I Love You More Than Carrots

My Toddler Is A Movie-Streaming Whiz.

2013-05-19T13:47:00.001-04:00

Like clockwork, I hear the sound of the toddler's bedroom door open. A minute passes before it slams shut, a sound that is nothing but brain-jarring at six-thirty in the morning.
In a sleepy daze I vow to punch whomever is slamming doors at this ungodly hour but as the fog of sleep lifts from around me, I can hear the toddler standing outside my bedroom door yelling, "Mom? Mom? You there? I nee halp! Sheepie? Come halp me!"
I clumsily extend an arm from the warm tangle of sleep and pillows and reach for the iPad that sits on my nightstand. Pulling it from it's charging post, I slide out of bed with it and stumble into the hallway where the toddler is standing bright-eyed and bushy-tailed on the other side of the baby gate that promises no late night adventures around the house.
I hand over the iPad as he quickly runs back into room, jumping into bed with a hearty, "Danks, Mom! Now I watch a movie!" With tiny tech-savvy fingers I watch as he navigated the tablet, a swipe here, a swipe there. Within seconds the screen illuminated with red as the Netflix app came to life.
I have now bought myself at least another forty-five minutes of uninterrupted slumber as familiar voices begin to flood the toddler's bedroom.
Want to know what the toddler was watching and how Netflix has a portal in place that allows parents to rest easy, assured their tiny fingers won't wander into inappropriate media selections? Click the picture below!

On Putting My Children Before My Husband.

2013-05-15T07:00:00.000-04:00

One of my husband's more prominent love languages is words of affirmation and when you marry someone whose love language is vastly different from yours, holidays, anniversaries and even the nitty gritty day-to-day can be a challenge but that's a post for a whole other day.
It's no secret that one of my love language is gifts and not because I'm selfish and love things. Well, I do love things but as anyone whose love language is gifts will tell you, it's much less about the materialistic nature of the gift and much more about the time and thoughtfulness put into the gift that speaks volumes.
Recently my husband in all of his "words of affirmation glory" said something to me that has since resonated, echoing in my ears multiple times throughout the day. He was praising my efforts as a mom and letting me know just how grateful and appreciative he is on the daily that our kids are being raised by me.
He threw out words like "adore," "incredible" "lucky" and "amazing" and although I'm often uncomfortable when on the receiving end of compliments, even from him, I couldn't help but blush a bit and pat myself on the back for a job well done.
He joked about how he's my "third biggest fan," close on the heels of my number one fan who may be biased as his affections for me have a lot to do with my breasts and behind even our oldest son who staunchly refuses to let anyone take him up to bed each night other than me. He laughed and quickly followed up by saying, "I come third, but I'm okay with that right now."
And it hit me.
He's right. For a while now he has come third. As anyone with kids as little as ours will tell you, it's difficult to make time for anyone else, including yourself, when you're busy neck-deep in raising them. Between the fog of newborn-dom and the terrible twos, lack of sleep and let's call it what it is, trying your damnedest to keep them alive and out of the ER each and every day, there isn't a whole lot left for anyone else. Emotionally, physically, and/or spiritually.
I would be lying if I said that my wifely duties both in the kitchen and the bedroom have suffered a bit (maybe moreso than I care to admit) since we had the baby. I'm only human and I'm only one person and hot damn, raising two little boys under three is exhausting! There's just no two ways about it.
I applaud the women I see in social media who appear to do it all. Believe, I am not one of them. When I bake? I don't cook. When I steam clean the floors? I forget about the laundry. Too many Mondays have come and gone where my husband hasn't had any clean socks to wear to work that morning. Shame on me.
That's when I take a minute to remind myself that without my husband, we wouldn't have these two beautiful blessings that take up so much of our day to day energy. The foundation we lay for them now as husband and wife and mom and dad will be the foundation that their entire future is built upon. Nobody wants to build upon a weak and shaky foundation. I'm no expert when it comes to marriage, although I have to say we have a pretty awesome thing going these last five and a half years and I'm certainly no expert when it comes to raising kids either. I mean, have you heard my child tell you to "mine your bizzies?" What makes our marriage so successful, however, is that it's made up of two people who allow each other to falter. Who show each other patience, understanding and forgiveness even when it isn't the easiest to do.
After all, he's a yell-er and I'm a door slammer.
I'm thankful to be married to a man that doesn't mind "coming in third" to our children in this stage of life. I love him so much more for realizing and understanding that this is not a permanent season in our life. That it's also a learning process for the both of us and that I'm really trying my hardest to accommodate the needs of everyone in our family.
Even if that means I occasionally fall asleep in the toddler's bed at night or forget to move his laundry to the dryer. Regardless, I'll always be his number 1 fan.
2007, Our honeymoon on Kauai.

Mackie Walks! The Incredibly Amateur Video.

2013-05-14T07:00:00.000-04:00

Let's face it. New Jersey is better than Maryland for many reasons and it's not just because my parents live there (but it is) or because of the awesome bagels and pizza (but it is). It's awesome because it's also where Maclane took his first steps and a few days after that, started running. For real.
Now, please excuse my incredibly amateur video editing skills. You see, this is not my forte and not only am I on a laptop in New Jersey that I don't normally use but I'm converting video files and splicing things and using shady software and really making a fool of myself when it comes to editing movies.
Forgive me, okay? One day I'll get the hang of this and register whatever ridiculous video converting software I downloaded from god knows where (sorry husband) so that there isn't that annoying watermark.
In the mean time? Here's a video of Maclane's latest and greatest accomplishment. On May 9th, nine days before his 11 month birthday, he took his very first steps. Within days he was up and cruising like a pro. Carter started walking on his 11 month birthday and I will never forget the day I saw him toddle down the hallway in our kitchen. Big boy status, achieved.
Way to go, MacAttack! We're so proud of you. I, on the other hand, need a stiff drink. Two bipedal kids is no f'ing joke and Maclane is at the exact head-height of every single object of death in our home. It's time to put the ER on speed dial or buy the kid a helmet.

I Vote For A New Holiday, The Day After Mother's Day Day.

2013-05-13T10:21:00.000-04:00

"1,034 days. You've been a mom for 1,034 days and if you really think about it, you've had maybe five days off in all that time," said my husband on the phone last night. My reply was simple, "Well, I certainly don't do it for the vacation days!"
I guess I had never even thought about it like that, but he's right. Almost. I've spent six nights away from the boys in almost three years which means I've technically had six days "off" from being a mom. That makes me laugh, mostly because I knew when I decided to become a mom that days off weren't exactly a part of the package.
Although the benefits are priceless, being a mother certainly isn't a job one chooses for the recognition much less the hours. Bankers hours this job certainly is not. While we're on the subject, I have a hard time calling this a "job," kind of like how I hate asking my husband to "babysit" our kids while I spend a couple of hours running errands on a Saturday.
Being a mom is something I chose to do. It's a sacrifice and a blessing all wrapped up into two little bodies. It's consciously making the decision to be selfless, to put your needs second and the needs of your family first. Three years in and I still struggle with that some days.
Being a mother is hard work. The hardest work I've ever done and I think that says a lot considering I've held the hands of the dying and been witness to miracles. Every day I feel the pressure of raising my boys to be kind, respectful, humble contributing members of society. Especially when one of them is standing in the middle of the grocery store shouting at me to "mine your bizzies."
Mother's Day is much like Valentine's Day in so much that it forces your loved ones to buy you a card and shower you with niceties and the occasional present. That said, it's nice to have a day come around each year where others are forced to recognize your sacrifices and accomplishments and you, as mom, have an excuse to politely demand sleeping in and no diapers to change before 11am.
What really makes me laugh is that a mere 24 hours later, you're back in the trenches wiping noses and slinging dirty diapers like they're going out of style but with flowers to keep alive and a box of chocolates on the table teasing your ass out of the shape you worked so hard to get it in over the last several months.
But hey, at least you got to sleep in and mom, you'd better appreciate it because those few extra hours you got are going to have to last you another 364 days.
I vote we induct a new holiday into the calendar year, The Day After Mother's Day holiday, when reality sets back in and you're left clinging to the extra hours of sleep you won't see again for another whole entire year while you're two kidlets hold a screaming match at the kitchen table while simultaneously throwing their breakfast that you worked so hard to make to the dog.
And while we're on the subject, is it so much to ask for just one decent family picture? JUST ONE? I'm seeing all these perfectly posed, perfectly coiffed mothers and their offspring popping up in my news feed, tweet feed, blogroll and I can't help but wonder "where can I get whatever sedative they gave their kids?"
I'm kidding. I take that back. That picture you see up there? Is just perfect. That's my family and those two little boys you see? They're the ones who blessed me with the work that is being a mom and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Happy Day After Mother's Day.

