Coming soon: BalancingMama!

I will get back to blogging very soon.
During this short time off, I'm seizing the opportunity to make a couple changes.

After stalking the URL BalancingMama.com for a few months, it finally became available. So, in order to match my Twitter handle and better fit my blog content, this will soon become (drum roll please....)

BalancingMama.com!

I have a sweet spot in my heart for 3MomsIn1, of course, but my life as Mom and my blog have evolved over the past two years.

I am more than three moms.
Like every other mom out there, I am a thousand things.

This blog is about more than parenting.
It's about me. A look into my life, my memoirs, my recommendations, my dreams and my aspirations.

I truly am a Balancing Mama. I will never be balanced, as true balance is an ever-changing, slightly intangible thing. I am a real person with real stories and struggles. A parent just like most of you.


Thanks for reading! I can't wait to connect with you soon.

Just in case you miss me...

Not back to blogging just yet.

but just in case you are truly devastated without my tales of parenthood and musings of childhood, I'm sharing a few new fall photos of my lovely.

Enjoy :)

And no worries, I will be back!

Look for www.BalancingMama.com soon!

Sometimes you have to let go

I am going to step back for a bit and decide if I still want to do this.

Life is busy, and I feel like I'm spending too much of it in front of a screen.

There is a very good chance I will end up bored out of my mind. In which case, I will be back.

For now, I am taking a hiatus. Telling myself it's only 10 days. Hoping, actually, that it's only 10 days.

But time will tell.

I need to see what my BalancingMama life is all about without a blog.





* * * * * * * *
I will still be chatting on Twitter and visiting my favorite blogs.... I still want to connect.
@BalancingMama
* * * * * * * *

Immortalizing my favorite notes from Bloggy Bootcamp

Bear with me here… one more Bloggy Bootcamp Atlanta post. I have several notebook pages’ worth of notes, worthy of another pass forward:

“You are a brand. If you put any thought into getting dressed today, if you didn’t just grab blindly into your closet and grab whatever you could reach, you branded yourself.”

To help define your brand, answer these questions:

 • What are my distinguishing characteristics/traits?

 • What are my guiding principles/values?

 • What is my role on the web?

 • What is my promise?

 • What is my story?

(from @AmyBHole)
- - -

How to avoid blog burnout?

 • Make tough decisions (hours, schedule, PR, features, etc.)

 • Find your tribe (anyone who is not happy for your individual success is not your tribe)

 • Use your time wisely (we only have one life – work smarter, not harder)

 • Make time for rest/play (your blog becomes more alive when you live)

• Don’t be afraid of change (“Into the highlands of the mind let me go”)

(from @StaceyNerdin)

- - -

WHO you are is not simply a list of your roles.

Establish credibility and define HOW you are – the tangible qualities that provide insight into your skills and abilities , and assurance that you will deliver on that promise.)

(from @ShanellSaidIt)
- - -

Because of social media, the world operates in conversations. It’s all about the relationship.


Ask yourself, “where do I want to be in 2013?”; If an opportunity or idea does not move you toward this goal, you may want to think twice about using your valuable time for it.

(from @SwayGroup)

- - -


Visit The SITS Girls for more information on Bloggy Bootcamp and to experience an endearing, truly supportive community.

A “just for fun” blogger attends a blog conference

I bravely purchased my ticket to Bloggy Bootcamp Atlanta many months ago. As the date crept closer and closer, my anxiety grew larger and larger. I worried about how to look, how to act, and whether or not I would be welcome in such a large, talented, and diverse group of blogging women.

Once the date was literally a night away, yet another worry set in.

What if none of this applies to me?

I have no illusions of grandeur when it comes to this blog. I know my life. I know the slightly compulsive, stress-prone gray matter between my ears. I know that any entrepreneurial adventure requires hard work, many hours, and a dedication I simply cannot handle at this period of my life.

So, what exactly does a “just for fun” blogger get out of Bloggy Bootcamp?

