Brought to you by the Great Blog Cross Pollination: Transitions

As part of the Great Blog Cross Pollination, a wonderful mystery blogger
has taken over the Jeans blog today!
Enjoy her post, and see further details at the bottom of the post!

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Five months into motherhood and my mind is still stuck in IF land. Transitioning to a 'motherhood after IF' blog has been challenging. IF shaped me into the woman I am today. It taught me to be a better wife; a better communicator. It taught me to not take life for granted. It's time I put that behind me and focus my energy (what little I have) on exploring the life of a blogging mama.

Over the past couple of months I've considered taking a blog hiatus. I've even started a post about it. Apparently I have more to say because I haven't finished it. This community supported me when I had no one else to turn to. And now, as I'm off on this new adventure, I'm going to need all the help I can get! Hopefully I'll be able to return the favor and offer support to those still working towards building a family

I've been a "mama" for a while. Not technically a human baby mama, but just as important. (In my humble opinion.) My first nephew/Godson was born eight years ago. I experienced many firsts with him. He lives next door and I've been blessed to be close to him and watch him grow. A few years later we adopted our furbabies. Some people don't believe that you’re a mom when you have furbabies, but I whole-heartedly disagree. Bringing them to their forever home was life changing! We quickly discovered that we need them more than they need us. They taught us how to love unconditionally and to not take life so seriously. They greeted us at the end of each day to soothe our sorrow and mend our hearts. So, you see, my transition into motherhood has been a gradual one. My blog is still just trying to catch up.

When I started blogging I was eager to grow and learn from each post I wrote. I wanted to expand my knowledge of IF as a woman in a MFI marriage, and most importantly find peace with the challenge we were facing. I've mostly written about our struggles. My tone has been serious and sorrowful. It doesn't reflect my personality at all.

As a wise blogger (insert hyperlink: http://i-cant-whistle.blogspot.com/2009/12/rainbow.html) recently said, many new IF moms and IF pregnant ladies feel like "their lives are lived with one foot in each boat, like each one is somehow not true." I want to start paddling the other boat. I need to let go of the past, focus on parenting, help support those still struggling to build a family and continue to search for serenity in life and motherhood.

Now that I've given myself a pep talk, I guess this is the time. Time for a fresh start. Time to revamp my blog and start writing about my life as a new mama.

Strapping on my life jacket and starting up the motor!


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Who do you think took over my blog today? And boy, what an awesome post she wrote. Something I can totally identify with....

So, before clicking here to see who cross-pollinated with me, take a stab at guessing who the blogger is in the comment section, as well as leaving her some love about her post! You will also find me over in her space.

Also, take time to go here to see the entire list of Cross-Pollination bloggers!

Alphabet Soup

It's just another regular day, another regular post--but can I say something really quick?

I DID IT! 30 posts in 30 days! YAY!

I hope that you as readers enjoyed the Alphabet Soup, and O-man's news reports--wanted to make seeing me in your reader every day for a month as enjoyable as possible!

And to celebrate, I'm getting into the season and and giving a gift! First person to guess what my favorite "Brought to you by: The Letter ____" post is from the 30 posts in 30 days, will receive a holiday-goody-package from the Jeans household!

I will be sure to add an update once the favorite word is guessed correctly!

*UPDATED* Sarah (Bio Girl) guessed correctly: READING was my favorite post--it encompassed so much that I love--O-man (of course) reading to him, memories of my mom, and the fact I get to read such awesome blogs! Yay, Sarah!

To refresh your memory, here are all the words:

ACTIVE
BOTTLE
CRAFTS
DOG
EXPRESSIONS
FOOD POISONING
GROWING
HOLIDAY
INCINTA
JUICE
KAYAK
LAUNDRY
MOTIVATION
NOISE
O-MAN
PARENTING
QUESTION
READING
SINGING
TOOTH
UP
VERY
WRAPPING
X-RAY
YELL
ZOO

Brought to you by: The Letter Z

Z is for ZOO

We are fortunate to live close to a great zoo--and we have taken advantage of taking our little monkey to see all the animals a few times this year.

We also adopted an elephant that has a birthday close to O-man's, so each time we make sure to go visit the BIG member of our family.

I know Mook and I get more out of the visits right now, but we can't wait to see O-man's reactions to all the beautiful animals at the zoo!

Brought to you by: The Letter Y

Y is for YELL

O-man has always been vocal--jabbering on and making noise--and I love hearing it!

And in the past week or so, he has found that this jabbering and noise level can go UP a few notches.

We decided to skip the 5th serving of leftovers on Saturday, and went out for a meal. During which, the O-man decided to entertain all in ear shot by YELLING a rendition of the song, "La-la-la-la"

Brought to you by: The Letter X

X is for X-RAY

Super Baby O-man says he would love to have X-Ray Vision: