I think we’re overdue for an update,
although not much has really been going on around these parts.
I’ve just spent the last few months growing a baby in my tummy,
while time passes by–not quick enough.

My days are spent mostly in thick waste-banded sweatpants,
a messy bun and 4 day unwashed hair,
with smeared mascara under my eyes.

I can be seen hunched over the porcelain thrown about a 6-12 times daily,
avoiding any sort of “food” smells,
sipping G2 Gatorade,
and massaging the migraine that has taken permanent residence in my temples.

Honey Combs and Kix are my go-to meal,
frozen yogurt is my special treat.

I’ve attempted every sort of remedy out there to no avail.
So now, nearly 15 weeks into this pregnancy,
I’m just sorta accepting that this is how life is going to be for a bit.

Laundry will go unwashed,
beds will go unmade,
meals will go uncooked,
emails will go unanswered
and in the end, Elmo may be the one I have to thank for teaching my kid his ABC’s.

Because sometimes “good enough” is…well, good enough.
And that’s something this pregnancy is teaching me to accept.

This pregnancy is teaching me to let go of some of that Mommy guilt.

The guilt that overwhelms your soul,
and convinces you that you are surely ruining this stage of your toddlers life…
as he begs you to dance and wrestle with him though you can hardly lift your head from the couch.

The guilt that tells you two nights in a row of Mac & Cheese will surely harm his growth.
The guilt that points out you haven’t taken him for a proper hair cut in who knows how long,
that reminds you his pants ride an inch above his shoes and he needs new big boy clothes,
and the bicycle you got him for Christmas isn’t quite as “ridden” as you imagined it would be.

And then, just when the Mommy guilt tells you that you’ve surely scarred your kiddo for life,
you sprint to the toilet to heave up your lunch,
and from the corner of your eye you see his big baby blues peaking into the bathroom…
and he whispers, It’s okay Momma.

And with tears in your eyes,
you realize your toddler is right.
It will be okay.

You see, if it were up to Mommy guilt,
us Momma’s would never have more than one child.
But it’s not up to Mommy Guilt.
It’s up to us.
And our divine nature.
And our faith in this whole creation process.
And what we know in our hearts to be right for our little family.

Because no one ever promised it would be easy,
just that it would be worth it.

Congrats to the winner of a brand new Cameo Silhouette!
Whoop Whoop!

If you didn’t win and you still want one of these puppies, the discount code: LMM is still valid for a few more days!

________________________________________________________________________
GIVEAWAY CLOSED

I know. I know.
I have been super under the radar lately. And I really do promise to give you an update on our little peanut and my health soon.
But for today, I am crawling out of my little hole of morning all day sickness to bring you another jumbo Silhouette giveaway.
For all those who didn’t get a brand new Silhouette Cameo this holiday season, now is your chance!

Use the code: LMM
and get your very own Silhouette Cameo AND a Fabric Ink Starter Kit
for only $299!

(Silhouette has set aside a limited number of Cameo’s for this promotion)

And that’s not all!
One lucky winner who will receive their very own, brand new Silhouette Cameo!

This is over a $300 value!

The Silhouette CAMEO™ is an electronic cutting tool for personal use. Like a home printer, it plugs into your PC or Mac® with a simple USB cable. However, instead of printing it uses a small blade to cut paper, card stock, vinyl, fabric and more up to 12″ wide and 10 feet long. The machine also boasts a quiet motor and the ability to register and cut printed materials.

The Silhouette CAMEO™ ships with the following important items:

–Silhouette electronic cutting tool
–Silhouette Studio® software for Windows XP/Vista/7 and Mac® OS X 10.5.8 and higher
–51 exclusive cut-table designs
–Power cable, USB cable
–12″ cutting mat
–Cutting blade
–$10 gift card to the Silhouette Online Store
–Basic Instruction Guide

Already have a Silhouette? Then enter for a friend! What an amazing surprise this would be for post-Christmas!
This puppy does everything!

Click HERE to see all the fun goodies I have used my Silhouette to create.

{shirts made using my Silhouette}

Here’s how you enter to win:
(leave a separate comment for EACH entry you complete)

1. “Like” Silhouette on facebook and leave a comment on their wall that you stopped by from LMM.
2. Follow Silhouette on Pinterest.
3. Follow LMM on Google Friend Connect by clicking “join this site” on the right side bar.
4. Share this fabulous giveaway on Facebook and leave a link here.
5. Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post.
6. Tweet about this giveaway and include @littlemsmomma in your tweet.

This giveaway ends on January 3, 2012.

This whole Santa picture thing seems to be going downhill.

2009

2010

2011

I would love for you to link up your Santa pictures in the comments section.

Ben and I spent the first few months of our marriage squished on a tiny love seat in our teeny apartment living room watching episodes of 24 until the wee hours of the night. That tiny love seat was the only piece of furniture in the room.

