Charlotte Parent Magazine teams up with 4 local Moms on how to have a Fabulous themed Birthday Party!

Be sure to pick up the October issue of Charlotte Parent magazine and check out the article "Fabulous Themed Birthday Parties". Little Man's 1st Birthday party last year is featured along with 3 others! 


Charlotte Parent- Fabulous Birthday Party Themes


Resources:

So I have this new obsession...

After feeling like the last person in the world not on Pinterest, I finally joined. I was hooked within an hour. All these boards, ideas, inspiration... it's almost too much to take in, but at the same time I can't look away! 


I have started one board of fall inspiration- I can't wait to get started on that wreath! There are so many crafts that I can put on my list of to-do's. 


You can follow me on Pinterest, if you have an interest. (See what I did there?)





Let's just hope that I don't burn out on this too soon, like I did with Twitter. I'm still on Twitter too, by the way.

Just randomness, if you are interested...

Little Man's 2nd Birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks, and I have been busy getting everything put together for his big day. We were having some computer issues for a while, but finally got everything straightened out and got the invitations put in the mail today. Actually, CJ himself mailed them out. We went by the post office, got the stamps, and he had a ball opening and closing the drop box to put each invitation in. He is getting so big. New things everyday. This evening while watching YO! Gabba Gabba, he started to sing the words to a song, on cue with the characters... I was in awe. And of course, I couldn't find the camera to get it on video. 

We have been struggling with bed time a lot lately. Little Man used to be on such a great schedule. We'd brush his teeth, get on pajamas, and sit down to read some books and we'd put him in bed and he would go right to sleep. (I might add it took forever to get him to become such a good sleeper, but that's another story). Nowadays... we attempt to brush his teeth and end up with 10 minutes of him brushing his hair and only wanting to pretend to brush teeth. He doesn't really care for books at bed time anymore... he'd rather take them all out of the bookshelf and use them as steps. And putting on pajamas? Oh, forget it. It's a fight almost every night. But me and the hubby keep reminding ourselves he's getting older, getting new attitudes about things and he'll work his way back into a routine. We can only hope he does this sooner rather than later. 




We had a yard sale a couple of weekends ago at the last minute. Not as much a yard sale as it was a "WE DON'T HAVE ANY MORE ROOM" sale. It was fun, but sentimental to go through all of Little Man's baby clothes and toys and put them in the "to go" pile. And I got a little misty eyed watching a couple of his toys go. But in the end we gained a ton of closet space. But we didn't get rid of as much as we would have liked... I think we'll have another sale in November. 


We are taking Little Man to Day Out with Thomas the Train this week. CJ is not exactly a Thomas fan, but he really likes trains. He likes anything that is loud and moves lately. Anytime he hears a plane he is looking into the sky for it. Like I said something new everyday. New interests... like cameras. He is as much interested in having his picture taken as he is actually taking a picture. I think he just likes to look in the display to see what he's also looking at. He took this picture of me recently. Maybe he's following in my footsteps of enjoying taking pictures? Maybe Santa will bring him a camera geared towards his age for Christmas this year...


I got my hair cut finally on Thursday, I had been neglecting it since February, or maybe it was March. Either way, it needed to be cut. It's been difficult for me lately to find a balance between doing things for myself and doing things for Little Man. The balance in taking time for myself instead of thinking I always have to spend every moment with him. Or putting off getting something he doesn't necessarily need versus doing something for me that needs to be done. Like getting glasses... I finally did this (yay for being able to drive at night again!). 

Me and Hubby made plans for CJ to go to his Grandma's for the night Friday and we went and had dinner with our neighbors/friends. We ate, played cornhole (if you do not know what this is, please look it up... it's a rather fun game!) and had some drinks. We really had a fun evening out with friends, and it was nice to have conversations about things other than Yo! Gabba Gabba and potty training. So slowly but surely I'm finding that balance of having some time to catch up with myself and knowing that I'm not being a bad Mom by taking some time for myself or friends. 


I've been thinking about the day CJ had his seizure a lot lately. (if you are not familiar with this please read here about what happened- Is He Gone). Not sure why... maybe it's because for a moment I didn't think he'd make it to his 2nd Birthday. Then my thoughts go to people who have lost a child who's birthday is coming up. I cannot even fathom what the day is like for them. I pray for those families often.  


So that's just a little update of what's been going on with us lately. Hopefully I can remember to update again, soon!

Never forget...

My heart, my thoughts, my prayers are with those affected by 9/11. 


How can it be that 10 years have passed by? That day, that day that started out as any other beautiful day and unfolded into a real life nightmare for so many. I remember sitting at work and hearing on the radio about a plane that had struck one of the Twin Towers. Like so many others, I thought it had to be a freak accident. Then the report of another plane hitting the second Tower. My co-workers and I were suddenly overcome with fear, heartbreak, confusion... so many emotions. As the tragedies continued and images started to pour in, I remember thinking... why? 


10 years later that question is still fresh in my mind. As I am sure it is fresh in all the minds of those who lost a loved one on that day. Those children that lost a parent, parents that lost children, sisters and brothers lost, and spouses who lost the loves of their lives. My God. I can't even begin to image. 


So today my heart, my thoughts, my prayers are with those children, those parents, those siblings, those spouses... all of those affected by a day that we will never forget. 

In honor of this romantic day (A LIST!)

Ok, this is way off topic for a "Mommy Blog" but I'm giving it a go anyway...


So here me and my husband are, 9 years after saying "I do". One kid, one mortgage, 2 dogs and a stack of bills. Instead of going out to celebrate our anniversary today hubby is working, and me and Little Man are attempting to make the best of this yucky summer cold. Things happen. Life happens. It's one of the great things about marriage... you learn to go with the flow. And it makes it all the more special when you do get to have time alone with your other half!


Anyway... In honor of this romantic occasion I have come up with a list of my top 15 "can I get a moment like that" romantic moments from TV and movies. Some of the moments are swoon worthy, giggle worthy and down right wanna smack your man saying "why can't you do that?!" worthy. You may or may not agree with some of the picks, so please feel free to add some of your own!


So here goes nothing...


15. The O.C. - Seth & Summer's Spiderman kiss

Any fans of the teen drama The O.C. can't forget the tormented love between Seth & Summer. Were they together? Weren't they together? Couldn't Zach just go away already? These kids just couldn't catch a break. After seeing a little boy playing with a toy horse at the airport, Summer realizes her love for Seth. She ditches her boyfriend and rushes to Cohen in a downpour ending in an unforgettable Spiderman reenacted kiss.


14. Switched At Birth- Emmett talks

Yea, I'm a sucker for the teen drama shows. Switched At Birth's Emmett is deaf, and dating Bay who is hearing. After a confusing conversation where Emmett wasn't sure if it could work with a hearing person or not he finally realizes that he does want to be with Bay. He finds her and tells her, speaking for the first time in the show.

13. Romeo & Juliet - The fish tank scene

Ah, young love. So beautiful, so tragic, so doomed. Maybe it's the beautifully sung lyrics of "Kissing You" by Des'ree. Or maybe it's Leonardo DiCaprio good looks. Who cares? What a wonderful story for the grand kids, "when I saw her through that fish tank it was love at first sight"...

well it would have been a good story for the grand kids.

12. 10 Things I Hate About You - Patrick's serenade for Kat

Heath Ledger's character Patrick, the ultimate bad boy, is attempting to show stubborn, just won't let her guard down Kat, that he ain't all that bad. This serenade made me want my husband to turn bad, just so I could tame him in hopes of getting an "I can't take my eyes off you" serenade in front of an entire ball field of people. *Swoon*.


11. One Tree Hill - Lucas & Peyton's wedding



                         

couldn't embed the actual video, here's a link http://youtu.be/vvYdjIQLwXQ

Even if you were still wishing for a Lucas & Brooke ending, you gotta admit, the writers hit it home with these vows. "Peyton Sawyer is not human, she's an angel. My angel.". and "I am so terribly in love with you." These lines are beautiful. It seriously makes me want to have a vow renewal ceremony and make my husband write his own vows.


10. A Different World- Dwyane crashes Whitley's wedding


The famous wedding scene. Whitley is about to marry the wrong guy, and Dwayne storms in. I remember watching this when I was a little girl thinking I wanted to attempt to marry the wrong guy just so the right one could crash and cry "baby please!".


9. My So Called Life- Jordan takes Angela's hand

So Angela finally has the guy she's been after. Only he wont acknowledge their relationship in front of his friends. After an ear full from Angela's BFF he finally realizes what he has and approaches in her in the hall in front of everyone and asks if they can "go somewhere". They walk off and he takes in her hand in his. Anyone remember when just holding hands was a REALLY REALLY BIG DEAL?

8. Friends- Ross & Rachel's first kiss

Ross and Rachel. First kiss. Enough said.

7. The Notebook- If you're a bird, I'm a bird

Some people might have taken this scene between Noah and Allie in The Notebook differently. Maybe you thought he was just humoring her, agreeing she was a bird and saying he was one too. To me, it was his way of saying... whatever you are, where ever you are I'm am too.

6. Love Actually - Love notes on a poster board

 
Mark's in love with Juliet. And she just so happens to be married to his best friend. So instead of pursuing, he tells her how he feels "without hope or agenda" on poster board. Love notes mixed in with a little humor. So sweet.


5. Friends - Ross & Rachel's "I got off the plane" kiss

 

After Ross professes his love for Rachel in the final episode, she still boards a plane headed out of the country. When Ross returns home, feeling defeated, he listens to an answering machine message from Rachel telling him she loves him too, and that she has to get off the plane. The message cuts off leaving Ross wondering if she got off the plane. Well, yep, she did. Leaving us with the final kiss of a couple that was meant to be together.

4. Alot Like Love- "I'll be there for you" serenade

The friends who loved each other but just couldn't get their timing right. When Oliver finds himself broke after his "5-year plan" backfires he turns to the one person who he knows will understand. With Ashton Kutcher's cutie pie face and Bon Jovi's "I'll be there for you" this is a recipe for something that will make your heart smile.

3. My So Called Life- Brian writes Angela a letter.

After Jordan screws up royally with Angela, he asks Brian for help writing a letter. Jordan is oblivious to the fact that Brian is in love with Angela. Brian reluctantly agrees to help, and writes a letter for Angela pouring his heart out, and signs it Jordan Catalano. My favorite part of the letter? "If you want to burn this letter, do it. You could burn whole world down. You could tell me to go to Hell, if you wanted to. And I'd do it. And I'd send you a letter from there.". Yep, the geek won me over on that one!

2. Twilight- Eclipse "Until your heart stops beating"

 

Sorry to all you Edward peeps out there. He doesn't make my list. But Jacob Black does! This Team Jacob girl couldn't make a romantic scenes list and not include the heart string tugging line "I'm gunna fight for you, until your heart stops beating."! I couldn't find a video of that clip of that particular line, so I found a fan made video of some of Jacob's best lines including my fav. Enjoy...

1. The Notebook- "It still isn't over"

Allie pays a visit to Noah, her first love, who she is still in love with. After confronting him about never writing her back he explains his side of the story. My favorite line in the scene is "It still isn't over.". *Swoon*

So there you have it... my list. But my all time favorite romantic video? Here is a link to an anniversary video made for my hubby a few years ago! 

Can't you ignore your family at home?

Last night while at dinner with my Mom, Sister and Aunt I happened to notice a family sit down at a booth near us. It was a Mom, Dad and what looked to be 2 1/2 year old little boy. Before they even received their drinks the parents pulled out I-Pads. The little boy just sat there looking around. The waitress came and took their order and the parents went right back to what they were doing. I don't think I heard them speak 3 words to the little boy. They received their food, and while eating were still playing on the I-Pads. At one point, the Mom even pulled out a cell phone and began laughing while she read something. The whole time the little boy just sat there, looking bored out of his mind. I couldn't believe it. What was the point in going out to dinner if they were all going to ignore each other and just play on their I-Pads and phones. Couldn't they just do that at home? I wanted so badly to go over to the table and ask if the little boy could join our table so the parents could be alone with their technology.

While I was driving home I couldn't help but still be angry at what I saw. But then I began to wonder how guilty of this I was. Sometimes at dinner I do check my email, or check in on Facebook. However it's not constant. When I'm out to dinner with my family (which is not often) I like to actually enjoy their company. If I wanted to ignore them while on my phone the entire time I could just stay home and save some money.
I happen to know many people (parents and non parents) who can't seem to put their phones down while socializing. I understand that sometimes there is something going on and we need to be kept up to date on things, or maybe we are waiting for an important email or phone call. We have all been there. However I think there is a fine line between the two situations.

I'm making a promise to myself to no longer have my phone near me when we are having meals together. My family is more important than any status update or friend request.

rediscovering my love for photography

Before I became pregnant with Little Man photography was a big hobby of mine. I loved photographing people, pets and finding the beauty in every day things I came across. I lost my groove for a while, but am finding it again!

This week I had the privilege of photographing my lovely niece Madison. I wanted to share some of the pictures, just a few of the many beautiful shots.



I am realizing how much I missed my hobby of photography, but I love that I am rediscovering it!

