Kitschy Kitschy Coo!

Stationery card

2012-02-01T12:22:00.001-06:00

Happy Heart Day Valentine's Card

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Stationery card

2012-02-01T12:17:00.001-06:00

Happy Heart Day Valentine's Card

Shutterfly has modern graduation announcements and photo cards.

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2012-02-01T08:40:00.001-06:00

I've had a lot of time these days to think about my life, and all the different ways I could have changed things.
So much of my life, I've spent afraid, hiding the real me.
Pretending to be someone or something I wasn't, hoping no one could see.
But, I grew tired of the stage and the part I had to play.

This came to me last night..part of a poem I wrote years ago. It came to me after a discussion with my husband I plan to post on later.

Stationery card

2012-01-18T23:53:00.001-06:00

Love Wishes Valentine's Card

Shutterfly custom cards for Valentines Day, Easter & Mother's Day.

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Stationery card

2011-12-31T23:19:00.001-06:00

Festive Floral Holiday Card

Elegant holiday invitations for your friends and family.

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Two: Continued.

2011-04-12T17:28:00.002-05:00

http://kitschyphotography.wordpress.com/2011/04/02/two-continued/

Two:Pink French Poodle Zebra Theme

2011-04-12T10:48:00.001-05:00

http://kitschyphotography.wordpress.com/2011/04/02/two/

30 Weeks: Big Foot?

2011-04-07T13:15:00.003-05:00

Pregnancy: 30 Weeks
Weight 137.6
Baby's heart bpm low 140's
Baby's size: Squash
Baby's Weight: 4 pounds!!

I had a sonogram and an obgyn appt today, and according to the sonogram, the baby is measuring over 100% for height and weight, and weighing in at 4 pounds, ahead of schedule for an average baby at this stage of our pregnancy. But I guess, judging by Nik, our babies are anything but average in height and weight. She stated that due to the baby's size/measurements, you would think that my due date would be June 4, not June 16th. All I kept thinking is 1. I do not want to give birth to a baby over 9 POUNDS!!! and 2. That poor pumpkin is going to be REALLY uncomfortable in the last couple of weeks in there.
She stated he/she was all scrunched up inside my belly.

The baby was swallowing and putting his/her hand near their face during the sonogram. She stated that the baby was breach though and she was slightly concerned that the baby was not head down at this stage of the pregnancy. I don't have a base comparison for this information bc due to my insurance plan the last pregnancy with Nik, I never had a sonogram at this stage with her, bc it would have been oop for me, and my obgyn stated that it was not necessary. Soooo, Nik could have been the same way, measuring the same way, breach the same way, so I am taking it all with a grain of salt, and letting time take its course. We had a sonogram with this baby at a time early in the pregnancy that we never had with Nik, and I got worried bc the sono tech stated that I had Placenta Previa, and she would have to monitor it, and put me on a slight restriction of lifting/resting, etc, and then at the next check-up, everything was normal and as it should be. So things could have been the same with NIk and we would have never known it bc we had the sonograms at different times. Note to self, next baby, have the sonograms at the same time to avoid confusion and promote consistency.

Our sono tech stated that the baby's weight and femur/humerous and head circumference are measuring ahead of schedule, so she stated that the baby will be tall with long limbs. At the news that our baby weighed 4 pounds, which was above average and that the head circumference was also above average, I expressed concern that the baby was overweight (due to my ice cream and chocolate obsession) and that the head was too large due to the amount of DHA I was taking. The sono tech stated the baby will not be overweight bc the abdomen size is more average/consistent with the week of the pregnancy and the diameter of the head is also more in-line with the stage of pregnancy. She stated that the diameter of the head and the abdomen size dictate that the baby will not be overweight and the baby will have a long narrow head. She also stated that the baby does not have my nose, ha ha she thought from the image. She got a bgeautiful shot of the baby's head.

Of course I rushed to tell my hubs that we were giving birth to big foot. Josh referred to Nik as "sasquatch" when she was born due to her height and weight. And of course I objected to this referrence. My beautiful baby girl was not a "sasquatch" no matter what her size. I can't help the fact that my sister-in-law's both gave birth to small babies, but I was adament that this did not mean that my pumpkin was abnormally above average for height and weight even though she probably was.

But this baby does not look to be slowing down in size either, so I just pray that this baby weighs the same, or less than 9 pounds. How is it that these poor babies are scrunched into my little torso? I feel so sorry for them , ha ha. I told my hubs with his genes, he should have marries someone 5'7 to carry these little babes so they would be more comfortable. I can already feel that second laceration tear happening again. Although I never felt it the first time. Oh Lordy. I think I should lay off the chocolate and ice cream. I'm still eating oranges and banannas, which hopefully balances it out?? I have this new obsession for chocolate animal crackers since I bought them for Nik's 2nd Birthday. I have been trying to take more walks after work with Nik now that the weather is warming up, so maybe this baby will level out, or I will ha ha.

But then I saw my obgyn and when I expressed my concern that I was going to give birth to a baby over 9 pounds, she advised me that she spoke to the sono tech and she actually was confusing my last menstral date for the last pregnancy cycle with this pregnancy's menstral cycle. She stated that the baby is right at or close to 100% but no worries. She said most second babies are larger, I just had an unusually above average first baby.
I can feel every movement from this little one. I think that he/she is definently squished in there. When he/she moves I can feel the movements so strongly, they suprisingly hurt or perhaps their suddenness is also startling. Poor thing. I can't remember if Nik's movements at this stage where quite as strong. I imagine they were.
Hang in there little pumpkin. Two more months to go:)

Sneak Peek:2.

2011-04-06T13:39:00.002-05:00

http://kitschyphotography.wordpress.com/2011/04/02/sneak-peek2/

Hi Mom.

2011-04-05T11:27:00.001-05:00

My mother had Monday off (in addition to Thursday when she regularly watches Nik), and she called me to tell me she wanted to watch Nik. My mother still works full time at 63, she'll be 64 this year. She has been working more than my father this past year. My father owned an excavating business and when building and construction slowed, or rather stopped, do to the economy, he has found himself with less and less work, and has now handed the business over to my uncle and is now working for the city. They moved retirement to 67, so my mother still has three more year before she can retire.

My heart goes out to my mother. She works holidays and weekends, and she is physically exhausted at the end of the day, working on her feet all day as a retail salesperson. She misses out all the time on special events, family time, and special occasions because she cannot take off work. When Nik was born, she offered to use one of her two days off to watch her every week. And this has helped us out tremendously financially and me (sanity wise). It's the only day that I don't worry about Nik, and usually the only day that I don't belittle and berate myself for not being able to stay at home with my children. The other day she gets off during the week varies, sometimes it's a Sunday, sometimes another day during the week. During the holidays, she only gets one day off a week.

The fact that she offers to watch Nik on her days off just warms my heart in a way that I can not describe. At her age, with the demands of her job, and knowing she has no other time for herself or to clean or run errands, she uses this only time to watch Nik. We pay our sitter for 4 days, so any days beyond Thursday that Nik is not there, we are obligated to pay regardless. But, knowing that it brings her so joy to watch her, and fills her life brings me such pride in knowing she is my mother. Knowing she wants to watch her more than take that time for herself and wants to watch her other than when it is simply convienent for her just reminds me of what a giving, generous person she is, and I can only think what a wonderful mother she must have been to me when I was too young to really remember or be aware.

I hope one day, I am that giving and that generous to my grandchildren, and that I am able to be half the grandmother, or rather, "mimi" she has been to Nik, and will be to our future children.

I called my mother on my lunch break just to check in, and was expecting my mom to tell me Nik was asleep. as she usually does. It took till just about the last ring for someone to answer, and I hear, "Hi Mom." The voice sounded so casual, so confidant, so matter of point, and with a distinct tone, that I thought for a moment it must be my mom mocking my call. It almost sounded like my 6 year old niece which I knew couldn't be possible as she lives in Orland Park. After a few moments, I realized, or was it because she then said, "Hi Mommy" that I realized the voice belonged to Nik. I have never heard her call me "Mom" and she sounded so grown up, so old, like she was 13 years old. I think my heart dropped in my chest at this realization, bc I am not ready for her to get so big so fast. Of course, I LOVE watching her learn new things, explore new things, take new steps, as she grows and becomes her own individual, but she will always be my baby, even when the new baby comes. I think I will just start saying, "My babies."

Then the proceeding coversation resulted in a lot more of, "Hi Mommy" (ies) and I could hear in her voice that she wanted to see me instead of just talk to me, and it was heart breaking to hear. I don't think I will be calling home to speak to her anymore. It was heartbreaking to me to continue the coversation as she just kept saying, "Mommy, Mommy," and I knew she wanted to see me. I tried to ask her specific questions questions but it ended up as more that she just wanted to call for me instead of answer them. My mother also said that when they said to say "good bye" and I said "good bye" and hung up, that big crocodile tears and crying resulted.

She has become more attached to me as we head into the two's and I can't help but wish that time would just speed up so I can be home with her permanantly. Knowing it's so close, and not yet here, is agonizing. And yet, I want to treasure this time between just the two of us. It breaks my heart to leave her everyday, and I want to be with her every moment when we are together, which seems impossible.

But that, "Hi Mom" keeps echoing in my mind, and reminding me that our little pumpkin is getting bigger, growing up, and I am unable to slow time down, and left to just try and embrace every moment of it.

2.

2011-04-04T15:51:00.003-05:00

I hope to upload some photos from the Pumpkin's 2nd Birthday soon. Our French Poodle Hot Pink/Zebra themed party.

I can't believe our little pumpkin is 2.

I must say I was not too happy with the photos I took on her birthday. And, this frustrated me. I have just been really off with photography lately, and I'm not sure why. Maybe my frustrations at not having a working computer to upload photos to, or not being able to go where I want to go with photography. Maybe it's not having the energy to and time to put what I need to into my photography. And the two times I tried to get photos with the pumpkin, she was chasing her cousin around, and I couldn't get her to sit still with me. She had a great birthday though, and I can finally get some sleep now hopefully. Except, I do have to move on to the Nursery now that I am finished with the hubs birthday and her big 2nd Birthday celebration.

Next is my birthday, but that is not until Easter Sunday, and thankfully, I will be in Chicago with my family, and hopefully won't have to worry about entertaining or cleaning. I am kind of excited that my birthday falls on Easter this year, kind of something fun, unique and different.

Nik ended up having two birthday parties (one on her actual birthday wth family & then her Big 2nd Birthday party with friends and family) and we took Mother/Daughter Maternity photos the same week with my sister-in-law. It has been a crazy week. 48 Barefoot Contessa coconut cream cheese cucakes, 4 dozen iced "bones" and "high heels" scratch sugar cookies, oreo balls, Pink Poodle cupcakes that got nixed in the final stages because I couldn't find pink Circus peanuts anywhere but online, appetizers, pasta salads, tea sandwhiches, party planning and a near disaster with the Oopsy Daisy skirt and Rosette Tank. Grocery shopping, more grocery shopping, and more grocery shopping. Cleaning, cleaning, and more cleaning. I am exhausted, but I have been so hyped up the last few weeks, I feel like I still can't sit still. After staying up nights till12:30, 3:30, 5:30 am, and then all night the night before her actual birthday, after the party, I still found myself cleaning everything up, and passing out on my parents couch at 11:30 pm.

It's getting closer to the due date, and I can't help but wonder where the time went. We waited so late to tell everyone, and I have been so busy with work, taking care of NIk, holidays, showers, and birthdays, that I can barely believe we only have 2 1/2 months left (10 weeks Thursday). I find myself trying to mentally slow time down. I am so excited to welcome this new little pupmkin, but worried about my little pumpkin at home. I so want to treasure these last weeks I have her all to myself, hoping that she welcomes this new little brother or sister with a welcome and open heart. She does love her Mommy time. I just want to be able to give them both the time and lvoe they deserve and not feel completely overwhelmed.

Talking with my mother yesterday, I mentioned to her that when she passes there are a few things that I want for myself and my family, but mainly everything else I am more than happy to share with my family and extended family. Family photographs was one that was very important to me. I hope to line my future homes with loads of antique, old fashioned, photography of my parents family and of my own family. The other thing I mentioned to her was my Grandfather's antique cameras. I didn't know this until recently, but my mother's father loved photography and when he died it was very important to my mother to keep his cameras and a bulk of their family photographs. My mother told me how she was heatbroken bc one of his cameras she believes was accidently thrown out. I can't help wondering which camera it was, what it looked like, if I could have somehow located someone to restore it, and can't help but carry that loss as well. A piece of my Grandfather and what was was important to him gone forever; something that is just as important to me, a newfound shared passion with the Grandfather I never met, who died shortly before my mother was married to my father.

I found myself wondering about him and his passion, his interest in photography, and wondered if he didn't somehow pass that passion and love and desire through to me. To carry on his legacy and create these memories for our families and generations to come, and I found myself getting teary eyed over it. I found myself wishing I had had the opportunity to meet him and learn about his passion and love of photography, to have him teach me about life as Grandfathers do. A desire to pour out my ideas and thoughts about photography and to hear his own, and share that passion with him, and learn through him. And, a yearning desire to finish his legacy and honor him and my own family through my own pursuit of photography. I hope to make him proud one day and honor his passion through my own shared passion, love, and photgraphy.

I found myself hoping and praying that Nikolina and our children will have many, many years with their Grandfathers to share that special bond that only Grandfathers and grand children do. Having never met my mothers father, and losing my dad's father when I was 10, I am thankful for the memories that I do have of my father's father, and hope that Nikolina will have that too with her grandfathers.

XOXO

Almost Spring.

2011-03-24T14:40:00.000-05:00

http://kitschyphotography.wordpress.com/2011/03/24/almost-spring/

1st Birthday.

2011-03-23T14:38:00.001-05:00

http://kitschyphotography.wordpress.com/2011/03/23/1st-birthday/

Be Not Afraid...

2011-03-18T12:37:00.000-05:00

This happened upon me today...

Be not afraid of going slowly; be afraid only of standing still.

~Chinese Proverb

I also have seen it read this way...

I'm not sure which way is correct, but I like it both ways. The first thing I thought of was my setbacks, or shall I say my "challenges" with pursuing photography. And it inspired me to not feel as discouraged about my current position, and having to hold off on pursuing photography on the level I am desiring. Going slowly or Growing slowly is better than not all. I think I may hang it where I can see it and be reminded everyday. My desk, our fridge, our office, our bedroom, our bathroom, Nik's room, etc.

Hope it inspired your life in some way(s) as it has inspired mine.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Erin Go Bragh!

2011-03-17T22:00:00.000-05:00

Irish Eyes are smiling!

Have a Green Beer for Me, ha!

Happy Birthday.

2011-03-16T00:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday to my husband who turns 31 today. And what a Beautiful day for his Birthday. Gorgeous. Couldn't have asked for a more perfect Spring day compared to the weather we have been having lately. He requested Chicken + Noodles. He wanted hand rolled noodles, but I told him a working expecting mama does not have time for hand rolled noodles like Grandma used to make. I have been taking off work just to clean in order to have people over to the house. And to grocery shop and make the dinner and dessert. I have a day and half of vaction left till next June. I hope I make it till then, ha. I have to use my vacation when Nik is sick, and thus those days become my vacation. I stayed up till 4:30 am last night, and made it till about 8pm today, and then the tiredness hit me.

I love to plan parties and entertain family and friends though. Love it! And I LOVE having a clean house. I hope I can maintain it this way till Nik's Birthday party, or else I'll be doing this all over again. I get so giddy having a clean house.

I am so excited for her 2nd Birthday, wait till you see what I have planned. A French Poodle Party, and if I can pull it off, I will feel a huge relief when it's all over. I'm also excited for my niece Bella's 1st Birthday party this weekend! I miss my brother, sister-in-law ans nieces terribly since we live about two hours away. And I know Nik wil have a blast at the party. She had so much fun with her triplet cousins at Daddy's party tonight.

Come In...

2011-03-11T11:02:00.001-06:00

Come in, but don’t expect to find

All dishes done and floors that shine.

Observe the crumbs, cereal, and toys galore.

The smudgy prints upon the windows and doors.

The little ones we shelter here

Don’t thrive on a spotless atmosphere.

They’re more inclined to disarray

And carefree messy play.

Their needs are great and their patience small.

All day I’m at their beck and call.

It’s Mommy come! Mommy see!

Mommy change the channel on TV.

Wiggly worms and scraped knees.

Painted pictures and blocks piled high.
My floors and house a mess, the days go by.
Some future day they’ll flee this nest,
And I at last will have a rest!
Now you tell me which matters more,
A happy child or a polished floor?

I found this on Christinia's Blog 365 Days of Grace and just loved it! Christinia is also pregnant and is about 1 week behind me. I found her blog a while back, and jsut fell in love with it! She has a beautiful little spot there, and a beautiful daughter, Gracie, go check it out! I love Christinia's photography as well:)

Also, prayers and thoughts go out to the people of Japan and surrounding areas during this time, and pray that the people and their country are able to pull together through this crisis: You can see more HERE.

Pregnancy:Week 26

2011-03-10T13:24:00.003-06:00

DATE: March 10, 2011

How far along: 26 Weeks

Total Weight Gained: Unknown, never weighed myself before baby (insane I know)

Current Weight: 134.8

Weeks 25-28 (Month 6): Eggplant

Average size: 13.6-14.8 inches, 1.5-2.2 lb.
Immune system is preparing for the outside world...

Your Baby: Month 6
Let your spouse put an ear to your belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required). Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.

Maternity Clothes: I did purchase a pair of maternity jeans as I mentioned in a previous post:

My other jeans fit, but the zipper kept sliding down, and the button began to get uncomfortable. I have heard of the Belly Band and all those gadgets to wear out your current pair of jeans longer, but I just decided to give in to Maternity and buy a pair. They are skinny afterall. The only thing I don't like is the elastic over your tummy, and it looks strange folded over, but I'm sticking with the one pair for now.

My last pregnancy the only Maternity clothes I purchased was a pair of jeans, a few long sleeve tees from Targee and the hubs purchased a winter maternity coat for me. I usually just wore what I already had to save money or bought something clearance in a larger size in the Junior dept. I was trying to stay away from Maternity clothes, and just wasn't happy with the selection we had at our one Maternity store and Targee. But this prenancy, our Maternity store had some cuter things, and Heidi Klum has a Maternity line now as well. I figured, I should just buy something that fits my body type pregnant rather than clearance Junior clothes, and embrace being pregnant. I bought a short black raincoat, a few tops, a black pair of skinny dress pants, and a pair of black stretch pants. I have a couple wedding showers for my sister-in-law to attend, Easter, and my 31st Birthday, and Maternity pictures soon, so they will be put to good use, and I didn't break the bank on the purchases.

