Loves Ribs, Loves Dirt

Want to please our 2 year old? Then you better have...

Some Ribs


OR

Some Dirt


Those are two of his new favorite things. Luckily, we've had warm enough weather to play in the dirt for about a whole week straight. Hopefully it continues...
And, the ribs..not a problem...as long as it's BBQ'd pork( one of the very few meats he's NOT allergic to) he LOVES it.

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Real Moms Come In All Shapes and Sizes

I promise to not bore you or possibly irritate you (depending on how you look at it) with another posts on my abs after this. Seriously, I probably should have never wrote about it in the first place since it is such a sensitive and personal subject, and would have fit better on a fitness/diet blog rather than on this Mom blog here.
Anyway, while writing this post I came across Kristen's meme about Real Moms and this seemed like the perfect time to share it here.

Real Moms Come In All Shapes and Sizes

I wrote about my own body image issues recently here and here to see if other Moms out there felt disconnected from being different physically after having children. I've also wrote numerous posts on not being the average sized mother here and here. I wasn't fishing for comments. I just wanted another Mom to say hey I feel your pain. I know how hard it is. I identify with you. Additionally, I don't see anything wrong with wanting to be healthy. I don't know about you, but I dont want to die young. I have children to take care of. I need to be in better shape and eat healthier. I need to get rid of some bad eating habits that you wouldn't think that I had just by looking at me. Mothers come in all shapes and sizes and being me doesn't make me any less real.
I'm real. I'm not perfect. I have feelings too. But reading back over what I wrote and thinking about some things tonight made me realize how trivial all of this is. Well, the part about worrying about and wanting my stomach to be perfect. Actually, I'm quite ok with not being perfect. I've never tried to be perfect. I just want to be healthy for myself, my kids, and my family.

I'd like to tag Leslie, Tasha & Nell

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I Might Be Doing A Good Job Afterall...

Our 6 year old son is growing into such a wonderful thoughtful child. It is these days that make me realize that I might be doing a good job after all on this whole parenting gig. I love being a parent. I love being a mother. To me, there is no greater calling. Sharing things that I never saw coming makes my heart melt.

For instance, today we were shopping for Easter supplies and our 6 year old brought his own money to buy some cards. He had some change left and his 2 year old brother saw the Barney riding toy on the way out the exit so our 6 year old gave him 50 cents to ride it. Later this evening after our 6 year old's soccer game, each player got a snack and a drink. Our 2 year old didn't understand why he didn't get anything so our 6 year old shared with him then just ended up giving him his entire pack of Scooby snacks just because he wanted to.


In the early days of parenting both boys, it was pure chaos. In the past few months our son has grown and has transformed into such a caring and smart little guy. However, the boys still have their days of arguing over every little toy like there isn't enough to go around. But these moments, the ones I spoke of above, they make the arguments and pure chaos seem so far away and much easier to deal with because I know they wont last forever.

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This Momma Needs A Fitness Expert

Will someone who is a fitness expert please step up and comment here?

I'm 4'10 and around 85lbs yet after having 2 children I don't exactly look the same as I used to. This is what I look like now from my other post. I understand that I won't ever be the same as I was pre-baby but I've got to believe that something can be done for my mid-section other than plastic surgery.

I know I might sound vain but that's just me. Some people laugh at me when I say that I want to work on my stomach and get tone. I know some people are thinking that I should get over myself. They say I don't need to do anything and that I look great for having two babies. Well, the thing is this...I don't feel comfortable in my own skin. My husband says that when I look in the mirror I see something totally different than what most other people see. Well, I see jiggly fat and lots of extra skin. YES I have body image issues just like everybody else. And, to be honest, it's hard not to look the way I used to especially when everyone knows me for bouncing back.

Is it really possible to fix the post-baby stomach. Someone show me some proof please and tell me how you did it or how you are doing it...

And, just to let you know what brought this rambling on...um, I tried on that black VS swimsuit yesterday and hate it.

