How about that scrapbook page eh? It took me HOURS and I basically looked at one of Erica’s and a digital scrapbook freebie and tried to make it work. There’s a lot going on but I think it’s kinda cute… Perhaps too cute for a page about pet peeves. Oh well.
1. People honking behind me the millisecond the light turns green. Seriously? They must do this intentionally.
2. When the pizza box is left open. Don’t let the heat out people!
3. People who get way more sleep than I do, but complain about not sleeping. *cough* My husband. *cough*
4. When one guy prolongs the boring staff meeting with stupid questions.
5. When the drive through gets my order wrong and I don’t realize until I get home.
6. Aggressive drivers. I secretly hope I see them on the side of the road later (getting a ticket of course).
7. When people take forever to answer a simple question. … I was just looking for a yes or no.
8. When people don’t leave a voicemail when they call… Especially when they keep calling.
9. When people use religion as an excuse to be racist or discriminatory. God don’t like ugly. So don’t bring him into it.
10. Unsolicited parenting advice. I didn’t ask.
I’m constantly embarrassing myself so it was only a little challenging thinking of what to share in my journal for my kids. These two definitely take the cake though.
The email I accidentally sent to my new boss was sent to my internship coordinator right after I found out I got the job. I was horrified. Luckily, he was a really nice guy and laughed it off.
During my first pregnancy I went to work wearing two totally different shoes. I blogged about it here.
Today’s pages for my book aren’t too exciting but you win some, you lose some. I’m LOVING reading and seeing your posts. I’ve been trying to visit everyone’s blog and comment (turn off capatcha!!).
Don’t forget to link up on this post if you’re playing along. There you’ll also find the graphics to use in Photoshop or another editing program to design pages for a printable book. Erica just finished up and sent me the week 3 designs. There’s a preview below, and you can download them here.
Since I was 16 years old I’ve always had a job. I’ve had jobs back to back while in school, through college, and every time I’ve moved. I’ve done everything from telling at a bank, to fast food, to movie theaters, day care, janitorial work, and of course all sorts of journalism jobs.
After having my daughter I knew I’d go back to work because my husband was finishing up school and looking for a new career himself. This time I’ve had a little more leeway in deciding what I want to do job-wise, but I’ve been in no hurry to leave the workforce just yet. I told myself maternity leave would be a good trial for me to see what life is like as a stay at home mom, and boy has it been interesting.
I’m only six weeks in with six weeks to go and so far we’ve gone on several play dates, soccer practices, a trip to the pool, and other random outings. I always thought if I was a stay at home mom, all of those kids activities I’ve been pinning on Pinterest boards for my kids would be put to good use. We’d be doing science experiments, making our own playdough and sidewalk chalk. I have more than 100 pins on that board and guess how many I’ve done on maternity leave? … ZIP.
First of all, I don’t know how people manage to keep the house clean when they’re home all day. I admire people who can do that, but it’s just not within my capabilities. Then, when I think of doing some DIY project I have to ask myself how much messier the house is going to get. I used to just pick a few crafts up on the way home with my daughter and we’d craft it up between dinner and bed time. Now I have all day and I can’t seem to make plans to create something fun. Then there’s the planning and prep work involved in “what are we gonna do today?”
Playdates have been lifesavers for my lack of creativity. We went to my friend Taylor’s house and the kids made juice and played til dinnertime.
A few weeks ago I made a nice list of free story times around town, and other free regular events like music time, or baby day at the children’s museum. I had it down to a schedule–And I lost it. I haven’t had the energy to attempt to make another yet.
I can’t help but feel like my child is now dumber for having hung out with me for the last six weeks. The other day I told my daughter I’d help her with something in 10 seconds, and she started counting “One, three, four…” Really? Have I been that horrible of a mom to where she forgot how to count already?
I tried to make up for this, and her break from preschool by “homeschooling” with cool writing and reading ipad apps. Then I’ve been making dotted letters for her to connect on her own, spelling her name and other words. Yea, that’s about the extent of my education system during my time as a stay at home mom. I sorta suck. And she’s played with my ipad so much that it’s no longer cool anymore. She’s much rather play pretend with me or color.
I’m thinking I may end up investing in *one of these BabbaBoxes for the summer. They’re suppose to have all sorts of activities and games cut out and prepared already with different themes for each month of the summer. Less work for me! It may actually be the answer to my prayers, but we’ll see. Anyone tried one? They’re 10% off right now using the code: SURVIVE. I wonder if they’ll start making these things for moms who need help preparing dinner too. Now there’s an idea, order a box that comes filled with everything you need for dinner the whole month.
On the positive side of my stint at home, I did complete all eight seasons of Desperate Housewives and I’ve begun to embark on Scandal and Parenthood. Don’t worry… I don’t watch those shows when the kids are awake. Those are for my enjoyment between the hours of 10pm and 2am.
