It's A Party! A Blog Party!!

What better way to start a Monday than with a party! I'm attending a blog party hosted by The Peaceful Houswife! I've heard about blog parties over the years, but this is the very first time I am officially joining one. And I'm pretty excited about it (a little nervous too if I'm honest).

Seriously though, one learns so much from reading. If it wasn't for reading other blogs I would not know about half of how I parent today. I've formed some amazing friendships and I'm really hoping that by being part of this blog party I can gain more friends and learn a little along the way! :)

While you are here don't forget to check out my giveaway for Mommy Bootcamp. Currently there are no entrants and it ends this Friday. From what I know of Sarah, I know this will be a natural parenting approach to discipline.

Ok, now without further adieu, here is a bit more about me in question and answer form:

1. How many children do you have, and how old are they?

I have three little girls. Zoelle is 3, Meridian is 1, and Xiomara is 9 months.


2. Do you have a partner, or are you a single parent?

Chris is my partner going on 8 years this summer! I could not do parenting without him! He is a perfect balance to me.

3. What are your “hot button” parenting issues?

I'm pretty passionate about car seat safety. Specifically extended rear facing. I also am a big breastfeeding advocate (i.e. extended breastfeeding). I'm not sure if it's a hot button issue or not, but as an adoptive mama, I am a pretty big adoption advocate.

4. Have you made any parenting choices that you didn’t think you would make before you were a parent, i.e. cloth diapering a child when you had previously thought it was disgusting?

The big one for me is definitely cloth diapering. In fact, my sister specifically asked me when I was pregnant with Zoelle if I had ever thought of cloth diapering and I told her gross and no way! Ha! 7 months later, I was cloth diapering. I would also say I never thought I would tandem nurse, or let my children self wean. I didn't think it was wrong for others to do so, I just never thought I would be that mom.

5. Is there one book or person in particular that’s heavily influenced your parenting choices?

Yes! Love and Logic Parenting completely opened my eyes to a different way of parenting that I had ever been exposed to. I would also say that Stephanie at Metropolitan Mama's post on 7 Reasons We Don't Spank was the best article I have ever read on spanking. And she did it all in a non-confrontational, or "I'm better than you" tone.


6. If you had to describe each of your children using only one word, what word would you use?

Zoelle: Spirited
Meridian: Mischievious
Xiomara: Happy

7. Is there one parenting decision that you regret more than others and wish you could change?

Unfortunately, yes. :( After Meridian was born I treated Zoelle as if she was much older than the barely two year old she was. Since she could communicate VERY well, I often treated her like a three or four year old. This put WAY too much expectation on her and she often got in trouble for things she should not have. I would give anything to go back and change how I treated her. Since I can't go back though, I chose to apologize to her, and move on.

8. Is there an area of your parenting you wish you were better at?

Zoelle and I tend to be VERY similar so we often butt heads. I wish I had more patience and didn't sometimes raise my voice with her. I'm working really hard to stop that.

9. Now for the fun questions – is there one particular food or type of food that you could eat every day?

Yes! I would say Annie's Cheddar Bunnies, or any breads.


10. Vanilla ice cream or chocolate?

I don't really like ice cream (gasp)! If I had to choose though, I would pick chocolate as long as it was melted as I like melted chocolate ice cream (weird I know)! Or is Vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce an option?!? :)

11. What’s your guilty pleasure?

Reading! I love it!!

12. If you could be part of any television show, which show would it be?

Because it looks kind of silly and fun, The Bachelor or The Bachelorette. But as hubby reminds me, being that I am not single or that I don't drink, it probably wouldn't be silly or fun! ;) If I cooked more, I think Hell's Kitchen would be amazing to be on. So I think my final pick would be Ellen as I think she is absolutely hilarious and she gives some pretty awesome gifts to those who go on her show! And I don't know about you, but I love gifts! :)