Our Weekend ...

Monday, December 21, 2009

Mat had class on Saturday so it was just me and Luv. We spent a bit of time on Tokbox actually, visiting via webcam with some of her "blog aunties"for the first time. She rather enjoyed babbling with them, even noticed a couple of cats on the screen and tried calling them to her by clicking her tongue {that's how we call Athena and Char}. And she got to finally meet some of the other kiddos! It was so cute to watch her react to everyone, saying hi and blowing kisses. Later, she tried on my the boots that Sky got me :) They're a little big for her yet, but they fit me just fine! Thanks again Sky for everything!!! MWAH!

Sunday was the Mister's 31st birfday! He'd forgotten all about it until I mentioned it a few days earlier. He spent most of the morning relaxing with Charlie while I did some organizing and cleaning that needed to be done. Boring, but at least it's done and I'll enjoy a clean apartment to start my week. Then we hit the grocery store to pick up supplies for his birthday dinner. He had thought about making a pizza he's made before, but I insisted on making it for him since it is was "his" day and all. He picked up a small cake for Charlie to enjoy with us...plain jane, but we also picked up ingredients to make his cake which would be far from plain!

When we got home, I unloaded the groceries and made sandwiches for lunch. Then started the cake. Charlie went down for a nap, and a headache that started as a dull roar got the better of me. I had to lay down for a bit. I think it was an hour or so? I woke up to his parents visiting with him, so I washed my face and pushed forward {after taking another extra strength Tylenol}. I started prepping dinner and by that time Charlie was up from her nap. She helped him open his gifts they brought over, which was entertaining to say the least. Peeling off bits of wrapping paper and handing it to her grandma or papa then signing "thank you" and cheering. LOL such a silly Luv.

After they left, I started assembling his Chicago-style pizza:

• Pizza dough
• Pesto {sans pine nuts}
• Diced lamb - sauteed in EVOO, seasoned with s/p, mint, and coriander
  
• Feta crumbles
• Shredded mozzarella
• Diced red bell pepper
  
• Pizza dough
• Mozzarella

The pizza was simple and delicious! The cake turned out ridiculously good. Probably went a little overboard with the cake. Two layers of dark chocolate cake, with chocolate pudding between, smothered with Nutella frosting. Yeah... it was delicious. But too delicious. I'm worried about being around it today, unsupervised.

Since his birthday is so close to Christmas, all I did was just wrap all of his gifts for Christmas and I had PLANNED on having him just pick which one he wanted to open. But he insisted I pick for him. Since I knew he'd put this to good use right away ... this was my pick for him to unwrap :)

I had gotten him a cowboy hat years ago, but it was stolen out of his work van two years back {along with just about everything else} and since then I've tried to find the same one on Target's site, with no luck. So after enlisting a couple of friends, I found a much cooler hat on Sheplers. The main thing that sold me on this hat was the leather band with amber stones. Amber is our song afterall, so it sealed the deal for me. And when he saw the amber on it he smiled. His eyes just lit up with excitement when he put the hat on. It fits him perfectly, and will keep the rain and snow out of his face when he's working. I definitely made the right choice!

So that was our weekend in a nutshell! Today, during her nap, I'll be working on getting a few posts scheduled so I can relax and just enjoy the countdown to Christmas. We have plans with both sides of our family before we have our solo Christmas festivities. Looking forward to soaking up time with our nephews and nieces before Friday :)


Hope you all enjoyed your weekend! :)

And The Giveaways Go To...

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Nancy's Frozen Appetizers :: Out of 45 entries :: CLAIMED

Here are your random numbers:

17

Timestamp: 2009-12-20 04:53:30 UTC

Jennifer-Eighty MPH Mom said... 17

12-14 RT http://twitter.com/EightyMPHMom/status/6671480742

BabyEtte Etsy Shop Water Baby Mesh Sling :: Out of 105 entries :: CLAIMED

Here are your random numbers:

50

Timestamp: 2009-12-20 04:52:22 UTC

Jaime said... 50

tweet http://twitter.com/thelightsgodown/status/6325611745

Congrats to you both! Please check your email {even spam folder} and claim your prize within 48 hours. Both prizes are claimed! Thanks to all that entered!

Charlie Fix

Friday, December 18, 2009

She LOVED the egg drop soup I made. She just wasn't so fond of the clean up ;)

Things We've Learned So Far...

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Mat and I decided a while back to make a list of things we've learned since becoming parents - about parenting in general or about Charlie specifically... Some are good, some are fun, and some are just in good fun.

٭٭ All poop is not created equal.
٭٭ Celebrating the smallest of things sometimes brings the biggest grin.
٭٭ Sometimes the best way to get her attention is to whisper...
٭٭ Vacuuming has to be done under the table daily, lots of things get sucked up under her booster chair. Okay, to be fair it is equally messy under his chair.
٭٭ It's okay to wonder if I am cut out for this "mom" gig from time to time. Afterall, this is the most important job I'll ever take on.
٭٭ Taking pictures while lying on the floor can be hazardous to your health. I had a fat lip to prove it. Babies have hard heads!
٭٭ It is important to communicate with your significant other...routines, foods that are off limits, etc. He's at work during the day, leaving me in charge of 85% of her routine and feedings. He once joked with a co-worker that he has no say in what she eats. I thought about this and realized it is fairly true. Even when he is home, I still make her food. That doesn't mean he should be out of the loop -- we're still working on this.
٭٭ Hand-me-downs are a beautiful thing.
٭٭ Dinner is a great time to slow down with your family. Even if it's an itty bitty family like ours.
٭٭ Mat asked if I'd ever want to know what she was saying when she babbles. He does. I don't think I would. I love hearing her chime in our conversations with her babbling. It makes me smile. And she's so serious too! She means every word she says.

