5ohwifey: life as a mommy and a cop's wife

Business As Usual

2012-02-17T15:16:00.000-08:00

It's just been business as usual around here lately.

Playdates with the nephew.

5ohBaby helping me with the dishes.

Trying pinterest tips and them actually working.

Red lipstick... ok, I guess this isn't business as usual.

Rooting for Daddy's favorite team is obviously a regular occurrence.

Moving too fast in too cute of outfits for a good picture.

Outfits sent by grandparents.

Hide and go seek that I didn't know we were playing.

Going on family walks in this beautiful weather.

Silly picture texts about having to drink alone because I'm not famous.

Business as usual.

The Project You'll Never See

2012-02-16T13:17:00.000-08:00

I've got to say, I'm a little embarrassed. You know how I've been breaking down my wall collage for y'all? And how I promised an awesome and super simple secret project in the frame?

Well, apparently, I didn't think things through and that frame will have to stay a secret.

Yes, this is a post about a project you'll never see.

I had a whole post written in my head about a gift 5ohHubby was given a few years ago. I was going to tell you about his birthday and the gift that was a cut out picture of 5ohHubby's sister and brother and their son.

I wanted to tell you how, artistically it was an excellent gift. I wanted to tell you about how much it looked like the original picture. I might have thrown in a few crossed out lines about how ~~it was kind of a random gift and we didn't really have a place to hang art of 5ohHubby's sister in our house without it being a little bit awkward.~~ Or about how, 5ohHubby refused to send it to his sister because he didn't want to hurt her feelings that we only wanted pictures of her family in our house and not art work ~~and how his mom conveniently forgot the picture every time she visited.~~

I was going to tell you about how this would probably be the first time his sister had ever seen this picture or even heard about it.

How his sister's family of three now had a very special and very beautiful addition.

How his sister probably wouldn't hang the artwork now because it was missing a vital part of their family.

And I was going to put in this picture of my precious niece so when you saw it you would understand.

I was going to show you this pin and tell you how it inspired me to capture important dates in our lives. I was going to give you a tutorial on a similar piece of artwork. It would have important dates but it would also have fun headings:

His Birthday.

Her Birthday.

Engaged.

Married.

First Child.

It was all going to be done for free on Picnik before it closes. I was going to show you how to space things out on a white background by using a solid color behind it and deleting it when you were finished. I even took screen shots the whole way through and everything.

What I wasn't planning on was what happened when I finished my project.

How I showed 5ohHubby who said he loved it.

How I hung it up proudly and started taking pictures.

How 5ohHubby said to me, for the first time ever, "Ash... you're not going to blog this are you?"

How I realized for the first time that this had so much vital information that I couldn't possible share with the world since I was trying to keep our identity mostly secret:

His Birthday.

Her Birthday.

Engaged.

Married.

First Child.

Crap.

Well, I guess if I can't show you what's in that frame I might as well show you what's in a frame very close. A picture of our other nephew and 5ohBaby. All old timey style.

Doesn't all that cuteness in one picture make you forget the project you'll never see? Do you forgive me?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Looking for the rest of these projects?

Check out How To Hang A Wall Collage

Check out the Weekly Family Planner

Check out the Dry Erase To Do List

Check out the Mason Jar Marker Holder

Beauty That Can Take Your Breath Away

2012-02-13T16:01:00.000-08:00

There are ordinary things around us that are full of beauty.

The beauty in a sunrise.

The beauty in a delicious homecooked meal.

The beauty in being reminded of what God can (and does) do.

The beauty in the eyes of your child.

Sometimes it's the beauty you find when you see the heart of your husband, laid out for the world to see.

Sometimes its the beauty in remembering where you should be finding your joy.

Sometimes its the beauty you find after a long weekend, in a box full of toys.

You know those moments when you're doing a mundane task and time seems to stand still? I had one of those moments and it was so overwhelming, it took my breath away.

I was picking up the toys in our living room at night after a long weekend of indoors playing since the Hubby got his wisdom teeth taken out. To be honest, I was completely frustrated because I was tired, 5ohHubby was still not feeling well, I was about to go to bed when I realized the living room was COVERED in toys. I was begrudgingly tossing them all into a basket and thinking "Gosh, there isn't enough room in this darn basket for all 5ohBaby's things!" when all of a sudden it felt like I was slapped in the face.

HOW BLESSED AM I?

First and foremost, I have this little girl who I do not deserve and there are so many would be mother's with empty arms. That fact alone would make me drop to my knees. And on top of that, I had this box FULL of memories and love.

Like the frog 5ohHubby bought at the grocery store at 7am the morning after we found out we were pregnant with 5ohBaby. We found out a few hours before 5ohHubby had to work a graveyard shift. We were so happy and so freaked out that when he walked out the door to work all night I was still reeling. Imagine my surprise when he came home that next morning with bagels (my fav), a bouquet, and this little toy. He loved her from that first moment and couldn't wait to spoil her.

There are toys from our family and friends in that box. There's the monkey one of 5ohHubby's coworkers gave us because she loved 5ohBaby from the beginning, too. The teapot 5ohHubby's grandparent's gave 5ohBaby at Christmas. Books and toys from both of our mothers and our siblings.

There is the strange yellow doll that supposedly sings but sounds more like a scream to me. This toy was given to 5ohBaby by our nephew who was gone for far too long. He has another one just like it and thought 5ohBaby loved it so she could have it. I've prayed for that kid harder this year than I've prayed for anyone outside of this 5ohFamily and to see to have him here, loving my daughter, is more than I could have hoped for.

I know to you it might seem like just a box of toys. It seems like that to me most of the time, too. But not last night.

Last night, I saw friends and family.

