And The Bald Guy Is My New BFF...

For More Things I Love Thursday, click on over to TheDiaperDiaries.

I didn't manage to get around to writing a post Tuesday night because I was busy scrubbing.

Usually, I am easily able to throw off housework in exchange for some good ole bloggy time, but this was a defining moment.

Folks, meet my new cleaning BFF:



And I know Jill has sung the praises of this baldy before, but really?!? I had no clue.

I opened the box, wet the boring looking sponge and started scrubbing.

I didn't stop scrubbing for TWO HOURS.

Remember the post when Bubbalu scrawled black ink all over my wood windowsill?

Those loop-de-loops are GONE.

COMPLETELY.

However, the deep etched in marks are still there. The Magic Eraser definitely lightened them though. Any pen marks that weren't etched in are gone. Buh bye!

We purchased our new construction home last year. As in 2008. There were miscellaneous construction related scuffs, stains and drips scattered throughout the house:

A dark brown splotch on the laundry room floor. A black scratch dead center on the upstairs bathroom linoleum. An 8 inch red scrawl on the tile back splash. A mysterious black scuff on the base of the glass slider door that screamed, "Hi! I'm Mr. Black Scuff Mark...My owner can't figure out how to get rid of me, so I'm here to welcome you being that I'm the very first thing you see when walking into the family room!".

And Tuesday night? I silenced Mr. Black Scuff Mark FOREVER...and I made him take his friends with him!

A

This has NOT been a paid endorsement.

Tuesdays Unwrapped - Itty Bitty Baby Spit Up...

How many more days will I have itty bitty baby spit up somewhere on me? Why does it always reappear after I've left the house? I find stray puddles on my shoulders, back, under my neck or on my pants.

I was feeding Lil Chick today when she choked, coughed, gagged and spit up her milk. I could feel it making its slimy path down my bare side towards the waistband of my jeans. Most of the time this really makes me upset. I do not enjoy the stinky sour milk scent. Nor do I favor cleaning it out of my clothing, upholstery and bedding.

Today I felt differently. I looked at the little baby in my lap and smiled. How many more days will I have a sweet baby girl to feed?

I picked up Bubbalu's baby book tonight and read about his developmental milestones. Lil Chick is neck and neck with her older brother. Will she really be scooting herself forward in just a few months? Do I really have to find those soft baby spoons so soon? Will you really be able to suck on your toes soon?

Savor today. Squeeze every drop of life out of it. Even if those drops make their way to your sholders, back, neck or your pants...

A

White Shorts Law...

I am loving my new white perfect bermuda shorts thanks to Old Navy:

Don't you love how thin and tan my legs are? What can I say, I work out.

When I was in Nursing School we had to abide by the strict dress code of all white scrubs, white socks, white shoes, short clean fingernails (no acrylics or nail polish) , long hair pulled back, no jewelry except wedding rings, no visible tattoos, wearing deodorant (I can't believe they needed to specify this) and no perfume.

Also, my Clinical Nursing Director specified white undergarments. She said she did NOT want us to wear beige understuff. She wanted to make sure we were actually wearing something. So, I broke fashion rules and wore white undergarments under my white scrubs. Not exactly tres chic.

To all you out there who are wearing white pants, shorts, capris or dresses this spring and summer, let's review the rules:

• Undergarments MUST be worn under white clothing



• Beige undergarments are the color of choice when wearing white clothing



• There are to be no patterns, stripes, polka dots, prints or phrases on undergarments when wearing white clothing



• Once white clothing is soiled, prompt laundering is necessary



• Wearing last years white flip flops is out of the question...mostly because they are in fact beige. Spring for a new pair at Old Navy for only $3.00.

Follow the rules and enjoy the white clothing folks...

A

Kreativ Blogger

Awww, thanks Tiff!



A

Le Master Bathroom Spa...

I had a beautification morning.

And as I would LOVE to report that my dear sweet husband treated me to a full day at the local spa, I would be lying.

Unless, that is, you could call it Le Master Bathroom Spa featuring Eau de grocery store cosmétique.

And instead of a luxury Hot Stone massage, I received an Efficient Hot Wheels massage...with the added (at NO extra cost) aromatherapy treatment of Syrup de Eggo with a hint of grapes to soothe the senses.

The next time you book a massage appointment at your Le Master Bathroom Spa direct your pint-sized masseuse to use the semi-truck massager...the added set of wheels perform a glorious deep tissue massage that will forevermore be your definition of relaxation.

This Mama actually found it within herself to shampoo, condition, blow dry and style her hair. We were trying to rock the unkempt bohemian look complete with headband and giant claw. And although that style definitely has a place in this world, going beyond the seven day mark is pushing it.

If my husband has to come home to his bohemian, gray (they used to be black) stretched out yoga pants and oversize t-shirt wearing wife who did NOT make dinner yet again, he might cry.

