Featured blog for August: Just Ella Bella

The Featured blog for August is Ella from Just Ella Bella.


This is what she has to say about my questions, which gives an insight into this Mommy's life!

She knows about the loss of a child! But she also is the Mom of a cute toddler!
She has great recipes, DIY ideas and style tips!


5 Questions to the Featured Blogger


- What was the best thing that happened to you in your life

Bringing my son home... I know it sounds weird, not pregnancy, not birth, but coming home. Watching my son hooked up to machines I had to fight back the thought of not bringing him home and the day the doctor discharged him a week after his birth I remember feeling like I couldn't breath, I was so happy I couldn't even think straight.

- What is the worst thing that happened to you?

Not bringing my son home... My first son never got to come home, he died two days after his birth and the only time he spent in this house was for his funeral

- What is the funniest thing that happened to you?

Shoo I can't think of anything maybe the time I was mistaken for my own PA at an event...signing up as me they were all, oh you must be Eleanor's assistant , "uhm no, not so much" (I think it's because I look young for my age)

- What is your best me-time activity?

CRAFTING, I love making stuff, seriously seriously

- What music starts playing on your phone when pressing the play button?

"come inside it's fun inside" Mickey mouse club house because I'm toddler whipped, hehe

Notes from Digital You #jozimeetup

#JoziMeetUp at iStore, Sandton Drive

We had our second blogger meetup in Johannesburg this past weekend thanks to the wonderful efforts of Laura-Kim le Roux of Harassed Mom.

Laura-Kim le Roux

This time she organised two speakers,. and the vibrant actress and presenter Hayley Owen shared some of her insights about their project Digital You.

Hayley Owen

I made some notes about the importance of your own digital profile, as well as looking after the profiles of your children as well.
Especially if you are a Mommy Blogger... We are responsible for the digital profiles of our children as well!

Notes:

- Treat your own social profiles like a VIP.

- The National Prosecuting Authority has made it illegal to post naked pictures of children online.

- 3 rules to keep in mind with regards online safety. It is also a good idea to teach it to your children (Especially!!)

• 1 never talk to strangers
• Never share personal details
• Don't meet up with any strangers

Digital You

- 1 in 5 teenagers attempt suicide. When posting on social media, imagine that it is the same as writing on the giant billboard.

Digital You

- Against the law to post mean, bullying content online.

 - Signs your child are being bullied

• Reluctant or refuses to go to school
• Does not want to participate in after-school activities or play with friends
• Goes to the nurse in order to avoid going to class
• Your child suddenly spends much more or much less time texting, gaming or using social-networking websites.
• After texting or being online, he or she seems withdrawn, upset or outraged
• Your child asks to have a social media or online account be shut down - Digital You

 - Action steps to take

• NB save the evidence. Take a screen shot!
• Ignore contact from bully
• Block offenders
• Contact the site and report the perpetrator
• Report incident to the authorities
• Crimeline: sms 32211 or call 08600 10111

Digital You

- Reminder to set up strong passwords and filters on computers.

- Sexting: If caught with a picture of a child under 16 - sexy / naked: guilty of child pornography!

- Your CV is no longer well-written CV, but what comes up online!

- Everywhere you go, there's a digital camera around.

- Know the power of a photograph and how long it can stay online.

- Think about the future of your children, and their online reputation that's already available.

- Google yourself and show online footprint.

- Positives and negatives of digital you!

- Do a digital make-over!

- Get online & let people know that you have done a digital make-over

Happy belated birthday, Dear Blog!

I passed the four year Blogoversary mark of this blog, without even giving it a thought!
It was on the 13th of August already!

Happy belated birthday, Dear Blog! You have brought me so much joy!

In blogging years this blog is aged, but it keeps on going...
I am not yet ready to let it go, especially since we have a Little Missy keeping us on our toes with all her sayings and doings.

I also have so much to learn about the ages and the phases that they are going through.
Although we have The Student, and we are supposed to have some Experience or Parenting skills, but we can't fall back on it!
Parenting and children and The Times they are a-changing, all the time!
And we forget so very easily...
And no children are the same!
We can't say that we know how to raise a little one.
It does not come naturally or instinctively!

