Now that I am a mom myself, I find that I'm a MUCH better baby gift shopper/giver. For my friends who are first-time moms, I usually give a combination of my own favorite things. These are things that I found that I used a lot or couldn't live without. I decided to post that list here. (As always, if I mention a brand name, it's purely coincidence. I'm not compensated in any way.)
- Triple Paste diaper rash cream. This stuff really worked for us.
- Onesies in a bigger size than what they'll need right away (I usually look for 9 month or 12 month).
- A board book... usually Sandra Boynton because they're fun to read. Or "Goodnight Moon." Always good to start building a library for the little ones!
- A Cheerios container. You know which one I'm talking about. The little yellow round one. Because when you try to look for this yourself, you usually can't find it.
- Stacking cups
- Links - those brightly colored interlocking links that entertain babies and toddlers for hours.
- A crinkle book
- Sippy cups
- Stacking rings (the classic Fisher Price toy)
- Bag dispenser for diaper disposal. This handy little contraption has odor-reducing bags for discarding dirty diapers. Very handy. I always kept it in the diaper bag.
Other tips:
- If I give clothes, I always try to give them a few sizes biger than what will be immediately needed. You get so many tiny clothes that sometimes you don't even get to use all of them. That way, they'll have some clothes to get in the rotation as baby gets bigger.
- I alway include gift receipts. You'd be surprised how many duplicate items you end up with. I also never take it personally if someone has to return or exchange something I got them.
- If you're getting a big item, get it off their registry or talk to them first.
Things I used to include, but don't really anymore - I used to throw in pacifiers, but since every baby is different, that's really a decision that's best left to mom and dad.
- Same thing with bottles. If you want to give the expectant parents bottles, get them what they register for.
This is just one of those things I've been pondering as I close in on two weeks to my due date. Also, a very good friend of mine just had her first baby. Welcome to the world, Logan! So I did some shopping for him a few weeks ago!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Where did the last week go???
Good grief... the last week just flew by in a blur! Work has been insanely busy. Working in Public Relations for a retailer the week before Black Friday was quite the experience. I felt like a cross between a news producer and a telephone operator. I spent most of the last week doing what I love to do work-wise... working with the media. But the days were long.
Pregnancy-wise, still doing very well. I've been telling myself all along I just need to make it through Black Friday for work, and to December 1 so I can get my Christmas shopping done. So far so good. I've got a few more things to pick up this weekend, the rest I think I can do online, then whatever's left I'm leaving Craig in charge of. Ooh... that reminds me... need to get stocking stuffers! Anyway...
Had a fantastic Thanksgiving with our friends Hank and Sara and their kids. Since we can't travel too far from home with my due date so close (just over 2 weeks away) they graciously invited us over. We had turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn casserole, sweet potatoes, rolls, fresh cranberry-orange relish. MMMMM! Plus there was a ton of appetizers too... barbeque meatballs, meatballs baked in biscuits, and bacon wrapped waterchestnuts. I'm getting hungry again just typing this! Plus pumpkin pie and chocolate cake (shaped like a turkey) for dessert! It was great spending time with them. We've known them as long as we've been together... going on 12 years now, and they truly have become like family to us.
I've been working fast and furious trying to get two more baby gifts crocheted and some more Christmas things crocheted. I've accepted the fact I'm not going to get all the Christmas things crocheted, but I can keep trying!
I'm trying to think about what else is new? I think that's it for now! Hope you had a great holiday week!
Pregnancy-wise, still doing very well. I've been telling myself all along I just need to make it through Black Friday for work, and to December 1 so I can get my Christmas shopping done. So far so good. I've got a few more things to pick up this weekend, the rest I think I can do online, then whatever's left I'm leaving Craig in charge of. Ooh... that reminds me... need to get stocking stuffers! Anyway...
