1) When & why did you start blogging?
People were constantly asking me what my son was up to on this particular day or that, and I would always have to recount a crazy story multiple times. So I started blogging in July of this year, mainly as a way to answer that question of what did Mr. A do today?

2) As a mother, what has blogging meant for you?
Blogging has been a true release for me. Sometimes as a parent, you may have days when you just want to sit in a corner and pull out all of your hair. My blog is my way of taking those particular days and adding a funny twist just to make me feel better about the randomness of parenting!

3) What’s your favorite part of the day with your child?
I love when my son first wakes up either in the morning or after a nap. I give him a little bit of time to himself before I go into the room to get him. We have a baby monitor in his room and I can hear him babbling and singing to his toys and himself. It is the cutest thing in the world. Then when I hear that little voice start yelling “Ma”, I know it’s time to go in and get him.

4) What was your latest wondrous moment with your child?
My son is trying to walk and it is so sweet to watch him try to take his first steps. He seems to like trying when he thinks no one is watching. It’s fun to watch him from a distance while he figures out this new way of moving.

5) What is your favorite Graco product?
We have had the Pack ‘n Play® Playard in the Lowery design since our son was born. We loved the Newborn Napper® feature because it allowed him to sleep comfortably in the room with us for his first 3 months. Now he enjoys playing in it while I’m cooking. We recently received the My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat in the Prentis pattern as a birthday gift, so we are excited to make that a favorite Graco product in our family as well.

Do you have a favorite blogger you want to see here on the Graco Blog? Let us know, and they might be featured in next month’s Monthly Blogger Spotlight!

I am very excited to introduce our first Dad-to-be featured in Graco’s monthly blogger spotlight series! Here are some questions I asked Shane at Calgary Daddy. Be sure to check out his blog & follow CalgaryDaddy on twitter.

1. When & why did you start blogging?
I started calgarydaddy.com in November 2009, just 6 weeks before Kyron was born. I thought it would be fun to share some of my journey with everyone, as it seems there are not as many dad bloggers out there.

I also find that blogging allows us to share video and pictures with our family and friends that live in other cities. I really do enjoy blogging and love the feedback I get from my readers.

2. What is your favorite part of the day with your child?
This is easy! My favorite part of the day is first thing in the morning! I usually get up with Kyron and allow mom to sleep in. Seeing his big smile and laugh the first time he sees me in the morning is priceless. I look forward to it every single day.

3. What is your favorite part about being a dad?
My favorite part is seeing Kyron grow. I often daydream about who he is going to be when he grows up and what he will be like. It’s a big responsibility, but I love the fact that we are helping to shape his life.

4. Is there any advice that you can offer to new Dads?
Best Advice…. Just Relax! I found that the first few weeks that I was so worried about how I was doing. Was I doing this right? Did I do that right? It is a learning process…so just breathe!

Another piece of advice…help Mom as much as you can. Allow her to sleep/rest as much as she can. It really is a 24/7 job for mom, so make sure she gets a break.

5. What is your favorite Graco product?
We actually have a lot of Graco products. My favorite is probably the imonitor™ Video Baby Monitor! This video monitor allows us to actually see into his crib, even when the room is dark.

Do you have a favorite blogger you want to see here on the Graco Blog? Let us know, and they might be featured in next month’s Monthly Blogger Spotlight!

As a part of Graco’s monthly blogger spotlight, here are a few questions I asked Jennifer from Mami2Mommy. Check out her blog & follow Mami2Mommy on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.

1. When & why did you start blogging?
If my mommy brain serves me correctly (these days it’s a 50/50 shot!) I think it will be a year in May that I have been blogging. I started it because I wanted to chronicle every moment with my son, Shaun.

It was also a great way for me to share and receive advice on being a new mom. However, I never anticipated how busy I would be with my little peanut so all those moments I wanted to blog about didn’t exactly happen. Go figure.

2. As a mother, what has blogging meant for you?
This may sound corny to some people but it has been my salvation in many ways. I am very close to my two sisters – one lives in North Carolina and the other in New York – and not having them around for the first few months of my son’s life was very difficult.

