How could you do laundry when these two want to play?

Do you ever get in a funk?  Bloggers, especially “Mom Bloggers,” tend to post about how fabulous and Martha Stewart-ish their lives are, but never talk about when things aren’t so fun & shiny. Some just never talk about the “downs” of life, some just disappear from the blogosphere and a few are brutally honest all of the time. I love the honest ones, so that’s why I feel the need to share with you all why I haven’t been around as much this month.

My life is really good right now, but I’m having a hard time balancing things. Kids-keeping up the house-laundry-blog, etc. Fortunately for my children, when I start to feel like this I just focus on the kids and ignore everything else that is piling up. Unfortunately, there are a million loads of laundry in my closet to be either washed and/or put away. Much to my husband’s dismay, my suitcase from Florida is also still sitting on the closet floor. I unpacked both kids’ bags, but mine sits there, unzipped because I grab some nursing pads from it every morning when I get dressed. I think the best way to describe it is I’m in a little bit of a funk.

I hope that writing this down {in public} will give me the motivation to do the laundry, put away the dishes and organize the garage. I hate that I let things pile up like this, but I like to look on the bright side of things so- you know what? It’s a better vice than being a heroin addict, right? I don’t know why I always slip down this path, because I *know* I feel my best when everything is clean and super-organized (did you know I’m a Virgo?)

Thanks for listening to me. I need to snap out of this and go get this stuff done. I’m going to try to go on a cleaning and organizing binge tonight so I wake up to a perfectly clean and organized house in the morning.
Have a great Memorial Day weekend, friends!

PS. I was going to name this post, “In A Rut,” until I felt the urge to google “rut” and found this definition. LOL. I think I’ll use a different word, thanks google.

PSS. I feel like a jerk, whining about my “funk” when people like my best friend are dealing with huge, life-changing issues, but I have to get it out there and get out of this funk for my family’s sake. Blogging is cheaper than therapy

To my Mother In Law, whom I love very much: I know you would help me with this, but I need to learn how to get out of this unorganized mess myself, thank you though! xoxo

Ready for Summer? 

Got Your Bags for the Beach? 

Here Are the Perfect Summertime Bags!

These SCOUT Bags Are Some of the Hottest Bags of the Season!!!
What Could Be Better?

Please Visit Their Sites When You Have Time!

Short Description of the Large Deano Beach Tote:

 Short Description of the Insulated Cool Clutch Tote:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Also available in a blue set if the WINNER does not like the pink and green combination above!

Alex and Ani’s Lotus Blossom bracelet stands for Strength, Eternity and Connection.
Who couldn’t use some more of that in their life?

I bought this bracelet to give one of my fabulous readers, but Sidney wants to keep it for her own… There are no mandatory entries, but the more times you enter- the better chance you have of winning.

Best of luck and thanks again for visiting me here at Baby Gators Den!

She loves Alex and Ani! PS. look at those little gators on her tank!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway is simple, all you need to do is check out UPrinting Business Cards Page and leave a blog post comment telling me your favorite business card die-cut shape. There a few ways to grab some extra entries as well, just check out the Rafflecopter widget below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The fine print:

1.       This giveaway is open to US residents only, 18 years old and above.

2.       No prize substitutions allowed.

3.       Winners are allowed to win once over a six-month period.

4.       Only email addresses used for the giveaway will be eligible to claim the prize.

Prize Information
250pcs Customizable Die-cut Business Cards for one winner
2×3.5″ Rounded Corners, 2×2″ Rounded Corners, 1.75×3.5″ Rounded Corners,
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14pt Cardstock Gloss / Matte / High Gloss (UV), or 13pt Cardstock Uncoated
6 Business Days Turnaround time
Free US shipping only

Disclaimer:
You should assume that the owner of this blog will receive free print products in exchange for the post. Any and all reviews posted are based solely on my own experience and may be atypical. Please practice due diligence in making any related purchase decisions. Interested to hold a giveaway like this? Please sign up here.

I know I’ve been gone for  a long time, I’m sorry. There’s definitely been a lot going on in my life, which has cut into my blogging time, unfortunately. We are all doing well though– don’t worry!

Here’s what we have been up to:

• co-hosting a neighborhood block party (look for a fun post coming up- I learned a lot about hosting block parties)
• attending parties of family & friends
• enjoying the fabulous New England weather
• still working on unpacking from Florida. Seriously.
• getting out of the house with the kids– zoos, music class, neighborhood strolls- you name it!

It’s nap time right now so I am able to sneak a few minutes in to say hello to my friends. I’m planning on picking up an Alex & Ani bangle to give away on here later this week. I chose the Lotus Blossom this time because it benefits the hospital where both of my kids were born, Women & Infants, in Providence. I loved my experience there and am happy to know that 20% of the proceeds will be donated to the hospital.

I’m going to work on getting some pictures up here for you, from our Florida trip and what we’ve been up to; in addition to posting the giveaway for the bracelet.

I hope you are doing great!

At the RI State House celebrating Jackson's cord blood match

Did you know J Crew sold kids clothes? I didn't! I found this cuteness at "Crewcuts"

As a parent, I know there will be many times my heart fills with pride for my children. Last Friday, I was able to experience it when Jackson was honored by the Rhode Island Blood Center for being a hero. Jackson’s donated cord blood was the second match of our state’s program (there have been 8 total).