Had a fantastic Thanksgiving with our friends Hank and Sara and their kids. Since we can't travel too far from home with my due date so close (just over 2 weeks away) they graciously invited us over. We had turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn casserole, sweet potatoes, rolls, fresh cranberry-orange relish. MMMMM! Plus there was a ton of appetizers too... barbeque meatballs, meatballs baked in biscuits, and bacon wrapped waterchestnuts. I'm getting hungry again just typing this! Plus pumpkin pie and chocolate cake (shaped like a turkey) for dessert! It was great spending time with them. We've known them as long as we've been together... going on 12 years now, and they truly have become like family to us.
I've been working fast and furious trying to get two more baby gifts crocheted and some more Christmas things crocheted. I've accepted the fact I'm not going to get all the Christmas things crocheted, but I can keep trying!
I'm trying to think about what else is new? I think that's it for now! Hope you had a great holiday week!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Alright, Fellow Moms... help me decide...
Even if you're not a mom, if you're a teacher or an aunt or daycare worker or grandma, I can't figure this one out.
Alex (age 4) is darn close to reading. He loves to spell words, he recognizes words by sight, and has even started to be able to distinguish upper and lower case letters. I'm beyond thrilled, because I was an early reader as well. We want to encourage this as much as possible and have two Christmas present ideas, but can't decide which will be better/more enjoyable.
We are torn between the Leapfrog Tag and the Leapster. This will be his "big gift" for this Christmas.
Both seem like great toys that are also educational. My nephews loved their Leapster and the middle one who is 7 going on 8 still plays with his. So I see it as a good investment.
But I'm intrigued by the Tag as well. It's won the Toy of the Year award, and claims to be the #1 reading system available, but I know no one personally who has one. Do you have the Tag? If so, what do you think? What does your child think?
Alex (age 4) is darn close to reading. He loves to spell words, he recognizes words by sight, and has even started to be able to distinguish upper and lower case letters. I'm beyond thrilled, because I was an early reader as well. We want to encourage this as much as possible and have two Christmas present ideas, but can't decide which will be better/more enjoyable.
We are torn between the Leapfrog Tag and the Leapster. This will be his "big gift" for this Christmas.
Both seem like great toys that are also educational. My nephews loved their Leapster and the middle one who is 7 going on 8 still plays with his. So I see it as a good investment.
But I'm intrigued by the Tag as well. It's won the Toy of the Year award, and claims to be the #1 reading system available, but I know no one personally who has one. Do you have the Tag? If so, what do you think? What does your child think?
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Lots to be Happy About Today!
I have a lot of stuff that I'm happy about today... so I'm gonna list it all here:
* The weather has been fantastic! Nearly 60 degrees outside. Great for running errands and not having to wear a coat!
* Alex is on a play date, and has been since just before lunch. It was not planned, very spur of the moment. One of the mom's from his old daycare called and said she'd love to take the boy for the afternoon to play with her boy.
* My brother-in-law coaches high school football... he's a defensive backs coach (I think) and his team won their semi-final game! So they play for the Illinois 4A HS Football Championship next weekend. Go Geneseo!
* I'm having some surprising luck with plants, both inside and outside. Below is my Christmas cactus. I've had and killed these plants before. This one I got last year, after Christmas. My grandma always had beautiful Christmas cacti in her house. I swear hers did so well because she watered them with Holy Water (I'm not kidding here). Well, mine has two bright pink blooms! I can't wait to see if more blooms pop up, and to see these blooms open up!
* Outside plant: This is a super aster that I ordered online. I got three plants for something like $10. I didn't expect much out of them, but it is the middle of November and two of the three still have flowers on them! I love it!
* The weather has been fantastic! Nearly 60 degrees outside. Great for running errands and not having to wear a coat!
* Alex is on a play date, and has been since just before lunch. It was not planned, very spur of the moment. One of the mom's from his old daycare called and said she'd love to take the boy for the afternoon to play with her boy.
* My brother-in-law coaches high school football... he's a defensive backs coach (I think) and his team won their semi-final game! So they play for the Illinois 4A HS Football Championship next weekend. Go Geneseo!
