Mom Interview: Runs with Cutie Face

Mom interviews are back! We're kicking off with a great one. Enjoy!

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am thrilled to be a stay-at-home-mom to our 15-month old daughter, affectionately called "Cutie Face" on my blog. My husband and I celebrated our 5th anniversary 6 days before Cutie Face was born. Cutie Face's current claim to fame is her birthdate: 08-08-08, which means that my husband and I have now been married for nearly 6.5 years! That is crazy! (you can find out more about us here)

I am even more blessed to say that I am a Christian and, despite my many many failures, am loved unconditionally by my Savior! This fact alone keeps me going throughout the day, even when i'm tired and defeated by the weariness of the world.

My husband was a grad student for the first 4 years of our married life which meant he did not find those years ideal times for starting a family. As soon as he graduated, we started trying and, unfortunately suffered three miscarriages before finally (joyfully!) welcoming Cutie Face into the world. We are blessed beyond measure to share that we are now expecting our second daughter in February!

2. What is the best part about being a mom? What melts your heart?
The best part about being a mom is that I get to share the world with my daughter. It is amazing to watch the world come alive again when I view it through her eyes.

What most definitely melts my heart is when I watch my daughter with my husband. Beyond Priceless. in fact, I love those moments SO much that, if you were to look through my pictures you'd think J was an only parent--I have so many photos of the two of them together it is crazy...but it melts my heart every time!

3. What's the hardest?

The hardest thing about being a mom is realizing that you are in charge of a little one's upbringing--whether or not they are polite, kind, respectful, knowledgeable, etc--you have SO much influence on them and...they are watching every move you make! {Of course, it is incredibly hard to watch them be sick or get hurt!!!}

(following in my footsteps?)

4. How do you balance your life and the many roles you carry? Wife, mother, teacher, friend.. how do you find time to take care and nurture yourself?

Wow! This is a tough question! I think that the majority of my balance is putting everything into perspective and that largely comes from being grounded in my faith and in the Bible.

Secondly, it helps to remember that there is a time and place for everything.

Cutie Face went through a long 4 months of colicky behavior and I remember J asking why she was crying so much and when would she stop. My answer was to say, well, most likely, Cutie Face won't be crying like this past a year of age so we have less than 300 days left! And I could handle anything for 300 days! Of course, she was through that stage around 5-months of age but it really helped to remember that we could handle it one day at a time.

I think that a lot of things do have to change once you become a mother and, again, it all comes down to priorities. I definitely don't see my friends as much as I used to nor do I get as much done throughout the day (hello laundry!). One of my priorities is running. I am a competitive runner for my local track club and I incorporate my training runs with Cutie Face every day. We go for runs with her in the baby jogger when it is time for her to nap--guaranteed to put her to sleep and allows me to get out in the fresh air and do something for myself! Perfect!

5. What has happened to you as a mother that you never expected?

I've become more environmentally conscious! I took AP Environmental Science when I was a senior in high school but it wasn't until I became a mom that I really thought more about protecting the Creation that God gave us. I've become a cloth diapering, make-my-own cleaning supplies, baby-food making, crazy crunchy mama. Never thought that would happen. Oh! And I blog. Never thought I'd be "one of those" bloggers, either :)

6. What's your favorite part of the day?

I love it when she wakes up in the morning. She is so joyful right from the get-go. Her spirit for life is incredible! I also love bathtime with Cutie Face because she gets such a kick out of bubbles and "swimming".

7.What is your #1 mom tip?

#1- Relax! #2--treat your first child like your 2nd child (even if you aren't planning to have another kid!). J and I took on the philosophy that we'd probably slack off a bit about being paranoid by the time #2 rolled around so why not cut to the chase and just treat #1 like we'd (most likely) treat #2? We surprise a lot of people by how relaxed we are--i think we often make our parents worry that we aren't more concerned! But we also think that our attitude allows Cutie Face to be more relaxed and easy-going.

8.What do you wish someone would have told you about being a mom?

I actually think my mom did an excellent job of teaching us what it was like to be a mom. She taught us about priorities (kids don't come first--God does then marriage) and how to have fun with your kids while still demanding their respect (and boy did we know when we were not respecting her!).

I guess I wished I believed it when people told me how fast time flies once your little one is born. I cannot believe we have a 15-month old and that we'll be welcoming #2 in 3 months! Cherish each moment!

9.What do you try to tech your children every day? What are your parenting values?

I try to cultivate a curiosity about the world in Cutie Face. When we are on walks or even browsing through the grocery store we're talking about what things are and what they sound like, etc. Everything is a learning opportunity and I love watching the world unfurl before her.

10. Where can we learn more about you?

I have two blogs: Monkeys on the Bed! where i have a theme for every day but mainly allude to being a mama. My second blog, {life with} Cutie Face is our family blog and is pretty standard fare for family blogs. It keeps the grandparents happy, though, and serves as a great reminder of things we've done! I'm also on twitter!

Mama Interview: Melinda's Confessions

How many kids do you have and how old are they?
I have two children, a 12-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old son.

2. What is the best part about being a mom?

Besides the hugs and kisses (which are few and far between now with my 12-year-old!), I think knowing I’m shaping and guiding little people to grow up to love God and live lives of purpose. (That’s the plan anyway!)

3. What's the hardest part?

See answer under previous question! ;0)

4. What has happened to you as a mother that you never expected?

How fast they change. I wasn’t prepared for that. It seemed like overnight, they just transform from one stage to the next. One day, my daughter worshipped princesses, the next she hated pink and wanted to wear camo gear. It has made me slow down and appreciate each day with them more.

5. If you could give a new mom one piece of advice, what would it be?
Relax. You won’t get everything right and that’s okay.

6. What our values and belief's in raising your children?

I think first and foremost, I want to instill in them a love and obedience of God. If I do that right, everything else kind of falls into place. I think the biggest thing I work on is giving unconditional love. Allowing them to speak their minds (respectfully) and fail sometimes. I spent too much time early on in parenting expecting perfection and it just killed relationship. Loving them and guiding them through their (and my) inevitable mistakes is the philosophy I try to follow now.

7. What was the biggest change that happened once you had your first baby?

Sacrifice. It couldn’t be about me anymore. Marriage certainly did that to some extent. However, having a helpless little person dependent on you for everything makes you really put your ego on the back burner.

8. What is your favorite part of the day with your kids?

Bedtime, but not for the reasons you think! ;0) Truly, it seems like they are just sweeter and more vulnerable and communicative about their feelings right before they fall asleep.

9. Do you have a favorite age?

Not really. I love each age and the lessons and growth it brings to both them and me.

10. What do you and your kids do for fun?

I play a lot of Wii with my son. We also go to the beach and a lot of baseball games together as a family.

11. How do you feel about kids and television? Do your kids watch TV?

Yes, they do, but neither of them care alot about TV. During the school year they have limits …90 minutes of total media time (which includes computer, TV … anything with a screen.) During the summer, we’re a little looser with time limits simply because there is so much unstructured time to fill. However, I’m still very careful about the content they view.

12. What’s your #1 mom tip?

Don’t put pressure on yourself to be “supermom.”

13. Where do you blog at and what do you write about?

My blog is “Coming Clean: Confessions of an Imperfect Parent” at http://parentingconfessions.com. I blog with humor about my own struggles as a parent and what God and my kids are teaching me through real-life everyday experiences and challenges.

Thanks Melinda!

Mama interview: Kristen with Four

1. How many kids do you have and how old are they?

My husband and I have four children—all blessing from the Lord. We call them our little stair steps as they are 6 ½ , 5, 3, and 9 months.

2. What is the best part about being a mom?

I love that the Lord has called me to care for and nurture these souls. Most days are trying and all days are busy, but HE never gives a responsibility without also giving the strength and wisdom to handle it.

I also love the fact that my kids feel secure with me. To have chubby arms reach out for me and faces light up when I enter a room—it is priceless!

3. What's the hardest part?

The biggest challenge is spreading my time and attention among everyone while teaching them to live selflessly. I want to give my all, but the children need to know that I am only one person and that I cannot and should not do everything they want, every time they want it. It is a constant inner battle—do I sacrifice what I am doing to read a story, therefore laying down my wants for theirs, or do I ask them to wait on that story, therefore teaching them to lay down their own wants?

