Just Barely.......

I've been waiting for quite a while...............

Finally, she has enough to put a clip in!

A teeny tiny clip!

Our Feathered Friend

On our walk to the mailbox this evening, we noticed a new addition to our lemon tree.

We can't wait to take a peek when the little ones hatch!

Lost Camera.... Answers to the name "cheese"

GOSH DARN IT!!!!

I can't find my camera. (small point and shoot)

This is the 2nd time in the last two weeks that I've lost that thing.

Is it that my house is that messy???

Or is it that I'm that ditsy???

This is making me crazy. Seriously crazy.

Here it is, 10 o'clock at night, I am franticly looking for my camera.
The baby is hungry.....
All my tylenol was recalled,  and we're teething....
and that darn missing camera is making me mad.


UPDATE:  This might sound kinda dumb.... it was in my purse. Now to explain, I don't really use my purse. I use a computer bag for work and a diaper bag the rest of the time. Too many bags!!!

Super 4

We celebrated Carter’s 4th Birthday this past Saturday. All the kids had a blast as they earned their superhero costumes.

First was a training course, that earned them their capes.

 

Then the villain (Adam) came out with bombs (black balloons), and I instructed the kids to diffuse (pop them). That earned the masks.

Then the villain showed back up and the kids sprayed him with their super webs (silly string).  They were then announced as official superheros.

Then we had cake and ice cream. Lots of it.

Wow, good thing birthdays are only once a year. 

By they way, sorry Adam. I owe you.

Oh Yeah, I Can Find Bluebonnets Too!

So, growing up in Texas, I loved bluebonnets. Being transplants to Texas, my mom never did the field of flowers photo thing.  People from Iowa don’t put their kids in a corn field to take pics…… at least none that I know of.

Recently I have seen way too many adorable bluebonnet pictures. Like these. And yes, I am jealous.

So even living in Arizona, I decided if I tried hard enough, I could make it happen. Low and behold, it did happen. Please disregard the Wal-Mart background.

Three Weeks in One

This week has been super crazy for me. I was not only planning and prepping for my son's birthday, but trying to blog hop at the UBP, and was feeling overwhelmed at work. To top it off, I woke up this morning with a migraine.

I know, I know.  I probably caused my migraine from being stressed. I just want to do it all and do it well. I'm sure you can understand that.

So, I'm a little unprepared in the blog post department. So here's my last minute post.....

Last night I finished sewing the capes for Carter's B-Day party. (All 20 of them.)

Cut out a bunch of foam masks.

I also finished carter's cape.

He tried it out.

And tried it out some more.

Cape: Carter Approved!!

My Big News...... Drumroll Please.....

I bought my very own domain.

It is: http://www.timeoutformom.com/. 

I haven't started to set it up yet. I am a little intimidated. I called my sister to tell her, and her response was... "how do you do that?" to which I replied "I have no idea!"

I am looking for any advice from others that have set up their own .coms. If you have a bit of advice, email me and I will be forever grateful!

So, there it is... my big announcement! Hopefully you aren't disappointed!

UBP Party Post

Hi! I'm Beth. I'm a brand new bogger with big ambitions! I like to blog about my kids, daily life, and funny anecdotes. I am self described kooky. I like to crack jokes and can roll with the best of them.

I have a son who is about to turn 4 and a baby girl who is only 7 months.

I currently work 30 hours a week as a cabinet designer at a member's only showroom. I would love to be a full time mommy, but that is not entirely possible right now.

My husband is a sweet and caring man. He is everything to me and I am more in love with him than I have ever been. He takes great care of me and puts up with my crazy antics.

I am an avid babywearer. I also try my hardest to reduce, reuse, and recycle. I love to sew, but I don't tend to have very much spare time.

I am currenty planning my son's 4th b-dy party. The theme is SuperHeros. I have already made the inviations, but need some suggestions on games for the kids to play at the party. Have any suggestions?

