Birthday in a Box review.

Do you have a birthday or other celebration coming up? Are you dreading the picking out of every little detail? Don't get me wrong. I love birthdays. In fact I have been told more than once that I go a *bit* overboard when it comes to them. But this year I have had absolutely no time to plan his party! I feel really guilty about it because I did so much for Dexter's first birthday. I was pretty bummed that I didn't even have time to go buy him coordinating birthday decorations, then I stumbled upon a website called Birthday in a box. Which is literally what it sounds like, a whole Birthday part in a box. Well minus the Birthday boy and his guests. 

Fun Bites review

Now that Dexter is at the ripe old age of almost three, he needs to do everything by himself. Unless I ask him to and then he doesn’t want to.. One thing I have been trying to let him help with more is in the kitchen, he has been making his own sandwiches lately (I toast the bread for him and he’s got the rest!) But the problem is he gets frustrated when he can’t cut his sandwich himself. He doesn’t like crust so it is necessary that we cut his sandwiches.
I was looking online when I found this great product called FunBites! I was intrigued by its design, it looks like nothing I have ever seen before. It comes with two pieces a cutting piece that cuts the sandwich into either squares or hearts, and a top piece that pushes the food out. Super simple. Easy enough for a two year old.
So what is Funbites?

Home made Kool-Aid Playdough!

Okay so FOREVER ago.. like 3 months. We made home made play dough! It was so much fun and I really wanted to post it and show everyone because it was way easier than I thought it was going to be! So today I am getting around to it. Finally.
Here is what you need:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tsp Cream of Tartar
1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
1 cup water
1/2  packet of Kool-Aid

ten minute self esteem

Saturday I went out shopping for some new spring clothes all by myself. I was pretty excited! As I went to different stores I noticed something, I was wearing a smaller size. All my efforts of running and eating less were working. I was elated. As I stood in the dressing room staring myself down wearing a pair of jeans one size smaller than my normal size, and for the first time in years wearing a juniors shirt I thought "Maybe I am not as bad as I think. Maybe the world doesn't see what I see when I look at myself  Maybe they don't see all my imperfections my love handles, stretch marks from my two blessings, my new giant hips, and my large arms. Maybe they see something else." At that moment starring into the mirror really giving myself a shake down I liked what I saw. I felt pretty. I felt a way I have not felt since Max was born.

Photo ready giveaway

Welcome to the Photo Ready Giveaway Event

Wordless Wednesday!

Holly crap batman it has been so long since I posted pictures!! I can't decided which to post. hehe

Can you believe this little stinker is almost one!?

$100 LOWES GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY!

We are giving away a $100 Lowes Gift Card this week! It is in honor of a new book, Start, by Jon Acuff that was just released. Everyone I know who has read it, has loved it!
It is really good at showing how you stop living an ordinary life and get your passions "unstuck". The great thing is that it could be applied to nearly ANY passion. To enter, simply click on the "Answer a Question about START" in the box below and follow the directions. If you have a twitter account, you can even get an extra entry into the contest each day.
a Rafflecopter giveaway Good luck! Thanks so much to HHE for sponsoring this giveaway & post.

Kiss the cook blogger opp

Kiss the Cook Event

Organized by: Mom Powered Media

Prize: Rachael Ray Cookware Prize Package

Event dates: 6/3 - 6/24

SIGN-UP HERE!

Please mention that megan from our 5 cents sent you!!

Birthday Express review

So as many of you know Max’s first birthday is coming up! Earlier this month I realized I needed to decide on a theme. I was searching online with no real theme in mind when I found an amazing birthday party website, Birthday express. They have a whole section just for first birthday parties! Not only that, but so many of their party themes are designed just for them. In fact the theme I picked out, Branyard, is exclusive to them. While other websites have Barnyard themes none are as cute as this one!
This is the theme I chose:

Barnyard 1st birthday

Photo ready giveaway sign up!

Photo Ready Giveaway Event

Organized by: Mom Powered Media

Prize: Canon EOS REBEL T4i 18.0 MP CMOS Digital Camera Prize Package {RV$950+}

Event dates: 4/23 - 5/14

SIGN-UP HERE!

Just believe me, please.

So this past week I have been dealing with everyone disagreeing with me. I swear about everything. If I say it someone has to try to correct me. This drives me nuts! Or even when people just feel like arguing with me for no dang reason. You ask  a question and you get your head bit off. Cool it ladies, we are all just trying to make it through the day here.

I can handle it when its my two year old.

