banana peel

IMPORTANT

2009-01-02T10:49:00.002-05:00

The Peel is moving.

We are hopping through cyberspace over to our new home at Wordpress. I've imported everything so it shouldn't be too different (except in looks). You all just need the new link.

Which is:

http://bananapeelblog.wordpress.com/

Please join me over there!

Water

2009-01-01T10:54:00.006-05:00

Do you drink enough water? I know I don't. Not consistently anyways. I did a little searching around the Internet to find out how much I should be drinking. I think this article was pretty good at describing how much you should be drinking, and it is a reputable source.

If you don't want to take the time to click over and read it yourself. This is what the article said:

Several approaches attempt to approximate water needs for the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate.

Replacement approach. The average urine output for adults is about 1.5 liters (6.3 cups) a day. You lose close to an additional liter of water a day through breathing, sweating and bowel movements. Food usually accounts for 20 percent of your total fluid intake, so if you consume 2 liters of water or other beverages a day (a little more than 8 cups) along with your normal diet, you will typically replace the lost fluids.
Eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Another approach to water intake is the "8 x 8 rule" — drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day (about 1.9 liters). The rule could also be stated, "drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day," as all fluids count toward the daily total. Though the approach isn't supported by scientific evidence, many people use this basic rule as a guideline for how much water and other fluids to drink.
Dietary recommendations. The Institute of Medicine advises that men consume roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day and women consume 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day.

Even apart from the above approaches, if you drink enough fluid so that you rarely feel thirsty and produce 1.5 liters (6.3 cups) or more of colorless or slightly yellow urine a day, your fluid intake is probably adequate. Mayo Clinic Staff April 19, 2008

So, here is my goal for this week. I am going to drink at least 32 oz. (1 liter) of water per day. To make this goal easier for me to accomplish I went to the store last night and bought each of us a water bottle that holds 32 oz. They were the cheapo kind that cost 2 dollars. I got a little one that holds 16 oz. (1 pint) for The Blue-Eyed Boy (I read a few things that said that toddlers will get all the water they need and that it doesn't need to be regulated. UNLESS they have had a fever or been sick. So, his is mostly just so he can be like Daddy--and maybe get him off the sippy cups? A Momma can hope!). This morning I filled it with water and have been drinking it (The Hunk filled his and took it to work with him). So far today I have 16ish oz to go.

So there you go. Every day this week I want you to try to drink at least 32 oz. of water a day. Go grab a water bottle if you already have one, or go get one from the store to make it easier for yourself!

Here's to taking it one step at a time!

This post is part of the 365 days to whole foods series.

Welcome 2009

2009-01-01T10:09:00.005-05:00

Happy New Year dear friends! Another year has come and gone- how fast it flew! So many things have happened in the past year I can't believe it is over already. It seems like yesterday it was the first day of 2008.

With a New Year comes new resolutions. I always make several, and I never do them. I try real hard and then I forget/stop/fail my resolutions. So this year in the attempt to actually accomplish my resolution I am only choosing one. And one that I feel really really motivated to actually do. And it's not one of those--today bam! I'm going to stop doing something. Because, as we all know-- that don't work. So, my resolution is going to be gradual, slowly changing throughout the year so that (hopefully) in 365 days from today I will have accomplished my goal.

Are you curious what it is?

Well, I am happy to inform you that you will all be able to take the journey with me. Every week I am going to have a new goal to strive for which will get me one step closer to my over-arching resolution.

What is my resolution?

My resolution is that by the end of 2009, in 365 days from today, I will have converted myself and my family from eating semi/not really at all-healthy to a healthy whole foods diet.
I want to get rid of all the over-processed, empty calorie, nutrient void foods that we eat. And replace them with natural, un-processed, nutrient dense really-good-for-you foods.

I know a lot of people make "eating healthy" one of their resolutions. Maybe if we all work together and keep each other accountable, we can actually reach that goal?

I am hoping that by setting a small goal every week (and hopefully a goal that is relatively easy for everyone to accomplish) by the end of the year I (we?) will have accomplished my (our?) goal. And rather painlessly.

So what do you say? Will you join me? I hope you will--I'm sure you body with thank you.

Here's a toast to 365 days to whole foods!

(see my next post for the first weeks goal)

I think it's time for a change

2008-12-31T10:09:00.007-05:00

Preface: I'm one of those Momma's who do not rock their baby until they are completely asleep and then lay them down. I've been very deliberate ever since The Red-Haired Girl was born to put her down when she was semi awake. This has made it possible for me to nurse her and put her directly in her bed whether she is asleep or not and know she will go to sleep on her own. (I must also add that I do not let her "cry it out" either. Fussing is okay, but if she starts crying, I will go in to get her and we try again. I could never stomach letting my baby cry for hours on end just to get them to sleep.)

So today I did what I always do. I nursed her then laid her down in her bassinet and left the room. I was holding Little Dizzy and talking with The Blue-Eyed Boy when I heard this strange sort of noise. It sounded like something was in my pots and pans cupboard. My immediate thought was "Oh no! The mouse is in my cupboard!" (we still haven't caught the last one, sneaky little devil!).

Then I heard a baby giggle.

So, with Little Dizzy in tow I tip-toed into the bedroom and this is what I found.........

The pots and pan sound must have been the piggy bank.

She has never gotten to a sitting position on her own, until today! She started really crawling on Sunday. Oh boy am I in trouble. But I LOOOOOVE it! There is nothing cuter than that little baby butt sticking out as she crawls. This is our first crawling baby, so it's all new (The Blue-Eyed Boy never crawled, he skipped right from rolling to walking)!

I think she needs to move to the crib. The only problem--there is no room anywhere in this teeny tiny house for a full-size crib. Our lease is up in February, but The Hunk doesn't want to move in winter again. I don't really want to either, but I do want to leave this house (REALLY BADLY to tell the truth--I don't like it here at all. This house was great when there were only three of us, but it's waaaay too small for four.).

I want my baby to be safe, even if that means moving in winter again (at least this time I won't be pregnant and will be able to help!!)

Dilemma. Dilemma.

In the meantime I cleaned off the dresser so she can't get into any of it, and put the locking clips in place so the bassinet can't rock anymore.

Hopefully that will be enough.....until we figure something else out.

The Life and Times of the "Little Wife"

2008-12-30T22:39:00.007-05:00

Today The Blue-Eyed Boy was playing with his new Playdough set thanks to his Great Aunt Teri and Choitka Erica (Aunt in Polish for those of you who're not lucky enough to be called a Pollock!). He was having a grand old time (making a huge mess) wallowing in the Playdough fun-ness.

The fun-ness continued on until he couldn't find something that he wanted......

The Blue-Eyed Boy: "Momma where's my little wife?"
Me (wondering if I heard him right): "What are you looking for Babe?"
The Blue-Eyed Boy (frustrated--but I would be too if I had to repeat myself countless times a day): "My LITTLE WIIIIIFE!!!"
Me (in my head thinking.....well probably with her family somewhere, or not born yet...but I don't think that's what he means): "I'm not sure what you're talking about, and I don't think you know what you're saying either. Tell me again"
The Blue-Eyed Boy: "My little wife, momma. I need my little wife!"
I just stared at him in confusion while he continued searching. I couldn't for the life of me figure out if he was making a statement far beyond his years or if he was actually looking for something that existed!
The Blue-Eyed Boy (triumphantly): "There it is!! There's my little wife!"

He then proceeded to pick his little yellow Playdough KNIFE up off the windowsil.

and oh did I laugh!

Our Advent Celebration--Christmas Day

2008-12-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

Here is our final celebration of Advent. Christmas if finally here!

Christmas Day
5th Candle-(white) "CHRIST CANDLE"
The white candle reminds us that Jesus is the spotless Lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins. His birth was for his death; his death was for our birth. (John 1:29 and John 3:1-8)

Scripture Readings: Psalm 100; Revelation 3:20-21

Songs: Wonderful Maker, He Reigns, Here is Our King, Holy and Anointed One

Prayer

Printable Version of Christmas Day

Entire Advent Celebration

Week 1 & 2; Week 3; Week 4

Have a very merry Christmas!

Week Four of Our Advent Celebration

2008-12-23T13:17:00.003-05:00

I forgot to post this on Saturday! Sorry, been so busy with getting ready for Christmas.

Advent Week Four

4th Candle-(purple) "CANDLE OF LOVE"
God sent his only Son to earth to save us, because He loves us! (John 3:16-17)

Alternate meaning: "THE ANGEL CANDLE"
All 4 candles will be lit this week to symbolize the growing brightness of the coming of Jesus.

Scripture Readings: Matthew 1:18-25; Matthew 2:1-2; Luke 2:21-35; Psalm 98:1-6

Songs: Silent Night; Come Lord Jesus, Come

Printable Version of Week 4 (includes song lyrics)

Printable Version of Weeks 1-4 (includes song lyrics)

Again if anyone needs the chord charts to any of the songs, please email me.

Week 1 & 2; Week 3

In Case you were having a bad day....

2008-12-21T00:49:00.005-05:00

and need a laugh...........

The other day:

The Blue Eyed Boy hit the Red-Haired Girl
Me: "We don't hit people"
Blue-Eyed Boy: (matter-of-factually) "I'm not hitting people, I'm hitting babies"

Day before yesterday:

Blue-Eyed Boy: "Momma is Santa coming here?"
Me: "probably"
Blue-Eyed Boy: "he coming here?"
Me: "yep, I'm sure he is"
Blue-Eyed Boy: "no he not, he not coming here, he at church"

Today:
Hunk: "Do you know where your Chapstick is? "
Blue-eyed Boy: "Actually, I believe it is in the living room"

Happy Sunday!

I'm it again....

2008-12-17T15:25:00.003-05:00

I was tagged by Shop Girl in Chicago
The rules:
1. Link to your tagger and list the rules
2. List 7 random facts about yourself
3. Tag 7 people (and make sure you check back and see what they say!)
4. If you’re tagged, play along and pass it on!

Hmm...since I just did this recently I'll have to think of some more things...here goes nothing.....

1. I am shy. Painfully shy. Like I can hardly talk to anyone unless I've known them practically my whole life. Are you surprised that I have a blog? I've always been better at expressing myself through writing, than through verbal communication.

2. I'm old fashioned. I love cooking and cleaning and being little Suzy homemaker. I'd rather wear a dress or skirt than pants any day. Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong time period.

3. I'm allergic to cats. I don't like them, so I'm really not so sad about that.

4. I don't drink coffee, or ANYTHING with super high amounts of caffeine (so chocolate is okay!). It'll give me a stomach ache/make me barf.

5. I cannot go to bed in an unmade bed. So, if I didn't make my bed in the morning (or anytime during the day) I have to make it before I get in it to go to sleep. Drives the Hunk crazy, but I think he secretly like it too.

6. I'm secretly (well not so secret now) thinking of becoming a vegetarian...meat and me are not friends. I already do not eat red meat except on rare occasions, so it's not to far of a leap from there.

7. I despise cell phones. I wish they had never been invented, they make people rude and obnoxious. I'm sure if I got stranded on the side of the road I would change my tune. Maybe it's not the cell phone itself that I despise, but the lack of proper etiquette people with cell phones exhibit? For future reference I don't want to hear about your boyfriends best friend's sister and who she is having sex with while I'm shopping for groceries with my 3 year old and 7 month old. And I don't think anyone else wants to either.

I'm going to take Dizzy's lead and refrain from tagging anyone because we all just did this.

Christmas Cards

2008-12-15T15:54:00.005-05:00

So remember how I took all that time to take pictures of my kids for our Christmas cards?

Well, in a sad turn of events we decided that we didn't have enough extra money to purchase and send Christmas cards. I was bummed to say the least. All that work! gone to waste. bah humbug.

Then in a wonderful turn of events we received some extra money (can we say bonus check?) that we weren't expecting. So, I went on Walmart.com and made a Christmas card (praise the Lord for one hour printing!!).

So here are my beautiful children as they will appear on our Christmas cards. (I'm mailing them tomorrow so my dear family and friends who read...you'll be getting them soon!). The cards turned out really lovely, except for one thing. The Red-Haired Girl's picture is a little on the dark side. It doesn't look dark on our computer, nor did it look dark on the website, but when printed--it's a little dark (sorry sounding redundant now). I lightened it up to show you here. It doens't look bad on the card, just a little bit darker than the Blue-Eyed Boy's picture.

(I would just scan the card, but I'm not sure how the copyright stuff works, and since they almost wouldn't give the cards to us, I think I'll just show you the pictures).

I think he's going to be just as much of a hunk as his daddy, don't you?

And here's our beautiful sunny girl:

and to see the card layout I picked, go here.

Week Three of Our Advent Celebration

2008-12-13T16:23:00.004-05:00

Here's what we will be doing this week for our Advent celebration.

Advent Week Three

3rd CANDLE--(pink) "CANDLE OF JOY"
The angels sang a message of joy! (Luke 2:7-15)

Rose or pink is a sign of joy that He is coming soon!

Scripture Readings: Luke 1:5-17; Luke 1:18-45; Luke 1:46-66; Luke 1:67-80; Isaiah 7:10-14; Isaiah 9:2-7; Galatians 4:4-5; 1John 4:7-16

Song: Oh Come All Ye Faithful

Prayer

You can download a printable version of this weeks Advent Celebration here.

And you can download a printable version of weeks 1 through 3 here.

(The printable versions include song lyrics. If you desire a chord chart for any of the songs, please email me)

Our Advent Celebration Weeks 1 and 2

Christmas Cookies Revisited

2008-12-12T10:51:00.004-05:00

My beautiful, wonderful Sister-In-Law sent me a link to the Food Blogga. Here she has 212 Christmas cookie recipes from around the world. As I was looking through them (and desperately trying not to drool on my keyboard) I came across these wreath cookies. As waves of nostalgia flooded over me I quickly jotted down the recipe.

We used to make these! I can't believe I forgot about them. I always loved the red hots. There's something wonderful about the sweet gooey marshmallowy yumminess and the almost too spicy cinnamon candy mixing together in your mouth. Definately a delight for the taste buds.

Needless to say, I am adding this last minute addition to my Christmas Cookie List.

Christmas Cookies Galore!

2008-12-10T11:14:00.000-05:00

Anyone else making Christmas cookies this year?

I am!

