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!