Mom Stuff

Blog on Hold

2009-05-18T11:26:00.002-04:00

Hello bloggin' mamas! It has been too long since my last post, but unfortunately I am going to have to put my Mom Stuff blog on hold indefinitely. We have moved to Georgia, which is good but stressful because the hubby is still working out of Orlando so we only see him on weekends. My business is growing steadily, which is also good, but keeping up with two little kids on top of it plus housework, etc. has me stretched thin. I barely find time to take a shower every day let alone sit down to blog. I am still blogging for my business though so if you haven't clicked to follow my Chic Bebe Couture blog, please head over and do that soon. On May 25, one of the CBC followers will win a FREE HAIRBOW. And there is a big announcement coming soon that you will NOT want to miss at Chic Bebe Couture. Hopefully, things will settle down and I'll be able to resume my Mom Stuff blog soon. Until then, Love to All and God Bless!

Hearts for Tuesday

2009-02-05T10:38:00.003-05:00

Many of you know about Tuesday and her recent passing. If you would like to know how you can be a part of celebrating her life and sending a message to the family, please click on the image "Hearts for Tuesday" above this post.

Jacie

Thankful

2009-02-04T11:37:00.002-05:00

After reading around the blogosphere today, I have come across several ladies who are going through a variety of hardships. I know that bad things happen everyday and way too often to the people we know and love. In my reading today about the loss of loved ones, the end of a marriage and a cancer diagnosis, I have an overwhelming feeling of thankfulness for all that I have. My family is healthy, safe and secure. And I thank God for that. I say a prayer of gratitude to Jesus every day. Today it just seems that my heart has been especially touched by the circumstances of the women I read about and who I don't even know. I prayed for them today and I urge you to take a moment to acknowledge all that you have to be thankful for in your life. In our hectic, day to day lives, it's so easy to overlook things that are tremendously important. I want to be sure that I live and love for today with no regrets and thank God for every moment I have on Earth. I am Thankful.

Luv Award

2009-01-26T19:31:00.004-05:00

Knowing how busy we all are and how little time we have to spare to be able to read our favorite blogs, I am thankful to have visitors to my blogs Mom Stuff and Chic Bebe Couture. Natalie at Little Shindigs has awarded me with the Luv Award, and if you haven't visited her blog, you just have to stop by--you'll love it too.

To continue this Luv-Fest please allow me to share my current Blog Luv list. Honorees, please follow these instructions and share the LUV!
1. Put the logo on your blog or post. (You can highlight the photo and text of this post and copy/paste wherever you need to...start your highlight from the bottom up to get the photo)
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show GREAT ATTITUDE and/or GRATITUDE
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received the award.

So in no particular order:
1. Lori of I'm No Super Mom
2. Semi-slacker Mom
3. The X Mom
4. Sara at My Sippy Cup Runneth Over
5. Farm Girl
6. Bee and Rose
7. Audrey at One Cookin' Mama
8. Bustables
9. Somethin' To Talk About
10. Mama Loco

Moving

2009-01-26T16:17:00.003-05:00

Hey ladies,
I'm in the process of moving and don't have a spare moment. I promise I won't neglect my blog buddies for long. I'll be back in the blogosphere once we get unpacked.
Jacie

Chic Bebe Couture Grand Opening Giveaways!!!

2009-01-19T16:04:00.014-05:00

Grand Opening Celebration

To celebrate the grand opening of Chic Bebe Couture, we invite you to have a look at the great products we have in our shop and take some of them away with you for FREE!

Grand Opening Giveaways and Deals:

Visit Chic Bebe Couture and sign our Guest Book for your chance to win a FREE CLIPPIE SET (valued at $6.00). Be sure to enter both your name and email address so you can be notified if your name is selected.
FREE HAIR BOW(valued at $6.50) and FREE SHIPPING on orders $25 or more January 20-27th.
Visit the Chic Bebe Couture blog, click to become a follower and leave us a comment telling us what your favorite item in the shop is along with your name and email so you can be notified if you are the winner. Then, email 10 friends and tell them about our boutique. CC: jacie@chicbebecouture.com so that your email can be verified. We promise your friends won't be hassled with unwanted emails. Seeing the 10 email addresses is for giveaway purposes only. So follow our blog, leave us a comment and email 10 friends to be entered to win a FREE WALL LETTER BOW KEEPER and a MATCHING BOUTIQUE HAIR BOW (valued at $15.00).
Write a post about us on your blog including an image of your favorite Chic Bebe Couture design and linking back to us at www.chicbebecouture.com. Then place the Chic Bebe Couture website button on your blog's sidebar. Email us a link to your post at jacie@chicbebecouture.com. Once your post and the button have been verified, you win a FREE STREAMERS PONY-O (valued at $6.50) with your first purchase at Chic Bebe Couture.

ALL OFFERS EXPIRE AND CONTEST WINNERS SELECTED ON JANUARY 27, 2009.

We look forward to celebrating our Grand Opening with you!

Grand Opening January 20! FREE BOWS!!!

2009-01-17T00:55:00.003-05:00

Hello everyone,

Well the big day is approaching. I will be opening my boutique on Tuesday, January 20th. It's been a lot of hard work, but I am truly blessed to be able to own my own boutique while staying at home with my son and daughter. I want to thank you all for your support and invite you to celebrate the GRAND OPENING of Chic Bebe Couture. We're going all out and doing it right with a CONTEST GIVEAWAY, FREE BOWS, FREE SHIPPING and more! Please, Follow our blog and help out this mom to spread the word --write a post, email and call your friends--to check in on Tuesday for all the details on how to get your FREE Chic Bebe Couture items.

Thank you all so much,

Jacie

A Mental Health Day

2009-01-13T09:14:00.006-05:00

I'm sure most moms agree that there are just times when you realize that you've been going virtually non-stop for way too long and that you are on the verge of snapping. It's important that we realize when that point is reached and that we force ourselves to take the time we need to decompress. I reached that point this past weekend. I went to bed Friday night with my mind swarming with thoughts and worries. After tossing and turning and feeling like I would just explode if I didn't find a way to relax and just forget about everything going on, I took two Tylenol PM's and told my husband I would be knocked out and to listen out for the kids.

My husband, being wonderful like he is, got up with the kids the next morning and fixed breakfast while I slept. I finally woke up at 10:30 with an urge to get away from the house and go do something fun and relaxing and rejuvenating--just the four of us.

So went threw on our bathing suits and packed a change of clothes along with a cooler filled with snacks and juices and headed to the beach. Less than an hour later we were at Cocoa Beach playing in the sand and jumping the waves with the kids. It was sunny and 77 degrees. The water was even warm enough to play in. We played and snacked and lied around on the beach all day. It was just what I needed. These type days don't happen often enough, but I am determined to change that. I realize now that saving my mental health is just as important as saving my physical health, and they really are intertwined. So let me encourage you to take advantage of a mental health day every now and again. It's amazing how much better you can feel after taking some time for yourself.

Busy Mom Blues

2009-01-07T23:15:00.004-05:00

It has been a while since my last post and as much as I'd like to blame it all on the holidays, the fact is that I have come down with a case of what I call the Busy Mom Blues. I'm sure all moms (and even women who aren't moms) can relate. I can only describe it as feeling blah all the time--I'm not really tired, but still I have no energy or motivation-- and yet I find myself constantly on the go working hard at everything on the To Do List while adding more to it--up by 7 but not asleep until 2 or 3--Busy Mom Blues.
This particular strand has hit me pretty hard, although I try not to let the hubby or kids know it. For weeks I've been in the process of starting up my online boutique Chic Bebe Couture and have hit too many bumps in the road to count. We have discovered that the house we are renting is being foreclosed and our landlord never thought it might be considerate to let us know that we would need to find another place to live. So we are currently packing up and house hunting. The hubby's job is really getting old because of his traveling all the time so I'm begging him to find something else. And on and on and on.

I'm not usually the type to complain--hence the diagnosis of Busy Mom Blues.

What is the cure you ask? I'm not really sure. It usually just goes away with time. Thankfully, it doesn't happen that often.

So, thanks to all my readers and SITstas for letting me vent. I think I'll go take a bubble bath and try to forget about that To Do List.

Merry Christmas!!!

2008-12-16T16:30:00.005-05:00

Merry Christmas everyone!
There will be no more posts until January 2009. I'll be spending my time thoroughly enjoying my family and all the wonders of the holiday season. I wish you all well and many many blessings this Christmas.
Jacie

Needed: Men's Gift Ideas

2008-12-05T12:09:00.004-05:00

The countdown to Christmas is on and for the first time in ten years of marriage, I'm having a hard time deciding what to buy for my husband. I've been searching the top men's gifts lists and can't find a thing. I want something that he will love and remember but that won't break the bank. So I'm turning to my blogging buddies for ideas.
What are you getting your hubbies and do you have any gift suggestions for me?
Thanks for the help!
Jacie

Wordless Wednesday

2008-12-03T12:22:00.004-05:00

Universal Studios

Tuesday Toot!

2008-12-02T09:47:00.003-05:00

My Tuesday Toot is simple....I survived the Thanksgiving holiday.

