May Giving Highlight – Neverthirst

Posted on Monday, May 30, 2011 by Angie

We all know how important water is for our health and survival, it’s something many of us take for granted. You’re thirsty, you head to your kitchen for a glass of water, clean water. But stop and think for just a second about people living in countries where clean water is considered a luxury, if it’s available to them at all.

Founded in 2009 by Spencer Sutton, Mark Whitehead and Forrest Walden, Neverthirst is a Birmingham faith based, non profit organization that builds wells in India, Sudan, and Central African Republic.

There are almost 1 billion people living without access to clean and safe drinking water. 4,500 kids die everyday from preventable, waterborne illnesses in the developing world, such as diarrhea, dehydration, typhoid and worms. Many women spend hours walking several miles a day to ponds and streams to collect 5 gallons of dirty water to bring home to their families. Providing people with clean water cuts down on much unnecessary illness and death, missed school, hospital trips and time spent gathering water. Neverthirst raises funds and awareness to help aid these individuals.

100% of public donations go to projects on the ground and they partner with local churches in these villages to drill the deep-water wells or provide other appropriate solutions to community water issues.

In the last 2 years NeverThirst has funded 217 projects to help more than 76,000 people.

To learn more about this wonderful organization that is based right here on our own community, visit their website at Neverthirst.org.

They host many fundraising events throughout the year, we encourage you to sign up for their emails so you can stay up to date on all of the ways you can help.

To see some incredibly beautiful photos from some of their mission trips you can also visit, JasonWallis.com. These images are truly Ahh-Mazing.

Birmingham Events Calendar: May 29th – June 5th

Posted on Sunday, May 29, 2011 by Angie

Schools out for summer! Now what? Well we’ve got plenty listed on here to keep you busy this week and the Libraries will be keeping our calendar full all summer long! Make sure to get involved in one of the many Summer Reading programs going on in your area, there’s still plenty of time!

Summer Movies also start this week, as we mentioned a couple of weeks ago, many will be free and some will be discounted. Check our Summer Movie Guide for more details.

There will be a Home Depot Kids workshop this weekend as well as the kick off to Fresh Market on the Green out at Ross Bridge.

Enjoy your first week of Summer and try to stay cool!

It’s Not Our Fault if Your Kids are Bored!

Sunday May 29th:

Memorial Weekend at the Birmingham Zoo
Join in all the fun the Zoo has to offer over the long Memorial Day Weekend, including welcoming two new giraffes, white stork chicks and welcoming back Wally the Gator! In honor of this holiday, all active and retired military and their dependents can take advantage of free admission to the Zoo on Monday, May 30th, with valid military identification.

Scholastic Chess Club at Books-A-Million Brookwood Village
In our upstairs Kids Nook. Beginners are welcome, lessons
available, K-12, other mind sport activities are available such as
checkers and GO. Free to attend!
2PM – 5PM

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Monday May 30th:

Happy Memorial Day!

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Tuesday May 31st:

Summer Reading Kickoff – Hoover Library
Farmer Jason kicks off the summer with rousing songs that encourage tykes to exercise their muscles and educate their minds. Stop by our worldly farmer’s market after the show! In the Library Theatre.
10:30am, 1:30pm and 6:30pm

Storytime – Jane Boyd Holmes Public Library Helena
Come and enjoy story time here at the library
11am.

Free or Discounted Movies
Amstar Alabaster – How to Train your Dragon
Rave, Lee Branch & Patton Creek – MegaMind
Edge 12 – The Polar Express, Shrek 2

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Wednesday June 1st:

Teacher Appreciation Day – Desoto Caverns
Enjoy refreshments and a free Fun Pac for teachers that visit the park

Storytime Science – McWane
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity for your early learner to experience science through literature. Enjoy an enriching story coupled with an intriguing science concept that is sure to spark the curiosity of your child.
COST: Included in cost of admission to the museum, FREE for members
10:30am

Wonderful Wednesday Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for crafts, snacks and a story, Dr. Seuss’ ABC. Experience the alphabet through the fun and wacky eyes of Dr. Seuss. Then, interact with the story in a whole new way with NOOK Color.
11:oo am

Family Story Time with Mr Mac – North Shelby Library
Storyteller Extraordinaire – Come join Mr Mac and his musical storytime complete with puppets! All Ages, no registration required.
10:45am

Pick up Summer Reading Bags – Homewood Library

Free or Discounted Movies
Amstar Alabaster – How to Train your Dragon
Rave, Lee Branch & Patton Creek – MegaMind
Edge 12 – The Polar Express, Shrek 2

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Thursday June 2nd:

Storytime – Jane Boyd Holmes Public Library Helena
Come and enjoy story time here at the library
11am.