“Dex get your shoes”

“Why mommy”

“Because we are leaving”

“NO I MONSTER RAWWWWWWWWWWWR” then he runs in the other room.

I can take that. Well for the most part, by the end of the day I am less patient and its more like I start saying- CAUSE I AM MONSTER AND I SAID SO. But none the less I understand that he is figuring out everything and with that comes the need to tell me no and do things his way.

But adults? UGHHHH. If you did not just sigh, a huge sigh, you should I did. Every thing that has come out of my mouth this week someone has just argued or jumped down my throat for. I just want to scream at people JUST BELIVE ME I KNOW I AM RIGHT! But the thing about me is I don’t like to argue I just smile and say okay! Or it may not even be that I am trying to get them to believe me that the sky is blue but just asking a question and I get reprimanded. A new mom I am kinda friends with, she was the little sister of my friend, said he baby got poked at two weeks. I didn’t know if he was jaundice or getting Vaccinated so I asked, her reply “Yes he got shots, I am not opposed to immunization” I will chalk it up to no sleep but geez girl just asking a simple question. My kids are on Dr. Sears vax schedule (that is what is right for our family I don’t need opinions) so I didn’t know. Go give that baby to daddy and take a nap. Maybe I am taking everything wrong. Maybe I need to take a nap, although I went to bed at nine last night and only got woke up three times so I am pretty rested! I think everyone else is just crazy.

Do you ever have weeks like this? Or is it just me? Next person to argue with me about something stupid or jump down my throat for no reason, I am going to flip out on. Haha you better watch out.

$200 mothers day gift giveaway!

Max's first birthday!

(click the picture for the link)

There are eight great prizes and four lucky winners!

Each week there will be new ways to enter so make sure you check back to the rafflecopter often to make sure you get in as many entries as possible! 

The giveaway will start Wednesday May 8th and end Friday May 30th. Open to US residence 18 yrs & older. This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter, or pintrest. 

All entries will be verified. 

'Just' a mom

  Are you "JUST" a mom?? This is a question I get asked far to often.  It really bothers me,  'Just' a mom like its some meaningless task.  Am I just raising human beings to be a contributing part of our society? Is that what you are asking me? I honestly don't even know what people mean when they ask me this. Are they asking if I am a working mother or if I stay home, if I have some larger task at home to fill my idle time while I twiddle my fingers, if I am also the dad, I really don't know. But I wish people would stop asking me this. I wish they would stop asking all women with children. I'm not really sure when being a mother was no longer enough or why anyone cares what else I am doing besides raising my children.

  First I want to clarify to everyone, its not that I mind being asked if I get to stay home with my kids. I love that I am able to this, its that the word JUST is rude and condescending. If you want to know if a woman also works as well as mothers you might want to re-phrase it. That is if you don't want a smart ass like me to put you in your place. Although I really have no idea why anyone cares, and I have never heard anyone ask my husband the same question. I think he would be confused if someone came up to him and asked if he was just a dad. Or would they ask him if he was just a worker?

  Second there is no such thing as JUST being a mom. Its not a simple task. Its not like an "oh hey I'm just gonna take the trash out be right back" or I am "just" going to watch a few episodes of teen mom while I eat my weight in cookie dough" kinda deal. Its an all day and night seven days a week deal, no bathroom breaks no lunch breaks, no sick days. I wake up every morning to at least one crying kid, a wrangle a ten month old to get the crap off his butt while trying to get my two year old to stop dumping *every* toy he owns on the ground. The fun doesn't stop there all day long I am teaching them, getting food thrown at me, spit up on, asked one million questions, chasing them around, trying to find a pair of pants that does not smell like pee, looking for a sock, feeding someone, holding the other one, kissing boo-boo's, telling jokes, singing songs, listening to that damn little people CD that I loathe but makes my two year old happy on repeat for the one millionth time, trying to get kids out of the house into the car for three hours, going to appointments, going to the library or play dates, and trying my hardest to never get mad or make them feel un-loved. Moms are so under rated. We are amazing people who can multi task like no ones business. We can hear a child getting into a drawer they are not allowed to three rooms away with the doors shut. We can make up the most amazing bed time stories, and one cuddle from us will make a child's bad dreams go away.  We can play pretend and see things no one else can, I can put on a hat and suddenly be transformed into Jessie and my two year old is woody for three hours. All while looking fabulous.

 But if your question is do I get to stay home with my kids? The answer is yes I do. I stay home with them all day,every day. But I want to clarify, just because I do not work out side the home or bring in any money that does not make me less valuable to our marriage or my family.  My husband and I chose this life. He worked very hard all his life to get the job he has and to provide a way for me to stay home and raise our babies. I gave up my career and monetary things so that I could be home with my kids. We have both given up a lot for me to stay home, but it has all been worth it for us.
So am I just a mom? No, I am a damn good mom who can probably do more in one hour than most people can do in one day. I choose to stay home with my kids because there will be time to make money later but my kids will never be little again. So please don't ask me or anyone else if they are JUST a mom. Being a mom is a great thing and deserves a lot more respect than it is given these days. And just because I don't work doesn't mean I am not valuable to my family.

To be totally clear I think there is nothing wrong with working and being a mom too. Its all about what is right for your family.

Does anyone else hate getting asked if they are JUST a mom?

Wordless wednesday

Our Easter egg hunts. Somehow I did not manage to get any pictures of the boys in their Easter Sunday clothes. Probably because Dexter was crying the whole time because he woke up to early and only wanted to eat candy not go to church.. Oh well here they are looking cute hunting for eggs!

Our first egg hunt!

Our second egg hunt!

This is Dexters new "smile" face..

Max discovered sand.

It does not feel good in your eyes.

Lucky for him he has a good daddy!

Third egg hunt!

Fourth egg hunt

Egg hunt at home.

He had to wear the ears while looking for his eggs.

Checkin out his awesome easter basket.

Zipadee-Zip review and giveaway!

I am so excited to share this AMAZING product with you! I have been fortunate enough to review a lot of great things since having my blog but this is honestly the first thing that has changed our lives. I am not being just super sales lady here because I am not selling anything and I don't get anything for saying this, but this is now my go to gifts for new moms and dads. Let me start off by telling you Max has never been a good sleeper. Never slept through the night, never took long naps, before we got our Zippy he only fell asleep by himself maybe 4 times in his life. After he out grew his swaddler it got even worse and I just thought there was no hope for us! Things got even worse for us three weeks ago I was getting no sleep, Max was not taking his naps, and I was super grumpy mama. I could no longer function. We had just moved into our new apartment and Max had just turned nine months old which in my husbands eyes meant he no longer needed to be sleeping in our bed. I am not sure why but since we parent together we talked about it and although I personally love having him in the bed, honestly I would let Dexter sleep in my bed too if I could, we made the big switch. It was not going well so the Monday that my Zipadee-Zip arrived I was thrilled! It was perfect to because it was nap time.
The first time I put him in it I tried just laying him down and it didn't work, I was pretty bummed. So I nursed him and let him fall asleep in my arms and he slept THREE hours. My son has never taken a three hour nap, 30 minutes at most. I was thrilled! But I was still looking for more. I had read so many stories of babies learning to self soothe in these without ever having to "Cry it out". Because that is not an option for me or my babies.
The next week things went much better, I was able to put him down shortly after he fell asleep without him waking up. Normally he would wiggle his arms and promptly wake up. Plus my husband was now able to put him to sleep! He normally only goes to sleep for me.
Last week though was our AMAZING week. It finally happened. I am now able to put Max down after nursing him wide awake and he will go to sleep by himself without ever crying. Not one tear. I love it. His morning naps are one hour long and his afternoon naps are 2-3 hours long!! He has gotten a lot happier as well. So have I. We are both finally getting the sleep we need. And although he still wakes up at night to eat he goes right back to sleep. No more rocking him for 30-45 minutes, no more sneaking out of his room. Just nurse him and lay him down. It has been so amazing for us.
If you are thinking he has just "Learned" how to sleep, you are wrong. The other day I made a mistake.  A big nap time costing mistake. I washed his Zippy and forgot to throw it in the dryer. When nap time came I suddenly remembered, but thought it would be okay. It took me thirty minutes to get him to fall asleep in my arms and the moment I laid him down he cried out. By the time he was finally asleep again his zippy was dry and I put him in it and he napped for 3 hours. This truly is a miracle product! My son has been sleeping so well. I thought he was just going to be a bad sleeper since I stopped swaddling him but that has all changed! If your baby is a bad sleeper I would highly recommend this product to you. Or if you are looking for a baby shower gift, every new parent needs one of these!

