Momma's Cupids

One of my fave things to do is set up a photo sesh in my living room. Prep time is critical, you've got to gather all of your props and know what the costume changes will be. Get the toddler ready, set up the shoot, then feed and change the baby. Go time! 

My first set up was with my crimson chenille blanket draped over the couch as the backdrop and the kids sitting in front. Baby girl is 6 1/2 months old in these pics and can't quite sit well unsupported for long times. So, onto the bellies we went!  The top shot was the one we used for Valentine's cards that we printed at CVS and sent off to friends and family. Hint: position yourself in front of the tv, so the toddler can smile and giggle at his funny Dreamworks movie du jour and you get the benefits of it on film  memory card.

The baby rolled over so I jumped on the couch and captured these shots of them lying on the floor. There was a shot  or ten with the letters spelling "EVOL".  Not quite the Valentine message of love I was hoping for!  Re-do!

The face in the picture reads, "I love my life and my sweet little sister".  In real life the face was a mish mash of rolled eyes and kicking feet and "When do I get my lollipop?"

One day I will invest in Photoshop and get rid of the creepy arm in her presh pic!  Ruffle bottom bloomers found for $16 at Little Lam Boutique in Richardson, Texas.

I'd like to end the blog here and leave you thinking that I'm super mom. But I am compelled to be honest and real with you.  I felt like a MAJOR Valentine's failure.  Excuses first: We were sick the weekend before and we were also trying to prep for baby girl's baptism the weekend after Valentine's Day. 

Okay, here's the scoop.  The day before I took the kids to Market Street to pick up teacher gifts. I had been looking around for things a month before, but since each kid has 4 teachers at daycare I had to stretch the budget, but still wanted to honor each teacher with a little something special. (And not another damn mug or box of chocolates!)   So we chose little cups of mini chocolate chip cookies and decorated them with foam heart stickers. 

We then went next door to the Christian bookstore to find something special for Daddy.  I ended up with books for the kids (which is a Valentine tradition we started on Cade's first Valentine's) and a book for Daddy. At this point it was cold and rainy so we drove through Chic Fil A for the ride home. (Busted my New Year's Resolution of cooking at home Monday through Thursday nights!)

I wanted to get the kids in bed early, and we succeeded with Devyn but then I realized that Cade hadn't filled out his Valentine's and I wanted him to sign his name. Yes, he's 2 1/2. But out came the green marker.  It was cute to me and I got some cute pics of it, but no other kid did that in class, so it was kind of pointless. We put the lollipops in his Dora and Diego Valentine's and then called it a night. Finally. At 8:30pm. Eek!

In all my hard work I totally forgot to fill out Valentine's for Devyn's daycare friends.  I know they're all under 1 year old, but I felt like Loser Mommy when I picked her up and saw her Valentine bag her teachers had made each child and peeked inside to see 8 little Valentine's to her. Mommy Fail! Sorry little infant friends! Please don't remember this or hold it against me! At least her teachers got their sweet little Valentine cookies.

So then, as if I wasn't Valentine Failure enough, I encouraged Nick to pick up Chili's for dinner. I called it in on his way home and he was going to stop off and get it.  Until he got there and called me saying they didn't have our order. Because I'm stupid. And called it in to the wrong one. And it would take 45 minutes to put in a new order and wait. So he drove across town.  So I could not cook a healthy yummy steak dinner like I had planned, but so I could eat potato skins and ceasar salad. To be fair, work was a total beating that day. Oh, and Chili's failed us too. I had wanted to suprise Nick with a cheesecake for dessert, but he didn't know I had ordered it. He just quickly signed the receipt and didn't check and there was no dessert but we paid for it. Boo!  Valentines Fail. Again.

Oh, and Devyn was so tired she went to bed early, so Daddy didn't get to see her and we didn't get to give her the Valentine's present until the next morning. (Cade remembered to give it to her!).

So my dreams of a perfectly Pinteresty Valentine's failed. :( Mommy Guilt #328329.

