Monday, December 21, 2015

Silly girl

I'm not really sure what I expected the second time around but let me tell you, I am a silly girl.  All that extra time I had with my daughter has vanished.  Poof!  Like a magic act, except no one is going to magically bring it back.

Monday, December 7, 2015

Happy birthday darling daughter!


I am so happy and proud to say, "happy birthday!" to my daughter.  I am such a proud mother.  In fifteen years I hope to be able to say the same thing and I'm going to hedge my bets and say that I will be.  I have been privileged to be the mother of a smart, beautiful and spunky little girl.  If course I'm biased and think that she is more than the bees knees, but as I've said before, this is my little space on the internet where I get to say what I want.  I fully expect that other parents feel the same way about their little ones, so if I were to read this on some one else's blog, I would think that they are speaking the truth of their heart, just as I am.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Rest is the Punishment

So it has been closer to three weeks since I wrote the last post and that has been because our lives have changed.  There is a new life in our house and we didn't pick him up at the pound!


The last post I wrote was on October 15th.  That post took quite a bit of courage for me to write and it also came with a few tears.  It took a lot out of me.  I had to step away from this little internet space of mine to gather myself.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

I'm making time for this post

As you can tell, I am not a consistent blogger (say whaatttt?!).  I admire those who are and think that it takes serious dedication to post even weekly.  As an out of the home full time working mom I tend to fill up my time quickly collapsing exhausted into bed every night.  Or falling asleep on the couch only to be told to go to bed by my dear husband (who probably doesn't want to hear me complain about my crappy couch sleep).  It's been even more full as I am 36 weeks pregnant as of today (and slightly terrified of my exciting new life change soon).

I often start posts and leave them unfinished in my drafts because I haven't gathered enough pictures or found anything to pretty it up, so there can be weeks where I post nothing.  It bothers me but I usually get over it quick because I've busied myself with my next task of: work, normal house duties or trying to get ready for the new baby with the limited time (and energy) I've allotted myself.  Today, I decided that whether I put pictures in this post or not doesn't matter, what matters is that I wrote and posted it.

This blog is something that I write because I like to.  It is the things that I felt were worth sharing.  Sure, there are plenty of people who will never understand it and wonder why would anyone put "their business" out there but you know what?  I don't care.  I used to be one of those people.  As, I grow and evolve as a person I understand more and more of why people do what they do (even if I don't agree with it).



With that said, October 15th is two things to me.  First it is the day extended individual tax returns are due.  As a former tax accountant there are a few dates in your head that you never forget and this is one of them.  Second, it is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.  It wasn't until this year that I learned there was an actual day dedicated to it.  I was aware that October was a month that had been dedicated to it but not an actual day.

Today, I choose to recognize this day.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Hooray!! Potty Training.

With the next little ninja on it's way into our lives, one thing that I wanted to accomplish, no matter how difficult people told me it was going to be, was getting my daughter potty trained.  People told me that it was way too early , she was too young (she'll be two in December), she's just going to revert once the next baby comes, etc.  The list went on.  I don't care.  Not that we are totally there but we are getting closer with fewer and fewer wet/dirty diapers every day.

She clearly needed to take some business calls while she was using the facilities.  Haha!

Every time we get a dry diaper or a successful potty trip, I feel like jumping up and down cheering like a shameless teenage girl at a One Direction concert.  I usually don't take it as far as I want to but we do cheer and give lots of high fives.  I've asked multiple people for their advice regarding how they went about it.  I've gotten plenty of different answers leading to me to understand that it's really whatever works for you and your family.  So get on with the testing.



Obviously every child is different so the answer is going to vary by child.  We have found a few things that have and have not worked for us.