I got validation. Other human beings know who I am read what I write.

I got understanding. My blog is “just a hobby”. But it is a hobby worthy of my time and a piece of my heart.

I got encouragement. Real-life people care about my success, even if my definition of success has nothing to do with the weight of my wallet.

I got an identity. I narrowed in on it, anyway. Throughout many sessions, I found myself repeating to myself phrases like “I am a real person”, “so mothers can find someone who understands”, and “ what you read is what you get”. My blog is about me, from personal expression through creative writing to funny tales of raising a princess-obsessed little lady. I am not famous, nor overly talented, nor beautiful as a Hollywood starlet. But I share what is real, and I provide an extra voice of support to moms everywhere. I understand that we are all different. I know that no two kids are exactly alike. With other moms, I share the most important bond; we are raising the next generation. To the best of our ability.

And…
I got a hug from MamaKat!
One of many incredible people who made this "just for fun" blogger feel right at home.

 

Photos of @mamakatslosinit, @InTheKitchenKP, one half of @ThirdBoob,
@StaceyNerdin, and my lovely city of Atlanta.

Because I dared to write

In “On Writing” Stephen King wrote,
“The scariest moment is always just before you start. After that, things can only get better.”

I perused their tweets and lurked quietly into their blog posts. I followed their tales and shared joy from their memories. I felt the familiar twinge of jealousy as I scanned all the comments and tweets among the group; I would never feel such camaraderie.

The Red Dress Club? Looked like fun. However, jumping in myself was an utterly horrifying idea. These were real writers; teachers passing along their gifts to the newest generations, published authors, and bloggers who have already reached a certain level of fame I could only hope to find.

I was not qualified.

It was too scary.

What if they laughed behind their computer screens, baffled by the nerve of this untrained nobody blogger?

The RemembRED memoir prompts were persistent, intriguing me week after week, pulling me to join in. Finally, I took the plunge. Six months ago, I linked up with my very first The Red Dress Club post: First Day.

My stomach fluttered as my sweaty hand guided the mouse to hover the cursor over “publish”. I closed my eyes and quickly, before I could change my mind, clicked. That moment was the scariest. It was the moment I allowed myself to join a group of talented writers. The moment I agreed to call myself a writer. My own kind of writer, perhaps, but a writer nonetheless.

It has been easy from there. Am I a professional writer? No, and I don’t need those credentials. I blog for fun. I blog to relieve my brain when words are building up inside.

And when a prompt inspires?
I write. I link up. I tweet it out. Then I sit back and enjoy the creativity of others.

I am uplifted when I touch someone with mine.




The Red Dress Club has since evolved and has a new name: Write on Edge. Intrigued? Join in! I promise it is not as scary as it seems.

My mind is spinning

Clearly, no one told the "new media" universe about my reluctance towards change. Here I am, on my simple little Blogger blog. I am addicted to my user-friendly Facebook. I have finally figured out Twitter hashtags and Twitter parties.

And now, everyone is trying to change it all.

I should move my blog to Wordpress...

I need to track my Klout...

I am a tribe member and a chief of two different Triberr tribes...

Now, Google+?

I am having a minor heart attack here. Social media is growing faster than my three-year-old!

Keeping up is good for my blog and even better for my real-life advertising/media career. Eventually, the clients will start asking about these things. But the pressure to look smart? Is starting to freak me out. Somebody, please tell the world to sloooooow down.

(At least I know Triberr feels my growing pains. With a nearly 30% membership increase in two weeks, their servers blew up. They will be down for a while as they beef up their systems. Despite the hassle, I have a feeling they are doing a happy dance. Want updates? Follow @Dino_Dogan on Twitter)

What New-new media have you recently joined? Do you have any great tips for the tech-nervous kids like me?

Why I blog (and what's next!)

"So, you have a blog?"

"What do you write about?"

"Why would anyone want to write without getting paid?"

"Why do you blog?" 

