A couple of weeks ago I was interviewed by Janet Shamlian of the Today Show for a piece about “mommy bloggers” (and why corporations were reaching out to them) I have to admit, I was a bit nervous for the interview but had I known that it would be only 5 seconds, perhaps I wouldn’t have gotten so worked up! A bunch of you were asking when you’d see it and I said you would only see it if it was good - - so here it is! (yes- that means it was good enough to share here! Phew!)

It was certainly fun to see Graco and our NYC mom blog party on the Today Show, but it was even cooler to see some of the smart, funny and sweet women that we have interacted with online like Mir, Kristen, and Jill talking about why they blog. I also enjoyed the interview with Dooce (Heather Armstrong) where she said that she blogs because of the incredible community she has become a part of (well that was one of my favorite take aways- some other folks found Kathie Lee’s lack of computer knowlege rather entertaining).

Either way, it was a fun experience and so is all this blogging stuff!

And they’re off!!

This is a picture of Melissa’s daughter PP running in a “Toddler Trot” at a recent Graco sponsored event.  (check back on Friday for a post about this event and the great cause it supported) You might think that boy is Michael given Melissa’s post yesterday, but it’s not. That’s actually another employee’s son who is just whooping her butt in the race!

Every Wednesday we’ll be sharing a photo showing off a little bit of wonder in the lives of our extended Graco family of customers, employees and friends.

Kim’s post about Bear having a best friend at 2 years old made me stop & think. Does PP (who is also 2) have a best friend? Not really, but what she does have is a boyfriend (aka childhood crush). Of course I use that term affectionately (and not realistically) but there is a boy at her daycare that she is really sweet on. Whenever I ask PP who her boyfriend is, she shyly smiles & says, “Michael.” She will even pick up her play phone and pretend like she is talking to Michael. When she arrives in the morning at day care, Michael happily runs over to her & they hug (have even shared a few smooches, too!). Michael & PP have become the “it” couple in the toddler room at daycare.

Of course, I have talked to his mother about this. Apparently Michael has been bitten by the love bug just as much as PP-at home he stares at her picture & gives it kisses. When PP is not in daycare, he asks for her. I wonder if they will remember each other as their first childhood crush?

I have stumbled upon some very interesting & hysterical posts about childhood crushes. If you have a good one, send my way!

I’m inspired to write this blog for a dear friend of mine. It’s a bit personal but is intended to provide hope to others enduring the same struggles.

My daughter’s favorite movie, Charlotte’s Web, has a beautiful theme song – Ordinary Miracle. The song’s message holds a life mantra we all should practice:

Life is like a gift they say,
Wrapped up for you everyday.
When you wake up everday
Please don’t throw your dreams away
Hold them close to your heart
Because we are all a part of the Ordinary Miracle today

As my husband and I anxiously await the arrival of our 2nd baby this summer, we feel blessed to be given the opportunity to become parents again and are still awe struck by the miracle of life growing inside of me. We struggled with infertility for years and turned to in-vitro 3 years ago with our daughter, Bear. As we experience another successful round of in-vitro with this pregnancy we keep the faith that miracles are happening around us everyday.

During infertility struggles you remain silent searching for success stories. Unfortunately, when you are trying to get pregnant without success, it seems to be in the water for everyone around you. It’s painful to hear baby announcement after baby announcement. At one point I thought my career at Graco would have to change – how could I surround myself with babies EVERYDAY? And the question you can’t seem to understand or answer, haunts your every thought…Why won’t it happen for us?

And there is NO WAY you are going to talk with friends or co-workers. SILENCE is your perception of the best solution. At least silence prevents the heartache and guaranteed tears that will begin to flow when you see the empathy & pain in anothers eyes. Deep down inside, you also know that other people can’t relate and there is nothing they can say that will FIX the problem…so it’s best to save them the awkwardness and yourself the anguish.

At least that is what I thought. Looking back, I wished I talked more- especially to my family (my husband would agree with that, since he was the lucky recipient of my every thought and worry).
BUT…the minute you have success with in-vitro (Clomid, IUI, etc) ) you can’t say enough. I volunteer that our Bear is a successful in-vitro baby and the same with this pregnancy. It may be awkward for some people to hear however, if I can impact ONE couple with hope that THIS TOO shall happen for them, I’m thrilled.

I’m a believer that everything happens for a reason – my husband & I struggled for a reason. We won’t know why – but I share our story as one of hope & optimism for those enduring the same heartaches of infertility. Because, it was stories like these that gave me strength to keep believing during our 5 years of failed attempts to have children.

My advice…
Have Faith, Relax, Count Your Blessings and…
Enjoy the miracles happening around you everyday.

In my daughter’s words, “Happy to Us”
In a mother’s words, don’t stop believing miracles can happen to YOU!

It’s always exciting to hear the pitter patter of little feet throughout the Graco building.  We had many little visitors during Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day last week.  Employees got to bring their children to experience the magic that happens here at Graco every day! 