I survived:
*2 nine hour drives with the dog at my feet jumping into my lap at every stop and scratching my legs, one child needing to stop every hour since she's still potty training and one child asking every 20 minutes (or less) when we'd be at Nana's house
*getting sick with tonsilitis and feeling guilty about having to stay in bed while hubby took care of the kids and me while we were at his parents' house
*going back and forth from my parents' house to my husband's parents' house and worrying if we were sharing our time between them equally
*travelling all over visiting friends
*2 Thanksgiving dinners full of delicious food and not being able to eat but a few mouthfuls of whatever was the mushiest because of my throat hurting
*dirty laundry the 4 of us accumulated over a 10 day period
*returning home to an empty refrigerator...so off to the grocery store
*helping my son do his "Thanksgiving holiday homework" of decorating a Christmas stocking for his Kindergarten class on Sunday night before school the next morning thus making a huge glitter mess to be cleaned up

This is just a glimpse into the chaos of our holiday. It may not sound that bad, but it was much crazier than things usually are in our family. Things are usually smooth sailing around here and being sick always makes things worse. But I survived. And despite the not so fun for me Thanksgiving, I AM actually looking forward to Christmas even though we will be travelling again. Maybe I shouldn't tempt fate, but I'm thinking Christmas has GOT to be better than Thanksgiving. (I like ham more than turkey anyway.)

Toot Toot

Smile Award!!!

2008-11-18T12:16:00.003-05:00

Thank you Lori for this award. You ARE a super mom and such an inspiration. I love your blog and am so glad you thought of me for this award. YOU have made me smile!

Rules: The qualifications to receive the award are:
A. Display a cheerful attitude.
B. Love one another.
C. Make mistakes.
D. Learn from others.
E. Be a positive contributor to the blog world.
F. Love life.
G. Love kids.

The Rules:
1. Must link it back to the creator
2. Post the rules
3. Choose 5 people to give it to
4. Recipients must fill the characteristics above
5. Create a post to share this
6. You must thank the winner

An the Award goes to:
1. Michelle at Sweet Mady's Paper
2. Sara at My Sippy Cup Runneth Over
3. Teresa at Mimi and Reese
4. Julie at Cool Mom Guide
5. Natalie at Mommy Likes to Party and Little Shindigs

You ladies are awesome. You make me smile every time I read the comments you leave me. You are always so supportive and kind. Thank you.

Tuesday Toot--Bows, Bows and More Bows

2008-11-11T13:01:00.003-05:00

My Tuesday Toot today is all about bows. I've been one big bow making machine. I've been working day (as much as possible with Taylor craving my attention every minute--she's in a mood) and night, but it has paid off because I've made some really cute bows that look great in Taylor's hair-- and I'll hopefully sell some too.
Please go check out my bows at Jacie's Desig ns.

Roast Chicken with Potatoes, Lemon and Asparagus Recipe

2008-11-09T19:37:00.003-05:00

Well, hubby is out of town again but I cooked supper anyway. We had too much leftover of course so I called our wonderful neighbor whose whole family we just adore to come and take some of the food off our hands. She loved the dish and I so I emailed her the recipe. Well I thought I'd share it with other moms too. So here it is (and it really is very delicious.)

Roast Chicken with Potatoes, Lemon and Asparagus (A Martha Stewart recipe)

1 1/2 lbs. new potatoes halved
3 tablespoons of butter (I used more)
salt and pepper
1 package of chicken legs
1 bunch of asparagus trimmed and cut into 2 inch pieces
1 lemon cut into 8 wedges
thyme (calls for fresh, but I just use ground 'cause it's in the pantry)

1. Preheat oven 475 degrees. Place potatoes and half the butter in a shallow roasting pan (less than 3 inches deep). Season with salt and pepper. Roast tossing once until potatoes are golden about 20 minutes.
2. Place chicken skin side up on top of potatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Roast until chicken begins to brown about 20 minutes.
3. Scatter asparagus, lemon, remaining butter and sprinkle lightly with ground thyme on top of chicken. Roast until asparagus is tender and chicken is opaque throughout, about 15 minutes more.
Serve drizzled with pan juices.

Enjoy ya'll!

Wordless Wednesday (video)

2008-11-05T09:27:00.005-05:00

Taylor (age 2)-- our future Georgia Bulldog cheerleader for sure!
She knows no fear.

Don't Exercise--PLAY!

2008-11-04T14:07:00.001-05:00

We have all heard that obesity among children has become an alarming epidemic. I had never realized just how many young children are overweight until recently. But it seems that lately everywhere I go—the grocery store, my son’s school, shopping-- I see overweight children. I am saddened when I see these children, and it reassures me that I’m doing the right thing all those times I turn off the TV or video game so that we can walk up to the playground and when I say “NO” to my kids all those times they ask for cupcakes, chips and candy.

My husband, my children and I are all healthy weights and we try hard to keep it that way. We eat healthy and we play healthy. Notice, I said PLAY—not exercise. Doesn’t PLAY sound so much more fun? I am a stay at home mom, and while I may get a workout chasing around my two year old, I don’t have a steady workout routine. My elliptical machine and my Leg Magic contraption sit in the “exercise room” collecting dust because I just don’t find the extra time for them. I may not be in the best shape of my life(I doubt I’ll ever have abs or buns of steel), but I am a healthy weight, I fit nicely into my clothes and I’m fit enough to keep up with my kids without my chest pounding and without gasping for breath.

Here are the many things we PLAY to stay healthy:

1. We WALK! We walk back and forth to my son’s school each day. We WALK the neighborhood for a breath of fresh air, nature collecting, storytelling (you have no idea how easy it is to walk a mile when you are pretending you are walking through a jungle and naming all sorts of animals with a two year old), etc. We WALK to walk!

2. We DANCE! We put on a CD and DANCE, DANCE, DANCE! We DANCE when we clean up our toys, we DANCE when we finish homework early and we DANCE to be silly.

3. We PLAY! We PLAY (inside and outside) tag, red light- green light, wrestling on the carpet, touch football, soccer, gymnastics (rolls, handstands, cartwheels and such) and much more!

4. We SWIM! We have a pool and in warm weather, we use it. Almost everyday in the summer, we SWIM, play pool games, play pool volleyball (with a big bouncy ball instead of a real volleyball so it’s easier for the kids to play too), etc.

5. We joined the YMCA! Our son plays soccer on a team at the YMCA. He has practice once a week and a game every Saturday. This is routine exercise for him. The YMCA also has a great childcare area for children. Our daughter gets to go play in there while my husband and I go play tennis for a couple of hours. It costs us some money, but we love the YMCA!

We are an active family. In addition to eating as healthy as we can, being active is what keeps us at a healthy weight, keeps us fit and keeps us close. This lifestyle of PLAY is working for us—PLAY is fun—especially for the kids. They love having Mama and Daddy running around, swimming and dancing WITH them. So join in—for your kids’ sake! Here’s to our health!

Issues with Internet Explorer

2008-11-04T10:31:00.005-05:00

Hey everyone! Thanks to those of you who let me know that you have been having trouble accessing my blog. I think it is only an issue if you use Internet Explorer and I have my computer guru genius of a brother-in-law working on the problem so hopefully it will be fixed soon. I use Firefox because I began having issues with Internet Explorer as well and just gave up on it. I must say that I like Firefox better. Everything seems to load faster and it is very easy to use. Anyway, please be patient as the problem is fixed, and please don't stray away too far and forget about me. I love getting all of your comments!
And please, if you are still having problems with getting to my blog and you don't use Internet Explorer, email me so I can pass the info along to my brother-in-law. Thanks.
schofield.jacie@gmail.com

Tuesday Toot

2008-11-04T09:13:00.009-05:00

Toot Toot! Christmas shopping ---done! Well about 95% of it anyway! Hubby and I went early this year (2 weeks ago) and got just about everything off the kids' lists. There's only a little bit left for us to get. Our goal this year was to try hard to get the hectic stuff (shopping) out of the way so we could really enjoy the season with the kids doing fun stuff like decorating, watching Christmas movies while curled up on the couch with the kiddos in pj's, reading The Polar Express (Grayson's favorite) every night and visiting friends and family. Besides, getting the necessary shopping done makes it so much more fun to go browse-shopping when the mood strikes in December because you don't feel like you are on some mad mission in which you are prepared to beat down that woman who just put the last Darth Vader Starfighter or Sleeping Beauty's Walking Horse in her cart. Christmas shopping in December can get downright dangerous. That's why this year I started in October. Toot Toot.

I Love Your Blog! Award

2008-10-30T21:28:00.003-04:00

Michelle, my friend, you are too sweet. Thank you so much for this award, for your kind words in all your comments and emails, and for all your support. I am so grateful to have found your friendship. You helped inspire me to get back into creating my gift buckets, and I want to thank you for that. You are one great lady! Visit Michelle's blog at Sweet Mady's and check out her sweet creations at Sweet Mady's Paper.
And now I want to pass this award on to Heather over at "This is the day..." Ps 118:24. Heather, I love your blog, girl! I love the way you tell your stories and the fact that I can relate to them so well. I'm so glad I found you on SITs. Thanks for the many laughs!

Unsafe Halloween Candy Alert!

2008-10-30T10:12:00.004-04:00

You may have received an email regarding Halloween candy that was made in China being unsafe. Apparently, certain candies made in China--namely chocolate pirate coins-- contain the toxin melamine. This is the same chemical that has been found in baby formula in China and is making thousands of Chinese babies sick.

With so many urban legends being sent around the internet, we usually click delete and rarely think twice about most of the email warnings and forwards we get. Well, it appears that this time around, there's actual evidence backing our reason for concern when it comes to these specific candies. Latest reports explain that the tainted chocolate pirate coins were not sold in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recalled no candy made by American companies due to melamine contamination, although some candy by Chinese makers was recalled in Canada.

The FDA has researched imported foods, including candy, and has found no instances of melamine contributing to sickness from any food products. However, it is still wise to thoroughly inspect those bags of candy your children bring home on Halloween and throw away any chocolate coins you find as well as any other suspicious or partially opened candy. "Better safe than sorry," my Mama always said. And yes, I say it to my kids too. :)

***Other popular candies made in China include Spongebob Gummy Krabby Patties and Hannah Montana Picture Ring Lollipops. (We'll be throwing away any of those too.)

Stay safe this Halloween!

If you'd like more information regarding the harmful candy, click here.

Wordless Wednesday--Playing with the Kiddos

2008-10-29T09:41:00.012-04:00

Rolling around and having fun.
Kiss me Mama!
I'm gonna get you!
My sweet little prince.
me: "Super baby!" Taylor: " I'm flyin' Mama!"

Ride the horsie.

She's a squirmy little booger.

Usually I post about a craft on Wednesdays, but lately the only craft I've had a chance to work on is hair bows. Since I've already posted about those, I thought I'd do a Wordless Wednesday (well almost wordless.)

More Hair Bows-Tuesday Toot

2008-10-28T12:00:00.011-04:00

First let me apologize for some of the photos being turned sideways. I rotated them, but blogger doesn't seem to believe me. Anyway, my Tuesday Toot this week is showing off the hair bows I've made for my precious little girl. We've all been fighting a bad cold the past few days and while we were stuck in the house wiping noses and resting, I managed to make these cute bows. Aren't they adorable?
Toot tooting my horn.

Healthy Diet for Toddlers and Young Children

2008-10-28T10:17:00.005-04:00

One of the things moms focus on the most is what goes into our kids' bellies. From the moment my little ones were born, I worried if they were getting enough milk when they were nursing. And then when they started on solids, I was careful to make sure they had the right servings of vegetables and fruits in addition to their nursings each day. As they became toddlers, I was determined to offer only healthy snacks, well balanced meals and milk or watered down juice. It wasn't all that difficult when they were very young.
However, now that my children are five and two, I have had to really stick to my guns when it comes to what they eat. Sure it would be much easier for me to just put a microwaved corn dog and some potato chips on their plate each day, but that is a habit that could be quite harmful. I'm not saying that my kids don't get their share of corn dogs and cookies. But the point is that I try hard not to make it a habit. What I do try to make a habit is healthy eating. We do that by keeping good snacks in the pantry and by my cooking as many meals as our schedule allows. I cook meals that I know are healthier than we would get if we were eating out.
Another thing that I try to keep in mind is that children have small bellies. They aren't supposed to eat as much as adults do. When a child is hungry, he or she will eat. And if what you put in front of them to eat is healthy, they will eat it if they are hungry. You don't want to fill up those little tummies with junk if you expect them to be hungry enough to want to eat something healthy at mealtime. Small, healthy snacks are best. Our family pediatrician put it best when he offered the advice-- You decide what; the child decides when. So you decide what the child eats and he or she decides when. Don't force feed your children. Making a child who isn't hungry finish his plate can be another very harmful habit. I am guilty of this as well when I think my child should be hungry. But then I have to try to remember to let my children determine when they are hungry, and I will be ready with something good for them to eat.

To help, here is a sample daily menu for my two year old:
Breakfast- 1 sippy cup full of 2% milk or orange juice, 1 slice of toast with light margarine, 2 slices of turkey bacon
Snack- 1 sippy cup full of half water/half apple juice, 1/2 cup pears, handful of goldfish crackers
Lunch- 1 sippy cup full of 2% milk, spaghetti with lean hamburger meat sauce in toddler bowl, 2 carrot sticks, 1 small butter cookie
Snack- 1 sippy cup full of half water/half apple juice, 1/2 sliced apple
Supper- 1 sippy cup full of 2% milk, 2 chicken tenderloins (baked), 1 dinner roll, 2 tablespoons of green beans, 2 tablespoons mashed potatoes, 1 sugar free popsicle for dessert

Here is a sample daily menu for my five year old:
Breakfast- 1 small bowl of cereal with 2% milk, small child's size cup of orange juice, 1 slice of toast with light margarine
Snack- snack sized box of raisins and cup of water
Lunch- 1 low fat peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich, goldfish crackers, 4 carrot sticks, 1 apple, apple juice
Snack- Sunkist fruit snacks and water or milk
Supper- 3 or 4 chicken tenderloins (baked), 2 dinner rolls, 4 tablespoons of green beans, 4 tablespoons of mashed potatoes, cup of tea, milk or juice, 1 sugar free popsicle

These menus are just a sample of what my kids eat in a day. Believe me, there are days that consist of toaster waffles at breakfast, hotdogs for lunch, and McDonald's for supper. But those days are very rare. We really do eat well and our kids are learning some good, healthy eating habits because we are modeling those habits for them. In a society that is becoming more and more obese, we need to get back on track and help our kids make good decisions when it comes to food. Moms--we need to tap back into that focus we had on what we fed our little ones when they were babies and use that to create healthy eating habits for our toddlers and young children so that they will grow to become healthy teens and adults.
Here is a link for further information on keeping your kids healthy.
http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/food/pyramid.html

Featured Blogger on Wellsphere

2008-10-25T22:17:00.005-04:00

Hello all! I'm very excited to share with you that I have joined the Wellsphere team. I am now a featured blogger in the Parenting community on Wellsphere. I consider my health one of my top priorities. I want to show my kids (not just tell them) how to live a healthy lifestyle. If I lead by example, they will be more likely to develop and keep living a healthy life. I've always said I wanted to live to be 100 and hold as many great great grandbabies in my lap as I can. Wellsphere may just help me do that.
I've devoted my Mom Stuff blog to sharing information with moms that will help them in as many ways as possible. Mom Stuff has a little bit of this and a little bit of that--everything from parenting tips and recipes to crafty ideas and fashion finds. I hope to share with the Wellsphere community my ideas and thoughts on parenting as I do with my current readers. So please, stop by Wellsphere and check it out. It is an excellent resource to guide you as you set your goals for a healthier you.
Here's to living to 100!

Fashion Friday-- Retro Baby Vintage Tees for Kids

2008-10-24T09:55:00.013-04:00

You all know that I try to find something fabulously fashionable for Fridays. Well Grayson has gotten into Star Wars. “Gotten into” is an understatement. He is obsessed. So I’ve been doing a little searching to get ready for Christmas and was looking for a cool Star Wars tee. Now it’s just not my taste to let my kids wear cartoon character clothes. They don’t have Dora, Cars, Disney Princesses or anything like that unless it’s on their underwear where it can’t be seen. I just don’t like those clothes. So I was looking for a Star Wars tee that isn’t too tacky—something vintage looking. TAADAA....found it at the Retro Baby.

Retro Baby has adorable onesies and tees for your little ones. Grayson is going to love the Star Wars tees I’m going to get him. And whether you have a rocker babe or are into vintage prints, this shop has something you and your kids are bound to love.

Go ahead and browse the Retro Baby shop. You’re going to find some cute stuff at great prices. And with Christmas right around the corner, these tees could make great gifts.

Crafty Wednesday- How to Make Hair Bows

2008-10-22T08:50:00.008-04:00

Well, if you got a chance to stop by here yesterday, you saw that Tuesday’s Toot was about my learning to make hair bows for my little darling. So far I have made three types of bows. One is a Pony-O, one is a Pinwheel Bow, and one is a Butterfly Bow. I am by no means an expert yet, but it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. It was actually pretty easy and fun. The best part is that this is a craft that is not only rewarding for me, but my little girl loves the bows too.
If you would like to know how to make hair bows for your little cutie pie, just follow these steps.

1. Find free “How to Make a Hair Bow” instructions on the internet. I used the following:
http://bowdesigns.50webs.com/index.html

The Pony-O was so easy and turned out really cute. See instructions http://bowdesigns.50webs.com/festive_ponytail_holder.html

Take note – the Aleene’s Stop Fraying glue darkens the edge of sheer fabric. However, once the Pony-O is in the hair, you can’t tell.

The Pinwheel Bow was the most difficult to make. I had trouble with the pinching/folding and with getting the tails to act right. It still turned out cute, but I will have to practice it a few times before it will turn out the way I want it-can’t help it-I’m a perfectionist.
http://bowdesigns.50webs.com/pinwheel_bow.html

The Butterfly Bow turned out really well. It wasn’t very difficult and you can use so many different sizes of ribbon. I will be making this one again for sure.
http://bowdesigns.50webs.com/perky_loops.html

2. Get your materials. I didn’t find everything I needed from Michael’s craft store. The ribbon was reasonably priced, but they didn’t have the alligator clips I wanted. I will be buying off the internet from now on. Hair Hardware looked like they had some good deals.
http://www.hair-hardware.com/

3. Set aside some time and enjoy making your little princess some cute hair bows.
I have definitely found myself a new craft that I love. I’ll be sure to share photos! Have fun!

