Christmas Card Out Takes

Gabrielle, stop looking at the cat!

Ooops, forgot the bow!

Don't hate me because I'm gorgeous!

A bit too sultry for a 7 month old!

Pleeeease, look at mommy!

Blurry...Ugh!

Finished Product! Good Enough!

Merry Christmas Blog Land!
May you be blessed and may your day be filled with great joy!

A bedtime conversation

Samuel: Mom, Can God come over my new house?

Me: Well honey, God is already at your new house.

Samuel: He is? (a bit perplexed)

Me: Yes, God is always with you.

Samuel: Is God a man or a woman?

Me: Well, he's not really a man or a woman. But he's kind of like a Daddy. (I explain further)

Samuel: OK. Can Jesus come over my house?

Me: Well, Jesus is already at your house.

Samuel: He is? (a bit perplexed)

Me: If you ask Jesus to live in your heart then he'll be with you all the time.

Samuel: Where's my heart, Mommy?

Me: Right here. (as I point to his chest)

Samuel: Oh no, Jesus can't live there. That would give me a very big tummy ache!

Me: OK then, how about we ask him to just come be with us?

Samuel: OK, I can do that.

Wordless Wednesday - When Samuel decorates the tree...

Amoxicillin to the rescue!

Even though babies don't have fully-developed sinuses, they can still get sinus infections. So, I am hoping that the antibiotics will clear things up and we can all get some much needed sleep. This is a first for me. I've never had to give Samuel anything but saline nose drops and a little bit of Tylenol.

Oh and thanks to Amanda for visiting last night and playing with Gabrielle. I actually had a few hours without any fussing, whining or crying. It was amazing!!!

Now instead of blogging, I must balance the checkbook...what joy awaits me! Have a good day!

My poor baby girl

This is the first time I've been antsy to get to the pediatrician and have them tell me something is wrong...

Why? So we can fix the darn problem!!! I'll take an ear infection, sinus infection, etc. Anything a prescription will fix. Anything but teething. (Yes, this is still the anti-prescription, don't like to medicate, lets do it as natural as possible, let things take their course, lady talking here.) But I would love a quick fix right about now. And so would she, I'm sure.

If this is just teething then I'm really in for it and I should probably see MY doctor for a prescription of something G-OOD! I'm not sure how much more sleep I can lose and how much more crying I (or my neighbors) can take.

The crib is calling

After being sick for a month straight and cutting teeth - Gabrielle has lost her ability to put herself to sleep on her own both day and night. I think she slept better her first 2 months of life. Sleep issues plague our family and quite frankly I'm done. Sometimes I wonder if it's something I do to my children or perhaps it's just the genes we gave them. My fault either way.

Anyway, it is a total pain in the patooty and I've turned into "meanie mommy" and "wicked wife" this week (I may also be hormonal - 6.5 months postpartum and still nursing if you catch my drift). Thank God my husband is so chill and is able to see past the absurdity.

Well, I want you to know that my dear daughter just put herself to sleep (am nap) for the first time in forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No assistance, no holding, no pats on the tushy, barely any crying. Oh please tell me we can make this a trend. I can't bare to go through the whole "let her cry" thing again. It just kills me.

The night thing however is a whole different problem. We have been using the family bed with Gabrielle as a means of sanity for me. I can just hook her up and go back to dream land. This was not our initial choice but with Samuel waking as much as the baby - we just had to do something. (He's doing so much better now in his twin size bed - thank God!) I've enjoyed the closeness of sleeping with my baby and hearing her gurgles and feeling her breath on my skin, but it's time for the big move. This arrangement is starting to create a night waking problem and we must break the habit. She gets up like clockwork now around 11:00pm, 2:00am and 5:30am. A 20 lb six month old does NOT need to eat this much and I would love to sleep a solid 6 hours straight sometime soon. It's time for the crib and it's time to sleep longer stretches.

Has anyone out there had a successful transition from bed to crib around this age range? If so, I'd love to hear about it. If it was a nightmare, spare me the details and I'll go on hoping for the best.

A few of my favorite things!

Living up to the name again with my sporadic posting. Sorry blog land, but when I must line up my priorities you fall off the list. Unpacked boxes, runny noses, teething, etc. I do miss you so, but family first - ya know what I mean!

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In the spirit of the season, I thought I'd share some of my most favorite things with you all. The things that really get my goat, make me shout and do a funny little dance. Maybe some of these little things might make you happy too!

International Delight - Chocolate Mint Truffle Creamer
This is like heaven in a bottle. If you are willing to crash your diet for a moment. This little bottle of sugar and fat will surely put you in the holiday mood! I would not call myself a coffee drinker (I prefer a good cup of English Breakfast Tea), however I can't turn down a cup of decaf java with some chocolate mint lovin' in it! YUMMY!!!


