Mommage

Now You Know Why I'm Always Tired

It's summertime, and this season more than any other I am reminded of how much my life has changed since having my son. It has been this season more than any other that my husband and I have had to pick and choose our activities. For example, we enjoy going to festivals but taking the boy is not always feasible. I'm hesitant to keep him in the sun and heat for long periods of time, so an afternoon jaunt is sometimes out of the question. I also don't like to keep him up too late or fight the crowds with a big stroller (not to mention voracious mosquitos), so nighttime doesn't always work either. My husband and I also hate abusing family babysitters, so we don't like to ask unless it's really necessary. In many cases, we opt to just stay home.

As Usual, Let's Pile on the Parent

Katie recently wrote a letter to the home improvement retail giant IKEA via Planetfeedback. Unfortunately, her shopping trip ended in what could have been a horrible tragedy because she did what I, and other parents, have a tendency to do with our infants in their car seats: putting them on the front seat of the shopping cart.

House Hunters

The time has come: we need to buy a house.

This is huge. My husband has lived in our two-bedroom condo for over ten years, long before I came into the picture. It has taken A LOT to get him on my side in making changes. (He's a territorial creature.) He nearly fainted when I suggested we paint the kitchen. He turned white when I cleaned out the linen closet. And when I attempted to toss his pre-college, scratched, and nearly unusable plasticware, he acted like I threatened to throw out his mother's heirloom china.

He's Rolling...

A few weeks ago, my son rediscovered how to roll from his tummy to his back and right back over again. Diaper changes have once again become wrestling matches. I continually have to move toys, furniture, and cats in order to make room for my son. And I can't leave him on his changing table for even 10 seconds because it takes much less time for him to get on his tummy...and back again.

But the other day I did something really stupid.

Summertime...and Safety is Easy!

A letter was recently posted on Planetfeedback that brought to mind the many hazards facing parents and their children in the warm weather of the summer months.  What should be a time to kick back and relax can quickly turn into heartache and disaster if parents aren't on their toes.  No need to fret... with some preparation, caution and knowledge, a splendid time is guaranteed for all!

There are so many potential dangers, I didn't know where to begin, so I enlisted the aid of the American Academy of Pediatrics to provide a helping hand with its Summer Safety Tips.  If you take some time to review Part 1 and Part 2 of the tip list, not only will you be prepared for whatever comes your way, but you might even be able to avoid some of these scenarios.  With Fourth of July festivities already underway, it's also a good idea to be aware of the dangers of fireworks. 

I learned something last summer that was so unbelievable, I thought it was worth posting again.

Babies Having Babies

I didn't realize how much controversy my post on the pregnancy pact in Massachusetts would cause.  Nor, frankly, was I prepared for the comments that insisted that the media and everyone else was blowing things out of proportion and that LOADS of teens make good moms.

Some said I was overly harsh, judgmental and that I wanted Jamie Lynn Spears to fail.  The truth is, she doesn't need my rooting against her ~ had she and her sister had decent role models they might not be the train wrecks they've become.  I'm just watching for JLS to follow in her sister's footprints.

As has become my trademark, let's take a look at  recent event in the news this week that underscore just how good some of these teen moms are.  /sarcasm.

"Sunny days, sleeping the clouds away...

"On my way to where the air is clean...Can you tell me how to get, how to get to...."

If you have kids or have been a kid yourself these past nearly 40 years, then you know the rest. Sesame Street.

Every morning, the strains of this theme song greet my son and I as I put him in his Exer-saucer while I get ready for work. I'm not usually the type of mom that plops my son down in front of the television all day, but I need the time in the morning to prep for my day and his.

Baby's First Sleepover

This past Sunday, my seven-month-old son had his first sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa's house. They were insistent that it was time, and we agreed we could use the break. All week I looked forward to having the night to myself. I thought of the myriad of options I had to spend the night: reading, sleeping in, playing on Planetfeedback. Instead, my husband and I opted to see a movie and get some takeout. It was an okay night, except for one thing:

My Daddy RULES

Hi! My name is Christian. That's me in the picture. Everyone says I look like my daddy, so everyone must think he's pretty cute too. I turned seven months old yesterday. I'm a big boy now! My mommy, Dawn, is a writer for Mommage. (She rocks!) Since Father's Day is coming, I asked her if I could write a posting about my daddy for this week. She told me that it was okay. (I told you she rocks!)

The Gift of Hope

Meet Baby Macie Hope, the two-month old miracle baby that was born twice! 

Keri and Chad McCartney and their four kids headed out to the obstetrician’s office during Keri's 23rd week of pregnancy to learn the sex of the new baby with a routine ultrasound.  The excitement mounted as they gathered in the ultrasound room eager to see the image of the unborn child.  The joyous event quickly turned to fear when the kids were rushed out of the room by the ultrasound technician, and Chad and Keri heard the words no parent ever wants to hear.