Sleep: Good. Sleeping on my left side, which I always do anyway. A pillow between my legs is most comfortable, but I usually wake up and it's somehwere else in the bed or on the floor. Last night though Nik woke up several times, and then I couldn't get back to sleep. The baby was then moving non stop for a couple hours. Eventually I went and got Nik, gave her some milk and we snuggled till she fell back asleep, and then I moved her back to her crib, went back to sleep for about 1hr and got up, and actually fixed myself up a little this morning for a change. I usually just put my hair in a bun or hat and rush out the door with usually whatever is hanging in my closet clean, and my jeans or leggings that are thrown on the floor.

Best Moment of the Week: My Prenatal Appt today. I got to drink the orange sugar "gatorade" juice for the blood lab/Diabetes/Glucose test today. I actually think it tastes good, or at least my office's does, ha ha. I enjoyed it, and I really enjoyed playing hooky for an hour while I had to wait before I could get my blood drawn. My obgyn came in and I talked to her, she took the baby's heartbeat and she said in the 130's so she is guessing a boy. She said I was measuring 25/26 tummy measurement. Then I walked down to the Hospital Gift shop while I waited for the hour to be up, and got to look at all the tiny cute fluffy soft adorable baby items and dream about our baby and his/her coming into the world, and those heavenly first couple days in the hospital with ourt new little bundle of joy, boy or girl. And saw these adorable Mud Pie silver rattles for a girl or boy that were about $7 and decided that I will have to have my mom pick one up after we find out what sex the baby is. Eeek, can't wait!

Food Cravings: Oranges. Vitamin Water ZERO. Organic Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Food Aversions: None, but staying away from Caffeine and Soda.

Gender: Still don't know yet, we are waiting to find out. Hubs wants to know badly. Saw our Sono Tech today who asked if I had changed my mind about finding out and I said, "No, I still don't want to find out." I mean I do, but, I don't. Hubs still wants to though.

Symptoms: Big belly! Getting harder to sit in shower and shave legs, bend over to pick things up, etc. Try not to lay on my back too much, bc of the loss of blood flow, and I hear is uncomfortable for Baby bc he/she competes with your backbone/vertebrae. Though I sometimes wake up on my back. Heartburn, Heartburn and more Heartburn! From anything: juice, fruit, vegetables, fish, rice, pasta, you name it, it gives me heartburn. Zantac is my saving grace! Looks like I am carrying a basketball, so I am thinking, "Boy" based on the heartbeat and tummy, but still think this little one is a Girl. I've heard people say the heartbeats predicted the opposite sex many times, so I'm not sure that is a positive indicator of the sex of the baby, and the Chinese lunar calendar sais it was a Girl, so we'll see!

What I miss: I would love a good glass of wine!

What I'm looking forward to: Decorating the Nursery. Maternity pictures. And, I can continue to say, finding out the sex of the baby! And, also, really getting excited to meet this little bundle of joy!

What I am loving: Feeling that baby kick. My 15/20 min walks at work on my break. I love reading Nik her Big Sister book! Also, enjoying my quality, special time with Nik before she has to share Mommy-Lots of giggles and snuggles hugs and kisses!

Big Sister.

2011-03-01T22:06:00.001-06:00

I bought Nik this book this weekend....I LOVE it, and she does too! It is such a sweet book. It really captures so much in such a short book, and the illustrations are so sweet! We read it over and over again. She is so excited about a baby and being a big sister....she will be the best big sister ever! They make one for Big Brothers too. I want her to be prepared and excited for this new addition to our lives and family. Can't believe we only have 3 1/2 months to go....where did the time go???

XOXO Love.

Hmmm....

2011-02-21T22:33:00.001-06:00

I am wanting to find out the baby's gender today....argh. So hard. I feel like I should wait it out since we have come this far, but want to know...grrr. What do you think????

So I mentioned wanting skinny maternity jeans that were not in our budget....and, I forgot that hubs got me a gift certificate to a local dept store.....so....last Monday, the zipper on my "junior" skinny jeans kept un-zipping, and by Friday, I couldn't comfortably get my jeans zipped or buttoned. I tried on my maternity jeans from 2008-2009, and they were atrocious compared to my skinny jeans which I am used to, and my skinny jeans aren't even the really skinny jeans. I have been spoiled with skinny jeans and leggins! I couldn't bear to wear them. So I remebered my gc to this dept store, and saw on line they were having a sale, and they carried a pair of skinny leg maternity jeans. I called and had the salesclerk hold me a pair. She could only find a small which I knew would be too large. I was praying that she missed the XS somehwere on the rack, and low and behold, on my lunch, yes, one pair of XS skinny maternity jeans in dark wash, one pair, mind you. I almost got down on my knees there in thre dept store and said an "Alleluia!" Of course I didn't, but I did take a moment in the car to thank the Lord for this find. I am not loving loving them, bc well they are maternity jeans, so you feel like a heffer anyway, and they are not high jean quality material, obviously (we live in a town where the maternity options are very very very limited--So, I am lucky and thankful to have what we have). I swear I should open a cute maternity store for preggers, if I could only finance it. And, an adorable baby section in the back, with Beautiful baby photos and preggers photos adorning the walls....ahhhhh, and call it "Kitschy, Kitschy Coo! " A girl can dream can't she???

So, without further ado, say hello to my skinny maternity jeans...

They look way better on her than me, might be the shortness or the muscular legs, her legs are quite long and slender, but I was quite proud to have found them today, and showed them to all the girls at work. Wish I could get some new tops too, but happy just to have these for now. Thank you Lord!

Love XOXO

A Special Heart Gift.

2011-02-18T16:01:00.001-06:00

http://kitschyphotography.wordpress.com/2011/02/17/a-special-heart-gift/

Baby Bump.

2011-02-18T10:51:00.000-06:00

http://kitschyphotography.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/70/

Baby+Belly=Heart.

2011-02-16T16:07:00.002-06:00

http://kitschyphotography.wordpress.com/2011/02/14/happy-valentines-day/

and my little pumpkin

http://kitschyphotography.wordpress.com/2011/02/14/hearts-day/

+

http://kitschyphotography.wordpress.com/2011/02/14/hearts-day-2/

Busting Out!

2011-02-15T21:08:00.001-06:00

My Co-worker informed me today that my zipper was down. I quickly zipped it up, only to discover that it was down again. All day long I did this. So either my zipper is broke, or it may be time to start thinking about breaking out the Maternity jeans. I don't want to give up my skinnys, and hate to buy a new pair of jeans, even though they probably have a skinny leg Maternity-
not in the budget right now.

Ahhhh, the joys of motherhood. Hee hee.

Hope you all are having a good Tuesday.
We're trying to get back on an earlier sleep schedule. I hate to put her down so early bc it means that we have less time together. She called for me for 10 minutes straight or longer. Broke my heart, I want to spend more time with her, but getting her up in the morning before daycare has been a nightmare. She is exhausted, and hates to be rushed to get dressed and leave. Waking her up even earlier seems like torture, so to bed earlier it is. Hopefully, our struggles in the morning will be easier now if she is more rested. And I won't have to rush out the door at daycare as she cries and screams my name. I left in tears today. It's so hard for me. I hate leaving her.

I hate to think what abandonment issues I am engraining into her personality leaving her in tears and cries everyday bc I have to work. How much easier our lives would be if I didn't have to work. Last week when she was sick, she slept till 9 am, even 10 am. Breaks my heart to think how much sleep she is loosing out on bc we have to wake up at the crack of dawn. And she didn't have to rush out the door last week, and since she went with my dad a few days, I let her stay in her jammies which she loved. Hopefully, this is better for her, and we can save on the tears and back and forth in the morning. That will make me feel better though it's hard to put her down earlier, bc I miss out on time together with her.

XOXO
Lindsay

Happy Hearts Day!

2011-02-14T22:26:00.001-06:00

This is how I felt today driving Nikolina to daycare. I had Valentines and Valentine Goodie Bags for her class, and teachers. Heart shaped pink/red Iced Sugar Cookies for my colleagues at work, kitty/puppy Valentines with Pink Tootsie Pops for my co-workers and a Special Heart Box for all my Valentines. Spent the weekend baking/cooking Valentine themed food and making Valentines for our family. As I was driving in my car, there was no sign anywhere that it was Valentined Day, and I thought what a shame, "there should be hearts in the sky."

Thought this was sweet.

and

for you Valentines Day Haters, this made me smile...

This made me laugh....

Vulgar for Valentines Day and a Momma, but funny none the less.

Hope you were able to share this special day with someone you LOVE!

XOXO

New Mommy

Happy Hearts Day!

2011-02-11T23:01:00.029-06:00

Happy Friday y'all!

I hope you all have a Great V-Day weekend, and V-Day! Hope you get to spend time with your lovies and your hubbies! I am making the hubs and Nik Red Velvet Pancakes this weekend a Spaghetti dinner (original I know, trying to budget, ha) and I have some Sugar Cookie dough frozen from Christmas and I hope to make Iced Heart Sugar Cookies this wekend, but they are so time consuming, I am exicted but know that I will be exhausted by the end of the process.

Hoping to make some Valentines with Nik tomorrow or Sunday for our family. I wanted to get them completed today and mailed, before/on V-day, but with Nik sick and a hard time getting her to nap again after she breiefly fell asleep and woke up, they didn't happen today. Poor pumpkin, I know she was tired, but she just would not go down for her nap thsi afternoon. She lay in there talking to herself for an hour I swear before she fell asleep, saying things like "Mommy, I did It," "Mommy slow down," "Hi Puppy," "No, Ella," and other random things. It was kind of funny, but my heart was breaking, bc I know she needs the sleep to get better.

Once she fell aleep, I did get manage to get all our dishes done, that were still stacked up/soaking from the Superbowl and every meal last week (I know). Cleaned the kitchen, picked up the house and vaccummed. I still have some laundry to do, and have to make another trip to the grocery store, since we go to the store late and Nik got really sleepy while shopping today and I wanted to get her home, so we didn't complete our shopping trip. Pancakes will have to wait till Sunday unless I get up really early tommorow which I don't think is going to happen.

I had hoped to take some pics of Nik this weekend in V-day day attire, but with her sick, I just don't have the heart to do it, and have to work all week next week, so will have to put that off maybe till she is better. She woke up with a fever and cold early Tuesday morning at 3:30/4:30 AM? and has had a fever off and on and horrible congestion, trying to get into her chest ever since. I had hoped she would be on the up end of it now, but she just can't seem to break it. Maybe she keeps re-infecting herself or Maybe she's not getting enough nutrients since she's not that interested in food. She does want milk all day, but I have heard that milk makes congestion worse, so I am almost thinking I should start giving her some low sugar applejuice in place of some of the milk. I have been watering some of it down so she's not getting to much, but afraid she's not getting enough, ha!

I am going to make a Valentine box for Nik to put her Valentines in, and one for me. I am in charge of the Valentines Day party for my colleagues at work (well it was my idea), and I am in charge of all the "moral boosters" at my work is what they call them, parties/celebrations is what I call them. I told my team that they have to bring sweets and also Valentines for everyone. They all laughed and said, I was back in grade school, but by the end of this week, everyone was talking about it and making Valentine boxes to put ther Valentines in. Who doesn't love giving anf receiving Valentines? And, making little Valentine treat baggies for all Nik's "classmates" at her "preschool"/daycare, and my nieces and nephew. So excited!!

I just love V-day, and I have to work till 7 PM Valentines day, can you beleive that? Ugh! I got the worse schedule ever this month, bc I turned my schedule the morning after it was due, and they wouldn't accept it. So, I just decided to embrace it, no one would have taken it anyway if I tried to give it up, ha! Hubs doesn't get home till after me usually, so it will probably be a pizza or maybe a take-out night, which is fine by me.

Hope you all have a good one! Happy Hearts Day! XOXO

Pregnancy: Week 22

2011-02-10T22:12:00.002-06:00

***BIG SONOGRAM TODAY*** Hubs and Nik came along!

DATE: February 10, 2011

How far along: 22 Weeks

Total Weight Gained: Unknown, never weighed myself before baby (insane I know)

Current Weight: 132.8
(seems high this far along, guess I better lay off the Ghiradeli and Organic Chocolate Chip Cookies, ha ha)

Weeks 22-24 (Month 5): Papaya Our Baby is a Papaya!! I LOVE that word! Good Lord, as big as my tummy is, I hope that baby is bigger than a Papaya or else I am going to be in trouble!

Average size: 10.5-11.8 inches, 12.7-20.8 oz.

Nipples are sprouting, and face is fully formed!

Your Baby: Month 5
Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.

Maternity Clothes: No. Ironically my jeans still fit, at least one pair do. But starting the get tighter at the button/fly.

Sleep: Good. Sleeping on my left side, which I always do anyway. A pillow between my legs is most comfortable, but I usually wake up and it's somehwere else in the bed or on the floor.

Best Moment of the Week: Sonogram today. Seeing you move, and knowing you are healthy and growing right on track. The sono-tech had the baby play peek-a-boo with Nikolina and you, using the wand and she loved it. Having my whole family together in one room was pretty amazing! Watching her meet you was pretty amazing! Can't wait till the real thing!

Food Cravings: Oranges. Vitamin Water. Grilled Cheeses.

Food Aversions: None, but staying away from Caffeine and Soda.

Gender: We didn't find out today. Hubs was amazing, and is going to wait to find out with me, I think,
hee hee. I almost caved, I felt so bad for him, he was so sad/dissapointed:(

Symptoms: Big belly! This baby is getting BIG FAST! If I lay on the couch on my back, I get really bad lower back pain, and start to feel sick (bc your blood flow slows down unless you are on your left side). Also, tying my shoes laces on the side, and can't see the bottem of my tummy anymore.

What I miss: Flat belly, cocktails (usually only when family/friends are celebrating,otherwise, doesn't bother me:)

What I'm looking forward to: Decorating the Nursery. Nikolina becoming more aware that there is a Baby in mommy's tummy that she will be able to help take care of when he/she is born! Maternity pictures. And, now I can continue to say, finding out the sex of the baby! And, also, really getting excited to meet this little one.

Tick Tock...

2011-02-09T23:00:00.001-06:00

Tomorrow's the BIG (SONOGRAM) DAY! Hubs and I battled today on finding out the sex. I think he caved and will wait to find out, but now I feel bad, he wants to know so bad, he's pouting/brooding about it, saying there's no point for him to go to the sonogram. I am going to take Nik since this will be the last sonogram we have till the baby is born. The last sonograms, they didn't use the wand on my tummy, and I think it freaked her out a little. Since they will put the wand on my tummy this time, I am thinking she won't be as freaked out this time. I think she thinks they are hurting Mommy.

Tonight though, when I said the baby was kicking, she put her hand on my tummy several times, and rubbed it. When you ask her where "Mommy's Baby" is, she points to her tummy and says "here, here," or points to my tummy. But, she is more into babies she can touch/see. Everytime I mention a baby, she always asks for "bella" who is my niece that lives in Orland Park, IL. It kills me that we can't just hop in the car and go over to their house to see them. I miss them so much across the distance. It does make our time together when we visit that much more special though. And I must say, I do love that they live in the Chicago suburbs, just kind of wished we lived there with them, ha. Though, I do love our hometown.

Hubs is so sad, but I tried to explain it to him this way, "If Christmas where tomorrow, you'd be really excited for the day, but how would you feel when December 25 came?" Or, I said, "I could tell you the gift I was going to give you, but wouldn't you rather I wrap it up, and you not know?" I mean, to me, one of the best parts of Christmas is the anticipation and build up, same with your wedding, and with the birth of your child. I fyou haev the means to wait, why not?

I just love that not finding out is the same way our parents and our grandparents had their births. And, not knowing will prevent me from going out and buying a bunch of stuff we can't afford, ha! This way, I know I will not go out and buy yellow/green stuff, so I think we save money/temptation. And the room I want is gender neutral, so it works.

Just feel bad for hubs, almost want to find out for him, but I really think not knowing is the best way. I just know I'd regret it if we found out, and you can't take that back. And he can't keep a secret to save his life!As fast as this pregnancy is going, the baby will be here in no time. I will probably be packing my overnight bag in a couple of months. I swear the last time, I packed that think for a month over and over, ha! And didn't even use most of the stuff I packed for the baby.

Baby Garrett is kicking up a storm the past few weeks, and sometimes, very abrupt, sharp kicks that hurt! Sometimes almost jarr me they happen so suddenly and fast. Think we might have a future Soccer player or Field Goal kicker on our hands, Ouch! I love every minute of it! Being pregnant is like being in on a secret that no one else knows about. It's amazing!

Pajamas.

2011-02-08T23:30:00.000-06:00

http://kitschyphotography.wordpress.com/2011/02/08/pajamas/

21 Weeks.

2011-02-08T09:01:00.002-06:00

I'll be 22 Weeks Thursday! Hard to believe we are halfway there! I don't feel like I am near where I want to be for this new little bundle of joy, but hopefully things will fall into place. I have a new restored hope, perhaps an early spring??? It' suspposed to warm up this weekend, and I am hoping maybe I can take some pics of the pumpkin and dust off the camera.

We have our BIG sonogram Thursday, I was actually able to keep a scheduled appointment this time with all the overtime and capacity scheduled at work. I didn't have to use my free morning to go to the doctor as I usually do, and I am ecstatic!

Hubs wants to find out the sex, but I am bound and determined not to know. I don't think I can convince him to change his mind, even though I am the one carrying this little love for 9 months, ha! I just find it so much more old fashioned and nostalgic to not find out, and It gives you that big surprise moment at the end, something to look forward to along the way, ehich your 9 months and ready to pop. I feel like not knowing gets you through those last days where you can't wait to meet your new little life and welcome hm/her into the world.

I am about the most organized person you'll meet, or used to be before working full-time and having a child. So, you would think it would be a nightmare to me no tto know, but for some reason I LOVE not knowing. Hubs just wants to know if it's a BOY. And, I keep telling him he and I both are going to have nothing to look forward to when he finds out it's a GIRl, as I think it is(him already knowing it's not a BOY, and me not wanting to know). The Chinese Lunar Calendar says it is most asssuredly a GIRL, and I have always found the Calendar to be accurate, as others swear by it's accuracy as well.

I had hoped for a BOY, but now, I am open to having another GIRL, especially for NIkolina. I never had a sister, my best friend, Mitzi was my adopted sister for most of my youth life, and I had a couple very close friends as a teenager that were like sisters to me, one into my mid twenties. Plus already having the clothes that should nearly fit (Nik born late March, and this little one June 16), would be a huge financial plus.