4. What has happened to you as a mother that you never expected?

I never knew it was possible to use the bathroom with a baby propped on your lap. Or that you could fold laundry or chop vegetables with one arm.

On a more serious note, I didn’t realize until my first was born how fully life changes with parenthood. It is no longer in your power when you go to bed and how long you sleep and when you eek out time to prepare a meal. Your life is suddenly affected and altered by a tiny being. As you teach and guide and train, you take back pieces of control, but your life is never the same!

5. If you could give a new mom one piece of advice, what would it be?

Remember that this is a season. Life may be different in a day, in a week, in a year, but this is your lot for right now. You will be glad to see some seasons drift away, like the season of nursing every hour, on the hour. Other seasons you will cling to, like the season of rocking snuggly baby to sleep. But all seasons, regardless of your affection or disaffection, will cease and usher in new ones.

6. What our values and beliefs in raising your children?

I consider myself a natural-minded parent. I love natural childbirth, I breastfeed exclusively and extensively (for 2-3 years), I delay solids (until 8-10 months), I co-sleep… BUT God instructs us to rely on HIM and not on our own understanding so every decision is taken to Him in prayer.

We have strong beliefs about keeping our children with us in almost all situations. As a result, we rarely use a babysitter, and as we believe in family worship, that includes the church nursery.

Though we do everything as a family, our children have endless chances to be with other children and other adults in many social situations. What a blessing for the children to be able to interact with people of all ages!

7. What is your favorite part of the day with your kids?

I love dinner time when my husband is home and we all gather together to share a meal and reflect on our day. No matter what is going on or what still needs to be done, this is a time to stop and simply share as a family.

8. Do you have a favorite age?

Each age has its own challenges and blessings. As my children move through life, I discover new joys with each season. (Who knew I would feel like throwing a party when my child learned to dress himself?) However, I especially enjoy the age (around 1) when my children begin to speak. It is fun for all of us to decipher the new vocabulary that pours forth from little mouths!

9. What do you and your kids do for fun?

We love to gather on the couch for reading time. We are voracious readers and we devour board books and picture books and chapter books with equal vigor. Nothing beats being smashed together with a good book! It is also a great time to grab those illusive kisses from children who are otherwise too busy to stop for cuddles.

10. How do you feel about kids and television? Do your kids watch TV?

This is a tough one, but as with most things in this ever-changing life with little ones, we are directed by the seasons. I do let my children watch television, though I attempt to greatly limit the minutes spent caught in its trance! However, during periods of illness or the end stages of a pregnancy or when we are adjusting to home life with a new baby, I do adjust our viewing hours to allow for more “veg” time.

11. What’s your #1 mom tip?

Begin training early. So many women speak of “The Terrible Twos” or “The Even More Terrible Threes,” but those years can be joyful if the groundwork has been laid! As soon a baby can begin to demand its own way, we can begin guiding him in the way of obedience. Just as our Heavenly Father leads us, we must train these little souls consistently with patience and gentleness.

12. Where do you blog and what do you write about?

My blog is called Bits and Pieces From My Life. I don’t feel compelled to share every detail of my life (hence the name) so you rarely hear about what I am doing and where I am going from day to day, but I choose to share special tidbits and pictures. I am planning several great “Mom” giveaways this summer. You can find me at http://from-my-life.blogspot.com.

13. Anything else you’d like to tell us about?

Remember that if we are called as mothers, we have been given a noble task in God’s kingdom. “Rather as servants of God, we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance, in troubles, hardships, and distresses…in hard work, sleepless nights, and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience, and kindness.” (2 Corinthians 6:4-6)

Mama interview

I was interviewed today on the FIt Crazed Momma blog- Mission Possible. She is a Body After Baby contestant as well! Go check out my interview!

Here is a great interview from Kayce.

1. How many kids do you have and how old are they?

I have a 2 year old daughter

2. What is the best part about being a mom?

I think the best part about being a mom is having someone that looks up to you and loves you unconditionally. You can make booboos go away with a kiss and your kids give the best hugs.

