Miss Me??

Sorry I have not been posting. Our little Lady has not been feeling well. I have been busy wiping her nose on the hem of my shirt (disgusting, I know) and terrorizing her with nasal spray. I have also been loading Pedialyte into a spray bottle in a hope to make it more appealing. Do other kids actually drink this suff? Both of mine would rather slip into a state of dehydration. I have tried it all... unflavored, grape, fruit mix, chilled, dilluted, room temperature, cup and bottle. Lady is still not buying it. So until I learn to morph my breast milk into Pedialyte she is uninterested. I just hope my body is listening to her snotty gurgle and increases my output. There is an unanticipated sick child bonus. My little wild thing has been a cuddle bug. I am trying to stock up on her sick baby lovings while I can. I am sure she will be ducking my kisses and wriggling out of my hugs again in no time!!

Happy Holidays

This is my favorite Christmas moment. Both my daughters played in the flour. Then Big Sis and I baked the cookies and had a flour fight while Little Sis took a nap. She woke up just in time to join us for a warm cookie snack. I don't know which was brighter, my oldest daughter's smile or the morning light. I hope your holiday season is full of sweet cookie moments like this!!!

P.S: Thanks Aunt G for the adorable Sweets For Santa set. Santa must have liked it too because he left the girls just what they wanted!!

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Push Prize! SO ME!

When I was pregnant there was a lot of talk about Push Prizes for mothers. The debate was over whether mother's should get a push prize for popping out a baby? Pregnant mothers gasped in shock, "My healthy child is the true gift. She is the prize". My response, "NOT ME!! I'll take the prize too". Hubby and I both have the blessing but I have a mangled abdomen and a tilted uterus. Now does that sound fair? Are we really even?
So what is the perfect push prize? It really depends on the mom but it does not have to be expensive. Keep your diamonds. After the birth of our first daughter I just wanted food. Hubby brought me dinner to the hospital. It was steamed crab. He cracked it and fed it to me by hand. Then he sliced open large strawberries and sandwiched them together with marshmallow cream. Despite the pain medication and the hospital ambience it was worth a million candlelit dinners in swank restraunts. It is still in my top five of most romantic moments of all time.

So a self sacrificing mother who expects nothing but her post birth glow? Well that really is NOT me!! I will not be hopping up to cook dinner just hours post baby. Nope, I will be propped back in bed waiting to be hand fed. That is soooo me!! Am I spoiled? Absolutely, I don't mind fessing up to it after enduring hours of labor and pushing drug free just to be wheeled into an emergency c-section, doped beyond consciousness then stapled back together like Frankenstein.
But here is the thing... let's not call it a push prize because that belittles the whole process. Besides what about the other mother's like me who had cesareans. Am I ineligible for a push prize just because my internal slip and slide malfunctioned? Then there are the adopted children that find their way into their mother's arms via adoption. I think they are just as deserving of a "push" prize. And then again maybe push prize is fitting. As mothers we all push, pull and fight for our right to be mothers regardless of how we accomplish it. "Push" prizes are the celebration of the quest. I think it is also a great start and tradition for first time mothers. Mothers have a tendency to give and self sacrifice with total disregard for themselves. By accepting push prizes we start motherhood with the realization that it is okay to occasionally reward yourself and indulge in a world outside of diaper cream and booties. This post was inspired by "Not Me Monday". Just click on the link below to join in...

Fairy Photo Tip

So how do you score a picture of a toddler sleeping in full fairy costume?? Be warned the answer may spoil all the warm fuzzies you get when seeing this magical photo...
YOU POKE HER WITH A STICK!! She isn't sleeping folks she is playing dead. This photo was taken right after a massive dual that I won. TWO POINTS FOR MOM!! Rest assured she got me back in round two with a semi-fatal wound to the thigh. My motto...All is fair in love, war and photography.

Thank you to Jania's Photo Enhancements for transporting her from a sheet in the front yard to a magical fairy garden. I adore doing my own photo editing but some photographs were meant for the masters.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

SHAKEN, NOT KISSED

I hope that my daughter's grow up to be strong, smart and confident women. I want them to know that sometimes a frog is just a frog no matter how many kisses he receives.

