Boomerang Mama

How to Cheaply Update Kitchen Cabinets

This morning over breakfast, Captain and I were brainstorming ways to improve our apartment kitchen. The shabby looking plywood/laminate cabinets have seen better days, and unfortunately, refinishing them is not an option. Plus, who wants to spend any money fixing up an apartment? But for the time being we have to live here and a small change was needed.  Suddenly, Captain got the idea to remove the doors, and I suggested we paper the inside of the cabinets. Genius! 

We started by removing all of the doors, the contents of the cabinets, and labeling the backside of each door with masking tape and a marker for easy identification later. 

We bought cardstock from Michael's to the tune of $0.69 per sheet, for a total of 20 sheets. We also bought some poster sticky tack so that we can easily remove the paper at a later date or change it out if we want something fresh and different.

We started by wiping down the back of each cabinet to ensure that the sticky tack adheres properly. Once the backs were dry, we began papering the cabinets.

Each shelf in the left hand cabinet needed two full-size sheets of cardstock, plus an additional 3 and 1/8inch strip. The right hand cabinet ended up needing two full sheets, plus a 7 and 1/8 inch strip per shelf. To make sure the paper was tacked down, I used a butter knife to slide along the seams.

The cabinet on the left (pictured above) is our spice cabinet and is still a work in progress. We buy our spices in bulk because we cook so much, and we finally bought new spice jars to hold them. I'll post more photos once that cabinet is finished! The right cabinet, however, is "done" for the time being. 

Ta da! And don't mind the horrible coloring of this photo. My camera is a simple point and shoot, but hopefully someday I can upgrade. 

Overall, we're really happy with the result, and we spent a grand total of $15.82! Keep an eye out as we make more cheap fixes to improve our apartment. 

 

What inexpensive project have you done lately that turned out better than you expected? 

Follow the Child

Yesterday I was at the end of my rope, in a multitude of ways. Baby Girl had woken up numerous times during the night and topped it off with a 3 hour awake stretch at 4am. All morning long, she and I were spilling things, knocking into stuff, and both cranky out of our gourds.

I was nearly in tears.

This was just not how I pictured parenthood. When I was pregnant, I read many Montessori books and felt that incorporating that style would be most natural for me. But 14 months in, and I'm really not sure what the heck I'm doing. Am I practicing Attachment Parenting? Not totally. Am I following the Montessori method? Not completely either. Am I really not sure what I'm doing? The answer to the last question is a resounding yes. I've read so many parenting books from such a variety of authors that it is really quite a sickness at this point, the obsessive need to study how others recommend parenting. Top that off with the internet, and I sometimes forget that I really do know my child best above others. 

So I cleaned both of us up as best as I could and drove to a local independent toy store called Learning Tree Toys OKC. The owner is a former Montessori teacher and a grandma, to boot. I went in looking for toys for BG and left with some sage parenting advice. 

I could bore you with the details of what we discussed. But I won't. The one thing that resonated most with me was:

Follow the Child.

Simple as that. Parenting decisions are pretty easy if you carefully observe your little one and anticipate their needs, while respecting the little individuals they are becoming. The parent is the first teacher, and the goal is to know your child so well that parenting and teaching naturally follow. I know in my heart that not only do I know my little girl, inside and out, but that my husband and I really are the ones who know how to parent her best. 

I walked out of her store feeling much better prepared to tackle this new stage in our parenting relationship and left with not only a few new toys for BG, but a new mantra and a developing sense of calm. 14 months in, and I'm still learning. 

 

What's the best parenting advice you've ever heard?

Getting Healthy Series: Cutting Out Caffeine

Sayonara coffee!

Hey all,

The last few weeks have been just crazy. Who in their right mind decides to move cross-country weeks before their thesis defense and graduation? And as much as we've been settling into our new place in OKC, I've also been trying to keep up with everything. Which, in turn, means drinking copious amounts of coffee, consuming way too much sugar, and not exercising.

Ugh. 

After a conversation with a friend about the odd correlation (at least that we've seen) between anxiety and caffeine consumption, I decided to kick coffee drinking to the curb. I will miss you, my daily french press pot of coffee.

But what I'm looking forward to is sounder sleep, more even moods and energy throughout the day, and not feeling dependent on a beverage (of any kind.) 

I started Sunday, and while I planned to wean off slowly, I didn't drink ANY coffee. It was mostly because I was feeling pretty terrible, and the thought of drinking a cup of coffee sounded just plain gross. Yesterday, I drank no coffee, but a cup of black tea. Today, nada. Overall, other than a few headaches and lack of energy (no big deal, right?) I feel pretty decent. 

Here is my game plan for the next few weeks. 

Getting Healthy Series:

• Week 1: Cutting Out Caffeine
• Week 2: Bye-bye Sugar
• Week 3: 30 Day Paleo Challenge AND adding back in exercise

 

I'll keep you updated on my progress, and please feel free to join me! Let me know in the comments what habit you would like to break and where you are in the process. 

Adventures in OKC: The 2012 Festival of the Arts

Alternate Title: When Did OKC Become So Cool?

A few days ago, the three of us went to the OKC Festival of the Arts. Every year, the OKC Arts Council holds a week long visual extravaganza complete with artwork for sale, live performances, and a food experience that rivals the fair (not sure if that is a good or bad thing!)

We walked around and looked at all the diverse styles of art on display. There was everything from large metal lawn sculptures, to dog portraits, pre-cubist/Matisse-esque oil paintings, and even some abstract mixed media works that would make the most die-hard post-modernist fans happy (or maybe not happy, there's no pleasing those folks!). We took a few cards of artists we liked to add to our "we might buy something, someday when we have money" collection. 

But we were most taken by the totally new Myriad Gardens park and children's play area. Oklahoma City, you were busy while we were away! Now there are two totally awesome splash pads (including the one in the photo above), which Miss BG just had to "experience."

There is also a new playground composed of plant covered, shenanigan inducing, objects such as this totally cool slide:

Or this plant covered letter. Check out the kid on top getting his zen on:

We also stumbled upon a raised bed, organic garden dedicated to teaching people, especially kids, about gardening. What a smart, and might I say sustainable, idea!

And that's when I realized it. Dare I actually say it? Oklahoma City is catching up with other cities in the coolness factor. Walking around the park, I started to feel like I was somewhere else, like Chicago's Millennium Park. But in reality, I was standing in a city where I can reach downtown in only 15 minutes and no traffic. And then we saw this: 

Nestled against the background of the gigantic (at least by OKC standards) new Devon Tower was an amphitheatre. Warming up was a local salsa/merengue/cumbia band and nothing sounded better than salsa-ing under the stars to some latin beats (thanks Mimi and Poppi for teaching us to dance!) Unfortunately, BG had other ideas (read: sleep), and we headed home, dreaming of the next time we can explore this awesome city. 

Q&A: Paleo Toddlers

Food? Who cares! Enjoying nature at its finest. 

Feeding babies and toddlers is tough. 