But as I read that last sentence over again, I realize that it's not true. Not the yoga pants and oversize t-shirt apparel. That, unfortunately, is true. My husband often says to me, "your job is to feed your baby and take care of your son. That's it, the rest isn't important!" And he means it.

However, as a woman, there is a significant beauty rut I fall into while being a SAHM. It's just SO much easier to wear the yoga pants that used to be black. At least I think they used to be black. I've worn the same pair through both of my pregnancies and I sure the hormone imbalance and 'placenta brain' factors have clouded my memory. And despite my husband loving me whether I've shampooed and conditioned or not, I need a change.

Today I'm fighting the enticing draw of comfortable bohemian yoga pants girl.

She was replaced by proud to be groomed sassy girl.

A

A Cupcake!

Bubbalu was digging around in our backyard a few days ago. My Mother in Law and I watched through the window as he took a giNORmous bite of dirt.

With a look of confusion on his face he spit it out. We, of course, laughed.

I went out and asked him what he was eating.



He said, "cupcake!".

Honey, if dirt tasted like cupcakes Mommy would be a MUCH better gardener...

A

In Which My Sander Comes In Handy...

As many a parent can attest, children will completely destroy your house. Do not buy expensive irreplaceable furnishings. Your progeny will jump on it, puke on it, throw it down the stairs, pee on it, kick it, throw it, burn it and so on.

We have officially experienced it firsthand.

We have had a gate in front of Bubbalu's doorway for a few months. He had been doing superb with staying in bed to sleep, so I STUPIDLY took it down. I thought he had matured into a sensible slumbering toddler. (Enter thematic appropriately suspenseful and foreshadowing music : Dum dum DUM...)

The evidence gallery:



Beautiful, no? And there's more:



He is a strong boy, my son. He etched into the wood as shown here:



I read somewhere that being able to draw loop-de-loops was a developmental milestone.

I am PLEASED as punch to announce that he has met this milestone:



I like the angle of this shot...very artistic:



Remember the post that talks about him getting up too early?

And wandering around the house unsupervised?

And why there is a sizable gate blocking his doorway?

Yeah, this is why.

A

Freedom Pancakes...

On Saturday I all but threw the kiddos at my husband and tore out of the house. It had been a looooong week full of snotty noses and whiny people (especially me). I needed a break.

I called my sister and cajoled her into driving to town and attend the pancake breakfast fundraiser with me.

It was embarrassing how excited I was to get out and eat some pancakes.

And they were good. Mostly because I didn't have to wrack my brain to come up with a meal idea, mix and make them, convince a stubborn 30lb boy to eat them, wash a syrupy face and fingers, scrub everything the syrupy face and fingers touched before I could wash them and then clean up the whole shebang. Drips of syrup on the table. Excess Bisquick that flew out of the box when I set it on the counter. Chunks of pancakes that my toddler thoughtfully donated to the floor.

I sat and savored my freedom pancakes and with a commendable show of restraint resisted going back for more.

My self control is admirable.

We continued in the 'moderation is best' theme of the day by eating cheesy chicken and rice nachos, homemade french fries, beer battered coconut shrimp and margaritas for dinner.

I restrained going back for thirds.

See? Admirable self control...

A

Tweaks and Tinks...

As you can see, we have some tweaking and tinkering going on here at the blog. New three column design and some other design changes. Huge shoutout to my wonderful e-friend Moriah at Please Pass The Salt for helping me. Thanks girlfriend! Go on over and check her out.

A

Susan Boyle...

Haven't heard of Susan Boyle yet? The blogisphere, twitter, facebook and email are hopping with Susan Boyle's Britain's Got Talent audition. She makes me want to cry, but in a good way.

I love what the judges say at the end. Check her out...

A

Plague Habits...

We have been afflicted by a plague over here.

I do not recommend catching this one. In the last two days I have blown through (literally!) all my tissue boxes and have taken to stashing toilet paper rolls in handy places throughout the house.

Because really, is there any difference between toilet paper and tissues? Don't they call TP tissue paper? And yes, I realize that certain lotionized Kleenex, Puffs etc. work wonders on raw undernoses, but I don't care to spend $6.00 per box. Especially when I need upwards of 5 - 10 boxes to survive this bug.

Side note: This is AFTER using nasal spray.

Tell me I'm not alone in my use of toilet paper to blow my nose?

And furthermore, do you make those little nose "plugs" out of twisted tissues? Because I am SO doing that right now, and the lady biking past my front window gave me a weird look...

A

They're Conspiring Against Me...

I discovered that my kids are conspiring against me:



However, I am ready for the attack and will prevail...

A

Re-Baptized...

Apparently Bubbalu didn't think Lil Chick's first baptism was legit. Mama came into the family room to discover her little baby like this:



Maybe that picture doesn't quite capture the moment. How bout this one?



