3 Months!!!

Grayson James, you are 3 months old today!

You are honestly at the BEST baby stage EVER. You wake up every morning with the brightest smile! I am the opposite of a morning person. But it's next to impossible to be anything but happy when I wake up to your smile. You are laughing now. REAL. Life. LAUGHTER. The most beautiful sound in the ENTIRE world. Yesterday you were rolling all over the place.Okay, you weren't really rolling place to place per say, but rolling onto your side, back to your back, onto your side again, and sometimes all the way over onto your belly! Then you would get really pissed off, your arms would be in your way and I would have to pick you up or roll you back over.

It's incredibly magnificent yet incredibly heartbreaking all rolled into one.

I could kiss you from sun up to sun down. Your cheeks are so smushy and amazingly tasty, your chunky thighs are better than chocolate, and your chin is double the fun!






You're in the 75th percentile for height and weight. 14 lb's 4oz's and 24 inches long! You've gained 5 lb's 4 oz's and grown 3 inches! Your head grew 3 cm too. You're thisclose to growing out of 3-6 month clothes even though they're "supposed" to go up to 16lb's. You're a big boy. A big beautiful and oh-so-cute boy. And I know I'm your mama, and super biased, but my heart soars and melts all at the same time when I look at your face.

{You're a Wiggle Worm!}

You're perfect and the doctor says so. You're advanced and awesome, and a those are the words of a professional! Doc says to keep doing what I'm doing, and in a month you might even get to try cereal for the first time!






You're sleeping like a CHAMP!!!! You love your bath time, then it's lotion, dipe, pj's, nurse, and bedtime at 7:30. You sleep until 5 then it's diaper, eat, play, eat, sleep. Diaper, eat, play, eat, sleep. You're basically on a 90 minute schedule. You're up for 90 then you sleep for 90 except for bedtime obviously. You're the BEST BABY IN ALL WORLD! And I hope it NEVER EVER EVER stops.

I know it will though.

You're so laid back and happy and awesome I don't ever see you being high maintenance. Even when your naps aren't as long, and your awake time lengthens. I still think you're going to be one cool kid. Just don't stop sleeping through the night and we'll be the best of friends FOREVER!





You've had a ton of firsts this past month. First hoodie/jacket, first pair of jeans, rolling over, watching football with Daddy, first laugh, I know next month will bring even more firsts!

I love you Mr. G Man more than you will ever know! You, your brother, and your sisters are my sun, moon, and stars, you are my world. Loves and kisses and cheek and thigh nibbles FOREVER! Okay, except for the nibbles. No nibbles in middle school I promise.

PS The biting is not cool. The bite and pull job you pull on my nipples has to stop. Today. Right now. No more. Kay? Kay. We agree then.





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Pinning! Like Winning but with Pinterest

The word on the streets has spread and all the kids are doing it these days. All it takes is one pin and you're hooked before you're finger even leaves your mouse. It's the new drug of choice.

I thought I would share a few of my most fave recent pins! Of course, you could always just find me on Pinterest, so...yea, do that too.

1.2.
3.4.
5.

1. ZOMBIE CUPCAKES?! How over-the-top fantasmo are these?! I love cupcakes {my physique can attest to that} and my love for zombies is unmeasurable, so these are just pure awesome amazingness. Plus they're oh-so cute.

2. I am head over heels in love with this. I am SO DOING this, only instead of tees I'm going to make quilts from my babies baby clothes, blankies, all of their keepsakes. I can love and cherish them, and then one day pass them on when my babies have babies.

3. I thought this tattoo was gorgeous. The colors are amazing! I'm so inspired and have been thinking of some sort of piece I can get using these beautiful rich colors.


4. I came across this in a blog, and pinned it immediately. PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE CUPCAKES!!! I love pumpkin muffins, and pumpkin spice latte's, and this is like those two things fell in love and had a wee baby! And the presentation is ADORABLE!!!!

5. Lastly, this SUPER adorable argyle owl wreath. I love argyle, and this is just too cute. Plus, I HAVE this little owl and have wondered for months what to do with it! I'm going to try and recreat this wreath. Seems easy enough.

Those are just a few recent faves, what are some of your most fave recent pins? Are you a fellow pinhead? Link your page, or follow me! I'll follow back!

Happy Pinning!



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touch up tuesday

Edit: So, what I did...I brightened up her perdy little face and warmed it up a tad! Then I sharpened a tad for the web. That's all she wrote folks!










