Mommy Diaries – Sleep is Overrated! – Carmen Brown

This week has been a tough one. My mother’s eye has had an infection and we had been trying to figure out what was wrong with it since last Thursday. We went to her family doctor Friday, the hospital Saturday, a specialist Sunday, and a plastic surgeon. Yesterday the doctor lanced it and let it drain. So now, she is feeling a bit better, her eye is still swelled up. Hopefully she will be back to her better self by the end of this week. Anyway, between all the family stuff going on, I have not slept a lot. Little man is doing well, he is getting his shots today. Ahhhhh! I hope it doesn’t hurt that bad. Wish us luck! Today calls for a good nap and maybe a big steak!!

As always, make it a good one! Carmen

Ready to Wrap this One Up!

Last week I was on vacation, so you know it’s always hard to get back into the groove after a week out. I have to say after a week being away from my boys, I kind of missed them. They grow on you like the plague (ha-ha).

Anyway, the beach was fabulous. It was perfect weather, we had one big storm… it was time to come in anyway, so it all worked out. It was so funny, Tyson was scared of the ocean and the waves crashing. I was traumatized. I had visions of us running around in the sand and playing in the water. So, we found this area called the point where the sound meets the ocean and the water was almost like a big wading pool. He loved it there. My friend got a really cute picture of his foot prints in the sand. Maybe next year he will like the waves!

Have a great weekend and as always, make it a good one! Carmen

Sean's "Hangover" Movie Review

Everybody has told me that the Hangover was going to be the funniest movie I ever saw in my whole life. I was prepared to need stitches in my sides from all the laughter.

Ok. It was funny. The characters are great. We can see some of ourselves in all of them.

Our mischievous side is Phil. Phil does what he wants and laughs all the way.
Our weirdo side is Alan. He knows that tigers hate cinnamon.
Our low self esteem side is Stu.
Our boring side is Doug.
Our tiny side is Mr. Chow. (I couldn’t see it at ALL!)

I do recommend this movie, but be warned. There is a lot of male nudity in it. I’m no prude, but just can’t endorse all the MALE nudity. There’s one shocking moment at the end that I’m not sure they can actually get away with. It might be edited out for video release.

Hangover was not the funniest movie I ever saw, but it’s top 7. I give it three thumbs way up. As Alan would say, “It’s not your fault.”

Mommy Diaries (Fun Fourth of July!) Carmen Brown

Just want to say BIG THANKS to everybody who came out to the Fourth of July Festival in downtown Greensboro. It was so much fun. The parade was a trip, we actually designed a float this year. If you missed it, the float was designed like a beach. It was so funny, the people that lined up behind us had 2 dogs. One was an older female small dog and another younger dog that had lots of energy. The people asked me if we could put the older dog on our float because she would get tired walking. I took the little dog and she rode in my lap throughout the parade. Between Matty in a hotdog suit and a dog on my lap, it was a huge success. People were laughing hysterically at the hotdog suit. Everybody wanted a picture with the life size hotdog. Check out the pictures at 987simon.com. They are great!!! Thanks again for those who came out and Happy Fourth of July!!!

As always, make it a good one! Carmen

Mommy Diaries (Birthday Day!) Carmen Brown

So here we are, July 1st, 2009, and one year has already passed. It is so hard to even wrap my head around it. Today is little man’s official birthday. We had our BIG celebration this past Sunday… a huge cookout with family and friends. We could have not been more blessed. The weather was wonderful, the crowd was warm and fun… just an all around a great time. So, thank you to everybody who came out! Tyson racked up. My house is now full of toys that light up and make sounds, it’s like a 3 ring circus!

Today I am getting out of here early to go do something fun with little man. It’s really hot, so I was thinking we could go play indoors for a while, then maybe go to the park later… then out to dinner!!! He loves to go out to eat just like his mama. I am so full of energy and life to know that I brought such an incredible little person into this world. What a gift from God. God is GOOD!

As always, make it a good one. Carmen

More of Skip's Ramblings...

What's up with paying to park at theme parks etc.. What service are they providing for the 8 to 12 dollars. It they were going to wash the car I would feel better. They need to offer some type of service like an oil change. Get with it.

MOMMY DIARIES (BEACH TRIP!) Carmen Brown

Hope everybody is having a great week…not too much drama, right! So, this past weekend, I went to the beach with Skip’s family and we had a great time. It was a much needed break… there was just one little roadblock that we had to overcome… and well, let’s say we handled it well!

We got down to Skip’s condo at like 10:30 Friday night and it was scorching hot inside, so we checked the air-conditioning… well…you guessed it… it was BROKEN!!! The temperature just kept going up, then it hit like 85 degrees and Skip’s wife started flipping out because management never called them to report the problem. They have people that help them take care of the property and rent it out. The people could not do anything that late, so we had to wait until Saturday to get it fixed.

So all in all it was a great vacation, just a little roadblock! We went to the pool early Saturday morning until the people came out to fix it, and all was well! We ended up having a fabulous time. Nothing like a cold pool on a hot day!!! I am ready to go back tomorrow! As always, make it a good one! Carmen Brown

MOMMY DIARIES (Boating We Go!) Carmen Brown

Hello to all!!! This past weekend was a blast… Tyson and I had such a great time. We kicked off Saturday with a boat ride around High Rock Lake. The weather was gorgeous. It was little man’s first boat ride, and he looked so funny in his life jacket. He just seemed to take it all in and enjoy the peaceful water. I also took one of my friend’s little boys. He enjoyed ‘helping drive the boat’. He felt like such a big man. I thought at first Tyson may be scared, but it did not faze him. He’s not really scared of much… he is my child for sure.

Then on Sunday, we went to ‘Art on Sundays Series’ Festival downtown in Winston Salem. It was tooooo cool! There were African drummers and Latino bands playing… a little flamenco guitar…dancers. Ahhhh… it was incredible! Tyson really go into it…dancing around and stomping. Ha-Ha… I wish I had a video camera. They also had this piñata where the kids lined up with a blindfold on. They were going crazy. Then when one of the kids busted it, they all came running on top of each other grabbing the toys and candy. I thought for one minute a kiddie fight was going to break out!!! Ha-Ha… so serious about their candy! Anyway, what a great weekend and today I think we may take a trip to the pool. Whoahhhhhh… It’s HOT!!!

As always, make it good one! Carmen

Another Random Thought... from Skip

Well its hot outside and that means pool time. I don't know what it is about a pool, but it feels great. It relaxes you. Make you feel great. But I hate sitting on the sides of pools like I am now, writing this blog from my Blackberry and getting splashed. Don't they see me working a delicate device? Do they know how important this is. It can ruin my Blac

Mommy Diaries (Come on Out to Downtown Winston! by Carmen Brown

Just a heads up, this Sunday, June 7th, bring the whole family out to downtown Winston-Salem for ‘June Fest’. It’s on the corner of 6th and Trade Street. It is part of the ‘Arts on Sunday Festival’ that my non-profit group has been putting on all through out the month of May. (Since one got rained out in May we are re-celebrating this Sunday) Sunday’s theme is Multicultural Music, Arts, and Entertainment. Lots of FUN!!!! The best part… it’s free. If you can’t make it out this Sunday, check out the afasgroup.com That is the website for the non-profit board I am on. We love to promote and help artists of all types. See you on Sunday!

As always, make it a good one! Carmen Brown

Mommy Diaries (Gone too soon) Carmen Brown

After getting off the air this morning I got a phone call… the phone call you never want to get. A very dear friend of mine was killed in a car crash this morning in Winston Salem. I can’t even began to describe how much of a loving soul he was… he is…and I am still in disbelief this has happened. He was engaged to be married in October to a beautiful woman with a heart as big as his. He has now gone to God, and heaven will have a new ray of light watching over us.

To his family and many friends who may be reading this, know that everybody is praying for you… As you are reading this… to anybody reading this… let your loved ones know how much you love them and how much you appreciate them. I wish I had one last conversation with him…..letting him know this, but I think he always knew. He has had a major impact on many people’s lives. So I ask we pass that on… be kind, be gentle, and open your heart…God Bless.

Carmen

Mommy Diaries (Guilford County Animal Shelter Needs Your Help!) Carmen Brown

Hello! I just visited the Guilford County Animal Shelter this week and there are so many sweet, loving animals ready to be adopted. We are in the process of updating the website with all the dogs and cats up for adoption (even a bunny too!). There is also a bio of each animal so you can find out more to get the right fit for your family. Go to my page ‘Carmen’, scroll down and you will see a pic of me and a dog that takes you to all the pets up for adoption. May 23rd-31st they have a really cool promotion where any dog or cat 1 year or older can be adopted for HALF price. Check out the information below and help out while getting awesome stuff for you!!!

Plan ahead to attend a HUGE yard sale to benefit ALL the animals of the Guilford County Animal Shelter.

DATE: June 6th
TIME: 8am – 1pm
(NO early birds please)

LOCATION: 5300 Wayne Rd. Greensboro
Sedgefield Area off High Point Rd.
If you are an animal lover, support the yard sale. If you love to go to yard sales, be sure to drop in. Like to just get out for a ride, the yard sale makes a great stop. You will find a treasure, and the animals will be the beneficiary.

Mommy Diaries - Alive After Five by Carmen Brown

It’s that time of year again to get outside, dance, and hang with other peeps in the Triad.

Tomorrow night (Thursday May 21st) the first ‘Alive After Five’ kicks off in Winston Salem. So everybody come on out to Corpening Plaza in Winston Salem. (where the waterfalls are) The party starts at 5 and the first band starts at 5:30 and goes till 8:30.

Every year has been a blast, and as far as I’m concerned the weekend starts on Thursday, right? Ha-Ha!!! Look for the Simon Van and stop by and see us. Don’t worry about pulling out your wallet…IT’S FREE!!!!! See you there!

As always, make it a good one! Carmen

You Tube's Hottest Talents from Skip

Here are some of You Tubes hottest talents that we talked about today on the show:

(click on the name to check out the video)

01. Numma Numma song

02. Fat Guy

03. Chocolate Rain

04. Turtle Boy

Mommy Diaries - Why Babies Do What They Do by Carmen Brown

So, I get home today, and Tyson is crying in his highchair. I’m looking at him like ‘did something just happen or are you on a hunger strike today’?

Trust me, we are going through a phase of I don’t want to eat, all I want is my ‘crunchies’, as I call them. He was such a great eater before, and now…bang…boom…nothing. Oh, he will take a couple of bites and then he is over it. Once in a while in the past 2 weeks I have been able to get him to eat without a problem.

The more the teeth are budding through, the more we are having food dilemmas. Now that I think about it, if my mouth was hurting like that, I may not want to ‘gum’ a lot of food either. The good news is that he is in the 90 percentile for other babies his age, which means I have no fear of him starving anytime soon.

He is really tall, which I can probably credit my dad for considering he is like 6’4. Little man has the genes to be a pro basketball player. The jury is still out on that one. I will never be one of those lunatic mothers who force their kids into certain sports…I am going to let him play around in different sports and see what HE likes. As far as I’m concerned, he could anything from a soccer player to a famous actor on Broadway. Whatever makes him happy. That was how I was raised and it allowed me to experiment with different hobbies/interest…etc.

Anyway, I figured out I liked to talk a out, and well here I am. ha-ha….Back to the eating thing, little man just woke up and it is time for our ba-ba, as he likes to call it.

As always, make it a good one! Carmen

A Message From Skip...

Here is Carmens weekend job at the winston salem childrens museum. Eat more chicken.

Mommy Diaries - Finally... VACATON WEEKEND by Carmen Brown

This past weekend I took a trip down to Skip’s beach condo…much needed getaway!!!

I think it was the first time I have taken a vacation since I was like 3 months pregnant. WOW – that’s been a hot minute. Although it was a quick weekend getaway, it was very relaxing. I thought I was going to be paranoid the entire time (first time away from my son out of town), but I was able to kick back and enjoy myself. I did call 50 times to check on him though (ha-ha). I’m like that annoying parent with my phone on speed dial.

It was bike weekend at Myrtle Beach, so that was interesting. I saw a lot of cool bikes with cute boys and some not so attractive (well at least the drivers – ha-ha –that’s so bad to say). For the most part, we just chilled on the beach, which now I have a sunburn on my back because I insisted on only using a 15/30 sun block. I’m not sure what I was thinking at the time.

Anyway, if you ever get down to North Myrtle Beach and really want to treat yourself to a nice dinner, check out Greg Normans. It’s at Barefoot Landing….triple yummy…a bit pricy, but worth it. Alright, I must return to reality now!

As always, make it a good one! Carmen

Mommy Diaries (NEW FACEBOOKS!!!) Carmen Brown

Good Morning to all! Check out our new Facebook Pages - - Just go to facebook.com and look us up. Soon we will also have a new, more exciting website also!!! Lots of cool stuff coming your way. For now, become our friends and we can chat on facebook!!!

As always, make it a good one. Carmen

Raising money for Make a Wish Foundation- Skip

I will be at the hungry Howies in adams farm shopping center tonight raising money for make a wish from 5-6. Please call 333 3340!

Mommy Diaries (More and More Babies!) Carmen Brown

This must be the year of extreme mating (ha-ha) because half of my girlfriends have been popping out babies. My best friend is in the hospital right now being enduced…ouchhhh. I remember it all too well!

I just called her to see how things were going, and she said the contractions were coming on and the cramping was starting in her back. Ok, my first thought was, girl you better get that epidural... QUICK! If I learned anything from the beauty of labor… ask for the epidural BEFORE the real pain hits. It takes the edge off. Ok, not completely, but it sure makes it a lot easier. I am heading to the hospital to see her in a minute, and maybe, just maybe, I can witness a birth at some point. I’m sure I will be kicked out of the room by that point, but it’s worth a try.

Oddly enough, I really loved giving birth. I know that sounds insane, but it was such a wonderful experience. Yes it was painful, was it unbearable? No. Once I got focused and realized I had a job to do, I was ok with it. It did not freak me out anymore. I think it’s the anticipation that gets us the most. We imagine this horrible, unbearable experience. I’m not saying it does not happen to certain women, God bless the women who have been traumatized! The hardest part of birth I think, for me, was wanting to know that I had a healthy child and that everything was going to be alright. It took a while, but we got there.

So, wish my best friend luck, and to all the mommies out there… go ahead with your bad self! Oh, and Happy Mother’s Day!!! I hope you got some time to relax and get some quality time with your children.

As always, make it a good one! Carmen

Mommy Diaries (AHHHH…I’m Scared!) Carmen Brown

Ok, there are only a few things in this life that scare the "you know what" out of me. One of those things would be tornados. Terrified!!! There is a tornado watch posted on the TV right now, and it makes my stomach turn. I don’t know what it is, but my hair stands up on my arms. You think I would be over storm phobia at 30-something, but oh no…no…no! How do I overcome these fears? It’s not like I have control of Mother Nature, or that I ever would like to have control of Mother Nature. That would be one hell of a job! Ok, so I really need to get over this.

As always, make it a good one! Carmen

A message from Skip...

Its so nice to see that we seam to be getting better with our economy. Gas prices below 3.00 a gal. Families buying homes. Stocks looking better. Now I hope that many business hire back people that were laid off.