I adore this ACEO print by Duda Daze, "Shaken, Not Kissed". I think I need one for each daughter to save for their dating years. I will have them carry one as a reminder not to waste energy on trying to turn frogs into men. You can pick one up for yourself and check out her other art by visiting The Duda Daze Etsy store,

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=109775

Pregnancy Pangs

When both my daughters were born I held them in my arms, loved them, cuddled them and still missed them. For nine months we were so close. Their births left me feeling a little empty. During my pregnancies I knew they were always close and safe inside of me. I will always treasure that special time and still occasionally long for it. I never would have guessed that I would miss being fifty pounds heavier, nauseous and full of internal movement.
Nothing else I have ever done in my life has been as humbling and empowering as my pregnancies and I miss it.
So, How do you get over the pregnancy pangs? I haven't yet. I still miss them but I still sneak in and photograph my daughters sleeping. My oldest is five and to see her curled in sleep makes the ultrasound feel like a second a go. Those moments fill my heart, if not my womb and that is enough.

Perhaps that is why I am so drawn to these beautiful necklaces. by Birth Designs . If you love these powerful yet dainty necklaces as much as I do you can find them on Etsy, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=76850

I think they would also make beautiful gifts of appreciation for surrogates and birth mothers.

I am in awe of every woman that makes amazing sacrifices so that children find their way to the parents that are anxiously waiting to love, treasure and adore them. My prayers are also with the mothers still waiting for their children. I hope that your dream of motherhood is soon be realized.

Today is WORKS FOR ME WEDNESDAY join in and link up @

http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/

Not Me Monday

Not Me Monday hosted by http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ ! Please come join in on the fun.
I did not let the baby dip her pretty do in a rain puddle while I snapped pictures. I did not let both princesses flop, roll and crawl in the muddy water like little piglets. I did not secretly wish for snow while playing in paradise. That would be ungrateful and I do NOT ever take things for granted. I am not so spoiled that I can play on a stunning beach and wish for Oklahoma. Who in their right mind would do that? I also did not see this great picture of me and my happy daughters and think first, "Man my roots look so bad!". I am not that vain. I saw only their smiling faces and did not give my imperfections a second thought. I also did NOT crop my bottom out. For vanities sake! I am over all those silly insecurities. Enjoy the pics, please disregard my roots.

Unique Custom Gifts for Charity

Unique jewelry does not have to cost a fortune. There are several talented artisans that sell on Etsy who can custom create unique pieces within most budgets. I chose Junk Posse for this feature because this artisan is as generous as she is talented. Browse through her store and you will find creations benefiting various charitable organizations. I was also touched by her emphasis on celebrating adoption from all countries. The pictured bracelet is A fine silver 7 inch Bracelet with the Chinese words "Adopted with Love" on the front. 25% of the purchase price from this bracelet will be donated to a Family Adopting from China! You can find her shop on Etsy or visit her blog, http://junkposse.blogspot.com/

Here are a list of the other charitable organization she helps through her amazing talent..
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation gently provides a helping hand and a healing heart. For families overcome by grief and pain, the idea of photographing their baby may not immediately occur to them. Offering gentle and beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner. They allow families to honor and cherish their babies, and share the spirits of their lives.

AHOPE for Children is a non-profit organization whose mission is to serve the children of Ethiopia, with a primary emphasis on caring for orphans infected with HIV.

Nest- A non profit organization dedicated to changing the lives of women & Children.Worldwide Orphan Foundation- A non profit organization that helps to transform the lives of orphaned Children.

A separate group of amazing women have joined forces for similar causes in the REBEL FOR A CAUSE RAFFLE AWAY. Today is the last day to make your donation and enter to win a massively monstrous Canon Digital Rebel XSi prize package. Proceeds will go to String of Pearls, a beautiful ministry that offers a nurturing and safe place for families as they navigate the path following a fatal prenatal diagnosis that will result in the death of their baby prior to, or shortly after birth. String of Pearls provides guidance, compassion and practical suggestions as plans to honor the life of pre-born babies are crafted.

