So I ramble on and on about how wonderful these sippy cups are, and then I don't tell you anything about them. I tell you, since having two kids, my brain is no where to be found.
So they are called "The Safe Sippy." THe bad news is they are kinda pricey - $17, but they are worth every penny. I found them in the DFW area at Lone Star Baby and Kids. If you don't live in this area, you can buy them on inchbug.com, or you can buy them from Lone Star on-line at www.shoplonestarbaby.com They are a few dollars cheaper at the lone star site, but I havent priced shipping. Of course, you can get them on ebay as well, but the price is the same. They only come in three colors - pink, green, and blue. I hope that helps, and again, sorry for the brain fart. Hope you all enjoy your new sippy cups; I am sure you kids will too!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Sippy cup envy...
As any mom of a toddler knows, a good sippy cup can be hard to find. Yea, they all say they are "spill proof," but in my opinion, that is a big bunch of bologna. What they really mean is they are gush proof, but when turned upside down (which every toddler does), it drips, drips, drips. This can be so frustrating, not to mention the little spots all over your tile, wood, and carpeted floors due to these little "drips."
Therefore, I went in search of the perfect sippy cup. Of course, we do everything BPA free, which makes it even more difficult to find options. I went on-line thinking that some other mom must have the same frustration as me! I finally came across these awesome stainless steel sippy cups. Not only were they plastic free (except for the spout, which is BPA free), but they boasted a "no leak spout." I had to try them.
I found one store in all of the DFW area that sold them. I threw the girls in the car and raced out to get them. Let me tell you, THEY ARE WONDERFUL! They are going to be my new baby shower gift, because even if you dont think you like them, when you have a toddler, they will be your favorite feeding necessity. Ellie Kate loves them, and she can't see if there is milk, juice, or water in there - which is great.
I can't tell you how many times I have been stopped about these sippy cups. "Where did you get these?" "How do they work?" "Aren't those cute!" These are just a few of the comments I get while out. During Thanksgiving week, my sister-in-law couldn't believe how they wouldn't leak. After her daughter grabbed her Nuby sippy-cup and proceeded to dump it all down the front of her shirt, even though it was tightly sealed (we have all been there), she looks at me and says, "Get me two of those sippy cups, the check will be in the mail."
So far all of you toddler moms out there, or toddler mom's to be - don't be left with a sticky child, sticky floors, and sticky laundry. Get a safe sippy - you will be the envy of all!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Oh, the joys of breastfeeding...
For all you fellow breastfeeding moms out there, please sympathize.
How come every baby always gets hungry at the most in opportune time? Or is that just my baby? No kidding. The minute I tuck her safe and sound the car seat..she's hungry. Ellie Kate falls down and bonks her head of the coffee table...she's hungry. The quietest time in the sermon, I get a page...she's hungry. I mean it, it never fails!
Not only does she pick the most inconvenient times, she also has a tendency to pick the most inconvenient places. Don't get me wrong, I am all about the power of breastfeeding. Fewer things please me more than to see a mom breastfeeding in public. It makes me want to yell "you go girl!" But there are a few places that I have felt, well let just say slightly less than comfortable.
On my trip home from Columbus lats Saturday, I knew it would be a long trip that would require a few feedings. I wanted to schedule my feedings for right before the plane ride, so she could eat, be full, and sleep the whole trip. The first plane ride from Columbus to Charlotte, NC was perfect. She was well fed, and before we even took of the ground, she was out. She woke up a little later, but did wonderful whole way there.
When we touched down, we were little behind schedule. I realized that I would have to literally run to my next flight, which I did, and I barely arrived before they closed the doors. Crisis averted...well almost.
When I sat down, I barely even noticed the passenger next to me until I had a few moments to catch my breath. I looked up and saw this young Hispanic gentleman with tattoos, wild piercings, and fat chains around his neck. Now this wouldn't normally be a big deal. I love the hard look as much as the next girl, but it was about this thought that I looked down at my darling daughter, who was beginnings to stick out the bottom lip and look at me with those "I'm hungry" eyes.
