Alyson Hickey Photography

Celebrity blogger Jenna von Oy is a new mama!

Best known for her roles as Six on Blossom and Stevie on The Parkers, von Oy is also a musician who has released two albums and is set to publish a book, The Betweeners.

von Oy, 36, wed Brad Bratcher on Oct. 10, 2010, and resides in Nashville with her husband and five dogs.

They welcomed their first child, daughter Gray Audrey, in May 2012. She is now 20 months old.

You can find her on Facebook and Twitter @JennavonOy, as well as posting on her weekly blog, The Cradle Chronicles.

In her latest blog, von Oy gives readers a humorous glimpse of the world through her daughter’s eyes.

These days, in the world according to Gray, everything is rainbows and butterflies. (Save for the rare occasion when a babysitter comes-a-knocking, but that’s another story!)

Impromptu kitchen dance parties are encouraged, and people are prone to randomly burst into songs about broccoli or potty training. Mommy and Daddy offer endless kisses and cuddles, strangers always smile back, everything is a learning opportunity, and disappointment is mostly fleeting.

Reality is essentially a Sesame Street revival, minus the Muppets. Welcome to seeing life through the eyes of a 20-month old!

Since this is my first blog of 2014, I thought I’d give you an update on the neat little human we get to share our lives with. Now that Gray is beyond the infant phase and well into the throes of Toddler-dom, we are discovering just what a character we are raising!

Alyson Hickey Photography

Her current age is, in short, incredible and incredibly trying. But most of all, it’s truly inspiring to watch our baby turn into a little girl … And a very happy-go-lucky one at that! I feel thoroughly blessed.

Gray is unbelievably sweet, emotionally generous, intuitive and inquisitive, eager to be challenged, and quite comedic in her own right. She also happens to be super easygoing — unless it is nap time, of course, when “cranky” is sometimes a fitting adjective. But heck, I get cranky when I’m overtired too. Or when I don’t eat. Or when someone runs a stop sign and then has the audacity to honk at me for being in their way … But I digress.

In general, Gray has a calm demeanor with a hint of stubbornness. And let’s be honest, she was probably genetically predestined to have the latter. I’m just saying.

As she moves toward her second birthday, Gray is constantly pushing the bounds of her physical and mental limitations. She certainly keeps us on our toes, but we can’t help but laugh our way through it all. It’s hard not to, given her innate comic timing!

Her sense of humor never ceases to amaze us, and often catches us by surprise. If I thought sarcasm and wit were personality traits that wouldn’t reveal themselves for many years to come, boy was I wrong! My daughter is goofy, funny, full of vim and vigor, and smart as a whip. She is a force to be reckoned with.

Oh yeah, and she knows it.

To be clear, I’m not suggesting we don’t have some trying times here at our house. The notorious “terrible twos” are on the horizon, and the dark and stormy clouds roll past from time to time. For the most part, I believe any fit or foul attitude (which have been very minor thus far, thankfully) is generally based on Gray’s inability to properly articulate her intentions. It must be frustrating to feel like she can never adequately express herself!

Courtesy Jenna von Oy

I’m doing my best to practice patience when her temper flares, and she tries to do the same for me. I’d like to think we make a pretty good team.

Despite our attempts at patience, we certainly have our share of vocabulary battles. There are moments when my daughter and I are speaking two different languages, and things get lost in translation.

For example, there was the time she politely asked to snack on mango, and I mistook it as a request for mushrooms. She typically loves mushrooms, but when you are craving a mango, there’s apparently no room for the consideration of fungi. The mango versus mushroom debate was enough to send her over the edge.

And then there was the toast debacle that immediately followed. (In case you haven’t already guessed, naptime couldn’t come quickly enough that day!)

During another failed attempt at decoding toddler-ese, I thought Gray was informing me that she was hungry … turns out she needed to go to the potty. Oops, my bad.

The occasional language barrier notwithstanding, Gray’s speaking abilities are advancing rapidly and most statements are remarkably clear. Her growth has been exponential. In fact, I think her vocabulary tripled after we spent the Christmas holiday with my siblings!

It’s neat when she suddenly strings a whole sentence together, or recites words I wasn’t aware she knew, such as “freckle,” “sushi,” and “excuse me.” I silently celebrate each time that last phrase is uttered; it’s like getting an invisible gold star in Parenting 101. There’s a lot of pride that comes from hearing my child extend polite words without being told to! Here’s hoping we can continue to nurture that.

In honor of Gray’s recent whimsies and witticisms, I thought I’d let her detail some of the fun facts regarding the current state of affairs in her world … Sort of.

I’m certain she’d share these observations with you herself, were her inner dictionary extensive enough to do so. Let’s just say I channeled her sentiments and spirited attitude, and ran with it. It’s all in good fun!

The world according to Gray:

1. Yogurt and pickles are to be eaten obsessively, though not at the same time and only until Mommy cuts me off … which, sadly, is always too soon.

2. Brushing my teeth is an elective sport, and is mainly employed as a decoy at bedtime. One of these days, I’ll actually get Mommy to forget it’s time for me to go to sleep. It’s a work in progress.

Courtesy Jenna von Oy

3. Elmo is my BFF and my hero. Mommy isn’t a huge fan of idolizing music or TV icons, but she seems to be cool with my friends on Sesame Street. She says, “Better Elmo than Justin Beiber, I suppose.”

Elmo is quite the superstar around here, and makes Barney look like an overstuffed goofball. (No offense, my high-strung purple pal.) In my humble opinion, Elmo should be present at the dinner table, tucked into bed at night, introduced to every houseguest, and even posted on the Christmas tree in lieu of the traditional star.

Mommy tries to be as accommodating as possible, though sometimes Elmo’s celebrity status gets a bit excessive for her. Between you and I, I suspect she might be jealous.

4. Bedtime isn’t complete without a menagerie of stuffed animals and baby dolls within my line of sight. In case of an emergency, they are there for moral support. I mean, what if one of them wakes up in the middle of the night from a bad dream? I hate to hear Gus Giraffe cry.

5. Chapstick, otherwise known as “chappy,” is technically a face crayon. It is to be applied liberally, whether or not it is actually necessary to cure dry lips.

(Mama’s sidebar: Thankfully, the chapstick we have is kid-friendly and all natural. That said, I’ve banned its use indefinitely. Note to self, hide all makeup until she’s 30!).

Courtesy Jenna von Oy

6. When I’m loud, fear not. When I’m quiet, be afraid. Be very afraid. (Insert maniacal, wicked laughter here.)

7. New vocabulary words are mentally filed away for later use, sometimes at the expense of Mommy and Daddy’s ability to sneak in conversations about subjects they refer to as, “for adult ears only.” Super fun terms like “fester” and “darn” are amusing to whip out when Mommy and Daddy least expect it, because it makes them realize just how much I’m listening and absorbing.

A good example would be the time I overheard someone on a TV show say a bad word I wasn’t supposed to repeat, that rhymed with “truck.” Mommy and Daddy quickly changed the channel, and I’ve forgotten all about it. For now.

8. The best song to dance to is the Castle theme song. Call me crazy, but I’d take that over “It’s A Small World” any day! You’re skeptical? Go watch the opening credits, and see if you aren’t bopping your head to the beat and whistling along. It’s so catchy that Mommy even caught me dancing to it in my sleep!

Courtesy Jenna von Oy

9. Floors are prettiest when festooned with Hello Kitty and Curious George stickers, and a refrigerator is a canvas just waiting for its masterpiece. As is the front door. And the wall. And any other surface that screams out for my creative touch.

After all, I am an artiste! My grandma gave me an awesome art easel for Christmas, so I’m learning how to hone my skills without making Mommy bust out the cleaning sponge … Though I’ll admit it’s pretty funny to watch her scramble when I “forget!” (Mama’s sidebar: Needless to say, we are keeping a close eye on our mini-Michelangelo!)

10. Puppies aren’t just pets; they are siblings. Consider that my warning. Those rascals tear open your Christmas presents, chew your socks, steal your afternoon snacks, and crawl into Mommy’s lap while you are attempting to have quiet cuddle time. Trust me, I’m speaking from experience!

On the other hand, they are also experts at photobombing, which I consider to be one of their redeeming qualities.

11. Hats are a cure-all. No one can possibly cry while wearing a funny hat. They should teach that in therapy! Not that I’ve ever been … I’m not even two, for Pete’s sake!

12. Bibs are futile accessories, as clothing is meant to be caked with food at all times. This includes socks and shoes, and often includes Mommy’s clothing as well. Any day that ends with clean apparel is an unsuccessful day indeed.

(Bonus points for getting food stuck in Mommy’s cleavage without her realizing it!)

13. Straws are never to be used individually, but rather in abundance. Also, the more colorful the straws are, the better the beverage tastes.

Courtesy Jenna von Oy

14. Every time Mommy and Daddy say they are proud, a cookie or animal cracker should be negotiated. This almost never works, but I’m not giving up on it.

15. Any pens hooked over Daddy’s shirt lapel are just begging to be stolen. Any important work papers within reach on Mommy’s desk are just begging to be drawn on.

16. Peekaboo is for babies; utensils are the hip thing now! Unloading the dishwasher is a most enjoyable party game (Pin the tail on the donkey and Twister are WAY old school), and putting silverware in the drawer is cause for celebration and applause.

During a recent tornado drill at my daycare, the teachers herded all of us into the basement, only to find me clutching my lunch silverware for dear life. Laugh all you like (they did), but you can’t say I’m not enterprising. At least if there had been a catastrophe, I would have been able to dig us out with a spork!

17. The more Christmas presents, the merrier. (Thanks for spoiling me Grandmas!) It should be noted that the wrapping paper is equally as entertaining as the gift.

18. If it’s good enough for Mommy, it’s good enough for me. This is my official “Tao of Gray,” and is also known as: whatever Mommy has should be mine.

The motto works when referencing food, clothing, and any item in Mommy’s purse. This especially includes that wonderful little iPhone thingamajig that I desperately yearn for, despite the fact that I haven’t figured out how to unlock it. YET.

19. Clearly, baby proofing was installed so I would have an engaging puzzle to conquer. Spoiler alert: foam table corners can be peeled off, gate latches require some discipline but they’re doable, and toilet locks are a fool’s attempt at keeping me from finagling toys and toothpaste tubes underneath the lid.

20. You want to know a really fun joke to play on your dad? Steal his glasses and hide them in the laundry hamper. It’s hilarious watching your parents scour the house searching for them, and I promise your dad will laugh, despite his frustration. (Of course, that’s only if he actually locates them, so don’t hide them too well.)

A joke on Mom is always fascinating too. Try this: Next time you’re in a public place, especially if you can manage to pull this off at church, point to your mom’s blouse and enthusiastically shout, “Boobie!” It’s really hilarious to watch your mom squirm. If you’re particularly lucky, her face will turn three shades of red.

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Courtesy Jenna von Oy

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little glimpse into what our life is like with Gray these days … Who knows, maybe you were nodding and chuckling knowingly at her list, as you pictured your little one saying and doing similar things.