I get a lot of feedback and wise words and information in the blogosphere! I would not have learnt so much had it not been for this little blog.
Thank you, Dear Blog!

I started as a mom blogging, and I am still on my quest for juggling being a mom, working full-time, trying to continue with my studies, and finding balance at home with a reconstructed family.
One day we will get there!


I am surprised at some of the posts that reached all-time highest stats:

1. Mountain climbing at the Botanical Gardens

2. 5 Tips on how to survive Stork Parties

3. Infant dyschezia translates into not sleeping

4. Tips picked up while camping with the toddler

5. Stuff you allow your toddler to do


Blogging on!

(Photo: Patrick Pretorius)

Mom Again published in Your Baby this month

Interview this month in Your Baby and Toddler 

Link here to full article: Your Baby

Reasons why I consider Honest Toddler to be mandatory reading

If you have not heard of Honest Toddler by know, you should do yourself a favour and go and check out the Twitter feed as well as the blog.

I see it as as mandatory to follow him on his daily perspectives and utterances on life as a toddler.

It is mandatory as a survival technique for parents of toddlers.

If not recognising most of the Honest Toddler's take on life in your own child, it is also a sneak peak in the life of the parents of Honest Toddler.

They have their quirks and "addictions" while trying to parent a whimsical psychopath personality trying to get into the "big bed". Which is usually the big score! Or "cake"! Whichever comes first!


Some funnies:

- The blog post about fruit and how it should be presented to a toddler. Apparently not all fruit are equal, and fruit with any discolourings or bad spots are regarded with disapproval.
I love the bananas part! Yes, we should not expect them to eat the whole thing when it has been peeled. And, most importantly, always ask first before doing anything with a fruit!

- The toilet playing adventures on Twitter are a rich source of fun for the toddler, and I love the parents' reaction: "Mama is supervising with her special juice"

- The big bed as the ultimate goal each night. "Woke up in the big bed. Dreams can come true."

- The blog post about the animals. Not as funny, because it seems that the poor fish had died under mysterious circumstances and that the cat had jumped out of the window.

- At the office: "Did a quiet pee. Shhhhhh"
                          "Changed into emergency pants in the hallway. Stranger saw my bum bum LOL"

- And of course the potty training adventures... It's hilarious. The Twitter bio says it all: "Not potty trained. Not trying."

Honest Toddler on Twitter: @honesttoddler
Honest Toddler blog: Honest Toddler


Thanks, Honest Toddler! You help me understand my own toddler much better!

Pass the MeMe tag

Cat at Juggling Act of Life tagged me.

I always feel guilty when I do not respond to these, and today was a bit of a muse-less day...

So I am happily playing/tagging along.

The (bendable) rules:
"You must post these rules.
Each person must post 11 things about herself on his/her blog. (I am skipping this - as she did and you can too)
Answer the questions the “tagger” listed for you in her post, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
You must choose 11 people to tag and link to them in the post.
Go to each blogger’s page and mention that you have tagged
him/her."

The 11 questions by Cat at Juggling Act of Life:

Name the one product in your kitchen you can not function without.

The kettle – for my daily coffee!

If you can change your career decision, what would you like to be (disregard training, money etc- this is a dream job)

A computer programmer – I would love to be more techie savvy!

What is your favorite toy (as in gadget, craft item, etc)

Kindle

What is your favorite book of all times? (or just choose one for now)

Neale Donald Walsch – Conversations with God (1-3)

If you could give your 16 year old self one bit of advice only, what would it be?

Relax!

Chocolate or vanilla cake? And specifically what type.

Chocolate, Any Type!

Meat, fish or chicken?

Fish every time

On what would you spend R300 or 40US$ or the equivalent thereof as a spoil for yourself?

Book/s

Which building in the whole wide world do you think is beautiful or have captured your attention?

