{for kiddos colds} I really love....

 PediaCare Gentle Vapors plug-ins and Little Colds Honey Elixir for my kiddos when they are sick!
The littlest members of our family have been battling colds around here. Colds and babies are not a good combo. Sleep eludes everyone due to the coughing, sore throats, plugged noses, and crying from all of the above.
This time, I went into battle a little more prepared :)
These 2 products (and our cool mist humidifiers on full blast) saved my sanity and gave us all a little  more sleep! :)

I tried the vapor plug-ins because the vapor rub on their chest is so goopy and would wear off. The plug ins last for 8 hours...and they are strong...I really feel like they helped the stuffy noses. The only thing is the night light on the unit is super bright and you can't turn it off, so I had to put electrical tape over the light portion :) 

Adelyn will not eat straight up honey, which is an awesome "cure" for sore throats and helps soothe coughs....but I can convince her to take Little Colds Honey Elixir (don't know why...they totally taste the same, except raw honey is alot thicker...must be a texture thing). Whenever she had a coughing fit, this took care of it. No joke.  It really helped Mason's sore throat and coughing too.

...I did use raw honey for Mason when I could get him to take it :)...and I did have eucalyptus oil going in the house during the day to help the noses....not gonna lie, the vapor plug ins aren't cheap!

So there you go. Hopefully someone will get some use out of our experience :)

Read more...

I really love...

...projects!

I should clarify...I love projects that involve some sort of craft, redecorating, rearranging things. :)

So this involves 2 projects.

The first is a photo collage above our couch my sister-in-law helped me do at the beginning of March.

 My inspiration was this collage on Young House Love (if you don't read their blog, you are missing out!) in their daughter's room.

 Then I had to redo the whole thing a few weeks later because the house got painted. :)

*I just realized this picture looks super sloppy! I was a at a goofy angle, but I promise they are better spaced out and straight....this picture makes it look weird!*

The blessing for that was that I discover these 3M velcro picture hangers!!

If you haven't seen or tried these babies, let me tell you....they are awesome.

I found them at Target.

Hanging a photo collage is super hard because you have to measure where each photo hanger on the back on the frame is....they are all different....you measure wrong a few times...grrrrr....

with these velcro hangers, you stick 'em on the frame, press 'em on the wall and wall-ah! ;) You are done. No peppering the walls with nail-holes until you get it right. Which is nice for us, since we are renting. :)

I had a mini-level that I held against each frame while I hung it, so I didn't have to worry about it getting off-kilter.

Anyway...sorry the pics aren't the best...I was in a hurry. You can't see it, but I had tweedle-dum in his excer-saucer begging for a nap....and tweedle-dee clinging on my leg, whining (ugh, the whining!) to go outside....

;)

Along with pictures from when we were dating, married and kiddos.....I added non-picture stuff for variety.

Hobby Lobby is AWESOME for this kind of stuff, by the way.

They have 50% off frames and knick-knacks all the time. Never pay full price when you go there, people. It will always be on sale in a day or two. :)

Project #2 involves the silhouette I did of Adelyn.

I used to go to a friend's house when I was growing up. They had one for each of the kids and I always wanted one. 

I decided it's going to be a new tradition for our kids. When they turn 2, they get a silhouette :)

I picked 2 because that's when there's more of a distinction between boy/girl appearance (like pony-tails!)  but they still have that "baby-ness" about them. :)

You can send photos in to websites who will do it for $50, but I did mine for less than $5 :)

I didn't take pictures of the process, but here is my super-easy how to.

Take a picture of your child (preferably against white wall or something for easy tracing). Adelyn was watching a movie when I took mine :)

Supplies needed:

photo

cardstock (I used black for silhouette and antique white for mounting, more contrast)

x-acto knife

tape

glue

Order a print in a large size (I ordered 8x10 and 5x7 because I wasn't sure how big I wanted it to be)

Tape black cardstock to large cardboardpiece.....or wood would be better if you have it.

Tape picture over top of cardstock.

Use X-acto knife and slowly trace around silhouette.

That's it!

I taped Adelyn's silhouette to antique-white cardstock.

I kept the photo tracing in case I want to redo it in the future.

Not bad, right?

SO easy.

I promise :)

Read more...

I really love...

...my Arbonne makeup primer!

So I've heard alot about makeup primer this last year and thought that since I rarely wear makeup anymore, it wasn't something to pay attention to.

In April I had my first primer experience and I got hooked!

This stuff makes my skin feel like velvet. I notice now when I forget to put it on. My skin feels "rougher" (for lack of a better word. The one I use also has a mattifying effect so I'm not shiny :)

I wear it even when I don't wear makeup because I think it helps that much :)

It also extends the wear of your makeup (if you are wearing it!)....and keeps it looking "fresher" longer :)

Good stuff, I tell you.

My mom uses whatever one Costco carries, and I have heard that Sephora has some great options too.

I just use the Arbonne one because I really like their stuff....but find what works for you!

