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. 

Just a tank of gas away is Bangor, the center of its region of Maine - The Boston Globe

My hometown gettin' some love! Check it out! Such a proud Mainer!

Just a tank of gas away is Bangor, the center of its region of Maine - The Boston Globe

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!!!

On The Minds of Moms Magazine: August/September 2010

"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..."

The Village Family Magazine: Mom's View Column: February/March 2011

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!).

Gulf Coast Parents and Kids Magazine: August/September 2010

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!

On The Minds of Moms Magazine: October/November 2010

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.

Gulf Coast Parents and Kids Magazine: November 2010

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.

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. 

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...

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.

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.

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!!!

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!!!

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!!!

Pee Pee Pow Wow

Notice to fellow airline passengers: If you see a pregnant lady coming out of the plane's bathroom with toilet paper sticking out of her maternity jeans, please be a dear and give her a heads up. She can't see behind her anymore. Thx.

The Sound of Music

I've got to be honest. I've never seen the movie 'The Sound of Music.' I know it's supposed to be a classic and blah blah blah but it's never managed to capture my attention while scrolling through the Tivo lineup.

However, I do LOVE the sound of music. From country (Lady A/Jason Aldean) to pop (Gaga/Kris Allen) to rap (Eminem) to rock (Kings of Leon) to classical (Ravel), I'm never far from tunage. Pandora at work... Ipod while mowing the law... VH1 Top 20 Countdown during Saturday mornings at work... I can't get enough.

The best part of this is that I get to share it all with Butterball now. One of my favorite things to do with her is listen to music in the car and discuss the artist... sing a little bit... talk about the album and year it came out and what was going on.

We've covered a lot so far.

Pearl Jam - Alive

Miley Cyrus - Party in the USA

Lady Antebellum - their whole album

Lee Ann Womack - her bluegrass stuff especially

Eminem - Recovery

Default - second US-released album

Anyway... I could go on and on with the names of artists we've learned about together. Sometimes BB kicks like crazy (darn her, she's a Miley fan!!), other times I think she's already tuning out mommy. Like, "I KNOW, MOM. BUT EMINEM WAS SOOOO 2000'S."

Either way, it's a simple joy of parenthood I'm loving even before BB is born.

23 Weeks (5 1/2 Months)

It's a Butterball bump!

Question (of the day/month)

Hey y'all... after a weekend break to throw one of the biggest garage sales I've ever been a part of, I'm officially back to work. The sale was, thankfully, a success. We needed to accomplish two goals, a) make room for baby, b) earn enough moula to buy paint for butterball's room. I've already ordered fabric swatches from bedding I like to see if I can get a local store to recreate paint in those colors. Wish us luck!!!

Anyway, I have another article assignment I'm working on and would love your input. As always, please leave me your name and where you're from so I can include your statements in the article (unless you want to use an alias... which is cool... I just need to know you're choosing to go that route for ethics and attribution purposes). Cheers!!!

Question: When sports just aren't in the cards... what do you do if your kid has zero interest in sports??? (ie how to ensure they get exercise and perhaps how to deal with a disappointed parent who was hoping to raise the next Brett Favre) What's your advice???

Here's Your Sign...

When I became pregnant, I fully expected to become engrossed in all those baby and birthing shows plastered on cable. You know the ones... A Baby Story, Birth Day, NICU... the list goes on and on.

But I've come to find out that I don't want to see anyone else's horror show. At this point in my pregnancy (5 1/2 months or 22 weeks), the prospect of labor still scares the crap out of me (which, coincidentally I've heard happens during labor). I will totally admit I am creeped out by the site of babies when they are first born. They're coated in blood and white goop, often have purple and wrinkly skin, and scream to high heaven (I guess I would too, if I were plucked from a warm, cozy womb and thrust into cold, sterile birthing environments).

But there is one show that bugs, annoys and appalls me every time I see a clip of it on 'The Soup.' You can probably guess where I'm going with this if you've ever stumbled on to Discovery Health.

It's called 'I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant.'

Now, I'm not trying to pass judgment on the women featured in this fine piece of television, nor am I meaning to sound crass, but the junior-high phrase 'dropping the kids off at the pool' takes on a whole new meaning when you watch this show. Seriously - does every episode have to end with a woman taking a dump and whoops! - out comes a baby??!!

There have been so many signs that I am clearly, most definitely, preggers that it is hard to believe other women could have missed their signs. So... in the vein of Jeff Foxworthy... here's your sign that you're knocked up:

Do you gag, dry heave and occasionally puke when you brush your teeth? Guess what, you're pregnant.

Have your feet 'suddenly' grown outside the soles of your shoes? Just a heads up, you're knocked up.

