Do we have earning potential?

Being a mom has been a incredible experience and a job that I wouldn't trade for the world. However, some conversations recently with friends have brought me to the next subject in my blog. We have been brainstorming about new ways to make a little income while staying at home with our kids. We all know it is tough to find time to even shower, throw in some laundry or dare I say...exercise. On the other side of the coin, maybe we would feel even more fulfilled as women and as new moms if we discovered a way to build a home based business that works for us.

Some areas of interest include internet based businesses providing information for moms where companies could advertise, consulting from home, posting blogs to friends that include "plugs" for local events and new ideas for moms or starting your own franchise with an established company/idea. Babybootcamp.com is one company open for new franchisees. Another one I have thought about is uppercaseliving. Either idea is structured to be your own business with a team of supporters behind you.

Anyway, it is something to think about whether new moms are ready now or two or three years from now. Bouncing ideas around with your friends and gaining their support to just go for it is priceless!!

You can always respond to my blogs if you have any ideas to share.

Let's add some color

Decorating a baby's room can be a daunting task. We decided not to find out if Erik was a boy or girl until the day arrived which made it a little easier to go with a neutral gender theme. We decided on a Pottery Barn Kids pattern with sheep, ducks, birds and bunnies. It is pretty cute but in the standard neutral colors of green and yellow.

Since we still have white walls and little Erik has arrived, it is time to add a little more

color to his room. One idea that came up in a conversation the other day was removable decals. There are two websites that I would suggest checking out. What's great about removable art work is one, you can take it with you if you move and two, if you get bored with it, just take it off and try something new. Whatisblik and Liapela are two websites with a lot of ideas from wall decals, wall art, lamps, area rugs etc.

let's go joggin

From Jeep to the BOB Revolution, phil&teds and Baby Trend...there are so many jogger strollers to choose from. Some have "better wheels" some...cooler colors. After looking at different websites, reading reviews and talking to a lot of moms I felt like I made the right decision with the phil&teds sport utility stroller. It has the five point harness for Erik, an attachment for baby #2 (eventually) and a lock option for the front wheel for safe jogging.

So now...I have no excuse.

more for your money

I found a website where you can get gift certificates for the favorite local restaurants and the perk...$25 gift card for only $10. All you need to do on http://www.restaurant.com/ and enter your zip code and it will pull up restaurants participating in the special offer. I don't know about you but I am always looking for fun new ideas at a bargain price.

already worrying

I am learning one of the hardest things about being a mom. WORRY. I have been to two pediatricians this week who feel my son should have a specialist look at the shape of his head. He has spent a lot of time in his car seat/stroller and baby swing which I thought was normal for an infant. However, he seems to have more of an issue than other babies I have been around the last few months. So yes, I am a little worried.

I looked up flat head babies on the internet and found it under babycenter.com
chttp://www.babycenter.com/0_plagiocephaly-flat-head-syndrome_1187981.bc?page=1&articleId=1187981

Flat head syndrome is actually called Plagiocephaly. Plagiocephaly is when a baby's head develops a flat spot from some external pressure. They say I should see a specialist if I notice a flat area after the baby is six weeks. Well...he is 17 or 18 weeks now so I guess seeing a specialist is what I should do. Sometimes Plagiocephaly can be mistaken for a more serious condition called craniosynostosis. So that makes me worry even more. Craniosynostosis is a more
serious congenital condition in which one or more joints between the bones of the skull close up too early and the baby's head becomes deformed. GREAT!!!

So Erik and I are going to see a specialist at Miami Childrens Hospital and in the mean time I am going to have to think of sit up or tummy activities.

Cheap Eats

With the state of the economy and my new status as a stay at home mom, cheap but good places to eat out is essential. Even though we have dinners in most of the time, sometimes it is fun to have a place to go, a change of scenery or even...a date with my husband? I found a website that not only has suggestions for cheap eats in South Florida but the best dining and nightlife in any city you choose.

Here is the link for cheap eats in South Florida
http://citysbest.aol.com/south-florida/best-dining/cheap-eats/

coupon clipping

Well we all know the economy is not quite behaving these days so I am constantly trying to research ways to cut corners. I found a few websites that might be helpful for not only new moms but anyone out there who feel the need to clip.

Two local grocers here in south Florida have websites to check out their weekly deals. http://www.winndixie.com/ and http://www.publix.com/ have been very helpful.

Another great website that tempts all of us to go out and spend money when we really don't need to is http://www.momsview.com/

So happy clipping and happy saving!!

body and soul challenge

I am always so excited when I find a website to better my life. I stumbled on one the other day that included tips for morning and evening yoga, new healthy recipes, relaxation techniques and cardio exercises. We can all take the body and soul challenge that Martha Stewart has organized on her site. The link is http://blogs1.marthastewart.com/body_soul_challenge/

So what do you think ladies. Should we try it?