So it was kinda a big deal when we made our first big purchase as a married couple–our giant, white fluffy couches from Sofas U Love, couches that fit more than two “affectionaite” newlyweds.  At the time, I didn’t think twice about choosing white.

And then, 3 years later we welcomed our little babe into the world.

And that’s when it started.
This couch has seen its share of messy moments.
Blueberries, yogurt, dorritto fingerprints, mushy goldfish crackers, apple juice…

and pee.

Yes, pee.
Only a few short days after the poo incident, Lil W was a bit too quiet by himself in the living room.
And after finding his diaper had been removed in the hallway, I went into the room to learn that he had managed to cover nearly every single cushion with his “stream” in a matter of seconds.

And while I’m not sure what I was thinking getting white couches, I’m giving myself a pat on the back for getting a couch with slip covers. Because in a few short hours, a load of laundry and a cap of bleach later–and my white couches were as good as new.

***

I am being compensated by The Clorox Company to talk about life’s messy moments as part of the Bleach It Away Program.

*Plus, I’m really excited to share this opportunity you have to win a whopping $25,000 for writing about your Messy Moments.

***

Clorox created the Bleach It Away program to help make sure you are prepared to tackle the next messy moment you face.  Clorox wants you to share your messy moments, and wants to reward you for sharing and surviving with a chance to win $25,000. Visit www.BleachItAway.com to share your story.

• Site visitors can vote for their favorite stories, and the ones that receive the most votes in a two-week period will be entered for a chance to win $25,000.
• In addition, each day a featured story will be selected and awarded a $100 gift card.
• Everybody who shares a story will receive a Clorox Liquid Bleach coupon to help make it easier to fight their next messy moment.

So head over and share your Messy Moment today!
If you write about a messy moment, I would love for you to leave a link here in the comments section so I can read all about it!

I’ve been doing my best to listen to my body.
Not push myself.
Be restful. Slothful even.
Because that’s what this little peanut inside of me has been asking for.

However, I still have a little toddler who is not feeling quite as “restful” as his Momma.
Mornings are the worst.
I have the least energy and the room seems to be spinning most of the time.
But Lil W…Lil W is rearing to go in the early morning hours.
Full of energy. Eager to wrestle, curious, cheerful.

So yesterday morning,
I stumbled down the stairs,
turned on the Wiggles,
set out some breakfast for Lil W,
and then curled up in the fetal position on the couch and closed my eyes.

A few minutes passed.
And then…clink…clink…
I opened my left eye and spotted Lil W hovering around the Christmas tree with a guilty look on his face.
And for the first time in over a week, I pulled out my camera to take a picture of what I discovered.

It seems he went shopping for some ornaments.
And even though we have had “the talk” about him touching the ornaments many many times,
and he knows touching the ornaments means sitting in “time out” for a bit,
I couldn’t help but smile this go around,
because I’m learning, that for the next 6.5 months
I may have to choose my battles.

It had been 7 months in the making–or rather trying.

And it was an early Sunday morning.
I had spent the night before hunched over a toilet.
I’ll spare you the details. Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.

So I get to church the next morning, still a bit shaky.
Ben was already there–he had a few early morning meetings.
Before I took my seat next to him in the chapel,
I headed off to the restroom to see if my hunch was correct.

Fingers crossed,
and three minutes later,
I had the answer we waited 7 months to hear.

So I took a cell phone pic,
and right there, from the bathroom,
I texted Ben a picture of our exciting news.

And you know what pregnancy reminds me?
That it is possible to be both blissfully happy and petrified at the same time.
Because so far, this pregnancy is turning out just like the last one.
But if the result is anything like Lil W,
then it will all be worth it in the end.
And that’s what I have to keep reminding myself.

So that’s why I’ve been a little MIA lately.
My brain has turned into mush and it has taken an actual effort just to shower each day.
But I’ll try harder, I promise.

P.S. Our baby is growing fingers and toes this week. And that’s pretty exciting.

Personalized heart ornament c/o: Lisa Leonard Designs 

 We ordered a pizza.
Brewed some hot chocolate.
Turned on the Pandora Holiday station.
Hung the stockings by the chimney with care.
Taught Lil W to say “Cwistmwas tree.
Watched him take down the ornaments faster than we could put them up.
Got excited for his increased understanding about this special holiday.
Watched an episode of Parenthood on Netflix.
Said our prayers.
And then hit the hay.

What are your holiday traditions?
We’re looking to take on a few more. Ideas?

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I would love for you to stop by The Anderson Crew to see my latest tutorial for her handmade gift guide.

And you can also stop by Lisa Leonard’s blog to read a bit about my fun mini photo shoot with her.

Some randoms, just because.
Well, mostly because my brain isn’t working and these things have been on my mind.

1. I’ve just recently re-discovered Cocoa Krispies, and I’m so glad I did. Nothing beats the chocolate milk once you’ve finished the bowl of cereal.
2. Do you ever feel like your face is rejecting your makeup? Because that’s what I’m experiencing. I think I need to try a new brand.
3. We’re still here in Wyoming, and my hands are cracked, my lips are peeling and I can’t breathe out of my nose. High altitude is not my friend.
4. Sometimes, when Ben tells me I look pretty, I say “what?”, just so that I can hear him say it again.
5. Did anyone else watch Tangled over 100 times this week?
6. Lil W is officially more sufficient than me at maneuvering the iPad.
7. Do I unpack the fake Christmas tree or go out and get a real one this year?
8. Suspenders for gals. Yay or nay?
9. I reeeeally need to get started on part 5 of our love story.

And let’s end on that note, with some pictures of Lil W and his adorable cousins.
It’s been an “energetic” week, to say the least.

See if you can find which cousin is Ben’s clone,
and see if you can figure out what’s wrong with the last photo.

 Your three randoms. Ready go!

*Note: The discount code will not be active until 12:01 (MST) on Friday the 25^th

*When you enter the code: LMM, you will get a 40% discount off everything in the Silhouette online store (except the CAMEO, subscriptions, download cards, and gift cards).

The code: LMM will allow you to get a nice discount on your CAMEO (note: the CAMEO is not 40 percent off but
will be discounted). BUT, you must go to this secret Black Friday page to see the discounted price.  Click here to go to the SECRET Black Friday CAMEO page.

Finally, Silhouette has let us know that the Black Friday supply of CAMEOs will sell out!

The Black Friday Sale begins at 12:01 (MST) on Friday the 25^th.  Codes will be valid through the 28^th.

Also, all shapes will be half off!

****************************************************************

ALSO, starting right now, get 20% OFF to the Little Miss Momma shop.
Use the code: BLACK

If you’re having a BLACK FRIDAY sale, go ahead and tell us about it in the comments section and leave a link!

So we’re here. In Wyoming. Cheyenne to be exact.
Last time we were here it snowed. I don’t get around snow too often, so it was a bit like Disneyland.

This will be our first Thanksgiving in Chey-town–Lil W’s first Turkey day with a house full of cousins.
And while I always tease Ben about his small-town upbringing, and about how you can actually look out the window to see cows grazing while shopping at the mall, and how we can’t go anywhere without people recognizing THE Ben Stock–there is also a huge part of me that finds comfort in this lifestyle.  Comfort in the pace, comfort in the cozy fireplaces, comfort in the small-town feel, and especially…comfort in the food.

Ben’s Mom, Jan, is basically the original Pioneer Woman, just minus the blog and ranch.  I manage to gain at least 3-5 pounds on every visit, and I always leave saying “next time, you need to teach me how to make that”.  Well this visit, I am determined to learn.  So Jan and I sat down late last night to make a list of all Ben’s favorite meals. It’s time I learn to cook for my man.

First on the list, and one of my personal favorites, Creamed Eggs on Toast.
And I’m not joking when I tell you that this is the yummiest and most simple breakfast recipe of all times.

 
Ingredients:
Serves 6-8 depending on how hungry everyone is.
10-12 eggs
3/4 cup of flour
1/3 cup butter
6 cups milk
loaf of French bread
salt and pepper to taste

Did you know there’s a secet to boiling eggs? I didn’t either. But I learned today.
Put the eggs in the pot and fill the pot with water until the eggs are covered.

Cover the pot. Bring the water to a rolling boil. As soon as the water is boiling, turn of the heat completely and set a timer for 10 minutes.  As soon as the timer goes off, the eggs will be perfectly hard boiled and ready to peel. While the eggs are cooking, get started on the next step.

1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter completely on medium-high heat.
2.  Once the butter is melted, add the flour.
3. Stir until the butter and flour are completely combined and there are no signs of the white flour. This will take about 2-3 minutes.
4. It should have a dough like consistency
5. Pour in the milk.
6. Turn heat to medium and watch so that it doesn’t burn. Wait for the milk to bubble and then whisk until all the lumps are gone and it has taken on a thick consistency. This will take approximately 5-7 minutes.

Add salt–we used about a teaspoon.

Add pepper to taste. Let simmer on low while you get the bread ready.

Cut slices of French bread about 3/4 inch thick.

Toast all the bread slices and then butter afterwards.

The eggs should be ready by now.
Dump out the hot water and pour cold water over them so that they are cool enough to peel.

Peel the eggs.

Slice each egg into small chunks and add to the yummy gravy.

Stir it lightly until combined.
Now the way we do it around these parts, is we take the bread and we pour the gravy over the top and then we dive in.  There is always a fight over the last slice of bread–always.

When you see Lil W taking these jumbo bites, you KNOW this is a legit recipe.

Here are our other two mini breakfast buddies. Sadie Jayne and baby Kellen.

They weren’t as excited about the creamed eggs, but when they grow up they will be–trust me.
Stay tuned, I have so much more to learn this week.