* I'm having some surprising luck with plants, both inside and outside. Below is my Christmas cactus. I've had and killed these plants before. This one I got last year, after Christmas. My grandma always had beautiful Christmas cacti in her house. I swear hers did so well because she watered them with Holy Water (I'm not kidding here). Well, mine has two bright pink blooms! I can't wait to see if more blooms pop up, and to see these blooms open up!
* Outside plant: This is a super aster that I ordered online. I got three plants for something like $10. I didn't expect much out of them, but it is the middle of November and two of the three still have flowers on them! I love it!
* Got a haircut this morning. Looks good, feels good.
* Got a few more Christmas presents taken care of.
* Got a baby gift in the mail from a bloggie friend. Thanks for the awesome purse diaper tote, Amber! (P.S. You will get an actual thank you in the mail, too!)
* I'm super excited about packing up our two Thanksgiving food boxes for the House of Peace. The boxes basically contain a Thanksgiving dinner with everything except the turkey. It's such an easy thing to do and makes me feel grateful and good all at the same time.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Recipe Swap Thursday - Candied Sweet Potato Casserole
Please go check out all the great recipe's at Therese's Blog... and submit one of your own!
This weeks theme is Thanksgiving! Take a peek and get some new ideas for Turkey Day!
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar, divided
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, divided
3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
4 tablespoons butter or margerine, divided
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 cups mini marshmallows
preheat oven to 375.
Mix 1/4 cup brown sugar, orange juice, vanilla, and 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice in large bowl. add sweet potatoes, toss to coat. transfer to 9 x 13 baking dish. Dot with 2 tablespoons butter. Cover and bake 45 minutes until potatoes are tender.
Mix remaining brown sugar w/flour, 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice in medium bowl. cut in remaining 2 tablespoons butter w/fork till crumbly. stir in pecans and marshmallows.
Remove casserole from oven. stir gently to coat potatoes in syrup. top with marshmallow crumb topping. Bake uncovered 7-10 minutes. Makes 10 servings.
This is a great side dish... especially if you're having people over for Thanksgiving dinner. Even people who don't really like sweet potatoes have complemented me on this one.
This weeks theme is Thanksgiving! Take a peek and get some new ideas for Turkey Day!
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar, divided
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, divided
3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
4 tablespoons butter or margerine, divided
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 cups mini marshmallows
preheat oven to 375.
Mix 1/4 cup brown sugar, orange juice, vanilla, and 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice in large bowl. add sweet potatoes, toss to coat. transfer to 9 x 13 baking dish. Dot with 2 tablespoons butter. Cover and bake 45 minutes until potatoes are tender.
Mix remaining brown sugar w/flour, 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice in medium bowl. cut in remaining 2 tablespoons butter w/fork till crumbly. stir in pecans and marshmallows.
Remove casserole from oven. stir gently to coat potatoes in syrup. top with marshmallow crumb topping. Bake uncovered 7-10 minutes. Makes 10 servings.
This is a great side dish... especially if you're having people over for Thanksgiving dinner. Even people who don't really like sweet potatoes have complemented me on this one.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Media Rant Ahead...
It's been awhile since I've done a journalism related post, but I just have to vent.
And considering the title of my blog and the decade I spent as part of the media, I feel like I need to express something.
I'm sick to death of all the self promotion "journalists" are doing these days.
It's not about how many people read your blog. It's not about how many people follow you on twitter. It's not a contest to see how many tweets or Facebook posts you can do in a 24 hour period. It's about REPORTING THE NEWS.
And you know what? If it's not about reporting the news for you, then you're not a journalist.
Period.
I don't care what event you're M.C.'ing later on. I don't care what restaurant sneak preview you attended. (which ethically speaking, you're not supposed to attend anyway, because you're not supposed to get free stuff. It's called payola. And I'm guessing that most of those free drinks/appetizers/meals for you and your date add up to way more than $25... the usual limit.)
I might care about what story you're working on... but even then... keep your opinion out of it. Just tell me what the story is and when to watch.
I know, I know, you need to get viewers, readers, listeners, whatever. How about this... do your job well and people will watch. I don't want to follow you on Twitter. I don't want a tease for what story you're working on for tonight on my Facebook status updates. I don't want to see call-outs to @whoever. (I assume this is a twitter thing, but since I flat out refuse to follow the herd to this site, I wouldn't know for certain. All I know is that a plethora of my media pals feel the need to do these things.
And the sad part to me is that we as a society seem to be eating this up. Why? Why? Why? I don't get it!
Don't get me wrong. I think technology has the potential to greatly enhance reporting. I love that stations post extended interviews or raw video on their websites.
But reporters and anchors aren't supposed to show their bias. They are not supposed to publicly state opinions. When they do... lines are crossed. Respect is lost. Trust is lost.
If you want to have a blog, fine. If you want to Twitter or Facebook, fine. If you feel the need to express yourself, create personal blogs separate from your TV/newspaper persona.
And please, for the love of all that is decent, don't spend valuable airtime/page space promoting it.
And considering the title of my blog and the decade I spent as part of the media, I feel like I need to express something.
I'm sick to death of all the self promotion "journalists" are doing these days.
It's not about how many people read your blog. It's not about how many people follow you on twitter. It's not a contest to see how many tweets or Facebook posts you can do in a 24 hour period. It's about REPORTING THE NEWS.
And you know what? If it's not about reporting the news for you, then you're not a journalist.
Period.
I don't care what event you're M.C.'ing later on. I don't care what restaurant sneak preview you attended. (which ethically speaking, you're not supposed to attend anyway, because you're not supposed to get free stuff. It's called payola. And I'm guessing that most of those free drinks/appetizers/meals for you and your date add up to way more than $25... the usual limit.)
I might care about what story you're working on... but even then... keep your opinion out of it. Just tell me what the story is and when to watch.
I know, I know, you need to get viewers, readers, listeners, whatever. How about this... do your job well and people will watch. I don't want to follow you on Twitter. I don't want a tease for what story you're working on for tonight on my Facebook status updates. I don't want to see call-outs to @whoever. (I assume this is a twitter thing, but since I flat out refuse to follow the herd to this site, I wouldn't know for certain. All I know is that a plethora of my media pals feel the need to do these things.
And the sad part to me is that we as a society seem to be eating this up. Why? Why? Why? I don't get it!
Don't get me wrong. I think technology has the potential to greatly enhance reporting. I love that stations post extended interviews or raw video on their websites.
But reporters and anchors aren't supposed to show their bias. They are not supposed to publicly state opinions. When they do... lines are crossed. Respect is lost. Trust is lost.
If you want to have a blog, fine. If you want to Twitter or Facebook, fine. If you feel the need to express yourself, create personal blogs separate from your TV/newspaper persona.
And please, for the love of all that is decent, don't spend valuable airtime/page space promoting it.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
A New Favorite
Alex has a new favorite book. Well, the book is new to him... I believe the book was originally published sometime in the 70s, which makes it older than I am.
He picked this book out at the library last week... based purely on the purple cover. Then when I told him the title of the book he said, "Alexander? That's my name!" So we checked it out, of course.
Each night since then we've had to read it. The book is due to be returned next week and I'm afraid Alex is going to be sad when we have to turn it back in! I'm thinking we may need to add it to our library permanently! That has happened with only one other library book so far... "Marveltown" by Bruce McCall. There is just something about this book that Alex and I both love. It's quirky, has really fun pictures, and is all about kids really being smarter than their parents because of their imaginations.
I think Santa is going to make a trip to the bookstore to make sure "Alexander" is in his pack this Christmas!
Friday, November 13, 2009
A Day Off!! WOO HOO!
So I have a couple of vacation days left to burn before the end of the year... days I'm not saving to add on to my maternity leave, so I have a day to myself.
I have a huge to do list, that includes laundry, reading, crocheting, watching DVRd shows, errands, taking Shadow to the vet to get her stitches out, and getting caught up on blogging/commenting. Can you stand the excitment?!