On the list of things that have not worked for us were:


Although it is really nice because as she uses this the waste goes directly into our flushable toilet, she can't get on it herself.  Not that I'm expecting that she were to just start heading right into the bathroom and handle her business right away, I think she felt uncomfortable on it.  Can you blame her?  No matter what kind of stool we purchased for her she couldn't get up there safely.  In addition because we don't have a round toilet (we have an elongated one) it never stayed in place and slid back and forth as she sat on it.  As her legs dangled and the seat slid around, I often worried that she would slip right into the toilet creating a traumatic experience that would halt all potty training for eternity.  I'm not going to be changing diapers forever kid!


Second up, prizes that were food such as M&M mini's that I hear are such a great treat because they are small and kids love chocolate... she wanted nothing to do with such rewards.  I know a few kids that have been successfully trained with these tiny little candies.  We tried cookies and candies and a few other things but she just wasn't that interested if she wasn't hungry.


Third up, stickers.  I'm not sure if these would have worked or not but I'm letting you know for the safety of all parties involved, stickers are a no-go at my house.  I'm not sure how I lived to be an adult because if my daughter drew on the walls and couch like I did and destroyed them as I did as a child I'd have her head!  We don't keep stickers at home and we definitely hide them when they are given as a gift.  The last thing that I want to do is clean and peel stickers off walls, furniture, toys, clothes, etc.  I don't like price tag stickers... Just say no.  

I'm sure there were more things that haven't worked but on to the more fun things...

Here are a few of the things that I have been LOVING since we've started this process:


This is the most recent addition to out potty collection and I am perfectly happy knowing that she likes it.  The little hand on the side says, "Hip, hip, hooray!" every time you push it down.  I'll listen to that 100 times if it will keep here there long enough to do her business.  In addition it is a footstool that can hold up to 200 lbs!  Yup, I said it, 200 lbs.  Can you believe that?  I was surprised that it could hold that much.

The oversized seat covers are nice to keep germs and other disgusting things away from her body.  The folding potty is perfect for traveling to places that don't have a potty for her.

While we are out traveling these two items have become some of my favorites as well.  The first picture is the Summer Keep Me Clean oversized seat protectors.  They are awesome.  They are larger than the paper ones that you can sometimes find in public bathrooms.  If your kid needs to hold on to the seat or their legs dangle against the front of the toilet they don't actually touch anything but the cover.  There are also two tiny little stickeys on the underside if you need to stick them on the toilet so the cover doesn't move.  They are super portable and great for public places.  The only drawback is that they aren't flushable (yup, I made that mistake once) so don't let it slide into the toilet thinking that you are just going to flush that little sucker down.

The other favorite travel item of mine is the PRIMO folding potty seat.  This is good by itsself if you are going somewhere that you know the bathroom is clean but they don't have a child potty or seat for the big toilet.  It is compact enough to throw in the diaper bag with the rest of the child arsenal but not so big that it is half the bag.  I do keep ours in a zip top bag so that it isn't touching the bag or anything else because it is a potty seat and it was on a toilet.  Toilets are gross by nature so let's not be disgusting here.


For a reward the best thing that we have used, has also made me the most broke... I guess I should be happy she's a saver not a spender.  A piggy bank.  A freaking piggy bank.  Don't get me wrong, I am all about money management and saving but it's like I'm walking around with a gaping hole in my pocket that only dumps change at this point.  I'm sure in the future I'm going to regret writing this post that complained about giving change and complain about the dollar bills that are rapidly being removed from my pocket but for now, it's just coins.  So long as she is happy with her reward, I am happy that she is going to the bathroom on the potty and not her diaper.  I guess this is the price I have to pay for avoiding purchasing bunches and bunches of disposable diapers since she's been born #makeclothmainstream.

On my wishlist... who knew I'd have a potty training wishlist but I guess it happens...

More potty paraphernalia... As my brother and I spoke the other day I mentioned to him that I wanted to put a potty in my car so that when there are those times that she asks to use the potty as we travel past nothing but empty fields or industrial buildings with no Starbucks or McDonald's in sight that we can still use a potty.  I was going to purchase some TravelJohn's and then he told me about this fancy little baby:

Oh cool, a potty seat 

Looking kind of perfect for the car or roadside stop




Wait?  It goes on a toilet too??


Oh snap!  And it has it's own bag? WINNING!

Say whaattt??  This is awesome.  This Kalencom 2-in-1 potty is not only perfect for the car but comes with a travel bag and can be used on a big toilet too?!  Oh my goodness all of my potty prayers have been answered.  I mean it certainly isn't as compact as the PRIMO or the seat covers but for the car it seems perfect.  I haven't purchased it yet, however I am going to be picking this bad boy up this week!  I mean this seems perfect! This is what I wanted and it comes with it's own travel bag and disposable potty waste bags.  I love that.

There is definitely work to be done however I'm happy to report that we are well on our way to being potty trained.  My next challenge is to find panties that fit my skinny kid.  In a minute, I'm going to have to go all Martha Stewart on the world and make panties for kids that are thinner than a 2T or 28 lbs.  For now we still rock our cute cloth diapers like treehuggers ;-)

If anyone else is potty training their little one, let me know what worked or didn't work for you.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Oh my goodness, we're in the count down...

Last week it occurred to me that I only had 10 weeks left... 10 weeks!!  In less than 10 weeks, I will be responsible for another living being.  Where did the time go?  I feel like it was just a minute ago that I was writing the first posts about being pregnant again.

I'll be responsible for another beautiful human being like this one in less than 10 weeks.

This time has been so much different than last time.  There was no other little one running around being crazy last time, there was no dinner and bedtime schedules to abide by.  It was just me and the husband preparing for the new baby.  Back then I had time to shop at random stores to look at things for the new baby and eat wherever and whenever I felt the need.  It was amazing.  We are still having lots of fun right now but it isn't the same feeling as last time.

I'm so unprepared.

Have I thought about my hospital bag?  No.

Have I thought about making sure I have the newborn clothes for the new baby?  No.

Have I even gotten my newborn cloth diapers back yet?  No.

What am I doing with myself??!!

I don't want to look... It's too scary to look!!

Last time around I had checklists galore.  Probably too many, but checklists are nice.  They keep me organized and sane.  When you've completed the task you can cross that bad boy off the list.  Do I even have one checklist right now?  Nope... well maybe, I may still have the original hospital checklist in my phone from last time but who knows.

Last time I was so prepared I made a second hospital bag for one of my co-workers because she didn't have a lot of friends in this area and I thought it would be fun.  (Hi Catie! Hope you and Maddy are doing well).  I mean two hospital bags?  Yup.  That is normally who I am.  Right now, I'm just happy if I make it home in time to eat dinner and get the little momma to sleep before 9:30 pm.  If I get the dishes or something else done around the house that's a bonus.

I feel like I need to make a checklist of checklists that I need to start checking off.  Yup, you read that right a checklist of the checklists I need.  Maybe this week's "Work on it Wednesday" will be to get my lists ready by next weekend.  I haven't done a "Work on it Wednesday" in a while.  I actually forgot about them until this post.  (I'm still reading a little, not as much but some).

This week's work-on-it-Wednesday is to make the checklists of things I need to get done for the new baby.  I mean I've been pregnant for 31 weeks almost... I think it's time to get my act together.

Maybe I'll even blog about it... or better yet, I'll do a video :-)

 My 30 week belly shot

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Let's spend all the money

So in my post from the other day (Happy 6 years!) I told you that I'd totally abused my credit card the next day at Gap...   Instead of writing a blog post with the words: cute, adorable and little said way too many times, I decided that I would instead make a video and post it to YouTube.

I did buy lots of adorable and cute things, you should watch it.  It doesn't have as many cool bloopers as my last video but hey, they can't all be that great!  Haha!

Feel free to check out what I bought and make fun of me as I make fun of myself... just don't be mean... being mean isn't cool.  There are too many mean people in the world we need more nice people who smile a lot.


