Mia performed this little ditty for me today… And, she offered to take me to the bank to buy me some money. I’m a lucky mommy.
Water Saftey Reality Check
While I know my posts are mostly upbeat and fun, it’s every once in awhile when I’m forced to pass along a more serious message.
Thanks to the awesome program with Sharks and Minnows, Mia was swimming like a fish at age two. Regardless of her kick butt swimming skills, I would never think of allowing her to swim alone in our pool. I’m always on guard. When Mia takes a shower or 
bath, I am usually in and out of the bathroom, but no longer station myself tub side.
This past weekend opened my eyes to something that I may have forgotten… the danger of water for swimmers and non-swimmers alike.
After waking up early, driving to Miami, pool time and beach time, Mia was ready to take a shower in our hotel room. After about ten minutes showering, I had a strange feeling and decided to go in and check on Mia. What I found has consumed my mind and sleep for two days. Mia had stopped the drain with the shower on and had fallen asleep lying in the tub… A tub where the water was about a centimeter from covering her face.
With summer approaching, I think it’s a great time to remind ourselves of the dangers of drowning… In a large pool or in a teaspoon of water. Be especially aware when your kids are tired out in the pool or tub. Even the best swimmers young and old are at risk.
Check out Red Cross Summer Water Safety information to refresh for summer!
Patience. Get Some.
It’s the Lenten Season once again and time to “give something up.” I actually take this time of year to change something about myself instead of give something up. Last year I had to observe some form of nature each day and take a moment to appreciate it. Refreshing.
This year, I’m giving up a new trait I’ve acquired – impatience. I don’t know when it started, but it’s not becoming and I’m ready to rid myself of it. This commercial created by Go Pass It On was actually my inspiration. I love it and so will you.
Invaluable Jewels
I’ve had a lot of great post ideas on my mind and can’t seem to find the time or creativity to sit down and actually elaborate on any of them. Most of the post ideas stem from comments made by Mia over the past month. “Does Santa live with God,” a clear misunderstanding… “Is there a fat show for kids,” the pressures of body issues are alive and well even in the world of four-year-olds.
Jewelry Box
So today, while my juices are still non-existent, I decided to post a photo of one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. Why did I receive this gift? Well simply put by my little Mia, “I did this because I love you.” A box of jewelry for me… hand cut and selected by my future jeweler.
Mamma Mia Best of 2010
Wishing everyone the very best in 2011!
Sorry for my absence…. This new baby thing is taking up just a bit of my time. Here are some of my favorite posts from 2010.
Amazing Moms
Needless to say, being a mom is hard work. Being a good mom is even harder. I meet and interact with moms everyday… Each one different with a different “story.” I am constantly astounded by the number of amazing, mothers in the world. Today, I’m featuring a guest post from one of those amazing mothers who deserves to be recognized. Introducing, the Fabulous Christy Seaman. A friend, a mom, a business pro and… well, Super Woman.
First, I want to thank all the little people who have made me who I am today…. And one special little person I am talking about is my beautiful 1-year-old daughter Ava.
Second, I want to tell you that I am writing from a tiny wine bar tucked in a corner pocket of the Memphis Airport. I am traveling for work as I am a corporate warrior. I am laid over in Memphis on my way back to Louisiana where Pap-Pap and Nana live to pick up my daughter. Seems like a lot of effort being that we live in Virginia, but when my job necessitates travel I have to fly my daughter down to my parent’s house in Louisiana. I drop her there and then go off to my corporate world travels.
Christy and Ava
You ask why I have to drop her at her Nana’s house in Louisiana? Because I am a mother, a mother who has been blessed with the extraordinary gift of a healthy and spunky baby girl….but is apparently challenged in the business of relationships. So our little family is sans the typical “daddy” that is suppose to come along with the package.
I guess you can call me a single mom. But I don’t like that description much. I prefer Super Woman, She-ra, or The Mama-nator! I am a mom like every other mom, just sometimes I need a little motivation form my inner super woman and my fab group of girl friends. I am here to say that you can do anything you want if you put your heart behind it and your mind to it. Tough times get better, and lemons become lemonade. You just have to figure out how to squish the lemons and find some sweet sugar to add to the mix.
