Little Bug's First Christmas

We decided to spend this Christmas in Peachtree City, GA at my husband's parent's house - AKA the MINIs (it's a long story, but has to do with the recent purchase of a MINI Cooper making them known as MINIdad and MINImom or MINIgrandad and MINIgrams). We also invited my sister and her family and my brother. It was an immensely fun weekend of game playing (Settler's, confusion, Banagrams), pie eating (pecan, pumpkin, apple - and yes, I make my own crusts from scratch. It's not pie with store bought crust), frothing of anything frothable (thanks to my sister's new frother!), wine sampling (courtesy of Will), candlelight service candle lighting, cousin bonding, movie-watching, dog-walking, crazy Christmas light house watching, snow playing, and other merry-making. Rather than bore you with words let me take you on a pictorial tour courtesy of Pictorial One (aka my professional photographer brother, Will).

Discovering presents - on Thursday!

LB successfully removed the bows from most of the presents.

Sister love

cousin love in matching jammies

favorite present - wrapping paper

cousin O's get up got crazier and crazier as the day progressed.

my Anthropologie apron - thanks sister! Now I'm gunning for my own cooking show!

joining in on the tulle fun

First White Christmas in Atlanta in 128 years. Good thing Cousin O brought her boots!

snuggling with babes on a Christmas Day walk

The sweet family - Merry Christmas!

Happy Anniversary!

Four years ago today at 6:30 pm EST in Richmond, VA at the Three Chopt Church of Christ, I married my best friend and mate, David Yeouze, My sister-in-law predicted well before I saw it that he was my perfect match in every way. I remember the day that I looked at my dog and told him that David would be his daddy someday. (Okay, a little weird, but I love my doggie). I remember the day that David proposed and he even managed to surprise me. I can't even imagine life without him. He completes me in every way. He is the patience when I have none. The faith when I am faithless. The motivator when I am lazy. The joy when I am sad. The reason when I am nutty. The adventure when I am cautious. I love him with every ounce of my being even when he feels like I love the little bug more! Happy Anniversary, babe. Let's go get some cheesecake!

Dating

Engaged

Married

How do you know it's time?

The first time the Bug's car seat toppled over in the car I thought it was a fluke. But when it happened twice more today, I decided that she had officially outgrown her "baby" seat and needed an upgrade. I immediately set the Hubs onto researching car seats on Consumer Reports. He loves tasks like this and jumped at the chance to not only research, but purchase the seat if her could find one that met all criteria. We are now the proud owners of this topple-proof car seat.

New Giveaways!

I am in desperate need of some nighttime diapers and instead of just buying them, I thought it would be fun to win a gift card to EcoMom. The website has everything imaginable for the environmentally conscious mama and sensitive red-headed bebes. You too can enter to win a $20 GC HERE

All About Me... 30 Day Challenge - Failed.

I did so well keeping up with this challenge. Way better than I often stick with anything else, but I just could not get the last 3 days. I thought about it. I had them written in my mind, but I was without a computer while we were in GA for Christmas. It was actually quite nice to have a long break from the screen. We had a wonderful first Christmas with Sofia at my in-laws. One of my brothers, my sister and her husband and my three year old niece joined us and we did Christmas up! Played lots of games - mostly Settlers of Catan intermixed with a little Cities and Knights and Bananagrams! We ate lots of homemade pie and I wore my new Anthropologie apron whilst pretending I had my own cooking show. Twinkle lights glowed. Sofia ate her fair share of wrapping paper and I didn't even worry about it. We lit candles at the candlelight service and watched the first snow in Atlanta in 128 years fall on Christmas day. It was a truly remarkable weekend. So, while I'd like to apologize for missing the last 3 days, I'm really not all that sorry. I am, however, looking forward to getting back into the swing of blogging world and connecting with my new (and old) followers!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Day 27 – a photo of someone you could never imagine your life without

Absolutely without a doubt The Hubs, my partner, help-mate, my drinking buddy, fellow adventurer, best friend. I love you.

Day 26 - A photo of the place where I live

I'm actually not going to do this one. I know, I'm such a pain. Our current living circumstances are not something I really want to post as it is a "temporary" solution to a BIG problem. How 'bout I post some pics of a house I liked.

