Laughing Bellies

2 Years Ago

2012-11-20T10:01:00.003-05:00

2 years ago today my life was about to change.

I woke up filled with excitement.

There was so much to get ready for.

2 years ago today I married an amazing man,

and woke up the next morning feeling like I couldn't be any happier.

But that's because I didn't know what was waiting 2 years down the road.

Though our romantic evenings have dwindled,

and eating breakfast in bed after a restful evening of sleep is long gone,

I cherish these days just as much as I cherished this day 2 years ago.

Tonight we will take a carriage ride in the same carriage that picked us up 2 years ago,

except this time the ride will feel just a little more complete as we share with our daughter,

what we experienced together the first time around.

It will surely be an anniversary to remember.
Happy Anniversary to our little family.

Curiosity

2012-11-15T09:16:00.000-05:00

You know, ~~some days~~ most days I have been feeling defeated.

Tiny is into everything,

and I walk the fine line of trying to let her explore while also giving her boundaries.

But theses past few days, the house was hers.

The reality is I wish I could be this content playing with plastic wrap and nursing pads.

And my rule of thumb is if it's not hurting her or others, then it's fair game.

Now if I could just teach her to clean up her curiosity...

Finger Lickin' Good

2012-11-12T11:27:00.003-05:00

This weekend tiny experienced her first local festival.

The crowd made for an incredible people watching experience,

and the ribs made for a finger lickin' good time.

The hubs tried fried oreo's for the first time (and liked them)

And tiny went to town on some corn on the cob.

It was a finger lickin' weekend.

How was yours?

A Girly Girl Giveaway

2012-11-08T08:28:00.002-05:00

I have a confession to make...

when I found out I was pregnant, I really deep down wanted a girl.

Every ounce of my heart secretly (although not so secretly to my husband) wanted a girl.

Someone I could adorn in all those cute ruffles and bows.

So when we had our gender reveal party, and the inside of the cake was pink,

I literally squealed in delight jumping up and down with visions of ruffles in my head.

From that point on, my shopping desires went into over drive.

It seemed the only thing I wanted to buy were things for my precious girl on the way.

And I would be lying if I said it has slowed down...ok, well maybe a litle,

but a typical shopping trip consists of 1 bag for me (often times none) and 3 for tiny.

So when I heard that our town was getting a children's shop...get this, for ALL THINGS GIRLY

I was ~~excited~~ elated so check it out.

FiFi Ruffles, located in downtown St. Petersburg,

is the place to be if you are looking for ruffles and bows.

And not only does Kim, the owner sell the cutest clothes...she also makes them.

Though the shop is small, the walls are full of a huge selection of dresses, bloomers, and skirts that scream Girly Girl.

And today I feel like screaming as well because one of you lucky readers will win not one but two adorable headbands from her new bejingled line.

Absolutely perfect for the holidays!

Seriously, how cute are these?

Want the matching dress to go with your headband?

Check out FiFi Ruffles Etsy shop!

Fifi ruffles is giving away two bejingled head bands in whichever size you choose.

(infant, toddler, or girl)

The above reindeer headband is adorned with a pink rosette clip with a feather center,

and the other is an elastic headband with two hand rolled polar bear flowers.

And just as I was secretly hoping for a girl, I am also secretly hoping I can win these!

So want to know how to enter?

Here's how:

1. If you haven't already, "like" the Laughing Bellies Facebook page.

2. Subscribe to FiFi Ruffles blog at http://fifiruffles.blogspot.com/

3. Once you have subscribed, Comment on FiFi Ruffles blog as to which outfit or hair accessory you like best.

Really want to win these headbands?..."like" FiFi Ruffles Facebook page for a bonus entry!

The giveaway will run for a week!

Good Luck.

Wordless Wednesday

2012-11-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

Regardless of your political views,

I hope you got out and voted yesterday.

Happy Wordless Wednesday.

Hello Sponsor

2012-11-05T09:28:00.001-05:00

Helllloooo Monday,

and hello to our newest sponsor:

I suspect it will be a saving grace for me once I can bear to part ways with tiny.

I dream of getting a pedicure from someone other than my shaky hands

and Our Savior Lutheran School makes it possible!

Every Monday and Wednesday from 8:30-11:30,

you can drop your child off (crawling to 3 years old)

and rest assured that while you get some much needed time off,

they are enjoying crafts, story time, music and outdoor play.

They run on a first come, first serve basis, there is no need for your child to be potty trained,

and cost $20 per child or $30 for siblings.

Sounds like a deal to me!

I highly suggest checking it out and giving it a try,

and if you do, please let me know how it goes.

Maybe when my tiny is ready I'll join ya.

(Yeah right, we all know who really isn't ready!)