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Friday June 3rd:

Wild About Books Storytime – Birmingham Zoo
Join us for story and craft time with Books-A-Million at the Birmingham Zoo! Every Friday through summer on Grandma’s Front Porch in the Children’s Zoo. We’ll talk about sheep, turtles, elephants, parrots; and we might even get a visit with a few of our furry friends!
10am

Free or Discounted Movies
Homewood Park – How to Train your Dragon
Helena Amphitheater – Despicable Me

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Saturday June 4th:

Fresh Market on the Green – Ross Bridge
Fresh Alabama grown fruits, vegetables, honey, fresh baked goods, coffee café, local artists, kids activity and more! Live music by Jim “Dawg” Parks.

The BarkIT! Market – Pet friendly market, includes adoptions, grooming and health care services, boutique pet products and gourmet pet foods. Dress your pooch in his cutest outfit and walk the red carpet in the “Puparrazi Parade” to win prizes. BAMA Airdogs to perform at 10:00 and 11:00.
8am – Noon

Saturday Market – Pepper Place
7am – Noon

Kids Workshop – Home Depot
This week they will be building a valet organizer. Designed for ages 5-12.

The workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, this fun time allows for quality one-on-one time between adults and children.

In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates’ aprons, and an achievement pin.
9am – noon

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
Make an African inspired elephant mask.

A fun and free drop-in art program for kids and families! Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to discover great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child, then stop by and make art with Bart!
11am

Summer Reading Costume Party Kick Off – Barnes and Noble Summit
We’re having a costume party! Come help us kick off our Summer Reading Program, “Imagination’s Destination,” by dressing as a person (past or present) who you admire or want to know more about. We’ll have prizes, refreshments and fun activities!
11am

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Sunday June 5th:

Vulcan’s 107th Birthday Bash
Make plans to attend the BIGGEST birthday bash in Birmingham! Vulcan may be the world’s largest cast iron statue, but he still needs help blowing out his birthday candles! On Sunday, June 5, Vulcan Park and Museum will host a festive outdoor community celebration for Vulcan’s 107th birthday. Enjoy an afternoon of fun festivities for the whole family at the biggest birthday bash of the year!
$3 all ages 5 and up – Children 4 and under are free.
12:00 – 4:00pm

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Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

Imagination Lab – This summer, McWane Science Center invites you to discover the power of your imagination in a collection of new exhibits called The Imagination Lab.

Dive right into the Bubble Room where you can discover the science of suds when you step inside a giant bubble. Try your hand at making all kinds of bubbles in this unique area including square and triangular bubbles.

The Imagination Lab’s zip line offers an exciting experience for adventure seekers of any age. Parents and children alike can fly through the air on the new zip line and have a safe landing at the end of the line! Learning lurks around every turn inside a giant maze in the exhibit as you find your way around dead ends and wrong turns. With a few lessons learned, you will find your way to the end in no time.

The new Imagination Lab also features a Messy Art Studio. Splatter paint, mix colors and experiment with a variety of materials to create masterpieces of your imagination.

Inside the lab you can use giant foam building blocks to construct forts, tall towers, and more.

Eat Well, Play Well – What is in the food we eat? Are fruits and vegetables important? Can everyday activities burn calories? Visitors will find the answers to these questions by exploring nutrition and fitness in this summer’s traveling exhibit called Eat Well, Play Well. This highly-interactive exhibit encourage healthy living by teaching the science of making healthy-food choices and helping children and adults discover that there are many fun and interesting ways to stay active. Visitors will discover what an appropriate serving size looks like, see first hand what it takes to burn off calories, test their flexibility and balance, review the latest clinical research and realize that they can reduce their risk of disease with healthy choices that are within their reach!

Birmingham Zoo:

Lorikeet Aviary – Our Lorikeet Aviary has more birds than ever! Zoo guests can feed these exotic birds every day. You and your family will see these birds’ behavior as they eat nectar out of your hand.
Weekends 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

PELICAN FEEDING – A great way to see our pelicans in action is to witness them eating their favorite treats near the pelican boardwalk.