Pretty soon Gray will be able to hold her own in a conversation, and I won’t have to wonder what’s going through that pretty little head of hers. Until then, I just can’t help speculating! It’s far too amusing.

As always, I love hearing from you, so please feel free to add your own observations in the comment section below.

What would your child say if you could put words in his or her mouth?

Until next time,

– Jenna von Oy

P.S. Please join me on Twitter, and subscribe to my http://www.cradlechronicles.com RSS feed for weekly updates, recipes, and additional motherhood anecdotes!

More from Jenna’s PEOPLE.com blog series:

• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: A Big Thanks to the Little Guy
• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: An Ode to October and Our Wedding Day
• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: Hell Hath No Fury Like a Mommy Scorned

Celebrity blogger Jenna von Oy is a new mama!

Best known for her roles as Six on Blossom and Stevie on The Parkers, von Oy is also a musician who has released two albums and is set to publish a book, The Betweeners.

von Oy, 36, wed Brad Bratcher on Oct. 10, 2010, and resides in Nashville with her husband and five dogs.

They welcomed their first child, daughter Gray Audrey, in May 2012. She is now 21 months old.

You can find her on Facebook and Twitter @JennavonOy, as well as posting on her weekly blog, The Cradle Chronicles.

In her latest blog, von Oy discusses Gray’s love of all things girly — and explains why she’s okay with self-expression (for now).

Like mama, like daughter – Courtesy Jenna von Oy

When I was about 10 years old, a little boy named Mikey* (*This name has been changed to protect the fashion “unconscious”) lived across the street. He was your typical 5-year-old it seemed, except for the fact that he was mildly obsessed with a pair of canary yellow rain boots.

No joke, I never saw the kid without them. It’s a 95-degree, scorcher of a summer day? Canary yellow rain boots. There’s two feet of snow, and the pond is covered with ice? Canary yellow rain boots. I recall feeling somewhat sorry for his mother who, I suspect, had visions of cross trainers, cowboy kicks, Nike high tops, and Buster Brown saddle shoes dancing in her head at night. A pair of Chuck Taylor’s would probably have made her downright drunk with enthusiasm!

But alas, there were only the aforementioned canary yellow rain boots.

I never quite understood Mikey’s fascination, but those galoshes made his world go ’round. I even overheard his mother mention that he would launch into hysterics if she didn’t let him sleep in them; temper tantrums ensued if she fought him on wearing them to school. (Which transpired every morning, by the way, because apparently he felt sneakers were the devil incarnate.)

Oh yes, and did I fail to mention he often paired those boots with his Batman cape? He was the best-dressed superhero on the block.

Anyway, I recall wondering why his mother bothered battling his favorite ensemble in the first place, since everybody knows you can’t argue logic with a 5-year-old. Heck, you can’t argue logic with some adults, never mind a kindergartener. Children don’t care that recess might not be as constructive … what kid preemptively thinks about the trials and tribulations of climbing a jungle gym in Wellingtons? (I can only imagine what an adventure dodgeball must have been!)

Regardless, I am reminded of this quirky little neighborhood anecdote, because of my daughter’s current obsession with hats … and legwarmers … and barrettes … and sunglasses. The list goes on. Yes, this month’s blog is about something totally frivolous: accessories.

Too cool for grocery shopping – Courtesy Jenna von Oy

I know, I know, parenting is rife with complex and meaningful things to discuss and contemplate, such as existentialism as it relates to breastfeeding, and the metaphysics of motherhood. (Don’t go rushing to look those subjects up on Wikipedia; I’m totally making them up.)

Nevertheless, sometimes it’s just nice to talk about the simple things in life … to take a break from the controversial “mommy war” woes, or our self-inflicted fears of inadequate parenting.

Every now and then, it’s a relief to have a shallow escape. It’s much like choosing to watch Pretty Woman (for the ten thousandth time), instead of that documentary on the hostile takeover of machines. Of course, having a 1-year old on my hands makes the idea of sitting through an entire movie of ANY kind highly impractical (if not laughable), but I think you catch my drift.

This blog post may not be nearly as thought-provoking as some of the others I’ve written, but I’d like to think it has its merits.

And now back to the academic nobility of accessories. So to speak.

My little Gray is a girly-girl all the way, which sometimes surprises me, given that she isn’t overly dainty. That said, she loves her bows, bracelets, tiaras, and tutus. If she were capable of it, she’d scale Mt. Everest — or at least her armoire — to retrieve a pair of sparkly sunglasses.

And you think I was a cap collector as a kid? Well, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet, my friends! My daughter puts my hat loving to shame. There isn’t a tam she’d turn down, or a beret she’d balk at.

In fact, one evening, when she was in a bit of a foul mood thanks to teething miseries, she pointed to a particularly fancy fedora on my closet shelf. “Hat,” she whimpered through crocodile tears.

My husband retrieved it for her and she placed it on her own head. The waterworks immediately stopped. “More hat,” she said with a small smirk, and pointed to a winter knit that hung from a hook on our wall. Again, my husband took it down and handed it to her.

Tons of toppers – Courtesy Jenna von Oy

A moment later, once the requested brims were piled high on top of her head, we were looking at the most contented girl in the world; no tears were in sight, as she pranced around in her happy hats for the next several hours. Who needs bribery or “time-outs” when you have remedy by hat collection?

When I say my daughter “loves accessories,” I’m not sure you can truly appreciate the depth of that statement. I mean she won’t get out of the car without the perfect accoutrements. She requests pigtails and bows before grocery store outings. She steals bracelets from my closet, and drags out my most colorful shoes. She’d bring her scarves into the bathtub if I let her. (Alas, the line must be drawn somewhere, as rubber duckies do not require neckwear. At least as far as I know, anyway.)

My point is, Gray adores accessories in a way that is different from most toddlers. I often have mothers stop and marvel at how I “get her to keep sunglasses on.” Little do they know, that requires no effort on my part whatsoever. One woman recently commented, “Your daughter keeps her shades on? I can’t even get my kid to keep his pants on!” Here’s hoping her kid isn’t in his 20s.

Gray’s fondness happens to be for accessories, but I find it fascinating what other kids do (or don’t) latch onto as well. One of my Cradle Chronicles blog readers wrote to me in September, detailing her daughter’s obsession with wearing orange. (Orange is the new black, after all, right?) Apparently her sweet tot refuses to dress in any other color! And from what I can tell, that isn’t an anomaly.

On the other side of things, there are also the items children won’t touch with a 10-foot pole. I, for one, abhorred wearing jeans until I was well into my teens. I would sooner have sported a burlap sack to elementary school, than to have poured myself into a pair of acid-washed denim dungarees. What’s that, you say? You hated jeans? But jeans are a staple!! Crazy, right? (I also despised pizza at the time, so I was clearly a bit off-kilter.)

So far, Gray isn’t shunning any articles of clothing, but she certainly has her affinities. I’m often stunned by the number of opinions she asserts, in reference to her daily apparel. Who knew 21-month olds were so particular about which color socks to wear?

My baby is a fashion maven in the making — the littlest Project Runway protégé on the planet. And while I am very reluctant to encourage a material obsession with clothes (pun intended), I am a huge proponent of encouraging self-expression through one’s wardrobe. Clothing has always offered me the chance to convey my unique style and spirit, and it warms my heart to see Gray embracing the same methods.

Speaking of which …

Looking back, I’m terrified at some of the things I wore out in public when I was younger. Can we talk about the awful effect the ’80s had on my fashion sense?! (I suspect I’m not alone in that observation.) My mom was a brave woman to let me experience my freedom of expression in that way. In some cases, she was a brave woman to let me out of the house at all, but we’ll let that slide for now.

Rockin’ the roller skates – Courtesy Jenna von Oy

I hope I’ll be equally courageous in my parenting because I think motherhood is often about adjusting your way of thinking to fit your child’s personality. Please don’t misunderstand me here — I’m not saying you shouldn’t set crucial boundaries for your child; they aren’t meant to raise themselves.

The way I see it, it’s about bending without breaking, and setting my daughter on a positive path without sacrificing my own parenting convictions. It’s about letting Gray take some poetic license, without exceeding the ethical limitations I’ve set.

I acknowledge that those boundaries vary from parent to parent, but mine include letting my kid pick out some of her own outfit each day. (Within reason, of course!) It might surprise you to hear this, but I’m actually a relatively conservative mom. Yes, I have tattoos and I grew up in show business, but I was raised in a fairly traditional household, by parents that wholeheartedly promoted respect and courtesy.

I love that it takes all kinds to make the world, and I wouldn’t want it any other way, but my husband and I tend to take an “old-fashioned” approach to our parenting. And that certainly transfers over into what Gray wears … We want our daughter to be proud of what she puts on her body. Moreover, we want her to be proud of the body that wears it.

All of that said, I don’t care if she matches, or if her hair is askew (as is often the case), or if she wants to wear a pair of boy’s pants instead of a dress. Self-confidence should supersede all of those things, and if Gray feels good about her choices, I’m proud of that.

Sure, there will likely come a day when I’m forced to say, “No, you can’t wear that miniskirt to school,” or “I’m not okay with your midriff showing.” But all in due time.

For now, we’re just focusing on the accessories, and I’m content letting her choose her own adventure where those are concerned! I’d like to think her choices are assisting her in acquiring a sense of pride and accomplishment. No matter how insignificant it may seem in the whole scheme of things, she is still exercising her independence each time she selects her own belt or feathered hair clip. She is learning to appreciate the decision-making process, while brushing up on her knowledge of colors and clothing-related vocabulary.

Best of all, she is learning to be unique. She is learning to be her version of Gray. And that’s the only Gray there should be.

The accessory queen – Mimosa Arts Photography

Until next time …

– Jenna von Oy

More from Jenna’s PEOPLE.com blog series:

• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: The World According to Gray
• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: A Big Thanks to the Little Guy
• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: An Ode to October and Our Wedding Day

Celebrity blogger Jenna von Oy is a new mama!

Best known for her roles as Six on Blossom and Stevie on The Parkers, von Oy is also a musician who has released two albums and is set to publish a book, The Betweeners.

von Oy, 36, wed Brad Bratcher on Oct. 10, 2010, and resides in Nashville with her husband and five dogs.

They welcomed their first child, daughter Gray Audrey, in May 2012. She is now 22 months old.

You can find her on Facebook and Twitter @JennavonOy, as well as posting on her weekly blog, The Cradle Chronicles.

In her latest blog, von Oy discusses Gray’s recent love bite — and why she’s not ready to move to Transylvania just yet.

Gray and Me – Courtesy Jenna von Oy

Dusk had descended upon our quiet house and the night was rapidly taking its place. The moon ominously hung in a starless sky, prompting an eerie sense of foreboding and casting a faint glow on the neighboring rooftops. A tempestuous wind danced leaves across the pavement, sending them skittering down the street like gangs of rowdy hooligans. It swayed broken tree limbs to its soundless and haunting melody, and left behind a frosty chill that stung like barbed wire.

I sat on my couch and pulled my bathrobe up over my shoulders, as the tapping of winter branches against the windowpane sent shivers down my spine.

