At An End?

Um, hello? November, where do you go to?

Wasn't it just yesterday that I celebrated Halloween? You seem to have slunk in so quickly and left like the hounds of hell were nipping at your heels.

November with its fall goodness, crisp weather (okay, not so much in Florida, but still!), and scent of pumpkin pie is departing.

Now it's time to make way for December and all it's craziness.

Colder weather (one can pray!), packed shopping malls, hot cocoa and family time all wrapped up in a nice little thrown together bow is what December is to me.

Now we can finally listen to Christmas music without shame and eat gingerbread cookies until our belts fly off.

Sure, I'm sad to see November go... but hell, who can compete with Christmas and all its twinkly lights?

Yeah, I thought so.

Dear Roo: Bad Mommy Edition

Dear Roo,

I know I've been a bad mommy and haven't written you a letter in a few months. As you know, things around this house have been crazy. When we weren't dealing with an exploding appendix, we had cysts on the brain, migraines, colds and more.

It's been hell, to say the least (I can say that since I'm your Mommy, just don't repeat it).

But instead of writing about it, we've been outside soaking up the last of the warm weather, playing in the dirt, growing green beans in the garden and making Daddy's deuce and a half your very own playground.

The holidays were also thrust upon us and we celebrated Halloween as kitty kats and stuffed ourselves with Turkey and Pumpkin Cake on Thanksgiving. Now we have to deal with Christmas. We put up your tiny tree on Thanksgiving and everyday since you've taken almost every ornament off the tree to cart around in your pockets or in your bed.

It's hard to believe Novemeber will soon be gone for good and Christmas will truly be thrust upon our doorstep. We have lots planned, including a road trip to see Grandma and Grandpa and hopefully, snow (I put in a request, let's see what Grandpa can do for you).

These past few months you've taken a liking to the baby in my belly and while you still refuse to sit still so she can kick your hand, you know who she is and if asked, you can point her out. I know in my heart that you are going to be an amazing big sister. You're so kind and sharing with other playmates that I know this baby will have nothing to fear.

You're the best little toddler in the world and if I could get you potty trained, I'd feel like the best Mommy in the world.

I love you so very much,

Mommy

Maybe It's For You?

Yesterday I talked about my dislike for Black Friday.

Today I'm preaching about Cyber Monday... and how much easier it is to find and get deals without endless lines, crazy ladies swinging purses and kids trampling your toes.

One of my favorite places to shop on Cyber Monday is Stride Rite. As Moms you know that kids go through shoes like crazy and as a Mom you know that Stride Rite is a great product (and well worth the money).

To celebrate, Stride Rite and Global Influence is hosting a Twitter Pre-Party Sunday, November 29th from 9 to 10 p.m. EST to kick off Cyber Monday's sales. Community manager, Shannan Powell (@slpowell) will be at the helm keeping things rolling! She'll be talking Cyber Monday shopping tips and preparing for the crazy holidays in general using the #CyberMonday hashtag.

Where does Stride Rite come in, you ask? Well, there will be seven Stride Rite gift card winners and participants will be among the first to learn about the Fan Celebration Day on Facebook.

Does this sound like fun to you? To learn more and RSVP, go here.

Also, Stride Rite works into this whole thing with their Fan Celebration Day on Facebook. If you've got a Facebook account and love Stride Rite, become a fan. On Cyber Monday, Stride Rite Facebook fans are invited to log on from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST for hourly giveaways with yummy prizes including gift cards and gift bags from Stride Rite Children's Group brands including: Saucony Kids, Sperry Top-Sider Kids, and more.

There's also be a fan-only coupon for Cyber Monday shopping on Stride Rite's website and a mystery prize valued at over $600 that fans can enter to win throughout the day!

So mark your calendar's for tomorrow's Twitter Party and sign up for Stride Rite's Fan Celebration Day on Facebook.

I'll be there!

It's Just Not For Me

Yesterday when I went to pick up the paper at the end of the road, I had to grunt as I picked it up... because it, seriously, weighed that much. It was packed full of sales flyers full of doorbusters.

I sat down before we ate and trudged through all the crap and have to admit it, I wasn't impressed.

Sure, there were great deals but nothing that made me even contemplate, for a second, getting up out of my warm bed at 4am.

I did Black Friday once and it sucked, never again.

So I spent my Black Friday with my hubby and the tot at the park and then we came home made leftover turkey sammiches and had a picnic outside.

How did you spend yours? Get any deals?

It's in the air

Maybe it's the cooler weather that has FINALLY moved into Central Florida. Maybe it's all the Holiday commercials on the television.

Maybe it's just my desire to eat Christmas Tree cookies.

