Archives

Baby, Blog

Why We Blog

March 6, 2015

Why We Blog | www.mommyzoid.ca |

I have two babies. One has 2 legs and 2 arms and the other you’re staring at. My blog is my little place on the internet where our life is chronicled. My ups and downs of mommy-hood can be found right here at this web address.

But why on earth do I choose to lay it all out on the table? I’ll admit it’s a touch embarrassing when my real life friends ask me about something from my blog. I honestly forget that anyone even reads what I write.

When I was pregnant I spent my days researching. I visited literally thousands of blogs while trying to narrow down what car seat I wanted, what stroller would suit our lives best, and how the heck to start cloth diapering. I was so fortunate to have all my questions answered and then some. Through these blogs I discovered a whole other world of parenting. A world where you could ask questions and not just accept the norm when it comes to raising your kids.

Now that I’m deep in the trenches of motherhood, I figure I’ve learned a few things that I can share with moms to be. No, I certainly don’t fancy myself an expert. Not one bit! But each and every day I am learning news tricks of the trade that I want to pass on to other mothers and care givers. It wouldn’t be fair to hoard all the knowledge, now would it?

It’s my turn to give back to the blog world that was there for me when I needed it most and I know that same blog world will be there in days, months, and years to come when I run into new challenges and have more questions. Once again I will turn to some wise blogging mothers who have been there before me.

I feel I owe a little something something to the moms who’ll come after me. It’s as if I’ve taken something and now it’s my turn to replace it. Those women googling parenting tips, nursery ideas, & cloth diaper how-tos? I was you and I’ve got your back! My goal is to answer some of your pressing questions, give you some new ideas, and maybe even get you re-thinking some aspects of parenthood.

I have two babies. One keeps me up all night and the other is my alarm clock. Can you guess which is which?

Stephanie @ Mommyzoid

 PS: I’ll be sharing this post on these fabulous blogs!

Blog, Linkup

Ladies Collective Linkup – 5

March 4, 2015

Welcome to the Ladies Collective Linkup!  A linkup where you can share your favorite posts and meet new blogging friends.  Every week, we will feature the best of the best and blast their awesomeness across social media!

Ladies Collective Linkup

Meet your hosts

   www.bestofbabylady.com              www.mommyzoid.ca                 www.glamgranolageek.com    

Best of Baby – Iulia Gulia is a mother of a spunky toddler and a squishy infant. With a touch of sarcasm and a good dose of self-deprecating humor, Iulia writes about her obsession – pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding…basically all things baby.

Mommyzoid - Stephanie is a new mom and military wife with a penchant for DIY, home-made, and home-grown!

GlamGranolaGeek – Self proclaimed modern hippie and former office manager turned stay-at-home Mama of two little rascals, Sarah blogs about the crunchier side of parenting, beauty and life at home with kids.

This Week’s Features

1. 10 Ways to Love Your Husband- Bloom By Grace

2. Top 4 Mommy Blogs You Should Be Following! - Brand New Mom

3. 5 Things No One Told Me About Being A Mom- Math Mom With A Blog

Linkup Guidelines

1) Please follow your hosts in some way (check out the links above)

2) Stick around for a while and check out some other lovely ladies’ blogs. We all love a good comment!

3) Link backs are appreciated and if you were featured feel free to grab our button!

<div class=”best-of-baby-button” style=”width: 150px; margin: 0 auto;”>
<a href=”http://www.mommyzoid.ca” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>
<img src=”http://bestofbabylady.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Ladies-Collective-Linkup1.jpg” alt=”Best of Baby” width=”150″ height=”150″ />
</a>
</div>
Note: Please make sure you abide by image copyright and third party content use laws. By linking up you are confirming that you own the rights to the photo you are using in your post or that the photo is in the creative commons/public domain. You are also giving us permission to use your images on our blogs and social media platforms. We will not feature images to which you do not have legal rights.

 Loading InLinkz ...

Baby, Mom

“Oh, you just wait…” – What Those Veteran Moms Wont Tell You

March 2, 2015

"Oh, you just wait" -- What Veteran Moms Wont Tell You |www.mommyzoid.ca|
When you’re a first time mom, you hear it almost daily from a self proclaimed “veteran mom” who quite frankly has “been there” and “done it all”.

“Oh, you just wait…”

Hands up if this has been said to you before. *raises both hands enthusiastically*

and how did it make you feel?

