A break from BlogHer recaps

That's pretty much all I'll say for now regarding BlogHer. Still editing and making sure no one will hunt me down for any future "what happened at BlogHer" posts.

BTW - new posts up at eco-trippin' - the BlogHers ACT Canada issue has been announced!

For now I leave you with this....




I just read about this and I'm totally floored - these prison inmates in the Philippines have learned these routines to combat boredom and for exercise.

I'm all for learning new skills while serving time. It can only bring positive to these men's lives and maybe the focus will help them overcome their obstacles.

I'm serious, I think this is fantastic - check it out (embed disabled on most so you gotta follow the links)

Thriller (gotta love the guy who plays the girlfriend)

Sister Act

Radio Gaga - Queen (my personal fav)


More on the dancing jailbirds of the Philippines.

you've seen it all before but I'm currently too freakin' lame and tired to think of something better

why do I get all teary when going through my pics? oh right, because I love all these ladies and I didn't get photos of everyone I love and omg why is BlogHer over already?

I present you with a light post, mostly pics with promises of more later when I feel that I've gotten enough cuddle time in with the family.

I've died and gone to bloggy heaven
GGC you rock sister friend!

Do we know how to pose or what?
Mind you, Kristen would win ANTM hands down

Bloggess' gone wild
Yes, she's just like Mother Theresa - if Mother T liked to drink!

I *heart* Kyla
'nuff said, she's my super cool friend

This is just a drop in the bucket of the photos but the first ones I got to (obviously from one night, I did change out of this dress reluctantly). I met more ladies than I could possible name(drop) and will add more stories as the alcohol wears off and reality sinks in.... actually I'm currently drowning in it...

I'll press publish now and go back to my box of tissues.

OMG - I just played one of my videos: it's Blog Chocolate screaming "I just saw her (RNM) nipple!" - jeezus this was a great weekend. I *heart* those ladies. I'll debate posting that video ;)

playin' hookie

(L-R: me, blogchocolate, something baby blue)

Actually, we are all attending (or presenting) at different sessions now but this morning? Not so much... but damn, I got me some fuckin' cool swag. It pays to play hookie sometimes.

cigars and swag

Chocolate cigar - dessert last night. Didn't last long and didn't make my clothing stink. Sweet.

I'm overwhelmed with the women that I'm meeting - did my first TV interview a few minutes ago and now I'm stressing about what I said.

I feel absolutely dizzy from the who, what, where, and when.

I know I'm incredibly lucky to be here but at the same time I feel like I'm only just scratching the surface.

I'm trying to steal as many of these tins of gourmet jelly beans for all my friends who aren't here.

So if I get kicked out for shoving all this swag in my backpack, it will make this conference end like most of the ones I attend do - me calling SB for bail. Fun times.

It's all begun folks:

Breakfast kick-off - BlogHer has officially begun!

Day One which is actually Day two

random photo of urban americana

I'm not quite sure what to say but let's put it this way - this afternoon, on the streets of Chicago when I met Girl Gone Child and Bite My Cookie I almost burst into tears. I didn't, because I didn't want to seem super uncool, but there is something about meeting folks that you've read, shared with, and admired - meeting them in the flesh is completely different than expected.

I'm so overwhelmed.

Overall, my boobies hurt (weaning is hard - I'm milking myself folks), my wonderful roommates and eco-trippers are fantastic, Chicago is huge, the hotel is beautiful, and OMG I can't believe I'm at BlogHer.

BTW - Bumper is doing great - evidence below:

mommy who?

10 seconds? that's what she said

There is so much to do and I'm running out of freakin' time.

I can't believe we are leaving for that unnamed conference on Wednesday. Perhaps I should resort to bullets instead of trying to write.

Yes, I will resort to bullets.

It's just like my wonderful friend Jezer is sitting next to me telling me to calm the heck down and just start writing - she is so sage.

OK, just breath MB and get a grip and get out yer' bullets - a list of things running through my head and that must be done NOW:

• I wish, I wish, I wish Jezer was going to the unmentionable conference because I really want to meet her in person
• Packing must be done, like yesterday
  
• Confirmation that the clothing, purchased specifically for this trip, fit because someone may have put on a few extra pounds in the past few weeks
• Someone needs to stop being so superficial but seriously folks, the clothing fit is required because from my understanding of reading the schedule and stuff, clothing is NOT optional at BlogHer
• I need to write up an "introduce myself" because Mrs. Chicky (did not tag me but) requested a 10 second introduction so she could just confirm my insanity prior to actually meeting (OMG I might meet THE Mrs. Chicky, in person, this week, GAH!)

