Maintain Your Sanity as a Mom with a Night out... at a discount of course!

So last night, I made the dreaded mistake... I tell my household that I am tired because Bean has a cold and fever and demanded to be held all day and would love a night with no drama, if it wouldn't be too much trouble. I might as well had said, ok everyone let's have a UFC (Ultimate Fighting Challenge) event in the living room! Nearly from the moment I spoke the words, letting my dear dear children know that Mom is at a weak moment, it was on!

My husband steps in but the under the breath bickering continues. When I was at my wits end, the phone rang, it was my dear friend Dee! "Hey do you want to meet for coffee, I have an hour to kill", she says which when translated to what I heard was "Hey do you want to get out of the house to sip on some heaven in a cup?". I look at Collin and he says, "Go hon, and remember Saturday is date night!" That guy can read my mind! I suppose that is part survival instinct after being together for 17 years!

I quick grab my gift card for the local coffee house and meet Dee and feel like I have let out a sigh I swear I had kept in all day. I felt lighter, thinner, I felt the color come back to my face, and a spring in my step! Okay, okay, maybe not all that, but you get my drift! I was telling Dee about my day and listening to hers, and then told her about our date night. She said they could't afford date night. I told her you can't afford not to have a date night, and almost everyone can afford date night, you just have to be creative.

Every couple has to have a date night. They let us reconnect with out significant others, they allow us to be us without cutting up food for another person, we can dress in white if we want to because the chances of us getting sweet potato handprints on our pants is little to none. Date nights should be scheduled, they should be done regularly because after the kids have grown and left the nest, you and your spouse will be sitting there looking at each other. And if you haven't put the effort into keeping the relationship fresh, and keeping the communication open, you will be looking at each other saying, "Who are you?"

Collin and I have had date nights all over the charts. When work was great and the budget was a plenty we would go away for a night at a local hotel, get dressed up, go to dinner and more... wink wink! Right now with budgets tight, we get creative. Here are some tips to successful, yet budget friendly date nights!

1. Sitters... These are imparative to a successful date night! Sitters these days are not cheap! When I baby sat it was $1.50 per kid per hour. My mom tells me of days where she was paid 25 cents an hour, but then again she also walked to school and back barefoot uphill in the snow both ways... Save on sitters by asking family. My mom and mother in law like watching the kids a couple of times a month because they get to see the kids and we like it because they are FREE!!! No family around? Swap with siblings or friends! We also have friends as I am sure you do too! We will do swaps where one night we will take their kids so they can have a night out and one night they will take ours. It's a great way to squeeze in a playdate for the kids and a date night for you, for FREE!!!! When all else fails ask your friends who they use and who has the cheapest rate. Try for free, but sometimes, you gotta pay.

2.Carpet Picnics! We have been known to drop the kids off with the grands and then go home, make dinner and just relax together with a movie. Get the movie from your local kiosk like Red Box and rent a new release for a buck! Can't beat that! Yeah you can only keep it a night, but that's fine. Really who can complain when your date night costs you a dollar in addition to your groceries?

3. Real Picnics! The weather is now turning for the better! Take advantage of it! Look into your local parks, many have inexpensive or free events from movies to comedy nights! Our local parks and rec bulletin lists these and they also have info on line! Make dinner, bring a bottle of wine, and enjoy the weather and entertainment! Even a quiet evening at the park with your significant other, and conversations with laughs will make it so perfect!

4. Coupons! I don't know anyone who isn't bombarded by junk mailers which contain a TON of coupons! I used to just quick toss them away, now I go through them. I look for local places we enjoy and I clip the coupons! They allow us to go out as a family or on a date night with no guilt! Become a coupon clipper, search your fav places online and see if they have coupons online, sign up your email on their sites for the latest specials!

5. Restaurants.com This is by no means a commercial however, you must check out restaurant.com and see the discounts! I literally just got 5 different $25 gift certificates for $3 each! I got a link from another store (Borders, where I signed up online to be a member and receive perks), however just go to restaurant.com and sign up, you will receive their deals and they have them throughout the United States! Just beware of the stipulations for each certificate. The ones I got had the stipulation that $35 of food had to be purchased to use it, so that is $10 over the certificate amount, plus the three I paid for them, made it $13 for us to eat $35 worth of food! Please be kind however and tip on the $35, the servers make most of their money off of tips and right now everyone is hurting, so share a bit by saving a lot!

I hope these tips and tricks help! Don't be shy, write and share your ideas and I will Post them also!

Who's the Doctor here?

Oh My Goodness! I have decided to look for a new pediatrician. The girls had the BESTEST pediatric doctor ever, I know because she was mine when I was their age. When she decided to retire, before Bean was born, I nearly had a break down! How? why? What?

"How can you retire I ask? You were my Pediatrician!" I say desperately! "Exactly." she says, and in that moment I knew, not only was I losing the BESTEST pediatrician ever, I was also old.... but that is another blog.... So she gave a choice of three doctors, only one was a girl, so having girls I took her.

