So Long- Farewell Facebook

About a month ago, I sat in my comfy LazyBoy chair and was flipping through my cellphone and my son came up beside me and asked what I was doing. "Looking at Facebook" I replied. My homepage or whatever that thing is called on Facebook was scrolling along and a video started playing. I didn't know what the video was and thank goodness Kai wasn't impressed and looked away because the images were horrific (shooting of people in a middle eastern country) and made my stomach turn. Immediatley I tried figuring out how to get this off my phone and away from my Facebook page.

That was the beginning for me. Next it was my kids handing my phone to me when I look grumpy...like it is my pacifier or something. Then it was my realization that I don't talk to my friends, I don't even text them. I rely so much on social media (particulary Facebook) to keep in contact with people. But lastily and probably the defining moment when I knew something needed to change was when I watched a video (on Facebook of course) that hit home to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7dLU6fk9QY

My kids are growing so quickly and I want to document their lives but I don't need to do that through social media. The line in the video that stood out was something about not needing to share a special moment with all my friends but share it with the ones that are there. I took this picture of the kids on Saturday and me and my husband giggled about how cute our kids are...and immediately I had it uploaded onto social media. For what...so people will LIKE it? Why not put on an apron backwards and join in the superhero fun? Instead I sat on my phone for a good 15 minutes after I posted my picture to look at all the others totally missing this moment with my kids. Shame on me!

Blogsphere

It was probably close to three years ago that I was introduced to wonderous "blogsphere".. I was intrigued as I read about other amazing women who so openly shared their lives with the world. Women who allowed themselves to be exposed and all their weaknesses. It was basically like daily I was reading about other people who I didn't even know and knowing their whole story without ever meeting them.

Amazing women like Stephanie Nielson (nienie) who my husband thinks I am semi obessed with. I have read every post she has ever written and just love her outlook on family and life. Her faith strengthens my faith. Women like her sister CJane who I related to as I was trying to get pregnant. A woman  who has amazing wit and humor to her daily entries. I have never met her...but met her husband Chup (quite funny semi stalkerish story).

I also am amazed by the talents of so many women who I blog stalk as well. Women who quilt like Camille over at Simplify (see I talk like I know them... I don't but I buy her stuff so in my world that makes us BFF's), who craft, who cook, who take pictures, who do it all. One of those women is Ree Drummond aka Pioneer Women. I am semi obsessed with her lately. Mostly because I got her cookbook which I LOVE. If any of you (two readers) want a really good, down home, two stick of butter, and definitly NOT CALORIE WATCHING cookbook...get this one.

 Its yummy just to look at the pictures. Not just of the food but also of her wonderful world on her ranch.... and the pictures of her husband aren't that bad either. There is something EXTREMELY HOT about a man in a cowboy hat. I have tried to get (beg) my husband just to entertain me once by wearing a cowboy hat but he seems to think it doesn't go well with her rocker image. Whatever.

Anyways. Today I am paying tribute to Pioneer Woman...thank you for sharing your stories, your photography free actions, your amazing cooking skills, and your super hot husband "Marbolo Man" with the world.

I do believe her Monkey Bread recipe is the best...maybe thats because I haven't had other recipes but I will keep hers... plus doesn't it just look delicious.

I am off to make some yummy Twice Baked Potatos (yes recipe from her book).

I am back.... with avengance (or however you spell that)

I am a HORRIBLE BLOGGER... Almost every other day I will say to myself "self...you need to catch up your blog" and then a get home, feed a hungry husband, feed a hungry child, feed a hungry self and then plop myself in front of the tv and never get around to blogging, or quilting, or cleaning, or laundry, or anything else for that matter. Being a mom is time consuming. When I get home from a long day of work- I just wanna hang out with my two favorite people instead of recording the many memories that we are making as a family.

Kai is such an awesome kid.

He is four months now- he will be five months in a few days. We love him so much. It was amazing when he hit the 4 month mark it was like a whole new baby. He started sleeping through the night (yay yay) which means mommy can now sleep in her bed WITH daddy. (sidenote- I have not slept in bed with Brian since I was like 6 months pregnant on a regular basis- my bed was not comfortable to me when I was pregnant and then once Kai came- he and I would sleep on the couch together). Kai is now sleeping in his crib (which I love). He eats lots of yummy (horrible) baby food. We started him on solids and he LOVES it. He is definitly his daddy's child because he loves bananas.