Tuesday Toot--Bows for my Cutie Pie

2008-10-21T10:47:00.010-04:00

I may not be the craftiest person in the world, but lately I have been trying a few things. Taylor is going to be a Georgia Bulldog cheerleader for Halloween this year and I was having trouble finding a cute bow to go with her uniform. So I decided to make one. Toot Toot! Here it is. I'm very proud of it. It really did turn out cute.

Here is another bow I made to match a few of her outfits. I'm hoping to get good enough at making them to sell a few throughout our neighborhood. It is full of little girls--and little girls just gotta have cute bows.

I just got some cute pink and white polka dot ribbon and blue and brown striped ribbon. Once I make up some more bows for my little cutie pie, I'll be sure to share. And if you are interested in learning how to make bows, come back tomorrow for my Crafty Wednesday post and I'll share.

Georgia Girl Pulled Pork Sandwiches

2008-10-20T12:37:00.005-04:00

I'm a Georgia Girl--a Southern Belle--a Georgia Peach. Yep, that's me. I'm a proud Southerner, and I know from experience that there's nowhere else I'd rather be. I've lived in the South all my life (except for a very brief time in Southern California which cannot possibly be confused with the South and right now living in Orlando, FL which may be in the South but isn't like the South I know at all--but anyway). I love the South. I love its warmth, its charm and its hospitality. I love the people, the culture, the homes and the food. Oh, the food. I can't think of anywhere that has yummier food than the South with its BBQ, fried chicken, fresh vegetables that go straight from the garden to the table, warm buttermilk biscuits drenched in melting butter and peach cobbler that makes you wonder if you've died and gone to heaven.

Well the Georgia Girl is going to share another recipe with all of you so you can have a little taste of the South-- wherever you may be.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Here's what you'll need to serve 8 people:

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

salt and pepper

3 pounds boneless pork shoulder roast

1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar

4 cloves minced garlic

8 soft sandwich rolls

Your favorite BBQ sauce if you want it, but you probably won't need it. This BBQ is so moist and flavorful, we don't use any store bought sauce with it.

Directions: Cook low and slow-- APPROXIMATELY 300 degrees for 3 hours. All great Southern cooks just know how to check it and know when it'll be done. That's something your Mama's gotta teach ya.

1. In a small bowl, combine sugar, cayenne, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp pepper and then rub over the pork.

2. Place pork in 5 qt. Dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot.

3. In a medium bowl, combine vinegar, garlic, 1/2 cup water and pour over the pork. Cover pot and place in oven. Bake until pork is very tender and easily pulls away with your fingers.

4. When done, remove pork to work surface and save the pan juice. Let pork cool enough to pull apart with your fingers. Pull pork and place in a large bowl. Toss with pan juice to moisten. You probably won't need all of it, but be sure to save the juice for moistening your leftovers.

5. Split rolls, pile on the pork and top with extra sauce if you like.

These Southern sandwiches are my family's favorites. They are simple and they are good. You just can't beat that.

I hope you all enjoy them as much as we do.

SITS Blogathon

2008-10-12T23:17:00.007-04:00

Are you a SITSta? Are you participating in the Blogathon Tuesday? Woo hoo! Good for you. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, don’t worry I’ll fill you in. It’s BIG! And yes, there are prizes involved. Yay! Good prizes. Gotcha hooked now, don’t I?

The SITStas over at The Secret is in the Sauce blog has already become a big part of my new little Mom Stuff blog. I started blogging a month ago and came across that saucy little button on my friend’s blog Ready Scrap Go! I was so eager to meet other bloggers who might leave me comments and offer suggestions on design, layout, readability, the possibility of making money, etc. And several SITs girls have already started dropping by and leaving comments. I must say that signing in on SITS each day and browsing others’ blogs has helped me tremendously on my blog. I get so many ideas from reading their blogs. While I still have a lot to learn, I give credit to my fellow SITStas for inspiring me, making me laugh, supporting me and making me feel welcome to this blogosphere that is so new to me.

Here are some of the saucy blogs I have come to love in the SITStahood (Hope you don't mind SITS, there was no way I could pick just five):
http://berriesweetpicks.blogspot.com/
http://heatherinlebanon.blogspot.com/
http://readyscrapgo.blogspot.com/
http://mommylikestoparty.blogspot.com/
http://tressainnorway.blogspot.com/
http://lynchboys.blogspot.com/
http://farm31332.blogspot.com/
http://blogaroundtheworld2.blogspot.com/
http://cherrysjubileehome.blogspot.com/

Please drop by and say hello to these SITStas of mine and leave them some comment love. And remember, stop by The Secret is in the Sauce if you’d like to become a part of this awesome group of blogging ladies.

Sweet Surprises in the Mail

2008-10-09T09:57:00.006-04:00

Remember when you were a kid and you'd get so excited to get something addressed to you in the mail? A birthday card, a letter from the grandparents, a postcard from a friend on vacation--you get the idea. There was and still is just something special about receiving a package in the mail that's just for you. Everyday, I go to the mail box and 9 times out of 10 it is filled with junk and bills. Rarely is there a special treat in the mail. Which is why I get so excited when I get something great in the mail--whether it is a card, a letter from a friend or something I've ordered online.

So when a small box arrived the other day with my name on it, I hopped around a little and skipped back up the sidewalk to the house. My son and daughter (who love the daily trips to the mail box) were sharing in my excitement. "What is it Mama, what is it? What's in there?" I already knew what was inside, but I was enjoying this bit of excitement with the kids so I pretended I had no idea and that it was some special gift being sent to me. So we took the package inside and opened it carefully. Inside, there was a pink tissue paper wrapped box. Inside the box, resting on pink shreds and tied with a green ribbon were the calling cards I had ordered from Sweet Mady's Paper.

They were so adorable and so girly-which made them even better. They were brown and had white polka dots with an oval outlined in pink displaying our family's contact information (like the first photo). You just have to visit the Sweet Mady's online store and browse all the designs to see what I mean-adorable, precious, elegant-are words that come to mind. Thank you Michelle. You did a beautiful job. I love my calling cards and can't wait to pass some out at the soccer game on Saturday.

Crafting Some Halloween Cheer for the Neighborhood

2008-10-07T16:18:00.007-04:00

Ok so, we have lived in Orlando now for about seven months. We live in a nice little neighborhood where everyone waves and says hello in passing. Well now that Halloween is here, I thought it would be a nice idea to start a tradition that I came across when we lived in both Georgia and California. It's called Booing. There are many variations of this festive tradition, but basically it involves giving a small gift to a neighbor who then places a Boo decoration (ghost, pumpkin, bat, etc.) on their door so that the neighborhood knows they have been Booed. Then that person selects another neighbor to Boo and so on and so on. Ideally, the entire neighborhood will be Booed by Halloween night. It is a fun way for the whole neighborhood to spread some Halloween cheer.

So for this week's craft, I'm going to show you all how I made the Boo bucket that started the Booing in my neighborhood. If you are a regular reader, you know all about my gift buckets. If you are new to my blog--I design and create custom gift buckets (previously as a business and currently as a hobby.) Basically, I made a small Halloween themed candy bucket. (See my previous post on how to make a gift bucket for detailed instructions.)I then added several copies of paper ghosts in the bucket for neighbors to hang on their doors. I attached a cute little poem to the handle of the bucket explaining the tradition and giving the neighbor instructions on how to keep the Booing going.

For the poem, I just searched the internet until I found one that was cute. Then I made a few adjustments so that it would work for the bucket to be passed along neighbor to neighbor. Below is the text of the poem. I simply cut it out and glued it to orange paper to make it more decorative.

Since this is the time for goblins and bats
Halloween spirits and ghosts and cats,
Happenings are weird and witches make brew
The following are the things I wish for you:

May the only spirit you chance to meet
Be the spirit of love and friends that are sweet.
May the only goblin that comes your way
Be the neighborhood phantom, the breeze takes away.

So by tomorrow, pick a friend down the street
And give to them a Halloween treat.
Fill this bucket with goodies galore,
Then place it at their front door.

You only have one day to do this, so hurry
Leave treats on their door and run in a flurry
As this bucket moves along from friend to friend,
All good wishes go on and never end.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

This is a fun and easy craft that is sure to get your neighborhood in the festive spirit for celebrating Halloween.

***If you are interested in purchasing a Boo Bucket or another Gift Bucket designed by me, please email me at schofield.jacie@gmail.com.

Happy Booing!

Proofread Teachers or I'll Grade Your Papers!

2008-10-07T09:28:00.005-04:00

This week's "Tuesday Toot" is something that my fellow educators of the English language will surely appreciate.

Last week, Grayson was randomly selected to move into a new class at school due to class sizes being over the state limit. Now let me just say, I used to be a teacher and I know first hand how hard it is to teach when you have too many students in a class. Grayson had an amazing teacher. She really was something special--a rare gem for public schools. But his class size was huge so I was relieved to hear that they were hiring two new teachers. I couldn't help it though--I didn't want Grayson to be moved. He has had to endure so many changes this past year (moving from GA to CA to FL, changing schools, leaving family, friends, church, etc.) It's been hard on him. And finally, he was getting settled in and making friends in his class and getting into a routine. Then we got the news that he'd be changing classes.