Papa's Boy

Fun Party Friends

Friends are starting to turn 3!!! Cade can't wait for his turn.  About once a week he asks me, "Is it my happy birthday to me?"  He has a Toy Story calendar and we talk about how his birthday is in April.  The other day he perused birthday decor in Hobby Lobby. He liked the diggers (construction theme), then the cowboy boots theme, then Diego caught his eye.  I don't want to confuse him by making him decide this early.... and I know toddlers are worse than women when it comes to changing their minds...But I REALLY want him to decide on a party theme ASAP so I can start Pinteresting some cute decor ideas and shopping online for sales.  AND picking a fabulous party venue that can do most of the planning for me.  Here are some pics of a fun party we went to at a gymnastics venue. Super kudos to my friend Amy who planned this awesome par-tay!!! The kids were all on Cloud 9 AND slept well that night.  Success!!!

The foam pit was an instant attraction! He took one quick glance at me and soon as I told him it's okay to jump in there he went for it!

He had a blast jumping on the trampolines. There was one for every kid to jump on! There was fun party music playing (aka Kidz Bop--- funny how my idea of party music has evolved since high school. Jamming in parking lots to Tom Petty and Bone Thugs to the rated G version of  Black Eyed Peas songs)

Here he is with the birthday girl, Audrey. They play together so well. It's presh! And please take a moment to notice their perfectly round heads. Bye bye plagiocephaly! Thank you DOC bands!!

My boy loved the princess party and all the girls!  He just got his thank you card in the mail and there was Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Tiana on the front of the card. He pointed to Sleeping Beauty and said, "Look! She's pretty! It's mommy princess!"  I had to clarify, "Is Mommy that princess?" And he said, "Yes! Mommy is a princess! Lives in the biiiiiiiig BIG castle Zurg!"  (Translation: Yes, Mommy is a princess. She lives in the big big castle (the one we see before opening title sequence of Disney movies) with Zurg (the bad Darth Vadar-esque guy from Toy Story 2)  

I haven't figured out how I feel yet about being married to Zurg. Well, I guess he never specified that I was married, maybe I'm living in sin in the castle with Zurg? Hmm...

Things to add to your baby registry...

As a single or child free girl, there was no task I dreaded more than going to Babies R Us to shop for a baby gift. I would have rather dealt with all the car trouble in the world then rode a public bus to a dentist appointment for 3 cavities. Seriously. The ten page mega registry intimidated me, scared me, and made me want to puke. Diaper Genie that twists dirty diapers into sausage links? Gross! Breast pumps and nipple cream? Nasty! Wipe warmer? WTH? I dreaded it.

Then I got pregnant with my first and thought registering would be all fun and games. Who can resist the thrill of the zing with those little radar guns? Ummm, I'm pretty sure they passed us that laser gun scanner deal and let my mom and I loose. First stop--- bottles. Ohhhhh the choices! I about died. BPA free? Nipple that simulates mothers'? Tubes and bag inserts to reduce colic? What's colic? Why don't I want colic? I'm not sure how I survived but I have vague recollections of rocking myself in their furniture department gliders and then following around mommas Mom and I must have thought looked knowledgeable, and scanning whatever they put in their carts.

So I'm going to tell you the items you actually need. Take notes, pregos.

1. A chiropractor. You will need him now. Back pain, sciatica, sleepless nights, stuffy pregnant nose.... he can help you with these things. He can prep your body for an easier labor and delivery and also adjust your newborn who just went through the trauma of squeezing through your tiny pelvis, you Skinny B. He can also get your body recovered from the trauma of labor.

2. An iPad. You need one now because of the same reasons above. In the hospital you'll want it for entertainment and easy access to post pics of your little sweets to Facebook. Nighttime nursing when you are trying to stay awake, but want to keep your baby in a quiet environment you will swear by it! And the baby apps galore! This is a must.

3. A great rocking chair. I found one for my boy on Craigslist. Gotta love nursery shopping on there, I outfitted his whole room with barely used furniture that looks designer. I got baby girl's rocker glider on Target.com. It even has a reclining feature. Which I highly recommend over tripping over an ottoman! This is a non negotiable item.

4. Mommy wardrobe. You will need cute sweatsuits, yoga pants, hoodies, and three quality nursing bras. Buy them a little roomy. A. Because you will look 4 months pregs after baby the first few weeks until your uterus shrinks (sorry to burst your bubble). B. You may have a c-section. C. You may have stitches elsewhere and need something you can gently wiggle in and out of. Nursing bras. Go Bravada or go home.