Attention Shoppers

2012-11-01T09:49:00.000-04:00

Ok, so now that Halloween is behind us,

I can officially feel less weird about already planning Christmas right?

It's not all about the gifts but I must admit that I am a sucker for shopping...

and I am ready to make this a year to remember!

If you are local get ready,

because I am going to let you in on a secret shopping extravaganza that you don't want to miss!

And it's happening TOMORROW.

Imagine a room filled with tons of gifts that you won't find anywhere else.

I know, it makes your heart rate rise just a tad doesn't it?

I suppose I always loved the holiday shopping experience,

but now that I have a tiny of my own to ~~shop for~~ spoil,

the excitement level is one for the record books.

So of course my eyes will be set on the many wonderful children's boutiques set up.

(apologies to the rest of my family)

Birdie Baby Boutique, RW Boutique, Fifi Ruffles, and Tate and Tilly are just a few of the MANY vendors that will be there.

Seriously, you don't want to miss this.

So put on your shopping shoes and as Bob Barker would say "Come On Down".

And if nothing else, come say Hi to me and help me carry all my bags out!

See you there.

BOO To You

2012-10-31T09:00:00.000-04:00

BOO to you.

Happy Halloween from the ~~scariest~~ cutest ghost in town.

A Taste Of Freedom

2012-10-29T11:29:00.002-04:00

This weekend we enjoyed our first Halloween party as a family.

The weather was perfection and tiny enjoyed every moment.

But more than anything else, she got her first taste of freedom.

Of course not without a lesson in safety first.

Oh Papa, you are in so much trouble.

Even though she can only go backwards, it didn't stop her Fred Flinstone feet from trying.

And freedom never felt so good.

We were in amazement at how well she got around...even when her feet barely touch the ground.

I must say I dread the day 16 years from now when she really is driving.

Tiny Talks

2012-10-26T09:19:00.000-04:00

As parents, you wait for so long to hear what your little one's voice will sound like.

You dream about how they will say those precious words...

and then you try with all your being to catch it on tape.

It sounds easy, really it does.

But I have quickly learned that babies typically don't perform on demand.

So when I caught tiny's first few words on video,

I was flabbergasted by how on cue she was talking,

and of course I had to share.

So sit back, relax, maybe grab a few kernels of popcorn, and enjoy the show.

Wordless Wednesday

2012-10-24T08:28:00.004-04:00

Sharing is Caring.

Happy Wordless Wednesday friends!

Today's Letter Is...

2012-10-23T09:00:00.000-04:00

I can't wait to show you my latest creation today.

I have had my eye on large cardboard letters at the craft store for some time now,

but could never really find the right inspiration to purchase one...

until now.

This year for Tiny's 1st birthday we are celebrating "secret garden style",

and every garden needs a mossy letter.

It truly was the easiest (though not exactly the cleanest) project I have ever attempted.

I purchased the letter, and a roll of instant moss and that was it.

To start, I simply traced the letter onto the moss with a sharpie pen.

Luckily my letter fit right onto the moss but even if yours didn't it would be easy enough to do.

Next I cut out the tracing.

For the sake of the hot glue not drying on me, I didn't take any pictures of this part,

but it was easy peasy...I just generously put the glue along the letter and applied the pre-cut moss.

Next I measured along the sides of the letter and cut stripes of moss to fit.

Don't worry if you cut to little or to much. It is the most forgiving craft,

and each moss piece blends beautifully into the next.

And Here it is.

It sure beats Pottery Barn's $80 version.

As a matter of fact, I spent $16 dollars total to make this.

Your welcome hubby.

So what are you waiting for...go get yourself a letter to decorate.

*disclaimer: you will want a vacuum handy as the moss sheds a bit*

Smash Cake Preview

2012-10-22T09:41:00.002-04:00

Tiny's 1st birthday is quickly approaching,

and I have been Oh so excited to see how she will do with her own personal cake to smash.

I admittedly am probably more excited than anyone else,

and after seeing her devour some hummus this weekend...

I think she is going to LOVE the cake just as much as I am going to love watching her.

November 24th can't come soon enough.

For All the Mothers

2012-10-18T09:25:00.001-04:00

I talk a lot on here and to my family, especially my own Mother about how since having Tiny I have developed a tendency to worry, much more than I ever did before.

Not long ago, I received this email from her, and while she didn't write it,

whoever did really hit home, for every Mother out there.

Perhaps the worrying will never end...but at least I'm not alone!

How long do you worry about your children?

Forever!

Is there an imaginary cut-off period when offspring become accountable For their own actions?

Is there some wonderful moment when Parents can become detached spectators in

The lives of their children and shrug, 'It's Their life,' and feel nothing?

When I was in my twenties, I stood in a hospital corridor

Waiting for doctors to put a few stitches In my son's head and I asked,

'When do you stop worrying?'