Uh-oh. What to do? My baby has to eat, but would this rapper wannabe be comfortable in such close quarters with my child breastfeeding. Well, he wouldn't have a choice. It was feed or listen to her scream. So I sheepishly apologized for any uncomfortableness that this may cause, but I had to feed my baby. He said, Oh yea, no big deal, but he proceeded to put his hand up by his face and said "I promise not to look." I couldn't help but laugh. I told him I was pretty good at using my handy dandy breastfeeding cover, and that I was not bothered by it. He said, "oh OK," but then started to inch closer and closer to the window, until there was no room for an ant.
Such a sweet fellow. I hope one day, when his wife chooses to breastfeed, that he will look back on this day and laugh, wondering, "why was I so paranoid?" As for me, I will continue to breastfeed, even in the oddest of times and places, because hey, its what is best..right? :-)
How come every baby always gets hungry at the most in opportune time? Or is that just my baby? No kidding. The minute I tuck her safe and sound the car seat..she's hungry. Ellie Kate falls down and bonks her head of the coffee table...she's hungry. The quietest time in the sermon, I get a page...she's hungry. I mean it, it never fails!
Not only does she pick the most inconvenient times, she also has a tendency to pick the most inconvenient places. Don't get me wrong, I am all about the power of breastfeeding. Fewer things please me more than to see a mom breastfeeding in public. It makes me want to yell "you go girl!" But there are a few places that I have felt, well let just say slightly less than comfortable.
On my trip home from Columbus lats Saturday, I knew it would be a long trip that would require a few feedings. I wanted to schedule my feedings for right before the plane ride, so she could eat, be full, and sleep the whole trip. The first plane ride from Columbus to Charlotte, NC was perfect. She was well fed, and before we even took of the ground, she was out. She woke up a little later, but did wonderful whole way there.
When we touched down, we were little behind schedule. I realized that I would have to literally run to my next flight, which I did, and I barely arrived before they closed the doors. Crisis averted...well almost.
When I sat down, I barely even noticed the passenger next to me until I had a few moments to catch my breath. I looked up and saw this young Hispanic gentleman with tattoos, wild piercings, and fat chains around his neck. Now this wouldn't normally be a big deal. I love the hard look as much as the next girl, but it was about this thought that I looked down at my darling daughter, who was beginnings to stick out the bottom lip and look at me with those "I'm hungry" eyes.
Uh-oh. What to do? My baby has to eat, but would this rapper wannabe be comfortable in such close quarters with my child breastfeeding. Well, he wouldn't have a choice. It was feed or listen to her scream. So I sheepishly apologized for any uncomfortableness that this may cause, but I had to feed my baby. He said, Oh yea, no big deal, but he proceeded to put his hand up by his face and said "I promise not to look." I couldn't help but laugh. I told him I was pretty good at using my handy dandy breastfeeding cover, and that I was not bothered by it. He said, "oh OK," but then started to inch closer and closer to the window, until there was no room for an ant.
Such a sweet fellow. I hope one day, when his wife chooses to breastfeed, that he will look back on this day and laugh, wondering, "why was I so paranoid?" As for me, I will continue to breastfeed, even in the oddest of times and places, because hey, its what is best..right? :-)
Sunday, November 16, 2008
My family is Caraaaazy! (crazy)
Seriously.
As many of you know, my grandfather passed away last weekend. I have been in Columbus, Ohio for the past four days celebrating his life. He was a wonderful Christian man and I have no doubt that he is singing in the choir in heaven.
I am positive that my grandfather was looking down on all of us, and rolling his eyes over the craziness of this past week. There is nothing like putting 30 people together to make you want to be institutionalized. Don't get me wrong, I love my extended family, but whew, they are nuts. Let me explain...
I had to bring Peyton with me because she is obviously still nursing. So Peyton and I loaded up on Wednesday morning at 5am and headed to the DFW. Once I got there, the craziness began. I had missed my flight (whoops), been rebooked for a later flight, and I accidentally told the security guard that I "might" have a firearm in my bag (i wasn't paying attention to what he was asking) - needless to say, the trip got off to a rocky start.
