Baby Makin(g) Machine

Kiddo fashion for TWO + Diapers.com giveaway

2012-05-22T00:02:00.000-05:00

In case you don't follow me on Facebook and you missed it. I had a kinda-sorta mini announcement this week. Yea. Kinda crazy huh? Not really. Who can resist another one of these?...

OshKosh Smocked Cotton Tank Dress

A couple weeks ago I was plotting my husband's transformation to daddy of (almost) two; warding off neigh-sayers and men's rights groups (I know... Who knew?) who thought I was forcing, and torturing my poor husband into a horrible situation; and here I am in my first two-week-wait since Lil' J. My how things change fast. Not only that but two different people wrote me today saying my approach worked on their husbands! Mens Right's beware. Us women are on to something here. Forget "forgetting" to take our birth control. Whatdoyaknow, consistent open conversations can be ~~evil and conniving~~ persuasive!

Spinning in her Carter's Woven Dress.

Anyway, enough jabbing the haters, on to the good news...

This time is NOTHING like last time. There's no temperature taking, pill popping, sex-natzing, stressing, or tracking. I'm going to enjoy being Lil' J's mommy and focus on her, and when it happens, it happens. At least now it CAN happen. (I say all of this now, but check in again in a few months.)

Sadly, I haven't had much time yet this summer to make sun-suits and dresses for Lil' J, but I hope to pick it up soon. In the meantime, I had a mini-spree on Diapers.com (they sell clothes now!) and got a few dresses and some swim shoes. They have brands like Tea Collection, Carters, and OshKosh.It's easy to brows their selection because of all the sorting options plus there's free 2 days shipping on orders over $49. It was just hard to decide what to get. Aside from the two pictured, I got another dress that should be here tomorrow. Now I have an excuse to expand Lil' J's wardrobe while stocking up on more cloth diaper stuff.

I already love coordinating with Lil' J myself (I know, I'm a big dork), so I can't wait to match TWO kiddos.

I don't have a preference for a boy or girl next time around and probably won't try to find out before he/she is born.

I'm getting ahead of myself. But that's what I do. In fact, I've already created some summer looks for brother/sister and sister/sister pairs.

Summer Breeze

Boyz Just Wanna Have Fun

Summer Rock

Sundress Galore

All of these things are from Diapers.com I made these clothing looks. Impressive right? ... Well, I thought so until I saw some of the others people had created. I used the Polyvore app (you can find it here) which is fun for sparking wardrobe inspiration. I think it's my new favorite hobby.
Let me know which one you like best in the comments and you'll be entered to win a $100 gift card to Diapers.com. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.

Easy enough right? Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*This post is sponsored by Diapers.com in conjunction with the BabyCenter Blog Network.

Coke: My choice drug

2012-05-20T08:22:00.000-05:00

Just so you know, I'm not a druggie. But recently a friend and I were contemplating how we can find time to do it all... Work, be a mom, take care of our husbands and our home. She (jokingly) said she'd have to take up cocaine to find a balance and time for it all. Lucky for me, a different kind of coke helped me discover the answer to my conundrum.

First and foremost let me say that I was invited to attend the Conversations with Coca-Cola Conference to learn about their Live Positively program. Coke hooked me up with a flight, hotel, and food. I'm not gonna lie, when I first got there, saw my hotel room, and the agenda, I had to ask myself what they wanted in exchange for all this wining and dining.

The journalist side of me thinks "UH OH!" Especially with the recent Huffington Post article snuffing at bloggers vacationing with McDonald's. But here's the thing. Bloggers aren't journalists. Bloggers openly share their opinions in their articles and journalists do not (or should not). Some bloggers' opinions can be swayed by swag and only write positive reviews, others choose to write how they REALLY feel regardless if they love it or hate it.

I, as a moonlight blogger, definitely have a fun time sharing my real opinions on random topics that I couldn't on air at my day job. So I enjoyed the trip as a blogger, with slight skepticism as a journalist, wondering when they were going to drop the bomb about what they wanted in return. But the bomb never fell.

We enjoyed a free tour of the world of Coke, where we got to taste Coke products from around the world... Some tastier than others. Among them was a European drink called Beverly which as you can tell, everyone loved.
There were also lessons on fitness and nutrition. Subway trainer Monica Vazquez game us some tips, and showed us some workouts we can do easily in our home. We had a plank-off and I won. ... NOT. But I wasn't the first one out.
Some of the most interesting lessons to me were about building our brands, and learning how Coke is making a difference in the world. Thankfully, they didn't tell me I had to blog about my experience, or tell me what to tell my friends, but I did walk away inspired after some "AH HA!" moments that I need to write down and remember.

Before going to Atlanta, my career goals were all over the map. Part of me wanted to be a stay at home mom, running some kind of business from home, another part of me was terrified at the thought of not working full-time and giving up everything I've worked towards.

When I opened my agenda the first item that caught my eye was "vision boards." I LOVE vision boards. It's kinda my thing. They can help you remain focused on a goal when you keep it visible in your home.

Funny enough, I forgot to snap a picture of mine and they're mailing it to me, so I can't share a photo right now. But it did have a couple pictures of Oprah, words like "balance" "quality time with family" and a quote about letting my daughter know she can be whatever she wants to be, and I'll do whatever it takes to help her.

Shortly thereafter we listened to a Women in the Workplace panel that was the single most motivational part of the conference for me.

In front of us sat seven successful women executives who all work for Coca-Cola, and have some sort of family of their own. From single moms, to soon-to-be-married, to being caregivers for their relatives, they each have an important personal life that comes first.

I asked each of them how they find a balance between wanting to be successful at work but also wanting to be just as successful at home and here's essentially what they said: Balance is a false goal. You can't balance everything perfectly everyday all the time. Sometimes you've gotta sacrifice a little of one for the other, but the most important thing to remember is to give your all and focus on the task at hand. When at work focus on the job, not wondering what your kid is up to, and when you're at home, leave the blackberry in your purse.

I grabbed Wendy Clark, Senior VP of Marketing Communications for Coke and, one of the panelists after the session and talked to her about one of the things she mentioned "I'm a better mom because I work, and I am better at work because I'm a mom." This resonated with me, and when I thanked her for that comment and told her about my battle with guilt she told me our kids don't know any different. Her children have never known her as a stay at home mom, or life outside of nannies and/or daycare. It's just a part of their lives. She said it's important she doesn't ever say things around her kids like "I wish I was at home" because that can make things confusing for them, and make them wonder why she does work if she doesn't have to.

