Everyday Baby Steps

Type-A Mom Conference

marybabysteps — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:26:51 -0700

Whew! The family and I got back from the Type-A Mom Conference Sunday night, and I'm just now feeling back to normal. What a fun and exciting whirlwind of events those four days were. The conference was held in Asheville, NC, and my family and I left Wednesday morning for the nine hour drive. The drive was totally uneventful. All three kids were quiet and well-behaved. Honest, they were.

Get There and Go!

Right after we arrived, Noah, Norah, and I jumped on a very fun purple tour bus to join a group of other early arrivers for a trip to the local Health Adventure museum where they were holding a Grossology exhibit. We had a blast! The kids were able to take part in hands-on activities big and small to learn about the human body and some of the less than nice things it can do. They made snot, they slid through a plastic stomach and crawled through a replica of the anus. Oh yes, they did. I even got in on the action, identifying animal scat. Yep. After the Grossology tour, we joined the group on a much more pleasurable sensory experience as we dined on everything chocolate at a place called The Chocolate Lounge. The kids and I were in heaven!

Day One

Left to right: Shannan of From Cribs to Car Keys, Sugar of Sugar in the Raw, Beth Rosen,Marcia of AllState me, Amy of Resourceful Mommy

The next day, we were supposed to join some bloggers and their famlies for a day long bus tour of the Biltmore and some other fun stuff. Except we missed the bus, due to my ADD. I thought it left at 8:30 when the actual departure time was 8:00. But it ended up being okay, as we went to the Biltmore on our own to explore. The kids were less than angelic, so it was best that we could head back to the hotel at our own discretion.

After helping to run registration for an hour or so, I jumped in on the first actual conference activity, which was a PR/Blogger speed dating session. We all sat at round tables and chatted amongst our group until it was time to switch seats and meet a new group of people. It was a great kickoff to the conference and a wonderful way to meet other bloggers as well as PR reps. Here's a picture of me at one of the speed dating sessions. I think I'm talking to Jessica Smith of Jessica Knows.

Next came a welcome reception sponsored by Walt Disney world. The food was lovely, and the wine from the Biltmore was even better. But the best was being able to slow down and visit with folks in a more leisurely manner after getting to know a few very quickly at the speed dating session. The conference is really such a blur, but I can tell you I got a chance to meet so many wonderful people. The evening ended at the hotel bar, with complimentary blue drinks from Maria Bailey of MomTV and NewBaby.

Day Two

Friday was the first day of full-blown sessions, and I was excited. The day started with a breakfast fashion show from Dress Barn. A handful of bloggers went to the local Dress Barn store the night before and were treated to one complete outfit. Then we were treated to a fun fashion show where they modeled their pieces. Have you seen Dress Barn lately? They have some really fashionable and affordable stuff.

I attended some amazing sessions on PR/Blogger relations, leveraging your pre-kid career, selling ads on your blog, and earning money from blogging. They were all very informative. While I was in sessions, the older kids were at the KidsCon. This was a fabulous addition to the conference that made it possible for me and so many other others to attend the conference. All conferences geared toward women should follow this model. I applaud and thank Kelby Carr for including it.

Day Three

The last day of the conference started out with a mom market, where conference sponsors and mom owned businesses could set up and showcase their products. It was very nice to check everything out and to have the chance to talk to people about the products they were so passionate about. I then headed to a breakout session on blog karma and social capital that encouraged us all to think of others rather than just how we can get ahead, and by doing so, we'll create deeper relationships. Next was a very laid back lunch sponsored by Chick-fil-A. It was yummy, and it was nice to kick back and relax.

After lunch, there was a blogger town hall meeting where everyone was invited to give their opinion on where blogging is heading. There was discussion on being paid what we're worth and on running our blogs in the manner that we choose.The discussion was passionate, but not heated, and it was a very effective means of discussing what was on our minds. Here's me with the microphone.

The keynote address focused on breaking the mommy mold. A wide variety of bloggers talked about their views on everything from stats to reviews. It was great to get such a wide perspective. Finally, the conference ended with a local beer, BBQ, wine and cheese bash. I was able to brin my husband to this event and enjoy this adult time to reflect upon the conference and discuss ideas, also to engage with my new friends.

