Mamatography 2014 - Week 12

Day 54 - Sunday - March 16

Last night before getting "fixed..."
so she won't "lay babies."

Mamatography 2014 - Week 11

Day 54 - Sunday - March 9

Does it get any cuter?
Spencer loves to wear other people's shoes.

Mamatography 2014 - Week 10

Day 54 - Sunday - March 2

Spencer tagged along to my Gluten Free Sushi lunch with my Birthday-Twin.
She was so amazing, printing info about how to buy GF sushi and then educating a restaurant! C-Dub is an amazing friend!

Quiet Heroics

Welcome to the March 2014 Carnival of Natural Parenting: Everyday Superheroes
This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants have talked about the remarkable people and characteristics that have touched their lives. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.

---

So often you see real life heroes saying that they didn't do anything special. They just did what they had to do. I've not saved anyone's LIFE, but... I have had people tell me lately that I helped them or that I inspire them. I'm always blown away and even baffled. How have I inspired anyone? I often feel like I'm fumbling through life, always trying to do better - for myself and for my family. And maybe that is inspiring.

When I first began announcing to friends (while still pregnant) that Spencer had Down syndrome, it seemed like every other person had a contact for me. Everyone knew someone whose life was touched by DS. Everyone had phone numbers and names for me... but who wants to call a stranger... especially for such a personal issue (one could even say personal struggle). I am not shy, but I was terribly tentative about reaching out.

And then... I researched. I learned. And I had Spencer. I got a little bit of experience under my belt. And then I would meet another new(er) mom to a child with DS. And I was so excited! I began to understand why people were so willing to have their numbers passed along to total strangers. Having a child with special needs can be scary. But having Spencer has been so wonderful and I know many others with similar feelings. So I sit over here, quietly, writing my blog posts to hopefully increase Down syndrome awareness. I welcome private messages from fans and friends of friends. I reach out... even to strangers, to let them know that it really will be ok. This daunting parenting task isn't usually as daunting as our imagination makes it out to be.

My very first opportunity to do this was actually in the NICU while Spencer was still there (for just one week). A pair of twins were placed next to Spencer and one was thought to have DS. I got to visit with the parents and the grandparents. I think (and hope) that I lessened their fears. Not to toot my own horn, but the people that do that for me with the specific issues I face - I see them as quiet, welcoming heroes, too.

Photo Credit: clappstar

I love to talk about my son! I love talking about my experience. I understand the fears and am absolutely willing to listen and share. We all have our own experience and can be a hero to someone. You're probably already a hero to someone and don't even know it.

Who has been a hero for you?

---

Visit Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!

Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

• I Am A Super Hero — Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama shares how she learned the hard way exactly what it means to be a real super hero and not a burned out shell of a human simply pretending to be one.
• Quiet Heroics — Heroism doesn't have to be big and bold. Read how Jorje of Momma Jorje is a quiet hero…and how you probably are, too.
• Not a Bang, but a Whisper {Carnival of Natural Parenting} — Meegs at A New Day talks about the different types of "superheroes," ones that come in with a bang and ones that come in with a whisper.
• Silent courage of motherhood in rural Cambodia — Nathalie at Kampuchea Crossings marvels at how rural Khmer women defy the odds in childbirth.
• Super Pappy — Mother Goutte's little boy met a superhero in checked slippers and Volkswagen Polo, his grand dad: Super Pappy!
• An Open Letter to Batman — Kati at The Best Things challenges Batman to hold up his end of the deal, in the name of social justice, civic duty, and a little boy named Babe-O!
• 5 Lessons My Kids Taught Me — Children are amazing teachers, when we only stop to listen. They remind us to choose happiness, to delight in the small things, to let go and forgive. There is so much we can learn from our children. Justine at The Lone Home Ranger shares a few of the lessons she's learned.
• Could you use some superpowers? — Tat at Mum in search shares a fun activity to help you connect with your own superpowers.
• Like Fire Engines — Tam at tinsenpup tells the story of the day she saw a surprising superhero lurking in the guise of her not entirely mild-mannered four-year-old daughter.
• My Superhero of the Week: Nancy Gallagher — Tribal Mama muses about the transcendent things her superhero mom has done.
• My choice in natural birth does not make me a super hero — Bianca, The Pierogie Mama, discusses her thoughts on her experience with the perception of natural birth and putting those mamas on a different level. Does giving birth naturally give cause for an extra pat on the back? No! All mamas, no matter how they birth, are superheroes.
• Someone's Hero — Sometimes being a parent means pretending to be a grown-up, but it always means you are someone's hero. Read Mandy's lament at Living Peacefully with Children.

