As a new mom on maternity leave and then a leave of absence, I struggled to find moms that I could relate to. I wasn't really a working mom. I didn't have multiple children. I didn't have a child who could play, yet. It made it really hard to find a community of women to belong to.
One of the ways I've found "mom friends" is on the internet. Meetup.com was the gateway to joining may other local and not so local mom groups. I found Meetup.com super easy to use. It was customizable to my interests and location however, it seemed that many of the groups on there weren't very active or were active but only for a small group of preexisting friends. For example, I came across a group of stay at home moms who wanted to have play dates with other people at other people's houses. However, the events actually said that you must be friends with a specific person in order to sign up. Needless to say, I quickly became frustrated with some of those groups and moved on to Facebook.
I've been a part of #CathSorority Facebook Group for awhile. It was wonderful to find a group of women who shared my faith. In that group there were a few moms, after several conversations about poop, birthing, and breast feeding we decided to make a spin off group, #CathSorority Moms, to spare the other women from having to hear about the aforementioned subjects. Interestingly, these online friends shared my faith and many shared my parenting style. They encouraged me to find other local groups (Long Island Baby Wearing, Long Island Cloth Diapering Moms and Dads, and Modern Tribal Mamas).
In these local groups, I have found women, Catholic and not, who enjoying the outdoors, healthy living, cloth diapering, and baby wearing. I have gotten together with them on several occasions, one I see weekly at a Little Gym class.
When you ask, "How do make friends when you aren't in school or working?" You hit the internet. Yes, some people are creepy. No, you shouldn't get together with every person you come across on the internet. But, when you are part of closed, private, secret groups that generally require some screening to join, you can take proper precautions. I've loved meeting these women both in real life and online.
If you have any interest in becoming part of any of the groups I've mentioned above, leave a comment or drop me an e-mail and I'll be happy to chat with you about joining us!
What I've been making...
A friend of mine commissioned me to knit her adorable little girl a keyhole scarf for next winter. She selected the pattern off of Ravelry and let me pick the yarn and embellishments. It was so much fun! I can't wait to see her little girl wearing it next winter.
If you'd like me to make one for your little boy/girl, leave a comment or send and e-mail and I'd be glad to work with you!
What's new?
The big news is my brother (the oldest of the three boys) got engaged on Thursday!! YAY! The happy couple came up to visit us this weekend. We enjoyed celebrating with them.
My youngest brother came home from London and surprised Charlie with a Paddington Bear who is about the same size as he is. Charlie is enjoying playing with his uncle and the bear.
It is so much fun to watch Charlie grow up. I can't believe how many more sounds he is making. His sounds definitely mean something because they are different in different situations. For example, my friend Patti has a dog named Charlie and whenever my Charlie seeing him he lets out this chirping noise that I only hear when he is near the dog.
Charlie definitely wants to walk he just can't seem to get the balance down. He is flying back and forth using this plastic push toy but, whenever he realizes he isn't holding on he sits down very carefully so as not to hurt himself. He still really enjoys playing with his Fisher Price Laugh & Learn House. He loves playing "a boo" (peek a boo) - even at 5 AM. I love when he thinks he is hiding because he has a tiny toy in front of his eyes.
We have been searching for a more permanent place to live. Not sure where we will end up but, hopefully we'll have some idea soon. For the next two years or so, we'll be in NY until the hubby can wave into a new state.
My youngest brother came home from London and surprised Charlie with a Paddington Bear who is about the same size as he is. Charlie is enjoying playing with his uncle and the bear.
It is so much fun to watch Charlie grow up. I can't believe how many more sounds he is making. His sounds definitely mean something because they are different in different situations. For example, my friend Patti has a dog named Charlie and whenever my Charlie seeing him he lets out this chirping noise that I only hear when he is near the dog.
Charlie definitely wants to walk he just can't seem to get the balance down. He is flying back and forth using this plastic push toy but, whenever he realizes he isn't holding on he sits down very carefully so as not to hurt himself. He still really enjoys playing with his Fisher Price Laugh & Learn House. He loves playing "a boo" (peek a boo) - even at 5 AM. I love when he thinks he is hiding because he has a tiny toy in front of his eyes.
We have been searching for a more permanent place to live. Not sure where we will end up but, hopefully we'll have some idea soon. For the next two years or so, we'll be in NY until the hubby can wave into a new state.
What's new?
- I'm a columnist at Ignitum Today. Head over there and check out my first article!
- It's Earth Day! Get outside and enjoy the beautiful day!
- We went to our friends' wedding on Saturday. It was a fun night out. I always enjoy remembering our wedding day as I hear my friends recite their vows to one another.
- I'm looking forward to May! Our friends Jenn & Tim will be in the area (well, closer than TX). Charlie will be one!
- Next weekend one of my brothers will be coming home from Study Abroad.
- Charlie is teething like crazy. He has one top tooth poking through and several others that I can see poking around up there. This kid could have a bunch of teeth for his birthday.
- My friend Kristin is raising money for Cystic Fibrosis. She is in the final push to meet her fundraising goal. Won't you go help her out?
Five Favorites
First, I want to congratulate Hallie on the birth of her very own little Charlie! (I have to say I think she picked a great name.) Second, I want to congratulate Jen on the birth of her little man and ask for some prayers for Jen and her son as he's having some health issues right now.
And for the moment you've all been waiting for...
And for the moment you've all been waiting for...
My Favorites
- The weather - It has been close to 80 for the last three days which means beach and playground time for the little man and I.
- Charlie - This has been an amazing week for the little man. He has started walking holding my hands. He enjoys digging in the sand with his shovel. He also enjoys trying to eat the rocks on the beach. He is wearing shoes and he hates them just like his momma. (I'm going to have to start to wear shoes/flip flops more often to teach him they truly aren't so terrible.)
