NurturingtheNaturalMama

11 Things

2012-02-29T09:20:00.000-08:00

Ok, so my sister tagged me in her 11 Things post yesterday over at Economical Eater. I hope all of you have as much FUN with this as I did :) Enjoy!!

Here's how it works:
1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the questions the person who tagged you set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people.

So, here are 11 random things about me:

1. I have always wanted to work with gorillas. Yes, I said gorillas.
2. I was a Deaf studies minor in Undergrad.
3. I eat processed crap that tastes DELICIOUS when no one is looking ;) (I know, shocking! ;))
4. I am CONVINCED my husband is the sexiest man on the planet. Hands down. And no, you cannot convince me otherwise.
5. I have only ever been to Aerosmith concerts. Ok, one Ricky Martin concert but that doesn't count.
6. I am currently addicted to the show Ink Master
7. I am petrified, yes petrified, of whales. (And no, I have never had a bizarre whale encounter- so I have NO idea where said phobia comes from. )
8. One of my favorite things of all time is the smell of new books. Yes, I am a total dork.
9. My least favorite chore of all time is dishes. I despise loading/ unloading the dishwasher and/or washing dishes. Like, hate, with a passion. Yuck....
10. I have a cloth diaper obsession. Yes, I want one in every style and color. No, I do not have the means to afford such an obsession :) and secretly, I strongly dislike the extra laundry (shhhhh...)
11. When I go shopping, I am still drawn to the clothes/ and am convinced that I still fit in/ look good in the clothes I wore 6 years and 50 pounds ago ;)

And here are the questions Michelle asked me:

1. Most embarrassing moment?

In high school, in a lunch room full of HUNDREDS of students, when I was a senior and my brother was a freshman... I walked over to him and asked him about some CD or something he was supposed to burn for me... and he proceeded to stand up really fast (making lots of noise with his chair so EVERYONE looked over) and yell "for the last time! I will NOT go out with you!". Total. utter. embarrassment. :)

2. Favorite movie of all time?

Lethal Weapon

3. If you could have dinner with any famous person, living or dead, who would it be?

Steven Tyler. (obvi)

4. Your favorite vice?

5. Milk, dark or white chocolate?

Dark.

6. Pancakes or waffles?

Pancakes

7. Place you'd love to travel to?

anyplace WARM. Ahhhhh...

8. If you could be eating anything right now, you'd be eating __________.

lobster. (gimme a break, I know it's only 10 :30 am , but I'm pregnant, ok?!)

9. Favorite book and/or author?

Favorite book of all time is Reason for Hope by Jane Goodall

10. Pinterest or Instagram?

Pinterest. I am totally obsessed.

11. Favorite part about being a blogger?
Surfing the internet and being able to tell my husband I'm "working on the blog" ;)

Now, TAG you're it!

Leslie from Purejoy Parenting, Christy from Instinctual Mamas, Katie from The Sparkle Mama, Miss LR Knost from Little Hearts, Jessica from The Leaky Boob, my girl Imogen from Alternative Mama, Lorraine from Baby Led Weaning, Keri from Backwoods Mom, Charise (my fellow New England mama) from I Thought I Knew Mama, our mama friends over at Becoming Crunchy, and Devan from Unspoken Grief.

Ok ladies, HERE are YOUR questions! I look forward to learning more about everyone! <3

1. What is your secret not-so-crunchy pleasure?
2. What is your favorite "parenting" book of all time?
3. If you could raise your family anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
4. Best bottle of wine you've ever had?
5. Favorite cookbook.
6. Least favorite "green" product and why.
7. Coffee or tea?
8. What is the one craft or activity that keeps the kids busy the longest?
9. Do you all sit down together most nights to eat dinner as a family? If yes, why is it important to you?
10. #1 place you buy your diapers?
11. Favorite social media outlet right NOW that you spend the most # of wasted hours ;)

aaaand GO! Don't forget to tag me back so I can read your answers! Let's have some FUN ladies!!

Our Journey Toward Further Simplicity

2012-01-26T06:35:00.000-08:00

I am a purger at heart. I don't keep a lot of crap. It helps, depending on how you look at it, that we have moved several times the last few years because that's always an opportunity for purging. :)

As many of you know, I have recently ended up a permanent stay at home mom, which unlike some moms; I have been having trouble adjusting to. Life still seems too busy to get things done- so NOTHING gets done, the house seems in more disarray than when I was working, and life just seems to happen around me. I also am convinced I belong on What Not to Wear lately. Blehhh....

Hubby keeps saying I just need a schedule. But even that previously seemed too overwhelming. Thankfully, we are moving this weekend- a chance for a fresh start! Purging is happening- which is SO refreshing! A new chance for better organization as I put things into their new home in a better flow! And I feel like it gives me the opportunity to hit the refresh button and create a better flow for myself as well, so I make life happen: Life doesn't happen TO me.

Thanks to my Facebook obsession, I saw a status update about a week ago for a FREE Kindle version of the book Organized Simplicity. So I immediately downloaded it (anything for FREE works for me! ) and started reading and discovering how to live INTENTIONALLY. I love it. I love everything about it! I am now living and breathing and consuming everything I can about 'simple' organization. In reading this lovely selection, I have discovered it's author and her FABULOUS blog Simple Mom .

So over the next few days to weeks, I will share with you step by step how our family becomes more organized, with a presumably better flow, and how it (if at all) changes our day to day life. I hope you will share with me your personal stories as well so that we all may learn from them.

My first step? Finish purging and move.

Keep your eyes open for that post! Enjoy!

Teaching Respect over Obedience

2012-01-24T07:26:00.000-08:00

I just read this great article shared by Attachment Parenting International about Obedient Children- and is it a good thing if your kids are obedient?

I struggle with this question daily as I not-so-eloquently describe in my recent post about struggling with positive parenting and discipline. I want my kids to listen and be polite, but I do question sometimes that I may be forcing them to be 'compliant', which I feel is very different from polite. I want them to speak to others respectfully, think of others feelings before they speak or act, but still feel confident to voice their own opinion and be their own person. But how do we appropriately teach boundaries and appropriate etiquette; without raising a school full of complacent robots?

I want my children to be able to play together, and work out differences together... but respectfully. They do not have to share in our house- but they have to be respectful. Sometimes I wonder though if I have just made that term, "respectful", something of an enigma. What does that really mean?

How do you teach your kids, in an age appropriate fashion, about treating others appropriately without being compliant?

Please share your thoughts with the API article!

Eversave DEAL for today! Thurs Jan 19th

2012-01-19T18:34:00.000-08:00

One of my FAVE ways to save money: ThredUp!! You like craigslist?? You HAVE to check out ThredUp!

Pay $10 for $20 worth of pre-loved kids' books, clothes, or toys from thredUP.com! At thredUP, moms and dads pack up their kids' lightly used clothes, toys and books and send them to you starting at just $9 a box, plus $10.95 shipping. You shop the boxes and use the tags, symbols and descriptions to find the items you're looking for. Best of all, this community of sharers get peer reviewed to help you shop with confidence.

* CLICK HERE to get this deal TODAY!

New members can get today's deal for just $8 when they use their $2 credit. Also, codes can be used toward shipping!

* Be sure to check out Eversave on Facebook and Twitter and let them know NNM sent you!

I am an Attached Parent.... Who Struggles with Positive Parenting. Am I the Only One?

2012-01-18T13:30:00.000-08:00

Attachment parenting, in the words of Attachment Parenting International, involves forming and nurturing strong an secure bonds between parents (parental figures) and their children.

Positive parenting involves essentially, in my own cumulative definition, attaining being an attached parent by using positive discipline and parenting tools; meaning maintaining a calm environment without yelling and frustration ; which ultimately will all lead to better behavior between both the parent and children.

Now I, like many of you, have multiple children. Currently, my two smallest are 4 and 1/2 and 1 and 1/2. I am home all day, which is new for me, and have been having some trouble to adjusting to being at home and what to do with my whole day; day after day. Here in Maine, winters make it harder to get outside so the kids can run off steam.

I'm not going to lie... I get frustrated.

Just like every parent finds; the kids both need something at the same time, they're bickering, there is a perpetual cycle of nap, snack, and meal time that seems never ending, and additionally all the routine housework that needs to be done. Daily, I find myself making a conscious effort to not make my frustrations known to my kiddos.

We do time outs in our house, which normally works well, and honestly we rarely have to use that option- I'm sure I am quite spoiled and that overall my kids are very very good! When we do need them, is when I have trouble, despite making a conscious effort to be positive- to not yell or appear frustrated. Sometimes I do ok, and remain calm and positive... other times, not so much. I find myself yelling... and then needing to apologize. While no one enjoys apologizing... apologizing to your kids is the worst. You just feel like such a dope. The expression "even mommies make mistakes and use the wrong tone of voice" only works so often before you feel like... I can't possibly be teaching him anything since this is like, the 4th apology in a month!

my little Spiderman enjoying stickers & candy sent from Grammy

Happy Kiddo #1 :)

Happy Kiddo #2 w mama! :)

photo from Purejoy Parenting <3

mama and little Spiderman :)

Happy Baby A :)

Not to be confused

Positive parenting does not mean permissive parenting. Positive Parenting Solutions offers some great explanations as to the differences. Positive Parents do discipline their children, they just find alternative methods to do so. And like other attached parents, never endorse hitting or spanking or condemning the children of any kind.

I consistently review the wonderful foundations I learned through Purejoy Parenting in hopes that as my kiddos get older, it will become less and less of a conscious effort to remain calm and positive and not reveal my inherent frustration :) In the meantime, I'm assuming my occasional huff and puff/ exclamations/ or growling is not permanently damaging my kids !

No doubt that parenting is a learning experience. There is no how-to manual (although as I've mentioned previously, the books Attached at the Heart and Happiest Baby on the Block are what I consider to be appropriate new-parent-manuals) , and everyday is a learning experience for both parent and child. Particularly, in my experience, those of us with multiple children learn that what may have "worked" with one child does not suit the other and vice versa.

It is a journey I am happy to take, and am presuming that my two happy, healthy kiddos are along for the ride with me! :) What do YOU find helps you balance and maintain a positive environment in your home??

Pregnancy Journey # 4

2012-01-18T06:41:00.000-08:00

Here we go again :) Pregnancy number 4 . I find myself trepidacious enough this time after the last miscarriage, that I (unfortunately) feel thus far, totally un-bonded (is that a word?) with this poor baby thus far. I've felt the kicking... the small movements.... no cramping.... no bleeding.... so all should be fine, right? I guess I just feel like I'm spending the time between each ultrasound waiting for some ball to drop.

I know I shouldn't, and we are still doing all the fun planning associated with this stage of pregnancy. Perhaps it's just because it's not the 1st pregnancy, perhaps it's due to the previous miscarriage- I'm not sure. Regardless, we do have our 20 week ultrasound tomorrow which is super exciting!

I know I will feel comforted seeing the movement and hearing/seeing the heartbeat- and with the (presumed) notification from the ultrasonographer that all measures well and looks ok- I will hopefully feel more involved with this baby in my belly as the weeks progress :)

Hmmmm, now the BIG question: boy or girl??? What are your thoughts???

Eversave DEAL for today! Last one :)

2012-01-15T09:01:00.000-08:00

Ooh! I found another one my fellow mamas will like:

Pay $5 for a two-year subscription to Parents magazine ($24 value), your source for all the tips, articles and information you need to raise a healthy and happy family. For every cough and cry, Parents is there with a soothing solution. Turn to these childcare experts for the latest in child health and safety, as well as product recalls and reviews. Find healthy family recipes, beauty tips, pregnancy guides and more!

Please note: Save Rewards and promo codes are not valid on this deal - but new members get $2 when they sign up and $2 after they buy and share the deal, giving them $4 towards their next Eversave purchase!

CLICK HERE to get this save!!! Enjoy!!

* Be sure to check out Eversave on Facebook and Twitter and let them know NNM sent you!

Eversave DEAL for today! Sun Jan 15th

2012-01-15T08:49:00.000-08:00

Wow! Check this out fellow social media freaks!! :)

Forget frozen fingers - now you can reach for your iPhone, Droid or Blackberry without exposing your digits to the elements with today's Save.

Text and stay toasty with: $12 for a pair of smartphone-friendly mittens from Mittenberry. This modern spin on the mitten has a thumb flap so you can easily text and surf while your other fingers stay snug. These 100% wool mittens are super soft and itch-free. Choose from three chic colors that will keep you cozy and connected. Free shipping is included!

New members can get this deal for just $10 when they use their $2 credit. CLICK HERE to get this great deal!!
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Also, we have a great online bonus deal that will help you put your best foot forward with today's Save: $15 for $32 worth of socks and accessories from MyFunkySocks.com. S tripes and polka dots are just the beginning for a site that's jam-packed with socks to suit your every whim. Get your kicks with peace signs and bumble bees, or find your long lost sole-mate in a pair with puppy dogs. And if you want your purchase to give more than happy feet, suit up with a set of socks that give back.

* Be sure to check out Eversave on Facebook and Twitter and let them know NNM sent you!

Eversave DEAL for today! Friday Jan 13th

2012-01-13T13:18:00.000-08:00

EVERSAVE Deal for TODAY Friday January 13th, 2012

A hot new pair of heels may warm our hearts, but they tend to leave our toes out in the cold. For a seasonal style that's much hotter, cozy up to today's Save: a pair of $22 faux fur-lined boots from Shoe Scandal.

Choose from a bevy of boots with shearling-like exterior and faux-fur lining to keep your toes toasty this winter. Go for a classic look with a short bootie, or go tall with the three button boots.

The perfect combination of couture and comfort, these boots come in five different shades, from raspberry rose to chocolate brown. Pair your favorite color with skinny jeans or leggings (or, our personal favorite, cozy sweats). New members can get today's deal for just $20 when they use their $2 credit!

Get this save HERE

* * Be sure to check out Eversave on Facebook and Twitter and let them know NNM sent you!

I'm baaaaack... again! :)

2012-01-13T12:58:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since the last time you have heard from me here at NNM! For that, I am so sorry! But we have a lot to catch up on which should keep me busy in the coming months! <3

Spiderman and Baby A are getting HUGE <3

Crafty Mama- Installment II

Let's start with something easy & fun that's also eco friendly AND budget friendly! Here is what WE did at our house for our family members during the holidays;

As you know, we as a family (as I'm sure many of you have also experienced) have struggled with finances over the last several years; getting back on our feet in this unsteady economy. You can check out my hand made gifts from last year HERE, in Crafty Mama. This year, I opted for something a little less hands- on, as I know I have two kids to chase after, and one on the way! So here's what I did:

Step 1_ in lieu of turning in the milk bottles we had been accumulating for the deposit as we normally would, I held on to them and cleaned them out to use as decorative containers. Cost? essentially free, because we drink the milk anyways :)

Step 2_ Next, I had the kids use their favorite color finger paints and paint their hand prints on the jars. Once they were dry, I just used a black Sharpie to go over each hand print with the appropriate child's name. Adorable and FREE (given that we used materials we already had at home).

Step 3_ homemade granola!

I used the recipe found HERE from the Food Network site

I ended up making two batches to accommodate all my jars, and merely added some honey and cinnamon once it came out of the oven. The end result looked like this;

And it was DELICIOUS! Baby A and I just haaaaaad to sample some- you know, to make sure it was edible! :)

Step 4_ Once the granola cooled, I placed a small amount in each jar, and stuffed in the top some decorative holiday tissue paper to fill the gap in the tall milk jugs ( I would have had to have made, like, 6 batches if I had wanted to FILL the jugs!) I placed the cap back on the jugs and placed them in gift bags made out of recycled paper that I purchased at Target for 99 cents each!

