Modern Toddler Cutlery

My husband and I are both lovers of everything modern so I'm always on the lookout for modern baby stuff. This is very cool! The cutlery is designed to fit in to the hand of a toddler from 6 months to two years, the wide handles make it easy to grab and manipulate for new hands.

And they are both modern and adorable, they come in a variety of modern colours and are only $42.00 a set. Available from A+R Store

Week 5, Day 1

I'll get a better baby belly picture later but for now this can show you my "pooch". My pants are tight, I'm an emotional wreck and I eat dinner for breakfast. No morning sickness yet, I'm hoping that means I won't get it at all!

I've been crying a lot. Not just at sad things but at everything, I've been on the thebump.com forums and every ones stories make me cry, happy or sad. Last night I saw a picture of my husbands grandfather who has been dead for over 10 years and whom I've never met and I cried. I also cried when my husband got home from work because I was so happy and then again when he made me dinner.

My pants are very tight, I had to get some maternity jeans already, I'm starting to think either this baby is huge or I'm having twins, the twins I think I would like better than a huge baby, but either way I'm happy.

We've changed our minds a hundred times about when we are telling our families. We are very excited so want to get it out in the open so we can share our excitement, but are also afraid of the miscarriage alternative. As it stands I think we are telling them on Saturday, we are all having dinner to celebrate my husbands graduation from Real Estate College and he wants to include it in his speech. I have a feeling I'll cry before he even stands up to make his speech.

We'll see what the next couple of days holds for us!

Vegetarian Meatballs

Tonight for dinner we had Vegetarian Meatballs! They are delicious and very easy to make. Combine 2 cups cottage cheese, 1 cup ground pecans, 4 eggs and mix in breadcrumbs until you get a thick consistency, enough to roll in to balls. Bake at 350F for 35-40 minutes, I used tomato sauce but you can use anything from teriyaki to a grape jelly meatball sauce! Mmm, enjoy!

The Grandparent Gift Co.

Are you looking for the perfect way to announce your pregnancy to the soon to be grandparents? The Grandparent Gift Co has some awesome gifts especially for grandparents.

I bought my Mom and Dad this frame

The poem says: 
Here's a little peek at me, it shows I'm on the way,
Little grandbabies like me, don't happen everyday.
I'm busy growing strong, and one day soon we'll meet,
I can't wait to hug and kiss, the moment will be sweet,
For now dream of me, and the things we'll do,
Explore, sing, laugh, and play, to name a very few.
Save a special place for me, to grow inside your heart,
We will be forever friends, a love that never parts,
I hope you'll share your joy, with friends both new and old.
A little grandbaby to love, will soon be yours to hold.
©Teri Harrison. Not for personal use.

How perfect would it be for grandma to unwrap that?

Pregnancy Dreams

I've been having very vivid dreams that seem so real, which I've researched as being pregnancy dreams. Last night I had a very beautiful dream where I was handed my baby (a boy) and when I held him I said "I feel like I was born to do this". That gave me a lot of courage to know that my subconscious self is telling me that I am going to be an amazing mommy!

Today I started putting together the baby video, my husband and I are documenting every part of my pregnancy for the baby and putting a video of it all together. I want to start now so I don't get too far behind. It's set to the song I Hope You Dance by Leanne Womack, which of course makes me cry every time I listen to it. I definitely think documenting your pregnancy in some way, whether it's a journal or pictures or whatever you want, is important. I would love to be able to look back now at how excited my parents were to be having me and all the emotions and feelings and craving that were going on! It's such a beautiful time in a persons life to be growing life!

Disguises Onesies

I found these last night:

Yes, disguises onesies. $51.95 for the set of four from Punk Baby Clothes.

This is definitely on my list of wants!

4 Weeks Day 4

Only 249 Days To Go!

Updates: I am so tired I went to bed at 8:30pm two days in a row.

Thoughts: I wish I could tell people...but not my family. I am terrified of telling them! I've played it out a thousand times in my head already, and it's not good! I wish I could just send them an email so I didn't have to see their facial reactions. We are getting my mom a picture of the ultrasound framed with a beautiful poem about how much the baby already loves her. I'm hoping that she has time to read it before she becomes too upset about the idea that I'm too young to have a baby. We are telling my husbands family the weekend after we get the ultrasound (which is on November 17) we got my mother in law this shirt:

I am very excited about this because I know she will be excited, this is her first grandchild and she's already expressed her idea that having children young is okay.

We are waiting to tell my family until Christmas Eve, I can only hope that my opinion is completely wrong that they will be upset, I just have to keep telling myself that what is right for one person is not always right for someone else. My sister waited until she was thirty to have her first baby but that doesn't work for my husband and I, this is what we want and this is how were going to do it!

Daddy's First Gift

The new daddy just bought his first gift for baby, a pair of doggy shoes from Babies R Us. I'm definitely pregnant as I started crying while we were at the checkout because the shoes were just too cute!

I'm Pregnant!

I've got a bun in the oven, I'm with child, preggo, yup that's right, I finally got a positive pregnancy test (make that two). I called my midwife today who says my due date is June 28, 2012! My husband and I barely got a wink of sleep last night, the first thing he did was run to his ipad and download a book called "Dad's Guide to Survival", how sweet is he?

I had been craving scrambled eggs all day yesterday and didn't know why I wanted them for every meal. I took the test just "because" and right before I did my husband says to me "don't waste another one, you don't even feel pregnant". Well I guess you don't have to feel pregnant! So half an hour later I march upstairs and make the ultimate scrambled egg wrap. This morning when I woke up I asked my husband to go make me scrambled eggs, I sit down to eat them and I can't even smell them without turning my nose up. I take one bite and gag! What a change from yesterday!

Well I think I'm going to go take a nap. Grow little embryo grow!

Pregnancy Week: Week Four
Baby Size: 0.04oz
Weight: 130
Feelings: Cramps, Cravings and Sleepiness
Cravings: Scrambled Eggs and Veggie Burgers

Palak Paneer

I found this "Gits" Ready Meals Palak Paneer, it is 100% Vegetarian and very delicious! I bought it at Walmart, it took 2 minutes to make in the microwave and there are no preservatives in it! The perfect family meal! I made it on a bed of rice which was simply delectable! I definitely reccomend it for a busy family.

2012 Mazda 5

My husband and I just got back from test driving with new Mazda 5! I am so excited to tell you that it is perfect. It is affordable, spacious, cool design and doesn't feel like you're driving a minivan. We are seriously considering buying it but I have to try and talk my husband in to giving up his Cadillac in the trade, he's not too keen on trading his car for a minivan but what man is? He is warming up to the idea though, after I told him he could easily transport his golf clubs anywhere he goes!

Diaper Free Before 3

I just bought the book Diaper Free Before 3 by Jill M. Lekovic. So far its dispelling the myth that potty training your child before they show signs of readiness can be dangerous. It seems like common sense, and I have a feeling it will prove very useful in bringing up baby. I'll give a full review when I'm finished!

Total Baby App

I'm always on the look out for things that will make our lives as Super Mom's easier. The invention of the iphone is definitely something that can be used to make our lives easier. I found an app that is perfect for tracking all of your newborns needs.

The app lets you track and time things like diapers, nursing, bottles, solids, sleeping and baths so, if you're like me, and lose track easily then this is perfect.

There is also a diary and growth tracker and you can add your own timers in then export everything to your email to let your family know how your little one is doing!

Sound good? Check out their website or search it on your Iphone, Total Baby App.

Meet the Army

My husband often refers to our animals as "the army", my Aunt calls them the "Menagerie", I call them my babies, but any way you say it we have five pets, two dogs, a cat,a bearded dragon and a parrot, and yes, we're trying to have a baby, I guess we're attracted to chaos.

Full Name: Arbiter

Nickname: Arby

Age: 3

Full Name: Solo

Age: 1

Breed: Pomeranian

Favorite Activity: Peeing on curtains

Full Name: Yoda

Age: 2
Breed: Chihuahua

Favorite Activity: Sleeping

Full Name: Cesar

Age: 4

Breed: African Grey Parrot

Occupation: Evil Tyrant

Full Name: Dr. Gonzo

Age: 6

Breed: Bearded Dragon

Occupation: Doctor

Those are my babies, or army, or menagerie, whatever you want to call them they make my home unique and a lot of fun. It's a lot of work to clean up after four free-roaming messy animals but it's worth it, they give so much love and happiness and I couldn't imagine life without them!

Peppermint Meringues

Is it too early to start thinking about my Christmas baking? Nah, there's only 68 more sleeps til Christmas! These Peppermint Meringues with Chocolate Filling look like they would dazzle any holiday Christmas party attendee. Here is the recipe.