5. Quality coffeemaker.

6. Boppy pillow. Best baby goods since disposable diapers and Mylicon!!

7. A stability ball. Bouncing your baby to sleep during restless nights. Not critical, but helpful. Lifesaver for my baby girl who had reflux!

8. Strategically placed nightlights for stumbling around the house in the dark.

9. The iBaby app for your Android phone or iPhone. You can track the last time your baby ate, for how long, what side she fed from, when she pooped, peed, and slept, took meds. It's tres fabulous! And free. If you don't get this, grab yourself an ItzBeen timer from Babies R Us. Does the same things, but doesn't store your data like the iBaby app.

That's all for now! Those of you who have been there, done that feel free to let me know what you think are your must-have mommy or baby items.

Peek into my world.

Tonight was a perfect night. I was in the Mommy Zone. You know, that place you get to when you realize that every little decision you make works out PERFECTLY!   One of the most obnoxious parts of my nights is the Witching Hour. During the time period between 5:00 and 6:30 (yes, the Witching Hour is 90 minutes) the following events occur in any order - and at times simultaneously:  Nurse the baby, entertain the toddler, feed the toddler a snack, feed the toddler dinner, cook dinner, clean up school bags (them and me).

First thing I did right: Plan ahead kiddie snacks. I invested in some snack size baggies and filled them with healthy snack options. I put some in the fridge filled with baby carrots, sliced cucumbers and peppers, and sliced pears. (All separated out, so he could pick his favorite) And I stuck them on the slide out tray that's right at his height. I also put some mini Nilla wafers, veggie stix, and boxed Raisins in a Cade basket in the pantry. And the best idea yet (thanks Pinterest!): frozen grapes in baggies in the freezer. (Ours is a slide out drawer on the bottom of our fridge, so Cade has easy access.)

Success #2: I turned off the tv and made Cadester hang out in the kitchen with me while I cooked. He picked his snack/appetizer (frozen grapes) and made artwork with dot markers and glittery foam stars.

Devyn (my 6 month old) hung out in her walker car with teethers. She loved watching her big brother so much, we ended up popping her on the table in her Bumbo chair to get a better view.

Mommy's cooking dinner, the kids are hanging out together.

She would laugh and him and drop her toy, he would help her out in between coloring. He loved singing to her and talking with me. I had on 103.7 Delilah and we danced to love songs in between my cooking breaks.

My next success: I found a fabulous recipe on Allrecipes.com for Honey Mustard Chicken. The app on iPad is amazing.  If you aren't familiar, you must read the user comments. Thank God I did because they recommended using MUCH less butter (still tasted great) and suggested using breadcrumbs.  If I can break out my Panko, I'm excited. My chicken was delish. Served up with a side of microwaved sweet potatoes and broccoli.  It was so fab! I don't know about you, but I feel like freaking super mom when I try a new recipe or bust out a tasty din din.

As it was baking, Cade put the finishing touches on his artwork. (I ever so gently held his hand as he wrote "Cade" in that top right corner. I never know how much I am guiding. Like a Ouija board, is the magic within or was I just cheating? I'm not sure.) He decided Daddy needed this masterpiece. Mommy is jealous. Time to remind him about my episiotomy? I guess not.

WTF, Uptown Mommies?!

I have been holding onto this rant for awhile. Partly because at first I thought I was missing out on something, and maybe the issue was with me. Then my better sense kicked in and I said to myself (and now you) WTF is going on with Uptown Mommies?!

The girls I am talking about are the stiletto strutting mommas who go out at 9:00pm wearing their size zero mini dresses.  They get out of their Escalades, then patiently pose on the curb as their hubs (also hot) reach back into the car and bring out their infants. Wait--- what!?! I am 100% in support of Momma's Night Out and Date Night. I just don't get the baby for late night dinner and drinks (I have seen this happen on a few occasions in West Village). Could it be that I am truly missing out on something good here?

Let's over-analyze the sitch:
1. They have no sitter.
Bunk! I spy you rocking those Marc Jacob bags and Manolos. You clearly can afford not one, but two nannies. That can't possibly the reason. (unless is Nanny's Night Out. Hm. Scandal!)

