Parents- Each Day is a Gift

I love blogging about fun stuff, light stuff, but this isn't one of those posts. This may be one that you opt not to read and that's okay. My question is, how is your relationship with your parents? Before you roll your eyes and skip this post let me tell you where I'm coming from.

I'm less than 35 years old, married with a young child and almost two years ago my dad passed away. He had liver cancer for 7 years and, although he wasn't sick all the time, he had more than enough hospital visits, tests, procedures, trips to ICU, etc. and there isn't a day that goes by that I wouldn't love to have another day or week with him to talk, laugh, listen to stories and have him spend time with his only grandchild. From when she was born, till he passed, it was four months and I am thankful for the time they had together but I can't help but wish there had been more.


I'm not an expert on relationships or dealing with emotions and maybe some bad things happened between you and your parents but good things happened too, which ones are you holding on to? The good and the bad are both true but you have a choice and I know the disagreements I had with my dad only symbolize lost or wasted time. If you are reading this and your parents are still living, don't wish later that things had been different, make things the way you want them to be NOW. Each day is a gift, that's why it's called the present. Enjoy it, treasure it and don't regret it later.

Brighten a Day for Less than a Buck

In the day of emails, iphones and even blogging, when was the last time you sent a real card? Maybe an easier question, when was the last time you got a card? Your birthday, Valentines day, Christmas? If I had to guess I bet you remember the last time you got a card, who it was from and what it was for, am I right? That means that the last card you sent is remembered by someone the same way.

Yesterday, I was picking up a couple cards and noticed that there are some really expensive cards out there but there are also nice cards that you could send for less than a dollar, including the stamp! I prefer to keep a stack of cards at home for a variety of purposes so I go to card warehouse stores, dollar stores, and buy after holidays then all I need is a stamp. Speaking of stamps, I buy the forever stamps since I can't go through all my stamps before postage goes up and I know there is another scheduled increase in a couple months.

Anyways, maybe someone shared a great recipe, or a friend told you about a new store where you found some great deals. There are lots of reasons to send a card so with a few minutes of your time and less than a dollar you could bless someones day. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a blessed day!

Product Opinions- Thumbs Down

Like I mentioned a couple weeks ago in my first Product Opinions post, there are some baby and toddler products I loved and others that I didn't. Again, I want to say that this is just my opinion as a first time parent and I don't think any of these items are un-safe, I just didn't care for them or didn't use them. Again, these are in no certain order.

Chicco High Chair. That is one of the most difficult items for me to give a thumbs down. Chicco has some great products and I loved the stroller and car seat but the high chair was another story. Like I said, it was safe and did the job but unless you want to get toothpicks and Q-tips out to clean this chair I wouldn't recommend adding this to your wish list. I agree that all high chairs have some level of difficulty to clean but the padding in the the corners, the logo on the front strap, the crevice between your child's legs are all places that could be designed better. If you disagree and loved this chair, feel free to comment.

The Piddle Pad. Have you seen these odd shaped car seat pads? They fold and fit into your car seat to prevent a possible diaper leak from soaking the car seat. I'll be honest, it's still in the package in my daughters closet. We did travel by car with an infant (our longest trip was 9 hours) and never had a diaper problem. I think this was something that previous generations would have used since I don't think diapers were designed so well but I can't say if this product works or not, I never used it.

Baby Bjorn body carrier. I have a feeling that this item goes both ways with new parents. I see parents using them and I'm sure there are a lot of people out there that love them but, for the value, we didn't use it much at all. Twice I think? I did have a Playtex Hip Hammock that I really liked and used but the Baby Bjorn was something I always had in the car and always thought I'd use more than I did. Before adding this to your wish list I'd think about how you spend your free time now and remember, you could always go out and buy one later or hang on to some of those gift cards.

Boudreaux's Butt Paste. This is another one of those common items that everyone seems to be beeping with their scanners. I got half a dozen small tubs and a container that looks like something ice cream could come in and in the first year and a half we haven't used more than a couple ounces. When my daughter has a diaper rash, which is rare thankfully, I use corn starch. That's right, 89 cents in the baking goods isle and a box lasts a long time. I'm NOT a doctor but a family member recommended it to me after saying that's what she used a long time ago and I can see a difference in just a couple hours. Now, if she's got a diaper rash that's a problem I may use the butt paste overnight but during the day, when she's getting frequent diaper changes, I use corn starch. There is also a Johnson's powder (blue cap) that has corn starch added and I keep that in my diaper bag, just in case!

Those are the items that first come to mind but I'm sure I'll add more later, feel free to add your own or comment on any of the items that I've listed here! Thanks for stopping by!

Just Breathe

As I was rocking my daughter to sleep night before last night I was glancing at the clock and going through my list of things to do before bed..empty the dishwasher, finish lunches, fold clothes in dryer..and as I felt her breathing even out and I knew she was nearly asleep. I laid her in the crib and, like so many nights recently, her head popped up. I put my hand on her back and rubbed slowly and I could hear her breathing even out again. Instead of rushing out, I stayed and listened to her soft breathing and pushed my list out of my mind. Instead I said a prayer for her and asked that whether she's 2 or 12 that I can still be in her room at night and feeling her peaceful breath and, in that moment, feel so blessed and thankful.

Those moments of her peacefulness remind me of so many times in my life. Moments when work was too much and I had to stop and take a breath myself. Moments when relationships weren't easy but a quick prayer and silence calmed things. But mostly the many moments in my dads last month where I would listen for his peaceful breathing each morning and pray that I could hear I still hear it and the ease I felt when I could. There are so many moments when the best thing to do was...just breathe.

Your Baby Can Read?

Hello again to everyone attending the Ultimate Blog Party 2009! I've meet lots of great people already and read more blogs in the past few days that ever before! One theme that seems to keep coming up in the blogs I read is reading, education, past and current teachers and moms who are home schooling.

Like I've mentioned my daughter is not yet 2 but we already spend time everyday reading and active learning. For nearly 10 years I worked with an organization that was all about teaching parents that they are their child's first teacher and I believe that to be true. But I have a family member, who I love and respect, that is very interested in the Your Baby Can Read info that I'm sure everyone has seen on TV. Although it's not cheap and I've read plenty of good reviews online, I'm curious if anyone out there has tried it to say if it's worth the investment. Thanks for your comments and for stopping by!

Add a Button?

Hello there to everyone visiting from the Ultimate Blog Party 2009! I seem to be having some trouble adding a button to my site and I've seen some great ones to add, any help out there? I use Google to blog through and yes, I'm new at this!

Raising a Girl

I found this about two years ago online, just after I found out that I was expecting a girl. I've kept it in her room since then and, although I don't know the writer, it describes so many of my thoughts and fears of raising a daughter.

I won't always be able to protect her from others, but I hope to protect her from herself.
I hope that I can instill in her a love for herself.
I want her to look in the mirror and see somebody beautiful, I don't want to transfer my own self image issues.
I hope that I can teach her how to deflect harsh words.
I hope that I can teach her courage. There are so many opportunities in life I hope she can pursue because she's brave.
I hope to be able help her silence that voice in her head that tells her, "it's too hard" or "you can't do it" because she can.
I hope that she will feel empathy. I hope she can learn to forgive.
When others are hurting, I hope she will choose to help and not be one to kick them further down.
I hope that she will grow to be independent, but allow others to guide her and assist her when needed.
I hope she will learn when to ask for help.
I hope that I can teach her to persevere.
When she doesn't succeed at something, I hope to help her try again. And again. I've know defeat and let it win.
I want her to know defeat and beat it!
I hope that her self worth will be based on her accomplishments and successes.
A man in her life should not be a determining factor in how happy she can be.
I hope that she will remember her friends and not give them up for a temporary relationship.
I hope she sees how her dad loves me.
She should know that true love doesn't hurt.
I hope she will how much she is loved.
We are her family.
Always.
She needs me.
She needs me becuase I've been there and felt that hurt and felt the joys.
I hope that I'm up for that challenge.
I hope that I can accept her for who she becomes.