Just Some Random Happenings...

I was sitting  here thinking about my other blog, In It 2 Pin it, and how I haven't posted in awhile.  I have been itching to take on some kind of project but I just don't have the time or space these days.  It's pretty frustrating living in such a tiny place.  But that brings me to my next bit of news.  I think we are going to put an offer in on a house Friday or Saturday.  I might go take one last look at it tomorrow.  It's pretty awesome and the price is something we can't pass up.  Please keep your fingers crossed that everything works out for us.  My poor babies need to get back to some sort of normalcy.  Living in this tiny, two bedroom house is driving us all nuts.  I sleep on the bed with Riley while Bella is in her crib right next to us and my husband sleeps in the other bedroom.  It's weird.  I sleep with Ry because  she will fall off the bed and because she still gets up at night wanting to nurse...grrrr!!!  I need them to have their own space again so we can get back on schedule and I can sleep train Riley all over again...good times!  I can't wait to get in there add a pretty brick mailbox and some flowers and put up Fall decorations!!!  Ahhh...to own a home again!!  Here is the house....I hope I'm not jinxing it!

Lord, thank you for blessing my family with these wonderful opportunities when so many others are struggling.  We are truly blessed!!

Deterring a Burglar- The Story of our Home Robbery

In June 2010 we were burglarized just 5 months after we moved into our home. I am a sahm and I never had a schedule of when I left or came home... It was always just a come/go as I needed type of schedule. One morning Bella, just 6 months old at the time, needed diapers so we ran down the street to Target and we were literally gone for 30 minutes! When we came home I pulled into the garage as usual but when I walked into the house through garage door I noticed my front door was open and there was stuff all over the floor. I immediately dropped my bags, grabbed the baby and ran back outside towards my neighbor's house. I should have called 9-1-1 but I called my husband in a complete panic. He told me to hang up and call the police. They were there in about 3 minutes. They put me and the baby in the back of a car while they surrounded the house with guns drawn. I was so scared thinking about my dog, the friendliest pit bull ever, inside. Did they hurt him? Did he hurt them? It was so scary!  After about 10 minutes they came back to get us. My dog was fine. He was sleeping on my bed!! Little asshole! The thieves were gone but they managed to steal over $7,000 in electronics and jewelry. It was such a horrible feeling. My 50" television, laptop, ipods, ipod touch, tons of jewelry from Tiffany's, my Movado watch, my Wii, blue ray disc player and DVDs and games. They caught the two teenagers that did it trying to break into another home in the next town. When they went to their house they found some of our stuff. From that night on I never felt "safe" in my own home. I was always worried of a home invasion. I mean, did these guys care if we were home or not. Was it just a blessing that I needed to run out for diapers. They must have been watching my husband leave every morning at the same time. What was there original plan? After this we went out and purchased protection. I never thought I'd be comfortable having a gun in my home but things really changed for me that day. All I could think about was how could we protect my family if this happened again? We have it locked and hidden away which also makes me think, how long will it take me to get to it and how accessable will it be if something does happen? It's a scary world we live in!

Mommy & Bella Time

Bella and I decided to make some quick cinnamon rolls before Riley woke up and drove us both crazy. No time to bake anything from scratch or get fancy.  It was just some good ol' rolls from the can.  They love popping those cans open.  Here are a few picks of my little helper.  She ate 5 out of the 8! She kept calling them "cookies".  Ha ha ha

My Hair

I cut my hair...but not short!  I went to the salon completely embarrassed by how bad I let my hair get.  She convinced me it wasn't as bad as I thought and that I didn't and shouldn't cut it super short just yet.  She reminded me of how long I had been trying to let it grow out and how so many of those months I was unhappy with it because I needed it cut.  So why not just fix it and enjoy it long for a bit longer?  I am so happy I listened to her.  I hate when my hair is short in the winter because I look like a boy in cute hats.  I will probably go short again in the Spring.  She is also trying to convince me to do this "Ombre" look.  Not too sure about that!!

Just Another Hair Pulling, Back Biting Monday

Ooohh Monday... How I look so forward to what you always have to bring... said no one ever!
The morning started great.  Bella and I woke up together at the same time and had breakfast together.  We even played some music on the iPad and did a little dancing in the kitchen while Riley slept soundly in my bed!  Riley slept till 8:30 giving us time to even play dolls.  This is only a few of her fake Barbie's shoes.  I especially love the white ortheopedic shoes on the right! I think they have a velcro strap above the laces! ha ha ha

9:00 am - Ry wakes up.  She throws her breakfast across the kitchen floor.  Annoying but nothing new.
9:15 am She is freaking out because she has somehow managed to tangle her fingers in her sister's hair.  I wish I was able to snap a pic of that but Bella was screaming... it would have been cruel to make her endure that any longer just so I could photograph it.