2. They think this a new trend.
No! We are NOT replacing purse dogs with babies. I don't care if you, hubs, and baby are all wearing color coordinated outfits. (Confesh, I SO coordinate whenevs I can. Trickier with two kids, but I digress.) Maybe they were attention whores and wanted to have the night crowd gush over little Sophia Lynne. I don't know about them, but I have to beat off the baby paparazzi during the day. Maybe they wanted a different type of attention. The "But you're too skinny and hot to have a baby!" I wouldn't know what that kind of attention is like. Maybe it's addictive?

3. Their babies will just sleep through everything anyways and they have a nanny back home who let Momma and Dads sleep in the next morning while the kids are attended to.
Ohhhhh. Got it. Only took me 3 tries but this MUST be what's happening here.

I wonder about the logistics of their night. I would never wear stilettos if I knew I was bringing my baby anywhere with me. Carrying that heavy infant carrier or even my heavy infant would totally throw off my balance. It would be very unglam. Then there is the issue of their mini dresses. Maybe there was a nursing bra underneath, but how were they going to pull that off? They weren't. (I'm so not a nursing nazi, but I will take some liberties in feeling superior... It makes me feel better after the 2 minutes I spend each day gazing at all the pretty little underwire bras laying in the lingerie drawer unused. And lonely.)  Did I mention that it's very tricky to find a trendy going out outfit that you can rock the nursing bra with? Or at least some substantial supporters for the Momma Guns. I've made the tragically painful mistake of wearing my strapless out one night. I was not about to let a little underwire get in the way of me rocking that cute little size 6! Fast forward 4 hours later... I had filled up so much that I was practically popping out of said dress. Ice would have ditched CoCo if he had seen these girls.  So the bra. The bra alone makes me wonder how and why they got out of the house with the newborns. 

Another issue was how did these girls get their hubs to agree to this? It was a group dinner situation. Two couples brought their babies, the other were without children. The men in the situation were the ones carrying the diapers and Chanel diaper bags. No way would that go down in my house. (The Chanel bag. I'm certain hubs can handle "babysitting" when it involves me nursing the baby to sleep then making a mad dash out for a few hours with the girls. He would MUCH prefer that to dealing with a baby in the crowd of Hot Little Urban Yuppies.)

I just don't know what to think about this sitch. I am all for bringing baby with me where I go. But after hours? How is that a relaxing night out for you? How is the baby getting good rest? Tell me your newborn can only sleep to clubby music, and the lights are dimmed anywhere you go at that hour anyways. Even more intriguing to me is did these mommies take their babies out to the next hotspot? What did they do next-- Karaoke? Bar hop?

I couldn't stick around to stalk these McCrazies. I had to go home by midnight so I could be alive enough to be a good momma the next day. Ain't no hangover like a sleepy mommy with energetic toddler and demanding little newborn.  It's second in misery to the time I thought I was a bartender freshman year and made Long Islands at that house party. So like a good Momma I had to go home by midnight to get my rest and pump (Cinderella's curfew. My boobs might have turned into pumpkins had I stayed out another hour longer.)

What do you think? Babies out on the town past 9pm. Do we like this?

6 months old!

 

Oh my sweet sweet baby girl.
Where do I begin?
I love getting to know you.
I love when I walk into your room in the morning and you are quietly laying there looking around.
As if you are planning what to do with your day.
Just like me.
I love seeing you see Cade for the first time each day.
You are transfixed by your big brother.
The natural love that you have for him is limitless.
When you reach for him and he holds your hand I get so excited about the potential fun and trouble you two will get into one day.
I love it when your Daddy holds you.
You nuzzle into his chest and feel so secure.
And when I rock you to sleep is my favorite part of the day.
I can count on that special moment every day.
You smiling up at me.
Wrapping your hands around each of my pointer fingers and pulling my hands over your chest.
Just two hearts beating together.

I love you!
Mommy

Green Bean fabulosity!

This is my second attempt at being wannabe foodie blogger. Maybe one day I will have more than eight fabulous recipes to share! (You read that right kids, I have 4 more bad boys tucked away for a rainy day to share with you!) This recipe is adapted from one a coworker adapted from Martha Stewart about six years ago.  I debuted this recipe at my first Thanksgiving as a married woman hosting at my own house. 