In all honesty, I think had it not been for the blogging and the social media community it would have been a tougher situation to deal with.

It provided me with a much needed support system and a community of women who were sharing the same experiences – online and IRL (in real life). And it gave me a voice not only as a mother but also as a Latina mami which was very important to me.

3. What’s the thing that has surprised you the most about being a parent?
My decisions as a parent have surprised me the most. Before my son was born, I would make a mental note of the things that I saw family, friends and strangers doing with their children and say to myself, “I would/wouldn’t do that.”

And it’s funny because whatever thoughts you have in your head before that precious angel comes into your life may not exactly be in the cards after he is born. For example, I always told myself that I would not let my son watch television until he was at least two years old.

He was hooked on The Wiggles at 9 months old. Sue me.

And don’t get me started on the decision to use only cloth diapers. After day 3 that idea was a distant memory. But I did breastfeed and had never thought I would. Yay me!

4. Is there any advice that you can offer to new Moms?
You will receive a lot of unsolicited advice but remember that people mean well so don’t let it upset you or sway you too much.

Take it with a grain of salt and go with what you feel is in your heart, in your gut. If it is not something that is going to endanger your child then don’t stress over it. Twenty years from now your child will not be in therapy talking about the effects of why you didn’t feed him only organic products. Is it a healthier alternative? Sure it is, but it’s not the end of the world if you don’t.

We live in a country where we have many choices and I love that. But you are the mommy now. You make the decisions. Just make sure to educate yourself on them and in the end, I promise, you will make the right ones.

5. What is your favorite Graco product?
This is a completely unfair question! To choose only one is impossible. I love all my Graco children…umm…products equally!

Shhh…they are all sleeping now so I’ll tell you. Currently it’s the Nautilus™ 3-in-1 Car Seat. My son looks so comfortable in it and I love the fact that it transitions as my son grows. Did I mention the cup holder too! But don’t mention this to the others or I promise I’ll completely deny I have a favorite!

Do you have a favorite blogger you want to see here on the Graco Blog? Let us know, and they might be featured in next month’s Monthly Blogger Spotlight!

Not only did I follow the blog because Jane & I were going through the same stuff, I thought their posts were hysterical.

I LOVED how Tarzan would write his posts about his pregnant wife (I would read the posts then go home to tell my husband about Tarzan’s stories). Then Jane would write about her experiences with being pregnant & prepping for Baby Monkey.

As a part of Graco’s monthly blogger spotlight, here are a few questions I asked Jane & Tarzan. Check out their blog & follow Tarzan & Jane on Twitter!

1. When & how did you decide to start blogging?

Shortly after Jane became pregnant I decided it would be a good idea for us to document our journey. We thought it would be fun to look back on our old posts down the road and even share them with our son when we was older.

I created the blog and showed Jane as a little present to her and then we dove right in. Little did we know how much fun we’d have and how much HisBoysCanSwim.com would become a part of our daily lives.

2. I love the format of your blog (perspectives from both Tarzan & Jane). How did you decide to do that?

Because we decided early on to share literally EVERYTHING when it came to Jane’s pregnancy and our lives, we decided to keep the blog anonymous. There’s so many older posts on there that have things we’ve never disclosed to friends or family. There’s just some parts of pregnancy that couples like to keep to themselves. But not us!

We disclosed everything from the decisions we struggled with to the journey of paying to bring our baby into the world without maternity insurance. We needed to figure out names that would fit us and keep our identities hidden. Jane & Tarzan just has that magical ring to it and was fun, which is a big part of our blog. We love to have fun!

3. Is there anything that you have learned about your partner since each of you write your posts independently?

You have no idea. We learned more about each other through our blog than anything else we’ve done since we met. Writing is a powerful thing. It allows you to express yourself in ways that spoken words just cannot do. We grew so much closer as a couple because in some ways, it was like we were reading each others diary, and we didn’t have to worry about getting caught!