Notice the pools of liquid on the Bumbo tray and that her hair is soaked?

Ladies and Gentleman, if it pleases the court, I'd like to enter into evidence exhibit A:



He doesn't look very remorseful, does he?

That'll teach Mama to leave out saline nose drops within reach of a certain tall toddler...

A

Worthy Is The Lamb...

On this Good Friday I am filling our house with the Message by way of music.

I have a fondness for Christian music that ties us to the believers before us and is steeped in the rich theology of the Christian Reformed faith.

Yes, I like hymns. Give me a Psalter Hymnal and I'm peachy. Call me old fashioned, call me stodgy, call me boring. Fine. You can't ignore the impact music has made on our faith. Hymns were used to teach theology. I have a problem with people wanting to competely rid the Church of these hymns that, after being around for hundreds of years, are suddenly "out of date" and "old-fashioned".

Not that I don't love the more current praise and worship music. My favorite modern day hymn is 'In Christ Alone' co-written by Keith & Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend. RICH in theology and awesome to sing:



There is a place for both in worship. However, I do believe that we are doing a disservice to our children if we are not teaching them the rich music that has been an integral part of our faith for generations.

With that in mind, I am playing 'The Messiah' today and throughout the weekend into Easter Sunday. The Messiah was written by Handel in 24 days in 1741. 24 DAYS. My copy of The Messiah has 252 pages in it minus the 3 introduction pages. That is a miracle.

Here is a video clip of the ending of The Messiah, the song 'Worthy Is The Lamb':



May you have a reverent and reflective Good Friday and celebratory Easter Sunday...

A

Smile Big!

It's hilarious to watch a group of adults try to get anyone under the age of 6 to smile for a picture. Jumping about, making funny faces, snorting, whistling, clapping, whathaveyou. Might be kinda fun to take some sneaky candid shots of the people behind the camera next time.

With my kids, I ALWAYS say, "smile big!" Sometimes it works, sometimes not.

Ok honey, smile big so Mama can take a picture!



Uh, not quite hon. You're scaring the people. Try again.



MUCH better.

OK little Lady, let's take a picture of your cute new dress, shall we? Smile big!



Hmmm. I get the whole "girls are more dramatic" thing, but let's try that again...this time in the bumbo. Smile big!



MUCH better.

A

Ten Tips For Mother's Expecting Baby #2...

This post over at 5 Minutes For Parenting was AMAZING.

Lil Chick is now 4 months old and the transition hasn't always been a cakewalk. Yes, she is a super sleeper and not having nursing issues like Bubbalu did. No, that doesn't mean she isn't any work.

Having 2 is an exercise in logistics. Timing meals, naps and everything in between to achieve a semblance of order is challenging. Just when we have a groove going, we have an outing. Church, grocery store, doctor appointment, errands, etc. Then you pay for it the next 2 days. I honestly wonder sometimes if it is more trouble than it's worth.

Just feeling a bit overwhelmed with the crazies today. Bubbalu was sick for 2+ weeks, and now we are playing the, "is it an ear infection or not" guessing game. I hope it is, because if this recent behavior change is really him, we are IN for it.

Go ahead and read Fried Okra's Ten Tips for Mothers Expecting their Second Child. Written honestly with a huge helping of practicality and a side of humor.

However, no matter what teeth grinding, nerves shredding, stressful kind of day I've had, I still watch them as they sleep and fall in love with them all over again...

A

Suncreen and swimsuits...

I put sunscreen on Lil Chick for the first time yesterday. There's nothing like that greasy iconic baby sunscreen smell to bring about thoughts of swimming pools, baby sun hats and beach umbrellas. Please spring, stay around a bit?

Rubbing sunscreen in gives a great mini-massage for the little punkin'. Lil chick grinned at me the entire time...it warmed my heart more than the sun did.

Now comes the bathing suit search...no, not for me. Although, it is likely this may the first year of the tankini.

Lil chick needs a swimsuit. Preferably an adorable one. With ruffles. And a matching sunhat, sunglasses and flip-flops. Because really, what's cuter than a baby in swimwear? NOTHING.

This one from Old Navy is rather cute:



And this one satisfies the criteria:

And I can get impractical itty-bitty baby matching flip flops:



And matching ruffly sunhat:



So cute it hurts.

I also found this adorable sundress for only $7.00:



And this cute suit for only $8.50:



However, I'm thinking the two piece options are more practical considering the inevitable changing of the barely holding it in poopy swim diapee hullabaloo.

OK, no more e-shopping for me. The sun is out and I need to soak up some Vitamin D. We are seriously deficient over here.

A

Wordless Wednesday...

Just hanging out at home with my crazy Bubbalu and Lil Chick in the Moby:



And yes, I realize I have now made this post full of words. April Fools! There you go, my halfhearted, I need to go to bed attempt at humor.

So it goes...

A