MOMMY DIARIES (Cleaning Up Our Act – Literally) Carmen Brown

First of all I would like to say HAPPY EARTH MONTH!!! Thank you to everyone who is making a difference one step at a time!

Yesterday I caught part of the Oprah show. She did a special on Earth Day. WOW…it really opened up my eyes big time. She spoke with an activist about how much trash is dumped into the ocean. If you can take just a few moments out of your day, PLEASE go to oprah.com and read the story ‘Do you really know where your trash is going?’ It’s under the heading ‘IT’S EASY BEING GREEN’. There are multiple stories that all have great informative information, but this is SHOCKING. Currently scientists believe the world’s largest garbage dump is not on land… it’s in the Pacific Ocean. It is called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch which stretches from the coast of California to Japan… estimated to be twice the size of Texas. It is absolutely disgusting. A catch 22, because we are the ones who produce and consume so much… so MUCH!

It makes me sad, mad and guilty all at the same time. I really am on the path to changing my ways EVEN MORE today. There were many pictures and video on the show and I think there are some pictures on the website. The saddest part of the waste land is the poor animals that are living without choice in this environment. One pelican (I think it was a pelican) had died and when it was cut open, it had a cigarette lighter in his stomach along with other trash. It also showed other fish and animals caught in nets and trying to eat what they believe is food, but is really toxic material and they do not know the difference. Ultimately the toxic waste/plastic that ends up in the ocean… then is absorbed into the water, fish and animals… THEN ends up back on our plates. Think about it.

After reading the article I guarantee you it WILL change the way you view your habits. It WILL make you more conscious about what to do with waste and certain things you should avoid. This is not hard, it’s very EASY… do not be overwhelmed… one step at a time. It was so disturbing to look at all the waste PILED up and the long stretches it covered. We are talking about the size of Texas doubled. You HAVE to visit her website… oprah.com.

On that note, please read…please educate yourself…and MAKE IT A GOOD ONE! Carmen

Mommy Diaries (Ways to Keep the ‘C’ Word Away) Carmen Brown

I’m always interested in reading articles and researching different foods/vitamins that can help your body stay strong and healthy. The News & Record had a great article on cancer and ways to prevent and treat cancer.

Green Tea never fails. It has always been linked to good health and a great way to detoxify your body. Also interesting enough, mushrooms have a super power. They contain lentinan - a compound that stimulates the immune system, which in turn can slow tumor growth. Pretty cool huh! There’s nothing like making a huge stir fry with a bunch of mushrooms. Yummmm….As far as green tea goes, it is recommended to drink 2 to 3 glasses of green tea a day. Drink up!

As always, make it a good one. Carmen Brown

All about Carmen

Here are some interesting facts about myself that my best friend told me I should share with you guys. I thought these things were completely normal, but it apparently she thought were kind of odd!

First off, I would rather go out for wings and a cold beer than eating in an expensive fru-fru fine dining. (she says I’m like a dude?...I beg to differ) Also, I have an unhealthy obsession with Chef Ramsey from Hell’s Kitchen (ahhhh…he is sooooo hot!) I don’t like my drinks filled all the way to the rim. As far as shopping goes, I can only go for 2 hours or less (everything starts looking the same and I get a headache). I wash my hands over 15 times a day… not OCD… just feel like that makes my world a little cleaner. Ok, Just a couple of things that I find normal.

As always, make it a good one! Carmen

Mommy Diaries (Can I Take a Shower?) Carmen Brown

Ok – Parents, especially my mommy’s out there, do you find it hard these days to take a shower or do anything without taking your eyes off your little one??? My little man is into sooooo much, and the world is his playground as he learns more and more... like how to climb up on everything! Sometimes it can be really hard to get anything done at this age (9 months old), so you just go with the flow. I am getting used to taking my showers and house work after he goes to bed. I know most parents put their babies to bed around 7 o’clock or so, but Tyson does not go to bed until 9 o’clock. He is a late night baby. I have tried everything to push his bedtime back, but his clock says 9. My entire family has always been nocturnal.

Anyway, he is napping twice a day and that works well. He will nap for an hour or an hour and a half. By the time I get home, I am more than happy to nap with him and do not feel guilty about it at all. I used to feel guilty, like I had to get everything done when he naps. Now, not so much…I fall asleep on demand! It’s a whole new world these days.

Oprah had a really good show yesterday about true confessions from moms. Some of the comments were so funny. One woman did not want to pull over to go to the bathroom because her two children were sleeping in the back, so she grabbed a diaper out of the diaper bag, and well, you can use your imagination! Ha-Ha!!!

As always, make it a good one. Carmen

Mommy Diaries (Moving Around!) By Carmen Brown

Already 'Little Man' is pulling up on everything and crawling full speed. It is a whole new world with surprises everyday! He is trying to take off and walk with no fear what so ever. It is so funny, I have to catch him about 20 times a day as he starts ‘walking’ before he hits the ground. It will not be long, get ready mommy!

We also like playing with all kinds of different musical instruments. He has his own bongos, a big drum, a shaker, and a little piano. No big surprise he loves music, right! When I play music he also likes to sing along. He makes this humming noise and shouts out loud to the beat. OMG It is sooooo cute. I never know what’s next because every day he does something new like making gurgling noises or saying ma-ma (not sure if he knows what that means). He’s really good at saying ‘ba-ba’ also. Up for debate, I’m not sure when to start giving him anything other than regular baby food. Some of my mommy friends have told me they have given their children ‘table food’ at 9 months. It just seems a little young to give him that yet. We have so many spices, salt, and preservatives in our food, I just think it’s too much for his system right now. I feed him Earth’s Best and Gerber Organic Baby food. Maybe for now, I’ll just keep on doing what I’m doing. Anyway, it seems to satisfy him!

As always, make it a good one! Carmen Brown

Mommy Diaries – St. Patty’s Celebration - By Carmen Brown

Just wanted to take the time to thank everybody who came out to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at M’Couls. It was a BLAST! As always, there was a great crowd and the staff was incredible. Got to give a big shout out to the owner Simonne, for being the hardest worker in Greensboro. She is the owner and just had a baby girl 2 weeks ago. Her little girl is sooooo precious. Congratulations!

Also, got to give a BIG shout out to the best bartenders in G-boro for holding it down – Ross and Mike! Moo-moo from the Globe-Trotters did a great job in kicking Skip’s butt – that was the highlight of the morning (ha-ha). Every year they do a great job, so thanks for having us out to crash the party!

As always, make it a good one! Carmen

March Madness- Skip the Prize Guy

I love march maddness. This is the best time of year! I like to root for the underdog. I love the upsets. This the day these teams have work there life for for this game and to send a giant home is what it played for. I would love to see a radford win it all. Don't get me wrong, I want to see WAKE or UNC go to the final four, but I enjoy seeing the small teams work hard and play there best and go far!

Mommy Diaries (Oprah Show on Wednesday) Carmen Brown

If you caught the episode of Oprah last Wednesday, it really put America’s situation in perspective. If you have not been directly affected by the recession, we know someone who has. Lisa Ling went out and reported to cites around America, including her hometown in California. It was shocking to see what many Americans are going through. Families that once lived in comfortable middle class homes, living the American dream. Now that dream has turned upside down in a blink of an eye… loosing their homes, relying on food banks to eat, trying to find a warm place for their children and so on. It is shocking, unbelievable, and hard to wrap my mind around. I know and realize at any time I COULD BE in that situation. Nothing is for sure right now, it does not matter where and how hard you work. It made me look around at all the ‘things’ in my house that I am thankful for…it made me realize how much of a blessing it is to have running water and a roof over my head. Over the years I have been the preacher of ‘well, be grateful that you have running, clean water and clothes on your back’…but now it is not out of sight and out of mind. It is your next door neighbor, it is your coworker, it is your best friend, and it’s the family that you saw on Oprah. If you have a job right now, count your blessings and be happy to wake up every day. There is a silver lining to the situation at hand and it is that WE will prevail. Americans have always proved to be strong and help one another through hard times. If you have an extra can of food in your pantry, take it to your local food bank. Something that I have been able to do, is to recycle some of little man’s clothing items and other items to women in need. Let’s step up our game Triad and really get down and dirty. Every little bit counts, so don’t think the small stuff does not make a difference.

As always, make it a good one!

Here are some money saving tip from Skip the Prize Guy...

# Combine your cable, internet and telephone service. Companies now offer combined services that not only cost less, but offer the convenience of a single bill.
# Slow down your internet service. I went to the slower internet service option with my cable company and saved $15 per month. And I haven’t noticed a difference when surfing the Net.
# Send away for and follow up on rebates. After you buy a product with a rebate, send in the form that day. Then mark your calendar to remind yourself to follow up with the rebate company if the check hasn’t show up.
# Buy a refurbished Mac: I’ve written about this before because it is a great way to buy not only computers, but iPods and iPhones as well. You can check out the details on how to buy a refurbished iPhone here.
# Convert to a gas water heater. They are more efficient and will save you money in the long run.
# Request a reduction in the interest rate for your home equity line of credit. I did and my mortgage company agreed to reduce the rate by more than 0.50%. And if you are looking for a home equity loan, LendingTree Home Equity Loans is a great place to check out available options.
# Request a reduction in the interest rate on your credit cards. As with home equity loans, credit card companies sometimes are willing to reduce the interest rate. It can’t hurt to ask.
# Refinance you mortgage. If you can reduce your interest rate by one percent or more, it is often beneficial to refinance. This is particularly true for those with high rates due to less than stellar credit scores. If your score has improved, you may qualify for a better rate. I would start by asking your current mortgage lender about lower rates. Here’s a refinance calculator to help you determine if refinancing is right for you.
# Get rid of Private Mortgage Insurance. If your down payment was less than 20%, you are probably paying PMI. Once you have a 20% cushion through reducing your debt and home appreciation (yes, prices do go up from time to time), contact your mortgage company to start the process of removing the PMI.
# Get your books from the library. I love books and read every day. While I buy some of the books I read, most come from the library. Simply put, it’s hard to beat free.

Finally! A blog from Skip

This sounds like s fun. Wake Forest Athletics is seeking a President of the Tie-Dye Nation to lead fan support of the men's basketball team during 2009 post-season play. The ideal candidate would be responsible for leading all Wake Forest Faithful in Demon Deacon pandemonium at the ACC Tournament and potentially the NCAA Tournament. The candidate selected as the President of the Tie-Dye Nation will receive two tickets to all Wake Forest sessions of the ACC Tournament as well as two tickets to any Wake Forest NCAA Tournament games.

I may do it!!!!!!!

Mommy Diaries (Make Mine a Million) Carmen Brown

Have got to tell about a networking group that has become one of my favorite! It’s Make Mine a Million. It’s for women business owners connecting with other women business owners to help them reach their goals and succeed to their full potential. You can find out more by going to makemineamillion.com. You can also listen to our community show that airs every Sunday from 7-8 a.m. and find out more. Look for a brand new interview with Jan on Sunday March 1st!

As always, make it a GOOD One! Carmen Brown

Mommy Diaries (Hello…7 Months!) Carmen Brown

Can you believe it, can I believe it!!! Little T is now 7 months old now and is getting bigger by the minute! In the past month he has learned to sit up on his own. Ahhhh…it is so much fun watching him sit up on his little blanket and playing with his toys. The ‘jumpy’ is not a favorite of his anymore since he is mastering other skills. It came and went as quick as that swing did! He also has a walker that he is starting to use. He does not quite understand it yet, but he is really trying. I’m not a big fan of the walker because of the dangers that go along with it, but as long he is being monitored and not around any stairs, I can handle it. Some people say it also delays their walking. The jury is out on that one as far as I am concerned. Also, we are enjoying so many new toys. He has a new ‘flip’ cell phone that makes noises and lights up. He ALWAYS tries to grab my cell phone when I’m talking. I think he’s actually hung up on a couple of people! So, if you call me and I hang up on you, it’s not my fault *wink *wink - -Make it a Good One! Carmen

MOMMY DIARIES (Biggest Loser Challenge) Carmen Brown

For those of you who are just chiming in, Skip and I are participating in ‘The Biggest Loser’ Contest, sponsored by the YMCA of Greensboro. It’s based on the TV Show.

We went the week before last and started our first personal training session. Let me tell you, it is HARD! I have been working out since I was pregnant. With that being said, my trainer Wendy took me to a whole different level. Before I would swim a lot, jog on the treadmill, and do upper body weights. She put me on the elliptical machine, which I hated before, but now I love it! I can double the amount of calories lost in way less time. Every week I have been trying to work out at least 3 days, cardio, upper body, and mid section. Let me tell you, women who have had a baby or maybe a couple…it is HARD to get that belly off. How are all these celebrities looking so tight and lean 2 months after delivering? How is this possible? Plastic surgery? Around the clock trainers and chefs? Can I sign up for that? No, just kidding, I would rather do it the old school way, no needles involved. That’s just creepy!

So, wish us luck and if you ANY suggestions on how to get the weight off in a HEALTHY way without starving myself, diet pills…you know where I’m going. Any work out routines you suggest, or any cool recipes that are good for ya! Tell me your story. You can respond to this post or email me at Carmen@987simon.com As always Make it a GOOD One!

More thoughts from our Skipper...

As you can see I'm not much of a blogger. But there are somthings that make me upset.

Puppy Bowl 2009!!!!!!!

This is an outrage.....

The poor puppies that subjected to the trainning and violence . They were just born!!!!!

The drugs that they force the puppyies to take to stay comPETitive. Steroids , Diet pills etc..... An outrage!!!!!!!!

What has to happen to stop this evil sport, Kennel cough, a bad case of athletes paw.

MOMMY DIARIES (PLEASE HELP!!!) Carmen Brown

Please HELP!!! If you have any extra blankets or sheets, please drop them off at the radio station (98.7 Simon – National Service Road in Greensboro), or at The Guilford County Animal Shelter (off Wendover Avenue)!

This past Friday, I visited the animal shelter and they are in desperate need of blankets for all the many animals they take care of. Winter can be REALLY cold and you know how comfy it is to snuggle under your covers! I met one little dog that was older (about 10 years old) and she loved to have a blanket in her cage. It meant so much that they brought this tiny little dog a blanket to climb under. I could not imagine how much in meant for the little dog to have that comfort! They also need other items as well: dog/cat food, cat litter, cleaning supplies, dog bowls, leashes, collars, anything you can think of that you would need for your pets. I know that times are tough, but remember they are tough everywhere. The beauty our community is that we all stick together. We know what it is to help one another out.

If you have any questions or concerns email me: Carmen@987simon.com Also, check out our website under the ‘Wicker Show’ and if you scroll down to my page ‘Carmen’ you will see the animals that up for adoption right now. You can see their bios and what they look like. Please pass this information along to friends and family and as always Make It a GOOD One! Carmen

MOMMY DIARIES (Life at the Grocery Store!) Carmen Brown

So, last night I had to make a quick stop at the grocery store. Ok, take that back, none of my stops are ‘quick’. Having a baby changes that! When I was strolling down the baby aisle, I heard this woman just yelling at her kid. It was beyond obnoxious. First, I could not even understand half of what she was saying (aka trash). She was just drilling this little girl. I tried not to turn around and give her a ‘go to hell’ look, but after it kept going on I could not stop myself.

