The key to better sleepWhen we meet new people, whether it be on public transportation or just randomly when we are out and about, there are three questions they ask about Elvie. First, they want to know how old she is. Once they know, they ask if she is walking. When that is answered in the negative, the next question is nearly always regarding if she is sleeping through the night. When I say no to that one, there are often heads shaken in dismay.
Frankly, sometimes I shake my own head in dismay when Elvie wakes yet again in the middle of the night, but I've finally figured out what needs to happen before she will sleep through the night, and I am accepting it and looking forward to the day when it becomes reality. It's silly, really, that it took me this long to figure out what she needs to do, but at least now I know.
Related: 8 ways to deal with baby-induced sleep deprivation
When we first took custody of Elvie in Ethiopia, she was waking every one to two hours to eat. Once she was home with us and
Blog Posts by Disney Baby
The Hidden Reason Why My Baby Woke Every 45 Minutes
By Disney Baby | Parenting – Fri, May 17, 2013 4:21 PM EDT10 Tips for Writing Your Birth Story (Even If You Hate to Write)
By Disney Baby | Parenting – Fri, May 17, 2013 4:20 PM EDT
Read More »from 10 Tips for Writing Your Birth Story (Even If You Hate to Write)
How will you tell your story?Writing your birth story can seem like a daunting task, especially if you're not someone who likes to write. As a mom of two, I can say that the birth stories of my girls, both carefully and thoughtfully written out, are two of my most cherished keepsakes. Whether you are the next Steinbeck or someone who cringes at the thought of writing, you can create a birth story that will be meaningful to you (and your child) for years to come.
1. Don't wait too long
Yes, it might not be possible to write your birth story the day or day after you give birth, but don't wait too long. You want your experience to be fresh in your mind. (I think I wrote both of mine roughly a week after.)
2. Take notes
With my first baby, I remembered every single thing about my birth experience. With my second, it was all a blur. Thankfully I took some notes during the process. My little bullet points, like "water broke at 8:30″ or "she had the cutest, tiniest sneeze right after she was born" came in handy when myYes, I Have Four Kids! Here's 12 Reasons Why
By Disney Baby | Parenting – Thu, May 16, 2013 7:48 PM EDT
Read More »from Yes, I Have Four Kids! Here's 12 Reasons Why
12 reasons why having a big family is awesome!Ever wonder why some people have so many kids? I have four (ages 8, 5, 3, and 1) and in my experience, after announcing the 4th pregnancy, you start to get third degree from friends and strangers alike.
Did you want all these kids? (Um, of course.) Do you know how to prevent that? (Sure do.) You must have your hands full (Yup, and it's the way I like it.) Are you crazy? (Possibly!)
But honestly, raising a large family has always been a dream of mine. And while it does come with its own set of challenges, being a mom to these four little ones has been the best thing that's ever happened to me.
A few reasons I absolutely adore being a mom to many:
1. Baby gear is an investment.
One way to make sure you get your money's worth out of all that baby gear is to use it OVER AND OVER AGAIN!
2. Because cuddling is the best.
Being a mom to many means that at any moment of the day, someone needs a snuggle and some extra love. Who could argue with that?
Related: 20 absolute hardest thingsConfession of a "Food Allergy Mom": I Feel Isolated
By Disney Baby | Parenting – Thu, May 16, 2013 6:28 PM EDT
Read More »from Confession of a "Food Allergy Mom": I Feel Isolated
Brooke and EvieIn honor of Food Allergy & Asthma Awareness Week, I've invited Brooke to share her thoughts as a parent of a little daughter with severe food allergies. Feeding Beck is hard enough - I can't imagine also having to consider allergies. Thank you to Brooke for sharing her story so I'm more aware.
Ever since Matt Damon played that hard-to-catch ex-assassin Jason Bourne, I have wished for such specialized skills. It's awesome that he no sooner enters a room than he has observed every detail pertinent to his survival. Then he whoops up on everybody who's out to get him!
Unfortunately, since my daughter was diagnosed with three severe food allergies a year ago, I have had to hone those same skills.
Related: No baking! No mixing! Make baby's 1st birthday cake delicious & allergen-free
The mind of a Food Allergy Mom can be a hectic place. When she enters a room, she tries to maintain a look of ease and comfort for her child, be a good listener while greeting her friends, allName that Baby! 8 Ways to Find the Perfect Moniker for Your Little One
By Disney Baby | Parenting – Wed, May 15, 2013 4:23 PM EDT
Read More »from Name that Baby! 8 Ways to Find the Perfect Moniker for Your Little One
8 baby name brainstorming tips!Choosing a baby name can sometimes seem like a daunting task with so many factors swirling about. Will it stand the test of time? Is it too trendy? Too dated? Do the initials spell something embarrassing? The good news, of course, is that if you choose a meaningful name that embraces sentiment, purpose and character, the rest kind of all falls into place. Here's how!
1. Consult your family tree.
Do some digging into your family's heritage and you might uncover some surprisingly great names. (Hint: The 20's generation spawned a particularly adorable set of girl names like Hazel, Ida and Pearl!) Even better? You might uncover some family history gems or interesting facts about your ancestors - all the better to share with your baby someday!
