Mrs. Bowdangles

Well looks like I'm going to get my bow business off the ground. I have been making bows for Buggers now for a few months. I have also put them at a consignment shop in Corsicana. But I am not wanting to branch out a little more. My mom is helping me and she is a great person to have in my corner. She has lots of experience since she used to be a craft show fanatic back in the 80s. She and my dad would spend hours making wood crafts and handmade dolls to take to church craft shows, founder's day festivals and even to Canton. I have many many many memories of sitting at craft shows helping my parents. I guess I know where I get it. I am hoping to stock the inventory and hopefully do a craft show is October. I have bows, flower clips and headbands. We are going to make some bow hangers too that can be personalized. My main goal is to keep it affordable for everyone. I don't plan on getting super rich off this...however I hope to make a little money and feed this hungry creative bug.

Starring June Bug during tummy time!!

June Bug is such a strong girl!! She is doing so well at holding her head up. We try to give her tummy time each day so she can build those muscles. She has also started cooing and smiling a lot. I love seeing her smile especially when she smiles just seeing you walk up to her. Hubs and I are just so amazed at how good a baby she is. She hardly cries and is so content.

First day of School

First day of School...Bubby starts Kindergarten and Buggers is in PreK4. They are returning to their school from last year. It wasn't such a big deal for them since they are returning to the same classrooms and teachers. Bubby wasn't very happy about getting his picture taken. Of course Buggers posed right up.
Come to find out...he just wanted to take a picture by himself.

So precious!!

Their first day was great. Bubby even told me that he stayed out of trouble! It is so great that I'm at the same school as them. I tried sneaking a peak at them today but was so busy I didn't even reapply lipstick after lunch!! My classroom faces the playground...hoping I can sneak a peak at them tomorrow.

Weight a minute.....

I loaded up on Oprah the last week before I went back to work. She showcased two books on two different shows. After watching, I really want to read both of them. I have never been a bandwagon reader but these really caught my eye. Women Food and God and Eat Pray Love are the two books I want to read. I want to read Women food and God first...I think I go pick it up at Books A Million tomorrow. (I know the library here in town probably won't have it available for several more months). My mom just got Eat Pray Love from my sister...I hope to borrow it after Mom reads it. After having the baby, I am struggling with the weight that I gained being pregnant. I have lost about half of what I gained. My body image has not been the greatest. And the worst part is I know there are many factors that are going to affect my weight loss. I have a case of the "lack ofs"...lack of sleep, lack of time to exercise, and lack of willpower to step away from the double stuffs. Also I enjoy eating....I enjoy eating good food. And very often that good food is not reallly good for me. Adding to the poor body image...I was the smallest I had ever been in my adult life before I got pregnant again. I was very dedicated to eating right and was running atleast 5 times a week. I was training for a half marathon at the time and was getting in great shape. With that in the back of my mind, I feel hopeless because I do not have the time to commit to that type of regimen. Plus I'm still nursing so I can' t go too crazy with my diet. I am going to have to get creative with my exercise plan. Maybe I can sneak in some walking time during lunch. Doing workout videos in the living room is not really feasible so that is kind of out.

I'm hoping I can gain some insight that will jump start me into motion. And to those who are closest to me (at the dinner table) I'll need your help and support!!

Night and Day

While we were in Nederland we saw our dear friends Jeremy and Leeza. We have been friends with them for a long time. It is always so good to see them. We can not talk for weeks or even months (don't think we have ever done that) and we don't seem to miss a beat. After they left I got to thinking about the different paths we have taken. Hubs and I with the 3 kids and Jeremy and Leeza with no kids. As I was putting the kids to sleep I was thinking about the distinct differences in our chosen lifestyles.

Them--They went out for a nice dinner...
Us--Nice, I haven't had dinner and I'm wearing the kids' dinner.

Them--Time to dedicate to exercise and diet (which I have to say they both look amazing!!)
Us--Eat while holding an 8 lb baby-bel and doing the bouncing walk (does that count for strengthening our core?)

Them--Bright eyed and bushy tailed
Us--Puffy eyed and draggin tail

Them--Nice clean freshly pressed clothes
Us--Freshly spit up on clothes

Them--Getting lei-ed in Hawaii this summer
Us--Got laid and had a baby this summer

Our paths have gone different ways but that doesn't mean they have gone separate ways. I think they are more like parallel paths. At any given time we can look over at each other and sneak a peek at the other life. And we can appreciate each other and our friendship.

