Posts by: Nat Nanton
I recall going through life with so much to say but holding it all in. And when I spoke, I would habitually say what I thought people wanted to hear, always choosing to bite my tongue to avoid stepping on toes.
Funny enough, I remember getting my toes trampled on and being the one to apologize. I was hit by a speeding car…at a pedestrian crossing… in a school zone…and I apologized.
I’m telling you, my vocal chords did their own thing.
Things finally turned around when my daughter was born. As her role model and spokesperson, I thought I’d help her find her voice. Instead, she helped me discover mine.
Knowing that your beloved sister is having an unassisted home birth in Costa Rica really tests your ability to let go and let be.
Little did I know, I didn’t have anything to worry about.
Angels surrounded her. Each one arriving right on time.
The kindest couple welcomed her into their home.
They made her tea. They fed her Costa Rican mangoes. They never left her side.
Mama-to-be danced to the beat of African drums and the sounds of a sitar.
The music perfectly matching the rhythm of the contractions.
Three darling children offered their “om’s” and drummed along.
Friends across the globe lit a candle. Said a prayer. Breathed for her.
Family tuned in live, through the internet. Costa Rica to Canada to China.
When was the last time you felt like you were really living it up, achieving your dreams, stepping up to the challenge? Taking care of Junior doesn’t have to mean that you’re days of fun are over. But I get it. Kids require energy–a lot of it.
And moms are lacking sleep, feeling wiped out and exhausted. When you’re feeling like that, the most you can do is get through your daily routine. Don’t expect to “carpe diem” when you’re wearing your crankypants with your eyes half-open.
Solution? Cold showers.
Let me tell you about the experience that opened my eyes to the power of the cold shower.
I live on Canada’s west coast, where the winters are mild, but the ocean is freezing. Only the crazies can be found taking a dip in the pacific ocean at winter time. Well, call me crazy. On January 1, 2013, I dove in. I participated in the Polar Bear Swim along with thousands of others.
This is a big deal for a girl who never sets more than a toe into water that isn’t steaming.
The first challenge of the new year brought out a new handmade quilt, new planner, and new hair-dos! View the rest of the entries here.
You go on mission for a flat stomach…because you blame your failed relationship on your spare tire.
You want to make more money…to keep up with the Joneses.
You decide to run your first marathon…and then get badly injured because you pushed past your limits just to get an impressive time.
You strive to be an active volunteer in your community…but you end up neglecting your own family.
You force yourself to drink green juice every morning…since all the cool moms are doing it.
During the holiday season I took a vacation from all things social media. I enjoyed my time offline but I’m eager to reconnect with moms via Instagram!
2012 was good to natnanton.com. With added features, such as a swanky newsletter, a weekly Instagram challenge, and hot giveaways, this blog has come a long way in twelve months.
Every year on the 25th of December…
We exchange more smiles and well-wishes with strangers.
We hug and kiss our loved ones more than we normally would.
We give gifts to family, friends, teachers, neighbours, the postal clerk.
The holiday season has been full of treats and prizes at natnanton.com! With amazing swag like the $50 LUSH gift card, the premium tickets to Cirque du Soleil and the most recent, Images by Bethany prize pack, Santa was getting a little worried about job security.
I can’t wait to announce the next giveaway! But for now, I reveal the winner of some serious loot: a family portrait session with Images by Bethany and an 8×10 print for FREE!
I was nervous at the idea of having a portrait session in a studio with my two-year old. What if she refuses to cooperate? What if she has a meltdown? I imagined the worst-case scenario: we leave our session with snapshots of a mother and daughter doing the ugly cry.
OK I’m being a bit dramatic. But I never would’ve thought that having my toddler in an unfamiliar room for an hour (equal to 12 hours in toddler time) with a stranger, would result in something so perfect.
Below, I share a few photos from my session with Images by Bethany, as well as tips for photoshoots with toddlers. You’ll find this useful in case you win my Images of Bethany giveaway (details at the end of this post).
How To Keep Your Toddler Happy During Photoshoots
1. Follow your photographer’s lead: Bethany provided us with pre-shoot guidelines that really helped us prepare for the day; she handled the tougher toddler moments with grace; and she walked us through the entire process. Seeing that she is a professional at photographing kids and a mother herself, it’s no surprise that following her lead had such beautiful results.
Welcome!
I'm Nat Nanton, founder of Tutu Mama. Becoming a mother has made me commit to living my greatest life. If you can relate to that, you're in the right place.Connect with me
