Blog Posts You've Been Dying for Me to Write (Blog Post Idea Generators to Beat Writer's Block) #7QT

I was having a bit of writer's block last night so I decided to get some help from some blog post idea generators.  Please take a gander at all the blog posts I could possibly write and if you so choose, you can "vote" for your faves in the comments and I may just have to oblige you in the next few weeks.  And if you're feeling a bit a writer's block yourself, you are welcome to steal any of these ideas and/or visit the generators themselves.
 

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Save Your Marriage Using Only Cooking

An interesting proposition. I can't say that my marriage is in need of saving, but an experiment in how stepping up my efforts in the kitchen affects our marital bliss couldn't hurt. 

via Portent's Content Idea Generator

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Lucia's Eating Habits

Well, she basically doesn't eat so this post might be short.

via TopMommyBlogs.com's Blogatron 2000

(This is obviously just for the mommy blogger but an added fun element is that you can submit ideas to be included in the Blogatron 2000.)

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Think You're Cut Out For Doing Books? Take This Quiz

Doing books? Also known as reading.  Quick version: 

Are you human? 

Do you know how to read? 

If you answered yes to both, you are cut out for doing books!

via HubSpot's Blog Topic Generator

(If you're wondering, the three nouns I put in were faith, toddlers, and books.)

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You know what's great about butter?

I think this is the perfect title for introducing my readers to my poetry skills.

via Generator Land's Blog Post Idea Generator

(If you are feeling like something completely random.)

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Shoveling yourself out on a snowy day.

I don't think those of you who have had a horrible winter would appreciate a post like this from someone living in North Carolina.  But I can imagine a hilarious vlog "how to" shot on a hot, sunny day.  Well, hilarious if you're not currently snowed in somewhere else in the country.  Sorry, Dwija.

via Blogtap's Random Topic Generator

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Our Shame and Nakedness

Not a generator, but I love this idea from Internet Business Mastery to search a topic on Amazon, choose an interesting book that pops up, and steal the chapter titles as topic ideas.  These awesome ideas are from the table of contents of Prayer: Our Deepest Longing.  (I searched "prayer".)  I also happen to have this book on my wish list now so it was totally a win-win - found great content to write and great content to read.

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While we're talking blogs, check out this post by my friend Haley about setting a tone of charity on your blog.  She's so right on and, as always, super inspirational. 

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One of my favorite bloggers, Rosie, has a giveaway up for a Lilla Rose hair accessory from yours truly.  Enter here.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

A Brew, An Apple, and a Busy Week #7QT

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So, I had this crazy idea.  And I talked to a couple other bloggers and either A) they are crazy too or B) the idea wasn't so crazy after all.  Jenna (Call Her Happy), Carolyn (Svellerella), and I have created a Facebook group, The Catholic Brew, where we'll be sharing blog posts, random updates, articles we like and just plain old conversing with our readers.  And our readers can converse with each other.  Community, you know?  Interested in joining?  Click here.

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Shabby Apple is basically my favorite store.  Never mind that I currently don't own anything from it.  I've been virtual window browsing for years.  But today, I buy!  There is a Shabby Apple sale on Zulily and because I hemmed and hawed and ended up not buying the jammies I raved about last week, I have a Zulily credit to apply to my order.  I'm thinking either the top middle one (Floral Neap Tide) or the top right (Yellow Tulleries).  Which one do you think?  There are about a million others on the page (and some skirts and tops), but I'm not even going to look anymore because I'm infamously indecisive and I do not need to have more in the running.  If you're in the market for some new wardrobe pieces, check out the sale here.

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We have an uncharacteristically busy week coming up, starting tonight.  The plans include: a school play, our first Creighton class, a park play date with some out of state friends, the Ignited by Truth conference (where I'll get to hear our lovely host, Jen, give a few talks), a birthday party, and probably some other things I'm missing.  This may not seems like a lot for most people to do in a little over a week, but I'm a bit of a hermit, more by circumstance and laziness than real choice.  I'm looking forward to getting out and about, but not looking forward to paying babysitters. 

