Mother’s Day

Consider This, Moms: A Solo Staycation For Mother’s Day Or Any Day
ParenthoodTravel

Consider This, Moms: A Solo Staycation For Mother’s Day Or Any Day

by Jill
written by Jill

You know we sold our house last year and decided to travel fulltime in an RV with our 4 kids because we thought that would make our life… easier? Or… I don’t really know what we were thinking, but I do know I was fully intending on writing MORE here, not less. And hopefully I will soon.

Read on if you are looking for THE BEST last minute Mother’s Day gift for yourself or someone else! 

It’s just that this lifestyle has a pretty steep learning curve and the first 5 months (OMG almost half a year already!) have flown by and we are just now feeling like we finally have things figured out. That’s really just another way of saying LIFE HAS BEEN STRESSFUL. (And glorious and beautiful and amazing, but very stressful.)

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Work Smarter, Not Harder- This Service Will Design Photo Books For You!
ParenthoodPhotographyReviews

Work Smarter, Not Harder- This Service Will Design Photo Books For You!

by Jill
written by Jill


I have pictures of my mom with my kids, starting from the minute my oldest was born. Well, okay… a few minutes after he was born, as she looked over him in his Isolette.

Shutterfly's Make My Book Design Service will design photo books for you! | BabyRabies.com

The post is sponsored by Shutterfly. Make this Mother’s Day with a personalized gift that says it all.

It is not lost on me how fortunate we are to have her there for so many big and little life events, and I am also super lucky to have so many great pictures of her with the kids. But, despite how much I treasure them, I hardly have any printed.

Getting pictures off of my phone and computer and into the real world in some tangible form is always a struggle. I get so overwhelmed. I don’t know what to do with them! I don’t have the space to put all of them in frames, and photo books? I do NOT have the time these days!

She’s always saying (or commenting on my Facebook) “I want this one printed!” And I’m always making a mental note, “Hey, just print these pictures for her and your Mother’s Day gift is complete!” But then life happens, and I don’t have the time to curate all the pictures and organize them. I have this problem where if I think I can’t do something perfectly, I just don’t do it at all.

What if someone ELSE could do it perfectly for me, though? And what if it wasn’t hard to get the pictures to them, and they did all the organizing and designing? That’s EXACTLY what Shutterfly’s Make My Book Service does, and that’s exactly what they did for me.

Shutterfly's Make My Book Design Service will design photo books for you! | BabyRabies.com

Y’all, look at this lovely photo book of nothing but pictures of my mom with my kids!

It’s a real, paper book with real pages that don’t live on the internet! It’s that one thing I’ve wanted to do for her for so long, and it took me 15 minutes.

Shutterfly's Make My Book Design Service will design photo books for you! | BabyRabies.com

You read that right. FIFTEEN. MINUTES. I uploaded the pictures from Facebook and my computer, then quickly made sure they were in chronological order. I picked a theme for the book and sent a little note that I wanted the pictures to remain in chronological order and events grouped together.

Shutterfly's Make My Book Design Service will design photo books for you! | BabyRabies.com

Then a real person and professional designer took it from there. They chose the layouts and added the pictures, adding design elements throughout, too. Within a couple days, I had a draft ready to approve. I did go in and make a couple quick changes, rearranging a few pictures, but it only took a few minutes until I was 100% happy and clicked the purchase button.

Shutterfly's Make My Book Design Service will design photo books for you! | BabyRabies.com

The Make My Book Service is only $9.99 (plus the cost of the book), and you only pay it if/when you decide to order the book. There isn’t any cost to get started and see what they design for you. And while you’re on Shutterfly, you can check out all the other great, personalized stuff they have for mom.

Shutterfly's Make My Book Design Service will design photo books for you! | BabyRabies.com

I always thought I’d be the scrapbooking kind of mom, but it turns out I’m the Shutterfly Make My Book Service kind of mom. (Have you seen that Pinterest/Amazon Prime mom meme? So funny.)

I love that the end product is exactly what I’d get if I spent hours creating a personalized gift for my mom, just without the hours spent. Of course, my mom never misses a blog post, and it’s not quite Mother’s Day yet, so obviously SPOILER ALERT, MOM. Love you. See you soon. Hope you enjoy your book! (We’ll have more surprises for you.)

Please tell me I’m not the only one who thinks it’s about time we can pay someone else to design photo books for us! Work smarter, not harder, friends.