Here's what I'll be making:

Pumpkin roll--my absolute favorite Christmas baked good--even if it isn't technically a cookie!
My Momma's sugar cookies--the best sugar cookies ever!
Grandma McClain's monster cookies--this is a new recipe for me, I've never made it before. It is my Hunk's great grandmother's recipe. He has very fond memories of them--so I hope I can live up to his expectations!
Chocolate fudge
White chocolate fudge
Peanut butter chocolate fudge

The fudge recipes are all my mom's, as well, that she would make every year.

The Blue-Eyed Boy and I went shopping last night and got (almost) all the ingredients. I'm excited to get to baking next week!

If you look here, I'll share my secrets with you! (complete with recipes, and ingredient checklist!) I saved it in the compatibility mode so hopefully it will work for everyone's Word...it just might not look as nice as it does on my computer.

So tell me what are you making?

Our Advent Celebration

2008-12-09T15:05:00.008-05:00

This year we decided to celebrate Advent as a family. We have never done this before so I was really unsure of what to do, how to do it, etc. So, I did some searches on the Internet and found different things we could do as a family to prepare for Christmas. I didn't really like any of them all that much. I mean I would like a part of this one, or that one, but not one as a whole. So, I took what I liked from them and sort of made my own. My plan was to share this with you, but then last week happened and I didn't have time to make my advent wreath or type anything up to share with you. We also didn't do the first week because we were shuttling two kids back and forth from the hospital. If there was ever a time where we definitely should have taken the time to focus on the birth of Christ, last week would have been perfect. But alas, life doesn't always work out the way we want it to.

So, to make up for it, we are going to do week one and two tonight and then we will be back on track. I thought I'd share with you what we are doing any way. Maybe next year it will help someone else out who wants to celebrate the Advent season but is unsure of how. Okay? So here we go.

The first thing you will need is to make your advent wreath. You can do a quick Google search for "advent wreath" and find several that you can buy, or you can make your own very easily. All you need are 3 purple (or blue) candles, one pink and one white candle. I used a plate from our old microwave and cut some leaf shapes out of some brown felt I had leftover from Halloween costumes, and walaa! The advent wreath doesn't have to be all fancy. I'm a simple person, and I think simple is better!

Here's ours:

The next thing you need to decide is if you want to do something daily, or weekly. We are going the weekly route. So, we decided that Tuesday nights would be the best day of the week for us to celebrate. (The traditional day to celebrate is Sunday, but we just would not be able to make that work)

Here is my outlines of what we will be doing for Advent Week One and Two:

Advent Week One
Lighting of 1st Candle-(purple) "CANDLE OF HOPE"
We can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises he made to us. Our hope comes from God. (Romans15: 12-13)

Alternate meaning: "PROPHECY CANDLE"
The color purple is a sign of penance and also represents the longing we have waiting for the birth of baby Jesus.

Scripture readings: Isaiah7:14, Isaiah40:1-5, Isaiah 52:7-10, Isaiah 40:9-11, Deuteronomy 18:15-19, and Psalm 89:1-4

Song: O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Prayer

Advent Week Two
2nd Candle-(purple) "CANDLE OF PREPARATION"
Preparation means to 'get ready'. "Help us to be ready to welcome you, O God!" (Luke 3:4-6)

Alternate meaning: "CANDLE OF BETHLEHEM"

Scripture Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10, Zechariah 6:12-13, Micah 5:1-5, Malachi 3:1-6, John 1:1-6. John 1:9-18, Mark 1:1-3

Songs: Away in a Manger and O Little Town Of Bethlehem

Prayer

It helps that I have a guitar playing hunk who lives here, but even if your family is not musical, you can just sing the songs together. If anyone would like the words to either of these songs I would be happy to share them with you, just shoot me an email.

Another thing we've done is the Blue-Eyed Boy and I made a prayer chain. It's just like your basic paper chain we all made in elementary school, only on the one side I wrote the Christmas countdown and on the other side we wrote the name of someone we wanted to pray for. When I taped the strips into a chain the name is on the inside while the number is on the outside. So, every day we can pull one off and pray for the person that is on that paper for the day. The Blue-Eyed Boy had fun making this.

So, there you have it. That is what we will be doing tonight (we're going to wait til it's dark so the candles can really shine).

I'll post what we will do next week later in the week.

Oh and here's a Tip Jar Tuesday for ya:

Tip #11

Crawl under a blanket with someone you love. Life is short folks-- don't get hung up in the stuff that doesn't matter and forget about the stuff that really does.

Cancer

2008-12-04T23:41:00.003-05:00

It's a word that strikes fear into the hearts of everyone.

The dreaded diagnosis. The worst case scenario.

It makes you question. It makes you worry. It makes you want to cry out in anguish at a God whom you know loves, and yet allows such devastation to occur.

It keeps me from sleeping and makes me over-eat.

It brings me to my knees in prayer over and over.

It causes me to feel extreme amounts of helplessness.

My Mother-in-Law, truly my second Mom, went to the hospital on Saturday. No one knew what was wrong with her. Yesterday the diagnosis was confirmed---multiple myeloma--a type of blood cancer. Her chemo starts tomorrow.

The doctor is optimistic. I'm scared out of my wits.

I want my babies to know their Grandmother.

My husband needs his Mother.

I need her guidance and friendship.

I've been to the hospital everyday since Saturday. I wish there was more I could do than sit by her bed and chat about stupid things like teething babies, and toddler tantrums (not that babies or toddlers are stupid). I wish there was more that I could do than paint her toenails and bring her crossword puzzles. If I could remove those vile cells with my own two hands I would. If only I could bring the color back to her cheeks and clear the tiredness from her eyes.

Yet I am reduced to a spectator.

And as a spectator I wait and watch and pray for the happy ending.

Tip Jar Tuesday

2008-11-25T13:56:00.001-05:00

So, I just realized that it's Tuesday. I missed last weeks Tip Jar Tuesday. So I am going to make up for it with TWO tips today. These tips have to do with taking pictures, since that is what I've been doing a lot of these days, specifically infant and toddler pictures.

Tip #9

Utilize the burst feature.

If your camera has a burst feature (where it will take a rapid succession--typically 3--of pictures with one push of the button) use it! I have found that it helps a lot to have those quick pictures one right after another. Especially if you can anticipate an infants smile or when your toddler is going to look at you. It also gives you three of a very similar photo so chances are that at least one of them will have turned out well.

The downside is that it uses up your camera memory faster, and you have to sort through dozens and dozens of triple take pictures. But I think the benefits far outweigh this inconvenience.

Tip #10

Use sheets and blankets to disguise everyday items.

Our bedroom gets the best natural lighting during the day (it's on the east side of the house and has one central window). Its a very small room however so no matter where I put the kids on the bed there was something distracting behind them. To solve this problem I strung sheets (you want either a pastel or a super dark color depending on the look you're trying to accomplish--mine were pastel blue) across where I wanted to take the pictures. I then put white blankets on the bed (these are Christmas picture, I wanted a snowy look, but I could've used green for a grass look, etc.).

In the picture you see on the sidebar the Red-Haired Girl is sitting in her Bumbo seat. I just put a white blanket over it before I sat her in it and WALAA she looks like she is sitting in snow. I also had some batting laying around left-over from some sewing projects, so we spread that around for "snow". The kids really loved that. I wish I had had a better faster camera so I could have taken pictures of the Blue-Eyed Boy throwing it up in the air and stuff, I tried but my camera is too slow so they were blurry.

Also putting some pillows under a sheet can prop up your infant just enough to get a better picture. I used pillows to put under the Blue-Eyed Boy so he was taller than the Red-Haired Girl when she was sitting in the Bumbo.

Make it fun, your kids will have fun and you'll get some really great pictures!

And keep it natural. The more you force the pictures the worse they turn out. But when you are just having fun and laughing and talking and stuff you will be surprised with the neat pictures you can get.

Here's a few more of our good "rejects". (I promise once I actually send out the absolutely perfect Christmas cards, I will share the photos here!!)

Your turn--try it out!

Our real life Ratatouille

2008-11-25T11:35:00.000-05:00

Have you all seen the movie Ratatouille?

It's a good movie, a great movie. I really enjoyed it--good lesson/message, and very entertaining. The Blue-Eyed Boy loves it to.

A week and a half or so ago, while The Hunk and I were watching Life on Mars (good show, anyone else watch it?) when suddenly something small, furry, and brown came running into our living room.

A. MOUSE.

Yep, I was completely freaked out. We spent the next 15 minutes chasing the thing around the house trying to either catch it or chase it out the door. No luck. It got away to who knows where.

The next day I went and got some mousetraps. And that night we put peanut butter on them. I barely slept the whole night because I did NOT want to hear the mouse get caught.

Lucky for me, I didn't hear anything. Because the darn thing ate the peanut butter without setting off the trap!

We did catch two the next night, however. And oh yes I heard it--lovely.

We continued to place the traps out every night. And every morning we would find empty traps with no peanut butter left. It was getting ridiculous.

And if we thought it couldn't get even more bizarre. The Hunk found a mouse on the counter top one morning, desperately trying to get my measuring spoons. We called him little chef from then on. For about 2 or 3 nights we would hear the chinking of him (or her?) trying to get the measuring spoons during the night.

Mouse count so far: 4 (including the little chef)

This morning the traps were empty but the peanut butter was still there.

Hopefully we caught them all. They were living in the attic and at night when it was quiet you could hear them scratching around up there. C.R.E.E.P.Y.

5 photo shoots, 6 tantrums, 15 clothing changes and 237 Pictures later....

2008-11-22T11:31:00.003-05:00

and we finally have our Christmas card pictures.

Whew. It was fun, but man oh man. To get them both together without one wiggling or crying or puking or......tricky, folks, tricky. Oh and not to mention when the camera wouldn't work or was too slow or you know just all around stinkeriffic (new word meaning: terrifically stinky). I need a new camera and possibly a vacation.

But I'm done! I did it! I persevered!

I think. I might take a few more just because I like to torture myself--er take pictures of my beautiful children.

I'm not going to share them with you just yet (don't want to ruin the surprise for all the family and friends that read!). You can see a couple of the good "rejects" on the sidebar. And if you can't imagine anything cuter than that, oh just you wait!

Now to decide which company to go with for the card. This has been really tough. So far I'm a big fan of Tiny Prints and Pear Tree Greetings. They have wonderful cards and reasonably priced as well. Pear Tree has a create your own photo card option that is really nice and I am spending too much time on the computer fiddling with!

Other places I've been looking include:

Snapfish they are having a 20 cards for 20 cents promo
Shutterfly
Vista Print
Walmart
Photocard Designs
Doodlebug designs I absolutely LOVE this feature.
Photoworks This is such a neat idea!
Photo Affections

Anyone else a d0-it-yourself Christmas photographer?

HEY MOMS!!!

2008-11-21T11:07:00.002-05:00

Check this out......The Mother Letter Project.

Very cool.

I sent my letter in. Share yours!

P.S. I know I disappeared for awhile. Sick kids, sick hubby, sick me. You can guess how it's been. I'll be back, don't worry.

Contest

2008-11-16T07:33:00.002-05:00

Go check it out, you just might win!

Pssss....

2008-11-11T12:50:00.002-05:00

I haven't completely decided, but I'm leaning towards Mode Parisienne. I'm going to try it out for a week and see if I like it better than Banana. If not I may just throw all your votes out and go with Mae Muhler! Take that! *wink*

or maybe I'll change my template every month.....now there's an idea!

Tip Jar Tuesday

2008-11-11T00:50:00.001-05:00

Tip #8 Homemade carpet cleaner.

This is the best carpet cleaner I have ever used. My hunk was surprised how well it works...and that's saying something because he worked as a carpet cleaner for a couple years.

Warning: I must note that this carpet cleaner uses ammonia so keep it out of the reach of your children and pets.

Here's the recipe:

1 tsp. vinegar
1/2 tsp. ammonia
3 TBL dish soap
3/4 c. water.

Mix together and put into a foaming container (I use an old hand soap one). Vacuum surface to be cleaned. Spray foam onto rug, carpet, or upholstery and rub with a soft bristle brush (an old tooth brush works well--The Hunk said I should mention that you shouldn't brush your teeth with this toothbrush after you are done---*rolls eyes*). Don't let the foam sit for very long or it doesn't work as well, I've found it works best if you squirt it on and then start rubbing immediately--so work a small area at a time.

Now for some fun I decided to ruin--er experiment on my own rug so that I could document with photos how this stuff works. So, I took my rug put it on the kitchen floor and opened the fridge. With my Hunk wondering why his wife was going wacky and the Blue-Eyed Boy asking every 30 seconds--"Momma what you dooooing?" I poured juice (not exactly sure what kind it is....grape and something else--apple I think), hot cocoa, and grape jelly on my rug. I also poured soy milk, but it didn't really show up in the pictures---but I can report that it came out. I only had a moments pause before embarking on this mission just for you my dear readers. The one I was really nervous about was the grape jelly. For this rug is the one by the door, the one everyone sees when they come into our house. I even let everything sit for 10 minutes so that it set in really good before I cleaned it off. I really trust this stuff!

Here are my before and after pictures (click to enlarge):

My rug isn't ruined, and it's cleaner in some places--ha! I now need to clean the whole thing.

Now it's your turn--try it out! And let me know how it worked for you!

Read all Tips.

And the Winner is.......

2008-11-10T09:42:00.009-05:00

As picked by Random.org.

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2008-11-10 15:07:50 UTC

Congratulations!! I will be emailing you!

Everyone else: Thanks for voting! Please check your email for your coupon code!

Toni: I couldn't find your email. Please send me an email at mrsculverATgmailDOTcom.

Here is the tally:

Mode Parisienne: 3

Banana: 3

Neoneon: 1

Shiny: 1

We have a tie. BAH! Now you all are making ME have to decide! The whole point of this was I WASN'T SUPPOSED TO DECIDE!!! Okay, I'm just kidding I'm not really mad. The funny thing is MY favorite was Mae Muhler---but apparently no one else liked it--HA! Okay so between Mode Parisienne and Banana I would have to pick......I don't know!! I'm going to think about it for a day or two....ya'll will just have to wait and see!

The Great Template Change Extravaganza!

2008-11-07T00:00:00.003-05:00

Cast your vote!

Your choices:

Day One: Mae Muhler by Emporium Digital

Day Two: Birds on a Wire designed by Better In Pink

Day Three: Japenese Fleur Designed by Lorelei, and converted to Blogger by Blogger Templates

Day Four: Mode Parisienne designed by Suckmylolly.com

Day Five: Shiny by ourblogtemplates.com

Day Six: Neoneon by Plantillas Blogger

Day Seven: Banana. The one you see currently.

