This newly updated blog has been a work in progress for well over a month and nearly all credit must be given to the Dude – lawyer by day, web designer/developer by night. No one else could have possibly been able to capture my vision, make it functional, and exceed all my expectations…or maybe they could of, but certainly at a much higher rate. Being married to your web designer does come in handy.

During this time, the Dude captured a few images of the work in progress. Click through the images below to see the evolution of the AYMB design process:

We are still working out a few kinks here and there, so please let me know if you come across any issues.

Hope you like the new site and come back again soon!

…it’s my SITS Day!!!*

If you’ve never been to Ain’t Yo Mama’s Blog before, welcome! I hope you’ll come back again soon. And, if you’re a returning reader, I hope you know how much I adore you already.

My two favorite guys - the Dude and the Monkey

A little about me and my blog for those stopping by for the first time:

My name is Aimee. I live in SoCal with my husband of 5 years, the Dude, and our little Monkey who turns 3 this month. I am a registered pre-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFTi) but have been a stay-at-home mom since the Monkey was born. The Dude is the one who suggested I become a blogger and he is, without a doubt, my biggest supporter. He is also a silent partner here at AYMB. You see, the Dude not only created this website but he also deals with all the techy stuff (the stuff I am either incapable of doing or unwilling to learn). Although the Dude prefers to work backstage, he sometimes comes out of hiding to write about various interesting stuff, like how to make an awesome frittata.  I find more reasons to love him everyday and I’m also glad I didn’t let a small issue like height differences get in the way of true love. Yes, that pun was intended.

Being the post-modern feminist that I’ve always been, I never thought I would be a stay-at-home mom. However, I quickly learned that being SAHM was one of the best and most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made. I also realized that being a feminist and a housewife are not incompatible.  In one of my favorite posts, I talk about identifying myself as a Feminist Housewife.

I initially started my blog to provide an outlet for topics that I believe are important, such as parenting and relationship issues as well as other topics that relate to my career in counseling, my passion for good food (I am a HUGE Barefoot Contessa devotee), various worthy causes I support, and critically important social and human rights issues such as gay rights. I like discussing topics that are relevant and important to many people and not just about myself and my family (hence the name of this blog). When I started blogging, I considered it to be such a self-indulgent activity but I quickly learned that it’s much more valuable than that.  My blog is an extension of my authentic self and it became a great way to connect with other like-minded people. It was also a great way to hear from people with different perspectives and points of view, which I’m always open to hearing. I started to really appreciate the wonderful connections I was making with other people and I loved getting back just as much as I was trying to put out there. I’m proud to be a blogger, as we all should be. We all have something to say and it’s good to have our own space to speak with our minds and our hearts.

When I really appreciated blogging the most was when I started going through some tough times.  This past year has proved to be one of the most difficult years of my life. I started out 2010 with the loss of my beloved grandmother followed by the passing of my wonderful grandfather only 8 months later. They were married 68 years and I credit them with teaching me the true value of love, loyalty and, in essence, the very meaning of  ’til death do us part.

On my wedding day with my grandparents, five years ago. Their marriage lasted 68 years!

In the past year I have also said goodbye to my brother and sister who are both serving our country, in very different capacities, in Afghanistan. I’m anxious for them to return home and enjoy an ordinary life again. Blogging about the loss of my grandparents and my anxiety with my brother and sister opened up a floodgate of support and encouragement, all of which meant the world to me.

Don’t fret, though, things aren’t always so serious around here! I enjoy bringing up the funny stuff, too, like our attempts to date other couples (wait, that sounds kinda weird) or picking up on other moms in the park (no, it’s not what you might think!).  And then there is the really weird/funny stuff, like my family’s obsession with seltzer water, what it’s like being raised Catholic and Jewish, otherwise known as a Cashew — (double the guilt!), or how I have half-siblings that are young enough to be my children. It makes for an interesting relationship dynamic, which I describe as the Mother/Sister Role.

Oh, and I also do the occasional review/giveaway for products I truly believe in and value. Keep a look out for some very exciting giveaways coming up this month!

Anyways, that’s me and my blog in a nutshell. I hope you stick around for a while and check it out — I’d love to hear from you. And, if you’re a blogger, I’ll do my best to visit your blog real soon!

P.S: I’ll be at the SITS Bloggy Boot Camp in San Diego next year – hope to meet many of you there!