RHINO ENCOUNTER – Embark on an African adventure and experience one of the world’s most extraordinary animals, the Southern White Rhino. Watch from only feet away as our zookeepers engage in hands-on interaction with the animals inside their African-themed exhibit. Don’t miss this exciting encounter with one of the largest mammals on the planet!
Weekdays: 3pm – 3:30pm
Weekends: 11:30am – Noon & 3pm – 3:30 pm

GIRAFFE FEEDING – This up close and personal animal encounter is a memory you and your family will have for a lifetime.
Weekday: 11am – Noon
Weekends: 10am – 11am & 2pm – 3pm

Vulcan Park and Museum:

Vulcan is the world’s largest cast iron statue; made of 100,000 pounds of iron and 56 feet tall, he stands at the top of Red Mountain overlooking the city of Birmingham. But, Vulcan is more than a statue. Vulcan Park and Museum features spectacular views of Birmingham, an interactive history museum that examines Vulcan and Birmingham’s story, and a beautiful public park for visitors and locals to enjoy. With an official information center that is operated by the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, Vulcan Park and Museum serves as the first stop for visitors to the Birmingham area!

Railroad Park:

Railroad Park is a 19 acre green space in downtown Birmingham that celebrates the industrial and artistic heritage of our great city. Situated along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets, the park is a joint effort between the City of Birmingham and the Railroad Park Foundation. Hailed as “Birmingham’s Living Room,” Railroad Park provides a historically rich venue for local recreation, family activities, concerts, and cultural events, while connecting Birmingham’s downtown area with Southside and UAB’s campus.

Southern Museum of Flight:

Earn Your Wings – Bring your little pilot and soar above the clouds in our little pilots room. Kids enjoy building aircrafts, flying kites, and more.
Museum Open Tuesday – Thursday
9:30am – 4:30pm

Do you have or know of an event you would like to have added to our weekly calendar? Please email us at contact@birminghammommy.com, subject line “Events Calendar” – We would love to hear from you!

** All information listed on our calendar is subject to change without notice to us or you… We do our best to keep the information accurate and will always update as soon as we learn that something has changed. It’s always best to double check with the event via their website or a quick call, especially when weather can impact the event.

Multiplicity: Naptime Showdown

Posted on Friday, May 27, 2011 by Angie

By: Angie Cleland

I love naptime… Really love naptime. Not because I nap, but because it seems to be the only time during the day when I get “me time.” Me time can mean many things. It could mean eating a late lunch in the kitchen by myself, it might mean folding laundry while catching up on DVR (always a multi-tasker.) I might need to clean house, make some phone calls and appointments, catch up on emails, write some articles, and more often than not, play on Facebook. Yes, I said it, play on Facebook.

I’ve always been a firm believer in naptime. I feel that children need their naps in order to stay balanced, at least it’s been that way with my girls. They have never been the type to fall asleep in their dinner plate or sitting on a toilet (as cute as it may be) and I think it’s because I’ve always seen napping as something they needed, so I fought for it, regardless of how much they fought me. The witching hour is hard enough without adding in a cranky non-napped child.

The twinlets are now over 3 years old and the day I have been fearing is drawing near. They don’t want to nap anymore, and on most days they don’t. I’ve realized now that it’s become less about what they need to stay balanced and more about what I need to stay sane. Somewhere down the line, the “who needs naptime more” has shifted, leaving me scrambling for a new routine.

In some ways I like the new flexibility. We get to do things in the afternoons, and we no longer have to rush home midday to make our scheduled naps. We’ve been exercising this new found freedom some this week and it’s kind of nice. I can get in a work out at the gym, hit the grocery store, have a playdate and even catch an early dinner with friends when the husband is out or working late. (Not all in the same afternoon, mind you.) It feels weird to be out of the house at 3:30 in the afternoon, but I think I like it, well, mostly like it. The whole “cleaning house while kids are awake thing” is my newest challenge.

Cleaning while my kids are up is about as productive as giving them a soda and a candy bar and putting them to sleep… It just isn’t going to happen. So this is my struggle. How to maintain the household with non napping kids, and not have to be dusting and vacuuming at midnight.. Is it possible? My current goal is to wear them completely out at least one morning each week in hopes that I can bleed this napping turnip just a little bit more and maybe, just maybe I can get through the summer months with just one little measly nap a week.

How old were your kids when they stopped napping and what do you do with your kids when it’s time to clean house?

About Angie:

Angie Cleland is the Co-Founder of BirmighamMommy.com, A Wife, Mom, & Referee. Proud owner of 3 tiny humans, navigating the complicated waters of Motherhood one day at a time.

Giveaway: DeSoto Caverns

Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2011 by Angie

As we mentioned earlier this week, we recently spent a fun fill day at Desoto Caverns.

Our kids had the best time! They played, ran, laughed, and ended the day filthy, happy, and tired… the way kids should be.