9:40 am Bella is screaming bloody murder.  I knew right away what happened.  Riley decided to take a bite out of her sister again. I felt so bad for my Belli Bear!  And how do you punish a 13 month old for this?  I gave her a little smack on her mouth and said, "No!! We don't bite!!" I never had this problem with Bella but maybe that's because she didn't have any siblings her age to chew on.  I do remember her biting our pitbull once.  Thank goodness that didn't end badly!  Here is a picture of Bella's back...

I can't wait to see what the rest of the day has to offer.  It's gross and rainy outside so we will spend the day inside driving one another nuts!

The Best Banana Bread Recipe on this Planet!

 

Back in Chicago everyone knows how much I love banana bread and much enjoy baking it any chance I get.  My kids BEG for it!! My freezer always had about 25 ripe bananas just waiting to be bake into my unbelievably scrumptious banana bread recipe at all times.  It killed me to have to throw them out when we made the move down south.  No worries, I've already started my stockpiling more.   Here's the thing... I have never shared my recipe with anyone... not even my momma!!  It's not much different from the others but I definitely think it's better.  So, for the first time in the 15 years since I've created it, HERE IT IS.... 

1 cup all-purpose white flour

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup granulated white sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar 

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda 

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup cinnamon apple sauce

3 ripe large bananas mashed 

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup walnuts or pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped (optional)

**For extra greatness add 3/4 cup grated zucchini to the banana mixture!

Feel free to share this recipe if you enjoyed it :)

Happy Birthday, Boobies!

Breast implants.  Hmmm... I picture lots of moms rolling their eyes.  Well, I have them.  In fact, I've had my implants for 14 years today!  After my first daughter was born in 1998 I decided I was going to get breast implants.  I was a size 34 B on a good day!  After having two kids and breast feeding they looked like banana boobs.  Ladies, you know what I'm talking about!!  It was so unattractive and I hated how I looked in clothes so I did it.  They came out fabulous!  Not too big and not too small.  In fact, most people didn't even know they were fake unless I mentioned it.   Fast forward 5 years later and "POP!"  Yep, my right implant ruptured.  I had to go back to the surgeon and have them both removed and a new set put in.  At the time I was so over it that I almost just had them permanently removed.  I was older and much more confident in who I was and how I looked.  Plus, the whole "itty bitty titty" thing was kinda in.  ha ha ha
I went forward with the surgery mostly due to the fear of how my body would now look with the implants gone.  The ruptured side already looked like a deflated balloon.  Yuck!
That was 9 years ago!  I'm am terrified now of another rupture!  I am currently breastfeeding Riley and this is the longest I've ever gone.  She is so rough with them that I'm just waiting for the day one looks bigger than the other.  I'm constantly asking myself what I will do at that point.  I still love them but I don't think I "need" them like I used to.
Okay, yes, this is a strange post.  I'm just rambling now.   What I really wanted to say is...
Happy Birthday, Girls!!!

Sweet Surprises on My iPhone

I know I'm not the only one that has 3' tall phone thief living under their roof.  Bella always sneaks around me to steal my phone when I'm not looking.  I can usually find her in a little corner playing her toddler apps.  Lately she has been obsessed with going into "Settings" and pulling up the "Wallpaper" section.  She uses this route to scroll through my photos.  At first it was annoying but now I kinda like it.  Every few days she changes my Background and Home Screen to a new pic... it's usually ones with her in them.  It's such a sweet surprise to see pics of her when she was a baby .  It's a good reminder for me to remember how fast they grow up and to take the time to enjoy them while I can.  Before I know it they will be grown little assholes like my two teenagers :-/  

Here a few of the pics she's added the last few weeks :)

Riley

I love this one! I had no idea she was doing that till I saw the pic!

Cut it or Keep it

I'm embarrassed to admit this but I still have not had my haircut "professionally" since November of last year.  Yes, I admit it, I've taken the kitchen scissors to my ends a few times.  Holy cow does it look like crap!  My hair is naturally curly and I straighten it about 90% of the time so I'm sure you can just imagine how dry and gross my ends are.  To make things worse, this is pretty nasty so skip this part if you don't want to gag... I've had dandruff for the past month.  I don't know why and I keep using Head and Shoulders but no luck.  I'm feel so unattractive these days.  My roots are a drab dark brown and the rest of my hair is a mousy brown... some might call it the ombre look! I call it too damn busy to get my bootie to the salon!
Well, not anymore! I'm in a new town, about to buy a new house (my first) and I have a babysitter now (thanks to my MIL).  This momma is gonna git her hair did asap!!  Question is, do I keep long or go with the short bob again?  And what do I do about the color?  Alright my friends, here are a few pics of me over the last 3 years.  Let me know what you think.  Keep in mind, I am 36, I have 2 small children and I am a stay-at-home mom.  Oh, and my husband has an important position with a very reputable financial investment company and I will be meeting the "big wigs" soon and their wives....if it matters.  Ok, here they are!