Hopefully, I can convince the hubs to wait with me. He's a HORRIBLE secret keeper, so there's no way he could keep it from me if he found out and I didn't, and I really want it to be a SURPRISE~! And the nursery decor that I am hoping for (Chic-Nautical Theme with Navy's and Reds and Khakis) will be neutral anyway, if I can convince hubs to help me decorate~! HE swore he would not do another baby room after Nik. And, he did such a fabulous job striping and drywalling and molding her her room, tsk tsk, shame to let that talent go un-fettered.

We'll see....

Pumpkim woke up at 4:30 AM with a fever (she started a cold Saturday night) and went back to bed at 6 AM. She is still sleeping now, poor pumpkin:( I am headed to work when she wakes up, and my Papa is going to watch her for the rest of the day.

Light...

2011-02-07T18:01:00.009-06:00

I'm embarrassed even now to write this as it has been so long since I posted, and I have to apologize, and admit that I have missed writing and you, my friends, dearly.

I lost a piece of myself when our computer broke, and I could no longer upload photos to share with you all and to treasure and explore for myself. So much so, that I stopped picking up my camera. Staring at it sitting there gathtering dust, un-used, un-explored, un-challenged, lonely, sad, empty, well that's kind of how I have felt too.

Work has taken so much joy from me, so much life I have felt ebb away, missing out on my daughter's precious moments of youth and exploration and shared love, that I am having a hard time finding myself again.

Work has been insane, with no spare moment to re-group and find myself. This pregnancy has taken a lot out of me physically, finding only enough energy to take care of Nikolina and put some kind of dinner on the table. And, the bitter cold of winter with endless snow and ice, and sunless days has done nothing to restore that energy.

Only recenlty have I found the a new found strength to actually finish our laundry that has piled up for weeks, and manage to clean the house and do the dishes. I have finally managed to keep the house clean for two weeks now, staying up till 2 am several nights.

And, the hubs and I have gone back and forth on the bills, our debts, and the budget, which has taken any emotional and mental strength I have had left. It seems like everytime we get back on our feet, the rug is pulled out from underneath us, whether from our indirect doing, or by what can only be deemed dumb luck.

I am determined to stay at home with our new child and with Nikolina. And, I cannot rest until the day we make that dream a reality. I am learning to shop generic, and tell myself I don't need that ice cream, or that unnecessary treat at the store. That stop at the vending machine or the Corporate Cafe could mean not staying home with my child. And, I am learning to do without so that I may be able to watch my children grow.

The other day, just when I thought that I couldn't bear to step outise until the bitter freezing cold and wind to walk the icy, snowy parking lot the length to my car at the end of the work day....I was driving to get Nikolina from daycare and realized that it was 4:50 pm and still sunny. Through the drab winter, there the sun shone, like a beacon of hope, a ray of light in a cloud of darkness. A promise of warmer weather, of lazy days in the grass, spring flowers, bubbles and walks to the park, and beautiful photos. And, my spirit was lifted.

I've been forced to set photography on the back burner. Most people would see these struggles as a challenge and for so long I did. For so long, I promised myself I would not give up on my dreams, my passion, on the art and light I found through photography. But, I gave in, as I do when excessive "no's" and "you can'ts" were thrown at me. So many times I have entered giveaways daily, workshops opportunities, membership promotions, raffles in the hopes of getting a leg up. I even wrote a 6 page letter to a radio station during a make-a-wish promotion that went unanswered.

I have not given up on my goal and my dreams to conquer photography, but until we have the means to further my dreams, I have to wait patiently on this passion that is bursting inside of me, begging to be explored.

A new change at work on our computers, has eliminated accessibility to some of the sites that I searched during the day in my free time to inspire me artistically and through communities, and even here with all of you. I never blogged much at work, but I can't, now even pull up my url any longer.

I'm not here to say, "I'm Back." Because more than likely, I'm not, but I am trying. I am searching for that person within me that is trying to get back to all of you, trying to find the strength, energy, and the motivation.

Relishing in those little things that bring me so much joy:
Seeing Nikolina's face when I pick her up from daycare for the day
Watching the clock on my phone at work hit 4:30 pm
Watching Nikolina with her Baby and knowing what an amazing Big Sister she will be
Hearing her say "Ma Ma" or "Mommy"
Seeing her first thing in the Morning, after naptime, and last thing at night
Watching her learn
Hugs, snuggles, and kisses
Her joy and excitement at building a snowman in our front yard
Nikolina "cooking" with me
How she likes to play "hide and seek" and to "hide"
Laying my head on my pillow at night
A hot shower
Water
Chocolate
A Chocolate Chip Cookie
Ruffles on clothes
Newsboy Hats
Boots
Scarves
Fingerless gloves
Skinny Jeans
Leggins
Accessories
Jewelry
Perfume
Sexy Lingerie
Katy Perry
Hearts
Valentines Day
Sleeves that cover your hands with thumb holes
Hearing Nik say "Frosty" which sounds like "Frothy"
Hearing her say "Cruella" which sounds like "Ka lel a"
Hearing her say "I don't know" and put her hands up in a mock gesture
Hearing her say "I did it," "Mommy, I did it"
Hearing her say "Oh Man" or "No Way"
Hearing all the new words she learns every day
How she always steals your spot, on purpose
How she lives to jump on the Bed and "Fall down"
Reading to her
Watching her do everything with her baby, I do with her
How she wants to put colored sprinkles on EVERYTHING
Feeling the baby move/kick
Watching my jeans become too tight to zip or button
Dreaming of a Nursery
Dreaming of an Immaculate house, and an endless amount of time to clean it in
Dreaming of the time to be the organized person that I am
Dreaming of a computer and Photoshop, a workshop, and all the photo books I can find
And, dreaming of staying at home with my children.

Love to all XOXO

Snow Day.

2011-01-30T23:00:00.001-06:00

http://kitschyphotography.wordpress.com/2011/01/30/snow-day/

I Have a Secret to Share...

2011-01-06T17:28:00.000-06:00

http://kitschyphotography.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/4/

P.S. Since, I don't have a computer, or Photoshop to edit, I had to refer you to this site to share in my secret. I created this wordpress site a while back to showcase my photography since I was having so many issues with Blogger. If I tried to upload this photo to Blogger, you wouldn't have been able to read what the card stated...hee hee...

Happy New Year!!!

2011-01-01T00:00:00.000-06:00

May this year bring you much good health, celebration, love, laughter, joy, and happiness!

Love.

Baby Bump.

2010-12-30T22:00:00.000-06:00

http://kitschyphotography.wordpress.com/2010/12/30/baby-bump/

Top Two Tuesday! Top Two Favorite Christmas Memories.

2010-12-21T16:39:00.000-06:00

It's that time again for Top Two with Tay over at The Undomestic Momma.

It's been a while since I posted, and I feel just sick abput it. Just trying to get through work, crazy lately, and not having a computer. I haven't picked up my camera in two months. Just stuck in a slump, I guess. No computer, too cold to go outside, and our house is not quite picture friendly. Considering just going back to a point and shoot and giving it up. Ahh well. But it's Christmas, and things are tight around here, but Merry none the less. Hoping Nik gets a little excited for Christmas, though I still don't think she has grasped the concept yet.

I have so many wonderful memories of Christmas as a child, young adult, adult, and then as a fiance, a wife, and a mother: Christmas Eve at my Nana's every year since I was born, followed by Church, reading Christmas stories, Christmas with my Grandma and Aunt and Uncle Christmas Day, Christmas in Arizonia with the hubs and his family, Christmas in Chicago at my Brother/Sister-in-laws when my sis-in-law was on bedrest.

The #1 memory I have at Christmastime is:

1. Baking Christmas Cookies with my Mom

My mom and I on Christmas Eve would make Iced Sugar Cookies and Peanut Butter Balls. I can still remember the flour, the bakers cloth, the rolling pin, the cookie cutters, picking the icing and sprinkels for each cookie, dipping the peanut Butter in Chocolate, and opening the Christmas Tins we would store them in. We would usually be listening to Christmas music, with "It's a Wonderful Life" or "The Bishops Wife" on in the background. And then, leaving the cookies for Santa, with carrots for Rudolph, milk, and a letter for Santa. I still put cookies out for Santa, always have. Nik and I just made Peanut Butter Balls Sunday, and we are going to make Iced Sugar Christmas Cookies Christmas Eve. Yeah! Can't wait! I wear my Christmas Apron, and she has a little snowman apron that is too cute!

and

The Windows at Marshall Fields/Having lunch at The Walnut Room in Chicago with my Mom and Brothers
My mom dragged us every year around Christmas to see the windows at Marshall Fields in Chicago, and to have lunch around the Big Christmas Tree in the Walnut Room. We took the train up usually, and we went no matter what the weather. Rain, snow, freezing temperatures. She told us we'd look back and remember this, and be glad she dargged us, and she was right. Thankfully Macy's is continuing the Tradition, and we were able to take Nik last year, though we have not made it there with her yet this year. Hopefuly, after Christmas:)

and
I have to mention...

Christmas Mornings

The magic of Christmas mornings was what I loved best. The magic and joy of running down the stairs to see if Santa had come and put something under the tree and filled our stockings. Stockings are my FAVORITE thing! I am huge into stockings! It was less about what was under the tree, and more about the magic of believing in Santa. I have many memories of my brother sneaking into my room early, early Christmas morning to wake me up, and we snuck downstairs together to see if we could catch Santa. We were always caught! My world was crushed when a little girl in my class told me about Santa. I still choose to believe, and every year, I still wake up, and run to the tree, wondering if there will be a mysterious gift under the tree...hoping...

There is nothing like the Magic of Christmas!

Merry Christmas y'all!

Weekend Update and Coldstone Creamery WINNER!

2010-12-13T11:25:00.004-06:00

Hey Y'all!

Happy Monday! Brrr, what a cold weekend we had! I won tickets to Uncle Kracker on a local radio station, but the concert was about an hour away, and we happen to have a small ice storm and got a late start, so hubs said that we wouldn't be able to attend;(. I was dissapointed, but hubs DID take me to a Chicago Bears Game Sunday for business, and the weather was so bad, we got to stay the night in Chicago over night. Yeah!! I had to be at work at 8am today, but we were able to have a nice dinner after the game at a little Italian Restaurant called the Italian Village that was TO DIE FOR! We had the cutest little booth/table, nestled in this little cove like corner, all to ourselves. IT was so private and intimate. They had fabulous bread/olive oil, great food, and dessert!

This Picture pretty much sums up the whole game for me. Tom Brady and the Partiots outdefeated us in any and every way imagineable. If anyone of you saw, the Bears game was a massacre and it was brutally cold, windy and snowy, with -5 windshield. But, we were able to go with two other young couples who the hubs does businness with and we had a nice lunch at Kroll's Bar near Soldier Field, had fun at the game bundled up, with only our eyes showing, drinks afterwards, and then huns and I seperated to go to dinner, and then back to the hotel, where I took a very long hot shower.

My parents watched Nik over the weekend. She had the onset of a cold.cough, and it escalated over the weekend, so they stated they would watch her today, so hopefully, she gets to feeling a little better. My dad said it looks like our dog Diesel got into something too while we were gone, and now, we think he's sick top. What a mess. Hopefully, he'll be okay.

It was my brothers birthday Sunday, and my brother, sister-in-law, and nieces came down from Chciago to visit. Happy Birthday Troy, you're a GREAT UNCLE, and Nikolina just adores you! We were sorry we missed my family, but we're looking forward to seeing them on Christmas! Apparently Nik had a blast with my 6 year old niece and doted on my 9 month old niece. Savannah was pulling Nik around the house on her bottom with a silkie and Nikolina was cracking up hysterically, and she kept running over to my 9 month old niece wanting to kiss and hold baby Isabella over and over.

My point and shoot is broken, so we only took some pics with a throw away camera. So I don't have any to share of the game, not that I could share them anyway without going to my parents to upload them, ha. But, I could probably show you a pic of a couple people wraqpped up like Mummies with only their eyes exposed, and you wouldn't know the difference...

But, you wouldn't know that this wasn't us, unless I told you, would you???

I have no idea who these people are, found it online.
But this is pretty much what everybody looked like walking around, ha!

But, I hope you all had a GREAT WEEKEND, and I do have a WINNER for the $20 GC Coldstone Creamery Giveaway. Wish I could give one to everyone. I went to Random.Org, and you have to pay a fee and be a member to get the official drawing pic/info. But, I assigned a number to all of you based off what order your comments were in, if you participated, and assigned two numbers to you if you chose a flavor, etc. I think drawing names from a hat is more fun, and would have had Nik do it, but this seemed more fair.

For generic giveaway results. The top number in the Random sequence is used.

Which was #8.

I tried to attach the link below, showing that #8 was the first number in the random sequence, but the link just kept changing the number sequence.

CONGRATULATIONS Allison of Life With Lydia.

Isn't the pic of her little one THE CUTEST EVER!! WHAT A DOLL!

Email me at lindsay.berner@gmail.com with your address to claim your prize!
Hopefully, I will have more Giveaways for you. I had so much fun with this one, I think I am going to try and have another one soon!

Happy Monday Y'all!

Thankful Thursdays.

2010-12-09T17:56:00.002-06:00

I am Thankful for so many things...everyday I am ever mindful of how many things I am thankful for in my life. There is always something: a person, a word, a glance, a picture, an event, news, an article, a book, that reminds me how blessed I am in my life, and I am always grateful for those little things that keep me feeling alive and aware of how blessed I am in my life.

I think the only thing that gets me through my work day, without Nik, is how thankful I am to see her for the couple hours I do at the end of the day and the 1/2 hour in the morning. I try and think how blessed I am to have her in the first place-that we are surviving, with a roof over our head, and food on our table, with our faith, our family, and our health. If I can keep those things in focus, and how grateful I am, I can get handle how desperately I miss her and want to be home with her during the day.

But, there are always those little things that I am grateful for too. Sometimes they're silly, nearly insignificant, mostly unnecessary, but none the less, things that I am thankful for in my life. That make my days a little better, a little easier, a little more meaningful, a little more enjoyable. Thought I'd share.

Obviously, there's her..

and him...

All my family and friends....

and

Romance Christmas Novels!

This is my guilty pleasure at Christmas! I Love these Christmas themed Romance Novels, with the multiple authors, filled with short stories of finding love at Christmas time. I read them every year, and it always gets me in the spirit for Christmas.

My dad found my old gameboy and was letting Nikolina play with it. I confiscated it, put some new batteries in, blew on the games a little, and what do yo u know? It still works. And, no I am not ashamed to be walking around with this old school gameboy I had when I was 7. I love my Super Mario Land and Tetris.

Now onto the Food.

I am thankful for...

Starbucks Mocha Frapuccinos, no whip. These are so crazy expensive. I can't even afford to talk about them. But I have been having at least one a week for the past couple months. I can't afford to, but they are like heaven to me. I LOVE THEM. I think it's winter that makes me want to fatten up.

And, if I'm not having them all the time, I always get the whip. I don't understand people whi don't get whip and chocolate shavings. Might as well go for broke.

At Christmastime I Like the Peppermint Mocha Frapuccinos too, though I think this is a Latte.

Haagen Dazs Chocolate Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. Just saying it aloud sounds fattening, and it is. It so is. But it is hands down the absolute best Ice Cream Ever! And CCC, is my favorite. My mom and I used to watch old Black and White Movies and share a pint of Haagen Dazs CCC Ice Cream. Two Spoons, Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, and my mom and I. I think they actually put Haagen Dazs Ice Cream on a list of the 10 worst foods for you, you can eat, yep, it's that good.

Salads. I have been loving salads lately. Eating one a day. Yes, I add cheese, and fatty dressing. But still feels and tastes good to eat them. I can't stand fat free dressing. Just no good. I have been eating spinach leaves, with craisins, roasted almond chips, Greuere Cheese, and Ranch Dressing. Fabulous.

I LOVE Subway's Turkey Sandwhiches. The way I have always gotten them my whole life is Wheat bread, Turkey, American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers, black olives, and mustard. I can still remember walking into the store as a child, and the smell that hits you when you first walk in of fresh baked bread. Still feel that same feeling everytime I walk in there.

Panera's Turkey Bacon Bravo. If you have a Panera near you. Go there. Go there now. Seriously, stop reading, and grab your purse, your children, your dog, your clothes, whatever...Drive there, get in line, and order a Turkey Baco Bravo, just the way it comes. It is the absolute most fabulous sandwhich! To die for. Tastes so healthy and so filling, without leaving you overfilled. FABULOUS! Are you still here? Go!

I'm not usually a big candy person. I used to be when I was younger, twizzlers, sugared gummy worms, sour candy all that. But, then I started getting headaches, jittery, and hot flashes, if I ate it, and too much, so I stopped cold. But lately, I have been having a wierd craving for candy. Lifesavers, etc. Sometimes I satisfy it, sometimes not, but it always sounds so good. Bananna laffy taffy is my fav. Had a couple of these last month and they were yummy.

and

Pink and Red Starbursts. I only like the Red and Pink. Especially the pink. Although the watermelon is really good too. I had a package of all pinks the other day. These were always a fab growing up, along with Mambas.

AND

Don't forget about The Cold Stone Creamery Giveaway! Last day to enter is tomorrow. I will be using Random.Org to pick the winner, and will probably post the winner Monday.

To enter go here, GIVEAWAY!!

Pregnancy: Week 13

2010-12-09T10:00:00.000-06:00

Pregnancy: Week 13

DATE: December 9, 2010

How far along: 13 Weeks

Total Weight Gained: Unknown
Current Weight: 122

How big is baby? My Little Peach! Mmm...a Peach sounds good!

Your fetus is forming teeth and vocal cords... savor this, their non-functional phase. Baby is approaching normal proportions, with a head now only one third the size of the body. Intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to baby's tummy.

Maternity Clothes: No.

Sleep: Good.

Best Moment of the Week:
Surprise moment of the Week:

Movement:Sometimes, I think I feel little flutters, sudden movements, I'm sure it's you! (though I'm no supposed to feel anything yet!)

Food Craving:Starbucks Mocha Frapuccinos, no whip. This habit will break me, ha!

Haggeen Daaz Chocolate Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. Yummy!

Milk

Food Aversions: Soda. Caffeine.

Morning Sickness: No. Sometimes I feel a little nauseated if I don't eat enough or get dehydrated, or take my pre-natal on an empty stomach. Usually fleeting. Sometimes, my tummy gets a little upset after eating.

Gender: Unknown

Symptoms: Puffy Belly! Little nesting kicking in. Want house clean! Vacuumed/Swiffered twice in one day
What I miss: Flat Tummy, ha! Picking Up Nikolina without hesitiation, and carrying her around on my hip.

What I'm looking forward to: Feeling the Baby Kick, usually around 20 weeks! Decoraing the Nursery once I'm off restrictions. And, hoping that I am no longer at risk for Placenta Previa so I can go back to carrying/holding Nikolina and cleaning/preparing the Nursery.

Sing-A-Ma-Jigs.

2010-12-07T13:19:00.001-06:00

http://www.sing-a-ma-jigs-singing-toys.com/

So, over the Summer, Nik and I were at the Toy Store, and while in line waiting to check out, Nik saw a Display of these Sing-A-Ma-Jigs, and she was reaching and pointing to see one. It was the first time I had ever seen them, and Nik was enthralled with it. It was kind of creepy and strange to me, but she LOVED it! I let her hold it, and she wouldn't let it go. We ended up having to purchase it because she wouldn't let us leave without it. I figured I would just confiscate it during nap, and take it back at a later date. She loved it, but it was $11 or $13 dollars, and that was way more than we could spend on this bizzare toy!

I showed it to the hubs, and he thought it was very cool but also very strange. I wrapped it in the bag, and hid it. She forgot. It later ended up in her closet till I could return it. The other day when I was cleaning Nik's closet and putting away clothes that didn't fit anymore (which I am happy to say is all done. The only clothes hanging in her closet now are a few dresses from when she was little that I didn't want to fold, a couple for now, and a couple dresses/coats for the future), I found it. At this point, I figured, I would just keep it, and put it in her stocking. I had no idea that these things were the HIT ITEM for Christmas! How cool!

They remind me of Alvin and the Chimpmunks and sound like them too! They all sound a little different. They also harmonize when you put them together, which I though was pretty cool. I hope Nik is excited to find it in her stocking, though I'm sure I am going to regret giving her this thing as I can still hear it now in my head months later. It may have to mysteriously disappear and reappear from time to time just to give Mom a break, ha!

HO, HO, NO, HO!

2010-12-03T10:48:00.000-06:00

This a picture a Nik from last year with the Santa at Macy's in Chicago. I would love to take Nik back here to see Santa. They really have a fabulous imitation of the North Pole and Santa's Magical Workshop set up within the old Marshall Fields Building. Then, you are led back by an Elf through a winding corridor to a secret room with a fireplace, stockings, a Christmas Tree, and Santa in a Big Chair. It's really fabulous! My sister-in-law met us there last year. You are alone with Santa, and you can take your own pictures, or purchase one as well. But, I think we waited for two hours on a Weekday, so I can't imagine the wait on a Weekend! They should probably just make appointments. My workplace has Santa Sittings, but you haev to make an appointment, and the Cut off was ridiculously early, like the end of October, and who's thinking about that at that time? So, we missed it.

Also, as you can see. Nikolina is not crazy about Santa. It was her first time meeting him here. I gave her to him, and first she just looked at him (which the photographer snapped a shot of, a really adorable picture), and everything seemed alright, then all of a sudden she burst out into these tears. Obviously, we didn't torture her, and we took her back. We felt bad making her wait all that time, and then she obviously was not comfortable. We though about purchasing the one of her crying instead because it was kinda of indicitive of the moment, but we deicided on the one of them looking at each other, which is really sweet!

So, this year, I was bound to let her LOVE Santa. I have been reading her books about Santa. Putting Santas up in the House, Santa ornaments, Saanta movies. We taught her to say "Ho, Ho, Ho." And she seemed to love him. She gets excited when we read the books and wants to skip to the last page where Santa is, whenver she sees the Santa in the house, she walks past, and says "Ho, Ho, Ho." So, a few weeks ago, I thought she was ready. Our town was having free carriage rides with Santa, and we headed over there to meet the Big Guy. We only had to wait through two families, and then we were next. Nik was very excited to see the horsee, and ride on the buggy and we talked about Santa. When our turn came, I tried to lift her up onto the carriage, and she was not having it. She started crying and wiggling away, trying to escape. I thoought she would settle down, so we went ahead on, and we tried to introduce her to Santa, and Santa talked with her, but she was not thrilled. Another girl and her mom shared the ride with us as well, but that did not help. She eventually did calm down, but she was definently afraid of Santa, and maybe the whole thing.

I don't know what it is with Santa and children. He's so jolly, what's the deal? Kids are always screaming. Maybe it's because he's a stranger, and you;re throwing them on his lap, I don't know. I think I may try once more this year with a local Santa, since we may not get up to Chicago again this year! But, it's so expensive! Crazy expensive. Maybe children have to be older to really understand, grasp, and love Santa. When I was little, my mom said, I would always cry around people with white hair, so maybe that's what it is for her too. Who knows. She's loving the Christmas Carols at Church, so I guess that's all that matters. I hope soon, she will grom to LOVE Santa.

Anyone else's child(ren) the same way with Santa?

This was the magical Fairy/Princess at the Restaurant in Macys. She and Nikolina became fast friends. She sprinkled Fairy Dust on her, and sang to her. It was so cute, and we had dinner around the "Traditional Marshall Fields Tree." I would love to take her back there, now that she's a year older. I think she'd love it!

And, a pic of Nik with Daddy at my Brother and Sisiter-in-Law's house on Christmas last year. Wish I had gotten one of the two of us, but you know how Holidays go...

Hope ya'll have a Great Weekend!

A Smile In My Heart...

2010-12-02T16:35:00.002-06:00

Today, I have a smile in my heart. I ran home on lunch to grab a bite, and right behind me was the Fed Ex man. He hoped out jolly as an Elf, and called out, "Lindsay, this is Your Lucky Day!" I knew what he had for me, and he handed me the box, and ask for my signature, wished me a "Merry Christmas" and then off he went, bounding up the truck again before driving gown my street off to deliver another smile to someone.

On my doorstep was the Playtex Diaper Genie Elite II!

As, I mentioned the other day, I won a Playtex Diaper Genie at the Blogger Event in Chicago at Navy Pier. As soon as I won, I knew immediately what I would do with the gift. This year, I had the opportunity to participate in our town's 17th annual Festival of Trees that benefits and raises money for our local Baby Fold. I had the opportunity to meet and decorate a tree with several wonderful people for this wonderful cause. I promise to show pics soon, I've been a little behind:). I have always wanted to donate time and whatever I could to help this organization becuase I think it's a great cause. My mother has participated in this event as well in the past, her tree even won 2nd Place one year! I was so thankful to have this opportunity this year! I still have not heard back on how our tree did, but hopefully, it's adorning someone's family room this Christmas!

During the Holidays, is when I feel the most joy in my heart, and I have the most urge to want to extend that joy in any way I can to those who need it. I have to stop at every Santa/Volunteer for the Salvation Army ringing a bell and donate if I have money, I can't help it or put caned goods in those bins at the Grocery Store. Ever since I can remember, my mother always took our family to the Toy Store to pick up a toy for the Brotherhood Tree to be gifted to a little boy or girl at Christmas. I did this last year with Nikolina, and I hope to do it ever year forward.

I couldn't wait to drop this gift off, so I rushed over there on my lunch. I knew immidately that this was what I wanted to do to give back. I tried to think if there was anyone else, a nursery, a daycare, a hospital, any other orginization that could benefit more, or to offer it to all of you, but I the Baby Fold was my first thought. I know if I were down on my luck, or needing a helping hand, that is where I would go. Driving away, I saw a large Nativity scene in the window, and I just hope that it finds it's way to a new mother and her new baby girl/boy this Christmas.

Thank you Playtex for making a new Mommy's Christmas this year, and for this generous donation!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas in Chicago.

2010-12-02T11:33:00.002-06:00

As, I mentioned yesterday. My mother came with me to Chicago when I attended the Blogger Event at Navy Pier. We rode the train up, stopping to grab Starbucks for the ride. I LOVE taking the Train. There is something about it that is so old world style, so nostalgic. People have been riding the train for generations, it having been a main source of transportation for many years for lots of people. There is something about trains that connects us to years and years ago, that I just don't feel with planes. Although I love any form of transportation becuase it's an Adventure from the norm. A sign of going somewhere, visiting a new place, a place unchartered. I LOVE train stations, especially Union Station, there is so much history there. And, I have a lot of memories of taking the train with my mother at Christmas to see the windows at Marshall Fields. We shared a cab, dropping her off on Michigan Ave, and then myself at Navy Pier. After the event, we met up at Water Tower, then headed to the Bllomingdales building.

I LOVE Christmas in Chicago. There is nothing I love more. The hustle and bustle of shoppers, the windows aglow with gifts and Christmas decorations. Shoppers rushing with their bags full of presents for friends and family. The chill winter air. I love it all. Since my mother had not eaten, yes, I had to eat twice, horrible I know. We decided to eat at Bistro 110. I have never been, and it was fabulous. The Croque Monsieur is TO DIE FOR, and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it, if you ever go there. Funny enough, my mother ordered Pomme Frites, wanting American fries, and she was a little taken aback, when they actually brought the French style French Fries, known as Pomme Frites. The waitress was kind enough to take them back for the American version. Probably back in the kitchen snickering at us, ha!

I know this is my kind of place becuase they had hats hanging every where in the restaurant. How fabulous!

We had a great lunch and conversation, as I told her about the Event, among other things. And, afterwards, we walked outside, and what was right next door....

They were bustling with comers and goers. We were going to grab some ice cream, and stepped inside. It was very busy. When we walked through the dorr, they presented us with a piece of Peppermint Bark, and after swallowing that, we decided that was good enough, and headed back outside. Outside the store, they had a Hot Chocolate stand set-up, so shoppers could simply grab a cup and move along, how adorable is that. There was a horse and buggy walking through the area, with families, bundled up with blankets and grasping Hot Chocolate. One little girl was giggling hysterically as she passed. Ahh...I LOVE Christmas in Chicago. So sweet. And across the street on teh other side...

Can't beat being surrounded by chocolate at Christmas.

Also, there was also the Annual The Christmas Parade that evening, and my mother and I snuggled amongst city folk and tourists in teh freezing bitter winds of the Chicago Streets hoping to get a peak at Santa. Unfortunately, we had to head back for the last Train before we caught a glimse of the Magical Fellow. And, the story about trying to get a Cab when EVERY Street is blocked off for the Parade, and bumper to bumper traffic is a story for another day. But we made it to teh train station in time, and enjoyed a lovely train ride home, seeing a lot of the same people we saw on the way up, having enjoyed a wonderful taste of Christmas in Chicago.

Don't forget to enter the Giveaway for the $20 Gift Card to Coldstone Creamery if you haven't already done so! See details on Thursday's Post. Contest ends Friday December 10th.

Pregnancy: Week 12.

2010-12-02T10:00:00.016-06:00

Pregnancy: Week 12

DATE: December 2, 2010

How far along: 12 Weeks

Total Weight Gained: ???, Unknown, I never weigh myself:)

Current Weight 122

How big is baby?
My little Plum! Mmm, a plum sounds good!

As you move into the second trimester, baby shifts into the growth and maturation stage. After weeks in the critical development stage, almost all of baby's systems are fully formed.

Maternity Clothes: No.

Sleep: Good.

Best Moment of the Week: Watching Nikolina see you on the Sonogram Monitor, Daddy too.

Seeing that you were ok (the Dr. couldn't find your heartbeat on Tuesday at my pre-natal, and moving all over the place. Hearing your heartbeat-155 beats per minute.

Surprise moment of the Week: Finding out we were 12 weeks along, not 8 weeks!! Surprise!

And, that I may be at risk for Placenta Previa. I have a follow up Sonogram in 2 Weeks.

Movement:Sometimes, I think I feel little flutters, sudden movements, I'm sure it's you! (though I'm no supposed to feel anything yet!)

Food Craving:Starbucks Mocha Frapuccinos, no whip. This habit will break me, ha!

South Beach Bars.Yogurt. Milk

Food Aversions: None

Gender: Unknown

Symptoms: Puffy Belly! Little tired sometimes.

What I miss: Flat Tummy, ha! Picking Up Nikolina without hesitiation, and carrying her around on my hip.

What I'm looking forward to: Feeling the Baby Kick, usually around 20 weeks! And, hoping that I am no longer at risk for Placenta Previa so I can go back to carrying/holding Nikolina.

Chicago Blogger Event and A Very Cold Christmas Giveaway!

2010-12-01T12:28:00.003-06:00

On November 20th, I had a Fabulous Opportunity to attend My First Ever Blogger Event in Chicago, hosted by Team Mom and Child's Play. It was a wonderful opportunity for me, and I am SO EXCITED to share my experience with all of you and a Giveaway for my FABULOUS readers!

The Event kicked off with an Open Panel Discussion with several Popular Mommy Bloggers answering questions and offering advice on their experience and inspiration on blogging. It was a fabulous meet/greet, followed by many great questions, and honest, open, direct and informative discussion from some Top Mommy Bloggers. I really enjoyed being able to participate and simply having an open ear to all they had to say.

It was their First Ever Chicago Blogger Event, held at fabulous Navy Pier, on the same weekend as the Chicago Toy and Game Fair, which was right next door. When Nik gets older, I would love to bring her back for the Toy and Game Fair event! It looked like a lot of fun. There were kids running everywhere! It ended up being a beautiful day, and I really enjoyed the venue.

They had a fabulous Brunch for us after the Panel Discussion. Complete with Mimosas. Mmm.. Look at that spread!

I by-passed the Food and moved straight to the Vendor tables! Shocking, I know. I was so excited to get to speak with all these fabulous vendors. My first stop was Playtex Baby. She showed me their new sippy cup, called the "Sipster", and gave me a free sample (I of course picked out the pink/purple cup for Nik, which is going in her stocking), along with some other goodies, including another cup, spoons, and a little portable computer mouse that the hubs snatched up as soon as I got home, he uses it constantly. He knew I had brought it home specifically for him, ha! I raved to them about how Playtex are the only cups we use. They are the only ones I have never had problems with, and they are completely leak proof!

The Sipster was designed by a feeding specialist and a Pediatrician to help foster independant drinking skills. It would make a great first sippy cup for you little one!

My next stop was Restaurant.com. I have heard of Restaurant.com, but have never researched the organization before. They are a resource/referral network for thousands of restaurants across the US. Just go to their website, and type in your city, and they will connect you with loads of restaurants in your area, even providing menus online. You can earn discounts and rewards if you dine out often. You can also earn Restaurant.com Gift certificates by shoppping at your favorite places including, Gap, Blockbuster, Sony, Mac, and Discover. They gifted the bloggers a $50 Gift Certificate out to eat, and hubs and I are so excited for our night out on the town! Gift someone a "Dinner of the Month" Club for Christmas this year, where they receive a $25 Gift Card Each Month! You can find out more about Restaurant.com HERE!!!

My next stop was Cold Stone Creamery. Ironically the night before the event, I really had a craving for Cold Stone and was going to take the pumpkin in there to share some ice cream. But, I was able to wait knowing they would be in attendance at the Event. I was so excited for a free sample! I first learned about Cold Stone while in Arizonia with my extended family and In-laws who have a home there. I had no idea what flavor combination to chose, so my niece stated that she would pick for me, and we sat and ate our ice cream in the Shopping Courtyard, and I remember how incredibly fabulous it was! I wished that we had one where we lived, and then a couple years later, one opened in our town! Everyone in town was so thrilled, and it is always packed! Coldstone introduced us to their Eight Layer Ice Cream Cake and they brought two flavors for us to sample. I had the Health, and it was to die for. Great to pick-up for birthdays, anniversarys, a work event, or for the Holidays! How can you not like candy ice cream, ice cream should also be accompanied by candy and chocolate!

My next stop was Toy State. If you aren't familiar with the Brandname, they make those battery operated trucks, cars, and excavators that are probably roaming around your house. I recognized the CAT Symbol/Brand immediately. My Mother-In-Law purchased a motorized, remote-control CAT Excavator/Digger that my triplet nieces/nephew and Nikolina are obsessed with. They all go crazy over this toy and can't wait fo their turn to make it move themself, and to be a mini-operator and pick random toys up and drop them back on the ground. They gifted us a truck to take home that lights up and makes noise. They also all play a different song. I already wrapped it for Nik, and Josh, especially is super excited to open it with Nik.

My next stop was MEGA Brand Toys. I was really excited to stop here as well. Our old daycare provider gifted Nikolina a set of Mega Blocks for Christmas last year (the pink and white ones). She was a little young at the time, and mostly she just put them in her mouth bc she was teething at the time. But as she got older, she has become obsessed with them. she plays with them EVERYDAY and I am constantly picking them up and finding them up in random places of the house, ha! She says "blocks" or what sounds like the word, blocks, and then motions for you to sit with her, saying "sit" with a little lysp, and you have to sit and build with her. She loves to build, but she also loves to knock them down, and thinks it's the funniest thing ever, and she laughs out loud when they go tumbling down.

See those boxes stacked up on the side. You will never believe this, but they hold a Mega Blocks "Thomas and Friends Adventures on Misty Island" that you may have seen advertised on TV lately for the Christmas Season.

They gifted one of these to every blogger there. Can you believe that! I literally hugged the representative right there! I was so excited to show the hubs, and neither one of us CAN WAIT to open this on Christmas with Nik. Well worth the trip. My mom (who came with me for the day, and we seperated and met back up after the event)couldn't believe it when I showed it to her. And, the woman at the restaurant that we went to later that day, saw it, and said, "Wow, that looks like something, I would want to play with." We said, "I know, right. How fun is this!" Nik loves looking at Choo Choos in her picture book, and can even make the Chugg A Chugg A Choo Choo motion and pulls the whistle too! She is going to love this. I already have it wrapped and ready to open!

The next stop was Backyard Safari Outfitters and Zillionz Brand Toys. I had not seen this brand, but I also have a 20 month old Girl. I asked her if they were at Toys R Us (our only toystore) and she stated "Yes," so I am definently going to look them up next time Nik and I are at the toystore. They had some fabulously fun products for camping that looked liek so much fun. Nik has a bug net/bug container, and she loves it. These toys would be right up her ally. And my mother-in-law is gifting Nikolina a tent for Christmas, so I know come Spring/Summer next year we will be looking into some of their imaginative "Safari" toys. They gifted us a little green lantern, that will be perfect for Nik's new tent. She will be so excited. I'm sure she will turn it on and off constantly and want to hide/play in the tent, read books etc. The lantern is going in her stocking for Christmas.

Zillionz Brand makes a lot of educational toys that help children count and learn about saving money, including banks, cash registers, vault and ATMs. Must have been developed by a banker, ha! But their products are really great, and I already have three piggy banks for Nik and a talking play pig piggy bank. I think teaching kids about money and the importance of saving money is a great value to have. I had several things like that when I was little, and they are a great educational, but fun way for children to learn about money.