Now, we wouldn’t want to have this great experience and not share it! Our friends at DeSoto Caverns gave us a family 4 pack, which includes the cave tour AND 20 attraction tickets, to give away to one lucky BirminghamMommy.com reader!

To enter:
1. Comment here– when will YOU be heading to DeSoto? (1 entry)
2. Comment on DeSoto’s Facebook page– tell them “thank you” (1 entry per day)
3. Subscribe to our newsletter. All newsletter subscribers are automatically entered into our standard giveaways. (1 entry)
4. Tell a friend, or 2, or 5! If a friend comments here that you sent them, you both get an extra entry. (unlimited)

Good luck!

Giveaway will end Saturday May 28th at noon. Winner will be announced via email and Facebook!

Medical Minute: Infertility, Diagnosis and Treatment

Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 by Angie

How is infertility diagnosed?

When conception does not occur after one year of unprotected intercourse, after six months in women over age 35, or if there are known problems causing infertility, a medical evaluation of both the male and female is recommended. Some obstetrician/gynecologists (OB/GYNs) are able to provide basic infertility evaluation and treatment. However, many causes of infertility are best treated by a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist. This is an OB/GYN who has had addit

ional education and training in infertility and is certified with the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the sub-specialty of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

Generally, the OB/GYN or reproductive endocrinologist will evaluate specific situations and perform tests in both the male and female partners to determine the cause of infertility. The physician is looking for answers to the following questions:

Is the female ovulating regularly?
Is the male producing healthy, viable sperm?
Are the female’s egg and the male’s sperm able to unite and grow normally?
Are there any obstacles to proper implantation and maintenance of the pregnancy?

The following tests are often part of the basic medical workup for infertility.

both partners
- medical and sexual history (to evaluate possible physical causes of infertility and if sexual intercourse has been appropriately timed)
female
- physical examination
  A complete physical examination (including a Pap smear and testing for infection) will be necessary.
- ovulation evaluation
  An evaluation of ovulation function using an analysis of body temperatures and ovulation called the basal body temperature chart, or with ovulation prediction methods using urine samples, may be recommended.
- hormone testing
  Hormone testing may be recommended, as certain hormones increase and decrease in production at various times in the monthly cycle.
- ultrasound
  Ultrasound can show the presence of follicles (the sacs containing developing eggs) and the thickness of the uterine tissues. Ultrasound can also show abnormal conditions, such as ovarian cysts or fibroids (benign tumors in the uterus).
- x-rays
  A hysterosalpingogram may be recommended. This test uses a radio-opaque dye injected into the cervical opening to visualize the inside of the uterus and determine if the fallopian tubes are open.
male
- semen analysis
  A collection of a semen sample obtained by masturbation that is analyzed in the laboratory for the sperm count, sperm motility, sperm shape, quantity, and evaluation of the ejaculate liquid may be recommended. According to the ASRM, a normal ejaculate contains more than 20 million sperm per milliliter of liquid, more than 50 percent of the sperm should be moving forward, and more than 30 percent of sperm should have normal shapes.
- other tests may be performed that evaluate the sperm’s ability to penetrate the egg, as well as male hormone testing
Men may be referred to a urologist for further evaluation.

Treatment for infertility:

Specific treatment for infertility will be determined by your physician based on:

your age, overall health, and medical history
extent of the disorder
cause of the disorder
your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
expectations for the course of the disorder
your opinion or preference

Once a diagnosis is made, the specialist can work with you to determine the course of treatment. According to the ASRM, most infertility cases (85 to 90 percent) are treated with conventional therapies, such as drug treatment or surgical repair of reproductive abnormalities. Depending on the cause of infertility, there are many options to offer an infertile couple.

Types of treatments for women may include the following:

ovulation medications
These medications help regulate the timing of ovulation and stimulate the development and release of mature eggs. They can also help correct hormonal problems that can affect the lining of the uterus as it prepares to receive a fertilized egg. Ovulation medications can stimulate more than one egg to be released which increases the possibility of having twins and other multiples. Some of the common ovulation medications include the following:

clomiphene citrate
human menopausal gonadotropins – medications containing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

intrauterine insemination
For some conditions, including low sperm count and cervical mucus problems, a procedure that places specially washed and prepared sperm directly into the uterus through a small catheter (flexible tube) helps increase the chances for conception. This procedure is often used in combination with ovulation medications.

surgery
Surgery may be used to treat or repair a condition that is causing infertility such as fallopian tube blockage, or endometriosis. A common surgical procedure often used as part of the diagnostic workup of infertility is the laparoscopy. In a laparoscopy, a small telescope inserted into the abdominal or pelvic cavity allows internal organs to be visualized. Some procedures to treat infertility can be performed using instruments inserted through the laparoscope.

