pregnancy update: week 33

I skipped a week of updates because the Christmas holiday took everything out of me. I'm still recovering. But now, I'm back on track and ready to face these last few days of the year and the last few weeks of pregnancy head on.

This marks 33 weeks of pregnancy for me. Again, just like in my pregnancy update: week 31, I decided to condense the most important info from a few major sites so we wouldn't have to all go looking for information in a million different places. So here we goooo!!

Baby's Development -
From Babycenter.com:

• baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (about that of a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark
•  rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and skeleton is hardening
•  bones in skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier to fit through the birth canal

From WhatToExpect.com:

• still gaining weight at about half a pound a week
• could grow up to an inch this week
• amniotic-fluid level has maxed out
• antibodies are being passed from you to your little one as she continues to develop her own fetal immune system

From I-Am-Pregnant.com:

• with the exception of crying, your baby is capable of doing everything that a newborn baby will do
• baby sleeps a lot of the time
• when your baby is awake, she is listening, feeling and learning
• baby will probably have settled into the birth position by now and your caregiver can most likely tell which way your baby is presenting
• if baby were to be born now, the lungs would probably be strong enough to function properly, but baby may still need extra care from specially trained doctors and nurses
• baby's eyes open during alert times and close during sleep
• eye color is usually blue, regardless of the permanent color as pigmentation is not fully developed

Mother's Development -
From Babycenter.com:

• you may find yourself waddling
• finding an easy position to sit in — let alone sleep — is becoming more of a challenge
• you may be feeling some achiness and even numbness in your fingers, wrists, and hands

 From WhatToExpect.com:

• third-trimester insomnia strikes about three-quarters of pregnant women
• third-trimester fatigue can sometimes trigger headaches
• if your belly is aching when you change positions or get up suddenly, you could be suffering from round ligament pain
• pregnancy hormones can make nails grow faster but can also cause them to become brittle
• your belly button may have popped out by now
• may experience shortness of breath because of your growing belly
• a bigger belly means a shift in your center of gravity and that can spell clumsiness
• forgetfulness may be present, and studies show that women who are pregnant with girls tend to experience this more
• braxton-hicks contractions may continue up until actual labor

From I-Am-Pregnant.com

• most women experience an increased urge to urinate
• your uterus has actually grown 500 times throughout your pregnancy
• red blood cell production catches up with the production of plasma and physiological anemia may begin to fade at this time

For me, I think mostly everything is true. My biggest complaints this week are peeing 300 times a day, 3 times a night, and this awful heartburn. But, I was reading online and a natural remedy for heartburn is chewing gum. They say the increased saliva production from chewing gum helps neutralize acid, and last night, it totally worked for me! I was so happy.

When I went to the doctor last week, he said the baby is sideways again, not head down like the week before, so a c-section could still be on the table. He also mentioned trying to turn the baby himself but I don't even want to get into that mode of thinking until we confirm next week with another ultrasound. If she hasn't moved by that point, we will discuss options.

I have this weird feeling that something is going to happen soon. I have been having a lot of cramps and some consistent contractions lately. I wouldn't be surprised to find I was dilated if he decides to do an exam. I have been in a lot more pain, of course, because I'm getting bigger and bigger. The hardest thing to do in the world is just to GET UP from a sitting or laying position. Once I'm up, it only hurts for a few minutes, but the actual process of getting up hurts like hell. Rolling over in bed is traumatic sometimes, if I am not paying attention to every small movement I make. And standing or walking too much? Forget it! I know I need to keep moving a little, but yesterday I made dinner and I was standing for probably two hours in the kitchen. My stomach was hard as a rock for an hour after and I could barely enjoy my dinner because everything was hurting so much.

I know, its all complaining. I can't help it. I'm miserable. BUT, we are looking forward to a new baby. We still find it hard to believe that another unique combination of us is going to be born in the next month or so, and how it is going to feel fitting her into our family. We can't wait.

So, that's it for now. I think my next post might be on baby names, that should be fun. Good luck to all the pregnant mamas reading this, and I hope things go smoothly from here on out. Try to rest, I'll be wishing I could!

mommy party sponsored by pregnancy 2.0

Last weekend I had the opportunity to host a Mommy Party sponsored by Pregnancy 2.0. I received a bunch of awesome products from Britax, BabyPlus, Xlear, and Snuggle Buddies. I was able to give away a lot of free products (full size samples) and even some awesome baby gear.

Britax has been my favorite brand of baby gear since my oldest was born. So, for 7 years, I have always looked to their products first, because they have consistently performed as the highest rated when it comes to safety. What could be more important?