The nurse said,

'When they get out of the accident stage…'

My Parents just smiled faintly

And said nothing.

When I was in my thirties, I sat on a little chair in a classroom

And heard how one of my children Talked incessantly, disrupted the class,

And was headed for a career Making license plates.

As if to read my mind, a teacher said,

'Don't worry, they all go through this stage And then you can sit back, Relax and enjoy them.'

My Parents just smiled faintly

And said nothing.

When I was in my forties, I spent a lifetime waiting,

For the phone to ring, The cars to come home, The front door to open.

A friend said, 'They're trying to find themselves.

'Don't worry!

In a few years, they'll be adults. 'They'll be off on their own They'll be out of your hair'

My Parents just smiled faintly

And said nothing.

By the time I was 50, I was sick & tired of being vulnerable.

I was still worrying over my children, But there was a new wrinkle…

Even though they were on their own I continued to anguish over their failures,

Be tormented by their frustrations and Absorbed in their disappointments…

And there was nothing I could do about it.

My Parents just smiled faintly

And said nothing.

My friends said that When my kids got married I could stop worrying

And lead my own life. I wanted to believe that,

But I was haunted by my parent's warm smiles And their occasional,

'You look pale. Are you all right' ?

'Call me the minute you get home'.

Are you depressed about something?'

My friends said that When I became a grandparent,

That I would get to enjoy The happy little voices yelling Grandma! Papa!

But now I find that I worry Just as much about the little kids As the big ones.

How can anyone cope

With all this Worry?

Can it be that parents are sentenced to a lifetime of worry?

Is concern for one another handed down like a torch

To blaze the trail of human frailties And the fears of the unknown?

Is concern a curse or is it a virtue that elevates us

To the highest form of earthly creation?

Recently, one of my own children became quite irritable, saying to me,

'Where were you? I've been calling for 3 days,

And no one answered

I was worried.'

I smiled a warm smile.

The torch has been passed.

Sweet As Pie

2012-10-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

After our journey to the pumpkin festival this weekend,

I couldn't get pumpkin pie out of my brain.

But because of a dairy allergy,

I often have to walk past things that every ounce of my heart wants to eat.

So I promised the hubby I would make a pumpkin pie that we could all enjoy.

I wish I could take credit for the recipe but in all honesty it's straight from this box:

I always know Fall has officially arrived when this little box makes its appearance,

but I had never paid attention to the pumpkin pie recipe on the side...

and since I owed our family a pie I thought why not give it a go.

The results my friends were DELICIOUS!

Seriously, one of the best pumpkin pies I have had.

(Ok, maybe I am bias but really it was that good).

No, that is not Pac-Man, my fork was just quicker than the camera.

The recipe is 4 steps making it ridiculously easy and the only thing I altered was replacing a can of pumpkin with a can of pumpkin pie mix.

The box clearly stated to NOT use pumpkin pie filling,

but it was all I had and rules are just so fun to break.

If you want your taste buds to thank you, than make this!

Your home will smell like Fall and your family will adore you.

Dairy-free Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

2 eggs

2/3 cup sugar

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (I omitted this since I used pumpkin pie filling)

1/2 tsp salt

1 can pumpkin (or if you're a rule breaker like me, use pie filling)

1 9 inch pie crust

1 1/4 cups silk pumpkin spice pie

1. Preheat oven to 425.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and silk. Whisk in sugar spice and salt.

add pumpkin and whisk until smooth.

3. Pour into pie crust.

4. Bake 15 minutes, then turn down the oven to 350 and bake for 40-50 minutes

5. Thank me for sharing this delicious little non-dairy secret.

Down On The Farm

2012-10-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

Phew! What a weekend our little family had.

We loaded up our car and headed out to the farm.

I guess my flip flops give away my city blood,

but it was a cow lickin' good time.

If Tiny could have figured out how to get in with the ducks she absolutely would have.

And although she wasn't as sure about the donkey, she worked up enough courage to tug his ear.

The air was filled with banjo twang and hay,

and the sweet smell of our family's first Fall.

Fall is Here

2012-10-10T08:53:00.000-04:00

Fall is Here!

Happy Wordless Wednesday

Bad to Good

2012-10-09T10:13:00.000-04:00

Oh the joys of being a dog owner.

I have posted a few times now about the world's worst dog,

that I so lovingly inherited when I married my husband.

He gets into all kinds of shenanigans.

But I'm pretty sure he outdid himself this time (although that's what I say every time).

I let him out for his usual afternoon potty time

only to find him return covered in poop.

Oh Noah, how do you get yourself into these situations?

As I chased Noah around the back yard with a hose,

I was cursing the dog gods for bringing such a terrible no good dog into my life.

But then I turned around to see this...