Proceeds will also go to benefit No Hands But Ours. No Hands But Ours is a China adoption resource site, specific to special needs adoption. It was created to provide information, encouragement and support for families of the children who wait and for those who wait no more. It is their hope that God would use this organization to encourage and equip ordinary people to do an extraordinary thing in the life of a special needs orphan, to give the gift every child needs and deserves...a family.

The Elison Project helps to provide grants to families adopting special needs children from China, and collaborates with No Hands But Ours. Proceeds of this Raffle-Way will allow families to make an incredible difference in the life of a child. Your donation will help to bring His children home.
Here is the link for more information, a look at a ton of fabulous prizes & to purchase tickets:
http://www.mycharmingkids.net/2008/12/rebel-without-for-cause-raffle-way.html

**Raffle tickets can also be purchased as gifts.

UPS CHRISTMAS SURPRISE

Dear UPS,
The results are in, cardboard is still NOT waterproof. Thank you for including our Christmas package in your shipping experiment. The entire box and contents were thoroughly soaked. I am very impressed. I am so honored that after operating since 1907 you chose our Christmas gifts to prove once and for all that cardboard is not waterproof. It appears that when set in standing water the cardboard will actually absorb the puddle. It was also so kind of the UPS carrier to hold the pieces of wet box together just to make it to my door in as few pieces as possible. Your training schedule must be very vigorous because he was able to drop the wet box on my step, ring the bell and bound back in the truck before I could even open the door and thank him for such a wet delivery.
In all fairness I have to give a shout out to ToysRus for being so accommodating and understanding. I am thrilled that I get to wait approximately eight days for UPS to pick the package back up. It would be so boring leaving the house and enjoying the tropical climate. My children would much rather wait around here for eight days. I would like to add an extra special thank you for the refund that we will be arriving sometime after the pick-up. The baby loves cold hard cash and hates toys and books anyway. Your lightning speed and customer service truly is astounding. Thank you both for being a part of our holiday season festivities.
Sincerely, Jen

FIRST TUTU GIVE AWAY!!

I am pairing up with Creative Momma for my first ever blog give away. So please visit her site for the scoop and enter to win a custom tummy time tutu and portrait pacifier!! Our exclusive tummy time tutus are not just for infants. My toddler calls her tummy time her playground tutu. She loves it because she can jump, skip and dance in glam style without all the pretty fluff getting in her way. I am happy to subsitute the pacifier for an extra flower clip if you have an older princess. Good luck to everyone! Hugs, Jen
PLEASE CLICK BELOW TO ENTER

Fake Great Pictures

(above) BEFORE

AFTER (using photobucket's free scrapbook feature)

If you are new to photography don't stress about lighting or even framing the shot. Just work on getting that priceless expression. You have one chance and thanks to digital cameras you can fake it if you fail.
(I will be describing all editing procedures available at www.photobucket.com because it is free & fairly popular)
POOR FRAMING
Most digital cameras have a high enough resolution that you can crop in fairly close even if the photograph was not originally a close up. You don't always have to crop your subject in the center. Try cropping so that your child is on the far left or far right of the frame. This works great for Christmas cards and business cards. Or crop the photo so only part of your child's face is included, as shown on the Christmas card.
BLAH DULL PHOTO
If you increase the contrast your photograph will take on a more bold and artistic look. Just slide the contrast bar up. This will sometimes make the colors too bold for your taste. For a more subtle effect slightly decrease the color saturation after you increase the contrast. Don't be afraid to play around. Messing with the brighten, saturation and contrast bars produce the most interesting and effective results.
CLUTTERED, MESSY BACKGROUND
Cropping is the easiest solution.
Or
increase the contrast.
if the photo background is already brighter than the subject then bump up the contrast and the subject will jump out and the background will fade away
If the background is darker than the subject increase the saturation and slightly decrease the brightness for a similar effect.
BUSY/ CLASHING PHOTO
crop and use the grayscale or sepia feature to tone down everything from busy backgrounds to clashing outfits
MASK BLUR
The soften effect, under effects, in photo shop editing, will mask the blur in most images. It can make things like out of focus subjects and solar flares look intentional. It is also a very magical touch for newborn portraits and fairy princesses.
REMOVING UNWANTED ELEMENTS
A vignette works great at hiding unwanted elements around the pictures edges. It is under decorate, frames and then matte/vignette. Stick with black or white for a more classic look.
This also adds a nice dramatic touch to a plain photograph.