Make Your Own :: Watermelon Slushie Shakes.

2013-05-08T07:00:00.000-04:00

The smoothie craze hits in waves here in our house. Months will fly by where my husband and I are feverishly making smoothies in the morning before our day begins and then winter usually sets in and we retire the Magic Bullet until the warmer months reemerge. Our smoothies aren't fancy by any means, usually just some frozen fruit, greek yogurt, vanilla whey protein and juice (orange or a tropical fruit blend) to ease the blending process. We buy the frozen fruit in bulk from Costco and it will usually last us a few weeks before we have to replenish our stash.
Even though the weather here has been less than desirable for the month of May, I started making smoothies a few weeks ago when the temps were in the high seventies and although most mornings it's still in the forties around here, I wake up looking forward to an ice cold shake for breakfast.
And in this case, a pre-dinner snack.
As the boys were ~~ramping up~~ winding down in the final hour before my husband was due home, I decided, as I was chopping up a fresh watermelon, that I needed a frosty little pick-me-up. Although I would have much rather brewed a pot of coffee for a late afternoon frappuccino, I knew this was the healthier option. Needless to say, it was absolutely delicious.

Watermelon Slushie Shake (More slushie, less shake)
What You'll Need: - 2 cups of fresh cut watermelon, preferably seedless. If not, you will need to de-seed. - 1/3 cup of milk - 1 tbsp granulated sugar or 1 packet Truvia (as I used) - 2 cups of ice cubes
What You'll Do:
Throw it all in your blender (or in my case, the Magic Bullet) and blend until desired thickness. I prefer for mine to be a bit more on the icy/slushie side so I do not blend until it is 100% smooth.
After whipping this delicious watermelon slushie up, I took to the internet to find ways that I could make it thicker and creamier on the days when I might want something more shake-y and less slushie. I found this recipe that calls for frozen watermelon chunks, erasing the need for ice cubes, thereby rendering something that much closer resembles the milkshake.
I already can't wait to try it! What are your frozen/fruit smoothie go-to recipes?

Life Lately. "Shup-Up, Mom!"

2013-05-07T07:00:00.000-04:00

Things are great here. They really, really are. I mean, of course they could always be better, right? It could be warmer outside (hello, schizo Mother Nature), it would be awesome if I wasn't up to my ear-balls in laundry every godforsaken day, I would appreciate it if my ankle would heal one hundred times faster, etc. but those are all trivial things.
Aside from all of that? Things are really, really good. Which might explain why I haven't had a whole lot to say. I haven't been baking up a storm so I don't have any recipes to share. I don't really have any wisdom regarding how (or how not) to raise your children to impart and you certainly don't need me jumping on any soapboxes. So? We've kind of just been kickin' it. M Family style.
We're busy and I mean busy with a capital "B". I just finished co-hosting my sister-in-law's first (of many) baby showers this summer and I had so much fun exercising a little creativity around a very simple primary color theme. We had a blast showering her and baby Gavin with love and presents and I cannot wait to squeeze his little guts come July. You see, she's due with G Baby just one week before Carter's birthday and each time she posts a pregnancy update, I can't help but think back to each of my summer pregnancies.
And within seconds I'm reminding myself of this year's goal. It's a good thing I'll get my baby-fix in the form of a brand new squishy nephew in just a few short months.

With Maclane's first birthday party right around the corner, I can now dedicate 100% of my energy to planning his Where The Wild Things Are party. I apologize to my husband in advance as it looks like we may be eating tuna noodle casserole and Kraft Mac-n-Cheese the last two weeks of this month as I may have already spent some grocery budget on party necessities. Maybe. See my blonde-haired little sister-in-law up there? She was in a sorority in college and therefore she is a creative genius when it comes to all things crafty and party decor. She's come up with some amazing ideas so here's to hoping we're able to pull them off in a little more than 3 weeks.
Maclane is days away from walking unassisted. Sure there is a small part of me that wants to push him over and sit on him so that he stops growing up so damn fast but at the same time he's at such a fun age that I can't help but love what each new day brings. Exploring, moving, interacting, dancing- I just love it so, so much.

Can we take a minute and talk about how much fun it is to have a small human living with you who has his own thoughts and opinions? I'm serious. Carter is pretty much the coolest, most hilarious kid I know and I find myself waiting with baited breath to hear what's going to come out of his cute little mouth next.
We've been waiting patiently for Carter's vocabulary to explode and over the course of the last several weeks it has just exploded by leaps and bounds. Our pediatrician was never concerned (are they ever?) and always said we would evaluate him at his 3-year appointment in July if need be. He always said the "right amount" of words and was stringing two to three of them together at a time but wasn't really ever conversing with us or parroting what we said consistently. With a recent onslaught of ear infections I was concerned that his ears might be the cause of his delayed speech but it turns out he was just waiting until he was ready.
I would like to point out that I really did have faith in him all along. I really felt like he was just waiting until he was ready. Well, we're at the point now where I rarely have to translate for him and he's speaking in full sentences and asking questions and pretending like he runs the show. Which, if we're being honest, he pretty much does. Just don't tell him that.
I, on the other hand, really have to watch my mouth now that I have a little Repeater Ronny running around the house. Just the other day, my SIL and I, along with our friend and babysitter, had been having a rather loud conversation at the kitchen table. Apparently we were too loud because without warning Carter shouted at the top of his lungs, "SHUP UP, MOM!" At first I thought I was hearing things but after he repeated himself a few more times, I tried to stifle both my laughter and mortification by ignoring him.
Then I decided I should probably tell him that we don't speak like that and it's better to say, "Please be quiet." If only "Please be quiet, Sheepie" was as effective as "SHUT UP, SHEEPIE!" Believe me, I take full responsibility for that one and after sharing the story with my mom she did say, "Well, Ash, it could have been much worse" and she's right.
If you follow me on Facebook then I'm sure you've already seen this hilarious and slightly inappropriate video of Carter sharing his new favorite number. I have no idea where he comes up with these things but EVERY day EVERY thing is all about this number.

We spent this past weekend finally planting bushes in our front garden beds, the same beds that have sat empty since we bought our house three years ago. It was getting to the point where our house looked rather vacant from the front and truth be told, it was a little (okay, a lot) embarrassing. Especially since our neighbor's lawn resembles a manicured golf course. My thoughts on shopping for bushes and shrubs? They're awfully expensive for just sticks and leaves. Happy Mother's Day to me.
The Straw-ber-itas flow freely after five (okay, seven o' clock at night) even if the laundry isn't folded and has sat in the same baskets in the same spot on our floor for the last several days. I haven't baked a single dessert in weeks which probably accounts for the fact that I can wear the same pairs of shorts I wore my freshman year of college.
Our days are full of fun and laughter (even more so now that we have an almost permanent moon bounce in our backyard) and midday 90's music dance parties. When we're not grilling dinner on the deck with the boys, we're down the street making the most of our kid-filled nights with our parent friends in the neighborhood.
Life is good. No, actually, life is great, even if my toddler does tell me "SHUP UP!" at least 69 times a day.

I Did It. I Finally Finished The Nursery.