Who Can Vote:
Anyone in the U.S.A. or Canada (Edited to add: I should have said, ANYONE in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD can vote and receive the coupon code, but only those residents of U.S.A. or Canada will be entered into the Bonus Surprise.)

How to vote:
Please leave a comment with your template selection. You can use either the day or the name of the template. A Blogger account is not needed. Just make sure you put your email address in your comment. If you do not feel comfortable leaving your email in the comment section you can email me at mrsculverATgmailDOTcom.

When can you vote:

The voting will start at midnight Friday, November 7th, and will close at 10pm on Sunday, November 9th.

What you will receive:
I will email you a coupon code redeemable for 40% off any purchase made at my shop. This coupon will be redeemable until January 31, 2009. And you can use it as many times as you like!

BONUS SURPRISE:
ONE voter will be chosen at random to receive a set of 2 knitted dishcloths in the color of their choice (Shipping included). Winner will be chosen on Monday morning (November 10) around 9-ish (I do have young kids so it may be later than that).

Have fun and thank you for participating!

The Great Template Change Extravaganza Day Seven

2008-11-06T10:59:00.002-05:00

Here we are, it's the last day of the Extravaganza. My Grandma will be happy, she told me she can't figure out my Blog these days since it keeps changing so much! Sorry Grandma!

Today's design is hard to describe. It is a template I used the other day, but I have changed it a whole bunch so now it is much different. I'm not sure if that has voided the creative commons license? I don't know. I still want to give them credit because they did all the hard work, I just adjusted some sizing here and there and changed the colors and made my own header image.

So, this is Shiny by ourbloggertemplates.com, modified by me. I am going to call it Banana just so we all don't get confused, okay?

So, come back tomorrow to cast your vote!

BabyLegs

2008-11-05T19:48:00.009-05:00

If you're a mom with a baby you've probably heard of babylegs. If you haven't then I don't know where you've been living (under a rock? kidding!). They are all the rage in baby wear. As with most (dare I say all?) things that are extremely popular--they are expensive (according to me). I cannot bring myself to pay $10-20 for one pair of leg warmers for my sweet baby girls little legs.

BUT they are ADORABLE. And WONDERFUL---and I WANT THEM!!!

(They are practical as well, here in this great state we call Michigan, especially under baby skirts. And they make diaper changes a breeze!)

So, I decided to knit some for my Red-Haired Girl.

Here are my first attempts:
Left Picture: The one on the left is my first attempt--WAY too big. The right fit but I didn't like the style so much. Right Picture: My last attempt, aren't those ruffles sweet? The problem I found was I didn't use sock yarn so they weren't stretchy and would fall off REALLY. EASY. I mean I'd put them on, blink, and she had already kicked them off--that fast.

Then I did a search on Google to see if I could find a pattern. I found something even better. Something even more wonderful.

My Red-Haired Girl has 5 pairs of babylegs all to the tune of $7.

HOW did I do this you wonder?

I found a wonderful blog--Everything Your Mama Made. She told me how to make these babylegs for CHEAP. AND they are just as cute. AND it only takes about 10 minutes tops, (if you know how to use and own a sewing machine).

If you're like me and think they are ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE and WAY BETTER THAN TIGHTS....but can't stomach the price---here's your alternative.

The Great Template Change Extravaganza Day Six

2008-11-05T10:18:00.002-05:00

Can ya'll believe we've been doing this for six days now? Crazy. The time is always a-flyin'!!

Today's template is called Neoneon by plantillas blogger

It's a fun one!

Come back tomorrow for the very last template!

Did You?

2008-11-04T15:48:00.002-05:00

Tip Jar Tuesday

2008-11-04T08:47:00.003-05:00

It's Tip Jar Tuesday today at the Peel! Today's tip is for those of you with toddlers. Hope it helps you! It's revolutionized bedtime and nap-time for us!

Tip #7

The 5-minute trick.

Does your toddler fight you when it's time for bed? The Blue-Eyed boy sure would for us. He would eventually go with us to do our bedtime routine, but there was a lot of complaining and "I don't want to's" along with it. It was an annoying and frustrating way to end our day. Then I learned the 5-minute trick. This has completely changed how our boy goes to bed. Here's what you do:

About 5 minutes before it is time for your toddler to get ready for bed. Ask him or her "Would you like to go to bed now, or in 5 minutes?". They will inevitably pick the 5 minutes. But they are picking when they go to bed (at least as far as they can tell). Then when the 5 minutes are up you tell them it's time for bed.

What happens next is magic: a willing and happy toddler who runs off to their bedroom to pick books. Peace--it's a beautiful thing.

Try it out! And let me know how it works for you!

The Great Template Change Extravaganza Day Five

2008-11-04T08:40:00.004-05:00

Here we are at day five of the Extravaganza.

Today's template is Shiny designed by OurBlogTemplates.com.

Day of Firsts

2008-11-03T14:19:00.005-05:00

Today we have the privilege of welcoming our nephew into our home while his mommy returns to work. He's six weeks old and the cutest little nephew ever, I must say.

At this moment.....all three kids are sleeping.

I can't believe it. Most days I'm lucky if my own two sleep at the same time (which they don't)

It's so quiet.

Too quiet.

The Great Template Change Extravaganza Day Four

2008-11-02T23:57:00.002-05:00

Happy Monday!

It's day four of the Extravaganza here at the Peel. I hope ya'll are having as much fun as I am with this! It's like getting a free make-over everyday except I don't have to go through any painful beauty procedures. And I can eat whatever I want.

Today's template is called Mode Parisienne and it is designed by none other than suckmylolly.com (isn't that quite a name!?! Wow, that's all I have to say.)

If you have any suggestions for types of templates that would fit my blog style, please leave them in the comments.

And don't forget to come back tomorrow to view the next one!

The Great Template Change Extravaganza Day Three

2008-11-02T08:46:00.003-05:00

Okay here we are at day three of the Extravaganza.

Today's template is Japanese Fleur designed by Lorelei, and converted to Blogger format by Blogger Templates

What do you think? I think the top is gorgeous, but then it's pretty bland after that.

This is the third one I've tried to get to work today! bah! Some of the really great designs are in Spanish, and some of the parts you can't change to English (not with my limited knowledge of HTML anyways). So, I keep finding ones I like then can't use them. Frustration!!

Come back tomorrow for the next one! And don't forget to come back on Friday November 7th to cast your vote and get your coupon code!

The Great Template Change Extravaganza Day TWO

2008-11-01T09:33:00.004-04:00

Okay here we are at day two. We started the Extravaganza yesterday.

Today's template is Birds on a Wire designed by Better in Pink

What do you think? I think I like yesterdays better.

Come back tomorrow for the next one! And don't forget to come back on Friday November 7th to cast your vote and get your coupon code!

I heart Derek Webb

2008-10-31T23:09:00.001-04:00

Time for a change (audience participation requested!)

2008-10-31T13:01:00.007-04:00

I don't like my background anymore.

I need a new one. (Here comes the fun part!)

I want you all to help me pick a new one.

I'm going to put up a different look every day for the next week and next week Friday (November 7th) you can all vote on which one you like best and I will adopt that as my new look (Disclaimer: I reserve the right to make the final judgment, it is my blog after-all!)!

And to better facilitate (motivate?) greater audience participation I am offering to every one who votes....40% off any item in my store. I am adding new items soon! New totally awesome really cool items so don't be turned away (it is a work in progress right now)! And just in time for the Holidays. So, make sure you come back every day this week and especially come back on Friday (November 7th) and VOTE! (Only voters will receive a coupon code.) And for those of you of the male persuasion who may not need nursing covers, or those of you who do not have babies (yet or anymore) I will think of something just as wonderful to offer you! Although some of my new products are not geared towards babies or nursing moms!

All that being said--let The Great Template Change Extravaganza begin!

Here's the first one for today. It's called Mae Mulher by Emporium Digital

All comments greatly appreciated!

Here We Go Again.....

2008-10-30T13:07:00.002-04:00

Okay so remember like TWO MONTHS AGO when I decided to become a marathon runner?? And then I did too much too soon with crappy shoes and gave myself shin splints so I couldn't walk anymore?? Do you remember that? Well, I do. And if you don't, go here to educate yourself, then come back and read this post.

Well, I am happy to announce that ---Monday I ran.

Did you read that...I RAN!

I had no pain whatsoever. NO PAIN IN THE LEGS FOLKS!

I did what the doc said--took it easy and got new shoes (oh was that hard!!--the taking it easy, not the getting new shoes).

I'm so glad to be back on track, well sort of back on track, you know what I mean. It feels good to be doing something good and challenging for my body.

Can I just say that whoa it's stinking cold here in Michigan? My legs didn't hurt while I was running, but my lungs sure did from that cold air! And oh my was it windy. But I did it.

I. did. it.

Stay tuned....in 9 short weeks I should be able to run 5K. And then who knows where I'll go from there!

Don't worry, I'll keep you updated.

Now to get back on track with that 100 push-up challenge......

A Woman of Encouragement

2008-10-29T09:09:00.003-04:00

A few weeks ago we were at our Sunday School class. During the beginning of every class we are all given the oppourtunity to share if we need prayer or if we have something to praise the Lord for. This was back when we were potty-training the Blue-Eyed Boy and it was FINALLY going well. We were obviously excited about this, so we shared with our class. Everyone was happy for us. It was great. And then she had to pipe up. You know who I'm talking about --the naysayer. The mom who always has to point out the bad side of things. The one who makes you feel like a crappy mom. Who reminds you, yet again, that though you may think so--you don't have it all together.

That conversation has been rolling around in my head ever since. I have been dwelling on it far too much. I've been waiting and watching for the Blue-Eyed Boy to regress in his potty training instead of rejoicing in his progress -why? All because some other Mom tried to tear me down in my moment of happiness and pride in my son? And for what? To make herself feel better? To be the "superior mother"? To put the focus on her and her potty training problems?

Why do we do this to each other (and by we I'm mean "women")? It seems like women are the worst enemy of, well...women! We are constantly tearing each other down, and criticizing each other for doing things "wrong". Why can't we just support each other? Why can't we give positive encouragement, even if another mom's parenting style makes our skin crawl? To say something uplifting even if another woman's worldview makes us wonder what in the world they could be thinking.

We are all women. We can empathize with each other in our motherhood journey. We can understand where the other may be coming from. Or we can at least try to step into her shoes and visualize what she is going through.

I'm sure I've done this, actually I know I've done this to some new moms. I'm sad to think that I was a naysayer. I hate that I was one of those moms who said, "oh just wait" and belittled what that other Mom was going through at the moment.

I don't want to be that kind of woman. I want to be an encourager to other women and moms. I want to lift other women up not tear them down. I want other moms to be able to come to me and know that they will find no judgement or condescention in my demeanor towards them.

I hope we all want these things. I hope we will all strive for these things. I know I am. I can only change myself, but hopefully I may be an example to others around me.

Lets try to remember the old saying, "If you ain't got something nice to say, don't say anything at all"!

Tip Jar Tuesday

2008-10-28T13:38:00.002-04:00

It's that time again, folks. Here's my tip for this week. Short and sweet.

Tip #6

Reducing laundry costs.

Tear your dryer sheets in half. They work just as well, and you get twice as many out of a box.

Try it out!

Dinnertime Funny

2008-10-28T13:01:00.004-04:00

(Set-up: We have a very large window in our dining room, it's the size of a bay window, except it's not a bay window. Whenever I cook it fogs up. Last night, I wrote a little message to the Hunk to read when he got home.)

At dinner:

Blue-Eyed Boy: "What are those letters on the window?"
The Hunk: "They're an abbreviation, can you say abbreviation?"
Blue-Eyed Boy: "a baby Aiden?"
The Hunk: "No, A-BREE-VEE-AA-SHON"
Blue-Eyed Boy: "hm. A baby Aiden."

My Cowboy

2008-10-26T20:23:00.002-04:00

I think he's the cutest, most adorable little boy on the planet. And when you put him in a cowboy costume, his cuteness skyrockets to levels beyond believable. He's out of this universe, folks.

Oh am I in for some trouble in 15 years or so.

Eavesdropping

2008-10-23T12:05:00.003-04:00

(Red-Haired Girl and Blue-Eyed Boy laying on the floor in the living room.)

Blue-Eyed Boy: "[Red-Haired Girl] you my pretty baby, you my pretty girl."

Red-Haired Girl laughing and making baby sounds.

Blue-Eyed Boy: "You my baby girl, [Red-Haired Girl]......"

Blue-Eyed Boy: "You my best friend"

Red-Haired Girl squeals in delight.

(And my heart melts at the sweetness of it all....)

Toddler Gems

2008-10-22T19:27:00.004-04:00

Funny things that the Blue-Eyed Boy has said lately:

I was sitting at the computer and he says to me, "Mama, are you reading my Blog?"

Yesterday in the car on the way home from our family walk, "I don't want exercise! I don't want to get exercise anymore!" (too late for that, Babe!)

I was trying to get him to let me take his picture. "I don't want to smile anymore"

I was cutting Red-Haired Girl's fingernails today, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MY BABY?"

Running back and forth from living room to kitchen,"Buzz Lie-year to the res-coo!!"

There's more but I can't think of them.

Hope you had a good chuckle!

Tip Jar Tuesday

2008-10-21T08:22:00.005-04:00

So, I've been slacking on these. I usually get to Thursday or Friday and realize, oops I forgot about Tip Jar Tuesday!! But today, and today only folks (no promises for next week!), I remembered!

Tip #5

Removing scratches from DVDs and CDs

In this post I mentioned that I had read how to do this with a banana peel. Well, the Hunk (who seriously questioned my sanity) and I tried it and to our surprise it actually worked!! Our Cars movie DVD was really scratched (it's the Blue-Eyed Boys' favorite movie...or "moobie" as he says). It was to the point where we couldn't watch the first five minutes because it wouldn't play that part, there were just too many scratches. But now we can watch it. I must say that there is a little teensy skip left, so we are going to do it again and see if that works. But now we can at least watch the WHOLE movie.

So, here's what you do:

1. Rub your DVD or CD from center to outside with the inside of a banana peel. DO NOT GO AROUND IN CIRCLES. For 5 minutes.

2. Wash with soap and water. Rinse really really well. I had to rinse ours twice because it wouldn't work--there was still soap residue.