But that wasn’t what made my skin prickle.

The movement came from my left and without warning, and I cried out as I caught a sudden flash of bared teeth. She was headed straight for me, and I was frozen in place. I had prepared myself for this eventuality, but no amount of mental rehearsal could overcome the sheer surprise of it all. There wasn’t enough time to fend off the attack. Her fangs sank into my flesh, piercing my pant leg and sending a fiery pain through my senses. The initiation had begun.

C’mon, admit it, I had you there for a second. It sounds like I stole an excerpt from some absurdly cheesy and ghoulish novel, right? Believe it or not, while somewhat embellished for the sake of fun and flair, that story is mostly true. And it happened to me!!

Take a deep breath, ladies and gentlemen, and don’t let your imaginations run wild. We aren’t headed for the zombie apocalypse or world domination by vampire. You see, the story-prompting bite came courtesy of my 22-month old daughter (aka the Nosferatu wannabe), and the initiation was one that I imagine has caught many a parent unaware.

Yes, my sweet little Gray decided to demonstrate her frustration one evening by putting her brand new (not to mention exceedingly sharp) canines to good use. On my leg.

In that very unexpected moment, her stunt had me reeling. Where did I go wrong? Should I have refrained from reading Twilight while Gray was in the womb? Should we start perusing the real estate market in Transylvania? I hear property is cheap over there.

Clearly, I jest. I realize it isn’t some epic parenting failure that lead to this scenario and, more importantly, I don’t feel Gray has done anything wrong. (Though try telling that to my leg!) I’m not suggesting I sanction biting — my husband and I do our best to teach our daughter to be loving, kind, respectful and gentle. But social graces aren’t necessarily built in at birth; sometimes they come from hands on learning. Or, in this case, “teeth-on” learning.

Aside from the substantial role teething played in Gray’s little taste test (I wasn’t kidding when I’ve mentioned her being a foodie!), I know she is trying things on for size. My daughter is testing the waters, gauging our reactions, and seeing how far the envelope can be pushed. She’s almost two, after all, and two-year-olds are notorious for pushing boundaries and parenting buttons!

Gray is finding her own limitations, as well as ours. And apparently, this included spontaneously chomping down on the beefiest section of my thigh. Which for the record — and thankfully — hasn’t happened since.

I understand biting is a fairly typical phase for kids Gray’s age to go through. The same goes for hitting, pushing, screaming, throwing miscellaneous household items, kicking, and any other adventurous form of self-expression that a tiny human might experiment with. (And that might render their parents the pariahs of the preschool community, if not nipped in the bud!)

I generally think these spectacular feats of derring-do are attempted out of curiosity and a desire to be better understood. And also, because I imagine teething really sucks. Pun intended. Alas, inquiring two-year-old minds are nothing if not spirited and headstrong, right?

I like that Gray keeps us on our toes, and that she’s eager to explore new ways of communicating — even if that means I might need to invest in full body padding, or tote around garlic and holy water from time to time. (Look out, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, there’s a new act in town!) It’s all part of our parenting journey and her learning process.

If you’re wondering how I responded to the ambush, I’ll admit I involuntarily shouted “OUCH!” It may have been slightly louder and more enthusiastic than I would have liked, given my disorientation, but it did the trick. It startled Gray into retreating. (Back away from the leg, and keep your teeth where I can see ‘em!)

I actually think the fact that she hurt me caused her more pain than it did me. She immediately burst into tears. I took a deep breath, firmly but lovingly told her, “Please don’t bite, that really hurt Mommy.” Then I changed the subject to get her mind off of it. Ah, the art of distraction.

I certainly don’t want this blog post to make you think I take my parenting responsibilities lightly, or that I view serial biting as a trivial issue … that’s a different story altogether. I’ve had friends whose children were fixated on biting for an extended period of time, and it was no laughing matter. It was baffling, frustrating, alarming and alienating for everyone involved. Not to mention painful!

During a lunch date a few years ago, one of my friends pulled back her blouse sleeve to reveal an arm peppered with black and blue bite marks, courtesy of her son. It looked like piranhas had been feasting. So I certainly take that side of it seriously! I’m only poking fun at my own experience, because it’s mine to laugh at.

In my case, laughter isn’t terribly hard to come by, since it was such a brief encounter of the nipping kind. I don’t anticipate my daughter entering the pro-biting circuit any time soon, and I know the action wasn’t intentionally malicious. I don’t think the occurrence denotes aggressive tendencies, or abnormal development, or even that my child is channeling Dracula.

It’s a reminder (albeit a somewhat physically unpleasant one) that my kid is just that — a kid. Not that I’ll forget that fact any time soon, given the number of toys I step on daily, or the stash of Cheerios currently in my purse!

Despite her fairly impressive ability to communicate, Gray doesn’t always have the vocabulary to explain her feelings with words alone. This means she sometimes resorts to other ways of getting her point across. I’ll admit words and hand gestures are preferable, but every now and then I suppose there may be a more “unique” approach that surfaces. This was one of those times.

In the moment it happened, my goal was to discourage the biting, without inadvertently causing Gray to focus on the attention it triggered. And, of course, I’m keeping an eye out to make sure she isn’t attempting her “love bites” on anyone else!

Laughter Is the Best Medicine – Courtesy Jenna von Oy

As long as Gray isn’t gnawing on her friends at daycare, I’m not going to worry too much about it.

Finding constructive ways to let our children know their behavior is inappropriate, without putting too much emphasis on an act we hope they don’t repeat, can be a curious little balancing act, can’t it?

That said, I couldn’t ignore the opportunity to joke about it with all of you. The vampire references are just WAY too amusing to pass up!

It’s a comfort to be able to share experiences that might seem like a mountain when they transpire, and a molehill in retrospect.

It’s nice to know some of you have gone through something similar as well. Please feel free to share your own funny experiences in the comments section below. I love hearing from all of you …

Until next time …

– Jenna von Oy

More from Jenna’s PEOPLE.com blog series:

• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: My Daughter the Accessory Queen
• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: The World According to Gray
• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: A Big Thanks to the Little Guy

Look who’s back — it’s celebrity blogger Jenna von Oy!

Best known for her roles as Six on Blossom and Stevie on The Parkers, von Oy is also a musician who has released two albums and is currently working on two books, including a fictional novel for young adults.

von Oy, 37, wed Brad Bratcher on Oct. 10, 2010, and resides in Nashville with her husband and five dogs.

They welcomed their first child, daughter Gray Audrey, in May 2012. She is now 2 years old.

You can find her on Facebook and Twitter @JennavonOy, as well as posting on her weekly blog, The Cradle Chronicles.

In her latest blog, von Oy reveals where she’s been the past few months — and shares some pretty big (and exciting!) news.

Our Celebrity Wife Swap family photo – Mark Levine/ABC

I’m baaaaaack!!! (She says in her creepiest, most haunting Poltergeist voice.)

I know I’ve been missing in action for the last several months, and I pray you’ll all forgive my absence. I can only hope said absence made your hearts grow fonder, despite my use of that unoriginal and timeworn cliché.

Yes, it’s true. I took 8 (EIGHT!!!) weeks off from blog writing, both here on PEOPLE.com and on my personal site, The Cradle Chronicles. I swore I would never take a vacation from them, but exceptional circumstances called for exceptional measures.

No, I wasn’t trekking through the Arctic, or meditating with Tibetan monks, or traversing the wild jungles of the Amazon. It was nothing quite that adventurous. Or was it?

I promised myself I would spend my “off” weeks stocking up on intriguing new posts, collecting hilarious parenting stories to relay, and trying out new recipes to tantalize your taste buds on my weekly Cradle Chronicles blog.

But you know what I did instead? I took extended naps with my sweet baby girl. I read her stories, played dollhouse and dress-up, and took her outside to blow giant bubbles. We watched summer roll out its green carpet, planted our vegetable garden, read books, sang silly songs, admired the fireflies illuminating our yard, and shared homemade blueberry muffins.

We baked pretend cookies, viewed so many Sesame Street repeats that I now know them all by heart, and drew pictures of dogs that vaguely resembled cats. Which, thankfully, no one was judging. We laughed, and snuggled, and acted silly together. We took a small family road trip to North Carolina, and celebrated two birthdays (Gray’s and mine), as well as Mother’s Day.

Grand adventures, indeed!

And all the while, I blatantly ignored any and all writing. But can you blame me? I’m incredibly proud of my lazy and idle blog intermission. Sometimes I get so caught up in writing about the joys of parenting that I don’t leave myself quite as much time to live the joys of parenting.

So here I am, eight weeks later, with “nothing” to show for my hiatus … Nothing, that is, except the most wonderful moments spent with a husband and little girl who undoubtedly deserve them more than a blog does! And that means nothing short of everything to me.

Lo’ and behold, a break was just what the doctor ordered. More specifically, it was just what the baby ordered.

No, not the baby that you’re already familiar with (who’s now 2 going on 20, I swear!) I’m referring to the baby in my belly that will be making her big debut at the beginning of November.

Yes, you read me right. WE ARE HAVING ANOTHER BABY!!!

We will be welcoming another little girl into our family in a few months (I’m 20 weeks along), and we couldn’t be more elated and enchanted. Our hearts are overflowing with love, and Gray is simply over the moon about becoming a big sister! She kisses my belly daily, and tells me she’s “watching out for the baby.” I have no doubt this is true.

In large part, my blogging downtime had to do with my pregnancy; I was beyond exhausted. Not to mention, it’s tough to write a blog when you’re making a mad dash for the toilet every 10 minutes!

Gray’s getting a little sister! – Courtesy Jenna von Oy

It also happens that I promised the good folks at Celebrity Wife Swap we could reveal our baby news on their program. Now, it may strike you as a bit out of character that I agreed to the show in the first place, and normally I wouldn’t disagree. But you know what? I couldn’t be more thrilled that I participated. I’m eating my own “I’d never be caught dead on a reality show” words these days.

The fact is it wound up being a once in a lifetime adventure, and a bizarre/refreshing/thought-provoking social experiment, to say the least. After turning down all reality television offers prior to this one, folks have been pondering what motivated me to change my outlook.

Essentially, curiosity got the better of me. The challenge of being in someone else’s home, living in their (as it happens, very fancy) shoes for a week, and walking away with a dose of self-reflection and inspiration, was just too intriguing to pass up.

It was also a brilliant reminder of just how much my husband and I love one another and how perfectly we fit. There’s always more to learn in this lifetime, and I don’t expect my parenting or marriage education to end any time soon. I embrace being a work in progress.

Needless to say, the Celebrity Wife Swap journey was definitely the learning experience I’d hoped for! For those of you who aren’t tempted by the theatrical melodrama that is reality television, or who don’t typically get excited about the lives of kooky celebrities, you may not have been planning to tune into my upcoming appearance.

But if you change your mind and feel like joining the adventure, please watch as I swap lives with Jill Zarin of The Real Housewives of New York on July 15 at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m CT on ABC!!