A few other words that stuck with me during the Women in Leadership panel:
-Give your mentors permission to be completely honest with you.
-Stop trying to be perfect at everything and worry about what REALLY matters to your family.
-It's not a race. There are not finish lines where we're going.
-Take risks, and always feel a little uncomfortable in your job (it'll push you to get better).
-Define your own success and don't let anyone elses vision dictate your own.

So much food for thought! And so inspiring to see so many successful business women within this organization. Their "Live Positively" initiative not only does a million different things for local communities, schools, and quite frankly the planet at large (with recycling and such), it also gives employees a way to keep their families first when necessary as a part of their balanced living goals.

Right now there are about 29% of women in leadership roles in their company but they want to continue bring that number up. And they have a goal to create 5 million women entreprenurs around the world by 2020.

Between the conference and watching my favorite local news anchors in Atlanta, I came home completely pumped about my career goals.

Once again I witnessed it is possible to have a successful career and a thriving family life. It just won't be a perfect balance like I may have hoped. No need to become a coke addict. At least not the white stuff. But a trip for the Coke Conference was just the right dose of what I needed.
A big thank you for the invite, the lessons, and the chance to drink all of the coke products my heart desired. I was peeing like a race horse the whole trip... Yet I still with I had taken 10 more bottles of that Minute Maid Strawberry Passion stuff home cause it was like a slice of Heaven.

Atlanta bound

2012-05-13T06:43:00.000-05:00

From one thing to the next I tell ya.

I'm originally from Atlanta and oh how I love it. I always wanted to go back there and work someday. My family still lives there as does my best friend. So imagine my surprise when my inbox lit up with a message from Coca-Cola inviting me to their Conversations with Coca-Cola blogging conference.

They hand-selected about 22 of us to bring out to their headquarters, meet each other, show us around the World of Coke, learn more about their live positively philosophy and how to better build my own brand.

Naturally, I accepted, then told my mom I was coming for a visit and bringing her grand baby.

One of our flights in 2010

My mom actually used to work for Coca-Cola (on a totally different, technology side of things) so we've been fans a long time (we never really liked the other stuff).

Since I'm off on Mondays and Tuesdays, I asked if I could shift my flight a bit and arrive a couple days before the conference to spend time with my family and they obliged! We're flying in tonight, just in time for Mother's Day!

My younger sister Heather will be driving up from Alabama to visit too. She just found out she's having a little girl, so I'm excited to rub her belly and get Lil' J to talk to her cookin' cousin. My other two sisters may or may not get to skip school for an educational trip to the Georgia Aquarium or Zoo Atlanta Monday. My youngest sister, Kimmie is SO excited to see her niece. Last time they were together they did a lot of this.

Then Tuesday my best friend and I want to get our kids together before I head downtown for the conference starting Wednesday Morning.

The conference should be packed with information and great networking opportunities, I can't wait. Friday it'll be back to work, but at least I'll be refreshed and invigorated with the go-getter attitude. At least that's my hope. This opportunity worked out great because I hadn't decided on a blogging conference to attend, and I like to go to one a year. Last year EVO was amazing, and the two years prior BlogHer was fun too. It should be interesting to see how this one is since it's much smaller and more personal than the others.

Getting there should be another story all together. I'm pretty sure I've gone on more trips in the last two years than I did the rest of my life combined and I've brought Lil' J on all but one. Luckily this time I have my iPad, packed with games she normally has limited play time for, and I'm going to buy a couple episodes of Sesame Street and Yo Gabba Gabba. That will surely get us through the trip there and back right? (I pray).

So if I'm not around the next couple of days it's cause I'm taking a hometown hiatus. Having fun with family and making an attempt at building my brand. Then when I get back it'll be about time to start cookin' the next Spawnie. So much excitement packed in a week. I may implode from the thrill.

Big thanks to Coca-Cola for making my flight, hotel and conference experience possible!

How one family's loss is changing my perspective

2012-04-26T09:14:00.003-05:00

Let me start of by saying THANK YOU! To all of your sweet compliments about my first engagement shoot. I was not expecting that kind of response and it truly made my week!

The beautiful couple loved them and even asked if I do weddings but I'm way WAY too scared to photograph such an important day right now. But it's giving me something to think about and explore in the future. Photography has been a part-time passion of mine but I'm beginning to wonder if I can or should make it something more.

My JOB job also gave me something to think about this past week. I was feeling uninspired. Sucky. Worthless. Not completely worthless, but just questioning what I'm doing day in and day out, and if I am really making an impact. Where I am and where I saw myself being at this point isn't exactly coinciding. I was having a "woe is me" moment.

Then, I did two stories that changed my outlook.

A couple of years ago, I read this Washington Post article about a fatal distraction--Parents who forgot their children in their cars on the way to work. Their children died and they have to live with that guilt and pain the rest of their lives. So many people read stories like that and get accusatory "how could you forget?" "I'd never do that!" "What horrible parents!" but I had the opposite approach thinking it could happen to me. It could happen to anyone, but I want to do what I can so it doesn't.

Earlier this year I started a parenting segment at my news station, and doing a story on this issue has been on my mind from the start. I just needed the right elements.

As the temperatures warmed up the story nagged from the back of my mind.

I did a little research and found a family who had a little girl about my daughter's age, and lost her last year after a hot car death. They speak openly about it so that they can prevent it from happening to someone else.

When I went to their house and listened to them tell me their story, I fought back tears, and I lost to a few of them.

I won't pretend to know how it feels to experience what they felt. But as I listened to the father describe blacking out after realizing what had happened, the mother sharing the horror she felt when she found her daughter, still barely alive, I tried to imagine myself in their shoes. And just pretending to be in their shoes gave me a horrible sinking feeling.

I nearly cried while writing and editing the story as well. The most heartbreaking part to me was when Brett, the dad, talks about the ducks in the pond that were his daughters, and even though they have trouble floating, he can't bear to take them out because they are the original ducks that belonged to Sophia.

You can read more about their story and mission at RayRaysPledge.com.

Here's the story if you'd like to see it, and get a glimpse of my "day job" and see one of the most important stories I've done in my career.

Later that day I interviewed a young man, only 29, who was on top of the world last year, and while diving into his pool, he slipped and broke his neck. He also brought me to tears. I couldn't help but think about something like this happening to my husband, or myself. You can watch that story here.

This week truly made me stop, count my blessings, and realize I have so much to be thankful for.