You will need:
- Fresh green beans (feel free to cheat and buy the steam in bag fresh ones in the produce section)
- 1 white onion or several shallots
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup slived or sliced almonds
- 3 tbs orange juice (or Tropical Mangosteen if you're fancy like that)
- Olive oil
- 4 tbs balsamic vinegar (or more, if you're obsessed with the flavor, like me!)

1. Wash and prep your green beans. Snip the tips off with kitchen shears. Try to have your two year old help you. Don't worry if he snaps the beans in half. Just make sure you are faster than he is so less beans end up wonky.

2.  Steam your green beans. Use a steamer or steaming basket on your pot.  Okay fine, just boil them if you want. It truly doesn't matter as long as you don't overcook them.  Let the beans get a nice pretty green color. Fork tender with a little crispness.

At this point your baby girl might be hungry. Give her a sock.

3. Slice your onion or shallots very thin. Or chop them into pieces. Depends how obvious you want those onions to look.  I used chopped onions that I had frozen leftover from Thanksgiving. Shallots are tasty. If you want to get frisky you can fry some up before you do anything else and use as another topper.

4. Sautee the onions in some olive oil until translucent. Add your basalmic vinegar and juice. Simmer until the liquid is reduced by half.  Stir in your green beans, almonds and cranberries.  Coat them well and cook until the beans are thoroughly reheated.

I served mine with teriyaki flank steak (I heart Soy Vay Veri Veri Teriyaki!) that I grilled up on my George Foreman.  Also served with a corn casserole I found on AllRecipes.com.  Super delish.

Now I  need a little advice. How do you train your toddler to stay seated at the dinner table? At daycare their little chairs have seatbelts.  I don't want to do that at home.  Maybe a cool booster seat will make him feel cool enough to stay seated?  I do food bribe him with the prospect of dessert if he eats his healthy meal first. We also bribe with  "Big Bubbles Bath", one of his favorite things as long as you don't wash his hair.

He just loves to get up and be a little man. He will literally hold up one finger and say, "Be wite back. I go check somefing." And then he will go check a toy and come back. Last week he said, "Be wite back Mommy. I go check somefing." And I sat there and watched my two year old go pick up his Handy Manner screwdriver (Felipe, the Phillip's head) and bring it to the chair leg I just banged my knee on and "fix it" by turning the screwdriver on the wood and saying, "Kurn kurn kurn. Kurn kurn kurn. Okay, there go!" And then returning the tool to his toy box and then. finally. coming back to sit down at the table. And then pretend to bite me. And say "Chomp chomp. Crocodino coming!!"

Nights like that I get so exhausted. I've cooked dinner while nursing Devyn (don't ask). Then plated it up. Then gotten sad that hubs' job kept him late. AGAIN. Then set the table for Cadester and I and put Devyn in a bouncer/exersaucer/Bumbo and ate and bribed Cade. Then he plays. And it's annoying. And it's cute. And I alternate between eating my own food, sighing, reminding him to eat, sighing, laughing at his little antics.  It's exhausting.  But so awesome.  Nobody has to give me a paycheck or pat me on the back.  I feel awesome when I cook at home. It feels good to have a pretty and totally f'ing yummy meal on the table. It sucks when the kid won't eat. But it's worth the effort. Even if it means that after a full day at work I come home, feed the kids, bathe them, bathe myself, and then don't get to sit down or relax until 9pm.

Now it's 9:45pm and I have shot my resolution to be in bed by 9:30. Gotta go prep my coffee to brew at 5:00am on automatic so I actually have a reason to get out of my king sized dreamland tomorrow.

Night bloggies.

p.s. If you know someone who can redesign my blog without costing a fortune I need some good referrals! I want my blog to be all themed out like baby girl's nursery.

Mamanoia

Mamanoia. Like paranoia. But strictly for mamas. Starts the second you decide to start trying for a baby. It's a crazy mix of anxiety disorder with OCD with Tourette's with BiPolar (or maybe PentaPolar, mamas def have more than 2 Polaris that we swing between). Still confused? Okay, here goes.