I’ve written before about how he saved a little girl’s life, but it was an amazing experience to attend a reception honoring Jackson & the 7 other children who saved someone’s life. The highlight of the night for me was hearing a mother speak about how an umbilical cord blood donation saved her daughter’s life.  As we stood listening to her speech, her sister tapped me on the shoulder to thank me for donating my children’s cord blood. It’s hard to keep the tears away when you realize how a simple act can impact another family.

The program has received over 4,000 cord blood donations in the past 3 years since its inception, and Jackson’s cord blood was one of the 8 matched. It’s a bit surreal to me that while picking up Sidney’s cord blood donation box in September,  I read Jackson’s match story on the wall of the Rhode Island Blood Center’s reception area without realizing it was my son.

My hope is that every pregnant woman learns about how easy cord blood donation can be, especially in Rhode Island with the Rhode Island Blood Center’s Cord Blood Program.  You could help save a life!

Hey guys! Sorry for the unplanned blogging hiatus, but HOLY COW traveling with 2 little ones is draining. I am just now getting my reserves back and am *almost* unpacked.

I’m jumping back into the blogosphere by joining my fav bloghop, Melissa’s Top 5 Laughs.

5. Toddlers. This cute little pirate was a MESS at Sidney’s 5 month appointment on Thursday. Like so out of control our pediatrician wanted to check his ears to make sure he wasn’t sick. He wasn’t… just a toddler. I had to laugh at the insanity of all.

4. Sidney Girl. She went with her Dad & Jackson to Rock A Baby on Wednesday and had a blast, dancing the whole time. This age is the best and she is always making us laugh.

3. We were finally able to go out to celebrate our anniversary dinner and we laughed all night. There’s an awesome restaurant in Providence called Gracies and we were able to have the wine cellar to ourselves for dinner. The last time I went I was 9 months pregnant with Sidney so it was nice to be able to enjoy some wine!

2. faux Book Club. Our once a month meeting of girl time always comes at the best time. After the worst toddler behavior ever this week, I was thrilled to be able to celebrate Cinco de Mayo (5 days later) with my best girl friends. LOTS of laughs and we may have even talked a little about books (50 Shades, anyone?).

1. Celebrating Jackson’s cord blood match at the State House friday night was amazing. I’ll write a post about it soon, but Jackson was thrilled to be at the “bootiful” State House with all the “flags flying up in the air.” Rhode Island Blood Center hosted a really nice celebration.

How was your week? Link up over at The Mommyhood Chronicles! Have a fantastic weekend, xo.

My Gaga & Me, 2 weeks old

Reading with Gaga, 3 years old

When I was a little girl, I loved going to my grandmother’s house and seeing glimpses of her childhood. She would pull out a stack of pictures and show me the horse she rode as a teenager, a big chestnut gelding named Flash. She loved talking about her father and his mill in the small town she grew up in, Bristol, Vermont. Tears often filled her eyes when she spoke of her childhood and the family she loved so much. She moved to Florida as a young adult after marrying my Grandfather, spending her life away from her family while she raised 4 small children, 3 boys and a girl (my Mom). This was long before the era of free long distance and Skype, so they made the annual drive up to Vermont in their station wagon, all on back roads. I can’t imagine being so far away from my Mom without our FaceTime and blogs to keep us in touch. My Gaga is an incredibly strong woman: working full time (nights as a nurse) while raising 4 kids under 5 years old (THREE boys!)

Gaga on her wedding day

She’s older now and Alzheimer’s has creeped in, stealing her sharp memory and forcing her to repeat herself. I try to be patient as she tells me the same story she told 5 minutes before, and 5 minutes before that. I know that will be my mother in 30 years and me in 50. We recently moved my Gaga to an assisted living apartment. This is the same woman who only 5 years ago would mow her own 15 acre plot of land in Vermont- the same land that belonged to her Grandfather. Aging is so bittersweet. I love seeing my son grow into a little boy and tell me stories about airplanes while my daughter beam as she sits up on her own for the first time, but it really hurts to see my fiercely independent Gaga lose the freedoms she was always so proud of. I’m so glad I moved to Rhode Island 7 years ago and was able to spend summers and long weekends visiting with her while her memory was still clear. I will cherish those memories forever.

This is life. Before I know it, I will be watching my children have their own children and I will be worrying about my Mom. I see my Mom in me more than ever and my Gaga in her. I will get to visit* my Gaga in her new home on this trip back to Florida and she will get to meet the fourth generation Kilbourn woman, Sidney Ann. We have a photo shoot planned for this trip to capture the memories, even if my Gaga won’t remember them.

Four generations of Kilbourn women, plus my little Jackson

*I wrote this on my flight to Florida on Wednesday. Visiting my Grandma’s new home was great, she is happy and thriving. We also had a great family photo session and I can’t wait to share the pictures with you!

I love you guys, thank you! XO Oh yeah, if she wins– I’ll give away an Alex & Ani bracelet to one of you! The contest ends on April 30th and you can vote one time/day

ETA: Apparently people are accusing some people of cheating because they’ve leaped up to 800+ votes, so we don’t stand a chance but I’d like to thank you anyway–soooo I’ll get a bracelet when I get home to give away!

Here’s the direct link: https://apps.facebook.com/exersaucer_contest/media/view/?id=36071

PS. The video may not work on iPads/iPhones, it’s a Facebook app that seems kind of buggy- I’m sorry! Thank you for trying!