I might just stop talking about the unnamed conference because it's annoying. I know it is but yet I'm compelled to keep chattering. Last year, this week was really annoying and sad and I couldn't help but feel like the girl who wasn't invited to the party.

That said, I was also inspired to scrape my pennies together (literally) and do what I could do to go to BlogHer this year. And I did, I sold some ad space (which at the time was akin to selling out to the man, but I got over that pretty quick), did odd jobs, rolled coins, and now here I am, going on a road trip to my current mecca and annoying the crap out of at least one other blogger.

Oh wait, I lost focus (what a surprize) - my ten second introduction:

Motherbumper...
talks a lot but says little
is incredibly shy
is often mistaken for bitchy and stuck-up (I'm only bitchy)
is easily distracted by shiny objects
loves movies starring her pretend boyfriend Viggo
finds networking** talking to new people painful unless under the influence
should not network** talk to new people when under the influence
has a beer belly that sadly is not made of beer

That said, go over and check out our progress on trippin' it the green fantastic at eco-trippin' - there is a super cool book to be won, just by leaving a comment at this post. Do it, it will make you feel greener and all happy-like.

** edited to add: I just realized that I used the word networking TWICE in my 10 second introduction and that made me feel all business like or something equally mature. Let me change networking to "talking to new people" - yes, that makes more sense.

Regardless of my screwy fears... I'll do it.

first stick, now ice

This past Wednesday, we attempted a family dinner at a restaurant.

Attempted being the key word in that first sentence. We attempted to eat an entire meal, in public, with an unpredictable toddler.

Yup, you guessed it, we left with take-away about 15 seconds after the entrees arrived.

To be completely fair, Bumper was not in a good mood. She never is when it comes to restaurants*. She just can't hack sitting still when there are people to meet, chairs to climb, and mayhem to be unleashed by her 22 pound super powers. And to boot, her teeth are giving her guff. These last four are coming in sl-o-o-o-w and painful.

* most recent exception: Father's Day celebration for my dad - she would push pennies uphill with her nose if Poppy asked (though he wouldn't).

Anyhooo.... remember a few posts back where I told you what Bumper called a stick? Yes? Well she has topped that baby book moment, not once BUT TWICE this week.

First in the restaurant. She really wanted to chew on the ice in our water glasses so I asked the waitress for a glass of ice. There's just something about drinking water that has been groped by a toddler in search of precious, precious ice that makes me kinda gag. So yes, I asked for glass of ice, hold the aqua, for the sole purpose of Bumper's entertainment and teething-relief.

Anyhooo... Bumper, in her Bumper way, asked me what this scrumptious cool treat is called. I told her it was ice to which she promptly responded by screaming ASS! She then proceeded to scream for ASS! for the remainder of the meal (which thankfully wasn't that much longer - but still).

Oh, and to share her new found word, she repeated it the next day in the grocery story when passing the ice-packed fish counter, which was also packed with grannies who apparently have really great hearing.

I am and always will be the antithesis of June Cleaver as far as some of my neighbors are concerned.

Second time: I bought myself a nifty little Hello Kitty! coin purse to hold my subway tokens, and because Hello Kitty! is so ingenious, there is a wee clock on the side.

(How clever, eh? a little clock in the side of the purse - btw, do you see where this is going? yes? well read on because it isn't that simple).

So she asks SB what this little thing on the side of mommy's new purse is, and upon being told a clock she resumes playing with the purse.

The next day we get on the subway and when she catches a glimpse of mommy's new coin purse she demands to see it. Once it's in her hands she starts telling me in a very loud toddler voice that this is dah-dee! c'ock over and over and over again.

She would not stop talking about it:

dah-dee! c'ock
dah-dee! c'ock
dah-dee! c'ock

I so wish I had a spy cam because the facial expression on the woman sitting in front of us was well worth the price of admission. Holy crap - it was a perfection combination of disgust and pure and utter horror.