Speaking of Christmas parties, my husband and I host an annual Christmas party for my family, last year was an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, and this year we are doing a Hawaiian theme. We are very excited about this and I will have lots to share in the month of November in preparation for my Luau Extraordinaire!

Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday and I always decorate the house excessively, starting with the first snowfall, or November 1st, whichever comes first.

Every day from November 1 until December 26 my house smells like peppermint and there is constant Christmas music playing. Just thinking about it makes me want to start decorating!

Chicken"less" Wings Review

We just had the Gardein buffalo style chicken wings for dinner (meatless chicken wings). Very simple to prepare, took about five minutes to fry them up in the pan, getting them nice and crispy on each side then pouring the sauce on and letting it simmer for a minute. 

Here's what they look like when they are done, mind the presentation, I had them all nice and neat with the table set beautifully and forgot to take a picture because I was ravenously hungry! 

So my opinon, I would buy them again, but would not use the sauce that comes with it. It was too spicy, and I like spicy foods. The texture is that of a firm tofu, and my husband says that it comes close to representing real chicken wings. 

Overall I would say I am impressed, I like the fact that our family is able to have "real" meals that resemble that of a meat eating family, it makes it more fun for me to cook and for my husband to enjoy. Gardein has a ton more vegetarian options that I'm going to explore, check out their website here!

Happy Eating!

Meatless Chicken Wings

I found these meatless chicken wings at Walmart today, I'm always looking for exciting vegetarian food to keep my husband interested. So we are having some buffalo wings for dinner tonight, I will let you know how they taste!

Diaper Free Babies?

I just came across this book online and began to look in to the phenomenon that is "diaper free babies". I'll have to get this book to give you the full scoop but from what I understand babies have a thing called elimination communication which lets you know when they need to go to the bathroom, you take them to the toilet and they eliminate, making the use of diapers...well useless! Sounds great doesn't it? I'll investigate further and let you know what I find!

Baby Books

I am obsessed with baby books. I own over fifteen books and have read them all cover to cover. The most common theme in all the books is "you won't be prepared no matter how many books you read."  That scares me, I like to be prepared. So what can prepare you for having a baby? Well...I suggested to my husband that we wake up every two hours to "practice" he didn't think that was a good idea. I also suggested breaking in to the local high school to "steal" one of those training babies they give you in home-ec, he just stared at me vacantly for a moment and didn't feel the need to justify that with an answer. So I guess we are just diving right in to "baby makes three". Until then I put diapers on our dogs when the hubby is at work and will continue speed reading as many baby books as I can get my hands on! 

Hypnobirthing

I just started reading this book today, so far so good, basically explaining that the reason women feel so much pain in labor is because they are so fearful of it and fear causes pain. Very intereting concept, will keep you updated!

Babyproofing your Marriage Review

I couldn't put it down, it was fantastic. It was a bit scary because it told it like it is, which you don't hear a lot when reading books about babies. I am so glad that I read it and think that it is a must for all expectant couples or couples with babies.

I learned a lot of really great points, like you need to stop scorekeeping ("You loaded the dishwasher? Well I cleaned the house, fed the dogs, changed the baby, and put her down for a nap.) You need to stop wishing for the next stage and just appreciate the one you have right now because it won't last very long and you'll regret missing it. Take time for yourself, leave the kids with the hubby and go somewhere! Have a girls day, or an alone day, anything! And have a date night! However often you feel is necessary, take turns planning it so you don't end up getting bitter and it feels like work to plan another date.

I feel after reading this book that I am much more prepared to handle the stress of a newborn because I have all the techniques to make my husband and I effective communicators. I am resolving to hang up my scorekeeping habits and (after a lot of convincing) have made a schedule with my husband of how we will divide the work evenly so no one can get mad.

No matter what age your kids are, if you are finding that your marriage is lacking and that your spouse is more of a roomate than your partner then pick the book up, you won't regret it.