--- 4 ---

Other than a St. Patrick's Party on Monday (which I have a post brewing about), this week was a fairly slow week.  I've been really pleased with my productivity though.  I've done a ton of housecleaning and made my first corned beef and cabbage meal and even remembered to read liturgically themed books to Lucia (our St. Joseph books is probably way too advanced for her, but I read it while she was playing anyway).  Naps have been going better because I've been more diligent about making it happen.  (As we speak, I have two toddler napping simultaneously.  Super win!)  It has just felt so good to be productive and to end my day tired because I've been working hard.  I feel very much back in the swing of life and feel like perhaps our survival mode is coming to an end.  Thank the Lord!

--- 5 ---

Another thing that really brightened the week was the pregnancy loss support group I attended on Wednesday.  It sounds strange to say a group where women sit in a circle and talk about the loss of their children was a bright spot, but it really was.  It is very much out of my comfort zone to attend new groups of any kind, but I am so glad I forced myself to go.  I definitely see the work of the Holy Spirit in just getting me out the door.  The amount of support and courage and faith in that room was amazing.  Also, I came home with a couple new favorite scriptures.  I'm thinking of printing and framing my favorite:

 

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I'm reading a book on Bl. Zelie Martin, the mother of St. Therese of Lisieux.  (This book, since several people have asked.)  I've found it extremely interesting, not only reading about her life and parenting but just learning a bit about the time she lived.  She went to visit her baby who was rooming in with the wet nurse!  I also found it fascinating and heartening that she married at age 27 and still had nine children.  And she was an entrepreneur with her own lace business and workers under her, a business she built before getting married.  That has to be somewhat rare in her day.  I think she'd be an incredible Patron Saint for working moms.

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Several of you have recently asked how I'm doing in relation to my miscarriages.  Thank you all for your love and concern.  My automatic response is to say I'm doing ok and there are times when that's the truth.  I wrote this post on Sunday about how I was feeling at peace.  But then the last few days have been super tough.  In fact, I've spent most of today crying.  Thank goodness Lucia's friend Mary Margaret comes here on Fridays - they keep each other distracted and I don't think either noticed the crying.  

I'm not sharing this because I want kind words or sympathy.  I don't think there is anything that would really help at the moment.  I'm simply sharing this because I want to give an honest answer.  I don't want anyone to think, "Oh, she's doing so great a month later!" because I want you to know that if you've gone through something similar that it's ok to still be crying a month later.  I am.  I imagine that on special occasions or particular dates, I'll still find myself crying years from now.

Some people are able to heal more quickly.  If that describes you, I also don't want to you think, "What's wrong with me?  I should still be mourning!"  Because you shouldn't be doing anything specific.  There are no rules, ok?  Grieve how you grieve and give yourself permission to do so.  Easier said than done.  I'm working on it too. 

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Whispering Random Nothings of Fridays and St. Patrick and Books and Everything, Like, Such As #7QT

Name that titular reference to pop culture and we might just be able to be friends. 

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Have I ever mentioned that David uses a different nickname pretty much every time he addresses Lucia and me?  It's very obvious that he makes them up on the spot.  Sometimes they are really cute and sweet, other times  they are...questionable.  The other night he asked, "Can you help me move Lady Longtail to her bed?"  Still not sure how I feel about that one.

--- 2 ---

I finally took my sewing machine out of the box.  I got it for Christmas...of 2012.  I've been wanting to learn to sew since I was a little girl but have felt like I just haven't had the time to devote to learning the basics.  Well, no more.  I figured it would be helpful for me to have a hobby to keep me busy over the next year or so while we wait to conceive again.  I think that women have an innate desire to create and if we are not able to create life, it's helpful to channel that creativity into other areas.  I feel like I still have to get several of the "sewing things" (scissors and needles and bobbins and thread and fabric...and...and...) before I can start but it is going to happen soon. 

--- 3 ---

I have a post brewing about the Eminem/Rihanna song "Love the Way You Lie".  In many ways, this post is several years in the making and I've started writing it several times, but I've never quite completed it.  I've not talked much about it, but I was in a very damaging relationship for years while I was in college, and while it's not something I often talk about, I still sometime notice the scars I carry with me.  Years ago, I started a Broken series about damaging relationships.  That series has been collecting dust, but I'm feeling ready to finally share my own story.