This down-home Nashville girl wound up in the posh social scene of The Hamptons, for Pete’s sake, so you don’t want to miss it! Please also join me that night as I LIVE TWEET during the episode. I imagine my sarcasm will be running amuck.

But back to the baby news.

Cuddling – Courtesy Jenna von Oy

Since Celebrity Wife Swap may or may not wind up making a deliberate reveal of my pregnancy in the final cut of the episode, they’ve gone ahead and given me the thumbs up on making my special announcement now.

As you know, I try to be as open and honest as possible with all of you. Consequently, I felt it was too difficult to blog my way through the first and second trimester without mentioning something as significant and life altering as having another baby! It was a tough secret to keep, even for this long, and we definitely have a lot to catch up on now.

Next month, I’m looking forward to sharing more about the little one who’s on her way, to report on the latest and greatest with Gray, and to give you updates on my work endeavors.

But before I go, I should also mention that Blossom is about to be back on television for the first time in 15 years!! It will be premiering on July 7 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on the Hub Network.

Yes, the era of floppy flowered hats and “very special episodes” is about to be bestowed upon a whole new generation of television watchers.

Long live the “Whoa!” the flannel shirts, the fast talking, and all of my acne-ridden awkward phases. Not to mention, the dancing. Oh, the dancing!

See? As promised, I’ve truly returned, in all of my acerbic glory. I’m back, and bigger than ever!

(In case you were wondering, that’s a self-deprecating preggo joke, not a puffed up observation about my popularity.)

If this blog wasn’t long-winded or news-filled enough for you, please make sure you check my Cradle Chronicles blog every Friday, for weekly updates!

Blossom reunion w/former co-stars, courtesy of @HubTVNetwork! @missmayim @joeylawrence @MikeStoyanov #blossomreunion pic.twitter.com/8pTihLtuiK

— Jenna von Oy (@JennavonOy) June 16, 2014

Until next time,

– Jenna von Oy

More from Jenna’s PEOPLE.com blog series:

• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: Biting Off More Than We Can Chew?
• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: My Daughter the Accessory Queen
• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: The World According to Gray

Look who’s back — it’s celebrity blogger Jenna von Oy!

Best known for her roles as Six on Blossom and Stevie on The Parkers, von Oy is also a musician who has released two albums and is currently working on two books, including a fictional novel for young adults.

von Oy, 37, wed Brad Bratcher on Oct. 10, 2010, and resides in Nashville with her husband and five dogs.

The couple are parents to daughter Gray Audrey, 2, and are expecting their second child — another girl! — in early November.

You can find her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @JennavonOy, as well as posting on her weekly blog, The Cradle Chronicles.

In her latest blog, von Oy reflects on her Celebrity Wife Swap experience and realizes there’s no place like home.

Photoshoot for the new website – Mimosa Arts Photography

My June blog was a whopper, so I hope you all had time to read it!

If you need a brief recap, it goes a little something like this: I’m pregnant (it’s a girl and she’s due in early November), Blossom is back on television after 15 years of being M.I.A. (the floppy, flowered hat trend could possibly be being resurrected across the globe as we speak, God forbid), and I was in an episode of ABC’s Celebrity Wife Swap, which just aired on Tuesday. (If you missed it, make a mad dash for ABC.com to view it here!)

How’s that for some concise Cliff’s Notes?

Now that the show has finally been broadcast, and I’m allowed to discuss it without giving away any super classified, hush-hush secrets, I want to talk a bit more about my Celebrity Wife Swap experience; it was quite the grand adventure!

I’ll begin by saying it has surprised some folks that I agreed to participate in a reality show in the first place. I’ll admit it isn’t customarily my style, and I’ve turned down offers to do so in the past, as I didn’t want to expose my family life to that sort of scrutiny.

That said, this one made me rethink my outlook. (Mind you, I also blog about my personal life these days, so I figure I’m an open book at this point anyway!)

But why did I choose to do Celebrity Wife Swap, you ask?

As I mentioned in my last post, “Curiosity got the better of me. The challenge of being in someone else’s home, living in their (as it happens, very fancy) shoes for a week, and walking away with a dose of self-reflection and inspiration, was just too intriguing to pass up. The fact is, it wound up being a once in a lifetime adventure, and a bizarre/refreshing/thought-provoking social experiment, to say the least. It was a brilliant reminder of just how much my husband and I love one another and how perfectly we fit. There’s always more to learn in this lifetime, and I don’t expect my parenting or marriage education to end any time soon. I embrace being a work in progress.”

In short, we all had a blast and we have no regrets!

Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not suggesting the whole affair was easy breezy. There were some exceedingly difficult aspects to filming the show, predominantly that it was the first time I’ve ever been away from Gray. Other than her twice-a-week attendance at a local daycare, we’ve been attached at the hip for the last two years. And we like it that way!

A week without my sweet little sidekick was a complicated and challenging pill for this mommy to swallow.

That subject is really what I wanted to focus on this month, as I imagine many of you have had to deal with similar circumstances. Of course that’s not to suggest you’ve had to leave your child and husband behind while you spent a week trading places with one of the Real Housewives of New York City (how surreal does THAT sound?!), but you get the gist.

Brad and me with Jill and Bobby Zarin after the CWS roundtable – Courtesy Jenna von Oy

I know a lot of you are working parents, and I have the utmost respect for you. The Wife Swap journey boosted that level of appreciation even more, as I experienced a small percentage of what you must go through on a daily basis. It’s hard to split time between work and family life, and it’s always painful to bid farewell to your child as you head off to work … No matter how passionate you might be about your career!

Admittedly, it’s also tough to avoid letting a little guilt creep in every now and then; sometimes our heads and hearts just can’t quite reconcile that matter. I certainly sympathize with those of you who dream of crawling back into bed to snuggle with your baby each morning, but pour yourself a strong cup of coffee and don your office clothes instead.

My husband and I spent a considerable amount of time deciding whether or not Celebrity Wife Swap was the right thing for us to do — not because we were against the idea of the show itself, but because it meant my traveling away from Gray for a whole week.

Obviously, our priority was how Gray might adapt to the time without her mommy. Ultimately, we knew she would be surrounded by love and support, since both Brad and my own mom were at the house with her the entire time. (Not to mention, who can refuse the golden opportunity to put one’s husband in close quarters with his mother-in-law for a week, in the presence of a camera crew? Not this girl, that’s for sure!)

We felt secure in the fact that our daughter is as well-adjusted as one might expect of a 2-year-old, and that she feels unconditionally safe and loved. Though it hurt my heart to leave everyone, I’m extremely thankful for a husband who embraced the process as wholeheartedly as I did. Otherwise it would have been impossible.

I am incredibly fortunate to have been able to spend every day of the last two years at home with my little girl, without interruption. I know that isn’t feasible for many of you out there and, as I touched upon earlier, I feel for those of you who work full-time and/or who had to go back to work immediately following the birth of your child. It’s taxing to be away from your children under any circumstances, even when you know they are in the most capable of hands!

With Gray and our pup Bailey – Courtesy Jenna von Oy

I can safely say that Gray handled the separation with far more grace than I did — which, if you knew her, probably wouldn’t surprise you in the least.

Although the growing baby in my belly kept me constant company, I’ll admit I was homesick from time to time. As a preemptive strike against allowing those feelings to make me fall apart at the seams, I approached the Wife Swap filming with as much positivity as I could muster. I acknowledged any grief I felt over leaving Gray, but I also tried to see the learning experience for what it was. Not that it was always an easy task!

As if it weren’t hard enough to be away from my family for a week, throwing pregnancy into the mix made for an interesting, hormonal “cocktail.” Yes, there were tears galore — you all know by now that I’m sappy, right? But there wound up being a sweet lesson in it for me too … that missing my loved ones and enjoying my alone time aren’t mutually exclusive; I’m perfectly capable of doing both at the same time.

Believe it or not, I made a point to appreciate the seclusion that the trip offered. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, right? In the rare, quiet moments when we weren’t filming, I chose to accept the “me-time” as a blessing. I let myself live in the moment without guilt. I read a few books and savored sipping my coffee out on the patio. I enjoyed tranquil breakfasts and watched the ocean waves lap at the shore. I felt at peace during a week I feared would be too agonizing to be thankful for.

And I’m so glad I did; it wound up being very cathartic. While I missed my husband, daughter, and pups terribly, I also look back on the event with a full and happy heart. That’s all I could have asked for!

More importantly, Gray seems to have taken the experience in stride, and unquestionably proved that her growing independence is healthy and strong. (And that’s putting it mildly; I have a pretty tenacious girl on my hands!)

Despite finding some gratification in the journey, my reunion with Brad and Gray was emotionally charged and a huge relief. Our first post-filming family embrace is a memory I will hold onto forever; there is no doubt in my mind that we are better together than we are apart! As lovely as those silent moments of solitude were, I was eager to get back to the chaos and fun of my home life. It’s what my heart is meant for.

At the pool with Gray in the Hamptons! – Courtesy Jenna von Oy

Before I go, a quick update on both of my girls: Gray is doing wonderfully, and keeps us in stitches all day long. Who knew our 2-year-old would already possess such a sense of comedic timing? She often comes out with words and phrases that momentarily fast forward us to her teenage years … Which we are in no rush for, thank you very much. Even the eye-rolling has already begun!

But it’s her expressions that make us laugh the hardest. The other day she declared herself “unique” (I guess I can thank Sesame Street for that vocabulary word of the day?) just before arguing that she needed to wear her “fancy pink shoes” to Costco, in lieu of a more sensible pair of sneakers.

There are also quips that can be directly attributed to my husband or I. A few nights ago she looked at our Basset Hound (who was wreaking havoc, per usual) and exclaimed, “C’mon, dude, that’s enough!” That particular colloquialism was courtesy of Dad.

One morning, as I set out the appropriate accoutrements for her requested breakfast tea party, I asked if she wanted some fruit to go along with everything. She responded, “That sounds like a plan, Mommy.” In that instance, it was definitely one of my typical expressions shining through. If I thought we had to watch what we said before, now we’re on DEFCON 1!

Not to be overshadowed by her big sister, the little girl in my belly is getting on well too. She is a mover and shaker, constantly flipping and readjusting. I’m not sure if she’s practicing for her future stint on Dancing with the Stars 2039, or if she’s already searching for a way out. I hope it’s not the latter, as I don’t have the heart to tell her the exit is under lock and key for a little while longer.

We sing to the baby daily, and Gray has taken to sticking her tummy out and announcing, “My little sister is in my belly, but she’s not ready to come out yet.” That statement seems to be fairly amusing to the random strangers she tells, so at least we are providing folks with some entertainment.

I’m so looking forward to seeing Gray’s excitement when the new little one arrives! There’s nothing quite like sisterly love, and the new baby is in for a wealth of it.

As a reminder for all of you Blossom fans, don’t forget the old gang and I are back in syndication again! The 90s has returned in all of its “whoa!”-ful glory, so dust off that crazy hat collection and put on your dancing shoes. Check us out for an hour each weeknight, on the Hub Network!