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Mom Singing Contest Sponsor: Harper Collins

Today is the last day that you can enter the Mom Singing Contest. We have one more sponsor to feature and that is Harper Collins. They donated several copies of the popular mom/parenting titles listed below:

BabyProofing Your Marriage

Your Struggling Child,

Good Kids, Bad Habits

If you want a copy of one or maybe more of these books then enter the Mom Singing Contest today.
Once we crown our Mom Idols, we will open up the contest to give away the rest of the prizes (we received so many) via a random drawing early next week.

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Write At Home Moms: Contest Sponsor

And now I present to you another fabulous contest sponsor for the Mom Singing Contest. You still have time to enter but the deadline is quickly approaching.

Write At Home Moms is offering a great package for one winner. This package is the ultimate membership package for freelance writers. For more details on what all is involved, go here

Enter the Mom Singing Contest. There are two days left.

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Want More Comments On Your Blog?

Then join the cool new Mom blog directory that I just found out about...

RealSavvyMoms.com, owned by MGXMedia and the national initiative website accompanying the Real Moms, Real Stories, Real Savvy PBS TV series wants to know about your blog and they want to list the best mom blogs around.

Join the Mom Blog Directory now for FREE Mommas!

To get started today email Amanda@mgxmedia.com

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I Got A Sunburn While Working Today

Spring has sprung full force here in Southeastern KY. We are spending some time at the in-laws while the husband recovers. The in-laws have a huge yard in the middle of nowhere so it's great for us. Our two boys have played outside while I have worked on the sundeck with my laptop, and while I perused blogs today. They are still going strong as I write.

I can't explain this great feeling of being able to work outside in the warm sun while the boys are splashing in the mud and throwing balls only a few feet away. Being able to be a mother and working at the same time doing something I truly love can't accurately be described the way I would really like to do it. My kids like this arrangement. I like this arrangement so it works for us.

I'm gonna send you on over to Rebecca's post over at Babble.com with a similar topic after I share with you an excerpt here from her post that I identify with so deeply.

"Concentrated on the two things in her life that will never be less than inspired and inspiring: her child and her craft-- working and creating and mothering all at once. Because she has to".

Thanks Rebecca, also of Girls Gone Child, for your inspiring and realistic writing.

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BabyRockApparel.com: Mom Contest Sponsor

Want some hip & cool clothes for your baby or toddler? You should try babyrockapparel.com They have the CUTEST shirts I've ever seen. Seriously. And, guess what? They are sponsoring our Mom Singing contest

If you'd like one or even two of these super-adorable tees/onesies then you'd better ENTER our Mom Singing contest today. Just go to singshot.com or ksolo.com and record a song. Send it via email and your done! It's THAT simple and it's fun! Really, it is! We need your entries! I've said this a thousand times (well, not a thousand really) and I'll say it again, you do NOT have to be a good singer to win! If you can sing GREAT, if you can't GREAT!

Stop by babyrockapparel.com and check out their awesome clothing line for babies and young kids. They are 100% approved by this mom! :)

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I'm Beginning To Believe That Nothing Is EASY Anymore

I go back and forth on a weekly, sometime daily, basis on where I want to live and raise our kids. I know the sole responsibility does not lie with me yet I feel the weight of it resting on me because I’m the mother. There are several other issues with which I change my tune weekly some of them being religion, home schooling, and various other things that I just don’t feel like talking about at the moment. You could call me indecisive or you could just agree with me that motherhood/parenting/life is NOT by any stretch of the imagination, easy or simple.

Every issue/problem/possible decision deserves ample attention and evaluation, and coming up with the right answer that is best for our family is hard. Gosh, I never thought it would be like this. I never thought I would obsess over the simplest things that I see some parents never give a second thought to. They just go along with the rest of the crowd. I guess it’s because the husband and I don’t go with the flow that often. We don’t do what everyone else is doing and that’s fine with us in our little world but something from the outside makes us (or me atleast) feel that I may be doing something wrong and that we are slightly psychotic(which actually isn't far-fetched since I posted a photo of myself in a bikini a couple days ago. Whatever possessed me to do this?) for living our life the way we really want to.

Will it ever get any easier? I don’t know but writing about it is a relief. Letting other parents in on my life through blogging with the possibility of making connections and support makes things seem a little easier and a little less isolating.

