When I first started this blog, I never meant for it to be a public forum — it was just a way for me to share the kids’ precious moments with our family that is spread all over the country. I never expected to become part of a community of other bloggers, mothers, people who were there to provide feedback, support, and opportunities for me to be heard. I’m so honored to be nominated for the Liebster Award by my fellow blogger Meggs at Made By Meggs (who apparently also lives in Buffalo!). The Liebster Award is a way for new bloggers to get some recognition and is an opportunity to gain readership and become part of a larger community. As part of the award, I’m charged with answering some questions so you all can learn even more about me and then I’ll nominate another blogas well.

Here we go!

QUESTIONS FROM MEGGS AT MADE BY MEGGS

1. What is the story behind your blogger name?
   I started the blog right after my first daughter, Gabby was born kind of as a birth announcement. I thought it was a cute way of announcing her, like, “Hey, meet the newest McDermott!” It stayed applicable when I found out I was pregnant with Lillian and the name just stuck.
2. Do you have any siblings and/or what is your favorite childhood memory?
   I do! I have an older brother and a younger sister. My favorite childhood memory… hmmmm… well, one of the things my sister and I were recently discussing was how I was a super-nerd as a kid and so one day my sister and I turned the family bookshelf into a library. We glued envelopes into the backs of all of the books and put in an index card so whoever “checked out” a book would have to sign it out. What a weirdo!
3. When and how do you find the time to write for your blog?
   The girls go to bed pretty early (between 7 and 7:30 usually), so I try to write at that time. I try to keep a running list of blog post ideas and kind of have them planned out in my head so it doesn’t take me too long to write a post. I probably could be more organized and intentional about the blog, but up to this point, it has mostly been a hobby and a creative outlet for me.
4. Describe your “happy place.”
   My happy place is in my backyard, playing with my kids on a sunny summer day. Alternatively, any beach would suffice.
5. What is your favorite thing to make in the kitchen?
   So, I make this thing with pasta, chicken, broccoli, and garbanzo beans in a garlic and oil sauce. It takes a while to cook but is a family favorite and it gives me a break from the kids when they are hungry, so it has many benefits besides being super delicious and nutritious.
6. When it comes to getting dinner on the table, what do you struggle with the most?
   I have to admit that 99% of the time meal preparation is The Hubs’ job. The girls get really clingy and weepy at mealtimes so I have to keep them busy and happy so he can do the cooking.
7. What is your favorite topic to write about?
   My munchkins, of course! They are so funny and weird and I have so many stories to tell and things that I want to remember when they are older.
8. Who do you admire the most, online?
   This is a tough question because I read SO MANY blogs. I think I kind of aspire to get to a level of recognition to someone like Stephanie Sprenger of Mommy, For Real or be as up-to-the-moment as Ilana Wiles from Mommy Shorts, but my style is really different from theirs. I do find a lot of inspiration from other bloggers, though.
9. Summer is coming, what is your all-time summer MUST DO this year (or every year)?
   It’s become a tradition to do a Buffalo Zoo trip in the middle of July for Gabby’s birthday. I don’t know why because it is a very hot, sticky, STINKY time of year to go to the zoo, but we love it and she expects it, so we will do it again!
10. What are your top three goals this month (can be personal or blog related)?
    – To complete my 26-mile bike ride for Ride for Roswell
    – To post at least twice a week on the blog
    – To get my facebook follows over 200. I’m at 177! So close!
11. What is your go-to snack when the hunger hits between meals? (Grab? Make? For you? For the kids?)
    For me – a snickers bar if I want something and am starving between meals
    For the kids – it’s either crackers or cheerios

Whew! I did it. So, now it’s time for me to share the love and nominate another blogger.

Little Nerd Family is a really cool resource for parents who might be a little nerdy or want to raise their kids with a slice of STEM. She has a really unique niche and I think you guys will enjoy her! Head on over and read Little Nerd Family’s answers to the following questions:

And here are my questions: