Featured Mama

Each week we will feature an amazing, marvelous mama. You will get a peek into the daily lives of other local mamas, see pics of their family and learn some fun facts. This week we feature...

Jamie Mateo








~Age- 26 yrs
~Birthday- February 1st
~#2 profession (mommy is #1)- Besides being a mom I work part time at the Sun Prairie Health Care Center as a CNA. I usually work 5pm-11 or 1 depending on the night. I started nursing school before I had Mia and haven't gone back to finish yet. Hopefully when Logan is in school I can finish:)

~Names/Ages of Kiddos-
Mia-5
Victoria-3
Logan-2
~Favorite Nap time Pastime- During nap I usually get my cleaning done and just this year started theme birthday parties for the kids and I love to google different ideas, there is so much to see:)
~Guilty pleasure food item- I love pita chips and Sabra Roasted Red Pepper Hummus!!








~Most Challenging Hour of the day- The longest hour of the day is usually between 4pm-5pm, on the days I work its hustle to get out of the house and the days I'm home its get supper made and the kids are just Crazy!!
~Favorite Baby/Child Product- Favorite child product right now would be the little pool in the back yard and bikes. They love the pool and they can all pedal some kind of bike making walks so much more fun now:)

~Blogs you like, follow or have- I love Blogs:)I follow:
Enjoying the Small Things (love her play list)
The Veldes
April Maureen
PB & J Day











~Favorite local place to take kids- Our favorite place to go is the Prairie Athletic Club. I can work out in peace and the kids can swim any day any time:) Also we love parks, anywhere:)
~Your mommy style in 3 words- Go With the Flow (well that's 4, sorry;)

Featured Mama

Each week we will feature an amazing, marvelous mama. You will get a peek into the daily lives of other local mamas, see pics of their family and learn some fun facts. This week we feature...

Amber Jensen















~Age- 28 yrs
~Birthday- September 28th
~#2 profession (mommy is #1)- I am a freelance photographer/photojournalist, and I shoot for various publications in and around Madison. My family and I recently moved here from Springfield, Missouri where I worked as a staff photographer/multimedia reporter for the local newspaper. We moved back to Wisconsin to be closer to our family. I get to spend more time with my son, and still continue to do what I love. My website is www.amberarnoldphoto.com. (I continue to use my maiden name, Arnold, for work purpose).

~Names/Ages of Kiddos-
Sage Nicholas, 2.5yrs
~Favorite Nap time Pastime- I love to knit and enjoy the silence while Sage is napping, but I am typically working at my computer.
~Guilty pleasure food item- Milwaukee’s dill pickles don’t stand a chance in this house! Unfortunately they’re also a favorite of my husband and son.














~Most Challenging Hour of the day- Running errands are typically the most challenging time during the day. We are at the point where Sage doesn’t want to sit in the cart, but what other options are there? My iphone comes in handy on those trips. All moms need the shape builder app!
~Favorite Baby/Child Product- Ergo baby carrier! We’ve used it from birth to present, although now it’s worn like a backpack. It is the only way we can bring our dog, Abner, to the dog park or do any hiking for that matter.














~Blogs you like, follow or have- Filth Wizardry has some fun crafty ideas
~Favorite local place to take kids- We love going for hikes and exploring new territory close to home. There is so much beauty to this area. “60 hikes within 60 miles” is a great book!
~Your mommy style in 3 words- Enjoy fresh air: going outside always makes me feel better!
~Etc... Since this is my first time staying home with Sage, it has been wonderful to have such a great group of moms to talk with!

Featured Mama

Each week we will feature an amazing, marvelous mama. You will get a peek into the daily lives of other local mamas, see pics of their family and learn some fun facts. This week we feature...