Are we really ready for a baby? Okay, so like go off the pill NOW or next week? Am I ovulating? Wtf is CM? How many days late am I? Oh, I'm not late? Is that a period or implantation? Hm, what's better EPT or First Response? Is this how you use an EPT? Is that two lines? Does a faded half line count? What do you mean "internal sonogram"? Are hot dogs safe? How about highlights? Do gender predictor tests work? How do you calculate lunar age? So I have to drink this orange drink? Ew gross? Why am I doing this? Please let it be a girl, what if it's another boy? Will I be a bad mom if I cry? Will my baby know if I am sad? If it's another boy can he at least be gay so we can shop and get pedis and watch rom com? It's a girl! Oh shit. What if she isn't cute? Does God hate me for thinking that? Will she be so ugly now? What if baby #1 hates the baby? What if we get in a car wreck? In a river and we are sinking and I only have to choose one kid to save? Oh shit. Should I just have had one baby so I never have to choose? Wait I have to deliver another baby? Will it be harder or easier? Wait what's this epidural agreement? I have to agree that I understand that I could be paralyzed and die if the epidural goes wrong? Did I agree to that last time? Yeah, that last time when I felt EVERYTHING?! Is hubs REALLY f'ing stopping for a Red Bull on our way to the hospital making us late for the induction? Can I kill him now? Oh shit. We have to deliver this baby now? Can I make the nurses let me eat a burger? Why won't they let me eat now? So is jello okay? Where's my nurse? Can I eat jello? Hello?! Will I hurt my baby if I eat Jello???!! She's crowning? I can't believe it! She is here? Ohmygod what's her f'ing Apgar? Six week haze of no sleep and bliss....Why does she need more vaccines? Why is her head flattish? Will she need a helmet too? Can I get a discount this time? How would I decorate it? Wait-- she doesn't need a helmet? Are you sure? She is how big? That's good right? Oh. 95th percentile for weight? Oh. Shit. Is that my fault? Do I have to give up chicken tenders and ranch? When do I need to start brushing her gums? When did I last give the dog a bath? When did I last bathe? Will anyone notice my hair is kinda gross? Why does daycare put on diaper cream like that? Is that diaper cream? Do babies get CM? ??


I am beat.
Mamanoia is so hard to escape.
The crazier the momma the more she loves her baby...right?
Or the more the mama says "F it!" to all of the above, the better momma she is. Right?

I have gotten better about just saying to myself "I'll figure it out later" and then enjoying my life. One minute worrying is okay. Twenty minutes obsessing is a waste. Way better to count my blessings and snuggle with my littles and thank God that today our future together is as long as I can imagine. Kiss them all over before they get big and won't let me. Whisper affirmations into their sleeping ears and breathing in their warm snugly baby breath.

If that fails, grab a Diet Dr. Pepper and some Cheetos and Oreos. Double stuf. (editor note: thank God I caught that just now. Autocorrect just changed Cheetos to "machetes"!)

Looking for love?

Hi bloggies! I just discovered the website and mobile app, bloglovin'. It allows users to tag their favorite blogs and get updates on when there are new posts to read. If you are a commuter, busy mom, or just don't have time for books then blogs are a great thing to check out. (thanks for starting here!)

My genres of blogs are mommy lifestyle, humor, teacher, food and health, and fashion. There are endless inspiring people out there sharing their life stories, starting new businesses, connecting to each other and doing some amazing things through social networking. My eyes have been totally opened to the powerful world in the "blogosphere". I love the idea that people share stories so funny and meaningful and can totally make other people's days. If you are just getting into the whole blog thing, Bloglovin' is one way to discover blogs, a Pinterest search is another great way.

If you read my blog and like it, it would mean the world to me if you join my site by Google friend connect or through Bloglovin'. If you see a post you like, feel free to share the link on Facebook or Google+. I write this blog to keep in touch with friends, connect to other moms, hopefully inspire others in some way, but mostly to serve as an online diary for my children. I tried to journal but find that my juices flow much more through digital means. I wish I could scrapbook but the time is so limited and the stickers and paper to pricey to try to use with little ones running around.

Anyways, I would love to connect with you and others! Pass me along, share me. Night night bloggies, time to go plan some MLK fun for the fam.

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