I'm Bringing My Baby to Blogher

I'm taking my baby, who just turned a month old to NYC Thursday [insert gasps]. Visiting NYC was on my baby bucket list, and I was a little sad when I realized I wasn't going to be able to cross it off. But crossing it off with my month-old baby while meeting friends I've been connecting with online seems even better, and like a great way to hit several birds with one stone.

Meanwhile, it's finally hitting my husband that I'm leaving, with our child, and flying to a big city with no real plan. He's starting to freak out a little--As usual, so I'm trying to calm him down, and calm myself down at the same time.

My ONE Blogher '10 Sponsor--Piggies and Paws is awesome. I'm actually having breakfast with the owner today! Luckily it won't be like last year where I'm trying to unload pounds and pounds of swag from several different sponsors, while also collecting some of my own to bring home. I'll still have some goodies to hand out, but it won't be a stress this year.

Having Little J with me, who will be wearing an ADORABLE new line from Piggies and Paws will be an easy conversation starter, and will make it a natural way to spread the word about their artwork, and bring up my blog at the same time. I can focus more on making real connections versus exchanging swag.

Last year was overwhelming at times, and this year will be just as overwhelming I'm sure, but in a different way.

At first I was thinking I'd just wing it, and meet who I meet and stumble into classes, but the more I think about it the more I'm realizing I need to have a loose plan, and I'll make what I can make, and if I have to miss something I wanted to hit up, that's ok too.

I just got back in town Monday after visiting some family, and need to unpack and re-pack my bags. It's quite a turnaround for a trip, but I can do this!! We now have two flights with a baby down and she did wonderfully. I can take the training wheels off and fly alone with her now right? My knees are shaking.

I didn't even have a stroller after I got screwed by a woman who owes me one. But luckily, Kolcraft stepped in and it shipping me an umbrella stroller that works for newborns on up to my hotel! How freaking sweet is that?

My friend Baby Dickey is a self-proclaimed organizational freak, and while I am at times too I've kinda let that go in my first few weeks of motherhood. She wrote a post a week or so ago about getting ready for Blogher and it made my armpits sweat--Yea, I got pretty anxious. She made her own itinerary according to the Blogher program. Program? What program? Heck, I don't even know what time my flight leaves! It's time I pull myself together a little bit, and get a tad bit organized about this trip.

So thanks for the push Emily, here's my loose plan:

THURSDAY

2:50: Fly first class to NYC. (I had to throw that in there cause I've never flown first class before)
8pm: Arrive in an airport I had never heard of until today and hopefully get my shuttle plans figured out so I can safely get to my hotel. While carrying my baby, her carseat, are bags, and no stroller. Suggestions?
9-10pm: The People's Party (maybe, probably not).

FRIDAY

The butt crack of dawn: Pack up our things and walk with our bags, carseat, and selves a block down to the Hilton and ask if they can hold our bags and/or if our room is ready.
8-9am: Newbie breakfast
9-9:30am: BlogHer Welcome
10-10:30am: If I haven't already, check into my hotel room, feed Little J (probably for the 5th time), and get ready to go to our first workshop.
10:30-11:45am: Workshop it was hard to decide but I want to go to:

	Passions: ROYO - Gen Y Passionistas: Making Your Passion “Work” For You

11:45-1:15pm: LUNCH!
1:15-2:30pm: Probably: Geek Lab: Fight Spam and Hackers! Plugging Security Holes in Your Social Media Life
or
Change Agents: Creating Tangible Social Change: How to Move People to Action
2:45-4pm: I've always wanted to take a photography class so this may be fun: Geek Lab: ROYO - How to Take Great Pictures, Whether You Have a DSLR or Point-and-Shoot
4-4:45: Afternoon break aka NAP TIME!
4:45-6pm: Keynote address (or keep napping)
6-7pm: Reception aka DINNER!
7-9pm: Babble Project Party [invite only] (if I can sneak Lil' J in).

