The husband and I have had our very first disagreement regarding how we are raising our children. Honestly, I was quite surprised by his stance on this and find the debate fascinating. It's definitely worth discussing.



While on a play date at the home of one of Enzo's little girlfriends, he was introduced to the delightful and creative world of play kitchens. Dude has always had a special place in his heart for kitchen utensils and was in hog heaven.



He kept bringing me… Continue

I bought the house my family lives in 7 years ago.  I was young, single, and made a very meager living.  It was a fixer upper and little by little over the course of a year, I fixed it up with anyone who was willing to help.  The home has 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom.  I never imagined that I would still be living in this house with a husband and 2 kids.  It was simply supposed to be a starter home.



We also have 2 other homes that we rent out.  Unfortunately, in a very competitive…

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I'd like to think I practice humility.  Actually, no, I know I practice humility--most of the time.  After all, I am only human.  I'd also like to think I am open minded and try my best not to judge anyone.  Again, sometimes it can be difficult not to judge someone's beliefs or actions when there is a stark contrast from your own.  We are not perfect and we make mistakes and are often wrong.  If I was wrong, I apologize.



I recently had a incident happen on Facebook which left me… Continue

It's sometime in the early morning and Enzo has been asleep for several hours.  All is quiet, everyone is sleeping soundly.  Then it happens. A wail comes from the nursery that makes you wide-eyed and breaks your heart.  It's not a typical cry.  It's a something scary has me in their grip and they're about to bite my head off kind of cry. 





"Mamaaaaaaaa!"  he sobs.



I run in his room where he is standing in his crib, facing the door and anxiously waiting for…

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Unfortunately, for my house and my family, I never experienced the phenomenon of nesting. I waited and waited, actually welcoming the idea of having an organized and spotless house for once. But alas, it never happened. Maybe I was too tired, or lazy, or perhaps I am not as maternal as some (although, I would beg to differ on the latter).…

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I have been working on this post for some time.  For whatever reason, I can't ever be happy with it.  Nothing I put in these paragraphs can do this experience any justice.  I am now an even bigger advocate for women being able to choose the way in which they give birth.  When done the way YOU intend, the journey is the most remarkable and rewarding of your life.  Here is the…

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I hate to admit it, but Massimo is a fussy baby.  He has periods of extreme misery where he just cries and cries and often the cause is unknown.  Today I went to the grocery store.  Luckily,Enzo was with his Pop because the ordeal I went through would have been that much more stressful.



 Despite my inclination to stay inside in the AC and try to nap, I had to go to the grocery store for a few essential items.  My poor dogs hadn't eaten yet and it was 2pm.  I badly needed dog food,… Continue

Having the experience of giving birth so fresh in my mind, I thought it may be helpful to talk about what helped me get through labor, delivery and the postpartum period more comfortably. 



Supplements to aid in labor and the postpartum period:

I took an alfalfa supplement in the weeks leading up to my delivery.  By doing this, I was able to avoid injecting Little Max with a huge dose of vitamin K shortly after being born.  Alfalfa is loaded with vitamin K,… Continue

Have you ever kept your mouth shut because you just weren't quick enough to say anything witty.  Or maybe you didn't want to stir things up only to find an hour later you have organized your thoughts and have gathered everything you wish you…

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After doing some research, I have decided to have my placenta encapsulated.  Go ahead, you can roll your eyes if you wish (although I hope you won't), but it really is packed full of powerful stuff that can help in the weeks following birth.



Here's how it works:

You place your placenta in the fridge for safe keeping and call your placenta encapsulation specialist as soon as possible.  The specialist will come out to your home within… Continue

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I have heard of pregnant women getting into this obsessive state where they sweep through their homes organizing every nook and closet, cleaning every base board and window sill and vacuuming every morning and evening.  When I was pregnant with Enzo, I waited and waited for this primal urge to overcome me.  I was ready to welcome my alter ego, the clean one, and I know my husband was looking forward to her arrival too.  She never came.  She didn't come after the baby was born and she…

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There are times in conversation, usually with acquaintances or people I don't see often, when the subject is raised-- being a SAHM.  The reaction is often the same, some say, don't you get bored? or what do you do all day? Then there are the ex-SAHMs who say, oh, I tried it and it just wasn't for me.  And it is usually said in a tone that really says, it was beneath me or I have better, more important things to do, or implying that I must be simple minded…

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My Sweet Enzo,

When you wake in the morning it will be your very first birthday.  Your Papa and I are amazed and grateful for the journey you have taken us on in the past year.  It has been such a wonder, a joy and a lesson in love to watch you grow and develop.  I have never, in all my life, experienced love the way…

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Last Thursday the weather reports in Baltimore looked very grim.  On each channel they were calling for flood warnings and torrential downpours for the entire day.  It was either build an ark or stay home, so I made a deal with myself that Dude and I would stay home allllllll day.  It was a welcomed treat that we had no plans.  It seems even when I don't mean to we end up spending the majority of most days running, running,…

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