The following products were provided by Britax:

B-Agile Stroller
Product Features-

• One had quick fold with automatic chassis lock
• Click & Go integrated adapter system works with BRITAX CHAPERONE and B-SAFE infant car seats Travel System Compatible with other major infant car seat brands, including Graco, Chicco, and Peg Perego, when used with BRITAX infant car seat adapter (sold separately)
• Lightweight aluminum frame (16.5 lbs total weight)
• No re-thread, adjustable, five-point harness and head pad with reflective binding
• Infinite seat recline positions
• Large under seat storage and additional pocket with zipper
• Linked parking brake locks both rear wheels
• Three-wheel design provides improved steering and maneuverability
• All-Wheel Suspension provides for a smooth ride
• Frame designed for stride clearance
• Large canopy with ventilation window
• Included Accessories: BRITAX CLICK & GO infant car seat receivers
• MSRP (USD) $249.99

(Info from Britax.com - more info and specs available on their website)

B-Safe Infant Car Seat

Product Features-

• Side Impact Protection distributes crash forces, shields from vehicle intrusion, and contains the head and body
• Tangle-Free, Five-Point Harness distributes crash forces across the strongest parts of the body and provides a secure fit
• Energy-Absorbing Foam Liner absorbs and distributes crash forces
• Four Harness Heights and Two Buckle Positions for your growing child
• Removable Comfort Pillow, shoulder pads, and belly pad provide extra comfort
• Stroller Compatible Design Integrated CLICK & GO adapter system works with BRITAX B-Series strollers.
• Lightweight and travel-friendly for vehicle and stroller compatibility
• Adjustable Base has five positions for proper seat angle and positioning
• 30-pound Weight Capacity for safety and comfort through the first years
• Large Multiple Position Canopy blocks wind, rain, and harmful UV rays from baby's sensitive skin
• Ergonomic Carry-Handle designed to contour to forearm to allow for more comfortable carrying of child in car seat
• Premium Lower LATCH Connectors for a quick and simple installation featuring a push button for easy release
• Built-in Lock-Offs ensure a snug lap and shoulder belt installation with minimal effort
• Front Harness Adjuster provides effortless front adjustment when loosening the harness system
• Easy-to-Read Level Indicators provide quick reference for proper angle of recline
• Easy-to-Install Seat-to-Base Design self-guides car seat into proper locked position
• Easy-to-Install Base with LATCH Connector Storage (Included)
• Certified for Aircraft Travel
• MSRP (USD) $179.99

Baby Carrier

Product Features-

(From Britax.com) The BRITAX BABY CARRIER has been designed to provide the highest level of long-wearing comfort for both you and your growing baby. The BRITAX BABY CARRIER features the CarryLong System, which reduces the risk of back and shoulder strain during extended wear by distributing weight across the shoulders, back and hips.

Not only does the BRITAX BABY CARRIER offer superior levels of comfort, but it is versatile as well. The ergonomic carrier allows you to face your baby inward towards you or outward to face the world, and accommodates infants from eight pounds to toddlers up to 32 pounds.

• CarryLong System with padded waist belt and shoulder straps, distributes weight across shoulders, back and hips for maximum extended wear comfort
• Weight Capacity accommodates infants from 8 pounds to toddlers up to 32 pounds
• Removable Infant Insert ensures a comfortable, natural sitting position for smaller babies
• Multiple Carrying Positions offer parent versatility to face baby inward or outward
• Padded Leg Openings protect baby’s legs
• Open and Contoured Design for breathability and temperature management
• Simple Slip On & Off Design makes use quick and effortless
• One-Handed Buckles and Snaps allow you to get your child in and out of the carrier easily
• Harness Straps adjust from front of carrier for proper customized fit
• Easy-Adjust Waist Belt accommodates 22 inches to 56 inches for the perfect fit
• Excess Belt Storage Bands eliminate loose straps
• Machine Washable for easy cleaning
• 100% Cotton Machine Washable Bib (included) protects carrier from stains
• Adjustable Head Support provides head and neck stability for younger infants
• Leg Loops reduce the size of leg openings for 8-11 pound infants for secure fit
• Secure Harness and Pouch Design ensures that baby will stay securely within the carrier
• Exceeds all ASTM F2236-09a and CPSIA requirements
• JPMA certified
• MSRP (USD) $129.99

The following products were provided by Xlear: 

Kid's Spry Tooth Gel with Dispenser Pacifier

All- Natural, Safe to Swallow for age 3 months and up

This product contains xylitol with helps to clean and soothe infant gums and teeth. You dentist can give you more information on the benefits of xylitol. The dispensing pacifier makes it easy to administer to your baby. 

Kid's Xlear Saline Nasal Spray

With xylitol, safe for all ages, no side effects

This product soothes and moisturizes sinus and nasal passages for your little one. When given, it helps to wash away pollutants and airborne contaminants. This product is all-natural and drug free.

Spry Chewing Gum

Dental Defense System, Sugarfree, contains all-natural xylitol

Ask your dentist about more information about including xylitol in your dental regimen and about its benefits.

Spry also provided a diaper bag. For more information on these products visit their website at xlear.com.

The following products were provided by Snuggle Buddies:

Little Monkey and Mary Jane Bunny Snuggle Buddies

These Snuggle Buddies are super-soft and a perfect choice for a security blanket and toy combination. There are different colors and characters to choose from. Check out their website at Snugglebuddyonline.com.