--- 4 ---

Fridays are my favorite weekday.  Mostly because Laura's Mary Margaret spends the day with us.  (Laura's blogging again, so check it.)  I've been asking some advice from other moms recently because Lucia is so needy-needy, clingy-clingy all the time and I can't get anything done during the day because I can't be more than an inch and a half away from her at all times.  From what I gathered, it's pretty common for firstborns to be this way though, obviously, temperament plays into it a bit.  Anyway, when Mary Margaret is here, Lucia is very content playing with terrorizing her all day and mama gets a little bit of a break.  So win-win all around there.  It gives me a little taste of what it would be like to have two kids close together in age (as much as 8 hours a week can give you any real indication of anything - I'm fairly certain I get all the benefits and none of the difficulties in those 8 hours) and I have to agree with the many people who have told me that the best way to stop your child from being so dependent is to give them a sibling to play with.  Not helpful advice, but seemingly accurate. 

--- 5 ---

Another reason I love Friday is probably the reason most people like Friday - it's almost the weekend!  I've heard a lot of people snicker when stay-at-home moms say they like the weekends, because isn't every day a weekend for a stay-at-home mom?  Ha ha.  Ha ha ha ha.  Not quite.  Plus, I just miss my husband every second he's at work and summer cannot come soon enough.  Every day all day with him sounds like heaven.  

I look forward to the weekend even when I don't have any plans, but this weekend is looking to be better than most.  Sunday is my birthday and tomorrow David is treating me to a spa day while he watches Lucia and does the taxes.  I usually insist that David gets me nothing or next to nothing for my birthday because, even though my love language is gifts, I hate the thought of money being spent on me.  But this year I relented.  I have a feeling that I'm not going to be thinking about the money spent as my worries are massaged away.

--- 6 ---

If you are looking for some St. Patrick's Day picture books, here are three we're enjoying right now:

A Fine St. Patrick's Day // Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland // St. Patrick's Day

(Not affiliate links.  If you are going to order any of these through, please click through the blog of your favorite blogger with Amazon affiliates before making your purchase.  It's a great way to support a blogger without doing anything you wouldn't already do.  Let me know if you'd like a list of my favorite bloggers who have Amazon affiliates.)

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Speaking of books, I'm hosting an Usborne Book party online.  My friend Molly of Molly Makes Do recently became an Usborne consultant and when she asked me about doing the party I couldn't think of a reason why I wouldn't want to share my favorite book company with friends.  I really am not exaggerating when I say that I absolutely love Usborne books.  Lucia has several, including her favorite ever sticker book (and a little birdie told me she's going to be getting the Easter Sticker book in her Easter basket).  If you'd like to join the Facebook event to ask questions, learn more about Usborne, get personalized book recommendations from Molly, and possibly win prizes, you can RSVP here.  Or shop my party at the Usborne website here. 

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Not so quick takes on loss and snow and from the mouth of babes. #7QT

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Thank you for all your kind prayers and condolences as we struggle with our second miscarriage.  This feels much different from our first for many reasons. Not only does two make it scarily feel like a pattern (though it certainly could have just been random bad luck each time), this time, we had an inkling it was coming for quite some time and now that we know, it's somewhat of a relief.  It feels a bit awful to say that, but it's not a relief that we lost our child, just a relief that we finally know for sure and can now face the reality with certainty.  Also, back in October, I miscarried naturally with only a small sign that something might be wrong. As I sit now, I know for sure that there is not a live child within me and I am waiting for my body to catch up with that knowledge.  It's a bit unreal.  I never had much in the way of pregnancy symptoms this time, but I am continuing to have those few symptoms and it's strange to feel like you've somehow "bested" nature by having knowledge of the fact that I'm no longer truly pregnant while my body hasn't quite come to that realization yet. 

--- 2 ---

In a way, we've already been grieving for nearly a month since that first ultrasound showed a large discrepancy from my dates, and in a way, I feel like I can't actually start grieving until the physical miscarriage starts and stops.  Right now, my main emotion is incredible sadness that it will be at least a year before we can welcome another living member to our family (and only if everything goes right).  I'm sure I'll feel more sadness in the future about this particular child we lost, but I think that will take time as we have had a hard time connecting with him/her this entire pregnancy.  We have yet to pick out a name for this little one and though we haven't decided what we will do with certainty, this child will probably not have a burial and headstone like the last little one.  (No baby developed this time, so there is technically no body to bury.)

