Metropolitan Mama

Father’s Day Gift Guide 2010

June 2, 2010 By Stephanie 16 Comments

tim with girls walking Fathers Day Gift Guide 2010 “Daddy is our hero,” my 3-year-old announced to her little sister (and to me) a few days ago. She said it with a sparkle in her eyes, a smile on her face, a radiant authenticity in her heart.

“Yes, he is,” I agreed solemnly. And I meant it.

Tim is strong, brave, handsome, adventurous, humble, and hard-working.

He would gladly give his life for any of us (I know that with absolute certainty), but…perhaps more importantly…he gives us his LIFE every day. He gives us time. He leads us. He serves us. Yes. He is undeniably our hero.

This gift guide is dedicated to all of the daddy heroes out there – men with solid character, with hearts of gold – men who give and serve without abandon.

Stay tuned for product ideas and giveaways over the next few days. All giveaways will be linked in this master post for your convenience.

All giveaways will end at 11:59pm on Saturday, June 12.

Filed Under: themed weekends Tagged With: daddy hero, father's day contests, father's day gift guide, father's day gift guide 2010, father's day giveaways, men who give, men with hearts of gold, men with solid character

Themed Weekend: One

February 26, 2010 By Stephanie 25 Comments

You’ll be one in just a few short weeks.

Can it really be?

It seems like just yesterday that I was pulling up to the birth center, singing through the contractions. One hour later, I was pushing on my hands and knees in the water.

Tim caught you from behind. When I looked back, he was standing there, holding you – the cord still connected – so proud.

You were a content baby from the very beginning. Happy. Gentle. Calm.

Come to think of it, I don’t really have any memories of you crying as an infant and, even now, your tears are few and far between.

That being said, you appear to have a keen sensitivity to the feelings of everyone around you. Your daddy and I would both describe you as “intuitive.” You are also bright and warmhearted and…you have a knock-out smile. Your presence is a sweet melody of harmony and peace in our house.

And the song of your life fills us with infinite joy.

Happy (almost) birthday, my baby girl. We love you. Oh.So.Much.

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Stay tuned for musings, product reviews, and giveaways that are ideal for 1-year-olds (and their parents).

As posts are published, I will add them to this post so that you can have a comprehensive spot to see my entire round-up:

1st Bday: Episencial skincare products [GIVEAWAY: one of each of the products in Episencial's line, deadline: 3-8]
1st Bday: BestView Handheld Color Video Monitor [GIVEAWAY: BestView Handheld Color Video Monitor, deadline: 3-8]
1st Bday: Agoo [GIVEAWAY: $50 gift certificate, deadline: 3-8]
1st Bday: Zak! and Baggino [GIVEAWAY: Sippy Cup and Flatware Set, deadline: 3-9]
1st Bday: Planet Wise & Softbums [GIVEAWAY: Diaper Pail Liner and Wet/Dry Bag by Planet Wise, deadline: 3-9]
1st Bday: Words to Remember [GIVEAWAY: Words to Remember journal, deadline: 3-9]
1st Bday: Anytime Nursing Gown by Bella Materna [GIVEAWAY: Anytime Nursing Gown, deadline: 3-9]
1st Bday: ionator HOM by Activeion [GIVEAWAY: ionator HOM, deadline: 3-9]
1st Bday: babyGAP [GIVEAWAY: denim jacket, size: 18-24 months, deadline: 3-9]

Filed Under: Letters To My Kids, themed weekends Tagged With: 1-year-olds, 1st birthday, age one, birth center, content baby, happy 1st birthday, laboring on hands and knees, singing through contractions, Themed Weekend

Themed Weekend: Colors

February 19, 2010 By Stephanie 8 Comments

Aren’t you glad that our world is full of colors? It makes me so very happy to look around and see the lovely array of blues, greens, oranges, reds, yellows, and purples – in nature and in window shops.

This weekend will be eclectic and cheerful and fun. I’ll be showcasing and giving away some vibrant things that will make you smile.

Ready for the rainbow? It’s coming soon.

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As posts are published, I will add them to this post so that you can have a comprehensive spot to see my entire round-up:

Something Colorful: Make-Up Palettes by Coastal Scents [GIVEAWAY: $100 e-certificate, deadline: 2-27]
Something Colorful: Wilma Unlimited [GIVEAWAY: a copy of "Wilma Unlimited," deadline: 2-28]
Something Colorful: Slant Tweezer by Tweezerman [GIVEAWAY: Slant Tweezer, deadline: 3-1]
Something Colorful: Luv That Tray [GIVEAWAY: Set of 4, deadline: 3-1]
Something Colorful: HOTmilk Lingerie [GIVEAWAY: Slip Into Seduction nightie, deadline: 3-2]
Something Colorful: Nutcase Helmets [GIVEAWAY: biking, skateboarding, or snowboarding helmet of winner's choice, deadline: 3-3]

Filed Under: themed weekends Tagged With: colorful hoodies, colorful things, colorful world, colors, ready for the rainbow, Themed Weekend

Themed Weekend: Ask Me Anything

February 13, 2010 By Stephanie 12 Comments

As it turns out, I’m a little more introverted than I thought.