For more in-depth review of the conference sessions, visit Cutest Kid Ever, where you'll find several detailed posts. Check out the Type-A Mom Flickr stream for tons of photographs from the event. You can also visit Pensieve and Real Life for links to others' Type-A Mom Conference posts.

Thank you to Rick from Tiny Prints and Amanda from High Impact Mom for the pictures I stole. And thank you so very much to Kelby Carr, Astacia McGee, and Angela England for all the hard work they put into organizing the best conference ever.

Meaningful Valentine's Day Contest

marybabysteps — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 19:13:33 -0800

I just received information about an amazing contest in which the winner can get $2K toward the Cartier's Love Collection! Cartier, people! Beyond incredible jewelry. What struck me as strange at first was that the contest is sponsored by the LIFE foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes the importance of life insurance.

The LIFE Foundation's campaign is called Insure Your Love, and it really makes a lot of sense. Valentine's Day is the holiday of love. We all want to protect our loved ones, our most prized possessions, in the possible event of our death. Reading about the campaign has certainly caused me to think about my lack of planning.

I wanted to spread the word about this worthwhile foundation and the amazing contest they're sponsoring. For your chance to win, just visit The Selfless Love Contest and nominate a friend or loved one who has demonstrated a selfless act of love. The deadline is Valentine's Day, February 14th, so hurry over and enter!

Some Thoughts On New Year's Resolutions

marybabysteps — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 14:43:24 -0800

I know the power of the resolution and of goal-setting. I do. And I"ve advocated for having an action plan on numerous occasions. I guess what I need to know is why it's so hard to stick to those goals. So very hard. I wrote about setting blogging resolutions here and about my personal resolutions here. When I wrote these posts, I truly meant what I was saying, but now that I've sat down to try to write my plan, I'm coming up blank. I got nothing. Zilch.

I've been feeling so guilty lately, too. I feel like I should have been more dedicated to starting my writing career. I know it takes time and work to really make a go of things. I've blamed much of my lack of productivity on my terribly temperamental computer. It really is hard to get work done on an old fossil that freezes up on you at least four or five times a day. And it's kind of tough getting the opportunity to use that computer that's all the way in the bedroom when you're stationed in the living room with the cruising baby who's now into EVERYTHING. But I truly do want to be more productive, and I know that if you really want something, you can make it happen.

I've been catching up on my Google reader a bit this weekend (yet another thing I'm chronically behind on), and I"ve been reading other bloggers' New Year's Resolutions posts and finding that you amazing women are having many of the same struggles I have! Lisa at Work At Home Mom Revolution posted a great list of resolutions. She was so forthcoming about the areas in her life she'd like to improve. You should really take some time visiting her blog if you're interested in working from home - she lists numerous, legitimate work-at-home opportunities of all kinds. Because she puts out such awesome content with such regularity, I thought she must be a time-managment maven. She admits that she's not and that she needs to firm up her schedule and get more organized. Hey, she's just like me! She also sets one of the best resolutions I've seen, which is to get paid what she's worth. You go, Lisa! All writers to need to adopt this attitude.

In a post entitled "Because It Needs To Be Said", Maggie of Okay, Fine, Dammit, talks about the many bloggers she's come across lately who seem to be trying to find their voice and their place in the blogosphere. She sees the dynamic that exists of folks wanting to fit in, to be one of the popular bloggers, to meet others' expectations. And to this, she says, "Don’t worry if you go a week or two or three or nine without posting. Don’t apologize, or explain. . . Don’t write words mimicking the voices of other bloggers you think have got it made. Don’t post obligatory anythings. Hang each post upon the walls of your space and don’t worry about whether or not it matches the hangings around it. If you are being honest and true to yourself only, the entire thing will speak for itself. It will be its own mosaic of unabashed, unapologetic beauty.

