The Best of CMB {Our Top 10 Posts of 2015}

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Happy 2016, y’all! 2015 was an incredible year for Charleston Mom Blog. We are so thankful to you, our readers, who have been by our side since our launch in June, as we share our stories of motherhood, advice on parenting, and guides to living in Charleston.

We are so excited to see what 2016 has in store for CMB as we continue to grow, plan fun events, and connect moms in our community! As we enter the new year and approach 7 months since lunch, we thought it would be fun to share our top 10 posts of 2015! Without further ado, here are the posts you all loved the most!

cfr1. Clements Ferry Road Living…

Everyone – “Where do you live?”

Me – “Off of Clements Ferry Road.”

<crickets>

Everyone – “Oh, so on Daniel Island?”

Me – “No, but close!  Just a few miles down the road.”

<side eye>


2. The PrincePrincess Clubss Club

This was one of those moments I had known would come but had hoped we could somehow avoid. It was one I had thought about when she was sweetly sleeping in her crib and one that I had tried to prepare her for. I brushed the curls out of Bella’s face and told her that there are princesses of every type in this world and the most important parts of a princess have nothing to do with the dress or even her crown.

 

 

 


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3. Following, Bending, and Breaking the Mommy Rules 

As often as I heard someone older than me explain how they didn’t worry about this or that while pregnant, there was also a mother closer to my own age telling how she followed all of the generally accepted “pregnancy advice,” except for dying her hair….or eating club sandwiches…or having a glass of wine on Friday afternoons.  For as many rules as there seems to be, there often appears to be even more parents of the responsible and respectable sort breaking said rules.


aaaaa4. Tandem Nursing a Toddler and a Newborn

I never really considered weaning her. I trusted her and knew she would quit when she didn’t need it anymore. I wasn’t always thrilled with nursing during pregnancy, just as I wasn’t always thrilled with nursing period. I knew it was best for her and trusted both of our bodies.

Finally, six days past her due date, her little sister was born. She thankfully latched right on and never had trouble nursing. I had prepared my oldest for the arrival of her little sister by telling her that she’d be bringing yummy milk with her. When my milk came in, it was the greatest day of my toddler’s life!


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5. A Message to My Daughters

As I watch you grow, I’m filled with so many emotions. I’m proud of the young lady you are becoming, yet sad that you are no longer that baby girl I once held in my arms and rocked to sleep. I know I won’t always be there to shield you from harsh words or ugly situations as you grow, but I hope to give you this advice to guide you along. Many, many years from today when you are sharing this same advice with your own children, in my heart, you will always be my baby girl.


Selflessness for Sanity6. How I Traded Selflessness For Sanity

It usually doesn’t even occur to us to answer with how WE are doing. And I mean how we’re actuallydoing. If that was the case, I would have had days when I said, “It’s touch and go. Some days I cry for no reason (thanks, hormones), and I haven’t had a moment alone with my husband in weeks. The baby cries. A lot. I hope there’s nothing wrong with her. Sometimes I worry she has a rare disease that we won’t find out about for years and then I start to cry all over with the thought that anything could ever happen to her. Some days I miss my old social life and am consumed by doubt and loneliness. That being said, I’m confusingly happier than I’ve ever been and every time I look at her squishy little face, I’m convinced my heart may burst.”


The It Hit Me: I'm a MOM!7. Then It Hit Me… I’m a Mom

The crowd surrounded us as we walked into the arena. My pulse quickened. I could hear 50 different conversations around me. My vision was laser-focused. I was suddenly tuned into the tweens and teens alike … Why on earth is she wearing that short of a dress? Is that a cigarette?! Where are their parents? Is that my uterus thumping to the beat?

It was as if a switch turned on inside me that was super aware of everything going on around me, specifically the herds of girls under 20. Did I turn into catwoman or a vampire or something?

Then it hit me. No, I wasn’t the next Halle Berry or part of the Twilight series. I was a mom. Though only in the position for 5.5 weeks, I had changed. It was biological, psychological and irrefutable.


YKYAMW8. You Know You’re a Mom When…

What I expected to be a fast-paced, stick to the list, in and out trip with my daughter turned into a leisurely, hour-long stroll around the store all by myself! As I walked through the store, feeling relaxed and cheerful, I thought, “You know you’re a mom when a solo trip to Target feels like a vacation!” Since becoming a mom, I’ve learned to appreciate the little things in life that only moms experience.

 

 

 


toddler dinner9. The Toddler Dinner Struggle

But every once in a while, the table becomes a place filled with tears and stress. We can feed our daughter a meal one week, and the next she will turn her nose up at it as if we are trying to poison her. Sometimes she only wants to eat watermelon. Sometimes she screams for “black cookies” (Oreos) before we even put on her bib. And then there are times when she refuses to eat at all and instead (adorably) only wants to hold our hands as we all sit at the table. We want to make healthy food choices for her and make sure she is getting the proper nutrition, but lately that feels like a battle we will never win!

 


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10. Blind “Mom” Dating. How NOT To Make Mom Friends

My first few experiences were admittedly awkward and disheartening. One instance involved “meeting up” with a group of Moms I found online who all turned out to be about 10 years younger than me and all the children were babies. Most of the women knew one another from high school and lots of selfies were being taken. I tried to jump into the conversation but I spent most of that encounter pretending to get a really interesting text message. At that point, I still thought a hashtag was a breakfast food, so conversation wasn’t exactly flowing. These were all good Moms and great women but I left there feeling old, confused and lonely.


Other Posts We Think You’ll Love:

Car Seat Check

Your Plans are in Your Children’s Hands

Make Ahead School Lunch Ideas

The “Shameful” Sleeping Habit That Chose Me

Mommy’s Night Out at Book Club

Mama’s Little Luxuries {Coffee in the Charleston Area}

Charleston Indoor Play Areas


 

What topics would you like to read about on CMB this year? Leave your post ideas below!