If you watch this you should definitely turn it into a fun game involving the words: cute, adorable and little.

Getting packages




So while we're on the theme of spending, it made me think about getting packages.


I love getting packages!  It's unhealthy for my bank account but I try to be reserved about what I buy.  I mean especially with Amazon Prime's free two day shipping, it's so tempting to just order some things.  That prime two day shipping especially came in handy when I became a mom.


You forget how convenient it is to just make a quick stop on your way home from work... alone.  Alone?  What's that??  I'm a mom.  There is no privacy or alone time.  Just kidding.  I do get some, it is just something that I actually have to work for now.  Even bathroom time (as many parents know) is no longer something that I get to do alone, especially since we are in the midst of potty training.  Wow!  This whole paragraph has nothing to do with getting packages... whoops.

Back on topic...

To me getting packages is fun.  Sometimes you know what's in them... sometimes you don't.  I've always loved the mail.  When I was a kid I remember loving to get the mail and bring it in.  There were so many times that I would hear people say, "when you get older it won't be so fun to get mail.  It will just be bills."  Well, let me tell you, I still love the mail and most of my bills are paperless.  So, ha!  The internet has changed the game people.

I get a few packages every month.  I know that probably sounds extravagant but hey, we all have our things.  I'm not into makeup or purses or whatever else I could spend my money on, like shoes... tee hehe.  I do like to buy from small businesses and I also like to buy things that I can't always get around me and since those things are often far away or cost too much to drive to, I will order it and have it shipped home.  It's so freaking convenient.

Also, I'm a lazy shopper.  There are many times that I would love to just get something in person or look at it in person but that isn't always the way to go.  I actually used to hate shopping online for myself because I wanted to try things on but over the last few years I've gotten way better at online shopping and even returns.  Sometimes, I want packages because you get cool boxes of things that you possibly would never have gotten in the past because you have a routine and stick to it.


The packages that I get aren't always just for me either.  I spread the love.  My daughter gets a Bluum box every month.  Some months are great, others, meh.  That's ok with me.  For the cost, I'm usually pretty happy with it. I mean, we'ere not going to love everything all the time.  I do like that you can add more stuff to the box on top of what they've already sent you.  I got my favorite cups and plates from this site.



We also get a food box with two different meals per week from Blue Apron.  This was part for me, part for my husband.  I thought it would be a nice way for him to learn to cook a little more but he decided even with everything laid out and ready for him, he's still not into cooking.  That's ok.  He can order a mean carryout.  Haha!  They were partly for me because I was struggling this pregnancy with ideas for food.  I love to cook, and if you know me, I spend a great deal of time in the kitchen.  (I've got the extra chin to show for it.)  This pregnancy, I couldn't get my brain wrapped around being creative in the kitchen like I normally am because I just didn't have much of an appetite for anything in the beginning.  That is a problem when you are responsible for the food/meals in the house.  Since the meals are different every week their recipe cards helped me get back into the creative cooking groove.  Even my husband was thankful for that because he couldn't eat another boring meal of baked chicken, broccoli and rice one more night.

The newest monthly package I've been getting is ScentBird.  August is the first month that I've received this.  I like to wear perfume but I tend to forget to wear it everyday because I'm always running out of the house like a mad person trying to be on time for work.  I love that the little spray container is just about the size of my mascara and it comes in a cute little velvety carry bag.  I also like that you can just change it out with the new scent and back into the purse it goes.  I mean look how cute it is.

signature black perfume case

This month I picked the purfume, Jungle Elephant by Kenzo.  It was a very unique scent.  Quite mysterious and spicy.   There were a few people in my office that asked what I was wearing and said that they really loved it.  I tried wearing the scent for 3 days but each time I put it on it didn't make me go, "yum."  I told my husband that I couldn't figure out what it made me feel like but a few days later I realized what it was... potpourri!  Oh no!  I've been walking around smelling like a bowl of potpourri that sits on the coffee table in the fall.  Ok, maybe it wasn't that bad and I'm being dramatic but that did cross my mind.  It did say that the main notes of the scent were: clove, cardamom (which I love), vanilla, licorice, and caraway.  I will say that it is probably is not a scent that I will purchase in the future but there were a few people in my office that really thought it smelled really, really nice.
 