If you haven't tried a primer, you are missing out ;)

Read more...

i also also really love....

These really cool state-specific :) glasses, pillows, etc by CatStudio!
Although we are now in California, the midwest will always be nearest and dearest to us ;)  (enjoy the cheesiness?)
I'm thinking it would be way fun to get IA, MN and CA drinking glasses...
how fun are these?

You can also get some fun throw pillows (although kinda spendy)....and BONUS! They also do counries, so if you forgot to get a souvenir on the amazing trip to Paris, well...there ya go :)

Read more...

I also really love....

The Babystmart cooshee classic booster seat.

So my mom has a million four of these suckers at home for daycare kids and grandkids and let us use one for a while before we moved out here.
I love this thing. It's basically a self-sticking booster chair. It doesn't slide around and it works for any chair! No straps or buckles required. I love it. Adelyn sits in it just fine and we haven't had to worry about her trying to slip or crawl out.
I did go out and buy one for Adelyn today because she pitches a fit about sitting in her high chair anymore and she does just fine at the table...so it was time anyway :)
I love it and while it's a bit spendy ($39.99-$49.99 depending on where you get it)...it's totally worth it in my book.

Read more...

I REALLY love my....

...Bissell Steam and Sweep.

Okay, people. I am. in. love.
I cannot stand when I walk into my kitchen barefoot (or even with socks) and I'm stepping on crumbs. I was sweeping AND swiffering my kitchen just about everyday...
Our house was uninhabited for about 5 months before we moved in, so everything had a layer of grime...the floors were just gross. I have swiffered and mopped and scrubbed, but the bottoms of our socks have been perpetually gray.
Ew.
Enter my early birthday present from hubby and kiddos :)
No cleaners or chemicals required. Just an outlet and water :)
It comes with 2 washable pads. It has a little vaccum to suck up the crumbies...and steam cleans my floor.
Booyah.
I still bust out the broom and will probably do a hard core scrub down once a month....because I'm a clean freak like that....but this sucker has been a life saver. :)

Pros

• vaccums and mops at the same time
• you don't have to wait for the water to "heat" or "steam" up. You just press the trigger button when you want steam. When you first fill the water and start it, you give it about 10-15 seconds and off you go.
•  washable/reusable scrub pads for "greenness"
•  not loud at all
• gets my floors clean in a jiffy!
• no water mess...this one doesn't randomly leave puddles of water while I'm using it

Cons

• it does require an outlet (the cord is pretty long), so you can get tangled in the cord if you aren't paying attention :)
• not as quick and easy as the swiffer....but it's gotten my floors alot cleaner, so I don't care so much

That, my friends, is my two cents on my new favorite toy :)
*bonus! Bissell is giving a $20 rebate for Bissell Steam and Sweeps bought in a store (Target, Best Buy, etc) before the end of March.
Here's the link if you are interested.

Read more...

don't laugh...but I really love my...

...Belly Bandit!
Okay, so I know....I still laugh at myself for getting one of these, but I. am. hooked.
A few years ago, an acquaintance was talking about how she's seen these post partum abdominal binders in a magazine.  She said the article talked about how abdominal binding post pregnancy was making a come back. It's supposed to help get your belly looking not so deflated :) faster and help prevent stretch marks post partum.  Adelyn was about 3 months old at this point, but I was intrigued. I started doing a little online reading and found the Belly Bandit. I kept the info logged in my brain for later. :)
I wound up getting one right before I had Mason and I've worn it about every day and night since he's been around....and I love it!
You know how everything is just stretched out, so when the baby is gone, it all just hangs (aka: deflated balloon affect).....this thing holds it in AND (bonus!) helps to remind me to sit up and not slouch when I'm nursing. I used to lean forward to meet baby on the pillow, but this thing reminds me to bring baby to me...
You're supposed to wear this thing 24/7...take it off only to wash it or bathe....I wear it most of the time, but take it off when we go out b/c I do feel weird wearing it out of the house :)
Seriously, though, it is SO comfortable for me to wear and I just like how it holds my stomach in.
The only thing was figuring out what size to get. I wound up getting a small and it was pretty hard to fit at first :) but now I can velcro it just fine and still get it nice and tight. I just got the original bandit, but a coworker of mine tried the bamboo one and loved it.
For you preggers out there, I think this thing is totally worth the money and I would do it all over again. :)

Read more...

We LOVE...

Read more...

I really love...

...the following 2 products!
After my lobster red sunburn has finally turned to a lovely tan (no peeling!) I forgot how much I love being tan! Last year I barely got any color b/c with Adelyn being so young it was hard to be outside for long periods of time and in the afternoon when it was hottest.  Every summer I vow to slather on the sunscreen and stay out of the sun b/c I have seen too many patients come through who have had or currently had some sort of skin cancer and it is scary stuff. This year, the sunburn knocked sense into me and I began using Jergens Natural Glow body lotion.