SATURDAY

8-9am: BREAKFAST!
9-9:30am: Nap?
9:30am-10:30am: Keynote, which looks WAY GOOD! Hopefully I won't let my nap go through it.
10:45-12pm: Session. Either: Geek Lab: ROYO - How to Edit Your Pictures and Make Them 10x Better
or
Writing Lab: How to Use Your Blogging to Make You a Better Writer
I'm not a photographer but I'd like to get better where as I've been writing so long. I may see which one is less crowded and go to that one.
12-1:20pm: LUNCH
1:30-2:45: Skip session: NAP TIME! (pick up a swag bag I RSVPd for)
3pm-4:15: Session. Writing Lab: Humor Writing
4:20-5pm: Break... Meet up with people or nap if I missed it earlier. Or hunt for swag (though I'm forbidden to bring home too much junk).
5-6pm: Closing Keynote
6pm-midnight: PARTIES: I'm registered for two parties (that came with my ticket) but I REALLY just want to visit the Blogalicious party and maybe get a cheeseburger from the CheeseburgHer party.

If I'm not feeling up to the parties there's always the BlogHer Chill Space we can hang out in that night.

SUNDAY

BEFORE the but crack of dawn: Get my booty to the airport by 7am so we can get on our first class flight home!
1pm: Church--Yes, I'm going to try to make it. How's that for dedication?

Last year I didn't go to any parties and I still had a blast. I'm not a party-goer anyway, and I really enjoyed hanging out in friend's hotel rooms more, so I'm hoping I'll make friends and we can do that. I'm not sure I'll even bring fancy party clothing since the lighter I pack the better. Plus I don't really want to bring Lil' J to the parties... Although we'd be the life of it (of course).

The meals are in all caps cause I can't miss them... Like a college student, I'm all about free food, and have a phobia of overpriced food.

It may seem like I'm planning to sleep the whole time but really... With this little one sucking the life out of me (literally, is it just me or does breastfeeding make me sleepy?) I am looking forward to squeezing in a few naps... Yes, even in NYC. But if we're up to it, maybe we'll stroll around the Hilton and just see who we meet. Want to meet? Fill this out!

I'm more excited now that I've thought about this a little. I even ordered more business cards with a new picture from our mother daughter shoot!

Last year I didn't plan this much, I just followed The Blogrollers around, met new friends, and really just made it up as I went. I think with a baby this year I need a loose plan so I can pick it up and see what's going on while I'm there, but I'm also not expecting to make everything.

Any tips for a mom traveling alone for the first time with a one month old? Any tips about being in NYC? Tips about conferences? I'm all ears!

Announcing My BlogHer Sponsor

I'm a firm believer in the fact that everything happens for a reason. I wasn't sure whether or not I should plan to go to the BlogHer conference this year because I didn't know when I was having my baby, how healthy she'd be, if I'd feel up to going, etc etc. By the time she got here I was worried it was too late to go. The conference is sold out, it was so late to look for sponsors, plus trying to find a room at a booked hotel and everything else is nearly impossible.

I still was excited by the fact that some of my friends I'd love to meet were going, it's in NYC, and I've always wanted to go... It was on my baby bucket list and what better time to cross it off then on maternity leave?

Last year when I went I didn't know much about blogging, I was just having fun. Still, that's my main focus but now I'm really looking to make connections so that one day I can work from home and be with my little munchkin(s).

I couldn't afford to go on my own, and a sponsor would be needed to help make it a reality. I tweeted out that Lil' J and I were looking for a sponsor to BlogHer '10 not sure what I'd hear in response. One of my friend's responded telling me she knew of someone who was looking for sponsor a blogger. I wasn't sure it would work out but in a matter of 24 hours I had talked to (and fell in love with) the owner of the company, came to an agreement, found someone selling their ticket and hotel room, and I won round trip first class flights to the conference just before she bough them. Can we say WOW? Yes, blessed!
So without further adieu, my fabulous BlogHer Sponsor is Piggies and Paws!
A HUGE Thanks to my friend Christina from Being Mrs. Jones for designing my new business card for the conference! See more of her design work at Visual Luxe.

