I started doing a monthly recap back in March, then I got busy with finals and couldn’t get around to doing April’s recap, so I’m trying to get back on the horse and do one for May. I thought about recapping April along with May, but when I looked at the volume of posts I published in April & May combined, I started to have a little anxiety attack.  So, I’m only doing what I can handle today.  How’s that for a change!

So In Case You Missed It – this is what I’ve been going on about for the last 4 weeks.  As a special treat, I’m including my favorite comment from each post I published this month.  Fun, right?!  Let’s get started…

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May 3rd: My Birthday & The 500 Presents You Gave Me

Description: It’s official, I’m 32.  I also have the World’s Best Husband and fans.

Favorite Comment: by Heretic Mama

Happy Birthday. My 30s rocked. I’m sure yours will continue to do so.

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May 5th: Happy International Day of the Midwife

Description: To celebrate International Day of the Midwife, TFB hosts a special 1-hour NOON radio show featuring special guests, Amy Romano, Amie Newman, and Mary Murry.

Favorite Comment: by Meghan

That was great (well what I heard between “Mom, can I have some more milk” and “Mom, he’s not letting me have the piece so I can build my pirate ship”). Excited to check out the blogs these women write. Thanks Gina!

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May 11: The Perfect Mother’s Day Present (for me.)

Description: TFB shows off her new stress-relieving cabinetry and wants to know what you go for a Mother’s Day gift?

Favorite Comment: by Laura Bergamini

That looks awesome! I bet that when you start weeding out the packages of food (that you already have) that you no longer want to eat, you’ll find yourself with a bunch more room for all the new goodness in your life.

(note from Gina – yes Laura, that is EXACTLY what happened!)

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May 11: Skipping Chapters

Description: Guest post by Zoey Martin on cesareans, secondary infertility, and the things we often avoid researching during our first pregnancies.

Favorite Comment: by Katepickle

It is so tough when your choices for birth are limited by where you live, or what label you carry (I have a super high risk label which is ridiculous but means I have to travel into a major city if I want a hospital birth)

I have had one very positive VBAC experience and am about to have another one (hopefully, though I can’t imagine why not). I can’t tell you what magical things I did to get my VBAC except to say that I just always thought I would… despite declining a repeat c-section at 41+3 and going to 42+2 and having a 4.6kg baby…. it all happened without nearly as much stress as I thought there might have been.

So here’s hoping your next bubba is on it’s way soon and that you have as wonderful a VBAC experience as I did!

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May 14: Reasons I’m Not Getting Pregnant

Description: TFB is not getting pregnant.  She will entertain you with witty, self deprecating commentary on the situation instead.  You’re welcome, America.

Favorite Comment: by Kelly

I almost feel as if I could have written that myself.(That is, if I were ever so awesome with words, like yourself.) I truly believe that the universe is out to get me this year. We were those assholes, too. First baby was a complete surprise, second and third planned, but had to try like hell NOT to get pregnant until after my first cycle off the pills. Then came baby #4, another planned one, this time taking exactly one year from Mirena removal to conception. How’s that for a kick in the ass? Nine whole months of the hell that is TTC. We’re trying for another now. We gave up in December because there was just too much going on and guess what?? Yep! I found out on Jan. 4th, just 3 days after my FIL passed. Two weeks later, bleeding, two more weeks, no more baby. Still wondering WTF I did wrong. Anywho, if it wasn’t meant to be, it wasn’t meant to be. Now… off to sit out the remaining 5 sucky days of the TWW over-analyzing every little symptom and basically, just drive myself bonkers.

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May 15: As the Beatles Say: Here, There, and Everywhere

Description: TFB’s been a writin’ fool lately.  New articles on ShePosts, RH Reality Check, Dr. Greene, and Saavy Source – so make with the clicking and keep her employed.

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May 16: The 2 Year Anniversary of My VBAC

Description: May 16th marks the 2-year anniversary of TFB’s VBAC.  Come celebrate and share your story.

Favorite Comment: by Kimberly

Happy Birthday Jules! Thanks Gina for the inspiration you give every woman who wants a VBAC! My hubby and I finally watched The Business of Being Born, I am glad to have opened his eyes! Thanks again!

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May 19: Jillian Michaels, Body Image, and Mother-Shaming

Description: TFB talks about Jillian Michaels, old age, and how none of us will escape body changes no matter how hard we try.

Favorite Comment: by Danielle Friedland

It’s like saggy boobs. People still think breastfeeding makes your boobs sag. No, pregnancy makes your boobs sag. Age makes your boobs sag. Gravity makes your boobs sag. Life makes your boobs sag.

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May 21: Hold Enfamil Accountable for Lying to Parents

Description: Enfamil lies, again, and again.  Stop the madness by spreading the message that parents won’t put up with it anymore.

Favorite Comment: by Michelle Cohen

My faves are the commercials with the claim….”We have ______ , JUST LIKE those found in breastmilk.” Um, the only thing that is just like breastmilk is breastmilk.

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May 22: Announcing My 2010 BlogHer Sponsors

Description: TFB officially announces her two BlogHer 2010 sponsors, and gives details on her journey toward landing them.

Favorite Comment: by An “Other” Mother

How exciting!!!! Gina I have to say that your desire and ability to stick to a very high standard for sponsors is one of my favorite things about you. I have a LOT of respect for you because of that. It makes me feel like I can really trust your blog and other work.

BTW you couldn’t have found better companies! Congrats! I’ll be living vicariously through you during the BlogHer conference and look forward to your blogs!

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May 26: Behave on My Blog As You’d Behave In My House

Description: TFB takes on the commentors who can’t seem to edit their mouths in someone else’s house.  We’ve all been guilty of it, but it’s time to stop.

Favorite Comment: by Kristine Brite McCormick

You mean you’re a real person with real feelings? How easy we forget. I cry at Twitter or Facebook or my blog at least once or twice.

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May 28: And Maybe I Could Be a Better Hostess…

Description: On the heels of her post the other day about blog commenting etiquette, TFB points out her own shortcomings in blog management.

Favorite Comment: by Mandi

I do not expect a reply from the blogger. In fact, I’m a “rare” commentor, but when I do I usually comment with the hope that my particular comment might make the blogger smile knowing someone (even if I’m among thousands) was touched /moved / inspired / etc. by what they wrote. Keep writing, I’ll keep reading (I’m hooked) and every now and then I’ll continue to send a comment warm fuzzy your way!!!

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May 29: Why I Won’t Leave My Births Up to Chance

Description: TFB shares scientific and anecdotal evidence calling for all new mothers to take a full, comprehensive childbirth education course.

Favorite Comment: by Adrianna Costello-Martin

When I started teaching Bradley 14 years ago, I thought very naively that I would be out of a job by now because the maternity care system in the US would surely have changed! Surely, all the docs, nurses and hospitals were reading the same information I had access to! Silly me… It would be so great to be put out of business due to a rash of Mother-Baby Friendly hospitals! (That’ll be the day!)

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