2013-05-06T07:00:00.000-04:00

I feel like most of the rooms in my house are constantly a work in progress. Although we moved into our house, a veritable blank canvas, just a little over three years ago, I've just now begun getting tired of the decorative choices I made back then. Things like paint colors, the arrangement of furniture, bathroom mirrors and even bed spreads are being changed out left and right.
Back in 2011 when we found out we were expecting another boy, I couldn't wait to get started on another baby boy nursery. Unlike the first time around, Maclane's nursery was 90% finished by the time he arrived. I also took the room in a completely different direction than I did the first time. We don't have to talk about how he didn't start sleeping in there until he was well over six months old.

Whereas Carter's nursery was more "vintage preppy Peter Rabbit," Maclane's nursery had much less of a theme and much more of a "grey palette with bold patterns and pops of color." Shortly before Maclane was born I shared a rough and dirty "finished product" of his nursery but I would be lying if I said I was 110% in love with how it turned out.
For one thing, the room lacked a light. Any sort of light. And it took nearly seven months to pick out a fixture that I loved and three additional months for my husband to install it. And then there was the curtains. If you know anything about me, it's that I have a serious rug problem that is only rivaled by my affinity and indecisiveness for window treatments.

Although I absolutely loved the print on the curtains I found from Target they just weren't the right shade of orange and it literally bugged me every time I would walk by or into the room.
Then there was the age old question of, "what else to do with the wall above the crib?"

It took me nearly eight hours to string up that yarn letter "M" and as much as I adore that letter, the wall definitely needed something more. I just didn't know what. Thankfully, The Land of Nod provided me with endless options and after a few returns, I found the perfect bunting to string up with the "M" and paper lantern to hang in place of a crib mobile.

I think it's safe to say that Maclane's room is finally finished. That is, until it's time to switch him to his big boy bed. See? I'm already thinking ahead...

The view from the doorway:

A couple close-ups of the crib bedding, which I have to add was so incredibly affordable. I may have promised my husband that I would use it again even if we had a girl because I insisted on buying new crib bedding after splurging on Carter's set.

You can read here to find out what's in each of those baskets:

A sneak peek of Maclane's baptism bubble and one of his Pumpkin Butter Kids gowns that he wore while in the hospital:

The Details:

Grey Wall Paint: Behr Premium Ultra in Porpoise (790-E3) Crib: Davinci via Great Beginnings Changing Table: Davinci Rowan in Espresso via Amazon Swivel Rocker: Best Chairs, "Mandy" from the Storytime Series
Crib Bedding: "Khaki in the Mix" via Land of Nod Curtain Panels: Navy grommet panels, Target Home Ivory Shag Rug: 5'3" Keno Shaggy White Rug via Rugs USA Grey Knit Pouf: via One Kings Lane
Accent Pillow: Room to Romp via Etsy Airplane Lovie: Alison Little via aPEARantly sew Yarn "M" Above Crib: Handmade by me, purchased the large cardboard "M" from Joann Fabrics
Picture Frames Above Changing Table: Hobby Lobby Matte Prints: Petite Collage Framed Prints via Casa.com Orange Canvas Storage Bins: Land of Nod Orange Polka Dot Storage Bin: Hobby Lobby Submarine: Green Toys
Giant Sheepdog Stuffie: Truffle Chaucer Large Dog via Jellycat on Amazon Felt Pennant Banner: Land of Nod Chevron "M" Frame: Handmade by my sister-in-law Elephant Picture Frame: Pearhead via Casa.com
Doggie Bookends: Skip Hop Zoo Bookends via Casa.com Colored Wall Hooks: Every Which Way Wall Hook via Land of Nod Paper Lantern: "Animalantern", Land of Nod Printed Flag Bunting: Capture the Flag garland, color old out, Land of Nod
I will be linking this post up with Aliya on Friday for her "Refresh Your Space" Spring Cleaning/Organizing link-up! Be sure to check it out!

Couch Arrest And Why I'm The Worst Patient Ever.

2013-04-30T07:00:00.000-04:00

Well, Day One of "Couch Arrest" is behind me and I've learned several things about myself in the last twenty four hours. First? I suck at following directions.

It's impossible to "mom" from the couch with an almost three-year-old and ten-month-old running amok. I mean, there's only so much Disney Junior two little short attention spans can handle. Even with baby gates barring nearly every entryway in our home, all hell still managed to break loose multiple times throughout the day.
Second? I hate asking for help. This isn't news to me as I've always been of the mindset that I can "do it all myself" but after seeing the shape that my ankle was in at the end of the day yesterday, it was clear that I was way overdoing it. In fact, I'm pretty sure I win the award for Grossest Text Message Ever Sent as I was snapping pictures and sending my gruesome ankle image to friends everywhere. Thankfully I have some help in the form of friends and family stepping in over the next few days.
Third? I'm a terrible patient but lucky that I have such a handsome little doctor in charge of my care. Don't pay no mind to the fact that he's listening for a heartbeat in my ankle. I didn't want to hurt his feelings by asking him for his credentials.

My house looks like we've been robbed and I would be lying if I said I didn't feed the toddler whatever he wanted when he wanted it. This means he may or may not have eaten two Oreos and two cups of goldfish for lunch. Que sera sera.
When my husband walked in the door yesterday evening, I was giving the baby a sink bath with my ankle awkwardly propped up on a kitchen chair behind me. Why? Because, at my wit's end, I let the baby feed himself applesauce in the high chair and by "feed himself" I mean I let him smear the applesauce in every crevice and orifice on both his body and the high chair.

It was the first time I used our awesome all-natural non-toxic Spuds dishware made from reclaimed potatoes from BloomMaternity. Maclane loved it and had no trouble feeding himself with the perfect baby-sized spoon. Clearly I underestimated his talent as I was certain he would have no idea what to do with it. Just look at that concentration! Shame on me!
I ended the day by mixing myself up a homemade Frappuccino and adding a shot (or two) of Baileys as I sat myself on the couch where I proceeded to pretend as if my family didn't exist or at the very least need my help for at least fifteen minutes. Here's what Maclane thought about it:

Only four more days to go of this "Couch Arrest..." Is it Friday yet? If you want to follow along with my Tales From The Couch, be sure to follow #APsTalesFromTheCouch on Instagram. I promise I won't post any gruesome ankle pictures... Maybe.

Adventures in Diapering as a #HuggiesTester...

2013-04-29T17:15:00.000-04:00

When it comes to raising babies, there are few things more labor intensive than diaper changes. I think back fondly to my very first parenting class in the hospital before the birth of my first son and I laugh at the task they set before us: to diaper a stationary baby doll.

Sure those first few months the baby does indeed lay before you nice and still, a willing subject to the numerous diaper changes throughout the day and night but somewhere around the sixth or seventh month, those days of stationary baby diaper changes are long gone.

In fact, that's the kind of test that hospitals should place before new parents. Someone should be wiggling that baby doll all around, tossing and turning him, replicating even the craziest of alligator death rolls as they try and attempt the diaper change.

Throw in a surprise pee squirt or pudding-like poop and that's what I call a test!

Have you heard about Huggies brand new Snug & Dry diaper with SureFit Design? To read more about our new role as a #HuggiesTester and how you, too, can become a #HuggiesTester, click the picture below!

Because Crutches Are The Latest Hot Accessory, Right?