I'm so obsessed with my little munchkin, I take dozens of pictures of her daily, and want to document and save every little thing about her. Piggies and Paws makes beautiful custom artwork from your child's hand and feet prints. Before she was born I was looking for a fun, memorable way save my little girl's prints and while I love the clay and the stamps these take the cake.

I ordered an angel version of her foot and a butterfly design of her hands. I can't wait to see the finished product! Robin, a Pigges and Paws artist in my area, came over to get my baby's prints and Lil' J wasn't too happy to be woken up from her nap, but it'll be worth it later. Here's a video of her getting her angel foot print started.

And a photo of the start of what will end up as a beautiful butterfly!
I'll be telling you more about my sponsor later, and we'll be doing a giveaway as well. Also, checkout their Facebook page to see videos of some of their finished products!

My little girl and I are adjusting well to sleeping, breastfeeding, and each other and we'll have one trip under our belt before our first of many adventures together!--Our trip alone together to New York.

Hopefully they'll be some helping hands around in case we start to crash and burn. Will you be in NYC August 5th-7th? Fill out my form so we can hook up!

Blogher With a Baby? Bad Idea?

This time last year I was having a blast blogging. Intrigued by all of the opportunities and women I was meeting, it was a hobby I couldn't get enough of.

I had heard so much hype over Blogher and heard about a contest The Blogrollers were having to win a seat in their car sponsored by Chevy going up there. With my husband's reluctant participation I made a video and won the contest! And a free trip to Blogher (that was the only way I was going causes there was no way hubs was gonna let me spend money on a blogging trip).

I had fun, I met a lot of people. Did I make any life-changing connections... No, if that's ever been the case I think I've done most of that online... Which is sort of the point of blogging/social media. Did I learn how to make my blog totally awesome?... No. Did I learn how to make lots of money off my blog... No (and by the way I think that's because most people just DON'T make money from their blog). Sure, maybe I learned a little about branding, and networking, but sometimes all of the work can take the fun out of it.

Blogging is a hobby to me, and I enjoy the writing and interaction portion the most out of it all, but I've been blessed with fun opportunities along the way. If I feel myself starting to get stressed over my blog I try to back up and re-evaluate things. A blogger who's trying too hard is a turn-off to me. You've just gotta do your thing and have fun! SEO (search engine optimization)... Who cares? Write a catchy title that brings me in!

That said... I had a lot of fun at Blogher. I didn't know many people when I arrived but I met a lot of ladies, and just had a blast at this girlfriends-gettaway type event. The jam-packed workshops about marketing and improving stats weren't as interesting to me as the ones about writing and staying true to yourself. I think this next year I'll know more women and it would be fun to put a voice and real face with people I've connected with online, plus I know more where I fit in and what I'm interested in learning about now that I'm more established with my blog.

First things first... Once again I'm not going unless I'm sponsored. I haven't given up hope but things aren't looking pretty at the moment.

Part of it is perfect... I'll be on maternity leave, and I've never been to NYC. I've always wanted to go, and what better time? The down side... Spawnie will only be about 6 weeks old if she comes on or around her due date. It's pretty young for a new baby. It'll be my first time traveling alone with her, and I'll still sorta be riding on training wheels when it comes to being a mom. Breastfeeding, 24/7 babysitting, all of that will still be new.

Last year there were LOTS of women at the conference with babies, many of them had them carried around in slings and wraps, or popped on the boob. I know it CAN be done but I'm back and forth with if I can do it... If I'd even want to or if I'd just drive myself insane.

My mom's offered to watch her if I want to go but I'm not going to do that. I don't want to be away from her while I have time off to spend with her. Plus what's she gonna eat? She says she'll be too young to take with me, and maybe that's true, but I'm still thinking about it.

