Monthly Archives: August 2010
Beyond Biology-A Journey of Adoption and Motherhood
Patti and her family
Adoption means you grow inside your mommy’s heart instead of her tummy.–Anonymous
I’ve always loved this quote because it shows that there is so much more to motherhood than biology. Everyone’s parenting journey is different and filled with its own challenges and joys. During our Mom Mondays we try to highlight different parenting journeys so our Kolcraft fans can experience the depth and beauty of motherhood.
Today we were able to connect with a very special mom whose parenting journey took all sorts of twists and turns as an adoptive mom. Grab a cup of coffee or tea; you are in for a treat.
Tell us a little about your “mommy journey.” What were your hopes and dreams when you first started trying to conceive?
When we first started trying to conceive we never dreamed we would have had a problem trying to get pregnant. As weeks turned into months and no baby, we started to look into fertility options. I remember it seemed as if everyone around me was pregnant. I longed to actually “be” pregnant, carry my child inside me, and feel that closeness. Morning sickness, swollen ankles and stretch marks would have been a welcome gift. After testing, both my husband and I we found out we both had fertility problems. We were devastated. I knew I wanted to be a Mom and he wanted to be a Dad. Our dreams of having a family after we got married came crashing down.
When did you decide to look into adoption and how did you know it was the right thing for you?
While going through fertility treatment, each test coming back with disheartening news, we started talking about the possibility of adoption. We knew we wanted to be parents. Would we be able to accept and love a child not biologically ours? Would our family accept an adopted child? Where do we start? What country should we adopt from? Boy? Girl? We prayed each night and in our hearts we just knew it was right- we should adopt! A sense of peace settled in both of us.
How did people react to your decision to adopt?
I think our family was excited, but nervous like us. They didn’t want us to get hurt. People really didn’t talk about it. I think sometimes others are uncomfortable with the pain of watching a couple struggle with fertility and then the stress and the questions that accompany adoption. We decided to take a class about how to go about starting an adoption process. Once we got “the call” for each of my kids my whole family was so excited! We had a shower/ welcome home party. My son was 15 months old and my daughter was 2 when we adopted them. Our families are crazy about my kids.
Did you have any fears to adopting?
We had a lot of fears! Would the child love us? What if the birth mother or father took the child away? What if he or she wants to meet their biological parent? Would I know what my baby needed?
Patti and her son a few days after he was adopted
What was the biggest joy?
Meeting them for the first time for sure!!! I remember the moment I met my son. I swear something went right through my heart and I KNEW he was MY son. It was instantaneous. When I met my daughter the exact thing happened- the overwhelming love for them just shot right though me.
What was the most difficult challenge?
Definitely the waiting!! Waiting for the paperwork, and the court dates. Also the stress of the homestudy.
What has been your biggest surprise on your adoption journey?
I never expected that someday I would be grateful that I was infertile and “had” to adopt and that I could love someone as much as this.
Any advice for families dealing looking towards adoption?
Not only do you adopt your child- they adopt you. Just love them, love them, love them. You’re their Mom and Dad. Don’t let anyone make you feel like you are “less” of a Mom and Dad because you didn’t give birth to them.
Now for a quick glance into Patti’s life . 
What is your favorite part to being a mom? I love snuggling my kids and being able to just be silly with them. I love knowing a part of my heart lives in each of my kids. Its funny how people people are so surprised that they are adopted because they say they are just like my husband and I.
What is your one guilty pleasure? Cotton candy
If you had a free day to yourself, how would you spend it? Oooo I like a good book, or playing my piano or cello.
If someone was going to write a book on your life, what would they title it? Grateful for Unanswered Prayers
Patti and her daughter having some "Mommy & Me" time
When Older Siblings Go back To School
It’s back to school time and your older children may already be getting back into the rhythm of the classroom. But what about younger children who are left behind? They can feel lonely, left out, sad and anxious because their siblings have “left them behind.” This time alone with your youngest can actually be a time where you get special one on one time with him. This can make him feel special instead of “left behind.”
One way to make your youngest feel engaged while the others are at school is to plan a special activity for her. If you have an hour or so put aside for your special time, she will look forward to that special time she has with you.
A few ideas:
- Set up your own classroom and play school teaching simple lessons about the weather. You can make a cloud, sun, snowflakes, raindrops, etc out of felt or foam from your local craft store or the Teacher Store. Once made, your new student can start each day picking out which object corresponds with the day’s weather. If it’s a rainbow weather day, you can make our fruit rainbow cake.
- Have a color “sponsor” your day. Let your child pick the color and you can dress in that color, eat food that is that color, find flowers that are that color and learn about an animal that is that color.
- Create your own coloring adventure by printing out free coloring pages. Color a page a day and at the end of the week make up a story that goes along with the pictures.
What ideas do you have to help your youngest child adjust to his siblings going back to school?
Get in Shape with a Jeep Jogging Stroller!
Yesterday at the Mom Is Born virtual baby shower, we gave away a Jeep® jogging stroller. We received a lot of positive feedback on it so we wanted to share it with our Kolcraft fans who want to push healthy living and getting in shape to the top of their priority list.
