I'm thinking Gary Cat prefers to be on the other side of the gate!
ZOOOOOOOOOM!
HMMM! Which block should I eat next?
Fame! I'm gonna live forever!
I know I put up this post once already- but what I didn't realize was that Blogger only put up half my post- and the one that was not edited. I have no idea how this happened. The post that was intended to go up had about three more paragraphs and links to the Bundleboo site. So basically I am more than frustrated at this point and really want to pull out my hair.I feel like I am in the episode of Friends when Ross was in the Bahamas and lost his entire key note speaker speech! AAAGGGHHH
The original post went on to say that the Bundleboo can be used for 10 different carrying positions. It also can be used with tiny preemies and with kids up to 40lbs! Of course it was invented by a mom. Rebekah Gonzalez was sewing wraps to supplement her income when she decided to cut two leg openings that would serve as an added safety feature- and the Bundleboo was born. The legs holes really make it much easier to wrap a squirmy child-especially on your back. Eliza is very squirmy and the leg holes help to keep her secure. Additionally, the carrier comes with a DVD that makes using the wrap a snap!
Please check out the Bundleboo site. A percentage of every purchase goes to The Smile Train!
As you all know I am having a love affair- with baby wearing. I am so interested in it and I am increasingly frustrated that I wasn't able to attend the Babywearing Conference this summer. I would love to really learn how to teach other people to baby wear correctly. I love ALL types of carriers and carries. I haven't been this interested I'm anything in a very long time.
I am constantly searching for different types of carriers and my wish list is every growing. My latest find is the Bundleboo. They were amazingly kind and sent me a sample to try out and review. I couldn't be more grateful because I love this Carrier. If you are normally intimidated by wraps, this wrap is for you. 
Ever since I went away on vacation I have been reading novels that I now realize fall into the Romance category. I didn't realize this until I was at the library searching for book and it directed me to a section of Romance books. I thought to myself, I don't read THOSE books!" But ... Yup, I do! haha I guess some Fern Micheals and Debbie Macomber fall into that romance category.
This must explain my recent overwhelming desire to curl up on a couch in front of a fire sipping brandy with the love of my life. Now I don't have a fireplace or any brandy so it has been kind of hard to fulfill this romantic scene. Plus, my husband said he thinks sitting in front of a fireplace, brandy in hand, sounds like a bore. He followed it up be saying he doesn't want to live anywhere that is cold enough to need a fireplace!Oh well. I guess I will have to just keep reading my cheezy romance novels while Eliza naps...and maybe find some that take place at the beach.
Hey everyone! I was missing in action again...sorry! My husband FINALLY finished tiling and painting our kitchen so I have been moving back in, reorganizing, and cleaning for the past week and a half! Today was the first day that I actually felt like I was back in my "home".
I do have some exciting news though.....well, to me it is! In less than a week....(drumroll please!)...WE FIND OUT THE SEX OF OUR LITTLE PEANUT!!! I am like totally psyched! The little peanut has been moving around quite often these days (this baby MUST love the beach...the was the MOST that I ever felt it!) so I feel that finding out is going to make being pregnant and becoming a MOMMY even more real!
SO, you people probably think I have been slacking, instead of posting like I should have been, but little do you know that I was trying to find out the sex of my baby on my own. That's right, I have done every quiz and test possible and I have read up on all of the old wives tales as well! Here are my results:
- The fetal heartbeat of my little peanut has been between 150-160 everytime at the doctor. The old wives say that a heartbeat 140 and below means it's a boy. So, this test says I am having a girl. Boy - 0 points/Girl - 1 point
- Remember my ultrasound post? According to my friend Meg, she sees three dots (I still have yet to see these). Three dots means a hamburger (a.k.a girl). Boy - 0 points/Girl - 2 points
- According to the Chinese Lunar Calendar I am having a girl. Boy - 0 points/Girl - 3 points
- I have read that if you are gaining weight in your tush and hips it is a girl. I asked my mom, because she is ALWAYS so honest with me and she said I have gained in my belly and boobs. SO.... Boy - 1 point/Girl - 4 points.
- I experienced a TERRIBLE first trimester full of morning/afternoon/and evening sickness. According to the old wives....it would be a girl. Boy - 2 points/Girl - 5 points.
- My husband says "I'm glowing and don't look disguisting like some other pregnant woman". Supposively, I am having a boy because if it were a girl she would steal my looks away! Boy - 3 points/Girl - 4 points.
- Not sure if you want to know this, but my urine has been neon yellow....that means a boy! I refused to try the whole Draino test. Sorry! Boy - 4 points/Girl - 4 points.