 This was a little house we rented in Carmel, NY and I loved it. Most things about it. Can't wait to have a home again.

Under Cover Week with Cloth Diaper Addiction

I am so very excited to be able to be a contributing writer to Cloth Diaper Addiction's Under Cover week.

There is such a learning curve to cloth diapering, especially with fitteds, prefolds, and covers. I'm still very much on this curve, but am so excited and eager to share what I've learned with you guys and hopefully some new folks. I'm also really looking forward to learning new info so I can become a Cloth Diapering NINJA!
So invite your friends and stay tuned to my blog and many others for this fun and informative event coming up in March.

Here is some more information on the event from Cloth Diaper Addiction's blog:
"Under Cover" will take place March 6 through 26. Three full weeks of information to fill your minds with great products, tips, and more.

Week one: Fitteds-We are going to shine the spotlight on fitted diapers. Bring you different styles, looks, and information about fitteds as well as some giveaways.
Week two: Prefolds (and Flats)- We are hoping to teach you the how too's with prefolds. I get asked plenty of times how to use a prefold and hopefully we can answer some questions, show you some great brands and give some away!
Week three: Covers- We are going to share with you some great covers, what we like best as far as features go in a cover and give some away!i>

Help a Fellow Mama Blogger Out!

So one of my favorite blogs to read and look at because it's pretty is Lindesy's. I'm so glad to have connected with her because she helped me with some stubborn aspects of my now beautiful blog. She's soaring to new heights with her blog and rightfully so - she works really hard at it.

Become her follower today and enter to win a $10 Amazon GC - HERE

If I win, I'm using it to get Little Bug the stuffed toy "Skippyjon Jones" here favorite book!

Day 25 – your worst habit

I'm a picker. It's hereditary. I pick my head, my skin, my ears.
the bug's head, ears, nose crustys
The Hub's skin

I think it's anxiety related. I especially noticed when I was in graduate school that while I was reading I would run my hand through my hair, fingers on scalp trying to find anything available to pick. It's weird I know. Not even sure if it's a habit or a disorder. Sorry to gross ya'll out.

Five Question Friday - Blog Hop

 

1. Do you regift...and if so, do you have a regifting horror story?

I am a notorious regifter but in the most polite of ways. I don't have a horror story but here's an example of how regifting works to everyone's advantage. I got a very soft, white teddy bear from a ladies' gift exchange that I will never need or use. The bug's got plenty of toys. So the bear went back to church to be used for the gift "store" for the inner-city mission. See. Works well.

2. Do you know what you are getting for Christmas this year?

I know where the Hubs bought things from, but I have no idea what he got. 

3. Who brings the most gifts in your family, you or Santa?

We don't do Santa. 

4. What store do you love to by jeans from?

I recently developed a love affair with Anthropologie's jeans. I have 2 different brands - AG and something else I can't remember off the top of my head and I'm not getting up to look in my pants label.

5. Christmas meal: Big, All Out Meal or Snacks and Apps?

BIG ALL OUT MEAL. We used to do lasagna because mom could make it ahead of time, but I really love the whole ham, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pie, dinner.

Friday giveaways

So I normally find myself entering to win cloth diapers and that's cool and all, but I (and the Hubs) would really love to win this coffee maker.

You should enter too - HERE

Day 24 – a recipe

I admit, I skipped yesterday. I just couldn't think of anything to post. But I do have a recipe. It is actually a re-post from August. But I think it's one of the more successful of my made up recipes.

Quinoa with Pesto and Feta

Here is a little dish I made up thanks to an overabundance of basil in my mom's garden.

1 c. quinoa
2 c. water or broth (chicken or veggie)
2-3 Tbsp. pesto
2-3 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 c. feta
1/4 c. dried cranberries
salt and pepper to taste

Cook quinoa in the water or broth on low heat until liquid is absorbed. Turn heat off and stir in pesto, olive oil, feta, cranberries, and salt & pepper. Can be served warm or cold. Add more olive oil to create desired texture (i.e., if it's too dry).

Enjoy!

Look Who’s Turning 1 Extravaganza

There is a really cool giveaway going on right now celebrating a very cute little boy's first birthday. Lots of neat things to win. You should check it out. 