2013-04-29T07:00:00.000-04:00

Not a whole lot happens in our quaint little slice of suburbia, tucked neatly back in the sticks of "CaCo", so on a lazy Saturday afternoon when an ambulance shoots down our street sirens blaring followed quickly by a hovering medivac helicopter that we're certain will land in the field just a block from our house, the adrenaline junkie in me (and "hapto-copter" lover) in the toddler took off on a brisk walk down the street to, for lack of better words, be nosy.
By the time we arrived, the helicopter had already touched down and a very large crowd of looky-loo's had gathered around. From hushed whispers I was able to piece together that there was a nearby car accident and once it was deemed necessary for the patient to be airlifted to the city hospital, a detour was made and the helicopter met the ambulance in our neighborhood, an ideal location for a helicopter to land, for the patient transfer. Apparently this is a common occurrence in these situations.
A midst all of the commotion, from a safe distance away, I began pointing out all of the emergency responders. As the toddler ooh' and ahh'd over them, I knew he was excited to have a front row seat to the action. I explained to him that we would have to pray for the young man who was being transferred from the ambulance to the helicopter. I explained to him that he was being flown to the hospital where the doctor's and nurses will fix his boo-boo's and as the helicopter lifted off the ground, the toddler cheered.
The crowd began to disperse and as I scooped the toddler up onto my hip, we began to walk away from the field, he, excitedly recanting the experience. "The hapto-copter pick up the boy. Doctor's check him. Me me pray at night night time." He really got it. Sometimes I forget how much he really understands.
And then, suddenly, I was on the ground, the toddler in my lap, a searing pain radiating from my ankle to my knee and back. I had stepped in a six inch hold, twisted my ankle and fell like a ton of bricks.
In front of all my neighbors. Because I had insisted on being nosy.
Quickly, one of the neighbor-dad's asked if I was alright, if I could stand. Biting back tears and the sting of humiliation, I said I was alright, that I had definitely twisted my ankle and that I couldn't stand. He asked if I thought he should grab one of the EMTs. You know, the EMT's that were lingering after am emergent patient transfer from ambulance to medivac helicopter.
As the EMT's gathered, assessing my ankle, asking the usual questions, I couldn't help but laugh at the toddler who was reenacting the experience. He was jumping into the hole, sitting down exclaiming, "OH MY BOO-BOO!" I swear at one point he even asked me if I needed to "wide in the hapto-copter" so that the "doctor's could check you out."
Smart boy.
But I digress. I couldn't stand and I definitely couldn't walk the toddler back home. I refused to ride in the offered ambulance to the hospital for recommended xrays and called my husband to come pick us up, saying that if I needed to go to the hospital, he could take me. After a few expletives and stuffing the baby into the car, I'm sure, he arrived, shocked to see me sitting on the ground surrounded by six EMT's and our good neighbor friends.
The same EMTs who had to carry me to the car. CARRY ME TO THE CAR. As if I wasn't already embarrassed enough. I signed the waiver saying that I refused a ride in the ambulance to the hospital and said a silent prayer that it was just a really bad sprain, nothing a couple ibuprofen, some ice and maybe a margarita couldn't fix.

Three bags of ice, two sleeping kids on the couch next to me and a husband who has no idea how to maintain a sane household with a laid up wife later, it was time for bed. I hopped up onto my husband's back for a piggy ride upstairs and realized that, yes, it was indeed possible to feel even more humiliated. I hoped that by morning the swelling would improve and I could at least bear some weight on my foot. If not, I knew I would need some X-rays.
And that's exactly how I spent our Sunday morning, at the local urgent care center, after I woke up unable to bear weight on my right foot. Unable to pick up either of the boys. Unable to change diapers, dress them or make their breakfast. Unable to stand up in the shower, unable to walk downstairs.
Talk about a hot mess.
The verdict? A grade three sprain with torn ligaments and possible hairline fracture. There was too much swelling to determine if there was, indeed a fracture, so I left with strict instructions to stay off the ankle, ice it, elevate it and take ibuprofen around the clock. To only move around with the fancy new crutches I was provided, if absolutely necessary. To return in 5-7 days for re-imaging if the swelling has not improved.
Let's just say this week suddenly got a whole lot more interesting. If you need me, I'll be on the couch while my two little kids patiently and quietly play at my feet.
Because that would be nice, wouldn't it? That's the last time I play the role of nosy little neighbor...

The Ultimate Crossover Stroller? Good Question. A Review Of The Graco FastAction Fold Click Connect Jogger.

2013-04-27T17:16:00.004-04:00

One thing I've learned as a parent is that there is no single stroller on the market that does it all. From every day errands to a quick two miles on the pavement, it's difficult to find the form and function you desire in one piece of baby equipment.

Sometimes there isn't enough storage, other times it's not a smooth ride. The handlebar is too high, the wheels aren't big enough to move from pavement to hiking trails or maybe baby just isn't comfortable enough for any sort of trip longer than a quick jaunt around the mall.

And then you are given the opportunity to test out the Graco FastAction Fold Click Connect Jogger and suddenly you think you've come awfully close to having it all in a single stroller.
To read my personal opinion on the new Graco FastAction Fold Click Connect Jogger, click the picture below!

5 Mother's Day Gift Ideas

2013-04-26T11:15:00.004-04:00

Shopping for a few fun ideas for Mom this year? Take a look at five of my favorite picks for that special woman in your life! Whether she's expecting, just welcomed her first baby or even her third, there's something for every mom!
I have had the privilege of working with most of the business owners you see listed above and I can guarantee that not only will Mom love any one of these gifts but the women behind these businesses are wonderful, passionate and dedicated mothers themselves.
There may even be a discount code (or two!) that you can use so please check them out!

1. The Reagan Necklace from Bridier Baubles: A beautiful and affordable lookalike to a very popular and expensive version, this necklace would make a great addition to any mother's Spring and Summer wardrobe! It's also available in blue and yellow. You can purchase this necklace here for $35.00.
2. A Monogram Pocket T from Lil Sweetie Designs: Everything is made sweeter with a monogram! Mom could easily pair this t-shirt with a pair of shorts for chasing after the kidlets or dress up a pair of black yoga pants while out running errands! You can purchase this t-shirt here for $23.00. Use code "ilymtc20" to receive an additional 20% off!
3. A gift card from mom and baby maternity boutique Bloom Maternity: Shopping for an expectant mother or a new mom? She could certainly use a gift card to one of my favorite online maternity and baby boutiques! Whether she decides to put it towards a new diaper bag, a padded car seat carrier or even a new maternity dress or nursing tank top, the possibilities are endless! You can purchase a gift card to Bloom here. If you happen to stumble across something else she might like, use code "carrots" for 10% off your purchase!
4. Bottomless Champagne: Okay, maybe I'm the only mother who has this on her Mother's Day wishlist. Sleeping in late, cuddles with my boys followed by breakfast in bed, a jaunt at the local spa for a massage and a day full of bottomless champagne sounds right up my alley.
5. A Mixed Bag tote from Peekawhoo Boutique: Who needs paper or plastic when you have these alternative stylish and durable options? Whether Mom is off to the market, the pool or the beach, this tote would make a great catch-all for all her favorite things! It can even be used for storage in the playroom or laundry room. And like I said earlier, you can sweeten it up with a monogram for no added cost! You can purchase a Mixed Bag here for anywhere from $16-$24.

Getting Honest In The Bathroom.

2013-04-24T07:00:00.000-04:00

I can remember all the way back to high school chemistry, afternoons spent working with caustic chemicals behind hoods, goggles and other protective barriers, learning how they mixed (and did not mix) with other substances and what type of effects these chemicals had on the environment around them and on those who used them frequently.

A few of these chemicals were ones that I now see in my every day life, chemicals such as phosphates, chlorine and sulfur oxides. Chemicals that I once used to disinfect and clean the surfaces of my home.

As a mom, my outlook on the use of some of these chemicals in the home has changed. I try my best to be mindful of what products I use around my children and the effect it may have not only on their little bodies but also their environment. As cheesy as it sounds, I try to be more mindful of leaving them a world that will be safe to grow in.

But, I also want a sparkling clean, germ-free bathroom! Is that too much to ask? I would be lying if I said I once thought I couldn't achieve that without harsh chemicals!

That's one of the main reasons I was so excited to test out some fantastic household products from The Honest Co., a company devoted to embracing the belief that we can make the world a better place for our children through the use of non-toxic, safe and healthy products and with more than twenty products to choose from, they are succeeding at redefining the "family brand."

To read all about my sparkling review of the following safe, healthy, non-toxic products in the bathroom and how I decided to make the switch, click the picture below!

You Had Me At "Sexy, Loose Bun."