4-14-10

Of course, I forgot to say what I would like to win...... I would love the laptop, the apple gift card, and any target cards... other than that, I love things for kids!

something new

I am working on something new. I am really excited about it....... Its a secret now, but not much longer!

Things Carter Says

Today we went to the bank.

Carter has been there many times before.

This time, as we are getting in the van to go home......

"Wow." (Carter)

"What buddy?" (me)

"That place is really boring"

"What? The bank?"

"Yeah."

"I agree."

The Art of Family Photos

There are certain skills needed to take good family photos. And luck of course. There's no telling what you'll wind up with. This Easter we attempted to take a family photo. See below......

getting set-up ^

Fixing Carter's shirt  ^

Carter giving goofy eyes ^

What's with the goofy eyes?  ^

Me thinking..... "this is sooo not gonna happen"  ^

Sarah decides she's not into this  ^

The best one?

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4 poses and 250 shots later, somehow, this one is my favorite.

Go Figure.

Give Them the Breast

http://health.yahoo.com/news/ap/us_med_breast_feeding_savings.html

(Sarah at 2 weeks old)

        I receive so much satisfaction from breastfeeding my little one. I wish that all mommies had the oppurtunity to give their babies this wonderful gift. It makes me kinda frustrated when I see or hear of mommies that have the ability or oppurtunity to breastfeed and don't. Now, I'm not saying that I judge anyone, I just feel sad for the babies. The bond I have with my baby is so much more than I would have ever expected.

       I also feel disappointed in myself for not trying harder to breastfeed Carter. He was a preemie, and I tried and tried for about a week and then gave up the latching and simply pumped for him. I was able to provide milk for him for 8 weeks before returning to my job. My boss as the time was unsympathetic to breastfeeding and the possibility of pumping at work was never there. So maybe my frustration with the matter boils down to my own previous experience and my own breastfeeding failure.

      I am now on month 7 of breastfeeding and I plan on going all the way to the one year mark. I am soo proud of the mommies that made it to the 6 month mark.  It is sooo important to give babies the very best for their growth and development!

All I can say is, I am proud of breastfeeding my baby girl. It is one of my biggest personal accomplishments as a mommy.

(Sarah at 1 month old)

Things I Love About Sarah Francis

I love how you smell, even when you're stinky.

I love how you reach up for me when I come to you.

I love how you watch your brother, who adores you.

I love how you giggle wildly when daddy tickles you.

I love how you squirm when you see me after I get home from work.

 I love how you babble back at me when I talk to you.

I love how happy you are when I carry you in the ergo or wrap.

I love how satisfied you are after you nurse.

I love how soft your skin is.

I love that your eyes are still blue like your daddy's.

I love how happy you are.

I love you, Sarah Francis.

Beignets Make it Better

    I haven't been feeling well the last two days. A terrible combination of a bug and a migraine. As I began to feel better this evening, something struck me. Beignets! (not literaly) No one was throwing donuts at me from the kitchen, although it wouldn't surprise me.

    I decided I wanted some beignets. I remembered that we had a slightly expired box of beignet mix in the pantry.

    For those of you that know me: No... I didn't lose my marbles.... its dry mix, flour really. It was still pretty safe, only 2 weeks expired. For those of you that don't know me: I am wacko on expiration dates. If it is a day expired, it goes in the trash!

"Adam...... Will you do something for me please?"

He rolls his eyes. With a sigh "What?"

"I would love if you would make me some beignets......" ....I sweetly smile.

"That's really what you want to eat?" He looks slightly confused.

"Please?"

"Ok."

This might seem like it is a special occurance, but this interaction takes place at least weekly at my house, sometimes biweekly. Except, its always different tasks. Sometimes its cooking, sometimes its childcare, sometimes its an errand. I'm so blessed to have a husband that loves to takes care of me. Back to my story....

10 Minutes later....

Five minutes after that.......

Two minutes later.......

Of course, I had to share!

Thanks Adam! I love you too!

What the Heck?!?

Who needs ebay when you've got a Goodwill store?