As we began experimenting with feeding BG food in addition to breastmilk, we were most concerned with WHAT to feed her rather than HOW. Over the past three years, Captain and I have maintained relatively true to a way of eating called paleo. Long story short (and believe me, there are plenty of variations out there), we eat a variety of meat, eggs, and fish, coupled with plenty of fresh greens and veggies, some fruit, and lots of healthy fats (avocado, olive oli, coconut oil, coconut milk, and nuts.) We've found over time that whenever we stray from eating this way, we truly regret it and often experience foggy thinking, gut irritation, and drastically fluctuating blood sugar. Needless to say, we've found a method of eating that agrees with us and is a lifelong commitment. 

Now that we have a little peanut of our own, we know how important it is to start her off on the right foot nutritionally. As a family, it is important that we all eat the same foods and can share a meal together. I have no intention to ever make separate meals for my children. Luckily, BG is thriving on real, whole and nutritious food and loving it so far. 

 

I've had a few people ask me the specifics of feeding a paleo toddler, so please read on! (**AND NOTE: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, or any sort of health professional, just a mother who is interested in healthy living. Please seek the counsel of a medical professional before trying anything new.)

 Question: What types of foods do you feed your 13 month old?

Answer: Basically, whatever we're eating that she can chew up herself. Some of her favorite foods are cod and salmon, beef (pretty much any form of it), beanless chili, roasted or steamed veggies/fruit (broccoli, carrots, apples),  curries, scrambled or hardboiled eggs, coconut milk smoothies, chicken, bananas, and oranges. 

Question: What does a typical day look like for her meals?

Answer: 

• Breakfast: scrambled eggs and chorizo with two orange slices (diced up and skin removed)
• Snack: banana
• Lunch: baked chicken (dark meat) and roasted beet, carrot, onion, and garlic mix
• Snack: coconut mik smoothie with fresh kale, ground up pecans, and frozen fruit.
• Dinner: Spaghetti sauce and ground beef crumbles over steamed broccoli florets

BG's dinner last night

Question: Don't growing children need cow's milk and grains?

Answer: No, they really don't. Early consumption of cow's milk increases the risk of type 1 diabetes and autoimmune disorders, among other issues. The fat, folic acid, and Vitamin D often sought through cow's milk can be gained through a varied diet full of lots of greens and veggies as well as plenty of time playing outside in the sunshine. Ditto for grains as they are a known irritant to lining of the gut and can lead to a weakened immune system (see R. Wolf book below for additional reading and medical journal references.) However, it is important to make sure your child is getting plenty to drink if you don't do cow's milk. Talk to your pediatrician or a trusted health professional about alternatives. 

Playing in the grass and getting some sunshine!

Question: Do you think poorly of those who don't do paleo for themselves or their children?

Answer: Not at all. Food, and the art of feeding one's family, is a complicated business. No sooner would I tell someone how to raise their kids than suggest how to feed them. There are a lot of elitist, egotistical people out there who will say that their way of eating is the only way, and I am not one of those people. Bottom line: this is what works for our family. If you try it and find it works for yours as well, kudos! If not, no worries. We've certainly experimented with different methods over the years. Do your research, find what works, and get in a groove with it. 

 

Resources:

If paleo eating sounds interesting to you or you would like more information, there are several very good resources out there. The internet will turn up a bunch of information (some good, some total crap), but I prefer to turn to books for more substantial research. In my opinion, the best (and most scientific, research based) book is Robb Wolf's "The Paleo Solution." Dr. Loren Cordain, Robb Wolf's mentor, has a new book out that is also very good (although it focuses on weight loss): The Paleo Answer. Finally, I really like Sarah Fragoso's cookbook called "Everyday Paleo."

 

What questions do you have about paleo eating or feeding toddlers?

Take That, Housing Market!

I find this story so inspiring: Simple Mom-We Bought a House

 

Question: is it really possible in this day and age to have zero debt and put 20% (or more) down on a house? Let me know what you think!

Financial Guru? I am my own Financial Guru!

 

Putting puzzles together with friends makes for an exciting (and inexpensive) night.

 

In the past, I've talked about how poor money management is typical among twenty somethings, and that perceived shame can often be the motivator behind decision making.  Today, I'd like to think that Captain and I are way past that. We're in the process of implementing a new financial game plan, and although there have been a few kinks along the way, the changes are nothing short of amazing.  

And just like parenting, we've realized that following one "expert" is just not our style. Maybe that makes us weak (and I'm sure Dave Ramsey would think so), but I think we prefer combining all of the best financial ideas we've heard over the years. 

Here is some of the best advice we're received or read:

• DEBT SNOWBALL: Ok, Dave, you win on this one. He recommends a technique called the debt snowball. Basically, you gather the amounts of all of your debts and their monthly payments. Then you pay them off by focusing all of your intensity (and extra moolah) on one at a time. As each one is paid off, the monthly payment amount of the old debt is used to pay the next one. It a relatively simply strategy and incredibly effective. 
• PAY YOURSELF FIRST: One of my favorite tips from David Bach, author of "Smart Couples Finish Rich," is to pay yourself first. He suggests having 10% of your paycheck automatically transferred each pay period to a no-touch savings account. This method also applies to tithing or giving to charity. After accounting for savings and charity, you are left with 80% of your net income for bills and discretionary spending. 
• BUY USED: This technique can apply to just about any material goods, but the big one is a car. Payments on something that rapidly depreciates in value just doesn't make sense. If you anticipate needing another car in a few years, begin making "car payments" now. The money you save can be used to buy a car outright. And obviously, this method probably won't work for super-fancy cars unless you have an income to match it. Then again, you probably wouldn't be reading this blog! Moving on...
• ENJOY YOURSELF: Set aside a little fun money each pay period. It might be $10 or it might be $100. Doesn't really matter as long as it's money that isn't needed for anything else. It's easy to feel bogged down when paying down debt. Having fun money gives you back a little of your freedom to do some wild (within reason) spending. We use our fun money to get coffee with friends, rent movies, or buy our favorite magazine, Dwell. Or maybe buy new puzzles. :)

 

Ultimately, you can read all of the financial planning books in the world, but you are the one making the decisions at the end of the day. Be wise to your weaknesses and find ways to grow from mistakes. Find what works for you and make it work! Then you can look yourself in the mirror and say, "Financial Guru? I am my own Financial Guru!"

 

What's your favorite financial tip?

Adventures in OKC: Visiting the Oklahoma City Zoo

Confession: I am a zoo fanatic.

Even if I didn't have a child, I would still go and have the time of my life. So when a good friend asked if I would like to join her and some other moms and their daughters on an outing to the zoo, I didn't even pause. 

I hadn't been to the Oklahoma City Zoo in a few years, and it did not disappoint. There was a new elephant area, complete with a little family of elephants. For all you Disney nerds, it definitely had an air of a wannabe Animal Kingdom. 

However, Baby Girl was most fascinated with the gorillas, and who could blame her? She even figured out how to "talk" to the gorillas.