Bless Maggie's heart for this heartfelt sentiment for her fellow blogger. While I don't necessarily feel the need to conform to anyone else's standard, I do often feel guilty for not posting or for not incorporating some of the great things I'd like to into my blog. I suppose what I feel is an obligation to explain. I may not post regularly, but I will post when I can. I've got hours upon hours of interviews with mom bloggers to transcribe, just waiting for their stories to be told. I want to bring them to you, I do. But transcribing is not my favorite activity, and I know I put it off sometimes. I'm hoping my new laptop, which I won from Family Eden, will help me in my productivity. Please be patient with me.

Sometimes You Just Need To Run Away

marybabysteps — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 07:48:01 -0800

I ran away from home last night. For three glorious hours. Christmas Break had gotten to me, and I was at my breaking point. Thank goodness I have a wonderful husband who encouraged me to just go. Forget the meatloaf I was going to make for dinner. Forget the dishes in the sink. Go.

And that's what I did. Wish I could say I did something exciting and fun. I didn't. I went to Target and to TJMaxx. Not thrilling, but oh so necessary. I had Pizza Hut for dinner and leisurely strolled around the stores. I bought socks for the kids and took the Christmas money my father-in-law gave me and bought a beautiful red leather laptop bag for myself. I guess that's pretty exciting.

Also exciting is that fact that I won a new Toshiba laptop! I can't believe I forgot to blog about it. I won it in a fabulous contest from Family Eden, the social networking site for families I blog for. It hasn't arrived yet, but I'm waiting with baited breath.

Not a bad start to the new year, I'd say. I've got some more good news, that I will share in an upcoming post. It has to do with a couple of blogging jobs I've recently received. Things are really moving along for me.

Despite the good things that are happening in my life, and despite the fact that I love my little angels, I still needed to get away for a bit. I'm usually the evangelist for mommy "me time" and for pampering ourselves. I'm not sure why I've neglected taking my own advice, but I intend to work on that in the upcoming year. Have you ever "run away from home"?

Some Things Really Do Happen For a Reason

marybabysteps — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:06:35 -0800

I know I say it constantly, but time and time again, something happens to remind me that things happen for a reason; I don't believe in coincidence. And you may not either after you hear my story. It all has to do with my online friends and my offline friends and how they've come to intersect. Are you interested? Let me tell you more!

If you are a blogger, you've probably heard of the HP Magic Giveaway, you know the one where HP and Microsoft have given $6000 worth of computer equipment to 50 bloggers to give away on their blogs. If you haven't heard about it, you'll want to check it out, as I believe there are several contests still going on.

Regular readers of my blog may hear me mention my blogging friends every now and again. Well, Caroline from Morningside Mom is one of my favorite online friends. I admire her dedication to various causes and how she genuinely cares about people. I enjoyed her blog for some time, but after interviewing her for my Friday Feature Profile series, I realized we had many things in common, including a professional background in higher education. Another thing we share is the belief that things happen for a reason. We've had a number of conversations online and off about how we're meant to be blogging because of the wonderful opportuntiies and community it has brought to us.

So when I found out that Caroline had the opportunity to be involved in the HP Magic Giveaway, I was thrilled. The premise of the giveaway is to share the magic with those less fortunate, and I knew lots of ways I could share that $6000 prize package. Then I read her rules, which said that Caroline didn't want friends to enter her contest because she didn't want her ultimate decision on the winner to be prejudiced in any way. That's just the kind of gal Caroline is.

Even though we've never met in person, I do consider Caroline a friend. So I knew I couldn't enter her contest. But that didn't mean I couldn't pass the word onto the real-life friend I had intended to nominate for the prize. So that's exactly what I did. I sent my friend Laura, who has recently started a non-profit organization for teenage mothers, a link to Caroline's contest.

Imagine my surprise when Laura called to tell me that she won the contest! Amazing. (By the way, that's Laura next to me in the short sleeve black top) What are the chances? Neither Laura nor I told Caroline of our association with each other. Let me repeat, Caroline had no idea that Laura and I knew each other and was, therefore, unbiased in making her decision. After talking to Laura, I called Caroline right away - I couldn't contain my excitement. Neither could she. Caroline received over 300 entries for her contest and agonized over the decision. But she said she kept coming back to Laura's organization, Moms Without Moms, specifically The Laura Walker Project, the maternity group home named for Laura's mother who was tragically killed by her father when Laura was just a little girl.

Caroline was relieved to know that I am friends with Laura and that she has proof her decision was a good one. She now knows without a shadow of a doubt that the organization receiving this computer equipment will benefit from it and that it will be used to help educate young mothers and to help them learn skills to enhance their lives. Isn't it amazing? Again, I ask, what are the chances? Coincidence? I don't think so. What do you think?

If you'd like to learn more about The Laura Walker Project, go to the web site. Also, check out Caroline's post detailing the prize winner. I can tell you the prize package is going to a well-deserving organization. Though I know there were others just as deserving, it's apparent to me that Caroline made a well thought out decision that happened for a reason.

Also, if you're looking for a charity to donate to for the holidays, please consider the Laura Walker Project. Thank you.

My Break From Twitter Reality

marybabysteps — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:35:44 -0800

Recently, I took a break from Twitter. Yes. Really. On purpose. I did. It was a little experiment, and I learned a lot. Although I love Twitter and enjoy all of the amazing interactions I'm able to have through this application, I began to feel like I was missing out on other things by focusing exclusively on Twitter for my social networking.

As a mom of three, my time is very limited. I realize the importance of utilizing social media as a means of staying in touch with others of similar interests, reaching out to potential readers, and locating a number of resources and opportunities. For this reason, I felt good in the fact that I was spending time each morning with my Twitter friends. Then it hit me - my reach had become vastly smaller by interacting in only one medium, during one time of day.

I realized I was missing out on so many other online activities I enjoy. So I made the decision to quit Twitter cold turkey. For a week and a half. And I learned alot about the way I want to structure my time in the future. I spent time with my Google reader, Facebook, and on the phone with my real-life friends, and I enjoyed myself immensely.

Boy, was I glad to catch up with some of my favorite blogs. It felt like I was finding out what was happening in the lives of old friends. I was really pleased to be able to read the blogs of some of my best online friends. I can't believe how far behind I had gotten. But that happens in life; I know that. I've had conversations with bloggers recently regarding hurt feelings surrounding lack of comments or people not visiting their blogs. I hate to hear that. I know we all try, but we have to focus on all aspects of our lives, and there are only so many hours in the day.

Facebook was fun for me because I got to connect to aspects of my life I hadn't considered in years! I found college buddies, sorority sisters, and pals from high school and childhood. How great it was to see pictures of them and their families. I was able to catch up through Facebook's chat feature and connect with some people I hadn't thought about in ages. I even found out my ex-husband has a Facebook account. Maybe this will be a new way for us to coordinate our schedules! I wonder if anyone else uses Facebook in quite this manner?

Catching up with my real-life girlfriends was awesome. My friends are all scattered in different directions now, and it's hard to keep track sometimes. But they've all got some amazing things happening in their lives, and it was so good to feel connected to them again. It's so easy for me to get caught up in what's going on immediately around me. I know I've neglected certain things. As a matter of fact, through connecting with one of my girlfriends, something beyond words happened - something that caused my online world and my offline world to internsect in a totally unexpected way. I promise I'll clue you in on this development soon. Keep your eyes open for that.

The moral of this story is that it's important not to put all your social networking eggs in one basket. Take a look at your online habits and assess what's working for you and what may need some tweaking. Please let me know if you've found yourself in a similar situation - I'd love to hear your story!

Meet My Wild Family!

marybabysteps — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:09:39 -0800

After all this time, you finally get a chance to see my wild family in action, thanks to the awesome folks at NewBaby.com. NewBaby.com is an awesome site for moms to share what they know and what's important to them. The very cool part about it is that the sharing is done by video. NewBaby.com sent me an awesome Flip video camera so that I can be a featured mom vlogger for their site.

I can't believe I'm a vlogger! I'm so excited. I plan to share videos on important aspects of parenting a baby that aren't often discussed by baby books and pedicatricians. Be on the lookout for my videos at NewBaby.com I'll be sure to share some here at Everyday Baby Steps as well. By the way, what do you think about my wild bunch? I think they're amazing.