--- 3 ---

We have received a ton of love and support these last few weeks. In addition to the probable miscarriage, we've been dealing with illness here and it's been impossible for us to keep up with the housework or grocery shopping or dinner.  We've received meals from friends in the area and even pizza ordered and gift cards sent from friends elsewhere. David's brother and his family sent us an edible arrangement.  (If you have a family going through tough times, new baby, etc and they have little ones, that is seriously the best thing to send ever. Ready-to-eat fruit at a time when going to the grocery store, much less cutting up an apple [or a pineapple?], is a feat makes for very happy toddler and parents. I think that's the healthiest snack she's had in weeks.) 

AND a group of amazing #cathsorority women went in together to buy us a house cleaning.  I cannot express how amazing it was to come home after finding out that we are going to miscarry (and then spending four hours in the car in a snowstorm) and walking into a clean house.  Are shiny bathtubs and sinks going to take away my grief? No, but they certainly take away some of the stress of trying to "perform" as a parent and wife and housekeeper while I'm dealing with the grief.  David's been saying one phrase over and over and over again during this past week and a half: "Wow, you know some nice people." And I do.  And would you believe that most of them I don't even "know" in real life?  It's pretty unreal. 

--- 4 ---

Speaking of a four hour drive in snow (usually about a 50 minute drive in non-snow), the weather here is awful.  If you are from a generally snowy area, I'm sure you see us on the national news and laugh, but this much snow here is no laughing matter.  I will admit that I laugh about certain things about southerners in the snow. Like the fact that at least half the people on the road had their emergency flashers on while driving.  When we got home, there were several comments on the news about, "Please don't use your emergency lights while driving unless you have an actual emergency." Because contrary to popular opinion around here, driving in the snow is not an emergency in and of itself.  

The roads were horrible though. David said it was a formidable storm, even by Colorado standards and the roads were super icy. That just doesn't happen in Colorado. We get ice (sometimes) after dark after a snowstorm if the snow has melted a bit beforehand. We don't get ice as soon as it starts snowing.  And the hills here? There were some hills that no one was going up.  At all.  The traffic just stopped.  Tons of people abandoned their vehicles. Serious mayhem.  

But, due to the weather, David got to stay home with me today and yesterday (and he had next week off for winter break) so I'm actually pretty happy about it overall.  But prayers are really needed for the emergency personnel and those without electricity and the homeless and those that are elderly or housebound without people to look in on them.  Since this kind of storm is rare here (the second this year, but we experienced no snow-sticking-to-the-ground the entire previous winter we lived here), the infrastructure just isn't here to support them.

--- 5 ---

Last month, Lucia had two catch phrases:

'Licious ("Delicious") - used for more than just food, 

as in "Do you want to wear this shirt?" " 'Licious!"

Dat's bed-duh. ("That's better.")

--- 6 ---

This month, her two phrases are:

I did it!

Hippee! ("Yippee!")

--- 7 ---

Sticking to the rule of twos, she also sings exactly two songs:

"Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells....all away!"

"Rock a baby, rock a baby, rock a baby, rock a baby. TREE TOP!"

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Cleaning Out My Post Drafts: 7 Topics You'll Never Have to See in Full Post Form #7QT

I can't take credit for this genius post idea.  It's all Cat's.  But considering I have exactly 78 posts in drafts, I'm thinking it's time to clear some out that, let's be honest, probably aren't ever going to see the light of day.  So without further ado, a quick run down on some posts you might have seen but never will:

1. How to Choose a Pediatrician:

• Go to "meet the pediatrician" night. 
• Go with your gut instinct. 
• Ask questions 
• Questions to ask:
• The number one question to ask a pediatrician is what he believes his role is. His answer should be along the lines of working with you to take care of your child's health needs. If the pediatrician thinks that it is his role alone to take care of your child's health, that he is in charge, or that he is there to tell you what to do, you probably don't want to use that pediatrician. The pediatrician's job is to partner with you to care for your child, healthcare is not a dictatorship, and the pediatrician should acknowledge since you are the parent and spend the majority of your child's life with him, you have the most important role in his health. You can spot the signs that something is out of the ordinary through daily interactions while a doctor can easily miss them in a 15 minute appointment.

Hmmm...well, don't know where else I was going with this one, but I suppose that is good advice.  I will add a personal anecdote that I most likely meant to add.  When we went to a "meet the pediatrician" night, the pediatrician leading the meeting asked if anyone planned on cloth diapering.  When I raised my hand, she questioned me about it and told me that parenthood is hard enough without making it harder on myself.  Then, she proceeded to suggest that anyone who planned to breastfeed should avoid seeing any of the male doctors in the practice because they weren't very supportive of it.  Ped office that questions cloth diapers (a non-medical issue) and then doesn't fully support breastfeeding (a medical issue)?  Cross that off my list.