The next stop was In Zone Brands Beverages. I have seen these beverages at our local toystore and grocery store. A little boy at Nik's daycare always has one. Nik LOVES juice. We try not to give her too much, but she is obsessed with it, second only to milk. She says it so cute, like "Juze" and makes the sign for drink in Sign Language, and it's so adorable. I usually try to buy watered down juice for Tots or water down juice myself when she's sick or for a special treat. In Zone, not only has juice for big kids, but they also had little juice containers for Tots, with less sugar. I was so thrilled! And, they have all your children's favorite characters too! There are so many to choose from. Nik's is going in her stocking,a dn she will LOVE it! I'm sure she'll want to drink it right away, right then. The reps said that you can even wash them out, and re-use them as well, so one will last you longer than a one time use.

Mary Kay was also there. The food was wonderful, and I sat by some wonderful ladies. I really enjoyed talkkign with all of them, and hearing about their lives and blogs. We shared some great conversation and lots of laughs. I was so thankful to have had this opportunity to attend this event. What a great event, than you Child's Play and Team Mom! Your event was a True Success! It's going to be a wonderful Christmas at our house thanks to this event! Be sure to check back for any add reviews after Christmas of these fabulous toys! At the end, they raffled off some prizes. I won a Playtex Diaper Genie, and since the Hubs and I already have one, I will be donating mine to our Local Baby Fold. I can't wait to drop it off. Hopefully, it will make some New Mom's Christmas!

AND NOW, for my very FIRST GIVEAWAY! Cold Stone Creamery gifted us bloggers a $20 Gift Certificate to Cold Stone, but...they also gifted me a $20 Gift Certificate to be raffled off to one of my LUCKY READERS, and that's....ALL OF YOU!!!

So, to win this Fabulous $20 Gift Certificate to Cold Stone:

Happy 20 Months, Baby Girl.

2010-11-29T09:00:00.000-06:00

Love You, Baby Girl.

Don't grow up too fast...

A Look at Thanksgiving.

2010-11-26T09:00:00.000-06:00

Pregnancy: Week 11

2010-11-25T21:00:00.003-06:00

Pregnancy: Week 11

DATE: November 25, 2010-Thanksgiving. (Though we thought you were only 7 weeks!)
How far along: 7 Weeks
Total Weight Gained: Unknown. I never weigh myself, ha!

How big is baby?

Your fetus currently enjoys a 1:1 ratio between body and head, and has skin so transparent that blood vessels show right through. But, fingers and toes are no longer webbed, and hair follicles, tooth buds and nail beds are forming -- setting up a significantly more attractive future.
Maternity Clothes: No.

Sleep: Good.
Best Moment of the Week: Spending Thanksgiving with My Family! Decorating th house for Christmas, and Watching Christmas Movies with the Hubs all weekend! When Nik came out, saw tree for the first time, and held her hands up, and said "Hot, Hot" in a hushed whisper, and then blew on Tree, ha!
Movement: Sometimes I think I feel little sudden flutters, movements.
Food Cravings: Milk. Eating a lot of cereal. Two bowls a day.
Starbucks Mocha Frapachinos, no whip. Pumpkin Cheescake- I ate practically all the Pumpkin Cheescake I made, myself. Mmmm....
Food Aversions: Soda. Caffeine.

Morning Sickness: None.
Gender: Unknown.

Symptoms: Nausea if I don't eat.

What I miss: Sharing a Cocktail with my family at the Holidays and not being able to share our good news yet. We are waiting till we are 12 weeks!
What I'm looking forward to: Telling everyone!! And, my 1st Doctor's Appt Monday. We have been waiting to avoid bills, ha

Gobble, Gobble.

2010-11-24T11:54:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving, Yall!

Check Back on Monday for details

on my very First Blogger Event in Chicago

and my FIRST GIVEAWAY EVER!!

Hope you all have a Happy, Healthy, and Safe Thanksgiving!!

Love Ya!

I HEART CHRISTMAS.

2010-11-23T09:52:00.004-06:00

My Company Christmas gift came this weekend. I had a difficult time deciding this year. Last year, I got a Mikasa Glass Candy Dish, the year before, a Camping Tent in the hopes that hubs and I would go camping, but then Winter came, and a baby in the Spring. The year before that, I missed the deadline to order, ha!Hopefully, we can make plans to go Camping sometime next year, I have never been, and am really excited to go. And, as girly as I am, I think I might be able to rough it for at least one night. As long as I have my "Louie" Louis Vuitton, right (ha, ha, that a "Newlyweds" reference).

This year, I decided on this:

To replace my "If Lost Please Return to Tiffany" Toggle Bracelet that I lost the Christmas I worked at Bath and Body Works, to earn extra money for Christmas. Ironically, I took it off and put it in one of our Communal smocks so I wouldn't scratch/nik it while at work, and then I left it in there, and forgot about it. Someone found a nice surprise that Christmas in their smock. Looking back I have a fond memory of working there, but that job was actually a nightmare! They had all us Christmas help on stocking and unloading most of my time there, with the occasional floor walking/assisting customers. I think I worked the Cash register twice the whole time I was there. I did enjoy the Festive atmosphere and meeting/helping Christmas shoppers, and handling all the products. But, I don't think I have ever been paid less and worked harder in a shorter period of time in my life, ha! To top it off I bought Christmas presenets for all the women in my family, so they probably got their money back, ha! Oh well, I did get to work with an old friend of mine, but needless to say, I did not offer to stay on when they offered me an extended position.

I don't know when I'll ever be able to replace my Tiffany Togle, hubs doesn't even know Tiffany's exists on the map, even though it's my favorite store outside of Victoria's Secret. But, the Brighton, Bibi Heart Bracelet, is a very pretty and intricate design. It's design was inspired by Bali. I have never been to Bali or anywhere Tropical, so I thought why not? And, after watching "Eat, Pray, Love," and her trip to Bali, I was inspired. And, I let Nik have the tin heart it came in. Who doesn't love new jewelry.

I will probably put it in my stocking for Christmas!

Speaking of Bath and Body Works. I went in there recently becuase I received my annual Christmas gift certificate for a free $13 gift with a $10 purchase. I went to get candles like I usually do, and I must say I was a little shocked that what you used to be able to buy for $10/$13 for a candle is NO LONGER. The $10 candles are now like mini votives, what is up with that? I am very dissapointed in this fact. The cute frosty glass casings are gone as well, and they all look like Yankee Candles now. I like Yankee Candles, but if I wanted a Yankee Candle I'd go buy one. What happened to the signature frosty glass Bath and Body candles? I want those back. I hate when companies change their signature products. Ugh! Wish I could've stocked up on them before they switched to this new design. Grr, Roar!

Top Two Tuesday!! Top Two Christmas List!!

2010-11-22T16:27:00.002-06:00

It 's time again for Top Two with Taylor at The Undomestic Momma! I have been so swamped at work at home, I'm sad to say I haven't been keeping up with Top Two. I thought I'd grab a few momwnts to participate this week, so I don't fall behind indefinently!

Obviously, I LOVE anything Victoria's Secret, and I really want a pair of Ree-Tones, but what I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY WANT is:

Our computer is still on the Fritz. We still can't upload any photos. A IMAC is my dream computer so I can do more with my photos! And, it's just so pretty! So sparkly and shiny! Ahhh....

and

CS5 for MAC, or another Adobe Photoshop Editing Program for MAC. So, I can take photos to that next level. Dream come true!

Head on over to Tay's and see what other Momma's and Ladies have on their Christmas Wish List this year! Can't WAIT to see everyone's picks!

Merry Wishing!!

Chicago Blogger Event!

2010-11-22T15:48:00.000-06:00

Stay tuned! I have some pics to share from this weekend and the Team Mom/Child's Play Chicago Blogger Event at Navy Pier! My First EVER Blogger Event!

Swamped at Work!

Love to All! So excited for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and still have some pics to share of the Pumpkin and our Fall Sessions!

Happy Monday!

(Holy Exclamation Mark!!)

Veterans Day.

2010-11-11T16:33:00.000-06:00

For those who served so that we may live free. Thank you for the gift of our freedom, and our children's freedom. That's you Daddy and Grandpa and Great Grandpa Berner, Karen and Frank Sartiano and many other members of our family. God Bless you all!

Pregnancy: Week 9

2010-11-11T10:00:00.009-06:00

Pregnancy: Week 9

DATE: November 11, 2010
How far along: 9 Weeks (though we thought you were only 5 Weeks at this point!)

Total Weight Gained: Unknown. I never weigh myself, ha!

How big is baby?
My little Olive.

Your little embryo has now officially graduated to fetus-hood. Adding to the excitement, a Doppler ultrasound device might be able to pick up the beating heart. With basic physical structures in place and increasingly distinct facial features, baby is kind of starting to look like... well... a baby!
Maternity Clothes: No.

Sleep: Good.

Best Moment of the Week: Lunch with the Hubs, Dinner out with Nik and the Hubs, window shopping, then a movie with the Hubs, while Mimi and Papa watched Nik for the night!

Movement: Fluttering in my stomach.
Food Cravings: Milkshakes, Juice, Water. Very Dehydrated!

Food Aversions: The smell of over-ripe bananas makes me feel sick. Any amount of caffeine makes me feel sick. Soda. And too much Juice.

Morning Sickness: If I don't eat in the morning, I get nauseated, sick, and close to fainting. I have to eat a bagel with cream cheese every morning. And, usually need a morning snack as well. Eating dinner earlier at night as well.

Gender: Unknown.

Symptoms: Nausea if I don't eat.

What I miss: Cocktails, ha!

What I'm looking forward to: My 1st Doctor's Appt. We have been waiting to avoid bills, ha!

Fall Festival.

2010-11-10T13:44:00.000-06:00

It was high noon, and there were som harsh rays, but I just LOVED the colors (yellows, greens) we captured in the corn maze balanced with her fall coat. I am in love with corn mazes, they are so much fun, and so great for photo ops! This was an amazing maze!

I had Hubs take this picture of us peeking from behind the corn.

Fascinated with corn.

How Happy Does she look in this photo, on her way to the Festival.

Who doesn't LOVE Free Fall Fun!

Leaves.

2010-11-09T15:16:00.001-06:00

These past three days have been so beautiful. I was missing the warm fall weather for photo ops for the Pumpkin. I took these on Sunday after the pumpkin woke up from her nap. Wasn't too long before the sun started to fade behind the homes in our neighborhood. The sun is setting so early now. When I get off work, it is already setting. I guess our photo sessions are going to be limited to the weekend now. I was so sad bc I had a couple shoots in mind, and had been waiting for some warmer weather. Mother nature graced us with three beautiful days in a row, and wouldn't you know it, my company has been in overtime for practically 8 months straight, and I wasn't able to take a hour off of work to take advantage of the warm weather and grab some shots I have been dying to take. Grr, Roar. I had hoped to grab a couple possible Christmas Card shots before the cold weather hit. I think we have seen the last of the warm weather, and it breaks my heart.

The Daddy emptied our Little Tykes Turtle Sandbox out this weekend (the one that I snatched off the curb of a mansion near our home). Here I was trying to prevent him from dumping it, saying "No, No, No, it's still warm, she can still play in it, don't throw it out." Nik was sad to see it go as well. It just breaks my heart to think that summer is gone, and warm fall days are coming to an end. My pumpkin is getting so big. I swear she just went through a HUGE growth spurt. Where did the time go. I am so sad at this.

You might have noticed my blog header is a little different. I had a meltdown today. For some insane reason, I decided to try and change my blog today. I have been wanting my photos to appear larger than they do, and after ruling out that Flkr was the cause, I decided it must be blogger, and thought that changing the template would allow for larger photos. Well, I neglected to save my blog before hand, duh!, and I tell you I had a mess on my hands trying to get it almost back to where it was prior to my meddling. I don't know why I do these things to myself, ha! So, I can't get it back quite the same, the pattern doesn't go all the way to the top, and I don't know why, so there's A LOT OF PINK at the top. I think one of these days I will switch to a photography blog template so I can upload larger photos. I discovered changing the template does not make the photos larger, so I just kept the right justified template. I discovered I think you have to edit your photos in photoshop to get them to appear larger on your blog. If anyone else has any tips of this, please share.

Hope everyone is having a good week. I just realized last night, I have so many photos I haven't shared. From our pumpkin patches, etc. I hope to share some of those with you while it's still Fall.
Is anyone else getting really excited for Thanksgiving and well, Christmas. I think I am going to put up Christmas decs this weekend! Is that crazy!?? I can't wait for Christmas for the pumpkin!

A Look at Halloween.

2010-11-08T15:32:00.000-06:00

So, we're a little behind on pics lately, but I wanted to share. I actually begged the daycare provider the Monday before Halloween to please, please, please use hand sanitizer and wash hands and try and limit hands in mouth all week before Halloween. We had a visit to Chicago to visit my brother, sister-in-law,& nieces on Thursday, a family memorial service in Iowa on Saturday, and Halloween on Sunday, and I really didn't want her to get sick. And, wouldn't you know it, she woke from a nap Sunday afternoon warm. The fever dissapated, and the hubs dismissed me saying she was fine, and I was over exaggerating. Then, as we were going to leave the house to go visit family on Halloween, getting a late start already, the hubs says to me, have you felt her forehead, she has a fever. Ugh, are you kidding me??? Can we get any kind of a break, the child is sick every three days. EVERY THREE DAYS, literally. What are they doing over there, licking each other. Come on, it's her first real Halloween. We took her temp and sure enough she had a fever of 101.7. Josh's sister and family were heading to his mom's house, and we didn't want to get any of them sick, so we were hoping to hit the in-laws house after they had left. We were already dressed and Nik was in good spitits so we headed to my parents house to wish them a Happy Halloween.

Nik learned to say Halloween literally in 2 seconds, and she had it all night long. In that little baby girl voice of hers, with a little sing songy high lift at "ween." I don't know why we didn't teach her Trick or Treat sooner, but she picked that up right away too, but sounded more like, "trick treat." Of course, she "woofed." BUT, she refused to wear her dog hat, which was the cutest part, with the big floppy ears. I even had the sewing lady fix it bc it hung down in her eyes to much, but she still refused to wear it. Oh well, wait till I tell her all these stories.

And, with us running late, the sun setting earlier, and Nik coming down with a fever, I just didn't have the heart to torture her to take a lot of photos. I just wasn't on with my camera, and completely neglected to adjust my settings correctly, and forgot to shoot in raw and jpeg so I could edit at a later date. Oh well.

Daddy is usually "Jason," but Nik had run off with his mask, and we couldn't find it running out the door. I guess he looks more like a lumberjack here, ha!

I was just a cat again this year, cause it's cheaper, and easier. I had though about being a dogcatcher, but I never looked into the costume. I think next year I will be a witch, my mom found me this great hat.

Nik and I with my brother.

Some mice showed up to the party too...Just kidding. I saw these through the door of my parents house and thought it was a cute pic.

This is Glenda. Nik loves her. She sits at the bottom of the steps at my parents house, and Nikolina gives her hugs and kisses and carries her around the house. Of course, she had to join us outside for pictures.

Look at that face. I had to apply her make-up, literally no less than 8 times, bc she kept rubbing it off, accidently. She held that fever till Wed morning, when she finally broke it, just a little warm. By wed afternoon, it was gone. Just breaks my heart.

Hope you all had a Happy Hallo"WEEN."

Shutterfly Christmas.

2010-11-05T11:41:00.001-05:00

Eeeeeek!! I am so excited!! I LOVE Shutterfly!

Many of you bloggers out there may have seen the Shutterfly Promotion. I LOVE Christmas, and I have sent out my own Christmas Cards since I was 18 years old! Sending Christmas Cards has always been a Christmas Tradition in my family, and one that I want to carry on into my own family. This tradition always puts me in the Christmas spirits, and the more you send out, the more chance you might get one in return, and who doesn't LOVE receiving Christmas Cards at Christmas!

Since I have met my husband 5 years ago, sending Photo Cards has been my favorite way to send Christmas Cards (and they are my favorite ones to receive). It's like a present within a present. Before, I started using photos, I used to write long letters in each Christmas Card. Family and Friends always loved it, but it was so tedious and took hours. With Photocards such as Shutterfly offers, I feel like you often don't have to say too much, becuase a photo is a snapshot of your life in itself. Takes a lot of the pressure off of writing a long, personalized message on each card. And with a little one running around, that's a huge relief.

I discovered Shutterfly a few years ago, and I have always wanted to send Shutterfly Christmas Cards, but I have always simply ended up using a local Photo Print shop for printing the photos to insert or photocards. But, the quality of Shutterfly cards is no comparison to local photo stores and the price is so affordable compared to most Professional Photography Christmas Cards, or even some non-photo Christmas cards bought at the store.

I was given the opportunity to participate in a giveaway that Shutterfly is offering to Bloggers. I went to their website, and I was blown away at all the choices. They have a Holiday Card for everyone! I was asked to pick three of my favorite cards, and I have to say, this was no easy task! The choices just kept coming and coming. I thought I must surely be through nearly all the choices, when I looked at the scroll bar, and I was only 1/4 of the way down the page! But, I was really happy for all the choices. Even a slight difference int the design makes a visual difference and adds a personal preference to the card.

I have received Shutterfly Holiday Cards from family and friends throughout the years, and you will not be dissapointed in the quality of the photo, print, and paper card stock. It is fabulous! You wouldn't believe that they were so affordable. I am confident that everyone will LOVE these Christmas Cards, and I can;t wait to send ours out!

It was hard to look past the beautiul photos of children to find my favorite design, but these are my three favorite cards:

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/modern-damask-red-christmas-card?sortType=1&storeNode=93479

I Love the colors, the Damask design, and the saying, "Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas." I remember that song from Childhood. I also love the cursive writing.

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/oh-holy-night-religious-christmas-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=93479

I loved this as well. "O Holy Night" is one of my favorite songs and truly reminds us all the true meanign of Christmas. I loved the balck and white photo, and the simplistic nature of the colors. I loved the mix of the cursive with the block print.

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/modern-damask-gold-tarjetas-de-navidad?sortType=1&storeNode=93479

I loved the colors of this design. Shutterfly has some wonderfully brillant colored Christmas Cards with pinks, greens, and blues, which warm the heart during this cold, white blanketed season. The damask is used here as well, and Feliz Navidad is one of my favorite ways to say "Merry Christmas."

It was so hard to chose, I LOVED them all! I chose desings that would be perfect for one photo, but I also like the multi photo design possibilities. I prefer the 1 sheet flat cardstock as opposed to an actual fold card.
I also have to show you these two, because I really liked them as well:

I Love that you can further personalize it by writing a short letter to keep friends and family informed on what has been happening in your life.

I LOVED this one as well! If I had three or four children, I would def use this card. I LOVE that there is room to write under each photo to tell friends and family what each child has been doing/a little about themselves.