Here is part one of the toot. I was sad, but I didn't go up to the school and demand that he be kept in his class. I did simply compose an email to the teacher and principal explaining the past year and requesting that he be able to stay. However, I told them that if he must be moved, I understood and we would just get through it the best we could. Well, he moved into his new class yesterday and is handling it like a champ. I'm so proud of him (and me). Toot toot.

Now here's part two of the toot.

Yesterday afternoon I looked in his backpack for the note the teacher said she'd be sending home. When I read it, glaring out at me, were several errors in her grammar. Yes, I was an English teacher, but normally I don't walk around with my red ink pen out editing and marking mistakes on people's letters, emails, etc. I rarely even proof my own emails, posts, etc. unless they are important so I know I make my own share of mistakes. However, this woman is a teacher and was sending out her first form of communication to parents who are already uneasy with this new change their children are going through. She should have proofread her letter. It took everything I had not to mark up her letter, walk back up to that school and show it to the principal and say, "You took my son out of a wonderful, competent teacher's class and put him in a class with a teacher who doesn't know the difference between their and there. She's a dummy!" But I didn't (although I will if she keeps on sending home poorly written letters.) I really am trying hard not to judge her too harshly. But come on!!!

Ok, maybe I am being a little harsh. But I'm only looking out for my son. He deserves the best. So Toot for me.

Fashion Friday- Fall Styles

2008-10-03T09:11:00.012-04:00

In my attempts to update my "mommy wardrobe" as I call it, I've been searching the internet and finding so many cute outfits. Have a look...

NO I'M NOT SERIOUS!!! I can't believe people would actually wear those clothes. I'd rather look like "a mommy" than a streetwalker or a rug or a clown. But these photos are apparently the Fall Fashion trends for 2008. Um, whatever. So I continued my research and found these "classic looks" as they were called...

Yes. I can do classy. Thank you Ann Taylor Loft.

So I'm adding to my shopping list: corduroy pants, pencil skirt, tailored white blouse, fitted jacket, dark wash jeans, a new sweater and a jersey skirt. Now I've just gotta talk the hubby into watching the kids so I can sneak away to the mall.

Lima Bean Kids T-shirt Giveaway at The Not-So-Blog Blog

2008-10-02T08:55:00.006-04:00

Let's all start the day off right with news of another giveaway. Woohoo! We all love giveaways right? Well, The Not So Blog Blog is giving away a Lima Bean Kids Halloween or Thanksgiving tee. And these t-shirts are precious. I'm thinking Taylor would look fantabulous in the Lets Play Dress Up tee, and I'm loving the Christmas tees too.

Boon Giveaway

2008-10-01T11:45:00.002-04:00

Ok, you all know how much I LOVE Boon. Just look at my blog and you'll see the Frogpod post, links to Boon, Widgets for Boon, etc. Becky, the designer behind the Boon products is a personal friend of mine and so anything I can do to promote Boon, I'll do it. Well, there is a Boon giveaway--and a big one. The Flair high chair. Yep, you read it right. They are giving away a Flair ($229.99 value)! Go ahead, squeal with delight. Head over to Berry Sweet Picks for all the details on how you can win this awesome prize. THANK YOU BOON !

Autumn Crafts

2008-10-01T10:42:00.005-04:00

Remember my saying that I wanted to explore my crafty side? Yeah, me too. Well I am genuinely trying, but before you get too excited to find out how I've accomplished this autumn candle- just remember I am a beginner who usually buys all the crafty decor in my home.

I'm starting simple (and cheap) so I took a candle and a holder that I already had around the house. To it, I added some assorted fall potpourri that I found on a clearance aisle at Target. Voila! And the best part is that I didn't even hot glue all those little pieces to the candle. The pine cones stack nicely on their bases and the dried flowers stand just fine so I will be able to remove it all once fall is gone. Like I said, don't get too excited. I'm a novice and I've gotta start from somewhere.

But for those of you who are craft gurus, I did find an autumn craft over at Better Homes and Gardens that I'm sure you'd love to try out. It is adorable framed art with a Welcome message for all your guests this season. Visit http://www.bhg.com/decorating/seasonal/autumn/fall-welcome-message/ for all the instructions on how to make it.

Happy Crafting!

Sweet Mady's Newsletter

2008-09-30T16:26:00.005-04:00

Do you love Sweet Mady's as much as I do? Well head on over to Michelle's blog and sign up for her newsletter. She will be distributing her next newsletter on Friday and will be sharing a discount code with all her loyal customers. What is even sweeter is she is going to give away a set of personalized stationery to a blogging buddy who posts about her newsletter and links up to her site. Click here to visit the Sweet Mady's Paper store or find her under Mom Stuff's Favorites in the left column of my blog. Go on over there, shop a little (or a lot) and sign up for the newsletter so you'll keep up to date with what's new at Sweet Mady's.

Tame at the Game--Tuesday Toots

2008-09-30T13:56:00.003-04:00

It is Tuesday again and time for Tuesday Toot Me! Today's toot is simple--not as dramatic as my previous weeks. This past Saturday, Grayson had his first soccer game. He's only 5 and has never played before. Now you should know that my husband and I are very competitive people by nature (and nurture I think). We both played sports competitively growing up, and we were both good at them. We both excelled in academics as well, and so we grew up to become very competitive people. We just can't help it. We can turn anything into a competition and we both hate losing. Hey, at least we can admit it. My worst fear though was that I was going to be one of those moms that you roll your eyes at and talk about at the soccer fields. You know the ones--the ones who scream at their kids for not being in the right position or for missing a goal. The ones who yell at the referee and jump up and down all around and in general make a big scene. Like I said--it was my biggest fear to be one of those moms.

Toot Toot-- I WAS NOT one of those moms. I was tame at the game (well relatively). I admit I was by far the loudest at cheering-- but they were all positive cheers and they were for all the kids on the team, not just mine. But I do admit I was loud so you may have rolled your eyes and giggled at me a little bit. I did jump up and down some and run up and down the sidelines a bit. And I did take the most pictures and video too. But I swear I never crossed the white line painted on the field--not even when Grayson was goal keeper and I needed a better angle for a shot of him stopping a goal. So I'm tooting my horn for not turning into one of those psycho moms at the soccer field. I am trying my best. Toot Toot.

Let It All Hang Out?

2008-09-29T10:50:00.007-04:00

http://www.waba.org.my/resources/goldenbow.htm

Today's post is a little different--it's actually a question.

We took the kids to Sea World yesterday to meet up with some friends who are here in Orlando on vacation. Taylor fell asleep in the stroller so everyone else went ahead to the Shamu Believe show while I headed over to the Underwater viewing area seeking a bench and some shade to keep Taylor and me as comfortable as possible in the 90 degree heat.

As Taylor slept and I sat staring at the empty tank of blue water, a young lady with a baby came and sat next to me. She fed the baby Gerber fruit, changed the baby's diaper on her lap, and then proceeded to lift her shirt and breastfeed the baby. Now it wasn't very crowded where we were, but there were still a lot of people and the bench we were on was right in the center of the tank so everyone walking by got a good look at what she was doing. She wasn't exactly trying to be discreet. There was a baby blanket in the stroller she could have used to cover up with, but she didn't use it. She just lifted up her shirt and let that boobie hang out for the baby to latch on to and fed with her shirt up and breast exposed for a good half hour. I was trying very hard to pretend like I didn't know what she was doing, but the gawkers walking by pointed and gasped. But they didn't seem to bother this lady.

Now let me just say, I breastfed both my children. And yes, I even did it in public many times. After all, when a baby's got to eat, a baby's got to eat. But I never just let it all hang out like that. I had a breastfeeding cover up that snapped around my neck and draped over my entire front side to ensure privacy. The cover just looked like a baby blanket so anyone would have thought that the baby was just sleeping and was covered. I'm sure you breastfeeding moms know the product (or a similar one) that I'm talking about. Anyway, this lady had nothing like that. She really did just lift up her shirt exposing her breast for all the Sea World visitors to see. After the first few gawkers, I almost turned to tell her that Sea World has Nursing Stations in several locations so that she would have more privacy. But then I saw her look her gawkers straight in the eyes as if to say "Yep, I'm breastfeeding my baby. Yes you can see my boob. So what!" (Man, I wish I had half of her confidence.) So I just pushed Taylor in the stroller for a bit until she left the bench and then went back to sit and enjoy the shade and the empty tank and more peoplewatching.

So my question for you moms out there is:

Do you think breastfeeding in public should be discreet or is it ok to let it all hang out?

Leave me a comment. I'd love to hear what you all have to say about this one.

Fashion Friday- Handbag Planet

2008-09-26T08:59:00.005-04:00

As a stay at home mom, I find myself wearing shorts, a t-shirt, flip flops, and a pony tail with a diaper bag across my shoulder every day. It may be comfortable, but it gets old. Just like most girls, I get that urge to really dress up every now and again, but mostly I just want to update my everyday wardrobe and look into some of the fashion trends I may have been missing out on.
So where do I start? With a handbag of course. And I came across a "Fabulous Find" over at Sweet Mady's--a handbag giveaway. So I looked into it, signed myself up and I'm sharing it with you so you can too!