Sometimes when we were upset at each other or not agreeing on something during those raging hormone battles, we’d blog about our thoughts and frustrations. And it was from reading each others blog posts that helped smooth everything out dozens of times… heck, maybe even hundreds! LOL

4. Tarzan–what has been the most surprising thing about parenthood?

As far as the most surprising thing about parenthood, my initial reaction here would be one word. Love. It’s a love that I’ve never felt before. It’s deeper than anything I could
have ever imagined. Our little Monkey has the power to put an instant smile on my face no matter what I’m doing, how stressed out I am, or if I’m upset about anything.

In some respects, I knew I’d feel this way because my father always said that a love for your child is unlike any other love you’ll ever experience. It’s how deep and powerful my love for Monkey and Jane really is that continues to surprise me every day.

5. Jane–what is the best think about being a mom?

The best thing about being a mom is the joy that Monkey brings me in the most simplest of things. It’s when he looks up at me & smiles. When he stretches his arms out & wants me to pick him up. This is the first thing I’ve ever done where I’ve put my whole self into it & found that I’m not only really good at it, but it completes who I am.

Sure we have rough days, but that’s what wine is for after I put him to bed for the night On a more serious note, Monkey has been the best little surprise & blessing I could have ever wished for. Even with all the poopy diapers, the spit-up, & the crankiness, there’s nothing that I would change. He’s my best little buddy & he has made me be a better me.

The most surprising thing about motherhood is how much I enjoy it. Really. When I was pregnant, I was under the impression that I would pop out a baby & incorporate him into my life as it was.

I thought that I’d want to continue on with how my life was, but just with the addition of a baby. I never thought that I would happily change my life to revolve around my baby.

6. Are there any words of wisdom that you would like to pass on to new moms & dads?

Sure. Let’s face it, the first couple of months are going to be rougher than you may have first envisioned.

The key during those first few weeks is to take everything day-by-day and remind yourself that things will get better and easier. For some fun, go to our blog and read some of the blog posts that Tarzan wrote towards the end of July and August, 2009. You’ll see first-hand what it’s like!

The other piece of wisdom to share is that you’ll need to shift your thinking a little in the beginning. When someone throws up on you, pees on you, wakes you up for the 5th time at night – it’s all their little ways of saying, “I love you mommy and daddy.”

8. What is your favorite Graco product?

The Graco Bombay pack ‘n play was a lifesaver at the beginning of Monkey’s life. It was where we changed his diaper, cleaned his umbilical cord, and where he slept. It’s also where Monkey peed the most when we were in the middle of changing his diaper, so we really appreciated the material that the pack ‘n play was made out of. It made clean up easy – even when it was 3:30 in the morning and we were half asleep.

Lori creates a really fun feel, has a light and open format and I find her writing style witty and honest.  She writes about topics we can all relate to like,  whether or not your child is a genius, whether or not you have “the look,” or what really happens when you finally get to date night.  She also has started a Mommyfriend page where she invites people to post their profiles.  Hers is there too – check it out!  We asked Lori if she would be willing to share some of what makes blogging so special for her and she graciously accepted.

1) When & why did you start blogging?

I began blogging in 2002 with my first pregnancy. Since the birth of my first son, I have continued to maintain a personal blog written from my eldest son’s point-of-view which is a fun and playful way to keep up with our family. I launched Mommyfriend.com at the start of the New Year because I wanted to share an honest and relatable perspective of motherhood that was worthy of a nod and a giggle.

2) As a mother, what has blogging meant for you?

Writing has always been a form of cathartic expression for me but my blogging took on new and personal meaning with the loss of my second pregnancy. What began as a hopeful and joyous pregnancy blog sadly turned into a tale of devastating loss. Blogging through the experience allowed me to take inventory of my emotions and process the surreal events that had transpired. I continued candidly blogging as I began my path toward emotional healing and the ultimate decision to try again. Blogging has been my therapy, my public diary and my personal check and balance system.

3) Is there any advice that you can offer to new moms?

The best personal advice I can offer to new moms is to leave their expectations at the door. So much of the confusion and overwhelming emotion that goes into new motherhood is rooted in our failed expectations. The truth is that the reality is fierce and chaotically beautiful. As such, I propose a new and more realistic expectation of new motherhood that includes a solid mix of confusion, elation, fear and gratitude. New mothers will weather the beautiful storm and carry the personal pride of survival; this is the stuff nostalgia is made of.