April Britto











~Age- 31 yrs
~Birthday- May 7th
~#2 profession (mommy is #1)- I went to school to become a teacher; something I always wanted to be. I graduated from UW-Oshkosh in 2003 with an elementary education degree with an emphasis in Spanish and ESL, teaching students learning English as their second language. I have been in the education business for 6 years now. I first taught at an elementary school in Green Bay working in a bilingual program, later I team taught in a 3rd classroom for a couple of years. After that I had the pleasure of working with gifted and talented kids in Houston, TX for 2 years teaching Spanish. Currently I am teaching 2 morning class periods of 7th grade Spanish in Sun Prairie, part-time, I love it!

~Names/Ages of Kiddos-
Caleb 15 months
Our 2nd is on the way due end of December!
~Favorite Nap time Pastime- Currently taking a nap due to my preggo status. If I have energy I like to scrapbook, read, watch HGTV or some kind of "before meets
after" program.
~Guilty pleasure food item- Puppy Chow & Sweetart Jelly Beans











~Most Challenging Hour of the day- Between 4-6pm. After Caleb's nap if we don't get outside right away or if momma is tired we have a less than exciting dinner time...trying to prepare dinner is challenging especially with a little one under foot whining.
~Favorite Baby/Child Product- Johnson & Johnson Vanilla and Oatmeal body lotion; I just love the relaxing and soothing smell of it. I am also a fan of Boogie Wipes for those extra runny nose days.











~Blogs you like, follow or have- I am new to the blog world and just started my own called, Just Sayin'.
~Favorite local place to take kids- I really love the walking/jogging trails around our home. It is fun to listen and watch Caleb talking and pointing to birds and trees. We really like our little club house in the backyard too.
~Your mommy style in 3 words- Sporadically Trending and Practical
~Etc... Carlo and I are planning our baby-moon for the end of August! It will be our 4th anniversary at the end of July so we decided to take a little trip before the newest member of our family arrives! Potential Destination: Mackinac Island, Michigan. Anyone have info, stories or details???

Featured Mama

Each week we will feature an amazing, marvelous mama. You will get a peek into the daily lives of other local mamas, see pics of their family and learn some fun facts. This week we feature...

Kim Lapacek

~Age- 29 yrs
~Birthday- April 15th
~#2 profession (mommy is #1)- I may have 3/4/5 professions. First, I graduated from UW Madison with a degree in civil engineering. I worked in my field until I retired at age 25 to stay at home with Cedi and have Capri a few short months later. For three-ish months of the year, I am an owner/operator of the apple orchard – Lapacek’s Orchard. The other 9 months I watch my kiddo’s and work on my crafty business (quilts, bags, hand dyed clothing and other fun sewn items) and The Apple (jewelry). I have a problem sitting still and doing nothing so I try to have lots going on so I avoid this problem.

~Names/Ages of Kiddos-
Mercedi Rose 4 (dob: 11/29/06)
Capri Grace 3 (dob: 2/24/08)
Persimoni ‘Pip’ Mae 0 (dob: 4/28/11)
~Favorite Nap time Pastime- Sewing/quilting/creating
~Guilty pleasure food item- Chips!

~Most Challenging Hour of the day- The first hour when everyone is awake – still trying to figure out how to feed all three mouths at the same time.
~Favorite Baby/Child Product- right now – my moby wrap for Pip, the adjustable roller skates for Cedi, and anything that is ‘buildable’ for Capri

~Blogs you like, follow or have-
My blogs:
www.onebeermom.blogspot.com
www.kimscraftyapple.blogspot.com
www.lapaceksorchard.blogspot.com

My favorite parent blogs:
http://theheirtoblair.com
http://my-merlot.blogspot.com/
http://http://www.mattlogelin.com(have LOTS of kleenex ready when you read Matt's story...)
~Favorite local place to take kids- Ella’s Deli, Bouncy Town, Prairie Athletic (swim lessons) the park in Morrisonville

~Your mommy style in 3 words- One Beer Mom
~Etc...
Favorite Spot to Buy Clothing for the girls:
Handmade: www.AlltheNumbers.etsy.com, Commercial: Old Navy

I HATE buying shoes for the girls! I swear – I buy them and then they grow out of them before they have a chance to wear them – ridiculous!

