Describe your relationship with your parents

Everything that you go through in life, creates the amazingly unique person that you are today.

Those are the most endearing words that I live by. I'm not sure if anybody has come up with that quote before me, so I can't say it's original. 

My father was never around when I was young. He still really isn't around. We talk more now then we had ever before. This is a fact that used to bother me greatly. Now, it just is what it is. I'm an adult and I can face the fact that I didn't have him in my life. We definitely don't have the type of relationship I wish we had. The fact that I never had anybody to call dad is a bit depressing. 

I did have a step-dad growing up, but it just wasn't the same. My sister was his daughter and I knew I could never be. Sure, he loves me, but not as he does her. He is a good man though. I can't say I have any complaints. We rarely talk these days. I'm not sure whose fault it really is.

My mom is a strong woman. She has definitely been through more then I will know. She is such a great grandma! She loves these babies to the moon and back. I love my mom. 

Describe 3 Significant things from your childhood

Would I be odd if I didn't remember much about my childhood?

A lot of it I just decided to leave behind, and the rest well, I really can't remember. While trying to come up with three, I could not choose what would be best to share. I do have some pretty great memories from my teen years. Those are things that are better left to the imagination, however. 

I chose to use the very first memory that I can think of for my 20th post in my 30 things my kids should know about me series. 

The first memory that comes to mind is when I was seven. My aunt and uncle were babysitting. (they also lived with us)

They had convinced me I had a spider on my head! I remember running around the house screaming because I could not find the spider to get it out of my hair. While they hid in the bathroom. I've brought this up before and they don't admit to it. So either it really did not happen, or they don't remember it. All I know is that it's an extremely vivid memory. I doubt it was my imagination that had made it up. I'm seriously not all that creative. They are the best though! Honest. 

Diamond Candles blog Opp

Not sure if this is still going on, but I'm giving it a shot.

Open to the first 100 Bloggers. Once the list has been approved by the Diamond Candles Company.
The reviews and giveaways are asked to be completed within 30 days of your receipt of the product from the Diamond Candles Company.

Sign up using with this link to get a spot!

The Breastfed Family

All three of my children have been breastfed. Each of our breastfeeding journeys differs in experience and duration. My first child was the ONLY of my children to have a bottle. Which was forced upon us in the hospital. After we left that nightmare, she was exclusively breastfed.

My first child (A), had an extremely difficult time trying to latch. This was brought on by a multitude of factors. Being that I was still young and it was my first child, I had no idea what to expect or how to learn the right way to breastfeed. It's mainly trial and error. I had no experience with baby A. No family that could teach me how to do it. The fact that I had an emergency Cesarean section wouldn't have even mattered, if I could move my body at all. The numbness consumed me. If only baby A and I could get that skin to skin contact right away. Maybe things would have been different.

Baby A - 3 days old

The thought of a lactation consultant didn't come to mind until the medical staff forced me to supplement. I was immensely distraught over not being able to do what was completely natural. 

I remember thinking to myself, "How can I not know how to do this?" The questions I would ask myself would just make the pain more intense. I felt like I was letting my baby down. My body was letting me down. The pain was unbearable. This is the most natural act that I could do, and yet I could not get it to work. My experience was dreadful. The Nurses were of no help. They were awful even. There was even a nurse who was getting flustered by my lack of knowledge in breastfeeding. She would hold tight onto my breast and try to force it into my baby A's mouth. It was so painful. This nurse was far too forceful, and I now know that this is not the proper way to latch a baby. You do not need to grip the breast the way she was. Honestly I feel if I was left alone, I could have managed to do it. 

"Give Him Some" Giveaway

 

Welcome to the "Give Him Some" Giveaway, hosted by Stay a Stay at Home Mom and co-hosted by Mamal Diane and Mom to Bed by 8. Wondering what you should get your hubby this Valentine's Day? Well, they say that the key to a man's heart lies in his stomach, so this year, why not give him something unique to eat that he will really love! 

 Here's your chance to tempt his taste-buds with:     

(4) Sirloin Buffalo Steaks (shipped on dry ice, ready to cook or freeze) Retail Value $28.99     

  

(2) Bags of Jerky - Teriyaki Buffalo (2) Bags of Jerky - Chicken Hot Wings Style (2) Bags of Jerky - BBQ Turkey (2) Bags of Jerky - Peppered Beef Retail Value ($6 a bag) $48    

$50 Amazon.com Gift Code For anything his heart desires ...       Give him a great treat and make him happy! And tell him to skip the flowers and give you jewelry this year! You deserve it! Wondering about the fabulous company behind the jerky and the buffalo steaks? Well, the company is Jerky Direct, home of the $12 business opportunity. If you are looking for a way to make money at home, check them out. New distributors can get started for less than the cost of a pizza. (and it tastes a whole lot better too!) More info on the $12 Business Opportunity 

 Enter to win by filling out the Rafflecopter below.

 Giveaway runs from Jan 26 at 12:01am to Feb 15 at 11:59PM EST. 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway 

The participating bloggers and So Sew Mama were not compensated for this post. We are not associated with any of the companies in this giveaway. No purchase is necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. The  odds of winning are based on the number of entries received. This promotion is no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, and is compliant with Facebook TOS. To qualify to win, you must fill out the Rafflecopter entry. Must be aged 18+ to enter and win. See Rafflecopter for complete eligibility requirements.  

OraMD Giveaway

This Giveaway is Hosted by Jenn, Mom of Two Munchkins

 Trusted Health Products has had great success with OraMD over the last 12 years selling over a half million bottles. OraMD – an all-natural liquid toothpaste, mouth rinse and breath freshener - is endorsed by Dr. Tom McGuire, a world-renowned dentist and leading authority on preventive dentistry, and  is also starting to be offered in holistic dental offices nationwide. 

http://jennmomoftwomunchkins.blogspot.com/2013/01/enter-to-win-oramd.html

Bacteria is the enemy of your mouth and can cause anything from bad breath to gingivitis.  OraMD combats bacteria naturally without chemicals are harm abrasive toothpaste.  Toothpaste and mouthwashes are not the best thing for your mouth as you have been lead to believe.  Toothpaste contains chemicals that are irritating and in many cases are even the same chemicals used in car washes or garage floor cleaners.  How gross is that?

Nominated for the Leibster Award!

Amy from The Stitchin Mommy has nominated So Sew Mama for the Leibster award. I'm not sure if you know what a Leibster is so let me try to explain.

From what I have researched liebster is a German word meaning; sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. 

The Leibster award is given to new and up-and-coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers who deserve some recognition and support to keep on blogging. The award is passed on to other bloggers that fit the criteria to help spread the word. Blogger awards are such a great way to learn more about your fellow bloggers so I knew we had to participate.

Picture made by So Sew Mama. Feel free to use.

I'm honored that Amy has chosen myself, and also 10 others for this award. I have chosen 11 blogs and written my own questions for them at the bottom of this post!

The Rules are simple

1. Each blogger should post 11 random facts about themselves.

2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you, then create 11 new questions for the bloggers you pass the award to.

3. Choose 11 new bloggers (with less than 200 followers) to pass the award to and link them in your post.

4. Go back to their page and tell them about the award.

5. No tag backs.

Aerobie Skylighter Flying Disc Giveaway

This Giveaway is Hosted by Jenn, Mom of Two Munchkins

The Aerobie Skylighter Flying Disc is super cool.  It has amazing balance with long, accurate flights.  It has two small L.E.D.lights positioned in the center of the disc that light up the entire outside rim.  This makes it easy to play at dusk or even at night.  It also had unmatched accuracy and stability thinks to the large diameter and the spoiler rim.  No more wobbly discs!  The cushioned edge makes it easy to catch and has texture to ensure a great grip.  Read the full review.

 Giveaway Open from 1/24 - 2/7

New People Baby Brush Winner

The winner of the new people baby brush is Jessica Poston. Jessica you have been sent an email.


Please send me your shipping address with 48 hours. Thank you for entering. 

Like Me on Facebook Hop #33

Welcome to Like Me on Facebook

<center> <a href="http://www.thenaptimereview.com/"/><img src="http://s147.beta.photobucket.com/user/awages/library/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r306/awages/JulieFBbutton2copy2_zps027fdf29.png" /></a> </center> Would you like to be the next Co-Host?

Email

(julie_marling@yahoo.com)

Scheduling NOW!

This is a link up designed for bloggers who want to increase their facebook likes

and share their facebook pages with others.

PLEASE DON'T LINK UP YOUR BLOG.

Come back for Mom's Monday Mingle to link up your blog!
Tweet

PLEASE LIKE FROM YOUR PERSONAL FACEBOOK PAGE ONLY!

**Facebook doesn't recognize likes from blog fan pages. Please use your personal account to like.

***Please comment on facebook pages so we can make sure to RETURN follows.

Thank you!

Maggie Bag and Sibu Omega 7 Chocolates Giveaway

We Welcome you to the Maggie Bag and Sibu Omega 7 Chocolates Giveaway

The Giveaway is Hosted By Oh! My Heartsie  
Thank you to My Co-Hosts For Helping Me To Sponsor
| Giveaway Promote | Welcome to My Kitchen | Capris Coupons  | GiaVanne's Gems |  

| To Sew With Love | Sweeping The USA |Mommies Point of View

Enter this amazing Giveaway using the Rafflecopter form below. Also, please use the survey form below the rafflecopter and state that you are entering on SO SEW MAMA. Thank you and good luck!