I saw hopes and dreams and answered prayers.

I saw all the love that surrounds my daughter and our 5ohFamily.

And I'm telling you, it takes my breath away.

Thats Just My Man

2012-02-11T11:34:00.000-08:00

5ohHubby got his wisdom teeth taken out yesterday. Poor guy is groggy and in pain but he's been a trooper. I don't have a picture but I assure you he basically looks like this.... but cuter.

That's just my man.

He is only eating ice cream smoothies and homemade soup from the ever considerate Jenna. I'm keeping him up to date on his pain meds and he doesn't remember half of yesterday and I'm not sure what he'll remember today. He keeps saying over and over "So, is this what people who do drugs feel like all.the.time? WHY?" I don't have the heart to tell him that I doubt "people who do drugs" take 600mg of Ibuprofen and 2 Hydrocodones every 6 hours. He just does not like pain meds.

That's just my man.

Not only is he recovering from getting 4 wisdom teeth removed he is also recovering from getting stuck about 15 times with a needle when they were trying to give him an IV. I'm serious... 15 times. When 5ohHubby was in recovery the oral surgeon came out and told the receptionist that "his muscles are just so big.. have you seen his arms? They are so solid! Even when he wasn't flexing the muscles were so tight that the veins kept rolling. We poked him around 15 times!" Yepp.. he's a beast.

He has had this trouble with his veins once before. When he was 17 he got into a pretty terrible car accident where he flipped his car 3 times on the highway. He always says the first time the car flipped and the music went out he thought "Oh man... my car is going to be wrecked". The second time the car flipped he thought "Oh man... I might get pretty hurt here." The third time the car flipped he thought "Oh man... I might actually die". They had to air lift him to the closest trauma center and on the way they couldn't get an IV started until the helicopter landed at the hospital. Not good. bviously, he's fine now, so I get to tell my absolute most favorite part of that story. I asked him and he said it was ok to share it if it would ~~buy him another banana blueberry milkshake~~ make me happy.

That's just my man.

When the medics finally got to him and had him on the board trying to asses him after his accident they were asking him the standard questions: What's your name? Do you know where you are? How many fingers? etc. He was a 17 year old driving on the highway near the beaches in Florida who flipped his car three times so the medics of course asked him "Have you had anything to drink today?" My husband, in all his 17-year-old-respecting-authority-ness very seriously answered them "Yes, I have." The medics all gave each other knowing looks and asked 5ohHubby if he knew how much he'd had to drink. 5ohHubby very seriously replied "I'm not sure.... I had a glass of orange juice at breakfast and some milk with my cereal"

Some laughs and then "Son, that's not the kind of drinking we meant."

That's just my man.

How to Make Baby's First Valentine

2012-02-09T08:46:00.000-08:00

I have never liked Valentine's Day. High school Me was not a fan. My best friend and I used to bring whistles to school and blow them in the halls at couples that were ~~basically groping each other~~ happily spending the day together. I was a bit of an ~~obnoxious~~ obviously dark little girl and Valentine's day just never has been my thing. Even though I'm in love.. and I love love... I don't love the love day... does that make sense?

My sister, on the other hand, has always loved Valentine's Day. It's her very most favorite day ever. So when she invited 5ohBaby and I over to make Valentine's Crafts I knew she would go all out.

She didn't disappoint.

She has a 3 year old so some of the crafts were a little bit too old for 5ohBaby, which I knew they would be. She was in the middle of doing a craft with my nephew when an idea popped into my head for the perfect Valentine 5ohBaby could make. Ok, it might not be that big of a stretch since our Christmas Ornament but hey, I'm not usually all that crafty.

I immediately grabbed some paint and construction paper and went to work. I painted 5ohBaby's feet one at a time. 5ohBaby was really ticklish so it was fun to watch her laugh as I painted her precious little toes. We used washable children's paint so it wiped off easily with her diaper wipes. I'm pretty sure this would be true of other paints as well. I made sure she had a thick enough coat to make the prints but a thin enough coat to not smear.

I decided to make a bunch of prints with the first foot, wipe it off, and then make the corresponding prints with her other foot. When pressing her foot down I made sure to use my fingers to press down her toes so she got the full impression. I found this was easiest with her standing up and my sister holding her under her arms. I controlled her foot impression and then we lifter her up together. When doing her second foot I made sure the heals were either touching or over lapping.

After letting the paint dry I simply cut out the feet in the shape of a heart and glued it to a second piece of Construction paper. I helped 5ohBaby s~~cribble all over~~ sign her name on the bottom. She was so proud to giver her Valentine to her daddy.

If valentine's day involves those adorable little footprints... I might love this holiday after all.

What is your favorite Valentine's Day Craft?

Oh, This Is What Success Feels Like

2012-02-08T08:31:00.000-08:00

I am so happy I could scream from the mountain tops! I am seriously overjoyed by the success of The Girl Behind The Vlog Link Up! So many of you beautiful women linked up to share a little but about yourselves with the rest of us. It was so great to get to know you in your own words. When Erin and I came up with this idea I honestly just hoped that 10 people would link up with us. So far, over 70 women have. And I have watched every.single.one.

I know right? 5ohHubby has been picking up my slack so I can make sure I hold my commitment to you all since you were so awesome and linked up.

Some of you were exactly what I thought you'd be like.

Some of you were not what I had pictured at all.

Some of you I'd never met or read about before.

All of you were amazing.

Many of us mentioned how awkward it felt to be on camera but how fun this link up was.

Many of you mentioned that this was a series... That got Erin and I thinking. We really should make it a once a month series. Stay tuned for more on that!