The Jeep® Overland Limited Jogging Stroller allows you to get in shape and take your child along for the ride. The Music on the Move® parent tray allows you to work out with your favorite music. Simply attach your own portable audio electronics, like an iPod®, and go!
Other features we love:
- Soft-ride 16 inch air filled tires. Front fixed front wheel for better handling when jogging.
- Smart Handle® adjusts to multiple heights
- Large storage basket
- Child tray with cup holder
- Speed & distance odometer
We know you will love getting in shape with the Jeep® Overland Limited Jogging Stroller!
Want one? Check it out on Amazon and Diapers.com!
Virtual Baby Shower Today!
Today is the day that we celebrate a Mom Is Born! What is this? Along with My Mommy Manual we are celebrating a virtual baby shower for Virginia Kerr, the anchor on Channel 4′s early news show, Awake. This virtual baby shower is also a celebration of all moms!
During the two-hour celebration which you can attend through chats and videos, you will meet other parents, win prizes (lots of great baby gear including the Jeep Jogging Stroller!), learn about the Holding Hands bracelet and help support March of Dimes who will receive proceeds from A Mom Is Born!
We are thrilled to be part of this fun event. If you want to follow via Twitter, use hash tag #momisborn
We look forward to celebrating motherhood with you this afternoon! If you are unable to attend, you can always watch the video!
School Lunch Ideas for Kids
School is starting again and that means getting back on schedule, homework and packing lunches. When you have a laundry list of 100 things to do in 24 hours, it can be difficult to make healthy lunches your child will actually eat. Team Kolcraft pulled together some of our kids’ favorite lunches to share with you.
- Mini pizzas made on wheat pita bread. Just take a pita, add cheese and pepperoni, put in the toaster oven for a few minutes and ta-dah! You have mini-pizzas.
- Deviled egg sail boats- Cut yellow, red or green peppers into a thin triangle. Put the triangle on top of the deviled egg to make it look like a sail boat. (These can be tricky to transport.)
- Cucumber logs- Cut a cucumber in half, hollow out the cucumber leaving a sturdy shell. Fill cucumber shell with tuna salad.
- Sandwich kabobs- Give sandwiches a twist by turning it into a kabob. On a skewer place a cube of bread, cheese, cherry tomato, lunch meat, lettuce, baby jerkin pickle, olive and cube of bread. Change it up with you child’s favorite sandwich fillings for a kabob he is sure to eat!
What kid-friendly lunch tips do you have to share?
Mom Monday Welcomes a Barefoot Mommy!
Amanda radiating the pregnancy glow
BlogHer gave us the chance to meet in “real life” some of the blog moms we follow. We were so excited to have had met Amanda from Barefoot Mommies. Meeting Amanda was like meeting an old friend. She just radiated the “mommy glow” as soon she will be welcoming a new baby into her family’s life. We were able to catch up with Amanda for a few moments to get an inside glimpse into her life as a Barefoot Mommy!
We love your blog! You have everything from reviews to giveaways to crafts! Tell us how you became a blogger on Barefoot Mommies and how it grew into what it is today.
Its kind of a funny story! I have been friends with Krissy Carr for awhile on twitter and was asking her questions about blogging and how she did it when she said why not write on my blog. I was so excited because I am a stay at home mom and this just seemed like the perfect job!
You are going to be a mommy again! What has been the best part of your pregnancy & what part do you hope ends in a New York minute?
I love being pregnant-even with the all-day sickness to the strange food cravings, it is a wonderful time. The best part of pregnancy for me is the little moments I can steal feeling my little girl inside of me. It is a wonderful feeling knowing I am creating a new life and helping her already to be healthy! The part I least love is… having to use the bathroom every five to ten minutes! I always say to my hubby I am looking forward to normal bathroom breaks! LOL
How have you been preparing your son for a new sibling?
It’s been hard, because he is only 2. He is now understanding mommy is having a baby, but he is still not sure about us bringing this baby home! We read to him every night Look Who’s Going to Be a Big Brother by Reene Whitecombe. It’s a wonderful book where he can see what a big brother is and how he can become one. He is now telling us, “I am big boy not your baby!” It is very sweet when he comes and kisses my belly and says “love you.”
Do you have any dreams for your new baby that you can share with us?
The one dream I have for both my kids is to always know they are loved! So many children grow up in this world not knowing for sure they are. I never want my son or daughter to question this. My husband and I were very lucky to be raised in families where we prayed together everyday. My favorite quote is “The family that prays together, stays together.” We are firm believers that by letting our children know how important being loved is, they will always look for it.
Have you had an “Ah-ha” mom moment?