Somehow I did not get a photo of the finished product- hmph! but they came out great! and everyone thought the granola was delish! So overall, total score, for only the cost of the gift bags, gift tags, and granola ingredients!

Did YOU make any hand made gifts this holiday?

Hosting Thanksgiving: Budget Friendly Tips

2011-11-23T18:54:00.000-08:00

Here are some tips on what I have done this year to plan for tomorrow's big meal! I'll post a full update after Thanksgiving, but I wanted to share some tips in case some of you knee deep in last minute preparations:

Food

For the best deal, scope your grocery flyers. I scanned mine a few weeks in advance, and sorted out our menu based on the best deals at our local Hannaford.

* for a possibly less budget friendly, but more earth friendly way you plan your meal: check with your local farm and use in season veggies and pre order your free range turkey :)

Our menu for tomorrow will be as follows:

Our Daily Red Organic Wine
turkey
stuffing
gravy
mashed red potatoes
mashed sweet potatoes
rutabaga and carrot casserole
dinner rolls
egg nog and coffee brandy dessert beverages

I purchased all of the above goods at our local Hannaford for less than $100. We are serving 6 people, and baby A :)

Tablescape

No need to spend a ton of money at department stores to have a pretty table this holiday. I spent a day or two scoping out our local Goodwill and Dollar Store. At Goodwill I found two tall, glass hurricane vases for 99 cents each. (You may even have some empty vases under your kitchen sink that you could use). I also scored 9 cloth napkins for $2.99- a simple wash and iron and they are good to go!

I filled the vases with cranberries and a white tealight, and the cloth napkins have been secured with napkin rings (but you can also tie them with raffia, which is available at any craft store).

I was able to get some flatware at the Dollar Store for $1.50, regularly $3.50. Cheaper than buying plastic silverware, I might add, and less waste.

General Preparation

Key Points for a successful, budget friendly, and more earth friendly holiday;

* Don't buy an excessive amount of food. Not every one of your guests needs 3 helpings! This will help your budget, and limit the amount of waste.

* Many times, disposable plates/napkins/flatware can be more costly than using the real thing and cloth options.

* Have your guests bring something! For example, we are doing the turkey and all the fixin's! but we have one of our guests bringing wine and two bringing dessert.

* I also purchased an inexpensive package of holiday tupperware (3 for $1.00) to use as leftover containers for my guests. Again, less waste if you send some home with guests!

* Last tip, compost your food waste. If you DO choose to use disposable items (cups/plates/flatware/etc) you can find biodegradable options at www.compostables.com and you can add them right to your compost!

Happy Thanksgiving!! How do YOU save money during the holidays??

Eversave DEALS for today! Friday Nov 4th SOLD OUT

2011-11-04T07:39:00.000-07:00

* SOLD OUT *
Tackle all your night-out needs with today's Save and get a $25 Target Gift Card AND a $50 restaurant.com Gift Card for just $26.

Use your Target gift card toward any of their products in-store and online. Hungry for more savings? Use your $50 gift card on Restaurant.com and receive discounts on thousands of restaurants nationwide.

Save Rewards are not valid on this deal - but new members get $3 when they sign up and $2 after they buy and share the deal, giving them $5 towards their next Eversave purchase!

Click HERE to buy this SAVE.

* Be sure to check out Eversave on Facebook and Twitter and let them know NNM sent you!

Buying vs Renting in the Current Economy

2011-11-04T07:26:00.000-07:00

Is it worth buying a home in this economy??

BUY OR RENT????

I know many people have an emotional tie to the feeling of "owning" their own home. But with 72% of America living paycheck to paycheck (courtesy of the Nate Berkus show lol), is it worth the extra expenses that come with home ownership?

I've owned a home. It was foreclosed at the very beginning of the recession.

We now rent, and while I know my husband has an emotional motivation to someday buy a home- I am extremely happy 'merely' renting. There are plenty of months where we can barely pay rent- so WHY would we want the added expenses of a broken furnace, or an old roof, or peeling paint?? I just call my landlord.

Yes we pay oil. We pay electricity. But everything else is 'all inclusive' when it comes to rent. No surprise expenses. And now that we are finally getting to the point where we are catching up with bills and rent; we have the 'extra' money to (again finally) be able to furnish the apartment the way we want, eat better, decorate, improve the children's bedrooms, etc.

Cash Diet

My husband and I also live on a cash diet. We have no credit cards (not totally by choice, because ideally it would be great if we had one for emergencies), but this limits our extraneous spending. Once the cash is gone, it's gone.

For bills, we use the prehistoric envelope method :) One envelope for rent, one for electric, one for cell phones, etc. and then every few months, admittedly, we scramble to come up with enough cash for the minimum oil delivery. But regardless, we are not accumulating any additional debt.

Savings

We have been living in our little apartment haven for almost 2 years now. We have not saved anything. We are just now, I would say, breaking even. But this has allowed us to get back on our feet. My husband is working extremely hard, and I am now home again doing my best to keep up the house and get the kids where they need to go, etc. without using too much gas :)

Today I am creating a budget. A much needed budget.

We have been loosely following a budget of: "we need this much for rent each week, and we'll put this much towards phone and electric each week", etc. But now that we have a better revenue stream coming IN, we should have (in theory) WAY more money left over every week than we do!

How do you create a budget for your family? When you live paycheck to paycheck, do you still leave FUN money aside? How much?

Eversave DEALS for today! Friday Oct 21st

2011-10-21T09:13:00.000-07:00

Coffees of Hawaii deal for Oct 21st. Click HERE to access deal.

Pay just $15 for $30 worth of premium coffee and say "Aloha" to whatever weather winter sends your way. Choose from a variety of flavorful roasts and blends available as whole beans, ground, espresso ground and more. We all have that friend who savors her daily Starbucks more than most- send her on a Hawaiian tour with a Three Island gift tin.

New members can get this deal for $12 when they use their $3 credit.

* Be sure to check out Eversave on Facebook and Twitter and let them know NNM sent you!

Eversave DEALS for today! Mon Oct 17th

2011-10-17T12:13:00.000-07:00

Pay only $20 for a year subscription to both Martha Stewart Living and Whole Living Magazines ($34 value)

NEW Members will get this save for only $17.00 when you use your $3.00 credit

Click HERE to purchase this save today!

Be sure to follow Eversave on Facebook and Twitter and let them know NurturingtheNaturalMama sent you!

Monday Surf.... yea yea- I'm a day late :)

2011-10-17T12:04:00.000-07:00

Some amazing posts I came across this last week or so! Enjoy, and feel free to share yours below!

The Benefits of Co Sleeping by Breastfeeding.com

I love that this article fully addresses all the aspects and myths regarding co sleeping. So many, especially new moms, are so worried about developing bad habits, raising needy children, suffocating the baby, and/or increased sleep deprivation.

And clearly, co sleeping is not for everyone, but there are plenty of ways to safely co sleep. And co sleeping, in my experience, significantly DECREASES parental sleep deprivation. It is far easier to nurse overnight and keep the baby calm in your arms versus getting up and going into the other room, etc.

Additionally, I always felt safer having my babies next to me (I co sleep using a bassinet/Arms Reach co sleeper) versus in a different room. Then I was able to keep an eye on them better- hear all the little noises and feel their breathing pattern without having to listen to a static-y monitor. (I do have a severe aversion to baby monitors- I think they're useless, but that's a whole different story!)

If you've ever read my blog before, you are aware at how much I disagree with the Cry It Out (CIO) method. This is also addressed in this article.

Crying It Out Causes Brain Damage by Peaceful Parenting

As mentioned above, and multiple times prior, I feel very strongly against the CIO method. This re print from Peaceful Parenting just solidifies my feelings. Crying it out causes extreme distress. Extreme distress causes the body to produce increased levels of cortisol, which is harmful to the baby. Additionally, extreme distress inhibits proper growth of certain areas of the brain.

And lastly, you can read some my previous posts on attachment theory, and you'll see that those early responses to your baby's cries- whether you co sleep or not- are what causes your baby to attach to you- physically and mentally. Children who are unattached, or have what used to be termed 'attachment adjustment disorder' not only have trouble forming healthy adult relationships, but can also develop other mental illness and/or social disorders.

A Poem for the Children this Earth Never Had by Peaceful Parenting
Another great post by Peaceful Parenting this week especially in light of October 15th- Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day

I cried for joy when I saw the pink lines

We’d waited and waited for such a long time.

People gave gifts to show their delight,

I could barely get any sleep at night.

I was so excited to experience this life

I felt like I finally had something right.

The family I’d dreamed of for so many years

Was worth the wait, and was finally here.

Then in an instant, the joy was gone

I went to the doctor because something was wrong.

He said not to worry, it would all be ok

But he was wrong, and my baby left me that day.

My heart aches for the child I never knew

He was once in my womb, then with angels he flew.

I’m sure he’s in heaven having a ball

With Jesus, the greatest Daddy of all.

I can’t wait for the day that I see my child

He’ll run to me quick with his arms open wide.

I love him as much as I love my new son

But he’ll forever be my very first one.

He holds a very special place in my heart

He made me a Mommy, though his time was cut short.

My dream has come true and my family is great

I have three kids in heaven, my arrival they await.

Someday we’ll be together and they’ll sit on my lap

And I’ll mother the children that this Earth never had.

~ Tricia Pyatt

And then just a quick shout out to another great website I just discovered- if you're anything like me, and have experience post partum depression, you should check out www.postpartumprogress.com.

Post your faves from this week below! Enjoy!

NOW Offering EVERSAVE Deals for YOU

2011-10-13T08:22:00.000-07:00

Going forward, I am happy to announce that NurturingtheNaturalMama will be offering weekly deals from Eversave.

I have 2 deals for you today:

The first, which you mamas will LOVE, is $30 toward Classic Shapewear for ONLY $15 w FREE shipping!

* Classic Shapewear offers an enormous selection of full body shapers, shaping tanks, maternity shapewear and more in a variety of sizes
* Eversave Extras alert! Spend $70 when redeeming your voucher to earn $10 in Save Rewards

The second, is 2 AMC Silver Experience Movie Tickets ($24 value) for ONLY $13

* Save Rewards are not valid on this deal - but new members get $3 when they sign up and $2 after they buy and share the deal, giving them $5 towards their next Eversave purchase!

* Act fast, limited quantity available! Check out the deal to learn more about the details.

Enjoy!

Be sure to follow Eversave on Facebook and Twitter and let them know NurturingtheNaturalMama sent you!

Family/ Work Life Balance- Does it Exist?

2011-10-13T06:56:00.000-07:00

Individualism vs. Commitment to Family.

So in this day and age, following the brunt of the feminism movement and a huge thrust in civil rights (while it's all certainly still not perfect); we, as a society, constantly promote self fulfillment and individuality. And as more and more moms enter the workforce, and more and more young parents are forced to have both parents working because of the economy- there is no reason to wonder why 50% of marriages end in divorce, and why more and more children are growing up unattached.

As an intermittent stay at home myself, I can say I have spent a lot of time struggling with my role and maintaining my sanity while staying at home with the kids. Now I am well aware that many moms relish the opportunity to be at home and thoroughly enjoy their time there- I am just not one of them. While I enjoy spending time with my kids, I feel I am legitimately a better mom when I am working and have some time by myself and with other adults.

I have also struggled with the resentment towards my husband after being home with the kids all day, while he is working, and then we have the perpetual "who does more around here?" argument. He just wants to sit down after a hard day at work... I get mad/resentful that he is just sitting there while I am changing yet another diaper or feeding the kids.... etc. When really- we're all working for the same thing, right??

I am in the process of reading this great book called Towards Commitment , for which the point is clear and precise: commit to your family above all else.

Just to add in another disclaimer: there are clear exceptions- no one is saying to stay in an abusive relationship, etc.

But the authors, married for 47 years, discuss topics like finances, work-life balance, child rearing, school, sex, emotional needs, etc. It's crazy when you think about how really we don't discuss in depth our expectations with our spouse/partner. If you're anything like us, we have surface conversations about how we think things are going to go ; "yea, you'll work this hour to this hour, then the kids go to bed, i'll make dinner" etc. But the nitty gritty about emotional and physical expectations, and problems/issues when the expectations in your mind don't match your reality. In the authors experience, she had to just whole heartedly commit. Commit to her husband, despite their differences, without considering it as "sacrificing her own self fulfillment". I am not going to be able to describe it as she does in the book and do the theory justice- but it is worth a read!

It is more about a family/work fit versus balance, because these days- I'm not sure a true balance actually exists. Would you agree or disagree? and how do you achieve your family/work "fit"?

SAVE America. Start TODAY.

2011-10-13T05:58:00.000-07:00

So I saw a poster in a cafe yesterday that had this statement on it:

"We challenge you to change just 10% of your purchases from big box stores to local merchants"

the poster indicated that this small change would create something like 50,000 jobs (and if I remember correctly, that was just considering the state I was in- New Hampshire) and would immediately increase the revenue of the state, and hence America, to help improve our economy.

I believe the group that had sponsored the poster was Seacoast Eat Local. But your 10% shift doesn't just have to be food- it can be anything! But if we take food as an example, it can be your least expensive option. Last weekend, I went over to our local farm Brookford Farm and purchased some fresh veggies (a bag of arugula $3, some leeks $1, and some onions $3), I also purchased some yogurt, cheese, and raw milk. Now, I spent about $20.00. You need to keep in mind that the yogurt and milk come in LARGE Mason jars.

Additionally, when I am ready for more yogurt and milk, I bring the jars back and get a deposit towards my next purchase. Let's look at the milk. I switch between soy milk and raw milk for my kiddos. Soy milk costs about $4.59/ carton. The raw milk cost $4.50. When I bring back the rinsed Mason jar- I get a $2.50 deposit. My milk ends up costing me almost HALF of if I kept purchasing soy milk from our local Hannaford.

Now this comes right after I heard on Late Night with Diane Sawyer about their Made In America initiative, where they are challenging building contractors to change just 5% of their purchases for building homes to American made supplies. Doing this is predicted to create 220,000 jobs in America!

You can also help this cause by purchasing your very own Made In America T- shirts which are made of 100% cotton and made, of course, right here in America.

So here at NurturingtheNaturalMama, I am extending this challenge- and I want to hear your stories of how you achieved it! I challenge you to change 10% of your purchases- food or otherwise to American made in the next 30 days. Share the results!!

Was it more expensive? Was it worth it? How did it make you feel? Do you feel you got better or worse product for your money? What type of products did you try?

Belated Confession

2011-10-06T10:12:00.000-07:00

Several days ago via Facebook, I promised you a confession. Then I got busy, which is totally unfair as I am sure so many of you were glued to your computers anxiously awaiting my confession. :)

Anyways, I do have something I need to share.

I am an Etsy-aholic.

I love that you are supporting individual people, mostly WAHMs, and all recycling/upcycling for the pre-loved items! I LOVE IT.

So, if you haven't yet discovered Etsy, take a LOOK today! Here are some of my faves;

Guavas and Bananas

Adorn Nursing Necklaces

Rock a Bye Booty

Check it out and SHOP today, supporting WAHMs! <3

Is there such a thing as Thursday Surf? :) Because I have some GREAT new reads for you!

