Blogger Bash Coffee Talk Link Up!

I'm not going to lie... when I read the title I immediately pictured this guy...

 and said it with a terrible New York accent. Oops.

But it's coffee talk- time to say hi to all the other bloggers heading to Blogger Bash next week!

1. Name 

Heather

2. Where are you from?

Southcoast, Massachusetts. About a 15 minute drive to Cape Cod.

3. How long have you been blogging?

I started blogging in January of 2011 before my daughter was born. It was my way to document everything happening with my pregnancy.  I wrote about our trials with becoming "those welfare people", our amazing Christmas Sweaters, and what to buy if you're having a baby.  I had some identity issues, had three different blog names and finally landed on Mommy by the Sea in January of 2013. That's also when I started taking blogging seriously, and not just as a journal for myself.  I started building social media presence, working on a 30 by 30, doing link ups, reviews, and branding myself! 

4. What is the meaning behind your blog name?

I've had a few names but I love the name, Mommy by the Sea. I'm exactly that.  A mom who loves and lives by the Sea, specifically the Atlantic Ocean via Cape Cod. I write about all the things Moms would want to know about: fashion, books, baby stuff, recipes... you name it, I probably have a post on it.

5. What are you most looking forward to at Blogger Bash?

This is my FIRST conference (other than a small 50 person one in Boston that lasted 6 hours)and I'm so excited for all of it! Really looking forward to meeting some bloggers I've been talking to for over a year and can't wait to meet all the brands!

6. What three words describe you the best?

Sarcastic, Welcoming, Supermom

7. Got kids? How many?

Two little ones.
Emmalee, the princess just turned 3 and Tyler, the little man is 9 weeks old.

8. We all have a pet peeve. What is your #1?

People who complain constantly! Life could always be so much worse.

9. If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?

My grandfather.  I've never met him since he passed away when my mom was four. She'd obviously be invited too.

10. Show me your face!

Can't wait to see everyone next week!

Happy 2 Months Little Man!

At the beach on Sunday, I realized this little guy is 2 months old now!
Where does the time go?

Growth:

At the doctor yesterday, he measured 24" and 12 lbs, 8 oz! He's growing so well, the doctor was really happy.  He now falls into the 75th percentile for babies his age.  Not too shabby.

Looks:

Such a little man.  Everyone who sees him or his pictures comments on how much he looks like a little old man.
No more little baby acne, perfect blue eyes, and his hair is so light! Sometimes it looks reddish, but mostly blonde.  The dark hair he was born with is growing out so it looks like he has the old man tuft of hair on the top while the rest stretches from one ear to the other.  I love it!

Firsts and Milestones:

He still likes to roll over but he's grabbing on to things now. This includes me while nursing or a toy that Emma is holding up for him and her hair! She is not a fan!

He smiles all.the.time. I love it.  Such a happy little man! He loves his daddy a ton and laughs whenever he's around.

He can also hold his head up like a champ.  Tummy time leads to the head fully up, looking around.  The doctor was super impressed with his neck muscles and his grip!

Sleep:

This month was harder than the first.  Growth spurts led to restless nights and a lot more nursing but even then I can't complain.  Maybe 5 bad nights all month long? Totally doable.
He loves to sleep in his swing or cuddled against someone, but his absolute favorite place to sleep is our bed. Not sure what it is but he loves it.
He's still sleeping in his Rock N Play next to our bed but loves his middle of the night feedings because he lays in bed next to me.

Food:

Breastfeeding exclusively still, or as Emma calls it "drinkin mama's boobie milk".  He's been a lot more efficient, only nursing for about 20-30 minutes at a time.  At night, he likes to cluster feed and then fall asleep for a few hours.
He's taken a bottle from David and Emmalee now and doesn't fight it at all.  Will definitely make it easier when I go back to work. 

Language:

We have a coo-er! And he laughs.  Best sounds. His laugh is this like inhaled noise but it always accompanies a huge smile.  He coos and has "talks" with me and his animals on his swing and bouncey seat.  

His favorites:

Eating, still. Loves eating.
Going outside in the carrier.
Moving.  Just moving.  Gets tempermental if he's stuck in his carseat not moving or doing anything.
Car rides - always falls asleep.
Talking to people.  Gets a huge smile when people talk to him.

My favorites:

How independent he's becoming already.  I was able to go to the gym on my own while he stayed with David, to the beach with Emmalee while he stayed with David...
It's not to say I leave him home all the time but our family has trasnitioned to a second baby so easily. Emmalee screamed bloody murder and wouldn't take a bottle from anyone when she was a baby so I'd feel guilty every time I left the house.  He's just so content that it makes it easier on me to take care of the rest of the family (including me!) as well.
All of that, and that damn smile. Melts my heart every time!

Getting Ready For Blogger Bash with Zazzle Products!

Disclaimer: I was offered product in exchange for my post, however all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Happy July!

I can't believe it's already July! I am super excited because in just about 2 weeks, I'll be heading to my first ever big blogging conference!  

I was invited to go to Blogger Bash in New York City and I'm so thrilled!

It's a two day conference where I'll get to rub elbows with all sorts of amazing brands. I'm talking Hasbro, LeapFrog, Crayola, Lego, VTech, Fisher Price, Kidz Bop, Our Generation Dolls, Microsoft, Lands End,  and Anne Geddes and WWE stars will be there! They haven't even announced everything yet so I'm super excited. 

One of the events is open to the bloggers and their families and since Dave is super excited about the fact that it will have a special Guardian of the Galaxy experience, WWE stars, and some first glances at XBOX stuff, we're going to make a little trip out of it with the whole family!

Hotel is booked, days are requested off... and now I'm panicking. I've never been to one of these! I'll be rubbing elbows with HUGE brands that want to work with me! How will I show them that I'm worth just as much as those bigger brands?

Enter Zazzle. 

It's a great company that allows me to make custom products like business cards, notebooks, mugs, shirt, and signs... basically anything you need to put your best branded foot forward.

To get ready for the conference I ordered a few items. A great notebook to take down information of the newest products coming out, super professional looking business cards to hand out to brand reps and other bloggers, and a couple of surprises for while I'm at the conference.  I have a cute strategy to meet people but I'm not sharing that quite yet!

Seriously, adorable right? And I love that I'm really branding myself now... expect to see lots of anchors in my future...

Oredring is simple easy.  You can use their custom templates or you can upload your own design. I simply made an image in PicMonkey, uploaded it, and ordered! I didn't need to adjust anything! I love anything that makes my life a little bit easier and doing it once, makes it easier!

And shipping was even quicker!

I ordered these items on a Sunday night and they were at my house the following Monday. 1 week turn around for custom items and I didn't pay for extra fast shipping? Wooo!

And here's the kicker: Zazzle is offer 17.76% off from now until July 4th on all items to celebrate the holiday!

What are you going to make?