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    Shannon Hoehnen

    Shannon Hoehnen

  • 10 Books Perfect for One-year-olds

    One of my wishes for Sawyer is that he develops a true love for reading. It seems like kids these days so quickly become glued to the latest device - iPads, touches, TVs (read my view on that here)! Sure, there is likely a time and places for games and gadgetry, but I want the real fun and joy to come from live play and getting lost in a book. I look forward to the day that "one more" bedtime story becomes 15. I look forward to when Sawyer grads some of his favorites and runs over to me, wanting to read together. ...

  • Sleeping Through the Night -- Motherhood Confessions

    Sleeping through the night. we. are. not. Negative. Not happening. Failure. My awesome sleep training? Oh, it's workin' alright - on ME. Boy has got me wrapped around his little finger. We had made so much progress, too! The little man had become a crib-napping champion and was going down with ease only waking once or twice. But after being sick and sleeping on mommy (and her crumbling bones) for three nights straight, we went back to square one. Bottom line - and I know this is controversial, and I know that it's the tried and true "way to do it. ...

  • User Post: Why I'm not making my own baby food

    I tend to get a little ahead of myself. It's a tragic downfall actually. If the Mister and I make plans, I get SO excited about said plans that I start to play it out in my mind - what I'll wear, what I'll order to eat, etc. If for whatever reason these plans don't pan out, expect chaos. Seriously.

  • User Post: Mommy Guilt - how do you deal?

    I'd been looking forward to last night all week long. I had plans to grab dinner after work with some of my favorite ladies. We were planning on heading to Tratorria - one of my favorite spots from my Little Italy days. To say I'd been dreaming about the meat sauce is an understatement.

  • Sh*t Happens

    So poop now consumes 43% of my daily thoughts, conversations and musings.

  • Tips for traveling with a baby

    Now that we have two successful trips with our 4 1/2 month son under our belts, I thought it might be helpful to share some of our learnings and experiences with those who are just thinking about taking their first vacation with their little ones.

  • Everything you ever wanted to know about breastfeeding

    Warning: This post contains words like "boob," "nipple," and "suck." If any of those words make you uncomfortable, skip this post and come back another day. For those of you brave enough to continue, don't say I didn't warn you.

  • Do some sunscreens actually accelerate cancer? Make sure yours is safe!

    Last year I wrote about my distaste for tanning. Of course, Shannon, of course. You are ghastly pale, of course you are going to advocate that being pale rocks.

  • Happy Father's Day to the First-Time Dads!

    Father's Day is coming up and my 4-month son and I have been putting our heads together on how to make the day special for the Mister. In doing so, my son wanted me to share some of his thoughts that he doesn't quite have the skills yet to say himself. Luckily, I'm a mind-reader - one of my many new

  • How do you live in the moment with your kids?

    It's time.

  • Healthy snacking on the go

    It's travel season! Not only is vacation time upon us, but the Mister and I both have lifestyles that require us to travel every now and then. Instead of relying on unhealthy (and pricey!) fast-food, snacks and beverages, I like to save calories and money by preparing snacks and small meals that are

  • A real woman's body after pregnancy

    That's what I looked like 3 months ago.

  • Baby Gear 10: what you absolutely need and what you can live without

    When I was pregnant, I shared my favorite pregnancy things. Well, now I'm a first-time mom and I have a new list to share - my favorite first-parent things. The Mister and I talked long and hard about this list and have decided to share our thoughts. We are not endorsed by any of these products, we

  • The power of your baby's smile

    You go through nine months of wondering.

  • A letter to my future-self (as a new mom!)...

    Today marks the 9 day countdown to my due date. Hard to believe how quickly this whole " Pregnancy " thing flashed by!

  • Pregnancy - just another waiting game?

    You wait to find out you're pregnant.

  • Can you prevent stretch marks during pregnancy?

    Stretch marks - or as I'm trying to call them, warrior scars.

  • 3 Healthy, Family-Friendly Fall Activities

    Fall is almost over and before we know it, we'll be pulling out holiday recipes and trimming the tree. But for those of you (like me!) who may have been a little busy this fall season, there's still time to be festive!And as always, these activities are extremely good for you and your well-being. We

  • Explore your local parks for refreshing, energizing exercise

    When you hear (or think!) Cleveland, the first thought that comes to your mind probably isn't luscious, green parks filled with walking and hiking trails, streams and picnic areas. Well it should be! Yes, we are more than steel factories up here! The area's most under-rated and beautiful gem, The Cl

  • Recovery drinks – are they important?

    You just completed an intense workout. You're tired, disgustingly sweaty and realize a shower is in immediate order, before you start offending the dust mites (I hear they have powerful noses). You strip off your clothes (oolala!) and head up to the shower.