I absolutely adore breastfeeding. It is the most difficult thing I’ve ever done, and one of the most rewarding. It’s messy and relaxing and invigorating and exhausting, all at the same time. And like most great stuff, it has its quirks. Continue reading
Author: The Mama (Page 28 of 33)
I'm Sarah, a thirty-something music teacher who now is blessed to stay at home with my two lovebugs. I've been passionate about prenatal care, childbirth, and attachment parenting since my first child was born, and now I aim to help other new parents be as educated as possible! You can also find me as a published author at www.amazon.com/author/sarahmarquez.
You'll see that we've gotten backyard chickens and we adore our feathered girls! I write basic content for new chicken owners to help families see that getting a flock of your own is fantastic and fun, for you and your kids. You'll see my egg-laying girls on my YouTube channel, along with toy reviews and other videos, at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGLmwFxSV8zQKLbv3fAzu0A.
Thanks for stopping by, and email me at themama@realsimplemama.com if you have any comments or suggestions.
All parents know the feeling of watching their children grow up. Last night my husband and I sat on the couch while the kids slept, looking at photo streams of Kiddo when he was a baby. I was so overcome with pride and sorrow that I was sobbing and laughing. I love him so, and he truly is growing up too fast. I feel a tightening in my heart when I think that I may never be pregnant again. It’s too early to tell, of course; Tiny is only six months old today (OMG wait what? Oh nooo), so we wouldn’t really be actively trying for another year or so. Still, to think that my days of being pregnant are over, makes my heart ache and brings tears to my eyes. I hope she’s not my last, and I’m not ready to accept that she quite likely is my last baby. Continue reading
As your child grows and develops, they will inevitably have some wakeful nights. As a parent, I hate nothing more than being helpless against my child’s struggles. Here’s how to tell between nightmares and night terrors, and some tips to help you all get back to sleep. Continue reading
I can still hear that whirring sound sometimes if I think about it… And Simon and Garfunkel singing “Hello darkness my old friend…” I pumped for over a year and a half for my first child; my breast pump was constantly with me. I must have spent hours upon hours with this thing – lugging it everywhere, washing parts multiple times a day, measuring milk… and my son’s life would be vastly different without the nourishment I provided by pumping. Get the scoop on a highly experienced mama’s review of the Medela Pump In Style Advanced Double Electric Breast Pump. Continue reading
My grandma was hilarious. She was feisty, quick-witted, selfless, and slightly vulgar. She passed away on Pentecost Sunday last year and I miss her all the time. How great it would have been for my kids to get to love her as I did. I wish my kids could have known her. Continue reading
I have braved cloth diapers for the last four months, but up until now have been leery about trying cloth wipes. Making a solution, hanging them up to dry… it just seemed like more work than it was worth.
Now that I have been using cloth wipes for a few weeks, I wanted to let you know how it is going! Read on for a newbie’s perspective on cloth wipes, as well as some tips I have learned along the way. Continue reading
Once I became a mom, I sheepishly realized that I had no idea when to do baby photos! Trust me, your littles are gonna grow so fast that you want to capture every stage! Here is my recommendation on the best times to schedule those precious baby photo shoots!
I had a huge undertaking this past summer when I made the decision to be a stay-at-home mom. I had to make up a daily schedule for my toddler and newborn baby, and somehow entertain them (not to mention keep them fed, clean and rested). It’s taken us a little while to settle into a routine, but now it’s awesome! And I promise you, kids need a routine. Check out what we do during the week to stay healthy, clean, rested… and sane. Continue reading
Written by Morgan, the mama behind Mom Uprising – someone way more fashionable and good looking than I will ever be. Trust me, you want to read about simple beauty for real moms in the real world.
If you’re like me, there are weeks where you go days without a shower. Your yoga pants have pea puree, or maybe poop, all over them. Your messy bun is just messy without any sense of style. We all have those days, those weeks, and those months.
Honestly, the first month or so after giving birth, I wasn’t concerned with this at all. I was a brand new mom, and those postpartum hormones didn’t necessarily work well for my mood, but my skin was absolutely glowing. Fast forward a few months and add going back to work with breastfeeding cravings that had me scarfing down six donuts in one sitting, and my appearance started to take a nosedive, as did my confidence.
After some trial and error, I think I’ve settled on a few key things that I do to keep myself not just looking better, but feeling better about the way I look. Now, I’m going to share those things with you! Continue reading
*Updated April 24 2016: woo hoo more reviews!!!
Let’s face it: whether or not you plan to breastfeed, your boobs are going to leak milk. And for as long as you breastfeed, your boobs are going to leak milk. And unless you want to ruin everything you wear, you are going to want nursing pads. But have no fear, I have done the work for you – comparing SIX different styles of washable and disposable nursing pads from four different brands. I’m proclaiming myself to be the world’s first breast pad connoisseur. And oh yes I’ve got real-life photos too! (Of the pads, not my boobs). Continue reading