Women are the strongest beings on this planet and Mothers are on a whole different level. We are loving and nurturing, set boundaries for our little ones while breaking through boundaries set in front of us as women.
No matter what kind of mother you are… you can have the career you want, the hobbies you need to keep you sane, all while raising a kid that will go out in the world and conquer more then you ever dared to take on.
What helps get Christy through the day? Check out these sites, blogs and books…
Sites
http://www.bookofodds.com/
http://www.bplans.com/samples/sba.cfm
http://localism.com/
Blogs
http://singlemomseeking.com/blog/
http://www.thesuccessfulsinglemombook.com/
http://tsquest.blogspot.com/
Books
The Complete Single Mother by Andrea Engber and Leah Klungness,Ph.D.
The Single Mom’s Little Book of Wisdom by Cassandra Mack
Etsy Baby Love
During my pregnancy I became addicted to browsing Etsy. When I discovered most Etsy artists would work with you to create custom pieces, I fell completely in love.
In one of my late night Etsy raids, I stumbled across Paper Pallettes. The shop boasts a variety of amazing canvas art. I sent along the photo of my baby bedding and just like that, I had a custom piece of art for the wall for $25.
My Dwell Studio Baby Bedding From Target
Signature Art From Paper Palettes
After working with Paper Pallettes, I was on a roll. I next found Apryl222 and asked if she could do door knobs and a switch plate to match. Again, success. The door knobs were $4 a piece and the switch plate was $10. A small price to pay for these original pieces.
Custom Switch Plate from Apryl222
Custom Door Knob From Apryl222
I’m not much for themes, but these additions to the baby’s room helped tie everything together.
Check out @etsy on Twitter for holiday sales!
A Lot To Be Thankful For…
Introducing the newest member of Mamma Mia… Charli Lynne. Wishing you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving.
Charli Lynne Muniz
Mia and Charli
Mom Times Two
It’s really early. Or, maybe it’s really late. It’s really quiet, but I can’t sleep. How could I? Tomorrow I’m scheduled to have my second little girl.
Mia's Ready For Her Little Sister
I’ve been so caught up in the new house and other issues that the current economic climate has brought on that I’ve hardly had time to appreciate and embrace this new chapter in my life. Mia’s very ready to become a big sister, but I can’t imagine splitting the love I have for Mia in two. I hear God has mysterious ways of making that work so I’ll leave it up to him. Part of me feels like so much time has passed since I’ve been in newborn world, but I’m sure it will all come racing back once I hold the new one in my arms.
So, I guess it’s game time and getting some sleep before surgery would be a good idea. I hope to make this snappy and have more great stories to share on Mamma Mia about being a mom… times two.
Losing Marbles
Marble Strategy
A good friend of mine recently told me about a new “marble jar strategy” they were using in their house. Here’s the deal…. When your preschooler does something (ie. brush hair, brush teeth, take dishes to the sink) without you having to ask, they get to put a marble in their marble jar. When they choose to go against rules of the house, talk back etc. etc., they must remove a marble from the jar.
Before beginning the marble process, a reward is decided upon and can’t be changed. Once the jar is full, the preschooler receives reward. We started working towards a Barbie Styling Head a good month ago and we still have a half a jar to go. Not because Mia is bad, but because it really is hard to fill up a jar with marbles one by one.
The Reward
In the evening, we typically read four books, which usually knocks Mia out, but if not, she is allowed to watch one of her movies for a half hour. Mia was in and out of bed two times before I said, “One more time out of bed and you lose two marbles.” A few moments later I heard little footsteps and before Mia could speak I told her to go take her marbles out of the jar and get back to bed. I heard two marbles drop back in the bag and little footsteps scurry back down the hall.
We later found Mia asleep with her movie skipping and scratching…. She was coming to tell me her movie was not working. I went back to my bed sad and mad at myself for not letting her speak. As I drifted off to sleep, I heard marbles dropping into the jar. Mia’s father walked into the bedroom and I could tell by the look on his face he had more than made up the marble difference.
I guess the marble strategy is teaching more than one of us a lesson.
