Haute Mom Dilemma #47 ~ We Know What's Best

I remember doing things as I child that I disliked.  Well, to be honest, some of these things I hated with a capital "H".  Going to certain lessons, places, and even select summer camps just had me filled with turmoil and anxiety. I vowed never to do the same thing to my kid when I was older.

Fast forward to the present day.  I just wrapped up Stella and my third "Parent and Me" swim class.  They start them as early as six months so I figured waiting until 1 year would pose no problems.  Stella loves the water and usually takes new things on fearlessly so I was super excited for summer to come where I could share this time with her.  We all know things don't always go as planned.

I checked out a bunch of swim schools and settled on one that had a great facility and no set times.  This meant I could go anytime I wanted, without having to commit to a specific time and day.  This was ideal for me.  The first class she seemed really excited and was loving most of it until they had us put them under water.  Nobody else seemed to mind that much except for Stella who was mad as a hornet.  To make things even better, they had us do it again...and again.  I was now "that parent" with the screaming kid in the middle

 of a lesson with four other giggling and drooling babies.  Great. 



She loves the wading pool
where she
 knows I can't dunk her. :)



I know this may seem a little harsh but the "level" for this class makes perfect sense. Ideally, the school wants the infants and toddlers to be able to go underwater, come up, and eventually turn and float on their backs.  This is the safest thing for them in case they ever (God forbid) fall into water.  Once Stella can achieve this (it may be awhile), she gets to move up.  My parents have a pool and we spend a lot of time on boats and near the water so I know that this is important which is why I chose to put Stella and all those parents with the happy water babies through more Saturdays of screaming Stella.

Today was the third lesson and she did significantly better although she is still protesting being under water, quite loudly in fact.  I realize that she may seriously hate these lessons but know that they are in her best interest and once she gets used to it, she will actually learn to love swimming.  I mean, while she screams, she does clap for herself.  That's gotta mean something, right?  It kills me to take her, knowing that she will utlimately be unhappy at some point.  If we quit now, I am afraid she will loathe the water and more importantly, not be as safe as she could be with these lessons. It is the best thing for her.  Boy, I have become my mother.

Haute Mom Goes Running

Running was and still has been one of my favorite ways to get some "me" time and stay in shape.  I know many people don't like to run but I found once you find your stride, it is quite addicting and therapeutic; like shoe shopping but better for the haute mom figure!  I have decided to participate in a half marathon event at Disneyland in January.  I figure since we love Disneyland so much, and I love running so much, it would be a perfect fit.  The only problem is I haven't run more than 3 miles since I have had Stella so it's time to ramp up my running shoes.  Running after a baby (and with baby) is world's apart from before.  I realized it is like getting back on a bike after many years, only this bike has square wheels and weighs about 20 pounds more. 

I have been asked to be a writer for a fantastic new blog called Disneyland Runners.  It is a community blog by and for both runners and aspiring runners who participate in Disneyland Resort 5K, half marathon, and marathon races.  Those of you who always wish you could can stop on by as well!  I will be posting a weekly article about running and everything associated with running.  My piece is called "Kelley's Healthy Habits". Is there something you would like to read about?  Let me know! My first post is up and talks about my experience with hitting that pavement again after having Stella.  For many of you, I know that you may be in the same position.  It's hard to stay haute after a baby but we can all do it.  Check out my own issues with getting started and let me know what you think.  Even better, share your own stories about getting back into something you loved doing after having your little ones!

Kelley's Healthy Habits: The importance of starting off slowly

WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

Happy Hump Day! I hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend! Summer is in full swing and I know all you haute moms have some great stuff on your blogs. I am in serious need for some summer fun so I hope you join in on the hop! What better way to get over the midweek hump then to kick off your heels and do a little blog hopping!



This week, our guest hostess is Haylie from The Ranting Housewife! She is a fellow haute mom blogging about life as a mommy and all the craziness that goes with it.  Be sure to stop by and pay her a visit!

Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun. There are a few rules though:

1. Follow the hostesses, Haute Mom! Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.
2. Follow the guest hostess - The Ranting Housewife!
3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.
4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.


So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!

WonderDads Review and Giveaway

Most of us haute moms feel like we do everything and oftern times it can be stressful!  We all have wonderful hubbies, and I am sure that with a little push in the right direction, they could help us out with our little babes more than they do now.  I featured a website called WonderDads a couple of weeks ago and this site is going to help our hubbies do just that. 

Here is a bit of what they are all about from their website:

"(WonderDads) is the first media company expressly positioned for today’s Dads. Through our website, books, merchandise, and local events we inspire Dads to engage with their children and families. We work with hundreds of partners and stores that carry our products across the country to bring Dads the tools and ideas they need to turn them from parents into heroes. We create a community of engaged consumers ready to interact with the brands and services that reward them for being Dads. Founded by a Dad frustrated by the lack of useful resources geared specifically to today’s generation of Dads, and the fact that most kids have 30+ books and maybe only one or two is Dad-focused, WonderDads supports and celebrates the moments when Dads go beyond the usual, the routine and the mundane to do extraordinary things with their kids."

