ooh, la, la

i have died and gone to product heaven! growing up (and by that i mean until last year) i did very little to preserve the precious derma organ. i washed it, with soap, when i showered. sometimes i moisturized, sometimes i sun screened, once in a while i did some form of peel off mask or mud layer- but without much regularity.

after my pregnancy with d, my poor little face has never been the same. it went from being almost always blemish free to almost always blemished. i suddenly have true combination skin- dry patches, oily patched, wrinkle zones... you name it. and suddenly, for the first time in my life, i have been forced to really evaluate facial products. this has been a bit exhausting for me. don't get me wrong, i love products as much as the next girl, but i would way rather invest my shekels on a cool new shirt than skin care products that you can't even see. but i found myself getting wrinkles and nobody likes a big 'ole patch of acne, so i guess i am passed due for making this investment.


and so off to the store i trotted, looking for something that i would do the trick without compromising my standards for skincare products (sans parabans, petroleum products, phthlates, and propylene glycol, and anything else artificial). imagine my glee when i discovered mychelle dermaceuticules! and if you can even fathom it, imagine how excited i got when i discovered that they sell a sampler of almost all of their serums, cleansers, masks, moisturizers, eye creme etc.! it is perfect! i flew out of the store with my box of goodies (purchased at whole foods for a mere $14.99) and ran to the powder room to experiment. so far, it has been blissful (in a girlie makeover kind of way) and blemish reducing! hooray!


the kit comes with a product breakdown- their recommendations for oily skin, normal, damaged, mature, combo and men. it tells you what to do in the am and pm and what treatments are recommended for occasional use. it is perfect for a non-product girl like myself as i have no idea what i really need. and for those of you that are pros at this kind of thing, it might be perfect for sharing with a friend (if your a dry skin gal, grab an oily girl and head arm and arm to whole foods). and the part i like best you ask? well, it's that i get to try them in tiny portions for a few days and see what works for me. i get to experiment first hand with my skin type and see what i want to commit to before making a purchase (skin care isn't cheap ladies- we can't afford to fall for those glitter packages that turn out to be crud in a tube).


check out their website. while the stuff isn't "cheap" it is certainly way more affordable than some of the other stuff i've seen out there. and from what i've experienced over the past few days, it is effective. scary effective and as a bonus, my hubby told me he liked the way i smell after i used it the second night (ooh, la, la).

what does a doggie say?

scott and i have been a little bit concerned with our parenting these past few weeks. it has recently dawned on us that e had quite the vocabulary at 14 months and that miss d's isn't growing at quite the same speed. after a little careful thought, we realized that she doesn't get quite the same amount of attention that e did at this age and that for the most part, we have been negligent in introducing her to new words. don't get me wrong, the girl is super smart, she just doesn't attach words to the things in her world. in an effort to correct the situation, we went for the category of words that seems to be of interest to miss d: animals. (i know, how original!)

miss d is pretty fascinated with the beginning of spring and the activity of the various animals that she sees emerging in our 'hood. she stands at the back door and searches for squirrels on the back porch. she looks out the breakfast room window in search of our canine neighbor, shortie the dog. she chases rabbits and she tries to catch birdies. and the entire time she is doing any of these animal quest activities she says, "hoof hoof".

a trip to the pet store was in order! it was too cold for the zoo, but we have a wonderful pet store (forgive me if you are anti-pet store) nearby and i thought that maybe it could help her out.

and all the while, after cage after tank after cage, she was still pointing and calling out, "hoof hoof".

go blue

we are considering a move half way across the country. scott and i were talking about it the other night and he looked worried. it is a lot to handle so i wanted to probe in a little bit and see what kinds of concerns he had on his mind.

me: hon, it's going to be ok. we'll sort it all out. i don't know exactly how but we'll be fine. what concerns you the most?

(thinking he was going to say something like:
1.) moving my wife who will either be about to deliver or just having had delivered a new baby across the country.

2.) how the girls will adjust

3.) leaving behind all of our friends

... i could go on and on here for a while with what i thought his TOP concern might include.)

scott: that none of the kids will go to Michigan. (followed by a very heavy sigh)

and on another note: do bald babies look gender neutral? every time she wears this onesie (which is only when her father dresses her) i debate if you can tell she is a sweet little girlie. what do you think?

the sacrifice pt.2

many of the things that i share in my blog end up having a follow-up story. often i forget to share these with you and figure that i'll leave well enough alone. but this one, well, it's just too good to not share with you.

you may recall that my wonderful hubby has given up sweets for lent. you may recall how i micromanaged his explanation to ellie concerning the sacrifice he's making. and you may recall her little chat with daddy concerning the cookies.

the plot thickens.

today e had a play date at her friends house. she went after gymnastics, stayed for lunch and then was dropped off by her friend's mom in the early afternoon. i often become the neurotic mommy at these drop-off play dates because my sweet little e is the pickiest eater. i'm working on this, but gave the mom the heads up in case my girlie decided not to eat.