The following product was provided by BabyPlus:

BabyPlus Prenatal Education System

(From Babyplus.com) BabyPlus is an audio device that introduces patterns of sound to prenatal children in the only language they understand – the maternal heartbeat. As a baby discriminates the simple rhythmic sounds of BabyPlus from those of the mother, learning begins.

  Babies at birth and infancy

• More readily nurse
• Have increased ability to self-sooth
• Are more interactive and responsive, and
• Are more relaxed and alert at birth.

And later in life, these children demonstrate

• Earlier developmental milestones
• Improved school readiness and intellectual abilities
• Greater curiosity and independence, and
• Longer attention spans.

I received this system and I have to say I'm impressed with the research and the promise of the product. This prenatal education system is intended to be used from about 16 weeks on through pregnancy. I am too far along to use it as were the guests in attendance, so I will be giving this product away soon! It has a suggested retail value of $149.00. To learn more about the prenatal education system, please visit Babyplus.com.
As you can see, this was one amazing product lineup. The most awesome part is that all of this was sponsored 100% by these awesome companies and I was told I would be able to keep or giveaway the Britax products, the Snuggle Buddies, and the BabyPlus system to few lucky attendees. The giftbags for every attendee included many valuable coupons, full-sized product samples of all the Xlear products, and a lot of informational brochures on these products for parents or soon-to-be parents to learn more. 



Here are a few pics of the party:

One of the mamas showing her love for Britax.

Testing out the Britax B-Safe car seat.

A BIG THANK YOU to the sponsors of this Mommy Party, and a thank you to my guests!

happy birthday, friend

Today, one of my best friends, celebrates her 28th birthday. Happy Birthday, Andrea!

My beautiful friend

diy felt christmas tree tutorial

 

Oooooh, my first do-it-yourself tutorial ever. In keeping with the season, I thought I'd share the first Christmas craft I've done this year, and well, ever.

slightly radical christmas??

Okay, so remember my post about our radical christmas? Feel free to read it again and rub it in my face. I'm still sticking by my values, don't get me wrong. We aren't spending a ton of money on toys they will barely play with and break. We are just doing a compromise. Yeah, I can blame it on Mr. Handsome here, and say he wasn't really feeling the whole exclusively-handmade Christmas from the beginning. I mean, he liked a few of the ideas, but I think he felt slightly excluded and I'm not absolutely positive, but maybe the fact that I hadn't been able to find time to start even one gift yet and Christmas is next week. Maybe that had something to do with it? My bad. So, this Christmas will still be kind of different. We aren't going overboard, I'm still making a few gifts. Don't judge me too hard. I'm the first one to admit when I've promised too much. Unless you're a credit card company, then I might leave you hanging for a while. Ha!

all things baby: the vaccine book review and giveaway

Gone are the days when all parents stick to the norm and do as they are told when it comes to their children. Some still do, but nowadays lots of parents are interested in knowing as much as they can and making informed decisions when it comes to their children. I discussed this in a previous post of mine: What Every New Parent Should Know. Statistically, this is my most viewed post on this site. What this tells me is that a majority of people who have come across this humble blog of mine are hungry for information when it comes to their children. This is awesome news. In an effort to keep the momentum going, I decided to review The Vaccine Book, written by one of the most respected and well-known pediatricians, perhaps ever, Dr. Robert Sears. In addition to offering a review, I am giving away a new copy to one lucky reader as part of my All Things Baby Event. Even if you don't win the giveaway, I encourage everyone to research the topic of vaccines and vaccine safety because there is a wealth of information available.

My review:
The most positive thing I have to say about this book is that the doctor clearly states his intention of writing such an important and well-researched book. Yes, he is a doctor, so many would believe that his bias rests with pro-vaccine groups. But this book isn't meant to serve as a pro vs anti-vaccine group media. Instead, it is meant to offer clear information that many parents are eager to know before they even make the decision of being pro or anti-vaccines. What more can we ask for as parents?

The book includes the vaccine schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and many other references. The first twelve chapters covers each of the 12 vaccines currently being recommended. Each vaccine is covered in detail, as far as a definition, how common it is, when it is given, how it is made, the ingredients and any controversial concerns with them, possible side effects, and common reasons for giving and/or not giving the vaccine to your children. He discusses available options for each vaccine, in detail, and gives his personal opinion on each disease and his experience, if any, in his practice of medicine. There is a lot of information to consider for each vaccine and each disease, and I was pleasantly surprised that there were so many details and options to consider.

The additional chapters discuss combination vaccines, travel vaccines, other special situations, and even adult vaccines. There are comprehensive chapters on vaccine safety research, side effects, the available research on vaccines and autism, more information on ingredients, alternative vaccine schedules, and there is even additional information regarding vaccines in Canada.

This book offers so much information in one place, and is a great start to your own personal research if you are interested in doing any. Personally, I am. If any of you are interested in doing the same, check this book out. Also, don't forget to enter the giveaway for your chance at a free copy.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

all things baby event!!

I'm excited to announce the All Things Baby Event here on Everything Goes With Pink!

I'm in my last trimester of pregnancy, and things are really getting close now! I can't believe that in the next several weeks we will have our baby girl #4! Needless to say, I have been there and done that with several maternity, breastfeeding and baby products over the last seven years! I decided to share my experiences with some of the best products I have used, will continue to use, and have decided to try for baby girl #4. The All Things Baby Event will include reviews, giveaways, and more, all while trying to still provide informative posts and guest posts about this experience.

I hope you are as excited as I am, whether you're still pregnant or adjusting to life with a baby. It's all a learning experience, even for me still. Let's share our journey, learn a few things, and experience some awesome products along the way!

Tomorrow will be the first giveaway for this event! Be sure to check back tomorrow to enter.

Look for this button on future posts included in the event!

*For companies or individuals looking to sponsor this giveaway, please see my contact/media kit page.

things i like thursday: food edition

Happy Thursday everyone. I hope yours is going well. Mine started off a little painfully. Looks like the typical pregnancy leg cramps have arrived. Why they decided to show up at 1am is beside me. Thank you, Mother Nature, for that rude awakening. Literally. Today I'm going to write about a few things I like when it comes to food. I love food.  I seem to have a problem with it lately, because my mouth takes in far more than my brain knows I should. Regardless of that, I am going to share a few of my most recently used recipes and one I'd like to try in the near future. These have all been tested by yours truly, and I know food. Trust me.

scotch-brite botanical review

I did some cleaning this morning, just like most days, so I thought I'd offer a free product review for anyone who cares about that sort of thing. Chances are, if you're responsible for the shopping in your household, you might. I have been trying to find ways of going "green", like a lot of people these days. While I have been called a tree hugger in my day, my biggest concern is actually just having a safe household for my growing girls. With this in mind, I decided to purchase Scotch-Brite Botanical Disinfecting Wipes.

pregnancy update: week 31

Even though this is my 4th pregnancy and I know what to expect for the most part, I still like to read about the development of the baby and what's happening with my body. I use all sorts of resources. I skip around from site to site and see if they all say the same thing, or if anyone can tell me something new or different than the last. I'm willing to bet I'm not alone, so I thought this week I'd gather up some unique information from a few sites and put them all in one place. I did not repeat information shared on two or more sites.

mommy party sponsored by Oral-B Stages

On Friday, we had another mommy party! This was a Winnie the Pooh Movie Night sponsored by Oral-B Stages. All of the kids had such a good time. They really enjoyed the new Winnie the Pooh Movie and the products they received, all courtesy of Oral-B. These were the items that were sent to me for the party and that I gave out to the attendees:

• Oral-B Stage I Brushes
• Oral-B Stage II Brushes
• Oral-B Stages Pastes
• (11) Bottles of Disney Lavender Wash
• Disney’s Winnie the Pooh Movie DVD
• Balloons
• Popcorn for guests
• Guest Gift Bags

The kids had a blast playing with the balloons and dancing to the songs in the movie. We made this a pajama movie party, with tons of blankets, pillows, a bean bag, and big stuffed animals. We served some refreshments just like we were at the movies. After the movie, we handed out the gift bags and everyone was so excited to get the cool products. The moms were thrilled to get some awesome new products that they knew they could use, and the kids loved the Disney characters that were on all of their new stuff. My kids are still playing with the flash card set that was included in the package. They are even more excited about brushing their teeth than they were before.

All the attendees and I want to thank Mommy Parties, and especially Oral-B for providing a night full of fun and a chance to try out these awesome products!

Take a look at a few pics from our party:

 

The AWESOME party pack provided by Oral-B Stages. 

 Relaxing and watching the movie after playing with all the balloons.

Even the 1 yr olds loved the movie.

 He loves the baby wash.

 Perfect handsome model.

 She loves it all!

Thank you to everyone who came, and I hope you all enjoyed yourself. I'm really looking forward to our next party!

*Disclaimer: I was selected by MomSelect and Mega Bloks to host this party. I received free product to keep and to give to my guests in exchange for my post. I was not compensated in any other way and all opinions are 100% mine.

some eye candy and my pick for UFC 140

With all this talk of "defining our own girlhood", I thought I'd take a step in that direction and talk about one of my favorite sports. Ok, it is my favorite sport. First, let me preface the details by saying I'm really not much of a sports person. I always see tons of people on Facebook talking about football this time of  year, but I can't say I'm a fan. I know some people wouldn't be surprised, but there are a lot of ladies out there who really get into it, and mostly with their guys. That's cool. I think it just gives couples another way to bond. And then for some, it's during basketball season, and yes, I know, not always just because of a guy. For me, I'm pretty glad I met a guy who isn't crazy about sports. I've also heard a lot of women complain about how sports crazy some guys are. Mine isn't. But trust me, he is as manly as they come. He played some sports growing up, and he is overall an athletic type. Before these little girls of ours took over his life and subsequently, his spare time, he used to be a gym rat. So, I've made my case, he's manly. But again, I'm glad that he isn't sports crazy, mostly because I'm not. I'd hate to have to sacrifice so many days to a sport I have no interest in. There is one sport he's really into, and I just so happen to love it, too. UFC fighting!

first book review and giveaway!!

