{life with baby}

{life with baby} is growing up!

2010-01-19T23:55:00.000-06:00

It is with great excitement and a little sadness to announce that {life with baby} is growing up. As many of you know, our sweet baby girl has entered the toddler years. My new blog will still cover all things baby, along with all stages of childhood and motherhood.

Introducing Opie dawn!

Mother to mother, friend to friend, joy in the company we keep. Opie dawn celebrates the modern mommy, navigating life through Christ-centered living.

I hope that you will join me at my new address! Click here for my first post.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T10:21:00.002-06:00

Welcome 2010! Wishing you a very happy and healthy new year!

New Years Eve Camp In

2009-12-30T23:54:00.000-06:00

We are ringing in the new year with a camp in. All the elements of a camp out, only in the comfort of our living room. We are going to set up a tent, lots of fluffy pillows, blankets, play games, watch movies, etc.

How cute is this tent from Lucy & Michael! Handmade right here in Houston.

I hope you have a fabulous new year! See you next year!

December wrap up

2009-12-29T23:14:00.007-06:00

I have been out of the loop this month. December was filled to the brim with preparing for Christmas,family and I suffered a massive sinus infection that resulted in a ruptured eardrum. Aside from the ear injury, this Christmas was wonderful. Our sweet baby girl, who by the way is two going on thirteen, was a joy! E saw Santa, and with sobs and tears, mustered up enough courage to yell out what she wanted for Christmas. She became fond of the various yard decorations in the neighborhood, and was sad to see them miss shape on the ground during the day. She decorated the tree just so, and sang jingle bells at the top of her lungs! She learned the word “mine!” but also learned that it is fun to give presents as well. She marveled at the presentation of the milk, cookie and carrots for Santa and his reindeer. And she listened and laughed at my reenactment of the Christmas story, with her nativity play set. We had a great time and I hope you had a very Merry Christmas as well!

Our Christmas Tree

Christmas Eve, getting ready to go to dinner with my family.

E loves Perry's mac and cheese! We had a great Christmas Eve dinner.

After dinner we went to my parents house. E is playing with her new piano from Grand Santa!

E with her party hat, so sleepy!

Two hoots for the price of one!

2009-12-07T22:04:00.000-06:00

Bebe au Lait is relaunching Hooter Hiders. These nursing covers are a must for nursing mommies. Buy one new style and pick your choice of classic style for free. The offer ends tomorrow 12/8/09.

Snow Day in Houston!

2009-12-04T21:41:00.000-06:00

It snowed today in Houston! This is a very uncommon event. We enjoyed the change of scenery. E liked to stick her tongue out and taste the snow!

Top 10 Confessions of a Pediatrician: The Truth About Colds and Fever

2009-12-03T19:46:00.001-06:00

Top 10 Confessions of a Pediatrician: The Truth About Colds and Fever

Top 10 Confessions of a Pediatrician: More Truths Exposed

2009-12-03T19:46:00.000-06:00

Top 10 Confessions of a Pediatrician: More Truths Exposed

Here comes Christmas!

2009-12-01T18:07:00.002-06:00

It's the first of December and our halls are fully decked out with Christmas cheer. Stay tuned for a Christmas home tour in the coming days.

This year we are starting a few new traditions.

First we are celebrating the birth of Jesus by making him a birthday cake. We thought this would be a good way of teaching E about the true meaning of Christmas. She is fully aware of her birthday, as we just celebrated it, and seems excited about the cake!

Second, on Christmas eve we are making a point of reading Luke 2, the story of the birth of Jesus.

Last, in honor of hubby's Polish heritage, we are breaking the Oplatek wafer. This is a Polish tradition of blessings to friends and family and remembering what Christmas is all about.

What traditions do you and your family enjoy at Christmas?

Step away from the Pie!

2009-11-27T07:50:00.000-06:00

It's the day after Thanksgiving and the leftovers are calling, especially the yummy pies! We were sent home with a pecan pie. After making my way through a fourth of the pecan pie, on my own! I took control of the situation and tossed the pie out. Now I know what you are thinking, wasting a perfectly good pie like that?! I can explain. Hubby does not at all costs eat pecan pie, and we will not have any visitors in the next few days. I knew that if the pie were to be eaten, it would be all me, and I can't have that! Many of you may not know, but I have been trying to lose the nearly 70 pound weight gain I had during my pregnancy! I have accomplished this goal, and now I am working towards what I like to call my wedding weight. 25 more pounds to go and I will reach my goal.
So don't feel bad about tossing the pies out. Remember Christmas is just around the corner!

On a lighter note here are a few savings for this shopping weekend:

Pottery Barn is giving a $20 coupon for every $100 spent.

ZGallerie, 20% off accessories (not including books) and 15% off furniture purchases over $500.

Little Twig, 25% off gift sets.

Online sale at Target, free shipping when you spend $50.

LifeWay 2 day sale.

Happy shopping!

T H A N K S

2009-11-26T10:01:00.000-06:00

Thankful for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Happy Healthy Home
Abundance of Love and Support
New Adventures
Kindness
Silly little smiles and giggles from our sweet baby girl

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Thanksgiving Day Parade

2009-11-25T15:37:00.000-06:00

The Thanksgiving Day Parade, by Jack Prelutsky

Thanksgiving Day is here today, the great parade is under way, and though it's drizzling quite a bit, I'm sure that I'll see all of it.
Great balloons are floating by, cartoon creatures stories high, Mickey Mouse and Mother Goose, Snoopy and a mammoth moose. Humpty Dumpty, Smokey Bear hover in the autumn air, through the windy skies they sway, I hope that they don't blow away.
Here comes Santa, shaking hand as he waddles by the stands.
It's so much fun, I don't complain when now it really starts to rain. The bands are marching, here they come, pipers pipe and drummers drum, hear the tubas and the flutes, see the clowns in silly suites.
It's pouring now, but not on me, I'm just as dry as I can be, I watch and watch, but don't get wet, I'm watching on our TV set.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

"little puffball blue"

2009-11-25T00:00:00.009-06:00

Meet "little puffball blue". This frilly little dress is the creation of my co-worker Rayma. The dress was lovingly named "little puffball blue". Don't you think the name fits? I just love all the tulle and the color is fantastic! She was so sweet to make a ballerina dress for E's birthday. Thank you Rayma!

E twirled herself tired!

Gifts for the Petit Artiste

2009-11-24T00:00:00.000-06:00

Museum Frames Art Pad and Doodles At Dinner Coloring Placemats, found at Paper Source

Spill-Proof Paint Cups and Jumbo Pint Brush Set at Melissa and Doug

Crayon Roll from The Fresh Stitch

Purplicious

Harold and the Purple Crayon

Happy Birthday to E!

2009-11-23T15:25:00.000-06:00

E's second birthday was fantastic! We had such a great time visiting with friends and family. E enjoyed every minute of it. My dearest friend flew in for the day with her daughter, just to attend E's birthday! It was a good day.

Here are a few photos of the decor! We chose orange and pink for the main colors, and a frilly circus theme overall.

The birthday girl!

Happy Birthday E! We love you!

Belly Laughs and Bubbles

2009-11-18T00:00:00.001-06:00

I am thankful for the precious belly laughs E will let out over the simplest of things. It is a good reminder to just enjoy each moment. As I posted before, we have all been dealing with pesky sinus infections. We took some time outside to catch some vitamin D and laugh with E over bubbles!

Twilite Moon Sale

2009-11-17T19:28:00.000-06:00

End-of-year sale at Twilite Moon. Use code: SALE50.

Dreaming of a pink retro kitchen

2009-11-16T18:12:00.000-06:00

E has been wanting a kitchen for months now and she got her wish! We were going to give this to her for her second birthday, but she got it a week early. Hubby had just finished up building the kitchen in our guest bedroom and put it away. Elise charged into the room that he had been held up in for the past hour, and she announced, "Where is my kitchen! It's party time!" Truth be told we were so excited for her to have it, it made it easy for us to give in and reveal the birthday present early. There is more to come, that she will open on her birthday. I know, i know, bad parents for letting her have the present early! haha.

Party, Photography, and Play

2009-11-16T12:45:00.001-06:00

Getting closer to E's second birthday! Here are a few hints of the decor for her party.

E tries her hand at photography. Here is a photo of daddy! She pointed the camera and pushed the button like a pro.