Handbag Planet is giving away 24 handbags in 24 hours to celebrate the launch of their new website on October 15th. Head on over to their site and sign up--no strings attached--it is absolutely free.

Let me give a quick shout out to Michelle over at Sweet Mady's Paper for the lovely post today about my Gift Buckets. You've got me seriously thinking about starting up my business again. Thanks!

Gift Buckets-Craft Sharing

2008-09-24T11:18:00.006-04:00

I have to admit that even though I love the end result of craft projects, I'm NO Martha Stewart. I'm not crafty--I just don't have that "crafty" gene that some women have. I love all the fabrics, papers, stamps, ribbons, etc. but I don't have the desire to sit down to a craft project and complete it. There is only one real "crafty" hobby I have and so in an effort to explore my crafty side and become--well, more crafty--I am going to try to share a craft with everyone each week. This week I am going to share with you my one crafty hobby--GIFT BUCKETS.

I love making my gift buckets. When we lived in Georgia, I opened my own business making these unique and special gifts. We moved to California and then again to Florida (where we are now) and it just got to be too much to keep up with so now it's back to being my hobby. But I love this craft so much that I want to share it with you all.

Making a gift bucket is very much like making a gift basket--except you are using a bucket. My favorite sizes to use are the 2 quart pails, 10 quart pails, 16 quart pails and wash tubs.

Supplies you will need:

bucket
paper

shreds

gift items

glue dots

cellophane gift bag

rubberbands

scissors
ribbon

gift card/tag

Here are the steps to making a basic gift bucket:

Step 1-

First, decide on the products you will be placing in the gift bucket and create your color scheme from there.

Step 2-

Fill your bucket with crumpled paper so everything won't sink to the bottom. Then cover your paper with shreds. You want your gifts to stand up and be seen so the recipient with go "Wow!" when they see it.

Step 3-

Arrange the gifts into the bucket so that they can all be seen. It usually works best to put taller items in the back and smaller items in the front. It may take several arrangements to find the perfect one. Once you've got it, use glue dots to keep items in place.

Step 4-

Fill in gaps between items with shreds. You can also use shreds to make items stand up better.

Step 5-

Place bucket inside a clear cellophane gift bag. Pull up the sides getting rid of the trapped air. Tie off the top with a rubberband and cover the band with raffia ribbon.

Step 6-

Top it off with a decorative bow, tying the ribbon around the band tightly to be sure it is secure.

Add your gift card, deliver and enjoy the look on the person's face when they see their beautiful, CRAFTY gift bucket that you made especially for them by hand.

118 Pounds to 178 and Back!

2008-09-23T12:57:00.008-04:00

Wow, it is time again for Tuesday Toot Me. I hadn't realized it'd been a week since my last post until I sat down to begin writing this one. Sorry I fell off the blogging scene for a few days, but I've been out of town visiting family who live so far out in the country that they spell it "Kun-tree" and they only have dial up. So anyway, I've been thinking hard about what I should toot my own horn about today and like I said last week, it has been harder to do this week. Anyway...

Here's my toot.

I weighed 118 pounds when I got pregnant with Taylor. The day she was born I weighed in at a whopping 178 pounds (see my misery in the photo). I gained 60 pounds--that is about 25 or 30 more than what my doctor recommended. Yes, I weighed in at each doctor's visit and I knew how much I was gaining. I couldn't help it. Food just tastes so good when you're pregnant. I loved my three or four bowls of Snickers ice cream every night. Oh and fast food galore!! I swear my husband was on a first name basis with several McDonald's and Wendy's workers I sent him on so many fast food runs when I was pregnant. Forget weird cravings--I just loved food--any food--period. And so I put on the pounds and like a big dummy was grinning the whole time as I was thinking "Oh it'll come right off just like it did after I had Grayson." Ha HA HA! I wish. The baby came, months went by, but the weight wasn't going away as fast as I was so sure it would. And so-- the get skinny plan came to be. Eat well. Exercise often. Simple, eh? Yeah, yeah I know-but it really is. It just took me two years to follow through long enough to see the results I wanted.

But I'm there.

I am 3 pounds away from weighing what I weighed when I got pregnant with Taylor. It has taken me two years of trying to eat healthy and trying to get as much exercise as I can, and I am proud to say that I've done a pretty good job. It has been slow to lose the last ten pounds or so, but it is happening. My goal is to return to my pre-baby weight of 115. But I'm realistic. I know I will never have the same body shape or fit into some of my pre-baby clothes. I won't get rid of my saggy left breast that my children favored or the silvery stretch marks that run vertically around my belly button or my c-section pouch as I call it (that flab of skin that hangs over the incision scar), but I can live with all that. It's nothing a good padded, lift up bra, a one-piece swim suit and some of those girdle panties won't cure.

115 pounds---here I come!

The Toot of a Bedrest Survivor

2008-09-16T09:54:00.007-04:00

In searching the blogosphere to get acquainted with other bloggers out there, I came across a neat little idea that MommyCommunity.com came up with called "Tuesday Toot Meme". You sign up for the group and promise to read and comment on all the participants' blogs. The great thing about these blogs is Mamas use each Tuesday as an opportunity to toot their own horn. I love this idea because it seems that women--especially moms--find it difficult to pat themselves on the back. We can tell you how great our kids are and what their latest accomplishments are but when it comes to us, we struggle to think of anything. I am guilty of this too. It took me quite a while to come up with what I was going to write about today and I'm sure it will be even more difficult next Tuesday. But as the weeks go by, I'm hoping that it will become easier and I will be able to realize my accomplishments as a woman, a wife and a mother. I hope the same for you.

Here's my toot...

In August of 2002 I discovered I was pregnant with my son Grayson. I had already been reading all the books I could find on how you should care for your body during pregnancy--what you should eat, how you should exercise, etc. I did everything I was supposed to--period. After my 12 weeks doctor visit, they told me that everything looked great and that I was in the clear of that "danger zone" when typically miscarriages occur. I felt wonderful, and I was on cloud 9.

However at sixteen weeks pregnant, I had a partial placental abruption where for some unknown reason the placenta begins to tear away from the wall of the uterus. I was bleeding and the doctors couldn't tell me what was going to happen. All I could think about was the possibility of losing my baby. At that emotional trip to the doctor's office, I was told point blank by the doctor "If you lose it, you lose it. You can have another one." I was crushed. I didn't want another one. I wanted my baby that I had inside my body right then. As the doctor was about to walk out the door, I stopped her and said, "Wait. You tell me what I can do to save THIS baby." She proceeded to tell me a bunch of what I call "doctor crap" and basically told me it was just best to not worry about it and let nature take its course. Of course, that wasn't good enough and suddenly I felt the urge to blurt out "What about bed rest? Would that work?" To my disbelief, she looked straight at me and said, "you would be willing to do that?" I said, "Yes. Of course. Anything to keep this baby." She still told me that it wasn't a guarantee that bedrest would work, but she did say that it would be the best thing to try. So she pulled out her little prescription pad and wrote me a note to take to work saying I would be on complete bedrest until I delivered the baby. Now quitting work was the easiest thing I had to do at that moment. Worrying about money (along with everything else) was completely turned over to my husband's list of duties. My new job was to stay in bed and let my body do the rest.

Yes, bed rest was awful. I only left the bed to use the bathroom and brush my teeth. I bathed only every three days. I had a mini-fridge by the bed. Skipper fixed me breakfast before he left for work. His mother came to make my lunch, do a few things around the house, and take me to the doctor each week- sometimes twice a week. My parents would come to clean the house when they could. Basically, everybody pitched in and I am so grateful for such a wonderful family. But still, bed rest was awful. When I was alone was the worst. My mind would wander and it always led me down that horrible path of thinking about having to give birth to a dead baby. I think I cried every single day for five months.

Then one day as I was sitting on the bench in the shower, crying and praying and washing my hair at the same time--I just stopped. It was like I was being forced to be calm by a power much greater than me. I got out of the shower and was drying off when these words came into my mind ---"I have you and I've had you all along." I tear up even now as I think back to that moment. God's peace came over me and for the first time during my pregnancy, I let God take care of my baby instead of thinking I could do it myself. I didn't cry again until I had tears of joy when I heard my son being pulled from my body in the operating room. He was nearly three weeks early and while it wasn't an emergency c-section, it was dramatic with its scary moments. But he was perfectly healthy weighing a whopping 9 lbs. 4 oz. Pure joy! I survived, my baby survived and even though I give all the credit to God, I'm going to toot my horn for listening to Him and obeying Him. So TOOT TOOT!!

Books for your Little Ones

2008-09-15T16:14:00.016-04:00

Well it seems that everyone around me is either having a baby or just popped one out. Family, friends and neighbors are celebrating new arrivals back to back to back. Now most of my family and friends already have children so this post may or may not help them out. The books I am going to mention are classic tales and are very popular. This post is for my friends who are new to motherhood or will be soon.
I've had several friends ask me what books I recommend they purchase in order to start their baby's library. As a mom of two children, a former English teacher and an aspiring children's book author, my short list consists of five classic titles and I must say that I weigh heavily upon the fact that my two children have loved all five of these books since birth and still don't go a day without reading at least two of them during our nightly routine of reading before bedtime.