*If you’re confused – SITS is an acronym for The Secret is in the Sauce, a collective of over 7,000 women bloggers that support one another via comments and feedback. I have been a member of this wonderful community practically since the day my blog was born. The support and encouragement I receive means so much to me and I consider my readers and SITStas to be the fuel for this blog. Being a featured blogger for the SITS website means that your blog is introduced to many other bloggers and vice versa. It’s a big day for a blogger and I’m obviously ecstatic that my day has finally arrived!

You see, I found out last night that one of my blog posts (THIS ONE) is being featured today over at The Secret is in the Sauce! Woohoo!

If you’re a blogger, you probably already know all about SITS. If you’re not a blogger, SITS is a wonderfully supportive community of women bloggers. It’s my favorite blogging network and I feel so fortunate to be a part of this group of fabulous women. Make sure to head over there and check it out!

I better get back to the party and start mingling with my SITStas. If you’re leaving me a comment today, I WILL get back to you as soon as I can.

Now, I think it’s time to make a batch of margaritas.

*cheers*

Although I will continue featuring a Mental Monday and Foodie Friday series, they will no longer be a weekly feature. Instead, I anticipate that they will be featured every other week or once a month. As much as I enjoy both series, I feel it’s best that I do not constrain myself too much with two weekly features. I have quickly learned that motherhood, and life in general, doesn’t always take kindly to blogging with strict regularity and structure.

I expect 2010 to be a fun year for Ain’t Yo Mama’s Blog. I’ve got some great guest bloggers coming up in the next few months and I’m planning on a few more give-aways throughout the year. And, of course, more rants, raves, and occasional words of wisdom.

Have any questions or comments? You can e-mail me directly at mama at aintyomamasblog dot com.

A mere 24 hours after my grandmother passed away, we experienced major plumbing issues and water damage in our home. 48 hours and $5,300 dollars later, we’re finally able to use our plumbing once again.

It’s safe to say that 2010 has not started off very well for me. I am grieving. I am angry. I am in desperate need of a hot and relaxing shower.

I am also in need of a mental day-off. It’s good to have one of those every once in a while, especially when you have been slammed with too many stressors at once. Checking in with yourself should be a weekly occurrence, if not a daily one. I haven’t been able to check in with myself in a while, but I’m going to do it now.

I will be taking the rest of the week off from my blog in order to start adjusting my life to my new loss.

Comments have been turned off for this post.

As I start blogging my way into a 2nd month of Ain’t Yo Mama’s Blog, I have some very exciting stuff coming up that I would love to share with you all.

Gimme Gimme!

First, I have more give-aways coming up! I know give-aways are quite popular (duh) and I enjoy them, too. Just like almost every other parent I know, I am a big consumer of all things kid-related. When I need to shop for my kid, especially if it’s for a big-ticket item, I depend on other parents for product reviews and feedback.  I like to do the same for other parents. I have been a long-time reviewer on websites like www.yelp.com (two-time Elite!) and consumer websites like www.amazon.com, so writing reviews is nothing new to me. I have always loved spreading the word about an incredible restaurant, service, product, or company. I don’t believe that reviews and give-aways diminish the primary purpose and perspective of a blogger.  I believe reviews and give-aways can actually enhance the content of a blog.  To know me and my blog is to also know the stuff I like to buy and gift to others.

One final and very important note about that: in the few years I have been reviewing online, I have never ever ever been paid or sponsored in any way. Although, to be perfectly honest, I have been given free frozen yogurt as a thank you for a good review. If, in the future I am paid or sponsored, I will disclose that information. I will always be honest about the products I love and the products I despise.  I didn’t start blogging to make a few bucks or get free stuff. However, I must admit that frozen yogurt usually works well.

Mama Needs a Break Sometimes: Guest Bloggers/Writers

In other exciting news, I will be featuring some fabulous guest bloggers and writers in the upcoming weeks. My guests will be discussing a wide range of topics, from craft projects and recipes to philanthropy and therapy. There will even be a guest post from the Dude himself. I am very excited to showcase a diverse array of people talking about some very interesting things. Things that I know most parents will appreciate. I know I’m excited!

Keep in Touch

I know you’re out there, readers. I don’t know who all of you are (other than you, Mom), but I know you come from all over the world. Feel free to post a comment if something speaks to you or drop a line via the contact form on the menu bar. The readers that have already been in touch know that I will always respond. I would love to hear from you.

Oh, one last thing. For the love of all things muppets, if you love the Yip Yips as much as I do than please read and sign my petition! Our kids deserve more Yip Yips in their lives!