Who knows, but I am in the mood for a Merry Christmas.

I'm in the mood to shop, wrap, bake and decorate.

I'm so tempted that I want to put up our Christmas tree, right now!!

I'm also in the mood to eat turkey and stuffing and be with family.

As I'm sure you are.

Enjoy your Turkey Day!

No Way Sister.

Everyone deep down knows their child is not an angel.

I know mine's not... far from it! She's a child that is still adjusting to this big old world and doesn't really have all the rules of life firmly in her little noggin.

I accept that.

What I don't accept is someone, especially someone I'm not a fan of, disciplining my child.

Even if my child is in the wrong, I hate it when another person snaps at my kid.

I do my damnest not to discipline anyones child simply because it's not my child. Sure, if there's a kid playing on the highway, I'll stop and ask where their Mom is because I'm not that stupid.

But when someone does it right in front of me it makes my blood boil.

It's like a slap in the face saying I don't know how to control my own child. Which I can, simply because I'm her Mom and she would 100x more listen to me than to some stranger.

Am I wrong in feeling this way? Or maybe I'm just having one of those days where the wrong person said the wrong thing at the wrong time?

Or maybe I'm just crazy?

Nahhhhhh.

Honesty IS the best policy

Sometimes it's hard to bare your soul to the blogging world.

I mean, you're really putting yourself out there to be judge and when you do it, you know that there's people out there in the world that read your babble, roll their eyes and click on to the next blog. Probably thinking the whole time that you really shouldn't be blogging or that you've lost your marbles.

I accept that.

Truly, I do.

I've accepted the fact that I am probably more on the wrong side of weird than most people.

And I try to be honest with my reader's 100%. You guys know I'm not perfect and that my daughter eats mac-n-cheese more than she should, but that's why you keep coming back... right?

Anyways, I'm getting off track.

The whole point of this blog was to tell you honestly what I encountered this morning when I dumped a basket of trash this morning... maggots.

Seriously.

There were maggots in my trashcan.

In my house.

In my room.

Where my child sleeps.

I'll pause for the entire blogging world to shudder.

Because Lord knows I am.

GROSS!


I have this trash can that my Mother lovingly bought for me because I collect a lot of trash in my daily life. But the thing is, I tend to forget about this trash can. It's in the corner, I don't use it as much as I should (not that I just throw my trash on the floor, I just tend to take most of it to the bathroom trash can or to the one in the kitchen).

So I passed by said trashcan (thanks Mom!) and thought, why not clean it out?

Yeah, there was a pee-pee diaper hidden WAAAAAAAAYYYY down in the bottom... with maggots on it.

*shudders*

I've never ran so fast (so pregnant) with a trashcan in my life!

Now, I've been so honest here with you, now be honest with me and tell me I'm not the only one who has forgotten a trashcan... or a pee-pee diaper... Right?

I'm not, am I?

Right?

:)

Where Did That Come From?

In the last week I've noticed something different about myself.

I catch it out of the corner of my eye; I see it when I pass a window or a mirror. Most of the time I have to stop whatever it is I'm doing and STARE... simply because I cannot believe it.

It, of course, is my belly.

Suddenly my belly has blossomed into a full-fledged preggo belly.

I didn't even notice it too much when I post my picture the other week until my Mom called and said my belly was huge.

Yesterday as I chased Roo around, I passed my reflection and gasped.

Where did it come from?

I know how it got there, I just wasn't paying any attention and all of a sudden I look like I'm 8 months pregnant!

Someone even said to me, already, that I looked like I was going to pop. Of course, I just shook my head and said, "You ain't seen nothin' yet."

Now that I've noticed it, really noticed it, I can't stop staring at it.

And apparently, neither can anyone else.

:)

Break Time

I haven't been feeling the blog this week (if you can't tell by my lack of posts).

We all go through it as writers.

And the best way to deal with it, is to take a step back and breath.

I'll be away the rest of the week (not that there's much left of it) and be back on Monday with (hopefully) fresh, witty banter to share with you.

Enjoy your week(end)!

Is Motherhood Not Appealing?

I was reading a parenting magazine and there was an article about a motherhood movie that came out last month. It was a movie I never even saw a trailer for, let alone a poster.

Then I started thinking about past shows on television about motherhood and the "hassles" that come with being a mom, of course with a humorous twist.

None of them seemed to survive (at least to my knowledge).

And I wondered: Why?

Why don't shows and movies about being a hassled mother with too much to do appeal to the masses?

Is it because as Moms we don't want to spend what free time we have being reminded about things that aren't really that funny? Maybe because as Moms we want our entertainment to be soaked with hot vampires or funny leading men that can cook?