assisted reproductive technology (ART)
For some couples, more extensive treatment is needed. With most forms of ART, the sperm and egg are united in the laboratory and the fertilized egg is returned to the woman’s uterus where it can implant and develop. Although ART procedures are often costly, many are being used with success. These include the following:

in vitro fertilization (IVF) – involves extracting a woman’s eggs, fertilizing the eggs in the laboratory with sperm, and then transferring the resulting embryo(s) into the woman’s uterus through the cervix (embryo transfer) where it can develop. Most couples transfer two embryos; however, more may be transferred in certain cases. IVF is the most common form of ART and it is often the treatment of choice for a woman with blocked, severely damaged, or absent fallopian tubes. IVF is also used for infertility caused by endometriosis or male factor infertility. IVF is sometimes used to treat couples with long-term unexplained infertility who have not been able to conceive with other infertility treatments. According to the ASRM, the average cost of one IVF cycle in the United States is $12,400. More than one IVF cycle, however, is usually needed.
intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) – a procedure in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg; this procedure is most commonly used to help with male factor infertility problems.
gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) – involves using a fiber-optic instrument called a laparoscope to guide the transfer of unfertilized eggs and sperm into the woman’s fallopian tubes through small incisions in her abdomen. GIFT is only used in women with healthy fallopian tubes.
zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) – involves fertilizing a woman’s eggs in the laboratory and then using a laparoscope to guide the transfer of the fertilized eggs (zygotes) into her fallopian tubes. ZIFT is only used in women with healthy fallopian tubes.
donor eggs – involves an embryo formed from the egg of one woman (the donor) being transferred to another woman who is unable to conceive with her own eggs (the recipient). The donor relinquishes all parental rights to any resulting offspring. ART using donor eggs is much more common among older women than among younger women. The likelihood of a fertilized egg implanting is related to the age of the woman who produced the egg. Egg donors are typically in their 20s or early 30s.
embryo cryopreservation – a procedure in which embryos are preserved through freezing (cryopreservation) for transfer at a later date. This procedure is often used when an IVF cycle produces more embryos than can be transferred at one time. The remaining embryos can be transferred in a future cycle if the woman does not become pregnant.

There is a range of treatment options currently available for male factor infertility. Treatment may include:

assisted reproductive technologies (ART)
This type of treatment may include the following:
- artificial insemination
  Artificial insemination involves the placement of relatively large numbers of healthy sperm either at the entrance of the cervix or into the partner’s uterus, bypassing the cervix, to have direct access to the fallopian tubes.
- IVF, GIFT, and other techniques
  In vitro fertilization (IVF) or gamete intra-fallopian transfer (GIFT) have been used for the treatment of male infertility. As is the case with artificial insemination, IVF and similar techniques offer the opportunity to prepare sperm in vitro, so that oocytes are exposed to an optimal concentration of high quality, motile sperm.
- microsurgical fertilization (microinjection techniques such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or ICSI)
  This treatment is used to facilitate sperm penetration by injection of a single sperm into the oocyte. Fertilization then takes place under the microscope.
drug therapy
A small percentage of infertile men have a hormonal disorder that can be treated with hormone therapy. Hormonal imbalances caused by a dysfunction in the mechanism of interaction between the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the testes directly affect the development of sperm (spermatogenesis). Drug therapy may include gonadotrophin therapy, antibiotics, or another medication deemed appropriate.
surgery
Surgical therapy in male infertility is designed to overcome anatomical barriers that impede sperm production and maturation or ejaculation. Surgical procedures to remove varicose veins in the scrotum (varicocele) can sometimes serve to improve the quality of sperm.

What is unexplained infertility?

About 20 percent of couples have unexplained infertility, for which a cause, despite all investigations, is not found. Unexplained infertility does not mean there is no reason for the problem, but that the reason is unable to be identified at the present time.

A Day at DeSoto Caverns

Posted on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 by Angie

Desoto video 072 — Looking for Gemstones

We had the pleasure to spend a day at Desoto Caverns a few weeks ago. We loaded the kids in the car and took a nice 40 minute drive to Childersburg. We had an absolute blast! Here’s our breakdown—

*Small enough to be comfortable and not overwhelming, but large enough to accomodate large groups

*Bring a towel, swimsuits, and bug spray/sunscreen. The splash pad is a must, and the water attractions were too fun to miss out on. Our kids ended up soaking wet, with huge smiles.

*Pack your lunch- this is picnic style eating. If you forget there are some limited options.

