Why is it

Why do all DMVs suck? For 4 years we have been trying to get our motorcycle licensed in the state and are still unsuccessful. If a state has to reissue a title then why do they need a copy of the old title to do it? We have never had the title in our possession because the bike was purchased in a title holding state and then when we paid the bike off the lien holder sent the lien release and title to no man's land and we never got it. So 3 trips to the DMV (average wait time 2 hours), 2 states and 4 hours on the phone with the lien holder we still can't ride the bike.

What happened California?

I am sad for our country. What are we going to do if California starts to become conservative? California's liberal bias is what keeps the rest of the nation in balance. Oh my beloved eclectic California...I hope you come back to reality and reset the balance of blue and red. Otherwise, Iowa might have to replace you in my heart.

Work Mom

When I was in grade school, I noticed that there were moms that came to school to help serve lunch. I came home from school one day and said to my mom "your a work mom not a cook mom". I guess that was my way of noticing that my mom wasn't a stay at home mom but a working mother. So, I have followed in her footsteps and become a "work mom" too.

Holden has been in daycare part time for 3 weeks now and I back to work. He is doing great, I do better each day. He is in a family daycare center and Tracy is really nice and Holden seems to be fine with her, she has definitely got him on the nap schedule I have been trying to do for weeks. He seems to do really well and she gives me a sheet that says what he did all day. There are definitely some pros to daycare and I have decided to focus on the good things that come with daycare instead of moping that I can't be a stay at home mom (SAHM) for a little longer.

My list of good things about daycare and return to work:

1. He has a really good schedule with Tracy and is a happy baby with her and when he comes home at night

2. He gets to explore another environment aside from our living room

3. As he gets older he will have other kids to play with

4. I get to have adult conversations with people that aren't all about baby, I admit I still talk about Holden a lot.

I do worry about Holden getting enough one on one attention, but every day that I pick up or drop off he seems happy and Tracy always has something to tell me about his day.

I would have loved to stay home longer, but in reality I like my job and didn't go to school for 6 years to not use my degree. I though maybe I could be a SAHM but if I am really truthful with myself, I think I would ultimately miss the challenge of my career. However, my perspective on what is important has definitely changed, and leaving work at 4 to go pick up Holden doesn't come soon enough. I have become more productive during the day so I can focus my energy on my family when I'm at home.

I'm curious of other mom's feelings about returning to work and having their kids in daycare. Your fears, worries, joys...

As The Garden Grows

Jeremy made a raised garden bed for me for mother's day. I finally got the veggies and herbs planted. Now we'll see if I have any sort of a green thumb.

Laying the landscape timbers

Tilling the soil, crappy carolina clay with garden soilVeggies and herbs ready to produce some good eats!
Holden helping us plant

Boggity Boggity Boggity

Lets go racing. Its race week in Charlotte, Nascar for those of you that don't live in the Carolinas. Race week includes two weekends of races at Lowe's Motorspeedway and Speed Street. We have been in racing country for 4 years now (wow, its been that long already) and have never made it down to Speed Street, until now. Speed Street is 3 days of everything racing in downtown Charlotte, the drivers, sponsors, cars, music, you name it. Its one big corporate ad but what isn't in Nascar. So, we loaded up the stroller, met some friends, got a couple Miller Lites and wandered up and down the streets people watching. Its amazing how free samples bring out the "best" in people. We paid too much for beer and filled up on funnel cake like any other city festival. The people watching was pretty great (even Holden stayed awake during the stroll) but I'm not sure we would go again. We enjoy Nascar-yes I said it, we have gone to the dark side and become Nascar fans. But I'm not sure we can embrace all things Nascar including Speed Street. But now we can finally say we have gone and checked things out.

The Taylor's being rednecks with our beer in the stroller

It's Time

Holden is almost 3 months old and I have been back at work for 2 weeks now. Its time to start losing the rest of the baby weight. We have been trying to pinch pennies now that we have daycare expenses so a gym membership is not in the cards for a while. So, I'm going to have to be creative in my exercise routine. I have found a few at home workout routines online and picked up a mom and baby fitness dvd. I think it will be a slow start since I used my pregnancy as an excuse to stop working out and then ended up on bedrest. The weather is nice and we have daylight until around 8 so no excuses. Maybe I can even get hubs to walk with us.

