why not?

Although blogging is mostly a hobby and outlet for me, I always enjoy networking through blogs.

I decided to list my blog on Top Baby Blogs.

Want to take a minute and vote for me?

Click here!




Thanks!!  Is your blog listed?  I'm happy to return the favor and vote for you, just leave a comment on this post.

boots & bling

Mommy bling seems to be one of the latest fads.  Several years ago we got a Grandmother's Necklace for my mother-in-law which had the birthstones of her sons, daughter-in-laws and grandkids.  There have been 3 more grandkids born since we gave it to her. Two were born in months that already had birthdays--but the last baby wasn't.  Not sure what we'll do about that!

Anyhow, I've had my eye on various mommy bling for a while now.  When I shop for something important, I take FOREVER.  And I often buy stuff, take it back and buy something different.

For instance, poor Bean.  I wanted boots for Christmas.  I had a particular style in mind.  He tried to find them, but wasn't successful.  So he got me a gift card to the store I had seen the style of boots in a few months prior.  Of course by the time I went shopping a week after Christmas--everyone has all their boots on sale and so sizes and styles are limited.  The store I had the gift card to, had nothing that interested me.  And they were all a size 6 or size 10.  Of which I am neither.

Bean, being the wonderful husband he is, said we'll use the gift card for someone else--just find boots.  So I found pair #1, which were similar to the style I really wanted.  But then I found my ultimate boot online.  So I ordered them, pair #2.  I liked them, but the were too big.  So both pairs had to go back and I re-ordered a smaller size.  (Bean took them both back--whattaguy).  I finally got the 3rd pair a few days ago.  And at first I thought they'd be a bust because they were now too tight in the calf.  I'm cursed with calves.  They aren't really fat, maybe muscular, but just thick.  Both my sisters & my mom have the same issue.  But this morning I decided to wear them around the house with my cute new skinny jeans--and I decided they were okay. Whew.  Luckily they are "scrunchy boots" so they are just a bit more scrunched on me than on others.

See, it's not easy for me to make decisions about things that are costly or I will have for a long time.  I don't spend lots of money on just one item often, so when I do I really want it to count and I want to make sure I get exactly what I want.  So, maybe I'm a bit of a high maintenance shopper.  But it also means I don't have expensive unused items in my closet or drawers!

So, back to mommy bling.  I'm all about simplicity when it comes to jewelry.  When Bean and I were talking about getting engaged, I was concerned that if my diamond was too big I would bang it around too much.  Seriously, what girl doesn't want "too big" of a diamond?  I'm not normal.  My ring is just right though!  Bean made sure the diamond was set low on the band.  I have a few necklaces that I wear, that have just one small charm on them.  I wear the same earrings 365 days a year.  Small silver studs in the top hole and small silver hoops in the bottom.  When I'm feeling crazy, I might wear one of the other 5 pairs of "fancy " earrings I own--which are just small dangly ones.

I love the simplicity of the latest in mommy jewelry.  Not to fancy or sparkly.  Sensible chains, but personalized with meaning.  This, I can do!

In my purusing, I always come back to two designers.  Who both happen to have giveways going right now.  Is it okay to blog about two giveways in one blog, in hopes of winning one of them?  Hopefully it is, because I am!  (It's also a great heads up to a certain someone for a potential Mother's Day/Birthday gift!)

Beth at I Should Be Folding Laundry is giving away a gift certificate to The Vintage Pearl.  Honestly, it's hard to pick a favorite (see above boot story). 

I like the layered mother of pearl, dainty names and layered circle of love.

Lisa Leonard is hosting her own giveway to her illuminate necklace.  I also really like her heartstrings necklace. 

Which ones do you like??  Go enter one or both giveaways.  You need some mommy bling too.  Even if you aren't a mommy, you can choose to honor any person or passion in your life.

Fancy Schmancy

I was very excited last week to come home to this big box!



My fabulous "Celebrity Bump Bag" prize from Modern Mom (via Jewels & Pinstripes). You can read about the contest I won here.



If you want links to the specific products, go here.

Here's my bits and pieces impressions of some of the stuff. If I were able to use everything, I'd feel quite fancy schmancy--definately like a celebrity! I'll try not to bore you with lots of details, just the basics!

Fisher Price Bouncer: LOVE IT! Seriously, fabulous. I've been using a Fisher Price bouncer from 2004, which I like, but my kids never were able to reach the toy bar, except with their feet because of it's design. And the toy bar was kind of clunky. This new bouncer has a toy bar that's totally reachable. Lily is already grabbing the toys with her hands and feet. And this bouncer is so light and easy to move around.

Peanut Shell Sling: Another new fave! It's very deep, which I like a lot. Lily feels very secure in it. A sling is not her favorite mode of babywearing, but when she's in the mood, she's happy in the Peanut Shell. I really like the gray/white/yellow color scheme too.

