Triangle Mamas

Friday Round-up

As I sit here downing Halloween candy, I can't help but wonder where the week has gone. (Likely the same place as the Whoppers. I swore I still had two left in that pack.)

It seems the weeks run together and that early start on holiday shopping I swore I was going to have has vanished with the Fall leaves.

It's Friday again and here it is -- our ninth week of rounding up the best from all the Triangle Mamas. This week was marked by a Congressional election, an additional temperature drop that sent me scurrying for my scarves, and the start to NaBloPoMo. Many of the Triangle Mamas are taking advantage of a 30 Days of Truth meme to boost their publishing rate up to the daily mark while others are feeling a slump in their bloginess since real life is keeping them busy.

That's the case with Andrea over at Lil Kid Things. She's busy trying the fit the entire contents of her house into boxes in preparation for a move to a new place at the end of the month. The transition is causing her a bit of inner turmoil.

Meanwhile, Susie, over at At Home with Me, is breaking her year long bloggy silence by jumping in the deep end. She's participating in the 30 Days of Truth and getting honest about her flaws in Something I Hate about Myself.

Ilina of Dirt & Noise, on the other hand, is not about to remain silent. She's made her opinions heard loud and clear by casting her ballot. Did you make sure to have your voice heard?

Sue from Motherhood & Me has been been quiet, but she was sure to draw a winner for her Scandanavian Child giveaway. Did you enter? Maybe you're the big winner.

Nikki from a small song may not think she's preparing for Baby #2's arrival, but it seems to me that she's doing her best to mentally be ready. She's wondering if the new baby's arrival will change her as radically as her eldest Abby's birth. No matter what, she knows something good this way comes.

Over at Adventuroo, Mel is worrying about raising gentlemen. She's worried that etiquette and role models won't be enough. What do you think it takes to turn boys into gentlemen?

Erin over at Tales from a Marketing Mama used the 30 Days of Truth to admit her own personal goofiness. She's the kind of girl who's willing to hitch her pants up to her neck if it will emit a laugh. This is, Erin admits, one of the things she loves about herself.

A little girl who's willing to hand out lots of compliments but share none of her candy? That's Pippi. Cyndi is sharing a story of her second child over at My Convertible Life.

While Marty, over at Don't Take the Repeats, is busy thinking about renewal and new life with her son's baptism approaching, she's still struggling with letting go of an old hurt. She's not yet ready to forgive in her Day 4 post from the 30 Days of Truth.

And, since I've been struggling with blog topics for My Sweet Babboo as of late, I too decided to try the 30 Days of Truth. Like Marty, I'm struggling to forgive except I'm not just holding out forgiveness from one person but a whole group of people. It's been ten years, will I ever let it go?

 

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Hey, while you're here, don't forget to read this week's Triangle Mamas posts. Both Cyndi and Andrea shared stories.

Friday Roundup 8

Happy Halloween, y'all. It's Friday Roundup time again here at Triangle Mamas. Let's see what the ladies have been up to this week.

Melissa has a great summary of her Momcomm series thus far. I'm particularly excited about the post on plug-ins, but all of them have been helpful.  

Ilina is participating in the Avon Walk again this year. She could use your support in her efforts to raise money for breast cancer research. 

Erin and Marty are both gearing up to do the 30 Days of Truth challenge on their blogs. It's a great way to tackle National Blog Posting Month in November. How about playing along?

Sue is tackling weight loss through a Nutrisystem program. We are hoping she already knows that she is beautiful, and wish her luck in reaching her health goals.

Andrea's impending move is coming together, and she is declaring her new livingroom a toy-free zone. What? A room just for grown ups? I have heard of this in far away lands . . .

Cyndi is sharing a recipe for the most purple risotto ever created. It sounds delish, and I'm eager to try it out on my family. Even if it looks like Barney had some evil hand it making it.

Abby has another post detailing her decorating genius. Seriously. I wish she would just come over and play Extreme Makeover at my house. Click on over to see how her son's room has evolved from office to nursery to toddler bedroom. It's adorable.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend full of candy and boos!

This Friday Round-up Brought to You by the Number 7

Hey, hey everybody. It's Friday and that means it's time for a round-up.