I also just launched a new and improved website, if you feel like taking a look … it was long overdue, and even has some brand new photos to peruse!

Beach day at Jill Zarin’s on Tuesday – Courtesy Jenna von Oy

Until next time,

– Jenna von Oy

P.S. Thank you, Jill Zarin, for being so wonderful to my family while I was away. I couldn’t have asked for a more generous and nurturing woman to fill my shoes for the week. You will ALWAYS, as you so aptly phrased it, be Gray’s Jewish fairy godmother. We adore you!!

More from Jenna’s PEOPLE.com blog series:

• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: I’m Back — with Secrets to Spill!
• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: Biting Off More Than We Can Chew?
• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: My Daughter the Accessory Queen

7 months and counting

Thanks for welcoming back celebrity blogger Jenna von Oy!

Best known for her roles as Six on Blossom and Stevie on The Parkers, von Oy is also a musician who has released two albums and is currently working on two books, including a fictional novel for young adults.

von Oy, 37, wed Brad Bratcher on Oct. 10, 2010, and resides in Nashville with her husband and five dogs.

The couple are parents to daughter Gray Audrey, 2, and are expecting their second child — another girl! — in early November.

You can find her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @JennavonOy, as well as posting on her weekly blog, The Cradle Chronicles.

In her latest blog, von Oy compares her family vacation to Biltmore with her honeymoon.

It’s always amusing to juxtapose pre-Gray life with our current status as the parents (a.k.a. “wranglers”) of a sassy little firecracker of a 2-year-old.

I think back fondly on the last true vacation Brad and I took prior to expanding our family: our honeymoon. The memories from those blissful two weeks are laced with romantic images of champagne toasts and impromptu outings to open air markets.

There were bike rides along the river’s edge, unbelievable cooking classes, and elegant dinners overlooking scenic views. We took leisurely drives across the countryside without anyone asking, “Are we there yet?”

And if anyone was cranky about being in the car for too long, it was merely our GPS chastising us for detouring to a charming little antique shop or two. Boy, do those gals get testy when you don’t follow their instructions! I think “Recalculating” is really just a polite way of saying, “Screw you and your directionally dysfunctional incompetence.”

But I digress.

Although Brad and I certainly wouldn’t trade our honeymoon for anything in the world, as evidenced by the photos I’ve included with this post, we reflect on our voyage with that strange and empty ache of something missing.

Sometimes it’s hard to remember our life without Gray in it! We adore our time together even more now that she’s sharing it with us, and the B.C. (Before Children) years are often a distant memory. Sure, every now and then we crave a bit of alone time over a leisurely and long lunch, but we also cherish the newer memories we are making with our daughter (soon-to-be daughters). Even if they involve slightly less serene eating experiences.

In February, Brad, Gray, and I took a trip to Asheville, North Carolina, and visited the Biltmore Estate for a few days.

For those who aren’t familiar with the Biltmore, it is the site of George Vanderbilt‘s infamous home (read: freaking huge mansion!!) that almost has one convinced he is visiting a French chateau, in lieu of a Southern tourist destination. It measures a whopping 178,926 square feet. There are 65 fireplaces if that gives you any idea!

Since the grounds boast a little village full of shops, restaurants, wine tastings, playgrounds, and plenty of other available activities for grown ups and children alike, it seemed to be a good choice for us. The goal was to take a mini-vacation within driving distance, and to indulge in a bit of relaxation — which, admittedly, can be an oxymoron when you’re traveling with children.

It was the first real vacation the three of us have taken together, unless you count visiting family for the holidays … which I don’t, since it is generally a bit more on the chaotic side. Let’s just say “calm” and “restful” aren’t always the best words to describe one of our reunions or gatherings. And that’s putting it mildly!

So when my husband unexpectedly wound up with a month off between jobs, we took advantage of the opportunity. We hired a dog sitter, packed everything but the kitchen sink into my car (more on that below), and hit the highway. Can you say road trip?

Lovin’ vacation life with Elmo

The Arrival: Dude, What’s In My Car?

Believe it or not, the car ride to Asheville was uneventful, and Gray was a trooper. She fell asleep for the majority of the five-hour drive (two points for planning the voyage during nap time!), and even our chatty GPS couldn’t keep our little Rip Van Winkle from snoozing. Hence, tranquility reigned.

That is, of course, until we descended upon the Biltmore Inn like a three-ring circus pitching tents in a small-town field.

In pre-Gray life, Brad and I traveled subtly and under the radar. (Example: we’ve never globe-trotted in matching Mickey Mouse T-shirts and Bermuda shorts, with cameras slung around our necks.) However, I can officially tell you that subtlety has left the building. And the airport. And the hotel room.

After preemptively planning for every situation and catastrophe just shy of the zombie apocalypse, we’d stuffed our vehicle with enough gear to build our own hotel in Asheville. My car essentially became one giant diaper bag.

Truthfully, the over-packing was inadvertent; we didn’t realize just how much we’d managed to cram in there until we were forced to see it all on display. But at least it added to the entertainment value! There’s nothing quite like strolling through an upscale hotel lobby with a cart full of toys and food coolers, while depositing a trail of Cheerios behind you like Hansel and Gretel. (Not to worry, we cleaned up after ourselves.)

We brought along so much paraphernalia in fact, it looked like we were expecting a remote, third-world facility lacking in amenities such as running water and electricity. I don’t imagine the Biltmore employees would have been terribly surprised if we’d unloaded a camping stove or an outhouse. Which, I suppose, sort of occurred when we added Gray’s travel potty to the luggage rack. It was the cherry on top of our wacky little spectacle. (And it was clean, I swear!)

Two giant carts later, complete with Gray’s favorite stuffed Elmo swinging from the rafters and accompanied by several bemused bellhops, we trekked up to our room whistling The Beverly Hillbillies theme song.

We’ll always have Venice

The Dining: Eat, Drink, Man, Woman … and Kid

Restaurant outings used to signify intimate moments spent sharing several-course meals, wine and adult conversation. You know, back when discussions didn’t involve spelling every other word, lest they fall upon innocent ears.

Those dinners even included dessert from time to time, since no one was crying or in desperate need of naptime. Or both.

Restaurant tables used to sport candles that could actually remain lit through an entire meal (safety first these days!) and platters weren’t perilously teetering on the edge of destruction, courtesy of little fingers.

We could eat our food in peaceful quietude, without having our bread commandeered by someone who insists, “That’s mine now, Mommy,” then proceeds to eat the doughy portion and hand back the crust.

Presently, meals together mean endlessly rescuing crayons from the restaurant floor, toting travel cups of apple juice, and immediately locating the nearest restroom with a changing table. They mean insulated snack packs of apple slices and cheese wedges, in case the chef is taking his sweet time that day, and finding that said cheese has somehow wound up plastered to the hotel room mirror by mid-afternoon. (So yeah, that happened!)

But all of those crazy antics just add to the amusement of an outing, don’t they?

I know, I know, you’re probably thinking, “Why are they taking their kid out to nice restaurants instead of hiring a babysitter and going on a date night?” And the short answer is: we are. Once a week, my husband and I have a special evening out together, and it often revolves around food. When we bring Gray along for meals outside of our own home, we do our best to choose family-friendly restaurants where kids are welcome.

But the point of a family vacation is to spend time together, no? That’s part of the adventure! And since Elmo refused to babysit Gray in our hotel room (those Muppets can be so darn irresponsible!), she dined along with us.

Thankfully, the Biltmore is all about family fun, so they are more than prepared for pint-sized diners … Even in their upscale eateries. We also happen to have a kid who thoroughly adores going out to eat so, to her credit, she’s exceptionally well behaved. I’d love to be able to chalk that up to our parenting skills, but I suspect it has more to do with her affinity for people watching!

And when all else fails, at least going out to eat gives Gray the opportunity to enlighten the wait staff. During one Biltmore breakfast, she made sure to inform our waitress, “My Mommy has boobies.” You know, in case there was any confusion.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Life is a journey, not a destination.” Which I translate to: Sometimes the fun is in how you manage to make it through a dinner with kids, rather than the dinner itself.

The dining experience formally known as romantic – honeymoon 2010

The Main Attractions: Gray in Wonderland, a.k.a. All’s Quiet On The Vacation Front

As you can imagine, we did not while away our vacation hours reading juicy novels by the pool or frolicking in the vineyards. (In fact, if I remember correctly, the only book I made it through on our trip was Llama Llama Red Pajama.) But to be fair, it was February, so we weren’t planning on a whole lot of sunbathing or pool-time anyway.

Nonetheless, we weren’t lacking for entertaining activities to keep us busy, and our visit was more tranquil than you might imagine. Touring the grounds of the Biltmore Estate, we were in awe of the architecture and history. Well, most of us were in awe … One of us fell asleep by the time we hit the second floor, and wound up having her stroller carted up and down the narrow stairwells until the tour was over. It may have qualified as the fanciest naptime ever.

Much to Gray’s jungle gym-loving pleasure, we located the on-site playground. A great deal of running, jumping, and playing in the sandbox ensued, followed by some ice cream. And what 2-year-old can turn that down?

For February, our weather was miraculously pleasant, despite the snow they’d had dumped on them not two weeks prior. God bless Mother Nature, because we totally lucked out!

The estate farm offered another diversion, as Gray inspected the livestock and played in the mud. It was quite the beautiful mess. We admired the distinguished horses, laughed at the goofy goats, and chased the squawking fowl.

Gray collected stalks of hay, foraged for pebbles, and leapt into puddles with abandon. She even added to her extensive vocabulary, by learning noteworthy new phrases like “chicken poopie.” Thank you, Farmer John. It was quite the education!

We were taught about the egg hatchery, and made a game out of narrowly escaping animal landmines. (Which was somewhat akin to a real-life, warped version of Frogger or Pitfall, only without the bonus points for avoiding peril.)

And, as if I haven’t already written enough on the unseemly subject, Gray was particularly fascinated by the drastically diverse sizes of animal manure, which was a lesson in and of itself. For argument’s sake, we’ll call it “Waste management 101.” As you can imagine, such an extended conversation about feces with a 2-year-old was a mommy’s dream come true. Yikes. At least it gave us plenty to talk about on our drive back home! (Thankfully, the fascination has since dissipated …)

Bid farewell to chicken poopie

The Moral of The Story: It’s A Wonderful Life

I sincerely hope you haven’t mistaken any of the aforementioned observations for complaints. They are far from it! As with all my posts, I fancy recounting our parenting adventures with a sense of humor. I have no doubt that Gray’s childhood will feel like it passed us by in a blink, so we’re all for enjoying it while we can!

Needless to say, our vacation to Asheville greatly differed from our honeymoon to Europe. Still, that isn’t to suggest it wasn’t equally satisfying. Embracing some quality family time was much needed, and exposing Gray to new experiences was incredibly heart-warming for Brad and I.

There’s nothing better than watching a child explore the world around them, and we tend to be of the opinion that exotic vacations spent on a beachfront Riviera are overrated. Who needs drinks with little green umbrellas perched on the rim, when we can be intoxicated by making memories with our child instead?

Not to mention I’m pregnant, so I think we can all agree that Mai Tais were out of the question anyway!

If you have any hilarious vacation stories you wish to share, I’d love to hear from you …

Until next time,

Jenna von Oy

More from Jenna’s PEOPLE.com blog series:

• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: Life After Celebrity Wife Swap
• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: I’m Back — with Secrets to Spill!
• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: Biting Off More Than We Can Chew?

Celebrity blogger Jenna von Oy is getting ready to be a mama of two!

Best known for her roles as Six on Blossom and Stevie on The Parkers, von Oy is also a musician who has released two albums and is currently working on two books, including a fictional novel for young adults.

von Oy, 37, wed Brad Bratcher on Oct. 10, 2010, and resides in Nashville with her husband and five dogs.

The couple are parents to daughter Gray Audrey, 2, and are expecting their second child — another girl! — in early November.

You can find her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @JennavonOy, as well as posting on her weekly blog, The Cradle Chronicles.

In her latest blog, von Oy explains why she’s soaking up time with her toddler — and not stressing over getting ready for baby.

Courtesy Jenna von Oy

I’ll admit that I’ve been a bit more casual about preparing to give birth to my second daughter.

At this stage of my pregnancy with Gray, I’d registered at the hospital, completely painted and decorated the nursery and taken assorted birthing classes with my husband.

I had newborn diapers stockpiled and coming out of my ears, and I’d already purchased the perfect “bringing baby home from the hospital” outfit. Or two. Or five. I had my somewhat overzealous “to go” bag filled to the brim, and I’d stashed it in the hall closet for safekeeping.

I wasn’t just making progress; I was thoroughly prepared. And by “thoroughly prepared,” I mean that I could have gone into labor during any number of catastrophic, cataclysmal conditions, and had all bases covered. I could have birthed a baby while floating down the Amazon River on a driftwood raft lit only by Tiki torches, as long as I had my well-stocked, super-sized “to go” bag along for the ride.

Now ask me what I’ve done thus far for the impending birth of my second daughter … The answer is short and simple: nothing. Unless, of course, you count the fact that I’ve located my nursing bras. Which, I suppose, would be somewhat more notable had they not been holding vigil in my underwear drawer all along.

To be clear, my lackluster efforts aren’t to suggest I’m not equally excited to meet this new little bundle of joy who will be gracing us with her presence sometime before mid-November. I’m absolutely over the moon about her arrival; there’s no casual indifference about it!

It’s not that I’m too exhausted, or hell-bent on procrastinating like I’m studying for a college Physics exam, or in denial that the sleepless nights are in our very near future. It’s not even that the novelty of readying for a baby has worn off. It’s that chasing after a 2-year-old has made the time go by faster than I can say, “We’ve come a long way, baby!”

I’m only a little over a month away from giving birth, which sort of snuck up on me. You know, in the beautiful and treasured way that only a wriggling, hiccupping, bladder-kicking, uterus-expanding, belly-monopolizing baby can. And I know she can technically decide to make her appearance at any time, so I suppose I ought to start buckling down!

But first, there might as well be a blog about it.

During my first pregnancy, each month that passed felt like a year. As with a watched pot that never boils, the constant countdown of a pregnancy makes it seem interminable.

I waited for every milestone like it was the second coming. Every punch and jab was a much-anticipated novelty that never wore off (which is still the case, if I’m being perfectly honest), and each day brought fun new ailments that made me crack open the What To Expect When You’re Expecting guidebook.

I woke up each morning thinking, “What can I do to lay the parental groundwork today?” I was energetic, mildly jittery, and perpetually restless. In other words, I was a typical, soon-to-be, first-time mom!

But how does one truly get everything in order for a second child, when they are still marveling over the first? I mean, who has time to paint and prep a nursery when there are tea parties to be had? Or silly songs to sing? Or books to read about llama drama and hungry caterpillars? Or Frozen to be watched for the thousandth time (this week)?

Courtesy Jenna von Oy

Moreover, who has time to rearrange the drawer of newborn clothes, when you can snuggle with the 2-year-old that’s right in front of you instead? I’m suddenly finding myself in the “there’s no need to rush, so why stress?” camp. Up next: “Kumbaya” and S’mores by the campfire.

If the nursery mobile isn’t hung or the crib blankets still need to be washed, we’ll manage. Moreover, I don’t imagine the baby will be disappointed that we were a bit slow in getting our act together. It will all fall into place eventually, right?

Or so I’ve convinced myself.

Perhaps my mellow approach to baby #2 is because I’ve relaxed into my parenting. Well, as “relaxed” as a micro-managing, type-A woman can be. I’d like to think that I know a little something about what to expect now, so there isn’t quite the same heightened level of pre-baby activity. There are always new things to be learned, but the curve isn’t nearly as steep.

This time around, I’m not buzzing with undue impatience and apprehension. In other words, I don’t have the kind of nervous energy that might propel me to clean out the freezer for the fifth time this month, or stock up on a pantry full of toilet paper, or bake chocolate chip cookies for everyone in a 10-mile radius. (Though the latter may disappoint a neighbor or two.)

It certainly helps that we already have everything we need in our possession. And I do mean everything! Thanks to the wonderful gifts we received from our family and friends at Gray’s baby shower, we are fully equipped with every baby-related item we could possibly want for our new little girl. And that’s an understatement. There’s even a closet full of clothes that would make the Olsen twins jealous.

At some point soon, I’ll need to scour the attic for the newborn onesies and give them all a good laundering. I’ll locate the bibs and burping cloths, install the infant car seat, and dust off the baby bathtub.

For now, I’m getting Gray transitioned into her big girl bed, so she has time to acclimate before her sister commandeers her old crib. (So far, so good on that one!) We’ve also scheduled Gray for a “Tots on Tour” of the hospital where I’ll be delivering, because we want her to be as involved as possible. We are making sure she shares in the excitement, so the transition won’t feel quite so drastic.

Thankfully, Gray has no shortage of enthusiasm over meeting her sibling. She often asks me, “Is my baby sister ready to come out yet?” and rubs my tummy like she’s waiting for the genie to be liberated from the lamp. It’s incredibly endearing!

I encourage her to speak to her sister as much as possible, as I’m a firm believer that bonds can form even while baby is in the womb. It’s neat to see Gray taking ownership of her new role as big sister, frequently declaring vows such as, “Mommy, I’m going to share my toys with my baby sister when she gets here,” and “I’m going to let her sleep with me in my big girl bed.”

Of course, she’s in for a rude awakening when there’s actually a tiny, crying human in the house, but … I couldn’t be more excited that she’s excited!

A neat side benefit is that Gray has really stepped up to the plate in the independence department lately. She’s learning to rely on herself a little more, rather than expecting me to do everything for her. She puts her toys away without being asked, and every now and then she lets me know she’s going to go to play by herself. Sometimes I find her quietly flipping through books in her reading chair, or drawing pictures at her little table.

She’s discovering that playtime by oneself can be fulfilling, and I’m thrilled for her. Learning to spend time alone can be cathartic and inspiring! I keep an eye on her from a distance and, of course, eavesdrop on the hilarious conversations she conducts with her stuffed animals. She likes to wax poetic about the importance of their naptime, and why they shouldn’t jump on her bed. (Score! My words really ARE sinking in!)

I also recently overheard her sweetly talking to her baby doll as if it were her sister. She was dressing her in some frilly get up, and offering to make her milk and Cheerios. I’m not sure how patient Gray will be while she waits for the baby to get big enough for that sort of quality playtime together, but I definitely have a proud big sis on my hands!

In some ways, welcoming a new little girl is nerve-wracking. Sure, on the surface we have everything we need, but it’s not just about the material objects.

A new baby brings unfamiliar challenges and distinct experiences. Of course, that’s part of the fun of having another child, and we look forward to it immensely! However, it’s tough to look beyond the example we already have running, and laughing, and gabbing (oh, the gabbing!) in front of us. It is nearly impossible to envision a daughter other than Gray, even though we can appreciate that no two children are exactly alike.

Courtesy Jenna von Oy

I don’t expect to be able to truly wrap my head around that concept until our little one has arrived and, while she and Gray will undoubtedly have some sisterly similarities, I suspect this little girl will bring a whole new type of sass along with her.

It’s strange to picture another child nursing, or smiling up at me with sleepy eyes, or snuggling in my arms, but I look forward to embracing her uniqueness; she will be her own exquisite, enchanting, breathtaking self.

I don’t wonder IF I’ll love her, but rather how I’ll love her differently. And there’s a tremendous amount of beauty in that anticipation!

Suffice it to say we may not have the house arranged or the nursery organized yet, but we possess all of the love needed to welcome home our new family member. Our hearts are overflowing and ready for her arrival and, in the whole scheme of things, everything else is secondary ….

Until next time,

Jenna von Oy

More from Jenna’s PEOPLE.com blog series:

• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: The Birth of a Vacation
• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: Life After Celebrity Wife Swap
• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: I’m Back — with Secrets to Spill!

Celebrity blogger Jenna von Oy is a new mama — again!

Best known for her roles as Six on Blossom and Stevie on The Parkers, von Oy is also a musician who has released two albums. Her book, Situation Momedy, will be released by Medallion Press this year.

von Oy, 37, wed Brad Bratcher on Oct. 10, 2010, and resides in Nashville with her husband and five dogs.

The couple are parents to daughters Marlowe Monroe, 3 months, and Gray Audrey, 2½.

You can find her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @JennavonOy, as well as posting on her weekly blog, The Cradle Chronicles.

In her latest blog, von Oy catches us up on the past few months — including life with her new baby girl and potty-trained toddler!

Mimosa Arts

So I clearly didn’t make the self-imposed December blog deadline I had in mind.

My intention was to write some sort of flowery November retrospective, detailing the birth of my stunning new daughter, Marlowe Monroe, and sharing the beauty of Gray’s excitement over becoming a big sister. I was going to wax poetic about how a mother’s love knows no bounds, and how Marlowe’s birth made me discover I possess infinite love for my second child, even though I worried I’d already given all of my heart to my first.

But that blog didn’t happen.

I have faith that you’ll pick up on just how unique and special my bond is with Marlowe through this post instead. If nothing else, take a look at the photos I’ve included!

But back to the belated blog excuse.

During the winter break, while relaxing on the couch, reading a book, and leisurely sipping a cup of hot chocolate, I decided perhaps I’d give myself an additional few weeks to enjoy the peace and quiet of the holiday season, before getting back to writing. Which, if you know me at all, is clearly a joke.

There was no book. Or hot chocolate. And there was definitely no relaxation to speak of. In reality, I made that decision in the throes of our Christmas chaos, while perilously teetering on the edge of my sanity. (Not really, but my New Year’s resolutions didn’t include refraining from exaggeration, so I’m sticking with that.)

As it stands, we are several weeks into 2015, and there are still presents under our tree that have yet to be put away. Yes, I said our tree. Because it’s still up … And it still has ornaments on it … And the stockings are still hung.