Once I got there, I spent the next three days trying to see straight. Not only did we have 32 family members in my grandmother's house, but we had three wild dogs, about 50 delivered plants, 18 casseroles, 27 pies/cakes/desserts, 4 edible arrangements, and endless sodas and bottles of water. My grandmother proceeds to insist that the grandchildren keep an inventory of every single thing that she received and who she received it from. Sounds easy? Don't be fooled. We had to write exactly what each flower or food looked like, how big it was, the container it came in, and what it smelled like (ok, i made that last one up). We did it however, and we did it with a smile :-).
That evening my cousin made the mistake of printing out the tentative program from the funeral the next evening. My grandmother and her three daughters proceeded to spaz over the layout for the next 2 hours. I am positive my grandfather was yelling from heaven, ITS JUST THE LAYOUT! The funeral director graciously listened to the millions of complaints, and fixed it to a T.
Poor Peyton barely survived. She lived on everyone else's schedule and got a nap whenever and wherever she could. I think sometimes that people forget what it is like to have a newborn - they require some sort of a schedule that includes several naps, and unfortunately, they require some amount of quiet. Well, she got none of that. Peyton and I and my parents slept in the basement and you could hear every paw print, footstep, door slam, etc. The worst were the high heels clomping down the entryway, directly over Peyton's room...bless her heart, she was a trooper.
The next three days were filled with ups and downs and everything in between. We all gained about 10 pounds on yummy food, celebrated my grandfather's life, spent $600 at the Buckeye Corner on Ohio State memorabilia, and put up with each other's craziness. I would like to think that my immediate family is the sane ones, but we have our qwirks too. Isn't every family a little bit crazy? I hope so...
As many of you know, my grandfather passed away last weekend. I have been in Columbus, Ohio for the past four days celebrating his life. He was a wonderful Christian man and I have no doubt that he is singing in the choir in heaven.
I am positive that my grandfather was looking down on all of us, and rolling his eyes over the craziness of this past week. There is nothing like putting 30 people together to make you want to be institutionalized. Don't get me wrong, I love my extended family, but whew, they are nuts. Let me explain...
I had to bring Peyton with me because she is obviously still nursing. So Peyton and I loaded up on Wednesday morning at 5am and headed to the DFW. Once I got there, the craziness began. I had missed my flight (whoops), been rebooked for a later flight, and I accidentally told the security guard that I "might" have a firearm in my bag (i wasn't paying attention to what he was asking) - needless to say, the trip got off to a rocky start.
Once I got there, I spent the next three days trying to see straight. Not only did we have 32 family members in my grandmother's house, but we had three wild dogs, about 50 delivered plants, 18 casseroles, 27 pies/cakes/desserts, 4 edible arrangements, and endless sodas and bottles of water. My grandmother proceeds to insist that the grandchildren keep an inventory of every single thing that she received and who she received it from. Sounds easy? Don't be fooled. We had to write exactly what each flower or food looked like, how big it was, the container it came in, and what it smelled like (ok, i made that last one up). We did it however, and we did it with a smile :-).
That evening my cousin made the mistake of printing out the tentative program from the funeral the next evening. My grandmother and her three daughters proceeded to spaz over the layout for the next 2 hours. I am positive my grandfather was yelling from heaven, ITS JUST THE LAYOUT! The funeral director graciously listened to the millions of complaints, and fixed it to a T.
Poor Peyton barely survived. She lived on everyone else's schedule and got a nap whenever and wherever she could. I think sometimes that people forget what it is like to have a newborn - they require some sort of a schedule that includes several naps, and unfortunately, they require some amount of quiet. Well, she got none of that. Peyton and I and my parents slept in the basement and you could hear every paw print, footstep, door slam, etc. The worst were the high heels clomping down the entryway, directly over Peyton's room...bless her heart, she was a trooper.
