Friday, April 15, 2011

Come on, Give 'em a try! You know you want to....

I made a decision before I had pumpkin pie (who is now 20 weeks old!!!) that we would give cloth diapering a serious shot. I bought a bunch of different kinds of clothies, as I like to call them, and have used them on and off since CC was born in late November. 


I have been pleasantly surprised by several brands:


Bum Genius and FuzziBunz and GroVia are my favorites so far.


But now I'm looking to sell the other brands that don't fit CC. This is not to say that they won't fit your child... they just didn't work as well for her as the other brands listed above. 


Click here to see my ad on Craigslist. 


I also have these other diapers that I'm willing to sell, too.


Oh, and when we're not using clothies, we use Seventh Generation diapers. I think they are THE BEST disposable diapers on the market and I'm not afraid to try to convert you into using them. They keep CC dry all night - not a leak. Not ever.


Soapbox off. 

Sunday, February 27, 2011

The Writing on the Wall

I haven't put a post on here in a long time updating you on my writing career... so I'd like to take a moment to do so. Here are some links to articles I wrote in 2010 and early 2011... I'm hoping for a bigger and better year so if you are an editor and like what you see or if you are a follower and have any connections to publications in your area... please pass along the information. I'd love to write some articles in your area!!!



"Angela Kolling has a tattoo. The red and white bracelet wraps around her left ankle and has the name ‘Morgan’ surrounded by hearts printed on each side. This tattoo has meaning. It’s not something Angela got on a whim; she didn’t pick
it out from a sample book. Unlike a tattoo inked out of rebellion or a misbegotten night, Angela’s tattoo is a symbol of unwavering love and devotion. The bracelet is a permanent reminder that someone is missing from Angela’s life—her daughter..."



It’s not that I set out to be (or for that matter, wish to be) one of those pushy parents who posts on Facebook every milestone their child achieves. We get it, we get it––your kid rolled over/ took a step/lost a tooth/rode the bus to school. Clearly, he’s a genius and will surely be President of the United States. But try as I might, I also can’t help but wonder about my tiny daughter’s potential greatness every time she does something remarkable (three poops in a day!).



Getting your children back in school may offer some welcome relief to you. But sending your kids to classes once again may bring a whole new set of challenges to your family. From homework to bullying, and sleeping to sports, a fresh school year can mean fresh problems. But there are things you can do to make this school year your child’s best yet – so read on!



Isn’t there something you would like to change? Something in our world, country or community? Sure! We all do, right? The difference is many of us don’t do anything about it except talk or complain. Or we may feel like one person can’t
really make a difference. But there are people like Kris Wallman. People who, when they see a way to improve something they care about, do something; something for themselves, their children, their community. That’s Kris. When she sees something that needs changing, whether it is personal or professional, she doesn’t look for someone else to do it...she does the research, looks in the mirror, takes a deep breath and charges ahead.


Are the holidays a perfect excuse to make like a turkey and gobble everything in sight? Put the drumstick down and check out these tips for a tasty, yet trim, holiday season.


Thursday, February 24, 2011

Anne Geddes Better Watch Her Back!!!


And now for  more pictures.
These amazing photos of Coralynn (and us) were taken by Ria Czichotzki when CC was just a couple of weeks old.


I think this is the only shot we got of her with her eyes open. CC was a sleepy little pumpkin that day.



Watching Ria position CC and get her to conform to certain poses was really neat. I have since used some of Ria's techniques to sooth CC to sleep if she's fighting it a bit.


I brought some outfits and headbands but Ria had the best selection and already had most of the photos mapped out in her head. This fuzzy one is so precious.


The happy family.


And yes, momma stripped down for a little maternity session too at 37 weeks! I figured my pregnancy body probably wasn't going to look this good the second time around (if there is one!). As a matter of fact, things did take a turn for the worse the last two weeks I was pregnant. The Goodyear Blimp decided to take up residence in my belly and left me with the stretchmarks to prove it! Stretchmarks in the last two weeks of pregnancy - what a bitch.




I highly recommend working with Ria for your family's next picture experience. She's a true pro, loves children and knows how to take a damn good picture. 

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Me and CC

3 months.

Already.

My daughter is 3 months old. Where has the time gone?

Actually, when I think about it, I know very well where the time has gone. I can remember weeks, days, moments in Coralynn's short life. She has quite a few milestones already:

getting newborn photos taken
visiting with Santa
smiling
shots at the doctor's office
loving her nightly tubby time
copious amounts of zoey kisses and kitty rubs
blowing out her diaper at the cop shop (we had to hold her up in the locker room shower to clean her off)
discovering her hands and shoving them into her mouth non-stop
two trips to Florida - flying!!! - to see Nai Nai and Ricky
seeing monkeys and tigers and giraffes and other exotics for the first time
putting her toes in the ocean
falling in love with 'blanky bear'
sleeping poolside
staying in a hotel

These are awesome memories for me to keep... and to tell her about in the future. I just thought I'd share...










Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Help a Friend in Need?

Hello all!!!

I'd like to share something with you that affects one of my dear friends...
Please consider donating, attending the benefit, or simply spreading the word so that my pal can get the assistance she needs. Many thanks!!!!

Kris Noonan, born on March 1st, 1976 a lifelong community member of the Fargo-Moorhead area (1994 graduate of Moorhead High School) has fully recovered from a near tragic accidental brain injury that happened in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 13, 2009.