When I went in for Bean's 2 month appointment, I met her for the first time. I stared at her with out looking like I was staring ... I think. In my mind I am calculating her age, because at the very oldest I estimate her at 17! Not a hint of a wrinkle, bright glowing skin, boundless energy... by now I am pretty sure my stare is a glare so I look away. All I could think was "Great... Doogie Howser!" How could I trust a doctor who was younger than I, with no kids, and who was that cute? It just wasn't happening!

I talked to my friends and my mom, all of whom told me to give her a chance. Young doctors are more eager they tell me, young doctors know all the latest... yet still I had my reservations... Call it mother's intuition.... Call it ESP... Call it Calista is RIGHT!

I walked out of Bean's 4 month appointment stunned. I re-played the appointment over and over, and I half laugh, half grimace. I was so irritate, yet so stunned, that I had to at least chuckle and shake my head.

Bean was born 5 weeks early, she was little, 3lbs 13 oz. So even know at 7 months she is a mere 13 pounds. I take her in for her 4 month appointment. Dr. Howser tells me, "At 4 months we recommend starting cereal, what do you think?" I just kind of looked at her, why was she asking me? "Well," I state, "Bean is 4 months old yes, however we like to judge her milestones from her due date, which would mean that she is only 2 months 3 weeks and no where near ready for food." "Good point!" Dr Howser says, clearly thinking about what I had just said, and making a mental note.

At Bean's 6 month appointment the insanity continues. Bean is now able to eat food and so I make her food myself... The doctor asks what she eats and I told her, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Banana, Oatmeal, Apple Sauce, Brown Rice and Chicken. "Oh," she says looking concerned, "I hope you cut the chicken up really small for her!" This is the last straw, I can't contain myself any longer. I pull a Bill Engevall on her, "No way!" I say with all the sarcasm I can muster, "I give her a drumstick and tell her good luck!"

Seriously... I need a new pediatrician!

Out of Commission

Wow, I never thought I would be such a terrible blogger! I do actually blog in my head, but after having a baby, moving, and then having the motherboard of my laptop fry, I was just plain old out of commission! You know the saying the Mom is the heart of the home, well apparently not only is that true, but also the motherboard is the heart of my laptop! Or shall I say was....

After losing my 3rd laptop to the same demise, along with tiring of virus protection and all kinds of PC issues, we decided to go Mac and I ain't looking back... yet anyway, I have had it a whole week, and now I am thinking I am Mac-tastic or something!

Anyway, Calista is back, Two be a Mom is back, and we are going back to our roots, our money saving, mom helping, funny mom stories roots!

Come back for more please!!!

Did you Miss me?

So much to say so little time!!! I have been absent, out of commission, missing in action! Did you notice? I know, how insane of me to ask! Of course you did! LOL



Quick update! Due to the lovely issue of Pelvic Separation or Symphysis Pubis (I prefer the former, for some reason the latter grosses me out!) I have been on bed rest since July, but really not feeling good since May. Pelvic Separation for those moms lucky enough to have never had such an insane pregnancy ailment is where the pelvic bones separate too much due to the body producing too much of the hormone Relaxin. This causes no real support for the uterus, making carrying baby reallllly painful!

Anyone with chronic pain knows that you just get blue. There is no way around it, you can only handle so much, and being in pain, and having other duties and other children who need you to not stop can be draining. So that is why I took a hiatus. But Bean has been born and I am back baby!!!

Bean was born early December. She was born 5 weeks early and was only 3lbs 13oz. By the grace of God, she was perfect in every way. She was breathing on her own, and was the only baby in the NICU with no medical intervention other than to be under the warmers!!! Praise be to God! She might be tiny but she is mighty! Her attitude in utero had definitely translated to life on the outside!!! LOL She is feisty as ever and very opinionated!

Life with a newborn is filled with hilarity (mostly due to sleep deprivation), Sleep deprivation, and breakdowns (again due to sleep deprivation)... Um.... anyone getting the theme of the day? LOL Sleep deprivations has left me posting on Facebook, what I call drunk posts, even though no alcohol is involved. Stay tuned for that story!!!

I am back everyone! Hopefully I will be entertaining you with my posts again daily!

Perks of Pregnancy: The Showers!!!

So I decided to write about the perks of pregnancy, because frankly, this will be the last time I will ever enjoy them. LOL. So let's start off with the Showers! Really it is a gifting party and celebration of your impending birth. They are fun, and girly, and usually filled with games and such. I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family that I am looking forward to the celebration. The only part I dread is all the registry!

The registry! OMGosh, it is enough to give me a panic attack! I hate feeling like I am asking for things, you know what I mean? But I have been asked by quite a few people to register so last Saturday, we got a sitter for the kiddos and headed to Babies R Us! If I had only known what I was in for, I may have procrastinated even longer.

First we go in and there is this fancy desk we sit at, we basically have to sign our life away giving them all kinds of information, and practically a sample of our blood. Then they show us how the scanner works. Mind you, I haven't registered in over 10 years. I was terrible at it then, and now with all the choices and information, my head was spinning!