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Musical Monday #19

I love a good cover of a good song. This? AMAZING cover to an awesome song. I absolutely adore the haunting vocals. I L♥VE Florence and the Machine something fierce. {This isn't their first visit to Musical Monday.}

♪♫Might as well face it you're addicted to love.♫♪

What are you listening to today?

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Friends

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i ♥ fall

What do you love about fall?

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Renn Fest 2010

Click here to view this photo book larger

No Heat Curls Ya'll!!

There has been several tutorials and videos floating around blogs and Pinterest on how to create heat-free curls. I was very intrigued, they all seemed super easy, and seemed to work very well so I've been wanting to try them out for a while. But I wanted a guinea pig first.

Thank God I'm the mama to girls. Right? I don't see Joshua appreciating pretty curls on his head...

For Hailey's birthday she had her hair cut and styled and asked for curls. She looked adorable and loved them and begged me curl her hair ALL the time from then on. The problem is my curling iron sucks so I was just never very good at recreating the curls she loved so much. Last night she asked me to braid her hair before bed immediately prompting a light bulb moment and I remembered then the tutorials and videos I have seen. I told her my idea and my little guinea pig and I got to work!

I followed this tutorial:


Hailye's hair actually looked REALLY cute up like that, but she would NOT let me take a pic. She went to bed, and when we woke up I pulled the hairband out, and BAM. CURLS!

Beautiful curls!!

{Early morning, sleepy-eyed Hailey.}

They were a bit messy, but looked {I thought} awesome. I sprayed a little sprunch spray on them to get the hold to last, and sent her off to school.

While fiddling around the house aimlessly, I came across the hairband we had used later in the morning and played around with it, eventually ending up putting my hair up in the same way, hoping to create something, anything, and really hoping for curls. I figured, I could wear it like that until dinner and see if it worked.

The look? It was the opposite of hotness:

 

{Not sexy, even a little bit.}

After about an hour, I was already annoyed. The band was across my fiveforehead, and little hairs were tickling my neck and I was afraid to bump my head or touch it to anything and it was just...annoying, so I pulled the headband out. I didn't expect to see very much, if any, change to my hair, and was shocked to see curls! After only an HOUR!

{You can totally see a line from the headband on my fiveforehead.}

Curls! Beautiful curls! ON ME no less! My super mega fine and straight hair curled in just an hour. I was instantly and irrevocably in love with my curls. "I will do this every waking day for the rest of my LIFE!" I vowed to myself. But only, not really though, because I'm sure it would get old. But this is most def my new go-to for any event that's fancy enough for non-jean wearing. And maybe even fun casual events too. I'm not going to do my hair for the homemaking stuff though. That's dumb. Because it makes me want to wear makeup and heels and I don't want to clean in makeup, heels, and curls.

Annnnnyway. I LOVE THE NO HEAT CURLS and was seriously shocked and amazed at how AWESOME the tutorial worked!!! Seriously, anyone with long enough hair needs to try it. Guys too. Just because. {Hey duded rocked perms and curls in the 70's.}

♪ I feel pretty! Oh so pretty! I feel pretty and witty and.....okay I'm done.♫

CURL ON!

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♥ The Paper Mama: photo challenge

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Fave Emmy Moments 2011

Ty Burrell's Acceptance Speech

“Wow.  Wow.  Thank you so much to the Academy for this honor.  Thank you so much to Fox and ABC for giving me this job.  I actually got kind of a late start in acting and my dad passed away before he ever saw me perform.  And I can’t help but wonder what he would think of all this--that I have a job everyday where I go to work in full makeup.  I think he’d be thrilled that I get to work with such talented and loving people as Julie Bowen, Jesse and Eric, and Ed and Sofia.  And if he were here today, I think he would say, ‘But why the makeup?’"

"Why do you have to look like a harlot? Dad, just think of me as a very masculine lady. I do son." Ty Burrell is one of my favorite actors. He's acted in my most favorite movie of all time and now acts in one of my most favorite shows of all time! He so deserved to win Outstanding Supporting Actor. His speech was both heartwarming and hilarious, I seriously didn't know if I should laugh or cry.

Best Actress in a Comedy Nominees

This was seriously one of the best moments. When they began announcing the nominees Amy Poehler waltzed up to the stage pagent-esque style. When Melissa McCarthy was called next she looked up at Poehler and you could read her lips as she said, "Oh you wanna do this?" and joined Poehler on stage. The rest of the nominees joined them and the winner was announced Miss Universe style. It was brilliant and hilarious!

Melissa McCarthy's Win

Melissa McCarthy's win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy was pure awesomeness. Her reaction was priceless. Her surprise was so genuine, she was so incredibly humble and thankful and most of all DESERVING! As her name was announced she looked in shock and gave a good old fashioned, "OH SHIT!", that we couldn't hear, but was SO obvious! I LOVE Melissa McCarthy and am so glad she won! She is a beautiful, hilarious, and incredibly talented actress!

The Lonely Island Band

This is by far the best musical performance I've ever seen in an awards ceremony. Okay, that may be a tad bit of an overstatement, but seriously, were they not awesome? The SNL derived comedy/music group is beyond brilliant and saying they're merely hilarious just doesn't do them justice. The mix up of their songs was awesome sauce in music format and having Michael Bolton join in full blown Jack Sparrow get up with Akon belting the "I Just Had Sex" lyrics made for one of the best moments of the Emmys last night.

Modern Family Win

Modern Family owned the Emmys last night. They deservingly won Best Supporting Actor and Actress in a Comedy for Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen, as well as Best Direction and Best Writing of a Comedy. My last fave moment was Steve Levitan sharing that he was recently approached by gay couple thanking him because Modern Family makes viewers more tolerant, Levitan agreed: “There’s nothing wrong with a loving, committed relationship between an old man and a hot young woman — and looking around the room tonight, I see many of you agree.”.

Did you catch the Emmys last night? What were your fave moments? What did you think of Jane Lynch hosting? I personally thought she did a fantastic job. She had great jokes and I didn't feel like there were any awkward moments or bombs from her like I've seen in other hosts.

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Musical Monday #18

After watching The Emmys last night I came to the realization that I never, ever share the brilliant and hilarious music I listen to! So enjoy, and laugh, and sing along. Through the laughter of course.



This is quite possibly the ONLY song featuring Michael Bolton you will ever see me associated with. Just saying.

What are you listening to this week?

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Defeating the Stinks- a Rockin' Green GIVEAWAY! {CLOSED}

I've only spent 2 months cloth diapering, and while I LOVE it and would never go back to disposables, I've been dealing with the stinkies for a month now. Half the time I've been cloth diapering. I've been blogging my ordeal, updating when I've tried something new to share the results, venting my frustrations, and to beg for help! After trying literally dozens of different wash routines, soaking, adding water softener, etc. help finally came in the form of Rockin' Green Hard Rock Laundry Detergent!


As soon as I received my samples of Rockin' Green Hard Rock, and a sample of Funk Rock Ammonia Bouncer I got to work! Okay, so the Funk Rock is so new that the sample I got wasn't in any marked packaging so I instead of doing the smart thing and contacting customer service I decided to just follow the directions that were on the Hard Rock detergent. I started with a tub full of super hot water. I threw in 4tbsp. of the Funk Rock, and then added some water I boiled on the stove for good measure. Then I threw in all my dipes for a good long overnight soak. The next day I wrung, rinsed, then did a cycle with the Hard Rock detergent. I was SO excited to use the diapers and see if it worked! Sadly, it didn't. It didn't work. And I wanted to cry. The ammonia was STILL there.

Immediately I did what I should have done in the first place, I emailed Rockin' Green's customer service. {May I add that they have amazing customer service?} I told them my issues and everything I had done. I received a reply almost immediately saying what I had done wrong and instructions on what to do next. Lesson 1: DON'T do overnight soaks with Funk Rock. Lesson 2: Don't mix Hard Rock and Funk Rock.

I cleaned all of my dirty CD's and put Grayson in a GroVia shell with a BioSoaker insert and got to work. I started, per their instructions, "1. Soak your diapers in hot water between 130-150 degrees for several hours, with no detergent or funk rock added.". Done! I then wrung all the water out and threw them in my washer for several hot wash/cold rinse cycles to help rinse out anything "lingering". {I always struggle with just how many "several" really is. I don't know why.} I did four detergent-free wash cycles, and felt that was plenty. I then moved the dipes back to the tub for Step 3: "Complete a one hour soak in hot water between 130-150 degrees with up to 4 Tbsp of Funk Rock (this is good for up to 20 diapers). Complete this step only if you are working on removing ammonia build up from your cloth.". {Which is exactly what I was trying to do.} DONE! I then wrung the diapers out, AGAIN, and moved on to Step 4: " After the one hour Funk Rock soak, complete an full regular wash routine: initial cold rinse or wash, hot wash with regular amount of detergent, 1-2 final cold rinses.". Step 5 was simply, "Dry like normal.".

I don't think I've ever been so nervous in all my life over diapering. I couldn't wait to put a diaper on Grayson and have him pee in it. Never in my life would I have ever imagined wanting to SMELL a pee'd in diaper. {Seriously, what have I become?!} I put him in his last Biosoaker overnight while the diapers dried and waited 'til morning. First thing I put him back in a BumGenius 4.0 and waited. We fell back asleep for a morning nap and when we woke it was time to change him and time to see if my efforts had paid off!

Verdict?

GOD BLESS ROCKIN' GREEN FUNK ROCK! After over a month of battling, the ammonia monster has been defeated! I could seriously jump up and down for joy. No burning hot smell, just PEE.

For anyone battling ammonia, diaper stinkies or even just smelly laundry, mildewy towels, etc. I HAVE to recommend Funk Rock.

About Rockin' Green:

Rockin' Green is an eco friendly detergent that comes in 3 CUSTOM designed formulas! Soft water? Hard water? Middle of the road? Rockin' Green has you covered! Their detergents are dye free, come in several yummy scents {and an unscented version for sensitive skin}, no fillers, no enzymes or optical brighteners, they're 100% phosphate free, vegan, are great for sensitive skin and much more!

Rockin' Green is NOT just a cloth diaper detergent, in fact they're doing a really cool thing right now that they're calling:

You can sign up and receive weekly cleaning tips via email, OR text messages sent straight to your phone! The once a week tips will include laundry tips, household cleaning tips, stain removal, and dish cleaning tips! You can sign up {HERE}.

Now for the best part! One lucky reader will WIN your own 45/90 load bag of Rockin' Green detergent in your choice of formula and scent!!

Disclaimer: Even though I was given free samples for review, all opinions are mine and mine alone, and I have not, nor will I ever receive compensation for this review.  Thank you to Rockin' Green for providing the product for this review and giveaway!
 
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11 Weeks

Grayson is 11 weeks old today although I stopped saying his age in weeks almost 2 weeks ago. I go by months. 2 months, 2.5 months...etc. I can't believe he's going to be 3 months old. He's been an awesome baby.

The kids sleeps like that's his job. I hope that doesn't change. Leah was a good sleeper too until around 4 months and then she gave up the sleep thing and ruined my life. I'm hoping Grayson doesn't do that and I'm hoping to get him in his crib this weekend.

He LOVES being swaddled, and I recently bought a swaddling blanket. When he's fussy we wrap him up like a little sushi roll and he's just happy and content as can be. Mel calls it his straight jacket. I call it awesome sauce. It helps me eat dinner every night!

Nursing is still going great, but it's really one of those things that once you got it, you got it. He still turns his nose up to bottles, but I'm working on finding the right fit for him. Right now he prefers my breast, his paci, and most of all I think, his hand. I'm really beginning to wonder if he'll be a finger sucker. Once he got his thumb in, and once he got his middle and ring finger in, but other than that it's mostly just been his entire fist! He will literally shove the whole thing down his throat hole and gag himself.

He is SO happy and at that age where he'll smile at anything. He lights up in the mornings, I love it. He's beginning to show what he likes, and what he doesn't like.

Likes?
Pacis, boobs, fists, in his mouth.
Music and moving, bouncing, swinging, not being still.
His "straight jacket".
Sleeping.
Bright colors on the tele.
Cloth diapers.
Being lifted up in the air.
Blowing spit bubbles.

Dislikes?
Being hungry.
Bottles.
Being in his car seat and not moving.
Being in the car. {Unless it's moving and the radio is on.}
Being put down.
Loud, sudden sounds.
Dirty diapers.

His personality shines more every day and I love him more each day. He's an amazing person and definitely makes my life better. He's so cute, I could just roll him up in a tortilla and nibble away! He's BIG too. Although I'm not sure how big. I just know he basically skipped 3-6mo. clothes, and even though I put them on him, 6-9mo. is a better fit. I'm excited to find out how much he weighs and how long he is at his next check up. His 2 month check-up is coming soon!

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Remember...

I will always remember, and forever treasure these precious dimples...

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An Olivia Party

Okay, so ever since Grayson's "Hello Baby" meet-the-baby party I've been somewhat obsessed with...I actually don't really know what to call it. I wouldn't say party planning, so much as party design maybe? I had so much fun designing all of the little favors, decorations, and doo dads for G's party I couldn't wait for Joshua and Leah's upcoming birthdays! Joshua was SO indecisive and in the end decided to ditch the birthday party all together and just have a day of fun with his dad. But I still had Leah and her party to pull together!

From the get-go Leah had a really hard time deciding between Olivia and Yo Gabba. I would spend almost every evening searching Olivia and Yo Gabba parties, showing her pictures of birthday cakes, and decorations. Finally, she made her decision and went with Olivia and I was SO excited to get to work!

My original plan was to just order the birthday set online, with the cups, plates, napkins, balloons, etc. and only make a few things to add. Well with extremely low funding it came down to either a birthday present or ordering a super expensive party kit online. Obviously I'm going to go with the birthday present. {Plus, I kinda sorta ran out of time and shipping would have been out the rear end for the supplies to be here in time.}

I had already put together a few things. A banner with Leah's name, and cupcake toppers. But the party would definitely need more than that to be a true Olivia birthday party! I made another, longer banner for the table, treat bag labels, straw labels, and a little 5x7 print for the table. That combined with blue and red balloons, table clothes, bowls, plates, and napkins and it turned out PERFECTLY!

I was so worried about it being "Olivia" enough, but I think I was able to pull it off...

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9•11 Never Forgotten

{This image is a FREE PRINTABLE that you can download and print by Eye Candy Event Details. Please visit Laura and tell her thanks for the freebie!}

My sister posted on Facebook this morning, "If you asked me what I was doing last tuesday, I couldn't tell you...but I know exactly where I was Tuesday September 11, 2001.".

I think that rings true to everyone today. No?

I remember, I was up so early to babysit my next door neighbor and best friends daughter. We were watching Barney {maybe?} when Breaking News broke through, I remember trying to change the channel, but because they didn't have cable it was on EVERY channel. Finally I gave up and watched and when I finally paid attention to what the news was announcing, I couldn't look away...

It's hard to remember all the little details. If I remember correctly I believe that at first they weren't even sure it was terrorists, but then hearing of the other planes going down, and then of course WATCHING the second plane hit, we knew. We knew our country was under attack.

I remember for the first time not being able to call anyone. All circuits were busy. That had never happened before. I remember watching people falling, many jumping to their deaths to escape the burning building. For some reason my mind can't put my memories in order, so I can't remember if I tried calling my mom before or after the second plane hit, I don't remember if the Pentagon was hit first, I don't remember when the news reporter I was listening to broke down into tears, I don't remember when things happened, but I will always remember that they did happen, even if I can't remember when and that I watched them happen.

I remember trying to explain to the 3 year old little girl what was happening. How do you explain that? I remember wondering if anyone I knew was in New York, I remember wondering if we were in any danger. Would there be more attacks? Most of all I remember thinking, "This is the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! We're safe here, stuff like this doesn't happen! It doesn't happen..."

I can't believe it's been 10 years.

Where were you September 11, 2001?

Edited to Add: The towers fell. I don't know how I could forget the horror of watching the towers fall. One by one. Everything I witnessed that day will always and forever be engraved into my memory. Watching shows about 9/11 will always and forever give me chills. As I write this goosebumps are raised on my arms, and a lump holds strong in this throat. So many loved ones lost their lives over something so incredibly senseless.

I swear those lost will never be forgotten, and those responsible will never be forgiven...

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All I want for Christmas is....

My Blog Years I and II Printed into Book Form

I have been wanting to print my blog since my first blog anniversary. It ended up being a lot more expensive than I was expecting and I've had to put it off. The longer I put it off, the more there is to print!

A custom illustration of my family by ♥The Paper Mama. 
I have been in love with Chelsea's illustrations for some time. I would LOVE for a huge one of my family to put above the mantel.

Lens bracelets from Photojojo!
I think any photog needs these. They're fan-freakin-tastic.

A family necklace with all of my babies names and birthstones!
I've always wanted something with all of the kids birthstones, but the rings and necklaces I've always seen were either gaudy or cheesy. This is perfection.

The Walking Dead comics volumes 4-15
I have 1-3 and have been dying to get my hands on the 4th for-EVER!

Canon 18-55mm Lens.
Funny enough, this it the kit lens that most people don't use and usually sell to upgrade to something better. But I want one.

OPI Nail Polish Femme De Cirque Collection
I have a very intense love for nail polish. Particularly OPI. And I am loving this new collection!

Shutterfly Gift Certificate
I LOVE Shutterfly photo books, and I have MANY that need to be made!




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