- Rose, from The Mommy Monoblogs, said that if your nose changes (gets wider) than it's a girl. My dog Lucy (she was the only one around while typing this) said it has stayed the same so it must be a boy. Boy - 4 points/Girl - 4 points.
- Craving sweets? Me - no. I'm into spice, meatball sandwiches, Elios pizza, and vinegar! That means a boy! Boy - 5 points/Girl - 4 points.
- I did the whole rip a piece of my hair out and tie it to my engagement ring test. I held it over my belly and it moved from side to side. That means a boy. Boy - 6 points/Girl - 4 points.
I have no "feeling" of what it is. Although a few weeks ago I had a dream I was walking through one of the buisness building at the college I went to holding a baby girl. A guy, no names mentioned, who I use to work with years ago and have had NO contact with what-so-ever was pushing the stroller. Everyone thinks it is a boy....even the fine ladies at the nail salon.
I took an online quiz that had many of the old wives tales stated as questions and it came up 50% chance it was a girl and 50% it was a boy! Less than 6 days until we find out the truth, or maybe not. My one neighbor JENNIFER told me SHE was suppose to be a boy...GERALD! WHAT DO YOU THINK???
~Mommy-to-Be Stacie
P.S. I hated Lamaze. Too serious for my taste. That's why I can't even bring myself to sign up for yoga. I can't relax. I am not a relaxing person. That class confirmed I have adult ADD!
To wait or not to wait? That is the question...
Pete made me an awesome dinner on Sunday night. So in honor of Tasty Tuesday here is a LINK to the recipe. It is called Pasta Della California and it is YUMMY!
Here are some pics from our weekend. We attended a surprise party for Dana's BF's 30th Birthday!
MY GIRLS!
Do I really want her to talk?
So I believe Eliza is now saying the word done. I might be crazy but when she doesn't want to eat anymore she says what sounds a lot like done in the cutest little baby voice ever. I think she just wants to get out of her high chair and knows I always say "all done" before she gets out. Now when I ask and sign, "Do you want more or are you all done?" she always replies done. I am onto her little game now and know she just wants to go play. haha I'll try to get her on hidden camera if I can.
Today I am headed to this zoo! with Rose and Alessia. I love the zoo so I am STOKED!
Don't forget to enter my Giveaway!
It is blog carnival time. Now you get to see how other moms spend their days. Here is my exciting day. For being a completely unstructured person my day with Eliza seems pretty routine. I am too tired to really be creative and I keep swatting ants off of myself- whether they are real or imaginary has yet to be determined.
Wakey, Wakey Time!!! Usually E wakes up between 6:30 and 7:30. If it is 6;30 I try to shoosh her back to sleep. This rarely works.
6:30 Changed that diaper!
7:00 Yumm-O breakfast time. I also use this time sign about eating. Eliza takes this time to grunt at me to get the food in faster. She just started eating waffles last week!
7:30 Eliza drinks her bottle in her play yard. Mommy drinks her coffee and checks her e-mail.
8:00 Play! & I attempt to stuff cloth diapers while chasing E around
8:30 ish go for a walk- usually with Rose and Alessia. Lately Eliza gets fussy so I end up wearing her and pushing an empty stroller. It is all the rage. You should try it out sometime. Steering with one hand is so much fun.
9:30 ish Go up to E's room so she can look at her books for a little bit. Sometimes we listen to Weird Al Yankavic and Kate Winslet sing "I Need a Nap" on her Dog Train CD.
10:00 I read one story, wrap her up,turn on her harp music and she is usually out in 2 minutes.
10:00-10:40 Mommy Time- This involves frantically completing some chores and eating so I have time to check my google reader before E wakes up.
11:00 LUNCH! Usually toast, maybe yogurt, some fruits and veggies
11:30-2:00 We usually play during this time house, ball, dance etc. I also use this time to reinforce her baby signs. Sometimes I snag a shower if she will sit in her swing and E gets her bath (every other day). Sometimes we run errands or got to the library. E usually watches one episode of Baby Einstein- usually World Animals or Backyard Animals because E looooves them and I can do the baby signs for the animals.
2:00-3:30 Nappy Time! This time she naps on my bed and I read, write or fold laundry. OK sometimes I snooze too! We only have one bed rail so I am bedroom ridden during this time.
3:30 Bottle & a snack
3:30-6:00 Usually we go for another shorter walk. I might attempt to prep some dinner if E is cooperative.
6:00 Din Din for E
6:30 Mommy puts on the T.V. YAY!!!!! Daddy will be home in an hour!
7:00 If I am making dinner I TRY to get serious about it by 7:00. Eliza's plan is to foil all my plans of making dinner.
7:30 Bottle & Daddy Gets Home!