Nederland.......

I can distinctly remember riding in the back of the car driving through my parents' hometown and listening to all the "Remember this...remember that." I used to roll my eyes and sit there patiently as I listened to the same stories over and over again. I feel like I grew up in Muskogee in the 60s!!

But when I return to what I consider my hometown I find myself doing the same thing. Since we moved around a lot during my childhood for my dad's job. No he wasn't a drug lord fleeing from authorties or a skirty business man jumping from one scheme to the next. He worked for a company that builds power plants so we were always moving from job to job. I consider "home" to be Nederland. That is where I graduated from high school and I went to college 10 minutes from there. This is also were I met Hubs.

Anyway....each time we come back to Nederland there is a sense of nostalgia. When we drove to an old friend's house last night, we pointed out this person's house or the business that used to be there. It is almost like you can picture yourself washing your car at the car wash where you got stranded because your alternator went out. Or remember senior night at the football game where your parents walked you across the field as your name was being called as you pass by the stadium. This little town has many many memories for me and I only lived here for 6 years. I can't imagine the magnitude of memories it has for Hubs who lived here until he was 23.

He wants to move back here pretty bad. Mostly because his family is here. I would not mind moving back here but would need to convince my parents to move too. (hint hint!!)

Mother May I??

"What makes a good mother?" The question was rolling around in my head so I did what you do when you don't know something...I googled it.

Here's one list that I found...
1. Treats each child as an individual. A good mother realizes that every child is not the same.
2. A good mother helps their child set out on their own path.
3. A good mother is one that is willing to "listen, and listen, and listen."
4. One of the hardest things a good mother must be willing to do is to show disapproval when she feels that the child has done something wrong, even though by doing so she may risk rejection from her child.
5. A good mother is willing to stand up for her own beliefs. And in doing so earn the right to have and keep her child's respect.

I really like #1 especially as I have seen how night and day Buggers and Bubby are this summer. Their personalities have presented themselves quite loud and proud!! I suspect #4 becomes harder as your kids get older. At the kids ages right now I imagine they think I'm way cool and the best person to be around. I know that time is short as they become older.

I wasn't quite satisfied with that list so again I turn to google in search of the answer....

This list is alittle more what I was looking for...

Characteristics of a Good Parent
1. A good listener:
As parents, we sometimes are quick to judge our child's actions or choice of words, that we do not hear their cries for love, attention, or help. We should listen to their feelings, reactions, and opinions. Try to understand their point of view. Look at them when they are talking to show that you are hearing their every word. Put down that book, turn off that television, stop what you are doing and listen!

2. A good example:
We should treat our kids as our equals and not as subordinates. The "do as I say and not as I do" mentality doesn't work. Teach your child how to be responsible, caring, a hard worker, patient, etc by exhibiting those characteristics within yourself. It's not too late for you to do so.

3. Makes time for the family:
It's true that many of us have to work to provide our family with the essentials. In doing so, remember that material things cannot substitute love and quality time from a parent. Your child should know that they are important to you. They should not have to compete against your job. The position and title that you hold and your job cannot be passed on, but the love, the traditions, and time put into your family can be carried throughout generations.

4. Get involved in your child's life.
Respect their interests, do not down play them as mediocre. Share in some of the activities you enjoy. Become familiar with the current trends. It may be a little different than what you're used to, but that doesn't mean you can't learn to at least respect it.

5. Displays unconditional love:
Love your child no matter what. Never allow them to have a doubt in their minds of your love for them. At times they may disappoint you, anger you, or even disrespect you, but even during those times they should know that they are loved by you. No one is perfect, we've all made mistakes and will continue to. Shower those imperfections with love.

As "new" parents we are all on this uncharted path of uncertainty. Uncertain we are doing things right and not adding to that therapy bill they will have when they are adults. Molding our children in the right direction is hard when you don't see the benefits right away. With our little ones being so young you often wonder if you are being a positive influence at all. Especially when they are throwing a temper tantrum or saying "this sucks". All I can truly hope for is that they become God loving, caring, driven adults who don't blame me and their dad for everything.