3. Repeat if necessary.

Try it out! And leave a comment on how it worked!

Read all Tips here.

Brothers and Sisters (not the T.V. show!)

2008-10-15T13:30:00.003-04:00

I've always wanted a brother. Always. And not just any old brother, but an older brother. The kind that takes care of you and protects you as only a big brother can.

Sadly, this was completely impossible because---well--- I am the oldest of three girls.

My longing/wishing, mushy I-missed-out feelings have come to surface yet again as I watch my son and daughter interact.

He is the stalwart defender and protector of his sister (except when he is "accidentally" jumping, or throwing things on her, notice the quotation marks around accidentally---yea you know what I mean--accident smackshident!) She is "his", not Momma's not Daddy's--the Red-Haired Girl is his baby.

She lights up whenever he is near. She laughs and giggles whenever he talks to her. She grabs at his neck trying to hug him (or steal his toys?). She knows he is her brother, the other "little person" in the house.

It's a beautiful thing folks. I'm sad I missed out.

But I love my sisters and know that I have a special relationship with them that I would never have with a brother.

Siblings are great!

Tag: I'm it!

2008-10-13T09:33:00.006-04:00

Kimberly at Labor Trials tagged me. I have never been tagged-- it's my first time! So, apparently I am suppposed to share 6 things about myself that the blogging world doesn't know! Here goes nothing:

1. My secret: it's been 5 months since my unnecessarean, and my belly still hurts. So much for the healthy mom part of the equation. I don't talk about it because I don't want to think about it.

2. My other secret: I have finally stopped having nightmares about above said unnecessarean every night. Now they're just about once a week.

3. Okay on to funner things! The Blue-Eyed Boy and I have a birth mark in the same spot, I think it's even the same shape...almost. I'm not going to tell you where because that's just tooooo personal! =P

4. My favorite sandwich: sliced bananas, peanut butter and *gasp* mayo. I know, I know it sounds really weird, but it's FANTASTIC. The hunk thinks I'm nuts, but the Blue-Eyed Boy loves it too!

5. I am a classically trained opera singer. I had aspirations of moving to New York and singing at the Met. Then I met my Handsome Hunk and got married. My last year of college as I was practicing my butt of to prepare my audition songs for the Grand Rapids Opera I was blessed with a positive pregnancy test. All those aspirations of grandeur went out the window. I sang (4 1/2 months pregnant! Can we say breath control difficulties?) my senior recital and that's the last time I've really sang. Now I just sing in church on Sundays. Part of me is sad about that.....but mostly I don't regret the decision. Except when I have a day full of tantrums, poopy diapers and all around suck-i-ness....then I rethink this whole stay-at-home mom thing. But, thankfully, those days are few and far between.

6. Last but not least, and I'm ashamed to admit this....my house is messy. Like REALLY messy. Like a tornado came through. It's a sty (as in pig). I just can't seem to keep up with everything since I had the Red-Haired Girl, and started my business. I'm working on it though. Maybe now that I've admitted my failure to the WHOLE WIDE WORLD, I will do something about it. Oh the shame!

Okay, there's my six things. I guess now I tag some other people.

Here we go:

The Handsome Hunk

Nancy at Chicken Fried Price

Janel at Are We There Yet?

Kristina at The Mom-tionary

And last but not least.....

Andrew at Random Acts of Madness

Have fun!!!

Another amazingly funny lesson in miscommunication

2008-09-30T20:38:00.004-04:00

Leaving Jo Ann Fabrics tonight:

Me: "[Blue-Eyed Boy], you need to hold Momma's hand in the parking lot".
Blue-Eyed Boy: "I need hold these. You hold my coat."
(We had bought candy bars for a treat, he was carrying them.)
Me: "Okay. We need to be careful in parking lots. Momma doesn't want a car to hurt you. I want you to live to be a ripe old age."
Blue-Eyed Boy: "You want me to be a cold egg?"

Life with a toddler. Never a dull moment, folks, never a dull moment.

The Jeans

2008-09-29T11:03:00.005-04:00

They've been waiting patiently, folded neatly in my drawer. The drawer I avoided like the plague. Oh how I've longed for buttons and zippers instead of elastic!

Today I was brave.

Today I opened that drawer. I pulled them out. I carefully unfolded them. With trembling hands I held them as I slipped my feet in and pulled them up, up, up. Then came the true test. I slowly, ever so nervously, pulled up the zipper and fastened the button.

THEY FIT! HALLELUJAH!

As I danced around my bedroom and my toddler questioned my sanity I reveled in the wonder of old jeans. A wonder that only a new mother can appreciate! It only took 4 months. I haven't worn a zipper clad pair of jeans in over a year, but I'm there finally. They fit, they fit, they fit!!!! Praise the Lord!

Good-bye maternity clothes!

It only took a YEAR (almost)!

2008-09-29T10:44:00.004-04:00

Today we got a knock at the door. I wasn't even dressed yet (it was 10am....I was being lazy..it is Monday after all!). I open the door and it's my mailman. He says, "I have a certified letter here for you, you need to sign here and here." I'm like okay. Look at the letter it's from Brandorama. I'm thinking what in the heck, I don't know who that is or what this is. Mailman leaves. I open the letter and here's what I see inside:

Yep you read that right...250 dollars.

Now you're wondering why in the world I got this in the mail? Well I'll tell you.

About a year ago...when I found out I was pregnant with our Red-Haired Girl I did one of those online things where you try out some products and for doing this they send you a gift card in the ammount of $250 for the store of your choice (they had a selection). Now normally I wouldn't do something like this because you usually spend more trying out the products than the reward is worth. But this one wasn't like that. I spent about 20 dollars trying out some things...mostly mineral make-up and such.

So, I completed my requirements and they said I should get my gift card in 6-8 WEEKS. Well, that was October LAST YEAR, folks. If I had known it was going to take A YEAR I would have gotten the gift card for a differnt store. But at the time I needed maternity clothes. The good news is I can use it online at the Motherhood Nursing store online and gets some nice looking nursing wear to make that easier! And as long as it is not left unused for 24 consecutive months it won't be charged a 2.00 fee. So, I can hold on to it for awhile.

So all in all even though it took forever to get here I am super excited I got it!

Shopping anyone?

THE POCKET

2008-09-27T17:18:00.003-04:00

I should preface this by saying that yesterday we went and bought Blue-Eyed Boy a pack of boxer briefs so that he has underwear like daddy. He loves them and is doing much better with not peeing in them than he does with briefs....maybe because they are more like shorts? I don't know. But on to the story!

This afternoon Blue-Eyed Boy and Handsome Hunk were sitting down to play trains. I was sitting on the couch nursing the Red-Haired Girl and enjoying just watching. The Blue-Eyed Boy needed his nose wiped so while the Handsome Hunk was going to get it I watched my boy make quite a discovery.

He is sitting there putting his train tracks together when suddenly he notices THE POCKET. Now my boy, he loves himself some pockets, let me tell you. He really loves stuffing things in pockets. So he takes a train track shoves it in there and says "wow a pocket!".

He looked so shocked when that train track hit his skin. And then again when it kept going all the way around to his little bottom.

The Handsome Hunk had to explain what THE POCKET was really for.

I needed a tissue. I was laughing so hard I cried. It was the cutest, funniest thing I've seen all week.

The First Presidential Debate of 2008

2008-09-26T23:19:00.006-04:00

I do not want to go into politics because well I just don't want to go there on my blog for the entire Internet to comment on what I think.

That said, I just had to comment on the one thing that really irked me throughout the entire debate.

I found myself thinking the whole time that I wanted to reach in the T.V. grab his shoulders, shake John McCain and tell him to show a little respect and LOOK at Barrak Obama when he (Obama) is speaking to him!! He wouldn't even look at Obama when he was responding to him, nor refer to him as anyone but "Senator Obama". Whereas Barrak Obama would look at John McCain while he was speaking, would speak directly too him and called him simply "John". It really bugged me. I mean I don't care if you don't like him or don't agree with him--that's to be expected to some extent, but to not look at the man once while he is speaking directly to you seems rude to me. Call me Mrs. Manners or whatever you want but to me that was simply unacceptable behavior for the possible next President.

Anyways...that's as political as I'm going to get.

Did anyone else watch the debate and notice this? Did it bug you?

Our Potty Training Adventure

2008-09-25T09:27:00.007-04:00

I've been super busy. My little business is booming. I've hardly had time to eat let alone sit down and write a blog post. But today I had to make time (that I don't have) to brag on my little boy.

He's doing fantastic with the potty. Here's his chart for the week:

and as I wrote that he just got another sticker!

Here's what I've done so anyone else potty training a boy can use what worked for me:

1. Put the potty in the living room, so he doesn't have to go all the way to the bathroom. We were having a lot of accidents when it was there. The amount of time that lapses between when he has to go and actually goes is not long enough to make it that far. The bathroom and playroom--er living room are on opposite ends of the house. I put a couple of shopping bags under it for any leaks that might occur, and I keep a towel next to it for any leaks that get on the seat for quick and easy clean up. I also spray it with some vinegar/water mix after he's gone to bed to keep it clean. I don't want my living room smelling like a potty!

2. Took away the diapers. He's not allowed a diaper unless it's naptime, bedtime or we go somewhere.

3. No underwear either. Both times we tried the underwear he had an accident. I think because they feel the same as his diapers (since we use cloth) so he would just pee in them. He hasn't had one accident when going "comando".

4. Empty the potty then give the sticker. He gets so excited when he goes and gets his "special sticker" that he will go and try and pee again so he can get another sticker. This also lets me know when he has actually went. He will tell me he peed sometimes and there is nothing in there.

I must say it's weird having a naked boy running around the house. BUT I really am enjoying only having to change one diaper-clad baby!

Okay, back to work!

Who knew??

2008-09-22T13:21:00.003-04:00

I've been having a rough time with the potty learning, apart from electrocuting my toddler I'm just not having any luck with getting him to go consistently.

So, today I moved the potty to the living room and took his diapers away.

It worked like a charm!! He's gone 4 times this morning.

We'll see how he does after his nap. I'm hoping for a dry diaper.

*crossing fingers*

Hey all you veteran moms....any advice for potty learning a boy?? Please share in the comments-- I need all the help I can get!!

Attack of the (almost) Spider!!

2008-09-19T23:28:00.006-04:00

I'm afraid of many things, spiders are not really one of them. I just don't like to kill them (the crunch--it makes me shudder just to think about it--yuck!).

Tonight I was getting ready for bed and in the bathroom there was a big ol' spider. It was quite fascinating (sorry for all of you arachnophobia prone people!) because she was laying her eggs. Because I cannot kill her, I just watched her do it. It got really National Geographic in my bathroom tonight folks! (P.S. Hey Handsome Hunk....there's a spider for you to kill in the bathroom...near the toilet! Thanks!)

Anyways..I must have had spiders on the brain from that because while I was re-filling up Blue-Eyed Boys sippy cup with water I noticed the LONGEST spider leg ever and just about jumped out of my skin. (did I mention that I'm not afraid of spiders? Too many freaky late night shows, I guess).

Here's what it actually was.........

A big scary twist tie!!! AHHH!

I think my imagination needs a vacation (or maybe the rest of me does?).

And just because I don't want to dream about big scary twist tie spider legs attacking me all night...here's my beautiful little girl (I know, I know, why in the world am I putting a picture of my baby on a post about big scary spider legs?? Well, when I took the really bad picture of the twist tie this picture was on there, so I had to share...so there!). Isn't she ADORABLE? I think so, but hey, I'm her mom and I may be a teeeny weeeeny bit biased--but I don't think so.

Good night. Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs (or twist ties!) bite!

Working Hard

2008-09-18T22:44:00.007-04:00

Tonight at dinner

Blue-Eyed Boy (matter-of-factually): "[Red-Haired Girl] working hard"
Handsome Hunk and Me: "she's working hard?" (jinx!)
Blue-Eyed Boy: "Yep, [Red-Haired Girl] working hard"
Handsome Hunk laughing hilariously
Me: "What do you mean? How is she working hard?"
Handsome Hunk laughing still
Blue-Eyed Boy: "She chewing her toys"
Me (very puzzled, wondering if the electrocution really did do something to him): "Oh, I guess that is work for her"
Red-Haired Girl then filled her pants.
Handsome Hunk: "She was working hard alright"

I looked at the Handsome Hunk he looked at me, and oh did we laugh.

And the winner of the Bad Mommy of the Year award goes to....

2008-09-18T22:44:00.003-04:00

me. Yep. I won it hands down today folks. Blue-Eyed Boy electrocuted himself. Yes, you read that right. HE ELECTROCUTED HIMSELF.

Here's what happened.....

We have been working on potty learning for a bit now. Today while changing his diaper he told me he wanted to go "pee-pee on the potty". I said "Okay! Let's go!" and he said, "I want to do it myself.". Red-Haired Girl started fussing right then, so I told him to go ahead and went to get her in the living room. I had just picked her up when I heard the sound that no mother wants to hear--a blood curdling scream. My heart stopped. I don't know how I got to the bathroom, but I did (adrenaline rush). He was crying and crying and saying ow ow ow. I am freaking out (on the inside, didn't want to scare him more!) and trying to see if he's bleeding anywhere and wondering what in the world happened. After much questioning this is what I think happened.....

He had went in went potty (yay! What a big boy!). Stood up and looked in the potty to see his pee (that's what they do folks) and saw the outlet behind his little potty (yea, with no outlet cover, bad mommy, bad mommy!) and stuck his finger in. This shocked him (he said his finger and his foot hurt) and sent him flying to the floor (he said he fell down).

After some snuggles and kisses he was fine. I am super duper glad that I had just taken off his wet diaper, if he had done that with the diaper this would be a very different post---scary.

You can bet that tomorrow I'm finding the outlet covers.

I'm an Aunt!!!!

2008-09-17T22:38:00.002-04:00

My beautiful sister-in-law gave birth today to a beautiful little boy, Aiden Jack. He weighed in at 6 lbs, 9 oz and 19 inches long. He has dark brown hair, and I think he looks like his Papa. I being the wonderful Aunt that I am....forgot the camera....BOTH times I went to the hospital today. BAH!

Congratulations Nan and Jack!

When does "Politically Correct" go to far?

2008-09-15T22:04:00.001-04:00

Traditional marriage...i.e. Bride and Groom, or Husband and Wife have been banned in California. You can read about it here.