Baby Makin'... Photos?

2012-04-24T09:23:00.000-05:00

That doesn't quite sound right now does it? Especially when it comes to taking engagement photos. I'm still working on some kind of name for my new endevor but since it's just a hobby right now, I'm not too worried about it. I did take a suggestion from some of my readers who follow me on facebook and made a watermark using "BMM Photography" so those of you who read know who I am. Still working on how it looks but I suck on graphic design so that may take a second.

On life... We moved into our new place (and are going through binky withdraws, or as my husband calls it "crack withdrawals") but I'll get more into that later. We didn't take extra time off to move so we've been trying to unpack as we go, but the main stress of it all is behind us I think. Now I get to focus on putting things where I want them to go, and decorating.

Just before our move a friend of mine told me her little sister is getting married and asked if I'd take her engagement photos. This was my first engagement shoot so I'm excited to share. Look past the ugly logo, still working on that.

He: Is a fireman in training and former Texas State football player.
She: Is a 5'4 second grade teacher with a bubbly personality.
They: Were like models, and made my day.

They had connections and got us on the Texas State Football field, and we took the others in San Marcos around the river. I told my husband I want to move there now.

I told them I'd get them 20-30 photos on a DVD but I ended up shooting more than 500 and editing more than 80. There were too many fun ones to choose from!

Let me know what you think of my first try at this! It's so strange seeing other faces besides Lil' J pop up in my camera.

Why moving is heartbreaking

2012-04-18T06:55:00.003-05:00

Tonight is our last night in this place we've called home for the last three years. It's the longest we've lived in a single place our entire married life.

I've been so overwhelmed with the packing that I hadn't stopped to think about what we're leaving.

Our little two bedroom 2.5 bath Townhome was the perfect place to move. Close to my downtown job. A small back yard with a white picket fence just large enough for our Snoop to romp around in. It was a downsize from our three bedroom condo in Utah, but it still fit us well.

Then we decided to have a baby and we quickly filled the space. Even still, this home is where I spent the happiest days of my life.

It's where I carried my child, welcomed my child, and where I've raised her. It's where my husband and I confided during some of our most difficult challenges. In many ways, I think it's where we really began to discover ourselves. On our own, far from family, making a new home and growing our own family.

At Subway this afternoon, where we took a quick break for lunch, I broke down. The tears came out of no where. I realized TONIGHT would be our last night in this home we've grown so much in.

This afternoon was the last time our daughter would greet the neighbors who've watched her grow up. The last time she'd run next door yelling "flowers!!" while sticking her nose in them to take a whiff.

It was the last time we'd run across the street to watch the butterflies drink from a pretty garden.

"What if she freaks out about the new place?" I asked my husband.
"She won't. We'll be there too. With all of her toys and things." He assured me.

He laughed at my emotional state. But I couldn't help it.

I've moved so many times and every time it's been much further than this one. But that hasn't made it easier.

We're going to have an extra bedroom and a garage, plus a nice yard and new neighborhood to play in. I have a sky high stack of boxes full of my things, my two favorite people and our favorite fur ball coming with me, but I still feel like I'm leaving a part of me behind.

What keeps me moving forward (aside from that April 30th deadline) is the hope and excitement for a new batch of memories. New adventures with my husband, new babies (if I'm lucky), and lots LOTS more fun with the one I already have.

How do you stop a pacifier addiction?

2012-04-16T23:52:00.000-05:00

This is definitely one of those situations I said I'd never be in. You know, those things you say you'll never do before you've actually become a parent?

My daughter never liked pacifiers as an infant. Oh how I wanted her to. But she just spit them out. Always preferring to use me instead.

We ended our nursing experience about gosh... Four or five months ago. Could it be that long? I think so.

Even still, since then, from time to time she'll give me hints that she remembers the experience--and even seems willing to give it a go again, if I were open to it. Which I'm not. Eew.

The last time she nursed I knew it was time to be done because it just didn't feel right anymore. She had gone days without it, then sporadically she tried again and that sweet feeling I use to feel was gone. And I knew we'd never do that again.

Sometimes she'll watch me changing and open her mouth like "yea mom, I remember that!" and I'm thinking "child, you crazy." But I know at certain times she misses it more than others. Like when she's sick.

She likes to stand up on the counter tops and choose what snacks she wants to eat from her cupboard. A few weeks ago, the day she threw up before we were leaving for work and school, I stayed home with her. She had opened the cupboard next to hers with the bottles and pacifiers and reached for a paci.

I thought nothing of it. It was cute, and she wasn't feeling well so I let her play with it. She mostly chewed on it and didn't seem too extremely amused so I let her hang on to it the whole day.

She was able to nap in my arms and stay relatively calm the rest of the day. At first I thought this was because she wasn't feeling well, but I later learned it was a symptom of the binky.

It quickly became an addiction of ours more than hers. I'd hand it to her while I prepared her lunch, or if I just wanted to snuggle with her in bed. Otherwise she'd be busy and all over the place, or giving us orders. My husband would use them to get her down for naps so she wouldn't need to cry.

The pacifier was good but oh so bad.

It's only been a few weeks but this casual toy has turned into a full blown addiction.

The other day when my husband and I picked her up from school Lil' J asked:
"Binky? Binky?"
"Your binky is at home baby, we'll get it after we go to the store ok?" I told her.
"Ok."
...
Second later...
"Binky?... Binky?!! BINKYYYYYYYY!!!"

Within moments she was hysterical and my husband was detouring to our place to get her dang pacifier so she could calm the freak down.

We have become this thing's slave.

I had no idea kids could get hooked this late in life.

While this is adorably cute, I know something needs to be done. It won't be good for her pretty teeth, and she's almost two for heaven's sake.

Luckily I already have ground-rules in place so this isn't a complete worse-case-scenario. For one, she doesn't get it at bedtime, at school, or when we're playing outside. Basically she only uses it for a little while in the morning (it's the first thing she asks for) and on the ride to and from school. Sometimes she'll sneak in some more paci time on our days off but I've tried to limit that.

Now I'm ready to be done completely and I'm thinking our move this week is a great time to kick this bad habit to the curb.

Here are my ideas:

Plan 1: Throw them all away the day we move. Once we're in the new place and she asks for it, explain they're at the old house and that there are no binkies here.
Suffer through a few days of whining.

Plan 2: Blame it on the dog. She's seen Snoop go for her toys before, and she knows he's capable of toy destruction. She may understand better if I tell her Snoop ate them and they're all gone.
Sure, she may be bitter at him for some time but he can take one for the team.