Bravado Nursing Bras
My wonderful friend Chrissy gave these nursing bras to me when Gabby Girl was born and they are nothing short of spectacular! I nursed Samuel for 29 months, took a 6 month break, and here I am back in the milk department. So you can bet I am in the market for a good nursing bra and this one is tops on comfort and ease. No hole to peek out or cumbersome clasps. They are a one-handed wonder! A bit pricey but worth every penny!



NutriBiotic Grapefruit Seed Extract
My osteopath introduced me to Grapefruit Seed Extract a few years ago. It has great anti-bacterial/viral properties and can be used for so many things especially during cold and flu season. We use it in our OJ when we feel a cold coming on, soak toothbrushes in it, clean produce with it. Here's a recipe for homemade veggie wash. Works great and much less expensive than the bottled kinds.


Mary Kay Lotus & Bamboo Body Wash & Lotion
I am not a shower gels, lotions, bath bubbles kind of girl - I do use them occasionally but I like light, clean and fresh scents. Oh how I love this stuff. This is just the perfect aroma to arouse my tired body in the morning or evening or whenever the heck I get a chance to take a shower. I hope they carry this scent forever!

Wordless Wednesday

The past 10 days...

Warning: This is a real life post!

I'm back. We have officially moved and I am officially exhausted!

I will at some point regret posting this picture.

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Let me sum up the past 10 days for you all:

We sold our mobile home, filled a 24" moving truck to the max and moved about 10 minutes down the road.

We all caught a cold for the occasion.

I didn't flip out during the move (if you know me, you know this is a very good thing!) although I did have a moment where the grace was not being extended toward my father-in-law when he asked where I wanted my entertainment center. It was the one decision that teetered me over the edge. I really am sorry.

We had amazing help throughout the process - Brian and his 3 buddies, all the men from church, sweet Debbie who adores my kids, my super duper packers - Eileen & Vic, Dan and Dad, Sally who fed us and Teresa (who I swear is an angel). I can't THANK you enough!

Samuel slept through the night 5 nights in a row (TOTAL MIRACLE!) in his new twin bed in his new room.

Gabrielle on the other hand is waking, oh between 4-6 times a night - teething and snot will do that to you.

MOST of the boxes are unpacked but no decorating has begun.

We now have white walls with neighbors on each side.

Each neighbor has 3 kids all under the age of 7. It can get pretty rowdy around here. And I think my kid might be the loudest.

We have two floors - good-bye cellulite, hello thighs of steel!

Samuel decided all the rules from the old house were non-transferable!!! Good grief - I never knew we could do time out that many times in a day!

Everything here is new, clean and spacious! I am in organizing heaven!

My hubby and I are still on the same page! PRICELESS!

For you Goo at 6 months!

I never knew having a daughter could bring me so much joy. But you, Gabrielle Grace, you melt my heart! You are like icing on my cake or sugar in my tea. You are my sweet, sweet girl.
You turn 6 months old today and I don't know where the times has gone. In the blink of an eye you've grown so big...

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You are almost sitting up on your own.

You eat three small meals a day and you really enjoy your food - your menu consists of yummy carrots, beans and cereal.

You are starting to roll and scoot to get somewhere and somewhere is where you want to be.

You are always in motion - rolling those pudgy ankles and wrists in circles and doing the funny little thing you do with your thumb.

You're first tooth brought cranky to a new level.

You now SCREAM when I leave the room. You are truly a mama's girl!

You are a "hold me" baby and hold you I do - I think you are permanently attached to my hip.

You still sleep right next to me - I'm afraid the transition to the crib will be difficult for both of us but soon we must make the move.

You love to nurse and I will do it for as long as you like.

You absolutely love to watch your brother - he can keep you occupied much longer than mommy or daddy.

When it's time to change your diaper, your modesty goes out the window. You love to be naked!

You are just beautiful - your thick eyelashes curl so perfectly around those lovely blue eyes - I think the blue is here to stay.

Your blond hair still stops me in my tracks - you are one of a kind my dear!

You have daddy wrapped around your finger.

You have your brother's affection.

And you have a mama who's totally crazy about you!

I LOVE YOU GOO!

Wordless Wednesday - Samuel Unplugged

We are on the move

If you read my last post all the way through, you know that we are on the move.


We've been happy in our little mobile home for about 4 1/2 years. We started our family here and it's been our home in every sense of the word. We've painted the inside and out, planted shrubs, put up a shed, hung new shutters, the list could go on.