VOTE IN THE SIDEBAR--->>>  

LOOK UP!

Just now... no make-up!

What Did I Do Right?

Not much to write about today except the crazy amount of hits one of my posts received yesterday.  I am quite new to this and the average amount of views one of my post gets is around 30.  Yesterday my post Stupid Pacifier received over 300 hits in less than 24 hours.  I have no idea why or where they came from.  I'm not complaining I just want to know what I did right yesterday so I can keep on doing it! ha ha
Well, I have to get dressed.  It's already 12:30 and I'm still not showered.  Today is going to be another day of house hunting.  Wish us luck! Here are a few images of some of the houses we will looking at today.

  

Stupid Pacifier!

This damn pacifier is going to make me crazzzyyy!!!  Bella, now 2.5 years old, always used a pacifier when she went to bed when she was a baby.  She wasn't one of those babies that needed it much during the day which was great.  When she was about 16 months old she didn't use them at all for about 6 months.  Soon after I had Riley (who never took a pacifier) Bella caught a really bad virus and suffered from a fever that went as high as 104.5 that last 5 days.  It was a pretty scary time.  During one of the first few days she wasn't feeling well she happened to find a package of pacifiers that belonged to her little sister.  She opened it up and that is how this problem began.  We thought it was odd that she started using the binky during the day and would say things like, "Eww, that's for babies" or "that's yucky".  We figured she would get stop using it on her own.  We even threw some out.  Well, she found some of her old ones.  I knew that she was it was her way of acting like a baby to get some of the attention that was going to Riley.  Thing is, Bella has always been the center of attention! As the days went on the new obsession with the pacifier carried into the night.  Now Bella was completely dependant on the binky to fall asleep...and she still is.  She carries the stupid thing with her everywhere around the house.  The grossest part is that she has to have this one specific pacifier and clip ...it's very worn out and gross. I don't let her take it into stores, restaurants or anywhere else that isn't our home or car but it's with her from the minute she wakes up till she goes to bed at night...  I hate it!!!!  I have tried a few times to say it was lost but the reaction kills me.  She cries as if she lost her best friend.  Her mouth is has already started to be affected by this, as well.  I know this is more about us than her and that we are responsible for letting it go this far.   So yes, bad mommy and daddy!! But, here is my question... Because we are inbetween homes at the moment do we take it away now or wait till we are comfortably settled in our new home?  For those of you don't know my situation, we have just moved from Chicago to St. Louis for my husband's new job.  We are currently living with my mother-in-law till we find a home to purchase.  Another thing is, we are also trying to potty train her.  Do we do just one at a time?

How to Survive Being a SAHM

One of my good friends is pregnant with her 2nd baby.  Her son is 2.5 and now she is planning on being a SAHM to raise them both.  She called me yesterday asking how I felt about my job as a sahm and if I missed "working".  My exact words were, "Oh sweetie, you haven't "worked" until you've been a SAHM!!"  How many of you parents that stay home with your kiddos can agree with me?  This is by far the toughest job I've ever had...and I've had my fair share of jobs!!  I went over the highs and lows before having to hang up to deal with little sister-on-big sister brawl!  After I broke up the mini catfight I was able to sit down a send her an email with some basic survival tips that I try to follow as often as I can.  Here it is...

Going to the libray. Doesn't Bella look excited? ha!

Hey Michelle,
Sorry for having to hang up in the middle of our conversation earlier.  I wanted to give you a few pointers that kinda help me stay sane and focused day to day.  Some people have this idea that being a sahm means hanging out in pj's all day, watching daytime television and nothing but fun with your adorable little munchkins....bahahahaha!  Ain't that a joke?!  Here is what my typical daily routine is like (all times are approximate, of course):