Good question.
Seventeen months ago, I blogged because I was feeling stressed and depressed. Being the modern gal that I am, I shunned the old school journal and turned to the computer and a simple site called Blogger to hash out my feelings. Then I figured, I may as well try to get some people to read what I write. Maybe get a comment or two. So I joined Twitter. I publicized blog posts on my Facebook page. Then I made a separate Facebook page for my blog. I did a giveaway or two. I participated in blog hops. I joined a fantastic group called the Georgia Social Media Moms, where we share tips and provide ongoing support for one another.

Somewhere down the line, blogging changed for me.

Yes, I still use blogging as my outlet, to say what I need to say, to put my needs and questions out there in the universe. I continue to blog about my amazing daughter and all the trials, tribulations, and laughter that come from having her in my life. But now, 3MomsIn1.com is more than that. It is also a showcase for occasional creative writing. It is a way to connect with like-minded people with a willingness to share their experiences and memories. It is a method for practicing, and hopefully improving, my writing skills.

As my blog following has grown, I have grown as a blogger.

I am not afraid to insert myself into a Twitter conversation or speak up in a Twitter party because I know my ideas are welcome.

I am not embarrassed to post about my feelings and failures because I know someone out there has been through it too. 

I no longer say, "I have a blog." Instead I announce, "I am a blogger."

My next big step? A blog conference.

When I first heard of blog conferences (and some of the price tags associated with them), I scoffed. A conference? Definitely not something for me. My sporadic reviews and advertising sales don't make up even a sixteenth of what I would need for a "real" income. Nor do I need them to be; that's not what my blog is about. Why would I ever go to a conference?

Now I know why. To meet other bloggers. To grow my skills. To remind myself how to network. To bust the walls of my social anxiety. To have some time away from home with people I can identify with. To be something more than "mommy".

I will be attending Bloggy Boot Camp Atlanta in late October, and I am beyond excited! I know some of the sessions won't apply to my casual blogging style, but they will be interesting nonetheless. I can't wait to meet the other bloggers in attendance. BBC Atlanta is going to be a great first conference, especially given my shyness/anxiety issues when I'm looking real life head-on. BBC uses an assigned seating approach that changes periodically, so we are never stuck sitting quietly on the edge of a clique of BFFs.

And it's in Atlanta, so I can come home to kiss my sleeping little girl before crashing in my own familiar bed.

Bloggers, why do you blog?

Anyone else going to BBC Atlanta?

**What this blog needs? More comments! Don't be shy! **

What storm?

I attended a lovely event tonight at the Atlanta AVEDA store in Lenox Mall (co-hosted by the lovely ladies behind The Blogrollers).

Once again, I was able to connect a few real-life faces with blogs and Twitter handles. I also...

--Learned a lot about AVEDA products
   (did you know they are extremely eco-friendly?)

--Received a fabulous hand treatment massage
   (try it! hand massages are offered free just for browsing the store.)

--Got my face "done"
   (AVEDA employees are happy to do yours too - just ask!)

--Tasted their popular hot tea
   (caffeine-free, sugar-free, and delicious!)

On the way home, I battled a severe thunderstorm. I leaned forward over the steering wheel and squinted my eyes, trying to see something in between the fast swish-swish of wiper blades. I blindly followed the brake lights in front of me, occasionally dodging giant pools of standing water. Sometimes hitting them as well, sending tsunami-like sprays over my vehicle and at least six feet in from the curb.

I eased my SUV over into a middle lane to avoid some of the flooding. I stopped at a red light and took a moment to look around. Did a double-take: there, in front of my car, was an open-top red Jeep. Two young guys inside. Shirtless and laughing as the rain pounded their shoulders and drenched everything around them. Seemingly unmoved by the claps of thunder and flashes of lightning. They didn't drive like they were in a hurry. They didn't seem the least bit frazzled. I couldn't help but wonder if they got caught in the sudden weather - or went out on purpose?

Tonight, the girls at the AVEDA party were not the only ones having fun. Those guys made me laugh.

If only I could be that free-spirited. Look for me on the sidewalk the next time it rains... maybe I'll throw caution to the wind and prance around, drenched. Laughing.

(But I will not be shirtless.)


- - -
You can follow AVEDA on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.
- - -

Rainbow (continued)

I received a comment on this morning's Self Confidence post. One of the most enjoyable comments I have received in a while. A comment just too beautiful not to put front and center tonight.

A heartfelt thank you to Onesie Mommy who left the comment. Visit her blog - it is truly lovely.

Onesie Mommy said...

I don't know... maybe she is a rainbow...

Your daughter is unique... rainbows can shine even when it rains. That's pretty unique.

Your daughter is beautiful... so are rainbows.

Your daughter is smart... Rainbows can display a multitude of colours at the same time. Pretty clever if you ask me.

Your daughter is funny. I don't know how many natural events that can sport a silly little leprecaun and a pot of gold at the end of it.

I'd say your little girl IS a rainbow. She just doesn't know it yet.

    [OnesieMommy.com]


- - - - - -

Exciting day! In the comments of the very same post, I was honored with a blog award!

Thanks to Samantha from Mommy To A Princess. I love the "My *Favorite* Bloggirl" Award!

Now it's my turn to pass it along:

  -- OnesieMommy

  -- A New Kind Of Normal

  -- Amber Page Writes

Thanks for brightening my days with your stories, ladies!

Weekend Recap

Hi friends!

Thanks for coming by 3MomsIn1.com today! Did you miss something this week?

Check these out:

• Potty Training: Part 3 - includes some potty training tips.
• Weekend relaxation in the sunshine. 
• Then came my version of a mid-life crisis.
• Wordless Wednesday: happiness in the small things.
•  For writer's workshop, I shared my top ten must-haves for spring.

Also, if you missed our day at the zoo last month, you can revisit our adventure via today's feature on Toddle Toots! I'm honored to be there. Thanks, Mama Toots!

I dedicate this award to...

... my sassy and smart little girl. Without whom my life would be really calm, restful, and predictable. I would have nothing at all to write about!

MamaToots, a fellow blogger and mastermind behind ToddleToots included me in this award today. I am honored, and I graciously accept the badge. If you haven't visited Toddle Toots yet, be sure to check it out. The blog is truly adorable - and unique too! It's a very interactive blog where readers submit their own funny and cute "toots" from their kids. "Kids say the darndest things", right? Well, when yours surprise you or make you break into a fit of giggles, send it in to MamaToots! She'll share it and make others laugh along with you.

There are some rules that go along with this award:

1. You have to Thank the person who awarded you and link them back in your post.
Thank you, MamaToots from ToddleToots!

2. Tell everyone 7 random facts about yourself.

(1-3) I am a Nook reader, an iPhone user, and a family vacation junkie.

(4-5) I could eat pasta every day and must exert extreme willpower not to visit our entirely too-convenient Dunkin Donuts daily. 

(6) Back in the day, I saw Spaceballs and The Princess Bride at least 9 times each.

(7) These days, I can't even count how many times I've seen A Bug's Life, Monsters Inc., and Toy Story 3.

3. Pass the award on to 10 new bloggers.

4. Contact each blogger and let them know you’ve passed the award on to them, and let the “giver” know you accept the award.

Here are some blogs I have saved in my favorites. These always bring a smile or a thoughtful pause to my day:

Parenting By Dummies

Tough Cookie Mommy

Amber Page Writes

A Belle, a Bean, & a Chicago Dog

Adventures In Extreme Parenthood

Adventures of a Wee Mason Man

Better In Bulk

My Crazy Busy Life

Letters 4 Lucas

Mommy of a Monster... and Twins!

Thanks again!

(I swear the Animal Kingdom day 2 of our vacation is coming soon... it's been a hectic weekend! Bear with me one more day.)

This week

Weekend blog hopping? Welcome!

Check out what I've been up to this week:

• Writing poetry for my own sugar & spice (see below!)
• Over-planning for an exciting adventure
• Recovering from a cruel little bug
• Dreaming of the future... maybe
• Remembering some teenage angst

And... don't forget about the I ♥ YOU GUYS giveaway! Three commenters (or Tweeters) will win a little thank you gift from yours truly. It's not going to make you rich, but it's fun to win something!

I ♥ you guys

I love the readers I know in real life. Like my mommy, my friends, my online mother's group.

I love the readers I feel like I know through their own blogs and tweets.

I love the readers I really do not know at all.

You guys make blogging fun.

I'm not really into numbers and the whole business-aspect of blogging these days. But I want to host another giveaway. A freebie for you guys - just because I love you!

My real readers are the ones who come back time & time again. Who leave comments or keep in touch via Twitter. Who share opinions of information on the 3 Moms In 1 Facebook page.

Those people? Are the ones eligible for this GIVEAWAY!

------------------------
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Congrats to LeAnn, Jenilee, and Samantha!
----------------------------


If you have left a (real!) comment on any post since February 1st, you are already entered!

Bonus entries or need to enter?

Comment, comment, comment! Not just "I want to win!" And don't make me gag with "Follow me and I'll follow you back!" pleading. Tell me something about YOU or what you think of a post. Would love to get to know you better.

Tweet tweet! @BalancingMama I am a  real reader! Would like to be entered in your #giveaway on 3MomsIn1.com

The LOOT: Decided to have three winners!

• Grand prize: One $5 Target Gift Card and TWO Little People music CDs (I love these!)
• 2nd and 3rd prizes: One $5 Target Gift Card each

Winners will be selected via Random.org on 2/18 from a list I compile. I will gather all post comments and tweets from 2/1 through 2/18. Will notify winners quickly; winners will have 3 days to respond before I select another winner.

Thank you, thank you! Blogging is fun because of YOU.

What I hate about blogging

My blog was born just over a year ago. It began as an outlet through which I might extract the feelings from my heart and release them into the world. And shortly thereafter, I let ego and ambition get the best of me. I had a vision of making my blog something marketable, something through which I could get money and products.

That is where I went wrong.

In a recent post, "the age of me", I described blogging as a narcissist's dream. Most of us like to write about ourselves, our kids, our lives. Many of us think that our stories are amusing and worth a quick read. Myself included - I love writing about my life as a part-time worker and full-time mom. I love interacting with people who share my perspective as well as those who can open my eyes to a totally new one.

But what I hate most about blogging? The shameless self-promotion. There are so many blogs that reek of desperation. Have you ever seen one of the top successful bloggers post 23 "follow me and I'll follow you back" comments through a blog hop? Um, I don't think so.

One of the big-time bloggers, someone I truly admire, recently asked a question on Facebook. She asked, "What are your favorite parenting blogs? I need some good examples. (feel free to pimp yourself!)". Clearly, many commenters read only those last five words. Many of the comments were simply links to their own blogs.

"Me!"
"Mine!"
"Here!"
I don't see how that helped answer the question at hand.

What makes a good blog? Confidence. A true voice. Writing in such a way that readers can physically feel your emotion. Being a real person. Someone to identify with. Quality writing. Entertainment.

Sure, I can click the follow button and become a Google follower to a hundred blogs. Do I ever have to actually read those blogs? Nah. I can click that button and never come back again. I can follow you on Twitter in an attempt to win a prize, just to un-follow you later because I don't really care about six giveaways and four fabulous product reviews every week. Companies lean on these numbers to decide which bloggers are "worthy" of their free samples. But personally, I think those numbers are easily skewed and tell nothing about the quality of a blog (and I buy media for a living!). I don't care how great your blog is, I will stop coming back if it is a never-ending commercial.

On the flip side, I know there is a market for giveaways and reviews. I'm sure thousands of people like to click follow buttons and win prizes. I won a few prizes myself, and it's very exciting. There is a big audience for this kind of blog. And if you get enjoyment out of that, then more power to you.

MY blog?
Isn't about that. My blog is about whatever I want it to be. Whatever I feel, think, or want to show the world. I am not a professional writer. I was never an English major. I do not agonize for hours to perfect a blog post. I just like to write.  I simply regurgitate the words swirling in my brain and the feelings in my heart.

Will I never do a review again? I didn't say that... but I will limit this aspect of blogging. I don't want to do it just to receive something for free or to boost some numbers that really don't mean anything.
I am not going to do this for numbers.

I am not going to do it for free products.

I will do it for the love of expression. For the chance to interact with some fabulous people. As something my own mother can read and be proud of. As stress relief.

So, follow me if you want. But if you don't? That is okay too.

There - I said it.

Weeeekend!

Weekend relaxing and blog-hopping! Thanks for coming by to say hi.

Check out what I've been up to this week:


Monday's child is fair of face...
The age of ME. Talkin' about social media in our lives.

Tuesday's child is full of grace...
Sniffle Sniffle. A GIVEAWAY! Enter by Sunday evening for a chance to win.

Wednesday's child is full of woe (not really!)...
Wordless Wednesday - white stuff!

Thursday's child has far to go...
A time I felt truly relieved. Inspired by Mama Kat's weekly writing prompts.

Friday's child is loving and giving...
Another F2F Friday! Featuring Creative Liar. Want to be featured? EMAIL ME!

The age of me, me, me

The past few years have spawned a new age in our society: The Age of ME. Social media is no longer a novelty, it is a way of life. Communication is everywhere, and we can tell the world as much as we're willing to share.

Here are MY thoughts on some of the top social media entities.

“The Me Book” - Facebook

Our way of telling the world every mundane detail of our lives. Or in my case (I admit), my child’s life.

Before Facebook, we had no idea our neighbor was headed to the mall. No clue that our coworker was struggling with an old softball knee injury. We were ignorant of the toilet habits of our friends' children. We may not have known our eternally-single college friend was hoping for some action on an upcoming hot date. Now we know everything, whether we want to or not.

Nearly 130 million Americans are on Facebook each month (Nielsen Online Oct10 unique audience). People who knew us when we were nine are coming out of the woodwork. We know facts about “friends” we haven’t actually spoken with in a couple decades. Heck, we all of a sudden have several hundred friends! I wonder how many of those friends would actually be there in a crisis? Hmm, I’m guessing the few who were there in the dark ages? You know, 2002. Two (gasp!) whole years before Facebook existed.

“Facebook Lite” - Twitter
The fast and easy way to share a laugh, complain, or gossip – in 140 characters or less.

We can tweet from our phones at the nail salon. We can tweet while at work (quickly, before the boss walks by). We can tweet about coupons, contests, news, and scandal. If a celebrity embarrasses himself at a club? Someone will tweet about it. A mega online bookstore sells a distasteful book? Someone will tweet about it and 5,000 people will stage a boycott (one that lasts about 3 days, until more interesting news hits). Anxiously awaiting the numbers for a $300+ million lottery? No need to wait 4 hours for the official website to post, just search Twitter! I can promise you, someone tweeted that info in a matter of minutes.


Maybe I should start calling it “Facebook Instant… where you can read some stuff you want to know, some that makes you laugh, and a whole bunch of crap you could care less about.” Oh, wait. That’s more than 140 characters.

“Me Without Boundaries” - Blogging
A narcissist’s dream.

Like to talk about yourself without limitations? Want to share endless details of your child’s life? Want to show the world how funny you are? Want to get some free stuff by pimping out space on your web page? Then blog! Between Blogger and Wordpress alone, there are 47 million+ unique U.S. bloggers out there (Nielsen Online Oct10 unique audience). Think they all have mad writing skills? Think they all have something interesting to say? Think again.

“Social media in a business suit” - LinkedIn
Honestly, I don’t really get LinkedIn.

