Bucket Head

This bucket head turns 2 in one week!

busy bee

I did it.

And I still have time to get ready.

What Really Goes On When I'm Not Here

The morning after my weekly "knitting night" at Panera, Carter recited this poem to me. I promise you that I instantly rushed up to ask Jeff if Gray really fell on his head. He didn't. It was the only thing they could come up with to rhyme with bed.

I have to put "knitting night" in quotations because it's really just a cover. I mean, occasionally we will dig out our yarn and needles and actually KNIT something, but sometimes we end up just talking and venting and it becomes a wonderful therapy session, plus bread.

I am regretting now, though, that I didn't get a little knitting done because I've needed a gift for a close friend that is moving away and we're having a dinner for her tonight. I just haven't found the perfect present that seems to feel right. So I've decided to knit her a handbag. By tonight. I better get to it...

Babywearing Tip Of The Week: Everything You Wanted To Know About How To Wear Your Baby

It's going on two years that I've been babywearing and I can't believe I've just now watched the tremendous only-one-of-its-kind Tummy 2 Tummy Babywearing Instructional DVD. Over 2 hours of invaluable information- how to wear four different types of carriers, how to choose which type would be right for you, how to breastfeed while babywearing, how to wear baby on your back, and oodles more.

If you are new to babywearing or want to learn more, this is a must-have tool. If you are a bit more seasoned like I am, then I think you will enjoy this great effort by four different prominent babywearing experts- and you are sure to learn something no matter how much you already thought you knew about babywearing!

It's such a handy resource as you can skip to any area of the video that pertains to you. Just interested about properly doing the kangaroo carry in a pouch? Troubleshooting problems with your ring sling? Wondering which type of fabric you should choose? Just how in the heck do you tie a mei tai in several ways? Or babywearing with just a simple piece of cloth? It's all here!

The Tummy 2 Tummy DVD is $20 and available for purchase in retail stores as well as online, including Attached To Baby where you can even buy in bulk and save!

Throwback Thursday: Good Times

Remember when McDonald's had the outdoor playland? That was the best. Probably much less germ infested than the lame indoor contraptions now, too. And eating there was a treat, an occasion, not part of your weekly menu and you would never have eaten it in the car! I found a photo online of the Hamburglar jail thing you could sit in and have secret clubs. Loved that.

I am about Noah's age in this photo- I'm guessing 1st grade. I'd like to recapture the pure innocence and happiness in my expression here. Not a care in the world... good times.






Am I the only one craving McDonald's fries and a Coke now?

Wordless Wednesday: September 2001

Truer Words

Noah is being placed in a special reading program to help him along and keep a closer "eye" on his eye. Tonight he said, but Mommy, what if I can't do it?

You can do it.

But what if I get it wrong?

Everyone gets things wrong lots of times. It's ok.

But what if I can't figure it out even the second, third, and fourth time?

You just keep trying until you do.

Girl Party

Whenever I go out with my "girls," the boys always want to know where it is I am so giddy to escape the house to go, so I tell them to a girl party. No boys- and certainly no kids- allowed. And when I get home they are all to excited to know if I had fun at my girl party. And oh yes there is always fun to be had.

Tonight was no exception. Probably on the verge of too much craziness at the ceramics shop with Arianne, her sister Carrington (when are you going to start a blog, mama-to-be?), & Jen. I got there first and picked the cutest teensy weensy gnome to paint and then (great minds think alike) guess what Arianne happened to pick- the big daddy gnome!















We were there until closing and you'd think I would have gotten more done with my little gnome, but it was my first time painting since, like, third grade, so I'm special. I can't wait to go back to finish him (tomorrow, anyone?)

When the ceramics place closed, we were not ready to go back home... so we went to dinner! And talked and talked, ate hot fresh bread and laughed some more. And then ate more bread. And tried to take pictures, but we were so loopy with bread and girl party fun-ness that we forgot how to use a camera (see video and the nice closeup of my salad.)



Finally the lady at the other table stopped laughing at us and offered to take our picture. I was still laughing.


It was during my time with the girls tonight that I had a wonderful feeling come over me of pure happiness. My laughter was that true, uninhibited laughter coming from some place unexpected, deep down, and free... it was just what I needed. I feel like I've stepped out of a very dark, heavy cloud into an amazing, warm & fuzzy hug. It feels so good to be here right now.