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to the winner, Jenny "Lemke" Anwar! Please check your email for notification and send your address back within 48 hours. 

Thank you to everyone who joined the giveaway! Stick around because I will be having more cool giveaways in the coming weeks! 

Giveaway winner was chosen by http://random.org 





 

I'm happy to finally host my first giveaway here on Pink. My first item is a book and it's just in time for the Christmas Holiday! This book was sent to me from Colleen's Book Nook.  The item is Christmas Baking for Children from Usborne, written by Fiona Patchett and beautifully illustrated by Nancy Leschnikoff.

This book has 47 pages to guide you through a great Christmas baking experience. The illustrations will appeal to both young and old alike. It is written so that kids can follow along easily, but it is so much fun that any adult who enjoys baking will love it, too. It has a baking skills section to start you off in the right direction, and then jumps right into the recipes. There are recipes for cookies, shortbread, brownies, cupcakes and more. It also has sections devoted to toppings and fillings, decorating ideas, and wrapping ideas if you decide to give out your treats as a gift.

The illustrations are very cute. The cookies and other treats look delicious! Any child would love to help create or receive these special Christmas desserts and any adult can follow the easily written directions. This book is good for beginners, like me, but anyone can gain inspiration from the beautiful pictures of the finished products.

A few notable recipes include:

• White Chocolate Brownies
• Chocolate Christmas Cake
• Stained Glass Window Cookies
• Shortbread

I will be leaving the giveaway open until Friday at 12pm PST - so that I can mail it out that afternoon and you can get it with plenty of time for some Christmas Baking!

First here are a few rules:

This giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada only. 

The winning entry will be verified.

The winner will be chosen via Random.org

The winner has 48 hours to respond to notification email or a new winner will be chosen.

This giveaway is open from posting time until Dec 9, 12pm PST.

 

And finally, here is how you can enter! Enter as many times as you'd like.

• One Entry - Follow on one of the following: Google Friend Connect, GooglePlus, Subscribe to RSS, or Subscribe by email. Come back and leave a comment telling me which one you chose. (You can find all subscription options on the sidebar of the blog.)
• One Entry - "Like" Everything Goes With Pink on Facebook and come back to leave a comment telling me that you did. 
• One Entry - Follow me on Twitter. Come back and leave a comment telling me that you did. 
• One Entry - Facebook Share this giveaway (via FB icon below this post). Leave a comment that you did. 
• One Entry - Tweet about this giveaway (via Twitter icon below this post). Leave a comment that you did. 

Good luck to everyone entering. I am looking forward to offering more cool products that I think everyone will like. I will be definitely trying to mix it up for all the readers! I will post the winner on Dec 9th, shortly after the deadline.

forget Big Brother, this is Big Mother.

This is a post about censorship and mind control. Read on.

Luciana at her first concert, signing the Jonas Brothers' Bus.

Never thought that I'd be one of those old people muttering about "kids these days and their music". But, alas, I am. No, I don't really care if you want to fill your head with the gospel of Lil' Wayne or the lyrical insight of Katy Perry. Do your thug thizzle (that's gangster talk for 'do your thing', in case you were confused). I just can't stand the thought of my 7yr old daughter's fascination with all things "mainstream", especially music.

pregnancy update: week 30 - continued!

Sorry for the cliffhanger! If you missed the first part, you can read it here.

Where was I? Oh yes, so I went in to labor and delivery. I decided to go to the county hospital because it is about two minutes away from my house. After sitting in the waiting room watching Spanish television for twenty minutes I finally got called back. They took me back to a room where there was another girl waiting for a room. Poor thing, she was in labor and she was all by herself. We were separated by a curtain the entire time, so I bet she felt really isolated. I hate hospitals.

pregnancy update: week 30

 Pregnant women! They had that weird frisson, an aura of magic that combined awkwardly with an earthy sense of duty. Mundane, because they were nothing unique on the suburban streets; ethereal because their attention was ever somewhere else. Whatever you said was trivial. And they had that preciousness which they imposed wherever they went, compelling attention, constantly reminding you that they carried the future inside, its contours already drawn, but veiled, private, an inner secret.
-- Ruth Morgan

I've had an interesting past few days, as far as my pregnancy is concerned. On Thursday morning, I took a solo trip to Walmart to pick up some ingredients so I could make my sick little babies some homemade chicken soup. Of course, I ended up buying way more than I intended. This means I spent more time walking through the huge store. About halfway through my journey, I noticed that my stomach kept getting tight, like I was having contractions.

feelin' soulful

 A person however learned and qualified in his life's work in whom gratitude is absent, is devoid of that beauty of character which makes personality fragrant.
-Hazrat Inayat Khan