2013-04-24T06:00:00.000-04:00

Several months ago and on a whim, I walked into a hair salon in my hometown in New Jersey, the same hair salon that I've been going to religiously for more than ten years, and begged my stylist to chop my hair off.
She was hesitant as she pleaded with me to keep the length that I had worked so hard to maintain over the last few years but having recently had our second baby, I couldn't stand another minute of handfuls of hair falling out in the shower. I told her she had to cut it off and cut it off she did, making me more than seven and a half inches lighter.
I loved my sleek angled bob for a day or two but once I was left to my own devices, it never quite looked as good as it did the day I chopped it off. Does it ever?
Since that day, I've been in a hair rut. Most mornings I shower quickly while the boys are busy playing and while it's still wet, throw my hair up into a messy bun on the top of my head. Since my hair is just past my shoulders, it involves a little extra help from a handful of bobby pins. If I'm feeling extra sassy, I'll make a quick side part and pull it into a messy low side bun.
I never wanted to be that girl who wore her hair in the same boring style day in and day out. In the same pony tail, the same bun, the same side braid. And lo and behold, look who I've become.
Until I stumbled upon this simple, fantastic tutorial from TotalBeauty.com: How To Create A Sexy, Loose Bun Hairstyle and began incorporating it into my drab hair routine.

I already had the tools (a few bobby pins, an elastic, curling iron optional) and in the short amount of time it took to watch the video, I was able to work my own twist on the simple yet chic style and change up my every day boring bun.
All that twisting and pinning may look difficult but it's actually much easier than I anticipated. Of course I felt a little "prom-y" at first but after loosening the hair at the crown of my head it started looking less "prom" and more "relaxed mom of two who's actually trying this morning." And it literally took less than five minutes. Total win.
Are you like me and find yourself in a hair rut lately? What's your go-to hairstyle?

Prizes & Promotions page on Blogher.com:
https://www.blogher.com/blogher-tv-weekly-hair-style-sweepstakes

Sweeps Rules (4/24-4/30):
http://www.blogher.com/hair-sweepstakes-official-rules-week-6

One Of Those Moments.

2013-04-22T07:30:00.000-04:00

I watched as he assembled the same fishing pole of my childhood, the one that spent many summer days cast out into the pond that sat lazily behind our house. There weren't many "big fish" in the pond back then but there was a plethora of "sunnies" that would nibble a line baited with anything from Wonder Bread to hot dogs.
He taught me how to bait a hook, weight the line and cast it as far out into the water as my little arms could send it. More than technique, he taught me patience. He taught me to sit quietly and wait, keeping my eye on the red and white bobber that would no sooner signal the interest of a fish if I heeded his advice.
I remember sitting patiently on the asphalt, the backs of my legs stinging from the heat of the summer sun as I dug through his bright orange tackle box. Picking through the bright lures that were so neatly organized in those little square cubbies, I never could decide which I loved more- the large gummy-like worms or the fuzzy lures with feathers and long tails that seemed to glisten in the midday sunlight.
He taught me how to slowly reel in the one that almost got away. One slow turn after the next until I was sure he was hooked. Faster then, but ever so careful as to not let him get away. And then the most important lesson: the lesson of catch and release.
I learned the proper way to slide my hand over the razor sharp top fin of the bluegill so that it fell softly backwards against the weight of my hand. I learned the hard way what happens when you do not handle a "sunny" this way. Imagine a paper cut that travels the entire length of your four fingers, from pointer to pinky, on the inside of where your knuckles bend.
He taught me how to gently work the hook from inside the bluegill's mouth. He taught me how to celebrate the catch but to quickly release it back into the water where it belonged. In between all of these lessons, he would tell me stories of his childhood. How he spent his summers. When his father taught him how to fish.

And when that old pole was assembled, I watched as he weighted the line, tied to it a brand new orange and yellow bobber and threaded it with a brand new silver hook. I watched as he carefully secured the end of the line with a slice of cork and handed that old pole over to my son.
I watched them as they walked hand in hand down the path that led to the pond behind our house. I listened to them as they talked about casting lines and "catching a shoe-ish." I laughed as I heard him explain to the toddler that he has to be "really, really patient."
As he cast the line out into the water, he handed the pole over the toddler who was already wiggling with excitement at his side, half-whispering half-exclaiming, "me me chance?! me me chance?"

And we waited. And waited. And reeled in empty line after empty line.
But then the bobber bobbed and the toddler let out an excited shriek. My breath caught itself in my throat and I watched as my dad helped my son reel in his very first fish in the very same spot of the very same pond that I had caught my very first sunny in some twenty-odd years ago.
Slowly at first and then faster and faster.
And just like he had convinced me to do some twenty-odd years before, he told the toddler that he had to kiss his very first sunny fish and unlike his mother, he was much too smart for that nonsense. So he touched it with his pointer finger.

After explaining to him why it was time to release the fish back, he happily stood by and watched as my dad, his Poppy, gracefully removed the hook from its mouth and lowered the sunny back into the water.
I watched as the two of them waved goodbye to the sunny, my son excitedly bidding the fish farewell, "g'bye shoe-ish! see you later!" and my dad carefully grasping the back of the toddler's pants so as not to end our memorable experience with a swim...
In the very same spot, of the very same pond with the very same pole that I caught my very first sunny with some twenty-odd years ago under the very same guidance of one of the best fisherman I know.

Mac Allen :: Month Ten! Yowzers!

2013-04-19T10:16:00.000-04:00

Dear Mac Attack,
Some days it feels like just yesterday I was kissing your brother on the forehead as he slept soundly, his last morning as our only child, before I hopped into the car to head to the hospital, just hours away from welcoming you into the world. Other days it feels like a lifetime that you've been apart of our family and I have to laugh at myself for ever worrying how we would ever transition to being a family of four.

You have fulfilled each of us in ways no words could possibly describe and our family feels more complete now than ever before. I cannot believe it has been ten months since that early Monday morning.
We left off at the end of your ninth month with my first trip away from you. Everyone survived my absence and for the most part you exceeded my expectations across the board but let's just say that three nights away from you was plenty enough for a long time. And by a long time, I mean at least until you are weaned.
You welcomed me home with hesitation but it wasn't long before you were laying your head on my shoulder and stroking my cheek with your small chubby hand. It didn't lake long for me to notice your first two, brand new pearly whites that had taken up residence inside that angelic little mouth of yours, something that all three of the adults left in your charge had overlooked. It did explain, however, the previous night's lack of sleep and constant fussy behavior. It's evident now that you will not escape the throes of teething hell unscathed like your brother. That boy could cut teeth and we would all be none the wiser. It breaks my heart to see you so uncomfortable but between Tylenol, Ibuprofen and frozen rags, it looks like we may have found some reprieve.

You are constantly on the move this month, Maclane! When you're not crawling across the floor at lightening speed or up on your knees half hopping-half-crawling, you're standing up and cruising along anything that will hold your weight, Sheepie included. You have even begun to bridge yourself between the kitchen table and cabinets and from the couch to the end table. If I had to guess, you'll be walking before your first birthday. You've mastered climbing the stairs and under careful eye and close watch, you can climb all 14 of them. Both sets, ahem.
You're wearing a size 4 day diaper and size 5 overnight. Your Spring/Summer wardrobe consists of 18 month and 18-24 month sized clothes and I'd venture to say you're wearing a size 4.5-5 shoe. You fit in your brother's first pair of Sperrys but absolutely detest wearing them. I guess I can't blame you considering it would be the first pair of hard-soled shoes I've ever tried making you wear. Shoot, did you throw a fit when I tried to make you wear them early this month!
Last month I was almost certain you were getting ready to give up your second nap of the day but thankfully that was a short-lived phase. After waking for the day between seven and eight in the morning, you typically go down for your first nap of the day around 11am and will sleep anywhere from 1-3 hours. Now that the weather has turned a corner and it looks like Spring is here to stay, we spend much of the afternoon hours outside playing which means you go down for another nap typically around five for anywhere from forty-five minutes to an hour.