8:15 Bed time Routine! Pajamas, Teeth, Three Books, Kiss, Wrap Music & Rock to Sleep all usually done by daddy.
8:30 Pete and I eat dinner. I usually try to hop on the computer at this time.
9:00 I can't lie- I am usually in bed reading by nine!
My day is maddeningly mundane and boring. I am sorry I just bored you all to tears. I guess some days are more exciting with play dates, swim class mom's group or trips to the zoo! But most days it's just me and E doin it the best we can.
Check out my favorite Nap Time song!
My quest to be a WAHM continue. Yes- I need to make some dough and I don't want to be so desperate for cash I end up swinging on a pole in my skivvies- inside out of course.
OK! So I put another ad up on Craig's List to try and get into this home day care biz! But... I have no idea what to charge or what type of policies I should have. People have asked me about my rates, but I am clueless about what is a reasonable rate. I paid about a little over $1,000 a month when E was in day care. Or I paid like $8.75 and hour with a minimum number of hours a week. I really didn't plan on taking on more than one or two kids at the most.
I was wondering if anyone was willing to offer me some advice. Does anyone pay a sitter who does it out of his/her home? I understand you might not want to share how much you pay- but if you could offer a general range it would be helpful. Also, what type of policies does your sitter have?
Any advice you can offer would help!
Discovering I was wearing my underwear inside out during a stroll. Not caring that I was wearing my red granny panties inside out.
Stepping in dog poop in my flip flop
Forgetting I stepped in poo and walking on my carpet with my flip flop.
Eating numerous bean burritos because I had no other food in the house. Experiencing the repercussion of said burritos.
Fighting the urge to poke out my own ear drum with a piece of dry spaghetti after listening to Eliza endlessly grind her new teeth.
Scrubbing a mystery substance off of my bathroom floor. Not being successful in my scrubbing.
Hiding from the ghost in my house. I swear when I left for my morning walk Tigger was NOT reading Humpty Dumpty. More ghostly evidence. 
You be the judge! Is E trying to say Tiger?
Pay no attention to the crazy momma in the video. I am surprised Eliza didn't say "Mom, if you say tiger one more time I am going to smack you in the head with this high chair toy!" I didn't realize until I watched the video how annoying I must be to her. She is very patient with her wacky mother.
Oh and although it seems like I am begging for kisses- I am actually trying to get her to make the kissy sound which she started doing earlier this week. Apparently she only does it for daddy!
In other news I swear an ant crawled up my nose and into my brain today. I had my ant guy, Carlos, come back because those little buggers are mutating and plotting to take over the house. They are so big they are now using silverware to eat. If I hated ants to begin with I have no word to describe how I feel about them now.
Also, I am totally spooked tonight for some strange reason. I heard a strange vibrating noise in Eliza's room earlier. Then I decided to get out of there and her ocean mobile mysteriously turned on in the crib. Now I just can't shake this eerie feeling-like someone is watching me- and it stinks. I think their is a ghost or a poltergeist in my house and of course it waited until Pete had to work late to try and scare the heeby jeebies out of me.
I am off to go hide under my bed... with the baby monitor of course!
These days, there are so many great products available to pregnant women for them to have a happy and healthy pregnancy. One product I have been hearing a lot of good things about is the KickTrak baby kick counter. Kick counting is recommended by the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists and the American Pregnancy Association as a way of monitoring your baby's health before they are born. Decreased fetal movement is associated with preterm labor, stillbirth, and growth problems, so it is very important to make sure that little guy or girl is moving around in there!
This week Peter has been working late and it has been the Eliza and Mommy show almost 24/7. So far it has been really great. We have been busy with walks, trips to the library, mom's group and play dates. We even had two dinner dates from Rose which was so amazingly awesome and nice of her. She even cooked VEGAN meals! It really helped me to feel less lonely these past two nights. I hate eating alone. Well I mean Eliza is here- but she isn't much of a conversationalist at this point. Although I swear today she was saying tiger. I was teaching her the sign for tiger and she was definitely trying to say tiger to me. I attempted to get it on video and hopefully I can get it on the computer soon.
I also tried to give Eliza yogurt today. Yogurt was a NOgurt for E. I did try and give her plain. Hey! I like plain yogurt. But she wouldn't even take the plain mixed with a little fruit. And tonight someone was a little gassy and it wasn't me. Tomorrow I am going to try and mix it with some banana.
