heart to heart blog

We’ve been doing our Monthly Nods for almost a year now but I thought I’d remind everyone (or tell the new folks) what this program is all about…

A large part of joining in the conversation in the online parenting community, is reading all of the great conversation that is going on in the blogosphere. We are always sharing cute, funny, informative, and inspiring stories that we’ve read with each other, so we thought it would be great to share some of our favorite posts with all of you. So every month we will be giving these bloggers a monthly “nod.”

So for the New Year we have New Nods to share…

Lindsay Lebresco – President Barack Obama’s Inauguration: As Seen by a 3 Year Old - It’s My Life
Everybody around here knows I’m pretty passionate about politics so I couldn’t resist the opportunity to nod this post that captures a shared “conversation” about this year’s Inauguration- quite similar to the conversation I had with my 3 year old. A historic day that they’ll likely forget so I thought this was a cute way to capture the days’ feelings & conversations for years to come.

Erin McHugh – New Jersey Moms Blog – The Bad Rap of Cinderella
I absolutely LOVE this post! It made me realize why my Grandmom and Pop-Pop have always called me Cinderella! I was always in love with the “princessy” aspect of Cinderella – the fairy God mother, talking mice, glass slippers, the gown, the ball, THE PRINCE!!! But I think what my grandparents saw was much deeper- a person who can make a bad situation good, someone that doesn’t complain (too much!) , treating others as you want to be treated, imagination, a constant smile! Don’t get me wrong- I’m sure I had my bad days! (I believe then my Grandmom would tell me I was acting more like one of the step-sisters and I would snap out of it) Cinderella is my absolute favorite Disney princess because even though it seems like Cinderella needed to prince to “save” or “define” her as a woman- she didn’t! Cinderella was always happy in her own skin!

Amy Sleep – A Time to Wean – 5 Minutes for Mom
This was such a wonderfully sweet post. It reminded me of how important it is to take the time to just take it all in. The connection between a mother and baby is so precious. After reading it I had to go up stairs and stare at my little sleeping wonders – and I feel the need to do it again after re-reading the post.

Kim Lefko – Holiday Sessions – Jennifer Breton Photography
After seeing all the beautiful cards that came to our house this past holiday, I came to appreciate what it takes to capture a good holiday card photo – it’s not easy! I must say it pays to have an incredible photographer. Jennifer Breton, a local photographer, has a done a lot of work with the Graco families She worked miracles during our session this season with temperatures in the 20s and a new baby. Her blog is full of beautiful photography (my family included!) and great photo tips.

Melissa Landis - Fake Swear Words for a Frustrated Mother - Philly Moms Blog
I love that Lynn is willing to admit that in order to get the right expression you have to say something that sounds like a swear even if it isn’t…

Amy Trice – A Peek into the Bedroom: What Toddlers Take to Bed – Type-A Mom
And I thought Slick had weird lovies. He has a “rag” (small cloth diaper square), audience of stuffed animals to watch him sleep and a sippy cup of water that must hang on the side rail of his toddler bed. Looks like oddball sleeping companions are a normal toddler thing.

Kristin DeLoach – When social media blows your mind at just the right time – CityMama
My nod of the month goes to City Mama™ because this post was so true. Whether it’s stories from the front lines of parenting, or a trip down memory lane with some old electronic music, social media does have a way of connecting you with others over virtually every thing that interests you – and this post was a great reminder of those connections (not to mention it gave me a chuckle to see some of my old favorite groups re-surface!)