Nervous? Scared? A little taken aback?

When my baby-less friends ask me about becoming a mom, I am honest with them. The honest truth is that it’s all so much fun. Being a mom is the coolest thing on the planet. And if they are really close friends I’ll share the gory delivery-room-details.

Some times when I’m wearing my breast-milk-stained v-neck and my yoga pants, drinking my cold cup of coffee, rubbing my tired, blurry eyes, I am able to step back and see my life for what it truly is. I have to smile and laugh at what I see because I honestly have dreamed of this period of my life since I was a little girl. As a little girl I don’t remember it looking so un-glamourus, but that’s likely because Pinterest didn’t exist. But it is just as amazing as I always dreamed, maybe even more so!

“Oh, you just wait…”

Wait until what? Until your baby smiles at you and makes you fall in love all over again? Until that sweet little angel lets out their first belly laugh? Until they take their first steps toward you?

I think it goes without saying that motherhood has it’s challenges. Most rewarding things in life aren’t without their challenges. I don’t think many people delve into parenthood thinking it’s going to be easy (read: poop). and in my opinion, one can’t ever truly be “prepared” for becoming a mom. You can read all the books in the world but nothing can prepare you like rolling up your sleeves and diving right in there.

In the weeks leading up to the birth of my son I started to panic because I’d been focusing on pregnancy for so long, I thought I had no idea what to do with an actual baby. I quickly watched YouTube videos on how to bath them, how to dress them, how to feed them…but this crazy thing happened when I had the baby! He was my whole world. After a day spent tending to his every need, I just knew what he needed. Before I left the hospital, I was confident that no one in the world (besides my husband) knew him like I did or could do a better job taking care of him.

“Oh, you just wait…”

So let me finish that for you.

“Oh, you just wait! That little baby is going to make you the happiest woman on earth! The moment you lock eyes with that little one will change your world forever. Oh, you just wait and see! You think you love them already? JUST WAIT! Some how you will fall more and more in love each and every day. Oh, you just wait!”

THERE. How’s that?

Take that, self proclaimed “veteran moms”!

Stephanie @ Mommyzoid PS: I’ll be sharing this post on these fab blogs!

Blog

#BLOGGERPHOTOCHALLENGE on Instagram

February 27, 2015

I am super into finding and taking beautiful photos on Instagram. (See how you can improve your Instagram game here). But some times I need a swift kick in the butt and a heaping dose of inspiration. That’s why I decided to host a photo challenge on Instagram this month! Every day for the month of March, there will be a new word or phrase to inspire you to think outside the box and post something new.  If you feel like playing, all you have to do it re-gram (screenshot works well too!) the list of prompts so you remember which photos to take each day. Invite your pals to play along too, the more the merrier! And you know what? If you’re not a blogger, don’t fret! You’re invited too.

# bloggerphotochallenge on Instagram via www.mommyzoid.ca

Make sure you are sharing your photos with the handing dandy hashtag #bloggerphotochallenge! I’ll be sharing my favourite photos of the day so keep sharing and keep watching for me to share yours! Follow me @mommyzoid to see your photos!

In the past I’ve participated in a few different Instagram photo challenges and I’ve met and followed so many wonderful bloggers I other wise would have never crossed paths with! If anything it’s a great excuse to hone your Instagram skills and find out what your followers like when it comes to your ‘grams.

 

So what d’ya say? Join me on this 31 day creative challenge? Let me know in the comments if you’ll be participating! Stephanie @ Mommyzoid PS: I’ll be sharing this post on these fab blogs!

Blog, Linkup

Ladies Collective Linkup – 4

February 25, 2015

Welcome to the Ladies Collective Linkup!  A linkup where you can share your favorite posts and meet new blogging friends.  Every week, we will feature the best of the best and blast their awesomeness across social media!

Ladies Collective Linkup

Meet your hosts

   www.bestofbabylady.com              www.mommyzoid.ca                 www.glamgranolageek.com    

Best of Baby – Iulia Gulia is a mother of a spunky toddler and a squishy infant. With a touch of sarcasm and a good dose of self-deprecating humor, Iulia writes about her obsession – pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding…basically all things baby.

Mommyzoid - Stephanie is a new mom and military wife with a penchant for DIY, home-made, and home-grown!