I also got to drop Alex off at school today, only the second time I've gotten to do that, as that's usually Craig's territory. I'll get to pick him up from school too. He was pretty excited that Mommy was going to do the "school stuff" today.
I'm going to run a couple of errands now... then come home and brew up either some decaf tea or decaf coffee (decisions decisions!) and then curl up with my computer and my pooch. Happy Friday to me!
I have a huge to do list, that includes laundry, reading, crocheting, watching DVRd shows, errands, taking Shadow to the vet to get her stitches out, and getting caught up on blogging/commenting. Can you stand the excitment?!
I also got to drop Alex off at school today, only the second time I've gotten to do that, as that's usually Craig's territory. I'll get to pick him up from school too. He was pretty excited that Mommy was going to do the "school stuff" today.
I'm going to run a couple of errands now... then come home and brew up either some decaf tea or decaf coffee (decisions decisions!) and then curl up with my computer and my pooch. Happy Friday to me!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Recipe Swap Thursday - Banana Daquiris
Okay, I realize it's probably slightly inappropriate for a woman as pregnant as I am to be posting a recipe for an alcoholic beverage. Rest assured, I have not now, nor will I consume alcohol while pregnant. But I can fantasize about having an adult beverage a few months from now, right???
Please, please please, head over to my good friend Therese's blog, check out the great recipes, and submit one of your own!
Banana Daquiri
1-2 ripe bananas
2 ounces dark rum (or banana rum)
splash triple sec
3-5 scoops of vanilla ice cream
ice cubes
Put all ingredients in blender. Blend.
Sprinkle nutmeg on top if you like. (It makes it look pretty.)
Enjoy!
This was my favorite drink while we were on our honeymoon in St. Thomas, USVI. This recipe is the closest I've found to they way they made them at Mountain Top, the place that claims to have invented the banana daquiri. Sadly, I learned that earlier this year this lovely place burned to the ground!
Please, please please, head over to my good friend Therese's blog, check out the great recipes, and submit one of your own!
Banana Daquiri
1-2 ripe bananas
2 ounces dark rum (or banana rum)
splash triple sec
3-5 scoops of vanilla ice cream
ice cubes
Put all ingredients in blender. Blend.
Sprinkle nutmeg on top if you like. (It makes it look pretty.)
Enjoy!
This was my favorite drink while we were on our honeymoon in St. Thomas, USVI. This recipe is the closest I've found to they way they made them at Mountain Top, the place that claims to have invented the banana daquiri. Sadly, I learned that earlier this year this lovely place burned to the ground!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Feeling Pretty Ingenious
As I close in on the end of this pregnancy, the usual annoyances are setting in. I have no lap. I've given up on shoes with laces. Potty breaks at 3:30AM or 4AM = no fun. I can't bend down to pick things up. Can't get close enough to the mirror to pluck my eyebrows. Thank goodness it's winter, I can't reach my toes to give myself a good pedicure. I'm sick of my maternity clothes.
I'm pregnant during the fall and winter, where last time I was pregnant in the spring and summer. At this point it's useless to buy new maternity clothes... what, and wear them for only a month tops?? But I needed a couple more long sleeve t-shirts for layering purposes. So what to do? Well, I was poking around on one of my favorite sites and found some that I was interested in. Non-maternity. So I ordered them. One navy, one hot pink. Think I'm nuts? I think I might be a little bit crazy brilliant! I ordered one size bigger than I needed... and got them in TALL! This means I can wear them post baby! And they are long enough and roomy enough to cover my belly now! BRILLIANT!
Okay. Enough gloating about how I'm avoiding maternity clothes. Must try to extract myself from the couch and concentrate on not waddling.
I'm pregnant during the fall and winter, where last time I was pregnant in the spring and summer. At this point it's useless to buy new maternity clothes... what, and wear them for only a month tops?? But I needed a couple more long sleeve t-shirts for layering purposes. So what to do? Well, I was poking around on one of my favorite sites and found some that I was interested in. Non-maternity. So I ordered them. One navy, one hot pink. Think I'm nuts? I think I might be a little bit crazy brilliant! I ordered one size bigger than I needed... and got them in TALL! This means I can wear them post baby! And they are long enough and roomy enough to cover my belly now! BRILLIANT!
