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Sunday, July 31, 2011

Veggie Tales - Princess and the Pop Star Giveaway

This giveaway is now closed - winner was # 50
Eco Baby Mama Drama said...
I follow Veggie Tales on facebokk! sabrina dahl radke sradke1024 at gmail dot com



I was lucky enough to be contacted recently to review the latest Veggie Tales movie from  Big Idea Inc. I love Veggie Tales and the strong Christian message behind its movies so I jumped at the chance. In fact I see a whole lot of Veggie Tales in Jellybean's future!

Princess And The Popstar  is a spin on the idea of trading places.  The characters are Princess, a farm girl who dreams of life in the spotlight along with a few moments to herself and Vanna Banana, a superstar who wishes for friendship and a taste of normalcy.  The girls have a lucky crossing on the playground and after realizing they look exactly alike they concoct a secret plan to switch places.  The girls quickly realize that their dreams were much better than the reality of the life they thought they wanted and they learn that the life God gave them is the one for which they were uniquely and lovingly designed.
Jellybean of course isn't old enough to understand all the concepts of this movie but I think it will be a family favorite once he is!  They touch on so many subjects that children need help in understanding and coping with from sibling rivalry to accepting that God makes you uniquely you. The film is also full of great music - featuring Francesca Battistelli - who happens to be one of my favorite Christian artists out there. You can watch the trailer yourself here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xO5IQZflx4.

Big Idea is generously offering a copy of Princess And The Popstar to one lucky reader!  In order to enter, leave a comment here!  For extra entries, you may follow Veggie Tales on Twitter, and like them on Facebook…but make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry!

***Additional entry opportunities!
1) Link up on Thursday to Things I Love Thursday
2) Tweet about the giveaway and leave the link in a comment

This giveaway will be open until August 15th.  Good luck!

Friday, July 29, 2011

Life Lessons - Donkey balls and such



OMG - Was this not the longest week EVER? I mean seriously, Friday? You need to get your ass in gear! 

So, finally I can bring you my life lessons for this week. Oh and there have been quite a few...

1) This week sucked donkey balls.
2) Yes, I really did just say that. You should know me by now and that shouldn't shock you.
3) If it did - we really don't know each other as well as I thought we did.
4) This made my Friday at work.

5) Yes, I'm immature.
6) Jellybean is this close to crawling.
7) He gets up on his hands and knees and rocks every chance he gets.
8) I'm going to start shouting "Ready. Set. Go!" and wait for him to take off.
9) Then when he finally does I'm going to cry.
10) Because I'll have to baby proof then.
11) And figure out how to keep him out of the litter box, dog food bowl, under the couch, etc.
12) And because its losing another part of his babyness.
13) Jellybean also has his first ear infection.
14) His only symptom was gook coming out of his eyes.
15) I know - you're thinking WTF? I said the same thing when the doc said ear infection.
16) He's awesome through it as usual.
17) Because you know - my baby is bad ass like that.
18) Tomorrow is also 7 months of breastfeeding for us.
19) Can I get a hell yeah?
20) After writing my post about getting it together on Tuesday. I didn't do any chores the rest of the week.
21) FAIL.
22) Guess what I'm doing this weekend now that I slacked off? While probably chasing down a crawling Jellybean...
23) Oh quit laughing and pass the toilet bowl brush...
24) Oh and next Thursday - make sure you link up with the new meme I started - Things I Love Thursday. It'll be fun!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Things I Love Thursday

One of the things I've realized now that I am a mom is that kids require lots of stuff. There is the stuff you obviously need like diapers, wipes, a second mortgage, and then there are the gems you stumble upon along the way that make wrangling babies and kids so much more enjoyable. Either for the little one or for Mom. There are also quite obviously duds along the way. You are given things you will never use like wipe warmers or toddler leashes. It seems like there are so many toys, gadgets and gizmos out there that it is hard to decide what you truly need for your child.

So I bring you -






This is going to be an opportunity to link up every week and share an item you or your kiddos just can't live without. Sort of an online mom's group where we sit and chat about what we and our kids are loving. I'm not limiting it to baby products since Jellybean will all too soon be a toddler, then school age and so on. If you can try to leave the age group your linky is for in the title - as in - A Little Bit of Life - 3 year old.


I realize that some of you may have things scheduled for today already so if you want to wait until next week to link up I'll be glad to see you then.

Now onto the first Thing I Love..

Jellybean was a preemie.

He looked tiny in his car seat. Oh and he hated it for months.



I would crane my neck to check on him at every stop light if I couldn't hear him.

Then I would drive stressed out until I got to home or wherever because I hated not knowing if he was ok back there or not.

So finally I bought one of these -
It's Fisher Price Max-View Baby In-Sight - $10 at Wal-Mart. They have fancier models but this one gets the job done for me. I can sit up front and glance in my rear view mirror - there's Jellybean -perfectly content. He might be chewing on his foot or his frog. He's staring out the window or babling away. No matter what - I CAN SEE HIM!

Glory Hallelujah - I'm no longer freaked out driving like a maniac because I can't see my baby in the back seat mom. So if you are neurotic - like me - I highly suggest getting one of these. What's neat is you can also use it later so baby can see himself - because everyone knows mirror baby is the best friend a kid can have. I know Jellybean like to talk to his mirror baby all the time.

So - what are you Loving?


PYHO - Mrs. Crabbypants


I had a million ideas running through my head about what I should write about this week. That pretty much sums up my life lately though. There seems to be a million things going on around me at work, home and everywhere in between. Its been a little hard to catch my breath lately but I’m keeping my head above water – somehow.

I tried to write this post yesterday. I had meetings at work from 8:30 until 12:30. Then I fed Jellybean, came back to the office and had two more meetings. Finally it was time to head towards the home. I ran by the house, grabbed a check I'd been waiting on out of the mail box and hightailed it to the bank so I could avoid bouncing our account. I finally walked in the door at home around 5:45pm. Jellybean was starving so the first order of business was to feed him. Then he wanted to play. Between playing with him, feeding him, bathing and all that I was exhausted. It was definitely a Pizza night.

I mentioned that to hubby and I guess I was short when I said it. He asked what my problem was and I said - I'm tired and I'm in a bad mood because of it. Well if I talked to you that way you'd say I was being an ass. I am being a bitch. I admit it. I'm exhausted. I had a rough day. Then he kept picking at me even though he knew I wasn't in the mood for it.

I walked away and gave Jellybean his bath.

Then his nebulizer treatment.

Then I ate my pizza and went to bed.

At 9pm.

Without actually getting in a fight with the hubby.

Sometimes the key to success in marriage is just knowing when to shut the F up. Last night was one of those nights.

I feel better today.

And I'm not even mad at him. Because I know I was the one who was a crabby pants last night. So there's no reason for me to be mad.

Damn, when did I learn to be mature?

This post is linked up with Shell as part of Pour Your Heart Out Wednesdays.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Getting it together

I think all of you out there can agree when I say that nothing disrupts your household more than having a baby.

You suddenly go from a neat freak who use to mop her floors with bleach to deciding once a month is often enough for clean sheets on your bed.

Time is a luxury you don't have, then you blink and months have passed, clutter has taken over your household and you feel like you are suffocating.

People try to help and only make it worse. Now your house looks clean on the surface but everything is in the wrong place and you end up having to tear the house apart looking for things. Or someone decides to do your laundry for you but uses the wrong detergent and fabric softener on it to boot and you are stuck rewashing it all lest your precious bambino be allergic to it.

Sigh. It can get overwhelming.

I know - up until a few weeks ago thats exactly where we were. Our house felt like a mess constantly. It seemed we could never get caught up and I finally had enough one day.

So I created this -

Yup, a good old fashioned chore chart. For two adults. It works for us though.
The chart doesn't get followed to a T and not everything gets done. There are also things that don't make it on that need to get done. Like last weekend when I cleaned everything out from under our bed, vacuumed under it and reorganized our closets.