Support your Local Brewery-Day 7 Last Day

Its the last day of American Craft Brew Week and we have been supporting our local brewers all week. I hope you have. Now for our last beer review for the week. A friend brought it over for us to try with a homemade pizza, that's the agreement, we feed her she brings beer, good arrangement if I don't say.

Jeremy and Amanda's Beer Review: Widmer Brothers Drifter Pale Ale

So, in the sense of full disclosure, Widmer Brothers brewery is partially owned by Anheuser Busch. Anheuser Busch is a minority owner and Widmer Brothers uses Anheuser's wholesale distribution market. My first impression: I like, a very mild malty beer with a distinct citrus flavor, crisp taste. Jeremy's first impression: Grapefruit aroma and undertones of grapefruit taste. Not overly hoppy and a malty finish. Ratebeer.com gave the Drifter an 83%. I definitely would buy it again for a good summer time ale.

A little about the brewery: Widmer Brothers Brewery

Widmer Brothers was founded in 1984 in Portland, Oregon. Widmer Brothers pioneered the world's first American-style Hefeweizen. Widmer Brothers purchased Redhook Brewery located in Seattle, WA in 2007.

Redshirting

I was reading another mommy blog, Suburbian Turmoil and she wrote a post about private school kindergarten. Some parents are holding their children back so they are older in kindergarten (6 or 7 years old) with the intent that their child will be bigger, smarter, stronger when they get to junior high and high school. This is called redshirting. As a recap of her blog, parents are sending their child to public school kindergarten at age 5-6 and then sending them to private school kindergarten the next year in the hopes that their child will have a "leg up". At some schools the age gap is 2 years (5-7 year olds) in kindergarten with almost 50% of the kids in the older age group. This sets up the possibility that your 13 year old daughter is in 8th grade with boys that can drive. Or some kids being 20 years old when they graduate from high school. I had never heard of this phenomenon, has anyone else? I wonder what the world is coming to, when parents think it is a good idea to hold their child back in kindergarten just so there is the possibility that their kid is bigger and stronger for high school sports and possibly smarter academically. With more than 50% of children in a class being older, it perpetuates the problem as parents of younger kids consider holding back also just so their kid isn't the youngest in the class. Kids have hard enough time in school making friends and learning the ways of human socialization to throw in the 2 year age gaps could compound all sorts of awkward situations you encounter in school. What do you think, are you as appalled by this practice as I am? Have you ever heard of redshirting? Whatever happened to the way things were when we were kids?

Support your Local Brewery-Day 6

Day six of American Craft Beer Week.

Jeremy and Amanda's Beer Review: Coney Island Human Blockhead

Human Blockhead is brewed by Schmalz brewing company. Amanda's first impression: Nice robust flavor and bitterness. Jeremy's first impression: Good, taste slightly burnt and hints of sweetness and chocolate. Human Blockhead is a copper colored dopplebock with a slightly sweet aroma and a bitter finish. Ratebeer.com only gave Human Blockhead a 64%.

A little bit about the brewery: Shmaltz Brewing Company

Shmaltz brewing brews Coney Island brand in Saratoga Springs, NY. Shmaltz brews another brand, He'brew in San Francisco, CA. Shmaltz was founded in 1996 with his first batch of He'brew beer distributed out of the truck of his grandmother's volvo. Summer 2008 marked the official national launch of their new line of craft brewed lagers under the Coney Island brand. Inspired by the spirit, the history, and the future of America’s Playground, Shmaltz Brewing released its Coney Island Craft Lagers™ in association with the arts organization Coney Island USA, a 501(c)3 Non-Profit. A portion of its proceeds directly benefits Coney Island USA. The line features its self-titled debut offering, Coney Island Lager, and four hybrid styles combining traditional Lager yeast and brewing techniques with new American craft beer flavor and personality.

Tomorrow is the last day of Craft Beer Week, have you supported your local brewer yet?

Host with the Most

Holden hosted his first party today, a playdate of 7 week olds through 4 months. Fun times were had by all. Obviously this is more for us mommies than for our babies at this point, but when they get older it will be for both of us. Its been great to get together twice a month, already we can tell how much the babies have grown since the last play date, and swap stories on what they are doing that's new, i.e. smiling, kicking, standing up.

Support your Local Brewery-Day 5

Over half way through American Craft Beer Week and we have been supporting our local brewers, have you?