And ya know what? The entire situation didn't seem as bad anymore.

Tiny thought the whole thing was hysterical.

And I couldn't resist a good chuckle from both the situation and that hilarious baby face.

See good things can always come out of tough situations.

Let's just hope he doesn't do it again!

Bath Time Giveaway Winner

2012-10-05T12:42:00.002-04:00

I had all intentions of posting the winner of the bath giveaway earlier,

but I have been very busy watching tiny and her cousin today.

I now see why God made it physically impossible to have babies 5 months apart!

So drum roll please..........

CONGRATULATIONS

Kristin Cummings.

I don't mean to be short,

but I must go as I have 2 crying babies staring at me.

Have a fantastic weekend.

Words of Wisdom

2012-10-03T09:51:00.000-04:00

Although today is usually known as wordless Wednesday,

today I couldn't help but share some beautiful words.
Words of wisdom that really hit home with me.
Today, and everyday I will try and live in the present!
(and you should too)

Source: Pinterest

A Love Affair With Food

2012-10-02T09:00:00.000-04:00

Let's talk food! Don't you just love food?

The smells, textures, tastes.

Tiny LUH-HUVS food!

But the truth is it really didn't start out that way.

I was ready to make all her food.

I registered for the Beaba (which by the way really is awesome)

with visions of organic homemade baby food stocked in our freezer,

and it was that way...sort of.

We all gathered around to watch tiny try it out but to our surprise she really wanted nothing to do with it. I thought it was just the green beans,

but with each new food I tried, she seemed less than impressed.

But that alllll changed around 8 months when we started BLW, baby led weaning.

Baby led weaning, seems like a very out of the box idea,

after all we have been taught that babies eat pureed food.

But the truth is, BLW ranks up there with some of the best decisions we have made so far.

In short, BLW simply means letting your baby feed themselves.

That means no more purees. No more mush.

It creates a healthy food habit from an early age.

Babies get to feed themselves and decide when they are full.

They get to discover & explore new textures on their hands and tongues.

Just whole, healthy foods.

And let me tell you, babies love it!

It gives them the freedom to choose what they eat and how they eat it,

and it's wonderful fine motor skill practice.

Age appropriate foods, that baby can hold onto well tend to work the best,

and I find that slippery foods can be rolled in cereal or baby puffs to give it more grip.

But really not much is off limits.

It's amazing to watch how much joy tiny gets from feeding herself.

And of course, my favorite part is that we can now have a proper family dinner without me having to shove food down her throat.

It is pure, messy goodness.

For our family it is the perfect solution and if there is ever a next one,

I am jumping in head first with BLW rather than easing in with purees.

To check out more on BLW check out these websites:

Baby Led Weaning

Wholesome Baby Food

Bath Time Giveaway

2012-09-28T11:23:00.000-04:00

In our house lately, we have been taking lots of baths.

Since Tiny was born she adored feeling the warm water on her skin,

and since then, she never looked back!

We often get in just to play and splash...and WOW can that girl splash!

We go through quite a few bath towels in a week.

So in honor of Tiny and her love for all things bath,

I'm having a giveaway!!!

Last week I posted about some of our must have items,

and among them were Aden and Anais swaddle blankets.

Well not only do they make the most luxuriously soft blankets...

they also make hooded bath towels.

And let me tell you, they are soft!

One of you lucky Laughing Bellies readers will win an adorable Aden and Anais hooded bath towel and wash cloth set.

And don't worry... I won't tell if you give it a try too.

But since this is a post about bath time,

here is a little look at Tiny's bath time history:

My oh my, how she has grown.
Now back to the giveaway.
TO ENTER:
1. If you haven't done so yet, Like Laughing bellies on Facebook.
2. Share the giveaway with a friend on Facebook.
3. Leave a comment telling what item you love for bath time (can be for you OR your little one).
The winner will be drawn at random next Friday, October 5th.
Happy Friday and happy splashing!
*A special thanks to Marion's Boutique for this wonderful giveaway*

Wordless Wednesday

2012-09-26T08:18:00.004-04:00

20 minutes later...

Happy Wordless Wednesday!

Parent Rap

2012-09-25T10:42:00.002-04:00

This might be the most clever and funniest video I have seen in awhile!

Not only are they parents but they have 3 kids,

and somehow still find the time to make rap videos...incredible.

Enjoy!

Girls Rule

2012-09-24T10:17:00.004-04:00

You are never too young for a girls weekend,

and this weekend is exactly what we did this weekend.

We headed south to Naples for a little R&R and surprisingly with two babies,

we actually did rest and relax.

Tiny even tried out her walking feet, and gave free rides

And we even celebrated the first day of fall with the most delicious pumpkin chili.

It was a weekend where girls did rule...and drool.

Hope yours was just as wonderful!