I'll need friends nearby, that's for sure. Women who know me and are willing to help me out and be there if I have a breakdown or if I'm totally confused about something. I've already talked with some people who say they'd love to meet Spawnie there, but I also don't want to be a burden.

I also don't know if I'm going to be one of those germophobe moms who doesn't want anyone near my baby. I'm not like that now, so I don't think I'll do a 180 but you never know.

Is it crazy to travel with a baby that young... To New York City? Are you going to Blogher? If you saw me in New York partying it up with an infant would you help me out or shake your head and call DPS?

The Baby Bucket List

I never dedicated a post to this topic, and now that I'm mentally going back and forth on timing, and with pressure more than ever from my best friend--who first wanted me to wait to have a baby when she did... Then said I could go ahead and she'd catch-up on the second... Now knocked up herself and pressuring me to hurry up and do the same (love you girl)--I've decided to really think about what I want--And what I think is possible FOR ME to handle before and after a baby.

First, the would likes. These are things that aren't absolutely necessary, but I would like to have them done before I even get pregnant.
-Shape up: I really hope I can do this, I kind of feel like it's now or never. I'm trying to get into a habit of running with Snoop every day but it's really hard for me to get motivated!
-Take a dance class with my hubby: The reason I say before I'm pregnant is because I doubt I'll have time to do after we have a baby and I think I'll have a lot on my mind when I am, and less energy to talk him into it.
-Swim with dolphins: I'm not sure they allow pregnant women to do this so I'd like to do it either before, or way later when my kids can do it too.
-Take the GRE: I think if I don't do it now I won't do it for a long time, and I'd rather attempt to study cram now and possibly go to grad school cause I know I'll be more distracted once babies come along.
-Visit New York City: I could do this while I'm pregnant but I'd rather not be on the phat end of my pregnancy. I'm actually hoping to go this fall, so I can cross it off my list.
-Start grad school: I'm not sure how I'll do this as fast as I'd like but I'd love to get a Master's Degree just so I have more options later in life.

Some things that I would like to have done before I have a child, but I could complete them while I'm pregnant, or possibly even after having a baby.
-Feel comfortable in the kitchen: I'm there for the most part. I like cooking now, and I only hope to get better before and after pregnancy and kids.
-Have a 3-month food supply: I'm getting there as well. I have been busing water jugs and pasta every time I'm at the store, and I have a lot of MREs so hopefully we're almost there.
-Learn Yoga: I really want to do this because I hear it's helpful during pregnancy for stretching, and it's relaxing. I think it'll be a nice activity for a stressed mind.
-Visit Trinidad: My hubby lived there for a year on his mission, and apparently my ancestors are from that country. I'd love to take an exotic vacation there, but I also wouldn't mind bringing our kids along one day if we could afford it.

Some things that I would absolutely like to have done before having a child and possibly even before I get pregnant.
-Get REALLY good with God: I'm good with God. He and I, we have a good relationship. But I'd really like to have a plan down of visiting the temple more, reading my scriptures daily... All that good stuff.
-Eat better: I'm already starting to do this, but I'd really like to be in a habit of eating well so it's easy to continue while I'm pregnant. I worry if I can't do it now, I won't be able to later.
-Get my dental work done: Nothing too drastic, just figure out how many cavities I really have and get them filled before it's too late.

A few other things I'd like to have done ASAP just to make my life easier would be:
-Complete grad school: Like stated above
-Out of debt: We don't have student loans or credit card debt but I'd like to pay off our only "real debt"...our second car.
-Sell my condo: If I wait until this happens it'll be at least another year and a half. Luckily we have a wonderful renter to help with the mortgage but I'd feel even better if I DIDN'T OWN IT!
-Buy another house: I don't want to do it until our condo now is sold but I'd REALLY like to have a house of our own again before we have a kid, preferably my dream house, in a place we'd like to call home forever, because I hate moving.
-Have my own company (or lots of freelance work) on the side, or something to that effect that I could eventually solely do from home.

