Jeans of Perfection Svelteness...again.

Well, went shopping with the little sister again, and boy did we hit the jean jackpot! Who knew a Jeans of Perfection Svelteness day could not only occur again, but multiply exponentially as well!?

I was THIS close to buying a secondary set of fantabulous jeans. I was standing in line having pre-buyers remorse. Just didn't think the hubby would be thrilled with the purchase. So, I politely asked the saleslady to put them on hold for me.

I didn't go back for them.

I'm just waiting for Macy's to have another super sale.

Or, use a 40% off any one item coupon. Whatsthatyousay? They don't take Joanns coupons at Macy's?

Why not!?

A

(Btw, stop by Becca's blog and wish her a happy B-day for tomorrow! )

Spoiled Little Brat....

That is me. I am a spoiled little brat. Sad thing is, I am smiling while I type that.

Why am I a spoiled little brat?

Well, when we were chatting up how much fun our honey-cruise was, Lance's family decided it would be the perfect last minute spring break jaunt for them. Trouble is, they needed four people to go, not three. Can you guess where this is leading? Yep, I'm going on ANOTHER cruise.

See? Spoiled little brat. I told you. My husband just shrugged and said "sure, why not? Have fun!" , and my Mom said, "sure I'll watch Bubbalu, why not? Have fun!", and I said "sure I'll go again, might be fun!".

So there you go.

A

Fantabulous Fake Flats

I like the idea of flats, really, I do. I just cannot wear them.

I luv to look at them, pretend they will be super duper stylish and completely figure flattering, not to mention comfortable. I stroll about the shoe display, and pick out a susceptible pair.

Usually of the polka-dot, bold floral print or bow-accessorized variety, cause that's how I roll.

They yell from their soles, "pick me, pick me! I'm really really cute! I'll transform your wardrobe one outfit at a time!".

I take them out of the box, and unwrap the thin paper around them and slip them on. They continue to maintain their facade of uber cuteness as the hems of my Jeans of Perfection Svelteness fall at the perfect part of the shoe, letting the toe peep out.

Then, I stand up and look in the mirror. My legs look like sausage in casing. I cannot emphasize enough the need for some heels on this bod. They make such a huge difference in how I look!

So, what's a girl to do? Long hems on my Jeans of Perfection Sveltness + no ability to pull off a flat = mucho problemo.

I had to go to an expert. Big Mama suggested that I go for a moderately comfortable heel, and gave some links to show as examples.

But, I live in Seattle. Being that it SNOWED here today, we still need to cover those toes. Here's what I found:


And they were on sale. Can I get a Hallelujah! from the back. I got them in black and brown. Notice the bow? And the cute liner? Yep, they are just my style. Eliminate meaty looking legs, add some cuteness and spunk, and check it out, they look like flats!

I'm a happy girl.

A

No More Bloggy Break

I know, I know, I took a LONG bloggy break. But, it was worth it!

Lance and I went on a much anticipated 2nd honeymoon Mexican cruise trip last week. Pictures are pending! We left Bubbalu behind with his doting grandparents (on both sides). By the end of the week, I think he may have been more pampered than we were (no pun intended)! After getting back home, we stayed up in L-town with our families and played a bit longer.

Drove home through snow today (really? SNOW at the end of march? I am embarrassed to admit I packed shorts and capri's for L-town, silly me) and am settling in again after 6+ loads of laundry.

What happened in the blog world? What did I miss? Other than all you fine folks, of course.

A

Leaving On A Jet Plane....

Getting on an:

and from there onto:

Yippee!!!

A

Alrighty Then...

Bubbalu began climbing a tote bin this week:


He proceeded to take it to the next level (literally):

I failed to capture him standing on the couch as I was trying to catch him before he fell.

I miss you already Bubbalu.

A

Goodbye Little One...

Since watching my sweet little boy be shuttled out the driveway safely ensconced in my parents vehicle I have:

-laid on the couch and cried for 30 minutes
-yelled at my husband for nothing (transferring emotions)
-apologized to my husband
-updated my gift list (again)
-picked up tons of junk
-ran 5 miles
-started laundry
-cleaned the kitchen
-attacked our paper stacks
-read ALL the blogs I read daily
-written this post

And it's only been 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Wow.

A

Favorite Find Friday - Infant Meds

Why? Well, I've got a sick baby over here, and it is something I can do to help him.

That, and unending cuddles, snuggles and sippy cups of juice.

A

Trim the fluffies...

When Bubbalu was a little baby, he had the "balding old man" hair syndrome. Kinda hilarious paired with his little man face. Not your typical gerber baby.

Here he is at 3 weeks old, 5lbs, 4 oz.

Fast forward roughly 14 months and we are finally in need of some hair snippage. Fluffy on the sides, still not too much on the top, party in the back :

Yep, we are invading Mullet-land. Scary, isn't it?