But you know what? I’ve appreciated some much-needed family time, cuddled with our enchanting new baby girl and her amazing big sister, entertained guests, consumed my share of Christmas cookies (and then some), gotten us beyond the endless string of colds we couldn’t shake in December, and finished three chapters of the book I’m releasing later this year.

So I’m feeling pretty good about the current state of affairs, neglected tree and all!

Truthfully, I’m happy to hang on to that Christmas spirit for as long as possible, especially considering the joy it brought along with it. Marlowe’s joy didn’t extend much beyond drooling, breastfeeding, and messing her diaper every five minutes, but it was wonderful to witness nonetheless! Gray, ever the comedienne, provided us with nonstop entertainment.

For instance, her anticipation of Christmas Eve went a little something like this:

Gray: “Mommy, where are all of my presents?”
Me: “I imagine they are in Santa’s sleigh.”
Gray: “Oh no! Is he sitting on them?”

And:

Gray: “Mommy, did Santa bring me my little sister for Christmas?”

Needless to say, I hope she isn’t expecting a similar gift next year. Santa’s “sleigh” needs a little break before it can even think about carrying another present like that one!

Courtesy Jenna von Oy

Aside from her comedic relief, Gray has nominated herself to act as my little sidekick, helper, part-time dog-herder, and honorary babysitter. I guess there’s nothing like a new baby to make an older child rise to the occasion!

Not that I ever had doubts about Gray’s ability to handle having a sibling, but I realize that changes in the family dynamic are often met with some frustration, confusion and push back. Brad and I went into it with open minds and a lot of love, just in case. We’ve done our best to give Gray space to express her feelings about it — positive or negative.

Boy, has she proven we had nothing to worry about! She insists on holding her sister every morning, singing to her each night before bed (it’s really more like a 20-minute long musical about anything and everything, with no intermissions allowed), and spontaneously offering her hugs because “I just love her so much, I have to hug her, Mommy.” It’s sort of astounding how early that sisterly bond develops!

And the feeling is, incontrovertibly, a mutual one. If I want to make Marlowe smile for a photo, all I have to do is prop her up in front of her sister. Or even a photo of her sister. It’s a pretty cool party trick.

As if Christmas weren’t exciting enough, we ended 2014 with a bang. Did we stay up half the night popping champagne corks and tossing confetti into the air? Not even close. We watched a Sofia the First episode with Gray (which doesn’t brandish quite the pizazz of the ball dropping in Times Square), and then we went to bed. At 9:30.

I think it may go without saying that our partying days are officially a thing of the past.

But you know what? It was exactly what the doctor ordered. In fact, we’d already put on pajamas and brushed our teeth before we remembered staying up until midnight was even an option.

Despite our lack of jubilant merrymaking, late-night ceremony, and the morning hangover that inevitably follows, our year-end was a celebratory occasion nonetheless. Why, you ask? Because we came, we saw, we … wait for it … potty trained! (Of course, I’m referring to the royal “we,” since it would be a little weird if I were just getting to that turning point in my own life.) Hence, the ushering in of 2015 was all about our adventures in toileting.

Maybe Mama should have gotten a bottle of something stronger under the tree. Santa, how could you forsake me?

In all honesty, after the abundance of horror stories I’ve heard, I expected the potty-training endeavor to take months. I also anticipated jumping through more hoops than a poodle at a dog show. But lo and behold, on Christmas morning, Gray decided she was ready to step up to the plate (or rather, the commode) and that was that!

I know this isn’t always the case, and I wish I could offer something more than encouragement to those of you who are having a rough go of it. I’d love to tell you I employed some impressive, new and improved miracle parenting tactic, but all of the credit goes to Gray, who made up her mind and never looked back. My daughter is nothing, if not stubborn!

Mind you, I should probably give a little recognition to her trusted allies, the Disney princesses … You see, Santa left brand new princess undies under the tree on Christmas morning and, apparently, Rapunzel can make magic happen. Who knew?

Mimosa Arts

As you can probably imagine, with the occurrence of such a noteworthy milestone, the beginning of 2015 mostly revolved around the subject of … well, you know … that messy business. Suffice it to say, I’m just playing my part as purveyor of princess panties, post-potty hand washer, cheer squad and proud mommy.

And that’s about as much as I’ll offer on that topic. Which, I would guess, makes most of you breathe a huge sigh of relief.

I can’t believe Marlowe is 3 months old already! I honestly don’t know where the time has gone. I’ve searched for it on my desk underneath the stacks of bills, page-long checklists, and breast pump supplies I call “paperweights,” but it is nowhere to be found. If I thought Gray’s infancy flew by like a jet plane, Marlowe’s is hurtling past like an F-15!

But despite how rapidly the moments seem to be passing us by, we are treasuring them whole-heartedly. We are getting to know each and every detail of my sweet little Marlowe’s personality — how it takes her forever to wake up in the morning, how she stretches after every nap, how she treasures her cuddle time (and gets her feelings hurt if you stop loving on her before she’s ready), the way her pinky daintily extends while she nurses, how she sticks her little tongue out when I kiss her lips, that she despises being overheated, and how she offers that thoroughly beguiling smile when she hears her big sister’s voice. She is exquisite and nothing short of inspiring.

And I’ll take all of the inspiration I can get right now, because I have a BOOK to finish by the beginning of April! How is that for a segue? If it sounds a little crazy that I am taking care of a newborn, running after a 2-year-old and five dogs, and simultaneously writing two blogs and a book, it is. But it’s the good kind of crazy (mostly). I just take all of that chaos and put it to paper whenever possible.

If I weren’t a mommy, I wouldn’t be motivated to write, so you’ll get no complaints from me about it! (A few jokes, perhaps, but I wouldn’t be me without those, now would I?) I’m appreciative of all of the time I get to spend with my girls, even when it’s hectic.

I bring all of this up to say — I know I’ve been playing blog hooky since October, and there will probably be more of that to come. For Pete’s sake, that dang Christmas tree is still up, so … it might be a while before I can finagle another post here on PEOPLE.com.

Please don’t give up on me! Pretty soon there will be a whole book’s worth of my silly motherhood anecdotes and parenting fodder to look forward to, so stay tuned …

Courtesy Jenna von Oy

Until next time,

– Jenna von Oy

P.S. I’ve included a candid, makeup-free photo for you this month. We moms aren’t always dressed to the nines and sporting fabulous lipstick, especially when we are at home cuddling with our kids! I post professional photos more often than not, so I thought you’d appreciate seeing this side of me too.

More from Jenna’s PEOPLE.com blog series:

• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: Plan B-A-B-Y
• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: The Birth of a Vacation
• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: Life After Celebrity Wife Swap

Celebrity blogger Jenna von Oy is a new mama — again!

Best known for her roles as Six on Blossom and Stevie on The Parkers, von Oy is also a musician who has released two albums. Her book, Situation Momedy, will be released by Medallion Press this year.

von Oy, 37, wed Brad Bratcher on Oct. 10, 2010, and resides in Nashville with her husband and five dogs.

The couple are parents to daughters Marlowe Monroe, 4 months, and Gray Audrey, 2½.

You can find her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @JennavonOy, as well as posting on her weekly blog, The Cradle Chronicles.

In her latest blog, von Oy fills us in on her latest role- Medela Recycles ambassador!

Snow day in Nashville! – Courtesy Jenna von Oy

Before I begin, I want to broach what I feel is an important matter, because my goal with this blog has always been to share my motherhood experiences without alienating anyone. Perhaps that’s a pipe dream, but I do my best! It happens that this post is geared toward breastfeeding moms, so I wanted to begin by saying that I know breastfeeding isn’t for everyone, and I completely respect that. I imagine some of you have struggled with breastfeeding, discovered it wasn’t comfortable for you, or decided it just wasn’t something you were interested in doing. I’m on your side no matter what choice you’ve made! Am I pro-breastfeeding? Absolutely. I wholeheartedly believe in the benefits of it. But I’m also a firm believer in respecting everyone else’s choices, whether or not they differ from my own. I’d like to think those two ideas don’t have to be mutually exclusive!

Not too long ago, an article was published in which my interview quotes might easily have been misconstrued, suggesting I have some passive aggressive tendencies regarding those who don’t breastfeed. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. While I can’t imagine my own motherhood experience without it, I recognize that it isn’t the right choice, or feasible, for every mom out there. You have my support and encouragement whether you do or don’t breastfeed; we all have to do what’s comfortable for us individually! I might be overstating all of this, but I’d rather people felt I over-explained myself unnecessarily, instead of feeling I presented a blog that was thoughtless and unfair to the non-breastfeeding moms out there.

With that said, the campaign I refer to in this post specifically pertains to breastfeeding moms. If you don’t breastfeed, I hope you won’t feel slighted by the nature of it and, at the end of the day, I hope the sentiment behind the campaign still speaks to you. I hope it reminds you that we are all in this together. When you’re a mom, it’s not about ego, social status, income, career path, whether or not you breastfeed, or whether or not you used to be on a television show as a kid. Motherhood is the great equalizer! That’s why I started writing this blog in the first place. I hope, in some small way, we mommies can reach out to one another and connect on a level we all understand and appreciate. So with that in mind…

Me with Medela rep Katie Olson – Mimosa Arts Photography

I’ve never been terribly vocal about sharing details of the charity work I do. I was taught early on that philanthropic efforts are a very personal and private pursuit, and that they aren’t done for recognition. I find there’s something beautiful about giving anonymously and quietly holding that knowledge in one’s heart. With that said, I acknowledge that my career has offered me a more public platform from which to voice my convictions, and that sometimes speaking up is how we incite change in the world around us. Which is why I hope you’ll allow me to set aside my humility for a moment, and shout from the rooftops about the campaign I just participated in, called Medela Recycles.

I was honored when Medela approached me to be their campaign ambassador. I’ve been a huge fan of their products since Gray was born, and their breastpumps have given me some crucial assistance with both of my girls. (Especially since my babies tend to be 24/7 frequenters of the boobie bar. There are meetings and auditions I never would have made it to without pumping!) The decision to help Medela launch their new campaign was a no-brainer for me… a way to combine breastfeeding, recycling, AND charity work? What a trifecta!

As a bit of an explanation about the program itself, Medela Recycles allows moms to donate their breastpumps for a worthy cause. Medela takes our old, used pumps that are collecting dust in our attics, recycles them, and then donates new, multi-use, hospital-grade breastpumps for the mothers of NICU babies, via the Ronald McDonald House. This not only keeps our pumps out of the landfills, it is a wonderful way to assist our fellow moms in need, by supporting them on their breastfeeding journey. It has been heartwarming to see so many moms giving back to other moms. In a day and age where the “Mommy Wars” are so prevalent in the media, it’s refreshing to see the spotlight shine on some of the positive work that’s being done!

Ronald McDonald House – Mimosa Arts Photography

The Medela Recycles campaign was actually started by a concerned California mom, who began a petition on Change.org. It’s a perfect example of how a small act of kindness can turn into a nationwide effort. We all know being a mom is hard work. It’s the most stunning, rewarding, profoundly inspiring adventure, but can also be crazy, and chaotic, and all-consuming… I’m certain that’s not news to you! But I can’t imagine how much more challenging motherhood becomes when someone has a baby in the NICU; my heart breaks for the moms who are struggling with that worry and adversity. I’m grateful Medela recognized the need at Ronald McDonald House, and saw fit to open their hearts and get motivated to make a difference.