Beyond Christmas Cards, Shutterfly also offers Beautiful! Birth Announcements, Shower Invites, and Birthday Party Invitations, Photo Books, and Calendars. I am thinking of definently looking into the photobooks and calendars for Christmas gifts.

You can also become a member of Shutterfly and have access to free photo storage, where you photos are never deleted, and they are stored at full resolution. You receive a 100% satisfaction guaranteed promise, free 50 4x6 prints, and the convience of picking up your order at a local CVS, Walgreens, or Target. You can't beat that!

Head on over to Shutterfly and check it out! Happy Shopping!

Disclaimer: This post is a promotion for Shutterfly. For this post, I am receiving 50 free Christmas Cards courtesy of Shutterfly.

Training.

2010-11-03T15:40:00.000-05:00

So, I told you right around 16 Months, Nik would start to tug at her diaper when it was wet, right after she went potty in it. I bought her a training potty around this time, but never took it out of the box because everyone told me that a 16 Month old could not be potty trained, so I took it back to the store. Well, Nik's awareness continued and at 18 Months, while my husband was watching her one day, she pointed to her diaper and led my husband into the bathroom, and pointed to the potty. My husband put her on the potty, and she went to the bathroom. My mother told me the next week that while watching her, Nikolina led her into the bathroom as well, and she proceeded to use the potty as well while at my sister-in-law's house.

Since that time, Nikolina has led us all to the bathroom on many occasions, or tried to before going potty in her diaper. Sometimes she goes, sometimes she just sprinkles a little, and sometimes she doesn't actually go, but she loves the whole process, and I still have yet to buy her a training potty. She even knows how to wipe and knows to wash her hands afterwards. I can't believe that out little one is potty training herself without any prompting. Amazing.

I think she might be ready for pull-ups because she keeps taking her diaper off herself. I'm not sure when she will fully grasp the whole process and be dry and underwear ready, but I was so concerned about reading all these books and articles about how to potty train your child in one day, etc, and I think I will just let that go, and let her train herself, ha! I'm just wondering if I should even buy a training potty. I'm not sure that she'll even sit on it. She didn't seem to be to enthralled with the training potty at my sister-in-law's house when we tried to get her to sit on it.

Here are some pics I snapped the other day of her enjoying her new Toddlerton days.

November.

2010-11-01T12:00:00.001-05:00

Sneak Peek.

2010-10-31T21:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Halloween.

2010-10-31T12:00:00.009-05:00

A picture of the Hubs and I on Halloween on our honeymoon, 2007.

A picture of the Hubs with the Band.

Happy 19 Months.

2010-10-29T12:59:00.003-05:00

Love you my little Pumpkin.

Love, Mommy

Family.

2010-10-28T21:00:00.003-05:00

Today, my mom, dad, Nikolina and I headed up to visit my Brother, my Beautiful, Charismatic, Sassy Sisiter-in-law and my two Beautiful Nieces, Savannah and Isabella, "Bella" who live in Chicago. I worked last Saturday, and decided to use today as my day off so we could all go for a visit together.

My parents go frequently, but Nik and I have been unable to go due to our schedules just not working out or because Nik is always sick, and as you can see my little beautiful niece is only 7 Months. My Papa took these photos of us together, aren't they cute??? Isn't my niece so precious. My sis-in-law would prob freak that she doesn't have a bow on in these photos, ha, but oh well. She's the sweetest, always with a smile. She's a master Tummy-timer, wiggling, rolling all around. I'm sure she'll be on the go soon.

Isn't she soo tiny for 7 Months. Geez, I just looked at a pic of Nik at 7 Months and she's twice her size, I swear. All of the babies surrounding me are always tiny compared to Nik. Nikolina must be the next Olympic basketball Player or something, ha.

My niece, Savannah is 6 years old, and in 1st grade this year, I can't believe it! We met her at the Bus-stop, and she took Nikolina's hand and they were inseperable since that moment. They were joined at the hip for the rest of the day playing with dollies, zu-zu pets, reading books, jumping on the bed, sliding down the slide, playing in the playhouse, and drawing with chalk. They had the best time together. We could hear fits of laughter coming from every room of the house that they played in. It warmed my heart that they had so much fun togeher, but maybe me sad that we don't live closer to them.

If they lived here, I know my family would be over there every day, bugging them to no end. We just adore them, and we all have so much fun together. I remember when we used to go visit when Savannah was younger, she would cry when we'd leave, saying "Mimi" through tears for my mom. I would cry the whole way home, wishing we were closer. It breaks my heart, but I am grateful for the time we do have with them.

I am sorry to admit that I have not seen my niece Bella nearly as often and as much as I should. I feel like a horrible Aunt. With Nik being sick all the time, work, and the cost of gas, and schedules, I just haven't been there as much for her as I would've liked. Savannah and I were much closer. I hope that one day, I will be home with Nik, she'll be sick less, and my schedule will allow for us to visit more. I don't want to miss this time with them. I'm going to make that a goal for the rest of the year and the coming year to get up to see them more often. Life is so short. There is nothing more precious than family.

Pregnancy: Week 7

2010-10-28T10:00:00.007-05:00

Annie from Our Little Family told me I could borrow her pregnancy template, which some of you may recognize. I just found her email telling me I could borrow her template:) I will try and be faithful to it, but I'm a little behind on blogging! I have a few that I have been keeping along the way to share with you though....

Thanks Annie!

Pregnancy: Week 7

DATE: October 28, 2010 (Though we thought you were only 3 weeks!)
How far along: 7 Weeks
Total Weight Gained: Unknown. I never weigh myself, ha!

How big is baby? My Little Bluberry!

Baby's brain -- both hemispheres! -- is growing fast, generating about 100 new cells every minute. Arms and legs are emerging as joints start to form, and a permanent set of kidneys (baby's third!) is now in place.
Maternity Clothes: No.

Sleep: Little Tired.

Best Moment of the Week: Visiting my Brother, Sister-In-Law, and two Nieces in Chicago with my Mother and Father.
Movement: Too soon. Though I feel strange things in my tummy and think it's you!
Food Cravings: Milkshakes, Juice, Water. Very Dehydrated!

Food Aversions: The smell of over-ripe bananas makes me feel sick. Any amount of caffeine makes me feel sick. Soda. And too much Juice.

Morning Sickness: Starting to feel nauseaus if I don't eat in the morning.
Gender: Unknown.

Symptoms: Nausea if I don't eat.

What I miss: Cocktails, a little, ha!
What I'm looking forward to: Telling everyone!! My sis-in-law, Tammie, asked when we were having having another baby, Eeek! I wanted to tell her so bad!!!
And, my 1st Doctor's Appt. We have been waiting to avoid bills, ha!

Wordless Wednesday.

2010-10-27T12:43:00.001-05:00

IHeartFaces-Pink

2010-10-26T18:28:00.001-05:00

I love IHeartFaces, and I peruse their website daily. I have never entered a photo because, I always figured that I would wait until I learned Photoshop and honed my Photography. But, after reading more on their website about their weekly posts and visiting other entries, I have come to appreciate that it's not just about having a winning photo, it's about sharing with others your love of photography and your love of the subject of the entry, not simply winning.

I have come across professional photographers entries sharing client work that I was awestruck by all the way to the housemom with a point and shoot that just wanted to share that special moment they captured of their little pumpkin. I have been wanting to enter lately, and wanting to share a recent pic of Nik, and today I was finally able to. I am really excited to see everyone else's entries. They are all so unique and interesting. There are a lot this week. It's a great post week, everyone showing their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month AND their LOVE of Pink!

Coming into Reality.

2010-10-26T12:02:00.001-05:00

It has been so long since I have shared a picture of the pumpkin with any of you, and my heart is so sad. I don't know when hubs will let me use the computer again, after the Virus meltdown, or if the pictures are fully backed up. I have yet to see them, but hubs says they are backed up to a website, or at least the codes for the photographs are, whether they means the photos can actually be accessed, I have no clue, ha ha.

But, today, I am going to try an upload some photos of the pumpkin to my parents computer to share with you because to be honest, I am starting to become really sad that I can't share them with you. I feel empty at that realization and fact. I have always known how sharing photos of Nik uplifted my day when I went back and looked at them throughout the day, but I never realized, till now, how much it meant to me to share them and how much of a part of who I am was connected to those photographs.

I was never really an artist. I was pretty good at studies when I applied myself. When I applied myself, worked hard, and did well, I was always proud of myself. I wasn't really into sports as a young adult. Cheerleading and dance was something I was always proud to define me, and something I was passionate about. Writing was a passionate outlet for me, somewhere I could be proud, shine. An eating disorder defined me for too many years. I have let realtionships define me. I guess I haven't had anything that really defined me, or something I was passionate about in a few years other than being engaged, getting married, then a wife, then a mother. And, I have been proud to let those things define me. Getting engaged, married, and becoming a mother have been the MOST AMAZING things to have ever happened to me in my life.

That's changed with photography. Photography, somewhere, surprisingly has begun to define me without my knowing. And, it's something I admit that I am welcoming to define me. I don't have, well a usable computer right now, I don't have photoshop. I don't have a lot of camera equiptment, or even any photography books. These are all things that I can only dream of right now. Goals that I have to place in the unknown future. I think if I had these things I probably wouldn't ever sleep. I'd probably stay up all night editing photos, working my craft. And, I think that I would LOVE that.

The other night, hubs for fun, uploaded a photo I took onto his work computer. A photo I shot in raw. Basically, we don't own a computer that can handle raw files. I just look forward to uploading a jpeg file at this point, ha! He used something called GIMP to edit the photo, which is like Photoshop. Before my eyes, I watched the most beautiful, amazing thing happen. To me, I would say Really great photography is 51 percent camera equiptment/computer software and 49 percent technique and talent. Those percentages may change in my eyes as I hopefully master my craft, but you would not believe the amazing things you can do with this photography software/templates.

Basically, I think my heart wept or sang, maybe a combination of both at the same time. And that sounds silly to say aloud, but I discovered a world that I could only dream of. A world that was so beautiful to me. To watch a photograph been transformed like that is something I can't even describe to you in words, but something you have to see with your eyes. It truly is an artform, and I have never wanted to master anything so much in my life. I have never wanted to be a part of something so much in my life.

When I look at photography I get knots in my stomach. Dinosaur sized butterflies in my stomach. Nothing makes me more excited, more giddy than to take photographs, to nail that perfect shot, and then to see it transformed on software. The photograph comes alive, and speaks to you, and I have never experienced anything like it. Truly, that moment was a defining moment for me in my life. And, lets be honest, how many of those do you get in a lifetime.

I don't know when or if I will ever have the capabilities to work with raw files and photoshop on quality software or when I'll be able to upgrade my camera equiptment. I don't know if I'll ever find the time to learn and use photoshop. But, I can guarantee that I have a fire in my belly now, that will not be expunged. I will own this dream and I nothing will stop me. Come computer virus, come financial challenges, come naysayers, come all. I will take what I can. Learning free online, and taking loads and loads of photos first to become the best I feel that I can be.

I am trying to learn Manual on my DSLR now, and I know that this will be a big challenge for me. But the Aperature priority mode is proven to become dissapointing to me, so it's time to step it up. I have used aperature priority mode for so long that I finally think I understand the relationshiop between ISO, Aperature, and Shutter Speed. Now, I just have to put that triangle to use in Manual. And after that, it's photoshop.

This is my dream, and I want to thank you all for your support. I promise you all will see great things from me one day. Thank you to all for believing in me and for your continued friendship which I treasure every day.

Have a Great Tuesday!

Happy Anniversary.

2010-10-21T12:03:00.001-05:00

So, I tried to post this yesterday, but Blogger Photo was down. My sister-in-law emailed the hubs and I this photo over the summer. It's kind of silly and helter-skelter, but it's one of us I've never seen, which is always kind of like a surprise and a walk through memory lane. This was taken when we were engaged, but before we were married. I know this because I was going through my spiral hair phase. Since hubs says I still can't upload photos (which is starting to really bring me down;(, I thought I'd share this one with y'all.

The hubs was out of town Tuesday night and Wednesday on a business trip to Chicago, but we were able to go out for drinks and a nice dinner last night. Then headed to a movie. I had free movie passes that I won on the radio, but ended up when we got there that they were only good till before 4 pm. I don't know when I'll ever get to the movies before 4 pm, ha, but we went anyway. I have been wanting to see "The Secretariat." Hubs wanted to see "Wall Street" (which I kind of did to, but wanted to see the "horsey movie" as I have been referring to it as for over a month now). I also want to see the new movie with Katherine Heigel and Josh Dushmel, but "Secretariat" was my first choice. Hubs let me choose which I was grateful for. Of course, he loves pony races and the Kentucky Derby and such so, it wasn't a huge loss for him. We were the only people in the theatre which was kind of nice, since we went to the last showing on a Wed night.

I thought the movie was fabulous!! I Love Diane Lane, and her wardrobe and hair was so coiff and flawless. Made me want to be a Southern Belle in the 60's, early 70's. Again, just another bump towards my dream of owning a ranch, although, horse keeping I'm sure can be expensive and daunting. What a beautiful story and a beautiful horse though. To be honest, I don't like to think about horse racing and the effects if might have on horses. Like when a racing horse breaks his/her leg and then they put him/her down. They did that a couple years ago after a big race, and when I heard about it, I couldn't help but cry and grow a dislike for the whole operation. I feel like they push them too hard, but hubs assures me that those horse are the best taken care of horses, and they get so much attention and that they LOVE to run. So, I'll try and believe hubs, and think posititively about the whole process.

Kudos to Disney though, they never dissapoint. John Malkovich was great, and a great casting all around. And, I got to sleep late today bc the pumpkin stayed at my parents house last night, and my mom watches her every Thursday. Hubs, and I stopped by to see her this morning before work. If you have a chance, this is a great feel good movie, you won't be dissapointed-I love true stories as well, just makes it that much more incredible and touches the heart that much more.

Also, I have to give credit where it's due. Apparently, the 3 year Anniversary gift is Leather. Hubs offered to purchase a new Leather Bag for me but also gave me the option to pay off some bills instead that I am needing help with instead. Since, I still have a functioning leather bag that my mother-in-law gifted me at Christmas 3 years ago, I was more than happy to accept the help with the bills. The closer we get to paying off bills, the closer we get to me getting home, and adding to our family, so that is the greatest gift of all! (He did gift me a leather bound calendar/scheduler as well, so that I would have something leather for our three year).

Thanks for all the Anniversary wishes!

3 yrs.

2010-10-20T14:07:00.000-05:00

Happy 3yrs Today, my husband.
I still to this day am so happy to know that we were married during the most beautiful time of the year.
Our love will always be defined during this beautiful time, and I am so thankful for that.
It feels more like a decade than 3 yrs, and yet, it feels like just yesterday.
Each year, I am amazed that we didn't drive each other mad, and, at the same time, amazed that I still love you even though you're mad. You'd probably say I was too, but I said it first, and last.
Love you.

Glide Bikes Giveaway!!

2010-10-12T10:21:00.000-05:00

What am AMAZING giveaway!! I popped over to Tay's today, and realized that I never entered this giveaway, and I had been so excited for it. Since I have not been uploading photos lately, blogging is getting a little away from me. Can't wait till things are back to normal, ha!

This is such an amazing giveaway, I couldn't believe it!! I read about the Company and the Designer on their web page when I went over there to check out the bikes, and it's a great story! I LOVE reading these kinds of stories. I think it's amazing to learn how ordinary situations (such as purchasing your child's first bike) and every day people lead way to genius and entrepreneurship. I think it's great that he took the initiative to discover the importance of a "balance bike" and incorporate mountain bike advantages with a child's bike, because of his own experience with mountain biking. Logic leads way to greatness.

I would love to present this shiny PINK bike to Nik on her 2nd Birthday next Spring. I can just see it with a Big Bow on her birthday. She would be ecstatic! She LOVES bikes, three wheelers, and her Little Tykes Car. Hard to believe my little pumpkin will be two next Spring. Ugh, where does the time go. I can't even imagine her being old/big enough to ride this bike, but I know it's right around the corner.

I remember when my oldest brother taught me to ride a bike, on Grove Street, without training wheels. I remember I turned around and he was way back down the sidewalk, and I had been riding by myself and didn;t know it. I remember how scared and excited I was at the same time, when I realized I was riding all by myself. He was just back there smiling and clapping his hands.I went straight from a Red Strawberry Shortcake Tricycle to a Pink and White "Fancy Dancer" Bicycle, with a pink horn, pink/white streamers, and a flower basket. I used to LOVE to ride my bike, and I remember the spills and scrapes as well.

I would def purchase this little flower basket to go along with the bike for the little pumpkin, just like her Mommy had.

This is a great thing. I am grateful for the opportunity. Head on over to Tay's!! for a chance to win one of these fabulous bikes for your little pumpkin!

Love to all,
Lindsay

Dream a little Dream...

2010-10-11T12:27:00.006-05:00

So, lately, I have been kinda hum drum. Work is getting to me, and there is constantly changes, which is good, but sometimes, seems harrowing. It's been beautiful out lately, and drudging into a building for 8 1/2 hours, save for a window, does not do much to lighten my mood. I guess most days, the corporate life is ok. I mean, in winter, you don't really notice working inside, bc, well, you'd be inside anyway. But, every morning, stepping out into the sun and the fresh morning air, to turn around and walk into a drab, lifeless, colorless building feels like I've stepped into an Edgar Allen Poe short story. I guess I feel like when I hit those glass doors, my soul ebbs away. That sounds kind of dramatic saying aloud... i guess maybe it has a little (well, a lot) to do with, I know it will be about 9 hours before I see the pumpkin again, and she is my life's soul.

I am thankful to have a job. I know there are bigger things at play in the world. Larger, more important things. I am happy and so blessed to be healthy and for my family's health. There is nothing more precious and more wonderful than to be alive, to see the beauty in each day, and to live life through a child's eyes. I guess what I am struggling with is a happiness that I know I cannot find when I step through those doors. I feel a drop in my heart. And it doesn't much change throughout the day. I guess I just wonder if other people feel that way. Do people feel that way and just try and make the most of it, because, well they have to live, and work, and make a living by working. Do most people just brush it off and try and make the most of their day, make the most of what they have. Does happiness come through an acceptance that this is your day, and you make it what you want. You make the most of it. You can decide whether to feel that way or not. Or is it maybe, something more. Like, maybe I should find a new job. One that doesn't feel as though I loose my soul when I step inside.