4) What is your favorite part about being a mom?

As cliché as it may sound, my favorite part about being a mom is being able to rediscover simple joys I had forgotten as an adult. Things like noticing cloud shapes and ugly bugs, blowing bubbles in the backyard and finger-painting. My kids give me license to act silly (in fact, they prefer it) and spend time doing nothing more productive than laughing until my stomach hurts. My kids remind me daily that togetherness is all that matters.

5) What was your latest wondrous moment with your child?

My latest wondrous moment was a few days ago when my 2 year old fell and bumped his head. He was wailing and sobbing so I rushed to his side only to find my 7 year old son kissing his head saying, “You need to be more careful” followed by a reassuring hug. My youngest immediately stopped crying and hugged him back. I was so proud to witness my eldest take charge and demonstrate genuine compassion. The best part was seeing my youngest find comfort in his brother even though I was standing right beside him; I loved that.

6) And finally, what is your favorite Graco product?

The Graco Pack ‘n Play is the greatest invention of the modern maternal world. Our particular model came equipped with a changing table, bassinet and play pen in one and even had a mobile and diaper/wipe holder. This portable play yard transforms into a compact folded marvel to behold! We have owned 3 Pack ‘n Plays which have been a godsend, particularly when visiting away from home. Durable, compact and portable, the Graco Pack ‘n Play is a Mommy Friend must have!

Want to read more from Lori? Check her out at: www.mommyfriend.com.

Do you have a favorite blogger you want to see here on the Graco Blog? Let us know, and they might be featured in next month’s Monthly Blogger Spotlight!

This year, we’re going to approach the program a little differently. Instead of highlighting several blogs and bloggers each month, we’re going to do a monthly spotlight of one blog. This will include highlights of the stories we love most, a little more background on that blogger and more in-depth info on why the blog is so great! If you would like your blog to be considered, or want to nominate someone, please let us know!

And thanks to all of our Monthly Nods from 2009 for keeping us entertained and inspired. We can’t wait to read more in 2010!

Because I Said So
Storked!
Simple Father
Mommy in Pink
Casual Friday Everyday
Peapod Squad Stuff
It’s Good to be Queen
His Boys Can Swim
3 Kids and Us
Scary Mommy
9 Months to Life
The New Girl
Dude to Dad
Marriage Confessions
BlogHer
The Juggle
Dorky Dad
Days Like These
From the Hip
A Mom’s Fresh Start
Burgh Baby
Work it Mom
Silicon Valley Moms Blog
Full Circle (Our 100th Nod Winner!)
Don Mills Diva
Dadventure
Mom Logic
Baby on Bored
Dirt and Noise
Her Bad Mother
The Spohrs are Multiplying
16 Balls in the Air
Joeprah
Total Mom Haircut
Chicky Chicky Baby
Picklebums
The McMommy Chronicles
The Diaper Diaries
Foodmomiac
Philly Moms Blog
Rocky Mountain Moms Blog
Joy Unexpected
It’s Your Movie
Child’s Play x 2
Suburban Turmoil
Mrs. Fussypants
Tyson’s Corporate Blog
Amalah
A Year of Crockpotting
The Mom Trap
Mom of 3 Girls
DC Metro Moms Blog
It’s My Life
New Jersey Moms Blog
5 Minutes for Mom
Jennifer Breton Photography
Type A Mom
CityMama

To see the actual posts that were nodded, take a look here.

Donna Donnelly

Kelly Voelker – Be Safe This Halloween – Because I Said So
This post made me laugh because it brought me back to my days as a kid Trick-or-Treating when we lived in Syracuse, NY. It was always freezing on Halloween, so it never failed that we ended up wearing a snowsuit under our costumes. It also gives a cool recommendation on a product that can help keep your kids safe on Halloween night.

Amy Trice – What if kids filled out comment cards? - Simple Father
I love Scott’s idea of asking for feedback. Sounds like Princess P thinks he’s doing a great job. I haven’t asked Slick for his feedback on my parenting skills yet. I have a feeling his opinion would be that I do not give him enough candy or let him watch enough cartoons. But, I’m pretty sure I’ve been exceeding the minimum hugs requirement.