2011-09-22T18:52:00.000-07:00

Most recent post by Sparkle Mama is an incredible post about her and her families journey to financial freedom and inherent inability to feel stable in the moment. Following a financial program, they have ceased paying their mortgage and are paying off all their other debt. They are awaiting a short sale or foreclosure, and are now feeling like temporary guests in their own home, until they have a more concrete plan.

I can relate to that in-between feeling having experienced a foreclosure, as well as my 8 moves in 5 years! Ugh! , I hate it. The stress it causes makes me anxious, and NOT a happy person to be around. So what has Sparkle Mama done in order to feel more like she has a plan? She's pregnant!! :) Yayyyy!

Congratulations Sparkle Mama!

Natural Parents Network just posted an ironic post (given my recent discussion on my preschooler), on Parenting the Spirited Preschooler. I LOVE LOVE LOVE, did I say LOVE?, the suggestions of checking diet, keeping to a schedule, toddler-wearing, and relating to your preschooler as ways to help with the 'spirited' behavior of a crazy toddler!

I, too, struggle with the discipline and "control" of my preschooler at home and in public when his energy takes over :) I am lucky in that my toddler is typically respectful and overall a good listener, but I was SO glad (and relieved that I wasn't the only one) to read this article!

What were your favorite reads this week?

Who has the time?! ... and other realities of Working Motherhood

2011-09-22T18:23:00.000-07:00

It has clearly been far too long since I've been able to work AND get my kids where they need to go AND take care of said kids AND blog AND go to school. Just like any other mama, I struggle with the day to day responsibilities of family, work, home, activities, and maintaining my own sanity!

I am now the mama of an official preschooler. My little boy is too quickly becoming a little man! But wow, with the age of 4 comes a whole new set of issues; the 'why' finally dwindles, the tantrums get fewer and further between, and the ability to 'wait' increases by about 1 second. Now, I have found, comes the corrections, the specifications, and the absolute inability to focus for more than a half a second! o.m.g!

What I already find myself regretting, is my inability to properly function as a 'working mother' (who ISN'T a working mother, right?). My days off are spent catching up on cleaning, laundry, and attempting to spend time with kids. Baby A, inevitably, takes the majority of my time. My little koala.

My little Spiderman is a bit more self sufficient, but nonetheless wants to constantly barrade me with questions, watch an endless array of movies, play with action figures (which of course requires my presence lol), color, and create various 'projects' that do little except make a mess of my house.

On top of all of this of course, my husband and I share the responsibility of getting our teenager where she needs to go (usually in her original home town, which is about 40 minutes from where we currently live), and make minimal attempts at making sure our dog is still alive at the end of the day lol! And lastly, I am back in school- so there is homework. Ahhh, how I have missed homework (yes, I am a total dork). Albeit it's certainly not as easy as it used to be- 3 kids, husband working typically 7 days a week, so no sitter, trying to read/write between naps, while trying to clean house, and spend quality time with the kids. Wowww...

So how do YOU make sure the potentially little time you spend with your kids is full of quality? And do you really think quality is better than quantity when it comes to spending time with your kids?

I am not so sure.

I had a little over six months as a SAHM after Baby A was born. Near the end of that, I was SO happy to go back to work. I wanted a life again. I wanted to be ME again, and not just 'baby A's mommy' or 'spidermans mommy'. So now I've been ME again for about nine months- and I'm not sure my kids are benefiting.

It's stressful trying to get everyone where they need to be, being on time (which to be honest, I never am), still not benefiting financially, and then feeling like I have NO time to actually spend with my kids- as in, spend WITH them... in the moment. The quantity of in the moment parenting time can be what kids need most.

What are your thoughts?

Guest Post: September to Remember

2011-09-09T15:50:00.000-07:00

Check out my guest post today over at Little Hearts (Gentle Parenting Resources) for her trip down memory lane in her September to Remember Series. Enjoy!

NNM Update

2011-08-09T19:28:00.000-07:00

Given the recent break, I wanted to remind you of a couple features of our blog here at NNM;

-Be sure to check out the NurtureMe Store, which features products mentioned here on the blog.

-Check out some of our new 'buttons' down the sides of the blog- I only place ones I feel very strongly about and encourage you to check them out. Be sure to tell them NNM sent ya!

-If you haven't already, check out my latest guest post over at Spiritual Momma.

and, of course, find NNM on Twitter and Facebook

:)

Happy Summer!

Summer FUN! A Glimpse into my Month Off....

2011-08-04T18:19:00.000-07:00

What have YOU been doing this summer? My little ones have been having a blast! Many a beach day here in Maine, and some fabulous birthday parties;

Spiderman and mama on his 4th Birthday

poolside fun with their BFFs

the Birthday BOY!

the birthday GIRLZZZ! Both 1 year old!

Sissy :)

She loved her new doggy!

cupcake coma at my niece's 4th birthday party!

in the pool with his new, what else, Spiderman toy! :)

I love living on the Seacoast!

No Baby A, napping face down in the sand is NOT a good idea :)

Spiderman, decked out for the sun on his friends boogie board!

too much salty sea air for Baby A :)

friends <3

why yes, when staying at a hotel, lollipops are apparently a perfectly acceptable breakfast option :P

Baby A and her new Baltic Amber Teething Necklace, compliments of Stork Organic Baby Boutique

Even the dog got in on the summer fun action!

and hubby too! <3

Tell me about YOUR favorite parts of summer.

Did you miss me??

2011-08-04T17:38:00.000-07:00

What I expected to be a brief hiatus to catch my breath, turned into an overall blissful summer month with my kiddos! So while I apologize for the absolute LACK of blogging, what kind of mommy-blogger could I really claim to be if I didn't enjoy some much needed, much enjoyed, time with my kids.

So WHERE the heck was I??!

Well, our family dynamics have changed once again... in a GREAT way! While the circumstances surrounding the change were at first scary, and overall emotionally trying- we are SO happy and glad to announce that my beautiful stepdaughter, who we will call Sissy (as she is the big sister), has joined our home on a permanent basis! I know I speak for all of us when I say we could not be happier that she is with us all the time!

My Spiderman just ADORES her, and little baby A is thrilled to have some female support in the house! :)

But what on earth do I do with a teenager??! Lol

I will take any and all suggestions! As we quickly approach the coming school year, her Freshman year of high school, I am planning a Family Calendar and a chore board so that everyone feels equally useful and accountable in the house. We are saving up for school shopping ( a teenage girl can cost some serious bucks! lol Plus, little Spiderman starts Pre K, and Sissy is involved in many sports- cha ching!), and I am eagerly awaiting (like a total DORK) shopping for school supplies- my absolute FAVORITE (yes, I am a total dork) activity of all time!

Stepmoms are supposed to be scary, right?

Eek. I have never liked the term "stepmom". My thoughts immediately turn to Disney's Cinderella, Julia Roberts in the movie Stepmom, and every other cinematic evil portrayal of the "s-t-e-p-m-o-t-h-e-r". (shudder).

But luckily, my stepdaughter has a very involved and active mom, and I have fallen nicely into the essential role of "big sister"/ "mom when needed" lol. I am here for whatever she needs, but tend to side with her on a lot of issues (as her father and I's parenting styles are totally opposite), so she likes that- as you can imagine. :)

So now that she is a more permanent member of the home, does my role change? Am I giving enough attention to each child? Does our routine change?

I have found thus far, that no. Nothing changes. We just roll with the punches, and when you sit back, and watch/observe/welcome the little changes... everything will naturally fall into place. Everyone finds their place. Everyone feels important. Everyone feels loved.

How do you handle step parenting? Or any change in the family dynamic?

Mama, Are Ghosts Real? Welllll.....

2011-07-25T19:52:00.000-07:00

I'm assuming my kid is like everyone else's, in that the questions keep coming. Some of which are normal, some bizarre, and some you wonder HOW they ever even thought of such things! But what about the questions where you feel like there is answer you should say, based on your own parenting experiences/books/advice from others, etc. but you find yourself saying something totally different.... and how do you make such responses age appropriate?

Several such experiences have happened recently, let me explain;

1. History: One of my little Spiderman's dogs passed away at his dad's house.
Question: Mama, Nina lives in the sky now and I will never see her again.

So how do you respond??

Here's how our conversation ensued;

Mama; Well, that's not true exactly. When you die you go to Heaven, and you will see her again when you go to Heaven.

Spiderman: When will I go to Heaven?

Mama: Hopefully not for a long, long time.

Spiderman: If I went to Heaven, you would never see me again.

Mama: Well, I would see you when I went to Heaven. But hopefully you won't go to Heaven for a long, long time. Most people that go to Heaven are old.

Spiderman: Old like what?

Mama: Old like..... umm... dinosaurs.

Spiderman: Dinosaurs aren't people.

Mama: Ok, good point. Ummmm, old like.....

Spiderman: Old like Grampa (referring to my 60 year old father LOL) ?? :)

Ahhhh, gotta love 4 year olds!

Ok, next topic. Similar, although on a totally separate day.

2. History: Spiderman watches some cartoons that involve superheroes and other "bad guys" and other crazy, imaginary figures.
Question: Mama, are ghosts real?

What would you say?

The voice inside me said "just say no. Simple. Conversation done. This is what you have been told a million times. "

Here is how the conversation ensued;

Mama: Well, some ghosts are real.

Spiderman: Why?

Mama: Because sometimes, before people go to Heaven, they still live on Earth for a while, but only some people can see them.

Spiderman: Are they good guys or bad guys?

Mama: Every ghost is different, you need to ask them if they're nice or not- just like you would when you met a new friend.

Spiderman: So it's ok that some of my friends are ghosts?

Mama: (hmmm, truth or imagination? Not sure, but just gonna go with it...) Yes.

Spiderman: Ok, cool. Thanks mom.

LOL! Again, out of the mouth of babes!

How do YOU handle the tricky questions?? And what are some of the tricky questions you've encountered?

Almost like a Sunday Surf, but on Wednesday!

2011-07-20T18:02:00.000-07:00

So given my pure LACK of blogging lately, I have had more time to keep up with other blogs, and have discovered some fabulous posts by Backwoods Mom that I wanted to share! My teenage stepdaughter is now living with us full time, and so the teen posts have been keeping me busy!

my gorgeous stepdaughter <3

20 Words of Wisdom to my Teens

1.        Yes, your freshman year counts towards your GPA for college entrance. Screw it up and you’ll work for crap wages your whole life.

2.        No means NO. In every possible circumstance.

3.        Join every sport, every club, every after school activity no matter what the cost. It's cheaper than bail.

4.        Repeat after me: I am never in that much of a hurry…I am never in that much of a hurry.   Now say that every time you get behind the wheel. It will save your life and that of your best friend in the seat next to you.

5.        Don’t smoke pot. It ruins your
short term memory. (Did I already say that?)

6.        Don’t ever get a credit card. Ever. You earn it or you live without it.

7.        If I yell at you, it’s because I love you. And also, because you pissed me off.    To avoid the latter, stop being an idiot.

8.        Make a vivid picture inside your head of every great moment of your childhood. You’ll need those to get through adulthood.

9.        Make snow angels as often as possible.

10.      Stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves.

11.      Be always benevolent. Yes, that’s a word. Look it up.

12.      Call me for a ride even if you are so drunk you barely know my number. I’ll probably be mad for a while but I’ll respect you for calling and I won’t kill you. Riding with someone who is drinking will.

13.      Be a leader, not a follower. Unless you are doing stupid things, then follow the kid with the highest GPA.

14.      Love your siblings, even when you don’t like them. Some day you will be trying to get them to take care of me in my old age. If they are mad at you, you are stuck with me.

15.      I’ve been there, done that on more things than you can imagine. I’m not stupid and I know what you are doing. I was once you (times ten).

16.      Work hard at everything you do. Anything worth doing is worth being the best   at.

17.      Cover it. (Enough said.)

18.      When I tell you to clean your room, do not point at my messy room and raise    your eyebrows. I’m trying to raise you to be better than me.

19.      Learn to type; to budget; and to pray. All are equally important.

20.      Never be sedentary. Some day soon you will no longer be able to move like that. Enjoy it.

Children Will Remember

As parents, we spend our lives trying to be good enough. Trying to keep up. We worry that we’ve failed. We worry that we’ve screwed up our kids to the point of no return because somehow we’ve not been good enough…as parents. But let me explain something.

Our children will not remember their childhood the way we think they will.

They won’t remember if your hair was doing that ‘woohoo’ thing at their Christmas concert. They will remember that when they entered the gym, their eyes scanned the bleachers and locked with yours.

They won’t notice if they found their cereal bowl in the cupboard or in the dishwasher or even if they had to wash it themselves once in a while. They will remember that on Sundays, you made happy face pancakes.

They won’t have a clue that one Christmas you were flat broke and they got fewer toys. They will remember that you made them a quilt out of old t-shirts and they will use it to swaddle their own children.

They will not remember that you cleaned and scrubbed while they were playing outside. They will remember that once you knelt in the dirt pile and vroomed Hotwheels with them all afternoon.

They will not see the holes in their jeans, care about mismatched socks, or remember what brand of purse you carried. They will remember the smell of daddy’s t-shirt he let them wear to bed...long after he's gone.

They won’t remember going to the theater with friends. They will remember being pressed against your thigh on the couch, watching a movie, one hand in the popcorn bowl.

They won't remember that you didn't hike as fast as they did. They will remember that you climbed to the top of the steepest mountain, just to show them the view.

They will never recall the smell of the fancy dinners you prepared on the holidays. They will remember every single hotdog they cooked over an open fire and the way you knew they didn’t like mustard.

They won’t care if their bed was never made or that the blanket didn’t match their curtains. They will remember the way it felt when you tucked the blankets around them and called them a burrito baby.

They will not care what you looked like in a swim suit. They will remember that you went on the field trip to the pool anyway and were the one parent who didn’t sit to the side and watch.

They will not have lifelong damage from mud overdose. They will remember the way the ooze felt between their toes and the look on your face when you found them…and joined in.

SO step away from the dishes. Leave that pile of laundry on the couch, forget about homework once in a while. Unclench your jaw and relax. That’s what I’m going to try to do.

Because when I am old and I am gray, and I cannot do the things that I can do today…my children will not remember that my dishes were foul. My children will remember that I could run…I could whoop…and I could howl.
* Be sure to check out Backwoods Mom on her blog, and also on Facebook

It seems like Forever....

2011-07-18T11:48:00.000-07:00

So wow, it has been FAR too long since I have hit these keys for anything besides a quick Facebook surf! There has been a lot of family "stuff" going on as of late and I want to first, apologize for my absolute absence on the mommy-blog-scene. I have, however, been very busy on the mama-scene with my three kids!

Having said that, I hope to get back to blogging sooooon! Everything is starting to normalize so I should have my in between nap time and night times back to type away!! :)

Baby A during a cupcake hangover at her cousin's birthday party <3

baby A & hubby opening some of HER presents during her 1st Birthday party!

My Little Spiderman at his 4th Birthday Party! Theme? Spiderman, obvi :)

Big sister and her friend at the little kid party! Clearly enjoying themselves! :)

Here are some other great reads to keep you occupied in the meantime, and if you haven't yet, be sure to check out the amazing contributions from our RealMama Week a few weeks back! Hope you're all doing well!

