Tids

Well, I'm crawling up to my computer to type that I am ok (I think) but I have to go lie down now. I did manage to scrape up a post over here today.

And for those of you that like free stuff and doing little reviews on your bloggies... you must check out the cool free shirt offer from my friends at Polly Tod- open to both Daddy & Mommy bloggers. We're fans- and I'm sure you will be, too. Gray already rocks it out in the Tin Robot and Amped tees (so fitting, eh?)

Ok, that's enough of that. Back to the couch for me.

For Eyes

Everything went so smoothly yesterday with Noah's eye consult. I am so thankful that I felt well all morning and had lots of energy to get through the day. God really showed His mercy as I could have and should have spent more time in prayer about our appointment and situation, but still He is so good. Not much is required of us, you know?

Originally this appointment should have been where Noah would be measured for the eye surgery, but since his last visit, his vision has changed and he now needs glasses. After 3 months his doctor will be able to get the proper measurements for the surgery. I don't mind a little extra time, I'll admit! He did wear glasses once before, but for different reasons. And he's actually excited about wearing them- so that is a blessing. We just have to go pick out a pair now!

And in the meantime- uh, wow- I came home to a kajillion emails thanks to the giveaway. I am a little perturbed at Target right now because I needed to get Carter some new gloves and they don't carry them anymore because- in the retail world- it's spring. This doesn't make ANY sense to me considering we have at least 2 more months of winter here. Today especially.

It's That Bloggy Giveaways Time Again!

*Winner has been posted here!

I was hoping that this time around I'd have something equally as creative as I've had in the past for Shannon's awesome Bloggy Giveaways carnival, but in the midst of my good news (baby bump on the way, yay) I am taking it easy.

And for real- you all don't want something that I make or pick out for you- how about you just go to the shopping place that is above all others and buy something nice for yourself!

And look- it's in the shape of a purse.


Win this $15 Target gift card just by leaving a comment below. You could get a cool green clutch or blue jelly flats and some tights to go with them. Or just get some snacks, new pens, good soap, or whatever you wish!

I'll pick one winner at random sometime Friday morning, Feb 1st. One entry per person, mm kay? Winner will be contacted by email.

I'm also posting this a bit early because of Noah's eye surgery consult in Chicago. Prayers are appreciated!

The Deets

I am about 7 weeks along- give or take a few days.

I am amazed at how such a tiny little thing living inside me can cause SO MANY changes and feelings and sickness and so forth. How does this happen!?!?


I am feeling a bit better every day as far as the morning sickness goes, but I don't feel up for talking about food just yet, smelling it, reading about it, and/or preparing it. Although I think I could eat the black bean soup from Billy Jack's all day and all night and be just fine. Oh, with the homemade bread of course.

I am hoping to have a human baby. No aliens or puppies, please! (Someday I'll have to tell you about 4 pregnancies worth of crazy dreams.) If this baby is a boy or girl I will be THRILLED and relieved. And of course I know you only mean well when you wish upon a woman with all boys that you hope she has a girl, but I already know that's what everyone is thinking, so no need to say it really. I don't know where 'having all boys' got a bad rep anyway. Mine are angels! I hope I have a healthy baby. All boy or all girl sounds great to me!

We are planning a midwife-assisted home birth. I probably will do water birth- not sure yet. Hubby jokes that he doesn't think we need any assistance, really, except for maybe afterwards, and I'll admit a huge part of me wonders if we'll end up having this baby on our own anyway. Since my labors have gotten shorter & shorter, it's possible. I delivered Gray by myself in the hospital but then a doctor ran in to help afterward. I'll definitely try to give my midwife as much notice as possible!

An Insult To What The Cat Dragged In

Well, tonight we are going out to dinner to one of my favorite restaurants and that means I got out of my sweats and into real (not as comfortable) clothes. After a shower, of course, and I even put on makeup! I don't look half-bad. Considering all week I'd pretty much looked like what the cat dragged in. But then I even felt guilty about that because I honestly think I looked worse than something a cat would drag in. Anyway. I think things are feeling better overall here in pregnancy land. I'm feeling optimistic. And less dragged in.

Babywearing Tip Of The Week: Baby, It's Cold Outside!