2. The Best Gender Reveal Party

Gender reveal parties seem to be the next big thing.  But I think that the best gender reveals are at birth.

Think that about covers it.  Don't know how I expected to make that a full post.

3. A marriage is made of...

A marriage is not made from the "big moments" - the anniversaries and Valentine's Days, the trips or the fancy nights out - but made from the little stuff.  Laughing at that same ridiculous commercial that comes on all the time.  The difficult years of financial hardship and scraping by.

4. The Mom Haircut, The Newlywed Haircut

Just had a title on this one, but I remember the gist of what I planned to write.  It seems that most of the newly married women and new moms I know got a short(er) haircut.  Part of it is probably convenience - babies pull hair and many women who like their hair short grow their hair out for their weddings.  Part of it has to do with identity - getting a new look as an outward sign of a very important change in life.  I definitely very deliberately did not cut my hair out after I got married or had a baby - I've been growing my hair out since I got engaged in July 2009.

5.  What I've Learned From Frequent Moving

Pack a box easily accessible with necessities - shower curtain and rings, towels, sheets, soap, etc. so you can be comfortable after a long move

Whichever moving truck/trailer you choose, it won't be big enough, so go a size larger than what you think you need

Package children's toys in saran wrap  so the parts stay together (puzzles/toys without lids, etc.)

6. Lulu's 18 Month Photos

Guess I can toss a few up for you:

7. I understand why couples who experience the death of a child are more likely to divorce.

I am not angry, and the hurt is mostly gone, but still I feel great sadness, which I am told by many mothers who have similarly lost children in the womb, will never entirely go away.  So right now, I'm trying to avoid reminders of our child - seeing pictures of pregnant friends due around my due date (why are there so many?), etc.  Every time I see my husband, in his face I see our children - our daughter and the one we lost to miscarriage.  Both happy and sad emotions.  And right now, the sad is still overwhelming.

At the same time, he is the only person, beside God, that I can truly share my sorrow with.  Only parents who have lost our child understand.  Other parents have lost their children and they can understand to a degree, but it is different for each one of us.  Their circumstances, their emotions are unique to them.  The only ones that fully understand are the ones who lost this child: me, my husband, and the Lord, who created this child, who Fathers us all.

I'm sure I could make this into a full post, but I just don't have the desire to rehash all these emotions.

Now I have 61 drafts.  My goal is to clear them out entirely by the end of March.  You lucky readers, you.  

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Running in Place, Setting Goals, and Birthing Babies #7QT

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I'm going to be attending a friend's birth any day now.   I'll be going to watch her almost 2 year old son so he can be there for his brother's arrival.  I am super excited and so, so honored she asked.  I am definitely not doula or midwife material since I theoretically think birth is beautiful but literally...not so much.  But I love the idea of being involved in birth so going to watch big brother is the absolute best role I could ever play in that aspect.  That honestly sounds like an amazing career - "big sibling supporter".

Which isn't a bad idea for a job really; I could definitely see the need.  Back when I was pregnant in September, I started asking around to figure out someone to watch Lucia so she could attend the birth and there really weren't "people who do that".  We have some great friends here but at the time of the birth, they would all have had kids under the age of one or work.   

--- 2 ---

Monday was the Epiphany and I had every intention of leaving little treats for Lucia from La Befana.  But she threw up on both Saturday and Sunday morning so I thought it might be cruel to give her treats without the intention of actually letting her eat them.  Or at least that's what I told myself after I forgot to pick anything up for her when I went grocery shopping on Sunday.  

I guess I have to get myself together before she is old enough to remember these traditions and notice the lack thereof.  I'm guessing she's be pretty aware by three, so 11 months and counting?  Oh, and that's probably the time when I'm obligated to buy her birthday/Christmas presents.  I mean, the girl is spoiled by so many people that she doesn't need another gift but eventually she'll notice and think it's strange that her parents don't get her gifts, right?  So lots of shopping and getting on the ball awaits me this year. How to parents of large families manage this - birthday presents for all AND Christmas presents for all AND remembering to pick things up for various celebrations throughout the year? 