Its a starting point for us though. There are so many times where I feel like there is SO much I need to do that I don't know where to get started. That chart gives me a jumping off point. Its broken down into daily, weekly and monthly chores. I love to be able to cross things off my list so with the chart I can glance up at the fridge, pick some chores and tick them off one by one. I love that sense of accomplishment. When I don't get through something I just write myself a note and stick it up next to the list so I can make sure I do it the next day. I made it as a simple word document so if anyone would like a version for themselves I can email it.

The other thing that has been a challenge for us is meal time. Evenings are a mad dash at our home. We both work full time and now Jellybean eats dinner too. EEEK. Dinners use to be elaborate but now I've changed to lots of crockpot or one dish meals. For example, a dinner last week was super simple. I threw chicken breasts in the crock pot with stewed tomatoes, garlic, italian seasoning, a bag of stir fry peppers, a cup of pearled barley and a half cup of water. When I came home I put some rolls in the oven and viola - we had dinner. We try to take turns feeding Jellybean while we eat. That way he is a part of our meal and we too get to eat. He occasionally yells at us for being to slow though. Then after dinner Jellybean gets a bath while someone else cleans up the kitchen.

We also have picked up some tricks along the way that make life easier on us. I use to have a shelf in my closet for shoes. Our shoes ended up everywhere but on that shelf so I moved it. This now sits right by the front door -
and our shoes make it on there every time. We take turns with chores on weekends too. There is no way to get everything done and watch Jellybean too so the hubby may take Jellybean to the store with him while I sweep and mop. That way everyone wins. Plus Jellybean gets new people telling him how cute he is!

Our method is anything but foolproof and I'm sure many of you have so many more tricks for making life easier. Like how do you keep the laundry from reproducing faster than rabbits? Or is there a way to get the hubby to actually put dirty clothes in the hamper? Feel free to tell me what works for you.

And all you new moms out there - It does get easier. I know how overwhelming it is. Trust me you can go back and read a million blogs I wrote about it. Slowly though, you start to adjust. You discover the new freedom putting baby in the exersaucer gives you. You even come to a point where you aren't ashamed to invite company over. 

I swear - it will come one day!

Monday, July 25, 2011

Conversations with Jellybean

Is there anything more special than the relationship between a boy and his dog? Jellybean sure doesn't think so.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Life Lessons - Solo Style




I've been a crap blogger again. Such is life with a babe and a full time job.

1) Hubby got a new job. He makes more money now and gets overtime. Yay!
2) He also has to go out of town for this job. He's been gone since Wednesday at 3am.
3) That means I have been wrangling Jellybean solo.
4) I am exhausted.
5) Jellybean on the other hand is on a roll.
6) He is cutting his first tooth. Quite happily too. You'd never know.
7) I know because I shove my finger in his mouth 10x a day to check on it.
8) He also started army crawling this week.
9) That means I am baby proofing this weekend.
10) Jellybean has also decided he no longer wants to sleep in his bed.
11) Kid will be passed out cold, as soon as I move him into his bed he is wide awake and bawling.
12) Grrrr.
13) Guess who was also wide awake at 4 this morning. As in babbling, playing, the whole nine yards.
14) I definitely had coffee once I made it to the office.
15) Did I say I was baby proofing this weekend?
16) Screw that, I'm sleeping.
17) Oh and winning Powerball - 92 million? Yep - I can work with that number!

18) I read some preemie blogs this week. Made me realize how lucky I am that Jellybean is so healthy.
19) He had his last preemie related specialist visit yesterday and was released.
20) He is actually developmentally ahead for even a full term baby.
21) I'm not surprised - we tend to be overachievers.
22) In fact, we have already started working on his SAT prep.


Monday, July 18, 2011

Rockin the Baby

Hey ya'll.