12/14 - real nappies

 

Day 21 - A photo(s) of my wedding

Oh let me take you on the official tour. I loved my wedding. I planned the entire thing from my laptop while sitting in my graduate classes (shhh...don't tell my professors - Hey I still got all A's!) David and were living in Memphis, TN and we got married in Richmond, VA on December 30, 2006. Yes, our anniversary is right around the corner.

Okay, so you'll just get the photos I can find on the computer right now.

This is our engagement photo that David turned into a classy "Save the Date" postcard. I'm actually wearing my sister's veil. Thanks seester!

This is a good shot of my pretty feathered, beaded vintage-style hat. Oh how I loved that hat. I put it on as a joke in the bridal shop and fell in instant love. It matched the feathers on my dress.

The kiss - self explanatory

Yay, we did it! Walking down the aisle to "L-O-V-E" I danced the whole way.

This is my cake. It was made in First cousin once removed Barbara's kitchen by my bestest friend in WY, Stacey. She flew from Jackson Hole, used 12 lbs of butter, and technical support from Oregon to create this masterpiece.

This was the cake topper. I am VERY ANTI-cake topper until David found this vintage iron topper from France. Can we say PERFECT!

My very dramatic sister toasting - something about world peace.

And leaving the shin dig .

Day 20 – a talent of yours and Day 21 - A hobby of mine

Playing catch up on yesterday. Too preoccupied with the pretty snow.

I dare say I'm a pretty talented person, especially in the performing arts area. I can sing decently enough that people don't run away holding their ears. I can act quite well, which comes in pretty handy sometimes. I adore the stage and get that tingly feeling every time I hear stage lights hum. And I miss it. Acting has been difficult to get into since graduate school and baby bearing. But someday I will act again.

Now I also am quite a talented cook. David wants me to take gourmet-type cooking classes to develop that talent. It makes sense since I have an apron collection.

My mom says that I have a talent for telling people how it is. I questioned this as a talent - more of a skill that therapists learn in therapy school. But she assured me that I have a knack for giving people honest feedback without sounding mean or judgmental and giving it a humorous and supportive flavor. So sit back, let me entertain you with some dinner theater and some good advice!

Now, on to today's challenge - a hobby of mine

That is kind of the same questions. My hobbies include my talents but I would include additionally
road biking
sewing on occasion
studying about nutrition

On Feeding

So when I started out as a new mommy, I joined a breastfeeding support group locally. It was a neat group. The lactation consultant weighed each babe before and after each mom fed her respective child to see how much milk baby was taking in. This helped assure moms that their babes were in fact getting the nutrition required to grow and thrive. This is important for the breastfeeding mama because unlike bottles, you can't see how much milk is/isn't in the breast. (Now that would be a cool design!) I was never terribly worried about whether or not Little Bug was getting enough milk mostly because she's gained weight steadily and some may even call her a "chunker." (Don't look at me.)

My concern is in feeding her table food. I have absolutely no idea how much of what and when to feed her. This is when an instruction manual would come in really handy. After all, the side of my dog food bags have feeding instructions. Even my houseplants come with watering instructions.

And then there are all the different POVs. The internet sites say one thing. The crazy baby care book that Publix sent to me for joining their club told me to feed her 4ozs of food 3x a day or something crazy like that. That's more food than I eat. I use that book for kindling mostly. Her pediatrician assured me that she only needs breastmilk until she's one year old. But she loves to eat. She gets so happy when she sees the little ramekin and the baby spoon. So I feed her. I even try to feed her everyday. In fact, tomorrow I'm going to venture out in this veritable blizzard so I can buy a high chair from Craigslist so I don't have to feed her on the kitchen floor.

What do I feed the Bug? Well today she had red peppers and apples. A few days ago I introduced peas with basil. This kid eats well. How do I determine her menu? It's a combination of opening the fridge and seeing what's in there that I can cook and mash in the blender and being at Whole Foods and seeing what new and interesting foods are available to feed her. (I steer clear of major gas producers for now.) I make all of her food from fresh organic produce. She does not get any cereal because it's just filler really. She doesn't need the nutrition from it. I'm teaching her the words and to associate them with the item and the sign for the item. It's also proving a good way to teach about color and shape. Today she felt and smelled a pepper and an apple before eating them for her mushy dinner.