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My 2015 Mother’s Day Gift List
ParenthoodReviews

My 2015 Mother’s Day Gift List

by Jill
written by Jill

Every year, I intend to put something  like this together. I always forget until, like, the day before Mother’s Day, though. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been making more #grownupchoices lately or because my baby is mostly sleeping through the night, but LOOK AT ME SO ON TOP OF IT.

Anyway, with Mother’s Day coming up in a few weeks, I thought I’d share with you all 10 things that I would personally love to get and give.

1. Auburn Jewelry

Samantha Levine introduced herself and her jewelry line to me about a year ago when she sent me a personalized initial pendant necklace. It’s become an accessory staple in my wardrobe, so I was thrilled when she offered to send me another necklace this year- 3 minis with the kids initials. Minis on a chain start at $58 each.

A photo posted by Auburn jewelry (@auburnjewelry) on

 

Every piece from Auburn Jewelry is handcrafted by Samantha. She is a true ARTIST. And if you’re looking for something unique and special, you can commission a custom order from her. How lovely is this for a dog lover? These Color Dot Stacking Rings are her newest line. So perfect for Mothers Day with a great price point of $28 each.

 

2. Shutterbag Camera Bags

I have 3. THREE! And I love each and every one. They are quality, gorgeous, like fine handbags that you’d be happy to wear with any outfit. They are real leather, with beautiful hardware, and they come in amazing colors.

If the mom in your life (or you, let’s be real, you’ll probably be the one doing the recommending and sending this guide along to someone) is not a hardcore photog, this is STILL an awesome line of bags. The organization inside makes them GREAT diaper bags, with the option of becoming a legit camera bag down the road if that’s something you think you’ll want to take on.

My favorite right now is the Journey. It’s big enough to hold A LOT of stuff, and has this perfect pocket in the front for a water bottle. Isn’t that vivid cobalt blue stunning? Bags start at $249 (this is real leather, friends!), but they also have gift cards available.

Mothers Day Gift List 2015 | BabyRabies.com

3. FEED Projects

I adore all things from FEED, and they have something for just about any budget. Their bracelets start at $5 (so fun for stacking), and this bag, made in Guatemala that provides one child micronutrients for one year, is only $40. I carried one similar to it all last summer.

Mothers Day Gift List 2015 | BabyRabies.com

Every product sold has a measurable donation attached to it and, to date, the social business has been able to provide over 87 million meals globally through the WFP and Feeding America. FEED has also supported nutrition programs around the world, providing over 3.6 million children with Vitamin A supplements through the WFP and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. – FeedProjects.com

4. Nickel & Suede 

I met Kilee Nickels, founder of N&S, on a media trip last fall, and she gifted me a pair of earrings like I have never had before. They are made of leather and are SO light that I forget I’m wearing them. I’ve fallen asleep in them more than once.

A photo posted by Jill Krause (@babyrabies) on

  What I love most is that this is a business built by a hardworking couple who took a chance on a dream, and they’re making it. I LOVE watching them grow! As much as I love their new mom & me sets ($35).  

5. Stitch Fix

My love for Stitch Fix, a personal styling and shopping service, is no secret. I began receiving boxes about a year and a half ago at a time when I felt frumpy and defeated when it came to fashion. Now? I feel confident in what I wear, and comfortable! My closet is full of stuff that I LOVE. You can read more about my love for Stitch Fix here and here (just to start).

A Stitch Fix Gift Card makes an AWESOME gift!!  

6. The Giving Keys

This is another great company that does good work with the money you give it. The Giving Keys employs people experiencing homelessness, giving them opportunities to transition into permanent housing. They hand stamp old keys with inspirational messages, giving them new life. Mothers Day Gift List 2015 | BabyRabies.com And they encourage you to pass on your own key when you come upon someone who needs it’s message. Then tell your story of how and why the key found another to wear it. Oh, I just love it all. If you have time, you should read the stories from others, and the stories of people they’ve employed. Such good stuff. Pendants start at $35.  

7. Gniess Spice

Admittedly, I don’t like to cook, and I’ve never used these spices, BUT I still want to buy them for everyone in my life who does love to cook (and I did for my dad and brother for Christmas). I can’t even remember how I found these, but once I read the story behind them I instantly felt connected and like this was a company I wanted to support. Mothers Day Gift List 2015 | BabyRabies.com Gneiss Spice was created by a mother and teacher. She started making these magnetic, organic spice kits as gifts for friends, and eventually turned it into a family business. She sources spices and herbs from sustainable practices, pays her employees fairly, and tries to run things as eco-friendly as possible. Not to mention, the magnetic spice jars bring visual interest to any part of your kitchen that you can hang them. The basic kit of 7 herbs and spices starts at just $37.50.    