The Case of the Missing Coffee Pot

This morning I wake up, perform my usual morning routine, and go upstairs to make the coffee. I approach the coffee maker with horror growing in my heart, the pot is missing. Now for most people they would come up with a reasonable explanation like, oh my husband must have put it somewhere, but I am a chronic sleepwalker, I am always moving things around, turning on lights and just doing plain old weird stuff. So I go on the hunt for the coffee pot, I look in the usual places, the oven, the closets, all of the cupboards, no luck. I am standing in the kitchen looking stumped when my husband strolls in and asks "what's wrong". I said I probably had a sleepwalking incident and put the coffee pot somewhere, to which he replied "I put it in the dishwasher, it needed cleaning." I looked at him as if he was off his rocker. This is the first time since we moved in together that my husband voluntarily loaded the dishwasher AND to top it all off he also cleaned the coffee pot!? I smiled and hugged him and told him how happy I was that he was finally getting the whole "domestic" thing. He replied "Thanks, but I only did it so you'd let me go golfing today".

Men...I will never understand them.

Woogie Iphone Protector

If you have an iphone and you have kids chances are you have kids playing on your iphone. Now what can you do to prevent it from getting thrown at the cat, or cheerios spilled on it, or a curious baby trying to taste the screen? Your answer: The Woogie.



The woogie allows your kid to be just that, a kid, go ahead and spill, throw or vomit on the woogie without damaging your iphone! The arms are adjustable to act as a stand or sit in a child's lap.

Find the Woogie here!

Belly Fish

This is a useful tool for Moms on the go! From Belly Fish it is a breastfeeding pillow and nursing cover in one! Definitely going to be on my list of wants!

Babyproofing Your Marriage

I got this book in the mail today and have already read half of it!

So far it is absolutely amazing, definitely a must read for parents and expecting parents. It's laugh out loud funny while pressing on serious issues that arise when parents take on the daunting task of a newborn.

More on that later, have to get back to reading!

A Toddler's Rules of Possesion

Thanksgiving Shirt for Toddler

How perfect is this shirt for a trip up to Grandma's on Thanksgiving? Find it here.

Buying Pregnancy Tests

I'm a super weird person to be around when I'm buying pregnancy tests, as often as I can I get my husband to do it. I'm so weird to the point that I was followed out of the pharmacy and asked to return my "stolen goods". I can never buy just the pregnancy test, it has be to concealed by lipgloss and hair products. I think it all started when I bought my first pregnancy test and the lady behind me in line gave me a look like "this is what the world is coming to?" ever since then I pile makeup on top of the box and never make eye contact with the cashier.
My husband just walks right in, pulls the box off the shelf and marches up to the counter, slamming it down with pride like "yeah, I'm trying to have a baby". I wish I could have his confidence!

We started our renovations today, we bought a one bedrom house two years ago, silly little twenty year olds never thinking about the future, luckily the bedroom is huge so we can easily divide it in to two rooms, a nursery and a master bedroom. My husband believes he is a handyman (although I don't know where he gets this idea from) so he is taking on the daunting task of framing the rooms and drywalling and whatnot. We just got the master bedroom closet done, it looks awesome and today we are removing our fireplace from our bedroom (a small sacrifice we had to make). I've got this incessant need to nest and I'm not even pregnant! I guess it's a side effect of baby fever!

Baby Shoe Rack

How cute and practical is this baby shoe rack?! Made by the company Boon this shoe rack is going to be a must for me and baby :)

Home Birthing

I am intending to have a home birth when I get pregnant and work with a midwife. I've always been in to alternative remedies and haven't been to a doctor since I broke my arm when I was a kid, so it only seems natural that I would choose a midwife. I chose this method because of the movie The Business of Being Born, which the sequel "More Business of Being Born" comes out on November 8!

Everytime I go to a hospital it feels "icky" so why would I want to give birth in one!? Giving birth is not being sick, your body is the most amazing thing, it is transforming before your eyes to push a baby out and no one, not even doctors could do that better than you can!

I also want to try hypnobirthing as well, which is the use of hypnosis during childbirth. It's supposed to eliminate pain by taking the fear of out birth. I'm currently waiting on my hypnobirthing guide to come in the mail (fingers crossed it comes tomorrow) so I will post more when I know more!

I thought it was funny when I was at work the other day and the ladies were all talking in the other room and one said "oh ya she had a home birth" as if she was a crazy hippie! I guess that's how people will see me. This world has become so medically focused that the idea of your body doing what is natural by itself, unassisted by drugs and forceps and pokey proddy devices seems ludicrous.

I guess that's what you have to live with when you choose to have a homebirth!

Contemporary Cradle

I'm adding this to the list of things that I love but probably won't ever get. The So-Ro Cradle has a hefty price tag of $800 and can only be used for babies up to six months old. My husband says "we could use it for storage after"...honey, that's a pretty expensive storage bin.