Blogging 101

Today I'm at my mother's house helping her with all her computer/blogging questions. She has been wanting me to come over for a while to show her how to do a few things. I have to say my mom has some pretty good computer skills.

We started off by trying to change her backgroud on her blog. We are currently up to 3 different background because she finds something wrong with them.

"There's no room for clutter. It looks like finger smudges. I can't handle it. Take it off...take it off!!"

This one was rejected for the frayed ribbon.

"I HATE the black...change that and it is good."

After about an hour of searching for a new background...where did we end up? With the background she started with...lol!! Gotta love it!

No Impact

For one year, my wife, my 2-year-old daughter, my dog and I, while living in the middle of New York City, are attempting to live without making any net impact on the environment. In other words, no trash, no carbon emissions, no toxins in the water, no elevators, no subway, no products in packaging, no plastics, no air conditioning, no TV, no toilets…


Could you do this????

This is an excerpt from the blog of No Impact Man. He dedicated one year of his family's life to making no impact on our environment. I began watching his documentary last night and it really made me think about some things. Funny thing is Hubs and I were just talking about this last weekend on our trip to OK. Well let me correct....I was talking about it and he was listening graciously.

How much of an impact of you making on our world?
I'm not some big environmentalist tree hugger who would forego toilet paper to make it a greener world. But I am a recycling, non littering, waste not person who cares about the world I live in. I am pretty adament on two things when it comes to being environmentally conscious...littering and recycling. I have been an avid recycler for many years now. I get so excited when I our big recycle rolling can is 2/3 full each week and our trash can only has 2 bags of trash in it. I think it is pretty amazing that for a family of 5 we only produce 2 bags of trash a week. And yearly that is over 100 bags...But I wonder how I could reduce that by becoming a more conscious consumer. For example, a pitcher of lemonade only produces one small cup for the powder that is recycled versus 10 juice boxes that are not. The packaging that our products come in can be pretty wasteful. Just think about how much trash there is in a value meal at a fast food restaurant...the wrapper for the burger, the carton for the fries, cup, straw, straw wrapper, napkins, ketchup packets, and the bag. That is alot when you break it down that way.

Don't get the wrong idea that I'm going to start becoming some crazy environmental nut...I just want to make less of an impact on our world with my trash and more of an impact with my thoughts and actions.

**If you haven't seen the documentary of No Impact Man it is worth the time. You can find atleast one thing that you could apply to your household (hopefully NOT the absense of toilet paper). Just something to think about....

Baby Brain

It is not from the euphoria of the sweet new bundle of joy...it is from sheer sleep deprivation. I can't even remember what I had for lunch yesterday, let alone what I did last Monday. I feel like I'm a walking zombie on some days. I feel like my gas tank light is always on...screaming EMPTY. Don't get me wrong I get sleep but I don't ever get that deep dreamy sleep. Overall June Bug is a good sleeper. It could definitely be worse. She will sleep for 4-5 hours at a time at night. But the problem lies in that one or both of my other kids aren't asleep yet so I have to wait for them to go to bed. Then I'm missing out on sleep while June Bug is sleeping.

I go back to work in a little over a week and I wonder how I will handle baby brain at work...

8 things...

I hate to do on a daily basis.

1. Fill up the dog's water bowl over and over and over again
2. Unload and load the dishwasher
3. Straighten the rug in the den as it shifts throughout the day.
4. Make the kids' beds...I don't mind making mine just the kids.
5. The whole getting ready routine..shower, getting dressed, makeup, hair, etc for myself and the kids.
6. The whole decision making process of what to make for lunch and dinner.
7. The opening and closing of the blinds in the morning/evening.
8. The closing of another day since I know it is one summer day gone... making it one day closer to school starting again.