3. What's the hardest part?

Having to tell them no. It just breaks my daughter's heart if she can't have something she wants and I say no.

4. What has happened to you as a mother that you never expected?

I never expected to feel the way I do about my daughter. It's stronger than anything anyone had ever described.

5. If you could give a new mom one piece of advice, what would it be?

Don't listen to "advice" strangers give you. Most times it just makes you mad, and then you want to prove them wrong haha.

6. What our values and belief's in raising your children?

I want them to be the best people they can be. Don't lie, don't cheat, don't steal. And of course that God is out there and he watches over us all the time. And to let them be their own person. You can't make them into who you want them to be. Give them a little free reign every once in awhile.

7. What was the biggest change that happened once you had your first baby?

Spending my time doing other things besides reading and video games. I love playing with my daughter, but it's a huge thing to not have that much time to yourself everyday.

8. What is your favorite part of the day with your kids?

I work everyday, and so my favorite is right when I get off work and my daughter runs to the door and gives me hugs and kisses. It makes me feel so loved.

9. Do you have a favorite age?

My favorite age would have to be newborns to about 4 months. Just holding them close and knowing that they truly depend on you is one of my favorites.

10. What do you and your kids do for fun?

We go to the park, play games, read books, chase the cat. We do strange things around our house -haha.

11. How do you feel about kids and television? Do your kids watch TV?

My daughter has never been one for TV. She is too busy. But, she loves to sit and watch Veggietales and Winnie the Pooh. I don't have a problem with them watching television as long as they don't become one of those kids that sits in front of the TV all day and does nothing else.

12. What’s your #1 mom tip?

Enjoy it while you can! They are never the same age again, and one day you will wonder where the time went if you didn't pay close enough attention.

13. Where do you blog at and what do you write about?

I have a family blog at http://ekalbtwin.blogspot.com that is pretty much just about what we are up to and such. I also have a blog just for pregnancy, babies, all that stuff. I am training to be a doula, so I am just writing everything I learn. That one is athttp://kaycesdoulajourney.blogspot.com.

14. Anything else you’d like to tell us about?

No matter how bad it gets, parenting is the greatest thing that has ever happened in my life. I wouldn’t trade it for the world

Mama Interview: Paige's IVF Miracle

 1. How many kids do you have and how old are they?

I have one daughter, Aellyn, and she is almost 4 months old!  She is an IVF with ICSI miracle !

2. What is the best part about being a mom?

Uh, after waiting so long I cherish every minute but I guess I'd say I love the closeness I feel when nursing and always feeling her next to me while we cosleep.  Oh, that smile !  What a dream - melts my heart.  I wonder what I lived for before her. 

3. What's the hardest part?

Worry.  Making a decision about a parenting style or health care choice is easy when you are looking at cold hard facts but much more difficult with an infant in your arms.  For, example, my husband and I decided after much research that we would not be giving our daughter the vitamin K shot routinely given to newborns.  My first night home from the hospital I woke up in the middle of the night in a panic thinking about how I'd feel if she was the one in 10,000 who died of hemorrhagic disease. My first lesson in the second guessing that parenting is rife with.

4. What has happened to you as a mother that you never expected?

 I'm part of a secret (or not-so-secret) mommy club!  Mothers seem to come up and talk to me and meet my baby and I of course want to meet theirs.  Instant camaraderie even if it is just a look across the deli counter.

5. If you could give a new mom one piece of advice, what would it be?

Trust your instincts!  I think the plethora of parenting book, while informative, might undermine our trust in ourselves.  Maternal instinct is very real and infinitely valuable.  You know your own child best.  Counting diapers, hours since last feeding, and comparing nap times with "the book" can steal some of the joy of being a mommy. 

