It's OK. Seriously.

It's ok.

You don't have to get everything done. The dishes can wait. The laundry will always be there. Seriously, it is neverending. So, don't worry about getting everything cleaned up, every single day. Because it will still be there.

But the snuggles, the giggles, the tickle wars? Those won't.

This summer, so far, has been a huge battle for my family. Two mortgages, a job that has been an almost seven day a week sometimes twelve hour day for daddy, an almost three thousand dollar assessment for our now empty second mortgage property that was housing my very ill mother-in-law (owner occupies clause that was added after we owned the property), emergency triple bypass surgery for said mother-in-law, plus the general insanity of life has all taken a toll on the condition of our home.

The floors, the dishes, laundry room, toys...it is seriously is just a complete hot mess.

But, I've learned something very important. It doesn't matter.

The giggles, smiles, trips to the zoo, playing with the hose outside...reading books.

That's what matters. Even when I have to hide my phone from my YouTube loving three year old.

So, tomorrow I will try to get to a few things. But for now, it is ok.

Seriously.

posted from Bloggeroid

Frugal Mommy Tip: Off Season Savings

Frugal doesn't mean cheap. It means your smart. One of my favorite tips for a stay at home mommy to be a money saving, frugal, SMART mommy is to buy off season.

For example, the two weeks after holidays such as Christmas, Halloween, even Valentine's Day are real bargain hunting extravaganzas.

Just last week, as I was checking off the everyday items from my grocery list, I spotted the final markdowns of random Christmas baking novelty mixes. Marshmallow rice crispy tree kits ($4.50 now $.25!!), ugly sweater sugar cookie kits ($3.99 now $.50), ninja gingerbread men cookie kit ($3.99 now $.50), and red velvet cake ball kit ($3.99 now $.50). So, for $4.25, I now have two red velvet cake mixes, two cookie kits, and five bags of rice crispy cereal/marshmallows, plus white chocolate wafers, red and green candy wafers, and two ziplocs full of decorating items.

Red velvet will be perfect for Valentine's Day, especially considering the ugly sweater sugar cookies came with heart sprinkles. And, the rice crispy cereal will become treats, or breakfast and cups of marshmallow filled cups of cocoa!



Not too bad, if I do say so myself.

posted from Bloggeroid

Teething and the Mommy

I'm not complaining. Truly. Taking things for granted lost its appeal a long, long time ago. I have two beautiful healthy boys, and a wonderful husband. Somehow, we are scraping by with one steady income so that I can be home with my munchkins. Well, scraping and trying to pull a huge boulder uphill, but two mortgages isn't helping.

But, that doesn't mean I don't want to yell...er, gently wake my husband up on nights like today. But, since he's been working six days a week plus side work on a house we are renovating with my father-in-law, I'm suppressing the crazy voice and keeping it all in my head. And maybe on my blog.

As a "stay at home mom" (I really detest what that implies...no lazy days for any of us, I assure you!!), I try to keep up my part of the bargain. Little guy, being five months old, is all mine at night, and sometimes all day. Our two year old loves tickle time, so the two and a half hours before bedtime he spends laughing away with daddy. I'm fine with that.

But, the last two days have been a handful. I'm not just a stay at home mom. I teach bellydance, which sounds like fun (it is!) but also involves planning and practice, considering I have three to four various classes or private lessons a week. And...little guy is teething. Which basically means he only wants to sleep on mommy.

Bedtime begins at eight, with all rituals drawing to a slumbering close about forty-five or so minutes later.

Not tonight. For me, anyways.

Right now, I'm holding my five month old with his drool (he's so adorable I can't stand it...unless he was sleeping in his crib, then I would cry exhausted tears of joy for both of us) because every single time I put him down, he let's me know how awesome his lung capacity is. So, I'm in a recliner while daddy and the two year old are sleeping on my comfy bed.

Just once, it would be nice, after the past two days I've had (where I've made amazing home cooked meals, I might add) if daddy would get up for just a few scant moments. I know he has to get up at 4:15, so I would totally usher him back to bed. But it would be the gesture. Sigh.