I'm sorry for the disappearing act. I had some serious stuff go down last week and I needed a break. I didn't have the brain power to blog, read, etc. It was one of those times where I needed to expend allmy energy on the here and now and not blogging. I'm in a better place now though. The situation - its still there but regardless of how it turns out. I know its going to be okay.

In that time I got contacted to do two fun giveaways so stay tuned for those. I just need to work out the details and I'll be cluing you in.

Now - on to the fabulous Shell's Rockin the Baby!


I don't think anyone is shocked when I say that I am head over heels in love with my Jellybean. He is without a doubt the best thing that ever happened to me. From the moment I heard his pitiful cry and then laid eyes on his scrawny little body I have been wrapped. I have thousands of pictures of him already. Luckily for you - I'm going to control myself for this post! So here I'll share with you a quick glimpse into the Jellybean's life so far -

Shortly after his very early birth - sucking his thumb already!
 A very groggy Mommy saying goodbye until I could join him at his new hospital.
 Kangaroo Care with my Jellybean!
Photobucket
First Day home!
 After a walk at 1 month old!
 2 months old - the smile I fell in love with
3 months old -  Umm..yes I do know how cute I am!
4 months old - He is going to get away with so much!
5 months old - Playing with his favorite toy
Six months old - his professional pictures

and then a few from this weekend...at 6.5 months
 Playdate
 Cheesing
New shades!
Now I'm off to coo over your babies!

Friday, July 8, 2011

Let's talk about my boobs again and money...

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 Friday already? How did that happen?

Once again I'm linking this up with both Life Lessons and Friday Night Leftovers.

Kind of like recycling papers in college!

Wait you didn't do that?

Oh you poor fool - that was an extra hour you could have spent drinking! {Oh alcohol, I miss you! The things I would do for a nice glass of Sangria. Or some Hunch Punch in a solo cup (because I'm classy like that!)}

1) My husband's car will always break when we have a very limited amount of funds.
2) Which directly leads to my newest sport - financial gymnastics.
3) I am already at the Olympic level in it.
4) If I get the gold medal for it - I'm going to pawn it to pay off some bills.
5) The Jellybean isn't taking bottles at day care again.
6) So he is attached to my boob all evening long.
7) Our dog escaped on Monday.
8) I had to go pass out fliers on Wednesday looking for him after work.
9) Talking to neighbors. With Jellybean's feet sticking out the Moby wrap.
10) And him attached to my boob.
11) Awkward.
12) We found the dog.
13) I think he liked his new owner better though.
14) He let him on the furniture and took him to the dog park.
15) Of course he hadn't pooped in the new owner's tub yet or peed on the side of the bed.
16) He saves that special sign of affection for us.
17) It's not fair that I still have to pump at work since Jellybean won't take bottles.
18) Now back to my workout...
19) Which is more important...electricity or food?
20) We can use towels for diapers, right?





Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Doing it Right


I have always been a bit of a Type A personality.

I know you are shocked. You never saw that one coming. (despite the million and one posts about how anal retentive I am with my color coded calendars and the hives I break out in when someone else puts my dishes away!)

So when it came to my adult life. I always had a plan in mind.

My life was always going to be get married, buy a house, have a baby. And of course with that came have a good job, make sure I can afford the baby, have health insurance, etc.

So that is exactly what I did.

Because I feel like I owe it to society as a whole to be responsible about my life choices. The last thing we need is to take on something we can’t handle and expect all of you to pay for it. So I didn’t.

That would be why I was shocked and appalled when someone I know (calling this person a friend would be a stretch) asked when we would be having #2!

They had a baby a few months before us.

While living with his family.

On Medicaid.

Only one partner working – so they can qualify for aid.

Getting married in the future (did I mention they can’t support themselves yet?)

And plan on trying for another in the next year.

OMG – I was speechless. But I shouldn’t have been. I should have seen it coming. They have made comments before. I mentioned something about the price of daycare being why we couldn’t go out. Because they leave the baby with their free live in babysitters and go out a lot. Flit around here there and everywhere. I firmly believe that once you have a child the going out and doing things on your own needs to be limited anyhow, I mean you chose to have a child so they are after all your responsibility. My response though was I would love to stay home but we have all those very adult responsibilities to take care of that won’t allow it.