6:30 am - Girls wake up within 30 minutes of each other.  I change both diapers and bring them down to kitchen for breakfast.
7:15 am - Breakfast is over for them.  I sit them in front of some attention grabbing, brain stimulating television while I try and enjoy a cup of coffee and scarf down a bowl of cereal without having to share it with anyone.  This is also my time to check my emails, FB or whatever I can.
8:15 am - Quiet time.  I sit with them on the couch and watch Curious George...my DVR is has about 40 saved episodes.  It takes about 5 minutes for Bella to pick the one she wants.  Fun!
9:30 am - Bath time.  Strip them down and throw them in the tub.  I try and let them play for at least 20 minutes before scrubbing them down and taking them out.  Because my laundry room is right near bathroom I try and throw a load of laundry in.  
9:50 am - Get em dressed.  This should be an Olympic Event!  This processes can take as long as 30 minutes some days.  They squirm, cry, laugh, play, run off...you never know how they're going to act so my advice is, if have an appointment somewhere give yourself extra time to deal with the morning mayhem.
10:30 am - Snack time.  Morning snacks are usually a cereal bar, raisins, yogurt or whatever else they want that's semi-nutritous.
11:00 am - Riley goes down for her first nap and Bella quietly watches tv while I put Riley down.
12:00 pm - Bella goes down for her nap and hopefully Riley is still asleep.  This is when I jump in the shower as quickly and as quietly as I possibly can.  If Ry is awake then I usually have to skip the shower and wait till they are both awake so that they can either join me in the bathroom or I can sit them on my bed while I shower.
12:45 pm - Clean Clean Clean whatever I can!!!!
1:15 pm- Pack snacks and diaper bag
1:30 pm- Ry should be up by now so I change her diaper and quietly feed her lunch.  Bella usually wakes up around this same time so I do the same with her.
2:15 pm- We can finally leave!!  lol   I try and take them in the yard, to the park or anywhere they can let out some energy, even if it's just a walk around the block.
3:30 pm - Snack time again.  See above :)
3:45 pm- Ry goes down for her 2nd nap...usally lasts about 40 min.  I try and use this time to have some 1 on 1 time with Bella.  We sing songs or do learning activities.
4:45 pm - They like to watch a movie around this time and usually start preping for dinner.
5:45/6:00- Daddy comes home and they attack him at door and follow him as he changes out of his suit.  I take this time to run to laundry room to finish what I started earlier.
6:15 pm- Give them a quick bath and get them ready for bed
6:45 pm - Cook dinner, eat dinner, clean up
7:30 pm- Put Riley to bed for the night
8:00 pm- Try and put Bella down.
8:30 pm - Enjoy quiet time with the hubby.  That includes no tv, catching up on our day and getting on computer!
10:00 pm Get ready for bed

I try and have the girls pick up their toys before naps and going to bed for the night.  I also clean up, dust, do dishes, vaccuum, do laundry, make beds, clean bathrooms and do anything else that needs to be done throughout the day.  My house is never dirty and but it can be messy for a few hours at a time.  I almost always have the house looking and smelling great when Jeff gets home.  I would hate to walk into chaos so I don't make him have to.  I am also in charge of doing groceries, dropping off and picking up dry-cleaning and most other things.  I try and hang out with other moms at least once a week.  

Important things to remember:
1. Schedules were meant to be rearranged if necessary.  The kid's have no real concept of time so just relax and go at their pace if you don't have any concrete plans.  
2. Enjoy them.  It's so easy to get wrapped up in the small things.  Remember that when your 1 year old is dragging a roll of toilet paper throughout the house or your 2 year old who's being potty trained just pissed on your new couch.  Your first reaction might be to flip out but take a breath and laugh it off because these times will pass and you will miss the craziness when they off at school in a few years.
3.  Let the house get messy.  Yes, me, Miss OCD said to let the messy.  I sometimes try and just look the other way and clean it all up before Jeff gets home or sometimes he helps me after they've gone to bed.  A messy home is sometimes a happier home!
4. Play Play Play  Get messy, have fun, get dirty and be silly.  This is when they will learn the most and this is what being a sahm is all about.  This is when memories are made...always have your camera charged and nearby!!
5. If you're lucky enough to have the support of your family or friends nearby then utilize them!!  You know how crazy things have been for me since my mom left for AZ.  Drop those kids off with Grandma and go get your hair, nails, eyebrows or whatever done! I haven't had my hair cut in 9 months and my eyebrows look like Burt's from Sesame Street...seriously, it's not cool!
6. Get them out of the house!  Kid's get major cabin fever.  Take them to different places.  Try and set a certain day aside to go someplace different or regularly.  If you're prepared it will make things a lot easier than trying to be spontaneous about.  Try and get them to interract with other kids.  We had the kids enrolled at Gymboree on Saturday mornings.  It was a great way for them to get the exercise they  needed, learn new songs and make new friends and it was also special bonding time for us as a family.

Being fortunate enough to be able to survive on 1 income while the other parent stays home is often  referred to as a "luxury".  I like to call it a blessing in disguise.  It requires tons of patience, being able to multitask, the desire to teach, the sacrifice of being able to interact with other adults on a daily basis and sooooo  much more.  It is HARD but the rewards are endless.  When I lay in bed at night I usually feel good about my situation othertimes I'm so exhausted I knock out so fast I don't know what hit me.
I wish I was back home in Chicago so we could hang out and do "mommy things" together :(

Love you and please call me if you feel the need to hang them by their little toes on the clothesline! lol

Jen