Plan 3: Cut off the nipples. Ouch, that no only sounds painful, it seems the most cruel. She'll get her hopes up only to be completely deflated by a broken binky. I'm not sure I could do this unless I felt like this was somehow humane.

Plan 4: Let her trash them. She loves throwing things in the trash and maybe if I tell her to throw them away and that they're "all gone" she'll get it.
Then again she may be obsessed with the trash after that and keep getting into it months later thinking her binkies are still in there.

Plan 5: "Donate them" to another baby. Let her help me give them to either a neighbor, or a doll, or some baby so she feels like she's a big girl helping someone younger than her who needs it more than she does.
I'd like to think she gets some of my sympathetic attributes and that this technique would solve all our problems, however I have a feeling I'm being extremely optimistic.

What do you think? Have you had experience with dumping pacifiers? I'd love your advice!

A letter to my pre-mother self

2012-04-13T10:13:00.000-05:00

I'm still undecided on my theory of time travel, but just in case, I'm writing a series of letters to my younger self, to help her through some important crossroads.

Here's the first.

Dear Jennifer:

I know you've got a lot on your mind. You're trying to figure out the best way to time it all: Career, family, traveling. And you're plate never seems full enough.

How do I know all of this? Because I'm you! An older, and wiser you.

Let me tell you woman, your career... You may think you know what you want to do but that's all going to change. Sure, you've wanted to work for CNN your entire life, but there are things coming your way that are going to blow your mind. You don't believe it now, but trust me, in a few years you are going to wonder why CNN was ever appealing to you in the first place.

Next, about babies.

You look at women around you who swoon and brag bout their kids and wonder what all the fuss is about. Newsflash! Other people's kids aren't as fun as your own.

You also hear mothers complain and whine, so you wonder why they KEEP having more kids if it's so bad, and the "hardest job in the world." Here's the thing. Parenting isn't hard labor or rocket science, it's just an incredibly large investment with your heart as collateral. That's what makes it so hard.

You think you know love now, but just wait. In fact, knowing what I know now, and how much love all the mothers on the world must have, I'm amazed at how much hatred still exists.

I know you are waiting for the perfect time. Waiting for some sign, or obvious signal that THIS IS IT. The RIGHT time to have a baby! But that won't happen. Not in the way you're hoping it will. This is just one of those things you're going to have to go with your gut on. The right time is after unrealistic and somewhere between terrifying and excitement. It's always going to seem a little scary. I only have the one right now and I'm scared to add another to the mix. But I'm more excited than anything else and that mix of emotions seems about right. But back to you... Don't worry, it's all going to be ok.

Your husband--my husband a but younger--is going to take some convincing. He's still the same way today. That's just how he is. Don't worry he LOVES being a daddy and is completely smitten by our child. Just today he told me how he's so happy to be a father. He may seem scared out of his mind and completely against it at times, but he'll come around. Keep reminding him how good of a dad he'll be. If I remember correctly, that's what did it.

I know you worry most about the permanency of it all. Once you become a mother you are always a mother and can't go back. You can hardly commit to a toothpaste without slight anxiety. I know. I get it! But this is one of those things you won't regret.

It'll awaken a side of you you didn't know exist, and open your eyes to a whole new world of possibilities and joy.

Jennifer, this is a defining moment in your life and a start of a journey that will put your life in lightening mode. So fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride.

Love,

Your Older, Wiser Self

Birth control for men: He says/ She says

2012-04-11T07:23:00.000-05:00

She says: "Hey honey, today I read an article about birth control for men and it was really cool."
He says: "Oh yea?"
She says: "Yea, would you do it?"
He says: "What is it?"
She says: "Well, you get a shot near your testicle and--"
He says: "--Oh hell no!"
She says: "I think it turns your stuff to jelly or something, I don't know, but it's reversible."
He says: "Yea but what if it doesn't reverse?"
She says: "I don't know, I guess we could freeze some of your sperm just in case."

Turns out, it doesn't turn their stuff to jelly, it just kills the sperm when they pass a non-toxic channel that has magnetic-like components. And after another shot of baking soda and water and the birth control will be flushed out. You can read all about it here.

What say you? Would your husband do it?

Homemade Easter Eggs with a Crazy Toddler: What I'm Makin' Monday

2012-04-09T12:24:00.000-05:00

I'm going to start off with a bit of good old fashioned TMI, for old time's sake. Afterall, this is the stuff I started this blog to write about...

Well, I was taking this birth control you see, and it was making me crazy. Not certifiably but I was getting so emotional, and moody, and I was COMPLETELY unmotivated. Yes, I blame my birth control for killing my drive (in more than one way) and making me a lazy blob that goes to bed as early as (GASP) 8:30.

So, a week ago I decided to toss it to the curb (yes my husband knows, I'm not going rogue) (and no, I haven't 100% convinced him for #2 yet).

Another thing I kicked last week... Caffeine. I didn't drink a lot of it. Mostly just on the weekends for my 4:30am shift, and I'd split a 5-Hour Energy 1/2 Saturday 1/2 Sunday. But I successfully survived my first (half) weekend without it (I was sick Saturday and had a fill-in).

All that to say that I'm proud of myself for composing this post at 11:30pm (now 2:10am). I just put Lil' J down for bed at 11:15. No, that is not the norm, but for some reason, tonight I couldn't bear to let her go any earlier.

Since I have been going to sleep early, and I already packed my sewing stuff, I'm going to have to get creative with my Makin' Monday posts these next few weeks. This week, I made this silly child one happy girl.

Dress from Grandma!

The day started Sunday morning around 4am. I got up just before my husband and hurried to get ready for work. The babysitter arrived just before I left and my husband followed shortly behind me.

Sadly, this month we've both had to work weekend mornings and the overlap is brutal. Daycare plus a weekend nanny... Not ideal. But during the week we have each been able to spend time more with Lil' J at home.

I perused Facebook at work and kept seeing everyone post their adorable Easter photos and talk about the Easter Bunny visiting. I was SO envious. I couldn't wait to get home and go to church and play Easter Bunny with my girl too.

Unfortunately, I hadn't done a good job preparing for our fun time ahead. I had already packed/given away our plastic Easter eggs, had no candy, and wasn't sure if we had real eggs in the fridge.

I checked during my break and we had just over half a dozen, but they expired February 4th. .... Woops. Oh well, we didn't have to EAT them, just decorate them.

