14 weeks and counting....good idea???

We are 14 weeks pregnant expecting our 3rd kiddo! Yes the rumors are true? What, no one was talking about me? Bummer! hehehehe!

Anyway, the first trimester was the trimester from (I wont even try to sugar coat it) hell! I was tired all day and night, crabby, and even a little depressed! Oh the joys of pregnancy!

Really The Warden and I are super excited and thrilled to be adding to our family. We had long ago decided that we wanted 3 children, so this will be our grand finale. We will find out the gender next month!

Now, to only narrow down a good cloth diaper...suggestions? I will post a breakdown of what I am thinking about soon. Wow, I'm freaking interesting these days!!!

Free2bMommy

Are you a judgemental mom snob?

Are you?





I know that technically we all form judgments upon seeing someone. "I like that dress." "Why on earth would you wear that?" and "That guy looks like a jerk!"





I am talking about the judgements that place ourselves above others in the whole "I would never..." scheme.





Do you read some of these blogs and think "she looks selfish and naive," or "why in the hell is she such an over sharing attention whore?" These are the things that we may not want to admit or ever even verbalize, but what I have noticed lately is the way that mothers are judging other mothers. A classic example of this is on a popular mom network that has tons of discussion groups, post, contests, etc. I have never read anything so heated and attacking as some of those posts!! It is craaaazy!! You know the type of train wreak you can't help but watch and bring popcorn to?





Now, not all the moms on that site are like that, but the ones that there are, make me want to pull there little butts through the computer and choke some sense into them. Who cares what decisions some parents make for their children as long as the kids are not in danger or harm? Who cares why you decide to breastfeed and why all formula fed babies are destined for long sits in the corner with the dunce cap on? Do I care that you don't vax your kids? I guess it's interested to hear why, but do I care why you think that I am evil for the fact that I do? Nope! I don't want to hear your ignorant comments about how you think circumcision is the best because he needs to be like his daddy, and all boys that have foreskin intact are dirty little things that will eventually repulse women. These are just a few of the many heated topics on this site. It sounds really stupid when put like that right?





My point is that we all make educated decisions based on the information we receive. You make a choice and you stand by it, but who really cares why others make the choices that they make, and what purpose does it serve to judge and look down on others for not agreeing with you? Shame.





We are all women, who love our children and want to protect them and help them to become bright, respectable, and successful young adults. The goal is the same, so who really cares the path each person takes to get there? Something to think about...



Don't be a judgemental snob.

Lub ya!
Free2bMommy

More then you want to know...

Urgh, I really need an "about me" page!! I really am not too "look at me! Look at me!" okay well maybe sometimes, arnt we all?

I started this ridiculous trip to adulthood as a spunky, argumentative, and little child! I was always the smallest in the class but the one with the most spunk! "Feisty" is what many referred to me as. I argued about everything as a child! My mother was so sure that I would turn out to be a Lawyer. She said on numerous occasions that if someone said that the sky was blue, I would argue that it was actually a soft shade of grey and baby blue. She had her nerve!

Well this hard time with authority and lack of any self control led me to the train wreak of a high school student I ended up being. I made horrible choices in boys and partying which led to a questionable reputation at an extremely conservative Lutheran school. I was nominated "Biggest Party Animal" at prom and didnt even win that! Blah!

After finishing the social trap of high school I went on to study at the University of Houston DT and later graduated with a BA in Communication Studies, a 4 year old we call "Monkey", and a hubby. WTF? How did that happen right? More on that much later...

I built an AMAZING resume and finished school with accomplishments such as Deans Scholarship Recipient, National Honor Society member, over 200 hours in community service, and a great internship. All this prepared me for working for one of the largest and most known non profit health organizations in the nation and maybe even the world. Not too shabby for the "wild kid" in high school.

Skipping right along, I added child number 2 aka Bean to the family, became the owner of Just Between Friends of West Houston, and decided almost four years later after my start date with my dream job, that my time there had run its course. I put my 4 weeks notice in with a heavy heart, and started to embark on the journey I share now, as a full time WAHM. I have been juggling work, small business, and family life, for too long now. My final official date is March 12, but I have been using personal time off for a couple of weeks now and preparing myself for months. I will return on Friday to "pack it up." To be continued...

Thanks for reading. Free2bMommy

In case you wanna know...

With the recent increase in interest in my blog and what I share about WAHM's, I figured I would share a little bit about me and my purpose with Free2bMommy.

I am a work at home mom, or WAHM, Mexican-American Latina mommy of two Brown Sugars I lovingly refer to in this blog as Monkey and Bean. I do not fit the conventional "model" of a WAHM, and that is why I created a place to share my perspective, ideas, and activities, with other moms who are like me. I spent a great deal of time finding up to date WAHM info that I could relate to, so while looking at WAHM websites, reading WAHM books, and talking with other WAHM's, I started to think "would'nt it be helpful to share this info as I find it with other perspective WAHM's and share my journey in the process?" So the creation of Free2bMommy!

I think its important for "mommy bloggers" to create more blog content then just about being a mommy, but rather who we are as women. I love the "mommy blogs" that share stuff such as their lives outside of just being a mommy and how all of these separate successes help to make them an even better person and in turn a better mommy.

So...it is possible to be savvy in love, culture, family, friends, work, life, and Free2bMommy! Are you free2bmommy?

I am super excited about being in the top 100 of the top mommy blogs! Please help me stay there and click below. Plus you can see all the top mom blogs for some great reading!

Thanks!
Free2bMommy

The new top mom blogs are refreshing!