*The caverns part was simply inspiring. It was breathtaking and I could go back today.

*Tour guide was outstanding. My 5 year old son was so excited to explore, but got scared when the time came to enter the caverns. Seth, the friendly guide, gave him his flashlight and appointed him his helper. I am so grateful– my son learned to not let fear hasten him, and he left saying that this was “…the greatest day ever.”

Now, we wouldn’t tell you how great it is and then not offer a giveaway. Never! Giveaway is coming up next!

Working Mommy Madness: What I Know for Sure

Posted on Monday, May 23, 2011 by Angie

By Harmony Hobbs:

Oprah does this thing in her magazine called What I Know For Sure. It’s an editorial piece she writes every month and although I feel like I’m still too young to fully embrace the Oprah brand, I really do love her honesty.

She once openly admitted to wearing full-body (including her arms and back) shapewear on national television. FULL BODY SHAPEWEAR?! Who would have guessed such a thing existed? I marvel. She is a woman after my own heart.

Like Oprah, there are some things I know for sure. Take, for example, the fact that marriage and parenthood are, in that order, the two most humbling, arduous, and downright irritating tasks I’ve undertaken. Ironically, these relationships have also enriched and blessed my life more than I could ever explain. This is a plus, because if it wasn’t as awesome as it was downright awful, I would be one miserable bi-yatch.

Can I get an amen?

Let’s be real. It’s HARD to be a mom and a wife. I don’t just mean difficult. I mean, “OMG, I’m-going-to-rip-his-face-off-and-nail-it-to-a-door (meaning my husband),” or “I’m-going-to-dye-my-hair-red-and-run-away-to-Mexico” kind of impossible. There are rough patches. Bad days. There are moments when I don’t like my spouse or my child. Does admitting these things make me a terrible person? I don’t think so.

Thankfully, those moments don’t last for long before they subside, but it can be a struggle to get through them with everyone in one piece. When it’s over, the hugs are administered and apologies made … we begin again.

What I know for sure is that life can be overwhelming and some days it’s nearly impossible to keep it all in perspective. It’s easy to start feeling like the responsibilities of life are a burden that you are unfairly bearing. You bitch. You complain. You sink into the pit of despair and laundry. You blame your spouse. You’re positive you are tireder than anyone else. Ever.

We all fall prey to a little self pity. But truthfully, I wouldn’t have my life any other way. I’ll take it all, problematic or not. When my son wanders into our bedroom at 6:00 am, he pulls ME out of bed and asks for breakfast. When my husband loses his wallet, he asks ME where it is. When someone in our house needs something – anything – they turn to me. Where is the milk. Can you iron this. Where is my train. What is this. Where is that. Do we have anymore Pop-Tarts. Can I have a cookie. Can I have chips for breakfast. Mommy. Mommy. Mommy.

And that is all before I start my work day, bringing with it a whole new brand of crazy.
Sometimes, yes, it makes me feel like my head is going to explode.

Despite all of that, I know that they turn to me because I am the glue that holds my family together. I work, I mother, I wife, and I am the only person in my household who can do what I do every day, in heels. When I forget how awesome I am, leaving my husband in charge for a few hours while I’m out of the house quickly reminds me.

So, yes — I DO know where the train is … I WILL iron that in a minute … and NO, you cannot have chips for breakfast.

This I know for sure: being a woman is not a burden. Don’t fall into a trap and victimize yourself! Womanhood is a blessing, and no one said it was easy. We create life and we make things beautiful. We are the heart of the home whether we work in it, out of it, or both. And yes, we are also a little bit crazy — but most of us make up for it by being pretty to look at.

What do you know for sure?

About Harmony:

Harmony blew into Birmingham after Hurricane Katrina and is a self-proclaimed “never home maker” striving for a balance between her career and family life. Visit her blog Working Mommy Madness to read more!

Birmingham Events Calendar: May 22nd – May 29th

Posted on Sunday, May 22, 2011 by Angie

Summer Reading is kicking off, Summer movies are just around the corner and we’ve got storytimes galore!

Coming up on Saturday the new Imagination Lab opens up at the McWane Science center and Birmingham will get it’s first taste of a Salsa Showdown, we personally can’t wait for either of those!

We’ve got a Lowe’s Build and Grow clinic going on and Farmers Markets are in full swing! Have a great week!

It’s Not Our Fault if Your Kids are Bored!