The next three days were filled with ups and downs and everything in between. We all gained about 10 pounds on yummy food, celebrated my grandfather's life, spent $600 at the Buckeye Corner on Ohio State memorabilia, and put up with each other's craziness. I would like to think that my immediate family is the sane ones, but we have our qwirks too. Isn't every family a little bit crazy? I hope so...
Monday, November 10, 2008
Glamorous life of a housewife
Everyone go check out Whitney's giveaway. If you win, you better make me something in that pie dish! Good luck!
http://glamlifehousewife.blogspot.com/
http://glamlifehousewife.blogspot.com/
Saturday, November 8, 2008
the end of one life, the beginning of another....
This morning, my darling 3 month old daughter awoke at 6am, which is surprisingly early for her. She is a wonderful sleeper. I sluggishly rolled out of bed and mozied my way down the hall to Peyton's bedroom. I turned her over, and as she slowly opened her eyes, she smiled, as she always does when she sees her mommy. My heart melted as her toothless grin was aimed directly at me. I brought her back to bed and fed her while I thought about the blessings in my life. It is amazing what a mom thinks about when she is nursing in the wee hours of the morning. They are precious moments that I wouldn't change for anything.
She finished eating and I sat her up to burp. She is a loud burper and this time was no exception. She belched like a teenage boy and it awoke my husband. We laughed about it and he sat up and made silly faces to make her smile. As I turned her around and looked at her, I began praying over her new, sweet little life. I prayed that she would obey her parents, keep her mind pure, and make better choices than I did. I prayed that she would grow up to be a woman that loved God with all her heart. I prayed for her future husband, that he would keep his mind pure. As I was praying these things out loud, my husband said, "it is amazing the potential of a new life." She gets to do what many of us wish we could - start anew!
After a few more moments of cooing, I got up to put her back to bed. I went into her room and began to just walk around her room, the room I had prepared for her for nine long months. I got lost in thinking about the small, intricate details I had done to this room than no one probably even noticed, but I knew it. The time and labor it took to paint that ridiculous tree on her wall, and trying to keep my sweet 18 month old away from that wall until it dried. That is when I began to think - this room is filled with memories. Memories of making the room, memories of the prayers spoken in this room, and the memory I was making just then of rocking my baby to sleep. Its the memories in life that are most important and the ones that no one can take away. I thanked God for this life in my arms and laid her down to sleep.
About 15 minutes later, I got a phone call from my mom saying my grandfather had passed away. He had been diagnosed with cancer about a year ago, and he was a wonderful Christian man. I had just spoken with him the night before and told him that if I got to heaven before he did, that I would wait for him; and if he got there before me, I wanted him to wait for me. I told him to save a dance for me, and that one day we would sing in the choir together. I had no idea that it would be the last time I would even speak o him.
He had passed away about 20 minutes before that phone call. My mind quickly went to what I had been doing 20 minutes earlier - rocking Peyton in my arms. As I sat here and thanked God for blessing me with this new life, God had chosen to take a life back to him. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. I am so thankful for the memories of my grandfather. He was a wonderful man and did things for me that I didn't deserve. But I can't help but think the Lord was trying to get my attention that morning. I need not worry about the hustle and bustle of life. I want to stop fretting about the laundry, the dishes, and have everything disinfected. I need to stop pressuring myself into being that "perfect" mom that makes beautiful scrapbooks and has her 18 month old potty trained. Instead, get on the floor and get messy playing with play dough, finger paints, and sand. Let them swish around in the tub and get water of the floor -in fact makes waves with them! Take them to the park, even though it is difficult to get two kids in the car. Most of all, get out there and make memories. After all, the memories we create with our loved ones are what we cherish most.
So get out and make some memories with those you love the most - you won't regret it.
She finished eating and I sat her up to burp. She is a loud burper and this time was no exception. She belched like a teenage boy and it awoke my husband. We laughed about it and he sat up and made silly faces to make her smile. As I turned her around and looked at her, I began praying over her new, sweet little life. I prayed that she would obey her parents, keep her mind pure, and make better choices than I did. I prayed that she would grow up to be a woman that loved God with all her heart. I prayed for her future husband, that he would keep his mind pure. As I was praying these things out loud, my husband said, "it is amazing the potential of a new life." She gets to do what many of us wish we could - start anew!