I know it won't happen. And, 99.9999% I'm totally fine with that. But, tonight, I was really looking forward to my snuggley warm bed. At a decent time before the lil man crawled in and took over my half.

Did I mention I have my in-laws coming over tomorrow? And we know there's no way that two little ones will nap at same time so mommy can catch a few winks.

But, looking down and seeing my precious baby boy snuggled up makes it worth it.

posted from Bloggeroid

Pancake Muffins for My Picky Eater!!

My little man is a picky eater. As in meal times are stressful, because you just never know what will happen. Will he eat it, or throw it? Or will it just be a grunt and a head shake? When my husband and I find something he will eat, we make it until we fear he will turn on it.

Breakfast used to be easy...scrambled or hardboiled eggs and turkey bacon (the only meat he will eat that isn't on a pizza!!). But not lately.

So, when I saw pancake muffins on the Today Show, I hesitantly checked my pantry. Pancake mix? Check, and it was a healthy artisan oatmeal mix! Plus, I had coconut oil to use (both in the mix and to grease the muffin pan!), frozen blueberries (which my father-in-law graciously bought a huge bag of that seems to never end and make a blueberry stained toddler mess!), and chocolate chips!

The challenge was on.

Really simple:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Grease muffin pan (I used coconut oil because it has higher heat tolerance with a bit of sweetness)

Pancake batter (any kind!)



Scoop using an ice cream scoop into muffin pan. Top with blueberries or whatever you'd like in your pancakes!

Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Voila!! Makes 6-10, depending on how much batter you make.



I thought we might have a few left to freeze for another morning, but they quickly disappeared.

Success!!! If only lunch were as easy...

posted from Bloggeroid

Three Week Check In

Mommy observations for this week:

I seriously can no longer get a cute ponytail going. Ugh...there was once this adorable flip at the very end, all smooth and somewhat spotty. But now I'm not sure if it is because I'm in a time crunch or that my arm muscles suddenly have decided to strike on me that has made my pony not so cute anymore. And one can only sport a haphazard bun so often.
Getting dressed and ready first thing in the morning is truly the best way to get just about anything accomplished. Or feel human. In fact, even doing laundry done first thing is a huge check mark. (And by doing, I mean starting. Laundry pretty much turns into a whole/half day affair.)

You can never drink enough water. Mostly because your two year old son likes to drink out of your cup simply because it is mommy's. Basically, double what you actually need to drink. Hopefully, you'll get to actually have that much.

Frozen is a great movie. Olaf will curtail just about any temper tantrum easier than a hot knife through butter. Plus, if you've watched it twice daily for the past two weeks, there are clips on YouTube he can watch on your phone. Of course, you may never get your phone back and your child may end up watching really bad karaoke versions of "Let It Go". Hint: Lower the volume before you hand over the phone.



Best part of the week? My boys playing together. Even if the newborn has no clue, big brother is watching over his little brother. And showing him his choo-choo from the Easter Bunny. Priceless.

posted from Bloggeroid

And Baby Makes Four

Almost three weeks into bundle of joy number two, I've come to realize a few things. A few new, and a few that I'd somehow conveniently forgotten.

Funny thing about things...they attract other things. Intangible, tangible, imaginary, real. And, in the case of post-baby number two while having number one around, at the most interesting moments. Like in the middle of the night, when no one is actually sleeping.



1.) A queen size bed just doesn't cut it anymore. Between the bed hogging husband, sprawling and kicking two year old who refuses to sleep in his bed (and sneaks into your bed at varying times but usually two a.m.), the mountains of pillows, and attempting to nurse a newborn, I'm incredibly thankful our golden retriever was never permitted to join us. At least she has her own bed, all to herself.

2.) My house will never be quiet again. And if it is, something is going down. Silence equals disaster.

3.) Toddlers are like drunk college students. So, right now, my loud and clumsy lil man us just preparing me for his freshman year.

4.) My house will never be truly clean again. From matchbox cars, random snacks, discarded sippy cups, leggos, and kitchen utensils, there is always something to clean up.