So Very Blessed

marybabysteps — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:26:24 -0800

I am so very blessed. My youngest child, my baby, Brady turned 8 months old on Friday. My third child. The one I never,in my wildest dreams, envisioned. He's so beautiful. So smart, and happy, and good. He fills my days with smiles and laughter. He also breaks up my slumber with his infant needs and causes me to work in very limited spurts throughout the day. But he is amazing, and I love him. I couldn't imagine my life without him.

This baby I can't imagine living without was never in my plans. When I found out I was pregnant, I was terrified to tell my husband. You know, my husband who's 20 years older than I am. At this stage in his life, he wasn't prepared to have his very first biological child. He was adjusting to marriage and to the role of step-father to a 6 and an 8-year old. Bless his heart, he took the news surprisingly well.

Two of my very close friends, who had both had recent miscarriages, were also surprisingly supportive when I told them the news. I worried about telling these beautiful women, who wanted desperately to have a baby, that I was pregnant without even trying, without even wanting another child. I had two perfect children. A boy and a girl, two years apart in age, and my daughter had just started first grade. No more daycare costs to worry about during the school year. Two kids who could practically care for themselves in almost every way. I wasn't feeling at all ready to go back to diapers, sleepless nights, and constant feedings. I really wasn't.

But on my baby's 8-month birthday, I couldn't be happier. Brady brings my family together like I never expected. The kids adore him and are so loving with him. His daddy's eyes sparkle when he interacts with him. I'm on a totally different path in my life than I ever imagined, working toward a freelance writing career that I had only dreamed about before.

And on my baby's 8-month birthday, I learned of the tragic loss of another baby. My ex-husband called to tell me the news of the death of our college friend's baby. What makes this loss even more tragic is the fact that the couple knew from nearly the beginning of the pregnancy that the baby would not live much past birth. He was diagnosed, through an early ultrasound, with Potter's Syndrome. This disease causes a baby to form without kidneys and/or ureters (the tubes that carry urine to the bladder for excretion). A baby with Potter's Syndrome has little chance to survive. In the case of our friend's baby, he lived only an hour.

Why? Why were we given such a beautiful, unexpected gift when others close to us were denied that same gift? Not only denied the gift, but stripped of it in such painful, tragic ways. I don't know why. What I know is that I have to cherish and appreciate my gift, to hold him so tightly, to never take him or his siblings for granted. Never.

Perspective

marybabysteps — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:43:17 -0800

Kim, one of my scrapbooking buddies, recently sent me a forward that totally summed up the concept of gratitude and thankfulness for me. I always try to look at life from a perspective of all that I have, rather than what I'm currently lacking, but we all know it can be hard. I'd like to share this poem with you. I hope it is as meaningful to you as it was to me!

I Am Thankful:

For the wife who says it's hotdogs tonight, because she is home with me and not out with someone else.

For the husband who is on the sofa being a couch potato, because he is home with me and not out at the bars.

For the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes, because it means she is home, not on the streets.

For the taxes I pay, because it means I am employed.

For the mess to clean after a party, because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.

For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters tha need fixing, because it means I have a home.

For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means we have freedom of speech.

For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking, and I have been blessed with transportation.

For my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm.

For the lady behind me in church who sings off key, because it means I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.

For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been capable of working hard.

For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means I am alive.

And, finally, for too much e-mail, because it means I have friends who are thinking of me!

If you enjoyed the perspective this poem gives, please pass it on! I am grateful for the abundance I have in my life, particularly for the opportunities I have recently been granted.

Tell Us About Your Momtourage!

marybabysteps — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:25:21 -0700

Isn't this video a hoot? It was sent to me by a PR person who asked me to post it here on my blog. At first I wasn't sure whether I wanted to endorse Momtourage, but after exploring the site, I am enthusiastically in favor of singing its praises. Besides the fact that the video is just hilarious, the content on this site for moms is beyond compare!

Momtourage is powered by iVillage, an authority in connecting women, so I knew the site was worth looking into. What I found was fantastic content, everything from great advice to fun stuff for moms to take a little break from realilty for a bit. I loved it. There are blogs from some well known folks, like HybridMom, and great articles on topics important to women.

Head on over to Momtourage and look around for yourself. Also, I'd love to hear about YOUR Momtourage!