So we decided the best plan of attack is to go aisle by aisle. I begin to chuckle at some of the things I see, seriously having a baby is huge business these days! You can really make parenting complicated as they now have a contraption for just about everything! I was amazed! They now have bottles that are BPA free... Say what? I had no idea I had to ask the lady at the store why these now BPA free bottles are good, and is it worth the fact that they are now $10 each? She said that BPA was in plastic and could cause cancer. I look at Collin as to say, "so I am religious about sunblock for our very blonde girls, but I basically gave them a cancer diet with my BPA bottles from years past?" Seriously can a parent catch a break? They also have bottle warmers (um... hello microwave? or even worse, my girls drank room temperature, GAsp! But hello at 3am, I was not about to stumble downstairs), bottle Sterilizer Kits for the microwave, LOL I have to laugh again, because I always used the dishwasher. Isn't that sanitary enough? Apparently not, because now you can do it in the microwave with yet another contraption to sit on your counter! Then there was the binky mister, for when the pacifier lands on the floor. I guess that would be good if you were out, but I always just found a drinking fountain or sink. And whatever happened to "God made dirt, dirt don't hurt"?

So as we are going around, my chuckles turn to fear, have I been doing it all wrong these years? Should I be contraption happy? Are these things I NEED??? OMGosh, so we continue wandering and I decide that if we are to need all of these things, we are going to need to add on about 1000 square feet onto our house to actually house all the paraphernalia. I mean seriously!

Finally I go to the mother's room, in a desperate need for a break from registering. I try to put my head between my knees like I have seen on the movies when people are in distress, only my belly prevents me from making the full descent. After about 10 minutes, I come back calm and renewed. We go back to registering for the basics, deciding that we will definitely take our chances on contraption less life and stick to the basics.

So I get home and I tell my sister and my friend I have registered. I get two calls back... "What about socks?", "What about Changing Pads and Burp Rags?", "What about a snuggly for the car seat?". Dread washes over me again. How am I going to do this? I can't even remember what the basics are anymore? I have a half done registry that took me two hours to do! OMGosh! Cue hallelujah music as I have my hallelujah moment... You can now register ONLINE!!! Hallelujah, Hallelujah!!!!!! I was able to go online and add my pads, rags, socks and snugglies!!! H-A-L-L-E-L-U-J-A-H!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I am able to sit back and relax, my part of the shower is now done, even though I have offered to help with whatever, my friends and sister insist I just show up. Okie Schmokie! No arguments there! I will be able to sip iced tea, eat yummy foods, and enjoy the company of everyone around me that I hold so dear, while celebrating the impending birth of Elisha! Only two months till my showers begin! Hooray!!!

Pregnancy Put Me Behind the 8 Ball!

Geez Louise! I have been so behind on this blog! I feel terrible that my last post was literally a month ago, to the day! So much to do, so little time! I have been ridiculously exhausted, but other than that all is well. You know it is bad when you are too tired to actually blog, because seriously, how difficult is blogging? LOL

Ok. The scoop! Bean's gender has been revealed... Bean is.... Another Girl!!!! While I am excited, I do feel a bit for Colin because he is completely outnumbered, I mean counting the dog the count is going to be 5 to 1! LOL Poor Guy! We have been going back and forth on names, and as of now, Bean will be called Elisha! I had been kind of leaning towards a boy, just because Elisha feels like a UFC cage fighter trying to make an escape, she moves constantly and with great Vigor! Her movements alone have really given me such peace because I was so worried due to a past miscarriage, that I really hadn't been able to relax and enjoy until I felt her move regularly. It's one of those be careful what you wish for, because half the time I feel like she is on the other side of my belly button, pulling on it! LOL Such a weird sensation!

We don't have the Nursery ready, partly because it is currently the playroom, and partly because I am too tired to do anything other that barely make it to work, and then nap. I am seeing the doctor today and we will discuss this. I don't think feeling like a limp noodle is such a good thing when at work, so maybe I will be off work early this time. Time will tell. Although that would give me plenty of time, to get ready for Elisha, Blog and Scrapbook... Hmmm..... Sounds good to me!

Emma and Elise are just still so thrilled. Elise has begun sewing on her own. Grandma has gotten her her own machine with her own sewing cabinet and sooooo she has been busy making me receiving blankets. I am pretty sure she is the only 10 year old with her own sewing center in her room. She asked me about a bobbin, and I said a what? I have absolutely no idea what a bobbin is. Can you help me out here? She said she had a sidewinder for a bobbin, and I am like it sounds a little too Top Gun to me, so I guess we will have to wait for Grandma to get back into town, because this whole bobbin thing is confusing!

Whew, that was a quick run down. I promise to be better about my posts! Thank you all for reading despite my irregular posts as of late!

Catch Up: Fallen Soldier Honored

Oh My Gosh! It has been weeks since I have even looked at my beloved blog let alone blogged away! The last few weeks have been challenging to say the least. Where do I begin???

I guess I should begin with what is most important. On the April 10th 2009 Bombing in Mosul, Iraq a local soldier ,SFC. Bryan Hall, and childhood friend of my husband Colin lost his life. He was a Staff Sergeant who was due to be promoted (and has since been promoted since his passing) to Sergeant First Class. He had just finished the Ranger training and had been back in Iraq only a week after spending time with his wife, 2 year old daughter, and his family when he was killed. I went to high school with him, we graduated in the same class, but our school was so large we didn't know each other, though I am sure we crossed paths.

It hits you like a ton of bricks. Colin had a tough time, as he had just seen Bryan and his family walking a week before he went back. Being that we have two daughters, the reality of a child living without her father, is a much more painful thought. He was a hero, responsible for his platoon, a 14 year career soldier, and a proud defender of this great country. Regardless of any one's politics or views on the wars, he was a Hero, and he will not be forgotten for his sacrifices and his family's sacrifices.

There was a huge procession after his body was flown home. The local fire department drove to the airport and brought home his flag draped coffin a top a fire truck to the funeral home in old town. The Patriot Guard, Police Department and others, joined the procession at the airport in tribute and out of respect. Word was put out on the Local news channels, and Citizen's lined the Boulevard, Fire Trucks with their Men standing on top Lined the overpasses along the freeway. As the Flags waived, parents explained to their children the importance of the day, and the importance of showing our respect and our support to the the Soldier and his family.

Colin felt it was important we go to the funeral. I am really an emotional avoider. I avoid all things emotional, I rarely cry (ie it can be years in between jaunts). It isn't that I do not feel things, I am just not good at showing it, and I avoid it, because frankly the crying and release of control, is somewhat frightening. However, uncomfortable as it may be, Mr. Hall, was uncomfortable for 14 years, and I felt it was only right, only respectful to go. I did so badly dread it, and had made myself sick thinking about it.

The day of the funeral I piled into the truck with Colin, his mother, and his grandparents, who all knew the Hall family. Instead of a pack of Kleenexes I packed a box. I knew that this was going to be a beautiful but emotional funeral. I was so right. I learned things I never knew about my former classmate. He seemed to be quite the guy, those that knew him should be honored, those that didn't are poorer for it and we as a community have suffered quite a loss as he will never be back.

As a pregnant woman, I was unable to contain my usually stoic nature. I was able to keep the tears from flowing, my mind from racing (would I be able to deal if I was his wife), and my eyes from fixating on his beautiful innocent 2 year old daughter. She is unable to grasp what was happening to her, she was smiling, and happy. She was surrounded by a family who adores her and will care for her, who will do their best to fill the gaps. His wife was graceful, and though she didn't speak, a representative shared her words of love to her husband, and her grief. His family too was graceful in their grief, they showed true honor, pride, and dignity at a time of unspeakable grief and tragedy. They are an inspiration. Mr. Hall lived as an inspiration. And he deserves all the honor and gratitude that we as a nation can proclaim.

No, I never knew Mr. Hall, chances are neither did you. But that doesn't mean that we don't grieve for them or the families. It doesn't mean that we can not tell soldiers when we see them, thank you, even though we do not know them. It means, that we should. I have never been to war, it takes a very special and strong man or woman, and a very strong family to sacrifice what I would view to be a normal life, to defend our country. Thank the soldiers and their families that you run into, thank the ones you know. They deserve to know they are respected and appreciated.

http://www.egcitizen.com/articles/2009/04/30/news/doc49f8724ec8d75778641832.txt

http://www.egcitizen.com/articles/2009/04/24/news/doc49ee2fe796c4e801276628.txt

Product Review!!!

As I said in an earlier post, Eco Store USA http://www.ecostoreusa.com/ has asked me to do a product review of a few of their baby products. I am reviewing the Baby Wash, Baby Moisturizer (both of which have aromatherapy properties) and the Nappy Balm. These are eco friendly products minus all the nasty chemicals. Intrigued I agreed to try these out and do a review! I told them I would give an honest review, and if I didn't like the products I wouldn't say I did. Luckily for them I loved the products. My only concern would be pricing, but see below for a chance to try them risk free.

At first glance, the product bottles are not huge. When you go to buy some of these name brand products you think the bigger the better, so when I saw these moderately sized bottles, I was a little concerned. When I realized that it is because you need to use less of the products for the same results, it all made more sense. Each item reviewed costs $10 each.

First the Baby wash, smells so good. I asked my daughter Emma what she thought, and she said, "That smells nice Mommy!". She has the most sensitive skin of all of us, and she really liked it. You can use less yet still get a great lather without all those "Nasty Chemicals". You use less, and your body feels fresh (yes, I tried it on me too, I thought what the hay!). I didn't feel dried out like I do with a lot of the body products I have used aimed at the female market.

Next the Moisturizer. Also aromatherapy, this one seems almost invigorating. The lavender smell puts you at ease, but it feels so good going on at the same time. Also you need less, and it goes further than you would think. But this light to the touch moisturizer gives you a deep moisture feeling usually only heavy moisturizer can give, minus the greasiness.

Finally the Nappy Balm aka diaper balm. This I had no babies to test on, but I decided to check it out anyway. I think we all know how smelly those other diaper balms can me, and thick too. Well this Nappy Balm, was really light yet seemed to have enough to create that barrier of protection. It smelled very neutral and also had very moisturizing properties. I was actually impressed. Now that I will soon have a baby to use this on, I am definitely going to be planning on using this in my nursery.