One thing I remembered is that we had some egg dye in one of our cupboards from last year that we needed to use or lose before the move. Perfect timing! I set a mental game plan and counted down til I was off work.

I went straight to church to meet our nanny and Lil; J. She was in the nursery, so I went to sacrament meeting of another ward to hear the Easter service, and we met up at the end.

BINGO! Her nursery teachers handed her three plastic eggs, I had a fourth a friend of mine gave me at work. That would be enough for hunting!

When we got home the fun started. I pulled out a pot and the eggs and Lil' J knew we were about to do something fun. She wanted to help in the entire process.

I don't even really know the correct way to boil eggs but I figured since we weren't going to eat these anyway it couldn't hurt if I did it wrong. Lil' J helped me put the eggs in the cool water then I set the pot on the stove to boil. I let it boil for a good half hour while I cleaned off the table and got the dye ready.

Sadly, I packed most of our Tupperware too so our dye containers were a nice eclectic assortment of tubs ranging from condiment containers to breastmilk storage cups. Nice.

Lil' J repeated the colors after me while I added vinegar and water and kept ooohing and ahhhing as they bubbled (and of course tried to dive out of my arms to stick her finger in them).

We let the eggs cool then I asked her which color she wanted to start with.

"Boo" she said. Ok, blue. Good choice.

The glitter packets that were in the kit long surpassed their best by date and were all dried out... Sad face!! But she still had fun using the squirt tube things (she was very serious about this).
I'm not sure what's wrong with me, but for some reason I expected my one year old to gracefully show me her Easter eggs while I snapped photos.

No.

She'd pick it up for a moment then drop it on the floor. Where Snoop was waiting, hoping to escape with one.

Then I'd flip out.

"No!! Be gentle with the pretty eggs!! Don't drop them!! No more!"

Lil' J: *Tears* and "AAAHHHs"

"Ok fine, but don't drop it ok?"

"Ok."

*SMASH*

*Face to palm*

I asked her to show me the pretty egg, thinking she'd choose her favorite and she picked the blue one, but I snapped the photo just as she let go. Here it is shattered anyway.

Then I got a grip and just had fun letting her make a mess, dropped eggs and all (though trying to selvage as many as I could for a hunt.)

My husband texted me saying he was going to be late, though luckily he was only a couple hours late, and home in plenty of time for an egg hunt. He got her dressed again while I--I mean, the Easter Bunny hid them outside (luckily he makes late afternoon stops for weekend-working parents).
The eggs were hidden yet somewhat obvious. Tall grass, notches in a tree, between branches on a fallen limb. I figured she'd need help with a few.

Now let me tell you, I don't know if she remembers the hunt we went to last year where eggs in front of her were snatched by big kids on the prowl; or if she had practiced hunts at school; or if she just understood when I handed her a basket and said "go find the eggs" but she went to town and snatched them all up on her own, with only a few general direction cues.

It wasn't easy capturing pictures of her running around and grabbing eggs, but I got a few decent ones, and some blurry ones that were still too cute to ignore. If anything I'll remember how dang excited she was to hunt for eggs.

I thought she would be more excited about her purse, I specifically picked out the pre-made, UN-origional, generic basket with a purse because she's always carrying around my purse and she actually just started saying "purse" but she barely wanted anything to do with it. She wanted the eggs and what was inside them.

Daddy had no problem obliging.

Then we had a very-not-fancy Easter dinner, and an evening Skyping with long-distance grandparents, aunts and uncles. Good times for sure.

My husband took off for bed before 9 and I decided I wanted a few more snuggles with my crazy bunny. By 11, she was pointing to her room, and jumping into her crib with pleasure. As I rocked her before setting her down I thought what strength it would take to sacrifice my child as God did. Goodness gracious, that's love.

It was a long, beautiful, day. One I know I'll always cherish.

What did you do this Easter?

Just because I didn't make anything crafty doesn't mean I don't want to see your domestic skills. Link up and share!

Happy Easter 2012!

2012-04-08T11:18:00.000-05:00

I'm so happy to hug my family a little tighter this Easter Sunday. And thankful for His sacrifice.

Happy Easter! From Lil' J and her Mama (and Daddy too although not pictured)!

Need home decorating advice

2012-04-05T12:40:00.000-05:00

In all of the places we've lived and move over 7 years together, I've never been very good at decorating. Go figure.

Currently, I have a total of four deorations hanging in my living room, making it look bare. I really want to start fresh at the new place and maybe do a photo-wall or something. I have tens of thousands of photos of Lil, J but no recent ones printed and none hanging at all.

I know, it's a disgrace.

This is one I'm thinking of blowing up and making a sequence of three similar black/white photos of her.

I need to get family photos done so I have some of those to choose from, but I'm waiting for my photographer to stop being pregnant.

Then, I need to go through my photos, and print my favorites to hang.

I was thinking of getting a bunch of thrifted frames and spray painting them all a similar color scheme. I don't have a livingroom color scheme now ap I'm planning to start fresh.

In fact, is it a good idea to donate the few random decorations I have so I 1. Don't have to move them and 2. Don't feel obligated to use them in my new place?

I'm not exactly a hoarder but I do get a slight anxiety about getting rid of something. I worry I'll end up needing it tomorrow. The thing that helps is knowing its going to someone who needs it.

Pinterest is a good resource but I don't really know where to start.

We are going to get new (to us) couches and I'll make curtains. Other than that I haven't a clue how to get the home decorating bug and how to do it right.

Start fresh, or bring what I have to start (which isn't much).

I'd love to hear your ideas!

Also, I have a cool nook area in the livingroom that I'd love to make pretty. What would you put there?

I hope to document my progress and with your help, pull something off that looks somewhat cute.

**Added** We are renting, so I'd prefer not to paint and have to re-paint back to white.**

Being a church leader: He says/ She Says

2012-04-04T09:03:00.000-05:00

Flashback to Lil' J's blessing day.

She says: "I went to a friend's house for lunch and she was just called to be Relief Society president."
He says: "Wow, that's cool."
She says: "Yea, it is. And another lady at the lunch party's husband is a bishop. What if you were bishop some day?"
He says: "HA! That would never happen."
She says: "Well maybe, some day."
He says: "Maybe. That would be the coolest church ever. But then I'd get released in about a week."

Translations for people who aren't familiar with LDS terms: "Ward" is our congregation. "Relief Society President" is like the leader for the women in our congregation. And a Bishop is our congregation leader.

What did I make this week? Plus an Announcement!