What do you think?

I Want. I Want. I Want.

I'm sure sure if it's my fault, or maybe it's societies fault but my sweet, innocent little toddler has turned into a "Gimme Monster."

What is a "Gimme Monster" you ask?

It's my daughter, who flips through all the pages in the toy catalog and points to at least one item on every page and says: I want.

Or all the toy commercials on television, she sees them, watches them with wide eyes and says: I want.

This must be something that all kids go through, right?

The funny thing is I'm not even sure she knows what she's asking for... I mean, come on what 2 1/2 year old really needs a race car that zooms up the wall? Or the Bendaroo twisty rolled things that would for sure get lost in twenty minutes?

No way, jose.

And I feel silly sitting her down and explaining to her that it's okay to want things but just because you say "I want" doesn't necessarily mean you get it.

Or as her Daddy often says, "People in hell want ice water."

It's okay to want, I do it all the time. I want a new Coach purse or I want my car cleaned, but it's not going to happen anytime soon (especially the car because I HATE cleaning my car out).

Do you think I'm even getting to her? Or maybe I'm just wasting my breath? Maybe I should just say, "Okay" when she does this and pray that come Christmas morning she won't pull out a scroll of a list and ask where her huge riding dinosaur is.

24 Weeks & Some Odd Days

It's been awhile since I posted a belly picture... so here you go!

Fun & Sun in Miami

When most people think of Miami, they think of a hot, sexy city crowded with bikini bods, exotic drinks and trendy boutiques and restaurants that cater to only the hip, kid-free crowd.

While a part of Miami is exactly that, if you look past the art deco neon lights, the bouncers posted at clubs and $1000 bottles of champagne, you’ll find that Miami dances to many different beats.
And one of those beats is my kind of beat: the kid-friendly beat.

During the sunlight hours, Miami comes alive with family-friendly activities. Besides miles and miles of gorgeous white sand beaches, Miami is home to a fantastic zoo, a unique seaquarium and one of the best children’s museums around.

Of course, after soaking up all the fun and sun that Miami offers, your family is going to need a great kid-friendly hotel to recuperate at and get all that sand out of your toes.

If you’re looking for a high end resort to relax at, the Acqualina Resort and Spa is the perfect spot. While it’s a splurge, it’s a very worthy splurge for Moms and Dads that are exhausted and would love a little relief.

While you relax and soak up some much needed adult-amenities, your kids can get a dose of education at the AcquaMarine kids club. Revolving around all things marine related, kids can learn about waves, sea creatures and even the Coast Guard.

On hotel grounds the Acqualina offers a zero entry pool perfect for toddlers, a kid specific computer room and special menus geared just for kiddie appetites.

A great mid-range hotel in Miami that caters to families is the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. The motto at Loews is “Lowes Loves Kids” and boy, do they mean it!

Loews offers a great kids camp complete with fun counselors that organize games and contests to keep kids involved.

Besides the kids camp, Loews has a toy library where kids can rent out beach toys. On site is also a DVD library with age-appropriate movies and games for even more entertainment and even more quiet time for Mom and Dad.

All restaurants on the Loews property, with the exception of Emeril’s, have kid menus.

The Marriott Doral Golf Resort is priced more reasonably but that doesn’t mean it lacks any of the fun amenities. A specifically designed kids club is cheerfully called Camp Doral. For kids 5-12 (babysitting services are offered for kiddies under 5), Camp Doral appeals to kids with fun activities like art and crafts, tug of war games, tennis, sandcastle contests and more.

Not only does the Marriott have Camp Doral, it is home to a 125 foot water slide at the Blue Lagoon water park with pools themed just for kids.

More great amenities at the Marriott Doral Golf Resort include family friendly golf and kid-themed menus at the restaurants.

With these three resorts offering tons of stuff for kids and families to do, either together or separately, Miami is the perfect choice for your next family vacation. So forget the images of Miami being just for singles and replace it with your family tanned and having fun.

This is a Traveling Mom dedicated post.

Love/Hate Relationship

I have a total love/hate relationship with maternity jeans.

I love how maternity jeans are soft and stretchy without feeling like you're wearing sweatpants (which all pregnant woman love to wear, admit it). Unlike regular jeans, maternity jeans allow you to move without grunting and swearing with an tight waistband digging into your flesh.

And maternity fashion has come a long way, so maternity jeans tend to be pretty trendy.

The bad thing about maternity jeans, the thing that makes me hate them so... is that they are soft and stretchy. So as you move about your busy day, they tend to slide down exposing that wonderful belly panel (that never matches the shirt you are wearing).