5ohBaby and I wanted to thank each and every one of you. And to let you know that if you didn't link your vlog up yet, you still have time. This first link up is open all the way through Sunday night. So vlog it out ladies!

The Girl Behind The Blog Vlog Link Up

2012-02-05T23:37:00.000-08:00

TODAY IS THE DAY! Erin from Captivated by Grace and I are thrilled to invite you all to link up your The Girl Behind The Blog vlogs! We know that a lot of us hate our voices on camera, say "like... um..." too much, miss our blog starting point by 3 months, forget to end our vlog, have babies squirming in our arms ~~trying to break free~~ or are 100% certain YouTube's main goal is to give you the most unflattering thumbnail options in the world.

Or if you're anything like me, you have all of the above going on.

It's ok... that's just life. We just want to get to know you in your own words! If you need to see the ground rules or to grab the button you can head over to the prompt. Make sure you follow both Erin and I (we're the first two videos!)

You only have to link up on one of the host's blogs because our links are interlinked. So, without further adieu... here's my The Girl Behind The Blog vlog. Enjoy!

NOW IT IS YOUR TURN TO LINK UP!

Blog Love

2012-02-04T20:21:00.000-08:00

I took the plunge and got on Bloglovin Account. Come share the blog love. Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Don't forget about The Girl Behind The Blog vlog linky on Monday!! Have a great weekend everyone!

Baked Stuffed Meatballs and Creamy Polenta

2012-02-03T15:14:00.000-08:00

I've been saving this recipe for a while. I actually had something like it at a delicious restaurant in town on a date night with 5ohHubby a few months ago. That week, I ran to the store and bought everything I could think of to attempt to recreate the ridiculous deliciousness of this meal. I didn't take pictures and I didn't blog it because I wasn't sure it would turn out. But it did. And it blows my spaghetti recipe out of the water. I quickly snapped a cellphone pic before I ~~gobbled it all up~~ politely ate my dinner.

You could use these meatballs for spaghetti, subs, or whatever you can dream up. But I'm telling you, on polenta it is delicious.

Seriously, you guys have to try this.

The meatballs are really the key. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve, so prepare to be schooled in meatball making. By an Irish girl. ~~How do you like them apples?~~

The first little trick up my sleeve is to saute the onions, garlic, and parsley BEFORE adding them to the meat. This step really reduces the bitter flavors behind them and the crunchy texture in the meatball. You have to make sure to let the mixture cool a little before adding it because you don't want the heat to scramble the eggs... but I'm telling you, it's worth it.

I always make my meatballs out of ground turkey because ~~they sell it at Costco in large amounts for very cheap~~ it's really good for you. I add a grill seasoning blend and Worcestershire sauce to kick up the flavor. I'm not really sure what it does, to be honest, and if you are please feel free to leave a comment below. I've literally spent seconds contemplating what the heck it is, but in the end I decided to go in blind. All I know is that it makes my meatballs amazing and so I use it. And you should, too.

I also throw in some Parmesan cheese, panko bread crumbs and not one, but two eggs. They make the meatballs thicker and more hearty than meatballs with just one egg. Then I just mix it all up with my hands and form large meatballs. I like to make my meatballs about the size of a lemon. I then stick a pre-cut cube of smoked mozzarella in the middle. I know this isn't the most attractive picture but this is really the key step to the meatballs. You guys have no idea.

Then I bake these bad boys at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

Pure meatball heaven.

While these meatballs are cooking, I usually boil the noodles and heat up the sauce. Not this time my friends. This time I used this little gem I found in my grocery store. I know you can make your own from scratch, but it takes like 45 minutes and I just don't have that kind of time. Plus, I found one with sundried tomatoes, so score! If you haven't had it before, you and polenta are going to be very good friends.

First, I sauteed a small shallot (although you could totally use an onion) and some garlic in a sauce pan. Then I sliced the polenta in the pan, added some chicken stock and mashed it with a potato masher until it was smooth. After letting it cook for a few minutes I added 1/4 a cup of marscapone cheese and a few cubes of smoked mozzarella. Creamy sundried tomato Polenta for the win.

To serve you ladle some polenta onto a plate, top with a few meatballs, and drizzle with tomato sauce. This is seriously so good, I can't even tell you. Savory, smokey, and a little sweet. I know it sounds complicated, but its seriously so easy. I made this in probably 30-35 minutes total. I loved it. 5ohHubby loved it. Even 5ohBaby loved it.

Seriously, make it.

Like, yesterday.

You won't regret it.

Baked Stuffed Meatballs and Creamy Polenta

For Meatballs:
1 small onion-diced

3 cloves garlic- diced

1/4 cup parsley

1lb ground turkey

1Tablespoon grill seasoning

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

2 eggs

1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

smoked mozzarella- cubed

For Creamy Polenta:

One package polenta

1 small shallot

2 cloves garlic

3/4 cup chicken stock

1/4 cup marscapone cheese

left over smoked mozzarella

1 cup of tomato sauce

Preheat Oven to 350. Prepare a baking sheet.

Saute onion, garlic, and parsley in a small frying pan. Remove from heat and let cool. Combine the rest of the ingredients (except the smoked mozzarella) in a large bowl. Mix together thoroughly with hands and form large meatballs. Stuff each meatball with a cube of mozzarella and close meatball over the cheese. Place on the baking sheet. Bake meatballs for 20-25 minutes.

While meatballs are baking saute a small shallot and 2 cloves of garlic in a sauce pan. Add sliced polenta and chicken stock. Mash ingredients together and cook for 6-7 minutes. Add marscapone cheese and desired amount of mozzarella. Cook for a minute more, stirring together until cheese is melted and Polenta is creamy.

STUFF.YO.FACE.