Here is the list, and it is ordered based on what I recommend going from youngest (birth) to oldest (age 5).

#1- Goodnight Moon by Margarent Wise Brown This is a classic, rhyming bedtime story. It is a picture book in which your child will love looking at the bunny, the cow, the bears, the kittens, and that elusive little mouse hiding in different spots around the room. This is a great first book for a baby.

#2- The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

This is a classic tale of a little caterpillar's journey (eating alot of food along the way) to becoming a butterfly. This picture book teaches the days of the week and counting with its repetition and rhythm. This is an excellent choice for young children as well as preschoolers and kindergarteners. My son has had this book memorized since he was 18 months old (I know it's hard to believe, but he has always been a very verbal child) and he is also reading it now in his Kindergarten class at school. It's just one of those books that all young children love.

#3- Dr. Seuss's ABC by Dr. Seuss

I'm not sure Dr. Seuss even needs an introduction, but just in case-- in this book, he teaches the ABC's with rhyming and alliteration along with his world-famous humor and creative illustrations. With lines like "Ten tired turtles on a tuttle-tuttle tree" and "Willy Waterloo washes Warren Wiggins who is washing Waldo Woo," your child will be giggling and reciting this book before you know it.

#4- The Little Engine That Could retold by Watty Piper

This generations-old classic tale of the tiny engine's dedication to climbing up the mountain with its heavy load is just as endearing as it was when I read it as a child over 25 years ago. Your child will love the adorable illustrations as you read the "chug, chug, chug" and "puff, puff, puff. Ding-dong, ding-dong" of the little train. Your child will be chanting "I think I can-I think I can-I think I can" right along with you and will be sure to learn the book's timeless message of not giving up.

#5- The House that Jack Built by Jeanette Winter

This book is full of rhyme, repetition, humor and cute illustrations that will have your child saying, "Read it again ,Mama, read it again." With its nursery rhyme style, it is easy to follow and your child will remember each and every page with visual clues and repitious lines. This is a book your little one is sure to love.

Now that I have listed my top five books for you, please know that there are just too many good books to list in this one post. We have shelf after shelf of books that my kids love. And for you new moms out there, soon enough you will too. Once your child is old enough to have a special interest, you will find yourself thumbing through twenty or so books on trains like I do with my son. And with each new interest will come more books--cars, sharks, Star Wars--you get my picture. My recommendation is to head over to your library or your favorite book store and start with the classics. If you need help, just ask. Or you can also visit http://www.kidsreads.com/lists/pic-classic.asp#topfor book lists that are sure to get you started.

Happy reading!!

Naked Girl Wears Panties

2008-09-12T21:27:00.009-04:00

Finally, it has happened. Our two year old daughter Taylor is wearing her panties. No, she isn't potty trained completely. But for the past couple of months, it seems she has always been naked. Yes, I said naked. A naked two year old running around the house can be cute at first and then you just laugh a little when a few weeks go by and think in the back of your mind, "Will this kid ever pee pee and poo poo in the potty if she puts clothes back on?"

Somehow on the route to potty training, it came about that Taylor would go potty every time--NO ACCIDENTS- if and only if--she was naked. So with the thought that I could let her go naked for a couple of days to let the potty successes stick with her, I allowed her to go nude. After all, it's just us girls here at home during the day. Well, a couple of days has turned into a couple of months. (Fortunately some of that time she would at least wear a t-shirt.)But today we had a breakthrough. For weeks now after Taylor would go potty, I would have the pullups and the panties ready, but she would refuse both. But today, finally, when she climbed down from her potty stool, she looked right up at me and said, "Princess panties Mama?" I was so thrilled that I squealed with delight. She put on those panties and wore them the rest of the day with no accidents. Wooohooo Taylor!

Now I have no idea how we will complete the potty training process. (It was completely different with my son). She is still in a diaper at night and during naptime. But for now, I am relishing in our small victory. Our naked girl wears panties!

Sweet Italian Sausage Quiche--So Easy and So Good

2008-09-12T11:29:00.007-04:00

So I decided that my daughter Taylor's 2nd birthday this year should be a Birthday Brunch since we had family visiting us the weekend of her birthday, and they would need to leave early that day to head back home. I had never hosted a brunch and so the mad search for recipes began. I wanted a variety, and I wanted to be sure I would have things other than Publix's donuts for the kids to eat. In my searching, I came across a recipe for a quiche. It wasn't quite what I was looking for, but it was close--so I changed it up a little and made it my own. It was a big hit at the party, and I have made it so many times now that I've got it down to perfection. I've even got a secret tip for you, but you'll have to read to the end to find out what it is. Here is the recipe.

Sweet Italian Sausage Quiche

1 pound sweet Italian sausage

4 eggs

2/3 cup milk

1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese

1 cup sour cream
2 frozen, unbaked pie shells

Set out pie shells to thaw. Squeeze sausage from its casing onto skillet sprayed with non-stick spray. Fry sausage meat, scrambling it into small pieces. Drain. In a bowl, mix eggs and milk. Add cheeses, sour cream and cooked sausage to the bowl and mix together. Pour into thawed pie shells and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Ovens vary so watch closely.

The key ingredient to this recipe is the Sweet Italian Sausage. This quiche just isn't the same if you substitute regular breakfast sausage. And now here is that tip I promised you--bake the quiches the night before so you don't have to get up an hour before everybody else and cook. Bake them, let them cool completely, cover them with some aluminum foil and place in the fridge. The next morning you can either reheat them in the oven or serve onto plates and reheat them in the microwave. We wake up hungry in the mornings so we usually use the microwave method, and the quiche takes great. So leave the cereal boxes in the pantry and try something different one morning. Or if you are like us and like having breakfast for supper on occasion, you'll love this quiche so much you'll eat it for supper too.

Enjoy!!!

Suave Kids Body Wash and 2 in 1 Shampoo for our Stinky Little Kids

2008-09-11T09:49:00.005-04:00

This is especially for the moms who have little boys who have reached the age in which they have become stinky, sweaty little monsters. My son Grayson has just reached this milestone. I blame it on the Florida heat and humidity that causes you to sweat if you step foot outside. Combine that with the fact that he has PE at school and is playing soccer now, and we have us a stinky, sweaty little monster living with us. He is sweaty, his clothes are stinky and his room has become a magnet for odor. While I have been tempted to spray him down with the same Lysol disinfectant spray I use on his room, I have discovered the Suave line of products for kids and love them enough to use them instead.

The body wash is fantastic and the shampoo is amazing. Every single fragrance they offer smells wonderful, but Grayson's favorites are the shampoos--Wild Watermelon, Orange Mango Outburst and Cowabunga Coconut (which is also my favorite). The body wash produces a lot of lather with just a small bit on a sponge. And the Suave 2 in 1 Shampoo has a rich, creamy lather that suds up thick and quick, but rinses out of Grayson's longer, thicker hair easily. The bottles are kid friendly too. The lids are secure enough that Taylor (age 2) can't open them too easily, but Grayson(age 5) can-- so he can squirt out the body wash and shampoo himself which is helping him learn to bathe himself now. Another great quality the Suave kids products have is that they have the same tear-free formulas that the baby products have. I was concerned at first about using the shampoo on my daughter because she is still so young, but we haven't had a problem. The shampoo doesn't irritate her eyes at all. It really is tear-free. If these reasons aren't enough to get you to try the Suave kids products, maybe the low prices will. Suave is almost always the least expensive name brand item on the shelf. I have found the shampoo for as little as $1.99.

With all that being said, my new favorite time of day is late in the evening when everyone has had a bath, they smell wonderful, and we snuggle together in Grayson's bed for reading time before bed time. They aren't stinky, sweaty little monsters anymore. I pull my children close and take a big whiff of their hair and smile as I relish in their cleanliness and fragrance.

Sea World's Best

2008-09-10T18:35:00.004-04:00

Since moving to Orlando in March of this year, we have been to Sea World so many times that I've lost count. The kids absolutely love this park, and we do too. In addition to season passes at Sea World, we purchased season passes to Universal. But the kids (ages 5 and 2) prefer Sea World hands down. If you've never been to Sea World, you will be surprised to know that this park is so much more than the Shamu show. I'm going to list for you what we consider to be Sea World's best.

First, lets cover the shows. Sea World wouldn't be Sea World without Shamu so our #1 show pick is Believe. This show features the amazing performance of the Sea World cast--including the great Shamu and other whales. Our #2 pick of shows is Blue Horizons. This show is full of action. It has dolphins, whales, birds, actors/divers and acrobats. The show you can skip is Clyde and Seamore which is supposed to be funny, but isn't. The only entertaining aspect of this show is seeing the seals perform.

Next, lets cover the attractions. Yes, Sea World has rides in addition to their animal attractions. For most of the animal attractions, we recommend you briefly go through them as you head towards the rides and shows throughout the day. Some animal attractions however, you shouldn't miss and you shouldn't rush through. Our favorite animal attractions are the Baby Dolphin exhibit, the Key West Dolphin and Stingray exhibits and the Shark Encounter. As for rides, we recommend Journey to Atlantis and Kraken for big kids and adults. Atlantis is a water coaster ride and Kraken is a floorless coaster.