GlamGranolaGeek – Self proclaimed modern hippie and former office manager turned stay-at-home Mama of two little rascals, Sarah blogs about the crunchier side of parenting, beauty and life at home with kids.

This Week’s Features

1. Things I Said Before I Was A Parent- Crazily Normal

2. 5 Things To Do When Depression Strikes - How To Get Organized At Home

3. How To Make And Install Wooden Stairs For Less Than $25 - Zipperhead Creations

Linkup Guidelines

1) Please follow your hosts in some way (check out the links above)

2) Stick around for a while and check out some other lovely ladies’ blogs. We all love a good comment!

3) Link backs are appreciated and if you were featured feel free to grab our button!

<div class=”best-of-baby-button” style=”width: 150px; margin: 0 auto;”>
<a href=”http://www.mommyzoid.ca” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>
<img src=”http://bestofbabylady.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Ladies-Collective-Linkup1.jpg” alt=”Best of Baby” width=”150″ height=”150″ />
</a>
</div>
Note: Please make sure you abide by image copyright and third party content use laws. By linking up you are confirming that you own the rights to the photo you are using in your post or that the photo is in the creative commons/public domain. You are also giving us permission to use your images on our blogs and social media platforms. We will not feature images to which you do not have legal rights.

 Loading InLinkz ...

Baby, Mom

Survive Solo Parenting

February 23, 2015

Surviving Solo Parenting | www.mommyzoid.ca|

With a partner in the military, I’m often left to parent on my own while my husband is out to sea. Our schedule is quite unpredictable and we usually don’t know when Daddy will be back. I’ll admit there are times I just. can’t. even. The baby didn’t sleep well, we are late for play group, I haven’t showered (because WHEN), and I just feel like crumpling on the floor and crying my heart out. Solo parenting ain’t all it’s cracked up to be.

If your partner goes on frequent business trips or is in the military, there are some ways you can make things just a little easier on you and your family.


BE PREPARED

Before my husband leaves, I make sure to have a day to myself. I head out and get everything done I need to like grocery shopping. Running out of essentials like toilet paper or laundry detergent while my husband is away is my biggest fear since having a baby. I usually will head to the gym to clear my head and prepare myself for what’s to come.

BE THANKFUL

The sacrifice my husband makes for our family is huge. He’s out there without the two of us, bobbing around in the ocean getting sea-sick, I’m sure. He’s up all night working, sleeping in a tiny bunk bed, and eating food he probably doesn’t want to eat. I make a point of thanking him daily for what he does for us and the sacrifice he makes.

BE STRONG

When we were childless, I was awfully selfish and felt sorry for myself when he sailed. I cried, I pouted, and I stomped my feet. But now that the baby is in our world, I have to be strong for him. Half of his world is gone out of his life for an unknown amount of time. His world is essentially turned upside down. I can’t afford to be a mess, for his sake.

BE RESOLUTE

I’ve got this. I can do this. I’m the strength behind the uniform. I need to stay positive for my family. I like to send my husband emails telling him all I’ve accomplished without him being there. Instead of jealous he is proud that even though I’m going it alone, I’m still keeping it together and keeping our family and the household going.

BE POSITIVE

I always remind myself it could be a whole lot worse. There are plenty of families where mommy or daddy is gone for months and months at a time. That doesn’t make it easier for our family but it definitely keeps us from feeling sorry for ourselves. Each day that goes by means we are that much closer to being reunited!

Stephanie @ Mommyzoid

PS: I’ll be sharing this post on these blogs!

PPS: Sign up for more Mommyzoid in your inbox! Only the good stuff, promise!

* indicates required





Baby, Review

Sick Day Saviour – Baby K’Tan Review

February 20, 2015

[c/o denotes a gifted item. Asterisk denotes an affiliate link. See full disclaimer here.]

The stomach flu grabbed a hold of our family this week and wasn’t about to let go easily. My poor little guy was so tired and only wanted to be held, which made it difficult for me to get myself back in working order and keep everything on track at home. So I wore Oliver in the *Baby K’tan and he snuggled right in and was so content!

Babywearing with the Baby K'Tan Review | www.mommyzoid.ca

c/o Baby K’tan

**side note: I made my husband pose for these photos because I look like death punched me in the face which is coincidentally exactly how I feel. But who doesn’t like seeing a Dad baby wear, am I right?**

What sets the *Baby K’tan apart from other wraps on the market is the way you put it on. Like their Instagram says, the K’tan is “A baby carrier that slips on like a shirt and fits like a wrap”. Because of it’s clever design, you aren’t wrapping literally metres of fabric around you which can be a bit intimidating to a new wrapper. Take a look at this video to get the idea!