Kris is very lucky to have survived a fall that resulted in an intracranial hemorrhage and required her to have an emergency craniotomy nearly one year ago. The accident required ...her to endure a surgery in which the outcome was unknown for family and friends. Her recovery period in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit was painful and extensive. Unfortunately, with a head injury like this, the recovery does not end once you are released from the hospital. In rehabilitation Kris endured many CT scans, MRI’s, and countless appointments since the day of her accident to ensure that she was on the right road to recovery. This last July she was blessed to find out that she is able to lead a normal full life again. She is able to chase her beloved daughter Lucy around the park again, work full time at her store Pout Baby Boutique, and not become anxious with each headache.



Kris is so grateful for her recovery and truly feels that she has been given a second chance. Unfortunately with that second chance she has been affected with thousands upon thousands of dollars in medical bills. Now it is our time as friends and family to show her that the support does not end now that she has physically recovered. It is time to celebrate what a great daughter, mother, sister, and friend she has been to all if us.

So we would like to share our love for Kris with you and invite you to the “2nd Chance Party for Kris”. The event will consist of hors d’oervres, cash bar, and silent auction with all proceeds going to the Kris Noonan benefit fund.



When: Friday, October 8, 2010


Where: Doublewood Inn in Fargo : 7pm-11pm


Tickets: $25.00 per person



To make an online, tax-deductible donation, go to: www.dakmed.org/lendahand


‘Learn More/Make A Donation’, ‘Individual/Family Funds’, select Kris Noonan Benefit Fund.



DMF Lend a Hand is providing up to $5000 in matching funds.

Friday, September 24, 2010

It's Showtime!

Hey everyone,

I've got some great news! Butterball and I are soon going to be blowing up the airwaves to help promote our role on My First Baby.com.

We've landed one radio spot for sure, and it looks like another station is reaching out to us as well! Yay!!!
Although I have to admit, it feels a little weird for me to be referring to 'us.' That's another multi-person pronoun I'll have to get used to (just like when SFD and I became a 'we').

I'll keep you posted on stations and times as we secure our spots - thanks in advance for tuning in and supporting us!!

Also - I got an awesome shout-out from My First Baby.com's host, Jill Cordes, on her blog. You can read it here! Thank you, Jill, for helping a future mummy out!!

As for my pregnancy, here's my current stats:

I'm 30 weeks preggo which puts me at 7 1/2 months. I'm still feeling really good for the most part (yes, I realize how lucky I am), although I've noticed a few odd things cropping up in these later months.

One) I feel uncomfortable after I eat. Like there isn't enough room for the food so it camps out in my esophagus and makes my chest all tight. Ugh.

Two) My fatigue has returned. I'm lucky to still be awake at 9 pm to write this!!

Three) WARNING - Total TMI here: I'm a pooping machine. I understand some women suffer from constipation and the Big H's during their pregnancy. I am the total opposite. If human waste was good for manure, I could be running a friggin' organic farm by now. Seriously. Buy stock in Cottonell.

Four) SFD and I attended a 'labor experience' class earlier this week. While I feel much more prepared for what I'll experience prior to delivery (called the stages of labor), I've decided there is no way this baby is coming out.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

It's raining baby stuff!

Ok, not really (referring to the title) but today is the day of our baby shower!!! Yay - we're so flippin' excited!

We're having a Jack 'n Jill shower so SuperFutureDad gets to share in all the glory he created!! We rented out a couple of room as the Fargo Billiards and Gastropub so boys get one side, girls get the other, but it's all one open space so we can still interact with each other.

Punch, chips and salsa and bean dip, salad, pizza and cupcakes are on the menu - nothing extravagant but enough to keep everyone happy through the Vikings football game that will be on all the big screen tv's!!!

Yeah, this is really more of an excuse to get a big bunch of people together and party! And we can say we did it all for the Butterball!

My family is in town from Florida and SFD's family is all in from MN so we are so happy to have them all. Plus, so many of our friends are sharing this awesome day with us and we are sooooo thankful to them.

Finally, I bought a GORGEOUS dress for the occasion and am super-psyched to wear it!!!

I will post pics and more details once I get everything uploaded later this week so you can see more from Butterball's Baby Shower.

Until then... to catch up on what I've been up to in my 7th month of pregnancy (how did that happen so fast!!) have a look at my latest MyFirstBaby.com vlogs:

This one tells all about BB's global travels so far.

If you're looking for maternity style tips, click here!

As always, please leave a comment and a 'like.' I really appreciate you stopping by and helping MyFirstBaby.com grow!!!

Friday, September 10, 2010

My Baby is Swag-Happy!

Hey ya'll...

got another video on My First Baby!

Please check it out... give it a 'like'... and remember to thank those people who are so generous in your lives.

Butterball is one spoiled little girl!!!

Thanks!!!

Friday, September 3, 2010

Butterball is a star!!!!

Well... it's taken me long enough... but I've finally posted videos I've been storing up on My First Baby!!!

Whew - it's nice to accomplish at least one thing on my to-do list.

Anway, if you'd like to check them out... go to http://www.myfirstbaby.com/!

Look for Patricia  - or just go to the recently posted videos.

And if you like what you see - please remember to give Butterball a "like." She really appreciates it!!!