Sunday May 22nd:

Tannehill Trade Days – Tannehill State Park
shoppers and swappers come from far and near to Tannehill Trade Days in search of tools, clothing, jewelry, knives, furniture and other treasures.
7am – 5pm

Park admission
$3.00 Adults (12 years and older)
$2.00 Seniors (Ages 62 and older)
$1.00 Children (Ages 6-11) ages 5 and under free

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Monday May 23rd:

Holy Inappropriateness! We couldn’t find any special events happening in the Ham’ Today! Check our list of local attractions that are open daily!

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Tuesday May 24th:

Storytime – Homewood Library
Join us for the fun of it! All ages welcome.
10:30am

Storytime – Jane Boyd Holmes Public Library Helena
Come and enjoy story time here at the library
11am.

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Wednesday May 25th:

Wonderful Wednesday Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Who can skip over huge and twisty tree trunks? Who can leap through shark-infested puddles? And who already has the perfect sidekick? Ladybug Girl! Come join us as we find that you’re never too little to have an adventure.
11:oo am

Storytime – Homewood Library
Join us for the fun of it! All ages welcome.
10:30am

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Thursday May 26th:

Storytime – Jane Boyd Holmes Public Library Helena
Come and enjoy story time here at the library
11am.

PJ Storytime – North Shelby Library
Come in your PJs, have milk and cookies, and hear some wonderful bedtime tales.
All Ages. No Registration Required
7pm

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Friday May 27th:

Storyday with Ms NeNe – Whole Foods
Come meet Mrs. Renee Schmidt “NeNe” as we bring you our beloved storytime. Enjoy storyboards, songs and snacks!
10am

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Saturday May 28th:

1st Annual Salsa Showdown – Pepper Place
1st Annual Salsa Showdown! Join us and help decide which Birmingham area restaurant serves up the best chips and salsa. We’ll have live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, hourly prize pinatas, kids activities and a Hot Pepper Eating Contest. Not to mention fresh margaritas and ice cold drinks!
$10 in advance, $15 day of the event
2:00- 6:00 pm

Saturday Market – Pepper Place
7am – Noon
Cooking Demonstration: Chef George Sarris of The Fish Market

The opening of the Imagination lab at McWane Science Center
This summer, McWane Science Center invites you to discover the power of your imagination in a collection of new exhibits called The Imagination Lab.

Lowe’s Build and Grow
Your child will love this kit! This cool Biplane comes with two complete sets of stickers and punch out pilots!
10am

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
Look to the Aztecs and Mayans for a gold inspired jewelry activity.

Super Saturday Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
What’s your favorite book? Come and hear a story about a girl who (gasp!) doesn’t like books and the librarian who was determined to change her mind. We’ll have treats from the Cafe too!
11am

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Sunday May 29th:

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Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

Itty Bitty Magic City –
The mini-sized Magic City – complete with buildings and factories – encourages young learners to explore new skills as they join the cities’ workforce. By dressing up in a favorite career costume and becoming a steel worker, doctor, pilot scientist or train conductor, preschoolers take one small step into the world around them. While operating cranes, turning gears, pulling pulleys, and building structures – to name just a few of the hands-on activities – children expand their understanding of themselves as they experience how objects behave and how their own actions affect the objects around them. Little explorers are free to navigate this active learning area at their own pace, allowing creativity, fun and discovery to flourish in the Itty Bitty Magic City!

NatureScope – Explore the great outdoors from inside the museum. McWane Science Center and the Birmingham Audubon Society are partnering to create a new exhibit called NatureScope. Explore the science of the birds and the bugs in this new area! Get up close and personal with some resident creepy crawlies! Learn what role insects play in our ecosystem with the decomposition chamber. Meet large bugs including emperor scorpions, a tarantula, and even a giant African millipede!

Birmingham Zoo:

PELICAN FEEDING – A great way to see our pelicans in action is to witness them eating their favorite treats near the pelican boardwalk.

GIRAFFE FEEDING – This up close and personal animal encounter is a memory you and your family will have for a lifetime.
Weekday: 11am – Noon
Weekends: 10am – 11am & 2pm – 3pm

Vulcan Park and Museum:

Railroad Park:

Southern Museum of Flight:

See Mommy Run

Posted on Thursday, May 19, 2011 by Angie

By Angie Cleland:

I’m not a runner, never have been. And I understand that 8 days does not a runner make, but something in me is different. My stress level has been higher and I’ve needed a way to decompress. I’ve started running and get this! No one is chasing me. No one is forcing me. I’m not doing it for the good of a charity… I actually want to.

Last week my beautiful children had given me one of “those days.” Wrapped it up in a box and put a nice little our-mission-is to-put-you-in-the-looney-bin bow on top. Nothing went right, the noise level in the house was off the chart, food was flying, bodies were flailing and did I mention I had PMS? The husband came home from work and I ran, literally. I laced up my shoes and ran away.