I created a wish list for Eliza on Amazon. It is freaking addicting. It is kind of like window shopping- but better. I know Eliza will never get most of what I put on the list but I am having so much fun making it up. I am not a material person- but I like to find fun things that I think Eliza would like. The funny thing is I am just as happy having things on the list as I would be if I actually owned them.I am currently searching for fun Eco0-Friendly and Green toys & organic clothes. Eliza has one amazing organic shirt and I would love to get her a few more. Now that she is into the bigger sizes and won't grow out of clothes every other day I might get her some nicer organic stuff. Or maybe I will just pretend I am buying it online. haha
I started thinking today about what I was doing this time last summer. I was hugely pregnant and getting ready to go back to work. I was thinking I had just a few weeks of school and then I would be back at home with my new baby. At the time I envisioned maternity leave kind of like a super long summer vacation with a baby in the mix. I couldn't have been more wrong. During summer vacation I would get lonely but never felt quite as ALONE as I did on my maternity leave. Which is funny- because I was never alone. I don't think moms-to-be understand the solitude endured by new moms on maternity leave until they experience it first hand. I realized tonight that although I feel lonely at times, like when my hubs works late, I will most likely not feel truly alone for a long, long time. Eliza is with me even when she isn't with me. She is always in my heart and in my mind, and I couldn't be happier. This year I am not getting ready for a new classroom. I have had fleeting moments of longing to be setting up a classroom, unpacking fresh supplies, and memorizing new names, but then I remember how lucky I am to spend every day with my daughter, to be her first teacher and those thoughts burn out out as quickly as they ignited.
Head on over to Baby Sling Blog to enter...
Entry photo
Just for fun!
It has been like Christmas around here lately. Last week I received some awesome products from LAF brand. LAF stands for "Little Angel Face". This company offers seriously innovative products that make life easier for busy families.
The first product is the Roll-N-Go Diaper Caddy. This product is seriously convenient. It is an organized mom's dream and will help me with my dream of becoming organized. This diaper caddy will turn any bag into a diaper bag. Dads can even sneak it into a manly bag and be prepared for any occasion. In my opinion if you need to run out quick it is pretty enough to stand alone as a clutch. Or, stash it in the car for emergencies!
With fall just around the corner we head right into long sleeve t-shirt season. Then Mother Nature throws us a curve ball and you get a warm afternoon and wish you had some summer clothes still available. Attachables clothing is the answer to the too hot, too cold fall weather. The sleeves Velcro in and can be taken off in a jiffy if it gets too warm. The if you get chilly you can reattach them with ease! Products range from infant to 5T so there is something for all your little ones.I wish they made this product in an adult size. Too bad for me!
Stay tuned for the upcoming LAF Rocks line featuring extra long, fun striped removable sleeves with Rocker style. Eliza is a rocker girl and she will def. be getting one of these for her birthday. Additionally, the shirt will also come with a pair of white sleeves so kids can mix and match. We all know how important it is for kids to have choice and these sleeves will help them express their individual style.
I am giving a way a size 3T Attachables T-Shirt. Your little one will LAF out Loud in this adorable black tee with white sleeves. Just visit the LAF website and leave a comment telling me your favorite product! Contest ends September 1st!.
Yum! It is Tasty Tuesday. Thanks to Dana who served up this recipe- check out Just Talk for more yummalicious fun!
MIXED BAKED BEANS
1 1/2 cups dried pinto beans
1 1/2 cups dried kidney beans
1 1/2 cups dry great Northern beans
14 cups water
1/2 pound salt pork, cut into 1/8" strips
1 large onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups ketchup
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
3 cups water
3 teaspoons dry mustard
3 tablespoons molasses
11/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 pound bacon, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
Pick over and wash dried beans. Rinse well, drain. Combine beans and water in a large Dutch oven or cast-iron pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and allow to stand one hour. Drain and return beans to Dutch oven.
Stir in remaining ingredients, leaving salt pork near top. Cover and bake at 300° for three hours. Uncover, and bake an additional 30 minutes or until beans are tender.
Happy 11 months to Eliza Marie!
I feel like I haven't posted anything with content in quite a while. That would actually require me to sit down and use my brain- and who has time for that these days. I guess things have been pretty smooth with E so I haven't felt a need to vent-which is always a good thing.
The only real problem we have had is with temper tantrums. I didn't realize that babies started showing a temper this early but I was WRONG! Eliza is as strong willed as ever and if she doesn't get what she wants she lets me know. If I am holding her she throws her head back straightens her legs and lets out a wail. If she is on the ground she might throw herself face first into the carpet. I have noticed she was much more irritable when her two teeth were coming in. Now that they broke through the skin she is much more mild mannered. Also, she gets upset when she has to get out of the tub. So now I make a big deal about singing the clean up song And putting her toys away so we don't blindside her that bath time is over.
I was wondering if anyone had any tips on activities I could do with her during the day. I need to fill the 12 odd hours I spend with her ALONE each day. What do you do with your little ones?
