MommyCon Philly

Back in July I heard MommyCon would be visiting Philadelphia October 4-5 and decided I had to go. I couldn't pass up the chance to hang out with hundreds of like minds and get to meet some amazing people. I talked to Hubby and instead of dipping into our practically non-existent saving I sold some diapers to pay for my VIP ticket, no regrets.

The VIP ticket not only gave me extra goodies in my gift bag but is also included a brand new Beco Soleil (which alone retails for more then the cost of the ticket) and an extra day with Jessica Martin-Weber of The Leaky Boob, Bunmi Laditan of The Honest Toddler and Jamie Grayson of Baby Guy NYC.





I brought Monster with me on Saturday for VIP day, we both had a blast. While Monster was not into being personally fitted for our new Beco, he did enjoy playing with the other kids and running around the Convention Center. I'll say this, my child is not going to have a problem making friends when he gets older. The seminar room was filled with tunnels and playhouses in the back for Moms like me who brought toddlers along for the day, all of the kids seemed to enjoy it (they did not however like the few kids who played a bit too rough and were jumping on top of the tunnels while others were inside). The play area was nice because it allowed me to half listen to the speakers. We all cried with Jessica, laughed with Bunmi and learned about baby gear that I will never be able to afford with Jamie. As an added bonus, all of the speakers had giveaways.

Our Mommy/Monster day could not have gone any better. Monster had his first Patco train ride and walk through Center City Philadelphia. I of course felt right at home, it felt good but weird to be there for fun and not for work. I watched my son smoothly interact with other kids all in an unfamiliar place, he never fails to amaze me. We had an indoor picnic in the hallway, sharing everything and pointed out colors, shapes and and counted our snacks. He rested his head on my shoulder while Jamie Grayson answered countless questions and gave away more gift bags and baby gear. Monster was asleep in the stroller before we were even walked 2 blocks back to the train station; I'm sure the fact that he missed his nap also had something to do with that. Definitely a day to remember.

On Sunday, general admission day, I went solo. My boys had a Daddy/Monster day watching the Eagles game while this Mama got a day to herself. I was up bright and early to catch the train, I was determined to make the 9:30 AM Cloth Diapers 101 seminar with Jennifer Labit of Cotton Babies. It was interesting to hear how her company started...from nothing. She could not even afford to buy diapers and groceries for her family and used her last $100.00 to start her business; she is an inspiration and gives me hope. I'm sure she did the same for others who were there.



I was a bit disappointed in the layout and schedule of seminars; I missed some speakers I wanted to see due to lack of organization. Seminars were in at least 3 different areas and there was no "Master List" of where and when seminars were being held; I only made it to the ones in the main room. Something I would have liked to see was someone to talk about raising a baby/toddler on a budget; after all, most people start out being crunchy to save money.
Most vendors had samples to give out and sales on their products. I stopped to learn about every vendor there, big and small. I was very happy to see my local cloth diaper/child consignment store The Nesting House had a booth. There were not as many vendors as I expected but there was certainly a little bit of everything. I'm happy to say I only bought 1 thing, my first AppleCheeks pocket diaper in the limited addition color Trick or Cheeks from FiggyFuzz Baby Boutique. I would have bought Boo also but they were sold out. All attendees also walked away with a free Kiinde Twist Starter set; a breastfeeding collection, storage and feeding kit. No more passing pumped milk from bottle to pouch and back to bottle anymore!

I spoiled myself a bit and went over to Reading Terminal Market for lunch, I had a pulled pork sandwich from DiNiC's... Delicious! Carrying everything around the market and back to the train was not easy, thank goodness I brought reusable bags with me to carry everything. My only regret from the weekend was that I did not take enough pictures, huge blogger fail. I was just so overwhelmed with everything else that I forgot, I did get some but most of them were of Monster playing. MommyCon posted photos of there own, Monster and I were in quite a few of them, mostly of us attempting to be fitted for our Beco. It was a wonderful weekend, I met some amazing women and I am looking forward to attending next year.

It's been a while

It's been a long time since I last posted, actually I have not posted since I started my new job in November 2013. Things haven't been wonderful but they could always be worse. I thought if I got back into to writing that it might be more therapeutic then sulking.

I miss working for the animal shelter and I wish I could go back to dispatching, the shelter is actually looking for a part time dispatcher but I need full time work. They are hiring for a full time ACO too, but after the way I was treated when I was an officer I wouldn't go back to that position at that animal shelter unless they were under new management. I was born to work in the shelter industry and I'm determined to go back, even if it's to a different shelter.

We were on vacation 2 weeks ago, a "stay-cation". We took several day trips including Storybook Land and the Philadelphia Zoo. I had a total of 9 days off including weekends and it was amazing. Hubby and I got to spend all week with Monster Boy (formally known as Minion); it was my first vacation since he was born in 2012. While I enjoyed it, it made going back to work so much harder. I've been struggling a lot lately with being a full time working mom, I feel like I don't get to spend enough time with Monster Boy. He is so smart and learns new things everyday, I love that, but I'm not always the one teaching him these things and it makes me a little sad. I've been searching for legitimate ways to make money from home but so far I've come up dry. Avon and "pyramid" type jobs didn't work out at all.

I've also been having trouble with our living arrangement. We just re-signed the lease in the complex we moved into last summer, today marks exactly one year since we moved from our 3 bedroom rancher with a huge yard to 2 bedroom apartment on the 10th floor. It's too small for us, we are hoping to save enough money by next summer to buy a house or at least rent one. There is no way we could have another baby here. I'd love to live in a small town where everyone knows each other, neighbors are able to make good on threats to "tell your parents" and you don't have to be afraid to be outside after dark. A farm town would be nice. Honestly, I think as long as I can't hear my neighbors TV work for word I'd be happy. So much for the soundproof walls we were told all units have.


Well enough depressing, how about a Monster Boy update. He turned 2 years old in June and is doing great, getting bigger every day. He can count to 11, forms full sentences and even spelled his own name the other day. He's also started calling me "Mommy" instead of "Mama" occasionally. He seemed very interested in potty training in June but it didn't last long, he likes his diapers. He does tell us when he needs to be changed though, most of the time. For now, his potty chair sits in the living room until he is ready to try again. Oh, and he's been binky free for almost 3 months. Even during Terrible Twos, that kid makes me happier then anything else in the world.