4.) Mommy instincts vs. Daddy instincts are not even close. Mommy instinct is feed, change diaper, comfort, and do it all NOW. Daddy...now, their instinct is to try to figure out what to do. (Unless it is catch the falling baby.) Or, watching the baby after mommy has changed, fed, and comforted him...then put him in the swing to sleep. And forgot waking up in the middle of the night to help without being practically yelled at (a la The Change Up). I get it, no mind reading. But I'd love to once, have Daddy wake up with me to change the diaper before he gets his midnight snack. Sigh. Without getting all mad to get him to do so.

5.) Laundry, like the dishes, will be never-ending. Good thing I love the smell of laundry...and we have a washer/dryer and a dishwasher. This also adds to the whole house never clean again give.

6.) Things will never go as planned. This is actually my favorite one. Because, in all honesty, it is all in your attitude. Plans are boring. But being prepared can be helpful. If you accept this, things can be actually kind of fun. Sure, there are things you have to do. And they will get done. Eventually.

7.) Children learn things incredibly fast, and usually after seeing things only once. My two year old lets the dog out, has locked me out of the house (and taken the screen out of a window so that I could get back in), and knows where my Marshmallow Crispy Oreo stash is. He also gives great hugs, helps change his baby brother's diaper, and feeds the cat.

8.) Bathroom time is no longer private or a sanctuary. The fact that I can get a shower some days is a miracle in and of itself.

9.) I've never been happier. I worried when I was pregnant with number two that I couldn't possibly love another baby the way I loved my lil man. But, the great thing about love is that it doesn't just stay the same size then divide...it grows.

I'm sure the list will grow every day. But who's counting?

posted from Bloggeroid

Pumping At Midnight

Ah, the joys of mommyhood...or, should I say, the joys of bringing home a newborn that you quickly forget and suddenly remember.

It is two a.m., and my little guy is still wondrously slumbering. Don't get me wrong, this is an entirely welcome event. Our first slept through the night after only a few days, so I was prepared for this one not to. I knew I was lucky with little man, and perhaps wouldn't be this time around.

Since I'm breastfeeding, I am totally prepared to blindly reach over and scoop out the little bundle and get our smack on. Even with a two year old cuddled up at my side. (A queen sized bed is simply not big enough, I've discovered. Thank goodness our golden was never allowed on the furniture. Plus, she has a bed all to herself.)

But, tonight, I was reminded of another tidbit I'd conveniently forgotten. The leaky boob...

I wasn't awakened by the hungry little noises of my newborn, but the slightly overflowing breastmilk my new son was sleeping through. So here I am, pumping away, snuggled under a blanket.

Ah, the nighttime joys of mommyhood. I'm pretty sure when I go to climb back into bed, someone will wake up, all ready for a snack...

posted from Bloggeroid

Oh, Coconut Oil, How I Love Thee!!!

Coconut oil and raw unfiltered honey have suddenly replaced the ten or so bottles of various beauty addiction products that used to fill up my bathroom (though, I admit, really I keep them in the kitchen).

You know the drill. This fabulous new/hot product will give you everything you've been dreaming of...soft frizz-free hair, with a healthy shine that everyone will envy. Either you've read about it in your latest edition subscription, a friend raves about it, or your helpful hair stylist made you look incredibly gorgeous at your last appointment so you just had to have "it".

But, even if I could get it to work once (and we know we will never get the look our stylist will give us at home), never again does that miracle and expensive product deliver. And, if it does, the extra work I had to put into it just doesn't happen with a two year old and new baby on the way.

I have what I like to call the product graveyard. And, because of the amount of money I've dished out for those miracle products, I just can't bring myself to get rid of them.
Until now.

I've been a "no 'poo" addict for over a year now (although at the beginning of my pregnancy I had to find alternate conditioning routes...the apple cider vinegar and I weren't close friends for awhile), and that started my searching Pinterest for more alternatives to the expensive and chemical filled products I once bought by way too many.

There are dozens of variations on the "no 'poo" conditioning route (the baking soda and water wash is pretty standard...though, I may try washing with raw honey and water eventually), and after trying a few, finally, I've found my perfect combo.

My thick, semi curly, and incredibly long hair rebelled at bananas/avocados, and yogurt/egg yolks just didn't cut it. Enter of my favorite things...

Organic virgin coconut oil. The great thing about coconut oil? I can use it for so many things...wait, this could be bad!

In the kitchen as a substitute for oil and non-stick awesomeness (a higher heat tolerance with a touch of sweetness), fabulous in smoothies. Beauty uses? In an exfoliating scrub (leaves skin super soft and hydrated), a no fuss lip balm, after shower/bath moisturizer, stretch mark remedy (um, second baby here!) added to cocoa butter, the afore mentioned hair conditioner, anti-frizz/leave-in hair treatment.

Plus, it just smells like summer....

posted from Bloggeroid

Things I Love...Cake Mix & Pudding Cookies

I admit it. Maybe, just maybe my awesome red velvet cookies are made from...cake mix.
Usually, I stick to funfetti or red velvet. Today, in honor of the crisp falling leaves decorating my front walk way and hot apple cider, caramel apple cookies it is.



I may not be the first person to try this...because I was definitely was the last person to know how yummy cake mixes are when you add a box of pudding (even when it's already in the mix)! So, why not try this trick with cookies, too?

Tips and tricks: Mix one box cake mix, one box pudding mix, two eggs, one third cup oil together and chill in refrigerator for half an hour (or in the freezer if you're impatient like me!). Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. I used the dulce de leche sweetened condensed milk recipe to top them off.



Yummy, soft cookies, perfect with a mug of hot apple cider!

The Joys Of Lil Man And Mommy's Phone

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The above has been brought to you by my adorable and apparently tech savvy almost two year old lil man. After he rearranged the icons on my phone, of course.

All of this obsession with mommy's phone began, as most bad habits, with trying to make life easier. In July, mommy (that's me) took a trip.across the country to take part in a bellydance/yoga intensive for five days, leaving daddy to fend for himself. This would be the first time I would be leaving my boys for linger than eight or nine hours, and I wasn't quite sure what I was mire worried about, me or them!

Really, my husband is incredibly capable (besides asking what to give lil man for dinner every night and timidly changing the dreaded number two diaper!) so, really I wasn't to worried. The only thing I asked was that he try nor to get him into any bad habits, since I spend eleven hours a day with lil man.

And then, I came home. Of course, I received updates every day, a bit sad because at first he seemed to not notice mommy was gone (but then he started walking around the house saying "mamamama") and everything seemed good.

Until I went to change a diaper. Turns out, daddy decided to use his phone to distract our lil man and make his job easier. Not to mention, let him fiddle around with it after for a few minutes, too. And anyone who has tried to take a "toy" away from a not quite two year old knows the meltdown that usually follows.

Oy.

So now, it is almost impossible to do the dirty diaper change without the phone (it seems videos of himself and the commodities app are ever amusing) is impossible and the after effects are even worse.

Thanks, daddy. And, next time our son freezes up mommy's phone, or records mommy changing his diapers, I will forever think of you. (As long as he doesn't buy anything I wouldn't want, we are all good!) And the endless giggles as he watches himself are kinda worth it.

No 'Poo...For Real

When I became pregnant, I instantly became aware of certain things. First, whatever I used had to be healthy for my lil jellybean. Second, diapers and baby clothes are expensive.

Confession time. I love my Coach purses, my Victoria's Secret, and Yankee Candle. (We won't mention my Teavana problem because that developed later.) And now, I had someone else to buy things for! With less money.

Back to the issue at hand. I gave up alcohol (I can't believe this is an issue), caffeine (withdrawl sucked), and started looking at the chemicals in my everyday life. A consumate product junkie, I owned a plethora of hair and beauty products. They owned my credit cards.

The sad part was most of these miracles were liars. Pretty little yummy smelling liars. And so they sat in my bathroom closet, a fancy island of not so misfit products. My hair is thick, long, and has a natural curl that easily straightens but doesn't stay the way I like. Drizzle, extreme volume that only seemed to get better the longer I didn't wash it. Ew...kinda. My favorite stylistic actually told me years ago to not wash my hair more than twice a week. I could rinse, even do a little conditioning but no shampoo save for those two times.

But, then the bun in the oven happened. And no more diet soda. (I miss Dr. Pepper still.) Then, I noticed other things. Margarine is like plastic? Chemicals?

I'm not perfect. I still use some things now. But, a friend of mine sent me a no 'poo link after I complained about my straw-like ends and endless drying time that made my hair time even more difficult. A one year old makes life soooooo different.

The good news, I learned, was that I kinda was already doing this with my infrequent washes. Plus, since mommy-dom had cut down on hair styling time, I was already almost product free (still love my Fructis 3-in-1, though).

What could it hurt?

I'm trying it, not only for my hair quality, but more poor credit cards still haven't recovered.

Here's the deal. It isn't as Ew as it sounds. Your hair has natural oils it produces that are stripped out by chemicals and then we try to put them back in...which either dries it out or makes you have your very own oil spill. By shampooing less, or instead using natural ingredients, your hair eventually (faster for some) balances out. You still clean your hair with, for example, baking soda mixed with water (I'm trying 1 tbsp per cup of h2o) and conditioning/rinsing with apple cider vinegar (which my hair stylist recommended once, too!). Yes, I admit, there's a stinky smell when it is wet, but once dry, it disappears. (I'm going to try a few suggested things for this, too, like honey and essential oils.)

So far, my hair is soft and actually smells clean. We will see if I have the horrible transition stage (fingers crossed) and how things go. I'm hoping to try out a honey/aloe treatment and a coconut oil mask, too.

And, if I save money, how can that be bad with fabulous hair?

Pinterest Addict...Coffee Creamer!!

There isn't a morning that I wake up and don't want a nice hot mug of caffeinated goodness. Even if there are times that I half caff it, the ritual of coffee in my hands to start the day makes the day seem full of possibility (even that includes lunch in lil man's hair, floor, and maybe the ceiling).

I love flavored coffee creamer...vanilla, cinnamon, caramel, mocha, sugar cookie...you name it, I love it. But, there are weeks that I skip my little treat, not just for cost but because I'm seriously starting to read labels. If there are too many things I don't recognize, I tend to skip it.

Enter Pinterest! (Of course!!)

I actually found this homemade pin on a friend's board who is getting to know her kitchen. And she's very picky. So I knew it had to be good.

And, it gave me something to do with all those spaghetti sauce glass jars and a glass bottle from the vinegar that went into the natural weed killer.



All you need is a can of sweetened condensed milk (I've even tried the fat free one), milk of your choice, and flavoring (I added vanilla extract and ground cinnamon).

For my batch, I emptied half of the sweetened condensed milk into a jar, added one and a half teaspoons vanilla extract, a dash of cinnamon, and filled with skim milk. Put the lid on, shake it up, and you are ready to go. Since I usually add skim to my creamer to lighten it up, this ratio works wonderfully for me. For convenience, I funneled it into the empty vinegar bottle (it pours easier!). Then, I use the mason jar to make the rest and store in the refrigerator. You need to shake it up before you pour ;-), but so worth it.



Now, I have over two weeks of yummy morning moments to enjoy for less than the cost of a single ready-made bottle. Moments that will be enjoyed, even as we read our morning books, race our cars on the dog, and drop our Goldfish crackers all over the floor...

Ah, The Great Outdoors, And My Little Helper

There's nothing better after a gloomy, long, and chilly winter season than spring and sunshine to rev up the vitamin D. Especially when you've been cooped up for months with a one year old.

The first few times we journeyed out of the house, everything fascinated lil man, and now that the world is turning green again, he loves plants. Always the little helper, my lil dude has always assisted in watering our indoor plants (while I follow behind with a towel or two). Once he figured out he could do the same outside, the watering can became his new favorite plaything. But, getting the water into the pot wasn't as fun as watering our landscape rocks, or the outside of the pot.

One day, my lil helper found his new favorite commercial..the Home Depot build that beautiful topiary-esque flower power tower.

Inspiration!! He could totally water this all over, and even help me (well, a little!!!!) choose the flowers (though most were seedlings that grew from last year popping up unexpectedly and happily - money saver!!).

The only drawback was that the "fencing"material I used (and was suggested when I couldn't find the exact same type) wasn't as sturdy as I'd like, so I used a few tomato stakes to give it a bit more shape. I used biodegrable Eco-friendly landscape material (that I'll use for my fairy garden, as well).