--- 3 ---

We are getting a treadmill today!  While staying at my in-laws over New Year's, we used their treadmill and thought, "Wouldn't it be nice to have one?"  So when we got home, we started checking Craig's List.  Only one little problem: It's just after New Year's.  Perfect timing.  Only I would decide to get a treadmill completely unrelated to New Year resolutions right at the new year when I have to compete with everyone who made New Year's resolutions.  So every time we emailed about a treadmill, we got "We have a list of people interested, we'll add you to the bottom if none of them end up getting it."  At which point, I thought, "Nevermind."  Because if a long line of people turned it down, I probably don't want it anyway.  But we finally got lucky and David happened to check CL the other night just after someone posted the treadmill and called right away and we're scheduled to pick it up tonight.  Here's to hoping it's not so heavy that I can't help him carrying in the townhouse and up the stairs.

--- 4 ---

Speaking of New Year's Resolutions, I haven't made any this year and I'm perfectly happy with that.  I will be focusing on my word of the year, but I think I would also like to make a few process-oriented goals after reading this post at Modern Mrs. Darcy.  I think focusing on the small steps will work much better for me than making results-focused goals because I often get lost in the details of how to execute.  So far, I'm thinking that one goal should involve the aforementioned treadmill and another will be reading a certain number of pages a day (something reasonable, like 20, and including all reading materials - fiction, non-fiction, magazines, etc.).  And I probably should aim for a certain number of glasses of water each day.

How do you approach resolutions/goal setting, etc.?  I think starting new goals at the beginning of the year is a bit arbitrary since real life runs more in seasons than calendar years, but it's when I tend to set my goals nonetheless, simply because that's when everyone is talking about it and, thus, when I'm thinking of it.

--- 5 ---

I'm thinking that goal-setting post I linked above is going to be a game-changer for me, similar to how this post from Quick Takes hostess, Jen, helped me gain a semblance of organization.  The whole genius of that post is catchall containers without lids.  When we moved into our new place, I bought several different size bins for our bathroom closet (which less like a closet and more like shelving because there is no door - which also helps!).  Each bin is assigned to hold a certain category of bathroom stuff - makeup in this small one, hair stuff in this other, hand towels and washcloths for this one, everything else over here - and because I only have to walk two steps, toss stuff in the right bin, no lids are drawers or doors in the way, I actually put things away almost every time.  I still need to figure out how to work this into other rooms, but five months into use in the bathroom, I think I can say without a doubt that this is the perfect organizational solution for me.

--- 6 ---

I've read several great posts this week.  Mind if I list a few?

Sex, Tomatoes, and High Fructose Corn Syrup - Carrots for Michaelmas

23 Things to Do at 23 (No Matter Your Relationship Status) - Molly Makes Do

Be Not Afraid - This Ain't the Lyceum

Let Me Tell You of My Foolishness - Annery at Home

My Party Trick: "I Have Five Kids" - guest post by Christy at Call Her Happy

--- 7 ---

Lucia: I want ogurt.

Me: Ogurt? Like Shrek's favorite snack?

David: Hahahahahahahahaha. 

Not sure why he thought it was so funny (and he's told me several times since then that he thought it was super witty) but I'll take it.  And now when Lucia asks for yogurt she says, "I want ogurt like Shrek".  I don't think she gets it.

Have a beautiful weekend!  On Fridays, Mary Margaret spends the day with us so we have a great day ahead filled with tea parties and tutus. 

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Best Posts of 2013

We just got back from our holiday out of town yesterday and I am so ready to be back home. Not to leave family, but to get my toddler back into her comfortable environment.  I didn't blog much while I was gone, which was a welcome break for me and probably a pretty decent idea anyway since it seems no one is online over the holidays (for good reason).  If you haven't stopped by in the past two weeks, here are the posts you missed: Why You Rarely See Streams of Consciousness (on the blog) These Days, my guest post at ::Meditatio:: about how we're bringing back new old holiday traditions, and my thoughts on Breastfeeding, Mothering Guilt, and Letting Go.

Anyway, I've been going back and forth on whether to just do some random quick takes about our holiday and our trip or to do a "best of 2013" post and I ultimately decided on the latter.  Our trip was nice and our holiday as well, and we got some sweet gifts, but I'm thinking no one will feel like they missed out too much if they didn't get the blow-by-blow.  And I didn't get the required family picture (in front of the tree or otherwise) on Christmas day, so that post just won't work out anyway. 

There are some other "best of" blog post formats and link ups floating around the internet right now, but I've done this same "best of" post for 2011 and 2012 and figured I'd stick with my original format.  If you are a newish reader, you might want to check out those past posts as well.

1. Most beautiful post: When Our Good and Holy Plans Fall Through

I don't know if this is cheating or not, but this was a guest post I wrote for Carrots for Michaelmas about my increased faith after losing a child to miscarriage.  Writing this helped give meaning to my sorrow and come to peace with our loss. 

2. Most popular post: This is not the post it was supposed to be.

I will admit that I added a few caveats to this - I chose a new post written in 2013 (the most popular post by tens of thousands of page views for the second year in a row continued to be 25 Activities for Older Babies thanks to Pinterest) and one written by me (this guest post by Haley of Carrots for Michaelmas received more views). It meant a lot to me that this post, my miscarriage announcement in place of the pregnancy announcement I was so looking forward to sharing, was one of the most read this year.  It is so very important to me that others recognize the life of my baby even though he/she never will have the chance to walk upon this earth and the the best way I knew to share about that tiny life was through my blog.  I received many comments and emails with condolences and promises to pray for my family in response to this post as well as some thanking me for sharing what is often a very private matter.  In retrospect, I am so grateful that I decided to share our loss.

3. Most controversial post: Nursing in Church: Yay or Nay? and 12 Reasons We Don't Use Contraception

I didn't receive many dissenting opinions on either of these posts (I'm well aware that the majority of my readers share most of my views) but these are, in general, controversial topics. I usually stay away from controversy, partially out of fear and partially because I know my own limitations and arguing a position clearly is one of them. 

4. Most helpful post: Pregnancy Loss: My Grief To-Do List

I wrote this post to share the support I needed (and continue to need), not as a "what to do if someone you know experienced a pregnancy loss" post.  However, I do think it's a helpful post to use as a starting point for someone who would like to support a friend during the difficult time after a pregnancy loss or for someone who experienced a loss to help pinpoint the types of support they would like.  It is by no means a comprehensive list and everyone have different grieving needs anyway, but I hope it does spark some thought and conversations. 

5. Post whose success surprised you most: either Spacing Babies or We're doing it backwards, but we're ok with that.

In the past, my most viewed posts tended to me "How To" types of writing.  Those posts are fun to write sometimes, but the posts I enjoy writing most are the heartfelt ones.  The ones about the struggles we are going through or the beauty of our everyday life.  When the posts I enjoy writing, the ones that truly come from my heart and soul, are also popular posts, it surprises the heck out of me.   

6. Post that didn't receive that attention you thought it deserved: Worrying is NOT a "Mom Thing"

I'm not really surprised this post didn't get more attention (refer to the part above about expecting the heartfelt posts to be flops), but I wish more women had seen it.  Because worrying, at the least stress-inducing worry that I constantly hear about in mom circles, is not obligatory and all mothers deserve to be freed from that.

7. Post you are most proud of: What Parenting a Sick Baby Taught Me about the Heart of God

The post I'm most proud of is probably one of the ones above, but for the sake of not repeating, this one is another favorite.  This past year has been one of huge spiritual growth for me, especially when it comes to realizing how motherhood has taught me so much about Who God is.  This post was one of the first I'd written on the topic and it still warms my heart when I read it.  An honorable mention is this category is the post I wrote just this week (though still last year) about breastfeeding, guilt, and realizing it's time to let go of my "perfect family".  It was a really hard one to write because I was so ashamed about the whole topic and incredibly proud (and relieved) that I forced myself to get my thoughts out there.

As I was looking through the archives to choose my favorites, I realized that there were so many posts that I hadn't thought of in months (or years) and yet I still loved.  It made me a bit sad knowing that most of the posts in the archives won't really be read again.  What do you think of blogs that re-publish posts at later dates so that new readers can see them and old reader can re-enjoy them?  I tend to appreciate those posts from other bloggers, but I feel that's really only the realm of the big bloggers that get significant numbers of new readers regularly.

Another thing I noticed: my "great posts" tended to come in clumps.  Certain months are filled with deep, meaningful, content posts, while others were filled with fluff.  Almost like I had a week or two of frenzied inspiration and then...nada. 