So? Want to try these products risk free? The first to email me with their Name address and Phone number (needed for fed ex) will be forwarded on to EcoStore. You will receive a 25 dollar credit and April is Earth Month, so shipping will be free!!! So email me at calistaquinn@gmail.com to get your $25 free in natural eco-friendly products! I really wouldn't put this on my blog unless I tried it and liked it! So try it and then let me know what you think!

ECO STORE USA

Eco Store USA contacted me about reviewing some of their products on my blog. The products are natural, plant based and are earth friendly. The products range from Household Cleaning supplies to body and baby products.

I will be testing out three products. Once I have used these products I will be reviewing them right on this blog. The products are Aromatherapy Baby Body Wash, Aromatherapy Baby Moisturizer, and Protection Baby Nappy Balm (diaper balm).

I have to say that even prior to trying them as I have just received them I am already impressed. They sent full size products no small samples to me, I feel that sends a message that they are very confident in their products and are hiding nothing. They also choose to pursue the mom blogger market, which I feel that shows that they understand the power of women in the market place. We are very intelligent and discerning buyers.

So I will review these at weeks end. Also there is an opportunity for one lucky reader to get a $25 dollar gift certificate for product and April is Earth Month so all orders of $25 and qualify for free shipping. (Oh! May I add that even their shipping supplies were earth friendly and sustaining!) You will need to email me at calistaquinn@gmail.com with the following information: Name, mailing address, and phone number. I will forward this on to ECO store and they will take it from there.

Check out http://www.ecostoreusa.com/ for more information about the company.

Swoosh, Swoosh, Swoosh....

A baby's heartbeat is such a wonderful sound! It is the best remedy to really anything! I just got back from my appointment, and although I have had several ultrasounds (due to my fear based insanity! LOL) but I hadn't actually heard the heartbeat! It was wonderful! Bean was sleeping so the doctor did her best to rouse him/her. It worked for a minute and all my worry was indeed assuaged. I think the doctor was determined to have Bean give me a show for self-preservation! LOL Everyone around there knows me, and I swear I worse this time than with my first!

I just needed to update! I have several articles I will be adding to the blog over the next week! I have been one sad blogger, due to being so overly tired! I tried to explain to Emma and Elise that my body is just exhausted from all the work! They told me that I need to sleep at night then! LOL as if I hadn't been, but I guess that is their way of telling me I need a bed time.

Well back to work for now! Keep your eyes peeled for more exciting posts!!!

American Idol: Shower Edition Here I come

I always knew was supposed to be a famous celebrity singer. I just have always known that. It is a part of me... well maybe a part of my imagination. However, that dream was dashed this morning, as I belted out my rendition of Taylor Swift's "Love Story" in the shower. I was great, let me tell you. I had all the lines, I wavered my voice, it was shower stellar! That is until Elise comes in and asks what all the yelling is about!

First of all, let's tackle the obvious, as a mother I have lost almost all privacy. The girls think nothing of walking in while I shower (or worse am using the restroom!) and just talking up a conversation, while I rinse my body and hair. Most days I don't care, but some days, (except for the restroom incidents on those I always care) I am like sheesh, doesn't a mom get a moment's peace? What the heck. Some days I don't feel like being watched, some days I just want to have that shower as my peaceful start to the day. Unfortunately the girls, just do not understand that, no matter how many times I tell them!!! I hate locking doors because if there was an emergency with how our room is set up, I would never hear them knocking. Anyway, I guess Mommy in their minds is 100% available all the time. I think I need to make a new rule!!!

OK, back to the questionable vocals! So hear I am, pretty sure that if a spotter was in my bathroom at that moment I would be offered a recording contract. Of course they would have to make me over and get me a trainer before they could sell me to the public, oh and I would have to have Bean first, but I would be famous! LOL Just when I am beaming with pride at myself, Elise comes in, hands over her ears, confused look on her face, asking, "What is all the yelling about? It is only 8am and no one is here!" I tell her I wasn't yelling, I was singing. She removes her hands from her ears, places them on her middle, and begins to laugh so hard, tears are coming down her face!

I feel my face redden, I forget I am naked and not quite dry, I point at the door angrily, she tries to apologize between the chuckles, "Out!" I yell! "Out!" "If you want to know what the yelling is about now? I would be more than happy to tell you!!!" She runs out. My dreams and pride are dashed, apparently my dreams of being discovered, are just dreams, and I, Calista, am not destined for a great singing career, but! but! I am destined to continue my shower serenades, because I like how I sing! But maybe I will spare the world, and not take up karaoke?

So Mom, When did you and Dad, you know Do it?

Yes that is one of the questions my 9 year old daughter Elise asked me following us telling the girls that we were going to have a new baby. I had to laugh, I knew the question was coming because I had read to Elise, the Body Book; It's a God Thing, in December. It is a christian view point book written in today's language and a girls point of view. It is written to tell them about the changes in their life with puberty, peer pressure, drugs, etc. It is an awesome book, but since I had read it to her she has asked about sex and what it is.