He also giggles alot now (which is like the cutest thing ever because he snorts sometimes and squeeks others). 

We are so blessed to have such a sweet little baby boy. He is so amazing.

Has anyone seen Extreme Couponing on TV??

I am motivated... now I don't want to be "extreme" but I do want stuff for free. I have been working on trying to budget. Anyone who knows me would know that I don't budget, I don't save money well, I don't think like a budget person. I like to say.."I am not a numbers person I am a people person" and saving money is a numbers game. But I am trying. We are buying a house (see below) and in order to get all the wonderful things I want for the new house...I need to save some money. I told the hubbs that I won't buy frivilous "I think I need this" items and he is not allowed to either. I have to say I have been proud of myself- since watching sales and coupons I have saved close to $100 on two shopping trips. Normally I spend over $100 a trip and I have been successful to get out of the store at half the price. Go me!!

Buying a house has to be THE MOST STRESSFUL THING EVER. I go looking at houses and then always think that I will find one that is better. We have found one we really like but its a short sale (not quite a foreclosure- but awesome price because it is ready to go to foreclosure). Now normally I would not want to mess with a short sale because they take time but we actually have some time since our lease isn't up yet and the realtor (ours and the sellers) think we have a confident chance at getting the house). I am turning it over to Heavenly Father and know if we are supposed to live there it will work out. If not, we will keep looking.

SO I AM BACK blogging world (not sure if anyone reads this but whatever)... I will promise I will blog more about my domesticness or non-domesticness *I kinda like that word*



One Year Older and Wiser Too

A Few Things I have Learned (or re-learned) In My 30th Year of Life...

1. Quilting- for my birthday last year I got Ernie and have since loved quilting. I have a large stash of fabric that someday I will dig into.

2. I am not good at quilting bee's or groups. I love quilting but am not good at timelines

3. The  best way to get pregnant is to not think about it. I have heard this many times but when you are trying to get pregnant its hard not to stress about it. It was only when I stopped thinking about it and stressing over it, we were blessed.

4. Morning sickness SUCKS

5. Front loading washers and dryers are a must

6. Epidurals really are as great as I thought they would be

7. Heavenly Father knows us, listens to us, and answers our prayers

8. Arthritis sucks-- I don't have it but the hubbs does and my heart breaks for the pain that he is in all the time

9. Mommyhood Rocks

10. The laundry can wait, the dishes can wait, the dinner does not need to be gourmet... people are what is important and spending time with those you love is the most important thing.

I am excited for my THIRTY SOMETHING years!!

What the Chuck...

I came across this tonight and thought I would share.

When I was a little girl I had a pair of hot pink Chuck Taylor high tops.  I remember that they were the coolest things around (or I thought so at least). I love seeing these hot pink shoes out but they never have my size. So today I went online to http://www.converse.com/ and lo and behold look what they have....

Create Your Own Converse....

That has to be the coolest thing EVER!!

I love these- I could put on them "I heart Brian", or "I heart Chocolate", or "I heart you".

The options are limitless.

Or these...

How fun are those??

Hmmm.... I am thinking I will have to create myself some for my birthday- the problem is I only wear them with pants or jeans and its almost shorts weather but I guess my feet are not going to grow so I can save them for next year. hmmm?



Mommy Must Haves

One of the things that I love about blog stalking is seeing what other people use and love. It seems like if someone says they have something and L.O.V.E it then I need to have it. I try out alot of products because someone else suggested it- some I love some I don't.

So today, I want to be that someone and share some of the items that I LOVE and have been must haves in my world the last six weeks.

Body Shop Lip Balm... if you remember from a previous post I shared that I loved Burts Bees (which I still do) but then on a recent shopping trip to the mall... I came across this lovely lip balm. It is AWESOME. Its the best. With boob feeding, I constantly feel like I am dry skinned and chaped lips. This stuff makes my lips not only taste yummy and smell yummy, it keeps them moisterized and silky smooth. 