Here is a little bit more about the product from Zipadeezip.com:

• The Zipadee-Zip was designed to aid the swaddle transition.
• It provides the cozy , enclosed feel and sensation of the womb or swaddle but full range of movement to push up and roll over.
• It encourages longer, sounder sleep for babies who have never been swaddled!
• It keeps a little one’s hands warm all night long.
• It prevents a baby from scratching their face (great for babies with eczema).
• It teaches a baby to self-soothe to sleep by providing a cozy environment to get comfortable in.
• It helps aid the transition from a Rock and Play Sleeper or a Swing to a Crib.
• It makes diaper changes a cinch!
• It makes trips to the doctors’ office a breeze (the baby can be buckled in to a car seat in the Zippy and the Zippy can be easily removed off of a sick little one for a doctor check-up).
• EASY TO USE!   A much easier alternative to PJ’s due to the zip enclosure and no arm or leg holes to fuss with!  PERFECT FOR BIGGER OR OLDER BABIES TOO!
• Perfect for stroller rides on cold days!  Can be buckled into a stroller and you don’t have to worry about blankets falling off!

Max after a restful nap in his Zippy!

Perfectly able to crawl around in his Zippy so I don't have to worry about him rolling over and not being able to get back to a safe position.

Would you like to win one of your own?? Enter the rafflecopter below! Open to US residence 18+. All entries will be verified so please don't cheat!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pregnancy memories!

Being Pregnant- Dexter

Some fun for today :)

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED?
Yes! I wanted a baby SOOO bad!

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?
Yes, 1 year. We had been together four years though.

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?
Crying, screaming, jumping! All out of joy of course.

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU?
Never. Never will be either.

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU?
22, 23 when he arrived. My first "tummy" picture. Yes I was in a dressing room trying on maternity clothes!
6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?
I bought a dollar store test and peed on it.....

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?
My husband, then a girl I worked with. We had a fun surprise to tell our families but I couldn't wait so I told her!

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?
Yep!!

9. DUE DATE?
August 21st 2010- born August 27th

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?
You mean all day sickness

11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?
The sauce they put on the quesadillas at Taco Bell.. 

12. WHO IRRITATED YOU THE MOST?
The guy I was working for at the time, but he was just a jerk.

13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILDS SEX?
Boy

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?
Nope! I love my boy!

15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY?
30 glorious baby pounds.

Two weeks before baby was due! 

16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?
Three! I am so loved <3! 

17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?
I knew

18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?
Just the usual being pregnant pains!

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?
Kingsland GA

20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?
4 days active labor, 48 hours indescribable ridiculous pain,  pushed for 6 hours straight

21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?
my husband 

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?
My hubby, 4 nurses, my midwife, another doctor and my mom. The baby got stuck on the way out so everyone was invited in.. lol

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?
au natural

24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?
YES!  I wasn't going to but I did, I actually got two epidurals! 

27. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH??
7lbs 11 oz 

28. DID YOUR CHILD HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS??
  He arrived with both hands in the air. He didn't cry or make any noise, and as my mom likes to say he was purple. 

29. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?
Dexter

30. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY?
2.5

Being Pregnant- Max

I can't forget my little chucamunga baby.

1. WAS YOUR SECOND PREGNANCY PLANNED?
Yes it was, we were trying but he came earlier than what we wanted. We were thinking a July baby but he decided May would be nice! 

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?
Yes, same guy even!

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?
Just as excited and happy as I was with the first!

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU?
NEVER

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU?
24

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?
We took a trip out to Utah and the whole time we were driving through the Canyons I was so sick, we bought a test and sure enough I was knocked up!

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?
My husband and Dexter. Then my mom asked me and I just can't lie to my mom! lol

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?
Yes!

9. DUE DATE?
May 11th I think. I am pretty sure I was two weeks late with him too.

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?
Uhh yeah.

11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?
Chipotle! Luckily I had two very good friends that would make the trek down to Jacksonville with me about once a week.

12. WHO IRRITATED YOU THE MOST?
I can't say. hahaha. But I sure you know who you are.

13. WHAT WAS YOUR  SECOND CHILD'S SEX?
Boy!

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?
No way! I love my boys so much.

15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY?
35

16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?
Nope, my second of the same sex. I believe you only should have a baby shower for your first or if there is a big age gap. Or maybe a small family shower if it is a different sex.

17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?


18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?
I had a toddler to chase around the whole time!

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?
Kingsland GA.

20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?
about 24 hours, I was in the hospital 10 hours, but only pushed for like 45 minutes this time!

21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?
my husband

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?
my husband and midwife. A much smaller crowd this time!

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?
au natural

24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?
I was so close to not. Next time I wont or I will keep trying lol. I got to 8cm's  and thought I was dying.. 

27. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH??
8lbs 10oz
28. DID YOUR CHILD HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS??
    He drank a lot of his amniotic fluid, and was jaundice. Nothing big 

29. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?
Max William
30. HOW OLD IS YOUR SECOND BORN TODAY?
10 months!