 

I was fortunate enough to do a review on one of their books and, with the help of my husband, tested it out.  I received ABC's for Dads & Daughters and was extremely excited because Stella LOVES books.  For a 14 month old, I am always amazed at how long she will sit on my lap and listen to a story.  This book was the perfect chance for Stella and daddy to do some bonding time!  The pictures are beautifully illustrated with fun objects that are familiar to all little ones.  Even better, Stella gets to learn the ABC's while reading.  My hubby was more engaged with the storytime becuase he felt like this was "their special book" to read.  And I got a few moments to myself.  Everyone is happy!

Thanks to the generosity of WonderDads, they have agreed to help Haute Mom host a book giveaway! To enter this giveaway you must follow Haute Mom publicly and tell me what makes your significant other a "WonderDad"! Leave one comment telling me this and include your email. You must do this before you complete any of the extra entries!

 

Extra entries – leave a comment telling me you have done each of these (or already have in the past):

 

-Like Haute Mom on Facebook
-Like WonderDads on Facebook
-Follow Haute Mom on Twitter 
-Follow WonderDads on Twitter
-Follow Haute Mom on Networked Blogs
-Tweet about this giveaway (leave the link to your tweet up to once a day)
-Post this giveaway on your blog (leave the link to your post)


Good luck to all you haute moms! The winner will be chosen by Random.org at the end of this giveaway which is Friday, July 29th at 9 p.m PST.  Enter and help your hubby become even more of a WonderDad!

 

 

 

 

 

Haute Mom Will Travel

Now that it's July, summer is definitely under way.  Our summer plans for traveling are less than usual but there are a few fun trips that we have planned this summer; both family and adult only.  I just got back from our first trip of the summer, a work trip that I was able to combine with a small family getaway.  Haute moms always see the potential in work travel right?  Well potential and a kind boss...

I always have been an overpacker.  The sole reason for this is because I never know what I am going to want to wear.  A one night trip can easily call for three possible outfits and at least two pairs of shoes.  Add your little ones clothing options as well and we almost need cargo van for me and Stella.  I know that I have to get used to traveling with a little one and it is a learning in process thing for sure. 

Stella enjoying her very LARGE and rather
 PRICEY bowl of morning fruit.

Some things I learned from my trip to San Diego:

• Bring some of your own food for your kids - hotel food is expensive and they definitely don't have those healthy options readily available like you have at home.
• Consider asking for a corner room - we brought Stella's Pack and Play and this was Motel 6 compared to the comfy king size bed hubby and I had for ourselves.  Poor thing had to stare at us all night because of the room constraints.  It was torture for her to sleep in there when we were close by in a bed of our own.  We almost thought about putting it in the bathroom...not kidding.
• When or if you (haute mom) have to work, do not leave hubby in charge of packing up and getting ready for check-out.  I did this only to come in 15 minutes until check out time to find him napping with Stella and NOTHING had been packed.  I shoulda known better...

The next trip we are taking is in a couple of weeks for my birthday so Haute Mom will be traveling again and learn a few more things I'm sure!

WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

Happy Hump Day! It is officially summer! The sun is here, school is out, and I am away at a conference! This haute mom doesn't know what to do without her baby so give me some blogs to love! I am in serious need for some hoppin' so I hope you join in! What better way to get over the midweek hump then to kick off your heels and do a little blog hopping!






This week, instead of choosing a guest hostess, I would like to give everyone the opportunity to have some new followers. I want to share the 4th of July love! Instead of following a guest hostess, I ask that you instead follow the person ahead of you. If you already follow that person, keep moving up the list until you have a new blog to check out. Everyone should have at least one new follower!

Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun. There are a few rules though:

1. Follow the hostesses, Haute Mom! Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.
2. Follow the blog above you...or the one above that...you are all guests today!
3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.
4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.


So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!

Lazy Sunday - Family Time

Lazy Sundays, a day where I do as little as possible in preparation for the work week ahead, are slowly shaping into Family Sundays.  With this day being the only day my husband and I have off together, we are now finding things to do together, and with Stella now that she is older.

I remember back in my non-mommy days, Sundays were called "Sunday Fundays".  Long days filled with champagne brunch, mismosas, beers, and BBQs have turned into days just as fun, but so different.  My hubby even tried to talk me into getting a pedicure today (that must be a clue as to the shape of my toes) and I turned him down, asking instead to spend the morning as a family at Disneyland.  No, I was not under the influence of any foregin substance.  Honestly, that is all I wanted to do.

I love spending time as a family, enjoying Stella, even if it means I go without a pedicure or the laundry doesn't get done.  Well, I lie, I did the laundry yesterday, but the point is that family time has taken over as first place in my list of things to do.  A year has gone by and boy has my life changed.  Mimosas and too much sun has changed into sunscreen and a $5.00 bottle of water at Disneyland.  I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Happy Sunday haute moms!