6. What our values and belief's in raising your children?

Ah, deep question.  I think I have two primary beliefs guiding my parenting style.  One, I think it is important to make decisions for the long term and not the immediate, or as Dr. Phil says "you aren't raising kids you're raising adults!"  To me, this is the heart of Attachment Parenting.  I nurse, co-sleep, babywear, and respond to my daughters needs empathetically not because it is convenient now but because I know it will nurture her for the future.  My other belief is that God knows what he is doing.  He built us to be curious and healthy - and I trust that many things we tinker with are better when they grow organically and that forcing them can have undesired effects.  For example, I believe that learning is natural for all humans and does not require "schooling" and, in fact, schooling can take away the love of learning.  I also believe that with good diet and lifestyle the body is amazingly adept at fighting infection and disease so I work to boost my family's immune system naturally and avoid unnecessary medicinal interventions.  

 

7. What was the biggest change that happened once you had your first baby?

 We can't just go to the movies!  My husband and I go to the movies as our hobby.  We see everything - we are cinema connoisseurs.  Now we have to coordinate with my parents or sister - our babysitters - as well as my milk supply!  A long movie requires nursing right before walking out the door!  But really, what hasn't changed?

8. What is your favorite part of the day with your kids?

Bath time .  This is my special time with my daughter since I love to take baths and my husband does not.  Aellyn is a water lover and I get the biggest smiles and coos when we are in the bath together.  I can't wait until she can splash and play! 

 

9. Do you have a favorite age?

I guess I can't say from experience but there is nothing better than an infant melting into your body like you belong to her.

10. What do you and your kids do for fun? 

I like to take a wet cotton ball and rub it on Aellyn's belly and then blow on it - the cool sensation makes her smile and kick and coo with excitement!  We also like to dance in the Moby wrap. 

11. How do you feel about kids and television? Do your kids watch TV?

I think television, like many things, is a tool that can be used well or abused.  I think that programming that is educational and is watched with a parent can be good for a child.  I think that interaction is important and not just plopping the kids down in front of the electronic babysitter.  And, honestly I dislike "television" for the commercials that encourage materialism and sexualize everything. I'd rather use my television with DVDs so I can control the content better and avoid advertisements aimed at young children.  

For now, at 3 months old my daughter doesn't watch TV and I'm not sure when she will start - I'll judge on a developmental basis I guess, probably starting with baby sign language videos or sing-along/dance videos that require participation so we can do them together.

12. What’s your  #1 mom tip?

Trust your mama instincts - they are real and God given! 

3. Where do you blog at and what do you write about?

I blog at Baby Dust Diaries and I blog about life, health, infertility, and starting in June all about being a WOHM while my husband is a SAHD !  (By the way, baby dust is a message board way to say good luck to a women trying to get pregnant).

 

14. Anything else you’d like to tell us about?

I'm an moderator at Cycle Sistas - a great community of infertile women blogging through ultrasounds, blood tests, shots, pills, and other sundries on the quest for a baby.  I'm a member of Resolve, the National Infertility Association, that does wonderful education and outreach about infertility and family building.  Also, if you know someone that is suffering with infertility (and you probably do since it effect 1 in 6 couples in the U.S.) don't miss my How to Support an Infertile Friend . 

 

Mama Interview: A domestic diva??!

1. How many kids do you have and how old are they? 

I have one daughter (Lucy), who will be 6 months on June 15th.

2. What is the best part about being a mom? 

So far? I love breast feeding. But I think the absolute best part is that wonderful feeling I get when I make Lucy happy. Nothing is more rewarding than meeting her needs and nothing is more thrilling than making her smile and making her laugh. Plus the cuddles. I really love the cuddles.

3. What's the hardest part?

Hmmm...I suppose the hardest part is staying sane on the rare occasion that she is inconsolable. It's just so heartbreaking. But it's also hard to interact with others now. Seems everyone thinks they have a right to touch or hold my baby without asking. And that makes me really angry. Plus there's an underlying fear that people will criticize me for my parenting decisions. But I'm working on not caring what other people think since I'M the mama and I get to decide what's best for my family. 

4. What has happened to you as a mother that you never expected? 

It's been easier than I imagined, much easier. I've found that it isn't nearly as much work as everybody makes it out to be, at least, not yet. And I've found that I have an easier time being strong and doing what needs to be done. I guess my inner "mama bear" has given me a better ability to buckle down and work hard when that's what it takes.