Is my job that bad, or is that what I am making it? I never fit into a box in high school. I forced myself into several boxes, but I didn't fit. I was a cheerleader, hung out with a pretty popular crowd. Tried to be diligent with my studies, but any set back would deter me from that path, and I'd give up. Sometimes, I felt like I was outside myself looking in, and I never really felt "there." Like we were all together, but seperate at the same time. As if we had an agreement to be "friends" without any of the real privelages of friendship. I did have a couple friends that I shared real friendships with throughout highschool. I think I was just trying to find myself, determine where I fit. Which I guess is what Highschool is all about. Discovering yourself. Who you are. Who you want to be. Trying out a box, seeing if you fit. Do you want to fit there? Are you forcing yourself to fit there? Do you feel pressured to fit there?

In college, I never found my niche. I wanted to be independant and go away to college, but it ended up that 45 minutes proved to be too far. I moved into an apartment with my best friends at 18, and supporting yourself and attending college is never a good way to start College. Kudos to those that start out that way and are successful, finishing college in four years. But that wasn't me. I stumbled around, in and out of college. I think because I never found that niche. What was my dream? What was I born to do? My passion. My life's happiness, my purpose in life? Do people find that when they go to college? Or do a lot of people just settle for soemthing they have an interest in. Settle for a path someone else leads them down.

In highschool, and my freshman year of college, I wanted to be a writer. I wanted to write Chick Lit, or a Auto Biography, or a Novel, or Junior Literature. There were lots of English majors of the group of friends that I hung around with for a while after high school. When I would sit down and really pour my heart and soul and mind into writing, the result was usually really beautiful. My highschool english teachers all swore I would grow up to be a writer. It was always lengthy, what poured out. I think I was always searching for the right words. I always felt alive when I wrote. I have journals and journals of poetry and thoughts. It was what took me through highschool and adolescence, writing. Then, I decided that I wanted to be different, so I decided to major in Psychology. Maybe I grew out of writing a little bit, or it outgrew me. Then I wanted to be a lawyer. I did love to argue. But, that was seven years, and a bar exam. I didn't have that stay. Always loved animals, maybe I should be a vet, but I could never have that responsibility, I could never put an animal down. I took an interest in Psychology after a couple of classes, and decided to take every single psychology course they offered at my Community College, and then was accepted into the Psych Dept at a University in my home town. I enjoyed the Community College that I attended, well enough anyway. I fit in pretty good, well, because, it's such a diverse place, and so welcoming to all. A small environment where you get individual attention and you can grow.

Once, at the University, at the age of 25, I found I didnt fit in there. Everyone was 18, 19 years old, and no one really cared about you, teachers or students. We were constantly asked to work on group projects and all the new freshman and sophmores, wanted to meet at 9 pm to work on our projects. They didn't work, usually, they didn't have bills to pay and responsibilities, most of them. They were carefree and finding themselves, and I was already past that. I should have already known who I was, or who "I decided to be" by my age. But, I didn't. I didn't know what I wanted. I thought I wanted to be a psychiatrist, or a highschool counselor. Then, when I didn't feel like I fit in the psych dept, after working at a local daycare, I went back to a childhood dream, and wanted to pursue teaching. I looked into teaching, but I basically had to start college all over again. My courseload had been so heavy in Psychology, I had basically drown myself in ever taking a different route. I wasn't starting over, and I couldn't stand where I was anymore. So, I had to get out.

Then the purchase of our home awakened in me an interest in Real Estate. I decided that I'd try my hand at Real Estate from there, which I really liked. I think of all my jobs, I found Real Estate the most interesting, the most fun. I was educated and worked under a veteran Realtor, who tried to teach me everything he knew regarding Real Estate. I never grew tired of learning Real Estate. I was always eager for more. It was the only job I ever had, where it didn't really feel like you were working, when, well, you were working. It felt like everyday was a new experience, something new. I LOVED looking at homes, showing people homes. Going into someone's home. It was like a little secret that I could share with other people. To see each person's space, each unique in it;s own right. Each home, a piece of someone, a window to their soul. To see the looks on people's faces when they found a home that fit them0-It was pretty amazing. Sitting on the other side of the table at the bank, with both parties, when the papers were signed, and the keys handed over, and you saw the look in their eyes, like their dreams had just come true. Every little girl (and little boy)dreams of having her own home, their own space. Watching the look on someone's face when they hold those keys, and know their dream has come true, well there's really nothing like it. I always felt like I must be the luckiest person in the world to be able to be a part of this profession. Idid feel like I ws a little out of my league, after all there were 750 realtors in our area alone, but I felt compelled to try and my mentor gave me confidence.

Of course with the economy being as it is, Real Estate being an independant contracting business, and a busineess where I was told it takes 7 years to build a clientele and ever start making any money. As a new couple starting out, this was not a place that we could chose to be wisely and economically. I decided to put it on the back burner, and eventually I stopped paying the renewal fees, as they are kinda steep for something we weren't sure we'd ever be in a position to able to put my hand in again.

So, enter Corporate life, which I said, I'd never do. I was not that person. I still am not that person. I didn't fit in highschool or college, and I don't fit now. Maybe other people don't fit either. But, It feels like I REALLY don't fit. I've tried to fit. I really have. Of course, I know to be happy you have to find that happiness within yourself. But, I feel so stuck. I really have no where to go from here. Without anymore education, I cannot go any further in my position, and maybe that's why I don't feel challenged or fulfilled, becuase I know I am stuck. and, I do not want to go back to College. Could I find something here that I was more interested in than my current position, of course, if I went back to college, I could have that opportunity. Maybe a position in Human Resources or something similiar. But, I feel so suffocated here, like a square peg, being shoved into a round hole. With a million little hands pushing and poking and prodding, "fit, fit fit." If you've seen the movie "Office Space" or the opening to "Joe Versus the Volcano" that's me in a nutshell. And when I leave, I'm smashing the vending machine for all the times, it stole my animal crackers, ha ha, just kidding. My job at times is rewarding, but nothing that warrants feeling like I have found my place in life, and my life is now complete. And, I hate stiffling up here, wasting my life away for something that doesn't make me feel like I am living everyday to the fullest, the best possible way that I can live it.

I guess I have always felt like my position here was a temporary one, a holding pattern, not permanent. A stop on the way to somethign better. I never planned to stay here long. It's been three years now. What have I accomplished in those three years? I just feel like the life is sucked right out of me. I don't feel like I'm challenged the way I want to be challenged. I don't feel like I can grow, in every way a person should anc can grow as an individual. I can think of a million other things that would have filled my soul in a way that I have not experienced here. I have come to the realization that I want every momeent to mean something. I don't want to settle. I shouldn't have to settle. And if this position doesn't have "your dream" written all over it, why are you here? Move on. I would never encourage Nikolina to settle, to not pursue her dreams, I would never tell her not to live her dreams to the fullest. I have to set an example for her. I have to live my dreams for myself, but also for her. She needs to see that, bc that is what I want for her.

When we got married, I enjoyed the wedding planning process so much that I wanted to become a Wedding Planner, thought maybe that could be my calling. I had several people say they thought it would be a great calling for me. I am so detail oriented and organized. And through looking for photographers, and my own dissapointment in my own wedding photos, I found a LOVE for photography. I wanted to be that person for a couple, to take those incredible shots, to create images of the most wonderful day of their life that they could treasure for years and years to come, for generations to come. I wanted to make up for the shots that I felt we didn't get at our wedding, to give that back to a couple. I would look at wedding phtography every day. Now, I admire baby and family photography of course as well.

I guess what I am looking for, if I have to work, is something that offers some kind of meaning to me. A passion. Yes, I help people, yes, people are grateful, yes, I feel happiness in helping people, in offering patience and reserve where there is none on the other end. But, am I replaceable. Absolutely. If I weren't here, someone else would be, and could they do my position just as well, absolutely. I don't want to be replaceable. Moms are not replaceable, not to their children. Yes, I want to be a SAHM. Nothing could be more rewarding and more fulfilling to me than that. Than raising a family, living off the land. Whatever I'm searching for, my life's purpose, it is not within these walls. And, I will not settle for the few hours outside of work as representing my life. I want it all to mean something, I want it all to be my life's purpose. I don't what that is. I don't know if I'll find it once I become a SAHM. And, I WILL become a SAHM. Maybe I'll find it multiple places. But, so far the only thing I have found that passion, that happiness and peace is through Nikolina.

I don't want to look back on my life and regret. If I were to pass tomorrow, I honestly can't say that I would feel as though my life were fulfilled. I wouldn't feel as though I did everything I wanted to do. I wouldn't feel as though I'd found my place. There is nothing in my current position that I would want to define me, that could define me. I want my life to be about so much more than what is within these walls. Nikolina is the only place I have found myself, and creatively through photographing her. When I photograph her, and I get that one shot that's worth it, it's the only thing that lights up my soul, that makes my soul soar. It's the only thing that I get really excited about. The only thing I'm passionate about. Would I love to be a photographer, maybe, I'm still undecided about that. I just know, outisde of Nikolina, it's the only thing that makes me feel alive, and the only thing that I feel passionate about besides being a mother. The only thing that I feel pride over, the one thing besides Nikolina that I would want to define me, other than being an Aunt and a Mother.

What are you passionate about?
What is your dream?
What defines you? What do you want to define you?
What is the one thing you would want others to remember about you?
What is your dream career? Are you living it?

Do you know the answers to these questions? I want to know. Tell me.

As I try to find myself, I think it is a lifelong path that I will have to discover along the way, I am curious as to what brings others happiness, fulfillment, and peace.

Love to all,
Lindsay

Top Two Tuesday!! Top Two Dream Kitchens!!

2010-10-05T17:11:00.010-05:00

It's that time again. Time for Top Two at Tay's. Head over to Tay's to see her Top Two pics and many other Mamas and Ladies HERE!!

I LOVE beautiful kitchens. MY ABSOLUTE FAV cabinent design is "Antique White" cabinents. That is my dream kitchen with a light colored Marble. Maybe with some stone. Def with the fancy wood designs/sconces etched into the wood. My dream kitchen has to be open. I LOVE big open kitchens were lots of people can gather. perfect for parties, and big family celebrations. I want a kitchen that people WANT to be in. I see Dream kitchens all the time in magazines, but I had a little difficulty finding some on line. I found one link, but you will have to scroll and click on the numbered picture to view them.

1. #1 Fav-"Antique White" Cabinent, Feminine Inspired Kitchen

Page 2, #57

http://www.kitchen-design-ideas.org/pictures-of-kitchens-traditional-antique-white-02.html

2. My seond fav would be a "French Country" inspired kitchen. I keep telling the hubs I want to move out to the country and live on a ranch with some acerage. That is my dream for us as a family. To live off the land, to have a pond with ducks, a goat, some chickens. Took Nik to a pumpkim patch this weekend, and she went nuts chasng the chickens around. She was born to live on a Farm. She threw a fit when they started to close and I told her we had to leave. Our black lab def needs the room to run.

I couldn't find a kitchen to exactly replicate my French inspired Country kitchen design, but something similiar to the one pictured on Page 3, #78.

http://www.kitchen-design-ideas.org/pictures-of-kitchens-traditional-antique-white-03.html

Here are a couple other photos of French Inspired Country Kitchens. They are not exactly what I was looking for, a little darker, but the inspiration is similar. If we do move out to the country and had a French Country kitchen, I would be okay if it were a little smaller than my big open design for the Feminine Antique White design.

Here are some other pics I found that I like.

I like the "masculine" aspect/feel of this kitchen (kitchen table/dark wood/TV-ha!) offset by the sconced hood above the stove and the feminine chandelier.

I LOVE the wodden cubbies in the back, the antique kitchen table/chairs, the island and the wood floors.

The ceiling has etchings too.

Love this sink.

I love Breakfast Nooks with couches.

I like the yellow country cabinents offset by the dark counters.

Love this Top Two. Ahhhh, these kitchen are heavenly. I think I would just sit in my kitchen and look around all day, like I was in dream land.

Can't wait to see everyone's picks!

8,500.

2010-10-04T15:48:00.003-05:00

8,500. I just had to write it, so that it would be real to me.

8,500 photos of the pumpkin restored.

About 6,500 left to go the hubs says.

Do you think I need to stop taking so many pictures, ha!

Hopefully, next week, I will be able to upload some new photos of the pumpkin. I have a few fun ones to post form a couple photo shoots we had. Some worked out, some didn't, but I had fun trying.

Nik is starting to catch on to my photo shoots though. I am trying to make an effort to make them more fun for her, instead of all just about gettting the shot. Make them more relaxed, less fussed, less rushed, and less busy.

I can't thank her enough for helping me to hone my photography. The only inexpensive, un-time consuming, fun, raw, way I know to get better at photography is to simply shoot. Shoot every chance I get. I don't want to always be behind the lens to her. I don't want it to consume me, and to take away from our time together. Sometimes, I have to tell myself, enough is enough. Just put down the camera and laugh and play. Just be. If you got the shot, than you got it, if not, then not. Maybe the shot will present itself later in different form. It's so hard, bc I want to hold it every minute. I want to capture it all. I don't want to miss a thing. I want to get that one shot that makes it all worth it. And that one shot is enough to make me know why I love this art form so much.

I hope one day she'll understand. One day, I hope for her to look at me and say, "Mom, it was totally worth it." That is my goal. So, that she'll look at me and my photos will inspire in her a love of photography like I have, and maybe one day, we'll pick up a camera together. And go exploring. I would love that. If she discovers the passion and excitement, that I have for photography, for any one thing I would be happy. First, I'm just working on getting her to wear bows and hats. One small step at a time, ha.

Love to all,
Lindsay

My New Obsession.

2010-10-01T15:32:00.001-05:00

The Apprentice.

I don't really watch TV. Obvs you all know that we don't have cable which makes that pretty easy, I guess. Though we never much watched it anyway. Or we'd watch it too much and hate ourselves for it, ha!

I LOVE the office too, but I usually miss some of it taking care of Nik. I also have not found it to be as good this season so far, maybe I'm just coming into the episode in the middle/end and I get lost or something. Anyway, is 30 Rock not on anymore? Haven't seen that.

Well anyway, I think Apprentice used to be on Sunday night, right?? Well, it's on Thursdays this season, and I LOVE it. It's on kinda late, but I'll stay up to watch it. Gives me a chance to clean the kitchen and pack Nik's diaper bag before the next day. Then, I can settle down to watch it and relax.

This year, he has hired people that lost their job in the economic crisis, and I have to say I think it has made it that much more Fab! Literally, these people are all struggling, and on edge bc the have lost their career, and they are passionate and hungry, that's for sure. I have never seen people claw at each other like this. They turn on each other at the drop of a hat. And, they're brutal and so unforgiving! It's horrible, but fascinating at the same time. Kinda sick, I guess. But, I'm hooked.

The other part of it is, that I have to give Donald credit. I think what he's doing for these individuals is great. Simply amazing. These individuals, I admit all come from great educational backgrounds and career experience/resumes, obvs, would he settle for anything else?? So, they prob would have eventually found jobs, but I still think it's great that he's trying to help them. The great part is though, even if they get kicked off, he'll try and set them up with a contact/interview indirectly, or through a company that he manages. And if they win the challenge for that week, he's also offering them assistance furthereing their education, mentoring with a successful individual/company.

But, literally these people, since day one have been like Cats and Dogs, or shoud I say, wolves and well, wolves. It's been brutal. Really makes for an interesting show. Much more so than the celebrity apprentice, I think, anyway. They are really people, struggling, vying for a position bc they have to support their family.

Check it out. I can't wait each week to watch it, as long as it comes in with our bunny ears that day, ha!

I wish I could watch it all in one day on a dics set. Love it!

Josh and I also like that "Undercover Boss." I think it's a great concept that these bosses/management get down to their employees levels and handle their job for a day. Makes them appreciate their staff/job more. Last week, this CEO gifted all these things to his employees-Choice Hotel episode. Education, vacations, paid their rent, etc. It was amazing! I started CRYING. I was so touched by his generousity and compassion.

Hope you all have a Great Weekend!

Happy 18 Months.

2010-09-29T15:52:00.002-05:00

I have a couple photos that the pumpkin and I took last Saturday that I want to share with you all. Since our computer is on the Fritz, I will be sure to show them to you all later. This photo is from a month ago, but it's one of my favs.

My 17th month list was so long. I can't imagine posting one that long again, phew...and since most of it still applies, I'm just going to share a couple things the pumpkin has been doing lately.

What you are about right now.

1.Mondays are hard for you. You cry, scream, and attempt to throw a fit every Monday when I drop you off at Daycare for the day. It breaks my heart every time, and I usually cry the rest of the way to work.

2. You slapped a little boy at daycare when he wouldn't give you a toy you wanted. You had your first time-out. The next day another little boy shoved you when you tried to take a toy he was playing with. Hopefully, he had a time out too.

3.We think you may be ready for time-outs. Is 17 Months too young to start time out?? Since you turned 17 Months, you seem like you are needing them. The tantrums are beginning. Mostly when you're tired/hungry.

4. You are MILK crazy lately. You want MILK all the time. You will go to the fridge when you want milk.

5. You are still really into sticking your finger in your belly button. Which is just wierd and kind of grosse.

6. You LOVE to dance whenever you hear music. You went crazy to Brittany Spears yesterday. "Oops I did it again," and "Toxic."

7. You have a little buddy at daycare. You're second daycare boyfriend. I came to daycare early and caught you flirting with him during story time.

8. Caught you running around and playing with friends at daycare, when you didn't know I was there.

9. You are really into sitting in the Car pretending to drive, and pointing out trucks when we see them on the road. You make the steering movement and a "vrooooooooom" sound.

10. You know which items are the bed, dresser, lamp, table, chair, pillow, book, teddy bear, blanket, cup, diaper, wipes, etc. You like to read the book so we can find the items.

Still signing. Cookie is the newest one. Making "squirrel eating nuts" gesture is your most recent animal action.

11. Love to play with Daddy's tools and stuff in the garage.

12. Still love slides, hitting balls with a bat/golf club.

13. You LOVE playing outisde.

14. LOVE to be swung around, held upside down, and to spin around.

15. YOU LOVE RING AROUND THE ROSY, and everyone that is in the room has to participate.

16. You love to sit in the computer chair and pretend to be on the computer, banging on the keyboard and spinning in the chair.

17. You have started making a "Cheese" face and say "zzzzzzz." Obviously as an aspiring photographer, this is a nightmare for me. Hubs thinks it's funny.

18. You are really into saying please, which also sounds like how you say cheese, "zzzzzzzz."

19. You will stand on your step stool, look in the mirror, and pretend to rub lotion on your face like Mommy.

You also like to put lotion on me and you.

20. You love to brush your teeth. You have to repeatedly have more training toothpaste and you like to suck the water out of the brush.