2012-04-02T11:42:00.002-05:00

What did I craft or cook up this week? Nothing. Absolutely NADA. Unless you count turkey sandwiches, but I didn't take photos so I'm not sure that counts.

It's ok though. It's been one of those weeks. I'm working 6 days in a row, and feeling worn out to the max. BUT there are some good things happening.

Lil' J is OBSESSED with buses. She yells and points every time we pass one like she's trying to catch it. We've taken the bus to the park three times now and she asks about them daily. I have tons of pictures I need to share and blog about this cheap fun idea but until then, here's a few of our most recent trip taking a bus to a concert.

Waiting at the bus stop.

Checking herself out in the driver's mirror.

"WEE!"

Shawn from Boyz II Men

The concert we were riding to see? Boyz II Men! Saturday night we had VIP clearance at the Austin Urban Music Festival. I was literally a couple of feet away from touching Shawn, my longest-lasting crush. I told Lil' J to waive at him. She was watching the whole thing from my backpack carrier. More on this later!

Getting a look for herself.

Another positive? I picked up the keys to our new place yesterday. I still haven't packed a single box but we have a month of overlap so I'm not exactly freaking out yet.

I have a strange impulse to collect as many boxes as I can, before packing any. *shrug*

And finally, for the announcement...

I hinted to an exciting project I've been working on for months, long ago. Today it launched on Parenting.com and it's sponsored by Hallmark. I haven't been doing my 365 Love Letters on this here blog because I've been working on capturing 365 Moments there. I'm so excited and I hope you'll follow along and even add your own photos capturing special moments in your family's life. One could even be published in Parenting Magazine! I'm crossing my fingers I'll get to see Lil' J in there one of these days.

I imagine a lot of photos coming up will be of moving boxes. OY!

Just because I didn't make anything crafty doesn't mean I don't want to see your domestic skills. Link up and share!

Prissy girl goes messy

2012-03-30T11:03:00.000-05:00

My girl is ALL GIRL. She doesn't like getting dirty, she loves twirling in dresses, and she gets upset if she gets dirt, sand, or food stuck on her hands. She walks up to me and asks me to brush it off.

So imagine my surprise when I turned around and saw that she got into a chocolate snack and was happy about it.

I had to laugh when she started licking her hands.

Oh my sweet child.

Happy Friday!

Love babies too? Help save some.

2012-03-29T11:10:00.000-05:00

I'll never forget the night I had my daughter and those special moments we had our first few days together. In my birth plan--or a I called it my "birth wishes"--, there were a few things I knew wanted to happen without a doubt. I knew I wanted to have fun, I wanted my husband to cut the cord, and that my daughter would get a pulse ox screening.

A pulse ox screening? What's that? I didn't know myself until a few months prior to having my daughter. I met a woman online, a woman on a mission to save babies after losing her own.

This mother's story touched me. She had a normal pregnancy, like I had, and a normal birth, like I hoped to have. And her baby Cora was big and plump, just like mine was. She lost her 5-day-old baby in her arms, without warning.

Kristine sent me some pamphlets with helpful information about the Pulse Oximetry Screening, which is a simple test that can help detect congenital heart diseases, one of the leading birth defects.

As I held my newborn in my arms at the hospital I thought of Kristine and her efforts to help new mothers like myself. I immediately asked the nurse when they could give my daughter a pulse ox screening. She asked another nurse, who said she didn't need one, she was healthy, had a great apgars, but I insisted. The on-call pediatrician (Lil' J was born over a holiday weekend) asked why I wanted one so bad, and I told her about my friend who had shared her story with me. I guess it was a good enough answer for her because she gave the go-ahead for the test.

No needles or probes were needed. Just a little band around her foot. I didn't encounter an out-of-pocket bill, but the peace of mind that came when it was done, and they told me her results were normal, was priceless.

Right now only two states have routine pulse ox screenings hospitals. A lot of people don't even know or understand the importance of newborn screening. If you'd like to learn how you can help, or to get more information on newborn screenings for you, your family and friends, visit SaveBabies.org. And spread the word. The more people who know about this, the better.

I'm so grateful for Kristine, for all of the help she's done for families, and for spreading awareness of screenings which have literally saved babies lives. I still hold my daughter now and think of her, and her daughter, and how they've forever left a mark in our lives.

*I was asked to share my story and experience about newborn screenings in a compensated blogger outreach program. I decided to share my story about her pulse ox test because it was especially important to me. I hope you'll take a few moments to visit their website and learn more.
** Yes, looking through these old photos totally made me cry. Time to switch the machine back on!

I sold my car to buy an iPad

2012-03-28T23:24:00.000-05:00

It's true.

I know, it sounds crazy. But let me explain...

June 2004 I moved to Utah to go to the school of my dreams. Without family. With hardly any money, and car-less.

"You don't need a car in college," my parents told me. So they kept the car I knew as mine (and paid for) during high school.

It was true. I didn't really need a car. I lived on campus that summer. One of my roommates had a car, and I got a bus pass to take occasional trips to the mall.

A few weeks in to my new Utah experience I met a guy, and said guy had a car. Score! It wasn't fancy... At all. It was a 1992 Honda Accord, but it drove, and that's all one needed.

A few dates in this guy became my boyfriend, and things got serious pretty fast. That was the good news. The bad news was he was about to move three-and-a-half hours away to go to another college, where he had a golf scholarship. How in the world would we see each other?

I needed a car.

But I had no money. No job, just student loans. So he lent me $500... It was a down payment for a car, which he helped me pick out. He didn't co-sign though (probably smart).

I wanted something sporty and snazzy, but he said something practical and inexpensive was smarter.

With his help, I bought a 1996 Toyota Corolla for less than $3,000.

Now I had to marry him.

Kidding. ... Well, I DID marry him, but not just because I owed him $500.

I paid off the car in less than a year, and we (mostly he) drove that thing into the ground. During the second year the air conditioning went out. I remember going out to lunch in the St. George heat with a co-worker, who purposely turned my broken A/C on (which blew hot air) to see if it could possibly get even hotter.

I ran into the back of a car once, and a metal pole twice--constantly knocking off the same pesty headlight, and bending the hood. The front bumper to this day has a zip tie holding it to the rest of the car.

In 2006 we traded our '92 Accord for a '04. We were finally moving up. But we kept pushing our little faithful Corolla to stay with us. And she did.