For the little ones in the family, head over to Shamu's Happy Hour. I can't say enough about this play area for children. It is spectacular if you have young children who aren't ready for the bigger rides at other parks. There have been times we have gone to Sea World and spent the day in this one area of the park. There are several rides--teacups that spin as you fly in the air, a sea creature carousel, regular tea cups that scramble you around slowly, a rocking and spinning boat ride and the Shamu kiddie coaster. There is also a giant rope climbing gym and underneath it, giant sand boxes stocked with toys and dump trucks and lounge chairs for parents to sit in as the kids play. As if all this wasn't enough, there is a fun little water play area for the kids to splash in. Sea World certainly had small children in mind when they designed this play area. There is easy access to restrooms, baby care areas, and food and snacks. And to top it all off--this is the cleanest kiddie play area I have ever seen at a park. Way to go Sea World---moms love clean!

Lastly, we should discuss the restaurants and refreshments. We have gone both ways-expensive and cheap. I have to say the most over-rated restaurant is the Sharks Underwater Grill. Yes, it is neat to eat next to an aquarium of sharks and the air conditioning is nice. But the food is way over priced and not that great. Skipper had ahi tuna, and he says it was just ok. I had crab cakes that were drenched in so much Old Bay seasoning that I could hardly take more than a couple of bites. The service wasn't nearly as good as we expected it to be and so overall, I don't recommend this restaurant. There are other restaurants that have air conditioning and aren't nearly as pricey. We enjoyed the sandwiches and burgers at the Seafire Inn and watched the Wild Things show while we ate. We have also gotten quick bites and spent less money at Mango Joe's which was good. We have yet to try The Cove which is the restaurant that lets you dine with Shamu, but I am sure we will in the near future and I will keep you posted. Keep in mind that you can also pack small snacks and even juices and waters in that diaper bag you are carrying into the park. We have learned to pack plenty of peanut butter crackers, fruit snacks and such along with a sports thermos filled with ice water and apple juice for the kids and a couple of frozen bottles of water for us. These snacks and drinks last us more than half the day.

As you can probably tell, we are quite fond of Sea World. It has quickly become our favorite theme park so far. Of course, we haven't done Disney yet. We've planned for Disney season passes to be our entertainment for next year. And believe me, I'm sure when Taylor sees those princesses and dines at Cinderella's castle, we'll have another favorite.

*For more information about Sea World, visit www.seaworld.com.

V8 Fusion for All your Fruits and Veggies

2008-09-10T11:28:00.005-04:00

Did you get all your servings of fruits and vegetables today? Did your children get all of theirs? If you are like my family, some days we struggle with the actual consumption of the recommended 2 servings of fruits and 3 servings of vegetables. The reason I say we struggle with the actual consumption is because in all honesty, I try my hardest to always offer my children their fruits and veggies when fixing their meals. However, they rarely eat all that they should. Fruits aren't nearly as tough to get them to eat. But veggies are another story. It's ok though because Mama's got a new trick up her sleeve and it is all thanks to V8's new product--V8 Fusion juice.

In one 8 ounce glass/sippy cup, V8 Fusion gives a full serving of fruits and a full serving of vegetables. Did you catch that? A full serving of BOTH in one cup full. V8 Fusion is 100% juice and is packed full of antioxidants A, C and E plus. It has no added sugar and really does taste like a fruit juice. Take it from a girl who can not stand the regular V8 tomato juice. V8 Fusion doesn't taste like that at all. It is fruity and sweet-just like a fruit juice. It is a little thicker than other juices such as Welch's, but my kids don't seem to mind. We love almost all the flavors too. Our favorites are the Strawberry Banana, Peach Mango and the Tropical Orange. They even have V8 Fusion Light which has fewer calories but still offers the same nutritious servings of fruits and vegetables.

So Mama's new trick is to serve V8 Fusion with lunch and supper, and you don't leave the table until your juice is gone. I've never had a single objection from Grayson or Taylor when I say, "Drink your juice and then you can be done." I can rest assured that they each get at least two servings of fruits and vegetables from their juice at meal times in addition to the green beans and pears that are on their plates.

Thank you, V8. You've made this mom's job a little easier and her kids a lot happier.

Corn Chowder for the Crew

2008-09-10T09:02:00.005-04:00

For the moms like me who live in SEC country, you know that every Saturday during football season is Game Day and whether you are watching the Georgia Bulldogs play (like we are) or some other team, the day is devoted to football, friends and food. Many Saturdays you find yourself hosting a small crowd and I'm not just talking about your husband and your kids. If your husband is like mine, he likes to watch the game with friends. And if the friends aren't available that day, you still have to have the food. So here is a recipe that is easy, delicious and feeds a crowd. Your husband will love it. His friends will love it. And most importantly, your kids will probably even eat it.

Corn Chowder*

serves 20

1 diced red bell pepper

1 diced green bell pepper

1 diced yellow bell pepper

1 medium diced onion

4 stalks diced celery

1 small can undrained cream style corn

1 small can undrained whole kernal corn

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1 1/2 tsp black pepper

2 bay leaves

2 qt chicken stock

1 qt whipping cream

2 cups roux (50/50 ratio of fat and flour)

3/4 cup sugar

salt and pepper to taste

In a large stock pot, saute the peppers, onion, celery, corn, cayenne pepper, black pepper and bay leaves--sweating the vegetables. Add chicken stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer. Add the roux and simmer 10 - 15 minutes. Gradually add the heavy cream as you stir. Add sugar, salt and pepper to taste. Serve with warm, crusty bread.

*This recipe is an adaptation of the recipe for Corn and Crab Chowder found at Flamingo Cafe in Destin, Florida. To create the original recipe, simply add desired amount of crab upon serving the chowder. We tried the recipe both ways and prefer the corn chowder minus the crab.

I made a pot of this chowder a couple of weeks ago and shared it with our Georgia Southern alumni neighbors who also loved it. They are a family of five and we are a family of four--and we were all still eating on it days later. Each day it tasted better and better because the ingredients had time to come together so feel free to make this ahead of time, store it in the fridge and warm it up before the guests arrive. This is one of those great dishes to make on game days, over winter vacation or anytime you are entertaining a crowd. Try it--you won't be disappointed.

The Frog Pod

2008-09-09T20:58:00.005-04:00

I have promised you all that I would begin posting reviews of some of my favorite baby/toddler products, and one of my favorites is the Frog Pod. And new to the Boon family of products is the Frog Pod's sister-- the Bug Pod (a ladybug). For those of you who haven't fallen in love with the Boon line of baby gear, check out the website at www.booninc.com. The genius behind the Boon designs is Rebecca Westover Finell (a fellow native of Newnan, Georgia.) She has created the ultimate bath tub organizer that both children and parents will love. I love everything about the Frog Pod--from it large scoop that drains water as it picks up tub toys to its shelf for shampoo. And let's not forget the frog's widespread toes that are perfect for hanging a sponge. The Frog Pod is easily mounted on the tub wall. Just follow the instructions carefully so that the Frog Pod will remain mounted (you really do have to use the alcohol.) Priced at around $35, the Frog Pod can be found at a variety of stores including Target and Babies R Us. It makes a great baby shower gift so keep it in mind. For all you expectant moms--- register for the Frog Pod. You will love it.

Expectant Moms- Make your Birth Plans

2008-09-09T13:20:00.005-04:00

It is only fitting to open this blog with a post announcing the birth of my sixth nephew Harrison Adams Camp. Harrison was born September 8, 2008. He was 8 pounds 2 ounces and is a real cutie. Both mom and baby are doing well and recovering nicely. I am eager to start posting useful information for moms everywhere so I will start here with a recommendation that has come from Ashly's experience having Harrison. During Ashly's labor, she requested to have an epidural. However, the anesthesiologist did not get to her quickly enough and so she ended up having Harrison without the epidural. My advice--request the epidural sooner than later. Have it in your birth plan if you know in advance that you will want an epidural.
Of course I know there is the whole debate over the use of epidurals and other forms of pain managment during childbirth. My stance on this debate is that every woman is different and should seek the recommendation of her doctor when deciding the details of her birth plan. Having said that, make a birth plan! Creating a birth plan with your doctor is the ideal way to make an informed decision on the way you want your labor and delivery to go. Include what types of pain management you would like to have. Even if you are planning an all natural child birth, things may change when you are actually in labor and so you need to be able to articulate to your doctor what you want and when you want it. Know what your doctor knows. Ask questions. If you want to know when it will be too late to get an epidural, ask. Most moms will tell you that giving birth- especially if it is your first child- is not only physically strenuous but also emotionally strenuous. It can be difficult to think clearly and make decisions quickly once labor progresses. Having a birth plan and sharing it in detail with your doctor will put your mind at ease.
Now Ashly is one of those women who barely makes a sound or a grimace when giving birth. Having seen her give birth (with an epidural) to her two other sons Jackson and Jefferson, I have seen this woman in pain and I don't know how she makes it seem so easy. So don't worry too much about her lack of the epidural. From what she told me, she simply grabbed Bob's arm and grunted through it. She's Superwoman! But at the end of the day, she recommended the epidural.
I hope this post (along with the many more to come on a variety of topics) helps moms everywhere. God bless you all!