2. Reminisce about your childhood.
What are some of you or your spouse's favorite childhood memories? A vacation to Europe? An afternoon spent with your favorite childhood book? Conjure up a few sentimental memories and brainstorm words that might7 Cutest Baby Photo Ideas for National Photography Month
By Disney Baby | Parenting – Wed, May 15, 2013 4:23 PM EDTEvery moment with baby is worth a thousand words, so it's important to capture every beautiful, funny, sweet moment you can! May is National Photography Month - so what better time to capture your baby's magical moments on camera?
MORE ON DISNEY BABY
12 mom-tested tips for baby's first photo shoot
4 pro secrets for getting adorable photos of your baby
16 beautiful ways to document your pregnancy in photos
Read More »from 7 Cutest Baby Photo Ideas for National Photography MonthTop 10 Beauty Boosts for Moms Who Only Have 5 Minutes
By Disney Baby | Beauty on Shine – Tue, May 14, 2013 6:22 PM EDT
Beauty boosts for busy momsWe are all busy mamas, whether we have a newborn, toddler, preschooler, one of each - it doesn't matter. The fact is we are always "on the go" and time is certainly of the essence. However, it's important to take a few (or more!) minutes for ourselves. Not only will we look better, but we will feel more confident and happy to take on the day with our little ones. Not always easy, I know, but certainly doable!
I know when I feel blah, the kids feel blah. So I try to incorporate a little beauty boost each morning to inject a some oomph to my day. Here are ten steps and makeup products that are quick and easy to use and leave you looking and feeling good!
Read More »from Top 10 Beauty Boosts for Moms Who Only Have 5 Minutes
Top 10 Beauty Boosts For Busy Moms
1. Body Cream:
No one has much time to moisturize, but having an all over lotion like the TEN Hydration Body Cream makes it easier to get into the habit. The gentle smell is baby friendly and kind on your skin which can still be sensitive after giving birth - or you can make your ownNo More Mommy Guilt: 6 Ways I Deal with Time Apart from the Kids
By Disney Baby | Parenting – Tue, May 14, 2013 5:32 PM EDT
Read More »from No More Mommy Guilt: 6 Ways I Deal with Time Apart from the Kids
Dealing with mommy guiltI've worked in some capacity almost the entire time I've been a mother. And with that work came some travel. When I left my old career and began blogging and writing part time last year, it allowed me to work from home, with very little travel. Ideal since we were having our third and final baby. However, as with many different professional fields, every now and then it becomes important to connect and network with your peers and I did just that this past weekend. I attended the Mom 2.0 Summit in South Orange County, and while I made the decision to come home every night after the conference instead of staying at the hotel, I still missed quite a lot with the kids, since I was gone for 12-15 hours each day. Here's a peek at just a few of the things I missed out on, and how I deal with that internal gut pull that is often responsible for "mommy guilt."
1. Mommy Guilt Is Only As Big As You Allow It To Be
As mothers, whether we work or stay home, home school or send to public school,12 Biggest Spiritual Lessons I've Learned from Being a Mom
By Disney Baby | Parenting – Mon, May 13, 2013 3:47 PM EDT
Read More »from 12 Biggest Spiritual Lessons I've Learned from Being a Mom
Things that motherhood has given me...There's a beautiful quote from the spiritual leader Osho (also know as Rajneesh) that goes like this:
"The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new."
I love it for its profound, yet simple truth. Motherhood has transformed all that I am. The birth of my firstborn brought about a newness to life and to my role in this world. These are some of the things that motherhood has given me…
1. Hope for a Changed World
Maybe my role as a mother can change the world, even in small ways. I can show them to respect others. I can show them how to love others. I can show them how to take care of the environment. I can show them how to be a friend. Through them, maybe this world could be a better place.
2. A Grateful Heart
Each day I get to be a mother is a blessing that I give thanks to God over and over for. Motherhood has given me a grateful heart.
Related: 9 fun ways to help Dad bond13 Things I Wish I Could Say to My Daughter's Birth Mother
By Disney Baby | Parenting – Mon, May 13, 2013 3:47 PM EDT
Read More »from 13 Things I Wish I Could Say to My Daughter's Birth Mother
A message for my daughter's birth motherRarely a day goes by that I don't think about my children's birth mothers. They are close to my heart, and it is not lost on me that I am the lucky one. I am so grateful to both mothers for the choices they made and the deep love they carry for their children.
We are in touch with my daughter Elvie's family only via letter and progress report. If I could call her mother today, these are the things I would want to tell her.
1. The choice you made for Elvie was a brave and beautiful choice.
She lives because you allowed her to go where she could get the medical help she needs, even though that meant losing her.
2. I have loved your daughter fiercely from the beginning.
You chose what was best for her first, and I will honor that choice and fight for what's best for her every day.
Related: 6 deepest lessons I've learned through parenting
3. She is beloved and cherished by all of us.
We are so happy to have her in our family, overjoyed to spend each day with her.
4. She is a fighter.