We bought these fantastic cookie cutters at Sur la table, and had to try them out. They produced the biggest sugar cookies I have ever seen! Kuhn Rikon kinderkitchen® Kids’ Cookie Cutter Set

It was a fun weekend, even though we are all sick with sinus infections...! Hubby and E had to stay home from church yesterday, and now I am sick too! I will be so happy when this season of cold, flu, sinus, etc. clears up.

Grocery Cart Racing

2009-11-08T20:02:00.000-06:00

I am thankful for grocery shopping with our sweet baby girl. When do you have another chance to drive a grocery cart, made into a racing car, and not have strange looks! E has always wanted to "drive" one of the race car grocery carts, but I was not too thrilled about abandoning the trusty cart cover for a germ loaded race cart. Tonight was her night! She really wanted to drive it and after a quick wipe down with the kleenhanz, we were off to the races. Sunday night is always packed to the brim, as many other working parents are all out trying to get that last minute shopping in before the crazy work week starts. The race cart was so incredibly awkward to maneuver and did not hold a lot of groceries, but we made it. E turned the steering wheel like she was in control, it was too cute. Thanks E for a fun filled shopping adventure!

Vegetarian Chili

2009-11-07T13:25:00.002-06:00

We had a family get together this Halloween and I made my favorite vegetarian chili. The recipe has changed over the years, so for now this is how it goes...I have added a secret ingredient, click here to see what it is.

(This is enough to fill a large crock-pot that will serve well over 12 guests.)

You will need one large crock pot

measuring spoons

and combine all ingredients at will. I cooked this for 6 hours

Ingredients:

8 cups (2 cartons) of Pacific Natural Foods-Organic Vegetable Broth

1 can of my secret ingredient...click here

2 cans of garlic and onion roasted diced tomatoes. Muir Glen diced tomatoes with garlic and onion

1 can of tomato paste. Muir Glen tomato paste

1 can of rinsed and drained black beans. HEB Organics or Eden Foods brand

1 can of rinsed and drained garbanzo beans. HEB Organics or Eden Foods brand

1 can of rinsed and drained kidney beans. HEB Organics or Eden Foods brand

1 bag of Birds Eye Steamfresh Southwestern Style Corn

2 bell peppers, 1 red, 1 yellow

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

1 tablespoon ground cumin

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 teaspoon of paprika

Fresh ground pepper to taste

Toppings:

Plain Greek Yogurt

Chopped Cilantro Leaves

Sweet Onion

Avocado

Fritos

Shredded Cheese
Happy cooking!

Recordable Storybook

2009-11-06T20:50:00.005-06:00

The recordable storybook at Hallmark is a great gift idea for children. How sweet would it be from grandparent to grandchild. See how it works here.

Baby 2 Toddler

2009-11-05T00:37:00.003-06:00

Along with all the holiday festivities, I am in full birthday planning mode for E's Second birthday! Time has really flown by. E is our little Turkey baby, as I went into labor a few hours before we were all to sit down to have our Thanksgiving meal. It was an exciting Thanksgiving, one we will never forget!

Below is the start of my planning for her party. Her first birthday I designed the invite to show E's progression from birth to 11 months. I did the same this year, from her first birthday on the top left, to present on the bottom right.

Stay tuned for more party planning...

High Heels and Play Dough

2009-11-03T18:16:00.003-06:00

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am posting throughout the month on what I am thankful for.

Today I am thankful for Play Dough stuck on the bottom of my high heel shoe.

As I sit here at my desk, and look down at the bright orange Play Dough stuck on the bottom of my shoe, I am reminded of my roll as mommy and teacher. Mommy to our sweet baby girl, and teacher to a group of almost three-year-olds at church. They are fantastic kids, all outfitted with their own very unique personalities. I am thankful for being able to step into the Play Dough and help guide them as they grow.

Light The Night

2009-10-30T21:35:00.002-05:00

"Be the brightest house on the block, and "Light the Night" with 89.3, KSBJ!"

This is my last minute Halloween prep. Check out KSBJ to download stickers to place on candy wrappers and such.

We are handing out goldfish and pretzel snack packs this year. It is a nice alternative to all the candy, especially with a street full of little ones like E.

Have a very safe and happy Halloween.