Here's our silly creation...I only hope all the watering and love from both of us will make it grow in as the summer approaches!





Even if they never grow in completely, I know the memories we will make will be more than enough.

The happiness as he giggles and waters our creation...priceless.

Pinterest Addict...Detox Water

I'm not entirely into the whole detox craze. I get it, you want to flush the nasties out, yadda yadda yadda. But, I like some of those things...at least I drink half caff coffee now ;-)

But, my water intake has hit the skids, mostly because, you guessed it, I'm focused on lil guy. When nap time comes, I inhale lunch (which I'm trying to make vegetarian), get a little housework done, and fit in mommy time. If I'm lucky.

Two friends of mine did a three week detox, and were raving about how great they felt. I was a little envious, I admit it. But I just knew I wouldn't be able to go all in.

Enter my Pinterest addiction.

I searched detox, and found some fabulous water DIY's that seemed like I could fit them into my lifestyle, my way.

I love water, and was a huge agua consumer before my bundle of joy. Somehow, I let it get away from me. But, I knew I get drink a glass first thing in the morning before my coffee, and one before each meal. Plus, sprinkled through out the day. Especially if I actually made a concoction...

First up, blackberry sage...mostly because my sage is making its Spring debut!!



Using my pestal and mortar (dear lord, let me have spelled that correctly!!) that desperately needed to be used instead of collecting dust in a cupboard, I gently pressed on the sage, just enough to let the oils release.



Gorgeous, aren't they?



These beauties were gently smooshed (I love that word, even if it isn't real!) them, then added them with the sage to a pitcher filled with filtered water.



It slept overnight in the refrigerator, and was ready.

Loved it!! Crisp, with a mild fruity flavor that balanced the earthiness of the sage, this quickly is becoming one of my favorite Mommy rituals...plus all that goodness is supposed to rev up my metabolism.

Can't wait to try the next one ;-)

Spoon, Why Can't We Get Along?

Like any good expecting mother, I bought those cute baby spoons. My shower registry was the epitome if baby utensil safety. No crazy spear eye stabbing forks here! Even sporks were eyed with caution.



When the time came, I happily washed and readied my trusty baby spoons. Feeding my lil dude at six months old was such a milestone for me...and provided endless entertainment and giggles.

Then, the day when he wants to feed himself. Or, as we liked to call it in our house, time to bang on the bowl and splatter the food all around. And makes sure mommy isn't wearing white. Or what she's going to have on for outside the house ;-)

That spoon? Suddenly, food was falling off of it, landing on lil man's cheek, the floor...you name it! To get that cute, adorable spoon angled in the correct way to actually keep gooey baby cereal (and, gasp! peas!) on it as it makes its way to its destination became nearly impossible.

Sigh...

Then, at a first birthday party for his cutie pie playdate girlfriend, my husband was playfully stabbing bits of pineapple, strawberries, and grapes and feeding them to him. Suddenly, as he is want to do, lil man grabs a nearby plastic fork, stabs a strawberry, and neatly puts it into his mouth with a big grin.



It terrified me!! This wasn't safe, my mommy voice screamed! But, daddy, who is the poster boy for safe daddy (don't get me started on the apps!) was sitting back as cool as a cucumber.

This feared utensil, over the next few months, helped him figure out that angle as well as food on your fork (or spoon) is the way to feed yourself;-)



Of course, I still eye that fork cautiously...and there's plenty of clean up at meal time. But, there's also giggles, smiles, cereal going into his mouth, and very proud mommy and daddy watching it all!!

A Whole New Way To Decorate

I never could understand how grown adults would let primary colors (and not to mention leggo mines) take over their homes. Convinced that I could somehow escape the "take-over", I vowed to only have two rooms that had lil dude's toys in them. His nursery, and our rec room.

But, I forgot that having a baby sleeping in our bedroom would inevitably leave a thing or two here and there.

Then, my husband decided the less tv, the better. (Because, of course, all I do is lounge around all day and watch soap operas.) Thus, our hearth room became home to leggos, blocks, and Lightning McQueen.