Sure, we think we’re engineering and designing breakthrough products, but how would the children describe what their parents do here?  I conducted some interviews to find out:

Question: What did you learn today with your Mommy/Daddy at work?

 “Slinkies don’t go down stairs.”  and (POP!) “Plastic bubbles (from packaging) are fun to pop!”  Craig Desrosiers (Lead Engineer)’s son, age 5, learned two important lesson in physics, focusing on motion and sound. 

Question: What does your Mommy/Daddy do here at Graco?

 “Daddy chatters, spies on people, and goes to a lot of meetings”, observes Mike Halak (General Manager, North America)’s 8 year old daughter.  (Spies?  Oh, she means those focus groups- don’t worry - all of the parents involved know we are intently listening behind the glass! )

Other insights included “talks on the phone,” and “plays” on the computer.  
We managed to harness all of this creative energy around the building by transforming a conference room into a carnival of games and treats.

We also identified some future talent for the fashion and design department! (see for yourself) All in all, everyone had a great time.

And what does this day mean for those who don’t work in a corporate office setting? Beth F. from the NYC Moms Blog had an adorable idea….a trip to the zoo!  (After all, how much fun can kids really have with staplers and paper clips before some serious damage is done?)

Our 3rd installment of the “Monthly Nods.”  Enjoy!

Lindsay Lebresco - JenLemen.com - “Grace Right When I need it Most”
I loved this post because like anybody, I have my up days and my down days (thankfully for everyone, more up than down), but whenever I’m feeling a little sorry for myself and wishing I didn’t always have to be the strong adult, my son steps in to cheer me right up. It looks like Jen has a little adult to catch her when she falls too…

Erin McHugh - Metropolitan Mama - “Becoming…a terrific chef”
This post made me think- am I as good of a cook as I think I am? I really do believe I know my way around the kitchen and I think I am a better cook than my mom and most of my friends (my cooking skills take place of any athletic ability). But what if I’m really just enjoying cooking and I am only on the road to BECOMING a good cook? Now that’s food for thought…

Kim Lefko - Blonde Mom Blog - “Dirty Little Secrets-You Know You’ve Got em’”
This was an inspiring story and a great lead on an awesome book. It takes the guilt away knowing there is a little laugh to be had around the things that we do and knowing many other moms are doing the same thing. Excellent!!

Jon DeHart - View from the Cloud - “Axe Gone Wild”
This funny story typifies the young teenage boy experience – my 13 year old bathes, rolls on and sprays this stuff everywhere. Talking to other dads – their boys do the same – they keep it in their school lockers, too! It’s just so hard to tell if they’re trying to attract girls or scare them off – peeling onions doesn’t make your eyes water this much.

Melissa Parlaman - Parenting Squad - “Why Stay-at-Home-Dads are good for families”
I really liked Fred’s perspective on stay at home dads & having dads truly involved in raising their children. I am so used to reading about stay at home moms so it is great to hear a dad’s experience with raising his children. My husband is not a stay at home dad, but does so much at home even though he too works full time. Since DH works retail, he has the opportunity to spend time at home during the week with PP so they get to have quality daddy/daughter time together. DH is able to take PP to the park, grocery shop, clean the house & make dinner—he is truly a Super Daddy!

Amy Sleep - NY City Moms Blog - “What did you do today?”
I chose this blog since I totally relate to it – especially these days when it’s suddenly 9pm, the house is a disaster (complete with empty Dairy Queen cups strewn about the family room), I haven’t taken a shower (in about three days), and I can’t figure out what the heck I did all day. I know I did stuff and got stuff done, but I just can’t figure out what (I think I’ll blame it on the sleepless haze state that I’m in and hope that I’ll see all my accomplishments when I exit the haze state in a few years).

Jen Callaghan - Just Married - “Getting Ready for the Beach”
This blog is great- I went on looking for musings on being a new wife, and found incredibly witty stories of new marriages and- surprise, a baby! It’s almost scary, like looking a few years into the future. (Ironically enough, I belive she may even live in my home town!) Spring is in the air, which means summer is around the corner! With bathing suits on the brain, this adorable post will help you keep the spirit light while shopping!

Jason Arnold - SouleMama - “Polaroid Love”
Amanda Soule is leading the charge, resurrecting the dieing art of imagination and creativity that plagues so many families these days. This site is full of inspiration, creative activities, unbelievable photography, and virtual fresh air. Log on- but then LOG OFF- grab the kids make something, go outside, and don’t forget to ditch the digi bring that dusty Polaroid in your closet.

Kristin DeLoach - Her Bad Mother - “Seconds”
All I can say is that this is so close to me, where I’m at with my second pregnancy and my thoughts, that it’s eerie!
 

FOOD FIGHT!! (Well not really. You can’t really fight with yourself. Actually “Little P” went headlong into his 1st birthday cake all on his own!)

This “get into everything” “always on the move” “cute as a button” little one year old is the son of Marta Aebischer, product manager here at Newell Rubbermaid.  (and she so happens to live in my neigborhood, too!)

Every Wednesday we’ll be sharing a photo showing off a little bit of wonder in the lives of our extended Graco family of customers, employees and friends.