Do you think I might have an weird accent or something? I swear, because there has to be a good reason why my little lady has such a serious potty mouth.

It couldn't be the cock-fights I take her to everyday after naptime, could it?

***************************

Hey - have you voted yet on the BlogHers ACT Canada survey? You do not have to be Canadian, a blogger, or even a HER - we all have voices, right? So go do the survey (click the button below) and you can read more about it here.

Survey closes July 22nd so please go vote now. Huge thank you from Casa Bump!

my caped crusader

On the majority of outings this past weekend, B insisted on wearing her towel over her head. She calls it her cape (CAPe!).

Her demands for CAPe! when it was misplaced a few times each day, rivaled her demands for juice.

She rushed around with it on, hid in plain sight (we can assume it makes her invisible), and used it to become part of her Dad's shoulder when he carried her around.

I love to see her pretending - convincing herself that she is unseen when right there with us.

It makes me happy that she is playing in her imagination because I still remember how some of my childhood games were incredibly vivid and involved. Those were some of the best times when growing up.

All the kids in the neighborhood played for hours in the woods behind our homes. We had castles, luxurious homes, Little House log cabins, and Battlestar Galactica adventures to name a few of the hundreds of games we played - sometimes for days on end. I loved those times.

I'd love to capture that ability again. I've gotten too bogged down in reality lately.

I really need to exercise it in order to keep it. I'm glad I've got this chance to use it again.

With her, the games are endless and usually fun (save for the ones that involve steamrolling mom or end in pulling of mom's hair).

By the way, I am going to make her a more practical cape.

Not because I want to make it more "real" looking as opposed to "bath towel" looking.

Because those details are not important in imaginary land.

But in real-world land, size can really trip you up.

*************************

There is a new blog up at MBT - called eco-trippin'.

I'm headed out on the road with a few friends to BlogHer in Chicago and we are trying to make it as eco-friendly and green as possible. Do you know any great eco-friendly travel tips or interested in traveling "green"? Please come on over, leave a comment, check out our links, because this is going to be fun.

Monday morning stuff

Did you all have a good weekend?

We did, even though it was busy, lacking in time, and full of mud.

But it was also filled with BBQ and playgrounds. And thoughtful toddlers.

It's a typical Monday morning around Casa Bump. SB is rushing to get ready to hit the office, I'm chasing B with some cereal, and I've got some stuff to share:

(1) Go check out the BlogHers ACT: Canada site over at MBT - we've got the topics and now the discussions become more focused.

Please go vote on what topic you want to see our focus on for the next year. Take the time to do a short survey on the topic and focus of our ACT, it will make you feel all accomplished for a Monday morning.

(2) I have a new review up at the Lab. A huge thank you to all that visit my little lab. I really appreciate your support. I know you are going there - I see the numbers! Thank you folks.

I wrote a review on ProtectYourSleep.com & CleanRest products which involves clean stuff and sleep - two of my favorite things (no seriously, those are two of my favorite things and I find them so hard to maintain these days).

At least once a week I receive an unsolicited email asking me to review a product or service. Up until this point, I have said no because the product or service is not something I'd use or think readers would be interested in hearing about.

But recently, I got an email from a group called ProtectYourSleep.com that is partnered with CleanRest maker of mattress, duvet, and pillow protectors. I know that doesn't sound exciting but it was for me (I really have to get out more).

The key reason I got excited is I was in the process of comparison shopping for a mattress protector and had done enough research to make my choice. When I received this email request to review that exact product, it was just like the shopping gods had smiled down on me.

Yet, I'm skeptical by nature so I always think when agreeing to reviews in exchange for product, if it sucks at least I can warn someone.

[finish reading this review by clicking here]

Happy Bastille Day and help me save the environment

The bedroom smells like a school locker.

It smells like a mixture of rotten apples and socks. And a wet dog who was never in the locker.

It's probably because of those wet kitchen towels and wash clothes that somehow ended up in the laundry hamper before properly dried.

Who does a stupid thing like that? Not me. I swear it wasn't me.

OK it was me.

But in my defense: I threw them in there thinking I would do the laundry right away, got distracted by something shiny, and now it's three days later, the mound has grown and taken on a life of it's own, and our bedroom smells like garbage.