Now, why do people have to act like this in public? If this mother does this in public, then what does she act like at home? Oh, I don’t want to even imagine.

Anyway, just had to get that off my chest. I’m sure everyone has experienced this at some point, but now that I have a child - -ahhhhh - -it gets under my skin to know that people act like this. To that lady, give yourself a round of applause for mentally screwing up a 7 year old. You must be proud of yourself. Other than that, my week has been great! Alright, who’s ready for the weekend!!! Wheeeeee As always , make it a good one! Carmen Brown

Mommy Diaries (Busy Busy) Carmen Brown

This has been a crazy week, and it’s only Wednesday! Do you ever have weeks that run together and you’re trying so hard to keep up before you collapse in bed by 9:00 p.m.? Between work and my little bundle of joy, I stay very busy! It is a very fulfilling life that I would not trade for anything.

For example, Monday I did not sit down once from the time I got home (around 1:00) until 9:00 p.m. that night. Let’s see…laundry (at least 2 loads a day), cleaning house (where dogs come in and out of house all day), vacuum, making bottles…cleaning bottles… washing dishes, cooking dinner, preparing lunch for next day, bath time, play time (the most important), and on and on. Ahhhh…a woman’s job is never done! The happiest part of my day is when I get on the floor and roll around with my Tyson. He is learning how to roll from one end of the room to the other. It is amazing, but I can’t turn my back for one minute. Soon it will be time to child proof the house. It will be a great way to get rid of all the junk that I really don’t need, right?

I know everybody runs busy days, and I hope you take time to really enjoy something you love. Many times I have to stop myself from trying to be superwoman and just say, "you know what, it’s just playtime for the next hour"!

Another piece of advice I would like to share with you is do not let exterior factors out of your control…aka drama…to effect your peace of mind at home. There are so many things that already consume your life to begin with, so let the "Debbie Downers" wallow in their own misery. No matter what, some people just need to get a life… let go… let flow! Anyway, you know what I’m talking about…enough said.

It is 2009, a time to bring out the positive energy, the good vibes, a time to learn, a time to share, don’t let anything get in the way of your happiness!!! Today is your day to shine. Oh, speaking of great house keeping chores, I just bagged up 2 bags of clothes to the Goodwill. That always feels good. When I was pregnant, I had TONS of clothes stacked up that I could not wear. So, many of my clothes ended up disorganized and was driving me crazy! Done…taking care of that and helping others out as well. Alright, keep on keepin’ it. As always, make it a good one! Carmen

MOMMY DIARIES - -WHAT A GREAT HOLIDAY VACATION! - -Carmen Brown

It has been an incredible holiday vacation, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and everything else that has happened in the past 2 weeks. Now granted, I worked over the holidays, but it was pretty chill. Most everybody was out of the office, so I dimmed the lights and enjoyed my natural element of peace and energy.

My biggest smile came from Tyson’s first Christmas. He was amazing. I was sure there would be a melt down at some point, but he handled him self so well. I was sure he would be overwhelmed by everybody ahhing and goooing over him. Kind of scary right? Like 10 people starring you down and speaking in a funny language. Ha-Ha - We went to around 4 or 5 family gatherings, and he only got upset once. We figured out why later, it was the onset of an ear infection. He was acting different than normal and pulling on his ears, holding his hands over them, and refusing to eat all of his bottles. I took it as teething, but still called the doctor just to be safe. Come to find out his right ear was infected - -ouch!!! So, he started his meds and is back to being hyper and happy within 24 hours. What a tough little boy he is!!!

One thing I have to say I am so proud of, is that I actually lost a couple of pounds over the holidays. Everyday I have been working out for at least 30 minutes. It has been really hard to stay away from all those lovely deserts. Ahhhhh - -cheesecake with strawberries! Yummy! The holidays are always a funny time, we see people that we normally only see once a year. Like the yappy cousin or drunk aunt. Those are always the best (ha-ha). But the best is to catch up with loved ones that we miss and rarely get to see. It’s great to enjoy the company of others, a time for fellowship, watching Grandma hold the baby and play, and find out what’s new and great in other peoples lives. It’s a reminder of what really matters and how much we take for granted.

Every day caught up in the hustle and bustle of everything with work and running against the clock. I remember on Christmas night just sitting outside and looking up at the stars. Just for a moment, time stood still. I took time to notice how beautiful it was. Wow… taking time to notice beauty… simply… well simple. Hope you had a wonderful holiday season and many more to come.

As always, make it a good one! Carmen

Mommy Diaries (6 Foods to Keep You Young!) Carmen Brown

So you want to keep that fresh face and that heart pumping as it should be? Well, I have a list that will help you out; especially with the holiday season creeping up…ahhhh…mashed potatoes…gravy…ok…FOCUS! Keep these foods/drinks in your house and they will love you in the long run.

1. Yogurt: Rich in Calcium and Helps Prevent Osteoporosis. Also has ‘good bacteria’ to help that gut!

2. FISH: Biggie on my list! Has Omega-3 Fats which help prevent cholesterol buildup in Arteries

3. Chocolate: Rich in Flavanols, which help preserve the healthy function of blood vessels - -Lowers risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Lowers Risk of High Blood Pressure

4. NUTS: Great Protein - -Contains Sources of Vitamins, Mineral, Antioxidants

5. WINE: Drink UP!! Keep it in Moderation - -Red Wine Helps Protect Against Heart Disease, Diabetes, and Age Related Memory Loss

6. Blueberries: Compounds in Blueberries Prevent Inflammation and Other Damage - -YUM - -EAT UP!!!

Mommy Diaries (Getting Down at the Christmas Party!) Carmen Brown

This past weekend was a blast!!! It was our annual Christmas Party at the radio station and boy did we have a FAB time. I have to say, the company I work for does an incredible job in making every Christmas special. We all partied at the Castle in Jamestown… wine and dine …music (Skip DJ’s)…great people…and just a wonderful celebration.

So, this was the first year for me I was not pregnant, so it was time for me let loose! By the time 10:00 p.m. rolled around, all of us girls were on the dance floor throwing down to Salt and Pepper - -wow – I could not believe we all still remembered all the lyrics (hello 1990!) We also had a raffle that I actually won this year!

I’m sure everybody out there is bouncing around until Christmas… going to all sorts of events and parties. I know for the next 3 weeks, I have events to go to every weekend. It is going to be nuts, but I’m so lucky to have so many great friends and family.

Has everybody finished or started their Christmas Shopping? (ha-ha) I have shopped a bit, but I have MUCH more shopping to do. This year I am trying to spend wisely, but it is so hard! By the time I calculated all of my gifts I need to get, I just about passed out. Either way, I love to give…so this year will be special as always. The BEST thing about this year is my number 1 – Little T!!! My first Christmas with my first child - how exciting!!! I hope you guys are having a good time and keeping it safe this Holiday Season. As always, make it a good one! Carmen Brown

Santa Paws Info- by Skip

Hey this may be fun if you are leaving the triad for Florida. Guests visiting Downtown Disney Orlando this holiday season will notice that part of it has gone to the dogs. Disney’s new “Santa Paws” program invites dog owners to bring their pooches for a photo opportunity and meet and greet with Santa Claus in Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort.

It’s doggone fun for pups as they enjoy the yuletide cheer, pose for pictures, and share their Christmas wish list with Old St. Nick himself. Additionally, special comfort areas and water stations have been created for man’s best friend throughout the Disney shopping and dining district.

Santa Paws is located near World of Disney store at Downtown Disney Marketplace and is open daily for guests until Dec. 24. Disney has provided the following video of Santa meeting some of his canine friends last week.

Mommy Diaries (Thankful to be Thankful) By Carmen Brown

It is Sunday, the last day of vacation and I decided to cuddle up at a coffee shop and blog a bit. So, I have had much time to reflect and play over the holiday weekend. It could not be more perfect at my Grandmother’s house. She made an amazing dinner as always. The entire family gathered including my cousin from Ohio. We only see each other once or twice a year. She is newly married to a wonderful man and deserves every bit of it. We spent Friday in the mountains (we both forgot our camera!). It was a great hike, not too hard considering I have had two major surgeries in the past four months. On that note, I am grateful to have health insurance. There was a crisp bite in the air and I got short winded at times, which made it all the better. My heart rate was up, which equals loosing baby weight!!! I know my cousin is reading this right now, so know that I love you and I extremely grateful for you. Remember we always used to cry when you would leave Grandma’s every year back to Ohio. I think we forget the goodbye part now because of that! We just know we will see each other again soon.

Other thoughts have crossed my mind in the past couple of days as well. What is this whole holiday season is about? Sure, the gifts are fabulous and much needed (I’m a practical-type gal), but as I gain in age, I want a little more. No, not the material, but within. One thing that I wish for is peaceful relationships. Whether it be your lover, your mother, your friend, whomever. Life can throw some crazy curveballs, and it is hard to overcome some of them. Sometimes the hard part is dealing with our own battles inside. Stoplight! I am grateful for all the meaningful relationships in my life. The ones with substance, the ones that are honest and real. The ones that force us to be real with ourselves. The ones that give us a memory that lives in the heart and rest in the soul. So, to everybody who has touched my heart and held my hand, thank you. I hope that I have returned that same gift back.

One more thought, I am grateful for the community that we call home. I have come across some of the most amazing people. If you don’t know already, I host a morning show on Sunday mornings called ‘Triad Today’ on 98.7 Simon. It is usually 4 interviews that start at 7:00 a.m. The show is based around all non-profits, people who give back to the community, or somebody that needs to get a message out there to inform the community. It can be anything from the Guilford County Animal Shelter…Breast Cancer awareness, involvement with the arts, medical, the American Red Cross…if you can think it, I can name it. I want to take this moment to THANK EVERY PERSON that has put their heart and soul into the work they do. If I could come personally come shake every person’s hand that has come on the show I would. Most of the individuals who I speak with work with the community on their own time. It is not paid… it is simply from the heart one step at a time. Some may not consider this show a big deal, but I believe it’s one of the biggest deals a radio station can do. We are a service and this is a FREE platform to get your message out there. So, once again, thank you for all you do. You are more loved than you will ever know.

Ok… back to my little man. He is hanging with his Grandparents right now. It’s bath time. Oh, by the way, he LOVES peas. I started him on the step one peas, apples, and other veggies, and he loves the peas the most! I hope this is a habit that will last a lifetime. By 6 months, I will introduce other items to him, but we will keep it basic for right now. He loves the bottle. He even is trying to hold it all on his own. It is so funny, because the bottle is way too big for him to prop it up himself. You got to give him an ‘A’ for effort! Alright, I hope all of you guys had a wonderful holiday, and will talk to you soon. As always, make it a GOOD ONE! ~Carmen

Mommy Diaries (Turkey Day!) Carmen Brown

Can you believe it!! The Holidays have officially kicked off and most of us have a short work week to enjoy. So many things to be grateful for, especially getting some much needed quality time in with my family. It seems like the days run faster and faster and sometimes it is easy to lose sight of the big picture.

Well, I am slowing down to enjoy this Thanksgiving. I am taking little Tyson over to his Great Grandmother’s house to enjoy her honey baked ham and turkey!! Yummmm… she cooks so well. There are not that many ‘mommas’ out there that can’t pull off Grandma’s cooking anymore, at least I know I would be struggling. Truth be known, I have never cooked a turkey. (ahhh- -did I say that out loud?) In the years to come, I’ll have to gain new skills in the kitchen to show little T that his mama has a little talent! One of my greatest blessings is that Tyson has a ‘Great Grandmother’. We are truly blessed. She spends at least one day a week with him and I have never seen her face light up so much. On top of that, my dearest cousin (newly married) is coming down from up North. This will be one of the best Turkey day’s ever. This will be the first time she will see my little man. She got married back in June, and well, I was about to pop so I did not make that trip up to see her get married. Can you imagine being on the road and your water breaking - -ahhhh - -that would be a trip…really a trip! So, needless to say, I stayed near the hospital at that time.

I hope everybody has a loving family to spend Turkey day with and will cherish that time. Even if you have that one crazy family member, brush it off (trust me, I know your pain – ha-ha) Make this year a beautiful gathering time and enjoy every moment. Another thought, if you have cans of food in your pantry that you can spare to help somebody…some family in need, go drop them off at a food bank. People are in desperate need right now, and we could never place ourselves above it. You never know. Stay warm and keep on keepin’ it!

As always, make it a good one! Carmen

Mommy Diaries (On a Light Note) Carmen Brown

Ok…Ok…So, I know my blogs recently have been a bit intense with everything going on in the world. I cannot help but to talk about it, that’s what I do…that’s who I am. It is very hard for me to walk with blind eyes. Let’s talk about my little man because WOW things are changing so fast. He is squealing at me right now followed by a blooooo…where bubbles come out of his mouth (h-ha). Too cute. If only I could capture that magic in a bottle. He is now 17 pounds and has an amazing personality. We have went through the ‘colic’ stage for the most part, just little gassy here and there. The past couple of days he has been under the weather because of a shot he had. His little leg knotted and swelled a bit, but we are making it through. Yesterday I took him to the doctor to make sure everything was alright. He checked out ok, but she said it may take up to 3 weeks to go away…ahhhh! Other than that, he has come so far. As of a couple of weeks ago, he can fully roll over, push all the way up on his belly (without getting frustrated), he is now eating cereal, being MUCH more vocal. It is so bizarre, but he has my laugh and is really loud when he plays. He is quite the independent baby! To all the moms and dads out there working full time and holding it down…YEAHHHH for you. It is a balance like no other. My typical day starts around 4 a.m. and goes till around 9-10:00 at night. If I am really lucky, I will get a nap at some point! Anyway, I just wanted everybody to know Little T is doing well, and so is mommy! We are about to go change a diaper!!!

We Aren't Sure Where Skip Got This From...

As I said yesterday in my e-mail, I’m fighting psychos.

I found fortunately my information was flawed so then

I was able to update it correctly, only slightly different.

This past week has been an interesting week for me.

I have been checked and cleared for free existence.

So I post a page of INFORMING on people who

are connected with The ACT Team and Triumph.

They are adherents to psychiatry with bad judgment.

In fact, they have resulted in permanent damage to me.

It’s not the end of the world, and my losses incurreda

are acceptable. Actually, the scope of events is a

miracle beyond understanding – such PROVIDNCE.

The Assertive Community Team and Triuimph of

1010 Northwest Boulevard are unacceptable, as they

are providently and unwitting making unpsychology,

people bent on dangerous criminality that should be

thrown out of the West End in our town as we mind

crime religiously and to the fullest extent of our Law.

Mommy Diaries - - Chit-Chat Talk! - - Carmen Brown

So far, so good this week, and the best part is that it’s Friday! Not that I don’t love you guys, but damn, a girl needs a break! My typical day during the week runs about 16 hours, so I’m a little worn out. It happens to the best of us. This has been a very productive week. Not only at work, but Tyson got his 4 month old shots and I got my surgical tape removed from my recent surgery on my tummy.

