Tag: momming

Happy Earth day!

5 ways to protect our mother earth!

Happy Earth Day! Protecting mother earth is more than just tree hugging and riding your bike when you can. It’s about making small tweaks to your everyday routine! Here are the top 5 ways you can pitch in and play a part!

  1. Reusable Water Bottles: There are so many great options for reusable water bottles, not only is it more affordable for you, but according to plasticfreechallenge.org “We produce roughly 300 million tons of plastic each year and half of it is disposable!” Recent studies have shown an increase in toxic chemicals in our bloodstream, thanks to it seeping into our bloodstream causing cancer, infertility issues and birth defects to name a few! Imagine what an impact you canmake! These are my fave water bottles!
  2. Recycle: You know what to do renew, reuse, recycle! According to the University of Southern Indiana, recycling a single run of the Sunday New York Times would save 75,000 trees.
  3. Reusable Bags: There are so many cute reusable totes these days, you’re bound to find something you dig! Plus, how annoying are plastic bags piling up or even the paper ones you have to then fold up?! Come on people check some of these cute bags out and make the switch today!
  4. Plant a tree or just plant anything!: Trees give off oxygen and oxygen is LIFE! Why not grow a garden or if you’re like me and can’t keep anything alive, plant a tree in your backyard! Here are a few fun options for the kiddos!
  5. Coral Reef Safe Sunscreen: Not all sunscreens are created equal. It’s important to support companies who walk the walk. Lots of companies out there “greenwash,” a term used to bogusly convince consumers to buy their “safe” or “all-natural” products. Be your own advocate and do your research. Beautycounter’s Countersun Mineral Safe Sunscreen is not only good for your littles, but it’s also good for the coral reefs! Why is that important? Places like Hawaii have banned sunscreens deemed unsafe for our reefs, because it was not only killing the little fishes and our reefs.We recently launch our sustainability report and our blueprint for clean launched 12 safety standards for our manufacturers! Check them out here!

Briana D.Leave a comment

The Silver Lining

So I wrote this article three months back for Aroundwellington.com, with every intention of posting it on my blog, but then of course “mom brain,” came in full force. What my old quarantine self didn’t know, is that if you doubled the amount of time we were “safe at home,” we would still be here. So much has changed since then. Our entire nation saw an immense tragedy of racial injustice and a social divide to boot, our family would embark on the road trip of a lifetime with stories to tell forever, Florida would open up just to close again, forcing us to going into fall learning digitally and I would lose my best friend of 17 years, my little pup sushi who first made me a momma. I’m not saying when I wrote this that I took anything for granted, but if I could go back and tell myself to hang on for the wild ride and that things were just getting started, it might have made things a little easier. The only thing that comes to mind is that the comeback is greater than the setback and here’s to our little silver linings.

There’s always a silver lining, you just have to look for it. We have been in quarantine for 72 days and counting. There have been some major wins and some major losses that’s for sure. Families torn apart, lives taken and lessons learned. We’ve stretched ourselves in ways we never thought possible. We took on roles we could never envision stepping in to. My heart truly goes out to all of the people greatly affected by Covid-19, but I’m here to share some of the positive perspectives, I for one have experienced, because if nothing else, it’s a therapeutic practice you should give a try.

The other day, I had a flashback about the time my son graduated from preschool and was off to grade school. I remember literally sitting in my bed crying and eating ice cream, thinking how fast time flew and that my first born baby was all grown up. How he won’t need his mama anymore. Of course looking back, it was probably a tad mellowdramatic and I did get past that phase. Fast-forward to present day, where I’ve had to put on a new hat of being his teacher among other things. The opportunity has given me a couple of moments I never thought I would be so fortunate to receive. When he has a math problem he comes to me, when he has a wifi problem…who does he go to? Me. When he simply wants to sneak in a hug? You betcha…me! While at times the idea of being all the things to my children has been nothing short of overwhelming, it also has been a time that I will forever cherish. The time I will look back on and say I got to sneak in those extra hours just us, when they could’ve been in school and I was out and about working and running errands.