8. Mrs. Meyers Candles

I’m in loooovvvvveee with these soy candles! And honestly, if my husband gave me some of the Mrs. Meyers cleaning spray in Lavender, I wouldn’t be offended. I buy this stuff for myself as a treat! 

A photo posted by Jill Krause (@babyrabies) on

The Mrs. Meyers website is offering free shipping right now, but you can also buy them at Target (though I’ve only ever seen the small candles there ~ $7).

9. Fair Trade Felt Flowers from Global Goods Partners

Instead of giving mom some needy flowers that will eventually die no matter how well she takes care of them, how about some beautifully crafted felt flowers from an organization that is working to alleviate poverty and promote social justice in 20 countries?

Mothers Day Gift List 2015 | BabyRabies.com

I know I would be thrilled to get these fair trade felt wildflowers. They’re $8 each and made by women artisans in Nepal.

10. Minnetonka mocs

Okay, perhaps I’m very late to this boho-hipster trend, but I picked up a pair of Minnetonka moccasins in California out of necessity (the shoes I brought with me would not stay on my feet and the mocs were all I could find at the closest store in downtown San Fancisco).

A photo posted by Jill Krause (@babyrabies) on

I am OBSESSED with how comfortable they are! They are all I want to wear anymore, and they didn’t need breaking in. They come in a ton of fun colors, including a Hello Kitty pair. OMG. I’m ridiculous for loving those. They start at $43 on their website, but I found my pair at Ross for $35.

There you have it. 10 things I think would be pretty cool to get for Mothers Day. Of course, it’s certainly not an exhaustive list, and sometimes the best gift is just silence and the chance to pee alone for 24 hours.

Feel free to pin this to a board titled “Here is stuff to buy for me” or whatever. I seriously started doing that for Scott last year and, like it’s crazy, but he’s been actually buying me great stuff. IMAGINE!

Mothers Day Gift List 2015 | BabyRabies.com

Some of these brands have sent stuff to me before, the Stitch Fix link is an affiliate, and some of it’s just stuff I have found 0n my own. Nobody paid to be a part of this list.

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BabiesPostpartum Anxiety & DepressionSchool Age DaysThe StoryToddlers

Mother’s Day Sucked, PPA Sucks

by Jill
written by Jill

Yesterday, Mother’s Day, didn’t go very well, and I’m mad.

The kids fought nearly the whole day, the restaurant we chose for a late lunch served up awful service and sub-par salads. Nothing went as planned. Heck, nothing really was planned. I spent the 2nd half of the day taking a nap in an effort to restart. When I woke, I just wanted to forget it was Mother’s Day altogether.

But it wasn’t the expectations, the arguments, or the long waits for food that angered me. Granted, they agitated me, but what really angered me, what made me want to cry was how badly all that affected me because of my postpartum anxiety.

I. Am. Mad. that postpartum anxiety, something that’s already making motherhood difficult for me, made my Mother’s Day a wash.

I lapsed on taking my meds because my prescription ran out. I took my last dose on Wednesday, got a refill after an appointment on Thursday, but then there was a tornado warning, and then there was Friday (which was just nuts), and then Kendall’s birthday party on Saturday. By Sunday literally all I wanted for Mothers Day was to quickly get to Walgreens to pick up my prescription and a relatively relaxing lunch.

I was so wound up, so jumpy, and everything was so…. loud at that point, that it was nearly impossible to relax. Add to that all the little hiccups that I’m usually able to roll with (or at least not actually lose my mind over), and it was a recipe for disaster.

Then there was the guilt for feeling this way, for just wanting the day to not be about me, when just the sound of my children’s voices made me tense up. There was guilt for not being able to just get over it, to appreciate this day for what it is- another day with my family, which is something I always try to be grateful for… or at least see the silver lining.

Today is looking better. Tomorrow will be even more improved, I’m sure. And the next day? I’m asking for a Mothers Day makeup because I will NOT let that PPA bitch take it away from me.

 

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School Age DaysThe Story

He Is The Grit The Wears Us In

by Jill
written by Jill

“So, did you bring any electronics?” Kendall asked as he hoped up on the exam table after the nurse left and before the doctor came in.

Frozen was playing on a TV in the exam room. A TV was playing a current movie. In the room. At a doctor’s office. I looked at him quizzically.

“Uhm, no. I mean, I have my phone, but it’s nearly dead. The doctor will be in soon anyway,” I replied.

“So you didn’t bring my Kindle Fire?” he innocently pressed.