The *Baby K’tan is so easy to put on and take off I was able to get him in to the wrap without him starting the waterworks and once he was sound asleep I was able to slip him out and into his crib without a peep and with a sick babe, that ain’t an easy feat! I’m a mom rock-star, thanks to the K’tan!

 

 

In my opinion this is the perfect wrap for a first time wrapper or for someone who doesn’t wear the baby often like a caregiver or grand parent. My husband has never EVER worn a wrap before, just soft structured carriers. He’s watched me put on my wraps before and I think he might be a little intimidated by all the fabric which is totally understandable. You don’t get any of that with the *Baby K’tan !

Babywearing with the Baby K'Tan Review | www.mommyzoid.ca

The fabric is like a thicker t-shirt material. You still get that comfy stretch but the material is still thick enough to feel secure with the weight of the baby on it. Secure is key when it come to baby wearing!

Babywearing with the Baby K'Tan Review | www.mommyzoid.ca

Our *Baby K’tan is in “Denim” which still feels like a cotton but has a brushed denim/chambray look to it! It’s really nice and I was pleasantly pleased when I felt how cozy it was against me and baby.

Babywearing with the Baby K'Tan Review | www.mommyzoid.ca

Do you have experience with the Baby K’tan? Are you curious to try this wrap? Let me know in the comments!

Stephanie @ MommyzoidPS: I’ll be sharing this post on these fabulous blogs! 

Link Up

Ladies Collective Linkup – 3

February 18, 2015

Welcome to the Ladies Collective Linkup!  A linkup where you can share your favorite posts and meet new blogging friends.  Every week, we will feature the best of the best and blast their awesomeness across social media!

Ladies Collective Linkup

Meet your hosts

   www.bestofbabylady.com              www.mommyzoid.ca                 www.glamgranolageek.com    

Best of Baby – Iulia Gulia is a mother of a spunky toddler and a squishy infant. With a touch of sarcasm and a good dose of self-deprecating humor, Iulia writes about her obsession – pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding…basically all things baby.

Mommyzoid - Stephanie is a new mom and military wife with a penchant for DIY, home-made, and home-grown!

GlamGranolaGeek – Self proclaimed modern hippie and former office manager turned stay-at-home Mama of two little rascals, Sarah blogs about the crunchier side of parenting, beauty and life at home with kids.

This Week’s Features

1. 7 Grammatical Mistakes Bloggers Need to Stop Making- Belle Brita

2. What Are Your Actions Teaching Your Children  – Morning Motivated Mom

3. Our Love Story – Love At First Sight - Sweet Little Ones

Linkup Guidelines

1) Please follow your hosts in some way (check out the links above)

2) Stick around for a while and check out some other lovely ladies’ blogs. We all love a good comment!

3) Link backs are appreciated and if you were featured feel free to grab our button!

<div class=”best-of-baby-button” style=”width: 150px; margin: 0 auto;”>
<a href=”http://www.mommyzoid.ca” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>
<img src=”http://bestofbabylady.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Ladies-Collective-Linkup1.jpg” alt=”Best of Baby” width=”150″ height=”150″ />
</a>
</div>
Note: Please make sure you abide by image copyright and third party content use laws. By linking up you are confirming that you own the rights to the photo you are using in your post or that the photo is in the creative commons/public domain. You are also giving us permission to use your images on our blogs and social media platforms. We will not feature images to which you do not have legal rights.
 Loading InLinkz ...
Baby

Exclusive Pumping Must Haves

February 16, 2015

[Asterisk denotes an affiliate link. See full disclaimer here.] 

Exclusive Pumping Must Haves | www.mommyzoid.ca

Exclusively pumping means you provide milk to your baby by way of pump or hand expression (OUCH) instead of your child eating straight from the breast, even if you supplement now and then with formula.

I’ve been exclusively pumping for 8 months and still going strong. Our first month of breast feeding was difficult, painful, and both physically and emotionally draining but I felt like we were making progress. But at my sons 1 month check up he had only gained 4 0z. Cue the water works. I was heart broken but I wanted what was best for my son so I supplemented. He slowly lost his latch (turns out he had a tongue and lip tie…more on that in a future post) and I began pumping more and more to keep providing him with the milk I was able to make and he was actually GAINING! Fast forward to 6 months when we added solid foods and we were able to drop the formula supplementing completely. Now I am able to provide 100% of the milk he drinks! AWESOME!