I’ve learned who my true friends and people are in the midst of all this. Who is checking in on me and who is there for me no matter what. It almost helps to keep the good and weed out the bad in a more timely fashion, if you will. My marriage has stood the test of time, because god knows being stuck at home with anyone much less your significant other all day long, is a true test of your love. I’ve started a podcast called momgirlpod, dedicated to helping other moms become the best versions of themselves alongside my first passion project momgirlblog.com. I’ve binged watched shows (which I never used have the time to do), started a cookbook and have read and listened to countless books too. We’ve gone fishing, took beach had picnics, gone on bike rides, made tie dye t-shirts, baked, cooked, crafts, built forts, played video games and board games and drove countless hours exploring new areas we never knew about. My team has grown, my business has grown and my wallet has too (thanks to not eating out as much) and I’ve been able to take on more self-care than I really care to. Can anyone say at home mani/pedi? 

Now don’t get me wrong, this time has been stressful, I’ve eaten more than I like to admit, but I’ve been working out way more than I had before. It does suck to not get dressed up and go out with friends, but we’ve been able to get creative with ways to stay in touch virtually. Date night could’ve been a thing of the past, but now my husband and I have a standing date every Tuesday night, which we never had! I’ve become a pro at charcuterie board making and have taken on a new hobby as bartender thanks to that! I’ve learned that going forward, I’m going to say no to more things and yes to only the things that really bring me pure joy! Plus, I’ve been able to watch my children learn right before my very eyes! I almost liken it to being there for their first word or their first step, much less their ability to read their first book! Motherhood is most definitely a blur of sorts, but if you step back and put on your glasses (lol), you most definitely will see that there is always a silver lining…what’s yours?

-Briana D’Andrea

@brianadandrea

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Briana D.Leave a comment

Potty Training is the Pits

I don’t know about you, but for me potty training is probably one of the worst parts when it comes to the parenting process. Now don’t get me wrong, I realize there are a slew of other first world problems many a parents face! However, I’m just keepin’ it real. The sheer idea of cleaning up feces and urine off of my living room floor, car seat, sheets…you name it, simply grosses me out. I realize that it’s my child who is making said bowels, but for whatever reason ripping off the band-aid and jumping on the potty train has me anxiety ridden. Don’t even get me started on the public restroom saga. Blech!

I feel like with my son (and perhaps it’s because he’s a bit more of a timid one), it wasn’t SO bad. We used to stand up on public toilets (he simply couldn’t reach & your welcome for the tip ;), so that he could go. He had this sort of this understanding that if he went in the potty he would get a sticker each day and then a prize at the end of the whole gig.

However, with our little lady…tooooottallyyy different story. I’m not sure if it’s a control thing, because with her that seems to be the case, with every. single. thing. Or perhaps it’s just the fact of the matter, that she’ll be ready on her own time. When our little man was 2 years old, just before bath time, I would set up the potty. Time and time again nothing would come of it and then one day boom!

I’ve tried the same tactic with little miss to no avail. She has no desire to pee in the “Elmo” potty and took it upon herself (while we were on vacation in the Keys might I add), she must’ve been feeling fancy, to go. Just. Like. That. We gave her a treat, made a big deal and as I presumed didn’t do it again. Experts say that regression is totally normal. Sleep regression. Eat regression.  We get it. What do the docs say about stress regression…nothing? Cool.

Fast-forward a couple of days and this lady decides to go for a number TWO on the big girl potty, completely unprovoked. Totally mind blown, I call my husband out of breath, freaking out about what to give her! Um the world, DUH! Long story short I have been saving these little Disney princess dolls for said occasion. She was totally stoked and chose Belle. After naptime, she decided Belle wasn’t going to cut it and wanted Snow White instead. Obvi, I didn’t budge and said if she goes potty not only will she continue to get each and every doll in the set, but a surprise at the end. Her response is I’ve already gone in the potty, mom! Number one and number two…done!

I guess my point in telling you this whole story is, I’ve since backed off to see how this strong willed 2 year old bite sized teenager is going to wean herself off of her diapers. I’m certain that one day she will have an epiphany and decide that she wants big girl panties and diapers are a thing of her past. Perhaps, I’m not pushing the envelope too hard, because these will be the last diapers I change for a while. Ouch. That hurt. However, I know in my heart of hearts that little miss V won’t be walking down the aisle in a poopy dipe. So why rush my kid into yet another phase of life, when I should just appreciate her independence and who she is right now. Side note: Right after writing this piece, she totally went in the potty again. Wish me luck! As with everything, I know this is just a phase and will someday be a blip on the radar. Just breathe.

-Briana D.

 

 

 

 

Briana D.Leave a comment