Need to reuse your recalled crib? Check out these great ideas;
Repurposing the Recalled Crib by Consignment Mommies

This is a great, religious twist on attachment parenting; what I like about the blog is that she makes realistic connections, it's a great read!
Attachment Parenting- A Christian Perspective by Hippie Housewife

My husband & I are a great couple. We actually communicate quite well, and although we undoubtedly participate in an argument or two, we love each other and our little family. We do NOT, however, agree on parenting....

We agree on the grand scheme, which is what makes this all work. We both want the best for all of our kids, we want them to grow up to be happy, social, confident, well adjusted, confident, and emotionally expressive teens/adults. Getting there can be difficult since our styles are sooo different! I read this next post almost daily now, to remind myself that there are inherent strengths in each of our differences :)

Just not on the Same Page, by Becoming Crunchy

Fill me in on your favorite reads, online or otherwise, so I can catch up on what I've missed during my little hiatus. Thank you!!

4 years of my little Spiderman :)

2011-06-27T19:20:00.000-07:00

Wow, I know it is soooo cliche, but time really does fly. Has it really been 4 years since my little Spiderman entered this world?! Really??

my little Spiderman at about 8 weeks, compliments of Jeff Tebbetts Photography

Baby Spiderman's Birth Story

Due to a previous surgery, I was due to have a scheduled C section on June 28th, 2007. My due date was July 4th :)

Having no previous pregnancy or birthing experience, I was quite at ease with the thought of having a scheduled birth, with no labor, and what I had thought was going to be an "easy" birth and recovery.

I started Spiderman's pregnancy at a lean 125 pounds. During his pregnancy, I gained 65 pounds. Yes, you read that right... 65 pounds! I suffered from gestational diabetes, hypertension, and several torn ligaments thanks to my large baby, and extra large weight gain on such a small frame! Needless to say, as the date for my section drew nearer, I had appointments with my ever changing midwives every 2 - 3 days so they could check me, and perform a non stress test (NST) on the baby.

I had my regular appointment on June 26th. I had been experiencing what I assumed were Braxton Hicks contractions for several days, and the NST showed no "real" contractions, so I was sent home. Throughout the night, my "fake" contractions seemed to be getting more intense, and by the following morning, I was so uncomfortable that I called the office and paged the doctor to request the first available appointment. Despite the discomfort, I drove myself to my appointment at 8am. The midwife performed an excruciatingly painful vaginal exam- so painful I might add, that I was crying- and told me I was not dilated, so I should go home. They would see me the following afternoon for my C section.

My naivete got the better of me, and after I composed myself from the tears streaming my face, I hobbled to my car. The distance from the office door to my car was maybe 20 feet. By the time I reached my car, I could not move. The pain in my abdomen was so severe, that I could barely breathe. I literally could NOT move from the position I had now assumed in my driver's seat. There was no way I could drive home.

My then-boyfriend picked me up, after what seemed like an eternity! We headed for home, and having been told I would just have to stick it out until tomorrow, I tried to force down some food- I couldn't even catch my breath enough to sip water.

I had been examined at 8:30am. I got home somewhere around 10/10:30am, and called the doctor again around 11am. She tried convincing me to wait until the following day, saying I should just "rest" and "try to relax"; but after not being able to speak for several minutes on the phone, she relented that "if I really wanted to be checked again, I could go to the hospital". We were at the hospital by 12pm, and I had to be brought in on a wheelchair.

My little Spiderman was born at 12:37pm via C section. As we entered the OR, just 4 hours after my initial exam, I was almost 8 centimeters dilated.

My little Spiderman, who was not so little, weighed in at 8 pounds, 9 ounces and was 20 inches long.

The pediatrician who examined him came over and told me he looked great, congratulations! We got the oohs and aaahs from the OR nurses, and the emotional "pat on the back" from the doctor who performed our section.

Things start getting fuzzy for me after this. Time blurs together, and events just float in my mind like pages of a book clipped and strewn about in a thick fog. I remember looking at my baby for just a minute. Trying to decompress from the hormonal volcano that just erupted in my body, and also the stress and anxiety that had ensued that morning. As the nurse tinkered around the room, I could feel myself trying to pull my mind into the present moment. This is supposed to be some big epiphany, right? Some shining light of instant bonding is supposed to shoot from the sky and it will be the happiest moment of my life, right? As I tried desperately to shake off the cobwebs and really SEE my baby, the nurse interrupted my subconscious thoughts;

" he looks like he's breathing a little funny, I'm just going to take him to the nursery- I'll be right back"

I didn't see my little Spiderman again for almost 48 hours.

being transported to the NICU

my little Spiderman at the NICU

Everything is a blur after that. Any thought of shaking the cobwebs in my mind were exchanged for more drugs, in hopes that they might help medicate the sobbing woman who was trying to recover from major abdominal surgery.

Murmurs from nurses, doctors, family, friends, all were like eavesdropping through a door even though I was in the same room. Now, they are choppy, faded memories;

"your son has suffered a spontaneous bilateral pneumothorax"

"he needs to be transported to another hospital"

"I'm sorry, you can't go with him"

"Is he still alive?"

(crying, tears)

my boyfriends family calls in a preacher

really? last rites? what is going on?! why am I so tired?

"he will go and you will stay here"

"do you plan to breastfeed or bottle feed?"

"do you want them to feed him?"

My loving sister stayed with me that horrible night. As other family and friends called to see how the new baby was, I was left to explain time and time again that the baby was not there, and I had no idea if I would ever see him again.

The NICU to which he was transferred called almost every hour, wondering when I was coming- he was hungry...

"I don't know!" I would scream, "I can't get there! I'm in a hospital bed!" Finally, after what seemed like several HUNDRED phone calls, the two hospitals coordinated to get me up there in an ambulance. I was to leave at 10am.

They finally came to get me at 6pm. Yes, 6pm!

I continued to receive calls from the NICU describing my baby's desperate feeding situation, "I'm so sorry, we had to give him a syringe of formula, he was just so hungry!"

What does that even mean? Am I killing my baby because this hospital can't get me there?! Are they waiting for me to tell them to just feed him a formula bottle? But what about breastfeeding?! The questions did not stop circling.

I finally arrived, almost 2 days post op, still in tremendous pain and still suffering a huge hospital-drug-hangover. My swelling was unbearable. The NICU would allow me to stay, but obviously I was not their patient. I had to walk everywhere, despite my post op status and tremendous amount of swelling, and bleeding. I had to figure out how to pump myself, get up to shower, TRY to get some rest, AND answer the NICU call every hour on the hour to go feed my baby.

And I use the term "feed" loosely, breastfeeding became a HUGE undertaking due to the gag reflex my little Spiderman suffered from having been intubated.

But he did seem much more relaxed once he had his mommy with him :) And I was just relieved that my son was alive, and for all intents and purposes, doing well. He was the biggest baby in the NICU, as you can imagine, at almost 10 pounds! <3

We brought him home from the NICU after 8 days. His chest tube had been removed, and he was "eating" on his own. A visiting nurse would come check on him daily for a week, then one week after that, and then we were on our own.

My little Spiderman did great! He continued to gain weight, although breastfeeding remained a constant chore and struggle for both of us. We lasted until he was 6 months!

Since his traumatic start, my little Spiderman has become that light that I had been waiting for. It may not have had the time to appear as the "epiphany" at childbirth so many describe, but he continues to remind me everyday how wonderful being his mom is.

He is by no means a perfect child, and I am by no means a perfect mom- which is why, we are a perfect match! I do my best to nurture him, and he does his best to guide me as to what comes naturally to him. We pick our "battles" :), and I do my best to let things fall into place "naturally". He certainly has rules, and he seems to know and understand his boundaries.

He has adjusted to his dual-life, with two separate homes and two separate sets of rules. He knows he is Lucky. He has all the more people who love him! He has a mommy and a daddy, and a step daddy, a step mommy, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents up the wazoo!

He has a countless family and friends who love him. His mama, of course, is his biggest fan of all :)

He is my baby. My boy. My superhero. My love. My son. My little Spiderman...

Happy 4th Birthday Baby! Mama loves you! <3

Rock a Bye Booty: Review & Giveaway CLOSED

2011-06-19T19:09:00.000-07:00

Who wants some fluff? :)

Our latest product review has been kindly provided by Tanya, the fabulous mama over at Rock a Bye Booty. If you're even remotely familiar with the world of mommy-blogging, you also know you find her name in many other places too :)

I was sent a fabulous cloth diaper cover, in the Green Bubble print;

So I am a total moron, and when we first discussed doing this review/giveaway, it did not occur to me that the diaper was a "cover" (clearly after 10 months, I am apparently still a newbie in the world of cloth diapering!). As you've discovered through my various past blogs, we use primarily g Diapers and have recently added Blissful Booty Cloth Diapers to our stash.

I have no idea how to use pre folds. Is that even what they're called? See, I am a folded-cloth-diaper-moron. Nonetheless, I found an AMAZING use for the diaper cover in our house.... nighttime!

Leaks at night, especially with a cloth diaper, are terrible. It requires washing of sheets, jammies, blankets, toys, and of course, the diaper. In my case, this usually includes a cloth insert, a snap liner, and an outer shell. Booooo...

To prevent said leaks, I had previously been adding a disposable g liner ON TOP of the cloth liner inside the g pant. (No idea what I'm talking about? see the g diapers website for more info.) Anyways, so this time, I used my regular g pant and cloth liner (minus the disposable insert) and added instead the Rock a Bye Booty diaper cover. Ummm, FABULOUS!

The inside is this super soft, yet water resistant material that made it so all I had to wash in the morning was the g diaper and insert and NOT her whole bed! I wasn't sure how the fit differs from over a folded diaper, but the cinched sides and wide waist band made it fit snug, and yet was still soft, comfortable, and provided for easy mobility. The material is not in any way starchy or constricting.

Baby A's nighttime diaper leakage is primarily my fault, because I do the "horrible mom" thing of sending her to bed with a bottle. (I know, gasp!) But hey, she sleeps... so don't judge unless you were here the first 6 months. Anyways, so at probably no fault of the g diaper- she leaks right through, almost nightly. And having the disposable AND cloth insert in there were making her little g pant butt super bunchy- sometimes I wondered if she would even be able to move her tiny little legs! :)

The thinness of the Rock a Bye Booty cover is a great alternative in not the only the fact that it prevented the leaks from getting to her clothes or to the bed, but also in the comfort factor! Her cloth diaper butt was a whole lot less... fluffy... : )

* She also sent me the cloth wipes you see in the photo and the fleece material feels SO luxurious, I actually felt guilty using it to wipe her butt! <3

So, wanna WIN some BOOTY of your own??!
* Contest is now CLOSED*

* Just follow Rock a Bye Booty via Google Friend Connect, or subscribe by email

* Make sure you already follow NurturingtheNaturalMama via Google Friend Connect

To enter, just comment below that you have followed Rock a Bye Booty and NNM (be sure to include your email in your comment).

WINNER will win this CUSTOM design by Rock a Bye Booty

Additional Entries:

You can enter a second and third time by;

* Finding and 'liking' Rock a Bye Booty on Facebook

* Finding and 'liking' NNM on Facebook

For additional entries, comment below if you are following Rock a Bye Booty and/or NNM on Facebook (again, be sure to include your email in your comment).

* Please add a SEPARATE comment for each action so you get more chances to win!

BONUS

Share this giveaway on FB or Twitter, and comment below EACH DAY that you do so (leave your email or twitter handle in your comment) and it counts as a new entry EACH DAY!

Contest ENDS Thursday June 23rd at 7pm EST. Winner will be announced by Friday.

Goodluck!

Juice: What's in YOUR Sippy??

2011-06-19T18:20:00.000-07:00

Many moms and dads frown upon the use of juice as a beverage of choice for their late infant/toddlers. Hail to all the supermoms who get their kids to EBF for 18 months and then get them to drink water straight out of a regular cup; I envy you (no, seriously- I do)...

picture found via Google Images

My kids, drink juice. And frankly, probably too much of it.

My toddler is a juice-a-holic. Yes, I water it down- but I've heard mixed reviews on that as well. Are you taking away the little nutritional value there IS in juice by watering it down? But if he drinks straight juice all the time, clearly his teeth will rot out of his head, right?!

Thankfully, he has successfully visited the dentist with all his little teeth in good shape :) and we have come to alter what he thinks of as "juice", to make it more age appropriate- and healthy.

My little Spiderman enjoys "Shrek" juice, our infamous ingredient-hiding-name for the Odwalla Superfoods Drink :)

...and he loves Odwalla protein shakes, and V8 Fusions, carrot juice, organic yogurt smoothies, etc. So for that, we are thankful. And of course, thanks to WIC we are constantly supplied with a never ending source of 100% juices in a variety of flavors to fill in the gaps.

So what's my latest healthier-juice-alternative creation??

Iced tea.

I know, common sense, right? I have let my toddler drink tea since he was about 18 months when he was sick, and now he asks for it by name (and usually specifies that it contain honey) :) and baby A has had warm (but not HOT) chamomile tea in her bottle on many occasions when she has had an upset belly (it really works mamas!), and a favorite at our local Panera bread has always been the Icey Green Tea! YUM!

But today, I created a delicious, inexpensive, and mouth watering juice alternative.... iced berry tea. (I'm sure many of you are like, "duhhhhh Theresa.... who HASN'T thought of that?!" ... but I'm sharing in hopes that some of you mamas are like me, and hadn't... and will be just as excited as I was to try it) :)

Making Iced Berry Tea:

Pour 2 cups boiling water over 4 tea bags....


Today I used the Black Cherry Berry flavor :)

Let steep for 4- 6 minutes...

Pour into a container already filled with 2 cups ice water....

the one in her sippy/bottle is the Country Peach Passion flavor from the other day :)

And ENJOY!!

(* additional money-saving tip: BornFree and Avent both have "sippy" toppers that can be used with their training cups, OR directly placed on top of your existing bottles- HUGE money saver over buying a bunch of new sippy cups, and you are repurposing your now outdated bottles!)

What is your child(ren)s favorite juice? Or what do your kids enjoy instead of juice?

DADS ROCK: Father's Day Giveaway WINNERS

2011-06-15T19:57:00.000-07:00

Update: DADS ROCK Giveaway, AND THE WINNERS ARE.......

Happy Father's Day!

The WINNER of the $15 Gift Card from Natural Family Supplies is...

Arely Colin

The WINNER of the FREE bag of cloth diaper detergent from Rockin Green is...

Arely Colin

The WINNER of the Custom Decal from Educated Mama Decals is...

Arely Colin

The WINNER of the Moby Wrap (picked using www.random.org) is...

Alicia Tebbetts

The WINNER of the FREE one hour coaching session from Purejoy Parenting goes to...

Sparkle Mama for her participation <3

The men's suit donated by The Dark Orchid , will go directly to One Simple Wish
One Simple Wish
1977 N. Olden Ave
#292
Trenton, NJ 08618

Congratulations to all our winners! And we look forward to the 2nd annual DADS ROCK Father's Day Giveaway 2012!

Sunday Surf: RealMama Week Wrap Up

2011-06-12T18:40:00.000-07:00

RealMama Wrap Up

We had so many great contributors this week, and a huge thank you goes out to all of them. A diverse group of topics, which I hope provided some helpful info to all of our RealMamas :)

My inspirational 'RealMama'; Jessica, creator of The Leaky B@@b and her youngest nursling

In the Arms of Motherhood was a tear-jerking post about the authors view on being a mama. The genuine intent with which is was written just warms my heart, and of course, her personal struggles are heartbreaking!

What I loved most about the post is the simple, seemingly common-sense approach to mothering; that we treat our children like we would teach guests. Our brains so often perpetuate stories about what one minute behavior might perpetuate for future behaviors, that we lose sight of the moment with our children. This type of parenting/behavior is also described in detail in the piece titled My Agenda (Day 6), by Purejoy Parenting.

Knosts' and Potters' descriptions of meeting our children where they are at, emotionally and intellectually, is SO important for helping to solidify the attachment between parent and child, but for greatly decreasing the anxiety that can accompany parenthood. Much of the anxiety we feel comes from worrying about our child's behavior in the moment (out in public, etc.), and/or considering what said behavior might mean in relation to future behaviors (if I let this go, he's never going to understand what it means to be responsible, etc.). Our Day 3 post, Mothering Me, by Leslie Potter from Purejoy Parenting reiterated these sentiments, and also describes her own personal struggle into motherhood.

LR Knost and her son, from Little Hearts Books (Gentle Parenting Resources), contributor for Day 1 of RealMama Week

Leslie Potter, from Purejoy Parenting (contributor for Day 3 and Day 6 of RealMama week)

When I originally started this project of RealMama week, I wanted "authentic pieces describing how YOU view motherhood/parenthood/being a mama, etc". And I would say, piggybacking off Day 1 and Day 3 posts (above), our Day 4 post Living Mindfully was probably my favorite!

Spiritual Momma, contributor for Day 4 of RealMama week

Her wisdom-list that she hopes to pass on to her children, is now smeared all over an index card in big, black Sharpie on the entryway between our room and the kids room. I love her description of not sweating the small things; clearly when you have been through traumatic/trying/difficult times in your life, the "small" things can seem really insignificant. I find myself all to often (which I try on a daily basis to correct) saying things like "don't do that because you'll get hurt", or "don't do this because x will happen"; and basing parenting 'rules' on fear is never the way to go!

As Spiritual Momma describes, skinned knees will happen, your kids will fall and get bruises, and sometimes they will "fall" with emotional pain:

Our job is not to STOP these things from happening, but to give our child(ren) the tools to cushion their falls. Teaching them to trust their instincts, believing in themselves, living in the moment, and dreaming BIG; are all tools for them that they can use for the rest of their lives.

Obviously, as parents, we do need to keep our child(ren) safe from harm. But as they get older, it gets harder and harder to keep them in the loving bubble that is our arms (or our chosen babywearing device :)). In an age appropriate way, I believe it is of the utmost importance to not shelter our children, but provide them with emotional and intellectual TOOLS; so that they may one day be active, participatory, loving, and kind members of society.

homemade black bean burgers provided by The Economical Eater, contributor for Day 2 of RealMama week

Switching gears a bit, Cheap Eats was a post by The Economical Eater sharing some fabulous, delicious, and nutritious pantry staples and accompanying weeknight (or any-night) meals for all of us RealMamas! Almost all the pantry staples, which included black beans, eggs, frozen vegetables, and chickpeas; are all items offered as part of your local WIC program. And don't be stingy- feed the SAME thing to your kiddos! Check out more info on how I view baby food You Want Me to Eat What?! (my guest post via Instinctual Mamas).

One of our NNM readers provided her incredible Birth Story as our Day 5 post for RealMama week. Amanda describes the blur that was her unexpected C Section delivery and the following few days of visitors, adjusting the motherhood, and the transition from hospital to home. Her story has a delightful ending of a great mama & baby relationship, an EBF baby, and a happy healthy now 4 month old! <3

I love hearing birth stories, mostly because my first was so horrible, that I can live vicariously through others when I hear about their births! I really can't complain in that, in the end, I ended up with a happy, healthy, and wonderful now almost 4 year old! <3 But his start was FAR from what I expected.

Here's my question to you, at the birth(s) of your child(ren), did you have that moment of pure, elated joy that so many women describe? How would you describe your feeling(s) during birth?

I hope you enjoyed RealMama week as much as I did, and look forward to another RealMama week coming SOON!

Send entries anytime to mymackey@gmail.com and put RealMama in the subject line. Be sure to include a short bio, and attach any personal photos if you would like them included in your post.

RealMama Week: My Agenda

2011-06-12T11:21:00.000-07:00

RealMama Week, Day 6

I couldn't resist another opportunity to share another nugget of wisdom from Leslie Potter of Purejoy Parenting. A huge thank to you Leslie for her work in improving the art of parenting! <3

My Agenda

I've noticed, when having an agenda, my daughter, simply refuses to engage. Today, coming in from the grocery, I asked her to unload one of the bags. I'd taken her to lunch, bought her a sweet treat and driven her to a friend's house so I thought asking her to unload one little bag would be a piece of cake. Well, the truth is, I felt like she owed me this one small little favor since I'd given so much earlier. Ahhhh...the agenda reveals itself.

Now you might be thinking, hey Leslie, you are just teaching her how to help out at home....or maybe you are thinking she is going to get the wrong message if I don't require her to help out. And if you are, all of these thoughts ran through my head as she growled and claimed she wouldn't unload the bag. I took a deep breath and tried my big voice saying, "Meili, it is just one bag and I want you to unload it now." Growling she started emptying the bag, but slammed the goods on the table refusing to put them in the fridge.

I felt an intense heat rising in my body, as my trigger engaged. Clearly my words were not producing the results I desired. I knew, in my heart, what I was about to say was NOT what I wanted to say but before I could stop out spewed. "Alright then, I guess I won't be taking you to lunch or getting you a treat anymore." As those ugly words came tumbling out of my mouth, the dreaded blackmail move engaged.

As I looked at my precious daughter I knew that was NOT how I wanted to teach her to get support. Remembering, I'm the role model, I took a deep breath and said, "wow, what just came out of my mouth, isn't what I really wanted to say." What I wanted to say is, "I love you and I see you are in a big hurry to get out the door to your friends." And the moment I opened into a receptive place, including her agenda in the space, she looked at me and said, "I'm happy to help you, mom." Ah, can it really be this easy? Only when I remember to stay open, taking responsibility for my agendas, knowing she is not here to serve them. It wasn't that she didn't want to help, it was that I was only thinking about my agenda and forgot to include her.

Practice: Become aware when you meet resistance in your child. When you do, ask yourself if your agenda is playing out, determined to defend and justify its position. See if you are willing to drop your agenda, open to receiving your child and then see what happens. Let me know what you find out!

Leslie Potter

Purejoy Parenting

www.purejoyparenting.com

* also find her on Facebook

* and follow her on Twitter

Let her know NurturingtheNaturalMama sent you!

RealMama Week: One Mama's Birth Story

2011-06-12T11:01:00.000-07:00

RealMama week, day 5

Enjoy this reader's story about her journey to motherhood. Thank you to Amanda, for your genuine portrait of your birth story is a perfect piece for RealMama week.

The Perpetual Birth Plan Kink:

"You're going to need a C section"

It was February 8th, 2011 and I had a routine doctor's appointment. I was 39 weeks pregnant and just waiting for labor to kick in. The doctor had been telling me my entire pregnancy that I was measuring big for my gestational age, but showed no concern for my size. I am only 5'3", I had a belly that was really out there! The doctor told me at 38 weeks that if the baby was measuring over 9lbs that a c-section would be my best option for mine and the baby's safety. 39 weeks came, we went to get the ultrasound and he was measuring in the 90th percentile for length and weight...at 9lbs, 14oz! The c-section was scheduled for that night and the next few days are a blurry haze of phone calls, delivery, recovery...and life begins with my new son!

photo from Google Images

He was born a week early to the day of his due date, a beautiful healthy boy weighing 8lbs 13oz and 20.5" long. The c-section was scheduled for 7pm on February 8th, it was 2pm when I left the doctors office and
I had to be at the hospital at 4!

The first person I called was my mom, who lives 4 hours away, to tell her today was the day and she had to hurry and get down here. Many calls later, my husband and I were sure we had notified everyone. We left the doctors office and ran a few errands and went home to get our stuff. It all seemed so surreal at that point, we were about to be parents and our lives were going to change forever...

I had already had my bags packed quite a few weeks ago, so we just relaxed (to the best of our ability at that point) and waited to go to the hospital, savoring our last few moments of life with just the two of us. Arriving at the hospital, things started immediately; my prep for my c-section pretty much started from the minute I got there. I actually got into the operating room to have him earlier than scheduled, I was scheduled for a 7pm delivery and ended up having him at 6:44pm. I think we were actually in the operating room an hour ahead of schedule.

My husband was setting up our room with all of our stuff and we were just getting settled in and the nurses came in and said they had the operating room ready and were going to take me early...see why this day was such a blur? I didn't even get to really see or hold my son for hours after he was born. I held him for a few minutes while they wheeled me back to my room, but after that he was placed on a warmer on the other side of the room while my family all came in and "oohed" and "aah-ed" over him for an hour or so. We ended up leaving the hospital 2 days early because we were both doing so well. I had been up walking and showering the next day without pain meds, and my son wasn't jaundiced, and he was breastfeeding like a champ, so the hospital didn't feel it necessary to keep us there the full stay.

I now have a big, beautiful, exclusively breastfed, healthy, strong, smart baby boy who is (unbelievably) 4 months old now. I find it hard to believe it's been 4 months already, but I love watching him grow and change everyday. I am looking forward to seeing what new developments come in this next month and all the months to come in his life.

What was your birth story like? Planned, emergency, did it go as it thought you would- why/why not?

RealMama Week: Living Mindfully, RealMama Style

2011-06-09T18:09:00.000-07:00

RealMama Week, Day 4

Todays post comes to us from Sarah, "mother" of Spiritual Momma :)

I am not just a mother. Imagine that! I am a woman, a lover, a friend, a daughter, a friend, a tree hugger, an asshole and a junkie for anything that makes me feel good. I have almost gone off the deep end, several times. Somehow, someway I found myself in the madness and now I want to share that with you.

Living Mindfully, RealMama Style.

photo courtesy of Spiritual Momma on Facebook

I like to get right to the heart of the matter; It has become really clear that my role as a mother is to guide my children on the journey of their spirit. This journey of course, starts with me and the journey of my own spirit.

My journey has not been graceful; in fact I would venture to say my ride has been messy, traumatic and glorious. Unfortunately I learn the hard way (and so do my children). If I could pass a few ounces of wisdom onto my children.. just a few… they would be:

*Listen & trust your intuition little noodle, always follow your heart

*Believe in yourself and that all things are possible

*Celebrate your BE-ingness (you are special and so very loved)

*Live in this moment, right now- it’s all you have

*Life is on your side, so DREAM BIG! and then some

I believe that as a mother, I am to love and support my kiddos no matter what. Even through times of disappointment, fear and uncertainty. Furthermore, I want to live mindfully; at peace with what is, and in touch with myself and the flow of life.

What I have found is that in order to do so; I must heal my own wounds, seek awareness and acceptance for what is, relinquish my incessant need to control the uncontrollable and allow myself to love and experience joy.

This means I just refuse to save my kids from scraping their knees on the sidewalk, or harping on them to follow every stupid rule. Life will teach them that, I am certain. I want to show them how to live mindfully, and hopefully make a difference one day.

Perfection is not an option. This means some moments are difficult, messy, and painful. This is my cue to go within and mother myself. My children are not the problem, and certainly not the source of my discomfort. My children have been my greatest gift, and have revealed to me time and time again, that which had not been healed within me.

just one of the many cool items available at Spiritual Momma's Etsy boutique

So perhaps right now is an excellent time to ask yourself what motherhood means to you...

In closing, I will share one of my greatest comforts: I am free to change my mind or revise anything at any time.

-Spiritual Momma

* Find and 'like' Spiritual Momma on Facebook

* Follow her on Twitter

RealMama Week: Mothering Me

2011-06-08T17:48:00.000-07:00

RealMama Week, Day 3

Enjoy this beautiful post by Leslie Potter from Purejoy Parenting

Leslie Potter is the founder of Pure Joy Parenting, a joy based parenting model which supports parents in moving from a traditional fear-based model to a joy-based one, focusing on relationship and healthy attachment. She is a co-author of Chaos to Connection: 9 Heart Centered Essentials for Parenting your Teen. Leslie is a Parent Coach with a background as a body centered therapist. She created the Parent Coach model at Vive a national company working with at risk teens and their parents. In 2008, she founded Purejoy Parenting to educate and support new parents in understanding the importance of their attachment stories and how they affect their relationships with their children.

Mothering Me

Motherhood has stretched me beyond words. How could I have known that one little soul could awaken such light, as well as illuminate such darkness. When waiting for my daughter, I imagined all the good aspects of being a mother. I felt I was ready to surrender fully to the amazing opportunity I was being given. Finally, after 44 years of waiting and preparing, I was going to be a mother. It had taken me that long to embrace my childhood and feel I had done enough work that I wouldn't damage my child.

photo courtesy of Leslie Potter on Facebook

I was beyond excited for the opportunity to be the Mom I knew I had inside. What I hadn't planned for was the depth of pain that would arise when I fell short. Talk about humility! This has been my path, and daily I bow down to my daughter for showing me the true path to loving myself. When I am able to open to the depth of beauty and grace she provides, instead of needing her to behave the way I want her to so I look like a good mom, I can see clearly.

I don't need her to validate me and have found I can relax and open to being a safe emotional container for her to learn and grow. When I'm able to take full responsibility for my feelings and my stories, I am able to let her off the hook to be the beautiful light she embodies.

Learning to love myself starts with me and it is the greatest gift I offer my sweet girl.

Even though my love for her showed me the way, I learned that loving myself was up to me. When I needed her to convince me that I was lovable, I felt the pain. When I was finally able to step into the shoes of that amazing Mom I had inside...I began to mother ME as well as my daughter.

How do you feel about the mom you ARE, versus the mom you thought you'd be?

* Find and 'like' Purejoy Parenting on Facebook
* Check out her website & blog for Leslie's Parenting Pearls and contact info
* and be sure to follow her on Twitter

Let her know NurturingtheNaturalMama sent you! <3

You can also check out Leslie's latest contribution to PBS here.

NNM NEWS: Busy Busy Summer!

2011-06-07T19:04:00.000-07:00

WOW! We are BUSY here at NNM:

JUNE:

* DADS ROCK Father's Day Giveaway

Going on NOW. Check Facebook and the blog for more details

* Rock a Bye Booty Review & GIVEAWAY

will be posted by Saturday at 9pm EST. Be sure to check it out and win some FLUFF :)

* RealMama week is going on NOW

Day 1 and Day 2 have already been posted, be sure to check out Day 3 of RealMama Week tomorrow with Spiritual Momma.

* NEW WEBSITE is currently under construction- stay with us as we move to www.nurturingthenaturalmama.com *

* the next Foundations for BOTH our Purejoy Parenting and our Attachment Parenting Series will be up on the blog by the end of the week. I expect to have them both edited and posted by Sunday afternoon!

JULY:

* Mama Eve- Your Natural Parenting Resource will be guest posting for NNM early July

details TBD, but be on the look out for that! She rocks!

* Baby A's 1st Birthday: A Year in Pictures

will be posted by her birthday, July 20th, and I look forward to YOU sharing your kiddos past year in photos here on the blog and on Facebook.

