I had a nice leisurely shopping trip at Target today. All by myself. It was wonderful. (Hubby has the day off.) I literally forgot time existed while I was there- and found this dress to wear for an upcoming event. And now I can dream about the many ways to accessorize it. Red heels? Tall black boots? Gunmetal flats?
It was such a successful shopping trip, or much-needed getaway time for me, because I got two new sets of measuring spoons (one green, one red) that I keep forgetting to get only to remember each time I am in the middle of baking something. Bath bubbles, winter gloves, vanilla flavor coffee syrup, you know, the important necessities. The Halloween aisle was being transformed before my eyes by many red-shirted Target elves- placing ornaments and Santas and snowmen on shelves as bright orange jack-o-lanterns were marked red for clearance.
Today is Halloween, and I've dodged the topic long enough. Do we celebrate it? Notsomuch, but tonight the boys will dress up (two pirates and a frog) and we'll Trunk or Treat at a church. The boys are really looking forward to it, and so am I. No need to buy costumes around here as we have a mecca of fun dress-up outfits for pretending- so it's nice to come up with something we have on hand. I'm hoping for some KitKats, but I can't have chocolate anyway. I'll probably end up with the gum.
Life of the Day, Day 18
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Treat
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
The Wheel And Me
So, I have always wanted to be on The Wheel of Fortune. Who wouldn't? You can come in last place and still walk away with cash & prizes! When I heard there was a contestant search coming to the area, I had to go. It wouldn't be right if I didn't at least try.
I was forewarned about what to expect, and had once tried out for Jeopardy years ago, so I had a rough idea of how things would work. The Rosemont Theatre was filled with hopefuls, and all the applications were drawn at random to see who would come up on stage to play a quick game. They would call five people up at a time and then once a puzzle was solved, another five people were brought up. They won exciting prizes like a Wheel of Fortune hat, fanny pack, or duffel bag. Once someone even won a light-up pen!
You really wanted your name to be called so that they could see your likeable personality and hopefully they'd choose you to be a contestant for the real show. But, if you didn't get to go on stage, they promised to still choose from all the applications. So there is hope for this Mommy Blogger from Indiana.
That's what I'm banking on, since my name wasn't called. The Wheel will be taping in Chicago next March and I really hope I get to be a part of it! I still had fun, and am happy that I made the effort. I'll just have to get my fanny pack elsewhere.
Monday, October 29, 2007
It's A Fall Y'all Giveaway!
It is time for another really big really bloggy giveaway, hosted by Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer and her Bloggy Giveaways site!
I knew exactly what I'd love to offer up for my giveaway! One of my Sassy Knit Handbags custom made for you!
Just leave a comment here if you'd like to be entered to win a cute bag, hand-knitted by me! I'll pick a winner at random sometime Friday morning and announce the winner. Anyone may enter! Just please enter only once!
Comments are now closed. Winner has been posted here!
The Other Mother
The Chicago Moms Blog and its sister blogs are discussing The Other Mother, the newest novel by Gwendolen Gross. I found this book compelling and I literally could not put it down. I love when this happens with a book! Some may think The Other Mother is about the Mommy War between stay-at-home Moms and working Moms. I saw it more as a familiar story of two Moms and their very realistic feelings, actions, and emotions through Motherhood. I think in many ways both Mothers have something about them to which you can relate, and you'll find yourself saying I know that Mother or maybe even I am that Mother...
I have always been a stay-at-home Mom and have no idea what it would be like to work while my kids were taken care of by someone else. To be honest, just thinking about that makes my heart race and my palms sweat. I am a very attached Mama to my babies and like to keep them close under my wing. I do not desire to have anyone else caring for my children but me, so strongly do I feel this that I've made the choice to not work and instead stay at home. We do make sacrifices and have a small house, not many luxuries, and go without extravagant vacations. And still, I know many working moms that live in a small house, don't have many luxuries, and go without extravagant vacations. All Moms, working or stay-at-home, make sacrifices.
But, we're not the type of people to really care about that stuff anyway. The important things are taken care of- and that's what matters to us. I know without a doubt that someday I will not look back on this time with regret. I personally am very proud of my decision to stay at home and parent my children full-time. I am thankful as a woman that I have this choice.
This is how I feel, and I don't know what it's like to be on that other side. But Gwendolen's story of two Mothers in The Other Mother sheds light and opened my eyes on an area I have never treaded upon. I have compassion for all Mothers- as we're doing the best we can. I don't want there to be a war, if there really is one going on between Moms. If anything, we need each other's support more than ever.
I think The Other Mother is also a good reminder that what appears so lovely and perfect on the outside is not always a true reflection of the inside of a person's heart or home. That is something I am often reminding my own self of. We are all that other Mother.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
An Interview With Me
Amy at Crunchy Domestic Goddess has sent me some interview questions…
1) Steph, you have built yourself a very successful blog here. Congratulations. :) To what do you attribute your success?
Thank you. I really started this blog to just randomly jot down my thoughts and feelings, and before long I realized that there was a growing community of bloggers just like me. As soon as I started getting comments and visited other blogs, it all just grew from there! Also posting regularly and participating in the different blog carnivals and fun goings-on really get your blog noticed! I do think that when 5 Minutes For Mom had their big Blog Party earlier this year, my blog readership grew and I met so many wonderful bloggers!
2) You are one of the baby wearing queens. Please tell us about your all-time favorite carrier for a toddler.
My current favorite way to wear Gray (now 2 years old!) is in the mei tai front or back carry. It’s convenient and comfortable, and easy to nurse in!
3) As a mom to three children, you've gained oodles of hands-on experience and wisdom over the years. If you could share any parenting advice with an eager mom-to-be, what would it be?
I always say, go with that gut feeling, the Mommy instincts. You have to weed through the parenting books and suggestions you’ll get from doctors, family, & friends, and just go with whatever works best for you and your baby. I would also advise every Mom to give breastfeeding a very good try, and also to be well-informed about vaccinations and medications.
4) Your faith is obviously a big part of your life. How did that come about?
I grew up going to church, but in my early twenties completely realized my soul’s need and desire to live a life for Christ. It’s the basis for my marriage, my life as a mother, and as a strong, influential woman. Our faith was stretched and tested greatly during Noah’s illness, but it was also that faith in God that kept us hanging on. Every day is a new step of faith!
5) Let's say you are going to be stranded with your family on a deserted island for 90 days. What 3 things would you take with you and why?
Oh my, I am never good at questions like this! I’d say the computer, a bunch of books, and a really nice hut to live in! (Assuming we’d have plenty of fruit to eat on the island!)
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Old Friends
I was gone the entire day to visit with very dear friends Jil, Tiph, & Deliverance. We ate the most yummy meal at Cerulean and I liked their chairs and decor. So I took a picture.
It was a wonderful day.
Life of the Day, Day 14
What Are You Into This Month?
This Month...
The Book I Am Really Into (or one I want to get into!): I need to finish Eat, Pray, Love and then Ashlee gave me a couple that I can't wait to dig into, like Serve God, Save The Planet.
TV Show Worth Watching: I'm all about America's Next Top Model! And Heather is from where I live (I saw her out & about one day!) and she's still going strong!
Movie I’ve Seen (In or Out of a theater): Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing & Charm School- seriously, get your tissues!
The Candle I'm Loving: Orange by Way Out Wax
Blog I Am Always Visiting: Lifenut never fails!
What I'm Most Looking Forward To Next Month: Actually, something exciting, as well as the new season of Project Runway!
Friday, October 26, 2007
Bag Lady
My knitting tote is broken and this one is longing to hold my needles and yarns... just dreaming about it makes me happy today.
Life of the Day, Day 13
Babywearing Tip Of The Week: Improvisation
I recently met Stacy from Mama-Om through NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month, which starts in November!) You can find me at NaBloPoMo here. I just had to share Stacy's fun Babywearing Tip:
I have two boys who are three years apart in age. Last spring, when my youngest was around six months old, we were attending an art class at the community center. It was a challenge to get there on time with everything I needed, and one time I forgot to bring the Ergo -- and the backup Didymos that I always kept in the car wasn't there!
It was too late to drive home and get a carrier, but I remembered that the teacher had some big scarves in the toy area, so I decided I would try that. I spent art class with Mica wrapped up in a big rainbow silk cloth. It was pretty, but not very comfy, and he wouldn't fall asleep.
After class, we went to the playground with friends, and I decided to use my sweater as a sling. It was a somewhat stretchy sweater with buttons up the front, and it worked great! I held it up like I was going to put it on backward, and then placed one sleeve over my shoulder, the other around my ribcage, and then I tied the sleeves in back/behind my shoulder. Then I wrapped the bottom part of the sweater around me, and buttoned the bottom few buttons in the back. In the front, I tucked the sweater under a bit and voila: I had a little pocket for the baby to sit in!
I did have to support him most of the time with one arm, but we spent over an hour at the playground, and he actually nursed to sleep. I had TWO moms come and ask me what kind of sling I was using! LOL!
So, if you haven't figured it out already -- you can use your sweater (or almost anything else!) as a sling if you need to!
Thanks, Stacy!
Photo courtesy of Stacy Lewis
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Question?
I am feeling empowered today by having the freedom to question anything I want. And when I have a question, I do my best to find an answer. Knowledge... it's a good thing.
I believe that there is a time and place to ask questions, and I would never do so in a way that was inappropriate or purposefully humiliating to someone else. But a thing I love about blogging is that it's a great place to question pretty much anything and everything. It's mine. And it's so alive.
Life of the Day, Day 12
This Business Of Being Born
Last night I had the privilege of viewing a private screening of the new documentary film The Business Of Being Born, directed by Abby Epstein and executive produced by Ricki Lake.
I had just finished reading Tina Cassidy's book Birth: The Surprising History of How We Are Born and was even more convinced that my next baby will be born at home. So, going to this movie had me excited and eager to learn even more about birth in American hospitals, birth centers, and homes.
It's shocking, the misconceptions and misinformation that Americans (especially women) have about the labor and birth of a child. Many people view childbirth as a life-threatening medical emergency when really it was intended to be natural and beautiful with little need for any interventions.
I had Gray in the hospital completely natural (aside from the fact it was in a hospital) with no interventions, no inductions, drugs, etc. This was my third birth and first one that I did completely naturally. It was also my most peaceful and most comfortable. I did have a birth plan, but I also think that part of the reason everything went so smoothly was because the doctor wasn't there, and didn't make it on time. I moved around and labored in positions that I felt my body was telling me to do. I refused to have an IV inserted or to be hooked up to the fetal monitor. Too often women are hooked up to the monitors and IVs and thus stuck in one position lying on the bed. And what worse position to deliver a baby than lying flat on your back!
In the film, it is demonstrated how much smaller the pelvic opening is when lying flat on your back with legs in stirrups. But stand, squat, or get on all fours and it opens up, allowing for the baby to move through without much need for pushing at all!
BUT- having the patient lie flat on their back with legs in stirrups is much better for the doctor's position. And you think that pain relief is just about making you feel better? The doctors and nurses consider it a better way to manage you as the patient, too. Ahem.
Many things done during hospital births have helped and saved lives- yes. But should everything be so strict and standard for every single birth? Are we losing sight of God's design in all of this?
There are so many helpful, factual statistics in this movie that I think anyone would find eye opening. Having a midwife and doula present- in hospital, birth center, or home- statistically will do wonders for your labor and delivery. Your chances of having a c-section go up as soon as you walk through those hospital doors. Should everyone stop having babies in a hospital? I am not saying that. But, women need to be informed when making their choices and then stand up for those choices in order to have the birth story they deserve.
This movie is not specifically about home birth. It's about birth in America and how far off track we have become.
When I say that our next baby will be born at home, I expect to hear the obvious concerns that it's not safe! But I know the truth. I think you should, too.
I wanted to add that I don't think anyone should be judged for where they choose to birth their baby. I think there is a lot of misinformation and assumptions about just what those choices are regarding labor and childbirth, and this movie is a wealth of information and fact for that whole spectrum.
Click here to see if there is a screening near you, and please go if you can!
Cross posted at The Chicago Moms Blog.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Sky
I've decided that the fall sky always has a story to be told.
Tonight, the view on my drive into the country, where I took this while driving (the moon roof comes in handy!)
Life of the Day, Day 11
Wordless Wednesday: Tadpole
My Hawaiian friend Kailani at An Island Life is hosting a fun Costume Contest at her blog with some nice prizes! Enter for Best Child, Best Adult, & Best Pet Costume here!!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Shadow
Yesterday I took the boys to a park and we had the place all to ourselves. I completely forgot to check my camera for the pictures I took and was pleasantly surprised today.
Life of the Day, Day 10
Get Your Prayer On
One of my real-life bloggy friends Lisa from Heaven Sent (we met through blogging!) just had her baby last Friday- YAY!- but there has been some complications and it would be really great for you to send your thoughts and prayers right now.