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Theta Mom®

Redefining Motherhood

Life Is Beautiful

September marks the beginning of the school year, the ending of summer and the start of autumn. Although it’s such a busy time of the year, it’s one of my favorite months because both of my children were born in September.

My hubs and I just threw a birthday bash for our kids. We had an absolutely fabulous day. But I have since realized that birthdays are also a time for reflection. Another year comes and goes, so it’s a chance to think back on the accomplishments, pitfalls and milestones of the year…with a look toward the future.

My Baby Girl: I look at you in amazement. Everything you do lately shows me that you are getting to be such a big girl. From the smiles you throw back at me every morning in your crib, to the hand clapping you do in pure excitement when you are overjoyed makes me happier than you will ever know. There are moments when I just stare at you in pure admiration because you are mine. It feels as though I just brought you home from the hospital and now you are a year old already…about to take those first steps, babble more than a few words and grow faster than I am probably ready for.

My Little Man: You are such a handsome young boy. You show me something new everyday and there is never a dull moment in my life when I’m with you. Your laughter is contagious, your smile infectious, and your heart wondrous. I hope your innocence lasts forever. You have changed my life from the moment I touched your little hand, which is why it’s so hard for me to believe that you are now four years old.


My Hubby: From the first moment we met, I knew we would be together. Instantly, your smile grabbed my heart and I am incredibly lucky to have found you. Ten years later, I am so grateful for this beautiful life that we have created together.

Sometimes it’s hard to find the words when you recognize the simplicity of something,
so grand…
Here’s to you September, for reminding me that life is beautiful.

Dr. Brown Proves I Have the BEST Followers

Please Note: This situation has been addressed and resolved by Handi-Craft. To read the latest post, please click here.

I have to begin this post with a huge thank you. Thank you for the amazing feedback on a recent post about the Dr. Brown sippy cups. If you missed that post, you can read it here. For those of you who commented, I couldn’t believe how some of you also experienced the same exact thing! Based on your comments, I couldn’t just stop at that one email. I had to pursue this further because Handi-Craft needs to be made aware of the potential hazard these sippy cups can cause to our babies! Here is the next email I sent to customer service at Handi-Craft:

Sherry,

I feel compelled to write again because when I read your response to my initial email, I don’t think you realize the “bigger” concern I have. I am attaching a photo of the training cups and you will clearly see the one on the right has the rubber coming off and the one to the left has the chewed rubber on the spout beginning to come off.

I know you mentioned, “The spout on our new cup does not have the hard inner core which makes it more difficult for babies to bite through.” However, the issue is not the spout itself. The issue is the rubber that surrounds the spout. This rubber that covers the spout is what my daughter was able to chew through and potentially bite off.

I won’t be satisfied until I know that this request has been escalated. I honestly believe the rubber around the spout is not safe for babies. The training cup should be manufactured without the rubber.

You ended the email with, “Handi-Craft will remain vigilant in monitoring and responding to all consumer contacts to ensure that it maintains its commitment to produce an innovative and safe product that deserves the trust of parents with infants.” So, thank you for listening to this concern and I do hope Handi-Craft lives up to this promise.

Heather @Theta Mom

But, it didn’t stop there. After thinking about your comments even more, I decided to pick up the phone. I thought I might get a faster response addressing this issue with a “live” person. So, that’s exactly what happened. I called the 1-800 number and after explaining my story and sharing my concerns, I asked to speak with a Supervisor.

After two separate conversations in the same day, Millie, a Supervisor at Handi-Craft sent me confirmation that my complaint is being escalated. In the meantime, she is sending out replacement cups to me, which apparently have a softer spout…

But before we hung up, she uttered the words, “I have heard this complaint before.” She said based on those complaints the company has since produced this “new softer spout” sippy cup. I can’t wait to report to you about these new training cups, because I have a strange feeling the issue is still not resolved on these training cups either. This is not the end yet. I will certainly keep you updated…which brings me to one more thought…

I wanted to express another sincere thank you to my dear followers and readers that comment on my blog. Without you, this blog would be nothing. I began my blog, as many of you know, with a mission to build a community among Theta Moms everywhere, because each one of us is a true, authentic mom. If you read my blog, you know that this is what I stand for.