Enter the Beautificationist, our dear sister Megs. She said to come on down to the salon and would trim the fluffies for Bubbalu. And cut my hair too, but c'mon, what's more exciting? Baby's first haircut, or Mama's chopping length off and redoing layers again haircut?

First Daddy gets a cape (not like there will be that much hair cut, but ok).

Hey look at us Papa!

Bubbalu gets a baby cape (or a towel, whatever)...

Last reassurances from Papa "it's OK son, be strong"...

Um, I'm having second thoughts...

Hey! Whatcha doing? Stop touching my head!

Hmmm, this tastes interesting..

What did I say about touching my head!?!?!


OK, fine! Touch my head, see if I care...


At least my comb is nice to me...


See? Nice green comb.


I'm not having any fun here. In case anybody cares.


You have GOT to be kidding me. I am NOT getting my hair styled...


Are you spiking my hair? I didn't agree to this.


Do YOU think I look dumb? I'm not sure about this.

Thank you Auntie Meemee...


Mama kinda likes it, I think...

Hey! Lookey there, I look kinda cute!

Whew, that was exhausting. I think I need a nap.


A

Things I Fancy - 2

More fun things I found today while surfing the Walmart website...

These shoes are $8.00 folks! One stipulation, they only have size 6 left - argh. I don't think my clodhopper size nine feet will fit. Although, my MIL said that spanx for feet might be the answer. So, if you have size six feet, you are in luck....AND.....only $.97 shipping. (That's almost free) :


These little teal wonders are $6.93 at Wallyworld, and would look great with my new bikini :


I want to find some puddle splashing boots for Bubbalu, and these are a nice option for $10 :


And last but not lease, for a little more spring outfit oomph.... here ya go, for 10 bucks :

You're welcome.

A

Oh A Meme-ing we will go....

Ms. DiaperDiaries tagged me for my first Meme! Woot woot! Watch out, I'm tagging five more!

A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.

B. Each player answers the questions about themselves.

C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

What I was doing 10 years ago: 10 years ago, I was a junior in high school. I could often be found strolling the school halls hand in hand with my new hot boyfriend. I was cheering for the football and basketball squad and spent a lot of time on my hair.

5 Things on my To Do List today: 1. Hang up pre-smoothed, foot high pile of clean shirts in the closet, 2. Go to the library and get Frommers Cruise travel guide, 3. work out, 4. Do NEXT set of laundry (hopefully #1 has been completed by this point....we'll see), 5. Kiss my hot high school boyfriend.

Snacks I Enjoy: Symphony Almond Toffee Chocolate Bar, Cereal (really, I luv cereal), Mint Oreo DQ blizzard, cheese, fruit, and hot high school boyfriend.

Things I would do if I were a Billionaire: Pay off debt ( HELLO, Dental school isn't free!), build a new church or seven, buy a new home or seven, buy a bumblebee car , pre-pay kids education, retire at 30 with my hot high school boyfriend.

3 of my Bad Habits: Finishing people's sentences, staying up too late and sleeping in too late, not flossing (don't worry, my hot high school boyfriend regularly cleans my teeth).

5 places I have lived: My parents house, Glendale AZ, Phoenix AZ, Kenmore WA, Seattle WA.

5 Jobs I have had: Paper shredder (my Papa's a lawyer), local dutch restaurant's dishwasher (my fingers are still scarred), Nurses Aid at long-term care facility, file clerk at insurance agency (to this day I have NO IDEA what I was doing there!), high-risk obstetric nurse.

Well, that was fun! Alrighty then, who to unleash this Meme on now? I tag Brown Eyed Girl, Musings of a Housewife, LifewLaura, JeskyBera, and WestCoastEekhoffs.

Things I fancy...

I'm supposed to be updating my gift list today so I was surfing for some ideas.

I like these boots:


Size 9, from Targhay'. Why? Well, we live in Washington State, that's why. And it rains on a frequent basis. And no, Shane, I won't wear them as everyday shoes, just out to get the mail and do yard work....when I have a yard...but I don't have one right now...ok, I guess I'll use them to get the mail when it's raining.

And this movie I watched and cried with last night (thank you Oxygen Channel for showing it) :

I also want the book because (gasp!) I've never actually read it. I know, so sad. How can you NOT have read this?! I don't know. Should I read Sense and Sensibility too?

And I think this bag will go nicely with my new white shorts :

Sensing a trend here? Yep, I like the spring green.

A

Watch Out...

17
Well, at least I know I'll survive Jude's 5 yr birthday party if it gets a little out of hand.

A

Freedom & Sleeping Boys

I'm just hanging out at home today having an unexpected reprieve from work. Apparently not enough laboring ladies today. It's always kind of sad how excited I get when the phone rings at 6 AM on the day I am scheduled to work.
I see my hospital unit on the front of my cell phone and my heart starts to pound.

