Name: Shannon Lee Miller
Location: Nashville, TN
Kids: 4-year old and 1-year old twins
Shannon was a proud Canadian firmly opposed to getting married, having children, and moving to the United States. That was 10 years ago. She currently resides in Nashville, TN, with her husband, 4-year old son, and 1-year old boy/girl twins. She is a published songwriter and co-author of “Awkward Moments with Men,” a book of humour essays, and is currently working as a freelance writer and researcher. When she isn’t drowning in her adorable children, she loves cooking, tolerates exercise, and hates dancing. She is fighting a Swedish Fish addiction that has left her dentist shocked and deeply saddened. You can read more from Shannon on Nashville Mom’s Blog and follow along with her on Instagram at @shantasticvoyage.
After having kids, what product can you not live without?
CONDOMS!!! Just kidding 😉
In the very early days, the Miracle Blanket really, truly, honest to God, saved us from going totally mad from sleep deprivation. Our firstborn, Wilder, was a colicky hot mess of a baby and needed to be swaddled to sleep, this magical little infant straight jacket kept him from busting loose every 30 minutes.
What was the best kid friendly vacation or day trip you’ve been on recently?
We’ve been on a few really wonderful trips with the nuggets but nothing quite compares to our hometown. Nashville is kiddie Mecca. We have an outstanding newly renovated library, a wonderful zoo, and of course, more live music than you can shake a rattle at!
What is a parent hack that you’ve discovered?
Coffee filter in the potty! Coffee filter in the potty ALL. DAY. LONG. The things a parent will see in the bottom of that sweet little potty chair….. well, let’s just say I’m still haunted by them. The coffee filter makes cleaning up numero dos so much easier.
What are your kids’ favorite books right now?
Wilder is really into the National Geographic Little Kids “First Big Book” series. We’re currently reading the “First Big Book of Space” and we’re both really into it. Did you know that giant red spot on Jupiter is a crazy storm?! Mind. Blown.
The twins, Hudson and Evy (14 months) love anything from BabyLit books. Evy likes “Moby Dick” and Hudson is into “Romeo and Juliet,” he’s obviously a hopeless romantic.
What is your child’s favorite activity right now?
Dancing. Wilder just discovered disco so it’s like Studio 54 in here but (mostly) sober and with a bunch of smashed Cheerios on the ground. We listened to “Le Freak” eight times yesterday.
What’s a really useful product that you don’t see on a lot of registries?
Hand Sanitizer! Every day I wake up in the morning without a wild case of Conjunctivitis is proof that miracles do happen. Kids are filthy. We’re so blinded by how dangerously adorable they are, that sometimes, we forget that they are teeny tiny Norovirus factories. I can see Wilder picking his nose as I write this. A sturdy, child-friendly sanitizer like CleanWell is going to keep you and your little ones healthy.
Do you love your stroller and/or baby carrier, and would you recommend it?
You will never wear anything cuter than your baby so I totally recommend giving a baby carrier a whirl. I tandem wear with my twins and love, love, love the Ergo Performance, I have two. It’s super-light for summertime and easy to use on your front or back (or both!) When we do bust out the stroller, we use a Joovy Big Caboose, it has two full seats and a smaller jump seat/standing platform on the back (great for an older kiddo!). I’m pretty sure all triple strollers are giant, hulking, clumsy beasts but at least this giant, hulking, clumsy beast is relatively inexpensive!
What is your kids favorite toy right now?
We have a unanimous decision here: the dog. The poor, poor dog. There is a basket full of gorgeous, wooden Hape toys sitting lonesome in the playroom that they occasionally bat around just to humor me, but it’s all about the dog. All he has to do is wag his tail or move his paw a bit my children go positively wild. It’s Beatlemania all over again.
What is something about having kids that you didn’t expect you would love?
Breastfeeding! In truth, I think my love of breastfeeding is a byproduct of my hatred for dishwashing but either way, it’s been amazing for all of us.
What advice would you give to first-time moms?
You are the best mom your baby has ever had. As far as she/he is concerned, your way is the right way and the only way. Even in your greatest moments of uncertainty, your baby will never doubt you.