Featured Mama

Each week we will feature an amazing, marvelous mama. You will get a peek into the daily lives of other local mamas, see pics of their family and learn some fun facts. This week we feature...

Nicole Paczesny

~Age- 30 yrs
~Birthday- January 20th
~#2 profession (mommy is #1)- I went to UW LaCrosse where I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology with a minor in Psychology. I was originally planning to go on and get my Master's Degree in Social Work at UW-Milwaukee, but as it got closer I wasn't sure that's what I wanted to do. From there I decided to attend massage therapy school. All through college that is what I really wanted to do so I decided to just do it! I worked as a massage therapist in a downtown Milwaukee spa for about 16 months, up until Brady was born. I had planned to go back after a few months but it's now 4 years later and I am still at home! I still hold my national license and and continue to take continuing education courses.

~Names/Ages of Kiddos- Brady Michael 4yrs on June 6th, Nathan Michael 2yrs, #3 is due January 1st, 2012!
~Favorite Nap time Pastime- Well Brady very rarely naps so I never get complete quiet but I sometimes let him watch an episode (or two!) on Disney Junior so I can have some mommy time at the computer or take a shower.
~Guilty pleasure food item- I have absolutely no self control and some of my weaknesses are Cool Ranch Doritos, ice cream and most chewy fruity candy.











~Most Challenging Hour of the day- The hour before Mike comes home from work. By that time I am just spent and ready for daddy to get home and take over while I make dinner.
~Favorite Baby/Child Product- I'd have to say the baby product we've gotten the most use out of was a crib soother. We were given one when Brady was 4 months old and he used it until he was almost 3 1/2 and Nathan has had one since birth. It gives them something to watch and listen to as they settle to sleep on their own.

~Blogs you like, follow or have- We do have a Paczesny family blog however it has been almost a year and a half since I updated it! Two blogs I follow daily are Enjoying the Small Things and Young House Love, and of course PB & J!
~Favorite local place to take kids- We love the zoo when the weather allows, Bouncy Town and are members at the Madison Children's Museum.
~Your mommy style in 3 words- Eat, Sleep, Learn. I figure if I can get my kids to do at least a little of those each day, it's a good day!

Featured Mama

Each week we will feature an amazing, marvelous mama. You will get a peek into the daily lives of other local mamas, see pics of their family and learn some fun facts. This week we feature...

Jenny Dickinson














~Age- 30 yrs
~Birthday- April 4th
~#2 profession (mommy is #1)- Hmm... First I went to UW Eau Claire for Communications and Web Development. I worked as a computer programmer for 3 years before deciding it wasn't for me and went back to school at MATC to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. I worked as a surgical nurse for a specialty clinic on the west side of Madison for 2 1/2 years before deciding to be a stay at home mom when Elin was born. I am currently doing some free-lance web page support for a couple of places in my free time and plan to go back to being a veterinary technician when Elin is around 2 or 3, but who knows where I'll end up to be honest. You never know what opportunities life may throw your way!

~Names/Ages of Kiddos- Elin 5 months
~Favorite Nap time Pastime- Staring at the food porn on Smitten Kitchen and deciding which of her recipes I'm going to try next and/or trying a new recipe.
~Guilty pleasure food item- Sugary cereal, I don't eat the whole box but definitely way too.














~Most Challenging Hour of the day- Between 2 and 3pm, usually I am bouncing Elin pleading with her to go to sleep for one more nap because if she doesn't she will be crabby when Garret gets home and dinner will be rushed. This is also the time she is least likely to want to nap.
~Favorite Baby/Child Product- Baby Bjorn. I would never get the dishes done/dinner cooked/laundry done/vacuuming done/etc, etc, etc without it.

~Blogs you like, follow or have- Smitten Kitchen and of course PB & J.
~Favorite local place to take kids- So far we haven't gone to tons of places since the weather is just now starting to get nice, but going downtown Madison and walking around the Union/Monona Terrace is nice.
~Your mommy style in 3 words- Structured attempt at chaos (ok that was four)

As a new mom I love advice and meeting/talking with other moms!