Fashionista vs. Mom Jeans

I'm 30. I'm a mother of 3. Does this mean that I have to toss fashion out the window and put on the mom jeans? I've never been super trendy or always in the latest fashion. However I have always been in the current decade and never far behind the current trends. I am usually pretty conservative and try not to be too out there. After having number 3, I have been perplexed where I fit in the racks at the store. I'm definitely not a "juniors" anymore in size (especially pants) or in style. And I am not a "misses" knit blouse yet ( maybe in 20 years). The problem lies in where I fit not literally. I don't want to look too young but I also don't want to be the object of what not to wear. I think sometimes people my age are pushing the envelope. They are trying to still look like they did when they were 20 and they are late by a decade. Then on the flip side there are others my age who have already given in and have that signature shirt in 7 different colors hanging in their closet. Another problem I have is that I am so stinking cheap when it comes to buying clothes. I don't like to spend more than 10 dollars on a shirt. This severly limits my possiblities. I love earrings and love to accessorize with them. My latest accessory is a headband with flower on it. I told the lady that checked me out that I might be too old for this. She told me that it would be cute. Cute? Am I going for cute?? My 4 year old is cute when she wears her headband. Is that the same cute that I'm going for? 30 is a little old to be cute huh??

So how do I find the balance between mom jeans and fashionista with 3 kids in tow??

4 weeks old

June Bug is 4 weeks old today. She is growing so fast. It is hard to believe that she is already 4 weeks old. It seems just like yesterday that she was born. She is starting to focus more on objects. She loves to be outside.

Attempt #1 at getting her weekly picture...She was not happy about the hat.

Finally after a bath and bottle she was up for getting her pic taken.

3 weeks old

June Bug is three weeks old today!! It is hard to believe that she has been here for 3 weeks already. I wish I could just make time stand still...it is going too fast. I treasure all the time I get to spend with her.

All Checked Up!!

All three kiddos went to the doctor on Thursday. They each had to get their checkups. The nurses did a great job of dealing with all three kids in there. We are getting used to our doctor still. We loved loved loved our doctor back in TW. Our doc here just has a different personality than our other one. Hubs says he is a poindexter with his jean slacks with pleats. He is a nice guy and I really don't have any complaints about him.

Bubby
Weight: 49 lbs (75%)
Height: 46 in (75%)
Vision: 20/30
Hearing check showed he missed some sounds...maybe it is the same tone as mom and dad's voice. That would explain alot.
Overall the doctor said he was healthy and developing fine. He dodged getting any shots which he was happy about.

Buggers
Weight: 42 lbs (90%)
Height: 42 in (90%) **Doc said she is going to be tall**
Vision: 20/30
Hearing was near perfect
Overall the doctor said she was also healthy. We need to get her in to see a dentist..looks like she may have one or two cavities. She was not so lucky on the shots. She had to get two shots to get current. She is a drama queen when it comes to "injuries". She screamed bloody murder but quickly got over it once she found out she could get stickers!

June Bug
Weight: 8 lbs (two weeks ago she was 6lb 12 oz...she is addicted to the milk machine!!)
Length: 20.5 in (she was 19 inches at birth...the nurse thinks they may have measured her wrong at birth...not very likely she would grow an inch and half in 2 weeks)
She checked out perfect too. She is healthy and happy. She will go back at 2 months for the horrible first round of shots.

Summer Days are drifting away

Summer needs to seriously slow down!! I feel like I'm going to blink and it is going to be August already and we will be heading back to school. We haven't been doing much of anything lately. Just hanging around the house mostly. We are all getting a little bit of cabin fever. I have figured out that I can handle all three kids by myself if we need to get out. I took all the kids to the doctor's for check up all by myself. And for the award winning venture, I took all three to the grocery store for "BIG" shopping. They were all really good in the store. I did feel like people were looking at me. I can only imagine their thoughts..."That lady is crazy for shopping alone with three kids. Ahhhh that poor lady. Super Kids....Super Mom"

I am super bummed that I have a teacher training next week Monday - Thursday. I am giving up four days right now but will get exempt from the staff days in November which will give me an entire week off for Thanksgiving. I'm not ready to be away from June Bug just yet. My mom is going to watch them and all will be fine.

Catching some Friday morning cartoons

Evidence of Cabin Fever....

They even let June Bug get in on the camera action

Splish Splash!!

Small town pools are a summer must! Bubby and Buggers had a blast today at the pool. Bubby loves to swim and shows no fear. However Buggers is alittle more reserved. She doesn't like to go underwater and mostly scoots around the pool by hanging on to the side.

She did go down the slide right off the bat. But after she went underwater she realized she didn't want to do that again. After some convincing from her cousin, she decided she would go down the slide as long as her cousin Piggy would catch her.

She quickly put the brakes on before she hit the water!!

Bubby went down the slide about 100 times.