The Sydney Opera House

If you could go on a dream holiday right now, no costs spared, to which one destination will you go and who will you take along? (no world tours allowed - one destination)

I just checked out Spier specials this morning, but any Cape destination will do for me…

If you were a flower, which one will you be. And why?

Sunflower! It’s bright and useful and rugged!

I am tagging the last 11 commentors on my blog as well:

Cat at Juggling Act of Life

Kat in Africa 

Maxabella at Maxabella Loves

Jen R at Let it go 

Lynette at A work in progress 

Laura at http://www.harassedmom.co.za/

Tasneem at MumDrum 

Vanessa at The Meiring Meanderings 

TJ at 2 Half Pints, a Keg & The Manager 

Jamie at Beyond the Kitchen Window 

Margot at Jou Ma se Blerrie Blog 

My questions:

Name a pet peeve

What would you do over?

Are you happy now?

Why/why not?

What book are you reading now?

How do you take a breather?

What is your job title?

When is your next holiday?

Which do you prefer: Beach or bush holiday?

How much sleep do you get each night? (Vs. How much sleep does your body need?)

Do you listen to Talk Radio or Music Radio?

Anyone else can also answer these and pass the tag on.

I love reading the answers.

Thanks Cat!

Musings on a blogging workshop

I attended Tanya Kovarsky's of Dear Max's blogging workshop last Friday.

It was at the lovely Manna Cafe at Montecasino Boulevard, with stunning cappuccinos and a lovely play area for the little ones... Definitely going back there!

Because I sometimes feel like a lone ranger with regards blogging, and not always knowing if I am doing the it correctly, it was great to hear that we bloggers have very similar issues.


Some insights I got from Friday's workshop:

- The platform you are blogging on does make a difference. Choose wisely before you start! It is much easier to be in the right place, than having to change later on...

-  Bloggers are nice people. Online and offline! They are always willing to share their insights!

- What works for one blogger does not always work for another blogger. But it is all perfect in Blogoland! We make the rules as we go along. The rules that suits us!

- Authenticity is very important! Stay true to yourself!

- Blogging gives enjoyment, community and satisfaction.

- Bloggers know more about blogging than we think we do! Trust the blogging journey for teaching us as we go along!


Thanks Tanya. You can do it!


Check out the other bloggers, some who only started now to blog:

Taryne at Taryne Jakobi Styling
Vicki at Sapphire Weddings
Tiffany at Tiffany Markman; Dear Thumper; and others.
Denita at Baby Makes Six
Natalie at The Ing (Please send me the link?)
Talya at Journey from Jozi


What have you picked up on your blogging journey?

Blog Award - 7 things

Blog Award passed on by Mommygosleepynow

Mommygosleepynow over at Cinderella Trippin' passed on this Blog Award last week.

I have been enjoying her quirky humour for a while now, and there's nothing that deals with the loss of blojo (also one of her posts) better than accepting an award.
(Point 9 or 10 on her list, maybe? She ran out of fodder for her top 10 tips...)

The rules are easy (I like easy!):

Tell 7 things about yourself!
Pass it onto 15 others.

7 things:

1.  I got a sky high cholesterol score, and need to get a fasting score tomorrow morning before the doctor decides if I need to go on meds. (I don't want to!)
2. I am very easy with regards clothes buying. If it fits, I buy and go!
3. I have to colour my hair, because I am grey. I have been doing it since I was 26.
4. I love my coffee! I drink it with milk, and no sugar! (I probably drink too much of it!)
5. I love red wine! (That you most probably know by now). I will drink white wine, but only if there is no red wine left!
6. I love the fact that I have two daughters.
7. I think I was very lucky second time around getting the perfect Hubby.


15 Bloggesses who blog: (I used the first 15 on my blog list last night)


Dizzy C's Little Book Blog
Jemikaan 
The Life of a Sippy Cup Mom
Authentic Parenting
Raising men
Code Name: Mama
Harassed Mom
Jou Ma se Blerrie Blog
Motherhood Later than Sooner
Juggling Act of Life
Hobo Mama
A work in progress
Diaries of a white mother raising a black baby
Dear Max
MumDrum

Feel free to pass it on!