Look Ma, No Hands!

Carter informed me yesterday that his bus driver can drive with no hands!

"Realllly... why does she drive with no hands?"

"So she can clap (demonstrates a high handed clapping) and tell everyone to BE QUIET AND SIT DOWN!"

Okaaay. Great.

Jenny McCarthy Wore A Mod Blue Dress, Sassy Shoes, & A Mother's Heart On Oprah

The shoes and blue dress. EVERYONE is searching and googling, dying to know what Jenny was wearing the other day on Oprah. I really hope I find out because lots of people are coming here expecting me to have the answer...

ANYWAY. Jenny is on ABC's 20/20 tonight. Might want to catch her then if you can. (Be sure to watch the right one- looks like it's on for two hours and she's the second segment.) I'll be watching.

*Click here for all the other scheduled shows Jenny McCarthy will be on in the upcoming week!

Also, if you want to know how I check my stats and know what I'm being googled for, I used Sitemeter and click on "recent visitors by referrals" - this way you can see what brings people to your site!

Babywearing Tip of the Week: It's So Beautiful!

There is something about seeing a mom (or dad!) wear their baby that is just beautiful. I am excited to share with you some beautiful babywearing photos submitted by my readers.



Farrah from Baby Loves Slings sent in these two precious photos, her current favorites. She is a work-at-home mom that makes ring slings so she can stay at home with her son.







Andrea over at Sgt And Mrs. Hub is one hot babywearing Mama.
Check out these cute cute pics of her wearing her son Judah!!







Andrea at The Laughs Will Go On shares a darling photo of her snuggling & wrapping her little man Tate. What a beautiful smiling Mama!



















Amy from Crunchy Domestic Goddess gets the whole family into babywearing- here's photos of Amy wearing her son Julian & hubby Jody wearing their daughter Ava! Amy also owns the fun babywearing advocacy shop Attached To The Hip!




Everybody loves Nell from Casual Friday Everyday and I just love her babywearing pics wearing her little guy on the front & back in the Podonbutai! Don't they look beautiful & happy?!








Lori from Communi Kate is wearing her daughter Kate in this sweet photo at the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas, TX.








And what's my favorite babywearing pic? I have so many! Here's a more recent one of Gray napping in the mei tai at t he park. Kissing his snuggly head when he's like that... there's nothing like it! I love the latest ones Ashlee took of Gray and me modeling her Nest slings. I also adore our happy pics modeling the Podonbutai for Jenn at All Natural Mommies!

Keep your babywearing pics coming! Email me (jsprecourt@yahoo.com) and maybe you'll see them here!

The Sling Station is holding a Beauty Of Babywearing photo contest that you just might want to check out. You could win a $100 gift certificate to The Sling Station or Peppermint.com!

Also today is the last day to enter the Protect-A-Bed giveaway! You could win sheet protectors for all your kids!

What's Up With Me

I thought I was doing much better with it being toward the end of the week but Carter hopped off the bus today and I realize he had his shorts on backwards. What mother lets her child go to school with their SHORTS on backwards? We get inside and I see that Gray has hummus on his shoes. At least I get a knitting night tonight. For now I'm going to finish some laundry with my tunes on shuffle... oh iPod, you always know the right thing to play.

Looky

Drea is making me fall fancy here again. You might notice a new look here and there! She's such a great blogging friend, designer, & reviewer over at her new site DE Reviews with her gal pal Elizabeth! Check them out!

Throwback Thursday: RV'ing It

Here's a throwback from a family roadtrip in March 1981. I was 4 years old (that's me in the pink jacket probably already hesitant to join this group of country-western wannabes in a photo...)

You'll also see my cool cat of a Dad with his steering wheel handle-bar mustache, my mom holding my brother Nate, and my Poppal who owned that camper with an assortment of twelve horn tunes to wake up the neighborhood.

Pinks & Blues has got the Throwback Thursdays going on each week!

BONUS! For some hilarious throwbacks of old school photos, you MUST go vote here at Petroville now for the Worst School Photo... Lori is over there (I'll give you a hint- she's the 1st one and has a VERY good chance at winning- sorry Lori, but yours is too awesome!!) Place your vote! Poll closes tonight!

More On That Oprah Show

I find it a bit humorous that my stats show that I've been googled more for "blue dress Jenny McCarthy wore on the Oprah show" and "shoes Jenny McCarthy wore on Oprah" than anything else since yesterday. But hey- whatever brings people here.

I happened to still be up last night when the show was on again and this time I couldn't watch it. I guess just once was enough for me. It was lumpy in my throat and physically pained my heart hearing her describe her son's seizures in the beginning. That could have been me telling that story- down to the littlest detail like when he slept late that morning and she ran into his room to find him having a seizure. I don't know how to explain it, but my stomach would sink when Noah "slept late." I would be in the middle of doing something and just stop and run to Noah's room and would find him seizing. It's something I hope to forget someday, but I still hang on to that whole "healer's signature" thing, too.

I am loving the dialogue that has sparked since the show yesterday. The comments and emails- this is just something very important to me- the whole Mom's Voice Must Be Heard. Don't suppress it!

I know some parents have lots of questions about many things including vaccinations right now. What do you do right now while you are still learning more or trying to figure out what to do? I say- there is no rush. Take your time and do your research. I have some helpful resources in a previous post of mine here called Stirring The Pot: What I Want Every Parent To Know. Also, arm yourself with FACTS from the CDC's website (Center for Disease Control)- this is where your doctor puts their trust. Be informed of the ingredients in vaccines- this link is to the CDC's exact statements about it.

If you find it difficult to talk openly with your doctor, or feel like you are not being respected, or feel like your concerns are not really being heard, FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR. Remember- they work for YOU.

I've heard a lot of criticism toward Jenny McCarthy, who is infamous for a less-than-wholesome lifestyle... in the past. I see a mother that found something that helped her child and now she wants to tell the world about it and wants to help others. I can relate to that in so many ways. So what about her past? Is our past perfect?

Anyway, I am excited to see what happens next as more questions are raised and more Moms stand up and keep standing up for their brood. We are Mamas, hear us roar.

In the meantime, I am determined to find out what Jenny McCarthy was wearing yesterday because so many people just got to know!!

Wordless Wednesday: Dog In A Box

Win Protect-A-Bed sheet protectors for all your kids' beds
in my giveaway here!

Visit WordlessWednesday.com and 5 Minutes For Mom
for more Wordless Wednesdays!

Why It Hits Close To Home

Today's Oprah had my heart breaking, remembering some very very dark times but also I was jumping up & down so thankful that FINALLY some Moms are getting their say.

Noah was normal just like any other 2 year old when he had his first seizure. We were told it must have been due to an illness or a fever even though he wasn't sick at the time. A few tests were run and we were sent home. Like it wasn't important. Then about a week later he had some very different types of seizures and we were back to the ER, back to more testing, and then told he has epilepsy. Like Jenny McCarthy says on Oprah today, we were not handed a pamphlet telling us how to deal with this diagnosis, we were just sent on our way. On our own.

In the beginning of today's show, Oprah explains that when a child is diagnosed with cancer, families send cards, bring food, and show support. When a child is diagnosed with autism (and in our case epilepsy), no one brings you food or wants to play anymore. In our friends' & familys' defense, I honestly think they don't know how to act, so they don't "act" at all. But I will say that this is a time parents need support more than any other. We were blessed with a few close friends and family that were an amazing support, but let's just say I can still relate.

There was NOTHING that could stop me from getting Noah better. I remember being alone as hubby was off to work during the day and I was home with Noah and Carter who was just 1 year old at the time. It was winter. Noah would have seizures all day long. I couldn't do anything but stay close to him. Or sometimes had to just keep him in a highchair all day so that he could sit up (he could hardly hold himself up) and then that way he also wouldn't fall when he'd have a seizure every few minutes.

I felt like the doctors around us didn't really want to help. They wanted us to just "move on" with how things were. But I KNEW that this was not the plan for Noah's life. When I learned about other ways to treat his seizures rather than medication (meds only made him worse), I was belittled and laughed at. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. If you as a mother have a doubt or gut feeling about something- anything- big or small- you should be able to talk openly about it and NOT be made to feel less-than.

I wanted to try the Ketogenic Diet to treat Noah's seizures. Our doctor at the time couldn't have made me feel more ashamed for even thinking that it would work. My Mama instinct said get rid of him and I did. And we tried the Ketogenic Diet and Noah was seizure-free by day 4 of that diet. Next month he will be seizure-free for THREE YEARS.

And of course, what worked for us may not work for everyone. But the bottom-line is that there is hope. No matter what diagnosis some doctor gives. You can not give up.

YES- vaccines were called out on today's show. Both Jenny McCarthy and Holly Robinson-Peete saw changes in their child after vaccination. You can't deny it. Does that mean you stop vaccinating your children? That's up to you to decide. Please know all your facts whatever you choose to do.

And I meant to add that I totally agree with Jenny on Oprah today that the vaccine schedule is not "one size fits all" but doctors seem to make it that way. Personally I do not like any vaccines, but if you are going to vaccinate, can you at least consider delaying until your child is older? Or if you must still vaccinate, try just one shot per visit instead of multiple vaccines at one time. But most importantly, be informed.

How much louder can I say it? YOU know your child. YOU know what is right deep down. Our Mama voice NEEDS to be heard and you know what, it DESERVES to be heard. We have a RIGHT to be heard and we ARE right.

You can read Noah's full story here and my previous posts on vaccines here.

My Two Boys has an open forum about Oprah's show here.

I'm keeping my Mama claws out for a bit longer today...

Please Please Please Watch Oprah Today

I am in the middle of watching the show today and just had to plead for everyone to watch this episode. Record it later today if you've missed the morning airing.

Jenny McCarthy's story about her son early on hits closer to home than you'll ever know, unless you've had a child with epilepsy or autism. It was hard to watch at first, but then at the same time I was jumping up and yelling "Yay!!" inside. To have stories like this be told... it's so important.

I'll be back to share more as I finish the rest of the show.

Monkey Eagle?

I know I just posted my prom pic, dare I post my worst school picture ever? I just might... and you should, too. There's a Worst School Picture Contest going on at Petroville. I'll see what I can find!

ALSO, Noah loves the new Monk & Neagle (Monkey Eagle to him) CD The Twenty-First Time. And the CD is officially available today!

Noah's favorite song is the title track (#2) and mine is track #3. Check it out!

Muy Lingual

Gray's vocabulary grows by the day lately, and his sweet little voice is just too precious. When I look at him and realize he is almost two years old, I do not think "terrible twos" at all. I think that I just love this stage!

With two big brothers and a rough-housing daddy wrestling all the time, one of his first words was "uncle!" as in- "get off of me!" But he also uses it when he gets frustrated or stuck. You'll see him get mad at a toy and yell "uncle!"

His most-often said word as of late was "haft" meaning "help!" and Carter translated it one day. "He's saying help in Spanish, Daddy."



For yes he'll say yep! and no is nope! Not sure where he got that, but it's adorable nonetheless!

Now he is saying 'help' the correct way, as well as so many other words! He's starting to talk in little sentences like "What doing?" for what are you doing? He'll ask you this all.day.long. But I love it. And he'll look for Daddy- "Where Daddy go? No in chair?" (Daddy can often be found in his recliner...)

Yep. I can already see he'll be telling on me, too, before I know it.

Such A Rush- (Updated About Site Feeds)

Ok, I'm back. No, unfortunately I didn't get to go to Mexico again, but almost. I'll fill you in on all that later.

You may have seen the word spreading fast about a new way to get more traffic to your blog by using BlogRush. I think it's worth giving a try if you'd like to check it out. You can click on this link to sign up, too. And see a sample in my sidebar (a little bit below) of how it will look on your blog!

I'm officially winding down my reviews & giveaways with the exception of really big ones like the Protect-A-Bed contest going on now! How could I resist!? I might have the occasional giveaway still here & there, but for the most part, I am focusing all my review energies at Mama Speaks. I love Mama Speaks and all the Mamas that are speaking there! So glad I am one, too!

Oh, and the shoes. Where did I wear them last night? To my brother-in-law's concert, if you must know! And I highly suggest you check out his album here...

-Steph

P.S. I know I missed the Babywearing Tip of the Week last week, but just needed a little time off. I am working on this week's tip and am looking for all you babywearing mamas to send in your pics! Email me at jsprecourt@yahoo.com and include a link to your blog if you have one!

P.P.S. A lot of people are asking how to know their blog's site feed so that they can join BlogRush. I am pretty sure that you just take your blog url and add: /feeds/posts/default at the end of the address. An easy way I found it was, if you have bloglines, click "subscribe with Bloglines" on your blog and it will show the available feeds. If you still need help, email me (jsprecourt@yahoo.com) and I'll be glad to help! Also, if you have a much better answer, please let us know!

Shoe Therapy

I hadn't worn these shoes in years, but tonight they called out to me from my closet and said we'll make you feel better! And you know what? They did.

Sleep Tight- A Giveaway! *Updated With Winner!

As awareness of sleep environment hygiene grows, parents are becoming increasingly convinced of the need to protect their mattresses and pillows and their children's cribs and beds against dust mites- a major cause of asthma, allergies, and eczema.

Protect-A-Bed is a mattress cover of which has proven to be the most effective bedding protector ever produced. It creates a comfortable and healthy sleeping environment for the entire family. They offer a premium line of protection products for pillows and mattresses, including cribs proven to deliver the following benefits:

• Made of 100% natural terry cotton surface, it stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter, providing a soft, quiet and comfortable sleep.

• It contains a Proprietary Miracle Membrane®, a new age breathable barrier fabric, which is waterproof and protects your mattress from all liquids, even sweat and urine.

• Hypoallergenic, to permit a healthy and anti-allergy sleep zone.

• Prevents dust mites and bacteria from breeding in a mattress, which can cause asthma, eczema and rhinitis.

• Can be machine-washed and tumble-dried over 200 times without losing its effectiveness.

• Trusted product that is recognized as a Class 1 Medical Device by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Protect-A-Bed sheet and pillow protectors are available at mattress retailers worldwide and their mattress protection solutions suit a wide range of needs and budgets! You can visit www.protectabed.com for more details or to find out where you can purchase Protect-A-Bed bedding protectors in your area.

Win Protect-A-Bed bedding protectors for all your children's beds!!

HOW TO ENTER: Just fill in the Mr. Linky below and then link to this contest and Protect-A-Bed in a post on your blog before Friday September 21, 10 PM (CST.) If you don't have a blog, still enter your name in the Mr. Linky and please email your friends to tell them about this contest and Protect-A-Bed!

Leave a comment here saying you'd like to win! Be sure I can contact you through your blog or email in the Mr. Linky and/or your comment.

Sleep safe & sound and don't let those bed bugs bite!

*The winner is Arianne thanks to Random.org picking #25!

that's better

I feel lighter tonight, this whole day. I am not sure if this will make sense, but honestly as I read the outpouring of your comments and emails, I seriously could hear and physically feel the prayers being said for Noah & me.

I had my cry and it felt good. I don't know how to say thank you enough.

It was the most beautiful day today. Ashlee & I drove up to the city to see Jaymi and her new little Popeye. We were bearing lots of goodies thanks to some wonderful Mamas in our park playgroup like Robin & Jen.

Deep breaths, prayer, sunshine, & friends
will do a weary heart good.

Selah, Xavier, & Gray...

There is just nothing like good friends.

A Good Cry

It's not even 8:30 pm yet, though I feel it is like midnight. This was a very long day. This has been a very long month. I am tired. I need a good cry.

Someone said it best at our little park playgroup the other day. We are running on fumes. There is a lot going on right now in every Mom's life that I know, and we have tremendous pressure, too many things to do in such a short day, so much to be responsible for, and top it off with very little sleep.

I need your prayers. I took Noah to the opthamologist today. He has suffered from amblyopia (eye crossing) for several years now and we decided to get a third opinion today. It seemed to be less noticeable over time, but since he's started first grade and reading, the crossing has worsened. His sweet teacher called me last week to express her concern and I immediately made another appointment.

The first doctor had him in glasses for a while and the second doctor said the glasses were no good but he just had to have surgery. On both eyes. After everything we've been through with Noah, I will tell you that I desperately want to avoid ever putting him under anesthesia again, let alone do surgery on his eyes! We decided to try patching the eye for a while and then he seemed to be doing ok until now.

Today's appointment was miserable, but the one good thing we got out of it was confirmation that he does indeed require surgery. Just definitely not by the doctor we saw today. I was practically in tears in the doctor's office, and it wasn't because he needs surgery. It's just everything feels like an overwhelming weight on top of me right now.

I am usually much stronger than this (on the outside). But right now, I need your prayers. I need that good cry.

When I look at my precious Noah, I hurt. I do not want this for him. On the one hand I am so grateful that this is the only surgery he needs. He dodged brain surgery and a life of seizures. We can surely handle a little eye surgery! There are certainly parents out there right now that would only wish this was the only problem their child was facing at this moment.

But then on the other hand, this is my child. My baby. I love him and don't want him to have to go through this right now. The Mama Cat in me rises up. He's already been through enough. Me- as his mother- has already been through enough.

But I- as his mother- am tough enough to get through this.

Arianne wrote to me tonight: ...God is bigger. He is bigger than the horrible day you've had, bigger than the jerk doctor, and bigger than the surgery. He holds it all in His hands.

Of course I already know this. I'm a pitiful example sometimes. But I'm human. And I am soooooooo thankful God is God.

Noah is fearfully and wonderfully made. This is true. Tonight I will probably have my good cry, on my pillow, during prayer time when everyone is asleep. And then I will rest. And remember that I don't have to play strong anymore. I don't have to carry this weight. I release it right now.

Throwback Thursday: Prom (and I can't believe I am posting this)

A while back I promised to share 'the prom pic' that showed my fine choice of footwear. I happened to be at Jen's house last night and she reminded me that she had the pic... so here goes. I don't know how long this will remain up as I didn't get permission from any of my other friends in the photo. I know they won't mind (I think!)

I prefer the "before pic" here, but it doesn't show off my Dr. Martens. You can click on the photos to enlarge... if you must.


As for the group friends shot... can you tell who was a bit of a dramatic starlet that night? Ah... anyway. Swallowing all embarrassment for good blog fodder. Let's see you post a prom pic, 'kay?


I will point out that this was a simple slip dress I found for $19 at Merry Go Round and I designed the rest. The red boots and hair were still excellent accessories, in my opinion...

*P.S. I have to add that I don't regret any of my fashion choices here. But, it's still kinda weird for me to flashback to a majorly awkward time!!

*P.P.S. If you want to see a really cute pic of me in a less awkward time, check out my Mom's Throwback pic today.

Have fun with more Throwback Thursdays at Pinks & Blues!

Wordless Wednesday: Lil' Monkey

Enter the Havins Originals giveaway here! Ends Wednesday night!

Visit WordlessWednesday.com and 5 Minutes For Mom
for more Wordless Wednesdays!

You Gotta Have Some Havins... A Giveaway! *Winners Posted!

Oh yes we love do love Havins Originals. American made. Vintage inspired. One-of-a-kind... no two are alike!

I've talked about the tees before and now with the chillier weather we're loving the long sleeves & sweatshirts- check out the entire collection of Havins Originals long and short-sleeved shirts for boys and girls and see if you recognize a certain Little Pistol...

You must see the new line of Havins onesies. Get the pink or blue Once Upon A Time... The End for your precious prince or princess. Music lovers will dig the burgundy Born To Play. You can also find Havins Originals at our favorite sites like Urban Baby Runway and Raspberry & Sage.


WIN a super-soft Havins onesie! I'll pick three winners- just leave a comment here telling me your favorite item at Havins Originals and then be sure to specify if you'd like to win a girl or boy onesie. I have three onesies sized about 6-12 months to giveaway! Make sure I can contact you via your entry, and please leave only one comment. Contest ends Wednesday night after 10 PM.

*Winners are The Bird's Nest, Ellinghouse, & More Than A Single Mom!

The Day

I will always remember it.

Mom Trends In My Neighborhood... what would we do without Old Navy and Target?

Katja from Skimbaco (and Mama Speaks!) has asked us Mommy bloggers to share the Mom trends in our neighborhood. I am afraid that I don't have too much to report on in my neck of the woods- pretty much walk into any Old Navy or Target and there you have it. The Mom trends of my area.

On your average day I can be found wearing an Old Navy tee or layered tanks, my long & lean Gap jeans or a knee-length knit skirt, & Target flip flops or my Prima Crocs in lime. Occasionally I'll mix it up with a cute top from Marshall's and smart red shoes, and of course my own hand-knitted red bag to match. (If you happened to see me out & about today, the exact outfit below is what I was a-wearin'.)

I do like to accessorize even in my tees. I am still loving my Cheeky Jewelry earrings or my long dangly ones from Berit Designs. And this fun watch I got as a birthday present from my mom.

When Mamas this way get ready for a night out, we usually keep the jeans but add sassy heeled-sandals and a black top. Maybe a little extra mascara, eyeliner, & lipgloss, too, if we really want to go all out. Midwestern moms, have I got this right?

Check out Katja's Colorado Mom style here. And share your own as well!