Speaking of sleeping, you start off bedtime at 8pm sleeping soundly in your crib with nothing but your nightlight and Sleep Sheep keeping you company. After your first wake-up around 1am, I've taken to whisking you into bed with us where I'll feed you and you'll sleep until you wake again around five. Another nursing session and you're back to sleep until between seven and eight in the morning. It's usually around the time that your brother stands in the hallway and starts screaming, "MOM! HELP ME! MAC? HELP ME!"
We spend our days reading stories, laughing, singing songs and playing. Your brother absolutely adores you, as he always has, and he loves tickling you and playing the "I'm Gonna Getchyou" game. I've even caught the two of you wrestling/tackling each other and as much as I want to blame your brother for inciting wrestlemania, sometimes it's you who is to blame! You love crawling over to him, grasping his shoulders (and hair) and pulling yourself up to slobber all over his face.
There hasn't been a food you've tried that you haven't liked and you will eat anything that's placed in front of you as long as it's not pureed. That being said, you will abandon it all for a chance at the milk bar. You still absolutely love to nurse and continue to do so every 4-5 hours throughout the day and those two-three times overnight.

You're saying "Mamama" and "Dadadada" and "Bababababa" but I don't quite think you're associating those words with your Daddy and I just yet. You will, however, plant a big, slobbery, fantastic open-mouthed kiss on our mouths the minute we ask you for one. Those kisses are often accompanied by a loud "Mmmmm" from you as well!
You are cruising, clapping, waving, "dancing" and one of my absolute favorite baby tricks, showing us that you are "so-o-o-o big!" when prompted. You love your rain stick toy, Sophie the Giraffe, your stacking rubber blocks, your LeapFrog Leaptop and these little lights and sirens police and ambulance cars that belong to your brother. I swear it doesn't take you long to emulate his actions. You love so much to zoom any type of car along the ground while making the "phhlubbbb" motor noise with your lips.
You love going for walks in your stroller or the wagon, sitting on a blanket in the backyard while your brother blows bubbles and emptying the large basket of toys in the family room. You make your presence known wherever you go and you're truly the happiest baby on the block.
Nicknames: MacAttack, Smackers, Mac-a-doodle, Mackie

We love you so much, Smackers! What a month it has been. Onward to one! Let the party planning commence...
We love you more than carrots! Mommy, Daddy and Carter-ito!

Dear Sons, Our Future Is Not Guaranteed...

2013-04-17T07:00:00.000-04:00

Dear Sons,

As parents, I believe the moment we opened our hearts to the idea of you, we silently took an oath to forever put ourselves, our needs and our priorities second. We knowingly committed ourselves to this responsibility and although at times the weight of it may seem heavier than we can bear, we shoulder on with the hope that one day when you're fully grown, we'll look upon you with pride and know that the blood, sweat and tears shed, on both of our behalves along the way, was more than worth it.

It has never been clearer than it is today that our future is not guaranteed. Navigating the unknown waters that lie ahead may not be easy but it is because we love you more than life itself that we have committed ourselves to guiding you along life’s path.

Long before you were born, your father and I spent countless nights dreaming of your futures. When we learned that you would be our sons, our hearts could hardly contain the joy we felt at the task that lay ahead of us, the task of raising gentlemen.

It was then that we began making promises to you, our sons. Promises that, although at times may prove difficult to uphold, they would become some of the most important undertakings we would ever commit ourselves to.

We promised each other to teach you humility but not so much that you doubt your own significance or lack the confidence to stand up for yourself and your ideals. We promised to teach you bravery in the face of adversity, strength in the form of words and actions. We promised to support you and encourage you in your endeavors, to be your biggest fans whether that meant celebrating victoriously or humbly accepting defeat.

We hope that each of you will always love intentionally and unconditionally. We want for you to maintain a kindness in your hearts to strangers and those less fortunate. We hope you will be able to look upon your neighbor with compassion and sympathy and most of all, we hope you will always treat others the way you would want to be treated.

You'll learn that the world around you doesn't make fulfilling these hopes and promises easy. Everywhere you turn you will see malice, violence, hatred and those who will intentionally go to great lengths to steal your joy.

Do not allow them this thievery.

Your father and I promise to protect you as best we can but sometimes our protection won’t be enough. As much as we may want to shield you from the horrible nature of the world we live in, we know we would ultimately be doing wrong by you.

It is because of this that we promise to introduce you to a most faithful God, someone who loves you even more than we do and we promise to encourage you to foster a relationship with Him. We hope that you will learn throughout your years that it is only He who can protect you in this life for He is the only one who both creates and takes away.

As your parents we take our responsibilities to you seriously. We don’t make these promises to scare you but rather to prepare you. Not a day goes by that we don’t already worry about each of you, as our worries began long before we held you in our arms.

We know as you continue to grow that these worries will only multiply. It is then that we have to remind ourselves that your ultimate future is not in our hands but in the mean time we will dedicate ourselves to protecting you the only ways we know how.

We promise to not let a single day go by without reminding you of just how much we love you. How we would sacrifice anything for you.

We are so thankful that we were entrusted with each of you and we happily accept and commit ourselves to the responsibility of caring for you, cultivating you and continuing to love you with every fiber of our being. We promise all that and more.

All our love,

Mom and Dad

That Time I Almost Cried In The Checkout Line.

2013-04-10T09:05:00.000-04:00

(kissing market buggy brothers)

I could hear the buzz of his hearing aid long before he spoke. When he did, it was louder than usual and a little bit hoarse but you could tell it was full of pride. He told me how happy it made him to see two brothers loving on each other.

It reminded him of his younger brother, the one he lost only two years before. His brother was 83 at the time. His brother passed of cancer, something he said he wouldn't wish on his worst enemy.

He asked how old the boys were. I told him their ages and that they are twenty-three months apart. He tells me about the sixteen month difference between him and his brother. They were best friends although they could "fight like the best of 'em" he tells me.

His hand trembled as he reached out to touch the toddler's blonde curls. Normally such an act would make my skin crawl but he was so gentle. I tried to imagine how he must have looked when he was younger. I couldn't picture it though- it was difficult to guess his hair color being that he was completely thinned and graying now.

He said his wife had curls like the toddler's. They met in a dance hall in 1939. Her name was Annabelle. She, too, had passed.

As tears began to prick my eyes, he told me again and again how happy it made him to see the two of them together, reaching out to one another over the handle bar of the grocery store push cart. Laughing at each other's jokes, jokes only the two of them could understand.

He asked the toddler for a high five, who was more than willing to oblige. I told him that it was like strolling around with the mayor of the supermarket right there in my own buggy. He waved to everyone, offering up the heartiest of "hello's!"

I could do nothing but smile.

As he turned to shuffle off with his small cart of groceries in tow, he whispered something that didn't resonate with me until I had pulled up alongside our car and began to unload the boys into the car.

Blinking back tears, I buckled each of the boys into their seats. The toddler, no stranger to our usual after-errand tradition of grabbing a cake pop from the Starbuck's drive-thru, had already begun chanting "cake pop! cake pop! cake pop!"

He said "bless you and those brothers" as he turned and shuffled off. Writing about it and I can feel the lump in my throat start to grow once more.

It made me pause right there in the parking lot and think. I really am blessed.

Sure there are days when I'm constantly reminding the toddler to use his "gentle hands" and other days when I'm practically blue in the face from trying to teach him the joys of sharing, but I couldn't have asked for a sweeter, more loving big brother. His heart is so big, bigger than I ever thought such a tiny body could hold. I'm so proud of him and the way he loves his brother. It's evident that he loves him with every little bone in his toddler body.

I'm so proud of my husband. I'm proud of us as husband and wife that we've laid the foundation to foster and share a love like that. After all, it starts with us.

I really am blessed and so thankful for the stranger who reminded me so on a day that I sure needed the reminder. As I buckled myself in, I silently whispered a prayer of thanks for him and for those sweet little brothers giggling in the backseat.

Sleep Like A Baby :: aden + anais Dream Blanket & Discount!