I think this campaign is also relevant because the end of breastfeeding is an incredibly vulnerable time for most women. Disconnecting from such a sacred aspect of the bond you share with your child can be devastating. I nursed Gray for nearly two years, and it was emotionally draining for both of us to give it up! Thinking about it still makes me heartsick, even though I’m in the midst of treasuring the breastfeeding bond with Marlowe as we speak. Many other moms have told me they experienced similar feelings, so I know I’m not alone in this. I think the idea that your trusted pump will help another mom on her journey makes moving on from it a little easier to bear. It’s part of the reason this campaign has had such an impact on me.

As ambassador to the campaign, I recently had the opportunity to visit my local Ronald McDonald house here in Nashville, where we launched the program and donated two pumps. I was also given a chance to tour the facility, which blew me away and deeply moved me. I’ve always been partial to the Ronald McDonald House charity as, believe it or not, I actually did a commercial for them when I was 10 years old. (As it happens, you can find it on YouTube.) It meant something to me even then, but experiencing it as a mom was even more poignant.

Touring Ronald McDonald House – Mimosa Arts Photography

I was touched by the details … how they give a handmade quilt to every family who stays with them. How the nightly rate is optional, so that no family is alienated based on their current financial status. How groups from the local colleges and businesses volunteer to cook dinners on a monthly basis. How much love exists between the volunteer staff and the families who stay there. How the Nashville chapter is ALWAYS booked solid. Every. Single. Night. That alone speaks to the immense need that exists out there, and I’m already looking for creative ways to continue my relationship with them. I want my daughters to know that we can all make a difference!

I can only hope my passion for it convinces a few of you to donate your own used pumps to Medela Recycles, and/or look into your local Ronald McDonald House to volunteer. If this encourages even one mom, it was well worth writing… so go forth and inspire!

Until next time,

— Jenna von Oy

P.S. I think it’s important for me to acknowledge that while Medela endorsed me as an ambassador, they did not ask me to pen this blog. I say this because I want to make it clear that these words stem from my excitement for the work I’ve been blessed to be a part of. No one told me what to say or forced my hand in writing about it. I wanted to share my experience because it left an indelible impression on my heart. I know some folks may still choose to chalk this up to a paid sponsorship, and dismiss the significance of it, but I hope my message came through loud and clear regardless.

Donating breastpumps – Mimosa Arts Photography

More from Jenna’s PEOPLE.com blog series:

• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: An Overdue Baby Update (and Adventures in Potty Training)
• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: Plan B-A-B-Y
• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: The Birth of a Vacation

Look who’s back: It’s celebrity blogger Jenna von Oy!

Best known for her roles as Six on Blossom and Stevie on The Parkers, von Oy is also a musician who has released two albums. Her book, Situation Momedy, will be released by Medallion Press on Nov. 10.

von Oy, 38, wed Brad Bratcher on Oct. 10, 2010, and resides in Nashville with her husband and five dogs.

The couple are parents to daughters Marlowe Monroe, who turns 1 on Sunday, and Gray Audrey, 3.

You can find her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @JennavonOy, as well as posting on her weekly blog, The Cradle Chronicles.

Mimosa Arts

Author’s note: I realize I’ve been missing in action for several months now, and I hope you’ll forgive my absence. Sometimes there just aren’t enough cups of coffee, hours in the day, or hands with which to accomplish everything. I imagine you know that all too well!

I’ve been busy taking care of my two girls (can you believe Marlowe is already turning 1 on November 1st?) and five dogs, beginning my Situation Momedy book tour, and writing the sequel, which you can expect to see on bookstore shelves in February 2017.

In lieu of an update about all things hectic and wonderful at my house (suffice it to say, Marlowe is walking. Scratch that, she’s running. And I just had knee surgery, so I’m very much not running these days…), I hope you won’t mind if I instead share my excitement over my upcoming book release on Nov. 10. Having the opportunity to write and release Situation Momedy is an accomplishment I’m intensely proud of, and I hope you’ll have a chance to read it and laugh along with me! ~ Jenna

Back in my single-girl, my-time-was-my-own, it-still-made-sense-to-wear-dry-clean-only-clothing days, before I was officially the mom of tiny humans, I was mommy to my very own canine brood. We aren’t talking one small step into a lifetime commitment with man’s best friend here; we’re talking one giant leap: I managed to amass five dogs.

I repeat: five.

Let’s just say I’m a big believer in the saying, “Go big or go home.” The fact is, I’d desperately wanted children for so long that I started baby-stepping my way toward them with kids of the hairy, salivating, kibble-eating kind. In the interest of full disclosure, I first attempted fish and a pet lizard, but those didn’t go so swimmingly.

Fortunately, I’ve had better luck with mammals. Sort of.

I took a few tumbles along the path to becoming a decent doggy parent too. Case in point: Not long after I turned 30, I brought my third puppy home — a basset hound named Mia. She was a spur-of-the-moment adoption I’d made with a lot of heart and very little consideration for what our future together might entail. In my optimistic, carefree world, what was one additional dog in the house when I already had two?

I’d convinced myself she would add more character to my life. For the record, wrinkles add character; basset hounds add chaos.

Nonetheless, Mia’s still camping out on my loveseat as I write this (read: drooling all over it and leaving behind her very special brand of basset hound funk), so I guess my decision couldn’t have been too misguided. But it took a while to come to that conclusion.

First, Mia and I had to undergo the Pottery Barn Bench Construction Debacle of 2007. That’s when I learned putting together any sort of factory-made furniture that involves more than 10 parts and over one page of instruction is not a puppy-friendly home project, no matter how careful you think you can be.

I congratulated myself on remembering to let 3-month-old Mia outside before she christened my new rug. Then, while lost in the oblivion of bench assembly, I missed her stealthy entrance into my work zone (impressive, considering that bassets are anything but stealthy). That little rascal managed to snag a few nuts and bolts without me noticing!

That evening saw Mia trembling and vomiting. Clearly my baby was ill — at least I was astute enough to recognize that fact — so I rushed her to the emergency vet. Turns out she’d ingested two interlocking metal pieces that wound up lodged in her intestine. Their removal required immediate stomach surgery — and most of what I had in my checking account.

Numerous vet bills and countless hours of worrying later, I was in possession of frayed nerves, a doped-up dog, and the most expensive bench in the history of Pottery Barn benches. It was a financially and emotionally costly parenting lesson.

The moral of my story? Sometimes labor and love don’t mix when it comes to parenting. Oh, and installing baby gates is a must, whether your kids have paws or feet.

Micah Schweinsberg

People sometimes use the term labor of love rather loosely.

“I just finished filming an exciting 13-hour documentary on the mating rituals of wombats; it was a labor of love.”

“I climbed K2 wearing only a Superman cape and a pair of Mukluks; it was a labor of love.”

“I simultaneously wrangled two kids, five dogs, and my husband for a photo shoot, just so we could have a kitschy Christmas card; it was a labor of love.” (For the record, I’ve tried this one, and it’s no easy feat.)

But as often as I hear the phrase labor of love, there’s one experience I’ve had in my own life that truly exemplifies it: trying to give birth to a book while being full-time mommy to the two girls to whom I also recently gave birth.

Years ago, in my dreamy little head, being a published author resembled Ernest Hemingway brooding over martinis at Harry’s Bar in Venice, Dorothy Parker wisecracking at the Algonquin Round Table, or William Faulkner puffing on pipes and slugging bourbon at his writing desk in Oxford, Mississippi.

What it definitely did not look like was sneaking in 20 minutes on chapter 17 while simultaneously breastfeeding, making a meatloaf, stepping on wayward crayons and squeaky toys, and desperately wishing that third pot of high-octane coffee hadn’t just run out. As it happens, motherhood and manuscripts aren’t always an ideal (or productive) combination.

Nevertheless, just as the legendary phoenix rises from a pile of ashes, inspiration sprang from my new mommy chaos and took flight. It’s how my book — Situation Momedy: A First-Time Mom’s Guide to Laughing Your Way through Pregnancy & Year One — was conceived, and writing it brought my notion of a labor of love to a whole new, sometimes sanity-defying level. But it was more than worth it! I mean, how could I ignore an opportunity to merge my lifelong love for comedy with my passion for raising my daughters?

Better yet, how could I pass up the chance to let my mommy peers laugh at my hectic and hilarious motherhood misadventures, snafus, and hard-learned lessons, such as the one I mention above involving my four-legged, fur baby?

I believe we are all better parents when we can take a step back and find the funny, and this is especially true when one is experiencing pregnancy and the new-mommy learning curve. My prevailing motherhood motto? A sense of humor — never leave home without it.

That said, every now and then a new mommy’s sense of humor gets lost in the shuffle. Mine did. I used to catch it skulking behind my morning sickness and the uneasiness of an unfinished nursery, hiding under dirty diapers and never-ending laundry loads, attempting to escape the threat and absurdity of the Mommy Wars, and getting overshadowed by that monster called The Fear of Screwing up My Kids. (Welcome to the wonderful world of anxiety!)

After I’d done enough fretting and over-Googling for all of us, I finally decided to shake it off, trust my own instincts, and laugh a little. While I was at it, I figured why not embrace the honesty and vulnerability and write a book that reminds other moms to locate their own intuition and inner comedienne in the midst of the anarchy? Sometimes it’s nice to know we aren’t alone in the madness.

With Situation Momedy, I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel; I’m just trying to encourage us all to laugh as the notion of motherhood perfection rolls on by. As I mention in its preface, Situation Momedy “isn’t meant to be a how-to book. There are already tons of those out there, and they cover everything I can’t, won’t, couldn’t, and shouldn’t. Instead, this is meant to be a best friend’s guide to laughing about the realities of motherhood. Because sometimes laughter is a contagious cure-all … Think of me as your self-deprecating Jiminy Cricket with a baby on her hip.”

After all, parenting may be a lifelong commitment that involves intense love and dedication, infinite patience, and more energy than you thought yourself capable of without a lifetime supply of caffeine (or maybe wine), but it also offers an abundance of seriously comical moments worth pausing to appreciate.

Because what’s the fun of the labor without the love and laughter to go along with it?

Until next time,

— Jenna von Oy

P.S. For those of you who know WAY more about parenting than I do — and that’s probably most of you — you may not need my book to remind you to laugh in the face of your daily parenting challenges. Not to worry, Situation Momedy has something for everyone, so I hope you’ll read it anyway. It happens to be chock full of ridiculous stories from my past, both personal and career-related, in which I repeatedly throw myself under the bus. And who doesn’t love laughing at my expense? You won’t want to miss it.

More from Jenna’s PEOPLE.com blog series:

• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: Moms Helping Moms
• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: An Overdue Baby Update
• Jenna von Oy’s Blog: Plan B-A-B-Y