It's a learning experience for both of us and I hope I can help her learn to have a healthy relationship with food and enjoy all that God has given us that grows in the ground, on trees, on vines.

Sunday Giveaways

Entering giveaways has created a love affair with Etsy for me. I have won a couple of amazing things from etsy artists and I can't get enough. Our most recent acquisition from etsy was a hand-carved rattle made from Oregon myrtlewood. Sofia loves her new noisy "teething toy."

I found this giveaway today - another Etsy rattle. This would be great to add to my stash of baby shower gifts.

You can enter to win HERE.

It's also the last day of the 12 Days of Clothmas at  cloth diaper addiction.
And boy oh boy what a good one. Dryer Ball and wipes, diaper rash cream, Light Blue diaper with snowflake on bum and a wet dry bag!
Get your entry in HERE.

The Sweet Breath of Innocence

So one of the things that makes me shudder is the feeling of people breathing on or near me, specifically the warm, moist air and the smell. I admit that I even will hold my breath when a person breaths too near my face. I'm sorry. I just do. One thing I've noticed over the past few weeks is how completely intoxicating the smell of Sofia's breath is. It smells like alpine flowers in heaven. Now, I've not spent all that much time around infants so perhaps you all can tell me - Is this true of all infants? And if so  what gives them such sweet breath. I know I'm not pumping her with breath mints. Is it that she hasn't been ingesting and exposed to toxins for year after year? I really have no idea, but I'm soaking it in while I can. I love snuggling with her so that I can breathe with her. Perhaps I'm crazy, but I don't really care. Her breath is a fair trade for other things about her that are not so pleasant smelling.

Day 19 – a picture of somewhere you’d like to travel

Oh no. Another questions that's so hard to decide on a definitive answer. I absolutely love to travel and if money were no object, I would spend most of my time traveling.

I'd like to visit the following places:

Australia - this photo is the Tasmanian Wilderness, I'd like to travel the whole country.

 Alaska - Oh to see the Northern Lights. I'd live there is I could.

Antarctica - I saw pictures of this magical continent when I was working at a photo lab and fell in love with the snowy wilderness. I would love to see the land first hand.









I did notice that all of my places start with A's and that 2/3 of them are snowy most of the time. Hmmm...

day 18 - a photo of my favorite memory

Like all the other days, I reserve the right to post as many favorite memories as I want to. It's my blog. I'll do what I want. I like favorite memories. And I like sharing them with you.

Oh my goodness, so much to choose from. I just went through some pics and you're getting quite a treat.

I loved childhood - this was a Christmas at the grandparents' house.

My engagement day

Wedding day

Honeymoon in Asheville, NC

Granite Canyon trailhead JH, WY

Little Bug's birth day

Five Question Friday - Blog Hop

1. Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
Both, as kids we were allowed to open one present on Christmas Eve of our parent's choosing. I like this tradition and we will more than likely pass in on to Baby Bug.

2. What is your favorite Christmas cookie (or candy)?
Hmmm, hard one. I love cookies. I really like Greek Wedding Cookies and the ones with the hershey's kisses on top.

3. What's the worst Christmas gift you've ever received?
A pair of yellow granny panties from my great aunt - I was 7.

4. Christmas song that you love?
What Child is This. But honestly, I can't get enough of Christmas music. I'd listen to it year round if it didn't annoy the Hubs.

5. How many trees do you put up?
One when we have a home.

Day 17 - My favorite website

I am totally in love with Etsy, but sometimes I get frustrated that I'm not crafty or creative in that way.

But I really love the versatility and ease of Amazon. I can find just about everything I could ever possibly need, scour the reviews and I get free shipping on virtually everything. When I'm done with it, I can often sell it on the marketplace. Nice!

I love my blog now that it's pretty. It's becoming a favorite of mine.

Also, since I'm working on being an entrepreneurial SAHM, I love having my business website set up to help people lead healthier and more independent lives.

Today's giveaways

I know you all want to know how to enter giveaways and win cool stuff.

Here are some links to giveaways that are going on right now.


The 12 Days of Clothsmas at www.clothdiaperaddiction.com 
is a really neat blog all the time for cloth diapering info, but especially fun with this giveaway.
I was the 3rd day of Christmas winner - Woot! - but hoping to win again.