I used this a while back and really liked it, but it had that tell tale sunless tanning lotion odor. Someone had mentioned to me that they "revamped" it and the smell isn't terrible and the color actually lasts longer.
I went out on Monday (Wal Mart has the best price between Walgreens and Target) and got the revitalizing (they have firming too) face lotion and body lotion. I use for medium to dark skin tones b/c I already had a tan from the lake and my olive skin can get pretty dark.
I used it twice on Tuesday and twice on Wednesday and now I'm just doing once a day when I get out of the shower. The color comes on gradually, so I doubled up for 2 days to get where I want to be. I LOVE it. It's not streaky or splotchy. You just have to let it soak into your skin for about 5-10 minutes before you get dressed. I usually put my own body lotion on after about 15 minutes b/c I like the smell of my stuff :)

Okay, the other product I love love love in all seasons, is Loreal DoubleExtend Mascara.

I've been using this for a little over a year and I LOVE it. It makes my eyelashes super duper long and so pretty. It does NOT flake off....EVER. Even when I had it on at the lake and was sweating, it didn't come off or leave that black smudge under my eyes.  It's not waterproof, though, so had I been in the water for a while, it would have come off. The great thing about it is that you just need water to remove it. You just get your face wet and start slowing pulling down on your eye lashes and the mascara comes off in tubes. NO flakes or black smudges to rub off.
I'm not a beauty guru by any means and really this mascara is the only make up I wear most of the time anyway...but I love these 2 products and think that everybody should know about them AND try them :)

Read more...

I really, really, REALLY love...

...my new shirt! Thank you Sami!

Baby Flies #2 is due December 7 and we are pretty excited! :)

On a different note, I hope y'all had a great Mother's Day! Nick, Adelyn and I stayed the weekend with my mom in WDM while my stepdad was up visiting his kids in MN. We went to church with her Sunday and then 2 of my brothers met up with us for lunch at Olive Garden (mom's choice..it was good! I hadn't been there in years!). 

We went back to Mom's, laid Addy down, and we watched a movie then went outside and played for a while before we had to head home.

Pretty uneventful day, but it was good to spend time with family.

We attempted pictures, but the following should give you an idea of why we don't have any... :)

Happy Monday! :)

Read more...

I really love my...

...new camera!

I have learned alot the last few years from Steph when it comes to taking good pictures and really wanted to eventually get an SLR camera and tweak my abilities :). I decided I would rather have a few really good pictures than a ton of okay pictures.
Needless to say, I wasn't planning on getting any sort of SLR camera for a while.
I got a Canon EOS Rebel XS for my birthday. I am still freaking out. This camera is amazing!
I was using a Sony Cybershot that takes some pretty good pictures and I still plan on using that camera as well (this SLR doesn't record video like the Sony does)....but my new camera gives me a lot more to work with :)
I'm still learning the settings and how to use it...so bear with me. ;) Granted I will never be a professional photographer, but I'm hoping to learn enough to take some fun pictures :)

For now...I'll leave you with these sweet baby blues...

Read more...

I really love my...

Skype. Adelyn LOVES to Skype. Whenever she sees one of us sitting down at the computer, or hear's the ring of someone calling us she starts flipping out and beelines it to where we are.
This video is of the other night, Alan and Steph were on their way home from a date and were going to Skype with us....we logged on before they were and we were kind of waiting around for them to get on....Adelyn was on Nick's lap and she just was flipping out waiting for someone in the computer to start talking to her.
I got this video at the end....but she'd been going for almost 10 minutes before I thought to catch it....anyway..it's pretty funny...enjoy :)

Read more...

i really love my...

Okay, so Adelyn may not care either way about them, but I LOVE them. I've gone through a few pairs of boots for her, but her legs are too chubby for the zip up or velcro ones ;)
These Robeze are fantastic! They are elastic and slip on, but stay on....so even when she's crawling don't slip off.
Plus they are super cute :)


p.s. I've seen a knock of version of these at Target and they are pretty cute too....

Read more...

I love these exersaucers...my mom always had one for the daycare babies and I found this farm one at Target yesterday. Adelyn loves to be standing and able to look around, so I thought it'd be perfect....the box says for 4 months and up, but I figured what's a couple weeks, right? ;) ha...

she's too short still, so her feet hang...and she can't hold herself up in the seat for too long yet... but I don't think she minded it :)

Read more...

a favorite

So today as I was making a list for the week's meals...I once again went to the cupboard where all my cookbooks are. After thinking "which one should I check out this week?" I went for my never-failing Cooking Light Cookbook.
I bought this cookbook this last summer and I use it for almost every meal now. It has super yummy recipes...they are all easy...and it includes healthy substitutes. My favorite recipe to use it their waffle mix....I love waffles made from scratch...it's really easy...and you can do wheat, buttermilk, or "regular"....mmm....
Cooking Light also has a magazine that my mom subscribes to and gives to me when she's done :) This month was full of amazing desserts for Christmas and they weren't artery clogging, comatose inducing or fat filled :)
I hafta say, I am a major fan.
anyway...I love this cookbook...just wanted to share :)

Read more...