RealMama Week: Cheap Eats does NOT mean low Quality :)

2011-06-07T14:00:00.003-07:00

RealMama Week, Day 2

guest post provided by Michelle Collins from The Economical Eater

I eat, I cook, I write, I blog, I don't eat meat - and I have barely any money to spend on anything besides bills and student loans. Growing up in a family of six with a budget to stick to, I learned to appreciate good food enjoyed around a full table without spending a lot of money.

Quick, Delicious, & Inexpensive Family Pantry MUST Haves for a Great Dinner EVERY Night of the Week:

Anyone who knows me knows that I am cheap. I pay attention to serving sizes strictly in order to not waste food/money, I have never left a room without turning a light off (only in order to keep my electric bill low), and I will wait to fill up my gas tank until my car is literally running on fumes.

Michelle Collins, aka The Economical Eater

When it comes to food, though, I am probably the cheapest – but it has been proven to me time and time again that affordable food does not have to mean low quality. Eating an affordable diet also does not mean you have to compromise variety or nutrition. Whether you live alone, have a family or a roommate, there are some essential items to have on hand at all times in order to make balanced, flavorful, simple meals throughout the week:

* Black beans: I always have at least one can of black beans in my pantry at all times. A can of Stop & Shop’s organic black beans are $0.99, and I use them all the time in vegetarian tacos/burritos, scrambled eggs, and homemade black bean burgers.

Black bean burgers

Eggs: This might seem like a no-brainer, but eggs aren’t just for breakfast anymore. I love making egg sandwiches for a simple, protein-filled dinner, and I also enjoy hard boiling eggs to incorporate in salads throughout the week – or to make egg salad, which goes a very long way for how little it costs to put together at home.

Frozen vegetables: Frozen veggies provide an easy, affordable alternative to getting your daily dose of vegetables. They’re not only great to incorporate in a weeknight pasta dish, or for toppings on a homemade pizza, but they also provide a quick side dish to any meal – and a perfect accompinament to a weekend morning omelette. I love having spinach and peas on-hand especially, since they are so versatile.

Chickpeas: Roasted chickpeas are incredibly easy to make, and make a delicious, healthy snack that keeps well in a sealed container. Making your own hummus is also a lot cheaper than buying it at the grocery store (chickpeas cost about $0.99 since, too), and if you like Indian food, a simple dinner of chickpeas, some frozen vegetables and a slew of spices (served with some warm Naan) is simple, inexpensive and satisfying.

Quinoa: One box of quinoa goes a very long way. Quinoa is not only chock-full of protein, it is also extremely adaptable. For a tasty twist on a classic dish, try these quinoa "meat"balls, or make a simple summer dish of quinoa, crumbled feta cheese and grilled zucchini.

Quinoa 'meat' balls

Of course, there are many other affordable kitchen essentials that come in handy, but these are some of my favorites. It’s always great to know that with a few shortcuts – and just a few dollars – you and your family can eat well-balanced, nutritious meals every day of the week.

* NNM Note: Ironically, ALL of the items mentioned here in the post by Economical Eater are all ones provided by your local WIC office (well, minus the quinoa) :)

* Find and 'Like' The Economical Eater on Facebook

* Follow The Economical Eater on Twitter

* and keep up with all her great recipes and restaurant finds on her blog

What are some items/ingredients you always have in your kitchen?

RealMama Week: In the Arms of Motherhood

2011-06-06T18:18:00.000-07:00

RealMama Week, Day 1

Our first post for RealMama week is a heartfelt description of what being a Mama means to LR Knost, from Little Hearts Books (Gentle Parenting Resources)

L.R.Knost, Christian author and homeschooling mother of six, is the founder of the nonprofit, Little Hearts/Gentle Parenting Resources, which offers Gentle Parenting workshops, speakers, and consultations in the Central Florida area as well as online Gentle Parenting resources. Her Wisdom For Little Hearts children’s book series weaves Gentle Parenting techniques into colorful, engaging stories for little ones ages 2-6. The first book in the series, Petey’s Listening Ears, was released from Lifeway in April 2011, and Addie’s Inside Voice, JoJo’s Gentle Hands, and Zoey the Happy Helper are due out soon with more to follow! For more information on Gentle Parenting or to order Little Hearts books or products, please visit www.littleheartsbooks.com or Amazon at http://t.co/dIpvluC.

In the Arms of Motherhood

Motherhood is very simple to me. It’s a gift to me, but it’s not about me. Period. I’m the one who chose to bring these little people into the world, so the thought that somehow they have the responsibility to fit into my life, and work around my schedule, and not disrupt my pursuit of self completely mystifies me.

They aren’t interlopers; they are guests, invited guests! And how do we treat our guests? Do we ignore their needs or make incomprehensible demands on them or ridicule, name-call, and hit them when they misstep? Of course not! We welcome our guests with special dinners, make accommodations for their needs, and forgive their lack of knowledge of our ways. And our children deserve no less. In fact, they deserve much more! When our littlest invited guests arrive, they are welcomed with open arms that are always available, day or night. They are provided nature’s best provision for their nutritional needs. And they are gently guided by example and lovingly encouraged to become a part of a healthy family dynamic. In short, when I invite these little people into my life, it stops being my life and becomes our lives!

Motherhood is, very simply, a lovely sacrifice. The Bible says, “Women will be saved through childbearing” (1 Timothy 2:15). I believe God is referring to the sacrifice of self that mothers willingly and lovingly live for their children as a reflection of the sacrifice Jesus made for His children on the Cross. It is a lovely retelling of the Cross played out in the arms of motherhood, again and again and again.

Consider the young mother who gives up night after night of sleep to soothe her little ones cries, or the older mother who gives up the peace of her golden years to welcome the child of her youth back into her home when life hits hard. This laying down of self, this giving up of comforts and rights and dreams; these are losses, sacrifices, but they are lovely, beautiful beyond belief. Their loveliness lies in the soft, warm weight of a sleepy baby with a full belly and a trusting heart. Their beauty lies in the spark of hope in the tear-filled eyes of a weary adult who’s life has turned dark, but who finds home is still a safe refuge.

My children, all six of them, are precious gifts straight from God’s heart to my home. I have had other precious gifts, babies who God gave for a time to fill my womb, but who weren’t meant to fill my arms, and one He gave to fill my arms for just a moment, who wasn’t meant to stay.

Each one of them brought with them the unique knowledge of how breathtakingly exquisite every living, breathing child is and how priceless and fragile and brief life itself can be. I do not take this knowledge lightly. I have learned to treasure the moments of life with my children. I’ve learned that it’s not about me; it’s about us. And I’ve learned that sacrifice lights up the dark places in the world, making it a more beautiful place for all of us to live.

* Find and 'Like' Little Hearts Books (Gentle Parenting Resources) on Facebook

* Follow Little Hearts Books on Twitter

and let her know NNM sent you!

RealMama Week starts Monday June 6th

2011-06-05T19:38:00.000-07:00

Guest posts welcome for THIS week! I want to feature RealMamas and issues that affect real mamas!

No blogging experience necessary! So far, you can expect some incredible guest posts by :

Leslie Potter from Purejoy Parenting

LR Knost of Little Hearts Books (Gentle Parenting Resources)

Michelle Collins from The Economical Eater

Sarah from Spiritual Momma

Feel free to send me your RealMama post via email at mymackey@gmail.com

Rules/Guidelines:

None. I want authentic pieces from mamas about motherhood, day to day life, the good and the bad, and/or from those who have information or stories that could benefit mamas.

and have FUN! because that's the point of all of this after all :)

THANK YOU!

Sunday Surf- Playing Catch Up

2011-06-05T19:23:00.000-07:00

I know, it's been a while since my last Sunday Surf. But really, the weekends here in Maine have been beautiful and full of family plans the past several weeks. And really, what kind of mommy blogger would I be if I spent my weekends with my fingers glued to my laptop instead of spending some MUCH needed quality time with my kiddos and my hubby?! :)

So anyways, we have some catchin up to do!
First item is one that is a MUST check out. I first discovered this opportunity from Purejoy Parenting and immediately registered!

Be sure to check out This Emotional Life and their upcoming interactive discussion on Attachment. Registration is necessary, and the date for the online discussion is June 9th at 5pm EST. And did I mention, it's FREE!

My second FAVE item lately has been another gem from one of my all-time favorite bloggers; Alternative Mama. Her recent post on Holding Your Baby had impeccable timing, as I had JUST been chatting with a 'friend' of mine who simply does not agree with how I raise my babies. I hold them too much, I spoil them, you get the picture...

Anyways, I really try NOT to be one who is always giving advice on parenting, because I absolutely hate it when people do that to me. One kid does not make you an all-knowing parent! So I am truly cognisant of the fact that what works for me might not work for you and vice versa.

But there are three items that PUSH MY MOMMY BUTTONS! 1. breastfeeding booby traps, 2. letting your baby cry it out, and 3. those who are constantly convinced they are "spoiling" their babies by holding them too much.

As Alternative Mama describes, these are indeed precious moments you will never get back! Enjoy them, and cherish them! Hold and love your babies!

Another recent post I loved, along the same lines of unwanted parental advice, was Top 10 things BF Advocates Should STOP Saying by Just West of Crunchy

I love this post because it describes what so many of us moms, "natural" or not, go through with breastfeeding- the fact is it's not always easy.. or natural!

Neither of my kids latched right away, nor were either of them babies that you could just shove up your shirt and they would find the boob themselves (what I would describe as a far more 'natural' way of nursing). Instead, both my kids required pillows, and propping, and two/sometimes 4 hands to situate and position until conditions were JUST right for nursing. Even then, my son's gag reflex was sometimes so bad that all of our efforts were for nothing- when he would still be unable to nurse until I expressed some milk into a syringe, which I then dripped over my nipple until he was satiated.

My daughter, who also required pillows and propping, was definitely a four hander- as one person would have to hold her squiggly body in place and the other position her mouth perfectly around the breast, and then all 3 of us would have to remain perfectly still (usually ridiculously uncomfortable) while she nursed, lest she break her shallow latch and we start the whole ridiculous circus all over again.

I would not trade nursing my babies for the world, and I can look back knowing I did my best. But when other "natural mamas", can't believe I stopped nursing my babies at 6 months (when they self weaned), and are aghast that both my babies have had formula.... I say.... suck it.

My babies got all my effort, and six months of my milk. I then bottle nurse(d) both my babies until they were/are a year. My attached babies are loved, and held... a lot :)

What were your favorite posts this week?

DADS ROCK: Father's Day Giveaway to Benefit One Simple Wish CLOSED

2011-06-05T18:22:00.000-07:00

Contest NOW OPEN through Sat June 18th!*CLOSED*

Once this is posted, you are free to enter for any of the prizes in the DADS ROCK Fathers Day Giveaway Album on Facebook

Here's how to enter:

Step 1. MANDATORY ENTRY

You must follow NurturingtheNaturalMama blog via Google Friend Connect and 'like' us on Facebook.

Then go to www.onesimplewish.org and once you've registered, you must either GRANT A WISH or make a monetary donation of at least $1.00 USD. (you will get an email confirmation once you've done either, which you can forward to mymackey@gmail.com to qualify for any of the prizes).

Step 2. WIN PRIZES

Check out the prizes in the DADS ROCK Father's Day Giveaway album on Facebook. See one you like? Follow the instructions under each photo on how to enter, and enter to win as many prizes as you like!

This contest runs through Saturday June 18th at 9pm EST and the WINNERS will be announced on Father's Day- Sunday June 19th

My hope is that more donations will continue to roll in throughout the next couple of weeks so we can grant as many wishes as possible for One Simple Wish

Have FUN and let's GRANT SOME WISHES!

* Please contact me at mymackey@gmail.com or comment below if you have an item or service you would like to donate! Thank you :)

and the WINNER is.....

2011-06-03T18:23:00.000-07:00

For the Blissful Booty Cloth Diaper Giveaway, the WINNER is........

Tonia Pollack!

Congratulations

And thank you to ALL who participated! Be sure to enter into our DADS ROCK Father's Day Giveaway

beginning next week and going through Father's Day!

Purejoy Parenting

2011-06-02T17:39:00.001-07:00

As an avid surfer of the Facebook News Feed, it did not take long for me to absolutely fall in love with Leslie Potter from Purejoy Parenting. Her constant positive, uplifting, and informative posts make her a page I check daily (if not hourly) for new information!

When I recently saw the opportunity to take one of her parenting courses for FREE, I immediately jumped at the chance! The opportunity also could not have presented itself to me at a better time; I had just been asked the night before (no lie) by my therapist, "do you find joy, like true joy, in parenting?" and at the time, I didn't have a good answer...

I love my kids, don't get me wrong, I would do anything for them. But do I find JOY in parenting? Hmmmm, that's a difficult question for me. I find moments of joy. But my moments of joy are often overrun by chaos, stress, anxiety, and the day to day humdrum of mommyhood.

So who better than to teach me how to find joy in parenting, than PUREJOY parenting?! :)

baby A, me, and my little Spiderman

me and my itty-bitty Spiderman :)

my little Spiderman last year indulging in FunDip

baby A and mommy at the park

my beautiful stepdaughter, baby A, mommy, and Spiderman on a walk w daddy

my incredible kiddos <3

baby A, mommy, and daddy hiking last month

So over the next few weeks, I will update you on some of the applications we discuss over the call. I cannot reiterate enough how strongly I would recommend you take one of her courses! Be sure to find her and 'like' her on Facebook, and check out her website for upcoming course info!

Foundation #1 : Separation from a loving connection causes contrast and expansion in our relationships.

Who am I as a parent?

How do you differ from the parent you thought you'd be? What behaviors/attitudes/reactions do you think you could change, so that you might be MORE like the parent you thought you'd be?

Questions like these force you to look inside yourself at what behaviors and reactions are caused by the "stories" we create in our minds. Many times, we place far too much emphasis on what we think a specific behavior might perpetuate, versus living in the present to deal with the issue (often times far more miniscule than we may inititally believe) at hand.

For example;

* my child makes me late in the morning, especially on those days when I have an early appointment/meeting and am in a rush. S/he dilly-dally's and makes me late on purpose!

* "story" that your mind likely creates: your child is doing this behavior to annoy you because they do not want you to be on time. If you do not force them to hurry along, then they will not only make you late today, but will never learn to get themselves ready in the morning in a reasonable amount of time. (etc, etc...)

* reality: your stress about getting out the door on time is creating anxiety for the child. You could use this opportunity to slow down and connect with your child. Being mindful of the present is very important- mention what you LOVE about that particular moment (in this example it might be something like, " I love that you are able to get ready for the day in the morning while remaining calm and relaxed, I wish I could do that!")

But be sure also to use the opportunity to connect with them and teach them about how you are also feeling, (ex/ "This morning, mommy is feeling a bit rushed because I have to be at a meeting at 8am, and it is important to be on time when you have committed to something").

Looking at examples like this one, and working through various other scenarios, really forces you to look at your own reactions to different everyday behaviors, and how by changing the "story" in your mind to what is truly going on in THAT moment, you can use those moments to connect with your child(ren).

* Morning Mantra *

As I awaken, I love myself as a mama. This is a new day and I smile knowing each day is a new beginning. I embrace each of my children for who they are and all they will bring me this day, both challenges and joys.

...stay tuned for week #2....

Do you have a morning mantra? If not, how do you think your outlook might change if you added one to your morning routine?