as any momma would, when my girl was returned home, i chatted with the mom to ensure that all had gone well. i wanted to be sure e had minded her manners, shared, and get a glimpse at what she had consumed for lunch.

the reply: well, she said she was "on a sacrifice" and had given up eating macaroni and cheese for Jesus.

hmmm... maybe we need to revisit this lent thing, but it's going to have to wait until i can make it through the conversation without laughing so hard.

ellie had her first gymnastics "meet" a few weeks ago. it was quite the display. miss e can get a bit shy when she becomes the center of attention, but our big girlie pulled it off! i was so impressed with her. she didn't hesitate, she had a big 'ol smile, and she went through her entire "routine" just as she was supposed to.

1 year

this post is going to all over the place. i'm sure of it because my head is swirling with ten posts at once- none of them at all very important.

first, look at this! my sweet aunt sharon (who cared for me during my first 3 months at home, after my mom was released from the hospital) posted it on her blog. it made me laugh out loud.

second, somehow my one year of blogging anniversary passed me by. it was in the back of my head but escaped me on the actual day. anyways, i can't believe that i have stuck with it for this long, enjoyed it and how it has evolved into more than just random pics of my girls.

which brings me to the topic of transparency. as i reflect on my past year as a blogger, i think about how i began by inviting you to "...peek in my window, see into my writings and share in my life and the life of my family". at that moment, i fully anticipated that the bulk of my blogging would revolve around my girls. and for the most part, it has.

sometimes, i wonder if i am too transparent. i wonder if my sharing makes you a little bit uncomfortable and if by telling the whole story i might border on being overly dramatic. and if that is the conclusion, then i guess that i am ok with it. you see, i spent a lot of my life (high school years in particular) hiding a lot of stuff about myself. i spent years trying to be someone who i thought was a better version of myself, but pushing down the real version. and in the process, i learned that it really just isn't productive. and that in telling the truth, the unedited version (as unedited as one can be when writing about themselves) you end up in a much better place. i'm not saying i am better for being transparent, it just makes it easier for me to live in my own skin.

and a few other random thoughts-
remember those deer we saw from the forest preserve? looking back, i'm not sure if i would have drawn as much attention to them as i did back in the beginning of our life in the burbs. for the past year, on a regular basis, i have had to answer detailed questions about the deer's homes. ellie has been relentless. (i can just see into her little head. she thinks they have a cozy living room a nice little kitchen and who knows what else:) she does not give up. she asks the same thing and she refuses to accept my answer- "they live in the woods girlie. they lay down together to keep warm and they use sticks and leaves for shelter and eat grass/leaves".

remember my commitment to use cloth bags in an effort to cut down on plastics? yeah- i'm not doing so hot on that one! i have in fact stopped taking plastics, but i forget my reusable bags all the time. as a punishment to self, i started forcing myself to carry all of my items without bags. it is a sight to see! when that is just impossible, i buy more reusable bags. i know, i'm pathetic. i'm blaming it on pregnancy brain... in spite of the fact that it started happening long before i became pregnant.

also, i fully intended to write a heck of a lot more about natural parenting. while i seem to have no problem sharing my faith with ya'll, i seem to be resistant to sharing my philosophy on too much else. i'll work on that. (i promise it is actually pretty interesting!)

and that about wraps up this random burst of thoughts. thanks for following along for the past year. it's been a fun adventure!

the ultrasound

so yesterday, i wrote a post about having the twenty week ultrasound and what brought us to the conclusion of not finding out the sex of the baby. after i began to write it, i decided to save it for posting after the ultrasound- in the event that i had a change of heart while sitting in front of that ever so powerful screen.

remember these words from two earlier postings:
m: (whispering) Father, i'm a little scared.

G: i know. do you trust me?

m: yes, i trust you.

G: do you know i love you?

m: yes, Father, i know you love me.

G: will you walk with me? will you let me carry you? through anything?

m: i will, Father.

well, we're right back in that place. our ultrasound didn't come back "conclusive" and they want to go back and check some things out. since we decided not to have first trimester screening, the verdict is still out on what the situation could be. my midwife assures me that there is no reason to worry yet and that i just need to be patient. we are scheduled for another ultrasound on the 31st of march and will get a better picture then.

and so while i do not want to cause anyone unnecessary concern (my midwife really suggested this could simply be a baby positioning issue and that until we have something to worry about, not to worry), i would be lying to you if i didn't say i was concerned. and i would also be lying to you if i told ya'll that i am a patient person. i'm not- not even the slightest bit. and so as i sit here in this place of limbo, i ask you to join me in praying. i need it and am certain that He is the only one that can keep my overactive imagination at bay. please pray for a healthy baby and for peace as i wait out the next three weeks. if you follow my blog regularly, you know how much is on our plates right now and adding one more thing is just a bit overwhelming. and so onto Him, i choose to cast my cares.

recession fashion

wow, this post has an interesting confession! sometimes, i am a blog stalker:) no really, a few months ago a blog that i follow told of a family that had a baby who was born really sick. in an effort to pray for the family, i began following their blog and reading the daily updates of their sweet baby, harper (she is such a cutie). anyways, harper is all better, but i am still following the momma's blog. today, kelly (the momma) posted about recession fashion and challenged the readers to post their tips on their own blogs. always up for a challenge, especially concerning one of my most favorite topics (shopping), here goes...

since miss e was born, i have been obsessed with boutique brands and adorable outfits. the problem lied in the fact that we were on a strict budget and i could never justify the price tags on my favorite brands when she went through sizes so quickly. but she was my girl, my first baby and i couldn't resist. after spending an obscene amount of money on a few outfits and then later having them ruined for one reason or another, i decided that i had to get smart about this shopping thing. and in the process, i discovered ebay. and once i found it, i never went back. below are some samples of ebay steals that currently adorn our home and girls... all courtesy from ebay.


this is delaney's somewhat mangled bedroom set. it is pink and light brown polka dot, trimmed in green/pink/yellow/ paisley, backed with chocolate brown. it was handmade by a woman who sews in her home in ontario.

it came with the skirt, bumper (delaney has smashed it so much that it no longer stands up straight- a delaney issue not a workmanship issue), curtain, and two pillows.

the dress on the wall is for the day we finally dedicate delaney and was $5 at a local antique store (i stole the adorable idea of using it to decorate from my talented friend steph:). the entire set cost $100 + shipping!!! comparable custom sets were between $500- $1000!

this is an outfit that i bought for d by a company that sells a lot on ebay and in stores here in chicago (jo jo designs). the top has a flower formed from ribbon and the bottom is trimmed in little flowers. it was $20 plus $6 shipping charge.

this dress is from my most favorite label, baby lulu. both girls had this matching dress for easter last year (see earlier post). i don't remember exactly how much i paid for them (ballpark of $25/piece, and they were $70 in a local boutique. i used them all spring/summer/fall with layering.

another baby lulu outfit that the girls had that matched. i remember paying more for ellie's ($25ish) and getting a steal on delaney's (under $10!).

this is a baby lulu top that i stole, oops- i mean bought, for $5. the pants were part of a set by a brand i can't remember. i didn't care for the top, but loved the pants. they were under $10!

this was e's christmas dress from last year. it also came with a velvet cape (which she adored). it was dirt cheap- taffeta and velvet, lined- under $20!

and here is e's winter coat. she has worn it for two year and it was under $15! it sold in nordstrom in the $80 range!

and so here are my ebay shopping tips-

1.) buy out of season. i buy my spring clothes in jan/feb when nobody else is bidding on the same stuff as me. i am often the only bidder.

2.) set a final bid price while considering the shipping... and then leave it. never go back and up your bid beyond what you originally decided on. i tend to set a personal limit of $25/outfit including the shipping charge.

3.) shop from sellers that offer many listings and offer a shipping discount on multiple wins.

4.) go to your local boutiques and upscale children's stores. make a list of the labels that you like and then search for them by name and size.

5.) don't make too many bids at once. this can cause you to go overboard and/or win way more than you need. if you are shopping a season ahead, you have plenty of time to build a wardrobe.

6.) don't be afraid of gently used items. while i tend to buy NWT (new with tags) or NWOT (new without tags) i have also bout gently used in excellent condition and been very happy! in an effort to protect our little planet, i am trying to lean more towards used items as a method of helping to minimize excess stuff on our planet. hooray for recycling!

7.) you will make a few mistakes in the beginning, but the money you save in the long run is well worth it! if you buy something that doesn't work out, resell it on ebay.

http://www.lilith-ezine.com/articles/2006/WalmartsSweatshops.html

a good end to a terrible 12 hour run.

my girls fought all day long. i didn't even think that there were things that a one year old and a four 1/2 year old COULD fight about. it was shocking and frustrating and exhausting all at the same time. and just when i began to consider selling them to the gypsies, they got all cute and snugly together before bed. i guess i'll keep 'em for another day:)

the sacrifice

there is a lot to be said on the topic of lent, and while this post could be all about the why's and why not's of giving something for this time period, it isn't that kind of post at all. simply, this post is a little story about miss e that might make you laugh just a little bit.

scott gave up sweets for lent this year. i am pretty much in awe every year at this time, because he gives up the same thing every year. and if you know my hubby, then you are very much aware that the way to his heart is freshly baked from the oven. he loves dessert of almost every kind (excluding creme brulee and white chocolate) and needs his daily fix of something sweet. as it would happen, miss e is just like her daddy. she is all over cookies, candy and cake.

and so the other night, as e was choosing her dessert after dinner she turned to her daddy and said, "what are you going to choose?". daddy, feeling the effect of his sacrifice, replied that he had given up sweets until easter. ellie looked at him like he had sixteen heads. (what, no sweets? what have you done with my real father and who are you??? why would anyone do that?) and then she went back to eating her gummy worms, slightly suspicious that she might have to give them up at some point.

mommy, the ever controlling teacher, was feeling like my sweet hubby's answer didn't do full justice to this teachable moment. (if i'm going to tell the story, i best be honest here, so there you have it: my faults and all.) and so i seized up miss e's question and ran with it, right towards my sweet Jesus dying on the cross. i gave her the whole story of how he is the ultimate sacrifice and that daddy is giving up sweets to remind him each day of the sacrifice Jesus made for each of us.

e looked at me, as i talked about Jesus dying and bleeding on the cross for our sins, with real big eyes. she's heard all of this many times, but this time, she was really taking it in (along with those tasty gummy worms). she nodded a lot, asked a few questions and then seemed fully satisfied with my answer. although i swear i saw her cast a sideways glance to her daddy suggesting that he was off his rocker.


the next day, i was making dinner for friends of ours and decided to throw in a batch of chocolate chip cookies. so miss e, along with one of e's friends and myself "made" cookies (again, since i'm all for truth i should report that they were break-aways from the grocery store). e was in heaven. this momma, in spite of my families sweet tooth issues, is not a baker. the girls each devoured several cookies, we gave half to our friends and we saved the remainder for e.


when scott arrived home, ellie, with great concern took her daddy to the plate of cookies. she showed him what we did that afternoon and then looked up at him and said, "when you're done with your sacrifice dad, please don't eat my cookies.


self preservation at its best.

must buy!

if you have small children or think you may be inviting small children to live in your home in the near future i strongly encourage you to march your sweet tushy to the local bookstore and buy a copy of natural baby and childcare by Lauren Feder, M.D. i picked up a copy of this book last week and am literally reading it cover to cover (in spite of the fact that it is more of a reference book).

the book covers just about every topic that a family might encounter and gives a holistic approach to treating it. it also covers the risks of things like soy milk that we see so many families switching to as a result of allergy concerns, sun safety recommendations, healthy feeding guidelines for each age group... and on and on and on.

as a mom that has embraced holistic living since ellie burst on the scene, i have looked at and bought many books similar to this one. however, this one is the best one i've encountered thus far because it is all contained in one book and shows the simplicity and efficacy of this type of treatment.

and while this was not my reason behind raising our family this way, i should also mention that it is an incredibly eco-friendly way of living and keeps the cost of health care at a minimum.

up

nothing i am about to say is by any means new imagery, but this week it became meaningful to me in a very tangible way. sometimes, it takes those personal encounters for a true heartfelt understanding to creep into our lives.

my little d walks around behind me like this for a good majority of every day. she doesn't have many words yet, so it is usually accompanied by "uhhh, uhhh, uhhh" in an effort to be picked up. truth be told, it kind of drives me crazy and i often feel like there is no possible way to get anything done. holding a little one makes just about any task nearly impossible and so i must admit her posture is frustrating to me. sometimes it is adorable, but most of the time even when it provokes a smile, it also evokes a feeling of defeat. at the moment those little arms go up, the realization that what i was just about to do is going to have to wait sets in.

but yesterday, as i was nearing the end of my day, and my sweet little d was especially needy and wanting to picked up constantly, my eyes saw her differently. suddenly, i saw her as having the exact posture that our Father wants us to have. He longs for us to run to him. He longs for us to seek Him. He longs to carry us. and while this is not such a novel concept, my viewing of her dramatically changed. instead of seeing those arms as a sign of defeat, they began to remind me of a sign of how God wants to transform me.

and at the moment that my mind started to see delaney's posture as representative of a beautiful faithful servant, my mind flooded with the lines to a song. (isn't God amazing! only He could have caused my mind to make that connection.)

my cup runneth over

I worry about the stain

teach me to run to You like they run to me for every little thing

for the life of me, i could not remember who sang that song or when i had last heard it, but i was pretty certain that i had it on cd somewhere. i spent a good part of today searching for it. sure enough, it is a song by caedmon's call titled sacred. it is a beautiful song about a being a stay-at-home mom and the realization of what is sacred.

if i know me, i'm pretty certain that defeat will eventually return when miss d stretches up her arms, but i had to capture the image on film and mark this moment. i had to stop and mark this moment where God made Himself very real to me and used my sweet babe as a reminder that He longs for me to run to Him just like my sweet e and sweet d run to me all day long. they don't think about it, they just do in naturally. and they do it with the this simple understanding that momma will meet my needs. it is second nature to them. i long to be that way with my Father.