Amanda and Jeremy's Beer Review: Victory Wild Devil Ale
Wild Devil is a weird ale that is like a British IPA made with American hops, German malts and yeast common to Belgium Ales. Hence weird. Brewed by Victory Brewing Company, Downington, VA. Amanda's first impression: yuck, not a fan, smells weird, tastes hoppy on the front end and OK but has the after taste is the same as the smell. Jeremy's first impression: Beer has a lot of head (see photo), smells like baby poop, label states "sharp tang and deep funk" Jeremy "funk is an understatement". Ratebeer.com gave Wild Devil a 91%. I guess Jeremy and I can't appreciate good beer :) To each his own.

A little about the Brewery: Victory Brewing Company
Victory Brewing Company was founded in 1996 in an old Pepperidge Farm Bakery in Downington, PA. One distinguishing characteristic of Victory is the insistence on using raw whole hops instead of pelletized hops or extracts. In addition, the brewmaster trained in Germany and brews under the German Purity Laws where appropriate.

Gently Used

Holden and I went to a kids consignment sale today with a friend. Found some good deals on baby gear. There is so much out on the market for babies your not sure really what to get and its kind of trial and error for a new mom. Case in point, it was suggested that I get a wipe warmer, and I like the concept but I despise the warmer that I have and feel like it was a waste of $20 bucks.

I'm sure Holden would be content with a couple rattles and a blanket, but the consignment sale allows us to get him a few more fun things. We got a high chair for $25 that retails for over $200! Best deal of the day maybe the year, I had no idea the high chair I picked up retailed for that much, it was just the best looking one at the sale and folded up nice. Pretty sweet I would say. We also got a Bumbo seat, some toys and a jumperoo. I think Holden is set and hopefully this isn't a pattern of mom and dad to go overboard on the toys. Maybe its justified when the baby gear is gently used? Either way, its going to be fun to see him explore the world in the coming months.

Look Grandma, I can hold my head up!

Grasping my new toy keys

Support your Local Brewery-Day 4

Are you supporting your local brewer? We definitely did today. We enjoyed local NC beers with good local pizza tonight. Holden did awesome, slept the entire time while mom and dad enjoyed some adult companionship and good food.

Amanda enjoyed: Big Boss Hells Belle a belium style ale brewed out of Raleigh, NC. Red Oak Hummin'bird a bavarian style brewed out of Whitsett, NC and finally Highland St. Teresa's Pale Ale out of Asheville, NC. My favorite out of the 3 has to be the Big Boss with Hummin'bird a close second.

Jeremy enjoyed: Foothills Hoopyum IPA brewed in Winston-Salem, NC and French Broad Wee Heavy-er a scottish style ale brewed in Asheville, NC. He liked Hoppyum the best, more unique in flavor.

Our friend DJ enjoyed Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Copper ale a beer brewed by the German purity laws right here in Charlotte, NC and White Wolf Golden Ale brewed in Wilmington, NC.

Good Beer, Good Food, Great Friends is what its all about.

Support your Local Brewer-Day 3

Its Day 3 of American Craft Beer Week are you supporting your local brewer?

Jeremy and Amanda's Beer Review: Lagunitas Brown Shugga' Ale

Brown Shugga' is a unique ale made with brewer's yeast fed brown sugar cane, hence the name. Brown Shugga' is brewed and bottled by Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma, CA. My first impression: sweet at first with a mild bitterness and nice caramel malt. Jeremy's first impression: Tastes kind of like a barleywine (the commercial description states it was basically a screwed up batch of barleywine). Brown Shugga' has a very slight sweet smell, is a copper color with very mild hoppiness. Its got a pretty high alcohol content: 9.5%. Ratebeer.com gave Brown Shugga' a 91%! Pretty impressive pick I must say. I think I'll have another.

A little about the brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company

Lagunitas Brewing was founded in 1993 in Lagunitas, CA and moved to nearby Petaluma when they quickly outgrew their original rural West Marin location. The brewery is known for its iconoclastic interpretations of traditional beer styles, and irreverent descriptive text and stories on their packaging.