Someone's Having That Baby Tonight- BABY IS HERE!!!

The Flip Flop Mamma is off to the hospital and hopefully having that baby very soon... prayers for Jaymi and new baby all around! Hopefully she'll call and I'll keep you updated!

BABY IS HERE!

Jonathan David, Jr. is here! Keep checking in for pictures and more details!


-Steph

P.S. If you'd like to send something to Jaymi and the new baby, email me (jsprecourt@yahoo.com) and I'll hook you up!

Taking It Slow

I am taking things extra slow today.

You can read more about it over at The Chicago Moms blog.

And don't forget to link up to the Rockin' Baby giveaway by tonight!


-Steph

Great Day For A Parade

Our town had a huge festival yesterday and we walked in the parade. The boys had so much fun passing out candy (and eating it to my dismay.) I think Gray was scarfing some Smarties in this picture actually.

At one point I wore Gray in the mei tai and a massive paper carrier's bag full of candy slung across my shoulders while I pushed another huge bag of candy in the stroller with Carter attached on the Strolli (stay tuned for the review on that at Mama Speaks... it rocks).




Just as the parade route began, I hit a man right in the stomach with a fistful of candy. I was so embarassed and explained it was my first throw... he didn't care. He just wanted candy.

To say I am a bit worn out is an understatement. Oh, and most of our town is hilly... walking a mile uphill like that... I deserve some props, people!

Remember to link up & enter to win-
the Rockin' Baby Sling giveaway ends tomorrow!

Something Like That

I was knitting along the other day, watching The View but not really paying attention when Carter comes up to me and says, "Mommy, you should enjoy being a woman."

After I picked myself up from falling off the couch I asked where in the world he heard that. He said "It was on the T.V.!"

I look up to see a Summer's Eve commercial just ending.

Oh my.

Then yesterday in the car we drove by a house that had several police cars in front. Carter surmised that "there must have been a 'furglar' there."

I couldn't keep from laughing and told him, "You mean a burglar. With a 'B'." I made the 'B' sound, "Buh-Buh Burglar."

"Yeah- it starts with a 'B'. Furglar."

Last night I reminded the boys that we'll be visiting a new church this Sunday and Carter wasn't too happy about it. I said "It might be fun!" To which he asked, "Really? Fun? Like when we move the furniture around in the basement?"

Uh, yeah, something like that.

Babywearing Tip of the Week: It's Rockin'! A Giveaway! *Updated!

If you are a seasoned babywearer or always know what the celebrity moms are wearing, you are no stranger to the Rockin' Baby's awesome slings and pouches. Made of the finest quality, Rockin' Baby Slings were invented by two hip moms with an eye for the prettiest and wildest pattern/color combinations you can sling.

These double-sided, reversible ring slings ROCK, I tell you!- and can be worn 5 different ways. The pocket on both sides of the sling's tail is so very convenient! Choose from pages and pages of delicious carriers... certainly something for every mom or dad- no matter what your style.



One of my favorite parts about babywearing is that it can (and should!) be fashionable!
Gray and I are rockin' out in the Suffragette City Rockin' Baby sling- and I definitely think that you can wear pink (and should!) even if your baby is a boy... it's all about the accessories, ladies!

If a pouch is more your thing, the Rockin' Baby Pouch is the only pouch I will recommend from now on- they are easily adjustable with zippers and give you the best fit & comfort with the coolest style. I've tried on the size Small/Medium and it fit perfectly, with a lot of room to adjust as baby grows. I am loving Sweet Caroline... I totally think that must be my next pouch!

The gals at Rockin' Baby are generous! A percentage of each month's sales go to their favorite charities. 3% of all sales in September will go to the Union Rescue Mission, dedicated to serving the poor and homeless.

And they are also giving away one fabulous Rockin' Baby Sling to one of you! Win this gorgeous Strawberry Fields Forever sling, valued at $102!

How to enter:

1. Sign the Mr. Linky.
2. Link to this contest and Rockin' Baby in a post on your blog before 10pm Monday Sept 10.
3. Leave a comment!
4. If you don't have a blog, be sure to email as many friends as you can to tell them all about this rockin' contest! Be sure to sign the Mr. Linky & leave a comment with a way for me to contact you.

Wear your baby & Rock On!

*The winner is Allie at A Day In The Life... I know you & your little diva will enjoy this sling!!