So, for my followers, I will shout it to the blogosphere that I HAVE THE BEST FOLLOWERS!

To all of my readers who comment, thank you! You know I give the comment love right back. How could I possibly build a community if I didn’t read your awesome blogs as well?

To my new followers, welcome to Theta Mom! I am so glad you’re here!

And to those of you who read but don’t comment or follow, I can’t share in your blog because I don’t know you are here. Building a community is real simple to me: You follow, I follow. You comment, I comment. It’s really that simple.

For the first time, I feel as though my little blog did a little good. My voice was heard about an issue that could affect any Theta Mom with small children…and it made me realize that we each have a place here in the blogosphere, and I think I have found mine.

Time Out for Theta Mom Thursday

It’s Time Out for Theta Mom Thursday! For those of you visiting for the first time, the goal is to grab one hour of time within one week to do whatever you want…without the kids. It’s such an amazing proposition, I know! On Thursdays, post how you spent your “time out” (add my button from the right side bar or link to me) and be sure to stop here to link up and meet other Theta Moms to see how they spent their time out!

The hubs and I were invited to a birthday party (adults only) over the weekend. I have been looking forward to this party for weeks now since it’s an opportunity to get out of the house without the kids and enjoy some adult conversation. And a few glasses of wine doesn’t hurt a girl either! But to my dismay, after trying to make arrangements to get someone to watch the kids for the evening was not happening. All of my family members were invited to this party as well, so that made it even harder to find a sitter.

The night before the big bash, my husband turned to me and said, “Why don’t you go? I’ll watch the kids….you go and enjoy yourself. You could use a night out.”

“Huh?” I had to hit the rewind button on that one…

“Really? You don’t mind?”

In retrospect, my hubby had to get up early the next morning, so I think that helped him to make this enticing offer. He wouldn’t really have a good time knowing he would have to get up so early the next day. So hey, regardless of his true motive ladies, it was music to my ears and I ran with it! Who doesn’t love good birthday cake anyway?

So on Saturday night, I had fun getting all dressed up. I wore a really cute outfit, put on some adorable jewelry and I felt fabulous! The mere thought of knowing I was going to talk with friends that I adore over some cocktails was just so exciting!

I arrived at the party fashionably late and had the best time. I caught up with some family members, enjoyed some time with the birthday girl and had my fair share of cocktails. It was a rockstar time out for me this week for sure…and no kids in sight!

If you are participating in Theta Mom Thursday, link up and share your time out with other Theta Moms! How did you spend your one hour?

Goodnight Mommy

It was a long and difficult day, the kind of day when you can’t wait until you have some peace and quiet at the end of it all…you know, like when you put the kids to bed.

Well, it was definitely one of those days for this Theta Mom. I was feeling extra cranky, the hubs wasn’t home to help, and isn’t that always the case? When I could really use a hand around here, those are the times when I find myself alone! I was dragging my tired body up the stairs, helping my 4 year old get ready for bedtime.

Together, we usually read one book before we turn out the lights. So on this particular night, he picked out one of my favorites, Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. After reading the book aloud, I closed it shut and as I was about to kiss his forehead, he stopped me.

“Wait Mommy, can we play a game?”

Every ounce of patience I had was gone after the really FUN day I had, so my only reply to him was, “A game? Are you kidding me? No! It’s time for bed!”

He continued, “No mommy, like all you have to do is lay next to me for a few minutes so we can say goodnight to everything, just like in the Goodnight Moon book. Please?”

After a deep breath, I reluctantly decided this would be alright. I mean, it was only a few more minutes anyway, right? So my son shut off the lights and we began the goodnight game.

