My family has always been unique. We probably have a few black sheep in our bunch. Growing up, there were only two Hopson’s listed in Pittsburgh’s White Pages–one was my dad; the other my grandfather. My paternal grandparents met and married at age 16. They stayed together until death did them part, and over the 65 years of marital bliss, they welcomed 15 children and more than 30 children into their home and their hearts. Our family is filled with bakers and bouncers, moms and managers, contractors and childcare workers. My parents encouraged my sister and I to discover our own individuality–even if that meant joining and quitting teams, bands and dance schools. We eventually found our place. I went on to become a television news reporter who traveled the world, and my sister is leading a sweet life as the owner of a baking business called The Cupcake Crew. Now that I’m a mom myself, I want my daughter to embrace her individuality as well–even if she marches to the beat of her own drum.
Here’s what makes her absolutely, incredibly unique.
Need a Cure for Mommy Brain? Stock up on Scott Products!
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Definition:
Mommy Brain is…oh wait, what did I log onto my computer to do? Oh yeah, I wanted to write an article about mothers experiencing memory loss known as Mommy Brain.
Symptoms:
In general, the signs and symptoms include:
Experiencing sleep deprivation;
Wondering why you walked into a room;
Forgetting where you put your car keys or other items;
Overloading your brain cells with feeding schedules and doctors appointments.
Causes:
Mommy Brain occurs when women deliver a baby, although there have been reported cases in pregnant women.
Treatment:
A proven treatment of Mommy Brain is writing shopping lists and stocking up on supplies, such as Scott bath tissue and Scott paper towels. When I first became a mother, I could no longer run out in the middle of the night to pick up these items. One night when I babysat my two nephews, my sister had to send a roll of Scott in their suitcase. She’s now a loyal Scott Toilet Paper customer, since her plumber recommended the brand after her pipes backed up.
Seven Stories to Share in Celebration of Latino Book Month
Dear Diary,
As a child a climbed to the top of Mount Everest, took a submarine to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, I hopped aboard a train to the wild west and took a time machine back to see Jesus walk the roads of Zion. I travelled through space and time before I got the first stamp on my U.S. passport. I didn’t book a flight on United or Delta. Instead, I went to the information desk at my local library.
My love of books began before I could talk, walk or write. My mother would tell me stories as she rocked me to sleep. She never said no when I asked her to add a title to my little library–even if I asked her to buy an expensive, hardcover, hard to find book. I learned about different countries, cultures and perspectives. That’s a priceless educational experience I hope to share with my daughter as we celebrate Latino Book Month.
RUUM Winner Announced!
This weekend, Diary of a First Time Mom hosted a giveaway at RUUM‘s Robinson Township location, just outside of Pittsburgh. The store teamed up with DFTM to celebrate its grand opening of 20 locations nationwide and an online site. The store is super kid-friendly, with helium balloons, a candy bar, coloring stations and a prize counter. Because of the awesome attractions, I didn’t hear the typical complaints from children eager to get out of the crowded mall.
I recruited the store manager to pick a name to win a $25 gift card. And the winner is…
Make Room in Your Kid’s Closet! RUUM is Coming to Town!
(Photos Courtesy: RUUM)
Today, I weighed my little girl, and she’s not so little anymore! She stepped on the scale and registered a whopping 22.6 pounds. That doesn’t sound like much, but it’s enough to make her coat a bit snug and her tops a bit tight. Thank God for grandma, who’s always shopping and stocking Caitlynn’s closet. And thank God for RUUM, a new store coming to Pittsburgh, who invited us to their grand opening next weekend.
I want to share the swag bag goodies with my readers and giveaway a $25 RUUM gift card, which can be used at a RUUM store in your city or online. Here’s how you can enter now through March 22:
1. Follow Diary of a First Time Mom on Twitter @dearmomdiary
Tweet why you should win the clothing contest. Use hashtag #ruum
2. Comment in the box below. Tell me why your child needs new clothes in the closet. Are they growing up
like my daughter? Did they rip their jeans at preschool? Did they color their clothes instead of the coloring
book?
I’ll throw the names in the swag bag and get a store sales associate to draw a winner. Check back on Monday, March 25 to find out if it’s you!