If you did not know, I had an operation about 2 weeks ago to repair a hernia and when my surgeon went in there, she found a mass she had to run a biopsy on. Thank God it was fine! It just goes to show how important our health is…without our health we don’t have anything, right?

So, I am recovering, still a bit sore, but getting better by the minute. Positive thoughts! Miranda and I also attended a wonderful women’s luncheon at the Piedmont club in downtown Winston-Salem. If anybody would like information on the luncheons they host once a month, let me know. They always have great, informative speakers, and the organization is ewomennetwork. I highly suggest looking into it. It is kind of expensive to be a part of, so it’s up to you if you have the money right now. We enjoyed ourselves VERY much and would like to thank Mary for inviting us!

Today I am getting some pictures of Tyson done from a good friend of mine. She is a professional, which makes life so great to have pro photographer! It saves a lot on the wallet and we all know how important that is these days. We are thinking on a Fall theme, maybe a little pumpkin and colorful leaves around him. I would really like to get my little dog in the pic, but good luck with that! I’ll be lucky enough to get Tyson to sit still and give me that BIG smile. He still needs help sitting straight up, he cannot do it by himself yet. I’m not sure exactly when that happens, but I know kids all develop at their on pace. He is more interested in trying to stand up right now!

Alright, you guys have a great weekend. Make it a point to get away from the TV and get outside! It is going to be beautiful according to the Weather Channel! Talk to you next week, and don’t forget to check out our pictures and videos on the website. There are a couple of Tyson and me, fun station events, and always me acting crazy and having fun! Oh, before I go, I have to give you my new quote I heard ‘Today is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life’ Love it!! As always, make it a good one! Carmen

From Skip

I hope you eat your chicken soup because this week I have been sick. Not just sick of Jeff and Carmen be the real thing. I'm sorry my blog is not about helping other country's , but mine is about trouble here in the triad. Please eat your chicken soup!

Mommy Diaries - -Serious Issues Around the Globe - -Carmen

My eyes swelled with tears after reading a news article where a journalist had interviewed Ashley Judd. She talked about her experience at her last visit to the war-ravaged Congo in Africa. After reading her article, I started to move my eyes away from all the political news and started paying attention more on the international headlines in dealing with the situation in Congo. Literally, as I write this, there are thousands of people living in refugee camps, some of which have been burned to the ground by rebels, women and children being violently raped, and people being displaced for god knows how long.

Reported as of today, the UN is trying their hardest to get food and medical supplies in, but the UN peacekeepers are already stretched thin. I am no political guru, but to my understanding the war is between the Congolese Troops and a Rebel Group lead by Nkunda. This goes back to the political issues during the mass genocide in Rwanda. You may have seen the movie and if you have not, I suggest you do. Educate yourself. You can go to msnbc.com as well, a very insightful news site.

To all the woman reading this, check out www.womenforwomen.org. PLEASE go to it and see ways you can help. Even if you can not afford to send monitory donations, you can send a message for women to read… inspirational quotes… anything you would like to send from the heart. Yes, I realize we have so many issues to deal with on the home front, but I am a firm believer in the world is ours together. Together we stand to help one another. We help our neighbors just as you would your sister or brother. It can not be ignored, just like if your own friend had been brutally attacked, how would you handle it? If your neighbor was starving and had not eaten in 5 days, would you give him food? What about the man on the street that you have never met? It starts with our own people, but like I said we can not ignore the horrific, shocking, brutal acts going in Africa right now. Knowledge is power. Use it. Please pay attention to what’s going on right now, we could find ways to help out, even on a small scale we can make a big difference.

To view the article about Ashley Judd, please visit www.newsweek.com/id/166488

Thanks for taking time to read this. As always, make a good one! Carmen Brown

Mommy Diaries (Beautiful Weekend) – Carmen Brown

Wow – What a gorgeous Halloween weekend it has been. It is unlike most Halloween weekends I remember growing up because the weather feels like Spring instead of Fall! When I was little I remember freezing my butt off in my costume and it being REALLY cold. Ha-ha…that seems sooooo long ago! Anyway, this has been ‘date night’ weekend as well.

Remember before you had kids and you would go out whenever you wanted and not think twice about it? My how things have changed! Emory and I had our first ‘date night’ in a long time. We went out with friends to one of my favorite Japanese restaurants and had a blast. Ahhh… I always over eat, but this time I thought about how I would feel later, so I paced myself. I’m like most women, my eyes are a lot bigger than my stomach and I want to order the lobster, shrimp, steak, scallops, the whole shebang…and then by the time the soup and salad come out I’m already working towards being full. Hey, you know what’s really cool and saves money on the pocket too…you can split your dinner and only get charged like $7 dollars to do it and it is still too much food for both of us to eat. We have a box full of leftovers in the fridge this morning and split our dinner last night! Don’t get me wrong, we both have a healthy appetite…it is just sooooo much food. There is my tip of the day. Hope that helps if you are tight on a budget and still want to go out…do it…you will still fill up unless you are training in football camp…then you might need to order 2 dinners (ha-ha). I also enjoyed a glass of wine…that’s been a while too. I savored every minute and even got a bit light headed (ha-ha). These days I’m a pretty cheap date, but that’s not a bad thing, right?

Today I am going to do my usual Sunday routine. This is the day I get organized for the week…go grocery shopping, stock up on formula and diapers, clean the house, get some laundry done, and maybe catch some E Entertainment on the tube. As a first time mother, I have figured out I do not have to be super woman…I do not have to be Martha Stewart ( nor would I ever want to be), I can just get my game plan going on and try my best to get it all done. I have to admit, it’s not easy, but it’s not that hard either. Women do it every day and hold down full time jobs, and I also have a great team player that splits all the duties with me. It takes a small village to raise a child. I don’t care what anybody says, it is so true! I am very blessed to have a great support team that can deal with me! That’s saying a lot in a nut shell.

Oh… How could I forget!!! Yesterday I went to vote and it was an experience to say the least. I met a lot of really nice people in line and guess how long we waited to vote? Almost 3 hours! This year’s election is hotter than ever, and I saw more younger people voting than I have ever seen in my life. It was so exciting. I know some of these people had voted for the first time…maybe had just turned 18. I could not believe the turn out. It felt so good when I finally got to actually cast my vote…almost like I had just won the lottery! Ok, maybe not that extreme. Hey, just food for thought. With all that time I had to think while standing in line, that thought crossed my mind. Do they go stand in the lines just like you and I do, or do they cast an absentee. How would you react if you were standing in the same line with Jerry Seinfeld? Ha-ha…would people even care and make a commotion or would they just go about their business like everybody else waiting in extremely long lines? I have no idea why that came to mind…but just food for thought. I think we should call some big names and ask them if they went to wait in line. I’m not hating, just thinking outloud. Did people ask for their autograph? 3 Hours can make you think of many things. Well, I am on my way to Target, my favorite place and stock up. As always, make it a good one! Carmen

Mommy Diaries – (Politics 101) Carmen Brown

What in the world is going on with our country? Don’t get me wrong, I love a good debate just as much as the next person, but I am tired of the Barack/McCain bashing contest. It’s already bad enough that our economy is in major trouble. Let me restate that… corporate corruption has put us in a position that we are now paying to pay them out for bad decision making… all in the name of greediness and cash cash dollar bill, meanwhile it’s on our backs…real…real heavy…killing the middle class…without a severance package of $15.5 Million… just a pink slip that says you have 10 days. Here’s where I stand if you can follow me for a minute: After 911 there was so much talk and acting on uniting as a country and putting our differences aside. Even through the most tragic event we have ever seen, at least in my lifetime, it was amazing how Americans came together as one. There are no words to describe how beautifully we came together as one nation. No longer did it matter which political seat you sat in. Unity not division.

Why was that attitude of helping one another for a greater purpose lost? Think about it: we are at war with ourselves right now because we attack each other politically…are you Republican…are you Democrat? I will still go cast my vote…that is the beauty of our country…we live in a free nation where we have the right to vote. Voting and the right for the people to choose our leaders is the great thing about America…I would never want to live anywhere else. But, I cannot understand why we argue so much and pick apart everything about our running mates. Just food for thought. I know I am not the only one getting tired of negative campaign commercials and ads. It just gets old. So there you have it, and to those running for office keeping it positive and really offer solutions… good for you…

As always… Make it a Good One! Carmen

Mommy Diaries - (Premonitions) By Carmen Brown

True or false…Have you ever had a premonition come true, like a dream for example? Sometimes it can be scary to think about and then sometimes you wish it would come true.

Throughout my life, I have had dreams that are meaningful and have come true. The only deal with that is, I’m not sure which one’s mean something and which one’s are just a vivid imagination. When I was younger, I had a dream about a friend of mine getting into a car crash on the main road he lives off of. Then about 2 days later it really happened. I knew he was going to be alright, just a little scary to think about!

My dreams, if I even remember them, are most of the time just random thoughts. With that being said, a few dreams in my life have warned me or given me insight to upcoming or even past events. I wonder if a lot of people experience this in their life. I’m sure they do, whether they talk about it or not. It is hard to decipher the difference, but we all are connected on one level or another.

Anyway, this leads me to a political dream I just had last night. Fast forward in time, I was watching the numbers rolling in as the count down was on for the next President of the United States. It was such a tight race and very dramatic. I was obsessed, with my eyes tuned to the TV along with everybody else. I believe Obama won the election. It is hard to tell because my dream became a bit fuzzy after that. Also, in that same dream, Elizabeth Dole was re-elected again. Bizarre huh? The reason that I am interested in my dream at this particular point, is because before my ‘political’ dream, I had a minor premonition that came true. Even though it was nothing major, it still makes me question my dreams during this certain time. I also belive that when we are more in touch with our surroundings and more in tune spiritually, we experience life on a deeper level.

Anyway, just food for thought. Hope your week is going well, and as always MAKE IT A GOOD ONE! Carmen

Mommy Diaries (Trim It Down – Work It Out!) By Carmen Brown

Days are flying by more than I could have ever imagined. My typical day now runs from about 4 a.m. to 9:00 or 10 p.m. Welcome to motherhood! It is a very delicate balancing act,and I have now just got a normal routine down. It took a while to balance home and work, but I am feeling much more comfortable and sane after being back to work for around a month!

Here is my new challenge: (like I’m not repeating myself!) getting those extra pounds OFF before they take over my life. My stomach still looks like I am 3 months pregnant, even though I have heard a c-section takes months to get the weight down, uhhhh…it’s been 3 months. Now, I have to say I go to the YMCA and try to stretch out, but I do not have a routine, including diet. Yesterday I ate fast food for the first time in a while and I could just feel the calories packing on. It takes extreme discipline in working out and preparing healthy meals. My cooking style habits have been like a yo-yo. One night I make Salmon and veggies and the next night I cook pizza. It just seems really hard some nights to cook a full healthy meal and actually sit down and enjoy it. Some days you just want to collapse on the couch and play the ‘bouncy man’ game with my son! He likes to practice standing up with a little help! Anyway, I need to learn preparation… getting the week ready… so on. This is all new to me and I have never really had to worry about my weight. Also with that being said, I have always remained really active. That helps!

So, here we go, I am getting really serious about working out and feeling better with MORE energy. That’s all for now, so wish me luck and if you know any diet or program…way of life that really worked for you…let me know!! I’m not into ‘fad’ diets… I think they are a joke! Thanks, and as always make it a good one! Carmen Brown

Mommy Diaries (Super Foods for Super Moms!) Carmen Brown

Ok…so I found some ‘super foods’ that I came across… Some of them we already know for the most part, but here are some that you need to check off that grocery list like yesterday!

Salmon – Brain Food – great for memory… omega 3’s ROCK!! (I prefer wild salmon due to some of the studies I have read, it is better for you)

Spinach – No more needs to be said!

Eggs – The #1 Protein that cannot be beat according to certain dietitians

Avocado’s – All around Fabulous

Almonds – Great Anti-Inflammatory

The list goes on and on…but we have to start somewhere right? Check those grocery list twice…Good Luck! Carmen

Mommy Diaries – Date Night!! By Carmen Brown

Saturday was a blast…2 worlds in one day that worked out perfect. We started off with the Juvenile Diabetes Walk in Greensboro bright and early in the a.m. at Grimsley High school, and let me tell you what, the rain did not stop the cause! The crowd was amazing and the dedication was remarkable. Mike Conrad does a fabulous job in presenting and putting the walks together each year. So, thank you to everybody who showed up! There were at least a couple of hundred people walking for a great cause and maybe… maybe one day there will be a cure for diabetes. Always keep the faith alive. If you go to our website 987simon.com, you can check out the locations for the upcoming walks. We would love to see everybody out there!

After that, I spent the day playing with my little man. He is recovering from his cold/sinus issues. It seems he is getting better by the minute and is in happy spirits. That makes mommy feel a LOT better. Saturday evening Emory and I had our ‘date’ night that was yummy and much needed. Special time is so important. For some reason, I have been craving those Japanese Places that cook right in front of you. Always tasty, but I have a problem with overeating when I go (imagine that)! So with a little self control, I have learned what a to-go box is!! Ha-ha Anyway, getting ready for a big week at Simon and lots of nice stuff to give away. Yeahhhhh - You got to play to win, so make sure you have it locked in  As for now, I am going to kiss on Little T. As always, make it a good one  Carmen Brown

NC Election Information

Hey everybody! Since this is such a big election, it's more important than ever for you to be registered to vote. The last day you can register to vote in North Carolina is October 10th. Here's a link to the North Carolina voter information page so check it out and see if you're registered, where your polling place is, and more.

Get out and vote in November!

CLICK HERE FOR INFO!

Mommy Diaries - - Getting To Tuesday –Carmen Brown

Yesterday was a whirlwind of a Monday, but we made it. Sunday is like kick off to a football game in my house. We get everything ready for the week, you know groceries, cleaning, laundry (well that’s everyday), rechecking paper work… bills, etc. It becomes an exchange of insanity! Meanwhile, Tyson is still fighting this little cold. Jeff told me it could possibly be allergies, but he is only 12 weeks old. I heard that babies have to be a bit older before you can detect allergies. I’m no expert and do not claim to be, so if you have any advice, let me know. Every time I take him to the doctor (the past 2 weeks), they keep telling me it’s just a cold, so hang in there. His little eyes just look so tired all the time. Ok, if anybody would like to reassure me, please do so!!

On the show today we had a speaker talking about financial matters… Bill Staton… and how to go about investing and how to make the most of your money. This is very compelling because A – the stock market is a confusing, tumbling ball of fire right now - B – Gas prices and the economy have people on the edge of their seats. Now, there are 2 sides to the story as far as the stock market goes. Many people are running to take their money out and others say it is the best time to invest because it will go up… make more money… double up. Now, I am new to this, so this was great advice to listen to. Getting started is the biggest challenge, after that I think it will be easier to wrap my brain around! I would like to start a ‘savings’, if you will, for my little man for the future. Hopefully we will have the interview up on our website so you can hear it for yourself. Alright, we are off to shoot a commercial that will be on TV soon. It should be really funny, so tune in for the details! As always, make it a good one! ~Carmen

Mommy Diaries - - Getting To Tuesday –Carmen Brown

Yesterday was a whirlwind of a Monday, but we made it. Sunday is like kick off to a football game in my house. We get everything ready for the week, you know groceries, cleaning, laundry (well that’s everyday), rechecking paper work…bills, etc. It becomes an exchange of insanity! Meanwhile, Tyson is still fighting this little cold. Jeff told me it could possibly be allergies, but he is only 12 weeks old. I heard that babies have to be a bit older before you can detect allergies. I’m no expert and do not claim to be, so if you have any advice, let me know. Every time I take him to the doctor (the past 2 weeks), they keep telling me it’s just a cold, so hang in there. His little eyes just look so tired all the time. Ok, if anybody would like to reassure me, please do so!!
On the show today we had a speaker talking about financial matters…Bill Staton… and how to go about investing and how to make the most of your money. This is very compelling because A – the stock market is a confusing tumbling ball of fire right now - B – Gas prices and the economy have people on the edge of their seats. Now, there are 2 sides to the story as far as the stock market goes. Many people are running to take their money out and others say it is the best time to invest because it will go up…make more money…double up. Now, I am new to this, so this was great advice to listen to. Getting started is the biggest challenge, after that I think it will be easier to wrap my brain around! I would like to start a ‘savings’ if you will, for my little man for the future. Hopefully we will have the interview up on our website so you can hear it for yourself. Alright, we are off to shoot a commercial that will be on TV soon. It should be really funny, so tune in for the details! As always, make it a good one! 

Mommy Diaries - -In the World of…By Carmen Brown

Kicking off another week and what a fabulous weekend it was! Fresh air and quality time with my family! Considering last weekend I was in bed sick as a dog. Ahhhh…even though I’m not back 100 percent, I feel a TON better. It just breaks my heart that Tyson has a cold now. Bless his heart, he sounds so congested some days and then other days are better. The doctor told me a cold in an infant can last up to 3 weeks. Just say a prayer he feels better soon J

Saturday I finally got back into my workout schedule. My girlfriend came to visit from Boone and she has been on the South Beach Diet. I have never been a fan of ‘DIETS’ from books and fads, but I can really tell a difference in the way she feels and looks. It’s amazing (so if you are reading this, keep it up girly!). Anyway, my goal is to drop 15 to 20 pounds. I have to remind myself that I just had a baby 12 weeks ago, so not to be that hard on myself. Even with that being said, it does not give me a reason to slack off!

Other than that, Emory and I had a ‘date’ night. It is so funny how life changes. One minute your taking advantage of the fact you can go out every single night and then your life turns very structured, very organized and planned more than you thought it would be. Even though it is a complete change as far as that goes, I really enjoy a more structured and fulfilled life. I could not imagine my life without Tyson. Emory and I went to one of my favorite places on Saturday night…Bonefish Grill. Yuuummmmm J It was so tasty. I had a wonderful glass of wine that paired great with the Grouper. Westbend Riesling. Any wine lovers out there must try it. It would be great alone or with a mild white fish. Also, isn’t Westbend a local vineyard? That’s also something I look forward to this Fall…visiting local vineyards. Not only do we have the most beautiful landscapes in North Carolina, we also have some of the best vineyards you can tour and tastings. One of my friends puts together group tours if anybody is interested, let me know, I can hook you up. Also, we can all look forward to long trips to the mountains…the most gorgeous time of the year…all the leaves are changing. It’s in the air…crisp, clean, pumpkin candles and pies…I LOVE IT!! Not to mention red wine on the back deck with a girlfriend in a pull over fleece. There’s nothing like it. Love it…Love it J As always, make it a good one! Carmen J

Mommy Diaries - - (In Full Swing!) Carmen Brown

Hello to everybody in listener land! It feels good to be back at work, back in the swing of things…it is a whole new world now! Time is so precious, especially when you are trying to balance work and family. Since I have been back, all of 3 days, everything seems to be fitting into place without missing a beat. I have to be honest though, it is so hard to leave my Little Man considering I have been home with him for about 9 weeks! We would go out here and there, but no where major. Little buddy still has not had all of his shots, so I’m trying to keep him out of really crowded places. Everybody here at the station is really understanding and friendly, which makes the transition a bit easier. The phone calls coming in have been so supportive and nice, thank you to all! The morning show is going great, I thought I would be a little rough around the edges first, but I feel better than ever!

Tonight is the Simon Mixer, so I want everybody to come out and play with us. How could you turn down free food & drinks? I’m all about that! Also, if you go to our website, you can check out all the places we will be and charity events coming up. For now, I am happy and grateful for all the love, so thanks a million! Have a great day and IT’S ALMOST FRIDAY!!! YEAHHHH…liking the sound of that – As always, make it a good one! -Carmen

Mommy Diaries Take 17 (Back To Work!) – Carmen Brown

As of September 9th, I will be back in full swing on the morning show, better than ever! I laugh and say that out loud because once you give a long - hard birth, you know you can do anything. It is sooooo true. Anyway, I am looking forward to being back on and hanging out with Jeff and Skip after a long time apart (ha-ha) Let’s not get too sappy. But even more important, I cannot WAIT to hear from you guys, how your summer went, whatever bones you have to pick, or your crazy next door neighbor! Oh wait, that’s my crazy neighbor, but let’s hear from yours too. It has been such a beautiful, moving summer for me. There is so much Emory and I have learned. It’s hard to even wrap my head around it. Tyson turned 8 weeks as of this past Tuesday…time has gone by WAY to fast. Don’t you wish you could just freeze those cute little cheeks in time? Ok – now I have to be careful not to create too much of a mommy’s boy.(ha-ha)

Wow – it will be so fulfilling, but so hard at the same time. Right now, I do not leave his side unless it is to go to the YMCA and get some laps in. (baby weight is the best!) I know that this will be a huge transition just like every other woman has gone through (or you might be going through it right now). It is a time in our life that we will never forget. There also comes a time where we need ‘adult’ time. All of my days have been spent 24-7 with my son since he has come into this world, and the time has come to venture out. Even with the long hours we put in, we are still very lucky to get off work early afternoon. This will allow me to have the best of both worlds: the 2 things I love most…my family and my career. I’m not going to lie, it will be a balancing act like no other I have ever experienced. I take the majority of the load at the house, and that is mostly due to the time I have had off to take care of business at home. It will be a rude awakening for Emory, but I have faith we can get through this! Little babies (or so I hear) sleep longer the older they get, so that may mean more shut eye for mommy. Right now he is in full blown colic, so the jury is still out on that one. I’m curious when our little ones begin to phase out of colic to a happier place. For him, it is gas…gas…gas. It must be painful and I can tell by looking at his little face when he is crying for hours.

Anyway, this is a whole new chapter…an entire new balancing act. I think that in careers like mine, it is a matter of respect for one another. It is a matter of understanding and being fair to one another. I work in an environment that allows this to be possible, so I’m looking up as I walk back in from my long leave. Even in times of change and transition, the best attitude is a positive, strong attitude. I look forward to talking to each and every one of you, and I have missed you much! Nobody said it would be easy, but at some point we have to do it! As always, make it a good one! -Carmen

Mommy Diaries (Dear Disgruntle Caller) – Carmen Brown

Yesterday, I caught wind of a phone call that came in on the morning show regarding my maternity leave. Although I did not hear the call myself, a friend of mine gave me an idea of how the call went down. A lady called in insinuating something like ‘If I could not handle coming back to work sooner, then maybe I shouldn’t be working’. Now keep in mind, I was rocking my little one and did not hear the phone call, but to the lady who has a hard time understanding why I chose to take a 12 week leave, let me give you something to think about.

First of all there is a difference of being able to ‘handle’ coming back very shortly after having a child and making the choice to take a longer leave after having a child. For me, it was a personal choice to spend this crucial time with my son, and, by law, chose to take my full 12 weeks. As soon as I found out I was pregnant, I made the decision to count all my nickels and dimes to make sure I could be with my son in this very precious time. As much as I would love my money tree to throw hundreds at me, it broke a while back (ha-ha). We get one shot to embrace our children through their first months and that means more to me than anything else. It has NOTHING to do with what I can handle. It has EVERYTHING to do with how I choose to handle it.

I feel very blessed to work on a morning show that is not only entertaining, but also gives back to the community. If I did not give a damn, than I could of simply stuck him with a nanny and come running back to work with flying colors. But the point I’m trying to make is that if you are lucky enough to take that time with your new child, it will be the most important thing you can do. Family always comes first, especially when a new life that comes into this world. With that being said, I know some of my mommy friends that had to back to work after 6 weeks. It was not something they chose, it was a financial situation that made the choice for them. If they could have taken the full time off, trust me they would have! Then there are many women who I know that really want to get back to work sooner than later, and that’s ok too! It is a choice, whether we as women are forced or have the money to do it. Then there are those people who ‘pride’ themselves on how ‘quick’ they come back to work, women and men, and I find that just ridiculous. This is not a promotion game on how quick we can run back to our jobs yelling ‘voila– look at me!’ Sorry, I will never understand that. Emory spent 2 weeks with me, not because I asked him, but because he wanted to. He wanted to take care of this beautiful new life and the mother of his child. For those who do not know, I had a pretty hard pregnancy towards the end and had a really hard labor that turned into a C-section.

So to the woman who called in about what I can ‘handle’ and what I cannot, please feel free to respond to this blog. As for the majority of women and men reading this, I can almost guarantee you understand where I am coming from. I’m always up for a good challenge, so to the lady caller, think twice about your comments before you make them and put a smile on your face when you wake up! To all of my listener family who have taken time to send me positive emails and cards, I would like to take this moment to thank you. It means more to me than you will ever know. As always, make it a good one and I will talk to you guys very soon! - Carmen

Golf Contest Results are In! by Skip

I am writing this blog in anger. I did not win the co-host spot for the golf channel as I had hoped. I came in 4th place. If they only knew what they are missing on the golf channel, "Some Skip", I could have made them a we bit more entertaining!

Sorry Golf Channel!

Mommy Diaries Take 15 (It’s Been A While!) - Carmen Brown

So, as I was outside watering my plants and my next door neighbor told me I needed to write some more mommy dairies. It’s been a while since I have really sat down and written a play by play in the world of Tyson. It’s not that I don’t love you guys, and you know I LOVE to write, but it has been crazy town up in my household! Baby has officially woken up from his 1st month daze…you know where they sleep most of the time…eat every 2 hours then pass back out…well, he has spread his wings to fly in his new world now! He is a busy man…I can already see it now…he is going to want to work for the media just like mommy when he grows up. It’s funny…I tell people he has places to go and people to see everyday…and now that I think about it, he does! We have, somewhat, of a schedule going on, but really, how much of a schedule can you put a 7 week old baby on? He runs this show right now and I just take notes and follow his lead. He lets me know exactly what he needs and when he needs it. The coolest thing right now is the little sounds he is making…who knew a little ‘ahhh’ or ‘ohhh’ could make your heart melt and laugh hysterically at the same time. I cannot wait until he can talk to me…you know, we’ll talk about the latest and greatest and hopefully he will have a little attitude like me (well, not as much, but a little pep in his step!) I wonder what his first word will be? Hopefully ma-ma, yeah…ma-ma sounds good to me.

As far as our days, we spend a lot of time up and awake during the day, which is fine with me if that means he will sleep more at night. We have all the basics down: stretch time, play time on our baby Einstein mat (you know he’s my future genius!), swing time, sling time (totally different than swing time), stroller walks with the dogs, stop by the local coffee shop for our latte, moses basket naps, feedings, changing those beautiful,colorful diapers, and LOTS of laundry (he likes the sound of the washing machine). Now that I got the green light to work out, I have been a woman on the move trying to get this baby weight off! Now, don’t get me wrong, I am NOT being hard on myself because I realize how long it takes to really get back in shape. With that being said, the only women who achieve that size 2 are the ones who had plastic surgery or a personal trainer and probably a personal chef. Well, money isn’t growing on my tree out back, so I’ll have to go with the self-determination program. I have realized if you find something you really love to do, hiking, swimming, walking, etc…do it. Every little bit counts and you have to start somewhere, right?

That always seems to be the hardest part…getting started. I have a new philosophy: just do it! If you spend too much time thinking about it and over analyzing, there goes the time that you could have just made it happen. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have that kind of time to let my thoughts become too overwhelming. You know who you are…if it’s you just stop it…it’s madness I say…madness! On that note, Grandpa is coming over for a little TLC with Baby Tyson and I am hitting the swimming pool. This weight will not just magically disappear! Energy time…here we go! As always, make it a good one! -Carmen

Mommy Diaries Take 14 (OMG – LOVE THOSE TWINS!) by Carmen Brown

Who has seen the new ‘People’ magazine with the spread of Angelina and Brad’s of kids? I’m not just in ahhh because of their celebrity status…it goes much deeper than that. I love the way that they are so interactive…proactive…and do much more than write a check. They have been blessed with careers that allow them to use not only their money but their hands to make a difference. So many times we see elaborate Hollywood gatherings for one cause or another, which is great, but I admire Angie’s and Brad’s mission in life…they really are humanitarians first and celebrities second.

Even though I am not on the same playing field financially, this is the same reason I have chosen media as my career. It allows me to reach out to our community to those in need…those who do not have a voice…those who have a story that needs to be heard. Some people go into these fields of work for various reasons, whether it be spotlight, unique talent, love for the talentl they have been blessed with…etc. Regardless of our reasons, we have a podium to speak on and people will listen. It is a very powerful tool. It can be positive or negative, but the microphone is there.

So many times, I am reminded that my job is to be an entertainer first and foremost, but the day I stop working for a higher purpose, is the day I walk away from the mic. It does not matter where I am or what I am doing to make a dollar, it must incorporate helping others with the resources I have.

After giving birth to my son, I was enlightened on how important the people are that work in the medical field. So, my point being, you don’t have to have a mic, a million dollars, or an operating table.…you can still be part of a bigger picture. Never doubt the power of one person and how we can collectively make change happen together. I hope to instill these values into my son as he grows into his manhood. I hope to travel around the world and show him the beauty of other cultures. In my 31 years, I have been blessed enough to travel to places like Africa, Spain, Asia and so on. Some places were very westernized and other very poor with little resources. I have seen the good and the bad. I believe there is a reason we experience the things we do, because at that point it is our choice to ignore it or dig in our hearts to help out. I choose to dig deep. I hope you do too…Anyway, the twins are beautiful and I say they have 10 more! (ok…maybe that’s a bit much!) As always, make it a good one! -Carmen

Mommy Diaries Take 12 (Hitting the 2 Month Mark) – Carmen Brown

The first month has passed and I feel like a pro (ok, not really), but time with my little man is going by so fast! One reason I think time has flown by is because the first month with a newborn is such a blur. Maybe by the time you have your 2nd or 3rd child it is different, but not with your first! First of all, you come home with this new person and the only knowledge you have is through all those books you stocked up on during pregnancy. Second, after calling the afterhours nurse 24-7, you really don’t sleep at all.

With that being said, the first month has been amazing. I have learned more about life (literally) and myself than I ever before. I have learned to trust myself more than ever, and patience really does exist. I cannot believe how much Tyson has grown. He is almost 10 pounds. Wow…that kid likes to eat! He is really lean, just like his daddy, and is very serious about drinking his milk. He is so funny when I stop to burp him, he goes bananas. He is so ready to gulp down the rest of his food, he burps on cue just so I will give him his bottle back! Parents, you know what I’m talking about.

It has been so hot outside, we really have not really gone anywhere, but soon enough we will be playing at the beach! I can’t wait till he says his first words…I wonder what he will say. What was your kids first word that made sense? I hope it will be ‘ma-ma’ but I’m determined it will be ba-ba…meaning ‘GET MY FOOD NOW” Oh, it makes me laugh to think about.

Little Tyson is doing great and I hope to see you all very soon. This time is so precious with him, so I am taking advantage of my 12 weeks. It is really only a drop in the bucket compared to the big picture. I will post more pics here soon, so look forward to Tyson looking a little different as he grows…and grows…and grows! Ahhh—if he could only be this tiny forever. It is so sweet.

Well, it is 1 a.m. and I am going to try to get him back to sleep. He just woke up to eat, and mommy needs some shut eye before another big day! Make it a good one! - Carmen

Mommy Diaries Take 12 (I Going to Talk to God) – Carmen Brown

‘I’m going to talk to God’... these words went through my head as I walked out the door yesterday. Sometimes in order to reflect and gain perspective, we have to go find the light, breath the light, exert our energy in the silence of God’s country.

Everybody who is reading this will experience some sort of major change at one point or another. Sometimes it happens so fast, it’s hard to take it all in. Just like a newborn needs to be soothed, adults have the same needs. We all have different coping skills to the brilliant changes life presents us. This ‘soothing’ place for me is in the mountains of North Carolina. It is only about an hour drive, and it is amazing what a long hike in silence will do for the mind. Don’t get me wrong, the past couple of weeks have been amazing and I am loving every moment of it, but really…life as you know it has flipped upside down and inside out. Come to think of it, I’m not sure what any of us could do to prepare for this life altering experience. Is this one more of Carmen’s philosophical blogs, yes it is.

Having a baby is a huge change for anybody. I was so used to running a FULL schedule, going on my own time, and well basically self-consumed. No wonder God worked his magic with that little embryo! All I can say about that is that, it was time. There is no mistake with God’s timing, he is always right on time. So, between laundry, feeding, rocking, changing diapers, bizarre sleep hours, singing, loving, pacing floors, another episode of the Today’s Show, it was time to get out. Cabin fever is no friend of mine. I did not even realize it was time until my mother called and said, ‘You and your father should really go drive up to the mountains and spend the day outside’. It did not even occur to me, the thought of leaving Tyson home with nanny for 4 hours or more. That was crazy talk! I could hardly go run a few errands without rushing back to the house to make sure baby was OK! This thought kind of blew my mind. Instead of rejecting the idea, I sat there and thought for a minute…maybe she knows something I don’t…maybe through raising 2 kids of her own, she knows the time has come that I get out and take time…to take time. My father and I have always had a unique bond with nature, it is how we bond as father and daughter. Whether it be the mountains or the beach, this is how he shows his love most…in God’s county…away from the world. We both love hiking and having conversations away from the TV, away from a cell phone, away from all these ‘consuming’ worldly things.

Wow, I could not tell you the last time I visited the mountains to simply go take a hike and get fresh air. I could not tell you the last time my father and I took time to bond and reconnect. Life had just become too fast and it was time to put the brakes on. So there we were, he knew all the roads and all the trails. It was time to talk to God. To hike into the unknown and just be. I always have said, if you struggle with faith, go sit on top of a mountain and look around you…how could there not be a higher power…it is magnificent. It reminds me that there is something much greater than myself, that I am only part of the puzzle that all fits together in this thing we call life. I am rediscovering love in a way that I have never done before…I am rediscovering love as a grown woman now. The kind of love that only a child knows…through the eyes of innocent with no boundaries. This is probably the most important gift I can give as a mother, as a friend, as a daughter, as co-worker, a partner, as a human. Rejuvenation is a wonderful. If you do not have the time or resources to take a hike up a mountain, find something that works…just take time. Hope you are having a great week! As always, make it a good one! -Carmen

Mommy Diaries Take 10 (ha-ha) – Carmen Brown

Just a quick note…when the phone rang, I picked up the baby monitor to answer it. The End.

Mommy Diaries Take 9 (Unexpected Situations) by Carmen Brown

We have made it to the weekend with a successful week behind us, whoah….I thought for a minute it would never end. With that being said, the ‘C’ word has entered our home, the word that makes both women and men cringe at the mere thought…the one that works your last nerve where you question yourself as a parent. The word I am referring to is colic. There, I said it. For so long, I have referred to it as the ‘C’ word to my doctors and pediatrician as if it were some secret I was trying to keep under wraps. They have reassured me that it only happens to a VERY SMALL amount of babies and not to worry so much. First of all, I’m the queen of worry and second if you tell me there is only a 1 out of 10 chance for anything happening, I will fall into that 1 percent. Let me give you a perfect example. When I was pregnant and got tested for diabetes, they told me only a very small amount of women get gestational diabetes. You guessed right, I got the ‘D’ word. Then, they told me with exercise and proper diet I would not have to resort to insulin, ‘Only a small percent, very small percent of women have to go on insulin’. Guess what, 3 weeks later I was giving myself 3 shots a day. Believe me, I tried everything to stay away from those shots. Watching everything I ate, no sugar, low carbs, no fried foods, basically a pregnant woman’s worst nightmare…not being able to give into cravings. I always kept the bright side up thinking it could always be worse, there could be something wrong with the baby…so as long as baby was healthy, I would do anything to keep it that way.

So anyway, as I swam laps just about every day and walked like I was doing a cross country journey…healthy baby…healthy baby. I actually swam laps the day before I delivered and my family thought I had lost my mind. There was an ongoing joke, that when Carmen goes into labor, she is going to ask somebody to drop her off at the pool first so she workout. Well, let me tell you, all that working out payed off when my ankles were strapped up to my ears pushing for 4 hours after being in hard labor for the first 21. Ladies, don’t get it twisted, this is not a time to sit on the couch and chill all day. (although you do have that right, I cannot say I was not guilty of it) Plus, after you deliver that big bouncing baby, you will lose that flab a lot faster. I am 32 days in and 32 pounds lighter. Trust me, I have not worked out since I gave birth because I had that fabulous cesarean that put me on lock down for a while. Even though I fought everybody when they told me to sit down and quit doing so much, I still claimed my independence. My healing process has taken much longer because of this. Note to self, take the opportunity to relax when you can, things have only sped up 10 fold.

Anyway, back to the ‘C’ word. How could this be? So far, knock on this fake hardwood table, it is not that bad when I compare to other stories I have heard from friends. Tyson only gets a bit fussy here and there, usually around the same time every day, and what really blows about it is that there is really nothing I can do to make it better. I resort to all that I have been taught and all my maternal instincts: rocking, checking the diaper, checking bottle time, holding him like a cocoon in my arms, rubbing his head, getting out the gripe water, taking a bath, on and on. Does he not like me? Oh…don’t be silly, he’s not old enough to realize how crazy his mom was back in the day! We will keep that a secret between you, I and God. Some days are better than others. One thing I contribute to his fussiness is my house being a 3 ring circus. I have had to pull out the bull whip on people just ‘dropping’ by and staying for hours. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the love and help, but I got this, really! I am not afraid to ask when I need help. I am not afraid to call my mother and say ‘Please come over for 2 hours so I can take a nap, please, please!’ As always, she does just like all good mommies, do it because they love us. Plus, it gives her quiet time with Tyson, which I know she loves. Like I said, it can be a 3 ring circus around here, and my place is not even that big. I know, I will set up a patio outside with a hostess to seat people. Yeah, there’s an idea!

Anyway, sometimes I feel a bit overwhelmed by too much going on at one time, so I have to put my foot down. Small doses always works best for me. So here we are, Tyson celebrated his one month birthday yesterday (August 1st) and we are all alive and well. Ahhhh…we made it through the first month, I actually figured out what to do when we came home from the hospital, which was my biggest fear considering I had no idea what I was doing. Let me offer you one more piece of advice. All of those books we bombard ourselves with when we are pregnant, well, you can throw half of that out the window. I don’t think God created an instruction book when he created man. Trust your instinct, even if you have to dig deep. Just like my doctor said when I was pushing like a wild animal, dig deep…dig deep…dig deeper than you ever have in your life. I still will never forget those words. Thank You Dr. Lispcomb. For every challenge I face from here on out, I will still hear those words whisper in my head. As always, make it a good one! -Carmen

Mommy Diaries Take 9 – (Finally, Some Shut Eye) Carmen Brown

Ahhhh – Just when I thought I had given up on the male species, just when I was ready to throw in the towel, you guys do something miraculous that blows my mind, a curve ball of some sort.

Last night I was absolutely exhausted and baby has started the fussy thing at around 6-7 p.m. No, we will not use the C word yet because that word is banned in my household. Anyway, I was wiped out by 9 o’clock and Emory looked at me and said ‘Just go to bed, you look really tired, I will handle EVERYTHING tonight’. What? Was I hearing this correctly? Was I on a bad episode of "Punked"? I went to brush my teeth and looked at myself in the mirror, and I was starting to understand why he was offering his blessed services. I looked like something from a scary movie that needed to be on one of those make over TV shows where they just show up at your house. Chessin, if you are reading this I need to make a hair appointment ASAP... I really should not be allowed in public! Emory completely took the lead and made me go lie down.

Earlier that day, I had a migraine coming on that I kept convincing myself that it would not progress - - mind over matter…mind over matter. He knew after weeks of trying to be a super mom, girlfriend needed a break. 7 hours of sleep felt like somebody just told me I won the lottery! I still am fighting with the headache this morning, but at least I have had more than 4 hours of sleep. It does make a huge difference. Moms, you know what I’m talking about.

Tyson gave Emory a beautiful performance; only woke up twice to feed and get a diaper change, went right back to sleep, and that was that. Now, was he putting on a horse and pony show or what, because when it’s just me and him, he likes to what I call party all night. It reminds me of that Eddie Murphy song ‘Party All the Time’ because he wants to play, swing, read books, walk around, and on and on. My point being, anything BUT sleep.

Ohhh – I get it! It’s a man thing. They are both men helping one another out, sort of teaming up (well, technically Tyson is a baby, but close enough). Good job Tyson! Either way, it worked out perfectly- mommy got to sleep, daddy got to sleep, and Tyson did a great job on getting his days and nights turned back around. Well, at least for now. The jury is still out on that one!

So, here we are, 7 o’clock in the morning, and Tyson is still sleeping like a little angel. When he wakes up, we will do our normal routine, coffee shop, maybe a trip to the grocery store, and back to play time. Whoever invented that swing, God bless you. It is the only way I get anything done. Next, I am attempting the sling thing. I have been scared to use it because I’m not sure how they breathe in those things. My girlfriends have reassured me that it is ok, and to try it out. I need a little support on that one. Anyone have any suggestions on which one to buy?

That’s as far as I can think at this moment (and you wonder why women need maternity leave for so long), so I will leave on that note. A very positive one, that starts my day knowing that today is going to be a great one. As always, make it a good one! Carmen

Mommy Diares Take 8 (I Just Can't Make This Stuff Up!)- Carmen Brown

Is she for real? I was visiting my grandmother when the phone rang. We looked at each other with a funny face and made a 5 dollar bet it was my mother. See, my mom is the type of person that calls 10 times to finish her thoughts she forgot from the first conversation. Now that I think about it, I’m a little like her. Anyway, she calls and asks to speak to me. From there, she informed me that earlier that day when she changed Tyson’s diaper, he could not stand his wipes?? What is she talking about? The baby was on wipe strike? What’s this talk – so anyway she goes on to inform me that the reason Tyson does not like his wipes because they are cold to the touch. She told me he cries and cries and hates it when she pulls out the wipe. Ok – most babies don’t like the diaper change anyway. Most of the time he is crying because he wants a bottle in his mouth. We always change the diaper before feedings.

Here’s the part that made me spit up grandma’s ice tea. She says ‘I got Tyson a wipe warmer so that way he will not go into shock’. I started laughing hysterically, and I think I hurt her feelings. A wipe warmer? Ok – I’m into some pretty new age stuff, but I have NEVER heard of such a thing. So, she came over the next day with a ‘wipe warming’ device and needless to say, we have not used it. Does anybody out there really use these? If you do, I promise not to laugh, but it seems a little bizarre. A

lright, Tyson is calling for his mommy! As always, make it a good one! -Carmen

Mommy Diaries, Take 7 (The Truth of the Matter) by Carmen Brown

You were all probably wondering when I was going to come out of this la-la land experience of being a first time mother or a parent for that matter. Even though dynamics have changed, I am still in la-la ahhhh of my child. But there are a couple of things I need to get off my chest. So, I will call this blog entry ‘the truth of the matter’.

I hardly ever make disclaimers when stating my opinion or giving advice, but this time I feel the need to do so. I will keep my disclaimer short: Men do not get offended by this next comment, it is not a blow to your ego, it is simply a truth that I have come to learn and respect. Women carry the weight of the world. There, I said it.

No matter how much you dream up a world of co-parenting when you are lucky enough to have a partner, it will change your relationship in ways you never thought possible. Now, having said that it can be a very positive thing or it can turn south. It is all up to the 2 individuals and how much they want to commit to responsibility and to the relationship. We do not roll the dice in this situation, there is nothing left to luck or chance, it is all about things working because you make them work. You make it happen. You both put in equal effort for the needs of the baby and of one another.

I will not indulge into the many details going on at my household right now, because some things should just remain private, but I will tell you this is the most challenging experience of my life. Women, we get the memo (or at least you should), as soon as we find out we are pregnant. Life changes as we know it, starting with our bodies. Hormones run wild like a mean joke on top of not being able to walk by your 9th month. I loved being pregnant until then! Ahhhh – getting up every 10 minutes to pee and then work all day was such a lovely experience. Ok, so I’m rambling, but the point I am trying to make is that take caution when you actually have that baby. Be armed with the knowledge that no matter how great your partner is, you will hold the weight of the world physically, emotionally, and take the main responsibility for you and that child. It is why God gave women the power to bear children. We were born with this amazing gift that has its up sides and it’s down sides.

If you are a woman wiping your eyes to even read this right now, have faith that you will get a break, just stay focused on what is important and tell everybody else that gets in your way to go to hell. To every man who is pissed off right now or getting offended, take a deep breath, we still love you. Even if you were father of the year award, you have no idea and just come to terms with what I am saying. It is nothing personal. I love my man, believe that. I’m just simply stating on a somewhat telepathic level to all my women friends that you are not alone. The biggest change a person can go through is bringing a child into this world. A woman is changed in every way, form, fashion possible and when I glance over right now at little Tyson, I’d do it 10 more times.

Here is where my dilemma comes in: men, if you are not stepping up, please get your ass in gear. This is hard work and a lot of sacrifice. It is actually what makes it so wonderful, it a challenge like no other. One of our challenges has been the night time take shifts ordeal. I understand during the week, I am not ‘working’ at the station, but my job is to be the best damn mother 24-7 to my newborn. That makes my job at the radio station look like a walk in the park. We need your help. This just in: women are not robots that can function 24 hours a day on no sleep. Even when you are tired, do not complain or hit the snooze button on your alarm clock. Baby does not have a snooze button. This ‘problem’ of taking turns at night can really begin to damage a relationship, and to all the Martha Stewarts out there, kiss my ass. Your relationship and love is just as important as the needs of that newborn baby. I believe in energy and how it affects everything and everyone around us. The more we help one another, the more this new life will feel loved.

Positive vibes, call me a hippie, but it is the truth of the matter. Hopefully we can overcome this, but regardless, time will not stand still and wait for us to catch up. I really consider it a privilege to get up at all odd hours and be there for Tyson. Hell, some women go their whole lives trying to have kids and never can. Tyson is a blessing. Every child is a blessing.

No matter what you are going through in your relationship to make it work, start new journeys, take on huge responsibilities, know that there is someone, somewhere who understands. Remember that joy is as equal as pain. If we did not know what the hard times felt like, we could not enjoy the beautiful moments in life that create memories. But, if you are a man reading this and have given the majority of the responsibility to the mother of your child, soften your heart – reach out to her – be a little more understanding. When we get mad at you for not doing as much as we think you should, maybe you should think about it for a minute. Reflect on what we are saying and give us a break. I know the majority of men are GREAT fathers, including mine, but you will face some sort of challenge as first time parents. If it’s not the night thing, it will be something else. All I can say is communicate, get it out there, be raw about your emotions. It will make you or break you. This is not a grey area my friends, a child is a 24-7 job that you have to roll with and be flexible.

Thank you to every woman pacing and rocking the floors right now wishing you had just 4 hours straight of sleep. When that little baby wakes up and opens his eyes, it will be all better. Just keep the love flowing inside of yourself, even if your relationship is taking a toll. Know at least this, I understand, and every other woman that has been in your shoes understands. Take care of yourself and one another. And, as always, make it a good one! – Carmen

Mommy Diaries Take 5- Carmen Brown

Who in the world (I would like to use another word there) came up with all of these different bottles? First of all, it’s like trying out for the Olympics when you’re pregnant, don’t do this, only sleep this way, eat only these foods, yadi, yadi, yadi.

So here we are, blessed with this beautiful baby boy and I made the choice to formula feed. There’s only one dilemma – how do I know which bottle or bottles to choose when staring at racks and racks of what seems like to be hundreds at Babies R Us???

When I was a little munchkin, it seemed so easy and natural for my parents. They just stuck a bottle in my mouth, probably one they picked up from a local grocery store, and that was that. I have now bought around 5 different types of bottles to try, different nipples, and don’t forget BPA free because, according to the experts, that chemical in plastic may kill my baby. Ok, maybe not kill, but have some screwed up life long-lasting effects.

I read in a local paper that Gerber made plastic bottles, BPA free, and seemed to be the answer to all my mental dilemmas. Let’s just say they are great little bottles, but the milk leaks out from the nipple producing not only a mess, but those god awful things mom fears the most: bubbles!!! Bubbles only mean one thing – gas – and do you know what gas means – screaming baby making faces like the way you look when you are constipated on the toilet. These ‘leaky’ bottles were getting on my last nerve at 3:00 a.m., so I ventured out back to the baby super store to get even more confused. Being this little, it just does not make sense to me to get these huge bottles - I want something small, user friendly, BPA Free, and easy to hand wash. Remind you, as I’m searching these huge shelves, I have had all of 4 hours of sleep (co-parenting is our next subject) - Just when I thought the world of bottles had got the best of me, my friend Chezley brought me over a ‘Dr. Brown’s’ bottle. She said it was the only bottle that worked for her son when he had really challenging gas issues. So, we tried it!! Halleluiah! It is a strange looking bottle, but it works wonders. It has not been the complete solution (I’m not sure there is one), but his gas pains have decreased big time. Ahhhh – happy time is back in full effect. Any suggestions for gassy baby? Hit me up at Carmen@987simon.com . Make it a good one!

Mommy Diaries Take 5 – Carmen Brown

I know I can tend to get philosophical at times, but this is one of those Buddha moments that I could capture in a bottle. Finally, after a long sleepless night, I took a 3 hour nap when Emory got off work –ahhhhh –the feeling of a new mommy’s head hitting the pillow. It’s magical in its own right. After waking up, I fed my little sunshine and now I am chilling on the back patio to silence. The sun is just starting to set, and it is amazing. All of these vibrant colors are popping through the clouds – yellows –orange – golden hints. I think after having a child, I am actually starting to notice all of those ‘little’ things I took for granted before. At some point we grow up and become these people called adults. Yeah, that’s great financially, sexually, and not to mention your right to a great martini, but we forget about that innocence we once embraced. I think that’s a large part of why I am having so much fun with this mommy thing: it’s every excuse and more to look back at the world through a new set of eyes. Trust me, I have my moments where I question what the hell I’m doing, but when I least expect it, it all makes sense once again. Learning something new and fresh everyday has got to be the coolest thing ever. Part of my ‘pre-mommy’ attitude was also getting into a rut of the same ol’ –same ol’. Yeah, we have our laughs in the morning and I absolutely adore my job (I’m not just saying that because my boss is reading this), but when we come home at the end of the day it can become very routine. I had been saying before I got pregnant that I wanted to get back into a hobby like photography or bike riding – scrapbooking – I even considered going back to school to take a culinary class. Spice is the variety of life, and I get bored very easy! Thank god for my calling as a radio host because you guys always throw me a bone to play with! Just when I thought life was getting too routine for my taste, I saw that little stick that said ‘YES YOUR PREGNANT’!! Now, I’m going to be honest with you, I had a total freak out fest! My mouth dropped wide open, and I’m not even sure I could speak for the first 5 minutes. No – it couldn’t be – how was I going to do this, what about my crazy schedule, what about the fact I have never really even held a newborn, Oh God – Help!!! I was sitting all by myself in the living room and was in complete denial. So what does every good woman do – Call my OBGYN and demand I come in immediately and do a urine test. How could a test from a drug store possibly be right? Who do they think they are (ha-ha)!! So I called the doctor’s office and said ‘I need to see you RIGHT AWAY!!’ They informed me that they were packed and did not really have time at the moment, but to come in later. Oh no – I was not even trying to hear that. I cried and pleaded and eventually they felt sorry for me and said ‘be here in 5 minutes’. That was that. I got in my car and drove like a crazy women not knowing that day was about to change my life forever. At this point, I had not called Emory, because remember – I’m still in denial. They gave me a little cup, it took all of 3 seconds to put that stick in it, and the nurse said with a HUGE smile ‘Congratulations, your pregnant!!’ If you could have seen the look on my face, it was priceless. I knew I wanted to have kids one day, but I had no idea that today was the day!! I remember the nurse sitting me down in room and handing me box of tissue with a confused look her face. It wasn’t like I was 18 years old in an after school special, I was old enough and mature enough to be at a point in my life when women start thinking about having children! I left the doctor’s office confused, happy, not knowing really what to think. All I knew was that Emory was in for the surprise of his life! I waited for him to come from work and we had the ‘talk’. Let’s just say that was the beginning of the rest of our lives. It was amazing to go from 5 weeks pregnant and look at him today and think to myself ‘that lived inside of me!!” Wow! It’s hard to believe that little boy was curled up for 9 months inside my tummy. When I have my 2^nd child (did I already say that) I at least have some idea of what is balled up all cozy inside that big belly! Ok –I am already talking about more kids – Let me sign off on that note. Make it a good one!

Mommy Diares Take 4- Carmen Brown

First of all, what in the world was I thinking when I scuffed down that blueberry muffin really fast this morning! Ahhhh- -my tummy feels like there is another baby floating in the first trimester. It’s become a morning ritual – change diaper, fix bottle, feed Tyson, pack baby in car and head down to the local coffee shop. I’m not sure how I could survive sleepless nights without a shot or two of espresso. There are certain things we take our moms advice on, and one of them - don’t take the baby out in crowded places before they are at least a month old.

So, with that being said, the only 2 places we venture to is the coffee shop and walks in the park in the stroller. Life with a newborn is a rewarding job and very tiring at the same time. Anybody who tells you different is full of it or has a round the clock nanny. Some nights we sleep 4 hours straight through without interruptions, and then other nights we get 2 hours here – 2 hours there. Lately it has been the 2 hour plan as my body is used to getting up and down. In fact, I was so tired the other night, I woke at like 3 a.m. to fix his bottle and kicked the entire trash can over in the kitchen. I actually debated whether or not to even pick it up or see if I could make it magically disappear. Needless to say my magic wand broke, so I was scrubbing the floor with what I think was Windex (not sure).

The first week home I ran on pure adrenaline, but now I’m feeling the effects of sleepless syndrome. I’m taking applications for overnight nannies (just kidding)!

Well, the good news to this reality check is that even when I am exhausted to no end, Tyson opens those beautiful blue eyes and stares at me and I swear he is saying ‘Thank you Mommy’. Call me crazy, but he talks just by looking at me – or maybe he’s telling me I should really do something with my hair and find a new pair of sweat pants!! Now if he starts singing Bruce Springsteen lyrics check me in to the mental ward (ha-ha)! Alright, I have a good hour to doze before we drink some more milk!! Yummm!! Make it a good one!

Mommy Diaries Take 2 & 3- Carmen Brown

All Is Right With The World As Long As I Have You – Carmen Brown

Yesterday morning I woke to these thoughts running through my head, as cuddled my son in bed. All is right with the world as long as I have you. In the first week everything seemed like such a blur. I wasn’t even sure who had come to visit me in the hospital. Ahhh –The beginning of motherhood, trying to put one foot in front of the other, not knowing what to expect next and learning as you go along. I am writing to all new mothers and fathers who are starting this journey and maybe we can figure out a couple of things together! It is now going on week three and home for a full week. As you know, I had a caesarian and my doctors kept a tight eye on me and the baby for a good while. One of my biggest fears was coming home with this newborn baby, not knowing what to do (even with all the books in the world), figuring out what to do and how to do it, and introducing Tyson to the dogs. That was huge for me. My dogs have been my babies for so long, I could not bear the thought of something going wrong. Every obstacle I like to look at as a challenge so I’m not so overwhelmed. So, we walked in the house and did it. It did not take long for the dogs to adjust, but I was not letting go of the baby for 2 seconds. I pulled an all nighter, pacing the floors, checking to make sure he was breathing, learning how to prepare his bottle, trying to figure out the whole swaddle ordeal, and thoughts going on and on of what I had to do next. We just want to give it our all as first time parents and do everything right. Finally Emory had to carry me off to bed and force me the lay down because I was failing to realize I had just had major surgery. That’s the next topic of discussion! To every mom who has had a caesarian, the pain seems to hide itself as we care for our babies and then eventually it will catch up with us when we least expect it. My only bit of advice is TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! Now, as I say that to you, I am up doing 3 loads of laundry (go figure). When family offers help –YOU TAKE IT!! If somebody wants to cook your favorite dish, don’t argue. Tyson is blessed to have all his grandparents on both sides and they have been a HUGE help. I would have not slept last night if Emory’s mom would have not spent the night. Emory and I are learning we need to nap when the baby naps, and sometimes that is SOOOOO hard to do. It is a MUST though! We share equal parenting duties. We have always worked as a team in our relationship, so that has flowed over into our new parent roles. It is so important to have a support team, whether it be a friend, husband, mom, sister…whomever!! Let me take this moment and say how much I look up to single moms. BLESS YOU! I’m not sure how you do it, but you are the strongest breed of all. I look at all my single mom friends in a whole new light now. How in the hell do you do it! So, we have made it. The first 2 weeks of the honeymoon face – baby sleeping like an angel, very little crying, little eyes opening here and there. Entering week three is totally a big turnaround. Tyson is starting to notice the big world around him and his body functions are starting to catch up to normal. What does this mean? Now my real parenting skills are being put to the ultimate test. He is now crying off and on for extended periods of time, is he getting colic? Does he have blow out gas issues? Is he allergic to his formula? Do I need to do more to try to sooth him in these moments of break downs? These are real questions running through my head, and I think I’ll seek advice on how to enter this 3rd week armed with as much knowledge as possible – you know the drill –Let’s call his doctor and she can guide us in the right direction!! Even though she does not have psychic powers (how I wish she did!), she will be able to educate us on what to look for when it comes to real issues verses just fussy baby syndrome. We all have off days, right? I’m hoping these crying spells are nothing serious, just a case of I want my mommy to cuddle and love me. He seems to calm down when I rock him in a little ball, sort of like he was in the womb. Here comes an entire new chapter I will keep you updated on, but for now, it’s time to get mommy a cup of coffee and a Tylenol! For now, make it a good one! J

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Since we have covered the beginning of week three in baby land, let’s talk about some new mommy issues. These are the issues they never talk about in the pretty paperback books and if they do it’s such a polite way – Martha Stewart way of putting it. So, let’s get down to it and maybe once again we can help each other out here!

Ok, so you're home from the hospital and you have tried many times to ‘go number 2’ and it seems like it will never happen as your stomach gets bigger and bigger from all that gas. As I looked in the mirror for the first time, I felt like I was 5 months pregnant! Ahhhhh –It hurts, right? Now if you are lucky and never had this problem, then please refrain from comments. The nurses never really talk about it for your short stay in the hospital other than that general comment ‘have you gone yet?’ Yeah right!! Let me be the first to tell you whether you have had a caesarian birth or the good ol’ fashion way, expect this to haunt you in the first couple of weeks. Don’t panic!!

My best advice is to stock up on these items: Colace (a type of stool softner that works wonders, but expect it to take time), Preparation-H (laugh now, but trust me, it will be your best friend), Tux medicated wipes (the best thing since white bread), and very mild laxatives. Also, I have added into my diet a variety of fiber heavy items. Whichever works for you –eat it, drink it, love it! The more you eat fresh veggies and drink fluids every day, the better off you will be. Here is part two of what they did tell me in that stupid book – where did my appetite go? After having a major surgery, it has been almost impossible for me to hold solid foods down without getting completely sick to my stomach. Try oatmeal. Before I checked in for my vacation at the hospital, I hated oatmeal – well guess what – now I love it and eat it every morning. Maybe it’s the blandness of it that settles well with me. Not sure on that one. Also, ginger ale and sierra mist have also treated me well.

Whatever you do, take it easy. My doctor had to remind me last week that this would be a 6 week healing process (even though I was out of the bed walking 4 hours after my surgery). Maybe I should have chilled a bit more, but live and learn, right? I am now able to drive after 2 long weeks of driving mrs. Daisy (ha-ha), so that feels great. You will be told not to pick up anything heavier than your baby, and take that advice. You will regret it in pain if you try to overdo it – trust me, I thought I was superwoman – WRONG. I ended up in bed for a couple of days going ‘why did I not listen to that woman in the white coat’.

Here is my theory ‘Happy Mommy – Happy Baby’ so make sure to take care and be gentle with your body. It will get better, I promise. Just give it time! For now, Tyson is sleeping, so I am going back to ‘nap’ until we drink another scrumptious bottle! Make it a good one!