Tip Jar Tuesday

2008-09-12T12:17:00.004-04:00

So, I just realized that it's Friday and I forgot to do Tip Jar Tuesday this week (the pain greatly altered my memory skills......or so I will keep telling myself). So, it will have to be Tip Jar Friday.

Tip #4

Removing price tags or other stickers from hard plastic

Baby oil will do the job in a snap! The next time you buy a picture frame and there is a price tag stuck right where your smiling face should be--remove as much of the paper as you can, then put a little baby oil on a paper towel and rub away the sticky mess! It works well on CD's and toys as well. Mostly anything plastic.

Try it out!

It's been 7 years....

2008-09-11T23:12:00.003-04:00

since that horrible day when so many lost their lives. I had just gotten out of one of my music classes when we heard the news. It was so surreal to watch the towers crumbling to the ground on the T.V. It felt like we were watching a movie, that it wasn't really happening. If only that were true.

Today I said a prayer for all the families who lost their loved ones.

I kissed and hugged my kids a few extra times, and thanked the Lord for my husband.

Lets fill our lives with love and laughter.
Lets lead lives of peace and hope.
May we never forget.

This is funny.

2008-09-10T09:53:00.001-04:00

I stumbled upon this blog, not entirely by accident. This post was too funny. Oh and read the comments too, there are more funny titles there.

The Second-Time Around

2008-09-07T22:54:00.000-04:00

The Handsome Hunk and I were discussing having babies the other day (in general.....don't get excited). We came to the conclusion that it's a lot funner having a baby the second time.

Not that it wasn't fun having The Blue-Eyed Boy. But we were first time parents. We were freaking out about what kind of parents we would be and if we would be good ones. We were reading the parenting books and magazines and making sure we did everything they said. We were constantly comparing him to all our friends' kids. We were worried when he didn't reach all of his milestones right when he was "supposed" to. We had to make sure to have all the best toys and gadgets and junk--er stuff.

Having the Red-Haired Girl is so much easier. We are not first time parents and already have our own parenting "style" down. We don't need to pour over parenting books and magazines anymore because we've already done this once before (not to say we don't look once in a while to refresh our memories). I don't find it necessary to compare my baby to other peoples babies. We can just sit and enjoy our little angel girl rather than worry that she isn't rolling yet while the baby down the street is already crawling and saying it's abc's at 3 weeks old (exaggeration of course but if you're a parent you know what I'm talking about!). We don't need a ton of toys or gadgets or stuff. We've realized it's actually easier the less stuff you have--babies don't need much and would much rather chew on your kitchen spoon rather than the fancy song-singing, light-blinking 20 dollar teething ring you bought at Yonkers.

There's no stress or fuss. There's nothing to worry about and wonder about. We can just watch our little girl grow and blossom into the beautiful little person she is. We learned from having the Blue-Eyed Boy that everyone grows at their own pace. Blue-Eyed Boy didn't roll over until he was almost 6 months old, but skipped crawling and was walking at 9 months. Some babies don't walk until 15 months. We're all different and develop differently which can't be (and shouldn't be) tracked on a chart.

I love this. I love the freedom of the second time around, I wish we could have experienced this the first time around. I love just being a mom rather than worrying about what kind of mom I should be. I love that we can revel in our little miracle baby. I love that we can just let her be a baby and not be in such a hurry for her to reach all of her milestones right "on track" (not that she's "off track" or anything, but we're not stressed about it).

I'm not saying I didn't enjoy the Blue-Eyed Boy when he was a baby. I love love looooooved when he was a baby (and I love that he's a toddler now)!! I'm just realizing that I missed out on the pure joy of his babyhood. In all the stress and worry and wondering what was coming next I missed out on just being in the here and now with him. I was always looking toward the future, I was always making sure I was doing everything "just right" (and by just right I mean "by the book"). That's not to say there weren't times I would just sit and watch him sleep for half an hour, or cuddle up with him on the couch and revel in his teeny little toes and fingers. It's just that this time around there are more of those moments. The future doesn't matter (to an extent)--living in these moments right now are what's important this time.

Maybe I've realized how fast time goes with the Blue-Eyed Boy coming up on his 3rd birthday next month (ahhh my little boy is growing soo fast!). They're only little for so long. Before I know it she'll be a sassy little 3 year old like her brother (and probably driving me batty like he does!). And that's fun in it's own way. But I am loving the infant stage...she's all full of smiles and giggles. Baby talk---oh how I love baby talk! She's just a roly-poly mass of softness and sweetness and I'm not about to miss one second of that worrying about if I'm doing it "all right"!! Love is what they need, and I'm prepared to give them everything I've got!

I thank the Lord that He gave us two such beautiful blessings as our Blue-Eyed Boy and Red-Haired Girl. They truly are our little miracles and make life so much better.

Parenting.2---much improved from parenting.1!

Update

2008-09-07T21:53:00.004-04:00

Went to the doc (different one!) yesterday. I have shin splints. They prescribed me an NSAID (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug), which is much kinder to my poor little Red-Haired Girls belly. It's nice too because I only have to take it twice a day rather than every six hours or whatever. They suggested I wrap my arches to help support them and to get new running shoes (the cause of my shin splints!).

Today my swelling is down some--thanks to the NSAID, and I am having much less pain--thanks to the wrapped arches. YAY! I'm not allowed to exercise at all for the next two weeks (at least). Then I am to start slooooowly with some walking which I can work up to running as it feels right. I'm definetely going to go slower this time.

Now I just have to find the money to buy some new running shoes! =) Donations welcome! **wink**

Watches

2008-09-06T09:51:00.003-04:00

We went to the grocery store the other day. Blue-Eyed Boy loves to "say hi" to the "monsters" (lobsters for all of you who don't speak toddler). Well the "monsters" were awful active that day--swimming around and such.

Blue-Eyed Boy was watching them and he says...."Daddy they all have watches...all the monsters have watches".

They weren't really wearing watches (just in case you didn't know). They were wearing rubber bands to keep them from clawing each other. But Blue-Eyed Boy thought they were watches.....maybe he's watched Finding Nemo too many times. I don't know. But we decided to let him keep his illusion of watch wearing lobsters. We were not even going to delve into the whole we could buy (ha! with what money?) those watch wearing lobsters and eat them for dinner. He can find that out when he's older.

Instead I avoided eye contact with The Handsome Hunk and he did the same, while we chuckled our way to the hot dog buns.

Oh how fun it is to have a toddler!

So I fell off the face of the earth.....

2008-09-06T09:32:00.003-04:00

Because I hurt myself. Badly. Did something to both my legs while running last week Wednesday. Right below my knees, like where the leg connects to the knee on the inside part of the leg. Went to the med-center on Wednesday this week because the pain is so intense I can hardly walk. Doc said nothing was wrong with me, but he did x-rays anyways. Nothing. All going to the doc accomplished was giving both the kids a cold. So, here I am popping pain pills like they're going out of style, which upsets Red-Haired Girl's tummy, so then I have a cranky baby with a cold. Oh yes life is fun right now. Oh and my legs keep swelling more, and hurting more no matter how much Motrin600 or Tylenol with codeine I take. Did I mention that it hurts...a lot?

Monday I'm going to find a real doc and get this figured out. I can't keep going on like this.

A good thing that happened....The Handsome Hunk got promoted! YAY! Maybe now we can get our phone turned back on. Bah!

Oh and needless to say the C25K is on hold, as is the Push-up Challenge.

Tip Jar Tuesday

2008-09-02T00:00:00.005-04:00

Tip #3

Removing tea and coffee stains from mugs

Today we are moving to the kitchen for our tip! You know how no matter how many times you wash (and scrub) your mugs there is always that brownish residue left over from your coffee or tea? Well, the solution to this problem uses something most of us have right there in our baking supplies, and it takes very little "elbow grease" to work!

Good old baking soda! Now this stuff can clean and deodorize a lot of things but today we will focus on our coffee/tea stained mugs.

To clean the stains from your mugs:

1. Sprinkle a little soda in the DRY mug. Probably about a 1/2 to 1 tsp--a little goes a long way!

2. Wet your fingers. I just dipped my fingers in the sink. You don't need a lot of water.

3. Rub the soda around the mug with your fingers. I used my fingernails to get down in the bottom crease. If you are washing more than one dump the soda from this mug into the next before doing step 4.

4. Rinse and enjoy your nice shiny mug!

Here's a before and after for ya: (obviously the left is before and the right is after)

I did this to all the stained mugs in my cupboard (there were 7 that were stained) and it took me about 5 minutes from start to finish. We don't drink coffee so I don't know if it would take longer to get those stains out or not.

Try it out!

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Bananas Part II

2008-08-29T09:47:00.004-04:00

Types of Bananas

There are thousands of types of bananas. But we are going to focus on the six most popular varieties.

Cavendish Bananas

These are the ones we are familiar with here in the US. Also referred to as the Chiquita banana they have a bright yellow peel and soft white flesh. These bananas can be eaten raw or baked into desserts. You want to choose a bright yellow banana if you are eating it raw. If you are cooking it in something, like banana bread, or mashing it up for a smoothie you will want a banana that is yellow with black spots. Your bananas should never have a gray tint or dull looking skin.

Red Bananas

These bananas have a heartier flavor than the Cavendish bananas. They are red to almost black when ripe. The flesh is also pinkish. They contain more beta carotene than Cavendish bananas and have a hint of raspberry flavor. These can be used the same as Cavendish bananas.

Baby Bananas

These bananas are green, but turn bright yellow when ripe. They are about 3 inches long and are the sweetest bananas you can buy. The flesh is creamy white and soft in texture. These also can be used the same as the Cavendish bananas.

Burro Bananas

These are yellow, and develop black spots as they ripen just like a Cavendish. They have a small, stubby rectangular shape to them. They have a tangy, almost lemony taste to them. They also can be used just as the Cavendish bananas are used.

Manzano Bananas

Manzano means "apple tree" in Spanish. This is a fitting name for these apple-strawberry flavored bananas. They are shorter and chunkier than the Cavendish banana. They also have a firmer drier flesh (like an apple) than the Cavendish, which is probably part of where it got the "apple banana" name! They do have a yellow peel like the Cavendish, but it turns black when the banana is ripe.

Plantain Bananas

Plantain bananas are not really used in this country. These must be cooked before consumed as I said before. They may or may not have a sweet flavor depending on the type. They are also much larger than the other bananas. They can be over a foot long and much thicker than the bananas we are used to. The plantain peels range in color from yellow to red or brown and turn black when they are ripe. They can be used whether ripe or not, but they do become sweeter as they ripen. In the countries where these are used they would be used like we use potatoes or pasta.

Take a walk on the wild side and go try a new type of banana this week!

Source 1
Source 2
Source 3

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Bananas Part I

2008-08-28T09:17:00.004-04:00

Because I get at least 5 searches a day about bananas I thought I should help all these people out who are searching for info on bananas. After all this is the Banana Peel blog...there should be something about bananas--right? Although, when I named this blog Banana Peel it had nothing to do with bananas and everything to do with my beautiful little Blue-Eyed Boy! If you don't know, we called him Banana Peel while he was in utero.

I thought I would start at the very beginning (a very good place to start!).

The History of the Banana

From Banana.com

The true origin of Bananas, world's most popular fruit, is found in the region of Malaysia. By way of curious visitors, bananas traveled from there to India where they are mentioned in the Buddhist Pali writings dating back to the 6th century BCE. In his campaign in India in 327 BCE, Alexander the Great relished his first taste of the banana, an usual fruit he saw growing on tall trees. He is even credited with bringing the banana from India to the Western world. According to Chinese historian Yang Fu, China was tending plantations of bananas in 200 CE. These bananas grew only in the southern region of China and were considered exotic, rare fruits that never became popular with the Chinese masses until the 20th century.

Eventually, this tropical fruit reached Madagascar, an island off the southeastern coast of Africa. Beginning in 650 CE Islamic warriors traveled into Africa and were actively engaged in the slave trade. Along with the thriving business in slave trading, the Arabs were successful in trading ivory along with abundant crops of bananas. Through their numerous travels westward via the slave trade, bananas eventually reached Guinea, a small area along the West Coast of Africa. By 1402 Portuguese sailors discovered the luscious tropical fruit in their travels to the African continent and populated the Canary lslands with their first banana plantations. Continuing the banana's travels westward, the rootstocks were packed onto a ship under the charge of Tomas de Berlanga, a Portuguese Franciscan monk who brought them to the Caribbean island of Santo Domingo from the Canary Islands in the year 1516. It wasn't long before the banana became popular throughout the Caribbean as well as Central America. Arabian slave traders are credited with giving the banana its popular name. The bananas that were growing in Africa as well as Southeast Asia were not the eight-to-twelve-inch giants that have become familiar in the U.S. supermarkets today. They were small, about as long as a man's finger. Ergo the name banan, Arabic for finger. The Spaniards, who saw a similarity to the plane tree that grows in Spain, gave the plantain its Spanish name, platano.

It was almost three hundred and fifty years later that Americans tasted the first bananas to arrive in their country. Wrapped in tin foil, bananas were sold for 10 cents each at a celebration held in Pennsylvania in 1876 to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Instructions on how to eat a banana appeared in the Domestic Cyclopaedia of Practical Information and read as follows: "Bananas are eaten raw, either alone or cut in slices with sugar and cream, or wine and orange juice. They are also roasted, fried or boiled, and are made into fritters, preserves, and marmalades."

Banana's-- gotta love em!

C25K Day Two

2008-08-28T09:00:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was my second day of the C25K program. It was a lot easier than Monday. I guess that means I'm getting into shape??

I did find this great website it has music mixes specifically for this program---It's called Podrunner Intervals. It's all techno type stuff, but it really gets you going. It's free too, which is always a bonus!! You can download them and put them on your Ipod or Mp3. The part I like best is there is a chime that sounds when it is time to walk or run so you're not looking at your clock the whole time. I think that makes it easier to run. It also has specific bpm (beats per minute) tailored to walking or running. There's also just a Podrunner for those who just run and you can find music that meets your own bpm. It's just the neatest thing! If you're a runner please check it out, here.

I did have a bug incident. As I was running something kept tickling my ear. I thought it was just my hair, so I kept flicking it out of the way and kept running (hard to concentrate on anything else besides gasping for breath). So, when I got to the walking bit I still had something bothering my ear. So, after flicking my hair and nothing happening, I finally pulled the headphone out of my ear and lo and behold there was a HUGE BUG on it. I'm glad I had the headphone in my ear or the bug would have crawled in there *shudders*. It completely creeps me out to even think about it!