I have had so many, but the one that I would love to share with you has happened to me honestly two weeks ago. My husband has been waiting to go back to nursing school for a year now and we always knew it could happen at anytime. We did not plan this pregnancy and we have been wondering how we would survive if he got into nursing school. Well last month hubby got into nursing school and had to cut his work hours to two days a week. We have been lucky enough to get help from family, but it’s about to stop. So I started crying because our only option was to move back in with my parents. We have a two year old, and having a baby in November-how could we do that? I was over at my moms talking to her and dad about this when my son came to me and said, “Momma its ok. Nanny, Poppy loves us.” At that moment I knew that my hubby and I would do anything we could to support our children even if that meant moving into my parents home. My son was right-they loves us so we will be ok. Its still amazes me that a two year old had more faith then a 28 year old.
Amanda has lots of smiles with her hubby & son
Now for a quick glance into Amanda’s life.
What is always in your fridge? OK this may sounds weird but I am a big foodie! I went to cooking school and love to cook so the things in my fridge are not normal for most. First off there has to be fresh fruit! I love taking fresh apple cutting them up and making homemade apple sauce. Here is my recipe:
- 2 lbs of apples peeled and cored (I like to use fuji, gala, or pink lady apples)
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar
- 1/2 cup of white sugar
- 1/4 cup of cinnamon (less if you do not like the cinnamon taste)
- 2 to 3 cups of apple juice
Take your cut peeled apples and place in a large pot, Take brown and white sugar and place over apples, next take your cinnamon and sprinkle over the top of them. Add your apple juice until it covers just the top of your apples. Place on stove on medium heat for one to two hours until apples are soft. Remove from heat and blend to your desired thickness. I use a hand stick blender and leave no chunks to make a smooth sauce. (Blogger’s note – there is drool on my keyboard!)
What is your guilty pleasure? It would have to be the moments when I can steal an hour or two alone to read a new book, have a big bowl of ice cream, and don’t forget to lock my door!
If you had a “free day” with no commitments or obligations, what would you do with it? Take my family to Disney world! I had the chance to work there for a year and loved it, and would love the chance to share it with my whole family!
What is your must-have pregnancy product? Any type of coco butter! That stuff is magic! My belly never feels so smooth as it does with it. I send it to all my new pregnant friends to get them started off early!
If someone were going to write a book of your life, what would they title the book? The Crazy Twists and Turns of a Stay At Home Mom Blogger
Thank you Amanda. It was great to get to know you more. We look forward to seeing pictures of your beautiful baby when she arrives!
Amanda's son sending Kolcraft fans hugs & smooches
Fun Friday At the Fair!
Corn on the cob, pig races, Ferris wheels and homemade pies – just a few of the things to love about State Fairs! We stumbled across this helpful list of the top 10 State Fairs that you can enjoy with your kids. It’s a fun family day that has something for everyone. And for us city dwellers, it’s a nice way to enjoy the country.
Check it out. What State Fair would you like to attend?
Design Your Own Travel System
Picking out the right stroller for you and your baby can be as complex as buying a car. Do you want a lightweight stroller or an umbrella stroller? Do you want a jogging stroller or a stroller with a reversible seat? Do you want a travel system that matches your car seat, but is big and bulky or do you want an infant car seat carrier? So many decisions!
Buying a stroller is a commitment. You want to find one that works for you, but while your baby is still in an infant car seat carrier, an inexpensive alternative to a stroller is an infant car seat carrier. An infant car seat carrier will accommodate your needs while your baby is a newborn and allow you to find the perfect stroller for when baby no longer needs the infant car seat. It’s like you are designing your own travel system!
One of our favorite infant car seat carriers is the Jeep® Universal Cruiser™.
Features We Love:
- Convenient one-hand fold allows you to hold your child & fold the carrier at the same time!
- Removable parent tray with dual cup holders
- Front swivel shock-absorbing wheels
- Extra large basket with cargo bags for ample storage
Win one!
Check out the features of the Jeep® Universal Cruiser™ and leave a comment about what you like about the Jeep® Universal Cruiser™to be automatically be entered to win one! Contest ends Monday, August 24th at midnight CST. Winner will be announced on Tuesday.
A Mom Is Born!
A week from today we will be celebrating a mom being born. What is this? Along with My Mommy Manual we are celebrating a virtual baby shower for Virginia Kerr, the anchor on Channel 4′s early news show, Awake. This virtual baby shower is also a celebration of all moms!
During the two-hour celebration which you can attend through chats and videos, you will meet other parents, win prizes (lots of great baby gear & more!), learn about the Holding Hands bracelet and help support March of Dimes who will receive proceeds from A Mom Is Born!
We are thrilled to be part of this fun event. If you want to follow via Twitter, use hash tag #momisborn
We look forward to celebrating motherhood with you on August 23rd at A Mom Is Born!
Live TV : Ustream
Summer Sales Help You Stock Up for Next Year
Labor day is around the corner. With that comes cooler weather and the summer clothes gets put away. While sometimes it’s hard to think beyond tomorrow, you can reap in summer savings by thinking of summer 2011 today!
A lot of stores are having summer clearance sales so they can make room for their Fall and Winter apparel. Now is the time to stock up on t-shirts, shorts and other items your child needs. Be sure to buy the clothes a size larger than they are wearing now, since they will most likely be wearing a bigger size next summer.
What summer saving tips do you have?