GoodNightMoon2

My Son: Goodnight room…

Theta Mom: Goodnight lamp…

My Son: Goodnight sky…

Theta Mom: Goodnight pillow…

My Son: Goodnight rocket…

Theta Mom: Goodnight mirror…

My Son: Goodnight toothbrush…

Theta Mom: Goodnight closet…

My Son: Goodnight….ummmm….toenails…

Theta Mom: Toenails?

[Pure laughter]

Theta Mom: You are so silly!

Then, there was a bit of silence. He grabbed my hand and whispered, “Goodnight Mommy. I love you.” I kissed his forehead and replied, “I love you, too sweetie.”

And with that, I kept a hold of my son’s hand and stayed with him for far longer than those measly five minutes.

Earlier that day, I was in such a rush to get him to bed so I would have some time to myself, and then I experienced a moment like this and realized the beautiful gift I have in front of me…every-single-day.

A rough day sure turned into a really good night.

What’s the Deal Dr. Brown?

Please Note: This situation has been addressed and resolved by Handi-Craft. To read the latest post, please click here.

This post is actually really serious and rather disturbing to me.

Handi-Craft is the company that produces Dr. Brown’s bottles. Taken directly from their website and I quote, “Handi-Craft Company loves to hear from parents, or parents-to-be, like you. Please contact us via email, telephone or mail. Your question or request will be addressed promptly, usually within a day or two.” Well, I emailed them my very serious concern well over a week ago and I just received my prompt reply.

Here is the EXACT email I sent Handi-Craft so that you get an idea of why I am so upset…

To Whom It May Concern:

I am a mother of two and have been using Dr. Brown’s bottles since by oldest was a baby. I currently use these bottles with my infant daughter and have been pleased with the product.

However, I am writing today with a very serious concern. My daughter is almost 12 months old and about a two months ago, I began using the Dr. Brown’s blue sippy (training) cups with her. I originally purchased these cups at Babies R Us, knowing my children met huge success with the bottles. I really liked the fact that the handles were on either side so that it was easy for my baby girl to grip and use. She seemed to be doing well with them…until one day, when I was washing one of the sippy (training) cups, I noticed a piece of the blue rubber over the mouth piece was chewed and ripped. Had she bit this covering off a little more, she would have choked. I ran and got the other sippy (training) cup she had been using to see if it had happened on that one. Sure enough, the same thing occurred.

What concerns me is that my baby girl can’t be the only one experiencing this. This should have never happened. Luckily, I caught this in time, and have since stopped using the cups. But if this product continues to be manufactured as is and placed on the market, this could potentially truly harm a baby.

The product number for the sippy (training) cups I have are: SD-121007

This matter truly requires urgent attention. I need peace of mind that this issue is being recognized by your company. I believe this information could save a life.

Sincerely,
Heather

So, there it is. I even included my website in the email, thinking that they would take me more seriously. Well, my legitimate concern was recognized in an email sent to me by customer service. Handi-Craft is replacing my training cups with a newer model that apparently has a “softer inner core within the spout,” which they said would be necessary for teething babies such as my daughter…

But, my issue here is not the spout itself! It’s the rubber that surrounds the spout that my daughter nearly chewed off!

She ended the email stating, “Handi-Craft will remain vigilant in monitoring and responding to all consumer contacts to ensure that it maintains its commitment to produce an innovative and safe product that deserves the trust of parents with infants.”

Well, here is a photo of the blue rubber (over the mouthpiece) that you can see has been chewed off by my baby girl. Now you tell me if you think this is an innovative and safe product that deserves my trust.

The cup on the left has the beginnings of the chewed rubber and the cup on the right has the rubber nearly coming off. This is the cup that I was washing when I noticed the rubber was completely coming apart.

I still have serious concerns because I truly think this product is defective. What do you think? Am I over-reacting? What’s a Theta Mom to do?