As I look at this overwhelming list I wonder how long it will take and when it'll be possible. I actually hoped next month at one point, then maybe December, but now, dwelling over this... Who knows!

I'm really discouraged and wondering how long I should wait. Maybe another 5 years wouldn't be so bad... Jeez. I wonder if I could suppress the urge that long. Some days the urge overpowers everything, but then there are days when I dwell on these things and it squashes my baby dreams for awhile. I know having (most of) these things first isn't more important than having a family but sometimes I wonder how specific the order needs to be. I'll be better off for sure if I complete some of these tasks first. I could focus more on my family when the time comes, and probably have less struggles and frustrations, but would my internal frustrations until then be stronger?

To make myself feel better I'm going to list what I feel like I've accomplished and blessings I've recieved in nearly 5 years that's prepared me for a child.
-Earned enough scholarships to pay for college and then some
-Graduated from college (with a 3.3 and I'm very proud of that)
-Bought and paid off my (crappy) car a year later
-Bought a another reliable, safe (possibly family) car that we hope to drive FOREVER!
-After 3 years finally convinced my husband we should get a dog (good practice)
-Bought a condo
-Got several jobs building up my career
-Have several months worth of savings
-Practiced babysitting lots of cute kiddos
-Gone on two cruises as a couple and several vacations (couple time important)
-Signed a contract at a news station in a city with warm weather
-Got TIVO (yes, this was actually on our baby bucket list)
-Signed up for premuim health insurance which is for the most part da bomb dot com!
-Began to like to cook
-Started collecting food storage
-Eating less french fries (hey, it's hard, it's my favorite food)
-Found a church ward we LOVE and started a calling I adore
-Searched pondered and prayed A LOT about expanding our family

Ok I'm depressed now. Were/are your baby bucket lists this long? How did you decided to proceed?

The Talk Again

Alright, I didn't think I could go back to my scheduled topics without updating my real current problem at hand... Ok, problem may be a little harsh, it feels that way but to be PC I'll call it my dilemma.

You may have remembered "The Talk" from before... Well we have a lot of those lately. They basically all go the same way:
"Baby?"
"Not now"
"Why not?" (tears)
"Cause my school, job... blah blah blah"
(more tears)
"Ok well maybe sooner rather than later"
"When?"
"I dunno"
"In two months?"
"Sure" (under the condition that he gets so far in school and gets a part-time job, which in this economy isn't easy)

We actually had this exact conversation TWICE yesterday and when we got as far as:
"Baby?"
"No"
(TEARS)
He just started laughing at me and asked "Didn't we just have this conversation?"

And it's kind of the same cycle every month right now. I'm kind of just trying to keep my cool, and send our resumes for him in secret.

I did get so ticked that I applied to be an egg donor. 'If I'm not having my kids someone might as well' was my thinking process. And I'd get $7,000. I filled out all the forms but held the stamp after reading that in rare cases something will go wrong, my ovary will swell, nearly burst and possibly need to be removed. I was still in a state of belligerence, and completed the online portion of it anyway, but I decided to hold off on sending the mailed forms. The fact that my husband HATES the idea doesn't help any. It actually makes me want to do it more.

I know I'm not talking typing rationally, but it's ok... I know I'm just a little upset, and when this all blows over I'll come to my senses.

It's just that I can't help but feel like my invisible window of opportunity is closing. I have no way of knowing that it just feels that way. I hope I'm wrong, and that when we both feel right about it we'll actually BE able to produce spawn. Oh we'd better be... Cause Lawd knows if it takes a year or two I will not be a happy wife... No Siree, not after waiting five years.

Then again I kind of blame myself. Why in the world did I get an IUD? I did this on purpose. When I got it at 20 years old I thought 'I won't want to start trying until I'm at least 25' stick it in me! Who knew three years later I'd be plotting away to get it out. I can't help but feel like it would be SO much easier if I didn't have to plan a whole ordeal to get it out. It's a lot easier to stop taking a pack of pills.