In bigger news...
We are trying for a second bundle of joy. I glanced at the Shettles method because I figured it might be fun to try for a boy. Who knows how long it will take. When we first started trying in 2006 it was a little tough. I had a very early miscarriage on Thanksgiving. Luckily, we got pregnant with E the very next time we gave it a go. I am trying to be very blase about it this time and not get as crazed as I did with E!
Also...
We met baby Stella this weekend. She is asleep in her comfy Sleepywrap from Heavenly Hold!
Rose and some moms from her mom's group were heading to a the Turtle Back Zoo on Friday and I was invited to go along. It was Eliza's first trip tot he zoo and it was so much fun. The girls were awesome. We rode the train and saw a lot of animals. The two-toed sloth was a personal favorite of mine and Eliza just loved the aviary. We did bring in the strollers but ended up baby wearing most of the time. It was so much fun with all the little babies. It was strange for me that Eliza was the big girl in the group. My baby is all grown up!
Here is a pic of Eliza before we left for the zoo. I think she grew tired of hearing me sing We're Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo! 
Here we are checking out the penguins. What is with my hair? E looks a little loopy but I promise I didn't spike her bottle. There was a stinky old grandpa penguin there. I felt really bad for him.
Eliza and her friend had another play date this week. It is hard to believe that they are almost 1. I still remember taking their picture in their care seats like it was yesterday!
Look at them now! Here are some pics of them playing!
Isn't he a handsome little guy. Eliza sure thinks so. I think she tried to steal a kiss.
and because I can't get that zoo song out of my head now...
I have been working on teaching Eliza baby signs. For the longest time she didn't show any sign of catching on. Then all of a sudden while we were on vacation she started doing the sign for baby all the time. It really is the cutest most sweetest thing in the whole world. Here is a video of a song I sing to her when she eats. Please understand I am a horrible singer. That is why I only sing to babies and small children. They are truly the Paula Abduls of the world.
Now she is also panting for dog and occasionally does the sign for more when eating- although it sometimes ends up more like a clap. I have decided she only does signs that are fun for her to do. If it doesn't make her laugh it isn't worth her time.
Last night, my husband and I attended a Prenatal Breastfeeding class at the hospital. When I signed up a few weeks ago the receptionist on the phone asked if I were bringing my "partner". I was like "Hell yeah!". Unless my husband had some life-threatening excuse, I would expect him to be there. From speaking to my mom and some friends, breastfeeding is work for both the mother and the father. The father should know what is going on and what I am going
(and will be) through. He agreed.
So, we show up at the class and when we sit down there were about 8 other pregos. My poor husband was the only male there! He was a real trooper and even looked through the brochures with me while we waited for the class to begin. When skimming over the information he was totally into the fact that breastfeeding saves a family between $2000-$4000 per year. He informed me that I will be breastfeeding my baby until it goes to Kindergarten!! Hahaha!
The class began. Due to the torrential downpour about 5 more pregos strolled in, 2 of whom brought their significant other....whew!!! I felt so much better for Gene. I was still really proud that my husband was there. I almost felt bad for the mom-to-bes who were there by themselves. Why wouldn't their "partner" go with them? Or bring someone close to you...mother, breast, I mean best friends, ex-boyfriend!!! It really bothered me the whole class and as you can tell it is still bothering me now! (Fast forward to the end of the class: Stacie the Spy was listening to one prego ask the instructor if she could attend the class again because she wished she would have brought her hubby because he should really know "this stuff"...see!!!) Despite his ADD, my husband was really attentive. We giggled at some pictures of engorged breasts, but that is just us! We were on pretty good behavior last night....not like the last class we took!
The nurse who gave the class was awesome. It basically was a Breastfeeding for Dummies class, but I thought it was perfect! First, she discussed the pros and cons of breastfeeding. I did not realize that if you breastfeed for at least 2 years of your life you decrease your chance of Breast Cancer by up to 40%. That is HUGE! It also decreases your chances of other cancers, such as ovarian. It does wonders for the baby as well. The baby will have less of a chance of getting childhood cancers, less ear infections, learning disabilities, and many more! The only con I really remember is sore nipples, but they make lots of different utter cream for that! We brought home a free sample!
I could type for the next 24 hours all of the information that I learned in that 2 hour class, but here are some helpful tips (you might already know, but for those who have never breastfed, they might be helpful):
I just had to tell everyone about this amazing offer at Pretty Momma Sling. If you send in a picture of yourself using the sling you will get a rebate of 30% off of your purchase. For details click Picture Rebate Details. I did this the first time with my Hemp sling and I am sooo tempted to do it again.