 

A couple of pointers for if you go to the OKC zoo:

• During the week there will be hoards of school groups. On the weekends, you'll run into more families. Choose accordingly. We went on a weekday, and it wasn't bad.
• Arrive early and head to the back of the zoo, working your way toward the front. The savannah area with the giraffes and elephants can get uncomfortably warm later in the day, and it is a REALLY long walk. 
• Pack a lunch and bring water. Like any entertainment place, prices can be pretty steep for food and drink. But there are no restrictions on bringing your own picnic as long as there is no glass or straws.
• Feed the giraffes: for $3 a go, you can feed the giraffes their lunch. Seriously! We didn't do it, but I'm already planning our next visit. 

We had a great morning at the zoo, followed by the nap of BG's life. And I'm already planning to have one of my her future birthday parties at the zoo. 

 

What's your family's favorite exhibit at the zoo? 

Today I'm over at The Other Baby Book chatting about finding and keeping mama friends. Come join the discussion!

http://theotherbabybook.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/shopping-for-mommy-friends/

I just updated my "About Me" page. Check it out here: http://www.boomerangmama.com/about.html

Tuning out Technology

iPads. iPhones. Facebook. Smart phones. LinkedIn. Kindle. Blackberry. Pinterest.Gaming devices. Laptops. Home computers. Televisions. Nook. And on and on......

 

Whether or not we like it, technology is here to stay. It influences the daily lives of most Americans, regardless of socioeconomic status or background. We use it for business, we use it in schools, and we use it in our personal lives.

 

As a blogger for Boomerang Mama and The Other Baby Book, I spend a large amount of time online, whether writing posts, responding to comments, checking facebook, or reading news articles for ideas. I have a smartphone in which I can check my email, get facebook updates, and even surf the web. I love that I can access my work at anytime, anyplace, and feel connected to friends across the country. 

But there is a downside. And perhaps you've noticed this in yourself as well. I have trouble finishing my tasks once I start one. I'm constantly distracted by new facebook updates or emails that pop up on my phone. I text friends rather than take the time to make a call. And I find myself thinking about what I need to do online even when I'm away from the computer. 

I am distracted by technology, and I can't seem to tune it out when the time calls for it. 

 

What can be done? I often think about how I need to make myself a "work" schedule in which I block out time for computer work and ONLY work during those times. It just seems so hard to do because I am SURROUNDED BY TECHNOLOGY AT ALL TIMES. But as a stay at home mama, I know that my time is precious. I need to be fully present in the moment when I'm with my daughter. The emails, the blogging, the texting can wait. My daughter cannot. 

 

So I'm proposing a change for myself. And feel free to join me in this challenge. I am going to set a schedule for myself with specific work hours. I am going to call friends instead of text. And I am going to un-install facebook on my cell phone and turn off email notifications. 

When it is not "work time," and I have a free moment, I'm going to read. Or take a shower. Or start a fun project (like all of the sewing ideas rolling around in my head.) But most importantly, I'm going to enjoy my Baby Girl time each and every day. I'm going to show her, through my actions, that technology is not nearly as important as one on one interactions. And that's what this boils down to: technology may make it easier to connect with others, but it cannot replace the amazing feeling of enjoying quality, in person time with a loved one. 

 

What is your best advice for tuning out technology and tuning into the present moment?

Looking for a New 'Hood

As we settle into our  apartment in Oklahoma City, we can't help but dwell on the fact that it is a temporary rental. Our goal is to buy a house in the next 6-9 months, but we will happily wait longer if need be. The last thing we want to do is rush into such a major decision. And we've waited this long, so what's a few more months?

After renting for the past 5 years, the time has come for us to put down some roots. We've spent the last few days driving around different neighborhoods, dreaming about how owning a house in one of them might play out. 

Picking a neighborhood (and a house, obviously) is kind of like placing an online dating ad. There is the list of must-haves or requirements. Of course, along with that, there is the "dream" list of what features would make for a perfect fit. 

 

So here is my "ad" for our future home:

 

Seeking a New Home, Must Meet the Following Requirements:

• Good with kids (playground or park within walking distance)
• Likes to have a fun time (space for entertaining and outdoor living)
• Responsible (well-lit, reasonably safe neighborhood)
• Enjoys sharing a nice dinner and coffee dates (ideally, walking distance to a restaurant or coffee shop)
• Lovably imperfect (a home that might need a little work, but that we can make our own)
• Active and outgoing (a 'hood that is more of a community. Hard to find, I know)
• Enjoys the simple life (nothing fancy, just a place that feels like home, and in which we can grow a family)

 

I think as we begin to look at houses, we'll get a clearer idea of what we want and don't want. But as of right now, the neighborhood is more important to us than house. I'll keep you updated on our search as it progresses!

 

What advice do you have for buying a first home? 

Our OKC Move in Photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a Stay at Home Mom Does All Day

After reading this article, I was compelled to write my own version. I decided to start at midnight, since frankly, that's right in the middle of my "work day."

Some nights, despite best intentions, this is how things really end up

Midnight: Pulled BG into bed with us after she's woken up for the third time since going down at 9am. Not sure what's wrong, maybe teething (AGAIN!?) She alternates between crying, trying to stand up between us and repeatedly bonking me in the head with hers, and rolling around. She seems to intuitively know when I'm dropping into a deeper sleep and acts to make sure that doesn't happen (no sleep for you, mama!)

2am: BG is asleep next to me. But as soon as I relax to go back to sleep, I realize that her diaper is wet AKA her pants are soaked and the diaper has leaked through. Then I remember that all of the clean diapers are downstairs. Leave her screaming with Captain, grab a diaper, change her on her bed, and we all lay down to go back to sleep.

6:40am: Come to terms with the fact that she is up for the day, evident by her giggly attempts to sit on my head. Try my hardest to ignore. Can't ignore, so I put her in her crib with some toys to play while I attempt to catch a bit more shut-eye. Realize it's futile and get up.

7:30am: Take her into the kitchen to make breakfast. Quickly check email to see if thesis chair wrote me back. He didn't. Start making oatmeal and eggs while BG pulls everything out of a packing box. The butter for the scrambled eggs burns while I try to get the coffee going and Baby Girl is hanging on my pajama leg. By 8am I'm feeding her breakfast, trying to eat myself, while getting some work done on the computer.

9am: Go over my mental to do list (discouraging) while wondering when BG will take a nap for the day. Finally remember to go pour myself a cup of coffee. The dogs are busy eating the discarded breakfast BG threw on the floor. I settle BG in the living room so that I can stuff inserts into her cloth diaper while she plays. She "helps" by throwing diaper covers around the living room. 

Somehow she fell asleep with the sock monkey's arm across her back

9:30am: Something must be bothering her because I  put her down for a nap without much of  a fuss. It's early for one too. I have a feeling I'll pay for this later. Need to get as much done as possible during her nap since who knows how short it'll be. I sit down with my coffee and realize it's now cold. Darn. 

10:30am: Less than an hour later, she's awake because of a wet diaper. Double darn. During her nap, I adjusted our moving truck rental, made a few phone calls, sent an email, changed our address with the postal service, and finished the diapers. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to squeeze in a shower. Such is my luck. I manage to call and set up internet service at our new address while she plays in the living room, but by the end of the call she's fussing again. One sniff, and I know why.

11am: After clean-up for a poop-splosion turns into bathtime, she's dressed and now hungry. Down to the kitchen we go where I slightly steam some apple slices as a snack while washing her sippy cup because there aren't any clean. I forget about the water boiling for the steamer, and the bottom of the pain is scorched. So that's where the burnt smell was coming from...

11:30am: She's finally in her high chair, eating apple slices. She keeps standing up in it, and I continue to "encourage" her to sit down. I try to scarf down a quick bowl of cereal, because frankly, I don't have the time or energy to make myself lunch. The day has been crazy hectic so far, and it's not even noon!

Let's just say that the only thing I've kept from that photo is the coffee mug.....

My days as a stay at home mom are never consistent, and I tend to feel like I'm always one step behind. I can't even imagine what it is like to have more than one child. One of my good friends has four children, and in my eyes, if there was a saint of motherhood, she would be it. I still haven't had a chance to work on my thesis, finish up my to do list, and a shower will have to wait. I'm definitely on Baby Girl time these days.....

A Little Over One Week Until We Move And....

• I'm still packing....and packing......and packing.......
• My thesis chair asked for an additional 8-12 pages of text
• Baby Girl is on a napping and sleeping strike
• Captain is working late every night trying to wrap up things at his old job

 

On the bright side, however, only a little over one week until:

• We're back in sunny OKC
• Have our own place again with a bedroom for BG
• Are among good friends
• We can finally settle into a routine and breathe a (deep, long-awaited) sigh of relief. 

 

Coping Strategies for Busy Mamas

(Alternate title: Has Anyone Seen My Sanity? It Seems to Have Gone Missing)

Yes, she actually climbed into the oven drawer before I could stop her. Just another day in the life....

 

Talk about a triple threat: just this spring, I've seen my baby turn into a (running) toddler, I'm anticipating a cross-country move back to Oklahoma City, and I'm nearing completion of my thesis and graduate degree. Balancing it all has become increasingly more difficult as I try to write and edit, pack and minimize, chase and love. Here are my methods for staying sane in most situations (no guarantees if you're attempting Mt. Everest while running for President and raising five kids...although doesn't motherhood sometimes feel this way, regardless?): 

• Staying in the moment. Recently, I read a book called "Zen Parenting." The most valuable piece of advice I took from the book was to stay in this moment. Don't worry about tomorrow because it isn't here yet. Don't worry about yesterday because it can't be changed. The present is all that matters. I'm guilty of going over my to-do list in my mind while playing with my daughter and checking the news on my  smartphone. But I know that she and I benefit most (and I feel the most relaxed) when I take a deep breath, let go of all of the surrounding and internal noise and interference, and just truly look at my daughter. Watching her giggle as I tickle her, looking at the ever changing expressions in her eyes, experiencing her growing and changing. My to-do list will always be there, but my one year old daughter won't. 
• Maintaining personal rituals. Just like children, we mamas need ritual to help us stay grounded and weed through the daily monotony and stresses. For me, my ritual is a good book, a glass of wine, and a hot bath. By the end of the day, I am desperate for my thirty minutes of quiet relaxation. For one woman, it might be a long run that recharges her soul. For another, it might be knitting and watching a favorite television show. Whatever it is, take that time for yourself, hard-working mama. And remember: no one is going to force you to do it or even care if you do. Hold yourself accountable and nurture your need for alone time. 
• Focus on one task. It is only too easy to become overwhelmed with an ever growing, demanding daily to-do list. Sometimes I feel like the only way I'll get it all done is if I grow an extra set of hands (or get an assistant.) And so, the temptation is to try to mult-task. But how much do you really accomplish when doing more than one thing at a time? I know that I am not at my best when doing multiple tasks. Now, it is not always realistic or even possible to only do one thing at a time (dinner time, anyone?). The goal is to strike a balance between imposssibility and reality. Choose only a few important tasks to conquer for the day. At the end of the day, celebrate your accomplishments and let go of the tasks you missed (ahem...refer back to the first point for reference.)
• Eat regularly. I feel like this SHOULD be an obvious point, but it is so important to make sure that you are feeding yourself healthfully and consistently. And no, coffee is not a major food group (although, I'll admit, I'm guilting of riding the tide of a caffeine-fueled day.) Taking the time to sit down and eat a real meal gives you the energy needed to tackle tasks and overcome stress. It may take an extra ten minutes to make breakfast, but it will give you the energy to face a long day. Some of my favorite choices are greek yogurt with pecans, bacon and eggs, or a kale and banana smoothie. Just remember: if you have time to make breakfast for your kids, you certainly have time for yourself! 

 

 

What tips do you have for remaining sane during stressful times? 

 

Looking Beyond First Impressions, Part II

When we were still living in South Bend I was invited to a mom's group sponsored by some women at a local church. I was a bit hesitant to go because 1) it was in the evening, which perfectly coincided with 3 month old BG's fussy period, 2) it would be my first major outing without her, and 3) I didn't belong to this church nor have any intention of attending. Kirk urged me to go, insisting that I needed to make friends. So I went.

I knew things were off to a bad start from the moment I walked in the door and gave, well, a very poor first impression. I walked in at the same time as another woman, and we were greeted by a friendly woman at the door. She warmly introduced herself first to the woman on my right, who responded with her name, Nicole*.  She then turned to me, introduced herself, and I promptly ALSO introduced myself as Nicole. Except my name isn't Nicole and unfortunately, the other woman did not actually have such a common name as Nicole. Her name was so unique it might as well have been Esmeralda or Blue Ivy. The look of dismay on the two women's faces was unbelievable as they tried to process what happened. "Is she making fun of her name?" or "Who invited the crazy lady?".  At that moment I truly wished the floor had a sinkhole. To this day, I'm not quite sure why my mouth and brain decided to disconnect at that very ill-timed moment. 

It's pretty hard to recover from that, but I tried anyway. So I started gushing to the women who let us in how much I loved her house and admired the Stokke Tripp Trapp highchair I could see in the dining room. She replied that it wasn't her home, but the woman "over there" was the owner if I wanted to go tell her. Strike 2. 

The rest of the evening progressed somewhat normally until my cell phone went off in the middle of a somber discussion on art and religion. It was Captain, begging me to come home because BG wouldn't stop crying. I ran out in such a hurry that I left my sweater next to the door. Strike 3. 

The moral of this story is that sometimes, when you're incredibly exhausted and out of your comfort zone, it's easy to make a poor first impression. So when you're standing there, repeating someone else's name like a robot, the only thing you can hope for is that the recipient, gracefully and non-judgmentally, looks beyond that first impression.

Let's just say I never hung out with those women again. 