Peanut Shell Hospital Gown: This makes me want to have another baby! I looked into the designer hospital gowns when I had Lily, but they were too expensive. I realize that hospital gowns get messy and so a cute one isn't so practical, but I would seriously feel like a celebrity mom in the hospital wearing this. I just may hang onto it until we get our long term birth control figured out :)

Robeez: Had them before, love them. Super duper cute! The girl ones fit Lily right now and I think she'll be debuting them at church this Sunday. Bright pink Mary Janes with applique flowers. She'll be a fancy schmancy girl! My nephew, the Baby Bird, will get to look snazzy in the boy shoes.

Bamboo Swaddling Blanket: one of the softest things I've touched. Lily is beyond the swaddling stage, but I definately would have used this.

Angel Dear products: A super sweet white 2-piece newborn outfit. It's SO soft and precious. I would have loved to use it with Lily. But she's way past that size now and it's more appropriate for a fall/winter baby. Also a soft frog rattle and some knit booties for a newborn. Lily is learning to play with toys and the soft frog will be one she enjoys.

Born Free Bottles: BPA-free, why not? I'm using them and so far so good. My bottles were from when Miss Rose was a baby (although I've replaced the parts that deteriorate). I feel more green using them.

Baby Kaed diaper bag: Very posh! I love all the goodies that come inside it. Still haven't decided if I'm going to use it or not because it's rather wide--and I'm not one for super oversized bags or purses. It's very soft.

Snuggle Me'z: If I lived in a cold climate, this would be awesome! But it doesn't get cold enough in So Cal to need a bunting. I love the print though and it's very soft.

Moses Basket: Man, I always wanted one of these while preparing for a newborn. It just doesns't seem like there would be anything sweeter than a newborn baby in a Moses basket. Now that there is one in my house, I'm not sure how I would have used it. Maybe if I had a large home. However if I had a newborn in my house, I'm sure I would find a way to use it!

And my favorite item in the basket...



I know. Pretty silly! Such a small item. But I love it. Lily likes to grab blankets and hold onto them. Especially when she's trying to go to sleep. And with my obsession with all things red for her, this fits the bill. It's a great red with satin on one side and a soft velvety cotton on the other, with a cute duck attached. What's not to love?

I've actually been checking ebay and doing various Google searches trying to find a red "lovey" for her that wasn't made of a super heavy material. They are hard to come by. Everyone has pink and blue and various other colors. I really think there is a market out there for more variety in color of ALL baby items. Anyhow, I digress. This little lovey goes everywhere with us and is something Lily can actually hang on to and play with for short amounts of time.

Thanks Modern Mom!

Babywearing

I'm participating in Babywearing Week hosted by Adventures in Babywearing. And who knows, maybe I'll win a new way to wear baby #3 from Nonny and Boo.

It's so interesting how much the baby world changes from just one baby to the next. In just a few years, there are new products, new laws, different techniques, books etc.

When I had Miss Rose I was super excited to get a Baby Bjorn at my shower. I definately got use out of it, although perhaps not as much as I had expected. Although it was comfortable enough, my back still would get sore after wearing it for a while.

By the time I had Gracie just three years later, slings and babywearing were ALL the rage. I was pretty intrigued and wanted to try out this babywearing thing for myself. I found a New Native sling for about $15 at a baby resale. Not long after Gracie was born I made myself a Moby Wrap (only required cutting, no sewing!). I actually found the sling more comfortable for my back than the Bjorn was.

I got SO much use out of these items. Gracie loved being in the sling. She was a kind of fussy newborn, but plop her in the sling and she was a happy camper. It was her favorite place to nap. For 6 months I was able to have her at work with me and she'd nap and hang in the sling most of the day while I was in meetings and working at my desk.

When Gracie was 2 months old I went on a missions trip to Ireland and of course she came along. Again, she lived in the sling as we walked around neighborhoods flyering, doing ministry and of course sightseeing. Everyone was very facscinated by the sling and the moby wrap.

I'm looking foward to using a sling again with this baby. It will give me free hands to wrangle the two kids who will be running around! I sure hope this baby loves the sling as much as Gracie did.


In an old stone castle on the sea...


Flyering for Kids Week...

Yes, I realize I'm wearing the same clothes basically, on two different days. It was a missions trip so I didn't bring a lot, and I was still losing baby weight--so not much fit!!



Somewhere I have a picture of the Moby Wrap, but I can't seem to locate it

Found a few more pic's to share. Not the one I was looking for, but oh well.

Mother's Day 2007//Gracie 1 month old

July 07//Fair//3-4 months old

October 07//sightseeing in San Fran//6 months

Me too, me too!!

I saw this on Beloved Mama's blog and I have to join in. I would LOVE to win a quilt. I highly doubt it will happen, but you never know :) I think my favorite is the "Nest" quilt. Which one would you choose?

Win!

A free Ergo Baby Carrier from Along for the Ride