I am glad that the top mommy blogs website has been updated allowing new awesome mommy blogs a chance to show their talents! It is because of the reset that I have found some hidden treasure blogs and some moms with some really great things to share!

Check out the top list!

Fab fav of the day!

Denim Bella Fuchsia Tote
Find it at babooshbaby.com
Love this! Super cute....non corny way to display how proud you are to be a mommy.
Check it out!

The mommy shark tank

With the end of my full time job nearing, I am reminded of the "mommy shark tank" and my complete lack of ability to swim in it. You know, the same moms that actually have time to take their kids to Gymboree and play groups on a regular basis. The moms who get to wake up in a good mood because they have not been up all night worrying about how they are going to complete that budget proposal in time to leave early enough and make it just in time to see their 8 year old take the lead in the school play! Whew! I am tired just typing it! These are the moms that actually get to casually drop off their older kids at school wearing work out clothes, and carrying their morning coffee mug, while pushing an expensive jogging stroller. Oh, you know the ones, and if you don't...it's most likely you.

In contrast, I am the type of mom who is always stressed. I forget permission slips, get confused as to when teacher conferences are, allow just enough time to get up and out the door, and thinks poptarts for breakfast are...not that bad.

When Monkey started school, I got the first glimpse of how much I was not going to be able to "swim." I started to dread birthday parties, school events, and any other activity that involved me having to be in the same room with these moms. My attempts to start conversations with these moms proved to be pointless, and would often lead to an awkward silence. I finally X'ed these activities all together and would make either my mom or my "everybody loves Juan" husband go in my place.

I actually created my blog name in light of these interactions. Free2bMommy. People often ask me where I came up with it. It represents to me all the moms who do not fit into a specific mold, and are not afraid to express creative differences, admit imperfections, and questionable style choices. haha!

Who are we if we are not ourselves? It sucks but its true. We are constantly trying to conform to the mommy norm in order to not feel so damn awkward in situations with other parents. Who cares? You may be thinking to yourself "well I don't ever do that." Think again. We are all guilty of it...even me.

What is the big deal about your blog?

I have spent a considerable amount of time checking out blogs similar to mine that generate tons of views and publicity. What makes a good blog? What makes one interesting? Why are some that create ridiculous brain dead content more popular then others? I am fascinated by this. I love to do searches for the "top blogs" to see what makes a "top blog" with hopes of some inspiration or ideas to incorporate into my own material. The thing is, lots of what I see is not that engaging. This is not to say that they are not decent reading material, but I have seen several instances where some really great, informative, and entertaining blogs go completely ignored. What gives? One common aspect I have seen is TONS of ads running up and down the page, along with tons or subtopics listed at the top of the page that take me all over the world wide web! No I don't want to buy bright pink tutu's and biodegradable diapers!! URGH!! Enough with the clickable ads. Let's promise to stay true to content and not be blind sighted by dough.

Frienemy? Really?

My eight year old Monkey was talking to me during one of our trips from meemaws to our home, and she mentioned that there was this one girl in her class that was "sometimes nice but sometimes mean." As I listened I became confused as to whether or not Monkey actually knows what a "real" friend is. I mentioned to her that I was confused because if this girl is sometimes her friend and sometimes not, why was she still considered a friend? She responded by saying, "well mommy we are more like frienemies." I can only imagine how I looked and was relieved that Monkey was in the back seat and could not see my stunned expression. Frienemies at 8 years old. Really??!!

So once I got on my "frienemies kick" I was curious to see if the term was actually defined somewhere online. Turns out it appears in sources such as Wikipedia and Urban Dictionary (ok so not the MOST reliable sources but a start.) The Urban Dictionary gave the most clear definition.

Seems pretty clear cut to me, and apparently I was under the impression that 8 year old's would have no reason to use the term. I guess I was wrong. I wonder who my frienemies are??

Here is what it said!

fake friends you have for selfish purposes

friends you know don't really like you and you don't like them either

friends you get that were once enemies because you're planning on stabbing them in the back

"Keep your friends close but your frienemies closer haha"

"Don't invite Sarah...she's only a frienemy."

When does the exercise part begin??! Groan!

We all know that there are many ways to get in shape. Do we ever really want to hear that on top of being fabulous and a super mom, we also are expected to have killer abs? Okay so maybe that is an exaggeration, but the basic premise of making time to establish a healthy exercise regimen is no joke. A friend of mine told me about this awesome exercise routine that she said I would enjoy so much, I would not even realize that I was sweating my butt off! Literally! I said "now you sound like an infomercial." I have nothing to gain by sharing this information with you, but I really think it is something that many moms like myself can get into.

It's called Zumba. Zumba, according to the Zumba.com website is "a program that fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a one-of-a-kind fitness program that will blow you away. Our goal is simple: We want you to want to work out, to love working out, to get hooked. Zumba® Fanatics achieve long-term benefits while experiencing an absolute blast in one exciting hour of calorie-burning, body-energizing, awe-inspiring movements meant to engage and captivate for life!"

One of the things that I love about Zumba was how no matter what you skill or talent level is, you feel comfortable during the entire routine. You can slow down or speed up depending on how you feel. The most important thing is that it is FUN! A word I rarely use in the same sentence as exercise.

The Zumba.com website is the BEST source of information! Here are some of the options that the website offers.

• Learning ABOUT Zumba
• SHOP Zumba gear
• INSTRUCTOR TRAINING
• FIND A CLASS (there are classes everywhere!)
• FIND AN INSTRUCTOR
• NEWS and SUPPORT

So come one and "ditch the workout!" So worth checking out!

Fab find of the day!

Okay so maybe it's technically the end of the day...why did I not see this while I was expecting??!!