Training Your Baby To Sleep

2012-02-01T21:03:00.000-08:00

After writing some new mom advice I got a few emails and comments about what kind of night time routine we use with 5ohBaby. I usually try not to tell people about 5ohBaby's sleeping habits because, quite frankly, it sounds like bragging. I know a lot of mother's struggle with what to do out night with their babies and I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. But......

THIS. ROUTINE. WORKS.

Children thrive on routines. It doesn't have to be exactly the same, but kids will handle the night time routine better (aka GO TO SLEEP!) when they know what's coming next. This routine uses cues to let 5ohBaby know that bedtime is coming. It goes from high activity to low activity. She starts very active and gets more and more calm as the routine goes one. Then she goes to sleep.

Full disclosure : I took this routine my sister-in-law used and then my sister tweaked and then I further tweaked. Say what you will but these kids S-L-E-E-P (and two of them even ask for "nigh-nigh"). I mean.. how could I not want 5ohBaby to be just like her older cousins? Just look at them.

Cute right? Ok... back to our night time routine. 5ohBaby takes two naps that are at least one hour long each AND she sleeps 12 hours. Yes, 12. Almost every night. The nights that it isn't 12, its 11. We moved her into her own crib in her own room at 8 weeks. I didn't think I was ready, and the first 3 nights were hard, but since then she has just... well... slept. She plays all day long and sleeps all night long, because hey, isn't that how it's supposed to be?

Most nights we start the bedtime routine between 6:30 and 7:00pm depending on whether or not it's a bath night. We bathe her every other night, unless she does something where she gets dirty. Each night after dinner we let her play for a few minutes while we get the dishes done to get her last minute energy out. Around 6:30 we take her up stairs and have bath time. She loves bath time.

For our bathtime we use Johnson and Johnson's baby bedtime bath. We do this because the lavender sent is calming and a cue to 5ohBaby that bedtime is coming. You can use any bathwash you like, but I highly recommend adding some lavender or other soothing smell to the bath.

After bathtime we put 5ohBaby in her bumbo and we brush her teeth. Sometimes she helps. She really enjoys it!

After her bath we lotion that girl down. We lay her down on her towel or on a blanket in her room and lotion her whole body. It's good for her skin. Again, we use lavender smelling lotion. The baby massage is soothing to her. Less active than the bath, but she still has some wiggle room. We give her a toy to play with or do flashcards while she gets massaged. After her massage we put on her diaper, brush her hair, and get her dressed. Then we let her pick a book off her bookshelf.

Everyone knows how important it is to read to your children, so we made sure to incorporate it into her bedtime routine. We usually read one or two fun books (depending on how much more she needs to calm down) and then we read our bible devotional together and pray. This is even less activity than the massage. We are just helping 5ohBaby wind down.

Then, comes the most important part of the routine. We turn off the light, turn on the sound machine and she nurses before bed. The sound machine is key. You can find the one we use here. It's $25 dollars and is amazing. We only ever use the ocean setting, but you can use any setting you like. There is also the option for a projected mobile and a timer. The sound machine is soothing and a constant sound. It is her last cue that it's bedtime. It is also amazing because we don't have to tiptoe around the house after she's in bed. And, best of all, if she wakes up at night it soothes her back to sleep without me going in to her room.

I realize I will have to break her of it at some point but for now it is wonderful. She will sleep anywhere if she has the sound machine so that works out of us, too. She doesn't use a pacifier.. never really liked it even though I give it to her every night. We put her down in her bed AWAKE and she babbles for a few minutes and falls asleep. If your baby falls asleep while nursing or taking their bottle, I've heard you can change their diaper to wake them. If she is crying, it is more of her calling out for us not actually being upset and it only lasts a few minutes. The first few days we did this routine, she cried.

And I let her.

For as long as I could stand. Sometimes that was 5 minutes. Sometimes that was 30. But she knows she is loved and I know she is safe. It is ok if she cries as long as she is safe. No baby ever died from crying... though it does break your heart sometimes. Eventually they will fall asleep.

As a parent, you are training your children to grow up and go out into the world. Sleeping is the first thing you have to train them to do. It is hard at first, absolutely. But you just press through and after a week they will just know that at night, you leave, they sleep, and you come back in the morning. That's just what happens in life. If you train them that you are coming in every 5 minutes, or that if they cry for 30 minutes you will pull them out of bed, then that is what they will do every night. If you train them that night time is for sleeping, they will sleep. I realize that every child is different, so these steps may have to be tweaked to be more accomadating for your family.

Side note, we decorated her entire room and filled her crib with beautiful fluffy bumpers before she came. And she has never once slept with anything in the crib. I know there are people who think it's fine to put things in their crib, or give them a blanket, or leave bumpers up, but for us it is just not worth it. Its distratcting for 5ohBaby and it's dangerous. So, it's just plain empty. And has been every time she's ever slept in it for her entire life.
What do you do for your bedtime routine? What are you training your child where sleep is concerned?

The Girl Behind The Blog Prompt

2012-01-30T00:00:00.000-08:00

Remember when I was totally vague about the The Girl Behind The Blog vlog link up ~~and yes, that sentence is grammatically correct~~ idea floating around in my head? Well, ladies, have I got news for you.

Dreams really do come true.

My beautiful friend Erin at Captivated by Grace and I have done it. We are teaming up for an unprecedented, totally awesome, you just gotta do it, vlog link up that you JUST.CAN'T.MISS.

How's that for hype?

We wanna know all about you! And so do your readers. I know there are a few of my most favorite bloggers that I would love to meet in real life. And since I can't afford a plane ticket to all their cities ~~or afford the restraining orders~~ we bring you The Girl Behind The Blog.

Yepp.. Monday, February 6, 2012... one week from today... we invite YOU to come and show the blogging community what you're all about. And maybe make a few new friends. All you have to do is follow both of our blogs, post a button anywhere on your blog, and post a short vlog answering the following questions. You'll only have to link up on one of the host's blogs because our links will be interlinked

Yeah.... three links in one sentence.. beats that consecutive the sentence doesn't it?

So, in all seriousness, Erin and I are more than excited to get to know everyone! We really hope you join us. You can grab a button below to put up on your blog. Spread the word and lets get to know each other a little better! Here are the deets... feel free to make your video your own but please try to stick to these prompts and the time limit.

The Girl Behind The Blog
Time limit: Vlogs should be 2-3 minutes long

Introduce yourself and any other "regulars" on your blog (like kids or spouses)
Tell us a little about your blog- your main theme, if you have a niche, etc
Tell us why you started blogging and why you continue to blog
How do you envision your blog evolving in the future? What hopes do you have for your blog?
Is there anything you'd like your readers to know?
What is your favorite thing about blogging?
What is the most challenging thing about blogging?
What inspires you? How do you get inspired to blog?

New Mom Advice

2012-01-28T20:35:00.000-08:00

My Photographer rocked, right? Email me for her info!

I have gotten a ton of advice from other parents before and since we had 5ohBaby. Some of it we've loved, some of it we've researched and some of it we've totally ignored. I know when my sister told me it's 10 months up and 10 months down when I worried about weight, I ~~ate at Yogurt Time twice that day~~ more than gladly took it. I've shared this post a few times around the interwebs and I thought I would share all the best advice I have gotten as a new mom here today.!

Wait Ten Months To Worry About Your Weight

It takes you 10 months to gain your baby weight, but boy aren't we surprised when it doesn't just drop off the minute we have that baby. As my sister says "Ten months up, ten months down". I didn't obsess over the weight while I was pregnant. To be honest, I gained 50 ~~incredibly delicious~~ pounds. But not all at once. I slowly, pound by pound, month by month, gained the weight in a healthy manner. Now that I am 10 months out I am itching to get back into my pre-baby clothes.Truth is, it will probably take me another 5 months to lose the weight I gained. But that's totally ok. At least now I can blog about mommy style.

Do it- it's a healthy mindset to have.

Write A Love Note To Your Child

I'm a sap for love letters. 5ohHubby and I went out and immediately bought a journal the day after we found out we were pregnant. I love the verse on the cover. We started writing 5ohBaby that day. We told her how we found out about her, wrote to her after her ultrasound, wrote about her baby showers, the plans we had for her, how much we loved her, what our hopes and dreams were, everything we could think to say. When she finally arrived, we wrote her birth story in it. We continue to write her as she continues to amaze us. As life goes on, we will write her on her birthdays, on special occasions, and about wonderful moments we wish to capture. We plan on giving it to her the day she graduates high school. Your letter doesn't have to be as involved as that. You can make it your own, but plan ahead for their future.

Do it- its important to invest in them emotionally.

Go Out With Your Baby

I know going out in public seems like the last thing you want to do when you have a new baby. But let me tell you, if you take the right safety precautions, it can make your life so much easier. You don't have to go anywhere fancy. As anyone who's had a baby can tell you ~~you can barely walk because everything still hurts like a mammajamma~~ you don't necessarily feel like walking all over town right after you deliver. But you can, and should, do simple things. My mom took 5ohHubby and I to the park and to eat at Outback about a week after 5ohBaby was born. Once you get out in the real world you'll realize its not as hard as you thought it would be. When they are still so young like that, they have no idea where they are anyways, so you might as well get them used to doing things. That first time I needed a ton of help and a diaper bag full of unnecessary items. Now I can just grab 5ohBaby on my own and go just about anywhere on with only a few things.

Do it- its good for your body.

Go On Dates

I was exclusively breastfeeding 5ohbaby so it was really hard for me to leave her for the first time. There was crying, screaming, and separation anxiety ~~but I calmed down eventually~~. 5ohHubby and I had a wonderful day where we sipped champagne, read grown up books, talked about things other than diapers and ate an uninterrupted dinner. True, we didn't go very far. True, we checked on 5ohBaby 4 times. True, although unfortunately, I had to pump in a public bathroom. But we got to feel like people again rather than just parents. We got to be us again and it was romantic.

Do it- it's good for your marriage

Set Up A Sleep Routine

We moved 5ohBaby to her room at about 8 weeks. I wasn't sure I was ready but 5ohHubby pushed it and I'm glad he did. We all slept better. To be fair, I did spend that entire first night staring at 5ohBaby through the video monitor, but eventually I learned to sleep without her right next to me. We also used a sound machine that plays rolling ocean waves. Buy one. Like, yesterday. She has slept "through the night" since then. It acts as a sleep cue when we lay her down (awake and on her back- no matter what) and also helps her self soothe when she wakes up in the middle of the night. We also have a simple bedtime routine to help her know it is time to go to sleep. Bath-Baby Massage-Book-Breastfeeding- Bed. Do it- it's good for your sleep.

Set Up A Schedule

It doesn't have to be super complicated. It doesn't have to be exact. But it does have to exist. On Mondays, we do grocery shopping and our play group. Tuesdays, I work on my first responders wives ministry and we have small group. Wednesdays we spend time as a family . Thursdays, 5ohHubby and 5ohBaby have daddy/daughter time at a gym and we usually have dinner with friends. Sundays, we go to church. One Saturday a month I have book club. Some weeks we do all of these things. Some weeks we miss a few. But routines are a positive thing for us and for our babies.

Do it- its good for your family.