 

Please tell me I'm not the only one who has had such an embarrassing experience. Stories, please! 

*Note: names have been changed to protect the person's identity. 

Looking Beyond First Impressions

Last Friday Baby Girl and I went to the Post-Office to mail off Captain's paperwork for his clinical certification. As I stood in line, BG sitting happily in the Ergo carrier I was wearing, I noticed a heavily tattooed man walk up behind me. He was around my age and was dressed in a way that I can only think to term as skater. I noticed, with my peripheral vision, him trying to engage BG's attention. 

My initial thought was to wonder why a man, who so obviously looks like he has no experience with kids, wants to talk to my daughter. To be honest, it put me on edge. But it wasn't until he engaged me in conversation that I realized how much I was judging the poor guy.

He told me, in a very well-spoken, kind voice, that he has two daughters of his own. He and his wife also used a baby carrier and very sadly put it away recently as the girls have grown out of it. He confessed what "daddy's girls" he has, and how even though he wanted sons initially, he cannot imagine life without his beautiful little daughters. 

How is it that a simple little conversation with a stranger at the Post-Office demonstrated to me how judgemental I am? As a Christian, I know I am called to not only look beyond first impressions, but to love everyone. What a tough, if not impossible thing to be called to do! I very painfully realized that God calls all sorts of people to be parents, not just clean cut men wearing polos and golf shorts. That being a good parent has nothing to do with your appearance, but the love in one's heart for their offspring and an ardent desire to raise them up to the best of one's ability. 

Every action I make, whether conscious or not, demonstrates to my daughter the worth of others.  So thank you Man With Many Tattoos for being so willing to talk to a slightly aloof stranger at the Post-Office and showing my daughter what being accepting truly looks like. 

 

What lessons do you hope to pass on to others? 

Oklahoma!

Big news: we're Oklahoma bound in a matter of weeks. 

partial OKC skyline taken from Midtown, of course missing new Devon tower

 

It all happened pretty quickly, but here is the short version of the story:

• In February we heard that a really awesome job was open at a hospital in OKC
• Captain applied "for fun" not thinking anything would come of it
• Was offered an interview for two different openings
• March 3-7th took trip down to Oklahoma City to visit friends and make interviews
• March 9th received job offer
• March 12th accepted job offer
• Moving April 5th!

 

This is all happening pretty quickly, but I can sum up my feelings about it with one word: bittersweet. We're thrilled for this amazing opportunity for Kirk and to be back by our friends and church community. But we're sad to leave family and close friends in Indiana. We were here for less than a year, but that time was indeed fruitful. We had an amazing time living with my parents, who proved to be awesome "roommates." We got to spend more time with my family and friends. We paid down debt AND saved up enough money for a   on a house. Which means that (ideally) 6 months from now, we'll be adding a new title to our names: homeowners. 

Please keep in touch with us as Captain, Baby Girl, and I start the next phase of our great adventure! 

 

Baby Girl's First Birthday Party

Well it's official: my baby is now a little girl. How did that happen so fast? Fellow mamas, I know you understand this feeling. One day, you're cautiously holding that first little baby in the hospital and wondering how the heck you'll know what to do once you get it home. Your heart is full of love for this little person that you know nothing about. Then one day you realize that your sweet little baby is toddling everywhere, wears size 18 months pants, and has the silliest, little giggle. Sigh.....

                                                  On our way home from the hospital

 

But back to the party and its planning. Since we only returned from OKC this past Wednesday night, we had a lot of work to do getting ready for the party. Since I'm pretty stubborn and wanted a more old-fashioned birthday party, we made most of the decorations and food for the party.  I think next year I might not be so ambitious.

The birthday banner actually turned out well despite my tendency to break sewing machines. My Brother machine and I have a love-hate relationship and there have been more than a few occasions when I really wanted to throw it across the room. But I digress.....

We made a little dessert table with cupcakes, decorated pretzels, and fresh flowers and birthday balloons. 

A few weeks ago I was repacking a box of her little baby clothes and had a bit of inspiration. We hung some newborn clothes and photos along the fireplace mantel for the party as a sort of "how did she get to be so big?" It's fun looking at her old clothes and photos of her wearing our favorite outfits. Fun fact: the photo on the far left is the day I went into the hospital to have BabyGirl....I was uncomfortably large, but was hoping a long walk would result in labor. Guess it worked!

The party itself was a success! It was a wonderful, warm gathering of family and close friends on an unseasonably warm March day. We couldn't believe our luck Sunday morning when we looked outside and saw a bright blue sky. 

I made BG's "smash cake" using a paleo-ish recipe I adapted by cutting the honey in half and leaving out the cocoa party and frosting. I used whipping cream and beet juice to create a fluffy pink topping for the cake that ended up being a lot of fun for BG (which is really the whole point of the smash cake anyway!)

She's also wearing a t-shirt smock that I threw together late Saturday night. It's a 2T white t-shirt from Kmart on which I appliqued a number one out of leftover banner fabric. Overall, the party was a wonderful success, and I think everyone, especially BG, had a great time! 

 

 

Baby Girl's 1st birthday party is Sunday! I can't believe my little girl is already a toddler. Wish me luck over the next day as we get ready for her party!

Our Oklahoma City Trip in Review

We're back!!!!

After a whirldwind, exhausting, anxiety-inducing (more on that later) couple of days, we flew into Chicago Midway late Wednesday night. We're glad to be back, but are now mentally processing our trip. ( I know, I know, I'm being vague, but I have good reason.)

We stayed up late the night before packing, settling nerves, and chatting about our excitement for the trip and what lay beyond in the future. My trusty packing list, on nearly extinct old-fashioned notepaper came in handy. (I'm a paper nerd, and I will hold onto stationary and notebooks forever, even if I have to buy up a lifetime supply when everything goes digital someday. Who's with me?)

BabyGirl did surprisingly well on the flight and was mostly smiles the whole time. I am happy to report that the car seat cart is a WINNER. It really came in handy for wheeling her around Midway and Kansas City (our layover.) She seemed to really enjoy it too! Notice the coffee in the lower-hand corner. If it wasn't for coffee, I don't know how we would have survived getting up at 6am and traveling all day with a toddler. Thank you Mimi for getting Captain a Starbucks gift card for his birthday!

During our layover, BG ran off some steam by our gate and was incredibly interested in the planes out the window. She also spent some quality time using her carseat as a jungle gym.

We flew into Will Rogers World Airport late afternoon on Saturday, arriving to a clear bottle-blue sky. It was a little cooler than we were expecting, but were prepared with light sweaters to take in the crisp air and light wind. After grabbing our suitcases, we headed to the parking garage to get our rental car and headed toward the city. As some of you know, Captain and I lived there for the first 4 years of our marriage. We have so many amazing memories and friends in that city. 

And speaking of friends, we stayed with good friends of ours and their 15 month old daughter. Breanna and I were pregnant at the same time, and it has been so nice to have a friend in which to share the ups and downs of motherhood.