I am an affiliate for Pretty Momma Slings so if you decide to purchase a sling don't forget to use my link!
Just as Danielle is returning from her great trip to the Outer Banks, the hubs and I are on our way down to Myrtle Beach. We are going down for an extended weekend to visit one of Ian's friends, go to the beach & pool, and basically just relax for 4 days. It is also my birthday weekend so hopefully we get some good weather so I can really enjoy myself while turning the big 2-8.
Also since today is a shorter post, I will leave you all with a photo of what I did today...taking Chewy to play with the kids before dropping her off at the babysitters (aka my parents). The kids were so hyper and all they wanted to do was pet Chewy so there was no way we could get a nice group shot. Oh well, here we are!
I told my husband we are moving to Northumberland ! Well if moving to Ocracoke doesn't work out than maybe I will try out Northumberland. I just finished reading Wife in the North and the snarky humor of Judith O'Reilly still has me laughing. O'Reilly, journalist and mom of three, makes the decision to move to Northumberland to support her husband in his dream to live in the country. The story is written bloggy style and tells the tale of how she tries to find her place in a small rural community while secretly pining for her former city life. O'Reilly is very relatable as we have all felt a little out of place at some point in our lives.
This mom blogger got a book deal. I'm still waiting for mine in the mail. But she is that good, she is that funny, and she is that REAL! Her words flow off of the page and into your heart. It is no surprise that I find myself thinking cor blimey about a lot of things these days. And although I have never been stranded in the English countryside after my husband forgot to fill up the gas tank - I can totally relate to this mom. You will run the gamut of emotions as you read about her quest to make it work in what at times seems like an impossible situation.
Here is a snippet that had me in stitches. O'Reilly describes her efforts to make Christmas memorable for her children by reading The Night before Christmas on Christmas Eve.
I eventually found it under my five-year-old's bed but I do wonder whether my fury outweighed the the cosy few minutes of festive domesticity under the duvet of reading the damn thing. I can just imagine: "Yeah my brother and I had this bet each Christmas. We would hide this old book she was desperate to read to us and we'd see how long it would take her to say the 'F' word when she couldn't find it. Dear old mum. Of course she is in a home now for the criminally insane. She did love Christmas though. She and her husband spend two years in Northumberland, a trial period of sorts, before deciding if they will stay or pack it in and head back to London.Check out Wife in the North to find out if this mom will stay or go?
I think I need a vacation after my vacation. I had a million things to do yesterday one of which was to go to the eye doctor to have my big puffy eyelid checked out. I looked like I had been on the losing end of a boxing match- but it turns out I have a chalazion- an enlargement of a meibomian gland. Luckily, I will get better with some warm compresses.
Vacation was awesome. It was our first family vacation with E and it worked out pretty well. The car ride was a bit harrying at times but overall my princess was just that- a little princess. I do have to say it was a LOT of work vacationing with a little one. Poor Pete had to carry that pack and play back and forth to the beach about a bajillion times.
I always feel sad when things are over- especially vacation. I could definitely have stayed another week or forever. We visited an island called Ocracoke and it was very quaint. I am sure it is very peaceful in the off season. Peter and I are going to move there. He will be a bartender at Howard’s Pub (They serve a mean P.E.T.A. burger) and I will be a teacher in what I am sure is a one room school house. I actually checked and the school presently has an enrollment of 92 students combined in K-12. And 25 of the students are in high school. Talk about your small class size. Ok- so maybe I am dreaming but a girl can dream. Right?
Or maybe I can work in the Hemp Shop! The shop was totally cool and I wanted everything! Here is one of my fav. vacation pics from our trip to the Hemp Shop.
We also visited Teach’s and went into the Black Beard exhibit. I picked up a pirate book for E and she looooves it!
I had my fair share of FUN! Of course I could not live up to my pre-baby drinking reputation but I did ok on a few nights. My family (minus my mom and her Michelob Ultras) drinks some strong beer. Our fridge was filled with Dogfish head 90 minute and 60 minute IPA's. But nobody wanted to drink the 90 minute IPA's (too strong) so we mixed the 90's and 60's to make 75's! There were also lots of fun frozen drinks served up by my aunt and her magic bullet! My family was partying it up big time. By the thirds night there was 6 inches of water missing from the pool. The culprit? Family cannonballs! Luckily-HA HA- our bedroom was right by the pool so Eliza had a ringside seat to all the fun while she was trying to go to sleep at night.
Here is E in the sand. She was not squeamish at ALL!
Also thanks to anyone who recomended Fern Michaels. I read three of her books while on vacay. I'll tell you, in those books someone is always putting on a pot of coffee, wearing a yellow shirt/dress, and smelling like a woody glen.