Then he got up the nerve to jump off the small diving board. I was freaking out a little since he was jumping into 11 ft deep water! YIKES...coming from the momma who is scared of water.

Then he convinced me he was big enough to go off the medium board.

June Bug slept right through swimming. ( I have a picture of Buggers in this same outfit asleep in her stroller at the pool. I will have to find it a post a side by side)

Two weeks old...

June Bug is two weeks old!!! Can't believe it. Time is flying by...slooooooow down. She is much more alert this week. She stays awake for longer periods of time. She is able to focus on your face more as you are holding her. June Bug is starting to sleep better at night. Last night she slept for 5 hours straight!!

One Week Old

The first week with June Bug has been great. She is such a pleasant baby. We are all so smitten with her. The kids love her and constantly kiss and rub on her. I want to document how she is growing. I got this idea from another friend of mine who took a picture in the same chair. I decided to add this special Raggedy Ann that June Bug got from a family friend. I know time is going to fly by and I just want to slow it down a bit. Before you know it they will all be grown and gone. But until them I will hold them as long as I can.

Sleeping Beauties

Everyone has atleast one of these pictures in their album. The ye old sleeping baby on the chest of the sleeping daddy.
I wonder why there aren't any sleeping momma with baby pictures :)

How do people make it through life without a sister? ~Sara Corpening

The bond between sisters is something very special. You love them but you hate them. You love to have them around but can't wait for them to leave. It is a very competitive relationship while growing up and even sometimes in your adult life. Yet it is also one of the strongest relationships that have so many unspeakable bonds. Growing up with two sisters myself I know the ups and downs of sisterhood. However through all the downs I'm sure that Buggers and June Bug will have, I hope to hang on to this sweet image. Especially when June Bug is 13 and Buggers is 17 and June Bug is raiding her older sister's closet.

For those of us who have sisters, you can totally relate to this quote.....

If you don't understand how a woman could both love her sister dearly and want to wring her neck at the same time, then you were probably an only child. ~Linda Sunshine

Thank goodness for postpartum amnesia...

There is something about having a new baby in the house that makes you feel like you are in heaven. The snuggling and cuddling with this new bundle makes you forget about how much sleep you are "really" getting. The first few days to the first week after having a baby is the best example of two completely extreme feelings. The feelings you have towards your newborn vs. the reality that your body just expelled a 7 lb human being from it.

You are so happy that your little one is here.

---However you are cringing at the thought that you might sneeze or need to do the unthinkable #2.

You marvel in the sight of this perfect baby that you and Hubs created.

---However your reflection in the mirror shows the horrors of labor and delivery...in my case blood vessels in my face that popped given me a nice purple hue to my complexion. It's funny how quickly that "glow" leaves your face only to be replaced by dark circles under your eyes.

The sweet newborn cry is music to your ears (even at 3 am).

---However that sweet little cry turns your boobs into niagra falls only to have scratchy bulky nursing pads catch the flow.

Sitting on the comfy couch snuggling with the sweet baby is as close to heaven as you can get.

---However just sitting down on your sore bum is excrutiating and the thought of having to get up makes your abdominal muscles scream in revolt.

The magic of breastfeeding is so rewarding knowing you are providing your child with wonderful nutrition.

---However the sharp pain of latching on by a vigorous sucker or when your boobs become so engorged that an adult movie star would be jealous...you begin to question the natural act.

It is hilarious that you are so excited to see wet and dirty diapers because you know that your baby's systems are functioning and your milk is "doing a body good."

---However your bathroom routine after birth consists of a squirt bottle, Tucks, Dermoplast spray, pads the size of a twin mattress, and mesh panties.

I really think there is a postpartum amnesia that happens. Because if you truly remembered what all you go through to bring that baby into the world you would rethink ever getting pregnant again. It is funny how you remember (if this isn't your first) when you are going through it again.

As I'm writing this, Macy is asleep in her sleeper right next to me. As I look at her sweet face, I realize I would go through all of this 10 times over just to have her. She makes all of it worth it and bearable!

The Stork Delivered!!

