Newest Hat Style

This is my newest hat creation. I put it on Belle and she was so cute I wanted to eat her! Although, I think that of her even without the hats! I call this my Mega Flower Beanie and I am selling it for $20.

Go Away Postpartum Body

I am finally hitting my breaking point with how I feel about my postpartum figure since giving birth. I kept giving myself the excuse that I JUST had a baby and that it would all eventually come off. Well, Belle is 5 months old now, and I can't say that there has been much shrinking in the past few months. In fact, I quit nursing more than 2 months ago, but I am still eating like crazed, hormonal, pregnant or nursing woman.

I realized that I had hit my breaking point when I was sitting on the couch watching a commercial about some resort in a warm place. I wasn't really paying attention to where it was, because I was irritated at all the skinny women in bikinis. I was annoyed because I knew they could enjoy themselves at whichever resort they were at without worrying about a roly poly belly, thighs that looked like they got hit with a waffle iron, or any of the other lovely things that happen to a woman's body when she gets pregnant, gives birth, and then nurses.

I promise this is not a "woe is me" blog. This is a "get your butt in gear, quit eating like crap, and do something about it" blog! I realize that I should be proud of the marks of pregnancy, as I gave up ownership to my body and housed my beautiful baby girl for 9 months. However, thinking about that doesn't make me any happier when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror when I get out of the shower!

I guess I was hoping that the constant running up and down the stairs with my fat-cheeked child or the crazy fast crocheting throughout the day would burn enough calories for me to lose a lot of weight. News flash: No matter how fast I crochet it will never make my abs look like this:

So, I have got to do something! I watched a commercial about P90X, but it scared me more than motivated me. I know a lot of people that are currently doing this, so maybe I actually could stick it out for 90 days. I actually defeat myself before I start something like this because I already start coming up with excuses as to why this won't work. As you may have noticed, I am not one who enjoys exercise, sticking to a diet or denying myself wonderful foods like cookies, chips, or Burger King chicken sandwiches. Seriously, though, bathing suit season is around the corner and I dread having to squeeze myself into those tiny pieces of spandex. Why can't everyone just wear moo-moos to the beach or the pool?

Anyway, so the point of this entire blog is probably more a motivation to myself than to let the world know that my flabby stomach is begining to annoy me. Hopefully I can get a little motivation to say "no" to the extra piece of cake and opt for more carrot sticks. Otherwise, I just might be wearing a moo-moo this summer.

Crochet, Crochet, and More Crochet

Our MOPS group at Cornerstone UMC raises money by having a Mom 2 Mom Sale. My sister, Cricket, and I decided to buy a booth and sell some of our homemade/handmade things. Cricket is the sewer. I attempted to sew a few things, but was easily frustrated and decided that fabric, a 1950s sewing machine, thread, and pins do not get along with me. So, I decided to stick to what I know and keep to crocheting. I have never really sold my things for money, so I am excited to see if anyone is interested in what I have made, I have been busy and my hands have been sore. My goal was to crochet one thing a day and I have pretty much stuck to my goal. I was a little bit behind, so I made three hats yesterday. I think my hands were going to fall off. Anyway, below are some of the things that I have made. If anyone sees something they like and wants me to make something for them let me know, or come to the Mom 2 Mom sale on March 20 and you can buy a hat and one of Cricket's burp rags or hooded towels! I have tons of different colors and any of the beanies can be modified to be more boyish with stripes rather than flowers added.

Flower Beanie--$15

Infant Shell Hat--$10

Sassy Hat--$12

Toddler Sweater--$25

Newsboy hat with buttons--$15

Newsboy Hat with Flowers--$15

Infant Bumpy Hat--$10

Feeding a Tired Baby

So, I was really pushing Belle to make it to 6:00 last night before I put her to bed. She woke up from her nap at 3:45, so I just opted to try to keep her up. I decided to keep her busy with a bath and feeding her a little later. Well, feeding a tired baby turned out to be a huge mess! I got up to put the bowl in the sink and to grab a wipe to clean her face. During this Belle put her hand in her mouth and then proceeded to rub her eyes....and then kept doing this! She thought it was great, but wasn't near as happy when I had to scrub her face in the tub because her food was crusted to her entire face.

Warning: Lots of New Photos

So, here are some new pics of Belle...and some with her cousin, Maia. Maia was hilarious throughout the entire session, while Belle just sat wondering what was happening.

These first five pictures have to be looked at in sequence. It was hilarius. Belle just sat in the same spot the entire time while Maia moved around and couldn't sit still.

See what I mean?

5 Months and Growing

Belle is 5 months old now, and I am daily amazed at how much she is growing and how interactive she is. I just looked at pictures and videos of her when she was born and can hardly believe how little she was such a short time ago. It is totally true when they tell you it goes by fast.

Right now Belle has definitely got her laugh down. She thinks Mac and Daddy are HILARIOUS. Her Mama isn't near as funny, but I sure try. Hearing her laugh is one of my favorite things to hear. Poor thing even thinks it's funny when Mac licks and gets dog slobber all over her face. Clearly, I am not a germ-a-phobe.

Belle is still not rolling over. I personally think it is because her head is so honkin huge! She seriously has no interest in it and is perfectly happy hanging out on her back.

Belle is packing on the weight. We have tried some baby food with her, and she seriously hates the texture. I have to mix it with cereal to avoid seeing her cringe and scrunch her eyes together...although I think it's really cute when she does :-)

Paul and I continue to feel so blessed to have Belle. She cracks me up daily and I LOVE LOVE LOVE watching her grow and do new and different things.

On an aesthetic note...her hair is finally growing back!!!!

You Know You're A Mom When

I stole this list, but I thought it was too perfect. Enjoy!



1. You consider spit a perfectly acceptable cleaning agent

2. You catch spit- up in your hand

3. When you get the opportunity to go grocery shopping alone, you walk the aisles slowly as if you are in a museum

4. Your shower has become the quietest 10 minutes of your day

5. You find pacifiers in your coat pockets

6. You let your baby sit in his/her dirty diaper until Oprah is over

7. You filled up your child's baby book before his/her first tooth appeared

8. You silently curse people for calling during naptime

9. You consider it a major triumph if you shower before noon

10. You justify every excessive crying spell with teething

11. You own the entire Baby Einstein DVD Collection

12. You are just as surprised at when you sleep through the night as when your child does

13. You see your parents in a whole new light

14. You find yourself humming the "rubber ducky" song

15. You speak in the third person "Mommy said no. Mommy loves you. Mommy is going to feed you."

16. You consider the person who invented the sippy cup a genius.

17. You think being a parent is the best job in the whole world

18. You own stock in children's Tylenol

19. The idea of getting dressed up means not wearing sweatpants

20. You know of 100 other uses for baby wipes that don't include a diaper

21. You cannot leave your house without forgetting something

22. You watch Sueprnanny to make yourself feel better by saying "At least my kids aren't THAT bad."

23. You own every "What To Expect When Expecting" book published

24. You can hold a baby, balance the checkbook, empty the dishwasher, and talk on the phone without burning dinner

25. No only did you give in and buy a mini-van, but you find yourself liking it and saying "it is so convenient"