At least it's not deathly hot outside anymore or the department of health would be making headway into this home, burning sheets and throwing things out while donning haz-mat suits and breathing apparatus (apparatuses? apparati? please tell me Dad).

Right now the garbage smell is at a simmer. Must do laundry NOW.

Anyways, I didn't start this post to write something that would probably gross you out and make you think crazy things about me, because only 50% of those crazy things are probably true.

Nor did I start this post so I could remind myself to do the laundry.

I wrote this post to say Happy Bastille Day and ask did you recycle today?

I did.

As much as I feel like I could be doing more and a better job at being green, I think I'm doing fine with much room for learning and improvement.

I don't think I have a choice.

None of us have a choice really but without a push from those who want change, the polluters will succeed by default.

If we don't try to do something soon, where will we end up?

I used to picture a Blade Runner-esque all urban landscape where we need to manufacture open clean spaces as the result of not taking care of our environment.

Now I think nothing will exist if we don't make changes.

Of course the best place to start is at home. It's a mind-set change really, once it starts, it makes it way into all parts of your life. Buying local, less packaging, walking, public transportation, recycling, local farmer markets, reusable everything, watching for toxins and crap in everything. it just becomes easier to do. But what about outside the home

In our homes and immediate environment we can make a difference. But what about making a difference at the level of the corporation and the politicians and the lawmakers? Can we make a difference? Hell yes and here is a great opportunity to do it.

The BlogHers ACT has partnered with MBT to get BlogHers ACT: Canada rolling. This is a chance for your voice to be heard (or should I say read?), a chance to roll up your sleeves and get involved, a chance to make a difference for real. BlogHers ACT: Canada is looking for your submission and the deadline is tomorrow July 15th.

What is your cause? What makes you voice your opinion? Poverty? Child abuse? Medical Care? Elder abuse?

Something makes you tick or you wouldn't be out here talking. Come on now, that's true and this is your opportunity to make a difference for that cause.

Write about it, tell us about it, and if it is selected, we take it right to the top, many voices joining together to shout it and ACT.

Under the influence of Jen

Edited to add: My Dad just sent an email to correct a grammar mistake (or fifty) in this post. He also may have mentioned Bub & Pie's most recent post on grammar in his scolding email.

Dudes... I feel twelve.

Thinking of the bad habits I demonstrate on a daily basis to Bumper, I sometimes get really disappointed in myself.

I don't even want to think about how all my under-the-breath mutterings might be impacting her vocabulary.

On days like yesterday – when I've been debating child care and getting frustrated at what is available and then getting mad at myself for a number of reasons and then getting frustrated with the systems…

And then that morphs into silly thoughts like I'm a bad mom for not being able to socialize her enough on my own and then.... oh I won't go on. I will stop with the insecurities. Many of you have heard it in your heads before.

Anyways, on days like that, when all shines crappy through crap-coloured glasses, Bumper will save the day. She will do a little (but big) something that reaffirms that I'm doing just fine in the parenting department.

SB announced to B that he was going to take the bags down to the recycling room and asked if she care to join him. Understanding that they we going to go somewhere, she dutifully retrieved her shoes as requested and tried her best to get them on without asking for 'elp.

Once that was complete, she trooped into the kitchen and lo and behold, grasped the sides of the full recycling bag and tried with all her mini-mouse might to pull that sucker out off the shelf.

It was at that moment, seeing her try to heft that bag, her determination - my heart burst with pride because she understands, in her toddler way, what it means to recycle.

Without words that girl encourages me to try and do better in each and every way.

and apparently my contagious dance style has also rubbed off on her

*******************************

POTENTIAL SPOILER ALERT: If you haven't watched episode 3 of BigBro you might want to skip down to the next section. I'm not revealing much but still, I'm just warnin' ya'

So how about Jen? [photo source]

OMG - she is so bonkers, I love her. I hate her. I know her. I love to hate her.

I hope they keep her around for a few more weeks (though please don't let her make it too far) - she is so entertaining. And sad. And has full of train wreck potential. I mean, isn't that what Big Bro is all about? Train-wreck spotting? She is insane, she has an overactive imagination, distorted self-image, balls, an inability to admit anything, and I don't think she's all that bright. And the personalized shirts! OMG! Jensa?