Free photo sharing sites can decrease the photograph's resolution so keep an extra copy.

Join in sharing more great tips at www.rocksinmydryer.net

Works For Me!!!!

The Kegel Flunky, Not me

My New Year's Resolution is NOT to simply master my bodily functions. I am a grown woman, master of all, who does NOT spring leaks of ANY kind. Therefore, my resolution will be grand and of epic proportions, awe inspiring. My New Year's Resolution will NOT simply be to stop peeing on myself every time I sneeze. After all, I do NOT do that.
The featured print by artist, Nicole Sharp, did NOT remind me of myself. When I read the description,
"Just call me Betty f@#%ing Crocker..".
I did NOT laugh so hard I nearly peed my pants. Please remember I am above that. Besides not having control of my bladder would make blogging dangerous. I would have to avoid funny posts altogether or risk electrocution. I am NOT so addicted to blogs like Secrets in the Sauce and Idabel Oklahoma that I am actually willing to risk electrocution.
Join in on not me Monday by clicking here..

You can find Nicole on Etsy at
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5094264.
The great news is she says, "I love to do trades - just convo me. The worst I ever say is no (and I usually don't say that), and even then I say it nicely. I am interested in jewelry, home goods, zines, felt objects, little girl's clothes, toys, art, and just about everything else. I hope to hear from you!". I love that!! Her work is fun and gorgeous. I hope you visit her shop because it was so hard for me to choose just two. Or just blog on over and tell her how amazing she is..

http://www.theoleanderblack.blogspot.com/

THE TRUTH ABOUT MARRIAGE

There is not a wife alive who has never thought, if ever so briefly, where to hide her hubby's body. Now if you are gasping in horror and praising the Lord that you obviously have a better husband than mine you are either…..
A. A newlywed
B. Living in Denial
OR
C. Married to a Saint
(If you are one of the few that answered C please don't rub it in. Husband's lives across the globe may depend on it and the last thing you want is hundreds of new widows chasing after your man.)

Speaking of saintly husbands, have you heard of the Mother Letter Project?

This husband is compiling letters from mothers across the globe to give to his wife as a gift for Christmas. Many women are all secretly thinking and hoping this is their husband. I am not one of those women. I KNOW this is NOT my husband.

It gets better. Here are his own words, "Instead of purchasing Christmas this year, our family is "creating" Christmas and donating the "difference" to a small African village. To that end, I am collecting a series of open letters-the Mother Letters-for my wife's Christmas present". Now ladies, please remember this man is accepting mother letters for his wife ONLY, not dinner invitations, propositions or marriage proposals!! SHAME ON YOU!! Besides he already politely declined my request to become his second wife.
To learn more and post your own letter click here…


DISCLAIMER:
I retain the right to tease, exaggerate and embellish my own husband's testosterone induced bad behavior. My husband is not perfect but he is perfect for me. I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea and think I'm still on the market. So for all you guys who have been searching for a leaking mommy with two kids, dry skin and a lack of will power to shave, I am NOT your girl. Please don't be too disappointed. There are many other sleep deprived, oatmeal crusted moms that would love to meet you. No I will NOT introduce you. You will just have to borrow your niece and hit up playgroup like all the other single guys.

Works for Me!!

http://www.rocksinmydryer.net/

For more survival, tips, recipes and just plain fun!!I am not the mother I thought I would be. I am so off the path that I am not even headed in my original direction.
Here is to the back roads, dead-ends and collisions that qualify motherhood for an extreme sport!!

TOP TEN THINGS I NEVER EVER THOUGHT I WOULD SAY
10. Share Baby Jesus or I'll throw him in the trash!!
9. No, Santa is not allergic to peanut butter.
8. Can you lift me up? I can't reach the spaghetti on the ceiling.
7. Yes, I can see she ate the crayons!! NOW will you flush the toilet?
6. No. Not until you finish your Cheetos.
5. I have an unopened tube of nipple cream. It's yours, just say the word.
4. Don't put Barbie's foot in my belly button.
3. Don't toilet paper the cat.
2. Well, I was feeling fancy so I shaved PAST the knee today!!!
1. I ADORE being a sleep deprived, never potty alone, stay at home mom!!