The two girls played together everyday and had a grand old time making a mess helping their mamas keep the house neat. I cannot say how wonderful it was to stay at a place that truly felt like home to us. 

Sunday we went to our old church. It was so overwhelmingly awesome to see everyone and visit, even if only for a few minutes. Baby Girl's MeeMaw (sorry Barbara, I think you've been officially christened with this one) drove in from Tulsa to spend the day with us. Add in two (yes, I said TWO) delicious belated birthday desserts for Captain made by his mama and relaxation time with friends and it was a perfect day. 

Now for the real reason for our visit. Captain had several interviews at area hospitals. Now you might be scratching your head (or saying, "there goes the flighty Saffles again!") and wondering how this all came about. Let's just say that a few weeks ago, these opportunities were brought to our attention. Captain is interested in growing his career; doing so in Oklahoma City, a place we love so much, would only be a bonus. Although we were both pretty nervous, Kirk applied for the positions and within a week, had interviews lined up. 

As for me, I had an "interview" set up at the high school I used to teach at. I was toying with the idea of returning to work when my old position became open again. It seemed like it might be the right time. But ultimately, I decided to cancel the interview (more on that in a later post.) Between Kirk's interviews and my big decision, I took PepcidAC like it was candy. I tend to let stress and change get the best of me and this trip (and the big changes it represented) was a doozy! 

The rest of our time in OKC was uneventful and was spent relaxing and enjoying the city we love. The weather was amazing, and we even took in a walk and some playground playtime at Lake Hefner. 

As we flew back Wednesday night, we tried not to think too much about if Kirk would be offered any jobs or what the future holds for our little family....

 

 

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How to Make a Fabric Birthday Banner

In just a few short weeks Baby Girl will be one. It's hard to believe that a year ago I looked like a quite large, upright turnip, and was anticipating the arrival of my first baby. Although I tend to be a planner, I don't want to micro-manage a 1st birthday party. Rather, I envision this laid back get together with family, food, and festivities. But there was one thing I can't seem to get out of my mind (Pinterest, you got me again!).....a homemade birthday banner. 

Have you seen them? They're usually made out of felt and spell out "Happy Birthday" across each little flag. I'm hoping to use this one banner with all of our kids as a shared tradition.

Once I committed to making one there was no turning back. So here is my haphazard, take what you want from it, tutorial. 

How to Make a Birthday Banner

Materials:

• 1 square felt per letter (you can also buy felt by the yard, but this was easier for me.)
• colorful fabric
• extra wide double fold bias tape
• matching all purpose thread
• paper letters (I used these letters and they worked out great)
• time and patience (well, this was a requirement for this remedial learning seamstress)

Steps:

1. Print out paper letters and cut out each one, setting aside.
2. Cut a triangle template out of cardboard to the size flag you would like. Then use the template to trace and cut out each flag using the felt squares.
3. Combine the two: either pin the paper letters to the felt as a guide or use a fabric marker to trace the letters on the felt. Do whatever feels easiest for you....Tomato Tohmato! 
4. Pin the fabric letters onto the felt triangles, paying attention to placement. 
5. Zig-zag stitch around each letter slowly. If you speed stitch like you drive, you might find you end up off the road letter. This only happened to me.....umm....a few times. 
6. Once you're done appliquing the letters, get out the bias tape. Carefully place the top of each flag inside the fold and pin in place. 
7. Using a straight stitch, sew the bias tape and felt triangles together, using bottom edge of bias tape as guide. I chose thread that matched the bias tape, but you could always use a contrasting thread. 
   
   
8. Voila! Homemade, extra-special, only cost you a few (many) hours of your life, birthday banner. 

 

I know you're probably dying to see the finished birthday banner hanging in all its glory. Well, I hate to leave you on the edge of your seat (really), but you'll have to wait until Miss BG's 1st birthday party. 

Traveling with Toddlers

This Saturday the three of us are leaving on a trip to visit friends in Oklahoma City. Last week we talked about how much we wanted to go visit our old stomping grounds, see friends baptize their daughter, and visit with another couple before they move to Houston. Talking turned to looking up flights and booking travel for one week later. And despite my concern that flights are marked up when booked less than two weeks in advance, I didn't feel like our flights were any more expensive than they usual are. So take that traditional travel advice! 

The only downside to all this spontaneity? The unknown of traveling with a very active, walking, squirmy 11 month old. To make our fears matters worse, we watched a recent episode of "Up All Night" in which they travel with their one year old daughter. 

 

Yup, it's no lie: we definitely fear a poop-splosion. Although unlike Christian Applegate's character, I'm going to try really hard to resist calling my daughter's dirty diaper a "ticking time bomb." I heard that might be a bad idea in an airport. Here's a few more problems we anticipated and sought out solutions before leaving home.

Problem #1: Active toddler: My biggest fear is that she'll be prying herself out of our laps, crying to get down and walk around. Our whole plan lately to support her independent exploration letting her walk all over the house now seems like a bad, bad idea. My only game plan is to take lots of little, quiet toys and books with on the plane. I'm also going to take some milk in her Kleen Kanteen sippy cup for the ride. And perhaps earplugs for our fellow travelers. 

Problem# 2: We own the cadillac of car seats, a Britax. And by cadillac, I mean it is huuuuuggggeeee. Kirk calls it the spaceship, and I'm afraid I didn't realize it was that large when I ordered it on Amazon. Oh well, at least Baby Girl is safe right? The problem will be when we're lugging that beast through the airport along with a baby and miscellaneous bags. Luckily, there is an amazing contraption called a car seat cart. Behold amazing-ness:

 

That's right, you hook the car seat  to the cart, and plop your child in for a cushy ride through the airport. I like to think of it as a cheap person's travel stroller. At least for this cheap person (avoiding eye contact.) I'll let you know how it works out for us. 

Problem #3: Cloth diapers. Last time we flew, we did disposable. It just made sense for us at the time. So I figured I would do the same this trip. When I went to a local cloth diapering store and asked for eco-friendly disposables (figuring they had them hidden in a secret cabinet somewhere), I was brainwashed enticed to try disposable cloth diaper inserts by Flip. Sounds like a contradiction, right? Basically, it's a disposable liner that you put in a cloth diaper cover. Cuts down on waste and the liners take up less suitcase room than thick cloth diaper inserts. We'll see how it works. Hopefully I'm not (silently) cursing the name of the person who sold them to me. 

Stay tuned for an update next week on how everything worked out. Keep your fingers crossed that we survive our first major trip with a toddler!

 

What are your favorite tips for traveling with babies and toddlers?

 

 

 

The New Myth of the Stay at Home Mom

When I was in college, I took a class called "Gender and Inequality." We learned about feminist issues and read Betty Friedan's "Feminine Mystique." In the 1963 book, she argued that the women of her age were unhappy from being confined in the roles of mother and wife. In the decades that followed, women were "liberated" from the home and it seemed that women could have it all: a thriving career and a happy home life with kids. 

