I just wanted to pop in and let you know that Blogher is doing a Mother’s Day series and they’re syndicating the letter to Moms I wrote a few weeks back – check it out, along with the others, if you’d like!
And here’s a cutie photo of my babies I took last month. I’m still around, working, being a Mom, taking a photos…
Oh AND I posted on my BFP blog about a labor and almost-delivery that I photographed in the fall.
OH OH OH and Clara is a toddler.
I am so excited to announce the winners to The Vintage Pearl giveaway. I loooved so many of your selections. First, I wanted to share with you my choice. Erin asked me to choose any piece and, as you can imagine, it was not an easy choice, however, I knew I wanted a new ring so once I saw this, I just knew.
When it arrived and fit so perfectly, my heart felt so very happy. It’s amazing how a simple piece of jewelry can feel so good in your heart…
Except, it’s more than that. When you can personalize something, the power it holds is truly unbelievable. It really is the perfect gift.
Now onto the lucky winners:
Congratulations! The winners have been contacted and should check your email!
Thanks again to The Vintage Pearl for a sweet giveaway.
Happy Mother’s Day!
I have a very serious love affair with hand-stamped jewelry. Every time I put my Vintage Pearl necklace on, I feel like I am wearing something so significant and pretty.
You can see why I’m so smitten by it.
And look at what’s The Vintage Pearl is offering now – custom jewelry with your child’s handwriting or artwork. GAH. I die.
So when Erin contacted me about working together to celebrate Mother’s Day, I was all in!
And YOU, pretty Mama, can win!
I am giving away one $50 gift certificate to TWO lucky people from The Vintage Pearl. Whether you use it for you (please do), your mom, step-mom, your mother-in-law, your sister, your neighbor, your auntie, your grammie, your nana, your postal carrier, your hair dresser … it’s entirely up to you.
To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is head over the The Vintage Pearl, check out their pretty products and come back and tell me which item is YOUR favorite. (if you win, you can choose anything, it doesn’t have to be the item you tell me about in the comment!)
SECOND CHANCE TO WIN - tweet or facebook this giveaway and you get a second chance to win. YOU MUST enter a separate comment WITH a link to your tweet or facebook post!
(a simple way to share on Facebook, click on this link and hit share!)
This giveaway will be closed on Monday, April 21st at 5pm CST. Winner will be chosen at random.
Good luck, friends!
(all comments are under moderation. If your comment doesn’t appear right away, do not worry, it will soon. Promise!)
Dear new mothers and soon-to-be-mothers and maybe even mothers who have been mothers for a long damn time,
I’ve decided to write you all a letter based on things I’ve learned since becoming a mother. I have four children, the oldest being 10, the youngest is 18 months old. Although I haven’t been a mother as long as many other mothers, I think I’ve earned a place to be able to share some advice that should only help you not only be a better mother but perhaps will also bring you some inner-peace.
1. When grocery shopping, always park next to a cart corral. Forget trying to find the closest space to the door.
2. If your mother-in-law comes over and folds your laundry, don’t get annoyed. She just saved you from folding a load of laundry. I don’t care if she folded it upside-down or inside-out. The job is done. Be grateful.
3. If she wipes your counter tops, mops the floors and cleans your toilets, it’s not because you’re not a good housekeeper, it’s because you’re a good mother.
4. Hand the camera to your husband and ask him to take a photo of you and your little ones. He’s not going to think of it so stop expecting him to, it’s not that he doesn’t love you, it’s that his brain doesn’t work that way. Cut him some slack and just ask, you’ll end up getting a photo you’ll always be glad you had.
5. If your child prefers your husband over you sometimes, don’t get sad or hurt, be grateful your child loves his or her father.
6. If your husband tells you you’re beautiful after having a baby, don’t respond with an insult to yourself. He said it because you’re beautiful. Listen to him.
7. If you feel like your mother is advising you as a mother, she’s not judging, she’s helping and she wants to see you succeed. She’ll never stop wanting you to be a successful, happy person. You’ll do the same with your own child someday. Just take a deep breath and say “ok, Mom.” Even if you don’t agree. Your child will do the same with you someday.
8. If you’re pregnant and reading this, after you have your baby, you won’t be the center of attention anymore, your stomach will resemble mashed potatoes and your boobs will swell and hurt like you’ve never felt before. Motherhood is not always pretty. It’s okay to cry, it’s okay to be sad. The beginning is so very hard.
9. If you’re pregnant and reading this, I guarantee you think these things won’t happen to you or they won’t be as bad as you think … but they will. (but you still won’t believe me.)
10. If you’ve made a decision to breastfeed, make a commitment to breastfeed. If you decide it doesn’t work for you, it’s more difficult than you thought, it’s just not for you; don’t make excuses, you’re the mother, it’s your decision to make. Own it.
11. It’s okay to want time alone. It’s good to have time alone. For all of you.
12. Don’t ever judge other mothers. When you judge others, your children can hear you. When you love others, your children can hear you AND feel it, too.
13. Don’t ever judge other children.
14. Do something for yourself every single day.
15. Every day, from morning to night, there are people who love you more than they love themselves. Even with your imperfections, your lack of patience, even without makeup, you are so loved. These people are your children and they are so lucky to have you.
Eli has a strong will. He knows what he wants. He knows what he doesn’t want. But he’s also incredibly sweet and snuggly. He’s an amazing sleeper. A great napper (even still). He loves to play bowling, with any object available. He loves raw vegetables and prefers them to pizza. When there are vegetables on his plate, he always, always eats them first. He adores his pacifier and I dread the day when I have to take them away. (but that day is quickly approaching.) He loves, loves his brother and his sisters and loves spending time with people. I can’t believe he’ll be three tomorrow. I also can’t believe he’s still blonde. I never would have dreamed I’d have a blonde child. I absolutely love it.
Today, I took time out of his busy schedule and asked him a few questions before his nap. I think you’ll see that this boy has a serious silly side to him. He’s so much fun and makes us laugh constantly. I love that he’s mine. (this is Eli’s first birthday interview! I look forward to doing many more!)
****
So Eli, what’s tomorrow? Um, my birthday.
How old will you be? 3
How much do you like your pacifier? Two minutes.
What’s your favorite color? blue and blue and blue and blue
Do you like your scooter or your bike? Scooter AND my bike
What’s your favorite food? broccoli and nothing
Do you like pizza? No.
Do you like grilled Cheese? No. Mac and cheese (he loves grilled cheese, by the way)
Do you love peaches? Yes.
Juicy peaches? Yes. I want my pacifier.
Eli, did you know that you’re too old for your paci? No, I’m not too old for my paci, I’m a baby.
Who do you love? Anna and Noah, Daddy, Mommy, Clara and Windy and fruit snacks. And TreyB. (Windy is our cleaning lady, he loves her and the fact that she brings him fruit snacks.) (TreyB is his closest and most beloved cousin.)
Did you go to Chicago? Yes.
What did you do in Chicago? Play with Xavier and mommy took my picture.
Did you have lunch at the Rainforest Cafe? I scared of them.
Of what? Snakes, gorillas and elephants.
Do you want to go back? nope nope nope nope.
nope.
What do you like to do? play bowling.
Is bowling your favorite? Yes.
Are you a good sleeper? Yes.
Who do you sleep with? Louis, my doggie.
Are you cute? Nope.
Are you friendly? nope. I’m a big boy.
Are you handsome? nope.
What’s your name? Eli Harrison crunch.That’s funny. Elijah Harrison Fletcher crunch.
Eli, Mommy loves you. Nope.
Happy Birthday. Happy birthday! Thank you!