"Hello?"

"Hi Amanda? We don't need you today, do you want to be on call?"

"OK!"

The day stretches ahead of me with possibilities.

Here's what we did: unpacked from being gone for two weeks, did six loads of laundry (washed, dried, folded AND put away!), went through our mail inbox pile (ginormous), cleaned the main living room, did the dishes, fed Bubbalu, caught up on bills, went through receipts and have much more planned.

Bubbalu is currently napping and Lance fell asleep on the couch after a lovely lunch of leftovers.

Mama finished a book during lunch, is catching up on the blog, and will go out for a run soon.

Life is good.

A

Favorite Find Friday : Measuring Tape

WHAT???



I know, it sounds weird, and I WILL explain. Stick with me.

I had a baby almost 15 months ago. Is it an excuse? No. Is is a reason? YES.

My body dramatically morphed in the last 2 years. ( No, I'm not a stick thin person, so lets just call me an average pear shaped woman. ) Pre-pregnancy I was running 10 miles 3 days a week, had great tone and was overall satisfied with my body. By the end of my pre-eclampsia ridden pregnancy, I was NOT thrilled with my body. It looked so different to me that it was almost alien. Who stole my body? Where did THIS one come from?

Colic didn't exactly assist with my postpartum weight loss. I made it a point to get out and walk/run, despite Bubbalu screaming the entire time. People gave me sideways concerned looks on the trail, and I would just smile. I couldn't talk to them because my baby silencing headphones were in. What they must have thought...oh well.

Anyways.

Despite some infant related challenges, I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight at six months. STILL... Who stole my body? Where did THIS one come from? Those of you who have had a baby understand this. Where is my muscle tone? What is with this poochy lower stomach thing? Same weight, NOT the same size. Shifted doesn't even begin to explain it. Granted, I was still breastfeeding, and I know the body holds on to some extra poundage in interesting places because of it.

OK. So measuring tape. Thought I forgot, huh?

I have always built muscle up rather quickly and would be frustrated when the scale refused to budge after weeks of diet and exercise. I started taking my measurements about four years ago and haven't stopped. I keep a notepad (I'm not telling you where) that lists the date, current weight and current measurements.

The reason I love measuring tape? I lost 8 inches in the last month...and the scale stayed the same. Clothes fit better, and I am almost bikini ready.

How to use? Keep a running list of your measurements and check monthly or quarterly.

• Bust
• Under Bust
• Waist (smallest part)
• Belly Bulge (hehehe, that's for postpartum only )
• Hips/Behind (largest part)
• Under Behind
• Upper leg/Thigh (largest part)
• Above Knee
• Calf (largest part)
• Upper arm
• Forearm

No, I don't look the same as I did before pregnancy, but that's ok.

I paid a small price for a huge blessing.

A

Lofty Nutritional Goals

I have been one of those Mama's who vowed nutritional perfection for her offspring.

Have been. Past tense. As in NOT PRESENT tense.

Sure I was the devoted breastfeeding, home babyfood makin' Mama. I fully intend to do the same for future kiddos as well.

Today for lunch? Bubbalu snorfed down a whole packet of Easy Mac.

That's right. I admit it openly, Easy Mac. I luv this stuff. It is yummy, easy to make, and did I mention the cheese? Why does it taste so much better than the now outdated box with cheese powder packet? I cannot describe the allure of Easy Mac with enough kind words.

Bubbalu has become increasingly picky with his food. From what I read and have been told, it is perfectly normal for a 14 month old to do this.

Bubbalu had some catching up to do his first year of life. Being born extra small and coming home tipping the scales at 5 lbs meant a LOT of catch-up. He ate with a vigor I though not possible for such a tiny human. Holding him off on solids until 6 months was NOT easy. Still, I prevailed, and on his 6 month old b-day, rice cereal was offered. It was a hit. His look seemed to say, "Mama!? What IS this stuff? GIVE ME MORE." He ate most things I offered gladly, yet stayed at less than 10% (and sometimes 5%) body weight. At about a year he sailed to 45% and the parents rejoiced. He's normal. He's nourished. His brain is growing. We should get a medal.

Fast forward a month. Yes, staying at the 40ish % and eating picky. Hard to get used to.

I have to wonder: is it strange that my child has only eaten a total of 3 peas in the last week to satisfy his veggie quota? The fruit quota is met with applesauce and maybe the juice that was on the cut up mandarin slices that were spit out. And those dehydrated "toddler friendly" fruit in that baby isle? The look Grandma got from Bubbalu was, "lady, you have GOT to be kidding me".

My child ate Easy Mac for lunch. Spit out one dehydrated fruit morsel and sucked down some whole milk.

Alrightly then.

A