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.