The Boppy... seriously Mr. (or Mrs) Boppy creater (probably a Ms. because its so wonderful) is GENIUS GENIUS... I love this thing. Kai just lays in it on the couch, the hubbs uses it for feedings, I use it when I am pumping and the kid wants to be on my lap. My dog Mia even loves it. If I put a blanket over it, Mia finds herself cuddled up in it. 

This was one of the first things I bought the unborn child. I only got it because it matched the room, but I am so happy I did. Kai loves it. It lights up, plays some music and bubble noises (which soothes him). He has been sleeping in his crib since he first came home and we turn this on for him everynight, he just stares at it and listens to the music. Usually he is asleep before it turns off.

A friend of ours got this at her baby shower and I thought we need one of those. Supernanny says that parents should track feedings and diapers in the first weeks. This little gadget doesn't track it but keeps a timer for each item. We used it to track his dirty diapers (which only lasted like two days because it was to much), his feedings, and my pumpings (since I only pump and we bottle feed). This was so helpful the first week or so when you get no sleep and me and the hubbs were on two different schedules. We would pass this moniter back and forth as one was heading to bed and the other was getting out of bed.

These two items go hand in hand. I am addicted to watching The Office. I have never seen it but have had friends say its their favorite. I love it and seriously watch like 4 episodes a night (sometimes more). Thank goodness for Netflix.

So these are my favorite things. I love them all and highly RECOMMEND them.

  

Lovey Day

I have always loved Valentines Day and this year is no different. I am not really sure why- I think its all the red and pink and lots of love going around. Last night at Sunday dinner my dad declared that he hates Valentines day because it is always about the girls. Which I guess is somewhat true because its wierd to send guys flowers and if you have a hubby like mine- he doesn't like candy or chocolate and thinks cards are a waste. So I have to be a little creative on Valentines for him.

This year I decided to hide his presents around the house and send him on a scavanger hunt to find his gifts.

All of the gifts for the Hubbs

I made him some homemade Woopie Pies that I found here

The only thing I could think of to go with Whoopie-- we are married I am allowed to say that.

On each of the hearts, there is a lovey note to the hubbs and then the clue to the next gift

I hope that my Hubbs loves his gifts and his hunt for the gifts. I had fun putting it all together for him.

I love my hubbs and baby daddy so much.

Joy with the Boy

I can honestly say that the last six weeks has been joyful.

Yes, he cries now and then.

 Yes, he likes to EXPLODE in his diaper right after I put a clean one on him.

 Yes, he likes to wake up right after I tuck myself and my hunny into bed.

 No, he is not sleeping through the night (which happens to be everyones first question- does he sleep through the night??)

 Yes, he spits up on my clean shirt that I just put on.

 Yes, I look like death worn over half the time (probably because I only shower every other day- TMI).

but Yes...Yes I am in love and my little boy has brought so much joy to my already wonderful life.

Some of the wonderful things that he has started doing- he smiles now and not just when he is pooping or sleeping...sometimes even when I talk to him or play with him.

He started looking more closely at me when I am holding him and when he is facing away from me- he looks back at me.

He holds his neck up all strong and tough like a big boy.

He is officially out of newborn diapers and clothes.

He is always kicking and sqwirming around.

He LOVES taking baths.

He LOVES to pee all over me when he takes his baths.

His hair is kinda getting wavy and his eyes are still blue (fingers crossed- I have blue eyes)

Life as I know it

The last few weeks have been such a learning process. I am not really sure what I thought motherhood meant. I had read many many mommy blogs, read lots of parenthood/pregnancy books (I even own Parenting for Dummies), but never did I realize what being a mother was going to be like. I am not sure even if I would have "rented" a child from my friends would have prepared me for the experience that awaited me once Kai joined our family. It truely is unconditional love.

I thought alot about what unconditional love meant the other night as I snuggled with my baby on my lap at 2:00 AM trying to get him to fall asleep.

I had heard this idea of unconditional love.

I thought I had that kind of love for Brian but I was wrong.

If Brian for some reason cheated on me or abused me (not that he ever would) but if he did- It would be hard to still love him- but I can't imagine Kai doing anything that would cause me to "un-love" him. He is my child and I love him despite anything that he does or could do.

