Happy Weekend!

Here we are at another weekend! To be honest, Justin’s been off all week (recovering from a month(s)-long mystery illness), so it’s sort of felt like a week-long weekend for us. I know Noah’s been so happy to have his daddy every day. Anyhoo, here are some things I wanted to share with you:

  • Confession: I sort of don’t know what Noah’s first word was. It all jumbled together. But it doesn’t get cuter than this little girl’s first words after losing her voice for 2 years.
  • This weekend I’m determined to get serious about our budget. I’m the worst, second to my husband. Great team, we are.
  • How do you plan on talking to your girls about beauty?
  • Babble asks: Is it selfish to have one child?
  • And Chaunie asks: should money be a factor in family planning?
And here are some posts from Babble.com:
Meet you back here on Monday with a Q+A you’ll love!

Better Highchairs for Baby

Shopping for highchairs was the final straw in our shower-registry fiasco. It was the moment we all snapped — an inevitability of three+ hours in a baby superstore, my ankles swelling as the windows darkened. An inevitability of three people presented with seemingly endless options, without the slightest clue what we were doing.

My husband wanted a solid wooden highchair. My mother insisted on the traditional plastic chairs with attached toys. I just wanted them to stop bickering and pick a damn chair. They were all ugly and huge and horrible.

What felt like days later, we walked out of the store with a full registry — minus the highchair. Because while I researched Consumer Reports and read online reviews, I didn’t have anyone to tell me how it was. I didn’t have anyone to tell me about the newest modern baby gear or narrow down my choices.

I didn’t have anyone to tell me this:

Our Handmade Halloween

Because I just can’t help myself, here’s how Noah’s Halloween costume came out (hand-made by my sister):

Early Mama Inspiration: Diane von Furstenberg

Diane von Furstenberg — one of the most influential and iconic fashion designers of our time — had her first child at 23 years old, six months after getting married. A year later she started designing women’s clothes.

Granted she married a German prince (giving her money and opportunities), and that marriage didn’t last. But regardless, Diana von Furstenberg — a young mother — went on to change the fashion world. Diane von Furstenberg — a young mother — used her ambition and vision to take charge of her own life.

And what does she consider her greatest accomplishment? Her children.

DVF on her two children: “I had them very young. They are my pride. They are my reason to be. They are everything for me. As long as they’re well, I am well. They gave me three grandchildren so far, and they made me a very proud, glamorous grandmother.”

video via LilSugar.

Instagram to Casetagram

iphone 4

I love me some Instagram, and this find is even cooler than the Instagram photo book.

WIN Charlie Banana Cloth Diapers

charlie banana

Seriously?! Charlie Banana’s Fashion Collection is, without a doubt, the best looking cloth diapers out there. And if you’re  unfamiliar with Charlie Banana, you can use these snug-fitting cloth diapers with reusable or disposable inserts. (I personally use and love Charlie Banana.)

See more of the Fashion Collection and enter to win!

Happy Weekend!

I asked Early Mama Facebook readers what they liked/didn’t like about this new site, and I had a few requests for recipes and cooking advice. While I have absolutely no qualifications as a food blogger, I do cook almost every night (give or take a leftovers night or pizza night) and I’ve found some pretty incredible recipes to share:

Support This Early Mama: Brandy of The Style Mentors

You may remember Brandy from the Q+A we featured awhile back — the young mom with an award-winning fashion blog, who said “I think my 20-something age makes my voice fresh and unique in the kids’ fashion world.”

Well besides supporting her blog by reading it every day (which you should), you can also support Brandy with her latest business endeavor: