http://www.mommyq.com MommyQ

Navigating the Wild World of Motherhood

Time Machine:

www.flickr.com
This is a Flickr badge showing public photos and videos from mommyqblog. Make your own badge here.
  • During my 45-minute commute to work this morning, I happened to hone in on a funny morning show bit. They’re usually too obnoxious to handle, but this one was different. In fact, it had me laughing out loud (yes, LOL) in the car!

    The segment was called, “Does that Make Me Crazy?” and listeners would call in and talk about their odd/eccentric or just plain crazy idiosyncrasies. One caller was a med student and said she never touched pages of diseases out of fear of catching them. For example, if during her studies she comes across a photo of a child with measles, she would never touch that page because she didn’t want to get measles.

    Another caller said she was afraid of Claymation cartoons due to the freakiness factor. The movie Wallace & Grommit scared her to death! A male caller said he made up stories and did improv routines for his 3 cats, Stupid, Sexy and Claudia. A female caller said when she brushed her teeth, she had to brush her tongue until she gagged or she felt she didn’t do a thorough enough job.

    I was rolling! It made me think of my own goofy idiosyncrasies – one in particular came to mind. Every time I board an airplane, I must knock on the outside of the plane upon entering the doorway. I started doing it the first time I flew as an adult, which was probably over 15 years ago. I’ve done it every single time I’ve flown. It’s a subtle knock, but in my head it’s an absolute must. Obviously it’s an invented superstition that has no real impact on my safety, but it’s very important to me. Does that make me crazy? Or just delusional?

    So MommyQ readers, what do you do that makes you crazy?

    No Comments
  • Over the years I’ve purchased a zillion sippy cups. Popular ones, cheap ones, expensive ones, eco-friendly ones, throw-away ones, blue ones, green ones, insulated ones, little ones, big ones, cute ones, boring ones and the list goes on and on.

    In the beginning they all work fine. Then one magical day – poof! – they leak constantly. It’s like they simply self-destruct. I stopped washing them in the dishwasher thinking that would help. Nope. To my dismay the one I’m currently using started leaking. And no, I’m not pouring carbonated drinks into them.

    Moms, help me solve this sippy cup dilemma once and for all. What’s THE BEST one on the market? Do tell! I’ll be living in sippy cup land for another year, at least. If I encounter one more malfunctioning little goblet, my head just might explode.

    No Comments
  • In a conversation the other day, my best friend mentioned that her 4-year-old son gives directions to his school when his grandparents take him. “He can give directions?” I asked, amazed. Of course he can, I thought to myself. He’s four!

    It’s always been weird for me to hear about the interactive things all of my friend’s kids can do because my oldest son is autistic. He has mild autism, but it’s still autism. My friends talk about how their kids come home from school and chat about what they did that day. Or their kids tell them when they’re hungry or what they want to eat. Their kids answer questions like, “How old are you?” or “What do you want to do today?” My son doesn’t. Their kids go on and on about a show or a movie or nothing in particular. My son doesn’t. Their kids initiate conversations and talk about what they like and how things make them feel. My son doesn’t.

    We got the diagnosis about 4 months ago and it wasn’t a big surprise. We were expecting it. Although that certainly didn’t make it easier to hear. Part of me died of heartbreak that day. Watching my son happily flap and hop around the room while the word “autism” stung my ears… My husband and I shed lots of tears that day. We mourned for my son and for his little brother who might never understand him and for the uncertain future ahead of us.

    Today autism is part of our family and we are trying to accept it. But I do find myself playing the “what if” game sometimes. What would he be like if he didn’t have autism? What sports would he like? What funny jokes would we share? What kind of big brother would he be? I know it’s useless to think such things, but it seems unavoidable.

    I love my son and I’m trying to embrace his autism. Would I change things if I could? Honestly, no. My little guy is a sweetheart. He’s an incredible soul and has an exceptional personality that will take him to great places. He gives hugs and kisses and we even hear “I wuv you” now and then, so there isn’t too much to complain about. And besides, he’s happy when he’s flappy.

    1 Comment
  • Once upon a time a stay-at-home mom decided the highly toxic and flammable polish she was using on her sweet little girls was way too dangerous. She took it upon herself to invent a new, non-stinky version, safe enough for the tiniest toes. Introducing Piggy Paint, a polish that’s as natural as mud.