Some moments where I knew I have crossed over to "mommyhood"

The other day the hubbs went to change Kai's diaper. He immediately came out to the living room and said "I can't do it... you will need to do this one". I went to the room to see Kai laying on the changing table with this totally content look on his face, a diaper half hanging off his butt, and there I am looking at his poo trying to figure out what I ate to cause such a commotion in his pants... only a mother could do that.

I have given a spit bath- I used to hate it when my mother would lick her thumb and rub it on my face (especially in public)-- I am totally guilty of it.

I always feed him first. I love to eat and for me to sacrifice my belly gurgling is a true sign of love.

Sometimes when he is totally content sleeping in his bed, I find myself going in and picking him up just so I can cuddle with him a little bit more before I retire to bed.

I love this opportunity to be a mom. I love the learning experience and feel so blessed that Heavenly Father has given us this opportunity.

who could resist this face anyways...

Labor, Delivery, and LOVE

I am happy to announce the Kai Frederick Beaudoin joined our family on Thursday December 30, 2010 at 10:40 AM. He weighed 6 lbs. 11 oz and was 20 inches long and cute as can be.

I went in to be induced on Wednesday the 29th. I had asked my doctor if I could be induced before the new year- partially because I wanted to schedule the birth rather then just wait and wait until my water broke in the middle of the night (I know I am not one that is patient). I would be lying if I didn't think about the tax deduction as well. I had been dialated to 2 cm for two weeks and went to 3 cm and 70% effaced the day before the induction so I am sure he would have come on his own not to much longer. SO anyways- I went into the hospital at 6:00 PM on Wednesday and they thought it would take all night for me to get to a 10 and I would have the baby right when my doctor arrived at 7:00 AM. Since I was already dialated, they didn't start pitocin and instead gave me some meds to slowly start contractions. Once I got to 5 cm. I asked for the epidural. I personally had no intentions of doing the birth naturally. I felt a couple contractions and was beyond uncomfortable so I knew I wanted the drugs and I am so glad that I did.

Once I got the epidural life was pleasant. I rested, watched some tv, spent time with the hubbs, and was anxious to meet my boy. My water broke around 12:30 AM- that was interesting. I was listening to my iPod and all of a sudden felt this gushing. Not really what I expected my water breaking to feel like. They started pitocin around 4 am. When the doctor arrived at 7:00 I was at 8 cm and fully effaced. With my water breaking, the babies heartrate lowered with each contraction so they actually put a tube in and inserted water into the uterus so the baby was a little more comfortable. When I started pushing, they eased the pushed so that I didn't have any "issues down there" afterwards. I felt alot of pressure which I wasn't really expecting. I thought that the epidural was supposed to make me feel nothing but I guess I was wrong. I kept saying "I never saw this on 16 and pregnant". With just a few pushes... the little guy showed up. My doctor said, "put your hands down here and grab your baby". I was not expecting that at all but it was kinda neat (and a little wierd) pulling the baby out.

 It was amazing that he was really here and he is breathing, and he is cute, and he is perfect.

Here are some pictures...

Dr. McKernan is seriously the BEST OB... he sang rap songs to me as he was delivering the placenta and just made the whole experience awesome. I HIGHLY recommend him to anyone who is pregnant.

I just love this picture. His little pouty face is like saying "mom, what the heck I was comfy in there- you are so mean".

But that pouty face slowly turned to this. He was like 4 hours here. Doesn't he look perfect??

Our little family.

Bri with his little man.

love him so much...

Cutie

Life so far with the little guy has been great. He is such a good baby. He is so calm and patient.

He eats really well- although we had some "boobie issues". He latched on really well at first but wasn't doing it right apparently which causes LOTS of pain and he decided he didn't want to latch anymore. So now I pump and we feed him by bottle. I am hoping once he gets a little stronger and my boobies heal, we can try again but if not, the most important thing is that he is getting food.

He loves to just sit and look around at everything

He likes to pee on himself and daddy and mommys friends

He loves when mommy kisses his face (well he may not like it but I like it so thats all that matters right now)

He is awesome.

I love being Mommy.