I spy with my little eye...

Miss Maryclaire is growing like a weed. Really, I am surprised by her stats since Asher has always been on the small side (consistently in the 20th percentiles.) Now, I know she is still really tiny (our pedi. calls her "petite"), but she's grown so much since birth! And look what I spy with my little eye...a budding fat roll! Ahhh, I love it!!! Can't wait 'til I can nibble on this little thigh!

Show us your life-Beauty Tips and Tricks

I am participating in Kelly's Korner "Show us your life" blog series. Every week she assigns a topic to blog about...sometimes its about your home, kids, family and this week it's about beauty tips and tricks. Now, keep in mind this is coming from a stay at home mama of two kiddos, one being 8 wks old. My tips and tricks are few these days, but I do have a few survival tips that make me feel somewhat normal these days. On a typical day, I spend about 35 minutes from shower to shoes getting ready. This is what I aim to look like on a normal day...and believe me, it doesn't always happen! This picture was taken yesterday when I was able to get ready while both kids napped...it was after 1:00 by the time that happenend!



1. Shower every morning. I recently read a shower is worth 2 hrs of sleep and i wholeheartedly agree. It makes me feel like a normal, productive person...not to mention it helps me LOOK like a normal productive person. Taking a shower does not mean a gussy up afterward. Most often I put on sweats or something that can be spit-up on :) And, I often have to choose between a shower and some type of chore, like cleaning my kitchen or folding a load of laundry. I always choose the shower, because in the long run it's going to pay off more than cleaning my kitchen!

2. Learn what your hair wants to do and go with it. Although I would love to blow dry my hair straight everyday, its not always going to happen-a baby cries, a boy needs breakfast, etc. My hair is naturally wavy and it took me about 20 years to quit fighting it and learn how to style it. On days I just don't have time, it looks like the picture above, which I'm aware isn't fantastic, but works nonetheless without me looking like a hobo.


3. Make-up is never optional for me! I at least put on mascara and blush everyday. It's scary walking by a mirror and thinking "Who is that haggard looking woman?" Mascara and blush take less than 60 seconds to apply. And if it's a really bad day and I can only do one, its blush...gotta add some color and life to that face! My Mil got me the Lancome Beauty Buster Box for Christmas and when I have time, I LOVE to play in it and get all pretty! Sadly, those occasions are few and far between.

As a busy, busy Mama these are about the onyl tips and tricks I got up my sleeve. If anybody has any tips or tricks to hide the post baby belly I'm sporting, send them my way!

Snow!

We got just a little snow last night...about 1-2 inches, just enough play in. First thing Asher and I did after breakfast was get dressed to go out and play. Many layers later we headed out just for a little while. Vaughn watched Maryclaire while we tried to build a snow monster (yes, i said monster). We were unsuccessful because the snow was just too powdery. We had fun anyway in the short time we stayed out. I think it took us as long to get dressed as we stayed outside-Ha!


By 3:00, all the snow had melted. Asher was really sad because we never got to build the snow monster-maybe next time. I keep saying I'm going to buy him some snow clothes since we keep getting snow. Notice he has socks on his hands-Ha! He actually has some little mittens, but I couldn't find them. Under those "gloves" and shoes are plastic bags to keep his little toes and fingers dry. I just know the minute I go buy him some decent snow gear I'll jinx our chance of ever seeing the stuff again!

Juggling

If you are a Mama, then I know you are well versed at multitasking. Most often, I start my days with my feet running, doing at least three thing at once. Almost every morning I fix breakfast, dress a kid and gulp my coffee all at the same time. And, with the addition of Maryclaire, I have learned I can do almost anything one handed!

With all that juggling I feel like I could put on my clown face and join the circus. And while sometimes I feel like supermom, other times I feel like a complete failure because at some point in the circus act, the clown is going to drop a ball. Since Maryclaire's arrival my duties have increased tenfold. I'd forgotten how much time it takes just to diaper a newborn! Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining-I love serving my family and I love that I am able to stay at home and take care of family's needs. But, the inevitable happened with all the changes in my everyday duties-I dropped a ball. I'm not going to say just what ball I dropped, but it was a pretty important one (No, we're not getting our power cut off and we still have food to eat in the pantry!).

I felt/feel terrible. I really didn't even realize the ball had dropped until it was pointed out to me. But there it was, motionless, begging to be picked back up and put in the game. And I am working on just that...getting all my balls back in a groove. I'm sure it won't be the last time I neglect something in my life, I just pray the next ball I drop is just as forgivable.

With the stresses of everyday life, have you dropped a ball lately? Remember it's never too late to pick it up and put back in your act. Right now, I am thankful I have so many blessing to juggle.

Smoothe Moves

My boy has some moves! Asher has recently started to dance, dance, dance. Often we'll turn on the radio and just shake our booties 'til we're worn out. And these days, I need to move it as much a I can! This mommy body needs some work...but that's a post for another day! For now, get a little giggle out of this video. Anybody see a budding John Travolta?

Hello, Sunshine!

After several wet, rainy and cold days we welcomed the sunshine today. We took advantage of the warmer temps (although still pretty chilly) and got outside for a bit. Everyone seemed to enjoy the change in scenery except Miss Priss who does not enjoy the sun in her eyes. Even in the shade she squints and cries. We're going to have to reckon with that one because come spring we live outdoors. Here's a few pics of all of us enjoying the day...even the dogs were soaking up the sun.

Asher funnies

Asher says so many things that crack us up lately. We have to be careful not to laugh in front of him because he gets self conscious about it. He's only three! I hope maybe I can teach him to laugh at himself like we do. I thought I'd share a few funnies as of late.

"Where does jelly come from? jellyfish?"

Some of these need to be prefaced with additional info. I exclusively nurse Maryclaire and have explained to Asher in a round about way that she eats what I eat when I feed her. While we were eating turkey burgers for dinner the other night Asher asks, "Mommy, is baby sister going to eat that hamburger out of your boobie?" Oh lord, neither Vaughn or I could keep a straight face. We were laughing so hard I think we forgot to give him an answer!

Later that same evening, we were discussing with Asher where his food comes from. He knows that hamburgers come from cows...just not HOW they come from cows. He was asking the specifics on this issue, so I countered him and asked how he thought cows made hambugers. This is what he said. "I think they eat the hamburgers and then they come out of their poop." Again, a straight face I could not keep.

I wish I could remember to write down all the funny things he says! I love this kid and love it when he keeps us cracking up!