In other exciting news I've lost a pound since Monday. WOO HOO!

C25k Day One

C25K Day One

2008-08-26T09:23:00.006-04:00

I'm becoming quite athletic these days. I love pushing my body and seeing what it can do. That said, I'm embarking on a new adventure which I will chronicle for all of you (C'mon you know you love it!). It's good for me too, I get the whole wide web as my accountability partner!

I am going to do the Couch to 5K program (Known in running circles as C25K). It's a 9-week program. You can go here to read about it. I also joined a running group near here--The White Lake Runners Group. It's a group of 6 mom's who all run and support each other. It's great, I'm looking forward to meeting them face-to-face soon. Maybe I'll actually make some friends here in Muskegon, finally.

So here we go....DAY ONE OF C25K

I did my first run/walk last night. It was hard, but not too hard. I mean it totally kicked my butt, but I didn't collapse in a heap afterward. If you live in North Muskegon you might have seen me, I was the chunky lady in the yellow shirt huffing around the Veteran's Memorial Park at (in? by? around?) the Causeway.

I must say that running in such a public place really makes you try a lot harder. I found myself running faster and pretending to appear as if I was a veteran runner (HA!). I am hoping to find a better place to run, but for now it works. It's really sunny there, so I was super hot even though it was 5 in the evening. Some of you may be wondering why I would drive somewhere to run instead of just running from our house, well I will tell you. I do not feel safe running down Holton Road/M-120. People drive like maniacs down our road and I have this very selfish ambition---I want to know my grandchildren. Call me crazy (or smart?), but I'm not running on Holton Road.

Today my legs aren't too sore, thankfully. I mean they're sore but not so that I can't move or something. My arms however are a different story thanks to my other endevore.

I have two more workouts left for this week. I'll let you know how they go!

Tip Jar Tuesday Tip #2

2008-08-26T00:00:00.003-04:00

Keeping the bathroom mirror from fogging.

Another bathroom tip for you. Isn't it annoying when you get out of the shower and the mirror is all fogged? If you wipe it off you get streaks, and if you just wait it out it takes forever! Well I have your solution and it is something you probably have sitting right there in your bathroom!

Are you shocked? Don't believe me? Well, try it and see -you won't be disappointed I can promise you that. Spray a little foam in your hand, rub it all over the mirror, then wipe it away with a paper towel or cloth. It takes a bit of elbow grease to wipe it all off, but it's well worth it. It will last for about 4 weeks or so. And then every time you get out of the shower you can see your beautiful clean face!!

Try it out. Shaving cream---not just for shaving--who knew?

The 100 Push-up Challenge Week 2

2008-08-24T23:02:00.000-04:00

I have some sad news. The Handsome Hunk he, well, he gave up- plain and simple folks. But don't lose hope--I'm still in it, still trucking along.

I finished week 2 of the One Hundred Push-up Challenge. Oh how good it feels to notice myself getting stronger! Week 2 wasn't too much harder than week 1, it was do-able. So today it was time for another "exhaustion test" (basically do as many push-ups as you can until your arms refuse to work and you are stuck face down on the floor like a beached whale or something---oh yes, it's a blast). I am happy to report that I can do 27 push-ups. Maybe I should write that again a little bigger this time

I DID 27 PUSH-UPS!!

That's 20 more than I could do two weeks ago. Crazy. Fantastic. Wonderful. I am super proud of myself.

Because I could do so many I am now in the highest bracket for next week. I think it's going to kick my butt. But it'll be fun. I'm enjoying learning how far I can push my body.

Head on over to Kat's Blog to read about her journey through the push-up challenge, and see some other people who are doing it!

Wives Pay Attention!!

2008-08-23T15:24:00.004-04:00

I just finished this book. It was awesome. I highly recommend it to every married woman!

I'll be candid and tell you that I thought I had a pretty good sex life, actually I thought I had a really GREAT sex life, but this book opened my eyes. I realize that I need a little work in that area so we can have an AWESOME sex life (I'm sure the hunk is happy to be reading that!).

Anyways...if you're a wife (it's a no husbands allowed type book), go get it. You can go here and get it for $10. You won't be sorry (either will your hubby)!

My Baby Loves Herself Some Track and Field

2008-08-22T11:15:00.000-04:00

Wednesday night we were watching the Olympics. I must admit I am addicted, therefore I subject my Red-Haired Girl to them because she sort-of needs to hang with mommy a lot.....you know the whole I'm her only source of nourishment thing. Well, the other night we were watching the Women's 400M Semi-final and this is what ensued.....

I wonder if we have a future track and field star on our hands??

Regardless I think she's stinkin' cute....but I am her mommy and biggest fan so it is possible (but not likely) that I am a little biased.

and P.S. please forgive my movie making skills I'm no Peter Jackson...

Keywords

2008-08-22T10:28:00.005-04:00

I have been getting some interesting searches these days so I thought I would share!

1. Don't let people know you're married. I have no idea why I would come up in a search for this. But if your married, I don't think it should be a secret!

2. How to microwave a banana peel. I got quite a few searches for this. I don't know why you would want to microwave a banana peel. But I was curious so I did my own search. Well, let me tell you folks the words psychedelic high, and how to smoke with a banana peel were what I found mostly. I am not happy that my blog is coming up for this sort of thing. After looking into it further I discovered that getting high off banana peel is a myth. Something useful I did find was that microwaving a plantain banana is quite delicious. Pierce the skin, cut off the ends and microwave one plantain banana for 4-5 minutes. I also found that saba bananas are delicious grilled. Maybe I'll try this sometime. The other (useful) thing I found was that a banana peel can remove scratches from your CD's and DVD's. Just rub the inside of a banana peel from center to outside in a straight fashion (non-circular) motion for five minutes. Clean with soap and water and walaa! If someone tries this before me let me know if it actually works. When I find a scratched CD I'll try it.

3. I got a good chuckle. Well, I did too! Thanks.

4. Jessica Peel Married. I have no comment.

5. Fun things to do with a banana peel. Apart from trying to surf across your kitchen floor on one, I'm at a loss.

These next few make me sad....

6. How to forget your love when married.
7. How to forget a married man.
8. How to tell him you're married.

To these people I have to say. I'm sorry for you. I hope you can get out of the situation you are in and reconcile your marriages.

9. What is banana peeling? Well, it is the act of removing the skin from a banana. Hope that helps you out!

And my all time favorite search is.........(drum roll please)

10. Can't a banana be.....just a banana? Dear sir or madam I hope you found the answer to your query. I'd say yes...a banana can be just a banana, if you let it.

Tip Jar Tuesday

2008-08-19T11:47:00.003-04:00

This is something new here at the Peel. Every Tuesday I will reach into my tip jar and pass on one of my tips to you. If you would like to participate and add your own tip to Tip Jar Tuesday please write a post on your blog and leave the link in the comments. Or if you don't have a blog just leave your own tip in the comments!

Tip #1

Keeping your shower drain from getting clogged.

If you didn't know I recently had a baby. During my pregnancy my hair ceases to fall out (can we say fabulous?). Now that Red-Haired Girl is three months old (Already? Holy moly time FLIES! Slow down baby, slow down!) I have begun what I lovingly refer to as The Great Shedding of 2008. We're not just talking about hairs here or there, we're talking about clumps, sometimes handfuls at a time. Because this is my second Great Shedding I am not freaking out about going bald (I totally freaked out after Blue-Eyed Boy was born) but just being annoyed at finding hair everywhere. Now, normally when not pregnant or experiencing The Great Shedding I lose a lot of hair. Because of this our shower drain would have to be cleaned out every six months or so. As we all know the "hair catcher" drain cover never catches all the hair. I don't know where I heard or read this tip but it works and we no longer have to clean out our drains!

When you are in the shower you inevitably will get some hairs on your hands, right? Well, instead of rinsing them off to go down the drain, stick them to the wall of your shower. When you are done showering you just run your fingers through the hair, ball it up and throw it in the trash. None goes down the drain!

Try it out. And come back next week for another Tip Jar Tuesday!

The 100 Push-up Challenge Week 1

2008-08-17T22:09:00.004-04:00

Tomorrow we start week two of the 100 push-up challenge. Week one was not as hard as I thought it would be. Last night I did my third workout and during the 5th rep I did 20 push-ups (go me!). I am still doing my "girly" push-ups. The handsome hunk did 22 push-ups during the 5th rep. He does the regular ones, but he doesn't touch his nose to the floor...I don't think he's there yet.

After next week we do another "test", to see how many we can do. I will let you know next Sunday how we did!

Head on over to Kat's Blog to see others who are doing this challenge.

Here's my shout out to those who I know are doing this:

Kristina

The 100 Push-up Challenge post 1

Salsa

2008-08-15T13:57:00.002-04:00

Here's what I did today...........

Here's my little "helper"(yes that's my apron he's wearing)............

What have you done today?

Have you ever had one of those days?

2008-08-14T13:25:00.001-04:00

Where you were tired and grumpy?

Where you just might blow a gasket if your toddler pulled all the clothes out of his drawer one more time?

Or one of those days where everything set you off no matter how composed you tried to be?

One where you are seriously considering a new profession?

You know the kind of day where you are tired of being the one who always takes care of everyone else but never gets taken care of herself?

Yea, you guessed it, I'm having one of those days.

Parent's University: Class Social

2008-08-14T08:23:00.004-04:00

Parent's University this week is a class social get-together. So, head on over to The Secret Life of Kat and let everyone know who you are. You only need to answer three simple questions:

1. Your name
2. How many kids do you have?
3. Your favorite parenting resource.

There is also a poll question.

If you don't want to go to Kat's blog to post, please leave your answers here!
Happy parenting!

The 100 Push-Up Challenge

2008-08-11T09:07:00.005-04:00

Handsome Hunk and I are embarking on a 100 Push-Up Challenge thanks to The Secret Life of Kat. I saw this on her blog and thought it would be a fun thing for the Hunk and I to do together. So, you my faithful Internet readers, get to hear all about it (aren't you thrilled!?!).

If you would like to see the other (crazy) people who are doing this challenge you can go here.

Initial Test

Last night we did the initial test. I (being the wimp that I am) cannot do a "real" push-up, so I adopted the hand's and knees (i.e. "girly") push-up position. Handsome Hunk could do the "real" ones (after-all he is a hunk!).

Our Stats:

Me: 7
HH: 8

Tonight we begin the actual training. I'll give you an update next Monday to let you all know how it's going.

If anyone would like to join us I'd be happy to link to your blog (or give you an honorable mention if you don't have a blog). Happy push-ups!

How To Fold Cloth Diapers

2008-08-09T08:51:00.010-04:00

For my friends who use cloth dipes. Here is a brochure I got from our diaper service (back when we had one) on different ways to fold your dipes. I've consulted it often. I hope it is useful to my cloth diaper sisters as well! (click on images to enlarge)

We use the Diaper Wrap fold for Blue-Eyed Boy. That seems to work best for him because he pees a lot, and it has a lot of dipe in the front for boys. That fold only works well though for an older baby who has more solid poo, otherwise it gets all over. We tried the girl variation for Red-Haired Girl but all it accomplished was poo EVERYWHERE! We have been using the Angel Wrap fold for her. It works well because it makes gussets around her legs so poo can't leak out. We also add an extra small fold at the back to keep the poo from going out the back of the diaper.

I just have to say that I love cloth diapers. If you are going to be having a baby anytime soon (or even if you already have one!) and are debating whether to use cloth or disposable diapers I highly recommend cloth. Cloth are much much more reliable. Anytime I have used disposable diapers I have been disappointed. And contrary to popular opinion cloth is not a lot of work.

Cloth diapering has come a long way since your Grandmother's day (just ask mine!). Even if you use the "old-fashioned" pre-folds and diaper covers like I do. Do a little research and check out what's out there. You will be surprised at how easy and convenient cloth diapering can be!

Love, Men and Food

2008-08-01T12:30:00.007-04:00

You know the famous little saying that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach?? Well, I would like to present this story as proof that this heart-stomach phenomenon begins at birth.

Today Blue-Eyed Boy told me he was hungry. So, I (being the wonderful Mother that I am) got him some food to eat. Cantaloupe specifically--he loves melons. He calls cantaloupe "camo" (yes, like camouflage, almost like he is saying camel) .

He began eating this lovely fruit and this is what I hear (I had walked into the bedroom for a moment).

"mmm...that's good camo" (bite) "mmm....I eat camo" (bite) "mmm....I love my mom" (bite) "mmm....my mom give me camo" (this was all accompianied by the slurpy chompy noises that toddlers make when they eat melon).

There you have it folks--the way to a mans (or toddler boys') heart is through his stomach.

I rest my case.

A Mother's Biggest Fear

2008-07-28T08:02:00.002-04:00

I've recently been reading Is There Any Mommy Out There? and today her post really hit home for me. I think the end of her post sums up what every Mother fears the most.

"It's not that they can be taken out of this world that strikes the worst fear in me. We all live with that truth. It's that I could be left behind. My deepest fear is trying to survive in a world that had them in it and lost them."

I can't even imagine a world without my two babies in it. So I worry. I fret. I check on them several times a night to make sure they are still breathing. I am constantly telling Blue-Eyed Boy to be careful. I pray, everyday, that God wouldn't take my babies from me. I don't think I would survive that.

Her post really hit home for me, as I think it will every Mother. Go read it.

The Right To Dry (My 100th Post!!!!)

2008-07-26T09:40:00.006-04:00

Last night I was watching ABC's World News with Charles Gibson. I was astonished by one of the stories. Apparently there are some Homeowner Associations who have banned their homeowners from using clotheslines because it is unsightly to them. And three states have already had to enact "Right to Dry" laws....there are seven other states considering it. Umm...excuse me? Since when does anyone have the right to tell someone else what they can do in their own back yard?? I thought this was America, land of the free.

According to the article the average American family spends at least $100 a year for dryer costs. And monthly your dryer is about 1/4 of your energy bill. That's a lot of energy, folks.

I hang most of our laundry outside (or try to). I think clothes blowing in the breeze on a bright sunny day is lovely. I don't know what the big deal is. There are so many positives to hanging your laundry out that their reasons seem pretty darn petty.

I love our air-dried, sun-dried clothes. Nothing smells better than clothes dried outside. They just seem fresher and cleaner than any drier could ever get them.