 Today I went to the Goodwill store. Honestly I was just looking for the Ark, but walked out with a few more items than planned.The kicker is that I only spent $15.  Quite a few of the items are being donated to the kids room at my work. One of the items intended for that purpose (guess which one) carter feel in love with and we will now be keeping it. Did you guess right? Yes....It's the vaccuum. Don't act surprised. I'm not. We came home with our treasure and immediately washed off any evidence of Goodwill. And the first thing he wanted to play with was the vacuum.

My Review of Nosefrida Nasal Aspirator

Originally submitted at Toys R Us

Nosefrida, the doctor-recommended, non-invasive nasal aspirator, is the new standard in keeping babies snot-free. Ingeniously simple Swedish design features a tube that is placed against the nostril (not inside). Parents use their own suction to draw mucus out of their childs nose. Disposable fi...

Nosefrida Nasal Aspirator

A MUST HAVE!!!

By Beth from Tucson, Az on 3/28/2010

5out of 5

Pros: Lightweight, Quality Construction, Comfortable, Easy To Clean, Durable, Easy To Use, Good Value
Best Uses: Travel, Gift, Sick babies, Baby Showers
Describe Yourself: Parent of Two or More Children

I wish that I knew about this product 4 years ago with my first child. It's awesome. Gross in concept, but not after you try it. I want to know why it's not widely advertised or talked about!! I tried the battery powered ones and they were pathetic. The sucker that the hospital sends you home with takes forever to get the snot out and can cause nose bleeds. I have always used saline to help along the process. But this thing is a life saver!! The hospital ones will now be donated to the bath toy bin.

(legalese)

Would you like a cup of Karma?

     What's with some people?
     A friend of my mom's, who I will vouch for as a good/caring person, was attacked by a neighbor's dog. She was in her front yard and her dog got out. She ran after her dog and just then a neighbor was walking by with her four (yes four) german shephards. My mom's friend reached out her hand to grab her own dog who was near the shephards. When she did this the other dogs got aggressive and one attacked her. It bit through her hand and severed a tendon or two. The other woman was angry and yelled at her for upsetting her dogs. My mom's friend ran inside and had her husband take her to the hospital.
     Now the other woman who owns the german shephards has filed a lawsuit against my mom's friend alleging that her poor sweet innocent german shephards were attacked by her golden retreiver. WHAT??? I just don't understand some people.
     Sometimes I think Karma takes too long. Like when you're ready to leave a restaurant and you can't get your waiter to bring your check. Or like when you are at the DMV and you feel like you have been there so long that you might get smallpox because time has not just slowed, but is now going backwards.
    Then I remind my self that maybe that person is already drinking that cup of Karma. Maybe they are lonely or have circumstances that have led them to be so angry and unkind. That's when I decide that maybe I should feel bad for that person. And of course, be grateful for my friends and family, oh yeah, and my general happiness.  :)

Almost There

    The last week or so I have been preparing myself to jump in to my blog feet first. I have been orgnaizing my thoughts.... making notes...... studying other blogs..... and doing quite a bit of self reflection. Oh, yeah... I've also been plotting on how I'm going to hijack my childhood pictures from my mom's house. She has been begged by my sister for over two years about sharing the pics so that we can scan them. I've only been asking for a few months, but I am not as patient as my sweet sister. My mom seems to have an issue about the memories attached to them. I can understand that. My paranoid mind wants to back them up in case of some horrible natural event.
     One thing to understand about me is that I am a self admitted "paranoid, worst case senario" expert. If you want to look at it in a glass half full way- I like to be prepared. for anything. even if it's bigfoot.
     And it's not like I am not close to my mom. I am. She's my best friend. I see her everyday, and we talk on the phone several times a day, so getting the pics should be easy, right? not so. I am planning a mission to retrive them, one book at a time. My cover might be blown though, If she ever reads this. Maybe blogging about secrets isn't the smartest tactic.

Only a Miracle!

I was able to log back on to renew my long lost attempt to blog! How exciting! Thanks for the motovation Amy! WOOHOO!