٭٭ Nine times out of ten when I go to shoo her away from something it's a trap...meaning she's already on her way to what she wanted to get into while my back is turned.
٭٭ She. will. get. hurt. There's no way around it, unless we spend a weekend padding the walls and putting her in a helmet. We will not be that type.
٭٭ She's understanding us more and more each day. It's pretty amazing to see.
٭٭ Sometimes it is good to step away from the camera, and experience her joys without a lens between us. Yes, I'm still working on this.
٭٭ She can dance like the dickens!
٭٭ She's a ham. Plain and simple.

case in point.

And The Giveaway Goes To...

The Consumer Reports Best Baby Products, 10th Edition Giveaway was left unclaimed {why do people do that??} So here is the new winner!

Here are your random numbers:

10

Timestamp: 2009-12-17 16:04:05 UTC

amy said... 10
gloworm.thanks

Congrats to you! Please check your email {even spam folder} and claim your prize within 48 hours. CLAIMED. Info has been sent to the sponsor.

W/W Sketchy Tree

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

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T.J. Maxx :: A Better Way to Christmas Shop!

I *just* returned from a fun afternoon of shopping with Sister #2 at T.J. Maxx. She'd never been to one. Can you believe it? I told her she was in for a treat. The perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon....finding steals! :) I admit, I had other motives for our trip. I was given the mission to find a Secret Santa gift at T.J. Maxx - a mission that I of course accepted and looked forward to. Savvy shopping is my favorite past time!

With Charlie in tow we worked our way through the racks. I was actually hoping to find this sweater that is featured on the website {I know the odds were not in my favor}. I did find plenty of beautiful sweaters though! The selection right now is amazing, I felt like every few seconds I'd utter an "ooh!" or a "oh, that's cuuute!".

I'm sure you all know that T.J.'s is so much more than just clothes, they have gourmet products, decor, bedding, housewares - truly something for everyone on your list and at outstanding prices! I love that the pricetags even say how much you're saving! Girl math : save money, so you can spend more.

After picking out my Secret Santa gift {my lips are sealed by the way}, we headed over to look at the shoes. Lawsie, I found a HOT pair of Madden Girl leather ruffle platform heels...Granted when I tried them on I was 6 feet tall. BUT they were gorgeous. I stroked them in my hands for a few minutes, even put them in the cart. I convinced Kara, who has never owned a pair of brown shoes in her adult life, to try on a pair of brown boots. That looked awesome on her, by the way. And she loved them. Then she commented on another pair of shoes I was debating over {grey Sketchers slip ons, cute n' comfy}...how she always likes my shoes. So I suggested she try on the brown pair of Sketchers in her size. Wouldn't you know it?! She loved them too. Brown shoes, and something she wouldn't normally get for herself. Major breakthrough! ;) In the end I opted for the Sketchers, as cute and comfy will always win me over sexy heels. But man, they are so SO hot. Maybe Mat will get them for me! Hmm...

Then on to the women's section... Kara found some Juicy sweats that she wants to pick up next week. I found a handful of things to try on. There was an orangey red {beautiful color} soft, fuzzy coat. Seriously pimpstress quality, I'd just need a cane and a chalice. Anyway, I had to try it on. Loved it. It was beautiful in a quirky way. I could totally rock it. I might have to pick it up for myself if it's still there after the holidays. But I did end up getting a pair of jeans that fit me like a glove. Don't you love that?! Bandolinoblu Denim - mid rise {no muffin top thanks} with back flap pockets, boot cut. Super cute. And a teal capelet by LAL {Live a Little}...but not just any teal capelet! A cordoroy teal capelet. I don't even know how I found that, but I remember when I pulled it off the rack, I literally squealed and held onto it for dear life. It was the only one that I saw. Score!

All in all, we had a very successful day shopping at T.J. Maxx -- I was so happy to see Kara's new found Maxxinista shine! If you're still scrounging up Christmas gift ideas, check out T.J.'s! T.J's quality and standards are high with trusted brands that you'll love. AND the off-prices but will have your wallet singing your praises while still allowing you to give amazing gifts to those you love.

Be sure to check out the Marshalls/T.J. Maxx YouTube channel to join in their Carol-oke celebration!!

 For every consumer who uploads a video singing one of our original carols, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls will donate $1 towards the purchase of a brand new toy to Toys for Tots up to $50,000. So sing your heart out.

Also, if you decide to join in the carolers, you could win a $5000 shopping spree! Just think how far that would go! Be sure to read the contest details for yourself while you're there.

This post was merely to spread the word about a YouTube Caroloke event. And the good deals to be had at T.J. Maxx to help some of my readers save money this shopping season. I received two gift cards to help facilitate the  Secret Santa blogger event. All the opinions are my own, take it or leave it.