I figured since Marty was gracious enough to label me a "co-editor" on our business cards, it was about time I contributed a little something. So, here it is without further ado - Round-up #7.

 

It seems many a Triangle Mama is bearing her heart and mind this week.

Cyndi, over at My Convertible Life, is admitting that honesty is a good thing even if it hurts a little. It seems her friendship is going to be a lot stronger for it.

Ilina made me cry with her Milestones post. Her little Deal is growing up and it's hard to watch the baby-ness go. I'm tearing up just thinking about my little guy no longer being a baby.

Meanwhile, Sue is dealing with a green-eyed monster who's struggling with some new transitions in his life. Poor little guy just wants to snuggle and feel better, and it's all his mommy can do to try to find the time. My heart is breaking for them both because balancing the needs of a family is a very hard thing.

Some of Nikki's best writing over at A Small Song centers around international adoption. As a child of adoption herself, she opens my eyes to issues I've never even considered (though we all should). Issues of children who do not live or move in circles of people who look like they do. Her latest post is in regards to a pair of staring children, and why she believes they were staring at her.

And pouring out her everything at Don't Take the Repeats, Marty shares why she thinks she's broken beyond repair. She's in need of our love and understanding. If you've ever felt like running away and never coming back, please go tell Marty that she's not alone.

Over at Lil Kid Things, Andrea is flexing her strong, independent-thinking woman muscle in support of Team Juan. She is talking openly about free speech and whether NPR had the right to fire a journalist for it.

On the lighter side of things, Mel is celebrating her 1st blogiversary. So be sure to head over there and give her a virtual high-five.

Erin is looking back 10 years ago to the good old college days and laughing at her younger self's idea of stress.

Meanwhile, I'm writing about my son's choice of Halloween costume. It's pink, fluffy, and made of tulle. Should a boy be wearing tulle?

 

There you have it. It's round-up #7. My apologies to anyone whose post I summarized in an inaccurate way. I read them all, but may be lacking in the eloquence of the real editor.

 

Friday Roundup, the fifth one

Happy Friday, everyone! Or, if you are a languishing SAHM like myself, Happy Day That Feels Like Every Other Day!

The mamas in the Triangle have been busy again this week. I'll spare you my pontificating over it and get right to the links.

Andrea is asking one of my favorite questions, "Is there a wrong way to blog?" She has some terrific insights and her commenters are kicking it too. 

Ilina is giving us a peek in to her purse. I dare say I have many of the same items - including the handheld video game, although it  is a Nintendo DSi and not a PSP. Go sneak a peek. It's like getting to look in someone's medicene cabinet without the guilt.

Poor Erin got rear ended last Friday. It's hard not to giggle at her picture, but really, I'm just sorry she got hurt. She sure pulls off a good pout though.

Sue found herself waving the white flag of motherhood one day this week. I can totally empathize. Totally.

Cyndi wants to know if you would send your kid to school in this shirt. I wouldn't, but we all know I'm becoming a bit of a stick in the mud.

Melissa unveiled Big Roo's new modern outdoorsy bedroom devoid of plaid and flannel. It looks fantastic. I'm kind of wondering if she and Abby should get together and start a business. Because they are both awesome decorators.

As for my blog, I wrote a letter to cancer and urge you to do the same. Varian will donate $50 to the American Cancer Society for every letter written. It may be October and Breast Cancer Awareness month, but there are plenty of cancers all year long that are stealing the lives of people we love. I hate cancer.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend. And as always, if you are a mama in the Triangle who has stories to share, we are always welcoming new writers. We'll reward you with lots of love and links and plenty of community.

Friday Roundup, the fourth one

Welcome back to the Friday Roundup, actually occurring on Friday this time! We are on the ball here at Triangle Mamas.

I loved Abby's post about being a bloggy fan girl. We all have certain bloggers that we would love to meet, and Abby talks about her encounters with two of them at the Type-A-Mom conference last weekend. Go by and weigh on who your "must meets" are in the blogging community.

Andrea devoted a post to her experience at Type-A-Mom as well. She came back with an arsenal of information and a fire for doing great things with her blogging. It's contagious. Makes me think twice about my own blog and what I might do with it.