I will keep this list so that when my daughter's have children of there own I can reference it, hold my tongue and remind myself that making mistakes and taking wrong turns can be the most precious part of motherhood.

Merry Sitsmas

Around this time last year our Lady Baby was warming up, stretching and gearing for an early race to the finish. I was politely declining prebirth cervix checks and getting my toenails painted and stir-up ready. Lady Rew was decorating the house and looking forward to partying down with her new little sis. She was also making sure I knew that if the baby didn't have girly parts that we would have to make a late night run to Wal-mart and pick some up!! Hubby was uncomfortably trying to explain that Wal-mart didn't have an aisle for that. I hope your Holidays are equally full of silliness, laughs and love.

Today this fun, supportive blog is giving away prizes and working hard to spread the Cheer. Way to go Secret in the Sauce!!! So Merry Sitsmas to all and thank you!!

Photo Tip: Create your own present tags and greeting cards with Photobucket's free Scrapbook feature!! The best part is that you can upload the final design to Vista Print and take advantage of their free specials on calenders, cards and more.

My favorite blog so far on my very first Merry SITSmas tour.. Fresh Mommy. I dig the name and her entire blog is gorgeous!!

And last day to vote on this posh pet photos. Animal rescue and dogs in clothes, does it get any better????www.arftulsa.blogspot.com

Overwhelmed, Depressed & Loved

This post is in honor of a very special friend who needs to know that she is not alone. I want her and all mothers to know that being overwhelmed, depressed and just plain frazzled happens to the best of us. Please feel free to post your own words of encouragement, understanding and support.

Dear Princess,

Please know that I am here for you and that all you have to do is ask. I have not forgotten your acts of kindness. I am here whenever you are ready. In the short time I have known you you have shown me glimpses of your strength, loyalty and generous spirit. I hope you rediscover all the amazing qualities that make you such an important and essential part of this world. I also hope you find the strength and support to not just take another step but skip with joy.
Mothers are expected to be selfless, tireless and full of unending love and devotion. Some of us give until there is just nothing left to give. It happens to the best, brightest and most intelligent mothers. Even high profile mothers from Sylvia Plath to Brooke Shields have crumbled under the weight of it all. Depression is timeless and mothers are not exempt. Depression can appear and extend long past Postpartum. Hugs, Jen

This passage from Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert really touched me,
"I don't think a woman in the whole history of my family had ever done that before, had ever sat down in the middle of the road like that and said, in the middle of her life, "I cannot walk another step further-somebody has to help me." It wouldn't have served those women to have stopped walking. Nobody would have, or could have helped them. The only thing that would've happened was they and their families would have starved. I couldn't stop thinking about those women."
I can't stop thinking about these women either. Women are stumbling, pausing, stopping and sometimes there is still nobody to help.

Not Me Monday

I've been inspired to join in on Not Me Monday. I think it is a brilliant idea. So here is a little humor, a dose of brutal honesty and a taste of tough self love. Be sure to visit the original Not Me Master, McKMamma, http://www.mycharmingkids.net/
I did NOT think of 101 ways to punish my husband for having the audacity to sleep peacefully while I was up with the baby. I most certainly did NOT actually knock him upside the head and then convince the big lug he must have been having a nightmare. I also have never stuck both feet right in the middle of his back and pushed him out of bed. I then did NOT proceed to act startled, loving and concerned , " LOVE?! Are you okay? You just fell out of bed!!". No that was NOT me. Because I am a peaceful, loving wife who adores her husband all the time. I am NOT an occasionally bitter, sleep deprived housewife prone to moments of weakness and mistreating her husband. And by the way, my husband is NOT the most amazing, loving, fun and free spirited man I could ever ask for who also happens to now have a very sore back and slight concussion.
I also did not just send hubby for boxed cake mix for our daughter's very first Birthday even though I made our first daughter's carrot cake from scratch naturally sweetened with apple juice and cream cheese icing. Nope..IT WAS NOT ME!! Dig the overbite?? You can see more cute pet pics,courtesty of Picture the Moment Photography, at www.arftulsa.blogspot.com