• A Math Superhero — Kerry at City Kids Homeschooling writes that her 7-year-old daughter's superhero is an MIT-trained mathematician.
• It Starts With Truffula Trees And Tulips — Luschka of Diary of a First Child takes a hard look at the realities of her relationship with her mother, and through this post goes on a journey of discovery that ends in a surprise realisation for her.
• We Don't Need an Excuse — Maria Kang (aka "Hot Mom") asks women #WhatsYourExcuse for not being in shape? Dionna at Code Name: Mama asks Hot Mom what her excuse is for not devoting her life to charity work, or fostering dozens of stray dogs each year, or advocating for the needs of others. Better yet, Code Name: Mama says, how about we realize that every woman has her own priorities. Focus on your own, and stop judging others for theirs.
• It's not heroic when you're living it — Lauren at Hobo Mama knows from the inside that homeschooling does not take a hero, and that much of what we choose as parents is simply what works best for us.
• Superheroes, princesses and preschoolers — Garry at Postilius discusses why his preschool-age son is not ready for comic book superheroes.
• The Loving Parents of Children with Special Needs – Everyday Superheroes — Deb Chitwood at Living Montessori Now shares posts with resources for parents of children with special needs along with posts to help others know how to support parents of children with special needs.
• Everyday Empathy — Mommy Giraffe of Little Green Giraffe shares why her secret superpower is everyday empathy.
• The Simplicity of Being a Superhero — Ana at Panda & Ananaso explains what superheroes mean to her wise three-year-old.
• My Father, The Hero — Fathers are pretty amazing; find out why Christine at The Erudite Mom thinks hers is the bees knees.
• Everyday Superheroes — Erica at ChildOrganics shares her list of Walker Warburg Syndrome Superheroes that have touched her life forever.
• Growing into a Super Hero — Casey at Joyful Courage shares how owning our behavior and choosing to be a better parent, a better person, is an act of courage.
• My Village — Kellie at Our Mindful Life reflects on the people who helped her to become her best self.

Mamatography 2014 - Week 9

Day 54 - Sunday - February 23

We got a new kitten! Sasha is thrilled!

Giveaway: My Chickadee Babydoll Carrier - $22 ARV {3.31; US}

This review is part of Natural Parents Network's Learning through Play Giveaway!

"Play is . . . the way that children make the world their own, exploring, making sense of all their new experiences, and recovering from life's upsets." {Larry Cohen, Playful Parenting} It is also well-established that children learn through play, which is why we've gathered some creative and fun products and websites to share with you and your children.

The Learning through Play Giveaway features nine amazing products for kids of all different ages and interests. I'm featuring one of those companies in my review below. When you get done reading my review, please click on over to the full Learning through Play giveaway post (live on March 1), where you'll find information on all of the goodies you can win. In total, we're giving away products worth $738!

Even if you don't win one of our fabulous prize packages, please consider spending part of your educational budget at one of these small businesses. By supporting small businesses and independent authors, you are helping families, boosting local economies, and supporting ethical practices of manufacturing, production and selling.

Without further ado, here is my review - thank you for reading and entering! (Check back here on March 1 when our Rafflecopter widget will be live and ready for entries.)