Cyndi got inspired at Type-A-Mom too. She is the proud new owner of her very own domain name! Also included in that post is the infamous picture of some Triangle Mamas trying their best to pose like Casey taught them. One of them, I won't say which one but it is probably me, looks completely ridiculous. Like spew your Diet Coke ridiculous. And yet, just by being behind the camera, Casey still manages to make it a good picture. She's amazing.

Someone told Ilina this week that she spent "too much time with her kids" for her business to really go anywhere. Aside from being rude, that is a completely absurd comment. Who, especially another mother, would tell a mother she spends too much time with her kids? Absurd. What do you think? Would you ever say you spent "too much time" with your kids?

Melissa is celebrating her tenth anniversary this week. I adore the picture of she and her husband, then boyfriend, that she posted. It is so awesomely 90's and full of young hopeful love. Happy anniversary, Mel!

I've had to break out my tissues all week for Erin's blog. There is a beautiful post about her sister, but I'm linking to the one about Knobs. A friend lost to cancer years ago. The fact that Erin still writes to Knobs' mother sums up for me what a wonderful woman she truly is.

Of course I have to link to the interview Sue did of Cyndi today on Motherhood and Me. Not only is it a great interview, but it Triangle Mama to Triangle Mama! 

Finally, over at Don't Take the Repeats, I'm going on and on about Katy Perry again, but this time, I think she's actually really funny. Of course, she's on Saturday Night Live and not Sesame Street, so there is that. 

Happy weekend to everyone. If you have a moment, how about leaving a comment about what you are doing this weekend? We'll be laying low around Chez Canape. Moving the kids' rooms around, painting, working on the house. Nothing too exciting. How about you?

Friday Roundup, and yes, I'm aware that it's Monday

When you are headed to a blogging conference, the last thing on your mind apparently, is blogging. I completely forgot to do our Friday Roundup last week, but since Abby actually posted (her words, not mine), I've decided Monday is in fact, not too late.

Don't take it personally - you know, the fact that I forgot about this blog last Friday. I also forgot to take all of my pants to the conference. Except for one pair of unopened leggings from Kohls. The package said large, but unfortunately, the leggings in the package were a small. I, in case you have not seen me lately, am NOT small. It made for an interesting dilemma in dressing myself.

We had a wonderful time at Type A Mom in Asheville this past weekend, even though we didn't get to play Rockband this year. That was a smidge disappointing, but we are going to plan better for next year. Having Sunday be the second full day sort of threw off my whole footing. I don't know why, but I wasn't expecting that.

So last week, here is what we were talking about:

Melissa is continuing her fabulous MomComm Mondays where she gives out tips on social media. Last week she had some great ideas for Twitter. Check out 9 Things to Tweet About from Adventuroo.

Make sure you have a chance to meet Sue's little Queen B. She is such a cutie, I can hardly stand it!

Over at Tales from a Marketing Mama, Erin is contemplating the effects of the addition of another baby to their family. She is due with number two, and feeling a little nervous about it. I can totally relate.

Andrea's getting sentimental about The Price Is Right and completely cracking me up. I love it too, by the way, Andrea.

Ilina's time volunteering at her sons' school inspired her to write a post in praise of teachers.

"You don't slap your own ass in pilates." If that doesn't make you want to go read Cyndi's post on the pole dancing class she tried through a coupon on Living Social, then I don't know what will.

I was delighted to see that Abby posted her guide to painting furniture this week. I was getting ready to paint the furniture for Christopher and Colin's new room, and the only guides I could find on the internet were ridiculously involved. I KNEW my friend Abby had a better way, so I called her to ask. The resulting conversation had me in stitches. Click on over to see her incredibly efficient, effective, and hilarious guide to painting furniture.

And me? Well, I opened my big mouth about the Katy Perry skit that Sesame Street released on the internet this past week. It was a little song she did with Elmo where she was playing dress up in a very adult costume. I wasn't alone in that opinion. Enough parents complained that Sesame Street won't be airing that clip in the new season, but Mel on BlogHer thinks it was a big to-do about nothing. 

So that's what we have been up to. What's new in your world? Oh, and do you live around here? We would love to add you as a contributor. The pay stinks, but the community is lovely. Let me know.

Friday Roundup 2

It may have been quiet around here this week, but our bloggers have been busy at their own sites. I hope you have a moment to click through and check out what they have been up to!

Remember Abby's no-good-terrible-awful run of refrigerator luck? Yeah. That didn't really end. It wasn't enough to just spoil TWO rounds of food and meals, it had to go and beat her up too.

Cyndi celebrated her ninth anniversary with her wonderful husband this week. She spent some time considering naming conventions; who takes whose name, what happens when you take each other's names, and what do the kids do with all of those names later on in life?

Erin is proving her talents in marketing by renaming the hilariously ill-named new double stroller from Bugaboo. Let's just say that they might should check our her resume before they launch any new products. Also, maternity overalls. With hooker heels. Oh my.

Many congratulations to Andrea for her first post as a regular contributor to WRAL's GO Ask Mom! blog as their faith blogger. She had a guest post earlier this summer, and they obviously liked it since they've invited her to come on for a monthly column. GO check it out!

I love it when Ilina dons her cape and takes on the world. Especially the food industry world. And most especially the disgusting bastardization of the Bento lunches that can be so incredibly cute (and no, that link isn't to a Triangle blogger, but could you just DIE from the cuteness of those healthy lunches?). She's on it, peeps, and you should take a listen.

Just how many bags do you have in use right this very moment? Mel's are taking over her home and car. I have to admit, since I pledged never to carry another bag that wasn't made by Holly Aiken or myself, I have gotten a pretty good handle on my bag issues.

Sue has questions. I know you have answers. Hop on over to Motherhood and Me to leave a comment about how you balance your online life in your real life. I haven't left a comment, because has I've demonstrated this year, I suck at it. If my real life gets busy, I just ditch the internet completely. *Ahem* poor neglected Triangle Mamas blog *Ahem*

And me? Well, I finally got my piano moved into our new studio space. That may sound kind of boring, but I assure you, you WANT to click over and see the pictures of the incredibly GIANT man in black who shouldered the main weight of my 900 pound piano up a flight of stairs. It was amazing. Terrifying, and amazing. 

The most wonderful news we have is that Kelly had a beautiful baby girl. Welcome to the world, Stella Quinn. We are so happy you are here.

How about you? What have you been up to this week?

Friday Roundup

You might have noticed that Triangle Mamas has some spurts of silence. That would be because we are all volunteers, and we all have other blogs that we are maintaining. Or, if you are me, you might just be entirely too wrapped up in the delicious baby in your arms to bother with the computer.

In case you are just following Triangle Mamas and not all of its fabulous bloggers individually, we are going to start offering a Friday Roundup which will highlight our bloggers in their other spaces over the week. I hope you will enjoy the links!

Abby is recovering from a truly craptastic month. I hope, at the very least, that the firefighters were really cute and shirtless. 

Cyndi has been pondering the odd things that come out of her mouth as a mama. I never say anything odd like, "Don't paint your penis."

Sue has been traveling. And traveling. And traveling. In her travels, she managed to take my most favorite picture of a cow EVER. It's the first one in the post, and I'm going to ask her if I can have a copy. Oh, and her kids had a great time at the South Mountain Creamery too. But that cow is adorable.

Ilina has been speaking up for all of the children in our community. Poverty is not a choice, and the list of things children living in poverty don't have is endless. 

Melissa wrote a hilarious letter to her sleep fighting baby, but I'm linking up to this great picture of her oldest son and his jedi, Burt.

Andrea has been contemplating diversity within her own life and her home in a transitional neighborhood.

Technically, this is from last week, but Erin has NEWS! Congratulations, Erin!

And me? Well, I've been doing the Facebook purge. It felt great, by the way.

Happy reading! Hope you have a great weekend!

New Web Site for Safety Information

Attention Parents!

The JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) has just launched a new section of their Web site, specifically for you, called the Parenthood.

Caregivers can get access to important information, recall announcements and tips on safety from well-renowned safety experts like Alison Rhodes. Rhodes provides advice like her ABC’s of Safety:

Awareness is the most critical element. Babies begin rolling over, crawling and walking when you least expect it. While your child might not be able to roll off the changing table today, by tomorrow she could. Recognize that every child is different and be aware of your child's "vulnerabilities." Some children are natural climbers so securing heavy furniture to the walls might be the top priority. Other children are more interested in ingesting anything they can get their hands on. For them, cabinet and drawer locks for the kitchen and bathrooms would be more important.

Barriers are necessary to ensure your baby's safety. Whether it's installing gates on stairs or locks on cabinets, it's important that safeguards be put in place. Don't forget the existing barriers in your home. Home offices, exercise rooms and laundry rooms are no place for children. By installing automatic door closers and bolts at the top of the doors you can keep these areas off limits. Locks and alarms should also be placed on patio doors. Little ones can very quickly learn how to open a slider door.

Controlling your child's environment will allow them the freedom to explore while at the same time protecting them from hazards. We call them "safe zones." These are areas that have been secured and where your child is always within your view. We occasionally hear objections, especially from first time parents, that they want their child to be able to have the run of the house. This is risky as there are too many opportunities for your child to be out of your sight. Safe zones can be large enough to give your child ample room to explore and play while in a secure area.

Sign up now for a FREE membership to the Parenthood and receive important safety updates as well as have a chance to win some cool baby gear!

Erin can be found hanging out with her 13 month old son and husband and on her blog Tales from a Marketing Mama. She also serves as Director of Marketing Communications at juvenile distributor Scandinavian Child.

Santa or No?

by Erin

I love Christmas. It’s such a MAGICAL time for me. I love being with my family. I love the spirit of the season. I have fond memories of Santa Clause. I loved the stories, I loved leaving out yummy goodies for the reindeer and I loved the simple magic of Jolly Ol’ St. Nick. I have no recollection of the day I found out he wasn’t real. Not a smidge of a catastrophe or a peek of being devastated lingers in my head.

Imagine my surprise when a few years ago, my husband made some off-hand comment about not doing Santa with our future children. Um…excuse me? I don’t know that I heard you correctly, WHAT?

For the last few years, I call him SCROOGE at least 2-3 times over the holiday season and we make a joke. But now the time is actually upon us to figure this thing out. I know that technically the Bug will have NO idea about Santa this year, and probably won’t next year either for that matter. But it’s the principle. And I feel we need to get to the bottom of it now.

I’ll admit…we haven’t had an in-depth conversation about this yet. I’m sort of avoiding it because I feel deep down that my husband will have a point and I’ll understand that point regardless of the fact that I want to tell him he has no soul and run and hide under the covers. He just doesn’t want to lie to our children – not out and out about something completely fictional. (We’ll work on the white lie with him later.)

So what do we do?

Do we simply talk about Santa in the context of Christmas but never say he’s coming to visit? (Ouch, I just felt a jab in my heart.) Do I tell the Bug that his daddy doesn’t believe in magic and fairy dust and to not listen to him? (Ok, bad idea.) I just don’t want our kid to be the one who ruins it for everyone else. I can just imagine the phone calls I get from parents telling me the Bug told their kid “You silly, Santa Clause is a made-up story by adults who enjoy perpetuating lies to their children for their own pleasure.” ACK! I don’t want that.

I’m not one to say that he’s watching you as I know some families do. It makes sense to me as a way to get your children to behave, but I sort of think it’s creepy. The idea of some old man watching me when I’m sleeping gives me the willies. I just want the Bug to be able to write Christmas lists…to see his excitement on Christmas morning as he looks out to see what Santa brought for him. I guess it would be just as exciting to see what mom and dad brought him, but that just doesn’t seem as fun to me.

And the hubs and I are in complete agreement about taking him to see Santa at the mall. That sounds like PURE HELL to me. It won't happen. I'm not standing in line with a bunch of snotty nosed, H1N1 ridden kids just to sit my child on some random guy's lap. Wow...I didn't realize I felt so strongly until I spit out that sentence. Guess there's a bit of Scrooge in everyone!

But seriously, I know there has to be a happy medium. I just want the Bug to have a little bit of Santa. I know we can’t be the only family who has to deal with this issue.

What do you think? How do we make this work?

Erin also blogs at her Parents Pick 2009 winning blog at Motherhood in the Industry. Follow her on Twitter @Mktg_Mama.