Have a happy Thursday!

What don't I know about you?

Second Blogoversary

This blog was two years old on Saturday! 584 posts with this one after two years... Happy birthday Blog!

I read my first blog post again, and my goal for this blog stays the same. I have recorded so many of the milestones in my daughters' lives.

When I try to tell someone about the reasons for my blogging, I sometimes get stuck when I see the look of confusion on a face...

But bloggers know why we blog, and that we become somewhat addicted to the daily post. (I give myself off over weekends.)

I have met so many interesting people!
I have learnt so many new stuff about parenting!
I have learnt so much about social media and networking through this!

Blogging on...

My first post two years back:

http://momagain40.blogspot.com/2009/08/mom-blogging.html?spref=bl: "Blog by Karen du Toit about becoming a parent after the age of 40, the second time after 15 years. It’s all about new beginnings. Being a ..."

Cuppa Java Friday

Skinny Cappuccino at Woollies

It is winter here (duh!), and all we are talking about is the cold! I have said before that we South Africans are real moaners-deluxe when our weather goes to the freezers. And guess what? Our midday temperature goes up to 19 degrees!


Not something to complain at all, you would say? Proving my point!

I am looking forward to the weekend. It started well already yesterday with a free meal at Woollies Campus Square! They forgot about our lunch-time order last week, and invited us back again this week! They score tops for following up on complaints, and top on their coffee and harvest table! Woollies, you are definitely forgiven!

Hubby figured out how to take care the sheet cycling of our toddler last night. He picked her up while she was fighting him, saying she wants her Mama, and cocooned her into her blankets. That sorted the open sleeping for most of last night!
He came back down the stairs and told me: “Sometimes fathers are also worth something! We can also do good parenting!”
Of course! I have never thought otherwise!
I could not have done it without you! (Thank you! Thank you, Dries!)

Best of all for the end of this week: I am featured as a Mommalicious Mommy Blogger and had to answer a couple of questions! I love checking in to Mommalicious Mammas active page to see what all mommies are up to, and sometimes to ask a question as well.

I could even sent one of my favourite bloggers, Mama Poekie, who blogs at Authentic Parenting, to the website to ask for advice about gynecologists in Cape Town. She is going to come from the Congo for the check-ups and birth!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

What are you up to? What are you drinking?

Just an ordinary mother

About Mommy blogs and the Internet. We know things we did not know we had to know about being mothers and parenting and babies and toddlers. And when we don’t know, we can ask a whole worldwide community of knowledgeable mothers! Mothers have so many choices now.

 I find myself feeling guilty most of the times when I read about all the high aspirations of parenting methods. There are the Authentic Parenting style, the Natural Parents, and the Attachment Parenting websites. Unschooling dot com and Gentle Disciplining. Code Name Mama has even decided not to expose her child to the whole Santa myth, and her arguments are very sane.

Then the guilt tripping sets in. Maybe we should do it another way!? The green parents also make me wish I could be a better greenie!

I try most of the times just to juggle being a mother, and to work as well!

Sometimes we are so tired when we get home, we declare it a McD’s night out. Horrors, yes! We feed our children a McDonald’s hamburger every now and then. I even ask for the toy that comes with the food because I think it is some of the cutest toys ever. Now I hear it encourages bad eating habits... Guilty!

We do Christmas with Santa because we think it is a whole lot of fun! And it cultivates a special family tradition for the little one.

Luckily we also get validation of some of our parenting styles. Sometimes when the baby (now toddler) is more in our bed, I think about all the benefits of co-sleeping and don’t stress about it. The same with spanking which we don’t do – gentle disciplining takes care of that!

The other day I thought to myself that one of my New Year’s resolutions should be that I should relax about my own parenting style. I am an ordinary mother trying to juggle life! I try to aspire to be more mother and parent and working mother, but I give myself permission to just be ordinary. Sometimes I will live up to my aspirations, sometimes not. I love reading and will keep on reading about all those great parenting styles!

Now I am an ordinary working mother. That is totally OKAY for me!