- Discovering that making mom friends at the playground involves a pickup line: "How old is your little one?" It seems that this is code for, "Hey, I would really like to have an adult conversation with someone. Want to chat? Maybe, if you are normal, we could have a cup of coffee sometime."
- Charlie's favorite: The parachute at Little Gym. He absolutely adored standing in the center of the parachute while everyone went around in a circle singing "The Wheels on the Bus".
- Charlie's favorite: BUBBLES! He is really getting into popping the bubbles and tracking them down as they come out of the wand.
I am linking up with Hallie today!
Five Favorites
-1-
Little Gym
Awhile ago a Beach Bum & Baby wrote about how her little one loved Little Gym. Then, a friend of mine was RAVING about Little Gym. Well, Charlie went to his first "Birds" class this morning and LOVED IT! We have been taking advantage of all of the free classes these places offer in hopes of finding something that would keep him entertained and active for the entire time. He loved every minute of it. He used almost all of the equipment and the staff was so willing to help. We signed up for the rest of the school year. Can't wait to go back later this week for open gym time!
-2-
"Squeezies"
When we're on the go, we love the food pouches that you can squeeze directly into the child's mouth. No spoons necessary! While it's not homemade food, I can still get organic pouches. (Thanks to Grandma & Grandpa who brought a bunch for Charlie!) Some of our favorite brands are Plum Organics, Happy Yogi, Earth's Best & Peter Rabbit Organics.
Apparently, Target has a kit to make your own "squeezies". I may have to look into that. However, I'm still searching for reusable "squeezies" so I can put my own food in and not have the waste from the disposable pouches.
If you find the need to use a spoon with the pouches, there are Plum Organics makes little spoons that attach to the end and come in a convenient case so you don't lose them in your diaper bag (as I inevitably always do).
Apparently, Target has a kit to make your own "squeezies". I may have to look into that. However, I'm still searching for reusable "squeezies" so I can put my own food in and not have the waste from the disposable pouches.
If you find the need to use a spoon with the pouches, there are Plum Organics makes little spoons that attach to the end and come in a convenient case so you don't lose them in your diaper bag (as I inevitably always do).
-3-
Oshkosh B'gosh
They had an AMAZING $1.99 sale on Fall/Winter clothes. I was able to score a bunch of great tops and sweatshirts for the little guy. If you have a store nearby, it's definitely worth stopping in to see if they have anything left.
-4-
Russell Stover Marshmallow Bunny
So, I normally have an undying love for all things chocolate peanut butter (read Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Eggs, Pumpkins, Christmas Trees, etc.). I've found something new (to me)! These are super yummy AND apparently they make them for almost every holiday. YAY!
-5-
My mom comes home from London today! I get to pick her up from the airport in just under two hours! It will be so nice to have her home.
**I'm linking up with Hallie Lord over at Moxie Wife. Happy Birthday Hallie! Hope your LO arrives shortly! (Thanks Jen for hosting in her absence.)**
They had an AMAZING $1.99 sale on Fall/Winter clothes. I was able to score a bunch of great tops and sweatshirts for the little guy. If you have a store nearby, it's definitely worth stopping in to see if they have anything left.
-4-
Russell Stover Marshmallow Bunny
So, I normally have an undying love for all things chocolate peanut butter (read Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Eggs, Pumpkins, Christmas Trees, etc.). I've found something new (to me)! These are super yummy AND apparently they make them for almost every holiday. YAY!
-5-
My mom comes home from London today! I get to pick her up from the airport in just under two hours! It will be so nice to have her home.
**I'm linking up with Hallie Lord over at Moxie Wife. Happy Birthday Hallie! Hope your LO arrives shortly! (Thanks Jen for hosting in her absence.)**
Do you "like" your job?
I've had two real jobs since graduating college. First, I was a teacher. Now, I'm a mother. I can honestly say I enjoyed both jobs. Of course, there are challenging days when you wish you could move to a tropical paradise with a swim up bar but, all in all I loved my jobs.
I ran into someone today who works in a service capacity with small children and parents. I've met her and chatted with her several times. The more time I spend with her the more it seems that she dislikes small children. It appears that she thinks she's not there to work with the kids. In fact, she does everything in her power not to interact with the small children. She pawns off activities that are definitely her job on others in her place of employment.
I hope that her outward appearance is only a coincidence...
This experience made my think of how I appear to others. Do I appear to be happy with my place in life? Or, do I appear angry and exhausted? Your outward appearance isn't everything but, it certainly leaves a lasting impression on others.
I need to make more of an effort to let the positive parts of my job as a mother show through the mounds of dirty diapers, laundry, and dishes that greet me each day. No, everything is not all sunshine and rainbows but, I have a great kid with whom I'm happy to be able to stay home. I get to see all of his smiles, hear all of his laughs, and wipe all of his tears because I am blessed to be with him each day, all day long.
I ran into someone today who works in a service capacity with small children and parents. I've met her and chatted with her several times. The more time I spend with her the more it seems that she dislikes small children. It appears that she thinks she's not there to work with the kids. In fact, she does everything in her power not to interact with the small children. She pawns off activities that are definitely her job on others in her place of employment.
I hope that her outward appearance is only a coincidence...
This experience made my think of how I appear to others. Do I appear to be happy with my place in life? Or, do I appear angry and exhausted? Your outward appearance isn't everything but, it certainly leaves a lasting impression on others.
I need to make more of an effort to let the positive parts of my job as a mother show through the mounds of dirty diapers, laundry, and dishes that greet me each day. No, everything is not all sunshine and rainbows but, I have a great kid with whom I'm happy to be able to stay home. I get to see all of his smiles, hear all of his laughs, and wipe all of his tears because I am blessed to be with him each day, all day long.
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