It has been the opposite of easy. There’s been moments where I’ve questioned my sanity and wanted to give up. But I persevered and I’m so happy that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

It wasn’t easy finding information about pumping because majority of moms only pump to build a little bit of a stash, not to exclusively feed their baby bottled breast milk.  I’ve learned so much along this journey and I really want to share it with anyone going through what I went through. Without further ado, here are my must haves to make things easier on you if you decide this is the route that’s best for you and your family.

1. Double or Single Electric Pump

For the first 6 months I used a manual which was time consuming and a pain in the butt! Save your sanity and start your journey off right with a good electric pump. You can buy them used (make sure you sanitize!) and if you buy new, they have amazing resale value! I use the *Medela Pump In Style Advanced.

2. Manual Pump

There will be times you want or need to leave the house for longer period of time and your breast will either start leaking, feel like they are going to explode, or both. Having a manual pump in your diaper bag or in the car for emergencies is great. I use the *Philips Avent Manual Comfort Breast Pump and it’s very comfortable and easy to clean!

3. Nursing Tops & Bras

Just because you aren’t breast feeding, doesn’t mean these aren’t extremely handy. I don’t leave the room to pump when my family is around because why should I? But I still don’t want to have to take my t-shirt off so I opt for button down tops, cardigans, and nursing tank tops.These *Milk Nursing Tops are great for discrete pumping sessions, (not that you can really be desecrate with an electric pump). A nursing bra to go with this is imperative. Easy access will make your life a whole lot easier.

4. Snappy Snacks

Snappy Snacks is a line of lactation snacks that can help you increase your supply naturally. There are many reasons for a dive in milk supply, especially when you’re pumping.  You can read my full review on Snappy Snacks here.

5. Support From Family

This is huge. My husband would wash my pump parts and bring them to me in bed and he would feed baby while I pumped. Otherwise, you spend a half hour feeding the baby and a half hour pumping. By the time you get back to sleep, it’s time to get up and do it all over again! His support was critical to our success.

PRO TIP: I think one of the most important things is to remember you are feeding your young. Take care of your self. Drink plenty of water, eat lots of healthy foods, and get sleep while you can. Don’t start any new diets and don’t over do yourself! Please be gentle with yourself.

Where are you in your breastfeeding journey?  Do you exclusively pump? Let me know what made your journey easier.

 Stephanie @ MommyzoidPS: I’ll be sharing this post on these lovely blogs

Baby

They’re Called Breasts

February 13, 2015

They're Called Breasts | www.Mommyzoid.ca

I’m a huge proponent of breast feeding and extended breast feeding and I’m enraged by anyone or anything coming between a mom feeding her child. There’s nothing more natural than a mom feeding her young. Heck, she did it for 9+ months and no one had anything to say about it. But for the love of god please stop calling your breasts, boobs, or some other weird nickname.

When I was a kid I called my vagina a “pee-pee” or my “privates”. Now little girls are taught to call it a vagina or a vulva. And respectively young boys are taught to call their testicles and penis by their proper names. But when it comes to a mom’s breasts they are still getting a slang name. Boob quite literally means a foolish or stupid person or a mistake. Why are we allowing something so positive to be called something so derogative?

Of course I have referred to my breasts as boobs. We all do it without thinking. From the moment I found out I was bringing a little person into the world, I started examining my language and the language around me regarding body image, gender, and sexuality. I started noticing moms mouthing the word breasts and using nick names like boobs when asking their child if they wanted to nurse. It made me wonder why we are so embarrassed to call them by their real name. Why do we shy away from using the word breasts?

If we want to normalize breast feeding and get the respect we all know we deserve around nursing and pumping in public, let’s stop calling them boobs. Let’s lead by example and show the world the kind of respect we are asking for.

It starts with us moms. Our sons and daughters will call them whatever we call them so teach them the proper name for this wonderful, nurturing, amazing body part. Breasts are not “foolish” “stupid” or a “mistake”. Let’s call them what they are.

Stand up tall, push your breasts out, and say it loud and proud. BREASTS.

 Stephanie @ MommyzoidPS: I’ll be sharing this post on these blogs.