Breast vs Bottle (Warning: post about breastfeeding)

As a new mom there is so much information on how breastfeeding is the best for your baby. Even formula cans state at the top of the label "Important Notice: Breastmilk is best for babies". I knew when I was pregnant that I was going to breastfeed and wanted to breastfeed for at least 6 months. So, when I had to make the tough decision to stop breastfeeding at 6 weeks and put Holden on formula, I felt really guilty. For new moms today there is a lot of pressure to breastfeed and not enough education for new moms that not everyone is going to be able to breastfeed for as long as they want or at all. There is this feeling that you aren't as good of a mom because you can't provide nourishment for your newborn and new moms are constantly told that formula isn't as good for baby. Here is my story and how I am coming to terms with my ultimate decision to bottle feed.

As you know, Holden was premature. So in the hospital the nurses gave him a pacifier almost immediately and he couldn't leave the hospital until he drank an ounce of milk from a bottle. In addition, the doctors required him to be on 2 bottles of formula a day for weight gain since he was a preemie. We had some nipple confusion but things were improving over the next 3 weeks. When we got the all clear from Holden's doctor to exclusively breastfeed, I was all about it. Everything went downhill from there. I got thrush and Holden was a "lazy nurser" the combination of the two made my milk supply tank and Holden was nursing every 45 minutes. This was making my sleep-deprived life very stressful. So I went to see my lactation consultant and she helped me ultimately make the decision between continuing to breastfeed or bottle feed. I was really disappointed that I was ultimately going to have to ween Holden before I wanted to but knew deep down that it was going to be the best for everyone. My lactation consultant asked a very poignant question that really stuck and helped me come to terms with weening at 6 weeks. She asked "are you enjoying your time with your baby?" And I wasn't at that time. I was so stressed out and tired and Holden was constantly fussy because he was hungry all the time and not getting enough sleep himself.

So, with the support of hubs we switched Holden to formula. And even though I still feel some guilt and disappointment, it was the best for everyone. Holden almost immediately was that happy baby again because he wasn't hungry all the time and started sleeping 5-6 hours a night within a couple weeks. And I got my sanity back because I wasn't as sleep deprived.

I started thinking that there isn't enough support out there for mothers that have made the decision to bottle feed today. I know "breast is best" but there needs to be more support to let new moms know that breastfeeding isn't easy and that its OK if you choose to bottle feed because it is "best" for you and your baby. I never felt any judgement from friends and family for my decisions but was disappointed in myself. I will get over my personal disappointment and will still try to breastfeed with our next baby. I hope that as time goes on the pressure for moms to breastfeed isn't so overbearing and that the pendulum swings back to a happy medium that includes the information that bottle feeding is sometimes best. Bottle feeding is "best" for this family at this time.

Support your Local Brewer-Day 2

Its Day 2 of the American Craft Brew Week. Please support your local brewers. Now for review number 2.

Jeremy and Amanda's Beer Review: New Holland Brewing Full Circle

Full Circle is a kolsch style ale, a simple ale single malt, single hopped beer from New Holland Brewery in Holland, Michigan. My first impression: I kind of like much better than yesterdays IPA but most likely personal preference for a kolsch style over an IPA. Jeremy's first impression: Lacks flavor single dimension. Full Circle has a slight floral aroma, light in color and has some nice spice to the taste. Ratebeer.com only gave Full Circle a 43%.

A little about the brewery: New Holland Brewery

New Holland Brewery was founded in 1996 in Holland, MI. New Holland brewery has won three medals at the Great American Beer Fest.

Till tomorrow, enjoy a craft brew.

Support your Local Brewer

Its day 1 of American Craft Beer Week (May 11-17th). Please support your local brewers. In the spirit of Craft Beer Week, hubs and I will be reviewing a different craft brew each day.
To find out more information go to:
http://www.beertown.org/events/acbw/index.html


Even Colbert is supporting:
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/168493/may-15-2008/american-craft-beer-week

Till tomorrow, enjoy a craft brew.

Amanda and Jeremy's Beer Review: Starr Hill Northern Lights IPA
Northern Lights is an extra special india pale ale from Starr Hill brewery in Charlottesville, VA. My first impression, not my favorite too bitter for me. I enjoy a few IPAs but this won't be at the top of my list. Jeremy's first impression: He liked it a bit more than I did. It has a slight floral aroma, amber color and a hoppy bitterness lingers a little too long for our taste. If you like IPAs give this one a try. Ratebeer.com has rated Northern Lights at an 84% and 3.5 stars.