Side by side there was no question, our new Honda was worlds better, smoother, and much more appealing than our Corolla. Which is why we are still confused as to why someone decided to bust into Old Faithful, and rip her radio out. Really? Do people still do this? Apparently so.

But she kept going.

Eventually her paint started to show her age, and her pieces started falling apart. Particularly her inside door handle. We could only get out by rolling down the window.

Classy.

Finally, after more than seven years of marriage, an opportunity presented itself and it was time for an upgrade. Corolla for Corolla we moved up to a 2007, and bought Old Faithful's younger brother named Buzz Lightyear (By my husband's sister. This car has a whole 'nother back story that I'll have to let her tell sometime.)
For a few weeks we had three cars. But who needs three cars? Actually we did one day when Buzz' battery died and Old Faithful lived up to her name once again.

Finally, we decided it was time for her to go to a better home.

Given all of her per-existing conditions we decided it would be best to list her for $900 on Craigslist. The response was overwhelming. Within minutes we had a dozen emails. Many from men named "Jose". My husband went down the list and the first person to answer came to get her for $900. I thought she was worth at least $1000 because she runs great, but good karma is never a bad thing.

I knew all along I wanted to use the proceeds for an iPad. It was a part of our deal--My husband and I. And my reward for surviving his academy the last 8 months.

I didn't get the new one. The savings matter more to me than having the latest and greatest fad. I got a 32gb iPad 2, refurbished, and saved $200.

What are we doing with the other half of the money? My husband wants a gun.

Trading our car for an iPad and a gun, now that's a true American family for ya.

Seven years, half a dozen road trips, five moves, and one voyage across the country later, she's moved on to another family who will hopefully fix her up, and not sell her for parts. For me, I'll always remember Old Faithful, and every time I pick up my iPad I'll think of her. Let's hope her spirit was reincarnated into my new shiny toy, and that she proves to be just as loyal.

Ruffle Mini Skirt: What I'm Makin Monday

2012-03-26T06:33:00.001-05:00

I made Lil' J the easiest little ruffle skirt right before St. Patricks Day. Sadly, I didn't take photos during the process, so this post isn't a tutorial, but I hope to make one this week. I didn't follow a pattern but I used some sewing tools that made it easy breezy, and I will share that when I post it.
It was all made with scrap fabric I had that could have been thrown away. Instead I turned it into what my mom called a little "cheerleader skirt."

She even looks like a mini cheerleader being tossed up by daddy.

We celebrated my husband's graduation and had a blast with family visits, now it's time to pack and prepare to move. Sorry I'm not very chatty around these parts lately, promise I'll be back to my normal self soon.

Shirt from Maddie's Bowtique

In the mean time, I leave you with a preview of the skirt tutorial I'm going to work on. Don't mind the name "Journey" on Lil' J's shirt. That's her "stage name" for when she does Etsy and boutique modeling. It's a cute name, but not what hers really is.

What do you think? Adorable, no?

&lt;a href="http://babymakingmachine.blogspot.com/search/label/makin%20monday" target="_blank">&lt;img alt="What I'm Making Monday" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4571783992_a80397e7d1_o.png" />&lt;/a>

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Baby #2?: He says/ She says

2012-03-21T06:39:00.000-05:00

All of a sudden I'm baby crazy. There's no question, I'm ready for another.

I haven't been able to hide my excitement. I've been telling my friends, my mom, sister-in-law, and now my mom-in-law. Hi mom! ... Don't tell your son I'm writing this.

Lil' J is almost two and I really REALLY want my children to be less than three years apart if I can help it.

I've been containing my realization from my husband for a few weeks, I wanted him to finish his finals and feel de-stressed before dropping the bomb on him.

Well, as of last week... Bomb dropped.

I mentioned he third bedroom in our new place we're moving into next month as a second nursery and that was a bad idea. I switched gears and avoided shattering his dreams of a man-cave.

It went something like this the first few times:

She says: "Don't you want another?"
He says: "Another what?"
She says: ...

Second try

She says: "Now that you've got all this training out of the way we should have another baby, it's perfect timing."
He says: "I thought we were going to wait another year or two?"
She says: "No way, I want them closer in age than that."
He says: "I don't want to talk about this right now."

Next try

He says: "[Our daughter] is crazy."
She says: "It's cause she's spoiled, she needs a younger sibling."

Yet another subtle hint

She says to Lil' J: "Don't you want a little brother or sister?"
Lil' J says: "Yea."
He says: [Laughs] "She says yes to everything." (Directed to Lil' J): "Do you want us to wait a couple year?"
She says: "SAY NO, SAY NO!"
Lil' J says: "Noooo."

And again the next night

Lil J says: "Kiss"
He says: "What did she say?"
She says: "She said kids, awww, you want a baby brother?"
Lil' J says: "Yea. Baby"

Then finally getting serious

She says: "Really, what are you waiting for."
He says: (Nothing that really makes sense).
She says: "Let's think about the best and worse case scenario... Everything is going to work out."
He says: "The absolute soonest would be three to four months from now."
She says: "Ok... I can live with that."

A few minutes later...

She says: "What if a month from now you are feeling great and confidant, then will you change your mind?"
He says: "Maybe. I'll tell you what, if I do, I'll let you now."

I know that won't happen so some friendly check-ins and frequent reminders will still be in place. After all he went from two years to three months in a matter of days. This was way better than the convincing it took the first time around. He'll be on my timeline in no time.

I'm not ashamed of my persistence. Some people just need a little encouragement. Besides, who can say they don't want another kid as cute and fun as the first?

How to fold scrap fabric into equal sizes and make mini fabric bolts

2012-03-19T03:17:00.002-05:00

I went fabric shopping Saturday and was so excited to get home and... No, not sew, put my fabric on the shelf. It's a little sad, I know. I've started to hoard the stuff. Just when I think I have enough I get a new pattern and then want to get new fabric and start the vicious cycle all over again.

I fell in love with some cardboard fabric folders but they are something like $6/ board. I decided I'd cut up some cardboard boxes to the sizes I want, until I realized that would take forever. After a few Google searches I found some comic book boards that would work. I got 100 for about $11 on Amazon.

I had scrap fabric stuck in a corner of my living room and decided to wrap them and conserve space by settling them on my book shelf.
Here are some photo demos of how I did it for fabric and scrap fabric, let me know if you have questions.

I hope this was helpful! If you did a craft this week, link up, I'd love to see!

My craft button.