Heidi Parker - Shopping as Therapy – Mommy in Pink
I love this post, because what gal wouldn’t jump at the chance to do a little shopping for herself when handed a wad of cash? I look forward to days like these with my little one, I just hope he or she loves to shop (and considers it therapy) as much as I do!

Karen Hartzell – Between - Casual Friday Everyday
For my nod this month I chose Nell, from Casual Friday Everyday. This post spoke to me. I feel the same way lately. I know when I visit Nell’s site, I will always find a moving post or an amazing photo to get lost in for a while.

This post just made me laugh! A, because I love a good family similar to Everbody Loves Raymond other than my own. (Yes, I do believe I am married to a man bearing a remarlably similar personality to Ray Barrone.) And B, because the thought of taking a well child to the pediatrician instead of the sick one is just plain hilarious and so relatable to any mom juggling a lot on her plate. Trust me, if I can call my daughter by her brother’s name on more than one occasion lately, I can certainly see mixing up triplets! More power to Monica for being able to laugh about it and share it on the web!

Donna Donnelly – My Majesties – It’s Good to be the Queen

I popped into this blog just out of curiosity and found myself Laughing out Loud! Not just lol, but a great from the gut cracking up!

After 26 years of raising daughters and now being blessed with my first granddaughter, I thought it would be neat to explore the mystery of the lives of Moms of Boys. Oh what it must be like to be the Queen in your own house! My Majesties is a collection of submissions of cute and hilarious glimpses of what life is like when raising sons. These Boy stories are great and have inspired me to share some similar stories about living in a house full of girls on our blog. If you have any good Girl Yarns, please share and watch for a future posting!! Thanks Queen!

Heidi Parker 32 weeks pregnant: The baby’s nursery so far - His Boys Can Swim

I was reading back through “Jane’s” pregnancy experience, and I can really relate to this post. I’ve truly caught the “nesting” bug. I too, recently took it upon myself to paint the nursery and I definitely also had sore hands after the fact, but still enjoyed every minute of it!

Kelly Voelker – Phantom Baby Teeth – 3 Kids and Us

This post is just too stinking cute. Watch the video of baby Emmaleigh giggling and smiling but NOT showing any of her brand new teeth. I dare you not to smile!

Heidi Parker - Nine Months to Life - Anti-Maternity Wear
I can absolutely relate to Sarah’s post here because I’m right at the point of my normal clothes becoming unbearable to wear. I have purchased 2 pair of pants (one jeans, one trousers) and don’t plan on purchasing any others. I, too, prefer a maxi dress over anything else, which is great because a majority of them can be worn both pre- and post-pregnancy. Stay tuned for a post on my maternity style.

Karen Hartzell – The New Girl - Patterns
Being a recent transplant to Atlanta from the Philadelphia area, you might think I nominated her for her child’s sweet choice in sleepwear. However, it was this post, that reeled me in hook, line and sinker. I look forward to reading future posts sharing heartfelt memories of her own mother with her children, and seeing Grandma Karen become a strong presence in their household.

Chris Fralish – Dude to Dad – My Monday Morning
Seems like only yesterday I got the unexpected news from my wife, “Well, we’re gonna be parents.” Time has rapidly flown by and I’ve been blessed with 2 children ages 3 and 6. During these beginning years there are so many important firsts that we’ve photographed, written down, and tried to remember along the way. I love recounting all of the important firsts; however this week I was reminded of how precious those in-between moments are too. Thanks Dude to Dad for your awesome video of Mrs. Dude and Emmy just laughing and having fun in an “in-between” moment!

Kelly Voelker – Marriage Confessions - …And They (Sort of) Lived Happily Ever After
Along with all of the excitement of having a precious newborn added to the family, adjusting to how drastically your life changes once they arrive is also something parents everywhere have to deal with.  This post was a really honest look at how a baby can change your life, for better or for worse – but shows that it’s always worth it.