DADS ROCK: Father's Day Giveaway Update

2011-06-02T17:32:00.000-07:00

Contest benefiting One Simple Wish

Donations still being accepted until Monday June 6th

at 5pm EST

Our list of AMAZING sponsors so far includes:

* Moby Wrap

* Purejoy Parenting

* Rock a Bye Booty

* Rockin Green Cloth Diaper Detergent

* Educated Mama Decals

* The Dark Orchid

* Mixbook.com

We could use MORE items or service donations to make this a successful

benefit for One Simple Wish

Please contact me via email at mymackey@gmail.com if you have an item or service you would like to donate. Thank you to all who have already donated!

Let's Get Ready to Grant some Wishes! <3

Blissful Booty Cloth Diapers Giveaway CLOSED

2011-06-01T17:50:00.000-07:00

Figured I'd start the Holiday week with a giveaway! (Ok, so my week is starting technically mid-week, but who's keeping track?!)

photo courtesy of www.blissfulbooty.com

Blissful Booty was kind enough to send me a AIO Ultra cloth diaper with a booster to try for baby A. Since I had already used and reviewed their diaper, which I had received as a gift, in my post entitled Newest Additions to Our Stash and LOVED them, I was excited to try them with the booster!

Just as before, the diaper fits comfortably and snug. The fabric, I will repeat, is exceptionally soft and luxurious! And the booster is no exception. It is the same soft and wonderful fleece material with a canvas-ish backing that slips into the folds of the diaper, similar to how a maxi pad secures to your undergarment.

And at first, when I saw the small size of the booster (compared to the g cloth insert for example) I was unsure how much this little piece of fleece could really help. Much to my delight, when I went to change baby A, that little booster had absorbed almost ALL the urine! I was able to just place another booster inside the same AIO diaper to freshen her up! It was great!

I also use my BBCDs without the booster, as they are not a necessity, but they do certainly help with overnight wetness, and as I just mentioned, it occaisonally can save you on extra washes :)

I have mentioned this before as well, but the fit of the BBCD s is great! I love that it has velcro and snaps for a snug and secure fit, and after having used these diapers, I plan to have the alterations place next door to me add some snaps to the gDiapers in my stash that are losing their velcro!

Blissful Booty Cloth Diapers, as you've probably noticed from my blog, my facebook page, and my tweets- are quickly becoming a new fave of mine in cloth diapers and cloth diaper accessories.

* GIVEAWAY * CLOSED

In honor of their fabulous products, I am also doing a GIVEAWAY of a sample of their cloth wipes (4 in all), a sample bottle of their Heavenly Honeysuckle wipe water concentrate WITH a 4 oz spray bottle, AND a tube of Blissful Booty Lip Balm!

contest winnings shown here

To Enter:

Mandatory Entry: Follow NurturingtheNaturalMama via GFC and Comment below that you did so. In your comment, please list your favorite item from the Blissful Booty website (one NOT mentioned in this blog). And GO! <3

Additional Entries:

Want another chance at winning? Do one or all of the items below, and leave a comment below that you did so. Be sure to include your EMAIL in EACH comment so I can contact you should you win.
* Each additional entry does need a SEPERATE comment below.

1. Find Blissful Booty Cloth Diapers and 'like' them on Facebook
2. Follow BBCD on Twitter
3. Find and 'like' NurturingtheNaturalMama on Facebook
4. Follow NNM on Twitter
5. SHARE this giveaway with your friends! (you can use FB and/or Twitter to enter)

Goodluck to ALL! and THANK YOU to Blissful Booty for this great giveaway!

Contest CLOSES Friday at 9pm EST.

NNM NEWS: Upcoming GIVEAWAY & Contest

2011-05-26T16:34:00.000-07:00

* Watch tomorrow for the Blissful Booty Cloth Diaper review & GIVEAWAY *

photo from BBCD website

* DADS ROCK Father's Day Giveaway *

DEADLINE FOR DONATIONS is Friday June 3rd, 2011

Contest will benefit One Simple Wish and drawing will be on Father's Day Sunday June 19th at 5pm EST

Please contact me via email at mymackey@gmail.com if you have an item or service you would like to donate.

* A HUGE Thank you to those who have sponsored gifts already *

Purejoy Parenting

The Dark Orchid
Educated Mama Decals

Rock a Bye Booty

Mixbook

Last NEWS item: I'm also compiling some guest posts for an upcoming RealMamas Segment, and would love to hear from YOU. An existing blog is totally ok, but not necessary. If interested, please email me and feel free to write anything about how YOU feel about motherhood. Thanks in advance for your contributions!

Instinctual Mamas Post: The Joy of Making Your Own Baby Food

2011-05-26T16:13:00.000-07:00

Check out my latest guest post over at Instinctual Mamas entitled You Want Me to Eat What?! The Joy (yes, the joy) of Making Your Own Baby Food. Enjoy!

Be sure also to follow Instinctual Mama's via GFC, and find them and 'like' them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter- and let them know NNM sent you! <3

Make your OWN Snack Taxi!

2011-05-22T18:51:00.000-07:00

So this weekend I was visiting my brother-in-law and sister-in-law in Gorham, Maine. Although it became colder than expected (I know, shocker for the State of Maine) we still enjoyed some barbecued food, beer, and good company! It was a GREAT way to spend a Saturday night.

My SIL is a NaturalMama as well, and is constantly suprising me with new ways to become more Green! This weekend, I was completely inspired (and jealous) of her kitchen shelving housing perfectly lined Mason Jars filled with all her pantry necessities. Not only that, but her cabinets were now also full of the varying sizes, to accomodate drinking, snack packing, and food saving.

As we discussed my new obsession with Mason Jars, I explained my other wish list item, the Snack Taxi. "Taking dry snacks and sandwiches would be so much easier if I just had a Snack Taxi!" So with what did my SIL respond? "Let's make one!"

photo by Snack Taxi brand

Out came her sewing machine, along with her endless energy and creativity, and within a short 30 minutes, we had my son's first 'snack taxi':

our version of the sandwich 'snack taxi'

complete with snap and coordinating interior fabric :)

ADORABLE, Green, washable, and practical!

The moral of the post is not just to brag that I have a creative, and eternally 'green' sister-in-law :), but also to hopefully inspire you to use the same creativity when some items on your wish list might remain seemingly out of reach.

What items are on your wish list?

Looking for an XL gDiaper? Then check out ThriftyArmyWife

2011-05-22T17:19:00.000-07:00

After Bedtime by ThriftyArmyWife is an Etsy shop where you will find the missing link on your gDiaper stash- size XL!

When I was potty training my toddler, I had to switch to pull ups because the Large size (up to 35lb) gDiaper was too small for him! Since he was trained during the day and it was just for the overnight, typically if he had an accident at all, it was always just urine- so a cloth diaper would have been perfect! And since I knew he would be trained shortly, I didn't want to invest in a bunch of different, new brands of cloth diapers since I was so familiar and comfortable with the gDiaper.

Additionally, baby A being just 7-8 months at the time, and wearing exclusively gDiapers (although now we have added several Blissful Booty Cloth Diapers to our stash), we knew she could grow into the larger gDiapers we might purchase for my toddler.

But after a post I made on the gDiaper Facebook page about the need for an XL size, ThriftyArmyWife contacted me and said she made her own XL "gDiapers" that even fit the cloth and disposable gInserts! Woot Woot! :)

large gCloth insert next to XL ThriftyArmyWife diaper

gCloth insert IN the ThriftyArmyWife diaper

So she agreed to send me one to try for the blog. Here are the stats she requested as feedback, and my view on her XL "gDiaper":

So, my child stats:

* male
* 43 pounds
* 3.5 yrs old
* 39 inches tall (I hope I got that right lol)

my little Spiderman modeling the rear view of the XL ThriftyArmyWife diaper with the gCloth insert

Front view

So, overall, very satisfied! The diaper definitely holds the gCloth and gDisposable Inserts just fine. I did find the cloth inserts fit better than the disposable (size m/l). The absorbency was great, identical to the gDiaper brand name.

The only down side to the diaper was that, as you can see, it still fit similar to a Speedo on my little (or not so little) Spiderman. It certainly was a better fit than the large gDiaper, but still not as big as my kid really would need! hahaha, thankfully since this trial, he has potty trained overnight, which could also explain why no cloth diapers are big enough for him!

My cute XL ThriftyArmyWife diaper will NO DOUBT be sticking around for baby A's bum to grow into! And I can't wait to get some of her adorable prints NOW available from her Etsy store! Be sure to check her out at After Bedtime, or email her at thriftyarmywife@gmail.com.

Be sure to let her know NNM sent you! What's your favorite diaper in her shop?

DADS ROCK: Father's Day Giveaway to Benefit One Simple Wish

2011-05-19T16:33:00.000-07:00

COMING SOON:

I am in the process of collecting donations which will be used as *giveaways* for a Father's Day contest to benefit One Simple Wish.

If you have any items or services you would like to donate, please contact me at mymackey@gmail.com. Items must be available to all US and Canada residents. Please let me know if your item or service can me made available to International residents as well.

Contests will close Saturday June 18th at 12am EST and WINNERS will be announced via Facebook and here on the blog on Father's Day- Sunday June 19th by 12pm EST.

Keep your eye on the blog and our Facebook page to make sure you get in on the

Dad Rocks Father's Day Giveaway

* teasers for secured prizes will begin via FB and Twitter beginning June 1st, 2011.

Going Green: Trendy vs Necessity?

2011-05-19T16:06:00.000-07:00

Reusable items are cool right? Saving the Earth is the 'in' thing to do. You pay more for the word 'organic', and items like Kleen Kanteens, reusable coffee cups, and cloth diapers are hip and trendy. So what about your house? Do you re use things because it's 'cool', or out of necessity?

Our house, along with many others due to the economy I'm sure, re use out of necessity. There are days, like today, where I am unable to go to work because I can't afford car repairs.
* There are days I have trouble getting back and forth to work because I don't have the gas.
* My husband has ran out of gas on the side of the highway trying to get to work.
* We use cloth diapers so that I don't run into having to re use disposable diapers (yes, some moms do this out of necessity and it can cause severe diaper rash, etc.).
* I've had to put groceries back because I didn't have enough cash.
Etc, etc.

So yesterday, I read Managing your Money: Do you have Goals? by The Happiest Mom and was relieved to find that I was not the only one naive enough to believe that when our income went up, our problems would go away. Because when I went back to work (at our most desperate financial point), and Hubby got a new job that paid a bit more- we seemed even further in the hole! How is this possible?

Well now daycare and gas cost more, and the inevitable withholding of 1st weeks pay for both of us sunk us even further behind and we are now (after about 4 months) just STARTING to catch up.

So why am I sharing this? Because after reading Happiest Mom's post- I feel, more than ever, that it is SO important to have financial (and general) goals. We, as a family, only have had one financial goal the past year: survive.

It clearly has not been a specific enough goal, because sometimes I feel like we are barely hanging on.

Happiest Mom lists her financial goals using the following template, and has asked others to do the same. I figured now would be a good time for me to determine some specific goals for our family.

So, here I go (although I'll be starting a whole lot smaller than Happiest Mom) :) -

Goal: Start to build an emergency fund.

More specifically: Put $50 away every two weeks (each pay period) for the next 6 months, then go up to $50 every week for an additional 6 months. Then, re assess the amount based on income.

Why: Having any kind of savings at this point would help us when we need car repairs, health care costs, heating costs, or unexpected utilities.

Look, shiny! alert: To do this, it means we MUST have our other bills PAID in full and on time, otherwise there is no 'extra' to store away. So by building an emergency fund, we must be honest with our necessary expenses as well, like rent, food, electric, etc.

But it’s worth it because: We will no longer have to bug family members and friends for money when unexpected expenses arise, and just the day to day stability/financial security will relieve an immense amount of stress from myself, my husband, and our relationship. We can start to focus on each other again instead of always discussing how we are going to pay our bills!

Having a goal is important, but writing it down is the key! I'll continue to share my journey so you can hold me accountable for these financial goals I have put in place. Feel free to take the first step and share your goals (financial or otherwise) below! :)

Your turn. Any big or small goals you want to share?

When NEWS Hits Home

2011-05-17T19:16:00.000-07:00

Boy found DEAD in South Berwick, Maine. It's all over the news, and it's my home.

The local news stations describe the boy as being 4 or 5, he still had all of his baby teeth, found dead on Saturday on a dirt road here in South Berwick. The dirt road is less than 1 mile from my home. This poor little boy, that not only is now dead, but no one knows WHO he is! I'm not sure which is more disturbing.

Maine State Police have checked all the missing people reports in Maine, NH, and Massachusetts. Nothing. NO ONE is missing their little boy?!

Updates have been flooding the Internet and local news stations, but with nothing that has proved fruitful. The kiddos and I walked downtown tonight regardless of the cool, rainy weather to join dozens of others there to light candles in front of Town Hall for little John Doe.

As we were getting ready to leave, my almost 4 year old said "mama, where are we going?" I replied, "to light candles for a little boy who's missing his parents" My little Spiderman pondered a moment, and then said "I could use my superpowers to help him find his parents, but I think he's already Home"

Yes, I had goosebumps.....

.... toddlers don't always make sense, no my son doesn't really have superpowers, and yes I capitalized 'Home' on my own based on how I heard it; but it just seemed so fitting that it literally gave me chills.

And yes, I suppose little John Doe is already Home.

Another vigil will be held tomorrow night, in honor of the little boy and in hopes that he is identified, at the First Federated Parish Church, also in South Berwick, at 7pm. All are welcome.

The point of this blog post is to help get the word out there about this little boy, again in hopes that he can be identified and that someone can find his family. And also, to remind everyone to hug their little ones a bit tighter tonight....

Has there been a time when the news has hit home for you?

Too Beautiful for Earth: Heaven's Newest Angel Baby

2011-05-15T16:29:00.000-07:00

Some say they are too beautiful for this Earth, others say they are so special God hand picks them as his Angels... however you phrase it, Heaven has it's newest Angel Baby... mine.

The Doctor said I had been "struck by lightening twice"- I have now conceived twice while on the pill. And I get it, with so many women who struggle with infertility out there, how is it that someone like me conceives TWICE on the pill? I have no idea. First time I can chalk it up to perhaps imperfect compliance, this time- I have no explanation. Nonetheless, it happened.

So just as anyone who thought they were being "safe" that finds out they're pregnant would do, I freaked. I had a complete and utter panic attack. I have a nine month old, I'm still on medication for PPD (the label for which says it can cause birth defects), I've been taking the pill, and drinking alcohol! EEK! So I go to the Doctor, who draws some blood... assures me I'm probably early enough where it won't matter... and talks me down of my stress-cliff. I go home more self assured and semi- ready to try and explain this to my husband.

Needless to say, by the next day the thoughts have sunk in and we're ready to dig in our heels and make our growing family fit into our tiny apartment, and even spent well into the night before chatting about names and the other idle chit chat that goes along with the beginning stages of pregnancy.

That's when we got the call.

I would need my bloodwork rechecked the following day at my OBGYN's office. When my OB called, the conversation started with "I am so sorry..."

What?! You're sorry about what???....

My HCG levels had dropped, and I was told if I hadn't already, I was having a miscarriage.

"This is not a viable pregnancy." What does that even mean? Simple translation: Your baby is dead. Now I get it, to some this seems dramatic- especially for someone who was probably only 6- 8 weeks pregnant. But my baby's heart was beating. My baby was alive, and is now dead.