And I won't even start on how drying your clothes outside will not only save you money, but save our environment.

Go read the article here. And then let me know your thoughts on the issue.

Are clotheslines unsightly?

Do clotheslines bring down the market value of homes?

Should clotheslines be banned?

(P.S. That is my laundry hanging out to dry this morning. I would also like to note that we do not hang our underwear out to dry. I will either run those through the dryer or hang them on our inside line. That's one thing nobody needs to see.)

Don't Forget You're Married

2008-07-24T09:17:00.008-04:00

It's time for another installment of Parent's University. I know it's been a long while. But I did have a baby recently, and Parent's University kind of went on hold for a while there it seems. But it is back (yay!) and I am ready to write another thrilling, amazing and wonderful post on parenting! (I know you all have been missing these.) This weeks topic is (drum roll please!!) "Don't Forget You're Married". To read some other people's insights on this please visit The Secret Life of Kat.

It's interesting that this would be the first topic after I just had my beautiful little gal. Folks, it's very, very easy to forget you're married with a newborn and a toddler in the house. It takes a conscious effort on my part to remember that I have a husband and he needs me too. His needs are not dependent on his survival however (like a newborn or toddler's are) so it's easy to put him on the back-burner so-to-speak. But his needs are no less important. So, what's a girl to do? I have a few suggestions. But first maybe we should decide--what does a man need from his wife? Now it would probably be prudent of me to let my husband do a guest post or something and write this part, but I am going to do my best (He can write later and let ya'll know if I was way off base or not!).

The top four things a man needs from his wife (as observed by me about my own husband, but I think they're pretty universal):

1. Sex (okay my blog just went from G to X --I wonder what kind of weird searches I'll get now?). This is a real need for men, which is hard for women to understand because it's not a need for us. But it is. And we as wives need to recognize this and get over ourselves.

2. Respect (R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what it means to me--sorry I was overtaken by Aretha for a second there). Men need to feel and know that we respect them for who they are, what they believe and in what decisions they make.

3. Appreciation. A man needs to know that what he does for his family is appreciated. That he as a person is appreciated.

4. Love. Men need to feel loved. They need to know they are loved. I think this goes hand in hand with the other three.

Okay now we know what they need but what are some ways to meet these needs??? I have a few suggestions:

1. TALK. a. lot. I mean all the time. Small talk, deep talk, medium talk...whatever, just communicate with each other. You can't meet the needs of your husband if you don't know what they are! And he can't meet your needs if you don't tell him what they are!

That was just a basic-duh..you have to do this to keep your marriage going- tip for you all. Now we'll talk some more tips that are specific to the needs mentioned above.

1. Make time for sex. And don't withhold sex just because he hasn't met your needs first (umm...can we say selfish?). Let your love-making be unconditional. And let it be just that.....making love. Yes you're tired. Maybe you're not interested. So what--just do it. I promise the more you do it, the more you'll want to! (I can't believe I even wrote that...okay getting back to G...)

2. You are not always right. Just remember that. Respect your husbands opinion, even if you don't agree. You can respectfully disagree with him. And never ever speak negatively of your husband to other people, even your girlfriends. If you have a problem with your husband--talk to him about it! I think this is one of the greatest ways to show your husband respect. So, the next time all your girlfriends are complaining about their husbands, show yours some respect and refrain from jumping in.

3. Tell your husband you appreciate him. But I think your actions will speak louder to him than any words you can speak. When he comes home from work, stop what you're doing and give him a hug and a kiss (I'm bad at this sometimes honey--I know!). Let him know you're happy he is home. When he does something for you--thank him!

4. Show your husband you love him. Stop nagging. Quit complaining. Don't criticize. Just love him for who he is. After all that's why you married him!

Now I'm not going to tell you any of this is easy (I fail miserably all the time...just ask my husband). It's not. It's actually very hard to do! Especially when you are exhausted from your small children. It's easy to put your children first because they do need you so much, but your husband should always have that number one spot. After all he was there first, and without him you wouldn't have those beautiful babies! So, don't forget about him in the busyness of everyday parenting.

You are married--don't forget!

And don't forget to read the other posts on this topic!

The Best Things in Life

2008-07-23T11:06:00.005-04:00

I was reading The Mom-tionary yesterday and this post got me thinking. (Thanks a lot Kristina! *wink*). More specifically her closing paragraph:

"That's what's part of being a mom, or any parent. Exhaustion comes with the territory. Yes, I'm tired and am looking forward to just conking out for the night, but I've been worse. And yes, tomorrow, I will get up and do it all again, except trading some chores for others. And yet, I wouldn't trade my Monkey Boys or all the work that goes with being their mommy."

There is a famous saying, "The best things in life are free". I don't believe this is true. The best things may not cost any money, but they are certainly not free.

The things I treasure the most--have cost me the most.

My Husband: To commit yourself to one person takes a lot. It's a sacrifice. I must put myself aside and put him ahead of me. Sometimes this means I must do something I don't necessarily want to. Sometimes it's hard to not be selfish.

My Children: These dear sweet little people have cost me a lot. I'm not just talking about pregnancy, labor and birth and the toll having these children have cost my body. But I've had to sacrifice myself sometimes to put them first. Some days are so long and exhausting I wonder how I can go on. Some nights have so little sleep that I wonder why I bother at all. I've put aside some of my own dreams and aspirations to raise these children into productive, loving people.

I'm not complaining here. And I hope I don't sound like I am. I am just trying to point out that good things come with hard work. It takes work to make a marriage work. You don't just say "I do" and live happily ever after. You work towards that happily ever-after; every. single. day. Kids take work. Even when you don't feel like it. Even when you are so tired you don't know how you'll go on--you have to. You keep going because you love them.

When I can look back on the last four years without a hint of regret or discontent, or look into my husbands eyes and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he loves me, no matter what--I know all the work we put into our marriage was worth it. When my little boy says "please" and "thank-you" all on his own or crawls into my lap and says "I love you, ma-ma"--I know my sacrifices were worth it. When my little girl smiles at the sight of me or lays sweetly sleeping in my arms--I know every sleepless night was worth it just to have her in my life.

When I look at my life I don't see the day-to-day struggles of being a wife and mother. I don't notice the hard work it took to get here. I see blessings. I feel contentment. I know love.

The best things in life may not be free. But they are worth it (oh yes they are)! And I wouldn't trade one minute, one second, for anything.

I'm. An. Idiot.

2008-07-21T11:30:00.004-04:00

For the past couple of weeks I have been getting extremely dissatisfied with our can-opener. It hasn't been working very good. It's really hard to turn the handle, and I couldn't figure out why. I was about ready to throw the thing in the garbage (after opening a bunch of cans and my arm hurting), but I decided to put it back in the drawer. It does still work after all.

The next day I found it in the stack of dirty dishes I was washing.

I was really annoyed. I love my husband, but he never puts things away in the right place. (especially in my kitchen). So, with my hands all sudsy and wet I contemplated whether I should whack him over the head with it or just put it away. As luck would have it (lucky for the Handsome Hunk because whacking him over the head was winning--I was grumpy that day) it slipped out of my soapy hands into the sink.

Why didn't it occur to me before to wash the can-opener? I don't know. Why don't I wash it regularly like I do every other appliance in the kitchen? I don't know.

The fact of the matter is I washed it (by accident). And guess what?

It works like new. Go figure.

Day 6 Without The "Blue Guy" and Parenting Thoughts

2008-07-19T17:34:00.004-04:00

Blue-Eyed Boy is doing great without his Blue Guy. He only asks for it twice a day...nap time and bedtime. Other than that he never asks for it. He doesn't even mind that Red-Haired Girl has one. Can I get a hallelujah?? (For the rest of the Blue Guy saga go here and here).

In other news....

He has been remarkably well behaved since The Bite. I think I scared him with the intensity of my anger when he bit his sister. As I said before I had never been so angry at him in all his life. I was thinking about this today and it got me thinking about parenting and discipline and such. As I've talked about before we rarely (and I mean rarely) used the word "no" with Blue-Eyed Boy when he was younger (as he's gotten older and uses it himself we use it a little more, but not excessively). Our thinking was that we would use "no" for the big stuff. The things that put him in danger or were "biggies" like hitting, biting, etc. For the little things we'd say "please don't...touch...eat...lick...etc". When we do use "no" he knows he better listen because mommy and daddy mean business. I think this same sort of thing happened with The Bite. I rarely raise my voice to him. I rarely get angry with him. I get frustrated and annoyed, but not really angry. He never does anything "bad" enough. So, when mommy yelled and immediately put him in a time-out with no warning...he might of been a little freaked out.

I know it's easy to fly off the handle with your kids. Especially if it's been a long day and they have been awful. But if you save the anger for the really big things (like biting your newborn sister) they will really listen and know you mean business. I think part of it is the shock factor, the other part is they pick up that you are more serious and stern than usual and it's probably kind of scary a bit. And who wants their parents mad at them? Nobody (I hope). Especially not a 2 year old. He just wants love and attention.

Which is another point to be made. If you give your kids the love and attention they desire, guess what?? They won't misbehave so much. If their desires are fulfilled they don't need to ask for anything more. Watch your kids and you will see when you have been too busy to play or interact they will start to act out.

Anyways...I guess what I'm trying to say is love your kids and don't sweat the small stuff. Leave the anger and the major discipline for the big stuff. The stuff that affects their safety (or their sisters safety), and the things that will affect their character in the long run. Besides, if you yell and yell and yell all the time....they will just tune you out. So, take a deep breath, think like a rational person and ask yourself.....is emptying the laundry basket of the just folded clothes really that big of a deal?? Not in the long run. So, put your kid in a time-out and move on. No, yelling or overreacting necessary.

He Redeemed Himself

2008-07-18T18:15:00.005-04:00

This afternoon for no apparent reason my Blue-Eyed Boy crawled into my lap and said....

"Mama, I love you"

Then he kissed me on both cheeks.

and said....

"Mama you kiss my cheeks"

and you can bet I did.

The Joys of Motherhood

2008-07-18T12:08:00.004-04:00

We were having a nice moment-- Blue-Eyed Boy, Red-Haired Girl and I. Red-Haired Girl was lying on the bed and Blue-Eyed Boy was lying next to her. He was talking to her and she was smiling and cooing and laughing (oh my goodness is she adorable!). It was so very special.

Here's the conversation we had:

Blue-Eyed Boy: "I love my [Red-Haired Girl]". (the gushing began).

Me: "You know what? I love my [Red-Haired Girl] too. And I love my [Blue-Eyed Boy]".

He comes and gives me a hug.

Blue-Eyed Boy: "I love my daddy". (oh yes he does, he's daddy's little shadow.)

Me: "That's so sweet. Do you love mommy to?"

Silence. (??? What's the hold up here, kid???)

Me: "Don't you love mommy?"

Silence continues. (I'm starting to panic at this point)

He walks away. (Then drives the blow.)

Blue-Eyed Boy: "I don't want mama anymore" (Did you hear that crashing sound?? That was my heart breaking into a million pieces)

Blue-Eyed Boy: "I want Popsicle"

The day is only half over and I've already learned that Blue-Eyed Boy loves, Red-Haired Girl and Handsome Hunk. But he don't want me. He wants a Popsicle. Sorry kid, but you're stuck with me. For. the. rest. of. your. life!

I'm just glad that Red-Haired Girl can't talk yet. She still just smiles and coos and lights up when she sees me.

(By the way, he didn't get a popscicle.)

The Bite II

2008-07-15T23:33:00.004-04:00

Here's her little arm 2 hours after the altercation.

It looks a little bit better now, but not much.

My poor baby.

The Bite

2008-07-15T11:26:00.005-04:00

Today Blue-Eyed Boy bit Red-Haired Girl. On the arm. Hard. He broke the skin with one tooth. There was a perfect indentation of his teeth on her arm, the dentist would have loved. This was the bite of all bites folks. I think he bit her as hard as he could. Why? There was no reason for this action. All we were doing was having a "diaper changing party" as I call them (I find it easiest to change them at the same time). One minute he was chatting away with her, the next she is screaming and he's looking guilty (*cries* I had only looked away for a second!).

I have never been so angry with Blue-Eyed Boy in his life.

It was the first time I experienced...I don't even know what word describes this. But my motherly protectiveness over took me for my Red Haired Girl, and the accompanying extreme anger that goes along with that was directed at my Blue-Eyed Boy. It was a strange place to be. I hadn't experienced this phenomenon yet. I never thought I would have the "mother bear instinct" against one of my children.

Needless to say Blue-Eyed Boy got a time-out. After the time-out he gave Red-Haired girl a hug, a smoochie and a "I sorry" (despite her still screaming her head off).

Red-Haired Girl eventually calmed down (so did mommy). But the teeth indents are swollen, her arm is red, and there was a little blood where he broke the skin. There will probably be a bruise.

And I think I just won the bad mommy award of the year.

I reiterate....oh the joys of parenthood.

R.I.P. Blue Guy Part II

2008-07-15T09:58:00.003-04:00

If you haven't done so already please read R.I.P. Blue Guy Part I here.

My Big Boy is doing fantastic. I am so proud of him. Yesterday morning was rough. He was very, very grumpy and wanted to be held and comforted a bunch. This was pretty impossible because Red-Haired Girl decided to be clingy and grumpy as well. So, I had an unhappy toddler on my hands. (who decided to get up at 6:40am!! bah!)

At nap time he asked for blue guy a few times, cried a little then went to sleep.

Bedtime was a little more stressful. There was much crying. It took about half an hour/45 minutes to settle him down, with Handsome Hunk and I alternately going in to comfort him.

So far today he has only asked about the blue guy once. Here's how the conversation went....

Blue-Eyed Boy: "ma-ma, we lost my blue guy"

Me: "Yep we did"

Blue-Eyed Boy: "blue guy all gone"

Me: "Yes, he's all gone, but you don't need him"

And then he asked for a carrot. (I know I have a strange kid who asks for carrots at 7:30 in the morning).

So, here we are at day three without the blue guy. I really can't believe it is going so well. The funny thing is Blue-Eyed Boy looks really strange to me without that thing in his mouth constantly. It seems strange to me that I am not used to seeing my kids entire face!

A very positive thing....his pronunciation is improving dramatically!

And you can be sure that Red-Haired Girl will be done with a pacifier before she hits 1. We have learned our lesson! Oh the joys of parenthood.

Introducing The Mom-tionary (drum roll please!)