Reading posts about the “state of kid parties” like this and this have really resonated with me for a couple of reasons, including that I guess that I’m a bit of a traditionalist and growing up, my family’s traditions had a level of simplicity to them. Traditions like getting to choose what you wanted for your birthday dinner, what kind of cake you wanted (Duncan Hines Strawberry, please) and the simple joy of waking up to a greeting of streamers and balloons hung in the kitchen.  With Punkin’ Bear facing the big 0-3 in just a couple of weeks and this being the first birthday where she actually understands the concept well enough to look forward  to it instead of just having presents “randomly” given to her one day, it’s amazing how simplicity seems to be exactly what she wants.

How do I know this? Because Punkin’ has been dropping hints for the past 3 weeks about what she wants for her birthday and her birthday party. Sorry did I say hints? Actually, I guess to clarify, I should say she has been making requests – given in the form of the pretend birthday that we’ve celebrated every day for the last 3 weeks.  Each day, Punkin’ focuses on a new, imaginative part of her big day. One day it’s the cake she wants, the next day the gifts, followed by who will be at her party, what type of decorations will be included and more.  She’s not asking for a trip to Disney World or for a trip to the spa for all of her friends (and, yes, I do know of a family who arranged for manicures, pedicures and hair styling for 20+ three-year-olds!). She’s just looking forward to the good ol’ fashioned fun like balloons, party hats, a birthday cake with “extra sprinkles” on it and to have Nana, Pop-Pop, Grandma, Grandpa and her cousins there to celebrate with her.

Seeing her enthusiasm, imagination and the pure innocence she speaks with when talking about how much she can’t wait for her birthday makes me as excited about the big day as she is. Now if only I can figure out where to find the astronaut suit she’s been asking for…

I’ve got a bad one. And I have them a lot- almost every Monday. It’s like a hangover from a super fun weekend with my kids. Melissa and I talk about this all the time- we sit right next to each other and every Monday we catch up on the weekend’s events (like her recent “Supernanny” experience). At the end of the laughs we each let out a sigh and finish each other sentence – “I hate Mondays.”

As a full-time working mom, I relish every moment with my kids that the weekend brings. And the better our time together is, the harder it is to get back to work on Monday. Whether you choose to work or choose to stay home, Mondays can be tough no matter what. If you’re headed back to work, you’re missing the kids and counting the days until Friday and if you’re home, you’re missing your loved one and the extra hand you had for the last two days.

I’m looking for a little help here- what’s your cure for “The Mondays?”

“The only thing constant in life is change”~Francois de la Rochefoucauld

This is a quote I heard a few years back and it has stuck with me to this day. It obviously applies to kids….they never stop changing, growing, or amazing us. What’s funny though is neither do adults. Just as kids grow and change, so does the world around us. The decisions we make on a daily basis, no matter how small or how big, shape the path of our lives. Well, just as the Graco blog got off the ground (and off to an amazing start thanks to Lindsey Lebresco, the cast of supporting bloggers, and the community of Mom bloggers who welcomed us with open arms) there is change even for our group on the horizon. This time though, it’s not the announcement of a maternity leave, or even a new baby on the way. It is my time to sign-off as a blogger and open and begin a new chapter in my life. I have always wanted to pursue living in New York City even as a little girl (that was my dream in place of the big white wedding dress…that’s normal, right?!?) and it’s finally coming true! I’m off to explore adventures in the Big Apple. This news and leaving the Graco family fills me with all kinds of mixed emotions. I could never have asked for a better group of colleagues who come to work everyday with an incredible amount of passion for the children, parents and families they touch.

Thank you for allowing me to be the voice of “Office Talk” over the past few months! I’ve enjoyed talking with you and giving you a glimpse into our busy lives here at Graco. Lucky for us, Jen Callaghan is stepping in to make sure we don’t miss a beat and she is eager to get started. I won’t hold her up any longer! Please welcome Jen and thanks again for your support. I look forward to staying engaged in this community…you might just see me commenting here and there! Stay tuned…

Hello everyone- a bittersweet hello, that is, because it means saying goodbye to Tracy as part of the Graco family. This is just the beginning of a new chapter of our friendship though, and I hope to blog while visiting her in the Big Apple sometime soon! We’ve worked together just about six years now, and it’s been quite a journey. That’s what this blog is all about after all- the journey- and we’re all in different stages of ours.

So what’s my stage of the journey? What perspective do I bring? Well, it’s two fold. I will continue our “Office Talk” series with the updates and happenings in and around the Graco community. (There is a lot to talk about this summer) I also happen to be “Newly Married without Children”, so I hope to bring an interesting perspective on the baby boom that’s happening around me and the pressure (or lack thereof) to join. I am excited to join this blogging community, as I have been completely inspired by the stories shared by my colleagues here. Hopefully you will find my perspective entertaining. In the spirit of journeys, it only makes sense to send Tracy off with a quote of my own:

“The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.” -Don Williams, Jr. (American Novelist and Poet, b. 1968)