Go-Go Mommy

Project: Life Change - Get Ready!

Well everyone, I just thought I'd take a minute to let you know why my posts have become more sporadic than usual.

Not too much is out of the ordinary: KB, Sweet Pea, and I still have the cough from a case of "mild bronchitis" that first appeared in our household about 3 weeks ago. I'm cautiously optimistic that Poppy will continue to be the only healthy person in our house - after all, if she hasn't caught it by now she shouldn't catch it at all, right?! (I know, I probably just jinxed it.) KB is super busy at work (again nothing new there) - someone has to earn "the big bucks" so we can live in the beautiful but beyond costly Bay Area. And Poppy is still taking her music and ballet lessons.

What has changed? My personal goals for 2008 include moving from SAHM to WAHM/Mompreneur. Yes, I will actually be bringing one of my many business ideas into reality and I am so geeked! (Do people still say that?) Of course, at this early stage, I can't reveal any details but I must confess that this is definitely something that wouldn't be happening without the support (and hard work) of my wonderful mother-in-law who has lovingly "volunteered" to lend her incredible skills to this project.

As soon as I have more definite news I promise to share. Just wanted to let you know that most of my free time is now being spent on reading, researching, and preparing to begin my new business venture.

Hope to post more on this soon!

Project: Life Change - The Kite Runner!

Well I we did it! After, ah let me see, I don't even know how long. KB and I finally secured our favorite sitter and went out to a movie by ourselves. Yeah! And not just any movie. We actually got to participate in a movie premier night for "The Kite Runner" with over 100 other bloggers, neighbors, and friends. Thank you soo much Citymama for arranging all this (and T-shirts, too)!

Okay, I'll admit it. I must be only one of two people who hasn't read the book (KB being the other person) so while I can't compare the two, the movie was extremely moving to me. While it may have run a bit long, it was amazing seeing the contrast of Kabul over the years. Also, the movie evoked many strong feelings about friendship, love, and healing on a variety of levels. Surprisingly, this is a great movie for the hoilday season.

And so even though you are probably so busy with your own lives as you get ready to celebrate or are already celebrating your holidays, I hope you take the time to change your own life in some little way. Whether it's taking time to reconnect with your favorite person over a cup of coffee, a bite to eat or a movie out, or 10 minutes to yourself to read while you soak in the tub, don't forget to honor your inner hipness for a change of pace!

Project: Life Change - Update!

I finally did it - another step toward making significant strides in my life! It was not a huge step by any means. But as one of my favorite movie's explains, it's all about "baby steps!"

I actually got to go on a MNO last week at the oh-so-quaint Vino Locale in Palo Alto! The Food was organic and yummy, the wine was delizioso, and the company was the best part of it all. First, I got to go with my newest PAMP Parents' Club friend, "E". She is an awesome mom of a beautiful 9 month old daughter. We met at the oh-so hip photo shoot that our girls participated in a couple months ago. Thanks for a fun night, E!

Also, I learned that it's never too late to make new friends - especially when you are participating in Project: Life Change and you are making yourself available to change. I really enjoyed meeting the other moms there: "A" and I had a ton of fun talking about our little ones and found out they are even close to each other in age! And I even met a killer WAHM, "W", who has an awesome business creating and selling babyslings (among her many other ventures). She is a real inspiration and really made my night by saying that she already read Go-Go Mommy and especially liked "the potty blog." Wow! What a night.

Thanks again Stefania and Jessica - hope you enjoy the update!

Project: Life Change - I'm Enlisted!

Thank you Stefania/ City Mama and Jessica/ Sassafrass for initiating Project: Life Change!! I heart blogging and I heart you! For the past 11 and 1/2 months (I can't believe it has already been that long) I have been in the midst of my own Project Life Change. Now, thanks to you I have an official title for what I've been doing with the last year of my life. I'm very excited to join your fun-lovin' community of support as I continue to work at making life-changing progress.

Here are some of my own life changes. Some are bigger than others but all have been made to find the "balance" we all seek... to enjoy our families while keeping in touch with ourselves, our communities, and (for us SAHMs) our sanity by having contact with the "adult" world. TGFB! (Thank goodness for blogging!)

1) This all started with a difficult second pregnancy, 5 months of bedrest, and still my second daughter was born 5 and 1/2 weeks early - my little Sweet Pea. After realizing how lucky I was to have her (and my own life) after the premature delivery, I decided it was time to focus on family. So, I excused myself from the "professional" world to take care of Poppy (daughter number one) and Sweet Pea full-time. A real live SAHM. (God, that was scary!)

2) I sent a poem into cyberspace (as JB): After months of recuperating (with HUGE thanks to my mother-in-law who traveled from MI to Silicon Valley to help us for the first 7 weeks) I ran across a "makeover" contest on the Silicon Valley Moms Blog and created an extemporaneous poem about why I deserved a makeover.

3) I became a contributor to the Silicon Valley Moms Blog (pen name JB): While I didn't win the makeover contest, I was a finalist and got a free manicure where I met Beth and agreed to accept her invitation to blog. Thank you, Beth, for saving my sanity as a newly minted SAHM and connecting me to a great new network!

4) I made a new friend, and so did Poppy: Xiaolinmama was also a makeover finalist and we had a great time chatting while getting our manicures. In sum, we hit it off and she has been my inspiration for Life Change #5. You rock Sheila!

5) I started my own blog: Who knew that the poem I wrote on the fly would have opened these new doors for me. I now have a creative outlet, a place where my voice can be heard, and a new more intimate network where I can share my parenting challenges and successes with others who totally get it. As I commented when CityMama began her Project Life Change: "It really is true - when a door closes, a window opens. Welcome to the greatest opportunity - living your life with your beautiful family. Enjoy every moment! (& call me during the tough ones!)"

6) I have a maid service every other week: Yes, I admit I cannot "do it all" at home. I'm finding I do love to cook, I'm becoming obsessed with recipes, I don't mind doing dishes and laundry but I have never loved or been the best at the rest of the housework. (I told you they weren't all earth-shattering.)

7) I have entrepanurial thoughts almost daily: This may not sound like a Life Change but I try to give myself some time during each week to sort these out, bounce them off my sounding board (KB), and continue to work on the best ones - once in business, always in business I guess. As I continue to meet new people in the blogging world, it will be interesting to see what will develop on this level.

Again, thank you Stefania and Jessica! We Life Changers need all the freebies support we can get. Seriously, Sheila and I are working on a Mommy Martini & Manicure night out at Santana Row. Anyone else out there in too? If so, we could have something else in common on our Project Life Change list!

You can also find me at Silicon Valley Moms Blog as JB.