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St. Patrick's Day Mini Mod #17 and Shabby Apple Giveaway

2012-03-15T23:58:00.000-05:00

I made Lil' J a couple of St. Patrick's Day outfits this week. A ruffle mini skirt which I need to take some photos of this weekend, and a t-shirt dress.

I added some green ruffles and buttons to the dress and decided instead of adding the clover fabric as the hem ruffle, to add it as a belt, so after the holiday we can take it off, and she can still wear the dress all spring.

I took a bunch of photos of her wearing it on our bus ride but sadly, those were lost, along with a few hundred others thanks to a crappy card reader. Anyway, she spilled water on her dress before these pictures so forgive the wrinkles.

Her bows are from Little Trends Boutique.

What were your kids sporting this week? Link up your mini mod post below and show them off!

Also, in an effort to bring my sexy back, I'm trying to stock up on modestly-hot women's dresses. Shabby Apple is one of my favorite places to get them.

One of my readers will win a Spanish Steps Shabby Apple dress. Use the raffle copter widget in this post to enter. If you can't see it, click on the title of this post so your page will refresh and you'll see it. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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The big, FUN shopping cart: He Says/ She Says

2012-03-14T14:12:00.000-05:00

She says: "Should we maybe leave it for a bigger family?"
He says: "No, we got it first."

What say you?

Technical difficulties

2012-03-13T02:11:00.000-05:00

I'm SO angry right now.

The day started out ok. Yesterday I was as sick as a dog but fought through work anyway, then turned in to bed early.

Today, I had a great day with Lil' J. She's been asking "bus? bus?" since we went on a school bus ride a week ago as a shuttle to the kite festival. So today we took the city bus to the park, had a mini picnic and took lots of photos of the experience.

Well, I got a new card reader for my new CF card that I'm using for my new camera and I think it messed up my card because no only did it read it but now my camera won't read it and says it's not formatted with my camera. I want to scream because there are at least a couple hundred photos on there from the past few weeks that I want and I will be so sad if they're all lost.

I also finally took pictures of my fabric organization, and other domestic things I was hoping to share with photo demonstrations now that we're finally feeling better but that's not happening today.

I'm hoping to take it someplace tomorrow to see if I can get the photos off before I reformat it in my camera and I'm praying I can. I used to be so good about importing them all right away but I had stopped while I waited for a new card reader. Little did I know it would lead to my demise.

AHHHHHHH!!

If you've been through this and know a solution please share. I want to cry.

Sick day

2012-03-09T08:58:00.000-06:00

I'm lying on the couch. Typing this in one hand on my iphone while Lil' J lies beside, curled up in my other arm.

I was pumped for today. I had been busting butt all week trying to crank out stories for the weeks ahead. Everything was recorded, today was my day to go in, write and edit it all.

I woke up before 7. Made breakfast and our lunches. Got my daughter dressed and gave her some milk to sip on while I finished getting ready.

When she finished that cup she asked for more and I obliged.

Shoes, bow, check, check. Poured Snoop some food and grabbed Lil' J to go. I felt a slight rumble in her tummy and instinctively knew what was coming. I tilted her forward slightly as she vomited all over our floor.

Instincts didn't tell me where to run, which should have been the bathroom I was standing next to, but instead we ran around to the kitchen sink, her throwing up a few more times along the way.

It was all milk. Just like it was yesterday. Her school called to tell me she threw up once. She didn't have a fever so they said they'd stop giving her milk, and that she could stay, they'd take care of her.

I hurried as fast as I could but I still didn't get to her until 6 hours later. I felt guilty.

Thankfully, she was feeling better. We went to the store and got "sick food" then played with her a little longer before bed.

That brings us back to this morning.

I called to work, unable to bear taking her to school--although when asked, she said she still wanted to go.

I called her teacher who said she'd be more than happy to watch her while I get work done, and that they'd keep dairy out of her diet. I'll admit the offer was tempting. Missing today means getting even more behind but I know this is where I need to be. Snuggled with my sickling, and nursing her back to health (not literally, we are done with that).

But now in stumped. I bought her new milk yesterday but didn't open it yet. I smelled the milk she's drinking now and it smells fine. It's not expired. Which is why I tried again this morning. Now we are definitely done with that batch, but I worry it's not that specific milk but milk in general. Will this be a permanent thing or does she just have an upset tummy?

Oh the confusion never ends!

Getting behind

2012-03-08T22:47:00.000-06:00

Sorry for my radio silence. For the first time in what seems like forever I've been going to bed before midnight-- before 10 even.

I've been so emotionally, mentally and physically exhausted planning our move (finally found a place), buying a new car and getting it situated, preparing to sell our old one. My husband graduating his academy (in two weeks... hooray!) plus baby-shower planning (for Saturday), and of course the usual work and stuff.

My poor baby got an upset tummy at school yesterday and it took me forever to get to her. I felt horrible, but made up for it with lots of cuddles and snuggles. She's feeling better now.

No time for sewing, no time for lots of pretty pictures, no time for sewing. It's been sad.

But I'm hoping to feel normal again-minus all the necessary packing and cleaning- come Monday. Hopefully I'll get my energy back. This is reminded me of my first trimester exhaustion which is making me re-assess my pro/cons asap list again.

So, sorry I've been so quiet in these parts. I'm loving my new camera and the gorgeous photos it's helping me capture. Someone asked that I write up a personal comparison of my 50mm 1.8 and my new 50mm 1.4 lenses. I hope to do that in the near future.

A few other random thoughts I might as well get down:

-Lil' J is OBSESSED with buses since our ride on one to the kite festival. Every time she sees one she says "bus, BUS" and she tries to take her seat belt off... Even when she's not in the car which is sorta weird. Or maybe she knows a sign for bus I don't know.

I looked up some bus routes to nearby parks so I think we'll take one next week to the park and back home so she can get her fix.

-I watched my first cooking show (like intentionally watched) about a month ago and I'm going to try what I learned: pico de gallo and guacamole. It was the Pioneer Woman's show. She looks older than I thought she was but that lady sure does have ACTUAL easy recipes (at least the one I watched, I didn't even have to write the directions down). I'm also going to attempt a friend's easy recipe for fruit dip.

If they're successful for the shower, I'll share here.

-Also planing to sew two St. Patrick's Day dresses for Lil' J to wear next week. I have a whole 3 binders of patterns and I should branch out in the ones I try but the peasant and t-shirt style are my quick go-tos I'll use for these since I need to be quick.

That's it for now. A bit of a brain dump for ya, excuse my typos, this is a drive-by post. Hope you're having a fantastic week!