Do Something For You

It is easy to get wrapped up in being a mom. I am blessed to be able to be a stay at home mom and make faces at my sweet little one all day. But sometimes I need contact with other grown ups. I wasn't getting any so I started a book club that meets one Saturday a month. I am a part of a girls night in order to build friendships and accountability. I go to a Mommy & Me group to pick other mom's brains. I learned to make cake pops and my mother in law's chicken and dumplings because they are delicious and more fun than working out. In March, I am going to the Creative Estates Retreat It doesn't matter what it is you do that's just for you, it just matters that there is something you do that is just for you.

Do it- it's good for your mental health.

Ask For Help

Babies don't come with manuals. And just because you get advice from someone, doesn't mean you have to take it. Talk to friends and family members who are parents. Call your doctor. Get on twitter (follow me) and ask other mom's for advice. Poll your facebook friends. Talk to your spouse. Blog about it. Whatever you have to do.

Just do it. It's important.

Lets Talk, 5ohBaby

2012-01-27T11:03:00.000-08:00

Hey 5ohBaby... we need to talk. ~~Well, I need to talk, you don't know how to talk yet~~. Before I had you, I thought I knew what it was like to be a mother. I would love you, of course. I would want to protect you, nurture you, help you become totally awesome like your daddy. I'd spend most of my days with you, as a stay at home mommy, but I would need time away. It would be hard to walk away from you, but once I was out the door, we'd be separate, and I'd be fine. I mean, mom's work outside the home all the time and they seem fine. I'd try to get away and have some me time every week.

Yep, I thought I knew it all.

But, turns out, I'm just not that kind of mama.

I haven't been able to be away from you for more than a few hours since you were born. Sure, there was a time when I had my priorities mixed up and was having a hard time just sitting in these moments and finding joy, but you were with me always. And that's how I like it. Going through life together while daddy is working... just me and my mini-me.

Remember when you heard mommy & daddy talking about the Creative Estates Retreat? Remember how mommy said a few of her favorite bloggers were teaching or attending? How it would be so much fun to meet these bloggers in real life after reading their blogs & feeling like I know them ~~and pretending like they might have stumbled across my blog once or twice as well~~? How even though I'm not a crafter per say, I've been known to dabble in a project or two? How it was too bad daddy would probably be working and there was no way I could actually go?

Well guess what, 5ohBaby.

Mommy's going to Creative Estates.

Yay! I know, I was so excited, too. Daddy said he really wanted me to work it out, we figured out a back up plan for if he is working, and mommy got the very last ticket.

And then immediately felt guilty.

How could I justify the expense? Wouldn't you need me? What if something happened? What if you got sick or hurt? What if all the other bloggers didn't like me ~~gosh that makes me sound like a middle schooler~~? What if I couldn't actually do any of the crafts?

But most importantly: how could I leave you and daddy for four whole days?

Yes, it's four days away. And I feel terrible about it. And totally excited.

I know you'll be fine. You have an awesome daddy who is so good at caring for you. He is already planning all sorts of fun things for you to do on your Daddy/Daughter Date Weekend. He is so so so excited to spend that time with you.

You will be almost a year old. I will make sure you have plenty of food to eat and plenty of milk stored up. I will facetime you and skype you and think about you every moment. I mean, how could I not? I promise to bring some fun projects home with me.

And don't you worry your pretty little head...before I go, I will make sure daddy knows all about your bows.

How Would I react

2012-01-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

I saw this poem over at Sarah's Blog and it just struck me. In this day and age, advances in technology have put us constantly in the limelight. Or, rather, we put ourselves in the limelight. All of us are guilty of it.

We post staged and edited pictures of ourselves and our families. We spend time thinking of the perfect witty comments and funny stories so people will think we are hilarious. We feign outrage at hot button topics or the mistreatment of others almost like it's a fad but we don't actually do anything to correct it. We debate with people we don't know in self righteous indignation from our cozy spot behind a computer screen. When we are impacted by something we immediately facebook, tweet, or pin it... and then move on.

The truth is, the part that everyone sees, even the part of me that is on this blog, is manufactured.

As wives and mothers we are often working hard when no one is looking. This has been blogged about over and over so I don't think I need to go there. But what about as a society? As a generation? As people? Are we willing to do what it takes when no one is looking? Do we follow the calling in our hearts or are we more concerned with our selfish desires? Who are we.... what do we do for Him.... when nobody sees and nobody knows?

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-25T10:53:00.000-08:00

The Girl Behind The Blog

2012-01-23T15:27:00.000-08:00

headband: heather's happys

So there is this idea floating around in my head. A way for us to get to know one another better. To pull back the veil of the blog world and really get to see what some of your favorite bloggers are like in an attempt to form more authentic relationships.

It involves me.

It involves you.

It will probably involve 5ohBaby.

It will definitely involve a Vlog linky.

Who's in?

Friends To Do Life With

2012-01-18T17:39:00.000-08:00

When 5ohHubby was in High School, he had a best friend. They just got each other. Let's call him Riff. I first met Riff when 5ohHubby and I were dating. He was a loyal friend. And totally hilarious. I liked him right away. 5ohHubby and Riff have been friends for something like 12 years. Riff recently became a police officer also so now we have even more in common. They've supported each other through a lot of ups and downs and although ~~they're too cool to let me post any of their goofy pics~~ no goofy pics of them exist.. I promise, it's a bromance.

Riff's wife is totally amazing, too. From the moment I met her, we just clicked. It has always been easy with her and I. She has an amazing heart and an awesome sense of humor. She is beautiful inside and out. She is one of those girls who doesn't pretend with you... you can be totally real with her and expect the same in return. Basically, I love her. I consider her one of my best friends even though we've never lived in the same city.