Do your farts smell so bad you could clear out an entire concert hall - even those folks in the nosebleeds? Yep, you've got a bun in the oven.

When you spit water out of your mouth in the shower, does it hit your stomach instead of heading straight for the drain like it did before? You'll be a mum in 9 months.

Does your tummy flip and flop as soon as you lay down at night? You don't have gas, you have a womb.

Can you eat an entire bag of Bertolli meals-for-two by yourself? You're not fat, you're pregnant.

Are your rings the casing around your sausage fingers - especially in the morning? You'll be changing diapers soon.

Have your arms suddenly started playing Bingo by themselves? Blame the baby.

Is your underwear taking up residence in your butt crack? Guess what, your hips don't lie, you'll soon have a munchkin by your side.

Do you find yourself mixing up words, misplacing your keys or forgetting items on the grocery list? You're not losing your mind, you're getting a nugget.

Do you look like you should buy stock in Proactive? Don't do it - you can't use it anyway - you're preggo.

At the end of the day, are your ankles the size of your thighs? It's not bloat, it's a baby.

Does your normally rolly, polly (or at least soft and girly) stomach feel like there is something from the movie 'Aliens' inside it? You got it - there is.

Do you have at least one hot flash a day? It's not menopause, it's gestation!

Does an episode of Drop Dead Diva where a man is fighting to retain custody of his chimpanzee from his ex-wife bring you to a sobbing, snotty mess of tears? You are SOOOOOO pregnant.

Obviously, I'm writing these examples from my own experiences of growing Butterball inside me - and honestly, I wouldn't change a minute of it. I love being pregnant.

But I'd love to hear your signs Lady Foxworthy's!!

Just don't tell me you pooped and out came your kid.

Today is the Day!!!

We find out the sex of our baby/nugget/Butterball today and needless to say, it is ALL WE CAN THINK ABOUT!!!!

The most recent poll of what Butterball is, is more even than the initial tally. Early on, people were thinking 80% girl, 20% boy. But now it's nearly 50-50!!!! So who knows what we'll be having!!!

It's so flippin' exciting!!! Although, I admit I am still trying to wake up after we spent a fabulous night out with friends yesterday. Who knew going to bed after midnight would be a problem - I used to do that all the time!!! Welcome to my new life, I guess!

Well, we even made a video during last night's excursion and posted it on My First Baby!! Hope you'll check it out - and remember to 'like' it if you do.

Once again, thank you so much for being a part of our journey!!! It's so much better to share it with friends!!

Nugget or Nuggette?

I can't believe the moment we've been waiting 5 (long) months for is finally almost here! In less than a week, SuperFutureDad and I will know who we'll be welcoming to our family. It's just the most exciting thing to happen in like, forever!!! Ok, besides our wedding day. And when we got engaged. Well, it's one of the most exciting things that will happen in our lifetimes. I get to be a part of the Mommyhood!

So, I'm conducting a little informal poll - what do you think we're having? A Nugget or a Nuggette??
Cast your votes here!

Meantime, some other exciting things have been developing with baby. About a week ago I was lying in the dark just before bed and all of a sudden, BLURP!, in my belly. Did I feel something, I wondered? So I waited... and waited... then BLURP! That had to be it, right? That had to be our baby!!!!

But then... nothing. For the next couple of days it was like it was all dream. I tried to figure out a way to describe it to SuperFutureDad. I've heard it called 'the flutter,' 'bubbles,' 'swishes,' things like that. Here's what I came up with: You know when you're swimming in water when there is fish present? You'll be floating along, and then out of nowhere, a fish comes and skims your leg? It's like you definitely feel something brush against you, but it's diluted because of the water. To me, that's how Butterball feels. I know - what a weird description, right?? After those first couple of days of dormancy, BB has, for the most part, been jazzercising like crazy.

My favorite moment so far came last night. I was lying on the couch after another long day at work and stuffing my face with kettle corn. I love me some kettle corn!!!! SFD and I were talking about our days when WHAM!, Butterball goes karate on my bladder. I mean straight down karate chop! I kinda laughed and told SFD baby is either angry or as majorly in love with kettle corn as I am. A few seconds later, WHAM! karate chop to the bladder. I just pictured BB taking an elbow straight down - like breaking a board - except it's my bladder! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!

Needless to say I got up to pee and that was it for BB. He/She stayed quiet the rest of the night.

Nugget vs Nuggette

SuperFutureDad and I are gearing up for our 20 week (5 month) appointment. I can't believe it's gone by so fast! I know it really hasn't when I think back to all that we have done and all that has changed in our lives and all that is different with my body.

This baby has traveled to Las Vegas and Belize, SFD and I have signed up for parenting classes, and in the last two weeks I suddenly have a BELLY!!!!

