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It feels like fall this weekend

Posted Oct 15, 2010 by Courtney Cairns Pastor

Updated Oct 15, 2010 at 02:10 PM

Is it terrible that I’m looking at all the fall festivals this weekend and thinking photo opportunity? My husband and I are taking the little guy out to the pumpkin patch this weekend with our friends and their kids, and before I even looked up the directions, I made sure his orange T-shirt was washed and my camera battery was charged.

But it’s going to be a beautiful weekend, with highs in the 80s, and there are festivals going on throughout the area, all with activities for the kids. Mine is just going to be excited about the pumpkins, which he calls “ba” (because everything round is a “ba,” like his balloon or ball).

Hyde Park Village’s fall festival runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Swann and Dakota Avenues. There’s trick or treating, a bounce house, face painting, games and entertainment. The village’s pumpkin patch is also back through Halloween with proceeds benefitting the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

If you’re on the east side of town, FishHawk Ranch offers its pumpkin festival from 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, featuring a pumpkin carving contest, costume parade, music, hayrides and a nonperishable food drive.

Lowry Park’s “Zoo Boo” continues at 7 p.m. this weekend and the next two through Halloween. Admission is $14 for kids 3 to 11 and $17 for 12 and older. You save a dollar if you’re a zoo member. It has five haunted houses, ranked on a scale of one to seven skulls for its scariness. The haunted houses include one for ages 5 and up but most are more suitable for 10 years and older.

The “one skull” attractions for the littlest monsters include a “monster bounce” and games. There is also a kiddie train, a carousel, roller coaster and water flume for no additional cost.

The Grove at Wesley Chapel will host a fall festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with ample eats. Restaurants will face off in a “Battle of the Wings” at 2 p.m. There will also be live music, children’s activities, a crafts show and a custom car show.

You’ll find a listing of more events coming up here.

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Stop me before I buy another stroller

Posted Oct 14, 2010 by Courtney Cairns Pastor

Updated Oct 14, 2010 at 02:01 PM

I caught myself the other day thinking how great the City Mini Baby Jogger would be to take the pumpkin patch this weekend. It looks like it can wheel nicely over uneven terrain but is lighter than my smooth-riding-but-bulky BOB Revolution. And then I returned to reality.

I have four strollers already – and while I swear they all have their own purpose, it’s something that I would have thought completely excessive before having kids. OK, it’s still probably excessive, but at least I’m not alone. Alexis Novak, mom to two young daughters, e-mailed me about her own stroller fixation and what is says about her parenting experience.

Novak is a former English teacher in St. Petersburg who now stays home with her daughters. She details the first four in her collection – yes, that’s four of the SEVEN she owns – below. You can read about the other three (and the fourth one she covets) and more at www.hotandhealthymom.com. I, meanwhile, will stop reading the Amazon reviews of the City Mini.

“I think my daughter has an unhealthy stroller obsession.  My husband thinks I have an unhealthy stroller obsession. I tried to explain to him the function and necessity for each stroller I have owned but I just sounded plain guilty. What he will never understand is that a solid stroller can make your mom life more mobile which equals freer which equals happier.

This is my motherhood journey as told through my vast stroller collection:

1.  Graco Quattro Tour Travel System – a.k.a. ‘The Mall Stroller.’ This is where the journey begins for many of us as the big ticket gift at your baby shower. This mid-range price point car-seat-stroller-combo gets you from the hospital, then to the grocery store and pediatrician while you are still in the New Mom Stupor. A few months later, it becomes too bulky to move in and out of your car and you are ready to exercise with something faster.  (Sold mine to a pushy lady from Craigslist who complained there was some dog hair on the wheel though she was getting an insane deal for her preggo teenage stepdaughter. After that, I never let random Craigslisters over to my house again.)

2.  Jeep Liberty Limited All Terrain 3-Wheel Stroller – This was my birthday gift to myself a few years back.  It has the little wheel toy to entertain the babe and a pivoting front wheel for good maneuverability. When I was ready to move my body again both walking and doing Baby Boot Camp it was the answer. Great value too.

3.  Graco LiteRider – I considered this lightweight my ‘umbrella stroller’ that I kept in the car. For $50 it served us well and the Graco infant car seat could pop into this one too. It was easy and reliable. Perfect for the Saturday Farmer’s Market. I sold it consignment for $20. I actually miss this one sometimes.

4.  Phil & Teds Sport with doubles kit – So my second pregnancy happened a little faster than we were prepared for and I mostly blame the beautiful actor Patrick Wilson who I bumped into in Target’s toy aisle the week I conceived (please refer to his butt in the movie ‘Little Children’).”

Thanks, Alexis! I feel less guilty.

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Service Saturday for families coping with miscarriage, stillbirth

Posted Oct 11, 2010 by Courtney Cairns Pastor

Updated Oct 11, 2010 at 02:24 PM

If you’re coping with a loss from miscarriage, stillbirth or newborn death, St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital is offering a chance for some closure.

The hospital is inviting families to a memorial service at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Call (813) 872-2930 today to RSVP.

All family members, including children, are welcome and invited to bring a photo or memento to share. A reception with refreshments will follow the service.

The service will take place in the lobby of the women’s hospital, 3030 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa.

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Meet the new TBOMom

Posted Oct 8, 2010 by Courtney Cairns Pastor

Updated Oct 8, 2010 at 10:42 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.

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Good-bye from the first TBOMom

Posted Oct 7, 2010 by Beth Gaddis

Updated Oct 8, 2010 at 10:28 AM

I’ve been putting off this blog entry because I wasn’t quite sure what to say.  How do you sum up what a joy it’s been to write about my kids, my husband and my thoughts on everything that goes into having a family, a career and anything resembling sanity?

You’ve laughed with me when I posted pictures of my son’s favorite stuffed animal soaked in spilled wine, commiserated when I blogged about the mommy guilt that comes with missing special events, and shared with me your stories and advice on how to raise two good kids.  You told me how to pack healthy lunch boxes, get the kids to sleep through the night, and what stand-bys I should always have in the pantry for a quick, kid-friendly meal.  I’ve loved emailing with you, tweeting with you and chatting on Facebook.

I’ve been the TBOMom for two years, ever since I returned to work after my second son was born.  You helped me through those early days when I was juggling a full-time job, nursing a newborn, and caring for my husband after his heart attack at the age of 39.  Becoming TBO’s mommy blogger was my favorite part of my job, and I’m very sad to be leaving it.

After eight years at The Tampa Tribune, TBO.com and News Channel 8, I’m leaving on Oct. 8 to become the publicist for Icon B. Marketing and Publicity Group in Tampa.  It’s a better fit for my family.  In my old job, I had to leave the house at 4:30 a.m. Now I’ll be able to help get the kids up and out the door, plus I’ll be telecommuting, so I’ll still see them at a reasonable hour in the afternoon.

I hope to still be a guest blogger for TBO, and look forward to staying connected on my new Facebook account and @MomScribe on Twitter!

I leave knowing you’ll be in good hands.  Tampa Tribune education reporter Courtney Pastor is taking over the role of TBOMom.  I’ve loved working with her for years, and know you’ll adore her too.

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