Yes, we bought him a Kindle Fire for his 6th birthday. I got some kind of $50 off deal from Amazon last week, and in an exhausted haze thought, “Eureka! What our kid needs is another device with apps and games! Birthday present, check!”

In my defense, we’ve set the Kindle to only allow him to play the games (that we download for him) after he’s done an hour of reading. This kid is smart, but he also needs incentives. And if a Kindle Fire is going to get him fired up about reading books, I’m all for it.

Sometimes I’m convinced we’re failing him. Maybe we don’t discipline him enough, or the right ways, or we give in too easily. Maybe we’re “those parents” who allow their kids to play apps while out to dinner so we can carry on a grown up conversation. Maybe we’re part of “the problem,” whatever that is.

A lot of other times I feel pretty good about how we’re handling things, though. I’ve learned with Kendall that we can’t force him to do things. I mean, I guess we can, but we might also get arrested for trying. So there’s a lot of reward charts, and rock jars, and devices that make him think that reading an ebook is more fun than a paper book.

Book purists, please don’t hate me. I assure you we have MANY books made of actual paper. And we read them. Often.

The point is he’s reading. The point is we are trying as hard as we can to instill a love of learning, and to encourage his natural curiosity, and to help him succeed in a school environment where he often gets into minor trouble for talking too much and not sitting still.

I’ve come to accept that there likely won’t be an age with him where he hits a switch and stops being challenging. Each year he pushes us, frustrates us, and forces us to rethink our entire strategy. With him, I don’t think we’ll ever be able to coast through parenting.

I don’t say that as a bad thing. This boy who made me a mother has shaped me into a version of myself that I am quite proud of today. All his grit and toughness has washed over us again and again, wearing us down, smoothing out our rigid edges, breaking us in. I think we are more comfortable because of him, like a well worn leather sofa.

IMG_2637-2

Every year, I remember how my very first Mother’s Day was spent with him at the ER at 4 in the morning because he was crying so hard and I just could. not. make. him. stop. There was nothing “wrong” with him. He was just… mad? Colicky? Introducing himself to me?

I think of all the things I didn’t know then, and still managed to keep him alive. I’m acutely aware of all I still don’t know, and yet he still thrives.

This weekend, there is much to celebrate. Kendall’s 6th birthday party is tomorrow, Mother’s Day is on Sunday. He is healthy, and his spirit is full of fire. I am healthy, and full of gratitude.

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PhotographyThe Story

Country Beauty In Pictures

by Jill
written by Jill

I’m sort of like a country song, in that I grew up (mostly) in a smallllll town, dreamed of living in a big city, ran as far away as I could after graduation and vowed to never come back. Now, “I Miss Mayberry” (except not really because that’s not it’s name), but only enough to want to go back and visit every now and then.

Conveniently, my mom has stuck around, and she and her boyfriend just bought a beautiful property not far from my small town roots. Mom’s madly in love with the place for obvious reasons, and I am forever grateful to them both for giving us a place to stay when we get the urge to go a little country or when the kids need to know what it’s like to run barefoot in the grass (or on the long driveway) as far as their feet will take them… and for providing such an amazing backdrop for gorgeous pictures!

Also convenient, having my brother in town, who happens to be a great photographer. I took about half of these, and he took the ones with me in them. I think we make a great team.

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ParenthoodThe Story

He better be hiding jewelry

by Jill
written by Jill

This morning, while I laid on the couch catnapping and nibbling on whatever I could shove down my mouth that came the closest to resembling cardboard (let’s just say that morning and night sickness are in FULL swing the last few days), Scott disappeared into the bedroom for a good 10 or 15 minutes. When he emerged he told me, “Don’t go into that bathroom, okay? Use Kendall’s if you need to.”

I figured he was being a sweet husband, saving me from the residual fumes that could send me into a fit of dry heaves, possibly leading to puking my brains out.

I left shortly after to take Kendall to a birthday party, where I’m quite proud of myself for not losing it all over the ball pit after chasing him back and forth. (The decision on my part to scarf down a whole piece of cake and cup of ice cream was poor, and one I regretted the whole 30 minute drive home.) Scott stayed home, insisting that he would clean the house, which he did. I think it’s starting to sink in that I’m officially a bump on a log (a BITCHY bump, at that), at least for now.

When I came home I asked him if it was safe to use our bathroom yet, figuring it had plenty of time to clear out since I left (and that he had plenty of time to find a plunger if it was something more).

Scott: “No. There’s something in there, and I don’t know what to do with it.”

Me ::widening eyes:: “What?”

Scott: “I don’t know where else to put it.”

Me: “You couldn’t flush it?”

Scott: “Huh? No. It’s for you.”