But at the same time all these changes were going on our daily lives had to continue - and what a blur that's been!!!

As it stands, we're still fairly unprepared nursery- and product-wise for Butterball. Although I have started a couple of registries, the big ticket items still elude me. There is so much changing technology and standards I feel have to be checked out that I can't seem to bring myself to decide on a high chair, car seat, stroller, etc. When push comes to shove, we'll have to decide, but right now I'm holding off pending consultations with friends.

We have picked out a crib, but haven't ordered it.

We have paint picked out if BB is a girl, but if it's a boy, we're at a stalemate.

We're signed up for parenting classes, but haven't agreed on a boy's middle FutureNuggetName.

All in good time, I'm sure, but since time seems to be flying, I feel increasing pressure to get things done - NOW!!!

ARGH!!!

First things first though - what are we having??? I have a feeling once we've figured out if we're having a Nugget or a Nuggette, other things will start to fall into place. I think knowing our baby's sex will motivate us to accomplish more... or, that's what I'm hoping.

So - What do YOU think we're having?? I'm hosting an informal poll and will post the results soon. I totally have a guess... but don't want to bias anyone.

Can't wait to hear what you think!!!

Don't Burn Down Your House

Hola my fabulous Friends and Family...


If you have kids, pets, or are prone to leaving burning candles on in your house - please continue reading. If you don't fit any of these categories, you're perfect. Can I have lessons?


I am having a weeklong Scentsy Wickless Candle BOOK party. No need to come to a party... you can view and order items at your convenience! Isn't that great?

If you are new to the Scentsy products, here is a quick introduction. They are the latest thing in scented candles-their warmers warm the wax, instead of burn it so their products are leadless, wickless, flameless and smokeless. 

Scentsy has 80 scents to chose from and close to 100 plugin, medium and full size warmers...you'll find something that will fit your decor. 

Plus just for the month of July...Scentsy is bringing back 20 scents that have been discontiued in the past 6 years. JULY ONLY!

The warmers are electric and heat the wax using a 15 watt, 20 watt or 25 watt lightbulb depending on the warmer. Each scentsy bar can expect to last anywhere from 60 to 80 hours. Scentsy also carries hanging freshners, room sprays and travel tins.

I have books and the scents on hand if you would like to come and check them out...or you can check out the Scentsy products at www.scentsy.com/amygriego and go to my name listed on open parties.

Shipping will be charged on all online orders....otherwise it will be free.

Also, if you would like to hold a party (book or an at home party) the consultant is giving away a free plug in warmer when you close your party ( if held in the month July). I will then in return receive a 1/2 price item at your party.

If you have any questions let me know or you can also contact the consultant at 218-329-2335...Amy Griego, Independent Scentsy Consultant.

If you do order something, please make the check out to me and then I'll submit a bulk payment to make the process easier.

The consultant also has a Facebook page so be sure to check that out as well.

I will be closing on the 15th of July and items should arrive 2-3 weeks after that. 

Thanks so much for considering!

Beiber Fever!!

There is new phenomenon spreading across the pop music and tween world. Beiber Fever! It's in 'honor' of Justin Beiber, some 16(?)-year-old Canadian singing sensation. His songs and dance moves are apparently taking the world by storm.

But there is another fever spreading across the F-M area where I live. BABY FEVER!!! Everywhere I go, I am meeting someone who is preggers or hearing about another couple who is knocked up. It's awesome!!! It's so nice to know that there are other ladies like me who are going through the same thing. And for the women who have been through it before and are on their second or third or fourth babies, the advice is invaluable!!!

For me, I'm still figuring it out as I go - and, of course, posting it here on the blogosphere and on My First Baby for all the world to read and see!! My second video is up and running! Thanks to Neaner for making a guest appearance... look for another episode with the two of us soon.

This week, I am officially 19 weeks (almost 5 MONTHS!!!!) preggers. I still don't understand where the time is going. I am feeling great (except for the occasional hormonal headaches which bring me to my knees) and loving the transformation my body is going through. I realize not all women enjoy seeing their body expand, but I was never a thin girl to start with, so seeing my belly grow with Butterball inside it has been a pleasure so far. Ask me again in a couple of months and maybe I'll have changed my tune - but I hope not!

SuperFutureDad and I have a TON to do, though. That's the only part that's really intimidating about this whole process so far. We have nothing picked out. Can't decide on nursery colors. Still don't have the house in order. Need to have a garage sale. The list goes on and on. We make a great team so I'm sure it will all work out, but thinking about all the STUFF that needs to happen before Butterball arrives is stressful!

Anyway, here's what BabyCenter says about Butterball's development in week 19:

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.