Okay. Enough gloating about how I'm avoiding maternity clothes. Must try to extract myself from the couch and concentrate on not waddling.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Christmas Shopping Already
Given that my due date is December 14, and I feel like I'm ready to pop right now... I have been trying to get some Christmas shopping done early. I made some great headway this past weekend. I would put myself at about a third of the way finished with shopping. I have a deadline I'm working with, obviously, so that's motivating me to get it done. I have set a goal for myself to be done shopping by December 1st, just in case Baby#2 decides to show up early. When I set this goal a couple of weeks ago, it honestly seemed like a pipe dream. But now, I might just make it!
Trouble is... while it feels great to have so much shopping done, it kinda takes the fun out if it. People who know me really well know what a procrastinator I am. I push myself right up to deadline every chance I get. I may appear organized in all my chaos... but it's all a facade. I'm not organized. Not even remotely. But this year, I have reformed!
This year I can't afford for the holidays to be chaotic, so I'm trying my best to be organized. I've got a list of ideas for what to get people (hint hint to those of you relatives who haven't given me ideas yet). I've got a list of ideas for other people who want to get us gifts. I've got a list of what has already been purchased. I have separated and labeled all receipts and gift receipts. I even remembered to ask for boxes this past weekend when I made a big dent on shopping!
I hate it when people ask me for gift ideas before Thanksgiving. My mind isn't even on Christmas until the first week of December. And this year I'm "that relative." I don't like being that relative, but I will have so much going on this December, I've decided I have to do things different if only for this year... to save my own sanity. It's going to be crazy enough trying to slap together Christmas cards this year (I've already decided we're ordering photo cards... a first for me. It will just be easier.) let alone try to accomplish any last minute shopping!
Oh, and at some point we will need to get the Christmas tree up and get the house decorated. Okay... deep breaths. It will all get done! :-)
I guess to counter the adrenaline let-down of not power shopping at the last minute, I'm turning to create outlets for stress. I'm making a few gifts this year... and they are not coming together as fast as I'd like them too. I guess I'm creating my own mini-holiday rush to make up for it!
Trouble is... while it feels great to have so much shopping done, it kinda takes the fun out if it. People who know me really well know what a procrastinator I am. I push myself right up to deadline every chance I get. I may appear organized in all my chaos... but it's all a facade. I'm not organized. Not even remotely. But this year, I have reformed!
This year I can't afford for the holidays to be chaotic, so I'm trying my best to be organized. I've got a list of ideas for what to get people (hint hint to those of you relatives who haven't given me ideas yet). I've got a list of ideas for other people who want to get us gifts. I've got a list of what has already been purchased. I have separated and labeled all receipts and gift receipts. I even remembered to ask for boxes this past weekend when I made a big dent on shopping!
I hate it when people ask me for gift ideas before Thanksgiving. My mind isn't even on Christmas until the first week of December. And this year I'm "that relative." I don't like being that relative, but I will have so much going on this December, I've decided I have to do things different if only for this year... to save my own sanity. It's going to be crazy enough trying to slap together Christmas cards this year (I've already decided we're ordering photo cards... a first for me. It will just be easier.) let alone try to accomplish any last minute shopping!
Oh, and at some point we will need to get the Christmas tree up and get the house decorated. Okay... deep breaths. It will all get done! :-)
I guess to counter the adrenaline let-down of not power shopping at the last minute, I'm turning to create outlets for stress. I'm making a few gifts this year... and they are not coming together as fast as I'd like them too. I guess I'm creating my own mini-holiday rush to make up for it!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Tag... I'm it!
It's been awhile since I've done one of these, and I've been tagged by one of my high school friends... Sarah. So here goes!
Copy the questions. Change the answers to your own. The catch... you can only use one word answers. Once you're done, pass it along to six other bloggers, let them know you've tagged them and ask them to play along.