Riff & his wife lived in California for a little while and we got to go visit them. Actually, we called them and totally invited ourselves to stay with them. Like, the next week. It was a totally spontaneous trip when we really needed it, and it turned out to be one of the best vacations 5ohHubby and I have ever had. We had an amazing time. The boys did.... well... whatever it is boys do. Her and I chatted on the beach and it was as if her and I had been friends for years. I love them like crazy and I love how much they love us.

We were cut from the same cloth, I tell you.

So, when we found out we were pregnant with 5ohBaby, 5ohHubby immediately called Riff and asked him to be her Godfather. They finally got to meet 5ohBaby on our trip home. I was so happy to see them, I can't even tell you. 5ohBaby loved them, they loved 5ohBaby... and we got to feel their little one moving around in mama's stomach, which is such an amazing thing.

While we were playing a game and laughing so hard I just took a second to soak that moment in. These boys were friends in high school, are married to two totally awesome babes (if I do say so myself), are in the same line of work, and he is the Godfather of 5ohBaby. I was suddenly struck ~~a little late~~ by the fact that this couple... this couple God has put in our lives for a reason. We will be friends forever.. in the totally cheesy way. They will impact our children's spiritual lives. Our families will vacation together. We will share laughs, tears, highs and lows with one another. This is one of the couples we will "do life with". And for that, I am thankful.

Do you have couple friends? What things do you do with one another?

Grammies Perfect-Every-Time Fudge

2012-01-16T14:00:00.000-08:00

I love my mama. She is awesome, it's true. She is beautiful, supportive, and hilarious ~~plus a little crazy but who's mom isn't?~~ My mom raised my sister, brother, and I all by herself while working full time AND getting her Master's in nursing (she is currently working on her doctorate). Who does that?

My mom, that's who.

Every time I go home there are a few dishes from my childhood that I ask her to make. This is especially true during the holidays. My mom is all about traditions and most of ours are centered around food. Shepard's pie on St. Patrick's day. Homemade donuts on Birthdays. Breakfast casserole Christmas morning

And fudge just about whenever you wanted.

My mom makes amazing fudge. Actually, when my grandmother was alive SHE made amazing sometimes-it-turns-out-sometimes-it-doesn't fudge. It was one of my mom's favorite things growing up and it was one of my favorite things when I was younger as well. The times it turned out, that is. My mama realized there had to be a way to ensure the fudge turned out every time. So, she switched around a few of the ingredients and has, in my opinion, perfected the art of fudge making.

The best part of this recipe is that it is so versatile. You can use semi-sweet chocolate, white chocolate, dark chocolate, peanut butter, raspberries, nuts... anything really, to customize the fudge to your liking. The longer you cook it and the more you beat it, the harder it will be. If you boil it for 4 minutes and don't beat it for too long it will be softer.

And it turns out perfect every time.

Grammie's Perfect-Every-Time Fudge

2 1/2 cups sugar

6 oz. bag of chocolate chips

1 1/2 sticks of butter

1 can (5 oz) evaporated milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 jar jet-puffed Marshmellow creme

Butter an 8x8 dish. Also, prepare a 2 inch ice bath in the sink.

In a large pot, combine sugar, butter and milk on medium heat. Bring SLOWLY to a rolling boil, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon,to prevent burning the sugar.

Once it starts to bubble, boil it for 4-6 minutes (still stiring!) depending on desired hardness of the fudge (longer for harder fudge-shorter for softer)

Remove from heat and quickly stir in the chocolate, vanilla and marshmellow creme. Move pan to the ice bath and beat the fudge until it just starts to harden and there is a glossy shine to the fudge. Use those muscles! Quickly pour it into your pre-buttered pan. Let sit for 10-15 minutes.

Cut fudge into squares ~~or eat it straight out of the pan like me~~ and ENJOY!

Giveaway Winner

2012-01-14T14:42:00.000-08:00

I normally don't do this, but I'm dedicating a whole post to a giveaway winner. Why? Because I think this is pretty cool. I know they always say not to be the first person to sign up for a giveaway because you never win. Not today. And here's the proof. I love it when this happens. So Congratulations Erin from Captivated by Grace on winning the Some Kind of Paradise Giveaway. I'm totally jealous. Check your email :-)

Mason Jar Marker Holder

2012-01-13T15:53:00.000-08:00

So, I know I promised you I would put down my spaghetti squash and finish showing you the wall collage ~~that I totally forgot about.~~ I already showed you the Dry Erase To Do List and the Weekly Family Planner but something is missing. Something important. Something like where on earth to keep the markers for all these dry erase projects.Well, wait no further my friends. I've figured out the perfect place to hold those markers.

Ok, Ok, I know a mason jar is not all that original, but its totally cute. It's hung right on the wall which is different than all the other mason jars floating around on Pinterest. It's perfect for in between all the frames and I love that it adds a pop of color to the wall. Plus, it's super simple, super cute, and only slightly involves power tools. Score.

I found this cute & simple hook and Bed, Bath and Beyond on sale. 7 years ago. And I never opened it until today. I intended to use it to hang this mesh shoe holder thingy but college me ended up just using thumbtacks. Thank you, college me... looks like you did something right. I hung this up, sinkers and all, completely by myself. Slight use of power tools is now complete.

I'm sure there are a lot of ways to hang the mason jar but I happened to have this picture hanging wire lying around the house so I used it. Free projects are always the best kind, right 5ohHubby? I just wrapped the wire around the bottom lip of the jar, twisting it together on both sides to make sure it was sturdy.

When I got near the end, I looped the wire inside itself on both sides. I then twisted it together at the top. My wire was really long and this was the best way to use it up since I don't have any wire cutters. It wasn't really a perfect science, but it worked for me. Feel free to experiment with what works for you.

