When I was young, I thought being a stay at home mom would be fun. I could hang out all day, watch some soaps, and maybe do some laundry and some ironing.

This past January 29th, my husband and I had our first baby. I went into labor the night before around 1:00 in the morning. While I waited for the time to head to the hospital, I sent out last minute emails to clients and potential clients, sent staff to do lists, and my boss a final update on where everything stood. I wanted to make sure that I had everything in order for the next six weeks while I was out on maternity leave.

The next six weeks flew by so fast.  Being a stay at home mom to a newborn was a much bigger challenge then I ever imagined. Everyone always tells you how much your life will change when you have a baby but I don’t think you can really fathom how life-altering it really is until it happens. Things that you use to take for granted like watching a movie, running to Target, or a full night’s sleep become very unlikely activities.

My thoughts of watching soaps and doing some laundry and ironing – did not happen! Days were filled with feedings, diaper changes, baths, spoiled clothing changes, etc. and before I knew it was night again. Don’t get me wrong, I loved every minute of it. The six weeks I got to be home with my little guy was the most amazing time.

So when the six weeks were over and I returned to work and everyone asked me how it felt to return I was able to be honest when I said I missed my little guy but was happy to be back. It was hard to leave the baby and I did cry all the way to work on the first day, but it is great to be back to work doing what I love. I am lucky to have a great support system with my family and my husband’s family both helping out to watch the baby during the week and a great boss who is allowing me to work from home one day and even bring the baby into the office for a few hours one day a week. I’m also lucky to love my job. I love what I do and love the company I work for; that does make it a lot easier.

And now I have the evenings and weekends for feedings, diaper changes, baths, and spoiled clothing. (Oh… and snuggles, smiles, hugs, and lots of kisses

If you are a business owner, you know that accountants and attorneys are vital to your business.

To honor and recognize these business advisors, The New York Enterprise Report is presenting a new awards program, “The Best Accountants and Attorneys for Growing Businesses”.

This awards program will recognize accountants and attorneys who have made outstanding contributions and who go  “above and beyond” in helping their clients succeed. Nominations are now available at www.bestadvisorawards.com.  The deadline to submit applications is Friday, May 7th.

Here are the nomination categories:

ACCOUNTING CATEGORIES

General Category – Accountant of the Year, Rising Star of the Year, Lifetime Achievement.

Practice Areas – Advisory and Consulting, Financing, Forensic, International Business, M&A and Taxation

Industry Focus – Entertainment/Media, Environmental/Energy, Healthcare/Life Science, Non Profit, Professional Services, Real Estate and Technology.

ATTORNEY CATEGORIES

General Category – Attorney of the Year, Rising Star of the Year, Lifetime Achievement

Practice Areas – Bankruptcy & Reorganization, Commercial Litigation, Employment Law, General Corporate Law, Financing, Intellectual Property, Real Estate

Industry Focus – Entertainment/Media, Environmental/Energy, Healthcare/Life Science, Professional Services, Technology

The first annual New York Enterprise Report’s Best Accountants and Attorneys for Growing Businesses awards gala will take place on Tuesday, June 29th from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at the newly opened Trump SoHo in New York City.  Winners will be announced at the awards gala in front owners and senior-level decision makers from small and midsized firms and will be featured in The New York Enterprise Report’s August 2010 issue.

Remember, the deadline for submissions is Friday, May 7, 2010 at 5pm.

If you really value your accountant or attorney, this recognition will be a great honor…

In the modern American culture, pets are increasingly treated as family members. Pets have always been an important part of the family. As American culture evolved in the last twenty years, pets have taken on an even more important role.

More young couples are not just getting married later in life; they are delaying having children until older. As a result, pets seem to have taken the place of children in the lives of young couples and as such, they are treated much the same way that children are. Indeed, many people refer to their pets as their “kids” and they are themselves referred to as “pet parents” by the pet industry.

For middle aged American couples, pets are a welcome relief to empty houses as their children grow up and move out. These pets help make the transition easier. For older Americans, a pet often helps one get through the death of a spouse or loss of a job.

Whole industries have been created to service these pet families.  These include dog walkers, pet sitters, doggie daycare, pet insurance, and of course, the pet photography specialist.

It makes sense that this unique member of the family is included in the annual family portrait and at other family functions. Pets are even showing up at weddings as part of the wedding party and are included in the wedding portraits as well. More often we are seeing portraits of pets on a co-workers desk along with their other family members.  Some proud pet owners even carry small sized photos of their pet in their wallet. Unlike thirty years ago, a pet in a family portrait is no longer considered an oddity, but just another loved family member. Is your pet included in your family portraits?

My son’s art work was chosen for the Nassau County District Art Fair.  All of the schools in Nassau County participated.  There were hundreds of art work ranging from paintings, charcoal, sketches and photographs.

The event was held on Sunday, March 21 from 12 pm – 4 pm  at Adelphi University and featured works from students in K through 12.  While parents viewed their children’s art, an orchestra from one of the schools in the district played classical music.  The only thing missing was the champagne!

I was so impressed with the event, that I thought I would share some of the pieces with you.

I just got back from Louisville, Kentucky at nearly 1 am in the morning and turned around for an 8 am meeting this morning!

The last 24 hours in Louisville has been amazing!

When I got there Wednesday at 6 pm, I presented case studies to the social media club of Louisville.  The next morning at 8 am, I gave a presentation to clients and friends of Blackstone Media Network and at 11:30 am, I was shuffled off to the Louisville Advertising Federation.  The presentations went really well.  (I just love educating people on social media techniques and strategies!)

In addition to meeting terrific people, I  was also impressed with the architecture and layout of Louisville. My friend, Biggs Tabler who invited me to town, showed me around.  Many of the old water towers and distilleries were converted into office space, which I found quite interesting.

Before my flight back to New York at 6 pm, Biggs took me around Louisville on a tour.  He showed me the Churchill Downs where in a couple of weeks the Kentucky Derby will take place.  He also took me to the Louisville Slugger museum and factory.  I actually saw where they make the major league bats.  Unfortunately, we were unable to take photos but you have to believe me…. I saw Derek Jeter‘s wood to make his bats!  I was so excited, my heart was racing!

My 24 hours in Louisville was productive, fun and informative!  I can’t wait to go back…

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