5. If you could give a new mom one piece of advice, what would it be? 

Don't parent passively. By that I mean, do your homework. Think about the decisions you need to make. Research parenting styles. Learn about child development. Question your assumptions about everything. Make whatever choice you think is best for your kids whether that means sleep sharing or not, or home birthing or not, or whatever. But actively learn about parenting and parenting-related issues and then make the decision. Don't let convention or others make it for you.

6. What our values and belief's in raising your children? 

I believe in attachment parenting. We practice safe sleep sharing, baby wearing, nursing on demand, and so on. Right now I'm reading Unconditional Parenting by Alphie Kohn. So far I really love what he has to say. My main goal is to have a healthy, happy adult as the result of my parenting. And I think the best way to get there is to meet Lucy's needs and, over time, teach he to meet those needs on her own. And I think one of our greatest needs is to feel loved. So we make a big effort to make sure Lucy feels our love for her.

7. What was the biggest change that happened once you had your first baby? 

Other than the challenges I mentioned above, I'd have to say our early breastfeeding problems. I had flat nipples and Lucy just couldn't get a good latch for a while. There were times when I had to use every ounce of strength I had to keep myself from screaming in pain during a feed. But with the help of a nursing shield, and a little time for Lucy to grow and get the hang of things everything worked out perfectly. It feels like nothing but a bad dream now.

8. What is your favorite part of the day with your kids? 

The last feed before bed time is wonderful. Everybody is feeling that happy sleepy feeling and we get to snuggle and reflect on the good things that happened that day. It's those times that I wish I could make time stop.

9. Do you have a favorite age?  

Well, in my limited exposure I'd have to say I'm really fond of Lucy's current age. I do get nostalgia for her newborn days sometimes. But I love how much she can interact with us now. But at the same time she's still small and easy to hold. 

10. What do you and your kids do for fun?  

Lucy loves being worn in a wrap. And she likes simple games, watching our two cats, watching anything really. She loves to look at things, her reflection, her shadow, fish swimming in a tank, anything with bright colors. And we have fun watching her.

11. How do you feel about kids and television? Do your kids watch TV? 

She tries to watch the screen sometimes when we're watching a movie but we always move her when that happens. We don't think the way scenes change are good for a developing brain. We don't have TV. When we watch things on DVD and whatnot, but we don't have cable or anything like that. We like it that way. We don't get inundated with advertising. And we can be really selective about what we do want to watch. We also find that we watch a lot less media and read more when we can't just flip on the box and "see what's on."

12. What’s your  #1 mom tip?  

Get a wrap. Moms always joke about needing an extra set of arms. That's essentially what a wrap is.

13. Where do you blog at and what do you write about? 

I have a few blogs. But my main one is Domestic Dork at www.domesticdork.blogspot.com I write about anything and everything, including topics related to parenting, home management (but, as my title makes clear, I am *not* a domestic diva), politics, books, reviews, you name it.

14. Anything else you’d like to tell us about?  
Killer Whales are not whales. They are the largest members of the dolphin family. That's just a bit of trivia for you.

Mama Interview: Courtney with Two under Two

1. How many kids do you have?

2 kids- one boy, Aidan, 22 months and one girl, Emerson, 9 months

2. What is the best part about being a mom?

That overwhelming feeling of love I get whenever I have a peaceful or fun or loving moment with my kids. 

3. What is the hardest part?

That overwhelming feeling of love I get when I think about the things I have missed by working. 

4. What has happened to you as a mother that you never expected?

I don't stick to my guns as much as I thought I would. I really let my son get away with things- like having a bottle before he goes to be, or watching TV- that I always said I would never do. 

5. If you could give a new mom one piece of advice, what would it be?

Don't try to plan things out so much.. just let your baby find their own rhythm an dwork with it. Makes life a lot easier. 

6. What are your value's and belief's in raising your children?

We believe in encouragement over everything else. We encourage them to do things that they want to do. my son loves to dance and play music- so even though he is very young, we give him musical toys and play music for him and encourage him to dance all he wants. We plan to continue to do this as both kids older- whether it is sports or school plays or playing an instrument- we will encourage them in what they want to do. We also believe in boundaries. We will not let them do 5 things a time- they need to have balance in their lives and they will have to spend time with us as a family.  We believe in teaching them to treat other equally.  We've decided to have a mommy-son and father-daughter date nice once a month where we spend time with them on their own. Our goal is to continue that until they move out.. we are Christians and have belonged to the same church for 11 years. We want our children to grow up having a secure Christina family around them.  Our values are based on our belief system. We also believe in having strong relationships with our extended family and enjoy when our kids get the chance to spend time with them, 

7. What was the biggest change that happened once you had your first baby?

It was as if time stood still-I didn't get anything done around the house- I just would sit and watch him sleep. There were so many days were he would fall asleep on my chest and i would doze off too- and we would just have this great bonding time. I am normally a very on-the-go person so this was a huge change for me. 

8. What is your favorite part of the day with your kids?

Bath time. I bathe them together and it is so much fun to watch them interact with each other and splash around. It's also right before bedtime, and there is nothing more rewarding than slipping into their rooms at night to watch them sleep. 

9. Do you have a favorite age?

I am not enjoying the "almost" 2 age... I think that so far, 8-15 months is my favorite age. They learn so much and start to do so much at that age. 

10. What do you and your kids do for fun?

We love to go to the park. My son really loves being outside and running around and going down the slides and swings. We also have a membership to the Phoenix Zoo and we love going there to watch the animals. They have a really interactive zoo and my son just loves it. My daughter is just getting to the age where she is sort of interested, so that is a lot of fun too. 

11. How do you feel about your kids and television? Do they watch TV? 

Again, here is where my perception changed after I had 2 kids in 2 years. My kids do watch TV... my son loves Yo Gabba Gabba and Curious George So, in the morning he watches George while I am getting ready for the day, and in the afternoon after he gets up from his nap, he watches Gabba.. we also let them watch a movie on occasion.  My daughter doesn't pay much attention, but every now and then I will catch her watching something. 

12. What is your #1 mom tip?

Don't set too high of expectations for yourself. You know what is best for your kids and yourself. Sometimes you won't be able to get the house cleaned and sometimes you will have to order a pizza for dinner. But, you will never get this time back with your kids, so don't worry if you cant get everything on your to-do list done, as long as you get everything on their list done!

13. Where d you blog at and what do you write about?

www.tcmoss.blogspot.com I blog about my life, not just with my kids but work and other random things as well.. It's just a place for me to vent and stay in touch with my family that doesn't live in AZ. 

14. Anything else you'd like to tell us about?

Temper tantrums at 2 are really difficult to handle. That has been my morning so far. 

Thanks Courtney for an awesome interview!! 

Mama Interview: Karen with SIX

This interview is from Karen who has six beautiful kids! 

1. How many kids do you have and how old are they?

We have 6 children, 4 boys, 2 girls.  Nathan is nearly 10, Caleb is 6, Elizabeth is 5, John is 4, Timothy is 18 months (6/6) and Lydia is 3 months (6/2).

2. What is the best part about being a mom?

Little baby laughs, watching them & their new discoveries, being someone's favorite person, & how they bring out the best & worst in me to name a few "perks". 

3. What's the hardest part?

Keeping your cool when they push your buttons.  Watching them grow up & you realize they'll never be babies again.

4. What has happened to you as a mother that you never expected?

 Getting over the "ick" factor.  I was never one for handling icky situations, especially pertaining to bodily fluids, if you catch my drift.  Now I can handle just about anything (but puke & severe runny noses).  The biggest exceptions were when I was pregnant -- couldn't do the stinky diapers very well then either!

5. If you could give a new mom one piece of advice, what would it be?

 Learn to say "no" & mean it.  You'll need that both when it comes to your children & when it comes to what activities you pursue as a family, what commitments you make as a woman with a time schedule.  There's only 24 hours in a day!    

6. What our values and belief's in raising your children?

(Don't know if I completely understand the question as written so I hope this answers it.)

  As Christians, it isn't just about raising a new generation of (hopefully) well-rounded, considerate, healthy people, although that is very important to us.  However, we believe the most important thing we can do is raising our kids to put God first in their lives.  Not the easiest path to walk, especially when we as parents struggle with relying on God as opposed to ourselves.  