Voilà! Just put your markers inside them for easy access. If you prefer, you could fill it with flowers, too. Or even those flowers that are really pens... but what would be the point of that? Happy crafting!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Looking for the rest of these projects?

Check out How To Hang A Wall Collage

Check out the Weekly Family Planner

Check out the Dry Erase To Do List
Check out the The Project You'll Never See

5ohBaby's First Christmas in Pictures

2012-01-13T10:23:00.000-08:00

Some Kind Of Paradise Giveaway

2012-01-11T04:00:00.000-08:00

Well Hello there 5ohwifey fans!!

My name is Aligna and i blog over at Some kind of paradise

I'm a stay at home mamma who loves to blog!! I blog about my journey through life as a mother of 4 and wife to 1 and the many hats i wear from day to day. There will also be beauty tips, crafty creations, book reviews, music reviews & laugh-out-loud moments! Along the journey I'll share about my faith and the struggles and victories that are shaping me into the woman I pray to be.

On my spare time…when i have them:)) I 'm a Esthetician/makeup artist that loves to do makeup for weddings & special events. And as a crafty mama I recently opened up my Etsy shop called JasmineandViolets.

I named the shop after my daughters and its been a great outlet for my crafty ideas & dreams. Through creating i have felt Gods love for even the simple things that make us feel beautiful and treasured. In here i make pretty little things like headbands, hair clips, bracelets and rings for all ages. Go check it out here: JasmineandViolets

Today I'm giving away one of these beauties to one lucky winner!!

Good Luck!!

Hope you come along for this girls journey in the search for finding some kind of paradise in my everyday living, with much love Aligna

Many thanks to Ashley 5ohwifey, for giving me the honor of being a guest on your lovely blog!

------------------------------

Thanks Aligna! Wow isn't her stuff absolutely beautiful? She is giving away one beautiful headband as well as an ad space on her blog

Mandatory for entry:

Follow my blog on GFC AND Aligna's blog here. Visit her shop here and leave a comment with your favorite item!

additional entries:

Follow me on facebook here

Follow me on twitter here
Follow me on pinterest here

Follow Aligna on facebook here

Follow Aligna on twitter here
Follow Aligna on pinterest here

Tweet/Post about this giveaway (leave link or @mention me!)

Giveaway closes at midnight on Friday, January 13, 2011. Good luck, friends!

What We Wore and a Winner

2012-01-09T04:30:00.000-08:00

Alright y'all... I'm back from vacation and trying to settle into a routine. I thought I'd kick the new year off with a What We Wore post and a giveaway winner ~~while I scramble to reorganize my life after two entire weeks away~~. With an adorably dressed 5ohBaBy thrown in for good measure. P.S. If anyone wants to get 5ohBaby anything.... Janie and Jack is where its at. Ah, if only we were independently wealthy.

And can I please just give a shout out to 5ohHubby for his photography? He's pretty much awesome. I know he doesn't really like doing it, but he takes every picture on this blog that I'm in and I think he's awfully talented.

5ohWifey

shirt- banana republic (similar)

scarf- forever 21

jeans- american eagle

boots- payless (similar)

headband- just.lovely.things

5ohBaby

shirt- crazy8

jeans- crazy8

boots- payless

coat- Janie and Jack (in stores only)

headband- just.lovely.things (similar)

And the Picking Blueberries giveaway winner is Cassie @ livelaughl0ve! Congratulations! Send me an email :-)

Past Dreams Of A Girl

2012-01-07T20:14:00.000-08:00

Past Dreams of a Girl

She came tonight as I sat alone..
The girl I used to be....
And she gazed at me with her earnest eye...
And questioned reproachfully:

Have you forgotten the many plans
And hopes I had for you?
The great career, the splendid fame,
all the wonderful things to do?

Where is the mansion of stately height
With all its gardens rare?
The silken robes that I dreamed for you
And the jewels in your hair?

And as she spoke, I was very sad
For I wanted her pleased with me...
This slender girl from the shadowy past
The girl that I used to be.

So gently rising, I took her hand
And guided her up the stairs
Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay
Innocent, sweet, and fair.

And I told her that these are my only gems,
And precious they are to me;
That silken robes is my motherhood
Of costly simplicity.

And my mansion of stately height is love,
And the only career I know
Is serving each day in these sheltered walls
For the dear ones who come and go

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest,
She smiled through her tears at me.
And I saw the woman that I am now
Pleased the girl I used to be.

- Author unknown

Sponsor 5ohWifey[dot]com

2012-01-06T12:27:00.000-08:00

Advertising for February on 5ohWifey is now open! I love to promote other bloggers, small businesses, and non-profits on this site.

Who reads 5ohWifey? Everyone. Ok, maybe not everyone.... but every type of someone. Since the topics on this blog range from babies to badges this blog has quite a wide reach. When I started this blog in 2010, not even my mom read it. Needless to say, our readership has expanded dramatically. Over the past 6 months we have had a growth rate of 300%. Not quite as impressive as the 5,500% growth since last year at this time... but still.

Yes, I actually figured out the formula for this. No, I'm not kidding. Yes, I checked the math twice.

I also advertise on other blogs making your ad here go twice as far. You advertise with me, I advertise with others, they advertise with still others and its basically awesome. This is a perfect opportunity for your blog or small business to get exposure to both the mommy and the law enforcement community.

If you're interested or would like more information feel free to email me at 5ohwifey[at]gmail[dot]com

Ad space is offered on a first come first serve basis. All guest posts are subject to review. We reserve the right to not post any material that doesn't match the tone of this blog or is deemed abusive or offensive.