Momma Style

Scarf and Boyfriend Sweater: Target. Leggings: Nordstrom Rack. Boots: Steve Madden.

As a momma you know things change daily! I filled in this Momma Interview from my favorite magazine last year and I thought it would be fun to do it again....just to see if anything has changed. Also, to see what has stayed the same. If  you want, take the same interview! I would love to learn more about you and your momma-style!

Hope you guys have a great Thursday!

`Describe your parenting style in one word.--- Flexible

`What is your favorite TV family?--- Ross and Monica from Friends

`What is always in your refrigerator?--- Organic Vanilla Yogurt and Ginger Ale

`Last meal you made for your family?--- Homemade Sausage and Bell Pepper Pizza

`Finish this sentence: "I almost died when my child..."--- When Ryan went digging through a strangers purse!

`Craziest thing you've ever done while sleep-deprived.--- We aren't sleep deprived! We love to sleep!

`If you wrote a parenting manual, what would the title be?--- "Go With The Flow!"

`Last lost toy/object you helped your child find?--- His Buzz Lightyear tooth brush he stuck in the heater vent.

`Kids' TV show you love.--- ELMO!

`Guilty Pleasure.--- American Idol and Midnight Popcorn!

`Favorite Place on Earth.--- Snuggled in Dan's arms

`Best parenting advice you ever got?--- Take your baby everywhere!

`First words that pop into your head when you hear the word "Mom".--- Mom? When did I become a Mom?!

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Linking up with The Pleated Poppy

Battle Of The Bink

As a momma you try so hard to set your baby up for success.
Since the day we took our son home both Dan and I have driven for excellence and modeled our own parenting skills, traits, and "rules" after our own amazing parents {and step-parents}.
There is one thing I am not to clear on and although my heart says one thing...others say close to a million other things.

To Bink Or Not To Bink

If you are unfamiliar with the term 'bink' it simply means pacifier. Those cute little things babies suck on for comfort. Also known as;
`mimis
`pacies
`cork
`plug
`"Where is that damn thing! I can't think straight with all the whining!" -Yes...I've said that.

If you fall into the "my baby never took a pacifier" I clap once for you and send you on your way.

For all of those who's children love the bink please read on and lets give each other some advice.

Now that my son is nearly 17 months I am faced with a question "When do we take his bink away?"
There are a lot of parents out there (including grandparents) who think we should diminish the bink as soon as possible. Many think pacifiers are some what of a set back...they are only for babies. Some parents seem to not care, with the mentality of "they will grow out of it when they are ready".

Here is our approach, for now...

Since Ryan is basically a year and half we both think it is time to kick the bink to the curb. So we have nixed Ryan's bink usage during the day. He can only have it before nap time and bed time. Ry now knows he has to leave it in his crib and takes pleasure in throwing it back in his bed. Now, in due time we will tackle taking his bink away fully. In the meantime, we still lean on the bink to sooth Ryan and help him fall asleep. I understand this may create a serious bink-needy monster. I'll fight that dragon when it is time.

I'm interested in what you have done with your children who loved the bink! Give me what you got Mommas! Surely Ryan won't be heading to college with his bink packed away in his suitcase....RIGHT?!

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Saturday Snapshot V

Happy Saturday! Our little family of 3 has been so busy recently. Time is going by so fast....Sometimes I feel overwhelmed at how quick life is happening these days!! We were able to have some special family time this week at the zoo. I have to admit Ryan has been many places, but we have never seen him so excited, so enthralled with the animals at the zoo. He said Hi and Bye to each animal and we could barely keep him in the stroller when he saw the seals because he wanted to swim in the tank. Maybe, he will be a zoologist?

It was so nice to take a deep breath and enjoy the warm afternoon with my two favorite guys. I hope you all get a chance to block everything out and relax with the people you love the most this weekend!

See you on Monday!

Also, super exciting...my post about flying with Ryan was featured on the front 'family' page over at Hello Cotton! {high five}

L.O.V.E Dessert

I know this is super behind...but I thought I would share what the bakery has been up to. We are so excited to have orders coming in! Each time I dance around the living room and Ryan claps his hands. I am pretty sure he just thinks I'm nuts....

We ship both our cake pops and cookies nation wide. Check out our menu and email me if you have any questions.

Happy Tuesday!

 

Airplanes and Toddlers OH MY!

 I think I have mastered the art of "flying with child". Or so I'd like to think. Recently, Ryan and I traveled just the two of us and I learned a thing or two about; airports/airplanes combined with a raging toddler who has a knack for screaming, running and hugging random strangers. Last time I flew with Ryan he slept the entire time snuggled against my chest...this time Ryan felt since he was in a "knew" place he needed to explore everything from the terminal shops, gates and people's personal belongings. {I kid you not, while I reached up to stow my diaper bag in the overhead bin, Ryan reached into a lady's purse and pulled out her iphone and said Hi!}

Here are some tips and tricks I figured out as I traveled...