1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your hair? ponytail
3. Your mother? teacher
4. Your father? quiet
5. Your favorite food? Mexican
6. Your dream last night? bizarre
7. Your favorite drink? Cosmopolitan
8. Your dream/goal? almost
9. What room are you in? living room
10. Your hobby? Reading
11. Your fear? failure
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? successful
13. Where were you last night? couch
14. Something you aren't? liar
15. Muffins? poppyseed
16. Wish list item? vacation
17. Where did you grow up? Galesburg
18. Last thing you did? crochet
19. What are you wearing? shoes
20. Your TV? HD
21. Your pets? Dog
22. Friends? love
23. Your life? full
24. Your mood? sassy
25. Missing someone? friends
26. Vehicle? Rav 4
27. Something you're not wearing? makeup
28. Your favorite store? Target
29. Your favorite color? Purple
30. Last time you laughed? earlier
31. Last time you cried? awhile
32. Your best friend? Craig
33. One place you go over and over? work
34. One person who emails regularly? Sangeeta
35. Favorite place to eat? Guadlupe
Feel free to play along if you like! I love to read these and I don't want anyone to feel left out.... just let me know in the comments if you made your own list so I can check it out.
Copy the questions. Change the answers to your own. The catch... you can only use one word answers. Once you're done, pass it along to six other bloggers, let them know you've tagged them and ask them to play along.
1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your hair? ponytail
3. Your mother? teacher
4. Your father? quiet
5. Your favorite food? Mexican
6. Your dream last night? bizarre
7. Your favorite drink? Cosmopolitan
8. Your dream/goal? almost
9. What room are you in? living room
10. Your hobby? Reading
11. Your fear? failure
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? successful
13. Where were you last night? couch
14. Something you aren't? liar
15. Muffins? poppyseed
16. Wish list item? vacation
17. Where did you grow up? Galesburg
18. Last thing you did? crochet
19. What are you wearing? shoes
20. Your TV? HD
21. Your pets? Dog
22. Friends? love
23. Your life? full
24. Your mood? sassy
25. Missing someone? friends
26. Vehicle? Rav 4
27. Something you're not wearing? makeup
28. Your favorite store? Target
29. Your favorite color? Purple
30. Last time you laughed? earlier
31. Last time you cried? awhile
32. Your best friend? Craig
33. One place you go over and over? work
34. One person who emails regularly? Sangeeta
35. Favorite place to eat? Guadlupe
Feel free to play along if you like! I love to read these and I don't want anyone to feel left out.... just let me know in the comments if you made your own list so I can check it out.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
My Little Clone Trooper
Finally, a Halloween picture! Here's Alex in his Clone Trooper get-up. He actually wore the mask for most of the trick-or-treat trek. He also carried his "blaster gun." He got a lot of candy... good stuff too! He and Craig did the neighborhood tour... I stayed home and passed out candy. I was pleased with the number of trick-or-treaters we had this year! Of course, I was also happy with all the fun-sized Snickers we had left over. MMMMM! Chocolate - peanuty- caramel goodness!
Friday, November 6, 2009
I'm not feeling creative, so more random thoughts...
- The bigger I've gotten with this pregnancy, the more I find myself choosing the handicapped accessible bathroom stall at work.I just feel so claustophobic in the regular stalls.
- If my belly sticks out any further, I'm going to have to start using Alex's mitten clips to keep my shirt from exposing my belly. I just don't get why maternity tanks/shirts don't want to stay put. That's their whole job... cover the belly. Stop creeping up!
- I've been bringing yogurt or pudding cups to work for snacks. Saves $$, especially since I'm so bad about packing a lunch. Also healthier than the junk in the vending machine.
- I also think I've kicked my Starbucks habit, at least for now. I discovered flavored liquid creamers and 50% decaf coffee. Once I ditched the leaky travel mug for one that doesn't leak, I figured out that doing thissaves money and is probably better for me. (In my defense, I was choosing non-fat and decaf options in my Starbucks order. I was also getting it here at work, because I can get a grande for about $1.50 less here.) My grocery store had the creamer on special for $1 a piece, so I got a few. I spent $5 on the bag of coffee, and it's lasted me nearly a month. Not too shabby, I'd say.
