Laura O'Brien
I am a mama to two sweet babies, Caroline (3) and Colin (1). My husband and I, both UT grads, recently moved back to Knoxville because we are so in love with this area and the people in it. Although I am a full time stay-at-home mom now, I am a former 2nd grade teacher who is on a mission to continue learning about how children grow and learn with my own personal guinea pigs! In my spare time (LOL), I run an Etsy shop for embroidery monograms and appliques and help with the college ministry at Calvary Baptist Church.
That Holiday Recipe Phone Call
I called to wish my grandmother a happy 86th birthday shortly before Thanksgiving. We both lamented that we would not be spending Thanksgiving together this year due to the pandemic. We always spend Thanksgiving...
We’re Going to Be Okay
When I was a teenager, I played competitive travel softball. My team was unique in that we started playing together in 7th grade and stayed together until we graduated high school. We were more...
New Moms: Less Baby Registry, More Education
"Why didn't anyone warn me?!"
"I had no idea that would happen!"
"I wish I had known...."
Show of hands if you said any or all of these after you welcomed your new baby home. Mom groups...
Beauty Hacks for Regular Moms
Hey there, moms. We're going to need to calibrate the room before we continue. If you have a morning skin care routine, a nighttime skin care routine, and have ever contoured your face, this...
I Don’t Hate Thumb Sucking
Show of hands: how many of you hoped for a thumb sucker?
Probably not too many if I had to guess. We've all heard the horror stories of kids who are way too old still sucking...
The Kids Can Finally Play
I'm taking off my mom hat briefly and dusting off my old child development hat for this one. With a bachelor's degree in Child and Family Studies and a master's degree in Early Childhood...
I Shouldn’t Have to Make You a Face Mask
I shouldn't have to make you a face mask.
I shouldn't be spending my time learning about micron particles and filtration, researching which materials might keep you safe. Might. My Amazon cart shouldn't be filled...
Quarantine Life: Bringing Back Pen Pals
My six-year-old daughter is a super social creature. A bit too extroverted for my introverted husband and myself at times. She can talk to anybody, any time, for extensive lengths of time. When she's...
The Help a Third Time Mom Really Needs
*This advice applies to any new mom who already has older children, regardless of number.
Hi, new mom (for the third time) here. I gave birth to my third child about two months ago. Before...
“I Have to Clean My Headlights” and Other Crazy Nesting Stories
Full disclosure: I'm 36 weeks pregnant and don't have time to be writing this. Why don't I have time to write this? Because I NEED to clean my headlights. I cannot bring a baby...
Here’s What Happened When My Kids Had to Share a Room
The first time I ever had to share a room with anyone was when I moved into my freshman college dorm. I was the oldest of three children, but since I was the only...
Vol Moms: Your Kids are Watching
I first moved to Knoxville in 1996 when I was 10-years-old. It was right in the middle of the Peyton Years. The magic in Knoxville was palpable. My elementary school wheeled out TVs on...