This is a joint giveaway with Momma Jorje and Natural Parents Network. You may enter at one site only. Please find the section marked "Win it!" for the mandatory entry and optional bonus entries.

 


My Chickadee is offering our readers a giveaway of a Babydoll Carrier, a value of $22.

The My Chickadee babydoll carrier lets your little one carry their doll so they can be just like you. This makes an ideal new sibling gift!

Janina, from My Chickadee, learned to sew when she discovered she was pregnant with her daughter. She now creates diaper bags, wet bags, totes, reusable snack bags, and a miniature carrier for children. This wonderful carrier lets a child carry their doll or plush toy just like you carry your child. This child-sized baby carrier makes a wonderful gift for a child welcoming a new sibling! My Chickadee products are easy to clean, machine washable as well as being lead & phthalate free. All of the products offered by My Chickadee are designed by a mom and made in the USA.

Sasha has never been as into her babydolls as I guess I had hoped she would be. She does, however, still love to be worn in my baby carrier. She was thrilled to receive her My Chickadee mini carrier! It renewed her interest in her baby dolls. I was amazed at how quick and easy it was to help her put on the carrier! It includes long hook-and-loop closures, so it can accommodate a wide variety of children and lovies.

The carriers are offered in a variety of busy fabrics that are the popular style these days. This carrier has an adorable pocket, though we haven't chosen any items for it yet.

The carrier seems very durable yet soft, very well put together. When wearing as a back-carry, it did seem like the straps rode up on my daughter a bit, but I felt like maybe I wasn't putting it on quite right. No instructions were included as it is a very simple design. I am hopeful that we'll get it right with more practice, just like any full size carriers.

BUY IT!

You can purchase your own Mini Carrier at My Chickadee. These are a steal at just $22. Items are shipped via Priority Mail with rates starting at $5.00 for one item for all destinations in the US. Express Mail is also available for overnight delivery. All orders are mailed with complimentary insurance and tracking.

My Chickadee also makes a very cool All-in-One Diaper Clutch (which includes a changing station). They also have a mini version so your little one can change their baby's diaper using the same tools you do! There are also a few versions of wet bags (divided, foldable, and mini) as well as reusable snack bags. Very green!

WIN IT!

Learning through Play Giveaway: Enter March 1 - 31, 2014!

$738 ARV; United States residents only

Enter below in our Rafflecopter widget - the main entry is simply to tell us which prize you'd prefer.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


For actions like following and subscribing, if you already follow or subscribe, just tell us with your entry.

Tweets must be a minimum of 24 hours apart — you can return to update your Rafflecopter entry without losing any of your previous entries. Your Tweets must be unprotected (publicly viewable).

You don’t have to do any of the bonus entries, but you do have to complete the first mandatory one.

Rafflecopter will pick the winner through Random.org after the contest closes, and a representative from NPN will send an email notification. Leave a valid email address as you enter so we can contact you if you win. If we can’t reach a winner, we’ll draw a new name at random.

The winner will have 48 hours to respond by email; otherwise, NPN will select another winner.

No purchase necessary. Entrants must be age 18 or older and be residents of the United States. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Winners agree to hold Natural Parents Network and the giveaway hosts harmless for any problem with receipt and/or use of prizes. Winner must contact the product seller or manufacturer directly if there is any problem with the prize or prize delivery. Winners are responsible for any taxes or customs fees related to prize winnings. NPN and the giveaway hosts reserve the right to publicize the winner's first name. Void where prohibited by law.

 

Contest closes March 31
at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

 

Disclosure: Reviewers received sample products for review purposes,
and consideration was given to NPN for hosting the giveaway.
Amazon and other links may be affiliate links.
We try to seek out only products we think you would find relevant and useful
to your life as a natural parent. If we don't like a product, we won't be
recommending it to you. See our full disclosure policy here.

Mamatography 2014 - Week 8

Day 47 - Sunday - February 16

He likes the new Bistro Table... loves putting his toes up there!