I told her that the Bible says for us to wait until we are married. By doing so we do not have many of the worldly worries such as teen pregnancy, STDs and the like. Now before I get a million comments (yeah right I am lucky to get one!) let me tell you. I believe this is what God prescribes for a reason, however, I am not oblivious to the ways of the world, which is why I want to explain to her the body processes and challenges of sex prior to marriage. My head is not in the sand. I let her ask questions, and I answered them . I told her that boys have different parts than her. She said she knew (which I had hoped so! LOL). Then she asks "Do those parts connect with our parts?" I tell her yes. She proceeds to ask, "Bare?!" I tell her yes, which is followed by the predictable "Ewwwwww!!!! Gross!!!!!". So then I tell her that yes right now it seems gross, but someday it won't, and when that time occurs we need to talk again. She agrees.

Now we had that talk, in December of last year, so when we told Emma and Elise, I knew some questions were bound to arise. The first responses were met with glee and Squeals. Elise said "I have always wanted us to have a baby type thingy!" and Emma asked "When do we get it?". That made me laugh like Bean was going to come via UPS overnight or something! I was quite happy with their responses because Emma has always been very devoted to being the baby of the family and anytime a conversation arose about having another, she was very staunch in her answer "NO! I am the BABY!" So I was quite happy with her change in attitude so now we don't have to nanny cam her! LOL

It wasn't until this morning when Elise went on to ask, "So mom, when did you and dad, you know do it?" I obviously didn't tell her. I told her mommy and daddy relations are private. I was however that we had had the prior talk to all of this. I am also glad that she feels she can ask me questions, though as the parent, I always reserve the right to not answer. I think it is important that we do not bury our heads in the sand as parents like generations past. I believe that we have the responsibility to instill in our children the beliefs that we hold dear. When it comes down to it, children will make their own decisions, but we as parents have done our job if we have given them the tools, and the belief systems that we believe are best. That is the best we can do.

So I encourage all of you to take this subject head on. Do not let society tell your children what to believe, you need to do it, if you haven't already. It is a hard topic, but keeping the lines of communication open on the tough subjects is what will allow our children to make good decisions and get help when they have made bad ones. I will always be Emma and Elise's mother, not their friend, but I still want to be there for them with arms wide open. Here is the link to the book I read to Elise, it is for girls, but there are others for boys. Check it out, I am sure you can find it on many sites, and I encourage you as usual to shop for the best deal! Good Luck!

http://www.bookschristian.com/se/product/books/Nancy_N_Rue/The_Body_Book/125037/The_Body_Book_Paperback.html

12 weeks and Two Days

I know I am not the most patient of people. Today I am 12 weeks and 2 days pregnant. I am still feeling ill, and I am still feeling tired. Despite the fact that I am in my second trimester by only two days now, I am clinging to the fact that all websites and books say I should be feeling better in my second trimester!!!! All I can think of is when? I am a good 48 hours in and should be feeling better right?

Ok... maybe it is the pregnancy insanity talking, or maybe I am channeling Bean's thoughts because Bean wants me to get the heck up off the couch and do something... I don't know. What I do know is my next scheduled Ultrasound is April 2nd. Ugh! Too far away! How can we tell Elise and Emma that we are going to have another Bean now that we are 12 weeks, without having some sense that all is still well on the Uterine Front? So I call one of my great friends, who happens to be an Obstetrician (yay me!). She says come on in!!! So today at 12 weeks and 2 days Bean and I are going to have another look see!!! Should all be well (and I keep telling myself it is) I will be posting these U/S pics finally as the Bean will be out of the bag! Not literally of course! Now that the girls will be informed I will finally let me public see the first baby pics! Of course US weekly isn't offering to pay millions for the first glimpse, and baby Jolie-Pitt, Bean isn't but that is ok, My public awaits!!! LOL

Two Be A Mom is getting noticed!

Thank you to all my readers who are patient with me during my tiredness and days off from posting! I never remember being this tired with my other two pregnancies, which is why I believe wholeheartedly in the theory of Pregnancy Brain. After all if we remembered how hard it was, we would only have one child!

Thank you for passing along my blog address and adding to my "hit list"! My blog is getting noticed and I may soon have some product reviews and money saving coupon buttons that will be added! I want to reassure you, that this is a blog for moms by a mom. I will never post a recommendation or coupon for a product unless I have personally tried it and truly believe in it or enjoy it myself. All of the links I currently post are ones that I use and enjoy.

Promises of Spring Leave Me With Cold Toes

Here in Sunny California, it can look warmer than it is! I keep waiting for that damned groundhog that keeps predicting 6 more weeks of winter to finally kick it so we can try to stack our bets with a summer loving groundhog!

For the last few days I keep hearing it will be in the high 60's... **cough** Where? I ask? I hear it will be warm so I don my capri's and flip flops only to have hypothermia set in once I go out side and head to the office. Where are these near 70 degree days? Well not in Northern California?

Where do these weather people go to school? How can they decide whether the day will bring 68 or 63 degrees? Whether that slight breeze will create a drop in temperature to where my leg hair grows a mile a minute forcing me to shave two days in a row? I just don't get it!