Lindsay Lebresco

Donna Donnelly – When Vacation Means Visiting Grandparents Far Away – The Juggle/WSJ
I feel for the parents and grandparents that must come to terms with their living situations and relationships changing in this mobile society of ours, not to mention the children who have little say in the matter. So many of us at Graco are in the midst of relocating to a new corporate office in Atlanta and are facing the immediate struggle of coping with the myriad issues of relocating, moving away from roots and developing new ways of juggling their vacation time, budgets and keeping those important grandparent relationships vital. Children grow so fast and grandparents leave us too soon as it is in life. Living far away poses new family dynamics and hard decisions. Often grandparents are an important stabilizing force in a child’s life, as well as, a support system to the parents. Once removed by distance, that support system can be sacrificed, the relationship strained and much more stress put on the parents. There sets in a huge void for all concerned. My heart goes out to all of those who must negotiate this long distance relationship. The good news is that technology is on our side and we can now connect in ways we never could before – webcams, twitter, cell phones, texting and so on, but of course, nothing can replace sitting on Pop Pop’s lap eating oranges. This blog exposes those feelings so well and created quite the conversation – very timely and emotionally charged topic.

Amy Trice - Maybe these infants aren’t so fragile – Dorky Dad
Dorky Dad’s post hit home this month. We’ve all had those moments calling the pediatrician’s office and feeling like a, well, dork after hanging up. After finding a deer tick on Slick’s leg, I called the pediatrician to find out the incubation period of Lyme Disease. She gave me some helpful information in a “why didn’t look on WebMd like everyone else” voice tone. Although, it does make me laugh that the nurse wanted to know if I removed the tick. Um, yes. Are there really parents that call the pediatrician to have ticks removed?

Melissa Parlaman - When Pregnancy Cravings Drives your Family and Friends a Little Bonkers – Days Like These
My husband thinks I drive him nuts (during pregnancy & after). I have been trying to be good with not making him run out & get me “special food requests” on his way home from work during this pregnancy (I have to admit, I think I was really guilty of this one with pregnancy #1). I think I have been good this time?? I am glad to see other people lean on their spouse during that special time of prego cravings too!

David Goldblatt – Is it OK for Kids to Quit Sports? - From the Hip
I like this one. I have watched my son twirl like an airplane on the field with his lacrosse stick and put his baseball glove on his head while he looked through the sand in the infield for ants. Figuring out when to push, when the timing is right and when there is a genuine interest is the art of parenting kids through sports.

Heidi Parker – Getting Ready for Baby – A Mom’s Fresh Start
I love this post because as I begin my list of wants and needs for Itsy Bitsy Parker, I wonder if I will really have everything I need. Though I might be covered on the baby gear end, there is so much more that is needed to care for baby. The baby registry is an important part of the process and I love Phillipa’s post because she gives a great comprehensive list (by category) of everything you could need for baby in the first year. I will definitely take this into consideration when I start my registry.

Karen Hartzell – Mr. Unlocking The Dead Visits Our Hood’ – The Burgh Baby
I’d like to give my nod this month to http://www.theburghbaby.com/. I am right there with Alexis’ mom with the whole moving to a new house, trading non-essential organs for new kitchen appliances, and even new neighbors (with and without kids). However, I have not locked myself out of said new house yet. This post made me laugh, sympathize and crave ice cream all at the same time http://www.theburghbaby.com/2009/07/mr-unlocking-dead-visits-our-hood.html. Definitely a new blog addition to my Google reader this month.

Kim Lefko - Jack Welch said there is no such thing as work-life balance and I agree – Work-it Mom
The Work It Mom Blog has been inspiring and way too relevant recently. I read the article on “There is No Such Thing as Work-Life Balance” and I agree that it’s more about trade-offs. After reading Jack Welch’s comments, I was grateful that I work at an extremely Family Friendly company.

Amy Sleep – Lessons from my Grandmother – Silicon Valley Moms Blog
This post really struck a cord with me. Partially because I tend to be messy (I don’t want to waste time cleaning when I could be playing with my kids) and partially because I’m always hoping that accepting messiness for time with the kids is OK (I can also feel a bit inadequate vs. my grandmother and even friends who seem to have it together). So this blog helped me realize that 1) I’m NOT alone in being messy and 2) it IS OK. THANK YOU!!!!! (I’m now going to go hang out with my kids and leave the dishes in the sink!)