for a healthier and fresher food like organic, vegan soups. My personal favorites are the Amy's Organics Tomato Bisque and No Chicken Noodle Soup, however they have a great assortment for you to enjoy. Pre-made soups take only a couple minutes when heated on the stove-top or in the microwave. Throw a couple crackers or chips in the mix, and you have a hearty meal to keep you going.


Sleeping!

Take a Nap. So maybe you have four emails to answer, and the dogs could always use a walk, but you're exhausted. Give in to the baby's second nap of the day, and just relax. If it turns into a nap, that's even better. Nothing can beat good old fashioned sleep.

Early Night. This is my least favorite. I'm a night owl. I like to stay up. I enjoy the quiet time, and I feel like my best work gets done when I'm (almost) uninterrupted. However, every once in a while it's good to throw the towel in a couple minutes early. A full night's sleep is rejuvenating, and it might make you feel even better than a little alone time would have anyways.


Drinking Water!

Make it Convienent. If you're a filtered water person, it's best to keep a couple reusable water bottles filled and ready to go at all times. If you're a disposable water bottle person, you're already working with a convenient source of water, assuming that you keep it well stocked.

Take it Everywhere. It doesn't matter if you're going somewhere that will have water, be sure to stock up so you can anticipate your thirst before it creeps up on you. Especially for breastfeeding moms—thirst is at a whole new level.

Stash it Everywhere Too! I keep water next to the rocking chair, in my diaper bag and next to my bed. It might look untidy, but it helps me keep hydrated, even when it's not always on my list of priorities.



I hope this little guide to taking care of your basic needs gave you some ideas on how to better plan for it. Any moms out there willing to share their tips and tricks on how to take better care of themselves? I would love to hear your suggestions below!

Baby Milestones — Introducing Finger Foods

Charlotte is a pro at feeding herself . . . well almost!

I can't speak for all eight or nine-month-old babies, but my daughter loves organic finger foods! Little pieces of soft fruits like bananas and pears, as well as baby puffs, munchies and more keep her happy and entertained in her high chair. Whether we're doing dishes in the kitchen or enjoying dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants, snacking keeps little Cha Cha happy while mom gets a moment of freedom. Like with anything that comes with being a first time mom, introducing finger foods wasn't the simplest of tasks. However, starting off slow and paying attention went really far in the long run.

First Finger Food Favorites! The first type of finger food I decided to introduce to Charlotte was organic sweet potato puffs. They were easy to pick up, and I figured she would have the most success with these quickly dissolving little treats. It took trial and error for me to discover the best size for her to mash up with her seven teeth and then swallow without gagging was one-quarter of the little snack. Now, just weeks later, she is able to eat full sized puffs with ease.

Another favorite finger food of my daughter's is bananas. I still find myself having to smash the small banana pieces slightly to help Charlotte eat them with ease. Other finger foods she likes are cooked peas (smashed or with skins removed), cottage cheese, chunks of soft sweet potato and more. I wish my baby could enjoy avocado, but it doesn't agree with her tummy.

Charlotte insists on feeding herself, even when I'm trying to do it efficiently. For this reason and more, I just let my daughter feed herself with the spoon sometimes, while I sit there ensuring she doesn't hurt herself. I usually have a back up spoon to make sure she actually eats. Other times, I will give in to her busy hands grabbing at the bowl of messy pureed food, and I let her feed herself hands-on. This typically happens in the morning before bath time. Thank goodness for high chairs and dogs! Without them, I would be stuck with a more ridiculous mess.

 Remember to always constantly supervise your baby while they are eating! It's your job to keep your baby safe!

I'm always looking for more healthy finger food options for my almost nine-month-old baby. Please share your suggestions below!

Tips and Tricks from a Work at Home Mom (WAHM)

 

I recently read a blog post by a work-at-home-mom who listed off everything she did throughout the day and the time it took for each task. I found myself laughing with relief as I read her post, discovering that I'm not the only person who has to utilize even the quickest moment of opportunity throughout her day-to-day, just to get a little bit of work done—Two minutes towards an email, 30 seconds of brainstorming, ten minutes to put the final touches on an article the morning of its deadline. Although it can sometimes be a dizzying balance act, there are definitely ways to make the work-at-home-mom gig a little bit more fluid. My tips are listed below (and they may be useful for all moms looking to accomplish as much as possible in a busy day).

Coordinating Naptime. There have been a couple times when Charlotte falls asleep for a nap literally one to three minutes before I have a business phone call scheduled. A large majority of the times that I have a phone meeting or interview, I am able to secure a babysitter in advance. However, there have been a couple occasions that have forced me to get creative. One way I've made this work is by scheduling my call close to her sleepy time. I then give myself at least 20 minutes before the call to breastfeed Charlotte to sleep. Each time I've quietly crept out of the room, leaving my baby to get her needed rest, I've felt like I totally accomplished super mom status.

Be Present. I chose to be a work-at-home-mom while my baby is young, so I can give her all the attention and love I know she needs throughout the day. I don't work at home so she can feel neglected and ignored while I hide behind my computer. Therefore, I try to decipher the different times between Charlotte time and work time, that way she is getting 100 percent of my attention, and she is not having to compete with my iPhone. 