This sounds delish- but where's the VODKA? Thanks Dana for the awesome recipe. Check out Just Talk for another refreshing summer bev!
STRAWBERRY LEMONADE
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
6 cups of water
10 ounces frozen strawberries, pureed (fresh would do perfectly well)
sugar to taste
Directions:
Combine lemon juice water, and 3/4 of the strawberry puree. Add sugar until you have reached the desired tartness/sweetness. Add strawberry puree until the strawberry/lemon taste balance is about equal.
DRINK & ENJOY
HI!
11 hours of fun filled driving from NC-NJ
2000 pictures from our vacation waiting to be put on our desktop
1000+ posts in my google reader
and...
my bed is calling my name
I did a guest post over at Recycle Your Day! Check it OUT!
Recycling Facts You Should Know About
Why recycle you ask? The benefits of recycling have a tremendous impact on the planet. Why do we care about the planet? The future of your children and their children are depending on it! With the way the economy has been lately, more and more people have started to recycle. It can be a great way to earn a little extra cash but the economy will eventually get better (hopefully). We as American's need to continue to recycle not just for monetary reasons but for planetary ones also. As American's we produce a lot of waste. We're the leaders in having a GIANT carbon footprint. It's outrageous. They're are plenty of reasons to recycle- know the facts first, then start with the basics and let your recycling imagination take over. Once you learn about all the recyclable's you can start to manage them and dispose of them properly. Many people think recycling is time consuming. It's really just another step added into your day- like anything else, once you incorporate it into your daily routine it becomes part of your life. Recycling should be mandatory, especially in places where landfills are at their maximum. I just heard the other day somewhere that Oregonian's recycle 50% of their waste - good for them! I live in California, and would love to say we're recycling fools...and top the 50% number...!! Someday maybe.
Every little bit counts- which is why I'm encouraging you to start recycling and making a difference. If you don't already have a recycling bin provided by your local trash company (not sure how it works in each state). Here in Ca., Waste Management provides us with a bin strictly for recycling. I can't even begin to tell you how much of what we would've considered normal trash goes into the recycling bin- it's amazing! There isn't a need for us to put our trash can out every week either. It doesn't fill up as fast when you're monitoring what's trash and what's recyclable. You'll soon see that your recycling waste will become the majority of regular trash that was normally being thrown away! On top of that, if you're composting a lot of your kitchen scraps that will eventually turn into methane gas in landfills (major contributor of Global Warming) become nourishment for your garden or worms if you're vermicomposting- We're doing both! You can get tips on how to compost here- http://www.composting101.com/composting-tips.html
For now, remember that when you're recycling you're cutting back on the amount of waste that would otherwise enter a landfill. The majority of items in a landfill are recyclables...I witnessed this recently, when I took a trip to our local dump! We need to be more eco-conscious of the waste we're creating and stop the potential toxic chemicals that could enter the Earth. I try my hardest to buy things that are unpackaged and try not to buy plastic whenever possible. Purchasing less packaged items, especially individually packaged items- means less waste. When I do buy packaged, I purchase items that are favorable to recycle such as glass. Plastic = Chemicals, no good! Unless, it's BPA free but even then...opt for a more sustainable option. Plus, a lot of the plastic used for packaging does not have a redemption value which and most recycling centers will not take them- but luckily, some do! Which is why it's important to have the recycling bin through Waste Management or other trash company in your area because all numbers are accepted! There's no worry.
What should you be recycling and keeping out of landfills!
Any and all...
E-Waste- Batteries, Cell Phones, Computers- E- Waste is a biggie because these items are highly toxic! Car batteries, motor oil and paint
Paper, Plastic, Glass, Aluminum, Steel, and Copper
When you think about paper it's not just the newspaper it's all the junk mail, phone books, magazines, toilet paper and paper towel rolls, cardboard boxes, note paper- etc. A great thing to know, too, is that you don't have to worry about scraping out the peanut butter jar or mayo, just toss right into the recycling bin! Be sure that you keep these separate from your paper items because you don't want to contaminate a load. I learned this when I did an article for local paper in town about recycling and contacted Waste Management. One big reason why pizza boxes aren't allowed in the bin. Paper products cannot be recycled when they've come into contact with moisture. Remember, deodorant and chopstick containers can be recycled too-and as for razors- Green Daily recently posted on 5 ways to recycle them!! Don't forget to add aluminum foil or aluminum take out trays to your crate of cans. Soup cans or any canned item can be added to your curbside recycle bin. Otherwise, find a recycling center near you that accepts it.
Check out these facts and remember to RECYCLE. IT'S RAD!
- Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours - or the equivalent of a half a gallon of gasoline.