After a few more moments of cooing, I got up to put her back to bed. I went into her room and began to just walk around her room, the room I had prepared for her for nine long months. I got lost in thinking about the small, intricate details I had done to this room than no one probably even noticed, but I knew it. The time and labor it took to paint that ridiculous tree on her wall, and trying to keep my sweet 18 month old away from that wall until it dried. That is when I began to think - this room is filled with memories. Memories of making the room, memories of the prayers spoken in this room, and the memory I was making just then of rocking my baby to sleep. Its the memories in life that are most important and the ones that no one can take away. I thanked God for this life in my arms and laid her down to sleep.
About 15 minutes later, I got a phone call from my mom saying my grandfather had passed away. He had been diagnosed with cancer about a year ago, and he was a wonderful Christian man. I had just spoken with him the night before and told him that if I got to heaven before he did, that I would wait for him; and if he got there before me, I wanted him to wait for me. I told him to save a dance for me, and that one day we would sing in the choir together. I had no idea that it would be the last time I would even speak o him.
He had passed away about 20 minutes before that phone call. My mind quickly went to what I had been doing 20 minutes earlier - rocking Peyton in my arms. As I sat here and thanked God for blessing me with this new life, God had chosen to take a life back to him. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. I am so thankful for the memories of my grandfather. He was a wonderful man and did things for me that I didn't deserve. But I can't help but think the Lord was trying to get my attention that morning. I need not worry about the hustle and bustle of life. I want to stop fretting about the laundry, the dishes, and have everything disinfected. I need to stop pressuring myself into being that "perfect" mom that makes beautiful scrapbooks and has her 18 month old potty trained. Instead, get on the floor and get messy playing with play dough, finger paints, and sand. Let them swish around in the tub and get water of the floor -in fact makes waves with them! Take them to the park, even though it is difficult to get two kids in the car. Most of all, get out there and make memories. After all, the memories we create with our loved ones are what we cherish most.
So get out and make some memories with those you love the most - you won't regret it.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Halloween
For Halloween, Ellie Kate was Dorothy from the Wizard of OZ. Her best buddies are her sidekicks. Jonathan is the scarecrow. Josiah was the tin man, and Jaxson was the lion. By this time in the night, they were sooo over their costumes
"where dey go?"
My sleepy pumpkin
cutie pie!So we had a great time celebrating Fall at our church's Fall Festival. Ellie Kate dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of OZ. Her buddies joined in the fun. We had such a great time and even let Ellie have a few pieces of candy (we payed for it later!). As I was watching Ellie Kate climb in the moon bounce, ride a tricycle in the tot zone, and play all the carnival games, I couldn't believe that this was my baby! Where had the time gone? Last year, she was my little lady bug and she sat in her stroller the whole time. She couldn't even walk, let alone run and play on all the games. While I am loving each stage as it comes my way, I am sad as I close each chapter.
What makes me even more sad is the thought of where my babies will be next year. Ellie Kate will be talking like crazy, wanting her independence, and be a kid, not a baby anymore! Peyton will be walking, starting to talk and be a full blown toddler. I just want to put bricks on their heads, and make them stay small! It makes me cherish each rock in the rocking chair. Why are we in such a hurry to get our kids on that perfect schedule, falling asleep on their own, sleeping in big girl beds, and getting rid of that pacifier! I want to enjoy each moment and enjoy their childhood...before its gone!
What makes me even more sad is the thought of where my babies will be next year. Ellie Kate will be talking like crazy, wanting her independence, and be a kid, not a baby anymore! Peyton will be walking, starting to talk and be a full blown toddler. I just want to put bricks on their heads, and make them stay small! It makes me cherish each rock in the rocking chair. Why are we in such a hurry to get our kids on that perfect schedule, falling asleep on their own, sleeping in big girl beds, and getting rid of that pacifier! I want to enjoy each moment and enjoy their childhood...before its gone!
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