2008-07-14T10:10:00.000-04:00

I'd Like to Introduce you all to my internet friend.

She has recently entered this crazy world of Blogging and I think all my readers would enjoy her wit and charm. In light of this I decided to do my first blogger interview. So, here goes....

What is your name? Kristina

Where do you live? Florida (Isn't she lucky?!)

What do you do for a living? I'm a stay-at-home mom, which was never my intention. However, I'm loving it and wouldn't want it any other way.

What sort of hobbies do you enjoy? Of course, I love writing. I went to school for English, and dreamed of being a professional writer. I also enjoy crochet, which is great since it is fun with a purpose. (a girl after my own crochet-loving heart!)

What gave you the idea for the Mom-tionary? My husband told me about this book called The Meaning of Liff by Douglas Adams and John Lloyd. From what I understand, it's a dictionary that takes the names of specific places and gives them another meaning. I thought, there really should be a dictionary for moms, or parents in general. A few months later, the Mom-tionary was born in all it's polka-dotted splendor.

How do you hope to impact your readers? I really want to entertain. I truly believe many parents will find the Mom-tionary amusing because they can relate, plus, we just don't examine the little joys of parenthood enough, in my opinion. Really, how many adults would look at a bobcat and ask, "Is his name Bob?"

What other writing do you do? I write most of the It Worked 4 Me section of the mom4life.com blog (blog.mom4life.com), sharing tips with other parents. It's a little hobby I enjoy immensely, right along with the Mom-tionary. But unless there is a tip I gleam out of a Mom-tionary story, the two projects don't overlap.

Anything else you'd like to share? My two little monkeys always amaze and entertain me. They've taught me a lot, too. Like...why you don't leave markers unattended. Seriously. Don't do it.

Now that ya'll know a little bit more about her you need to go and read her blog! I promise you will not be disappointed.

So what are you waiting for?? Go. Here. Now.

R.I.P. Blue Guy

2008-07-13T22:06:00.003-04:00

My 2 1/2 year old has a problem. He is addicted to his pacifier. He calls his pacifier his "guy", and adds the color in front of it...for example...."blue guy", "orange guy", "purple guy". We have been trying to wean him from this thing for a year and a half now. But the more we try to keep it away from him the more attached he becomes.

This morning we went to church as usual. When we got in the car to leave Blue-Eyed Boy says...."I want my blue guy". I look at Handsome Hunk and say do you have it? He doesn't. I don't. We have no idea where it is. (panic ensues in parental units at this point) Handsome Hunk runs back into the church and asks the nursery ladies if they found it or have it--no. Checks the "sanctuary" and the bagel table. The blue guy is nowhere. to. be. found.

I looked at Handsome Hunk, he looked at me....we were up a creek without a paddle folks. So we did the only think we could---we decided that was that. It's gone. We're going cold turkey.

Oh was I nervous. I was waiting for screaming and crying and hitting and biting. I was waiting for the world to come crashing down on us. Oh yes, I was scared, I was terrified--of a 2 year old.

Here was the conversation that ensued:

Blue-Eyed Boy--(weeping) "I want my blue guy"

Me-- "I'm sorry babe, we lost it. Blue guy is all gone"

Blue-Eyed Boy-- (still weeping) "I want my blue guy"

Me--"It's all gone, we lost it".

Blue-Eyed Boy--(weeping yet) "Blue guy all gone?"

Me--"Yep, blue guy all gone. But you don't need him, you're a big boy".

Blue-Eyed Boy--(a moment of quiet reflection, then wipes eyes) "Mama, I not sad anymore"

In toddler speak I think that translates to....okay I'm going to accept this because I can't change it.

He's doing great. He asked for it about 3 times today. And he is sleeping right now. This is the first night without the blue guy since he was about a month old. There was relatively no protesting, he just asked for "him" a few times and went to bed. We only heard one cry---it's been silent ever since. Hallelujah!

I only pray tomorrow goes so smoothly.

And now our biggest hope is that we find the two missing "guys" before Blue-Eyed Boy does. We haven't been able to find them for a few months and are hoping that we don't find them again for a few more. Or that we find them when he's not around.

So, to you dear Blue Guy, my sons very favorite comfort measure: I hope that you rest in peace. For we shall never see nor need you again.

And to you my dear sweet Blue-Eyed Boy: Mommy is so very proud of her big boy. Please don't wake up screaming for your blue guy in the middle of the night.

I'll update y'all tomorrow.

Crushed by the Chef

2008-07-04T15:09:00.004-04:00

I'm a good cook. Not to brag or be egotistical or anything, but I am. I love to cook and I do it well (you can ask the Handsome Hunk-he'll agree). It's just one of my gifts (makes me a good housewife! *wink*).

Well, I am sorry to say that last night the Blue-Eyed Boy crushed me. My heart was ripped apart by his 2-year-old self.

Anybody who has a 2-year-old can tell you-- meals they are a battlefield (If you have a 2-year-old and do not have meal battles please please share your secret with the rest of us!).

And last night for the first time ever. There. wasn't. a. battle! (you are probably wondering why I am pleading for the secret if I already know it, but keep reading).

I'll paint the picture for you....

There we were sitting peacefully at the table. Red-Haired Girl in a rare moment of dinner time bliss (for me) was sleeping in her bouncy seat. Blue-Eyed Boy was sitting nicely in his seat.

The only sounds to be heard were....

*scrape*, *slurp*, *swallow* "mmm, that good"

*scrape*, *slurp*, *swallow* "mmm, that good"

repeat at least 5 more times

then

*bowl scraping across table* "more, please, mama"

(bowl refilled, returned) "thank you mama"

repeat, twice!

Now I know what you are wondering. What in the world were you eating?! I can hear all the mother's of two-year-old's out there screaming "tell us your secret, please!" Well, I am sad to say it wasn't my cooking that got him eating, folks. That was the first time he ever said dinner was good. And we weren't eating anything very nutritious it was more of a mommy-has-strep- throat-and-can't-swallow-anything-that-isn't-soft-and-mushy-type dinner.

I am ashamed to admit this folks but I was trumped by none other than....Chef Boyardee.

I guess a girl just can't win in the face of circular pasta smothered in tomato sauce regardless of how good a cook she may be.

Birth Mothers

2008-06-28T11:39:00.005-04:00

For awhile now I have been reading this blog. I find it interesting. I don't quite remember how I stumbled on to it. But I did, and I am glad I did. It has opened my eyes to a different persons journey, which I always love to follow. What people go through, and experience and how that shapes and molds them into who they are is fascinating to me. Call it nosy, but I love to know the real people inside of us (does that make sense?), not the happy face we put forward to people. This is what I love about this blog (I've also just today stumbled upon another blog of similar topic that I am loving reading, here). She doesn't mince words, she tells exactly how she feels and see things. And she does it with grace and intelligence. I find that beautiful.

For those of you who know me, you are probably wondering why in the world I am reading blogs about adoption when I have never been adopted, nor given my children up for adoption, nor adopted any children (although we may someday). I don't know. I stumbled upon the blogs and started reading...I was hooked.

The thing that saddens me is the harassment these women face because they are First Mothers/Birth Mothers. (For those of you who don't know what that means...those are terms referring to women who made the very difficult decision to relinquish their child). I don't understand why anyone would attack these women or try to belittle their feelings. We should be supporting and loving these women for they had to do the hardest thing any Mother could do.

And yes they are Mother's. The moment those two pink lines showed up on the test...they became Mother's. I know it happened to me and I can't imagine they did not feel the same way. In fact, I didn't even need a test to tell me what I already knew...life was growing in me! How exciting....but scary. I can only imagine that the fear I felt would be nothing compared to a woman who was faced with a surprise pregnancy (both of mine were planned). What a courageous woman to go through those nine long months of pregnancy, through the hard work of labor and birth and then give her baby to someone else. Maybe she gave her baby away because she was young and scared and had no support, maybe she was poor. Whatever the reason it had to be a strong one-- giving up your child, your own flesh and blood, is not a decision that is made lightly. It is a decision filled with the deepest kind of love and protection. That's what Mother's do, they protect and love their children.

Many of the naysayers claim that the moment the Birth Mother gives up her child she is no longer a Mother and should not be allowed to have a relationship with that child. What a bunch of baloney. These women love their children, and they can never stop. They didn't just throw them away like some old dishrag. They lovingly gave them, what they thought at the time, was the best they could. And isn't that precisely what Mother's do?

I don't understand the animosity towards these women. They relinquished their children because they felt they had to (hmm...maybe we should fix that problem. Supporting Mother's who are faced with surprise pregnancies, and giving them the tools to care for those children, rather than pressuring them into adoption. What a crazy idea!). A Mother never stops loving her child. I don't understand why they should be faulted for wanting/longing for a relationship with their child, or told that because they relinquished their child that they shouldn't love them anymore.

But what about the child? Won't he/she be confused? I don't think so. Children are smart, and they understand much more than we give them credit for. And don't adopted children want to know their birth parents? We see T.V. shows about this all the time. A child finds out they were adopted and then they go looking for their birth parents. Don't we hear this story all the time? Don't we rejoice when they are reunited? What would it look like if that child always had a relationship with their birth parents?

I hope I am making sense. This topic brings up a lot of emotions in me. The most prominent being anger, which then in turn makes it hard for me to write coherently. Maybe it's because I have a big heart, or maybe it's because I just had another baby. But I will stand up for these women. As I stand looking down on my sleeping newborn I can't imagine the heartbreak I would go through if I had given her away. I can't imagine her not being in my life, or the pain I would go through if I was denied a relationship with her.

So, to you Munchkins Momma, and to you K's Momma, I know you don't know me, but I think you are the most brave women I "know". Keep telling your story. I hope change will come soon. Thank you for your honesty and transparency. You can be sure that if we decide to adopt, the Birth Mother of our adopted child will be able to have a relationship with their child. I will fight for that.

And to all Birth Mother's everywhere:

May you find healing. And I hope someday you may be able to come out of hiding and say "Yes, I am a Mother" without fear of being made to feel shame or rejection, but with courage that you will be embraced with loving support.

Weeps and Noodles

2008-06-26T20:34:00.003-04:00

Today we went and picked strawberries at Heritage Farmer's Market near Fremont. It was a lot of fun. But really really HOT. The crazy thing is Red-Haired Girl was not affected by this heat. (oh to be a newborn....well maybe not). But we were all overheated with sweat dripping off of us and she's in a black infant car seat on our stroller with a blanket and both sun shields closed. She was also only wearing a onesie (maybe that's the secret, we all need to start wearing onesies! HA! That'd be the day!).

When we were finished picking 6 quarts of strawberries (jam anyone?) We rewarded ourselves with some ice cream. It was fairly windy out and the napkins started blowing away.

Blue-Eyed Boy: "The weeps, the weeps, THE WEEEEEEEEPS!!!"

Me: (trying not to laugh) "It's Wiiiiipes....can you say that?"

Blue-Eyed Boy: *BIG sigh* "no, weep"

Me: "Wiiiiiipes"

Blue-Eyed Boy: *with much aggravation*"WIIIIpes"

Guess I need to teach him to say napkin and the problem would be solved. (or we'd have another on our hands)

One more story to make you smile.....

As we were leaving. I was putting Blue-Eyed Boy in the car. Here's how the conversation went.

Me: "oh man, your diaper is leaking"

Blue-Eyed Boy: "I need diaper change"

Me: "I'm sorry, baby, you have to wait til we get home because Daddy was a noodle and forgot the diaper bag"

Blue-Eyed Boy: *very serious face* "No, Daddy big boy"

So, our lessons for today:

1: Don't let your weeps blow away--it causes a 2-year-old much stress and aggravation.

2: Don't call Daddy a noodle. Because really what man wants his 2-year-old to have to defend him? I'm sure my Handsome Hunk doesn't.

Protect your uncles

2008-06-24T09:52:00.004-04:00

Last night at dinner my blue-eyed boy was eating away. All of a sudden he says.....

"Ow, Ow, I hurt my uncle!"

Me: "you hurt your what?"

Blue-eyed boy: "my UNCLE!"

He then pointed to his ankle. And we laughed.

Ah, the joys of two-year-old pronunciation skills.

banana peel

IMPORTANT

Water

Welcome 2009

I think it's time for a change

The Life and Times of the "Little Wife"

Our Advent Celebration--Christmas Day

Week Four of Our Advent Celebration

In Case you were having a bad day....

I'm it again....

Christmas Cards

Week Three of Our Advent Celebration

Christmas Cookies Revisited

Christmas Cookies Galore!

Our Advent Celebration

Cancer

Tip Jar Tuesday

Our real life Ratatouille

5 photo shoots, 6 tantrums, 15 clothing changes and 237 Pictures later....

HEY MOMS!!!

Contest

Pssss....

Tip Jar Tuesday

And the Winner is.......

Random Integer Generator

The Great Template Change Extravaganza!

The Great Template Change Extravaganza Day Seven

BabyLegs

The Great Template Change Extravaganza Day Six

Did You?

Tip Jar Tuesday

The Great Template Change Extravaganza Day Five

Day of Firsts

The Great Template Change Extravaganza Day Four

The Great Template Change Extravaganza Day Three

The Great Template Change Extravaganza Day TWO

I *heart* Derek Webb

Time for a change (audience participation requested!)

Here We Go Again.....

A Woman of Encouragement

Tip Jar Tuesday

Dinnertime Funny

My Cowboy

Eavesdropping

Toddler Gems

Tip Jar Tuesday

Brothers and Sisters (not the T.V. show!)

Tag: I'm it!

Another amazingly funny lesson in miscommunication

The Jeans

It only took a YEAR (almost)!

THE POCKET

The First Presidential Debate of 2008

Our Potty Training Adventure

Who knew??

Attack of the (almost) Spider!!

Working Hard

And the winner of the Bad Mommy of the Year award goes to....

I'm an Aunt!!!!

When does "Politically Correct" go to far?

Tip Jar Tuesday

It's been 7 years....

This is funny.

The Second-Time Around

Update

Watches

So I fell off the face of the earth.....

Tip Jar Tuesday

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Bananas Part II

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Bananas Part I

C25K Day Two

C25K Day One

Tip Jar Tuesday Tip #2

The 100 Push-up Challenge Week 2

Wives Pay Attention!!

My Baby Loves Herself Some Track and Field

Keywords

Tip Jar Tuesday

The 100 Push-up Challenge Week 1

Salsa

I heart Derek Webb