Don't get me wrong! They have a fabulous job. I mean what other profession can you think of that guessing and getting it wrong is completely ok? I want that job. I want the job where I just flick the arrow and where it lands is where I predict! Meanwhile I am now bringing slippers to the office, since you cannot see my feet under my desk and still maintaining my cute spring fashions. Because if I wear it! It will come!!!

Ob Appointment, and my latest meeting with the Internal Ultrasound Wand

So yesterday I go into my appointment, it is raining and cold here in not so sunny California, but I am clad in capri's and flip flops so as not to repeat the weigh in of the last appointment where I was in sweats, a sweatshirt and uggs! I swear it all weighed 20 extra pounds, but it could just be me. Freezing I step on the scale, and do not see all 20 pounds shed off, ugh! but at least 3 are gone! Freezing for 3 freaking pounds... not a great plan.

We go back and she does my blood pressure, which is uber low, yay me!!!! I thought the fact that I was sweating bullets might have raised it but apparently not! Now feeling stronger and more confident by this news we move on to the exam room. Out comes the speculum a.k.a. "The Duck". Nooooo!!!! Then in comes the machine with the two foot long internal Ultrasound wand, and grab my chest thinking of the close call with the punctured lung at the last appointment!

I talked to the Nurse Practitioner who is in charge of this appointment, and tell her that I do not want the duck. She looks at me quizzically (oh come on! like they haven't heard it referred to as that before!) Now I feel the bullets of sweat coming back. I explain that I have pelvic separation (which is ohhhhh so painful and will most likely lead to bed rest, which for the rest of you may mean hourly Calista Posts, because what else will I be able to do?) "Ok, Ok," She says, I just was going to test for Chlamydia and the G virus (can't think of the name). I am like "what?" She says we do it for all pregnancies. I explain that I do not need the test as Colin and I have been together since I was 16, we work for the family business with my parents, all day, together... ohhh what will retirement lead to??? So really he has no opportunity to cause any of this to happen. She tells me some women are surprised! Ugh! She would really feel better if I did it, and it is after all of this, she tells me they have a pee in a cup test for it! Hello??? Why wouldn't they do that anyway???? Why invade occupied territory for a swab, why, tell me why, they didn't do that with the last battery of tests I had to do, sheesh! So I relent, and tell her if it will make her feel better, fine I will pee in a cup (basically, I had to go so bad at that point, it was worth it just to be able to go!!!!)

First she says we should do the ultrasound. So she tries abdominally, but nothing... panic is rising, then she says, well you are not thin, so we will go internal! I am not thin? Really because then I must have fun house mirrors because I swore I was a Giselle Bundchen beauty! Hello? I think they just like to poke and prod and since she was deprived of the swab on comes the two foot wand. I ask her to be gentle that my lungs have a way of jumping out at sticks, (not really but i was trying to get plain Jane to laugh... to no avail, I must add.)

All of a sudden the baby bubble jumps on the screen, the prodding of said two foot wand, has awoken bean, and it begins to dance and swim around. I see the head (the really big looking nose, please no Mr. Potato Head babies!!), the two arms, two legs. I see the spine, and the umbilical cord. The beauty of a miracle from God. I feel peace, then a it looks into the picture if I didn't know better, I would swear it was flipping it off for waking it up! I tell the nurse, "Wow it looks pretty developed for 9 weeks!" She does the measurements, and sees I am at 10 weeks 4 days! Only 10 days until the 12 week first trimester, deep breaths mark! Woo Hoo!!! What an excellent sign!!!

So I left the office feeling pretty good about Bean. Feeling more confident that this little miracle will be coming home with me this September, to nuzzle and coo, scream and poo. I would post pics, but we still haven't told Elise or Emma or the rest of the fam (other than parents) so to honor all of them, I will wait until I am able to share it with all of them. Thanks for listening!!!

My dear Blogger Friend, was so kind as to nominate me for this very prestigious award! It is for Bloggers by bloggers and the winner has the obligations to list 7 things that they enjoy as well as 7 blogs they enjoy to read, I only read 5 so that is what I am passing on. I received this award from Mary K Brennan who pens (or types as the case shall be) "The Adventures of Mommy Maestro" check out her awesome and creative blog to start your day off right http://marykbrennan.blogspot.com/

I feel honored to be acknowledged by a fellow blogger, and Mary has been wonderful as her blog has been a great inspiration! I can rely on her for the oh so exciting comment posting, so that I know that someone out there really reads this!!!

On to my 7 things I love, other than my faith and family as those would take up all 7!

1. Kettle One Up Extra Chilled Extra Olive Martini's (Yes prior to Bean, but yet again following Bean)

2. Reading a good book by a great author, such as Jen Lancaster (Blog listed below, only check out if you can laugh your tookas off!)

3. Pedicures without the paraffin wax (can you say HOT!)

4. Facebook, can't help it! I love it! Even if all the people I cannot remember from high school add me as their friend (no I wasn't popular, more like invisible, or so I thought!)

5. Good family Photographs. (Check out Bella Mena Below!)

6. Bunco... Mom's night out with wine (again prior to Bean), dice and chocolate, really what could be better?

7. Wednesday night date night with Collin!!! I love me some time with my man!!! And not having to cut someone's dinner up is always a plus!