In other news, my husband is doing so much better. Thanks for all the well wishes and comments. I do appreciate it. We are recovering nicely at the in-laws. ;)

I thought I'd also let others know about a new contest I came across as well as the Mom singing contest approaching deadline next week. Get your mom singing contest entries in here today.

RealSavvyMoms.com wants your birth stories. Submit your story HERE and ten people will win an Eloise In Hollywood DVD for their children.

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A Night In The ER

Takes a lot out of you.

To make a very long story, short, the hubs is sick. He stayed in the hospital overnight and we are now home AGAINST doctors orders due to various issues that I won't go into detail about here.

However, he will be ok. I hope to get back into the swing of things later this week...if that's possible right now.

If you want something to read or explore further, check out our latest listing of real jobs for stay at home moms at HomeJobsForMoms.biz. Got questions? Don't be shy. Ask them. I'll be happy to help out.

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You Have To Meet Leslie of MyMommysPlace.com

I found Leslie's blog some time ago. I don't remember when exactly but from there I found her site and we've been commenting on each other's blogs ever since. From who she is on her blog and what she shares, she's become someone dear to me. Her blog is usually the first blog I visit every morning. Just call me Leslie's stalker, OK. :)

Anyway, Leslie's website, MyMommysPlace.com,is a sponsor for our Mom Singing Contest as well and she has graciously donated a Tote bag & mug plus a $10 itunes gift certificate. If you want to win this cool prize then I suggest you get up off your butt and record a song for us. Go to the Mom Singing Contest page for more information. I promise it's super easy to enter. And, I will stress this again. If you think you can't sing, it doesn't matter. You can STILL win! If you can sing, GREAT! You will be our grand prize winner and you will get to choose what prize(s) you want out of our list of prizes!

Go over and visit Leslie's blog today as she professes her love for none other than mac-n-cheese. Be sure and browse through her archives for some great stuff from ghost hunting to showcasing her bathtub. Seriously, people, she's great and so is her daughter & husband. Go Give her some comment love! And, for more contests, enter Leslie's Happiness Giveaway for your chance to win a $20 Amazon GC.

Edited to Add: Did anyone know that today was Lips Appreciation Day? If I were motivated then I would have put lipstick on and shared a lippy photo for you but ah, I'm not.

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The Bikini That Will

Either A.) Be the death of me or B.) get my butt (and, um, abs) in shape.

Last month I talked about how Victoria's Secret practically forced me into shopping for bathing suits in the dead of winter. Well, I never actually bought anything until yesterday and the bad part is that I bought it without trying it on. Of course, that's not half as bad as having to take 2 little boys into a dressing room with me and trying on a billion bathing suits in front of them and THAT horrid mirror.

Before deciding on buying that black VS bikini on the left, I actually thought about buying a tankini. Yes, a tankini. Because I'm a mom and I guess that's what moms and those over 30 should be wearing. But you know what, I've never in my life worn anything but a bikini and I think I'd feel less comfortable and slightly ridiculous in a tankini even with my messed up stomach and belly button (shown on the left Yikes!) not to mention the minimal boobs left from breastfeeding. Ah, the issues that I have...

I bought that bikini early as MOTIVATION to get myself in better shape. Last year I was quite self conscious of my odd looking post-baby midsection but aren't we all? Why do I worry so much? NO one cares anyway basically because their too busy worrying about their own flaws. I don't want to feel that way anymore whether it be because I actually get in shape or simply because I just get over it. Wouldn't it be nice if it were that easy?

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Singing Contest Sponsors: Diaperbaggies.com

We still have a few more Mom Singing Contest sponsors to cover so I thought I would let all of you know about another one of our wonderfully gracious sponsors.

Diaperbaggies.com has agreed to donate 2 packages of their stylish disposable diaper baggies. Diaper baggies is the first ever disposable diaper bags with a zipper. Go on over and visit their site today and stop by OurSmartbaby.com for our review of the diaper baggies.

If you like this product and want to win these, then please enter our Mom Singing Contest today. You can win by singing, by viewer voting, and by random drawing. Enter the contest here today. We have extended the deadline until March 27, 2007.