I thought about getting a cologne subscription for my husband but I'm not sure yet.  I'm trying to decide between Scent Bird for him or Scent Trunk.  I'll probably get Scent Bird because I like it so far but who knows...  we'll see.

For now, I'll be waiting for my two most recent online purchases new shirts and some masks.  I've been watching a vlogger on YouTube who talked about sheet masks so I'm going to give a few of those a try... maybe that will be my next post.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Happy 6 years!

I've decided it's either all or nothing with me for everything.  If I'm blogging, I'm a roll and the posts can pour out or I'm staring at the keyboard wondering why I even decided to start something like this.  Well, I'm the same way with shopping.  My credit card has been going through a whirlwind.  I've been spending like it's Christmas this past month.  It's embarrassing... but man is it fun.

A few weeks ago my cloth diaper store (clearly I'm territorial, my cloth diaper store.  haha!), celebrated their 6 year anniversary.  I was super happy for them.  I was so happy that I even posted a video on YouTube about what I bought there.  



Also, because I'm an editing pro (hahahahahahahaha!!) it took me a little while to get this thing edited and posted.  I will say that it was fun learning how to edit but man does it take me a long time... oh well.  I'm trying to stick to my plans from the New Year and do something new and uncomfortable.  

I'm definitely feeling the uncomfortable part...

You should come back soon because I abused my credit card the next day at Gap.  Just think, "all the cute and adorable little clothes..." Yup.  That happened.  Maybe tomorrow.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Sometimes you just have to go

Not as in the bathroom as you'd expect a pregnant woman to say but get away.  Get away from it all!  Vacation baby!!  A nice unplanned vacation.  Where?  Who knows?  Just get in the car and go.

We did that this past weekend.  It was a blast.  It's funny because before having a child I would have been the first one to run away on some unplanned, no hotel, no itinerary vacation in a heartbeat.  This weekend it wasn't me who suggested it but my husband.  Wait, what??  Mr. "let's have a plan" said let's go?  Yup and I was the one who was like, "um, should we?  Maybe we should plan something for next weekend?"  I'm so glad that I didn't listen to myself and talk us down from it.

 
MoneyPenny maxin' and relaxin' on the road.  Jinx was feeling a little camera shy.

We made some quick plans for our pooches to be taken care of at a wonderful family members' home, packed the car and headed out.  Where?  We didn't know, we just knew what direction.  West.

We went west about 3 hours and ended up in a cute little town on the coast.  We tried to get a hotel there but they were totally booked up except for the one that was more than $200 a night and we'd only be there to sleep really.  No big deal, we decided to hang in the town until the end of the night any way.

She insisted upon wearing this hat while we rolled around town

It was a cute little town.  We ended up seeing part of an old movie in the park and playing at one of the best splash pads we'd seen in quite some time.  At first I thought that my daughter wouldn't like it because she isn't always into water in her face but after the first mist of water she was hooked.  We ran and ran all through the fountains.  I did kind of giggle because one of the thoughts I had was, "great day to wear a pink bra under your white tank top.  Smooth.  Real smooth."  In my defense, I had another shirt over when I got dressed that morning but knowing we were going to run through these fountains and probably get wet, I took it off so that I could wrap my daughter in something when we were done.

It was so cool

After had our fun in the fountains we grabbed some ice cream and headed back to the car.  The nearest hotel we could find within reason was about 45 minutes away and it was getting really late.  We knew as soon as we got in the car someone would fall out immediately.  I'm not sure we even made it onto the freeway before she passed out.  It was well worth the squishy shoes and damp clothes to see her have so much fun in the water.