5 Blogs I love to read and Pass the Award onto are (except for Mary's http://marykbrennan.blogspot.com/ since she is my beloved referrer!):

1. Jennsylvania www.jennsylvania.com be prepared, too hilarious!

2. The Puppies Cooley http://www.puppiescooley.blogspot.com/ Just when you think Dogs can't talk!

3. Beautiful Photography http://www.bellamena.blogspot.com/ Sindy is WONDERFUL

4. Hungry Girl ok, it isn't a blog but go with it: http://hungry-girl.com/

5. http://irishembi.blogspot.com/ Very funny!

Pass on the Honors everyone!!! And have a Wonderful Day!!!

Frugal Tip of the Day Slow Down or Speed Up Your DSL

Most of us really don't notice if we have 1 or 10 mps(or whatever the speed thing is) for our DSL. We had one which is supposed to be slower than 10, but when for some reason or service ran a promotion I actually saved $20 a month by going to the higher speed! I called recently because I was on the money saving train, and if I lowered my speed, I would actually have to pay more than I am paying now! Crazy!!!

So call your Internet service provider, and the other providers in your area, see what they are charging for different speeds, you may end up changing! I know the hassle of email if you change! That is why I no longer use my Internet Service Providers email account. Check out Yahoo or GMail, for a free email account, that you will never have to switch despite changing providers!!! I did it about 3 years ago, and I am thrilled, I now feel free to change as I see fit, because there is no longer the irritation of having to email out each time, that we have changed!

OB/Gyno Visit Equals Tummy Trouble and Humiliation!

So today I am going in for my second "viability scan". Isn't that just a lovely and reassuring term? I mean seriously, I feel like I am walking the plank and I may get lucky. Shouldn't it be the other way around? Shouldn't it be we are going to see your baby today!!! Of course there is always the knowledge that something can be wrong but it isn't in the freaking forefront, it is merely in the background, while joy is allowed to reign until proven otherwise.

I am scared to death of the two foot internal Ultrasound wand coming back into my life, last time I swear I narrowly escaped a punctured lung. I am hoping, praying that between beans supposed size, and my fat not getting in the way, that they can do the standard belly wand. Note to self: Do not go to the bathroom before! Which is really a double edged sword, because if you go, they cannot see bean as well, and if you don't go you feel like with all the pushing you will spew your bladder all over the place. Sorry for the uncouthness but it is a worry, and it seems like when you are pregnant, all bodily functions are up for discussion! I don't know why!

Then there is the pee test you are supposed to take each time you go in. The one where they give you the smallest bottle and you are supposed to somehow aim and give them a sample so they can test it for glucose or whatever with those keto strips. How lovely is it to see your nurse each time and hand her your cup of pee! It is humiliating! Seriously! They already did the test why retake it every time? Honestly I think they see a thick girl and say, hmm... she must have high cholesterol and be diabetic. For the record. I am neither of those!

I am also worried that they are going to want to use the "duck" and do the pap smear and all of that. Ugh! I hate that! I hate someone at that end of me, if makes me nervous, and I will be honest I constantly worry that I will toot! I know! I know! You didnt need to know that! But I have to tell someone, and I really do not want Colin going off to work thinking about his wife tooting at the gyno office!!! I never have, I swear, because I would totally tell you, but why is it a worry? I swear I am the only one with these irrational fears!

It seems until last night when it was all racing back to me, that I had forgotten how one loses what seems to be all privacy, all rights of hiding bodily functions. I guess your right to privacy ends with the fertilization of your eggs! Ugh!!!!! Wish me luck, as I pick out the perfect outfit, the whitest socks, and try to aim into that dreaded cup!

Frugal Tip of the Day Save on Household Items!

I think we have all heard about the millionaire who despite his fortune, saved the remnants of his soap bars and would put them together to reuse when the ball got big enough. My idea is similar, except far less tedious and gross. It came to me as I helped my dear Emma wash her hair. She likes to do it all herself. So I watched as she poured entirely too much shampoo for that little head of hers. All I could think of is what a waste! I told her she really doesn't need more than a quarter sized dollop for her head, and at most two of those dollops, definitely not two cup fulls.

So after her shower I head to the Laundry room, where I promptly fill up the detergent to the top line. Immediately I think about Emma and her shampoo. Why do I feel the need to fill it to the top? So I poured only 2/3 in about the 2nd line worth. Then off to the dishes where I thought about it before I filled both cups to the brim of Dishwasher detergent. Why after all are there two cups?

Soon I am sure there is a conspiracy amongst the manufacturers and the detergent companies!!! It is one to get us to over use these products and waste money! Now I don't even fill the one cup to the brim, and guess what? I still have shiny food free dishes! The same with the clothes detergent, I only go to line 2 really saving 1/3 of the detergent I would use per wash. Also with body wash and shampoos. I am not talking about getting half clean, but really using only what we need to get ourselves and our homes clean. I noticed that my laundry soap has lasted longer and all of our items like that. Really using more doesn't mean more clean, it means more money and cleaners down the drown. Just a thought!