Oh... Someone asked me how I got it since I didn't have any kids... I don't think it's a requirement, just a doctor preference, I've had my checked a bunch and it's still in there just fine :)

Anyway, I'm about to go to the dentist, one of my before baby makin' must do's. So while my husband is lollygagging around, and getting his shiz together to feel "ready" to make a baby, I'm one by one, crossing of things on my baby bucket list... And hopefully, sometime this year, we'll meet on the same page.

The Countdown Pt1

As I continue my countdown towards turning the baby making machine 'ON' I've decided to up my "to do" list. Yea, some of the stuff on my bucket list I can do while pregnant or when the spawn is born, but I really want to get on as much as I can now. I feel like I'm probably able to cross a few more things off. I think I'm pretty dang good with God right now, although I really would like to have a full-month's worth (habit forming) of nightly diligent scripture reading to feel 100% accomplished.... I'm getting there.

The food storage is coming along. I have no idea how much 3 months worth is, but I have a lot of "just add water" MREs and other crap we can use... If I get a humongous tank of water stored somewhere I'll probably feel pretty fulfilled in that category (you know where I can get that/store that?)

I'm on and off with cooking but hubby is helping more with that lately. I joined a freezer meal group which is helping with that. I have the food in the freezer... Haven't actually cooked the meals yet. But hey... At least they keep!

Still not forming any sort of habit of walking/running. Hubs has been taking Snoop for daily walks so it's left me with no desire to do more, although this week I've already taken him twice. I plan on beginning my real tackle on that next week month. I read it's a good idea to have a regular exercise routein BEFORE getting knocked up, that way you can keep it up while pregnant.

If you read this post, you know I'm not eating that much better yet. My trip to New York is seeming unlikely, the dance class... Even more so. *sigh* I suck.

If that wasn't enough, I found another great article with things I want to do starting NOW to prepare.

Here's a few things the article says are good to check out 6 months to a year before turning your Baby Making Machin' "On"
1. Check-ups. Gotta head to the doctor, just to make sure we're as healthy as we feel (most of the time). We have insurance but haven't been to the doctor in AGES. Might as well take advantage of that free annual checkup! I also need to figure out if I'm healthy, in shape enough, how my blood pressure is, and just ask questions regarding pre-knocked up procedures. I've been researching a family doctor, I think I've found one I may like.
2. SPREAD 'EM! Ladies, you know what I mean! I just had my yearly trip to my crotch doc. And all was swell then! I think I can check this off my list now ;op
3. Talk it out. I'll talk things through with docs... Do I have the tumor I think I have? Am I on the verge of a stroke? Heart attack? Sometimes I don't know... Sometimes I feel like I have an ulcer, a punctured uterus... (remember I'm a hypochondriac) the docs will help me know what's real and what's not, and hopefully give a thumbs up. Also, it'll be a good idea to figure out what I should and shouldn't do relating to work, fires, pig crap, molded homes, 80 pound equipment, dead bodies... I have a crazy job people!
4. Stick me! I've had the chickenpox already... What other things do I need to make sure I'm immune to? Rubella? Do I really need to check for that?
5. Checking my family tree. What kind of genetic problems run in my family, anything I should be aware of? I don't think Cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia run in my family but if they do I should be aware, maybe get tested. This can be tricky cause I mean... I've gotta be sneaky. It's a little obvious to ask "so mom, what kind of birth defects run in our family?"
6. Go to the dentist! I haven't been in about 10 months and if I need any major work and main medicine I want to get it all done BEFOREHAND. I set up appointments for both of us for next week!

Hmm, this list seems to be kind of long. Anything else I may be missing? Something you with you had thought of a year or so before turning your baby makin' machine on? Or am I just over thinking this? Better safe than sorry right?