I spend half my day pulling my pants up like some teenage thug.

Or if you buy maternity pants with the small belly panel, kinda like the thick stretchy waistband kind, they ride down and show the world your ass crack.

Not pretty, at all.

Maternity jeans just frustrate me to no end, especially because I kinda have no choice in wearing them (no one would walk next to me if all I wore was sweatpants, hubby included). And since it's finally getting colder in Florida, I have to put up all my skirts and dresses and wear jeans.

So damn you maternity jeans, damn you!

Prepping For Resolutions

I can never remember my New Years resolutions.

Sometimes I make them at the beginning of the year, sometimes I don't... probably more don't than do because, like I said, I can never remember them.

But today I came up with a good one.

Inspired by the ladies who coupon (such as Money Saving Mom and Hip2Save), I've decided to truly give coupon-ing a chance this upcoming year.

Especially since we have another baby on the way and babies = $$$$.

My aunt does this and I've seen her walk out of a store purchasing over $80 worth of products and paying a mere $13 for it all.

I mean, if she can do so can I!

And saving money makes me giddy.

And maybe, just maybe, I'll save us enough money we can finally take that family vacation we've been talking about.

So if you have any tips, hints, ideas, websites, whatever that can help me with this resolution, leave me a comment. :)

Tis The Season... Almost

Yesterday I went to Target to scout some of their after Halloween deals. I walked all the way to the back of the store and found... Christmas.

Somehow Christmas showed up and exploded all over Target.

And the funny this is, unlike last year, I was quite excited about this.

I saw the twinkling lights, the tacky pink flamingos wearing Santa hats, heard the carols and got excited!

This is not to say I still don't love Thanksgiving, because I do. But Christmas is coming!

I've already started thinking about all the cookies I will make, the presents I will (and will not) buy, I'm making lists, I'm googling movies to watch... you'd think I've lost my mind.

I'm still going to stick with my goal and not put up a tree before Thanksgiving and hopefully, unlike last year, I will stick with it.

But I'm tempted... oh, I'm tempted.




Speaking of Christmas, if you haven't noticed, I'm doing my first ever Holiday Gift Guide. If you're interested in having me review a product or want something of your own added (etsy shops ENCOURAGED!), shoot me an email.

Medela Mom Maven

I'm a big fan of breastfeeding.

I breastfed Roo for 22 months, loving the results and the closeness and how we bonded together because of it. So when I heard about the Medela Mom Mavens, I quickly googled it and signed up. I'm happy to announce: they liked me!

So I'm a proud Medela Mom Maven breastfeeding ambassador!

What is a Medela Mom Maven you ask?

They are mothers like me and you. Medela Mom Mavens are both fresh out of the gate Mommys and experienced pros that know how to get a kid to sleep through the night. A Medela Mom Maven is a Mommy that is constantly sharing information, opinions and ideas on parenting and everything that comes with it. Medela Mom Mavens are are Mommies that work hard to provide their babies the very best by breastfeeding.

A little background on Medela from their website: Olle Larsson founded Medela in 1961 in Zug, Switzerland, and the company continues to grow under the ownership of the Larsson family. For nearly 30 years Medela’s U.S. presence, McHenry, Ill.-based Medela, Inc., has supported moms’ and babies’ health through the live-giving benefits of breastmilk. To fulfill its mission, Medela works to provide innovative products, education and support to millions of breastfeeding and breastpumping mothers.

And did you know that November is National Prematurity Awareness Month?

To honor it, Medela is hosting a virtual Mothers' Milk contest. The goal is to help spread the word about how breast milk can help protect premature infants from very serious health complications.

Starting today, you can click this link to register and vote for your favorite NICU hospital. Four winning hospitals will benefit from $5,000 each worth of Medela products for their NICUs, which is fantastic to hospitals that need every bit of help they can get.

From time to time I'll be posting about breastfeeding, especially when we embark on that journey with the second baby. If you are interested in becoming a Medela Mom Maven, click on this link to take a survey to see if you match up with Medela's mission.

Smarty Pants the Parrot

I'd always heard stories about kids repeating everything you say once they reached a certain age.

I laughed about it because a kid saying a dirty word is funny to me. Kind of like that picture of the three year old flipping the bird at a football game, funny.

Of course that is until it happened to me and it was my toddler saying a four letter word.

I was shocked!

And my husband didn't think it was so funny either.

And of course, it was me she got the word from and another one later that day and again the next day.

I know I have somewhat of a potty mouth but thought I had more time to clean my mouth out with soap.

But when your daughter says the word "douche bag" I think it's time to look into a 12 step program and refined your language.