 

Except as many mothers now know, this is far from reality. Whether a stay at home mom or a working mom, it is IMPOSSIBLE to have it all. There just isn't enough time or money. And that's the reality of it.

 

But lately I've seen women embracing stay at home mom status as the answer to it all. Our mothers' generation fought to be in the workplace and now we're fighting to be back in the home. And so in the 80's we had the power mom. Today we have the new SAHM. And I believe that this new view of an old role can be just as damaging as the one Friedan pushed. Please read further...

 

SAHM: The Stay at Home Mom 

Otherwise known as the "new overachiever." Being a SAHM is suddenly the new career. The purpose driven life. We don't just cook, clean, and tend children. We KNIT. And not just knit, but matching sweaters for the whole family (and the dog.) We COUPON. And you can't just do regular couponing these days, but everything has to be EXTREME. We are learning all of our grandmothers' trades: canning, baking, preserving, sewing, and even cloth diapering has made a comeback. We don't just play with our kids, we EDUCATE them. And we're not just moms who happen to be at home anymore, we're HOME MANAGERS (anyone heard that term floating around?) To top it all off, now every SAHM is also a mommy blogger, projecting images of a perfect home and happy family out into the blogosphere. 

But where is the line between perfection and the cold truth of reality? On one hand, I think it's wonderful that the shame of being a SAHM has lifted somewhat. Women are learning useful skills to take care of family and home. And it can be so incredibly enjoyable and fulfilling. But on the other hand, I think this mentality can lead to an unhealthy focus on the pursuit of the unattainable. We're not concerned with keeping up with the Joneses anymore, but keeping up with other moms. 

I came to this conclusion recently when I was thinking that maybe I should learn to knit. For those of you who know me, I couldn't possibly sit still long enough to weave bits of yarn between two needles. But for some reason, I felt like I SHOULD be doing it.

And that is the root of the problem: SAHMs are not successful at their "job" if they aren't doing it ALL. Many left the workforce to avoid this mentality, but guess what? It followed us home. 

I'll be the first to admit: there are usually piles of dirty dishes in the sink, dog hair floating across the floor, and mounds of laundry to be washed EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. I get bored during the day and follow news stories religiously to have a connection to the world outside my home. I miss regular adult conversation, but I love being with my daughter. Everything is a trade-off.

And I know behind those perfect Instagram, Pinterest, blog photos of domestic life, are homes filled with women trying to keep up. Facing kids who are messy, a husband who is tired from work, and a day in which there is not enough coffee in the pot. And I'm ok with that, because sometimes reality is more refreshing than idealism. 

So just as Friedan liberated women from the domestic life,  I say let's liberate ourselves from the idealistic, unachievable idea of the perfect mom. Whether you stay at home or work, cut yourself some damn slack. I know I am. Put away your plans to freeze meals for the next month, bake bread, or organize one more closet and go put your feet up. And guess what? Your family will love you just the same.

 

Tell me: what do you think of the new SAHM?  Is it fulfilling, liberating, or overwhelming? (and if you knit, know that I love receiving homemade items, just not making them. :)

New Year, New You

Happy 2012 everyone!

 

There is nothing more exciting to me than the start of a new year. There is always such optimism that this is the year we finally achieve our dreams. Like a new planner, 2012 is a blank slate, ready to be filled in with accomplishments.

What's your resolution for this year? I always make several every year to cover all aspects of my life: personal, health and wellness, and financial. 

• Personal: My goal is to be more organized with my day and week by planning ahead. I plan to follow through on this by setting aside 10 minutes each night to plan for the next day. Once a week on Sundays, Captain and I will sit down and plan for the week ahead. My hope is to have a more streamlined chore schedule, set meal plans, and educational activities to do with Baby Girl.  Can you tell I'm a former teacher?
• Health and Wellness: Captain and I just joined Crossfit again at a local affiliate. We just can't seem to stay away! I love the way it makes me feel: strong, capable, and confident. That confidence and motivation always seems to spill over into other aspects of my life. So we'll be hitting Paleo hard again as well as Crossfitting 2x week. My yearlong goal is to be able to do the workouts WITHOUT any scaling. For those of you who know Crossfit, this won't be an easy task! A few years back, Captain and I took a 100% Paleo challenge; although we only made it a few months, it had a tremendous effect on our health and happiness. You can check it out at our old blog Paleo Prerogative. 
• Financial: Although I'm not going to go into the specifics, Captain and I made a very detailed financial plan for 2012 that suits us well. We're committing to taking a certain percentage off the top of each paycheck as soon as it hits our account. We'll also be paying off debt rapidly. There is nothing more exciting to me (nerd alert) than having a financial road map. Like I said, total nerd. 

 

 

Resolutions only succeed when you hold yourself accountable and ask someone to do the same for you. It also helps to take a large goal and break it down into easy to achieve mini-goals which help you stay motivated and focused.

What is your resolution and who is helping you to achieve it this year? 

The Siren Song of Sugar

Ahhh....sugar. For many of us, it is practically its own food group. It likes to masquerade under multiple names (corn syrup, HFCS, dextrose, maltodextrin, sucrose, etc.) and it is always provides a consistent buzz. Unfortunately, that buzz is hurting us more than many of us realize. 

The average American consumes 165 POUNDS of sugar a year. 

That should slightly freak you out. But if it doesn't (since it does seem so abstract) check out these photos. What's interesting is that the USDA recommends that women consume no more than 20 grams of sugar per day. But most of us consume 8 times that amount every single day. And it's easy to do because sugar is in everything.  Sugar does nasty things to our bodies, like cause inflammation, weakens the immune system, and destroys gut flora. Not to mention, too much sugar intake leads to long-term illnesses such as Type II diabetes and PCOS. 

I've been sick for awhile with an infection caused by yeast overgrowth (yeast feeds on sugar.) After 6 weeks of feeling absolutely terrible, I saw a different doctor for a second opinion. She gave me the medication I needed (a compound prescription), but also directed me to the in-house nutritionist. She told me exactly what I didn't want to hear: no sugar, no grains, no dairy for a month.

Now, I've talked about all of this before. And about 80% of the time, I avoid most of the above. But I have my weaknesses like dark chocolate, cream in my coffee, and greek yogurt. I think I cringed slightly when the nutritionist told me I had to give it all up. 

And it's been difficult to do while living with 3 other adults who can easily eat whatever they want and not get sick from it. This is one of those times when it is really hard to share a kitchen. 

 

But I am proud to say I've been sugar, grain, and dairy free for two weeks! AND I'm finally starting to feel like my old self again.  With Christmas only a few days away, we'll see how well I do this weekend. But you know what? I am finally starting to feel like the sugar cravings are going away. Sweet success!

 

What's your weakness when it comes to food?

Inspirational Stories for New Year Resolutions

The past couple of weeks have been incredibly busy. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family; it was so nice to relax, eat delicious food, and enjoy good company and conversation. In other news, when I just about gave up on Baby Girl taking a bottle, lo and behold, she now drinks out of one like a pro. GO FIGURE. 

