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My husband, kids, and I recently moved in with my hubby's mom and brother because we were kicked o...
Alison Lee
Alison Lee is a former PR and marketing professional turned work-at-home mother to two children, born December 2009 and May 2012. After a 10-year career in various PR agencies, and of the world's biggest sports brands, Alison traded in launch parties, product launches, international press junkets and world travel, for sippy cups and diapers, breastfeeding and potty training.
Alison started blogging in 2011 when her first child was 15 months old, and since then has been actively over-sharing stories of motherhood on her blog, Writing, Wishing. She is also a contributing writer and Social Media Editor at World Moms Blog, a Community Lead at The SITS Girls and has recently launched her social media consulting business, Little Love Media.
Alison lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with her husband and two boys.
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Wednesday, June 12, 2013 by Alison Lee
The first year of motherhood is full of new things - whether they're thrilling (like all the mobility milestones) or just plain gross (moms of babies who just started solids will know what I mean), it's a heady time.
As much as I loved the first year, I'm excited for year two. In the second year, babies can now walk, are starting to talk, and everything in their world is exploding with things to explore, and places to go.
I love dates with my children, and here are the top 5 mom-toddler dates I enjoy. I hope you do too!
A Letter to First-Time Moms-To-Be
Monday, June 03, 2013 by Alison Lee
Dear first-time mom-to-be,
I remember when I was you. I watched my belly grow and felt my little boy move and kick, and make his presence known to my bladder. I took pictures, wanting to preserve forever the way I looked when I carried him, and to capture the array of emotions I felt as a first-time mother-to-be. I veered from excited to slightly terrified; from being sure I could do this to, no way, I don't think I'm cut out for this.
I remember thinking that 9 months is an incredibly long time to be pregnant, yet, it was almost like I blinked and the tiny rice-like embryo grew into what felt (and looked) like a watermelon under my maternity shirts.
I remember thinking that I needed to enjoy "just me" time, sleeping in, and date nights with my husband, because I was told over and over that those days would be a distant memory.
I remember wistfully putting aside my favorite clothes as my body morphed to accommodate my son. I remember having to buy new shoes because goodness, feet can still grow when you're an adult. I remember taking off my wedding ring as my fingers swelled in proportion to the rest of me. I remember looking at stretch marks that were not there before, and wondering if I would ever look the same again.
Dear first-time mom-to-be, hold on to these memories, because you will need to go back to them again, and again, when you step over from "mother-to-be" to just "mother".
Delicious Toddler Food - It's Possible! Two Yummy Recipes
Monday, May 27, 2013 by Alison Lee
Feeding toddlers can be challenging, as you want the food to be delicious, healthy, easy-to-eat, and easy to prepare. To help you with that, we have two yummy recipes that you can try with your toddler today! The parmesan cheese muffins are great for breakfast, and the chicken nuggets can be a great dinner for older kids too, not just baby.
Parmesan Cheese Muffins and Baked Chicken Nuggets
4 Fantastic 1st Birthday Party Themes
Monday, May 20, 2013 by Alison Lee
The first birthday is always the most special, as so much happens in the first year, and it is the first party you're throwing for your baby. If you need ideas for a fun party, here are some great ideas from four moms.
Homemade Apple Teething Biscuits
Monday, May 13, 2013 by Alison Lee
Teething can be a very difficult time for both babies, and their mothers. Most babies start teething around 7 months and aside from a variety of teething implements such as teething rings, cold cloths or even amber necklaces, you can help your baby through this with some delicious homemade teething biscuits, as chewing will help with the itching.
The great thing about making your own teething biscuits or baby food is that you can tailor it to fit your child's specific dietary needs and/or preferred tastes.
This recipe makes a really delicious loaf as well, so it can be enjoyed by older kids and adults too!
10 Ways Dads Can Help First-Year Mothers
Wednesday, May 08, 2013 by Alison Lee
We talk about the mothers a lot, during a baby's first year. We offer advice, how-to's, and stories.
What about the dads? Life changes for fathers too, and the first year is just as important for them as it is for mothers. It is just as important for the baby, that Dad is involved.
How can fathers help their partners, mothers of their child, especially in the first year? There are many ways dads can make life easier (and more fun) for moms.
4 Reasons Play Dates Are Important
Monday, April 15, 2013 by Alison Lee
One of the most important things in my first year as a mother was a regular date with a fellow new mother, whose son was a month younger than mine. We met for lunch, followed by some play time for our babies, nearly every week. From cafes to indoor play gyms to each other's houses, we fostered a friendship that went beyond our children. It was a much-needed addition to my life as mom and one that I feel is important.
I highly recommend regular play dates for babies and mothers - it saved my sanity, and gave me a measure of normalcy. Here are 4 more reasons play dates are fun and important.
Baby Proofing: 3 Unexpected Dangers Around The Home
Monday, April 08, 2013 by Alison Lee
When you bring a baby home, everything changes. Your life, your schedule, your thoughts, your heart, your priorities, and yes, your home.
For the first few months before your baby is mobile, you wouldn't have given those sharp edges on your coffee table much thought. Or those cabinets in your kitchen with very breakable dinnerware. You climb those stairs every day, without pause. You don't shut doors behind you, because why should you?
However, when your baby starts rolling, then sitting up, and very quickly, crawling, pulling up to stand, and cruising, you DO have to think about all the seemingly innocent things in your house as potential dangers to your child.
Aside from the obvious baby proofing you must do (sharp table corners, slippery floors, stairs, electrical sockets), you should consider these three things that could be dangerous to your baby.
7 Tips for Flying Solo With Your Younger Child
Tuesday, April 02, 2013 by Alison Lee
Last month, I took a three-day trip with the baby (10 months old), which involved a short one hour flight. It was his first plane ride, and my first time traveling solo with one of my children.
I wanted it to be a fun and relaxed travel experience, and the following tips ensured that we did.
10 Sanity-Saving Ideas for First-Year Moms
Saturday, March 30, 2013 by Alison Lee
The first year of motherhood is such a rollercoaster ride - physically and emotionally. It's full of ups and downs, good and bad, tears and laughter. Tales of mothers never changing out of pajamas, or adopting yoga pants as a daily uniform, are abundant. Showers can be scarce, just like sleep. Your mind stays wrapped around the baby's every need and every move.
It's not hard to fathom, then, how first year mothers can forget about themselves. Feeling like you’re losing your identity, feeling and looking less than your best, battling loneliness - all common themes in the first year.
How do you get yourself out of this quicksand of negativity? Here are 10 things that helped me as a first-year mom.