Which leaked into the kitchen.

But, at least each toy makes giggles and squeals of delight fill the air.

With the occasional burst of cursing when you find a stray leggo...

Things I Love...Spring!

Everyone experiences Spring Fever in different degrees. Whether you are at work, longingly gazing out a small window as you walk by, or at home with a little guy who isn't quite old enough to get why mommy is going stir crazy, it happens.

Cold, frigid air that makes you want to stay under the covers. The snow that just keeps coming and piling up. This makes bundling up said lil man a monumental task (patience isn't yet one of his traits), so leaving the house in the slush and mush becomes less and less appealing.

Then, suddenly.. Hockey is a sport I can get into. Tall men, a sexy accent here and there, and the games are fast paced (and a twenty minute period usually takes close to twenty minutes real time!). The lockout mad this girl a bit sad this year. As I pouted, I would see this cover here and there, but after being disappointed by other "hockey" novels I was book-shy.



A tiny purple beacon of hope appears...I had hanging baskets of pansies last year, and seeing this little present made something inside me melt.

Then,



Sigh...



Flowers that were a surprise present just to make me smile last year that I forgot I had planted.

And finally, one of the bulbs from my Mother's Day flower arrangement.



Suddenly, hope seems more abundant, smiles appear effortlessly, and the birds are a beautiful way to start the day.

Then, I realize I'll have to start shaving my legs more often. With an eighteen month old.

The Good Things

As I sat yesterday, staring in disbelief at the tragic story unfolding yesterday, I was thankful that my little man was still too young to understand what had happened. For some reason, all I could think was whomever was responsible couldn't have been a parent. Because no one would want that to happen to their child.

And then, as I scrolled through my Twitter feed looking for information and trying to not let him see how emotional I was, someone's tweet caught my eye.

You can walk away from it. You don't have to watch.

And I did. I went outside with my little guy, and played in back yard. We ran through the hallway, laughing and giggling. There were mandarin oranges (his favorite snack), leggos, and blankets that were snuggled.





Then I realized something. The good things, the kind acts, and those moments that touch you are abundant, sometimes small and we don't notice them right away, and far outweigh the bad. When the bad happens, we have a choice. Focus on the good, every moment, and every person.

And I did, and always will.

Things I Love!!

Early morning...you get up, pull out the bowls and place them on the counter. Mind you, you haven't had your coffee as of yet.

You pour the lil one's cereal into one of the bowls, then scowl grumpily as you note the excess feral now dusting your counter. Because someone (ahem, daddy!) can't seem to neatly open the box so that the cereal doesn't have a party on your black granite countertops.

Well,



The new Gerber baby cereal packaging has a freshness seal, and you can scoop or pour with minimal mess!

Sigh...if only I can get daddy to rinse the bowls after.

Suggestions, anyone?

And, Who Has The Time?

I actually just sat here and stared at the blank page.  Because, it has been eighteen months since I had my little man.  A year and a half.  I was so filled with ideas, bursting at the seams, ready to tackle the world and prove that I could make my own rules.

Well, I have.  But not in the way I thought.

I envisioned taking little man out, taking over the world.  Still being able to focus on myself and be the best mom in the world.

Little did I know, he would teach me the new rules.

The dishes...will pile up.  But, he helps unload the dishwasher. Which terrifies and tickles me simultaneously!

The dog's water bowl will double as a scoopable water filled mess.  So, now I know what kind of water toys to get for Summer!

Showers are still special, but no longer the fifteen minute hot sanctuary they once were.  Fast, efficient.  And sometimes, especially in the winter, you skip shaving your legs.

No longer a night person.  Unless you sleep on the floor next to the crib instead of taking the baby to bed with you.  And the morning really is the best time to have a cup of coffee, do some yoga, dance.  If he doesn't wake up early.

Money matters.  Because I can't get enough of plaid shorts and hats.  Which don't always stay on his head.

And, time is precious.  Play is better than anything else you could be doing.  Who has the time to worry, be angry, or take things for granted when you see that smiling face or hold him when he has a fever?

My favorite thing he has taught me?

You can be happy.  Giggle. Live your dreams.

All while being a mom.