A little about the brewery: Starr Hill Brewery

Starr Hill Brewery was started in 1999 in the original location of the first brewery in Charlottesville, VA. The brewery is named after a local neighborhood and the master brewery has won 14 awards for his craft brews.

How Much?

How much pet hair do we think Holden will ingest by the age of 1? I knew that it was an uphill battle to control the pet hair in our home with 2 cats and a dog. However, now that it is starting to get hot out and with a new baby I see so much more pet hair! It seems like as soon as I vacuum or sweep, it looks like I didn't even touch the place. Maybe its my new mommy eyes but there definitely needs to be a better solution. Its never ending. I need a maid or someone to shave my pets.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms out there. It is my first mother's day and unfortunately Jeremy is out of town, but he is celebrating the wedding of his older brother and gets to celebrate mother's day with his grandma and mom today. He left me to really special cards, one from him and one from Holden before he went to Omaha. Holden and I went to peruse the garden departments at our favorite big box stores and picked out some flowers, veggies and herbs for the garden. Jeremy is in the process of making us a raised flower bed so we can grow our own yummy veggies. I will post some photos when we are all finished. We are going to enjoy the beautiful day we have today in Charlotte and take a nice afternoon stroll around the neighborhood.

2 Months in the life of Holden

Some of you might not know, but Holden was born 4 weeks early and spent a week in the NICU when he was born. The doctors weren't sure if he was going to have to be admitted to the NICU, but when I was in the hospital with preterm labor I was told that little white boys are the wimpiest. So, when we found out we had a boy, we weren't too surprised that he had to go to the NICU for a few days. At least it wasn't a few weeks like we had prepared ourselves back when I went into preterm labor at 32 weeks.

So, even though he is 10 weeks old on Monday, his gestational age is 6 weeks. But, he is catching up developmentally very quickly. He has basically doubled his birth weight, 10 lb 5 oz at his 2 month check-up. He is smiling now, has found his thumb to suck on (I'm not sure if I like that but it is sure cute right now), recognizes mom and dad and is looking around all the time. He can hold his head up quite a bit and is starting to push up with his legs.

Playing at 3 weeks

Playing at 8 weeks

Holden was christened in the Nazarene church this month, we joined a mommy group which has been great, and started daycare (more on that later). Holden met his grandmothers and his papa also.

Grandma Hassler's Visit

Grandma and Papa Farrell's VisitBaptism-April 24th, 2009

We now have a regular play group and there are more working moms in our group so we are meeting on Saturday mornings which is great because most of the playgroups are during the week when I'm at work. I have already made some good friends through the mommy group and its nice to have other new moms to swap stories with. This way I don't bore all of my non-parent friends with mommy things.

Playgroup

In honor of earth day, we switched Holden to cloth wipes and diapers. There are so many more options out there than when I was a baby. Jeremy isn't 100% on board yet but I'm sure he will come around (when the disposables run out). I have a childhood friend that has a 4 month old son and she was a big help in deciphering the options, how to properly wash them, etc. We are also lucky because my mother-in-law is awesome with a sewing machine and is going to make us a bunch of wipes and a handful of fitted diapers for daycare. I use my washing machine a lot more but figure we will be saving a ton of money by the time he is potty trained, saving 6000 disposable diapers from the landfill and they look so dare cute!
I think that is it for a recap of our last 2 months in a nut shell. Now enjoy some video.

Tummy Time

Hanging out with Mom

An Attempt at Blogging

I have a few friends that are masters at the art of blogging and I love reading their daily dose of insight into their lives. So I thought, maybe I could do this. As you may have noticed I made an attempt back in January and then life happened. So this is attempt number 2. I thought it would be a good way to collect my thoughts and let our family into the daily insanity of our life with our new addition, Holden. Of course, it might just be an excuse for a distraction during work. Jeremy (the husband) and I live miles away from our families we don't get to share the joys and trials of raising our first child, Holden. Holden is 2 months old and precious. I didn't really expect to feel the way I do about him, not sure what I expected. But I know I love him unconditionally and would jump in front of a bus for him.

I'm a working mom and learning to juggle motherhood, marriage and a career. Millions of women do it, my mom did it and hopefully I can too. So, this will be my attempt to keep my sanity by documenting daily randomness and maybe a few stellar moments in the life of the Taylor family.