2013-04-09T10:55:00.000-04:00

From the moment I was gifted a set of aden + anais muslin swaddle blankets at my baby "sprinkle" for Maclane, I was hooked on the brand. Within months our collection grew from a set of four swaddles to over fourteen darling print-laden blankets. The lightweight fabric and generous size were perfect for our summer baby and I loved how the blankets could easily double as both nursing and car seat covers.
As much as I loved the brand, I knew I wanted to branch out and try the Dream Blanket that I had heard so many great things about. I made my first purchase of two blankets as gifts for expectant friends and when Cameron from lil sweetie designs contacted me about working together and offered to send us an aden + anais Dream Blanket in the Liam the Brave pattern, I took one look at her darling online mom and baby boutique and couldn't resist!

Carrying everything from bibs and burp cloths, bows and blankets to personalized clothing for little ones and beyond, lil sweetie designs is a wonderful place to find gifts for the special mom and baby in your life.
Here are just a few things that I've been eyeing for both of the little boys in my life as well as a few new babies who will be joining our family and friends circle in the coming months.

As for the Dream Blanket? What a dream indeed! I may even love this blanket more than I do the traditional aden + anais swaddle blankets. With a baby who is growing by leaps and bounds and no longer appreciates a good swaddle, this blanket is a great alternative. It's so great, in fact, that even my two and a half year old loves it.

Whether lounging on the couch, in the car or stroller or heading off to a picnic in the park, the aden + anais Dream Blanket is the perfect take-along. Generously sized at 47" x 47", not only is it great for snuggling but it also makes a great floor mat for the littler babes.

We recently took our Dream Blanket on a stroll around the neighborhood and just as we were rounding the corner home, our blanket got caught up in the wheel of the stroller, getting dragged along the sidewalk becoming dirty in the process. One of the great things about these blankets is the more you wash them the softer they get! A welcome product treat when used around kids and babies all day long as it's bound to get dirty!

I just adore this pattern, too. The Liam the Brave pup is slightly reminiscent of a certain 100lbs. Olde English Sheepdog that shares our home and loves our boys almost as much as we do which has me loving this blanket even more!

If you haven't already visited lil sweetie designs, please be sure to head on over and check out the great line of aden + anais products in stock. It might be hard to tear yourself away from the personalized children's clothes but I promise it will be worth it!

Cameron has graciously offered all ILYMTC readers 20% off their order with code "ilymtc20." Did you see that? A discount on anything aden + anais is practically unheard of! Awesome, indeed. What are you waiting for? Get to shopping! Happy Tuesday!

Let The Wild Rumpus Start :: First Birthday Party Plans

2013-04-08T07:00:00.000-04:00

"And now," Max cried, "let the wild rumpus start!"

It didn't take long for me to realize the kind of birthday party we would plan for Maclane as he turns a year old, our little wild thing. I cannot believe that it's time to start planning and that his first birthday is just two and a half short months away.

Having a June baby is tricky, although not as tricky as having a late July baby. Hopefully the summer heat won't be sweltering and we'll be able to host it in our backyard. A low key gathering of family and friends, great food and lot's of fun.

I am excited to pull the details of this party together. There isn't a whole lot out there in terms of Where the Wild Things Are decor and party preparation which means I get to exercise some good ol' creativity when it comes to pulling it all together.

I don't plan to get too "character-y," but I will be using some of my favorite lines and pages from the story throughout the party. I'm thinking of using a color scheme that involves mostly yellow and grey with a few pops of green and maybe even a little orange throughout. Of course there will be a dessert table, favors and plenty of pom and tissue garland. I would even love to be able to build a DIY teepee that we could later re-purpose in the boys' playroom.

I've already gone ahead and ordered this onesie for Maclane and will soon be ordering a matching t-shirt for Carter. Aliya of Aliya Rinaldi Designs is currently working on our invitations and I cannot wait to see what she comes up with. If time and patience is on our side, I may even try to whip up a tissue paper crown to be used in some pictures of Mac this weekend that we might be able to incorporate into the invitation.

I'm just so excited about it all! You see, this is one of my all-time favorite childhood stories. I grew up with my parents reading it to both me and my brother and it's been a favorite read in our house during each of my pregnancies.

Are you planning any parties soon? Do you start with a theme first and then plan accordingly or do you choose a color palette first?

All images in this post are courtesy of Pinterest. You can follow my party planning board here.

Party On! Let's Party: The 2013 Ultimate Blog Party

2013-04-05T18:17:00.001-04:00

People always ask me, "what's the best way to connect with other bloggers?" and I always offer up the same answer. Put yourself out there. Find new blogs to read and comment, comment, comment! Really get to know the blogger through their recent posts and introduce yourself in your comments section. Not only is it the best way to connect but also to engage and make friendships as well. One of the best ways to do this is to join blog hops such as the 2013 Ultimate Blog Party!

This is my first time in the four years that I have been blogging that I'm linking up with this party but as part of my effort to get back to the basics of blogging and set aside more time for reading blogs, I thought this would be a great place to start!

For those that are new here, I'm AP, the voice behind this tiny slice of the internet. I'm a once-was Hematology/Oncology nurse turned stay-at-home-mom to two little boys, Carter and Maclane. Our days are filled with my many mis-adventures in parenting.

I write a little bit about of a lot of things here. Mostly motherhood sprinkled in with a little DIY and the occasional recipe. I really hate to cook but thankfully my husband knew this before we got married and loves me any way! I can bake a mean cupcake though.

I love wine and wine-induced tweeting. I also love Instagram. Like a lot a lot. I curse but I'm trying to get better at it since my two and a half year old is a s p o n g e and has already taken to running around the house saying things like, "Honey, wee-you ree-yax?" and " Just one more sec, honey. One more sec," which really sounds like "one more sex" and I have to do everything in my power to stifle the immature giggles.

So there you have it. Thanks for stopping by! I'm excited to get to know you!

Ella Madison Boutique :: $50 Shop Credit Giveaway

2013-04-05T07:00:00.000-04:00

Five months ago, Molly, the Duchess of Fork, introduced me to a darling Facebook boutique run by a sweet friend of hers, Heather. Immediately upon visiting her website, Ella Madison boutique, I was smitten and the rest might as well be history.
Over the course of the last several months, I've loved watching Heather's boutique grow and flourish as she picks out the latest trends both in clothing and accessories and stocks her virtual shelves.
Most recently, you may recall me mentioning that her shop, Ella Madison boutique, would be sending me to Blissdom in Dallas with a few fantastic pieces to wear as a representation of her awesome store. Jen, my roommate, also brought with her a few pieces and it was fun to play dress up for a couple of nights while we were away from our families.
The Aztec print dress seen below in navy has quickly become one of my all-time favorite pieces. Paired with a statement necklace and wedges, it has served me well both for girl's night out as well as a date night! Whew. I have not worn a dress that short in a long time. Thank goodness for self-tanner.

The Mocha tunic top and pink cheetah scarf seen above have quickly become staple pieces in my every day uniform. Whether running errands or rushing off to the park with kids in tow, each of the pieces has served me well since adding them to my closet.

Today, Jen and I are excited to offer one lucky reader a $50 shop credit to Ella Madison boutique. If you need help deciding what you would spend your winnings on, I would love to step in and offer up a few helpful suggestions. After all, each of these items is on my must-have list this month!

Be sure to enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. This giveaway will end on April 10th, 2013. Good luck to all those who enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Second Child Syndrome But Funnier.

2013-04-04T07:00:00.000-04:00

There are two videos that we have from our childhood, my brother and I, that will set us to roll with laughter the minute someone brings them up. Watch them and someone is sure to pee their pants from laughing.

The first is from a family vacation to the Cayman islands sometime in the late nineties. We're on a pirate ship rum cruise. You know the kind- a large working pirate ship, actors dressed as swashbuckling pirates and enough rum punch to sink the Black Pearl. I was fourteen or fifteen this trip which made my brother a whopping six or seven years old at the time.

My Dad, the videographer, was surveying the ship with his camera in hand. In between interviewing me and my friend on our adventures at the wheel, he would pan over the ship, the sparking blue water glistening beneath the sun, our family full of smiles as we sailed the open seas.