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at Conversion Diary!

The Big TWO & A Visit from St. Nick #7QT

 

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Yesterday, my "baby" turned TWO! Maybe now would be a good time to revive the ol' birth story?

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She really figured out the whole present opening thing this year. I was looking through the pictures and she had that excited look twice - both times when opening...clothes!  She's having a birthday party next weekend and then Christmas, so she'll have plenty of time to continue practicing.

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She spent all of dinner yesterday not eating, but trying to blow out the candle in our Advent wreath.  Needless to say, she had no problem blowing out her birthday candles.  We did the traditional birthday ice cream sans cake.

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St. Nicholas came today for Lucia!  Do you do St. Nicholas Day with your kids?  What do they get?  I've read a few fun things about this feast day recently, here are a few of my favorites: Celebrating St Nicholas, The Real Santa Claus, this post at Modern Mrs. Darcy, and the appropriate chapter of Haley's ebook (which you can now get in print as well!).  Have you come across any other great posts?

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This past month, it's been impossible to ignore how mature she is. She loves making "dee-nah" for her baby doll.  She pulls the pots and pans out of the cabinet and tosses in her wooden food. Cooking without heat has proved be be quite hazardous as she has dropped a skillet and a rolling pin on her toes recently.  David let her "cook" at the stove the other night and she was over the moon!  I'm finding ways to have her help with the real cooking; it's more work for me but she loves it and someday I know it will pay off as less work for me.

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I pulled out Lucia's nativity for the first time last Sunday and she can't get enough of it.  Baby Jesus won't make his arrival until Christmas and the Three Wise Men until the Epiphany, but she's convinced that the shepherd is Jesus anyway (He is the Good Shepherd, though, so she's kind of right).

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We have a killer busy weekend. David and I are going to a ball.  Isn't that so fun to say?  I feel like Cinderella.  It's a dinner with a speaker and an orchestra and all.  Black tie optional.  Also, my church's craft fair is this weekend and I'll be selling Lilla Rose (my first vendor show ever - I'm nervous!).  What are your weekend plans?  I feel like we are slammed with busy between now and New Year's.  I'm really trying (and I think succeeding so far) to have a pretty low key Advent, focused in simple activities and prayer.  Let's hope it stays that way!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Feature This! and other things #7QT

 

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I'm being featured as part of Momma's Meals Featured Friday!  Won't you head over there to see what she has to say about me? (As I write this, the post is not yet published so I'm hoping that asking if she could feature me means she has something lovely to say!)  While there, you might want to check out some of her fantastic recipes.  A few of my favorites: No-Bake Pumpkin Spiced Cheesecake, Jalapeno Chicken in the Crock Pot, and I'm planning to make the BBQ Chipotle Chicken Pizza for a surprise for David someday soon.

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Speaking of Momma's Meals, this recent post on the blog had Tammi telling why she and her husband make a good team.  That's such a big question, isn't it?  What makes you and your significant other a "good team"?  I think what makes David and I are a great team is that we have the same faith, values, and outlook on life, but are very opposite personalities, strengths, and weaknesses, so we balance each other out and keep either of us from going to extremes. 

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I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We spent the day with David's coworker and his family.  He has three little boys and Lucia was in heaven playing with other kids, especially "big kids" (the two oldest are 2 and 4). She has a bit of a cold and we called it an early night because she was a sleepy, sleepy tot, but it was a great day overall. 

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Tomorrow is the last day to enter to win $50 + free shipping to Tiny Prints.  Although I'm sure everyone is already on top of their Christmas cards, right?  Even so, I'm sure you could find something to spend it on.

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Did you hear Dwija's news? I think a congratulations are in order, so head over to tell her!

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I shared a post with the 10 favorite Thanksgiving books Lulu and I read this year.  Of course, putting it up the day before Thanksgiving doesn't do anyone much good, but maybe you could pin it for next year?  Anyway, have you written or stumbled upon any good Advent/Christmas books for toddlers that can help me this year?  Would you leave the link(s) in comments?

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If you are interested in trying Lilla Rose hair accessories for yourself or holiday gifts, there is a great Black Friday sale going on today and tomorrow.  At least 20% off all items, up to 50% off some, free shipping for orders over $50.  I'll also be sharing some Black Friday deals from small businesses on my Facebook page today.  

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!