`Wear the easiest shoes to take on and off yourself and your child. People traveling are not patient with mother's "flying with child" so you gotta move it or lose your child's boot!! 

`Wear layers of clothing because it gets very cold, very hot, very cold etc.....

`Wear your child or use a light umbrella stroller to strap your child close to you. If your child is anything like Ryan, when they aren't strapped in they become King Of The World and roam free and fast!

`Bring anything and everything you use to sooth your child. In our case that is; binks, toys with buttons, binks, juice boxes, binks, ipad with an Elmo show and binks.

`Bring something new for your child to play with. I though stickers were a great idea....until I was the last one off the plane picking them off the arm rest.   

`Ask the flight attendent for extra pretzels and a mini juice cup with a lid. Because once your child sees you drinking from a plastic cup, he will want nothing else but to be doing the same. Go figure!

`Oh, and don't order an alcoholic beverage while alone with your child....unless you want to endure death stares from your surrounding passengers. "Yes I'm a mom, and yes I could use a drink right now."

In the end, it wasn't so awful. After making it out of baggage claim while pushing my stroller, holding two bags and dragging the carseat behind me....I felt like super mom! Then I look down at my son in his stroller fast asleep! Poor thing, I guess "flying with momma" tired him out!

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1st Comes Baby...Then Comes Marriage

We met our sophomore year of college, when we were both 20.
I baked him a cake that I frosted with "Will you be my date to G-Phi formal?"
He ate the cake...then said yes.
We dated till we thought we had enough....
Over time we became best friends.
We dated while we were living in the same dorm, apartment neighbors and long distance.
We met each others families.
We figured out each others weird quirks.
Between our ups and downs, somewhere..
We fell in love.
Thinking we knew it all...we received a crash course in 'Parenthood'.
We were surprised, and strong and succeeded.
Our son is 17 months and is the best thing that has happened to us...since each other.
Now we are both 27...
And just got engaged!

I used to think everything was going to happen according to plan. I used to think there was a right way of doing things. But, turns out there is just a "your way" of doing things. I believe God had a special plan for Dan and I....and what fun he must be having while watching us walk through it! I feel blessed to have found my soul mate and now I get to marry him. I get to make it forever. I feel as though I am the luckiest girl...

Dear Dan,

Thank you for loving me through it all.

Love, J

Saturday Snapshot IV

Dan and I have always been a little nutty...the two of us are anything but normal. I guess you can say that we like to keep things interesting. I am so glad our son came into this world devoted to keeping our little family first class on the crazy train as well! Recently, Ryan has discovered he can undress himself. "These things on my body...I can take them off!" Only problem is he gets one arm or leg free and then gives up. He does it all the time now....which gives us reason to believe he just likes his clothes half on/half off. Awesome! Everyday is an adventure with this us....

Hope your Saturday is a crazy one!

                                                                      

Running For Cupcakes

I'm not a runner. I'm not sure I even like to run. I do sometimes to burn off those cupcakes I eat or when I am chasing Ryan around the park. I'm more of a shake off my calories at a hip hop class kind of girl.
Never do I wake up and feel "Oh man I need a good run!"....
Never do I think "Geeze I should have gone for a run today"....
Never do I say "Yes, I'm going to run a 10K"!

Until now.

Seriously?! I'm participating in the "She Is Beautiful-10k" in 2 short months. I blame Dan's sister who got me excited to run my little heart out along side hundreds of other women who actually enjoy the sport. Although I may seem reluctant to jumping on the running wagon...I've become pleasantly happy about doing so and I'm sticking to a training schedule till the big run! My thighs will thank me I'm sure.

The most exciting part about the "She Is Beautiful-10k" is that Baby Boy Bakery was chosen to supply cupcakes for the women who participate in the race. Our cute logo will be displayed on the race shirts and we'll have our very own display table at the after-race party. How exciting! Plus! What better way to celebrate your race, than to devour an organic cupcake afterward?!

I'm happy to be working with the ladies who are putting on the "She Is Beautiful-10k"! I feel it is such a positive organization and event to associate Baby Boy Bakery with. Here we are combining the likes of exercise to stay healthy, happy and beautiful AS WELL AS eat something yummy in moderation to stay healthy, happy and beautiful {and sane!}. Click on the links above to learn more about this run

I'd love all the running advice you can give. Send me your support as I pound the pavement while pushing my son in our jogging stroller. And if you see a girl laying on the side of the road in bright running shoes gasping for air it's me...splash some water on my face and scream something motivational.

{I'm a stroller jogging momma}