I am going to try to incorporate one of her suggestions per week. This coming week I am going to attempt to add the morning yoga routine and see how it goes. Anyone else want to join me?

are they teething?

Erik seems like he might be teething well...maybe not...I don't know. I found an article with some helpful hints about teething that I wanted to share with you.
Here it is:

Teething Signs and Symptoms
In a study published in Pediatrics, researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation followed 125 children from their 3-month checkup through their first birthday. They found that during teething, there was a notable increase in:
biting
drooling
gum rubbing
sucking
irritability
wakefulness
ear rubbing
facial rash
decreased appetite
mild temperature
No one knows why teething babies produce all that saliva, says Dr. Hanna, but the theory is that the increase of muscle movement in the mouth during this teething period simulates chewing, which activates the salivary glands. (The excess drooling can in turn cause a rash around the mouth.) Biting and gum rubbing are the baby's efforts to relieve pressure in his gums.

breastfeeding in public?

I knew if I was going to breastfeed more than a few weeks I needed a way to feel comfortable out in public. I was not going to be tied to my house every three hours in order to nurse Erik. One day, out on Lincoln Road on South Beach I noticed a gal with a beautiful wrap on nursing her baby. So the next day I started researching cover ups and found the best website.
http://www.bebeaulait.com/ Yup, Bebe au Lait nursing covers for Chic Mothers.
And man did I feel chic alright--hip, swanky whatever term you choose.
It also felt liberating to know I could be out at a restaurant, in the park, at the mall or at the airport and feed my little boy with no problem. Believe me I have fed Erik at every one of those spots so I feel like a pro. :)

Above is a picture of my sister Katy and I being chic, hip moms with the BebeAuLait nursing cover.

he is smiling more and more

Erik will be four months on Friday and he is more and more fun!! He loves to hang out with mommy's girlfriends and their babies walking, shopping, chatting etc. We have been out for ice cream, walks in Dadeland Mall and visits to our neighbors over the last week.


Speaking of Dadeland mall and Fathers day, Erik and I stumbled on Fotoquick kiosk Monday. The clerk asked if she could take a few photos of Erik. I agreed and as soon as I said that... I knew I was caught. She took about a dozen pictures and then displayed them in frames, key chains and a mug for me. She rattled off a few package deals with some of the items. I ended up purchasing the mug (for my father in law for fathers day) and two key chains (one for my husband and one for my mother in law). So it worked out but I felt like I was a little bit of a sucker. I have attached a recent picture of Erik showing that super cute smile.
Here is the attachment for Dadeland Mall and list of stores. Fotoquick's phone number is
(305) 663-4161 and http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?id=138

The art of sleeping

I don't know about anyone else but I appreciate sleep. I have noticed Erik has a better night sleep (and so... I do too) when he is wrapped. By "wrapped" I mean he is tucked into bed by being swaddled like a burrito. I have figured out however, that Erik really likes to have his arms up over his head. Even when he was a few weeks old, he would pull his arms out of the burrito. The blanket that has become my favorite is The Miracle Blanket. http://www.miracleblanket.com/index.htm It has different pieces of fabric that you fold over the baby -- it is actually a science. If you are in the market for a new baby blanket, check it out!

Farmers Market with girlfriends

I don't know about any of you, but I would need to find a girlfriend or two to make the trek to a local farmers market. My husband would rather be either watching golf from our sofa or out at the driving range then walk around a farmers market. I think they are a lot of fun and I always feel like I am not only supporting the local community but I feel pretty healthy too. :)

I googled Miami Farmers Markets and found a few of interest. One is called Robert is Here. It is located down in Homestead, FL about 45 minutes from my house. So it is a commitment to go but it think worth it. http://www.robertishere.com/

Another option (a little closer to my area of town) is the Coconut Grove Organic Farmers Market. It sounds a little more formal but I think worth the trip over there on a Saturday morning. http://www.glaserorganicfarms.com/Pages/Market%20Pages/Market%20Pages.htm

I am looking forward to calling a few friends next weekend to try one of these out.
I am excited!

Get in Shape Girl!!

ok, I really am getting this going I promise. Erik is almost four months now and I am finally feeling like I can do more for myself now. I discovered a fantastic mommy and me yoga class in Coral Gables. We meet at the studio Mondays and Thursdays at noon. She has incorporated yoga, stretches, singing with the babies, infant massage and mommy and baby bonding.

The other thing some of us new moms are trying to make more of a habit is meeting at the mall for power walks. We meet, along with the over 65 crowd, at a comfortable, well air conditioned very flat mall walk. It is the best thing when you live in Miami, Florida in the summer.

Some of us have tried the home DVD's with the balance ball, starter yoga classes and pilates. Most of us, at least I have, figured out that it is VERY hard to finish a dvd exercise class at any given time. so...so much for that. :)