Claim Your Space. It's true what people say about children taking over houses. Don't let this happen to you. We all need a little space to do our best thinking and work. So, claim a space in your house that is dedicated to your work and any other passions you have. If you have a spare room or corner in your bedroom, set it up as a home office or studio, and make it a place of your very own.

Schedule It. If your job doesn't require it already, set office hours for yourself. These are the times when you go to your space and get work done uninterrupted. Okay, so maybe I really need to take my advice on this one, because it is so valuable, and it is much easier said than done. 

Click HERE to read about adjusting to at-home life

Dress the Part. One piece of advice that I received that really sticks out to me was a tip on how to avoid post partum depression. Every day I make a point to get up, shower and get ready for the day. Not only does it make me feel better, it also really motivates me to get various tasks handled. Because I am able to work from home, I typically don't dress anything beyond casual, unless I have a business meeting. However, doing my makeup, brushing my teeth and throwing on a clean tank top can really do a lot for a girl's confidence, and I recommend it!

Recruit Help. You can't do it alone! And even if you can, you really shouldn't have to. Reach out to family, friends or trusted individuals within the community. Children are full time jobs and then some! Working on top of this can run you ragged really quick if you don't have moments of relief. 

Give Yourself a Night Off of Work. There never seems to be enough hours in a day, but it's best to accept it, and move on. The best way you can do this, and avoid the possibility of getting burnt out from doing too much, is by allowing yourself time off at least once a week. It's of course easier said than done, but for someone who works constantly throughout the day and night, a couple hours of turning off the email, cuddling up and enjoying Netflix is about all you need to rejuvenate yourself for the next week.

These are my personal tips and tricks for a work-at-home mom. Are there any other moms out there that can attest to some mom-life-balancing strategies? If so, please share them below!

Modern Mamas — Our First Outing

Charlotte Enjoyed the Swings at the Park for the First Time Today

Today marked the first official meeting for the mom social club I have created. After posting the event in our group, I was pleasantly surprised to see that a large majority of the group members were planning to attend the first mom outing. So, I had to get prepared by buying some chips and salsa, as well as getting together some simple, hands-free ice-breaker games for the moms to get to know one another.

The group today ended up being about half the size I had initially anticipated, so ice breaker games weren't necessary. With only four moms and their littles, the small intimate group made it easy for us girls (and our little ones) to get to know each other. I still have the ice breaker games ready for the next meeting when a larger group can attend.

New Best Friends Today at Our First Outing - Photo Courtesy of Karen Fiel

The ice breaker games I decided on were simple activities the moms could do to get to know one another. When choosing games and activities for a moms group, if the kids are not involved, it's best to keep it hands-free. It is also valuable to keep an activity that allows moms the option of opting in and out of, as their responsibilities can change momentously (diaper changes, feedings, owies, tantrums . . . the possibilities are endless). Here are a few of the games that I think we will get to enjoy at the next meeting, although they may be a little cheesy at first.


Yarn Game. Take a large spool of yarn, and cut it into various lengths. Each person selects a piece of yarn. They are instructed to introduce their self to the group for as long as it takes to wrap the yarn around their finger. Make sure a few of the strings are extra long, so you really get to know about your new friends.

Two Truths & One Lie. As straight-forward as it sounds, this is another get-to-know you type activity. Each person in the group takes a turn sharing two truths and one lie about their self. Then the other participants try to determine which fact was untrue.

Story Telling Activity. This game requires a little preparation, but you are then able to gear it towards moms specifically. On either notecards or post it notes, write out various sentence starters to pass out to each mom. Some of the story starting sentences I used were:

"The time my baby was the messiest was when . . . "
"The best part of my day is . . . "
"The best advice I have received so far has been . . ."
"If I had three wishes for my family, they would be . . ."
"The part about being a mom that surprised me the most was . . . "
"My funniest mom moment has had to be . . . "
"My ideal family vacation would be . . . "


We had a great time getting to know each other at our first outing, even though we didn't get a chance to do these activities. If you're trying to start a mom group, be sure to get feedback from the other moms on what they would like out of the group. Find out what accommodates their schedules best, what types of activities they would like to do, places they'd like to meet, as well as anything else that will help you make the group better for everyone involved. I also encouraged group members to create their own events when they see an activity they'd like to do or a class they might want to attend.

Feel free to share any other tips for starting a mom's group below!

Our Favorite Things — Inexpensive Books

There are few material things of Charlotte's that hold a significant importance to me, however Charlotte's book collection is definitely one of them. Of course she was gifted some of my favorite books in her library. The first is a personalized book that spells out her entire name, gifted by the family of her dad's best friend. The second is a copy of Charlotte's Web, which was inscribed with a sweet note from her Nana Sharon.

I've gotten her some of my favorites like Love You Forever, The Foot Boot, Just Me and My Mom and so many more. I was building up quite the collection, but it was getting quite expensive. I found myself constantly on Amazon trying to find a new book, and we would always stop by Barnes & Noble to easily pay $10 for a book or two. 

We quickly ran into a problem that happens when you're reading multiple books a day—reading the same book time after time can get boring. That's where some of Our Favorite Things came into play, which are books from the thrift store! The number one quality I look for in a book from the thrift store is cleanliness. If it's clean and not creepy, then I grab it. The photo above shows seven books I snagged for under four dollars! You can't beat that. Plus, I remember a few of the books from when I was little, so that's definitely a plus.