Resolutions????

Just wondering if anyone had any New Years resolutions they wanted to share ....
The only one I have to publicly share is that I will stop buying Hershey's Cookies and Cream bars in the checkout line at Wal Mart, and eating them in the car on the way home.....bad bad bad! Other than that I am good...I just want to spend more time with my husband, and reinstate date night if I can. It is hard not having family up here to help out with that. Happy New Years to you all....and don't forget your Designated Driver, if that is what you are up to tonight! xoxo

Random...I know...

I just saw this picture on a friends facebook, and I smiled really big! I guess I am missing my old dog Louie, she was a sheltie :)

Also, I just had to announce that today, December 10, I got rid of all my maternity clothes...hallelujah! I am just happy I don't have to "go there" again! For anyone that watched Biggest Loser last night, I felt like burning them as well....but I figured someone here on base could probably use them, so I donated them. I guess having my husband away for 4 weeks was just stressful enough for me to drop those extra pounds, and when you gain 50 in a pregnancy, there are quite a few that try to hang on longer than you'd like!

And, just for good measure.....here is the video that always makes me smile

The Landlord by Will Ferrell

Potty Training 101

So, we are now officially potty training around here...and I feel like I know what I am doing, but I could always use some tips and tricks. Paige is doing great during the day, but nights are hard...and she freaks out if she goes in her diaper at night. I guess I will have to cut her water off at like 6, or some thing? I would love to hear what you all have to say!

The Business of Being Born

I watched this movie last night, produced by Ricki Lake, and I found it to be sooo interesting. It just looks at the birth practices in the US compared to other developed countries. Check it out if you can...I got it through Netflix so it should be widely available now. You can watch the trailer for the movie at www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com to get a sneak peek. I will forewarn you though...I cried soooo much watching it; lots of live births and new babies. Also, an interesting link from their website is The Birth Survey. You can go here and input specific information about your birth experience for it to be put into a database so to speak. This info could be so useful to other expecting mothers...

I thought this was cute...

As I re-examine my Mommyhood now that I have 2 kids, I feel like my life is soooo much better and soooo much harder all at the same time. AND since my husband is gone for a while, I am a little more sappy than usual, so here goes...

What changes when you have a baby? A better question may be: What doesn't change? Here, writer and mom Rebecca Woolf lists her most notable post-baby observations. Then scroll down to read our favorite comments from readers about how their babies changed their lives.

1. You finally stop to smell the roses, because your baby is in your arms.

2. Where you once believed you were fearless, you now find yourself afraid.

3. The sacrifices you thought you made to have a child no longer seem like sacrifices.

4. You respect your body ... finally.

5. You respect your parents and love them in a new way.

6. You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own.

7. You believe once again in the things you believed in as a child.

8. You lose touch with the people in your life whom you should have banished years ago.

9. Your heart breaks much more easily.

10. You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day.

11. Every day is a surprise.

12. Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you. (Hooray for poop!)

13. You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.

14. You become a morning person.

15. Your love becomes limitless, a superhuman power.

And from our readers...

1. "You discover how much there is to say about one tooth." — Ashley's mom

2. "You finally realize that true joy doesn't come from material wealth." — Anonymous

3. "You now know where the sun comes from." — Charlotte

4. "You'd rather buy a plastic tricycle than those shoes that you've been dying to have." — Sophie's mom

5. "You realize that although sticky, lollipops have magical powers." — Roxanne

6. "You don't mind going to bed at 9 p.m. on Friday night." — Kellye

7. "Silence? What's that?" — Anonymous

8. "You realize that the 15 pounds you can't seem to get rid of are totally worth having." — Brenda

9. "You discover an inner strength you never thought you had." — Ronin and Brookie's mom

10. "You no longer rely on a clock — your baby now sets your schedule." — Thomas' mom

11. "You give parents with a screaming child an 'I-know-the-feeling' look instead of a 'Can't-they-shut-him-up?' one." — Jaidyn's mom

12. "Your dog — who used to be your 'baby' — becomes just a dog." — Kara

13. "You take the time for one more hug and kiss even if it means you'll be late." — Tracey

14. "You learn that taking a shower is a luxury." — Jayden's mom

15. "You realize that you can love a complete stranger." — Dezarae's mom

16. You find yourself wanting to make this world a better place. — Arizona

17. If you didn’t believe in love at first sight before, now you do! — Ciara

First Birthday

Ruby's first birthday is about a month away and I need some ideas for her birthday party. I want it to be fun and special, I just don't know where to start. Anyone care to share some ideas??? HELP!!

30 Day Shred

So, I tried this Jillian Michaels workout today...part one of her 30 Day Shred program, and I have to say that it was one of the best workouts I have had in a LONG time. The workout is designed in a 3-2-1 order, 3 min. strength, 2 minutes cardio, and 1 minute of abs....and then it repeats but the exercises change. Very effective, and I was drenched after 20 minutes. I highly recommend. If you have Comcast Cable, I did it for free on On Demand in the Exercise TV section. Baby Weight, Be Gone!!

Cinnamon Apple Chips

These looked tasty, and pretty healthy too!!


Ingredients:

1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 large apples

1. Preheat the oven to 250°. In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon. Using a serrated knife or mandoline, thinly slice the apples crosswise, discarding the seeds and both ends. Arrange in a single layer on parchment-paper-lined baking sheets; sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar.
2. Bake the apple slices, turning every half hour, until dry, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Remove and transfer to racks to cool. Store in an airtight container.

Hmmmm...

Just thought I would share...I got mastitis recently...NOT FUN! I had a temp if 103.6, and almost gave up breastfeeding altogether...BUT, we are ok now and back on track! I am glad I stuck with it! Anyone else had this???

LOVE THIS!

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
something perfect to wear if her employer,
or date of her dreams
wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a youth she's content to leave behind....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward
to retelling it in her old age....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
one friend who always makes her laugh
and one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a good piece of furniture not previously owned
by anyone else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a feeling of control over her destiny..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to fall in love without losing herself..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend
without ruining the friendship...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK
AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...
but it's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....
how to live alone...
even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table..
or a charming Inn in the woods....
when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW..
What she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...