    MommyQ is such a huge fan of great ideas and Piggy Paint is no exception. This is one for the books. Not only are the products non-toxic, odorless and kid-friendly (including the nail polish remover!), but the marketing is just adorable. Bravo, Piggy Paint! MommyQ wishes you wonderful success.

    Moms with fancy little girls, grab your Piggy Paint while it lasts. What do you think of this great new product? Let MommyQ know.

    2 Comments
  • MommyQ attended the ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas last weekend. This is the biggest show of the year where manufacturers promote their hot new products for 2009. Well, MommyQ is totally obsessed with the new Juicy Couture Buggy, a product boasting Juicy style and Maclaren innovation. This exclusive stroller will be in Neiman Marcus stores for about 3 months, and then available in select specialty baby product stores.

    As you can see from the images, the stroller’s color scheme is soft pink and a yummy chocolate brown. The bunting cover is lined with

    rich faux fur and has “Juicy Princess” stitched on it. The cushions and lining are quilted and extremely soft to the touch. The thick stripes are playful and sophisticated. It’s absolutely gorgeous in person.

    MommyQ actually heard from an insider that the pink and brown is so popular that they may be making a baby blue and brown option so mommies with boys (or mommies that don’t like pink) won’t miss out on this fabulocity! This stroller won’t be easy to find, so don’t be surprised if they come and go very quickly. Spread the word! Be on the lookout for this one-of-a-kind buggy in late November 2008. And guess who will have this beauty in-stock, BabyEarth.

    2 Comments
  • When it comes to fun stroller patterns, Maclaren is always one step ahead of the competition. In 2009, the company will introduce a new Apple-licious pattern that will certainly be a hit with parents. This gender-neutral pattern features bright colors, functional color schemes and a sleek, sophisticated look.

    The color options are black and white with lime green accents; dark green and yellow; pink and yellow with bright pink accents and light blue and orange.

    This cute new pattern will be available on the sporty Quest Mod stroller. This is one of the most popular stroller styles. Look for it in January 2009.

    No Comments
  • Boon has discovered two innovative fun ways to bring the outdoors inside. The first is the new Bug Pod, the cute red sister of the original Boon Frog Pod. This new ladybug is just as cute as it is functional. Scoop toys out of the bath, drain them and then pop it up on the wall to keep things neat. And this bug is big! Seeing it in person certainly helps you understand how this buggy can hold everything you need at bath time, like full-size shampoo and soap bottles, as well as lots of tub toys.

    The second innovation is a cool twist on a traditional product. Instead of big fluffy crib bumpers, Boon has created Crib Grass! These adorable pads make baby’s crib look like a sweet garden and the pads are breathable which makes them very safe.

    1 Comment
  • Babies, babies and more babies grace the inside pages of People Magazine. My guess is, it’s one of the hottest issues of the year. And not because of Sarah Palin, although she’s very interesting indeed. It’s because these aren’t normal babies, they are celebrity babies! Which leads me to a simple question, why are we so doggone OBSESSED with celebrities and their babies and their baby bumps?

    Pregnancy is an exciting time in a non-celebrity life, so it must be extra-special when it’s a famous belly growing.  No matter who you are, if you’ve had a baby you’ve experienced the same life-changing event – a birth! That similar momentous experience makes you feel a connection to someone famous.

    Let’s take, Angelina Jolie-Pitt, for instance. She had her twins via c-section so she went through everything all c-section moms did like the scary long needle in the back, the creepy tingling toes, the weird pulling and tugging sensations, the BIG final push so kindly referred to as “pressure,” meeting your baby for the first time with your organs sitting next to you on a table and the sewing-up job that seems to leave you stranded there for eternity. So yea, I could say Angelina and I have something in common. Does that makes us friends? No. But we have a distant connection. And I think most people want to feel a connection and they act on it by mimicking purchases.  Orbit, Ergo, Q Collection Junior, Bratt Decor a la J.Lo and so on….

    Doesn’t mom get a secret thrill saying matter-of-factly to her friend, “I have a stroller like Tori” or “a Bumble Bag like Reese” or “a Britax like Donald Trump’s kid…” People just embrace it. It somehow makes us all even. See, we’re all special folks. Awe…

    No Comments