And the crying over the photo? Jealousy of Daniele? That was either pure genius to make the others think she is incredibly phony or she really is that superficial. Unfortunately my spidey sense tells me she's a bit vacant but my cynic radar says it's an act.

Whatever it is, it's entertaining. And sad. And I can't stop watching.

END OF POTENTIAL SPOILER ALERT
***************************Moving right along....

I have a new review up over at motherbumper's laboratory, it's a new pregnancy reference book that tackles the body and soul, written by a doctor and specialist in integrative medicine. An interesting read if you are thinking about becoming or currently are pregnant. There are some great exercises and topics concerning self-analysis and reflection in the book.

Also, have you participated, read about, or thought about a cause for the BlogHers ACT: Canada project?

The deadline is coming soon and I'll be posting soon about my cause soon.

That is all folks, Happy Thursday y'all.

lost in bumplation

A little while ago, I mentioned that Bumper sometimes points at different pictures and people and yells "daddy" (much to my chagrin).

Jack Bauer and guy-with-rod-in-head, are a couple of prime examples. Add the shifty-looking, bad smelling guy on the subway last week, that gangsta-wanna be in the mall, and barrista at Starbucks to that list.

I have finally figured out that she calls all men, daddy, and all women, mommy. So regardless of who you are, you are mommy or daddy. As long as you aren't a BABY!

We will be working on man and woman labels today.

Another addition to the new language of Bumperiese is her words for "thank you".

OMG, we are working so hard on the manners.

Please (peas!) was easily adopted but we are having more trouble with thank yous. Usually she just ignores my repetition or requests of "please say thank you B".

I try to set the best example, usually to the point where I sound like a lunatic in public by thanking everyone for everything.

For a few days she made up her own word for thanks: "bam bam" but it was used inconsistently.

Lately she has used "tico" a bit more consistently (and the correct first letter!) but still, that's a Spanish-speaking squirrel name (or Bon Jovi drummer).

Though I'm pretty sure she is saying it because of the squirrel.

So I figure we will arrive on something closer to the actual word soon.

I just need to find the patience to keep up the good example.

Motherbumper! Don't you always set a stellar example for your precious daughter?

Let's be serious. As much as I'd like to be the most polite person on the planet, big city living gives even the nicest of folks (like I used to be) a hard edge.

Regardless of my cynical attitude, setting a good example is the best way, right?

If not, I figure tico - I mean thank you - will morph into Kazoo because doesn't that seem like the natural progression?

Peppermint Swirl Date Night

SB and I had a date night last week.

Our first date night in six months. SIX MONTHS folks!

I can't tell you how sad it makes me that we only get something like that once in a blue moon.

But at least when we go a'datin' we do it big. This time we had open floor tickets to The White Stripes at the Molson Amphitheatre.

Wicked, cool, awesome is all I gotta say.

Thanks to Something Baby Blue for telling me that I could take my camera.

Let the poor photo quality be another reason on my growing list of why I need a digital SLR.

We love us some Jack and Meg and now we have digital memories. SB has seen them a multitude of times (including when I was super huge with Bump and sad that I couldn't go) but this was only my second time.

Damn. For two people on stage they make some loud icky thump music.

I must say the crowd was predominantly older civilized.

Actually, I was behind a couple plus third wheel who appeared to be in their early 20s. The girl looked like Cindy Brady going to a funeral and those skunky cigarettes they kept smoking were poorly rolled. What are kids learning in school these days? It was pathetic.

If I had drank one more beer, I probably would have given them a lecture and demo but I let it slide.

***************************************

OMG - I have been awarded my first blogging award - awarded by Kyla. Girlfriend - you rock!

A HUGE MASSIVE THANK YOU!

I'm flummoxed... I feel like Sally Field...


oh, oh, oh, here she comes "you like me, you really like me!"

Go read Kyla at The Journey because that girl can blog (and obviously has good taste if I say so myself and I did, so there).

I will be awarding my Rockin' Girl Bloggers in my next post.

***************************************

I've got a new post up on Bumper's Green and I'm looking for green suggestions.

AND more importantly, there is still time for submitting your ideas for BlogHers ACT: Canada.