7. What was the biggest change that happened once you had your first baby?

 I still haven't conquered this -- selfishness!  Didn't realize how self-centered I was until I had children!

8. What is your favorite part of the day with your kids?

 Dinner time, when we're all together.

9. Do you have a favorite age?

 More like I have a favorite attribute at each stage.  Right now, bliss is watching Lydia (3m) smile & coo at me.  Then there's Timothy (17m) and watching him try to mimic what he sees and hears.  I love the "smart" things my preschoolers (John, Elizabeth, & Caleb ages 4, 5, & 6) pick up on and repeat (although not all of them!) & how they're trying to figure out the world.  And I love the imagination of Nathan (nearly 10).  If I had to pick a favorite age, I guess it would be the baby phase from 3 months (sleeping through the night, laughing, cooing) through 9 months (when they first start to get mobile & therefore, into trouble!).

10. What do you and your kids do for fun? 

 We have 2 memberships we use often -- 1 to our local zoo & 1 to a science center.  We love movie and/or game nights, although I'm the first to admit we don't do those often enough!

11. How do you feel about kids and television? Do your kids watch TV?

 Yes, my kids watch t.v.  However, we recently got rid of cable and replaced it with a digital converter box so we're down to very basic channels.  They probably watch too much of what mom & dad watch, especially since the switch got rid of some of their favorite channels.  But we're working on getting everyone to watch less t.v.  

12. What’s your  #1 mom tip?

 Don't listen to everyone else.  Trust me, EVERYONE has an opinion on how you should raise your kids!  Ignore them, pray about it (if you are a believer), and trust your inner-mom's instinct.

13. Where do you blog at and what do you write about?

 www.StevensClan.blogspot.com  Our blog's main goal is to keep out-of-state friends and family informed of what's going on with us with a this-is-what-we-believe-and-why or a pick-me-up thrown in every now and then for good measure!

14. Anything else you’d like to tell us about?

Having 6 kids isn't crazy!  Yes, we know where they came from (you should try it sometime!) and yes, we know how to prevent "it" from happening but they're blessings, not diseases.  :)  [And yes, unfortunately, we're "done" but only because it was medically unsafe for me to get pregnant again.]   

If you would like to be interviewed, please email me! 

Mama Interview

Here's Mandy!

1. How many kids do you have and how old are they?

 1 daughter, Isabella. She is 8 months old.

2. What is the best part about being a mom?

 Definitely watching her discover the world. I look forward to seeing her every morning and seeing what she'll smile at new each day. It amazes me how she discovers new things. Definitely makes you realize how special each moment is!

3. What's the hardest part?

 Your whole life changes. YOu no longer can just go to the movies or visit a friend when you want. Budgeting becomes tighter because its not about you anymore-- its all about your child! However, its totally worth it.

4. What has happened to you as a mother that you never expected?

 I never expected myself to consider getting a mini-van. Hahahaha!

5. If you could give a new mom one piece of advice, what would it be?

 Be patient with yourself and don't be disappointed if things don't go according to your perfect "plan". Remember that you are a wonderful mother!

6. What our values and belief's in raising your children?

 I just focus on spending quality time together as a family; incorporating health and wellness into our activities together and making sure she is happy and healthy. Other than that, I just want to make sure she knows how much she is loved~!

7. What was the biggest change that happened once you had your first baby?

 Sleep. Whats that??

8. What is your favorite part of the day with your kids?

 Morning. There is nothing better than the morning smiles:)

9. Do you have a favorite age?

 I only have one baby, so I don't have anything to compare her to! But so far, I have enjoyed every moment. Newborns have that special cuddly spot....but I really love her right now .... she is SO fun!

10. What do you and your kids do for fun? 

 Go for walks, run errands, play music, dance :)

11. How do you feel about kids and television? Do your kids watch TV?

 I don't think TV should be used as a babysitter.

12. What’s your  #1 mom tip?

 Make time for yourself. It only makes you a better mom:)

13. Where do you blog at and what do you write about?

 http://www.theleonardsfamily.blogspot.com Fitness & Family... budgeting, parenting, fitness tips etc.

14. Anything else you’d like to tell us about?

 Nope thats it! :)