Maybe I am a little over protective...

Yes, I hover over Little Man while we are out and am quick to remove him from situations in the blink of an eye. Some may label me as a helicopter Mom, over protective and a constant worrier. But I have my reasons.

Recently on a trip to Monkey Joe's, the place was more crowded than usual. There were some summer camps there for the day, which included a large group of rambunctious kids. Understandably so, during the summer kids need some A/C relief where they can run, jump and play in a large area. However- this particular group of kids had me questioning if they were fed a ton of sugar each before going in. Several kids from the group who were around 7 or 8 were going crazy in the toddler area (which is for kids under 3), jumping off the sides and knocking over the smaller kids. I looked around to see if I could find a chaperons for this group after removing Little Man from the area. I couldn't find anyone so I mentioned it to someone who worked there. The employee also could not find any of the chaperons for this group. This was extremely upsetting to me. The people that work at these places are there to ensure kids are safe, they are NOT babysitters. When you bring a child to a place like this, you are supposed to watch them, or at least check in on them OFTEN! The kids were removed from the toddler area but of course came back after a while.

Who ever was dressed up in the Monkey Joe costume had my sympathy. Kids were slapping this poor person on the butt, kicking and attempting to take it's head off. Again, no adults with the group intervened. I know that kids will be kids, but after being told to stop several times by employees they still were not listening.

After Little Man was knocked out of the way a few times while trying to get up a slide we decided to play in the game area for a while. We were having fun until some kids decided to take the basketballs from CJ while he was playing the "slam dunk" game. By this point I had had enough so we headed home.

While this is just one example of why I hover over Little Man to make sure he is okay and not causing trouble, it happens almost everywhere we go. People take their kids to places and just disappear. I know adults need a break, and kids need their freedom. But can't we find a middle ground?

Summer Fun!

I hope that everyone has been enjoying the summer season so far. I am happy to say since my last post I finally found a bathing suit I could feel comfortable in. So now I am enjoying the summer big time! And, I am about to do something I thought I'd never do. Post a picture of me in the pool. Gah! Here's me and Little Man having fun at the pool yesterday.



We have been spending time at spray grounds and the pool, hanging out at the mall and going to cook outs with family. I've actually gotten a tan this summer, which I'm sorry to say has not happened since I was 16. I don't know if it's possible for your skin to change so much after pregnancy but it has. I typically burn, then I'm pale again. But so far this summer, no real burn and the tan is sticking around!

CJ has been having such a good time, and we have been on the go almost everyday.




CJ and his new Build-a-Bear



CJ enjoying a snack break by the pool



This last Sunday we took a little break and stayed home, but CJ stood at the door almost all day saying "go, go, go!". I felt bad, but also incredibly tired- it was nice to take a day and do a bunch of nothing. But we will be back to being on the go soon enough!

I also wanted to let everyone know that the book "Beyond the Diaper Bag" which features writings from real Moms (including 2 from me!) is available for purchase. I can't say enough how awesome this book is. If you are looking to find humor in the everyday routine, I would recommend this book. So go and and purchase this book, and do something good for great national non-profit chairty... 100% of the authors proceeds go to The Mommies Network!

Beyond the Diaper Bag available on Lulu.com

So THAT'S what I've been hiding all winter...

It's that time of year again... the dreaded bathing suit shopping. Ugh. I seriously think I'd rather have a tooth pulled. I've been out searching for a good swim suit, one that will support me and isn't more revealing than need be. It would also help if it was flattering. No luck yet. I'm sure tons of women agree with me that standing in the dressing room mirror at the begining of swim suit season kind of makes you want to cry. Your looking at yourself in the swim suit thinking "So THAT'S what I've been hiding all winter".

We got a small pool for the backyard for Little Man, which we have all ended up enjoying. I've been hanging out in the back yard in my bathing suit from 2 years ago- which is maternity. Not exactly something I'd wonder out of the privacy of our back yard in. We also recently joined the Y and they have an awesome water park for toddlers. I've been so excited to take Little Man, which is why I've been so frantic to find a suit I'm comfortable in. After several days of non stop looking through racks, finding something I think will work, and being dissappointed, I am going to give it a rest for a few days and try again next week.

So to all you ladies out there struggling to find that perfect swim suit, know your not alone. Good luck to you in your travels from store to store, I hope you find something quicker than me! And to the rest of the ladies who fit perfectly in that itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini- I hope you get sand stuck in your suit :)
                                                    just kidding.