At one point the camera is on me as I recant the day's adventures. I animatedly describe the weather, the pirates and how I was too scared to swing from the rope off into the open water, the entire exchange taking a mere three or four minutes. It wasn't until we returned home from our vacation and pulled the video up on the TV that we noted the real scene-stealer.

In the background of that same scene is a long skinny staircase that leads from the captain's wheel to the lower deck. While I was busy talking my brother was perched at the top of the staircase having just taken his turn at the wheel. Within the blink of an eye he had stumbled at the top step and literally slid, while standing mind you, down the entire flight of stairs. Picture a cartoon, stiff-legged bouncing down a set of stairs, head bobbling, the whole nine yards. Upon reaching the bottom, he paused, perplexed, took a look around as if to say, "I hope no one saw that" and went on his merry little way. And we had been none the wiser.

The second video is from a few years earlier in our childhood and takes place much closer to home, this time in our own backyard. You see, we didn't really have to venture very far to remind my brother that he truly was the second child in every sense of the word.

Once again I was the subject of yet another home video interview. My brother had been riding around the backyard on one of those Fisher Price-type quads, the kind you plug in and charge and only move while the foot pedal is depressed and I believe it was an Easter present which would explain why the course of my interview was about Spring and the bunny's recent visit to our house. My brother was four at the time which puts me at twelve years old.

As I ramble on, my brother can be seen in the background riding his quad back and forth across the yard. A bright yellow quad with blue and orange accents and large black handlebars. The image of this quad is so vivid and I laugh every single time I think about it. Once again, it wasn't until days later when we had all gathered around the TV to replay the family footage that my brother really stole the show.

At one point during my interview, the quad begins to creep in from the left side of the video frame. Slowly at first, in short jerky movements. It's around the third or fourth jerk that we notice my brother is no longer riding the quad but rather as it begins to pick up speed and zoom across the background of the frame, it becomes evident that he is lying on the ground alongside it, his hand pressing down on foot pedal, allowing the quad to literally drag him across the back yard at lightening speed.

Are you able to picture what I'm describing? Me, twelve years old in the foreground of a video camera, large round-rimmed glasses, braces and the worst bangs you've ever seen, waxing poetic about the Easter Bunny as a large yellow plastic quad drags my brother across our back lawn. And not a single person noticed until days later.

I'm sharing these stories with you today because it dawned on me the life that Maclane is destined for, the life of a second child. Just last night as we were gathered in the playroom after dinner, Carter was putting on a show for us, singing a song about (bull) dozers, rainbows and "sixers" (cement mixers) and it wasn't until he had taken his final bow to a round of excited applause that my husband and I both realized that way off in the background of the performance, there sat Maclane, quiet as a lamb, gnawing on a piece of jumbo sidewalk chalk, happy as a clam.

Maclane, we apologize now for the life ahead of you that will no doubt be full of oversight on our behalf. It does not mean we love you any less. It's just that those firstborn children are so demanding of attention. As a firstborn myself, we just can't help it.

You'll steal the show in your own way, Maclane, and we can't wait to see what way that is. As long as it doesn't involve the emergency room.

Oh, the life of a second child.

These Shoes Were Made For Walkin' :: Trendy Tot Tuesday

2013-04-02T07:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to this week's Trendy Tot Tuesday link-up! I'm excited to be co-hosting this week and can't wait to read through your posts! When I first stumbled on this link-up created by moms Megan, Lindsay and Kelly, I couldn't stop thinking a) how brilliant! and b) how fun it would be to link up each week and share some great toddler and baby boy fashion finds.

As it is, that's about how often online orders show up on my doorstep. Thankfully, now that the warmer temperatures have arrived, I've been spending much more time outdoors and much less time whining about how much I hate the winter while simultaneously drowning said sorrows in online shopping for the boys.

Today, I'm talking about shoes, a subject very near and very dear to my heart. We all know how shoes can make or break an outfit and as a girl, it's easy to find a pair (or twenty) that put the perfect finishing touch to any ensemble. In a way, the same is true for boys. I can't tell you how many ex-boyfriends I've judged because of their choice in footwear. Shallow? Perhaps. True? Indeed.

As is the case with many boys' clothing options, it can be difficult to shop for shoes beyond the standard sandal, sneaker, slipper and boot. The options are plentiful but it can be difficult to shop for what they really need based on the season. I'm sure you know this but make sure to bring your child to a shoe store each season to get his or her foot measured before buying new shoes. It's amazing how fast their little feet grow! In just one year Carter's foot grew from a size 7 to an 11.5 wide.

Here are four of my favorite shoe finds for toddler boys. Be sure to note that they are either slip-on or velcro. I've learned my lesson well when it comes to wrangling toddler feet into shoes with laces. As the saying goes, "ain't nobody got time for that."

1. Saucony Jazz H&L Toddler Shoes

These sneakers are great for outdoor play. I love the bright color and pop they add to the toddler's wardrobe. They've withstood an entire Fall and Winter on his busy feet and they've weathered the wear pretty well. I scooped this pair up while on sale at Diapers.com.

2. Adidas Dragon Toddler Sneaker

Another great pair of sneakers for busy feet. These didn't stand up nearly as well to the wear and tear of toddler life but I got them for a steal during the annual Nordstrom Kids and Baby sale.

3. Native Shoes Miller Kids Sneaker

Hands down one of my favorite brands of shoes for little boys (and girls) in the Spring and summer months. Not only are these shoes great for wearing with shorts and running around the backyard but they are also great to wear to the beach and poolside. Sturdier than Crocs, breathable and in a variety of different styles and colors, I recommend these shoes to all of my friends and their kids!

4. Polo Velcro Boat Shoe (Found at Marshalls, similar style link)

This last pair of shoes is a nice change from the day-to-day sneaker. I originally bought these shoes for the toddler to wear with his nicer shorts and pants in the summer months and they easily transitioned to the Fall months with jeans and slacks. They've withstood some wear and tear and were a great Marshalls find!

Trendy Tot Tuesday is a chance to talk about kid's style. You can share pictures of your tots all dressed up in their Spring threads, share their (or your) favorite places to shop for them and even include Polyvore boards if that's more your speed.

Each week you can also nominate your favorite tot for Tot of the Week! This week we're spotlighting Georgia from Live a Charmed Life.

It's a hop-style link-up so be sure to follow your hosts and jump around to visit other bloggers who have linked up! If you're interested in co-hosting one week, please email Megan!

Don't forget to add the Trendy Tot Tuesday button to your posts! Can't wait to see what your tots are wearing this week! Thanks for opportunity to co-host, Megan, Lindsay and Kelly!

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Tickle Toes Turtle Toy Review

2013-04-01T09:32:00.004-04:00

It doesn't take much to make Mac laugh but stick him in front of the camera and there was never a more serious baby to be found. Of course when there are extra sets of heads and hands around, not to mention a cooperating toddler, getting Mac to laugh is easy as pie.

On the days when it's just me and him, capturing that silly smile is no easy feat and I'm often left singing, dancing and shaking a multitude of toys all from behind the lens. For a while, we had a few go-to toys that I knew could squeak and sing a guaranteed smile out of him but once those toys put in their time, we quickly found ourselves back at a smile-less square one. It wasn't until we came across the Nuby Tickle Toes turtle that I was able to garner a steady stream of laughs and smiles.

Maclane loves this silly turtle and I'll admit it, I do to. It doesn't play annoying music but rather giggles and laughs when you gently squeeze the the button in its foot. It's so easy to do that both Maclane and Carter are able to do it. Brightly colored and extra soft and snuggly, the Nuby Tickle Toes turtle has been a welcome addition to our hoard of toys! The boys love taking turns tickling the turtle's feet and it quickly turns into one giant tickle fest.

With a variety of characters to choose from, there's a Tickle Toes toy for everyone!

You can find the Nuby Tickle Toes line at the following retailers:

Buy Baby Direct

Amazon

I was not provided any financial compensation for this review. As an official Nuby Mom Blogger I was provided the above product in exchange for my honest opinion as expressed above.