One Lucky Winner Will Win a Maggie Bag Butterfly Bag as Pictured and 
Sibu Omega 7 Chocolates

Starts 1-23 and Ends at 11:59 on 2-6

Should You Decide To Purchase From Maggie Bags Receive:

Discount Code: Heartsie15  This code is for our readers and gives 15% off Maggie Bags 

Premier Line until Feb. 28, 2013. This code is case-sensitive.

I received the Maggie Butterfly Bag in pink and brown and I was amazed to find our how well constructed the bag was. It will work well for traveling, it has many pockets inside to store things like cosmetics and traveling essentials. Read More  Maggie Bags Review

Sibu Omega 7 Truffles

I have been working with Sibu now for a while and was offered to try their Sibu Mega 7 Chocolates Truffles. There are 16 pieces in each box with 2 as a serving. There are two flavors one in Dark Chocolate and the other Milk Chocolate. The chocolate are individually wrapped/branded chocolate truffles. They are a custom made with a special proprietary Belgian liquor chocolate blended with 240 mg of Omega-7-rich sea buckthorn oil in each truffles.  
Read More Omega 7 Chocolate Review

Rafflecopter Here

Maggie Bags requested that we extend our giveaway to the 28th to correlate with the Discount Code: Heartsie15  This code is for our readers and gives 15% off Maggie Bags Premier Line until Feb. 28, 2013. This code is case-sensitive.

*Disclosure

I received no compensation for this post and So Sew Mama is not responsible

for prize distribution, it is the responsibility of the companies to direct ship to winner 
by notification or Oh! My Heartsie once winner is confirmed

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey,

 the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Valentines Blog Giveaway Sign up

Valentine Maggie Bags + Sibu Omega 7 Chocolate Truffles Giveaway

Is being Hosted By Oh! My Heartsie & Mommies Point of View

Prize is a Butterfly Bag

And Sibu Chocolate Truffles

Value Approx. $160.00

Starts 1/23 to 2-6

Free Blog Event! For Maggie Bag and Sibu Truffle Giveaway 

➢➢Signup Is Here Bloggers Wanted Signup Here

Please say So Sew Mama referred you.

How did you feel the moment you became a parent?

This post is supposed to be about how I felt the moment I became a parent. Since there are no words to describe the amazement I felt, I want to tell the story with pictures. My first child was born in 2008 by emergency c-section after she just would not come out and my blood pressure rose above 160/100. 

Afterwards I could barely move my fingers. Sadly, I could not breastfeed her right away like I could with my second and third born. Which in turn created obstacles for us with breastfeeding. It eventually worked out and she was exclusively breastfed after being home from the hospital.

What my spouse loves most about me

Have you ever asked your spouse what they love about you?

I'm not sure the topic has ever come up. It doesn't seem like something that is needed. But I'm also different from you. 

I think he loves how much alike we are. It's as though we are the same person sometimes.
Also, I'm not sure many women would be able to deal with him the way I can.

What do you think your spouse loves about you?

The 5 Money Personalities

You probably had no idea that there were even money personalities let alone 5 of them. I didn't either until I read this book. You can take the quiz here to figure out your primary and secondary money personality

This book will help you be realistic with each other on how best to achieve your financial goals and perhaps cause you to see each other in a new light, help to curtail any financial arguments and perhaps cause you to start dreaming of a great future together again. The book is short, at 180 pages, and is written in an approachable and easy-to-read manner. The 5 money personalities is intended to be read with your spouse over a 90 day period.

Jewelry Candles Giveaway & More

 
Sponsors: Jewelry Candles and Wonderful Thins In Life

  Hello guys here is a wonderful giveaways that will make your Valentines day brighter. 

This giveaway starts January 20 and will end this coming February 5. 

You will win either a Jewelry Candle, handmade earrings, handmade bracelet, or an assorted handmade thank you cards. Join now and who knows you will be one of the winners. This is open US and world wide...Just fill up the rafflecopter below...
Extra Entry.. So Sew Mama referred you.
a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Disclosure: So Sew Mama is not responsible for the prize shipment. Only the sponsors are the one responsible for it.

FamilyShare.com A Great Family Resource

You can find a lot of great family resources on the web. Such websites as Babycenter.com, WebMD.com, Whattoexpect.com can be very helpful. 

Recently I stumbled across FamilyShare.com. It's really easy to navigate and has a clean and fresh look to it. I had no problem signing up. It was quick, easy and above all free.



You can find a lot of different bite size articles on FamilyShare.com. There is a little of something for everybody.

What are the things you wish you were great at?

We all have our flaws, whether we would like to admit them or not. As much as we try to hide behind our masks we know the truth. 

We are all bad at something. That is just a fact. 

Show and Tell Sundays! It's a blog hop

Show and Tell Sunday

My first ever linky party