When I woke up this morning it was negative 7 degrees!!

How do you wear the baby when it is soooooooo cold out?

Well, a while back I did a review for the Secure2Me Baby Blanket over at Mama Speaks and we still use ours- whether it's while wearing Gray or even just in the car or stroller keeping babe cozy. (Tip- we always bring it in the house so that it doesn't stay in the cold car!)

You gotta dig the Peekaru Fleece Baby Carrier Cover. That will keep you warm!

And the most famous babywearing coat out there is Suse's Kinder Coat. If you do a little googling and are crafty enough, you can find ways to turn a regular coat into a babywearing coat!

Stay warm out there!

oh baby

Ok, I do not intend for this to become a pregnancy blog or all-things-obsessed-with-being-pregnant but you'll find that I get a bit feisty when I've got a bun in the oven and so for now, just deal.

I am first of all, really excited about being preggy for the first time as a blogger. Kinda cool. Except that so far I do not even feel like sitting here at the computer. I'd rather be under the covers in my bed. And that's pretty much where I've been. I am taking each chance that I actually feel well to catch up on housework that's been neglected while I do nothing and try to get my mind off this stomach that is torturing my every waking moment. Poor hubby came out of the shower with an elephant hoody towel yesterday. So laundry is at the top of the list.

I do have a sweet Valentine contest going on over at my Close To Home blog. I think you should check it out. Now, back to my regularly scheduled under-the-covers-programming...

Wordless Wednesday: The Books

I'm Pregnant!

So, now that it's out in the open I can breathe a little easier. Only thing is when I breathe, I smell things. And when I smell pretty much anything right now, I head for the bathroom. Doesn't help that today is garbage day either. Oh, and why did I just type that?

Really- I felt like everyone could see it on my face or in my words. I hate keeping secrets. And how do you blog without at least mentioning that little thing growing inside? I couldn't wait any longer. So there. Now I can breathe. Or not breathe. Great. Just talking about it is only making it worse. So please, for now refrain from telling me any of your weird cravings. I'll probably post about that later on when I can actually consider thinking about food. Right now my cravings last for about 10 minutes and then they turn into repulsions. Anyway, too much talking about it already.

I'm pregnant! Just had to say it again!

You Figure It Out

A recent email conversation between me & hubby:

me: Can you call me as soon as possible?

he: Can you just email me what you want?

me: No.

he: What is it about?

me: Do you think you can take a vacation sometime around September 18?

he: Why?

me: You figure it out.

(long pause)

he: Gulp! 8^)

Super special thanks to Cara for whipping up this most awesome Big Brother shirt for Gray- (and Big Sister is also available now at Urban Baby Runway!)

By The Way

It's freezing here. Currently -4 degrees. And the weather report says "feels like -19." It's going to be really hard to leave this house today.

I've had a really good weekend so far (aside from the arctic temps) and Gray has been like, the sweetest thing ever. Life is good. Just wanted you to know.

Babywearing Tip Of The Week: Just Plain Cute

My friend Jen sent me these pics of her daughter Allison wearing her baby doll with a simple piece of fabric. This proves you really don't need much to wear your baby!

Of Course

I was tagged for this Meme of 5 Courses by Naomi (aka Superdumb Supervillain.)

Here's what you have to do: Devise a list of 5-10 courses you would take to fix your life. It’s more fun to be in classes with friends, so include one class from the person who tagged you that you’d also like to take. Tag five.

The class I'd like to take with Naomi would be her Raising a Mama's Boy (prerequisites: Separation Anxiety and Babywearing 101) How to deal with an infant who won't let you put him down. Ever.

And for me we'd have to expand that one to toddlers as well.

Here are my other course suggestions:

Shopping For Moms
Going beyond the Target clearance racks and into stores that sell only clothes. For women. And for your age.

Laundry Excavation & Cultivation
Mapping your way around the inside of the laundry mound and how to keep it from multiplying. Supplies needed: protective goggles, mask, & flashlight, and in some cases, a flare. Second semester bonus- Kitchen Sink Excavation & Cultivation.

Sleep: It's Really More Important Than Blogging Even Though You Beg To Differ
In this class all you will be required to do is sleep. It's much more difficult than it looks.

When Will You Ever Learn?
Topics covered include keeping the crayons away from toddlers near walls, the chocolate away from toddlers wearing dress clothes, and cosmetics away from toddlers, period.

I'd like to tag these bloggers I know in real life:
Crooked Eyebrow
I Should Be Folding Laundry
M.O.M. On A Mission
The Kelloggs v.3.4
To Think Is To Create

Wordless Wednesday: Oldie But Goodie

I Just Had The Best Nap Ever

For the first time in a very long time Gray took a nap while Noah & Carter were at school. Because I had such success doing one thing at a time yesterday, I had the perfect opportunity to take a nap myself. Oh, and nap I did. For a long time. It was heavenly. Just had to share.

Something else I'd like to share and encourage you to click click click on over to a few places...

Amy from Crunchy Domestic Goddess is writing away over at BlogHer about how you can help Waterbirth International.

Tanya at the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog is asking for very precious votes for a much deserving idea.

You can send a vote Beck's way (of Frog And Toad Are Still Friends fame) as she's nominated for Best Family Blog at the Canadian Blog Awards! Vote here!

And lastly, what kind of world do you want? I'll wait while you get some tissues... check out this video passed on to me by Ashlee.

Am I leaving anything out?

Confession

I hate football. Really. Like, a lot. So much that I don't want to defile my pretty blog talking about it. So I've posted my thoughts over here.

There.

I'm done.

So Just What Is The Rush?

I'm here today, forcing myself to take it slow. Live more in the moment. Stuff like that.

Observations Of The Day

My hair actually looks better when it air dries than when I style it all up with a brush and hair dryer. I think this is very convenient.

I really really like cute gift bags. Sometimes I feel that finding the right gift bag is as important as the gift itself.

I also really really like starfruit and fried mushrooms lately. (Not necessarily together.)

While getting my shop on today I found myself thinking about which shoes I would buy. The only fact that one pair were really cute was not enough to make me buy them (as in the past.) I even said out loud "these (in black & white) would get dirty so quickly." So I picked a smarter pair (and I'm a bit melancholy at the fact that smart is a factor for me now) with a casual heel. And it really says 'casual heel' on the box.

Since when did shoes have to make sense? 31 is sinking in.

Her Stash Is Prettier Than Mine

Up for bids on eBay now... complete with 2 mei tais, 2 ring slings, a pouch, and a wrap!




P.S. Just so I don't mistaken for being so talented- this auction is brought to you by Corrine at Upmama.com!

Babywearing Tip Of The Week: It's An Ancient Solution!

Read what Liz from Monkey Kisses has to say about babywearing at Kidzmodo- An Ancient Solution To Everyday Problems: Wearing Your Baby.

Fintering

All is well here. Carter slept all night and, even with a perforated ear drum he is doing so much better! I'll be dining at the OG with Ashlee tonight for some good ol' soup, salad, & breadsticks so I am doing so much better! Oh, and check out my post over here today and maybe you'll be a winner.

Steph

The Weather Outside Is...?

I am not sure what it's like in your neck of the woods, but we're having sprinter here. Or wing. Or Armageddon. Or whatever it would be when winter & spring can't make up their minds. I'm also off in a bit to take Carter to the doctor. We never have to go to the doctor so this is a big deal- his poor ear and neck are in severe pain. Be thinking of him! And me- I'd like some sleep. The past night and morning so far are a blur. So anyway, if you want more from me, you can just go on over here.

Steph

Wordless Wednesday: Wish

photo credit: Arianne, cake credit: hubby : )

31

When I was a little girl I'd receive a coupon in the mail for a free birthday cone at Baskin Robbins "31 Flavors." The tiny pink spoons would tempt a sample of bubblegum swirl or mint chocolate chip, but without fail I'd always choose peanut butter and chocolate in a sugar cone.

I also remember growing up that we didn't have MTV until I was older, but my grandparents did. They didn't approve of us watching that "filthy station", which was channel 31. When we'd get caught watching it my Poppal would disappointedly say, "Aw, y'all are watching 31."

It's my birthday.

Last night my sweet sister