                                                                                frozen Lake Michigan

As we enter December (how did you sneak up on me so quickly?), I'm thinking toward the new year and of course resolutions. I never take resolutions very seriously, but Captain and I usually try to sit down and set goals for the next year and imagine where we hope to be in five years. We're never accurate, but it's a good tool to make sure our goals and values are in alignment. 

 

And with any good resolution, it helps to have some inspiration and motivation to actually follow through with it. Below are my favorite inspirational stories from people who "did it" and beat the odds of following through with a goal. Not all of these are new year resolutions, but they are motivational just the same. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have!

1. Lose Weight. Isn't this the most stereotypical resolution? Variations on it are to get in shape, put on muscle, tone up, etc. But the following story makes all of those goals seem paltry. I love this story so much because it involves a middle-aged man who felt like he would always be overweight and sick. Not only did he lose weight, but he became incredibly healthy along the way. Read on about the unconquerable Dave.
2. Save Money. For some of us, our goals revolve around our finances. Maybe its to pay down credit cards, quit shopping so much, or save up for a dream vacation. But this couple did something completely radical for our day and age. They saved up 100% DOWN for a house! They put a lot of hard work and delayed gratification into their dream and did it. Today, she runs a successful blog from home about, you guessed it, finances. Read about their amazing journey here: 100% Down. 
3. Travel the World. I think this is another goal that has appeal to many of us with a little bit of wanderlust in our blood. From planning that dreamed about trip to France to traveling the world for a year, trips allow us to expand our cultural horizons and see how the rest of the world live. For those of us with kids, it seems like an impossibility to travel very much. But this couple took their little baby on the road, around the world, to film a documentary. Read on about the truly amazing adventures of baby Cole.

 

I hope you enjoyed those stories, and perhaps are feeling a bit more inspired. Regardless of whether or not you commit to a New Year's resolution, it's fun to think about WHO, WHAT, or WHERE  you can be in the span of 365 days. 

 

What will be your resolution this year?

Baby Food, Cravings for Home, and My Musings on the Education Bubble

Baby Girl is eight months old and hitting all of her milestones, making me a very proud mama. Except that she has some very odd idiosyncrasies. The girl WILL NOT drink out of a bottle, sippy cup, glass, whatever. Which still makes leaving her for any length of time longer than a couple hours extremely difficult. She also has a general disdain for baby food. When she was a wee little one, I had visions of picking out succulent, ripe vegetables and fruit at the farmers market that would then be instantly steamed and pureed for homemade, organic baby food. (Cue clouds parting and sunlight shining through.) The reality is MUCH DIFFERENT. I gave up on making my own baby food after she continually clamped her jaw closed and turned her head away from the (literal) fruits of my labor.

So I gave BG some steak. No, really. We had steak one night, and I let her chew on a hunk of steak. And believe it or not? Of course, she loved it! She cried when we took the mottled, destroyed piece of steak away. Another night I let her sip some broth from my chili off my spoon. Again, a big hit. Now I know that all of the baby experts would have a heart attack at the thought of anything touching her lips besides: cereals at 4 months, purees at 6 months, and finger foods at 8-10 months. But I quit following those guides a long, long time ago. So most days, I let her taste what I'm eating (within reason of course), and I think we're well on our way to a child who likes tasty, sometimes spicy, food. We're heading out this weekend to a whiskey distillery in Michigan to pick up a wedding gift for some friends. The lovely staff there told me they have no problem with me bringing BG. As long as she doesn't get a taste for whiskey. Although, isn't that an old remedy for teething? Kidding......

 

On another front, I am craving my own home. It is exceptionally difficult to go from living on your own for years and suddenly be back under the family roof. I'm satisfying my craving with plenty of HGTV, looking at homes online, and rearranging our room. Soon enough......we will have our own place again. Captain and I vacillate back and forth on whether or not we'll stay in this area long-term. He has some career ambitions that we're concerned he cannot fulfill at the hospitals around here. Chicago might be an option, but I absolutely have no desire to live there. Indianapolis is always on our list as there is a great teaching hospital there, a plethora of mid-century modern homes (one of my fav architecture styles) and plenty of museums for me (if I decide to go back to work)....but I'm pretty content with our current location.

 

Finally, I read an op-ed on a possible education bubble burst. Average student loan debt for the class of 2010, according to the Project on Student Debt, hit an all time high of $25,000. And that's just for undergraduate students. Tuition continues to rise higher than inflation. And we're yet to make a significant dent in unemployment. So what does this all mean? I think it means that as more students graduate, are unable to find jobs and cannot pay their loans, we will see a second wave of recession-like signs. It makes me wonder how this will further affect our government since they now own most student loans. Obama recommended capping payments at 10% of income and forgiving debts after twenty years. But will that be effective? What do you think? 

 

My Cheap Beauty Routine

I have a secret to confess: I love beauty products. I can spend hours in Sephora comparing and playing with all the different products. Chanel make-up was my favorite, and I would willingly spend $50 or more on a 0.5 oz bottle of foundation.

But I'm reformed now. And it has as much to do with my finances as it does with caring about the type of products I put on my skin (aka the largest organ in your body.)

So here is my oh-so exciting, yet pocketbook pleasing, beauty line-up

• moisturizer: cold-pressed castor oil, which I use day or night, depending on the dryness of my skin. Coconut oil works great for drier skin. 
• face wash: 25/75 blend of olive oil and castor oil. This is called the oil cleansing method, and it has been amazing for my skin.
• shampoo: I switch often, but it is usually free of parabens, fragrance (phathales), SLS, coloring, etc. I tried doing the no -poo method, consisting of baking soda, water, apple cider vingegar. Alas, I gave up.  I only wash my hair twice a week which has actually made it healthier and not as dry (traditional shampoos actually dry out your hair DESPITE saying their formula is moisturizing. Go figure!)
• conditioner: this varies as well, right now I'm using one by a Canadian company called Green Beaver. It fits the same criteria as the shampoo. Sometimes I won't even use conditioner and just rinse with apple-cider vinegar. 
• lotion: aha! I don't actually use lotion. Like conventional shampoo, lotion is very drying to your skin. I use body oils from Trillium Organics, a small, women-ran company in Door County, WI. A very tiny amount goes a super long way and doesn't have to be reapplied constantly like lotion. You can get the same effect using olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, safflower oil, sweet almond oil, etc. 
• make-up: I wear very little make-up, usually consisting of some concealer (I am an exhausted mama, ya know), powder, mascara, and blush. I love 100% Pure for their natural, fruit-pigmented products. 

 

That, my friends, is it for my very basic beauty routine. It's inexpensive, easy to do, and I feel like my hair and skin have never looked better! My best advice to you? Don't pay store prices for beauty products that don't perform like they claim or damage your hair/skin over the long-term. Make your own products instead and enjoy your natural beauty! 

 

Spill: what's your best kept beauty secret?

 

 

**Note: I am not receiving ANY compensation for mentioning the products above. I just wanted to share my favorites with all of you!