Look at the sheer joy in her face!

The next morning we woke up and headed out to grab some breakfast and find a new destination to head off too.  We decided on a town about an hour from our hotel.  Once we got there we decided to hit one of the smaller beaches to hang out and chill for a little while.  I decided that aside from the beautiful houses that there wasn't much there and we headed off to another town further north about 30 minutes.  I'm glad we did because for that afternoon until the next day we had a blast.


We didn't get to the beach again that day to swim but we did get to the beach.  My Mini loved playing in the sand and even just getting her feet wet in the water.  We walked the boardwalk and the pier a bit.  Later that night we watched part of a musical fountain show.  It was really kind of neat the way they coordinated the music with the water and lights.




The next day we packed the car and headed off to the beach.  The whole trip, I really just wanted to go to the beach to hang out.  I love the water.  I have a love/hate relationship with sand.  I love sand just not when it sticks to you... and everything else.  We played in the water and the sand and had a great time.  It was so great to get away with no plans, no worries and no rush.

New beach, more sand...

We did pack up that afternoon and head home.  The three hour drive was a breeze and nice timing as we'd tired out Mini at the beach.  She slept almost the entire ride home.  She was so good in the car and didn't complain.  We did have quite a few movies ready for her but we really only needed Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  Man she loves that show.


It was definitely different going on an unplanned vacation with a little one but it was definitely well worth it.  Sometimes I have to remind myself to be more spontaneous and to stop getting caught up in everyday responsibilities.

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Fruit, Flowers or Appliances




This past week we celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary.  The traditional gifts are fruit or flowers.  The modern gifts are appliances.  I decided that my husband would probably not be super excited over fruit, which is something I buy every week at the grocery store, or flowers because well because they're flowers.  So I opted for the modern gift of appliances.

When I think about what we want in the appliance department, it's usually me who wants something.  Well, let's be real, when don't I want something??  I long for the days that I will have a kitchen with a dishwasher.  One with all the bells and whistles. Like this pretty baby with all the adjustable racks, high heat wash, and hidden control panel...  I'm drooling...



Or, other beautiful convenience appliances such as this Dyson Absolute cordless vacuum


But those items would me me happy... not my husband.  So, I had to think of things that he would want or like so I ventured down the road of speakers.  I may regret this in the near future.  He likes to listen to podcasts and other various things while he's showering, shaving, cleaning or mowing the lawn.  So, I figured that is something that he would like.  

I did a little research and ended up with two different speakers.  One that is ready for steamy places like the bathroom and one that would be good basically anywhere else.  The first one I decided to buy was the Bose Soundlink Mini Bluetooth Speaker II and the second was the Photive Rain WaterProof Portable Bluetooth Shower Speaker.



I definitely did more research about the Bose speaker than the little waterproof one but hey, there was quite a price difference between the two.  I hope that he likes them both.  If not, I bought some really high tech paper weights.

It's funny to think back to four years ago.  We we got married.  Married...

Here's the part where I get mushy so prepare yourself...

I'm so lucky to be with someone who I love so much.  I married a man who I always knew would be a great father and has not disappointed me or my daughter.  He is incredibly compassionate and caring, not only to me but to so many others.  It makes me crazy that you can't say no sometimes but I love that it's within your nature to be as caring as you are which makes it hard for you to say no (somebody has to be the nice one and I'm not there yet).  Because of him, I have learned to be a calmer person because of the person that he is.  I've learned so much about myself and worked to be a better version of myself because I care so much for him.  I may have a long road ahead of me but at least I'm going the right direction.  There are so many other things that I could say about him and what we have become together but I think that my point has been made.

Four years ago on a mildly humid Wednesday in August we were getting geared up for the next umteeth years of our lives looking like this:


Something blue 



 Yup, that's everyone :-)



Something old and Something borrowed




 Cheers! To many more years!!