How to Stay Sane While Trying to Conceive

Staying sane while trying to conceive is one of the hardest things I've had to do. I have a few tips on keeping your mind from wandering to the "I'm infertile" and the "what's that feeling, I'll go pee on the stick!" thoughts that can drive you crazy! I keep having to tell myself that it takes a lot of couples six months to a year to get that positive pregnancy test. Still I can't help but peeing on a stick three days before my expected period every month!

I found that finding things online like clothing and toys and saving all the links really helps, it's nice to be planning for something, even if it hasn't happened yet, it really makes you feel like you're not just waiting for it to happen you're actually putting time to good use. My husband and I also keep a look out for awesome diaper sales in our area and go out and buy the really good deals. We have quite the stock of diapers and wipes going but it feels so great to know that we are ready! My husband often says that once I get pregnant I'm not going to have anything to do!

I've also been planning ideas for baby showers, a gender reveal party (more on those ideas later) and it really helps to go on forums to talk about how excited you are, or scared or whatever feelings you have!

I've also been doing my best to stay healthy every day, taking my prenatal vitamins, drinking 8 glasses of water and getting enough protein in my diet. A cool trick I found for drinking enough water is getting 8 rubber bands and putting them around your reusable water bottle, every time you go to fill up your water bottle take a band off and try to get them all off by the end of the day! I like it because it gives me something visual to work towards, I'm the kind of person who will always lose track if I'm not making a game of it!

Good luck and know that there are thousands of people waiting right now, you're not alone so don't try to be or else you will surely drive yourself crazy!

Rock Star Moms

Want to keep your punk rock style during pregnancy? Visit Rock Star Moms to find some amazing rocker clothes.

The sales section has some very affordable deals ($20 and under!) on cool maternity wear.

Don't give up your style for your bump, rock it!

Princess Play House



I saw this on Etsy, thought it would be the perfect space solution in my house if I have a little girl. It's a tablecloth that goes over your table becoming a fort. This Princess Play House is too cute! My living room has been taken over by my parrot and overly large couch (bought a gorgeous couch without thinking to measure it) my husband and I are on the lookout for space saving toys. So if lack of space is preventing you from pampering your princess this is the perfect solution!

Baby Tattoo Sleeves

I just found these adorable baby tattoo sleeves on Etsy which is going to be a must for my little boy or girl :) Find them here: Baby tatoo for your little rocker baby!

Our cruelty free Thanksgiving!

Oh the smell of Tofurky roasting in the oven, veggie broth simmering in the pans, and a pumpkin pie cooling off by the window.

Papa Veg Peeling Potatoes

I must say I had a LOT of fun cooking this meal. It was such a nice change after attending our families Thanksgiving dinners all weekend and not being able to eat much because it was all smothered in chicken broth.

So for an appetizer I cooked Roasted Beets with Yogurt and Dill Dressing. To make it you preheat the oven to 400F, peel 4 medium sized beets and place them in foil wrappers. Roast them until tender, about 45 minutes, open packets and let cool. Slice the beets and transfer to a platter or bowl. Whisk 1/4 cup of plain yogurt, 1tbsp of fresh dill, 1/2 tsp honey and 1/2 tsp of lemon zest and 1/8 tsp of salt. Drizzle the dressing over the warm beets and serve! Mmmmm it was delicious.

For the main course I cooked mashed potatoes with sauteed garlic and mixed in some mozzarella cheese, mashing with butter and milk. Very delicious.

I also cooked Vegetarian Stuffing. Combining celery, onions, mushrooms and green pepper in a pan and frying it, adding about 3 cups of vegetable broth and I bought a box of Paxo Stuffing Mix for the bread which I added in and seasoned with rosemary. Next time I would forgo the Paxo mix and use stuffing bread instead, it could have been a lot better.

I made a mushroom gravy for the mashed potatoes and Tofurky by sauteing mushrooms and onions in butter while boiling 1/2 cup of flour, 2bsp oil and 4 cups of vegetable broth in another pot. Once boiled you add 1tbsp of soy sauce and 1/4 tsp of black pepper. Cook until it's thickened then add the mushrooms and onions. It wasn't bad but could have used some more flavor.

Then the Tofurky! Well...it wasn't terrible. It was chewy, had a meat-like consistency to it, next time I will make my own baste and not use the recipe on the box, it wasn't very flavorful.

All in all it was an excellent cruelty free Thanksgiving!