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Meet the new TBOMom

Posted Oct 8, 2010 by Courtney Cairns Pastor

Updated Oct 8, 2010 at 11:42 AM

Poor Beth. She posted on Facebook that she was leaving, and I simultaneously congratulated her and asked if I could have her job.

I just really wanted it. I already spend more time than I should online, checking out daily deals on baby gear (www.babysteals.com), browsing for advice, catching up with my favorite mom bloggers. Parenting articles are the first one I read in the paper. Saleswomen at some of the local kid stores know me by name. I talk with my friends about diapers and other gross stuff I swore I never would.

The chance to incorporate my interests into my reporting job for the Tribune sounded perfect.

My husband and I came so late to the parenting game that when we called my mom to tell her the news, she spent a good five minutes saying, “You’re kidding, right? This is a joke?”

But there we were, married almost 10 years and expecting our first. Nate was born in August 2009, and the following year was a blur of sleep deprivation, trips to the pediatrician and first delights – first smile, first roll-over, first word, first steps. Now we find ourselves with a running, giggling, clapping, singing toddler who shrieks prehistorically when he doesn’t get his way and plants giant slobbery kisses on you just because.

The biggest thing I’ve learned as a new mom is that there is a ton I don’t know. But I have been a newspaper reporter for 14 years, which means I’m good at tracking down information. I’ll be sharing with you here tips I come across from my reading and the interesting people I interview. I’ll have information on local events and connect you to the deals. I know I’ll have funny stories from my own little guy and hope you will contribute yours about your experiences as well.

And you’ll be hearing from more than just me. We have a team of contributors lined up for this blog that include dads and a mom of teenagers. So check in often and let me know what you want to talk about.  I’m on Facebook and Twitter, too, and can’t wait to get started.