Me ::totally confused, disgusted, repulsed::

Scott: “I don’t know where else to hide it.  I guess I could put it in the closet. DON’T go in the closet, okay?”

Soooooooo…. I really hope that’s some sort of Mother’s Day gift he’s hiding from me. Guess I’ll let you all know tomorrow. Good for him for getting me something before the actual day of Mother’s Day. First time that’s ever happened.

7 weeks pregnant/ Kendall is 2 years old

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Parenting LOLZ

Memos From Mommy 05.10.09

by Jill
written by Jill

This week’s Memos From Mommy is brought to you by PeaceLoveMom, “a lifestyle brand company designed to share life’s many moments of motherhood. Creating designs that will both inspire and empower mothers everywhere, PeaceLoveMom represents a collaboration and true celebration of motherhood.”

This week’s winner, drawn at random sometime on Tuesday, May 11th, will win the Peace Sign Dot Pink Soft Tee, which retails for $40. As a belated Mother’s Day gift to all my readers, PeaceLoveMom is also offering free shipping until May 15th on orders over $20 in the continental US!  Enter the code BABYRABIES at checkout.  

 

Let me just start by saying that I hope you all had a fabulous Mother’s Day!  I have to say that I am so grateful to have such wonderful readers who continue to chime in with valuable insight, hilarious stories, and helpful advice.  Thank you for coming back for more!  Now, get your typing fingers ready and your memo’s prepared.  Post yours in the comments section for a chance to win your shirt from PeaceLoveMom.

(I’ve decided to ditch the blue “memo” with fun handwriting font as it’s an extremely huge pain in my ass, and a pain in the ass to read, too, I’m afraid.)

Dear Kendall,

Mother’s day was PERFECT.  Thank you for collaborating with daddy and hooking me up with some sweet loot.  And, most of all, thank you for saving your very first bath tub poop explosion for the first bath daddy gave you after his week long business trip!  Your timing was IMPECCABLE.  High Five, little man! Daddy told me that was his favorite present ever, and since he loved it so much, I wanted to make sure you know that it is okay with me if you save up all your bath time poops for daddy.  I promise I won’t be hurt.  You can make it up to me with slobbery kisses.

Love,
Mommy

Kendall is 1 year 1 week and 1 day old 

Congrats to Carolyn Potts!  She’s this weeks random winner with this memo:

 

Dear Lulu
Thank you for being such a good girl while we were camping, but I was very tired when we got home, and really want a good nights sleep.
So i wasn’t as excited as you where to be up at 12:56am, 1:34am, 1:51am. 2:47am and 4:20am this morning.
Let’s not play this game again, I don’t like it.
Love Mummy

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BabiesThe Story

My first Mother’s Day

by Jill
written by Jill

My first Mother’s Day began with a trip to the ER. Poor Kendall cried from 7 pm until 3 am last night. It was one of those experiences you hear all new moms describe as “terrible”. The crying wouldn’t stop. We had NO idea what was wrong. He was fed, changed, burped, clean, good temp, peeing, pooping….still crying. We tried the “magic potion” of Mylicon drops. They conked him out for 5 minutes. That was a cruel joke. He woke up with even more ferocity in his screams. We finally decided I should head to the ER with him at 12:30.

Turns out Kendall has a case of Acid Reflux. Yeah…the stuff I suffered from all through the last two trimesters. Looks like he took it with him. Since we can’t give him Tums (although I did briefly contemplate crushing some up for him and rubbing them inside his mouth until I came to my senses) we ended up with a prescription for liquid baby Zantac. We were also sent home with a list of preventative measures…including a list of foods I’m not supposed to be eating now that I’m breastfeeding.

Okay, how UNFAIR is this? Included on this list are chocolate, ice cream, dairy products, oranges, fruit juice, pizza, and various vegetables. So, like every freaking thing I’ve craved and eaten for the last nine months….yeah…. I have to give it up. I am warning all you pregnant ladies – don’t think just because you are going to breastfeed that you can continue your pregnancy diet after the baby is born. I thought I had at least another six months to indulge! Wrong. And to top it off, I feel like an asshole mother for making my baby sick just because I was craving some chocolate peanut butter cup ice cream.

The good news is the Zantac seems to do the trick. He’s been quite happy this morning. Meanwhile, I’m off to make myself a bland lunch consisting of a baked potato and a banana. And I promise I’m working on my birth story! I have a small portion of it finished and hopefully will be able to post it later tonight, assuming Kendall’s medicine keeps working and I can get a few minutes to sit down later tonight.

9 days old

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