Baby News by Carmen Brown

Finally the day we have waited on for so long is here! Tyson Isaiah was born July 1, 2008. He is now 10 days old and life has changed completely! I know we hear everybody say this over and over, but I never knew love could be this strong, could make my heart stop at one glance, I never knew I could give so much of myself to another little life.

Mommy and baby are doing great (he is sleeping right now, so I can blog for the first time!)

Tyson came out like a champ at 7pds.And 4 oz. We had to stay in the hospital for a week and Tyson spent time in intensive care for the first day. We went through MANY hours of labor before the doctors finally decided a caesarean was needed. I guess he is stubborn like his mom! He just was not going to budge. I pushed for almost 4 hours, so that was that. We were both tired and needed a plan B at that point. Coming home from the hospital was a major transformation, but it went a lot smoother than I thought.

If you know me well, you know I have dogs, so we had to allow a slow transition to allow the puppies to understand what was going on. It only took about 24 hours and the dogs transitioned great. They actually check on Tyson constantly to make sure their new little friend is OK. Life being a new mommy is the best job I have ever had (not that I don’t love Jeff and Skip –ha-ha). The sleepless nights and around the clock care has come very easy to me. Yes, it is hard and we catch ourselves rubbing our eyes, but I cannot get enough of my baby boy! Everyday it’s something new. It makes me smile just to get a glimpse of his eyes slowly opening. He is exploring the world we take advantage of everyday, but think about it, everything is new to him. It’s the gift of innocence. It’s the beauty of the unknown. God is good. One thing I have learned the most through this experience is that the best things in life are unplanned. It’s the one’s that knock us off our feet when we least expect it. Love is the most powerful force in this world.

Ok- Baby needs a bottle! I will check back in very soon!!! Don’t forget to check out the website 987simon.com to see pics as I put them up. Thank you for all your love, prayers, and support. It means so much to me and my family. I truly love you guys, and I will be back soon. Right now I am starting my family and making every moment count. If you would like to email me directly, I would love to hear from you. Carmen@987simon.com Make it a good one! Carmen

More words from Skip

It was great seeing everyone over the 4th Fest. I was hot in the day and wet that night, but it was great to hear such great music. Thanks to everyone!

Vacation by Skip the Prize Guy

Hey, I love summer vacations by my summer vacations but the fact that other people take summer vacation. It's so annoying. you know you try to schedule maybe your refrigerenery(?) get fixed you got to work on everybody else schedule because everybody else is taking there vacation.


EDITOR'S NOTE: SKIP TRIED TO BE TECHNOLOGICALLY SAVY AND SEND HIS BLOG VIA "JOTT". THE RESULT IS WHAT YOU HAVE JUST READ. FOLKS, DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME! :)

Attention K-9 Unit! by Carmen Brown

Just incase you missed it, yesterday on the morning show, we had a police officer from Elon come in with his partner. His partner is a K-9 named ‘Jag’! Jag is not only a drug dog, he also does searches for missing people. I had never really been that up close and personal with a police dog, and let me tell you, they are impressive creatures!

So after a while of hanging out in the studio, I asked the officer if I went and hid, could the dog find me in the building? You know he did! I was imagining when the dog found me, it would be like on an episode of Cops where the dog pounces on the person and holds them down. Ahhhhh!!!

After being reassured, I went and hid in the back of the building in the conference room. Sure enough within 5 minutes of me hiding, Jag found me. When he came running in the room, it was nothing like I had imagined. He did not try to attack me or get crazy, he simply sat beside me and then started playing with his toy! Ha-ha – It was too much fun. Anytime Officer Perry wants to come back and bring his dog, he is more than welcome!

Make it a good one! Carmen

I Will Miss You Guys! by Carmen Brown

I’m not gone yet, but the days are getting shorter and my anticipation is getting longer! After all this time, I am 3 weeks down to the big day (that is if he does not make an early appearance). Even though I will not be with you in the mornings for a while, I’m still going to blog and try to keep in touch as much as possible. This is a universal experience that many women can relate to and some are looking forward to experiencing. It can be overwhelming and magical at the same time! In the first couple of weeks I will be adjusting to the new changes, but after that I will try to catch everybody up. Meanwhile, help me keep the guys in line while I’m out! I know it sounds impossible, but I have faith!

Make it a good one! Carmen

Summer is Here Kids! By Carmen Brown

Summer is back in full effect with 97 Degree weather to prove it! In the past I could have opened the windows and let the breeze flow through the house even in weather like this, but now 9 months pregnant that story has changed. Big Time! As soon as I walk in the door, I spread out on the sofa and bask in the glory of my AC (ha-ha) When I finally get out the door, it’s probably on the way to the pool. My new friend Candy at The Stratford at Hillcrest gave me a couple of pool passes for the summer. I could kiss her a hundred times for that! It has been my saving grace on days like this. Beach fever is in the air and everybody is ready to go. Usually by this time of year I have gone at least once, but I think it is better to stay closer to home where my doctors are for now. Myrtle Beach is wonderful, but I don’t want to deliver a baby there. Can you blame me? Anyway, there will be plenty of time to hit the coast later this summer, but meanwhile I have a job to do. Learn how to be a mommy, balance work and family and everything else in between! There is no manual that can prepare me for this, but I’m confident I will succeed. Also, I have a lot of support and love that will surround me those first couple of months. This summer will be great for Simon as well. You should be able to hear lots of different guests on the air while I’m out on maternity leave. I already know a couple of faces coming through, and trust me, they are crazy! I plan on taking leave 8 to 12 weeks, depending on how I feel about it after he is born. Get ready for a great summer and many surprises on The Wicker Show! Make it a good one J

So what happened today? By Carmen Brown

This morning we had a great time in the Simon studio. Some days get ya going more than others, and this was one of those fabulous days! So, I had this list I read out to give men tips on how to approach a woman. It can be borderline sweet/creepy if handled the wrong way, right? Here are a couple of tips that men can take notes on, that’s if you want to get past ‘Can I Buy You a Drink?’ Rule #1 – Don’t Fidget. Seriously it looks awkward! Rule #2 – Look at her in her eyes, when you look away it kind of creeps us out! Rule #3 – Speak Clearly, if you speak under your breath or without confidence, it can be a big turn-off. One more for ya – Rule #4 – SMILE!! There is nothing sexier than being greeted with that intriguing smile (that is unless your teeth are busted - -911 - -find a dentist!) Hope this helps fellas! Make it a good one!

Skip writes a blog? No way!

And so a friend of mine emailed me and said check up this thing called Jott.com. I guess it's in data, but it's pretty cool. You make phone call and you tell it who to email, and it just email your voice message, it actually translates that into text, so that's kind of cool. And, since you can post to blogger with an email, I thought well maybe it can post from a phone call to my blog and see how it works, so anyway this is my first test and if it works, then I don't have to type anymore. Maybe I'll post more often, but maybe not. And it will be very annoying to people who read my blog cause it will be all these stupid things and no one does read my blog anyway, so that actually kind of a plus now. Alright, that will be it, and this is my test of Jott.com.

Well hey that was it. A phone call turned into text that turned into a blog. I just made a phone call. Hmm nice.

Looking Through Her Eyes by Carmen Brown

Sitting on my back porch on a beautiful afternoon, my grandmother and mother sat around the table chatting about life. An entire generation, including my little baby in the belly! My grandmother is such an incredible woman who has lived through more than I could ever imagine. She knows what it is like to live without electricity, computers, cell phones, refrigerators, and just about anything else you can think of that makes life ‘easier’. She knows what it is like to make her own clothes for her and her children, how to churn her own butter, how to sit down and write a letter instead of sending an email. It blows my mind the amount of knowledge this woman holds. Think about all the classes you would have to take to know this stuff!

As we sat on the patio, my grandmother talked about the baby birds that were nesting in the tree beside us. Emory noticed recently the babies peaking their heads out, not yet old enough to fly on their own. It was so special to hear my grandmother laugh about the simplest pleasures in life that most of us take for granted. How long has it been since I sat outside and listened to nature? It must be amazing to see life through her eyes. She is now 80 (almost 81) and is in almost perfect health. She has had a few issues, but none life threatening. I feel so blessed to have her in my life. Thank you Grandma for the many years you have given me knowledge, compassion, and love!

Are You Serious? by Carmen Brown

It seems like yesterday I was looking at a 5 week sonogram saying to myself, are you serious! Everything seemed so surreal, especially the day I would give birth to my baby. Now, I feel like it is the closest reality I have ever checked! This Saturday I am 34 weeks, which would make him pre-term if he was born, but he would have very good chances of being a healthy baby.

There have been so many changes in my life in the past 8 months. One of the biggest changes has been my priorities. What used to seem like such a big deal to me is no longer. Now my big deals are really worth talking about. What seemed so dramatic, I could really care less these days. Does it mean I’ve lost my edge? No, it means I’m even better. There is an inner strength that radiates inside a woman when she carries a child. What really makes her so beautiful is her ability to sustain through all the chaos.

Anyway, to any woman that is reading this and understands, thank you. Thank you for all that you do.

Today's Show by Carmen Brown

Just finished today’s show, and its meetings back to back followed by a luncheon in Winston-Salem with a group of listeners who won an online contest. So it’s hustle-bustle…then enjoy a wonderful lunch from Panera Bread. This morning was great, we had a rough start, but it worked out by the time everybody had a cup of coffee! Isn’t that how your office works? I have come to find out no matter where you are, or what you do, we are all in this thing together.

Just to give you insight on how this joint works in the morning, we all get up really early (around 3:30-4:00 a.m.) and when we get to the studio we hit the ground running! Here’s how it breaks up: Skip pulls sound clips down that you hear throughout the show that are topical and funny, Jeff runs the board and sets everything up to get going, and I handle all the news stories/topical information that hit the day before and overnight. We go on the air at 5:30 a.m. Most of you guys are still asleep at this time, but we will be on your radio first thing when you wake up (hopefully!) We are on the air until 10:00 a.m. followed by meetings to go over the show and prepare for the next day. One thing people always ask me is do we do everything ‘on the fly’. The truth is, most of what comes out of our mouth is not scripted, but there are certain things that we have to plan. Hot Topics, Games, Contesting, and so on. I don’t care how ‘free’ a morning show may appear, there is still a rough draft of what’s to come. For example, games that we play we have to ‘brainstorm’ and create. So therefore, we need to come up with a strategy so we know how we are going to get a winner. Some are a bit crazier than others! After all the meetings, we each work collectively to make this station go round and sound great! There is a team that works around the clock outside the morning show, and without them this place would not run!

So there you have the short version of what goes into a typical day, or at least how it kicks off! Now, I am off to another meeting, and then ahhhhhh…LUNCH! Yeahhhh - - You know I’m hungry!! Make it a good one!

Ready, Set, Go! by Carmen Brown

Last night was very fulfilling; we set up the crib and finished the beautiful shade of green we painted the walls with. It feels so great to have completed this because I have been having dreams where he was born early and the nursery was still a storage room! (Ahhhhhh, Moms, you know about these crazy dreams!) They only get better the further along you get (ha-ha) Very Bizarre.

I am officially 31 weeks pregnant. It’s a sigh of relief to get closer to the ‘clearance’ stage that if he were to be born before his due date, he could hopefully breathe on his own. I have a wonderful team of doctors that are taking care of me. Recently I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, so my life has changed in a major way. No more late night chocolate milkshakes or tasty French fries dipped in ranch dressing (don’t act like you don’t know about that!). Lots of veggies, fruit, and lean protein are on my menu these days. I would love a tall glass of sweet tea right now! The real old fashion southern kind. Anyway, no complaining…that will not help matters. I have to look at it as I am eating healthier than I ever have before in my life. That means the baby is getting the best of best in his little tummy. I have a new found respect for diabetics. If anybody knows any place to get a milkshake that is sugar free - -holla!! I would love to know where that is.

What else…Oh…I still need to find an excellent Pediatrician. A couple of friends have suggested different ones, but I still have to check them out for myself. If anybody reading this has any suggestions in Forsyth County, please let me know and tell me why you like them so much. If you are a pediatrician reading this, let me know!! I would like to find one with a sick and well side, weekend clinics/hours and a doctor/practice open to new ideas and who is a very attentive listener. This should not be hard with all the great doctors out there. Please reply to this if you can help me with this one- -Make it a good one! Carmen

Fed Up and Frustrated by Carmen Brown

It's time to open up the doors to a much needed discussion.

I’m fed up and frustrated about what is going on and what’s been going on in the horse world and on the racetracks. Eight Belles, the second place winner of the Kentucky Derby, was euthanized shortly after she crossed the finish line. She broke both front ankles during the race and collapsed after she crossed the finish line. All for man’s pleasure, as we watch from the sidelines. Was it due to a freak accident? No, it’s the same story over and over, where horses are literally being ran to their death. Let me give you two major contributing factors: Over-Bred and Over-Raced. It is a vicious cycle and continues with a blind eye due to the fact it’s such a HUGE money sport. Horse racing equals prestige for the upper class and betting big dollars is the name of the game at the expense of innocent animals.

It’s not just animal lovers who are speaking loudly, it is people who have a conscience and common sense. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) wants the jockey who rode Eight Belles to be suspended. Why? They are claiming that the filly was ‘doubtlessly injured before the finish’ and ask that Eight Belles death be investigated. They also wrote a letter to the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority seeking a ban on whipping, limits on races and the age of race horses, and move the races to a softer surface. I could not agree more. This may sound extreme, but if you look at history, it is repeating itself. Remember Barbaro? It was only 2 years ago that we watched Barbaro suffer in pain after being injured in the Preakness… only to be euthanized later during recovery.

So is all this worth it? This demonstrates the level of abuse that is taking place by pushing these horses beyond their natural limits. Some may not consider it abuse, but I’m not sure how else to put it. We can make up different words and adjectives to describe what’s going on, but once we ‘know better’ preventative action should be taken. If this were the case, another innocent horse would not have been put down at the track. So how much would you like to bet at the next race? I bet it will cost another life.

Getting Closer by Carmen Brown

Time is ticking and the clock is getting closer to the big day. I'm feeling rather organic and 'mommyish' at 30 weeks! As the weeks pass, I'm getting a little more anxious …baby room, CPR Class, rearranging the house, getting the unnecessary out of the house…oh…and set up the crib!!

Did I forget the baby shower's coming up as well??? That's the fun part - -getting to hang out with loved ones, eating a bunch of food, and opening presents!
For some reason, I feel like he (it's a boy) is going to make an early appearance. I'm not sure why I have this feeling, but I have had it since I found out I was pregnant. Either way, the prayer of every mom is to have a healthy baby. As far as what I have done, we have painted the room a baby blue color. At first I did not want to do a blue color, but it came out to be the choice that goes best with the bedding I've been looking at. That's about as far as we've got on the nursery. (It took 2 months to clean it out - -it was a storage room before!) Today, I think I will work on getting the closets cleaned out – such a glamorous job!

So you see, my martini nights with the girls have turned into picking out the best crib with the right safety features (ha-ha). It's beyond worth it! My girls have saved a special place for me for a later date! So there you have it, getting things done one step at a time. I'll check back in here soon - -Carmen