You see, we went to a wedding last night at this incredible guest ranch [see photo below] and then we went to a marriage conference this morning…and now I’m plum wore out.

It’s a funny thing. I like social get-togethers. I like public speaking. I like engaging with people. I would say I’m about 50% extroverted.

But then there’s the other 50%. I find myself exhausted after being in large groups. After all the commotion of the weekend, now I sort of just want to hang out at home or with close friends…in my pajamas…with pizza and a glass of wine.

All that to say, please pardon my absence the past two days.

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This weekend is going to be a little different than the norm. I’ll be answering YOUR questions from my birthday post. You asked…about my favorite lipstick, how we handle naps, if we plan to have more kids. etc. And now I’ll answer. Stay tuned.

And, if you haven’t had a chance to ask a question yet or you’d like to ask another, now’s your chance. Ask me anything. Go…

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And just for fun – here’s a little pic of the mountainside wedding:

Posts in this series:

Filed Under: About Me, themed weekends Tagged With: 50% extraverted, ask me anything, Themed Weekend

Themed Weekend: The Small Things

February 5, 2010 By Stephanie 8 Comments

Have you ever had someone say something degrading to you, something that made you feel small? Perhaps they asked if you were pregnant (and you weren’t) or made a sarcastic remark about your personality that didn’t sit well in your soul or glared at you when your child was…ahem…not his best at Target.

It’s funny how just one small thing – one negative word or roll of the eyes or angry honk of a horn – can totally damper our day. Things can go from bright to bleak and gray in about two seconds flat.

Alternatively, it only takes the tiniest action to splash some color into a person’s day. A cup of chicken noodle soup delivered to a front door. A genuine compliment. A warm smile from across the room.

I am convinced that life is about the small things – the little choices we make ever day to love our families, our neighbors, and the strangers that we pass at the grocery store and the ice cream shop.

Mother Teresa was right when she said, “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.”

That’s what this weekend is about. I’ll be sharing ideas…just small ideas…that we can do to bring beauty and COLOR into our corners of the world.

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Stay tuned for articles, giveaways, and conversations about small acts of goodness.

As posts are published, I will add them to this post so that you can have a comprehensive spot to see my entire round-up:

the closest ones
*Giveaway* Stay Home, Stay Happy [GIVEAWAY: 1 copy of "Stay Home, Stay Happy" by Rachel Capos-Duffy, Deadline: 2-14]
Make Someone’s Day — Give…Photos
*Giveaway* HP Photosmart A646 Compact Photo Printer [GIVEAWAY: HP Photosmart A646 Compact Photo Printer, Deadline: 2-15]
Make Someone’s Day — Give…Baked Goods [GIVEAWAY: Wilton Baking Prize Pack, Deadline: 2-16]
Make Someone’s Day — Give…Dinner [1 FREE month to all Metropolitan Mama readers, Promo Code expires 2/15]
Just Say It

Filed Under: themed weekends Tagged With: do small things with great love, how to make a person's day, life is about the small things, mother teresa, the small things, Themed Weekend, we can do no great things

I want my kids to be… :: wrap-up

February 2, 2010 By Stephanie 9 Comments

I meant to write more posts in this series.

Yes, I want my kids to be happy, entrepreneurial, healthy, well-traveled, and loving. But…I’d also like them to be…intelligent, excited about learning, good with people, strong communicators, etc, etc.

I think it goes without saying that I can’t fully dive into such a mammoth topic in one tiny little weekend, but it’s been fun nevertheless. Thank you to those of you who dreamt alongside me.

Other things we did over the weekend:

Went out a-walking around our neighborhood (gorgeous weather here in Arizona)
Braved the masses at Costco (bought a big batch of blueberries, among other things…mmmm)
Visited with friends who just had their second baby (he’s super sweet)
Laundry (and lots of it)

YOUR TURN: How was your weekend? What did you do?

Filed Under: themed weekends Tagged With: character traits i want my kids to exhibit, i want my kids to be, qualities i want my kids to have, things i did this weekend

Themed Weekend: I Want My Kids To Be…

January 29, 2010 By Stephanie 21 Comments

Recently, I wrote down a list of qualities that I would like to nurture in my children. I wrote them down because I want them to be right where I can see them.

It’s so easy to just let the days pass me by – to think, “Oh, I’ll work on that tomorrow” or “Next week, I will focus on such-and-such…” But, in my heart of hearts, I want to be more INTENTIONAL than that.

I am 100% convinced that these early years matter deeply. Parenting from birth to age 5 is a sobering and significant task. So much of what I do…of WHO I AM…today will shape who my children are tomorrow.

I’m certainly not perfect. In fact, that’s the whole point of this. I am confident that the most crucial thing that I can do to help my children become compassionate and productive adults is…to work on my own character.

Have you ever noticed that your children are at their very best when YOU are patient, positive, selfless, and merciful? Yeah, me too.

This weekend is not about how I can MAKE my kids become better. It’s about changing myself so I can give them all of the resources that they need to go out and change the world for good.