The few family members we had told have attempted to console us with the ever popular "something just wasn't right", or "your body just wasn't ready", or "everything happens for a reason"- and while I can appreciate all of that, it still means my baby is gone. And what makes me feel the worst, is that s/he was so tiny at such an early gestation.... I get a lump in my throat even just THINKING about typing this... that s/he probably got.... gulp..... flushed down the toilet.

I, for all intents and purposes, could have flushed my baby down the toilet.

This devastates me most of all.

But the biggest lesson I have learned from all of this, is that miscarriage is such a silent and lonely struggle. You don't tell anyone because you don't want people to think you're just seeking pity, but then everyone around you is going on with their daily lives, talking about the night out with friend A, or their trip to the bar with friend B, and you were just told your baby is dead. And no one ever knew your baby even existed.

How do you get support? Who do you talk to? You're certainly not going to go around asking 'hey, have you had a miscarriage? I just did and I'm not sure what to do next'.

I have at least found the following links which have either brought some peace/support to me, or I feel could help others:

My Forever Child: Memorial Jewelry

We Were Gonna Have a Baby, but we Had an Angel Instead

Bethany's Baby from Bethany's blog

And I have found much needed solace in my husband, and in our Church. And tonight, as I rocked my baby A to sleep, I held her a little tighter, kissed her forehead a bit longer, drew in a deeper breath of her warm baby smell, waited for her own breathing to even, and then laid her down and watched.... and then did what I haven't done in ... well, I think my whole life... I prayed. I prayed to whoever this God is, that my other babies stay safe. And that I wanted to thank Him SO much for the blessings I DO have in my life. My two existing, healthy, happy babies... my wonderful husband.. my beautiful step daughter... my family.... my friends...

and then I asked Him, pretty please, if He could just take tonight, to rock my baby to sleep...

NNM NEWS: Guest Post & Reader comments

2011-05-13T16:25:00.000-07:00

NurturingtheNaturalMama had our first official guest post, published May 12, 2011, compliments of Mama Eve: Your Natural Parenting Resource

So, if you haven't already, go check out my Top 10 Baby Registry Must Haves. Let me know what your top 10 would be!

And, of course, visit Mama Eve on Facebook and Twitter and let her know NurturingtheNaturalMama sent you!

And in response to my recent post on my unfortunate miscarriage, Too Beautiful for Earth: Heaven's Newest Angel Baby, a reader sent me the poem below. I had seen this poem before, but it was just so beautiful that someone would send this to me in a private email. I wanted to share this poem with everyone, even though the reader wanted to remain anonymous (but thank you so much :) )

Lullabies
Daddy please don`t look so sad,
Mommy please don`t cry.
I am in the arms of Jesus
and He sings me lullabies.
Please do not try to question God,
don`t think He is unkind.
Don`t think He sent me to you and that
He changed His mind.
You see, I am special
and I`m needed up above.
I`m the special child you gave Him,
the product of your love.
I`ll always be there with you.
So watch the sky at night.
Find the brightest star that`s gleaming.
That`s my halo`s brilliant light.
So Daddy please don`t look so sad.
Mommy please don`t cry.
I am in the arms of Jesus.
And He sings me lullabies.
~Author Unknown

* This post was featured in a Tweet today from NursingBling and her #Newborn Daily: http://paper.li/tag/newborn

My Little Spiderman & What Mothers Day Means to Me

2011-05-09T19:12:00.000-07:00

I'm not joking when I say I live with Spiderman :)

And no, this was not Halloween. Just a normal night in my home :)

Mother's Day

I hope all my mamas enjoyed their Mother's Day. Mine was spent surrounded by family and friends, enjoying a few hours at the mall with my stepdaughter and hubby and BFF while my parents watched the kiddos, followed by a night by the fire with my parents and hubby, and ending with a delicious brunch put on by myself and my siblings! My sister, aka The Economical Eater, blogged about some of our fabulous food in her recent Mother's Day post- so be sure to check it out! (Plus, her Blackberry Ginger Muffins were amazing!)

Anyways, we got to enjoy some much needed family time, and outdoor time- which can be hard to come by here in New England this time of year! So it was overall fabulous.

my hubby working on the yard and clearing out the pool

my little Spiderman and baby A playing with his Batman Cave

still playing :)


our dog "helping" with the yard work :)

Spending time with your family is of the utmost importance any day of the week, and you should not need a special occasion or special day to remember to take those times and hold them close, cherish them. But especially when times are difficult, and parents are working, or just busy with the day to day chaos of raising children and providing for a family, we sometimes forget to pay attention, and savor the quiet moments of play time, or your spouse's hand resting on your shoulder in the car, or your dog sitting at your feet. These are the moments that make everyday, but especially Mother's Day, special.

Happy Mother's Day!

Newest additions to our Stash :)

2011-05-09T18:47:00.000-07:00

Our cloth diaper stash consists only of gDiapers, thanks to a dear friend who donated the majority of her stash to us since her kids are older. Recently though, thanks to fellow mommy bloggers and mama followers, I have come to further explore this exciting (yes, my life is so ridiculously boring that I find cloth diapering exciting) world of cloth diapers! :)

For Easter, after my post about Simplifying Holidays, my parents and in laws were at a loss as to what to get my kids without adding to the "crap" in our house. But I must say, they both did VERY well this year! The in laws surprised the kids with a recordable book (to which you can hear "Amma" reading a story to my little Spiderman- SO cute) and some mini boxes of raisins instead of filling a basket full of chocolate and peeps! YAY!

My parents provided the kids both with their very own Blissful Booty Cloth Diapers (of course a week prior- literally- my son finally decided to potty train himself for the overnight- YAY! but that means baby A will end up with his BBCD lol) So not only are these diapers ADORABLE, and you can pick your own snap color, but they are SO comfy! Well, I wouldn't know that first hand, but the fabric is exceptional! and Baby A seems to LOVE hers! I also love the way they fit- Baby A is now about 16 pounds and the medium size fits her like a glove! No leaks, no red marks around her thighs, and barely any cloth-diaper-booty :) Love it!

baby A modeling the fab fit of her new Blissful Booty Cloth Diaper!

and still a great fit, even when climbing stairs! lol

this one shows you how cute they look with the adorable snaps, and her new Kicky Pants T shirt :)

her adorable Navy blue snaps and the signature BBCD tag


attempted close up of her BBCD from the front :)

And since we have developed this new love for Blissful Booty, we checked out their website again and immediately fell in love with their wipe water concentrate and can't wait to receive our Milk & Honey scented bottle soon! Be sure to check out all their incredible cloth diapering accessories!

And the last addition as of late, to our cloth diapering stash is the one we WON from Instinctual Mamas Momtrepeneurs, Giveaways, and More FB page from Two Hip Peas in a Pod! YAY! Check out baby A modeling her new Dr Seuss Diaper;

The Dr Seuss Diaper from Two Hip Peas in a Pod

omg it is SO cute!

tee hee! Fuzzy butt! :)

So, be sure to check out Two Hip Peas in a Pod on Facebook, and find Blissful Booty Cloth Diapers on Facebook and Twitter and let them know NurturingtheNaturalMama sent you! <3

And of course, you can always find your gDiapers products at www.diapers.com. And that is also where I scored baby A's latest Kicky Pants organic T shirt in Natural. Their links are below, and let them know NNM sent ya :)

* find gDiapers on Facebook and Twitter
* find diapers.com on Facebook and Twitter
* find Kicky Pants on Facebook and Twitter

What's YOUR favorite cloth diaper??

Unsure How to Feel about this day in History

2011-05-02T18:50:00.000-07:00

I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. -Unknown

"Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that"

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

So, Osama Bin Laden was killed yesterday by US Navy Seals. I should be happy, right? This person who orchestrated so much death and destruction, and perpetuated so much hate and loathing. But I can't bring myself to get 'excited' about someone else's death.

I was all about (and again, not trying to start a riot here), but I was all about the war when it began. I wanted revenge for September 11th, and for once in my life, felt at one with my Country. I loved (obviously in a weird, unfortunate way) that all the flags lined EVERY street, and people in America were, for once, standing TOGETHER. And it seemed, even if only for a fleeting moment; that we all wanted the same thing.

Now it seems we all want the same thing again, but are just unsure how to get there. And inevitably, in a country of this magnitude, certainly we can't AGREE on how to get there. Nor will we ever I'm afraid.

But we all want peace.

Just as I will forever remember where I was and what I was doing that day of September 11th, 2001- I will always remember where I was and what I was doing this day. This day that our tragedy was finally 'avenged'.

But Al Queda is still out there. There is no rest for our troops. They are still fighting and dying for our Freedom. Their families are still Home, here, alone. We must not forget that. And we must remember, regardless of if we agree HOW to get there, that all of our soldiers are fighting for our Freedom, and Peace.

Sunday Surf

2011-05-01T18:53:00.000-07:00

Here are my highlights from this week! Feel free to share yours below in the comments so I can keep up with what you are checking out <3

The Sparkle Mama

I loved her recent post about Changes and New Chapters. We are, along with the majority of America, in the throws of financial chaos right now. We are trying to keep food on the table, and a roof over our heads, and the majority of our 'green' alternatives are out of necessity to save cash! I loved her real, nitty gritty description of their troubles, yet how they remain a solid family unit. For better or worse right? :) I'm with ya Sparkle Mama! <3

Blissful Booty Cloth Diapers

One of my new FAVES! I love their wipe water concentrate their scents are incredible! They also have an incredible selection of cloth diapers and other cloth diapering accessories. We just got our 1st BBCD as an Easter gift and can't WAIT to try it out!

I just recently discovered though, that they also have a blog, and their first Welcome post is an amazing insight as to how this WAHM business was born. I am always happy to support WAHMs, but especially when the product ends up being so fantabulous! :)


photo credit: BlissfulBooty.com

Job Description: Mommy

Spring has SPRUNG! And I loved her recent post on Camping with a Toddler. We do a lot of camping as a family as well, and also have an infant and a toddler, so while our toddler is used to camping, we're not sure what this summer will bring with the infant involved :) . But we are always prepared with sand toys, bubbles are a GREAT idea, make sure you have plenty of healthy SNACKS and water, and my personal FAVE: Avon Skin So Soft Insect Repellent and Sunscreen in a cool color-disappearing lotion. LOVE IT!! <3

Last but not least, my little tid bit of the week:

Cloth diapering has been quite the adventure for us. We use a combination of the disposable and cloth inserts for the g diapers, and have JUST added the Blissful Booty Cloth Diapers to our stash! Lately, to save money, we have been using more of the cloth inserts. However, they are beginning to STINK. And I mean, really stink- like to the point where I think she has a poopy diaper, and it's really just the smell of the pee in her cloth insert... GROSS (I know, probably TMI, but too bad!) haha :)

So I posted on the g diaper Facebook page my gripe, and SO many moms responded back with that I should immediately use Rockin Green Cloth Diaper Detergent. So I just want you all to know, I JUST placed my order for my very own Smashing Watermelons Rockin Green Detergent over at diapers.com and it should be here Tuesday. I'll let you know how it all turns out!

What cloth diaper detergent do you use?

NNM NEWS: GIVEAWAY & upcoming guest post

2011-04-27T18:09:00.000-07:00

* GIVEAWAY *

CLOSED 4/28/11 7pm EST WINNER is al_arely! Congratulations!

ONE more day left to enter The Clean Bedroom Giveaway for a $25.00 Gift Card and copy of the Green Babies, Sage Moms book, which includes an introduction by my FAVE Harvey Karp!

* GUEST POST *

And, keep an eye out May 12th for my guest post about Newborn Parenting on Mama Eve- Your Natural Parenting Resource!

Find her on Facebook and Twitter

and let her know NNM sent ya! <3

NurturingtheNaturalMama

11 Things

Our Journey Toward Further Simplicity

Teaching Respect over Obedience

Eversave DEAL for today! Thurs Jan 19th

I am an Attached Parent.... Who Struggles with Positive Parenting. Am I the Only One?

Pregnancy Journey # 4

Eversave DEAL for today! Last one :)

Eversave DEAL for today! Sun Jan 15th

Eversave DEAL for today! Friday Jan 13th

I'm baaaaack... again! :)

Hosting Thanksgiving: Budget Friendly Tips

Eversave DEALS for today! Friday Nov 4th SOLD OUT

Buying vs Renting in the Current Economy

Eversave DEALS for today! Friday Oct 21st

Eversave DEALS for today! Mon Oct 17th

Monday Surf.... yea yea- I'm a day late :)

NOW Offering EVERSAVE Deals for YOU

Family/ Work Life Balance- Does it Exist?

SAVE America. Start TODAY.

Belated Confession

Is there such a thing as Thursday Surf? :) Because I have some GREAT new reads for you!

Who has the time?! ... and other realities of Working Motherhood

Guest Post: September to Remember

NNM Update

Summer FUN! A Glimpse into my Month Off....

Did you miss me??

Mama, Are Ghosts Real? Welllll.....

Almost like a Sunday Surf, but on Wednesday!

It seems like Forever....

4 years of my little Spiderman :)

Rock a Bye Booty: Review & Giveaway *CLOSED*

Juice: What's in YOUR Sippy??

DADS ROCK: Father's Day Giveaway WINNERS

Sunday Surf: RealMama Week Wrap Up

RealMama Week: My Agenda

RealMama Week: One Mama's Birth Story

RealMama Week: Living Mindfully, RealMama Style

RealMama Week: Mothering Me

NNM NEWS: Busy Busy Summer!

RealMama Week: Cheap Eats does NOT mean low Quality :)

RealMama Week: In the Arms of Motherhood

RealMama Week starts Monday June 6th

Sunday Surf- Playing Catch Up

DADS ROCK: Father's Day Giveaway to Benefit One Simple Wish *CLOSED*

and the WINNER is.....

Purejoy Parenting

DADS ROCK: Father's Day Giveaway Update

Blissful Booty Cloth Diapers *Giveaway* CLOSED

NNM NEWS: Upcoming GIVEAWAY & Contest

Instinctual Mamas Post: The Joy of Making Your Own Baby Food

Make your OWN Snack Taxi!

Looking for an XL gDiaper? Then check out ThriftyArmyWife

DADS ROCK: Father's Day Giveaway to Benefit One Simple Wish

Going Green: Trendy vs Necessity?

When NEWS Hits Home

Too Beautiful for Earth: Heaven's Newest Angel Baby

NNM NEWS: Guest Post & Reader comments

My Little Spiderman & What Mothers Day Means to Me

Newest additions to our Stash :)

Unsure How to Feel about this day in History

I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. -Unknown

"Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that"

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

So, Osama Bin Laden was killed yesterday by US Navy Seals. I should be happy, right? This person who orchestrated so much death and destruction, and perpetuated so much hate and loathing. But I can't bring myself to get 'excited' about someone else's death.

Now it seems we all want the same thing again, but are just unsure how to get there. And inevitably, in a country of this magnitude, certainly we can't AGREE on how to get there. Nor will we ever I'm afraid.

But we all want peace.

Sunday Surf

NNM NEWS: GIVEAWAY & upcoming guest post

Rock a Bye Booty: Review & Giveaway CLOSED

DADS ROCK: Father's Day Giveaway to Benefit One Simple Wish CLOSED

Blissful Booty Cloth Diapers Giveaway CLOSED