- Anyone out there have thoughts on the Leapfrog Tag Reading System? Alex has been spelling words in books and may be on the verge of reading by kindergarten. I'm trying to decide if this toy is worth the hype it got last year. The kid loves books and loves to read... if this helps or enhances that, then to me, it's worth it. Please share your thoughts/experiences!!!
- What the heck is a "mash-up?" And what does "emo" mean? I also don't know what it means to "do someone a solid" or what it means when an album/book/song/movie "drops." These are all phrases that seem to have seeped into the mainstream... that are totally unnecessary. I also hate that adding "-ista" to something instantly makes it cool (i.e. fashionista).
- I don't get the whole Lady Gaga craze. I've also never heard a Miley Cyrus song. I'm not complaining, I'm just curious why people both just a little bit older than me and a little bit younger than me dig these two singers so much.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Poor Poochie!
Poor Shadow had to have surgery on Monday. She had a lipoma (benign fatty tumor) that's been growing for a little over a year. A couple weeks ago, Craig took her in to the vet for an ear infection, and the vet decided it was time to remove the lipoma. I'm happy to report our little four legged patient made through the procedure just fine. She's just really sore and in a lot of pain, because the growth worked its way into her muscle. We're keeping her rested as best we can, but keeping her from jumping and scratching has been a challenge. I'm just so thankful she's okay! The dog may drive me nuts sometimes, but she is such a good companion and is turning into a such good playmate for Alex! Her stitches come out next week.
One more update... my bookclub meets tonight. Our latest read was "The Shack" by Wm. Paul Young. I'll save my review for later tonight or tomorrow.
I also realize I haven't posted pictures from Halloween. It's been a hectic week. Hopefully by Friday I'll have some time to post pictures!
One more update... my bookclub meets tonight. Our latest read was "The Shack" by Wm. Paul Young. I'll save my review for later tonight or tomorrow.
I also realize I haven't posted pictures from Halloween. It's been a hectic week. Hopefully by Friday I'll have some time to post pictures!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
I think we've gone too far with baby products...
This post is starting off with an apology. It will also end with one. I'm sorry I keep posting about baby stuff. I'm six weeks away from my due date, freaking out a little, and obsessed with baby items right now. Mostly clothes, but also things that confuse and confound me. Like the following product.
A baby sling in camouflage? What, are you taking the baby hunting???
What if the baby doesn't want to be a camouflage pirate???
I'm all for being stylish. But these things cost upwards of $60! Do you know how many diapers you could buy with that???
And now the ending apology. I'm sorry if this is your company, or your friends' company, or if you have one of these things. I do not mean to offend. But it is my blog and I get to express my thoughts here. That's exactly what I just did.
A baby sling in camouflage? What, are you taking the baby hunting???
What if the baby doesn't want to be a camouflage pirate???
I'm all for being stylish. But these things cost upwards of $60! Do you know how many diapers you could buy with that???
And now the ending apology. I'm sorry if this is your company, or your friends' company, or if you have one of these things. I do not mean to offend. But it is my blog and I get to express my thoughts here. That's exactly what I just did.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Thanks St. Anthony!
No time for a long post, but I do need to post a quick thanks to St. Anthony, patron saint of lost things. I misplaced some things about a month ago and have been driving myself crazy looking for them. I said a quick prayer to St. Anthony this weekend and to my amazement, within 24 hours I found what I was looking for! AMAZING! The power of prayer works! Thanks for interceding, St. Anthony! My prayers will continue! (As will my sanity!)*Also appropriate that it all happened right around All Saints' Day yesterday! As I've said before, I consider my religion and particularly my faith to be a fairly private thing. I still feel that way, but also feel the need to share.
Here's a link if you want more information on St. Anthony and prayers asking for his intercession.