My husband works nights so in the morning when he goes to the gym he’ll take Lil’ J so I can try to get a little work done if the baby decides to nap. Other than that it’s just me and the babes from about noon til bed time, since he gets home after they’re asleep. So I’m counting down til his days off when I can catch a bit of a break and go out by myself or heck… use the bathroom alone.
My daughter NEEDS to start taking naps again. She did at preschool but I haven’t made her at home and I’m regretting that decision. A two hour nap would really help me get a handle of things. I could even do “lesson planning” during that time, make crack at Pinterest things, or if I get a BabbaBox to plan for me, I could use that time to sew.
I get it now. I never understood why stay at home moms said they don’t get “a break”, I mean it’s not like I get a break when I’m working then coming home to kids. But I do get a break from doing the same thing every day all day, day in and day out.
Don’t get me wrong, I freakin love my kids. They are the coolest and cutest in the world. But it’s nice getting paid while having uninterrupted adult conversations.
I’m turning things around though. I’m going to try to find a new groove and plan a schedule. Is that the key to doing this right? I’m determined to end my maternity leave on a good note, and not feel like a total loser.
How do you plan things to do with your kids during the summer, or the time you spend extended periods of time together at home?
*= Sponsored by BabbaCo. Click to learn more about the all-inclusive boxes filled with learning activities, books and more for the kids.
I’m not a style blogger by any means, but I am a practical woman who happens to have just had a baby five weeks ago. I’m dying to get back into my pre-baby clothes, if for no other reason than I don’t want to have to buy new sizes in everything.
A little over a month ago I was contacted by BLANQI to do a review on their new, more affordable line coming to Target stores. It’s called Bumped by BLANQI. The line features maternity and postpartum tanks that support your belly, or slim the post-baby curves.
I wasn’t brave enough to put on a sports bra and leggings and dance around for a photo demo, but I found a lovely model to do it for me.
I was brave enough to put on normal clothes and put a little make up on.
I have other maternity/postpartum tanks and honestly, I can’t get enough of them. So I was excited to try this one out and tell you about it. First, to explain what I think of it I’m going to compare it to other types of shirts I have with similar results in mind:
-I have a maternity/postpartum tank that stretches long to cover up zippers that may or may not be buttoned/zipped.
-I have belly bands that do the same thing, and maybe a bit of belly slimming, but they aren’t tank tops that go all the way up the back.
-I have nursing tanks that unsnap when I’m feeding my baby, but they aren’t real long or stretchy.
Capri jeans: Old Navy; Necklace: Banana Republic; Cami: c/o Bumped by BLANQI
The Bumped by BLANQI cami is sort of like the best of all of these. The cami swoops down below the bust line, (“low ridin”)so there’s no need to unsnap both your cami and your nursing bra. It’s long and stretchy, so even though I appear to be fitting in my pre-pregnancy size 4s, no one knows they aren’t actually buttoned or zipped. … Well, now you do.
The cami also helps me “suck it in” for pictures, without actually having to suck it in, in a good way. I mean, it’s slimming, but not restricting. It’s also very breathable, and it has a nice stay-dry design.
Big T’s Romper: Baby GAP (via consignment); Lime onesie: Baby GAP (via consignment)
Overall it’s really comfortable, and I honestly wear it almost every day. In fact, I am ordering another one in black. For just $34.99 it’s worth it for a new wardrobe staple. And since I’ll be nursing my little guy for at least a year (maybe two) it’ll come in handy when we’re out and about.
I recorded a video so you can see how it works. Big T told be he wanted to be in it but then he fell asleep right before we hit record (I didn’t bore him to death I swear). I haven’t done a video review in a long time so I was a bit rusty, my husband was uninterested, and I still haven’t managed my postpartum blog/life balance during daylight hours. All that is to say… Don’t judge.
The only criticism I have, which comes with a lot of tops made of this material, is sometimes it rolls up and doesn’t stay stretched out flat, depending what I’m wearing. It’s pretty flawless with jeans, but sometimes with yoga pants or workout clothes it’ll roll up. Still, not bad enough to keep me from buying another.
I’m giving away a BUMPED by BLANQI maternity or postpartum nursing/smoothing cami in black or ivory (your choice!), and a $25.00 Target gift card to one lucky reader. All you have to do is enter in the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!
I imagine “mother” must be on the top of almost everyone’s list. That’s made me think a lot this mother’s day about how I can do my best at being a good influence and role model for my son and daughter.
I actually came up with well more than 10 people so I tried to squeeze some together in groups, and I still came up with 11. Some of these people probably don’t even realize they had such an influence on me.
On the air I'm an anchor and reporter, delivering the news to the great people of the Lone Star State. Off the air I'm a wife, new mom and wanna-be Domestic Diva. In both worlds I'm trying to find out if it's possible for me to truly have my cake and eat it too.