21. You like to sit in your booster seat and eat dinner. You don't like to sit at your own table as much anymore.

22. You like to play under a blanket like a canopy/tent.

23. You LOVE when I smell your feet and say "Peeee Yewwww, Stinky Feet" and make a face, hold my nose, and move my hand back and forth across my face. You haev me do it over and over again.

24. I was driving and heard you sniffing in the back seat over and over followed by a little cry each time. I looked back, and you had your baby's feet to your nose, and you were smelling her feet and making a noise like Mommy does to you. It was too cute.

25. Lately you have wanted to be rocked to sleep, and you are really into running up to me and giving me big hugs/snuggles. It's the best!

Well, that list also got a little long, but a Mom can't help it I guess.

Time is going by so quickly.

I'm sure 2 will be here before I know it.

Love you Baby Girl. Happy 18 Months.

Love you, Mommy

Top Two Tuesday!! Top Two Songs!

2010-09-28T09:50:00.001-05:00

Hey y'all, it's that time again for Top Two at Tay's. You can see Taylor's and many other Mommas and Ladies picks HERE!! Head on over there and tell everyone your top two favorite song picks!

I LOVE (yes, I say LOVE a lot) music, I love all genres music, and throughout my life, I know that I can say that I have had many "favorite" songs. Music, to me, defines a generation, a time period, and age, and a lifetime. It can define a moment, an experience, a feeling, a time in your life. I have many of these moments, and everytime I hear a song that relates to a feeling, and emotion, a memory, a time in my life, I am transported back to that feeling, that moment, that place. Music is amazing that way. I'm sure that I could find many favorite songs, and I'm probably forgetting about some really great ones, but these are my two favorite songs now.

1. "Dream" by Priscilla Ahn. Obv, this is the opening song that you hear when you access my blog, so this probably is not a shocker to any of you. You probably get tired of hearing it. But, I never do (okay after awhile, I will usually mute the sound if it plays too long, but...). IT drives Hubs nuts, and he'll scream, "turn that off," while I'm blogging. I first heard it while watching this movie, which I loved. My fav thing about this movie is Jennifer Anniston's character. I LOVE that she is a quirky, eccentric florist. I LOVE all the hats she wears, and the gloves with the finger tips exposed. I also have tons of hats and a couple pairs of those gloves. She loves beautiful things, beautiful words, antiques, and well, hats. Reminds me of me a little. I LOVE that she writes unique words behind paintings, that she saves sweet greetings attached to flowers, and that she pretends to be deaf/mute when she first meets him. Basically, I also just LOVE Jennifer Anniston.

2. "In My Arms" by Plumb

This is also on my blog playlist. I get chills everytime I hear it. I stumbled across this while I was pregnant with Nik, and looking for Nursery music. I used to listen in lullabyes when I was pregnant before I went to sleep so that Nik would get used to a "bedtime" while in the womb. The song always made me cry..still does. It emulates everything I feel as a Mother and a provider. And, Nik was born with blue eyes, no curls though. It is on their album of Nursery Rymes.

You can find the lyrics and video on line. Happy listening.

I can't access the links here at work.

Have a Great Tuesday. Can't wait to see all your picks!

Hey y'all.

2010-09-27T10:35:00.003-05:00

Happy Monday everybody. I don't have any pics to share today, or maybe for a couple of weeks, that is. Let me explain, see Friday night, I was on the computer (and hubs was asleep). I had actually already laid down, but got back up, bc I was having trouble sleeping. I was on Facebook (which I don't actually even use that much) when something popped on my screen. It said that my computer had been "infected." The screen shot to a menu page, and these scanning bars came across my screen as if the computer was scanning my documents. Percentages were hiking in numbers beside the red bars. It said that if I didn't back up my work immediately that my information would be corrupted and destroyed. Of course, these red bars are going across the screen, and I'm reading these words, and I'm watching Nik's entire first year and a half in photos go down the drain. Against my better judgement, I clicked on the security icon that popped up, saying that I should back up my work. I knew I shouldn't do it, I almost just turned off my whole computer and ran into the room to hurriedly wake Josh. But, I didn't. I got scared, frantic, and was trying to save him from having to wake-up, I took matters into my own (incapable) hands, and clicked on it, several times. Then a huge red box came on my screen saying that there were "trojans" infecting our computer, and I would loose all our data/documents if I didn't back it up-telling me our computer was "infected."

I stopepd clicking on the pop-up security boxes and per the pop up box instruction, I went to "programs" I went under "control panel" and then on to "security panel." I don't recall if I clicked on anything there or not. I was looking for an anti-virus program somewhere on the computer, so I could run it and stop the "trojans" and the "infection." I closed all the windows on my computer, and when I couldn't find a anti-virus under programs anywhere. I viewed the desktop and found one. Hubs is really into security on the computer and he is always installing and running security programs. I clicked on the anti-virus icon, and watched it scan all my documents. I watched every photo of Nik from the first year and half of her life get scanned for viruses, and after several minutes. It stated that "nothing was detected," no viruses found. I shut down the computer, feeling shaky, and rattled, and worried, but hopeful that everything was okay. All of Nik's photos were still there.

In the morning, I told hubs what had happened, and hubs told me that he would look into it. I asked hubs if he thought that we should take the hard drive to a tech person to look at, bc I was really worried about Nik's photos, and hubs said that "if he couldn't fix it, no one could." After looking at it, hubs said that I may never get any of the photos back. He said that he has never seen a virus this "impressive" and "intelligent" are the words hubs used. When it comes to thieves, believe me, we roll with the best of them. No second class hackers for us, ha.

You know I take a lot of photos. Apparently I have upwards of 14,000 photos uploaded on the computer. Hubs says that he has saved 178 of them so far. He says that he has to move really slow, so he doesn't loose them. He worked on it for a very long time this weekend. He apparently had to completely reverse the whole virus. It seems like he must be exaggerating that I have that many photos, but I guess, it could be possible. I dont delete photos of the pumpkin, I just can't. It's hard to explain but DSLR's sometimes take imperfect photos, bc a setting is off. On the flip side, with a DSLR, a good lens, and the proper setting, you can capture many great photos that you could not capture with another camera. Most of the times the ones that don't come out perfect, are ones that she got excited and moved, or made a big smile. I just can't bring myself to delete those. I keep having this hope, that one day, I will sit down and attempt to correct those imperfect photos through an editing program. I may not be able to, but I know that I have to try.

And the answer to your next question, is "no," I don't have them backed up somehwere else. Ironically, early last week, I decided that I was going to purchase another hard drive to back up the pumpkin's photos, but I was waiting till I got paid last Friday to purchase it. It is something I have been thinking about, but have not gotten around to. As, I attempt to decide if I am going to start shooting in Raw and using photoshop, I have looked into the fact that I am going to need a very large hard drive to store and edit the images, and want to be sure to back-up our photos in the case of a system crash. I do use a 3rd party source, Flkr to upload photos, but I didn't nearly have all the photos backed up there, just some.

The reason I am sharing this with you all is so that you can be aware and informed in case this happens to any of you. I obviously, am not computer savvy, and I knew better than to click on this "anti-virus" link/window site. I did, I really did. But, I got flustered and nervous, and I made a rash decision when faced with the possibility of losing all Nik's photos. I feel like I miss a large part part of her life as it is, and now, I am faced with the possibility of losing the only way I knew how to attempt to capture and retain the life/time that I feel I miss. Photography is how I try and give that time back to her and and I.

Please be wary of the sites that you go to. I'm pretty sure I probably encountered this breach while logged into Facebook, but I could be wrong. And, be very careful of the anti-viruses that you install on your computer. Hubs says that by clicking that "anti-virus" icon, it probably allowed the source to gain access to my computer, where they installed the icon to my desktop, and I basically gave them free access/entry to our computer and all our information/documents. Who would think that a 3rd party could create a desktop icon on my computer? We're not sure excatly how it happened, but either way, all of it was corrupt. And, people do it in an attempt to steal your personal information like credit card numbers, bank information, etc. I bet they're sorry the tried me, they just got 14,000 random baby photos on their harddrive now, ha. I'm just praying that hubs can get the pumpkin's photos back, at least most of the ones I don't already have backed up.

Also, hubs revealed to me that he is my "surprise mystery gifter" of the Pevonia products. I think I suspected that all along. Guess, I have just about the greatest hubs ever. Still scolded him for spending the money though, ha.

Hope you all have a Great Week. Love ya.

No Day at The Park.

2010-09-23T12:20:00.001-05:00

Almost Wordless Wednesday.

2010-09-22T15:41:00.001-05:00

This is my Bench Monday Shot

(if I could ever sit down and learn photo shop, I might submit one, Ha)

I Love this One.

Who's Face is THAT?? I don't know. She's Crazy!

I soooo need to buy her a pair of shoes.

This shot is so funny, I call it "My Old Man Shot"

(Bc she looks like an old man in those bibs with her stance like that).

She put her chalk down, and just went straight into that stance.

She buckled her knees, and stuck her back back, and threw her arms out with Gusto.

I have no Idea where she came up with that.

A little pouty.

A little Silly.

A big Smile.

Laughing

More Laughing.

"You want me to go down?"

Crazy Face!

Mama Wants a Brand New Bag!!

2010-09-21T15:45:00.003-05:00

Oooooooooo. Giveawaay, giveaway, giveaway!!! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeek!! Have you seen this giveaway from Hazel and Harlow???? Check it out on Tay's blog HERE!!!

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited for this giveaway! I have a great handbag that my Mother-in-law gifted me for Christmas in 2007, but that is the only nice handbag I have! I have used it straight for three years, and it has held up grandiously, but I have been wanting a new fabulous, lushus, to die for handbag for a while now. Sadly, if I get an extra money, it goes to the Pumpkin. I LOVE to buy for her, but obvs, the money I used to have for such luxuries for myself, is now extended to her.

I WOULD LOVE THIS HANDBAG!! It is too GORGEOUS and SO PREFECT for FALL!! Please, please, please!!! Sigh!!! Ahhhhhhhh!!!! LOVE IT!! I can just smell the Suede and imagine myself running my hand over it, as I wait in line at some Fabulous, Posh store. While all the girls, waiting in line with me Ooooooo and Ahhhhhhh over it, asking me "Where ever did I find such a fabulous Pasion Bags of Argentina, 'Espuma Bag featured in Sand'!" "The color", "The feel of the fabric," "So Perfect for Fall," I can hear them now.

Ahh, wake-up, back to reality. But seriously, have you gone over there yet, and checked out their fab designers???? What are you still doing here, listening to me rattle on and on about my imaginary bag! GET OVER THERE NOW!!!

BTW, check these out too, whil you're over there!! Ahhhhhh! I would die for a pair of these. I have so been coveting a pair like these fab bracelets. I LOVE them ALL!! Can't you just see them dangling on my arm as I hold my Hazel and Harlow presents 'Espuma Bag in Sand.'

LOVE THEM!!! THANKS TAY!!

You Let Your Child Eat WHAT???!!!

2010-09-21T10:59:00.005-05:00

Yes, soooooooooooo, last night I let Nikolina have 1/2 a Cashew Nut, no more. She has had a peanut before by accident and nothing happened, so she was begging for one, and I let her try one. I know, I know, 1 1/2 year olds are not supposed to have NUTS, yes, yes, I KNOW, I KNOW. I get it. NOW I GET IT!!

This was my end of the conversation that I had with my mother this morning when I called to tell her what happened last night. "Yes, Mom, Thanks Mom, Yes, I know Mom, that 1 1/2 year olds are NOT SUPPOSED to have Peanuts at this age, bc their can be allergic, and their throat can close up, and restrict their breathing, and go in to anaphylatic shock, yes, I know that. Yes, I know it's serious, yes, Mother, I know. Why do you think, I lay AWAKE holding her ALL NIGHT LONG, just in case her throat DID start to close up, or some other horrible thing. Yes, I gave her Benadryl. It's not like I shove peanuts down her throat all day long, obviously, in hindsight, yes, it was not a good idea. Yes, I did think that at the time I probably shouldn't have done it. Yes, I only gave her 1/2 a cahew, yes, I monitored her all night. Yes, she appears better this morning. No, Mom, I probably will not be giving her any more cashews. Thanks, Mom, Love you Mom. Talk to you later, Mom."

I won't show you pics of the poor pumpkin, but you can kind of get the gist from this pic below. She pretty much had them all over her tummy and legs.

I, of course, called the Pediatrician, yes, at 12:30 AM (Yes, I am one of those), this was before we knew they were hives, when they were just starting. I didn't really want to over-exaggerate and take her to the ER, if she didn't need to go (obviously). But, on the other hand, I wanted to be prepared if she would need a shot, if for example her throat started to close up or her breathing became restricted. I mean, he's asking me if she seems to be having a difficult time breathing, and I don't know what to say. Of course, I am a mother, so I over-react, and to me, of course, I think she is going into shock. I mean, at this point, I am already fully dressed, have the pumpkin fully dressed, my purse and diaper bag on my arm ready to fly out the door to the ER.

Thankfully we have a hospital about 2 minutes from our house. Of course, she also has a cold and a cough (she has one every three days now, love daycare, love it:), so her breathing and airways are already restricted and congested. It wasn't until after I got off the phone with our pediatrician that the hives worsened and I discovered she did in fact have hives, and that she was having an allergic reaction to the peanut, we think. I had hives as a child a few times, and my dad has had them a few times as well, so I was familiar with them, where Josh had no experience with them.

They are basically harmless, unless they are in a child's mouth bc they can restrict breathing/pathways in throat/mouth. But, Nik's mouth never appeared to have any infection, thank goodness. They are hjust a little uncomfortable, as they can itch. It's basically your body's reaction to a foreign substance, such as peanuts, or an allergy, it's your body releasing histimine to fight what it thinks is an enemy.

Since I gave her the 1/2 cashew, I volunteered to stay awake with her all night to make sure that she didn't start haveing trouble breathing. Nik will not sleep on your lap, or on the couch or bed, unless she's EXHAUSTED. So, I had to put her down in her crib. Obviously, we figured that if she was going to have a reaction she's have had it, but I was being cautious. I already prior to her inflamation, had the baby monitor up to my ear, and I could very clearly hear her breathing since has a cold, her breathing is kinda heavy. I also went and checked on her a couple times earlier in the night, and rocked her in the rocking chair, while she slept in my arms.. It's hard not to wake her though, bc our door creaks everytime you open it, and she always wakes up. But, I would rather wake her up, obv, then something happen. Josh had gone and gotten her at 12:30 AM and brought her into the bedroom, and that was when we first discovered the rash starting.

We gave her 3/4 tsp Benadryl and tried to make her stay up to make sure she was alright. She was having a good time playing, reading, and doing puzzles, till she finally became exhaused around 2, and we let her sleep in the bed with us, or rather, she was so exhausted, that she was able to fall asleep in bed with us. Finally around 4 AM, I started taking little 15 min cat naps, bc she appeared Ok. I was so in "mommy ready/aware/awake/protect mode" that I don't think I even got the 15 min cat naps completely in. By morning, when she woke up right before 7, her hives had gotten much better, but were still kinda bad around her legs.

I would've loved to stay home with her, but I have already used all my vaca (yes, I have to use vaca when my daughter is sick, stinky, I know) staying home with her in the Spring when she was sick frequently (love daycare:), and for other things, and she's in perfectly good spirits, so we just told our daycare provider to be cautious. We are going to continue to give Nik the Benadryl until they are gone, per the doctor's instruction. Hopefully, we have seen the worst of it, and YES, NOW I KNOW, NEVER TO GIVE MY CHILD EVEN 1/2 A CASHEW, no matter how bad she acts like she wants it. Lesson Learned.

Nikolina says..."

2010-09-20T17:13:00.000-05:00

I think...

That I...

Don't like Mondays.

Maybe, it's because I'm tired...

Or, that I couldn't find anything to wear...

And, that I miss my Mommy...

Oooo, Maybe

Tomorrow will be better."

Indian Summer.

2010-09-16T12:40:00.007-05:00

(My Fav)

(Picking Flowers)

(Second Fav-My Sunflare...Eeek, Love It!)

(Cheesing)

(Hi'Ya)

(Marching...)

(Pouting, but love the clouds in this)

Last Saturday, Nik and I headed out to take some photos. We left a little early, and I'm afraid we were hanging around for a bit with some harsh light, and Nik got pretty fussy right before my perfect light hit, but I did manage to bribe her to humor me for a few shots with some juice. It was a lot of fun, and we got some cute shots. Tried to get her to wear her Hello Kitty Rain Boots for the shots, but she was having none of that. And yes, that's a McDonalds Toy that she's holding. I bought it for her when I purchased a diet coke there one day, and I pulled it out of the car in an attept to bribe her as I neglected to bring anything else along with us. Hubs cleaned the garage, and when we came home we went out for Barbacue at an awesome eatery we have here in town. Where Nik had some Lemonade in a Big Girl cup, sat in a Big Girl Booster and you can see a smidge of Barbecue on her left (right view) cheek. Mmmm Good.

Hey y'all-Not sure if you know this, but Julianna, over at a A Blonde Walks Into A Blog is having some health concerns. If you can, head over there and offer her your support. She is always so supportive and positive for all of us, I'm sure she's appreciate the love. Keep in her in your thoughts and prayers.

Love to all.

Flirty Apron Giveaway!!

2010-09-16T11:08:00.001-05:00

Oh my Gosh, Oh my Gosh, Oh my Gosh!!! I have been wanting a adorable little apron for the little pumpkin, to match Mommy (I have three that I LOVE). When I cook, Nik always likes to help in the kitchen. She likes to stir, use the kitchen utensils, play with all the bowls/pots and pans/dishes, baking goods, and she loves to put the oven mits on her hands. It's too cute. She knows not to touch the oven, she will hold her hand by it, and in a hushed whisper say, "Hot, Hot." I am always nervous to cook around her because of all the acccidents that can happen, but I can't get her to leave my side, when Daddys's not home. And, if she's not by my side in the kitchen getting to everything, then she's somewhere where I CAN'T SEE HER AND GETTING IN TO EVERYTHING!! Like, pulling my camera off the dining room table by the strap (which I never would have thought was within her reach) or flushing my curler picks down the toliet or putting eyeliner/lipliner on the wall, etc. Little things like that, that I try and avoid happening, ha ha!

I am IN LOVE with these aprons. There are so many adorable aprons to choose from, but I think I like this one the best for the little pumpkin, or rather, little cupcake...

How cute would we be together with these on?

What a cute photo op, baking cupcakes, with us in our aprons and spatulas, ha!

Head on over to Tay's and check it out!! And check out their website for yourself FLIRTY .

You will LOVE their products!

Too cute!

Ever Have One of Those Days...

2010-09-15T09:26:00.001-05:00