Red Stick Mom

In Part 1 of my post, I shared our typical day of being a mom and working full-time.  Now, I wanted to take some time to go into the reasons why I work, my tips for balancing life and work, and my advice for dealing with that "mommy guilt" that we all struggle with one way or another. Top reasons I feel that working full time works best for my family: Money - Life is expensive. Period. No explanation needed. Schooling- I went to college then graduate school to pursue a degree where I could make a difference in this world and I want to use it. Continuing Education and Intellectual Stimulation - I enjoy learning new techniques and procedures that will better...

Momtrepreneur is a catchy little term describing a mom (most often a stay at home mom) who builds a hobby or idea into her own business, therefore becoming an entrepreneur. Momtrepreneur. Has a nice ring to it, no? Here’s my own little momtrepreneur journey (so far) in a nutshell: In 6th grade I kind-of, sort-of learned how to sew. In 2010, my friend gave me her sewing machine she no longer wanted. In 2011, I became a mom and was motivated to improve my sewing skills in order to make cute stuff for my kids. These kids happened to be boys, and I realized there was a lack of adorable baby boy clothes on the market. In 2013, I have...

Since I just had my second baby and am headed kicking and screaming back to work, I know that I'm going to have to answer the question: To pump or not to pump? Providing freshly expressed breast milk for my little one is a labor of love that doesn't come from a grocery store. I choose to breast feed my babies for as long as I can when I go back to work; then, I just supplement as needed. So... How do I manage the task of juggling my inquisitive middle school students while attempting this task? Here's some helpful tips I've come to know and love in this process. -Be in the know. Go ahead and have that awkward...

I wanted to be one of those women who loved being pregnant. I went into it so optimistically, hoping the life inside me would give me a healthy glow and a sunny disposition. I. Was. Wrong. My first trimester was predictably nauseating--no surprises there. But I can tell you the exact moment that things took a turn for the worse. I was 14 weeks along and the nausea had only recently subsided. My husband and I were watching the Saints game at a friend's house and I just could not get comfortable. There was this pain in my lower back, right at the bottom of my ribs on the right side. It felt like someone pinching me hard from the...

Do you have one of those mom friends that just always makes you laugh and puts a smile on your face? That is how I feel about the lovely and talented Ashley Hawthorne.  She has a quick wit and great sense of humor; but more importantly, she is an incredible and inspiring woman and mom. I'm so happy for you to get to know her and tour a bit of her beautiful, new home out in woodsy Central.  Although Ashley is an Interior Designer, her home does not have the untouched magazine look you might expect.  Instead, she breathes life into every corner and makes it a livable and beautiful space for her son and soon-to-arrive daughter. I know...