We have outgrown our space, and with Tim still working on his doctorate, it's just not time for a house. So, off we go to a rental townhouse. It will be an adjustment since I haven't had to share walls with strangers in a long time. I guess they won't be strangers for too long.

Samuel is so excited about moving. I was so worried about the transition, but we brought him over to see our new home and he had a blast. He absolutely loves that the townhouse has multiple floors.

Saturday is moving day, so I've got to pack up the whole house. I may get a post or two in during this crazy time, but no promises. Talk to you soon.

Bye, bye, little home, bye, bye!

Another potty training tale

Warning: This is a real life post!

So, you're sick of the poop talk, huh?

I'm sorry. Well, not really. I've got to talk to someone about it.

The other night I was home alone with the 2 kids. I was putting Gabrielle down for the night. In order to keep my curious Samuel out of trouble, I set him up at the computer. This usually keeps him focused for at least 15 minutes.

Well not that night, because duty called...
I mean doody called.

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Samuel (standing naked in the living room holding his pull up by the tips of his fingers): Mommy, I pooped in my pull-up. oops! I put it in the potty.

Me: You did what? (As I saw the brown spots on his leg and the carpet)

Samuel (smiling so proud): I put my poopy in the potty mommy!

Me: Why yes you did! (as I carried all 35 lbs of him out in front of me stepping over the landmines on my carpet)

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Yes, there was poop on my son, poop on my carpet ( 5 spots to be exact), poop on my toilet. There was poop everywhere! I scrubbed, disinfected, showered the boy and put him to bed.

This morning was a brand new day. I was putting the incident behind me. I made some tea, straightened up and decided to open the blinds to let some glorious sunshine in. And GASP, what did I see on my carpet...

FIVE LARGE BLUE STAINS!!

Apparently Spot Shot carpet cleaner works so well, it pulled the dye right out of the blue rag I was using and deposited it directly on my carpet. Right on the same carpet that I just paid good money to have professionally cleaned.

And to top it off, the woman who is putting a purchase offer on my mobile home was coming over this morning to give me her deposit. (Oh, yeah, I've neglected to tell you we are moving into a townhouse in 8 days - oops!) My exersaucer never looked so good smack in the middle of my living room. She didn't notice a thing.

The Inevitable

It was bound to happen.

I mean it was totally out of his control.

There was no preventing it and no way around it.

It was simply inevitable.

Tim turned 30 this past Monday.


That is a picture of yummy carrot cake that I was supposed to make but things being as they are, Eileen (my mom-away-from-home) made it for me.

Notice I spared him 30 individual candles and put the big ones on. I thought it might be a fire hazard with little children around.


That is a re-enactment of blowing out the candles. I was too slow to get the picture the first time around. Ooops!

And that is a photo of a kid in a candy store. His big gift from several friends and family was a smart phone of his choice.

Honey, Even though you're no longer twenty-something, you still look like a babe to me!!!
I love you!

Bon Jovi to the Rescue

Tension was high.

Talking about finances will do that to ya.

We decide to hug and make up.

In the midst of a long embrace, Tim says: I'm sure you can come up with a good 80's song to sing right now. You know, one that says we are gong to make it through this season.

Me: I sure can... (Then Living on a Prayer by Bon Jovi erupts from my lips along with guitar solo and all.)

Then we really made up...

Hey, who would have thought Bon Jovi would light up the night.


And if you are wondering why I posted this, Courtney told me to do it.

Her first video debut

Everyone in the house is sleeping but me - woohoo! I've wanted to figure out how to put a video up on my blog for a long time, but I've lacked the time and even more so, the patience to figure it out.

So, here's my sweetie making her first video debut:

A Potty Training Tale

Warning: This is a Real Life post

Scene 1
Tim and Samuel playing tackle football in our living room.

Tim: Did we have a poop situation go on here? (holding his pointer finger out in the air with a brown blob on the end)

Michelle: What do you mean?

Tim: Well, what's this? (As he gives it a whiff)

Michelle: Yeah, he did a poopy in his pants before but I cleaned it all up. Maybe, he pooped some more and it fell out of the leg of his pants.

Tim: Oh great, we've been rolling around in it. (Pointing to the small brown stain on the carpet)

Scene 2:
Michelle is cleaning Samuel up for a second time.

Michelle: Lay down here buddy, so I can wipe you clean.

Samuel: Do I have poopy in my heiney mom?

Michelle: Yes, don't touch.

Samuel: Oh Okay (As he puts his finger on his rear and then wipes it on his shirt)

Can you say EEEEWWW?!?!

Wordless Wednesday