At 1:09 pm on June 28, 2010 we welcomed our sweet baby girl. She weighed 7 lbs 1 oz and measured 19 inches long. She is absolutely perfect!! She looks so a lot like her big brother. She has the same face shape and nose. I can tell she is going to be a go getter since she took to breastfeeding like a champ. Her temperment is very mellow and she loves to be snuggled. The only thing she does not like is her diaper changed. You can guarantee a small crying fit with each change.

The labor and delivery was absolutely perfect. I don't think it could have gone any better. Actually the only thing that would have made it better would be if Hubs family could have been there. I was in labor about 6 1/2 hours and only pushed for 17 minutes or so. We had a little excitement when I told the nurse I was feeling pressure and she checked me and I was complete. She was caught off guard that I progressed so quickly and she rushed around getting everything ready. Also Hubs had stepped out of the room and I could not get ahold of him to tell him to come back. We finally tracked him down ....he was in the cafeteria and had just gotten him some lunch. He took one bite and ran back to the room.

One of my favorite moments was when Bubby and Buggers saw the baby for the first time. Bubby said he had never seen something so cute. And the smile on Buggers was the best smile ever. We spent a little bit of time with just us 5. It was a special time for me. It is amazing to me still the little family Hubs and I have made. It is perfect in every way.

Bubby and Buggers waiting patiently for baby sister to get here

Here she is!!!

Proud Poppa!!

Momma and Baby!!

Their smiles say it all!!

Last Party of Four Weekend

Well this is the last weekend we will have as a family of four. Tomorrow we welcome our new party member. We wanted to make this weekend special for us and the kids.

On Saturday, we started the day off right with donuts!! Then we headed off to the movie theatre for the first showing of Toy Story 3 in 3D. The kids really enjoyed it. Not sure if Buggers really like the 3D effects but Bubby sure did. And of course they both loved the cool glasses. After the movie we ran to Rosa's and got some delicious lunch. Then it was off for some not so fun stuff like oil change and haircuts for Hubs and Bubby. All that action called for naptime. Then we were off that evening to my parents for game night. We played Phase Ten and Yahtzee. I felt a little bad for beating my dad at his favorite game, Phase Ten but he had on his big boy pants so he will get over it.

Sunday is the last official day before the baby comes!! I thought it was funny this morning as Hubs was questioning if he was ready for this or not. Ummm...little late now buddy! Ready or not here she comes! We headed out this morning for our "official meal before baby come" at Luby's. I was induced with each of the other kids and the day before I went to the hospital we went to Luby's. So to follow tradition we did the same today. Luby's is not a big favorite of ours but for the sake of tradition we headed out to the last one in the Waco area. Afterwards we headed to Clifton to the Cliftex Theatre to see the new Shrek. Several months ago I was given gift certificates for free admission and kid snack packs. We felt this would be a great afternoon to go check out this historic theatre. We also browsed around an antique shop while waiting for the show.

We will head over to my parents tonight to drop the kids off. My sisters, one from Houston and one from Illinois, will be coming in tonight. The kids are going to stay with my parents while we are in the hospital. Hubs wanted to know what we were going to do tonight when we get back...I said go to SLEEP! He said he won't be able to. May have to slip him some Ambien in his dinner. :) Actually I think we will get a movie just to keep our minds on something else.

We have to be at the hospital at 6 in the morning!! Can't wait to get the party started and welcome our new little member!

The opposite of calm is????

Anxious...Scared...Nervous...Happy...Excited...Impatient...all these feelings are rattling around in my head.

Can I handle 3 kids?
Will I have the stamina to keep up with them?
Am I going to remember what to do with a tiny little baby?
How am I going to balance having a 5 year old, 4 year old, and newborn?
Am I going to remain sane when school starts back in August and I'm carting 3 kids around?

I am getting more and more nervous the closer the day comes to having her. The realization that another human is going to be dependent on me is getting me a little anxious. I feel somewhat stretched with the 2 kids and the hubby. I have not ever really been one that needs alot of "me" time or needs scheduled GNO (Girls night out). I feel like when I took on being a mother that my time is my family's time. I know there are many mothers out there that feel like they need that "me" time to survive. I guess I need my kids to survive.

I know all this anxiety will be completely gone once I see her adorable little face and feel her sweet touch. I almost feel like a first time mom again even those this is number three. I'm sure all mom's go through this. I bet Michelle Duggar gets a little anxious before the next baby comes out the shoot.

So in 3 days our little party of four will become a party of five.