How to make mama salve
I wanted to make an all-purpose salve that would work for moisturizing and soothing both my skin and the babe’s, and wanted to come up with a recipe that would theoretically work on everything from my (soon-to-be) cracked nipples to his little bum.
DIY photo books make the most awesome gifts
Photographer Leah Muse (who some of you may remember from OBB, or her awesome Royal Tenebaums nursery) recently put together a wonderful book for her partner’s birthday. She had a friend take photos of her and her daughter all over Austin, TX. Each photo featured them holding signs about what makes the birthday boy so […]
How to make a light-up robot costume for $15
I made this costume from duct tape, parts of old electronic equipment, LED Christmas lights, and dimmer switches. It was comfortable and safe, it stood up to lots of abuse and monkey-like toddler behavior, and it only cost me about 15 bucks to make. Here’s how I did it…
Aww, a cute fetal skeleton!
Thanks to Viva La Vida Photography for submitting this wonderful shot to the Offbeat Mama photo pool!
Kate at the organic blueberry farm
Thanks to photographer Lauren McGlynn for sharing this wonderful shot with me. She explains, “This is my friend Kate and her baby on her organic blueberry farm in North Carolina.” For two beautiful maternity shots from Lauren, keep reading… For more of Lauren’s wonderful photos, head to laurenmcglynn.com
I’m a stay-at-home sister. Let me tell you about The Look.
In traditional terms I wouldn’t be considered a parent. I have never given birth, I hold no legal guardianship over another life, but I was born a mother. My maternal instinct kicked in early. I love taking care of people and kids absolutely melt me. So when my mom started talking about wanting to become involved with foster care I absolutely supported her.
Offbeat guardian angel
The dragon is an IKEA Minnen Drake. It’s been discontinued from IKEA, but you can find them on eBay sometimes.
Why I threw out my birth plan
Long before we made that ‘end-of-the-first-trimester-safe-zone’ announcement, I set out to arm myself with information. I bought twenty or so different books, ranging topically from c-sections to homebirths, joined every pregnancy website I could find, pored over every birth story I could get my greedy little hands on, and began deciding just how things would go this time around…