- An aluminum can that is thrown away will still be a can 500 years from now!
- If every American recycled just one-tenth of their newspapers, we would save about 25,000,000 trees a year.
- The average American uses seven trees a year in paper, wood, and other products made from trees. This amounts to about 2,000,000,000 trees per year!
- Approximately 1 billion trees worth of paper are thrown away ever year in the U.S.
- Recycling plastic saves twice as much energy as burning it in an incinerator.
- A modern glass bottle would take 4000 years or more to decompose -- and even longer if it's in the landfill.
- Motor oil never wears out, it just gets dirty. Oil can be recycled, re-refined and used again, reducing our reliance on imported oil.
- About one-third of an average dump is made up of packaging material
- More than 20,000,000 Hershey's Kisses are wrapped each day, using 133 square miles of aluminum foil. All that foil is recyclable, but not many people realize it.
- Every year, each American throws out about 1,200 pounds of organic garbage that can be composted.
- The US population discards each year 16,000,000,000 diapers, 1,600,000,000 pens, 2,000,000,000 razor blades, 220,000,000 car tires, and enough aluminum to rebuild the US commercial air fleet four times over. On average, each one of us produces 4.4 pounds of solid waste each day. This adds up to almost a ton of trash per person, per year.
Leslie, aka- La Mama' Naturale is a green mommy blogger who stay's at home caring for her eco wee one and is the author of Recycle Your Day. She currently blogs about environmentalism, going green and natural mothering.
So, here I am typing my Friday blog and it took me a whole week to realize that I forgot to post LAST Friday! So sorry....hope I don't get kicked off of newmommyrant.com! I am going to blame it on being pregnant. I have been using the "I'm pregnant" excuse for a lot of things lately (example: Taco Bell for lunch two times this week...gotta love the Three Alarm Fire Sauce). Why not take advantage of it now while I can, right?
Anywho, things have been VERY hectic at our joint the past couple of weeks. If you didn't already know, both my husband and I are teachers. I don't work during the summer (I did work as a beverage cart girl at a golf course at the beginning of this summer, but I had to quit to due ETREME morning/afternoon/evening sickness). My husband works construction during the summer. So, I have been home trying to empty our wedding-gift-filled guest room (we got married 3 years ago...hahah) so that we can start decorating the little peanut's room before we go back to school...only 3 weeks left!
WELL, to make a long story short, my DH (as Danielle says) decided we NEEDED to tile our kitchen before the baby's room. I did agree, but I have been living at my parents house since last Saturday. Love my parents and my sisters, but I just can't get anything done at MY house. All of my kitchen appliances and washer/dyer and in my living room and dining room. I have no choice but to be at the rents. So, I have been visiting my classroom lately because the next three weeks will be devoted to cleaning up the downstairs and getting the peanut's room ready after the tile finally gets put down.
Until you become prego, a woman doesn't realize how much planning goes into getting ready for a baby! These are the things I have accomplished so far:
Now, here is the list for what still needs to be accomplished:
WHEW! I know all of those things AREN'T necessary, but we have been living in our condo for 3 years and the DH and I are afraid (well, not scared, but actually just coming to the realization) that once the peanut comes that we won't have enough time to get all this done! We want to be able to enjoy all the time we can with our precious little peanut! My little Eliza is growing before my eyes and she's not even mine!
I will end with a weirdo pregnancy symptom/side effect/whatever you want to call it that I have been having the past two days: MY BELLY ITCHES! It has gotten bigger....I will post a picture soon....once my life is in order again! Maybe it's stretching? Has anyone else experienced this? Let me know so I don't think I am going NUTS! Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend!
Mommy-to-Be Stacie
I am very excited to let you all know that my website Invitations By Heather is officially up and running!! Starting my own invitation business has been a very long and sometimes really annoying process but I am so excited that we are ready to go starting today! For a few years, I have been making invitations, thank yous, and more for friends & family members and saving the money in an account that is now referred to as the "baby fund". I never thought I would be able to start my own business out of the house and actually make money but that is the plan. Hopefully I can grow the business and by the time I am ready to have kids, the baby fund will help support us so I can work less and spend more time at home.
I am starting off small, with around 40 items and plan to add a lot more over the next few months! Check us out every once in a while to see what new items we have added. You can get to me by clicking the link on our blog or going to my website.
Please stop by the site if you get a chance and give me your feedback about the products, website in general, or any ideas for products that I might want to look into making in the future. I am hoping my bloggy friends out there will help me succeed by sharing my website on their blogs and with family and friends!
I am running a special from now until Labor Day - FREE SHIPPING on all orders (continental US only). If you live anywhere else, you can contact me through the site & we can definitely work something out for you too!