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Our Weekend In The Holler

It's not quite Spring yet but it sure does feel like it right now. We spent the weekend at the in-laws in rural...very rural Southern KY (our hometown) and it was nice and warm outside.Here are some photos(click them to enlarge) from our weekend in the holler.


For those of you who don't know what a holler is click here for a lesson. It's a Southern Appalachian thing.

This is a holler!



I love visiting back home but I don't like to stay there very long. It's not a good place to raise kids. It's in the middle of nowhere. Most of the people are backwards. It's not a whole lot different here where we are now but atleast we have a university, a walmart (can't live without that, can we?), a lake, a few restaurants, and a hospital. No hollers here. Atleast I don't think so.



*Oh, and our Mom Singing Contest Deadline has been extended for 2 more weeks to allow more people to know that the contest exists and to get more entries so we can have a viewer voting portion. Go here to enter the Mom Singing Contest NOW.

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When He Grows Up

Yesterday my son and I were talking about people and jobs and how everyone has to do something during the day (or night) to make money to buy food, pay their bills, and buy things they want. I made it as simple as possible.

He looked out our back window and some city sanitation workers were there and he said, "I want to work outside and do that when I grow up." I said, "Are you sure?". Then he said, "Uh. No. I want to own a restaurant and cook all the food".

And in my mind I was saying to myself, "Phew! That's better!!!".

I sure didn't want him aspiring to have one of the nastiest and stinkiest jobs around. Have you people seen the show dirty jobs and what these sanitation/sewage workers do? Granted, it's a service job and somebody has to do it but, you know what, I want better for my children.

So, our 6 year old son wants to be the chef of his own restaurant. He says he's going to have food from all around the world. He says his special recipe is going to be bologna-filled lobster sandwiches. Maybe he's onto something here?

I should have known he would have said chef since he loves helping me cook, is always on his Mamaw's kitchen counter tops helping her make dinners, loves trying new recipes, and he has his very own cookbook.

It's clear that right now his inspirations are Spongebob Squarepants (a cartoon fry cook that works at the Krusty Krab), Iron Chef, Rachel Ray, and of course his Mamaw who adores cooking way too much and has always wanted her own restaurant but is a nurse instead.

It will be fun to share this with him when he does grow up. Maybe he will be the next Bobby Flay...

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What I'm Doing Today

I'm going to try and start off today with a more "sane" post unlike my last post so we'll just talk about some things that I plan on doing today. Will that be ok?

Eat a whole box of girl scout cookies

Attempt to work on our business taxes....Ack!!!!!!!

Finish up reading Good Kids, Bad Habits so I can review it here and tell all of you what I think.

So far, it's really a great/helpful book but reading the facts about what these bad habits are doing to our kids are ALARMING. Come back later this week for my full review and my oldest son's (6) Real Age Healthy Kids Test Results.

Continue to shamelessly promote our Mom Singing Contest and feature yet another wonderful sponsor later this evening

And, finally, watch the girls perform on American Idol tonight. Surely they will do better than the guys did last night.

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Resisting The Perfect Mom?

As mothers, most of us think we are always doing something wrong or that we could always be doing something better for ourselves or for our kids. We constantly look to what our friends or family or the nearest self help parenting book is doing and if what we do isn't the same, we feel like a failure. Oh, why, oh why was this given to us?

My husband says I constantly over-analyze and that I read too many parenting books, and that I put too much faith into what I read on the Internet. Um, yeah, that third one can be dangerous. It allows you to read about so many different parenting styles and perspectives first hand that it drives you crazy because you never know what the hell you should be doing.

Why can't we just be OK with who we are? Why do we compare ourselves to what every other Mother/Parent out there is doing?

On most days, I'm Ok with me BUT my confidence wavers when I read about what other parents are doing, or if I talk to our family or simply by seeing typical parents out and about in our small town.

Why do we find it so hard to resist that which society says we should be if it does not work for us?

Oh the joys of motherhood...and my ramblings...

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StepbyStepWebTutor.com: Mom Singing Contest Sponsor

On to our next wonderfully generous contest sponsor...

If you need help in web design or building a website, then you may be interested in this next prize from our Mom Singing Contest. Want a chance at winning it? Enter the contest.