This is your chance to make a difference via blogging. Parliament Hill needs to hear our voice or they will just keep chugging away without us. Let's be loud, let's be active, let's get something done!

In other news, Bumper is sporting a soul patch in hopes that looking like a beatnik will inspire everyone to get in the good ol' sixties mode and start being activists.

"WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THE MAN* DOESN'T KEEP US DOWN MOMMA!"

skat bee ba doo dob dee dee da boo skee la ba dee da beedle bop a woo hoo da da da dora dora da explorer

* and when she says "THE MAN" she means politicians, not the sex

So much to say, so few words

Holy Moly - have you been over to MBT lately? Yes, I'm shameless in my pimping but this is a seriously cool project:

Do you have an issue that just makes you want to march right up to Parliament Hill and take the bull by the horns?

Want to feel the power of women bloggers and how blogging can make an impact?

Want to be part and act now?

Well here is a chance to take part in BlogHers ACT Canada. Read all about the Canadian excitement here and here. Updates are coming in all the time and ideas are flying.

What issue are we going to run with and take to task over the next year? Add your two cents, it might be your issue.

Let's make a difference folks. We are here and we blog so why don't we take it one step further?

************************

In other news, SB is finally back from his trip and my shock of no-naps-for-me toddler is wearing off ever so slightly.

What's up with the nap-strike? Is there a union boss I can negotiate with? I have some Dora stickers (with map! and boots! and yes, even the backpack), a few chocolate chips, and the ever popular COOKIES. Seriously, I'm willing to negotiate but I might just have to play hard ball soon [read Ferber].

But you know, not all was frustrating. Bumper and I had a ton of playdates and I made sure we had plans for every single day. I now have extensive knowledge of many parks and playgrounds along the subway. I can find us a SLIDE! or 'wing almost anytime it's requested.

This photo - that's what I saw most of the week - we were constantly on the move.

We had a lot of fun. One thing I really noticed is that words are becoming more clear. I don't get them all and sometimes we talk like I'm a foreign tourist trying to understand verbal directions to subway but I like the challenge.

Yesterday one of the words of the day was stick.

Only she said dick. Over and over and over again. On the subway. At the start of rush hour. Did I mention it was said really, really loud? Fun times.

I didn't actually get it until she threatened me with a stick. Where did she get the stick? She collects sticks like they are going out of style. You should have seen what I found in the couch tonight. Wait, that is totally off topic.

What was my topic? Oh yes, I hadn't established that yet. Toddler = Fun = Embarrassing moments. Not new or astoundingly mathematical but it pretty much explains how my brain is working right now (in case you are wondering, it's not).

I should sign off but not before more pimping (stop groaning, it's painless) - I have a new review up at motherbumper's laboratory for a nasal sanitizer that helps prevent colds and infections. It's a germ killer folks and it's totally virucidal (I'm liking that word) - check it out.

The 24-Hour Pharmacist

I've been flying solo here at Casa Bump.

SB is away and I'm experiencing Bumper in HD here. Wow, I'd give up a lot of chocolate for a nanny / sitter / local teenager connection right now.

This solo bid for survival is why I've been kinda silent all around for the past week. I'm exhausted and in shock. I'll update you later. SB gets back tonight and I've got a half dozen half-baked posts in the draft-oven right now. How can I get anything done when chasing this toddler around? (see right - seriously, when did she get so big?)

For now I'll tell you about my decision to start a separate review blog called motherbumper's laboratory [insert maniacal laugh here - bwah-ha-ha!]. I've always liked research and testing things out. And I like sharing my opinion on products I try so I thought I'd set something different from my personal posts up. Here at motherbumper, I just get all opinionated about everything, not just the tangible.

I've moved my completed reviews over and there will be some interesting products being reviewed in the next week so check it out sometime (pretty please and thank you). And since I'm already talking about reviews - my latest review, The 24-Hour Pharmacist is right here:

When I was invited by the Parent Bloggers Network to review The 24-Hour Pharmacist by pharmacist and columnist Suzy Cohen, I initially thought this was going to be one of those boring, gimmicky life-style books that set impossible standards for a lazy gal like me.

Seriously, the tag line is "look younger, feel healthier, and save time and money - no doctr required!". Sounds good to me, so what's the catch?

[click here to continue reading]