I had the opportunity to guest post over at the Soulful Coach Blog for their Gratitude Project. I've been thinking a lot about gratitude lately. I mean true gratitude. I think of this mostly when I think about my girls and how I want to raise them. I think there is a big difference between teaching children to be polite and say thank you, and teaching them what it means to be truly thankful for something or someone. Don't get me wrong, a little thank you goes a long way. Although we shouldn't make every choice to help someone with the intent of expecting gratitude in return, I know I have went far out of my way to help some individuals and not even getting a simple thank you made me question some things. Not so much whether I would help people again, but more about what could truly be going on in this person's head, let alone their heart. Kids don't always remember to say thank you, but I truly hope that with guidance from me via discussions and setting the right example, I truly hope that my girls grow up understanding why they should feel gratitude for the things that happen in their lives. The last thing I want is for my children to grow up with an unwavering sense of entitlement or a lack of consideration for another's sacrifice in their favor.

I really think parents should be conscious of their role and responsibility when it comes to focusing on the content of their child's character. In addition, our own character should reflect these qualities that we hope to see in our children. For my guest post at The Soulful Coach, I decided to write on Lessons on Gratitude. It is relatively heavy material compared to what readers are used to here at Pink, but it is definitely me (yes, I'm heavy and getting heavier by the day) and it is something I hope can stimulate a little thinking. Click here to visit the Soulful Coach Blog and read what I had to say. I'd love some feedback if you got it!

megabloks mommy party

I finally got to host my first mommy party, sponsored by MegaBloks. It really turned out to be a lot of fun for the kids, and the parents, too. MegaBloks sent 10 goody bags for the kids who came to our play date. The kids were so excited to be able to take home their very own set, and the parents all had a great time helping them play! We had just enough block sets for each child who came, it worked out perfectly.

pregnancy update: week 29

I know on my last pregnancy related post I promised that I didn't like to complain too much. But if I can't complain here, on my own blog, to you, dear readers, who the heck can I complain too? Nobody else wants to hear it. Besides, pregnancy gives us so many excuses, doesn't it? I think so. You don't want to argue with a pregnant woman.

So, it's week 29 and I'm right in the thick of pregnancy hell. You know, the pregnancy hell that punishes us for all our pregnancy sins. Sins like eating too much, eating too late in the day, eating the wrong foods, doing too much around the house, walking or standing too long, and other sins of the maternal flesh. Even though this is the fourth time I've been through this, I always wait until its too late to repent. Now, I'm suffering the consequences. Pray for me. I am trying to still hold on to the beautiful part of this journey. I feel it most when I lay, alone, and feel the little one moving around. She needs me.

adventures in self-hood: volume 1

This attempt at writing about myself has been brewing inside me for quite some time. Years, maybe, but I started writing it back in September. It is a commentary on a tale of a personal evolution, one that progressed without the realization that it was even happening. Then, when I realized it was in fact happening, it was here. I changed. I grew. Of course I understand that this process will not stop here. I am experimenting with who I am still. I am like a ball of clay in the hands of those closest to me. I am being molded in many directions. Sometimes, like a only a surreal Dali painting might be able to capture, my own slender hands extend from the ball of clay and I attempt to mold myself. I am still growing with them. It's quite the adventure.

weaning a one year old

Every nursing relationship eventually comes to an end. Weaning an infant under one year of age is different than weaning an older baby or toddler. In this post, I am talking about weaning an older baby or toddler and when that time comes, so many different emotions can come into play. These emotions may range from negative emotions like resentment, apprehension, sadness, guilt or they may also include positive emotions like relief, pride, a sense of accomplishment and a sense of closure.

 Maternity - Pablo Picasso

When you start the weaning process, things can be easy or they can be downright difficult and seem impossible. After successfully nursing 3 children for a combined total of about 4 years, I can definitely say that every experience is different. These are a few things I have learned in my varied experiences, with very different babies.

third trimester woes

I try not to complain too much, I honestly do. But this is getting out of hand. I'm now 28 weeks pregnant and in my third trimester. I have to say that these third trimester aches and pains are the worst I have experienced so far, after having 3 other babies. Heck, the first trimester morning all day sickness made it sort of awful from the beginning. I was throwing up almost every single day. I did feel better after, but I mean, I couldn't even walk from one room to another without consciously trying to fight back the urge to throw up. And actually going out and doing anything was torture. Grocery shopping was the worst! All the sights, sounds, and smells irritated the life outta me. It was as if I was on sensory overload and had to stop, close my eyes, and put my hand over my mouth just to stay in control. I threw up in the Albertson's bathroom at least three times. I tried Sea Bands, those seemed to give me a headache. I tried sucking on hard candy, but that was only a temporary fix that made me feel slightly more nauseous after. The only thing that truly helped was laying down, particularly on my right side. You can imagine what that did for things on the home front. I didn't want to get up to do anything! I would sometimes let an entire day pass without cleaning one thing. Finally, relief came with the second trimester. I had a new found sense of energy, I was able to do everything I needed. My house got the attention it deserved, my girls realized that mama would get up to chase them if I needed to lay the smack down, and I could get up and make Erik's lunch at 3:45am without feeling like I was going to die. Life was good, for now.

funny friday: vol 2

Yes it is late, but here we are again. I started off trying to write something with meaning and purpose but I'm fresh out. I'm just happy its Friday! Thought I'd share some more funny pics with you guys. They made me laugh this morning. Have a great night and a great weekend! No drinking and driving!!! I'm serious!!

I'll be sitting on the couch for some "me" time, watching movies, pigging out, and maybe even falling asleep while doing one of those. I'm happy.

 Not that I have a problem with excessive Twitter use, but it is pretty funny.

 This made me laugh out loud. That's not hard to do. I'm laughing now. 

 

Just a reminder that things can always be worse.

  Hil-air-ee-us.

Goodnight everyone! Be safe.

our radical christmas

When I think of the Christmas celebrations we have already had and when I think of how many we will have in our family lifetime, I think, why not throw a little curve ball in there? Just for the heck of it, try something new and see how it flies with the troops. Not that they have a whole lot of say or anything. So, it didn't actually unfold in this linear thought progression, it kind of just sprung itself on me one afternoon while I was planning some crafting projects for my girls. Homemade Christmas gifts? I started seeing cute little games I could make, jewelry, a doll house someone made from recycled materials. Think bookshelves and old wood pieces not aluminum cans or  plastic bottle type recyclables, I mean, I don't want them turning into bums. Basically, I just saw really cute homemade Christmas gift ideas that cost a fraction of what popular commercial toys cost and knowing my girls, they would love some of these handmade gifts, especially if they knew it was made especially for them.

party time!

I keep adding more things to my plate week after week, but I just can't help but take up some of these opportunities. As I've mentioned before, I was selected to host a MommyParty. The first one will be the Mega Bloks party coming up this weekend (still have room for about 2 kids). I have also been selected for two more which will take place over the next few weeks as well. If you live in Bakersfield and are interested in participating, you can let me know by commenting on my facebook page or here in the comment section. So, why would you want to attend these parties? What exactly are they? Well, these parties offer an opportunity for you to learn more about a few exciting brands, take part in some cool activities for you or your children, walk away with your own free products, coupons, and the opportunity to take part in the giveaways that each individual party will have. All it costs you is a little time. I hold these parties at my house, with no more than 10 people, so it is a relaxed atmosphere. You will not be asked to buy anything. These are the details of the upcoming parties, which I need people for:

pink style

Let's pretend for a moment that I have an extra few hundred dollars just laying around and all I could do is spend it on clothes that I love for my girls. Wait, shhh...I'm still pretending. If this were true, I'd pick up a few items from one of my favorite brands of children's clothing EVER. Who has won this prestigious title? Tea Collection. I have been admiring their clothes for years and years now, but for some reason, I can't commit to clothes purchases. Ask Erik. I will walk around a store, find things I like, but I always find a reason to put them back. I just can't do it. I have a kind of love/hate relationship with clothes.

funny friday

Veteran's day. I know quite a few so I guess the polite thing to do is to say "Happy Veteran's Day" or "Thank You". Hopefully, if you served, your experience was a positive one. I will always be an extreme idealist and wish we lived in a world where the military was not needed.

I have been running around the house like a wild child today. My nephew is visiting and that means an extra couch jumper, sippy cup to fill, diaper to change, and heathen to yell at child to love on. Something interesting I realized was that if you have to yell from the kitchen for a 2 yr old and a 3 yrd old to be quiet every 2 minutes because the baby is finally napping, you are probably contributing a whole lot more noise to the environment. Just let it go.

The weather almost got me feeling gloomy but I shall fight til the death. In light of my uncharacteristically optimistic outlook on today, I thought I'd post some funny pics from around the web. I actually found them on Pinterest which makes browsing anything so much easier. I hope they can bring at least a partial smile to your face.

 I have to refrain from scaring the hell out of my children with the truth about life sometimes. This reminded me of that.

 Looks like another one has a case of the children.

 I am a grammar geek even though I still make mistakes. This is one I refuse to make. 

 Enough said. 

 Dedicated to the one I love. 

 This is funny. For my pregnant peeps.

Real life lessons from Star Wars.

I hope everyone (including me) has a great Friday and a great weekend!

toy story birthday party

Our DIY Toy Story birthday party turned out great. Emme had a wonderful time and we were pretty stress free. Only the last 30 minutes of preparation got to me because the icing I bought from Albertson's failed on me. But, it worked out fine. Emme started planning her party months before the occasion and I already had a pretty good idea of what we were going to have. Luckily for me, Erik was more than willing to help make this a DIY party and he really contributed a lot to the design element of it all. If we would have purchased a big party pack of supplies for this party we could have easily spent a few hundred dollars. Instead, we hit the fabric stores, the Dollar Store, 99cent store, Walmart, and of course, Target. We did a lot of printables to help with the theme and basically just did everything ourselves. The only commerical Toy Story products we purchased were a few of the party favors and a tablecloth. We already had tons of Toy Story figures for decoration. Emme's grandpa also rented a jumper for this occasion so that kept the kids busy, as well as her other grandpa's gift a few months back, our awesome backyard playset. We asked the kids to dress up, and a few did. Of course, Emme wore her Jessie costume. Her dad and I wore matching Alien shirts from Target.