StepbyStepWebTutor.com is offering a one month membership access to one of our lucky winners.

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I'm Not Potty Trained But I Sure Can Rhyme

Our 2 year old son has been surprising us a LOT lately with his new found skills.

He spends several hours sitting quietly talking to himself and just drawing. Yesterday he drew the most perfect happy face. Well, perfect to me since I am his Mother.

He's also been rambling on about rhymes. He talks incessantly about something rhymes with something else. For example, yesterday I caught him saying, "Hammer rhymes with bammer and Spongebob rhymes with kungebob". And, sometimes he makes up words like "kungebob" but they do seem to rhyme nonetheless.

At first I thought he was merely copying his older brother until he started making up his own rhymes.

When our other son was this age, he didn't seem to be too interested in rhyming or drawing. He spent a lot of time with puzzles, cars, and play tools.

It's amazing how different two siblings can be.

Hey, maybe I'm that Mom who thinks her kid is special even when everything is just NORMAL and I'm sure I'll continue thinking that for the rest of my life because that's what Mommies do.

Soooo, What are your 2 year olds doing? Is this a result of having an older brother?

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Toddler Resources You May Be Looking For

I've been working on some new sections of my main site, ContestForMoms.com

We've added some new resources for Moms. I hope you will get a chance to check out some of these pages and articles. If you have a toddler, they may be especially helpful for you.

Parenting Toddlers

Toddler Discipline

Toddler Activity

Toddler Eating

Ten Ways To Keep A Toddler Entertained In The Kitchen

Kitchen Fun With Children

Easy Kid Recipes In A Flash

While your browsing through these resources, come on over and sign up for our Mom/Parenting Forums. It's free and fun! And, you get to chat with me...LOL...

If you need more, check out the latest Online Contests and Sweepstakes for Moms.

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Singing Contest Sponsor:HipChicksBoutique

Another wonderfully generous sponsor in our Mom Singing Contest is HipChicksBoutique.com

HipChicksBoutique.com is giving away either a HipChicks or LittleMan's Tee of your choice. These adorable as well as stylish tees come in sizes 3-6 months up to age 8. Visit hipchicksboutique for more stylish kids clothes for both boys & girls.

Here is a picture of the prize you could win if you entered the contest so come on over here and enter today. Deadline is Tuesday March 13th,2007. So hurry!

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Transition To Toddler Breath

Every morning when my 2 year old wakes up and wants to get out of bed, he yells "Mommy!" I know that is my cue to go and pick him up or else he will yell at the top of his lungs until I get there and will not crawl out of the bed on his own.

After picking him up and bringing him into the living room this morning, I noticed something different. Something, um, stinky...

When did my toddler's sweet baby breath turn into repulsive morning breath?

Did you notice when your toddler made the transition from angelic breath to monster breath?

*Oh, he's so not gonna like me for this entry when he gets older. :)

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Singing Contest Sponsor: MomsNiche.com

Ok,everyone, I said I was going to feature all of our sponsors here and dedicate a blog entry to each wonderfully gracious sponsor. Today I will start off with the prize that Tracy from MomsNiche.com has donated.

MomsNiche.com has donated an "It's all About Me Stress" Relieving Gift Hand Bag including loofa path puff, fizzy bath bombs, (choose from mixed berry geletaria; cinnabun, feel good and spa scented bath bombs; or chocolate strawberry truffles to soothe your tired, stressed-out body and feel rejuvenated), Good 2ba Girl soothing mint lotion to soften up those overworked feet! Accessories include: Sterling silver affirmation necklace on 20” black satin cord & Canvas handbag with 8 interchangeable ribbons to coordinate with all of your outfits! Valued at $80

Here is what Tracy has to say at her site and I think it sums things up perfectly:

"We all suffer from it...the "Supermom" syndrome. You can't be everything to everyone ALL of the time. It's not healthy. You can be a great mom and still maintain your own identity!Find your niche...be all you can be.
THAT will help YOU be a better mom!"

Take a moment and visit her site and her blog today.

Now to win this really cool prize, you need to enter the Mom Singing Contest right here at ContestForMoms.com

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