There was something so incredibly freeing about being able to run away from my children, my house, my responsibilities, the whole shebang. It was nice to take off and say eat my dust (and your dinner while I’m gone) at least for the first 15-20 minutes, before turning and making my way back.

I ran. I thought. I reflected. And for the first time in well, ever, I didn’t think about how many minutes I had left, I didn’t think about every single step I was taking, and I wasn’t looking for an excuse to take a short cut and head back. I was actually not hating running.

On about my 3rd run, I had the novel idea of making this my new habit. Husband comes home, I go run. Since my body is more Birkini ready than it is bikini ready, I figure it can’t hurt in the getting in shape department. And the real payoff? I come back 40 minutes later a way more patient, caring and kind person. It’s a win for everyone. (Not to mention my butt and thighs should be thinning.)

I’m not committing to a 5K or a marathon, I’ve done that before and I think that’s my demise. Too much pressure. I’ve tried for years to like running and have finally realized that my stress level just wasn’t high enough to actually enjoy it. I still don’t understand what people mean about a “Runners High” other than they must be high to talk such nonsense, but who knows, maybe one day I’ll get there. Until then, I’m just taking it one stressful day and one de-stressing step at a time.

What extracurricular activities have you started just to get a little “me time?”

About Angie:

Angie Cleland is the Co-Founder of BirmighamMommy.com, A Wife, Mom, & Referee. Proud owner of 3 tiny humans, navigating the complicated waters of Motherhood one day at a time.

This post originally ran on the Deep South Moms Blog

Your Dose of Disney! Things to Do, Part 1

Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 by Angie

By Andi Sims:

Most moms keep a list going at all times. A “To Do List” is a must for the busy home manager, and moms planning a vacation to a Disney Park are bound to want a list managed with as much precision on the family trip as it is at home. There’s fun to be had…so let’s get started!

1. Planning. The fun actually starts before you ever leave home by taking a tour of the Disney Parks websites www.disneyworld.com and www.disneyland.com. Gather the family around and begin your vacation by virtually experiencing all the parks, resorts, restaurants and attractions making a personal list of what not to miss. Plus, you can order a vacation-planning DVD, design customized maps of the parks, set up a countdown calendar and ask questions from the mom experts at www.disneyworldmoms.com. All for free!

2. Scheduling. After you’ve seen all there is to experience on a Disney Parks vacation, you’ll want to roll up your sleeves and start making those reservations – either online or by phone. You’ll want to stay close to the magic at a Disney resort, and the various and scrumptious choices of the Disney restaurants will make dining reservations a must-do, too!

3. Traveling. Arriving for a Walt Disney World vacation is made even more magical by Disney’s Magical Express at Orlando International Airport. There’s almost nothing to worry about as you’re whisked away to your resort, and transportation once you’re on property is taken care of by the fleet of buses, boats, and monorails. At Disneyland, the best part about your commute to the parks is that there is none. You simply walk out of your hotel and on to the parks!

4. Seeing. From the time you arrive, you’ll want to take it all in, and there’s no better way to make sure you don’t miss any of the stage shows, events, fireworks or characters is to pick up a Park Map and Times Guide at any of the four theme parks at Walt Disney World or the two parks at Disneyland. You’ll definitely want to catch Fantasmic! — a spine-tingling story of good versus
evil set to Disney’s classic music and state-of-the art pyrotechnics. The shows play on select nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World and on the Rivers of the Americas at Disneyland.

5. Doing. Every guest has their favorite attraction in mind as they enter a Disney park, but usually at the top of everyone’s experience are those classics common to Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California. For years, guests have been challenged by Space Mountain, enchanted by it’s a small world and thrilled by Pirates of the Caribbean. Some attractions have just become of rite of passage! And just when you think you’ve done it all, Disney Parks add more thrills and chills to their ever-growing line up of attractions.

About Andi:

“Andi Sims is a wife and a mother of four children ranging in age from 7 to 16. A frequent traveler, she is a member of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel — which answers thousands of guests’ questions online at www.disneyworldmoms.com. This year, she answers questions exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests. Andi also maintains her personal blog concerning stories, tips and ideas on everything to do with her first (and hardest) job at www.wifeandmomuniversity.com. You can also find her on Twitter @wifeandmomuniv. She’s a sucker for anything chocolate, Mickey Mouse related or having to do with being more organized or efficient, and she runs to keep her sanity and to be able to eat more chocolate.”