It’s amazing all the stuff companies send you when you have a baby.  I got the American Baby magazine (July issue) the other day.  As I was looking through it, an article jumped out at me and I had a heated conversation with myself (some HAVE called me crazy).  I’m not sure if I am outraged or just sad.

I know obesity is a huge problem in America.  I have my own opinion on that whole topic.  This particular article was about a recent Pediatrics study regarding babies in the first 6 months.  This study found that babies who gain too much weight in the first 6 months have a higher risk of obesity by the age of 3.  My first question – how much is too much? My next thought – who doesn’t love a chunky baby??  I have always hoped for one, however, that just wasn’t in the cards for me.  They are too cute!  One of my friends has a chubby baby and it’s tough to keep your hands off those cute little rolls!  Whose to say she will grow up with a weight problem?

Do we now have to worry about obesity as soon as our babies enter this world??!!  Isn’t this taking it a little too far?  So now I have to watch the weight of my babies?  I have a hard enough time with my own body for cryin’ out loud.  For the most part babies under 6 months are primarily either bottle or breastfed.  They have their own internal meter to stop eating when they are full.  I can understand be conscientious after they start solid foods and making sure the options are healthy ones.  I don’t understand how you can control their weight when all they have is milk and are crying from hunger.   At least my brain is developed enough to understand when I want to cry from hunger….chocolate anyone?

You always hear the adage, sleep when the baby sleeps.  In theory that is fantastic and wonderful.  What happens when you have other children who don’t nap much?  You are on call 24/7 without a break.  That is the situation of my life right now.  As I am trying to type this, my kids are driving me crazy!  What creative thing do you do to get a break besides locking yourself in the bathroom for a few minutes?

Now that we are parents, we are responsible for another human being even after our death.  I know how overwhelming this thought can be at times!  Aside from emotionally providing, we also must provide financially.  Have you stopped to think what would happen to your kids if you were to die?  I know, I know, we don’t like talking about our own mortality.  It can be scary, however necessary.

If you die before your kids are 18, what will happen to them?  Do you have a will?  Do you have life insurance?  If you have some family members who you can’t imagine raising your children (I do!), please have a will written up!  You can go to a lawyer or do some research and find software (I used Nolo software to write ours).  Don’t leave it up to chance, your kids deserve better.  Also, around half our population doesn’t have life insurance.  I can’t emphasize how important this is!  Even if you are a stay at home mom, you need some.  If something happened to you, your hubby/partner will need to have money for daycare, housekeeper, etc.  If our position were a paid one, we would make around $150,000 a year (yes, you are worth it)!  In regards to life insurance, please promise me you will be a well informed consumer.  Some free financial advice (if you are in the Portland, Oregon area my hubby can give you more)….only buy term insurance and don’t fall for the lie of whole life (it makes the company good money and you get screwed in the end.  if you want me to explain, let me know).  Make sure you read the policy and fully understand it before you sign.  I will step off of that now:)

Not only are we to provide for our children now, but even after our death.  Get those two things done now and you won’t have to think about them unless you have major life changes.

I saw this in a magazine and thought it was to good to keep to myself.  Isn’t it amazing what our kids can teach us?  People wonder why I want a handful of kiddies and I am always mistaken for being younger than I am….hhhhmmm

8 Eternal Truths We Can Learn From Tykes

1.  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  Even when there isn’t a prize in the box.

2.  Your world can be half-real and half-imaginary.

3.  If there’s even the slightest doubt, hit the potty before you leave.

4.  Homeworks blows.  Bring work home with you and it’ll ruin your night.  And your marriage.

5.  There’s a reason they don’t give credit cards to 8-year-olds.  You’re supposed to save up for a new toy.

6.  The coolest adults are the ones who listen.

7.  Adrenaline is the greatest drug.

8.  Rain isn’t something to curse but to enjoy.  Hurry up, before it clears.

by Mike Zimmerman and Duane Swierczynksi

Especially with the craziness of the season, take some cues from the little ones around you.  Have fun with life!  Your kids will think you are a pretty cool mom too:)

Tags: life • raising kids

I keep weighing myself to ease my mind.  I know I’m not supposed to worry about weight when you are pregnant.  The only problem, my belly has grown!  I am about 13 weeks and this weekend I had to change out my wardrobe.  I have been going back and forth a little for the last couple weeks.  I was cleaning the house and finally decided to hang up all of my maternity clothes.  The first task, try on all my pants to see if any of them will fit for a little while longer.  I have already outgrown all of them!  They were even loose because I had recently lost 15 pounds.  I was shocked to say the least.  I shouldn’t be completely out of my pants yet!  It’s just at the beginning of the second trimester!  It seems with each pregnancy, my belly grows quicker and quicker.

I spent my Sunday evening online clothes shopping.  I love to have an excuse!  Most of my maternity clothes had gone through me and a friend, all in all 7 pregnancies.  I got rid of most of them after my last baby.  They needed some updates and were well used.  I know we all want to keep our style and be hot mamas.  I am a thrifty (never call me cheap though) shopper.  I love to sniff out a deal especially when it’s something that is expensive and I get an amazing deal (they make for great bragging rights).  For clothing, I love eBay.  There is just always so much, you can always find an amazing deal.  I have been scouring and bidding away.  Go to eBay and search for your new maternity wear, and if you need some baby clothes, it’s a great place to start.  You better not bid on the same ones as I am:)

Usually when morning sickness hits, we dread it.  Every morning (and sometimes night time) when I let loose, I am thankful.  I tried to explain this to my hubby, at first he was pretty confused.  My first doctor appointment isn’t for about 2 more weeks (a little later than normal, but that’s what happens when you have an awesome doctor and she is always busy).  When I had my miscarriage, I wasn’t very sick at all.  Every time I throw up, I see it as positive.  This little baby has to be growing because the hormones are racing through my body still.  With all of my other pregnancies, I haven’t felt as horrid as I do this time around.  Thankfully it’s only a stage!  My poor family hasn’t had too many homemade dinners lately and my house is messier than I want.   I just keep telling myself, a short time of less than stellar nutrition won’t affect them long term (they probably won’t even remember this time). This too shall pass…this too shall pass…this too shall pass.

Sometimes I know I can be a wee bit crazy (or driven as some may say).  Has anyone else ever felt this way too, thankful and happy to vomit?

If you are anything like me, I wonder about the lives of other mothers. Do they also get grossed out when they are in public and hear the words “I need to go potty, mommy”?  If they wonder whether they are too clingy or not responsible enough? Recently, I came across Daphne, the creator of Cool Mom.  She is the average mom doing the best she can with a humoruos twist.  She maintains a blog as well as a vlog.  Go over to Cool Mom and meet her, then subscribe to her feed for some daily smiles and laughs.