A mortgage – which quite honestly gets paid late sometimes. Thank goodness for the 15 day grace period!

Homeowners Insurance. Car payments and insurance. Health insurance for all three of us. Pets. Credit cards. Student loans. Electricity. Cell phone. Groceries.

Shoot, I cut out cable tv to save money.

If I didn’t have a mortgage to pay, we might be able to swing me staying home. But we wouldn’t have health insurance. And that isn’t a risk I am willing to take. Then again if they had to pay rent and all those other bills – they wouldn’t have the luxury to stay home either. Joey’s company is finishing up all the jobs they have right now and he isn’t 100% sure there are more jobs behind it. He is actively searching for other employment options just in case because that is a very scary possibility for us.

I cut corners in every way I can. I cloth diaper. I make Jellybean’s baby food now that he has started solids. I breastfeed and plan on continuing until he is at least a year old.

Still there seems to be more going out then coming in most months.

So do we want more kids?

Without a doubt, yes.

But they too come with a plan. This year we should make a significant dent in our debt. Then once Jellybean is a year old, we can start trying again. Because when he is two, he can move to the toddler room for daycare and it is a little cheaper there. So we can look at how to stretch that budget a little more.

Maybe Jujube will be so cute that they will watch her for free? (Shh..quit snickering!)

But rest assured dear friends – we are only going to take on what we can manage on our own. Because it’s not your responsibility to pay for the kids I want to have.

And don’t worry – you won’t catch me at the bar anytime soon either.

Although – I am known to get pretty drunk on inhaling sweet Jellybean’s baby smell after a bath.

This post is linked up with Shell as part of Pour Your Heart Out Wednesdays.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Conversations with Jellybean

Hey Mom, Why am I wearing all these clothes to take a bath?

You aren't taking a bath sweet Jellybean. You are going swimming!
Swimming? But I don't know how!
 Oh, a boat. Thank goodness! I can handle this!

So what do you think of swimming Jellybean?

 This is way better than a bath, Mom. Look at my legs kick!

Oh and I like making bubbles too!
Bubbles, Jellybean? We didn't bring bubbles..


Hehe..I Know. I made my own!
Oh Jellybean, What am I going to do with you?

 Jellybean? Jellybean?

Zzzzzz.....

Friday, July 1, 2011

Double Dipping - Life Lessons and Leftovers


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I am totally double dipping with this post! So take your pick as to whether these are Leftovers or Life Lessons! :)

1) I finally put out for the hubby last night.
2) Actually I got him to put out for me. It had been awhile. Not the first time since Jellybean. But awhile.
3) Let’s just say long enough to make me think we should do it again. In case we forgot how.
4) We hadn’t.
5) Afterwards though all I could think was – Dear Lord – don’t let me get pregnant.
6) Which is hysterical since a little over a year ago – I was thinking Dear Lord please let me get pregnant.
7) Irony at its best.
8) Speaking of baby – The kid has me trained.
9) He has started sleeping slightly longer stretches.
10) While I have not.
11) I still wake up when he usually would and then I stare at him for a hot minute.
12) Just as I start to drift back to sleep – I hear it.
13) Ehh? EEEEHHH? Waa.. WAA. WWWAAAAHHHH!
14) (hehe, thought you could go back to sleep didn’t ya, Mom?)
15) Attach child to boob and drift back to sleep.
16) Oh – and another thing about the Jellybean
17) We started solids this week.
18) He hadn’t pooped all day yesterday.
19) When he finally did…I kinda wished he was at day care.
20) I made hubby throw it in the trash bin outside immediately.
21) Yea, that bad.
22) Finally, Knockin da boots – (Do you remember that song?)
23) Must have done me some good, finished dishes this morning before work and started another load of laundry.

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