Click on the day to enter
Day 11 ends 12/13
Day 10 ends 12/12
Day 9 ends 12/11


Have fun with giveaways. It's been an experience getting to know some of these ladies with like-minded interests. Especially since I feel like an isolated mama much of the time.

Day 16 - A song that makes me cry

Just about everything makes me cry but one that always does is this one.

Still 


Hide me now, under Your wings.
Cover me within Your mighty hand.

Chorus:
When the oceans rise
and thunders roar.
I will soar with You, above the storm
Father You are king over the flood,
I will be still and know You are God.

Find rest my soul in Christ alone,
Know his power, in quiteness and trust.





But I also cry when I sing this one to my babe at night:


Well I love my baby
sweet and fair
you've got the sky in your eye
the sun in your hair
I rock you to sleep most every night
and sing you this song
while i hold you tight

Sleep my baby
the angels keep you from harm
and your father above
cradles you in his love
safe and warm
sleep my baby
the angels keep you from harm

My baby
you'll be sleepin' soon
kissed by the golden stars and moon
I have just one wish for you
may your every dream come true

Some more to jump start blogging

{one} if you were granted three wishes, what would they be?A job/career for the Hubs, success in my business, a 2011 Subaru Forrester
{two} who is your favorite author?Hmmm, this has changed so much as I've gotten older. I used to be into all things existential and a little bit tortured, now I'm a sucker for whoever wrote "llama, llama red pajamas."
{three} what crowd were you involved in during high school?The Misfits/music/theatre/latin club people
{four} what is your favorite thing to do when you have time to yourself?what, what is time to myself. I would really enjoy being able to go to the gym and take a nice, sweaty muscle building aerobic class or a dance class or have a glass of wine (not at the gym).
{five} do you have any hidden talents?Hidden, nope...all my talents hang out for all to see.
{six} can you fake any accents?Ha, yes. I went to a Conservatory and we were required to take a class that taught how to do accents. I can't do them well, but I know how.
{seven} have you ever been mentioned in the newspaper?Oh sure. But never the blotter.
{eight} have you ever been arrested?see above.
{nine} what is your favorite job you’ve had?hmmm, stage manager for a professional dance/theatre company. Although my current job with the number one nutritional company really meets my people-helping need.
{ten} do you have any scars?not really. A couple of scraped knees from bike riding scars
ps. if you have questions that you’d like to see featured on wee bit wednesday,email me {here}.
xo.

Day 15 - A photo of me with a friend I met this year

I have one for this, kind of. How about a picture of my child with the child of a friend I met this year. I met Lauren at the Farm in Summertown, TN. We both had our babes there and were due about the same time. I met her when we were both "models" for a midwife workshop at the Farm and we hit it off pretty quickly. She was the first non-family member to hold Sofia (S was only about a day old and Lauren came to hang out and chit chat in my little cabin in the woods.) She has been so much fun to get to know and have mama/bebe play dates. 

day 14 - A Picture of a person I'd want to switch places with for the day

This was yesterday's post, but I really just couldn't think of anyone I'd want to switch places with for real. Another mama blogger friend suggested that she'd switch places with her baby and I thought that was clever and pretty accurate. I'd love to see the world through Sofia's eye, feeling, seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling things for the first time. What does she see when she sees me or hears a train or smells dinner cooking? I would love to know. So at the risk of being a copy-cat. Here's she, the person with whom I'd switch places:

Where'd she get that red hair?

"Where'd she get that red hair?" I am asked this questions reliably every time I am out with my Little Bug. My answers vary:
"Oh it runs in both sides of our families."
"My dad and grandma are both red heads."
"He [the Hubs] had red hair when he was little."

David's favorite answer is:
"The mailman."

Sometimes I pretend I didn't hear the question and just proceed with my business.

This morning the answer resonated in my head as clear as crystal:
"God."

Why is this the logical answer? Well, a little secret - I spent time in "frivolous" prayer asking God to bless me with a red headed, curly haired daughter. Little Bug is evidence that God hears even the smallest of prayers and takes them quite seriously. So go ahead - ask me the question. I won't pretend not to hear. I will let you know that God is Almighty Creator of Heaven and Earth and red-headed daughters!

 

Monday Blog Hop

Okay, we're going to try hopping again. I can see why people get into the blogging culture. It's F-U-N!