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.