Our main idea was to have 3 different themed areas. The gift table was meant to resemble Andy's room, one of the eating tables was meant to represent more of a cowboy/cowgirl theme, and the food table was tied in with Pizza Planet. For our Toy Story party menu we served pizza, chicken wings, potato wedges, salad, fruit, cake, and cookies.

 For the gift table, we bought the blue and yellow fabric to make the background and banner. We printed off letters for her name and the clouds. We hung the banner from a rod and string. I just had to sew a long tube for the rod to fit in. The banner was glued to yarn.

The cowboy banner was made with bandana print fabrics from fabric store. Again, I glued it to yarn.

 A close up of our Pizza Planet station where we put our pizzas. Erik made a rocket out of craft foam from Walmart. He printed out a picture of Woody, the Aliens, Buzz, and the Claw to make it look like a scene from Pizza Planet. I found a font similar to the one used for Toy Story products and printed Emme's name. We printed a 3 from the Toy Story 3 ads. We also glued glow in the dark stars to the board. The board was a pre-colored science project board from Walmart. We added some green star balloons from the 99cent store, a Toy Story Alien tablecloth from Walmart and some green polka dot napkins and star napkin holder I already had. 

 For the gift bags, I covered a small standing shelf I had in my kitchen with leftover cow print fabric from Emme's costume. We strung up Army men on yarn on this table and the Pizza Planet table. They looked like they were sliding into combat. 

We also had extra seating for the little ones down in the family room. We added a few printable Toy Story drawings to make it tie in with everything. As you can see, we used 99cent store star balloons in different colors to make everything feel more festive. The stars added the extra fun element as opposed to regular round balloons.

Next, are our Toy Story party games. I searched and searched for some good ideas and found something similar but we made our own variations. We knew they had to be easy enough for at least a 3 yr old to do. They all worked out perfectly. Our first game was "Toss the Snake in the Boot". I bought a laundry basket (could have used one we already had but let's face it, I could use a few more laundry baskets) from the 99cent store and a few rubber snakes from Walmart. Erik drew and cut out a boot from foam bought at Walmart, also. We let the little kids stand closer, but everyone basically had 3 tries to get as many snakes as they could into the basket. If there were ties, we would have gone into tiebreaker mode, but one of my little cousins made all 3. It was fun to see the children and their skills, or lack thereof. They all had fun trying though!

Here is the birthday girl trying to make a snake in the boot!

The next game was "Shoot Zurg" which was basically a dart game variation. Instead of darts, we used a cheap Nerf dart gun that was small enough for the little ones to hold. Erik had to help a few kids, but they all had a fair shot at getting the best score out of 4 darts. We printed out a picture of Zurg and taped it to the back of a cheap target set we got at Walmart. My 3 year old nephew won that game. The prizes were simple Target dollar bin prizes. One was a paddle ball set and the other was Silly Putty. They both went nicely with our Toy Story theme.

Big sister took the game quite seriously.

My nephew Keston. He almost won!

Just so there were no sore losers, we had little gift bags for the kids to take home. We decided against candy because Halloween was only last week. The bags included Toy Story stickers from 99cent store, slinkys from the Target dollar bin, a few Army men from the Dollar Store (one pack of 60 cost a dollar!), and a few random toys from a Toy Story favor pack from Target. These included a Toy Story maze page, kaleidoscope, plastic alien slinky, Woody sticker, and I'm sure there is something else I am forgetting. I put them in simple brown lunch bags from Walmart and threw on a few extra Toy Story stickers and that's it. I could have taken more time to add detail but I had no more time and the bags were just trashed anyway! I lined the bags up for display, but out of reach, on one of the tables and they fit in nicely.

While I was researching for the party, Emme got sight of the Jessie Hat cookies and just HAD to have them. So, I had to make them. The came out pretty good. The kids gobbled them up.

For the cake, we bought a white sheet cake from Walmart. It came with some flowers on it, but my aunt helped me scrape them off. We then added our own decorations and had a really awesome cake. Couldn't have asked for better, especially considering the money we saved on having a custom cake made that might be half as cool as this.

 

She was in awe of her cake.

All in all, our party turned out fabulously. We always put a lot of work into our girls' parties but I never document them! That stops now. I am so happy to have captured these memories for Emme and I know she will look back and remember this special party. I think Erik and I enjoyed putting it all together almost as much as she enjoyed spending this special day with her family and friends. She got TOO MANY awesome gifts (that I am still trying to find room for) and she is so grateful for everything she got. That makes it all worth it.

 Even before the presents she was so thrilled. 

A picture with mama and daddy. Happy Birthday to our angel.

For those looking to create their own Toy Story party, I have a lot of links on my "Emme's 3rd" Pinterest board. Head on over, click here.