I’ve seen very few people actually use LinkedIn intelligently. Those people use it like an industry-focused Facebook. They post articles, research, and tidbits of interest to their network. If I were a hiring manager, I might chalk up a few extra points for these folks. At least they’re keeping up with industry news. But mostly, I see people (myself included) connect on LinkedIn, then never use it again. Until, that is, they get laid off. Then they’re requesting recommendations left and right.

Maybe I’m missing something fabulous about LinkedIn? I’m okay with that. I’m a mostly-home mommy. I spend plenty of countless hours on Facebook. For now, poop and playtime are my world. When the time comes to commit to full-time work again? Well, then I’ll be sending you recommendation requests. Don’t forget to tell them about my brilliance, okay?


AT&T used to have a slogan, reach out and touch someone. Today, we can reach out and "poke", "like", and "tweet" someone. We can embarrass them with middle school photos and annoy them with requests for virtual farm equipment for pretend farms. I remember the first day we got a VCR... I can't imagine what Amelia will be using when she's my age.

I'm sure whatever it is, I will have absolutely no idea how to use it.

In this age of me, me, me, I want to thank you for choosing to read ME today! I would love YOUR thoughts in my comments.

My blog's second year

2011 is almost upon us. Just a few hours away from the NYC ball drop, the Atlanta peach drop, champagne toasts and kisses up & down the east coast. And I will enter the second year of this blog.

My first post was January 21st, 2010. Ramblings about balance and the various roles I was trying to play within my one life. I was feeling unhinged, inadequate, and stressed. But trying to keep my optimism. Trying to convince myself that I was capable of mommy "perfection".

2010 marked many milestones. I grappled with my lack of patience and learned how to improve my life's balance. Amelia's naptime retreated from our household way too early for my liking. And her terrible two's made a surprise - and early - appearance as well. Potty training began... and is still ongoing.

Thanks to my amazing and helpful husband, I enjoyed a long weekend in Jamaica with my sister. A few months later, family trauma and the death of my sweet kitty brought back some very unwelcome stress.

I have grown this year. I have learned to focus on myself. After hitting rock bottom with Amelia's tantrums and my complete inability to handle them, I got serious. Worked with her and became more of a team player with my husband. Everything is looking up. I finally feel like the scales have been tipped in favor of fun instead of exhaustion and anxiety.

I am happy to be a mommy.
It just took me a while to realize it.

Sunday blog-hoppin'

When I began my blog 10 months ago, I had no clue how sucked in I would get. Had no concept of the true complexity of this blogging world. Fumbling my way through Twitter, figuring out "hashtags" and "retweets", Follow Friday, and Wordless Wednesday. Sidebars, icons, linkys, giveaways, reviews...

It is sometimes totally overwhelming.

But it can also be really fun. I've "met" so many lovely bloggers. Hilarious moms, inspiring writers, and a fun dad or two.

One of my favorite meet & greet activities? Blog hops! Not the kind with a ton of rules. Not the desperate "follow me & I'll follow you back!" shout-outs. I want to read blogs that interest me. Written by people who can actually, well, write. If I take a peek at your blog and I can identify with your posts, I will certainly follow. And I want you to follow me IF you enjoy reading what I have to say.

I love Relax & Surf Sunday!

(click the image to join in!)

I've discovered some great blogs through this no-rules blog hop. And hopefully, the lovely women who found 3 Moms In 1 will stick with me too.

Happy Weekend!!!

Mine is bigger

From a NY Times parenting blog. Published Friday morning.
Gotta love it!

-------------------------------------------------------
OCTOBER 28, 2010, 10:37 AM

Mothers’ Brains Are Bigger

By LISA BELKIN

Yes, it’s based on a tiny sample — just 19 women, all in their 30s and all college educated. True, it’s a preliminary finding.

But let’s put that aside for the moment and indulge ourselves, shall we?

The study, which appears in this month’s issue of the journal Behavioral Neuroscience finds that women’s brains grow in the months after they give birth, leaving them smarter than they were before.

Read more at the original location: CLICK HERE
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